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Now that Democratic leaders in the Senate are trying to clear the way for elimination of the noxious "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy that has led to the discharge of more than 14,000 service men and women whose only "crime" was their sexuality, Lady Gaga is going after the Republican votes that may be needed to break a filibuster.
Working closely with Service Members Legal Defense Network (SLDN), she’s been cutting videos and taking a lead role in urging supporters of gay and lesbian rights to take action.
SLDN’s "Answer Lady Gaga’s Call for Action" message urges support of Democratic moves to address "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" as part of the Defense Authorization bill that will be played on the Senate floor Tuesday.
Tell your senators to vote with Sen. Reid and Sen. Carl Levin in opposing the filibuster, defeat amendments to strike repeal, and defeat any crippling amendments.
Senators should follow the lead of Sen. Carl Levin who will be managing the defense bill.
It is critical that the vote on “final passage” takes place before senators leave for the election recess.
Unfortunately, Arizona Senator John McCain, R-Used to Have a Conscience, has promised to lead a filibuster move.
That means that several Republican senators are going to have to do break with McCain and the bigots. The two key Republican votes are those of Maine senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both moderates who know the law has been abusedand that it has driven good soldiers out of the military.
Gaga swung off her tour to go to Maine, where she headlined a massive rally, asking the crowd: "Should the military be allowed to treat constitutional rights like a cafeteria? In the military, is it acceptable to be a cafeteria American? What I mean to say is, should soldiers and the government be able to pick and choose what we are fighting for in the Constitution or who we are fighting for? I wasn’t aware of this ambiguity in our Constitution. I thought the Constitution was ultimate. I thought equality was non-negotiable."
Now, there will be those who suggest that Lady Gaga ought not be taken so seriously as, say, Sarah Palin. And they’re right. Comparing Lady Gaga with Palin is insulting. After all, Lady Gaga writes her own speeches and has actually contributed some fresh ideas to the debate.
And the pop star’s got a much better fix on the Constitution than the half-baked Alaskan.
So let’s hope Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins are paying attention—to Lady Gaga and to the thousands of Mainers who are saying its time to repeal "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."
IDF. GEN. NIMROD SHEFFER: "IRAN STRIVING FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS TO ADVANCE ITS GOAL OF BECOMING PRIMARY POWER IN MIDDLE EAST."
The danger is this - will the Iranians now come up with a different interpretation of the Lausanne understandings that restrict their nuclear project? And will they simply use it as a benchmark to whittle it down further. They are masters of deception in going one step forward and then taking two steps back. Look for this to happen despite what the euphoric President Obama and Secretary Kerry now think and say. Meanwhile, American and other foreign businessmen will be lining up in Tehran to sign lucrative contracts exerting more pressure on the drive for a nuclear deal.
In the Middle East, Obama's statecraft for Libya, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and now Yemen has fallen far short of his resounding rhetoric. The fact is the Iranians know that Obama and Kerry are more locked into an accord than ever, and Tehran will play it for all it's worth. And that is why Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is highly skeptical and calls it an historic mistake. Look behind the grinning face of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Lausanne to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran, who, every chance he gets, vows 'to wipe the Zionist cancer off the map'. Zarif and President Rouhani are only the front men. But if Iranian citizens are dancing in the streets over the future lifting of the sanctions, will this not influence the regime? That remains to be seen.
It would mean that the State Department's candidate for the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism has seen the light and jettisoned its genocidal aspirations against Israel and altered its grand design to dominate the Middle East and beyond. If that is so, the Ayatollahs and the fanatics in the Revolutionary Guards will be ready to forget about the nuclear weapons program that has cost Iran an estimated 100 billion dollars! (Sanctions plus expenses). Or is it simply a case of the sanctions having bankrupted the country, and there is no option but to take a detour on their road to becoming a nuclear weapons power? It is safe to surmise that the Lausanne round of haggling was only a prelude to what the Iranian negotiators will do now - that is drive their international partners crazy. This where the U.S. Congress may be able to impress Obama and Kerry not to give away the store.
Kerry once remarked that Americans in the Middle East are not 'stupid or foolish'. Here's hoping he's right. At present, there is no way of telling for certain. If Obama and Kerry are right about international inspectors detecting if Iran is violating the deal, then more power to them.
There are many unanswered questions at present. One thing is clear - the emerging nuclear deal with Iran will tie Israel's hands when it comes to going it alone with a unilateral attack on Iran's nuclear sites. That has now gone by the board. With the negotiating process moving into high gear, as well as in the foreseeable future, there would be no U.S. or international legitimization for such a preventative strike.
But not all is doom and gloom. Although Obama and Netanyahu are destined to continue their verbal sniping at one another, the U.S. leader is right in saying there is 'no 'daylight' in America's support in military aid. A striking example was the success, described as 'phenomenal' in the latest test launch of the 'David's Sling' defense missile system. It is the middle tier of Israel's comprehensive blueprint for protecting the state from rocket attacks from near or afar.
Short range - Iron Dome, which proved so effective in intercepting Hamas short-range rockets from Gaza last summer.
Arrow Two - also operational for intercepting long-range ballistic missiles from Iran.
Now David's Sling has joined the club with a defensive missile for intercepting intermediate range rockets.
The test, monitored by American observers, proved so successful that it will now go into production. The overall development was conducted in Israel and financed by the U.S. as were Iron Dome and Arrow.
In an interview with Israel Today before the Lausanne deal was made public, Gen. Nimrod Sheffer, the chief of the IDF's Planning Branch, was asked if Israel could launch 'dramatic operations' which the U.S. opposed.
Gen. Sheffer: 'When Israel's national security is involved, the answer is yes'.
Question: You were already serving in the Israel Air Force when it attacked the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981 and reportedly the Syrian reactor in 2007. Can you foresee a situation today that would send Israeli pilots to bomb a nuclear reactor in Iran against the will of the U.S.?
Gen. Sheffer: 'If that has already happened I see no reason why it could not happen again. I think that when the state of Israel feels its security depends on taking action, she will do it, and that every true partner will accept it. And I think the Americans are such partners, even with all the tension there is today. They are true and authentic partners and not a facade of partnership. In a situation where the Israeli government decides to order the IDF to do what's needed, I believe it will be accepted. Therefore, I totally support every decision taken in this context and believe it will not dismantle the relationship between the U.S. and Israel'.
Gen. Sheffer: 'From the strategic perspective, the direction is very clear. Iran is striving to become a regional power in all parameters. It wants to become an industrial power, military, scientific, cultural, and also to produce a lot of terrorism. Her expansion, which we now witness very clearly in Yemen, serves precisely the same idea of spreading its tentacles in the Middle East. When I observe this entire game, it is directed very clearly at forging its position as a regional power whose sphere of influence far exceeds Iran's borders. Going nuclear will serve this interest because it makes it very difficult to threaten Tehran in these other arenas'.
Question: You mentioned the word 'game'? That’s what the Iranians are doing, playing?
Gen. Sheffer: 'Absolutely. They are always asking themselves how they can guarantee their ability to acquire nuclear weapons. I do not know if they will do it today or tomorrow, but if you ask about Iranians, I have not a shadow of doubt that the first idea in their heads is how to acquire a nuclear weapons capability that will enable them to implement their ideas about becoming the primary regional power'.
Question: In other words when Iran says it does not want nuclear weapons, she is lying?
Gen. Sheffer: 'I think I would add an additional word that completes the puzzle. Iran doesn't want nuclear weapons now. But a state that doesn't want nuclear weapons at all, has other ways to produce civilian nuclear energy, she agrees to all the regulations, to all the rules of control and inspection. This is not the case with Iran'.
Question: When you speak to your colleagues abroad, they don't understand it?
Gen. Sheffer: 'Most of them understand it, but they don't live in the Middle East, and I'm not at all saying that cynically. Iran wants to build its dome of nuclear capability on her other spheres of influence that are not felt overseas. But when you sit on the Golan Heights and observe how Hezbollah is now moving there, when you understand what Lebanon is, when you look at what is happening in Yemen today and how they are dominating another country via the Houthi tribesmen, you do feel the Iranian influence.
Today's weather-delayed running of the [Corporate Sponsor] 500 in Texas got bad for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. very quickly as his car lost a tire then caught on fire after hitting the wall.
The incident came as Earnhardt was running in 17th place on the 13th lap of the race. He escaped the car without serious injury, and was quickly given a medical OK.
I have been married for six years. This is my first marriage, but the second for my wife. Everything was going well until my 18-year-old daughter, who lives in rural Jamaica, asked me if she could come and stay with us and go to school.
We have a three, bedroom house, and it is only my wife and I living here. I told her mother that I have no objection to her coming.
I have always supported my two children. The boy is older and he is doing welding. He has a girlfriend and she has two children for him.
My daughter was living with her mother. There is not a week that she doesn't call me. She doesn't even have a serious boyfriend.
When I told my wife that she wants to come and stay with us and go to school, my wife objected and said that she wouldn't want her in the house because an 18-year-old girl is a big woman. She felt that she would bring her man into the house. I told her that that doesn't have to happen. We can lay down the rules. She still said no, she doesn't want her in the house.
Imagine, Pastor, this house is mine. I bought the land and built it. I am a small contractor, and now this woman is telling me that my daughter can't come here to stay and go to school.
When I became friendly with my wife, my younger brother told me that I should be careful because something must be wrong for a woman to get divorced and she does not even have a child or money.
When I took this woman, she told me she did not have any money. I bought her a car, and she is working. Sometimes she still asks me for money.
I asked her what she does with her money, and she says she has it in the bank. She is always going to Miami and to New York to shop.
I am not complaining about that, but I don't see why my daughter can't live here with us.
Tell me if I am wrong, Pastor. If my daughter can't live here with us, don't you think my wife should leave? I told her that she would have to go, and she told me that I can't put her out.
So, I am here asking for your advice. My daughter is here now, but she doesn't talk to my daughter at all.
I wish not to cause any problem, but, sir, c ontinue to do your very best for your daughter . Your wife is not even willing to give this young woman a chance to prove herself.
She is determined not to have her stay at your house and that attitude is wrong. What does she know about this young woman that would cause her to feel that she would bring men into your house?
There are women who do not like to have stepchildren living with them regardless of who these stepchildren are. I say to you, don't allow your daughter to leave your house.
But I go further to say, please go and see a lawyer for legal advice. This woman seems to be a gold digger.
“The doctor will see you now.” It’s a common phrase, but no longer true. Even in the exam room, you’re unlikely to make more than fleeting eye contact with your doctor.
That’s because federal laws and regulations have turned doctors into robotic clerks. Your doctor has to stay glued to the computer screen, clicking boxes, following prompts and posing questions the federal government wants asked, never mind your reasons for being there. The biggest loser is you, the patient.
But help is on the way. The Trump administration has started rolling back these regulations. Fortunately, this regulatory relief does not depend on repealing ObamaCare.
You can blame former President Barack Obama for the demise of the eye-to-eye conversation with your doctor. Back in 2009, he signed into law the HITECH Act, compelling doctors and hospitals that accept Medicare or Medicaid payments to use electronic medical record systems in a “meaningful” way — or pay a hefty penalty.
What’s “meaningful”? Obama’s tech czar Dr. David Blumenthal explained that it’s not just about getting rid of paper files and “putting machinery in offices.” Blumenthal, an admirer of European-style, single-payer health care, wanted top-down control of how doctors practice. “Meaningful” meant doctors following “embedded clinical decision supports.” Translation: The feds wanted computers telling doctors what to do.
The Obama administration claimed this centralized approach would improve care and save money. It’s done the opposite. Primary care doctors spend as much time following computer commands as they do interacting with their patients, according to a recent study in Health Affairs.
Jeffrey Moses, an interventional cardiologist at Columbia Presbyterian, complains the system is “taking the doctor’s eyes off the patient.” It places “little value on the doctor patient bond,” he adds.
Dr. Lloyd Minor, dean of Stanford University School of Medicine, says “there is nothing more frustrating to a patient than talking to their doctor, wanting advice, and that provider is typing away and looking at a computer screen.” Minor warns the phenomenon has reduced the quality of medical care.
Each time a patient comes in, even for follow-up, the doctor is required to repeat a long list of stock questions about sleeping, breathing, digestion, mobility, circulation and other bodily systems. Never mind that the patient answered those questions a week earlier. Dr. Jeffrey Borer, a New York heart-valve specialist, says the burden is “immense,” robbing time needed to listen to patients’ concerns.
Borer calls it “cookie cutter” medicine. The individual patient whose needs don’t fit the protocols is out of luck.
Despite an onslaught of complaints that the science of medicine was being “legislated and regulated” away, Republicans in Congress repeated the mistake. In 2015, a Republican majority enacted the so-called “doc-fix” law, which makes Medicare and Medicaid payments to doctors contingent on adhering to the same rigid protocols. As if DC bureaucrats can define quality medicine better than your doctor.
Fortunately, the Trump administration is taking action. On June 30, officials proposed exempting nearly two-thirds of physicians in 2018, starting with doctors in smaller practices.
Electronic medical records can save lives in an emergency. Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price promises to focus on ensuring a patient’s records can be shared instantaneously among hospitals and doctors. That’s the right approach. Technology should benefit the patient, not shackle the doctor.
DEMOLITION LABORERS Large Demolition and Industrial Dismantling Contractor is gearing up for a very busy summer! IRS Environmental seeks Demolition Laborers. We are an established, 34 year old contracting company with long term prospects, fully paid health care benefits and a 401K. Job requires travel to job site locations throughout the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana). We are looking for energetic persons in excellent health. You will be required to take a drug test and pass a physical examination. Pickup an application at: 12415 E. Trent Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99216 or download an application at www.irsenviro.com.
Bhavnagar police have registered a complaint against minister Vibhavari Dave for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by shouting slogans inside a polling booth during voting.
Maval Lok Sabha has six state assembly constituencies - Pimpri, Chinchwad, Maval, Karjat, Panvel, and Uran.
However, Vikhe-Patil has not yet resigned from the Congress party. His son Sujay recently left the Congress and joined the BJP on the eve of Lok Sabha polls.
GERC issued the power tariff order on petitions filed by Torrent Power and four state owned power distribution companies on Wednesday, a day after voting for Lok Sabha elections.
While this Lok Sabha election is largely two-pronged in Bihar - between the ruling NDA and the Opposition Mahagathbandhan - making the polls colourful are some random and odd candidates with their..
Jaitley said, "I am sad that new India has been denied the opportunity to establish that it does not accept inexperienced dynasts with no other credentials."
Congress and BJP have now turned their focus on finalising candidates for Chincholi and Kundgol assembly constituencies for the May 19 by-elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed on national security, saying a New India gives a befitting reply to terrorism. Addressing a meeting after a massive show of strength in his Lok Sabha..
Mayawati was addressing a joint rally Kannauj with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and RLD president Ajit Singh.
Gambhir is pitted against Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely and AAP's Atishi in a triangular contest in the East Delhi constituency during the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi.
Priyanka Gandhi not to contest from Varanasi! A much anticipated mouth-watering contest between Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi this Lok Sabha election will not..
Raj, who joined the grand old party after meeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi earlier in the day, chose to lash out at the BJP at a news conference at AICC headquarters calling the saffron party..
Informed Congress sources said that nothing can be said with finality and the changes of Priyanka getting fielded from Varanasi are 50-50.
BJP's Diya Kumari and Congress' Devkinandan Gurjar will be up in the key contest in Rajsamand. In the 4th phase, a total of 71 seats across 8 states will witness Lok Sabha election 2019.
The AAP on Wednesday approached the poll authorities raising objections over "shortcomings" in the documents submitted by BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidates from Delhi -- Gautam Gambhir and Ramesh Bidhuri..
This court can't stop the accused from contesting elections, NIA court said.
The collector stated that as per rule 49 MA of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, the voter was asked to record a test vote in presence of the election officers.
Naresh Jaiswal aka Raju Mataji who is contesting as an independent from Ahmedabad East.
CEO S Murali Krishna said that they had received 43 complaints during the day through social media, media and other means, of which 11 were from Ahmedabad, five each in Junagadh and Amreli, and three..
Spread over four districts of South Kashmir - Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian -- the constituency, with an electorate of 13. 97 lakh votes, comprises of 16 assembly segments.
The BJP dropped its two sitting MPs -- Udit Raj from North-West Delhi and Maheish Girri from East Delhi -- from the list of its Lok Sabha candidates from the national capital, but the two had..
In the first two phases, election was held to 91 and 95 seats on April 11 and April 18 respectively. Election to 543 seats is being held in seven phases. The counting of votes will be on May 23.
Among these 27 voters from one family, the 95-year-old Parvatibai was the eldest voter who was taken to the polling booth on a wheelchair. The youngest voter from the family is 26 years old Niranjan..
The highest turnout was recorded in Shimoga with 41.66% and the lowest in Gulbarga with 30.48% till 1 PM.
Voting began at a brisk pace at 7:00 am in polling booths in all 26 seats in the home state of prime minister Narendra Modi.
The announcement was made by party patron and Akali stalwart Parkash Singh Badal.
Archway Gallery presents "The Drift of Stars," featuring recent paintings and works in fused glass by Liz Conces Spencer. Spencer’s new body of work explores her visual thoughts on the passage and mystery of time.
The artist will visit with guests at the opening reception, and will discuss her work in a talk at 6:30 pm. She will be joined by poet Diana Conces, who will read from selected works which have been paired to pieces in the exhibition.
Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display until January 3, 2019.
From the Vault: Staff Selections, The Hyde Collection, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. Whitney-Renz and Hoopes galleries. With approximately 4,000 works in The Hyde’s permanent collection, it seems impossible to pick a favorite. But museum staff members — education, administration, security, operations, visitor services, finance and curatorial — have done just that. With selections that vary from prominent artists including Winslow Homer, Pablo Picasso and Elihu Vedder, and significantly more obscure artists such as Greg O’Halloran and the Master of Monte Oliveto, From the Vault provides a deeper look into The Hyde’s collection and insight into the people who do the behind-the-scenes work at the museum. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Mondays, open from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Exhibit runs through March 31.
Lake George Mom Prom 2019 Ticket Sales, Dunham’s Bay Resort, 2999 State Route 9L , Lake George. The American Disc Jockey Association is hosting the 6th Annual Lake George Mom Prom on Saturday, March 30 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Dunham’s Bay Resort in Lake George. Proceeds will benefit Literacy NY Greater Capital Region, Warren County Sheriff’s Department Canine Unit and local resident Heather Whitney. The concept is for women to enjoy a fun night out while raising money for charities. There will be basket raffles, dancing and many memories made. Fun for women of all ages to have a relaxing night out with friends.
Story Time, 1:30-2 p.m., Hudson Falls Free Library, 220 Main Street, Hudson Falls. A variety of books, songs and finger plays. Geared towards infants up to 7 years of age with parent or caregiver.
After School Arts and Crafts, 3:30-5 p.m., Hudson Falls Free Library, 220 Main Street, Hudson Falls. Projects that focus more on the process of creating and creating and exploring art more than the end result. Stop by anytime between 3:30 and 5 p.m. All ages are welcome.
Kids Teaching Seniors Technology, 4-6 p.m., Glens Falls High School, Band and Orchestra Room, Quade Street (use Door Q), Glens Falls. Have you read about virtual reality or robots and wanted to experience them? Are you totally frustrated by your smartphone or computer or concerned about staying safe on the Internet? “Cyber Seniors” Night is being run by the Glens Falls City Schools, students, and staff and they invite you to bring your own computer or use provided ones for an evening of learning and fun. Travel around the room to various dedicated stations or take 3 optional mini-classes starting at 4:30 p.m.: Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram OH MY!; Outsmarting Your Smartphone!; and Staying Safe on the Internet. To reserve your place, please call The Conkling Center: 518-793-1494. No fee.