Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy New Years!

Onward!

Google - Year In Search 2016

See what the world searched for in 2016.
http://google.com/2016 | #YearInSearch

2016


Dictionary.com Word of the Year

Robert Reich explains why xenophobia was appropriately chosen as the 2016 "Word of the Year' by Dictonary.com.

The Year In Science IFLS

Bye Bye Science...


Are Trumpists Beginning to Realize They've Been Conned?

hahahahhaha

--Former Trump supporters take to social media to voice their displeasure with President-elect Trump flip-flopping on his campaign promises


Paul Ryan: House sit-in on guns is a 'publicity stunt'

Mr. I want to be President in 2020...and I can outwit and flatter Trump and indoctrinate him in the ideologies of Ayn Rand with my GOP coloring book cuz I am smarter than everybody!

Mr Ryan Biting His Tongue As He Endures Donald Trump, The Man Who Can Make His Dreams Come True

Washington (CNN)Paul Ryan called the Democratic lawmakers' sit-in Wednesday to protest inaction on gun laws a "publicity stunt," saying that House liberals were more interested in headlines than solving the problem.
The speaker of the House also told CNN's Wolf Blitzer on "The Situation Room" that he was not planning on actively fundraising for Donald Trump's cash-strapped campaign, and that he saw possible agreement between his pro-trade message and Trump's protectionist sympathies.
But the sit-in that began earlier in Ryan's chamber earned his scorn.
"This is nothing more than a publicity stunt," Ryan said, saying House Democrats would infringe on Second Amendment rights and do nothing to prevent terrorist attacks. "This is not about a solution to a problem. This is about trying to get attention."
Full Story

Dan Rather on Trump and Nukes


A Crazy Guy at RedState Says Trump Would Have Beaten Obama. Hilarious!

December 29, 2016 Renee Webb

President Obama appeared on The Axe Files with David Axelrod Monday, when he was asked if he had run again on the same platform he had previously, did he think he would have won against Hairnado.
Here is his response:
I am confident in this vision because I’m confident that if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could’ve mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind it.
So Dan Spencer over at RedState wrote an entire column devoted to how there is no way in living hell President Obama would have beaten Donald Trump, because he is such a terrible president. I guess he sort of forgot about the whole four-year-high approval rating the President is currently enjoying, which was 54% on 11/3 and is 56% now. This is the highest it has been since right after his reelection in 2012. Oops, was that…”election” word used?
Then, President Obama won OVER Cheetolini in Gallup’s Most Admired Poll, twenty-two to fifteen percent.

Full Story via Modern Liberal


Vermont utility confirms system breach by Russians

Gasp...Bernie!!!

By and

Evidence of Russian hacking has been detected in a Vermont utility system, a company spokesman confirmed Friday night.
A representative of Burlington Electric Department said in statement that a Russian campaign linked to recent cyberattacks had breached a single laptop within the utility, though it was not connected to the organization's electrical grids.
Full Story via Politico


Conservatives Can’t BELIEVE California Legalized Child Prostitution, Probably Because IT DIDN’T

By Robyn Pennacchia
 
An op-ed written by California state Assembly member Travis Allen in the Washington Examiner is getting a lot of traction in the Wingnut-O-Sphere today, perhaps because the headline of said op-ed is “California Legalizes Child Prostitution.”
WOAH IF TRUE! Man, that sure sounds terrible! Why does California want all the children to have sex for money? That is for sure a terrible thing, it is very surprising that someone would want that! One would just think that child sex-trafficking would be something that we could all agree to be universally against!
Full Story via Wonkette

Travis Allen - American Idiot
 

Eric Boehlert On MSNBC's All In: It's "Up To The Press" To Keep Trump From "Creat[ing] His Own Reality"

Mormon Tabernacle Singer Quits Choir Over Trump Inauguration

"I only know I could never 'throw roses to Hitler.' And I certainly could never sing for him," Jan Chamberlin writes.

In a heartfelt and piercing resignation letter, a singer in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir outlined why she is quitting the choir rather than perform at Donald Trump's inauguration.

"Looking from the outside in, it will appear that Choir is endorsing tyranny and facism [sic] by singing for this man," Jan Chamberlin, a five-year veteran of the choir, wrote to choir president Ron Jarrett in an email she also shared on Facebook, the Salt Lake City Tribune reports.
Full Story via Rolling Stone

Jan Chamberlin - New American Hero

Throwing Roses To Hitler

Rockette says she would rather lose her job than perform at Trump's ...

Mormons Petition To Stop Tabernacle Choir From Singing At ...

Here's How Obama Is Trump-Proofing His Legacy

Dec. 29, 2016 9:25 AM

So what has President Obama done over the past month to get a few last-minute liberal priorities in place before Donald Trump takes over? Obama has moved forward on eight substantial executive actions so far:
  • Enacted a permanent ban on offshore oil and gas drilling in areas of the Arctic and the Atlantic Seaboard.
  • Refused to veto a UN resolution condemning Israel's settlements in the West Bank.
  • Designated two new national monuments totalling more than 1.6 million acres: Bears Ears Buttes in southeastern Utah and Gold Butte in Nevada.
  • Instructed the Department of Homeland Security to formally end the long-disused NSEERs database, which Trump could have revived as the backbone of a new Muslim registry.
  • Instructed the Army Corps of Engineers to deny final permits for the Dakota Access Pipeline where it crosses the Missouri River near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation.
  • Issued a final rule that bans the practice among some red states of withholding federal family-planning funds from Planned Parenthood and other health clinics that provide abortions.
  • Finalized rules to determine whether schools were succeeding or failing under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
  • Began an investigation into charges of Russian hacking during the presidential campaign. 
Full Story via Mother Jones

How Trump Made Russia's Hacking More Effective

It was the president-elect’s hyperbolic characterizations of the pilfered material that turned routine documents into the stuff of scandal.


“It’s all just an attempt to delegitimize Donald Trump.” That’s the argument you hear from Trump supporters each time new information comes to light about how hard Russian spy services worked to damage Hillary Clinton. You heard it again on Thursday.
The Trump supporters are 100 percent right: The information is delegitimizing. The president-elect of the United States reportedly owes his office in considerable part to illegal clandestine activities in his favor conducted by a hostile, foreign spy service. It’s hard to imagine a crisis of presidential legitimacy more extreme than that. But that’s no argument against airing this information. It’s precisely why the information must be aired.
Full Article Via The Atlantic



Our Dystopian Future Starts January 20th, 2017


Mar-a-Lago sold tickets to New Year’s Eve party with Trump

He's playin and they're payin...

The private club owned by the president-elect sold hundreds of tickets to the party the Trump family will attend.

By and

Two Major Democrats Go Behind the Lines at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago


Friday, December 30, 2016

Nope, Putin Won't Expell Diplomats

Because yes means no and no means yes these days....and everyone wants to show everyone whose the boss. Need a frickin scorecard to keep up.


Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia won't be expelling U.S. diplomats in a tit-for-tat response to U.S. sanctions, as his foreign minister had suggested earlier Friday.
Instead, he says he will decide how to move forward depending on the actions of President-elect Donald Trump's administration.
Full Story 


 

Andy Puzder Employees Don't Need Overtime Will Have Lucrative Sense Of Acomplishment

These coal country voters backed Trump. Now they’re worried about losing Obamacare.



Last night, CNN aired a terrific segment on people from coal country who voted for Donald Trump — but are now worried that his vow to repeal Obamacare will deprive them of crucial protections that enable them to stay afloat financially. This dovetails with other reporting that suggests a lot of Trump voters may be harmed by repeal of the law.
Which raises a question: Did voters such as these know they were voting for this? After all, Trump promised countless times throughout the campaign to repeal the Affordable Care Act, didn’t he? If they are complaining about this now, don’t they have only themselves to blame?
Full Story via Washington Post 

 

Could black lung benefits be in jeopardy?

Trump needs to keep these promises to his voters

A look at Trump's 'clean coal' options

Is There Really Such a Thing As Clean Coal?

Holiday special: Watch INEQUALITY FOR ALL for free. Holiday Gift from Robert Reich

Enter password: bernie2016
 

Inequality for All (2013) - IMDb

www.imdb.com/title/tt2215151/
Rating: 8.1/10 - ‎5,385 votes
Documentary · A documentary that follows former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich as he looks to raise awareness of the country's widening economic gap.



All Hands On Deck ~ 5 Things You Can Do Right Now About Donald J. Trump - from Michael Moore

It's been seven weeks since Hillary beat Trump by nearly 3 million votes but lost the presidency to him. So if your head is still spinning from that mindf***, or you can't quite believe a malignant narcissist will now sit in the Oval Office, or if you are simply still working your way through the 17 stages of grief, then I am here to say to you, "There's no crying in TrumpLand -- Let's get to work!" All hands on deck! Brush your yourself off and let's get busy because: a) All hope is not lost; b) There are more of us than there are of them; and c) The roadside is littered with the ended careers of self-absorbed, narcissistic politicians whose arrogance led them to do things that caused their early resignation or impeachment. Don't think that can't happen here.
I do not say these things because I am filled with optimism. In fact, I think the first thing we all have to do in order to move on is to admit out loud what we already think privately: As bad as we know it's going to be, it's actually going to be worse. A lot worse. Now cheer up and read on...
THE FIVE THINGS EACH OF US MUST DO THIS WEEK
1. MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN. Your Senators and Members of Congress are home right now, in your town (or a nearby town), for their holiday break. Their office is open! You don't need an appointment. Just show up (to find out where the local office is click here: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/ and type in your zip code). Go there (take a friend!), walk in and say "I'm a constituent and I'd like a few minutes with my Congressman/woman." He/she may be busy, so tell them you'd like to speak to someone on the staff for a couple minutes. Most local congressional offices are LOATHE to turn anyone away because to them you are that one vote who could vote them out of office. Tell the person you get to speak to why you want the Congressman to block all the damage Trump is going to do (cite examples). If he/she is a Republican, they will explain why they "support the new President." You then must politely tell them you and everyone you know will work to unseat them in 2018 if they don't act independently from Trump. The calmer and cooler you say this, the more they will believe it. If your rep is a Democrat, tell him/her that you expect them to AGGRESSIVELY fight the Trump agenda -- and if they don't, you will work with others to support a true progressive in the Democratic primary in 2018. Tell them that millions of us will do what the Tea Party did to the Republicans: primary them and toss them out of office. Say it politely, thank them, then leave. You actually showing up in person to do this is as powerful as 100 letters or a large demonstration on the street in front of their office. Do this and post it on social media. Post it on my Facebook or Twitter and I'll try to re-post/tweet as many as I can.
2. WRITE TO THE DNC TONIGHT. It will take 5 minutes. Send a quick email to the Democratic National Committee (http://my.democrats.org/page/s/contact-the-democrats) and tell them you want them to elect Congressman Keith Ellison as the new chairperson of the Democratic Party. He is the future and everyone else is the past. Here's what the old guard gave us: TWICE in 16 years the Democratic candidate WON the vote for President but LOST the White House. Incredible! This has to stop! Ellison and the progressive wing of the party must take us forward. Keith has the backing of Bernie Sanders and myself, but also the endorsement of some of the old guard who've come around to see the error of past ways (Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer, etc.). In addition to being born in Detroit, spending his adulthood as a community organizer and now representing the Twin Cities in the House, Ellison is also the only Muslim member of Congress. He was one of the few members of Congress brave enough to back Bernie. He will fight to turn this around and, as a son of the Midwest, bring that part of the country back from the dark side. Let's flood the DNC with emails tonight (and cc: the your state Democratic Party, too - you can look up their email address on Google).
3. FORM YOUR OWN RAPID RESPONSE TEAM. By New Year's Day this Sunday, I want you to ask 5 to 10 friends, family members, co-workers, classmates or neighbors to be part of your Rapid Response Team. Pick a name for it -- the "Doyle Family Rapid Response Team", the "Oak Street Rapid Response Team", the "Seabrook High School Rapid Response Team", the "Gilmore Girls Fan Club Rapid Response Team", etc. Set a plan to contact each other online as soon as word goes out on any given day to oppose what Trump and Congress are up to. Your Rapid Response Team will agree with each other to email elected reps, make calls, post on social media, go to protests and/or organize others at work, school or in the neighborhood. Through my own social media sites, as stuff happens, I will send out instructions immediately as to what we all must do. Sign up now to follow me on my Facebook (facebook.com/mmflint) and Twitter (twitter.com/mmflint) if you don't already. Form your team this week. I'm personally organizing a Rapid Response Team in the apartment building where I live. We need to get prepared and be ready now. If we wait til late January to organize, it will be too late.
4. MAKE PLANS NOW TO BE AT THE INAUGURATION WEEKEND PROTESTS! We need millions in the streets in DC -- and that's what it looks like it's shaping up to be. The big march will be the day after the Inauguration - the Million Women March on January 21st. Click here for details https://www.facebook.com/events/2169332969958991/. On January 20th - Inauguration Day - a call has been gone out to non-violently disrupt the proceedings. Go to http://www.disruptj20.org/ and learn about civil disobedience on that day. Planes and trains are already selling out, as are hotels. Contact the above sites to get info on buses and housing (or charter your own bus from your town). Everyone who can should be there. If you can't make it, find (or organize) a local protest in your area. Take the day off. No one should be silent that day.
5. YOU SHOULD RUN FOR OFFICE. Yes, YOU. Why not? Who else do you think is going to do it? I'm not saying you have to be the next Senator from Michigan, but why not run for State Rep. or school board or city council? At the very least, run for precinct delegate in the local Democratic Party. It's time to stop carping about politicians and become one. But a different kind of one! I ran for and got elected to the school board at 18-years old. Form your campaign committee now for the elections in 2017 and 2018. (If you need me, I'll even offer to be your honorary chair!) You know you can do this. We have no choice. We've left it up to others - yes, Democrats - and they are inept and continual losers. Haven't you had enough? Run for office, any office!
There you go. 5 Easy Pieces. Start tonight. And spread this around. ALL HANDS ON DECK!
-- Michael Moore
https://www.facebook.com/mmflint/posts/10154046637756857

Russia moves to expel US diplomats in response to sanctions

Via BBC


The Russian foreign ministry has called for the expulsion of 35 US diplomats in response to a similar move by Washington.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the request had been made to President Vladimir Putin.
The Obama administration expelled 35 Russia diplomats and their families over alleged Russian hacking during the US election campaign.
Russia denies any involvement and calls the US action "ungrounded".
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev accused the outgoing administration of President Barack Obama of ending in "anti-Russian death throes".
Full Story

If You’re A Liberal, Stop Sharing Links From These Fake News Sites

I agree, we must set the example by verifying, crossing all T's and dotting all I's

’Im expecting the following responses to this article on stopping Donald Trump. Normally, I would be loath to suggest working with conservatives and Republicans, but 2016 has taken the normal rules of our political system and turned them into a burning cross Klan rally that is our future under a Trump presidency.
“Wait, what? How dare you suggest that we work together with conservatives to stop Trump? Conservatives and Republicans are our worst enemy according to everyone I know in the liberal media! You’re a secret Republican plant paid off by the NRA and the Koch Brothers like those websites said, I knew it!”
I get it, the though of working with Republicans is stomach-turning to most liberals, especially those who have not had to work in the daily grind of government. Outside of the partisan bubble fantasy, our country has always managed to lurch forwards because people from all sides got together and found a way to make things work. The last time we failed to do that was a little over 150 years ago, and approximately 620,000 soldiers died as a result in our Civil War.

Full Story and List of Media Sites Via Modern Liberal


Dear Liberals: To Stop Trump, We Have To Work With Republicans

Dear Liberals: To Stop Trump, We Have To Work With Republicans

Tough Question


Israel's Attorney General 'orders criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu'

Allegations of bribery and fraud made against leader, according to report
 Harriet Agerholm

Police declined to confirm or deny the Channel 10 report AP
 
Israel's Attorney General has ordered a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a TV channel in the country.
Channel 10 claimed Mr Netanyahu would be summoned to give evidence following a nine month police inquiry into two unspecified matters.
Police have reportedly been investigating allegations of bribery and fraud against Mr Netanyahu, The Times of Israel reported.

Full Story and Video via The Independent
 

Trump Seeks Credit for 5,000 Sprint Jobs Already Touted

by Justin Sink, Michelle Jamrisko and Olga Kharif
Bloomberg 
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump sought credit for Sprint Inc.’s commitment to create or bring back 5,000 jobs that the carrier says are part of broader U.S. hiring plans previously announced by Japan-based parent SoftBank Group Corp.

"Trump disputed the notion that the jobs had already been announced, telling reporters later Wednesday that “I just spoke with the head person. He said because of me they’re doing 5,000 jobs in this country.” He referred reporters to his spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, for details. She didn’t respond to a request for comment."
Full Story 

 Lyin Donny Trump

Marco Rubio Statement on Russian Sanctions - He Gets It

We need a bipartisan effort to thwart Russian Stooge Trump from his Un-American agenda.

 Hey Trump, Look at those great big hands...

Shady Pastor to Pray With Trump at Inauguration

Paula White has spent her life taking money from gullible people in the name of religion. And thanks to Trump, she’ll be taking her road show to the inauguration.

 
In 2007, TV preacher Paula White got investigated by the U.S. Senate for her shady fundraising practices.
Ten years later, she will pray at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Yes, really.
Full Article via Daily Beast 

Paula White, prosperity preacher once investigated by Senate, is a ...

Apopka pastor Paula White's appearance at Trump inaugural criticized 

Twice-Divorced Paula White Praying at Trump Inauguration Is ... 

Yup she is as sketchy as the rest

GOP Looking To Profit From Pain Repealing ACA


Obama's Russia sanctions put Hill Republicans in a box

They're caught between the GOP's longstanding tough-on-Russia stance and Donald Trump.
By

President Barack Obama’s eleventh-hour Russia sanctions present a big test for congressional Republicans, who are torn between decades-old GOP principles and their new standard-bearer's unorthodox embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Democrats are already seeking to exploit this rift, drafting legislation designed to make it harder for President-elect Donald Trump to unilaterally roll back Obama’s new sanctions.

Full Story via Politico

“While today’s action by the administration is overdue, it is an appropriate way to end eight years of failed policy with Russia,” Paul Ryan said in a statement.

Also See

On Salon Talks, Media Matters' President Angelo Carusone Explains How The Fake News Ecosystem Lets The "Alt-Right" Harass People


White House FACT SHEET: Actions in Response to Russian Malicious Cyber Activity and Harassment

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 29, 2016
 
Today, President Obama authorized a number of actions in response to the Russian government’s aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election in 2016.  Russia’s cyber activities were intended to influence the election, erode faith in U.S. democratic institutions, sow doubt about the integrity of our electoral process, and undermine confidence in the institutions of the U.S. government.  These actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Sanctioning Malicious Russian Cyber Activity
In response to the threat to U.S. national security posed by Russian interference in our elections, the President has approved an amendment to Executive Order 13964.  As originally issued in April 2015, this Executive Order created a new, targeted authority for the U.S. government to respond more effectively to the most significant of cyber threats, particularly in situations where malicious cyber actors operate beyond the reach of existing authorities.  The original Executive Order focused on cyber-enabled malicious activities that:
  • Harm or significantly compromise the provision of services by entities in a critical infrastructure sector;
  • Significantly disrupt the availability of a computer or network of computers (for example, through a distributed denial-of-service attack); or
  • Cause a significant misappropriation of funds or economic resources, trade secrets, personal identifiers, or financial information for commercial or competitive advantage or private financial gain (for example, by stealing large quantities of credit card information, trade secrets, or sensitive information).
The increasing use of cyber-enabled means to undermine democratic processes at home and abroad, as exemplified by Russia’s recent activities, has made clear that a tool explicitly targeting attempts to interfere with elections is also warranted.  As such, the President has approved amending Executive Order 13964 to authorize sanctions on those who:
  • Tamper with, alter, or cause a misappropriation of information with the purpose or effect of interfering with or undermining election processes or institutions.
Using this new authority, the President has sanctioned nine entities and individuals:  two Russian intelligence services (the GRU and the FSB); four individual officers of the GRU; and three companies that provided material support to the GRU’s cyber operations.
  • The Main Intelligence Directorate (a.k.a. Glavnoe Razvedyvatel’noe Upravlenie) (a.k.a. GRU) is involved in external collection using human intelligence officers and a variety of technical tools, and is designated for tampering, altering, or causing a misappropriation of information with the purpose or effect of interfering with the 2016 U.S. election processes.
  • The Federal Security Service (a.k.a. Federalnaya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti) (a.k.a FSB) assisted the GRU in conducting the activities described above.
  • The three other entities include the Special Technology Center (a.k.a. STLC, Ltd. Special Technology Center St. Petersburg) assisted the GRU in conducting signals intelligence operations; Zorsecurity (a.k.a. Esage Lab) provided the GRU with technical research and development; and the Autonomous Noncommercial Organization “Professional Association of Designers of Data Processing Systems” (a.k.a. ANO PO KSI) provided specialized training to the GRU.
  • Sanctioned individuals include Igor Valentinovich Korobov, the current Chief of the GRU; Sergey Aleksandrovich Gizunov, Deputy Chief of the GRU; Igor Olegovich Kostyukov, a First Deputy Chief of the GRU; and Vladimir Stepanovich Alexseyev, also a First Deputy Chief of the GRU.
In addition, the Department of the Treasury is designating two Russian individuals, Evgeniy Bogachev and Aleksey Belan, under a pre-existing portion of the Executive Order for using cyber-enabled means to cause misappropriation of funds and personal identifying information.
  • Evgeniy Mikhailovich Bogachev is designated today for having engaged in significant malicious cyber-enabled misappropriation of financial information for private financial gain.  Bogachev and his cybercriminal associates are responsible for the theft of over $100 million from U.S. financial institutions, Fortune 500 firms, universities, and government agencies.
  • Aleksey Alekseyevich Belan engaged in the significant malicious cyber-enabled misappropriation of personal identifiers for private financial gain.  Belan compromised the computer networks of at least three major United States-based e-commerce companies. 
Responding to Russian Harassment of U.S. Personnel
Over the past two years, harassment of our diplomatic personnel in Russia by security personnel and police has increased significantly and gone far beyond international diplomatic norms of behavior.  Other Western Embassies have reported similar concerns.  In response to this harassment, the President has authorized the following actions:
  • Today the State Department declared 35 Russian government officials from the Russian Embassy in Washington and the Russian Consulate in San Francisco “persona non grata.”  They were acting in a manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status. Those individuals and their families were given 72 hours to leave the United States.
  • In addition to this action, the Department of State has provided notice that as of noon on Friday, December 30, Russian access will be denied to two Russian government-owned compounds, one in Maryland and one in New York.
Raising Awareness About Russian Malicious Cyber Activity
The Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation are releasing a Joint Analysis Report (JAR) that contains declassified technical information on Russian civilian and military intelligence services’ malicious cyber activity, to better help network defenders in the United States and abroad identify, detect, and disrupt Russia’s global campaign of malicious cyber activities.
  • The JAR includes information on computers around the world that Russian intelligence services have co-opted without the knowledge of their owners in order to conduct their malicious activity in a way that makes it difficult to trace back to Russia. In some cases, the cybersecurity community was aware of this infrastructure, in other cases, this information is newly declassified by the U.S. government.
  • The report also includes data that enables cybersecurity firms and other network defenders to identify certain malware that the Russian intelligence services use.  Network defenders can use this information to identify and block Russian malware, forcing the Russian intelligence services to re-engineer their malware.  This information is newly de-classified.
  • Finally, the JAR includes information on how Russian intelligence services typically conduct their activities.  This information can help network defenders better identify new tactics or techniques that a malicious actor might deploy or detect and disrupt an ongoing intrusion.
This information will allow network defenders to take specific steps that can often block new activity or disrupt on-going intrusions by Russian intelligence services.  DHS and FBI are encouraging security companies and private sector owners and operators to use this JAR and look back within their network traffic for signs of malicious activity. DHS and FBI are also encouraging security companies and private sector owners and operators to leverage these indicators in proactive defense efforts to block malicious cyber activity before it occurs. DHS has already added these indicators to their Automated Indicator Sharing service.
Cyber threats pose one of the most serious economic and national security challenges the United States faces today.  For the last eight years, this Administration has pursued a comprehensive strategy to confront these threats.  And as we have demonstrated by these actions today, we intend to continue to employ the full range of authorities and tools, including diplomatic engagement, trade policy tools, and law enforcement mechanisms, to counter the threat posed by malicious cyber actors, regardless of their country of origin, to protect the national security of the United States.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/12/29/fact-sheet-actions-response-russian-malicious-cyber-activity-and

White House Dares Trump To Roll Back Sanctions Against Russia

“We don’t think it makes much sense to invite back in Russian intelligence agents.”

Sam Levine  Associate Politics Editor, The Huffington Post 
White House officials predicted Thursday that new sanctions being levied against Russia in retaliation for that country’s apparent hacking during the 2016 election would not be reversed by President-elect Donald Trump, despite Trump’s call for warmer relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Full Article 

 

 

Thursday, December 29, 2016

BREAKING: President Obama 'Today I Have Ordered ...' Sanctions, Expel 35 Russian Operatives

Published on Dec 29, 2016
Obama sanctions Russian officials over election hacking
The Obama administration sanctioned Russian officials on Thursday over claims that they interfered in this year's election by hacking the emails of Democratic Party officials.

Watch Right Now! 

U.S. Treasury Department List Of Persons And Groups Sanctions Apply To

Issuance of Amended Executive Order 13694; Cyber-Related Sanctions Designations 

Today, the President issued an Executive Order Taking Additional Steps To Address The National Emergency With Respect To Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities.  This amends Executive Order 13694, “Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities.”  E.O. 13694 authorized the imposition of sanctions on individuals and entities determined to be responsible for or complicit in malicious cyber-enabled activities that result in enumerated harms that are reasonably likely to result in, or have materially contributed to, a significant threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States.  The authority has been amended to also allow for the imposition of sanctions on individuals and entities determined to be responsible for tampering, altering, or causing the misappropriation of information with the purpose or effect of interfering with or undermining election processes or institutions.  Five entities and four individuals are identified in the Annex of the amended Executive Order and will be added to OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List).  OFAC today is designating an additional two individuals who also will be added to the SDN List.  
Specially Designated Nationals List Update
The following individual has been added to OFAC's SDN List:  
ALEXSEYEV, Vladimir Stepanovich; DOB 24 Apr 1961; Passport 100115154 (Russia); First Deputy Chief of GRU (individual) [CYBER2] (Linked To: MAIN INTELLIGENCE DIRECTORATE).
BELAN, Aleksey Alekseyevich (a.k.a. Abyr Valgov; a.k.a. BELAN, Aleksei; a.k.a. BELAN, Aleksey Alexseyevich; a.k.a. BELAN, Alexsei; a.k.a. BELAN, Alexsey; a.k.a. "Abyrvaig"; a.k.a. "Abyrvalg"; a.k.a. "Anthony Anthony"; a.k.a. "Fedyunya"; a.k.a. "M4G"; a.k.a. "Mag"; a.k.a. "Mage"; a.k.a. "Magg"; a.k.a. "Moy.Yawik"; a.k.a. "Mrmagister"), 21 Karyakina St., Apartment 205, Krasnodar, Russia; DOB 27 Jun 1987; POB Riga, Latvia; nationality Latvia; Passport RU0313455106 (Russia); alt. Passport 0307609477 (Russia) (individual) [CYBER2].
BOGACHEV, Evgeniy Mikhaylovich (a.k.a. BOGACHEV, Evgeniy Mikhailovich; a.k.a. "Lastik"; a.k.a. "lucky12345"; a.k.a. "Monstr"; a.k.a. "Pollingsoon"; a.k.a. "Slavik"), Lermontova Str., 120-101, Anapa, Russia; DOB 28 Oct 1983 (individual) [CYBER2].
GIZUNOV, Sergey (a.k.a. GIZUNOV, Sergey Aleksandrovich); DOB 18 Oct 1956; Passport 4501712967 (Russia); Deputy Chief of GRU (individual) [CYBER2] (Linked To: MAIN INTELLIGENCE DIRECTORATE).
KOROBOV, Igor (a.k.a. KOROBOV, Igor Valentinovich); DOB 03 Aug 1956; nationality Russia; Passport 100119726 (Russia); alt. Passport 100115101 (Russia); Chief of GRU (individual) [CYBER2] (Linked To: MAIN INTELLIGENCE DIRECTORATE).
KOSTYUKOV, Igor (a.k.a. KOSTYUKOV, Igor Olegovich); DOB 21 Feb 1961; Passport 100130896 (Russia); alt. Passport 100132253 (Russia); First Deputy Chief of GRU (individual) [CYBER2] (Linked To: MAIN INTELLIGENCE DIRECTORATE).
The following entities have been added to OFAC's SDN List:
AUTONOMOUS NONCOMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DESIGNERS OF DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS (a.k.a. ANO PO KSI), Prospekt Mira D 68, Str 1A, Moscow 129110, Russia; Dom 3, Lazurnaya Ulitsa, Solnechnogorskiy Raion, Andreyevka, Moscow Region 141551, Russia; Registration ID 1027739734098 (Russia); Tax ID No. 7702285945 (Russia) [CYBER2].
FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE (a.k.a. FEDERALNAYA SLUZHBA BEZOPASNOSTI; a.k.a. FSB), Ulitsa Kuznetskiy Most, Dom 22, Moscow 107031, Russia; Lubyanskaya Ploschad, Dom 2, Moscow 107031, Russia [CYBER2].
MAIN INTELLIGENCE DIRECTORATE (a.k.a. GLAVNOE RAZVEDYVATEL'NOE UPRAVLENIE (Cyrillic: ГЛАВНОЕ РАЗВЕДЫВАТЕЛЬНОЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЕ); a.k.a. GRU; a.k.a. MAIN INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT), Khoroshevskoye Shosse 76, Khodinka, Moscow, Russia; Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Frunzenskaya nab., 22/2, Moscow 119160, Russia [CYBER2].
SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER (a.k.a. STC, LTD), Gzhatskaya 21 k2, St. Petersburg, Russia; 21-2 Gzhatskaya Street, St. Petersburg, Russia; Website stc-spb.ru; Email Address stcspb1@mail.ru; Tax ID No. 7802170553 (Russia) [CYBER2].
ZORSECURITY (f.k.a. ESAGE LAB; a.k.a. TSOR SECURITY), Luzhnetskaya Embankment 2/4, Building 17, Office 444, Moscow 119270, Russia; Registration ID 1127746601817 (Russia); Tax ID No. 7704813260 (Russia); alt. Tax ID No. 7704010041 (Russia) [CYBER2].

 

Breaking News: President Obama Issues Sanctions Against Russia in Response to Alleged Election Hacking

President Obama has expelled 35 Russian nationals and sanctioned five Russian entities and four individuals for an alleged cyber assault on Democratic political organizations during the 2016 presidential campaign, the White House announced today.
Full Story via ABC


Trump Should Have a Celebrity-Free Inauguration ~ The National Review

HAHAHAHHAHHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAH. Shouldn't Be A Problem

"The message Trump would send is simple yet true: He doesn’t need Hollywood flattery." (psst, yes, he does)

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443394/donald-trump-inauguration-celebrity-free-entertainment
Breaking....

Trump writing own 'short' inaugural speech CNN

 

 
In 140 Characters Or Less

Is Trump Being Blackmailed Right Now?

No one is really saying this out loud but you have to wonder what some of Trumps actions may have been motivated by.
His bizarre behavior, his lack of caring about preparing for his new job and his unqualified administration picks. Many intermingled with Russian ties like Rex Tillerson. What do you think?

Are The Russians Holding Something Over Trumps Head? 

If So, Will President Obama Intervene To Rescue Him?


While everyone was all Benghazi this and email that, Mother Jones released an expose by credible former spy claiming Russia had been cultivating Trump as an asset for 5 years.

A Veteran Spy Has Given the FBI Information Alleging a Russian Operation to Cultivate Donald Trump 

The Huffington Post also speculated he is the potential target of blackmail, citing the hack of the RNC and the yet to be disclosed information harvested along with Trumps time spent in Russia

Is Prez-Elect Trump Already Being Blackmailed?

Contradictory Trump Tweet Leaves Everyone's Head Spinning




Trump reverses: Transition is going ‘very, very smoothly’

The comment came hours after he tweeted that Obama was throwing up roadblocks: ‘Thought it was going to be a smooth transition – NOT!’

By and
Updated 12/28/16
Via Politico

A Look Back At 2016’s Best, Worst And Ugliest Queer Political Moments

The LGBTQ community was hit hard over the last 12 months.

12/28/2016 10:32 am ET via Huff Post
 
There’s no question that for LGBTQ Americans, 2016 increasingly became a year of trepidation and fear ― even of horror and grief.
All movements experience setbacks after huge wins. And a year like 2015, highlighted by marriage equality brought to the entire nation, was certainly one that would be met with fierce political backlash — and we saw that beginning to play out before the end of that historic year.
But what happened in 2016 represents a much more malevolent and sinister outcome of that backlash. We saw that the forces of hate we’d thought we’d beaten back can rise up in an instant. We saw that these forces could inspire a horrific mass shooting, or help to prop up a populist leader promising to  “make America great again” — which, in the eyes of many of his followers, means a return to the days before LGBTQ people were out of the closet.

Full Article


 

Donald Trump’s EPA Pick Urged To Come Clean On Ties To Secretive Koch-Funded Group

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s ties to the fossil fuel industry keep going deeper and deeper.

12/28/2016 01:07 pm ET | Updated 13 hours ago 
 
Six senators urged President-elect Donald Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency pick on Wednesday to reveal his ties to a secretive fundraising group that enables fossil fuel companies to make anonymous donations to politicians.
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt helped found the nonprofit Rule of Law Defense Fund to collect campaign contributions from companies like oil giant ConocoPhillips and coal mining titan Alpha Natural Resources, The New York Times reported in December 2014. Pruitt now sits on the group’s board. 
The group, which keeps the identities of most of its donors secret, received $175,000 in 2014 from Freedom Partners, a business organization that organizes political activities for the billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, who run the privately held chemical and oil giant Koch Industries.

Paid For Pruitt
 

Here Is the Worst Anti-Science BS of 2016

Donald Trump wasn't the only politician who lied about science this year.

Dec. 28, 2016 6:00 AM

2016 was a year of remarkable scientific breakthroughs. A century after Albert Einstein proposed his general theory of relativity, researchers proved him right when, for the first time ever, they were able to observe gravitational waves produced by two black holes that collided 1.3 billion years ago. Astronomers discovered a potentially habitable planet just 4.3 light-years from Earth. And scientists even came up with a good reason to put a bunch of adorable dogs in an MRI machine.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of anti-science nonsense this year, too—much of it from our political leaders. On issues ranging from climate change to criminal justice, our president-elect was a notable offender. But some of his rivals joined in as well. So did his nominees. And Congress. And members of the media. Here, in no particular order, are some of the most appalling examples. You can let us know in the comments which one you think is the worst.
Full Article via Mother Jones

It's Not Fascism When We Do It


'Alt-right' groups will 'revolt' if Trump shuns white supremacy, leaders say

Alt-Right Is Polite Code For White Supremacy

Prominent members of the American far right predict that waning influence on the president-elect could trigger discord and vengeance within the movement

White nationalist Richard Spencer of the National Policy Institute arrives on campus to speak at a university campus event in December. Photograph: Spencer Selvidge/Reuters 
 
Donald Trump will disappoint and disillusion his far-right supporters by eschewing white supremacy, according to some of the movement’s own intellectual leaders.
Activists who recently gave Nazi salutes and shouted “hail Trump” at a gathering in Washington will revolt if the new US president fails to meet their expectations, the leaders told the Guardian.
Full Article via The Gaurdian

Big Battles Over Farm And Food Policies May Be Brewing As Trump Era Begins

Via NPR

Many large-scale farms rely heavily on immigrant labor. And many farmers are opposed to Donald Trump's strong stance against illegal immigrant.
Ryan Anson/Bloomberg via Getty Images 
 
At first glance, food policy seems to be an afterthought in the Trump administration. The campaign saw few debates about food or farming. And the president-elect hasn't yet nominated someone to head the Department of Agriculture or the Food and Drug Administration.
But Donald Trump's lack of attention won't make future food battles any less cutthroat. Plenty of people in Washington, including powerful factions within the Republican majority in Congress, are hoping to change a wide variety of food-related policies, and believe that the new administration offers a prime opportunity to make those changes happen. Kip Tom, a farmer in Indiana who was a member of Trump's advisory committee on agricultural policy, recently told The Salt that this is a time to "swing for the fences."
Full Article
 

Hide Your Crab Legs! Hide Your Lobster! Fox Is Warring On Food Stamps Again!

By Doktor Zoom -

Oh, goody, with the War On Christmas once again successfully won and presumably put away for the year — though sometimes, like your most-hated neighbor, Fox just leaves its War On Christmas lights up all year — the “fair and balanced” news network can get back to one of its favorite steaming piles of weasel poop: the notion that food stamp fraud is out of control because of course it is, didn’t you see the one surfer dude at the supermarket who bought all those crab legs with an EBT card?
Full Article Via Wonkette

Food Stamp Fraud at All-Time High: Is It Time to End the Program?

EAT THE RICH
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