Remarks by President Trump in a Listening Session on Healthcare
" The fact is, Obamacare is a disaster. And I say this to the Republicans all the time: By repealing it, by getting rid of it, by ending it, everyone is going to say, "Oh, it used to be so great." But it wasn’t great. And I tell Tom Price and I tell Paul Ryan, I tell everyone of them -- I say, the best thing you can do politically is wait a year, because it’s going to blow itself off the map. But that’s the wrong thing to do for the country, it’s the wrong thing to do for our citizens."---President Trump
Read full statement: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/13/remarks-president-trump-listening-session-healthcare
Remarks by President Trump in First Cabinet Meeting
" I want to begin by updating the public on the severe weather situation. I’ve been receiving the latest information on the blizzard forecast, and I think we're in very good shape. We're prepared -- everybody in government is fully prepared and ready. And the entire Northeast, it seems, is under a very severe winter storm warning. So let’s hope it’s not going to be as bad as some people are predicting. Usually it isn’t. "---President Trump
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/13/remarks-president-trump-first-cabinet-meeting
Presidential Executive Order on a Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch
Section 1. Purpose. This order is intended to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the executive branch by directing the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (Director) to propose a plan to reorganize governmental functions and eliminate unnecessary agencies (as defined in section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code), components of agencies, and agency programs.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/13/presidential-executive-order-comprehensive-plan-reorganizing-executive
US DEFENSE DEPT: Guard Members Aid First Responders During East Coast Storm
SANDSTON, Va., March 14, 2017 — The Virginia National Guard has nearly 200 personnel staged and ready for duty today at key locations across Northern Virginia to assist with the state's multi-agency response to possible heavy snow.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1112026/guard-members-aid-first-responders-during-east-coast-storm
Marine Corps Leaders Express Outrage About ‘Marines United’ Activity
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2017 — The conduct of Marines in a private social media group that shared explicit photographs of female Marines denigrates the core values of the service, and illegal behavior will be prosecuted, the service’s leaders said on Capitol Hill today.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1112647/marine-corps-leaders-express-outrage-about-marines-united-activity
Related story: NY TIMES: Harassed Online, She Remains Determined to Enlist in the Marines
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/14/us/harassed-online-she-remains-determined-to-enlist-in-the-marines.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fus
DOJ: U.S. Navy Admiral and Eight Other Officers Indicted for Trading Classified Information in Massive International Fraud and Bribery Scheme
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Bruce Loveless and eight other high-ranking Navy officers are charged in a federal indictment with accepting luxury travel, elaborate dinners and services of prostitutes from foreign defense contractor Leonard Francis, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA), in exchange for classified and internal U.S. Navy information.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-navy-admiral-and-eight-other-officers-indicted-trading-classified-information-massive
Two Identity Document Suppliers Sentenced for Roles in Identity Trafficking Scheme
Two identity document suppliers were sentenced to prison today for their role in trafficking the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and corresponding identity documents.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico, Executive Associate Director Peter T. Edge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Chief Postal Inspector Guy J. Cottrell of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Acting Director Christian J. Schurman of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-identity-document-suppliers-sentenced-roles-identity-trafficking-scheme
FROM THE FBI FILES
Binary Options Fraud : A Word of Warning to the Investing Public
Stock options. It’s a pretty common investment term meaning, in general, that one party sells or offers to another party the opportunity to invest by buying a particular stock at an agreed upon price within a certain period of time. All perfectly legal and highly regulated—and if the investor takes advantage of the opportunity and the stock performs well, there’s money to be made. And if the stock doesn’t perform well, the investor knew the risk.
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/binary-options-fraud
10 MOST WANTED: ROBERT A. LEVINSON
The United States Government is offering a reward of up to $5,000,000 for information leading directly to the safe location, recovery and return of Robert A. Levinson.
Information is being sought regarding a United States citizen Robert A. Levinson, a retired FBI Special Agent, who went missing during a business trip to Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007. Levinson retired from the FBI in 1998 and worked as a private investigator following his retirement. Levinson traveled to Kish Island, Iran, on March 8, 2007, working on behalf of several large corporations, and his whereabouts, well-being and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance have been unknown since that time.
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/robert-a-levinson
FDA: Colorado unapproved drug and dietary supplement makers ordered to cease operations for federal violations
Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Marcia S. Krieger for the U.S. District Court for Colorado entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against EonNutra LLC, CDSM LLC and HABW LLC, manufacturers and distributors of unapproved drugs and dietary supplements, and their owner, Michael Floren, requiring Floren’s businesses to immediately cease operations until they come into compliance with federal laws.
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm546620.htm
USDA Supporting the National Native Seed Strategy--USDA BLOG
The use of native plant material in conservation, restoration and land management results in healthy ecosystems countering the effects of invasive plant species, altered wildfire regimes, extreme weather events and human-caused events.
https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/03/13/usda-supporting-national-native-seed-strategy
US DEPT. OF LABOR: Reading with Job Corps
This month, Job Corps students across the country were proud to serve as role models to elementary school students during Read Across America Day. They read to students at local elementary schools, highlighting that an integral part of building a career is a foundation of strong reading and leadership skills. The event shows the children in their communities the importance of education, reading and engaging in community service.
https://blog.dol.gov/2017/03/15/reading-job-corps
IRS: Tax Time Guide: Electronic Payment/Payment Agreement Options Available to Those Who Owe Taxes
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that it’s easier than ever to pay taxes electronically. For those unable to pay on time, several quick and easy solutions are available.
https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/tax-time-guide-electronic-payment-payment-agreement-options-available-to-those-who-owe-taxes
EPA: Settlement Yields Protection for Deerfield River from Highway Project Runoff
BOSTON - Both parties involved in a road and bridge construction project in Deerfield, Mass. have agreed to pay a total penalty of $21,600 to resolve claims by EPA that they violated their construction permit, which is designed to minimize the impacts of stormwater discharges from a site that can harm surrounding waterways.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/settlement-yields-protection-deerfield-river-highway-project-runoff
Settlement with Northglenn, Colo. retailer resolves alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached an agreement with Grow Depot, a Northglenn, Colo. hydroponics and organics supply store, resolving alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/settlement-northglenn-colo-retailer-resolves-alleged-violations-federal-insecticide
In other national news headlines...
Washington Post: Justice Department charging Russian spies and criminal hackers in Yahoo intrusion
Washington Times: Lindsey Graham: Congress will ‘flex its muscle’ if we don’t get wiretap answers
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/15/lindsey-graham-congress-will-flex-its-muscle-if-we/
THE HILL: Chelsea Clinton fuels speculation of political run
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/324008-chelsea-clinton-fuels-speculation-of-political-run
NY TIMES: One Certainty of G.O.P. Health Plan: Tax Cuts for the Wealthy
LA TIMES: How did a protege of Reagan become 'Putin's favorite congressman'?
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-trump-rohrabacher-20170315-story.html
ADVOCACY NOTEBOOK
NY TIMES: Swimming With a Brand New Leg
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/14/well/swimming-with-a-brand-new-leg.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth
DISABILITY SCOOP: GOP Plan To Replace Obamacare Calls For Medicaid Caps
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2017/03/09/gop-plan-obamacare-medicaid-caps/23426/
DISABILITY SCOOP: For Kids On The Spectrum, Time Change Brings Angst
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2017/03/14/for-time-change-angst/23442/
NEWS BUSTERS: MRC’s Brent Bozell Demands Media Report ALL the Facts on Gorsuch
http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nb-staff/2017/03/15/mrcs-brent-bozell-demands-media-report-all-facts-gorsuch
Gospel Way: Islam or Christianity?
Jesus or Muhammad? Christian Gospel or Muslim Qur’an?
http://www.gospelway.com/religiousgroups/islam.php
FAO: DURANGO: THURSDAY FORUM FOCUSES ON CITY COUNCIL ELECTION, FLUORIDE ISSUE
http://fluoridealert.org/news/durango-thursday-forum-focuses-on-city-council-election-fluoride-issue/
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”----Acts 4:10,12 NKJV
Free bible study offered by World Bible School
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
NEWS NOTEBOOK:
Special Meeting Notice: Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission
Issued: March 14, 2017
Notice is hereby given that the Parks, Recreation & Beautification Commission of the City of Port Angeles will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, March 16, at an earlier start time of 5 p.m. in the Vern Burton Meeting Room #3, 308 East 4th Street.
http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=388
