OVER 300 CHRISTIANS KILLED IN SRI LANKA ON EASTER...

" The media, and Democrats can't seem to say the word Christians!"
****FRONT PAGE COMMENTARY*****
By Peter Ripley.
The democrats, and the main stream media seem to have troubles saying the muslim terrorist did the deed, or they can't seem to call the victims who were killed "Christians". The Democrats seem to have taken the que from Rep. Omar: "Some people did something!"
This even after the terrorist group Islamic State admitted they done the savage attack because of the attack in New Zealand. When that story was out, the democrats, and the mainstream media had no problems identifying the person who did the crime, or identifying the victims as Muslims.
But, in this week's savage attack against Christians they have difficulties identifying the criminals involve as Muslim Terrorist, or calling the victims as Christians. All we got from the New York Times, and others their pathic understanding  about Christianity!
Also, the mainstream media seems to be on this narrative about the attack that it was the government's of Sri Lanka fault not acting on threats. Forget, the Muslim Terrorist who actually did the deed! Oh yes, surely a religion of peace Islam is!
I think the white washers of the savage acts against Christians world wide, takes advantage of word's spoken by Christ Jesus himself in regards being pursued by non believers. " Love Your Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 [o]But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your [p]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the [q]tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.---Matt 5: 43-48

They Know that true Christians won't seek vengeance that's way they exploit. 

That what sets Christianity apart from those who use their religion to do evil acts, in Christ we are taught to love our enemies, not go around killing those who don't believe in Christ.

The following are press releases and news clippings that I want to share on the subject.----Peter Ripley, Publisher


Islamic terrorists slaughter hundreds of Catholics in Sri Lanka – so why are Dems having such a hard time saying that?
Yesterday, the world watched in horror as Islamic terrorists detonated a series of bombs in multiple Sri Lankan churches and hotels. The attacks were aimed squarely at the nation’s Christians and have – so far – claimed the lives of 290 people as they celebrated Easter mass and Easter brunches. Another 500 were seriously injured. One witness described the carnage as a “river of blood.”---Western Journal

Quote: " Does anyone believe that any of these people would have spoken this way had the religious affiliations been reversed? Of course not. When a white supremacist attacked mosques in New Zealand, no one shied away from saying the victims were Muslims and the perp was a bigoted white male.
No one in those churches was “worshipping Easter.” They weren’t “Easter worshippers.” They were Christians, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
They were murdered for their faith, and our most prominent Democrats are jumping through hoops not to say that. The left, as always, proves itself to be utterly grotesque."

Democrats Believe Sri Lanka Attacks Were Some People Who Just Did Something.
Muslim terrorists are suspected of waging jihad across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday — targeting churches and hotels frequented by westerners.---Todd Starness




Outraged by Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks in Sri Lanka, Secretary-General Stresses Sanctity of All Places for Worship
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General is outraged by the terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, a sacred day for Christians around the world.  He recalls the sanctity of all places of worship.  He hopes the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the Government of Sri Lanka, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.  He commends the leadership demonstrated by the authorities and unity of the people of Sri Lanka in the wake of the attacks.

The Secretary-General reiterates the support and solidarity of the United Nations with the people and the Government of Sri Lanka in this difficult moment for the nation.---UN PRESS RELEASE\
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/sgsm19550.doc.htm

Related News story: UN NEWS CENTER
UN, world leaders, condemn Sri Lanka terrorist attacks targeting churches, hotels, which leave more than 200 dead.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1037041
More than 200 have been killed and hundreds injured by a series of explosions inside churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, as Christians gathered for services to celebrate Easter. In a statement, UN chief António Guterres said he was "outraged by the terror attacks" and called for the perpetrators to be "swiftly brought to justice".
According to news reports, three churches were targeted, in the cities of Batticaloa, Negombo, and the capital, Colombo. The Shangri-La, Kingsbury, Cinnamon Grand and another hotel, all in the capital, were also hit. 
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for carrying out the likely suicide bombings, but police have reportedly arrested seven people in connection with the attacks.
The Secretary-General said in a statement that on what was "a sacred day for Christians around the world", he recalled "the sanctity of all places of worship".
The statement issued by his Spokesperson said the UN chief "expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the people and Government of Sri Lanka, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured".
He also commended "the leadership demonstrated by the authorities and unity of the people in Sri Lanka in the wake of the attacks"
In a tweet, the UN’s Resident Coordinator for the Indian Ocean island, Hanaa Singer, said the UN  "strongly condemns the horrific attacks carried out against civilians and worshippers...Heartfelt condolences to the families, victims, Government and people”. She also urged Sri Lankans to stand united” in the face of the carnage.

The President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, also expressed her “deep sadness” in a tweet, saying that her thoughts were with the people of Sri Lanka, “affected by yet another act of senseless violence”.

“We must unite in our common humanity to condemn these heinous acts and stop targeting innocent people, practicing their faith in peace”, she added.

Sir Lanka’s bloody 26-year civil war waged between Government forces and Tamil separatists in the north, ended in 2009 with the defeat of the rebels, and in the years since, there has been sporadic violence, some targeting religious minorities. 
The island is home to around 1.5 million Christians, the vast majority Roman Catholic. The Sinhalese majority are Buddhist – around 70 per cent of the population - with sizeable Hindu and Muslim minorities also.

In response to Sunday’s attacks, a national curfew has been put in place, and social media networks have reportedly been blocked.
Eye witness reports from St. Sebastian’s church in Negombo describe a scene of carnage, with dozens killed. There were also heavy casualties at St. Anthony’s in the Kochckicade district of Colombo, where the first blast detonated. 
Pope Francis, in his Easter Address outside St. Peter’s in Rome, reportedly expressed his “affectionate closeness” for the Christian community in Sri Lanka which had been struck while gathering for one of its biggest celebrations of the year, and his thoughts to “all the victims of such cruel violence”
UN chief Guterres, concluded his statement reiterating the "support and solidarity of the United Nations, with the people and the Government of Sri Lanka, in this difficult moment for the nation."


Secretary Pompeo Addresses Terrorist Attacks in Sri Lanka and Iranian Oil Imports.
Press release issued 4. 22. 19
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2019/04/291283.htm
What was supposed to be a joyful Easter Sunday was marred by a horrific wave of Islamic radical terror bloodshed.

It’s heartbreaking that a country which has strived so hard for peace in recent years has been targeted by these terrorists. We mourn the loved ones of the victims, some of whom, we can confirm, were indeed U.S. citizens. This is America’s fight too. I spoke with the prime minister of Sri Lanka this morning. And our embassy and other parts of the U.S. Government are offering all possible assistance to Americans and the Sri Lankan Government alike. We urge that any evildoers be brought to justice expeditiously, and America is prepared to support that.

We also stand with the millions of Sri Lankans who support the freedom of their fellow citizens to worship as they please. We take confidence in knowing that not even atrocities like this one will deter them from respecting religious freedom. Today our nation grieves with the people of Sri Lanka, and we stand committed, resolved to confront terrorism together.

White House Statement
Statement from the Press Secretary
The United States condemns in the strongest terms the outrageous terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka that have claimed so many precious lives on this Easter Sunday. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the more than 200 killed and hundreds of others wounded. We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they bring to justice the perpetrators of these despicable and senseless acts.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-press-secretary-53/




In other related news headlines:
Pope Decries Sri Lanka Terrorist Attacks as 'Cruel Violence' During Easter Message
Pope Francis gave his traditional Easter message to the throngs in St. Peter's Square and touched on the horrific terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka that have killed more than 200 people and injured hundreds more.---PJ Media

Pompeo blames 'Islamic radical terror' for Sri Lanka attacks
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday blamed “a horrific wave of Islamic radical terror” for the deadly bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that killed hundreds, including some U.S. citizens.---The Hill

Sri Lanka Easter Bombings Aimed at Christians: Terrorists Described as Religious Extremists
CNSNews.com) – Sri Lanka police declared an overnight curfew after Easter Sunday’s deadly bombing spree targeting churches and five-star hotels. 


Sri Lanka’s bloody Easter puts spotlight on a new terror threat
Experts suspect the deadly series of bombings can't just be the work of "local" actors.---WP

Sri Lanka Was Warned of Possible Attacks. Why Didn’t It Stop Them?
The government’s history of bitter infighting appears to have contributed to a spectacular security blunder that led to one of the world’s deadliest terrorist attacks.---NYT

WSJ:  Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Sri Lanka Bombings
Sri Lanka’s government says it has information the bombers were reacting to last month’s terrorist attack on mosques in New Zealand

SRI LANKA SUICIDE BOMBER: ‘ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH MUSLIMS SHOULD BE KILLED’
On Easter Sunday, six blasts happened at almost the exact same time in Sri Lanka at the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels in Colombo, as well as three churches. Later, police also reported more explosions.--Think America

Dems Snub Sri Lankan Christians Murdered By Muslims As ‘Easter Worshippers’ Killed By ‘Radicals’---MRCTV


Orwellian WaPo Slams the 'Far-Right' for Saying Christians Were Under Attack in Sri Lanka
In the wake of the horrific Easter terrorist attack against churches in Sri Lanka, The Washington Post published an article slamming "far-right" political leaders for saying that Christians are under attack. The Orwellian article suggested there was something untoward about reporting on global Christian persecution — by selectively quoting far-right European and American leaders on the issue and ignoring the broader discussion.---PJ MEDIA

Apparently, the Washington Post is suffering from denial!

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

Indigenous People’s Traditional Knowledge Must Be Preserved, Valued Globally, Speakers Stress as Permanent Forum Opens Annual Session
UN PRESS RELEASE
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/hr5431.doc.htm

Traditional knowledge is at the core of indigenous identity, culture, languages, heritage and livelihoods, and its transmission from one generation to the next must be protected, preserved and encouraged, speakers in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues stressed today, as they opened its eighteenth session.

The special theme of this year’s forum “Indigenous Peoples’ Traditional Knowledge:  Generation, transmission and protection” is an opportunity to share innovations and practices developed in indigenous communities over centuries and millennia, Permanent Forum Chair Anne Nuorgam said.

“We need to ensure that our educational practices, languages, environmental conservation and management is acknowledged and respected globally, not only by Governments, but by all peoples,” she emphasized.

Traditional knowledge is transmitted between generations through stories, songs, dances, carvings, paintings and performances.  However, global histories of colonialism, exploitation and dispossession continue to undermine and undervalue these aspects.  In many countries, indigenous children and youth are not taught in their native languages.  Calling for financial and technical support from Member States and the United Nations, she encouraged “all of us make sure our children and our youth are connected to their indigenous community and their culture, which is inextricably linked to their lands, territories and natural resources.”

María Fernanda Espinosa (Ecuador), General Assembly President, stressed that traditional knowledge occupies a pivotal place in the range of actions needed to mitigate climate change.  Transferring this information across generations is vital, as is harnessing the potential of youth and women.  Highlighting the importance of preserving languages, she pointed out that knowledge accumulated over thousands of years on medicine, meteorology, agriculture and other areas is at risk of forever disappearing.  In preparing for the great challenges ahead, she said efforts must include fostering a better understanding of traditional knowledge and finding ways to strengthen indigenous peoples’ voices within the United Nations.

Valentin Rybakov (Belarus), Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council, said the Forum’s 2019 theme is timely considering the vast role of indigenous knowledge in sustainable development.  However, misconceptions often categorize traditional activities as uninformed and damaging to the environment when, in fact, indigenous peoples’ knowledge of their lands includes a vast array of successful practices.  He called on Member States to continue to collaborate with indigenous peoples in implementing the Goals and in reporting for voluntary national reviews.

In the afternoon, the Forum held a discussion on preserving indigenous languages, with speakers noting the importance of the General Assembly’s decision to proclaim 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages.  Member States shared their work towards that end while representatives of indigenous groups pointed to challenges they face in trying to access education in their mother tongues. 

Royal Johan Kxao UI/O/OO, Deputy Minister for Marginalized Communities of Namibia, said that although his country’s Constitution ensures multiple languages could be used in an official capacity, three groups are left on the margins.  The challenge remains in providing education to these groups in their indigenous language at the foundational levels, he said, adding:  “For this reason, you find many children not able to speak their language.”  Igor Barinov, Head of the Federal Agency on Interethnic relations of the Russian Federation, said that the education system in his country teaches in 25 languages.  State efforts have helped preserve myriad languages which were forecasted for extinction 100 years ago.  Joanna Hautakorpi, Minister Adviser in the Ministry for Justice of Finland, said that with the majority of Sami children today living outside their homeland area, the Government in Helsinki started a class last year in which children receive lessons in Sami.

A representative of the Sami Parliament in Norway, noting the “real fear” that indigenous people will not be able to keep up with the digital revolution, stressed the importance of having access to digital tools in indigenous languages.  The Head of the Indigenous Youth Division at the Fund for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean called indigenous languages “a link to our heritage” and sacred.  A representative of the Nomadic Ancestral Community of Indigenous Peoples of the North (Yukagirs) “Keigur” said the rights to language and land are interlinked, stressing that children must be able to study in their communities and still access education in their native language.

Also delivering opening remarks today was Stefan Schweinfest, Director of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ Statistics Division, on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, and Cristiana Paşca Palmer, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.  The Forum also heard a ceremonial welcome by the Chief of the Onondaga Nation, Chief Tadodaho Sid Hill.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Permanent Forum elected by acclamation Anne Nuorgam (Finland) as Chair of its eighteenth session.  Phoolman Chaudhary (Nepal), Lourdes Tiban Guala (Ecuador), Dmitri Kharakka-Zaitsev (Russian Federation) and Elifuraha Laltaika (United Republic of Tanzania) were elected as Vice-Chairs while Brian Keane (United States) was elected Rapporteur.

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 23 April, to continue its eighteenth session.

Related news story from the UN News Center
Traditional knowledge at ‘core’ of indigenous heritage, and ‘must be protected’, says UN Forum
Traditional knowledge is at the core of indigenous identity, culture and heritage around the world, the chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues said at the annual event’s opening day on Monday, stressing that it “must be protected”.

In other world news headlines: 
New malaria vaccine trial in Malawi marks ‘an innovation milestone', declares UN health agency
The disease remains on the of the world’s leading killers, with one child dying every two minutes. Most of the fatalities are in Africa, where more than 250,000 children die each year.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1037101

Libya: Thousands seek shelter in health clinics from Tripoli fighting, UN warns
Nearly three weeks since fighting began near the Libyan capital Tripoli, the UN health agency warned on Tuesday that “large numbers” of people are sheltering in medical clinics, while civilians continue to be killed or injured, and refugees and migrants remain exposed to clashes.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1037121

Killing of Egyptian peacekeeper in Mali ‘may constitute war crimes’ Guterres warns, urging ‘swift action’
An improvised roadside mine which exploded hitting a UN peacekeeping convoy in Mali, killing one ‘blue helmet’ from Egypt, and wounding four others, may constitute a war crime, the UN Chief said on Saturday, as senior UN officials condemned the blast.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1037031

UN condemns attack on Ebola treatment centre in DR Congo which left doctor dead, two others injured
The UN has condemned an attack on an Ebola treatment centre in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Friday, which led to the death of a doctor working for the World Health Organization (WHO), and injured two others.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1037021




IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION

PAGE 2
WHO CAN WE BLAME WHEN SOCIAL SECURITY RUNS OUT IN 2035? 

PAGE 3
 WHY SHOULD A TERRORIST REGIME LIKE IRAN BENEFIT FROM OIL SALES?



PAGE 4
FIGHTING THE OPIOID CRISIS: President Donald J. Trump’s effort to combat the opioid crisis is making progress and he remains committed to ensuring we end this crisis next door.



PAGE 5
USDA Opens Application Portal for New ReConnect Rural Broadband Infrastructure Program.


PAGE 6
 PROVISIONS OF I - 1639 BEGINS IN JULY. 2019



PAGE 7
Inslee statement regarding Rep. Shea's harmful rhetoric

SOME PEOPLE IN MINN. DID SOMETHING ALRIGHT!

They elected ILHAN OMAR to represent them.

Does that mean we bar all Muslims from serving in office?
***FRONT PAGE NEWS COMMENTARY***
By Peter Ripley, Publisher
Rep. Omar's callous disregard toward the event's of September 11th, 2001, sparks a wildfire of news stories in the mainstream media, and on the social media. Make me wonder how the people in Minnesota are responding or feeling about their so called representative?

Related news stories:
Ilhan Omar: A Hostage Situation.
Representative Omar, the Jew-hating Minnesota Democrat, is engaged in one of her usual games of misdirection, a pattern of hers that by now is familiar enough to be predicted: She says something outrageously stupid, offensive, anti-Semitic — or all three at once — and then attempts to parry the thrust of inevitable criticism by characterizing it as an attack on Muslims, women, women of color, Muslim women of color, etc.---National Review

Further  quote: " In this case, Representative Omar characterized the events of September 11, 2001, this way: “Some people did something.” Someone assembled a video intercutting her blasé account of mass murder with images of that day’s events, and Donald Trump, who serves simultaneously as president of the United States and the nation’s social-media intern, tweeted the video, along with some vintage all-caps emoting: “WE WILL NEVER FORGET!”


‘Here’s your something’: New York Post smacks Ilhan Omar over the head with ugly, brutal truth
Though the story about Omar’s remarks broke Tuesday, the Post presumably waited until Thursday to publish the cover to give her time to apologize for her choice of words. But the anti-Semitic congresswoman never apologized. Instead she appeared to doubled down.---BPR Business news


NY POST: Trump has no regrets about attacking ‘very disrespectful’ Rep. Ilhan Omar
Quote: President Trump said he has no second thoughts about blasting Rep. Ilhan Omar for her controversial comments about the 9/11 terror attacks while on a swing through the Democratic lawmaker’s home state of Minnesota.
Asked during an interview on Monday with KSTP-TV if he would apologize to Omar after the freshman lawmaker said his tweet led to death threats against her, the president said, “No. not at all.”
“Look, she’s been very disrespectful to this country. She’s been very disrespectful, frankly, to Israel. She is somebody that doesn’t really understand life. Real life,” Trump told the ABC affiliate in Minneapolis where he was touting his tax cuts.
Trump went on to question Omar’s loyalty to the country.

PJ MEDIA: Dems Insist Criticism Is Violence, and Also Violence Is Good
Over the past week I've learned two important things from our moral, ethical, and intellectual betters on the left: 1) Free speech that criticizes a Democrat is tantamount to violence, and 2) Actual violence committed by a Democrat is a form of free speech.
For the first part of this oxymoronic equation, let's go to Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Last week she made the news again for summarizing the 9/11 attacks as "Some people did something." And now she'd like you to stop criticizing her for it

Trump slams Omar again: 'She's got a way about her' that is 'very, very bad for our country'
Quote: "A top critic of the Israeli government, Omar has vowed that the criticism would not deter either her love for the U.S. or her desire to affect change in the Middle East.
"I did not run for Congress to be silent. I did not run for Congress to sit on the sidelines. I ran because I believed it was time to restore moral clarity and courage to Congress. To fight and to defend our democracy," she tweeted earlier this month.
"No one person — no matter how corrupt, inept, or vicious — can threaten my unwavering love for America. I stand undeterred to continue fighting for equal opportunity in our pursuit of happiness for all Americans," Omar continued." ----The Hill

In Attacking Ilhan Omar, Trump Revives His Familiar Refrain Against Muslims.
Quote: " Now, with 19 months until the 2020 election, Mr. Trump is seeking to rally his base by sounding that theme again. And this time, he has a specific target: Representative Ilhan Omar, Democrat of Minnesota and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress.
In Ms. Omar, a Somali refugee whose family received asylum in the United States when she was a teenager, Mr. Trump has found a perfect foil: a progressive whose embrace of the boycott-Israel movement and attacks on supporters of the Jewish state have already made her a divisive figure within her own party. As the first woman to wear a hijab on the House floor — she pushed for a rules change to allow it — she is also a powerful, and visible symbol for Muslims and refugees.
Mr. Trump and his team are trying to make Ms. Omar, who is relatively unknown in national politics, a household name, to be seen as the most prominent voice of the Democratic Party, regardless of her actual position. In February, the president pounced when Ms. Omar unleashed a firestorm with her comments on Israel, rejecting her subsequent apology and calling for her to resign.---The New York Times

Allen West: Rep. Ilhan Omar’s 9/11 Comments Should Offend All Americans
Quote: " Could any of you imagine a U.S. Member of Congress, 18 years after the December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor attack saying the same thing? What has happened in our country? And who are these people who would support this anti-American rhetoric? This is not about castigating people as racist because of their responses to what Rep. Omar said. Last time I checked, I am an American black man, who is angered by Rep. Omar’s statement.
This is a person, someone, who should be removed from our House Foreign Affairs Committee, someone who should not be granted access to the classified information of this country." ---Allen West, CNSN News

 Nets Run Wild With Dem Claims of Trump ‘Inciting Violence’ Against Omar
On Monday, all three network morning shows recited the same nasty accusations from Democrats that President Trump was “inciting violence” against left-wing Congresswoman Ilhan Omar simply by criticizing her offensive comments downplaying the September 11th attacks. Glossing over Omar’s incendiary rhetoric, hosts and correspondents feared for the liberal lawmaker’s safety.---News Busters

Imam Fires Off on ‘Clueless’ AOC After Her Take on 9/11
“Ilhan Omar is a genuine & honest person. She is telling us exactly what she believes because she is in a position of power. She makes it clear that she is against the US and its values; and pro Sharia, terrorist CAIR & Co. Those making excuses for her: Pelosi & AOC are the liars,” he tweeted.---Western Journal


Qanta Ahmed: Ilhan Omar is a disgrace to Islam and doesn’t represent my Muslim religion
"Rep. Ilhan Omar continues to be an embarrassment and a disgrace for me and other American Muslims with her outrageous, ignorant, anti-Semitic and now anti-American comments.

And while Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, holds herself out as a proud Muslim, she repeatedly projects a distorted and patently Islamist interpretation of Islam – a religion that in reality stands for the values of justice, peace and ethical conduct.

Sadly, Omar gives millions of Americans a false impression of what Islam is and what we Muslims believe and stand for. While she denounces prejudice against Muslims, her aberrant views on Islam fuel prejudice against me and my coreligionists by distorting who we are while defaming and dishonoring the great monotheism of Islam." ----Fox News


Editorial Comment: There were some calls on Facebook from regular citizens, no news outlets, to bar all Muslims from running for office ever again. With a mob mentality we all fall into temptation in attacking groups of people, instead of focusing on the individual person.
 But when I see postings on Face Book that spew things like barring certain people from holding office, I have to check my own self to not be taken and join the high school IQ crowd, and jump on the bandwagon.  It would be like barring anyone from different religions, or ethnic groups, or  race, or disabilities, ever holding office.  By the time you're done barring people because of race, ethnic, or religion beliefs you'll have no one left to run the government.

 How about this, we stop pinning blame on groups, instead pin the blame on individuals who actually do the evil deeds?  From what I been reading about,  Rep. Omar apparently has no regard for our nation or culture. So, yes Rep. Omar, some people did something alright, the people of Minnesota elected you in office.

Cantwell, Van Hollen, Colleagues Send Bipartisan Letter Urging Increased Funding for Affordable Housing

Press release issued on 4. 15. 19

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and a bipartisan group of 39 of their colleagues sent a letter urging increased funding for the Section 4 Capacity Building affordable housing program at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Section 4 Program works with local community development organizations around the country to improve affordable housing, finance small businesses, and provide for other community needs.

“The Section 4 Program allows HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country,”  the senators wrote. “Section 4 funds are required by law to be matched 3:1 with private investments, but program funds have consistently leveraged substantially higher amounts.”

“We are disappointed that the President’s budget has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development,” the senators continued. “Since the HUD Demonstration Act was authorized in 1993, Section 4 has proven to be a valuable and cost-effective program that has produced tangible results. Through a nationwide support network, Section 4 provides programmatic and training assistance to local organizations, ensuring program goals are met while granting the necessary flexibility to meet community-specific needs. As communities across the country continue to look for ways to expand economic development and provide affordable housing, funding for Section 4 remains critically important.”

Full text of letter:
Dear Chair Collins and Ranking Member Reed:

We write to respectfully request that as your Subcommittee works to complete its FY 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, you support a funding level of $40 million for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Program.

The Section 4 Program allows HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country. Section 4 funds are required by law to be matched 3:1 with private investments, but program funds have consistently leveraged substantially higher amounts. For each dollar of Section 4 funding, a total of $20 or more in private investment has been brought into local communities for economic and community development. From 2014 to 2018, Section 4 helped 973 local CDCs nationwide leverage approximately $7.7 billion for community and economic development and helped to build or preserve more than 39,000 homes in low-income neighborhoods. Since the Program’s inception, Section 4 has benefitted all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The targeted federal investments made through Section 4 attract and accelerate private sector involvement and funding into critical local community development projects. 

We are disappointed that the President’s budget has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development. Since the HUD Demonstration Act was authorized in 1993, Section 4 has proven to be a valuable and cost-effective program that has produced tangible results. Through a nationwide support network, Section 4 provides programmatic and training assistance to local organizations, ensuring program goals are met while granting the necessary flexibility to meet community-specific needs. As communities across the country continue to look for ways to expand economic development and provide affordable housing, funding for Section 4 remains critically important.

As the Subcommittee works through the process of determining how to effectively appropriate federal funds, it is our hope that you will continue your support for Section 4 in FY 2020. We thank you for your consideration.


Cantwell, Hassan, Warren, Colleagues Request Increased Funding for Title X Program
Senators emphasize importance of Title X in providing essential preventative health, family planning services to millions of low-income Americans
Press release issued 4. 16. 19

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), as well as a group of 27 of their Democratic colleagues, in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to request that the FY 2020 budget include $400 million for the Title X family planning program.

Title X health centers rely on federal funding to provide essential preventive health and family planning services to millions of low-income Americans. Title X has been shown to save taxpayers money in the long run by saving in Medicaid-related costs. It is estimated that Title X brings in a net saving of $7 billion a year for federal and state governments.

“Title X is the only federal program dedicated to providing family planning services for low-income patients and serves more than 4 million people at nearly 4,000 health centers around the country each year,” the senators wrote. “Because of this funding, these centers provide high-quality reproductive and sexual health care, including cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive services and supplies, pregnancy testing, complete and medically accurate information about all pregnancy options, and other basic health care. Title X centers offer care to populations that often face severe barriers to accessing quality health care such as people with low incomes, people of color, people in rural areas, and LGBTQ people.”

“Unfortunately, access to Title X services has been seriously jeopardized by funding cuts in recent years. In 2016, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of Population Affairs, and George Washington University estimated that Title X would need $737 million annually to deliver family planning care to all low-income uninsured women in the United States,” the senators continued. “The gap between funds appropriated and funds needed has continued to grow in recent years: between 2010 and 2014, Congress cut Title X’s funding by $31 million, even though the number of women in need of publicly funded family planning care grew by 1 million in that period.”

In the letter, the senators also noted efforts by the Trump Administration to undermine this essential program, including by publishing a domestic “gag rule” that, if implemented, will restrict women’s access to critical reproductive health services.

“As separate efforts progress to stop implementation of this devastating rule, it is critical that Congress unequivocally demonstrate its support for the Title X program in its current form and increase funding for the program,” the senators concluded.



TOP WORLD NEWS HEADLINE....
UNESCO experts ready to assist reconstruction of iconic Notre Dame, following devastating blaze.
Two-thirds of the largely medieval roof of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris have “gone” after the devastating fire in Paris on Monday evening, but UN cultural experts are standing by to offer help where it is needed in rebuilding the iconic structure.

France opens the question: should Notre-Dame be rebuilt as it was?
PARIS (Reuters) - France will open the redesign of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral’s historic spire to international architects after Monday night’s catastrophic blaze that gutted the oak-framed roof and sent the towering spire crashing through the vaulted ceiling.

Factbox: Donors pledge nearly 900 million euros to rebuild Notre-Dame cathedral
PARIS (Reuters) - Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral went up in flames on Monday , a blaze that devastated the landmark, destroying its wood-beamed roof and collapsing the iconic spire, a searing loss for Paris and France.

Notre Dame to close for up to 6 years during ambitious rebuild effort
French President Emmanuel Macron wants to rebuild the cathedral before Paris hosts the 2024 Summer Olympics — a breakneck pace for a huge project. The government also will hold an international architecture contest to replace the iconic 19th-century spire that collapsed in this week's fire---WP

Notre Dame: A Bad Omen or a Sign of the Strength of Western Civilization?--PJ MEDIA
This catastrophe in Paris today is a sign to all of us Christians, and a sign to all people in the West, especially those who despise the civilization that built this great temple to its God on an island in the Seine where religious rites have been celebrated since the days of pagan Rome. It is a sign of what we are losing, and what we will not recover, if we don’t change course now.

What the Notre-Dame Fire Reveals About the Soul of France
While a subdued Paris promises to rebuild, the shock of the potential loss has raised difficult questions about Catholicism, secularism and Islam.--NY TIMES

NOW REP. OMAR's COMMENT ON NOTRE DAME HITS THE FAN
" She gone from some people did something, to some art building burn down?" At least that's the implication from some people on twitter.
Twitter Erupts After Ilhan Omar Issues Statement on Notre Dame Cathedral Fire
" Rep. Ilhan Omar, fresh off the fallout from downplaying the 9/11 attacks, apparently hasn’t learned a single lesson from the tidal wave of outrage she faced.
The Minnesota Democrat’s response to the Notre Dame fire is conspicuously absent of any mention of the religious purpose of the cathedral itself, or its place in Western Christianity as one of the most iconic churches in the world." ---Western Journal

Jihadists Celebrate Devastating Notre Dame Cathedral Fire
(CNSNews.com) – Jihadists and sympathizers took to social media to celebrate the fire that gutted parts of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, with some viewing it as a good omen for Muslims and some as punishment for the enemies of Muslims.


In other world news headlines...
World ‘Not Keeping Pace’ in Implementing Sustainable Development Goals, Secretary-General Stresses, as Development Financing Forum Begins
Citing a fragile world economy and unravelling multilateral alignments, delegates at the Economic and Social Council’s 2019 forum on financing for development follow-up today also spotlighted a crucial window of opportunity to render the global financial system fairer and more fit for purpose.

General Assembly Adopts Resolutions Endorsing Outcome Document of Conference on South-South Cooperation, Strengthening Francophonie Partnership
Endorsing a new international declaration on the critical role South-South cooperation plays in tackling sustainable development challenges, the General Assembly today adopted a related resolution and a package of other texts, including several recommended to it by its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) and a draft on the Organization’s partnership with French-speaking nations.
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/ga12137.doc.htm

Progress against torture in Afghan detention centres, but Government needs to do more, says UN report
Based on interviews with more than 600 detainees and published jointly by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), their latest report on the treatment of prisoners indicates that an average of nearly one in three, provided “credible and reliable” accounts of suffering.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036791

UN Security Council condemns Taliban offensive as a blow against ‘sustainable peace’
The United Nations Security Council has condemned the announcement by Taliban militants in Afghanistan of its spring offensive, saying it will result in more “unnecessary suffering and destruction for the Afghan people”.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036741

Turn toxic e-waste into a source of ‘decent work’, UN labour agency urges
A “toxic flood of electric and electronic waste” that is growing by the day across the world, should be urgently converted into a source of decent work, that can also protect populations from its harmful effects, the United Nations labour agency said on Wednesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036781

📃IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION

PAGE 2

ATTORNEY GENERAL FERGUSON: ADMINISTRATION CONCEDES — WON’T BLOCK PROTECTIONS FOR ENDANGERED MARINE SPECIES

PAGE 3
WHAAAA! WHERE'S MY SAFE PLACE!?



PAGE 4
Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force Takedown Results in Charges Against 60 Individuals, Including 53 Medical Professionals


PAGE 5
Online Lending Company Agrees to Settle FTC Charges It Engaged in Deceptive and Unfair Loan Servicing Practices.


PAGE 6
Inslee signs bill that protects ACA health care insurance practices

PAGE 7
Nonfarm payroll employment soars back in March

NIGHT OWL COMICS PRESENTS

I'm glad that the PDN brought up the topic of health care fraud.

*****Front Page Commentary*****

By Peter Ripley, Publisher.
 This commentary is based in a PDN News Article: Federal agents serve search warrants in Port Angeles in nationwide case
Department of Justice: Action part of ‘one of the largest health care fraud schemes investigated’

Quote from the article posted: "Federal authorities said the $1.2 billion scam involved foreign call centers and doctors who prescribed unnecessary orthopedic braces to hundreds of thousands of elderly or disabled people across the country, defrauding Medicare of hundreds of millions of dollars.
“The defendants took advantage of unwitting patients who were simply trying to get relief from their health concerns,” said U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito in a statement."

Editorial Note: Other than this one news story which was publish this week in the Peninsula Daily News, you would rarely see any other articles being posted in the PDN about welfare fraud.  Why is that? Welfare fraud every day, costing the taxpayer billions every year. The topic of welfare fraud shouldn't be appearing in the local media landscape only on occasions when it directly effects Port Angeles, it should be talked about every day in the local media!

Related DOJ Press release:
Federal Indictments & Law Enforcement Actions in One of the Largest Health Care Fraud Schemes Involving Telemedicine and Durable Medical Equipment Marketing Executives Results in Charges Against 24 Individuals Responsible for Over $1.2 Billion in Losses

Hundreds of Thousands of Elderly and/or Disabled Patients Nationwide and Abroad Lured into Criminal Scheme; Center for Program Integrity, Center for Medicare Services, Takes Administrative Action Against 130 DME Companies That Submitted Over $1.7 Billion.
One of the largest health care fraud schemes investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and prosecuted by the Department of Justice resulted in charges against 24 defendants, including the CEOs, COOs and others associated with five telemedicine companies, the owners of dozens of durable medical equipment (DME) companies and three licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $1.2 billion in loss, as well as the execution of over 80 search warrants in 17 federal districts.  In addition, the Center for Medicare Services, Center for Program Integrity (CMS/CPI) announced today that it took adverse administrative action against 130 DME companies that had submitted over $1.7 billion in claims and were paid over $900 million.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon of the District of South Carolina, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito of the District of New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez of the Middle District of Florida, Assistant Director Robert Johnson of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary Cantrell of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Chief Don Fort of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) and Deputy Administrator and Director of CPI Alec Alexander of the CMS/CPI made the announcement.

Today’s enforcement actions were led and coordinated by the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section in conjunction with its Medicare Fraud Strike Force (MFSF), as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of South Carolina, New Jersey and the Middle District of Florida.  The MFSF is a partnership among the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI and HHS-OIG.  In addition, IRS-CI and other federal law enforcement agencies participated in the operation.

The charges announced today target an alleged scheme involving the payment of illegal kickbacks and bribes by DME companies in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries by medical professionals working with fraudulent telemedicine companies for back, shoulder, wrist and knee braces that are medically unnecessary.  Some of the defendants allegedly controlled an international telemarketing network that lured over hundreds of thousands of elderly and/or disabled patients into a criminal scheme that crossed borders, involving call centers in the Philippines and throughout Latin America.  The defendants allegedly paid doctors to prescribe DME either without any patient interaction or with only a brief telephonic conversation with patients they had never met or seen.  The proceeds of the fraudulent scheme were allegedly laundered through international shell corporations and used to purchase exotic automobiles, yachts and luxury real estate in the United States and abroad.

“These defendants — who range from corporate executives to medical professionals — allegedly participated in an expansive and sophisticated fraud to exploit telemedicine technology meant for patients otherwise unable to access health care,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski.  “This Department of Justice will not tolerate medical professionals and executives who look to line their pockets by cheating our health care programs.  I commend the Criminal Division prosecutors and our partners from U.S. Attorney’s Offices and law enforcement agencies across the country for their unrelenting efforts to stop this alleged fraud before more money was stolen from American taxpayers.”

“Simply put, the law applies equally to all in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Sherri Lydon.  “The same spoon that serves indictments on drug dealers, felons in possession of firearms, and corrupt officials will also feed those companies and individuals who engage in Medicare fraud.  White collar crime is not victimless.  All taxpayers will endure the rising cost of health care premiums and out-of-pocket costs as a result of fraud on our Medicare system.  I am honored to stand with our partners at the FBI, HHS-OIG, and IRS-CI, who led this outstanding and nationally significant investigation from right here in South Carolina.”

“The indictments we are unsealing today charge the defendants with running a complex, multilayered scheme to defraud our Medicare system and avoid detection by government regulators,” said U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.  “The defendants took advantage of unwitting patients who were simply trying to get relief from their health concerns.  Instead, the defendants preyed upon their weakened state and pushed millions of dollars’ worth of unnecessary medical devices, which Medicare paid for, and then set up an elaborate system for laundering their ill-gotten proceeds. We are proud to join our law enforcement partners in New Jersey and around the country to put a stop to this unscrupulous criminal activity.”

“Protecting the integrity of America’s health care programs is necessary to ensure that our citizens receive the care they have paid for and deserve,” said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez.  “The mammoth coordination and cooperation demonstrated among the various offices, districts, and agencies involved in this case leaves no doubt. We will leverage the full weight of our resources to combat fraud and abuse, wherever it is found.”

“Today, one of the largest health care fraud schemes in U.S. history came to an end thanks to close collaboration and coordination between the FBI and partners including HHS-OIG and IRS-CI,” said FBI Assistant Director Robert Johnson.  “Health care fraud causes billions of dollars in losses, it deprives real patients of the critical health care services they need, and it can endanger the lives of real patients so individuals like those arrested today can profit from their criminal activity.  Through today’s coordinated national effort, we put an end to this egregious and costly health care fraud scheme, and the public can rest assured the FBI will continue to make health care fraud investigations a top priority.”

“Our law enforcement officers are focused on preventing and uprooting health care fraud schemes like those alleged today,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary Cantrell.  “These schemes divert money from taxpayer-funded federal health care programs into the hands of criminals.  Working closely with our law enforcement partners, our agency will continue to investigate and disrupt attempts to undermine Medicare and target beneficiaries.”

“The breadth of this nationwide conspiracy should be frightening to all who rely on some form of healthcare,” said IRS-CI Chief Don Fort.  “The conspiracy described in this indictment was not perpetrated by one individual.  Rather, it details broad corruption, massive amounts of greed, and systemic flaws in our healthcare system that were exploited by the defendants.  We all suffer when schemes like this go undiscovered and I’m proud of the work our agents did in working with our partners to uncover this complex scheme.”

“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Program Integrity (CPI) is proud to work very closely everyday with our law enforcement partners to stop exploitation of vulnerable patients and misuse of taxpayer dollars,” said Deputy Administrator and CPI Director Alec Alexander.  “In this case CMS has taken swift administrative action and has suspended payments to 130 distinct providers thereby likely preventing billions of additional dollars in losses.  CMS remains committed to protecting the millions of beneficiaries we are honored to serve and to preventing fraud of all sorts in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”

According to allegations in court documents, some of the defendants obtained patients for the scheme by using an international call center that advertised to Medicare beneficiaries and “up-sold” the beneficiaries to get them to accept numerous “free or low-cost” DME braces, regardless of medical necessity.  The international call center allegedly paid illegal kickbacks and bribes to telemedicine companies to obtain DME orders for these Medicare beneficiaries.  The telemedicine companies then allegedly paid physicians to write medically unnecessary DME orders.  Finally, the international call center sold the DME orders that it obtained from the telemedicine companies to DME companies, which fraudulently billed Medicare.  Collectively, the CEOs, COOs, executives, business owners and medical professionals involved in the conspiracy are accused of causing over $1 billion in loss.

The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force.  Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion.  In addition, the HHS Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

Related press release: Billion-Dollar Medicare Fraud Bust
FBI Announces Results of Operation Brace Yourself
FBI and Department of Justice officials today announced the disruption of one of the largest Medicare fraud schemes in U.S. history. An international fraud ring allegedly bilked Medicare out of more than $1 billion by billing it for unnecessary medical equipment—mainly back, shoulder, wrist, and knee braces.
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/billion-dollar-medicare-fraud-bust-040919


News Spotlight:
Watch News Commentator  Candance Owens tear into fellow Democrats( C-Span)




Representatives Kilmer & McCaul, along with Senators Warner & Gardner, Reintroduce Bill Empowering State and Local Governments to Counter Cyberattacks.
Press release issued 4. 9. 19
https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/representatives-kilmer-and-mccaul-along-with-senators-warner_gardner-reintroduce-bill-empowering-state-and-local-governments-to-counter-cyberattacks

Bipartisan, bicameral legislation would provide grants to eligible governments and address the talent gap in nation’s cybersecurity workforce
Washington, D.C. – Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) was joined today by Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) in reintroducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation today to encourage state, local, and tribal governments to strengthen their defenses against cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. The State Cyber Resiliency Act, which was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), would create and authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to run a grant program for states seeking to develop, revise or implement cyber resiliency measures—including efforts to identify, detect, protect, respond, and recover from cyber threats.

“America should dedicate far more attention and resources to combating cyber threats,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Cyber-attacks could threaten our election systems, municipally-owned water treatment facilities, local emergency responder networks, or other vital systems that impact our communities. With that in mind, building our cyber resiliency matters to employers, workers, local governments, consumers – and even to our national security. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan plan to give state, local, and tribal governments more tools to counter these cyber threats.”

“As our nation continues to face cyber threats, we must ensure all levels of government are prepared to combat the emerging attacks to our cyber networks and other critical infrastructure. The enactment of CISA last year was a positive step forward to recalibrate our federal posture on cybersecurity, however, more needs to be done on a state and local level. Despite playing a vital role in protecting our nation against cyber-attacks, state governments often do not have the vital resources they need to strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities or retain or recruit seasoned cybersecurity professionals,” said Rep. McCaul. “As a co-chair of the House Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, I will continue to think holistically about protecting our networks on a federal, state, and local level. I am proud to join Senators Warner and Gardner, along with Congressman Kilmer, in introducing the State Cyber Resiliency Act to aid state and local governments with a new grant program to enhance their cyber defenses.”

“As cyber attacks increase in frequency and gravity, we must ensure that our nation—from our local governments on up—is adequately prepared to protect public safety and combat cyber threats,” said Sen. Warner. “Nearly 70 percent of states have reported that they lack adequate funding to develop sufficient cybersecurity. This bill will aim to mitigate that need by providing grants to state and local jurisdictions so that they are better prepared to take on these emerging challenges.”

“It’s critical that our state and local governments invest in cyber preparedness and training, and I’m proud to work with Senator Warner and Representatives Kilmer and McCaul to create a grant program to help our communities with this effort,” said Sen. Gardner. “Colorado is at the forefront of our nation’s cybersecurity efforts and home to the National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs. As the threat of cyber warfare intensifies, it’s important that local governments are properly prepared to deter and protect themselves from cyber-attacks.”

A 2018 survey by Deloitte-National Association recently found that most state cyber budgets are inadequate, with most states allocating between zero and three percent of their overall IT budget for cybersecurity purposes. Additionally, the survey found that budget and staffing remain top barriers to an effective cyber strategy, with nearly half of all states lacking a cybersecurity budget line item, and 28 percent pointing to an inadequate availability of cybersecurity professionals as a “top barrier.” In the past year, hackers have attacked a number of local governments in states such as Colorado, Georgia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. These serious cyberattacks have cost taxpayers millions of dollars and have wreaked havoc on essential local government processes.

The State Cyber Resiliency Act also addresses the nation’s cybersecurity workforce talent gap by ensuring that participating states enhance recruitment and retention efforts. Currently, there are more than 313,000 cybersecurity job openings nationwide, including 33,500 in Virginia, 24,800 in Texas, 10,200 in Colorado, and 6,300 in Washington.


Inslee signs new law that raises legal age to purchase tobacco and vaping products.
Governor's medium page posted on 4. 5. 19
https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-signs-new-law-that-raises-legal-age-to-purchase-tobacco-and-vaping-products-8faa349bb1a5

Last Wednesday was a pretty average day for Madison Langer. That is, until the Ridgefield High School senior got a call from her mom during class saying “I’m so proud of you.” Langer said thanks but then asked her mom — proud of me for what?

Her mom broke the news: The state Legislature had just passed a bill that raises the age to buy tobacco and vaping products, a bill that Langer spent two years supporting.

“I went back into the room and said, ‘Guess what, everyone — this bill passed!’” Langer said with a laugh. “Not everyone was jumping up and down because, shockingly, some high school students aren’t excited about their tobacco use being restricted. But I was excited, so it counts.”
Langer joined Gov. Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, dozens of students, legislators and local health leaders as Inslee signed the bill into law Friday at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. The bill raises the legal minimum age for tobacco purchases from 18 to 21. The Senate passed the bipartisan bill last Wednesday, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

“We know the risks associated with tobacco and nicotine,” Inslee said. “We know how much easier it is to prevent our children from becoming addicted in the first place than to treat the addiction later in life, or even worse, to treat the cancers and diseases caused by these products.”

Ferguson and the Department of Health requested the bill, which the governor and first lady Trudi Inslee have long supported. The bill was considered in five legislative sessions before being passed this year.

Ferguson said the Legislature is saving thousands of Washingtonians from a lifetime of addiction and smoking-related illness through this bill.
“Because 18- to 20-year-olds supply younger teens with tobacco and vape products, this will reduce the number of cigarettes and vape products in our high schools, which will lead to fewer kids getting addicted,” Ferguson said. “I want to thank the large bipartisan group of elected leaders, health advocates, businesses, educators, students and parents for helping us make this happen. Addressing the heavy toll of tobacco-related disease, both in human lives and health care costs, moves us closer to being able to provide universal access to affordable health care for all Washingtonians.”
Rep. Paul Harris, the bill’s primary sponsor in the House, said he’s been concerned for years about the amount of tobacco-related products on school campuses and how accessible they are to youth.

“The most common preventable cause of death in our country today is tobacco,” Harris said. “Tobacco 21 is a big first step in limiting the access our young people have to vapor and tobacco products. The Tobacco 21 movement is growing strong across the country. We have had strong bipartisan support here in Washington.”

John Wiesman, Washington State Department of Health secretary, said the new law will make a significant difference in the health of young adults.

“This bill is a critical step to reduce tobacco and vapor product use among youth in Washington,” Wiesman said. “Youth vaping rates have sharply increased in recent years, and raising the minimum age of sale to 21 will help protect young people from developing a nicotine addiction.”
A student’s story
To 17-year-old Langer, this bill is personal. She volunteers as a national youth ambassador for Tobacco Free Kids and even testified in support of the bill earlier this year. But what makes the bill especially meaningful is that she’s a former drug and tobacco user.

At age 15, Langer said someone offered her a Cap’n Crunch-flavored vaping device. It didn’t look like anything she had seen before — and it definitely didn’t look like a cigarette — so what was the harm?

“It smelled enticing and it was something I wasn’t educated about,” Langer said. “I wasn’t allowed to have Cap’n Crunch as a kid so it was a double rebellion.”

From the first day she took a hit, Langer said it was a “no-brainer” to use the device whenever it was around. She didn’t think the product would cause that much harm. But Langer’s vaping use changed the way she thought about substances and she eventually found herself using drugs, too. When she decided she wanted to get clean, it was tough to get sober around her then-current group of friends.

“When you don’t use drugs, the drug users don’t want to hang out with you,” she said. “So I lost my friend group.”

On top of finishing high school, Langer currently works at an educational service district in Vancouver as a tobacco prevention assistant. Eventually, she wants to work for a marketing agency on social change issues. She now feels like she — and public policy — are moving in the right direction.

“It’s awesome to have the government respond to something that’s such an issue and make change to it,” Langer said. “The truth is, it all started with tobacco for me. Now I’m a youth advocate for prevention. I found my home and my relief in prevention work.”
Science backs tobacco law
The new law affects the 15- to 18-year-old age group the most. That’s because among adults who become daily smokers, about 90 percent report they first used cigarettes before they were 19, according to a 2012 Surgeon General’s report.

Dr. Jonathan Bricker, a smoking cessation researcher at Fred Hutch, said almost all the patients he had treated for nicotine addiction first used tobacco as a minor.

“This landmark state law builds a future generation of Washington youth who are free of nicotine and tobacco and will encourage today’s youth to try quitting,” Bricker said. “As a tobacco control researcher for the past 20 years, I am delighted to see science-informed policy put to immediate use.”

The report also states that close to 100 percent report using their first cigarette before the age of 26. That’s the main reason this bill could be a game changer: An Institute of Medicine report estimates a 15 to 25 percent decrease in tobacco initiation rates for teenagers when the legal age for use is 21.

Sen. Patty Kuderer, primary sponsor of the bill in the Senate, said this new law will save lives.

“The medical science confirms what my parents knew a long time ago: If you haven’t started smoking by the time you turn 21, it’s likely that you never will,” Kuderer said. “For generations, we saw smoking decline among Americans. Now, students are vaping as early as middle school. We simply cannot afford to let this reemerging epidemic gain any more traction than it has already, which is why I am proud that we have finally moved this lifesaving legislation to the finish line.”

Among people who aren’t smoking by age 21, 95 percent will never start, according to that 2012 Surgeon General’s report.

Keith Eaton, clinical director of thoracic, head and neck cancer at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance said Tobacco 21 is a common sense approach that ensures a healthier future for young Washingtonians.

“As a physician caring for patients, I see the suffering that advanced lung cancer causes for patients and their families,” Eaton said. “Reducing the number of smokers is the most effective way to prevent lung cancer. I am often struck by how many patients started using tobacco as teenagers and how addictive it can be.”
Teenagers and vaping
Scott Seaman, executive director at the Association of Washington School Principals, said vaping happens in class, hallways and especially in school bathrooms. Many schools now go to great lengths to patrol restrooms and many students are scared to enter them because of the number of students vaping there.

While vaping interferes with learning and contributes to poor health issues, Seaman said something deeper may be going on with students who vape. It’s why he said this issue shouldn’t be treated as a discipline issue but rather as a mental health crisis
“Kids vape for various reasons,” Seaman said. “But a large reason may be because they lack healthier coping skills.”

With the new bill in place, Seaman said school officials can take back their schools and help students take back their bathrooms. While it may be hard to enforce at first as administrators clamp down, he said the bill was the right move.

Like Langer, high school senior Cami Brix also testified in support of the bill. Brix became involved in tobacco prevention through her work as a student representative of Inglemoor High School’s Parent Teacher Student Association and Tobacco Free Kids. ( read more on the link source)
related Press release
AG FERGUSON STATEMENT ON TOBACCO 21 BEING SIGNED INTO LAW.
http://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-statement-tobacco-21-being-signed-law
“After five years of fighting for change, our agency request Tobacco 21 legislation became Washington law. I’m proud that because of our collective action, fewer children will lose their freedom by getting addicted to nicotine, fewer Washingtonians will suffer from pain associated with smoking-related illnesses, and fewer family members will grieve the loss of loved ones whose lives were cut unnecessarily short. This couldn’t have happened without champions like Rep. Paul Harris, Rep. Tina Orwall, Sen. Patty Kuderer, Secretary of Health John Wiesman, and the countless parents, teachers and students who made their voices heard in Olympia. Today is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together to make our state a better place to live.”

WORLD NEWS HEADLINE

World Must Step Up Action, Investment to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Arab Forum
UN Press release issued 4. 9. 19
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/dsgsm1272.doc.htm

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening session of the Arab Forum on Sustainable Development, in Beirut today:

It is my great pleasure to be here today.  I thank the Government of Lebanon for its warm welcome and hospitality.

This year, participating in all regional forums, across all five regions, is a priority for me.  2019 is a defining year for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the regional forums pave the way for our first stocktaking on the Sustainable Development Goals during the General Assembly in September.

This region has a key role to play.  It is firmly rooted in a shared cultural, linguistic and historical heritage.  Its youth, economic growth, vast financial resources, digital infrastructure, innovative technologies and active private sector present boundless potential and opportunities.

And despite the painful effects of crisis and conflicts, I am encouraged to see the persistent commitment of the countries of the region to achieving the 2030 Agenda.  Sixteen out of 22 Arab countries have now undertaken or are preparing voluntary national reviews, assessing progress, highlighting gaps and identifying measures required to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Governments are also aligning their national development plans with the 2030 Agenda, ensuring greater coordination on Sustainable Development Goals implementation across ministries and departments.  We are witnessing commitment and engagement on highly strategic and critical issues such as climate change and migration.  We are seeing regional and national initiatives encouraging young people to optimize their talents through small and medium-sized enterprises, innovation labs and entrepreneurship.

Women have greater access to leadership positions than ever before.  Egypt and Morocco each have eight women ministers.  Here in Lebanon, four women ministers currently sit in the Government, and I commend the Prime Minister for expressing his ambition to reach gender parity in the future.

I also note with great hope that 60 per cent of the region’s population is under the age of 30.  I am impressed and inspired by how young people are engaging in peace and reconstruction processes in countries affected by conflict.

This is one of the most powerful messages of the 2030 Agenda:  no matter where you are born, or how marginalized your community is today — the world is determined to carry everyone along in our journey to 2030 and leave no one behind.

I encourage you to take advantage of the discussions today to address a few fundamental questions.  Who are the “no ones” that we pledge to not leave behind?  What determines their exclusion?  What does it mean to feel included — or excluded?  Are we doing enough, collectively, to empower all members of our human family?

These are not theoretical questions confined to conference rooms in New York, Beirut or elsewhere.  These are real-life dilemmas for billions around the world, who look at the 2030 Agenda with hope for a better future.

And let us be frank:  We are not on track to deliver on the ambitions we set for ourselves.  The data starting to emerge indicate that the world needs a significant step up in action and investment if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the Arab region, as in many other regions, countries and communities are struggling to tackle an expanding list of challenges including insufficient growth, unemployment, inequality, climate change and natural disasters.  Waves of displacement are a daily — and often devastating — reminder of the shrinking opportunities for a dignified life for so many.

Today, 1 in 4 children in the Arab region experiences acute poverty.  One quarter of those aged 5 to 17 are not enrolled in school or have fallen two grades behind.

Women still face high barriers to enter the labour market and are at a higher risk of unemployment than men.  Among young women, unemployment rates are the highest in the world, at 48 per cent.  The region has the fewest laws protecting women from domestic violence of any region in the world.

The Arab region is also home to 14 of the world’s 20 most water-stressed countries.  Rapid urbanization, expected to exceed 68 per cent by 2050, is putting pressure on energy and other natural resources, and 28 per cent of all residents in the region are living in slums or informal settlements.

Conflict in the region not only exacerbates these challenges, but creates new ones.  Large-scale losses of life, destruction of infrastructure — in some instance entire cities — as well as displacement and ensuing humanitarian crises are only some of the consequences.

Equitable, inclusive and sustainable development is the surest way to avert such tragedies.  And there are abundant examples in this region that point the way forward for empowerment and inclusion.  Our shared challenge is to increase ambition and accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  Allow me to highlight three drivers of the transformation we seek.

First, we need to break down the silos that constrain policy action across sectoral lines.  The paradigm shift ushered in by the 2030 Agenda is not complete.  We have not yet fully transitioned from the Millennium Development Goals into the era of the Sustainable Development Goals.

For example, addressing climate change is not only about preventing catastrophic events; reducing the use of fossil fuels also has direct and immediate benefits on health.  We must recognize the interdependence of these issues and act on them in a holistic way.

Second, we need to match intentions with finance — both public and private.  We are still far from the “trillions” that are required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals everywhere, for everyone.  The Secretary-General’s Strategy for Financing the 2030 Agenda sets out his vision to — together with the United Nations system — support countries [to] mobilize the investments needed to meet their national Sustainable Development Goals targets.

Third, we must take partnerships to the next level.  We will not achieve the 2030 Agenda — nor win the race against climate change — without involving all sectors of society towards our common goals.  As you take these steps, you can count on the United Nations to continue to transform the way it operates and better support your efforts.

The Secretary-General is leading a wide-ranging reform of the United Nations, placing prevention at the centre and ensuring that the Organization is better positioned to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  We have a road map for change and clear, ambitious mandates from the United Nations General Assembly, and we are moving forward at full speed.

We know many of you are already engaged with United Nations country teams to advance these reforms and promote change on the ground.  At the end of this process, you can expect to see more cohesive, effective and accountable United Nations country teams.  We want to adapt more closely to the priorities and needs of each developing country, with an empowered leader for development, with much better coordination.

Resident coordinators will be critical to systematically leverage the vast expertise and many assets of the United Nations — including in our regional economic commissions and specialized agencies.  We are currently reviewing these regional assets, with the aim of maximizing our impact.  The review is about designing tailor-made approaches for each region.  There is no one-size-fits-all approach.  Each region is unique.

We need a twenty-first century architecture that responds to the ambitious demands of the 2030 Agenda.  On 1 January of this year, we crossed a major milestone in the reform process with the creation of an independent and empowered system to coordinate all development activities of the United Nations.

Previously, resident coordinators served simultaneously as the representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  Now they dedicate their full attention to the coordination, policy and partnerships needs of the Sustainable Development Goals.  And UNDP can focus fully on its important development mandate, and reassert its role as a thought leader that is so deeply valued.

Yesterday, I met with resident coordinators from the region, who are here to engage in these regional discussions and return to their countries and teams with new tools to support you.  I know they are excited to proceed in this journey with you.

The clock is ticking on the 2030 Agenda, and the true test of our reforms will be results in each country.  It is our collective responsibility to show greater urgency and to act now.

In Other world news headlines...

More than four in 10 women, live in fear of refusing partner’s sexual demands, new UN global study finds
More than four in 10 women in 51 countries surveyed, feel they have no choice but to agree to their partner’s sexual demands, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, said on Wednesday, noting that they are also unable to make basic decisions about getting pregnant and accessing health care for themselves.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036431

UN’s Grandi slams ‘toxic language of politics’ aimed at refugees, migrants
In a heartfelt briefing to the Security Council on Tuesday, Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has said that, during his three and a half decades as an international civil servant, he has “never seen such toxicity, such poisonous language in politics, media and social media,” directed towards refugees, migrants and foreigners.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036391

Libyan national conference postponed, nearly 500,000 children at ‘direct risk’ from fighting around Tripoli
An imminent UN-led Libyan conference seeking to set up elections for the war-ravaged, oil-rich country has been postponed because of ongoing clashes near the capital, the top United Nations official in the country said on Tuesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036371

UN rights chief Bachelet appeals for dialogue in Sudan amid reports ‘70 killed’ in demonstrations
Sudan’s authorities have an “over-arching responsibility” to protect protesters, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said on Tuesday, amid reports that 70 people have died in the latest anti-Government clashes.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036341

‘Once-in-a-generation opportunity’ will be squandered, warns Guterres, unless social, economic, environmental challenges are met
Unless the world faces its “social, economic and environmental challenges head-on”, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Tuesday, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will not be met.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1036421

📃IN THIS WEEK'S  EDITION 

PAGE 2
U.S. Chamber Recognizes Rep. Kilmer with Spirit of Enterprise Award


PAGE 3

TRANSPORTATION: Murray, Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers Announce Major Federal Investment for Spokane’s Central City Line.


PAGE 4
Building Better Futures through SNAP Employment and Training
Posted by Joe Tvrdy, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, USDA FNS in Food and Nutrition

PAGE 5

Unlocking the Digital Potential of Rural America--From the US Chamber of Commerce blog posting.



PAGE 6

Senator Murray Blasts Trump Administration’s Proposed Cuts to Health Research



PAGE 7

Inslee and Ferguson denounce Trump assault on the Clean Water Act

Night Owl Comics Presents!
Captain Froghorn: Political Pirates

Inslee opposes Trump’s latest assault on food assistance

Press release issued 4. 1. 19
Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter today to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue opposing the Administration's plan to take away food assistance from 755,000 Americans who are struggling to find work.

USDA has proposed taking away state flexibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which currently provides basic food to more than 920,000 Washingtonians. The program is also a key economic driver in local communities, supporting food producers, farmers’ markets and retailers.

“This misguided and harmful policy would severely restrict access to food assistance for those who need it most, exacerbating hunger and making it even more difficult for people in poverty to find work. It removes state flexibility, rips away food assistance from 755,000 vulnerable Americans, worsens our homelessness crisis and fails to achieve the Administration’s stated goal of improving self-sufficiency,” Inslee wrote. “It is a cruel and mean-spirited policy that damages people and businesses alike.”

If implemented, the rule would eliminate flexibility in 26 counties in Washington state and put food assistance at risk for over 91,000 Washingtonians who currently participate in SNAP, according to the State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). 



Our congressional delegation response:
Murray, Cantwell, Bipartisan Group of Senators Urge Trump Administration to Withdraw Proposed SNAP Rule.
“The proposed changes would take food assistance away from Americans struggling to find stable employment while doing nothing to help them to actually become permanently employed,” the senators wrote. “This is contrary to Congressional intent, evidenced by the passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which rejected similar harmful changes to SNAP and passed Congress by a historic vote of 87-13 in the Senate and by 369-47 in the House of Representatives.”

USDA, EPA, and FDA Recognize April as Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month.

Press release issued 4. 2. 19
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2019 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) kick off Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month by calling for greater collaboration with public, private, and nonprofit partners as well as state and local officials to educate and engage consumers and stakeholders throughout the supply chain on the need to reduce food loss and waste.

In the U.S., more than one-third of all available food goes uneaten through loss or waste. Food is the single largest type of waste in our daily trash. In recent years, great strides have been made to highlight and mitigate food loss and waste, but the work has just begun. When food is tossed aside, so too are opportunities for economic growth, healthier communities, and environmental prosperity – but that can change through partnership, leadership, and action. Further elevating the importance of this issue, today’s announcement follows a Presidential Message from President Trump acknowledging the month of April as Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month and encouraging public action and participation from all sectors.

“USDA alone cannot end food waste, it will require partners from across the supply chain working together on innovative solutions and consumer education. We need to feed our hungry world and by reducing food waste, we can more wisely use the resources we have. I am pleased President Trump identified this issue as one of importance, and I look forward to USDA’s continued work with our agency partners at EPA and FDA to change behavior in the long term on food waste,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

“Reducing food waste and redirecting excess food to people, animals, or energy production provide immediate benefits to public health and the environment. I am proud to join President Trump and my federal partners in recognizing April as Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “We are working closely with our federal partners and stakeholders across the nation to reduce the amount of food going to landfills and maximize the value of our food resources.”

“With 1 in 6 people getting a foodborne illness every year in the U.S. and up to 40 percent of food left uneaten, it’s understandable why food safety and food waste are major societal concerns,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas. “The FDA is working to strengthen its collaboration and coordination with the EPA and USDA to strategically align our federal efforts between the two issues to better educate Americans on how to reduce food waste and how it can be done safely.”

As part of the month’s observances, on April 9, EPA will host a livestreamed event with USDA and FDA. Additional joint agency actions will be announced at the event regarding the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative. At the event, a panel of food waste stakeholders will share how state and local communities can join the federal government in reducing food waste and loss.

USDA, EPA, and FDA invite public and private partners to participate in Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month through the following:

Join the conversation: Share your efforts with the #NoWastedFood hashtag in your social media posts throughout the month.
Educate your community: Learn about USDA, EPA, and FDA programs and resources to reduce food loss and waste.
Be a U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champion: Join other corporate and business leaders who have made a public commitment to reducing food loss and waste in their U.S. operations by 50 percent by the year 2030.
The Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative is a collaborative effort (PDF, 579 KB) among USDA, EPA, and FDA to reduce food loss and waste through combined and agency-specific action. Individually and collectively, these agencies contribute to the initiative, encourage long-term reductions, and work toward the goal of reducing food loss and waste in the United States. These actions include research, community investments, education and outreach, voluntary programs, public-private partnerships, tool development, technical assistance, event participation, and policy discussion.

WA receives federal grant funds to address opioid addiction, homelessness and paths to re-employment in five counties.

Press release issued 4. 2. 19
As Washington continues to battle an epidemic of opioid addiction, federal officials awarded the state roughly $887,000 in new federal funds to focus on homeless Washingtonians affected by opioid use disorder.

This latest National Health Emergency (NHE) Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant funding supports efforts to serve up to 80 at-risk homeless individuals in the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area (PacMtn), which covers Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

“Washington’s opioid crisis has played a significant role in increasing the number of our homeless families in our state,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “This latest infusion of federal funds is a recognition of the work already underway throughout our state, and a vote of confidence for our work moving forward. This work is possible because of the strong partnership among the Employment Security Department, PacMtn and local leaders across the region.”

The funds supplement a nearly $5 million NHE Opioid Dislocated Worker Demonstration grant announced in July 2018 to support work in the same five-county region as well as Snohomish county—and allow regional partners to zero in on a particularly acute reason for homelessness across the region.

“This initiative goes well beyond the grant we received earlier this year as it allows community partners to focus on a group of individuals and families hit disproportionately hard by the opioid epidemic -- the homeless population in Thurston County and beyond,” said Employment Security Department Commissioner Suzi LeVine.

“These dollars give us ability to serve those hardest hit by the devastation of opioid use disorder,” said PacMtn Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Fambles. “These are our friends, neighbors and families...many on the verge of homelessness.  They need to get back to work. When they can work families and our local economy get stronger."

The Employment Security Department, the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council (PacMtn), WorkSource Thurston and other partners will use the funds to:

Hire four peer recovery counselors who will serve homeless at-risk individuals;
Identify and refer up to 80 homeless at-risk individuals to designated peer counselors in the region for assistance;
Provide individualized career, training and supportive services—including connection to rapid re-housing and other resources; and
Train staff on trauma-informed care, harm reduction and emergency medical interventions.
Effective treatment is available for those affected by opioid use disorder. Call the 24-hour Washington Recovery Help Line at 866-789-1511 or visit WARecoveryHelpline.org.

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:

(From the UN News Center & other sources)

UN PRESS RELEASE:
New Approach Crucial for Eliminating Atomic Bombs, Speakers Tell Security Council, Warning Dangerous Rhetoric about Nuclear Weapons Use Is Eroding Disarmament Gains.
Press release issued 4. 2. 19
With the erosion of the disarmament and arms control framework that reaped significant post-cold-war-era gains, all States must work collectively towards a new twenty-first‑century approach to rid the world of atomic bombs, the Security Council heard today as it considered the existing regime ahead of the 2020 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

While the 50-year-old Non-Proliferation Treaty has played the greatest role in preventing the catastrophic consequences of an atomic war, Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, said the instrument’s durability should not be taken for granted at a time when the acquisition of arms is prioritized over the pursuit of diplomacy.

“The disarmament success of the post-cold war era has come to a halt,” she cautioned, with the security landscape being replaced with dangerous rhetoric about the utility of nuclear weapons and an increased reliance on these weapons in security doctrines.  “The prospect of the use of nuclear weapons is higher than it has been in generations.”

Whatever new arms control and disarmament approaches in the twenty-first century might look like, one thing is clear:  the Non-Proliferation Treaty will still be at the centre of our collective security mechanism and it will have to stay “fit for purpose” across its three pillars — disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.  The 2020 Review Conference is a “golden opportunity” to make headway on all of these goals, and to make sure this linchpin of international security remains fit for purpose through the next 25 or even 50 years.

Presenting a snapshot of achievements, Yukiya Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said safeguards are being implemented in 182 countries, including 179 which are States parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.  However, key challenges include a steady increase in the amount of nuclear material and the number of nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, coupled with continuing pressure on the Agency’s regular budget.  Topping its agenda are the nuclear programmes of Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  Iran continues to fully implement its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and it must continue to do so.  Meanwhile, the Agency continues to monitor the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear programme and evaluate all safeguards-relevant information available to it, he said, noting that, subject to the approval of IAEA’s Board of Governors, it could respond within weeks to any request to send inspectors back to Pyongyang.

In a broader sense, the Agency helps to improve the health and prosperity of millions of people by making nuclear science and technology available across many sectors, he continued.  Nuclear power can also help address the twin challenges of ensuring reliable energy supplies and curbing greenhouse‑gas emissions.  “Helping countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, using relevant nuclear technology, is an important part of our work,” he said, noting that the Agency helps countries to use nuclear science and technology to meet 9 of the 17 Goals and a special initiative has helped to raise more than €140 million for approximately 300 projects benefitting more than 150 countries.

In the ensuing discussion, some Council members, including those from Côte d’Ivoire and the Dominican Republic, reported benefits reaped from nuclear technologies.  Some highlighted concerns, from terrorists acquiring atomic bombs to the disarmament machinery’s languishing impasse that continues to hobble negotiations on a fissile material cut-off treaty and delay the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

Some members spotlighted a crumbling security landscape exacerbated by concerns such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear programme and the suspension of disarmament agreements.  Summing up a common theme, Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs said that, “for all the successes we have achieved in recent decades, we mustn’t fool ourselves”.  He pointed out that dismantling nuclear arsenals has come to a standstill and prospects of actual nuclear “re-armament” have been raised by the impending loss of the Intermediate‑Range Nuclear Forces Treaty — known as the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles.

While many members commended the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s contribution to international peace and security, some urged States to extend every effort to achieve disarmament progress ahead of the 2020 Review Conference and to avoid a repeat of the failure of the 2015 review to agree on an outcome.

The Russian Federation’s representative said the 2020 Review Conference should not be used to settle political scores, adding that attempts are being made to undermine universally recognized norms which have worsened an already complicated situation.  While the Russian Federation has reduced its nuclear arsenal by more than 85 per cent, his Government remains greatly concerned about global security, given the unfettered deployment of United States anti-missile systems, its placement of military weapons in outer space and its attempts to decrease the defence capabilities of other countries through unilateral sanctions.  This hardly creates an environment favourable to reducing the nuclear weapons stockpile, he said.

The representative of the United States said reaching a consensus at the 2020 Review Conference is possible if parties avoid using divisions to hold the review process hostage.  “We cannot overlook the fact that the actions of those who are expanding their nuclear stockpiles have contributed to a deterioration of the global security environment,” she said, adding that the United States will seek a positive outcome from the 2020 review process.

China’s delegate said unilateralism and double standards in non‑proliferation continue to exist.  As such, the international community must uphold the concept of a shared future, strengthen unity and cooperation, and steer the 2020 review process towards a unified outcome.

Many members agreed that of the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s three pillars, disarmament has produced the least results, with Poland’s Foreign Affairs Minister saying efforts remain a “work in progress, at best”.  To change that, delegates from non-nuclear-weapon States said the instrument is complemented by the legally binding Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.  The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia said that treaty’s entry into force will help to advance the aim of completely eliminating atomic bombs, as enshrined in article 6 of the Non‑Proliferation Treaty.  “The human species’ survival is dependent on our collective courage to eliminate nuclear weapons once and for all,” she said.

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France said that, given tensions and growing energy needs worldwide, preserving the Non-Proliferation Treaty is more central than ever before.  To do so, Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister said, multilateralism and the principles of the United Nations Charter remain essential tools.
Also delivering statements were representatives of South Africa, Belgium, United Kingdom, Peru and Equatorial Guinea.

In other world news headlines:

UN chief commends Algerians for ‘mature and calm’ demonstrations for change, leading up to presidential resignation
In the wake of the resignation in Algeria of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the UN Secretary-General on Wednesday saluted “the mature and calm nature” of protests involving hundreds of thousands of citizens who took to the streets peacefully in recent weeks, to express “their desire for change.”
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1035981

Lack of basic water facilities risks millions of lives globally: UN health agency
More than two billion people face grave health risks because basic water facilities are not available in one in four medical centres globally, the UN has said, in an appeal to countries to do more to prevent the transmission of treatable infections that can turn deadly if not washed or flushed, away.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1035971

‘Counter and reject’ leaders who seek to ‘exploit differences’ between us, urges Guterres at historic mosque in Cairo
Speaking in Cairo’s historic al-Azhar mosque on Tuesday, UN chief António Guterres issued a call for societies, faiths and cultures everywhere to “focus on what unites us”, urging everyone to work together towards realizing the 2030 Agenda “for the collective benefit of all”.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1035881

Acute food insecurity ‘far too high’ UN agency warns, as 113 million go hungry
Approximately 113 million people in 53 countries experienced high levels of food insecurity last year, according to a new joint UN and European Union (EU) report released on Tuesday, which warns that these crises are primarily driven by conflict and climate-related disasters.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1035921

Help prevent children ‘from becoming victims in the first place’, implores Guterres at campaign launch
From killing and maiming, to recruitment, sexual abuse and abduction, “violence against children in armed conflict can take many forms”, said Secretary-General António Guterres, in a special message delivered at the launch of a new UN advocacy campaign on Tuesday - Act to Protect Children Affected by Conflict.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/04/1035961

****Front Page Commentary****

I support the following petition from We the People:
Stop Socialism Now!
We the People, urge this administration to continue to take a strong stance against the growing threat of socialism in America. 

Socialist operatives, such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocassio-Cortez are a growing threat to both our free-market system and our democracy. Additionally, socialist programs being peddled by the left, such as Universal Basic Income, aka “welfare for all”, is an attempt to make US citizens dependent upon the government and justify more taxation.

The people signing this petition urge your continued support in the fight against the dangers of socialism in America. In addition, we would like to recognize the hard work of the National Organization Against Socialism, an organization working tirelessly to fight socialism in America. (petition link)
 Editorial note: If this nation falls to socialism, and dictatorship we will toss out forever perhaps a republic that lasted 243 years, and all those who died in the wars that defended our liberty under God will be in vain.

Related News Story: America’s Past Shows Why Socialism Won’t Work
Socialism is trending in America. Politicians once ran from the term; now more embrace it. And polls show younger people are favoring it.---The Daily Signal

📃IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION

PAGE 2

Senator Murray to student survivors: “I stand with you and I’m going to keep fighting to stop what happened to you from happening to other students”


PAGE 3
President Donald J. Trump Is Committed to Building on the Successes of the First Step Act.


PAGE 4
HUD ISSUES PROPOSED RULE TO MAKE SECTION 3 MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE

PAGE 5
Department of Commerce Bureau Leaders Offer to Testify at House Appropriations Hearing on FY 2020 Budget



PAGE 6
Rep. Kilmer Statement in Support of H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019


PAGE 7
AG FERGUSON: MOTEL 6 WILL PAY $12M FOR VIOLATING PRIVACY OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WASHINGTONIANS.


NIGHT OWL COMICS PRESENTS!
Capt. Froghorn: Political Pirates

( A High Seas adventure by Peter Ripley, just in time for  your springtime reading.)