Poll Workers, Election Officials Received Death Threats

 No matter what political party you vote for, making death threats is barbaric, illegal, and atrocious behavior and should not be tolerated. There have been countless threats made against people who have ensured we have fair and secure elections Including Average people who just WORK THE POLLS and run ballots through a machine. These threats come from the fools who support those in the republican party who have stood behind the lie that the election was 'stolen' from Trump.  All of these people making these threats need to be JAILED and have their guns permanently removed. When did the Republican party decide to start supporting and promoting this kind of behavior?  Here are some of the stories:

GOP STATE OFFICIALS, ELECTION WORKERS TESTIFY ABOUT BEING TERRORIZED BY TRUMP SUPPORTERS

High-ranking Republicans who stood up to Donald Trump's pressure to overturn election results and a mother-daughter team of Georgia election workers told the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection about death threats they received just for doing their jobs. “There is nowhere I feel safe. Nowhere,” said Ruby Freeman, who was falsely accused of stuffing ballot boxes.

RAFFENSPERGER'S WIFE RECEIVED 'SEXUALIZED' THREATS AMID TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN TO STEAL THE ELECTION

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s wife received “sexualized threats” from Trump supporters after Raffensperger refused to aid Trump’s plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election, he testified before the Jan. 6 committee hearing. Raffensperger also said his daughter-in-law’s house was broken into after the election.

The Jan. 6 hearings highlight the abuse election officials, workers and their families have endured

WASHNGTON POST June 22, 2022 at 7:40 a.m. EDT The wave of vicious harassment targeting election workers and officials may be among the most lasting and damaging impacts of former president Donald Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election.

That harassment has included death threats as well as sexual and racist attacks against election officials and workers and their family members, according to extensive testimony yesterday at the fourth hearing before the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

HIGHLIGHTS Day 4 and 5 of January 6th Comm. hearings: Pressure on Election Officials &Workers; False Electors, Pardon Requests...

 Day 4 and 5 of  January 6th Committee hearings clearly and distinctly showed the intimidation and pressure former President Trump exerted on election officials and election workers and false electors and replace people who would certify the elections.    

DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS

1) The topic of focus was then-President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn 2020 election results in several states, including Arizona and Georgia.

2) All of these people were harassed by Trump. — public servants like Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers, Georgia Secretary of the State Brad Raffensperger, Fulton County election workers Shaye Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman, Georgia election official Gabriel Sterling, and others —  chose to do something despite withering pressure to acquiesce to evil.  Trump and his supporters spread the conspiracy that Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, had worked to help steal the election from Trump in Georgia. As a result of these baseless accusations, Moss and her mother were the subject of vile, racist, hateful threats, including death threats.

3) Former Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue's audio clips of his interview with the committee aired. Donoghue testified that he personally told Trump the so-called “suitcase full of ballots” story was false. 

4) Donoghue’s statement that if Trump had fired then-Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and replaced him with environmental lawyer and acting-Associate Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark, Donoghue would immediately resign. There was “no way I’m serving one minute under this guy, Jeff Clark,” Donoghue claims he told Trump. Clark’s attempt to depose his then-boss (Rosen) and use the DOJ as a vehicle for overturning the election was  one focus of Thursday’s hearing.  

DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 4 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS (3 mins) VIDEO: https://youtu.be/C2Nb4SyLPFE

                                    DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS

1) DOJ officials detail Trump push to install loyalist Jeffrey Clark The effort came amid public and private pressure from the president for the Department of Justice to give credence to bogus claims of election fraud ahead of Jan. 6, the officials testified. 

2) At least five House Republicans — including Reps. Mo Brooks of Alabama, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Louie Gohmert of Texas and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania — asked Trump’s White House for presidential pardons after the Capitol riot, according to testimony from former White House officials, aides and attorneys shown by the Jan. 6 committee. 

3) Donoghue testified that Trump told him and Rosen in December to "just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen.” 

4) Donoghue's testimony puts GOP Rep. Scott Perry at the center of effort to elevate Clark.

DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO (3 MINS) VIDEO: https://youtu.be/SnovF6Tsi-U

GOOD NEWS! Unemployment Falls Dramatically: 15 states at lowest unemployment rates ever!

We all tend to dwell on bad things, but here's something GOOD to keep in mind as you move through your day. As of May 2022, 15 states are now at their lowest unemployment rates on record, and last month, the unemployment rate broke new records in nine states.

On June 22, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Reported:

06/17/202May jobless rates down in 16 states; payroll jobs up in 7 states, down in 3

06/16/202Civilian workers compensation costs average $40.90 per hour worked in March 2022

06/15/202U.S. import prices increase 0.6% in May; export prices advance 2.8%

06/14/202PPI for final demand advances 0.8% in May; goods rise 1.4%, services increase 0.4%

This is an historic economic recovery - especially coming out of a pandemic.

YOU can get the latest information on unemployment and the Economy DIRECT from the Source (and NOT from a news source): https://www.bls.gov/

Stunt Gone Wrong: Spider-Man crashes during show at Disneyland's Avengers Campus

Here's a stunt gone wrong that was captured on video in California. Fortunately the "actor" playing Spiderman turned out to be a robot. Otherwise, there would be some serious broken bones! Here's the story and video.

Spider-Man crashes during show at Disneyland's Avengers Campus

Jun 10, 2022 /Fox11/ By Kelli Johnson A Spider-Man robot crashed shortly after taking flight in a stunt gone wrong during a show at the newly-opened Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. ANAHEIM, Calif. - Perhaps it was a case of weak spider webs. Spider-Man crashed shortly after taking flight in a stunt gone wrong during a show at the newly-opened Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.

A video that was posted to Instagram Thursday shows Spider-Man taking flight on a rope while swinging and doing flips. Seconds later, the video shows the landing did not go as planned. Instead of landing on the top of the roof, Spidey crashed into the building he was supposed to land on, as families in the audience could be heard gasping in shock.

Thankfully, the man behind the mask is not a man at all and is actually a stunt robot.

The show came to a halt for a couple of hours before it was back up and running at full force later in the day. VIDEO: https://youtu.be/wqfFFJoUECc

STORY: https://bit.ly/3aHnGXV

Shocking Idiot of the Week: GOP Politician calls for hunting and killing Fellow Republicans who Don't Support Trump

 With all the mass shootings now happening in our country almost every day, the last thing we need is someone running for political office telling fellow Republicans to hunt and even kill "Republicans in Name Only" (in other words- those who don't support Trump's big election lie). GOP Senate hopeful Eric Greitens released an ad of him holding a shotgun boasting to hunt "RINOs." These extremist fringe wackos are seriously dangerous. Politicians should be quelling violence, NOT encouraging it, and certainly not telling people it's okay to murder others who don't vote the way you want. Here's the shocking story.

GOP’s Greitens pushes his luck with ad about hunting ‘RINOs’ 

Eric Greitens has released a video in which he literally talks about hunting Americans with guns. As broken as our politics are, this shouldn’t be OK.

Source: MSNBC June 20, 2022, 12:08 PM EDT By Steve Benen

The New York Times reported last month that in the current election cycle, viewers have seen “more than 100 television ads from Republican candidates and supportive groups” that have “used guns as talking points or visual motifs.”

But I think reasonable observers can probably agree that GOP Senate hopeful Eric Greitens has broken new ground in this area with his latest ad. The Kansas City Star reported this morning:

Former Gov. Eric Greitens put out a video Monday that showed him and a group of men in tactical gear with guns hunting Republicans who they do not deem adequately conservative, ramping up the war-like messaging of his campaign for U.S. Senate.

That description is not an exaggeration. In this new ad, Greitens begins by talking to the camera with a shotgun in his hands, and another gun on his hip. He identifies himself as having been a Navy SEAL before boasting, “Today, we’re going RINO hunting.”

The Republican was referring, of course, not to rhinoceroses, but to “Republicans In Name Only.”

(Image: From Twitter, part of this right-wing, violence inciting psychopath)

“The RINO feeds on corruption and is marked by the stripes of cowardice,” Greitens says, as a tactical team breaks down the door to a house, throws a smoke grenade into a room, and enters with guns drawn. The armed candidate, again talking to the camera, then adds, “Join the MAGA crew. Get a RINO hunting permit. There’s no bagging limit, no tagging limit, and it doesn’t expire until we save our country.”

It’s unclear whether the video was designed to air on television — it’s 38 seconds, instead of the usual 30 — but that’s not especially important given the larger context.

Against a backdrop of mass shootings and elected officials receiving death threats, Greitens thought it’d be a good idea to release a video in which he’s seen armed and talking about hunting Americans he disagrees with.

To be sure, the Missouri Republican was already controversial. During his 17-month tenure as governor, Greitens was accused of, among other things, blackmailing his former mistress following an encounter in which he taped her hands to pull-up rings in his basement.

(Image: From Twitter, part of this right-wing, violence-inciting psychopath)

Earlier this year, the GOP Senate hopeful was accused by one of his ex-wives of physically abusing her and their children, claims that Greitens denied.

And now, as Primary Day in Missouri approaches, he’s making an appeal based on overt violence.

I’ll confess that it’s tempting to ignore such an outrageous video. It’s obvious that Greitens released the message to be needlessly provocative. He’s being offensive on purpose, knowing it would generate attention and pushback, which he could then brag about to the Republican base.

But the fact remains that a leading U.S. candidate, who stands a reasonably good chance of winning in the fall, has released a video in which he literally talks about hunting Americans with guns. As broken as our politics are, this shouldn’t be OK.

Update: Facebook has removed Greitens' video, saying it violates the company's policies "prohibiting violence and incitement." Twitter, meanwhile, has concluded that the video is at odds with its “abusive behavior” rules, but the Republican's tweet will remain accessible anyway.

Hero of the Week: 17-year-old dives into Great South Bay, Saves Woman in Car

 This week's hero is a teenager who was fearless enough to jump into a bay and save the life of a woman whose car drove into a bay!  Here's the story from CBS.

(Image: 17-year-old Anthony Zhongor. Credit; CBS News) 

17-year-old Anthony Zhongor dives into Great South Bay, saves woman who had driven into the water

BY CAROLYN GUSOFF JUNE 15, 2022 / 8:12 PM / CBS NEW YORK

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. -- A young man on Long Island is being hailed as a hero.

He was in the right place at the right time on Tuesday night when a car plunged into the Great South Bay in Patchogue. The Patchogue dock with a peaceful bay view turned into a scene of panic Tuesday night when a car lunged forward full throttle into the water. "I just hear a huge splash and everyone running toward the dock," 17-year-old Anthony Zhongor said.

Onlookers ran and could hear the young driver franticly banging for help. Zhongor said he quickly assessed the situation and saw no one else diving in to help, so he did.

"That's what really made me jump in the water, because she was banging on door trying to break it, kind of got scared. So I just jumped in," Zhongor said.

He dove into the chilly water, pulled open a back door, got the driver out, and swam her to the dock before the car quickly sank.

"Dying while suffocating is one of my worst fears, so I couldn't imagine anyone going through that right in front of me. I feel like anyone would make that decision," Zhongor said.

There was inexpressible gratitude from the victim's father. Charlie Samolinski thanked Zhongor on Wednesday for saving his 18-year-old daughter Mia's life.

"The real hero of the day is Anthony, without a doubt. There were a group of people on the dock. They were filming it. He did something about it," Charlie Samolinski said.

Zhongor, a humble high school senior, doesn't boast, but his actions say it all, according to the local Marines who have recruited him into the service.

"I think they are extremely heroic, that they are exactly the type of individuals we look for to serve this country. One hundred percent selfless. That's exactly what we instruct and teach," said Staff Sgt. Christian Erazo of the U.S. Marines Recruitment Center.

Police said the 18-year-old victim stopped on the gas pedal instead of the brake. Her father said she is embarrassed and shaken up and was worried about her parents' reaction to losing the car.

"She's here today because of him," her father said. "A car can be replaced. Things can be replaced. My daughter? Irreplaceable."

Watched "The Suicide Squad" (2) Film on DVD: Grade "B"

DC Comics issued the second film in the "Suicide Squad" movie a year ago in 2021, and after looking for it on Netflix and Amazon Prime, and even Redbox, and not finding it, I finally bought it for $9.99. This past weekend, we watched it... Here's what we thought.

We saw the first Suicide Squad movie and really liked it. In fact, since then, I had been reading and collecting the comic book series (until DC Comics decided to stupidly cancel it in early 2022). In this movie, there s almost a completely different set of characters. The premise is that Task Force X or the "Suicide Squad" is called to do top secret government tasks that make them risk their own lives. They do them to get a lesser sentence and there is a bomb planted in their skulls to ensure they don't run. 

This movie was interesting and good about to the half way point. Harley Quinn returned, and she's always a favorite. So did Rick Flag, whom we liked, and Amanda Waller, who we liked to hate. New characters included Ratcatcher 2- a good character; Peacemaker- a bully, Bloodsport, an assassin, The Polka Dot Man - whom was a bizarre character, and King Shark a humanoid Shark. -  There was humor interspersed throughout, mostly in the first half before things got weird. 

The villain was "Starro the Conqueror" from the very first appearance of the Justice League of America comic book in the 1960s - and I thought it a weird choice for a villain.. but it was entertaining. I must be getting old though, because there was way too much violence and killing to make me want to see it again.  That said, I give it a "B" because the characters were engaging, and the first half of the story was good...

A fun Graphic Novel- for fans of the SHAZAM movie

 Since the 1970s when I started reading comics, I've always loved "Shazam" - the original Captain Marvel (Marvel comics STOLE the name "Captain Marvel"  and applied it to a crappy hero of their own, so DC Comics can't call him that anymore- don't get me started).  In the 2020s, Shazam got a new life thanks to Comic book writer Geoff Johns, who created an extended "Shazam family" - from Billy Batson's foster family. - IF you saw the Shazam movie, you've already seen them. 

This graphic novel is called the 7 Magic Lands, and I THINK it will be the basis of the storyline for Shazam 2, the movie. Even if it isn't, it's a great read!

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Legendary comics writer Geoff Johns continues his modern reimagining of Shazam following the hit 2019 Warner Bros. movie starring Zachary Levi.

In these stories, after a stop at the mysterious subway location of the Rock of Eternity, source of his mighty powers, Shazam and his foster siblings take a trip to a series of magical lands including the Funlands and the Wozenderlands. But these dreamlike fantasy worlds hide a nightmarish reality, as the young heroes must face the tyrannical King Kid and try to avoid being fed to hungry tigers.

Collects Shazam! #1-12.

Fed up Massachusetts gas station owner stops selling fuel/ Oil Companies Claim Massive Profits

If you are struggling to gas up your car or truck, there's only one outlet to blame: Oil Companies. Record gasoline prices are occurring ALL Around the World! Why? The oil companies say they haven't ramped up production since the pandemic, or that there's a war in Ukraine, or perhaps they ate bad tacos yesterday - It doesn't matter- Oil Companies  the prices. As such, Last QUARTER profits - Exxon/Mobil $6.1 BILLION, Shell $9.1 BILLION, BP $6.2 BILLION, Chevron $6.3 BILLION. That's profits for only 3 months....... AND who's fault is it ? (If I read about 1 more Moron who blames politicians, I'll heave).  This month, one gas station owner had enough of their fleecing America and stopped selling gasoline (which means his business will go under- but he has principles). Here's the story:

Fed up Massachusetts gas station owner stops selling fuel 

“This is the biggest ripoff that ever has happened to people in my lifetime.”

Suzanne Kreiter/Boston Globe Staff

By AMHERST, Associated Press June 9, 2022

A Massachusetts gas station owner fed up with what he considers attempts by oil companies to fleece customers with outrageously high prices at the pump has stopped selling gas as a protest.

Average gas prices in Mass. hits $5 per gallon Reynold Gladu, who has run Ren’s Mobil Service in downtown Amherst for nearly 50 years, drained his tanks earlier this month and has no current plans to refill them.

“I don’t want to be part of it anymore,” Gladu told The Daily Hampshire Gazette for a story published Tuesday. “This is the biggest ripoff that ever has happened to people in my lifetime.”

Gasoline in Massachusetts is averaging more than $5 per gallon, according to AAA New England.

The business will continue to do oil changes and other repairs, but Gladu acknowledges it is unlikely he will be able to remain open for long without selling gas.

“Dealing with Mobil, they don’t think through their pricing policies anymore,” Gladu said. “I’ve served their product, but I refuse to do it anymore, because they’re only getting richer.”

Julie King, a spokesperson for ExxonMobil Corp., wrote in an email to the newspaper that the price at the pump is out of her company’s control and is based on several factors, including the price of crude.

Not a Bad Day at Work: Two people rescued after falling into chocolate tank!

 This really doesn't sound like a bad day at work to me. I would have been happy eating my way out of the problem!  This is picture of a guy who fell into a vat of chocolate in 2016 in Kenosha, Wisconsin... and if I were on the rescue team, I would have volunteered to clean him up... and enjoy the chocolate!  - Don't tell me you weren't thinking of that either. LOL. Here's the story about the Pennsylvania workers: 

Two people rescued after falling into chocolate tank at Mars Wrigley factory in Pennsylvania 

Marina Pitofsky USA TODAY

Two people had to be rescued after falling in a tank that contained chocolate at a Mars Wrigley factory in Pennsylvania, according to multiple reports.

The Lancaster County 911 center confirmed to USA TODAY that officials believe both of the people were employees at the Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, facility. They were both taken to the hospital following the incident on Thursday, one via an ambulance and the other in a helicopter.

Brad Wolfe, communications supervisor for Lancaster County 911 dispatch, told CNN earlier on Thursday that fire crews had “eliminated pulling them straight out of a tank.”

"They have to cut a hole in the side of the tank to get them out," he said, adding that it was not immediately clear how the two people fell into the tank.

The chocolate in the tank was about waist high, PennLive reported.

Mars Wrigley in a statement to USA TODAY said “We can confirm both people have been taken offsite for further evaluation. We’re extremely grateful for the quick work of the first responders.”

Day 3: Jan. 6 Hearing: 8 takeaways:

 If you missed the third hearing from the Jan. 6th Committee- you missed the frightening details about how Mike Pence's life was being threatened by the mob, and it was encouraged by you-know-who. PLUS, 29 emails and texts to the chief of staff were uncovered by Supreme court justice Thomas' wife- planning the overthrow of the election... Here are the highlights for a quick read:

8 takeaways from the January 6 hearings day 3

By Jeremy Herb, Marshall Cohen and Zachary Cohen, CNN Updated 12:04 AM ET, Fri June 17, 2022

1) Trump was told Eastman's plan was illegal -- but tried it anyway

2) The panel tied the Mike Pence pressure campaign to January 6 violence

3) The danger to Pence was real as the mob got about 40 feet from the vice president

4) Eastman wouldn't take no for an answer on overturning the election (And He Pleaded the 5th 100 times during his deposition)

5) Eastman emailed Giuliani about receiving a presidential pardon after January 6

6) One person noticeably absent on Thursday was the star of the hearing himself: the former vice president. The committee cast Pence as the hero -- making the case that American democracy would have slipped into a state of chaos had he succumbed to Trump's pressure campaign.

7) Luttig, a retired judge turns parts of the hearing into a lengthy constitutional seminar

8) American democracy is on the line - Luttig said Trump poses a "clear and present danger to American democracy." The conservative Republican said he had reached this conclusion because Trump and his allies are still lying about the 2020 election, endorsing candidates who are promoting these lies and showing no signs of backing down.

BONUS: Jan. 6  Panel May Call Ginni Thomas To Testify The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol may seek an interview with Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, amid new revelations about her contact with a lawyer at the center of the panel's investigation, according to multiple reports Thursday.

Idiot of the Week: Son of famed American artist charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

 This week's idiot is from my home state of Massachusetts. He's also the son of an American artist, who is thankfully dead and can't see what this idiot offspring has done. Story below.

( This image from video recorded Jan. 6, 2021, captures Vincent Gillespie on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington where prosecutors say he was among a rioting mob trying to gain control of the building from the federal government. Ben Fox/The Associated Press )

Son of famed American artist charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot 

“If you had like another 15, 20 guys behind us pushing I think we could have won it.” 

By STEVE LeBLANC and BEN FOX, Associated Press April 26, 2022

BOSTON (AP) — For years, Vincent Gillespie waged a legal battle to try to gain control of hundreds of paintings by his father — renowned postwar American artist Gregory Gillespie.

On Jan. 6, 2021, prosecutors say, Gillespie engaged in a very different kind of battle, joining rioters as they tried to wrest control of the U.S. Capitol from the federal government in one of the most violent confrontations of the riot.

Gillespie, who investigators say was identified by half a dozen sources from images taken that day, was among a mob trying to force its way through a tunnel at the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol — an assault that almost succeeded by his own description.

QUOTES FROM AN IDIOT

“We were almost overpowering them,” Gillespie, blood visible on his scalp from the clash, told an Associated Press journalist at the scene that day. “If you had like another 15, 20 guys behind us pushing I think we could have won it.”

The AP video that captured a flushed Gillespie that day milling about outside the Capitol speaking defiantly about his role in the attack — and his lament that more like-minded individuals didn’t join the fight — reveal both the depth of resolve of many of the rioters, and the uncertainty others felt about just what they would do once inside the building.

What is clear, federal investigators said, is that Gillespie participated in a violent struggle against law enforcement officials trying to prevent rioters from entering the building as a joint session of Congress was engaged in certifying Electoral College votes.

The Athol, Massachusetts, resident was spotted outside the Capitol pouring water into his eyes apparently to combat the effects of chemical spray used to try to control the crowd.

ADMITTING GUILT TO A REPORTER 

Gillespie told the AP at the scene that day that he was among those attempting to storm the building. Gillespie said he and others tried to burst through an opening. “I was with some other guys. And then we were starting to push against them and they were beating us and putting that pepper spray stuff in your eyes. But there were a bunch of people pushing behind us,” Gillespie told the AP.

“What you guys need to know, and no one is going to listen to this, we were very (expletive) close.” If more people had been behind him, he said, “then there’s that second set of doors we would have just burst through it.”

What was apparently less clear to Gillespie that day was what he and the others with him would do if they had been able to take control of the Capitol.

“I would hope they would flood in so there’s nothing they can do. That’s what I would hope they would do. Take it over. Take it over. Own it for a few days. I’m not an anarchist, but you can’t let stand what happened in this election,” he said, an apparent reference to former President Donald Trump’s claims of a stolen election.

Although he was quick to offer up his name when asked by the AP reporter, Gillespie hesitated before saying where he was from. “They’ll come after me, man,” he said, hesitating before adding, “I’m in Massachusetts.”

7 COUNTS

Gillespie ultimately faced seven criminal counts including civil disorder, assaulting officers and disorderly conduct in the Capitol. He has pleaded not guilty.

ONE OF MANY IDIOTS 

 He’s one of more than 775 people arrested in nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia in connection with the Jan. 6 assault in which the pro-Trump mob sought to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Rioters smashed windows, broke through doors and beat and bloodied law enforcement officers who were vastly underprepared for the mob.

WHO IS HIS FAMOUS FATHER? 

Vincent Gillespie is the son of Gregory Gillespie, the artist whose self-portraits, fantasy landscapes and geometric abstractions are included in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and other museums.

His paintings are also at the center of a long-running and so far unsuccessful legal battle waged by Gillespie against his stepmother and her lawyers in an effort to contest control of the paintings. In a court filing from 2020, Vincent Gillespie described his father as a renowned artist who left more than 400 valuable paintings when he died.

IDIOT SON CAUGHT ON CAMERA, VIDEOS 

Gillespie’s participation in the events of Jan. 6, 2021, appears well documented, including in photos and videos that helped tipsters identify him, investigators said. Open-source video and security cameras captured multiple images of Gillespie participating in the riot, according to the Justice Department.

Investigators were tipped off by a former neighbor, the manager of a local hardware store and employees of the town of Athol, where Gillespie attends meetings and pays his tax bills at the town hall. In all, six witnesses independently identified him from images taken from the riot.

In the chaos of the insurrection, Gillespie shoved, yelled and pushed and fought with police, the FBI said. Images included in his court papers show him struggling through the crowd, eventually maneuvering through the rioters to the line of police officers and getting control of a police shield.

He’s seen and heard on the body camera of a Metropolitan Police Department officer pushing his way through the crowd, using a police shield to ram officers and screaming “traitor” and “treason” as he points to a law enforcement officer, officials said.

After his arrest, Gillespie, 60, was ordered by a judge to stay away from Washington, except for court-related business. He was ordered not to possess a firearm or other weapons. Gillespie’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 29 before U.S. District Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the District of Columbia.

Contacted by the AP following his arrest, Gillespie declined to comment. “My attorney advised against it. He said there’s only downsides to it,” he told the AP. “I’d like to talk. There’s a lot of stuff out there that’s wrong.”

It’s not the first time Gillespie has been in court. Years earlier, Gillespie made local headlines by contesting a $15 parking ticket — despite having to pay $250 in filing fees. He ended up fighting the filing fee, which was not refundable, all the way to the state’s highest court in 2011. He did not receive a refund.

Hero of the Week - Game player 5,000 miles away Saves Teen who Had Seizure!

This week's hero is a woman in Texas simply known as Raven, who was playing an on-line game with a young man named Aiden who lives in the U.K. When Raven suspected something was wrong with Aiden, she found the number to local emergency authorities and got him medical help he needed. Here's the story AND the Video of when they finally met later:

(Photo: Aidan Jackson, 19, whose life was saved when he was 17, when his friend called the police from 5,000 miles away. Credit: the UK Echo)

Game player 5,000 miles away Saves Teen who Had Seizure!

A Brit teenager who began having a seizure while gaming had his life saved by a woman 5,000 miles away who he was playing online with.

Aidan Jackson, from Widnes in Cheshire, was alone in his room at the time, and although his mum was downstairs the only person with any indication of what was happening was Raven, a woman in Texas.

The quick thinking of Raven, who searched online for the proper authorities to call after Aidan fell silent and began gasping, would save his life.

Police arrived at Aidan's home 40 minutes after the then 17-year-old first fell silent, surprising his mum who was still unaware of the situation.

Two years later and Aidan, who is now 19, is working as a bartender in Widnes, but alongside his work he has been fundraising to provide life-saving defibrillators for his local community.

He told the Liverpool ECHO he is close to reaching his 25th defibrillator, which will also be his last as he hands the mantle to his mum who will continue the vital work.

Looking back on his near-death experience and the ensuing media attention, which included an appearance on American talk show the Tamron Hall show, where he met the girl who saved his life for the first time in front of a televised audience, Aidan said: "It's surreal looking back on it now.

"It was such a sudden experience and within a month of it happening I'd been flown out to New York to meet the friend who saved me. It was a really emotional experience when I met Raven. 

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/lPxK41I018I

In the News: President Biden signs bills to honor veterans, improve VA healthcare

 Here's another great piece of legislation that President Biden signed into law- this one benefits ALL Veterans (including those who supported Trump). Take note of this Veterans!!

President Biden signs bills to honor veterans, improve VA healthcare

  By Rachel Tillman Nationwide PUBLISHED 5:37 PM ET Jun. 07, 2022

President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed into law a slew of bills aimed at honoring veterans and improving their care, telling those gathered in the State Dining Room the government was fulfilling its “sacred obligation” to protect those who gave up so much in defense of the country.

QUICK READ:

* President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed into law a series of nine bills aimed at honoring veterans and improving their care 

* The Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act expands mammogram eligibility for veterans who may not have been exposed to toxic burn pits 

* Another bill will extend a two-year program, set to expire next month, to compensate World War II veterans exposed to radiation

A separate bill will name a new out-patient clinic set to be opened in Oahu, Hawaii as the Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic “You've heard me say it many times before – our nation has many obligations, but it only has one truly sacred obligation,” Biden said. “That's to prepare and equip those we send into harm's way and to care for them and their families when they come home. It's a sacred obligation. Because veterans are the backbone, the spine, of who we are as a country.”

The nine bills signed by the president passed Congress with overwhelmingly bipartisan support. Biden was flanked by senators from both parties as he signed the legislation into law, including Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and moderate Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

NEW BENEFITS

Some of the legislation focuses on improving veterans’ access to healthcare. The Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act expands mammogram eligibility for veterans who may not have been exposed to toxic burn pits, which will allow more individuals to receive the potentially life-saving screening. A separate bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to overhaul its breast cancer screening and treatment services entirely. Yet another bill will extend a two-year program, set to expire next month, that compensates veterans who developed “cancer and medical conditions from the nation's World War II-era nuclear programs,” Biden said Tuesday. 

BIDEN FAMILY HAS LONG CONNECTION TO MILITARY

 The Bidens have a long, personal connection to the military. Dr. Biden’s father, Donald Jacobs, served in the Navy during World War II; President Joe Biden's son, Beau Biden, who Jill also raised, served in both the United States Army and the Delaware Army National Guard before his death from brain cancer in 2015.

Beyond healthcare, Biden signed a number of highly symbolic or commemorative bills. One was to name a new out-patient clinic set to be opened in Oahu, Hawaii as the Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic. Akaka, whom Biden on Tuesday called a “great friend” and “one of the finest people I’ve ever served with,” was in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II.

He later went to Congress as a member of the House of Representatives from 1977 to 1991 and was the first Native Hawaiian to serve as Senator beginning in 1991. Akaka passed away in 2018.

Another bill will award a Congressional Gold Medal to all of the Army Rangers who served in World War II, who Biden said “played a critical role in the D-Day invasion of Normandy.”

Monday marked the 78th anniversary of D-Day, when nearly 160,000 troops from Britain, the U.S., Canada and other nations landed on the beaches of France to liberate the region from the clutches of Nazi Germany.

“On behalf of our nation, we're gonna thank them for their heroism and their service,” the president said.

Before signing the series of bills, Biden took a moment to address veterans and their family members directly.

“We can never fully repay the debt to all of you. But I promise that my administration will always have your back,” he said, adding: “This is something we Bidens take personally. Every veteran and family member of a veteran who serves has made our lives, our liberty and our very nation possible. We owe you, we owe you and we thank you.” The Associated Press contributed to this report

Tombstone Grand Hotel: Not a Good Experience

Recently, I visited the town of Tombstone, Arizona for an event. I stayed at the Tombstone Grand Hotel and this year's experience was not good, and it's obviously because of poor management. Here's the story:

In 2019 when I stayed at this hotel, I had a good experience. At that time, the staff was always on duty and the breakfasts were actually a buffet.

In 2022, it was not a good experience (although the rooms were nice enough). Upon check-in, I told the front desk clerk I had reserved a room for 3 nights. However, I had changed my plans upon arrival since the airport was 1 1/2 hours drive, so I informed the front desk I would only be staying for 2 night (giving 48 hours notice). I asked if the hotel would kindly refund my third night, since I've given 48 hours notice. The desk clerk (who was not the manager) informed me I had to call Expedia, the booking agent, so I did. Expedia said they would get approval from the manager.

Expedia called me 4 days after my return home and said the manager refused to refund me despite 48 hours notice.

I called the hotel to speak with the manager but was told that he is not usually around and doesn't return phone calls. I also verified with the front desk clerk that 48 hours is more than adequate notice to cancel one night.

The cancellation was one thing. The other thing was the "free full breakfast" promise. In 2022, they no longer provide full breakfasts. When I went into the "dining room" the signs for "eggs, bacon, toast, cereal and coffee/tea" were all covered up by pieces of white paper. There was nothing out.

I asked about breakfast at the front desk and was given a brown paper lunch bag that contained a warm apple and a (not good looking) prepackaged muffin. It was certainly not the egg and bacon breakfast included as promised - It's a snack.

I was disgusted and irritated at the manager's lack of customer service. I do feel badly for the front desk staff, too, because they're doing all they can under his direction. After many years of staying there, I will never stay there again.

I will say that the best part of the hotel was capturing this photo of sunset from my room (See below).

If you missed it: Jan. 6 Hearing (Pt. II) 4 Highlights (Quick Read)

 If you missed the January 6th committee's second hearing it was pretty telling about how the Insurrection idea was planted and incited. There are 4 Major Points that were made and they're pretty damning.   House Jan. 6 Select Committee postpones third public hearing originally scheduled for today, citing time required for presentation materials; next hearing set for 1 pm ET tomorrow    (livestream here). Here's the story: 

The House Select Committee panel primarily focused on efforts by former aides and allies of former President Donald Trump, who say they attempted to disprove theories of widespread fraud in the aftermath of the 2020 elections.

Live testimony was provided by former Fox News editor Chris Stirewalt, who helped make an early call on Arizona results during election night, election lawyer Ben Ginsberg, and others. The panel's key witness, former Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, withdrew from the hearing shortly before its start to attend the birth of his child.

Here are some of the highlights from Monday's hearing - from CBS News:

• Top Trump officials told him that his claims of widespread election fraud were wrong.
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• Former Fox News political editor says Trump used "red mirage" to justify false election claims.
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• $250 million raised by the Trump campaign's "Election Defense Fund" did not fund his campaign lawsuits. A former campaign staffer said, "I don't believe there is actually a fund called the 'Election Defense Fund.'"
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• "Intoxicated" Giuliani told Trump he should just declare victory, though others discouraged it. 

Saw: Downton Abbey: A New Era at the Theatre!

 This past weekend we went to the movie theatre for the first time I can remember since the pandemic. The movie that brought us there was Downton Abbey: A New Era. We've been fans of the television show since it came out. We also enjoyed the first theatrical film released a couple of years ago and were surprised when this one was announced. 

  All of the characters returned (except Lady Mary's husband, so we assumed he didn't want to renew or he was busy). Like the first film (in 2019) and the television series, I loved this. Tom thought it was "okay." But any movie that can get me invested in the characters and make me smile or make me cry (this one did that - glad I brought kleenex) is a great film. 

I really liked the storylines and the way the writers show the introduction of innovation, like silent films transitioning into "talkies." If you liked the Television series, you need to see this. I also think they perfectly wrapped up several character storylines that have been lingering. 5 of 5 stars for me! 

ABOUT THE FILM: Some of the Crawley family goes on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the dowager countess's newly inherited villa. Meanwhile, the others deal with a 1930 film crew who comes to the estate. 

 VIDEO CLIP OF TRAILER: https://youtu.be/wN0Spmq610Q

An Enjoyable Mystery: Dearly Departed by Hy Conrad

 Hy Conrad is famous for many things, including writing episodes of the hit detective television series "Mr. Monk" (That I'm a huge fan of), and some of the Mr. Monk mystery books. He's also written the "Amy's Travel Mystery" series. Recently I enjoyed "Dearly Departed," in that series and recommend it! 

Hy created great characters in Amy, her boyfriend Marcus, and her mother. Together the three of them get involved in mysteries. In this book, a maid who inherited a fortune has passed, but she had been a confidant of various previous employers. When another dead body shows up, the mystery deepens, and Amy has to figure out which of the maid's former employers who attended her round-the-world remembrance services had motive to kill. The book kept you guessing and the characters came to life!  

Highly recommended! I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!

ABOUT THE BOOK: 

Fanny and May Abel, the dynamic mother-and-daughter owners of a NYC travel agency, have just booked their biggest trip yet.  But with danger in the air, the itinerary may include murder…

Paisley MacGregor, a maid to the rich, made a dying request to send all of her wealthy employers on a first-class wake to spread her ashes around the world.  Amy has her suspicions about these “mourners,” especially when one has a life-threatening “accident” at the first stop in Paris.  And when a mysterious American stranger tagging along with the group has his ticket punched in the shadow of the Taj Mahal, Amy knows she may have a killer on her tour.

Who was this stranger, and what’s the connection to someone in her group?  Digging for clues while continuing on with the trip is a lot for Amy to manage, especially, when another mourner has a possibly fatal encounter with a Hawaiian volcano.  Back in the States, Fanny and Amy start to piece together a secret worth killing for, but someone is hot on their trail, and ready to send them on a one-way trip — to the morgue!

Idiot of the Week: 2 States of Felony Warrants, Idiot Led a Car Chase in Mass.

When you're a criminal idiot, there are a lot of avenues of idiocy. This 48 year old guy from Illinois stole a car in Maine, is wanted on Felony warrants in 2 states, and led state troopers in Massachusetts on a car chase. He was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, receiving a stolen motor vehicle and 7 other charges. Fortunately, the Mass. State police caught the idiot. Here's the story from the State Police website:

Suspect Arrested After Pike Pursuit from Charlton to Stockbridge; Wanted on Felony Warrants out of Maine, Illinois 

April 20, 2022

Massachusetts State Troopers today captured a man wanted on felony warrants out of Maine and Illinois after a lengthy pursuit of the stolen car the suspect was driving.

At approximately 7:24 a.m. today a Trooper assigned to the Massachusetts State Police-Charlton Barracks located a vehicle at the Charlton Service Plaza on the Massachusetts Turnpike westbound that had been reported stolen out of Biddeford, Maine. The Trooper located the male driver sleeping the back seat; the man refused to unlock the doors of the car, a 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor. The man began moving around inside the vehicle and said he could not find his keys. He then suddenly turned the ignition on and drove away westbound on the Turnpike. The Trooper initiated pursuit of the stolen vehicle.

The suspect, identified as KEVIN OLDAKER, 48, of Poplar Grove, Illinois (Click for photo), refused to stop for pursuing Troopers. OLDAKER utilized crossovers to evade cruisers in Chicopee and again in Ludlow. He exited the Turnpike in Ludlow, then re-entered the highway continuing west.  

The suspect eventually hit a tire deflation device deployed by Troopers, causing a flat tire. The pursuit continued until the suspect stopped in Stockbridge, approximately three miles from the New York line. OLDAKER again refused to exit the vehicle and a brief standoff ensued. OLDAKER eventually surrendered and was taken into custody shortly after 9 a.m.

OLDAKER is wanted on two extraditable warrants, one out of Maine issued last week charging him with violent stalking and one out of Illinois from February 2014 charging him with home invasion and sex assault.

As of this writing OLDAKER is still being processed on the warrant charges and on fresh charges from today’s incident. We will update the release once the booking process is completed. The photos show the scene at the end of the incident. 

 VIDEO OF THE CHASE AND STOP: https://youtu.be/gPBH1SoBGt0