Mediaboss Marketing

Los Angeles Times

Trump Suggests Anti-Semitic Acts Are Designed to 'Make People Look Bad' New York Times First, he said the acts were reprehensible, Mr. Shapiro, a Democrat who was elected to the post in November, said while recounting Mr. Trump's response. Second he said: 'And you've got to be careful, it could be the reverse. This could be the ... Why are Democratic women wearing white tonight?Los Angeles Times all 638 news articles »

Read more:
Trump Suggests Anti-Semitic Acts Are Designed to 'Make People Look Bad' - New York Times

MIDDLETOWN, Del. This is what democracy looks like.

Its been a chant that has animated marches and protests around the country since the day after Donald Trump was inaugurated president, but its been more aspirational than descriptive. On Saturday, in a state Senate district in Delaware that stretches from Middletown to Newark, the voices in the streets turned into votes in the ballot box.

In the most expensive special election in Delaware history a contest to decide which party controls the state Senate Democrat Stephanie Hansen was on track to annihilate her Republican rival on the back of extraordinary turnout.

The last time her opponent, John Marino, ran in this district, in 2014, he lost by just 2 points. Hansens 58-42 percent victory over Marino on Saturday ensured that Democrats will maintain control of the state Senate. It also notched a bigDonald Trump-era win for a new generation of Democratic activists shocked into action by the November election.

We turned back that win from Washington and made sure it wont hit Delaware, Hansen said in her victory speech Saturday night.

While Hansens campaign was focused on local issues, she saw a huge swell of support after nationwide Womens March protests on Jan. 21. Protesters, many of them out in the streets for the first time, have been turning their energy toward local and state politics. The first major election since the uprising was Delawares.

Hansens campaign received huge support. More than 1,000 volunteers worked during the course of the campaign, and about 500 many from nearby states showed up Saturday for Election Day. Hansen received more than 14,000 contributions of less than $100 from small donors spread all over the country.

Thats more volunteers than Ive had in nine elections, exclaimed state Sen. Dave Sokola (D), of Hansens Election Day workers.

Its overwhelming to see all these people, said Kelly Wright, a resident of Hansens district. Its making me emotional to see that people come take a bus two-plus hours away.

The turnout of volunteers made a huge difference as Hansen crushed her Republican opponent with unusually high turnout for a special election.

Lets take this movement national, former Vice President Joe Biden. a Delaware resident, exhorted to Hansen victory partiers Saturday night via phone.

Chuck Jackson, a Democratic district chair, said: Its really great the amount of people were seeing out. There is so much at stake.

Paul Blumenthal

The state Senate had been split 10-10 since the 10th District seat was vacated in November by Bethany Hall-Long, who won election as lieutenant governor. Hansens win maintains Democrats 44-year hold on the chamber.

Hansens election was no sure thing. The district leans Democratic, but Republican Marino had performed well in previous elections. Hall-Long defeated Marino by 1 percentage point in 2014. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the district 54-41 over Trump. Democrats notoriously struggle in special elections.

The Democratic campaign was both aided and hindered by weather. At an unseasonable 70 degrees it was a perfect day for volunteers to knock on doors and for voters to head out to the polls. An afternoon thunderstorm, however, cut an hour out of a prime time.

While the race brought in huge numbers of outside volunteers, it was mostly fought over local issues like transit, the environment, education and the state budget.Erik Schramm, Hansens campaign manager, said the campaign had to juggle messaging to highlight local issues while harnessing the national mood to excite volunteers.

Groups like Sister District, Flippable and Indivisible helped organize volunteers. For many, this was the first time they had been involved in a political campaign.

Mitchaell Kawash, a volunteer from Brooklyn, New York, said he was canvassing for the first time because of the importance of state-level politics.

Nicholas Sewitz, who previously canvassed for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), joined Kawash and other friends from Brooklyn. Trump is politicizing the populace, Sewitz said.

Marsha Murray and Sarah Kimball came from Lower Manhattan to volunteer. For Kimball, it was her first time canvassing.

This is the election that matters, said Murray. It matters to everyone, not just in Delaware.

Ken Kidd, a volunteer who came from Manhattan, said the Womens March and rising activism has led to a resurgence in citizenship.

Volunteers were greeted at the Middletown campaign office in the afternoon by a steady parade of elected officials. Sens. Tom Carper (D) and Chris Coons (D) came by to shake hands and thank volunteers. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, the previous occupant of the state Senate seat, stopped at the office after canvassing neighborhoods.

Coons said he was encouraged by volunteers organization.

Volunteer Jim Yung, wearing a U.S. Senate baseball hat signed by Joe Biden,said: Make no bones about it, its made a difference.

Theres something fitting about so many New Yorkers making the trip down to make sure Marino didnt become a senator: He is, after all, a retired NYPD cop.

This article has been updated to include a comment from Hansens victory speech.

See the rest here:
Buoyed By Anti-Trump Activism, Democrat Wins Delaware Special Election - Huffington Post

Police have charged the leader of Albania's center-right opposition Democratic Party with inciting violence. If found guilty, Lulzim Basha would face up to three years in prison.

Authorities made the announcement late Saturday, saying Basha had "called on citizens to react violently against state institutions." According to police, he told supporters to "puncture car tires, break the glass" in protests that hit a new peak on Friday. "You want a fight?" officers quoted Basha as saying. "A fight it will be."

Hundreds have protested in Tirana, the capital, for the past week, calling for the resignation of the Socialist prime minister, Edi Rama, ahead of elections set for June 18. The protesters have occupied a tent in front of the main government offices in the capital.

On Saturday, Basha deemed his party's protests "grandiose, popular, democratic, total and peaceful," certainly not the "call for war" that police have accused him of. He warned, however, that his Democrats would "not stay like sheep, but hit back strongly."

'Free and fair'

Last week, Basha said he would boycott parliament to delay the adoption of judicial overhauls required by the European Union in order for Albania to begin accession talks. Albania obtained EU candidate status in 2014 and officials hope to open talks for joining the bloc by the end of this year. Last year, the Balkan country adopted a key judicial reform sought by the European Union to fight widespread corruption and organized crime.

Basha said the opposition would continue to protest until a caretaker government was formed"that would organize free and fair elections."

Prime Minister Rama had suggested that the opposition send lawmakers to assure the adoption of the judicial measures while continuing their protests out of session, but Basha dismissed the request and accused the government of deepening poverty and corruption in Albania. The Democrats have also so far rejected international calls to stop their boycott.

On Saturday, the Romanian government bowed to protesters' demands, saying it would repeal legislation decriminalizing certain forms of corruption, but demonstrators said the move is not enough. "Now were asking for the government to resign," Mihai Oprica, 31, an IT manager pictured above. "[These protests] can stop if they cooperate. If not, we will continue coming out every day."

Since the controversial decree was passed on Tuesday, more than 300,000 people have demonstrated nightly in cities across the country, with 150,000 gathering in Bucharests Victoria Plaza, shown above. Protesters chanted "We woke up" through the evening and many expected the largest demonstration yet to take place here on Sunday night, when citizens from rural areas will come to Bucharest.

"No way, no escape," reads a sign in Victoria Plaza. "Even if they cancel the decree, how do we know they wont try to pass another one next month?" asked Dan, 36, a state employee. "We have no trust in the government and they should understand that there [are] enough honest citizens that will make sure the law is followed."

On Saturday, tens of thousands marched to Romania's parliament building to create a human chain around the complex, which has a perimeter of about three kilometers. One of the protesters on site, Christian Nadu, 32, a corporate project manager, said, "By surrounding the Parliament, we are making a statement that this is our house, not theirs, and were taking over."

The one-month old cabinet of Romanias Social Democrat party (PSD) sparked the revolt Tuesday, by passing legislation that made official misconduct punishable by prison time only when financial damages exceed 200,000 lei (44,000 euros.) The measure would have ended the ongoing trial of PSD party leader Liviu Dragnea, who is convicted of electoral fraud, and was largely seen as a self-pardon.

Sorin Taban, 53, a technical manager from Bucharest, holds a sign reading, '1: Cancel Ordinance. 2: Go home.' He said he would not be satisfied until the PSD cabinet resigns. "The people have so little while politicians have big mansions with swimming pools and billions of euros in foreign banks. This kind of old communist leadership must go home forever!"

The ongoing anti-corruption protests are the largest demonstrations in Romania since 1989. "Before this, people didnt go out to protest because they thought they couldn't change anything," Nadu said. "This is the media's fault. The state channels have always suppressed big movements. Now the Romanian people know they have power and they will not forget this."

Florin Luca, 31, a telecom project manager (not pictured above) said the end goal for protesters should be installing an independent judiciary. "The government was trying to shut the mouth and break the arms of justice and we would lose everything we built over the last ten years. We need a judicial system that stands independent of political parties."

Author: Diego Cupolo

mkg/tj (AFP, AP)

See the article here:
Albania police charge Democrat boss after Rama protests - Deutsche Welle

Sen. Mark Warner issued a warning to his GOP counterparts, saying that if he determines the Intelligence panel cannot properly conduct an independent investigation, I will support empowering whoever can do it right. | AP Photo

Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says he won't tolerate 'White House interference.'

By Austin Wright

02/25/17 10:08 AM EST

Updated 02/25/17 10:41 AM EST

The top Democrat on the Senate committee investigating President Donald Trumps ties to Russia says he has grave concerns about the independence of the probe following a report that the panels Republican chairman helped the White House knock down negative news stories.

Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking member on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Saturday he called Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and CIA Director Mike Pompeo to express his concerns.

Story Continued Below

But Warner did not go so far as to say he was giving up on the Intelligence Committees probe, which many Democrats consider the best hope for getting to the bottom of the ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow given that GOP leaders have made clear they won't agree to a select committee or independent commission.

I will not accept any process that is undermined by political interference, Warner said in a statement. "I am consulting with members of the Intelligence Committee to determine an appropriate course of action so we can ensure that the American people get the thorough, impartial investigation that they deserve, free from White House interference.

Warner also issued a warning to his GOP counterparts, saying that if he determines the Intelligence panel cannot properly conduct an independent investigation, I will support empowering whoever can do it right.

His warning is a nod to the many Democratic lawmakers and a few Republicans who have called for an independent commission or select committee to investigate the issue.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, both issued statements Saturday saying the new developments heightened the need for an independent commission.

We must have a truly independent commission to investigate the actions of the President, his campaign, his associates, and Russian officials and agents, Cummings said. The American people will not stand for an investigation that is tainted, that inappropriately shares information with the President's team, or that serves as nothing more than the President's political mouthpiece."

On Friday night, The Washington Post reported that the White House had enlisted intelligence officials and key members of Congress including Burr and House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) to call media outlets to challenge allegations about repeated communications between Trump associates and Russia.

The House Intelligence Committee is also investigating communications between Trump aides and Russia.

A spokesman for Nunes, Jack Langer, said the congressman had already been reaching out to media outlets about the issue and contacted an additional reporter after the request came from the White House.

"Chairman Nunes made inquiries into the allegations published by the New York Times and couldn't find evidence to support them," Langer said. "So he told that to multiple reporters, and then a White House aide asked if he would speak to one more. So he spoke to that reporter as well, telling that person the same thing he told the other reporters."

Burr also told the Post he reached out to news outlets and said he felt he was doing nothing wrong, adding: I felt I had something to share that didnt breach my responsibilities to the committee in an ongoing investigation.

Rep. Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, blasted the White Houses behavior, saying intelligence professionals are not there to serve as the President's PR firm.

For its part, the intelligence community must resist improper efforts like these by the Administration to politicize its role, and in Congress we will have to redouble our vigilance to ensure that the community is never compelled to do otherwise, Schiff said.

Also on Friday night, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) called for a special prosecutor to oversee an investigation into Trump associates' ties to Russia, saying Attorney General Jeff Sessions should not be involved.

Its unclear if Issa, who was a major supporter of Trump during the presidential campaign, was aware of the Posts report when he made the remarks on HBO's "Real Time" with Bill Maher.

"You cannot have somebody, a friend of mine Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who is an appointee," Issa, the former chairman of the House oversight committee, said. "You're going to need to use the special prosecutor's statute and office to take not just to recuse. You can't just give it to your deputy. That's another political appointee."

Read the original here:
Top Democrat has 'grave concerns' about Trump-Russia investigation - Politico

s s

Sections

You've read 5 of 15 free articles this month.

Get unlimited access to PressDemocrat.com, the eEdition and our mobile app starting at 99 cents per month.

You've read 10 of 15 free articles this month.

Get unlimited access to PressDemocrat.com, the eEdition and our mobile app starting at 99 cents per month.

You've read all of your free articles this month.

Get unlimited access to PressDemocrat.com, the eEdition and our mobile app starting at 99 cents per month.

We've got a special deal for readers like you.

Get unlimited access to PressDemocrat.com, the eEdition and our mobile app starting 99 cents per month and support local journalism.

Thanks for reading! Why not subscribe?

Get unlimited access to PressDemocrat.com, the eEdition and our mobile app starting 99 cents per month and support local journalism.

Want to keep reading? Subscribe today!

Ooops! You're out of free articles. Starting at just 99 cents per month, you can keep reading all of our products and support local journalism.

PD Editorial: Trumps war on the media takes an ominous turn

Local law enforcement chiefs detail immigration policies

Emergency plans for immigrant homes

Windsor bank robbery goes awry after waterline break

Temple Grandin urges engagement for those with autism

LeBaron: The steady hand behind KRCBs success

KEVIN MCCALLUM AND ROBERT DIGITALE

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT | February 25, 2017, 4:41PM

| Updated 5 hours ago.

Santa Rosa police launched an investigation into an apparent double homicide Saturday after discovering the body of a man in a Montgomery Village house and hours later finding a slain woman in a home on the citys west side.

Police said they have a person in custody on unrelated charges and that there was no remaining public safety risk in the case, said Sgt. Josh Ludtke.

At this point, we are looking at a person of interest that has direct ties to both victims, Ludtke said.

That person is Dalton Carlson, 32, who was arrested Friday morning on drug and other charges at the west side home where the slain woman was discovered Saturday afternoon, Ludtke said.

Carlsons bail had been set at $5,000 but was revoked Saturday after the bodies were discovered. Ludtke declined to provide the victims names or to say what ties Carlson had to them, citing the ongoing investigation.

Shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a call to help an injured person in a home in the 2600 block of Valley Center Drive, less than a block from the Montgomery Village shopping Center on the citys east side.

Friends of the victim had gone to the home to check on his welfare and found his body, Ludkte said. When officers arrived, they summoned detectives to begin an investigation.

A short time later, around the lunch hour, officers located the mans vehicle on the west side of town in the area of Glenbrook Avenue and Heather Drive.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., a resident called police to report the discovery of a dead woman in a single-family home in the 1500 block of Glenbrook Drive, a residential area near West Third Street and Stony Point Road.

Detectives were called in based on the environment of that scene, according to a press release, which described the deaths as homicides but did not say how the two people are suspected to have died.

All I can say is it appears to be, in both case, pretty violent, Ludtke said of the manner of death.

Ernie and Betty Engle live next-door to the Glenbrook home where the woman was found dead Saturday. They said there was police activity at the home on Friday morning and again on Saturday around noon.

Betty Engle said she was sitting in her kitchen Friday morning when she spotted a man who she didnt recognize as her neighbor wearing black clothing poking around on the roof of the next-door house.

What is he doing? I said to myself, Engle said. He just wasnt looking right.

Police and firefighters responded and Carlson, who was acting irrationally, was taken into custody, Ludtke said. He was arrested on suspicion of being on drugs and violating a restraining order, Ludtke said.

When asked where he lived, Carlson gave officers two addresses the same ones where the homicides took place, Ludtke said.

Police at that time had no reason to suspect he had been in the Glenbrook home and werent able to gain entry, Ludtke said. He said its certainly possible that the woman was already dead inside the home at that time.

Most Popular Stories

Man and woman discovered slain in Santa Rosa homes

Cazadero drivers miracle ordeal: 8 hours trapped overnight in swollen creek

Windsor bank robbery goes awry after waterline break

Judges display causes stir: Anti-Trump protest art or just an orange?

Emergency plans for immigrant homes

We dont know when she was killed, he said. We are working on that timeline right now.

Around noon Saturday, the Engles watched as authorities returned to the Glenbrook home for the report of the womans body. Later, they saw a woman they assumed to be a relative standing outside sobbing hysterically, Betty Engle said.

Ernie Engle said his neighbors name was Dalton. The man had multiple outdoor security cameras, grew marijuana in the home and was obviously concerned about somebody messing around with his property, Engle said.

Police on Saturday afternoon towed a silver Hyundai sedan that was parked at the end of Heather Street for at least a day. Neighbor Ken Nichols said he called police about it and when officers came to tow the vehicle away, an officer indicated it was involved in a double homicide, Nichols said.

He said officers were reviewing surveillance video from his home and those of other neighbors in an effort to learn more about the vehicle and its occupants, Nichols said.

Ludtke said the Hyundai belonged to the male victim who lived in the Montgomery Village home, but he declined to identify the victim.

Detectives are aggressively working leads to determine what happened in both cases, the release said.

Both homes were blocked off with yellow crime scene tape at about 4:45 p.m. But the Valley Center Drive home had the larger presence of crime scene investigators, plus about four police technician vans or larger vehicles. The Glenbrook Avenue home had only two squad cars parked out front.

You can reach Staff Writer Kevin McCallum at 707-521-5207 or kevin.mccallum@pressdemocrat.com.

Most Popular Stories

Man and woman discovered slain in Santa Rosa homes

Judges display causes stir: Anti-Trump protest art or just an orange?

Cazadero drivers miracle ordeal: 8 hours trapped overnight in swollen creek

Democrats stoke defense of Obamacare: Agitate, agitate, agitate

Windsor police chief reassures community on immigration

Tom Steyer rouses Democrats, says Trump is coming after California

Shooting suspect arrested after chase through northeast Santa Rosa

Immigration agents at the door: What rights do you have?

The rest is here:
Detectives investigate apparent double homicide in Santa Rosa - Santa Rosa Press Democrat