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TRAVEL BAN OBAMA DRIVEN, TRUMP ENFORCED

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

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READ PLANET VALENTI in PRINT EACH WEEK IN THE COUNTY’S FINEST WEEKLY, THE BERKSHIRE COURIER. AT NEWSSTANDS EVERYWHERE.

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(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY JAN. 31, 2017) — Iraq, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria.

Chances are you’re not planning a vacation to any of those garden spots. Should there be any question that you would not anyone from there coming to your house without being thoroughly vetted, even supposing such a thing were possible? Likely not.

Reasonable people understand the need for extreme caution when it comes to national security. Reasonable people see such issues in non-partisan terms. For instance, they rightly point out that President Barack Obama signed the legislation that allowed the executive branch to impose travel restrictions targeting these seven nations, each of which has a Muslim-majority population.

An objective look at President Donald Trump’s actions, therefore, shows he has acted on a measure prudently put in place two years ago by his predecessor. Of course, this being President Trump, what Obama signed into law without protest has turned into the End of Civilization As We Know It.

Tears from the Pussyhats

The Pussyhats claim Trump’s action is directed against Islam, a declaration about as genuine as the tears generated for the cameras by Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY. In his bid for an Oscar, Schumer got the Sunday sniffles when he announced that the Democrats are “considering” legislation to overturn Trump’s order.

Trump had the perfect response: “I noticed Chuck Schumer yesterday with fake tears,” he said before a meeting with small-business leaders at the White House Monday morning. “I’m going to ask him who was his acting coach. Because I know him very well and I don’t see him as a crier. If he is, he’s a different man.”

Critics decried the suddenness of the travel ban. However, how else do you make a move like this? You need the element of surprise, since it prevents what Trump called the “bad ‘dudes’ out there” from “rushing into our country” if the move had been trumpeted a week or two in advance. As it is, Trump shared his intentions with the departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security. This was not a unilateral action by a weak dictator but the collegial decision by a bold chief executive.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said the administration’s lack of public notice was by design.

“I don’t think you want a grace period,” Priebus said. “Because then people who want to do bad things to Americans would just move up their travel date two days in order to get into the country before the grace period is over. … And if you ask, a lot of the people at the customs and border patrol would just tell you you’ve got to just rip off the Band-Aid and you have to move forward.”

 

The Pussyhats, out yesterday in farce though not in force in Pittsfield to protest the travel ban,  have told a lot of lies in their response to this move by the President. One of the most egregious is that it’s an attack on Islam. In fact, the travel ban affects only would-be travelers from the seven nations, or just under 14% of the world’s Muslim population. Consider:

  • The ban affects only residents of the seven countries.
  • There are more than 40 other Muslim nations whose populations remain free to travel to the United States.
  • The ban is temporary (90-days for citizens, 120 for refugees except Syria [indefinite]).
  • Obama, not Trump, identified the seven as sources of terror.
  • Obama signed the order for the ban. Trump merely exercised the power.
  • Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said enforcement would be humane and professional.

Meanwhile, Trump means business. When the government’s top lawyer said the Justice Department would refuse to defend the new travel restrictions, Trump fired her, sending a message that needs no interpretation.

Acting Attorney General Sally Yates said Justice would not go to court to back the President’s actions. In a statement, the White House said Yates, an Obama appointee, “has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States” and portrayed her actions as political.

The move was classic — and brilliant — Trump. Yates had only days left on the job, since her successor for attorney general, Jeff Session, awaits Senate confirmation. The President named Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, as acting attorney general until the Senate approves Sessions.

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“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”Martin L. King Jr.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The views expressed in the comment section or opinions published within the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not those of PLANET VALENTI or endorsed in any way by PLANET VALENTI. This website reserves the right to remove any comment that violates its Rules of Conduct, and it is not liable for the consequences of any posted comment, written word, or information from any source other than PLANET VALENTI as provided in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and PLANET VALENTI’s terms of service. All users of the services of PLANET VALENTI agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice.

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Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
7 years ago

I don’t understand why there needed to be an Executive Order if there was already legislation in place to allow POTUS to shred green cards.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  danvalenti
7 years ago

But again, there was no Order enacted by Obama. Obama signed a law passed by Congress. And as much as this may “clarify” certain aspects of the administration’s role in implementing that law, it also creates new ambiguities.

It was an excuse to have a presser and get some headlines rather than enact substantive administrative law.

heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a good friend of Donnie Trump, disagrees with him about his Muslim ban. Trump should fire him

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

What’s the fun in that. But the obvious answer is he doesn’t work for him.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  joetaxpayer
7 years ago

a little too obvious….most people probably got the sarcasm

GMHeller
GMHeller
7 years ago

Mr. Valenti,
Here is the text of last Friday’s Executive Order re homeland protection and plugging loopholes that existed in the Obama immigration programs.that allowed refugees into the U.S. with insufficient vetting.

* * *

EXECUTIVE ORDER
– – – – – – –
PROTECTING THE NATION FROM FOREIGN TERRORIST ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and to protect the American people from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted to the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Purpose. The visa-issuance process plays a crucial role in detecting individuals with terrorist ties and stopping them from entering the United States. Perhaps in no instance was that more apparent than the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when State Department policy prevented consular officers from properly scrutinizing the visa applications of several of the 19 foreign nationals who went on to murder nearly 3,000 Americans. And while the visa-issuance process was reviewed and amended after the September 11 attacks to better detect would-be terrorists from receiving visas, these measures did not stop attacks by foreign nationals who were admitted to the United States.

Numerous foreign-born individuals have been convicted or implicated in terrorism-related crimes since September 11, 2001, including foreign nationals who entered the United States after receiving visitor, student, or employment visas, or who entered through the United States refugee resettlement program. Deteriorating conditions in certain countries due to war, strife, disaster, and civil unrest increase the likelihood that terrorists will use any means possible to enter the United States. The United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those approved for admission do not intend to harm Americans and that they have no ties to terrorism.

In order to protect Americans, the United States must ensure that those admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and its founding principles. The United States cannot, and should not, admit those who do not support the Constitution, or those who would place violent ideologies over American law. In addition, the United States should not admit those who engage in acts of bigotry or hatred (including “honor” killings, other forms of violence against women, or the persecution of those who practice religions different from their own) or those who would oppress Americans of any race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks in the United States; and to prevent the admission of foreign nationals who intend to exploit United States immigration laws for malevolent purposes.

Sec. 3. Suspension of Issuance of Visas and Other Immigration Benefits to Nationals of Countries of Particular Concern. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, shall immediately conduct a review to determine the information needed from any country to adjudicate any visa, admission, or other benefit under the INA (adjudications) in order to determine that the individual seeking the benefit is who the individual claims to be and is not a security or public-safety threat.

(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the President a report on the results of the review described in subsection (a) of this section, including the Secretary of Homeland Security’s determination of the information needed for adjudications and a list of countries that do not provide adequate information, within 30 days of the date of this order. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence.

(c) To temporarily reduce investigative burdens on relevant agencies during the review period described in subsection (a) of this section, to ensure the proper review and maximum utilization of available resources for the screening of foreign nationals, and to ensure that adequate standards are established to prevent infiltration by foreign terrorists or criminals, pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f), I hereby proclaim that the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens from countries referred to in section 217(a)(12) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1187(a)(12), would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, of such persons for 90 days from the date of this order (excluding those foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas).

(d) Immediately upon receipt of the report described in subsection (b) of this section regarding the information needed for adjudications, the Secretary of State shall request all foreign governments that do not supply such information to start providing such information regarding their nationals within 60 days of notification.

(e) After the 60-day period described in subsection (d) of this section expires, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the President a list of countries recommended for inclusion on a Presidential proclamation that would prohibit the entry of foreign nationals (excluding those foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas) from countries that do not provide the information requested pursuant to subsection (d) of this section until compliance occurs.

(f) At any point after submitting the list described in subsection (e) of this section, the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security may submit to the President the names of any additional countries recommended for similar treatment.

(g) Notwithstanding a suspension pursuant to subsection (c) of this section or pursuant to a Presidential proclamation described in subsection (e) of this section, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security may, on a case-by-case basis, and when in the national interest, issue visas or other immigration benefits to nationals of countries for which visas and benefits are otherwise blocked.

(h) The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall submit to the President a joint report on the progress in implementing this order within 30 days of the date of this order, a second report within 60 days of the date of this order, a third report within 90 days of the date of this order, and a fourth report within 120 days of the date of this order.

Sec. 4. Implementing Uniform Screening Standards for All Immigration Programs. (a) The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall implement a program, as part of the adjudication process for immigration benefits, to identify individuals seeking to enter the United States on a fraudulent basis with the intent to cause harm, or who are at risk of causing harm subsequent to their admission. This program will include the development of a uniform screening standard and procedure, such as in-person interviews; a database of identity documents proffered by applicants to ensure that duplicate documents are not used by multiple applicants; amended application forms that include questions aimed at identifying fraudulent answers and malicious intent; a mechanism to ensure that the applicant is who the applicant claims to be; a process to evaluate the applicant’s likelihood of becoming a positively contributing member of society and the applicant’s ability to make contributions to the national interest; and a mechanism to assess whether or not the applicant has the intent to commit criminal or terrorist acts after entering the United States.

(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Secretary of State, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, shall submit to the President an initial report on the progress of this directive within 60 days of the date of this order, a second report within 100 days of the date of this order, and a third report within 200 days of the date of this order.

Sec. 5. Realignment of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for Fiscal Year 2017. (a) The Secretary of State shall suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for 120 days. During the 120-day period, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Secretary of Homeland Security and in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, shall review the USRAP application and adjudication process to determine what additional procedures should be taken to ensure that those approved for refugee admission do not pose a threat to the security and welfare of the United States, and shall implement such additional procedures. Refugee applicants who are already in the USRAP process may be admitted upon the initiation and completion of these revised procedures. Upon the date that is 120 days after the date of this order, the Secretary of State shall resume USRAP admissions only for nationals of countries for which the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence have jointly determined that such additional procedures are adequate to ensure the security and welfare of the United States.

(b) Upon the resumption of USRAP admissions, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, is further directed to make changes, to the extent permitted by law, to prioritize refugee claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution, provided that the religion of the individual is a minority religion in the individual’s country of nationality. Where necessary and appropriate, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall recommend legislation to the President that would assist with such prioritization.

(c) Pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f), I hereby proclaim that the entry of nationals of Syria as refugees is detrimental to the interests of the United States and thus suspend any such entry until such time as I have determined that sufficient changes have been made to the USRAP to ensure that admission of Syrian refugees is consistent with the national interest.

(d) Pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f), I hereby proclaim that the entry of more than 50,000 refugees in fiscal year 2017 would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and thus suspend any such entry until such time as I determine that additional admissions would be in the national interest.

(e) Notwithstanding the temporary suspension imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security may jointly determine to admit individuals to the United States as refugees on a case-by-case basis, in their discretion, but only so long as they determine that the admission of such individuals as refugees is in the national interest — including when the person is a religious minority in his country of nationality facing religious persecution, when admitting the person would enable the United States to conform its conduct to a preexisting international agreement, or when the person is already in transit and denying admission would cause undue hardship — and it would not pose a risk to the security or welfare of the United States.

(f) The Secretary of State shall submit to the President an initial report on the progress of the directive in subsection (b) of this section regarding prioritization of claims made by individuals on the basis of religious-based persecution within 100 days of the date of this order and shall submit a second report within 200 days of the date of this order.
(g) It is the policy of the executive branch that, to the extent permitted by law and as practicable, State and local jurisdictions be granted a role in the process of determining the placement or settlement in their jurisdictions of aliens eligible to be admitted to the United States as refugees. To that end, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall examine existing law to determine the extent to which, consistent with applicable law, State and local jurisdictions may have greater involvement in the process of determining the placement or resettlement of refugees in their jurisdictions, and shall devise a proposal to lawfully promote such involvement.

Sec. 6. Rescission of Exercise of Authority Relating to the Terrorism Grounds of Inadmissibility. The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security shall, in consultation with the Attorney General, consider rescinding the exercises of authority in section 212 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182, relating to the terrorism grounds of inadmissibility, as well as any related implementing memoranda.

Sec. 7. Expedited Completion of the Biometric Entry-Exit Tracking System. (a) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall expedite the completion and implementation of a biometric entry-exit tracking system for all travelers to the United States, as recommended by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.

(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the President periodic reports on the progress of the directive contained in subsection (a) of this section. The initial report shall be submitted within 100 days of the date of this order, a second report shall be submitted within 200 days of the date of this order, and a third report shall be submitted within 365 days of the date of this order. Further, the Secretary shall submit a report every 180 days thereafter until the system is fully deployed and operational.

Sec. 8. Visa Interview Security. (a) The Secretary of State shall immediately suspend the Visa Interview Waiver Program and ensure compliance with section 222 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1222, which requires that all individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa undergo an in-person interview, subject to specific statutory exceptions.

(b) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of State shall immediately expand the Consular Fellows Program, including by substantially increasing the number of Fellows, lengthening or making permanent the period of service, and making language training at the Foreign Service Institute available to Fellows for assignment to posts outside of their area of core linguistic ability, to ensure that non-immigrant visa-interview wait times are not unduly affected.

Sec. 9. Visa Validity Reciprocity. The Secretary of State shall review all nonimmigrant visa reciprocity agreements to ensure that they are, with respect to each visa classification, truly reciprocal insofar as practicable with respect to validity period and fees, as required by sections 221(c) and 281 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1201(c) and 1351, and other treatment. If a country does not treat United States nationals seeking nonimmigrant visas in a reciprocal manner, the Secretary of State shall adjust the visa validity period, fee schedule, or other treatment to match the treatment of United States nationals by the foreign country, to the extent practicable.

Sec. 10. Transparency and Data Collection. (a) To be more transparent with the American people, and to more effectively implement policies and practices that serve the national interest, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall, consistent with applicable law and national security, collect and make publicly available within 180 days, and every 180 days thereafter:

(i) information regarding the number of foreign nationals in the United States who have been charged with terrorism-related offenses while in the United States; convicted of terrorism-related offenses while in the United States; or removed from the United States based on terrorism-related activity, affiliation, or material support to a terrorism-related organization, or any other national security reasons since the date of this order or the last reporting period, whichever is later;

(ii) information regarding the number of foreign nationals in the United States who have been radicalized after entry into the United States and engaged in terrorism-related acts, or who have provided material support to terrorism-related organizations in countries that pose a threat to the United States, since the date of this order or the last reporting period, whichever is later; and

(iii) information regarding the number and types of acts of gender-based violence against women, including honor killings, in the United States by foreign nationals, since the date of this order or the last reporting period, whichever is later; and

(iv) any other information relevant to public safety and security as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, including information on the immigration status of foreign nationals charged with major offenses.

(b) The Secretary of State shall, within one year of the date of this order, provide a report on the estimated long-term costs of the USRAP at the Federal, State, and local levels.

Sec. 11. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 27, 2017.

GMHeller
GMHeller
7 years ago

Waiting for any of the brainiac anti-Trumpers here to explain which specific aspect or language in this Order is unconstitutional.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  GMHeller
7 years ago

Wait aren’t you the guy that was ripping people off at a gas station?

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Matt, you need to stop this.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Dean
7 years ago

For real, dude, you’re a joke. Better odds at winning the Powerball tonight.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

For real Matt, stop.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Still never have been, never will be, Matt.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Sure Matt

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Why don’t you ask your mom what she calls me?

12 Guage
12 Guage
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Tiny?

Kate Dempsey
Kate Dempsey
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Quick Draw McTorch

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Late, you’re a swarthy lowlife, but there’s someone out there for you.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Poor, poor Torchy.

Really?
Really?
7 years ago

Really?

Anyone see the story about Mike Case in the Eagle today?

What a PUTZ. He gets a big fat paycheck for supporting Baker. He doesn’t have to do a damn thing it that job, except not do what he did, watch porn on the job.

Threw away 91 big bills a year to yank it at his desk chair. Holy cow!

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Really?
7 years ago

and right after the story broke hundreds of other government computers around the state were being scrubbed by their users….

Really
Really
Reply to  danvalenti
7 years ago

Really?

Dan, my thoughts exactly.

h
h
Reply to  danvalenti
7 years ago

Trump equals Chaos. Believe I tagged that one before the press. All in the name of the Planet, of course.

May Hemm
May Hemm
Reply to  danvalenti
7 years ago

Dan, you report when others won’t. The clear difference is you are better at it. Also, you’re the only one with balls in the business.

Tyertanic
Tyertanic
Reply to  Really?
7 years ago
The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Almost no one is calling it unconstitutional just un-American. President Bannon is creating caos in America.Are you better off today than 10 days ago well that depend on if your white and a billionaire.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

SC you are funny, of course we’re better off. Save some if your tears for tonight when President Trump picks Supreme Court justice. I know his a racist bigot.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Trump is a fraud.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

You are a whiny parrot.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Trump is a fraud.

Dean
Dean
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Matt, you are a fraud

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Dean
7 years ago

Trump is a fraud.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

President Bannon chief spokesman Donald Trump is making fake accusations.President Bannon is now pulling a Nixon and regressive are supporting this nonsense.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

Indeed it does seem that Bannon does have his hand up Trumps back. Scary.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

School committee chairwoman Yon gets a 51,200 a year retirement.Former principle of Ried school gets 68,000 in retirement with her husband a vice principle getting 57,000 for 125,000 per year sitting home.
Your current superintendent will retire on a current salary of 80%of 160,000 or 135,000 per year…..he and Yon want you to believe you don’t spend enough.

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

Super Citizen Kinnas and his wife rake in $70,395 plus Social Security. No state tax either for the SC

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Thomas More
7 years ago

Are you condemning retirement? and are you really thinking that amount of money makes them “well off” or “rich”?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  danvalenti
7 years ago

right, but at the same time, through both employee contributions in some cases and public employer contributions, the pension system takes the place of social security, because neither party was paying into social security during that timeframe.

Agreed reform is needed, however, it is inexcusable for any employer, public or private, to break its contract to former employees because of improper management. That kind of malfeasance should be criminal.

Thomas More
Thomas More
Reply to  danvalenti
7 years ago

They’re state pensions, not city pensions. The come from the same pot as your BCC friends draw from. The city pays nothing into them.

Paul
Paul
7 years ago

As usual the cry baby liberals never bother to actually read anything or educate themselves as to what is really going on. No, no, just jump up and down and protest. They usually can’t even explain what they are protesting against.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

Yah, and,uh, what are you reading?

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

You need to turn the channel.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

This is still to be decided. There seems little question that the president can suspend refugee resettlement and non-immigrants indefinitely on his own, but immigration may be a bit trickier.

Congress has said in the past that nationality cannot be used as a means to decide who gets to immigrate. On the other hand, U.S. law permits the president to “suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants” if he deems them “detrimental to the interests of the country.” So it could be a matter to be left up to the courts.

So, too, could questions about whether this particular order amounts to a religious preference. The First Amendment prohibits Congress from making such a preference, and even though this is an executive order, it’s still Congress’ job to set uniform rules for naturalization of citizens — and pass appropriations bills paying for the processes Trump wants to set up — which could potentially raise some thorny legal issues. The Trump administration says it believes it’s on solid legal ground, but Monday evening, Acting Attorney General Sally Yates said she wasn’t sure the order was lawful and wouldn’t defend it, at least for now, in court.

Miss Vito
Miss Vito
7 years ago

Looks like Case and Paul Babeu won’t be a guest interviewin anymore.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

The Democrats are being obstructionists by holding up the confirmation of the Attorney General. This is a very important position and they know it. It’s not just the AG, but the rest of his Cabinet they are holding up. The Dems are exhibiting deplorable behavior. This is not just about them not liking Trump. They are doing a disservice to the American people by slow walking these confirmations. The media should be holding them accountable for their lack of action.

Really
Really
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Really?

Did you say the same thing about the Republicans holding up the Supreme Court nomination from Obama?

No, I didn’t think so…..

Somehow, in your twisted little mind, that was okay. Right, Pat?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Really
7 years ago

Since Obama was nearing the end of his eight year time as president, I think the GOP had the right to do what they did with Obama’s Supreme Court pick. They could have held hearings, but since they wanted to hold off the nomination, it would have been a waste of time. This situation has nothing to do with the Supreme Court fight, however, since Trump is president and he needs his team in place.

Really
Really
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Really?

Pat, you make up convenient “alternate facts” in your head.

I can justify anything if you give me five seconds. That doesn’t make it right.

You’re being a hypocrite here, just admit it.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Gee I can’t recall who was doing it but some group not only held up but refused to consider a candidate for the supreme court under Obama. Hmmm, who was that now?

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

How about this possibility. Trump can find a better nominee than sessions.That all he has to do.

Tricksie
Tricksie
7 years ago

Meanwhile back at the kitchen table all the Dems up for mid-term re-election are carefully putting together stories as to why they must vote in favor of ALL Trumps cabinet members and the SCOTUS – I support you, except in cases when my pocketbook is affected – hahah – phonies…

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Tricksie
7 years ago

I certainly will not vote for my incumbent DemocRAT officials.

Painter
Painter
7 years ago

Since when do we pick and choose what laws we are going to obey and what lies were not going to obey

Joe Blow
Joe Blow
Reply to  Painter
7 years ago

“I think we have to understand where the Democrats are right now. I think they have been radicalized by this election, that the lesson they took from the election was Hillary was too moderate, that they need more Bernie or Elizabeth Warren. I think we’re going to see Trump derangement syndrome on the left where they are in denial,” ….Ted Cruz

Painter
Painter
7 years ago

P W is on Facebook so much I don’t know how he has time to do any work. Maybe his employer should look into that.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Painter
7 years ago

is he going to get a pension from Facebook?

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

So rich that today Diane Feinstein says to AG nominee Jeff Sessions about Acting AG Yates standing up to President Trump on his immigration ban:

“That is what an attorney general must be willing to do,” she said before adding she has “no confidence” Sessions would be able to stand up to the president.”

Does everyone remember Loretta Lynch standing up to anything Obama wanted her to do whether it was meeting with Bill Clinton at the airport and then Hillary being exonerated days later or following every partisan issue supported by the progressives. She was completely under the command of Obama and the progressives. Don’t forget Eric Holder being completely influenced as well.

Joe Blow
Joe Blow
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Sleazy Eric Holder allowed 2,000 or so firearms to flow illegally into the hands of Mexican cartel.

Pat
Pat
7 years ago

Timothy Geithner didn’t pay his taxes from 2001 until 2004 while working at the International Monetary Fund. He said it wasn’t intentional and was a mistake, but this was serious for someone who was going to be Treasury Secretary under Obama, but he was approved by both Republicans and Democrats.

Now Dems are putting Steven Mnuchin’s nomination on hold because of alleged robo signing of mortgage documents while he worked for OneWest Bank so according to them he can’t be trusted to be Treasury Secretary. Naturally Elizabeth Warren is leading the charge against him. Mnuchin has said that OneWest Bank did not robo sign documents. Robo-signing of documents had become almost routine at the time, when millions of bad home loans overwhelmed banks and mortgage servicing companies. So for Dems to focus on this issue is ridiculous in my opinion.

This is another good reason why government should never have been involved in the mortgage industry in the first place. KEEP GOVERNMENT SMALL!!!

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

Pat..you guys brought that up and he didn’t run for president. Trump is our 1st welfare billionaire president…..we are allowed to assume he has not paid a nickel in taxes and he is living on your dime.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

Yes!!!! Agreed, PATSY government manipulation of the mortgage industry and taxing advantages were another way to redirect wealth upwards.

America proselytized single family homeownership as ‘success’ and ‘stability’, and in the mean time, sucked up generations of workers’ wealth instead of reinvesting it in education, training, and upward advancement.

I like this new found wisdom, Patty cakes, keep it up!!!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

Too many in Pittsfield right now have gone downward financially so not sure what you are talking about. That’s after 8 years of a Democrat as president. You know the party that used to be all about helping the working people of the country.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Pat
7 years ago

This started when the GI’s came home with the establishment of FHA and other home loan programs.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  The School Committee
7 years ago

No, it shows the hypocrisy of Democrats.

Greta
Greta
7 years ago

Yet another great article! I am actually far more impressed by Trump than I ever expected to be. He has gotten down to business and gotten so much done. I hope all this stops the syrian refugees that were to be sent here to Pittsfield!

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Wonder where the PussyHats and Chuckles were when Obama bombed the shit out of 5 of the Countries listed in the temporary travel ban. Hundreds of civilians died, why no protests. PussyHats are the frauds.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Trump is a fraud.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

YON….51,000 for life is the average teacher retirement in the last 5 years.It’s only going much higher.Sheran will retire on 80% of 100k…80,000 a year teaching High School history…..its silly.

The School Committee
The School Committee
7 years ago

Max out retirement at 50k for everybody in ma.Average ss is 18k per year tops

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Shakes want a cracker?

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Trump is a fraud.

e-mails

Benghazi

SQUAK!!!

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
7 years ago

Anyone see Jesse Dubin advocating to keep Methusaluh Bar open after clear violations of the law. Jonny’s and Lach’s should file a suit, Lach’s was shut down after same kind of incident, no worse anyway. Thuze got a suspend with charity and probation, but stays open. Politics at it’s best. Dana is the only Board Member with any salt, the others are bullshitters.

Tricksie
Tricksie
Reply to  Shelly Liver
7 years ago

hhmmm I wonder what “non-profit” the profits will go to ? This was a travesty of justice…worse than a Trump EO –

acheshirecat
acheshirecat
Reply to  Tricksie
7 years ago

The other bars had to shut down and Methuselah Bar gets a tax write off.

Shelly Liver
Shelly Liver
7 years ago

Diane was my favorite member on that Board, until yesterday. I wish it never happened was her retort, then voted not to suspend. I’ll give you a mulligan on this one, hopefully you’ll get back to basics.

heh heh
heh heh
7 years ago

Good news. The drug companies are not going to have to test their products anymore. so they will be able to gt them to market faster to save lives…yippie!!!

Paul
Paul
7 years ago

Heh heh, I took the time to actually read Trumps. executive order. Chances are you are a run of the mill FB follower. News flash! Face Book is not news! Furthermore, all the ridiculous internet blogs featured on FB are not journalists. They are a bunch of clowns who steal miscellaneous bits and peices from other sources. They verify nothing. I am sick of people that make comments with no education on the subject.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

Don’t even know how to use or get on facebook.

But you be careful out there those roads are slippery. Kinda like your buddy Trump.

Vitalis
Vitalis
Reply to  heh heh
7 years ago

Neither does Mr. Case apparently?

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

Yea…twitter is not fake

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Safe some of the Skuaking, Supreme Court nominee tonight. Racist, racist skuak bigot bigot skuak, Bush’s fault skuak fraud blah blah blah. Trying to save you alittle time.

The School Committee
The School Committee
Reply to  joetaxpayer
7 years ago

I could have voted for Trump and he said things I love…middle class tax cut and jobs to rebuild water pipes bridges …then he acted unstable….he is a very weird human being that lies and does not pay taxes…then act insane…tough to vote for a rich punk

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  joetaxpayer
7 years ago

Don’t quit your day job, I mean sitting on a downtown bench looking for cigarette butts.

Maria Corvier
Maria Corvier
7 years ago

I think he wants to be like Vince Mc Magon

Paul
Paul
7 years ago

Heh heh, apparently you don’t know how to research the subjects you comment. Typical liberal democrat, get a hat and go protest.

heh heh
heh heh
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

Thank you for your input.

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
Reply to  Paul
7 years ago

Dan is talking about recycling of the same old players in the school system and alike, and he’s correct. The name for that might be Retreads.

H
H
7 years ago

How many times is PCTV going to show Donna and Parking meters, wtf.

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

Fifty two percent of Americans didn’t vote. Sound Familiar?

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

My law clerk nephew says Gorsuch and you can actually get 4 -5 in Las Vegas, that what the guy on tv said, crazy.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
7 years ago

Paul Ryan’s a puke, has very little to do when Trump is in the room.

CosbiesLadies
CosbiesLadies
7 years ago

Hillary should have more aggressive and offensive during the debates. She would always mock Trump during campaign stops, really never got her message out like Bernie. Bernie would have beaten Trump easily but Clinton was dishonest not to let that happen, she sewed her own fate. Merida didn’t want Bill anywhere near the WH and although she outpolled Trump, he got the prize, that’s what counts. trump is the president and like I said many times, unless he does something really stupid, he will be our President. Let’s go forward for the next four and see what happens, the fifty or so percent that didn’t vote will make the difference next election, and it still might be Trump or Mr. Clean.

joetaxpayer
joetaxpayer
Reply to  CosbiesLadies
7 years ago

Even if you took away all of Hillary’s baggage, the fact that she was going to keep Obama’s agenda going didn’t help.A lot of Americans have had enough of Obama’s hope and change. Also the media helped, especially letting her campaign think they had it sewed up.

h
h
7 years ago

You could put 100 g on Gorsuch and get 180 g back this is easy, where do I do it?

micasino I
micasino I
7 years ago

according to tv any casino. It’s 8 now you can still do it?

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
7 years ago

My cousin is a Circuit Court Judge in Colorado where he’s from and knows Gorsuch very well,. Excellent choice she said.

Nota
Nota
7 years ago

Byron Wizzer White, ah yes, the Wiz.

Nota
Nota
7 years ago

Judge Gorsuch reminds me of Jimmy Stewart, just saying. I like him!

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
7 years ago

The City Council is clamouring for cuts in the school department, Why. They have NO CHOICE?

Dilly Dally
Dilly Dally
7 years ago

But our state and locals got Pay Raises first. When is our March!

Bill Q
Bill Q
7 years ago

Bunch of Phonies. We’ve hit the ledge.

Harlan Rinklenutts
Harlan Rinklenutts
7 years ago

Mike Case throws away a 90g job for porno. What the hell is going on. Disgrace to the uniform.

P Hewton
P Hewton
7 years ago

I’m assuming the fix was in. Councilor Amuso, at what point did you know the City was in financial dire straits, before the mega increases and bloat in the School Department, or did it just hit you like a ton of bricks. You Maam, should resign. Kerwood said we are already in deficit spending with Snow and Ice, no kidding,well you salt bare roads twenty four seven and plow down to the center of the earth, of course you’re going to run a deficit. Incompetence, get rid of these bozos next cycle.

P Hewton
P Hewton
7 years ago

Councilors asked are there any other department deficits? Just upkeep of buildings or improvements will keep the City in the deficit mode for many years. OPEB is a deficit. There are hundreds do problems with the next Budget, cutting isn’t essential, it has to be done, there is no revenue.

P Hewton
P Hewton
7 years ago

Mayor pay increase, school board stipend,Covanta boiler,Sabic, PEDA failure, beacon tax breaks and others, ugh,bloated school budget and OPEB obligations,top pay scale appointees,bad city lighting,Crime, inferior fire equipment,police dept union theft,north street going nowhere, health board clueless, building rubble sitting in the center of town, Tyler street renaissance overated,looks like a slum in most parts, ongoing internal police strife, terrible driving throughout the city, littering, shootings in broad daylight, knivings etc Gangs increasing,bar shootings on North Street,jaywalking, young men lingering with no hope, but refugees possibly on the way and will have more rights than the unemployed, insurance premiums are going up,up,up taxpayers in locals will foot the increase for every increase and mega pension. The list goes on and on and on and on…and on and on….

Don t
Don t
7 years ago

you’ve covered a lot of it,maybe Wahconah Lake?

Don t
Don t
7 years ago

Outright vulgar people? Eagle reporter Jen Smith was on the radio saying someone called her a racilal epitaph. Jen is a very fine person and was saddened and sickened to hear her say that. We love you Jen, keep you’re head up!

Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider
7 years ago

I was told this story (and shown evidence) by an EMT Emeritus, an old timey local LEO who said “Do with this what you please.”
CR#014303 Ashtabula County (OH) Sheriff’s Dept 09/21/1992.
The Gist: Officer Mike Case left a City of Pittsfield owned sniper rifle, scope & case (V=$800) in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn on Austinburg Road in Alachua, OH, forgetting to place it into his car, before going to training at Def Tec, about an hour away. He reported it as “stolen” from the parking lot after he returned about 2 hrs later.

Case WAS in the Army Nat’l Guard @ the time. Loss of a (military) weapon would’ve subjected him to a Courts Martial:
908. Art. 108. Military property of United States Loss, damage, destruction, or wrongful disposition.

“Any person subject to this chapter who, without proper authority- (1) sells or otherwise disposes of; (2) willfully or through neglect damages, destroys, or loses; or (3) willfully or through neglect suffers to be lost, damaged, destroyed, sold, or wrongfully disposed of;any military property of the United States, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

HOWEVER, nothing was ever done to him by command nor did the incident get any press. WHY? Connections? Wife in the School Dept with connections? Dept “sniff?”

So I say unto YOU, “Do with it what you please.”

FYI: Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office (Records)
North Chestnut Street
Jefferson, OH 44047
(440) 576-3545

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Ghost Rider
7 years ago

But.. It was a City owned piece of equipment.

Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider
Reply to  Shakes His Head
7 years ago

You miss the point. The City did nothing to him. Do you have to be spoon fed?

Executive Order
Executive Order
7 years ago

This site it better than the Boston Globe.