White House told of militant claim two hours after Libya attack: emails
By Mark Hosenball
WASHINGTON | Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:11pm EDT
(Reuters) – Officials at the White House and State Department were advised two hours after attackers assaulted the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11 that an Islamic militant group had claimed credit for the attack, official emails show.
The emails, obtained by Reuters from government sources not connected with U.S. spy agencies or the State Department and who requested anonymity, specifically mention that the Libyan group called Ansar al-Sharia had asserted responsibility for the attacks.
The brief emails also show how U.S. diplomats described the attack, even as it was still under way, to Washington.
U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed in the Benghazi assault, which President Barack Obama and other U.S. officials ultimately acknowledged was a “terrorist” attack carried out by militants with suspected links to al Qaeda affiliates or sympathizers.
Administration spokesmen, including White House spokesman Jay Carney, citing an unclassified assessment prepared by the CIA, maintained for days that the attacks likely were a spontaneous protest against an anti-Muslim film.
While officials did mention the possible involvement of “extremists,” they did not lay blame on any specific militant groups or possible links to al Qaeda or its affiliates until intelligence officials publicly alleged that on September 28.
Obama Supporters Continue Threats To Riot, Assassinate Romney
Secret Service attention fails to dampen violent Twitter comments
Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
October 23, 2012
Despite the issue garnering a significant amount of media interest as well as the attention of the Secret Service, Obama supporters continued their threats to riot and assassinate Mitt Romney if Obama loses in the aftermath of last night’s presidential debate.
As we reported last week, Twitter has been flooded recently with violent comments from Obama supporters. The increase in volume of the comments seemed to coincide with Romney’s poll numbers edging higher against Obama.
Not only have Obama voters been making open threats that they will riot and cause mayhem, they have also been caught making direct threats to assassinate Mitt Romney, prompting the Secret Service to announce that it was “aware” of the threats and would “conduct appropriate follow up if necessary.”
Despite the fact that the media reported extensively on threats made against Obama prior to the 2008 election, their silence on the threats made against Romney has been deafening. Indeed, the act of a few old guys hanging up empty chairs in reference to Clint Eastwood’s RNC speech garnered substantially more coverage and concern from the press compared to hundreds if not thousands of tweets threatening violence against Mitt Romney.
Americans who simply display political signs expressing opposition to Obama’s policies have been treated as potential violent threats by authorities in the past, and yet not a single Twitter user has faced retribution for making direct and sometimes graphic death threats against Romney.
Leftists routinely cry foul and attempt to demonize conservatives as violent extremists whenever online rhetoric gets heated, and yet when their own engage in even worse conduct, their behavior is absolved and the media is disinterested.
Record High Enrollment for Food Stamps: 46,681,833 Million
12:51 PM, OCT 16, 2012 • BY DANIEL HALPER
Food stamps enrollment has hit a new record high. 46,681,833 million are now enrolled in the social welfare program, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, the federal department that runs the program.
Here’s a chart from the minority side of the Senate Budget Committee, outlining the program’s enormous growth:
As the chart shows, when President Obama took office, enrollment in the food stamps program was 31.98 million. Now, not even four years later, it’s a whopping 46.48 million. (In 2002, as the chart states, “19.1 million Americans received food stamps.”)
In fact, the newly released data represents enrollment in July (the last month for which data is available). Assuming the program remained on its projected path, the number of those enrolled in food stamps is likely now larger by several hundreds of thousands.
For Every Person Added to Labor Force, 10 Added to Those Not in Labor Force
1:09 PM, OCT 15, 2012 • BY DANIEL HALPER
A new chart from the minority side of the Senate Budget Committee details the fact that, since January 2009, for every person added to the labor force, 10 have been added to those not in the labor force. Here’s a chart showing the dwindling labor force:
“For Every 1 Person Added To Labor Force Since January 2009,” the chart reads, “10 People Added To Those Not In Labor Force.”
That is, in nearly the four years, since President Obama took office in January 2009, only 827,000 people have been added to the labor force, while during that same time period, 8,208,000 have been added to those not in the labor force.
Buzz explodes across web
Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
October 15, 2012
Despite the issue receiving national media attention, Obama supporters continue to threaten to riot if Mitt Romney wins the presidential election, raising the prospect of civil unrest if Obama fails to secure a second term.
The new threats continue to dominate Twitter and the vast majority make no reference to press coverage of the issue over the last week, illustrating the fact that they are a legitimate expression of how many Obama voters plan to respond if Romney comes out on top, and not merely a reaction to media hype.
Study: Less Than A Quarter Of Americans Read Newspapers
October 15, 2012 4:34 AM
HOUSTON (CBS HOUSTON) –
Only 29 percent of Americans now say they read a newspaper yesterday – with just 23 percent reading a print newspaper. Over the past decade, the percentage reading a print newspaper the previous day has fallen by 18 points (from 41 percent to 23 percent). Somewhat more (38 percent) say they regularly read a daily newspaper, although this percentage also has declined, from 54 percent in 2004.
Also according to the recent Pew Research Center poll, Americans enjoy reading as much as ever – 51 percent say they enjoy reading a lot. This is little changed over the past two decades, but a declining proportion gets news or reads other material on paper on a typical day. Many readers are now shifting to digital platforms to read the papers.
Meningitis-linked firm sold drugs without prescriptions: emails
By Toni Clarke and Aaron Pressman
BOSTON | Sat Oct 13, 2012 7:56pm EDT
(Reuters) – The drug-mixing company at the heart of a deadly U.S. meningitis outbreak solicited bulk orders from physicians and failed to require proof of individual patient prescriptions as required under state regulations, emails to a customer show.
Reuters reviewed more than a dozen emails that show the New England Compounding Center, contrary to state rules, sold drugs without requiring physicians to supply individual patient prescriptions.
The customer confirmed that NECC supplied the clinic with drugs without patient names or prescriptions.
NECC, based in Framingham, Massachusetts, distributed thousands of vials of a contaminated steroid that has put 14,000 people at risk of contracting meningitis and killed 15 people.
The emails support assertions made this week by state pharmacy regulators that the compounding firm, which was authorized to deliver products only in response to patient-specific prescriptions, had violated its license in Massachusetts.
As Election Day nears, Romney crowds are surging
By STEVE PEOPLES | Associated Press – Fri, Oct 12, 2012
SIDNEY, Ohio (AP) — The crowds tell the story. As Election Day nears, Mitt Romney is drawing large and excited throngs.
Look to dusty Iowa cornfields, rain-soaked Virginia parks, the muddy fields of the Shelby County Fairgrounds, where a crowd of 9,500 — almost half of this western Ohio town — gathered among the barns and stables on a frigid October evening this week to glimpse the Republican presidential contender.
“Where else would we want to be?” said one of the shivering faithful, Judy Cartwright, a 71-year-old nurse from Sidney. “I want to see the next president of the United States.”
Will The Election Results Cause Massive Riots To Erupt All Over America?
Michael Snyder
The Economic Collapse
Oct 12, 2012
Will the most divisive campaign in modern American history culminate in massive riots in our major cities? Right now, supporters of Barack Obama and supporters of Mitt Romney are both pinning all of their hopes on a victory on November 6th. The race for the presidency is extremely tight, and obviously the side that loses is going to be extremely disappointed when the election results are finalized. But could this actually lead to violence? Could we actually see rioting in communities all over America? Well, the conditions are certainly ripe for it.
A whole host of surveys over the past few years have shown that Americans are very angry and very frustrated right now. In fact, a Pew Research Center poll from late last year found that 86 percent of all Americans are either angry or frustrated with the federal government. We have seen this frustration manifest in protest movements such as the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, but right now things are fairly calm as liberals and conservatives both look forward to November 6th. Many Republicans started the countdown to the next election literally the day after John McCain lost back in 2008.
Schoolhouse Museum October 14, 2012 through July 28, 2013 is THE COLLECTION
On display at the Schoolhouse Museum October 14, 2012 through July 28, 2013 is THE COLLECTION, an exhibit that celebrates 60 years of preservation efforts and showcases our most treasured artifacts.
Artifacts and textiles Included in this exhibit are:
three 19th century woven coverlets, one woven on a Jacquard loom by David H. Haring, a noted Bergen County weaver
a 1865 taffeta wedding dress and a late 1880s mourning suit 19th century pottery some created by George Wolfkiel
a collection of spectacles from 1760s through the early 20th century
a NJ militia Spanish American war uniform and military artifacts
Lenape stone tools
Medical instruments and mortars and pestles
kitchen and farm tools made from wood
a collection of women and men’s personal possessions from hats to shoes and everything in between
a sampling of baskets, children’s chairs, musical instruments, and craft items, all from the 19th century
This exhibit will appeal to children and adults. Join us during our open hours on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00–3:00 and Sundays 2:00–4:00. Trained docents will be there to answer questions or provide you information about our artifacts. If you would like to arrange for a group to visit, please email [email protected]
Coming up this Fall:
Historic Home Walking Tour
October 21, 2012, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
From Country Retreat to Fashionable Suburb: A Walking Tour Through the West Side’s Ridgewood Park Development
Where: Meet at Ridge School parking lot at 1:45 p.m.
Starting at the Pease House at 308 W. Ridgewood Avenue and traveling the length of North Murray Avenue, this walking tour will reveal the transformation of Ridgewood’s West Side after the Civil War from a country setting to a choice residential suburb by exploring the architecture and history of six notable homes. The 90 minute tour will conclude at 300 North Murray Avenue, the landmark Colonial Revival house built by the Palmer family and restored by the current owners. Many fascinating and fun surprises await adults and children age 10 and up. The tour, which will be limited to 30 people, will be led by RHS member and Ridgewood resident Elliot Dee, who studied architectural history at Cornell and Harvard and has led tours in New Jersey for over a decade.To reserve your ticket ($5 for an adult, $10 for a family) [email protected]
October 18, 2012, 12:00 p.m.
Lincoln Luncheon at the Brick House, 179 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff
The Coalition of Northwest Bergen County is sponsoring a history luncheon featuring Robert Costello and Ken Hall impersonating Abraham Lincoln and George McClellan. Come and learn about the 1864 presidential campaign and election and the issues of the day. Click here for the luncheon flier and ticket order form.
The Ridgewood Historical Society Board thanks Eagle Scout Akash Chaurasia and Ridgewood Boys Scout Troop 5 for building a handicap ramp for the museum, painting the building, replacing insulation in the back attic, and repainting the Historic Marker sign. We are so grateful that you chose the Schoolhouse Museum for your Eagle Scout Project.
The Schoolhouse Museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00–3:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00–4:00 p.m. We arrange group tours by appointment. For more information call the museum at 201-447-3242 or send us an [email protected]
Ridgewood High School Marching Band wins best music for “Our True Colors”
October 12,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood High School Marching Band, under the direction of John Luckenbill, placed first this past weekend at South Brunswick High School , Group IV A competition beating out 5 competitors .
The 2012 show , “Our True Colors,” which includes music from Cyndi Lauper’s hit “True Colors.” won the Best Music award.
The the band and its 85 members continue its season this weekend with a competition at MetLife Stadium to compete against other bands for the Yamaha Cup on October 13.
The band’s remaining competitive schedule includes:
October 13: Yamaha Cup at MetLife Stadium
October 20: Montville High School
November 3: USBands NJ State Championship in New Brunswick
Homeland Security: Gunmen kill U.S. embassy security chief in Yemen
By Mohammed Ghobari
SANAA | Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:40am EDT
(Reuters) – Masked gunmen shot dead a Yemeni security chief on his way to work at the U.S. embassy in Sanaa on Thursday, in an attack a Yemeni security source said appeared to be the work of al Qaeda.
The incident was the latest of a wave of attacks on officials in the impoverished Arab state, which is battling Islamist militants with Washington’s help.
The attackers, on a motorcycle, opened fire on Qassem Aqlan – who headed an embassy security investigation team – near his house in the centre of Yemen’s capital, the source told Reuters.
“This operation has the fingerprints of al Qaeda which carried out similar operations before,” said the source, who asked not to be named.
Democrats frustrated by Obama’s “Big Bird” campaign turn
By Samuel P. Jacobs
WASHINGTON | Wed Oct 10, 2012 7:43pm EDT
(Reuters) – In 2008, singer will.i.am provided Barack Obama’s presidential campaign with music for its signature anthem, “Yes We Can.” On Tuesday, at a rally for Obama in Columbus, Ohio, the performer chose to play something new: the theme song for “Sesame Street.”
For Obama’s supporters, already dismayed by the president’s halting performance in last week’s debate with Republican Mitt Romney, that change in tune is a new source for concern as they fret that a children’s TV show has become a new backdrop for their candidate’s campaign.
In a moment of tightening polls and climbing anxiety for Obama’s supporters, the president’s decision to grant Big Bird a starring role in his campaign this week has presented another reason to reach for the Alka-Seltzer.
After Romney named Big Bird as part of a promise to pull government funding for public television, Obama’s campaign released a caustic new ad mocking Romney for thinking the character was a “big, yellow menace to our economy.”
Since the debate, Obama has been piling on, joking about Romney’s designs for the TV show at every campaign stop.
Conservatives have been crowing that the silly turn in the campaign diminishes the president.
Just Listed! Unique Ridgewood Heights home!
Michael Fidanza
October 6,2012
9:57 AM
I’m having an open house Sunday (10/7) from 1-4pm. Beautiful, unique home here in Ridgewood. Newly renovated boasts an open layout. It must be seen! https://www.yournorthjerseyhome.com/listing/mlsid/414/propertyid/1235274/
Please stop by or send to a friend. Thank you so much for your support and interest.
Ridgewood Library’s Reel Voices Film Festival starts next week
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Oscar-nominated documentarian Rebecca Cammisa will be speaking at Ridgewood Public Library on Oct. 12, after the opening reception of the annual Reel Film Festival, because, as she puts it, “Ridgewood asked.”
Oscar-nominated documentarian Rebecca Cammisa will speak and present her film, ‘Which Way Home,’ on Oct. 12.
“People who will come to see the film have probably not seen anything like this before,” said the director, whose film “Which Way Home” will be screened at 7:30 p.m. after an hour-long reception.
The film, about the harrowing journey child migrants make to cross the Mexican border into the United States, partly highlights the sense of desperation driving many people to leave home who would rather not, Cammisa said.
“There are a lot of people who feel compelled to come who don’t want to leave their county. They just want to survive,” she said.
