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Demovictory9
Demovictory9's Journal
Demovictory9's Journal
February 12, 2019
The caller with the Jamaican accent told the 90-year-old District man he had won $72 million and a new Mercedes Benz in the Mega Millions lottery, but the man needed to send $50,000 in taxes and fees to get his money. He also told the Washington man he’d done his research on the top winner.
“You’re a great man,” the Jamaican man cajoled. “You was a judge, you was an attorney, you was a basketball player, you were in the U.S. Navy, homeland security. I know everything about you. I even seen your photograph, and I seen your precious wife.”
The Jamaican’s research didn’t turn up everything. He didn’t learn that the man he was calling was the former director of the FBI and the CIA, the only person ever to hold both jobs. And he didn’t know that William H. Webster would call him back the next day with the FBI listening in. In that reverse sting, Webster obtained the man’s real name and email address, while stringing him along and never quite committing to sending the $50,000.
“It’s going to take me a few weeks to come up with it,” said Webster, also a former federal district and appeals court judge. “I’m as anxious as you are to get the money, but it’s going to take me a while to do it,” he tells the man on the recorded call that is part of the court record.
“You can pay a part in the meantime,” parried the caller, later identified as Keniel A. Thomas.
“How much is a part?” asked Webster.
“You can come with about $20,000 in the meantime,” Thomas said.
The conversation was one of many calls that Thomas made to Webster or his wife, Lynda, in 2014, including one in which he promised a bullet “straight to the head” of Lynda. Thomas was then charged in 2014 with attempted extortion. But Thomas wasn’t arrested until late 2017, after he landed in New York on a flight from Jamaica. He pleaded guilty in October and faced a prison term of 33 to 41 months under federal sentencing guidelines. But with Webster and his wife in the courtroom, Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell on Friday added another 2½ years to Thomas’s sentence, giving him nearly six years to serve. Howell said that the scam qualified as “organized criminal activity” and that Thomas posed “a threat to a family member of the victim.”
phone scammer calls ex fbi/cia director
https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2019/02/12/william-webster-ex-fbi-cia-director-helps-feds-nab-jamaican-phone-scammer/?utm_term=.4d55795dd98cThe caller with the Jamaican accent told the 90-year-old District man he had won $72 million and a new Mercedes Benz in the Mega Millions lottery, but the man needed to send $50,000 in taxes and fees to get his money. He also told the Washington man he’d done his research on the top winner.
“You’re a great man,” the Jamaican man cajoled. “You was a judge, you was an attorney, you was a basketball player, you were in the U.S. Navy, homeland security. I know everything about you. I even seen your photograph, and I seen your precious wife.”
The Jamaican’s research didn’t turn up everything. He didn’t learn that the man he was calling was the former director of the FBI and the CIA, the only person ever to hold both jobs. And he didn’t know that William H. Webster would call him back the next day with the FBI listening in. In that reverse sting, Webster obtained the man’s real name and email address, while stringing him along and never quite committing to sending the $50,000.
“It’s going to take me a few weeks to come up with it,” said Webster, also a former federal district and appeals court judge. “I’m as anxious as you are to get the money, but it’s going to take me a while to do it,” he tells the man on the recorded call that is part of the court record.
“You can pay a part in the meantime,” parried the caller, later identified as Keniel A. Thomas.
“How much is a part?” asked Webster.
“You can come with about $20,000 in the meantime,” Thomas said.
The conversation was one of many calls that Thomas made to Webster or his wife, Lynda, in 2014, including one in which he promised a bullet “straight to the head” of Lynda. Thomas was then charged in 2014 with attempted extortion. But Thomas wasn’t arrested until late 2017, after he landed in New York on a flight from Jamaica. He pleaded guilty in October and faced a prison term of 33 to 41 months under federal sentencing guidelines. But with Webster and his wife in the courtroom, Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell on Friday added another 2½ years to Thomas’s sentence, giving him nearly six years to serve. Howell said that the scam qualified as “organized criminal activity” and that Thomas posed “a threat to a family member of the victim.”
February 12, 2019
In his hour-and-15-minute address, Trump excoriated Democrats and repeated false claims that the nearby wall had meant huge cuts in the city's violent crime. But the President told the audience he had chosen not to learn the details of a bipartisan deal to avert a shutdown before he clambered onstage. If he actually did know full well what was going on, then he couldn't bring himself to describe what on paper appears to be a huge disappointment.
That in itself was a hint that there was no famous victory to crow about and that the agreement reached in Washington -- which contains only $1.375 billion for barriers and no wall -- falls well short of the President's demands for $5.7 billion to fund a campaign promise that has an almost mystical hold on his base.
----
He seems to be keeping his options open.
To embrace the agreement reached in tortuous congressional negotiations, Trump would have to try to spin a clear loss as a win -- a tactic he seemed to hint at during his rally.
As his crowd belted out "Build the wall" -- Trump tried to grope for a way out: "You really mean 'finish that wall,' because we have built a lot of it."
As his crowd belted out "Build the wall" -- Trump tried to grope for a way out:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/12/politics/donald-trump-immigration-el-paso-rally-congress-deal/index.htmlIn his hour-and-15-minute address, Trump excoriated Democrats and repeated false claims that the nearby wall had meant huge cuts in the city's violent crime. But the President told the audience he had chosen not to learn the details of a bipartisan deal to avert a shutdown before he clambered onstage. If he actually did know full well what was going on, then he couldn't bring himself to describe what on paper appears to be a huge disappointment.
That in itself was a hint that there was no famous victory to crow about and that the agreement reached in Washington -- which contains only $1.375 billion for barriers and no wall -- falls well short of the President's demands for $5.7 billion to fund a campaign promise that has an almost mystical hold on his base.
----
He seems to be keeping his options open.
To embrace the agreement reached in tortuous congressional negotiations, Trump would have to try to spin a clear loss as a win -- a tactic he seemed to hint at during his rally.
As his crowd belted out "Build the wall" -- Trump tried to grope for a way out: "You really mean 'finish that wall,' because we have built a lot of it."
February 12, 2019
66-year-old dog trainer’s body was discovered in her backyard covered in bite marks, according to authorities.
Police said the victim, identified as Elaine Richman, was found dead Friday morning at her Houston home after she missed several obedience classes, news station KPRC reported.
Richman appeared to have been mauled by dogs and had bite marks on her arms, hands and face, police said.
Emergency responders pronounced the trainer dead at the scene.
Two full-grown Doberman pinschers were inside the home, authorities said. It’s unclear if they are responsible for the trainer’s death.
Houston Kennel Club president, Tom Pincus, said it’s rare a dog would cause their owner’s death, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Dog trainer found dead covered in dog bites
https://nypost.com/2019/02/11/trainer-found-dead-with-dog-bites-after-missed-obedience-class-cops/66-year-old dog trainer’s body was discovered in her backyard covered in bite marks, according to authorities.
Police said the victim, identified as Elaine Richman, was found dead Friday morning at her Houston home after she missed several obedience classes, news station KPRC reported.
Richman appeared to have been mauled by dogs and had bite marks on her arms, hands and face, police said.
Emergency responders pronounced the trainer dead at the scene.
Two full-grown Doberman pinschers were inside the home, authorities said. It’s unclear if they are responsible for the trainer’s death.
Houston Kennel Club president, Tom Pincus, said it’s rare a dog would cause their owner’s death, the Houston Chronicle reported.
February 10, 2019
Tourists in awe as enormous Yellowstone bison runs past them
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/02/tourists-in-awe-as-yellowstone-bison-sprints-by-at-top-speed/amp
February 10, 2019
By
Here are some of their stories:
She's one car breakdown away from living in a camper van
Katie McOwen has had to make some tough decisions when it comes to money.
At the end of this month, she's giving up her one-bedroom apartment and will move into a friend's basement. The move sacrifices some of her independence, but it affords her some wiggle room with her finances.
The sixth-grade math teacher at Place Bridge Academy in Denver said she makes about $50,000 per year. After paying $1,050 in rent, plus student loan payments, bills and other expenses, there's not much left over. She also nannies during the summers to supplement income.
"I really am living paycheck to paycheck right now," McOwen said. "If my car broke down or anything, I would be really hurting."
_____
He drives Lyft after school and has multiple roommates
Sean Bowers shares a place with three people.
They split the $2,500 rent. He lives in the smallest room and pays $600.
Change is coming, though. Two of Bowers' roommates are dating and they'll be moving out in May.
That fact of life has Bowers trying to figure out what he'll do. Splitting that much rent between two people is more than he can afford.
-------------
If he opts to get a new place, he will have to pay yet another security deposit and the first month's rent.
"I've had to take out loans before for just the security deposit and the first month's rent because I don't have that extra $800 to $1200 to throw down," the 30-year-old said.
https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/02/10/us/denver-teacher-strike-multiple-jobs/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F
Denver is so expensive that teachers have to get creative to make ends meet
Denver is so expensive that teachers have to get creative to make ends meetBy
Here are some of their stories:
She's one car breakdown away from living in a camper van
Katie McOwen has had to make some tough decisions when it comes to money.
At the end of this month, she's giving up her one-bedroom apartment and will move into a friend's basement. The move sacrifices some of her independence, but it affords her some wiggle room with her finances.
The sixth-grade math teacher at Place Bridge Academy in Denver said she makes about $50,000 per year. After paying $1,050 in rent, plus student loan payments, bills and other expenses, there's not much left over. She also nannies during the summers to supplement income.
"I really am living paycheck to paycheck right now," McOwen said. "If my car broke down or anything, I would be really hurting."
_____
He drives Lyft after school and has multiple roommates
Sean Bowers shares a place with three people.
They split the $2,500 rent. He lives in the smallest room and pays $600.
Change is coming, though. Two of Bowers' roommates are dating and they'll be moving out in May.
That fact of life has Bowers trying to figure out what he'll do. Splitting that much rent between two people is more than he can afford.
-------------
If he opts to get a new place, he will have to pay yet another security deposit and the first month's rent.
"I've had to take out loans before for just the security deposit and the first month's rent because I don't have that extra $800 to $1200 to throw down," the 30-year-old said.
https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/02/10/us/denver-teacher-strike-multiple-jobs/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F
February 10, 2019
Trump jr replies "savage", "I love my president" to Trump's Pocahantas tweet
Donald Trump Jr. responded to his father’s tweet on Instagram incorporating an astonishing term — “savage” — harkening back to the height of the nation’s racism amid massacres of thousands of Native Americans. He added: “I love my president.”
He was likely referring to the president’s comment as “savage,” but it was shockingly tone deaf — or a chilling deliberate choice.
https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5c5f792de4b0f9e1b17dd52c
February 10, 2019
After Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced her bid for the 2020 presidential nomination, Rob Lowe took to Twitter to mock the run, but it didn’t go over well with everyone.
The actor’s now-deleted post appeared to dunk on the senator Saturday for her previous identification as Native American, stating she “would bring a whole new meaning to Commander in ‘Chief.’”
Sitcom actress and Food Network host Valerie Bertinelli was one of many Twitter users who called Lowe out, letting him know he had crossed the line.
Valerie Bertinelli
✔
@Wolfiesmom
Replying to @RobLowe
Don’t. Jesus.
Seeming to have had a change of heart, Lowe decided to delete the jab, calling it “a joke” and stating it was “never my intention” to rile up anger.
Rob Lowe Deletes Tweet Mocking Elizabeth Warren After Backlash
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rob-lowe-elizabeth-warren_us_5c5fbf9ce4b0eec79b2424e5After Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced her bid for the 2020 presidential nomination, Rob Lowe took to Twitter to mock the run, but it didn’t go over well with everyone.
The actor’s now-deleted post appeared to dunk on the senator Saturday for her previous identification as Native American, stating she “would bring a whole new meaning to Commander in ‘Chief.’”
Sitcom actress and Food Network host Valerie Bertinelli was one of many Twitter users who called Lowe out, letting him know he had crossed the line.
Valerie Bertinelli
✔
@Wolfiesmom
Replying to @RobLowe
Don’t. Jesus.
Seeming to have had a change of heart, Lowe decided to delete the jab, calling it “a joke” and stating it was “never my intention” to rile up anger.
February 10, 2019
"If I were to estimate, two-thirds will pay more than they thought and one-third will get more than they thought,” said one tax preparer.
With filing season officially under way, a growing number of taxpayers are realizing that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act might be a double-edged sword.
The White House said in October 2017 that the average family “would get a $4,000 raise” when it was pushing for passage of the law. Now that the new filing season has begun, some taxpayers are finding out that the tax man giveth — but also taketh away, especially as it pertains to their annual refund.
“Americans are obsessed with their refunds. What really matters is whether your taxes went up or down, not whether your refund went down,” said Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at the Urban Brookings Tax Policy Center. “It’s really important that people don’t confuse their refund with the taxes they pay,” he said.
But even as Gleckman pointed out that some people’s overall tax burdens might be smaller this year, he acknowledged that many people come to expect and even rely on that refund.
“The people who file early are the people who generally count on these refunds. They may have an expectation of higher refunds,” he said. These taxpayers, especially those who hold down multiple jobs, could be in for a rude awakening.
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/taxes/tax-code-changes-leave-americans-asking-what-happened-my-refund-n969366?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma
"Americans are obsessed with their refunds.... " "expect and even rely on that refund."
Tax code changes leave Americans asking, 'What happened to my refund?'"If I were to estimate, two-thirds will pay more than they thought and one-third will get more than they thought,” said one tax preparer.
With filing season officially under way, a growing number of taxpayers are realizing that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act might be a double-edged sword.
The White House said in October 2017 that the average family “would get a $4,000 raise” when it was pushing for passage of the law. Now that the new filing season has begun, some taxpayers are finding out that the tax man giveth — but also taketh away, especially as it pertains to their annual refund.
“Americans are obsessed with their refunds. What really matters is whether your taxes went up or down, not whether your refund went down,” said Howard Gleckman, senior fellow at the Urban Brookings Tax Policy Center. “It’s really important that people don’t confuse their refund with the taxes they pay,” he said.
But even as Gleckman pointed out that some people’s overall tax burdens might be smaller this year, he acknowledged that many people come to expect and even rely on that refund.
“The people who file early are the people who generally count on these refunds. They may have an expectation of higher refunds,” he said. These taxpayers, especially those who hold down multiple jobs, could be in for a rude awakening.
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/taxes/tax-code-changes-leave-americans-asking-what-happened-my-refund-n969366?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma
February 10, 2019
‘Quit F**king With Me, Boy’: Florida Deputy Under Investigation After Grabbing Black Dad’s Neck in Video
“This video depicts a clear display of police abuse,” public defender Howard Finkelstein wrote in a Jan. 30 letter to the sheriff’s office. “Deputy Cady’s verbal assault coupled with him choking an otherwise cooperative bystander can only be characterized as an unlawful touching.”
The July 2017 video, which was recorded by Cady’s body camera outside a Dania Beach hotel, begins with the officer asking Allen Floyd, a black man calmly holding his infant son, if he has a “separate” room at the Red Carpet Inn and demanding to see his identification.
Florida @BrowardSheriff cop with history of making false arrests harasses, curses at black father calmly holding his baby, repeatedly calls him "boy." SEE FULL VIDEO AT https://t.co/oRNcDRb0JH pic.twitter.com/a5fYB8AoK8
— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) February 9, 2019
“For what,” Floyd, who is seated on the sidewalk, asks the officer before showing Cady pictures on his phone to prove he is the infant’s father. “I’m not going to show you my ID.”
“Quit fucking with me, boy!” Cady can be heard saying in the video after threatening to call child protective services on Floyd. “I’m going to fuck you up.”
In the January letter, the public defender said, “Cady’s use of the term ‘boy’ is offensive, condescending and demeaning. It carries racial connotations when used while addressing an adult black male.”
'Quit F**king With Me, Boy': Florida Deputy Under Investigation After Grabbing Black Dad's Neck in V
https://www.thedailybeast.com/quit-fking-with-me-boy-florida-deputy-under-investigation-after-grabbing-black-dads-neck-in-video‘Quit F**king With Me, Boy’: Florida Deputy Under Investigation After Grabbing Black Dad’s Neck in Video
“This video depicts a clear display of police abuse,” public defender Howard Finkelstein wrote in a Jan. 30 letter to the sheriff’s office. “Deputy Cady’s verbal assault coupled with him choking an otherwise cooperative bystander can only be characterized as an unlawful touching.”
The July 2017 video, which was recorded by Cady’s body camera outside a Dania Beach hotel, begins with the officer asking Allen Floyd, a black man calmly holding his infant son, if he has a “separate” room at the Red Carpet Inn and demanding to see his identification.
Florida @BrowardSheriff cop with history of making false arrests harasses, curses at black father calmly holding his baby, repeatedly calls him "boy." SEE FULL VIDEO AT https://t.co/oRNcDRb0JH pic.twitter.com/a5fYB8AoK8
— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) February 9, 2019
“For what,” Floyd, who is seated on the sidewalk, asks the officer before showing Cady pictures on his phone to prove he is the infant’s father. “I’m not going to show you my ID.”
“Quit fucking with me, boy!” Cady can be heard saying in the video after threatening to call child protective services on Floyd. “I’m going to fuck you up.”
In the January letter, the public defender said, “Cady’s use of the term ‘boy’ is offensive, condescending and demeaning. It carries racial connotations when used while addressing an adult black male.”
February 9, 2019
#GOPTaxSCAMStories - from $800 refund last year to $5150 owed this year
Middle-class tax cut, my ass. @GOP/@realDonaldTrump's new tax plan can suck it. Last year we received a reasonable $800 refund. This year we owe $5150. #GOPTaxSCAMStories #TrumpTaxCut #trumpsucks #TrumpTaxScam
#TaxReturns #TaxCuts #taxes
10:34 AM - 9 Feb 2019
https://twitter.com/jenyuen12/status/1094303535204888576
Must admit, having quite a bit of schadenfreude watching people who voted against their own interests because they thought others would suffer realize there's not so much winning. #GOPTaxScamstories #GOPTaxScam
https://twitter.com/whosbotheringme/status/1093023147195068416
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