Thursday, January 17, 2019

Michigan man charged for threatening to shoot Sen. Cory Booker

A Michigan man has been charged with leaving a threatening, expletive-laden voicemail for U.S. Sen. Cory Booker last year, according to a federal indictment unsealed Monday.

Ricky Lynn Simmons faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 after a federal grand jury sitting in Grand Rapids handed up a single-count indictment on a charge of interstate communication with threat to injure earlier this month, according to court papers.

Simmons was in Kent County, Michigan on Oct. 26, 2018 when he used a cell phone to call Booker’s Camden office and on multiple occasions referenced putting a 9mm gun in the face of the senator, authorities said. Simmons also used several racial slurs in the message, authorities said.

“I’m just doin’ my guns a blazin’ pal. I got a nine millimeter I’ll put in your (expletive) face, you (expletive). You wanna, you wanna challenge me?,” Simmons said, according to a copy of the indictment.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Louisville is renaming its airport after Muhammad Ali

Louisville city officials announced Wednesday that Louisville International Airport will be renamed after the boxer and humanitarian often called "the Greatest."

The new name: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

"Muhammad Ali belonged to the world, but he only had one hometown, and fortunately, that is our great city of Louisville," Mayor Greg Fischer said. "Muhammad became one of the most well-known people to ever walk the Earth and has left a legacy of humanitarianism and athleticism that has inspired billions of people.

"It is important that we, as a city, further champion The Champ's legacy," Fischer continued. "And the airport renaming is a wonderful next step."

The Louisville Regional Airport Authority board approved Fischer's motion that the airport be renamed. But the SDF code will not change, officials said.

Read more: Louisville is renaming its airport after Muhammad Ali

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Elizabeth A. Thomas is missing

Police in Fayetteville North Carolina are asking for the public's help to locate a missing woman who was last seen in December, authorities said.

Elizabeth A. Thomas, 37, was reported missing on Jan. 9, according to a statement by Fayetteville police. She was last seen on Dec. 26 in the 500 block of North McPherson Church Road.

Investigators said she is 5-feet-3-inches tall, weighs 130 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts was asked to call 911 or contact.

Rep. Jim Clyburn says shutdown looks like it will continue

South Carolina Congressional Democrat Jim Clyburn, S.C. 6th, is calling for an end to the government shutdown and said it's unfair to federal workers in the state.

As House Majority Whip, Clyburn said it's been frustrating debating the border wall with the President for more than a year.

“We give him another $1.6 billion for his wall, and he rejected. And, a year or so ago, we gave him $25 billion in exchange for taking care of the DREAMERs, he rejected that,” Clyburn said.

As the partial government shutdown is in its 25th day, Clyburn said he's frustrated for federal workers like one federal prison employee in Hampton County.

“She has three children, she's a single mom. And, she's going to work every day trying to protect society, against, in many instances, hardened criminals. But, she's not being paid. There's something about that, that's not right,” Clyburn said.

“We're not going to end this fight until we get more border security, and that's not an unreasonable request,” Graham said at the event.

Majority Whip Clyburn said Democrats support border security, but not the President's border wall.

And when it came to the shutdown ending, Clyburn was not optimistic.

“I live by our state's motto 'As I breathe, I hope.' So, I am hopeful something can be done and done quickly. Do I see it? No, I don't see it at the moment,” Clyburn said.

[SOURCE: WLTX]

Monday, January 14, 2019

Rep. Bobby Rush introducing a resolution censuring Steve King

Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) released the following statement announcing that he will be introducing a resolution to formally censure U.S. Representative Steve King (R-Iowa) for his pattern of racist and xenophobic statements:

“Steve King’s pattern of despicable comments harken back to the dark days of American history where his rabid, racist remarks would have been acceptable to a significant portion of our nation. This must come to a screeching halt right now. The U.S. Congress cannot be a platform for Steve King and those of his ilk. From Charleston to Charlottesville to Chicago to California, there is no home for this behavior, especially the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

“He has become too comfortable with proudly insulting, disrespecting, and denigrating people of color. As with any animal that is rabid, Steve King should be set aside and isolated. His rabid racism continues to stain and embarrass this body and the years of deliberate silence from Republicans have only emboldened his ignorant and immoral behavior and empowered those who emulate him.

“Republicans, in the interest of political expediency, sought his endorsement, ignored his racist remarks, and continued to elevate him to positions of influence. Only now that his behavior is well known to those outside the beltway and tainted him politically, do they vigorously denounce him. Knowing this, no reasonable person should take their tweets, statements, and op-eds seriously. I call on Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to withhold from Steve King the privilege of serving on any committee until he apologizes for his racism.

“My resolution to censure Representative King sends a clear message to the American people — this Congress will not turn a blind eye to his repugnant and racist behavior. Anything short of censure would be shallow.

Text of resolution subject to change:

Rush Responds to Steve King... by on Scribd