October 27, 2017


News and Views


I USUALLY RESERVE THIS SPOT IN THE BLOG FOR THE MOST “IMPORTANT,” BUT THIS TIME I GAVE IT TO THE MOST HORRIFIC. IF YOUR STOMACH FEELS A LITTLE “IFFY,” DON’T READ IT.

ONE OR BOTH OF THESE PEOPLE HAD SOME “PULL” LOCALLY, I FEEL SURE. THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS BIZARRE AND WHY IN HEAVEN’S NAME WASN’T THIS REPORTED IMMEDIATELY AND THE PEOPLE ARRESTED? THE MAN LOOKS TO BE MIDDLE EASTERN, GENEALOGY SITES GIVE THE NAME BEING AS SOMETIMES CHRISTIAN AND SOMETIMES JEWISH.

THE COUPLE WERE ON AMPHETAMINES AND MAY VERY LIKELY BE MENTALLY DERANGED, BUT THE RESULT HERE IS PURE EVIL. I HOPE THEY BOTH GET LIFE. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CASES THAT MAKES ME SAY THAT EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO HAVE A BABY SHOULD GET A MENTAL EXAM AND A LICENSE BEFORE THEY CAN PROCEED.

NO, I’M NOT QUITE SERIOUS, BECAUSE THERE WAS A WIDESPREAD MOVEMENT FROM THE 1800S TO THE MID 1900S IN THE USA AND OTHER PLACES WORLDWIDE OF EUGENICS AS BEING A VERY POSITIVE THING, AND SOME STATES IN THE USA NOT ONLY ALLOWED IT, BUT MANDATED IT. ONE OF MY HEROES, CHARLES DARWIN WAS IN FAVOR OF EUGENICS, OR AT LEAST HAD A SERIOUS INTEREST IN IT, AND OF COURSE HITLER WAS DOWNRIGHT IN LOVE WITH IT.

I HATE INVOLUNTARY STERILIZATION MORE THAN I DO RUNNING A RISK OF A HORRIFIC SITUATION LIKE THIS OCCURRING, HOWEVER. THINGS LIKE THIS DON’T HAPPEN FREQUENTLY, I DON’T THINK. A MANDATORY LIFE IMPRISONMENT WITH HARD LABOR WITHOUT PAROLE WOULD BE REASONABLE. OR, IF THEY ARE DETERMINED BY A PSYCHIATRIST TO BE PSYCHOTIC, PERHAPS LIFE IN A LOCKED MENTAL WORD WITH THORAZINE. THEY BOTH HAVE THE TINIEST LITTLE BIT OF A SMILE ON THEIR FACES.

ALTA VISTA, Iowa – Neighbors of the little boy found dead in a baby swing say they heard about his August death but that details were "hush hush," reports CBS affiliate KIMT.

According to court documents, Zachary Koehn, 28, called 911 on the morning of August 30 requesting an ambulance. Koehn told the dispatcher that his girlfriend, Cheyanne Harris, 20, had fed 4-month-old Sterling at 9 a.m., and he was fine. He then said she checked on the boy again at 11 or 11:30 a.m and he had died.

But a medical examiner's report disputes Koehn's account, finding that Sterling's body had maggots in various states of development on his clothing and skin, indicating that the child hadn't had a diaper change or been removed from the powered swing in the apartment in over a week. He weighed less than seven pounds at the time of his autopsy.

"The facts of this case go far beyond neglect and show circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life," reads the criminal complaint.

The Des Moines Register reports that Sterling's body was found in a bedroom separate from the one the couple and an older child slept in. According to the Chickasaw County Sheriff's Office, the older child is "safe."

The newspaper also reports that court records state Koehn and Harris have a history of methamphetamine use, but no run-ins with local law enforcement or criminal convictions in the state of Iowa.

Neighbor Misty Bergmann told KIMT that she heard about baby Sterling's death in August but no one seemed to have details.

"We kind of heard right away that something had happened over there but everything was real hush-hush," Bergmann said.

Koehn and Harris have both been charged with murder and child endangerment resulting in death. They are both being held on $100,000 cash-only bond.

Chickasaw County Sheriff's Office told CBS News' Crimesider they were unable to provide information about why it took nearly two months for charges to be brought against the couple.

© 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.



I WONDER WHAT OTHER COMPANIES THEY RESEARCHED FOR THIS CONTRACT? I HAVE MY DOUBTS THAT A FEW HUNDRED WORKERS IN WHAT AMOUNTS TO A START-UP WILL BE ABLE TO DO THE JOB IN A TIMELY MANNER, OR EVEN CORRECTLY.

THEN THERE ARE THE TRUMPIAN LIES: “BUT THE CONTRACT SAYS THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) "REVIEWED AND APPROVED" THE AGREEMENT. ON FRIDAY, FEMA SAID IT WAS "NOT INVOLVED" AND ANY LANGUAGE THAT SAYS IT WAS "IS INACCURATE." LOVE THAT WORD, “INACCURATE.”

THEN THE REPORT SAYS, "THIS WAS A CONTRACT THAT WAS DETERMINED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN PUERTO RICO," WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS SAID.” THIS IS FOLLOWED IN THE NEXT PARAGRAPH OR SO BY THE STATEMENT THAT “CRUZ BELIEVES THE DEAL WITH WHITEFISH ENERGY SHOULD BE VOIDED. SHE DESCRIBED THE COMPANY AS "INADEQUATE" AND ASKED FOR TRANSPARENCY.” AND FINALLY, “IN A STATEMENT, ZINKE SAID HE HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CONTRACT AND HE WELCOMES ALL INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ALLEGATIONS.”

THIS IS NOT MERELY MORE TRUMP BILGEWATER, IT IS AN INDICATION OF HOW HONEST HIS BUSINESS DEALINGS ARE, AND THAT HIS FRIENDS ARE VERY SIMILAR ETHICALLY AS WELL. PONDER THIS DEFINITION, AND SEE IF YOU THINK IT MAY APPLY:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickback_(bribery), “This article is about the form of bribery. For other uses, see Kickback (disambiguation).

A kickback is a form of negotiated bribery in which a commission is paid to the bribe-taker in exchange for services rendered. Generally speaking, the remuneration (money, goods, or services handed over) is negotiated ahead of time. The kickback varies from other kinds of bribes in that there is implied collusion between agents of the two parties, rather than one party extorting the bribe from the other.[1] The purpose of the kickback is usually to encourage the other party to cooperate in the illegal scheme.[2]

The term "kickback" comes from colloquial English language, and describes the way a recipient of illegal gain "kicks back" a portion of it to another person for that person's assistance in obtaining it.[3]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whitefish-energy-headquarters-montana-contract-puerto-rico/
CBS NEWS October 27, 2017, 6:57 PM
Visiting the remote headquarters of Whitefish Energy, recipient of controversial contract

Photograph -- One of Whitefish Energy's top investors has donated to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz -- and President Trump. CBS NEWS

The Trump administration denied Friday that political connections had anything to do with restoring electrical connections in Puerto Rico.

A contract worth $300 million was awarded to a tiny company called Whitefish Energy in Whitefish, Montana, hometown of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Zinke said Friday he had nothing to do with the contract.

White House disavows Puerto Rico contract with Whitefish Energy

CBS News correspondent David Begnaud set out Friday to find the headquarters of the company -- somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Nestled down a long gravel driveway in Whitefish is a one-story wooden house that is the home of Whitefish Energy.

begnaud-whitefish-contract-2017-10-27.jpg
The headquarters of Whitefish Energy in Montana. CBS NEWS

This tiny energy company has only two full-time employees, and surprised many when it received a $300 million no-bid contract to help rebuild Puerto Rico's electrical grid. Whitefish has never worked on a project of this size.

Whitefish CEO Andy Techmanski says his company has 300 workers on the ground in Puerto Rico working to fix a crippled electrical system. A month after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, 75 percent of the island is still without power.

The controversy over the no-bid contract set off a Twitter feud between the mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz, and the company.

Cruz believes the deal with Whitefish Energy should be voided. She described the company as "inadequate" and asked for transparency.

begnaud-whitefish-contract-2-2017-10-27.jpg
An image provided by Whitefish Energy. CBS NEWS

Whitefish hit back by threatening to leave, writing, "We've got 44 linemen rebuilding power lines in your city & 40 more men just arrived. Do you want us to send them back or keep working?" The company later apologized.

As CBS News was leaving headquarters for Whitefish Energy, a van showed up and blocked the street, and now the driver is speaking with the sheriff. Whitefish released a statement that said they were proud of work they are doing and will cooperate with Congress.

Lawmakers and federal officials are calling for investigations to determine how and why Puerto Rico's bankrupt government utility awarded Whitefish the lucrative deal, CBS News' Julianna Goldman reports from Washington.

More red flags as federal officials call for investigation into Whitefish deal
Play VIDEO
More red flags as federal officials call for investigation into Whitefish deal

"This was a contract that was determined by the local authorities in Puerto Rico," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. Sanders on Friday distanced President Trump from the $300 million dollar contract, even as Mr. Trump addressed the controversy with Zinke during a previously scheduled closed-door meeting.

"He did ask Secretary Zinke just for clarification purposes and he reiterated once again that we no role -- the federal government -- and specifically he had no role in that contract," Sanders said.

But the contract says the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) "reviewed and approved" the agreement. On Friday, FEMA said it was "not involved" and any language that says it was "is inaccurate."

The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general will perform an audit. But there's one aspect of the deal that appears to be off limits.

The contract says federal and state officials "don't have the right to review the cost and profit elements of the labor rates," like $462 dollars per hour for a subcontractor site supervisor, and time and a half for anyone working over 40 hours.

The inspector general will look "for the presence of any inappropriate relationships."

goldman-whitefish-contract-2017-10-27.jpg
One of Whitefish Energy's top investors has donated to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz -- and President Trump. CBS NEWS

In addition to Whitefish's connection to Zinke, one of the company's top investors has given tens of thousands of dollars to Republicans, including Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz -- and Mr. Trump.

In a statement, Zinke said he had absolutely nothing to do with the contract and he welcomes all investigations into the allegations. Late Friday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called on the contract to be "terminated immediately."

© 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.



I DON’T KNOW WHETHER THIS ARTICLE HELPED MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS OR CONFUSED ME MORE, BUT IT IS FULL OF INFORMATION. READ IT AND SEE IF YOU LIKE IT. THE IMPRESSION IT GIVES ME IS ONE OF VERY DIRTY POLITICKIN,’ AND FURTHER CONFIRMS MY VIEW THAT A BERNIE SANDERS LED PARTY WOULD BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT. I WANT A THIRD PARTY NOW! BOTH OF THESE POWER MONOLITHS ARE CORRUPT TO THE CORE.

https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/clinton-campaign-trump-dossier/
Republicans and Democrats helped fund infamous Trump dossier
OCTOBER 25, 2017, 9:12 AM| The now-infamous dossier detailing unconfirmed ties between President Trump and Russia was partly funded by the Hillary Clinton's campaign and the DNC, as well as anti-Trump Republicans during the 2016 presidential election. CBS News justice and homeland security correspondent Jeff Pegues has more.


https://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-free-beacon-funded-initial-fusion-gps-anti-trump-research-dossier/
By KATHRYN WATSON CBS NEWS October 27, 2017, 7:23 PM
Washington Free Beacon funded initial Fusion GPS anti-Trump research

The conservative website the Washington Free Beacon originally funded research by the firm Fusion GPS that eventually resulted in the now-infamous Trump "dossier," the publication's editor-in-chief and chairman acknowledged in a statement Friday night.

The research effort was known to have been supported by Republican allies before the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign picked up the tab for the research, but the original funder of the research was unknown until now. The resulting dossier was compiled by former British spy Michael Steele and contained unsubstantiated allegations about then-candidate Trump's connections to Russia. Mr. Trump has denied the allegations.

The Free Beacon's connection to the dossier was first reported by the Washington Examiner's Byron York Friday night.

The site began as a non-profit entity before becoming a for-profit enterprise several years ago. It has never disclosed its owners or financial backers, but the New York Times reports hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer provides a large amount of its funding. The site covers national security issues, politics, culture and media criticism, among other topics.

Trump continues to dismiss dossier that details explosive allegations
Play VIDEO
Trump continues to dismiss dossier that details explosive allegations

The Free Beacon says Steele was not involved in the research at the time of its involvement, and "none of the work product that the Free Beacon received appears in the Steele dossier." The Free Beacon also said it had no knowledge of the relationship between Fusion GPS and the DNC or Clinton campaign. The Free Beacon has retained third-party firms since its launch in 2012, the statement says.

In the statement, editor-in-chief Matthew Continetti and chairman Michael Goldfarb said that the publication retained Fusion GPS "to provide research on multiple candidates in the Republican presidential primary, just as we retained other firms to assist in our research into Hillary Clinton." The statement said representatives of his publication approached the House Intelligence Committee Friday and offered to answer questions.

"But to be clear: We stand by our reporting, and we do not apologize for our methods," Continetti and Goldfarb wrote.

Here is the full statement from the Free Beacon:

Since its launch in February of 2012, the Washington Free Beacon has retained third party firms to conduct research on many individuals and institutions of interest to us and our readers. In that capacity, during the 2016 election cycle we retained Fusion GPS to provide research on multiple candidates in the Republican presidential primary, just as we retained other firms to assist in our research into Hillary Clinton. All of the work that Fusion GPS provided to the Free Beacon was based on public sources, and none of the work product that the Free Beacon received appears in the Steele dossier. The Free Beacon had no knowledge of or connection to the Steele dossier, did not pay for the dossier, and never had contact with, knowledge of, or provided payment for any work performed by Christopher Steele. Nor did we have any knowledge of the relationship between Fusion GPS and the Democratic National Committee, Perkins Coie [An employment firm], and the Clinton campaign.

Representatives of the Free Beacon approached the House Intelligence Committee today and offered to answer what questions we can in their ongoing probe of Fusion GPS and the Steele dossier. But to be clear: We stand by our reporting, and we do not apologize for our methods. We consider it our duty to report verifiable information, not falsehoods or slander, and we believe that commitment has been well demonstrated by the quality of the journalism that we produce. The First Amendment guarantees our right to engage in news-gathering as we see fit, and we intend to continue doing just that as we have since the day we launched this project.

Matthew Continetti
Editor in Chief

Michael Goldfarb
Chairman

© 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Kathryn Watson
Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital.



FOND MEMORIES!!

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/on-the-road-charles-kuralt-steve-hartman-cbs-evening-news/
By STEVE HARTMAN CBS NEWS October 27, 2017, 6:54 PM
Remembering Charles Kuralt, legendary creator of "On the Road," as segment turns 50

DETROIT -- The "On the Road" motor home wasn't the fastest way to find a news story. But Charles Kuralt wasn't looking for fast, or even news, for that matter -- at least not in the traditional sense.

Kuralt was a different kind of journalist. He didn't investigate people. He simply admired them.

"On the Road" turns 50: Steve Hartman opens up about iconic segment

The legendary creator of "On the Road" died 20 years ago. But Kuralt's biggest fan -- Izzy Bleckman, his cameraman -- is alive and well.

kuralt.png
Charles Kuralt and crew. CBS NEWS

We invited Bleckman here to the Henry Ford Museum outside Detroit, where "On the Road" is celebrated year-round. The exhibit has been here for years, but this was his first time seeing it.

"Charles used to have a saying," Bleckman said. "He says, 'You're making my heart beat fast.'"

Bleckman was there for most of Kuralt's career -- the highs and the highers. But he says "On the Road" almost didn't get off the ground. Management wasn't thrilled with the idea at first "because they didn't see what he saw," Bleckman said.

"What I heard was that the telephones lit up pretty hard after that night when the first one was on," he added. "People said, 'It's about time we saw a little something else about America.'"

It was the beginning of one of the most successful segments in TV news history, which is why it saddens Bleckman that Kuralt's name is now fading from our collective conscience.

People are forgetting who started this.

I even asked a group of CBS News interns, "Who's heard of Charles Kuralt?" Way in the back, two people raised their hands -- one of them was my intern.

charles-kuralt-on-the-road-cbs-620.jpg
CBS News correspondent Charles Kuralt ... on the road. CBS NEWS

I asked Bleckman, "What is lost if America forgets who Kuralt is?" To which he responded, "Well, I don't think you're going to let them do that. That's your mission is to keep doing it and keep us in awe."

Fortunately, there is still plenty of awe left in America.

In fact, what strikes me today is the same thing that struck Kuralt -- that despite the negative headlines, the back roads connect up a country that still seems rather fine, even strong and enduring.

Yes, the motor home may be retired, but thanks to Bleckman and Kuralt, today there is still a vehicle for telling the stories we believe matter most.

To contact On the Road, or to send us a story idea, email us: OnTheRoad@cbsnews.com.

© 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.


THIS IS A FUN STORY FULL OF HUMAN INTEREST, AND NICE AND SHORT. TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jennifer-appel-tasha-fuiaba-tell-remarkable-story-of-survival-at-sea/
By ANTHONY MASON CBS NEWS October 27, 2017, 7:42 PM
Women rescued by U.S. Navy tell remarkable story of survival at sea

Photographs -- Two American women were rescued in the Pacific after being trapped at sea for months. CBS NEWS

Appel and Tasha Fuiaba set sail from Hawaii in May, bound for Tahiti. Their adventure took a dangerous turn when a storm swamped their engine and damaged their mast.

The 50-foot "Sea Nymph," now crippled, drifted thousands of miles off course. There were terrifying moments, including encounters with sharks.

Sheer joy after Navy rescues women stranded at sea for 147 days
Play VIDEO
Sheer joy after Navy rescues women stranded at sea for 147 days
"I went downstairs with the boys and we basically laid huddled on the floor, and I told them not to bark because the sharks could hear us breathing," Appel said.

They were running low on food -- and hope -- when help finally arrived.

"I honestly believed we were going to die within the next 24 hours," Appel said.

A Taiwanese fishing boat spotted the weary sailors 900 miles off Japan. Then the U.S. Navy swooped in and took them safely to shore.

© 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Anthony Mason
CBS News senior business and economics correspondent; Co-host, "CBS This Morning: Saturday"



I DON’T USUALLY SAY THINGS LIKE THIS, AND I SURELY DON’T MEAN TO HURT ANYONE’S FEELINGS, BUT I’M GETTING SICK OF THIS STORY. THERE’S VERY LITTLE TO IT. IT’S LIKE DREAM WHIP. IT’S WHITE AND PUFFY (THOUGH NOT AS SMOOTH AND PRETTY ON TOP AS WHIPPED CREAM), AND IT CERTAINLY IS CONVENIENT. HOWEVER, IT JUST DOESN’T TASTE LIKE WHIPPED CREAM! SO, GO TO THIS WEBSITE BELOW AND READ IT IF YOU WANT TO. IT’S THE LAST INSTALLMENT BETWEEN CAMP TRUMP AND REP WILSON.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/frederica-wilson-fbi-building-john-kelly-trump/
CBS NEWS October 20, 2017, 6:56 PM
Fact-checking the John Kelly-Frederica Wilson controversy