Month: August 2019

A 27-year-old Uber driver was convicted Thursday of raping an intoxicated woman, and will likely be deported back to his home country of Egypt.

Beto O’Rourke Calls for Mandatory Buybacks of ‘Assault Weapons,’ Nationwide Gun Licensing Program

Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke on Friday called for mandatory buybacks of so-called assault weapons, and a nationwide gun licensing program.

Commentary: The Difference Between Public Libraries and Public Schools

Plans for the Boston Public Library, the nation’s second-oldest public library, were approved in 1852, the same year Massachusetts passed the country’s first compulsory schooling law. Both public libraries and public schools are funded through taxation and both are “free” to access, but the similarities end there. The main difference between public libraries and public schools is the level of coercion and state power that public schooling wields.

AARP Endorses Scott’s Proposed Bill to Cut Prescription Drug Costs

A bill co-sponsored by Florida Sen. Rick Scott that would penalize pharmaceutical companies that have received federal research grants for charging “unreasonable prices” for prescription drugs has secured a key endorsement.

FEC Chief Supported Russia-NRA Campaign Finance Probe Based Solely on ‘Vague’ News Article

August 18, 2019August 17, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

The chairwoman of the Federal Election Commission said Friday she supported investigating possible Russian funding for the National Rifle Association based solely on an anonymously-sourced McClatchy article.

President Trump Calls Tlaib’s Flip-Flop on Israel Trip a ‘Complete Setup,’ Her Grandma Says ‘May God Ruin Him’

President Donald Trump has called Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-MI-13) request to visit Israel for family reasons a “complete setup” after the congresswoman almost immediately canceled the trip upon receiving permission to enter the country.

Oakland County Resignation Reversal Causes Drama in Executive Vote

August 17, 2019August 16, 2019 Jordyn Pair

A resignation reversal has caused a stir in the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.

Commentary: Immigration Has Made 14 Million Millennials Homeless

August 17, 2019August 16, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

Imagine a homeless man. Does he have a long, frazzled beard and unkempt hair? What do his clothes look like? Probably ratty and full of holes—moth nests in the pockets. Maybe he has a shopping cart full of cans and a mangy dog named “Rusty.”

Commentary: Each American Is $240,000 in Debt Because of Excessive Government Spending

As Americans, we are greatly indebted not only to the men and women who have fought and died for our country, but also to the thinkers, statesmen, innovators, and ordinary people who gave us our founding principles.

Maryland to Implement LGBTQ Content in Public Schools’ Curricula

Maryland public school history teachers will add LGBTQ content to high school curricula during the coming years, a lawmaker said.

IRS Analyst Who Allegedly Leaked Michael Cohen’s Bank Records to Avenatti Pleads Guilty

An IRS analyst pleaded guilty Wednesday to leaking former Trump attorney Michael Cohen’s confidential financial records in 2018 to Michael Avenatti, the embattled celebrity lawyer.

Number of Households on Food Stamps at Nine-Year Low

The number of households receiving federal benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, is at its lowest level in nine years, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers the program.

Trump Backs Bid Against New York City Gun Rules at Supreme Court

The Trump administration is backing a coalition of Second Amendment activists challenging New York City’s gun transportation regulations before the Supreme Court.

Dayton Shooter Had Drugs in His System When He Murdered 9 People, Coroner Says

August 17, 2019August 16, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

The man who shot and killed nine people in Dayton, Ohio, on Aug. 4 had cocaine, alcohol and anti-anxiety medication in his system when he opened fire on a crowded street, according to the Montgomery County coroner.

Movies to Watch This Weekend

Twelve-year-old best friends Max (Jacob Tremblay), Lucas (Keith L. Williams) and Thor (Brady Noon) are getting ready to participate in their first “kissing party,” but the problem is that none of them know how to kiss girls. When they can’t find a way to learn, Max decides to use his father’s drone to spy on teenage girls next door. However, plans don’t go according to plan when he loses the drone. Thus, the group of friends come up with an idea to get the drone back.

Miss Iraq Says Ilhan Omar Exporting ‘Muslim Brotherhood Agenda’ to America

August 17, 2019May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Former Miss Iraq Sarah Idan, who recently immigrated to the U.S. and lives in California, is speaking out against Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05).

Tlaib Announces She Won’t Travel to Israel, Despite Requesting and Receiving Permission to Visit Relative

August 17, 2019August 16, 2019 Jordyn Pair

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) said she has ultimately decided to not visit Israel or Palestine, despite being given permission to do so from the Israeli government.

Michigan Teacher Says Public Schools ‘Worse Than Ever,’ Dominated by ‘Outrage Culture’

August 16, 2019May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Lawrence M. Ludlow, who holds a master’s degree in Medieval Studies and has taught in the Detroit and Gross Pointe areas, recently wrote an article on his experience of returning to the classroom.

ICE Arrests Ten in Munising, Including Man Previously Convicted on Narcotics

August 16, 2019August 15, 2019 Jordyn Pair

Ten individuals illegally in the United States were arrested during a traffic stop in the Upper Peninsula this week. Four of individuals had been previously deported, including one who had been previously convicted on narcotics charges in two states.

Nessel Joins Lawsuit Targeting Rule Affecting Public Benefits for Immigrants

August 16, 2019August 15, 2019 Jordyn Pair

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 12 other state attorneys in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The lawsuit targets changes to a “public charge” rule affecting immigrants.

Commentary: Yes, Google Is Trying to Control the 2020 Election

August 16, 2019August 15, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

Our friend James O’Keefe and his team at Project Veritas have produced another bombshell Silicon Valley expose, this time with the help of Google whistleblower Zachary Vorhies.

Lee Beaman Commentary: The Case for a Strong National Defense

A strong national defense contributes to our own national security, but it also provides stability to the entire world.

Schumer Tells Trump to Spend Border Wall Funds Fighting Domestic Terrorism

Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told President Donald Trump in a written letter Wednesday to spend his requested $5 billion for a border wall on efforts to combat domestic terrorism.

American Flags Lowered to Half-Staff On Epstein’s ‘Pedophile Island’

American flags on accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands were lowered to half-staff following his death.

Commentary: The Tea Party Is More Vibrant and Essential Than Ever

Rand Paul is mistaken.

Gunman Captured After Wounding Six Philadelphia Officers

Police in the U.S. city of Philadelphia arrested a suspect early Thursday after an hours-long standoff that left six officers with gunshot injuries that were not life-threatening.

More Than 600 Google Employees Won’t Be ‘Complicit’ in Working With CBP

More than 600 Google employees said they “refuse” to be “complicit” in potential cloud computing work for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), according to a petition.

Trump Jumps on Reports of Israel Banning Reps. Omar And Tlaib: ‘They Hate … All Jewish People’

August 16, 2019August 16, 2019 Abigail Nobel

President Donald Trump weighed in Thursday after reports that Israel planned to ban Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan from entering the country for a trip scheduled to start Friday.

President Trump Appoints Tom Leonard US Attorney

President Trump nominated former Michigan Speaker Tom Leonard (R-Dewitt) as U.S. Attorney on Wednesday in his announcement of appointments for various federal offices.

Rashida Tlaib And Ilhan Omar’s Botched Israel Trip Was Sponsored By Terror-Linked Organization

August 16, 2019May 21, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

Rashida Tlaib’s and Ilhan Omar’s cancelled trip to Israel was sponsored by a Palestinian-based organization whose members have expressed sympathy for terrorist activities and support the BDS movement.

Actor John Ratzenberger Says Death of Shop Class Forces Americans to Rely on Government

August 16, 2019May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Actor John Ratzenberger, who recently launched a firm to help American companies connect with customers, described the death of shop classes during a Wednesday interview on Fox News.

ICE Protest Turns Chaotic After Truck Plows Through Crowd, Pepper Spray Used

August 16, 2019May 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A protest outside a prison that works with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) turned chaotic after a truck drove into the crowd, and officers were forced to use pepper spray on demonstrators.

Omar and Tlaib Barred from Traveling to Israel for Support of BDS

The Israeli government has barred Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) from traveling to the country due to their “suspected provocations and promotion of BDS.”

Advocacy Group ‘Voters Not Politicians’ Files Motion in Lawsuit Against Redistricting Commission

August 15, 2019August 14, 2019 Jordyn Pair

The advocacy group Voters Not Politicians recently filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit aimed at dismantling Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Whitmer Calls for Arbulu Resignation, Bans Him from Cabinet Meetings

August 15, 2019August 14, 2019 Jordyn Pair

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has called for the resignation of Michigan Department of Civil Rights Director Agustin Arbulu in a letter to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission on Wednesday, according to a report by MLive.

Commentary: Only Bold Proposals Can Displace Globalism

August 15, 2019August 14, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

Small-ball, targeted policies, and subtle tweaks will not suffice.

Trump Official: US Ready to Seal Trade Deal with Britain Post-Brexit

White House enthusiasm for a trade deal with the United Kingdom is palpable.

Two Illegal Aliens Allegedly Rape 11-Year-Old on Multiple Occasions

August 15, 2019August 14, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

Two illegal immigrants have been charged with second-degree rape of the same 11-year-old girl in Maryland.

Rhode Island Students Do Their Homework, Sue State Over Lack of Civics Education

A group of Rhode Island students who have done out-of-class homework are trying to get the court system to rule they have a right to receive a well-rounded education that includes civics.

Commentary: Democrats Labeling the President and His Supporters as White Supremacists Is Dangerous

Leading Democrats for the presidential nomination have apparently decided that their path to victory in the wake of the El Paso and Dayton mass shootings lays with demonizing President Donald Trump and his supporters as white supremacists and racists.

US Deploys Surge of Doctors to Tend to Illegal Immigrants

A substantial increase in medical and humanitarian care has followed the surge of illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexican border, according to Department of Homeland Security statistics.

Six Police Officers Shot In Philadelphia

Six police officers were shot in an active shooter situation in the Tioga-Nicetown section of Philadelphia Wednesday, officials said.

Judge Grants Order to Limit Anti-Government Protests at Hong Kong Airport

August 15, 2019August 14, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

The Hong Kong Airport Authority announced Wednesday that a judge granted an interim order to limit anti-government protests that crippled one of the world’s busiest air hubs for two days and sparked frantic clashes between demonstrators and riot police.

Here Are the Documents: Bruce Ohr Gave His Wife’s Fusion GPS Research to the FBI

Nellie Ohr kept tabs on dozens of Trump associates and Russian businessmen as part of her work for Fusion GPS, according to government documents released Wednesday.

Ocasio-Cortez’s Known Donors From Her Own District Are Nearly Non-Existent, FEC Records Show