[BALTIMORE.CBSLOCAL] Chaos erupted Tuesday at a Baltimore City Hall hearing for a proposed mandatory one-year sentence for possession of an illegal handgun.
It took just minutes for rising tensions to overflow.
Council members had issued several warnings to unruly attendees, but police were called to move in as activists clashed with council members, and people pushed back.
It ended with two arrests and a lot of upset people.
The Baltimore Police Department says a 29-year-old and a 27-year-old were locked away Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! and will face charges.
At least one person was injured as police pulled people from the room, and an ambulance was called to the scene. Police say the 27-year-old who was arrested complained of chest pains after being arrested. He has been transported to a local hospital for treatment.
After all of Tuesday’s events, council members voted through an amended gun bill by a 5-2 vote, moving it to the next round.
City officials say they’re trying to end the slow motion massacre on the streets of Baltimore by putting a gun law back on the books that says those found guilty of carrying an illegal gun will be given a mandatory year-long sentence.
"To say this is going to make a difference, I hope so," says councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke. "I hope it will, because we have the votes here."
Council member Brandon Scott, of the 2nd district, says he’s against the bill in any form.
"The amendments make the bill easier to stomach, it still doesn’t change the fact that I disagree with the bill in its entirety and its principles of mandatory minimums," he says.
One of the staunchest supporters of the bill says he’s not a fan of the amendments, but he was willing to compromise in order to get closer to the goal.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/28/2017 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[3 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Why not 'recommended minimums' instead of mandatory ones, so the courts don't HAVE to sentence innocent people like they do in NJ, for stuff like taking your firearm-containing luggage from baggage claim if your flight is diverted to Newark, or driving across the bridge from PA, even by mistake? (I know the answer - judges are afraid of being accused of racism if they exercise judgement so they don't want to have to.)
The current state of politics in America are not only dividing the nation but also splitting couples too.
Former Miami Dolphins cheerleader Lynn Aronberg and her husband Palm Beach County State Attorney, Dave Aronberg, have filed for divorce after less than two years of marriage in what is called the 'Trump Divorce.'
'Dave and Lynn Aronberg Sign Amicable Divorce Settlement Putting an End to What Some Were Calling The Trump Divorce,' a release from the law firm representing the wife.
The release details grievances between the couple that ultimately led to their demise.
Lynn Aronberg, 36, is said to be a 'staunch Republican and supporter of President Trump' and felt 'increasingly isolated in the marriage.'
[All Africa] First Lady has admitted that she and husband President Bob Muggsy Mugabe Octogenarian President-for-Life of Zim-bob-we who turned the former Breadbasket of Africa into the African Basket Case... have failed to discipline their two sons Robert (Junior) and Bellamine Chatunga who have become wild.
Speaking at her sister's (Junior Gumbochuma) birthday in Shamva over the weekend, Grace said sometimes parents are tempted through their children but, they should be patient with their offspring when they misbehave.
Grace also celebrated her birthday last Sunday.
Mugabe's sons have stolen media attention through their way-ward behaviour. The duo is suspected to be using drugs and having relationships with several women.
Grace claimed that it did not matter whom the children belonged to as it is common that youngsters can be naughty.
"Sometimes we are tempted through our children. Whether they are President's children or not young people are bound to be ill-disciplined at some point. These days most children are getting involved in uncalled for conduct.
"Even though the situation might sound so bad, all is not lost because you can still pick up the pieces and start afresh," Mugabe's wife said apparently referring to her sons.
She also claimed that demons were at play destroying children everywhere.
"We are experiencing serious problems in society as demons attack our children. Most of them are drinking alcohol excessively at a tender age, abusing drugs and engaging in other unnecessary behaviors.
"As parents, we should not give up on them because it is our responsibility to mould them," added Grace.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/28/2017 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Your only hope is a Christian or Jewish anti-communist.
A white one at that.
#6
Old quote about the Conquerors of Rome lacking any resistance to the vices of Civilization: "...they went from Barbarism to Decadence in a single generation."
[All Africa] The ruling Patriotic Front's expulsion of one of its founding members paves the way for President Lungu to be its presidential candidate. But they'd be wrong to think they've seen the end of Chishimba Kambwili.
Last week, Chishimba Kambwili MP, an ambitious firebrand ...firebrands are noted more for audio volume and the quantity of spittle generated than for any actual logic in their arguments... and possible presidential aspirant, was expelled from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), a party he had helped found 16 years previously.
PF Secretary-General Davies Mwila claimed that the Central Committee's 22 July decision to dismiss the former Information Minister followed his covert attempts to destabilise the party. He dared Kambwili not to challenge his dismissal in court but rather to test his popularity in a by-election.
At the time of publication, however, unconfirmed reports in the local press suggest Kambwili has begun a legal challenge. If he were to win, he would keep his parliamentary seat, either on the PF ticket or as an independent if he chose to resign from the party. If he were to lose, a by-election would be held within 90 days of the vacancy.
Before his dismissal, Kambwili, 48, had been a party stalwart. A former scrap metal dealer, he was a founding member of the PF in 2001 and one of party leader Michael Sata's close associates. In 2006, he was elected on a PF ticket as the MP for Roan, an urban constituency on the politically-important industrial Copperbelt. In recent years, he has cultivated a reputation for being outspoken, winning him considerable popularity in the urban centres of the capital Lusaka and on the Copperbelt.
Kambwili recently indicated that he would consider running for the presidency in 2021. President Edgar Lungu has also unexpectedly declared his intention to seek another term in office. It was likely the incumbent's ambitions that led to his former colleague's expulsion, though the president would be wrong to think the matter is now settled.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/28/2017 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under:
[AA.TR] Zim-bob-we’s First Lady Grace Mugabe Thursday openly challenged her 93-year old husband to name his successor.
Zim-bob-wean President Bob Muggsy Mugabe Octogenarian President-for-Life of Zim-bob-we who turned the former Breadbasket of Africa into the African Basket Case... last month was also challenged by War Veterans Minister Tshinga Dube to name his successor in order to "boost investor confidence".
But now, in a surprising turn of events, his wife, Grace, has brought back the subject, openly doing so while she addressed the meeting of the ruling party’s women wing at the party headquarters in the capital Harare.
"There is nothing wrong with President Mugabe naming his successor; the move will enable all members of the party to rally behind one candidate," the Zim-bob-wean First Lady said in her address to the Women’s League.
Two factions are battling to succeed Mugabe in his Zanu-PF party, one reportedly led by one of Mugabe’s deputies, Emerson Mnangagwa. The other one is also allegedly led by the country’s first lady.
For Mugabe, the first lady said, naming of his successor would not be a new phenomenon as "this has been a trend in other countries".
Meanwhile, ...back at the wine tasting, Vince was about to start on his third quart... she (Grace) called for the amendment of Article 7.1.b of the Zanu-PF constitution to restore the provision that stipulates that one of the two vice presidents and second secretary of the party shall be a woman.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/28/2017 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
Smith speaking about Mugabe's rise to power:
"Here's this chap, and he was speaking like a sophisticated, balanced, sensible man. I thought: if he practises what he preaches, then it will be fine. And for five or six months it was fine…"
#3
I expect to hear soon that she died after breaking her neck falling down stairs, or something... natural causes, as it were. Remember all of those Saudi princes that had solo car crashes out in the desert?
[AA.TR] Protests that could "affect" the controversial Constituent Assembly vote this weekend will be banned, the Venezuelan government announced Thursday.
"National meetings and demonstrations, concentrations of people and any similar acts that may disturb or affect the normal development of the electoral process are prohibited throughout the country," Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said at a news conference in Caracas.
Reverol said the measure would be applied from midnight Friday until Tuesday, Aug. 1.
Violators will be "punished with imprisonment for 5 to 10 years," Reverol warned.
The protest ban was issued on the second of a two-day national strike organized by the opposition in an attempt to thwart President Nicolas Maduro’s plans to elect a Constituent Assembly that would have the power to rewrite the Constitution.
Opposition parties have said the vote on the Constituent Assembly is a "fraud" to establish a "dictatorship" and planned massive marches in Caracas for Friday.
One congressman and opposition leader said the protest ban would not prevent Venezuelans from occupying the streets this weekend.
"The dictatorship says we can’t protest from tomorrow. So? Tomorrow we will no longer take the streets in Caracas but in all Venezuela!", Guevara wrote on Twitter, just minutes after Reverol’s speech.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/28/2017 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[7 views]
Top|| File under:
[PopularMechanics] A drone carrying a grenade infiltrated an ammunition dump in Ukraine, setting off an explosion that caused an astounding billion dollars worth of damage. The incident points to the growing use of drones in wartime, particularly off the shelf civilian products harnessed to conduct sabotage and other attacks. The image of a pencil vs. a pressurized pen comes to mind.
Ukraine's domestic intelligence service, the SBU, believes that a drone carrying a Russian thermite hand grenade caused a series of titanic explosions at Balakliya, a military base in Eastern Ukraine. Amateur video of the incident posted on YouTube shows a raging fire spewing out of control artillery rockets, and an explosion and shockwave that sent civilians nearby reeling.
One person was killed in the attack and five were injured.
The drone is believed to have carried a ZMG-1 thermite grenade. Thermite, a combination of iron oxide (rust) and aluminum powder. The stuff burns extremely hot and easily could have gotten through wooden crates to detonate the munitions inside. The ammo dump is just 60 miles from the Russian/Ukrainian border, where fighting recently took place.
According to PM contributor David Hambling writing at Scout Warrior, it's not the first time military bases in Ukraine have been hit by drones. A similar attempt to blow up the Balakliya base took place in December 2015, when drones dropped 14 grenades. The fires were extinguished by Ukrainian servicemen, and one grenade, a ZMG-1, was recovered. I'm also sort of curious if folks are learning from these incidents.
In October 2015, an attack on an ammunition depot at Svatovo destroyed 3,000 tons of explosives and damaged 1,700 nearby homes. Two other attacks on ammo dumps took place in February, and another facility was attacked in March.
Guerrilla groups, terrorists, and perhaps even governments worldwide have rapidly weaponized consumer drones, effectively turning hobbyist devices into lethal weapons capable of killing. In 2016, two French Special Forces soldiers were injured and two Kurdish fighters were killed by an exploding ISIS drone. ISIS has conducted numerous drone attacks during the Mosul campaign and terrorism experts fear weaponized drones could spread outside conflict zones.
Not mentioned in the article is that all upgraded T-72B2 and up have thermal imaging fire control systems.
[DefenceBlog] Russia’s Ministry of Defence has received into service a new batch of the improved T-72B3 main battle tanks.
That was reported by Russian tank manufacturer UralVagonZavod (UVZ) .
According to the UVZ,the Russian Army has received the next batch of upgraded T-72B3 main battle tanks (MBTs) with additional armor protection.
Modernization of the T-72B to the T-72B3 began in 2010 and this process also includes improving the tank’s firepower by installing a new fire control system; overhauling each of these old tanks and replacing their outdated engines.
The new version of T-72B3 is fitted with armour plates on each side at the front of the hull and wire cage armour at the rear part to increase protection of the engine compartment against RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) threats. The developers took into account the experience of fighting in Ukraine, Georgia and Syria.
According to armyrecognition.com, the armour of the turret is also upgraded with a new armour package including new generation of ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour) mounted on each side of the turret, while the rear part of the turret is fitted with wire cage armour similar to the system used to protect the rear part of the hull.
#4
The new ERA tank armor ( Kontakt-5 ) on the T-73B3 is also effective against sabot rounds supposedly -- not just shaped charges. Learn something interesting on the 'Burg.
#2
HERE is a report on the state of the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site. No major activity, but it is an active site and in a state of readiness or active maintenance.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/28/2017 13:30 Comments ||
Top||
#4
If the missile splashes down in Japanese water, isn't that all the excuse they need to shoot it down? Shoot them down and then see what Pudgy is willing to do about it. Better to confront him now than wait until he can put a nuclear warhead on a missile than can reach the US.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
07/28/2017 15:42 Comments ||
Top||
[Al Jazeera] Two women accused of poisoning the estranged half-brother of North Korea's ruler are expected to plead innocent when they appear in a Malaysian court on Friday, their lawyers said.
Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 29, from Vietnam are suspected of smearing Kim Jong-nam's face with the banned VX nerve agent at a crowded airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur on February 13.
The women, who face the death penalty if convicted, say they were duped into thinking they were playing a harmless prank for a hidden-camera show.
They are the only suspects in jug in a killing that South Korea's spy agency said was part of a five-year plot by North Korean leader Kim Pudge Jong-un ...the overweight, pouty-looking hereditary potentate of North Korea. Pudge appears to believe in his own divinity, but has yet to produce any loaves and fishes, so his subjects remain malnourished... to kill his half-brother.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/28/2017 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[6 views]
Top|| File under: Commies
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
The current state of politics in America are not only dividing the nation but also splitting couples too. 
[All Africa] First Lady has admitted that she and husband President 
[PopularMechanics] A drone carrying a grenade infiltrated an ammunition dump in Ukraine, setting off an explosion that caused an astounding billion dollars worth of damage. The incident points to the growing use of drones in wartime, particularly off the shelf civilian products harnessed to conduct sabotage and other attacks.
North Korea
