Thursday, January 31, 2019

More Progress With China Than With Democrats!

“On any given day some 2,000 individuals attempt to come into our Country illegally,” Vice President Mike Pence said today. Every day that our border remains unsecure is a gift for human traffickers, drug cartels, and gang members—and a loss for Americans who believe the rule of law shouldn’t disappear at our doorstep.

Watch President Donald J. Trump’s new video on border security.

‘Why are we fighting over this?’ asks Democrat 


Yesterday, Republicans and Democrats from both houses of Congress met to begin negotiating a deal to fix America’s broken border security. President Trump set a deadline of February 15 for Congress to reach a bipartisan agreement.

It shouldn’t be difficult. Both parties say they want border security, and the evidence is overwhelming that physical barriers must be a part of any solution. They not only cut down on illegal immigration, but they protect our brave law enforcement officers from having to confront dangerous smugglers and traffickers on American soil.

Outside of the far-left fringe, many Democrats actually agree. Recently, a number of lawmakers began to distance themselves from the abolish-ICE, open-borders activists: 
  • “Give Trump the money,” Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) says. “Why are we fighting over this?”
     
  • “There are gaps” along the border, Rep. Katie Hill (D-CA) explains. “For many of us, there’s not really doubt that some kind of physical barrier is necessary.”
     
  • “Where folks say we need additional barrier protections, I’m all for it,” Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) says.
     
  • “I will vote for efforts to secure our Southern border that are done in an effective and efficient way,” Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) tweets. “And if that includes additional physical barriers, then I would support that.”
     
The question is who will win—sensible Democrats who are accountable to their constituents, or Democratic leaders who are accountable to their fringe base?

Just this week, Border Patrol arrests MS-13 gang member and attempted murderer

MoreLargest fentanyl drug bust in history at border—enough to kill 50 million 

President Trump receives letter from China


Today in the Oval Office, a delegation led by Liu He, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, met with President Trump and senior Administration officials to discuss a new trade deal between the two global powers.

The delegation read a letter to President Trump from Chinese President Xi Jinping. “I hope our two sides will continue to work with mutual respect,” President Xi wrote, reaffirming that both leaders continue to maintain a close working relationship.

“That’s a beautiful letter,” President Trump said. For the past two days, high-ranking officials from the United States and China have participated in intense and productive negotiations in Washington. The Trump Administration is focused on reaching meaningful commitments on structural issues and deficit reduction.

Statement of the United States regarding trade talks with China

Photo of the Day

Official White House Photo by Tia Dufour 
President Donald J. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet members, welcomes Chinese Vice Premier Liu He to the Oval Office | January 31, 2019

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

The People Want It And The Nation Needs It!

Last week, President Donald J. Trump made an appeal for bipartisanship to solve America’s immigration crisis. The reason is simple: Ordinary Americans across the political spectrum want to see illegal immigration addressed. The people fighting hardest to preserve the horrible status quo are entrenched interests in Washington. 

This time must be different. President Trump has given Congress 3 weeks to reach a deal that secures our border while protecting the most vulnerable communities. Public opinion polls back the President up: 
  • A recent ABC/Washington Post poll shows that most Americans believe the Government is doing “too little” to stop illegal immigration—including 4 in 5 Republicans, more than a third of Democrats, and a majority of independents. 
     
  • Echoing that theme, a Gallup poll last month revealed that Americans view immigration as the second-biggest problem facing the country today.
     
  • A 2018 POLITICO/Morning Consult poll confirms a majority of voters disagree with Democrats’ proposal to eliminate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement entirely. Not even a majority of Democratic voters agree.
     
  • Gallup polls from 2018 show that a majority of Americans personally worry about illegal immigration a “great deal” or a “fair amount.” More Americans oppose than support “sanctuary cities” that skirt Federal immigration laws, as well.
     
If Americans of all stripes call for safe and secure borders as part of common-sense immigration reform, why not give law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively? That shouldn’t be controversial. Congress needs to put the concerns of American voters before those of special and political interests.

There is some good news, however: A growing number of Democrats understand that obstructing immigration reform would put them at odds with ordinary Americans. In recent weeks, they’ve broken rank with Democratic leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and have backed border security.

“Certainly you need barriers, and we support barriers,” Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) explains. Ditto Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA): “Where folks say we need additional barrier protections, I’m all for it.”

Democrats who put sensible solutions above obstructionist politics should be applauded. Those who don’t need to listen to voters—not their donors or party bosses.

Something to share: Border security will put human traffickers out of business.

Former DHS special agent: “We Need to Build the Wall for the Children”

President Trump calls Venezuela’s interim President


President Trump last week officially recognized Juan Guaido, President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, as the country’s Interim President.

More than 3 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015. The United Nations estimates that number may swell to more than 5.3 million by the end of 2019. The United States is standing with Venezuelans as they demand democracy, human rights, and prosperity—all things denied to them by the corrupt Maduro regime and its authoritarian predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

President Trump spoke with Interim President Guaido today, congratulating him on his historic assumption of the presidency and reaffirming American support for Venezuela’s fight to regain its democracy.

“The fight for freedom has begun!,” President Trump tweets.

Vice President Pence: “Venezuela, America Stands With You”

Photo of the Day

Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers listen to President Donald J. Trump give remarks during his visit near the U.S. Border Patrol McAllen Station in McAllen, Texas | January 10, 2019

Congress MUST Reject Anti-Semitism NOW!

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) strongly praises the Resolution introduced in the US House of Representatives by Representative Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Co-Chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, joined by Representatives Ted Budd (R-NC) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), rejecting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic hatred in the United States and around the world, unfortunately including anti-Semitism by some members of Congress.

This resolution is timed to be considered as the world prepares to observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27, 2019) and should pass the House with a massive bi-partisan majority. Only last week, the House voted in a bi-partisan way to reject White Supremacy, and this Resolution must be passed in the same way to make the moral position of the House absolutely clear.
ZOA President Morton Klein said: “…Inclusion of the indefensible quotes by the two Congresswomen is needed for the House to maintain its moral balance. ZOA has forcefully condemned the free pass given so far…. It is time to state the truth about them. They are anti-Israel and anti-Jewish extremists. Congress itself will be morally stained if they do not collectively act.”

The Resolution focuses on quotes by Minister Louis Farrakhan, Tamika Mallory, Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and BDS activists, each of which is reprehensible and indefensible. It also mentions anti-Semitism from right-wing hate-mongers. Finally, after the long list of quotes by these vicious haters, and an explanation of the link between the haters and the BDS movement, the Resolution states: “…that the House of Representatives rejects anti-Israel and anti-Semitic hatred in the United States and around the world.”

ZOA National President Morton Klein said: “This is a very important House Resolution. In particular, the inclusion of the indefensible quotes by the two Congresswomen is needed for the House to maintain its moral balance. ZOA has forcefully condemned the free pass given so far to these Congresswomen (see https://zoa.org/2019/01/10386532-zoa-why-are-democrats-not-condemning-anti-israel-reps-tlaib-omar-ocasio-cortez/). The anti-Semitism of Louis Farrakhan is well known, but members of Congress continue to meet with him without consequences. It is time to state the truth about these two Congresswomen. They are anti-Israel and anti-Jewish extremists. Congress itself will be morally stained if they do not collectively act. This is why the Resolution of Rep. Zeldin, Budd, and Stefanik is so important.

“On her first day in office, Rep. Tlaib posted a “correction” to the world map in her congressional office, marking Israel as ‘Palestine.’ The Congresswomen effectively indicated her support for the Palestinian Arab objective of eliminating the Jewish state of Israel. In August last year, she told Haaretz, ‘It has to be one state. Separate but equal does not work. I’m only 42-years old, but my teachers were of that generation that marched with Martin Luther King. This whole idea of a two-state solution – it doesn’t work.’ In other words, there is no room for an independent Jewish state, only one dominated by Arabs. Martin Luther King, meanwhile, was a principled and unambiguous supporter of Zionism and Israel. For her to associate Dr. King’s name with her illiberal and vicious anti-Semitic political views is an utter disgrace. In that same interview with Haaretz, Tlaib called Israel a ‘racist country’ on the basis of the lie that Israel discriminates against those who are ‘darker skinned.’ She has also stated that Israel does not observe human rights and does not deserve US aid. She covertly supports BDS, the racist idea that Israel is uniquely evil and must be boycotted until it disappears from the world map. Only last week, Rep. Tlaib met with a fellow extremist seeking Israel’s destruction, Abbas Hamideh, founder of Al-Awda – The Palestine Right of Return Coalition, who also openly calls for Israel’s destruction, calls the Jewish state ‘the illegal terrorist entity of Israel,’ routinely refers to ‘Criminal Zionism’ and attacks Muslim moderates. Rep. 

Tlaib also identifies with Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority, a hostile, anti-American regime that has named schools and streets after terrorists and has provided stipends to the families of deceased terrorists in proportion to the amount of Jewish blood they have shed. PA-controlled media, mosques, schools, and camps are suffused with the glorification of terrorism and incitement to hatred and murder as children are educated to aspire to murdering Jews as a national and religious duty. PA terrorism, meanwhile, has claimed the lives of US citizens.

“Rep. Ilhan Omar is equally extreme and hateful in her anti-Semitic, anti-Israel remarks and acts. She has labeled Israel as ‘hypnotizing the world’, called Israel an ‘apartheid’ state, damned it as guilty of ‘evil’ acts, and hoped ‘Allah’ would expose Israel, and is the first open Congressional supporter of BDS, as she confirmed after being elected, having previously fudged the issue of her support. She calls Israel guilty of ‘evil doings’ and speaks in anti-Semitic terms of Israel having ‘hypnotized’ the world and of the ‘apartheid Israeli regime.’ Each of these quotes is included in the Resolution, but Rep. Omar made it worse when she claimed that she not ‘know how my comments would be offensive to Jewish Americans.’”

ZOA strongly urges the House of Representatives to pass this resolution.

SHOCKER: VA Governor Defends Letting Infants Die!



On 1/30/2019, on WTOP’s Ask The Governor, VA Democrat Governor Ralph Northam defended the VA Dem’s 40-week abortion bill saying, “If a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.”
This is a new and ghoulishly chilling turn in the Democrats' war on unborn babies: Letting the baby come out of the womb and then decided if the baby would live or die depending on what "the mother and family desired."
Governor Northam should step down. Promptly.


VIDEO: Even Philly's Rats LOVE Soft Pretzels!



And when Philly's rats are not eating soft pretzels, they're eating cheesesteaks. They know how to live! 

'Incorrupt' Heart Of Saint Travels To Philly


The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is pleased to announce the presentation of the relic of the incorrupt heart of Saint John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. The Shrine of Ars, France, in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus, has organized a national tour of this relic in the United States from November 2018 through early June 2019.

The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul will present the relic of Saint John Vianney’s incorrupt heart during the weekend of February 2-3 with opportunities for prayer and veneration. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation will also be available in addition to the celebration of Mass.

Saturday, February 2, 2019
2:00 p.m.  Solemn Reception of the Relic of Saint John Vianney 
Public veneration of the relic until 5:00 p.m.
4:15 p.m.  Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation 
5:15 p.m.  Anticipated Mass for Sunday 
Public veneration of the relic until 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 3, 2019
8:00 a.m.  Mass
9:00 a.m.  Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
9:30 a.m.  Mass
11:00 a.m.  Solemn Mass
12:15 p.m.  Sacrament of Baptism
12:30 p.m.  Mass in Spanish in the Cathedral Chapel
5:30 p.m.  Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
6:30 p.m.  Solemn Mass
Conclusion of the veneration of the relic

Saint John Vianney, also known as Saint Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney and  “Curé d’Ars,”  was a French priest who exercised great charity.  Known for his humility, he was beatified in 1905 and canonized in 1925. In 1929, Pope Pius XI declared him patron saint of parish priests. His feast day is August 4.

Note:  For more information about Saint John Vianney and the relic tour, please visit  www.kofc.org/vianney . For additional information about the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, please visit  http://cathedralphila.org/ .

One Of The Best Explanations Offered So Far!



Were you shocked at the results of the 2016 American presidential election? 
Most people were, but Stephen Harper was not one of them. 
Here, the former Prime Minister of Canada explains the trends that foreshadowed Trump’s victory and left many political elites looking wildly out of touch.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Dan Cirucci Blog Reaches A Great, New Milestone!


The Dan Cirucci Blog has now reached another incredible milestone. We've now surpassed THREE MILLION page views. Thank you for coming back day after day. We're gratified by your continued support!

Conservative Millennials? Here's One Among Many!





Watch The Advocates as Dan Cirucci chats with Josh Aminov (right, above) Chair of the Rider University chapter of Turning Point USA, a nationwide organization of college students who are systematically battling the liberal bias on campuses everywhere. Josh talks about what he and other Turning Point members have accomplished at Rider, his own political views, the responsibility he feels as the grandson of immigrants and his plans for the future. An enlightening chat with a thoughtful, dedicated young patriot. Don't miss this!



Nah! We're Not Even Gonna Mention Her Name!

So, a New Jersey State Senator (photo, left) who's been quite successful as a Republican is jumping ship.
She's switching to the GOP where she says she'll be more comfortable.
We can't help but think that the  move is coldly (almost clinically) calculated.
And we suspect that the launch of her political career as a Republican many years ago was guided by the same sense of detached expediency. She was a Republican then since the Republicans controlled her county and that's what most of the people around her were.
She's decided to be a Democrat now because the Democrats have gained control of the same county. She's lucky they're welcoming her but apparently those wheels were already well-greased.
So, she's likely cut a cozy deal with her "new" party.
We say "new" because the party she's embracing increasingly peddles one of the oldest shell games imaginable -- aka socialism. But, as far as we can tell, ideology means little to her. So what if she sits with those who endorse wide open borders, abortion on demand (up to and including the ninth month), rampant budget-busting giveaways and runaway income distribution -- just to name a few? So what?
Or, as another calculating Democrat once said: What difference at this point does it make?

President Trump Slaps new Sanctions On Venezuela

“The Trump administration stepped up its pressure campaign on Venezuela’s socialist president Monday, hitting the country’s state-owned oil company with sanctions and calling on other nations to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim president,” Dave Boyer reports for The Washington Times.
 
“The United States is holding accountable those responsible for Venezuela’s tragic decline,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.
 
Click here to continue reading.
In the Washington Examiner, Anna Giaritelli reports that U.S. Border Patrol officials seized bags full of rifles, handguns, and ammunition found near the southern border last week. “An unnamed citizen called the agency after seeing a group of suspected illegal immigrants carrying large bags on nearby land Friday. The area is about 25 miles east of the international border.” 
In the Indianapolis Business Journal, Brad Rateike writes that after meeting with the women and men of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, it becomes clear that the crisis at our southern border is all too real. “In the coming weeks, we’ll continue to hear the president and Congress discuss next steps for border security. Whatever those may be, rest assured that after my trip there, I know firsthand that there is a real problem at the border, and there’s nothing manufactured about that.” 
“President Donald Trump has donated his salary from the third-quarter of 2018 to the federal agency that researches alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. The White House says Trump donated $100,000 to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,” The Associated Press reports. “His older brother, Fred Jr., died in 1981 after struggling with alcoholism, and the president has said he learned from his brother's experience.” 
There is “a wave of disabled Americans joining or returning to the U.S. labor force, breaking a long-running trend that had pushed millions to the sidelines of work,” Eric Morath writes in The Wall Street Journal. “These workers have benefited from a tight economy with a very low overall unemployment rate—3.9% in December, just above lowest level since 1969."

This Passionate PLEA Speaks Volumes!



Monday, January 28, 2019

Voorhees Councilman Won't Seek Re-Eelection.


The following is from Voorhees Councilman Mike Friedman:

Friends, at this evening's Township Committee meeting I issued the below statement.

"While this may come as a surprise to many, yesterday, I advised the leadership in my party that I will not be seeking re-election to a fourth term on the Voorhees Township Committee in November's election. I understand this decision, which I did not make flippantly, may be disappointing to all of the wonderful residents and other people who have supported me and have supported checks and balances in our town throughout the years. However, due to significant increased responsibilities at my law firm (which I am very happy to have), as well as ever increasing responsibilities to my family at this time, running for a fourth term would simply be incompatible with making sure my priorities are properly in line.

It goes without saying that raising children is never easy - however, that task is magnified when one has four children, and magnified even further when three of those children unfortunately have special needs. My wife Jaime has been my rock and has been exceedingly patient with 'allowing' me to serve on Committee these past nine years because she knows how important having balance in local government is - but given our children's needs, it is necessary that I devote more time to our home ensuring she and our kids have as much support as possible.

I am fully confident that given my record, I would be successful in a run for a fourth term on Committee as I make it my mission to outwork any competition and never give less than 110% effort in campaigning or governing as my friends, colleague and certainly my previous opponents can attest to. But, because the reality is that the demands of such a run would require nothing less than max effort, I'm announcing my decision at this time so that the Voorhees Republican party has sufficient time to find a candidate who likewise wants to give back to their community and give the maximum 110% effort required which I would be unable to give come election time.

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not going anywhere just yet as I have another 11 months to help govern and represent the good people of Voorhees to the best of my ability. I have also never been one to be silent, so even after my term is over, I will be sure to remain available to my neighbors, and remain involved and vocal to ensure our local officials are accountable with taxpayer money and to the people who elected them.

I will have more to say come December in terms of reflecting on the past nine years, as I am very proud of the impact and accomplishments that we have achieved in that time as well as having the opportunity to work with so many wonderful municipal employees here at the Township.

In closing, I want to thank all of my friends and family, especially my wife Jaime, for all of their support and patience throughout this past near decade. And of course I want to thank all of YOU, the incredible residents of Voorhees for putting their faith in me and re-electing me to this post three times. It has been an absolute honor and privilege serving you and it will continue to be an honor serving all of you until the end of my term. Thank you all so much.

Sincerely,

Mike

NJ State Senator Says She's Switching Parties . . . .


Statement from Senator Dawn M. Addiego:

As gridlock in Washington dominates the news, it has become increasingly clear that in order to effect change you have to be part of the discussion and not on the outside looking in. The people of the 8th District did not elect me to be content in the role of loyal opposition.

I have had the opportunity over the course of the last year to work closely with Senate President Sweeney on the Economic and Fiscal Policy Work Group. His tireless work ethic and unparalleled success at delivering for the people of NJ and particularly South Jersey is to be admired.

I am utterly convinced, as he is, that New Jersey’s current fiscal mess cannot be fixed by putting our heads in the sand and pretending it does not exist.

My core values that originally drew me to the Republican Party have not changed, but the party which once echoed the vision of Ronald Reagan no longer exists.

Oil drilling off our coast and tax policy which unfairly penalizes New Jersey families are just a few examples of a National Republican Party that has lost its way.

After careful consideration, I have made the decision to change political affiliations.

I am looking forward to working with both parties, the Governor and all legislators to make New Jersey a better place for our families.

Thanks To Trump, China's Economy Decelerating

Yes, China's Economy Is Rapidly Decelerating . . . .


“President Trump is exposing China’s economic vulnerability, showing that the communist nation cannot maintain its rapid growth without it patently unfair mercantilist trade policies,” former executive Andy Puzder writes in Fox News.

“For the first time in decades, the U.S. has openly challenged Beijing’s aggressive trade manipulations, slapping targeted counter-tariffs on Chinese goods and pressuring the Communist regime to change its protectionist policies. So far, the strategy has been remarkably successful, forcing Beijing to lower its tariffs on U.S. automobile manufacturers by 25 percent while continuing to negotiate with the White House on a potential trade deal.”

Click here to continue reading.
Lost amid the mainstream media’s coverage of the border security debate is this factoid from a recent ABC/Washington Post poll: “Most American voters believe the United States is doing ‘too little’ to keep illegal aliens from coming to the United States,” Timothy Meads reports for Townhall. That figure includes four in five Republicans, more than a third of Democrats, and a majority of independents, Meads adds. 
“The Trump administration’s announcement Wednesday to recognize Venezuelan National Assembly leader Juan Guaidó as interim president of Venezuela amid the current popular uprising against the anti-democratic socialist Maduro regime was an act of brilliant statecraft,” Jon Hartley writes in Fox News. “Thanks to the U.S.-led coalition endorsing Juan Guaidó as interim president, Venezuelans now have hope for a new leader who has promised to host free and fair elections.” 
Yesterday marked the observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In Forbes, Ewelina U. Ochab discusses the Elie Wiesel Act that President Trump signed earlier this month—“an act aimed at improving the US response to mass atrocities.” Among other measures, the act prioritizes the prevention of genocide as a matter of America’s national security interest.

MoreRead President Trump’s Proclamation for Holocaust Remembrance Day

The ONE Day We Must #neverforget



January 27, 1945 is the day that the soldiers fighting against the Germans took over the largest Nazi concentration camp called Auschwitz-Birkenau and freed the prisoners there who were still alive. #neverforget

Yes, The Border Crisis Is Real -- And Getting Worse!

Michael Godwin has delivered an insightful analysis of the border crisis and America's current plight. Here are some excerpts from the New York Post:
Large numbers are crossing illegally each day, with patrol agents in Arizona saying that one group that tunneled under a fence included 376 people, nearly 200 of them under age 18.
All 376 applied for asylum, and after being processed, were scattered across America.
ABC News interviewed several in the group from Guatemala, including a man who said he paid $5,000 to coyotes and that it took him and his 12-year-old daughter eight days to get to the border. They had a plane ticket for San Diego.
Nearby, a mother and two daughters were going to Cincinnati. They also said they spent eight days traveling, mostly on buses.
They will join the 800,000 already waiting for asylum hearings, a backlog that grows by the day. Most will never show up for hearings, and few who skip will ever be arrested unless they commit a federal felony. They arrived in America illegally, and will join millions living in the shadows. . . . .  
Sanctuary cities offer free health care and reduced college tuitions and many blue states give all comers the right to driver’s licenses. There are also efforts to allow illegal immigrants to vote in local elections. 
Pelosi and Schumer, who in the past voted for the walls they now denounce, deny they support open borders, but their refusal to support barriers is nearly the same thing. With the border nearly 2,000 miles long, barriers are essential at many points. 

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Is Fashion Art? You'll Find The Answer HERE!













Is fashion art?
It was be a question that troubled museum curators for decades.
But now the debate is over. 
Fashion is indeed art and in many cases it's art of the highest order.
For proof of that look no further than the Philadelphia Museum of Art's dazzling new exhibit
Fabulous Fashion: From Dior’s New Look to Now, on view through March 3.
This show allows you to experience the drama and glamour of some of the most creative feminine fashions ever designed, from romantic ball gowns to audacious contemporary ensembles, and everything in between. You'll also see how designers have used color and pattern, shape and volume, draping, metallics, and embellishments to continually reinvent the art form. The show is divided into these categories and it's both instructive and inspiring.
The pieces in the exhibition—daywear, bridal wear, and more—showcase the Museum’s outstanding costume collection. Many are on view for the first time.
We've seen the exhibition and we highly recommend it! You'll need view fashion in the same way again.
All photos copyright 2018, 2019 by Dan Cirucci.