The Washington Post is reporting that the question that led Lois Lerner to disclose the IRS’s wrongdoing was planted by none other than Lerner herself.
Celia Roady, the lawyer whose question led Lerner to disclose the committee’s wrongful targeting of conservative groups, said Friday that Lerner asked her to ask the question.
“On May 9, I received a call from Lois Lerner, who told me that she wanted to address an issue after her prepared remarks at the ABA Tax Section’s Exempt Organizations Committee Meeting, and asked if I would pose a question to her after her remarks,” Roady said. “I agreed to do so, and she then gave me the question that I asked at the meeting the next day. We had no discussion thereafter on the topic of the question, nor had we spoken about any of this before I received her call. She did not tell me, and I did not know, how she would answer the question.”
Michael Jackson‘s nephew Taj Jackson — Tito’s son — just revealed he was molested by a family member on his mom’s side when he was a kid … and says Michael personally consoled him after the incident.Taj dropped the bombshell on Twitter this morning during a tirade aimed at MJ accuser Wade Robson.During the tweet session, Taj claimed he’s in a unique position to judge Robson’s sexual abuse allegations because he knows what it’s like to have gone through such a traumatic experience.
“That is how I KNOW Wade is lying. Because I AM a survivor,” Taj tweeted. Followed by: “I was sexually abuse (sic). By [a family member] on my mom’s side of the family when I was a kid.”
As for Michael, Taj says MJ “was a support system for me and my mom” during his abuse ordeal … he even tweeted a picture of a note he says MJ wrote to his mother. The scrawl reads:
“Dee Dee please read this article about child molestation and please read it to Taj (and his siblings) … it brings out how even your own relatives can be molesters of children, even uncles or aunts molesting nephews or nieces. Please Read. Love MJ.”
And Taj makes it clear — he thinks Robson is LYING for CASH.
“What people will $ay and do for money and to $tay relevant is $ickening. De$perate times call for De$perate mea$ures. #Money.”
Two trains collided and one derailed shortly after 6 p.m. Friday in the vicinity of Commerce Drive along the Fairfield-Bridgeport line.
FAIRFIELD — Two Metro-North Railroad trains collided and one derailed shortly after 6 p.m. Friday in the vicinity of Commerce Drive along the Fairfield-Bridgeport line.
“At this stage, we don’t know if this is a mechanical failure, an accident or something deliberate,” said Fairfield Police spokesman Lt. James Perez.
The southbound train, which originated out of New Haven, derailed first and then it was struck by the northbound train, Perez said. The accident occurred just underneath the Interstate 95 overpass.
Shortly before 7 p.m., Perez said there were reports of four injuries: one person with severe back pain, one person with severe neck pain and two people with unknown injuries.
After the collision, about 200 or 300 passengers walked off the train and remained with their briefcases, luggage, cell phones and other belongings.
There are multiple ambulances are on the scene. Mutual aid has been called from Bridgeport, Westport, Fairfield University, Easton and Trumbull.
Commerce Drive has been shut down from Dewey Street to beneath the I-95 overpass as first responders attend to the situation.
Trains are stopped at the South Norwalk station. People are getting off and seeking rides home.
George Michael, 49, is being treated for ‘minor cuts and bruises’ sustained from a car accident inside a Range Rover on a motorway outside of London Thursday night.
A publicist for George Michael stated,
George Michael was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a traffic accident yesterday evening. No third party was involved. We have no further comment at this time
It is still unclear whether George Michael himself or the driver of the vehicle in question was airlifted from the scene and taken to a hospital for further treatment.
An ambulance rep gave the following:
The man who we believe to be in his 40s sustained a head injury and following treatment, stabilization and immobilization by land and air ambulance crews, he was flown to hospital for further care.
The “Faith” singer has been involved in a few accidents in the past where he spent time in jail, and even had a major health scare where he lost consciousness from a deathly bout of pneumonia in 2011.
Thankfully, this time his accident was nothing too serious and he was the passenger and not a driver under the influence again.
And well, since this article is about George Michael (one of my favorite singers of all-time), it gives me the perfect excuse to play one of his tunes.
So, here is some classic “Careless Whisper” for your listening pleasure…
The Republican voter should be outraged. You go to the polls and vote for someone who campaigned and told you that they will represent you in Congress. You think you’re doing your civil duty by voting, only to realize later, that other companies and organizations are the ones pulling your congressperson’s strings.
Here’s an example. The Heritage Foundation recently sent this letter to all Republicans in Congress, urging them not to do the work of the people, but focus on so-called “scandals” surrounding the Obama administration instead.
Here’s the email, addressed to Speaker Boehner and Leader Cantor
Dear Speaker Boehner and Leader Cantor:
For the first time, the activities of the Obama administration are receiving a sustained public vetting. Americans’ outrage over Benghazi is amplified by the Internal Revenue Service’s intimidation of conservative grassroots organizations and a cascade of negative headlines. There is the real sense the Obama administration has been less than forthright with the American people, the press and lawmakers.
Recent events have rightly focused the nation’s attention squarely on the actions of the Obama administration. It is incumbent upon the House of Representatives to conduct oversight hearings on those actions, but it would be imprudent to do anything that shifts the focus from the Obama administration to the ideological differences within the House Republican Conference.
To that end, we urge you to avoid bringing any legislation to the House Floor that could expose or highlight major schisms within the conference. Legislation such as the Internet sales tax or the FARRM Act which contains nearly $800 billion in food stamp spending, would give the press a reason to shift their attention away from the failures of the Obama administration to write another “circular firing squad” article.
Make no mistake, principled conservatives will still oppose bad policy if it comes to the floor. Rather than scheduling such legislation for consideration, we urge you to keep the attention focused squarely on the Obama administration. As the public’s trust in their government continues to erode, it is incumbent upon those of us who support a smaller, less intrusive government to lead.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Needham
Chief Executive Officer
Heritage Action for America
But then, who’s really surprised. In his first week in office, Republicans bought into Rush Limbaugh’s demand that Obama should fail. Heck, even Senator McConnell said that his main objective was to deny Obama a second term. And Republicans have put up stumbling blocks to every policy initiative the President pushed.
So no, we’re not surprised now when Heritage sends this letter telling Republicans what their goal is. But we do feel a sense of disappointment knowing that the average Republican voters have no say. We’re saddened that these voters think they’re participating in a Democracy, when in fact, they’re unknowingly taking part in a Plutocracy.
Now, I know if you’re a Scandal fan, I don’t have to ask if you saw the Season Finale last night, “White Hats Back On”. Last night, Scandal delivered in so many ways and left us with a OMG..WTF?? cliffhanger that would undoubtedly keep us coming back for more in Season 3.
So let’s hit on some key characters and WOW moments from last night’s Season Finale.
1) Billy Chambers – We should have learned from the classic soap operas, that if we don’t see a dead body, then we we can never assume that the character is ‘really most sincerely dead‘. So, Billy Chambers came ready to inflict some comeuppance on the people who ‘destroyed’ his life and turned him into a murderer (so he says). And he’s partnered up with Mr. White Hat himself, David Rosen?? Can’t be! I really can’t deal with this betrayal from David. More on that Later…
2) Quinn – Wow, we have baby Huck on our heads now. While Huck is recuperating and transitioning away from his torturing days, here comes Quinn to pick up right where he left off. Of course this sent Huck right back into his little scary “752” corner. Not good.
3) Governor Reston – I guess he’s still mad that he scandalously lost the election 4 years ago. The Governor has gone so far as to join forces with the murdering and undead Billy Chambers in attempts to blackmail President Grant so that he can be on the ticket for the next election. Power is one helluva drug.
4) Jake – I just don’t know how to feel about this guy. A part of me loves this character because he has become so devoted to Olivia, but I also despise him a little because he is a serious threat to my Olitz. I’m so confused and conflicted. Damn you, Shonda!!! Anyways, as expected, he saves Olivia’s life (again) while putting his own life on the line and putting himself into that tiny hole of torture. Just find a happy place, Jake.
5) Mellie – Girlfriend is the true definition of a woman scorned and I can sympathized with her desire to win here, but the biggest problem most of us have with her plight is that she doesn’t love Fitz; She only loves the power that comes with him and just winning. Yet, I must give props to Bellamy Young who plays this character to the tee. You just love to hate her.
6) President Grant – Oh man, I was feeling me some Fitz last night. Taking ownership and control of the Defiance group who got him in this mess to begin with, putting Mellie in her place, and never wavering from his decision of choosing Olivia to become his First Lady. His speech to Mellie while in the hospital was deliciously good. But really Fitz, putting your head in Mellie’s lap ever so gently and humbly?? I can’t drink this Kool-Aid for one second. Nope.
7) Cyrus Beene – I’m telling you, Jeff Perry needs a nomination for his acting on this show. The escalation of earnest and desperation which ultimately leads to Cyrus’ heart attack was acted so perfectly! No surprise that even with a failed heart, he is still gunning full-steam ahead. Cyrus just doesn’t stop until the job gets done because he is ‘the only grownup in the room.’ But, I was relieved that he didn’t betray his friends, except for that sex-tape part and the ‘your boyfriend is a murderer‘ part. Not cool, Cy. Not cool.
8) David Rosen – This one had my head tripping from last week when we saw him exchange evil trade-offs with Billy Chambers and last night, we continued to see how he was playing Olivia Pope and her associates to gain access to the Cytron card. But, I should have known better. David Rosen stays true to his character. He loves truth and justice and the reveal of how and why he was really in cahoots with Bill Chambers was so so satisfying. Now, my David is US Attorney and well-deserved my friend. Brilliant chess game. Just Brilliant. White hats all around!
9) Olivia Pope – What??? Fitz finally gives you everything you have been dreaming and hoping for and you give it all up. What??? I mean I know this had to happen to ensure more Olitz longing and fascination for next season, but it was still hard to witness, especially that Fitz on his knees and in Mellie’s lap thing. Yes, I’m still talking about it!! And now Olivia Pope’s face is going to be all over the news, tabloids, blogs, etc… I’m stressed just thinking about it.
10) Dad??? – Yesssss, I know most of us reacted with the the ‘Are you **** kidding me??, Huh??, OMG!!, What the h…?! You know, any variations of those reactions were fitting here. I did not see that coming. AT. ALL. So many questions now. Did Daddy Pope try to get her killed? Did he leak her name out to the press as the mistress? Does his daughter even know that he is in charge of B613? What is going on??
Overall, fantastic episode and once I think I have it all figured it, I realize that I don’t know what in the Olivia Pope’s name is going on!! Sigh, I love this show, and I can’t wait for more.
Key lime pie is a delicious dessert that is deceptively easy to make.
My mom and I love this dessert and I used to make it every spring and summer for her when I visited. If you enjoy a citrus twist in your dessert, I think this will be go-to recipe for you. (It could even turn into one of your “signature dishes”).
A side note about this dessert- use whatever dish you have available: A traditional pie plate is wonderful but I will use an 8×8 for key lime squares if I don’t have a pie plate on hand. An additional reason to use an 8×8 is to scoop the pie into champagne glasses for a fancy dessert at an event or elegant party.
Home Cook’s Note: there is a printable recipe at http://www.bakeperfectcookies.com
Step 1- Make the crust
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Take 12 graham crackers and put them in a large Ziploc bag. Take a rolling pin and roll over the graham crackers until they are finely crushed. *If you don’t have a rolling pin, use a drinking glass cup.
Melt 2 Tbs. butter. In a medium sized bowl pour in the graham cracker crumb s, melted butter and 2 tsp. sugar.
Mix the ingredients together until they are a crumbly, moist mix (I often use a fork to accomplish a streusel looking mix).
Dump the mixture into the pie plate or 8×8 bake dish. With your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup, press the graham cracker mixture firmly on the floor of the pie pan and up the sides about ½ inch.
Bake at 350 for 14 minutes.
Step 2- Make the filling
While the crust is baking, mix 3 egg yolks in a bowl.
Add in 1 14 oz. can of condensed milk. With a whisk, mix the egg yolks and condensed milk.
In a measuring cup, pour ½ cup of key lime juice. If key lime juice is unavailable, regular lime juice will suffice just fine. Add in half of the key lime juice (1/4 cup) to the egg yolk and milk mixture. Whisk the juice in. Then, add in the other half.
Take one lime and grate 1 tsp zest.
A quick lesson about zest: After washing the lime, grate just enough of the outside layer to get the green off. Once you see white, stop grating. It’s not unusual to grate ½ of the outside of the lime to get a tsp. of lime.
Add the zest to the mix and whisk a few times.
Your pie filling is ready!
Once the pie crust comes out of the oven, pour the pie filing into the crust and put it right back into the oven for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, pull out the pie and allow it to cool for 20 minutes. Then, put the pie in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours for chilling.
Step 3 Top it Off and Serve!
Take a pint of heavy whipping cream and beat it until it starts getting stiff. (Regular whipping cream will work too- you have to beat it a little bit longer).
You can tell the whipping cream is ready by doing this test. Stop the beaters. Take the end of the beater and dip it into the whip cream and quickly pull out the beater. Do little “mountain peaks” remain in place? If the whip cream doesn’t keep its form, keep beating.
When the mountain peaks appear, add in 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 heaping Tbs. powdered sugar. Mix in just until blended.
Now for the fun part; throw the whip cream onto the pie. If you have some extra zest left, sprinkle it in the middle for an aesthetically pleasing touch.
Note: If you are serving the pie individually, as I did in champagne glasses, scoop the pie into the glasses before adding the whip cream.
The first time I made this dessert I felt a little scrambled. I had never made a pie like this before and the technique of making a pie crust and filling is different than a batch of cookies. However, once I discovered how easy it was I had so much fun making it again and again.
People think you’ve slaved over this recipe! It tastes better than many key lime pies I’ve tasted in restaurants (and made quite a few dollars for).
Hope you like it. And, if you have any questions about the recipe, feel free to email me at Melissa@bakeperfectcookies.com
When would enough be enough? Here’s another story of a young life cut short, and guess what? A gun is involved.
A woman has been killed after her new assault rifle which she was showing to her friends fired – shooting her in the head.
Gun enthusiast Anastasia Adair, 22, was walking down the stairs and into the garage in her home in Federal Heights, Colorado, when she reached out to hand the rifle to her husband.
The gun, believed to look like an AK-47, fired, hitting her in the head on Tuesday at about 10.40pm local time.
Husband Shane Adair, a tattoo artist, told police he is not sure if he touched the gun as his wife handed it to him, according to Federal Heights Police Lt. Gary Toldness.
The gun is believed to have fired another shot as Mrs Adair fell down the stairs and into her husband’s arms.
I completely agree with Nancy Pelosi. If the Supreme Court had done the sensible thing instead of catering to partisan idealogy and struck down Citizens United, we would not be dealing with this nonsense today.
The IRS is under heavy fire from both parties following recent revelations that some in the agency singled out conservative groups for extra scrutiny when they applied for a certain tax-exempt status.
Pelosi condemned those actions Thursday, saying those responsible “were wrong and must be held accountable.”
But the Democratic leader was also quick to link the scandal to the broader issue of campaign finance, arguing that the episode would never have happened if Congress overhauled the system to eliminate so-called 501(c)(4) groups altogether.
Those groups, which do not have to disclose their donors, have gained power and prominence since the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision empowered them to participate directly in elections provided they focus primarily on “social welfare” and not candidate advocacy.
“These actions highlight why we must overturn Citizens United,” Pelosi told reporters in the Capitol. “There is a very thin line … that these so-called ‘social welfare’ organizations must make their priority promoting social welfare, rather than engaging in politics. Clearly, this has not been [the case].
“I paint everybody with the same brush, right to left,” she added. “I think it all should go.”
It’s back to Indiana on Saturday, as the Pacers failed to end the Knicks season at Madison Square Garden. Or maybe it was the Knicks failing to go down in front of the home crowd. Either way, the Knicks began the game with two baskets by Carmelo Anthony and New York kept the lead for the rest of the game.
Final score was Knicks 85, Pacers 75.
Knicks were still out rebounded by 3 in this game (43-40), but they were more desperate for the win and played with a sense of urgency they missed in game 4. The spark for the Knicks tonight came from Copeland, who played 19 minutes but was automatic from the three-point line.
Copeland 13 points, 9 of those points coming from beyond the three-point arch. He pulled down 4 rebounds and had 2 steals.
Anthony led all scoring with 28 points.
Indiana leads the series 3 games to 2. Game six is scheduled for Saturday in Indiana.
This story is wrong on so many levels, that it’s almost unreal. A pastor in Florida was arrested Tuesday (May 14) for allegedly watching child porn during his shift at Disney World.
Cedric Cuthbert has served as pastor of the Historic St. James Methodist Episcopal Church for three years, and moonlit as a custodial manager at Disney World. It was there that the 49-year-old was busted for reportedly trying to solicit a minor, in addition to possessing the porn, Orange County Police said.
Cuthbert used his church computer to gain access to his disgusting fetish and tried the same move on the Disney World computer, but an Internet firewall got in the way. Officials at the theme park contacted authorities last month, after they learned that he was trying to access the sites.
Investigators found that Cuthbert used the same computer from his dirty viewing party, to pen two sermons. He also sent messages to young girls writing sick things like “you are so cute! Great sexy bodi! Send me a private vid.”
For now, the now ex-pastor is prohibited from working at any AME Church, pending a meeting to be held in September. The bishop of the district’s Florida AME churches apologized for Cuthbert’s behavior. “We are surprised and extremely disappointed by the alleged illicit behavior of the Reverend Cedric Cuthbert,” the statement read. The Eleventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church apologizes to all families and communities, especially the City of Sanford and the members of St. James AME Church, that have been hurt by Reverend Cuthbert’s alleged actions…Reverend Cuthbert has been relieved of all of his pastoral duties.”
Meanwhile, Cuthbert jumped in the apology game as well, writing a letter to Disney, according to the police affidavit.
He is barred from having any contact with children, aside from his 8-year-old and 10-year-old sons.
The 46-year-old, whose name has not been released, reportedly flushed his love muscle down the toilet before his girlfriend rushed him to the hospital. By the time he got there, he had fallen into a coma due to blood loss, according to Rocket News 24’s translation of the Japanese-language website Big Globe News.
Doctors said that had the man not flushed his penis, they likely would have been able to reattach it, according to Big Globe News.
With only 1.2 inches of manhood left, the man is reportedly still able to urinate. He has reportedly emerged from his coma and is expected to recover.
Is this story too bizarre to be believed? Maybe, but it’s not the first time a man intentionally dismembered his member. In June 2012, a California man severed his own penis with an X-acto knife.
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