Source: Beckett
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- An Orthodox Jewish woman who was fired from her job at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for observing Passover is asking the nation’s highest court to hear her case. Last month, in Abeles v. Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, Susan Abeles appealed to the Supreme Court to hold her former employer accountable for unjustly firing her from her job of 26 years for observing the first two and last two days of Passover. A ruling from the high court could protect the right of all religious federal employees to live their faith without fear of losing their jobs.
Susan Abeles was a statistician at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the government agency that operates both Reagan National and Dulles International Airports, for 26 years. She observed Passover every year without incident until 2013, when she was punished and forced to retire despite following leave protocol. Today, Becket and Jews for Religious Liberty, an association of Jewish lawyers and rabbis, filed a friend–of-the-court brief asking the Supreme Court to hear Ms. Abeles’ case, arguing that the lower court decision “will inhibit Jewish religious exercise within the federal workplace and could easily result in a de facto government hiring ban on Orthodox Jews.”
“Talk about chutzpah,” said Eric Rassbach, deputy general counsel at Becket, a non-profit religious liberty law firm. “The Airports Authority says it was okay to fire Ms. Abeles for observing Passover because it hasn’t said anything openly anti-Semitic. If that becomes the rule, then federal agencies will have a license to terminate all of their religious employees, as long as they are careful to hide their tracks. Even Pharaoh honestly admitted that he was discriminating against Jews.”
Jewish religious law prohibits work during the first two and last two days of Passover. Millions of Orthodox Jews like Ms. Abeles have observed this important holiday for thousands of years. Despite following the MWAA’s leave policy for decades, Ms. Abeles was accused of not following protocol and forced into retirement in 2013. She sued the MWAA, which claims it is exempt from both the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the Virginia religious freedom laws, giving it free rein to avoid all anti-discrimination laws. In July 2017 Ms. Abeles, asked the Supreme Court to hear her case.
“The Airports Authority claiming to be above the law adds insult to injury,” said Rassbach. “The Supreme Court should take this case to ensure that people of all faiths can observe their deeply held beliefs in the federal workplace without facing discrimination or being forced out of their jobs.”
Ms. Abeles is represented by Nathan Lewin of Lewin & Lewin.
The Unpopular Truth
Sunday, September 3, 2017
AmeriCorps and Senior Corps Respond to Hurricane Harvey
Source: The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has deployed nearly 450 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps, from across the nation to support recovery efforts in Texas. AmeriCorps members are working with the American Red Cross, supporting shelter and mass care operations, as well as providing assistance to FEMA’s logistics and disaster survivor assistance teams.
AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams from Texas Conservation Corps and Washington Conservation Corps, in coordination with FEMA and the Texas Division of Emergency Management, are organizing the volunteer and donations management process and operations, a critical need based on demand. In addition, local Senior Corps projects across the state have started to mobilize volunteers to support shelters and manage donations.
CNCS is also calling upon the more than one million AmeriCorps alumni – many of whom have previously responded to disasters –and national network of Senior Corps volunteers to step up to fill the urgent need for trained and skilled volunteers.
Following a disaster, national service acts as a force multiplier, providing key resources and significantly expanding the capacity of existing organizations on the ground. Through all its programs and initiatives, CNCS helps communities to prepare for, mitigate, respond, and recover from disasters.
In times of disaster, AmeriCorps teams have provided critical support after countless disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, last year’s Louisiana flooding, Hurricane Sandy, tornadoes in Joplin, Mo., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Moore, Okla., the explosion in West, Texas, and the Deepwater Horizon BP Oil Spill.
Those wanting to learn how they help and to sign up to receive updates should visit www.nationalservice.gov/harvey.
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has deployed nearly 450 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps, from across the nation to support recovery efforts in Texas. AmeriCorps members are working with the American Red Cross, supporting shelter and mass care operations, as well as providing assistance to FEMA’s logistics and disaster survivor assistance teams.
AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams from Texas Conservation Corps and Washington Conservation Corps, in coordination with FEMA and the Texas Division of Emergency Management, are organizing the volunteer and donations management process and operations, a critical need based on demand. In addition, local Senior Corps projects across the state have started to mobilize volunteers to support shelters and manage donations.
CNCS is also calling upon the more than one million AmeriCorps alumni – many of whom have previously responded to disasters –and national network of Senior Corps volunteers to step up to fill the urgent need for trained and skilled volunteers.
Following a disaster, national service acts as a force multiplier, providing key resources and significantly expanding the capacity of existing organizations on the ground. Through all its programs and initiatives, CNCS helps communities to prepare for, mitigate, respond, and recover from disasters.
In times of disaster, AmeriCorps teams have provided critical support after countless disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, last year’s Louisiana flooding, Hurricane Sandy, tornadoes in Joplin, Mo., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Moore, Okla., the explosion in West, Texas, and the Deepwater Horizon BP Oil Spill.
Those wanting to learn how they help and to sign up to receive updates should visit www.nationalservice.gov/harvey.
Wells Fargo May Have Lied to Congress, Say 33 Groups led by AFR and Public Citizen
Source: Americans for Financial Reform
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congress must hold additional hearings to investigate whether Wells Fargo deliberately misled federal lawmakers during an active investigation, said 33 groups led by Public Citizen and Americans for Financial Reform in a letter (PDF) sent today to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. The groups suggest that Wells Fargo executives, including former CEO John Stumpf, may have knowingly and deliberately withheld information related to fraudulent insurance sales practices during congressional hearings held in September 2016.
According to the bank’s own timeline, Wells Fargo learned in July 2016 that more than 800,000 customers had been charged for auto insurance they did not need, and the bank says it ended the activity around the same time that Stumpf testified before the two banking committees about Wells Fargo’s fraudulent accounts scandal. Yet Stumpf’s testimony made no mention of this misconduct, even when he was asked directly whether fraudulent activity might exist in other business lines. The bank later reiterated his denial in written responses to questions from members of Congress.
Withholding relevant information from a congressional inquiry is a criminal offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. The letter calls on the two committees to hold further hearings to investigate Wells Fargo’s newly disclosed abuses and whether the bank lied to Congress.
“Wells Fargo had several opportunities to disclose its fraudulent insurance practices to Congress and chose not to – including in response to direct questions by Members on the two separate occasions,” the letter to the committees reads. “The information on additional abuses that has become public since the earlier hearings makes a strong case for further investigation and additional hearings by your Committees. It also suggests that the bank may have misled your Committees in previous testimony and withheld relevant information in responses to members’ questions for the record.”
“Wells Fargo has long forced defrauded consumers into arbitration to hide its misconduct from public view, but lying to Congress would cross a new line,” said Amanda Werner, arbitration campaign manager for Public Citizen and Americans for Financial Reform. “Having just admitted to nearly twice as many fake accounts as previously reported, Wells Fargo has a lot to answer for.”
“Wells Fargo used forced arbitration clauses and class-action bans to hide abuses and prevent its customers from securing justice or even realizing that problems the bank causes them are widespread,” said Lisa Donner, executive director of Americans for Financial Reform. “It now appears that they have also tried to hide the breadth of problems inside the bank, even in the face of direct questions from members of Congress. Leaders of the relevant committees should be demanding answers and further hearings to get them.”
“Wells Fargo has spent tens of millions on campaign contributions and lobbying Congress,” said Lisa Gilbert, vice president of legislative affairs for Public Citizen. “If the House and Senate banking committees refuse to investigate Wells Fargo after these latest revelations, it will be a clear indication that Congress is siding with big banks instead of their victims.”
Read the letter (PDF).
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congress must hold additional hearings to investigate whether Wells Fargo deliberately misled federal lawmakers during an active investigation, said 33 groups led by Public Citizen and Americans for Financial Reform in a letter (PDF) sent today to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee. The groups suggest that Wells Fargo executives, including former CEO John Stumpf, may have knowingly and deliberately withheld information related to fraudulent insurance sales practices during congressional hearings held in September 2016.
According to the bank’s own timeline, Wells Fargo learned in July 2016 that more than 800,000 customers had been charged for auto insurance they did not need, and the bank says it ended the activity around the same time that Stumpf testified before the two banking committees about Wells Fargo’s fraudulent accounts scandal. Yet Stumpf’s testimony made no mention of this misconduct, even when he was asked directly whether fraudulent activity might exist in other business lines. The bank later reiterated his denial in written responses to questions from members of Congress.
Withholding relevant information from a congressional inquiry is a criminal offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. The letter calls on the two committees to hold further hearings to investigate Wells Fargo’s newly disclosed abuses and whether the bank lied to Congress.
“Wells Fargo had several opportunities to disclose its fraudulent insurance practices to Congress and chose not to – including in response to direct questions by Members on the two separate occasions,” the letter to the committees reads. “The information on additional abuses that has become public since the earlier hearings makes a strong case for further investigation and additional hearings by your Committees. It also suggests that the bank may have misled your Committees in previous testimony and withheld relevant information in responses to members’ questions for the record.”
“Wells Fargo has long forced defrauded consumers into arbitration to hide its misconduct from public view, but lying to Congress would cross a new line,” said Amanda Werner, arbitration campaign manager for Public Citizen and Americans for Financial Reform. “Having just admitted to nearly twice as many fake accounts as previously reported, Wells Fargo has a lot to answer for.”
“Wells Fargo used forced arbitration clauses and class-action bans to hide abuses and prevent its customers from securing justice or even realizing that problems the bank causes them are widespread,” said Lisa Donner, executive director of Americans for Financial Reform. “It now appears that they have also tried to hide the breadth of problems inside the bank, even in the face of direct questions from members of Congress. Leaders of the relevant committees should be demanding answers and further hearings to get them.”
“Wells Fargo has spent tens of millions on campaign contributions and lobbying Congress,” said Lisa Gilbert, vice president of legislative affairs for Public Citizen. “If the House and Senate banking committees refuse to investigate Wells Fargo after these latest revelations, it will be a clear indication that Congress is siding with big banks instead of their victims.”
Read the letter (PDF).
APA Extends Sympathy to the Victims of Gulf Coast Flooding, Offers Resources to Cope with Aftermath
Source: American Psychiatric Association
Arlington, VA - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The American Psychiatric Association (APA) extends its sympathy to the victims of Hurricane Harvey, which is causing extensive flooding in metro Houston and is soon to make its way through Louisiana.
“We offer our sympathy to the people affected by Hurricane Harvey and, in some cases, those experiencing painful memories of previous hurricanes,” said APA President Anita Everett, M.D. “We don’t know the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey since it is still active. We do know the recovery process will be a long one, and we must be mindful that people who have been affected either directly or indirectly by this disaster may experience a number of reactions in the aftermath, including fear, anxiety and sadness. We implore anyone experiencing prolonged mental health symptoms to seek professional treatment. Treatment is available and it works.”
For more information on coping with disasters as well as how to talk to children about disasters, visit the APA web site by clicking here.
The American Psychiatric Association is the oldest medical association in the country founded in 1844. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 37,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
Arlington, VA - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The American Psychiatric Association (APA) extends its sympathy to the victims of Hurricane Harvey, which is causing extensive flooding in metro Houston and is soon to make its way through Louisiana.
“We offer our sympathy to the people affected by Hurricane Harvey and, in some cases, those experiencing painful memories of previous hurricanes,” said APA President Anita Everett, M.D. “We don’t know the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey since it is still active. We do know the recovery process will be a long one, and we must be mindful that people who have been affected either directly or indirectly by this disaster may experience a number of reactions in the aftermath, including fear, anxiety and sadness. We implore anyone experiencing prolonged mental health symptoms to seek professional treatment. Treatment is available and it works.”
For more information on coping with disasters as well as how to talk to children about disasters, visit the APA web site by clicking here.
The American Psychiatric Association is the oldest medical association in the country founded in 1844. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 37,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
American Life League President Statement on Abortion Funding for Harvey Survivors
Source: American Life League
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- American Life League president Judie Brown issued the following statement concerning the pro-abortion Lilith Fund establishing an abortion fund for Hurricane Harvey survivors:
The very idea that the pro-death LILITH FUND would raise money to kill babies during everyone's hour of need in Houston and elsewhere is beyond belief. How callous and disgusting can any pro-abortion charity (excuse the word) get? We should be doing all we can to help everyone suffering from this tragedy created by Hurricane Harvey, not adding to the death and destruction. God help us when the best response some can give is to suggest that killing babies is a charitable thing to do.
ALL recommends that, instead of funding abortion in disaster areas, people consider donating to the Houston Coalition for Life which sustained damage in the storm, to LifeHouse which is raising funds to help expectant mothers affected by the storm, or to Missions of Hope which is directly providing equipment desperately needed to dry out flooded homes.
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- American Life League president Judie Brown issued the following statement concerning the pro-abortion Lilith Fund establishing an abortion fund for Hurricane Harvey survivors:
The very idea that the pro-death LILITH FUND would raise money to kill babies during everyone's hour of need in Houston and elsewhere is beyond belief. How callous and disgusting can any pro-abortion charity (excuse the word) get? We should be doing all we can to help everyone suffering from this tragedy created by Hurricane Harvey, not adding to the death and destruction. God help us when the best response some can give is to suggest that killing babies is a charitable thing to do.
ALL recommends that, instead of funding abortion in disaster areas, people consider donating to the Houston Coalition for Life which sustained damage in the storm, to LifeHouse which is raising funds to help expectant mothers affected by the storm, or to Missions of Hope which is directly providing equipment desperately needed to dry out flooded homes.
Manufacturing Sees Big August Jobs Gains
Source: Alliance for American Manufacturing
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The manufacturing sector gained 36,000 jobs in August, according to the latest employment data from the Labor Department. These factory jobs gains, led by automotive and appliance sales, come amid a strong second quarter of economic expansion.
Said Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) President Scott Paul:
"Did the robot revolution take the month off?
"Adding 36,000 new factory jobs in August is good news for American workers. For the first time in a long time, manufacturing punched above its weight in the job market, accounting for 23 percent of total job growth. There’s great potential for continued manufacturing job growth – but only if we get the policy right.
"How can we keep up the momentum? Pass an infrastructure bill with strong Buy America preferences to put more people back to work. The administration must also invest in training the workers of the future, move forward with rebalancing trade, and hold China accountable."
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The manufacturing sector gained 36,000 jobs in August, according to the latest employment data from the Labor Department. These factory jobs gains, led by automotive and appliance sales, come amid a strong second quarter of economic expansion.
Said Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) President Scott Paul:
"Did the robot revolution take the month off?
"Adding 36,000 new factory jobs in August is good news for American workers. For the first time in a long time, manufacturing punched above its weight in the job market, accounting for 23 percent of total job growth. There’s great potential for continued manufacturing job growth – but only if we get the policy right.
"How can we keep up the momentum? Pass an infrastructure bill with strong Buy America preferences to put more people back to work. The administration must also invest in training the workers of the future, move forward with rebalancing trade, and hold China accountable."
Work Requirements Restored for TANF
Source: Administration for Children and Families
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The restoration of work participation requirements under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program was announced today with an information memorandum to states. Issued by the Office of Family Assistance at HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, the new policy rescinds a 2012 Obama administration information memorandum encouraging states to apply for exemptions from the longstanding work participation standards for welfare cash assistance programs.
“Reemphasizing the work requirements in the welfare program means once again promoting gainful employment and economic independence as goals for every family,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Steven Wagner. “The waiver option offered by the Obama administration is being replaced today by an expectation that work should always be encouraged as a condition for receiving welfare.”
An information memorandum issued to state and territorial agencies today rescinds an information memorandum from July 12, 2012 inviting states to pursue waivers from the requirement for a state to ensure “parents and caretakers receiving assistance under the program engage in work activities.” Only one state, Ohio, applied for such a waiver, in October 2015 (and again in May 2017). The state was informed today that its application from nearly two years ago, which inexplicably sat idle under the previous administration, has been denied.
“Our agency is committed to helping low-income families transition from welfare to work,” said Office of Family Assistance Director Clarence Carter. “We cannot achieve the goal of self-sufficiency if meaningful work participation is divorced from welfare cash assistance.”
View the new information memorandum to state welfare offices.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program
Washington, D.C. - September 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The restoration of work participation requirements under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program was announced today with an information memorandum to states. Issued by the Office of Family Assistance at HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, the new policy rescinds a 2012 Obama administration information memorandum encouraging states to apply for exemptions from the longstanding work participation standards for welfare cash assistance programs.
“Reemphasizing the work requirements in the welfare program means once again promoting gainful employment and economic independence as goals for every family,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Steven Wagner. “The waiver option offered by the Obama administration is being replaced today by an expectation that work should always be encouraged as a condition for receiving welfare.”
An information memorandum issued to state and territorial agencies today rescinds an information memorandum from July 12, 2012 inviting states to pursue waivers from the requirement for a state to ensure “parents and caretakers receiving assistance under the program engage in work activities.” Only one state, Ohio, applied for such a waiver, in October 2015 (and again in May 2017). The state was informed today that its application from nearly two years ago, which inexplicably sat idle under the previous administration, has been denied.
“Our agency is committed to helping low-income families transition from welfare to work,” said Office of Family Assistance Director Clarence Carter. “We cannot achieve the goal of self-sufficiency if meaningful work participation is divorced from welfare cash assistance.”
View the new information memorandum to state welfare offices.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program
Sacramento Paying Gangs to Stay Peaceful
Source: Fox 40
After a violent weekend of suspected gang-related shootings, Tuesday the Sacramento City Council took action to reduce the bloodshed.
It approved a controversial program called Advance Peace, which offers cash stipends to gang members who remain peaceful.
After a violent weekend of suspected gang-related shootings, Tuesday the Sacramento City Council took action to reduce the bloodshed.
It approved a controversial program called Advance Peace, which offers cash stipends to gang members who remain peaceful.
Read more...
Friday, September 1, 2017
After Harvey, the Trump administration reconsiders flood rules it just rolled back
Source: The Washington Post
A couple of weeks ago President Trump scrapped Obama-era rules, intended to reduce the risks posed by flooding, that established new construction standards for roads, housing and other infrastructure projects that receive federal dollars.
Trump derided these restrictions, which were written in response to growing concerns over the impact of climate change, and other federal rules as useless red tape holding back the economy.
A couple of weeks ago President Trump scrapped Obama-era rules, intended to reduce the risks posed by flooding, that established new construction standards for roads, housing and other infrastructure projects that receive federal dollars.
Trump derided these restrictions, which were written in response to growing concerns over the impact of climate change, and other federal rules as useless red tape holding back the economy.
Read more...
White House Petition to Declare Soros a Terrorist Has Over 60k Signatures!
Source: TruthFeed
Finally, there’s a White House petition that’s calling on President Trump to declare radical leftist George Soros a terrorist and seize the assets of organizations tied to him.
Finally, there’s a White House petition that’s calling on President Trump to declare radical leftist George Soros a terrorist and seize the assets of organizations tied to him.
Read more...
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