Saturday, May 18, 2019

Introducing Diane Sori

I write, I post, I comment, I speak at meetings, and I co-host with Craig Andresen RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on CPR Worldwide Media. I also campaign and volunteer for candidates I believe in, and I attend rallies...in other words I help spread the word...the truth...any and every way I can. And even though I am once again out of Facebook jail, I will continue to blog as I will NOT allow Facebook to ever silence me again. I hope all my true Facebook friends, subscribers, and members of my Patriots United Against Obama Propaganda group and my Stand United with Our Marine Heroes Against 'Urinegate' page, as well as my personal TL page, will check in from time to time to see what I have to say. While my postings might be somewhat controversial to some or my opinions might NOT always agree with yours, rest assured that what I say will always come from my heart, and will always put America and 'We the People' first and foremost.

Visit me by clicking HERE

Introducing American Action Network to Ponder


The American Action Network is a 501(c)(4) ‘action tank’ that will create, encourage and promote center-right policies based on the principles of freedom, limited government, American exceptionalism, and strong national security.  The American Action Network’s primary goal is to put our center-right ideas into action by engaging the hearts and minds of the American people and spurring them into active participation in our democracy.

Visit us by clicking HERE

Introducing Two Conservative Organizations to Ponder


Alliance Defending Freedom
Conservative Organizations
We've Defended Your Freedom Since 1994. The morning Alliance Defending Freedom was launched, Dr. Bill Bright told a story about a little boy who was lost in a wheat field. The townspeople frantically searched for the boy, but they couldn’t find him. Finally, one of the searchers suggested that they all hold hands and walk together across the field. They found the boy, but sadly, not in time to save his life. One of the searchers lamented, "If we had only linked arms sooner..." Dr. Bright compared the town’s story to the Christian community. The gathered Christian leaders—more than 30 founders of ADF—recognized that Christians, like the town, needed to unite in order to defend religious freedom before it was too late. And so, Alliance Defending Freedom was launched on January 31, 1994 to ensure that religious freedom did not share the same fate as the boy in the field.

Check it out...



Alliance for American Manufacturing
Conservative Organizations
Our mission is to strengthen American manufacturing and create new private-sector jobs through smart public policies. We believe that an innovative and growing manufacturing base is vital to America’s economic and national security, as well as providing good jobs for future generations. AAM achieves its mission through research, public education, advocacy, strategic communications, and coalition building around the issues that matter most to America’s manufacturers and workers.

Check it out...



Introducing Two Freedom Fighters: Candace Owens and Michelle Malkin


Candace Owens
Freedom Fighter
"Choosing to think has been one of the most transformative secrets of my life. It’s brought me closer to others and has opened the world up to me in a way that I never knew was possible. I believe if we can turn the dial on the way people view themselves, we can change the world instantly – for the better."

Check her out...



Michelle Malkin
Freedom Fighter
Blaze TV had this to say about Michelle:
"Social justice warriors are the biggest party-poopers on the planet, and Michelle is about to cast a level 20 banishment spell on their whining."

Check her out...



Fight Censorship!

To Our Readers:

We have, as of late, found our Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Thought, and many other freedoms (pick one) under attack like no other time in our nation's history since the Revolution. 

People are angry, but feel helpless as giant corporations who oppose these freedoms have determined to change the face of America into a social society where everyone is who THEY want them to be. 

Choice has been limited by growing monopolies. 

Facebook is in the forefront of censoring public thought. 

Our Constitution is in a crisis where online communication is concerned. 

Therefore, We, at The Ponder, are going to start promoting those who have been censored simply for standing up for Freedom, as well as those who are in line to be so. 

​It's time we all did. 

These people, groups and organizations are living martyrs for freedom. You don't have to agree with everything they say or do, but you HAVE to respect them enough to fight for their freedom to be who they are -- because they are ALREADY fighting for yours.

AS we do so, we may also find ourselves censored. So, we are asking YOU to support this effort by visiting an purchasing from the advertisers. If we can't afford a new and better platform should we find ourselves censored, then THEY would have won.

Let's keep America great! FIGHT TYRANNICAL CENSORSHIP!

So, I am no longer going to be doing things as before. Instead, I'm going to do what I do best: PROMOTE and bring attention to those who are giving you truth and being attacked for it!

You need truth to fight in this current war against freedom in America. There are too many sources for me to post all of the information available. So, I'm sending you to the sources!

Sincerely,

Shonda M. Ponder, Editor

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Protecting American Votes and Elections Act of 2019



by:

Washington, D.C. - May 16, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., joined Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and 11 other Senate co-sponsors today to introduce an expanded version of Sen. Wyden's bill to protect American elections from foreign interference by mandating hand-marked paper ballots and setting new cybersecurity standards for all federal elections. The bill provides the strongest protection for American elections of any proposal currently before Congress.

The Protecting American Votes and Elections Act of 2019 is co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., is introducing the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

The PAVE Act requires paper ballots and statistically rigorous “risk-limiting” audits for all federal elections – two measuresrecommended by experts in a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2018? report on election security. Read a summary of the bill here.

“The Russian government interfered in American elections in 2016 and if we don't stop them, they and other governments are going to do it again. The administration refuses to do what it takes to protect our democracy, so Congress has to step up. Our bill will give voters the confidence they need that our elections are secure,” Wyden said. “The PAVE Act scraps insecure voting machines that are juicy targets for hackers and replaces them with reliable, secure hand-marked paper ballots. It gives states the funding they need to defend their election systems and puts the Department of Homeland Security in charge of setting strong security standards for every federal election.”

“If the 2016 and 2018 elections taught us anything, it is that our election security systems are woefully inadequate,” said Congressman Blumenauer. “The Trump administration’s response has been lackluster, foreign actors continue to attempt to infiltrate our elections, and now there are serious concerns about Trump’s willingness to accept the results of the 2020 election. Mandatory paper ballots and risk-limiting audits are imperative to maintain the American public’s confidence in our elections.”

“The PAVE Act is a robust and common sense plan to finally safeguard our elections. States have been left in the lurch, exposed to malicious meddling by foreign adversaries and struggling to keep up,” Senator Blumenthal said. “Congress should set meaningful cybersecurity standards and provide resources to help states modernize and secure their voting machines. On election day, Americans must be able to trust that their choice is fairly and accurately counted.”

“The Mueller report made it clear that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election, and yet we have seen no plan from the Trump administration on how to combat foreign governments from attacking future elections,” said Senator Markey. “The PAVE Act would codify commonsense practices and help ensure that our country is able to withstand any threats to our democracy. The integrity of American elections must be unquestioned and unimpeachable. Attacks on our elections are not just attacks on a party, but on the entire country.”

“We know our foreign adversaries are trying to hack into our voting systems, so it is downright irresponsible not to use existing, better, more secure alternatives,” said Senator Merkley. “Oregon has been a trail blazer in securing elections by issuing every voter a paper ballot. Congress should follow suit and implement this system nationwide to protect every American’s vote and the integrity of our democracy.”

“Americans deserve safe and secure elections that aren’t threatened by foreign adversaries. In Illinois, a state whose election database Special Counsel Mueller confirmed the Russians broke into, this investment is critical to protect our voting system,”Senator Duckworth said. “Senator Wyden’s PAVE Act, which requires paper ballots and post-election audits, is a common-sense approach to upholding the integrity of each American’s vote and strengthening our election security. In the aftermath of the special counsel’s investigation into the 2016 election, this legislation is more important than ever.”

“Elections are at the heart of our democracy. We must strengthen our election systems to limit their vulnerability to hackers and foreign interference,” said Senator Warren. “This bill takes important steps to maintain the integrity of our democracy by updating aging election infrastructure and mandating the use of paper ballots and post-election audits to protect against cyberattacks.”

“Voting is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, and we must never allow our elections to be vulnerable to interference again,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The PAVE Act would help ensure the validity of election results by requiring a paper receipt for every vote, providing states with the resources they desperately need to upgrade their voting machines, and creating new cybersecurity standards at the voting booth. Congress has a responsibility to secure the integrity of our elections, and I am proud to join with Senator Wyden to introduce this bill that strengthens our country’s election infrastructure.”

“American intelligence officials have made it clear that we face an ongoing threat to our elections from foreign adversaries and hackers. We must take action to protect the integrity of the vote,” said Senator Baldwin. “This legislation to require paper ballots and secure our federal elections is a commonsense solution that will strengthen election security and help protect our democracy from foreign interference.”

“We need to be honest about the fact that a foreign government interfered in the 2016 election—and that if we continue to do nothing to improve our election infrastructure, we’re leaving our country vulnerable to attack once again,” said Senator Harris. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation because paper ballots are the single best way to secure our elections. Foreign governments can’t hack a piece of paper.”

Key Provisions

The new PAVE Act bans internet, WiFi and cellular connections for voting machines, and gives the Department of Homeland Security the authority to set, for the first time, minimum cybersecurity standards for voting machines, voter registration databases, electronic poll books used to 'check in' voters at polling places and election night reporting websites.

The bill also provides state and local governments with $500 million dollars to buy new, secure ballot scanning machines, and $250 million to buy new ballot marking devices to be used by voters with disabilities. It also permits the federal government to reimburse states the cost of conducting post-elections audits, as well as the cost of designing and printing ballots.

These measures, collectively, are necessary to fix the vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure highlighted by Russia in 2016, to secure our elections from foreign hackers and give voters confidence in election results.


Bipartisan Kennedy-Carper Bill To Stop Paying Dead People Advances Out of Committee



by: Senator John Kennedy (R-LA)

Washington, D.C. - May 16, 2019 - (The Ponder News) -- the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) advanced the bipartisan Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. The bill, introduced by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) would help save millions of taxpayer dollars by curbing erroneous payments to deceased individuals.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains the most complete federal database of individuals who are reported to have died. However, only a small number of federal agencies have access to this official list, and most federal agencies rely on a slimmed down, incomplete and less timely version of the death information. In addition, most Inspectors General lack access to the complete death information. As a result, many federal agencies make erroneous payments to people who are actually deceased.

In the Senate, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Gary Peters (D-MI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). Bipartisan companion legislation was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.) and Congressman Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.).

“Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be wasted on paying government benefits to dead people. We know the dead people aren’t cashing those checks. Their relatives are,” said Sen. Kennedy. “It’s just throwing hard-earned taxpayer money into the pockets of con artists. We can easily do something about that.”

“As government officials, one of our most important responsibilities is to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Carper. “That’s why, for years, I have worked across the aisle to assess federal government spending and eliminate billions of taxpayer dollars in waste, fraud and abuse. But there is still work to be done. With a little hard work and bipartisanship, we can take the common sense steps necessary to reduce improper payments and put these funds to better use for the American people.”

Key provisions in the bill include:

Allowing Federal Agencies Access to the Complete Death Database. Under current law, only federal agencies that directly manage programs making beneficiary payments have access to complete death data. The act allows all appropriate federal agencies to have access to the complete death data for program integrity purposes, as well as other needs such as public safety and health.

Requiring Use of Death Data to Curb Improper Payments. The act would require that federal agencies make appropriate use of the death data in order to curb improper payments.

Improving the Death Data. The legislation would establish procedures to ensure more accurate death data. For example, the bill requires the SSA to screen for “extremely elderly” individuals. This is in response to a 2015 Inspector General Report that identified 6.5 million individuals currently listed as being older than 112 years of age as still alive.

Organizations that supported the bill in 2018 included American Commitment, Americans for Tax Reform, Coalition to Reduce Spending, FreedomWorks, National Taxpayers Union, Project on Government Oversight, 60 Plus Association, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Taxpayers Protection Alliance.

SNAP, Health Insurance, Abortion, Uranium, Haunted Dolls, Police

Today's Interesting News





ILLINOIS HOUSE BILL WOULD ALLOW FAST-FOOD RESTAURANTS TO ACCEPT FOOD STAMPS
Source: Illinoispolicy.org
May 10, 2019
House Bill 3343 would establish the Restaurant Meals Program as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The program would allow those enrolled in SNAP to use their benefits on meals at fast-food restaurants.

Read more...



Newsom aims to restore health insurance mandate
Source: ABC 10 News San Diego
May 15, 2019
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched a statewide tour to promote his health care proposals, which include requiring everyone to purchase health insurance and offering subsidies to families of four with incomes as high as $150,000 a year.

Read more...



Alabama Senate approves near-total abortion ban
Source: KSLA News 12
May 15, 2019
The bill makes performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony unless the mother’s health is in danger.

Read more...



Ohio school closes after enriched uranium detected, officials say
Source: FOX News
May 15, 2019
An Ohio school district has sent hundreds of students home early for the summer after the presence of a radioactive material used in the creation of nuclear weapons was detected inside its middle school.

Read more...



Thousands Of “Haunted Dolls” That Are Supposedly Inhabited By Real Spirits Are Being Sold On Etsy And Ebay
Source: End Times Headlines
May 15, 2019
Once upon a time, it would have been unthinkable to try to sell “haunted dolls” that are supposedly inhabited by real spirits in America. But in 2019, apparently, anything goes.

Read more...



Police Now Going Undercover as Construction Workers
Source: America Uncensored
May 15, 2019
The Free Thought Project has reported on many stories over the years about police schemes designed to separate the citizens from their money but carried out under the ostensible notion of “keeping you safe.” One of these cases has surfaced out of Illinois recently showing just how far police will go to ticket people for alleged traffic offenses.

Read more...



Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Bernie, Same-Sex Marriage, Russia Probe, Walk Away, Ellen, Organ Donation

Today's News





Seriously? A "sex strike"?

Yay. I'd rather liberals go on sex strikes than kill babies. If they don't get pregnant, abortion clinics will not be needed.

Last I heard, unwanted pregnancies come from having sex. -- Shonda Ponder


Uh Oh: Young People Sour on Bernie, Support for Senator Drastically Plummets
Source: Western Journal
May 14, 2019
Three years ago, cheering young people across the country “felt the Bern,” but these days, it seems like they’re feeling more of a dull ache.

Read more...



Barr appoints prosecutor to examine Russia probe origins
Source: Politico
May 14, 2019
Attorney General William Barr has appointed a U.S. attorney to examine the origins of the Russia investigation and determine if intelligence collection involving the Trump campaign was “lawful and appropriate,” a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Monday.

Read more...


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The Russia Hoax: The Illicit Scheme to Clear Hillary Clinton and Frame Donald Trump
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‘Arthur’: PBS Kids Series’ Season Begins With Same-Sex Wedding Of Teacher Mr. Ratburn
Source: Politico
May 13, 2019
It was a big day for the kids in Mr. Ratburn’s grade-school class — and, by extension, the children (and parents) who watch the long-running PBS Kids series Arthur. In today’s Season 22 premiere of the animated show, Arthur and his friends learn that their teacher Mr. Ratburn was going to be married.

Read more...


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‘Walk away’ founder surprises Hollywood cameras with anti-Democrat message on red carpet at Daytime Emmys
Source: Biz Pac Review
May 8, 2019
Brandon Straka boldly stepped up to a surprised pair of Hollywood reporters during a red carpet moment at the Daytime Emmys in Pasadena, California last weekend, taking over a minute of airtime to promote the movement which encourages people to “walk away” from the Democratic Party.

Read more...


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Get your Walkaway Movement Political Unsilent Minority T-shirt by clicking HERE
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Ellen DeGeneres: Trump Not Welcome On My Show
Source: Breitbart
May 2, 2019
In an interview with Today host Matt Lauer Thursday, DeGeneres was asked if she would ever invite the president on her show for an interview, as she did with former president Barack Obama and former 2016 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.

Read more...



Death by organ donation: Euthanizing patients for their organs gains frightening traction
Source: Breitbart
May 2, 2019
In an interview with Today host Matt Lauer Thursday, DeGeneres was asked if she would ever invite the president on her show for an interview, as she did with former president Barack Obama and former 2016 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.

Read more...



Measles, God, Tariffs, Censorship, Scams

US measles cases still climbing, topping 800 for year
Source: KSLA
May 14, 2019
U.S. health officials say this year’s count of measles cases has surpassed 800, a growing tally that is already the nation’s highest in 25 years.

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‘So Help Me God’ No More: Democrats Give House Traditions a Makeover
Source: New York Times
May 11, 2019
“I think God belongs in religious institutions: in temple, in church, in cathedral, in mosque — but not in Congress,” said Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. What Republicans are doing, he continued, “is using God.”

Read more...


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God, Government and Globalization
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Coast seafood supplier weighs in on Chinese seafood tariffs
Source: KXOL
May 10, 2019
President Donald Trump announced via Twitter that the United States would raise tariffs on seafood coming in from China from 10% to 25%. Some of the seafood includes tilapia, tuna, crab and shrimp.

Read more...


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HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship (Inalienable Rights)
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Facebook Bans Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos, Other Far-Right Figures
Source: Bloomberg
May 2, 2019
Facebook Inc. said it’s banning a number of controversial far-right figures, including Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos and Laura Loomer, for violating the social-media company’s policies on hate speech and promoting violence.

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Nebraska passes bill to outlaw scam calls from fake numbers
Source: NBC
May 2, 2019
Scam artists who use fake phone numbers to trick people into answering their calls would be violating the law in Nebraska under a bill passed in the Legislature.

Read more...