Wibbly-Wobbly Ramblings

• Trump held a rally in Florida on Saturday night where he discussed many topics with the crowd. One thing that stood out was when he brought up the travel ban, he highlighted reasons why we need to take this approach. One statement was that we’ve already let in thousands of refugees who “there was no way to vet,” which is absolutely false. Then he talked about refugee-related crimes and terrorism in Europe and said “You look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden. Who would believe this?” The country was quick to point out that nothing happened “last night,” and that Trump was making this up. (source)
• Later, Trump explained that he was actually referring to a segment that appeared on Fox News the day before about Sweden. White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters “He was talking about rising crime and recent incidents in general — not referring to a specific incident.” Interestingly enough, his comments didn’t indicate he was referring to crime in general or referring to a segment he watched on television but whatever. (source)
• Trump’s rally also hit a few other of his usual points such as: building the border wall, repealing the Affordable Care Act, criticizing the media, Syria “safe zones,” and the upcoming and revised travel ban. (Full transcript)
• Two draft memos seen by Reuters show that the Trump administration plans to greatly expand the categories of immigrants they target for deportation. The documents have already been approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security and are under final review - likely to be released within the week. One memo will instruct ICE to ignore former memos that prioritized recent arrivals and immigrants convicted of crimes, it will also state that immigrants will not be afforded rights under U.S. privacy laws. The second memo instructs officers to crack down on migration at the border by holding migrants in detention until a determination in their case is made. (source)
• The Trump administration is planning to restrict NASA’s budget and force them to focus solely on space, rather than issues related to climate change. The goal is to “rebalance,” the budget that goes towards NASA’s Earth Sciences Divisions and put the focus on space exploration. While they don’t want to completely eliminate this division, they do want to stop its work on climate change. (source)
• Craig Deare, a senior Trump administration official, was fired after he privately criticized Trump’s policies. Apparently Deare spoke about Trump’s policies relating to Latin America, specifically his rocking start in relations with Mexico. Trump appointed Deare a month ago to head the National Security Council’s Western Hemisphere division. (source)
• Sources close to the situation are saying that Trump’s Navy Secretary nominee Philip Bilden is likely to withdraw his nomination. However, the White House is currently denying publically that this is the case so we shall see. (source)
• Today British lawmakers debated whether or not the government should rescind its invitation to Trump for an official state visit. Official state visits are multi-day affairs hosted by the Queen and out of the 12 U.S. presidents to hold office during Queen Elizabeth’s reign, only two have received an official state visit. No formal vote was held after the three hour debate, but those involved weighed what a Trump visit would mean and whether they should or shouldn’t rescind the invitation. (source)
• The Michigan Civil Rights Commission released a report on the Flint Water Crisis found that the issue has it’s roots in historical and systemic racism. The report also calls for the creation of a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” a model that was used in South Africa after apartheid as a way of rebuilding government trust and credibility by listening to and addressing specific concerns raised by Flint residents. (source) (full 129-page report)
• Trump’s first campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, admitted that there is no evidence to Trump’s claim that there was mass voter fraud in New Hampshire. Trump insists that he would have won New Hampshire over Clinton if it wasn’t for buses of illegal voters from Massachusetts coming in, he has never provided evidence of this claim or his other claims regarding mass voter fraud. (source)
• The Trump administration is reportedly considering changes that would make the U.S. trade deficit look bigger than currently reporting. This, along with Trump’s frequent use of false figures in subjects like unemployment, have created fears of data manipulation. (source)
• Donald Trump will now officially be joining the list of speakers at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday (2/24). Mike Pence, Scott Walker, Ted Cruz, and Steve Bannon. Milo Yiannopoulos was set to be a keynote speak but has been uninvited after CPAC is faced push back regarding Yiannopoulos after a video resurfaced of him encouraging sex with 13 year olds. (source) (source)
• Audio was obtained from November that reveals Trump attempting to get wealthy paying guests at his golf club in Bedminster to observe and aid in his Cabinet picks. “We’re doing a lot of interviews tomorrow – generals, dictators, we have everything. You may wanna come around, it’ll be fun, Trump is heard telling them. In the tape you can also hear him asked who he should appoint to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This leak comes after the concerns raised when the guests at the Mar-a-Lago were able to sit in while Trump went over classified documents and made high level calls, many who live tweeted it. (source)
• Trump officially announced that Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster is his new national security adviser, replacing Michael Flynn. (source)
• A notice from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection details a proposal that asks for Chinese visitors to have their social media screened before they enter the country. The proposal will be published on tomorrow, February 21st, and the public has 60 days to comment on the new proposal before it will be formally considered. Comments can be mailed to Customs and Border Protection at its Washington office. (source)
• Today also marks Trump’s 30th day in office. To recap he’s signed over 20 executive orders, signed 4 bills into law, fired his national security advisor, lost his pick for labor secretary, lied to the public significantly more than he tells the truth, gone golfing six times despite claiming he would never play golf why in the White House, visited his Mar-a-Lago resort 3 straight weekends which is costing the taxpayers millions a trip, and has a historically low approval rating. 
• And now your daily reminder that: Flint, Michigan still doesn’t have clean water. Standing Rock still needs your support. The American infrastructure report card still averages poorly with the rating of a “D+” 

[TRIGGER WARNING] Former Cop Headed to Trial for Raping a Child While Other Officers Watched

thefreethoughtproject.com

Pharr, TX — Trial is set to begin December 1, in the case of former Pharr police officer Erasmo Mata, Jr., accused of repeated first-degree felony sexual assaults of a child.

A federal civil lawsuit filed with Texas Southern District Court back in May accused Mata of assaulting the minor five times, on five separate occasions, all while on duty.  The suit alleges that the attacks took place in abandoned houses around the city as other Pharr police officers stood by and watched.

The lawsuit also accused the department of engaging in a cover-up to protect the officers from criminal charges, as well as not conducting a rape kit or immediately testing the evidence.

Claims against the City of Pharr and the Pharr Police Chief Ruben Villescas were dismissed, however the motion to dismiss Mata was denied

Warning to Parents of Teenage Daughters in Natomas Park:  It is with disgust, heartbreak, and a need to protect all of the children in our community that I share this devastating news with you.  Kevin David Basham, the nearly 26 year old man pictured below, is a cashier at the Raley’s Supermarket (store #4650) on Natomas Blvd. For several weeks earlier this year beginning in February, Basham flirted unabashedly with my child while we would shop for groceries. Although I made it clear to him that my child is only 15 years old, he pursued her vigorously. Lying about his true age, he convinced her to give him her phone number and initiated communication; Basham began texting inappropriate messages and pictures to her immediately and regularly. She reminded him that she was 15, yet he continued messaging her relentlessly. He stalked her at a restaurant. He has been on and inside the Inderkum High School campus to watch her rehearse for talent shows. He was even caught sneaking into my backyard where I met him with a flashlight to the face and instructed him to leave my child alone - at which point he threatened me with these exact words, “You can’t keep me from seeing her.”  Raley’s and the Sacramento Police Department were made aware of his increasing sexual advances towards a minor child, ten years his junior, on March 30th. The police department informed me to call the emergency line if he ever showed up again. Raley’s ignored my multiple complaints. To this very day, Raley’s corporate office has failed to return a single phone call to me.  Between March 30th and April 17th, Basham further manipulated my child into being his “special friend” and sexually assaulted her multiple times, taking her virginity and sending her into a downward spiral; she was diagnosed with having post traumatic stress disorder following the assaults by Basham.  With evidence that I provided, and a confession from Basham himself, he was arrested by the Sacramento Police Department (XREF 4748043), booked into jail, and is being charged by the District Attorney with two counts of felony rape. The DA feels strongly there is enough evidence to have twelve jurors convict him unanimously. Basham posted bail a few hours after his arrest and remains free, as he is due his due process in the court of law. His case has been continued five times since his first court appearance in May, with the next hearing (to determine if he will accept the plea deal offered to him by the DA or set a trial date -yet again- ) scheduled for September 30. Basham continues to work for Raley’s as a lead cashier. He works in close proximity with young female customers from several nearby schools, including: Natomas Park Elementary, Natomas Charter, Natomas Middle, Inderkum High, Heron, and Natomas Middle. Additionally, he lives in an apartment near NP3 Charter Middle and High.  I have remained incredibly quiet on this front since discovering that he sexually assaulted my child in mid-April, per the DA’s request so as to not compromise the case. I have even been asked by the DA to not shop at my local grocery store because it makes the perpetrator “uncomfortable.” Today, however, I feel compelled to share this heartbreaking news with each of you in an effort to protect your child from this predator. With school back in session, and knowing that many of our teenage daughters stop by Raley’s on Natomas Blvd. before and after school for snacks, it is important that they be aware of this dangerous person.  Name: Kevin David Basham DOB: 10/24/1988 Race: White Height: approx. 6’2” Weight: approx. 190lbs. Hair: Brown  Eyes: Brown It is far too late for me to protect my child, even though I did everything I could to prevent this tragedy from happening as it unfolded before me. If you shop at Raley’s on Natomas Blvd., please keep your teenage daughters near you at all times. Please protect your children from this predator. He is cunning, malicious, and a threat to our community. PLEASE NOTE: Despite Basham’s confession to this crime, he is “innocent” until proven guilty. This message is intended to be informational only and not a character attack; hence the message containing only verifiable facts and not my personal opinions of this individual.