The Front Page Cover
2016 The turth is the gold of today
Featuring:
Islamic State threatens feds, military
after theft of personal data
Joe Davidson
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The 'Stupid People of Iowa'?
"How stupid are the people of Iowa?" Donald slump-Trump asked at a rally in November, though for all we know he's asking that same question after his second-place finish in Monday's Iowa caucus. He asked it while marveling that Ben Carson was surging in the polls two (long) months ago. It wasn't Carson who knocked Trump off his pedestal Monday, though; it was Ted Cruz. And Marco Rubio came very close to doing likewise (slump-Trump and Rubio won the same number of delegates). Cruz's victory is clearly the headline of the night — not least because the one guy unequivocally opposed to ethanol subsidies won the most caucus votes ever in the state that most benefits from those subsidies. But Rubio's late surge and likely momentum going forward may be the more interesting story. His path seems much clearer now than 10 days ago. That said, slumpTrump remains formidable and certainly has the ability to win the nomination.
Another key story is how wrong the polls were. Cruz won with 28%, slump-Trump got 24% and Rubio finished with 23%. The Real Clear Politics average: slump-Trump (28%), Cruz (24%) and Rubio (17%). Oops. Once again, the only poll that matters is the one on Election Day.
One factor in slump-Trump's loss might have been his increasingly vitriolic attacks on Cruz, accusing the Texas senator of lying (by using slump-Trump's own words, by the way) and insisting that everybody hates Cruz. Evangelicals also proved decisive for Cruz and perhaps grew increasingly wary of slump-Trump.
Some final notes on the GOP side: Mike Huckabee, who won Iowa in 2008, ended his campaign Mondaynight. Rick Santorum, the 2012 Iowa winner, can't be far behind. And what did $155 million in campaign cash buy Jeb Bush? A sixth place finish with less than 3% of the vote.
Now for the Democrats. Hilly Clinton managed to pull near-defeat from the jaws of victory, and a narrow loss for Bernie Sanders is still a "win" for him. As we go to press, Clinton leads by less than a percentage point. After her machine spent a year building a get-out-the-vote operation and a 12 point lead as recently as two weeks ago, she collapsed, surely leaving many to wonder if this isn't a repeat of 2008. Her bitter tone in her speech clearly reflected her wounded sense of entitlement.
By the way, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley dropped out of the race. Yes, until last night he was still in it. -The Patriot Post
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Islamophile nObama to Visit Radical Mosque
Can somebody say "Blinding Islamophilia"? On Wednesday, Barack nObama is scheduled to visit a Baltimore mosque to show his support for the Islamic community. A White House staffer emailed The Washington Post saying nObama is going "to celebrate the contributions Muslim Americans make to our nation and reaffirm the importance of religious freedom to our way of life. ... As the President has said, Muslim Americans are our friends, and neighbors; our co-workers, and sports heroes — and our men and women in uniform defending our country." The Muslim Public Affairs Council told the Post that it helped the White House to pick which mosque to visit, and that the Islamic Society of Baltimore was an "average Joe mosque."
But the mosque isn't exactly filled with the "moderate Muslims" nObama and the rest of the Left like to say make up the majority of adherents to the Religion of Peace™ in the United States. As Investor's Business Daily reports, the mosque is affiliated with the Islamic Society of North America, a group the Justice Department named in 2007 as an unindicted coconspirator for giving $12 million to Hamas. Furthermore, the mosque's former imam of 15 years, Mohamad Adam el-Sheikh, left to replace Anwar Awlaki — the al-Qaida leader who was influential for the Fort Hood jihadi, and later killed by an nObama drone strike — at a Virginia mosque where some of the 9/11 hijackers attended. El-Sheikh also founded a Muslim organization that U.S. prosecutors say is the U.S. franchise of the Muslim Brotherhood. If this mosque is what the Obama administration says represents moderate Muslims, will Muslim leaders condemn this visit? -The Patriot Post
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Electric Vehicle Expectations Short Circuit
With the per-barrel cost of crude oil hovering below $35 and showing no signs of spiking, gasoline prices continue to drop. Today, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel is a remarkably low $1.79. The steady decline throughout 2015 no doubt propelled the auto market on its way to setting a new benchmark. Last month, the Associated Press reported that "U.S. auto sales hit a record high of 17.47 million in 2015, topping the old record of 17.35 million set in 2000." The report added, "Analysts expect sales could go even higher this year as unemployment continues to decline and more young buyers enter the market."
However, the outlook for the electric vehicle market is far less sublime. Recall this prediction from Barack nObama's 2011 State of the Union address: "With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have a million electric vehicles on the road by 2015." But with 2015 in the history books, the report card is rustier than a decades-old junk car. According to statistics provided by hybridcars.com, a total of 411,120 plug-in electrified vehicles (PEV) have been purchased in the United States since 2008. nObama's prediction would be right if he was talking globally — about 1.2 million PEVs have been sold worldwide — but he wasn't, which means he only reached about 41% of his goal. In other words, good enough to earn an "F." But who said anything about graded tests? This is government, after all.
The ironic thing is that both cheap gasoline and the struggling electric vehicle market are the result of failed policies. Instead of depending less on gasoline-powered vehicles, millions of Americans are buying them in droves despite nObama taking undeserved credit. And hybridcars.com notes, "Last year the U.S. purchased 2.8 percent fewer PEVs than it did in 2014." No wonder Tesla CEO Elon Musk says "the industry as a whole, I think, will definitely suffer from lower oil prices." The trends are completely opposite what nObama said they would be. But he'll gladly take credit for them anyway. Only in government is missing your goal by 59% considered a success. -The Patriot Post
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Contradicting hanoi-Kerry, Iran Claims
$100 Billion in Sanctions
Relief ‘Fully’ Released
Patrick Goodenough
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Secretary of State John hanoi-Kerry holds a one-on-one conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on the sidelines of the nuclear talks, at the Palais Coburg in Vienna on July 3, 2015.
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{cnsnews.com} ~ Iran now has access to more than $100 billion in formerly frozen assets that has been “fully” released as a result of the nuclear deal... regime spokesman Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht has claimed in an interview with state-owned television. “These assets have fully been released and we can use them,” Press TV quoted Nobakht as telling the Alalam TV network late Sunday. He said much of the money – Iranian oil revenues – had been held in banks in China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey for years because of sanctions imposed over the nuclear program. With Iranian banks now reconnected to SWIFT – the global cross-border financial transactions system from which Iran was excluded in 2012 – those funds could now be repatriated. However, he said much of it would not be brought directly home, but instead be used for purchases and investments abroad..
Why Is Small Town America Being Inundated
With Muslim Immigrants?
Terresa Monroe-Hamilton
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Eight Signs the Democrats Are Sabotaging
the Benghazi Investigation
{americanactionnews.com} ~ Hilly Clinton’s most important donation in this campaign may be the $2 million of taxpayer money Democrats have spent obstructing justice in the House Select Committee on Benghazi’s investigation of the terrorist attack... “While Democrats on the Benghazi Committee have made a big show of pretending to care about the cost of this investigation, they’ve made zero meaningful contributions and spent virtually all of their time and effort on undermining and obstructing the committee’s work, directly contributing to its length and cost,” says Committee spokesman Matt Wolking. “Their incessant politicization of legitimate congressional oversight is appalling and grotesque, and only proves that the process could have been completed much faster if Democrats had helped with the work instead of delay it,” says Wolking. “Of course, their motivations are obvious: they’ve endorsed the former Secretary of State for president, and will no doubt continue to act as a full-fledged arm of her campaign, wasting taxpayer dollars on everything but getting answers for the families of the victims who were left without adequate security on September 11 in one of the most dangerous places in the world.” http://americanactionnews.com/articles/eight-signs-the-democrats-are-sabotaging-the-benghazi-investigation
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Soros and CFR Exploit Refugee Crisis
for New World Order
Alex Newman
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George Soros
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As Oil Price Drops, Iraq Faces
Existential Threat
Bob Adelmann
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nObama's Dubious Mosque Choice
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Sheriff Clarke – Clinton, nObama, State Dept
Contradict – Somebody Is Lying
Rick Wells.
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Patrick Kennedy to Testify Before
Benghazi Committee
Alana Goodman.
U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya
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{freebeacon.com} ~ Hilly Clinton’s deputy at the State Department will testify before a closed-door meeting of the House Benghazi Committee on Wednesday, where he will likely be pressed on why the State Department has failed to produce certain documents requested by the committee... Under Secretary Patrick Kennedy will be the 72nd witness interviewed by the committee, Chairman Trey Gowdy (R., S.C.) said in a statement on Tuesday. Kennedy’s testimony comes on the heels of newly released emails that show the under secretary discussed creating a “stand-alone” network for Clinton to check her emails while at her State Department office. Gowdy said in a statement that the committee would also question Kennedy about the security lapses at the Benghazi consulate:.
TPP Smoke Screen Shows It’s A
World Govt Slippery Slope
Rick Wells.
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nObama Admin Has Not Prosecuted a
Single Palestinian Terrorist
Who Killed Americans
Adam Kredo.
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Islamic State threatens feds, military
after theft of personal data
Joe Davidson
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The federal workforce, already shaken by a massive cybertheft of personal data, now confronts another reality - ISIS has some of that same information.
The federal workforce, already shaken by a massive cybertheft of personal data, now confronts another reality - ISIS has some of that same information.
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Ardit Ferizi, 20, from Kosovo, was in federal court last week on charges he provided the brutal terrorist organization names, email addresses, passwords and locations of federal employees and military members.
Ardit Ferizi, 20, from Kosovo, was in federal court last week on charges he provided the brutal terrorist organization names, email addresses, passwords and locations of federal employees and military members.
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It's worth noting up front the number of people whose information was stolen for ISIS is small -- 1,351, compared to the 21.5 million people whose background security clearance data was poached in the cybertheft announced last year.
It's worth noting up front the number of people whose information was stolen for ISIS is small -- 1,351, compared to the 21.5 million people whose background security clearance data was poached in the cybertheft announced last year.
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Also, there is no reported harm -- physical, financial or otherwise -- to the cyber victims from ISIS. The FBI's criminal complaint against Ferizi, however, paints a frightening picture of what the terrorist group, aka ISIL, planned for that information. More broadly, this case, like the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation, is another indication of the particular threat federal government personnel and workplaces face from extremists, foreign and domestic.
Also, there is no reported harm -- physical, financial or otherwise -- to the cyber victims from ISIS. The FBI's criminal complaint against Ferizi, however, paints a frightening picture of what the terrorist group, aka ISIL, planned for that information. More broadly, this case, like the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation, is another indication of the particular threat federal government personnel and workplaces face from extremists, foreign and domestic.
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"Specifically, the PII (personally identifiable information), stolen by Ferizi was knowingly provided to ISIL to be used by ISIL members and supporters to conduct terrorist attacks against the US government employees whose names and locations were published," according to the document filed in federal district court in Alexandria by FBI Special Agent Kevin M. Gallagher.
"Specifically, the PII (personally identifiable information), stolen by Ferizi was knowingly provided to ISIL to be used by ISIL members and supporters to conduct terrorist attacks against the US government employees whose names and locations were published," according to the document filed in federal district court in Alexandria by FBI Special Agent Kevin M. Gallagher.
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It's one thing if a cyber identity thief goes on a Best Buy shopping spree at your expense. It's quite another if your personal information is obtained by those who practice mass murder.
It's one thing if a cyber identity thief goes on a Best Buy shopping spree at your expense. It's quite another if your personal information is obtained by those who practice mass murder.
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This has to raise concern for public servants who must trust their employer to safeguard their information, despite serious indications that Uncle Sam, as well as many in the private sector, really can't be trusted in that department. No one is safe. In October, a teenager claimed responsibility for hacking the private AOL email account of CIA Director John Brennan. The New York Post said the account held his security clearance information, including family Social Security numbers.
This has to raise concern for public servants who must trust their employer to safeguard their information, despite serious indications that Uncle Sam, as well as many in the private sector, really can't be trusted in that department. No one is safe. In October, a teenager claimed responsibility for hacking the private AOL email account of CIA Director John Brennan. The New York Post said the account held his security clearance information, including family Social Security numbers.
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Last month, the White House outlined the measures the nObama administration is taking to strengthen cyber protections, including stronger authentication for computer systems, increasing scans for compromise and tightening practices for privileged users. Also, OPM has created the position of senior cyber adviser to help cut the risk of future intrusions. In October, the White House released its plan to modernize federal cybersecurity.
Last month, the White House outlined the measures the nObama administration is taking to strengthen cyber protections, including stronger authentication for computer systems, increasing scans for compromise and tightening practices for privileged users. Also, OPM has created the position of senior cyber adviser to help cut the risk of future intrusions. In October, the White House released its plan to modernize federal cybersecurity.
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The complaint by Gallagher, formerly an independent contractor for two intelligence agencies, says Ferizi stole the information from the computer server that hosts the website of an unnamed business, referred to as "Victim Company." Little was revealed about the firm, except it is a retailer "that sells goods via the Internet to customers in multiple states." The server is located in Phoenix, but Gallagher noted that some theft victims live in the Eastern District of Virginia, which includes an area from the District's suburbs to Richmond and the Hampton Roads region. This part of the state probably was cited because it's the jurisdiction of the district court.
The complaint by Gallagher, formerly an independent contractor for two intelligence agencies, says Ferizi stole the information from the computer server that hosts the website of an unnamed business, referred to as "Victim Company." Little was revealed about the firm, except it is a retailer "that sells goods via the Internet to customers in multiple states." The server is located in Phoenix, but Gallagher noted that some theft victims live in the Eastern District of Virginia, which includes an area from the District's suburbs to Richmond and the Hampton Roads region. This part of the state probably was cited because it's the jurisdiction of the district court.
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Ferizi allegedly stole personal information belonging not to just federal employees and service members, but to about 100,000 people in total, according to Gallagher. But the suspected intended use of the government personnel data is chilling.
Ferizi allegedly stole personal information belonging not to just federal employees and service members, but to about 100,000 people in total, according to Gallagher. But the suspected intended use of the government personnel data is chilling.
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Sometime between June 13 and August 11, 2015, Ferizi provided the personal information "to ISIL, intending it to be used by and for ISIL, and knowing that ISIL would use the PII against the US personnel, including to target the US personnel for attacks and violence," the complaint reads.
Sometime between June 13 and August 11, 2015, Ferizi provided the personal information "to ISIL, intending it to be used by and for ISIL, and knowing that ISIL would use the PII against the US personnel, including to target the US personnel for attacks and violence," the complaint reads.
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On August 11, Junaid Hussain, "a known ISIL member" who received stolen information from Ferizi, reposted an Islamic State Hacking Division tweet, according to the FBI. The tweet linked to a 30-page document with a warning to the "Crusaders:"
On August 11, Junaid Hussain, "a known ISIL member" who received stolen information from Ferizi, reposted an Islamic State Hacking Division tweet, according to the FBI. The tweet linked to a 30-page document with a warning to the "Crusaders:"
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"We are in your emails and computer systems, watching and recording your every move, we have your names and addresses, we are in your emails and social media accounts, we are extracting confidential data and passing on your personal information to the soldiers of the khilafah, who soon with the permission of Allah will strike at your necks in your own lands!"
"We are in your emails and computer systems, watching and recording your every move, we have your names and addresses, we are in your emails and social media accounts, we are extracting confidential data and passing on your personal information to the soldiers of the khilafah, who soon with the permission of Allah will strike at your necks in your own lands!"
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The following 27 pages in the document listed the names, email addresses and passwords, locations and phone numbers for U.S. personnel, according to the FBI. The complaint says the Islamic State Hacking Division, which the FBI says is linked to Ferizi, posted a "Kill List" in March that purportedly included the names and addresses of 100 U.S. service members.
The following 27 pages in the document listed the names, email addresses and passwords, locations and phone numbers for U.S. personnel, according to the FBI. The complaint says the Islamic State Hacking Division, which the FBI says is linked to Ferizi, posted a "Kill List" in March that purportedly included the names and addresses of 100 U.S. service members.
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Ferizi was arrested in Malaysia last year. Using the handle Th3Dir3ctorY, he led an Internet hacking group of ethnic Albanians called Kosova Hacker's Security (KHS), the FBI said.
Ferizi was arrested in Malaysia last year. Using the handle Th3Dir3ctorY, he led an Internet hacking group of ethnic Albanians called Kosova Hacker's Security (KHS), the FBI said.
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KHS has hit government and private websites in Israel, Serbia, Greece and Ukraine. The group claims it has hacked more than 20,000 websites, including Interpol, the international police organization, IBM research and Microsoft's Hotmail, according to the complaint. KHS also claimed responsibility for having posted more than 7,000 Israeli credit card numbers in January 2012.
KHS has hit government and private websites in Israel, Serbia, Greece and Ukraine. The group claims it has hacked more than 20,000 websites, including Interpol, the international police organization, IBM research and Microsoft's Hotmail, according to the complaint. KHS also claimed responsibility for having posted more than 7,000 Israeli credit card numbers in January 2012.
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When five top administration officials announced new measures for background investigations several days ago, they said "we are committed to protecting the security of not only our systems and data, but also the Personally Identifiable Information of the people we entrust with protecting our national security."
When five top administration officials announced new measures for background investigations several days ago, they said "we are committed to protecting the security of not only our systems and data, but also the Personally Identifiable Information of the people we entrust with protecting our national security."
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Is that a commitment they - or anyone - can keep?
Is that a commitment they - or anyone - can keep?
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