J.B. MacKinnon has travelled the world to try and discover what might be inconceivable to many – what if, one day, the world stops shopping? Thad Russell’s parents built an off grid home, but their plan to live a more modest life wasn’t as nearly simple as they hoped.

A crowd pleaser featuring the cream of the industry’s playback singers.

 

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Currently, the nation and perhaps the world struggles with the recent jury verdict against Donald Trump finding him guilty of 34 felony counts. Trump claims that the verdict proves Joe Biden uses the criminal justice system as a political tool intended to defeat his political opponents, in this case him. On the other hand, many take the position that the case demonstrates the triumph of the rule of law because it proves that even the most privileged and powerful of citizens must ultimately reckon with legal accountability. I opt for the conclusion that the case exemplifies a healthy rule of law operating to impose reasonable and predictable accountability and consequences for even the most powerful governing elites in American today for the following six reasons.

First, and foremost, the guilty verdict reflects the unanimous conclusion of 12 jurors, after careful deliberation and judicial instruction, empaneled pursuant to pre-announced New York Law. Donald Trump, like all criminal defendants, held the power to refuse a limited number of jurors without cause and to move to strike jurors for cause. The jurors hailed from Trump's former home state and the headquarters of the Trump Organization—New York. It is noteworthy that not a single juror dissented from the verdict and that they reached the verdict without any judicial cajoling through, for example, an Allen charge. The jury questioned the evidence and the instructions to assure they acted properly. They deliberated about 12 hours after spending five weeks listening to witness testimony and reviewing other evidence including extensive documents. Trump's high-powered legal team exercised their right to cross-examine witnesses, explain away evidence and submit their own exculpatory evidence. Despite these rights, the best legal team money could buy failed to raise any reasonable doubt with even one juror, on even one count, regarding Trump’s guilt.

Second, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg holds a well-earned reputation as a professional prosecutor who gets the job done and gets it done professionally. Recall that Bragg endured severe criticism for declining to prosecute Trump for tax fraud in 2022, prompting two prosecutors to resign. Bragg apparently found the case against Trump too risky to warrant pursuit. Instead, he meticulously built this case which proved bullet-proof. Bragg won his office through an election of local voters and does not work for Joe Biden or even the federal government. The man holds total legal independence from the Biden Administration and proved himself as a non-partisan prosecutor by letting Trump walk on other fraud charges in 2022. The fact that he sought a Grand Jury indictment against Trump on this case suggests that there was probable cause that Trump committed the crimes—a fact that the jury's verdict fully vindicates.

Third, Justice Juan Merchan presided over the entire Trump matter with appropriate judicial restraint. Given Trump’s contemptuous misconduct and constant threats of violence against the judge, his family, his staff and the jury, Merchan certainly held the power to imprison Trump for contempt. He held his fire and allowed the jury to do its job. Despite Fox “News” reports to the contrary, the evidence suggests the Judge ruled on objections and other procedural matters with judicious wisdom. He righteously rejected Trump’s efforts to dismiss the charges, as proven by the unanimous jury verdict on all counts. Again, Merchan, a New York state judge, holds total legal independence from the Biden Administration and, Trump and his team produced zero evidence that Biden even attempted to influence Merchan.

Fourth, Trump himself knew he faced an uphill battle once he decided not to testify and take the stand to declare his innocence. Due to Trump’s decision the jury never heard Trump deny the charges, claim innocence or explain the mountain of evidence against him in the form of witnesses, key documents, or the tape-recording directing Cohen to pay Daniels by check. In fact, there was no defense theory of the case. Trump would not exude credibility as a witness due to his history of fraud, and he would risk a finding of perjury if he claimed innocence under oath or if he simply made-up stories on the stand. In any event, many defendants face challenges testifying on their own behalf, but Trump made that call, not Joe Biden.

Fifth, after reviewing the jury instructions, I saw no error, in that the instructions fairly reflect governing law in New York. While some complain reasonably that the jury was not required to identify the precise crime that transforms misdemeanor falsification of records into a felony, there is Supreme Court authority in support of this. Juries typically do not need to identify with particularity (nor even agree upon a particular predicate crime) a predicate crime to a felony charge; here the crime Trump intended to further with false business records. The US Supreme Court might well make up some means of saving Donald Trump (see Trump v. United States and Trump v. Anderson). Justice Merchan, however, cannot read the minds of the conservative Court majority and it is not his job to predict ways the Supreme Court can throw lifelines to former President Trump. Merchan’s instructions reflect the law today and that is the goal of jury instructions, not to craft new innovations to save Trump.

Sixth, all the cries of conspiracy theory and a rigged justice system from Trump and his minions lack any evidentiary foundation. They produced zero evidence that Joe Biden masterminded this entire prosecution. The claim is facially absurd. Biden did not set up Trumps illicit and adulterous liaisons, Trump did. Biden did not meet with David Pecker to set up a scheme to hide Trump’s prior bad acts in the run-up to election 2016. Trump signed the checks reimbursing Cohen the hush money paid to Trump’s co-adulterers. Trump can only blame Trump for his 34 felony convictions.

In light of the above, I conclude that Donald Trump enjoyed all the due process the US Constitution accords criminal defendants. Of course, with his billions, Trump can afford the very best lawyers which most defendants cannot. As former President, Trump enjoys the right to argue before many justices he appointed which most defendants do not. From a rule of law perspective the case proves that even the richest and most politically powerful must answer for their crimes.

JODIE Pearson agrees “petite” is a fair description of her 58kg, 170cm frame. So why would she risk a battering in the brutal sport of American football?

Republican is inaugurating a new era in US politics and perhaps for the world as a whole

> It’s a command - God, bless America, and another Dewars while You’re up. God, it suggests, You must give us our due. Give us what we are owed. Or else it’s rendered as a boast — a way to say “God, naturally, blesses America.” And so He does, though perhaps His blessings fall more visibly upon some of us than others. It’s rendered in a tone that implies division — here we are, together, the ones preferred by God.

We need a Majority Leader who understands the needs of the American people and has a proven track record of fighting for them.

The post Exclusive—Rep. Scott Perry: Senator Rick Scott Is a Majority Leader for the American People appeared first on Breitbart.

Americans gave Republicans a mandate to "enact President Trump's agenda," Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) said on Tuesday as he vies for the Senate leadership position.

The post Senate Majority Leader Contender Rick Scott: America Gave Us a Mandate to ‘Enact President Trump’s Agenda’ appeared first on Breitbart.

Here's a live recording from beloved pop band America that was committed to tape at the zenith of their career after they enjoyed a long line of hits, all of which are included

Christian Lee Hutson has announced a North American tour kicking off in January 2025 in support of his lauded new album Paradise Pop. 10

My Chemical Romance (Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Frank Iero, and Mikey Way) will be celebrating The Black Parade this coming summer

Movements announced their 2025 North American Tour, joined by special guests Citizen, Scowl, and Downward

Seems like it'll get announced this week.

Plus a new, four-way collaborative single.

It's gonna be mosh central.

Kicking off in February.

But the most dangerous attackers of American democracy aren’t the Russians or the Chinese. They are the leaders of the Republican Party.

The actor, who plays the new Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is promoting the Colorado-filmed "Elevation."

These cities are rich with ghost sightings and scary stories grounded in truth.

I recently published It’s Time to Make Important Upgrades to Our Mediation Curriculum, which notes significant changes in American mediation practice in the past five decades and suggests that law school faculty upgrade our mediation instruction accordingly. Modern Mediation Practice in American Legal Cases is a two-page summary of that article, which was published in … Continue reading Modern Mediation Practice in American Legal Cases →

Partnership aims to transform access to family law dispute resolution for underserved communities The American Arbitration Association and Suffolk University Law School are launching a pioneering Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Innovation Clinic. This initiative combines Suffolk Law’s expertise in legal technology and clinical education with the AAA’s leadership in alternative dispute resolution innovation, technology, and … Continue reading American Arbitration Association, Suffolk Law and ODR.com Launch Online Dispute Resolution Innovation Clinic →

Public Policy expert Dr. Amara Enyia says it's Pres. Biden.

The two richest Black Americans are in finance and tech.

The data comes from The Sentencing Project.

Eric Holder sends special thanks to his family.

[Updated] The island will host the ICC Americas Select Team for a four-match tour later this month, with the Bermuda Cricket Board announcing a schedule featuring matches against the Bermuda select team as well as the Somerset and St George’s teams. The tour kicks off on September 11th and 12th with back-to-back T20 encounters between the ICC […]

The Bermuda Cricket Board announced the Senior Men’s National Select Team for the ICC Americas Select Tour. A spokesperson said, “The series kicks off on Wednesday, September 11, with the Bermuda Select Team facing the ICC Americas Select Team at 3:30 PM at the National Sports Centre. The Bermuda National Select Team will include top players […]

In their first match of the Series, the Americas Select Team defeated the Bermuda Select by 7 wickets at the National Sports Center. Batting first, Bermuda were restricted to 118/7, Allan Douglas Jr. was the top scorer with 61 which came off 34 balls, he hit 2 fours, and 6 sixes, Aarin Nadkarni was the […]

The Bermuda Cricket Board [BCB] announced the Somerset Cricket Club Select Team for the ICC Americas Select Tour. A spokesperson said, “Somerset Cricket Club will face the ICC Americas Select Team at noon on Sunday, September 15th at Somerset Cricket Club. “The Somerset Cricket Club Select will include top players such as Dominic Sabir, Kamau […]

The Americas Select Team won the toss in the second match of the series against the Bermuda Select team. The Americas Select team scored 134/7 in their allotted 20 overs, Sanjay Krishnamurthi was the top scorer with 46, Allan Douglas Jr. was the pick of the Bermuda Select bowlers with figures of 4-0-27-3. In reply […]

With only two matches completed in the ICC Americas Select Tour, we take a look at the batting and bowling numbers over the two matches that saw the ICC Americas select team defeat the Bermuda select team twice. Sanjay Krishnamurthi from the Americas Select Team scored the most runs for the two games with 99, […]

Four Bermuda Cricket Board Umpires are officiating in Brazil. Oscar Andrade, Alex Knights, Wendy Woodley, and Linnell Williams are umpiring in the South American T20 Championships. Related Stories Kamau Leverock Plays For Gujarat Greats Leverock’s Gujarat Defeated By Manipal Tigers Results: Premier & First Division Cricket Interns Launch Survey On Popularity Of Cricket Results: Premier […]

The Bermuda Cricket Board [BCB] announced the Senior Men’s National Team for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Sub-Regional Qualifier. A spokesperson said, “The tournament will run from December 6 – 16, 2024 with a total of 8 matches. “The Bermuda Senior Men’s National Team, led by Captain Mr. Terryn Fray of Bailey’s Bay […]

Bermudian sailor Rockal Evans finished 5th in the America’s Cup E-Series Grand Final in Barcelona. The organisation said, “The America’s Cup has concluded its first-ever esports season, the America’s Cup e-Series, with a thrilling Grand Final event in Barcelona that saw eSailingCentral emerge victorious, claiming the coveted e-Series trophy and the €25,000 grand prize. The […]

The International One Design [IOD] North American Championship got underway in the Great Sound. After four races on day one, Bill McNiven leads the fleet with 5 net points, this after winning the first three races, and then he finished 2nd in the fourth race of the day. Craig Davis who won the final race […]

Four more races in the International One Design [IOD] North American championship took place on the Great Sound. After a total of eight races, Bill McNiven was crowned the champion with 13 net points, this after finishing third in three races on the day, he also finished 2nd in a race. Ned Johnston won three […]

[Written by Stephen Wright] Bermudian rider Jediah Cumbermack has joined forces with professional American motorcycle racing outfit A.I.R Onze Moto Racing Team. The 17-year-old expects to represent the Texas-based team in several races of the MotoAmerica Junior Cup, the entry-level race class, starting with the third race of the campaign at Barber Motorsports Park in […]

[Written by Stephen Wright] Bermudian motorcycle racer Jediah Cumbermack believes he learned plenty from his recent debut in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The 17-year-old, representing Texas-based team A.I.R Onze Moto Racing, competed in a field of 31 competitors in the second race of the six-leg campaign and […]

Films at BUEI continue at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute [BUEI] with the screening of the 2023 Dramatic Comedy, ‘American Fiction’ on Saturday, April 13th at 7.30pm in the Tradewinds Auditorium. A spokesperson said, “Films at BUEI continue at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute [BUEI] with the screening of the 2023 Dramatic Comedy, ‘American Fiction’ […]

[Opinion column written by OBA Senate Leader Ben Smith] If you repeat a lie enough times some people will start to believe it’s the truth. The PLP did a great job of repeating to everyone that the America’s Cup was bad for Bermuda. They continue to repeat this lie every time they feel the pressure […]

“We learned a lot from the America’s Cup in 2017″ and so we could “probably do it a little better” however there are “some other things that we should also be going after,” Bermuda has a “strong and long history” with sailing, and “rinse and repeat is not a tourism strategy,” are a few of […]

"Každý Američan má svůj názor na Mansonovy zločiny ... Od Billa Clintona až po posledního z obyčejných. Charles Manson (12. listopadu 1934 – 19. listopadu 2017) je již dnes nedílnou součástí amerického folklóru. Není proto vyloučeno, že za nějakých sto let bude Manson stejně legendární postavou jako Butch Cassidy nebo Billy The Kid." (Jim Van Berber, režisér filmu Charlie's Family)

Sportem ku zdraví, říká se. A k trvalé invaliditě, dodávají jiní. V případě horolezectví to ale může dopadnout mnohem hůř. Všechny ty světově známé vrcholky mají svůj smutný seznam těch, kteří padli při jejich zdolávání. A pochopitelně mezi nimi nechybí ani ženy. Hannelore Schmatz se měla stát první Němkou, která zdolala Mount Everest. Na vrchol se dostala i se svým manželem Gerhardem, jakožto nejstarším pokořitelem hory. Jenže u Everestu je pořádně zrádná i cesta dolů. Hannelore se nakonec stala osudnou.

Republicans are failing for a much more obvious reason, a more fundamental reason. They're failing because they haven't done much that is worth doing. They haven't tried very hard to improve your life. When the crisis came, they fled. They did nothing to defend you. They did nothing to defend the country. Continue reading →

FBI CIA NSA are not only spying on American citizens but also are illegally unmasking their identities to journalists who support our fascist government Continue reading →

THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE USING JANUARY 6TH. IT'S DEMENTED TO COMPARE 9/11 AND JANUARY 6TH BUT IT'S SO CENTRAL TO THE AGENDA OF THE SECURITY STATE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, TO ESSENTIALLY INITIATE A SURVEILLANCE REGIME, A DETENTION REGIME, AGAINST PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT WHO ARE AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT. AND THEY’RE ALREADY DOING IT. AND THEY PUT PEOPLE ON THE NO-FLY LIST, THE KIND OF DEFINING FEATURE OF THE FIRST WAR ON TERROR, THEY WANT TO DO NEW LEGISLATION THAT GIVES THE FBI AND THE CIA NEW POWERS, SPENDING MORE MONEY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS WAR ON TERROR IS CRUCIAL TO THEM. Continue reading →

American Hiking Society constantly monitors legislation that could enhance or protect the hiking experience. A new bill, HR 1912 - the Complete America’s Great Trails Act - has the potential to significantly benefit some of the most spectacular trails in America. This proposed legislation would grant a tax credit to private landowners who provide conservation easements to certified National Scenic Trails – resulting in a low-cost incentive for willing landowners to donate easements that would increase trail connectivity. This means that private landowners have a new incentive to allow hikers to pass through their property, and trails get a guaranteed corridor that protects the connectivity and continuity of the hiking experience for years to come!

American Hiking supports HR 1912 and applauds Rep. Connolly (D-VA) and Rep. Lummis (R-WY) for introducing this forward-thinking legislation. We also applaud Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) and Rep. Bono-Mack (R-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Trails Caucus, and Reps. Kind (D-WI), Massa (D-NY), McMahon (D-NY), Lance (R-NJ), Polis (D-Co), Boccieri (D-OH), Pierluisi (D-RC-PR), for their original co-sponsorship of this important legislation.

American Hiking advocates for changes in policies that provide our partners with as many tools as possible to protect and manage our nation’s great trails. Thus, we work closely with regional and local organizations that protect, maintain and promote the various elements of America’s National Trails System. We also partner with Congress and the federal land management agencies charged with managing and administering our trail resources.

American Hiking has championed the protection and enhancement of America’s National Trails System since our founding in 1976. Our National Trails System consists of more than 7,000 authorized miles of National Scenic Trails, more than 36,000 miles of National Historic Trail routes, and more than 1,000 registered National Recreation Trails.

Take Action to urge your Representative to co-sponsor HR 1912.

Read the full text of HR 1912, and read the Dear Colleague Letter being circulated by Reps. Connolly and Lummis.