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Editorial: What happened to Joe Biden, the deficit-slayer?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

It was only a little more than a year ago that President Joe Biden — desperately seeking to divert attention from rampant inflation — was bragging incessantly about his administration’s deficit-cutting skills.“My first budget that passed and became law, it cut the federal deficit by $350 billion,” Biden said in April 2022. “We cut the deficit $350 billion. And the budget I proposed this year, if it comes to total fruition, it will cut the deficit by 1 trillion, 300 billion dollars. So when my Republican friends start talking about ‘big spenders’ and the reason why there’s inflation, take a look. Take a look. We’ve cut the deficit drastically. … This year, we’re on track for $1.3 trillion in cuts. And look, that would be the largest debt reduction in American history.”Of course, the idea of Biden the deficit slayer was pure poppycock. Had the president done absolutely nothing, according to factcheck.org, the deficit would have fallen significantly because of billions in pandemic spen...

Schatz: Disaster thrives at Lina Khan’s FTC

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, whose anti-capitalist views have upended more than 100 years of antitrust law enforcement based on the consumer welfare standard, tried to defend her policies and justify her request for a massive 37% increase in the agency’s budget for 2024 at a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. The FTC, which received $430 million for the 2023 fiscal year, requested $590 million for 2024, an increase of $160 million.The July 11 hearing also focused on the chair’s conduct, her refusal to recuse herself from matters on which she had previously expressed her opinion, her expansion of the agency’s jurisdiction over matters beyond its statutory authority, and her losing streak in court, bringing cases that match her philosophy.The legal quagmire and waste of money on unwinnable cases began in July 2021, when during the first meeting after Khan was elevated to the chair position, the agency voted along party lines, without any opportunity for public c...

‘Dreamin’ Wild’ captures family’s musical journey

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

LIDO, Venice, Italy – A true story that unfolds like a fractured fairytale, “Dreamin’ Wild” chronicles the heartbreak of a talented teen’s self-recorded debut record – and its bittersweet conclusion 30 years later.In 1979 rural Washington Donnie Emerson released, with his elder brother Joe, the album “Dreamin’ Wild” which was ignored.  Until 30 years later, found in a thrift bin, the record was rediscovered, reissued and lavishly praised.Today the Emerson Brothers’ hit song “Baby’ has over 30M+ streams on Spotify and now averages nearly 2 million listens on all audio platforms.  For Donnie, it’s a complicated legacy.For director Bill Pohlad, “Dreamin’ Wild” begins as a record industry saga to stand as a heartfelt portrait of an amazing family.“I was captivated by the music,” said Pohlad (“Love & Mercy” about Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson), “but it was meeting and being enchanted by the family. They’re people you never meet in the movies.”Noah Jupe is young Donnie wi...

Leeman: Maine must hit pause on offshore wind turbines

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

You wouldn’t buy a house without an inspection, so why would we fill the Gulf of Maine with wind turbine superstructures without understanding how they interact with the marine environment?Offshore wind energy features too many unknowns to proceed at this point with widescale ocean industrialization. That’s why my organization, the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) has joined with partner organizations to call on state and federal authorities to reset our renewable energy policy.The state of Maine is developing a floating offshore wind research array at a 15-square-mile site in the Gulf of Maine. NEFSA and its allies are asking state and federal authorities to delay any further development until experts have monitored and studied the research array. We should rescind the existing Gulf of Maine Call Area and conduct an environmental review for the Gulf of Maine before identifying any commercial wind energy areas.I’ve been a fishing boat captain for over 20...

Dear Abby: Her parents take in her ex after divorce

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

Dear Abby: I am 49 and have been divorced for 20 years. When we first separated, my ex moved in with my parents while I struggled to raise my four kids. He stayed there for seven years. He moved out until a year and a half ago. Again, my parents have allowed him back in!While I understand that they shouldn’t have had to cease contact because of the divorce, I don’t feel it’s right for him to be living there. This has caused an ongoing rift between my family and me because I have let them know that it hurts me.My parents pretty much told me my feelings don’t matter. I was homeless living in my car for a few weeks while it was bitter cold and snowing. But I’m not supposed to be upset that he’s nice and warm, eating prepared meals, showering and using their vehicles for next to nothing? He has had a full-time job for 10 years.I feel my parents are disrespectful, hurtful and rude toward me. What are your thoughts about what I should do or how to handl...

San Diego police investigating after man found shot in back

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego police are investigating after a man was found in City Heights on Sunday with an apparent gunshot wound to his back, the department said.SDPD was dispatched to the scene at the intersection of Altadena Avenue and Wightman Street after a call came in at 7:25 p.m. Officers arrived to find one individual with a wound to his back.The man was pronounced dead on scene. Homicide Unit detectives were called to investigate.Circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by SDPD. It is not known if the victim or a possible suspect has been identified by law enforcement.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Padres fans reach new high after breaking record for sellout games

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Despite the ups and downs the Padres have had this season, faith in the Friars has never been stronger as fans hit a new Petco Park landmark this weekend.On Sunday, fans packed the stands at the downtown stadium for the Padres' final game in a three game series against the Texas Rangers. With the 42,943 people in attendance, the team hit their 45th sellout this season at the game -- a new franchise record.The previous record was last year's 26 sellouts in the downtown stadium. Padres fans surpassed it last month with two full-house games against the Tampa Bay Rays.Two out of the three games during the series against the Rangers tacked on another sellout to this year's Petco Park record. The first sellout during the weekend was during Saturday's 4-0 win, recording about 42,677 people in attendance. Padres release 2024 Spring Training Schedule While the Padres swept their opponent, Friday's 7-1 game had an attendance that was just shy of the sellout threshold for the 42...

47-year-old man in Sheriff's custody dies after found unresponsive in cell

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A 47-year-old inmate at a county detention facility died on Saturday, about 10 days after he was found unresponsive in his cell, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.Jonathan McDowell, a Ramona resident, passed away at Scripps Mercy Hospital around 5 p.m., SDSO said in a news release. He had been transported to the hospital on July 19 after deputies found him unresponsive in his cell at the Vista Detention Facility. Authorities said jail medical staff provided attempted life-saving measures, including CPR, use of Naloxone and an AED device. McDowell's passing marks the 11th in-custody death reported by the law enforcement agency this year. Nearly 100 weapons collected at gun safety event: SDSO "We extend our sympathies to the McDowell family and those affected by his death," SDSO officials said in the release. A Sheriff’s Family Liaison officer will be supporting the family as they deal with the loss of a loved one, they continued.McDowell had been in cu...

South Korean dog meat farmers push back against growing moves to outlaw their industry

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The dogs bark and stare as Kim Jong-kil approaches the rusty cages housing the large, short-haired animals he sells for their meat. Kim opens a door and pets one dog’s neck and chest.Kim says he’s proud of the dog meat farm that has supported his family for 27 years, but is upset over growing attempts by politicians and activists to outlaw the business, which he is turning over to his children.“It’s more than just feeling bad. I absolutely oppose these moves, and we’ll mobilize all our means to resist it,” Kim, 57, said in an interview at his farm in Pyeongtaek city, just south of Seoul.Dog meat consumption is a centuries-old practice on the Korean Peninsula and has long been viewed as a source of stamina on hot summer days. It’s neither explicitly banned nor legalized in South Korea, but more and more people want it prohibited. There’s increasing public awareness of animal rights and worries about South Korea’s international image. The ant...

Stock market today: Asia shares gain after Wall St rally as investors pin hopes on China stimulus

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:54:37 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mostly higher in Asia on Monday after Wall Street got back to climbing following more encouraging profit reports and the latest signal that inflation is loosening its chokehold on the economy.Sentiment also has been boosted by revived hopes for more stimulus from Beijing for the sluggish Chinese economy. Chinese factory activity contracted in July as export orders shrank, a survey showed, adding to pressure on the ruling Communist Party to reverse an economic slowdown.A purchasing managers’ index issued by the national statistics agency and an industry group improved to 49.3 from June’s 49 on a 100-point scale but was below the 50-point level that shows activity contracting.“The PMI surveys suggest that China’s economic recovery continued to lose momentum in July,” Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a commentary. “Looking forward, policy support is needed to prevent China’s economy from slipping into a recession, not least because external...