PRUITT. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DAVID CICILLINE.

April 13, 2018
Dear David, If we want Rhode Island to succeed, we need to ensure that young people today can get the skills they need to be successful in college or to begin a career. That’s why I always look forward to the release of Kids Count Rhode Island’s annual Factbook. For policymakers, it’s one of the best tools we have for establishing benchmarks and measuring progress. In this year’s Factbook, which was released earlier this week, we found that Rhode Island is making progress, but as all of us know there’s still a lot of work to be done. We need to do everything we can to raise wages, create jobs, and ensure that every Rhode Islander has an opportunity not just to get by, but to get ahead. That’s why I’m going to continue working with non-profit partners like Kids Count, leaders in our private sector, and officials at every level of government to ensure that the next generation of Rhode Islanders can succeed. I’ll make sure to keep you updated on this work. In the meantime, this year’s Factbook is available on Kids Count RI's website.                                Scott Pruitt  As Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt has a responsibility to conduct his duties in the best interests of the American people. Yet, his unethical behavior, wasteful use of taxpayer money, and efforts to undermine the EPA’s core mission to protect our environment are unacceptable. Since taking office, Pruitt has had multiple conflicts of interest, has refused to recuse himself on relevant issues under EPA consideration and engaged in potential anti-lobbying violations. Additionally, he has spent most of his first year in office meeting with his industry stakeholders – meetings that undoubtedly influenced his policy directives and decision-making at the EPA. In response to these actions, I led more than four dozen House Democrats in calling on President Trump to ask for Pruitt’s resignation. You can read our letter to the President here. Ending the Opioid Epidemic  Earlier this month, I voted to pass a government spending bill that delivers real results for Rhode Island. This includes a $3.1 billion increase in resources to end the opioid epidemic. I fought hard to make sure these funds were included, and now I’m going to continue working to ensure Rhode Island gets our fair share to ramp up our support for prevention, treatment, training for behavioral health care experts, and expanding access to the antidote naloxone for law enforcement officials who are often the first to respond to an overdose emergency. This ongoing epidemic has inflicted enormous pain on families across our state and across America. It has ravaged the lives of folks across racial, geographic, and socio-economic lines. I’m going to continue fighting for the resources and comprehensive strategies we need to end this public health crisis. Trump  This week, our country learned that FBI agents executed a court-approved warrant - obtained by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York - to search the office of President Trump’s personal attorney. This is a serious development. What’s more disturbing is that, in the wake of these reports, the President appears to be using this unrelated action as a pretext to disparage Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation and openly contemplate firing him. We are a nation of laws. No person, not even the President, is above the law. If the President attempts to fire Special Counsel Mueller, or impede his investigation in any way, it would be a clear attempt to obstruct justice and undermine the rule of law. Republicans and Democrats need to make clear that they will not allow President Trump or anyone on his behalf to interfere with or attempt to impede any of these ongoing and serious investigations. Russia Sanctions  I have been pushing for tough new sanctions on Russia ever since we learned that Vladimir Putin’s regime interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. Last week, President Trump finally agreed to impose real penalties on some of Vladimir Putin’s closest friends and family members. There’s no question that this is a high price for Putin to pay for his aggressive behavior, and we need to keep the pressure on Russia for their aggressive activities. Now, President Trump needs to work with Congress to prepare a comprehensive strategy that contains Putin and Russia’s aggression permanently. We need to make absolutely clear that any further attempts to hurt American interests will be met with swift retribution. As always, if you or someone you know has any questions or concerns, please call my office at 729-5600 or send me an email at David.Cicilline@mail.house.gov . You can also click here  to follow my work on Twitter. Warm Regards, David Cicilline Member of Congress
Washington D.C. Office 2244 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4911 Fax: (202) 225-3290 Pawtucket Office

THE WORLD OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY. PT 1.

They would be hard to miss, especially on the Large Cable Networks.  T.V. Shows based on the Search for Earths most Legendary and Elusive Creatures.

It could be BIGFOOT, YETI, LOCH NESS MONSTER, MOKELE-

MBEMBE, or dozens of others.

They can be found on virtually every Continent, and in all the Seven Seas. 

It could be the Desert, Jungle, Forest, Mountains etc., no Habitat is lacking their presence.

Stories about their Existence, Manner of Living, and Cultural Influence are found in the History of many different Populations and Societies.  They are part of Religious Belief Systems, and are often claimed to have "Supernatural" and "God Like" Powers.

Many famous people have believed in, and searched for, Physical Evidence of their existence. Time and Money were often considered to be Unimportant, it was a labor of love. Lack of success, never seemed to discourage many searchers. Expeditions were mounted and carried out, regardless of past results.

Yet, CRYPTOZOOLOGY, (The study of such Creatures), is considered to be Pseudoscience.  The Academic World dismisses this subject, and considers it to be Irrelevant when discussing Nature, and the Animals that are part of it.

Why is this?  Because Cryptozoologists make the same mistakes that are found in other Fringe and Unverified Theories.

END PT 1.

BLASTS FROM THE PAST... DONALD TRUMPS GREATEST HITS? MESSAGE TO ALL PROGRESSIVES: DON'T YOU SEE IT, EVEN NOW? PARTS 1-8, SELECTED PASSAGES.

 

Before the November, 2016 election, I PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE WITH THE TITLE:  
MESSAGE TO ALL PROGRESSIVES: DON'T YOU SEE IT, EVEN NOW? 
THIS ARTICLE HAD 8 PARTS, AND FOCUSED ON DONALD TRUMPS CANDIDACY, AND SPECULATED ABOUT THE TYPE OF PRESIDENT HE WOULD BE.

HERE ARE A FEW EXCERPTS TO COMPARE AND CONTRAST ABOUT WHAT WE KNEW THEN,
AND WHAT WE KNOW NOW.   


FROM PART 1.
With him, it has never been a matter of Intellect, Emotional Stability, or even a Coherent Political Platform.
The people who got Trump to where he is now, understand that getting him elected counts on the following...
...That Offensive Speech, along with a Lack of Knowledge, means very little if your Supporters
could care less, as long as it serves Their Political Agenda.

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FROM  PART 4.

The most amazing thing about Donald Trump claiming the Presidential Election is Rigged, is not that it is completely unexpected, but that anyone who really studies the problem couldn't see it coming.

It is a Strategy that fits in perfectly with those who already support him, for it requires none of the following:

-  An understanding of the Rules of Logic.

-  The Ability to separate Gossip, Rumor, and Innuendo
    from Factual Data.

-  The Understanding that you do not start any Investigation,
    be it Science, Law, Politics.,etc with a CONCLUSION, and
    then try to Shape the Evidence to Support it. BAD EVIDENCE
    DOES NOT CHANGE THE TRUTH, NO MATTER
    WHAT YOUR AGENDA IS.

  -  The REALIZATION THAT  BASELESS ASSERTIONS ARE
      MEANINGLESS, NO MATTER HOW OFTEN YOU REPEAT
      THEM.

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FROM PART 5.

So what Type of Voter would find someone like this appealing? Could it be the Type of Voter who sees the Writing on the Wall, with a set of beliefs and attitudes that no longer wields the Political Influence they once did?

Beliefs and Attitudes such as;

-  Religious Intolerance.

-  Patriarchal Rule.
-  Racial and Ethnic Divisions
   enforced by law.

Among others...

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FROM PART 6.

Let us make a short list that could explain the rise of Donald Trump.
#1- The Affordable Care Act has allowed Millions of Americans access to Health Care.     
       However, on a case by case basis, there may be those who have fallen through the
       cracks, and have suffered economic distress because of the Law.
       The President and Progressive Democrats suggest altering parts of the ACA to provide
       relief for such cases.
      
       The Republicans- Repeal the Law.

#2-  Immigration.
       The President and Progressive Democrats propose:
       To Provide Assistance, and an Opportunity, for Refugees and Immigrants to Live and
       Work in the U.S. This includes Extensive Background Checks, Waiting Period,
       Possible Sponsorship, and Obtaining Legal Employment for Tax Purposes.

       The Republicans- GET OUT, AND STAY OUT.
       ONLY CHRISTIANS FROM SPECIFIC COUNTRIES NEED APPLY.   

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FROM PART 7.
TAX BREAK INCENTIVES, WHICH ALLOWS THE RICHEST AMERICANS

TO RETAIN MORE OF THEIR WEALTH, WITH THE HOPE THAT THEY WILL

 PUMP THAT MONEY BACK INTO THE ECONOMY.

TO RECEIVE THIS INCENTIVE, ARE THEY

REQUIRED TO:

-  INVEST IN SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING?- NO.

-  FINANCIALLY SUPPORT CORPORATIONS WHO PROVIDE A LIVING

   WAGE, OR A MEDICAL PLAN FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES?- NO.

-  ONLY SUPPORT AMERICAN BUSINESSES, INSTEAD OF TAKING THE

    FINANCIAL WINDFALL OVERSEAS?-  NO.

THESE TAX BREAKS ARE BASED ON THE "HOPE" THAT THEY WILL BE USED

TO BENEFIT THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

However, don't worry. If these incentives are used unwisely, and the MONEY DISAPPEARS,

ALL IS NOT LOST. CORPORATIONS FORMED ARE PLACED INTO BANKRUPTCY,

MEANING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE FOOTING THE BILL FOR POOR MONEY

MANAGEMENT.  WHAT ABOUT THE WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS WHO RECEIVED THE

TAX BREAK BENEFITS, AND LOST THE MONEY? THEY WILL JUST DECLARE THESE

LOSSES ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURNS, AND BASICALLY GET IT ALL BACK.

THE REPUBLICANS- WHO ARE THEY FIGHTING FOR AGAIN?

LOGIC. IT'S NOT JUST FOR VULCANS, AND VIEWERS OF "THE BIG BANG THEORY." #7. THE FALLACY OF INTOLERANCE. PT 1.

For this example, we can again turn to "BIG BANG THEORY", to give us an idea on how this Fallacy Works in the Real World.

Do you remember these Episodes;

-  Where Penny claimed that Sheldon went on a Psychotic Rant when she tried to create Horoscopes for the others.  She Refers to him as a "TYPICAL TAURUS."

-  That ended with Leonard agreeing to visit Pennys Psychic, and her refusal to read a Book Debunking Psychic Phenomena.

-   That saw Raj agreeing with Sheldon that according to Hindu Tradition, he was responsible for Controlling his Sister Priyas Baser Instincts, because that was the Job of the Closest Male Relative.  However, when Priya points out that the same Tradition Punishes Raj for Consuming Beef, he backs off saying some of it is crazy, some of it isn't. (Referring to Hindu Tradition.)

These are examples of the FALLACY OF INTOLERANCE, WHICH CAN BE DEFINED AS: CRITICIZING OTHERS FOR NOT ACCEPTING THEIR BELIEFS AS VALID AND/OR DESERVING OF RESPECT, BUT REFUSING TO HOLD THEMSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT DOING THE SAME FOR THOSE WITH OPPOSING VIEWS.

This is a Fallacy that can appear in many different ways, but Applying it to the CATEGORIES OF RELIGIOUS FAITH, POLITICS, AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD SEEM TO BE THE MOST PREVALENT FORMS IN TODAYS SOCIETY.