February 4, 2021 The White House Ms. Kamala D. Harris Office of the Vice President 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20500 Dear Madame Vice President: Congratulations on your election victory and thank you for your service to the United States. We watched with interest your recent interview on WSAZ television, which covers central-southern West Virginia, in late January. During the interview you highlighted the President’s “American Rescue Plan” and its goal of defeating COVID-19, providing relief to families, lifting children out of poverty, and creating jobs. These are admirable and necessary goals, and we applaud the Administration’s pursuit of them. During the interview you highlighted the Administration’s strategy for rebuilding our economy, which included transitioning coal miners to jobs rebuilding our infrastructure and transferring their unique skill set to jobs in clean energy. While all individuals appreciate opportunities to improve their situation, coal miners are proud of the work they do on behalf of the American people. They mine the fuel source to power more than twenty percent of the country and provide the primary ingredient used to produce the steel that built, and is building, America. Our coal mining professionals receive some of the most rigorous and comprehensive training of any industrial worker. They attain high core competencies and advanced qualifications and perform their jobs with great pride and sophistication. Their contribution to our great state and the nation’s extraordinary quality of life is immeasurable. I would submit that given the coal miner’s level of skill and proficiency and the ongoing need for the raw material they produce, that America should not seek to transition them to another career, and in fact, should embrace the vital role they play in powering and building this country. I would like to extend an invitation for you to visit West Virginia and allow us to show you West Virginia’s state-of-the-art coal mining industry and provide the opportunity for you to speak with our hard working, highly skilled coal miners. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Chris R. Hamilton President
Category: Uncategorized
Nursing Home Ballot Not Received by Election Board
If you have a loved one in a nursing home who filled out a ballot, you may want to check the Ohio Secretary of State “Track Your Ballot” portal to see if it was received.
The family of an elderly woman in an Ohio nursing home was surprised to find out that their mother’s ballot was apparently not mailed back to the state by the nursing home.
“My mom would have voted for Trump,” said the family member.
When her daughter checked online, the ballot was marked “Not Received.”
“I can’t see her to know what happened. Due to Covid they are in solitary confinement.
“The ballot search shows her ballot for the primary election was received by mail. For this election it was marked, “Not Received.”
The family is trying to get answers from the nursing home.
“This is weird, disturbing. Especially when they are not allowed visitors. And when we were allowed our 10 minutes to see her last month, an assistant was present so we couldn’t be alone with her,” said the daughter.
The missing ballot will be reported by the family.
The Story Behind the Byline
Back in the day, there was a column called “By George.”
Everyone knew who wrote it because his name was on it … George. The writer happened to be my dad, George Contos.
Today, there’s no doubt that a man named George is producing much of what we read in the media, even though his byline is missing. His billions have bought and paid for journalists and news outlets around the globe.
The financier is George Soros.
I didn’t have to look very far to find George. In fact, George found me when I received a link from Indeed that Inernews was looking to hire a journalist. Out of curiosity, I decided to check out Internews’s funding.
Sure enough George Soro’s Open Society Foundation was on the list of donors.
According to Sourcewatch, Soros is one of Internew’s “most most ardent supporters.”
No wonder several of Internews’s journalism-related positions paid $300 to $500 a day, crazy-good money for a writer.
There was another job posting for the Knight Foundation, which was also on a quest for news reporters.
The Knight Foundation website said, “Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy.”
The Knight Foundation has partnered with Soro’s Open Society Foundation and others to overhaul how U.S. news is written and reported.
Still have doubts about unsavory outside interests influencing and funding your news sources? Check this out. Over 30 major news organizations are linked to George Soros.
And this list of U.S. organizations funded by Soros. Most certainly there are many more that have yet to be uncovered and identified.
Incidentally, Facebook is in Soro’s backpocket. Facebook Factcheck has extensive ties to Soros and his foundations.
Soros even funds U.S. journalism schools.
This is the story behind the byline.
Paranormal Team Filming Live in Egypt Valley, Ohio, on Halloween Night
One would be hard pressed to find a more terrifying place in Ohio than Egypt Valley – where it’s said that spirits of the departed are bound to Earth.
It may have been the gruesome slaying of young Louiza Fox in the 1869 that drew paranormal forces to these eastern Ohio hills, but folklore has it that the area was haunted long before by witches, devil dogs and troubled spirits.
Louiza Fox was laid to rest in Egypt Valley’s Salem Cemetery . Locals say that her ghost has been spotted sobbing over her grave.
On Halloween night a pair of paranormal investigators will be setting up equipment in a haunted house not far from Salem Cemetery. Occupants of the home say a dark entity is harassing them.
Paranormal investigators Guy McCort and Ryan Beckett, both of Barnesville, will be broadcasting on Facebook live beginning at 9 pm on October 31 on Valley of Darkness Paranormal Chronicles Facebook page.
Guy McCort has a long history dealing with the paranormal.
“I grew up in a house that was a living nightmare,” said McCort. “I wrote a book about the house I grew up in, The Darkness On Church Street.
“Growing up in a small town, there was no one to turn to for help. I have studied the paranormal my whole life to make sense of what I experienced.
“Through my journey, I learned how to help other people deal with the paranormal.”
After years of research, McCort wrote a second book, Mysterious Ohio, about strange creatures, odd history, and legends of Ohio.
Five years ago Beckett joined McCort and the two founded Valley of Darkness Paranormal Chronicles.
“We travel around the nation to help people. We also investigate highly active areas,” said McCort.
The Egypt Valley house has a storied past.
“During a time when it sat empty, legends talk of rituals taking place inside the house, plus other unspeakable acts,” said McCort.
“We suspect there is a non-human entity terrorizing the family. They have been scratched, heard 3 knocks ( mock of the trinity) and feelings of oppression.
“I think it has to do with the extreme spiritual nexus that is Egypt Valley,” said McCort. “So many legends and stories emanate from this area, including the sad tale of Louiza Fox.”
McCort said the goal is to help the family living in the house to find relief.
“We will do what it takes to make sure we can help them.”
There’s an element of danger involved when opening one’s self up to the paranormal.
“Extreme energy drains on the body, being followed home by what’s there, and worst is being oppressed by a negative entity,” said McCort.
COVID takes the Spotlight – as Wireless Radiation Risk is Mostly Ignored
by Monique Maisenhalter
While Ohio legislators and agencies are informing and advising us daily on how to protect ourselves from COVID-19, they could inform and advise us on how to protect ourselves from radiation exposure as well.
In 2011, the World Health Organization classified cell phone radiation as a possible carcinogen. American neurosurgeon, Dr. Keith Black, cautioned “Children’s skulls and scalps are thinner so the radiation can penetrate deeper into the brains of children and young adults.”
In 2012, then Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich, introduced the “Cell Phone Right to Know Act”. It was endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Children, Women More Vulnerable to Cell Phone Radiation
Washington D.C. (December 13, 2012) — The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) which represents “60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults” has endorsed H.R. 6358, the Cell Phone Right to Know Act.
See AAP’s letter of support here.
“Health effects from cell phone radiation are a potential concern for everyone that uses a cell phone, but children are among the most vulnerable as the doctors note in the letter. I am honored that such esteemed professionals support the Cell Phone Right to Know Act,” said Kucinich. “Our coalition is growing and broadening.”
The Cell Phone Right to Know Act, H.R. 6358, provides for warning labels on cell phones. It would also create a new national research program to study cell phones and health and require the Environmental Protection Agency to update the outdated Specific Absorption Rate.
More research about cell phone and wireless radiation exposure has been published since 2011. In addition to the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP), doctors and scientists with the Baby Safe Project also recommend reducing exposure to children and pregnant women.
Since 2017, the California Department of Health has offered cell phone safety guidelines on its website. It includes recommendations on how to reduce exposure. The Ohio Department of Health could do the same. The California Department of Health guidelines could be used as a template.
Ohio utility companies have installed 2-way transmitting smart meters on Ohio homes and buildings. These meters involuntarily expose us to radiation. They also violate our right to privacy and have cybersecurity risks. Ohioans should be able to refuse smart meters and have traditional analog meters (electric, gas, and water) installed on their homes and businesses without paying expensive fees.
Cell towers, antennas, and WiFi hotspots are also sources of involuntary radiation exposure. Currently state and federal legislation doesn’t protect Ohioans from this infrastructure being installed near homes, schools, and hospitals.
Most would agree that the risks shouldn’t outweigh the benefits regarding new technology or anything else.
For more information about unsafe technology being installed in Ohio, join SWORT on Facebook (SW Ohio for Responsible Technology) or email [email protected] Click here to review and sign our petition, “Stop 5G Deployment in Ohio Until Independent Studies Prove It’s Safe.”
Additional links:
American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations
Educate Yourself about Health Risks Posed by Smart Meters
Parent-Teacher Organizations Action on Wi-Fi, Cell Phones and Cell Towers at School
Schools Worldwide Removing the Wi-Fi and Reducing Exposure
Ohioans will not be intimidated, says Rep. Becker, as Yost seeks to have him sanctioned
State Representative John Becker said that the Ohio Attorney General’s attempt to have him sanctioned by the court for filing criminal charges against Gov. Mike DeWine is baseless and an attempt to intimidate other Ohioans from taking similar legal action.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Thursday asked a state appeals court to reject Becker’s case and to sanction him for wasting the court’s time.
A sanction, by definition, is a penalty used to discipline someone into obedience with the law.
Yost also ridiculed Becker (R-District 65) on social media previously for filing the affidavit, calling the charges against DeWine “absurd” and a “political stunt.”
Yost posted a meme of DeWine as a werewolf holding a handgun while robbing a liquor store – comparing it to the absurdity of Becker’s affidavit.
“The people of Ohio are not going to be intimidated by a DeWine puppet having visions of werewolves,” said Becker.
Several Ohioans have followed Becker’s lead and have filed private citizen affidavits in other counties.
As reported on Cleveland.com Thursday, to deter others from filing similar cases, Yost asked the court to either order Becker to pay attorney’s fees to the Clermont County prosecutor or to require him to “spend a day observing criminal trials in open court, so that he can better understand the gravity of the matters for which prosecutorial and judicial resources must be preserved.”
Said Becker, “The Ohio Revised Code, as well as case law, is clearly on the side of the people.
“It’s interesting that he’s that afraid to come after me. It means we are having an impact.”
Becker said he will continue leading the effort to have private citizen affidavits filed by Ohioans in every county until an investigation is initiated or a prosecutor or judge orders DeWine’s arrest for violating the rights of the people.
Becker formally filed the affidavit in Clermont County Municipal Court on Sept. 28, accusing Gov. Mike DeWine of seven felony and three misdemeanor charges. See the affidavit here.
Gov. Mike DeWine is accused of multiple crimes carried out during COVID restrictions, including engaging in a pattern or corrupt activity, complicity, terrorism, making terroristic threats, inducing panic, conspiracy, bribery, interfering with civil rights, coercion and patient abuse or neglect.
When the county prosecutor’s office declined to investigate the charges, Becker asked the 12th District Court of Appeals to step in.
Becker is one of several Conservative Ohio House reps speaking out against the Governor.
DeWine’s favor appears to have fallen among conservatives.
The Republican Governor was recently ranked 35th in the nation in a report by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a right-wing group of lawmakers and business people. The report contends that DeWine’s response to the pandemic has been below average and that lockdowns are hurting the economy.
In August, Becker introduced ten articles of impeachment against the Governor. The articles will remain open for legislators to sign on until mid-November, said Becker.
House Minority Leader Tweets, “Governor, We need leadership. This isn’t it.”
Social media watchers were in for a shock Thursday when a Democratic House rep spoke out against Governor Mike DeWine and his handling of COVID-19.
Shortly after DeWine’s Thursday presser, Minority Leader Emilia Sykes tweeted, “We don’t need anymore press conferences. We don’t need anymore special guests. We need a way out of the grip of the coronavirus. People want to work. Kids want to go to school. Ohioans need leadership. Governor we need leadership. This isn’t it.”
Sykes is the first Democrat to publicly criticize the Governor.
DeWine enlisted the help of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at the press conference, inviting Christie to share his experience of battling COVID-19.
The former Governor said he contracted the virus when he went a short time without wearing a facemask.
Kudos to Sykes for speaking out on behalf of Ohioans who want their kids back in school, their businesses fully open and their freedoms restored.
Rep. John Becker who is leading an effort to impeach DeWine said he invites Sykes and the Democratic caucus to sign on to the Articles of Impeachment.
“I would look forward to working with Representative Sykes and the Democratic Caucus to remove DeWine from power and restore freedom to Ohioans,” said Becker.
Top Scientific Journals Refuse to Publish Results of World’s Largest Study on Face Masks
Three scientific journals have refused to publish the results of the first major scientific investigation into the effectiveness of using face masks, according to a leading Danish newspaper.
The apparent reason for the refusals? The study’s results might not show what is politically correct.
This headline appeared on the front cover of the Berlingske on Thursday: “Do face masks work? Top journals refuse to print the Danish answer.”
Translated, the newspaper stated, “Danish researchers are behind the world’s largest study of the effect of face masks. But in the midst of the corona crisis, three of the world’s leading scientific journals have in turn refused to publish the results of the study.
“The reason for the rejections is still as secret as the conclusions of the study, but the Danish researchers more than suggest that the results are controversial and that it will require publication.”
One can only speculate what “controversial” means. Does it indicate that the mask group had more infection?
A lack of effectiveness would probably not be considered “controversial,” since there is already little evidence that face mask prevent the spread of COVID.
Ohio Statehouse News will follow up as more information becomes available.
Flu Vaccine Required to Attend Spring Semester at University of Dayton
Undergrad tuition at the University of Dayton is $44,890 this year, not including housing and a meal plan – but that won’t buy students the right to refuse the flu shot.
Students who do not receive the flu vaccination or do not submit an exemption will be required to study remotely for the Spring 2021 semester, said a recent communication sent to students.
The deadline to be vaccinated is Nov. 1.
The flu shot is provided “free” – possibly the only thing at the university that won’t cost undergrads.
Students who receive the flu vaccine at an off-campus location must submit proof of vaccination, according to the university’s website.
“Your vaccine receipt/documentation must be attached to the email and include your name; student ID number and birthdate; provider name; and vaccine administration date,” the website states.
“For an exemption on medical, religious or philosophical grounds, you must read and fill out the form here and submit it to Premier Health Network, which is administering flu vaccine compliance and exemptions for the University, by emailing it to pchinf[email protected] by Nov. 1,” the website states.
Students with exemptions will still be able to live on and come to campus, according to the site.
The exemption form can be seen here.
Dr. Eric F. Spina is president of University of Dayton. Spina can be contacted by email.
Last year’s flu shot had an effectiveness rate of just 29 percent, according to the CDC.
As of Aug. 19, 2020, Massachusetts is the first and only state to require the flu vaccine to attend school.
A group in Boston has reportedly filed a class-action lawsuit against the state’s requirement that all children, ages six months and up, get a flu shot this year.
Ohio Restaurants Near Breaking Point while Governor Decides Curfew Options
An estimated 3,400 Ohio restaurants have closed and many more are at a breaking point, pleading with Gov. Mike DeWine to extend the current 10 pm curfew until midnight.
The curfew has had a “tremendously negative impact” on the restaurant industry.
The President and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association John Barker said many businesses may not survive through the end of 2020 in an ORA Business Impact Update on October 8.
COVID regulations forced restaurants to expend thousands of dollars on dining room partitions, cleaning, masks for employees, signs and other added safeguards.
At the same time, restaurant capacities were reduced and remain at reduced limits. This put spring and early summer sales down by thousands of dollars versus the same periods last year.
The 10 pm curfew was implemented on July 31.
Diane Hurd, vice president of Inspire PR Group, said the ORA
estimates about 10-15% of 23,000 Ohio restaurants have closed.
Hurd said it’s difficult to verify which closures are temporary and which are permanent.
Due to COVID-19 regulations, all Ohio bars and restaurants are prohibited from selling alcohol past 10 pm, and onsite consumption of alcohol must be finished by 11 p.m.
Barker said the curfew is having a “tremendously negative impact on sales, profits and employee income.”
The association requested that the curfew be pushed back to midnight in a September 22 letter to the Governor. On Thursday, DeWine told ORA board members and industry leaders that he has not yet made a decision.
Contact tracing data that shows spread and transmission at restaurants was requested by the ORA, but public health officials have so far not provided this information, according to information released by the ORA.
The ORA recommends restaurant and bar owners and operators write, email and call the Governor’s office to professionally express the impact this is having on your business and employees.