Author: KJ McElrath

Yes, Everybody Still Hates Ted Cruz – So, What Would This Mean for a Cruz Presidential Administration?

Yes, Everybody Still Hates Ted Cruz – So, What Would This Mean for a Cruz Presidential Administration?

Posted by | Jan 28, 2016 | |

Last week, we posted a story about Ted Cruz’ unpopularity with Iowa governor Terry Branstad and Senator John McCain as well as Sarah Palin’s endorsement of his rival, Donald Trump. That’s only the tip of the political iceberg, however. Despite holding second place in the GOP race for the nomination, it turns out that little Teddy Cruz does not work and play well with others. It begs the question of how this would affect his ability to hold executive office in the unlikely case that he was actually to win the White House. Donald Trump may be a racist and...

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Wounded Warrior Project Spending Too Much on Executives, Not Enough On Veterans

Wounded Warrior Project Spending Too Much on Executives, Not Enough On Veterans

Posted by | Jan 27, 2016 | , , |

A recent CBS News investigation reveals that the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a favorite charity among prominent celebrities including Donald Trump, spends only 60 cents out of every dollar on actual services for injured and disabled veterans. In 2014, generous Americans of all stripes donated over $300 million the non-profit organization on behalf of returning servicemen and women suffering from battle-related injuries, both physical and psychological. Yet, only $180 million went towards veteran care. Where did the other $120 million go? According to former Army Staff Sergeant Erick Millette, it went toward lavish executive and staff salaries and equally...

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IVC Filters Removal Specialist: “Absolutely These Devices Should Have Been Recalled”

IVC Filters Removal Specialist: “Absolutely These Devices Should Have Been Recalled”

Posted by | Jan 27, 2016 | , , , |

Dr. William Kuo isn’t exactly a household name outside of the medical profession, but for patients who have been injured and their lives endangered by IVC (“inferior vena cava”) filters, Dr. Kuo represents their best hope for survival. Dr. Kuo is also speaking out about the dangers of this device, which has been implicated in over three dozen patient deaths and hundreds of serious internal injuries. The IVC filter, a product of Bard Medical, is a small, spider-like, metal device designed to be implanted in a patient’s primary artery, the inferior vena cava. Its purpose is to trap blood...

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Flint Water Crisis Draws the Attention of Michigan Attorney General: Can Criminal Charges be Far Behind?

Flint Water Crisis Draws the Attention of Michigan Attorney General: Can Criminal Charges be Far Behind?

Posted by | Jan 26, 2016 | , , |

On Monday, The Ring of Fire posted a story on actor and environmental activist Matt Damon’s call for a criminal investigation of Michigan governor Rick Snyder over the ongoing water crisis in the largely African-American community of Flint. Today, the Wolverine State’s Attorney General, William Schuette, announced that he is appointing a special counsel for the purpose of an investigation in order to determine whether or not any laws were violated and if those violations contributed to the crisis. At this point, it is not certain if the investigation would lead to criminal charges. However, class-action lawsuits against the...

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Prison Reform: President Obama To End Excessive Use of Solitary Confinement

Prison Reform: President Obama To End Excessive Use of Solitary Confinement

Posted by | Jan 26, 2016 | , , , |

As part of the federal government’s commitment to reform of the criminal justice system and expanding mental health services, the Obama Administration has issued a ban on the use of solitary confinement for juvenile offenders. The ban also severely curtails solitary confinement for adult inmates as well, and expands mental health treatment services. In an op-ed piece appearing in Monday’s Washington Post, President Obama cited the case of a teenager who was locked up in New York’s infamous Riker Island correctional facility pending trial for petty theft. Kalief Browder was 16 when he was imprisoned while awaiting his day...

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