Judicial Watch Sues Office of Director of National Intelligence over Failure to Produce Legally Mandated, Unclassified Report on Russia's Meddling in Foreign Elections
ODNI Stonewalling the release of Unclassified Report on Russian Security Service’s Funding of Political Parties and NGOs in Former Soviet States and Countries in Europe, which Was Mandated by 2016 Appropriations Act
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch today announced it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit last month against the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to obtain a legally mandated, unclassified report on Russia’s meddling in foreign elections (Judicial Watch v. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (No. 17-cv-02073)).
The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia after the ODNI failed to respond to an August 4, 2017, FOIA request seeking “the intelligence community assessment required by Section 502 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016.”
Judicial Watch points out that Section 502 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 mandates:
“Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an intelligence community assessment on the funding of political parties and nongovernmental organizations in former Soviet states and countries in Europe by the Russian Security Service since January 1, 2016.”
The Act also requires the intelligence community assessment be submitted in the form of an unclassified Report, which under the law, would be subject to FOIA disclosure. The Act took effect on December 18, 2015.
This is the second Judicial Watch lawsuit seeking unclassified reports produced by the intelligence community assessing Russia’s interference in foreign elections. On March 8, 2017, Judicial Watch filed a FOIA lawsuit against the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) seeking an unclassified report assessing Russia’s interference in foreign elections (Judicial Watch v. Central Intelligence Agency (No. 1:17-cv-00414)). That lawsuit came after the CIA failed to respond to a December 14, 2016 FOIA request seeking the unclassified assessment of Russia’s meddling in foreign elections requested by Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH).
On December 13, 2016, The Wall Street Journal reported that since 2015, Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, “has been pushing for the unclassified version of a report assessing Moscow’s interference in foreign elections, particularly across Europe.” The Wall Street Journal further reported:
The White House already released a classified version of the assessment but Mr. Turner has been pushing for the unclassified version, which would be releasable to the public, he said. Mr. Turner sent the White House a letter … demanding for the unclassified version of the report.
“The fact that the administration is picking and choosing the information it releases and who they release it to ought to give everybody concern that the administration is manipulating this,” he said.
The report is critical for a better understanding of what Moscow is up to in elections overseas, he said. Mr. Turner said the Obama administration is cherry picking what it releases.
In a separate lawsuit, Judicial Watch is suing the ODNI to force the agency to conduct the required damage assessment related to Hillary Clinton’s mishandling of classified information.
“The Obama administration’s politicized intelligence community promoted the story of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election but refuses to release any concrete evidence,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “The Deep State intelligence establishment continues to be in a cover-up mode on Russia. This illegal secrecy seems designed to protect the Obama/Clinton administration and to undermine the Trump administration. President Trump may want to ask his appointees what they are hiding about Russia.”.
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Sen. Lee Statement on Macmanus Nomination
WASHINGTON –Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) released the following statement today regarding the nomination of Joseph Macmanus to be the US Ambassador to Colombia:
"I was extremely disappointed to learn that Joseph Macmanus has been nominated to become the United States ambassador to Colombia,” Sen. Lee said. "At a time when we should be cleaning up the State Department and realigning our foreign-policy priorities to reflect those of the current administration, an Obama-era diplomat is not the right person to head our embassy in Colombia, a critical U.S. ally in the region.”
President Trump announced the nomination last Tuesday, November 21.
An online version of this release can be found here.
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SPEAK THE TRUTH...
EVEN IF YOUR VOICE SHAKES
Premiere New Video
"Drowning On The Sidewalk or Dying Inside"
Debut Album
Everyone You Love Will Slip Away From You
Out Now
Available For Purchase via Pledge Music & iTunes
Streaming Now on Spotify
"The guitar and instrumental work hones in on a poppy-darkness, forming a catchy
riff that underscores the darkness of Nielsen's lyrics." - Loudwire
"Speak The Truth's debut record is emotionally and sonically complex, even
though every song comes across as completely natural and easy to digest...It
is a pleasurable, exciting and comforting listen for all of the world-weary ears out there." - Alternative Press
"Carried by strong metaphors, symbolism and emotional revelations,
Everyone You Love Will Slip Away From You is an incredibly personal, yet
very relatable release." - The Prelude Press
Los Angeles, CA - November 28, 2017 - Alternative rock supergroup Speak The Truth...Even If Your Voice Shakes (STTEIYVS) is thrilled to share a brand new, Stranger Things-inspired video for their track "Drowning On The Sidewalk Or Dying Inside" (directed by Peter John). Fans can check it out now on Alternative Press, here: https://goo.gl/WhCKLF. The song comes from the band's debut full-length album, Everyone You Love Will Slip Away From You, which was released on November 10th. Everyone You Love Will Slip Away From You can be streamed now via Spotify, and is available for purchase at: pledgemusic.com/projects/speakthetruthca.
"Our friend Peter John had this great vision for this video with a nod to Stranger Things. We're all big fans of the show, we all grew up in the 80's. It was really fun to be able to give a nod to our childhood," the band shares. "The kids were super stoked to be in the video, they're all first time actors and they did an amazing job! The creative director Dan Coronado spared no expense in getting vintage bikes, vintage 80's posters and toys for the set. I think he was just excited to add it all to his collection! This was by far the most fun we've had making a video, Peter really went the extra mile and getting to spend a minute in our own Stranger Things universe was awesome!"
Speak The Truth... Even If Your Voice Shakes is the newest project from members of Senses Fail (Buddy Nielsen) and Finch (Alex Linares, Daniel Wonacott and Alex Pappas).
Everyone You Love Will Slip Away From You was written and recorded at a time when the band was dealing with major events within their personal lives, including a life-threatening motorcycle accident and the growth of their families. As a result, STTEIYVS was determined to not just finish their debut record, but to really pour their hearts into each song.
Speak The Truth...Even If Your Voice Shakes released their debut album, Everyone You Love Will Slip Away From You, on Friday, November 10th, 2017. To purchase, please visit: pledgemusic.com/projects/speakthetruthca.
For more information:
Website: www.speakthetruthca.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/speakthetruthca
Twitter: www.twitter.com/speakthetruthca
Instagram: www.instagram.com/speakthetruthca
Everyone You Love Will Slip Away From You Track Listing:
1. The Upside Down
2. Mornings Mournings
3. Crash My Car
4. Carpenter In Prison
5. Everyone You Love Will Slip Away From You
6. Drowning On The Sidewalk Or Dying Inside
7. 90 English 100 Unhappy
8. At Least There's Always Lexapro
9. Go For The Throat
10. Show Your Scars
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Judicial Watch: Federal Court Hearing on Thursday, November 30 on Production of Clinton Emails
State Department Will Not Complete Release of Clinton Emails Until 2020
(Washington DC) – Judicial Watch announced that a hearing will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017, regarding Hillary Clinton’s emails from her tenure as secretary of state from February 2009 to January 31, 2013 (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:15-cv-00687)).
Judicial Watch has asked the court to increase the State Departments processing requirement of 500 pages of Clinton emails per month. It has also requested the court order the State Department to provide the number of records withheld in full and provide information on the withheld records.
The State Department acknowledged in their last status report to the court they have processed 32,000 of the 72,000 pages of records turned over by the FBI. Under the current pace of production, the Clinton emails and other records will not be completely released until at least 2020.
At the previous October 19, 2017 hearing, Judge James E. Boasberg issued an order in response to Judicial Watch’s requests instructing the State Department to explain on November 30 “how its anticipated increase in resources will affect processing of records in this case...”
This lawsuit recently uncovered many new Clinton emails, including emails containing classified information.
The court hearing is scheduled for:
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2017
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Courtroom 19
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
333 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
The lawsuit was originally filed in May 2015.
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Teacher’s Search for Brother Leads to Spiritual Journey
Author/Actress Harriette Mandeville offers guidebook for others
NEW YORK CITY, NY. (Nov. 13, 2017) – Over a decade after Harriette Mandeville lost her brother to a drunk driver, she saw him in her kitchen. This unusual experience opened a window for exploration in Mandeville, and a desire to search for answers to questions that had been simmering for years.
“I was leading a normal existence as a wife, mom, teacher and homemaker,” Mandeville said, “until things happened that changed the course of my life’s path. This was the turning point to my spiritual awakening and led to a journey to connect to my inner spirit, while helping others find their way, as well.”
In “OPENING: Lotus Hawk’s Prayers & Meditations,” Mandeville, who goes by her spirit name, “Lotus Hawk,” offers an inspirational guide to prayer and meditation. In this workbook, filled with affirmations and meditations for various intentions, Mandeville offers a tool for connection and creativity and a path to finding answers to life’s questions.
“As an intuitive, I hone in on spiritual lines of communication that transcend mortal existence,” Mandeville said. “My goal is to help others to do the same, while empowering them to receive the answers they seek.”
Mandeville said that, because of tapping into her spiritual self and constantly tuning in to the universe and God’s messages, she was able to receive well-being that she hopes to give to others.
“In all of my searching for my brother,” Mandeville said, “I know he really never left me.”
“OPENING: Lotus Hawk’s Prayers and Meditations”
By Harriette Mandeville
ISBN: 978-1-4834-2214-5
Available at the Lulu Publishing and Amazon
About the author
Harriette Mandeville, who goes by the spirit name “Lotus Hawk,” has worked as a teacher and actress, playing many roles in television, film and off-Broadway productions, including the 2009 movie “The Rebound,” with Catherine Zeta-Jones. She now works as an intuitive coach and facilitator for Lotus Hawk’s Empowerment Theatre. She resides in East Elmhurst, New York. For more on Mandeville or her book, visit http://www.lotushawkspeaks.com/.
