Joint Statement of Action to Promote Elder Justice in Rural America by The United States Department of Justice And United States Department of Agriculture
(Washington, D.C., June 15, 2018) — The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) are forming a working group to focus on ways to empower and to support rural and tribal communities to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation. Today on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we collaboratively embark on a mission to work with older Americans in this Nation to improve their quality of life as envisioned by the Report to the President from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity.
The Nation’s seniors are treasured and revered members of our communities. Too often, however, seniors are targeted by unscrupulous criminals for fraud or are subjected to abuse. Factors more common in rural and tribal communities--including large geographic areas that elongate response time, fewer services and service providers, and limited access to broadband-- create additional challenges to identifying and combatting elder fraud and abuse in rural and tribal communities.
DOJ and USDA resolve to marshal our collective resources and expertise to enable rural and tribal communities to more effectively combat elder abuse and financial exploitation. We are forming a working group to develop recommendations and will jointly present strategic action steps in November 2018 at the Department of Justice’s Rural Elder Justice Summit in Des Moines, Iowa.
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Sens. Lee, Sanders Call on Sec. Mattis to Disclose Full U.S. Involvement in Yemen
WASHINGTON – Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) sent a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis today asking for details on the United States’ involvement in the Saudi’s war in Yemen, and to do so before U.S. involvement in those hostilities intensifies. The letter expresses concern that Congress’s attempt to play their proper Constitutional oversight role may be impeded by Pentagon officials withholding information, leading to a violation of the War Powers Act of 1973.
The letter reads, in part:
“We call on you to immediately disclose the full extent of the U.S. military role in the Saudi-led war against Yemen’s Houthis, including the use of special operations forces; disclose any role that the Pentagon is currently performing, has been asked to perform, or is considering performing regarding an attack on the port of Hodeida; and issue a public declaration opposing this impending assault and restating the Administration’s position that Saudi Arabia and other parties to the conflict should accept an immediate ceasefire and move toward a political settlement to resolve the conflict.”
Today’s letter follows a previous letter sent by Sens. Lee, Sanders, and Chris Murphy (D-CT) on May 17, 2018 asking for details on U.S. involvement in Yemen. The letter went unanswered; this, combined with the continued progression toward increased hostilities in the region prompted the need for this additional letter. A similar letter was sent by members of the US House of Representatives earlier this week on June 11th.
An online version of this release and full text of both Senate letters can be found here.
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GIDEON
Announces Summer Headline Tour
Featuring Polaris, Varials,
Nothing Left, & Chamber
Latest Album, Cold, Out Now
Via Equal Vision Records
June 15, 2018 - Alabama hardcore band Gideon has announced a summer headline tour, beginning on August 10th in Columbia, SC. Joining them will be Polaris, Varials, Nothing Left (on select dates), and Chamber. Tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased at: www.gideonal.com.
Gideon's latest album, Cold, was released on May 12th, 2017 via Equal Vision Records. It was recorded in Belleville, NJ with producer Will Putney (Northlane, Stray From The Path, Counterparts) and follows Calloused (2014, Facedown Records), which earned the band impressive Billboard Charting including: No. 4 Hard Rock Album, No. 5 Christian Album, No. 15 Independent Album, No. 21 Top Rock Album, and No. 74 Top Current.
For More Information, please visit:
Website: www.gideonal.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GideonAL
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gideonal
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gideonal
Upcoming Tour Dates:
8/10 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
8/11 - Fayetteville, NC @ The Drunk Horse
8/12 - Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
8/13 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
8/14 - Lemoyne, PA @ The Champ
8/15 - Amityville, NY @ Amityville Music Hall
8/16 - Trenton, NJ @ Championship Bar
8/17 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground
8/18 - Syracuse, NY @ Spark Art Space
8/19 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Cattivo
8/21 - Erie, PA @ Basement Transmissions
8/22 - Columbus, OH @ Big Room Bar
8/23 - Indianapolis, IN @ Hoosier Dome
8/24 - Nashville, TN @ The End
8/25 - Louisville, KY @ Trixie's
