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Politics

Antifa, otherwise known as so-called anti-fascists, gather outside Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park during a protest in Berkeley, California, on Sunday, August 27th, 2017.

Antifa, otherwise known as so-called anti-fascists, gather outside Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park during a protest in Berkeley, California, on Sunday, August 27th, 2017.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially classified the activities of Antifa as “domestic terrorist violence,” according to a report from POLITICO. The leftwing news website conducted interviews and obtained confidential law enforcement documents demonstrating that federal authorities have been worried about the radical leftwing group since at least April 2016.

A joint intelligence assessment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and DHS claimed “anarchist extremists” in Antifa were primarily responsible for the increased political violence in America. The investigation aimed to determine whether the U.S.-based Antifa–known as the American brand of Anti-Fascist Action–could also start conducting terrorist bombings like their counterparts in “foreign anarchist extremist movements.”

The documents show federal authorities blamed Antifa for attacks on the police, government and political institutions, all justified in the name along of “the capitalist system,” racism, social injustice and fascism.

Antifa and similiar groups have long-served as the “useful idiots” of despotic, leftwing regimes and the threat of imminent tyranny at the hands of fascists has long-been their go-to rallying cry. They were previously designated as a domestic terror group by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in New Jersey.

Last Saturday, Antifa attacked journalists and Trump supporters during the protest at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park in Berkeley, not Neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

Big Media, including Chuck Todd at NBC News, CNN, Reuters and others, have completely abdicated their role as truth-tellers and have all attempted to justify their violence. This distortion of the truth hides the danger posed by these groups, a point underscored in a recent PPD editorial.

When President Donald Trump was elected–and Big Media irresponsibly tied him to fascism to benefit their ideological allies in the Democratic Party–the group refocused their efforts on him and his supporters. The joint assessment warned there’s a danger in elevating the profiles of white supremacists, which were not deemed to be a size-significant threat.

In fact, the DHS and FBI said the groups will likely become more violent if it is believed “fascist, nationalist, racist or anti-immigrant parties obtain greater prominence or local political power in the United States, leading to anti-racist violent backlash from anarchist extremists.”

That’s exactly what Big Media has done.

[brid video=”160646″ player=”2077″ title=”Berkeley Footage Antifa Attacks Journalist to Take Camera Phone”]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially

Economy

A shopper passes a ''Sale'' sign at Quincy Market in downtown in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. January 11, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

A shopper passes a ”Sale” sign at Quincy Market in downtown in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. January 11, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

The Survey of Consumers, a closely-watched gauge of consumer sentiment, remained high at 96.8 even as it fell slightly from its initial reading in August.

“Consumer confidence has remained at a very favorable level, although slipping somewhat from mid-month,” Richard Curtin, Surveys of Consumers chief economist said. “The Sentiment Index has been higher during the first eight months of 2017 than in any year since 2000, which was the peak year of the longest expansion in U.S. history.”

Mr. Curtain attributed the renewed strength to consumers’ favorable assessments of their own financial situations. Thus far, they’ve not been phased by the stories Big Media have portrayed as most important to their lives.

“Lows in unemployment, inflation, and interest rates, as well as renewed gains in the value of their homes and stock portfolios, pushed personal financial evaluations to near all-time peaks,” he said. “When asked about news of recent developments, surprisingly few consumers made any reference to Charlottesville, North Korea, or Harvey-although too few interviews were conducted to fully assess the storm’s ultimate impact.”

He did warn that Harvey may diminish the third quarter (3Q) pace of economic growth, and higher gas prices will undoubtedly impact consumers directly. Before Harvey, consumers reported that they did not anticipate increases in gas prices in the year ahead (expected change was just +0.4 cents). Still, he is not forecasting a big change from these events.

“Given the current resilience of consumers, temporary increases in gas prices as well as a brief period of weakness in economic growth and employment are unlikely to derail confidence,” he added. “Nonetheless, all of these events are more likely to increase precautionary motives and to slightly temper spending trends.”

The Survey of Consumers, a closely-watched gauge

Economy

Workers assemble built-in appliances at the Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tennessee August 21, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

Workers assemble built-in appliances at the Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tennessee August 21, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Index (PMI) increased in August by 2.5 percentage points to 58.8, easily beating the consensus forecast. Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 14 reported growth in August and the report, which has been unusually strong this year, confirms government data indicating strength in the U.S. manufacturing sector.

The New Orders Index came in at 60.3%, a slight decline of 0.1 percentage point from the strong July reading of 60.4%. The Production Index was 61%, a 0.4 percentage point gain from the month prior. Overall, both new orders and production remain very strong and above 60 for the third straight month.

The Employment Index shot up to 59.9%, an increase of 4.7 percentage points from the solid 55.2% in July. The jobs report conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released on Friday showed strong employment gains in manufacturing in August and July, with upward revisions bringing the total to 62,000 jobs over the course of two months.

In fact, government data, which has been slow to detect the strength shown in regional and national manufacturing surveys, are beginning to contradict themselves. The ISM Manufacturing Index (PMI) and regional surveys by the Federal Reserve all demonstrate the same strength, though national government reports are being to look like outliers lagging far behind.

The Supplier Deliveries Index registered at 57.1%, a 1.7 percentage point increase from the July reading of 55.4%. The Inventories Index was 55.5%, also an increase of 5.5 percentage points from the July reading of 50%.

“Comments from the panel reflect expanding business conditions, with new orders, production, employment, backlog and exports all growing in August, as well as supplier deliveries slowing (improving) and inventories increasing during the period,” Timothy R. Fiore, Chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee said. “The Customers’ Inventories Index experienced a sharp decline in August compared to July.”

The Prices Index registered 62% in August, the same reading as July, indicating higher raw materials’ prices for the 18th consecutive month.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing

Economy

Men work on a construction site for a luxury apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles, California March 17, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

Men work on a construction site for a luxury apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles, California March 17, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

The U.S. Census Bureau on Friday said construction spending in the U.S. during July was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,211.5 billion, 0.6% (±1.5%). That’s below the revised June estimate of $1,219.2 billion.

The July figure is 1.8% (±1.8%)* above the July 2016 estimate of $1,189.8 billion. During the first 7 months of this year, construction spending increased to $691.2 billion, or 4.7% (±1.3%) higher than the $659.9 billion gauged for the same period in 2016.

Private construction spending was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $945.5 billion, 0.4% (±1.0%)* below the revised June estimate of $949.4 billion. Residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $517.5 billion in July, 0.8% (±1.3%)* above the revised June estimate of $513.2 billion. Nonresidential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $428.0 billion in July, 1.9% (± 1.0%) below the revised June estimate of $436.2 billion.

The estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending was $266.0 billion, 1.4% (±2.6%)* below the revised June estimate of $269.8 billion. Educational construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $66.2 billion, a 4.4% (±3.9%) decline from the revised June estimate of $69.2 billion. Highway construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $84.8 billion, a gain of 0.1% (±6.9%)* from the revised June estimate of $84.7 billion.

The U.S. Census Bureau said construction spending

Politics

President Donald J. Trump speaks with Texas Governor Greg Abbott while aboard Air Force One, as Chief of Staff General John Kelly listens, en route to Joint Base Andrews in Washington, D.C., Wednesday August 30, 2017. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

President Donald J. Trump speaks with Texas Governor Greg Abbott while aboard Air Force One, as Chief of Staff General John Kelly listens, en route to Joint Base Andrews in Washington, D.C., Wednesday August 30, 2017. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

President Donald Trump will personally donate $1 million to the victims of Hurricane Harvey, the White House confirmed on Thursday. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders seemed ready for questions about such a move during the press briefing and asked reporters to suggest an organization worthy of the money.

“He would like to join in the efforts that a lot of the people that we’ve seen across this country do and he’s pledging $1 million of personal money to the fund,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters on Thursday. “He’s actually asked that I check with the folks in this room since you are very good at research and have been doing a lot of reporting into the groups and organizations that are best and most effective.”

President Trump earlier in the week traveled to Corpus Christi to discuss the relief efforts with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Ms. Sanders also said that President Trump is planning to return to Texas for another visit of the damage from the storm.

He is expected to travel to Houston, where he will survey the damage of from some of the worst flooding.

President Donald Trump will personally donate $1

Economy

People browse booths at a military veterans' job fair in Carson, California October 3, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

People browse booths at a military veterans’ job fair in Carson, California October 3, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

The Labor Department said Thursday the U.S. economy created 156,000 jobs in August and unemployment remained at 4.4%, matching a near 16-year low set in June. While the headline number missed the 180,000 forecast, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report showed solid gains in higher-paying industries.

The labor force participation rate continued to tick higher in July to 62.9% and held firm in August. The less-cited but equally important employment–to-population ratio was largely unchanged at 60.1%.

August was a big month for manufacturing, construction, professional and technical services, health care and mining.

Manufacturing added a solid 36,000 jobs in August, with gains happening in motor vehicles and parts (+14,000), fabricated metal products (+5,000), and computer and electronic products (+4,000). Manufacturing has added 155,000 jobs since President Trump was elected in November 2016, which was a low point for the sector. BLS also upwardly revised manufacturing jobs created in July by 10,000, making it a total 26,000 increase for that month.

In August, construction employment rose by 28,000, after showing little change over the prior 5 months. Employment among residential specialty trade contractors edged up by 12,000 over the month.

Mining continued to add jobs in August (+7,000), with all of the growth in support activities for mining. Since a recent low in October 2016, employment in mining has risen by 62,000, or 10%.

Employment in professional and technical services continued to trend up in August (+22,000) and added 262,000 jobs over the last 12 months. In August, job gains occurred in computer systems design and related services (+8,000).

After beginning to rise, wages returned to stubborn and almost stagnant growth in August. Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by just 3 cents to $26.39, following a gain of 9 cents in July. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 65 cents, or 2.5%. In August, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 4 cents to $22.12.

Discouraged workers–persons marginally attached to the labor force not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them–are down 128,000 from a year earlier to 448,000.

The Labor Department said the U.S. economy

Politics

FBI Director James Comey testifies before a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. on July 14, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

FBI Director James Comey testifies before a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. on July 14, 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

Senators have evidence confirming a PPD report from May alleging James Comey “already decided” to clear Hillary Clinton before investigators completed their work.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Ia., the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, obtained transcripts from the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) revealing that the fired former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) drafted a statement rejecting criminal charges two months or more before Mrs. Clinton was even interviewed.

The government watchdog agency launched an investigation into whether Mr. Comey’s actions violated a federal law against government employees engaging in political activity while on duty. Sens. Grassley and Graham said the OSC closed the investigation after he was fired by President Trump.

In a letter sent Wednesday to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Grassley and Graham said Mr. Comey’s prepared statement “exonerating” Mrs. Clinton sometime in April or early May confirms their long-held suspicions.

“According to the unredacted portions of the transcripts, it appears that in April or early May of 2016, Mr. Corney had already decided he would issue a statement exonerating Secretary Clinton. That was long before FBI agents finished their work,” Sens. Grassley and Graham wrote. “Mr. Comey even circulated an early draft statement to select members of senior FBI leadership. The outcome of an investigation should not be prejudged while FBI agents are still hard at work trying to gather the facts.”

In October, People’s Pundit Daily reported that Mr. Comey prevented agents from properly investigating Mrs. Clinton over her improper use of a private email server to conduct official business at the Secretary Department. Mr. Comey, who was fired by President Donald Trump on recommendations from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, claimed the decision not to prosecute Mrs. Clinton for mishandling classified information was “unanimous.”

However, PPD reported in May the decision wasn’t unanimous and that agents claimed the former director undercut their investigation from start to finish. Multiple sources familiar with the case told PPD the then-director had predetermined the outcome far before they had finished their investigation.

“We didn’t search their house,” a source lamented to PPD. “There should have been a complete search of their [Clinton] residence and all devices should’ve been seized. We [FBI] even seize devices that have been set on fire. The investigation was definitely not conducted like a typical case.”

The FBI confirmed receipt of the senators’ letter and said the Bureau will only answer questions to them directly. Sens. Grassley and Graham are demanding all records of the drafts Mr. Comey prepared and other materials related to the OSC probe be handed over to the committee.

“Conclusion first, fact-gathering second—that’s no way to run an investigation. The FBI should be held to a higher standard than that, especially in a matter of such great public interest and controversy,” Sens. Grassley and Graham further wrote. “Moreover, the Justice Department entered into highly unusual immunity agreements with Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson in June 2016-after Mr. Comey began drafting his exoneration statement-to review Clinton email archives on their laptops.”

Senators have evidence confirming a PPD report

Politics

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, accompanied by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, speaks after his swearing-in ceremony on February 1, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, accompanied by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, speaks after his swearing-in ceremony on February 1, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said tax reform was “vital” for the U.S. “to engage in economic diplomacy” from a position of strength. President Donald Trump in Springfield, Mo., on Wednesday began his push for tax reform, a goal he said aimed to create a “pro-job,” “pro-worker,” and “pro-America” policy.

“The tax reform plan President Trump announced today is a vital measure for strengthening U.S. prosperity as well as global prosperity through investment and job creation,” Secretary Tillerson said. “A strong economy is a fundamental element of U.S. foreign policy, and the State Department will continue to engage in economic diplomacy to bolster the prosperity of our nation through increased investment and trade.”

Mr. Tillerson, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil, made the simple case that the economic benefit to passing historic tax reform will strengthen U.S. economic power, making them more effective without the threat of military force. The secretary of state began at Exxon Mobil as a production engineer out of the University of Texas at Austin in 1975 and went on to succeed former CEO Lee Raymond.

Under his leadership, Exxon Mobil’s profits helped to make it the most valuable publicly traded company in the world.

President Trump said “ideally” the corporate tax rate should be reduced to 15%, down from 35%, which would make American businesses “highly competitive.” His America First message, which is based on the belief elites have exported workers’ wealth to the detriment of U.S. communities and American economic power, was central to his campaign and now his presidency.

He singled out incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill and made it clear that he will play hardball from the bully pulpit to get it done when lawmakers return to Washington D.C. He will meet next week at the White House with leaders of the U.S. House and Senate, congressional aides confirmed Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kty., House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., all are scheduled to attend the meeting at the White House on Wednesday morning.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said President

Entertainment

Make America Great Again! Official Music Video by Joy Villa. (Photo: YouTube Screenshot)

Make America Great Again! Official Music Video by Joy Villa. (Photo: YouTube Screenshot)

YouTube has put back up the official “Make America Great Again!” music video by singer and Trump supporter Joy Villa, who declared victory after it was taken down. Kaya Jones, another outspoken supporter of the President of the United States, was also featured along with Ms. Villa in a recent article on Lifezette highlighting censorship on YouTube.

“VICTORY! Youtube Does The Right Thing, STOPS Censoring Me” Ms. Villa tweeted.

She first made headlines when she attended the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in February proudly rocking a red, white and blue gown displaying “Make America Great Again” with “Trump” in sparkly letters on the back hem. The dress was designed by Filipino immigrant Andre Soriano, a gay immigrant to the U.S. who also openly supports President Trump.

YouTube had claimed that they received a complaint from one of these people complained about the use of the face in the video. Ms. Villa responded that she had written agreements from each and every person in the video, but it was marked to private and YouTube initially refused to hear her case.

YouTube has repeatedly removed videos posted by People’s Pundit Daily (PPD), which feature first-hand footage of Islamic State (ISIS) militants destroying artifacts, even though they did not depict violence. The footage amounted to little more than vandalism. They also removed a video because it had an audio clip of Boko Haram pledging loyalty to the ISIS leader.

But in the case of Ms. Villa’s video, they felt the backlash. Now, she took to YouTube to tell her fans the news.

And here’s the official “Make America Great Again!” music video by Joy Villa.

YouTube has put back up the official

Economy

A single family home is shown with a sale pending in Encinitas, California May 22, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

A single family home is shown with a sale pending in Encinitas, California May 22, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said Thursday the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) fell slightly in July for the fourth decline in five months. The forward-looking indicator based on contract signings fell 0.8% to 109.1 in July from a downwardly revised 110.0 in June, dragging it 1.3% below a year ago.

It has fallen on an annual basis in three of the past four months. Because pending home sales take a month or two to close, the report bodes badly for existing home sales in August and even September.

“With the exception of a minimal gain in the West, pending sales were weaker in most areas in July as house hunters saw limited options for sale and highly competitive market conditions,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR. “The housing market remains stuck in a holding pattern with little signs of breaking through. The pace of new listings is not catching up with what’s being sold at an astonishingly fast pace.”

Mr. Yun says an unsustainable trend in the rise of median sales prices amid stagnant hourly earnings over the past 5 years is to blame for the lack of affordability in some markets. Over the past five years, the national median sales price has risen 38%, while hourly earnings have increased by only less than a third of that (12%). This is especially harmful to prospective first-time buyers and is pricing out other households who would otherwise be looking to buy a home.

“Buyer traffic continues to be higher than a year ago, the typical listing has gone under contract within a month since April, and inventory at the end of July was 9.0 percent lower than last July,” said Yun. “The reality, therefore, is that sales in coming months will not break out unless supply miraculously improves. This seems unlikely given the inadequate pace of housing starts in recent months and the lack of interest from real estate investors looking to sell.”

Mr. Yun said he anticipates existing home sales to finish out the year at roughly 5.49 million, which is an increase of only 0.7% from 2016 (5.45 million). The national median existing home price this year is expected to gain around 5%.

In 2016, existing sales increased 3.8% and prices rose 5.1%.

“The combination of weaker contract signings and the expected pause in activity in the Houston region because of Hurricane Harvey will likely slow overall sales growth in coming months,” Mr. Yun said.

The PHSI in the Northeast inched down 0.3% to 97.7, but is still 2.4% above a year ago. In the Midwest, the index fell 0.7% to 103.3 this month and is now 2.8% lower than July 2016. The PHSI in the South fell 1.7% to 123.1 and are now 0.2% below last July. The index in the West gained 0.6% to 102.3, but is still 4.0% below a year ago.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said

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