The New Years’ Eve Ethics Massacre
Yesterday the House Ethics Committee effectively legalized the conversion of campaign funds for personal use by members of the House of Representatives.
They can now take dollars from donors and put them in their pocket.
It’s not what they said they did, but under the cover of the New Years’ holiday, Ethics Committee Democrats and Republicans pulled a fast one, legalizing a money laundry so blatantly corrupt it would embarrass Walter White.
They also made many other allegations of wrongdoing disappear.
Six Reports of Misconduct
Let’s start with the context. Congress’s independent ethics watchdog, the Office of Congress Ethics, raised the alarm on four members of Congress. They issued six reports on suspected improper activities of–…
Sydney celebrates 2025 with a dazzling fireworks display
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Move into SD bunker backfires on family seeking a new life
David Streeter thought abandoning his traditional life to relocate into a survival bunker in South Dakota would allow his family to retreat from the stresses, expenses and restrictions of the modern world.
The family of three also wanted to be prepared in case an apocalypse of some kind altered the course of mankind and threatened their lives and way of life.
But 18 months after leasing a former Army munitions bunker in the Vivos xPoint residential complex south of Edgemont, the Streeters have had their dreams shattered. And they now find themselves embroiled in a situation that has brought on a level of upheaval, worry and danger they specifically sought to avoid.
“It’s been nothing but a nightmare,” said Streeter, 51. “We just wanted to get away from the rat race and live peacefully, but obviously that hasn’t happened.”
In August, Streeter – an Army veteran who was injured while serving in Bosnia – shot a Vivos contract employee at close range. Streeter said the man had threatened his family and he was defending himself. No charges were filed in that case or in a fatal shooting involving Streeter in Montana in 2010.
Streeter’s daughter witnessed and videotaped the Igloo shooting while his 12-year-old daughter was calling 911 for help. His younger daughter now sometimes cries in her sleep, Streeter said.
Streeter and his wife, Katja, a nurse who works in Hot Springs, were evicted from their bunker and are living in cramped quarters with nine other adults and children in a home with only one shower not far from the Vivos complex.
Streeter and his wife are the plaintiffs or defendants in a handful of lawsuits related to their eviction, the shooting, a protection order request against him and small claims cases.
For now, the Streeters have lost the money paid to lease and build out the Vivos bunker, a tab Streeter estimates is around $300,000. They’ve also spent about $15,000 in legal fees to file or fight several lawsuits.
Streeter said that even after moving out of Vivos, the on-site subcontractor he shot – a convicted felon known to carry guns – frequently parks outside or drives by the house where they now live.
Streeter said he also has been interviewed twice by agents of the FBI, which former Vivos residents said has launched an investigation into the bunker complex and its owner.
In mid-2023, Streeter sold his home in Montana and leased a bunker at Vivos xPoint to get away from the modern world and test his mettle at building a home inside the bunker and successfully living off the grid.
The relatively low lease cost and monthly and annual fees, when compared to the cost of a traditional home and property taxes, would also allow Streeter and his family to travel internationally, he said.
After living for a time in a camper outside, he eventually moved himself, his wife and his daughter into the bunker. Later, he built out the bunker with a sub-floor, walls, and a kitchen, bathroom and TV rooms.
However, it wasn’t long after that problems arose and his expectation of a peaceful life on the South Dakota prairie was shattered….
Trouble in ‘prepper’ paradise: Bunker residents raise financial, safety concerns at Igloo, SD site
Vivos uses a 99-year lease agreement, so residents do not legally own their bunkers.
People who take possession of a bunker pay Vivos an up-front lease fee of up to $55,000 and $3,000 for water service. They also pay monthly “common area fees” of $111 and an annual $1,124 “ground rent fee” to live in a bunker or have it ready for them when needed, according to a January 2024 Vivos memo.
Lessees sign a 14-page lease and eight-page list of community rules, and those who don’t pay or violate the rules can be evicted. One rule states that Vivos residents are forbidden from talking to the media about the bunker complex or the company under the threat of fines or possible eviction.
Custer attorney J. Scott James, who is litigating several lawsuits related to Vivos, said evicted residents can lose the lease monies paid as well as any financial equity or the value of improvements made to their bunkers, which can then be leased again by Vivos.
Former bunker resident Brandon Elliott said he was illegally evicted by Vivos, which then leased his bunker to a new resident after he made $15,000 in improvements.
“There have been many people in my situation,” Elliott said. “As soon as there’s a problem and they complain, they get pushed out illegally and their bunkers are resold.”
Vicino said that bunker residents who leave Vivos xPoint are allowed to re-lease their bunkers to someone else, and they are free to remove any improvements made prior to leaving.
James is representing at least three former residents of Vivos xPoint in civil actions related to the bunker complex and actions by Vicino and his company.
“A lot of these people paid between $35,000 to $50,000 for what Vivos calls a 99-year lease on these bunkers. And if it’s truly a 99-year lease, and you’re evicting my client in year three or four, and they’ve prepaid 95 years of lease money, then you should have to give it back, at least a prorated amount,” James said. “They (Vivos) get to say, ‘OK, we just get to keep reselling these things over and over to people,’ and that seems like it’s an inequitable relationship.”
News Watch recently learned that FBI agents from the San Diego office have interviewed at least two former residents of Vivos xPoint. One former resident, Elliott, said he was interviewed by FBI agents in November related to Vicino “dealing with problems in an illegal way.”
Former Vivos xPoint resident David Streeter said he has been interviewed by FBI agents twice since November. Streeter said they inquired about the leases and financial dealings at the Vivos xPoint complex and were also investigating other allegations related to Vicino.
Streeter, who shot a Vivos subcontractor in the chest during a confrontation at the complex in August but was not charged in the shooting, is involved in a number of lawsuits related to Vivos xPoint. He has two pending small claims lawsuits against Vivos and is fighting his eviction. Vivos has filed eviction and defamation lawsuits against Streeter, who has become a leading critic of Vivos and Vicino.
Bunker resident Wayne Corriea, one of the first people to lease a Vivos xPoint bunker and who formerly worked security for Vivos, said Vicino is an unethical businessman who takes questionable and possibly illegal actions against anyone who disagrees with or challenges him.
“When I was head of security, there were several things I wouldn’t do,” Corriea said. “I won’t torment, harass or intimidate people, and I won’t do anything that I feel is wrong. If it’s right by the law, it’s good to go and if you’re doing it for the right reasons. So several times I disagreed with him, and I wouldn’t do stuff, and I think that caused a lot of issues with him and me because he wanted me to lie for him, but not to him.”…
Was Hitler Far-Left or Far-Right?
Did you know that “Nazi” stands for “National Socialism”? Adolf Hitler HATED capitalism and divided the world by race. Does that put him on the left or the right? Hear what Dennis has to say.
HORROR: Georgia Judge Kills Himself Inside in His Own Courtroom
Tragedy struck over the holidays in the Peach State as an elderly judge took his own life inside his own courtroom.
WSAV reported Tuesday that 74-year-old Judge Stephen Yekel, an Effingham County state court judge, committed suicide in a county courtroom. Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said Yekel was discovered around 10 am by a deputy but reportedly shot himself late Monday night or early Tuesday.
Yekel previously tried to quit his position before killing himself, but Kemp refused to accept his resignation.
Interestingly, officials revealed that a note was sent to Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office. However, the details of this message have not been released to the public at this time.
The Daily Mail reports that Yekel’s life had been turned upside down following his re-election loss including the loss of his best friend and dealing with a wrongful termination lawsuit.
Yekel and his ex-wife Lisa also had financial problems due to a failed daycare business. They divorced last year.
“He did everything he could to avoid bankruptcy,” Lisa Yekel said. “Unfortunately, I had used his life savings to keep the daycare open.”
Oklahoma City bombing SOLVED! The shocking evidence that changes everything we were told | Redacted
Everything you thought you knew about the Oklahoma City bombing could be wrong. Newly unearthed documents, details and first hand accounts are shining a new light on one of the largest attacks on American soil. Journalist Derrick Broze shares insights from his new multi-part documentary series.
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Bird Flu Hype Stirs as Media Suggests Potential for Pandemic Amid Trump Presidency
Recent reports from prominent media outlets have raised the alarm about the potential dangers of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, sparking fears of a new pandemic.
However, closer examination reveals that the current level of concern may be unwarranted, with experts consistently highlighting that the virus has shown no evidence of human-to-human transmission and poses little immediate risk to the public.
In an article titled “How America Lost Control of the Bird Flu, Setting the Stage for Another Pandemic”, Yahoo News described dramatic scenes of livestock suffering from infections on dairy farms, citing videos of farmers taking extreme measures to hydrate ailing cattle. While the imagery painted a dire picture, the outlet also acknowledged that the virus remains confined to animal populations, with only 60 human cases reported worldwide—all linked to direct contact with infected poultry or livestock.
Similarly, the Washington Examiner published a piece claiming that President-elect Donald Trump would face significant challenges in containing a potential bird flu outbreak. Despite this, the article conceded that there has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission and that the situation remains unchanged from earlier in 2024.
Hype vs. Reality
Critics argue that the media’s coverage is disproportionate to the actual risk, with some accusing outlets of amplifying fears for political or ideological purposes. Dr. Peter McCullough and Dr. Kelly Victory have raised concerns about how such narratives could distract from more pressing public health priorities.
“There is no justification for the current level of alarm,” said Dr. Victory in a recent interview. “While vigilance is important, sensationalized reporting creates unnecessary fear and undermines trust in public health communication.”
Speculation About Political Motives
Some observers suggest that the timing of the avian flu coverage may not be coincidental, particularly as President-elect Trump prepares to assume office. Vaccine advocate Peter Hotez previously predicted that pandemics might challenge the incoming administration, a comment critics have interpreted as a politically motivated forecast rather than a scientific assessment…
Recap: 2024 in Five Minutes
Let’s walk through 2024 together, lest we forget some of the most ridiculous news stories, and what they tried to make us believe. Here’s a recap.
Dems consider moving independent as left’s brand grows ‘toxic’
Political reporter Tiana Lowe Doescher discusses the impact of the growing disarray within the Democratic Party.
‘DEEPLY CONCERNING’: Chinese hackers target US treasury computers
Former Trump deputy national security adviser Victoria Coates joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss Chinese hackers’ ability to access user workspaces at the Treasury Department and Americans’ mixed opinions on aid for Ukraine.
Inspector General Report Reveals DOJ Officials Leaked Confidential Information Ahead of Election
The OIG launched its investigation after receiving a complaint alleging that DOJ officials had disclosed politically sensitive information to influence public opinion ahead of the election. The investigation revealed that the three senior officials selectively leaked non-public details about ongoing investigations to reporters, resulting in the publication of two articles featuring the leaked information.
In a further breach of policy, one of the officials amplified the leaked articles by reposting them on an official DOJ social media account, an act the OIG flagged as a misuse of federal resources.
Despite uncovering these violations, the investigation faced significant limitations.
By the time the OIG sought interviews with the implicated officials, all three had resigned from the DOJ. As a result, they either declined to participate or failed to respond, leaving gaps in the investigation due to the OIG’s lack of authority to compel testimony from former employees.
The findings have been forwarded to the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and the Professional Misconduct Review Unit for review. Additionally, the report has been sent to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to determine whether the leaks violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in certain political activities.
The recent findings are not the first instance of unauthorized disclosures within the DOJ. In 2019, the OIG determined that a high-ranking FBI official had illegally leaked sensitive information, including details protected by federal court orders, to members of the media. Despite the severity of the misconduct, the DOJ declined to prosecute the individual, drawing criticism from watchdog groups and lawmakers.
This pattern of unauthorized disclosures has raised broader concerns about accountability within the DOJ. Critics argue that such leaks not only undermine public trust in the department but also compromise the fairness and impartiality of the justice system…
US launches multiple strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen
The US military fired multiple strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, the latest escalation against the Iran-backed terror group plaguing the Red Sea.
American navy ships and aircraft targeted Houthi command posts and weapons depots on Monday and Tuesday, destroying the facilities that have been attacking military and merchant vessels in the region, according to US Central Command.
The strikes were focused on the capital city of Sana’a and coastal locations around the Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, including “advanced conventional weapon (ACW) production and storage facilities.”
“These facilities were used in Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
US Navy and Air Force aircraft also destroyed a Houthi coastal radar site and seven cruise missiles, the statement added.
CENTCOM said the strike was part of the US military’s efforts to crackdown on the Houthi’s attacks in the region, which began last year in solidarity with Hamas following Israel’s incursion in Gaza. ..
Dr. Peter McCullough on The Alex Jones Show: Bird Flu Strain Is Product Of Gain-Of-Function Research – Full Interview 12/30/24
Xi Jinping Declares Taiwan’s Reunification with China “Inevitable,” Escalating Regional Tensions
Xi framed reunification as a cornerstone of China’s national rejuvenation and a deeply held aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
“The complete reunification of our motherland is an aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Strait,” Xi said. “It is inevitable and integral to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
The Chinese president emphasized familial and cultural bonds between mainland China and Taiwan, portraying reunification as a domestic matter. However, his assertive tone underscores Beijing’s impatience with the current state of cross-strait relations, particularly following Taiwan’s recent presidential election.
Over the past year, China has ramped up its military presence near Taiwan, conducting frequent exercises that Beijing has described as warnings to separatist forces. These actions include large-scale naval drills, simulated blockades, and repeated incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
Observers have noted that these operations are designed to test Taiwan’s defenses and signal China’s readiness to use force if necessary. Some analysts view the military maneuvers as a way for Beijing to apply pressure on Taiwan’s leadership while sending a message to the United States and its allies about China’s resolve…
Knife-wielding Tren de Aragua gangbangers are repeatedly attacking border crossings in desperate move to force their way into US before Trump takes office
Knife-wielding Tren de Aragua gang members are mobbing border crossings at El Paso, Texas, in an attempt to break into the US — and have said they will attack border guards who try to stop them, according to a shocking Texas law enforcement memo leaked to The Post.
Last week, 20 of the Venezuelan gangbangers — armed with blades, tire irons and broken liquor bottles — tried to force their way into the US at a border gate, the missive from the Texas Department of Public Safety read.
Another attempt to break through is expected on New Year’s Day, the memo warned.
The brutal prison gang is becoming increasingly desperate to salt more members into the US before President-elect Donald Trump takes over, said Victor Avila, a retired agent for Homeland Security Investigations.
Texas authorities were alerted to the gangbangers’ attempts to force their way into the US by an anonymous informant, who said the violent border break-ins by the gang “would continue every night” around 3 a.m.
The tipster said the gang intends to “cause harm” to the Texas National Guard soldiers who are stationed there — “especially when they are left alone with no agents” to help them.
A Texas law enforcement source told The Post that “gunfire has picked up big time” along the El Paso border in recent days, adding that authorities have also had to fire more pepperballs at groups trying to breach the border…
The Pentagon chief loses bid to reject 9/11 plea deals
A military appeals court has ruled against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s effort to throw out the plea deals reached for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two other defendants in the 9/11 attacks, a U.S. official said.
The decision puts back on track the agreements that would have the three men plead guilty to one of the deadliest attacks on the United States in exchange for being spared the possibility of the death penalty.
The attacks by al-Qaida killed nearly 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001, and helped spur U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq in what the George W. Bush administration called its war on terror.
The military appeals court released its ruling Monday night, according to the U.S. official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Austin now has the option of taking his effort to throw out the plea deals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Separately, the Pentagon said it had repatriated one of the longest-held detainees at the Guantanamo military prison, a Tunisian man who U.S. authorities approved for transfer more than a decade ago. Ridah bin Saleh al-Yazidi’s return to Tunisia leaves 26 men at Guantanamo.
That’s down from a peak population of about 700 Muslim men detained abroad and brought to the prison in the years after the Sept. 11 attacks. Al-Yazidi’s repatriation leaves 14 men awaiting transfer to other countries after U.S. authorities waived any prosecution and cleared them as security risks.
The Biden administration, pressed by rights groups to free remaining Guantanamo detainees held without charge, transferred out three other men this month. The U.S. says it is searching for suitable and stable countries willing to receive the remaining 14….
Hamas refusing to release some hostages in Gaza deal negotiations – report
Hamas is reportedly refusing to release 12 of the 34 hostages in the first phase of an alleged deal in the works, instead offering the bodies of 12 killed abductees, a Palestinian source told Israeli state news agency KAN on Monday.
The source claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused the release of bodies in the first stage of the deal.
While Hamas has refused to release all the requested 34 living hostages, the terror group has reportedly upped the number of security prisoners it demands released.
Egyptian news channel Al-Ghad reported earlier this month that 11 of the names Israel sent did not meet Hamas’s criteria as the terror organization considered them soldiers. Hamas reportedly only agreed to release the sick, children and the elderly in exchange for 250 security prisoners.
Sources previously revealed to The Jerusalem Post that one of the reasons for a delay in a hostage deal was because Hamas had failed to provide a list of living hostages.
While the names of the 22 hostages Hamas has promised to release have not been made public, the deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau, Mousa Abu Marzouk, has previously promised Russia that two Russian citizens would be among the first released.
The two Russian hostages, Alexandre Troufanov and Maxin Herkin, are both being held in Gaza, although Troufanov is by Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Hamas made similar promises prior to murdering Russian citizen Alexander Lobanov.
Lobanov’s body was discovered in Gaza in September alongside the bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Carmel Gat, and Ori Danino.
Mom used as human shield in Bronx store shooting, police say; daughter, 4 others injured
Six people were injured after two shooters opened fire on a New York City convenience store, including a mom used as a human shield by a “cowardly intended victim” and her 12-year-old daughter, according to officials.
At around 4:50 p.m. local time, police received “numerous” calls regarding shots fired, according to Chell. When they arrived at the scene, the mother and daughter had been injured in the shooting, as well as four other men between 18 and 21 years old who were shot in the arms and legs.
Two shooters opened fire from across the street at a group standing in front of the convenience store, according to the NYPD.
Some of the people standing outside ran into the store to take cover, Chell said. The shooters then went into the store and opened fire inside.
The mother and her daughter were standing by the store’s counter when one of the intended victims bumped into the mom and turned her around to use her as a shield against the shooters.
The mother was shot in her stomach, and her daughter was shot in her leg, according to Chell.
Two men are believed to be responsible for the shooting and fled the scene, according to Chell.
Police asked witnesses and anyone with knowledge regarding the shooting to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) to provide information to police.
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