ICIJ ARTICLES ON WOOD NEWS AGENCY

Coming Soon: ICIJ to Release Panama Papers Offshore Companies Data

 

By Marina Walker Guevara

 Apr 26, 2016

 

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists will release on May 9 a searchable database with information on more than 200,000 offshore entities that are part of the Panama Papers investigation.

The database will likely be the largest ever release of secret offshore companies and the people behind them.

The data comes from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, one of the top players in the offshore world, and includes information about companies, trusts, foundations and funds incorporated in 21 tax havens, from Hong Kong to Nevada in the United States. It links to people in more than 200 countries and territories. When the data is released, users will be able to search through the data and visualize the networks around thousands of offshore entities, including, when possible, Mossack Fonseca’s internal records of the company’s true owners. The interactive database will also include information about more than 100,000 additional companies that were part of the 2013 ICIJ Offshore Leaks investigation.

While the database opens up a world that has never been revealed on such a massive scale, the application will not be a “data dump” of the original documents – it will be a careful release of basic corporate information .

ICIJ won’t release personal data en masse; the database will not include records of bank accounts and financial transactions, emails and other correspondence, passports and telephone numbers. The selected and limited information is being published in the public interest.

Meanwhile ICIJ, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung which received the leak, and other global media partners, including several new outlets in countries where ICIJ has not been able to report, will continue to investigate and publish stories in the weeks and months to come.

The Panama Papers investigation revealed the secret offshore dealings of world leaders and other politicians as well as criminals and celebrities. It exposed the role of big banks in facilitating secrecy and tax evasion and avoidance. And it showed how companies and individuals blacklisted in the U.S. and elsewhere for their links to terrorism, drug trafficking and other crimes were able to do business through offshore jurisdictions.

Since its release, the Panama Papers investigation has led to high profile resignations, including the prime minister of Iceland; triggered official inquiries in multiple countries; and put pressure on world leaders and other politicians, such as Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron, to explain their connections to offshore companies. It sparked a new sense of urgency among lawmakers and regulators to close loopholes and make information about the owners of shell companies public.In the U.S., where several states act as tax havens for people from all over the world, President Barack Obama commented on the Panama Papers revelations and said global tax avoidance facilitated by secrecy jurisdictions is “a huge problem.” The president added that “a lot of it is legal, but that’s exactly the problem. It’s not that they’re breaking the laws, it’s that the laws are so poorly designed.”

The database will be published at https://offshoreleaks.icij.org on May 9 at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 UTC).

AMERICA HALF MAST

AMERICA HALF MAST

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 04/26/2016 – 07:54PM ET

 

In my recent 3-year descent from right wing beliefs since the horrid year of 2001, that changed me from a die-hard liberal to an O’Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh pet, I have come back towards the middle, and find myself as a newly established Independent Patriot, and Constitutionalist.  Out of this new role, I sometimes find myself leaning slightly left on some issues, and leaning right on others.  I like the see-saw ride I suppose, but it sure makes me feel more balanced, honest, and true, without any extreme bias.

So, in this article, I will aim to point out a failure, of which I believe has been President Barack Obama’s largest mistake, that is hurting our country, our relations abroad, and or soldiers who are still out on the battlefields.

As an Independent, I feel that President Obama has done many great things for our country economically, and possibly with some of our allies.  However, he has drawn even more ire against America, than even George H Bush did, and that is of grave concern to our soldiers across the world.  These soldiers, are being stretched thing, due to massive cuts across the board, in all areas of national defense. Be it the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, or National Guard, we are decreasing, and decreasing our numbers, due to Obama’s policies on military buildup.

Bret Baier, (chief political anchor and anchor of Special Report with Bret Baier ((weeknights 6-7PM/ET)), the top-rated cable news program in its timeslot and consistently one of the top five shows in cable news. Based in Washington, DC, he joined the network in 1998 as the first reporter in the Atlanta bureau), of Fox News Channel, recently had a weekend program that ran on a Saturday night two weekends in a row, showing how Obama’s foreign and military policies, have cut our military in half.  These cuts have weakened our positions around the world, stretched our military thin, and caused groups such as ISIS to power ahead, only having to worry about the United Nations’ weak fight against their insurgencies around the globe.

Due to these weak military policies, our soldiers are coming home with no jobs in place, no money, and those who are abroad, fighting for democracy around the globe, are being put in more harm’s way, due to a lack of funding to give them the armor, and the weaponry they need…. Your children!!  Our children…. America’s children, and young women and men, are being put out there to die, an easier death, due to our nation’s military prowess being cut in half.

In 2013, Leon Panetta, Ex-Defense Secretary of the DOD stated, “These steps would seriously damage the fragile American economy, and they would degrade our ability to respond to crisis precisely at a time of rising instability across the globe”.

Fast forward to April 2016, and we see the resurgence of North Korea, flexing its military and nuclear muscles, we have China building new manmade military bases in the South Seas.  We have Iran making deals with America for nuclear materials.  We have Russia performing close as a shave, fly-bys of our warships.  We are nearing the Russian coast with our fleets, and ISIS continues to grow, and other terrorist groups continue to bomb.

Has the weakening of our United States Military Branches been the best thing for America and the World?  I highly doubt it, as trouble around the globe is sky-rocketing, ever since the cuts on our Department of Defense, and our military have taken effect only a few years ago.

Whoever steps up as President of the United States, has got to reverse that trend, and put funding back in our military’s pockets, and out of the hands of greedy politicians, and their ridiculous pork-barrel spending projects!

Make our military safe and strong again President-elect, and save our Nation and the World from a future fall into destruction. Let’s fly our flag proudly at full mast once again, just as our Navy proudly did, in the War of 1812!

http://www.foxnews.com/person/b/bret-baier.html

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THE COLOR PURPLE RAINS DOWN ON AMERICA IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY!

THE COLOR PURPLE RAINS DOWN ON AMERICA IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY!

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 04/25/2016 – 9:03PM

The week of April 18 through April 25, of the year 2016, has brought on an interesting array of outcomes, at in an incredibly coincidental time in our Nation’s history.

During an extremely important American Presidential Election, in which there seems to be no great national choice as to who will bring our country together from the depths of Its’ still beleaguering history, and during which we have lost one of our greatest musical legends, and historically, of which we find ourselves, finally respecting one of the great members of the movement of freedom for African-Americans in the 1800’s, these three great moments have collaborated, and collided like crashing rollercoasters, off course.

While Republicans continue to do useless battle over who is going to be their front runner, on the left, you have democrats ignoring the fact that Bernie has no mathematical chance, in actuality.  Never mind, the polls that show our first, forthcoming, FBI-suspect, female President, tearing just about all the Republican candidates in two, in November!

I will go out on a limb, and suggest that we will see Clinton staffers arrested, but no warrant for Hillary herself, accept a call in front of the regular old ethics, and congressional panels, which will hold up our government for the first 4 years of her tenancy at the White House, with Bill probably running things instead, like the old times.

Face it nation…with Donald J Trump the likely Republican Candidate, Hillary is a shoe-in for the Presidency, and this does seem to be what the majority of minorities in the United States wants.

The minorities, of course, run the nation now, as a majority in its’ own.

So, how does this tie into the heading?

Well, it seems, that those who support Hillary the most in our Country; those being African-Americans, are seeing a week, in which the great, and almighty color of Purple is raining down for their heritage in my eyes!  I see it as a time in which we get to finally celebrate outwardly, and loudly the greatness of the African people, and all nations that have made America the incredible melding pot it has become.  The greatest nation on Earth!  This is the reason that everyone wants to come and live here. Because we take the hungry, the poor, the needy, the helpless, and the country-less, and we give them a new home, a new way, and a new life!

The death of the great music legend Prince, and the information on his Humanitarian effort around the globe, and in America, is just the background setting for a week of triumph for the culture, heritage, music, art, comedy, and everything that individuals of all societies have brought to America, but even more specially, what the African slaves first brought here without choice, except for those who took their place in trading. 

Purple is a color of suffering, of mourning, of pain, but of time, growth, and recovery!

“The Color Purple”, one of my all-time favorite stories, and movies, is that same story of suffer-age, and pain, but of strength and recovery.

Harriet Tubman being placed on the $20 bill. A very commonly used bill, is a great way to remember her suffering, and her pain, as she sacrificed her life to save the lives of others.  Just as someone else we all kind of know, historically.  As many throughout history have suffered to do. 

Harriett was one of the bravest warriors of all time, and although money is a form of Capitalism, which some say is the reason for their history in America, and the oppression of black civilization, I put forth, that it’s not the money, but the hatred, and the scared little children inside the hateful adults, whom have grown to be so jaded in their minds towards others of different cultures, skin, or religions.

Through this purple vale, and during this sensitive time in America, which hides in the dark rain; we must in the 21^st century, take a huge curtain, and stomp it out for all time! We need to help rid America of racism and hate, forever!  On all sides of the issue!

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Inequality Of Public Schools Across The Nation

Inequality Of Public Schools Across The Nation.

    Written by: Dani Cronce – Binghamton City Councilwoman – 04/25/2016 – 8:28PM

    Edited by: Colin Wood- CEO/Partner

         Although, we have banned segregation in our nation’s schools, we have failed to understand the devastation that poorer neighborhood schools are facing, from lack of proper funding. Poor communities have more obstacles to overcome such as overcrowding; and low teacher salaries which forces teachers to relocate to higher paying jobs, else-where; and the lack of basic educational supplies. These things, coupled with the rise in single parents, or families where both parents work, The needs of our children are being ignored.

     Geographically, the United States has some remaining issues dating back from Pre-Civil War Era. In the south many of the families lived great distances from each other. Tutors and nannies were required to educate children in higher class society.

    After the Civil War the poorest children were left uneducated due to lack of school houses. Many of the nation’s areas are still suffering lingering effects today, due to the issues of our rocky past.

    We cannot forget to point out that over  populated area's tend to suffer from more impoverished ailments. When a city is overpopulated job competition drastically eliminates many of the lower educated residents chances of obtaining work. There are several ways that this adds to the over-all health of a community. Blight, lower levels of safety, and dwindling property taxes, create a vacuum of economic instability.

    Why do we cut funding in poor school systems?

     I fail to see how taking funding from a failing school leads to success. Poorer schools are failing, due to a lack of funding, with which to buy appropriate curriculum, and basic educational classroom tools and for keeping a competitive salary, that attracts hard working teachers. Attacking teachers, which are truly the best key we have to our children's success, makes many American individuals upset.

    Tests, tests and more tests.

    We are educating our children to study for tests. Adding an obscene amount of testing seems to be taking away more than we can afford to lose. Creativity, quality, and intuitive thought processes are what make America the great nation that it is. The very skills that can help an impoverished child have a chance to fulfill their dreams, are being stripped away daily by political leaders who never stepped foot in a classroom.

    Should schools be mandated and funded solely through the state?

  

    There is much debate about how to properly educate our nation's children.

    I think it would be good to dispense of our nations education fund equally based on the size and need of each individual school. A larger state public school fund just may be more helpful than a community public school fund. This could ensure that all schools have a fighting chance, even those who are in a poor community. This would require re-writing the way that our nation uses public taxation and the distribution of our public funds.

    In either way we look at it, we need to change the way our public schools are funded. What we have now is a broken system.

http://sociology.about.com/od/Works/a/Savage-Inequalities-Children-In-Americas-Schools.htm

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From the Writer:  Please join me as I discuss the need for quality, educational, after-school programs. Also, a look at what we can do, to help mentor our community’s children, in my next article.

D.C.

The Hateful Eight & Concsussion Review!

IN THE PIT WITH “THE HATEFUL EIGHT”,

‘TIL, “CONCUSSION” LIFTS ME UP

Written by:  Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 04/17/16 – 9:08PM ET

            In deciding to watch two movies, and blend them into one review, I chose completely different types of dramas.  Quentin Tarantino’s rousing “The Hateful Eight”, set in a rustic cabin, that seems to have corners, and angles creep out of the shadow, every move of the camera, which is placed in a hilly region of Wyoming, near Red Rock, and in the midst of a wallop of a mountain snow storm!  Contrarily, Concussion, directed by Peter Landesman, takes place in rustic old Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, as its main setting. 

In reading a few reviews already out on these two films, I need to beg to differ with most of the concepts of each movie that have been rendered by other writers.

Every Tarantino movie, has basically one thing alike…. Violence…violence, to the max!  Then, after that, some more violence, and then just a bit more…and then violence to end the story. 

“The Hateful Eight”, is no different, and just another rendering of Tarantino’s similar story-type, in “Reservoir Dogs”.

In describing this movie, one writer for a popular magazine used all the big, glitzy words he could, to make it sound like the greatest thing Quentin has ever produced form his loins. 

Keeping to the smaller words, I’m just going to mention that it’s the same as any other of his movies, and if you are looking for that, then you will enjoy it, just for that. 

The performances of Kurt Russel, Tim Roth (Now tied for 4^th on the all-time Tarantino Movie list, with Uma, and Keitel), the always amazing Samuel L Jackson (number 2, with 6 Tarantino movies, only behind Tarantino himself, at 8), Walton Goggins, giving a lifetime performance, without a doubt, Michael Madsen, as himself pretty much, Bruce Dern, as himself pretty much, and the always fantastic and creative, and wild Jennifer Jason Leigh, are A-List Awesome!  The cast coughs, spits, chews, yells, whispers, shoots, bleeds, spews blood, and swallow brains al in one setting, and it’s certainly entertaining to watch, as they meander around the cabin, with Tarantino cinematography, that only he has mastered, as #4, on the All-Time Director’s List!  Channing Tatum continues to prove his Hollywood worth, movie after movie, as well, and the rest of the supporting cast are do their jobs, just fine.

But, where the movie struggled for me, was in its very recognizable, and dull Quentintino-esque nature, and final resolve.  Actually, had I realized that he directed it, prior to renting it on Dish Cinema, I probably would not have seen it this soon.  Some believe it is perfect, and it certainly has that air of perfection, but also stinks with the odor of staleness.  I’d really like to see Quentin, try something new, just to show he can do it… Something, completely different, with the same power, and amazing quality, and genius he brings to everything else!

Concussion, on the other hand, was torn apart by other writers, for being drab, dull, and a snooty performance form Will Smith.

They are sadly mistaken!

I believe, the reviews were written by non-actors. 

The movie about NFL concussions, theorized through histology, and a thorough autopsy of a former NFL player, who died too young, in Mike Webster, is a moving tribute to legends of the game, and a tremendous way of uncovering the NFL’s gigantic error, and let down of the human race; in allowing knowledge of a brain injuring part of football to continue, because the percentages didn’t concern them.

What made this movie so special, and tear-jerking for this emotional movie reviewer, was the phenomenal acting job, by one amazing performer, in every sense of the word, who continues to renew his craft in every role, and does not bow even to the likes of Denzel Washington.

As, Doctor Bennett Omalu, an expert in a list of scientific areas, with degrees, ranging from music to science, to just about everything.  Will Smith, the actor, portrays beautifully, the man, who against the odds of the NFL vs. HIM, won, after losing almost everything he had. 

I felt that Smith gave the performance of his life in this role, with conflicting emotions, and a wonderful accent, and many aspects of acting, that he had to work on repetitively to get down, for this movie, so not to waste anyone’s time on set.  His timing and delivery of lines was so symmetrically shaped well, that Smith, a professional at all times of his career, a man of honor, and a man of incredible creations since his youth, takes this role to a level of respect and honor that the real doctor well deserved to be represented by. 

The ending doesn’t have the big sappy, happy ending, as we all know, how the NFL has responded ever since. 

This movie helps to power the proof of science, and the proof that hard, repetitive helmet hits, destroy players’ brains, from a young age forward, and renders them trapped, and helpless within their own minds by their fifties. 

Will Smith, should have definitely been honored with both a Golden Globe, and Oscar nomination for his amazing performance, and certainly both awards, for best actor!

Welcome to the world of Denzel, Will.  Maybe you guys should hang out a little, and help others of different colors, get to where you are, based on their talents, intelligences, and abilities to understand the world so well, and represent the truth to society!

The rest of the cast did a fine job in this movie, but it was really all Will Smith, from beginning to end, no matter what the other reviewers say!

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Binghamton, NY

BILL FOR HILL, AT BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY

BILL FOR HILL, AT BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 04/17/2016 – 9:02AM ET

            It was a gorgeous blue skied day in Binghamton, New York yesterday, and hardly a wisp of a cloud could be seen.  Not only were the skies a rich baby blue, but the stickers were even bluer.  Stickers, that had a big white, capital H dead center of the round patch.

The huge crowd, of over 2000 people, for which they had to open the middle partition in the West Gym, were all here to see former President William H. Clinton speak.

So, what was up with the H’s, you might wonder, if you were not there?  Bill came to spread words of love for his Presidential running wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton.  As the stickers were being handed out, at my son’s first Presidential rally, I came to realize, as volunteers, either pretended to sign people up, or actually did sign some folks up, that the Hillary Campaign team, like other teams I am sure, are the ones that show up early and start handing everything out. Stickers and pre-made signs were given to many, and of course, you could choose to purchase a number of different buttons, supporting your candidate… if the candidate was Hillary Clinton.  No other choices provided! 

The denouncers of Hill and Bill, were quite few.  There was one man walking around in a light blue dress, and a sign denouncing the Clintons as Capitalists.  However, I found out as I approached the front door, from his own lips,  that his image was all about the Monica Lewinsky scandal from the 90’s, during William Clinton’s Presidency.  What?  Why?  Oh, and the dress was a dark satin blue, my friend.  I couldn’t imagine for a second, why this gentleman thought that would matter 20 years, or so, later?  Did he realize that 50% of the crowd looked like students, who don’t know that story, and the other 50% were folks my age, or older, who don’t care anymore?  Also, across the street from the front of the West Gym, were 4 individuals, holding a sign up on the ground, that had caricatures of the top four candidates left in the presidential race.  Cruz, Clinton, Sanders, and Trump had a Russian like drawing of each of them, making them look like tyrants, from a distance. Not sure what the students’ intents were, but it sure wasn’t clear from the distance away, of the line going in.

Yes, I waited in the general public line to get in, with my son, because I’m still learning who or where to contact each campaign for individual press passes, for the press area.  However, after going through about 8 individuals, I was finally, actually directed by the 7^th person to the correct head of the press area, from the Clinton team.  She was very kind, and easily allowed both of us into the press area, after showing my USPA credentials.

Bill, had already been to a few cities this day, including Albany, and Syracuse, NY.  So, by the time he arrived, and spoke an hour later than originally scheduled, you might have expected him to keel over at 7:30PM, on a Saturday night, after a long week of campaigning on the road, and in New York City. 

But, this is William H Clinton, one of the greatest, historical presidents in history. 

Some will deny this, on the right, but I, as an independent Conservative Constitutionalist, with some liberal leaning social beliefs, will step up and admit, that Bill did great things for our Nation, and for those in need!  The latter, being one of the most important things a Hillary Clinton White House should repeat. 

No matter if you are Republican, Democrat, or Independent, everyone in the nation, needs to admit, that something must be done, to balance out the nation’s huge gaps in incomes. Especially, when those making less, are working harder labor than those in the cushy offices, pushing phone calls, texts, emails, and paper, in a chair most often.  Of course, we all know that this could easily start in Congress, by leveling out their incomes for maybe 10 years, at least, and stop the increases, and special pandering in benefits, to those who make decisions for our nation.  Certainly, history shows us, that the payment for Representatives of the House, and Senators on the Hill, has been an ongoing contentious issue, since 1789, when John Adams, first put forth that he was unhappy with the “niggardly” $5000, as he stated, for the Vice Presidency.  From there, it balled into a huge argumentative issue within all of the 1^st Congress, and after many days of contention, they finally settled on $6 per member, in each branch.  “In the House of Representatives, Theodore Sedgwick of Massachusetts moved to reduce the representatives' pay to $5, while keeping the senators' rate at $6. Rep. James Madison of Virginia agreed with the distinction, observing that if there were no discrimination, ''men of interprize and genius will naturally prefer a seat in the house, considering it to be a more conspicuous situation.'' Most members of the House, however, would brook no insinuation of inferiority, and salaries for both branches were ultimately set at $6 a day.” (Margaret C. Christman, NY Times, March 2, 1989).

Although, Bill Clinton spoke an hour late, the rally did finally begin with a rousing, incredibly sung rendition of our Great Country’s National Anthem.  The crowd was roaring before it was over, boiling with excitement from the beautiful singing, and the brewing of an exciting moment in Binghamton’s history of Presidential campaigning.  I remember, September 12, 1984, when a gigantic crowd at Union-Endicott Tiger’s Football stadium, came to see the Reagan/Bush train of campaigners.  For some reason, in those days, thousands more people were attracted to such an event in the Binghamton area.  Now, It’s hard to break 3,000 onlookers at anyone campaign event in Binghamton, and maybe that is why it was such a surprise to see them all here this week, except Hillary that is.

In the end, Kirsten Gillibrand-D (20^th Cong. Sen. Of NYS), spoke for about 3 minutes, and cracked a few jokes about the tall podium for Bill, and her height, which had the crowd and myself cracking up, quite a bit.  It was a perfect way to calm a long waiting group of rally-goers, and prepare them for the excitement of our former President, coming to speak directly to the citizens of Binghamton.

Bill, came out with grace and appeal, and to a roaring, applauding crowd, as I scrambled to get my cameras in place.  He strode up to the podium, and just started speaking in the graceful way that he spews forth his love for people, NY, and the country. He mostly spoke of his wife, Hillary, and gave her much more support than has been heard on the news at previous events, especially on CNN and Fox News, whom have tried to make them look like they are against each other.  This day, Bill was in full support of his wife’s candidacy, and mostly, knowing the landscape of our area, the economical struggles we are all facing, and the amount of low income areas, and peoples, he directly spoke to the fairness of having a higher national wage. He talked of helping, and giving of time and money to those in need, and stop the conglomerates from running the world, and paying their workers measly, unsupportive salaries, in general.

Bill spoke of his presidency and how the lower20% in income became wealthier while he was in charge, and that Hillary was going to do the same thing for poor people in America, families, that from what I could see, were not even there to support him, or couldn’t afford to be there on a Saturday. 

The crowd was mainly students, and middle class adults.  One might hope that this crowd does care about the low income individuals, and areas in our local cities, which need improvements, donations, and help.  Anyone can drive down Front Street, from downtown Binghamton to SUNY-Broome, and find a number of houses that have been restored, and are being rebuilt.  A perfect example, of what should be happening all over our area.  This also brings jobs to many in our area, who qualify for construction and other employment areas of that nature.

With a 4:15 pm arrival, and a 3 hour and 15-minute time at the event, it was worth it to see Bill myself again, for the first time since the 90’s in NYC, and to hear his voice in person, as rough as it was, from his long day.  Thank you William H Clinton, for coming to our newly economically growing area, and for sharing your precious time with us all.  I won’t say whom I a voting for, as that is actually highly in the air still, but I’ll allow that I didn’t wear a white H, on a blue sticker, on my shirt!

Wood News Agency, LLC

Binghamton, NY

CRUZ VISITS BINGHAMTON, NY

CRUZ VISITS BINGHAMTON, NY, TO NO AVAIL, IN THE POLLS

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 04/15/2016 – 8:07PM ET

            Ted Cruz, was at the Forum, in downtown, Binghamton, NY today.  The small venue was packed.  However, this theater only seats approximately 1500 plus, at the max, and some standing room in the foyer behind the seating.  Whereas, Bernie drew a crowd at the Arena, slightly larger, Cruz, in a dominantly Republican town, was unable to draw the probable working Republican followers. 

Still, the resulting smaller venue, only points to the falling campaign of Ted Cruz, which has taken hits in the polls recently, and may soon push him out the door, prior to the Republican National Convention, ending all speculation of a Confrontational Convention!

Donald J Trump’s poll numbers continue to increase in some remaining states, with John Kasich, actually climbing the ladder.  However, there is the possibility of both Cruz and Rubio giving Kasich their delegates, or Rubio/Kasich to Cruz.  So, this story, unlike the Democratic run for President, may not be over.

Hillary, has pretty much wrapped up her campaign, with recent poll leads stretching larger, above Bernie Sanders, the die-hard, Brooklynite Boy Wonder!

So, Bill Clinton, will be staying behind for Hillary Clinton, who already, with a now supportive Barack Obama, has moved on to Florida, to increase her numbers there, while Bernie leans into New York, a little more.

Today, Cruz made many statements, calling upon the right-wing conservative followers, with right-wing conservative newsman, Sean Hannity, in tow.

After, a round of questions form Hannity, Cruz turned to the audience for some pretty important questions on jobs, Mexicans, ISIS, and more.

He spoke of manufacturing jobs in upstate NY, and tore into Mario Cuomo’s liberal stances. Especially on jobs that could be available, in fracking.

What Cruz fails to take into consideration, is that each state has its’ own rights to decide whether it wants its’ own infrastructure to be destroyed, or not.  All, any American needs to look at, is the state of Oklahoma, and the fact that it has become the most earthquake prone area, territory, and state in the Union!  The earthquake status, has come post-fracking, and now most Oklahoma residents, are unhappy with their living situations.

Ted Cruz, oddly, took a more democratic stance on rising incomes for New Yorker’s, basically, calling it a good measure for employees in New York State.  That kind of stance, goes against Conservative, small business values, and further shows the confusion of the Cruz campaign, and his staff, not being able to reign in his unending, conflicting statements in public, over the past 9 months.  With $15, across the board incomes coming to New York State, I think Cruz might have forgot where he was for a moment.

Binghamton, New York, has become the main focus the past week for Presidential campaigns, and continues with tomorrow’s visit for Hillary Clinton, from her husband, and cohort, former President, William H. Clinton.  A stop this reporter, will not, and does not want to miss!  Yes, he is Bill Clinton, but….HE IS BILL CLINTON!!

I imagine, many in Binghamton, wish the Cruz campaign much luck in the oncoming weeks, but it looks as though Trump is wrapping things up, and taking hold of his nomination, to come.

Wood News Agency and I, will now go out on a limb, and call it the Clinton Vs. Trump Presidential race, from here, on out!

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STATES' RIGHTS CAN TRANSCEND GLOBAL UNITY!

STATES’ RIGHTS CAN TRANSCEND GLOBAL UNITY!

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood, USPA Member – 04/14/2016 – 09:15PMEST

States' rights

In American political discourse, states' rights refers to political powers reserved for the U.S. state governments rather than the federal government according to the United States Constitution, reflecting especially the enumerated powers of Congress and the Tenth Amendment. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States’ rights)

We are in the midst of a very unusual election process, and Presidential run.  Kasich, Trump, Sanders, Clinton, and Cruz, are all still battling it out, until this coming Tuesday, April 19^th, in New York State, when the ax will most definitely come down on at least one candidate, based on recent, gaping poll numbers.

Hillary Clinton has widened her lead on Bernie Sanders in New York, despite, Bernie’s oncoming onslaught, over the past 11 elections, taking many states, and votes, away from her.  However, even with a huge young following in this state, and a huge last moment push to get the vote out, it seems, Bernie’s rocket, has lost its’ fuel.  Bernie Sanders was in Binghamton, this past Monday, my current, and hometown, and didn’t even pack a medium sized Floyd Maine’s Veteran’s War Memorial Arena!  Wood News Agency, already seeing the slumping numbers in New York State, over the past weekend, chose not to take part in day time coverage of his event.

Bernie, talks a great game, has some neat ideas, but really doesn’t have any plausible answers, as to how anyone would pay for his concepts, without the ever, quickly growing deficit, sky-rocketing!

So, we come down to the Republican Amigos, and Clinton, to press towards the conventions.

While this is happening, a big discussion has over taken politics and news, over the electorate college, and why different states, vote different ways.  In no way, will this article aim to answer that in a definitive way, but will struggle to put forth a reasonable answer, based on theory.

This great country of ours, America, was established on an incredible constitution, which, once upon a time, was used correctly, through states’ rights, to establish a black mark upon our History!  That being Slavery of the African Kings, Queens, and their royal tribes, that we disgustingly, threw into the sugar, and other trade markets, of the first major triangle-trade of the Bermuda’s, Africa, and the America’s.  Not to lessen Britain’s place in the trade market, as well, but it was America, who took it to a whole new biblical, slavery level, that the earth hadn’t seen in hundreds of years.

The great Constitution of America, however, was the overlaying symbol of freedom, and states’ rights, which ended up, by proper amendments, changing the course of freedom, and the United States, forever!  Amendments, to States’ own constitutions, brought on by a large governing body of Congress, instead of just one President, or a few Supreme Court Judges.  Checks and balances, used in a way, we haven’t seen in decades, due to the extreme right, or extreme left Congressional individuals, who continue to stump our Constitution, our Country, and its people!

So, why do we have different constitutions in different states, and why do we vote differently in different states, and different areas of the country….?

If, anyone, which millions have, has traveled around this great Continent of Northern America, and the United States, state to state, and region to region, they would have to admit to seeing, and experiencing, the vast differences in cultures, religious beliefs, and ways of living.  That alone should simply explain why we have different constitutions, and different ways of voting.  Based completely on those three sub-divisions, one can concur, that we are all different in this country.

However, it goes further than that.  It really is about our National Constitution, standing for one of the most important parts of itself, which is freedom of all men, who come to America to lay down their burdens... Mexican, Irish, German, Welsh, African, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Latin, Nordic, Japanese, Cuban, South American, Canadian…and the list goes on, from the Mayflower to now!  We are all immigrants in this country!  Even the American Indians, migrated, to be the first souls to inherit the great earth of America, before it was America!  So, again, everyone here, is a relative of an immigrant, with immigrant blood.

Each different area of the country, therefore, has the right to vote, and elect who they want, based on their sub-cultures, and beliefs.  The Constitution, and the States’ Constitution allow for it, for the very easy explanation, that none of us are alike, and none of us should have to do what someone else tells us to do, or to believe, in this great, free country of America!

So, maybe, as an example to the Globe, in human resurrection of unity, we stop the fighting over why the electorate is so strange, and why each state has its own way of voting. Maybe, just maybe, we stop telling the Mexicans, who desperately want to be here, and give their families a much better life, than in the drug-havened Mexico, to go home… and yes, we get rid of all the major criminals!  Mexico should pay us, to ship them back, straight into their own prisons, and we allow the hard working Mexicans to stay, get cards, and start paying their proper state and Federal taxes.

This concept, would actually help pay down the National Debt, probably quicker, than any Congressional, or Presidential theory put forward, thus far, by any candidate, Senator, or Representative.

When we humans put our minds to something, we can achieve the greatest, and most fascinating advances that man never thought of, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty years ago!  So, if we put this kind of thinking into how we can best help man, around the Globe, and not just in our own Country, then I’m guessing, that more people, would love America, than they do already.

America is loved by many in Europe, and the Middle East, and everywhere, much more than extremists on either side of the aisle will admit.  Actually, they both preach that everybody hates America.  So, are those jaded angles, or what?

America, and its individual states’ rights, are what make us the greatest nation in the world, and we can actually be the great example for bringing the Globe together in Unity, instead of hatred.  Hatred, Evilness, and greed are what hurt the World.  Love, Goodness, and sharing, are what make it go round.

Let us all, stop judging each state, for their own way of doing things, and let us start allowing people, to be who they want to be.  Gay, straight, religious, atheist…. whatever you are, be who you are strongly, and don’t hide from anyone!

We can, stop trying to change our great Constitution, and start obeying it, as plainly as it reads!

The Globe can be ONE, but can still, be individualistic!

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THE TOMAHAWKS ARE SMOOTH EDGED!!

THE TOMAHAWKS ARE SMOOTH EDGED!!

Are you the kind of person that loves different types of music?  Do you search out the best groups to see in the Southern Tier?  Do you ever wish you could hear the best blues you’ve ever heard, played right in front of you?

Look no further! The Tomahawks, led by an incredibly reverent Victor Lay on the drums, are the most incredible, sleek, smooth, edgy, and awesome blues band I’ve ever heard! Victor strokes the drums with a jazzy, or blues quality, that will endear and warm your heart, as he looks on with full support, and self-enjoyment, at his fellow musicians, when it is their turn to show off what they can do!  But, when it comes time for Victor to show off his percussion perfection, your body moves in rhythm, and your feet click together, and your heart swallows a big pill of WOW!  Victor is the consummate professional when it comes to not just leading his incredible group, but also, in following the individual solo moments of the show!  He is like a drumming accompanist!

Donny Wilkins, really struts his stuff, and prowess on the keyboards, and shows off a complete mastering of the keys!  Mixed with fantastic vocals, and an awesome edgy harmonica, Donny does it all. I imagine, he even strums his way around a guitar pretty darn well, also, but I didn’t get to see that!  Donny’s leadership qualities shine through!

Cookie Baker, the female bass player, and vocalist does a fancy job on her bass, and keeps with every beat, and swells her sound at just the right time, instead of just pounding away, without any musical sense.  Contrarily, she feels the music all the time, and does it a lot with her eyes closed, bringing on a true sense, and emotion filled nuance to the show. Her vocal harmonies, are beautiful, and tie the entire vocal ensemble, of all 4 band members, together, with a nice warm sound!

But, the real shocker of the couple hours I watched the Tomahawks keep an entire bar full of onlookers enticed, was their lead guitarist Cody Carman!  This young man, and the youngest member of a mid-aged band, is pure Diamond! Crystal clear notes fly from his guitar. He masterfully, shows off an amazing ability to handle every string, as if it were the only one on the guitar, so perfectly, that I wanted to cry, at how many hours, this gentleman must have put into his craft, to be so incredibly, and phenomenally good, at a younger age! Maybe, he is in his 30s, or so, but his blues ability, and his solo moments, seem as though he is the re-birth of B.B. King!  No, actually, he is better than B.B. King, so that’s not possible.  Cody is so good, that I think I’d probably buy, download, or whatever the kids do these days, any and all songs that he might record, whether he’s playing alone, or with a band.  I imagine, with his incredible talent, that he can out play any George Lynch riff, or Stevie Ray Vaughn tune, without a doubt!  If you just came to see Cody alone, you’d be thrilled with paying for seeing him.  However, the whole group, The Tomahawks, are so perfect together, I was thinking they were all born in the same cave somewhere, and started playing on archaic instruments, hundreds of years ago.

BRAVO to the Tomahawks for causing a bar of about 30 people, to sound like a huge crowd of screaming, yelling fans, who couldn’t get enough of this artistically incredible group!  Although, I think I did the most screaming in support, at the beginning of their session! Thank you Donny, Victor, Cookie, and Cody for a memory that will not fade!  Can’t wait to spend more time listening to you all!

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 04/12/2016 – 10:00PM

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Find Release, In Man of La Mancha!!

Find Release, In Man Of La Mancha!!

I have been at a loss, in deciding how to write this review.  The production involved many acquaintances of mine, from previous theatrical work, online connections, or friends.  All of whom, are very talented in their own ways, and own rights! Some more so than other, some less than others.

So, it is with a faint hint, that I will put forth, that this is a community theater group, and they also deal with a very tough stage, in the Phelps Mansion, on Court St, next to the Broome County Public Library, in downtown Binghamton.

With no side wings to talk for really, that are usually filled with a piano, and other staging equipment for the mansion, the actors are forced to enter from off stage, through the audience, for many productions here.

However, in Man of La Mancha, this unique experience for the cast, is actually taken advantage of, and it took this writer only a few minutes, to figure out, why the cast was sitting on the floor, and in chairs in front, and beside the audience.

The Stage and Musical Director is Jeffrey Wahl.  He has the characters playing their first court roles, out in the audience, with a somewhat, immersive feel to it. Although, I would have liked to have seen, and felt more action from the characters on the floor, by interacting with the audience more during court scenes, instead of just mumbling sounds, and making facial expressions towards the scene at hand. Involving them with the audience, would give it a more realistic setting, and really make the crowd feel good, and involved with the whole cast on the floor thing. Dulcine del Toboso/Aldonza, performed by Missy Harris, does a great job acting the role of Aldonza, even more specially, than the other character she displays. She takes a real hold of the Aldonza woman, to the point of crying real tears near the end, smearing her beautiful makeup, on her lovely face, and causing the myself to tear up, as well.  Ms. Harris, has a lovely tone quality at times, but does struggle ever so slightly with pitches, but her power, and her quality of voice, covers that up quite well, and you can still enjoy listening to here sing!

Brad Morgan, IS Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes, and Alonso Quijana! He looks the role, speaks the role, acts the role, and sings the role, quite well. Although, with an occasional thick vibrato, Brad does play a mid-aged man, who is down on his luck with the oncoming Spanish Inquisition, who is on their way to take him to another court, to be tried for treason against his country!  Brad, mixes, great staging abilities, and combat physicality, with an obvious professional acting ability, and brings forth character quite strongly.  Although, I looked for a little more vocal consistency on “The Impossible Dream”, and maybe a little more pizzazz, throughout the number, but he ended it perfectly!  Brad’s best moments included, were a number near the end of the show, in which he sang very well, and was prepared for, and his monologue, in the final scene of the show, that was very physically exhausting, and emotional to watch, which is just what you want as the audience member, by this point in the show. You want to feel his pain, conflict, and mental sickness, which he fights with! Brad, is entertaining, and a joy to watch, with his big, beautiful smile!

Chris Nickerson, as Sancho Panza, & Cervante’s Manservant, did a nice job, but seemed a bit tired most of the time. However, that means nothing necessarily, as it was a Dress Rehearsal, nearing the middle of a long week, and no one knew I was even reviewing their dress rehearsal. No matter, Chris is very entertaining, and fun to watch anyway, and has a great sense of humor that completely shines through, most of the time. Also, when, Chris sings in tune, which is most of the time, he has a lovely voice, that I could listen to all night! Very rich, and an Irish sounding quality to it, as well.

The rest of the cast had bit roles, and mid-level roles, and all did fine jobs of their own. Special mention goes out to the men’s chorus, which is highly called upon, in Man Of La Mancha, for many incredible harmonious occasions, literally.  Whenever they all sang together, it was powerful, endearing, very kind to the ears, and painted my heart with a big, gigantic, yellow smile guy! I swear it did!

Jenn Perkins as Antonia, and John Carroll as the Padre, are the stand out voices in this production! They both have operatic quality voices, whether trained or not, and both could certainly be starring with the Tri-Cities Opera, if TCO, weren’t so picky about who they use (i.e. – their own voice students).  Jenn could easily be a Metropolitan Opera House star; she is that good! I’m talking bone chilling good! John specialized in his baritone range for sure, with a quality of voice that left me feeling like I just ate the most delicious steak meal I’ve ever had on the open western front. Yeah, I know, this is Spain, but I still couldn’t help but thinking of riding along on a horse in Wyoming or Colorado, and just hearing his voice echo through the canyons. John, has an interesting placement for his high notes, but they still come out precise, and clear! His acting is fantastic, and he will make you cry and laugh, for sure!

Jana Kucera, also lends her Tri-Cities opera experience to the mix of lady’s voices, and if you like well, trained singing, you don’t want to miss her either!  Jane, always brings a great sense of humor to her character development, and does a perfect job as the housekeeper!  Heck, she and Rick Kumpon, the Innkeeper/Governor, stole the show from me, in our Pennsylvania bank commercial, which runs on television in PA, for NEPA Bank! They made me look like an amateur on film!  Rick, is perfect for both roles he takes on here, and continues to show the Southern Tier, through multiple acting outlets, how well he creates his roles, and the loveliness of his Baritone voice!

Bassam Eldabar (we hope the spelling is correct, as the card for show, has minute printing of the casts names), was a lot of fun as the “doctor”, graduate, and The Duke!  Bassam has a huge range of talent, that I hope to see him take much more advantage of in this region, and beyond.  He carried a NYC flair about him, and his stage presence, his singing, and his performance was all perfect, and helped keep the show together, and running smoothly, for a very comfortable hour and forty-five minutes, without intermission!  Man of La Mancha does not go on, and on, but precisely tells its’ story, in a keen manner, with funny dialogue, if you listen closely, which is intricate, in its’ Shakespearean manner, which at times, I did struggle to hear some of the performers annunciations, as it is not a large theater, and does not require microphones.

The females in the cast do a spectacular job in each of their roles, with more special mentions to Greta Volkolva, a movie and model actress in our area, as the Innkeeper’s wife, and to Jean Graham, who does a gypsy belly dancing routine, that last as long as one might want it to last!!!  Also, a very known artist, and huge talent in the Southern Tier, Jean is never afraid to take on small or large roles, and they always fit her like a glove! She certainly knows what she is great at, and I can tell you right now, that one of those things, is singing, for sure!  We don’t get to hear her incredible voice, in Man Of La Mancha on its own, but keep an eye and ear out for anything she might be in. You don’t want to miss it!

In its entirety, The Half-Light Theater’s production, of Man of La Mancha, running at the Phelps Mansion Hall, April 7^th to the 16^th, 191 Court St, Binghamton, is well worth whatever a ticket costs, and will send you out thinking, motivated to change your life, and to search out the needs that make you happy.  Have fun at this one, and look for the best you can in the Individual performances!

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CHRIS MOLLO, SOLO, PACKS BLIND TIGER PUB

CHRIS MOLLO, SOLO, PACKS BLIND TIGER PUB

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 04/09/2016 – 11:00AM (EST)

The Blind Tiger Pub, in Johnson City, NY, across from the old IBM Club, was crowded on a Thursday night, of no special nature.  Except, one special thing was going on, that a huge Chris Mollo following, were in tune with.

Besides, a wonderfully friendly atmosphere, with very social individuals, full of smiles, and truly enjoying themselves on a business night, the Chili at The Blind Tiger Pub, is now one of my all-time favorites.  Thick and hearty, it packs just the right punch. There is also, no shortage of choices for Beer, and other quenching beverages! The bar staff was very friendly, and one of the quickest I’ve come upon in my past month of reviewing entertainment.

The best part of the night, though, was Chris Mollo, jamming, and tranquilizing the whole restaurant and bar, with his perfect voice, that was not challenged by any of the difficult songs, he chooses to perform.  His guitar prowess, is keen, and powerfully driven, from a plugged in acoustic setting.

Chris, takes his concert to a new level, I’ve only seen one other time, with a band member at McGirk’s.  He utilizes a pad device, mounted, so that he can just look at his chords and lyrics, digitally, and move quickly onto the next song.  In fact, sometimes, just by looking down at his song list, he did just that, moving fluidly from one tune to another, without stopping!  Chris Mollo’s talent is undeniably Pro, and tops in the area, and I for one, would love to see him create an original album of his own, and get himself into the big scene.

Chris Mollo, comes from a well-known family, from Endicott, NY.  Without prior permission, to go into his family credentials, let’s just say, he comes from a very talented family, and it sure does shine in his own performances!

Chris has a huge vocal range, that goes into the hemisphere, with perfectly placed falsettos, at just the right times, and he often sounded better, than the original artists, of each of the songs, he took on!  He stretches his realm of music, over a vast style and genre of tunes, with adept handling.

Chris, is the perfect choice for any event, wedding, party, birthday, and local establishment! Be sure, to look him up on Facebook, and grab him while you can. I’m sure he’s a busy man!

www.ptpub.com

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