Ben Carson's Long History With a Fart Pill Sales Scheme

Ben Carson denied ties to dietary supplement company Mannatech at last night’s GOP debate. “Total propaganda,” the candidate said. Carson’s denial is easily refuted. He has promoted the company in infomercials and at live events since 2004, and admitted that it helped fund his endowed chair at Johns Hopkins.

So why the denial? Mannatech was accused of deceptive sales practices and dubious health claims in the 2000s. The suburban Dallas-based company has used multi-level marketing to sell its products, including Ambrotose, its signature “glyconutrient” pill made of plant polysaccharides.

During a 20/20 investigation into Mannatech’s pills, a glycobiologist noted that the ingredient cocktail in the pills “doesn’t really do anything except increase flatulence.”

Mannatech contested 20/20’s conclusions.

http://gizmodo.com/ben-carsons-long-history-with-a-fart-pill-sales-scheme-1739404018

The Republican National Committee on Friday dumped NBC News from sponsoring a Feb. 26 debate of presidential candidates in the fallout over a debate conducted by media partner CNBC this week that was roundly criticized by the candidates.

The move comes as several campaigns seek to change the format for the remaining debates due to concerns too many candidates are on stage at the same time and do not get enough time to speak.

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus cited "bad faith" in announcing the party will suspend its partnership with NBC News for the Feb. 26 debate to be held in Houston. Telemundo and National Review are co-sponsors of the event.

Priebus told NBC in a letter that the committee wanted to ensure its candidates would be given a "full and fair" opportunity to lay out their political visions. The party has complained about the handling of Wednesday night's debate by CNBC.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/30/us-usa-election-debate-idUSKCN0SO2B920151030

http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/features/2015/10/29/clt-influx-expected-as-largest-prisoner-release-nears/74838028/

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Friday will mark the biggest one-time release of federal prisoners ever, which is meant to make room in overcrowded prisons and NBC Charlotte found that more of these prisoners are coming to Charlotte than almost anywhere else in the country.

Frank Johns has been the clerk of the U.S. District Court in Charlotte since the early 1990's and what's happening Friday even has him worried. "I'm very concerned for community safety, security, and all the agencies that normally support an inmate upon release to be able to handle such a large number at one time," Johns said.

Normally, 10 to 15 prisoners are released in the Charlotte area in a month. They work with probation officers on housing, counseling, and job placement. But on Friday, more than 150 prisoners will come to Charlotte, without having any pre-release help whatsoever. "They're basically just opening the doors and wishing them luck," said Johns.

A total of 6,000 prisoners are being released across the country—drug offenders who were handed sentences deemed too harsh by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

WASHINGTON — Paul Ryan was elected the 54th speaker of the House on Thursday as his colleagues looked to the Wisconsin Republican to help unite his fractious party and end the constant crises that have come to dominate the chamber in recent years. Ryan received 236 of the 432 votes cast. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., received 184. Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Fla., got 9 votes. A handful of other people got a total of three votes.



The 45-year old Ryan, who was the Republican nominee for vice president in 2012, is the youngest speaker to lead the House in 140 years. He has served as chairman of two of the most powerful committees — Budget and Ways and Means — during his nearly 17 years in Congress.



Ryan initially balked at running for speaker but was persuaded by his GOP colleagues to become a candidate after Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., withdrew his candidacy because he did not believe he had the 218 votes needed to win. Ryan decided to run only after winning the support of the three major factions of House Republicans — moderates, traditional conservatives and the rebellious Freedom Caucus.





"He did not seek this office; the office sought him," said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who formally nominated Ryan on the House floor Thursday.





http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/2015/10/29/house-elects-paul-ryan-54th-speaker/74792490/