DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Certain People Seem to Live By A Different Standard
Yesterday I was surprised to find that former Daily Times reporter (and current Worcester County Times editor) James Fisher decided to use an email exchange between himself and SbyNEWS publisher Joe Albero as a blog post. Bad form James.
Fisher didn’t commit a crime, but he certainly violated certain norms of civil behavior. I wonder how his boss, Greg Bassett, would feel if I wrote posts based on our private conversations or email correspondence? We’ll never know because I wouldn’t do it. It’s almost like recording phone calls and then playing the tape at a party.
Over on Delmarva Dealings I used to have a portion of our “About” section that clearly stated that we would never use e-mail correspondence in posts without the author’s permission. While working on a re-design I deleted that section, but this serves as a good reminder to go back and re-write that section.
I don’t have a quarrel with the facts of Fisher’s piece with the emails or his previous post dealing with Albero, the Daily Times and their respective coverage of gang activity in Salisbury. I do have a quarrel with Fisher’s selective memory of the issue as regards Salisbury’s former mayor and its current police chief.
While Fisher is arguing that his paper produced plenty of coverage regarding gangs, he does so out of context. Reporting on gang graffiti only started AFTER Albero made an issue out of it. One of the reasons that the Daily Times is nicknamed the Tilghman Times is because the paper never called then-mayor Barrie Tilghman or her lap dog police chief to task after they publicly stated that there were no gangs in Salisbury.
To be fair, Albero is wrong to make such sweeping statements of the Daily Times’s coverage. Personally, I chalk it up to Joe just being an enthusiastic guy. It seems that these two are primarily talking past each other.
For me, Albero’s greatest error was in stating, “… I am NOT a Journalist, I'm a Blogger.”. Albero practices a form of journalism. Whether you love him or hate him (Albero), Fisher is absolutely correct on that point. However, despite my respect for Fisher as a reporter, I am loathe to be lectured by anyone in the employ of the Peninsula Media Group (the Gannett division which publishes the Daily Times). As I have documented numerous times, there their coverage of Salisbury and Wicomico County government is biased beyond almost anything you will find in the so-called mainstream media. If Fisher wishes to teach a course in journalism, I humbly suggest that he start with a few of his own co-workers.
End-Of-Life Counseling Remains In Health Bill
Provision was dubbed 'death panels' by some conservatives
WASHINGTON - It's alive.
The Medicare end-of-life planning provision that 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said was tantamount to 'death panels' for seniors is staying in the latest Democratic health care bill unveiled Thursday.
The provision allows Medicare to pay for voluntary counseling to help beneficiaries deal with the complex and painful decisions families face when a loved one is approaching death.
GO HERE to read more.
Identity Theft Suspects Sought
Location: Christiana Hospital, 4755 Stanton Ogletown Road, Newark, Delaware, New Castle County
Date and Time: September 29th, 2009, at 3:00 a.m.
Suspect(s): depicted below
Resume: On September 29th, the below depicted individuals responded to Christiana Hospital to seek treatment for a facial injury. During the check-in intake procedure, where the hospital staff records one’s information, the subjects provided the name and insurance information of someone other than the actual patient.
As time past, it became apparent an identity theft took place the State Police were called.
Anyone who can identify these subjects is asked to call 302.633.5000 ext. 744 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.TIP.3333.
Shoplifter’s Identity Sought
Location: Total Wine and Spirits, 1325 McKennans Church Road, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County
Date and Time: Thursday, October 25, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.
Suspect(s): Unknown white male, 5’07”, 160 pounds, “chin strap” style beard, wearing a dark colored jacket with a hood trimmed in fur
Resume: Troopers are asking the public to assist in identifying the below depicted suspect. This subject shoplifted store merchandise on October 25th from Total Wine and Spirits on McKennans Church Road.
Anyone who may know this subject’s identity is asked to call 302.633.5000 ext. 744 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.TIP.3333.
Another One Of My Favorite People In The World Has Passed
I received a phone call not long ago from a Family Member informing me that my Aunt Pat just passed away.
My Aunt Pat Kiernan was by far one of the most wonderful people God truly blessed all of us with. She is the Wife of my Uncle Tom, Mom's Brother. Imagine losing your Sister one week and then your Wife the next.
Aunt Pat was battling cancer for more than a year now and will stand side by side with Mom in Heaven. God has certainly improved his surroundings in the past two weeks with these two women.
Unfortunately for the rest of us left here on earth, we'll have to suffer without them and simply strive to fill their shoes, which will be impossible. Aunt Pat & Uncle Tom have five beautiful Daughters and many Grandchildren.
DOZENS OF NEW TROOPERS TO BE WELCOMED INTO THE RANKS
DNA DATABASE MILESTONE TO BE ANNOUNCED
(Sykesville, MD) – Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith will join Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan to address the members of the 134th Trooper Candidate Class at their graduation ceremony tomorrow. Law enforcement officials from around the region, as well as families and friends of the graduates will also attend.
Colonel Sheridan will also be announcing a significant milestone in the history of Maryland’s DNA database. An accomplished priority of the O’Malley-Brown Administration was to eliminate the backlog of offender DNA samples and provide adequate staffing, equipment and funding at the State Police Forensic Sciences Laboratory to make Maryland’s DNA database the efficient crime-fighting tool it should be. Colonel Sheridan will announce specific proof of that efficiency at the graduation.
WHAT: Graduation of the 134th Trooper Candidate Class Announcement of DNA Database Accomplishment
WHEN: Friday, October 30, 2009 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Century High School
355 Ronsdale Road
Sykesville, MD 21784
Liberty Road (Rt. 26) west to Klee Mill Road
Right on Klee Mill Road to right on Ronsdale Road
Upon entering the school, auditorium is on the right.
K-9 Charlie Makes FULL Recovery
During May 2009, OCPD K-9 Charlie suffered from two slipped disks and one ruptured disk in his back that was causing him to lose feeling in his back and hind legs.
After several appointments with the vet and trips to Annapolis and The Pet Imaging Center Technology by Proscan in Vienna, Virginia, Charlie underwent surgery to correct his injury.
On May 26, 2009 K-9 Charlie had surgery at Chesapeake Veterinarian Surgical Specialist (CVRC) in Annapolis. Charlie's surgery was completed by Dr. Joseph Prostredny and his staff and all three disks were repaired. Charlie came out of surgery with a great prognosis and had no immediate issues or concerns with the surgery.
After several weeks of recovery and physical therapy, Charlie was able to return to work on July 16, 2009. While he was able to do basic police work, including basic aggression work and most detection work, he was not able to do anything that included jumping.
Although Charlie’s return to work began slowly, he was excited to be back to duty and it showed by the 21 drug arrests that he was responsible for since July 16, 2009.
On September 30, 2009, Charlie had the final visit with Dr Prostredny. Charlie cleared all Dr Prostredny’s tests and he had all restrictions lifted on him due to his remarkable recovery and progress. Charlie’s partner, PFC Earl Campbell, was a large part of the Charlie’s recovery. “After going through this surgical and recovery period and dealing with the VET staff at CVRC, I was totally amazed at their professionalism and dedication to correct Charlie’s injury”, commented PFC Campbell. “I have had the experience of working with vets in my previous employment and the vets at CVRC are top notch. Dr Prostredny and his staff are by far, the best group of vets I have ever been around.” In addition to the professional nature of Dr. Prostredny and his staff, it is also important to note the generous nature of their staff who donated much of their time and expertise to Charlie and the Town of Ocean City.
In addition, Charlie received support from the Fraternal Order of Police, the Mayor and City Council, and the overwhelming amount of emails and calls from members of our department, outside surrounding agencies, local business owners and family showing concern for K-9 Charlie. Friends and co-workers have greatly made this trying time much easier. Charlie is back to full duty and is serving the Ocean City Community in more ways then one.
His love and commitment to his job has been displayed through his courage and will to recover. He is officially on the road doing what he loves best, protecting the citizens of Ocean City.
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY RELEASES MARYLAND’S RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT JOBS REPORT
More than 14,000 Jobs Created, Saved in Maryland; Millions Invested in Public Infrastructure, Public Schools and Maryland Families
ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 28, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley released the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act jobs report for Maryland today at a visit to P. Flanigan and Sons, Inc’s state-of-the-art asphalt plant in Baltimore, a local contracting company that has been directly impacted by the funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Governor O’Malley praised the Recovery and Reinvestment Act for creating or saving over 14,000 jobs in Maryland since President Obama signed the act just 28 days into his Presidency.
“Thanks to President Obama’s leadership, and our ability as a State to implement these funds as quickly and efficiently as possible, there are more than 14,000 Marylanders working today that otherwise would be facing unemployment,” said Governor O’Malley. “And that’s just the first round. Over the next several months, we’ll continue to move forward to put Recovery Act funds to work, reporting every penny spent and every job saved or created providing unprecedented transparency for the people of Maryland.”
“Governor O’Malley and I are confident that we will get through these difficult times more quickly and less painfully than most other states,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “Through our accountability standards, local and federal partnerships, Governor O’Malley’s leadership and President Obama’s efforts to pull our nation out of this recession, we are maximizing the reach of our Recovery dollars, putting Marylanders to work and creating new jobs in every part of the state.”
The release of the jobs report in Maryland comes just one day before the White House is set to release the national figures, and the Governor made the announcement at a local company, P. Flanigan and Sons, Inc., a more than 120-year-old contractor that was directly impacted by the infrastructure projects in Maryland funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The family-owned business has participated in two Recovery Act-funded projects in Maryland, supporting over 100 jobs so far, and expected to support many more before the projects are complete. As of yesterday, the company was informed they have been awarded another Howard County resurfacing contract as well.
“2009 has been a challenging year,” said Steve Whitecotton, Vice President of the Baltimore based P. Flanigan and Sons, Inc. “In this tough economy the Recovery Act funded projects have preserved jobs and funded many important infrastructure projects that improve the safety and efficiency of our transportation system. My conservative estimate is that between our employees and our subcontractors up to 150 jobs would have been lost without the Recovery Act.”
Today’s jobs announcement encompasses what are termed direct, indirect and induced jobs. Direct jobs are those supported by Recovery Act dollars, such as the construction worker on a highway project funded through the Act. Indirect jobs are those that support Recovery Act dollars, including an employee at an asphalt company that supplies the highway project. Induced jobs are created by increased consumer activity, such as the construction worker purchasing a car, or going to a restaurant, resulting in those companies increasing employment due to sustained or increased business.
For a complete breakdown of jobs supported by Recovery Act funding in Maryland, see the StateStat presentation of the data.
As of September 30th, the State of Maryland received awards of over $2 billion, approximately half of all Recovery Act funding expected through 2011. By comparison, the State expended only eleven percent of these funds, or $229,191,801, covering the period contained within the jobs reports.
Of the $413 million in highway construction funding, 84 projects worth $184 million have already started construction. And approximately $900 million in Recovery Act money has supported 1,809 teachers in America’s number one ranked public school system, allowing full funding of the Thornton Bridge to Excellence Plan.
Governor O’Malley announced that StateStat, Maryland’s signature performance evaluation tool created by the O’Malley-Brown Administration, would be the centralized place for tracking and reporting Recovery Act funds and their impact on communities. Days after President Obama signed the Recovery Act in 2008, Governor O’Malley announced the launch of recovery.maryland.gov to track the funds in Maryland, and since then, the website has received the distinction as best in the nation according to Good Jobs First, a non-profit research center based in Washington, DC.
For a complete breakdown of jobs supported by Recovery Act funding in Maryland, see the StateStat presentation of the data.
The Infamous Press Release 24+ Hours Later
On October 23, 2009 at approximately 2:00 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Royal Farms Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with an employee of the store who advised the officers that a lone suspect entered the store and indicated to the employee that he was armed with a handgun. The suspect was given an amount of U.S. Currency then fled from the store and entered a late 90’s Cadillac with unknown registration. The suspect fled from the area in the vehicle.
On October 24, 2009 at approximately 9:35 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Shell Station on Snow Hill Road for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival the officers were advised by an employee of the business that a lone suspect had entered the business and produced a handgun. The suspect was given an amount of U.S. Currency then fled from the business on foot.
On October 26, 2009, Salisbury Detectives identified the suspect and obtained a search and seizure warrant for the suspect’s residence. The search and seizure warrant was executed at a residence on Magnolia Drive in Salisbury early on October 27 with the assistance of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect was taken into custody at the residence and Salisbury Detectives were able to recover the handgun, the vehicle and additional evidence. Upon recovery, the handgun was revealed to be a BB pistol.
The investigation revealed that the suspect had committed the first robbery within twenty-four (24) hours of his release from the Wicomico Co. Detention Center.
ARRESTED: Arlie Ralph Kiser, III, 35 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Robbery (2 counts)
First degree assault (2 counts)
Second degree assault (2 counts)
Theft (under $ 1000) (2 counts)
Reckless endangerment (2 counts)
Theft scheme (2 counts)
Use of a handgun in a felony crime
Possession of a dangerous and deadly weapon
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
Brooke Mulford Update
Sorry for the lack of updates (not a whole lot to update on which is a good thing but I know it’s been almost a month). Brooke finished her 12 radiation treatments on Fri October 16th. It was a rough 2 ½ weeks. Brooke did fine with the radiation but had a really tough time with coming out of sedation (screaming, crying, kicking & flailing) pretty much every day (some days were much worse than others). It would last about 30-45 minutes but seemed like hours at the time. Grammy was a trooper and got up every morning between 5-5:30 am to come with us. A dear family friend, Bill Hoover, gave Grammy a break one morning and came in her place (lucky for him it was one of Brooke’s easier days)! Thanks to everyone who sent cards for Brooke to Grammy's house (Brooke thought that was pretty cool).
Tuesday the 13th Brooke made it to the big time and was on the cover of USA Today 4-year-old with cancer moves town into action - and Salisbury’s The Daily Times http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200910130432/NEWS01/910130359! We have had so many people contact us, from all over the country that saw the article and have sent cards, gifts, donations, phone calls and emails of support. Justin Long and Drew Barrymore even called Rob at Market Street one night (man…why couldn’t they have looked up our home number)!
Grandpa Greg and Grandma Millie came for a visit Oct 17th – 21st. Boy did Brooke have a great time! She sure kept them both hopping (I was exhausted just watching them play)! Friday, the 23rd, Brooke’s teacher, Mrs. Katzaman came over again and brought activities that her classmates have been working on. Nana came on Monday to play and let me get out of the house to run some errands and get a massage! And of course, one of Brooke (& Bailey’s) closest buddies, Miss Liz, has been coming by for frequent “playdates”.
Tuesday, the 27th, Make-A-Wish volunteers came to the house to meet Brooke and get her Wish - to go to Disney of course (despite my campaigning to meet James Taylor she decided on Disney…just kidding…well, sort of…). Disney wishes sound awesome-from what I’ve heard they really make the experience “magical”! We will have the time of our lives and Brooke is so excited! We are hoping to wait until Brooke is done with her treatments and are thinking maybe May or June.
Brooke is scheduled to go up to CHOP next wed for clinic and I will be meeting with the doctors about Brooke’s next phase of treatments (antibodies clinical trial…I’ll tell you more about that once I have the meeting). The 2nd week of Nov we will head up again for a bunch of out-patient tests (MIBG, CT scan, bone marrow biopsy and labs) and then she will be admitted the 2nd or 3rd week of Nov to start the antibodies. As you can see November will be a big month so I will try to do better with the updates.
God Bless,
Amy
Another Salisbury Robbery
ACORN STILL RECEIVES FEDERAL MONEY DUE TO LOOPHOLE PERMITING FEDERAL EMPLOYEE DONATIONS
http://biggovernment.com/2009/09/24/breaking-hills-leading-nonprofit-watchdog-sen-charles-grassley-demands-acorn-probe/
In White House Vs. Fox News War Of Words, Who Gets Your Vote?
The stories about what the Obama White House has to say about Fox News Channel keep coming.
There was White House communications director saying telling Howard Kurtz of The Washington Post and CNN "let's not pretend they're a news network the way CNN is."
Also last week it was NPR's David Folkenflik reporting that "the White House is taking direct aim at Fox News, the news organization that is the home to the most potent collection of its conservative critics."
This week it's ABC News' Jake Tapper asking why the Obama team was treating one of the "sister organizations" so badly -- and the news that the White House had tried to block a Fox News reporter from interviewing the so-called pay czar. (After all the networks objected, the White House relented.)
It seems like time for a survey: GO HERE to participate in the survey.
Princess Anne Incident Yesterday
1. When Salisbury Fire Dept. went down and took charge of the scene their actions made the fuel containment far worse than should have been.
2. State "officials" were driving recklessly around the scene area putting responders in harms way. It has been reported up here that a princess anne police officer or county officer had to stop one state truck and issue a speeding ticket. Probably should have or could have been reckless driving."
Asteroid Explodes Over Indonesia
The break-up was so powerful, it triggered nuclear test ban sensors thousands of miles away. A just-released analysis of infrasound data shows that the asteroid detonated with an energy equivalent of about 50 kilotons of TNT. That's two to three times more powerful than World War II-era atomic bombs. The asteroid that caused the blast was not known before it hit and took astronomers completely by surprise. This significant impact has received relatively little attention in Western press.
According to statistical studies of the near-Earth asteroid population,objects are expected to collide with Earth on average every 2 to 12 years.
More details available here..
Now That's Talent
Wicomico Neighborhood Congress
Almost two years ago, a challenge was made by newly elected Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt, to create a county wide coalition of neighborhoods; a neighborhood congress. It was Rick's dream that this dedicated group of neighborhood leaders, would reach out and gather together for the preservation and betterment of our neighborhoods in Wicomico County.
With the help of Rocky Burnett and Debbie Campbell, a steering committee was formed and with the strong leadership skills and admirable community values of Jim Ireton and Mike Pretl co-chairing the steering committee, our goals were set. We persevered, dealing with tough media and criticism, never loosing sight of the need for this great coalition of neighborhood leaders who would one day work together to help improve the quality of life for all of our citizens.
That day is here.
Below are a few excerpts from e-mails received:
"I am...a current board member of the Deer Harbour Improvement Association.
I have just returned from your annual meeting at Salisbury University. I am duly impressed. I will be making a motion at our next association meeting that our group joins."
" Our HOA has just recently formed and I think being a part of this Neighborhood Congress would be a valuable asset."
" will join as a Neighborhood association and complete info when I return...
Please pass me any notes as I would like to be engaged and represent our 50 homes in the Kensington Woods development"
Congratulations to all and welcome to the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress!
Cindy Pilchard
Wicomico Neighborhood Congress
Registration Open For The Fall Poker ClassicBuy-In Early And Save!
Proceeds from the one day tournament will benefit the Friends of Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism’s “Tomorrow Fund”. This fund provides scholarships to families in need for county run after-school child care, summer day camps and youth recreational programs.
The Fall Poker Classic is a No-Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament with $200 going to the prize pool. Buy-in includes $20,000 in tournament chips and 30 minute blinds. The prize pool could be as great as $75,000 if over 350 seats are sold. Thirty minute levels and blinds starting at $25/$50 will offer additional chances to win.
The Buy-in for the Fall Poker Classic is $275 between October 31st and November 13th. The Buy-in will be $300 at the door (cash only please). Seats are limited to 405 and will be available on a first come-first serve basis. Registration is open to participants 18+ and is currently being accepted at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office, open Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Forms may also be downloaded from www.easternshorepokerclassic.org and mailed to the Civic Center at 500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, MD 21804. Payment must accompany registration. Cash, checks and money orders are accepted (please do not mail cash) as forms of payment.
Satellite tournaments are taking place throughout the region. Visit www.easternshorepokerclassic.org for a schedule of local tournaments. For more information please contact 410-548-4911 or visit www.easternshorepokerclassic.org.
The Fishing Trip
Two days before the group is to leave, Frank's wife puts her foot down And tells him he isn't going.
Frank's friends are very upset that he can't go but, what can they do.
Two days later the three get to the camping site only to find Frank sitting There
with a tent set up, firewood gathered, and fish cooking on the fire.
"Damn man! How long you been here and how did you talk your wife into Letting you go?"
"Well, I've been here since yesterday.
Yesterday evening I was sitting in my chair And my wife came up behind and put her hands over my eyes and said 'guess who'?"
I pulled her hands off and she was wearing a brand new see through nightie.
She took my hand and took me to our bedroom.
The room had two dozen candles and rose petals all over.
On the bed - handcuffs and ropes!
She told me to tie and cuff her to the bed and I did. And then she said "Do what ever you want!"
So here I am.
Canadian View Of "The One"
http://www.thecanadianpress.com/about_cp.aspx?id=104
Obama's White House is Falling Down
By Daniel Greenfield Thursday, June 11, 2009
In the sixth month of his presidency, Obama has turned an economic downturn into an economic disaster, taking over and trashing entire companies, and driving the nation deep into deficit spending expected to pass 10 trillion dollars.
Abroad, Obama seems to have no other mode except to continue on with his endless campaign, confusing speechmaking with diplomacy. It is natural enough that Obama, who built his entire campaign on high profile public speeches reported on by an adoring press, understands how to do nothing else but that.
Ego driven photo op appearances and clueless treatment of foreign dignitaries
While the press is still chewing over Obama's Cairo speech, this celebrity style coverage ignores the fact that Obama's endless world tour is not actually accomplishing anything. Instead his combination of ego driven photo op appearances and clueless treatment of foreign dignitaries have alienated many of America 's traditional allies. Those who aren't being quietly angry at Obama, like Brown, Merkel or Netanyahu, instead think of him as as absurdly lightweight, as Sarkozy, King Abdullah or Putin do.
While his officials carry out their dirty economic deeds, Obama responds to any and every crisis as if it were a Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical, with a cry of, "Let's put on a show." Thus far Obama has put on "shows" across America , Europe and the Middle East . And what the adoring media coverage neglects to cover, is that Obama's shows have solved absolutely nothing. They have served only as high profile entertainment.
Neither alienating America 's traditional allies, through a combination of arrogant bullying and ignorance, nor appeasing America 's enemies, has yielded any actual results. Nor does it seem likely to. Islamic terrorism is not going anywhere, neither are the nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran . While Obama keeps smiling, the global situation keeps growing more grim.
At home, if Obama was elected as depression era entertainment, the charm of his smiles and his constant appearances on magazine covers appear to be wearing thin on the American public. Despite the shrill attacks on Rush Limbaugh or the Republican Enemy of the Weak-- the Democratic party of 2009, is polling a lot like the Republican party of 2008. The Democrats have suddenly become the incumbents, and the only accomplishment they can point to is lavish deficit spending, often on behalf of the very same corporations and causes they once postured against.
The European Union Parliament's swing to the right cannot be credited to Obama, though doubtlessly some European voters seeing socialist economic crisis management on display in the world's richest country decided they wanted none of it, but it is part of a general turning against federalism. And Obama's entire program is dependent on heavily entrenching federalism at the expense of individual and state's rights. Yet that is precisely his achilles heel with independent voters who are polling against more taxes and expanded government. And no amount of speeches by Obama can wish away his 18 czars or the national debt he has foisted on generation after generation of the American people.
That leaves Obama with a choice between socialism and the independent voter. And thus far he has chosen socialism.
Obama's tactic of hijacking Bush Administration era policies on the economy and the War on Terror, and exploiting them as trojan horses to promote his own agenda, have left him coping with a backlash from his own party, as well as general Republican opposition.
His Czars are meant to function as the bones in an executive infrastructure accountable to no one, but a lack of accountability isn't just another word for tyranny, but for incompetence. A functional chain of command is accountable at multiple levels if it is to function effectively. Obama's White House by contrast is in a state of over-organized chaos, the sort of organized disorganization that undisciplined egotistical leftists naturally create for themselves, complete with multiple overlapping levels of authority and no one in charge but the man at the top, who's too busy doing other things to actually be in charge.
Dennis Blair as National Intelligence, who collaborated with the Muslim genocide of Christians in East Timor , trying to muscle out the CIA to create his own intelligence network, is typical of the kind of chaos being spawned by every chief in an expanding government bureaucracy working to make sure that all the Indians answer to him. Similarly the National Security Council wrestling with the State Department, highlighted by Samantha Power getting her own specially created NSC position to butt heads with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, illustrates the state of conflict and chaos in American foreign affairs. A state of chaos so pervasive that incompetence has now become commonplace, and no one can even be found to double check the spelling of a Russian word that is meant to be the theme of American's diplomatic reconstruction with Russia , or to pick out a gift for the visiting British Prime Minister.
The death of Chrysler at the hands of Fiat and the UAW
Meanwhile on the economy, Obama exploited the ongoing bailouts, transforming them from bailouts into takeovers meant to shift the balance of power in what had been a democracy and socially engineer not only corporations, but the lives of ordinary Americans. But the public's patience with corporate bailouts is at an end, most Americans were never happy with them to begin with, and want them to end. The death of Chrysler at the hands of Fiat and the UAW might look like a victory in the union ranks, but it doesn't play too well outside Detroit . And tacking on CAFE standards that will kill the pickup truck and the SUV will badly erode Obama in the swing states, if exploited properly in 2010 and 2012. Despite the constant media barrage, orchestrated out of the White House, the public is growing disenchanted with the performance of Obama and the Democrats.
With unemployment booming and the economy dropping, the jobs aren't there and the spending is out of control. Republicans today are polling better on ethics and the economy, than the Democrats are. That shows a trend which is likely to register in the mid-term elections in 2010, in the same way that the EU parliamentary elections served as a shock to the system.
In the opposition, Republicans are free to embrace the rhetoric of change, to champion reform and push libertarian ideas about the size and scope of government. In turn all Obama has is his celebrity fueled media spectacle world tour. A charade now serving as a parallel to the depression era entertainment that functioned as escapism in a dour time. But before long, it may be Obama that the American public will want to escape from.
A shallow, manipulative and egotistical amateur who is in over his head
Obama has tried to play Lincoln, Reagan, JFK and FDR-- but in the end he can only play himself, a shallow, manipulative and egotistical amateur who is in over his head, and trying to drag the country down with him. Obama's White House is falling down and while the flashbulbs are still glittering and the parties are going on in D.C. and around the world, Obama and the Democratic Congress may be headed for a recession of their own.
Dog For Sale
A guy is driving around the back woods of Montana and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: 'Talking Dog For Sale ' He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard.
The guy goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.
'You talk?' he asks.
'Yep,' the Lab replies.
After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says 'So, what's your story?'
The Lab looks up and says, 'Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping.'
'I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.' 'I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired.'
The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.
'Ten dollars,' the guy says.
'Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?'
'Because he's a liar. He never did any of that stuff.
Obama strips Senior Benefits To Fund Obamacare
President Obama has recently approved a 2% salary increase for all federal employees effective January 1, 2010.
Members of the executive, legislative and judicial branch are due for an automatic pay increase in January as well.
However, All this is on the backs of Senior Citizens who will not receive any COLA (Cost Of Living Adjustment) increase for the next several years.
For the first time in history, the Congress will not allow an increase in the social security COLA (cost of living adjustment). This will negativly affect all Senior Citizens.
In fact, The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation predicts there will not be any COLA for the next three years.
However, the personnel monthly Medicare insurance premium for Senior Citizens will be increased 25% from the 2009 premium of $96.40 to $104.20 in 2010 and to
$ 120.20 for the year 2011.
Alert all seniors that you know. Let them know how the current
Administration (Obama) has stopped their COLA increase while increasing their Medicare Costs by 25%.
Remind all Seniors That if you want to get even, DO not vote for the incumbent Democrat Senators or Congressmen in the 2010 and the 2012 elections.
Tony Passaro
Bel Air Tea Party
Patriots of the Old Maryland Line
Senior Citizen
ACORN Funding Ban Expires October 31
According to Hannah Giles, Congress temporarily restricted ACORN’s funding but it will be reinstated after October 31. Giles’ portion of today’s press conference begins at 6:50 of this video and she discusses ACORN’s funding at 8:00:
GO HERE to watch video and read more.
There's another good article HERE.