WASHINGTON -- Al Qaeda can be expected to attempt an attack on the United States in the next three to six months, senior U.S. intelligence officials told Congress Tuesday.
The terrorist organization is deploying operatives to the United States to carry out new attacks from inside the country, including "clean" recruits with a negligible trail of terrorist contacts, CIA Director Leon Panetta said. Al Qaeda is also inspiring homegrown extremists to trigger violence on their own, Panetta added.
The annual assessment of the nation's terror threats provided no startling new terror trends, but amplified growing concerns since the Christmas Day airline attack in Detroit that militants are growing harder to detect and moving more quickly in their plots.
"The biggest threat is not so much that we face an attack like 9/11. It is that Al Qaeda is adapting its methods in ways that oftentimes make it difficult to detect," Panetta told the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Al Qaeda is increasingly relying on new recruits with minimal training and simple devices to carry out attacks, the CIA chief said as part of the annual assessment of national threats provided to Congress by the top five U.S. intelligence officials.
Panetta also warned of the danger of extremists acting alone: "It's the lone-wolf strategy that I think we have to pay attention to as the main threat to this country," he said.
The hearing comes just over a month since a failed attempt to bring down an airliner in Detroit by a Nigerian suspect. And the assessment follows only a few months since U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hassan is accused of single-handedly attacking his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13.
Director of National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair described Hassan as homegrown extremist. He also said that Al Qaeda can be expected to continue and try to attack the United States until Osama bin Laden and his No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, are dead.
The U.S. still does not know the intended targets of suspected terrorist Najibullah Zazi, who was arrested in September and charged with plotting to attack New York City with homemade bombs, Blair said.
Blair warned as well of a growing cyber threat, saying computer-related attacks have become dynamic and malicious.
Obama has promised to make cyber security a priority in his administration, but the president's new budget asks for a decrease in funds for the Homeland Security Department's cybersecurity division.
The government's first quadrennial homeland security review states high consequence and large-scale cyberattacks could massively disable or hurt international financial, commercial and physical infrastructure.
The report, obtained by The Associated Press, said these types of cyberattacks could cripple the movement of people and goods around the world and bring vital social and economic programs to a halt.
Source:
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Social Workers On Trial For Fraud In Girl’s Death
Defense: They couldn’t judge condition since they are not medical doctors
PHILADELPHIA - Four social workers charged with fraud in a case linked to the starvation death of a disabled teenager defended their work as their trial opened Wednesday, saying they were not paid for any medical expertise.
In an unusual criminal case, federal prosecutors are trying to prove the social workers defrauded the city of millions of dollars aimed at helping the neediest families on city welfare rolls.
Danieal Kelly’s family fit that description. Her unfit mother, Andrea Keller, was raising six or seven children alone in a squalid two-bedroom rowhome.
GO HERE to read more.
Scott Brown Delivers
Remember the other day when I say you could go to www.scottbrownforpresident.com and order bumper stickers. Well here they are Folks. I thought I'd try it myself and see if they actually meant what they said and today I got what I asked for.
All I got from Obama was another inflated tax bill.
Ocean City Snow Removal?
"Hi Joe,
I know you're busy & this isn't earth-shaking, but I wonder what is up with snow removal in Ocean City? My husband works there and has noticed none of the side streets around where he works have been touched. Several people have gotten stuck trying to get to the building he works in. I know snow at the beach is almost unheard of, but do they usually just wait for it to melt?"
I know you're busy & this isn't earth-shaking, but I wonder what is up with snow removal in Ocean City? My husband works there and has noticed none of the side streets around where he works have been touched. Several people have gotten stuck trying to get to the building he works in. I know snow at the beach is almost unheard of, but do they usually just wait for it to melt?"
Burglar Released From Prison One Day And Heads Right Back In The Next
Location: Super Spirits, 512 West Main Street, Stanton, Delaware, New Castle County
Date of Occurrence: Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 11:30 p.m.
Suspect(s): Alfred White, 40, formerly of New Castle, Delaware
Resume: On February 2, 2010 at approximately 11:10 p.m., Troop 6 patrol units responded to Super Spirits, 512 W. Main Street in Stanton, for a reported burglary in progress.
Upon the officer’s arrival, units determined that someone had entered the above premises by breaking through the front glass window. Once inside, the suspect had removed several items (i.e., alcohol and cigarettes).
DSP and New Castle County Police officers converged on the scene and canvassed the area. During this search, they successfully located Alfred White walking along Route 4. He was in possession of the stolen property from the liquor store.
White was taken into custody without incident. A records check revealed Mr. White was just released from the Sussex Correctional Institute the day before after being there since December 9th of 2009.
Alfred White was formally charged with Burglary (felony), Criminal Mischief (misdemeanor) and Theft (misdemeanor). He was ordered held at the Howard Young Correctional Institute in lieu of a $1,500.00 secured bond.
Monster Storm Coming Our Way
Hazardous Weather Outlook
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
506 AM EST WED FEB 3 2010
ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ006-007-011-013-014-016>018-VAZ052>057-
041000-
CHESAPEAKE BAY NORTH OF POOLES ISLAND MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM POOLES ISLAND TO SANDY POINT MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SANDY POINT TO NORTH BEACH MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM NORTH BEACH TO DRUM POINT MD-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM DRUM POINT MD TO SMITH POINT VA-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM KEY BRIDGE TO INDIAN HEAD MD-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM INDIAN HEAD TO COBB ISLAND MD-
TIDAL POTOMAC FROM COBB ISLAND MD TO SMITH POINT VA-
PATAPSCO RIVER INCLUDING BALTIMORE HARBOR-
CHESTER RIVER TO QUEENSTOWN MD-EASTERN BAY-
CHOPTANK RIVER TO CAMBRIDGE MD AND THE LITTLE CHOPTANK RIVER-
PATUXENT RIVER TO BROOMES ISLAND MD-
TANGIER SOUND AND THE INLAND WATERS SURROUNDING BLOODSWORTH
ISLAND-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-NORTHERN BALTIMORE-HARFORD-
SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-CHARLES-ST. MARYS-
CALVERT-PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA-
KING GEORGE-
506 AM EST WED FEB 3 2010
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE MARYLAND PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY...TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER...AND ADJACENT COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT
A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER BELOW COBB ISLAND AND FOR THE MARYLAND PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BELOW DRUM POINT...INCLUDING THE TANGIER SOUND.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY
THE SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR THE TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER BELOW COBB ISLAND AND FOR THE MARYLAND PORTION OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BELOW DRUM POINT...INCLUDING THE TANGIER SOUND CONTINUES UNTIL 10 AM THURSDAY.
FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...A STORM SYSTEM HAS TO POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE HEAVY SNOWFALL ACROSS THE MID ATLANTIC REGION. THERE IS UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THE EXACT TRACK AND EVOLUTION OF THIS STORM...SO PLEASE MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.
BREAKING--Senator-Elect Brown Demands To Be Seated
Sen.-elect Scott Brown on Wednesday demanded to be seated immediately, saying that while he is scheduled to be sworn in Feb. 11, "there are a number of votes scheduled prior to that date."
In a letter from his lawyers to Gov. Duval Patrick and Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, Mr. Brown argues that the results of the special election in Massachusetts on Jan. 19 are not in doubt and he should be able to take the seat right away.
"We represent Senator-elect Scott Brown. We understand that the election returns from Massachusetts cities and towns were transmitted this morning to the State Secretary's Office and by the State Secretary to the Governor's Office. While Senator-elect Brown had tentyatively planned to be sworn into office February 11, he has been advised that there are a number of votes scheduled prior to that date, For that reason, he wants certification to occur immediately. As he is the duly elected United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he is entitled to be seated now.
"Accordingly, on behalf of Senator-elect Brown, we request that the results of the special election January 19, 2010, be certified without delay and that a duplicate be provided me in hand no later than 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2010, so we may deliver the original by hand to the Secretary of the United States Senate in time to allow Senator-elect Brown to be administered the oath of office by the Vice President tomorrow afternoon," wrote lawyer Daniel B. Winslow.
Source
Toyota Statement On Comments By Transportation Secretary LaHood On Feb. 3, 2010
We appreciate Secretary LaHood’s clarification of his remarks today about Toyota’s recall for sticking accelerator pedals. We want to make sure our customers understand that this situation is rare and generally does not occur suddenly. In the rare instances where it does occur, the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes.
Our message to Toyota owners is this – if you experience any issues with your accelerator pedal, please contact your dealer without delay. If you are not experiencing any issues with your pedal, we are confident that your vehicle is safe to drive.
Nothing is more important to Toyota than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive. Our entire organization of 172,000 North American employees and dealership personnel is working around the clock to fix the accelerator pedals for our customers.
Our message to Toyota owners is this – if you experience any issues with your accelerator pedal, please contact your dealer without delay. If you are not experiencing any issues with your pedal, we are confident that your vehicle is safe to drive.
Nothing is more important to Toyota than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive. Our entire organization of 172,000 North American employees and dealership personnel is working around the clock to fix the accelerator pedals for our customers.
3 Arrested Following Three Month Investigation Into Drug Distribution
Location:
12000 block of Jones Dogwood Drive Bridgeville, Delaware
DATE and TIME:
Friday January 29, 2010 8 a.m.
Defendant(s):
Jamil K. Young-25 Dogwood Drive Bridgeville
Brian E. Walker-23 Dogwood Drive Bridgeville
James A. Peterson-49 Woods Edge Drive Lewes
Charge(s):
Jamil K. Young
Trafficking in Cocaine 50-100 grams
Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine
Manufacture Cocaine
Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping Controlled Substances
Tampering with Physical Evidence
Conspiracy 2nd degree
2 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of Marijuana
Brian E. Walker
Trafficking in Cocaine 50-100 grams
Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine
Manufacture Cocaine
Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping Controlled Substances
Conspiracy 2nd degree
2 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
James A. Peterson
Trafficking in Cocaine 50-100 grams
Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine
Manufacture Cocaine
Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping Controlled Substances
Conspiracy 2nd degree
2 counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Resume:
The Delaware State Police Sussex Drug Unit, Governors Task Force and SORT (Special Operations Response Team) executed a search warrant around 8 a.m. in the 12000 block of Dogwood Drive Bridgeville, Delaware.
State Police along with Maryland State Police, Wicomico Narcotics Task Force and DEA Salisbury have been conducting a three month investigation into the distribution of illegal drugs throughout Sussex County and Maryland.
Delaware State Police executed a search warrant on Jones Dogwood Drive Bridgeville and recovered approximately 58 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, $540.00 cash, drug paraphernalia and 1.1 grams of marijuana.
Upon entering the residence State Police took Peterson and Walker into custody. State Police heard running down a hall in the residence and upon investigating the noise located Jamil K. Young attempting to flush cocaine down a bathroom toilet.
All the defendants were arraigned on the above listed crimes and remanded to Sussex Correctional Center in lieu of being able to post bail.
The Maryland authorities concluded their investigation in their respective jurisdiction; please contact those authorities regarding additional details.
Jamil Young goatee, Brian Walker big hair and James A. Peterson older male with hoodie
Tea Party Response to the "State of the State of Maryland"
The Democrats and the Republicans have had their say, now it's the Tea Party Movement's turn to give their perspective on The State of Maryland.
Each of these individuals have been integral to keeping the Tea Party Movement alive in Maryland and want everyone who believes in limited government and free market principles to join them.
Americans for Prosperity, Campaign for Liberty, Help Save Maryland, and the Tea Parties from all regions of Maryland need your support and activism right now.
The 1-13 March on Annapolis was just the start as over 2,500 concerned taxpayers flooded Lawyers Mall outside of the State House to let their voices be heard.
We need to keep the pressure on and keep the movement alive.
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
On February 2, 2010 at approximately 7:14 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Sav-a-lot Food Store on Cypress Street for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store employees who advised that the below listed suspect had been observed taking meat from the store without making payment. The suspect was located behind the building and the property was recovered. A routine records check of the suspect revealed that he was currently wanted on a parole retake warrant from the Department of Corrections.
ARRESTED: Brian Smalls Wallace, 43 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)
Maryland Department of Corrections Parole
Retake Warrant
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000004890/4891
On February 2, 2010 at approximately 7:14 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Baker Street and observed the below listed suspect walking on the six hundred (600) block of Baker Street in possession of a sword. The suspect was stopped and revealed that he had obtained the sword due to an argument with a neighbor. The suspect advised that he wished to scare the neighbor with the sword which was approximately three (3) feet in length
.
ARRESTED: Jimmy Jeremaine Allen, 32 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Wearing and carrying a dangerous and
deadly weapon
Reckless endangerment
DISPOSITIONS: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000004911
Obama Adviser: Amnesty To Ensure 'Progressive' Rule
Granting citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants would expand the "progressive" electorate and help ensure a "progressive" governing coalition for the long term, declared a recent adviser to President Obama whose union group is among the most frequent visitors to the White House.
"We reform the immigration laws, it puts 12 million people on the path to citizenship and eventually voters," stated Eliseo Medina, international executive vice-president of Service Employees International Union, or SEIU.
(The SEIU is closely linked to the controversial Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. SEIU President Andrew Stern was the most frequently logged White House visitor, according to an official list released in October.)
Medina said that during the presidential election in November 2008, Latinos and immigrants "voted overwhelmingly for progressive candidates. Barack Obama got two out of every three voters that showed up."
"Can you imagine if we have, even the same ratio, two out of three? Can you imagine 8 million new voters who care about our issues and will be voting? We will be creating a governing coalition for the long term, not just for an election cycle."
Medina was speaking at a June 2009 Washington conference for the liberal America's Future Now!
More.
"We reform the immigration laws, it puts 12 million people on the path to citizenship and eventually voters," stated Eliseo Medina, international executive vice-president of Service Employees International Union, or SEIU.
(The SEIU is closely linked to the controversial Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. SEIU President Andrew Stern was the most frequently logged White House visitor, according to an official list released in October.)
Medina said that during the presidential election in November 2008, Latinos and immigrants "voted overwhelmingly for progressive candidates. Barack Obama got two out of every three voters that showed up."
"Can you imagine if we have, even the same ratio, two out of three? Can you imagine 8 million new voters who care about our issues and will be voting? We will be creating a governing coalition for the long term, not just for an election cycle."
Medina was speaking at a June 2009 Washington conference for the liberal America's Future Now!
More.
Chicago Media Largely Ignore Lech Walesa Visit
Lech Walesa, a Nobel Laureate and former leader of the Solidarity trade union in Poland, which helped topple 50 years of Soviet occupation there and end the Cold War, went to Chicago, Ill., last week to endorse a conservative Republican in the gubernatorial primary race but the local media largely ignored him.
This near-blackout by the media occurred despite the fact that 1 million people of Polish nationality live in Chicago, making it the city with the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw, Poland, and despite the fact that Walesa himself was the first post-Soviet president of Poland (from 1990 to 1995).
Does This Sound Familiar?
Budget-strapped states avoid the word 'taxes'..
Increases disguised as "penalties," "fees."
Faced with severe budget shortfalls after a steep economic recession, state legislatures and governors are trying to raise money without raising taxes — at least not technically.
A fee hike, an increased penalty or fine, the elimination of a tax exemption — none of these technically counts as a tax increase, as far as many state lawmakers are concerned. Fiscal conservatives argue that a tax hikes are exactly what they are, but their arguments are likely to fall on deaf ears for legislators and governors wrestling with some of the worst budget deficits since the Great Depression.
"There's a certain American antipathy to raising taxes, so even if these are tax increases, there's an incentive to call them something else," said Joseph Henchman, director of state projects at the conservative Tax Foundation. "It's a trend we always see, but it's certainly going to be one that's stronger this year."
The National Conference of State Legislatures found that 35 states and Puerto Rico are facing deficits for fiscal 2011, despite the Obama administration's $787 billion recovery package, which pumped tens of billions of dollars into state coffers last year.
A report issued in December by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) and the National Governors Association found that states raised taxes and fees by $23.9 billion in fiscal 2010, nearly tripling the $8.1 billion in such increases implemented the previous year. More increases are likely in the coming year, although they probably won't match last year's total, said Scott Pattison, NASBO's executive director.
More.
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
On February 2, 2010 at approximately 7:14 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Sav-a-lot Food Store on Cypress Street for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers met with store employees who advised that the below listed suspect had been observed taking meat from the store without making payment. The suspect was located behind the building and the property was recovered. A routine records check of the suspect revealed that he was currently wanted on a parole retake warrant from the Department of Corrections.
ARRESTED: Brian Smalls Wallace, 43 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)
Maryland Department of Corrections Parole
Retake Warrant
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000004890/4891
On February 2, 2010 at approximately 7:14 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Baker Street and observed the below listed suspect walking on the six hundred (600) block of Baker Street in possession of a sword. The suspect was stopped and revealed that he had obtained the sword due to an argument with a neighbor. The suspect advised that he wished to scare the neighbor with the sword which was approximately three (3) feet in length
.
ARRESTED: Jimmy Jeremaine Allen, 32 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Wearing and carrying a dangerous and
deadly weapon
Reckless endangerment
DISPOSITIONS: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000004911
Veteran Officer Suspended
A veteran Officer of the Salisbury Police Department has been suspended with pay.
Considering this is a personnel matter, Chief Barkley cannot expand on the situation but has confirmed that an Officer has been suspended. The Officer does have the right to a board hearing, should he/she so choose.
More to come....
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY LAUNCHES GENUINE PROGRESS INDICATOR
GPI is an innovative tool to allow Marylanders to more accurately measure prosperity and standard of living
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 3, 2010) — Governor Martin O’Malley today launched the Maryland Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), an innovative online tool that will allow policymakers and citizens to more accurately measure the State’s standard of living by including indicators of social and environmental health along with traditional economic calculations.
“To give us a truer measure of our prosperity, we are launching the most comprehensive application of the Genuine Progress Indicator any state as ever undertaken,” said Governor O’Malley. “In addition to measuring our economic standard of living, this tool allows us to also factor in environmental and social costs of problems like air pollution, crime and income inequality, as well as the values of benefits like clean water, education and volunteerism. These indicators will help us make more informed, sustainable policy choices for many years to come.”
Developed by experts from several State agencies, the Governor’s Office and the University of Maryland, the GPI is designed to complement – but not replace – traditional, strictly economic measurements such as the Gross State Product.
“The GPI will give us a more complete picture as we strive for a sustainable future and grow a stronger economy that will not negatively impact our natural resources or the quality of life of our fellow Marylanders,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin, whose agency led the program’s development. “The next challenge will be how we use this new tool to inform priorities in investment and policy making.”
The Maryland GPI is based on models developed and published by academic institutions as a means for nations, states, and local governments to more accurately measure their standard of living by taking into account economic, social, and environmental well being. To date, several nations and states have calculated their GPIs, but no state has developed and applied it as a public, web-based tool as Maryland does today.
“For far too long we have counted what can be measured in dollars as contributing to our welfare, and we have portrayed it as the goal of business and government to increase the total sum of that value,” said Dr. Matthias Ruth, Director of the Center for Integrative Environmental Research at the University of Maryland that developed the GPI calculations and modeling efforts. “Obviously, since some of the damages to our health, our communities, and our environment show up as cost, they get lumped into that dollar total, giving the faulty impression of progress. The calculation of a Genuine Progress Indicator begins to correct the picture of how well-off we actually are. It counts as positive that which is actually positive - time spent with family, volunteer work in our communities, restoration of the environment, for example - and it subtracts the negative - time spent in our cars or loss of wetlands. “
The GPI incorporates 26 factors in three categories — economic, social and natural — from the costs of crime to the costs of ozone depletion.
“The pure economic activity stemming from the explosive growth of urban sprawl positively contributes to the GSP,” explained project leader Sean McGuire of DNR’s Office for a Sustainable Future. “Yet, along with sprawl come increased commuting time, increased traffic congestion, land use conversion, and automobile impacts. And those negative impacts are not included in current economic gauges. In short, just because money is exchanging hands within an economy does not necessarily mean that citizens are enjoying sustainable prosperity.”
Internationally noted author, entrepreneur, and conservationist Paul Hawken applauded Governor O’Malley’s vision in developing the GPI.
“Maryland's Genuine Progress Indicator will allow citizens to create true security and lasting prosperity. A growing economy is always referred to as an unalloyed good, but we do not want to grow crime, environmental degradation, or disease,” said Hawken. “What we want to grow are abilities, opportunities, natural resources, education, security, happiness, and possibility. By distinguishing true needs from what is not desirable, Maryland has made a significant leap into an economy that will benefit this and future generations."
Maryland presents the GPI as an educational tool designed to allow the public and policymakers to better balance the costs and benefits of decisions on how to use the resources available to them.
“A strong economy, a clean environment and a healthy citizenry go hand in hand; none can be a true measure of success without supporting the other two,” said Governor O’Malley. “The GPI will help us ensure that our economic growth will not come at the cost of our natural resources, and that they both support our progress toward a sustainable future and a better qualify of life for all Maryland families."
The GPI joins a host of innovative interactive tools – such as GreenPrint, BayStat and the Maryland Green Registry – that have been developed for Maryland citizens under Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green & Growing Initiative. The GPI is available online now.
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 3, 2010) — Governor Martin O’Malley today launched the Maryland Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), an innovative online tool that will allow policymakers and citizens to more accurately measure the State’s standard of living by including indicators of social and environmental health along with traditional economic calculations.
“To give us a truer measure of our prosperity, we are launching the most comprehensive application of the Genuine Progress Indicator any state as ever undertaken,” said Governor O’Malley. “In addition to measuring our economic standard of living, this tool allows us to also factor in environmental and social costs of problems like air pollution, crime and income inequality, as well as the values of benefits like clean water, education and volunteerism. These indicators will help us make more informed, sustainable policy choices for many years to come.”
Developed by experts from several State agencies, the Governor’s Office and the University of Maryland, the GPI is designed to complement – but not replace – traditional, strictly economic measurements such as the Gross State Product.
“The GPI will give us a more complete picture as we strive for a sustainable future and grow a stronger economy that will not negatively impact our natural resources or the quality of life of our fellow Marylanders,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin, whose agency led the program’s development. “The next challenge will be how we use this new tool to inform priorities in investment and policy making.”
The Maryland GPI is based on models developed and published by academic institutions as a means for nations, states, and local governments to more accurately measure their standard of living by taking into account economic, social, and environmental well being. To date, several nations and states have calculated their GPIs, but no state has developed and applied it as a public, web-based tool as Maryland does today.
“For far too long we have counted what can be measured in dollars as contributing to our welfare, and we have portrayed it as the goal of business and government to increase the total sum of that value,” said Dr. Matthias Ruth, Director of the Center for Integrative Environmental Research at the University of Maryland that developed the GPI calculations and modeling efforts. “Obviously, since some of the damages to our health, our communities, and our environment show up as cost, they get lumped into that dollar total, giving the faulty impression of progress. The calculation of a Genuine Progress Indicator begins to correct the picture of how well-off we actually are. It counts as positive that which is actually positive - time spent with family, volunteer work in our communities, restoration of the environment, for example - and it subtracts the negative - time spent in our cars or loss of wetlands. “
The GPI incorporates 26 factors in three categories — economic, social and natural — from the costs of crime to the costs of ozone depletion.
“The pure economic activity stemming from the explosive growth of urban sprawl positively contributes to the GSP,” explained project leader Sean McGuire of DNR’s Office for a Sustainable Future. “Yet, along with sprawl come increased commuting time, increased traffic congestion, land use conversion, and automobile impacts. And those negative impacts are not included in current economic gauges. In short, just because money is exchanging hands within an economy does not necessarily mean that citizens are enjoying sustainable prosperity.”
Internationally noted author, entrepreneur, and conservationist Paul Hawken applauded Governor O’Malley’s vision in developing the GPI.
“Maryland's Genuine Progress Indicator will allow citizens to create true security and lasting prosperity. A growing economy is always referred to as an unalloyed good, but we do not want to grow crime, environmental degradation, or disease,” said Hawken. “What we want to grow are abilities, opportunities, natural resources, education, security, happiness, and possibility. By distinguishing true needs from what is not desirable, Maryland has made a significant leap into an economy that will benefit this and future generations."
Maryland presents the GPI as an educational tool designed to allow the public and policymakers to better balance the costs and benefits of decisions on how to use the resources available to them.
“A strong economy, a clean environment and a healthy citizenry go hand in hand; none can be a true measure of success without supporting the other two,” said Governor O’Malley. “The GPI will help us ensure that our economic growth will not come at the cost of our natural resources, and that they both support our progress toward a sustainable future and a better qualify of life for all Maryland families."
The GPI joins a host of innovative interactive tools – such as GreenPrint, BayStat and the Maryland Green Registry – that have been developed for Maryland citizens under Governor O’Malley’s Smart, Green & Growing Initiative. The GPI is available online now.
Salvation Army Named “Lead Agency” By United Nations
Salvation Army Named “Lead Agency” by United Nations to Serve 20,000 Earthquake Survivors
Salisbury, Maryland: – The Salvation Army has been named by the United Nations (UN) as the “lead agency” responsible for the well-being of an estimated 20,000 earthquake survivors in Haiti according to Captain Cameron Henderson, Salisbury Corps Officer.
The Salvation Army will coordinate the relief efforts of several disaster response organizations for the community surrounding its main compound in the Saint Martin neighborhood in Port au Prince. This includes registering families so that appropriate aid supplies can be efficiently ordered and distributed, providing shelter that meets U.N. approved standards and establishing clean water sources, medical services and other basic necessities.
“It is critical that we establish a system with standards and accountability so that all of the dedicated NGOs (non-government agencies) can work together to quickly deliver the right supplies and services to the people who need them,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary, based in Arlington, Virginia.
To date, The Salvation Army has distributed more than 350,000 meals, 18,000 gallons of water, hundreds of tents, tarps and flashlights, as well as baby items and medical supplies. Over the last two weeks The Salvation Army worked with the U.N.’s World Food Program to distribute the meals. It has also shipped more than 40 tons of aid to the country with the help of Atlanta-based shipping company UPS (NYSE:UPS). The organization has established staging areas in both Miami and Jamaica and is sending almost daily flights to Port au Prince and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where supplies were then trucked over-land into Haiti.
Teams of international disaster responders from The Salvation Army have joined more than 700 personnel permanently stationed in Haiti to deliver food, water, medicine and other aid supplies to people still suffering more than two weeks after the tragedy. In addition, Salvation Army medical teams consisting of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other specialists have now given medical aid to more than 1,500 people. As teams continue to administer medical assistance, the doctors are seeing fewer life-threatening injuries. Medical teams have also delivered a number of babies in the weeks following the earthquake, raising the spirits of Haitians involved.
Also this week, The Salvation Army was able to partially re-open its elementary school at a temporary site on its compound in Port-au-Prince. In addition to daily classes, approximately 100 children aged three to six years will be provided basic nutrition and medical treatment in a secure environment at The Salvation Army’s compound.
In Haiti, The Salvation Army operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country. One Salvation Army facility, or compound, includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people. The facility is less than 10 minutes from the National Palace and is in an area known as St. Martin that is home to predominantly poor living in the nation’s capital.
“The Salvation Army is committed to the people of Haiti for the long term,” said Major Hood. “We are not even at the end of the beginning of this response effort, though we are making great strides to getting help to the point of need.
“It is particularly difficult to see how this tragedy is affecting young children in Haiti. Re-opening a school helps create a normal routine and stability for kids who have gone through so much.”
The Salvation Army set up a Haiti relief fund and is accepting monetary donations. Donors may contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word “HAITI” to 52000, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” Donors can also give via http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/, 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 or The Salisbury Corps, 407 Oak Street, Salisbury, MD 21804 with designation “Haiti Earthquake.” To date, more than $9.6 million has been donated to The Salvation Army’s relief effort in Haiti.
For continued updates, please visit http://www.blog.salvationarmyusa.org/.
Salisbury, Maryland: – The Salvation Army has been named by the United Nations (UN) as the “lead agency” responsible for the well-being of an estimated 20,000 earthquake survivors in Haiti according to Captain Cameron Henderson, Salisbury Corps Officer.
The Salvation Army will coordinate the relief efforts of several disaster response organizations for the community surrounding its main compound in the Saint Martin neighborhood in Port au Prince. This includes registering families so that appropriate aid supplies can be efficiently ordered and distributed, providing shelter that meets U.N. approved standards and establishing clean water sources, medical services and other basic necessities.
“It is critical that we establish a system with standards and accountability so that all of the dedicated NGOs (non-government agencies) can work together to quickly deliver the right supplies and services to the people who need them,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary, based in Arlington, Virginia.
To date, The Salvation Army has distributed more than 350,000 meals, 18,000 gallons of water, hundreds of tents, tarps and flashlights, as well as baby items and medical supplies. Over the last two weeks The Salvation Army worked with the U.N.’s World Food Program to distribute the meals. It has also shipped more than 40 tons of aid to the country with the help of Atlanta-based shipping company UPS (NYSE:UPS). The organization has established staging areas in both Miami and Jamaica and is sending almost daily flights to Port au Prince and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where supplies were then trucked over-land into Haiti.
Teams of international disaster responders from The Salvation Army have joined more than 700 personnel permanently stationed in Haiti to deliver food, water, medicine and other aid supplies to people still suffering more than two weeks after the tragedy. In addition, Salvation Army medical teams consisting of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other specialists have now given medical aid to more than 1,500 people. As teams continue to administer medical assistance, the doctors are seeing fewer life-threatening injuries. Medical teams have also delivered a number of babies in the weeks following the earthquake, raising the spirits of Haitians involved.
Also this week, The Salvation Army was able to partially re-open its elementary school at a temporary site on its compound in Port-au-Prince. In addition to daily classes, approximately 100 children aged three to six years will be provided basic nutrition and medical treatment in a secure environment at The Salvation Army’s compound.
In Haiti, The Salvation Army operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country. One Salvation Army facility, or compound, includes a home for more than 50 children; a school with a daily attendance of 1,500 children; a medical clinic caring for 150-200 people daily; and a church that on any typical Sunday welcomes nearly 1,000 people. The facility is less than 10 minutes from the National Palace and is in an area known as St. Martin that is home to predominantly poor living in the nation’s capital.
“The Salvation Army is committed to the people of Haiti for the long term,” said Major Hood. “We are not even at the end of the beginning of this response effort, though we are making great strides to getting help to the point of need.
“It is particularly difficult to see how this tragedy is affecting young children in Haiti. Re-opening a school helps create a normal routine and stability for kids who have gone through so much.”
The Salvation Army set up a Haiti relief fund and is accepting monetary donations. Donors may contribute $10 via their phone bill by text messaging the word “HAITI” to 52000, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” Donors can also give via http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/, 1-800-SAL-ARMY and through the mail at: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728 or The Salisbury Corps, 407 Oak Street, Salisbury, MD 21804 with designation “Haiti Earthquake.” To date, more than $9.6 million has been donated to The Salvation Army’s relief effort in Haiti.
For continued updates, please visit http://www.blog.salvationarmyusa.org/.
Why Filing Early Doesn’t Always Pay Off
You can maximize interest, avoid amending return if you wait
It's often possible to file your tax return as early as February, once you've received your W2 from your employer and your 1099s from your investments.
The IRS will even accept your return as soon as January.
But this is one situation where the early bird doesn't always get the worm.
GO HERE to read more.
Citizens Police Academy Members Graduate
Resume: Late last evening, 25 men and women attended their final Citizens Police Academy session at the Delaware State Police Range in Smyrna.Over the past seven weeks, the CPA attendees sacrificed their valuable time to learn more about the DSP and it various units. During this program, the CPA members sat through presentations from homicide investigators, fraud detectives, Collision Reconstruction Unit members and dispatchers. They learned about DUI investigations, prosecution and youth aid cases. They had the opportunity to participate in a ride-along with a patrol officer as well as visit the DSP Aviation Hanger in Middletown.
On its final night, the class went to the Smyrna range where they learned more about State Police weaponry and even had a chance to utilize the range first hand under the supervision of a Firearms Training Unit Instructor.
Colonel Robert Coupe then presented formal certificates of appreciation to the class attendees at the end of the night. He characterized this program “as an opportunity for Troopers to interact with citizens and establish new partnerships amongst the people we serve.”
The Delaware State Police would like to formally thank the citizens who participated in this voluntarily class. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn made facilitating this program worth while. Also, a special note of gratitude is expressed to the Attorney General’s Office as well as the New Castle County Police who conducted presentations to the CPA members.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LAKE SUPERIOR
LAKE SUPERIOR FACTS
· Lake Superior contains ten percent of all the fresh water on the planet Earth.
· It covers 82,000 square kilometers or 31,700 square miles.
· The average depth is 147 meters or 483 feet.
· There have been about 350 shipwrecks recorded in Lake Superior .
· Lake Superior is, by surface area, the largest lake in the world.
A Jesuit priest in 1668 named it Lac Tracy , but that name was never officially adopted.
· It contains as much water as all the other Great Lakes combined, plus three extra Lake Eries .
· There is a small outflow from the lake at St. Marys River (Sault Ste Marie) into Lake Huron . but it takes almost two centuries for the water to be completely replaced.
· There is enough water in Lake Superior to cover all of North and South America with water a foot deep.
· Lake Superior was formed during the last glacial retreat, making it one of the earth's youngest
major features at only about 10,000 years old.
· The deepest point in the lake is 405 meters or 1,333 feet.
· There are 78 different species of fish that call the big lake home.
· The maximum wave ever recorded on Lake Superior was 9.45 meters or 31 feet high.
· If you stretched the shoreline of Lake Superior out to a straight line, it would be long enough to reach
from Duluth to the Bahamas .
· Over 300 streams and rivers empty into Lake Superior with the largest source being the Nipigon River .
· The average underwater visibility of Lake Superior is about 8 meters or 27 feet, making it the cleanest and
clearest of the Great Lakes . Underwater visibility in some spots reaches 30 meters.
· In the summer, the sun sets more than 35 minutes later on the western shore of Lake Superior
than at its southeastern edge.
· Some of the world's oldest rocks, formed about 2.7 billion years ago, can be found on the Ontario shore of Lake Superior .
· It very rarely freezes over completely, and then usually just for a few hours. Complete freezing
occurred in 1962, 1979, 2003 and 2009.
· Some of the world's oldest rocks, formed about 2.7 billion years ago, can be found on the Ontario shore of Lake Superior .
· It very rarely freezes over completely, and then usually just for a few hours. Complete freezing
occurred in 1962, 1979, 2003 and 2009.
No Help In Sight, More Homeowners Walk Away
In 2006, Benjamin Koellmann bought a condominium in Miami Beach. By his calculation, it will be about the year 2025 before he can sell his modest home for what he paid. Or maybe 2040.
Barbara P. Fernandez for The New York Times
Benjamin Koellmann paid $215,000 for his apartment in Miami Beach in 2006, but now units are selling in foreclosure for $90,000. “There is no financial sense in staying,” he said.
“People like me are beginning to feel like suckers,” Mr. Koellmann said. “Why not let it go in default and rent a better place for less?”
After three years of plunging real estate values, after the bailouts of the bankers and the revival of their million-dollar bonuses, after the Obama administration’s loan modification plan raised the expectations of many but satisfied only a few, a large group of distressed homeowners is wondering the same thing.
New research suggests that when a home’s value falls below 75 percent of the amount owed on the mortgage, the owner starts to think hard about walking away, even if he or she has the money to keep paying.
GO HERE to read more.
US Military Serving as Chauffers & Babysitters For Pelosi’s Kids? (Updated)
Taxpayers are not just paying for Pelosi’s expensive booze and food, they’re paying for the military to play taxi with her kids and grand kids, too.
“Pelosi One” seats 200 and can fly nonstop from Washington to San Francisco.
Doug Ross reported on the latest t*rd to float to the surface in the Pelosi swamp.Apparently, the Speaker has been using the US military to taxi her kids and grand kids across the country without any US Representatives even on board. The cost of each flight is up to $18,000 per hour.
Using Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, Judicial Watchuncovered thousands of pages of travel documents related to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s use of military aircraft.
What hasn’t been revealed so far is that military aircraft are being used to shuttle Pelosi’s kids and grandkids between DC and San Francisco without any Congressional representatives even onboard! Put simply, the United States Air Force is serving as a multi-billion dollar chauffeur- and baby-sitting service for Nancy Pelosi’s kids and grandkids — presumably because commercial travel is beneath the families of the autocrats.
Truly. She feels your pain.
UPDATE: The Speaker claims her children and grand children never flew without her on board.
UPDATE 2: Doug Ross posted these updates-
Update: Judicial Watch provided separate documents from an earlier FOIA request which show that “most, if not all” of the flights did indeed have the Speaker aboard. This is being researched and, until then, corrections are noted below.
Update II: A commenter provides a link to DOD 4515.13-R “Air Transportation Eligibility”, which seems to indicate any travel by the Speaker’s adult — non-dependent — children and grandchildren is off-limits.
Earlier: This post serves as an update to yesterday’s original revelations that military jets appear to have been improperly utilized by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to shuttle her children and grandchildren around the country.
N.L. Premier Williams Set To Have Heart Surgery In U.S.
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams will undergo heart surgery later this week in the United States.
Deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale confirmed the treatment at a news conference Tuesday, but would not reveal the location of the operation or how it would be paid for.
"He has gone to a renowned expert in the procedure that he needs to have done," said Ms. Dunderdale, who will become acting premier while Mr. Williams is away for three to 12 weeks.
"In consultation with his own doctors, he's decided to go that route."
Mr. Williams' decision to leave Canada for the surgery has raised eyebrows over his apparent shunning of Canada's health-care system.
"It was never an option offered to him to have this procedure done in this province," said Ms. Dunderdale, refusing to answer whether the procedure could be done elsewhere in Canada.
Mr. Williams, 59, has said nothing of his health in the media.
"The premier has made a commitment that once he's through this procedure and he's well enough, he's going to talk about the whole process and share as much detail with you as he's comfortable to do at that time," she said.
Ms. Dunderdale wouldn't say where in the U.S. Mr. Williams is seeking treatment.
A popular Progressive Conservative premier, Mr. Williams has also seen his share of controversy. During the 2008 federal election, Mr. Williams vehemently opposed the Conservative government, launching his "Anything But Conservative" -- which has been credited with keeping the Tories from winning any seats in the province.
He's also drawn criticism for his support of the seal hunt.
Source
Deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale confirmed the treatment at a news conference Tuesday, but would not reveal the location of the operation or how it would be paid for.
"He has gone to a renowned expert in the procedure that he needs to have done," said Ms. Dunderdale, who will become acting premier while Mr. Williams is away for three to 12 weeks.
"In consultation with his own doctors, he's decided to go that route."
Mr. Williams' decision to leave Canada for the surgery has raised eyebrows over his apparent shunning of Canada's health-care system.
"It was never an option offered to him to have this procedure done in this province," said Ms. Dunderdale, refusing to answer whether the procedure could be done elsewhere in Canada.
Mr. Williams, 59, has said nothing of his health in the media.
"The premier has made a commitment that once he's through this procedure and he's well enough, he's going to talk about the whole process and share as much detail with you as he's comfortable to do at that time," she said.
Ms. Dunderdale wouldn't say where in the U.S. Mr. Williams is seeking treatment.
A popular Progressive Conservative premier, Mr. Williams has also seen his share of controversy. During the 2008 federal election, Mr. Williams vehemently opposed the Conservative government, launching his "Anything But Conservative" -- which has been credited with keeping the Tories from winning any seats in the province.
He's also drawn criticism for his support of the seal hunt.
Source
They Still Don't Get It
The National Republican Senatorial Committee will continue to endorse Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in the state's Senate primary race but will not provide financial support, Sen. John Cornyn, the group's chairman, said Tuesday.
"We're going to stick with our endorsement," Mr. Cornyn, Texas Republican, said in an interview with The Washington Times' "America's Morning News" radio show. But "we're not going to be spending any money in the primary."
Mr. Cornyn said the group backed Mr. Crist at a "much earlier time," after former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush decline to run.
"We looked around for the most popular Republican in the state," he said.
A Rasmusen poll this week shows former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio leading Mr. Crist 49 percent to 37 percent among likely Republican primary voters.
Conservative activists in the party are flocking to Mr. Rubio while national GOP leaders still support the more moderate Mr. Crist.
More.
Just Wondering?
Makes you wonder doesn't it?
Have you wondered why Barack Hussein Obama has insisted that the U.S. Attorney General hold the trials for the 911 Murdering Muslims Terrorists in Civilian Courts as Common Criminals instead of as Terrorists who attacked the United States of America ? Think about this:
If the Muslim Terrorists are tried in Military Tribunals, convicted, and sentenced to DEATH by the Military Tribunal, BY LAW of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, as President of the United States , would be required to SIGN their Death Warrants before they could be EXECUTED. He would not be required to sign the death warrants if sentenced to death by a Civilian Court.
Think about the Muslim Jihadist, Major Hassan, who slaughtered his fellow soldiers at Ft. Hood, Texas. Major Hassan did not want to go to Afghanistan and be a part of anything that could lead to the deaths of fellow Muslims. He stated that Muslims could not and should not KILL FELLOW MUSLIMS.
Is the motive for Barack Hussein Obama's decision to make sure he doesn't have to sign the death warrants for the Muslim Terrorists? Why would he, as President of the United States, not want to sign the death warrants for Muslim Terrorists who attacked the United States and MURDERED over 3,000 innocent United States Citizens on 911? Could it be that he is FORBIDDEN BY HIS RELIGION to have anything to do with the execution of Muslims?
Think about that!!! Join me in opening ears, eyes and minds to what THEIR President is doing. PLEASE pass this along to your friends if you agree that this sounds reasonable.
John W. King, Attorney at Law
IN GOD WE TRUST
I Pledge My Services to our God, Flag and Country and NOT to be a Servant to our President
Have you wondered why Barack Hussein Obama has insisted that the U.S. Attorney General hold the trials for the 911 Murdering Muslims Terrorists in Civilian Courts as Common Criminals instead of as Terrorists who attacked the United States of America ? Think about this:
If the Muslim Terrorists are tried in Military Tribunals, convicted, and sentenced to DEATH by the Military Tribunal, BY LAW of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, as President of the United States , would be required to SIGN their Death Warrants before they could be EXECUTED. He would not be required to sign the death warrants if sentenced to death by a Civilian Court.
Think about the Muslim Jihadist, Major Hassan, who slaughtered his fellow soldiers at Ft. Hood, Texas. Major Hassan did not want to go to Afghanistan and be a part of anything that could lead to the deaths of fellow Muslims. He stated that Muslims could not and should not KILL FELLOW MUSLIMS.
Is the motive for Barack Hussein Obama's decision to make sure he doesn't have to sign the death warrants for the Muslim Terrorists? Why would he, as President of the United States, not want to sign the death warrants for Muslim Terrorists who attacked the United States and MURDERED over 3,000 innocent United States Citizens on 911? Could it be that he is FORBIDDEN BY HIS RELIGION to have anything to do with the execution of Muslims?
Think about that!!! Join me in opening ears, eyes and minds to what THEIR President is doing. PLEASE pass this along to your friends if you agree that this sounds reasonable.
John W. King, Attorney at Law
IN GOD WE TRUST
I Pledge My Services to our God, Flag and Country and NOT to be a Servant to our President
Federal Watchdog: TARP Program Opens Way For Deeper Economic Meltdown
Neil Barofsky, the man tasked with overseeing the administration of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), told Congress in a report released Sunday that the bank bailouts have cleared the path to another financial crisis -- potentially even more grave than the 2008 crisis.
“(E)ven if TARP saved our financial system from driving off a cliff back in 2008,” Barofsky wrote, “absent meaningful reform, we are still driving on the same winding mountain road, but this time in a faster car.”
The special inspector general for TARP added: “It is hard to see how any of the fundamental problems in the system have been addressed to date.”
“To the extent that huge, interconnected, ‘too big to fail’ institutions contributed to the crisis, those institutions are now even larger, in part because of the substantial subsidies provided by TARP and other bailout programs,” the report said.
“To the extent that institutions were previously incentivized to take reckless risks through a ‘heads, I win; tails, the government will bail me out’ mentality, the market is more convinced than ever that the government will step in as necessary to save systemically significant institutions,” Barofsky wrote to Congress.
More.
The Power Of A Badge...
DEA officer stops at a ranch in Texas , and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs." The rancher says, "Okay , but don't go in that field over there," as he points out the location.
The DEA officer verbally explodes saying, " Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me." Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the rancher. "See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish... On any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand? "
The rancher nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores.
A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the DEA officer running for his life chased by the rancher's big Santa Gertrudis bull...
With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he'll get gored before he reaches safety. The officer is clearly terrified. The rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs...
" Your badge. Show him your BADGE ! "
Allah Calls One Home
This video was ACTUALLY made by the bad guys.
The cameraman is filming his friend as he praises Allah and launches mortarshots at American troops. Little does he know that new mortar shell tracking technology can track the trajectory of a hostile round and fire aretaliatory shot to precisely the spot from which the hostile shell wasfired. This only requires the hostile mortar to fire 2 to 3 rounds.
Count the number of mortar rounds the masked insurgent fires in the video. See how well it works..
No more Allah Akhbars!
Isn't Technology wonderful?
Helping Others
I emailed Mr. Joe in reference to the fact that I am trying to purchase a used car. I stated that a lot of dealerships that I emailed never responded. He IMMEDIATELY hooked me up with Sandy at Pohanka and within 15 minutes, I have received at least 2 emails from her! I can't say at this time if I will be eligible for a car BUT, she was the ONLY one who responded and her response was very fast! Even if she can't assist me at this point but can at a later date, the fact is, she answered!
Thank you so much Sandy and Joe!
Cindy W.
Civic Center Parking
I watched the discussion on the old mall 5 acres today on Pac 14. There were many good points brought up by all who attended. I do agree with the following points:
1) There is currently a lack of parking spaces for sold out events if people don’t carpool.
2) Buying the property before the developer turns it into something else makes sense.
However, charging per car for parking solves #1, and living in fear of the big bad developer is silly.
It is land that the developer bought, but the County makes the laws that control its use. It was a parking lot before it was re-zoned for General Commercial and Planned Residential Community use. The Developer failed (past tense) to act in good faith to bring in the promised development, so simply re-zone it back to a parking lot!
Setting the zoning back to the default setting does two things; it devalues the property back to value at the developers purchase time, and we don’t need then to re-zone it to build a parking lot there! It also keeps it from becoming anything but a parking lot, so there’s no “over a barrel” feeling we need to deal with.
Also, bring the parking lot up next to the Civic Center and run Civic Avenue around it as a safety issue. Keep the existing underground storms where they are and drain the lot to that, and use pervious concrete (ask PRMC about their new lots) for all the street and parking lot. That keeps the MDE happy. Lighting is a shorter run and there’s no drag strip between the Center and its customers.
Now, set up the bar in a tiki hut out in the parking lot so it will be sold off the contingent portion of the property and people can bring their “purchased off site” alcohol in to the events, and you’re good to go!
I’m here all week…
Gary Bullard
1) There is currently a lack of parking spaces for sold out events if people don’t carpool.
2) Buying the property before the developer turns it into something else makes sense.
However, charging per car for parking solves #1, and living in fear of the big bad developer is silly.
It is land that the developer bought, but the County makes the laws that control its use. It was a parking lot before it was re-zoned for General Commercial and Planned Residential Community use. The Developer failed (past tense) to act in good faith to bring in the promised development, so simply re-zone it back to a parking lot!
Setting the zoning back to the default setting does two things; it devalues the property back to value at the developers purchase time, and we don’t need then to re-zone it to build a parking lot there! It also keeps it from becoming anything but a parking lot, so there’s no “over a barrel” feeling we need to deal with.
Also, bring the parking lot up next to the Civic Center and run Civic Avenue around it as a safety issue. Keep the existing underground storms where they are and drain the lot to that, and use pervious concrete (ask PRMC about their new lots) for all the street and parking lot. That keeps the MDE happy. Lighting is a shorter run and there’s no drag strip between the Center and its customers.
Now, set up the bar in a tiki hut out in the parking lot so it will be sold off the contingent portion of the property and people can bring their “purchased off site” alcohol in to the events, and you’re good to go!
I’m here all week…
Gary Bullard
FOR THOSE THAT DON'T, IT IS A TRUE STORY
The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.
Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It Is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you the ere and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.
The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.
Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:
TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.
Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't hang out with drug-using people;
(7) don't smoke or drink,
(8) don't want to wear your clothes,
(9) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children .....
Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It Is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you the ere and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.
The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.
Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:
TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.
Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't hang out with drug-using people;
(7) don't smoke or drink,
(8) don't want to wear your clothes,
(9) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(10) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children .....
Obama Makes A Mockery Of His Own Lobbyist Ban
More than 40 former lobbyists work in senior positions in the Obama administration, including three Cabinet secretaries and the CIA director. Yet in his State of the Union address, Obama claimed, "We've excluded lobbyists from policymaking jobs."
Did Obama speak falsely?
Well, it depends on what the definition of "excluded lobbyists" is.
I asked the White House if he chose his words poorly, but the media affairs office defended the president's statement: "As the President said," a spokeswoman wrote in an e-mail, "we have turned away lobbyists for many, many positions."
So, the country may have heard, "we haven't hired lobbyists to policymaking jobs," but the White House tells us Obama meant, "we only hired some of the lobbyists who applied for policymaking jobs." In other words, they've excluded some lobbyists
.
And this was in the context of reducing the "deficit of trust."
And this was in the context of reducing the "deficit of trust."
The Bathtub Test
During a visit to the mental asylum, I asked the director how do you determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalized..
"Well," said the director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."
"Oh, I understand," I said "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."
"No." said the director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"
ARE YOU GOING TO PASS THIS ON, OR DO YOU WANT THE BED NEXT TO MINE??
"Well," said the director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."
"Oh, I understand," I said "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."
"No." said the director, "A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?"
ARE YOU GOING TO PASS THIS ON, OR DO YOU WANT THE BED NEXT TO MINE??
Love Dress
A woman stopped by, unannounced, at her son's house. She knocked on the door and then immediately walked in. She was shocked to see her daughter-in-law lying on the couch, totally naked. Soft music was playing, and the aroma of perfume filled the room.
"What are you doing?!" she asked.
"I'm waiting for Mike to come home from work," the daughter-in-law answered.
"But you're naked!" the mother-in-law exclaimed.
"This is my love dress," the daughter-in-law explained.
"Love dress? But you're naked!"
"Mike loves me and wants me to wear this dress," she explained.. "It excites him to no end. Every time he sees me in this dress, he instantly becomes romantic and ravages me for hours on end. He can't get enough of me"
The mother-in-law left. When she got home, she undressed, showered, put on her best perfume, dimmed the lights, put on a romantic CD, and laid on the couch, waiting for her husband to arrive. Finally, her husband came home. He walked in and saw her laying there so provocatively. "What are you doing?" he asked
"This is my love dress." she whispered sensually.
"Needs ironing," he said. "What's for dinner?
He never heard the gunshot.
"What are you doing?!" she asked.
"I'm waiting for Mike to come home from work," the daughter-in-law answered.
"But you're naked!" the mother-in-law exclaimed.
"This is my love dress," the daughter-in-law explained.
"Love dress? But you're naked!"
"Mike loves me and wants me to wear this dress," she explained.. "It excites him to no end. Every time he sees me in this dress, he instantly becomes romantic and ravages me for hours on end. He can't get enough of me"
The mother-in-law left. When she got home, she undressed, showered, put on her best perfume, dimmed the lights, put on a romantic CD, and laid on the couch, waiting for her husband to arrive. Finally, her husband came home. He walked in and saw her laying there so provocatively. "What are you doing?" he asked
"This is my love dress." she whispered sensually.
"Needs ironing," he said. "What's for dinner?
He never heard the gunshot.
Ooooops ! She Let It Slip!
This is a clip showing Congresswoman Maxine Waters discussing drilling for new oil reserves.. She explains, in a slip of the tongue, what this whole administration's agenda is all about.
.. What she said was accidental, and notice that it stopped her dead in her tracks for a long moment, but it was too late. Just hope the country wakes up in the 2010 elections... Scary agenda.
I do not think it is possible for too many people to see this video and I hope you feel the same way and will help send it along as fast as possible.
Worth Repeating
.. What she said was accidental, and notice that it stopped her dead in her tracks for a long moment, but it was too late. Just hope the country wakes up in the 2010 elections... Scary agenda.
I do not think it is possible for too many people to see this video and I hope you feel the same way and will help send it along as fast as possible.
Worth Repeating
A Very Wise Man "Thomas Jefferson Quotes"
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.
Thomas Jefferson
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes.
A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson
To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:
'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered...'
Parenting Matters: Raising Successful Children
Looking for tips on how to help your children succeed academically and socially – in school and in the community? Join the MD PIRC and the Eastern Shore Regional Advisory Committee for an exciting, wonderful and FREE event for parents and family members (see flyer).
The Eastern Shore’s second Parenting Matters: Raising Successful Children conference will be held Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, MD. Child care, programming for kids and youth, and breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost.
The conference is being held at Wor-Wic Community on Saturday March 6, 8:15 am – 3:00 pm. Special features of the conference include: ‘Raising Successful Learners in Elementary School’ workshop led by Wicomcio County Teachers of the Year Debbie Wilkens and Susan Cullen; One Stop Job Market Mobile Van; and Paying for College seminar.
In addition, there will be door prizes for families, a Youth Leadership Academy with fun, learning activities for youth (ages 6-14), Spanish language interpreters for parents, and special music for the opening session by Wicomico County’s very own -- The Edgeucators.
Remember, the conference is free (with breakfast, lunch, childcare, youth activities). But registration is required (for seminars, childcare, and the youth leadership academy). To register, click on: www.mdpirc.org/conference/March6.
For further information or assistance, call Faye Wilson (410) 677-4529 or email her at fwilson@wcboe.org.
