DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Old Crown Victoria
Let me ask you Folks a question. If you had a 1994 Ford Crown Victoria with 150,000+ miles on it, would you spend $5,000.00 to replace the engine in it?
Think about that question very carefully. There's no trick to it, I just want your honest opinion and I'm looking for as many responses today as I can possibly get. I know its Saturday afternoon but we're going to run with this question anyway.
The vehicle's Blue Book value is less than $650.00! So, you tell me. Would you put a brand new/rebuilt $5,000.00 motor in it?
This from Kelley Blue Book:
Condition Value
Excellent
$1,250
Good
$1,000
Fair
$650
The vehicle I'm speaking of would be less than "Fair Value". I'd personally rate in more toward "Poor Value" but Kelley Blue Book won't even give a price for a vehicle that age with those kind of miles on it in Poor Condition.
Robbery Update
According to on-scene sources, the Shore Bank robbery was committed by a "middle aged white male" who presented a note to a teller. No weapon has been reported to have been used. Sources say that "great video" of the robber was recorded.
More to come.
More to come.
Armed Robbery At Shore Bank
We received a report that there was an armed robbery at the Shore Bank in Salisbury around noon. More to come.....
MORE HIGH TECH JOBS TO MOVE OUT OF MARYLAND
Remember this business while traveling to Frederick, Maryland?This morning I read that Governor O'Malley applauded SB-106 - Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit legislation. And I'm not going to knock him nor the administration for attempting to make a dent into our anti-business State - Maryland. But by the same token I cannot let the loss of another Maryland hi-tech firm go unnoticed. You see BP Solar has been around since the early 1970s - (previously trading as Solarex).
They recently announced where they were closing their Frederick, Maryland manufacturing plant and would be shipping their manufacturing jobs elsewhere because of high operational costs - (Click here for the details).
Folks, this is not good and just goes to show that the above legislation may be to little and to late to thwart the exodus of another high tech business.
Today's Survey Question
Shamu, (the killer whale) is big business at SeaWorld.Do You Think The Show Should Continue After Another Whale Has Killed 3 Trainers?
‘State Of Catastrophe’ As Huge Quake Hits Chile
A David Lillo ImageSANTIAGO, Chile - A massive magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, killing at least 85 people, triggering a tsunami and damaging buildings more than 200 miles away.
President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe".
At least 23 aftershocks were reported, including one registering at 6.9 on the Richter scale.
GO HERE to read more.
"Political correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred.”
Jacques Barzun
Should today's selections offend you, remember that it's all history,
and that the future is what we need to put first and remember best.
Phronesis
Noveltoon: The Stupidstitious Cat (1946)
A determined baby bird goes out of the nest and finds trouble in a world he doesn't yet understand.
Sharecropping In The 20th Century - Our Story
A narrative of 5 former African American sharecroppers in the rural South during the Jim Crow era. A powerful statement of an era of American history.
Killer Diller (1948)
Vaudeville lives in this African American musical variety show, featuring The Nat King Cole Trio, the Clark Brothers and other great musical and comedy acts. Look for acts that inspired later singers and comedians.
Black Brigade (1970) A redneck officer (Stephen Boyd) is put in charge of a squad of all black troops charged with the mission of securing an important hydro dam in Nazi Germany. Their failure would delay the Allies advance into Germany, thus prolonging the war. These African-Americans are relegated to cleaning latrines and have little real military training, but Captain Beau Carter has no choice. He leads the rag-tag unit to secure the dam and they turn out to be heroic. Originally entitled Carter's Army, aired on TV in 1969. Great cast and an interesting story line.
The Negro Soldier (United States War Department - 1943)
World War II recruitment film aimed at African Americans. An African American church minister tells his flock why they should join the armed forces to fight the Nazis. Historical re-enactments of African Americans as valued participants in US armed conflicts dating from the American Revolution. The balance of the film deals with the Aftican American experience within the war effort, the conditions of their living and training, with special attention paid to the respect and dignity they will have and deserve. Part of the United States National Archives Collection.
The Brother From Another Planet (1984)
A mute alien is chased by outer-space bounty hunters through the streets of Harlem in this thought-provoking cult classic. Directed by John Sayles, starring Joe Morton, Rosanna Carter, Ray Ramirez.
Nigger (2004)
A word of hate or term of endearment? Like many young African American teens, Jermaine used the word every day. Then, in the summer of 2003, he traveled down south and met people for whom nigger will never be just another word.
A word of hate or term of endearment? Like many young African American teens, Jermaine used the word every day. Then, in the summer of 2003, he traveled down south and met people for whom nigger will never be just another word.
Sharecropping In The 20th Century - Our Story
A narrative of 5 former African American sharecroppers in the rural South during the Jim Crow era. A powerful statement of an era of American history.
Killer Diller (1948)
Vaudeville lives in this African American musical variety show, featuring The Nat King Cole Trio, the Clark Brothers and other great musical and comedy acts. Look for acts that inspired later singers and comedians.
Black Brigade (1970) A redneck officer (Stephen Boyd) is put in charge of a squad of all black troops charged with the mission of securing an important hydro dam in Nazi Germany. Their failure would delay the Allies advance into Germany, thus prolonging the war. These African-Americans are relegated to cleaning latrines and have little real military training, but Captain Beau Carter has no choice. He leads the rag-tag unit to secure the dam and they turn out to be heroic. Originally entitled Carter's Army, aired on TV in 1969. Great cast and an interesting story line.
The Negro Soldier (United States War Department - 1943)
World War II recruitment film aimed at African Americans. An African American church minister tells his flock why they should join the armed forces to fight the Nazis. Historical re-enactments of African Americans as valued participants in US armed conflicts dating from the American Revolution. The balance of the film deals with the Aftican American experience within the war effort, the conditions of their living and training, with special attention paid to the respect and dignity they will have and deserve. Part of the United States National Archives Collection.
The Brother From Another Planet (1984)
A mute alien is chased by outer-space bounty hunters through the streets of Harlem in this thought-provoking cult classic. Directed by John Sayles, starring Joe Morton, Rosanna Carter, Ray Ramirez.
Have fun!
36 Weeks To Go!
Larry Sabato Bets on Our Campaign; While We Reach "Young Gun" Status
Nationally respected political scientist Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball has just ranked Maryland's First District U.S. House race as "leans Republican" for the first time this year. This is more evidence that our hard work is paying off and the Andy Harris for Congress campaign continues to gain significant momentum.
Additionally the National Republican Congressional Committee recently promoted me to the highest level in their "Young Guns" program. Read it here.
This is certainly more good news but also a warning: we cannot become complacent. While polls and national pundits continue to rank our race as a bellwether for voters' frustration with the current Congress, we must maintain our outreach to every voter in the District. This race is too important to Marylanders and the whole country for us to take anything for granted.
Nancy Pelosi has already started pouring her money and liberal special interest money into the District. We have to keep working hard and informing voters that I will bring fiscal responsibility, a dedication to strengthening our national security and the experience and knowledge of a doctor to the health care debate that the citizens of the District want in their member of Congress. I'll always put the citizens of the District first, not be led by party leaders or swayed by lobbyists with money.
Thank you for all of your efforts in this race. You continue to be the most important part of the success and momentum we are building.
Gibbs: Obama To Soon Announce 'Path Forward' For Health Reform
President Barack Obama next week will announce the “path forward” for healthcare reform, his spokesman said Friday.
Gibbs refused to speculate on the substance of Obama's announcement except to say he expected it to come around the middle part of the week.
Gibbs on Friday followed the president and other Democrats in rejecting Republican calls to scrap the legislation and start over, pointing to insurance companies that are raising their rates while the debate continues.
“I think the American people aren't always all that interested in procedures inside the Senate,” Obama said in comments at the nationally televised summit with Democratic and GOP congressional leaders. “I do think that they want a vote on how we’re going to move this vote. And I think most Americans think a majority vote makes sense.”
In the end, Obama maintained, he and Democrats would act and leave it to voters to decide whether they had acted wisely. “That’s what elections are for,” he said.
In the now-immortal words of Sarah Palin..
"You betcha!"
Bluest States Spilling The Most Red Ink
Want to know which states are in the worst financial condition? One telling indicator that might not immediately come to mind is whether most of its citizens identify themselves as Democrats.
The five states in the worst financial condition--Illinois, New York, Connecticut, California and New Jersey--are all among the bluest of blue states. The five most fiscally fit states are more of a mix. Three--Utah, Nebraska and Texas--boast Republican majorities and two--New Hampshire and Virginia--skew Democratic.
Of the 10 states in the worst financial condition, eight are among a total of 23 defined by Gallup as "solidly Democratic," meaning the Democrats enjoy an advantage of 10 percentage points or greater in party affiliation. These states include the ones listed above as making up the bottom five, plus Massachusetts, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Why do Democratic states appear to be struggling more than Republican ones? It comes down to stronger unions and a larger appetite for public programs, according to Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political studies and public affairs at the University of Illinois' Center for State Policy and Leadership.
Doctors Threaten Medicare Backlash
With a 21% cut to Medicare reimbursement rates set to take effect Monday, the nation's largest physician organization has informed its members about their options -- which include shutting off practices to new Medicare patients.
"To our physicians, we are providing information on their Medicare participation options, including how to remove themselves from the Medicare program," said James Rohack, president of the American Medical Association, whose more than 250,000 members include doctors, medical students and faculty members.
Some 43 million Americans receive Medicare coverage. For doctors who accept Medicare, federal law requires that reimbursement rates be adjusted annually based on formula tied to the health of the economy.
That law says rates should be cut every year to keep Medicare financially sound. But Congress has blocked those cuts from happening in seven of the last eight years and could still do so this year.
Those temporary fixes aren't good enough anymore, warned Rohack.
He said the AMA wants the current law to be repealed and a new formula used "that more accurately reflects the cost of providing care" in determining Medicare reimbursement rates.
In the meantime, physicians are asking the AMA to prepare handouts they can give patients to prepare them for the worst-case scenario: getting dropped completely. And a new report on the AMA's Web site tells doctors how they can help their patients find other doctors if they decide to no longer accept Medicare.
"All this is a result of physicians becoming very frustrated with the situation," said Rohack. "It's regrettable, but it reflects the current political environment. Congress need a crisis before it acts."
Same Sex Marriage
Gansler weighs in on same-sex marriage recognition in Md.
by Steve Lash
ANNAPOLIS – In a victory for gay rights advocates, Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler issued an opinion Wednesday endorsing the view that the Court of Appeals would — and the state should — recognize as married same-sex Maryland couples who are legally wed in other states.
The immediate effect of Gansler’s opinion is to put state agencies on notice that they should extend to these same-sex couples all the rights and benefits afforded to married heterosexual couples in the state, Gansler said after issuing his opinion. For example, the legally wed partner of a state employee should be entitled to the same pension benefits as any other spouse.
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley issued a call to state agencies in light of the opinion.
“I am confident that the attorney general and his office will provide all necessary advice to state agencies on how to comply with the law and I expect all state agencies to work with the attorney general’s office to ensure compliance with the law,” O’Malley said in a statement.
Gansler’s opinion lacks the force of law, but makes clear that the attorney general, the state’s top legal adviser, believes the state is constitutionally required to recognize the same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. Gansler, in his written opinion and public comments Wednesday, expressed his belief that the Court of Appeals will rule likewise when the issue inevitably reaches the state’s top court.
“This will ultimately be resolved in the court,” Gansler said during a press conference. “The court will ultimately have a say.”
Under the federal Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit Clause, the 45-page opinion explained, states are bound to recognize legally binding agreements, including marriage contracts, issued by other states. The only exception to this rule is if the contract so deeply offends a state’s public policy that it cannot extend such recognition.
Maryland’s recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states does not offend the state’s public policy, Gansler concluded.
“While the matter is not free from all doubt, in our view, the Court of Appeals is likely to respect the law of other states and recognize a same-sex marriage contracted validly in another jurisdiction,” Gansler wrote in his opinion. “In light of Maryland’s developing public policy concerning intimate same-sex relationships, the court would not readily invoke the public policy exception to the usual rule” that states recognize legally binding agreements, including marriage contracts, from other states, Gansler added.
In recent years, the opinion explained, the state has extended many rights — short of actual marriage — to same-sex couples. These include the right to adopt and the right of same-sex partners to be involved in medical decisions affecting their loved ones.
The attorney general also cited the Court of Appeals’ history of recognizing marriages from other states that would have been invalid had they occurred or been performed in Maryland. These unions include a common-law marriage that was accepted in another state, as well as a legal Rhode Island marriage between an uncle and his niece.
Gansler, who supports gay marriage, said his personal views played no part in his advisory opinion.
“We’re not in the policy business,” Gansler said of the attorney general’s office. “We’re in the interpretation of law business.”
GO HERE to read more.
by Steve Lash
ANNAPOLIS – In a victory for gay rights advocates, Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler issued an opinion Wednesday endorsing the view that the Court of Appeals would — and the state should — recognize as married same-sex Maryland couples who are legally wed in other states.
The immediate effect of Gansler’s opinion is to put state agencies on notice that they should extend to these same-sex couples all the rights and benefits afforded to married heterosexual couples in the state, Gansler said after issuing his opinion. For example, the legally wed partner of a state employee should be entitled to the same pension benefits as any other spouse.
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley issued a call to state agencies in light of the opinion.
“I am confident that the attorney general and his office will provide all necessary advice to state agencies on how to comply with the law and I expect all state agencies to work with the attorney general’s office to ensure compliance with the law,” O’Malley said in a statement.
Gansler’s opinion lacks the force of law, but makes clear that the attorney general, the state’s top legal adviser, believes the state is constitutionally required to recognize the same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. Gansler, in his written opinion and public comments Wednesday, expressed his belief that the Court of Appeals will rule likewise when the issue inevitably reaches the state’s top court.
“This will ultimately be resolved in the court,” Gansler said during a press conference. “The court will ultimately have a say.”
Under the federal Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit Clause, the 45-page opinion explained, states are bound to recognize legally binding agreements, including marriage contracts, issued by other states. The only exception to this rule is if the contract so deeply offends a state’s public policy that it cannot extend such recognition.
Maryland’s recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states does not offend the state’s public policy, Gansler concluded.
“While the matter is not free from all doubt, in our view, the Court of Appeals is likely to respect the law of other states and recognize a same-sex marriage contracted validly in another jurisdiction,” Gansler wrote in his opinion. “In light of Maryland’s developing public policy concerning intimate same-sex relationships, the court would not readily invoke the public policy exception to the usual rule” that states recognize legally binding agreements, including marriage contracts, from other states, Gansler added.
In recent years, the opinion explained, the state has extended many rights — short of actual marriage — to same-sex couples. These include the right to adopt and the right of same-sex partners to be involved in medical decisions affecting their loved ones.
The attorney general also cited the Court of Appeals’ history of recognizing marriages from other states that would have been invalid had they occurred or been performed in Maryland. These unions include a common-law marriage that was accepted in another state, as well as a legal Rhode Island marriage between an uncle and his niece.
Gansler, who supports gay marriage, said his personal views played no part in his advisory opinion.
“We’re not in the policy business,” Gansler said of the attorney general’s office. “We’re in the interpretation of law business.”
GO HERE to read more.
IBM Survey: Land Lines To Disappear
The Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Plan has caught the attention of every telecommunications, digital media and technology firm.
As the business world waits for the plan to be released next month, many are speculating about what it will include and how they should react.
IBM surveyed 8,000 consumers and 60 telecom company executives to get a sense of Internet-related trends over the next decade, showing that broadband will continue to evolve and expand while traditional communications infrastructure--those copper lines we've used to make phone calls for decades--will rapidly disappear.
IBM predicts that the use of land lines will decrease by 95 percent in the next five to 10 years. Conversely, usage of mobile and wireless broadband will increase by 98 percent during the same period.
Arrested Terrorist Leader Exposes Extensive CIA Connections
The leader of a Pakistan based terrorist organisation closely affiliated with Al Qaeda has detailed how his group benefited from extensive political and financial support from the CIA in return for continued attacks against the government, the people and the infrastructure of Iran.
Abdolmalek Rigi, the leader of the Pakistan-based Jundullah terrorist organization was captured earlier this week by Iranian security officials in the south of the country.
Rigi was tracked by Iranian intelligence when he boarded a flight from Dubai to Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday.
According to officials, Rigi was using a forged Afghan passport which was issued to him by the U.S. government.
The 31-year-old terror leader issued a statement on Iranian state TV yesterday, during which he alleged that he had made a pact with the U.S. for safe haven and unlimited military aid to pursue terrorist activities against the Iranian government.
GO HERE to read more.
Abdolmalek Rigi, the leader of the Pakistan-based Jundullah terrorist organization was captured earlier this week by Iranian security officials in the south of the country.
Rigi was tracked by Iranian intelligence when he boarded a flight from Dubai to Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday.
According to officials, Rigi was using a forged Afghan passport which was issued to him by the U.S. government.
The 31-year-old terror leader issued a statement on Iranian state TV yesterday, during which he alleged that he had made a pact with the U.S. for safe haven and unlimited military aid to pursue terrorist activities against the Iranian government.
GO HERE to read more.
HOUSE BILL 1462
Bill is in the House - First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations
File Code: State Debt (Bond Bills)
Sponsored By: Delegates Conway, Cane, Eckardt, Elmore, Haddaway, Mathias, and Sossi
Entitled:
Creation of a State Debt - Wicomico County - Salisbury Zoological Park Animal Health Clinic
Synopsis:
Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $300,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of the Salisbury Zoo Commission, Inc. for the construction and capital equipping of the Salisbury Zoological Park Animal Health Clinic, located in Salisbury; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the loan proceeds; etc.
History by Legislative and Calendar DateLegislative date is used to record history occurring in the Chambers otherwise Calendar date is used. Any actions occurring today are available in the proceedings and hearing schedule
House Action
2/26
First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations
Senate Action
No Action
Sponsored by:
Delegate Norman H. Conway, District 38B
Delegate Rudolph C. Cane, District 37A
Delegate Adelaide C. Eckardt, District 37B
Delegate D. Page Elmore, District 38A
Delegate Jeannie Haddaway, District 37B
Delegate James N. Mathias, Jr., District 38B
Delegate Richard A. Sossi, District 36
GOP Candidates Offered 'Statement Of Unity' To Defeat Mikulski
MARYLAND – The Republican Primary on September 14, 2010 has produced a spirited contest for the office of U.S. Senator, facing the probable Democratic primary winner, Barbara Mikulski. According to official reports and announcements, on the Republican ballot will be seven candidates, including: Carmen Amedori, John F. Curran, John B. Kimble, Daniel W. McAndrew, Jim Rutledge, Corrogan R. Vaughn, and Eric Wargotz.
Daniel "The Whig Man" Vovak has proposed a "Statement of Unity" for the Republican candidates to sign, and has pledged $250 to the primary winner, should that person sign his form. Vovak says, "Although I will not be a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, I was a candidate in 2006 and I remember perfectly well how Michael Steele treated the primary as a mere formality, never reaching out to any of his nine primary opponents, which hurt our Party in November 2006. In 2010, it's a different situation because the Republican primary is a wide-open contest. It's not that Maryland Democrats have been successful, it's Maryland Republicans who lose statewide seats through internal division. Once these candidates unify behind the primary winner, any Democrat can be defeated."
Vovak says that following last week's U.S. Senate candidates' debate in Montgomery County, every Republican candidate sought his support. Last November, Vovak, 37, lost to Audrey Scott, 74, in the race for Maryland Republican Chairman, though Vovak won Wicomico County. In spite of losing statewide, Vovak sincerely congratulated Scott following her decisive win and offered his help. Vovak says this "Statement of Unity" is something he practices and believes. He says, "If I had won the chairman vote, I would have proposed this same Statement to position Republicans for winning, long before Election Day. I have no doubt Audrey Scott shares the same goal."
Currently, three of the seven candidates have indicated they will sign the Statement. Because Vovak has not been able to speak directly with all of them, he said he will wait until all have been given ample time to respond before releasing their names, though those candidates can speak freely at any time with their supporters and the media, should they desire to do so.
Within the Maryland Republican Party Constitution, under Article 11, Section 2, d(2), Maryland's Republican Chairman must show no "partiality or prejudice" towards any Republican candidate before a primary. Article 2, Section 2 states that the Party "works towards the election of Republican nominees."
Daniel "The Whig Man" Vovak has proposed a "Statement of Unity" for the Republican candidates to sign, and has pledged $250 to the primary winner, should that person sign his form. Vovak says, "Although I will not be a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, I was a candidate in 2006 and I remember perfectly well how Michael Steele treated the primary as a mere formality, never reaching out to any of his nine primary opponents, which hurt our Party in November 2006. In 2010, it's a different situation because the Republican primary is a wide-open contest. It's not that Maryland Democrats have been successful, it's Maryland Republicans who lose statewide seats through internal division. Once these candidates unify behind the primary winner, any Democrat can be defeated."
Vovak says that following last week's U.S. Senate candidates' debate in Montgomery County, every Republican candidate sought his support. Last November, Vovak, 37, lost to Audrey Scott, 74, in the race for Maryland Republican Chairman, though Vovak won Wicomico County. In spite of losing statewide, Vovak sincerely congratulated Scott following her decisive win and offered his help. Vovak says this "Statement of Unity" is something he practices and believes. He says, "If I had won the chairman vote, I would have proposed this same Statement to position Republicans for winning, long before Election Day. I have no doubt Audrey Scott shares the same goal."
Currently, three of the seven candidates have indicated they will sign the Statement. Because Vovak has not been able to speak directly with all of them, he said he will wait until all have been given ample time to respond before releasing their names, though those candidates can speak freely at any time with their supporters and the media, should they desire to do so.
Within the Maryland Republican Party Constitution, under Article 11, Section 2, d(2), Maryland's Republican Chairman must show no "partiality or prejudice" towards any Republican candidate before a primary. Article 2, Section 2 states that the Party "works towards the election of Republican nominees."
SENATE PASSAGE OF SB 106: JOB CREATION AND RECOVERY TAX CREDIT
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON SENATE PASSAGE OF SB 106: JOB CREATION AND RECOVERY TAX CREDIT
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of SB 106 – Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit:
“I applaud Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr, Chairman Ulysses S. Currie and the members of the Senate on their swift action in unanimously passing the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit. This bi-partisan effort to help Maryland workers and businesses is much-needed.
There is no government program that is as important and empowering as a job which allows a family to raise their kids with dignity and respect and a roof over their heads. In these tough times, everything we accomplish together this session must be seen through the lens of whether or not it creates jobs, protects jobs, or improves the environment for creating and protecting jobs.
The passage of this bill will give Maryland businesses a $5,000 credit for every unemployed Marylander they put back to work – thus serving the duel purpose of creating jobs and protecting the small and family owned businesses that are the backbone of our economy and the driving force for job creation in our State.
I want to thank the members of the Senate for working hard for the people of our State, and for passing this important piece of legislation that puts Marylanders back to work.”
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of SB 106 – Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit:
“I applaud Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr, Chairman Ulysses S. Currie and the members of the Senate on their swift action in unanimously passing the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit. This bi-partisan effort to help Maryland workers and businesses is much-needed.
There is no government program that is as important and empowering as a job which allows a family to raise their kids with dignity and respect and a roof over their heads. In these tough times, everything we accomplish together this session must be seen through the lens of whether or not it creates jobs, protects jobs, or improves the environment for creating and protecting jobs.
The passage of this bill will give Maryland businesses a $5,000 credit for every unemployed Marylander they put back to work – thus serving the duel purpose of creating jobs and protecting the small and family owned businesses that are the backbone of our economy and the driving force for job creation in our State.
I want to thank the members of the Senate for working hard for the people of our State, and for passing this important piece of legislation that puts Marylanders back to work.”
Quote Of The Day
"[T]he Constitution ought to be the standard of construction for the laws, and that wherever there is an evident opposition, the laws ought to give place to the Constitution." --Alexander Hamilton
Frying Eggs
The wife was busy frying eggs, when her husband came home. He walked into the kitchen and immediately started yelling...
"CAREFUL!!! CAREFUL!!! MORE OIL!!! TURN THEM!!! TURN THEM NOW!!! WE NEED MORE OIL!!! THEY ARE GOING TO STICK!!! CAREFUL!!! CAREFUL!!! TURN THEM!!! TURN THEM!!! HURRY UP!!! ARE YOU CRAZY!!!! THE OIL IS GOING TO SPILL!!! USE MORE SALT!!! THE SALT!!!!"
The wife was very upset, "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you yelling like this? Do you think I don't know how to fry an egg?"
The husband calmly replied, "This is to show you what it feels like for me when I am driving and you sit next to me..."
"CAREFUL!!! CAREFUL!!! MORE OIL!!! TURN THEM!!! TURN THEM NOW!!! WE NEED MORE OIL!!! THEY ARE GOING TO STICK!!! CAREFUL!!! CAREFUL!!! TURN THEM!!! TURN THEM!!! HURRY UP!!! ARE YOU CRAZY!!!! THE OIL IS GOING TO SPILL!!! USE MORE SALT!!! THE SALT!!!!"
The wife was very upset, "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you yelling like this? Do you think I don't know how to fry an egg?"
The husband calmly replied, "This is to show you what it feels like for me when I am driving and you sit next to me..."
Thai Ex-Premier's Hidden Assets, Abuse of Office Not Without Price Tag
BANGKOK - What one hand of the Thai state gave in privileged telecommunications concessions, the other has taken away on charges of policy corruption and the accumulation of unusual wealth. In a highly anticipated Supreme Court verdict on Friday, a nine-judge panel ruled on Friday to seize US$1.4 billion (46.4 billion baht) worth of former prime minister and telecom concessionaire Thaksin Shinawatra's and his family's assets.
The court found that Thaksin and his ex-wife Pojaman na Pombejra concealed their assets in violation of laws that bar politicians and their spouses from owning shares in private companies while in office. Judges also ruled that Thaksin abused his power as premier by implementing policies that directly benefited his private companies, including the now Singapore-owned Shin Corp, Advanced Info Services and Thaicom, then known as Shin Satellite.
Officials say Thaksin may be charged with ten more crimes.
The court found that Thaksin and his ex-wife Pojaman na Pombejra concealed their assets in violation of laws that bar politicians and their spouses from owning shares in private companies while in office. Judges also ruled that Thaksin abused his power as premier by implementing policies that directly benefited his private companies, including the now Singapore-owned Shin Corp, Advanced Info Services and Thaicom, then known as Shin Satellite.
Officials say Thaksin may be charged with ten more crimes.
More from Asia Times Online HERE.
Inmate Cons Guards, Walks Out Of MD Prison
BALTIMORE (AP) -- A man serving three life terms conned his way out of a Baltimore prison with help from his cellmate, an extraordinary escape that raised questions about Maryland's procedures for releasing inmates.
Raymond T. Taylor, 26, of New York, successfully posed as a cellmate he never should have been paired with in the first place -- a man who happened to resemble him closely, corrections officials said Friday. He escaped Thursday afternoon and was recaptured Friday morning in West Virginia.
Taylor was convicted in 2005 of what prosecutors called the attempted "execution-style" slayings of his ex-girlfriend and her two teenage daughters. All three victims survived gunshot wounds to the head.
Taylor and cellmate William Johnson swapped photo identification cards Thursday afternoon, and when Johnson's name was called, Taylor answered, officials said. Four correctional officers checked the photo and inmate identification number -- which Taylor recited when asked -- and allowed him to walk out of the windowless, bunker-like Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center.
"There was a striking resemblance between the two," Assistant Commissioner of Correction Felicia Hinton said Friday.
Mug shots released by the corrections department revealed some facial similarities but many differences between the two men. Taylor wears his hair in long braids, while Johnson's is short. Corrections officials said Taylor hid his hair under a hat when he was released and noted that the men were the same height, with similar builds.
More from The Washington Times story HERE.
Raymond T. Taylor, 26, of New York, successfully posed as a cellmate he never should have been paired with in the first place -- a man who happened to resemble him closely, corrections officials said Friday. He escaped Thursday afternoon and was recaptured Friday morning in West Virginia.
Taylor was convicted in 2005 of what prosecutors called the attempted "execution-style" slayings of his ex-girlfriend and her two teenage daughters. All three victims survived gunshot wounds to the head.
Taylor and cellmate William Johnson swapped photo identification cards Thursday afternoon, and when Johnson's name was called, Taylor answered, officials said. Four correctional officers checked the photo and inmate identification number -- which Taylor recited when asked -- and allowed him to walk out of the windowless, bunker-like Maryland Correctional Adjustment Center.
"There was a striking resemblance between the two," Assistant Commissioner of Correction Felicia Hinton said Friday.
Mug shots released by the corrections department revealed some facial similarities but many differences between the two men. Taylor wears his hair in long braids, while Johnson's is short. Corrections officials said Taylor hid his hair under a hat when he was released and noted that the men were the same height, with similar builds.
More from The Washington Times story HERE.