Example of Maryland's Progressivism - MSP Helicopter Program

Maryland dramatically expanded its Medivac helicopter program in 1992. To help fund the expansion it created the Maryland Emergency Medical Systems Operation Fund - (MEMSOF)- whereby it imposed a surcharge in motor vehicle registration fees. It was originally $8.00, but has since increased to $13.50 annually. In FY 2003 our legislators added a $2.50 surcharge.

Originally - FY 1993 - the fund reported expenditures of $28 million dollars. By fiscal year 2006 that figure had grown to $58.1 million - (more than doubled). Then again at the end of FY 2006 our legislators added another $7.50 surcharge to moving violations to augment the $13.50 DMV registration fee.

The Maryland State Police Aviation command - (MSPAC) - a component with Maryland's EMS Systems make up the largest portions of the MVA surcharge. Promises made by the lawmakers on the use of the MVA surcharge, is that the Funds would be used for EMS/Trauma "Operational Use", and that you - the taxpayer - would not be billed for medically orientated med-evacs and that Med-Evac Helicopters would be used for those with life-threatening injuries/illnesses. GUESS WHAT - MSPAC has Memoranda of Understanding with private med-evac companies to do MSPAC medically orientated med-evacs and the patient gets the bill for that which he or she is already paying taxes and MVA surcharges.

But that ain't the end of the story folks - because last night I saw where another $7.50 surcharge is being proposed to be tacked onto your traffic citation to fund yet another expansion of the program if House Bill 1389 is enacted.

In 1986 our State had 8 Bell Rangers Helicopters each costing $432,000 each. At last count our State had 12 twin engine American Eurocopters Dauphin AS365N - at 4.75 million dollars each.

If HB 1389 is enacted - how many of you would like to guess what the new number of helicopters will be in the fleet. It's no wonder our tag fees have quadrupled - now you know why.

Nightly News At 6 PM

Today's Survey Question

Tell Us Where The Biggest Pot Hole Is In Salisbury/Wicomico County?

"Coffee Party"

The New York Times and Washington Post are promoting a group called the "Coffee Party" organized by filmmaker Annabel Park.The Coffee Party is a political chimera (bogus creature) that casts itself as something it is not. As incorrectly reported in the NY Times Park presents herself as not hostile to the Tea Party movement, and in fact, hopes to bring some Tea Partiers into her group: Park is a liar and should be recognized as such.......

“We’re not the opposite of the Tea Party,” (BALONEY) Ms. Park, 41, said. “We’re a different model of civic participation, but in the end we may want some of the same things.” (MORE BALONEY) ....

Ms. Park and chapter organizers said they would invite Tea Party members to join their Coffee counterparts.

In fact, a simple internet search reveals that Park organized the Coffee Party for the specific purpose of undermining the Tea Party movement.

Park is a former Strategy Analyst at the NY Times who was one of organizers and operators of the United for Obama video channel at YouTube: A Korean-American filmmaker is in charge of creating video clips that are playing a role in increasing support for Barack Obama, the frontrunner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

"I found that people have little understanding of the change that Barack Obama is advocating. I thought from my experience in using videos for civil movements that videos would be the best way to promote the need for change and for Obama. That's why I decided to work for the Obama campaign," Annabel Park said.

Joining the contest in December last year as chief of a promotional video team, Park has produced some 20 five-minute video clips which have generated a positive response. A clip interviewing actress Kelly Hu in support of the senator was viewed some 10,000 times, and a music video called "Oh Bama" [embed below, Park appears at 1:35]] drew wide attention. She has also produced Spanish-language videos to draw support from Hispanics.

The 40-year-old Park is leading an Obama promotional section on video-sharing site YouTube (www.youtube.com/unitedforobama) with around 10 other volunteers.

Tony Passaro

Bel Air Tea Party Patriots

Alliance of American Patriots

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE PASSAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE REFORM

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 2, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley released this statement today following the passage by the Senate Finance Committee of an unemployment insurance reform plan to help small businesses facing sharp rate increases due to the State’s unusually high unemployment level:

“I want to thank Chairman Mac Middleton for his tireless work negotiating this agreement on unemployment insurance reform. Today, the Senate Finance Committee approved a plan that will provide much needed stabilization to the UI Trust Fund and help qualify the State for an additional $127 million in federal assistance.

“Small businesses represent the engine that is driving our economic recovery, providing three out of every five jobs in Maryland. It has been our goal all along to provide them the opportunity to thrive, improving the conditions under which our small businesses can create or save jobs in these tough economic times. We engaged with the business community at every step of this process, and I’m proud of the result.”

Structure Fire In Pittsville

Very large structure fire right now at 8599 Pittsville road in Pittsville.

Station 7,8, and 6 on scene reporting heavey smoke. A car caught fire in garage.

West Side Intermediate & Primary School Bus Accicent

First of all Folks, NO CHILDREN ARE INJURED.

As the School Bus was attempting to cross Rt. 50 the Substitute Driver did not see the oncoming vehicle heading west bound on Rt. 50 and barely collided. As you can see from the front bumper of the School Bus, there's not much damage and the vehicle was able to sway away from a very serious accident, getting side swiped by the bus and running off the side of Rt. 50. The Bus was loaded with children.

ALL of the Children will be returned to the School and Parents will have to pick them up. That's protocol Folks. Thank God every one is OK as this could have been a whole lot worse.

The Bus was delivering Children to the Waller Road area. I don't know the exact Bus route but they did tell me they would normally be dropping them off on Waller Road and surrounding neighborhoods.

The driver of the car was taken to the Hospital complaining of neck pain. Everyone else in the car did not request assistance.

Car Hits School Bus

A car just hit a School Bus Ocean Gateway, (Rt. 50) & Memory Gardens in Hebron. More to come.

Strong Arm Robbery In Rehoboth

Location: Unit Block of Croydon Road, Rehoboth Beach Yacht Country Club, Rehoboth, DE
Date of Occurrence: Monday, 3/2/10, at approximately 7:30 pm
Suspects: 2 Unknown Black Males wearing all black, no further description

Resume: During the evening hours of Monday, 3/2/10, on Croydon Road, RBYCC, Rehoboth, DE, a 64 year old women, and her friend, a 54 year old women, both of Rehoboth, DE, were coming home after being out for the evening. While in front of the home both women were approached by two black males, wearing all black clothing, and black hoods. The suspects grabbed a hold of both women and demanded money. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money from the women both suspects fled the area on foot. The victims were not injured during the incident.

Anyone with information pertaining to this case is asked to call Troop 4 Detectives at (302) 856-5850, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

Jim Rutledge Encourages Marylanders To Oppose Mikulski Backed Health Care Plan

FOREST HILL, Maryland- Jim Rutledge announced that the Rutledge for Senate Campaign will continue its efforts this week to encourage the Citizens of Maryland to oppose the present Health Care Reform legislation supported by Barack Obama and Barbara Mikulski. Jim Rutledge is standing firm on the belief that government run health care created through back room deals with special interest groups is not what the American people want. The desire to pass anything with health care reform stamped on it has led Senators like Barbara Mikulski to champion this ill-conceived legislation and pursuit of its passage by violating Senate Rules.

Jim Rutledge stated, “I think it is shameful for Democrats like Barbara Mikulski and Barack Obama to be so desperate that they are willing to resort to anything for the sake of political expediency. Using Reconciliation to push this on the American people is just another example of why we can’t trust Barbara Mikulski anymore.”

The proposed strategy to invoke the Byrd Rule to pass the Obama Health Care Reform Legislation has drawn sharp criticism even from Democrats. Senator Robert Byrd who wrote the Reconciliation rule called this strategy “An outrage that must be resisted”. Senator Kent Conrad who is chairman of the Senate Budget Committee stated, “Reconciliation cannot be used to pass comprehensive health care reform.”

Jim Rutledge shares the frustration of Marylanders who want Washington to cut taxes and create jobs. Rutledge stated, “An economy that is struggling, people out of work, government spending out of control and what does Barbara Mikulski do? She wants to cut Medicare and raise taxes.” Jim Rutledge believes we cannot afford to trust Washington and career politicians like Barbara Mikulski any longer.

Ford, GM Post Sales Gains During Toyota Recalls

See Folks, what did I tell you!

February was first full month since Japanese automaker reported issues

DETROIT - Toyota's pain is its rivals' gain.

The auto industry reported higher U.S. sales in February and scooped up customers from the Japanese automaker, which has been struggling with a massive safety recalls.

Toyota Motor Corp. said its U.S. sales fell 9 percent last month, making it the only automaker to sell fewer cars and trucks in February. Ford, GM, Nissan and Honda all reported double-digit sales growth last month compared with a year earlier, at the depth of the recession. The gains may have been even higher without the blizzards that slowed traffic to showrooms.

GO HERE to read more. Editors Note: Don't miss tonight's Show at 6:00 PM. I discuss this well before the MSM posted such articles.

Smithsonian Says No Thanks To Simpson

A deal in a 13-year dispute paved way for museum to get what O.J's ex-agent called a piece of 'American history'. However, the Smithsonian said, NO THANKS!

Good for the Smithsonian! This piece of feces has the nerve to THINK a stupid suit would be of American interest!

Rot in jail where you belong Simpson. We ALL know what you did to your Ex-Wife, may she rest in everlasting peace, away from YOU.

Don't Miss Our 6 PM News Broadcast Tonight

O'Malley Bringing Swedish Company To Maryland

It's come to our attention that Governor O'Malley is courting a Swedish company (Swebo) to come to Maryland to burn manure to create electric energy. Swebo has been promised a $500,000.00 grant if they set up their headquarters in Maryland and work with Perdue to burn chicken manure. http://www.cleantech.com/news/4873/swebo-maryland-relocation-eda

There's a company called Cambridge International, Inc., that has been working on the same problem for a while and has a prototype ready that will generate electric energy from chicken manure. Cambridge International (300 employees and a 100 year old company) and Allen Foods, another large chicken growing concern on the Shore, were in the process of getting permits necessary to build the plant that would burn the manure that would generate the electricity. They were not able to get the permits, and the whole effort is in limbo.

The idea of burning manure to create electricity is not a new one http://www.bio-energysolutions.com/product_pdfs/prod_blad_pb2.pdf . Cambridge International has been working on their process for years, and was ready to put its prototype to full test, but was denied building permits. They didn't ask for economic assistance from the state, as they had already completely funded it themselves. Swebo's half million dollar grant from the state “will create 3 jobs, with 15 to 20 more later”, according to the August 2009 press release http://www.swebo.com/fileadmin/pressklipp/pressreleaser_eng/pressrelease_090820_en.pdf . Cambridge International's plan would also create jobs, most likely more than 23, and in an area that desperately needs them.

So, why are we importing the technology when it already exists here?

Ford Sales Jump 43% In February, More Than Expected

Free market capitalism at work!

Ford Sales Jump 43% in February, More Than Expected Ford Motor said its U.S. sales jumped 43 percent in February, topping analysts' forecasts thanks to strong demand for fleet vehicles.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/35661890/

Lost Dog?

Hi Joe,

Can you please post a “lost dog” notice for me? Well, not really lost. I think she’s been stolen. I’m missing my 3-yr old chow mix. She’s about 50 pounds, short light brown fur with a white patch on her chest. We had her tied on a lead next to Shalimar restaurant and grocery store on 13S in Salisbury, late Sunday afternoon (2/28). When we came out of the store, her lead had been cut and she was gone. She did have a tag with her name Maggie and a contact phone and address. If anyone knows where she is, please call me at 443.859.7242. We miss her terribly! Thank you.

Shari Silbert

ST. BERNARDS Need A Home

A friend of mine in the Easton area, Allysa, is looking for a home for her St. Bernards. Please contact her at her home phone 410-364-3005 if you are interested.

Kia is the white one. She is about 5-6 years old (she's a rescue so I don't know for sure). She appears to be part Pyrenees. She weighs about 135 lbs. and is shorter than Chevy.
Chevy turned 2 in February. He is also a rescue but we got him as a pup. He weighs about 130 lbs. but is tall. he is very sweet but still chews things on occasion.

Kia came to me at 2 years old with a lot of issues. We have resolved many of them, but she is afraid of random things (like cameras so I don't have a lot of pics of her). She cannot be crated. She cannot be on an electric fence. She does not get along with all dogs and will bite another dog if it acts even a little aggressive toward her. She also has a sensitive stomach and can eat only one brand of dog food and cannot have people food ever.

Chevy still acts like a pup. He is heavily dependent on Kia so for his sake they need to stay together. I don't think he could make it without her, although I'm not sure she feels the same.

Claudia

Please pass this on to your animal friends

Wilmington Fire Department Inspector Brian P. Waynant Killed By Train

State Police Probes Train vs. Pedestrian Incident

Resume: The individual killed in the train vs. pedestrian incident last night is identified as Wilmington Fire Department Inspector Brian P. Waynant.

Inspector Waynant, 45, was working at the time this incident occurred. No foul play is suspected at this time and authorities are awaiting a report from the State Medical Examiner’s Office pertaining to the cause and manner of death.

As a matter of common practice, specific details surrounding these types of investigations are not released for public dissemination.

Please see the below news release / statement by the City of Wilmington…

Wilmington Fire and Police Department Veteran Dies

Wilmington Mayor James M. Baker, Chief of Staff William S. Montgomery, Public Safety Director James Mosley and Wilmington Fire Chief Willie Patrick today expressed condolences to the family, friends, and firefighter and police colleagues of an Inspector with the Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office who died last night.

Decorated Inspector Brian P. Waynant, Sr., who began his career with the Wilmington Fire Department in 2004 after a lengthy career as a Wilmington Police officer, was 45-years old. He is survived by his wife, Cheri, and their two children, a son and a daughter. Inspector Waynant had served for 16 years as a Wilmington Police Officer before deciding in 2004 to leave the Police Department to join the Wilmington Fire Department.

The Inspector was on duty last night when he died at approximately 9:30 from an incident involving an Amtrak train just south of the Wilmington city limits.

“It saddens all of us to have to announce Inspector Waynant’s death,” said Mayor Baker this morning on behalf of all of his City of Wilmington friends and colleagues. “I would ask everyone to remember his family during this very difficult time as we recognize and remember his valuable service to the citizens of Wilmington.”

Inspector Waynant began his career with the Wilmington Fire Department on January 20, 2004 at Engine Company #2 in the Southbridge community. In January 2006 he was transferred to the Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office where his police background proved to be an important asset for the Department. Inspector Waynant initiated numerous arrests of suspects connected to fire incidents and was proud of his 100% conviction rate. He also took the lead in writing the Fire Marshal’s Office Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) guidelines governing background investigations for new Departmental hires.

The City of Wilmington is assisting the Delaware State Police and Amtrak Police with the ongoing investigation of Monday night’s incident. Questions regarding this investigation will be handled by the Delaware State Police.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release

The Following individuals were arrested by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office on Arrest Warrants 22 February- 28 February 2010

Arrest Warrants

William Jesse Payne, 27, Salisbury, MD; Forgery / Uttering, held $20,000.00 bond
Latonya S. Dennis, 25, Newark, MD; Assault 1st Degree, held $50,000.00 bond.
Gideon Micah Smith, 28, Salisbury, MD; Sex Abuse of Minor, held $200,000.00 bond.
Rudolph Valentino Jackson, 52, Salisbury, MD; Theft / Assault 2nd degree, held $15,000.00 bond.
Charles Glenn Bauguess, 46, Salisbury, MD; Assault 2nd degree, held $7,500.00 bond.

Failure to Appear Bench Warrant

Shaunta Lavette Ballard, 31, Fruitland, MD; FTA – Assault 2nd degree, held $10,000.00
Paulette Mcintosh, 35, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Truancy Case, $500.00 bond
Paul Frederick Jones, 19, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Driving Suspended, held $3,000.00 bond.
Michael Joseph Long, 22, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Distribution of CDS, held $25,000.00 bond.
Bruce Watley, 22, Riverdale, MD; FTA – Drive Suspended, held $5,000.00 bond.
Michelle Lynn Bozman, 30, Princess Anne, MD; FTA – Drug Court Review Hearing – Held without bond
Rodman Clayton Hall, 49, Parsonsburg, MD; FTA – Trespass, released on Personal Recognizance
Rudolph Valentino Jackson, 52, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Theft, held $5,000.00 bond.
Samuel Stuart Messick, 48, Salisbury, MD; FTA – Driving Under the Influence, Disposition Unavailable.

Violation of Probation Bench Warrant

Frederick Stuart Harris, 23, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Handgun on Person, held $250.00
Calvin Lockwood Waters II, 36, Salisbury, MD; VOP – Constructive Criminal Contempt – held without bond

Circuit Court Indictment

Lindsay Marie Donophan, 20, Salisbury, MD; Burglary 1st degree / Theft Scheme, held $50,000.00 bond
Ebony Renee Lee, 24, Salisbury, MD; Assault 1st Degree, held $125,000.00 bond.
Andrew Dean Davis, 24, Hebron, MD; CDS Distribution, held $75,000.00 bond.
William Neal Dudley, 25, Delmar, MD; Sex Abuse of Minor, held $150,000.00 bond.
Elvis Dwayne Ward, 32, Salisbury, MD; Child Abuse 1st degree, held $150,000.00 bond.

Child Support

Joseph A. Davis, 47, Baltimore, MD; Child Support Non Compliance – held $500.00
Stephen Leach Hodgdon, II, 31, Salisbury, MD; Child Support Non Compliance – held $3,000.00 bond.

Misc Bench Warrant

Jennifer Alden, 46, Fruitland, MD; Civil Body Attachment for Contempt, held $1,000.00 bond.
Vincent Dominic Rascona, 23, Eden, MD; FTA for Show Cause – DUI, held $663.00 bond
Dondra Renee Miller, 41, Delmar, MD; Civil Attachment for Contempt, held $150.00 bond.

Minorities In The Tea Party

Sarge,

I was at the TEA Party rally July 4th, 2009 in Boston which had a fair amount of a racial mix.

But to answer your question, the TEA Party is a Conservative Movement, not Rupublican and not Democrat. Having been involved in politics for over 40 years, both as a registered democrat and now as a registered republican, I believe that many minorities are within the Liberal faction or democrat base. So why would they want to attend a TEA PARTY rally? This is the reason why you do not see many minorities at Tea Party rallies. However ANYONE with a Conservative view who wishes to bring back Constitutional principals to Washington is always more than welcome to join the movement.

As a conservative, and a self made man, it bothers me to see my tax money wasted on entitlement programs that only serve to enslave those who the program intends to help. I am my brothers keeper, however it should be my choice how and whom I help, not the government's. I believe in a hand up, not a hand out. If you research the trend for charitable contributions you will see a drastic decline in giving each time a NEW entitlement program has been instituted and a decrease in personal wealth. I try to give 10% after taxes to charity each and every year, but as the tax rate increases my donation in terms of real dollars decreases as well. I am against every entitlement program incrulding Social Security for if I had the money that has been taken out since I was 16, I would have a much better ability to support myself and a better standard of living than what SS will provide, that is if it is still around in 23 years.

No American should ever grow to rely on the government for anything but the defense of our great nation and laws that protect our gaurantee of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The ONLY RIGHTS provided under the U.S. Constitution. Once you become reliant on government you become a slave to it and slavery was abolished under the 13th Admendment.

Let me ask you a question, have you ever read the U.S. Constitution? I carry a pocket copy, which you can get for free from the Heritage Foundation. I would also suggest a reading of the Federalist Papers, and the writings of Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Jay. Then will you come to understand the principals of our founding fathers and how we have drifted so far away from these basic principals. This is what the TEA PARTY is all about.

Chuck

Lenders Now Have No Rights

This is hardly the way to get lenders to lend and provide the capital needed to get the economy moving.

The Short And Sweet On The Upcoming Foreclosure Ban: "Lenders Now Have No Rights"
Submitted by Tyler Durden

Yesterday it was announced that the government is taking the first step in a plan to virtually ban foreclosures - a step that can only be classified as capital markets suicide. Today, Rosenberg explains why.

In March 2008, I published a report titled “Capitalism Takes a Sabbatical.” If only that were the case. I really can’t believe what I just read on Bloomberg News (Obama May Prohibit Home Loan Foreclosures Without HAMP Review). In a nutshell, the White House is considering a tactic that would prevent banks from foreclosing on defaulted homeowners unless they have been screened and rejected by the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). George Orwell must be rolling over in his grave.

To think that the government is at the same time pressuring banks to start extending credit again, but the question is why bother when you have absolutely no recourse. We’ve reached a stage in this crisis where lenders have no rights. The long-run distortions from such a heavy handed interventionist approach are too long to list right now, but suffice it to say, this will do more to exacerbate and prolong the deleveraging cycle than solve it.

Of course, lender right abdication under the Obama administration became evident less than a year ago in the Chrysler fiasco. At this point it is a certainty that no matter where you stand in the capital structure of critical industries, such as housing, autos (we feel for Toyota, although it provides almost as good a spectacle as Bernanke grillings), and financials. Yet now that the government is forced to pick between banks and housing, it appears that the house of Dimon may be given the middle finger. Alternatively, if this whole "interventionist" plan succeeds, we can all resoundly say that communism is alive and well, despite the whole Soviet experiment.

GM Recall Sparks New MSM Attention On Toyota

This morning we produced an article about GM having a massive recall. No sooner did this news make headlines, the MSM, (once again) starks kicking Toyota with more accusations HERE.

The New Republic Of America.

AFP-Maryland Opposes SB141 - BRFA

-Dozens of citizens from around the state to rally, testify at committee hearing tomorrow-

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland chapter of Americans for Prosperity is opposing the passage of SB141, the Budget Reconciliation & Financing Act (BRFA). This bill, which would transfer hundreds of millions of dollars from special funds into the general budget, will receive a hearing in the Senate Budget & Taxation committee tomorrow at 12:30pm. Dozens of AFP-Maryland activists from around the state will rally in opposition to this bill and demand Maryland leaders construct a budget that is fiscally accountable.

“This robbing-Peter-to-pay-Paul strategy is fiscally irresponsible,” stated AFP-Maryland state director Dave Schwartz. “Raiding nearly $1 billion from our state’s special funds is an election year stunt that will hurt small businesses and lead to massive tax increases. We have an $8.3 billion structural deficit because Gov. O’Malley and the General Assembly refuse to live within their means.”

What: Rally Against BRFA & Testimony – Demand a Fiscally Responsible Budget

Where: Entrance to Miller Senate Office Building

When: Wednesday, March 3rd

Time: Noon

Vacancies On City Boards And Commissions

Conservative vs. Liberal

If you have ever wondered what side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!

Alot of truth here!


If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone..

If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Liberals demand that those they don't like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it's a foreign religion, of course!)

If a conservative decides he needs health care,
he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.

If a conservative reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A liberal will delete it because he's "offended".

IRETON’S “QUICK FIX” FOR BATEMAN STREET IS A LOSER

The Salisbury City Council has wisely refused to endorse Mr. Ireton’s attempt to please the Board of Education, which wants the City to immediately upgrade and signalize the intersection on South Division Street at Bateman Street (and nearby Onley Road) before the new high school opens later this year. As proposed the redesigned intersection would allow only right turns onto and from Batemen Street, and obviously throw traffic wanting to proceed north (left) onto South Division Street to bypass that intersection and use the one to the north, thereby creating a congestion problem there, or to use Salisbury Boulevard, then College Avenue, compounding their congested condition. And it would be impossible to turn onto Bateman Street when approaching from the south on South Division Street, so that congestion would be further increased on surrounding streets.

But the biggest absurdity is that the cost of the work would be almost a half million dollars, and Bateman Street and Onley Road would not become directly aligned, so the intersection itself would remain a nightmare. Salisbury University seems to be unwilling to allow Bateman Street to be relocated in part onto the adjacent land because it would mean losing a softball field.

Then there’s the question about the funds to do even the work that Mr. Ireton has proposed. It seems that the City wants future development to pay all of the cost even though the intersection is already a traffic problem because of the existing traffic, both vehicles and pedestrian. Not only is development dead, but the amounts being demanded are likely to cause that to continue for some years. As things now stand, there is not enough money available to complete the work that Ireton has proposed, much less an appropriate upgrade of the intersection that will not create more traffic problems.

Today's Survey Question

Will You Vacation Or Staycation This Year?

Is the US Becoming A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Of China?

Despite recent government reports that China's holdings of U.S. Treasury debt declined during the second half of last year, the Asian economic giant almost certainly owns far more Treasury securities than official statistics indicate.

After peaking at $801.5 billion, China's holdings of U.S. Treasury securities declined to $755.4 billion at the year's end, dropping the communist power into the position of second-largest holder of Treasury debt after Japan's $768.8 billion, official government data reveal.

But these numbers don't tell the whole story.

"The U.S. Treasury data almost certainly understate Chinese holdings of our government debt because [the U.S. figures] do not reveal the ultimate country of ownership when [debt] instruments are held through an intermediary in another jurisdiction," Simon Johnson, an economics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a bipartisan forum established by Congress in 2000 to monitor the security implications of the U.S. economic relationship with China.

Under the widely held assumption that 70 percent of China's $2.4 trillion in foreign exchange reserves is invested in dollar-denominated bonds, Eswar Prasad, an economist at Cornell University told the commission that China probably holds about $1.7 trillion in U.S. government debt.

That would include the more than $400 billion in debt issued by U.S. government agencies, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, whose obligations are liabilities of the U.S. government, Mr. Prasad said.

Derek Scissors, a China scholar at the Heritage Foundation, described as "unusable" the official U.S. government data on foreign holdings of Treasury debt.

More

Uncle Steny: SOMEBODY Has To Pay For All This Spending

Tax increases may be necessary to rein in $12 trillion in federal debt, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Monday.

Hoyer emphasized the need to reform Social Security and Medicare, but he also made it clear that raising taxes will have to be on the table.

“No one likes raising revenue, and understandably so,” Hoyer said in an address at the Brookings Institution. “But if you’re going to buy, you need to pay.

“If need be, I am hopeful that both parties will agree to look at revenues as part of the solution — not as a gateway to higher spending, but as part of a compromise that cuts spending and balances the budget,” he added.

Hoyer, a voice for centrists in the House leadership, said reining in record debt requires a combination of spending cuts and tax increases.

More tap-dancing here

[Editor's note: 'Spending cuts' are generally more effective when applied BEFORE the spending takes place, but I digress..]

President Obama Rolls Out Cash For Caulkers Plan

President Obama will showcase his HOMESTAR program which is designed to help create jobs by encouraging homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. During a visit to Savannah, Georgia Tuesday, the President will visit a community technical college which trains individuals to install energy efficient heating and cooling systems as well as solar panels and insulation. The White House cites unemployment numbers in construction jobs at nearly 25% and says the HOMESTAR program will be "one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest things to do by putting people to work." White House officials say so much energy is wasted because homes built in the first half of last century use fifty-percent more energy than homes built today. Officials say energy upgrades such as new windows, insulation, doors, roofs and modernizing heating and cooling equipment is one way for middle class consumers to save money. During a conference call with reporters Monday, White House officials said "if a family is looking to do an investment or upgrade in their home, this program will give them a direct and easy access to rebates, right at the point of sale or at the point of engagement with a contractor for a variety of investments they can make in their home."

GO HERE to read more.

GM Recalls 1.3 Million Vehicles

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors has recalled 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac models in North America for power steering failures that are tied to 14 crashes and one injury in the United States, the company said Tuesday.

The recall affects 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 models sold in the United States, 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit vehicles sold in Canada, and 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 models sold in Mexico.

Detroit-based GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the recall Monday after concluding its own investigation first launched in January 2009.

The NHTSA opened a separate investigation on 905,000 U.S. Cobalt models in January 2010 after receiving more than 1,100 complaints on power steering failures, 14 crashes and an injury.

GO HERE to read more.

D.C. Gears Up For Marriage License Rush

Same-sex couples in D.C. have been waiting a long time to tie the knot , so a big rush is expected at Superior Court Wednesday, the first day for couples to get their marriage licenses.

"While we don't know quite how large the group is going to be, we are expecting a significant increase in the number of folks applying for licenses that day," Superior Court Judge Lee Satterfield said Monday night.

D.C. resident Cuk Vu and her partner will be among those folks.

GO HERE to read more.

Tsunami Swept Away Fleeing Bus Full Of Retirees

Tsunami swept away fleeing bus full of retirees

PELLUHUE, Chile - The 40 retirees enjoying summer vacation at a seaside campground nestled under pine trees knew they had to move fast after Chile's powerful earthquake struck.

They didn't make it. The tsunami came in three waves, surging 200 yards into this Pacific Ocean resort town and dragging away the bus they'd piled into, hoping to get to high ground. Most of those inside were tourists, and only five of their bodies had been found by Monday, firefighters and witnesses said.

Pelluhue's horror underscored the destruction wrought by Saturday's pre-dawn 8.8-magnitude quake and the tsunami that ravaged communities along Chile's south-central coast — those closest to the quake's epicenter. Chile's death toll reached 723, and most died in the wine-growing Maule region that includes Pelluhue.

GO HERE to read more.

Garrett County Snow

Garrett County Maryland just received two more feet of snow bringing this years total to 262 inches. Schools are closed today and have been closed 14 of the last 17 days. Dont we look silly here when you look at last weeks closures.

State Police Probes Train vs. Pedestrian Incident

Location: Amtrak Train Tracks, southbound at Marker Post 342, Rear of Meco Circle, Approximately 1 mi south of Wilmington, Delaware

Date of Occurrence: Monday, March 1, 2010, at 9:54 p.m.

Resume: State Police detectives are probing an incident which occurred late last night on the southbound Amtrak rail lines in the area behind Meco Circle in Wilmington, Delaware.

A train traveling southbound struck and killed a male pedestrian on the tracks. The train then came to a stop south of the impact site.

No foul play is suspected at this time, however, this investigation is in its early stages and an additional news release will be disseminated later today once details are known and confirmed.

Again, the information contained in this particular release is all that will be sent out at this time.

So, Is This Racism?

Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, boasting his divine stature, on Sunday predicted trouble ahead for President Barack Obama and urged him to do more to improve the lives of blacks and the downtrodden.

The 76-year-old leader said the "white right" was conspiring to make Obama a one-term president, and pointed to his stalled efforts to introduce health care legislation as proof. He said those opponents and lobbyists were trapping him into a future war with Iran that could lead to mass destruction.

"The word 'prophet' is too cheap a word. I am a light in the midst of darkness," Farrakhan said at the annual convention of the movement that embraces black nationalism. "It ain't ego, it's my love for you."

An estimated 20,000 people attended the heavily guarded Saviours' Day event at the United Center in Chicago. Followers — men dressed in navy uniforms and women in white skirt suits with matching hijabs — cheered on Farrakhan with shouts of "Allahu Akbar," Arabic for "God is great."

Farrakhan spent most of the fiery nearly four-hour speech recounting a 1985 vision he had in Mexico. Farrakhan has often described how he believes he was invited aboard an unidentified flying object he calls "the wheel" where he said he heard the late Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad speak to him.

More

O.J. Acquittal Suit To Be Offered To Smithsonian

With O.J. Simpson giving his agreement from prison, a judge approved a plan Monday to donate the suit the former NFL star was wearing when he was acquitted of murder to the Smithsonian Institution.

The deal ends a 13-year legal battle between Simpson's former sports agent Mike Gilbert and Fred Goldman, the father of the man Simpson was accused of killing in 1994.

Both men claimed the right to the suit, shirt and tie Simpson was wearing Oct. 3, 1995, when he was acquitted of killing ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman after a trial that riveted the nation.

Gilbert, who has had the clothes in his possession, came up with the idea of a donation.

"It's part of American history," Gilbert said outside court. "People should be able to see it and reflect on what went so wrong for someone who had everything."

Simpson, 62, who is serving a minimum nine-year prison sentence in Nevada on an unrelated case, told the judge and lawyers by phone that he approved of donating the suit "as long as no one made a profit from it," his attorney Ronald P. Slates said.

"I said to OJ, 'Whether you like it or not, you're an important part of American legal history, ' " Slates said.

Fred Goldman has been trying for years to seize Simpson's assets to satisfy a $33.5 million civil judgment for the wrongful death of his son and ex-wife. Simpson maintains he did not commit the murders and therefore owes Goldman nothing.

The Smithsonian has not yet been contacted to see if the museum wants the Simpson suit. If it is rejected, it will be offered to another museum or institution of higher learning, according to the agreement approved by Superior Court Judge Joseph Biderman.

The donation will be made in the name of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

More from The Washington Times HERE.

You Actually Pay Money To Read Old Salisbury News?

Unauthorized truck purchase dumps problems on Salisbury City Council

Zoo seeks health clinic

Council at standstill on roads near JMB

The Daily Times seems to be loaded with old Salisbury News. Please send today's subscription fee to Salisbury News instead, we worked for it and earned it.

Obama Fatigue

by Victor Davis Hanson
Pajamas Media

Every President starts to wear on the public. But the omnipresent Obama has become wearisome in record time. Why?

1) Money. There is none. Every time the President talks of another billion for this, and trillion for that, the people sigh: “We don’t have it; he’s going to borrow it.” Unemployment is near 10%, so borrowing nearly $2 trillion each year makes more sense to Keynesian economists than to voters who don’t find hope by maxing out their credit cards when they lose their jobs.

Obama is weirdly oblivious to number crunching — as is true of many who have never been self-employed or had to scramble without a public salary. Yet even Hillary is now whining that her foreign policy is frozen by the fact of mounting American debt. Obama is the stereotypical great-aunt that sweeps into the Christmas dinner casually boasting about what she is going to do for this niece and that nephew, while most roll their eyes with the understanding that her credit cards are long ago maxed out — and more likely she will be hitting up relatives for loans. Americans don’t like magnanimity with other people’s money.

2) Style. Great orators get better in their rhetoric, not worse. It turns out that the people risked a blank slate in Obama in part because in his teleprompted hope-and-change orations, he sounded fresh and mellifluous. Voters assumed he would wear well. But in nonstop interviews, press conferences, and conversations, the impromptu President seems no more comfortable than was an ad hoc George Bush. And just as liberals were turned off by Bush’s cowboyisms, so too conservatives are tired of Obama’s professorial, condescending sermons.

After a year, the people are tired of all the “let me be perfectly clear” psycho-drama; the “make no mistake about” pseudo-tough man pose; the straw man “I reject the false choice that some would…”, and the narcissistic “I have ordered…..my team…to”. The boilerplate is now recognizable even to the Washington Press corps. But as important, it dovetails with more disturbing propensities: there are the periodic signs of inanity like “Cinco de Quatro” and “Corpse Men”; the constant fudging on the truth of multibillion dollar new programs really “saving” money; and the surreal bowing to dictators and emperors, with the relish of turning our misdemeanors into felonies and our enemies’ felonies into benefactions.

GO HERE to read more.

Caption This Photo

"1776 Faith"

Phil Webster will present a Powerpoint Presentation about his new book
1776 Faith: The Christian Worldview of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
at the Wicomico County Library on Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
After the presentation, he will have copies of his book for sale and signing.

I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

"[W]ho are regular, run-of-the-mill, tax-paying Americans to question Obama? He's brilliant, after all. ... [I]f Obama is so brilliant, why does he parrot the words and thoughts of a bunch of schmucks like Karl Marx, Saul Alinsky, Al Gore and Michael Moore? Why does he insist that the trouble with the Constitution and the Civil Rights movement is that they didn't focus on the redistribution of wealth? Why would he hand over the federal budget to a couple of morons like Pelosi and Reid? And why on earth would he put Henry Waxman in charge of his energy program? A brilliant person wouldn't trust Waxman to bring baked beans to a picnic. When someone decides to model a health care plan after such dismal failures as England, Canada and Cuba, while exhuming the failed economic policies of FDR, why would anyone suggest he is anything but a left-wing ignoramus? This is an American president, for heaven's sake, who has more in common with Noam Chomsky, Hugo Chavez and some Berkeley hippie than he has with Washington, Jefferson and Adams. Except that he is now 30 years older, Obama seems to think exactly the same way he was thinking back in college, when he was a pot-smoking idiot who sought out students who were self-professed revolutionaries and professors who were communists. If we have come to a point where the ability to read scripted lines off a teleprompter is considered a sign of brilliance, no matter how fatuous the actual words may be, we are in even worse shape than I imagined." --columnist Burt Prelutsky

National Health Service Delays

Are you American women willing to wait at least four weeks for the results of your pap smears?

In Great Britain, under their National Health Service, a four-week wait is standard. Do you truly want Obama’s “Change?” Check out this link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/nottinghamshire/8147774.stm

Today's Wildlife Photo By Scott Phoebus

What A Happy Brooke!!

New Twins At The National Zoo!

GO HERE to view more, plus a video.

Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Celebrate Children Who Give Back

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Proudly Announces The Barnum Award Program

The Greatest Show On Earth® Celebrates Children Who Give Back to Their Community with Medals and Grants Totaling More Than $150,000

(Salisbury, MD) In conjunction with a two-year celebration of the 200th anniversary of P.T. Barnum’s birth, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® is pleased to announce the launch of The Barnum Award, which honors the spirit of the founder of The Greatest Show On Earth® and his inspirational contributions to society by identifying and celebrating children who give back to their own communities in creative, fun, and innovative ways. The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center is pleased to announce that Salisbury, MD is one of more than 75 cities throughout the United States selected to participate in the program. Nominations for children from Salisbury and the surrounding area can be made online at www.thebarnumaward.com. Nominations can be made now through March 19, 2010.

The Barnum Award program is designed to recognize and support children ages six to 14, who have created social good and enriched their local community through their own inventive and pioneering actions. Local Barnum Award recipients will be chosen by a panel of distinguished local luminaries. Nominees will be judged on the impact of their accomplishments, creativity and innovation, and their inspiration to others relating to their cause. Nominators are required to be over the age of 21, and must fill out a short online questionnaire about the child they feel is making a difference in the community.

Three award recipients will be chosen from the Salisbury area. The Gold Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $1,000 grant, the Silver Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $750 grant, and the Bronze Barnum Award Recipient will receive a medallion and a $500 grant. Grants are to be used to fund future community service endeavors. Additionally, all three award recipients will be honored at a pre-show award ceremony during the opening night performance of The Greatest Show On Earth® at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on April 1, 2010. They and their families will also be invited to stay and enjoy the show.

For more information about The Barnum Award and how to nominate a child who is making a difference in our community, visit www.thebarnumaward.com. For show-related information regarding the April 1-4, 2010 performances of Ringling Bro. and Barnum & Bailey’s Illuscination at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, please visit www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org or call 410-548-4911.

Grand Opening - Lucky Star Chinese And Japanese Cuisine

Grand Opening in Fruitland!

Lucky Star Chinese and Japanese Cuisine

208 N. Fruitland Blvd

(Fruitland Plaza Shopping Center - Food Lion)

Fruitland, MD 21826

(30% off 3/1/10 - 3/5/10)

410-548-7177/4177 - They deliver! (min. $12.00)

Hours:

Mon - Thurs: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Fri: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Sat: 11:30 am - 11:00 pm

Sun: 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Malicious Destruction of Property / Resisting Arrest
Date of Incident: 28 February 2010
Location: 1000 block of Beaglin Park Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Dale A. Gibbs, Jr., 22, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 28 February 2010 at 8:13 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office investigated the Malicious Destruction of a vehicle windshield in parking lot of the Parkwood Apartments in Salisbury. The owner of the vehicle told the deputy that he believed an estranged former roommate is the individual responsible for this. The owner provided a picture of his former roommate, Dale A. Gibbs and the deputy showed the picture to an independent witness who identified Gibbs as the subject who inflicted the damage to the windshield.

The suspect, Dale Gibbs, was gone on the arrival of the deputy, but the deputy checked the lot frequently on the possibility that Gibbs might return to the scene. At approximately 10:30 PM, an individual that the deputy recognized as Gibbs was observed in the parking lot. The deputy approached Gibbs and attempted to detain Gibbs and place him into handcuffs. Instead of submitting to the deputy, Gibbs resisted and began to struggle against the deputy. The deputy managed to get Gibbs into custody and during a subsequent interview Gibbs made statements the affirmed his culpability in this incident.

The deputy transported Gibbs to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Gibbs was detained in the Detention Center by the Commissioner in lieu of $5,000 bond.


Charges: Malicious Destruction of Property
Resisting Arrest

Incident: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Date of Incident: 28 February 2010
Location: Bi-State Blvd. Delmar, MD
Suspect: Patricia M. Dilworth, 52, Delmar, MD

Narrative: On 28 February 2010 at 8:55 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation on Bi-State Blvd in Delmar and identified the driver as Patricia Dilworth of Delmar, MD. Because of Dilworth’s general demeanor that exhibited nervousness, a WCSO drug K9 team was called to the scene and the K9 scanned the vehicle for the presence of the odor of illegal drugs. During that scan the K9 alerted to that odor which caused the deputy to search the vehicle. During the search, the deputy located two glass smoking devices in the console that both contained the remnants of crack cocaine. During a subsequent interview, Dilworth claimed possession of the devices.

The deputy placed Dilworth under arrest and transported her to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Dilworth of Personal Recognizance.


Charges: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Fundraiser For Breast Cancer Awareness