Let me start over again here Folks. Here's the deal. The County Executive, (not the County Council) has made a corporate decision to dump ALL of the life insurance policies as he feels there is enough money vested into what is called a "Death Benefit Sinking Fund". This fund was designed whereas the County payed into one particular policy for ALL County Employees and it has built up equity over time.
Mind you, it's important for each and every taxpayer and employee to understand that this fund may or may not truly have enough money in it, we just don't know yet. However, let's say Mr. Pollitt thinks it does. Should the County Executive be making that decision to make such a high risk move as he has and drop an insurance policy that secures the taxpayers for around $15.00 a month per employee?
Clearly, (from those of whom I've spoken to) the County Council was completely unaware of any of this coming about. My personal issue with it is this. Let's say this year, (God Forbid) 10 people were to die who are employed and vested with Wicomico County. The County has around 800 employees. That "Death Benefit Sinking Fund" would now be tapped for let's say $500,000.00. Rick, just how much money is in that account?
Now, let's take, (for example) a plane were to hit the GOB, (our own Twin Towers). Would we all be covered Rick? My point is, crazier things have happened, right. That's what we have insurance for. You pay a very tiny amount to make sure you don't have to pay out of pocket in such disasters. The law requires we carry auto insurance on our vehicles for a reason. Its a small price to pay for something so major.
I find it extremely bold and insensitive that Rick Pollitt and Mr. Thompson failed to deliver enough details as to their intentions. Taxpayers are now at risk to pay for anything above and beyond what is stored in that account.
To some, many might think, well, the money is there, we can afford it. The problem is, yeah, for now. However, once that account runs dry, life insurance will not be provided by the County and those who currently enjoy such a benefit will then have to reach into their pocket and pay for it. Then there's the fact that even if there's a decent amount of money in that account collecting interest, there's no way it will keep up with the payouts. Not even close.
Now one of the original things I had been told was that the "Death Benefit Sinking Fund" only paid out if you died on the job. This is not true. As long as you're vested in the County your beneficiary will receive one years salary. Again, how long this will last is any one's guess.
For the $15.00 a month, a County Employee can be secured that if a major disaster were to occur, their families will be taken care of. Under this new proposal, (without the County Council's knowledge) either families could be forced to do without OR the taxpayers may be forced to pay a disaster relief bill no one properly planned for.
In our own homes we would NOT make such a decision and that's how I personally rate a politician. I want them to think like I do, don't we all. We have insurance to cover such losses, even if we're loaded with money. The funny part, (to me) is that it's NOT Rick Pollitt putting out the money for this insurance, its YOU! Sorry Folks, the whole thing stinks.
Getting back to my original article earlier today. The reduction/savings or expense, depending how you want to look at it, (so I'm told) is about $73,000.00. How much does Mr. Fineran make a year? Again, that's about $15.00 a year per employee. Stick with the insurance policy Rick. We would in our own households.
Might I also suggest you consult the County Council before you make such a move as well. I highly doubt many taxpayers would make such a move and or agree with this. I'll close by saying, there are other ways to cut expenses without creating such high risks on the taxpayers. I know you're all about wanting to provide quality service but this is just ridiculous.
Stay healthy and exercise a LOT Folks. You may need it a whole lot more than you think. Oh, you may want to pay out of pocket for that term insurance. Your beneficiaries are at a much higher risk right now of getting anything at all.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: Shooting At Salisbury MD State Police Barracks
Salisbury News just came to learn there's been a shooting in the parking lot of the Salisbury Md. State Police Barracks. The individual was shot one time in the arm and leg. More to come.
County Executive Proves Jim Fineran Is More Valuable Than A Deputy's Life & More
Each and every day Wicomico County Sheriff's Department puts their lives on the line. One of the perks each Officer receives is that Wicomico County provides a term life insurance policy. Mind you Folks, this is offered to EVERY County Employee but my focus right now, (with all due respect) is based on the highest risk, Sheriff's Deputies.The term policy covers only one year of an employees salary, an average of about $50,000.00 a year or in value of life, an average of a $50,000.00 payoff. Their policy only cost the taxpayers $15.00 to $20.00 a month, THAT'S IT!
The above letter, (HOT off the press) was just sent out to County Employees telling them that the County has eliminated their life insurance policy but they can opt to buy into the policy by taking it out of their salary.
As if it wasn't bad enough that they have furloughed everyone, (or shall we say cut their salary). As if it wasn't bad enough that the Sheriff's Department lost $900,000.00 in their budget, (along with all other departments throughout the County) now they want to take even more!
To me, what's most pitiful is the lack of respect our County Executive has placed on those lives people that protect you and I. Clearly, after yesterday's charade with the County Council and the Budget, Jim Fineran keeps his job and immediately a notice is sent out that probably covers his salary.
Again, if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. Rick Pollitt should have started making cuts more than 2 years ago and he refused to do what a strong businessman would do. I guess that land was more important for the Parks Department and the Civic Center than $15.00 a month.
I can only hope that other qualified people who respect our County Employees will step up to the plate and lead us in the right direction as a new County Executive.
This is just wrong Folks.
Ehrlich Saddened by Rosecroft’s Closing
Bob Ehrlich today expressed regret that Rosecroft Raceway has announced plans to close permanently on July 1, and said he is saddened by the end of an era in Maryland racing. Ehrlich said he is especially disappointed for the 200 employees who will lose their jobs.
“It’s a shame that these hard working Marylanders will soon be out of work, particularly since the closure of Rosecroft could have been avoided,” Ehrlich said. “Rosecroft’s closure is a sobering reminder of state government’s failure to design a viable gaming program in Maryland. I was proud to introduce a bipartisan plan for slot machines at Maryland race tracks as far back as 2003. Rosecroft would be on much stronger financial footing today had the legislature adopted that plan and had the O’Malley Administration not bungled implementation of its own flawed plan. Maryland’s historic horse racing industry remains at a major disadvantage with neighboring states and Maryland’s unemployment line is getting longer as a result.”
“It’s a shame that these hard working Marylanders will soon be out of work, particularly since the closure of Rosecroft could have been avoided,” Ehrlich said. “Rosecroft’s closure is a sobering reminder of state government’s failure to design a viable gaming program in Maryland. I was proud to introduce a bipartisan plan for slot machines at Maryland race tracks as far back as 2003. Rosecroft would be on much stronger financial footing today had the legislature adopted that plan and had the O’Malley Administration not bungled implementation of its own flawed plan. Maryland’s historic horse racing industry remains at a major disadvantage with neighboring states and Maryland’s unemployment line is getting longer as a result.”
Gulf Coast Explosive Tsunami
"ON COAST TO COAST AM, RICHARD C. HOAGLAND CITING INSIDER SOURCES IN BP AND IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, SAID THAT A GAS BUBBLE APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MILES ACROSS AND 10+ FEET HIGH NEAR BP'S OIL WELL HEAD IN THE GULF OF MEXICO HAD FORMED AND THAT IT MAY CAUSE A MASSIVE EXPLOSION WITHIN WEEKS OR MONTHS.
HE SAID THAT THE PRESSURE AT THE WELL WAS 100,000 PSI AND THAT WHEN THE GAS EXPLODES, IT WOULD BE LIKE A MT. ST. HELENS GOING OFF UNDERWATER THAT WOULD CREATE A HUGE TSUNAMI THAT WOULD TRAVEL AT 400-600 MPH SINKING ALL VESSELS WITHIN MILES, DRIVE THE OIL, HAZARDOUS DISPERSANT'S, AND GASES INLAND WITHIN MINUTES."
Part 1
Part2
HE SAID THAT THE PRESSURE AT THE WELL WAS 100,000 PSI AND THAT WHEN THE GAS EXPLODES, IT WOULD BE LIKE A MT. ST. HELENS GOING OFF UNDERWATER THAT WOULD CREATE A HUGE TSUNAMI THAT WOULD TRAVEL AT 400-600 MPH SINKING ALL VESSELS WITHIN MILES, DRIVE THE OIL, HAZARDOUS DISPERSANT'S, AND GASES INLAND WITHIN MINUTES."
Part 1
Part2
No Federal Prison In Princess Anne, MD.
The GEO Group Awarded Bureau of Prisons Contract for the Continued Management of the Rivers Correctional Institution in Winton, North Carolina
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The GEO Group (NYSE:GEO - News) (“GEO”) announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) for the continued management of the company-owned Rivers Correctional Institution (the “Facility”) located in Winton, North Carolina.
The new contract will have a term of ten years, inclusive of renewal options. Under the terms of the new contract, the Facility will house up to 1,450 BOP inmates. At the 90 percent occupancy guaranteed level, or 1,135 beds, the new contract is expected to generate annual revenues of approximately $34.0 million.
George C. Zoley, Chairman and CEO of GEO said, “We appreciate the confidence placed in our company by the Federal Bureau of Prisons with this important contract award. Our Rivers Correctional Institution in Winton, North Carolina plays a key role in helping meet the need for federal correctional bed space. We look forward to strengthening our long-standing public-private partnership with the BOP and the community of Winton.”
The GEO Group, Inc. ("GEO") is a world leader in the delivery of correctional, detention, and residential treatment services to federal, state, and local government agencies around the globe. GEO offers a turnkey approach that includes design, construction, financing, and operations. GEO represents government clients in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s worldwide operations include the management and/or ownership of 62 correctional and residential treatment facilities with a total design capacity of approximately 60,000 beds, including projects under development.
GO HERE to read more.
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The GEO Group (NYSE:GEO - News) (“GEO”) announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) for the continued management of the company-owned Rivers Correctional Institution (the “Facility”) located in Winton, North Carolina.
The new contract will have a term of ten years, inclusive of renewal options. Under the terms of the new contract, the Facility will house up to 1,450 BOP inmates. At the 90 percent occupancy guaranteed level, or 1,135 beds, the new contract is expected to generate annual revenues of approximately $34.0 million.
George C. Zoley, Chairman and CEO of GEO said, “We appreciate the confidence placed in our company by the Federal Bureau of Prisons with this important contract award. Our Rivers Correctional Institution in Winton, North Carolina plays a key role in helping meet the need for federal correctional bed space. We look forward to strengthening our long-standing public-private partnership with the BOP and the community of Winton.”
The GEO Group, Inc. ("GEO") is a world leader in the delivery of correctional, detention, and residential treatment services to federal, state, and local government agencies around the globe. GEO offers a turnkey approach that includes design, construction, financing, and operations. GEO represents government clients in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s worldwide operations include the management and/or ownership of 62 correctional and residential treatment facilities with a total design capacity of approximately 60,000 beds, including projects under development.
GO HERE to read more.
Salisbury Fire Truck Breaks The Law?
"Mr. Albero,
I would love to know, why this morning, as I was sitting at the stop light at the Foodlion on Tilghman rd, why the Salisbury fire truck came flying up behind me as I was going to make a left turn, and flew through the light sirens and lights blaring the whole time. They then got through the light turned them off and turned into the Department of Motor Vehicles. What makes them any BETTER to sit at a stop light, and act like they have sense?
I would love to know what the emergency was at the DMV, that made it necessary, to turn lights and sirens on, and then barrel through the light, and turn them off to go to the DMV? If I am not mistaken, isn't breaking a law to do this?"
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 15 June 2010
Location: 100 block of West Main Street, Fruitland, MD
Suspect: Kevin J. Sturgis, 21, Fruitland, MD
Narrative: On 15 June 2010 at 5:10 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported altercation at a residence in the 100 block of West Main Street in Fruitland, MD. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female victim who stated that she had been arguing with her boyfriend, Kevin Sturgis, over money when h pushed her. During the investigation, the deputy observed signs of physical injury on the victim that corroborated her account.
Sturgis was gone when the deputy arrived to investigate this complaint, but turned himself in at the request of the deputy at which time he was taken into custody. Sturgis was taken to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Sturgis on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Assault 2nd degree
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 15 June 2010
Location: 1500 block of Rose Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Ericka L. Forman, 38, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 16 June 2010 at 3:32 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office investigated a reported assault that occurred inside a residence in the 1500 block of Rose Drive in Salisbury. The deputy met with a female victim who advised that she had become embroiled in an argument with the suspect, Ericka Forman, when Forman charged at her with a razor type box cutter. The victim stated she was able to block the attack but fell to the floor at which point Forman jumped on top of her and struck her in the face with the box cutter, lacerating her forehead.
The deputy placed Forman under arrest for the assault 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 detained Forman in the Detention Center in lieu of $50,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st degree
Assault 2nd degree
Reckless Endangerment
Wear / Carry a Dangerous Weapon
Date of Incident: 15 June 2010
Location: 100 block of West Main Street, Fruitland, MD
Suspect: Kevin J. Sturgis, 21, Fruitland, MD
Narrative: On 15 June 2010 at 5:10 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported altercation at a residence in the 100 block of West Main Street in Fruitland, MD. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female victim who stated that she had been arguing with her boyfriend, Kevin Sturgis, over money when h pushed her. During the investigation, the deputy observed signs of physical injury on the victim that corroborated her account.
Sturgis was gone when the deputy arrived to investigate this complaint, but turned himself in at the request of the deputy at which time he was taken into custody. Sturgis was taken to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Sturgis on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Assault 2nd degree
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 15 June 2010
Location: 1500 block of Rose Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Ericka L. Forman, 38, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 16 June 2010 at 3:32 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office investigated a reported assault that occurred inside a residence in the 1500 block of Rose Drive in Salisbury. The deputy met with a female victim who advised that she had become embroiled in an argument with the suspect, Ericka Forman, when Forman charged at her with a razor type box cutter. The victim stated she was able to block the attack but fell to the floor at which point Forman jumped on top of her and struck her in the face with the box cutter, lacerating her forehead.
The deputy placed Forman under arrest for the assault 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 detained Forman in the Detention Center in lieu of $50,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st degree
Assault 2nd degree
Reckless Endangerment
Wear / Carry a Dangerous Weapon
$4 MILLION IN AVAILABLE GRANTS FOR LOCAL CRIME FIGHTING AND PREVENTION EFFORTS
Governor announces federal grants before Maryland Chiefs of Police Association
QUEENSTOWN, MD (June 16, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that $4 million will be available in Maryland for efforts to fight crime. These federal investments are available through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention to state or local law-enforcement agencies, public and private groups, faith-based and community organizations, institutions of higher education and for-profit and non-profit organizations.
“These funds have been a key element in our historic crime reductions in Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “These investments provide security integration, allowing many groups to form partnerships and law enforcement agencies to collaborate on shared challenges. The result is a safer and more secure Maryland.”
Maryland has awarded a total of $28,694,995 under this program since 2007 and the funds have been used for a wide variety of purposes, including:
· Supervise and contain the state’s most violent offenders
· Serve arrest warrants on violent offenders
· Combat gang violence and gather valuable intelligence information on gang activity
· Provide crime analysts and crime mapping services to police departments
· Reduce DNA backlogs
· Provide state-of-the-art technology to law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland
· Support drug courts and other problem solving courts throughout Maryland
· Offer a variety of support services to crime victims
· Support data-driven prevention strategies based on techniques that have been proven to work.
The funds will be awarded based on applications made by eligible agencies and organizations. Information on applying is on the GOCCP web site: http://www.goccp.maryland.gov. The deadline for applications is August 12
The BJAG program is just one part of state support to law enforcement in Maryland. Since January 1, 2007, the state has awarded a total of $69,910,335.20 to police departments, sheriffs’ offices and other agencies and organizations involved in crime fighting and crime prevention efforts.
Since 2007, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has provided nearly $45 million in discretionary grants to local law enforcement, many funded through federal programs, representing a 27.5 percent increase over a comparable period four years prior.
Together, we’ve driven violent crime to its lowest rate in recorded history. Homicides are at their lowest level since 1975, driven down 12 percent since last year. Total crime in Maryland has been driven to its lowest level since modern crime tracking began in 1975.
Through unprecedented cross-border collaborations, Governor O’Malley created the Violence Prevention Initiative to target the most dangerous offenders, as well as cross-border warrant teams to crack down on safe havens criminals once relied on. Upon taking office, Governor O’Malley dedicated the necessary resources to clear more than 24,000 inherited DNA samples, previously uncollected and unanalyzed, leading to 245 arrests of murderers, burglars, rapists, and other criminals. In addition, Governor O’Malley created the Public Safety Dashboard, an interactive web portal through which public safety officers access information in one place from literally dozens of different databases throughout the region. The system currently receives up to 40,000 queries per day from local and state law enforcement, keeping Maryland neighborhoods safer.
QUEENSTOWN, MD (June 16, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that $4 million will be available in Maryland for efforts to fight crime. These federal investments are available through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention to state or local law-enforcement agencies, public and private groups, faith-based and community organizations, institutions of higher education and for-profit and non-profit organizations.
“These funds have been a key element in our historic crime reductions in Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “These investments provide security integration, allowing many groups to form partnerships and law enforcement agencies to collaborate on shared challenges. The result is a safer and more secure Maryland.”
Maryland has awarded a total of $28,694,995 under this program since 2007 and the funds have been used for a wide variety of purposes, including:
· Supervise and contain the state’s most violent offenders
· Serve arrest warrants on violent offenders
· Combat gang violence and gather valuable intelligence information on gang activity
· Provide crime analysts and crime mapping services to police departments
· Reduce DNA backlogs
· Provide state-of-the-art technology to law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland
· Support drug courts and other problem solving courts throughout Maryland
· Offer a variety of support services to crime victims
· Support data-driven prevention strategies based on techniques that have been proven to work.
The funds will be awarded based on applications made by eligible agencies and organizations. Information on applying is on the GOCCP web site: http://www.goccp.maryland.gov. The deadline for applications is August 12
The BJAG program is just one part of state support to law enforcement in Maryland. Since January 1, 2007, the state has awarded a total of $69,910,335.20 to police departments, sheriffs’ offices and other agencies and organizations involved in crime fighting and crime prevention efforts.
Since 2007, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has provided nearly $45 million in discretionary grants to local law enforcement, many funded through federal programs, representing a 27.5 percent increase over a comparable period four years prior.
Together, we’ve driven violent crime to its lowest rate in recorded history. Homicides are at their lowest level since 1975, driven down 12 percent since last year. Total crime in Maryland has been driven to its lowest level since modern crime tracking began in 1975.
Through unprecedented cross-border collaborations, Governor O’Malley created the Violence Prevention Initiative to target the most dangerous offenders, as well as cross-border warrant teams to crack down on safe havens criminals once relied on. Upon taking office, Governor O’Malley dedicated the necessary resources to clear more than 24,000 inherited DNA samples, previously uncollected and unanalyzed, leading to 245 arrests of murderers, burglars, rapists, and other criminals. In addition, Governor O’Malley created the Public Safety Dashboard, an interactive web portal through which public safety officers access information in one place from literally dozens of different databases throughout the region. The system currently receives up to 40,000 queries per day from local and state law enforcement, keeping Maryland neighborhoods safer.
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Folks, Blogger is still having issues showing comments on each Post. Mind you, the comments are there, you just have to click on comments to see them for the time being. Some Posts do show some comments but most do not. Sorry about the inconvenience.
Emmett “Stimpy” Otter
April 1993-June 2010
By Jennifer Albero
In the first week of May 1993 word spread through the staff at the Salisbury Zoo that a baby North American River Otter had been dropped off by a local couple who had found him at their Eastern Shore of Virginia weekend home. They tried unsuccessfully to reunite him with his real family but after two days it was obvious that he was an orphan.
It was love at first sight with Emmett and I. From those first little chirps I knew he was going to be special. He had a catfish head with little beady eyes and a slinky for a body. He reminded my boys so much of Jim Henson’s puppets that he was named after Emmett Otters Jug Band Christmas show. Of course for me he will always be just “Stimpy”, named after the Ren and Stimpy cartoon mostly because the Stimpy character was trouble with a capital T.
Stimpy spent over 2 months traveling back and forth between the zoo and home to keep his bottle feeding schedule on track. If you accidentally or intentionally tried to skip a bottle or fed one late, he would let you know by angrily grabbing the nipple in his teeth and ripping it right off the bottle. Milk and wet kitten food would spray everywhere.His favorite pastimes at home were to try and slide into the bottom shelf of the refrigerator before you could get it closed. He would come out of a dead sleep to race over for that game. He also loved to cram his plump little body into the dogs water bowl. He would have nothing sticking out of it but his head and that look of utter joy on his face as if to let me know that he had found a perfect swimming hole and look at how nicely he fit! He also tried to climb into the toilet every chance he got so we had to make a strict rule that leaving the door open to any bathroom at any time was not allowed.
He was by far the most intelligent animal I ever had the privilege of working with. By a certain chirp he made, I knew that he had to go outside to go to the bathroom. After he was done, he was ready to come back inside. He loved the Zoo’s Office Manager, Scottie Olligher. Scottie would babysit Stimpy when he was in the office hanging out between bottle feedings. Scottie was always dressed to perfection and often wore open toed shoes. Well, Stimpy loved toes in open toed shoes! In no time Scottie was forced to sit with her feet in a trashcan to keep Stimpy from attacking her toes. It worked for a few weeks but eventually zookeeper, Vic Vollkommer ended up building a barricade around her desk that we would literally have to help Scottie climb in and out of. We told Scottie during those weeks that we could move Stimpy to another building but Scottie assured us that she was fine with it all and didn’t want to miss any of his antics.
Keep in mind Stimpy was no angel. I had the cuts, bruises and scratch marks to prove it. And some staff members were delivered much more serious scars by an animal that was in no way anyone’s pet. But with all his quirks he had become a family member so much so that I often called him my fourth son. And my human sons were way cooler in their friends eyes by having a real live otter hanging out at their house that summer.
There was a period of time when Stimpy was going to leave the area to live at another zoo. However local outcry and the unforeseen tragedy of a young man’s death during a marlin fishing trip, changed those plans and Stimpy was built a new exhibit and was brought a mate named Emily. They spent years together delighting crowds with their swimming and fishing skills. And on special days when they were fed live crabs and crayfish, you would often see Stimpy pop his head out of the water with one or two crayfish dangling from his whiskers (the crayfish would be pinching and attacking his whiskers for dear life) and looking around with those little beady eyes as if to say, “did you see where those crayfish went?”We had a lifelong bond. He never tried to attack me but instead treated me like I was family. And when my days come to an end, I hope to meet up with my old friends, Stimpy and Scottie. I expect that Scottie will still have her feet in a plastic trashcan and Stimpy will be trying his darnedest to get to her toes.
Stimpy you will be missed but remembered by many. You touched so many hearts and lives.
Farewell my son.Run For Your Money!
Run for Your Money!
Local Bay National Bank is listed as one of the "Next 10 Banks to Fail" according to a report from Investing Answers.
This is the bank started by former Peninsula Bank president Hugh Mohler now in Lutherville, MD. Fruitland City Council president Greg Olinde is listed as a senior VP and there are many local investors, many from the good old boy Greater Salisbury Committee, who are losing tens of thousands of dollars.
"The list of troubled banks maintained by the FDIC still has over 700 names on it (though the list is confidential). The FDIC has more banks on its trouble list than it has manpower to deal with, slowing down the whole process of closing failing institutions. And because the process is slower and the banks are smaller, the public has been lulled into a state of complacency, with many believing that there's nothing to worry about.
Those people are wrong.
If you're a depositor, you may want to stop reading this report and hightail it to the teller's window to withdraw your deposits from these walking dead. For planning purposes, note that the FDIC generally shuts down banks after the close of business on Friday in what has become known in the industry as "Bank Failure Friday."
If you insist on remaining a loyal customer of one of these banks, double-check and triple-check that your accounts have less than the $250,000 FDIC-insured limit."
Local Bay National Bank is listed as one of the "Next 10 Banks to Fail" according to a report from Investing Answers.
This is the bank started by former Peninsula Bank president Hugh Mohler now in Lutherville, MD. Fruitland City Council president Greg Olinde is listed as a senior VP and there are many local investors, many from the good old boy Greater Salisbury Committee, who are losing tens of thousands of dollars.
"The list of troubled banks maintained by the FDIC still has over 700 names on it (though the list is confidential). The FDIC has more banks on its trouble list than it has manpower to deal with, slowing down the whole process of closing failing institutions. And because the process is slower and the banks are smaller, the public has been lulled into a state of complacency, with many believing that there's nothing to worry about.
Those people are wrong.
If you're a depositor, you may want to stop reading this report and hightail it to the teller's window to withdraw your deposits from these walking dead. For planning purposes, note that the FDIC generally shuts down banks after the close of business on Friday in what has become known in the industry as "Bank Failure Friday."
If you insist on remaining a loyal customer of one of these banks, double-check and triple-check that your accounts have less than the $250,000 FDIC-insured limit."
Bay National Bank
Maryland-based Bay National is currently considered "critically undercapitalized" under FDIC standards. Furthermore, the bank admitted in a filing with the SEC that there's substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern (which is an auditor's term for "this bank is insolvent").
Last week, Bay National also decided to voluntarily delist itself from trading on Nasdaq. It had previously received notice from Nasdaq that the exchange requires listed companies to have positive shareholder equity of at least $2.5 million. With its negative shareholder equity of -$3.6 million, Bay National did not meet that criterion."
Bay National shares were selling for $.40 per share, down from $ 16 at its high. It's too late for investors to run for their money, but if you have deposits there, you better run for yours. The assets of the local Salisbury branch sold to Hebron Savings bank but this has not been finalized yet.
GO HERE for the complete article.
A Letter To The Editor
CAN BILL MCCAIN DO MATH?
Today’s Daily Times quotes Wicomico County Councilman Bill McCain on the $60,000 salary of Rick Pollitt’s “PIO” that the Republican majority of the Council voted to cut from next year’s budget: “It’s .0005 of 1 percent of out $113 million budget.” McCain also said in the quote that he did the math. WRONG!
Of the entire budget amount, $113 million, it’s .05 percent. As a portion of 1 percent of the entire amount, which is the comparison mentioned by McCain, it’s about 5%. Let’s hope that Mr. McCain uses another calculator when he does appraisals or has someone check his numbers.
And his interpretation of the Wicomico County Charter gives much greater cause for concern. According to Mr. McCain, because the cut targets the salary of a particular position in the County administration, it violates the Council’s role in the budget process. WRONG!
The Charter clearly authorizes the Council to cut any item in the budget proposed by the County Executive. It would be ridiculous to provide authority to cut the proposed budget but not specify the item or items to be cut.
By voting against the budget in order to avoid the cut, the three Democrat members of the Council, McCain, David MacLeod and Sheree Sample-Hughes, effectively killed it and preserved the PIO position for another year. And the position could have been dropped from the budget proposed by Rick Pollitt, who chose to include it.
By the way, cutting the salary of the public information officer would have saved the taxpayers somewhat more than the amount mentioned by Mr. McCain if so-called fringe benefits and payroll taxes are counted, probably about $75,000.
Today’s Daily Times quotes Wicomico County Councilman Bill McCain on the $60,000 salary of Rick Pollitt’s “PIO” that the Republican majority of the Council voted to cut from next year’s budget: “It’s .0005 of 1 percent of out $113 million budget.” McCain also said in the quote that he did the math. WRONG!
Of the entire budget amount, $113 million, it’s .05 percent. As a portion of 1 percent of the entire amount, which is the comparison mentioned by McCain, it’s about 5%. Let’s hope that Mr. McCain uses another calculator when he does appraisals or has someone check his numbers.
And his interpretation of the Wicomico County Charter gives much greater cause for concern. According to Mr. McCain, because the cut targets the salary of a particular position in the County administration, it violates the Council’s role in the budget process. WRONG!
The Charter clearly authorizes the Council to cut any item in the budget proposed by the County Executive. It would be ridiculous to provide authority to cut the proposed budget but not specify the item or items to be cut.
By voting against the budget in order to avoid the cut, the three Democrat members of the Council, McCain, David MacLeod and Sheree Sample-Hughes, effectively killed it and preserved the PIO position for another year. And the position could have been dropped from the budget proposed by Rick Pollitt, who chose to include it.
By the way, cutting the salary of the public information officer would have saved the taxpayers somewhat more than the amount mentioned by Mr. McCain if so-called fringe benefits and payroll taxes are counted, probably about $75,000.
Richard Insley Chairs Hearing After He's Terminated
Let me ask you folks something. If you get fired or laid off from a job, do you then go in and keep working your job? Didn't think so, but that's what Richard Insley did, conducting a Housing Board meeting Monday as its chair many weeks after his term expired, according to the heated discussion at the Monday night city council meeting. Richard's term expired at the end of April and Mayor Ireton sent him one of those letters in early May that say "thanks but no thanks" to another term of service.
Now, the code or charter or whatever it's called says that housing board appointments are for terms of four years and made by the mayor and the council. So at the end of four years, both the mayor and the council have to agree to reappoint that person or agree on a new person, just like with a department head. The mayor already said "no" and searched for another person. Louise Smith can whine all day long about extending terms, but what about "expired" or "no" does Louise not understand? Richard was done and there was a vacancy, just like the board's rules say, so what in the heck was Richard Insley doing back in the chair's seat conducting a housing board hearing on Monday? IMHO, that's just a lawsuit waiting to happen!
Louise will now probably run to city attorney Paul Wilber to find a loophole to keep Richard in for her friends at SAPOA (whose support she'll need for re-election since she can't dupe her former supporters into giving her money again), in which she will also run up the legal bills for the city that she pretends to complain about. My bet is that Terry Cohen will have the correct legal answer after doing research and Louise will ask Paul Wilber to slam Terry and write up some mega privileged and confidential opinion that Louise won't vote to release to the public in which that will cost the taxpayers even more money!
If you need some proof of how Louise Smith supports SAPOA, look at the time SAPOA gets in public comment. A couple of SBYNews readers commented on it yesterday. The new president, Chris Adams, gets up there and gives us yet another rundown of how and when they have contacted Mayor Ireton (I'll skip the one term this time because I can appreciate how tired he is of hearing the same thing over and over). What is this, the third time in a row we've heard this? Is she going to tell us every phone call they ever have with all those people she named?
And Stu Leer, you know, I can relate to this man's frustration and I think Jim "One Term Mayor" Ireton really blew it with this Slumlord of the Week thing he is doing, targeting a property Stu has only had a short time and in which the calls were service were before his time. Big mistake, Jim, big mistake, do your homework. But this is also Stu's third time up and Louise let's him go on and on and on back, rehashing every run in he's ever had with the city. We get it, Stu, all right? But Louise will cut off my friend and contributor GA Harrison and count his last 10 seconds down -- out loud!!!! (thanks to another reader comment for reminding me of that) -- while Stu Leer is welcome to however many minutes he cares to go on.
So you've got SAPOA taking up more time than discussing $52 million in corrections to the Wastewater Treatment Plant fiasco, Richard Insley holding hearings after his term has expired and NO vote was taken to reappoint or extend him and the mayor said "no," Louise letting SAPOA get up and talk for what seems forever when she would have banged the gavel at you, me or anyone else (except good old Mr. Trader, our history man) for taking up so much time, and Louise taking off the housing board appointment and sending it to work session when that has NEVER been done before...
It all adds up, folks, it all adds up! OH, and don't FORGET! Louise Smith is putting this on the work session she knows Debbie Campbell can't attend so she can be sure this appointment doesn't move forward. If I were you people, I'd do whatever I could to get out to that work session Thursday, June 24 at 1:30 p.m. (yes, when people are working so they can't come!) and even if you can't speak, you can look at Louise Smith while they discuss this. Write or call her and tell her this is just plain unacceptable! I know people are afraid of retaliation, but man up (or woman up) because if you don't, this city is going to be flushed down that $84 million + $52 million = $136 million Wastewater Treatment Plant once and for all. If you aren't mad as hell and not going to take this any more, I don't know what to do for you. I'm doing my part and have been a long long time! But let me close with this:
Louise Smith, Richard Insley, SAPOA...you've been BLOGGED!
Salisbury CIty Council Meeting AKA The SAPOA Show
As promised last night, I have a few observations about who was really running the show at Monday's city council meeting. The photo above of landlord and attorney T.J. Maloney (far left) with former city councilwoman Lynn Cathcart, with landlord Richard Insley who was chair of the Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals (back to us) and landlord Donnie Williams (far right) might help those who don't know who's who. Like I said last night, the landlord group, the Salisbury Area Property Owners Association or SAPOA, have been deep into Salisbury politics a long time.
Look at the facts, folks. Councilwoman Terry Cohen asks Council President Louise Smith why the Mayor's appointment to the Housing Board (to replace Richard Insley) was pulled from the agenda and sent to a work session. Why is this a big deal? Because no single appointment has EVER been sent to a work session, at least not that I can recall in the years I've been following the city politics and you know I've been at TONS of meetings. Louise only replies that there were "questions" and won't tell Terry what the questions were.
In the audience of the council meeting lining the back wall were plenty of SAPOA members including T.J. Maloney, Richard Insley and his son Richard III, Stu Leer and the new SAPOA president Chris Adams. Pretty good turnout from SAPOA. Something or someone probably tipped them off to what was going to happen about that appointment. In fact, why was Gary Comegys, heavily supported by SAPOA in his council and mayor races, making the amazing effort to leave a sick bed and be there of all nights? His vote wouldn't have changed anything different from another 2 to 2 deadlock. Cohen wouldn't have been able to get that appointment back on the agenda. Things that make you go hmmmmm. Shanie Shields had lots of support from SAPOA in her elections and Louise Smith hasn't supported anything that SAPOA opposes. Guess who voted against putting the appointment on the night's agenda? You got it, the same old same old 3 to 2 vote.
Now, I've got to ask, is SAPOA objecting to the person being appointed or to having Insley taken off the board that oversees, you guessed it, LANDLORDS! Or maybe it's both. If you go to the city's website and take a look at the briefing information found under the government-city council-agendas link, you can see the briefing materials for the work session, including information about the proposed appointee Sharon Lloyd. She's a realtor, not a landlord, she actually LIVES in the city (25 years) unlike Insley, she knows houses and business, so she sounds like she'd do a good job. So what's the beef? Right, she's not Richard Insley, who by the way I should mention used to be president of SAPOA while serving as chair of the housing board.
I haven't even gotten to the big shocker of all this, but this post is already getting long so I'll do that in another post later this morning that will blow your mind! SAPOA is nervous, folks, real nervous, and while they have some legitimate beefs with the city, there's no question they have been out of line in how they've done dirty by some candidates, used campaign scare tactics on their tenants and thrown their weight around Salisbury in which DC lobbyists would be green with envy. Yesterday, I showed how it's clear Louise Smith is already gearing up her campaign for next year's election and it looks like SAPOA is right with her in preparing for it too.
The New SBYNEWS.COM Tee Shirts Are In!
Front
BackHot off the press! Our new tee shirts were delivered yesterday afternoon and we can't wait to get them into circulation throughout the Eastern Shore.
You can count on Salisbury News to be at special events giving away these tee shirts. Keep your eyes open because you may just see them for sale in a retail store near you.
Just As I Had Predicted, The Volunteers At Station 16 Are Gone
More than two years ago I stood in front of the City Council with Chief See and Deputy Chief Gordy in the audience, (while on PAC 14) and I turned to face them and said, the volunteers will not go to the new Fire Station, that's all there is to it.Even though Mr. Gordy was NOT on the list to speak at this meeting, he immediately jumped up and followed me denying this would be the case. See & Gordy both expanded on how they have more than 140 Volunteers at Fire Station 16.
They even went so far, (soon after) as to create a television commercial as well as an ad campaign to promote more volunteers. One can only wonder what that cost those who made donations and or at taxpayers expense?
Nevertheless, today there are less than a hand full of Volunteer Firefighters who regularly frequent Station 16. They may have 140 plus or minus on their roster but less than FIVE work out of that Station.
Now let's not forget all of the money that went into a Bunk Room to house Volunteers. They boasted on how they were going to bring in Volunteers Firefighters from Salisbury University and let them live there while they went to school. How's it working for you Fellas?
Tens of thousands of dollars went into a commercial kitchen to feed the Firefighters, yet we're constantly reading about how so many taxpayers see them at Panera Bread, the Greene Turtle and other locations eating out.
To be quite frank with all of you. Mr. Comegys, (Mr. 99.9% of the time) the Bridge won't be up, (yet he forgot to tell everyone Isabella Street has a weight restriction) but in case it is they could just go around it. He supported that new Fire Station just as he did the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Heck, he even bragged about his support in his Mayoral Campaign. Where are we now Gary!
Everything that was promised with this new $14,000,000.00 Fire Palace has been wrong. The other thing I'd like you to think about is, why did Joe Albero know all of the things they promised would be wrong. Well, its simple Folks. All I had to do was take everything certain individuals were saying, deduct about 75% of it as not being true and my end result odds are actually pretty darned accurate. What does that tell you about the integrity of the people I've questioned over the years.
Now you can understand why a certain group of people are furiously mad at me and why a huge amount of people respect what I do. It's time Mayor Ireton make a serious move. The Volunteers are pretty much extinct and they need a new leader. I'm sure Jim has his reasons for the delay but what a shame it has been to watch such a strong BROTHERHOOD disappear over less than a hand full of BS artists.
BP 'Excited' About Kevin Costner's Oil Cleanup Machine
Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com
BP is "excited" to be purchasing actor Kevin Costner's oil cleanup machines. See how this seemingly strange help from the Oscar-winner could change everything.
YouTube Aims To Be Major News Provider
Q&A with White House, News Feed breaking news feature are latest in site's evolution
If you’ve still got questions before or after President Barack Obama addresses the nation on the Gulf oil spill (tonight at 8 p.m. ET), go ahead and submit them to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. He’ll be doing his best to answer after the speech, live via YouTube.
It won’t be the first time the nation’s most tech-friendly presidency interacted with the masses via the video-sharing site. In 2008, the-then President-elect made history when he recorded the weekly Democratic Party address for radio and video that was posted on YouTube.
These days, the White House has its own YouTube channel. And starting now, you can submit your questions in either video or text form via the site’s recently-updated Google Moderator tool. (Google owns YouTube.) Even if you don’t have a question to submit, you can view and vote for questions from others.
GO HERE to read more.
If you’ve still got questions before or after President Barack Obama addresses the nation on the Gulf oil spill (tonight at 8 p.m. ET), go ahead and submit them to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. He’ll be doing his best to answer after the speech, live via YouTube.
It won’t be the first time the nation’s most tech-friendly presidency interacted with the masses via the video-sharing site. In 2008, the-then President-elect made history when he recorded the weekly Democratic Party address for radio and video that was posted on YouTube.
These days, the White House has its own YouTube channel. And starting now, you can submit your questions in either video or text form via the site’s recently-updated Google Moderator tool. (Google owns YouTube.) Even if you don’t have a question to submit, you can view and vote for questions from others.
GO HERE to read more.
Hallmark Pulls Card With Audio Clip Over Accusations Of Astronomical Racism
It's so hard to understand each other in this life. First there was that unfortunate honey bun mixup, and now Hallmark is trying to prevent a bunch of press conferences from happening (too late!) by pulling a graduation card from shelves. Why? Because either Hoots or Yo-Yo--I don't know which character is which--spouts shockingly racist insults and threats when you open the card. Well, maybe.
Video Raises Questions About Md.'s Wiretap Law
WASHINGTON - Is it a way to protect yourself from abuse of power? Or is it an invasion of privacy? A YouTube video of a Maryland traffic stop is at the center of that debate.
Maryland motorcyclist Anthony Graber had a camera on the top of his helmet to record his ride down Interstate 95. He admits he was speeding and popping wheelies.
A Maryland State Trooper in an unmarked car pulled him over. The trooper, in a sweatshirt and jeans, pulled out a gun to make the traffic stop.
Graber was indicted for violating Maryland's wiretap laws, for recording the trooper without his consent.
The 1970s wiretap law applies to audio recordings. Maryland requires all parties to consent before a recording is made. Virginia and D.C. do not.
The law came about well before the age of cellphones and tiny video cameras.
GO HERE to read more and watch video.
Maryland motorcyclist Anthony Graber had a camera on the top of his helmet to record his ride down Interstate 95. He admits he was speeding and popping wheelies.
A Maryland State Trooper in an unmarked car pulled him over. The trooper, in a sweatshirt and jeans, pulled out a gun to make the traffic stop.
Graber was indicted for violating Maryland's wiretap laws, for recording the trooper without his consent.
The 1970s wiretap law applies to audio recordings. Maryland requires all parties to consent before a recording is made. Virginia and D.C. do not.
The law came about well before the age of cellphones and tiny video cameras.
GO HERE to read more and watch video.
Missouri Pooper Scooper Finds $58 In Doggie Doo
ST. LOUIS — This is why your mother says to wash your hands after handling money.
An employee of DoodyCalls Pet Waste Removal in St. Louis says he recently found $58 packed in dog poop, then returned the cash to the pooch's owner.
But Steve Wilson says he sanitized the bills first.
GO HERE to read more.
An employee of DoodyCalls Pet Waste Removal in St. Louis says he recently found $58 packed in dog poop, then returned the cash to the pooch's owner.
But Steve Wilson says he sanitized the bills first.
GO HERE to read more.
Papa John's Somehow Tops Customer Satisfaction Survey
While Domino's has scrambled to re-imagine their pizza recipes and Pizza Hut continues to basically give away their pizzas for a pittance, it was Papa John's who apparently made the best impression on eaters in the last year. The Kentucky-based chain has topped not only its pizzeria rivals, but all fast foods in an annual survey of customer satisfaction.
D.C. Woman's House Overrun By Too Many Cats
The cute little kittens are now being cared for with plenty of food and water, but the Washington Humane Society said last week they were living in an unkempt northwest D.C. rowhouse overrun with cats.
“The conditions were pretty filthy inside the house,” said Washington Humane Society law enforcement officer Jennifer Gardner. “With that many cats, there’s obviously not a whole lot of litter boxes being used, so they were going to the bathroom all over the house.” After a tip, Humane Society officers raided the house June 9 and found 55 cats living in every nook and cranny of the home, including one in a broken oven and another peering down from the ceiling.
“They were getting into fights with each other, so a lot of them had injuries,” said Gardner. “And then also with having a large number of cats, disease is just really rampant.”
GO HERE to read more.
“The conditions were pretty filthy inside the house,” said Washington Humane Society law enforcement officer Jennifer Gardner. “With that many cats, there’s obviously not a whole lot of litter boxes being used, so they were going to the bathroom all over the house.” After a tip, Humane Society officers raided the house June 9 and found 55 cats living in every nook and cranny of the home, including one in a broken oven and another peering down from the ceiling.
“They were getting into fights with each other, so a lot of them had injuries,” said Gardner. “And then also with having a large number of cats, disease is just really rampant.”
GO HERE to read more.
Wells Fargo Stage Coach Comes To Salisbury
Hi Joe:I wonder if you could help us spread the word about an event next Thursday, June 17th. We are having the Wells Fargo stagecoach, an exact replica of the one used in the 1800's, come to the Wells Fargo office in Salisbury, located at 1000 E. Main Street in Salisbury. We have invited the public, daycare centers, local politicians, etc to come from 2 pm to 4 pm for stagecoach rides. We give cowboy hats and balloons to all of the children. The coach is pulled by four specially trained horses and the driver, takes the stagecoach by tractor trailer up and down the East Coast. (there is another stagecoach for the West Coast!) We did this in 2007 and we had about 150 children and adults come for the rides. Because we are located next to the Atria Assisted Living, we also take the residents (who enjoyed it more than the kids) for rides.
From 5-7 at night, we will sponsor (in conjunction with ERA Bill Martin) the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. We will once again have cowboy hats for the attendees, a picnic dinner, the stagecoach on display for photos and the local band, The Bone Daddys will play from 5-7. We hope you will join us for both events!
Residents Get 6 Votes Each In Suburban NY Election
PORT CHESTER, N.Y. – Arthur Furano voted early — five days before Election Day. And he voted often, flipping the lever six times for his favorite candidate. Furano cast multiple votes on the instructions of a federal judge and the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a new election system crafted to help boost Hispanic representation.
Voters in Port Chester, 25 miles northeast of New York City, are electing village trustees for the first time since the federal government alleged in 2006 that the existing election system was unfair. The election ends Tuesday and results are expected late Tuesday.
Although the village of about 30,000 residents is nearly half Hispanic, no Latino had ever been elected to any of the six trustee seats, which until now were chosen in a conventional at-large election. Most voters were white, and white candidates always won.
Federal Judge Stephen Robinson said that violated the Voting Rights Act, and he approved a remedy suggested by village officials: a system called cumulative voting, in which residents get six votes each to apportion as they wish among the candidates. He rejected a government proposal to break the village into six districts, including one that took in heavily Hispanic areas.
GO HERE to read more.
Voters in Port Chester, 25 miles northeast of New York City, are electing village trustees for the first time since the federal government alleged in 2006 that the existing election system was unfair. The election ends Tuesday and results are expected late Tuesday.
Although the village of about 30,000 residents is nearly half Hispanic, no Latino had ever been elected to any of the six trustee seats, which until now were chosen in a conventional at-large election. Most voters were white, and white candidates always won.
Federal Judge Stephen Robinson said that violated the Voting Rights Act, and he approved a remedy suggested by village officials: a system called cumulative voting, in which residents get six votes each to apportion as they wish among the candidates. He rejected a government proposal to break the village into six districts, including one that took in heavily Hispanic areas.
GO HERE to read more.
Flight Attendant Helps Land Plane When First Officer Falls Ill
(CNN) -- A flight attendant with a pilot's license ditched her normal duties and stepped in for a sick co-pilot of an American Airlines flight before the plane landed in Chicago, Illinois, airline officials said.
The first officer had become sick with 'flulike' symptoms yesterday, according to Tim Wagner, a spokesman for American Airlines. "He went back into the passenger cabin," he said. "That's when the captain began to solicit help from any passengers with a pilot's license."
One of the five flight attendants on board flight 1612 from San Francisco, California, told the captain that she is a commercial pilot, and she immediately took over the first officer's responsibilities, Wagner said.
"She called things out, and read through the pre-landing checklist," he said, adding that it was a very smooth transition.
GO HERE to read more.
The first officer had become sick with 'flulike' symptoms yesterday, according to Tim Wagner, a spokesman for American Airlines. "He went back into the passenger cabin," he said. "That's when the captain began to solicit help from any passengers with a pilot's license."
One of the five flight attendants on board flight 1612 from San Francisco, California, told the captain that she is a commercial pilot, and she immediately took over the first officer's responsibilities, Wagner said.
"She called things out, and read through the pre-landing checklist," he said, adding that it was a very smooth transition.
GO HERE to read more.
Why Is Obama Refusing To Waive The Jones Act? He's Aiding In The Destruction Of The Gulf
Obama has refused to waive the Jones Act. His Administration keeps putting the blame on the Coast Guard who puts the blame on others for not requesting the Jones Act be waived. Yet a simple Executive Order signed by Obama could waive the Jones Act in about 3 minutes, less time than it takes Obama to set up a tee on the golf course. The Gulf is in dire need of all the help it can get. When foreign entities with better expertise and equipment in oil spills offer to help, why is Obama refusing? While Obama dithers in his bad leadership of the Oil Spill, the Gulf Coast dies more and more each day.
The Jones Act was established in 1920 as the Merchant Marine Act:
“Section 27, also known as the Jones Act, deals with cabotage (i.e., coastal shipping) and requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried in U.S.-flag ships, constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. The purpose of the law is to support the U.S. merchant marine industry, but agricultural interests generally oppose it because, they contend, it raises the cost of shipping their goods, making them less competitive with foreign sources. [1]
In addition, amendments to the Jones Act, known as the Cargo Preference Act (P.L. 83-644), provide permanent legislation for the transportation of waterborne cargoes in U.S.-flag vessels.”
This means that foreign owned, built and manned vessels cannot help in the oil spill cleanup unless Obama waives the Jones Act. During Katrina President Bush waived the Jones Act because of the desperate situation, why isn’t Obama doing the same now?
The Jones Act is heavily backed by labor unions. could that be Obama’s reasoning? Maybe Obama doesn’t want to make his Union buddies upset? There’s no other reason that one could possibly think of as to why Obama has not waived the Jones Act. There is absolutely no excuse for Obama, our ‘global leader’, not bring in help from around the world.
The Jones Act was established in 1920 as the Merchant Marine Act:
“Section 27, also known as the Jones Act, deals with cabotage (i.e., coastal shipping) and requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried in U.S.-flag ships, constructed in the United States, owned by U.S. citizens, and crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. The purpose of the law is to support the U.S. merchant marine industry, but agricultural interests generally oppose it because, they contend, it raises the cost of shipping their goods, making them less competitive with foreign sources. [1]
In addition, amendments to the Jones Act, known as the Cargo Preference Act (P.L. 83-644), provide permanent legislation for the transportation of waterborne cargoes in U.S.-flag vessels.”
This means that foreign owned, built and manned vessels cannot help in the oil spill cleanup unless Obama waives the Jones Act. During Katrina President Bush waived the Jones Act because of the desperate situation, why isn’t Obama doing the same now?
The Jones Act is heavily backed by labor unions. could that be Obama’s reasoning? Maybe Obama doesn’t want to make his Union buddies upset? There’s no other reason that one could possibly think of as to why Obama has not waived the Jones Act. There is absolutely no excuse for Obama, our ‘global leader’, not bring in help from around the world.
The Dutch offered their help 3 DAYS after the Gulf Oil Spill yet the Administration said:
"..While there is no need right now that the U.S. cannot meet, the U.S. Coast Guard is assessing these offers of assistance to see if there will be something which we will need in the near future."
GO HERE to read more.
BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Home Construction Plunges 10% In May, Building Permits Fall 5.9%
Housing starts and permits tumble in May
New home construction hits lowest in five months as tax credit ends
WASHINGTON - U.S. housing starts fell more than expected in May to their lowest level in five months, a government report showed on Wednesday, as a popular homebuyer tax credit that had buoyed construction activity over the past two months expired.
The Commerce Department said housing starts dropped 10 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000 units, the lowest level since December. The percentage decline was the biggest in 14 months. April's housing starts were revised down to show a 3.9 percent increase, which was previously reported as a 5.8 percent rise.
Analysts polled by Reuters had expected housing starts to fall to 650,000 units. Compared to May last year, starts were up 7.8 percent.
GO HERE to read more.
New home construction hits lowest in five months as tax credit ends
WASHINGTON - U.S. housing starts fell more than expected in May to their lowest level in five months, a government report showed on Wednesday, as a popular homebuyer tax credit that had buoyed construction activity over the past two months expired.
The Commerce Department said housing starts dropped 10 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000 units, the lowest level since December. The percentage decline was the biggest in 14 months. April's housing starts were revised down to show a 3.9 percent increase, which was previously reported as a 5.8 percent rise.
Analysts polled by Reuters had expected housing starts to fall to 650,000 units. Compared to May last year, starts were up 7.8 percent.
GO HERE to read more.
BP E-mails Show Decisions Pre-Blast To Save ‘Lots Of Time’ And Money
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, in an effort to press BP on its cost-cutting and time-saving decisions that led to the Gulf disaster, has released a series of documents that seem to show BP cutting corners on what it knew was a “nightmare well.” We’ve put many of them in our document viewer—linked below—so you can check them out.One e-mail, for instance, noted that BP’s chosen well design “saves lots of time ... at least 3 days.”
According to the House committee’s letter to BP CEO Tony Hayward, BP chose this more risky option despite the fact that in April a review of the plan recommended against it. Another option being considered “would have cost $7 to $10 million more and taken longer,” according to the committee.
New Rules Protect Credit Card Users
Issuers barred from charging a late fee of more than $25
WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve adopted new rules Tuesday aimed at protecting credit card customers from getting socked by lofty late payment charges and other penalty fees.
The rules respond to public and congressional outrage over practices by credit card companies.
They bar credit card companies from charging a penalty fee of more than $25 for paying a bill late. They prohibit credit card companies from charging penalty fees that are higher than the dollar amount associated with the customer's violation. They also ban so-called "inactivity" fees when customers don't use the account to make new purchases and they prevent multiple penalty fees on a single late payment.
GO HERE to read more.
WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve adopted new rules Tuesday aimed at protecting credit card customers from getting socked by lofty late payment charges and other penalty fees.
The rules respond to public and congressional outrage over practices by credit card companies.
They bar credit card companies from charging a penalty fee of more than $25 for paying a bill late. They prohibit credit card companies from charging penalty fees that are higher than the dollar amount associated with the customer's violation. They also ban so-called "inactivity" fees when customers don't use the account to make new purchases and they prevent multiple penalty fees on a single late payment.
GO HERE to read more.
Photo Of The Day: Chocolate Pudding
One of two one-ton masses of tarball material recovered south of Perdido Pass, Fla., by the crew of the lift boat Sailfish, on June 11, 2010. (Petty Officer 3rd Class John Walker, USCG)
Although it resembles one giant bowl of fudge, today’s image isn’t as tasty. It actually shows a one-ton pile of tarball material recovered off of the coast of Florida. And what exactly is tarball material? According to NOAA, tarballs are “remnants of oil spills” that when mixed with water form what “looks like chocolate pudding.”
Lawmakers Seek To Gut Ethics Office
The Office of Congressional Ethics, a powerful symbol of Democrats’ promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington, is in danger of having its power stripped after the midterm elections.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have led the charge, airing complaints about the aggressive, independent panel in a private session with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last month, and they’ve drafted a resolution that, if approved, would severely curtail the panel’s power.
But there’s hot competition between the CBC and the official House ethics committee over who has less regard for the Office of Congressional Ethics, also known as the OCE. And the rest of the House doesn’t appear to be far behind in its disdain. Privately, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, and even some congressional leaders, acknowledge that there’s a strong sentiment to change rules that empower the office to publicize investigations and wreak havoc on lawmakers’ political lives.
“We might have to take a fresh look, at some point, at the authority of the OCE,” said North Carolina Democratic Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who is a member of both the CBC and the ethics committee.
GO HERE to read more.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have led the charge, airing complaints about the aggressive, independent panel in a private session with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last month, and they’ve drafted a resolution that, if approved, would severely curtail the panel’s power.
But there’s hot competition between the CBC and the official House ethics committee over who has less regard for the Office of Congressional Ethics, also known as the OCE. And the rest of the House doesn’t appear to be far behind in its disdain. Privately, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, and even some congressional leaders, acknowledge that there’s a strong sentiment to change rules that empower the office to publicize investigations and wreak havoc on lawmakers’ political lives.
“We might have to take a fresh look, at some point, at the authority of the OCE,” said North Carolina Democratic Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who is a member of both the CBC and the ethics committee.
GO HERE to read more.
Wild Turkey Event
NWTF is hosting a free event for youngsters at the Delmar VFW this Sat June 19
8:00 Am to Approx. 2:00
Archery , Canine Display, Hunting Interests, etc.
Food and drinks
Fun day for Kids and Parents alike
8:00 Am to Approx. 2:00
Archery , Canine Display, Hunting Interests, etc.
Food and drinks
Fun day for Kids and Parents alike
PITCHING KEYS SHOREBIRDS 2-1 GAME TWO WIN
Kieron Pope Delivers Both RBI Hits
Salisbury, Md. – For a second consecutive night, the Shorebirds held the Kannapolis Intimidators in check en route to a 2-1 win at Perdue Stadium on Tuesday night. The ‘Birds have won a season high five straight games at home.
The Delmarva Shorebirds grabbed an early lead in the first inning. T.J. Baxter hit a lead off double to the wall in left field. Then, Brian Conley hit a slow roller up the third base side to push Baxter to third. Kieron Pope followed with another soft grounder up the third base side to score Baxter.
In the fourth, the Intimidators tied the game at 1-1. Brady Shoemaker was hit by a Bobby Bundy pitch to the start the inning. Then, Ian Gac singled Shoemaker to third after he advanced to second on a wild pitch. The next batter, Nick Ciolli, hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Shoemaker.
The Shorebirds regained the lead in the fifth inning. Kieron Pope hit a two-out base knock up the middle to score Ty Kelly.
Bobby Bundy was sharp in five innings to earn his second win. He allowed only four hits and a run. Pat Kantakevich shut down the Intimidators in the sixth and seventh innings. Then, Brent Allar turned aside Kannapolis in the eighth.
Josh Dowdy picked up his tenth save in as many chances in the ninth inning.
T.J. Baxter and Kieron Pope led the offensive attack with three hits each.
Salisbury, Md. – For a second consecutive night, the Shorebirds held the Kannapolis Intimidators in check en route to a 2-1 win at Perdue Stadium on Tuesday night. The ‘Birds have won a season high five straight games at home.
The Delmarva Shorebirds grabbed an early lead in the first inning. T.J. Baxter hit a lead off double to the wall in left field. Then, Brian Conley hit a slow roller up the third base side to push Baxter to third. Kieron Pope followed with another soft grounder up the third base side to score Baxter.
In the fourth, the Intimidators tied the game at 1-1. Brady Shoemaker was hit by a Bobby Bundy pitch to the start the inning. Then, Ian Gac singled Shoemaker to third after he advanced to second on a wild pitch. The next batter, Nick Ciolli, hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Shoemaker.
The Shorebirds regained the lead in the fifth inning. Kieron Pope hit a two-out base knock up the middle to score Ty Kelly.
Bobby Bundy was sharp in five innings to earn his second win. He allowed only four hits and a run. Pat Kantakevich shut down the Intimidators in the sixth and seventh innings. Then, Brent Allar turned aside Kannapolis in the eighth.
Josh Dowdy picked up his tenth save in as many chances in the ninth inning.
T.J. Baxter and Kieron Pope led the offensive attack with three hits each.
Cavalier Telephone Quietly Bleeding Its Customers With Old vs. New Fees For Same Services?
Joe,
I've been a Cavalier DSL/phone customer for about ten years. Their service has been excellent, as have the features that are included, all at a cost that's a good value. However, it seems that with a recent change in their marketing, they're pulling something reminiscent of the stuff Ma Bell used to when she was the only game in town. People using CavTel should check the company's current sales programs (www.cavtel.com) to see if they're going to be paying more without having to.
Here's a transcript of my chat with a customer service rep at CavTel:
info: Thank you for chatting with Cavalier Telephone! A Customer Service representative will be with you shortly.
info: Thank you for using the Cavalier Telephone Live Chat Service. My name is Steven, in Palm Harbor, FL. How may I help you?
Steven: Thank you for contacting Cavalier, in order to better assist you may I have your first and last name?
Customer: Hello, Steven.
Steven: Good afternoon, Mr Customer, how may I assist you?
Customer: I have a question about the package I have, which is the Bronze package with dsl and unlimited local calls and 5 cent long distance.
Customer: I was looking at the current packages online and one is about what I have except it seems to be cheaper. The only difference would be the cost of long distance by the minute.
Customer: What would that cost be?
Steven: Here are the High Speed Internet plans that Cavalier offers:
Steven: 1) Local Connect Plus $55.00 plus taxes
Steven: Includes Unlimited local calling and 12 calling features and DSL, domestic long distance; 0.05 cent per minute
Steven: 2) Complete Connect Plus $65.00 plus taxes
Steven: Includes Unlimited local calling and Domestic Long Distance (up to 5000) and 12 calling features and DSL
Customer: So, what I have is currently called Local Connect Plus. So why am I paying $7 a month more for the same thing, if that's what it is?
Customer: And how long have I been doing it?
Steven: No you do not have the Local Connect Plus plan your have the Bronze plan. The Bronze plan is no longer available for new customers.
Customer: But it seems as though the features of the two are exactly the same, no?
Steven: Yes, they could have the same features.
Customer: Could have? I don't understand.
Steven: These features have been available since April 6th, 2010.
Customer: I'm losing you here. To which features do you refer?
Steven: Thank you for your patience.
Steven: Since I was not aware of your current plan, I needed to verify what you received with that plan. Yes, you would receive the same features with both plans.
Customer: When did the Local Connect Plus Plan come into existence?
Steven: April 6, 2010 is when these new plans were introduced.
Customer: Then I didn't miss much.
Customer: It seems that it would be in my best interests to transfer my account to the Local Connect Plus Plan, unless spending that extra $7 a month is getting me something I don't know about.
Steven: I would be happy to place a request to have the plan changed.
Customer: Will there be any changes in service or disruption?
Steven: There would be no interruption in your service as this is a billing change only.
Customer: I'm curious as to how long I would have continued on the Bronze Package when the Local package is the same thing but for less money.
Customer: Are Bronze Package customers being informed of this?
Steven: The order can take up to 2 business days to complete. Your next invoice will reflect a prorate for the time that you were on the Bronze package.
Customer: Would my Bronze Package billing have continued even though there is a cheaper exact substitute?
Customer: Had I not changed it.
Steven: Yes, since we did not cancel the Bronze package you would continue have billed on that plan.
Customer: I see. Seems a bit shady, if you don't mind me saying so, to let customers pay more for the same thing after a change comes about. I realize that policy isn't in your arena, but maybe you could pass this thread on to a supervisor.
Customer: Thanks for your help, Steven.
Steven: I will forward your concern.
Customer: Thank you. I will continue to address the topic with the company.
Steven: I'm sorry for the delay. I'll be right with you.
Customer: Please end this chat session, unless there's something else you'd like to discuss. Thanks again.
Steven: I do apologize however we are not able to change your plan to a new one if the old plan is still billing.
Customer: I don't want the old plan. I want the new plan. I understand the issue.
Steven: As a one time courtesy, I will issue a credit for $14.00. That would reflect two months of a $7.00 difference.
Customer: Thank you for that. Will everyone else on the Bronze Package be notified that an exact substitute for their plan is available at a lower cost, or will they unknowingly be paying more for the same services until..... forever?
Steven: I do apologize for the confusion, we do not have to notified customer of pricing changes. That is up to the customer to verify if they are on the best plan for their needs.
Customer: Okay. That answers my question.
Customer: Thanks for your help and courtesy, Steven.
Steven: Are there any other questions or concerns that I can assist you with today?
Customer: That's it! Have a great day!
Steven: Thank you for chatting with Cavalier Telephone! We value your feedback. Please take a few moments to tell us about your experience. A few questions will appear when you click "X" at the top right of the chat window to close the chat.
Customer: bye
I've been a Cavalier DSL/phone customer for about ten years. Their service has been excellent, as have the features that are included, all at a cost that's a good value. However, it seems that with a recent change in their marketing, they're pulling something reminiscent of the stuff Ma Bell used to when she was the only game in town. People using CavTel should check the company's current sales programs (www.cavtel.com) to see if they're going to be paying more without having to.
Here's a transcript of my chat with a customer service rep at CavTel:
info: Thank you for chatting with Cavalier Telephone! A Customer Service representative will be with you shortly.
info: Thank you for using the Cavalier Telephone Live Chat Service. My name is Steven, in Palm Harbor, FL. How may I help you?
Steven: Thank you for contacting Cavalier, in order to better assist you may I have your first and last name?
Customer: Hello, Steven.
Steven: Good afternoon, Mr Customer, how may I assist you?
Customer: I have a question about the package I have, which is the Bronze package with dsl and unlimited local calls and 5 cent long distance.
Customer: I was looking at the current packages online and one is about what I have except it seems to be cheaper. The only difference would be the cost of long distance by the minute.
Customer: What would that cost be?
Steven: Here are the High Speed Internet plans that Cavalier offers:
Steven: 1) Local Connect Plus $55.00 plus taxes
Steven: Includes Unlimited local calling and 12 calling features and DSL, domestic long distance; 0.05 cent per minute
Steven: 2) Complete Connect Plus $65.00 plus taxes
Steven: Includes Unlimited local calling and Domestic Long Distance (up to 5000) and 12 calling features and DSL
Customer: So, what I have is currently called Local Connect Plus. So why am I paying $7 a month more for the same thing, if that's what it is?
Customer: And how long have I been doing it?
Steven: No you do not have the Local Connect Plus plan your have the Bronze plan. The Bronze plan is no longer available for new customers.
Customer: But it seems as though the features of the two are exactly the same, no?
Steven: Yes, they could have the same features.
Customer: Could have? I don't understand.
Steven: These features have been available since April 6th, 2010.
Customer: I'm losing you here. To which features do you refer?
Steven: Thank you for your patience.
Steven: Since I was not aware of your current plan, I needed to verify what you received with that plan. Yes, you would receive the same features with both plans.
Customer: When did the Local Connect Plus Plan come into existence?
Steven: April 6, 2010 is when these new plans were introduced.
Customer: Then I didn't miss much.
Customer: It seems that it would be in my best interests to transfer my account to the Local Connect Plus Plan, unless spending that extra $7 a month is getting me something I don't know about.
Steven: I would be happy to place a request to have the plan changed.
Customer: Will there be any changes in service or disruption?
Steven: There would be no interruption in your service as this is a billing change only.
Customer: I'm curious as to how long I would have continued on the Bronze Package when the Local package is the same thing but for less money.
Customer: Are Bronze Package customers being informed of this?
Steven: The order can take up to 2 business days to complete. Your next invoice will reflect a prorate for the time that you were on the Bronze package.
Customer: Would my Bronze Package billing have continued even though there is a cheaper exact substitute?
Customer: Had I not changed it.
Steven: Yes, since we did not cancel the Bronze package you would continue have billed on that plan.
Customer: I see. Seems a bit shady, if you don't mind me saying so, to let customers pay more for the same thing after a change comes about. I realize that policy isn't in your arena, but maybe you could pass this thread on to a supervisor.
Customer: Thanks for your help, Steven.
Steven: I will forward your concern.
Customer: Thank you. I will continue to address the topic with the company.
Steven: I'm sorry for the delay. I'll be right with you.
Customer: Please end this chat session, unless there's something else you'd like to discuss. Thanks again.
Steven: I do apologize however we are not able to change your plan to a new one if the old plan is still billing.
Customer: I don't want the old plan. I want the new plan. I understand the issue.
Steven: As a one time courtesy, I will issue a credit for $14.00. That would reflect two months of a $7.00 difference.
Customer: Thank you for that. Will everyone else on the Bronze Package be notified that an exact substitute for their plan is available at a lower cost, or will they unknowingly be paying more for the same services until..... forever?
Steven: I do apologize for the confusion, we do not have to notified customer of pricing changes. That is up to the customer to verify if they are on the best plan for their needs.
Customer: Okay. That answers my question.
Customer: Thanks for your help and courtesy, Steven.
Steven: Are there any other questions or concerns that I can assist you with today?
Customer: That's it! Have a great day!
Steven: Thank you for chatting with Cavalier Telephone! We value your feedback. Please take a few moments to tell us about your experience. A few questions will appear when you click "X" at the top right of the chat window to close the chat.
Customer: bye
Priceless Observations
Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself,
Lillian, you should have remained a virgin.'
- Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)
I had rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read description in catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine against a wall.
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Last week, I stated this woman was ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement.
- Mark Twain
Secret of good sermon is to have good beginning and good ending; and to have two as close together as possible
- George Burns
Santa Claus has right idea. Visit people only once a year.
- Victor Borge
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
- Mark Twain
By all means, marry. If you get good wife, you'll become happy; if you get bad one, you'll become philosopher.
- Socrates
I was married by judge. I should have asked for jury.
- Groucho Marx
My wife has slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.
- Jimmy Durante
I have never hated man enough to give his diamonds back.
- Zsa Zsa Gabor
Only Irish coffee provides in single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
- Alex Levine
My luck is so bad that if I bought cemetery, people would stop dying.
- Rodney Dangerfield
Money can't buy you happiness ... But it does bring you more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan
Until I was 13, I thought my name was SHUT UP.
- Joe Namath
I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.
- Bob Hope
I never drink water because of disgusting things that fish do in it.
- W. C. Fields
We could certainly slow aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress.
- Will Rogers =2 0
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.
- Phyllis Diller
By time man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere.
- Billy Crystal
And cardiologist's diet: if it tastes good spit it out.
Gentle Thoughts For Today
Birds of a feather flock together . . . .and then poop on your car.
A penny saved is a government oversight.
The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
He who hesitates is probably right.
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble..
Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs...'
Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of Algebra.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young. Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
A penny saved is a government oversight.
The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
He who hesitates is probably right.
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble..
Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs...'
Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of Algebra.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young. Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Why Modern Women Behave More Like Men
Women's bodies change with work trends
Women today behave very much more like men than their grandmothers. After all, they attend college to compete in careers (rather than to find a husband). They are interested in sex. They drink alcohol and do drugs. They are active in competitive sports, including as professionals.
Social scientists often attribute such profound changes to "sexual liberation" but this is really more of a semantic trick than a true scientific explanation. It is an exercise in circular reasoning. We should not be too surprised by that because virtually all so-called explanations in the social sciences follow a similar defective formula as I argue in scholarly detail in my recent book "The myth of culture: Why we need a genuine natural science of societies."
If women are behaving more like men and scholars attribute this to sexual liberation, we are entitled to be skeptical. It is tantamount to saying that women are now free to behave more like men because they are more free to behave like men (i.e., have been sexually liberated, or unshackled from feminine "roles"). We are in the presence of the Rumpelstiltskin effect - give the problem a name and it goes away.
It is all too easy to be a critic, of course. If one wanted to provide a real explanation for changing feminine behavior, what would this be? There are different possible levels of explanation but the most basic is biological. A lot of evidence is accumulating that the competitive behavior of men and women, just like that of other species is mediated by changing levels of sex hormones.
Using hormones as an explanation may seem far too simple, a case of biological reductionism run amuck. Ironically, hormonal explanations are never quite as simple as might be imagined for the simple reason that behavior affects hormones and hormones affect behavior in a never-ending chain of reciprocal causation. That is why hormones are such a valuable clue to understanding changes in gender-typed behavior.
GO HERE to read more.
Women today behave very much more like men than their grandmothers. After all, they attend college to compete in careers (rather than to find a husband). They are interested in sex. They drink alcohol and do drugs. They are active in competitive sports, including as professionals.
Social scientists often attribute such profound changes to "sexual liberation" but this is really more of a semantic trick than a true scientific explanation. It is an exercise in circular reasoning. We should not be too surprised by that because virtually all so-called explanations in the social sciences follow a similar defective formula as I argue in scholarly detail in my recent book "The myth of culture: Why we need a genuine natural science of societies."
If women are behaving more like men and scholars attribute this to sexual liberation, we are entitled to be skeptical. It is tantamount to saying that women are now free to behave more like men because they are more free to behave like men (i.e., have been sexually liberated, or unshackled from feminine "roles"). We are in the presence of the Rumpelstiltskin effect - give the problem a name and it goes away.
It is all too easy to be a critic, of course. If one wanted to provide a real explanation for changing feminine behavior, what would this be? There are different possible levels of explanation but the most basic is biological. A lot of evidence is accumulating that the competitive behavior of men and women, just like that of other species is mediated by changing levels of sex hormones.
Using hormones as an explanation may seem far too simple, a case of biological reductionism run amuck. Ironically, hormonal explanations are never quite as simple as might be imagined for the simple reason that behavior affects hormones and hormones affect behavior in a never-ending chain of reciprocal causation. That is why hormones are such a valuable clue to understanding changes in gender-typed behavior.
GO HERE to read more.
CSAFE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY TEAM MEETING
Mayor James Ireton, Jr. announces and the Salisbury City Council would like to invite all residents in the Church Street/Doverdale CSAFE area to the Graduation of CSAFE Neighborhood Safety Team Meeting.
This meeting will be held Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at Parkway Church Of God – Rt. 50 & 600 Edison Drive, Salisbury, MD http://www.parkwaycog.org
Topics for Discussion
Citizens concern
CSAFE announcement -
Up-date - National Night Out Week Aug. 3, 2010
Up-Coming Conflict Resolution Training
Ministerial Meeting – Anticipated meeting June 24 @ 6:00 (Higher Hope In Christ Church)
Other concerns / Open Discussion.
This meeting will be held Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at Parkway Church Of God – Rt. 50 & 600 Edison Drive, Salisbury, MD http://www.parkwaycog.org
Topics for Discussion
Citizens concern
CSAFE announcement -
Up-date - National Night Out Week Aug. 3, 2010
Up-Coming Conflict Resolution Training
Ministerial Meeting – Anticipated meeting June 24 @ 6:00 (Higher Hope In Christ Church)
Other concerns / Open Discussion.
SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
JUNE 24, 2010
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
1:30 p.m. 2009 Maryland Building Performance Standards – Bill Holland
2:00 p.m. Follow-up discussion – sidewalk sign standards – Bill Holland
2:30 p.m. Lease for Neighborhood Service Center (117 Princeton Avenue) – John Pick
3:00 p.m. Follow-up discussion – annexation fee schedule – John Pick
3:30 p.m. Appointment to Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals – John Pick
4:00 p.m. Fire Service Agreement – John Pick
4:35 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
1:30 p.m. 2009 Maryland Building Performance Standards – Bill Holland
2:00 p.m. Follow-up discussion – sidewalk sign standards – Bill Holland
2:30 p.m. Lease for Neighborhood Service Center (117 Princeton Avenue) – John Pick
3:00 p.m. Follow-up discussion – annexation fee schedule – John Pick
3:30 p.m. Appointment to Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals – John Pick
4:00 p.m. Fire Service Agreement – John Pick
4:35 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
Bring Your Family To Camp Under The Stars At Pemberton Park
Join us at Pemberton Historical Park this summer for a great weekend outdoors! Friday, July 23rd through Saturday, July 24th, Pemberton Historical Park will host a Family Campout.
Registration and set-up will begin at 7:00pm, followed by an evening of fun activities including a campfire, night hike, animal show and nature movie in the Education Center. As the evening draws to a close, families can head off to their tents for a restful night’s sleep underneath the stars. In the morning, participants will enjoy breakfast before heading out with Adrenaline High, Inc. for a 1.5-hour long kayak trip on Wetipquin Creek where they’ll have a chance to view Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles and more.
The campout is $95 for a family of four to six and is all inclusive (children should be 7 or older please). For more information please contact Kerri Liming at (410)860-2447 or email pembertonpark@wicomiocounty.org. Pemberton Historical Park is located at 5561 Plantation Lane in Salisbury, MD.
Registration and set-up will begin at 7:00pm, followed by an evening of fun activities including a campfire, night hike, animal show and nature movie in the Education Center. As the evening draws to a close, families can head off to their tents for a restful night’s sleep underneath the stars. In the morning, participants will enjoy breakfast before heading out with Adrenaline High, Inc. for a 1.5-hour long kayak trip on Wetipquin Creek where they’ll have a chance to view Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles and more.
The campout is $95 for a family of four to six and is all inclusive (children should be 7 or older please). For more information please contact Kerri Liming at (410)860-2447 or email pembertonpark@wicomiocounty.org. Pemberton Historical Park is located at 5561 Plantation Lane in Salisbury, MD.