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Monday, July 12, 2010

Shhhhhhhhh! This Is Top Secret

Target shooting fundraiser for Wicomico County Council candidate Mike Brewington at an undisclosed location. Suggested donation is $20 per person, with details and location available by calling (410) MAX-9999.

Although this meeting of High Security and Top Secret location was not intended for local citizens to know, (a KGB/AFP Operative) Salisbury News Detectives were able to drum up the Top Secret location as being, 3975 Meadow Bridge Rd. in Salisbury, Maryland.

If you're a new member of the secret organization "GPS" you can punch in the SECRET address and find the location, (Members Only).

Special Guest Speakers are Agent Maxwell Smart and Agent 99, (reported to have switched parties to the AFP). Listen for the GPS Code, "Missed It By That Much" and make your next right. B.Y.O.B. and lots of it.

Nightly News At 6 PM

AAA Application



To whom it may concern,

Today when I received my mail I got a surprise from you. An application from you to my DOG! She was a service dog who gave me several good years. During that time she never let on to me that she wanted to drive. There were many things she loved doing, driving wasn't one of them. Your letter is four years late. She died four years ago. I'm sure she's running around in Heaven barking and smiling at this application. Please take her off your list of contacts.

Thank you for your time and the laugh,
Kimmie Marshall

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases


On July 11, 2010 at approximately 10:10 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the parking lot of the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with two (2) victims, both adults, who advised that they had been robbed by a single suspect while sitting in a vehicle. The victims advised that while in the vehicle they were approached by the suspect who produced a handgun and demanded U.S. currency and cellular telephones. After taking a quantity of currency, and a cellular telephone, the suspect fled from the area on foot. There were no injuries. The handgun was described as silver in color and the suspect was described as:
Black male, approximately six (6) feet tall, mid twenties to early thirties in age, thin build, wearing a white tee shirt, blue jeans and a bandana on his head.
CC # 201000027658

On July 12, 2010 at approximately 2:02 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the area of Hastings Street and Gregory Street for the report of shots fired. Upon arrival the officers met with a witness who advised that a victim of a shooting had been transported to the hospital by a friend. The officers responded to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center and met with a victim who had been shot two (2) times, once in the leg and once in the back area. The victim was accompanied by a witness to the shooting. While at the hospital, a second victim appeared from the same incident. The second victim had received a slight gunshot injury to his left elbow and was treated and released. The victims and the witness advised the officers that they had been walking by themselves in the area of Hastings Street and heard several gunshots. All three (3) immediately began to flee the area until it was discovered that one (1) victim had sustained the injury to the back and leg. The first victim was transported to the Maryland Shock/Trauma center for treatment of his injuries. This incident is currently under investigation. CC # 201000027680
If anyone has any information concerning either of these two (2) incidents, they are asked to contact the Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165 or to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776. Information may be given anonymously.


On July 10, 2010 at approximately 1:40 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on the four hundred (400) block of Liberty Street for the report of a domestic assault. Upon arrival the officers met with an adult female victim who advised that she had been struck and threatened by the below listed suspect, a family member. The victim advised that during a domestic argument, the argument escalated and resulted in the suspect striking the victim in the facial area with his hand. The suspect then obtained a knife and held the knife to the victim’s throat. The suspect was stopped by another family member before further injuring the victim. The victim did not require medical assistance.

ARRESTED: Monroe Clifton Leonard, Jr., 42 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: First degree assault
Second degree assault
Possession of a deadly weapon
Reckless endangerment
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000027447

Don't Miss Our 6 PM News Broadcast Tonight

Uh Oh, That Doesn't Look Right!

Expect Salisbury City Council To Pass New Codes For Residential Sprinkler Systems Tonight


While this will be the first reading on residential sprinklers, several new codes will be presented tonight and some are concerned about the additional expense of installing such systems into new homes.

I, for one, support residential sprinkler systems. So you see an increase of $5,000.00 to $7,000.00 per home, (on average) increase on the cost of the home. I personally do not see where this is a big deal. The system goes off only in the area in which there is a fire, saving the home, (in most cases) yet some Firefighters say it only slows the fire down. I disagree and we'll have to agree to disagree on this matter.

Insurance rates come down quite a bit if you have one of these systems and the value of your home goes up. It's a win/win situation. If you also look down the road towards the future, the more homes that have these systems, the less you have to rely on $50,000,000.00 Fire Stations. Some Firefighters see this as a threat towards their future. Too bad! It should be more about saving lives and property than Fire Departments getting bigger and bigger and taxpayers having to front the money to keep up with their demands.

Former Fire Chief See and Assistant Chief Gordy have constantly shoved it down the taxpayers throats that they need to have the latest and greatest equipment. Well, I say, load up future homes with mandatory sprinkler systems and eventually downsize the Fire Departments.

The bigger question is, what do you think about mandatory residential sprinkler systems?

Poll: 75 Percent Of Americans Blame State Budget Problems On Politicians’ Un Willingness To Cut Spending

A recent Rasmussen poll shows that 75 percent of Americans place responsibility for state budget problems on politicians’ unwillingness to cut government spending and not on taxpayers’ unwillingness to pay more in taxes.

In fact, only 13 percent of the adults surveyed blamed the unwillingness of Americans to pay more in taxes as the cause of state budget woes. Another 12 percent were undecided about the issue.

These data come as 80 percent of those polled said their state is facing a budget crisis.

Rasmussen noted that this latest poll reinforces one from February, which showed that 83 percent of Americans “blamed the federal budget deficit on politicians’ unwillingness to cut spending,” and a May 2009 poll, in which 77 percent said “politicians’ unwillingness to cut spending is the bigger problem in America today.”

More

Lost Dog

Good Morning,

I have noticed the great luck your site has in reuniting lost pets with their owners. Our beagle left home on Friday night and we have looked all over the neighborhood for him but with no luck.

We live on Coulbourn Mill Road in the area of Fox Chase. His name is slick and here is a picture of him. Could you please post it on your site? Thank you very much for your help.


Dawn Bradley
443-783-2992

DELDOT Likes SBYNews So Much, They Came Back Again!

Image taken on 7-10-10

Image taken seconds ago on 7-12-10

After taking a shot of what I thought was the finished and final product, pavers were back again this morning putting yet another layer on Spring Hill Road, (Delaware side).

Joe Biden must be a big reader of Salisbury News. LOL

Enjoy Local Tractor Pull Contest Events

Photographer Claims He Was Detained For Snapping Pics

Cops are concerned about people shooting in the citys streets. The trouble is, theyre concerned about people who shoot with cameras.

Photographer Jerome Vorus writes on his blog that he was recently detained for photography by D.C. police after taking pictures of a traffic stop from a distance far enough not to impede in any police investigation. An officer asked him for security reasons why he was taking pictures and then asked him to produce identification. When Vorus asked if he was being detained, the officer, after dancing around the question, said he was free to go. But as that officer left, another approached, told Vorus he was being detained, and told him to put his camera away, according to the photog.

Vorus says four officers told him it is against the law to take pictures of people on a public street, or to take any pictures of police officers, without prior authorization. This, of course, is nonsense. As DCist observes, If this were the case, you could pretty much close your eyes, point to any tourist and call the cops on them.

The District has no law against recording on-duty police officers. Whats troubling is, three states do. Gizmodos Wendy McElroy says these laws apply even if the encounter involves you and may be necessary to your defense, and even if the recording is on a public street where no expectation of privacy exists.

In Illinois, a man who recorded his own arrest on a misdemeanor charge -- later dropped -- is facing prosecution for illegal recording, a Class I felony that could get him 15 years in prison.

Maryland also has such a law, which was recently used against motorcyclist Anthony Graber. As I wrote last month, that 1970s-era law was intended to protect citizens against secret recording, but is now being used by those in positions of power to avoid accountability.

Since 9/11, there have been more and more cases across the U.S. of police arresting citizen photographers without cause. Though some of these citizens, like YouTubes Jimmy Justice, are trying to document police wrongdoing, others have less political motives.

GO HERE to read more.

Great T-Shirt

Why Extend Barkley's Job For 6 Months If Your Intentions Are Less Than Honorable?


Since the Mayor and City Council just approved an extension to Ivan Barkley's job as Chief of Police, why run an ad in the DT's this weekend searching for another Chief of Police?

That's right Folks, the City ran a new ad for a new Chief. Has Salisbury News been right for the past year by stating that they really want Ernie Leatherbry for the job instead?

If you don't believe me, go back to Sunday's Help Wanted Ads and you'll see I'm 100% correct. Follow the bouncing ball!

Political Round Table Event

The Lower Shore Young Republicans will be holding their next meeting this Wednesday July 14th at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be open to the public and will take place at the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce building, located at 144 East Main Street. A social hour will follow the event at Flavor of Italy's restaurant located just down the street.

On the 14th the club will be hosting a Political round table event, where our guest will get an opportunity to hear from several local candidates and delegates on the issues. Thus far we have confirmed at least 5 candidates will be attending the event with a few others expected to join us. This will be a great event for all who attend to become more informed on the issues and to join any candidates campaign team.

I want to pack the room with young republicans, but do not want to just limit this event to our club. Therefore, anyone interested young or old may attend. Please spread the word about our JULY 14th meeting to anyone you think might be interested.

If you want to know more about the issues and where the candidates stand, please join us.

Again, this meeting will be open for all the public to attend.

Respectfully,

Mark A. Biehl
President
Lower Shore Young Republicans

Virginia Cools On Packing Heat

Virginians' urge to pack heat may be cooling off. Demand for concealed-handgun permits in the commonwealth is down compared to a year earlier.

According to state police records, the number of permits issued in the first half of this year was down nearly 40 percent compared to the same period last year.

Demand may be down now, but it was certainly up in 2009. Handgun permit applications skyrocketed 21 percent last year.

GO HERE to read more.

Double Shooting In Salisbury This Morning Around 2 AM

Two subjects showed up at PRMC Emergency Room early this morning with gunshot wounds and at least one serious. It supposedly happened in the area of E. Vine Street in Salisbury. This has been confirmed.

One victim was shot in the arm, the other in the back. One was taken to Shock Trauma, (only because they didn't have an operating room available at PRMC). His condition is not life threatening.

Both victims also took themselves to the Hospital and refuse to cooperate with Salisbury Police.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO HOST U.S. SENATE FIELD HEARING ON SMART, EFFECTIVE, AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNING

Senators Warner (VA) and Cardin (MD) bring hearing to Maryland to focus on Governor O’Malley’s CitiStat and StateStat initiatives, bringing accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness to government

ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 9, 2010)
– Governor Martin O’Malley will host U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (VA) and Benjamin L. Cardin (MD) for a field hearing of the Budget Committee’s Government Performance Task Force today at the State House. Also attending the hearing from Maryland’s Congressional delegation is Congressman John Sarbanes.

The bipartisan Task Force, chaired by Sen. Warner, has a broad mandate to examine federal program spending, reporting and accountability. Senators Warner and Cardin are conducting the field hearing to learn more about the CitiStat and StateStat initiatives championed by Governor O’Malley, and used by Maryland’s state and local governments to effectively track spending, analyze results and evaluate government performance.

Today’s meeting, which will be streamed live online, will be held at the Governor’s Reception Room in the Maryland State House.

Governor O’Malley pioneered CitiStat as Mayor of Baltimore ten years ago, a program that has been replicated dozens of times on local, state, federal, and international levels. CitiStat has helped three mayoral administrations in Baltimore streamline bureaucracy, improve the efficiency of city services and cut costs to taxpayers. In 2007, Governor Martin O’Malley extended CitiStat’s principles of accountability and transparency to Maryland state agencies by creating StateStat, and has extended its good governing principles to such actions as measuring clean-up efforts in the Chesapeake Bay, monitoring overtime costs for Corrections Officers, and deploying public safety resources throughout Maryland.

In October 2009, the Task Force on Government Performance was established to examine current federal program measurement systems that have been designed to ensure that policies are implemented efficiently and actually achieve the intended result. The Task Force will also examine how performance and program evaluation information is used during the budget process and draw on best practices from public, private, and non-profit experience, and from previous federal performance reform efforts

'Voice Of Yankee Stadium' Was A Witness To Sports History

(CNN) -- Bob Sheppard, the longtime public address announcer for the New York Yankees, died Sunday at his home in Baldwin, New York, a team spokesman said. He was 99.

Sheppard announced his first game at Yankee Stadium in 1951, and his last in 2007, according to a statement released by the Yankees. His career spanned 4,500 baseball games, including 121 playoff contests and 52 World Series games.

The native of the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood was known as "The Voice of Yankee Stadium."

Joe DiMaggio was in his last season and Mickey Mantle was on his first the year that Sheppard began his announcing duties, the Yankees said. He was there for Roger Maris' 61st home run in 1961 and Reggie Jackson's three-homer game at the World Series in 1977, the club said.

The Yankees discovered Sheppard at Yankee Stadium, where he was announcing for the then-Yankees football team. The football team hired him away from another football team who had found him when he was volunteering his services for a charity football game in Long Island, the Yankees said.

GO HERE to read more.

Media Connects Futures Of Obama, Reid

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com


As Harry Reid seeks his fifth term in a tough re-election bid against Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle, many in the media are tying Sen. Reid’s future to that of President Obama.

What’s A Maryland Lieutenant Governor To Do?


What does a Maryland lieutenant governor do for $125,000 a year, besides hanging around and waiting for the governor to become incapacitated? Whatever the governor tells him or her to do.


“In our constitution, the lieutenant governor in Maryland has no constitutional authority at all – only what the governor gives them,” ex-Gov. Bob Ehrlich told former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney last month as they had a joking exchange about Romney being “unemployed” and “available” to serve on Ehrlich’s ticket.


GO HERE to read more.

The 8 Lowest-Paying Jobs In America

Fast-food workers, dishwashers, cashiers top the list

The United States may soon have to replace the expression, “the land of opportunity,” with “the land of low wages.”

While the job market may still look grim for those looking to replace their good-paying office or manufacturing jobs, opportunities are expected to abound for a host of jobs paying less than $10 an hour, everything from cashiers to home care aides.

“If you look at the job growth distribution of the last two recoveries, it suggests we’re going to see growth of a lot more lower-income jobs,” said Peter Creticos, president and executive director for the Institute for Work and the Economy. He said that the lowest net growth was among middle-income jobs, such as manufacturing or office jobs, in the prior two recoveries. It remains to be seen what will happen with this recovery, he added, but “there is no indication this recovery will be any different.”

Low-wage jobs have always been part of the economic landscape, but wages have been suppressed for many years now. Part of the reason is supply and demand, Creticos said, as the huge baby boomer labor pool flooded the job market and, thanks to the bad economy, are working longer, many past retirement age.

GO HERE to read more.

DC Races To Win Italian Hearts

What a beautiful day for a bike ride! Though anyone glancing at the mass of bicycles jockeying for positioning on Pennsylvania Avenue Sunday would recognize that it was no ordinary day for cycling enthusiasts in Washington.


The blur of jerseys and spinning spokes was part of the 2010 Capital Criterium. Serious professionals raced for cash prizes. Children, as young as three-years-old, pedaled as fast as they could simply for the fun and glory of it all.


All those laps through downtown D.C. had a bigger goal: to bring one of the worlds biggest cycling races to the nations capital. Organizers of the CapCrit hope that Washington will be chosen to host the opening stages of the Giro dItalia. The Italian even is second only in popularity to the Tour de France.


GO HERE to read more.

Fidel Castro Set To Warn Of Nuclear War

Ex-Cuban leader will make rare TV appearance, newspaper says

HAVANA — Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who has lived in seclusion since falling ill four years ago, will appear on Cuban television and radio Monday evening to discuss his theory that the world is on the verge of nuclear war, the Communist Party newspaper Granma said in its Monday online edition.

The appearance will mark the second time in less than a week that the suddenly resurgent 83-year-old has made a public appearance, after staying out of view, except in occasional photographs and videos, since undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006.

Last Wednesday, he made a visit to a Havana scientific center that was disclosed in a blog on Saturday.

Castro is scheduled to appear on the Mesa Redonda, a daily talk show about current events that is usually transmitted live and seen across the island.

Castro writes opinion columns, or "Reflections," for Cuba's state-run media that in recent weeks have focused on his prediction that nuclear war will soon break out, sparked by a conflict between the United States and Iran over international sanctions against Iran's nuclear activities.

"The empire is at the point of committing a terrible error that nobody can stop. It advances inexorably toward a sinister fate," he wrote on July 5.

GO HERE to read more.

What A Difference Crossing the County Line Makes

It’s amazing. If you do one thing in Salisbury, it’s OK. If you do the same thing in Berlin it’s a federal crime. That appears to have always been the view over at the Daily Times.

When Barrie Tilghman was the mayor (sorry, the Queen) of Salisbury (sorry again – Barrieland), it was perfectly fine for the city government to meet behind closed doors on the most flimsy of excuses. City Attorney Paul Wilber even admitted that since “everything” was potentially subject to litigation, there was no reason argue over Queen Barrie’s Dream Team to meet behind closed doors. However, the DT crowed about taking the town of Berlin to the state’s Open Meetings Commission.

Now we have the battle of the liquor boards. Wicomico’s Liquor Control Board steals hundred of thousand’s of dollars from Wicomico taxpayers and it’s perfectly OK. Worcester’s LCB makes a few boo-boo’s and they need to be abolished.

I had no idea what a difference that county line made.

64 Killed As Bombers Target World Cup Viewers

Al-Qaida-linked group eyed after blasts; U.S. citizen was among the victims

KAMPALA, Uganda
— Simultaneous explosions tore through crowds watching the World Cup final at a rugby club and a restaurant in Uganda's capital, killing at least 64 people including one American, officials said. Police feared an al-Qaida-linked Somali militant group was behind the attacks.

The blasts went off as people watched the game between Spain and the Netherlands late Sunday. The attack on the rugby club, where crowds sat outside watching a large-screen TV, left 49 dead, police said. Fifteen others were killed in the restaurant explosion.

"We were watching soccer here and then when there were three minutes to the end of the match an explosion came ... and it was so loud," witness Juma Seiko told Reuters.

Several Americans from a Pennsylvania church group were wounded in the restaurant attack including Kris Sledge, 18, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.

"I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running," Sledge said from the hospital. His right leg was wrapped and he had burns on his face. "I love the place here but I'm wondering why this happened and who did this ... At this point we're just glad to be alive."

GO HERE to read more.

BP ‘Pleased’ With New Containment Cap

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New Taxes Make Utility Bills Soar

ROCKVILLE, Md. - You might be a little shocked if you haven't taken a look at your electricity bill lately.

A 150 percent energy tax increase went into effect July 1 in Montgomery County. It will be in effect for two years.

The tax per kilowatt hour of electricity use jumped from half a cent to 1.3 cents. The cost per therm of natural gas rose from 4 cents to 11.5 cents.

Last month's increased energy bills were tied to a temporary -- even larger -- energy tax increase passed by the Montgomery County Council in May to make budget for the fiscal year, according to The Examiner. The energy tax rate was increased 300-percent until the end of June.

Patrick Lacefield, a spokesman for County Executive Isiah "Ike" Leggett, says the increase is unavoidable.

"Barring an increase in this tax, however, county government would have been required to make even deeper reductions in county services," he tells the paper.

In a complaint to the council, one Gaithersburg resident wrote that he was shocked to see the energy tax on his June Pepco bill jump to $41.63, after being billed $7.31 in May.

Source

A Letter To The Editor

MR. POLLITT: PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR DECISION

Having the “public information officer” make statements to the media about conditions in the Government Office Building (“it’s hotter than hell”) is an affront to those who have been working there in recent weeks with or no air conditioning or fresh air. If Mr. Pollitt had cut the “PIO” position instead of filling it when he became the Wicomico County Executive four years ago, there would be $250,000 or more that could have been used to replace the obsolete A/C system.

Unfortunately, he probably sees the situation at the GOB as yet another reason why he needs to have a spokesperson “now more than ever.” The upcoming election, of course, has nothing to do with that need.

If Mr. Pollitt retains the current or another person as his mouthpiece for a second term, it will bring to at least one-half million dollars the taxpayers’ funds that could have been saved or used for pressing needs that have gone unmet. Please, Rick, stop blaming it on the tax revenue cap.

Israeli Navy Prepares For Libyan Flotilla

The navy went on high alert Sunday as activists behind a Libyan-backed ship that set sail from Greece the day before expressed determination to sail directly for Gaza, and not El-Arish in the Sinai, in an attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade.

Defense officials said the navy was tracking the ship and had put forces on standby in case it needed to board the vessel, as it did when confronted with the Gazabound flotilla in late May.

Violent resistance aboard one of those ships, the Mavi Marmara, left nine Turkish activists dead.

The navy, the officials said, would make contact with the ship while it was still far from Gaza, likely in international waters, and request that it follow naval vessels into Ashdod Port. If it refuses or does not agree to sail to Egypt, Israel has prepared plans to commandeer it.

Government officials called the entire episode a superfluous and unnecessary gesture.

The official said Israel would allow no ship to break the “security envelope” around the Gaza Strip, but added that the organizers could bring the vessel into Ashdod, and that Israel would allow representativesfrom the boat to accompany the cargo – reportedly some 2,000 tons of rice, sugar and corn oil – into Gaza.

The ship is being funded by a charity headed by a son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and is expected to approach Gaza early Wednesday morning.

More here

Amnesty Would Cost U.S. Taxpayers At Least $2.6 Trillion

(Originally published by the Heritage Foundation on June 6, 2007)

The Senate is currently considering a massive immigration reform bill, the "Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and immigration Reform Act of 2007" (S. 1348). This bill would grant amnesty to nearly all illegal immigrants currently in the United States.

The fiscal consequences of this amnesty will vary depending on the time period analyzed. It is expected that many illegal immigrants who are currently working "off the books" and paying no direct taxes will begin to work "on the books" after receiving amnesty, and therefore tax payments will rise immediately. By contrast, under S. 1348, benefits to these immigrants from Social Security, Medicare, and most means-tested welfare programs (such as Food Stamps, public housing, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) will be delayed for many years. In consequence, then, the increase in taxes and fines paid by amnesty recipients may initially exceed slightly the increase in government benefits received. In the long run, however, the opposite will be true. In particular, the cost of retirement benefits for amnesty recipients is likely to be very large. Overall, the net cost to taxpayers of retirement benefits for amnesty recipients is likely to be at least $2.6 trillion.

Who Are the Illegal Immigrants?

According to the most widely accepted estimates, there were 11.5 million to 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States in the spring of 2006.[1] Because the number of illegal immigrants has, on average, increased by roughly 500,000 each year, the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. in 2007 is probably around 12 million to 12.5 million; however, these estimates are uncertain, and the actual number of illegal immigrants may be higher.

Illegal immigrants now make up about 4 percent of the U.S. population, meaning that about one in twenty-five persons currently in the U.S. is here unlawfully. Illegal immigrants make up nearly one-third of the foreign-born population in the U.S.

Read the report here

WHY WILL YOU VOTE FOR MIKE BREWINGTON?

As a non-incumbent, Mr. Brewington is running for Wicomico County Council, At-large.

These rules apply to comments:

1. Only positive statements about the candidate will be posted. Comments that attack the candidate or anyone else will not be posted, and that includes "sneak attacks" – for example: "Because I want higher taxes and more spending."

2. Long personal accolades will not be posted – the goal is to present the pertinent facts not a facade about the candidates. Short accolades (25 words or less) are OK.

PLEASE: if you do not plan to vote for the candidate, don’t send any comment for this post.

Obama At Odds With Petraeus Doctrine On 'Islam'

The White House's official policy of banning the word "Islam" in describing America's terrorist enemies is in direct conflict with the U.S. military's war-fighting doctrine now guiding commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan.

John O. Brennan, President Obama's chief national security adviser for counterterrorism, delivered a major policy address on defining the enemy. He laid out the White House policy of detaching any reference to Islam when referring to terrorists, be it al Qaeda, the Taliban or any other group.

But Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the man tapped by Mr. Obama as the new top commander in Afghanistan, led the production of an extensive counterinsurgency manual in December 2006 that does, in fact, tell commanders of a link between Islam and extremists.

The Petraeus doctrine refers to "Islamic insurgents," "Islamic extremists" and "Islamic subversives." It details ties between Muslim support groups and terrorists. His co-author was Gen. James F. Amos, whom Mr. Obama has picked as the next Marine Corps commandant and Joint Chiefs of Staff member.

Mr. Brennan on May 26 told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies that "describing our enemy in religious terms would lend credence to the lie propagated by al Qaeda and its affiliates to justify terrorism, that the United States is somehow at war against Islam. The reality, of course, is that we have never been and will never be at war with Islam. After all, Islam, like so many faiths, is part of America."

In a speech that also severed the Obama administration from President George W. Bush's "war on terror," Mr. Brennan also said: "The president's strategy is absolutely clear about the threat we face. Our enemy is not terrorism because terrorism is but a tactic. Our enemy is not terror because terror is a state of mind and, as Americans, we refuse to live in fear. Nor do we describe our enemy as jihadists or Islamists because jihad is holy struggle, a legitimate tenet of Islam meaning to purify oneself of one's community."

Read more from The Washington Times

GOP Prepares For Dem Push On Finance, Cap And Trade

US lawmakers return from a week-long break Monday to fight unfinished battles over a historic finance industry overhaul, a US Supreme Court nomination, and funding for the unpopular Afghan war.

US President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate and House of Representatives also aim to pass measures aimed at battling stubbornly high US unemployment, their main weakness ahead of November midterm elections.

Time is short: Lawmakers have just three full weeks before a month-long August break, after which the political campaign traditionally shifts into high gear with control of the US Congress and key governorships on the line.

And Democrats face opposition from Republicans, who have ramped up warnings that the swelling US deficit and the ballooning national debt it feeds threaten the United States' future.

The US Senate was to pursue its work on a jobs package immediately upon its return, and could also take up the war spending measure and hold the final vote on Wall Street overhaul legislation this week, Democratic aides said.

Analysts expect the new banking rules -- the most sweeping such initiative since the Great Depression of the 1930s -- to get through Congress, but Democrats have struggled to find the 60 votes needed to ensure Senate passage.

The House of Representatives passed the measure in a largely party-line vote before the July 4 break, leaving Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to hunt for support necessary to overcome any parliamentary delay tactics.

Here is more

Today's Wildlife Photo By Scott Phoebus

Is This Guy An Idiot?

Attorney General Eric Holder says there's a real question about whether a terrorist suspect such as alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed can face the death penalty if he were to plead guilty before a military commission.

Holder proposed last year trying Mohammed and four alleged accomplices in civilian courts in New York City. But that idea generated so much controversy that it's all but been abandoned.

He told CBS' "Face the Nation" that it's possible to impose the death penalty in a civilian setting for someone who pleads guilty. But he says there's far less legal certainty about that possibility in a military setting.

Read more>

Budget Panel: $14 Trillion Debt Destroying US Like 'Cancer From Within'

The leaders of President Obama’s own debt commission say that his administration cannot tax and spend their way out of the problem. At present, available federal revenues are fully consumed by just three programs: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The rest of the federal government is being financed by China and other nations.

Republican Alan Simpson and Democrat Erskine Bowles told a meeting of the National Governors Association that everything needs to be considered — including curtailing popular tax breaks, such as the home mortgage deduction, and instituting a financial trigger mechanism for gaining Medicare coverage.

The nation's total federal debt next year is expected to exceed $14 trillion — about $47,000 for every U.S. resident.

Bowles said if the U.S. makes no changes it will be spending $2 trillion by 2020 just for interest on the national debt.

"Just think about that: All that money, going somewhere else, to create jobs and opportunity somewhere else," he said.

[Yes-- we've been thinking about it for some time now-- Editor]

More here>>

(The report: http://www.fiscalcommission.gov/

SHOREBIRDS CRUISE PAST BLUECLAWS 7-2 TO LEVEL SERIES

Matt Hobgood Tosses Four Solid Innings

Lakewood, NJ
- The Shorebirds jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first and rode the pitching staff to a 7-2 victory over Lakewood on Sunday night at FirstEnergy Park. The Shorebirds scored at least seven runs for the first time since July 3.

Ty Kelly jumped started the ‘Birds in the first inning with a knock through the right side of the infield. Brian Conley then drew a walk. Tyler Townsend reached on a grounder that popped up on Jonathan Singleton’s wrist at first to load the bases. Then, Steve Bumbry drew a bases loaded walk to give the ‘Birds a 1-0 lead. Levi Carolus followed with a sharp double down the right field line to give the Shorebirds a 3-0 edge.

Matt Hobgood tossed four stellar innings in his second start of the second half. He allowed just two hits and an unearned run. Hobgood fanned four and walked just one.

Lakewood trimmed the deficit to one in the fourth inning. Jiwan James opened the half inning with a bunt back to Hobgood, who fired high to first base. James raced to second as right field Brian Conley picked up the ball and threw low to second and over the left field line. James took third. The next batter, Leandro Castro hit a sacrifice fly to center field.

The ‘Birds tallied a run in the fifth inning. Third baseman Jeremy Barnes misplayed a hard grounder down the left field line by Luis Bernardo. Gary Helmick followed with a sharp single back up the middle to score Bernardo from second.

Lakewood tacked on a run in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 5-2

In the seventh, Tyler Townsend hit a double to deep left field to plate Brian Conley, who drew his 60th walk of the season.

The Shorebirds tallied two more runs in the eighth inning. Luis Bernardo, who went 2-for-5 with two runs, singled and scored later in the frame on a wild pitch. Brian Conley plated Gary Helmick on a chopper to the right side of the infield to give the ‘Birds a 7-2 edge.

Brian Parker earned the win in three innings of middle relief. He allowed four hits and one run. Lakewood starter Trevor May was tagged with the loss in four innings. He struck out nine batters but allowed five hits and three runs.

The Shorebirds and BlueClaws play the series finale on Monday morning at 11:05 a.m.

Lost Dog UPDATE



Here is a picture of my friend’s dog that went missing July 4th. Her name is Bella. She went missing from the Hebron area near the bank. They really miss her, so if anyone has seen her please let us know. Email me at rakerfoot@comcast.net if you have her or have seen her.

Thank you,
April

MSP Press Release


DATE & TIME: 07/11/2010 @ 2200 hours
LOCATION: S/B Rt.13 Bypass @ Old Ocean City Rd overpass bridge, Salisbury, MD 21801
CASE NUMBER: 1054006306
Incident: Serious Motor Vehicle Collision
SUSPECT: 17YOA W/M Juvenile Mardela, MD

BRIEF RESUME:
On 07/11/2010, at 2200 hours, Troopers from the Salisbury Barrack were dispatched to the above location in reference to a serious motor vehicle collision. While at the scene Troopers found an unresponsive white male juvenile with life threatening injuries under the Old Ocean City Rd overpass bridge. Salisbury EMS responded and transported the juvenile to PRMC. Due to the massive head injury, the juvenile was transported to Shock Trauma via Maryland State Police Helicopter. The juvenile was listed in stable, but critical condition and Troopers believe alcohol is a contributing factor. South bound Rt. 13 bypass was shut down momentarily for the safety of Emergency personnel. The investigation is continuing.

BREAKING NEWS:

Switzerland rejects U.S. extradition request for Roman Polanski.

More to come.

SUSPECT IN TWO ARMED ROBBERIES FLEES POLICE AND ENDS IN FATAL CRASH

(Clear Spring, MD) – A man, wanted in connection with two armed robberies in Washington County, flees police and ends up in fatal crash.

The deceased is not being identified at this time pending notification of next of kin. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle involved in both armed robberies.

The preliminary investigation indicates that at about 3:00 a.m. this morning, state police received a broadcast from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office about an armed robbery that occurred at a hotel located in the 100 block of Lime Stone Road in Hancock, Maryland. An hour later, at about 4:00 a.m., state police received another report of a second armed robbery at a hotel located in the 12000 block of Houck Ave in Clear Spring, Maryland. The details regarding the suspect’s identity, his vehicle and the gun used, was the same in both robberies.

Moments before the second robbery was reported, a state trooper from the Hager
stown Barrack was working DUI patrol, approximately one-tenth of a mile away from the second hotel. The trooper was following a suspected drunk driver on Route 40 east of Clear Spring when the broadcast providing a description of the vehicle involved in the robberies was reported. The trooper noted the vehicle description from the broadcast matched the vehicle he was following. The trooper immediately turned on his emergency lights and siren attempting to pullover the driver.

The driver fled police for approximately 2.5 miles when his car left the roadway at St. Paul’s Road on Route 40, striking several fixed objects and an unattended parked car. Police and emergency personnel immediately responded to render aid. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Maryland State Police Crash Team, Crime Scene technicians and troopers from the Hagerstown Barrack are on the scene conducting the investigation. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the armed robberies. The Clear Spring Fire Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are assisting on the scene as the investigation continues.