Maryland’s August Job Loss Is Highest In The Nation, New Jobs Report Shows

ANNAPOLIS – The rise in Maryland’s unemployment rate last month was tied for the nation’s highest, according to a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 7,000 Marylanders lost their jobs, bringing the total number of unemployed citizens to roughly 216,000. The State’s unemployment rate increased to 7.3 percent from 7.1 percent. Bob Ehrlich, candidate for Governor, released the following statement today:

“The troubling news in today’s job report reaffirms that the O’Malley Administration simply doesn’t understand how to create jobs for Maryland families. My opponent has had four years to create a single job in Maryland and has failed. Parents and small businesses owners face tough economic challenges in Maryland every day, and their governor’s only idea is to create yet another government website. Serious challenges require serious ideas to help families find jobs. This is precisely why I released a Roadmap to 2020 last week. Our plan lays out exactly how the Ehrlich-Kane Administration will create jobs for Maryland families and unleash entrepreneurs to grow and hire. Maryland is stuck, but I know we can do better with new leadership. As Governor, I will bear any burden and withstand any criticism in order to restore this economy and help families find secure, lasting jobs.”

Andy Harris Statement On Maryland's Disappointing Unemployment Rate

SEVERNA PARK, Md. – Andy Harris released today the following statement on Maryland’s August Unemployment Rate:

“Once again, the Maryland Jobs Report is filled with disappointment. Although Nancy Pelosi and Congressional Democrats spent a trillion dollars on a so-called stimulus, Maryland lost nearly 7,000 jobs and unemployment rate climbed to 7.3 percent. The Eastern Shore is devastated by unemployment, and yet nothing is being done by Congress to get the economy moving again. Maryland’s First District needs someone in Washington who fights for small businesses and struggling families, not someone who votes for Nancy Pelosi’s job-killing legislation regardless of the harm it causes his constituents.”

Bob Ehrlich Interview At Noon TODAY

Maryland Republican Party Chairman Audrey Scott Statement On Maryland Job Losses

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Republican Party Chairman Audrey Scott released the following statement today regarding Maryland’s August Employment Situation Report:

“Today’s dismal jobs report makes it clear that Martin O’Malley has no vision to bring jobs back to Maryland. Martin O’Malley’s complete disregard for employers continues to leave record number of Marylanders unemployed with no relief in sight. Whether it’s raising taxes on job creators or fudging official job reports, Martin O’Malley has lost touch with the hundreds of thousands of Marylanders who continue to remain jobless under his failed leadership. Unemployed Marylanders deserve results and after four years, O’Malley has failed to produce.”

Be On The Lookout For A Gray Van

Salisbury News just learned of a situation where a man in his 60's driving a gray mini van is driving around neighborhoods stealing Stevie Prettyman Yard Signs.

The gentleman driving the vehicle is said to be wearing blue jeans and a blue polo shirt. Stevie has one opponent, Mike Calpino.

The individual reporting this information ran into their front yard yelling at the man and he jumped in the van and took off with the sign. They can identify the man but did not get a tag number.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY LAUNCHES POWERFUL JOB-SEARCH TOOL FOR MARYLANDERS, RESPONDS TO JOBS REPORT

Innovative, searchable web feature allows job seekers to view more than 80,000 active job openings in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 21, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced the launch of an innovative new web tool on the Maryland Workforce Exchange program for Maryland job seekers. The new feature harnesses the use of web “spidering technology” which aggregates every job search website, every employer website, and every job posting in Maryland creating a real-time, web-based, one-stop shop for Maryland jobs seekers.

“I share the frustration of many Marylanders whose hope for a quick recovery process is met with slower than expected job growth. Today’s jobs report is further indication that while Maryland is moving past this national recession stronger and more quickly than other states, there is still work to,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “That’s why today, we’re launching a new innovative program to connect Marylanders to employment opportunities. Job seekers in Maryland can now search 80,000 presently open and active, real-time jobs across our State.”

Since January, Maryland employers have added more than 33,000 jobs to their payrolls, including nearly 21,000 jobs added in the private sector. It is the best job growth in a January to August period in Maryland since 2000.

The Maryland Workforce Exchange identifies every advertised Maryland job in real-time by industry, location, and how to apply. Job seekers can not only search job postings, but can also view which areas of the state are hiring in most for a particular industry, where to get training for these jobs, and assess skills for potential careers. Employers can specific a hiring preference for job seekers who are currently unemployed or who have exhausted unemployment benefits within the last 12 months in order to qualify for Governor’s O’Malley’s HIRE tax credit.

Click here to visit the Maryland Workforce Exchange.

Previously, similar state technology could only aggregate as many as 10,000 job openings. The upgrades were funded by $3 million in Recovery Act investments, and $1 million dollars from the Labor Market Information Green Grant.

Individuals can register, create resumes and letters using a wizard tool, complete individual interest and skills assessments used to research potential careers, as well as search and apply for jobs with employers that post jobs on the Maryland Workforce Exchange or from external employers.

Employers can register, create job orders that include required skills and pre-screening questions via a wizard tool, search for candidates, viewing the results with ranking based upon their search specifications and automating job searches, as well as maintain their own database of favorite candidates.

Since January, Maryland employers have added 33,200 jobs to their payrolls, including nearly 21,000 in the private sector. Maryland’s rate of job growth remains more than twice that of the rest of the nation.

Fruitland City Council Candidate Forum

There are 3 open seats on the Fruitland City Council and 7 people are running for them. At last nights forum 5 of the 7 attended to talk about their platforms. Around 40 residents came out to hear them speak. The 5 that attended are as follows Charles Carroll, Darlene Kerr, Carey Nelson, Chuck Nichols, Richard "Lee" Outten.

The first question asked of all the candidates "What are the largest issues facing Fruitland". To my surprise everyone's first concern was the high cost of water and sewer in the city. They all agree that Fruitland charges a higher rate then any other city. They want more sports programs for the youth. Other concerns across the board were low income housing and boarded up Hub Homes. The condition of these properties reflexes poorly on their town as a whole.

The second question asked was " Where do you see "Fruitland in Five Years"? This is where things got interesting.

Lee Outten said " He believes the economy will rebound however the city needs to lower the cost of water/sewer services. Fruitland needs to bring more businesses to the area, The City of Salisbury is not welcoming to new businesses.

Carey Nelson said- He does not want any more growth for Fruitland. The condition of the rental properties falls on the Code and Compliance Dept. If they are not doing their job the need to be fired.

Chuck Nichols said- He wants all the empty lots filled with new homes and businesses.

Darlene Kerr said- We need to hold the small town charm of Fruitland. Bring back our Main Street with the right type of businesses. Have low taxes and lower the water/sewer bills for the residents. Look to the future you can not live in the now.

Charles Carroll said- I agree with Lee and Chuck. We need growth for the area.

They all had a couple minutes for closing statements and while some went over I was shocked that a couple and nothing to offer.

On a side note I was disappointed to only see 2 Wicomico candidates at the forum. Bob Culver and Matt Maciarello were there, shaking hands and answering questions. These 2 gentlemen are very passionate about the seats they are running for. And yes Matt is still wearing the shoe with the hole in it.

Our Government Wants Us To Believe The Recession Is Over

Did you happen to look up in the sky this morning and notice the sky is actually green.

Did you also notice that on your drive into work this morning ALL of the traffic lights were green.

Today, everyone will receive a letter in the mail telling you that your balances on your credit cards have been wiped out.

A new bill is being introduced today, anyone with an interest rate above 3% will have their rates reduced down to 3% with 30 days.

If you believe what I'm telling you, you're a democrat. However, the reality in the REAL WORLD is, don't buy an ounce of it and don't listen to the MSM trying to convince Americans the recession is over.

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. Our government will take everything you have until your broke. Then they'll make you borrow. Then they'll make you so dependent on the government that you'll actually learn to appreciate what they're doing for you. Then they'll tell you the recession is over, start spending again, NOT!

Yesterday they announced the recession is over. Yeah, BITE ME! Are your interest rates up to 8% on your savings account? Did you make a killing on the Stock Market recently? Do you buy a new car every two years? Can you afford to put a new addition on your home?

More people are scrambling for their "Change" and wondering if they'll still have their job next month. The For Rent and For Sale signs are everywhere you look. Trying to get a loan for anything is just about impossible.

I have a friend in Salisbury who is thinking of selling their commercial building. They thought, $325,000.00 would be a fair market price for a 4 story building. NOPE! The Real Estate Professionals are telling them, NO WAY! They'd prefer to see the building completely full of tenants first, then they might talk about increasing the sale price.

If you believe the recession is over and our government isn't trying to get every last penny out of you, even if it's borrowed money, you're an Idiot, or a democrat.

When local companies start telling you many of their items are now on back order, then you'll know things have changed. When a loaf of bread drops down to $ .59 cents, we're back. When gasoline drops back to $ .95 cents a gallon, (where it belongs) we're back.

In the mean time, start asking candidates if they actually believe the recession is over. Only vote for those candidates who say, ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Are You Ready For Our Interview With Bob Ehrlich?

We are in the process of uploading the interview and should have it available some time today. We are also in the process of possibly delivering yet another major interview with another big candidate. We're working on scheduling it and once recorded we'll get back to you on the particulars.

Me, Too! Vulnerable Dems Adding Their Names To GOP Bills

Vulnerable Democrats in both chambers have signed on to Republican-sponsored bills as they seek to boost their bipartisan credentials before the election.

With the midterms less than six weeks away, several Democrats returned to Washington last week and added their names to Republican proposals, many of which were introduced more than a year ago and have little chance of passing in the current Congress.

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) co-sponsored to a measure tweaking the Democratic healthcare law, as well as a controversial proposal to change immigration laws that grant “birthright citizenship” to anyone born on U.S. soil.

Rep. Gene Taylor (Miss.) is backing a full repeal of the healthcare law, becoming the first Democratic House member to do so.

And, in the upper chamber, Sens. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and Michael Bennet (Colo.) decided last week to co-sponsor gun-rights proposals that had been sitting on the shelf since the middle of 2009.

Lawmakers add their names to proposed legislation throughout the year, and Democratic aides point out that each of the representatives has a long record of supporting GOP proposals.

More here

Palin For 2012: Will She Or Won’t She?

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

Sarah Palin’s latest high-profile visits are putting new heat to the fire of speculation surrounding the big question: Will she or won’t she make a presidential run for 2012?

Disappointed Supporters Question Obama

It was billed as “Investing in America,” a live televised conversation on the state of the economy between President Obama and American workers, students, business people and retirees, a kind of Wall Street to Main Street reality check.

But it sounded like a therapy session for disillusioned Obama supporters.

In question after question during a one-hour session, which took place on Monday at the Newseum here and was televised on CNBC, Mr. Obama was confronted by people who sounded frustrated and anxious — even as some said they supported his agenda and proclaimed themselves honored to be in his presence.

People from Main Street wanted to know if the American dream still lived for them. People on Wall Street complained that he was treating them like a piñata, “whacking us with a stick,” in the words of Anthony Scaramucci, a former law school classmate of Mr. Obama’s who now runs a hedge fund and was one of the president’s questioners.

“I’m exhausted of defending you, defending your administration, defending the mantle of change that I voted for,” said the first questioner, an African-American woman who identified herself as a chief financial officer, a mother and a military veteran. “I’ve been told that I voted for a man who was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class and I’m waiting sir, I’m waiting. I still don’t feel it yet.”

More here

The Green Room Musical

Did you know that Kaleidoscope Children & Youth Productions is the only children's theatre on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland that is actually doing programing - year-round? We're right in your neighborhood, serving many families each year. We are located at The Mezzanine (on the 2nd floor of Parker Place).

The Green Room: The College Musical opened on September 17, 2010 at The Mezzanine Downtown Salisbury, presented by Class Acts, II, to audiences who adored the witty new musical. The dialogue and songs are hilarious, musically interesting and the characters are diverse. Don't miss it this weekend. Friday, September 24 at 8pm, Saturday, September 25 at 9pm and September 26 at 2 pm.

This is an East Coast premiere of the critically acclaimed fresh new musical. Starring local performers, Brooke Christensen as Divonne, Jennifer Livingston as Anna, Jesse Saywell as John and Marc Schindler as Cliff and directed by Robert Forester. This is the first in a series of adult oriented plays and musicals presented at the Mezzanine.

The Green Room, a place where actors await their entrance onto the stage, but for many ‘green’ college theatre majors, it serves as a study lounge, a rehearsal space and a personal support center. At fictional St. Nordoff University (a small Midwestern college) four students; Anna, her younger brother Cliff, her boyfriend John and the independent spirit Divonne spend their time together sharing some ambitions for life, discovering new possibilities for the future and learning about themselves as well as each other. A new backstage musical illustrating the journey of four best friends in college determined to make it out of the Green Room and onto the Broadway Stage.

Featuring the Songwriter's Guild of America's Award-Winning song

"It's All About Me"

Lyrics and music by Chuck Pelletier

Book by C. Stephen Foster and Rod Damer

Tickets: $12 call 443-880-6240 for reservations

Intended for Mature Audiences

U.S. Airlines Collect $2.1 Billion In Fees In 3 Months

Charges help companies turn their first profitable quarter since 2007

NEW YORK — U.S. airlines collected $2.1 billion in fees and extra charges from passengers in the second quarter, up 13 percent from the first three months of the year, the government said Monday.

The fees and extra charges helped major U.S. airlines post their first profitable quarter since 2007.

Most of the fees came from checked bags, which rose 16 percent to $893 million.
Reservation fees totaled $594 million, up from $553.9 million in the first quarter of this year.

Airlines reported $618 million in so-called ancillary revenue, which includes revenue from frequent-flier award program mileage sales and pet fees. Other fees, such as revenue from seating assignments and on-board sales of food, drink, pillows, blankets, and entertainment are not broken out by the government.

Overall, Delta, the world's largest airline, made the most money in total extras at $682 million. American is next in line, followed by US Airways.

GO HERE to read more.

The Forgotten Man

The O'Donnell Campaign Ramps Up

Some members of a GOP establishment that once shunned tea party favorite Christine O'Donnell are getting behind her now that she has won the Republican Senate primary, offering help in the form of cash and experienced staffers.

A young spokeswoman who has been thinking of going back to college is no longer handling media calls. Instead, reporters are referred to a public relations firm run by longtime GOP operative Craig Shirley, who has done communications work for the Republican National Committee and a political action committee that spent $14 million to help re-elect Ronald Reagan.

O'Donnell is also getting help from Tom Sullivan, a health care industry executive who worked for the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee in 1990 and later as a political consultant, with clients such as former Republican congressman Dick Armey.

"We will be adding organization, but will stay lean and mean to avoid overstaffing," said Sullivan.

O'Donnell was running a shoestring operation — much as she did in two previous losing Senate bids — before an injection of tea party support and cash propelled her to a Sept. 14 primary upset over Castle.

Now Russ Murphy, whose 9-12 Delaware Patriots played a role in O'Donnell's primary win, expects opponents to waste little time accusing her of being a sellout as she tries to enlist outside help.

But he believes O'Donnell's supporters are pragmatic and he noted with approval her cancellation of two national Sunday talk show appearances in favor of spending time with them in Delaware.

"I think that said a lot to the people," Murphy said.

Extra help can't come soon enough for campaign manager Matt Moran, who sounded weary Sunday as O'Donnell worked the crowd at a Sussex County GOP picnic.

"It's myself, Christine, and a handful of people who have never been political before," said Moran, who worked in 2009 for Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who lost a closely watched race for New York's 23rd Congressional district. He said he got involved with O'Donnell because he believes in what she is doing.

"I hate politics; I swear to God," he said. "I only get involved when I know I can make a difference. This thing's a lot bigger than all of us."

"It's all evolving into a top-tier Senate campaign," he said. "We're interviewing a lot of people. It's a very rapid ramp-up."

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Second Amendment Should Include Responsible Gun Ownership

Yesterday the Salisbury Police Department held a Press Conference referencing the two recent murders in the City of Salisbury.

What did I walk away with from this meeting, something the rest of the Main Stream Media didn't, responsibility.

OK become a criminal for just a moment. You break into a home, where's the first place you're going to go looking for a gun. No one is home and the first place you'll look is under the pillow or mattress in the master bedroom. Then you'll look in the night stand. If you didn't find it in any of those places you'd probably head to the closet.

Look, if the homeowner has a gun, they're probably going to place it in one of those locations. The criminals know that and quite frankly the guns used in these crimes were stolen.

Chief Barkley respects the 2nd Amendment and believes in your right to own a gun, as does Sheriff Lewis. However, PLEASE, start acting more responsible with your 2nd Amendment right and put your guns away. Is it an inconvenience to lock it back up in a safe before you leave home, sure it is. However, two young men were recently killed because these thugs broke into someone's home and went to these locations and quickly found these weapons.

For those of you who wondered if the 5 shots in each murder meant anything, no, they did not. Each victim was shot with a different gun. In the most recent murder, there are several additional suspects. The original thug had the handgun and pulled the trigger twice and it didn't fire. The second thug, (now in custody) took the gun from the first guy, walked back up to the victim and started firing it as it went off five times.

The victim was a target. He had two of his friends standing right beside him and they never once, (both gunmen) aimed the gun at the other two friends.

Folks, please be more responsible with your weapons and lock them up. You WILL save a life on the streets.

Black Panther Case Roars Back To Life

Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for civil rights, is in big trouble. The public-interest group Judicial Watch yesterday released a 62-page index of documents regarding the New Black Panther Party voter-intimidation case that undermines the credibility of Mr. Perez and of the Department of Justice under Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr.

For more than a year, The Washington Times has been reporting that Mr. Holder's top political appointees intervened to force the abandonment of serious sanctions against the Black Panther members who threatened voters at a Philadelphia polling place on Election Day 2008. The Justice Department denied the claim, with spokesman Tracy Schmaler asserting to the contrary that only "career employees" engaged in what supposedly was a decision based entirely on "the facts and the law."

On May 14, Mr. Perez swore under oath before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights that there was no "political leadership involved in the decision not to pursue this particular case any further than it was" and that it was only "a case of career people disagreeing with career people."

As was seen when a host of outsiders accused the George W. Bush administration's Justice Department of firing U.S. attorneys in order to interfere with ongoing investigations, it is improper for cases to be dismissed for purely political reasons. The Obama administration should be held to the same standard.

Rather than cooperate with requests for more information, the Justice Department claimed that all its documents related to the Black Panther case were "privileged." A court ordered it to provide Judicial Watch a list of withheld documents with an explanation for each "privilege" asserted.

Even the attenuated list sheds new light on the situation. By our count, Deputy Associate Attorney General Sam Hirsch, not only a political appointee but previously a top, cutthroat election attorney for the national Democratic Party, sent or received 58 e-mails about the case. The "description of withheld information" provided by the Justice Department indicates that Mr. Hirsch weighed in on the decision to drop the cases.

More from The Washington Times

Rush Limbaugh Gets It On O'Donnell

Perhaps the biggest earthquake of the political season already has happened.

The aftershocks of Christine O'Donnell's surprise win in Delaware are still being felt. Election Day in November may just turn out to be one of those aftershocks.

The Washington political establishment, including GOP insiders, appears to be completely befuddled and beside itself that an unknown newcomer with the political sensitivities of Ann Coulter just won the GOP nomination in a very blue state, beating a moderate Republican House member who had served as governor of the state.

There must be some mistake!

But there was no mistake . . . because there was a "little" thing we call an election.

And in this election there was no goof up, no accident that caused O'Donnell to beat the establishment favorite.

Indeed, voters knew clearly who she was, what she stood for, and all of her apparent liabilities.

GO HERE to read more.

RSC Update

From the Chairman

18 of the 31 leading economists recently surveyed by CNN say the best thing Congress can do to help the economy is to save taxpayers at every income level from the impending 2011 tax hike. Only 3 support the Obama-Pelosi plan for a $700 billion tax increase on our most successful small businesses. And no wonder.

The Obama-Pelosi tax hike is a job-killer according to The Heritage Foundation, which ran the numbers through an economic model used by government agencies and Fortune 500 companies. Over the next decade, this tax increase would reduce employment by an average of 693,000 jobs per year. It would reduce U.S. GDP by $1.1 trillion during the same period.

Rank-and-file Democrats are starting to run away from this tax hike plan in droves. If Speaker Pelosi allows the House to take an up-or-down vote, a bipartisan majority will vote to prevent this job-killing tax increase from occurring. Of course, that is only if the vote takes place before Election Day.

There is no telling what retiring or defeated Members might do after November 2, and far too many Democrats have voiced plans to pass things like tax hikes, card check, and bloated spending packages in a Lame Duck session. That is why last week I once again offered legislation pledging that the House not meet for a Lame Duck session except in the case of an unforeseen, sudden emergency. A vote on this resolution will likely occur this week.

Thanks so much for your support!

Congressman Tom Price, M.D.
Chairman, Republican Study Committee

Maryland's Weak Cellphone Ban Takes Effect In 10 Days

Starting October 1st, Maryland motor vehicle drivers may be ticketed if they are operating their vehicles while talking on a hand-held cellphone. May be, that is.

In April 2010, Maryland became the seventh state in the U.S. to sign into law restrictions on cellphone use by drivers. However, unlike Mid Atlantic neighbors New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia, Maryland drivers, with only two exceptions, will not be cited unless they are stopped by officers for some other reason, such as a traffic or equipment violation, making the law the weakest in the nation.

Exceptions to the citation as a secondary charge are for school bus drivers with passengers and in motion and those with learners' permits or provisional licenses who are 18 years old or older. Those drivers may be stopped and cited for the cellphone violation alone.

Hand-held cellphone use is allowed if the driver is using his phone to call 911, a hospital, an ambulance, fire department, law enforcement agency or first aid squad. Police and fire department officials are also allowed to use hand-held cellphones while driving, so long as it is done so within the scope of their official duties.

Fines for illegal cellphone use while driving are $40 for the first violation and $100 for the second and subsequent violations.

Code That Tracks Users’ Browsing Prompts Lawsuits

Sandra Person Burns used to love browsing and shopping online. Until she realized she was being tracked by software on her computer that she thought she had erased.

Ms. Person Burns, 67, a retired health care executive who lives in Jackson, Miss., said she is wary of online shopping: “Instead of going to Amazon, I’m going to the local bookstore.”

Ms. Person Burns is one of a growing number of consumers who are taking legal action against companies that track computer users’ activity on the Internet. At issue is a little-known piece of computer code placed on hard drives by the Flash program from Adobe when users watch videos on popular Web sites like YouTube and Hulu.

GO HERE to read more.

D.C. Fire Investigates Naked Cooking Allegations

A naked D.C. firefighter apparently was caught on camera preparing food for a party in a firehouse.

The photo was supplied to News4 by a source who says complaints have been made by female firefighters and paramedics who were there at the time.

This engine company serves the Columbia Heights neighborhood. The D.C. Fire and EMS Department says there was a retirement celebration attended by off-duty firefighters there in July.

A source obtained the picture and gave it to News4, telling us that it's a naked firefighter at the stove and that as many as three firefighters may have prepared and served food at the party naked.

The source alleges that there were female emergency medical personnel present and that no disciplinary action has been taken.

The DC Fire and EMS Department says it is looking into the allegations.

GO HERE to read more.

U.S. Bid To Block Flow Of Weapons To Mexico In Misfires

Justice Department report obtained by NBC News reveals bureaucratic turf battles, poor communication.

WASHINGTON — A major Justice Department program aimed at intercepting the flow of U.S. weapons to Mexico’s drug cartels is misfiring due to bureaucratic turf battles and a failure to share critical intelligence about illegal firearms purchases, according to an internal department report.

The draft report by the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General, obtained by NBC News, is a scathing indictment of Project Gunrunner, a law enforcement initiative run by the department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The report also seems to counter statements made by ATF's own officials.

Full story

DROWNING IN DEBT? HERE ARE YOUR OPTIONS

Struggling to pay your debts and looking for a way out? New rules severely limiting the marketing tactics of debt settlement companies kick in next week. And starting next month, the firms won't be able to collect large up-front fees any longer. So with the disappearance of those all-too-familiar "50 cents on the dollar" late night TV ads and radio spots, the folks at “The Today Show” figured it would be a good time to review the options available to consumers who find themselves drowning in debt.

There are several options, though none is easy. In general, those in debt should never sign up for a service that requires a large up-front fee. Here’s a look at your choices:


Debt consolidation: Using a single loan – such as a home-equity loan -- to pay off multiple debts at full price. The benefit is usually lower interest rates, and this option is generally credit score neutral – a big plus compared to the other options. Unfortunately, debt consolidation is also far less common since the economic collapse of 2008, as banks are far less willing to give out home equity loans today.

GO HERE to read more.

Why Haven't Broadband Prices Dropped?

Ten years ago, 5% of the country had access to broadband Internet. Now over 95% of the country has access. In other technology markets, notes the authors of a new study, prices tend to drop significantly once a technology matures--but with broadband, prices since 2004 have dropped by less than 10% in most markets, if at all. So what's going on?

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Lobbyists Defend Maryland's Poor Report Cards On Roads

Officials, lobbyists defend Maryland’s roads against poor report card, but feel there are many improvements to make

State officials praise Maryland’s superior highway system, but the Reason Foundation just ranked it as one of the nation’s worst.

According to the libertarian policy group’s annual highway report, released earlier this month, Maryland’s roads come in 43rd place – followed only by Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, California, Alaska, and Rhode Island.


But state officials, policymakers and transportation advocates say this ranking is unduly harsh.

“The roads in Maryland are probably some of the best conditioned around,” said Sen. Ed DeGrange, chairman of the Senate’s Public Safety, Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee. “If you compare to the surrounding states – Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware – Maryland’s roads are in much better condition. Our issue here is wait time in traffic.”

GO HERE to read more.

OK, Even "I" Think The Republicans Are Losing Their Marbles

NEWS FROM MDGOP

Message from the Chairman:

There is nothing MORE IMPORTANT right now than coming together in unity for the express purpose of beating the Democrats in November! Every reluctant Republican who decides not to participate, to stay home, to not work just as hard in the General as you did in the Primary just helps the Democrats win and the Republicans lose. There is too much at stake not to make the push to Victory and unite behind the winners - enthusiastically, to win on November 2nd. Think redistricting! Think higher taxes! Think jobs! Think charter schools! Think deficit spending! And the list goes on and on.

I have run many times, at least 11 elections, and I have won some and I have lost some. I know it is far easier to win than it is to lose. It hurts to lose and there is an actual grieving process that is difficult to endure. But we do not have time for grieving. We can have all the Pity Parties we want on November 3rd, but, for now, let's all join together and help our candidates WIN. If you have to hold your nose, so be it. Suck it in and exhale VICTORY! We can do it, I know, I've been there and I've done it; more than once. When all is said and done, all I can say is, "You'll be glad you did."

Tangier Watermen Star In New ESPN3 Commercial

TANGIER ISLAND, Va. - Tangier Island watermen star in a new ESPN commercial proclaiming the Chesapeake Bay island America's biggest sports town, per capita.

The commercial begins with a waterman pulling crab traps into a work boat and pans out to an aerial view of the tiny island. Graphics then declare it America's biggest sports town before an asterisk and "per capita" appears below.

The town manager says new Internet service for the island's 507 residents, and high definition streams of sports events on ESPN3, had the expected results.

Watermen are shown painting boats and buoys the colors of their favorite teams, playing tennis on the airstrip, and holding up a crab, claws pointing up, while saying "Hook 'Em Horns," the cheer of University of Texas at Austin fans.


Source

Voting Has Become A Spectator Sport For The Bulk Of Those Eligible

Even reporters can be turned off by low voter turnout. Is anybody paying attention to candidates or the coverage of them?

GO HERE to read more.

Announcing Consumerist's First Annual Worst Ad In America Awards

Those of you with good memories may recall that we recently asked readers to nominate the worst ads currently airing on U.S. TV. What had been intended as fodder for a one-off poll has blossomed into something much bigger -- Consumerist's First Annual Worst Ad In America Awards.

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Recession Officially Over. Yipee.

The official declarer of such things has announced that the Great Recession is over, and it ended in Jun 2009. So why doesn't it feel that way?

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Advice For Holiday Travelers This Year: Buy Your Tickets Now

CNN's Travel Companion suggests you start looking for Thanksgiving and Christmas tickets now, because airlines have cut capacity over last year, and the peak travel times for those two holidays are shorter this year than usual. The article also provide some tips for getting a good price: shop for single seats; aim for Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights; and if you can, try to fly on an actual holiday.

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GMAC Halts Evictions In 23 States

GMAC has told brokers and agents to immediately stop evicting homeowners in 23 states. In a memo, the Ally Financial Inc. subsidiary cited "corrective action in connection with some foreclosures" that may need to be taken. Smells like some people got foreclosed on that shouldn't have, though we've been hearing scattered reports about that for a while without the banks doing much, so why drastic action now? Have they uncovered something massive?

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Despite Attack Ads, Latest Survey Shows Race Is Tied

ANNAPOLIS -- The Bob Ehrlich for Maryland campaign released the following statement from Communications Director Henry Fawell regarding a new survey from Rasmussen Reports showing the race for Governor remains statistically tied.

“The race for Governor remains statistically tied despite six months of dishonest attack ads from Martin O’Malley. The survey shows that three out of every four Marylanders believe there has been no improvement in Maryland’s job market from a year ago, yet Martin O’Malley continues to claim ‘progress.’ Maryland families and entrepreneurs deserve better than Martin O’Malley’s legacy of massive job losses, record tax increases, and ballooning deficits. Bob Ehrlich knows we can do better. He has laid out a comprehensive Roadmap to 2020 to create jobs, lower taxes on families and entrepreneurs, and rein in deficit spending so we can finally get Maryland working again.”

What Are They Hiding?

After July Jobs Report Controversy, DLLR has yet to comply with MDGOP Public Information Act Request

ANNAPOLIS – With the August Employment Situation Report scheduled to be released tomorrow, the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) has yet to respond to a Public Information Act filed by the Maryland Republican Party regarding the removal of the July Report from the State website. According to Maryland Republican Party Chairman Audrey Scott, the delay in responding to the PIA request raises questions over what the administration is hiding.

“With all signs pointing to another anemic jobs report for August, the DLLR has yet to come clean on the controversy surrounding the July Report,” said Scott. “The DLLR has had a month to refute claims that they played politics with an official jobs report but have yet to do so, what are they hiding?”

On the morning of August 20th, 2010, the DLLR posted a July Employment Situation Report on their website that ran far counter to Governor O’Malley’s election year spin. After questions were raised by MDGOP, the jobs report was pulled from the State website, only to be replaced hours later with a new report more inline with O’Malley’s talking points. A PIA request filed on August 24th for the original July Employment Report and all communications regarding is removal from the website has not been acknowledged by DLLR.

“Marylanders deserve to know the truth behind what happened to the July Employment Report,” Scott said. “If O’Malley and the DLLR spent as much time focusing on jobless Marylanders as they did on cooking the books, maybe we wouldn’t have record unemployment.”

WORCESTER/WICOMICO CHAPTERS AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY

LAST CALL POST-RALLY FREE LUNCHEON HEAD COUNT

YOU TEA PARTIERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SO-CALLED "ENTHUSIASM GAP" THAT WILL DETERMINE THIS ELECTION!

On September 25th, let's put a final nail in the liberal/radical coffin.

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE PER-REGISTER FOR OUR SEPTEMBER 25TH "PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN" RALLY BY E-MAILING US AT
SEPT25RALLY@MSN.COM AND LET US KNOW HOW MANY WILL ATTEND SO THAT WE DON'T RUN SHORT OF FOOD.

Please Read Important Details: the rally will be on Saturday, September 25th (Sunfest weekend), 10:30 AM, eastbound route 50 at route 611 in West Ocean City. PARK IN THE FOOD LION LOT on route 611, and please park on the perimeter of the lot and not in front of businesses: carefully cross 611 to the staging area in the Trader Lees complex. DO NOT PARK in Trader Lees.

You will see us, we need to be organized by 10:30 AM, and if we have 200 folks organizing will take time so get there early.

Please remember, this is a patriotic rally, not a campaign event - - NO candidate campaign signs will be permitted at the rally, but we have heard that some campaigners may be setting up in the Food Lion lot.

Proof of participation will be distributed at the rally, and after the rally participants will be treated to a fabulous luncheon buffet/soft drinks/coffee catered by "A Bagel and . . . ", the home of fresh baked New York style bagels and rolls located just inside the south gate in Ocean Pines (at the four way stop signs). The luncheon will be held at our meeting hall, the Ocean Pines Community Center. Our guest speaker for the luncheon will be Republican Lt. Governor Candidate Mary Kane, and we understand that Andy Harris will also stop by.

The meeting room rental fee was paid for by Worcester chapter member John Rankin. John is a chapter member who not only paid the $50 fee, he also donated his time and expertise to both the TV Commercial and the Billboard projects. John is a consultant who offers project-based communications services to small and mid-sized companies and organizations. He can assist a company with any writing or communications need, including marketing brochures, website content, advertising copy, proposals and reports.
Contact John for more information at 443-880-7936.

Great Photos From 3rd Friday

SBY news,

This past Third Friday was a big hit! I hope you and your readers enjoy!

See the photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smdiphotography1/sets/72157624868838765/

Sincerely,
Stephen DiCarlo
SMDi Photography

Famous Proverbs And Sayings, Quotes And Quotations

A hyena cannot smell its own stench.
However long the night, the dawn will break.
If you stand straight, do not fear a crooked shadow.
A silent mouth is sweet to hear.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.
Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself.
No wind, no waves.
Talk doesn't cook rice.
Fools build houses and wise men live in them.
He who is everywhere is nowhere.
Anger is the one thing made better by delay.
Tears for somebody else's troubles dry quickly.
A liar better have a good memory.
Anything we haven't seen before is marvelous.
Hard words break no bones.
He who wills the end, wills the means.
When a man says he did you a favor, he is asking for one.
If every man would sweep his own door-step the city would soon be clean.

MEXICAN HURRICANE

A category 5 hurricane hits Mexico. Two million Mexicans die and over a million are injured. The country is totally ruined; the government doesn't know where to start and is asking for help to rebuild. The rest of the world is in shock.

Canada is sending troopers to help the Mexican army control the riots.

Saudi Arabia is sending oil.

Other Latin American countries are sending supplies.

The European community (except France) is sending food and money.

The United States, not to be outdone, is sending two million Mexicans to replace the dead ones.

God Bless America

Be Creative, What Would Your Sign Say?

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