The first report came in stating a person was trapped inside the vehicle.
The second report stated it may be Gary Bratton.
The third report stated the vehicle was overturned.
The next report came in stating there was also a shooting in Fruitland.
The next report came in stating the patient from Pittsville is a priority 1 patient.
The next report stated they still have another 15 minutes before they can get the patient out of the vehicle.
Finally, (so far) patient has a fractured femur.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Attention
Friday, September 24, 2010
Martin O’Malley: Still Trying To Change The Subject
ANNAPOLIS – The Bob Ehrlich for Maryland campaign released the following statement today from Communications Director Henry Fawell regarding Martin O’Malley’s latest attempt today to change the subject from his legacy of massive job losses, record tax increases, and ballooning budget deficits.
“Martin O’Malley’s hypocrisy has no limits. Today, he asked Bob Ehrlich to be more specific about his plans next year as Governor, even though Bob Ehrlich has already released an 18 page plan detailing his vision for Maryland’s future. Yet Martin O’Malley refuses to be honest about how he will pay for his own campaign commitments. We urge Governor O’Malley to come clean about which taxes he plans to raise in order to fix the $8 billion in deficits he’s leaving taxpayers or to pay for his $3.6 billion in mass transit commitments, which the State currently has no money for.”
Kratovil: Take Down That Ad
Andy Harris Calls on Kratovil to Take Down Misleading Ad
Challenges Congressman to Town Hall Meetings Across First District
SEVERNA PARK, Md. – Andy Harris today sent a letter to Congressman Frank Kratovil asking him to stop airing his false television advertisement and to participate in joint town hall meetings discussing issues that are important to the voters in Maryland’s First District during these hard economic times. A copy of the letter is attached below.
Congressman Kratovil has not held a town hall meeting with his constituents in over a year.
Frank Kratovil is currently running a misleading attack ad saying Andy Harris supports a 23 percent increase in the sales tax. Independent sources everywhere have called him out for distorting the facts.
Factcheck.org calls the attack “misleading” and “false,” explaining the proposal would “repeal the federal income tax entirely and do away with the Internal Revenue Service. It would also eliminate gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare and self-employment taxes.”- Factcheck.org
“The nonpartisan Annenberg Public Policy Center, which weighs the veracity of campaign ad claims, has criticized an identical line of attack elsewhere by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as "quite misleading," because it never mentioned that the sales tax proposal involves doing away with all other federal taxes. Another independent watchdog, Politifact, has also criticized similar ads.” – Baltimore Sun
“Kratovil’s ad is a phony scare tactic.” – Annapolis Capital
Child Abuse Arrest
Date & Time: 09/23/2010 @ 1628 Hours CASE #: 10-0207
Location Occurred: 1924 Unionville Rd, Pocomoke, Worcester County, Maryland
Crime or Violation: Second Degree Child Abuse/Second Degree Assault
Victim: Juvenile 11 yoa
Accused: Joseph Michael Waters age 30, from Pocomoke MD
Charges: Second Degree Child Abuse, Second Degree Assault
Narrative: On the above listed date and time, the suspect, Waters, became involved in an argument with his eleven year old son. Investigation revealed the suspect obtained a two feet long tree limb from a tree, and struck the victim two times over the back, causing injuries to his back. Statements from witnesses at the scene also led investigators to believe Waters struck his son in the face, causing a black and blue eye. After an interview was conducted with Waters, he admitted to striking his son with the tree limb but denied his
involvement with the black eye. Waters was arrested and charged with Second Degree Child Abuse and Second Degree Assault. He was later taken to the commissioner, where he was released on $15,000 unsecured bond.
Location Occurred: 1924 Unionville Rd, Pocomoke, Worcester County, Maryland
Crime or Violation: Second Degree Child Abuse/Second Degree Assault
Victim: Juvenile 11 yoa
Accused: Joseph Michael Waters age 30, from Pocomoke MD
Charges: Second Degree Child Abuse, Second Degree Assault
Narrative: On the above listed date and time, the suspect, Waters, became involved in an argument with his eleven year old son. Investigation revealed the suspect obtained a two feet long tree limb from a tree, and struck the victim two times over the back, causing injuries to his back. Statements from witnesses at the scene also led investigators to believe Waters struck his son in the face, causing a black and blue eye. After an interview was conducted with Waters, he admitted to striking his son with the tree limb but denied his
involvement with the black eye. Waters was arrested and charged with Second Degree Child Abuse and Second Degree Assault. He was later taken to the commissioner, where he was released on $15,000 unsecured bond.
Florida Bank Hostage Standoff Ends, Robbers Flee
Police say suspects strapped teller with possible bomb at Miami-area branch
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Robbers abducted a Miami-area bank employee from his home, strapped a possible bomb to his chest and used him to steal money from the bank Friday before fleeing, authorities said.
FBI spokeswoman Judy Orihuela said a teller was abducted early Friday morning by three suspects and forced to help them rob a Bank of America branch in Coral Gables near the University of Miami. The teller was wearing a vest police feared might be a bomb, although that was not immediately confirmed.
The teller cut himself free from the possibly explosive device, emerged shirtless out of the bank unharmed and was taken into custody for questioning after a nearly four-hour standoff. Orihuela said the three suspects got away with an undetermined amount of cash.
"We don't know the role of this individual,'' Sgt. Janette Frevola, a Coral Gables police spokeswoman, told reporters. "He's being questioned.''
Police were working to control or safely detonate the possible bomb.
Authorities and a Bank of America spokeswoman said that at one point several employees were held hostage inside the bank.
GO HERE to read more.
As Demands Mount For Unmanned Missions, Air Force Academy Launches Drone Training
As Air Force Academy cadets dream of soaring into the wild blue yonder, they might want to stop and contemplate taking that trip from an office chair instead of a cockpit.
That's because the Air Force's focus has shifted toward Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS) via Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Drones, they're commonly called, and the Air Force needs more capable people to operate them.
While the academy has been the quintessential incubator for the next generation of fighter pilots since it opened 55 years ago, the evolving demands of war have brought a sharp turn toward a different kind of flying. It's not likely these days that pilots will engage in air-to-air dogfights. Now they're locating and destroying ground targets or conducting search operations — missions that can be handled with RPAs hovering over the Middle East but piloted from two Air Force bases in Nevada, Creech or Nellis.
"It's changing the way we conduct war as an Air Force," says Col. Dean Bushey, who helps teach RPA classes at the academy. "It's important these cadets are exposed to what's out there."
Some academy applicants and cadets have raised questions on blogs about whether their future as pilots rests with a joystick.
One wrote, "There is a great deal of debate about if those UAV pilots will ever be released from that career path, even the active duty getting the UAVs wonder how long they will fly by remote control."
One response might lie in the following statistics: The number of Aerial Achievement Medals awarded by the Air Force to drone operators since January 2009 outpaced the number awarded to pilots of manned aircraft 3,497 to 1,408, according to Air Force figures recently cited in Harper's magazine.
More HERE.
Ahmadinejad Defends His Comments On 9/11 Plot
Obama tells BBC Persian service that Iranian's remarks were offensive, hateful
NEW YORK — The Iranian president on Friday defended his remarks at the U.N. in which he claimed most people in the world believe the United States was behind the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
He also challenged the United Nations to set up a commission to study the attacks.
"I did not pass judgment, but don't you feel that the time has come to have a fact finding committee," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asked during a news conference in a New York hotel.
He also lashed out at the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as an overreaction to the attacks. The Americans should "not occupy the entire Middle East...bomb wedding parties...annihilate an entire village just because one terrorist is hiding there."
GO HERE to read more.
Judge Sends Lindsay Lohan Back To Jail
Actress to remain in custody without bail until Oct. 22 hearing
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Lindsay Lohan returned to jail in handcuffs Friday after a judge refused to set bail and ordered her to remain in custody for failing a drug test until another hearing nearly a month away.
Bailiffs escorted the troubled starlet from the Beverly Hills courtroom immediately after the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. It will be Lohan's third jail stint for a three-year-old drug and drunken driving case filed after a pair of high-profile arrests in 2007.
GO HERE to read more.
BAKER IS BACKING OLLINGER, NOT POLLITT
John Wayne Baker, who received almost 20% of the Democrat primary vote for Wicomico County Executive, has endorsed Joe Ollinger for that position in the general election.
O'MALLEY TO EHRLICH: NOV 3 IS TOO LATE TO REVEAL PLANS TO VOTERS
New Web Ad Highlights Ehrlich's Baffling Pledge Not to Discuss Details Until Nov 3
Baltimore, MD (September 24, 2010) -- Today the O'Malley-Brown campaign released a new web ad taking aim at Bob Ehrlich's baffling pledge not to discuss the details of his plans for Maryland until November 3rd, the day after the general election.In the ad, Ehrlich says, "The more detailed proposals have to wait for later in the campaign, and, quite frankly, for November 3rd." Ehrlich made the comments on September 15th, following the release of his so-called "Roadmap for 2020." Independent media outlets, including the Baltimore Sun and WBAL-TV, have pointed out that Ehrlich has not offered a way to pay for his new spending proposals, including a $648 million rollback of the sales tax, a $60 million increase in highway funding, and $100 million in promises to veterans and state employees.
"Bob Ehrlich has proposed a billion dollars in new spending this election season. When asked how he'd pay for it all, Ehrlich says 'vote for me and I'll tell you later.' The last time Bob Ehrlich made a lot of empty promises, he went on a record-setting spending spree and left the state $1.7 billion in the red. The voters of Maryland deserve better than more empty promises from Bob Ehrlich," said Tom Russell, O'Malley-Brown Campaign Manager.
The O'Malley-Brown campaign has accepted a number of debate invitations in a effort to make sure that Bob Ehrlich is forced to discuss his agenda for Maryland with voters.
Yesterday, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown asked Mary Kane to participate in one-on-one debates.
50 Posts By 11:00 AM
It's no easy task putting together 50 different Posts in one day, let alone a few hours. We continue to dedicate this Site as a news leader to this community, providing local news and news around the World in which we feel you'll be interested in.
I want to thank Mr. Tilghman for responding to yesterday's article. He's a very good man, as is Frank Kratovil. Unfortunately we're going to once again experience a very hard hitting race between Andy Harris and Frank Kratovil. I could ask each of them to please stick to the real topics at hand but I highly doubt the two of them are going to step out of the ring and shake hands.
As for Mr. Ollinger, he's a good guy. He's a very successful businessman. When you spend as much time in local politics as I have, clearly the two of us do not see eye to eye. I can honestly say that in the past 6 years, Mr. Ollinger hasn't attended 1% of the meetings I have.
I said it very early on, wait and see how people will come out of the wood work and start attending meetings. I'm sure even Joe Ollinger knows, you can't become a "professional" at anything if you haven't walked the walk. Rick Pollitt has a lifetime of political experience as well as 4 years as the County Executive. Playing Monday morning Quarterback is easy to do. Joe needs to walk in a politicians shoes before he becomes the head master.
Nevertheless, I wish Joe the best.
I want to thank Mr. Tilghman for responding to yesterday's article. He's a very good man, as is Frank Kratovil. Unfortunately we're going to once again experience a very hard hitting race between Andy Harris and Frank Kratovil. I could ask each of them to please stick to the real topics at hand but I highly doubt the two of them are going to step out of the ring and shake hands.
As for Mr. Ollinger, he's a good guy. He's a very successful businessman. When you spend as much time in local politics as I have, clearly the two of us do not see eye to eye. I can honestly say that in the past 6 years, Mr. Ollinger hasn't attended 1% of the meetings I have.
I said it very early on, wait and see how people will come out of the wood work and start attending meetings. I'm sure even Joe Ollinger knows, you can't become a "professional" at anything if you haven't walked the walk. Rick Pollitt has a lifetime of political experience as well as 4 years as the County Executive. Playing Monday morning Quarterback is easy to do. Joe needs to walk in a politicians shoes before he becomes the head master.
Nevertheless, I wish Joe the best.
Mark Tilghman Responds To Frank Kratovil Post
Dear Joe:
In answer to your rhetorical headline - we were not duped. Susan and I are strong supporters of Frank Kratovil, not because he is a Democrat, but because he is a good man who earnestly and capably represents our district. We previously supported Wayne Gilchrest for the same reasons. We were not paid to endorse Frank Kratovil, as you have falsely asserted, and our comments were not scripted. We were asked questions about Frank Kratovil and the “fair tax” proposal which Dr. Harris endorses on his website. The television ad accurately reflects Susan’s concerns regarding the “fair tax.” Our only regret is that the ad did not include the many good things we had to say about Frank Kratovil.
Susan and I do not know Dr. Harris, and we would not publicly criticize him. We do, however, strongly disagree with the “fair tax” which he supports as an alternative to the current tax system. Before Frank Kratovil’s ad, many people had never heard of the “fair tax,” and if they had, they certainly did not understand its potential impact. To the extent that the television ad has opened a dialogue on this subject, it will encourage people to educate themselves and to more clearly understand where Frank Kratovil and Dr. Harris differ on this important issue.
Your call for an apology from Frank Kratovil is unfounded. It is not possible to explain all of the nuances of a proposed federal tax in a 30 second commercial. The tax endorsed by Dr. Harris is, in fact, a 23% sales tax. Unlike other sales taxes, however, the “fair tax” applies to the purchase of almost all goods and services, including health care expenses. The “fair tax” is not fair. While the tax might be beneficial to those who are prosperous, healthy, and free to choose how they will spend their money, it will not benefit those who need costly medicines or expensive home healthcare. It also hurts parents who struggle to provide medical and dental care for their children.
I found the FactCheck.org article to which you referred. Interestingly, the article describes the “fair tax” as “highly controversial,” and points out that, in 2005, President Bush’s Advisory Panel On Federal Tax Reform was critical of the “fair tax” and “concluded that ‘middle-income Americans would pay a larger share of the federal tax burden’ under the proposal.” That same article referred its readers to an earlier article entitled “Unspinning the Fair Tax.” The earlier article, also by FactCheck.org (an organization which you describe as a “respected public watchdog group”) concluded that the “fair tax” "is not a 23% tax, but rather a 30% tax. And it is revenue-neutral only through an accounting trick. It will collect more money from those earning between $15,000 and $200,000 per year, and less from those earning more than $200,000 per year."
Susan and I were amused by your mistaken assumption that because we are lawyers, we would benefit by the passage of the “fair tax” and welcome Dr. Harris’ support of it. I would still like to believe that some people, especially our representatives, can look beyond self-interest. Yes, Joe, we understand the “fair tax.” We understand that Dr. Harris supports this proposed tax, and we understand that it would hurt most residents of our congressional district.
Mark Tilghman
In answer to your rhetorical headline - we were not duped. Susan and I are strong supporters of Frank Kratovil, not because he is a Democrat, but because he is a good man who earnestly and capably represents our district. We previously supported Wayne Gilchrest for the same reasons. We were not paid to endorse Frank Kratovil, as you have falsely asserted, and our comments were not scripted. We were asked questions about Frank Kratovil and the “fair tax” proposal which Dr. Harris endorses on his website. The television ad accurately reflects Susan’s concerns regarding the “fair tax.” Our only regret is that the ad did not include the many good things we had to say about Frank Kratovil.
Susan and I do not know Dr. Harris, and we would not publicly criticize him. We do, however, strongly disagree with the “fair tax” which he supports as an alternative to the current tax system. Before Frank Kratovil’s ad, many people had never heard of the “fair tax,” and if they had, they certainly did not understand its potential impact. To the extent that the television ad has opened a dialogue on this subject, it will encourage people to educate themselves and to more clearly understand where Frank Kratovil and Dr. Harris differ on this important issue.
Your call for an apology from Frank Kratovil is unfounded. It is not possible to explain all of the nuances of a proposed federal tax in a 30 second commercial. The tax endorsed by Dr. Harris is, in fact, a 23% sales tax. Unlike other sales taxes, however, the “fair tax” applies to the purchase of almost all goods and services, including health care expenses. The “fair tax” is not fair. While the tax might be beneficial to those who are prosperous, healthy, and free to choose how they will spend their money, it will not benefit those who need costly medicines or expensive home healthcare. It also hurts parents who struggle to provide medical and dental care for their children.
I found the FactCheck.org article to which you referred. Interestingly, the article describes the “fair tax” as “highly controversial,” and points out that, in 2005, President Bush’s Advisory Panel On Federal Tax Reform was critical of the “fair tax” and “concluded that ‘middle-income Americans would pay a larger share of the federal tax burden’ under the proposal.” That same article referred its readers to an earlier article entitled “Unspinning the Fair Tax.” The earlier article, also by FactCheck.org (an organization which you describe as a “respected public watchdog group”) concluded that the “fair tax” "is not a 23% tax, but rather a 30% tax. And it is revenue-neutral only through an accounting trick. It will collect more money from those earning between $15,000 and $200,000 per year, and less from those earning more than $200,000 per year."
Susan and I were amused by your mistaken assumption that because we are lawyers, we would benefit by the passage of the “fair tax” and welcome Dr. Harris’ support of it. I would still like to believe that some people, especially our representatives, can look beyond self-interest. Yes, Joe, we understand the “fair tax.” We understand that Dr. Harris supports this proposed tax, and we understand that it would hurt most residents of our congressional district.
Mark Tilghman
WBOC IS STILL AIRING KRATOVIL’S FRAUDULENT ATTACK ON ANDY HARRIS
Several times after its 7 PM news show last night, WBOC ran that ad “approved” by Kratovil starring two local attorneys (Mark and Susan Tilghman) that spreads the misleading message that Andy Harris wants to raise additional taxes – by having a federal sales tax – without pointing out to viewers that it would replace the federal income and other taxes under the “fair tax” plan that he favors.
Just like the Tilghmans, WBOC should have better judgment -- the ad’s message has been criticized by FactCheck.org as “misleading.”
Kratovil has some explaining to do. Just who suggested that you make this effort to scam your constituents, Frankie m’boy? And what are you doing to stop the ad from continuing to run?
Call WBOC at 410-749-1112 and demand that they pull this ad, and ask why they have not done a news report on the fraudulent Kratovil ad that they are running, which has been reported in real news media like the Baltimore Sun.
Have you noticed that none of our local “mainstream media” will touch this story. Here’s what others are saying:
Annapolis Capital
Two years ago, with Barack Obama on the ballot, was a good time for Democrats. This, to say the least, is not. Kratovil, a first-term Democratic congressman from Queen Anne's County in a tough race for re-election, focused his first television attack ad on a little-known part of Harris' platform.
"Can you imagine paying 23 percent sales tax on everything you buy?" the voiceover begins. "That's in Andy Harris' unfair tax plan." That's followed by purported regular folks saying things like "a 23 percent sales tax will cut my business in half" and "that's too high for the average American out here."
The ad, first reported by The Baltimore Sun, clearly implies that Harris, a Republican state senator from Baltimore County, supports tacking a 23 percent sales tax on top of the taxes everyone already pays.
Not true.
The ad cites Harris' own website, where he says, "I favor fairer, flatter, simpler and lower taxes -- I can support either the flat tax or the fair tax."
It also cites FairTax.org, whose slogan is "Abolish the income tax. Create an economic boom." The site supports a progressive sales tax and -- here's the key part the ad purposely skipped -- doing away with income, payroll and other taxes
.
Jessica Klonsky, Kratovil's campaign manager, said the ad is "very fair" and backed up by documentation. Klonsky said the race presents an important choice to voters and added, "Our approach is going to be to make sure that voters know what that choice is."
The facts be damned. . . . Kratovil's ad http://tinyurl.com/kratovilis a phony scare tactic.
Washington Post
The Maryland rematch between incumbent Democrat Frank Kratovil and Republican Andy Harris, one of the most closely watched House contests in the country, is turning negative ... An opening shot by Kratovil, the first attack ad of the general election race, goes after Harris for supporting a proposed national sales tax. However, the congressman's commercial never mentions that the sales-tax plan his challenger favors would do away with federal income taxes, an omission that an independent campaign watchdog has called deceptive in Democratic campaign advertising elsewhere.
Just like the Tilghmans, WBOC should have better judgment -- the ad’s message has been criticized by FactCheck.org as “misleading.”
Kratovil has some explaining to do. Just who suggested that you make this effort to scam your constituents, Frankie m’boy? And what are you doing to stop the ad from continuing to run?
Call WBOC at 410-749-1112 and demand that they pull this ad, and ask why they have not done a news report on the fraudulent Kratovil ad that they are running, which has been reported in real news media like the Baltimore Sun.
Have you noticed that none of our local “mainstream media” will touch this story. Here’s what others are saying:
Annapolis Capital
Two years ago, with Barack Obama on the ballot, was a good time for Democrats. This, to say the least, is not. Kratovil, a first-term Democratic congressman from Queen Anne's County in a tough race for re-election, focused his first television attack ad on a little-known part of Harris' platform.
"Can you imagine paying 23 percent sales tax on everything you buy?" the voiceover begins. "That's in Andy Harris' unfair tax plan." That's followed by purported regular folks saying things like "a 23 percent sales tax will cut my business in half" and "that's too high for the average American out here."
The ad, first reported by The Baltimore Sun, clearly implies that Harris, a Republican state senator from Baltimore County, supports tacking a 23 percent sales tax on top of the taxes everyone already pays.
Not true.
The ad cites Harris' own website, where he says, "I favor fairer, flatter, simpler and lower taxes -- I can support either the flat tax or the fair tax."
It also cites FairTax.org, whose slogan is "Abolish the income tax. Create an economic boom." The site supports a progressive sales tax and -- here's the key part the ad purposely skipped -- doing away with income, payroll and other taxes
.
Jessica Klonsky, Kratovil's campaign manager, said the ad is "very fair" and backed up by documentation. Klonsky said the race presents an important choice to voters and added, "Our approach is going to be to make sure that voters know what that choice is."
The facts be damned. . . . Kratovil's ad http://tinyurl.com/kratovilis a phony scare tactic.
Washington Post
The Maryland rematch between incumbent Democrat Frank Kratovil and Republican Andy Harris, one of the most closely watched House contests in the country, is turning negative ... An opening shot by Kratovil, the first attack ad of the general election race, goes after Harris for supporting a proposed national sales tax. However, the congressman's commercial never mentions that the sales-tax plan his challenger favors would do away with federal income taxes, an omission that an independent campaign watchdog has called deceptive in Democratic campaign advertising elsewhere.
Kratovil, From Victim To Perp
After being the victim of misleading attack ads two years ago, Frank Kratovil is running for re-election with … a misleading attack ad.
Voters who remember the nasty 2008 race between Kratovil and Andy Harris should expect more of the same from this rematch - or worse. (The race is in the 1st Congressional District, which covers the Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel and two other counties.)
Two years ago, with Barack Obama on the ballot, was a good time for Democrats. This, to say the least, is not.
Kratovil, a first-term Democratic congressman from Queen Anne's County in a tough race for re-election, focused his first television attack ad on a little-known part of Harris' platform.
"Can you imagine paying 23 percent sales tax on everything you buy?" the voiceover begins. "That's in Andy Harris' unfair tax plan."
That's followed by purported regular folks saying things like "a 23 percent sales tax will cut my business in half" and "that's too high for the average American out here."
The ad, first reported by The Baltimore Sun, clearly implies that Harris, a Republican state senator from Baltimore County, supports tacking a 23 percent sales tax on top of the taxes everyone already pays.
Not true.
The ad cites Harris' own website, where he says, "I favor fairer, flatter, simpler and lower taxes - I can support either the flat tax or the fair tax."
It also cites FairTax.org, whose slogan is "Abolish the income tax. Create an economic boom." The site supports a progressive sales tax and - here's the key part the ad purposely skipped - doing away with income, payroll and other taxes.
Jessica Klonsky, Kratovil's campaign manager, said the ad is "very fair" and backed up by documentation.
Klonsky said the race presents an important choice to voters and added, "Our approach is going to be to make sure that voters know what that choice is."
The facts be damned.
The fair/flat/whatever tax might be a terrible idea. But Kratovil's ad (http://tinyurl.com/kratovil) is a phony scare tactic.
Meanwhile, Harris kicked off his campaign with an image-building ad that plays like the trailer for a tearjerker movie. "His parents came to America to escape communism, all their belongings in a suitcase…" it begins.
Kratovil's website features a similarly positive spot called "Independent" that touts his bucking of the Democratic Party line.
The Harris campaign calls the fair tax ad false and a "desperate attack."
Yet, Harris is a hypocrite. In 2008, he ran despicable ads implying that Kratovil, then the Queen Anne's County state's attorney, threw a case as a favor to a political donor and was - inexplicably - soft on child molesters.
That year, Harris also attacked Kratovil for something he didn't say.
In a public forum discussing the financial crisis, Kratovil said, "The bigger issue is what do we do now. And as I mentioned in my talk, you know, in this country you oftentimes deal with a crisis - we solve the crisis, but we don't always deal with the long-term issues that led to the crisis."
Harris incessantly played a sound bite, suggesting Kratovil said "We solved the crisis." (Note the "D.") The ad mocked Kratovil for his naivete.
Clearly Kratovil said nothing of the sort, and Harris knew it.
"It's outrageous," Kratovil said in 2008. "I think he knows that the only way he wins now is to bring my positives down."
Et tu, Frank?
GO HERE to read more.
Voters who remember the nasty 2008 race between Kratovil and Andy Harris should expect more of the same from this rematch - or worse. (The race is in the 1st Congressional District, which covers the Eastern Shore and parts of Anne Arundel and two other counties.)
Two years ago, with Barack Obama on the ballot, was a good time for Democrats. This, to say the least, is not.
Kratovil, a first-term Democratic congressman from Queen Anne's County in a tough race for re-election, focused his first television attack ad on a little-known part of Harris' platform.
"Can you imagine paying 23 percent sales tax on everything you buy?" the voiceover begins. "That's in Andy Harris' unfair tax plan."
That's followed by purported regular folks saying things like "a 23 percent sales tax will cut my business in half" and "that's too high for the average American out here."
The ad, first reported by The Baltimore Sun, clearly implies that Harris, a Republican state senator from Baltimore County, supports tacking a 23 percent sales tax on top of the taxes everyone already pays.
Not true.
The ad cites Harris' own website, where he says, "I favor fairer, flatter, simpler and lower taxes - I can support either the flat tax or the fair tax."
It also cites FairTax.org, whose slogan is "Abolish the income tax. Create an economic boom." The site supports a progressive sales tax and - here's the key part the ad purposely skipped - doing away with income, payroll and other taxes.
Jessica Klonsky, Kratovil's campaign manager, said the ad is "very fair" and backed up by documentation.
Klonsky said the race presents an important choice to voters and added, "Our approach is going to be to make sure that voters know what that choice is."
The facts be damned.
The fair/flat/whatever tax might be a terrible idea. But Kratovil's ad (http://tinyurl.com/kratovil) is a phony scare tactic.
Meanwhile, Harris kicked off his campaign with an image-building ad that plays like the trailer for a tearjerker movie. "His parents came to America to escape communism, all their belongings in a suitcase…" it begins.
Kratovil's website features a similarly positive spot called "Independent" that touts his bucking of the Democratic Party line.
The Harris campaign calls the fair tax ad false and a "desperate attack."
Yet, Harris is a hypocrite. In 2008, he ran despicable ads implying that Kratovil, then the Queen Anne's County state's attorney, threw a case as a favor to a political donor and was - inexplicably - soft on child molesters.
That year, Harris also attacked Kratovil for something he didn't say.
In a public forum discussing the financial crisis, Kratovil said, "The bigger issue is what do we do now. And as I mentioned in my talk, you know, in this country you oftentimes deal with a crisis - we solve the crisis, but we don't always deal with the long-term issues that led to the crisis."
Harris incessantly played a sound bite, suggesting Kratovil said "We solved the crisis." (Note the "D.") The ad mocked Kratovil for his naivete.
Clearly Kratovil said nothing of the sort, and Harris knew it.
"It's outrageous," Kratovil said in 2008. "I think he knows that the only way he wins now is to bring my positives down."
Et tu, Frank?
GO HERE to read more.
Man Wanted In String Of Robberies Commits Another Then Apprehended
Location: Applied Bank, 660, Plaza Drive, Four Seasons Shopping Center, Newark, DE
Date of Occurrence: Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 2:15 p.m.
Victim: 24 year old Wilmington woman
Suspect: Scott A. Ginegaw, 37, Travertine Way, Newark, DE
Charges: Robbery 2nd degree (6 counts)
Robberies Linked to Ginegaw:
6/19/10 at 1:05 p.m. – Citizens Bank inside Acme- Fox Run Shopping Center
7/23/10 at 5:58 p.m. – Citizens Bank inside Acme – Fox Run Shopping Center
9/17/10 at 12:38 p.m. - Citizens Bank inside Acme – Fox Run Shopping Center
9/20/10 at 11.04 a.m. – Citizens Bank inside Acme – University Plaza Shopping Center
9/22/10 at 3:11 p.m. – Citizens bank inside Acme – Prices Corner Shopping Center
9/23/10 at 2:14 p.m. – Applied Bank – Four Seasons Shopping Center
Resume: State Police detectives have arrested a Newark man in connection with a string of bank robberies committed in New Castle County including one yesterday in Newark.
In the latest incident, a male suspect entered the Applied Bank located on Plaza Drive in the Four Seasons Shopping Center in Newark, DE at approximately 2:15 p.m. The suspect approached the 24 year old bank teller and presented her with a demand note for cash. A weapon was not implied or displayed. The teller complied with the note and turned over an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect who then fled from the bank. After further investigation it was determined that the suspect in this incident was the same man who had committed five other similar robberies at various banks throughout the county since June of this year.
At approximately 3:25 p.m. a New Castle County Police detective observed a white Ford Ranger pick-up truck matching the description of a possible suspect vehicle that had been at the scene of one of the previous bank robberies, in the area of Airport and Churchman’s Roads, in New Castle. The detective realized that the subject driving the truck matched the description of the robbery suspect. She then followed the vehicle into the parking lot of the Division of Motor Vehicles on Airport Road and detained the operator, who was later identified as Scott A. Ginegaw. A subsequent search of Ginegaw’s vehicle revealed evidence linking him to the robberies.
Scott Ginegaw was arrested and charged with six counts of Robbery 2nd degree. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute for lack of $150,000.00
Yard Sales
CLICK HERE for upcoming yard sales.
If you have a yard sale you would like to post, please email me at atlanticjw@aol.com.
Have a great weekend.
If you have a yard sale you would like to post, please email me at atlanticjw@aol.com.
Have a great weekend.
Obama Team Uses Flim-Flammery To Inflate Job Numbers
Are you a financial adviser? You may not know it, but you've got a green job. Are you a wholesale buyer? You've got a green job, too. Or maybe you're a newspaper reporter. You, too, have a green job -- at least according to the Obama administration.
For months, Republican Sen. Charles Grassley has been pushing the administration to substantiate its claims of having created nearly 200,000 green jobs. More fundamentally, Grassley has asked Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to state clearly what a green job is. So far, he hasn't gotten an answer.
Now, Grassley has learned that, in lieu of a settling on a straightforward definition of a green job, the administration has adopted an extraordinarily broad description of such jobs that could include not only financial advisers, wholesale buyers, and reporters, but also public relations specialists, marketing managers, and many more occupations that have nothing to do with protecting the environment.
If federal money has created any of those jobs, then the administration can claim to have created a green job.
Last June, Grassley sent Solis a letter questioning an administration request for public input on the definition of a green job. Grassley dryly noted that the request came after the government had already spent hundreds of millions of stimulus dollars on green jobs. Given that the administration couldn't nail down just what a green job is, Grassley asked Solis how she determined where those hundreds of millions of dollars went.
In response, Assistant Labor Secretary Jane Oates told Grassley that the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics is "working to develop a definition for green job sectors and jobs." Oates also noted that the department has "supported occupational research that begins to define green jobs." She specifically suggested he look at work done by a Labor Department project called the Occupational Information Network, also known as O*NET.
So Grassley's staff checked out O*NET and found extensive listings of jobs that could be classified, for government purposes, as "green." The list includes: "arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators," "financial analysts," "financial quantitative analysts," "investment underwriters," "marketing managers," "personal financial advisers," "public relations specialists," "wholesale and retail buyers," and "reporters and correspondents."More on this
For months, Republican Sen. Charles Grassley has been pushing the administration to substantiate its claims of having created nearly 200,000 green jobs. More fundamentally, Grassley has asked Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to state clearly what a green job is. So far, he hasn't gotten an answer.
Now, Grassley has learned that, in lieu of a settling on a straightforward definition of a green job, the administration has adopted an extraordinarily broad description of such jobs that could include not only financial advisers, wholesale buyers, and reporters, but also public relations specialists, marketing managers, and many more occupations that have nothing to do with protecting the environment.
If federal money has created any of those jobs, then the administration can claim to have created a green job.
Last June, Grassley sent Solis a letter questioning an administration request for public input on the definition of a green job. Grassley dryly noted that the request came after the government had already spent hundreds of millions of stimulus dollars on green jobs. Given that the administration couldn't nail down just what a green job is, Grassley asked Solis how she determined where those hundreds of millions of dollars went.
In response, Assistant Labor Secretary Jane Oates told Grassley that the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics is "working to develop a definition for green job sectors and jobs." Oates also noted that the department has "supported occupational research that begins to define green jobs." She specifically suggested he look at work done by a Labor Department project called the Occupational Information Network, also known as O*NET.
So Grassley's staff checked out O*NET and found extensive listings of jobs that could be classified, for government purposes, as "green." The list includes: "arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators," "financial analysts," "financial quantitative analysts," "investment underwriters," "marketing managers," "personal financial advisers," "public relations specialists," "wholesale and retail buyers," and "reporters and correspondents."More on this
Offshore Wind Park - O.C. Town Hall Meeting Held Last Night
Last night a town hall meeting was held in Ocean City, Maryland at St. Paul's - by the Sea - Episcopal Church. There were about 100 people in attendance
and the open meeting was sponsored by the following entities; NRG Energy, Bluewater, Maryland Environment, Maryland Energy Administration, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Maryland Sierra Club, Maryland League of Conservative Voters. Most of the sponsoring organizations are conservation groups that appeared to be in support of the concept. I did not notice any State Delegate or Senators at the town hall event. There was one Worcester County Commissioner present - L Busick.
Bottom line - in order for Maryland to be able to close the gap in order to comply with the RPS - standard set by Maryland law for renewable energy generation - it must adapt a plan for significant generation, or, it will have to buy its renewable generation from outside of Maryland - like the mid west.
The wind turbines are being proposed to be built off Maryland's shore. They are to be situated approximately out a distance of 8-15 miles. The territorial water boundary's for Maryland lie within 3 miles of the seashore and anything that extends out past that boundary is under Federal jurisdiction and thus are subject to other Federal compliance guidelines.
Bottom line - NRG energy has now acquired Bluewater - (Delaware's original offshore developer) - and is looking for a Power Purchase Agreement to be entered into with Maryland so as to guarantee a payback for the development of the initial offshore windmill park - estimated to be 1.5 billion dollars. The Power Purchase Agreement will initially be set for 20 - 25 years and will be partially spread out among Maryland's utility rate payers or customers.
and the open meeting was sponsored by the following entities; NRG Energy, Bluewater, Maryland Environment, Maryland Energy Administration, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Maryland Sierra Club, Maryland League of Conservative Voters. Most of the sponsoring organizations are conservation groups that appeared to be in support of the concept. I did not notice any State Delegate or Senators at the town hall event. There was one Worcester County Commissioner present - L Busick.
Bottom line - in order for Maryland to be able to close the gap in order to comply with the RPS - standard set by Maryland law for renewable energy generation - it must adapt a plan for significant generation, or, it will have to buy its renewable generation from outside of Maryland - like the mid west.
The wind turbines are being proposed to be built off Maryland's shore. They are to be situated approximately out a distance of 8-15 miles. The territorial water boundary's for Maryland lie within 3 miles of the seashore and anything that extends out past that boundary is under Federal jurisdiction and thus are subject to other Federal compliance guidelines.
Bottom line - NRG energy has now acquired Bluewater - (Delaware's original offshore developer) - and is looking for a Power Purchase Agreement to be entered into with Maryland so as to guarantee a payback for the development of the initial offshore windmill park - estimated to be 1.5 billion dollars. The Power Purchase Agreement will initially be set for 20 - 25 years and will be partially spread out among Maryland's utility rate payers or customers.
House Republican Leader John Boehner To Campaign For Andy Harris
SEVERNA PARK, Md. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (OH-8) will be the special guest at a fundraiser Saturday in Baltimore County to support Andy Harris in his bid for the United States Congress.
“I am honored to have Leader Boehner’s support in my fight for Maryland’s First District. He of all people knows the importance of fighting Nancy Pelosi and her job-killing policies,” said Andy Harris. “I look forward to November when John Boehner and I can work together to get America back on track and restore the American Dream.”
Republican Leader John Boehner represents the Eighth Congressional District of Ohio. In 2006, Boehner was elected by his colleagues to serve as House Republican Leader. He is a staunch opponent of pork-barrel spending and is fighting to eliminate wasteful spending, create jobs, and balance the federal budget without raising taxes.
“I am honored to have Leader Boehner’s support in my fight for Maryland’s First District. He of all people knows the importance of fighting Nancy Pelosi and her job-killing policies,” said Andy Harris. “I look forward to November when John Boehner and I can work together to get America back on track and restore the American Dream.”
Republican Leader John Boehner represents the Eighth Congressional District of Ohio. In 2006, Boehner was elected by his colleagues to serve as House Republican Leader. He is a staunch opponent of pork-barrel spending and is fighting to eliminate wasteful spending, create jobs, and balance the federal budget without raising taxes.
Censored Gulf Alert: Entire La. Communities Where Vomiting Blood
The inhumanity of the petrochemical-military-industrial-complex (PMIC) Gulf operation, warfare on Americans using its dispersant chemical weapon of mass destruction manufactured in the United States, becomes more apparent each passing day. One of the latest reports is that there are entire Louisiana communities where people are bleeding internally.
In a Dahr Jamail Interview by Intel Hub Radio on September 17, 2010, Jamail stated that there are "massive, massive disasters happening on any given day along the Gulf and the human impact - rashes and other related to the dispersants are becoming commonplace." (See the video at the very bottom of this article)
Jamail stated that there are entire communities in south Louisiana where, "they are vomiting blood and passing blood when they go to the bathroom.""People are very, very sick. Very very serious situation here."
In a recent Gulf Coast Barefoot Doctors interview, Delia LaBarre stated, "We need the world to know."
Urgent support is needed for Gulf Coast Barefoot Doctors to distribute Toxic Survival Kits according to LaBarre who is now inundated with requests for help to survive.
People can obtain a Toxic Survival Kit or have one delivered to a Gulf Coast resident in need. (See Gulf Coast Barefoot Doctors online or email info@gcbarefootdocs.org.)
GO HERE to read more.
Obama's Advisers Stage Mass Exit
Key Obama insider David Axelrod confirmed Thursday he will be leaving the administration next year, and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is now expected to leave his post as early as next month.
These latest defections add to the perception that "no-drama Obama" officials are rushing for the White House exits before voters deliver their midterm evaluation of President Obama's "hope and change" agenda.
"I'll be here well into 2011," Axelrod wrote Thursday in an e-mail to Fox News. "At some point, I'll leave to work on reelect."
Axelrod and Emanuel are the two advisers Obama probably relies on the most. Emanuel, whose profane tirades are legendary, is now thought likely to leave the White House as early as October in order to prepare his run for mayor of Chicago.
The Axelrod and Emanuel news followed a rash of recent top-level resignations.
On Tuesday, senior presidential adviser Larry Summers announced he would be leave the administration and return to Harvard University.
Other recent departures include economics adviser Christina Romer, who had issued the ill-fated prediction that the stimulus would hold unemployment below 8 percent; and Peter Orszag, the White House budget director who recently broke with the administration and called for extension of all Bush-era tax cuts.
Also, the assistant Treasury secretary for financial stability who helped oversee the TARP program, Herbert Allison, announced Wednesday that he is returning to Connecticut for family reasons.
Despite the apparent high-level shake up, the White House is working overtime to assure the media that the defections are completely routine and have nothing to do with the flagging economy, or the president's plummeting poll numbers.
More here
These latest defections add to the perception that "no-drama Obama" officials are rushing for the White House exits before voters deliver their midterm evaluation of President Obama's "hope and change" agenda.
"I'll be here well into 2011," Axelrod wrote Thursday in an e-mail to Fox News. "At some point, I'll leave to work on reelect."
Axelrod and Emanuel are the two advisers Obama probably relies on the most. Emanuel, whose profane tirades are legendary, is now thought likely to leave the White House as early as October in order to prepare his run for mayor of Chicago.
The Axelrod and Emanuel news followed a rash of recent top-level resignations.
On Tuesday, senior presidential adviser Larry Summers announced he would be leave the administration and return to Harvard University.
Other recent departures include economics adviser Christina Romer, who had issued the ill-fated prediction that the stimulus would hold unemployment below 8 percent; and Peter Orszag, the White House budget director who recently broke with the administration and called for extension of all Bush-era tax cuts.
Also, the assistant Treasury secretary for financial stability who helped oversee the TARP program, Herbert Allison, announced Wednesday that he is returning to Connecticut for family reasons.
Despite the apparent high-level shake up, the White House is working overtime to assure the media that the defections are completely routine and have nothing to do with the flagging economy, or the president's plummeting poll numbers.
More here
MD Congressman Calls For Schools To ‘Promote The Agenda’ Of Climate Change, Population Limitation
Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) told CNSNews.com at a "Sustainability Education Summit" hosted by the U.S. Education Department on Tuesday that environmental education in schools can "promote the agenda" of climate change and population growth through the influence it has on children.
“Like I keep saying over and over again, if you get young people invested in those ideas early on, that will result in those kinds of positive policy developments," Sarbanes told CNSNews.com. "So, whether it’s climate change, whether it’s population growth, whether it’s all these factors that impact the health of our world, raising that awareness early among young people is only going to promote the agenda.”
CNSNews.com interviewed Sarbanes after he spoke at a U.S. Department of Education event--"Sustainability Education Summit: Citizenship and Pathways for a Green Economy"--hosted by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
Sarbanes also said; “If we can provide them with a framework and help promote educational opportunities, in the beginning as I said, at the earliest stages, they’ll just grab hold of it and take it from there. So in a sense it’s a wonderful partnership where the adults can create this policy framework and help support it with grant funding and other kinds of initiatives and then the young people are going to take that, and they’re the ones that are really going to push it to the next level.”More here
“Like I keep saying over and over again, if you get young people invested in those ideas early on, that will result in those kinds of positive policy developments," Sarbanes told CNSNews.com. "So, whether it’s climate change, whether it’s population growth, whether it’s all these factors that impact the health of our world, raising that awareness early among young people is only going to promote the agenda.”
CNSNews.com interviewed Sarbanes after he spoke at a U.S. Department of Education event--"Sustainability Education Summit: Citizenship and Pathways for a Green Economy"--hosted by Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
Sarbanes also said; “If we can provide them with a framework and help promote educational opportunities, in the beginning as I said, at the earliest stages, they’ll just grab hold of it and take it from there. So in a sense it’s a wonderful partnership where the adults can create this policy framework and help support it with grant funding and other kinds of initiatives and then the young people are going to take that, and they’re the ones that are really going to push it to the next level.”More here
'Hate Crime' Remains Under The Radar
It's a criminal case whose victim bears the scars of a particularly heinous brutality – and whose motivation recalls the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. murders that outraged the nation.
But because it "fails to fit a preapproved script, you probably haven't even heard about it," says Erik Rush, author of a controversial new book on racial politics and manipulation.
"Were this a white-on-black hate crime," said Rush, "there is no escaping the fact that it would be national news for months, and every prominent black career civil rights activist in America would be calling for the death penalty."
The crime in question: Sixteen-year-old Shane McClellan walked from a friend's place to his West Seattle home. At 2 a.m., McClellan says two men asked him for a lighter. The men robbed him, beat him and "forced him up the stairs to a dead end and held him against his will for several hours," reports the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
"During this time," Det. Suzanne Moore wrote in a probable-cause document, "they beat him with their hands and feet, whipped him with his own belt, burned him with a lit cigarette, poured energy beer on him and urinated on him."
The report, which recounted the injuries to McClellan's face, ears, head, back and teeth, noted his alleged assailants – Ahmed Mohamed, who's black, and Jonathan Baquiring, who's Asian – taunted him with racial remarks during the attack.
Mohamed and Baquiring, reports Seattle’s KOMO News, held him at gunpoint and, "stripped off McClellan's belt and started whipping his back."
"They said, 'This is for what your people did to our people.' They were like whipping me with my belt, my studded belt," KOMO News reported McClellan as saying.
The incident occurred May 25 but only made headlines after recent police arrests, charging Mohamed and Baquiring with a hate crime. Even still, media coverage remains limited mostly to Seattle, something Rush said he finds "both baffling and revealing." More here
But because it "fails to fit a preapproved script, you probably haven't even heard about it," says Erik Rush, author of a controversial new book on racial politics and manipulation.
"Were this a white-on-black hate crime," said Rush, "there is no escaping the fact that it would be national news for months, and every prominent black career civil rights activist in America would be calling for the death penalty."
The crime in question: Sixteen-year-old Shane McClellan walked from a friend's place to his West Seattle home. At 2 a.m., McClellan says two men asked him for a lighter. The men robbed him, beat him and "forced him up the stairs to a dead end and held him against his will for several hours," reports the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
"During this time," Det. Suzanne Moore wrote in a probable-cause document, "they beat him with their hands and feet, whipped him with his own belt, burned him with a lit cigarette, poured energy beer on him and urinated on him."
The report, which recounted the injuries to McClellan's face, ears, head, back and teeth, noted his alleged assailants – Ahmed Mohamed, who's black, and Jonathan Baquiring, who's Asian – taunted him with racial remarks during the attack.
Mohamed and Baquiring, reports Seattle’s KOMO News, held him at gunpoint and, "stripped off McClellan's belt and started whipping his back."
"They said, 'This is for what your people did to our people.' They were like whipping me with my belt, my studded belt," KOMO News reported McClellan as saying.
The incident occurred May 25 but only made headlines after recent police arrests, charging Mohamed and Baquiring with a hate crime. Even still, media coverage remains limited mostly to Seattle, something Rush said he finds "both baffling and revealing." More here
Mills Signs Prosperity Pledge For Maryland
Dustin Mills, candidate for House of Delegates, joined with more than 40 candidates and Delegates to sign the Prosperity Pledge for Maryland. The pledge expresses the dedication of the signees toward returning Maryland to prosperity, through tax cuts, job creation and transparent government. The pledge was drawn up as a House Republican response to the dismal state of Maryland’s economy. “After decades of one-party rule in Annapolis, Maryland’s citizens are suffering,” said House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell. “They are paying higher taxes during record levels of unemployment, and their government continues to burn through their hard-earned money. This state is at a crossroads and without a significant change in November this unchecked appetite for spending is going to lead to higher taxes.”
The Prosperity Pledge is built around four pillars; a roll back and repeal of the O’Malley tax increases, bringing jobs back; restoring Maryland’s sovereignty during a time of increasing overreaches by the Federal Government; and making Maryland’s government transparent and accountable to its citizens. “I am committed to returning this great state to prosperity and making the Eastern Shore prosperous. I am proud to be signing this pledge, showing my support for these principles.”
Mills has a strong record of being anti-tax and a supporter of pro-business policies. “We need to help our small businesses and companies to prosper, creating well-paying jobs for citizens of Delmarva. The state is facing the largest budget deficit in history next year and we need to take steps to fix the budget now.”
For more information on Dustin Mills, visit http://www.electdustinmills.com/ or find Dustin Mills for Delegate on Facebook and Twitter. To schedule an interview, e-mail: electdustinmills2010@gmail.com.
'Pulpit Freedom Sunday' Has Christian Leaders Challenge Government Censorship
At least 100, and perhaps as many as several hundred, Christian pastors on Sunday will speak out on biblical issues and the political candidates on the November election ballot in direct violation of Internal Revenue Service regulations.
Then they'll package up recordings or transcripts of their sermons and send them to the IRS, with a dare to the government agency to come after them for their comments.
Ministers, although smaller in numbers, have done exactly that for the last two years. But of all the direct violations of the IRS ban on ministers addressing politics from their pulpits, only one investigation was begun, and it was dropped almost immediately, according to Kevin Theriot, a senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is organizing this year's Pulpit Freedom Sunday.
The essence of the program is to create a challenge to the IRS rules adopted in 1954 at the behest of then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson that prohibit any speech from a church pulpit favoring or opposing a political candidate.
The rules were adopted after Johnson found himself bearing the brunt of critical comments from Christian pastors concerned about his behavior in Washington.
Before then, according to the ADF, pastors spoke freely from their pulpits even about specific candidates, issues and elections.
"The IRS should not be used as a political tool to advance the agenda of radical groups bent on silencing the voice of the church and inhibiting religious freedom," Erik Stanley, also a seniorcounsel for the ADF, said. "It is ironic that a group with a name like 'Americans United for Separation of Church and State' continues to exploit a scheme of massive government monitoring and surveillance of churches."
More
Then they'll package up recordings or transcripts of their sermons and send them to the IRS, with a dare to the government agency to come after them for their comments.
Ministers, although smaller in numbers, have done exactly that for the last two years. But of all the direct violations of the IRS ban on ministers addressing politics from their pulpits, only one investigation was begun, and it was dropped almost immediately, according to Kevin Theriot, a senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is organizing this year's Pulpit Freedom Sunday.
The essence of the program is to create a challenge to the IRS rules adopted in 1954 at the behest of then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson that prohibit any speech from a church pulpit favoring or opposing a political candidate.
The rules were adopted after Johnson found himself bearing the brunt of critical comments from Christian pastors concerned about his behavior in Washington.
Before then, according to the ADF, pastors spoke freely from their pulpits even about specific candidates, issues and elections.
"The IRS should not be used as a political tool to advance the agenda of radical groups bent on silencing the voice of the church and inhibiting religious freedom," Erik Stanley, also a seniorcounsel for the ADF, said. "It is ironic that a group with a name like 'Americans United for Separation of Church and State' continues to exploit a scheme of massive government monitoring and surveillance of churches."
More
ACORN In Trouble Again
A spinoff of the controversial community organizing group ACORN has failed to comply with federal grant requirements and should be placed on "inactive status," asserts a report by the inspector general of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
ACORN, convicted in multiple voter-fraud cases, may have concealed fraud by destroying or failing to produce records, the investigation concluded.
The OIG found the group received $3.25 million in housing counseling grants from HUD between 2008 and 2009. More than $2.544 million, nearly 80 percent, of the HUD grants were used to pay ACORN's salaries.
HUD has awarded ACORN more than $19 million in housing counseling grants since 1995, the report points out.
The report was released in response to a Sept. 16, 2009, request by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.
It details the results of an investigation by HUD's Office of Inspector General of grant funds awarded under the agency's Housing Counseling Program to ACORN Housing Corporation Inc. of Chicago, now operating as Affordable Housing Centers of America," or AHOCA.
AHOCA's communications director in Washington, D.C., was asked by WND to respond to the report but has not replied.
The OIG said that for AHOCA "to continue as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and for future awards consideration," it "must bring its operations into full compliance with applicable laws, regulators and policies governing HUD'sHousing Counseling Program."
The report said the organization was unable to properly account for its allocation of salary expenses, which raised "serious concerns," "particularly given the millions offederal and non-federal dollars" allocated. It also found "services procured from ACORN 'associated' organizations failed to meet the required tests of 'open and free competition.'"
More from WND
ACORN, convicted in multiple voter-fraud cases, may have concealed fraud by destroying or failing to produce records, the investigation concluded.
The OIG found the group received $3.25 million in housing counseling grants from HUD between 2008 and 2009. More than $2.544 million, nearly 80 percent, of the HUD grants were used to pay ACORN's salaries.
HUD has awarded ACORN more than $19 million in housing counseling grants since 1995, the report points out.
The report was released in response to a Sept. 16, 2009, request by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.
It details the results of an investigation by HUD's Office of Inspector General of grant funds awarded under the agency's Housing Counseling Program to ACORN Housing Corporation Inc. of Chicago, now operating as Affordable Housing Centers of America," or AHOCA.
AHOCA's communications director in Washington, D.C., was asked by WND to respond to the report but has not replied.
The OIG said that for AHOCA "to continue as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and for future awards consideration," it "must bring its operations into full compliance with applicable laws, regulators and policies governing HUD'sHousing Counseling Program."
The report said the organization was unable to properly account for its allocation of salary expenses, which raised "serious concerns," "particularly given the millions offederal and non-federal dollars" allocated. It also found "services procured from ACORN 'associated' organizations failed to meet the required tests of 'open and free competition.'"
More from WND
RICHARD “LEE” OUTEN FOR FRUITLAND CITY COUNCIL
About me: My Wife, Christy, and I bought our first home in Fruitland 14 years ago shortly after we were married. We have a daughter, Taylor, who is 8 years old and attends Fruitland Intermediate.
I am a 1991 graduate of Wi- Hi. I attended Allegany Community College, Wor-Wic Community College, and UMES.
My employment with Wicomico County as Traffic Operations Supervisor (since 1998) has enabled me to have a thorough understanding of Government from things such as budgetary aspects, infrastructure, obtaining grants, and of course traffic related issues. I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with a variety of people in government throughout the state. I have enjoyed working for the citizens of Wicomico County.
My motivation to run for City Council exists because I am a taxpayer just like you. I am frustrated in the increase in our water and sewer rates, as well as the increase in our property tax rate, especially considering the tough economic times we are facing.
Among other things, I am concerned with what appears to be an influx of college rentals in the City and the problems that are sometimes associated with them.
This year, when the council was prepared to pass another steep increase in our water and sewer rates, I presented them with some alternative measures. These measures were aimed to ease the burden on our small family homes, and to those that use minimal amounts of water, rather than institute an across the board increase for all users regardless of how much water you use.
I offered other options to the council, such as implementing commercial rates, since they are making money here while we are just trying to live here, along with changing the rate structure so that everyone is not paying for some that use excessive amounts of water. Although these measures did save us some money, I think we can do better.
My Pledge: I pledge to vote NO to any increase in property tax, and continue to explore ways of lowering our water and sewer rates. I will stay informed and do my homework to look for areas throughout the City where we may trim costs.
Feel free to contact me if you have a question or concern- 410-341-7079, or email me at rleeo2@verizon.net.
I am a 1991 graduate of Wi- Hi. I attended Allegany Community College, Wor-Wic Community College, and UMES.
My employment with Wicomico County as Traffic Operations Supervisor (since 1998) has enabled me to have a thorough understanding of Government from things such as budgetary aspects, infrastructure, obtaining grants, and of course traffic related issues. I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with a variety of people in government throughout the state. I have enjoyed working for the citizens of Wicomico County.
My motivation to run for City Council exists because I am a taxpayer just like you. I am frustrated in the increase in our water and sewer rates, as well as the increase in our property tax rate, especially considering the tough economic times we are facing.
Among other things, I am concerned with what appears to be an influx of college rentals in the City and the problems that are sometimes associated with them.
This year, when the council was prepared to pass another steep increase in our water and sewer rates, I presented them with some alternative measures. These measures were aimed to ease the burden on our small family homes, and to those that use minimal amounts of water, rather than institute an across the board increase for all users regardless of how much water you use.
I offered other options to the council, such as implementing commercial rates, since they are making money here while we are just trying to live here, along with changing the rate structure so that everyone is not paying for some that use excessive amounts of water. Although these measures did save us some money, I think we can do better.
My Pledge: I pledge to vote NO to any increase in property tax, and continue to explore ways of lowering our water and sewer rates. I will stay informed and do my homework to look for areas throughout the City where we may trim costs.
Feel free to contact me if you have a question or concern- 410-341-7079, or email me at rleeo2@verizon.net.
New Yorkers Want Mosque Moved Regardless Of Rights, Poll Says
Sept. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Four out of five voters in New York state agree Muslims have the right to build a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in Manhattan, yet 67 percent say they should voluntarily move it elsewhere, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.
Attitudes toward the proposed Islamic center two blocks from Ground Zero split along party lines. Democrats said it would be appropriate, 50 percent to 34 percent; Republicans rejected it, 90 percent to 8 percent, and independents opposed it 63 percent to 30 percent.
The issue, which Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Aug. 4 was “as important a test of the separation of church and state as any we may see in our lifetime,” has drawn opposition from national figures including former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, both Republicans.
The proposal has become an issue in this year’s campaignfor New York’s governor. Republican Carl Paladino denounced it and Democrat Andrew Cuomo, the state’s attorney general, rejected calls to investigate the finances of the mosque’s developer without evidence or allegations of wrongdoing.
“Most voters think it isn’t ‘appropriate’ to put a mosque close to Ground Zero,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, based in Hamden, Connecticut. “Republicans overwhelmingly say no; Democrats say yes. But almost all New Yorkers agree that America’s belief in freedom of religion gives Muslims the right to build the mosque.”
GO HERE to read more.
Senate Bill 3767 Seeks To Put Dietary Supplement MMakers In Prison For Ten Years (for telling the truth)
(NaturalNews) Beware of Senate bill 3767, the so-called Food Safety Accountability Act. This dangerous legislation, if passed, would criminalize nutritional supplement manufacturers who tell the truth about their products or link to published scientific studies describing the biological benefits of their products. Based on language in the bill, health proponents who sell supplements could be criminalized and convicted to ten years in prison.
The Life Extension Foundation recently published an important warning piece about this, complete with some call to action items for which we need your help.
Here's what was written by William Faloon and published at LEF (http://www.lef.org/featured-article...). I agree with every word written here and urge you to read this and take this message seriously, then do your part to oppose this new legislative tyranny that seeks to criminalize dietary supplement manufacturers.
GO HERE to read more.
The Life Extension Foundation recently published an important warning piece about this, complete with some call to action items for which we need your help.
Here's what was written by William Faloon and published at LEF (http://www.lef.org/featured-article...). I agree with every word written here and urge you to read this and take this message seriously, then do your part to oppose this new legislative tyranny that seeks to criminalize dietary supplement manufacturers.
GO HERE to read more.
Joe Ollinger Breaks Promise Even Before The Election
All this talk about Joe Ollinger stealing Google's colors, give me a break! Joe was at least smart enough to make contact with Google and ask if it was OK. What I find most interesting are the other Bloggers who copy just about everything I do, yet they're the biggest complainers about copy and paste.
I change the format on Salisbury News, they change theirs to follow. I do interviews, they try to do interviews. I do a parody of Julie Brewington, they tape black electrical tape top their face to make it look like they have a goatee. I grow a goatee, they grow a goatee. I buy a silver BMW Z3, they buy a silver BMW Z3. I marry a beautiful woman, oh, well, I guess I should have stopped while I was ahead! Joe Ollinger believes Google has been successful with their colors, I say, great marketing move Joe.
The only mistake Joe Ollinger made when it comes to his signs is the fact that he promised he wouldn't do it. Oh sure, now he says he meant yard signs. However, when you make a commitment, stick to it Joe. What bothers me the most is, Joe is on the outside looking in. Like Ireton, he doesn't know the day to day business of a County Executive. God Forbid Joe get elected, he'd instantly learn the things he promised simply cannot be done. We've discussed all of that in the past, so I won't bore you again with Joe's false/impossible campaign promises. While I think the colors on his signs are pleasant, nothing is going to help Joe win this election. He's a hot head, he's a best friend of Barrie Tilghman, Mike Dunn, Lynn Cathcart, Gary Comegys, Ron Alessi and the republicans have delivered yet another Louise Smith. Are your eyes open yet Folks?
Pa. Mailman Admits Stashing 12,000 Pieces Of Mail
PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia postal carrier has been sentenced to probation after admitting he stored more than 12,000 pieces of undelivered mail in his garage.
Forty-two-year-old David Blauser pleaded guilty Thursday to a single count of willfully obstructing the passage of mail. A federal judge immediately sentenced him to three years' probation, community service and a $500 fine.
Blauser was charged Monday. According to court documents, he began stashing the mail in 1997 and added to the pile whenever he found himself unable to keep up.
Authorities say Blauser's wife discovered the 12,808 pieces of undelivered mail in April and reported it to the postal service.
It took three mail trucks to remove the mail from the home. It was all eventually delivered.
Democrats In Worse Shape Than In '94, New Index Shows
Voter Confidence Index, a new measure from NBC News and msnbc.com, shows trouble for Democrats.
Would Ending Bush's Tax Cuts Hurt Small Business?
Not as much as Mitch McConnell says, given the curious definition of "small business" under current tax rules
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has thrust small business to the center of the political fracas over extending the Bush era tax cuts. He says President Barack Obama's plan to limit future tax breaks to couples earning less than $250,000 would subject 50 percent of small business income to a tax increase, stalling the job creation engine. McConnell would renew all the cuts, even those for the highest-income U.S. households. The tax cuts expire on Dec. 31 unless Congress acts.
If McConnell has his way, Obama, billionaire investor George Soros, and many film stars would be among the "small business owners" to benefit. Obama last year earned more than 10 times as much from his work as an author as he did from his $400,000 Presidential salary and reported that business income on his personal tax return, the same as a shareholder in a 50-employee machine shop might.
The debate pitting Obama's "no tax cuts for the rich" position against McConnell's "job-killer tax-increases" argument could play out on the Senate floor the week of Sept. 27, although a resolution is not likely until Congress returns for a lame duck session after the election. Which side is right? Recent studies by two nonpartisan groups suggest that McConnell, of Kentucky, is exaggerating. Yet the IRS doesn't collect the information needed to pinpoint who would pay the higher taxes, a data gap that allows both sides to claim the rhetorical high ground.
McConnell's 50-percent-of-income figure is based on a July 12 finding by the Joint Committee on Taxation, a House-Senate panel that analyzes tax issues, that half of about $1 trillion of business income in 2011 will be reported on some 750,000 personal tax returns filed by people who pay the top marginal rates. He calls those small businesses. Yet the report says the data "do not imply that all of the income is from entities that might be considered 'small.' " Almost 20,000 of those businesses, for example, had receipts of more than $50 million, it says.
GO HERE to read more.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has thrust small business to the center of the political fracas over extending the Bush era tax cuts. He says President Barack Obama's plan to limit future tax breaks to couples earning less than $250,000 would subject 50 percent of small business income to a tax increase, stalling the job creation engine. McConnell would renew all the cuts, even those for the highest-income U.S. households. The tax cuts expire on Dec. 31 unless Congress acts.
If McConnell has his way, Obama, billionaire investor George Soros, and many film stars would be among the "small business owners" to benefit. Obama last year earned more than 10 times as much from his work as an author as he did from his $400,000 Presidential salary and reported that business income on his personal tax return, the same as a shareholder in a 50-employee machine shop might.
The debate pitting Obama's "no tax cuts for the rich" position against McConnell's "job-killer tax-increases" argument could play out on the Senate floor the week of Sept. 27, although a resolution is not likely until Congress returns for a lame duck session after the election. Which side is right? Recent studies by two nonpartisan groups suggest that McConnell, of Kentucky, is exaggerating. Yet the IRS doesn't collect the information needed to pinpoint who would pay the higher taxes, a data gap that allows both sides to claim the rhetorical high ground.
McConnell's 50-percent-of-income figure is based on a July 12 finding by the Joint Committee on Taxation, a House-Senate panel that analyzes tax issues, that half of about $1 trillion of business income in 2011 will be reported on some 750,000 personal tax returns filed by people who pay the top marginal rates. He calls those small businesses. Yet the report says the data "do not imply that all of the income is from entities that might be considered 'small.' " Almost 20,000 of those businesses, for example, had receipts of more than $50 million, it says.
GO HERE to read more.
Democrats Punt Showdown Vote On Tax Cuts To Lame Duck
Senate Democratic leaders decide to wait until after the November midterm elections to vote on preserving soon-to-expire middle class tax cuts passed under former President Bush.
GO HERE to read more.
GO HERE to read more.
Secret, Tax-Exempt Dollars Fund Political Fights
Nonprofit advocacy groups allow the wealthy to influence elections without revealing themselves, watchdogs claim
Alaskans grew suspicious two years ago when a national organization called Americans for Job Security showed up and spent $1.6 million pushing a referendum to restrict development of a gold and copper mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay.
It seemed an oddly parochial fight for a pro-business group based in the Washington suburbs that had spent tens of millions of dollars since the late 1990s roughing up Democrats with negative advertisements around election time.
But after the mine’s supporters filed a complaint with the state, it became clear that what was depicted as grass-roots opposition was something else entirely: Americans for Job Security, investigators found, had helped create the illusion of a popular upwelling to shield the identity of a local financier who paid for most of the referendum campaign.
More broadly, they said, far from being a national movement advocating a “pro-paycheck message,” the group is actually a front for a coterie of political operatives, devised to sidestep campaign disclosure rules.
GO HERE to read more.
Alaskans grew suspicious two years ago when a national organization called Americans for Job Security showed up and spent $1.6 million pushing a referendum to restrict development of a gold and copper mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay.
It seemed an oddly parochial fight for a pro-business group based in the Washington suburbs that had spent tens of millions of dollars since the late 1990s roughing up Democrats with negative advertisements around election time.
But after the mine’s supporters filed a complaint with the state, it became clear that what was depicted as grass-roots opposition was something else entirely: Americans for Job Security, investigators found, had helped create the illusion of a popular upwelling to shield the identity of a local financier who paid for most of the referendum campaign.
More broadly, they said, far from being a national movement advocating a “pro-paycheck message,” the group is actually a front for a coterie of political operatives, devised to sidestep campaign disclosure rules.
GO HERE to read more.
A Letter To The Editor
A letter of thanks to a local company....
I am the current Band Booster President for the James M. Bennett Marching High School Band. It is our non profit organizations responsibility to raise funds for the band so that they can attend band camp, sporting events, competitions, parades and to assist with the purchase of instruments and other necessary equipment.
With the rising cost of transportation and equipment, this has become quite a struggle not only for our organization but for bands county wide. Recently we were in desperate need to replace tires on our equipment trailer and with limited resources we were extremely concerned with the cost. We priced the cost of the tires at places such as Walmart and Sams Club and even after they were told it was for a local school organization, they were unable to offer us a discount. However, one local business that we contacted was more than generous and not only did they give us the tires at their cost but also did not charge us any labor fees.
They never even hesitated to offer us a discount and were extremely professional and had the job completed in record time. On behalf of the JMB Band Boosters and students, I would like to publicly thank the generous people at Burnett White Tire and Auto Company. Their kind and generous offering is tremendously appreciated and saved our organization money so that we can continue to support the band students during this competition season.
We hope that your readers will consider going to Burnett White for their future automotive needs. Please support local businesses because they in turn support us.
Sincerely,
Jon Greene
JMB Band Booster President
D.C. Area's Summer Weather Named Worst In U.S.
WASHINGTON - If you spent time this summer saying "This weather is the worst!", a group of meteorologists agree with your sentiment.
The Weather Channel says the Washington D.C. area experienced the worst summer weather in the United States.
The channel's main focus was the damaging thunderstorms that rolled through the region in late July and early August.
The Weather Channel says the storm that hit the area on July 25 had winds as high as 90 miles per hour. This first storm crippled the region's power companies, with some area residents not seeing power for up to four days afterwards.
The storm that blew through the region on August 5 hit the Del Ray section of Alexandria particularly hard, ripping large trees out of the ground and cutting power to over 60,000 residents
GO HERE to read more.
The Weather Channel says the Washington D.C. area experienced the worst summer weather in the United States.
The channel's main focus was the damaging thunderstorms that rolled through the region in late July and early August.
The Weather Channel says the storm that hit the area on July 25 had winds as high as 90 miles per hour. This first storm crippled the region's power companies, with some area residents not seeing power for up to four days afterwards.
The storm that blew through the region on August 5 hit the Del Ray section of Alexandria particularly hard, ripping large trees out of the ground and cutting power to over 60,000 residents
GO HERE to read more.
Virginia Executes Woman Amid Outcry
The first woman to be executed in the U.S. in five years has been put to death in Virginia for arranging the killings of her husband and a stepson over a $250,000 insurance payment.
GO HERE to read more.
GO HERE to read more.
Health Insurance Companies Really Hate Your Sick Children
The health insurance industry is generally known for its efficiency, generosity and -- of course -- for its customer-first attitude. That's why it comes as such a shock that several of the more beloved insurance institutions like Wellpoint, Aetna, Cigna and United Healthcare have decided to stop selling you insurance policies for your sick children.
GO HERE to read more.
GO HERE to read more.
Chase Tries To Pass Fake Money Back To Customer
A guy withdrew some hundreds from his credit union to pay his roommate his portion of the rent. The roommate deposited them at Chase, which later discovered that one of the hundreds was actually a $5 altered to look like a $100.
More
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Having Trouble With Similac's Recall Site? There's A PDF For That
Not long after news broke that a recall had been issued for Similac powdered baby formulas because they might contain tiny beetles, many people had trouble accessing the Similac website or toll-free phone number to check if the formula they were using for their babies was on the list of recalled lot numbers.
GO HERE To Read More
GO HERE To Read More
Congress Changes Intellectual Disability Wording
WASHINGTON – Disabilities advocates are applauding Congress for passing legislation that eliminates the term "mental retardation" from federal laws.
The measure, passed by the House by voice vote Wednesday night, changes the phrase "mentally retarded" to "an individual with an intellectual disability" in existing health, education and labor law.
Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, sponsor of the bill with Republican Sen Mike Enzi, of Wyoming, said it would make language in federal law consistent with that used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health arm of the United Nations and the White House.
"Rosa's Law," named after a Maryland girl with Down Syndrome, passed the Senate last month and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.
Source
The measure, passed by the House by voice vote Wednesday night, changes the phrase "mentally retarded" to "an individual with an intellectual disability" in existing health, education and labor law.
Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, sponsor of the bill with Republican Sen Mike Enzi, of Wyoming, said it would make language in federal law consistent with that used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health arm of the United Nations and the White House.
"Rosa's Law," named after a Maryland girl with Down Syndrome, passed the Senate last month and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.
Source
Third And Final Contest Question
The Fruitland Recreation Commission
is holding a contest for 2 FREE tickets
to the All-You-Eat-Breakfast at Uno's
on Saturday, Septemper 25, 2010
7:00 am - 10:00 am
The question is:
Who is the Little League Park on Brown St. dedicated to?
When you answer the question, please leave your first and last name.
The tickets will be waiting for you at the door on Saturday, just ask for Kimmie.
Good Luck!
Manipulated Jobs Report Misled Marylanders
ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Republican Party has obtained a document showing the O’Malley Administration misled the public about Maryland’s faltering economy. A version of July Employment Situation Report that had been scrubbed from a government website proves the O’Malley Administration blatantly altered the report’s language to mislead Marylanders for political expediency. In reaction to obtaining the document, MD GOP Chairman Audrey Scott released the following statement:
“This newly obtained document shows Martin O’Malley has no regard for the 216,000 unemployed Marylanders. It’s now clear the government knew Maryland’s economy had faltered in July yet despite being caught red-handed; they deliberately withheld the information to benefit O’Malley’s reelection bid. Martin O’Malley’s failure to create a single job during his tenure as governor has clearly turned to desperation with the manipulation of official reports for political benefit. This sort of behavior is indicative of what happens when one Party controls government for 36 out of the last 40 years, as O’Malley believes our government agencies should serve as an arm of his reelection campaign. After another month of job losses in August, it’s clear the O’Malley Administration saw the writing on the wall in the July report and sought to hide the information to save his fledgling reelection bid.
“This newly obtained document shows Martin O’Malley has no regard for the 216,000 unemployed Marylanders. It’s now clear the government knew Maryland’s economy had faltered in July yet despite being caught red-handed; they deliberately withheld the information to benefit O’Malley’s reelection bid. Martin O’Malley’s failure to create a single job during his tenure as governor has clearly turned to desperation with the manipulation of official reports for political benefit. This sort of behavior is indicative of what happens when one Party controls government for 36 out of the last 40 years, as O’Malley believes our government agencies should serve as an arm of his reelection campaign. After another month of job losses in August, it’s clear the O’Malley Administration saw the writing on the wall in the July report and sought to hide the information to save his fledgling reelection bid.
Andy Harris for Congress Newsletter
40 DAYS TO GO!
last week’s Primary Election, I defeated my opponent 2-to-1 and won all 12 counties in Maryland’s First Congressional District, despite being heavily outspent! I want to thank all of you for supporting me through the Primary, which was just the first step in stopping Nancy Pelosi and her job-killing agenda. There are less than six weeks until Election Day, and with your help we will see victory in November!
Andy Around Town
Last weekend was a beautiful weekend for campaigning. I went door-to-door in Baltimore County, visited the Anne Arundel County Fair, and talked to voters at the Bel Air American Legion Crab Feast. As I criss-crossed the District last week visiting eight counties, I heard everywhere that people are discontented with Washington and are gearing up for a change in November.
Don't Believe the Hype
Many of you have noticed that Frank Kratovil has already started attacking me on television in an ad claiming I would support a 23 percent tax increase. How ridiculous! I have a strong record of protecting Marylanders from out-of-control taxes. I signed a pledge 12 years ago to not raise taxes in the state Senate and I’ve honored that pledge. Even the independent site, factcheck.org, calls this line of attack "misleading"and "false," explaining the proposal would "repeal the federal income tax entirely and do away with the Internal Revenue Service. It would also eliminate gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare and self-employment taxes." Just remember, the reason my opponent is running negative ads is because he can’t run on his own record.
Momentum is Building
The campaign is picking up momentum nation-wide. Congressional Quarterly, a major news source that covers Washington politics, moved our ranking from “Toss Up” to “Leans Republican.” People across our country can see that the First District is fed up with its current representation and know things will be different after November 2nd.
I’m pleased to announce House Republican Leader John Boehner will be a special guest at a fundraiser for me this weekend. The entire Republican Leadership - Leader Boehner, Republican Whip Eric Cantor, and Republican Chairman Mike Pence - have all been active in supporting my election. Their support is just another example of how pivotal this race is for the entire country.
Calling all Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering in our main office, please call 410-609-3829 or visit our website. We always need more help and we’d love to have you! Also, the Maryland GOP combined campaign, “Victory 2010,” is having another Super Saturday on October 9th. Spend the day door knocking, phone calling, and getting out the vote for Republican candidates everywhere in the First District! Please visit the Maryland GOP website for more information.
Thank you so much for your support! There are only 40 days until Election Day. If you haven’t already, it’s time to start making phone calls, knocking on doors, talking to your neighbors, and talking to your friends. In 40 days, we will retire Nancy Pelosi, take back Washington, and get true representation for Maryland’s First District!
Andy Harris
O'MALLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN AFL-CIO RALLY IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
Baltimore, MD -- Today, Governor O'Malley will join with the hard working members of the AFL-CIO for a rally in Prince George's County. Over the past four years, Governor O'Malley has fought for our working families, modernizing the state's unemployment system, enforcing the prevailing wage and cracking down on workplace fraud. In stark contrast, Bob Ehrlich vetoed an increase in the minimum wage when he was Governor.
Cat Found UPDATE
Last week I found this white cat near the Salisbury zoo. He is the most lovable, well mannered cat. He is front pads are declawed and he is litter box trained. He is playful yet calm and sometimes I don't even realize that he is even in the house. I would love to find a good home for the little fellow. I have attached two pictures that I hope you can post on your site. Thank you.
My name is Sarah and I can be reached at civiliansd@yahoo.com or 443-365-9003.
OC POLICE ARREST OC MAN FOR BURGLARY
On September 22, 2010, at approximately 4 p.m., Ocean City Police were in the area of 76th Street when they observed a subject identified as Mark Allen Meekins, Jr., 29, of Ocean City, break into an apartment and steal a 42-inch flat screen television. Meekins was arrested and found to be wanted in the state of Delaware for burglary as well.
Meekins has been charged with:
- 1st Degree Burglary
- Theft over $1000 to $10,000
- Held on Fugitive Warrant
Meekins was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and held on a $50,000 bond. Meekins was transferred to the Worcester County Jail.
Meekins has been charged with:
- 1st Degree Burglary
- Theft over $1000 to $10,000
- Held on Fugitive Warrant
Meekins was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and held on a $50,000 bond. Meekins was transferred to the Worcester County Jail.
Burglar Charged With Breaking Into Residence Twice
Location:
35000 block Woods Avenue Laurel, De
DATE and TIME:
June 1 and September 22, 2010
Victim(s):
37 year old man Laurel, De
Defendant(s):
Geoffery R. Soucy-26 Dagsboro, De
Charge(s) and Bond Information:
2 counts of Burglary Second Degree
Theft $1,500 or Greater
Theft Under $1,500
Conspiracy Second Degree
2 counts Criminal Mischief
$2,000 secured bond Sussex Correctional Institute
Resume:
Laurel-Delaware State Police Wednesday September 22, 2010 arrested a Dagsboro man after a burglary investigation.
State Troopers responded to a burglary call in the 35000 block of Woods Avenue Laurel Delaware around 11:41 a.m. The resident came home after receiving a call from his alarm company of activation at his house. The victim came home to find his residence door had been damaged.
State Troopers also knew the residence had also been burglarized on June 1st of this year. During the June 1st burglary a suspect entered the residence and stole approximately $5,700 dollars in jewelry, televisions and computer equipment. The suspect was never identified.
During the course of the current burglary investigation Delaware State Police learned that Geoffery R. Soucy-26 of Dagsboro was the culprit in the aforementioned burglaries. State Troopers apprehended Soucy at his residence without incident. Soucy on the September 22nd burglary took the victim’s television after forcing open a door.
Soucy also was linked to the June 1st burglary and was subsequently arrested for burglary and theft charges. Soucy was incarcerated on $6,500 secured bond
35000 block Woods Avenue Laurel, De
DATE and TIME:
June 1 and September 22, 2010
Victim(s):
37 year old man Laurel, De
Defendant(s):
Geoffery R. Soucy-26 Dagsboro, De
Charge(s) and Bond Information:
2 counts of Burglary Second Degree
Theft $1,500 or Greater
Theft Under $1,500
Conspiracy Second Degree
2 counts Criminal Mischief
$2,000 secured bond Sussex Correctional Institute
Resume:
Laurel-Delaware State Police Wednesday September 22, 2010 arrested a Dagsboro man after a burglary investigation.
State Troopers responded to a burglary call in the 35000 block of Woods Avenue Laurel Delaware around 11:41 a.m. The resident came home after receiving a call from his alarm company of activation at his house. The victim came home to find his residence door had been damaged.
State Troopers also knew the residence had also been burglarized on June 1st of this year. During the June 1st burglary a suspect entered the residence and stole approximately $5,700 dollars in jewelry, televisions and computer equipment. The suspect was never identified.
During the course of the current burglary investigation Delaware State Police learned that Geoffery R. Soucy-26 of Dagsboro was the culprit in the aforementioned burglaries. State Troopers apprehended Soucy at his residence without incident. Soucy on the September 22nd burglary took the victim’s television after forcing open a door.
Soucy also was linked to the June 1st burglary and was subsequently arrested for burglary and theft charges. Soucy was incarcerated on $6,500 secured bond
This Year, Contractor Deaths Exceed Military Ones In Iraq and Afghanistan
More contractors than soldiers died in Iraq and Afghanistan in the first six months of 2010, the first time that contractor deaths have exceeded military ones.
GO HERE to read more.
GO HERE to read more.
Fall Tree Planting Has Obvious Advantages
Fall is officially here. And with it comes the opportunity to plant that tree or shrub you've been looking at all summer, but didn't buy because of the cost or the amount of effort and money involved in constantly watering it in the 90 degree and above heat and its related overly dry conditions.
Right now is the time to put that tree or shrub in the ground. Weather conditions favor the transplant, and many nurseries and other retailers have put some deep discounts on most of their root-balled stock in hopes of selling it to reduce inventory and avoid losing the balled root or potted plants to winter freeze. Most places also sell bales of peat moss, something you'll need to properly give the tree a great start in your yard.
The weather's going to be nice in coming weeks, this weekend especially, with cooler temperatures and a good chance of some rain. Plant a tree and take advantage of the benefits trees offer, like lower summer air conditioning bills, a more comfortable yard, a shady spot (up to 20 degrees cooler than in the sun) to sip your or beverage of choice, and the beauty that can give your property.
Don't know the first thing about planting a tree or shrub? Ask your nurseryman, or visit any one of many sites on the internet. And get the kids or grandkids to help. It's good for them.
Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Releases
9-17-10 William F. Greenhawk of Salisbury, arrested on a criminal summons regarding disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, trespass on posted property, burglary 4th degree, and assault 2nd degree. Greenhawk was later released pending trial.
9-18-10 Norman Dale Brenner of Marion, arrested for driving on a suspended drivers license. Brenner was later released after signing citations.
9-18-10 Yhomas Rudolph Bender of Salisbury, arrested of a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Bender was held on a $5,000 bond.
9-20-10 Tanya Renee broome of Princess Anne, arrested on a summons regarding six counts of fraud and identity theft. Broome was held at the Somerset County Detention Center on unrelated charges.
9-20-10 Richard Thomas Sterling of Marion, arrested on a warrant regarding telephone misuse. Sterling was later released on personal recognizance.
9-20-10 Patrick Cornelious McCormick of Crisfield, arrested on a warrant regarding 4th degree burglary and theft. McCormick was later released on personal recognizance.
9-20-10 Shaketta Valine Austin of Crisfield, arrested on a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Austin was later held on a $250.00 bond.
9-21-10 Lewis Kenneth Culbertson of Westover, arrested on a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Culbertson was later released on $1,000 unsecured bond.
9-18-10 Norman Dale Brenner of Marion, arrested for driving on a suspended drivers license. Brenner was later released after signing citations.
9-18-10 Yhomas Rudolph Bender of Salisbury, arrested of a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Bender was held on a $5,000 bond.
9-20-10 Tanya Renee broome of Princess Anne, arrested on a summons regarding six counts of fraud and identity theft. Broome was held at the Somerset County Detention Center on unrelated charges.
9-20-10 Richard Thomas Sterling of Marion, arrested on a warrant regarding telephone misuse. Sterling was later released on personal recognizance.
9-20-10 Patrick Cornelious McCormick of Crisfield, arrested on a warrant regarding 4th degree burglary and theft. McCormick was later released on personal recognizance.
9-20-10 Shaketta Valine Austin of Crisfield, arrested on a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Austin was later held on a $250.00 bond.
9-21-10 Lewis Kenneth Culbertson of Westover, arrested on a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Culbertson was later released on $1,000 unsecured bond.
2010-11 Calendar For Wicomico County Public Schools Now Available
The 2010-11 calendar for Wicomico County Public Schools is on its way to schools, which will distribute the calendars to every student so that the calendar can be used at home. Calendars are also distributed to staff members and many community partners; copies will also be available at the Board of Education Office at Mt. Hermon Road and Long Avenue in Salisbury and in school offices.
In addition to dates for events throughout the school year, the calendar includes a handbook for Wicomico Schools, directory information for schools and offices, student illustrations and definitions of the values approved by the Board of Education, and information on the 40 Developmental Assets. These assets have been identified by the Search Institute as the key building blocks of healthy development that will enable young people to grow up healthy, caring and responsible. The Communications Office and the Office of Safe Schools collaborated to produce this year’s calendar.
Student illustrators and authors for the 2010-11 calendar are listed below. Students are identified both here and in the calendar by the school attended last year when the student submitted work for the calendar. There is one exception: Writings from students of the STARS Summer Achievement Academy were submitted over the summer, and reflect the student’s current school.
The students whose creativity and wisdom are printed in the calendar will be honored at the Nov. 16 Awards & Recognitions Night at Westside Intermediate School.
Cover illustration
Dean Scott, senior, James M. Bennett High
September: Tolerance
Illustration: Alexis Roskovich, sophomore, Parkside High
Definitions: Cameron Dillard and Marc Miles, STARS Summer Achievement Academy, Salisbury Middle
October: Compassion
Illustration: Destiny Dickerson, sophomore, James M. Bennett High
Definitions: Shannon Cottingham and Camille Bautista, kindergarten, Fruitland Primary
November: Freedom of Thought and Action
Illustration: Kira Kim, freshman, James M. Bennett High
Definitions: Taneyea Burton, STARS Summer Achievement Academy, Salisbury Middle; Tiffany Pham, grade 6, Pittsville Middle
December: Self-Respect
Illustration: Laura Gutierrez, senior, James M. Bennett High
Definitions: Krunal Patel and Sara Sadjadi, grade 1, Fruitland Primary
January: Courtesy
Illustration: Yujin Kang, grade 5, Prince Street Elementary
Definitions: Ian Childs and Olivia Owens, grade 2, Fruitland Primary
February: Responsibility
Illustration: Deneesha White, junior, Parkside High
Definition: Koby Bradshaw, grade 2, Fruitland Primary
March: Responsible Citizenship
Illustration: Chris Truitt, junior, Parkside High
Definitions: Wil Elliott and Paul Chaplin, grade 2, Fruitland Primary
April: Respect for Others’ Rights
Illustration: Razia Sultana, senior, James M. Bennett High
Definitions: Vilaine Frederic and Altora Ware, STARS Summer Achievement Academy, Salisbury Middle
May: Loyalty
Illustration: Margarito Tello-Teles, senior, Wicomico High
Definition: Emily Rantz, grade 6, Pittsville Middle
June: Honesty
Illustration: Sarah Roy, senior, Mardela High
Definitions: Jacob Harbinson and Gregory Littleton, grade 2, Fruitland Primary
In addition to dates for events throughout the school year, the calendar includes a handbook for Wicomico Schools, directory information for schools and offices, student illustrations and definitions of the values approved by the Board of Education, and information on the 40 Developmental Assets. These assets have been identified by the Search Institute as the key building blocks of healthy development that will enable young people to grow up healthy, caring and responsible. The Communications Office and the Office of Safe Schools collaborated to produce this year’s calendar.
Student illustrators and authors for the 2010-11 calendar are listed below. Students are identified both here and in the calendar by the school attended last year when the student submitted work for the calendar. There is one exception: Writings from students of the STARS Summer Achievement Academy were submitted over the summer, and reflect the student’s current school.
The students whose creativity and wisdom are printed in the calendar will be honored at the Nov. 16 Awards & Recognitions Night at Westside Intermediate School.
Cover illustration
Dean Scott, senior, James M. Bennett High
September: Tolerance
Illustration: Alexis Roskovich, sophomore, Parkside High
Definitions: Cameron Dillard and Marc Miles, STARS Summer Achievement Academy, Salisbury Middle
October: Compassion
Illustration: Destiny Dickerson, sophomore, James M. Bennett High
Definitions: Shannon Cottingham and Camille Bautista, kindergarten, Fruitland Primary
November: Freedom of Thought and Action
Illustration: Kira Kim, freshman, James M. Bennett High
Definitions: Taneyea Burton, STARS Summer Achievement Academy, Salisbury Middle; Tiffany Pham, grade 6, Pittsville Middle
December: Self-Respect
Illustration: Laura Gutierrez, senior, James M. Bennett High
Definitions: Krunal Patel and Sara Sadjadi, grade 1, Fruitland Primary
January: Courtesy
Illustration: Yujin Kang, grade 5, Prince Street Elementary
Definitions: Ian Childs and Olivia Owens, grade 2, Fruitland Primary
February: Responsibility
Illustration: Deneesha White, junior, Parkside High
Definition: Koby Bradshaw, grade 2, Fruitland Primary
March: Responsible Citizenship
Illustration: Chris Truitt, junior, Parkside High
Definitions: Wil Elliott and Paul Chaplin, grade 2, Fruitland Primary
April: Respect for Others’ Rights
Illustration: Razia Sultana, senior, James M. Bennett High
Definitions: Vilaine Frederic and Altora Ware, STARS Summer Achievement Academy, Salisbury Middle
May: Loyalty
Illustration: Margarito Tello-Teles, senior, Wicomico High
Definition: Emily Rantz, grade 6, Pittsville Middle
June: Honesty
Illustration: Sarah Roy, senior, Mardela High
Definitions: Jacob Harbinson and Gregory Littleton, grade 2, Fruitland Primary
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