John Boehner, the man expected to be the next speaker of the House, tells Fox News he expects to go toe-to-toe with the president over taxes and health care.
GO HERE to read more.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Did The Tea Party Cost Republicans A Tie In The Senate?
The Tea Party is being blamed for nominating weaker Republicans in Colorado, Nevada, and Delaware. But you can never prove a counterfactual.
As soon as Colorado's Senate race was called for Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet on Wednesday, the potential implication was apparent: Republicans had lost two Senate races they looked likely to win—Colorado and Nevada—in addition to the race they were expected to lose in Delaware. What do they have in common? In each case the Republican nominee was a Tea Party-affiliated insurgent, bolstered in the primary by national Tea Party enthusiasm over the establishment's preferred candidate. Does that mean the Tea Party cost the Republicans as many as three Senate seats?
AOL's Michael Cohen thinks so: "The harsh klieg lights of public scrutiny badly hurt Tea Party candidates. In Delaware and Nevada, Tea Party insurgents Christine O'Donnell and Sharron Angle cost the Republicans two seats that should have been easy pick-ups."
GO HERE to read more.
Fruitland City Manager, Attorney & Council To Repeal Sign Ordinance
Let me assure you Folks, I have never seen more dance moves without music than tonight's meeting. The excuses were just flying everywhere, I didn't know it was as bad as it was. I didn't understand it all UNTIL we saw how much the bills came to.
NO, you've just never been on the receiving end of Salisbury News exposing the TRUTH. Business Owners just weren't taking this crap and in fact one of the business owners wanted to know, one by one, I want to know where you stood on this to know how I'll be voting the next go around.
My hat is tipped to WMDT for taking the time to come to this meeting. I tried contacting the VP of WBOC as well to let them know how serious this matter was but they never returned my call. I must say, the new Council Members clearly wanted nothing to do with this legislation and it was very clear on their behalf, it needs to go through the motions until the final reading where they'll simply vote it down.
All too often in our past we always heard, "You cannot fight City Hall." NOT TRUE AT ALL. I will have more on this tomorrow but I wanted to brief you on it tonight to let those who were not there, (it couldn't be many because there was 70 people there tonight) how things went.
More to come.....
Hall Of Fame Manager Sparky Anderson Dies
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Sparky Anderson, the white-haired Hall of Fame manager who directed Cincinnati's Big Red Machine to back-to-back World Series championships and won another one in Detroit, died Thursday. He was 76.
Anderson died from complications from dementia, family spokesman Dan Ewald said. A day earlier, Anderson's family said he had been placed in hospice care.
Anderson was the first manager to win World Series titles in both leagues and the only manager to lead two franchises in career wins.
Source
Detectives Investigate Bank Robbery
Location: Wachovia Bank, 3215 Old Capital Trail, Wilmington, DE
Date of Occurrence: Wednesday, November 03, 2010 at 2:25 p.m.
Victim: 33 year old Wilmington female
Suspect: White male, 30-39 years of age, 5’08”-5’11” tall, with an average build. He was last seen wearing a white tyvek suit, a fake wig, a fake mustache, and a fake beard. He was also wearing white gloves with blue coloring in the palm.
Resume: Delaware State Police detectives are probing the robbery of the Wachovia Bank Branch located on Capital Trail in Wilmington that occurred this afternoon.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:25 p.m. today as a male suspect entered the bank branch located at 3215 Old Capital Trail. The suspect then approached a teller and placed a small box with wires coming from it on the counter. He then advised the 33 year old female teller that the item was a bomb and that he would detonate it if she did not turn over money from her drawer to him. The teller complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect. The suspect then fled from the bank with the “bomb” in an unknown direction. There were no injuries.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact robbery detectives at Troop 2 at 302-834-2630. The may also make anonymous tips through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Tips may also be submitted online at http://www.tipsubmit.com/.
Nevada Voters Don't Want Harry Reid, Re-Elect Him Anyway
At polling places across Nevada Tuesday, researchers conducting exit polls asked voters one fundamental question about Harry Reid: Do you approve or disapprove of the way he has handled his job as senator?
The results were terrible for the Senate Majority Leader.
Fifty-five percent of voters disapproved of the job he has done, while 44 percent approved. Such numbers might seem a sure indicator of defeat, and yet by Tuesday night, Reid was leading his supporters in a victory celebration.
The exit pollsters also asked whether Reid, running for a fifth term in the Senate, has been in Washington too long. Fifty-five percent of voters said yes, while 41 percent said no.
And still Reid won.
It's long been common knowledge here that many, many Nevadans don't like their senior senator. What Tuesday's exit polls showed was that their feelings go well beyond simple dislike. And yet, if the exit polls are correct, a significant number of people voted to re-elect a man they think isn't doing a good job and who has stayed too long in the Senate. In the end, Reid won 50.2 percent of the vote to Republican challenger Sharron Angle's 44.6 percent.
It would be hard to find a more telling measure of Angle's deficiencies as a candidate or the devastating effectiveness of Reid's scorched-earth negative campaign against her. Funded by millions of dollars from public-sector unions, Reid relentlessly attacked Angle from the moment she won the GOP nomination. Many of the earliest attacks went unanswered, forming impressions of Angle so negative that they outweighed the voters' negative opinion of Reid.
And then there was Reid's organizational strength. Both Reid and Angle held their election-night parties in Las Vegas casinos, Reid in the new Aria complex and Angle at the Venetian. That's nothing out of the ordinary in Nevada, but the difference between them was that Reid was entirely at home, with the enormous financial power and organizing muscle of the gambling industry and its union allies in his corner, while Angle was relying on votes from people who live far from Las Vegas. Republicans across the country who were hoping for a miracle in this race discovered that raw power wins the day.
And bending the rules, too. On election day there were reports that casino giant Harrah's had worked with the Reid campaign and the unions, particularly the Culinary Workers Union, to herd virtually all unionized employees to early voting stations to vote for Reid.
According to a report in National Review Online, one Reid staffer told Harrah's officials that he would do anything -- for emphasis, he wrote it ANYTHING -- to get those workers to the polls.
By mid-day Tuesday, the Nevada Republican Party had filed a complaint with the Secretary of State's office. "Employees' votes were being tracked and supervisors were instructed by top management to personally confront employees to find out why they had not voted," the complaint said.
"Further, the evidence shows that Harrah's management has continually communicated to employees their concern with electing Harry Reid and not just to ensure that the employees voted for the candidates of their choice." Such conduct, the complaint argued, violates Nevada law.
Democrats denied any such violations. And the fact is, Reid won by about 40,000 votes, a margin difficult to explain by charges of fraud. Also, squabbling over alleged irregularities tended to obscure the enormous advantage that open union support gave Reid.
Nationally, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spent $91 million trying to elect Democrats. A good chunk of that went to Reid, mostly for get-out-the-vote operations.
Read more at the Washington Examiner
The results were terrible for the Senate Majority Leader.
Fifty-five percent of voters disapproved of the job he has done, while 44 percent approved. Such numbers might seem a sure indicator of defeat, and yet by Tuesday night, Reid was leading his supporters in a victory celebration.
The exit pollsters also asked whether Reid, running for a fifth term in the Senate, has been in Washington too long. Fifty-five percent of voters said yes, while 41 percent said no.
And still Reid won.
It's long been common knowledge here that many, many Nevadans don't like their senior senator. What Tuesday's exit polls showed was that their feelings go well beyond simple dislike. And yet, if the exit polls are correct, a significant number of people voted to re-elect a man they think isn't doing a good job and who has stayed too long in the Senate. In the end, Reid won 50.2 percent of the vote to Republican challenger Sharron Angle's 44.6 percent.
It would be hard to find a more telling measure of Angle's deficiencies as a candidate or the devastating effectiveness of Reid's scorched-earth negative campaign against her. Funded by millions of dollars from public-sector unions, Reid relentlessly attacked Angle from the moment she won the GOP nomination. Many of the earliest attacks went unanswered, forming impressions of Angle so negative that they outweighed the voters' negative opinion of Reid.
And then there was Reid's organizational strength. Both Reid and Angle held their election-night parties in Las Vegas casinos, Reid in the new Aria complex and Angle at the Venetian. That's nothing out of the ordinary in Nevada, but the difference between them was that Reid was entirely at home, with the enormous financial power and organizing muscle of the gambling industry and its union allies in his corner, while Angle was relying on votes from people who live far from Las Vegas. Republicans across the country who were hoping for a miracle in this race discovered that raw power wins the day.
And bending the rules, too. On election day there were reports that casino giant Harrah's had worked with the Reid campaign and the unions, particularly the Culinary Workers Union, to herd virtually all unionized employees to early voting stations to vote for Reid.
According to a report in National Review Online, one Reid staffer told Harrah's officials that he would do anything -- for emphasis, he wrote it ANYTHING -- to get those workers to the polls.
By mid-day Tuesday, the Nevada Republican Party had filed a complaint with the Secretary of State's office. "Employees' votes were being tracked and supervisors were instructed by top management to personally confront employees to find out why they had not voted," the complaint said.
"Further, the evidence shows that Harrah's management has continually communicated to employees their concern with electing Harry Reid and not just to ensure that the employees voted for the candidates of their choice." Such conduct, the complaint argued, violates Nevada law.
Democrats denied any such violations. And the fact is, Reid won by about 40,000 votes, a margin difficult to explain by charges of fraud. Also, squabbling over alleged irregularities tended to obscure the enormous advantage that open union support gave Reid.
Nationally, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spent $91 million trying to elect Democrats. A good chunk of that went to Reid, mostly for get-out-the-vote operations.
Read more at the Washington Examiner
Wicomico States Attorney Official Press Release
Davis Ruark, State's Attorney for Wicomico County, has appointed Matt Maciarello to serve as Deputy State's Attorney. Mr. Maciarello will be sworn in as Deputy State's Attorney on Monday, November 8th at 8:30 AM in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County. Mr Ruark anticipates that The Honorable Judge Kathleen L. Beckstead will administer the oath of office.
The appointment of Mr. Maciarello will facilitate the full exchange of information regarding the internal operation of the office as well as confidential and sensitive information regarding pending cases as well as ongoing criminal investigations in Wicomico County. As a result of this appointment, Mr. Maciarello will have the opportunity to start and then expand his administrative, managerial and litigation roles within the office prior Mr. Ruark's departure as State's Attorney.
The purpose for this action is to assure the citizens, the judiciary. the law enforcement personnel and, of course, the State's Attorney's personnel that there will be a most professional and extremely smooth transition as the office progresses into a new era.
By Mr. Ruark: "Matt Maciarello is a highly intelligent, dedicated, talented attorney. It will be of great help to the current State's Attorney and State's Attorney's staff to have Matt on board. He will undertake many of the different roles that the State's Attorney must handle on a daily basis. Commencing the transition now will allow for a seamless change of the top administration of the Office of the State's Attorney on January 3,
2011. This will benefit all of the people to whom we are committed to serve."
Any further questions should be directed to either for Mr. Maciarello or Mr. Ruark.
DRR
State Senator Legislative District 38
Party Total Votes %
Jim Mathias Democratic 21679 50.26%
Michael James Republican 21432 49.69%
Charles Mickey Lehrer (Write In) Democratic 0 0%
Other Write-Ins 20
Editors Notes: These results only include Somerset County, (first run for absentee). This does not include ANY Worcester or Wicomico numbers. They're not in yet.
Jim Mathias Democratic 21679 50.26%
Michael James Republican 21432 49.69%
Charles Mickey Lehrer (Write In) Democratic 0 0%
Other Write-Ins 20
Editors Notes: These results only include Somerset County, (first run for absentee). This does not include ANY Worcester or Wicomico numbers. They're not in yet.
City Of Fruitland Out Of Control
I just did the research on the City of Fruitland charging businesses at least $50.00 per sign, per year in the City Limits and they're completely out of line. Leave it to the Mitchell Family of Lawyers to support legislation that is, well, illegal.
I challenge Mr. Mitchell to show Salisbury News where there is ANY law in the State of Maryland that supports ANY, (not just Fruitland) such charges allowed for signs. THERE IS NONE!
There would have to be "state enabled legislation" and there's NOT. This is why Gary Comegys and the MML are trying to create legislation/law that would allow the state to tax anything and everything that they want and that wet pants liberal needs to get shut down immediately.
SBYNews has been providing information about Comegys games for weeks now and quite frankly many of you have been ignoring just how dangerous this crap can and will be on business owners throughout the state.
Nevertheless, Fruitland CANNOT bill business owners for signs and again we challenge Mr. Mitchell to provide the legislation in which he is allowing the City to send out such billing. It looks to be illegal.
I challenge Mr. Mitchell to show Salisbury News where there is ANY law in the State of Maryland that supports ANY, (not just Fruitland) such charges allowed for signs. THERE IS NONE!
There would have to be "state enabled legislation" and there's NOT. This is why Gary Comegys and the MML are trying to create legislation/law that would allow the state to tax anything and everything that they want and that wet pants liberal needs to get shut down immediately.
SBYNews has been providing information about Comegys games for weeks now and quite frankly many of you have been ignoring just how dangerous this crap can and will be on business owners throughout the state.
Nevertheless, Fruitland CANNOT bill business owners for signs and again we challenge Mr. Mitchell to provide the legislation in which he is allowing the City to send out such billing. It looks to be illegal.
"THANKS"
Dear Friends and Supporters,
The Wargotz family offers our sincere thanks for all of your help, support, and best wishes. It has been a fantastic 18 months of visiting across the State and we are richer individuals because of your fellowship.
Although our campaign was not victorious, "we the people" prevailed with the restoration of an all important "check and balance" through the change in the majority party of the House of Representatives. May God Bless you and keep you, may God Bless Maryland, and may God Bless America.
Eric
City Of Fruitland Information Update
2010.07.13 – Minutes from City Council Meeting
Sign Ordnance = Ordnance first proposed:
2010.08.10 – Minutes from City Council Meeting
Sign Ordnance = first reading and preliminary vote:
2010.09.14 – Minutes from City Council Meeting
Sign Ordnance = 2nd reading and FINAL vote:
Actual copy of ordnance #248:
2010.11.04 - Revised Agenda for City Council Special Meeting on Nov 4th (Revised):
City Council Members in Office at Time of Ordnance Approval:
Member Term Expires
Gregory J. Olinde, President October 2010
Gloria J. Ortiz, Treasurer October 2012
Raymond D. Carey October 2012
Theodore O. Lokey October 2010
Richard F. Tull October 2010
City Council Members in Office Currently:
Member Term Expires
Richard Lee Outen, Jr. Pres. October 2014
Darlene Kerr, Treasurer October 2014
Raymond D. Carey October 2012
Edwin A. Cowell October 2014
Gloria J. Ortiz October 2012
City Dump Truck Saga Ends
Mayor James Ireton Jr. is pleased to inform residents the 14 month saga of the City Dump Truck has now ended. The Attorney General’s office emailed the City Attorney on October 28, 2010 and in its opinion states the following in regards to the lease purchase of the Dump Truck that:
1) No budget amendment was necessary under Article 23A, Section 2(b)2 because sufficient funds for the lease payment were appropriated to meet the City’s obligation in FY 2010 and were expended for the purpose for which they were appropriated, namely to pay the amount due under the terms of the lease purchase agreement.
2) Because the contracts’ signatories with binding authority were not within the class of persons to whom Article 31, Section 3 applies, no violation of this State law occurred.
3) In commenting on this opinion, the City Solicitor stated that both he and the Attorney General are of the opinion that internal services department and the City Council properly handled the lease purchase of the 3-ton dump truck in compliance with City Charter and Code and State law. The dump truck can be placed in service by Public Works.
“The saga of the City Dump Truck has ended. The staff time lost and legal cost to the citizens is unfortunate. While I appreciate that the Attorney General’s office ruled that we did nothing wrong, I was always of that opinion myself. The council has not finished “Linens of the Week,” the towing ordinance, “The Bricks,” the fireboat, and above all Safe Streets Legislation – while our work session list grows longer and longer, and our city council meetings shorter and shorter. Again, all this work left undone is unfortunate. I will attend a ceremony tomorrow to dedicate the truck “The Howard Landon.” We will put the truck into service for the citizens of Salisbury,” said Mayor Ireton.
Below please find a timeline of events related to the purchase of the 3-ton dump truck.
Contract 106-10 originally opened on Sept 29, 2009.
Recommendation for award from the Public Works Department, received October 7, 2009.
On October 16, 2009, Pam Oland sent a memo to John Pick explaining the need for two 3-ton dump trucks. She detailed the existing lease funds available.
On October 21, 2009, SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing confirmed authorization to use remaining lease-purchase funds for purchase of the dump truck.
Award Recommendation approved by the City Council on October 26, 2009.
On October 28, 2009, Contracts for the trucks were mailed to the vendor for budgeted and replacement vehicles.
On November 6, 2009, all signatures were obtained on these contracts. Signed Contracts and Purchase Orders 2100194 & 2100195 were sent to vendor. Estimated delivery time is 90 days.
City Council was to have been briefed at a November30, 2009 work session on proposed budget amendment. Meeting was cancelled for unrelated reasons.
Council was briefed at a work session held on December 21, 2009 on the proposed budget amendment.
The budget amendment was presented to the Council for first reading on January 11, 2010. It was defeated.
On February 12, 2010, the dump truck was delivered to the City. Four days later it was titled.
On February 24, 2010, the City explored the possibility of returning the truck to Barr International. The vendor indicated that he was not willing to accept the return of the vehicle because it was a “Unique special order” and because it was already titled to the City with City logos installed.
Ms. Cohen asked the Mayor to request an opinion from Maryland’s Attorney General as to whether § 7-29 of the Salisbury Charter or Article 31, § 3 of the Maryland Code had been violated.
The City Solicitor spoke with the head of the Attorney General’s Opinion Division who indicated his office would not issue an opinion unless it was preceded by an opinion from the Solicitor’s Office.
On April 15, 2010, the City Solicitor forwarded his opinion to the Attorney General. In his opinion, he concluded that there was not an over-expenditure of funds connected with the purchase of the dump truck.
On October 28, 2010, the City received the Attorney General’s Opinion.
November 4, 2010 the truck is put into service for the citizens of Salisbury.
1) No budget amendment was necessary under Article 23A, Section 2(b)2 because sufficient funds for the lease payment were appropriated to meet the City’s obligation in FY 2010 and were expended for the purpose for which they were appropriated, namely to pay the amount due under the terms of the lease purchase agreement.
2) Because the contracts’ signatories with binding authority were not within the class of persons to whom Article 31, Section 3 applies, no violation of this State law occurred.
3) In commenting on this opinion, the City Solicitor stated that both he and the Attorney General are of the opinion that internal services department and the City Council properly handled the lease purchase of the 3-ton dump truck in compliance with City Charter and Code and State law. The dump truck can be placed in service by Public Works.
“The saga of the City Dump Truck has ended. The staff time lost and legal cost to the citizens is unfortunate. While I appreciate that the Attorney General’s office ruled that we did nothing wrong, I was always of that opinion myself. The council has not finished “Linens of the Week,” the towing ordinance, “The Bricks,” the fireboat, and above all Safe Streets Legislation – while our work session list grows longer and longer, and our city council meetings shorter and shorter. Again, all this work left undone is unfortunate. I will attend a ceremony tomorrow to dedicate the truck “The Howard Landon.” We will put the truck into service for the citizens of Salisbury,” said Mayor Ireton.
Below please find a timeline of events related to the purchase of the 3-ton dump truck.
Contract 106-10 originally opened on Sept 29, 2009.
Recommendation for award from the Public Works Department, received October 7, 2009.
On October 16, 2009, Pam Oland sent a memo to John Pick explaining the need for two 3-ton dump trucks. She detailed the existing lease funds available.
On October 21, 2009, SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing confirmed authorization to use remaining lease-purchase funds for purchase of the dump truck.
Award Recommendation approved by the City Council on October 26, 2009.
On October 28, 2009, Contracts for the trucks were mailed to the vendor for budgeted and replacement vehicles.
On November 6, 2009, all signatures were obtained on these contracts. Signed Contracts and Purchase Orders 2100194 & 2100195 were sent to vendor. Estimated delivery time is 90 days.
City Council was to have been briefed at a November30, 2009 work session on proposed budget amendment. Meeting was cancelled for unrelated reasons.
Council was briefed at a work session held on December 21, 2009 on the proposed budget amendment.
The budget amendment was presented to the Council for first reading on January 11, 2010. It was defeated.
On February 12, 2010, the dump truck was delivered to the City. Four days later it was titled.
On February 24, 2010, the City explored the possibility of returning the truck to Barr International. The vendor indicated that he was not willing to accept the return of the vehicle because it was a “Unique special order” and because it was already titled to the City with City logos installed.
Ms. Cohen asked the Mayor to request an opinion from Maryland’s Attorney General as to whether § 7-29 of the Salisbury Charter or Article 31, § 3 of the Maryland Code had been violated.
The City Solicitor spoke with the head of the Attorney General’s Opinion Division who indicated his office would not issue an opinion unless it was preceded by an opinion from the Solicitor’s Office.
On April 15, 2010, the City Solicitor forwarded his opinion to the Attorney General. In his opinion, he concluded that there was not an over-expenditure of funds connected with the purchase of the dump truck.
On October 28, 2010, the City received the Attorney General’s Opinion.
November 4, 2010 the truck is put into service for the citizens of Salisbury.
What Lies Ahead For Social Skills In Our Children?
When 8 or 9 pm hit, you were in bed, period. Very few of us had any kind of luxury with a cordless phone, (not invented yet) in our bedroom or any other phone. When it was time for bed, we went to bed.
Today, many children have the use of a cell phone. Everyone has come up with some stupid excuse to allow our children to have access to a cell phone and text messaging is now a way of life. Back when we were kids we had the Six Million Dollar Man with bionics. Today, every child from 9-up now have bionic fingers where they can text without even looking.
I have spoken to several parents who have told me their kids, (at times) have been up the whole night texting their friends. When they're supposed to be in bed at 8, they're sneaking their cell phone into bed with them and texting away. Many parents now make their kids put their phone on top of the frig at night so they can get some sleep. Most parents just don't care.
Yeah, we had some video games when we were kids but it didn't stop us from what we thought was normal socializing. Social skills in the next 10 years is going to be very scary! Are we simply not looking into the future. Are we becoming so lazy, (thought wise) that we're not paying attention to how things might become down the road. Do we live in a world now that is becoming instant gratification at all costs?
There's no doubt that those parents raising children through sports and after school activities and very strict phone rules will be much better off in the future. I believe many parents are failing to take any responsibility in properly raising their children any more and quite frankly, (in most cases) who can blame them. We're now subjected to working two jobs just to pay the bills. The cost of a college education is going through the roof, yet the economy is dropping and most families are now losing their homes to foreclosure. TIME FOR KIDS, WHEN?
I just want you to think about how this will affect kids down the road because you and I didn't grow up in that world and it's our responsibility to manage their future. Our Grandson is turning 10 years old soon and you can believe one thing, he's not getting a cell phone any time soon. Although he chose not to play baseball this past year, after putting more thought into it I can assure you, like it or not, he's playing ball again next season.
I can see it now, World Championship Texting Contests with kids so pale white they rarely ever see the sun.
Rep. Mike Pence Steps Down As Republican Conference Chair
“Now that we have restored a Republican majority to the House of Representatives and I have fulfilled my commitment to the Republican Conference, my family and I have begun to look to the future,” Pence wrote to his fellow Republicans on Wednesday.
“As we consider new opportunities to serve Indiana and our nation in the years ahead, I have come to realize that it may not be possible to complete an entire term as Conference Chairman. As such, I think it would be more appropriate for me to step aside now, especially since there are other talented men and women in our Conference who could do the job just as well or better.”
The House Republican Conference is the organizational body for all Republican House Members. It is responsible for electing the House Republican leadership, approving Republicans’ committee assignments, managing Republican-driven floor debates, and executing a unified Republican communications strategy.
Pence said he doesn’t know what the future holds for his family, so he will “wait on the Lord and follow where He leads.” In the meantime, Pence said he is not “leaving the fight” as Republicans – given a “second chance” by voters -- confront the challenges before them.
“While we should always seek areas of genuine common ground with the opposition, we must avoid the temptation to embrace agreement for agreement’s sake,” Pence said.
“We must never compromise on our commitment to end this era of runaway federal spending, borrowing, bailouts, deficits and debt. We must never shrink from our stand for a strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and traditional moral values.
We must regularly remind ourselves that the American people showed us the door in 2006 and 2008 not because we compromised too little, but because we compromised too much on key principles.”More
“As we consider new opportunities to serve Indiana and our nation in the years ahead, I have come to realize that it may not be possible to complete an entire term as Conference Chairman. As such, I think it would be more appropriate for me to step aside now, especially since there are other talented men and women in our Conference who could do the job just as well or better.”
The House Republican Conference is the organizational body for all Republican House Members. It is responsible for electing the House Republican leadership, approving Republicans’ committee assignments, managing Republican-driven floor debates, and executing a unified Republican communications strategy.
Pence said he doesn’t know what the future holds for his family, so he will “wait on the Lord and follow where He leads.” In the meantime, Pence said he is not “leaving the fight” as Republicans – given a “second chance” by voters -- confront the challenges before them.
“While we should always seek areas of genuine common ground with the opposition, we must avoid the temptation to embrace agreement for agreement’s sake,” Pence said.
“We must never compromise on our commitment to end this era of runaway federal spending, borrowing, bailouts, deficits and debt. We must never shrink from our stand for a strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and traditional moral values.
We must regularly remind ourselves that the American people showed us the door in 2006 and 2008 not because we compromised too little, but because we compromised too much on key principles.”More
OPEC Looks At $100-a-Barrel Oil As US Fights Against Recession
Libya’s National Oil Corporation chairman Shokri Ghanem put fear into the hearts of commodities traders with his recent statement that $100 a barrel is a “comfortable” price.
Oil, which has been trading towards the bottom of a year-long narrow range of $72-$90 a barrel, rose to above $84 Tuesday and Wednesday.
The current price gives oil producers in the 12-member OPEC organization handsome profits without rocking the world economy into another global recession. The United States is struggling for economic growth following the financial tsunami of two years ago, accompanied by a short period of oil at $35 a barrel.
Oil at $100 a barrel would fuel inflation, already aggravated by sharply higher prices in wheat, cotton, corn and other commodities. However, the weak American dollar, which many speculators bet has a long way to sink, has dropped the “real price” of oil in local currencies by more than 10 percent the last six months.
"We would love to see $100 a barrel," said Ghanem. "We're losing real income. Libya in particular would like to see a higher oil price."
However, Kuwait’s oil minister said he wants a price ceiling of $85, and Iran, which will take over the rotating presidency of OPEC in January, has said that it does not think that the price of oil will spiral upwards.Read more here
Oil, which has been trading towards the bottom of a year-long narrow range of $72-$90 a barrel, rose to above $84 Tuesday and Wednesday.
The current price gives oil producers in the 12-member OPEC organization handsome profits without rocking the world economy into another global recession. The United States is struggling for economic growth following the financial tsunami of two years ago, accompanied by a short period of oil at $35 a barrel.
Oil at $100 a barrel would fuel inflation, already aggravated by sharply higher prices in wheat, cotton, corn and other commodities. However, the weak American dollar, which many speculators bet has a long way to sink, has dropped the “real price” of oil in local currencies by more than 10 percent the last six months.
"We would love to see $100 a barrel," said Ghanem. "We're losing real income. Libya in particular would like to see a higher oil price."
However, Kuwait’s oil minister said he wants a price ceiling of $85, and Iran, which will take over the rotating presidency of OPEC in January, has said that it does not think that the price of oil will spiral upwards.Read more here
Obama's Midterm Loss May Be Netanyahu's Win
For Benjamin Netanyahu, the view from Capitol Hill seemingly couldn't get much better.
A U.S. midterm election rout by the Republicans, widely seen in Israel as staunch allies, could give the Israeli leader even more incentive to resist pressure from a weakened U.S. President Barack Obama for concessions in Middle East peace negotiations.
Several Israeli political sources said on Wednesday members of Netanyahu's inner circle were cheered by the blow dealt to a Democratic president who is sharply at odds with the right-wing prime minister over Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians, who broke off U.S.-brokered direct talks with Israel in September after Netanyahu refused to extend a limited building moratorium in West Bank settlements, said they hoped Obama would stay the course in pursuing peace.
"There is no doubt that the outcome of the election has strengthened tremendously the pro-Israeli elements in the U.S. at large, in the House of Representatives, in the Senate and throughout the political establishment," said Yoram Ettinger, a former Israeli diplomat who served in the United States.
"This is going to constrain immensely the maneuverability of the president, who is generally pretty critical (even) negative towards Israel. Which would require the president, in my mind, to limit his pressure on Israel," he said.
But some political sources said the U.S.-educated Netanyahu was taking a more cautious view of the impact of Tuesday's vote on Obama's foreign policy and prospects for a second term.
The sources said Netanyahu was well aware that Democrat Bill Clinton, who also tried to forge Israeli-Palestinian peace, had rebounded from a Republican sweep in a 1994 midterm ballot and won re-election as president two years later.
Under international pressure to bend, Netanyahu is also believed to be working on a possible resumption of the partial freeze of housing starts in West Bank settlements in return for a package of security-related incentives from Washington.More>>
A U.S. midterm election rout by the Republicans, widely seen in Israel as staunch allies, could give the Israeli leader even more incentive to resist pressure from a weakened U.S. President Barack Obama for concessions in Middle East peace negotiations.
Several Israeli political sources said on Wednesday members of Netanyahu's inner circle were cheered by the blow dealt to a Democratic president who is sharply at odds with the right-wing prime minister over Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians, who broke off U.S.-brokered direct talks with Israel in September after Netanyahu refused to extend a limited building moratorium in West Bank settlements, said they hoped Obama would stay the course in pursuing peace.
"There is no doubt that the outcome of the election has strengthened tremendously the pro-Israeli elements in the U.S. at large, in the House of Representatives, in the Senate and throughout the political establishment," said Yoram Ettinger, a former Israeli diplomat who served in the United States.
"This is going to constrain immensely the maneuverability of the president, who is generally pretty critical (even) negative towards Israel. Which would require the president, in my mind, to limit his pressure on Israel," he said.
But some political sources said the U.S.-educated Netanyahu was taking a more cautious view of the impact of Tuesday's vote on Obama's foreign policy and prospects for a second term.
The sources said Netanyahu was well aware that Democrat Bill Clinton, who also tried to forge Israeli-Palestinian peace, had rebounded from a Republican sweep in a 1994 midterm ballot and won re-election as president two years later.
Under international pressure to bend, Netanyahu is also believed to be working on a possible resumption of the partial freeze of housing starts in West Bank settlements in return for a package of security-related incentives from Washington.More>>
Obama: Elections Don’t Indicate Rejection Of Administration’s Policies
President Barack Obama said the Republican electoral win of the House of Representatives, with a 61-seat majority over the Democrats, “feels bad.” But the president refused to say that it reflected a rejection of his policies.
“Voters are not satisfied with the outcomes,” Obama said at a Wednesday afternoon post-election news conference. "If, right now, we had 5 percent unemployment instead of 9.6 percent unemployment, then people would have more confidence in those policy choices."
"I think I've got to take direct responsibility for the fact that we have not made as much progress as we need to make," Obama said.
But when asked if he dismissed the idea that the election results were a rejection of his policies, the president said, “Yes.”
Obama said the public might have misperceived the government’s bailout of the banks and auto industries as the “agenda as opposed to a response to an emergency,” adding, “I am sympathetic to those who looked at this and saw it as a potential overreach.”
One reporter asked the president how it felt to see the Democrats lose their majority in the House.
“It feels bad,” Obama said. “The toughest thing for the last couple of days is seeing public servants not being able to serve any more.”
["Serve"? An interesting word to use in this context-- Editor]More on this
“Voters are not satisfied with the outcomes,” Obama said at a Wednesday afternoon post-election news conference. "If, right now, we had 5 percent unemployment instead of 9.6 percent unemployment, then people would have more confidence in those policy choices."
"I think I've got to take direct responsibility for the fact that we have not made as much progress as we need to make," Obama said.
But when asked if he dismissed the idea that the election results were a rejection of his policies, the president said, “Yes.”
Obama said the public might have misperceived the government’s bailout of the banks and auto industries as the “agenda as opposed to a response to an emergency,” adding, “I am sympathetic to those who looked at this and saw it as a potential overreach.”
One reporter asked the president how it felt to see the Democrats lose their majority in the House.
“It feels bad,” Obama said. “The toughest thing for the last couple of days is seeing public servants not being able to serve any more.”
["Serve"? An interesting word to use in this context-- Editor]More on this
How Did Harry Reid Pull It Off?
Harry Reid won because:
A) Casino bosses DESPERATELY need him in his position of power (U.S. Senate majority leader) so much so that even many Republican casino CEOs in Las Vegas appeared in TV ads for him.
B) Teachers unions reportedly offered $25 Starbucks gift cards to every teacher in the state and literally gave every teacher Friday, Monday a Tuesday off for once a year "teachers conferences" so every teacher could vote Democrat to make sure they all keep their jobs, and pensions, and also get future raises in a depression.
C) It's reported that Hispanic workers were bused to polls by Democrats and unions to vote for Reid. Seems amazing that Reid was down by 4 in every poll but won by 5. That's a 9 point swing. Nevada Republican Congressional candidate Dr. Joe Heck was up by 10 points in polls. He won by less than 1 percent (in upset over Democratic Congresswoman Dina Titus) — a swing of 9 points too (even though the Republican hung on).
But interestingly the Hispanic GOP candidate for governor, Brian Sandoval, won by double digits over Harry Reid's own son. Hispanics voted a straight Democrat ticket except for the Hispanic Republican candidate for governor.
Hispanics were obviously the key to the election.There's more here
A) Casino bosses DESPERATELY need him in his position of power (U.S. Senate majority leader) so much so that even many Republican casino CEOs in Las Vegas appeared in TV ads for him.
B) Teachers unions reportedly offered $25 Starbucks gift cards to every teacher in the state and literally gave every teacher Friday, Monday a Tuesday off for once a year "teachers conferences" so every teacher could vote Democrat to make sure they all keep their jobs, and pensions, and also get future raises in a depression.
C) It's reported that Hispanic workers were bused to polls by Democrats and unions to vote for Reid. Seems amazing that Reid was down by 4 in every poll but won by 5. That's a 9 point swing. Nevada Republican Congressional candidate Dr. Joe Heck was up by 10 points in polls. He won by less than 1 percent (in upset over Democratic Congresswoman Dina Titus) — a swing of 9 points too (even though the Republican hung on).
But interestingly the Hispanic GOP candidate for governor, Brian Sandoval, won by double digits over Harry Reid's own son. Hispanics voted a straight Democrat ticket except for the Hispanic Republican candidate for governor.
Hispanics were obviously the key to the election.There's more here
Exit Polls: Whites Flee Democrats
Democrats attracted fewer white voters on Election Day than in any other midterm election since World War Two, according toa RealClearPolitics report. Republicans won whites in Tuesday's U.S. House vote by a 22-percentage point margin (60 to 38 percent), according to exit polls.
Whites defected at three times the rate of Hispanics between the two midterms -- while the black vote remained fixed.
More
Whites defected at three times the rate of Hispanics between the two midterms -- while the black vote remained fixed.
More
Iowa Defeats Judges Who Backed Gay Marriage
Iowa Supreme Court rulings will be slowed after a contentious campaign persuaded voters to oust three justices, who supported a decision legalizing gay marriage, a court official said Wednesday.
Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and justices David Baker and Michael Streit were voted off the bench in Tuesday's election, creating multiple vacancies on the court for the first time since its inception.
The three were among seven justices who unanimously decided last year that an Iowa law restricting marriage to a man and a woman violated the state's constitution. They will leave at the end of the year.
There are likely to be delays in issuing rulings until the vacancies are filled, said state court administrator David Boyd.
"Four people cannot produce the same number of opinions that seven can produce," Boyd said. "The court will be able to function, however at a much slower pace."
Tuesday was the first time Iowa voters removed a Supreme Court justice since the current system began in 1962.More here
Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and justices David Baker and Michael Streit were voted off the bench in Tuesday's election, creating multiple vacancies on the court for the first time since its inception.
The three were among seven justices who unanimously decided last year that an Iowa law restricting marriage to a man and a woman violated the state's constitution. They will leave at the end of the year.
There are likely to be delays in issuing rulings until the vacancies are filled, said state court administrator David Boyd.
"Four people cannot produce the same number of opinions that seven can produce," Boyd said. "The court will be able to function, however at a much slower pace."
Tuesday was the first time Iowa voters removed a Supreme Court justice since the current system began in 1962.More here
House Committees To Get New GOP Chairmen
The Republican takeover of the House means a complete turnover in committee chairmen, with the new, and sometimes returning, GOP chairmen coming in armed with the promise from their leaders that they will no longer be an afterthought.
Just who winds up where won't be made official until the new Congress takes office in January. But jockeying for key positions will be going on when the current Congress returns Nov. 15 for a lame-duck session.
Ohio Rep. John Boehner, positioned to succeed Democrat Nancy Pelosi as speaker, has pledged that committee chairmen will regain the authority they have lost in past decades.
Rep. Greg Walden, who is heading the House GOP transition team, said Boehner would end the practice of bills being written in the speaker's office behind closed doors and move bill-writing authority back to committees.
There are also two committee chairmanship openings in the Senate, which stayed under Democratic control. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan has expressed interest in heading the Agriculture Committee after Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln was defeated Tuesday. North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and senior to Stabenow on agriculture, may be in the running as well.
Next in line to take over the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, vacated by retiring Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, is Tim Johnson, a three-term conservative Democrat from South Dakota. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, has also been mentioned, perhaps as a top Johnson lieutenant or in a role where he would share leadership duties with Johnson.
Profiles of the possible new House committee chairmen and their agendas:
Just who winds up where won't be made official until the new Congress takes office in January. But jockeying for key positions will be going on when the current Congress returns Nov. 15 for a lame-duck session.
Ohio Rep. John Boehner, positioned to succeed Democrat Nancy Pelosi as speaker, has pledged that committee chairmen will regain the authority they have lost in past decades.
Rep. Greg Walden, who is heading the House GOP transition team, said Boehner would end the practice of bills being written in the speaker's office behind closed doors and move bill-writing authority back to committees.
There are also two committee chairmanship openings in the Senate, which stayed under Democratic control. Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan has expressed interest in heading the Agriculture Committee after Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln was defeated Tuesday. North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and senior to Stabenow on agriculture, may be in the running as well.
Next in line to take over the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, vacated by retiring Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut, is Tim Johnson, a three-term conservative Democrat from South Dakota. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, has also been mentioned, perhaps as a top Johnson lieutenant or in a role where he would share leadership duties with Johnson.
Profiles of the possible new House committee chairmen and their agendas:
Enjoy
You know the honeymoon is over when the comedians start.
The liberals are asking us to give Obama time. We agree . . . and think 25 to life would be appropriate.
--Jay Leno
America needs Obama-care like Nancy Pelosi needs a Halloween mask.
--Jay Leno
Q: Have you heard about McDonald's' new Obama Value Meal?
A: Order anything you like and the guy behind you has to pay for it. --Conan O'Brien
Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted felon?
A: A fund raiser. --Jay Leno
Q: What's the difference between Obama's cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers, and threats to society. The other is for housing prisoners.
--David Letterman
Q: If Nancy Pelosi and Obama were on a boat in the middle of the ocean and it started to sink, who would be saved?
A: America !
--Jimmy Fallon
Q: What's the difference between Obama and his dog, Bo?
A: Bo has papers.
--Jimmy Kimmel
Q: What was the most positive result of the "Cash for Clunkers" program?
A: It took 95% of the Obama bumper stickers off the road.
--David Letterma n
The liberals are asking us to give Obama time. We agree . . . and think 25 to life would be appropriate.
--Jay Leno
America needs Obama-care like Nancy Pelosi needs a Halloween mask.
--Jay Leno
Q: Have you heard about McDonald's' new Obama Value Meal?
A: Order anything you like and the guy behind you has to pay for it. --Conan O'Brien
Q: What does Barack Obama call lunch with a convicted felon?
A: A fund raiser. --Jay Leno
Q: What's the difference between Obama's cabinet and a penitentiary?
A: One is filled with tax evaders, blackmailers, and threats to society. The other is for housing prisoners.
--David Letterman
Q: If Nancy Pelosi and Obama were on a boat in the middle of the ocean and it started to sink, who would be saved?
A: America !
--Jimmy Fallon
Q: What's the difference between Obama and his dog, Bo?
A: Bo has papers.
--Jimmy Kimmel
Q: What was the most positive result of the "Cash for Clunkers" program?
A: It took 95% of the Obama bumper stickers off the road.
--David Letterma n
Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Releases
Juvenile arrested 10-27-10 at the Washington High School. Deputies were called to the Washington High School regarding a juvenile possessing a knife in school. The juvenile was arrested and charged with Deadly Weapon On School Property, and Disrupting School Operations. Charges were forwarded to juvenile court.
Donald Richard Judy 2nd of Pleasant Hall Pennsylvania, arrested 10-30-10 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Judy was later held on a $250.00 bond.
Kenneth Arthur Lipsett of Princess Anne, arrested on charges regarding third degree sex offense, and second degree assault. Lipsett was later held on a $10,000 bond.
James Richard Arnold of Muncie IN, arrested 11-1-10 for a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Arnold was later released on $5,000 unsecured bond.
Andre Lamar Schoolfield of princess Anne, arrested 11-3-10 for a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Schoolfield was later held on a $50,000 bond.
London John Tilghman of York Pennsylvania, formerly of Crisfield, arrested 11-3-10 for warrants regarding violation of probation, and failure to appear in court. Tilghman was later held on a $175,000 bond.
Large Petroleum Spill In Pittsville
There's been a large petroleum spill behind Pittsville Pharmacy and Main Street Ext and Old OC Road. Hazmat and emergency management have been requested.
More to come......
More to come......
Obama India Trip To Cost Taxpayers $200 Million A Day
The Press Trust of India reports that the Obamas lavish get out of town and mambo in Mumbai trip will lost U.S. taxpayers $200 million a day.
Mumbai: The US would be spending a whopping $200 million (Rs 900 crore approx) per day on President Barack Obama's visit to the city. "The huge amount of around $200 million would be spent on security, stay and other aspects of the Presidential visit," a top official of the Maharashtra Government privy to the arrangements for the high-profile visit said. About 3,000 people including Secret Service agents, US government officials and journalists would accompany the President. Several officials from the White House and US security agencies are already here.Source
Iowans Dismiss Three Justices
Three Iowa Supreme Court justices lost their seats Tuesday in a historic upset fueled by their 2009 decision that allowed same-sex couples to marry.
Vote totals from 96 percent of Iowa's 1,774 precincts showed Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices David Baker and Michael Streit with less than the simple majority needed to stay on the bench.
Their removal marked the first time an Iowa Supreme Court justice has not been retained since 1962, when the merit selection and retention system for judges was adopted.
GO HERE to read more.
Vote totals from 96 percent of Iowa's 1,774 precincts showed Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices David Baker and Michael Streit with less than the simple majority needed to stay on the bench.
Their removal marked the first time an Iowa Supreme Court justice has not been retained since 1962, when the merit selection and retention system for judges was adopted.
GO HERE to read more.
Voters Say They Cast Their Ballots Against Obama, Pelosi
Disenchantment with economy, health care swept GOP to victory
For Democrats, Election Day was judgment day, with voters acting as jurors — standing up and finding a rash of candidates guilty for their association with President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
- "People had to have somebody to blame," Chuck Drake, a voter in Clintonville, Ohio, said Wednesday morning in a snap assessment of midterm elections in which Republicans took back control of the U.S. House, picked up at least six seats in the Senate and assumed control of many state governments.
As the president himself was acknowledging Wednesday that his party took a "shellacking," voters said the reason was simple: It was all about "people being generally unhappy with the direction of Obama's administration," Drake said.
The guilt-by-association theme surfaced repeatedly in exit polls and interviews with voters.
GO HERE to read more.
Horse Shot And Killed On Halloween
The killing of a horse might be related to a string of shootings on Halloween in Howard County, Md.
Three cars were damaged by gunshots at two different locations Sunday morning, the 14700 block of Triadelphia Road and the 13700 block of Tridelphia Mill Road in Dayton, police said.
An 11-year-old horse named "Triple" also was killed on Triadelphia Mill Road.
Police do not know if the shootings were related to Halloween.
The horse’s owner is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.
Grocery Prices Are Going Up
Demand for grain is higher. That means products you eat every day -- cereal, chicken, bread and pasta -- are rising in price.
Grocery chains, including Safeway, say they plan to pass the costs along to you, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Food makers, Kraft Foods, Sara Lee Corp. and General Mills, in August said prices would be going up. Now, Kellogg's is hinting the same thing.
Some food makers are targeting the $1 price point and then changing their package sizes to get you to buy.
Why are food prices going up?
Demand for meat in China, India and other markets is driving up prices for grain. That in turn leads to higher prices for chicken, steak, bread and pasta.
GO HERE to read more.
Grocery chains, including Safeway, say they plan to pass the costs along to you, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Food makers, Kraft Foods, Sara Lee Corp. and General Mills, in August said prices would be going up. Now, Kellogg's is hinting the same thing.
Some food makers are targeting the $1 price point and then changing their package sizes to get you to buy.
Why are food prices going up?
Demand for meat in China, India and other markets is driving up prices for grain. That in turn leads to higher prices for chicken, steak, bread and pasta.
GO HERE to read more.
Store Credit Cards Are An Even Worse Deal Than You Thought
Next time a checkout clerk offers you an "opportunity" to sign up for a store credit card so that you can get an instant 10% discount on that pack of gum or box of tissues you're buying, remember this: the price you'll pay for that deal is an interest rate as high as 25%. And, yeah, you're telling yourself that's no big deal, since you'll pay it off every month. But will you? And are you prepared for the other gotchas tied up in a bright ribbon by your friendly retailer?
More »
More »
Fed Announces It Will Buy $600B In Treasuries
Today the Fed announces it will buy back $600 billion in Treasuries, a nuanced effort that aims to stimulate the economy by lowering interest rates.
More »
More »
What Elections Could Do For The Foreclosure Crisis, FinReg, And Other Issues We’re Watching
As Americans go to the polls today, their votes will influence a number of issues that we’ve been watching, whether it be the foreclosure scandal or implementation of financial regulation and healthcare reform—some of our favorite topics. So here’s our attempt to parse some of the election coverage and bring these issues into sharper focus:
Foreclosure Crisis
In the wake of a foreclosure-documentation scandal that has grabbed headlines for more than a month, Elizabeth Warren, who’s leading the Obama administration’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, said, “Right now my money is on the attorneys general [1],” who in October launched a joint investigation in all 50 states.
Midterm elections, however, could present a complication for that investigation, given that 30 state attorneys general races are being decided today [2]. As the Washington Independent reported, some of the state attorneys general who’ve been most active in the investigation [3] are either engaged in close re-election contests or are set to leave their posts. More from the Independent:
Foreclosure Crisis
In the wake of a foreclosure-documentation scandal that has grabbed headlines for more than a month, Elizabeth Warren, who’s leading the Obama administration’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, said, “Right now my money is on the attorneys general [1],” who in October launched a joint investigation in all 50 states.
Midterm elections, however, could present a complication for that investigation, given that 30 state attorneys general races are being decided today [2]. As the Washington Independent reported, some of the state attorneys general who’ve been most active in the investigation [3] are either engaged in close re-election contests or are set to leave their posts. More from the Independent:
Consider this: Of the 12 state attorneys general on the executive committee of the coordinated investigation, only two of them — Roy Cooper in North Carolina and Rob McKenna in Washington — aren’t up for re-election this year. Several of them — Jerry Brown in California, Richard Blumenthal in Connecticut, Terry Goddard in Arizona, Andrew Cuomo in New York and Bill McCollum in Florida — are running for higher office and will not return to their posts. And other races are closely contested.GO HERE to read more.
Currently, 32 of the 50 attorneys general across the nation are Democrats, to 18 Republicans. According to Governing Magazine, the GOP is poised to pick up anywhere from six to 13 of those seats after November, dramatically changing the makeup of the attorneys general across the country — and potentially the nature of their investigation.
New Democrat Coalition Loses Big In Midterms
Last week, ProPublica told the story [1] of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of 69 House lawmakers whose close relationship with several hundred Washington lobbyists has made them a powerful congressional force that has helped Wall Street and big Pharma win major legislative battles. We also suggested that the group could lose more than a third of its members to GOP candidates in the midterm elections.
As of now, 20 New Democrats have gone down in defeat while six others are locked in races that are too close to call. Many of those who lost come from conservative districts and are members of the Blue Dog Coalition, another conservative House coalition, but other New Democrats also fared poorly. Vice chair Melissa Bean, a critical player in the group's efforts to weaken the overhaul of the financial services industry, is trailing a Tea Party-backed opponent in her suburban Chicago district. Mike McMahon, who authored the group's derivatives proposal that was criticized for having big loopholes, was defeated. (A list of the New Democrats who have lost can be found below.)
GO HERE to read more.
As of now, 20 New Democrats have gone down in defeat while six others are locked in races that are too close to call. Many of those who lost come from conservative districts and are members of the Blue Dog Coalition, another conservative House coalition, but other New Democrats also fared poorly. Vice chair Melissa Bean, a critical player in the group's efforts to weaken the overhaul of the financial services industry, is trailing a Tea Party-backed opponent in her suburban Chicago district. Mike McMahon, who authored the group's derivatives proposal that was criticized for having big loopholes, was defeated. (A list of the New Democrats who have lost can be found below.)
GO HERE to read more.
What's Next For The Tea Party?
With some wins and losses in the midterm election, Tea Party members of Congress hold the key to the future
New School Prayer
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all..
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong...
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles..
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles..
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen
CITY OF SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Meeting #19 NOVEMBER 8, 2010 6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building Room 301
Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.
6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:07 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
October 25, 2010 minutes
Resolution No. 1987 - reappointment of Patricia Layton and Dave Nemazie to the Board of Zoning Appeals
Resolution No. 1988 - accepting overtime reimbursement funding from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the Salisbury Police Department for the investigation and prosecution of violent firearms-related criminal offenses
6:10 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland
6:20 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No. 2126 - amending Ordinance No. 2058 Section A – Lot Rates to add a parking permit rate for parking lot #35 effective December 1, 2010
6:25 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No. 2124 - 2nd reading - establishing a fee structure for the
Planning and Zoning Commission, the Salisbury Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Mayor and City Council relative to advertising fees for certain public hearings
Ordinance No. 2127 - 1st reading - authorizing City to issue and sell bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,100,000 (Milford Street water tank project)
Ordinance No. 2128 - 1st reading - amending Chapter 8.11, The Fire Prevention Code, of the Salisbury Municipal Code
Ordinance No. 2129 - 1st reading - amending Section 15.24.040, Referenced Standards, and Section 15.24.050, Applicability of Provisions, of the Salisbury Municipal Code
Ordinance No. 2130 - 1st reading - approving an amendment to the FY11 General Fund Budget to appropriate additional funds to pay the Humane Society of Wicomico County
Ordinance No. 2131 - 1st reading - accepting State Aid In Lieu Funds and to amend the FY11 General Fund Budget to fund the repaving of a portion of Beaglin Park Drive
7:25 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
Resolution No. 1989 - authorizing residential handicap permit parking on Taylor Street between Alabama Avenue and Winder Street
Resolution No. 1990 - approving an exemption from real property taxes for East Side Men’s Club for FY09, FY10 and FY11 real property taxes and all outstanding interest and penalties
Resolution No. 1991 - approving the reactivation of the existing well at 203 E. Vine Street
8:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS
8:15 p.m. ADJOURN
City/County Government Office Building Room 301
Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.
6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:07 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
October 25, 2010 minutes
Resolution No. 1987 - reappointment of Patricia Layton and Dave Nemazie to the Board of Zoning Appeals
Resolution No. 1988 - accepting overtime reimbursement funding from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the Salisbury Police Department for the investigation and prosecution of violent firearms-related criminal offenses
6:10 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland
6:20 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING – City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No. 2126 - amending Ordinance No. 2058 Section A – Lot Rates to add a parking permit rate for parking lot #35 effective December 1, 2010
6:25 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No. 2124 - 2nd reading - establishing a fee structure for the
Planning and Zoning Commission, the Salisbury Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Mayor and City Council relative to advertising fees for certain public hearings
Ordinance No. 2127 - 1st reading - authorizing City to issue and sell bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,100,000 (Milford Street water tank project)
Ordinance No. 2128 - 1st reading - amending Chapter 8.11, The Fire Prevention Code, of the Salisbury Municipal Code
Ordinance No. 2129 - 1st reading - amending Section 15.24.040, Referenced Standards, and Section 15.24.050, Applicability of Provisions, of the Salisbury Municipal Code
Ordinance No. 2130 - 1st reading - approving an amendment to the FY11 General Fund Budget to appropriate additional funds to pay the Humane Society of Wicomico County
Ordinance No. 2131 - 1st reading - accepting State Aid In Lieu Funds and to amend the FY11 General Fund Budget to fund the repaving of a portion of Beaglin Park Drive
7:25 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
Resolution No. 1989 - authorizing residential handicap permit parking on Taylor Street between Alabama Avenue and Winder Street
Resolution No. 1990 - approving an exemption from real property taxes for East Side Men’s Club for FY09, FY10 and FY11 real property taxes and all outstanding interest and penalties
Resolution No. 1991 - approving the reactivation of the existing well at 203 E. Vine Street
8:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS
8:15 p.m. ADJOURN
Notice Of Public Hearing On Towing Ordinance - November 29, 2010
The City Council has scheduled a public hearing on the proposed towing ordinance for Monday, November 29, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
The public hearing will be held in Council Chambers (Room 301) of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).
The public hearing will be held in Council Chambers (Room 301) of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).
Thank You For Your Support
We did it!! After a long, hard-fought campaign, we have won the election for Maryland’s First Congressional District! I can't thank you enough. Your support is the reason we celebrated a victory last night.
I also want to thank my family. Cookie has been incredibly patient and my children have been my campaign buddies. It's been a long three years for them and it was their support that kept me going.
This election is proof the American Dream is still alive. That the son of immigrants can become a doctor, serve in the Navy, and now serve as Maryland’s First District Congressman is astounding and I am flattered to be living proof of this country’s greatness.
Last night, people in Maryland and across America spoke in loud opposition to the direction this country was headed. We've sent in a new team to bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington and to create jobs for Americans. I am honored to be a part of that team.
Once again, thank you for your hard work and unwavering support; winning this election would have been impossible without you. I'm excited to get to Washington, roll up my sleeves, and get to work!!
Andy Harris
Andy Harris
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO HOLD CABINET MEETING TODAY
ANNAPOLIS, MD – After securing a second term as Governor, Governor Martin O’Malley will convene Maryland’s Executive Cabinet this morning. The meeting, to be held at 10:30 a.m. at the State House, will be open to press for the opening comments by the Governor only.
OCPD’S PFC CHARLES “JOSH” KELLEY NAMED AMERICAN LEGION OFFICER OF THE YEAR
On Monday, October 25, Ocean City Police PFC Charles “Josh” Kelley was named Officer of the Year by the American Legion Post 166. In addition to PFC Kelley, Commander of Post 166, Sarge Garlitz, presented awards to Ocean City Emergency Services Paramedic of the Year, Derrick Simpson, Ocean Pines Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, Kevin Rosser and Ocean City Firefighter of the Year, Peter Kehne.
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Election Day
Friend --
Over the last four years, the Democratic House Majority that you made possible took courageous action on behalf of America's middle class to create jobs and save the country from the worst economic catastrophe since the Great Depression.
Despite the outcome of last night's elections, please know that your grassroots support still made a difference.
There are many courageous Democrats who won close races last night because of your remarkable support.
The outcome of this election does not diminish the work we have done together for the American people. With so much at stake for our country, we must all strive to find common ground to support the middle class, create jobs, protect Social Security, reduce the deficit and move our nation forward. Today, all Democrats should hold their heads high.
Your support and dedication has made a positive difference in the lives of all Americans.
For that, I cannot thank you enough.
Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
Over the last four years, the Democratic House Majority that you made possible took courageous action on behalf of America's middle class to create jobs and save the country from the worst economic catastrophe since the Great Depression.
Despite the outcome of last night's elections, please know that your grassroots support still made a difference.
There are many courageous Democrats who won close races last night because of your remarkable support.
The outcome of this election does not diminish the work we have done together for the American people. With so much at stake for our country, we must all strive to find common ground to support the middle class, create jobs, protect Social Security, reduce the deficit and move our nation forward. Today, all Democrats should hold their heads high.
Your support and dedication has made a positive difference in the lives of all Americans.
For that, I cannot thank you enough.
Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
Troopers Respond To Two Bomb Threats Within An Hour
Locations:
Location #1: Rite Aid Pharmacy, 2034 New Castle Avenue, New Castle, DE
Location #2: Emily P. Bissell Hospital, 3000 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, DE
Date of Occurrence: Monday, November 01, 2010 at 2:50 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Suspect: Unknown male
Resume: The Delaware State Police are investigating bomb threats that were called in to two separate locations this afternoon.
The first incident occurred at approximately 2:50 p.m. as an unknown male suspect called the Rite Aid Pharmacy located at 2034 New Castle Avenue and spoke to the pharmacist. The male caller advised the pharmacist that he had placed a bomb inside of the store, inside each of the store’s employee’s cars, and inside each of the store’s employee’s homes. The pharmacist then transferred the caller to the store manager. The caller then told the manager that he would not detonate the bombs that he has placed as long as he got the manager’s cooperation. The suspect, however, never made any demands. It was at this point that the manager called 9-1-1 and evacuated the building. Two Delaware State Police canines specifically trained in bomb detection and their handlers responded to the scene and conducted a search of both the interior and exterior of the store. No devices were located and the store was re-opened for business.
At 3:45 p.m. troopers responded to the Emily P. Bissell Hospital located at 3000 Newport Gap Pike, in Wilmington in reference to a bomb threat called in at that location. The responding troopers were advised that an unknown male suspect had called into the hospital kitchen and advised the call taker that he was going to respond to the hospital in fifteen minutes with a bomb. The call taker, an employee of the hospital, then notified hospital security who in turn contacted 9-1-1. A state police bomb trained canine and his handler then responded to the hospital and conducted a search of the exterior. No device was located. The hospital was not evacuated and no suspect arrived.
These incidents are both still under investigation. It is not known if the same suspect placed both calls to the Rite Aid and the hospital.
If anyone has any information in reference to either of these incidents, they are asked to contact State Police at either 302-834-2620 or 302-633-5000. They may also contact Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Tips may also be submitted online at http://www.tipsubmit.com/.