DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, December 03, 2010
2010 Has Proven To Be An Unbelievable Year For Salisbury News
Salisbury News has surpassed 14,000,000 views. We can't thank you enough for your support.
Thank You To The West Salisbury Little League
Thank you to the West Salisbury Little League and Jeff Johnson for adopting the Red Kettle at Crown Sports Center.
They will be ringing every Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. and every Saturday from 10 to 8 p.m. until Christmas.
What an outstanding way to teach kids about giving back to the community!
Also, our gratitude to Bill Hearne for his generosity in hosting a kettle at Crown!
Your Friends at The Salvation Army
Editors Note: Every single location for Saturday has been filled thanks to your generosity.
Editors Note: Every single location for Saturday has been filled thanks to your generosity.
Christmas Presents For The Foxwell Children
The drop off point will be 300 W. Main Street in Downtown Salisbury on Saturday's from 10 AM to Noon, starting Saturday the 11th. We will kindly ask that each new present remain unwrapped. If you're unable to work with the day and time, please e-mail me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com and we'll make other arrangements.
The children's gender and ages are listed below for your convenience.
Male 13 , Male 10, Female 6, Male 4 and we do not want to forget Sarah's cousin Male 12.
I'll not mention who but I will share with you that there's a Christmas Party tomorrow evening in which everyone attending will be bringing a gift. 50% of the gifts will be going to the Foxwell Children and the other 50% will be going to the Salvation Army. Please consider doing the same with your Office Parties this Holiday Season.
Merry Christmas To One And All.
OCEAN CITY POLICE ASK FOR PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING SODA MACHINE THIEF
In addition to the 12th floor, Coke machines on the 11th, 10th and 9th floors had also been broken into. At this time, the total amount of money stolen and the total value of damage are still undetermined.
The suspect, who was seen on video walking into each vending machine room with his head down, moved surveillance cameras from their original positions. Images recovered of the suspect, identify him as a white male, who was carrying some type of shoulder bag/briefcase.
The Ocean City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in the Coke machine theft. If you have any information regarding the suspect or the theft, please call the Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 410.723.6604.
Tim Spies Press Release
Salisbury has a problem. A very large problem. That problem is crime.
Crime keeps away business. Crime keeps away jobs and opportunity. Crime devours our resources. Crime raises our taxes, our insurance rates, our rents. Crime erodes property values and buyer confidence. Crime leads to neighborhood degradation, then to decay, attracting more crime and criminals along the way. Crime has us fearful in our own homes. Fearful of what might happen if we leave. Fearful of what might happen if we stay
.
The problem is getting bigger and spreading. Open drug deals within sight of grade and middle schools, public sex acts in plain view of family homes. Murders, rapes, armed robberies, burglaries and other serious crimes, all in numbers too high to believe: over nine hundred in just over three months. Nine hundred...
It doesn't have to be like this.
My name is Tim Spies. I care about Salisbury and all that Salisbury can and should be.
I seek a seat on Salisbury's City Council in 2011. I want your vote.
My goals: to break the council-mayor deadlock that has cursed our city for years and to set and keep the task of crime control at the forefront of council business, where it should be.
Salisbury's city council needs to move on, past the pandering, politicking and divisiveness
that has characterized it for over a decade. A council that follows its own rules of order, makes well-informed, intelligent decisions and truly looks out for its citizens is the council that we need. Does that sound like our present council, or the one before it, or the one before that? Many would say not.
The next council needs to be a better council.
Salisbury's health is long past being at risk. It is severely compromised. In a healthy city, the health and well-being of all within it become easier to achieve and maintain. Salisbury's health needs to be restored, step by measured step. The first step: address crime. Aggressively, systematically and comprehensively. We need to be direct and unwavering. We need proven, all-inclusive measures and strategies, not disjointed, half-hearted efforts with already failed tools and an agenda that conveniently ignores some of crime's root causes. Band-aids will not stop the bleeding of an arterial wound.
I am not a politician. I have no hidden agenda. I have no ties to any special interests. I know that Salisbury must become safer to survive. Only the right city council can help make that happen.
Whether Salisbury is called home, place of business or alma mater, its unique quality of life and its people are two of its most important assets. They must be protected and nurtured to thrive..
I believe this. I think that you do, too.
Know the issues. Vote responsibly. Salisbury needs you.
tspies@cavtel.net - 410-219-5209
By Authority, Emily E. Spies, Treasurer
STATEMENT FROM RNC CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE ON THE NOVEMBER UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS
WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released the following statement today:
“Today’s jobs report showing unemployment jumping to 9.8 percent only confirms that President Obama’s agenda of out-of-control spending, higher taxes, and bigger government has the economy moving in the wrong direction. Despite the clear message sent in last month’s elections, Democrats continue to ignore the American people by remaining focused on enacting a host of liberal priorities that will do nothing to create jobs. All the while, they have left a massive job-killing tax increase hanging over the heads of every single American family and small business, prolonging the existing economic uncertainty that has kept employers from hiring. Instead of continuing the same wish-list mentality that pushed through big government Democrat programs in the face of high unemployment and record deficits, Democrats should work with Republicans to start putting the American people’s priorities first – getting our country back on a path to economic prosperity and making sure no one sees a tax hike on January 1st.”
Army, Marine Chiefs Cast Doubt On Gay Service
WASHINGTON (AP) - The top uniformed officers of the Army and the Marines say letting gays serve openly in the military at a time of war would be divisive and difficult, sharply challenging a new Pentagon study that calculates the risk as low.
Their assessment, expected Friday at a Senate hearing, was likely to become political ammunition for Arizona Sen. John McCain and other Republicans fighting to keep Congress from repealing the 1993 law that prohibits gays from acknowledging their sexual orientation. Democrats have promised a vote this month to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law, although its chances of passing this year were considered dim.
"If the law is changed, successfully implementing repeal and assimilating openly homosexual Marines into the tightly woven fabric of our combat units has strong potential for disruption at the small unit level, as it will no doubt divert leadership attention away from an almost singular focus of preparing units for combat," the Marine commandant, Gen. James Amos, said in remarks prepared for delivery to the Senate Armed Services Committee.
GO HERE to read more.
More Misplaced Remains At Arlington Cemetery
WASHINGTON - An investigation -- which was prompted by a September report from WTOP -- has found more misplaced remains at Arlington National Cemetery.
"In late October, the Executive Director of the Army National Cemeteries Program, Kathryn Condon, became aware of questionable practices that took place at Arlington National Cemetery and requested that the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command open an investigation into allegations involving multiple burials of cremated remains in a single location," the Cemetery said in a statement.
GO HERE to read more.
G.W. University Offers Gender-Neutral Housing
WASHINGTON - Gender-neutral housing, where students of both sexes room together, is coming to George Washington University's dorms next year.
"It's not intended for romantic couples, and that's something the students actually spoke to us pretty loudly and vigorously about," says George Washington's Dean of Students Peter Konwerski.
University will offer gender-neutral housing in all residence halls except for one.
GO HERE to read more.
Jobless Rate Rises To 9.8 pct. As Job Growth Slows
The nation's unemployment rate climbed to 9.8 percent in November, a seven-month high, as hiring slowed.
GO HERE to read more.
FBI Interviewing Officers About Beating Of UMD Student
The FBI notified Prince George's County police that it will interview police officers at their homes about the March 3 beating of a University of Maryland student, police said.
Police learned of the interviews at 7 p.m. The FBI will interview about 40 officers Thursday night and Friday, police said.
No subpoenas nor warrants have been issued, and the FBI did not provide a list of names of officers that will be interviewed, police said.
GO HERE to read more.
Good For Greg Bassett
Further Evacuations As A Result Of Spreading Carmel Fire
Northern Israel is in a state of emergency as the worst fire in the country's history incinerated a bus carrying forty members of the Israel Prisons Service, killing everyone on board, destroying thousands upon thousands of dunams of forests on the Carmel Mountain ridge and injuring dozens. Twelve thousand residents from Tirat Carmel and other surrounding communities in the area were evacuated from their homes as a result of the fire.
Emergency officials began evacuating areas in the Denya neighborhood of Haifa as a result of the uncontrolled fire.
srael Air Force bases in Ramat David in the North were preparing to host European fire suppression aircraft from Greece, Spain and Cyprus which were scheduled to arrive Friday morning to help battle the fire. Additional aid was coming from Britain, Russia, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Romania, Jordan and Bulgaria. The IAF is readying for the possibility of sending its own aircraft to neighboring countries to gather fire retardant chemicals to assist in extinguishing the fire. The IDF decided not to renew fire suppression efforts by helicopters due to damage caused to the aircraft.
In addition, a Boeing 747 loaded with a fire retardant chemical is scheduled to leave the United States for Israel Thursday night, thanks to New York City Mayor Bloomberg, Israeli Acting Consul General Ido Aharoni, members of the FDNY and Tom Harbour, the Director of Fire and Aviation Management for the US Forestry Service.
Egypt has also offered to assist in firefighting efforts by supplying fire extinguishing chemicals, according to the IDF Spokesperson.
Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declared, "I will declare this a day of mourning." Netanyahu pleaded with the public to stay away from the area of the fire and to listen for emergency instructions.
As the flames spread at astonishing speeds, fed by parched forest lands that had not seen rain for eight months, fire crews battling the blazes were completely overwhelmed by the disaster, and several towns and villages, including Ussafiya, were evacuated for fear that the fire would engulf them too. An urgent order was put out by Fire and Rescue Commissioner Shimon Romach calling on all fire crews in the country to mobilize to the North and assist in the efforts to control the flames.
“If we don't get foreign assistance tonight, I doubt we will be able to control fire, and it will stop only at shores of the Mediterranean,” warned Haifa firefighter spokesman Hezi Levi.
"This is an unprecedented disaster,” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in Jerusalem, before setting out to the fire scene.
JPost
Emergency officials began evacuating areas in the Denya neighborhood of Haifa as a result of the uncontrolled fire.
srael Air Force bases in Ramat David in the North were preparing to host European fire suppression aircraft from Greece, Spain and Cyprus which were scheduled to arrive Friday morning to help battle the fire. Additional aid was coming from Britain, Russia, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Romania, Jordan and Bulgaria. The IAF is readying for the possibility of sending its own aircraft to neighboring countries to gather fire retardant chemicals to assist in extinguishing the fire. The IDF decided not to renew fire suppression efforts by helicopters due to damage caused to the aircraft.
In addition, a Boeing 747 loaded with a fire retardant chemical is scheduled to leave the United States for Israel Thursday night, thanks to New York City Mayor Bloomberg, Israeli Acting Consul General Ido Aharoni, members of the FDNY and Tom Harbour, the Director of Fire and Aviation Management for the US Forestry Service.
Egypt has also offered to assist in firefighting efforts by supplying fire extinguishing chemicals, according to the IDF Spokesperson.
Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declared, "I will declare this a day of mourning." Netanyahu pleaded with the public to stay away from the area of the fire and to listen for emergency instructions.
As the flames spread at astonishing speeds, fed by parched forest lands that had not seen rain for eight months, fire crews battling the blazes were completely overwhelmed by the disaster, and several towns and villages, including Ussafiya, were evacuated for fear that the fire would engulf them too. An urgent order was put out by Fire and Rescue Commissioner Shimon Romach calling on all fire crews in the country to mobilize to the North and assist in the efforts to control the flames.
“If we don't get foreign assistance tonight, I doubt we will be able to control fire, and it will stop only at shores of the Mediterranean,” warned Haifa firefighter spokesman Hezi Levi.
"This is an unprecedented disaster,” Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in Jerusalem, before setting out to the fire scene.
JPost
Fire Disaster: World Offers Help, Turkey Sends Planes
Israeli authorities are expecting to receive more than 20 firefighting aircraft Thursday night from Britain, France, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Croatia, Azerbaijan and Russia to help in the effort to contain the northern blaze that claimed at least 40 lives.
Despite the great diplomatic tensions vis-Ã -vis Israel, Turkish officials announced that they too will be sending two firefighting airplanes. Egypt also pledged to send a plane to help battle the blaze. Later Thursday, Jordan and Bulgaria said they are willing to send firefighting teams to help contain the fire. Italy also said it would offer assistance.
Early Friday, US President Barack Obama offered his condolences to families of the 40 victims in Thursday’s blaze.
Obama also offered American assistance in containing the blaze.
Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approached Russia, Italy, Greece and Cyprus and asked for firefighting aircraft to be sent to Israel. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed Israel's ambassadors in the United States, Europe and Jordan to look into possible ways these countries could assist Israel.
Meanwhile, communities and residents across Israel are preparing to host Israelis whose homes were damaged in the massive blaze.
More here
Despite the great diplomatic tensions vis-Ã -vis Israel, Turkish officials announced that they too will be sending two firefighting airplanes. Egypt also pledged to send a plane to help battle the blaze. Later Thursday, Jordan and Bulgaria said they are willing to send firefighting teams to help contain the fire. Italy also said it would offer assistance.
Early Friday, US President Barack Obama offered his condolences to families of the 40 victims in Thursday’s blaze.
Obama also offered American assistance in containing the blaze.
Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approached Russia, Italy, Greece and Cyprus and asked for firefighting aircraft to be sent to Israel. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman instructed Israel's ambassadors in the United States, Europe and Jordan to look into possible ways these countries could assist Israel.
Meanwhile, communities and residents across Israel are preparing to host Israelis whose homes were damaged in the massive blaze.
More here
40 Dead In Fire, Most Were On Prisons Service Bus
Dozens of security personnel, many from the Israel Prisons Service, are believed to have perished in the fire that has been raging on Mount Carmel since Thursday morning. Twenty two people were confirmed dead by 7:00 PM and 14 more bodies were reported found shortly after 10:00 PM. The total number of dead is estimated at 40.
36 out of the 40 victims were IPS cadets, most of them Druze, who were in their 20's. They were being transported on a bus after assisting in the evacuation of the Damon Prison.
At a certain point the fire began spreading at great speed – covering a mile in five minutes, according to a firefighting officer – and the bus was caught in the flames with no chance of getting out.
More
Fire Or A Massacre? Israeli Media Downplays Arson Suspicion
The fire in the Carmel Mountains may turn out to be the worst terror act in Israel's history, but major news outlets appear resolute in their will to ignore this possibility and its implications.
Israel's left-oriented major news media are on the whole defining the fire as a "disaster," spending most of their broadcast time discussing the insufficient preparation for a disaster of this magnitude and downplaying the fact that Arab arson is likely to be behind the blaze.
MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh) of the National Union was the first leader Thursday to publicly give voice the possibility that the fire was a terror attack – “an act of arson that turned into a massacre,” in his words. Most of the large forest fires in Israel are set by hostile Arabs, Katz said. He noted that he had proposed a bill for minimum punishment of terror arsonists nine months ago, and blamed Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman for torpedoing it.
Member of Knesset Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) called on Prime Minister Netanyahu Thursday evening to recruit “the entire Shin Bet” (Israel Security Agency) to investigate the Carmel Mountain fire and what he described as "the ongoing arson activity in the Galilee in general."
MK Ben-Ari said, "Fires are not decrees from above and the people of Israel must receive an answer regarding what's behind this great tragedy."
The fire spread from three locations simultaneously – making arson a likely possibility.
More from INN
Israel's left-oriented major news media are on the whole defining the fire as a "disaster," spending most of their broadcast time discussing the insufficient preparation for a disaster of this magnitude and downplaying the fact that Arab arson is likely to be behind the blaze.
MK Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh) of the National Union was the first leader Thursday to publicly give voice the possibility that the fire was a terror attack – “an act of arson that turned into a massacre,” in his words. Most of the large forest fires in Israel are set by hostile Arabs, Katz said. He noted that he had proposed a bill for minimum punishment of terror arsonists nine months ago, and blamed Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman for torpedoing it.
Member of Knesset Michael Ben-Ari (National Union) called on Prime Minister Netanyahu Thursday evening to recruit “the entire Shin Bet” (Israel Security Agency) to investigate the Carmel Mountain fire and what he described as "the ongoing arson activity in the Galilee in general."
MK Ben-Ari said, "Fires are not decrees from above and the people of Israel must receive an answer regarding what's behind this great tragedy."
The fire spread from three locations simultaneously – making arson a likely possibility.
More from INN
Judicial Watch Sues DHS For Report On DUI Illegal Who Killed A Nun
Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Department of Homeland Security for refusing to release a report of an internal investigation into why an illegal immigrant from Bolivia charged with killing an elderly nun in Prince William County this summer wasn’t deported despite a prior DUI conviction. The deadline for responding to the public interest group’s Freedom of Information Act request was Nov. 26th.
Carlos Martinelly-Montano was allegedly driving drunk again on August 1st when his vehicle slammed into a car full of nuns heading for a retreat. Sr. Denise Moser was killed, and two other nuns were critically injured.
Martinelly-Montano, who entered the U.S. illegally as a child - and would therefore be a beneficiary of the DREAM Act if it passes Congress during the lame duck session - had been scheduled for deportation, but his hearing was inexplicably delayed three times.
In 2008, Immigration and Customs Enforcement released him on his own recognizance pending a deportation hearing that never took place.
The only correspondence Judicial Watch received from DHS was an Oct. 21 acknowledgement of its FOIA request, which included a 10-day extension. To date, the department has not provided any of the requested records, or explained why they should be withheld, as required by federal law.
More at the Washington Examiner
Carlos Martinelly-Montano was allegedly driving drunk again on August 1st when his vehicle slammed into a car full of nuns heading for a retreat. Sr. Denise Moser was killed, and two other nuns were critically injured.
Martinelly-Montano, who entered the U.S. illegally as a child - and would therefore be a beneficiary of the DREAM Act if it passes Congress during the lame duck session - had been scheduled for deportation, but his hearing was inexplicably delayed three times.
In 2008, Immigration and Customs Enforcement released him on his own recognizance pending a deportation hearing that never took place.
The only correspondence Judicial Watch received from DHS was an Oct. 21 acknowledgement of its FOIA request, which included a 10-day extension. To date, the department has not provided any of the requested records, or explained why they should be withheld, as required by federal law.
More at the Washington Examiner
D.C. Teachers Union Looks To Guard Perks
The new president of the Washington Teachers' Union promised a "progressive" administration rather than a "reactionary" one, and said his No. 1 priority is to protect members' job security.
Nathan Saunders said that while he is on the same page as D.C. leaders on some budget issues, the new leadership at both city hall and D.C. Public Schools gives him guardianship over the contract signed this spring that guarantees teachers raises for the next three years but reduces the role of teacher tenure.
"The new contract is guarded by new dynamics," said Mr. Saunders, who assumed his office on Wednesday.
The agreement was signed by then-WTU President George Parker, then-schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, none of whom will be involved in its implementation. But even with the changing of the guard, the issues of job security and compensation remain on the table.
But Ms. Rhee, brought in by Mr. Fenty and acting with his support, fired hundreds of teachers and other school workers during her 3 1/2-year tenure. These actions, among others, led the teachers union to support D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray's successful bid to oust Mr. Fenty.
"During the Michelle Rhee and Adrian Fenty administrations, WTU was not a real partner, but treated like a red-headed stepchild," Mr. Saunders said. "It's not always in the best interests of our membership to do something that is politically expedient. The trend in the U.S. is less job security. I'm moving in the opposite direction.
"My job is to protect members," he added.
More on this
Nathan Saunders said that while he is on the same page as D.C. leaders on some budget issues, the new leadership at both city hall and D.C. Public Schools gives him guardianship over the contract signed this spring that guarantees teachers raises for the next three years but reduces the role of teacher tenure.
"The new contract is guarded by new dynamics," said Mr. Saunders, who assumed his office on Wednesday.
The agreement was signed by then-WTU President George Parker, then-schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, none of whom will be involved in its implementation. But even with the changing of the guard, the issues of job security and compensation remain on the table.
But Ms. Rhee, brought in by Mr. Fenty and acting with his support, fired hundreds of teachers and other school workers during her 3 1/2-year tenure. These actions, among others, led the teachers union to support D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray's successful bid to oust Mr. Fenty.
"During the Michelle Rhee and Adrian Fenty administrations, WTU was not a real partner, but treated like a red-headed stepchild," Mr. Saunders said. "It's not always in the best interests of our membership to do something that is politically expedient. The trend in the U.S. is less job security. I'm moving in the opposite direction.
"My job is to protect members," he added.
Rep. Ted Poe: Illegals Are Breaking The Bank
Unemployment lines continue to grow as does the American people’s frustration over a government that continues to spend more money than they have. The current administration’s solution is to raise taxes, not cut spending. Times are tight for American families, and as they are looking at ways to make their dollars go further, the federal government should look at ways of keeping American dollars a little closer to home.
While the United States continues to drown in debt, there was some good news south of the border. According to reports, money sent back to Mexico is on the rise. Recently, the Bank of Mexico reported remittances totaling $1.95 billion in August, up 9.32 percent from the same month last year. Apparently, the U.S. job market isn’t tough for everyone.
A Mexican-based financial company is forecasting $22 billion in remittances for 2010 making it Mexico’s second highest revenue maker behind crude oil. Not all of this comes from the 20 million illegal workers. There are people that have come to our country legally to work, but they also send much of their income south of the border. These remittances are an economic drain on America, but Mexico would collapse without them.
Not only are we not recirculating billions of U.S. dollars earned in our country back into our own economy, we are also dolling out taxpayer-funded social services to millions who don’t contribute to the system.
The open-borders crowd continues to insist that those working here illegally contribute more to our economy than the benefits they illegally receive, but $22 billion dollars taken out of our economy says otherwise.
It’s not just the money being sent home, it’s also the costs incurred here. The Federation for American Immigration Reform has estimated that the total cost of education for illegals is $52 billion a year. The report says Texas is saddled with $16.4 billion of that amount.
However, it is important to point out that this cost includes American-born children of people living here illegally. It is argued that we can’t count these children because under current policy, they are considered U.S. citizens, even though their parents are not and even though many of their mothers illegally came to the U.S. for the sole purpose of having a child. While I am not so sure the correct interpretation of the 14th Amendment makes these children automatic citizens, the Supreme Court has not issued a ruling on the issue of birthright citizenship.
The Harris County Hospital District, the public hospital system in Houston, Texas, found that 60 percent of births over the last four years were by women living here illegally. It’s estimated, in Texas alone, there are 1.5 million illegal immigrants, to which 60,000 babies are born to their households annually. In fact, a Pew Hispanic Center study revealed that 8 percent of U.S. babies a year are born to mothers here illegally.
[Are you mad yet? Keep reading..]
While the United States continues to drown in debt, there was some good news south of the border. According to reports, money sent back to Mexico is on the rise. Recently, the Bank of Mexico reported remittances totaling $1.95 billion in August, up 9.32 percent from the same month last year. Apparently, the U.S. job market isn’t tough for everyone.
A Mexican-based financial company is forecasting $22 billion in remittances for 2010 making it Mexico’s second highest revenue maker behind crude oil. Not all of this comes from the 20 million illegal workers. There are people that have come to our country legally to work, but they also send much of their income south of the border. These remittances are an economic drain on America, but Mexico would collapse without them.
Not only are we not recirculating billions of U.S. dollars earned in our country back into our own economy, we are also dolling out taxpayer-funded social services to millions who don’t contribute to the system.
The open-borders crowd continues to insist that those working here illegally contribute more to our economy than the benefits they illegally receive, but $22 billion dollars taken out of our economy says otherwise.
It’s not just the money being sent home, it’s also the costs incurred here. The Federation for American Immigration Reform has estimated that the total cost of education for illegals is $52 billion a year. The report says Texas is saddled with $16.4 billion of that amount.
However, it is important to point out that this cost includes American-born children of people living here illegally. It is argued that we can’t count these children because under current policy, they are considered U.S. citizens, even though their parents are not and even though many of their mothers illegally came to the U.S. for the sole purpose of having a child. While I am not so sure the correct interpretation of the 14th Amendment makes these children automatic citizens, the Supreme Court has not issued a ruling on the issue of birthright citizenship.
The Harris County Hospital District, the public hospital system in Houston, Texas, found that 60 percent of births over the last four years were by women living here illegally. It’s estimated, in Texas alone, there are 1.5 million illegal immigrants, to which 60,000 babies are born to their households annually. In fact, a Pew Hispanic Center study revealed that 8 percent of U.S. babies a year are born to mothers here illegally.
[Are you mad yet? Keep reading..]
Boehner Calls Tax Bill 'Chicken Crap'
The tax cut bill considered by the House on Thursday isn't merely disappointing, it's "chicken crap." And Rep. Rob Bishop's three-piece suit?
"I told Mr. Bishop on the way in that just because he inherited this suit from his grandfather didn't mean he had to wear it," House Republican leader John Boehner teased his friend Thursday. "But his hair looks good."
Boehner, one of a dozen children of their bar-owning father, is given to smoking, tanning, golfing and teasing people he likes most. He's also a weeper at key public moments and liked for his geniality by many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Boehner often comes right out with it, even when cameras are rolling.
Asked about the Democrats' bill Thursday to extend Bush-era tax cuts only for the first $250,000 of income, the Ohio Republican was blunt. The Democrats' bill, unlike the Republican proposal to extend the cuts for every American, has no chance of passing the Senate. So do House Democrats risk losing any glint of bipartisan goodwill by bringing it up at all?
"I'm trying to catch my breath so I don't refer to this maneuver going on today as chicken crap, all right?" Boehner said Thursday at a news conference. "But this is nonsense, all right? The election was one month ago. We are 23 months from the next election, and the political games have already started trying to set up the next election."
Here's more
"I told Mr. Bishop on the way in that just because he inherited this suit from his grandfather didn't mean he had to wear it," House Republican leader John Boehner teased his friend Thursday. "But his hair looks good."
Boehner, one of a dozen children of their bar-owning father, is given to smoking, tanning, golfing and teasing people he likes most. He's also a weeper at key public moments and liked for his geniality by many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Boehner often comes right out with it, even when cameras are rolling.
Asked about the Democrats' bill Thursday to extend Bush-era tax cuts only for the first $250,000 of income, the Ohio Republican was blunt. The Democrats' bill, unlike the Republican proposal to extend the cuts for every American, has no chance of passing the Senate. So do House Democrats risk losing any glint of bipartisan goodwill by bringing it up at all?
"I'm trying to catch my breath so I don't refer to this maneuver going on today as chicken crap, all right?" Boehner said Thursday at a news conference. "But this is nonsense, all right? The election was one month ago. We are 23 months from the next election, and the political games have already started trying to set up the next election."
Here's more
House Censures Charles Rangel
The House censured Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) Thursday evening, a dramatic downfall for the once powerful chairman of the Ways and Means panel.
In an overwhleming vote of 333-79, the House handed down its steepest form of punishment short of expulsion to one of the most senior and beloved members of the House.
Rangel, a 40-year veteran of the House, is only the 23rd lawmaker to be censured in the history of the House and the fifth in the last 100 years.
Rangel spoke to his colleagues, reassuring them he will not let the punishment damper his outlook.
“I am fully aware that this vote reflects the political tide and .... the constituency of this body,” he said. “I know in my heart that I'm not going to be judged by this Congress ... but by my life, my activities and my contributions to society.
Before the censure vote, an amendment to reduce the punishment to a reprimand was set aside in a 146-267 vote. More Democrats, 143-105, supported reducing the punishment to a reprimand.
Before Thanksgiving an ethics adjudicatory committee convicted Rangel of 11 counts of violating ethics rules. The charges include: improperly using his office to solicit donations for a school of public policy in his name at the City College of New York (CCNY), using a rent-stabilized apartment in Harlem for his campaign office, failing to report more than $600,000 on his financial disclosure report, and failing to pay taxes on rental income from a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic.
In his written statement submitted by his attorneys in July, Rangel said the investigative subcommittee that brought charges against him “acted beyond the scope of its authority” and did not give him enough time to provide a defense, violating the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause. He called their findings “deeply flawed.”
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), who chairs the ethics committee, and Republicans on the panel would not back down, arguing that Rangel had several chances to handle the matter differently and agree to settle for a reprimand, which the panel offered him back in July. Instead, Rangel chose to fight and opt for public trial.
Lofgren dismissed claims by Rangel supporters that history and precedent did not support such a severe punishment, noting that some censures in the House’s early history were leveled for insulting the Speaker and for using “unparliamentary” language.
“It’s important to hold members to a higher standard [than the House has done in recent years],” she said. “Mr. Rangel himself has said we need higher standards.”
“It’s a sad day but a necessary day…,” she said. “It’s an important vote for this institution and how we are seen by our employers, the American voters.”
More
In an overwhleming vote of 333-79, the House handed down its steepest form of punishment short of expulsion to one of the most senior and beloved members of the House.
Rangel, a 40-year veteran of the House, is only the 23rd lawmaker to be censured in the history of the House and the fifth in the last 100 years.
Rangel spoke to his colleagues, reassuring them he will not let the punishment damper his outlook.
“I am fully aware that this vote reflects the political tide and .... the constituency of this body,” he said. “I know in my heart that I'm not going to be judged by this Congress ... but by my life, my activities and my contributions to society.
Before the censure vote, an amendment to reduce the punishment to a reprimand was set aside in a 146-267 vote. More Democrats, 143-105, supported reducing the punishment to a reprimand.
Before Thanksgiving an ethics adjudicatory committee convicted Rangel of 11 counts of violating ethics rules. The charges include: improperly using his office to solicit donations for a school of public policy in his name at the City College of New York (CCNY), using a rent-stabilized apartment in Harlem for his campaign office, failing to report more than $600,000 on his financial disclosure report, and failing to pay taxes on rental income from a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic.
In his written statement submitted by his attorneys in July, Rangel said the investigative subcommittee that brought charges against him “acted beyond the scope of its authority” and did not give him enough time to provide a defense, violating the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause. He called their findings “deeply flawed.”
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), who chairs the ethics committee, and Republicans on the panel would not back down, arguing that Rangel had several chances to handle the matter differently and agree to settle for a reprimand, which the panel offered him back in July. Instead, Rangel chose to fight and opt for public trial.
Lofgren dismissed claims by Rangel supporters that history and precedent did not support such a severe punishment, noting that some censures in the House’s early history were leveled for insulting the Speaker and for using “unparliamentary” language.
“It’s important to hold members to a higher standard [than the House has done in recent years],” she said. “Mr. Rangel himself has said we need higher standards.”
“It’s a sad day but a necessary day…,” she said. “It’s an important vote for this institution and how we are seen by our employers, the American voters.”
More
Giving Back
Dear Joe:
I'm writing to you not because I need to get the word out about something, but because this saturday there are a group of people getting together to give back, and it just seemed like the kind of thing you'd like to know.
I don't know if you've heard of Help-Portrait, but it's an event started by a fairly well-known photographer named Jeremy Cowart. You can read more about it here:
Anyway, Saturday from 9-4, at least 8 local professional photographers, plus a bunch of other people who just want to help, are setting up in the HALO space in south Salisbury to give photos to the underprivileged. I'm really grateful for all the people that are getting involved, and I didn't know if it's the kind of "feel good" story you'd like to cover.
That's all!
Happy Holidays.
Laura Dye
QUOTE OF THE CENTURY, MAYBE EVEN THE MILLENIUM
"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America . Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."
Dear Abby:
My husband has a long record of money problems. He runs up huge credit-card bills and at the end of the month, if I try to pay them off, he shouts at me, saying I am stealing his money. He says pay the minimum and let our kids worry about the rest, but already we can hardly keep up with the interest.
Also he has been so arrogant and abusive toward our neighbors that most of them no longer speak to us. The few that do are an odd bunch, to whom he has been giving a lot of expensive gifts, running up our bills even more.
Also, he has gotten religious. One week he hangs out with Catholics and the next with people who say the Pope is the Anti-Christ, and the next he's with Muslums.
Finally, the last straw.
He's demanding that before anyone can be in the same room with him, they must sign a loyalty oath. It's just so horribly creepy!
Can you help?
Signed, Lost in DC
Dear Lost:
Stop whining, Michelle.
You can divorce the jerk any time you want.
The rest of us are stuck with him for two more years!
Also he has been so arrogant and abusive toward our neighbors that most of them no longer speak to us. The few that do are an odd bunch, to whom he has been giving a lot of expensive gifts, running up our bills even more.
Also, he has gotten religious. One week he hangs out with Catholics and the next with people who say the Pope is the Anti-Christ, and the next he's with Muslums.
Finally, the last straw.
He's demanding that before anyone can be in the same room with him, they must sign a loyalty oath. It's just so horribly creepy!
Can you help?
Signed, Lost in DC
Dear Lost:
Stop whining, Michelle.
You can divorce the jerk any time you want.
The rest of us are stuck with him for two more years!
LAX Tryouts
A New Girls Lacrosse Travel Team
The Delmarva Dolphins
Is Announcing Try-Outs
Graduation Years 2017 and 2018
To be held Saturday, December 4, 2010
From 11am to 1pm
(Check-in will begin at 10 am)
$10 try-out fee
At the Crown Sports Facility’s
Outdoor Fields
Players may pre-register by emailing talbert93@hotmail.com
In the email, please provide the player’s name, address, phone number, graduation year and US Lacrosse ID number – for insurance purposes players must be current members of the US Lacrosse organization. Players must provide their own mouth-guards, goggles, cleats and lacrosse sticks/equipment. It will probably be chilly, so dress accordingly.
This team will NOT conflict with a player’s recreation club schedule – the purpose is to travel to tournaments in the Mid-Atlantic region (mostly Baltimore/Washington area) during June/July (after the traditional recreation tournaments have ended) and then October/November.
Coaches: Bart Talbert, John Mitrecic, Steve Ardis, & Mike Grosso
For more information, please call Bart Talbert (410) 713-1062
Salisbury Police Department Accreditation On-Site
On December 2, 2010 – A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), will arrive on December 11, 2010 to examine all aspects of the Salisbury Police Department’s Policy and Procedures, management, operations and support services, Chief Barbara Duncan announced today.
“Verification by the team that the Salisbury Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence” she said.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The session will be conducted in the Wicomico County Board of Education Auditorium, 101 Long Avenue, Salisbury, Maryland.
If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call # 410-548-1429 on Monday, December 13, 2010, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to ten (10) minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the standards is available for review at the Salisbury Police Department, 699 W. Salisbury Parkway, Salisbury, Maryland. Contact Captain Mark Tyler at 410-548-3165 to review these standards.
Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Salisbury Police Department’s standards for accreditation are requested to write: The Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.
The Salisbury Police Department has to comply with over 400 standards in order to gain re-accreditation status. Chief Duncan, also said “The Salisbury Police Department was the 45th law enforcement agency to be accredited in 1987. Many of CALEA’s goals and standards directly apply to the “Report on Police” (1972) by the National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals which provided direction for law enforcement agencies and to improve services to those they attend. Accreditation is part of the solution to problems facing law enforcement today.”
The Accreditation Program Manager is Captain Mark Tyler. He said “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement officials from similar but out of state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit officers and other places where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are:
Chief Stephen Walker – Centerville, Ohio
Lt. Brenda Slovak – Keller, Texas
“Once the Commission’s Assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted re-accredited status” Tyler stated.
“Verification by the team that the Salisbury Police Department meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence” she said.
As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. The session will be conducted in the Wicomico County Board of Education Auditorium, 101 Long Avenue, Salisbury, Maryland.
If for some reason an individual cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call # 410-548-1429 on Monday, December 13, 2010, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to ten (10) minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. A copy of the standards is available for review at the Salisbury Police Department, 699 W. Salisbury Parkway, Salisbury, Maryland. Contact Captain Mark Tyler at 410-548-3165 to review these standards.
Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Salisbury Police Department’s standards for accreditation are requested to write: The Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.
The Salisbury Police Department has to comply with over 400 standards in order to gain re-accreditation status. Chief Duncan, also said “The Salisbury Police Department was the 45th law enforcement agency to be accredited in 1987. Many of CALEA’s goals and standards directly apply to the “Report on Police” (1972) by the National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals which provided direction for law enforcement agencies and to improve services to those they attend. Accreditation is part of the solution to problems facing law enforcement today.”
The Accreditation Program Manager is Captain Mark Tyler. He said “The assessment team is composed of law enforcement officials from similar but out of state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit officers and other places where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are:
Chief Stephen Walker – Centerville, Ohio
Lt. Brenda Slovak – Keller, Texas
“Once the Commission’s Assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted re-accredited status” Tyler stated.
O’MALLEY FAMILY TO CUT FRESH, LOCAL CHRISTMAS TREE
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley, First Lady Katie O’Malley and their children will kick off the holiday season by visiting a Maryland family farm to cut their own fresh, local tree for the holidays. The O’Malley family encourages all Marylanders to buy their Christmas tree from a local farm.
When buying directly from a local farmer, dollars circulate through the local economy four times, strengthening our communities. In addition, the farms that grow Christmas trees stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide wildlife habitat while creating scenic green belts.
Tree varieties grown in Maryland include: Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, and Blue Spruce.
While they're growing, real Christmas trees absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and emit fresh oxygen, unlike artificial trees which are petroleum-based. When growing in open space, a 3” in diameter Douglas Fir tree can reduce atmospheric carbon by 23 pounds and intercept 102 gallons of storm water runoff per year.
According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, of the 200 tree growing farms in Maryland, 168 farms harvested 77,801 trees valued at $2.4 million. In Maryland, Carroll County has the greatest number of cut Christmas tree farms with 22. Baltimore, Frederick, Garrett and Montgomery round out the top five counties. There are about 15,000 Christmas tree growers in the U.S., and over 100,000 people employed full or part time in the industry. Tree planting, shearing and mowing can take up to 65 hours a week, 52 weeks a year.
STATE POLICE GOLDEN RING BARRACK SHOP WITH A COP PROGRAM SET FOR SATURDAY
WHAT: MARYLAND STATE POLICE “SHOP WITH A COP”
WHEN: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2010 9:00 A.M.
WHERE:
GOLDEN RING BARRACK
8908 KELSO DRIVE
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21601
410-780-2700
The Maryland State Police, with the help of a Baltimore County Walmart and Eastern Tech High School, are working to make some area children’s Christmas a whole lot brighter. On Saturday morning, troopers will be pairing up with forty Baltimore County children to personally drive them to the Wal-mart store located at 6420 Petrie Way in Rosedale, Maryland, in hopes that the kids will be able to buy some of the things they have been wishing for during this holiday season.
Each child will be provided a $100.00 gift card, donated by Wal-mart and private sources. Upon arriving at the store, troopers will assist their designated shopper with the selection and purchase of gifts.
After all of the shoppers have finished with their purchases, troopers will drive them to Eastern Tech High School, 1100 Mace Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21221, where students at the school will serve the children lunch and help wrap presents.
WHEN: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2010 9:00 A.M.
WHERE:
GOLDEN RING BARRACK
8908 KELSO DRIVE
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21601
410-780-2700
The Maryland State Police, with the help of a Baltimore County Walmart and Eastern Tech High School, are working to make some area children’s Christmas a whole lot brighter. On Saturday morning, troopers will be pairing up with forty Baltimore County children to personally drive them to the Wal-mart store located at 6420 Petrie Way in Rosedale, Maryland, in hopes that the kids will be able to buy some of the things they have been wishing for during this holiday season.
Each child will be provided a $100.00 gift card, donated by Wal-mart and private sources. Upon arriving at the store, troopers will assist their designated shopper with the selection and purchase of gifts.
After all of the shoppers have finished with their purchases, troopers will drive them to Eastern Tech High School, 1100 Mace Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21221, where students at the school will serve the children lunch and help wrap presents.
5 Weeks As A Container Ship Passenger
For years, adventurous travelers have been able to sail around the world in a luxury cabin for not that much money by renting one onboard container ships. The rise of piracy has made it so a bunch of shipping companies have dropped that option, but you can experience the same thrill vicariously by checking out the dispatches from a Slate reporter who has taken the plunge and got herself in one of these sweet cabins. All is not beauty and mystery, there's work to be done. Like watching for pirates.
More »
More »
Time To Make An Offer They Can't Refuse On ''Godfather' House
Forget that Amityville Horror house they were selling out on Long Island. If you want to really live out scenes from a 1970s hit movie, there's a much cooler (and less creepy) house up for sale -- the Corleone estate from The Godfather.
More »
More »
What Is A Fatal Dose Of Four Loko?
"How many Four Lokos would it take to kill you?" wondered Esquire. So they turned to a report in Forensic Science International that says the rare fatal caffeine overdose usually requires consuming over 5 grams. To reach that level it would take...
More »
More »
General Electric Tapped Fed To Borrow $16 Billion
General Electric Co. borrowed $16 billion through a Federal Reserve Board rescue program in the fall of 2008, even as the blue-ribbon company enjoyed the highest credit rating available at the time.
GO HERE to read more.
Yard Sale
Salisbury Bible Fellowship is having their 2nd Annual Midnite Madness Yard Sale this Friday night at 7 pm. This is a huge event. We have Toys, Christmas decorations, furniture, clothing, housewares, books, etc. We even have a fresh baked goods section. Coffee and Hot Chocolate will also be available. Come out and do some Christmas Shopping.
Time: 7 pm
Location: 1500 Court Plaza Lane (corner of Pine Bluff Rd and Court Plaza Ln), Salisbury
Time: 7 pm
Location: 1500 Court Plaza Lane (corner of Pine Bluff Rd and Court Plaza Ln), Salisbury
Traffic Advisory For Annual Salisbury Christmas Parade
The below listed streets will be closed on Sunday, December 5, 2010, from approximately 1:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. for the annual Salisbury Christmas Parade:
Mount Herman Road between Civic Avenue and Long Avenue
East Main Street between Long Avenue and Rt. 13
Snow Hill Road between E. Main Street and South Park Drive
Ward Street between Rt. 50 and East Main Street
Long Avenue between Alvin Avenue and East Main Street
Civic Avenue between Glen Avenue and Mt. Herman Road
Rt. 50 intersections will closed to traffic entering Civic Avenue, East Main Street, Truitt Street, and Ward Street along the Parade route.
The 500 block of East William Street will be open for access to local businesses along the East Main Street and Truitt Street areas.
Side street traffic will not be permitted to cross the parade route. Motorists should expect traffic congestion on side streets near the parade route.
Mount Herman Road between Civic Avenue and Long Avenue
East Main Street between Long Avenue and Rt. 13
Snow Hill Road between E. Main Street and South Park Drive
Ward Street between Rt. 50 and East Main Street
Long Avenue between Alvin Avenue and East Main Street
Civic Avenue between Glen Avenue and Mt. Herman Road
Rt. 50 intersections will closed to traffic entering Civic Avenue, East Main Street, Truitt Street, and Ward Street along the Parade route.
The 500 block of East William Street will be open for access to local businesses along the East Main Street and Truitt Street areas.
Side street traffic will not be permitted to cross the parade route. Motorists should expect traffic congestion on side streets near the parade route.
Jennifer Foxwell States On The Record She Knew Absolutely Nothing About Saturday's Event
Now, that being said, who endorsed this event? From every Family Member I have spoken to, not one of them said they supported this event in any way, shape or form. Jennifer also mentioned to me that she spoke to someone at SARAH'S House and they didn't know about the event either.
To publish and promote such an event with Sarah's photo and the group running the event claimed they got permission from the Family to use the photo, who was it?
I'd like each and every one of you to consider what I'm about to say. Sarah's siblings will have an extremely difficult Holiday. The idea that this event is this close to Christmas, did anyone consider perhaps holding such an event to help her siblings. The Aunt is raising the children and quite frankly you have to realize she is not a wealthy woman.
If ANYONE deserves one heck of a Holiday this year, these kids deserve it. As for the April Bike Rally, that's a beautiful thing. I just think the timing for THIS event is wrong and that's just my personal opinion.
The Family Member who wrote to me with their original message wished each and every one of you a Happy Holiday Season. They asked for nothing, yet wished each and every one of you the very best. Perhaps we can all adopt these children this Christmas and make things right. Just food for thought. It feels better than beer.