WASHINGTON – Democrats controlling the House muscled through legislation Wednesday night that would freeze the budgets of most Cabinet departments and fund the war in Afghanistan for another year.
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
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Delaware Jury Goes Easy On Parish In Abuse Verdict
DOVER, Del. – A Delaware jury that broke precedent by placing some of the blame for a priest
abuse case with the local parish has gone light on the punitive damages.
The jury on Wednesday chose to make St. Elizabeth's parish in Wilmington pay $1 for its
negligence in not preventing former priest Francis DeLuca from abusing a child in the 1960s.
GO HERE to read more.
abuse case with the local parish has gone light on the punitive damages.
The jury on Wednesday chose to make St. Elizabeth's parish in Wilmington pay $1 for its
negligence in not preventing former priest Francis DeLuca from abusing a child in the 1960s.
GO HERE to read more.
Reid's 'Net Betting Bill Would Benefit His Casino Backers
MGM and Caesars, big contributors to Nevada senator's re-election, would be first in line to receive licenses
Two big Las Vegas casino companies that pumped more than $650,000 into Nevada Sen. Harry Reid’s re-election would benefit from a controversial Internet gambling measure that the Senate majority leader is attempting to tuck into the massive tax cut bill, according to lobbyists and Senate staff members familiar with the measure.
The draft bill, which Reid has been circulating among colleagues over the last week, would permit U.S. casino companies to set up their own Internet poker sites. The measure, first reported by Bloomberg News, would allow them for the first time to tap into a multi-billion-dollar online gambling market that is booming overseas.
But NBC News has learned that the proposal was crafted to make sure that the first licenses would be granted to casinos in states with large and “established” regulatory programs overseeing more than $2 billion in gambling revenue, guaranteeing that big Las Vegas casino companies would have a leg up over potential competitors, especially Indian tribes in other states, according to two lobbyists familiar with the provisions of the bill that Reid has been circulating.
Among the biggest boosters of the Reid bill, the sources said, are MGM Resorts International and Harrah’s, now called Caesars Entertainment, both of which were substantial backers of Reid during his re-election campaign against Republican Sharron Angle.
GO HERE to read more.
WikiLeaks Vigilante War Spills Onto Web
The vigilante cyberskirmish surrounding WikiLeaks has now spilled over onto the wider Internet, and Web sites like Mastercard.com and Visa.com have become collateral damage.
First came The Jester, a hacker who temporarily took down WikiLeaks' website. Copycats also began hitting WikiLeaks and its mirror Web sites. That prompted other hackers to launch a pro-WikiLeaks campaign, promising to keep the whistle-blowing website afloat and attacking government agencies and corporations that appear to oppose WikiLeaks.
The attacks have generated a lot of noise online -- and a lot of media coverage -- but so far neither side has scored many political points, or landed much of a digital body blow. In fact, the hacker battle might best be compared to a bar fight that's spilled out onto main street and bloodied a few bystanders.
The latest victim appears to be Visa.com, which was knocked offline Wednesday afternoon, following a similar disabling of Mastercard.com earlier in the day. The group taking credit for the attack, which calls itself "Anonymous," is a loose confederation of hackers who congregate around a Web site named 4Chan.com. The group also claims to have attacked websites run by PayPal, the Swiss bank PostFinance and the Swedish government -- all in the name of sticking up for WikiLeaks. It has given this virtual scorched Earth campaign the name "Operation Avenge Assange," and other take-downs are expected.
"They are not just making noise. Everyday consumers, everyday people are getting caught up in this now," said Dean Turner, a computer security researcher at Symantec Corp.
On all sides, the attacks have been mostly a nuisance. Both Mastercard.com and Visa.com are more like virtual brochures, notwishstanding headlines that say, "MasterCard is down." Knocking those Web sites offline didn't interfere with the standard processing of credit card payments, for example. The PayPal attack was relatively harmless, also -- the firm's blog was disabled, but payments were not disrupted. Anonymous did cause real headaches for PostFinance, however, as the bank’s online banking site was disabled for the better part of a day.
The attacks shouldn't be confused with a political movement, however. Groups like Anonymous and 4Chan are amorphous. Even among 4Chan users there's disagreement over what side to take on the conflict.
GO HERE to read more.
Some Millionaires Say, 'Tax Me, Please!'
While Republicans are trading high-fives in Washington over a deal that would preserve tax cuts for even the very wealthiest Americans, not all the nation's millionaires and billionaires are cheering.
Certainly plenty of upscale earners on Wall Street and elsewhere are quietly celebrating the promised extension of Bush-era income tax cuts along with a planned reduction in estate taxes, compared with pre-Bush levels. In Greenwich and Palo Alto there might even be a few extra baubles under the Christmas tree this year.
But there are also more than a few outliers -- millionaires who are saying, in effect, "Tax me!"
A new group called Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength has released a list of hundreds of high earners who say they want to see tax cuts for the wealthy expire as scheduled Dec. 31.
"My view is that in hard times it is important for Americans to come together and unite over the idea that medical care ought to be a basic right of citizenship," said Eric Schoenberg, identified as a "private investor" who also teaches at Columbia Business School. "It’s only fair for those of us who have benefited the most from this system to contribute the most.”
GO HERE to read more.
Certainly plenty of upscale earners on Wall Street and elsewhere are quietly celebrating the promised extension of Bush-era income tax cuts along with a planned reduction in estate taxes, compared with pre-Bush levels. In Greenwich and Palo Alto there might even be a few extra baubles under the Christmas tree this year.
But there are also more than a few outliers -- millionaires who are saying, in effect, "Tax me!"
A new group called Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength has released a list of hundreds of high earners who say they want to see tax cuts for the wealthy expire as scheduled Dec. 31.
"My view is that in hard times it is important for Americans to come together and unite over the idea that medical care ought to be a basic right of citizenship," said Eric Schoenberg, identified as a "private investor" who also teaches at Columbia Business School. "It’s only fair for those of us who have benefited the most from this system to contribute the most.”
GO HERE to read more.
Popular Opening At The Centre Of Salisbury
We just had a cancellation at Macy's at the Centre of Salisbury for Friday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
This is a very busy location and a lot of fun for the ringers. We are sure one of your readers will be interested in it.
Thanks,
The Red Kettle Campaign
If you can fill this spot please call 410-749-7464.
ROYAL FARMS HOMICIDE SUSPECT APPREHENDED
On December 7, 2010 at approximately 10:30 am, the U.S. Marshall Service apprehended ANTONIO DONNEL JONES in Hartford, Connecticut. Jones was wanted on warrants received by Salisbury Police Detectives following the fatal shooting of Devan Walls in the parking lot of the Royal Farm Store on North Salisbury Boulevard on September 19. Salisbury Officers had responded to the store at approximately 2:53 am and found Walls unresponsive in the parking lot. Walls was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead as a result of numerous gunshot wounds. The investigation by Detectives resulted in the identification of Jones as a participant in the assault. Jones was charged with attempted first and second degree murder, first and second degree assault, use of a handgun in a felony and possession of firearm with a felony conviction. Jones is awaiting extradition back to Maryland.
BODY OF AN ADULT FEMALE RECOVERED FROM CANAL
On Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Ocean City Police responded to the area of 94th Street for a report of a barking dog. Police arrived in the area and located the deceased body of an adult female in a nearby canal. The victim has been identified as Julie Eade, 59, of Ocean City, Maryland. The body has been sent to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland for autopsy. The cause and manner of
death are currently under investigation by the Ocean City Police Department.
death are currently under investigation by the Ocean City Police Department.
Electronic Pickpocketing
Thieves now have the capabilities to steal your credit card information without laying a hand on your wallet.
It's new technology being used in credit and debit cards, and it's already leaving nearly 140 million people at-risk for electronic pickpocketing.
It all centers around radio frequency identification technology, or RFID.
You'll find it in everything from your passports to credit and debit cards.
It's supposed to make paying for things faster and easier.
You just wave the card, and you've paid.
But now some worry it's also making life easier for crooks trying to rip you off.
In a crowd, Walt Augustinowicz blends right in.
And that's the problem.
"If I'm walking through a crowd, I get near people's back pocket and their wallet, I just need to be this close to it and there's my credit card and expiration date on the screen," says Augustinowicz demonstrating how easily cards containing RFID can be hacked.
Armed with a credit card reader he bought for less than $100 on-line and a netbook computer, WREG On Your Side Investigators put Augustinowicz to the test.
For about an hour he patrolled Beale Street, looking for RFID chips to read, and credit card information to steal.
Source
A Comment Worthy Of A Post
I'm a tax paying Salisbury property owner, and I've been following both sides of the heated debate on this blog regarding the firehouse for some time now. It seems there are several main points of contention in this debate.
1: What is the firehouse really worth as usable real estate? Some people against the City Council's transferring it to Palmer Gillis' group claim it's worth up to $ $500,000 to 800,000. Local commercial real estate people put it closer to $250,000 to $300,000 or so if sold at auction to highest bidder.
Who's right?
2: What duties and obligations does the city council have with respect to making use of the property? The intention to use the building for a community oriented purpose was announced well over a year ago, and the fully public selection process has been ongoing since then, culminating in the recent selection of a winner.
Does the city council have some sort of duty to toss out this community oriented use selection process, withdraw all use restrictions excepting zoning requirements, and sell it at auction to the highest bidder so the city can maximize it's revenue?
3: The 50 to 200 person banquet - meeting space use proposed claims not to be competing with any local restaurants except possibly the Fountains, some hotels, and the Civic Center.
Is this true? How many restaurants in the downtown area and elsewhere in Salisbury regularly host and provide meeting space for over a hundred people of one group?
We need answers to these questions.
1: What is the firehouse really worth as usable real estate? Some people against the City Council's transferring it to Palmer Gillis' group claim it's worth up to $ $500,000 to 800,000. Local commercial real estate people put it closer to $250,000 to $300,000 or so if sold at auction to highest bidder.
Who's right?
2: What duties and obligations does the city council have with respect to making use of the property? The intention to use the building for a community oriented purpose was announced well over a year ago, and the fully public selection process has been ongoing since then, culminating in the recent selection of a winner.
Does the city council have some sort of duty to toss out this community oriented use selection process, withdraw all use restrictions excepting zoning requirements, and sell it at auction to the highest bidder so the city can maximize it's revenue?
3: The 50 to 200 person banquet - meeting space use proposed claims not to be competing with any local restaurants except possibly the Fountains, some hotels, and the Civic Center.
Is this true? How many restaurants in the downtown area and elsewhere in Salisbury regularly host and provide meeting space for over a hundred people of one group?
We need answers to these questions.
And The Highest-Paid Reality Star Is ...
Kim Kardashian tops list; Kate Gosselin, 'Jersey Shore' cast members also raking in big bucks
It pays to be yourself – especially if you’re the star of a reality show and your name is Kim Kardashian.
The Queen Bee of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” and shortly of the upcoming “Kourtney & Kim Take New York,” has taken the top spot on The Daily Beast’s “Highest Paid Reality TV Stars” list for 2010.
The voluptuous brunette, who has had endorsement deals with diet supplements, shape-forming sneakers and a line of goods for a cable shopping channel, raked in an estimated $6 million in 2010.
She may have left “The Hills” long before it turned into Speidi-ville, but Lauren Conrad is still a top draw. The blonde beauty, who got her start on “Laguna Beach,” took second on the list, netting around $5 million.
GO HERE to read more.
TSA Brainless Imbeciles Tormenting Our Troops
As the Chalk Leader for my flight home from Afghanistan, I witnessed the following:
When we were on our way back from Afghanistan, we flew out of Baghram Air Field. We went through customs at BAF, full body scanners (no groping), had all of our bags searched, the whole nine yards. Our first stop was Shannon, Ireland to refuel. After that, we had to stop at Indianapolis, Indiana to drop off about 100 folks from the Indiana National Guard. That's where the stupid started.
First, everyone was forced to get off the plane-even though the plane wasn't refueling again. All 330 people got off that plane, rather than let the 100 people from the ING get off. We were filed from the plane to a holding area. No vending machines, no means of escape. Only a male/female latrine.
It's probably important to mention that we were ALL carrying weapons. Everyone was carrying an M4 Carbine (rifle) and some, like me, were also carrying an M9 pistol. Oh, and our gunners had M-240B machine guns. Of course, the weapons weren't loaded. And we had been cleared of all ammo well before we even got to customs at Baghram, then AGAIN at customs.
The TSA personnel at the airport seriously considered making us unload all of the baggage from the SECURE cargo hold to have it reinspected. Keep in mind, this cargo had been unpacked, inspected piece by piece by U.S. Customs officials, resealed and had bomb-sniffing dogs give it a one-hour run through. After two hours of sitting in this holding area, the TSA decided not to reinspect our Cargo-just to inspect us again: Soldiers on the way home from war, who had already been inspected, reinspected and kept in a SECURE holding area for 2 hours. Ok, whatever. So we lined up to go through security AGAIN.
This is probably another good time to remind you all that all of us were carrying actual assault rifles, and some of us were also carrying pistols.
GO HERE to read more.
When we were on our way back from Afghanistan, we flew out of Baghram Air Field. We went through customs at BAF, full body scanners (no groping), had all of our bags searched, the whole nine yards. Our first stop was Shannon, Ireland to refuel. After that, we had to stop at Indianapolis, Indiana to drop off about 100 folks from the Indiana National Guard. That's where the stupid started.
First, everyone was forced to get off the plane-even though the plane wasn't refueling again. All 330 people got off that plane, rather than let the 100 people from the ING get off. We were filed from the plane to a holding area. No vending machines, no means of escape. Only a male/female latrine.
It's probably important to mention that we were ALL carrying weapons. Everyone was carrying an M4 Carbine (rifle) and some, like me, were also carrying an M9 pistol. Oh, and our gunners had M-240B machine guns. Of course, the weapons weren't loaded. And we had been cleared of all ammo well before we even got to customs at Baghram, then AGAIN at customs.
The TSA personnel at the airport seriously considered making us unload all of the baggage from the SECURE cargo hold to have it reinspected. Keep in mind, this cargo had been unpacked, inspected piece by piece by U.S. Customs officials, resealed and had bomb-sniffing dogs give it a one-hour run through. After two hours of sitting in this holding area, the TSA decided not to reinspect our Cargo-just to inspect us again: Soldiers on the way home from war, who had already been inspected, reinspected and kept in a SECURE holding area for 2 hours. Ok, whatever. So we lined up to go through security AGAIN.
This is probably another good time to remind you all that all of us were carrying actual assault rifles, and some of us were also carrying pistols.
GO HERE to read more.
Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy
Stacy is one of the most dedicated people I've ever seen in the business. If you only knew the amount of hours and days per week this young lady has put in over the years you'd be amazed.
Other major stories that touched Stacy deeply was the Brooke Mulford story, young Kara Adams from Delmar and of course Sarah Foxwell.
Look, Stacy is a very special young lady and while I'd like to selfishly do whatever I can to keep her here, Stacy needs to move on and expand her professional career by moving onward and upward. One thing is for sure, I/We will miss her dearly but more importantly I want to say, THANK YOU!
Stacy Sakai will say goodbye to WMDT and their viewers next Thursday the 16th of December.
Thanks for the memories and the "BFF" friendship, as she likes to say.
Gift Drive For Foxwell Children Ends
That being said, we will cease any further action on this matter and deliver what has already been given to the Salvation Army, as requested. "We'd like to see those gifts be given to those children in our community that need it more than we do."
We thank all of you who came forward by allowing those children in need to have something very special under their Christmas Tree this Holiday Season.
Evidence WBOC Has Problems With Their Broadcasting
So its not just a complaint, its a reality. Maybe I'll record a few days of this and YouTube it, for those of you who don't believe this is going on. I'll be sure to go to other locations that have cable and do the same.
Did A New Majority Republican County Council Drive The MSM Away?
It was a very pleasurable event. Many kind words were spoken and much thanks offered to constituents and supporters.
I know each and every Council Member personally and quite frankly this could be the best Council Wicomico County has ever seen and you're going to need it. Times are very tough right now and tightening the belt is an understatement. Cuts will be painful but absolutely necessary to survive this horrible economy.
I did see a hand full of AFP Members present for the first time in quite a while. They asked for night meetings but they haven't participated like some of us expected. Perhaps that will change in the near future.
Nevertheless, we congratulate the new Council and give thanks for those who served in the past.
Obama's Henchman Goes Rogue To 'Guard' Internet
Chairman Julius Genachowski is moving forward as rapidly as he dares to add the Federal Communications Commission to the growing list of federal agencies used by President Obama to enforce a radical agenda opposed by the Democratic Congress and an overwhelming majority of voters. Genachowski recently unveiled a revised draft of his 2009 "net neutrality" proposal that would put the Internet under a New Deal-era communications bureaucracy. Under the guise of protecting consumers from being forced to pay for varying levels of delivery access and speed, Genachowski proposes to drag the Internet under the same regulatory authority that puts the FCC in charge of radio, telephone and television broadcasting.
Internet Service Providers would be barred from charging multiple rates to different customers, as well as from denying selected applications and services access to their networks. The proposal also contains vague mentions of new "incentives" to ISPs to expand their networks to insure equal access to the Internet. Virtually all major ISPs oppose the proposal, while it is favored by radical political activists masquerading as consumer advocates, some liberal members of Congress, and federal bureaucrats who never miss an opportunity to justify bigger budgets and staffs.
Genachowski says his proposal will make the FCC "the cop on the beat," bringing justice and fairness to the Internet on behalf of consumers. The cop is needed, he argues, because too often ISPs have "prevented consumers from using the applications of their choice. The framework is designed to guard against these risks while protecting the needs and interests of providers." In other words, Genachowski is from the government and he is here to help us.
In fact, Genachowski does not have the authority to regulate the Internet. Making his agency the cop on the digital beat would be like sending a Department of Agriculture meat inspector to arrest a college admissions director for charging out-of-state students more than those who live in-state.
Read more at the Washington Examiner
Internet Service Providers would be barred from charging multiple rates to different customers, as well as from denying selected applications and services access to their networks. The proposal also contains vague mentions of new "incentives" to ISPs to expand their networks to insure equal access to the Internet. Virtually all major ISPs oppose the proposal, while it is favored by radical political activists masquerading as consumer advocates, some liberal members of Congress, and federal bureaucrats who never miss an opportunity to justify bigger budgets and staffs.
Genachowski says his proposal will make the FCC "the cop on the beat," bringing justice and fairness to the Internet on behalf of consumers. The cop is needed, he argues, because too often ISPs have "prevented consumers from using the applications of their choice. The framework is designed to guard against these risks while protecting the needs and interests of providers." In other words, Genachowski is from the government and he is here to help us.
In fact, Genachowski does not have the authority to regulate the Internet. Making his agency the cop on the digital beat would be like sending a Department of Agriculture meat inspector to arrest a college admissions director for charging out-of-state students more than those who live in-state.
Read more at the Washington Examiner
IAF Retaliates For Rocket Fire On Western Negev
Israeli fighter pilots retaliated in the wee hours of Wednesday morning for rocket fire aimed at western Negev communities over the past two days.
Three short-range rockets were fired from Gaza at southern Israeli towns, although there were no reports of casualties or damage in any of the attacks.
IAF warplanes destroyed a weapons factory and a smuggler tunnel in the southern section of Gaza, according to the IDF Spokesman. Direct hits were identified on both targets.
INN
Three short-range rockets were fired from Gaza at southern Israeli towns, although there were no reports of casualties or damage in any of the attacks.
IAF warplanes destroyed a weapons factory and a smuggler tunnel in the southern section of Gaza, according to the IDF Spokesman. Direct hits were identified on both targets.
INN
Congress Deals Death Blow To Gitmo Closure
This year's omnibus spending bill refuses to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and would block the transfer of any suspected terrorist detainees to the United States in what appears to be the final blow for President Obama's campaign pledge to shutter the facility.
The massive spending bill Democrats released early Wednesday morning would prohibit the Obama administration from spending any money either to transfer detainees to the United States or to buy a replacement prison in the United States, as Mr. Obama had planned.
Prohibiting spending effectively stops the administration from acting over the next year, and with Republicans about to take control of the House in January, his chances are virtually zero that Congress will relent any time before the president stands for re-election in 2012.
The bill, which will be voted on over the next week or so, explicitly prohibits the transfer of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"None of the funds provided to the Department of Justice in this or any prior Act shall be available for the acquisition of any facility that is to be used wholly or in part for the incarceration or detention of any individual detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as of June 24, 2009," the bill says.
More
The massive spending bill Democrats released early Wednesday morning would prohibit the Obama administration from spending any money either to transfer detainees to the United States or to buy a replacement prison in the United States, as Mr. Obama had planned.
Prohibiting spending effectively stops the administration from acting over the next year, and with Republicans about to take control of the House in January, his chances are virtually zero that Congress will relent any time before the president stands for re-election in 2012.
The bill, which will be voted on over the next week or so, explicitly prohibits the transfer of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"None of the funds provided to the Department of Justice in this or any prior Act shall be available for the acquisition of any facility that is to be used wholly or in part for the incarceration or detention of any individual detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as of June 24, 2009," the bill says.
More
Biden To Address Fuming House Dem Caucus On Tax Cuts
Vice President Biden will address a fuming House Democratic caucus on Wednesday, a day after lawmakers roundly panned a tax cut deal the White House negotiated with Republicans.
At a caucus meeting Tuesday night, more than a dozen House Democrats stood up to criticize President Obama’s tax proposal, complaining that the administration caved too quickly on party priorities while shutting out Democratic lawmakers, sources in the room said. Of the 15 to 20 Democrats who spoke at the meeting, only a couple voiced support for the proposal, according to a Democrat in the room.
“I don’t think the president should count on Democratic votes to get this deal passed,” Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) said after leaving the meeting. He added Obama “went from zero to compromise in 3.5 seconds.”
“We got rolled,” one Democratic congressman told The Hill in describing the sentiment within the House caucus. One lawmaker, whom Democrats would not name, drew applause when he urged his colleagues to vote down the Obama-GOP plan and force the new Republican majority to confront the expiring George W. Bush-era tax cuts.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Democratic leaders presented the president’s proposal to the party rank-and-file while making clear they were not endorsing it. The plan calls for a two-year extension of the entire slate of Bush tax cuts, along with a 2 percent reduction in the employee payroll tax, among other items.
More
At a caucus meeting Tuesday night, more than a dozen House Democrats stood up to criticize President Obama’s tax proposal, complaining that the administration caved too quickly on party priorities while shutting out Democratic lawmakers, sources in the room said. Of the 15 to 20 Democrats who spoke at the meeting, only a couple voiced support for the proposal, according to a Democrat in the room.
“I don’t think the president should count on Democratic votes to get this deal passed,” Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) said after leaving the meeting. He added Obama “went from zero to compromise in 3.5 seconds.”
“We got rolled,” one Democratic congressman told The Hill in describing the sentiment within the House caucus. One lawmaker, whom Democrats would not name, drew applause when he urged his colleagues to vote down the Obama-GOP plan and force the new Republican majority to confront the expiring George W. Bush-era tax cuts.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other Democratic leaders presented the president’s proposal to the party rank-and-file while making clear they were not endorsing it. The plan calls for a two-year extension of the entire slate of Bush tax cuts, along with a 2 percent reduction in the employee payroll tax, among other items.
More
House GOP Chooses Panel Chairmen
House Republican leaders on Tuesday announced their roster of committee chairmen, all of whom have vowed to conduct vigorous oversight of the Obama administration.
In contested races, GOP lawmakers gave the gavels of three major committees to a Michigan lawmaker who successfully convinced colleagues of his conservative credentials, a reformed earmarker from Kentucky and an Alabama legislator who has repeatedly shown his skills as a political survivor.
The House Republican Steering Committee, composed of leadership lawmakers and some rank-and-file members, officially tapped all chairmen who will serve in the 111th Congress. But the most drama centered on the contested races for Appropriations, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) won a bruising race for the Energy and Commerce Committee, but it wasn’t easy. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), who attracted criticism from the White House and fellow Republicans earlier this year for his infamous apology to BP amid the massive oil spill off the Gulf Coast, racked up endorsements from conservative members and groups.
Barton sought a waiver to the GOP’s rule that prohibits members from remaining in a top committee perch for more than six years, but it was denied.
Some in the GOP argued that Upton was not conservative enough to run a committee that has jurisdiction over energy, healthcare and telecommunications, among many other issues.
Upton, however, persuaded Republicans that he would be loyal to the GOP leadership and would stand up to the Obama White House.
Other members who were in the Energy and Commerce race included Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.).
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) beat out Appropriations Committee ranking member Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) and Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) to nab the chairmanship of the spending panel. Like Barton, Lewis’s requested waiver to the GOP’s six-year rule was rejected.
There's more here
In contested races, GOP lawmakers gave the gavels of three major committees to a Michigan lawmaker who successfully convinced colleagues of his conservative credentials, a reformed earmarker from Kentucky and an Alabama legislator who has repeatedly shown his skills as a political survivor.
The House Republican Steering Committee, composed of leadership lawmakers and some rank-and-file members, officially tapped all chairmen who will serve in the 111th Congress. But the most drama centered on the contested races for Appropriations, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services.
Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) won a bruising race for the Energy and Commerce Committee, but it wasn’t easy. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), who attracted criticism from the White House and fellow Republicans earlier this year for his infamous apology to BP amid the massive oil spill off the Gulf Coast, racked up endorsements from conservative members and groups.
Barton sought a waiver to the GOP’s rule that prohibits members from remaining in a top committee perch for more than six years, but it was denied.
Some in the GOP argued that Upton was not conservative enough to run a committee that has jurisdiction over energy, healthcare and telecommunications, among many other issues.
Upton, however, persuaded Republicans that he would be loyal to the GOP leadership and would stand up to the Obama White House.
Other members who were in the Energy and Commerce race included Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.).
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) beat out Appropriations Committee ranking member Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) and Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) to nab the chairmanship of the spending panel. Like Barton, Lewis’s requested waiver to the GOP’s six-year rule was rejected.
There's more here
States Face 'Cliff’ As Stimulus End Opens $38B Hole
U.S. states are preparing for more budget cuts next year as tax revenue isn’t likely to rebound enough to replace almost $38 billion in aid that will be gone as federal economic stimulus ends, according to a report.
At least 31 states and Puerto Rico are forecasting deficits of $82.1 billion in the next fiscal year even as tax receipts are picking up, the National Conference of State Legislatures said today. Under a temporary mandate since 2009, the U.S. has provided economic aid to states, helping to pay government workers and shoulder the cost of the Medicaid program to provide health care for the poor. That aid will be gone, the group said.
“Although a recovering national economy is helping to stabilize state revenues in fiscal year 2011, serious budget challenges await state lawmakers in the new year,” the group said in the report. “This largely stems from fewer federal stimulus funds available for next year’s budgets.”
The report, which says states will get $37.9 billion less in stimulus money in fiscal 2012 compared with 2011, is the second in as many weeks to warn of renewed financial pressure on states as the funding winds down. Last week, Raymond Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association, said states may confront $175 billion in budget gaps through June 2013, forcing leaders to weigh spending cuts and tax increases.
As stimulus programs under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act conclude and the money they have supplied stops flowing, it “will create big holes in state budgets -- what many officials are calling the ‘ARRA cliff’,” the report said.
State governments are also dealing with cost increases for health-care services and primary and secondary education, the Denver-based legislature group said in its report.
More
At least 31 states and Puerto Rico are forecasting deficits of $82.1 billion in the next fiscal year even as tax receipts are picking up, the National Conference of State Legislatures said today. Under a temporary mandate since 2009, the U.S. has provided economic aid to states, helping to pay government workers and shoulder the cost of the Medicaid program to provide health care for the poor. That aid will be gone, the group said.
“Although a recovering national economy is helping to stabilize state revenues in fiscal year 2011, serious budget challenges await state lawmakers in the new year,” the group said in the report. “This largely stems from fewer federal stimulus funds available for next year’s budgets.”
The report, which says states will get $37.9 billion less in stimulus money in fiscal 2012 compared with 2011, is the second in as many weeks to warn of renewed financial pressure on states as the funding winds down. Last week, Raymond Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association, said states may confront $175 billion in budget gaps through June 2013, forcing leaders to weigh spending cuts and tax increases.
As stimulus programs under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act conclude and the money they have supplied stops flowing, it “will create big holes in state budgets -- what many officials are calling the ‘ARRA cliff’,” the report said.
State governments are also dealing with cost increases for health-care services and primary and secondary education, the Denver-based legislature group said in its report.
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The Growing Business Of Growing Marijuana
CNBC reports on the intersection of cannabis and capitalism
The story of marijuana’s growing acceptance in America begins in the Colorado Rockies where cannabis is meeting capitalism head on.
Once a month, at his downtown Denver restaurant, chef Scott Durrah teaches a cooking class. It’s well attended, mostly by retired and affluent boomers. It’s exactly the market Durrah and his wife and business partner Wanda James want to reach.
“What we're seeing, which is really interesting, are older people,” said James. “I would say over the age of 30, and definitely women. These women are your mom, your grandmother, women that you see at the post office, at the day care center."
It’s their new twist on classic cuisine that draws this crowd. The ingredients are common, except for one — a Colorado-grown herb. The secret ingredient is marijuana.
Pot has arrived in mainstream America. And entrepreneurs like Durrah and James are leading the way as one of Denver’s power couples, prominent in the local political and business scenes. He’s is a former marine. She’s is an ex-naval intelligence officer, a successful public relations executive and a top political fundraiser.
In most places in America, they would be considered dope dealers. In Colorado, they are savvy entrepreneurs in a fast-growing, state-sanctioned industry, branding and marketing medical marijuana under their label, “simply pure.”
It’s a new kind of company in an old industry, one that generates tens of billions of dollars a year in this country. Most of it illegally.
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Car Sales Are Rising, But Is The Market Really On The Mend?
Analysts divided over whether car industry can return to its former vigor
How high can the car market go? That’s the question a lot of industry observers have started to ask after looking over November’s automotive sales figures.
The month brought significant relief to an industry struggling to climb out of one of the worst downturns it has suffered since the Great Depression. Overall, sales volumes surged 17 percent in November. Other than industry giant Toyota, which is still suffering from its ongoing safety recall problems, most major carmakers saw double-digit gains.
Ford, for example, said its November sales were driven by truck sales that rose 34 percent, while sales of the Fusion jumped 28 percent. Ford said it has already set a full-year sales record for the midsize sedan.
It’s a very different scenario from the beginning of 2010 when car manufacturers seemingly couldn’t give their products away. Last year saw U.S. motorists purchase a grand total of just 8.6 million new cars, trucks and crossover vehicles — that’s barely half the record sales levels the industry set early in the last decade. The current year didn’t get off to a much better start, so for all of 2010 the new car market will still just nudge past the 11 million mark, according to industry research firm J.D. Power and Associates.
Still, the industry sales freeze looks set to thaw in October and November. It’s an odd time for sales to pick up, but warming demand has seen the annualized sales rate nudge 12 million for the last two months. That’s still down 30 percent from the industry’s peak, but a big improvement nonetheless.
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Democrats Blast Obama-GOP Deal
Estate taxes draw biggest ire; Republicans fall in line with president on new plan
WASHINGTON — Disappointed congressional Democrats Tuesday night continued to blast the White House's tax deal with Republicans despite a spirited argument by President Barack Obama that concessions were preferable to higher taxes for millions of Americans.
"I'm not here to play games with the American people or the health of the economy," Obama said of his day-old deal, which is designed to avert a scheduled Jan. 1 expiration of tax cuts at all income levels.
In a remarkable political role reversal, Republicans lined up to support the package, while lawmakers of the president's party said they were prepared to oppose it. Liberal Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pledged to "do everything I can to defeat this," including a filibuster to prevent a final vote.
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A Letter To The Editor, Shopping
I know how you like to squeeze a nickel and I know people are looking for Christmas bargains, so I thought I'd share.
For years I've shopped online at Sierra Trading Post (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/). My first purchase, made about ten years ago, was for a pair of canvas fabric Columbia utility pants for myself and a pair of hiking boots for my daughter. After the first pair of pants arrived, I ordered five more. They wear like iron - I wear them a lot at work and around - two pairs are still in their packages. After all the discounts, I paid about $7 a pair. The leather Gore-Tex hikers were $26, marked down $15 from their catalog price when I ordered by phone.
I just got delivered several pairs of Lands' End 3-season cotton khakis (under $9 each), a couple of pairs of wool blend dress slacks (msrp $90) for $19 each, a Land's End flannel shirt for $7.77 (a gift) and a couple of dress shirts ($18 for a Chaps button-down, and a wool blend dress shirt for my dad for $21) .
Some of the stuff, after all the discounts, comes out at 90% off retail. Shipping is reasonable. There's often a promo code that can be found online to reduce or eliminate the cost. And if you get on their online mailing list, more discounts are offered on the catalog stuff.
With the Sierra Trading Post Visa card (no fee), shipping is always free, no matter what the order amount. I order with the card but never keep a balance, so the card is a great bargain in itself.
The online site has some amazing bargains on everything from high end sports equipment to satin sheets to dog beds to wristwatches and everything in between. Oh, yeah, and no tax. And they take returns for as long as you own the items, used or not. Forever.
So, why is it that I ever went to the Mall?
New Taliban Video Shows Captive U.S. Soldier
Spc. Bowe Bergdahl has been in militant group's custody since June 2009
KABUL, Afghanistan — A new video released by the Taliban shows a man believed to be the only known American serviceman held captive in Afghanistan, a group that tracks militant websites said Wednesday.
Spc. Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho, has been held by the Taliban since June 30, 2009, when he disappeared in Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan.
GO HERE to read more.
Third Safe Streets Legislation Public Dialogue To Air On PAC14 Tonight And More
A taping of the third public dialogue meeting on the proposed “2010 Salisbury Safe Streets Neighborhood Legislative Package,” held on Nov. 30, is scheduled to run tonight on cable channel PAC14 at 7 p.m. The session lasted three hours and seven minutes.
Additional airings of the meeting are awaiting the next schedule’s publication, as found under the programming link on the channel’s website, www.pac14.org. Audio CDs are also available from the city clerk’s office, 410-548-3140, for $5 to cover the cost of materials and production. The audio will also be available soon for free download at www.OnYourSideSBY.blogspot.com. The text of the legislation is available on that website, as well as on the city’s website, www.ci.salisbury.md.us, at left under the link labeled “Neighborhood Legislative Pkg.”
The series of meetings was hosted by Salisbury City Council Members Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen to solicit public input and to provide information about the legislation, which ranges from early intervention with properties using high levels of police and code compliance services to prostitution abatement to possible zoning changes. Despite requests from the public and the two council members, as well as a formal appeal submitted by Mayor Jim Ireton in accordance with the Council Rules of Order, none of the package has been scheduled for discussion on any city council agenda by the council president.
Public Input Sought On Proposal To Name Field At County Stadium After Charles R. Berry
The Wicomico County Public School System is currently accepting input on a proposal to name the field at County Stadium the Charles R. Berry Field. A community group has requested that the field be named Berry Field after the longtime football coach, teacher and athletic supervisor.
Anyone who would like to give feedback on this proposal in particular, or on naming schools and school facilities in general, should make their comments by Dec. 20 by leaving a voicemail message on the school system’s Public Input Line at 410-677-5251; sending an email to comments@wcboe.org; or mailing a letter to the superintendent’s attention at Wicomico County Public Schools, PO Box 1538, Salisbury, Md. 21802. The superintendent will share any input received with the Board of Education.To allow adequate opportunity for public input, the field naming proposal will not be on the agenda for the Board’s next meeting, which will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the Board of Education Office in Salisbury.
Editor's Note: Who is Charles Berry and what makes him so important to have the field at the stadium named after him? Doesn't the BOE have more important things to do, like look for ways to CUT costs AND educate our kids?