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Thursday, December 16, 2010

What If Your Loved One Was A Hero And No One Cared?


In the hopeful advent of Christmas and in the optimistic wake of Hanukkah there is a sad, baleful September song playing in the halls of the U. S. Capitol and it echoes from New York’s Harbor to San Francisco Bay.

It creates a miasma as thick and acrid and wrenching as the toxic fumes, dust and smoke experienced by more than 60,000 first responders and clean up workers at the site of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack.

Some say 1,000 of them have died of disease caused by their exposure and their courage and their trust of our government. The survivors hope that the next X-ray or CAT scan doesn’t bring word of an incurable cancer or lung disease.

Last week Congress told them that they could drop dead. 


GO HERE to read more.

Hollywood To Obama: We Take Back Our Vote

Famous singers and actors, from Barbra Streisand to Matt Damon, are increasingly saying they are unhappy with Obama, some revealing they would take back their vote because he is so 'unqualified' for the job.


GO HERE to read more.

Snowfall Update

All City Department Heads met at City Hall at 4:00 p.m.

Seven City of Salisbury Public Works Department dump trucks have been out since the snow started to fall this morning salting the seven snow-emergency routes. They have placed one round of salt on the primary roads and will plow and salt if necessary throughout the afternoon and evening. The Parks crew is operating snow blowers and spreading calcium chloride to clear and melt snow from sidewalks - prioritizing walkways around schools.

Salisbury Public Works has not yet received an emergency snow event declaration so cars may remain parked on those routes however moving cars from these routes would help expedite the clean-up efforts. All Salisbury Public Works employees are working and/or on standby as needed for this event.

Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance is prepared for the 5th Annual Santa’s Workshop at their property on the corner of Isabella St. and Church St. this evening at 7:00 p.m.

The sanitary sewer main break on Fitzwater Street has been repaired and the Public Works department has been restoring the trench today. Fitzwater Street is open to traffic at this time.

A small (water) service line break on Eastern Shore Drive is being repaired. Traffic is not affected.

The snow is expected to taper off to flurries by midnight tonight.

Traffic Conditions

The Salisbury Police Department is experiencing a large volume of traffic related calls for service; specifically for traffic accidents. Motorists are cautioned to stay at or below posted speed limits.

Please keep off the roads if possible tonight and if you must travel, add time to your commute and drive slowly.

The snow is expected to taper off to flurries by midnight. However, road surfaces will remain below freezing temperatures overnight so continue to use caution.

Delmar EMS Takes Over Salisbury Territory?

Joe,

Through my travels I saw two Delmar ems ambulances at English's in Salisbury. This is the first major snow storm of the season, shouldn't they be on call in Delmar?

Traffic Report

Salisbury Taxi reports accidents everywhere. While comments are stating the roads aren't as bad as we claim, they're wrong.

Calls and comments are coming in like crazy. The roads are very slippery/icy and you need to drive with serious caution.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver Earmarks $48 BILLION To Pal Who Runs Child Day Care Center From Home With His Wife

Earlier today it was reported that far left Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) proposed a $48 billion earmark to redistribute taxpayer money to the inner city.

It was the Mother of All Earmarks…

Liberal Rep. Emanuel Cleaver proposed a whopping $48 BILLION EARMARK that would redistribute wealth to the inner cities and gift money to the poor and thereby produce a much larger consumer class to buy the goods and services produced in this country.


Rep. Cleaver will lead the Congressional Black Caucus next year. (CBC Blog)

Now get this…

The $48 billion would go to Cleaver’s friend, a gentleman named Lamar Mickens, president of the not-for-profit Quality Day Campus who runs the organization out of his Kansas City home.



The Southeast Missourian reported:
Currently Mickens operates this massive proposal out of his home but with Cleaver’s help, this earmark could put him on the road to success.

Cleaver provides a link to a Mickens “manifesto” where a lengthy agenda is outlined — but again with no specifics other than the rich should provide money to the poor so that the poor will have more money to spend.
There’s more…

Lamar Mickens is the President and the Treasurer of Quality Day Campus, Inc.
His wife Cynthia is the Vice President of Quality Day Campus, Inc.
It says so on their handwritten Annual Report!

And get this… It’s classified as a child day care center that he runs out of his home!

Stray Dog In Tony Tank

Hi Joe,
 
I know you often post lost and found dogs. We have one in the Tony Tank neighborhood and we are trying to locate an owner.

There is a stray dog that has been wandering around our neighborhood for about a week now. He is a medium size dog, short red hair with a curly tail.  He kind of reminds me of a Rhodesian razor back but I don't think that is what he is.  I tried to lure him with food about a week a ago but to now avail.  He does have some kind of harness blue or green on him so maybe he does have a home. He is very quick and very skittish.  I do not have a picture. I can be a contacted by email. Jddaisy88@aol.com 

Tax Bill Hits Speed Bump In The House


The Rule for President Obama's tax cut compromise has been pulled from the House floor temporarily. This is a temporary setback and senior leadership aides say there will likely be a vote on final passage tonight. It's unclear, however, if the bill will be amended.
If the bill changes, it would have to be kicked back up to the Senate for final approval before it can be signed into law by the president -- and the Senate has signaled it would not welcome any changes.
The reason for this setback? Sources tell NBC News that the Democratic Leadership did not have the votes to pass the Rule, i.e., approve the rules for debating the tax compromise.
Why were the votes not there?
1. The Rule could have passed with GOP support, however, the minority party pretty much always votes against the Rule, because it's created solely by the leadership of the majority party. It's considered heresy by minority leadership to vote for the Rule if you're in the minority party.
2. The main reason why the bill is delayed is that House liberal Democrats wanted more opportunities to publicly display their anger with the compromise.
As the Rule is currently constructed, there would be a vote on one amendment, the estate-tax language. Liberals were not being offered a chance to vote against other things they did not like in the bill.
GO HERE to read more.

'Pink Panther' Director Blake Edwards Dies


Filmmaker, the husband of Julie Andrews, was 88

Blake Edwards, the director and writer known for clever dialogue, poignance and occasional belly-laugh sight gags in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "10" and the "Pink Panther" farces, is dead at age 88.
Edwards died from complications of pneumonia at about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, said publicist Gene Schwam. Blake's wife, Julie Andrews, and other family members were at his side. He had been hospitalized for about two weeks.
Edwards had knee problems, had undergone unsuccessful procedures and was "pretty much confined to a wheelchair for the last year-and-a-half or two," Schwam said. That may have contributed to his condition, he added.
GO HERE to read more.

Pedestrian Dies In Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash

Location: Southbound US Rt. 13 (S. Market Street) north of Rogers Road, Wilmington, DE
 
Date of Occurrence:   Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 2:05 a.m.
 
Operators/Vehicles:
 
Operator: Philip I. Arkoh, 48, Bear, DE
Vehicle: 2002 North American Bus (DART bus)
 
Victim: 29 year old New Castle, DE man
 
Resume:   
 
Wilmington- The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating an early morning fatal motor vehicle crash in which a pedestrian died in Wilmington.
 
The incident occurred as Philip Arkoh was operating a DART bus on a maintenance run on southbound S. Market Street at approximately 2:05 a.m. this morning. As the bus approached the area of Rogers Road, a male pedestrian, later identified as a 29 year old New Castle man, ran in front of the bus in an eastbound direction from the parking lot of the Gold Club. The left front of the bus struck the victim, knocking him to the ground. The victim was then run over by the bus which stopped with the victim still underneath of it. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the medical examiners office where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. Philip Arkoh, who was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, was not injured. Alcohol was not considered a factor on the part of Philip Arkoh. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor on the part of the victim. The name of the victim is being withheld pending the notification of the next of kin.

TRAGIC NEWS FROM THE NORTH POLE

Assange Freed Pending Extradition Hearing

British judge rejects appeal against decision to grant bail to WikiLeaks chief

NDON — Julian Assange was freed on bail and sent to stay at a British country mansion Thursday, after a U.K. judge rejected prosecutors' attempts to keep the WikiLeaks founder in prison as he fights extradition to Sweden.

Speaking to reporters, Assange said he hoped to continue his WikiLeaks work while defending himself against sex crime charges in Sweden.

Assange, who angered Washington by publishing secret diplomatic cables, had been held in a British jail following allegations of the sexual crimes.

Cheers erupted outside the London court as the verdict by High Court justice Duncan Ouseley was reported. The judge then outlined the bail conditions to Assange in a packed courtroom full of lawyers, journalists and supporters.

GO HERE to read more.

Worcester County Isn't Any Better

Vehicles already going off the road in Berlin.

Veterinarian Dr. Nolte Does It Again And Again

Dear Mr.Albero,

I have been hearing lately that Dr.Nolte has harmed another animal while in his care. I wanted to share my families story regarding Dr.Nolte so maybe just maybe we can stop this man from harming any more precious animals.
                
My mother took our kitten "Patches" to Dr. Nolte on a Thursday evening because the kittens eyes and ears were draining. She was told they would have to keep the kitten overnight and run some test. My mother called on Friday afternoon to check on "Patches"and was told that Dr. Nolte would call her back. Well he never called, she called all weekend only to be told by any answering service he was out of town for the weekend. Come Monday morning my mother was at his office door before they even opened. She spoke to his assistant and was told that "Patches" had died in their care and that they had disposed of the kittens body.
              
To say the least this devastated my mother,she is an animal lover. We made several calls to his office requesting the kittens remains and the file so we could know exactly what happened. They never would produce either and said we would have to get a lawyer. I will add this, we are not financially able to afford a lawyer.
             
I hope someday his license to practice is pulled.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

Tonight at 6PM, Stacy Sakai will do her very last news broadcast for WMDT 47 News. Stacy and I have been working on a story about ANOTHER unfortunate Family who recently lost their beloved pet in Dr. Nolte's care.

I believe Stacy's approach on this broadcast will be more along the Veterinarian Board and their failure to do anything against Dr. Nolte and his ongoing history of animal deaths throughout the years.

Be sure to watch WMDT at 6 PM tonight. It should be VERY interesting.

SUNSHINE TO SHINE AT RED KETTLES

Salisbury, MD….Come one, come all to meet “Sunshine the Clown’s” new comedy character “N’Charge” and her silly assistant “Do It”, Jadean Watkinson.  This funny duo will be ringing the bell for The Salvation Army at Boscov’s interior mall entrance on Thursday, December 23rd from noon to 2 p.m.

N’Charge and Do It have been traveling around sharing stories and jokes from the North Pole.  They are close friends with Santa himself and are helping out where needed.  Don’t miss it at the Centre at Salisbury, Boscov’s store, December 23rd from 12 to 2 p.m.

For more information, contact The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign,
410-749-7464 (RING).

OFFICE OF THE STATE’S ATTORNEY FOR WORCESTER COUNTY

On May 26, 2010 Reginald Handy died as a result of a single gunshot wound.  His death was ruled a homicide.  Witnesses at the scene observed Alexander Crippen firing a handgun in the direction of Mr. Handy and a second individual, Torrance Davis.  Alexander Crippen was charged with the murder of Reginald Handy and the Attempted Murder of Torrance Davis.

In November, forensic evidence excluded Alexander Crippen as the person who fired the fatal shot.  The murder charge against Crippen was therefore dismissed, and he went to trial on December 6 and 7, 2010 on the Attempted Murder and related charges.  On December 10, Judge Richard Bloxom rendered a verdict, finding Crippen guilty of all remaining charges.

Based upon the forensic evidence received in November, members of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police – including the MSP Homicide Unit and MSP State Apprehension Team – and the Pocomoke City Police Department conducted further investigation.  Based upon that additional investigation, Skylor Dupree Harmon has been charged with 1st degree murder and related charges.  Skylor Harmon is currently wanted on those charges, and we would request the public’s assistance in locating him.

Under our system of justice, Harmon is innocent until proven guilty.  He is, however, known to carry a firearm and is considered extremely dangerous.  Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts should contact the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at 410-352-3476, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410-632-1111, or the Maryland State Police at 410-641-3101.

Road Conditions In Wicomico County Are Just Horrible

Folks, the roads throughout Wicomico County are horrific. I have been receiving phone calls from several people on the roads right now and they are asking me to tell everyone out there to stay off the roads unless it's an emergency.

They are starting to see plows in recent minutes, (some of these people reporting are cab drivers) but unless you need to be out there, don't. Hopefully business owners will follow this warning and allow their staff to go home earl today. Be careful out there.

TO ALL SALVATION ARMY VOLUNTEER BELL RINGERS

BELL RINGING WILL CEASE TODAY AT 2:00 PM AT ALL LOCATIONS DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER.

Wicomico County Schools Closing Two Hours Early

Lakin: 'I Chose The Wrong Path'

FORT MEADE, Md. – Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin apologized today for forcing the Army to court-martial him over his attempt to compel President Barack Obama to prove his constitutional eligibility to serve as commander-in-chief.

Convicted on all four charges against him, Lakin told his court-martial panel he will no longer disobey orders and would resume his military career if the Army would let him.

"I am extremely sorry for everything that has come of this," Lakin said in unsworn testimony during the sentencing phase of his trial. "As a military member, I was wrong."

The doctor, who several witnesses testified has an exemplary service record, will be sentenced tomorrow.

Lakin faces as many as 42 months in prison, forfeiture of pay and retirement benefits and dismissal from the service after being convicted of four felonies. Lakin pleaded guilty to two counts of disobeying orders to report to his commanding officer and one count of failing to report to his new unit. The court-martial panel found him guilty of the most serious charge, missing the movement of an airplane that was to take him to his new post.

The panel is also free to give Lakin a lesser sentence, or no punishment at all.

"I didn't want it to end this way," said the 17-year veteran flight surgeon. "I want to continue to serve the military" by applying his extensive medical expertise to wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

Lakin sought for months to find out whether Obama is a natural-born citizen, the constitutional requirement for an American to serve as president.  Both military and civilian authorities were unwilling to answer the question.

In April, Lakin refused to obey orders to report to the 101st Airborne Division shortly before the unit was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan. Lakin was concerned that the unit's orders to join Obama's surge might be illegal because of Obama's uncertain eligibility to be president. He said today he preferred to resolve the eligibility question before being sent into a combat theater, to avoid disrupting a unit on the front lines.

Deprived by trial judge Col. Denise Lind of any opportunity to defend himself by introducing evidence or expert testimony, Lakin was reduced to pleading guilty on three charges of disobeying orders and mounting only a narrow, technical defense on the "missing movement" charge. Lakin's attorney, Neal Puckett, tried in vain to persuade the court-martial panel to convict Lakin of a lesser charge.

"His attorney was reduced to a circus clown because [Lind] wouldn't allow a meaningful defense," said California attorney Orly Taitz, who has brought repeated cases challenging Obama's eligibility before U. S. courts. "It's a joke, just a farce."

"The issue is very simple," said New Jersey attorney William Baer. "What is the definition of 'natural-born citizen' and does Obama meet it? Nobody will let the question be asked."

"The military wouldn't let him have discovery, so he said 'go ahead and put me in prison,'" said retired Navy Commander Charles F. Kerchner of Emmaus, Penn., the plaintiff in a case that recently went before the U.S. Supreme Court. "He's a political prisoner."

Kerchner and retired Army Capt. Pamela Barnett of Sacramento, who was a plaintiff in a case handled by Taitz, both said they attended the court martial to support Lakin. Kerchner and Barnett pointed out that they, like Lakin, have been denied justice by U.S. courts that refused to hear the merits of their cases against Obama.

"They took away every constitutional right Lakin has," said Barnett. "The U.S. Supreme Court and the House of Representatives should address this stripping of an officer's civil rights. A terrorist has more rights than Terry Lakin."

During his statement, Lakin explained that he chose to disobey orders because of concerns that all military orders could be illegal when their authority is derived ultimately from a commander-in-chief whose legal eligibility to occupy the Oval Office remains unproven.

Now, however, Lakin says he agrees with the Army that orders given to him by his superior officers were valid in spite of Obama's legal status.

Lakin backers traveled from all over the country to attend the court martial. At least three times they were cautioned by Lind to remain silent after erupting into applause for Lakin.                                               

More

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

Wicomico River Temporary Closure

The Wicomico County Department of Environmental Health and The Salisbury Public Works Department announced at 9:00 AM today that due to a sanitary sewer overflow from a sewer main in Fitzwater Street that the Wicomico River is closed until tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM for fishing and contact sports.

The emergency was caused by a break in a 10 inch wastewater line in Fitzwater Street. Approximately 10,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater entered the storm drain system which flows to the river. The flow of wastewater from the pipe has been stopped and repairs are being made under the direction of the Salisbury Public Works Staff.

For further information contact Teresa Gardner, PE, Public Works Director at 410-430-4871.

When Is Enough, Enough?

Gary Comegys, President of the MML and VP of the Salisbury City Council has been ill for almost a year now. He's so frail, whenever he does come to any Council Meetings he looks like he's so worn out, he has to be desperate to be there.

However, IF its an important vote, Gary seems to find the energy to pop in for a few minutes, Louise properly schedules their special interest items on her agenda, Gary votes and away he goes.

So what does our future leave us with Mr. Comegys. Will we see Mike Dunn on one side and Barrie Tilghman on the other? Or perhaps it will be Muir Boda and Palmer Gillis. All I can tell you is, when it comes to a Fire Boat or illegal ads to sell a Fire Station to an old friend, whatever it takes Mr. Comegys will get there to make his vote.

While you may not appreciate the image above, none of you can sit there and tell me it doesn't hit the nail on the head. If they could, THEY WOULD!

Red Kettle Volunteer Charts








Thank you, for your continued support of the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. To volunteer call the Salvation Army at 410-749-RING (7464)

Only 7 Days Left

The Salvation Army needs your help. There are only 7 days left for their campaign and there are many slots still open. The last week of bell ringing is traditionally the biggest but we have to have someone ringing the bell to actually collect that money.

For years now, Salisbury News has partnered up with the Salisbury chapter of the Salvation Army. We did so because we saw how they were actually paying bell ringers to ring the bell. We knew that by using the power of this Blog we could reach out and ask our viewers to help volunteer for the best cause we could find here on the Shore.

100% of the money raised stays right here on the Eastern Shore. Please consider reviewing the charts we provided this morning and fill in those empty slots without any names on them. Together we can make a difference and help those who need it far more than we do.

As many of you know, (based on corporate decisions) the Salvation Army lost several key locations. We need your help more than ever to fill these open slots just to keep up with last years income.
410-749-7464

How To Blow A Turkey Call


WARNING: Some might find this video offensive.

$13.25 Million Settlement With DirecTV Reached


Harrisburg, PA - The Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, along with 48 other states and the District of Columbia, have reached a $13.25 million multi-state settlement with DIRECTV involving claims that the satellite TV provider engaged in deceptive and unfair sales practices. Pennsylvania will receive $605,000 for costs of investigation and/or future public protection purposes.
Attorney General Tom Corbett said today’s agreement is the result of a multi-state investigation into consumer claims against DIRECTV, including:. Not clearly disclosing prices and commitment terms.. Failure to clearly disclose limitations on certain prices for DIRECTV services.. Enrolling consumers in additional contracts or contract terms without clearly disclosing the terms to consumers.. Enrolling consumers in additional contracts when replacing defective equipment.. Not clearly disclosing that seasonal sports packages would be automatically renewed.. Offering cash back to consumers, when the consumer would actually receive credits on their bills.
“Businesses have an obligation to provide consumers with clear and specific information about their products and services,” Corbett said. “This settlement addresses consumer complaints that we have received about DIRECTV and also requires the company to take steps to avoid future consumer confusion and problems.”
Corbett said consumers may be eligible for the restitution program established under the settlement if they have unresolved DIRECTV complaints involving the issues that are covered by this settlement, which occurred after January 1, 2007. Unresolved complaints that have already been filed with the Attorney General’s Office will be considered for the restitution program, along with any new consumer complaints that are received by DIRECTV or the Attorney General’s Office within 150 days of January 1, 2011. Consumers may file complaints with the Bureau by calling 1-800-441-2555 or on-line at http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/


More here.

The Next Congress Will See Terror In Everything

There are some things to be thankful for.

The woman who puzzled over Hispanics in her audience of high-school students and suggested they looked “Asian” was defeated in her run for the Senate in Nevada. The guy who called Islam a cult was knocked out of the Kentucky gubernatorial race. The bizarre candidate who threatened to “take out” a reporter was brushed aside in his bid for the governorship of New York.

Despite the electoral failures of Sharron Angle, Ron Ramsey, Carl Paladino, and a host of others inhabiting what used to be America’s political peripheries, the next Congress will have a decidedly fringy tone. No wonder the wilder types already there are looking forward to the January 2011 legislative session with such relish: so many investigations crying out to be launched; so many dictators and thugs still hanging on in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela; terrorism in the streets of Portland; foreign terrorists flocking to America; secret government documents splayed across the front pages of our newspapers.

They wonder if the U.S. hasn’t simply become a pitiful, helpless giant. But the rest of us ought to wonder just what kind of politics is going to grow in the strange, rich Petri dish of the new Congress.

Consider just one area that will be a major focus of Congressional interest: immigration, an issue that will gain potency as it melds into the rhetoric of terror.

Foreigners and terrorists: Really, what’s the difference? That the nation has grown and prospered precisely because of adaptive immigration is beside the point, an obvious reflection of someone caught in the old mindset of the September 10th world. Interestingly, though, only about 8% of those who cast ballots in the 2010 election cited immigration concerns as their primary motivator. Of those who did, however, nearly 70% were Republicans.

With their new House majority, the Republicans plan to pay some major attention to that 8% of the motivated electorate. Immigration matters will play out largely in two key House committees, Homeland Security and Judiciary, and critical members of each committee told me they intend to investigate past actions of the Obama administration “fully and completely,” block any kind of comprehensive immigration reform, expose supposed lax enforcement of immigration laws and inadequate resources devoted to -- as one Judiciary member put it -- “boots on the ground.” Terrorism will play a key role in hearings on virtually all these topics, most dramatically, no doubt, in focusing attention on what Republicans view as a shadowy Latin network of terrorist infiltrators seeking to exploit the U.S. failure to protect its own southern border.

GO HERE to read more.

Democrat Mythology, Part III: Helping The Poor

Socialist politics are based around the need to provide for the less fortunate, whose misfortune is entirely beyond their control.  They’re either victims of a merciless system that won’t let them get ahead, or the hapless prey of the Evil Rich.  Part of this mindset involves an essential disdain for the capabilities of lower-class individuals.  The idea of elevating them by providing opportunity is dismissed as a smokescreen deployed by greedy fat-cats and their paid minions.  The poor must be guided and cared for.

Since the poor cannot take care of their own needs, and the benevolence of greedy citizens is unreliable, the power of the State must be deployed on their behalf.  Initially, this takes the form of relatively modest welfare programs, but it soon expands into the system of tax-and-spend liberalism we recognize today.  The State appropriates huge sums of money from the upper and middle class, to fund various programs for selected constituencies, who reward the socialist with their loyal votes.

The next step is income redistribution, which comes with the concept of punitive taxation.  The upper echelon of taxpayers is not merely asked to provide necessary funds for carefully managed welfare programs; they are meant to suffer from the seizure of their income.  Any resistance to the seizure of income is a sign of sinister and inexcusable greed, as they seek to evade their righteous punishment. 

Take a moment to tour the more energetic liberal websites, and you’ll see the indisputable truth of this observation.  High-income taxpayers pay a disproportionate share of our total income tax burden – the top 1% of income earners pay about 37% of the total tax burden, while the top 5% pay almost 60%.  They are not thanked for covering the lion’s share of taxes… far from it.  They are hated and despised, except for loyal and visible members of the Party, of course. 

Why would that be, if the purpose of liberal politics is to take care of the poor and downtrodden?  If the programs designed to assist the poor are receiving adequate funding, why would the compassionate leftist be angry at those who provide the funding, for the crime of resisting an effort to appropriate more of their income?                    

There's lots more-- keep reading

Anti-Illegals Activist To Target Voter Fraud

Outside of Kansas, Kris Kobach  is best known as an expert on immigration issues. He's the author of Arizona's anti-illegal-immigration law, a longtime counsel to the Immigration Law Reform Institute and a hero within the border-security movement.

Inside Kansas, he wears another hat entirely. He's the newly elected secretary of state, having ousted Democratic incumbent Chris Biggs by a margin of 59 percent to 37 percent.

Why would someone who's devoted his career to fighting illegal immigration want to become chief vote-counter for the state of Kansas? Suffice it to say that Mr. Kobach devoted his campaign to one issue, and that issue was voter fraud - and it too has an immigration angle.

The specter of illegal immigrants casting votes in U.S. elections has long frustrated Republicans, and Mr. Kobach is now poised to do something about it. Even before he's sworn in, he's already hard at work drafting voter-fraud legislation that he says will be most the comprehensive in the nation.

"This will be head and shoulders above anything any state has ever done to secure the voting process," he said. "My hope is to create a model with regard to stopping voter fraud that can be used in other states, like we did in Arizona" with immigration.

His election comes at a professional cost. He likely will lose his tenured seat at the University of Missouri at Kansas City law school in order to take the secretary of state's job, given that "a leave of absence usually doesn't last four years," he said.

Even so, Mr. Kobach, 44, said it wouldn't have been enough to draft the Kansas voter-fraud bill as an outside consultant, as was the case when he wrote Senate Bill 1070, the Arizona immigration bill.

"For election laws in Kansas and most states, if the secretary isn't pushing for major reform to happen, then it isn't going to happen. It takes more than a few legislators," Mr. Kobach said. "You really have to have a secretary of state pushing for it, especially with legislation this groundbreaking."

Kansas lawmakers attempted to enact a voter-fraud bill in 2008, but it was vetoed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat. In November, however, Sen. Sam Brownback, a Republican, was elected governor on a platform that included combating voter fraud.                       

Here is more

OCPD SEEKING SUSPECT’S IDENTITY

On November 27, 2010, Ocean City Police responded to the Burger King restaurant located at 3205 Philadelphia Avenue, for a reported malicious destruction of property. Prior to police arrival, an unidentified white male reached through the drive through window and destroyed several items of business equipment and property belonging to the restaurant.

Some of the items included a computer monitor and keyboard valued at over $400. OCPD investigators have recovered video surveillance of the unknown male committing the crime. Forensic evidence has also been submitted to the Maryland State Police crime lab for analysis.

The suspect is described as a white male, wearing a black hat with white “DC” logo on the top bill of the hat.

The suspect appears to have either fresh “road rash” injuries on his left arm or an old scar.

The subject also is wearing a wedding ring on his left ring finger. The suspect was seen driving a light colored SUV.

Police are asking anyone with information about the identity of the person responsible or any other information about the incident, to please contact OCPD at 410-723-6604. You do not have give your name.

Coverup Of Arab Arson Offensive Exposed

Israel's police, fire brigades and press intentionally hushed up an Arab arson offensive that took place while fires raged on the Carmel last week, a reporter for Ma'ariv Hebrew daily claims.

According to Kalman Libeskind, sources in the Police and within the Fire Commission said - in briefings that were not for attribution - that they decided not to spread the information about the arson "so as not to wake into action more potential terrorists." The press became "willing accomplices" in this hush-up effort.

Libeskind lists the locations of about 25 arson attacks that the fire brigades fought in the course of last week:

(The list )

No less than eighteen acts of arson were recorded last month in the Forest of Peace, Libeskind notes.

"This is a true Intifadah  [uprising - ed.] that had to be the top headline of any news report," Libeskind wrote. "The media consumers need to know that the story they have been getting is not the true one. The reason is that the Israeli press treats the Arabs of Israel as if they were spoiled children. They can inflict pain, hurl rocks and torch property, but no matter what, journalistic press rooms will still act as if insulting the Arabs is not PC."

(Source- INN)

Last-Minute Democrat Treachery

After repeatedly promising voters before November's election that they wouldn't attempt to cram any more contentious leftist legislation down Americans' throats during the subsequent lame-duck session, Democratic congressional leaders are showing once again what conscienceless frauds they truly are. Or maybe the phrase Sarah Palin used recently is even better: "corrupt bastards."

Here's what's happening:

Having been overwhelmingly repudiated in a historic landslide election, Congress members can harbor no illusions about the will of the people, which can be summarized succinctly as follows: Stop forcing your jobs-killing, wealth-killing, freedom-killing, delusional, destructive leftist agenda on us. OK? We don't want it, and we won't accept it. Not now, not ever!

Yet, in the waning few days of the 111th Congress, the Democrats seem obsessed with forcing – just as they forced Obamacare down our unwilling throats – one monstrosity after another upon us: amnesty for millions of illegal aliens (DREAM Act); tax hikes on job creators during a recession with at least 17 percent real unemployment; a treaty with Russia (New START) that will hobble America's prospects for missile defenses in an increasingly dangerous world; and forcing open homosexuality on the U.S. armed forces despite compelling evidence it will undermine and weaken our military.

Permit me to state the obvious: These congressional leaders have nothing but contempt for you, for the Constitution and for common sense. They're drunk on power, and they live for self-aggrandizement and personal enrichment. One might ask, how do they sleep at night? Their consciences are anesthetized by their almost religious adherence to an insane utopian ideology that always fails, that justifies the most outrageous assaults on personal liberty and wealth, and that simultaneously imparts to them the delusion that they are righteous, compassionate and enlightened leaders.

OK, that's the Democrats. So what about the Republicans?

Congressional Republicans could probably stop all of this naked legislative subversion if they really wanted to.

How? To begin with, they can be absolutely united – no exceptions, no compromises, no quid pro quo deals – in opposing every bit of the Democrats' let's-screw-America-on-the-way-out-the-door legislative campaign. They can filibuster – it's a very powerful tool. And perhaps most important, they can go public – current Republicans as well as incoming Republicans not yet seated – and burn down the airwaves with truthful, expertly crafted, no-punches-pulled explanations of precisely what the Democrats are doing. In other words, they can demonstrate real courage.                                         

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New Superbug Genes Sure To Spread, US Expert Says

A little loop of genes that give bacteria the power to resist virtually all known antibiotics is spreading quickly and likely to cause doctors headaches for years to come, an expert predicted Wednesday.

They come on the equivalent of a genetic memory stick -- a string of genes called a transmissible genetic element. Bacteria, unlike higher forms of life, can swap these gene strings with other species and often do so with wild abandon.

This one is called New Delhi metallobeta-lactamase 1 or NDM-1 for short and Dr. Robert Moellering of Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston predicts it will cause more trouble in the coming years.

"What makes this enzyme so frightening is not only its intrinsic ability to destroy most known beta-lactam antibiotics but also the company it keeps,' Moellering wrote in a commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine.

First described in 2008, NDM-1 has been found in a wide variety of bacterial types, including the Enterobacteriaceae family, klebsiella and Escherichia coli, all of which are common and cause a range of infections.

British researchers reported in August infections involving NDM-1 had been found in patients in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Britain. [ID:nLDE67A0O1]

"In addition, isolates of Enterobacteriaceae-containing NDM-1 have now been characterized in the United States, Israel, Turkey, China, India, Australia, France, Japan, Kenya, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Nordic countries," Moellering wrote.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are nothing new -- virtually all strains of the common Staphylococcus bacteria are now resistant to penicillin. Almost as soon as penicillin was introduced in the 1940s, bacteria began to develop resistance to its effects, prompting researchers to develop many new generations of antibiotics.

But their overuse and misuse have helped fuel the rise of drug-resistant "superbugs." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most infections that people get while in the hospital resist at least one antibiotic.                              

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Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Maurice Kevin Fisher of Crisfield, arrested 12-10-10 regarding a warrant for failing to appear in court for child support . Fisher was later released after posting bond.
 
Paulino Ingram Rivera of Ellendale Delaware, arrested 12-10-10 on a warrant regarding telephone misuse, and harassment. Rivera was later held on a $1,000 bond.
 
Eric Shodell Marshall of Salisbury, arrested 12-11-10 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Marshall was later held on a $2,500 bond.
 
Victoria Dione Odaniel of Gathersburg, charged on a criminal summons for theft less than $100.00
Odaniel was later released pending trial.
 
Nikita Levette Beck of Chestertown, arrested 12-13-10 on a fugitive warrant from Dover Police. Beck was later held without bond pending extradition.
 
Daronn Lee Burton of Eden, arrested 12-14-10 on two warrants regarding failing to appear in court for child support. Burton was released after posting bond.
 
Ashli E. Reavis of Bouy Maryland, arrested 12-14-10 on a warrant regarding second degree assault. Reavis was later held on a $35,000 bond.
 
Richard Thomas Sterling Sr. of Salisbury, arrested 12-14-10 on warrants regarding assault 1st and 2nd degree, reckless endangerment, deadly weapon intent to injur, handgun on person, theft less than $500.00, and malicious destruction of property. Sterling was later held on a $85,000 bond.
 
Mark Dulaney Wheatley of Princess Anne, arrested 12-15-10 on a Fruitland warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Wheatley was later released after posting bond.

Napolitano To Arizona In Wake Of Border Patrol Agent's Killing

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is headed to Arizona on Thursday following a gun battle that killed a Border Patrol agent near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Agent Brian Terry was shot late Tuesday night on the U.S. side of the border in a canyon well known for its drug and human smuggling activity.

Napolitano, who is expected to meet with Border Patrol agents and employees in Arizona, called Terry’s killing “an unconscionable act of violence against the men and women of the Border Patrol and all those who serve and defend our country.”                                          

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GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO VISIT WITH MARYLAND FOOD BANK, THANK COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT

Governor will highlight Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, thank community partners for support during holiday season and throughout the year

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will join Delegate John Olszewski Jr., Councilman John Olszewski, Sr., community leaders and others at the Essex United Methodist Church to participate in one of the Maryland Food Bank’s “Mobile Pantries.”  The Governor will also be joined by executives from Walmart, who have donated a turkey to every box of food distributed at the pantry, and have partnered with the Maryland Food Bank for the donation of over $445,000.  The Governor will thank Walmart for their support of the food bank, particularly during the holiday season.

Governor O’Malley is the first Maryland Governor to include the Maryland Food Bank in the General Fund budget, granting the Maryland Food Bank an additional $1 million last year to meet demand, enough to provide more than 2 million meals for disadvantaged Marylanders. 

In November of 2008, Governor Martin O’Malley established the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland with Share our Strength and the Governor’s Office for Children, becoming the first Governor in the nation to commit to ending childhood hunger by 2015 and has placed Childhood Hunger as one of his 15 strategic goals.

Governor O’Malley will help unload food from the truck and serve clients in line at the mobile pantry.

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

DECEMBER 20, 2010
COFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING


1:30 p.m. Further discussion - 2011 City Council meeting dates – Brenda Colegrove

1:45 p.m. Follow-up discussion - ordinance to allow elected officials to participate in elective employee benefits programs offered by the City subject to certain restrictions – John Pick

2:15 p.m. Capital Improvement Plan – John Pick

3:45 p.m. Harbor Pointe sidewalk – John Pick

4:15 p.m. Further discussion - cable television renewal process – John Pick

4:45 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas

American-Made Drywall Emerges As Potential Danger

Thousands of Americans have houses contaminated by defective Chinese drywall; now a new group of homeowners say they are experiencing similar problems -- but their homes are built with drywall made in the United States.

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Rampant Fraud, Self-Dealing Alleged In Alaska Native Corporation

Cape Fox Corporation was prey to some of the worst abuses in a system that gives Alaska Native Corporations access to no-bid government contracts of unlimited size. As federal contracting grew, benefits went to non-native consultants instead of providing jobs, dividends to natives. 


GO HERE to read more.

Franchot Protests State Taking On $33 Million In Debt For State Center Garage

The $33 million state debt burden for the State Center parking garage, as well as the absence of a formal agreement on labor costs or local hiring, led Comptroller Peter Franchot to vote against approving the parking garage lease agreement at Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting.

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Revenues Stay Steady, But Painful Budget Cuts Are On The Way

The final revenue prediction for the fiscal 2012 budget left the numbers largely unchanged. That’s a good thing, said Bureau of Revenue Estimates Director David Roose, because revenues are stable, but a bad thing because the economy is continuing its sluggish rebound from the recession.

The crawling revenue growth, board members said, will likely mean more hard times for the state’s budget. During the recession, revenues have been rather stagnant. And in fiscal year 2012, with most federal stimulus funds gone, the state will be struggling to make ends meet.

“We are towards the end of a very prolonged recession, but we’re not through it,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley.
“We’re on our last year or two.”

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Man Dares Bank To Foreclose Unless They Reverse Bad Fees, Wins

About a month ago we brought you the story of a man who was willing to risk his house going into foreclosure unless the bank refunded a $25 fee it had wrongfully charged. He crossed his arms and stopped paying his mortgage. Fees mounted. The bank ignored his letters. His house was scheduled for foreclosure. It was the ultimate in real estate brinkmanship. Now, four days before the auction, the bank has blinked. 

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FTC: Dannon Agrees To Stop Selling Activia As Cure For Irregularity

More than a year after settling a class-action lawsuit over false advertising claims, Dannon has finally settled a separate but related complaint from the Federal Trade Commission. As a result, the company says it will no longer market unproven health benefits of its Activia and DanActive yogurts. 

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74-Year-Old Accused Walmart Shoplifter Fights To Clear Name

No one wants to spend their golden years fending off unwarranted shoplifting charges, but that's the situation in which a 74-year-old Missouri man finds himself. Following up on Walmart complaints, authorities accused the man of nearly 20 robberies at stores throughout the midwest. He's maintained his innocence and finally seems to be making some headway. 

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The Gap: Where "Made In The U.S.A." Means "Made In China"

The Gap, a little clothing store you might have heard about, has been running a Feed USA campaign that donates money from the sale of branded bags to pay for school lunches. And to bolster buyers' patriotic spirits, the posters for the campaign are stamped "Made In the U.S.A." Well, maybe the posters are made here, but the bags aren't. 

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Walmart Jacks Up Toy Prices Just In Time For The Holidays

Walmart might have had some decent toy prices on Black Friday, but a new report says that not only did those low prices not last — many of them went up.

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Feds: Mexican Drug Cartel Thwarted In DC Area

WASHINGTON - Authorities blocked a notorious Mexican drug cartel from gaining a foothold in the nation's capital with a series of arrests and indictments in a massive trafficking scheme, police said Wednesday.

Eight illegal immigrants were arrested over the weekend in Georgia and North Carolina, and on Tuesday a federal grand jury in the District indicted all eight plus a ninth man who remains at large.

Authorities said they seized about 80 pounds of crystal meth with a street value of more than $3.5 million, by far the largest meth seizure in Washington's history. The previous record was about two pounds.

"Usually we see (crystal meth) the size of pebbles," said John Torres, special agent in charge of the Washington office of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "In this case we're talking icicles."
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier says they also seized 10 gallons of liquid meth, more than 1,000 grams of cocaine, 11 pounds of marijuana, three guns and more than $35,000 in cash.

Those arrested have links to the "La Familia" drug cartel in the Mexican state of Michoacan, police said. Authorities were eager to keep the cartel from gaining a foothold in Washington because of its reputation for brutality.

"They have no qualms about using violence _ murder, kidnapping," Torres said.

GO HERE to read more.