AND NOW THERE ARE EIGHT CANDIDATES FOR THE SALISBURY COUNCIL
On the last day, today, one more person filed. Here's the complete list of candidates in the primary.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Store Video Shows Tucson Shootings
Slain judge shown trying to help another victim, sources tell Washington Post
The video, reviewed by two unnamed Post sources, also shows Roll apparently trying to offer assistance to Ron Barber, who was wounded, by trying to push him to the ground and get on top of him.
Story: Giffords' husband willing to meet suspect's parents
Law enforcement has obtained about two dozen surveillance videos from the scene of the shooting spree on Jan. 8 that killed six people and wounded 13, the Post reported.
GO HERE to read more.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
TUCSON, Ariz. — Safeway surveillance videos clearly show accused gunman Jared Loughner shooting congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in the face from less than three feet away, then shooting and killing U.S. District Judge John Roll in the chest, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.The video, reviewed by two unnamed Post sources, also shows Roll apparently trying to offer assistance to Ron Barber, who was wounded, by trying to push him to the ground and get on top of him.
Story: Giffords' husband willing to meet suspect's parents
Law enforcement has obtained about two dozen surveillance videos from the scene of the shooting spree on Jan. 8 that killed six people and wounded 13, the Post reported.
GO HERE to read more.
The Smyser Family
It has been 23 days since our home burnt down and we lost our beautiful dogs. I want to take a moment and Thank everyone for their comforting words, kindness and generosity. We have received an enormous amount of clothes..... we will be donating some clothes to Halo Bargain Center .
Words can not convey the gratitude we have for our community.
I would like to make a special Thank You to my Girl - Pam Price, she is an amazing woman and a great friend.
Stephanie at the Bank of Delmarva has gone above and beyond to help us. Also, Ingrid and Erica of Bay Country Homes - their generosity has been overwhelming.
Though we continue to grieve the loss of our beloved dogs this tragedy has made our faith in God much stronger. We are truly blessed by the love & compassion we feel from our friends and neighbors.
Thank you and God Bless !
Darlene & Peanut Smyser
Driving Drunk May Lead To Facebook Shaming
If you're arrested more than once for drunk driving in Huntington Beach, Calif., you may face shaming on Facebook, at least if a proposal by a city councilman is approved.
Devin Dwyer is asking his fellow council members Tuesday to approve Facebook-posting the mug shots of anyone who is arrested more than one time for driving under the influence. The city's police department has a page on the social networking site, where most recently it politely asked citizens on New Year's Eve "to be safe tonight. If you see a drunk driver, call 911."
But Dwyer's idea is not polite.
"If it takes shaming people to save lives, I am willing to do it," he told the Associated Press. "I'm hoping it prevents others from getting behind the wheel and getting inebriated."
Out of 56 cities in the state, Huntington Beach is known for its surfing but also for being the No. 1 among California "cities of similar size for the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities," AP reports. "In 2009, 195 people were killed or injured. Drunken driving laws are aggressively enforced, and in 2009, there were 1,687 DUI arrests."
GO HERE to read more.
Devin Dwyer is asking his fellow council members Tuesday to approve Facebook-posting the mug shots of anyone who is arrested more than one time for driving under the influence. The city's police department has a page on the social networking site, where most recently it politely asked citizens on New Year's Eve "to be safe tonight. If you see a drunk driver, call 911."
But Dwyer's idea is not polite.
"If it takes shaming people to save lives, I am willing to do it," he told the Associated Press. "I'm hoping it prevents others from getting behind the wheel and getting inebriated."
Out of 56 cities in the state, Huntington Beach is known for its surfing but also for being the No. 1 among California "cities of similar size for the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities," AP reports. "In 2009, 195 people were killed or injured. Drunken driving laws are aggressively enforced, and in 2009, there were 1,687 DUI arrests."
GO HERE to read more.
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO HOST RECEIVING LINE FOR THE PUBLIC TOMORROW FOLLOWING INAUGURATION
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 18, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley and First Lady Katie O’Malley will host a receiving line at Government House tomorrow, following the Governor’s inauguration for a second term.
Members of the public wishing to attend the 2011 Maryland Inaugural in Annapolis are encouraged to park at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium on Taylor Avenue, Annapolis. Shuttles will transport spectators to the State House for the outdoor ceremony. Media with non-satellite vehicles are encouraged to take advantage of these lots as well.
The receiving line will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. through the main gate of Government House, along State Circle.
Members of the media must enter through this same gate and will be escorted into the house in groups. This event is available for b-roll and still photos only.
WHAT: Governor Martin O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown Inauguration
WHEN: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12:00 noon
WHERE: Per the Maryland Constitution, the official swearing-in takes place in the Maryland Senate Chambers, first floor of the State House
NOTE: A small gathering of invitation-only guests join in the chamber for the official swearing-in. Maryland Public Television will provide a pooled feed of these proceedings. News Directors should contact Mark Keefer at MPT, (410) 952-5448 or mkeefer@mpt.org. No formal remarks are delivered.
WHAT: Governor Martin O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown Inauguration and Remarks
WHEN: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Maryland State House
Front Steps
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD
NOTE: Parking for satellite trucks is available along North Street, which is closed to regular traffic. Satellite truck accommodations will be made on first come, first served basis.
WHAT: Governor O’Malley to host receiving line for the public
WHEN: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Government House
State Circle
Annapolis, MD
NOTE: Members of the media must enter through the main gate along State Circle and will be escorted into the house in groups. This event is available for b-roll and still photos only.
BREAKING NEWS: RICK POLLITT WANTS TO KNOW IF WICOMICO WANTS A NEW TAX!
"I wonder how people would feel if we identified a new separate revenue stream so that we can [fund] our roads program… We’ve got to hear from our community [about that]."
Feel free to comment right here with your view – we will pass it on to Mr. Pollitt’s "public information officer."
Mr. Pollitt is going to be in Annapolis this week to testify before the General Assembly about what Wicomico County needs – will that include legislation to allow this special "revenue stream" (i.e., tax)?
And I’ll bet that you thought that the County’s tax revenue cap was ironclad, right!
Accident On Airport Road
Court Rejects Appeal Over DC Gay Marriage Law
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from opponents of same-sex marriage who want to overturn the District of Columbia's gay marriage law.
The court did not comment Tuesday in turning away a challenge from a Maryland pastor and others who are trying to get a measure on the ballot to allow Washingtonians to vote on a measure that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
GO HERE to read more.
The court did not comment Tuesday in turning away a challenge from a Maryland pastor and others who are trying to get a measure on the ballot to allow Washingtonians to vote on a measure that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
GO HERE to read more.
Should Maryland Raise Minimum Wage To $10?
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A liberal lobbying group wants to raise Maryland's minimum wage.
Progressive Maryland will be launching its "Raise Maryland" campaign during a news conference on Tuesday in Annapolis.
The group wants to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour gradually to $10 an hour by 2013. Maryland last raised the minimum wage in 2009 when the federal minimum wage was raised.
The group says putting more money in paychecks will stimulate the state's economy.
Source
Progressive Maryland will be launching its "Raise Maryland" campaign during a news conference on Tuesday in Annapolis.
The group wants to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour gradually to $10 an hour by 2013. Maryland last raised the minimum wage in 2009 when the federal minimum wage was raised.
The group says putting more money in paychecks will stimulate the state's economy.
Source
SAPOA Plays Race Card
RACE PIMPS OF THE WORLD UNITE!
SAPOA (Salisbury Area Property Owners Association) – our local slumlords’ guild – has decided to use the tactics of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to get what they want. What is even sadder, they had already won most of this battle.As reported in today’s Daily Times (front page, above the fold, no less), SAPOA has filed a complaint with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Among other things, there complaint alleges:
the proposed ordinance (Ireton’s “Safe Streets” proposal) to eliminate nonconforming multifamily dwellings "disproportionately implicates the rights of African-Americans and other minority races, as well as individuals with mental and physical handicaps. The city is engaging in a practice of ongoing housing discrimination that implicates, among other things, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968."
We have already opposed several portions of Ireton’s proposal, not because it is “discriminatory”, but because it strips property owners of their property rights and strips landlords and renters of basic liberties such as “innocent until proven guilty”. That said, we are very disappointed that SAPOA president Kris Adams has decided to take her organization down the road previously travelled by the likes of slumlord Donnie Williams – professing to be the defender of the poor, the oppressed, the black, and the brown – while profiting off of these same groups.
Let’s be real. SAPOA members are business people. They are providing a needed service in order to make a profit. They should be commended for their entrepreneurship. In a recent interview with Phil Tilghman on his PAC-14 show One on One Adams came off as the poster child of her organization. Rather than acting like some benevolent plantation master, Adams portrayed herself, and her fellow landlords, as entrepreneurs who work hard to make a decent return on their investment. She argued that they were participants in a free market. Now they are arguing that Ireton is somehow a racist.Besides showing themselves to be hypocrites of the worst kind – SAPOA doesn’t want any government regulation unless they can twist it to their advantage – they are arguing a near impossibility. While I have disagreed with Jim Ireton on many issues, including large portions of his “Safe Streets” initiative, arguing that Jim Ireton is engaging in discrimination against the black community is almost as ridiculous as arguing that I am anorexic or that Barack Obama supports limited government.
With more and more citizens agreeing that much of Ireton’s proposal is not crime legislation, but housing regulation (at best) or an attempt to strip landlords of their property rights, SAPOA was a long way towards winning this battle. Now they are showing themselves to be hypocrites and back to practicing the character assassination which backfired and helped put Ireton in the mayor’s office. I was hopeful that Adams would bring a new, more straightforward, and even more civil approach to SAPOA’s political activities. Sadly, citizens who were in the middle on this issue may (and probably should) tilt towards Ireton. SAPOA’s latest stunt is merely an attempt to drain the city treasury and attack Ireton’s character.
Obama Needs To Give China's Hu A Reality Check At This Week's State Visit
Two years after President Obama’s inauguration, his administration faces a significant sobriety check with this week’s visit of China’s president followed by President Obama’s State of the Union address next week.
At first glance, these two events might appear related only in terms of a coincidence of timing. In fact, both will tell us a great deal about President Obama’s leadership and his ability to adjust to new strategic realities. The administration’s decision to host a state visit for the president of the People’s Republic of China under current circumstances is interesting and risky.
It is unusual timing for China’s leader to come to Washington. A new Congress has been sworn in, but still not fully settled, and anxiously awaits the first formal signal of how the president intends to deal with them. Far and away the top priorities in the new political landscape are controlling debt, expanding employment, and reviving American competitiveness. In this context, high profile focus on China would not seem to favor either China or the Obama administration.
In fact, China’s leader comes to town with a relatively limited agenda.
President Hu Jintao is entering the twilight of his two terms in office and seeks to demonstrate to other Chinese leaders that he commands appropriate respect from the United States. This is measured primarily in terms of symbolism and avoidance of criticism.
GO HERE to read more.
Up To Half In U.S. Have Pre-Existing Conditions
As many 129 million Americans at risk of being rejected for insurance coverage or having to pay more, government study finds
WASHINGTON — As many as 129 million Americans under age 65 have medical problems putting them at risk of being rejected by insurance companies or having to pay more for coverage, according to a U.S. government study reported by the Washington Post on Tuesday.
The Department of Health and Human Services is scheduled to release the study on Tuesday, the Post said, the same day the House of Representatives is expected to begin considering a Republican bill to repeal President Barack Obama's healthcare overall.
The report is part of the Obama administration's effort to convince the public of the advantages of the law, which contains insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
"Americans living with pre-existing conditions are being freed from discrimination in order to get the health coverage they need," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement to be released Tuesday, the Post reported.
The study found that one-fifth to one-half of non-elderly people in the United States have conditions that trigger rejection or higher prices in the individual insurance market, the Post said. They range from cancer to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, asthma and high blood pressure.
A Republican House aide, speaking on condition of anonymity because the report was not yet public, told the Post: "When a new analysis is released on the eve of a vote in Congress, it's hard to view it as anything but politics and public relations."
GO HERE to read more.
Legislators From 40 States Team Up To Stop 'Anchor Baby' Spike
Lawmakers in 40 states are drafting model language for state legislatures to pass laws ending birthright citizenship and outlawing the lucrative business known as "birth tourism," Jerome Corsi's Red Alert reports.
The state legislators are working through two groups, State Legislators for Legal Immigration and the Immigration Reform Law Institute, to create a comprehensive package of model "National Security Begins at Home" that any state lawmaker can introduce to effectively shut down the ability of illegal immigrants and other foreign nationals to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children simply because the children were born in the United States.
The United States and Canada are the last remaining developed nations in the world that give automatic citizenship to babies born of illegal aliens and foreign nationals. In the last 20 years, birthright citizenship laws have been repealed in Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand.
Read more
The state legislators are working through two groups, State Legislators for Legal Immigration and the Immigration Reform Law Institute, to create a comprehensive package of model "National Security Begins at Home" that any state lawmaker can introduce to effectively shut down the ability of illegal immigrants and other foreign nationals to obtain U.S. citizenship for their children simply because the children were born in the United States.
The United States and Canada are the last remaining developed nations in the world that give automatic citizenship to babies born of illegal aliens and foreign nationals. In the last 20 years, birthright citizenship laws have been repealed in Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand.
Read more
THIS PUTS IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE:
Biting the bullet on expenses
The President ordered the cabinet to cut a whopping $100 million from the $3.5 trillion federal budget!
I'm so impressed by this sacrifice that I have decided to do the same thing with my personal budget. I spend about $2000 a month on groceries, medicine, bills, etc, but it's time to get out the budget cutting ax, go line by line through my expenses, and go to work.
I'm going to cut my spending at exactly the same ratio -1/35,000 of my total budget. After doing the math, it looks like instead of spending $2000 a month; I'm going to have to cut that number by six cents!
Yes, I'm going to have to get by with $1999.94, but that's what sacrifice is all about. I'll just have to do without some things, that are, frankly, luxuries.
John P. Taxpayer
NY Russian-Americans Flocking To GOP
Many Russian immigrants to the "red borough" of Staten Island are flocking to the Republican Party, according to a New York-based local newspaper.
They say that the Democratic Party under President Obama is too "socialistic" and reminds them too much of the top-down oligarchy they fled in their native land.
Businessman Arkadiy Fridman told the website SILive.com that the newly formed Citizens Magazine Business Club, a confederation of more than 50 Russian-owned businesses here and in Brooklyn, is aligning itself with the Molinari Republican Club (MRC) in an effort to increase the Russian community's political and economic clout.
"We decided we had to support this club," said Fridman, a former Soviet Army officer who came to the United States in 1992. "They are very close to our political and business vision."
Democrats "are going in an absolutely different direction," focusing on "income redistribution" and rich-versus-poor "class war," he said.
More
They say that the Democratic Party under President Obama is too "socialistic" and reminds them too much of the top-down oligarchy they fled in their native land.
Businessman Arkadiy Fridman told the website SILive.com that the newly formed Citizens Magazine Business Club, a confederation of more than 50 Russian-owned businesses here and in Brooklyn, is aligning itself with the Molinari Republican Club (MRC) in an effort to increase the Russian community's political and economic clout.
"We decided we had to support this club," said Fridman, a former Soviet Army officer who came to the United States in 1992. "They are very close to our political and business vision."
Democrats "are going in an absolutely different direction," focusing on "income redistribution" and rich-versus-poor "class war," he said.
More
Pension Meltdown: Blame It On Wall Street?
Nicole Bullock of the FT reports, States warned of $2,500bn pensions shortfall:
GO HERE to read more.US public pensions face a shortfall of $2,500bn that will force state and local governments to sell assets and make deep cuts to services, according to the former chairman of New Jersey’s pension fund.
The severe US economic recession has cast a spotlight on years of fiscal mismanagement, including chronic underfunding of retirement promises.
“States face cost pressure, most prominently from retirement benefits and Medicaid [the health programme for the poor],” Orin Kramer told the Financial Times. “One consequence is that asset sales and privatisation will pick up. The very unfortunate consequence is that various safety nets for the most vulnerable citizens will be cut back.”
Mr Kramer, an influential figure in the Democratic party and still a member of the investment council that oversees the New Jersey pension fund, has been an outspoken critic of public pension accounting, which allows for the averaging of investment gains and losses over a number of years through a process called “smoothing”.
Using data from the states, the Pew Center on the States, a research group, has estimated a funding gap for pension, healthcare and other non-pension benefits, such as life assurance, of at least $1,000bn as of the end of fiscal 2008.
Chris Christie, the Republican governor of New Jersey, said in his state of the state speech last week that, without reform, the unfunded liability of the state’s pension system would rise from $54bn now to $183bn within 30 years.
Mr Kramer’s estimates are based on the assets and liabilities of the top 25 public pension funds at the end of 2010. The gap has risen from an estimate of more than $2,000bn at the end of 2009. He also used a market rate analysis based on the accounting used by corporate pension funds rather than the 8 per cent rate of return that most public funds use in calculations.
On Gun Control And Violence
The terrible violence in Arizona last weekend prompted much national discussion on many issues. All Americans are united in their sympathies for the victims and their families. All wonder what could motivate such a horrible act. However, some have attempted to use this tragedy to discredit philosophical adversaries or score political points. This sort of opportunism is simply despicable.
We are fortunate to live in a society where violence is universally denounced. Not one public official or commentator has attempted to justify this reprehensible act, yet the newspapers, internet, and airwaves are full of people trying to claim it was somehow motivated by someone else's political rhetoric. Most disturbing are the calls to use government power to censor certain forms of speech, and even outlaw certain types of criticism of public officials. This was the completely apolitical act of a violent and disturbed man. How sad that the attempted murder of the Congresswoman who had just read the First Amendment on the House floor would be used in efforts to chill free speech! Perhaps some would feel safer if the Alien and Sedition Acts were reinstated.
Also troubling are the renewed calls for stricter gun control laws, and for government to "do something" to somehow prevent similar incidents in the future. This always seems to be the knee jerk reaction to any crime committed with a gun. Nonsensical proposals to outlaw guns around federal officials and install bulletproof barriers in the congressional gallery only reinforce the growing perception that politicians view their own lives as far more important than the lives of ordinary citizens. Politicians and a complicit media have conditioned many citizens to view government as our protector, leading to more demands for government action whenever tragedies occur. But this impulse is at odds with the best American traditions of self-reliance and individualism, and it also leads to bad laws and the loss of liberty.
Remember – liberty only has meaning if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and more government security is demanded. Government cannot make us safe by mandating security any more than it can make us prosperous by decreeing an end to poverty.
We need to reaffirm the core American value of individual responsibility. Consider the young man who had the courage to tackle the shooter and prevent further carnage because he himself had a concealed weapon. Without that gun, he could have been yet another sitting duck. When peaceful citizens are armed, they at least have a chance against armed criminals.
Advocates of gun control would urge us to leave our safety to law enforcement, but eyewitness reports indicate it took police as much as 20 minutes to arrive on the scene that day! Since police cannot be everywhere all of the time, a large part of our personal safety depends on our ability to defend ourselves.
Our constitutional right to bear arms does not create a society without risks of violent crime, and neither would the strictest gun control laws. Guns and violence are a fact of life. The question is whether it is preferable to be defenseless while waiting for the police, or to have the option to arm yourself. We certainly know criminals prefer the former.
Source
We are fortunate to live in a society where violence is universally denounced. Not one public official or commentator has attempted to justify this reprehensible act, yet the newspapers, internet, and airwaves are full of people trying to claim it was somehow motivated by someone else's political rhetoric. Most disturbing are the calls to use government power to censor certain forms of speech, and even outlaw certain types of criticism of public officials. This was the completely apolitical act of a violent and disturbed man. How sad that the attempted murder of the Congresswoman who had just read the First Amendment on the House floor would be used in efforts to chill free speech! Perhaps some would feel safer if the Alien and Sedition Acts were reinstated.
Also troubling are the renewed calls for stricter gun control laws, and for government to "do something" to somehow prevent similar incidents in the future. This always seems to be the knee jerk reaction to any crime committed with a gun. Nonsensical proposals to outlaw guns around federal officials and install bulletproof barriers in the congressional gallery only reinforce the growing perception that politicians view their own lives as far more important than the lives of ordinary citizens. Politicians and a complicit media have conditioned many citizens to view government as our protector, leading to more demands for government action whenever tragedies occur. But this impulse is at odds with the best American traditions of self-reliance and individualism, and it also leads to bad laws and the loss of liberty.
Remember – liberty only has meaning if we still believe in it when terrible things happen and more government security is demanded. Government cannot make us safe by mandating security any more than it can make us prosperous by decreeing an end to poverty.
We need to reaffirm the core American value of individual responsibility. Consider the young man who had the courage to tackle the shooter and prevent further carnage because he himself had a concealed weapon. Without that gun, he could have been yet another sitting duck. When peaceful citizens are armed, they at least have a chance against armed criminals.
Advocates of gun control would urge us to leave our safety to law enforcement, but eyewitness reports indicate it took police as much as 20 minutes to arrive on the scene that day! Since police cannot be everywhere all of the time, a large part of our personal safety depends on our ability to defend ourselves.
Our constitutional right to bear arms does not create a society without risks of violent crime, and neither would the strictest gun control laws. Guns and violence are a fact of life. The question is whether it is preferable to be defenseless while waiting for the police, or to have the option to arm yourself. We certainly know criminals prefer the former.
Source
TODAY: Secretary Sebelius, Govs. O’Malley and Markell To Hold Conference Call On Impact Of Repeal Of Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, DC – Tuesday, January 18th at 3:30 p.m. EST, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and Delaware Governor Jack Markell will hold a conference call with reporters to discuss the impact of repealing the Affordable Care Act on the region’s economy, residents and businesses. Repeal of the Affordable Care Act would restrict access to affordable health insurance for individuals, burden small businesses with skyrocketing health care costs and explode national and state deficits. Without the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies would again be free to discriminate against millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions. For information on the price of repealing the Affordable Care Act in Maryland and Delaware, please click here: LINK.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act this week.
WHO: HHS Secretary Sebelius
Governor O’Malley
Governor Markell
WHAT: Conference call to discuss the impact that repealing the Affordable Care Act would have on Maryland and Delaware.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 18 at 3:30 p.m. EST
RSVP: Media wishing to attend this call should dial (800) 398-9367 and ask to join the
“White House Affordable Care Act Call.” No passcode is necessary.
Giving A Man Credit Where Credit Is Due
Back then ball players were honorable men and just a few ever made it in the news for being a bad boy. Hank Aaron, well, he was just as clean as they get. A fantastic role model and someone America truly needed.
He was very soft spoken humble man who earned his way into the record books. Many to this day still try to take away from his success over Babe Ruth's former home run record but a record is a record, all made to be broken some day.
The days of following in the footsteps of such men and women seem to be scared with infidelity, drugs and cheating. America, (in many ways) has taken a turn for the worse. There's no money in being clean.
One day after the celebration of Martin Luther King's Birthday, what African American inspired you most in your generation? Was it a loved one, a teacher, a sports figure, a politician, a neighbor??????
Henry (Hank) Aaron, if you ever Google your name and come across this article, THANK YOU!
Meet America's 25 Richest Politicians
Per the just released OpenSecrets list of top 25 wealthiest politicians in America, there are 12 republicans and 12 democrats (and Hillary, whatever she is). While we applaud the diversity among the country's richest "representatives", we can't help but wonder if these people actually "represent" the common man, or the man (such as themselves) having a minimal average net worth of $28 million...
Full list of America's finest. The fact that Nancy Pelosi' minimum net worth has been disclosed at ($7) Million does not really surprise us: all that facial self-improvement does not come cheap.
Source
Full list of America's finest. The fact that Nancy Pelosi' minimum net worth has been disclosed at ($7) Million does not really surprise us: all that facial self-improvement does not come cheap.
| Rank | Name | Minimum Net Worth | Average | Maximum Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darrell Issa (R-Calif) | $156,050,022 | $303,575,011 | $451,100,000 |
| 2 | Jane Harman (D-Calif) | $151,480,522 | $293,454,761 | $435,429,001 |
| 3 | John Kerry (D-Mass) | $182,755,534 | $238,812,296 | $294,869,059 |
| 4 | Mark Warner (D-Va) | $65,692,210 | $174,385,102 | $283,077,995 |
| 5 | Jared Polis (D-Colo) | $36,694,140 | $160,909,068 | $285,123,996 |
| 6 | Herb Kohl (D-Wis) | $89,358,027 | $160,302,011 | $231,245,995 |
| 7 | Vernon Buchanan (R-Fla) | $-69,434,661 | $148,373,160 | $366,180,982 |
| 8 | Michael McCaul (R-Texas) | $73,685,086 | $137,611,043 | $201,537,000 |
| 9 | Jay Rockefeller (D-WVa) | $61,446,018 | $98,832,010 | $136,218,002 |
| 10 | Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) | $46,055,250 | $77,082,134 | $108,109,018 |
| 11 | Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) | $49,083,204 | $76,886,611 | $104,690,018 |
| 12 | Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) | $-7,356,915 | $58,436,537 | $124,229,990 |
| 13 | Alan Mark Grayson (D-Fla) | $31,411,044 | $54,966,522 | $78,522,000 |
| 14 | James E. Risch (R-Idaho) | $19,468,057 | $54,517,026 | $89,565,995 |
| 15 | Gary Miller (R-Calif) | $19,365,053 | $51,833,526 | $84,302,000 |
| 16 | Bob Corker (R-Tenn) | $9,778,047 | $50,717,522 | $91,656,998 |
| 17 | Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) | $19,898,179 | $43,797,589 | $67,697,000 |
| 18 | Nita M. Lowey (D-NY) | $14,900,036 | $39,012,518 | $63,125,000 |
| 19 | Kenny Ewell Marchant (R-Texas) | $13,303,385 | $38,204,868 | $63,106,351 |
| 20 | Brian P. Bilbray (R-Calif) | $25,143,635 | $37,819,629 | $50,495,623 |
| 21 | Harry Teague (D-NM) | $21,119,041 | $37,102,019 | $53,084,997 |
| 22 | Denny Rehberg (R-Mont) | $6,598,014 | $31,421,505 | $56,244,997 |
| 23 | Hillary Clinton | $10,727,014 | $31,243,506 | $51,759,999 |
| 24 | Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) | $12,556,055 | $28,612,527 | $44,669,000 |
| 25 | Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) | $11,342,046 | $28,116,022 | $44,889,998 |
Source
My Dog
My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day.
She has her food prepared for her.
She can eat whenever she wants, 24/7/365.
Her meals are provided at no cost to her.
She visits the Dr. once a year for her checkup, and
again during the year if any medical needs arise.
For this she pays nothing, and nothing is required of her.
She lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much
larger than she needs, but she is not required to do any upkeep.
If she makes a mess, someone else cleans it up.
She has her choice of luxurious places to sleep. She
receives these accommodations absolutely free.
She is living like a queen, and has absolutely no
expenses whatsoever.
All of her costs are picked up by others who go out and
earn a living every day.
I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit
me like a brick in the head.... Oh, no!!!!
My dog is a Democrat!!
She can eat whenever she wants, 24/7/365.
Her meals are provided at no cost to her.
She visits the Dr. once a year for her checkup, and
again during the year if any medical needs arise.
For this she pays nothing, and nothing is required of her.
She lives in a nice neighborhood in a house that is much
larger than she needs, but she is not required to do any upkeep.
If she makes a mess, someone else cleans it up.
She has her choice of luxurious places to sleep. She
receives these accommodations absolutely free.
She is living like a queen, and has absolutely no
expenses whatsoever.
All of her costs are picked up by others who go out and
earn a living every day.
I was just thinking about all this, and suddenly it hit
me like a brick in the head.... Oh, no!!!!
My dog is a Democrat!!
Ryun Leads Push To ‘Draft Pence for President’
America’s President Committee, led by former Congressman Jim Ryun (R-Kan.), launched its online effort at TheConservativeChampion.org.
Pence is a favorite among some conservatives, winning the straw poll at the Family Research Council’s Values Voters summit – an annual gathering of social conservatives – last September.
Pence, formerly the third ranking Republican in the House GOP caucus, announced his resignation from that leadership position on Nov. 3, 2010, the day after the midterm election. At the time, he said that he had “begun to look to the future” and decided he would not be able to fulfill his leadership duties over the next two years.
The move sparked rumors that Pence, after winning the Values Voters straw poll, was mulling a White House bid. But Pence hinted that he would rather run for the Indiana governor’s office.
The draft-Pence movement hopes to change the congressman’s mind by demonstrating that he has the support he’d need for a serious 2012 presidential run.
“America’s President Committee [APC] today kicks off a national grassroots signature drive urging conservatives and tea party members to sign a declaration encouraging Mr. Pence to run for President,” the group said in an early-Monday news release.
“Throughout his distinguished career, Mike Pence has demonstrated the ability to enthusiastically advance the cause of conservatives and constitutional, limited government, and for that reason I am encouraging him to get in the race,” said Ryun.
Ralph Benko, a former Reagan administration deputy counsel who helps Ryun run the APC, said that Pence’s ability to unite the three traditional areas of conservatism – fiscal, foreign policy, and social – make him an ideal candidate for the nation’s newly energized conservatives.
“Mike Pence describes himself as ‘First a Christian, then a conservative, then a Republican.’ He unifies fiscal, social, and national security conservatives, and will energize the conservative coalition essential to winning back The White House in 2012,” Benko said in the release.
More here
Talk Icon Regis Philbin Decides To Hang It Up
GO HERE to read more.
AMAZING!!!!!
While the local MSM fell asleep at the wheel, (AGAIN) Salisbury News gave them a wake up call referencing new legislation being proposed to repeal the death penalty in Maryland.
About two weeks later, all of a sudden they've come to realize we were right. I know they have far more employees than we do. However, Salisbury News is in the trenches every day with key people that make heavy duty decisions and that is why we're always ahead of the other guys looking for fluff stories or waiting for phone calls from Department Heads to feed them a story.
Nevertheless, I'm glad they finally got on board. Better late than never.
About two weeks later, all of a sudden they've come to realize we were right. I know they have far more employees than we do. However, Salisbury News is in the trenches every day with key people that make heavy duty decisions and that is why we're always ahead of the other guys looking for fluff stories or waiting for phone calls from Department Heads to feed them a story.
Nevertheless, I'm glad they finally got on board. Better late than never.
House Panel Eyes Reforms In U.N.
The new Republican majority in the House is poised to revive some old battles over the U.S. government's financial contribution to the United Nations, vowing once again to use the power of America's purse to force what it calls needed reforms at the world body.
New House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen told The Washington Times that she plans to use the threat to withhold U.S. dues payments to force U.N. officials to cut costs and clean up the organization's image, a sharp break from the approach and political rhetoric used when Democrats ran the House.
"The majority of our members are on board to reform the corrupt and mismanaged U.N. and get a much better return for our dollars," the Florida Republican said in an interview. "Cutting the budget is not enough, because you need to reform the monster, you need to reform the beast, and if you don't get fundamental reform, you are still rewarding a corrupt, mismanaged agency."
Before the Obama administration came to power, the issue of U.S. "arrears" to the U.N. was a long-running battle on Capitol Hill and a diplomatic sore spot for the State Department, which argued the U.S. failure to pay its dues undercut other foreign-policy goals.
One early sign of Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen's seriousness: The first scheduled hearing of her committee was titled "The United Nations: Urgent Problems That Need Congressional Action." Originally set for Jan. 12, the hearing was postponed last week after the shootings in Tucson, Ariz., and now is slated for Jan. 25.
More
New House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen told The Washington Times that she plans to use the threat to withhold U.S. dues payments to force U.N. officials to cut costs and clean up the organization's image, a sharp break from the approach and political rhetoric used when Democrats ran the House.
"The majority of our members are on board to reform the corrupt and mismanaged U.N. and get a much better return for our dollars," the Florida Republican said in an interview. "Cutting the budget is not enough, because you need to reform the monster, you need to reform the beast, and if you don't get fundamental reform, you are still rewarding a corrupt, mismanaged agency."
Before the Obama administration came to power, the issue of U.S. "arrears" to the U.N. was a long-running battle on Capitol Hill and a diplomatic sore spot for the State Department, which argued the U.S. failure to pay its dues undercut other foreign-policy goals.
One early sign of Mrs. Ros-Lehtinen's seriousness: The first scheduled hearing of her committee was titled "The United Nations: Urgent Problems That Need Congressional Action." Originally set for Jan. 12, the hearing was postponed last week after the shootings in Tucson, Ariz., and now is slated for Jan. 25.
More
Doctors Say Rep. Giffords Nearing Rehab Phase
Doctors for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) said Monday she is nearing the rehabilitation phase of her recovery.
Giffords, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head in the Jan. 8 mass shootings in Arizona, has been making what her doctors consider very rapid progress.
University Medical Center Chief of Neurosurgery Dr. Michael Lemole said Giffords underwent a procedure on Saturday to repair "orbital roof fractures" in her eyes and eye sockets. A separate procedure was also performed to remove Giffords's breathing tube. Doctors gave her a feeding tube for nutrition.
The pace of Giffords's steady progress has continued, Lemole said, and potentially dangerous brain swelling has not increased.
"Every sign on the CAT scans and just on her physical examinations suggest that we're going in the right direction at this point," Lemole said.
"I'm happy to say that within a few hours of the surgery she was waking up, and through the weekend she came back to the same baseline she had been before the surgery, that same level of interaction she had had with us," Lemole said. "And that's all very good."
In a previous press briefing, Lemole said Giffords's progress in her recovery and survival was nothing short of miraculous. He said Monday her progress continues to best be described that way.
"That word still holds well," Lemole said.
More here
Giffords, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head in the Jan. 8 mass shootings in Arizona, has been making what her doctors consider very rapid progress.
University Medical Center Chief of Neurosurgery Dr. Michael Lemole said Giffords underwent a procedure on Saturday to repair "orbital roof fractures" in her eyes and eye sockets. A separate procedure was also performed to remove Giffords's breathing tube. Doctors gave her a feeding tube for nutrition.
The pace of Giffords's steady progress has continued, Lemole said, and potentially dangerous brain swelling has not increased.
"Every sign on the CAT scans and just on her physical examinations suggest that we're going in the right direction at this point," Lemole said.
"I'm happy to say that within a few hours of the surgery she was waking up, and through the weekend she came back to the same baseline she had been before the surgery, that same level of interaction she had had with us," Lemole said. "And that's all very good."
In a previous press briefing, Lemole said Giffords's progress in her recovery and survival was nothing short of miraculous. He said Monday her progress continues to best be described that way.
"That word still holds well," Lemole said.
More here
If You Think Old Man Winter Is Over, Think Again
It has also been unusually cold this winter here on the Shore. I know I've been through 1 1/2 skids of pellets this year already and I'll order in another skid just to be safe. Keeping your Family warm isn't as inexpensive as it used to be, has it?
Sen. McConnell Lures Stars From Tea Party During Afghanistan Trip
Conservatives believe Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) used a weekend trip to woo star GOP freshmen away from the Tea Party.
McConnell took Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) on a high-powered weekend trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan that is being seen as a ploy by the leader to secure allies for forthcoming legislative battles.
The visit gave the freshmen firsthand access to world leaders and Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, as well as plenty of quality time with their party leader in the Senate.
The list of invitees immediately raised eyebrows because Rubio, Toomey, Johnson and Ayotte are seen as occupying the middle ground between the leadership and the Tea Party caucus, who are expected to battle over the direction of the Republican Conference in the 112th Congress.
“It's no secret he uses these trips to co-opt new senators,” said a Senate Republican aide. “I'm sure the new senators know what he's up to, but it’s not exactly an invitation you can turn down.”
A spokesman for McConnell declined to comment in response to the anonymous charge.
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) also joined the codel, the jargon used to describe official congressional travel.
Two other conservative freshman senators with close ties to Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) — Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah — were not on the trip, some conservatives noted.
More
McConnell took Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) on a high-powered weekend trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan that is being seen as a ploy by the leader to secure allies for forthcoming legislative battles.
The visit gave the freshmen firsthand access to world leaders and Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, as well as plenty of quality time with their party leader in the Senate.
The list of invitees immediately raised eyebrows because Rubio, Toomey, Johnson and Ayotte are seen as occupying the middle ground between the leadership and the Tea Party caucus, who are expected to battle over the direction of the Republican Conference in the 112th Congress.
“It's no secret he uses these trips to co-opt new senators,” said a Senate Republican aide. “I'm sure the new senators know what he's up to, but it’s not exactly an invitation you can turn down.”
A spokesman for McConnell declined to comment in response to the anonymous charge.
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) also joined the codel, the jargon used to describe official congressional travel.
Two other conservative freshman senators with close ties to Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) — Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah — were not on the trip, some conservatives noted.
More
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