AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY WILL HOST SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM

Salisbury - Americans for Prosperity Maryland to host Salisbury City Council Candidates Forum.

The Wicomico Chapter of Americans for Prosperity will host a candidates forum to allow citizens to get to know who is running for Salisbury City Council. All candidates have been invited and the event is a free public event.

Date: February 23, 2011, Wednesday

Time: 7:00 P.M.

Location: Brew River Restaurant 502 West Main Street, Salisbury

The Salisbury City Council primary election will be held on March 1, 2011 and the general election is April 5, 2011.

Local radio personality Bill Reddish will moderate the forum.

All general inquiries can be directed to State Political Director Nick Loffer 443-994-9395 or nick@afpmaryland.com. For event information, or if you are a candidate confirming, please contact Donna Ennis at 410-860-1008 or estrnshr45@gmail.com.

Jay Carney To Be New White House Press Secretary

According to senior White House officials, the president is going to name Jay Carney, currently the communications director for Vice President Biden, to replace Robert Gibbs as White House press secretary.

Before working for Biden, Carney was a longtime print reporter, most recently the Washington bureau chief for Time magazine. He left Time for the Biden post.

Source

Minor Bus Accident

There's been a minor bus accident at Isabella & Church Street, bus # 146. Parents that have children on that bus need to report with photo ID to Salisbury Middle School to pick up your child.  These students are not from Salisbury Middle School, that's just the jurisdiction they happen to be in.

Main Stream Media Finally On Board With The Thomas Leggs Case

As we left early yesterday morning to head to Elkton, Maryland it was raining here on the Shore. However, as we got to Rt. 1 the weather took a serious turn for the worse. Snow and hail started coming down and within a few minutes we were seeing very serious accidents on the highway as vehicles were losing complete control and sliding off the roadway into ditches, taking out highway light poles, it was a mess.

Determined to get there we slowed way down and reported accidents we had seen at each toll booth along the way. As you can see from the picture above, the Town of Elkton was just getting the beginning of the storm that ultimately threatened up to 12" of snow last night.

Once in the Court Room, the defense attorneys did not plan ahead and spend the night the day before. That being said, 2 of the 3 attorneys were delayed at least an hour and things didn't really get started until around 11:30 AM.

Folks, we sat and listened to the verbose defense attorneys present 8, (out of 50) different motions to throw out the death penalty and quite frankly the honorable Judge Frederick K. Price rejected every single one of them. I mean to tell you, to watch States Attorney Davis Ruark sit with such patience without saying, ARE YOU KIDDING ME is just beyond my comprehension. Nevertheless, that is why he is what he is, his time will come.

At one point after the defense attorneys stated lethal injection was cruel and unusual punishment, Ruark stood up and said, On behalf of the state, I am severely tempted to discuss the death penalty inflicted on Sarah. You could feel his anger and his tone clearly let the Judge know enough is enough. Judge Price quickly agreed by rejecting the defense attorneys motions.

I was overwhelmed and pleased to see that The Daily Times and WBOC went out of their way to cover this case. WMDT was not present and quite frankly it disturbed me that so many details were given to them for their broadcast last night. They made no effort to be present but it is what it is. Maybe we can find a way to sit back and just get a phone call with all of the details and not have to get up at 5 AM to travel to Elkton, sit on hard stools the entire day and deal with attorneys blabbering in desperation to present just about anything and everything to coax the Judge into removing evidence or the death penalty. Let's not forget the tolls, the gas. It sure would make life easier but being there in support of some of the Foxwell Family members is more important to me than someone else delivering us the news.

That being said, Tommy Foxwell, (Sarah Foxwell's Father) and Aunt Tracey Powell were the only Family members present yesterday. Mother Jennifer Foxwell has only made it to one day of hearings the entire time.
Jennifer Foxwell's Parents also have not attended. That being said, let's not forget how difficult this is on the Family. First off, you have to get the time off work to be present. You have to carpool a good 2 hours each way, pay gas, pay tolls and perhaps lodging, of which only a select group of Family will have their expenses covered.

Tommy Foxwell is subjected to sitting in a Court Room with a man a Wicomico County Grand Jury indicted for the murdered his Daughter Sarah Foxwell and I just can't imagine how difficult that must be. I have spoken with Tommy numerous times and I know of his anger towards Thomas Leggs. When Leggs was escorted into the Court Room yesterday they did not clear out the front row seating as they had done the last time he entered the Court Room earlier this month. Leggs was not wearing handcuffs but was shackled at the ankles.

Because of the threat of more serious snow on the way the Judge called it an early day at 3 PM and scheduled more hearings in February. Salisbury News will continue to travel to Elkton and deliver you updates as they come in. More importantly, you MUST contact your Maryland Legislators and tell them you will NOT stand for the state of Maryland removing the Death Penalty! I cannot stress just how important this is as they could pass new law removing the Death Penalty as early as February and people like Thomas Leggs could spend the rest of their life in jail, (if convicted).

A Letter To The Editor

IS "BUSINESS" TRYING TO RIG THE SALISBURY ELECTION?

Street talk is rife with rumors about a group calling themselves the "Committee For Better Salisbury" (or something like that) that is going to support certain candidates in the upcoming City Council election.

Apparently it’s a consortium of "like-minded" business types who are concerned that Comegys and Smith will no longer be on the Council to protect their interests along with Shanie Shields, and want to put new puppets in their seats – and Terry Cohen’s too.

If you have information about the key players in this group, please send details to us by telephone or e-mail.

Man Invents Machine To Convert Plastic Into Oil

How To Create A Blogger Account To Comment On SBYNews.com

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In order to get started with Blogger, you'll first need to create an account. On the Blogger homepage, click the "Create Your Blog Now" button:
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Once you're done with this, you'll be prompted to Create a Blog and get started!

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO PROVIDE BRIEFING ON STATEWIDE STORM RESPONSE

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 27, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley will receive a full briefing from transportation, public safety, and emergency response officials today, followed by a media briefing at 2pm.  Briefings will take place at the Statewide Operations Center in Hanover. 

WHAT:           Governor Martin O’Malley to conduct media briefing at Statewide Operations Center

WHEN:           TODAY, Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

                       

WHERE:         Statewide Operations Center

7491 Connelley Drive

Hanover, MD

Too Tough To Cut?

Republican Party unity cracks over raising $14.3 trillion debt ceiling ... Conservative Republicans in the House are upping the pressure on their party leaders to take a firm stand against raising the federal debt ceiling. The Republican Study Committee (RSC) introduced legislation on Wednesday that it says would allow the Treasury Department to avoid a default on U.S. debt without expanding the borrowing limit. – The Hill

GO HERE to read more.

Police Say Snow Plow Struck And Killed Pedestrian

PASADENA, Md. - Police say the driver of a snow plow is responsible for striking and killing a pedestrian in Anne Arundel County.

The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. on eastbound Mountain Road in Pasadena.

Officers say a pedestrian was walking in the roadway when he was struck by a red Ford F350 pickup truck with a snow plow attached to the front.

According to witnesses, the vehicle fled the scene and was last seen traveling eastbound on Mountain Road.
         
The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Source

Social Insecurity: Benefits To Run Out By 2037

In a bleaker-than-expected report, Social Security will run at a deficit this year and keep running in the red until its funds are drained by about 2037, congressional budget experts say.

GO HERE to read more.

Pennsylvania Sex Offender Found Living With Girlfriend's 3 Children

CARNEGIE, Pa. -- Sheriff's deputies say a Pittsburgh man wanted for not registering as a sex offender has been found living with his girlfriend and her three children.

As a result, 34-year-old Scott Kochis is in the Allegheny County Jail and his girlfriend, 34-year-old Nicole Kovacic, has been charged with child endangerment for allowing a convicted sex offender to live with her kids.

GO HERE to read more.

What's Wrong With This Picture

What can I say, its "Slower, Lower, Delaware".

Live Wires Land On Tractor Trailer

As we traveled north yesterday morning we came across this tractor trailer  in a business parking lot just off Rt. 13. Some how, some way, the poll snapped and the wires landed right on top of the tractor trailer. Talk about a close call! No one was injured.

68% Prefer A Government With Fewer Services, Lower Taxes

House Republicans are proposing to follow their repeal of the national health care bill with billions in spending cuts,  and most voters continue to favor a government that offers fewer services and lower taxes.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely Voters prefer a government with fewer services and lower taxes rather than a more active one with more services and higher taxes.  This is virtually identical to last month and consistent with findings since September.

Even a plurality of Democrats (47%) now favors a government with fewer services and lower taxes.  But that finding is dwarfed by the 90% of Republicans and 67% of voters not affiliated with either political party who feel that way.

More here

PUBLIC NOTICE

TODAY

The City Council has scheduled a work session for Thursday,

January 27, 2011 (rescheduled from January 18). The work session

will be held at 1:30 p.m. in Conference Room 306 of the Government

Office Building (125 N. Division Street).

City Of Salisbury Boards And Commissions Vacancies

If you are interested in serving on any of the following boards, please read the requirements and contact Mayor's Office with questions at 410-548-3100

Board of Elections  City Park Committee  Ethics Commission  Poplar Hill Board  Housing Board  Recycling Committee  CCDC

Hit The Road With Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism’s Bus Trips

(Salisbury, MD) Would you like to get away for a day and venture somewhere exciting, but you just do not know what to do or where to go? Grab a friend and head to Philadelphia for two sensational upcoming events or spend an exciting day in New York with a loved one.

Philadelphia Mummer’s Spring Band ‘Show of Shows’ & Lunch is playing all the right notes. Saturday, February 26^th depart from the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center at 7:15am and journey to the Historic Boardwalk Hall. There you will watch and listen to sixteen String Bands that commonly perform in the popular New Year’s Day folk parade.  The cost of $89.95 per person is to include transportation, show tickets, meal, tax and all gratuities. You will be arriving back to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center at 9:00pm.

If you love the smell of spring, join Wicomico Recreation on a trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show-Springtime in Paris. You will depart Friday, March 11^th from the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center at 9:30am and arrive in Philadelphia in time to enjoy lunch. After viewing the show the bus will leave the city at 6:30pm and you will arrive back at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center at 10:00pm. Cost is $64.00 per person. Price includes transportation, flower show ticket, and bus driver’s tip.

The Day in New York bus trip is just that, a day where you can enjoy all the sites and shopping you please. You may even wish to enjoy a Broadway show.  The bus will be leaving the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center at 6:30am and arriving back at 11:30pm on Saturday, April 16^th. The cost is $59.00 per person and includes transportation, and bus driver’s tip.  

Registration is currently being accepted.  To register, visit the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm or visit www.WicomicoRecandParks.org to register online.  For more information on bus trips or to obtain a complete listing of upcoming bus trips please contact Karen McInturff at (410) 548-4900 ext. 113 or email kmcinturff@wicomicocounty.org. 

SHOREBIRDS DANCE TEAM REGISTRATION ON SATURDAY FROM 2-4

Event in the Executive Club at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium

Salisbury, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds and the High Voltage All Stars are holding a registration day for the brand new “Shorebirds Dance Team” this Saturday, January 29 from 2-4 p.m. at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.  The dance team is open to boys and girls between the ages of six and 18.  Registration will take place on the third level of Perdue Stadium in the Executive Club. 

Representatives from the Shorebirds and High Voltage will be on hand to answer questions and sign kids up for the team.  In addition, Sherman the Shorebird will be greeting the kids and light snacks will be available.  The dance instructors will also be in attendance to meet the kids and parents. 

The Shorebirds Dance Team will undergo weekly technique and choreography lessons at High Voltage in preparation for six performances at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium during weekend Shorebirds games throughout the summer.

“The dance team is something new and fresh that will increase the entertainment value at Perdue Stadium,” said general manager Chris Bitters.  “We have really worked hard to make the experience a very affordable one for all families.”

Each dancer will receive a custom designed uniform, practice gear, two free Shorebirds tickets to each performance, a VIP parking pass, countless hours of instruction at High Voltage, a chance to perform in front of large crowds at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium and an end-of-season party to be held at Perdue Stadium during a Shorebirds game. 

The Shorebirds Dance Team will be separated into two teams based on age and prior dance experience.  However, no dance experience is required to sign up for the team. 

Dancers will be required to attend weekly dance/choreography lessons, which will be held at High Voltage studios, located at 1303 South Salisbury Blvd, Suite D. The dance studio is located across from Salisbury University and next to The Fractured Prune.  A schedule of lessons will be available upon sign up. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Delmarva Shorebirds. The Shorebirds Dance Team members will learn 2-3 routines that they will perform in front of the crowds at the games,” said Justine Lathbury, co-owner of High Voltage All Stars. 

“We are excited to open our facility to the dancers and we are planning routines that they are going to love,” said Kathy Brown, co-owner of High Voltage All-Stars.

Dance lessons and choreography will be taught by two experienced instructors.  Brittney Marshall will serve as the dance team coach and will be assisted by Alexz Goldin.  Marshall’s dance experience includes ballet, Bennett’s Rock and Roll Revival, and a scholarship in field show dancing in college.  Goldin is currently a dancer for the Untouchable Dance group at Salisbury University.

The Shorebirds Dance Team will perform on the following dates at Perdue Stadium: May 28, June 4, July 1, July 30, August 12 and September 3.  The dancers will perform pre-game, in-game and postgame. 

The Shorebirds and High Voltage will hold two registration dates at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.  The second registration day will be on Saturday, February 12 from 2-4 p.m.  Both instructors will be on hand to answer questions and meet parents.  Plus, High Voltage All Stars and Shorebirds representatives will be in attendance.  In addition, Sherman the Shorebird will be there to greet the kids and light refreshments will be served. 

If you can’t make the registration day, contact the High Voltage All Stars at 443-735-0712 or visit them online at http://www.highvoltageallstars.com/ to sign up.

Mubarak’s Wife And Son Flee To London Amid Protests

The wife of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and their son Gamal, considered the successor to his father as president, have fled to London with 97 suitcases after unprecedented massive protests in Egypt, an Arab website reported. Egyptian officials denied the claim.

The plane also reportedly carried Gamal's daughter, the Akhbar Arab website reported. It also said a Twitter account was blocked to prevent a social network campaign to urge the ousting of Mubarak, who is over 80 and is reportedly is suffering from cancer.

More from INN

Heritage Foundation: Cut Entitlement, Welfare Spending

We must first slash entitlement spending and then wasteful welfare spending to bring the budget back into balance, says James Carafano, assistant director of The Heritage Foundation’s Institute for International Studies.

“Cutting without common sense makes little sense. The first discussion we ought to have is, what is the biggest problem?” Carafano writes on Politico.

“Long-term unsustainable entitlement programs are the great danger to the economy.

Bottom line: “If we dealt with the real problems, there would be plenty of money for real federal responsibilities, little trouble in balancing the budget and reducing the deficit, and no problem in keeping taxes low,” Carafano writes.

Read more on Newsmax.com

Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

David Tebe Gerald of Crisfield, arrested 1-20-11 on a warrant regarding contempt of court. Gerald was later held on a $5,000 bond.

David Lee Anderson Jr. of Crisfield, arrested 1-20-11 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Anderson was later held on a $30,000 bond.

Martino Terron Jackson of Crisfield, arrested 1-24-11 on a warrant regarding failure to appear in court. Jackson was later held on a $50,000 bond.

Steven Alan Tilghman of Releigh NC, arrested 1-24-11 on three warrants regarding failing to appear in court. Tilghman was later held on a $16,000 bond.

Diane V. Breasure of Seaford DE, arrested 1-25-11 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Breasure was later held on a $10,000 bond.

Maurice McKinley Turner Jr. of Princess Anne, arrested 1-25-11 on two warrants regarding failing to appear in court. Turner was later released after posting bond.

Sarah Margaret Lee of Princess Anne, arrested 1-25-11 regarding three warrants regarding failing to appear in court. Lee was later released after posting bond. The arrest was a result of a traffic stop conducted in the Deal Island area, where Lee was a passenger of a vehicle.

Andre Donald Dubose of SE Washington DC, arrested 1-26-11 on two warrants regarding violation of probation. Dubose was extradited by deputies from DC, and later held on a $30,000 bond.

Juvenile arrested at the Somerset Intermediate School on drug and weapons charges. Deputies responded to the school and learned that a juvenile student was seen brandishing a lock blade knife on a school bus. Staff members searched the student, and recovered suspected marijuana, and a 7" folding knife. The juvenile was arrested and later held at the Lower Eastern Shore Juvenile Center pending juvenile court actions.

10 States Now Developing Eligibility Demands

Arizona may have the most advanced plan, but 10 of the United States – controlling 107 Electoral College votes – are now considering some type of legislation that would plug the hole in federal election procedures that in 2008 allowed Barack Obama to be nominated, elected and inaugurated without providing proof of his qualifications under the U.S. Constitution.

And they aren't all the simple legislation such as that adopted in New Hampshire a year ago that requires an affidavit from a candidate stating that the qualifications – age, residency and being a "natural born citizen" – have been met.

In Georgia, for example, HB37 by Rep. Bobby Franklin not only demands original birth-certificate documentation, it provides a procedure for and declares that citizens have "standing" to challenge the documentation.

Franklin told WND the least that leaders of the United States, on a state or federal level, can do is to follow the requirements of the law of the land.

"If we as an entity of civil government don't follow the laws, then what makes us think that our citizens are going to obey anything we enact?" he said. "We need to lead by example."

Read more here

Jobless Claims Pushed Higher By Wintry Weather

Snow and cold in four Southern states caused some companies to shut down

WASHINGTON — The number of people applying for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week as snowstorms in some parts of the country forced companies to lay off workers.

Applications surged by a seasonally adjusted 51,000 to 454,000, the highest level since late October.

However, much of the increase was blamed on bad weather in four Southern states. That caused some companies to temporarily shut down, a government analyst says.

GO HERE to read more.

Pelosi's Office To Air Force: 'We'd Like Chocolate Strawberries'

Officials at Judicial Watch, the watchdog organization that hunts down and exposes government misbehavior, say they have uncovered more extravagances on the part of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose office apparently told the Air Force they wanted chocolate-covered strawberries for Pelosi's birthday.

Not just any chocolate-covered strawberries, either.

"Dark chocolate preferred," said the instructions to the Air Force, which provided Pelosi with commuting services to and from California while she was Speaker of the House.

WND reported earlier when Judicial Watch documented that taxpayers were billed some $101,000 for Pelosi's in-flight services, including food and liquor, over a two-year period.

Later, the organization suggested that federal officials were colluding on the "booze-gate" explanations because of a series of e-mails back and forth warning of coming document releases under the Freedom of Information Act.

Incidentally, the new House Speaker, Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, confirmed when he took the gavel from Pelosi as the GOP took the majority of the House in the 2010 election that he would commute to his Ohio district on commercial aircraft.

In a report today, Judicial Watch confirmed that old habits must die hard for Pelosi.

"The most recent documents uncovered by Judicial Watch include a Passenger Mission Activity chart detailing all of former Speaker Pelosi's flights January 1 to October 1, 2010, as well as detailed shopping lists for some flights…" the report said.

"Pelosi used the Air Force aircraft for a total of 43 trips, covering 90,155 miles, from January 1 through October 1, 2010. The Air Force documented in-flight expenses for 22 of these flights totaling $1,821.33. The Air Force did not provide expense information for the remaining 21 flights,"Judicial Watch reported.

Read more

Plenty Of Money, But You Can't Have It

Liz Holland reports in the Somerset Herald this week that the Somerset County government ended fiscal 2010 with a $13.9 million fund balance in its general fund, and a $16.4 million fund balance for total government.

The auditor said he usually recommends fund balances equal about one-third of the budget, and Somerset County's is between 30 percent and 40 percent.

But in July when the Somerset County Sheriff requested a mere $178,000 to begin 24/7 coverage in the county, he was turned down.

The commissioners said "they just don't have the money."

How odd.

They did, however, manage to come up with $ 685,000 for recreation, including $284,000 for the Great Albatross Golf Course in Westover.

One must wonder about the logic of putting that kind of money into recreation in one of Maryland's poorest counties, while denying funds for basic police protection.

Maybe they think the citizens can well take care of themselves while armed with a nine-iron.

More here

Virginia Senator Seeks Study On Castrating Sex Offenders

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia legislator is proposing castrating sex offenders as an alternative to the increasing costs to detain and treat them after they've served their prison sentences.

Republican Sen. Emmett Hanger's bill would require the state to study the use of physical castration as an alternative to civil commitment for sexually violent predators. A similar proposal was vetoed four years ago.

The civil commitment program's budget grew from $2.7 million in 2004 to $24 million this year. Gov. Bob McDonnell has proposed spending nearly $70 million over the next two years to meet the increasing demands.

GO HERE to read more.

Gingrich Calls For Replacing EPA

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called Tuesday for the elimination of the Environmental Protection Agency, which he wants to replace with a new organization that would work more closely with businesses and be more aggressive in using science and technology.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Gingrich said the EPA was rarely innovative and focused only on issuing regulations and litigation.

"What you have is a very expensive bureaucracy that across the board makes it harder to solve problems, slows down the development of new innovations," Gingrich said.

Gingrich, who has acknowledged that he's mulling a run for the Republican presidential nomination, was in Iowa to talk to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. He also met privately with Republican legislators, often a sign in Iowa that people are laying the groundwork for a campaign. The state has the nation's first presidential caucuses.

Gingrich, who has made several visits to Iowa recently, said the EPA was founded on sound ideas but has become a traditional Washington bureaucracy. Gingrich had previously mentioned his desire to change the EPA, but Tuesday's explanation was the first time he made a specific proposal for replacing the agency, Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond said.

"We need to have an agency that is first of all limited, but cooperates with the 50 states," Gingrich said. "The EPA is based on bureaucrats centered in Washington issuing regulations and litigation and basically opposing things."

Here is more

UMES Makes The List-- America's Most Dangerous Colleges

When it comes to choosing a college, there are a lot of factors to weigh: athletics, social scene, and of course safety. From a parent's point of view, the safety comes high on the list.

Using data from the FBI's Crime in the United States reports, specifically for crimes on university and college campuses, we compiled a ranking of the most dangerous colleges campuses in the country.

Certain elite colleges make the list, including MIT, Duke and Amherst -- a reminder that quality of students bears little on the neighbood.

Click here to see the dangerous schools >

Thomas Leggs Trial Post Will Come At 12:00 PM Today

Salisbury News will provide our version of yesterdays hearing at 12:00 PM today. Stay Tuned.......

Anti-Muslim Book In Germany Taps Into Seething Anger Over Country's Minorities

Most books don’t continue to generate intense controversy nearly half a year after publication. But a bitter debate continues to dominate German talk shows over whether the nation’s 4.2 million Muslims are dragging the nation down, a charge made by a work published last year that argues the nation’s growing minority is bleeding the welfare budget and lowering the intelligence of German society.

“Germany is Doing Away With Itself,” written by Thilo Sarrazin, a former member of the German Central Bank, has already sold more than a million copies. And while the book has been repudiated by the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel, there’s no question it has hit a very raw nerve in German society.

“When I go on talk shows and we discuss the book, callers say ‘I’m not a Neo-Nazi, or a Nazi, but this book has finally allowed me to tell you that the Muslims in this country are here to get welfare and they don’t want to accept our values,' ” Wolfgang Benz, the former head of the center for anti-Semitic research at the Technical University in Berlin, told FoxNews.com. “The scholarship is awful in this book, but the guy at my gas station, who didn’t read it, thinks it’s great, and so do many others who find out what it says about the Muslims. Their pent-up feelings come out.”

Germans are now openly discussing the failure to integrate Muslims, a problem that has been largely ignored for decades.

It has roots in 1961, during the post-war economic boom, when Turkish workers were invited to Germany to do heavy manual labor at the minimum wage. Turks now make up 3.2 million of the 4.2 million Muslims in Germany. Most of the rest come from Arab countries.

The debate is also making Germany less attractive to foreign skilled workers it desperately needs because its population is rapidly aging and shrinking.

Here is more

Lowe's Laying Off About 1,700 Managers

Lowe's Cos Inc is laying off about 1,700 middle managers across the United States, the country's second-largest home-improvement chain said.

The news comes as home improvement chains focus on cutting costs to tackle tepid demand for expensive renovations in a slowly recovering. U.S. economy.

"We are streamlining our store management team -- creating assistant manager positions (4-6 per store) and placing members of the existing management team in those positions," the company's spokeswoman Julie Yenichek told Reuters.

More

Germany Suspends Payments To Global Health Fund

Germany's development ministry said Wednesday it will halt all payments to a $21.7 billion global health fund until it gets answers about corruption allegations raised in articles by The Associated Press.

The ministry said its pledge of euro200 million ($270 million) will be withheld from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria pending a full investigation by Germany into the corruption that the fund's own investigators are turning up.

"We obviously look very closely at the (donated) money now. It's the money of German taxpayers, so we have to make sure that it was rightly used," a ministry spokesman told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with German government policy.

The spokesman said it was demanding that the fund shed more light on the $34 million in losses due to forged documents, improper bookkeeping and other widespread fraud and has summoned a Global Fund representative to discuss the reports.

The AP reported Sunday that the fund's new investigative unit found high percentages of contract money eaten up by corruption. Germany is the fund's third largest government donor behind the U.S. and France, having pledged euro600 million for 2011-13.

More

Santorum: End Medicaid As A Federal Entitlement Program

Former Sen. Rick Santorum, who says he is considering a run for the Republican presidential nomination, says that the second thing the next president should do to deal with the federal debt crisis—after signing legislation to repeal Obamacare—is end Medicaid as a federal entitlement.

Santorum likened his idea of ending Medicaid as a federal entitlement to the landmark legislation he helped push through a Republican-majority Senate in 1996 that ended welfare as a federal entitlement.

“So on Medicaid we need to do the same thing,” Santorum said in an Online With Terry Jeffrey interview. “We need to repeal the federal entitlement, which is just a perverse incentive for the states to spend more money. And turn the program back” to the states.

Santorum said that ending Medicaid as a federal entitlement and giving states block grants to run the program themselves, according to state-based designs, could yield positive benefits similar to those that he says followed the 1996 welfare reform bill.

“What we did, we said: Look, welfare is a state issue,” said Santorum. “It's something the states basically manage already. It's just a federal entitlement, and the federal government has a very prescriptive program on how the state runs it. But the state runs welfare policy. So what we said is we need to end the federal entitlement. We need to give a block of money to the states. We need to pare back some of these strings attached to this money, and let the states devise their own program.

“What happened?” said Santorum. “Welfare rolls decreased by over 50%, poverty levels went down, people who weren’t working and were chronically unemployed went back to work, family stability increased--all positive benefits. Why do I say that? Because we need to do the exact same thing for Medicaid.”

More here

IRS Says Town Attorney Is Employee

For the second time in recent history, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service has contacted a Maryland municipality to inform the local government that its municipal attorney (and part-time planner) were classified as employees of the municipality rather than contractual workers. As such the IRS said that the Town of New Market owes back income taxes, social security deductions and penalties as a result of this misclassification. The Town is currently determining how to address this issue.

The Town of Elkton, Maryland within the past year paid back taxes and penalties in a similar case brought by the IRS. The IRS in just the past five years has sporadically brought claims of this sort against municipalities throughout the United States.

Pocomoke Is Hiring Police

The Pocomoke City Police Department is currently seeking applications from Maryland certified officers and out-of-state comparative compliance officers; minorities are encouraged to apply. Pocomoke City offers a Take Home Car Program, excellent benefits, specialized training opportunities, and a beginning salary of $41,439.54. The Pocomoke City Police Department is a CALEA recognized agency. Call 410/957-1600, Ms. Waters or e-mail pcpd@verizon.net. EOE.

Bachmann Takes Obama To Task

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday said Obama failed to deliver on his promise to keep unemployment under eight percent by spending a trillion dollars on the federal stimulus program.

Unemployment rose to 9.4 percent three months after the stimulus, and it hasn’t been lower for 20 months, Bachmann said.

Bachmann pointed to a chart, which showed unemployment rates over the past 10 years. In October 2001, unemployment was at 5.3 percent, 6.6 percent in 2008, and eight months after Obama’s promise to reduce unemployment, the jobless rate rose to 10.1 percent, she said.

While budget deficits were “unacceptably high” under President George W. Bush, “they exploded under President Obama’s direction, growing the national debt by an astounding $3.1 trillion-dollars.” Bachmann noted.  “What did we buy?” she asked.

“Instead of a leaner, smarter government, we bought a bureaucracy that tells us which light bulbs to buy, and which will put 16,500 IRS agents in charge of policing President Obama’s healthcare bill. ObamaCare mandates and penalties will force many job creators to stop offering health insurance altogether, unless yours is one of the more-than-222 privileged companies or unions that has received a government waiver,” Bachmann said.

More here

Medicare Official Doubts Health Care Law Savings

Two of the central promises of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law are unlikely to be fulfilled, Medicare's independent economic expert told Congress on Wednesday.

The landmark legislation probably won't hold costs down, and it won't let everybody keep their current health insurance if they like it, Chief Actuary Richard Foster told the House Budget Committee. His office is responsible for independent long-range cost estimates.

Foster's assessment came a day after Obama in his State of the Union message told lawmakers that he's open to improvements in the law, but unwilling to rehash the health care debate of the past two years.  Republicans want to repeal the landmark legislation that provides coverage to more than 30 million people now uninsured, but lack the votes.

Foster was asked by Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., for a simple true or false response on two of the main assertions made by supporters of the law: that it will bring down unsustainable medical costs and will let people keep their current health insurance if they like it.

On the costs issue, "I would say false, more so than true," Foster responded.

As for people getting to keep their coverage, "not true in all cases."

More

GOP Rep. Garrett: Quit Rewarding Incompetent Agencies With More Money

A Republican who will play a leading role in the oversight of the Wall Street reform law said federal regulators should not be “rewarded” with budget increases for past mistakes.

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) told The Hill in an exclusive interview that it is “troubling” that financial regulators want to be given more funds and staff after failing to prevent the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

“It’s only in government, especially in Washington, where you have agencies that failed in their core assignments in the past, and yet they are rewarded with more authority and bigger budgets,” Garrett said during an interview Thursday.

As chairman of the House Financial Services subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises, Garrett is poised to play a key role in the 112th Congress as an emboldened GOP looks to exert its influence on financial reform and the restructuring of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Agency officials have warned that their current budgets are nowhere near sufficient to meet their new responsibilities, but Garrett is not sympathetic.

“In the private sector, if you had a unit of a company that failed, normally what happens is that unit ... doesn’t exist anymore and you make changes,” he said. “It seems to be the practice of government that there seems to be some sort of reward.”

More here

H&R Block Revives AOL Business Plan, Blankets Nation With Unwanted CDs

If you had a pulse and/or a mailbox in the '90s, you received some AOL disks in the mail. They promoted a free trial, but everyone knows their real purpose: to have their labels peeled off and to be used for file storage. AOL eventually switched to read-only CDs, then switched to total irrelevance. But their familiar promotional tactic is back: adopted by tax preparers H&R Block to distribute their income tax software.

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UConn Football Donor Demands His Millions Back Because He Didn't Get To Pick Coach

People who accept donations for colleges may want to start handing out receipts that indicate "all giving is final," because moneybags donors are starting to ask for refunds.

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Port Your Mobile Number To Google Voice Now Live

The option to port your existing cellphone number over to Google Voice is now live and direct, baby.

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Beware After-Market Auto Warranties From Third Parties

The Better Business Bureau sent out an alert that it's been bombarded with complaints about extended auto warranty companies. Gripes include deceptive sales practices — including high-pressure phone sales tactics to get customers to pay upfront for contracts they can't see — as well as insurance fraud.

More »

Woman Robs Girl Scout Of $92

A 7-year-old Girl Scout and her mom set up shop selling cookies at a Florida shopping center when a woman in her 30s allegedly decided that she preferred a wad of cash to Thin Mints. Police say the woman swiped $92 and sped off in her car.

More »

Fascinating

The Beauty of Mathematics...

Click your mouse here:  Mathematics

184. The Founding Fathers: A Revisionist Look

Thaddeus Russell tells a renegade tale to Lew Rockwell.

Professor Russell’s new Renegade History of the United States speaks volumes to the eternal conflict between those who hold power and all the ordinary peoples. The Founding Fathers wanted the British regime without the King. The wonderfully anarchic culture in the colonies alarmed them to the core. The abolitionists, who were deeply Puritanical, felt that slaves were too free in some ways, and Reconstruction was the first Afghanistan – the push of New England to control the entire world. Thad Russell sees Obama as the throwback to the worst of the Progressives, desiring total control over peoples’ lives. Meanwhile, the regular left misses or ignores the dark side.

"Thaddeus Russell has broken free of the ideological prisons of Left and Right to give us a real, flesh-and-blood history of America, filled with untold stories and unlikely heroes. No waving incense before the sacred personages of Washington, D.C. here. This wonderful book follows the best American traditions of iconoclasm and – what is the same thing – truth-telling." ~ Thomas E. Woods, Jr., author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History

• Thaddeus Russell website

Can Our Nation Be Saved?

National debt is over $14 trillion, the federal budget deficit is $1.4 trillion and, depending on whose estimates are used, the unfunded liability or indebtedness of the federal government (mostly in the form of obligations for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and prescription drugs) is estimated to be between $60 and $100 trillion.

Those entitlements along with others account for nearly 60 percent of federal spending. They are what Congress calls mandatory or non-discretionary spending. Then there's discretionary spending, half of which is for national defense. Each year, non-discretionary spending consumes a higher and higher percent of the federal budget.

GO HERE to read more.

IMF Chides US For Fiscal Folly

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued its clearest warning to date that the latest US fiscal stimulus is ill-judged, unlikely to do much for growth and raises the risk of a bond crisis over the medium term.

GO HERE to read more.

Only In America

We are the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment - yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations, ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents, clothes, bedding, doctors and medical supplies. Imagine if we gave ourselves the same support that we give other countries. I feel bad for them, but I wonder who cares about America. 

Bless Her Heart!

Regifting Robin

THIS IS MIND BLOWING
Someone needs to figure out how this works!  Amazing.

To all my gifted friends. This stumped me. If you can figure out how she does it please let me know. I never even touched the cursor on my chosen number.. I just looked at the number and she still got it!

This will drive you crazy!  

Click here: Regifting Robin  

Wicomico Farm & Home Show

Coming Up Soon On The Wicomico School Calendar

Monday, Jan. 31
Report cards for 2nd Marking Period sent home

Saturday, Feb. 5
Open House/SkillsUSA Competition
Parkside High School Department of Career & Technology Education

The Parkside High Schools Department of Career & Technology Education (Parkside CTE) will host the 27th annual local SkillsUSA Championship competition and Open House on Saturday, Feb. 5. Anyone who is interested in seeing what Parkside CTE students can do in competition, or who would like to learn more about the programs Parkside CTE offers, is welcome to attend. The competition will be held at Parkside High School from 8-11:30 a.m., with an awards ceremony at noon in the school auditorium. CTE students learn valuable career and technical skills, and more than 80 percent go on to attend a two-year or four-year college or enter military service. Whether a student plans to continue education after high school or transition directly into the work force, CTE offers programs approved by the Maryland State Department of Education that will ignite a student’s desire to learn and excel in the workforce. Learn more about CTE programs in videos posted at http://cte.wcboe.org/ under Departments, or read about the course offerings at http://www.wcboe.org/resources/documents/HS_Catalog.pdf. Information on Parkside CTE classes begins in Page 51. Most CTE programs are two-year programs that begin in the junior year. Information on the exploratory course for 10th-graders, called A-Tex, is on Page 48 at the address above; students in 9th grade can enroll this spring to take A-Tex in 10th grade next year.

Sunday, Feb. 6
JMB’s Super Bowl Plunge
60th Street beach, Ocean City

Would you be willing to jump into the Atlantic Ocean in February for a good cause? That is the pledge of teacher Jay Fenoglietto and the front office ladies of James M. Bennett High, who plan to jump into the ocean off 60th Street at noon on Super Bowl Sunday to benefit 4STEPS -- if they have raised more than $400 in donations through sticker sales and a casual day. Donors will receive a plunge sticker (available now in the nurse’s office) in return for a $3 donation; additional “plungers” for the cause are also welcome. The 4STEPS Program has personally benefited Fenoglietto’s family and this is his fourth annual challenge plunge to raise money for the organization. Last year, the water temperature was a “refreshing” 38 degrees on plunge day! 410-677-5141.

4STEPS Therapeutic Riding Program is a non-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through safe, therapeutic interaction with horses. It was founded in 2002 and is one of over 700 other programs like it across North America. The program helps students who have physical, emotional and/or cognitive learning problems in a variety of ways such as improving coordination, concentration skills and positive social interaction just to name a few. They use a variety of horse-related games and activities, in addition to riding, in order to serve the needs of as many individuals as possible. All activities are supervised by trained staff and volunteers to ensure safety. They are located on Sixty Foot Rd. in Parsonsburg.

Opportunities To Support Our Students And Schools

Friday, Jan. 28
Bull Roast and Silent Auction for Mardela Middle and High School Sports Boosters
Hebron Firehouse

The Mardela Middle and High School Sports Boosters Bull Roast and Silent Auction will be held on Friday, Jan. 28 at the Hebron Firehouse starting at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $20 per person. Please contact Rob Taylor at 410-430-0780.

Saturday, Jan. 29
8th annual WiHi Senior Class Annual Longaberger Basket Bingo
Wicomico High School Indian Cafe

The Senior Class of Wicomico High School will hold its 8th Annual Longaberger Basket Bingo Saturday, Jan. 29 (snow date Feb. 5) to benefit the WiHi PTSA and the Class of 2011. The event will be held in the Wicomico High School Indian Cafe. Doors and kitchen will open at 5:30 p.m. and games will begin at 6:30 p.m. No outside food or drinks allowed, as food will be available for purchase in the Indian Café. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; must be 18 or older to play. In addition to the games of regular Bingo with basket sets (filled basket, liner and protector), there will be a Chinese Auction, 50/50 raffle, gift certificates, concessions for sale, and special Bingos. WiHi is also remembering others during the winter season and asks attendees to bring canned or nonperishable items; for each item brought, the person will receive a Chinese auction ticket. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the school at 410-677-5146 or contact senior advisers Trisha Pippin (tpippin@wcboe.org) or Tara Sheets (tsheets@wcboe.org). See the flier at http://www.wcboe.org/schools/wihi/assets/files/news_1294428539.pdf.

Saturday, Jan. 29
4th Annual Longaberger Basket and Vera Bradley Bag Bingo
Parkside High School Sports Boosters

Parkside High School will hold its Annual Longaberger Basket and Vera Bradley Bag Bingo Satursday, Jan. 29 to benefit the Parkside Sports Boosters. All proceeds will benefit the Parkside athletic teams. The event will be held at the Salisbury Moose Lodge on Snow Hill Road. Doors and kitchen will open at 5 p.m. and games will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; must be 18 or older to play. In addition to 20 games of regular Bingo (you win, you pick your prize; each basket/bag will be filled with goodies and there will be all-new Vera Bradley bags/designs that come out January 13th), there will be a Chinese Auction, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, concessions for sale, and the new special raffles. We will also be having a SuPeR fAN raffle as well. Parkside is also remembering others during the winter season and asks attendees to bring canned or nonperishable items; for each item brought, the person will receive a special raffle ticket towards a chance at winning a special prize. All items donated will be given to the Maryland Food Bank. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Courtney Lewis at 410-251-5032 or 410-677-5143 or colewis@wcboe.org. See the flier at http://www.wcboe.org/schools/phs/assets/files/news_1292333779.pdf.

Feb. 19-20 and Feb. 24-27
JMB’s 13th annual Rock & Roll Revival
Wicomico High School Auditorium

Tickets are on sale now for this annual showcase of Clipper talent. Students sing, dance, play instruments, and work in many areas behind the scenes to put on this highly successful show, which this year will be on the Wicomico High School Auditorium stage due to the ongoing construction at the Bennett Auditorium. Show directors are Christie and Larry Wersen, and all proceeds benefit the JMB PTSA. Shows will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, and 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, Friday, Feb. 25, Saturday, Feb. 26, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27. Tickets are $15 and are available now at the PNC Bank at Beaglin Park Drive and Snow Hill Road. For ticket information, e-mail jmbrockandrollrevival@gmail.com or call Chris Wilde at 410-430-8634. To learn more about Rock & Roll Revival, go to http://www.wcboe.org/schools/jmb/ and click on the shortcut.

Highlighted Events This Week And Next Week In Wicomico Schools

Wednesday, Jan. 26
3rd Marking Period begins

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 6 p.m.
WCCPTA Reflections Reception
Parkside High School

The Wicomico County Council of PTAs (WCCPTA) will hold a reception and awards ceremony at Parkside High School for the Reflections program. Many winning art and writing entries from Wicomico students will be displayed starting at 6 p.m., with awards starting at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m.
Evening High School Commencement
Prince Street Elementary

Thursday, Jan. 27
Read In
Wicomico Middle School

Wicomico Middle School will hold its first ever READ IN on Thursday, Jan. 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. The weather outside may be chilly, but we'll be warm and toasty inside reading a great book! Bring the whole family and something to read for 20 minutes. There will be a children's room for little ones to be read to aloud. In another room, older students and their parents/guardians will read silently. Next, everyone will get to chat with others about what they’ve read. This is a great way to find the next book you want to read! Come on out and join us for dinner, goody bags, door prizes, good conversation and fun. 410-677-5145.

Thursday, Jan. 27, Monday, Jan. 31 and Tuesday, Feb. 1
Registration for Evening High School
Building E, Wicomico High School

Registration for Evening High School’s spring semester will take place starting Thursday, Jan. 27, in Building E of Wicomico High School. Registration will be held from 4-7 p.m. Jan. 27 and 31 and Feb. 1. Classes will begin Wednesday, Feb. 2. Students wishing to enroll in Evening High School should bring birth certificate, Social Security card, proof of residency (any utility bill or rent/mortgage statement), and transcript (from last school attended). Students who attend another Wicomico County high school during the day and who wish to attend Evening High School at night must bring in the blue form, which must be completed by the guidance counselor. 410-677-4537

Friday, Jan. 28
3rd annual Operation SPEAK Oratorical Competition for Fifth-Graders from Prince Street, Pinehurst and Glen Avenue Schools
At Prince Street Elementary School

Prince Street Elementary will host the 3rd annual Operation SPEAK (Stimulate, Prepare & Encourage Articulate Kids) Oratorical Competition at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28. There will be fifth-grade students from three Title I school competing - Pinehurst, Glen Avenue and Prince Street. This program encourages 5th-grade students to compete first with students from their own school in writing, memorizing, and reciting a speech. Three students from each school will participate in the contest, which has been rescheduled for Jan. 28 after being postponed by a snow day on Dec. 17. Each student will have two to four minutes to present a prepared speech on either this quote from John Crudele: “Kids Spell Love T-I-M-E,” or Jesse Jackson’s quote, “Your children need your presence more than your presents.” Winners will be eligible for trophies and monetary awards. This year’s Operation SPEAK Oratorical Competition is supported by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. For information please contact Tana Ellis at 410-677-5813 or tellis@wcboe.org.

Shore Stop Robbed

Hey Joe, Hebron Shore Stop was robbed  last night at 8:45 PM. No one hurt, MSP on scene.

Eastern Shore Of Maryland Declares War On The USA

President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang.

"Hello, President Obama a heavily accented easter shore voice said. "This is Archie, down here at Joe's Crab Shack, in Crisfield, and I am callin' to tell ya ll that we are officially declaring war on ya!"

 

"Well Archie," Barack replied, "This is indeed important news!  
How big is your army?"

  

"Right now," said Archie, after a moments calculation "there is myself, my cousin Harold, my next-door-neighbor Randy, and the whole dart team from Gordons. That makes eight!"

 

Barack paused. "I must tell you Archie that I have one million men in my army waiting to move on my command."

  

"Wow," said Archie. "I'll have  to  call ya back!"

Sure enough, the next day, Archie called again. Mr. Obama, the war is still on! We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!"

  

"And what equipment would that be Archie?" Barack asked.

 

"Well sir, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Harry s farm tractor and one hundred crab boats."

  

President Obama sighed. "I must tell you Archie, that I have 16,000 tanks and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I've increased my army to one and a half million since we last spoke."

  

"Lord above", said Archie, "I'll be getting back to ya."

 

Sure enough, Archie called again the next day. President Obama! I am sorry to have to tell you that we have had to call off this here war."

  

"I'm sorry to hear that" said Barack. "Why the sudden change of heart?"  

Well, sir," said Archie, "we've all sat ourselves down and had a long chat over sweet tea, and come to realize that there's just no way we can feed two million prisoners."
 
         EASTERN SHORE CONFIDENCE CAN'T BE SHAKEN 

GOD BLESS THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND

Troopers On Scene Of Serious Motor Vehicle Collision

Location: Washington Street Extension just west of Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE

 

Date of Occurrence: Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 6:30 a.m.

 

Resume:   

Wilmington- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a serious motor vehicle crash that occurred this morning on the Washington Street Extension.

 

Initial information is that the crash involves a truck and a pedestrian and occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. The crash has Washington Street Extension closed between Philadelphia Pike and Mt. Pleasant High School. Commuters are asked to find alternate means of travel as the accident is being investigated.

 

More information in reference to this crash will be released after it is received.

Wicomico County School Delays

Wicomico County has a 2 hour delay this morning.