With Valentine's Day coming tomorrow, Salisbury News would like to feed you a tip to make that day even more special.
Contact the WCYCC tomorrow and order your General Admission Tickets for Valentine's Day and get a $5.00 DISCOUNT off each ticket. You can click on the ad at the top right hand corner of this Blog and type in the Code Word, "Wicomico" and you'll get your instant discount.
The fight is this coming weekend Folks. Be there or be square!
Location: Super Fresh Supermarket, Coastal Highway, Lewes, DE
Date of Occurrence: Monday, February 7, 2011
Victims: Multiple victims in the Angola, Lewes, and Rehoboth Beach areas in Delaware
Defendants:
-James E. Butler, 22, Homeless
-Andrew Jugler, 21, 21000 block of B Street, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Charges:
322 total charges including Burglary 2nd Degree, Attempted Burglary 2nd Degree, Conspiracy 2nd Degree, Possession of Burglar Tools, Theft, Attempted Theft, and Criminal Mischief.
Resume:
Lewes- The Delaware State Police have arrested two men in connection with numerous burglaries that have occurred in Sussex County since December of 2010.
On Monday, February 7, 2011, detectives arrested James E. Butler, 22, and Andrew Jugler, 21, after receiving information that they were in a vehicle in the parking lot of the Super Fresh Market on Coastal Highway in Lewes. Detectives had developed the two as suspects in 59 residential burglaries and 5 thefts from automobiles that had been occurring in the Rehoboth Beach, Angola, and Lewes areas after they were advised that a 23 year old Milton man had attempted to sell a stolen firearm to one of the victim’s of these burglaries. The gun that the Milton man was attempting to sell to the victim was the same gun that had been stolen from the victim’s residence during a burglary on January 28, 2010. After further investigation, it was learned that the Milton man had purchased the gun from James Butler. Several attempts were made to locate Butler; however, he was not located until his arrest on February 7. Detectives were then able to link Butler and Jugler to the burglaries and the thefts from motor vehicles.
Both defendants were arraigned at JP Court 3. James Butler was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute for lack of $320,000.00 secured bail. Andrew Jugler was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute for lack of $338, 500 secured bail.
Salisbury, Friday night was a very dangerous evening as Police Officers from all over the Eastern Shore got the heads up on a organized fight about to happen at the Elks Lodge in Salisbury.
Our sources tell us that much of this is based on Baltimore drug dealers coming to Salisbury to regain control of "their turf". Well, Friday night put three Police Officers in the Hospital, one was punched directly in the face.
We're talking about an organized fight that was announced on Facebook and get this, it was supposed to happen again last night. I have been sitting on this information waiting to see if anything did in fact happen last night but again, sources are telling Salisbury News that the "targets"" the Baltimore groups were interested in were arrested, therefore the was no need to follow through with last nights organized fight.
You know what Folks, I'm just going to say it the way I feel it. The former Tilghman administration closed their eyes to some pretty heavy duty crime. They ignored just how serious things were getting. They denied there were any Gangs, graffiti, they controlled the Press so much that you only saw the terrorism or graffiti all over the Downtown area on Salisbury News.
Not only have citizens lives been on the line and far too many people murdered, Police Agencies had been ignored, (financially) and their lives were being risked as well. Fortunately, today, we have several police agencies willing to finally join forces and work together to combat crime. Other Bloggers sat back and joined forces with the former Tilghman administration as well as former Police Chief Webster, showing their stupidity and lack of knowledge as to what was really going on.
With Chiefy now gone, you just wouldn't believe how high morale is right now within the Eastern Shore Police Agencies across the board, let alone right inside the SPD. However, there's a LOT of work to do yet and not much money out there to get it done. Crimes are getting solved, unlike the past. Criminals are being arrested and the Police are making a difference with the slight resources they have.
However, Officers are being hurt on the job. Teasers could have been used Friday night to break up the massive organized fight. Leaders within the Police Agencies say teasers would have be the perfect tool to help break up this crowd without Officers getting into physical contact with these thugs. However, at this time they do not have teasers and three Officers went to the Hospital.
If something were to have happened Saturday night at Gully's, (as stated on Facebook) things could have been a lot worse because they discussed more serious retaliation. Fortunately it didn't happen. We were told the Police used pepper spray Friday night to break things up but in all reality here Folks, it's pretty bad when you live in an area so drug infested that dealers from Baltimore will travel all this way to take back their streets.
Yeah, we have no Gangs, no real drug problems and the Fire Department deserves 800% more money than the Police Department. We need a Mayor who knows how to manage a City. A Mayor that knows that a strong Police presence will stop all the killings and force criminals to do their business elsewhere. We need a City Council willing to support beefing up our Police Force and take back our City. The Fire Department has had their day. Its time we cut them off at the knees and fully support a stronger Police Force in Salisbury and start bringing back businesses.
I know of some homes in Salisbury that have been up for sale for more than 3 years now. I don't care what anyone out there tells you, no one wants to move to Salisbury and residents are seriously paying for former Mayor Tilghman's past decisions. As I have been taking the long drive to Elkton, MD. over the past few months, let me tell you something Folks. There is NEW construction going on EVERYWHERE along the way! I'm talking major developments and lots of them! The ONLY place truly suffering is right here in Wicomico County.
I'm not just talking residential, I'm talking about commercial building as well and lots of it too. When a home sits on the market for three years and no one is biting, you better open your eyes because those leaders who have and had been running your community played a HUGE role in this coming about. Blame the economy all you want, homes on the market for 3 years means no one wants to live here. Most of that would have to do with crime and property values dropping to next to nothing.
Last week I went into Sam's Club and a large bag of fresh oranges was $4. and some change. As each day went by the price continued to rise, to a point last night that same bag was around $9.00.
At $4.00 and some change a bag, oranges were certainly worth the luxury of buying. However, I'll not be so insulted that I'll now pay more than double in one week for ANYTHING.
A few articles below this one it talks about the price of produce doubling. Well, just how stupid are you? IF you want to gain back control of this crap once and for all, STOP BUYING THESE PRODUCTS, PERIOD!
For far too long Americans have just fallen for this crap BECAUSE THEY ARE MAINLY STUPID. I can understand gas going up and down, we can't live without it. However, an ORANGE!
Let me ask you this. If you were having a bad month in business, can you just DOUBLE your prices and start making some real money out of nowhere? No, you can't. Send a message to these companies who CANNOT ever take a financial loss, (yet we do it all the me) and STOP buying ANY produce from this point forward.
Americans need to start fighting back. We can live without tomatoes, oranges and so forth. Of course you'll never see such a message on the national news because, (of all things) they'd probably get sued! Yeah, that's America for you.
Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
By Delegate Mike McDermott
·Monday evening just prior to the session was a meeting of the Tea Party Caucus. At that meeting, Del. Mike Smigiel (R-Cecil Co.) was voted Chairman and Del. Curt Anderson (D-Baltimore City) was voted Vice Chairman. It was agreed that the caucus would have the singular focus of fiscal restraint and holding the line on taxes.
·Following the quorum call, I faced off with another chess opponent in the Senate lounge. I continue to advance in the Chess Challenge with two rounds to go.
·Tuesday morning I dropped my first bill in the “hopper”. It is HB-594 and it calls for the top tier Child Sex Offenders to be monitored by GPS tracking technology. This bill is a true game changer on how we monitor the worst of the worst.
·A couple of bills I sponsored had hearings on Tuesday: HB-103 on Farm Vehicle Weight (Environmental Matters); HB-288 Voter Proof of Identity (Ways and Means). The hearings went well, and now they will wait and see if they get a scheduled vote in the committees.
·Tuesday the Judiciary Committee held 7 bill hearings:
1.HB-132: Would allow the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services to appoint someone as “acting” Secretary in the event the Secretary was somehow not available.
2.HB-138: Would increase the penalty for the use of a cell phone by inmates in correctional facilities from a misdemeanor to a felony. It was a hard sell to the committee. Many asked about the cell phone jamming technology being made available.
3.HB-140: Would classify a particular compound as a “high explosive” and subject to permitting for sale and possession. This is the compound used by many for reactive practice targets on firing ranges. Several Fire Chiefs and State Fire Marshal’s spoke in support of the legislation as a potential homeland security threat. The compound is not linked to any nefarious issues or actions, this is seen by them as preemptive.
4.HB-149: Would require inmates at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center to pay certain fees to the county as a means of covering some of the cost of their incarceration. This included things such as medical/dental care. While some concern was raised about indigent inmates, the Warden indicated that many of these fees would be considered uncollectable and written off by the county.
5.HB-178: Would allow defendants in certain court cases to offer a “Conditional Guilty” plea preserving a right of appeal from Final Judgments. This involved several technical issues of the law and was batted around by the defense attorneys and a prosecutor who offered testimony against the need for the bill.
6.HB-189: Would place 10 synthetic cannabinoids (drugs which mimic the effects of marijuana) on the Maryland list of Controlled Dangerous Substances. There was some anecdotal evidence offered about instances where there has been abuse, but there were no documented cases offered. It was also pointed out that the DEA is preparing to place 5 of the 10 synthetics on a temporary list of controlled substances which would ban them in Maryland so long as they are banned federally. The committee members seem disposed to allow the federal government to perform due diligence in this arena and wait on their procedures.
7.HB-192: Would ban the sale of “novelty lighters” in the state. These are lighters which are packaged to resemble a caricature or appear like a child’s toy. The State Fire Marshal has expressed concern that these lighters are too attractive to children and could lead to serious situations. While no instances were offered regarding previous harm, this is seen as preemptive. This may be getting into a “nanny state” issue and it has not passed after previous attempts.
·Today there was a real stir among the Baltimore City Delegation as a couple of their members severely rebuked their Chairman, Del. Curt Anderson, for being a member of the Tea Party Caucus. They clearly told Anderson that he could not be a part of the caucus and be a leader in the Democrat Party. I suppose that holding the line on spending is simply not a value the Baltimore City Delegation shares. Del. Anderson reluctantly resigned from the Tea Party Caucus saying it was the only way he could retain his Chairmanship. This has created quite a stir in the House and caused rifts within the Democratic Caucus. From the looks of it, Del. Anderson quit the wrong Caucus.
·On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee conducted hearings of the following bills:
1.HB-134: Would allow the Department of Social Services to retain records of investigative action for a five year period even if the complaint is not sustained. Currently, the department expunges records at 120-days. There was a lot of concern raised on this bill. While testimony was offered by the agency that retaining records could serve to help folks wrongfully accused in future court actions, it was generally thought that the retention of these types of records could serve to prejudice a case worker in future cases even though the record was false or not sustained. I do not think this one is going anywhere.
2.HB-136: Would allow Temporary Protective Orders to be entered electronically by the courts. While this is a no brainer, these types of changes often require legislative change.
3.HB-169: Would create a “dangerous dog” definition statewide and provide for penalties if such a dog was involved in an incident or other attack. The committee quickly identified this as primarily a local issue where each county or municipal government already has laws in place to address these types of issues and events. It was suggested that these concerns would be better addressed at the local level and not through a statewide mandate.
4.HB-227: Would allow judges, as part of a sentence for Animal Cruelty, to prevent a convicted person from owning or otherwise possessing an animal (pet). There was concern expressed about the ability of the court to place a condition like this after any probation period expired (which is up to 5-years). It was suggested that this could be a proper sentence, but it would need to be a stand-alone law and not administered as a condition of one’s sentence.
·I attended my first hearing for HB-39 in the Ways and Means Committee. This bill will provide for Non-Profit Slots in Worcester County (they are allowed in all other counties on the shore). Del. Conway and I introduced the legislation and the committee also heard testimony from Jim Flag with the Ocean City Elks Lodge along with Sarge Garlitz with the American Legion. The committee asked a few questions and my discussions with some of the senior members indicated smooth sailing for this bill. From there, it will be up to the Senate and their first hearing on it is slated for next week.
·On Thursday afternoon, the entire Eastern Shore Delegation had the opportunity to meet with Governor O’Malley in the State House in the Governor’s Conference Room. It is a great historic room in which to meet. On one wall is a full portrait of Governor Tawes sitting in a chair. It was nice to think that a governor could come from the Eastern Shore, or at least did at one time.
The meeting was very cordial, and the governor was candid in response to the questions posed. He had a couple of staffers present to assist with any technical answers and to insure follow up was achieved. The primary focus was on the economy and quickly moved to the poultry industry. It seems that Acting Secretary Sommers with the Dept. of the Environment, and Secretary Hance with Agriculture, have made many significant changes to get the ball rolling so chicken house construction will not be hindered as it has been in the past few years. Senator Colburn, and many of the delegates indicated how pleased they were with the new secretary and how responsive he has been to problem solving for agricultural concerns and development. This is good news for our farmers and it shows how often a change of leadership can make a difference.
The governor was excited to talk about all of the progress that has been made on the shore for Broadband technology, for which we are all very pleased; but there was a lot of discussion on his declared war on septic systems on the shore. The delegation believed his statements in his State of the State Address were very problematic for the shore. Sen. Pipkin told him plainly that he was putting billions of dollars in property value at risk by creating a moratorium on new septic systems for development. We believe that the current upgrades and new technology for septic systems will eliminate the issues of nitrogen leakage that the governor wants to address without eliminating growth potential and eroding property rights on the shore. Whether or not we made any inroads with the governor on this issue remains to be seen, but he knows we will be vigilant in protecting the rights of folks on the shore.
We discussed road funding for the shore specifically Rt. 404 and Rt. 113. We realize there is no money for these roadways to be completed in a timely manner. I have been floating the idea of creating a one way toll at the Delaware line for Rt. 404 and Rt. 113 as a means of allowing these projects to move forward immediately. The dedicated toll funding would insure the projects continued until completion and not be delayed. Minus this type of funding, these roads will remain congested and unsafe for our citizens. The governor seemed agreeable and we will be having this discussion over the coming months to determine if it is feasible.
·There was concern over the recent GPS tracking of some commercial fishing vessels on the Bay by Natural Resource Police. This has been a contentious issue during the past two weeks. While protecting the fisheries is important, the idea that “big brother” is watching everything was disconcerting to some at the table. The governor explained that radar would soon be up monitoring the Bay for surface vessels which would provide all the detection necessary to monitor the fisheries, namely the oyster beds. He agreed to review the actions taken by law enforcement with Secretary Griffin.
The governor seems willing to strike a balance when it comes to applying his environmental agenda to the Eastern Shore, but we have some philosophical differences on what government should be doing verses the private sector. I could see that he is perplexed by some of the resistance his policies have received. There may be some room to move forward in areas of conservation on which we could all agree. In particular is the area of wind turbines, and these discussions will continue.
·On Friday morning, hundreds of bills received their “First Reading” on the floor of the House. The deadline for introducing legislation without going through the Rules Committee was Thursday night. While there was quite a bit introduced, it does not appear to be the same volume in play last year.
WASHINGTON – Texas congressman Ron Paul won the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference for the second straight year Saturday and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney finished second.
Paul got 30 percent, while Romney got 23 percent of those who cast votes at the conference in Washington. Paul is a hero to libertarians and has a fiercely loyal following.
Others were grouped far behind.
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels were among those in single digits.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, two high-profile Republicans who did not attend, were also in single digits.
Many potential candidates made speeches at the conference, attended by more than 11,000 conservative leaders and activists.
Get ready to pay double or even triple the price for fresh produce in the coming weeks after the worst freeze in 60 years damaged and wiped out entire crops in northern Mexico and the southwestern U.S.
The problem started less than a week ago, when our nation was focusing on the Superbowl and sheets of ice falling from Texas Stadium.
Farmers throughout northern Mexico and the Southwest experienced unprecedented crop losses. Now devastation that seemed so far away, is hitting us in the pocketbooks.
"We've had to double and triple some prices and consumers come in and it's quite a shock to them," said Rusty Peake, GM of Food4Less in Southeast Portland.
"Increase, increase, increase," said produce manager Troy Winterhalter as he watched urgent messages coming across his laptop computer. "Peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, asparagus, the entire asparagus crop was wiped out," said Winterhalter.
Roma tomatoes have more than doubled in price since Thursday and very soon they may not be available at all.
Revolution fever is returning to Tehran, where new and illegal protests are planned tomorrow as the United States charges Iran “is scared of the will of its people.”
The regime of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already blocked several opposition websites, including one named "Bahman,” the 11th month of the Persian calendar, in advance of the planned rally Monday.
Iran was the scene of massive opposition rallies nearly two years ago after Ahmadinejad won re-election in a vote that opponents charged was riddled with fraud. Leaders of the opposition remain under house arrest, and others have been taken into custody ahead of Monday’s planned rally.
The Islamic Republic has praised the Egyptian uprising as being a copy of the Islamic revolution that overthrew the Shah in 1979, but the prospect of new protests in the streets of Tehran have prompted charges of a “double standard” against the government.
Ahmadinejad as recently as last week told Egyptian anti-Mubarak protesters, "The Iranian nation is your friend and it is your right to freely choose your path. We will soon see a new Middle East materializing without America and the Zionist regime and there will be no room for world arrogance in it.”
The Obama administration, which had remained silent on Iran during the Egyptian turmoil, charged on Saturday that the Iranian regime is "scared of the will of its people.” White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, "We know that what they really are scared of is exactly what might happen.”
Iran has jammed BBC’s Persian-language television channel and has arrested several foreign journalists. "The recent arrests and effort to block international media outlets underscores the hypocrisy of the Iranian leadership," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.
An Iranian reformist website says the opposition is defying a government warning and calling on people to stage a rally in solidarity with Tunisian and Egyptian protesters.
Kaleme.com published a statement Sunday by a council of opposition groups inviting people to attend a peaceful rally on Monday.
The opposition statement also accused the government of double-standards, by voicing support for Egyptian and Tunisian protesters while refusing to issue permission for Iranian political activists to stage a peaceful demonstration.
The United States is facing "a small wave of gay Jamaicans" who have fled their homeland for fear of persecution and have been granted asylum in America, the Washington Post reports.
According to the Post, gays and lesbians have been allowed to apply for asylum in the United States since 1994, and must prove a credible fear of persecution. The federal government doesn't track how many homosexuals are granted asylum annually, but an an immigrant gay-rights group says it helped 92 gays and lesbians win asylum last year. Of those 92, nearly a third -- 28 -- were from Jamaica alone.
Republicans in the House of Representatives have taken the wraps off a plan for deep cuts in federal spending that sets up a showdown with President Barack Obama's Democrats. Prime targets of the budget slashing include the Environmental Protection Agency and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The proposal would impose immediate cuts of roughly 25 percent on the government's non-military operations, from transportation to scientific research.
Hundreds of programs across the face of government would be cut in a $61 billion package of spending cuts toughened at the last minute at the demand of tea party-backed lawmakers.
Few domestic programs were left untouched — and some were eliminated — in the measure, which is expected to reach the floor for a vote next week.
The move would cut current spending in hundreds of federal programs by about $61 billion, resulting in levels in effect in 2008.
By Republican reckoning, the new measure would reduce spending by $100 billion below Obama's request for the current fiscal year, a number they had promised to meet in the "Pledge to America," their manifesto in the 2010 campaign. The actual cuts from current rates are less because the $100 billion promise assumes Obama budget increases that were never enacted.
Republican Reps. Mike Pence and Greg Walden are spearheading an effort to ensure that the Fairness Doctrine is never revived.
Pence, of Indiana, and Walden, of Oregon, have reintroduced proposed legislation that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from requiring that broadcasters give free airtime to opposing sides on controversial issues.
Freshman Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) gave a speech to close this year's Conservative Political Action Conference that earned a more enthusiastic reaction from conservative activists than those given by most rumored 2012 presidential hopefuls over the past three days.
The first-term congressman brought the audience to its feet several times late Saturday, repudiating President Obama's social and economic policies and promising "a new dawn in America."
West took the coveted speaking slot that was rejected by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who declined to attend CPAC for the fourth straight year.
West, who represents a district that voted for President Obama in 2008 and Sen. John Kerry in 2004, will be a top Republican target next year and opened his speech by noting the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already run a radio ad in his district.
West told the crowd that despite what the "liberal media" might say about his electoral vulnerability in 2012, "standing here before each and every one of you, I don't feel so vulnerable, do I?"
West, who touted efforts by House Republicans to push for some $100 billion in spending cuts, offered a closing keynote that was chock full of red meat for the base.
West said now is the time to reform the tax code, lower taxes on business, eliminate the capital gain tax and fight for the adoption of a Constitutional balanced budget amendment.
"I say we start looking at every government agency and program that's been created in the last ten years, and let's start making some hard choices," said West, who received a loud cheer when he singled out the Environmental Protection Agency.
He said "liberal progressivism" has failed all over the world and he devoted a sizable portion of his speech to social issues, emphasizing his opposition to abortion and gay marriage.
More here
Long ago during my college years in the early '80s, I remember reading an incident in a women's magazine that made me proud to be a woman.
It seems a businesswoman was running late for her plane flight, so she was dashing through the airport toward the gate. The gate agent told her, "Better get your buns in gear, honey, the plane's about to leave" or something similarly shocking and sexist.
Immediately the businesswoman skidded to a stop and snapped, "I want that plane held up and I want to talk to your supervisor NOW!"
Though it's been 30 years, I still remember the wellspring of admiration that bubbled up inside me when reading this. Ooooh, was I impressed! Here was a strong and powerful woman who refused to put up with the sexist verbiage from this lowlife scumbag who dared to reference her posterior anatomy! I thought it was wonderful.
Of course, I didn't give a thought to the hundreds of people held up on the plane so this strong and powerful woman could chew out the lowlife scumbag's supervisor. I only thought about how impressed I was that she took control. Stayed in charge. Taught that gate agent a lesson.
For you see, I was an ardent feminist during my college years.
Of course, I now realize that the businesswoman who demanded the plane be held up for HER whim was merely epitomizing the essence of feminism: IT'S ALL ABOUT ME.
It didn't matter how many other people on that plane missed their connections or were late for critical appointments. This woman got HER way, and that's all that counted.
It's the ME mentality of feminism that bugs me. As I see it, just about everything associated with feminism is meant to promote the agenda that it's all about women: their needs, their wants, their goals, their career ambitions, and everyone else be damned. Who cares how many are inconvenienced as long as her desires are met? Who cares about her husband's needs? Who gives a rip about the needs of her children?
The needs of others – of husbands and children – are paramount to a healthy and balanced family. And yes, it's the woman who often sacrifices many years to see those needs are met, especially when children are young. But getting married and having children are voluntary actions. Presumably no one held a gun to a feminist's head and forced her to get pregnant. I'm very big on the concept that if you voluntarily take on an important commitment, you'd better be prepared to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to bring that commitment to fruition.
The reason this subject is on my mind is because I'm reading a superb book by Suzanne Venker and Phyllis Schlafly called "The Flipside of Feminism." I'm only about a quarter of the way through, but it's fabulous. It doesn't hold back any punches when pointing out the true toll feminism has inflicted on society.
Unless they are contaminated with propaganda from a feminist mother or teachers, most women instinctively understand their role and place in society. This does not preclude education or career opportunities, of course. But women know that children require care, and the best care is usually provided by mom. If you're going to have children, then you have the responsibility to raise them. Shoving babies in day care for 50 hours a week so you can continue your career uninterrupted does not constitute "raising." The moment you conceive, you have taken part in the creation of someone whose needs are more important than your own. If a woman wants to be free of the demands of children, then she should remain celibate (or get sterilized) to avoid the responsibility of motherhood.
Women can "have it all" when it comes to career and family – but just not in the ways feminists would have us believe. Endless numbers of stay-at-home moms have started cottage industries and contributed greatly to the family's finances. Other moms waited until their children were grown and gone before launching their careers.
Of course, this means putting "ME" aside for a few years, and feminists hate that. To a feminist, the ultimate in selfishness is to forego selfishness. ME is paramount. YOU are dispensable.
And career is supreme. Working at home doesn't "count." Waiting until the children are grown doesn't "count." Creating that familial center-of-the-universe (a happy, safe and loving home) doesn't "count." Only competing with men in a high-powered corporate environment is acceptable. Ultimately, nothing short of the destruction of the evil, horrible, patriarchal family unit will do.
As autocratic regimes across the Middle East have unraveled in recent days, including Friday's abdication by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, officials in Moscow are riveted – concerned that Russia could face the same fate as Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Yemen, according to a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.
As across the Middle and Northern Africa, Islamist militants have been stepping up their attacks in Russia and regional analysts say their plans are the creation of an Islamic caliphate.
To date, Islamist terrorists have launched some nine attacks in Moscow, the latest one being last month at Moscow's main Domodedovo airport.
"You may remember that nearly 12 years ago Putin began building his reputation as a tough, no-nonsense leader by promising rather crudely to pursue terrorists everywhere, catch them in airport toilets and 'waste them in the outhouse,'" said Alex Alexiev, a fellow at the U.S. think-tank Hudson Institute, referring to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Given the increased level of attacks, Alexiev said, the terrorists "seem to be telling the Russian people that Putin can talk all he wants but is incapable of protecting them."
Analysts also see an increasing number of ethnic Russians embracing Islam as a way to counter the regime.
"A large part of the people embrace Islam in order to be engaged in terrorism and to overthrow the government," said Roman Silantyev of the Russian intelligence service, or FSB. "Many of them come from Nazi organizations, with many of them leaving the Nazi organizations to join Islam. They have a simple logical goal to cause maximum damage to authorities."
The FSB officer pointed out that a similar development occurred a hundred years ago in an anti-Tsarist push in which "city guerrilla groups engaged in terrorism. Now, citizens with similar ideas believe that terrorist activities should be carried out by means of Islam which they consider to be the most reliable instrument for the armed struggle."
Alexiev said that Putin had made promises to the Russian people that he would provide security and improve the economy through increased energy prices, but the Russian prime minister indicated that it would be done under a more autocratic rule.
Alexiev pointed out that the origins of insurgency had begun in Chechnya, in which Putin had given "carte blanche" to what he referred to as a "Chechen thug," Ramzan Kadyrov, to put down the insurgency there. He said that Kadyrov has resorted to brutal methods, including torture, kidnapping and the murder of innocent relatives of the insurgents, making Chechnya virtually a lawless entity.
The U.S. Labor Department says it has $11.7 million available to help adult offenders as they get out of prison and return to "high-poverty, high-crime communities."
The grant money, authorized by the Workforce Investment Act, will be awarded through a competitive process to nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations that have a presence in poor neighborhoods.
The taxpayer funds must benefit individuals 18 or older who have been convicted as adults under state or federal law and who have "never been convicted of a sex-related offense other than prostitution," the Labor Department said.
Veterans or their spouses who meet the program’s eligibility requirements will get priority.
The Labor Department says its "employment-centered approach to reintegration" is intended to keep ex-cons out of trouble.
"The Labor Department is committed to getting all Americans back to work and to expanding opportunities for everyone who wants a job," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on Thursday. "Stable employment helps ex-offenders stay out of the legal system. Focusing on that end is the right thing to do for these individuals, and it makes sense for local communities and our economy as a whole."
The Labor Department said it expects to award 10 grants of approximately $1,170,000 each, covering a 27-month period.
The grant money is to be used for services including job training and employment preparation and mentoring. The employment component of the grant will focus on job opportunities in “in-demand occupations, including emerging ‘green’ jobs.”
