Christy Williams found her so adoreable that she gave her a bath and is taking her home for the evening. If this is your pet, please contact Christy.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Are You Missing Me? UPDATE: Owner Located
Christy Williams found her so adoreable that she gave her a bath and is taking her home for the evening. If this is your pet, please contact Christy.
'Curveball': I Lied About Iraq WMD
Defector admits he fabricated information to try to bring down Saddam regime
LONDON — An Iraqi defector who went by the codename “Curveball” has publicly admitted for the first time that he made up stories about mobile bioweapons trucks and secret factories to try to bring down Saddam Hussein’s regime.
"I had a problem with the Saddam regime," Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, who fled Iraq in 1995, told The Guardian newspaper. "I wanted to get rid of him and now I had this chance."
The American Red Cross Lower Shore Press Release
Princess Anne House Fire 15 February 2011
The American Red Cross Lower Shore Chapter Disaster Action Team #5 responded to assist a family of 3 displaced from a house fire on Irving St, Princess Anne, MD. The Chapter’s Fire REHAB Unit assisted approximately 40 emergency workers with, food, hydration and rest area.
Deutsche Boerse, N.Y. Stock Exchange Seal Merger Deal
Tie-up between two of world’s biggest stock exchanges creates global powerhouse
NEW YORK — Germany’s Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext said Tuesday they have struck a deal to combine two of the world’s biggest stock exchanges in a global trading powerhouse.
The new company, which has yet to be named and will be incorporated in Amsterdam, will be headed by NYSE Chief Executive Duncan Niederauer, with Deutsche Boerse Chief Executive Reto Francioni taking the post of chairman, the companies said.
Scientists: FBI Overstated Anthrax Evidence
Scientists studying the FBI's investigation of the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks say the scientific evidence "is not as conclusive as stated."
READ MOREUncle Sam Wants You ... To Repay The Home Tax Credit
Payback is due for those who took advantage in '08, not in '09 or '10
Uncle Sam has a reminder for some people who took advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit three years ago: He wants his money back.
Americans who bought homes in 2008 using the government’s tax credit will be required to start repaying the credit beginning with their 2010 tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
In an odd twist, those who took advantage of a nearly identical tax credit in 2009 or 2010 will not be required to pay it back.
Under the terms of the 2008 tax credit, the credit must be paid back over a 15-year period, beginning with this year’s return.
That means anyone who took the maximum $7,500 credit will have to add $500 to their income tax liability for 15 years. If you sell your house before the 15 years are up, the entire tax credit bill will be due the year the house is sold.
The Internal Revenue Service describes the 2008 program as “like an interest-free loan.”
This may come as a shock to some people, who may have forgotten the terms of the so-called credit, which was really more of a tax deferral. The IRS said it is sending reminders.
“There will definitely be people that are going to be surprised by it,” said Sean M. Dowling, vice president of The Dowling Group in Stamford, Conn., and a certified financial planner.
For others, it paid to be late. If you bought a home in 2009 or 2010 using the same tax credit, you don’t have to pay it back, as long as you stay in your new home for at least three years.
That’s because the government changed the rules regarding the tax credit after the first year, allowing people to take the credit without any requirement that they pay it back.
Md. Senate - Largest Remaining Hurdle To Same-Sex Marriage - Likely To Approve Bill
A majority of Maryland's state senators have said publicly that they will vote to legalize same-sex marriages, greatly increasing the odds that the highest-profile social legislation being considered by the General Assembly will pass in coming weeks.
In interviews Monday, two more senators said they intended to vote for the bill, increasing the number who have made such commitments to 24 - the bare majority needed for passage in the 47-member Senate - according to an ongoing Washington Post tally.
"I think it's the fair thing to do," said Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County), who said she had gone back and forth on the bill a few times. "I just weighed all the options. I think it's fairness."
READ MORE
"I think it's the fair thing to do," said Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County), who said she had gone back and forth on the bill a few times. "I just weighed all the options. I think it's fairness."
READ MORE
Obama Defends Budget Proposal, Says Administration Making 'Tough Choices'
The president acknowledged that the proposal was the first step in a "negotiation process."
Republicans hammered the budget blueprint after it was unveiled Monday, with one leading House Republican saying it would be better to pass nothing than to pass the president's latest plan. Though the White House says it achieves $1.1 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade, Republicans warn that the government would still add trillions more to the national debt in the process.
But Obama said his administration is making "tough choices" and "significant spending cuts."
"We're not going to be running up the credit card anymore," he said. At the same time, he said his administration wants to be able to make "key investments."
"We've taken a scalpel to the discretionary budget, rather than a machete," Obama said.
Obama said his budget "puts us on a path to pay for what we spend by the middle of the decade."
Making Early Valentine's Reservations So Worth While!
However, yesterday was a whole new experience for us. I called three weeks in advance this time to make sure we had a table. We have enjoyed dining at the Market Street Inn on this special day for the past two years but last night owner Rob Mulford out did himself.
When we arrived there was no waiting, we were escorted to a very special dining area they created just for this occasion. As we walked through their traditional formal dining area we were taken all the way to the very back where they hung a curtain dividing us from the rest of the dining room. My first impression was, this is just too cool.
As we were seated there was this special feeling of, well, this guy just knows how to truly take care of his customers. Our Waitress was just unbelievable as she made sure our glasses were never empty and we never waited for the next course to arrive.
The Valentine's Day Special was a five course meal that was just to die for. I asked to have my New York Strip cooked Pittsburgh style and let me tell you, they cooked it to perfection! There are times when price just doesn't matter and yesterday was one of those times. However, to enjoy such fine food, a top shelf dining experience and a more than happy Bride enjoying being so spoiled, The Market Street Inn prices were just incredible.
Folks, if you're looking for a true fine dining experience for a special occasion, Owner Rob Mulford, (who came to visit us at our table) stated he was going to offer this setting for special occasions from here on out. I think it's a fantastic idea and if you'll take my advice and you haven't been to the Market Street Inn recently, (or ever) you just can't go wrong.
Mayor, City Council Work Together For A Business Friendly Salisbury
The new policy is a change from the current policy that requires the payment of capacity fees in a lump sum at the time that the water meter is set. The purpose of the policy is to help make business creation in Salisbury easier by allowing the payment of these fees to be spread out over a longer period of time.
The capacity fee is charged for each new connection to the City’s system and to existing customers who increase their water and/or sewer usage. The purpose of the Capacity Fee is to pay for growth and expansion projects as outlined in the City’s ten-year water and sewer Capital Improvement Plan. It is used to finance planned future improvements such as treatment plant expansions and new water storage tanks. It is also used to reimburse the City for costs of “recent improvements” as defined by the City and includes debt service on prior growth-related improvements that have not yet been retired in the water and sewer rate structure.
Developers who propose a new project that will use more than two Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU’s) as well as existing property owners who plan to increase their usage by more than two EDU’s will qualify for the payment plan. One EDU is defined as 250 gallons per day of water usage.
The payment plan enables property owners to pay up to 80 percent of the Capacity Fee over a one- to two-year period immediately following receipt of a 20 percent or two-EDU minimum down payment. The new policy was prompted by a request from Evolution Craft Brewery to pay the capacity fee for a proposed new brew pub over time. The City anticipates that Evolution Craft Brewery will be the first customer to take advantage of this payment plan. The brewery is being proposed for the former Messick’s Ice Plant on Vine Street.
Councilwoman Shanie Shields said, “I will support this ordinance. We are going in the right direction.” Mayor Ireton agreed, saying "Last evening's City Council meeting was one our residents can be proud of. We made Salisbury more business friendly, cleaning up many issues involving bond bills from this year and previous years. We had friendly amendments and a cordial atmosphere. We can be proud of our work."
See What I Mean Folks!
Retail sales up for seventh consecutive month
I guess it all depends on where you go but the MSM simply isn't looking out for your best interest. Makes me sick to my stomach and also makes me wonder, who's telling the truth. My guess is, retail sales can't be UP in this economy.Former Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson Indicted On Corruption Charges
WASHINGTON - Former Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson engaged in a wide-ranging pay-for-play scheme, accepting cash, campaign contributions and other gifts in exchange for helping developers secure millions of dollars in federal grant money, according to an indictment returned by a grand jury Monday.
Johnson, 61, was arrested in November along with his wife, Leslie Johnson, after FBI agents listened to a telephone conversation in which he advised her to flush a $100,000 check from a developer down the toilet and conceal nearly $80,000 in cash in her underwear.
MORE HERE
Johnson, 61, was arrested in November along with his wife, Leslie Johnson, after FBI agents listened to a telephone conversation in which he advised her to flush a $100,000 check from a developer down the toilet and conceal nearly $80,000 in cash in her underwear.
MORE HERE
A Message From Delegate Mike McDermott
Governor’s Press Conference on Rural Septic Ban
By Delegate Mike McDermott
2-14-11
Today, the Eastern Shore and all the rest of Maryland received a Valentine’s Day surprise delivered by Governor O’Malley and two metropolitan legislators in the form of a coming moratorium on the use of septic systems. Citing the need to make further progress on the Bay, the Governor said now was the time to get serious on the way we develop and deal with sewage treatment. The sweeping legislation being offered by Del. Lafferty and Senator Pinsky would not allow any significant development of land to occur outside of areas serviced by wastewater treatment plants. In his remarks, the governor did not shy away from the notion that this has all the potential of reducing the value of land in many areas around the state, and, in particular, the Eastern Shore.
The irony of this must not be lost in the shuffle. Here we have a Baltimore Delegate introducing legislation that will have incredible impact on rural counties. He also highlighted Worcester County as being a poster child for this type of legislation. Now while I love hearing the lower shore being touted as an example for the rest of the state, it would have been nice if the delegate had taken the time to speak with those of us on the shore who represent areas that have already taken the lead in conservation, resource, and septic management. We call that “buy in”, and it is sorely lacking from the governor’s proposal.
Planning is a key element governing growth and it should always be performed as close to the people as is possible. The reason that Worcester County has been so successful is the very reason the governor’s plan will be problematic. The county took several years to garner input from all interested citizens in Worcester County. It also involved direct feedback from every local government entity prior to being implemented. This collaborative effort brought farmers, developers, civic leaders, environmentalists, and the business community together for the overall good of the whole county. In the end, the plan reflected the goals and desires of our folks moving forward.
Good planning is best performed at the local level. Infusing more centralized power into the MD Dept. of Planning is not the answer when it comes to encouraging smart growth initiatives. In fact, several counties on the shore are already utilizing best growth practices when it comes to this issue. The same cannot be said for much of the western shore, including many metro areas such as Prince Georges County.
Following the press conference, I spoke directly with the Secretary of Planning, Richard Hall, and told him of my concerns. I further conveyed that, like many programs coming to us from the administration, there is no buy in at the legislative level with those who will inherently find themselves in opposition from the get go. This is not leadership and it is not based on the sound principles of taking time to get legislation correct before attempting passage.
I encourage all who share my concerns to stay vigilant and aware as these bills begin to make their way through the House and Senate.
Weekly Campaign Message
City Council Approves Policy Change in Capacity Fee Payments
One of the issues that has been an obstacle for businesses coming to Salisbury is the issue of capacity fees. Specifically the fact that businesses were required to pay in full and up front. It appears this issue has been resolved with the option of a payment plan.
Public Works Director Theresa Gardner recently proposed this change after listening to the business community and particularly one business owner who is bringing a brewery to Salisbury. I applaud Director Gardner, Mayor Jim Ireton and the City Council for making the change in policy that will most certainly help with economic development in Salisbury.Mayor Ireton and City Administrator John Pick also commented on the issue of updating our municipal code. Mayor Ireton requested all department heads look at the code that pertained to their department and see where we could make improvements. The comment was made that the department heads did such a thorough job that it may take some time to put everything together “in bite size chunks” as Mr. Pick put it.
It will be interesting to see what ideas and suggestions have come up in this process. It is most likely that the new City Council will address most of these over the next couple of years. I hope to be a part of that discussion.
For now, this is a good change in policy based on common sense and the willingness of City officials to listen to the business community and make a change. This is a good thing.
Muir Boda
Candidate for Salisbury City Council
http://www.boda4salisbury.com/
Iran Cracks Down On Demos, Stops Turkish President Greeting Protesters
Monday night, Feb. 14, Iranian Basij heavies were still beating up thousands of anti-regime protesters who turned out in the streets of 30 cities during the day. In Tehran, one demonstrator was shot dead and two injured.
It was the first substantial demonstration the opposition had managed to stage since their big rallies against the rigged presidential election of 2009. They did not make a stand in one place but scattered across several city squares and outside the universities. The organizers who used Facebook and Twitter to mobilize them adopted this tactic to make it harder to disperse them.
Smaller rallies, which also drew thousands, were staged in the big towns outside Tehran including Tabriz, Tazd, Ahwaz, Mashad, Shiraz and Isfahan.
They won support from an unexpected quarter: debkafile reports exclusively that Turkish President Abdallah Gul on the second day of his official visit to Tehran accepted a demonstrators' invitation to join them. He agreed, but when his guards asked Iranian security to lay on an escort for the convoy to bring Gul to the greet the crowds, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stepped in. He told the security service to prevent the Turkish president getting anywhere near the demonstrators – even if this led to a diplomatic upset with Ankara. Gul gave up the plan, but the tension between him and Ahmadinejad was palpable when they addressed a joint news conference later in the day and their appearance was cut short.
Notably, President Gul was one of the first world leaders to offer public support for the demonstrations in Egypt from the moment they began.
More predictably, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Monday expressed support for the tens of thousands of protesters in Iran's capital, saying they "deserve to have the same rights that they saw being played out in Egypt and are part of their own birthright." She spoke of the "hypocrisy" of the Iranian government that hailed the protests in Egypt but has tried to suppress opposition at home.
More here
It was the first substantial demonstration the opposition had managed to stage since their big rallies against the rigged presidential election of 2009. They did not make a stand in one place but scattered across several city squares and outside the universities. The organizers who used Facebook and Twitter to mobilize them adopted this tactic to make it harder to disperse them.
Smaller rallies, which also drew thousands, were staged in the big towns outside Tehran including Tabriz, Tazd, Ahwaz, Mashad, Shiraz and Isfahan.
They won support from an unexpected quarter: debkafile reports exclusively that Turkish President Abdallah Gul on the second day of his official visit to Tehran accepted a demonstrators' invitation to join them. He agreed, but when his guards asked Iranian security to lay on an escort for the convoy to bring Gul to the greet the crowds, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stepped in. He told the security service to prevent the Turkish president getting anywhere near the demonstrators – even if this led to a diplomatic upset with Ankara. Gul gave up the plan, but the tension between him and Ahmadinejad was palpable when they addressed a joint news conference later in the day and their appearance was cut short.
Notably, President Gul was one of the first world leaders to offer public support for the demonstrations in Egypt from the moment they began.
More predictably, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Monday expressed support for the tens of thousands of protesters in Iran's capital, saying they "deserve to have the same rights that they saw being played out in Egypt and are part of their own birthright." She spoke of the "hypocrisy" of the Iranian government that hailed the protests in Egypt but has tried to suppress opposition at home.
More here
Obama Frames Budget As Thrifty, But With 'Prudent Investments'
The White House unveiled a 2012 budget request on Monday that it framed as a way to cut spending while making responsible investments to keep U.S. businesses and workers competitive.
The proposal won immediate scorn from Republican leaders, who criticized it as unrealistic, irresponsible and reliant on gimmicks to achieve a headline deficit reduction number of $1.1 trillion over the next decade.
“This is not an ‘I got the message’ budget,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a floor speech. “It’s a patronizing plan that says to the American people that their concerns are not his concerns.”
Even before the GOP criticism, the White House had begun sending out the message that its budget proposals were more responsible than what Republicans would do to the budget.
More here
The proposal won immediate scorn from Republican leaders, who criticized it as unrealistic, irresponsible and reliant on gimmicks to achieve a headline deficit reduction number of $1.1 trillion over the next decade.
“This is not an ‘I got the message’ budget,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a floor speech. “It’s a patronizing plan that says to the American people that their concerns are not his concerns.”
Even before the GOP criticism, the White House had begun sending out the message that its budget proposals were more responsible than what Republicans would do to the budget.
More here
Arizona May Require Hospitals To Check Citizenship
Arizona lawmakers are trying to widen the state's illegal immigration crackdown with a proposal to require hospitals to confirm whether patients are in the country legally.
The proposal being heard late Monday by the Arizona Senate's judiciary committee would require hospitals to contact immigration authorities if a patient is an illegal immigrant.
More
The proposal being heard late Monday by the Arizona Senate's judiciary committee would require hospitals to contact immigration authorities if a patient is an illegal immigrant.
More
Republicans Question Why Google, Skype Were Shielded From Net Neutrality
Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are concerned that the FCC has picked "winners and losers" on the Internet by shielding companies such as Google and Skype from net-neutrality regulations.
A GOP briefing memo obtained by The Hill criticizes the agency for its choice to regulate Internet providers while leaving out Internet companies who send apps and other content over broadband lines.
"If the mere threat of Internet discrimination is such a concern, and if the FCC has done no analysis to demonstrate why one company has more market power than another, why would discrimination by companies like Google or Skype be any more acceptable than discrimination by companies like AT&T and Comcast?" the memo asks.
The memo notes that many believe the FCC took its action for political purposes. The FCC "just selectively applied the rules to broadband providers, shielding web companies," according to the memo.
"Is it any wonder that 56 percent of those polled by Rasmussen believe the FCC will use the network neutrality rules to accomplish a political agenda?"
More
A GOP briefing memo obtained by The Hill criticizes the agency for its choice to regulate Internet providers while leaving out Internet companies who send apps and other content over broadband lines.
"If the mere threat of Internet discrimination is such a concern, and if the FCC has done no analysis to demonstrate why one company has more market power than another, why would discrimination by companies like Google or Skype be any more acceptable than discrimination by companies like AT&T and Comcast?" the memo asks.
The memo notes that many believe the FCC took its action for political purposes. The FCC "just selectively applied the rules to broadband providers, shielding web companies," according to the memo.
"Is it any wonder that 56 percent of those polled by Rasmussen believe the FCC will use the network neutrality rules to accomplish a political agenda?"
More
Norquist: Obama's Budget Shows He Didn't Listen To Voters
President Barack Obama issued his budget request Monday that includes a 2011 deficit of $1.65 trillion. That just doesn’t cut it, says Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.
“Obama jumped federal spending dramatically,” Norquist writes on Politico.
The president ratchets up spending even though Americans made it clear in the voting booth that they want politicians to tighten the purse strings, Norquist says. “The American people were quite clear they want the overspending to end. Obama’s budgets continue the high level of spending and move to increase taxes to catch up with this overspending. Obama was not listening in November.”
More
“Obama jumped federal spending dramatically,” Norquist writes on Politico.
The president ratchets up spending even though Americans made it clear in the voting booth that they want politicians to tighten the purse strings, Norquist says. “The American people were quite clear they want the overspending to end. Obama’s budgets continue the high level of spending and move to increase taxes to catch up with this overspending. Obama was not listening in November.”
More
FBI: 100 Percent Chance Of WMD Attack
The probability that the U.S. will be hit with a weapons of mass destruction attack at some point is 100 percent, Dr. Vahid Majidi, the FBI’s assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, tells Newsmax.
Such an attack could be launched by foreign terrorists, lone wolves who are terrorists, or even by criminal elements, Majidi says. It would most likely employ chemical, biological, or radiological weapons rather than a nuclear device.
As it is, Majidi says, American intelligence picks up hundreds of reports each year of foreign terrorists obtaining WMD. When American forces invaded Afghanistan, they found that al-Qaida was working on what Majidi calls a “nascent” weapons of mass destruction effort involving chemical and biological weapons.
In every other case so far, the reports of foreign terrorists obtaining WMD have turned out to be unfounded. However, Majidi’s directorate within the FBI investigates more than a dozen cases in the U.S. each year where there was intent to use WMD.
For example, in 2008, the FBI arrested Roger Bergendorff, who was found to have ricin and anarchist literature. Ricin kills cells by inhibiting protein synthesis. Within several days, the liver, spleen, and kidneys of a person who inhales or ingests ricin stop working, resulting in death.
“The notion of probability of a WMD attack being low or high is a moot point because we know the probability is 100 percent,” Majidi says. “We’ve seen this in the past, and we will see it in the future. There is going to be an attack using chemical, biological or radiological material.”
Read more
Such an attack could be launched by foreign terrorists, lone wolves who are terrorists, or even by criminal elements, Majidi says. It would most likely employ chemical, biological, or radiological weapons rather than a nuclear device.
As it is, Majidi says, American intelligence picks up hundreds of reports each year of foreign terrorists obtaining WMD. When American forces invaded Afghanistan, they found that al-Qaida was working on what Majidi calls a “nascent” weapons of mass destruction effort involving chemical and biological weapons.
In every other case so far, the reports of foreign terrorists obtaining WMD have turned out to be unfounded. However, Majidi’s directorate within the FBI investigates more than a dozen cases in the U.S. each year where there was intent to use WMD.
For example, in 2008, the FBI arrested Roger Bergendorff, who was found to have ricin and anarchist literature. Ricin kills cells by inhibiting protein synthesis. Within several days, the liver, spleen, and kidneys of a person who inhales or ingests ricin stop working, resulting in death.
“The notion of probability of a WMD attack being low or high is a moot point because we know the probability is 100 percent,” Majidi says. “We’ve seen this in the past, and we will see it in the future. There is going to be an attack using chemical, biological or radiological material.”
Read more
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release
Date of Incident: 12 February 2011
Location: Lincoln Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Markena S. Townsend, 27, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 12 February 2011 at 10:56 PM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Markena Townsend after she failed to stop for a stop sign. During the stop, a WCSO drug K9 team responded and scanned the vehicle for the presence of the odor of illegal drugs, during which the K9 gave a positive alert. Based on that, the deputies searched the vehicle and located a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun concealed in a bag on the front seat.
The operator of the vehicle, Markena Townsend was arrested and a subsequent check of her criminal record revealed that she was prohibited from owning or possessing a regulated firearm.
Townsend was transported to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Townsend was detained by the Commissioner in the Detention Center in lieu of $75,000.00 bond.
Charges: Handgun in Vehicle
Handgun upon and about their person
Concealed Dangerous Weapon
Possession by a Prohibited Person
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release
Date of Incident: 12 February 2011
Location: 230 Catherine Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Anthony Patton, 29, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 12 February 2011 at 2:23AM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with officers from the Salisbury Police responded to a large disturbance at the Elks Lodge located on Catherine Street in Salisbury, MD. While the deputies were on scene their attention was drawn to a patron in the parking lot later identified as Anthony Patton, who was directing profane language at the officers and refusing to leave. Patton’s actions began hindering the deputy’s attempts at calming the situation which prompted one of the deputies on scene to attempt to place Patton under arrest. Instead of submitting to the arrest, Patton became physically combative and struck a city police officer in the face and a deputy in the mouth. Patton then became even more combative, swinging at multiple officers before he was successfully taken into custody.
Patton continued his screaming and yelled for other bystanders for assistance. Patton continued to make threats against the deputies and officers on scene and upon being placed into a patrol car began spitting blood over the interior.
Patton was eventually able to be transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Patton in the Detention Center in lieu of $75,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
Assault Second Degree
Disorderly Conduct
Malicious Destruction of Property
HB- 869
HB- 869 will allow the State to Withhold funds from Counties for Failure to Comply with Maintenance of Effort
Here we go again - Maryland Taxpayers being held hostage - again - to a run-a-way teachers union - special interest group. http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/billfile/HB0869.htm
'Boats will never float on low tide - and what they propose is to pump even more water out of the dried-up aquifer - exacerbating the problem even more.
ObamaCare Highlighted By Page Number
THE CARE BILL HB3200
THIS IS THE 2ND OFFICIAL WHO HAS OUTLINED THESE PARTS OF THE CARE BILLJudge Kithil of Marble Falls , TX - HB3200 highlighted pages most egregiousPlease read this........ especially the reference to pages 58 & 59JUDGE KITHIL wrote:** Page 50/section 152: The bill will provide insurance to all non-U.S. residents, even if they are here illegally.** Page 58 and 59: The government will have real-time access to an individual's bank account and will have the authority to make electronic fund transfers from those accounts.** Page 65/section 164: The plan will be subsidized (by the government) for all union members, union retirees and for community organizations (such as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now - ACORN).** Page 203/line 14-15: The tax imposed under this section will not be treated as a tax. (How could anybody in their right mind come up with that?)** Page 241 and 253: Doctors will all be paid the same regardless of specialty, and the government will set all doctors' fees.** Page 272. section 1145: Cancer hospital will ration care according to the patient's age.** Page 317 and 321: The government will impose a prohibition on hospital expansion; however, communities may petition for an exception.** Page 425, line 4-12: The government mandates advance-care planning consultations. Those on Social Security will be required to attend an "end-of-life planning" seminar every five years. (Death counseling..)** Page 429, line 13-25: The government will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order.HAD ENOUGH???? Judge Kithil then goes on:
"Finally, it is specifically stated that this bill will not apply to members of Congress. Members of Congress are already exempt from the Social Security system, and have a well-funded private plan that covers their retirement needs. If they were on our Social Security plan, I believe they would find a very quick 'fix' to make the plan financially sound for their future." Honorable David Kithil
Marble Falls, Texas
How To Identify A Meth Lab
As a law enforcement officer I have been approached by several people lately wanting to know how to identify a Meth Lab.
Here is a picture of four Labs. I think it's pretty obvious which one is the Meth Lab. I hope this helps.
Let me know if I can be of any further service in this matter.
President Obama To Hold News Conference
Media event expected in late morning, day after president offered new budget
WASHINGTON — A day after sending Congress a $3.73 trillion budget, President Obama will hold a news conference on Tuesday, a senior official told NBC News.
On Monday, the president offered a budget plan that holds out the prospect of eventually bringing deficits under control through spending cuts and tax increases.
But the fiscal blueprint largely ignores his own deficit commission's view that the nation is imperiled unless huge entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are slashed.
Obama called his new budget one of "tough choices and sacrifices," but most of those cuts would be held off until after the end of his first term. It was harshly criticized by Republicans, who said it was far too timid.
MDGOP Chairman Mooney On Obama’s Budget Address
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Republican Party Chairman Alex X. Mooney issued the following statement today in response to President Barack Obama’s budget address in Baltimore, Maryland:
“President Obama continues to pass the buck on our nation’s out-of-control budget deficit. The president had a unique opportunity to finally take a stand against our mounting debt and out-of-control spending but he once again failed to provide the necessary leadership to stem our financial crisis. Instead, President Obama’s budget proposal threatens more American jobs by taxing, spending and borrowing too much. By contrast, Congressional Republicans are holding the line on spending by proposing nearly $100 billion in cuts. It’s time to get serious about our nations dire financial situation and unfortunately Obama’s budget proposal misses the mark.”
REPUBLICANS VS DEMOCRATS AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY
Found this post and wanted to share cuz it answered a lot of questions I had...
by Christopher Cook
It's 2006—election time again.
As with any election year, the commentariat has begun issuing their analysis and many predictions. And, just as they do on any day whose name ends in "day," they'll soon be gracing us all with their many pearls of "conventional wisdom."
One of those many pieces of conventional wisdom—known at this point to just about all of us—is that black Americans vote for Democrats. Overwhelmingly so.
In fact, they vote in greater percentages—usually around 90%—for one political party than any other major demographic group. To have a demographic group vote so overwhelmingly for one party is rather amazing, and so I decided to look into the history of the two political parties to see if I could discover why.
One of the first things I discovered in my research is that there was a demographic group in America's past that—believe it or not—actually gave their votes to one political party in even greater percentages.
The demographic group was the same: black Americans.
The percentage was 100%.
The party that enjoyed those levels of support? The Republican Party.
Huh?
I know, I know, but wait... it gets even weirder. The Democratic Party is, today, thought of as the political champion and proponent of the interests of black Americans. But for almost all of the history of this country, the Democrats were the party of slavery, secession, Jim Crow, lynching, segregation, and opposition to nearly every piece of civil rights legislation ever passed.
And...
The Republicans were the party of abolition and emancipation. They opposed segregation, lynching, and Jim Crow. And they were the sole authors of nearly every civil rights legislation and amendment passed in the United States!
No, I am not smoking anything.
And cling tightly to your caps, because there's more. The Democrats were the creators of the Ku Klux Klan, which they founded with the expressed purpose of using violence to purge Republicans from Southern politics. Essentially, the KKK began its existence as the terrorist wing of the Democratic Party.
Now let's all just take a deep breath—I am NOT making this stuff up.
At this point in my study, I had more questions than I did answers, so I decided to be a bit more systematic. Whether we be Democrats, Republicans, or something else, we should all share a devotion to what is historically true. And so, I have put together a little timeline on this subject. These things may not be widely discussed, taught, or known today, but they are historical facts that are not generally in dispute. Personally, I found them quite surprising, and I think you might too.
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by Christopher Cook
It's 2006—election time again.
As with any election year, the commentariat has begun issuing their analysis and many predictions. And, just as they do on any day whose name ends in "day," they'll soon be gracing us all with their many pearls of "conventional wisdom."
One of those many pieces of conventional wisdom—known at this point to just about all of us—is that black Americans vote for Democrats. Overwhelmingly so.
In fact, they vote in greater percentages—usually around 90%—for one political party than any other major demographic group. To have a demographic group vote so overwhelmingly for one party is rather amazing, and so I decided to look into the history of the two political parties to see if I could discover why.
One of the first things I discovered in my research is that there was a demographic group in America's past that—believe it or not—actually gave their votes to one political party in even greater percentages.
The demographic group was the same: black Americans.
The percentage was 100%.
The party that enjoyed those levels of support? The Republican Party.
Huh?
I know, I know, but wait... it gets even weirder. The Democratic Party is, today, thought of as the political champion and proponent of the interests of black Americans. But for almost all of the history of this country, the Democrats were the party of slavery, secession, Jim Crow, lynching, segregation, and opposition to nearly every piece of civil rights legislation ever passed.
And...
The Republicans were the party of abolition and emancipation. They opposed segregation, lynching, and Jim Crow. And they were the sole authors of nearly every civil rights legislation and amendment passed in the United States!
No, I am not smoking anything.
And cling tightly to your caps, because there's more. The Democrats were the creators of the Ku Klux Klan, which they founded with the expressed purpose of using violence to purge Republicans from Southern politics. Essentially, the KKK began its existence as the terrorist wing of the Democratic Party.
Now let's all just take a deep breath—I am NOT making this stuff up.
At this point in my study, I had more questions than I did answers, so I decided to be a bit more systematic. Whether we be Democrats, Republicans, or something else, we should all share a devotion to what is historically true. And so, I have put together a little timeline on this subject. These things may not be widely discussed, taught, or known today, but they are historical facts that are not generally in dispute. Personally, I found them quite surprising, and I think you might too.
READ MORE
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO CONTINUE “MARYLAND FORWARD” SERIES WITH FORUM ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION TOMORROW
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will join leaders and stakeholders in childhood development, health, and early childhood education for an important discussion on our shared progress in these areas and the ongoing need to protect these investments. The Governor will facilitate a discussion with attendees on how progress in the area of early childhood education and health impacts our ability to be a winner in the new economy.
Following the State of the State address, Governor O’Malley announced a series of “Maryland Forward” local policy forums to advance many of those initiatives, serving as a continuation of the “Maryland Forward” forum series before the 2011 Inauguration. Tomorrow’s forum will begin a series of smaller groups of local stakeholders throughout the 2011 legislative session focused on specific policy areas that will help Maryland be a winner in the new economy, protect our neighborhoods, and create jobs.
Governor O’Malley’s focus on the new economy and Maryland’s future generations this week will also include testimony before House and Senate Committees in support of InvestMaryland, a meeting with Maryland’s Congressional delegation to discuss federal partnerships, and an open discussion with Maryland students at the 2011 Maryland Youth Inaugural.
When Fall Isn't Enough - Wicomico County Introduces Spring Youth Soccer League
Registration is now open for the Spring Soccer Team Entry League
(Salisbury, MD) Wicomico County is introducing a Team Entry, Spring Soccer League this spring. The league is open to both girls and boys ages 5 to 16 years of age. The league will be broken into six age divisions ranging from Under 6 to Under 17. Games will be played once a week on Sunday afternoons at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex beginning May 1, 2011.
This is a team entry league only, so coaches and parents are encouraged to put a team together and enter them into the league. The team entry fee is $295 which includes an end of the season tournament. There is no individual player participation fee. All divisions will play an 8 v 8 format. Coach/team packets and registration information can be picked up at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office and the registration deadline is April 15th.
For more information contact program director Kelly Rados at 410-548-4900 ext. 108 or email krados@wicomicocounty.org. If you would like to learn about other upcoming programs offered by Wicomico County Recreation, Parks and Tourism sign up for email alerts at https://netmail.wicomicocounty.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.wicomicorecandparks.org/.
No Electronic Cigarettes Allowed On Flights, Rules The DOT
Looks like cigarette smokers will have to keep furiously chewing nicotine gum on U.S. flights, as the Department of Transportation has said "nope, not gonna do it," to allowing smokeless electronic cigarettes on airplanes.
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10 Meals You Can Make In A Coffeemaker
As this winter has taught us, the snowpocalypse can hit at any moment, potentially leaving you snowed in at the office, stranded in a coffee break room without access to vital food heating appliances. But armed with a coffee maker, you can make several different delicious dishes to keep you going until help arrives, or at least make being attacked by the snow zombies less painful. Because nothing sucks more than getting mauled by a snow zombie on an empty stomach. Of course, ramen is a no-brainer and so are rice and soft-boiled eggs, but how about lemon pepper chicken?
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Walmart Employees Fired For Stopping Armed Robber
When a suspected shoplifter pulled a gun on employees at a Walmart in Utah last month, the staffers say they were left with no choice but to disarm the man, which they managed to do without anyone getting shot. Unfortunately for them, Walmart says it had no choice but to let these employees go.
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How To Treat Your Customers Like Human Beings
We usually prefer to help you find out how to be a better consumer, get better service from companies and avoid the myriad traps that dot the shopping landscape. Sometimes, though, it's not a bad idea to tell companies what they need to do to keep you coming back, which is what Chris Morran did in a guest column published today in AdAge. Our first tip: Stop being such a jerk.
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Commission Recommends Transportation Fund Lockdown, Increasing Revenues By $800M
The best way to improve Maryland’s transportation system is to lock down the transportation trust fund, and start raising $800 million per year in new funds to maintain infrastructure, a state transportation committee is recommending to the governor and General Assembly. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding put the final touches on its report Monday.
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Eastern Shore Legislators Mount Opposition To Septic Tank Restrictions
As far as some rural lawmakers are concerned, the proposed new limits on septic systems for homebuilding backed by Gov. Martin O’Malley and environmentalists are part of a “war on rural Maryland,” as a new website describes it. “This is about a power grab, this is not about the environment,” said Senate Republican Whip E.J. Pipkin, from the four Upper Shore Counties, who launched the fledgling website with Del. Michael Smigiel, R-Upper Shore.
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Md. Gay Marriage Supporters Close In Senate Vote
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Same-sex marriage supporters in Maryland are one vote shy of securing approval in the state senate.
Two Democratic senators said Monday they would vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, bringing to 23 the number of senators who have pledged their support on the measure. The measure needs 24 votes to pass the Senate.
Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, D-Baltimore County and Sen. Edward Kasemeyer, D-Baltimore County, said Monday evening they would vote in favor the bill. Sen. Joan Carter Conway, D-Baltimore, who has told The Baltimore Sun she would vote in favor of the bill if it received the support of 23 senators, said Monday she was undecided on the measure.
Source
Two Democratic senators said Monday they would vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, bringing to 23 the number of senators who have pledged their support on the measure. The measure needs 24 votes to pass the Senate.
Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, D-Baltimore County and Sen. Edward Kasemeyer, D-Baltimore County, said Monday evening they would vote in favor the bill. Sen. Joan Carter Conway, D-Baltimore, who has told The Baltimore Sun she would vote in favor of the bill if it received the support of 23 senators, said Monday she was undecided on the measure.
Source
US Government To Defend Tactics In WikiLeaks Probe
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) -- Government lawyers will be in court Tuesday to defend some of their tactics in a criminal investigation of leaks of secret documents by the WikiLeaks website.
Lawyers for three people associated with WikiLeaks -- including a member of Iceland's parliament -- are fighting a judge's order demanding information about their Twitter accounts.
MORE HERE
Lawyers for three people associated with WikiLeaks -- including a member of Iceland's parliament -- are fighting a judge's order demanding information about their Twitter accounts.
MORE HERE
Death Penalty Moratorium Leaves Survivors, Convicts In Limbo
Capital punishment opponents see momentum for repeal
The first time John Booth-El was sentenced to die, Phyllis Bricker drove to the Northwest Baltimore home where he had tied up and fatally stabbed her parents. She looked at an empty window, she said, "as if to say, It's all over. We got you justice."More than a quarter-century later, Booth-El is one of the longest-serving men on Maryland's small death row, and Bricker has grown weary of her battles, first with the court system and more recently with the state government.
"There has been no closure, no justice," she said, her voice rising as she jabs the notepad in which she has tracked court and legislative hearings over the years.
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Governor Presses Septic Development Curb
O'Malley says ban on major new rural development would help bay, save farmland
Staking out one of his legislative priorities in this year's General Assembly, Gov. Martin O'Malley argued Monday that rural development using septic systems needs to be curtailed to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay and to preserve the state's remaining farmland from suburban sprawl.O'Malley joined with environmental activists and green-leaning lawmakers to defend the bill he has introduced, which would ban any new major housing projects on septic. It also would require less-polluting but more costly septic systems on smaller housing developments or individual homes not affected by the ban.
The governor said he wanted to end a "proliferation" of new housing on septic systems, which allow up to 10 times as much water-fouling nitrogen to leach into streams per household as do homes hooked up to public sewage treatment plants. Though septics are responsible for just 8 percent of the nitrogen harming the Chesapeake Bay now, officials say that share could grow by a third if unchecked.
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Teacher Buyouts Cause Backlash In City
Parents, experts say district could lose strongest teachers
Parents of Baltimore City students expressed concern Monday about the district's plan to buy out up to 750 of its most experienced teachers to mitigate budget shortfalls, saying that the school system could lose valuable expertise and classroom experience."I'm a little angry about it because there was no mention about how the educators taking the buyout is going to affect the students," said T.Y. Powell, parent of a sophomore at Polytechnic Institute. "I understand that they are making a business decision, but city school students have suffered long enough because of strictly business decisions."
In addition, experts in teacher quality say the district is using a costly strategy that could push out Baltimore's strongest teachers.
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Real Estate Sales Up Almost 30 Percent
Agents cautiously optimistic about market in 2011
The county housing market started 2011 in promising fashion after spending much of the previous year in a lull, according to a new economic report.
County home sales rose 29.6 percent in January over the same month a year earlier, rising from 233 in 2010 to 302 last month, according to numbers released this week by the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems listing service.
Area real estate watchers said that number, combined with a similar rise in sales waiting for settlement , might indicate a revival in a dreary sector of the local economy.
"The increase is a positive sign that the housing market is improving," said Bob McWilliams, an agent at Champion Realty in Annapolis. "Generally everything is improving - consumer confidence, interest rates are starting to move up a little."
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County home sales rose 29.6 percent in January over the same month a year earlier, rising from 233 in 2010 to 302 last month, according to numbers released this week by the Metropolitan Regional Information Systems listing service.
Area real estate watchers said that number, combined with a similar rise in sales waiting for settlement , might indicate a revival in a dreary sector of the local economy.
"The increase is a positive sign that the housing market is improving," said Bob McWilliams, an agent at Champion Realty in Annapolis. "Generally everything is improving - consumer confidence, interest rates are starting to move up a little."
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Show The Ones You Love How Much You Care With Your ID
DMV Unveils New Next of Kin Registry That Goes Live Today
Dover -- When most people think of Valentine's Day, they have visions of roses or boxes of chocolate. However, the Delaware Department of Transportation's (DelDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is giving residents the opportunity to show their loved ones how much they care by making sure that they are contacted in the event of an emergency. The new Next of Kin Registry being launched today is the latest tool that emergency officials will be able to utilize in emergency situations to contact a victim's loved ones when every minute counts.
Delaware's Next of Kin Registry mirrors a similar program created by the state of Ohio and now becomes only the second in the nation. The program is aimed at providing another level of customer service to residents, while also giving them and their loved ones piece of mind. Participation in the program is voluntary and free of charge to anyone with a state-issued ID or driver's license, and the information that is given during registration is only available to law enforcement officials, unless it is deemed necessary to be shared with other emergency personnel.
"By offering the Next of Kin Registry, DelDOT and DMV are forming an important and necessary partnership with members of law enforcement and emergency officials," said Transportation Secretary Carolann Wicks. "Through this partnership, officials will be able to retrieve vital contact information in a fast and effective manner to safeguard our state and those who call it home."
"Any tool that allows the Delaware law enforcement community to better respond to the needs and concerns of victims and their families is something that we welcome and support," said Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro.
The way that the registry is designed to allow those who sign up to provide two different emergency contacts, a primary and a secondary. The information that you provide for each of them is their name, address, and up to three telephone numbers. Signing up for the program is fast, easy, and convenient with three different ways that will fit anyone's schedule:
- Online - Go online to dmv.de.gov where you will be prompted to create a MyDMV online account, which will enable you to manage your information in the database and take advantage of the other online services that will be offered in the future.
- In-Person - Sign up at any of our four DMV branch offices.
- By Mail - Download a form from dmv.de.gov or pick one up at any of our four DMV branch offices, and mail it in to the address on the form.
The creation of the Next of Kin Registry has been a multi-agency effort with DelDOT, DMV, the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DelJIS), the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Delaware State Police, and the Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) all working together to get the registry into operation. The Delaware Department of State's Government Information Center (GIC) played an integral role in the project by fully funding the $50,000 cost to create and implement the program.
For more information or to sign up for the Next of Kin Registry, please visit citizen.dmv.de.gov/mydmv.ejs?command=MyDMVHome and click on "Next of Kin/Emergency Contact Enrollment" or call 302-760-2080.
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