RICHMOND — Cynthia Kinser was sworn in as the Virginia Supreme Court’s first female chief justice Wednesday during a ceremony that blended regional pride, a bit of levity and solemn tributes to her predecessor, who died last week.
Justice Donald W. Lemons administered the oath to Kinser in a courtroom packed with active and retired state judges, current and former elected officials, lawyers and members of Kinser’s family from far southwest Virginia’s Lee County.
Kinser was elected by her colleagues to the post in August, and she took over on Feb. 1.
“When I first became a lawyer many years ago, I never imagined I’d be a member of this court, let alone its chief justice,” said Kinser, 59.
Her brief remarks did not focus on becoming the first woman to lead the court — perhaps because knocking down gender barriers is nothing new for Kinser. She also was Lee County’s first female commonwealth’s attorney and region’s first female U.S. magistrate judge before then-Gov. George Allen appointed her to the Supreme Court in 1997.
Other speakers, however, noted the historic event.
“It is a reflection of Virginia’s diversity,” said Senior Justice Elizabeth Lacy, who was the first woman named to the court. She said Kinser’s elevation to chief “shows justice favors no gender, no age or vocation.”
Lemons said Kinser’s swearing-in was as historic as Justice Leroy Hassell Sr.’s installation eight years ago as the state’s first black chief justice.
“It’s also a source of pride that she’s from the great southwest of our state,” Lemons said.
Lemons noted that Kinser’s home in tiny Pennington Gap is closer to six other state capitals than it is to Richmond, an 8 1/2-hour drive away. He said the closer capitals are in Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana and Georgia.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Napolitano Doesn’t Intend To Secure A Single Additional Mile Of U.S. Border— This Year Or Next
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano released a budget document on Monday that indicates that the Department of Homeland Security does not intend to put a single additional mile of the U.S. border under “effective control” in either fiscal year 2011 or 2012.
According to Napolitano's budget plan, the Border Patrol had 1,007 miles of the U.S. border under "effective control" at the end of fiscal year 2010, and DHS aims to stick with exactly that number through this year and next.
The 3311-page document released by Napolitano--"Congressional Budget Justification: FY 2012"--also says DHS does not intend to add a single additional Border Patrolmen in fiscal year 2012, after adding 859 this year. Nor, the document says, does DHS intend to deploy a single additional Border Patrol agent to either the U.S.-Mexico or U.S.-Canada border in fiscal year 2012, capping Border Patrol deployments at the two borders at this year’s level.
According to DHS budget justification released Monday, CBP currently has only 1,007 of the 8,607 miles of border it is responsible for under “effective control.”
Nonetheless, the same document says establishing “effective control” of the borders is CBP's first objective.
More
According to Napolitano's budget plan, the Border Patrol had 1,007 miles of the U.S. border under "effective control" at the end of fiscal year 2010, and DHS aims to stick with exactly that number through this year and next.
The 3311-page document released by Napolitano--"Congressional Budget Justification: FY 2012"--also says DHS does not intend to add a single additional Border Patrolmen in fiscal year 2012, after adding 859 this year. Nor, the document says, does DHS intend to deploy a single additional Border Patrol agent to either the U.S.-Mexico or U.S.-Canada border in fiscal year 2012, capping Border Patrol deployments at the two borders at this year’s level.
According to DHS budget justification released Monday, CBP currently has only 1,007 of the 8,607 miles of border it is responsible for under “effective control.”
Nonetheless, the same document says establishing “effective control” of the borders is CBP's first objective.
More
Israel: Iranian Warships In Med A 'Serious Provocation'
Israel is "closely monitoring" Iranian plans to deploy warships in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Israeli security officials told daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot Monday.
Iranian officials have announced plans to deploy warships to areas near Israel and to dock at a Syrian port for a year. Such a move would be a "serious provocation," a senior official said. There is no justification for Iran to deploy its battleships to the Mediterranean Sea, he said, and if it does so, Israel will view the move as "a change in the situation" and "Israel will know how to deal with it."
Iranian warships are now deployed in Bab el-Mandeb in the Indian Ocean, as part of international efforts to combat piracy, the paper reported. It cited Western intelligence officials who said that Iranian warships in the Red Sea could supply radical Islamic groups from Yemen with weapons.
UPI reported that earlier this month, Iran's navy chief Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told the semi-official Fars news agency that the Islamic republic intends to maintain a "powerful and permanent presence" to protect the interests of Iran in the "strategic waters north of the Indian Ocean."
An Israeli submarine passed southward through the Suez Canal in 2009, in a move that was seen as a warning to Iran. Israel currently has three submarines and is preparing for two more. According to an article in World Politics Review, the submarines "reportedly carry nuclear-tipped cruise missiles of an unidentified type."
INN
Iranian officials have announced plans to deploy warships to areas near Israel and to dock at a Syrian port for a year. Such a move would be a "serious provocation," a senior official said. There is no justification for Iran to deploy its battleships to the Mediterranean Sea, he said, and if it does so, Israel will view the move as "a change in the situation" and "Israel will know how to deal with it."
Iranian warships are now deployed in Bab el-Mandeb in the Indian Ocean, as part of international efforts to combat piracy, the paper reported. It cited Western intelligence officials who said that Iranian warships in the Red Sea could supply radical Islamic groups from Yemen with weapons.
UPI reported that earlier this month, Iran's navy chief Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari told the semi-official Fars news agency that the Islamic republic intends to maintain a "powerful and permanent presence" to protect the interests of Iran in the "strategic waters north of the Indian Ocean."
An Israeli submarine passed southward through the Suez Canal in 2009, in a move that was seen as a warning to Iran. Israel currently has three submarines and is preparing for two more. According to an article in World Politics Review, the submarines "reportedly carry nuclear-tipped cruise missiles of an unidentified type."
INN
OCPD GRIEVING AFTER LOSS OF K-9 DELON
Delon came to the Ocean City Police Department in 2005 from the Czech Republic, at which time he became the loyal and courageous partner to Pfc.
Freddie Howard. Delon spend over 1,000 devoted hours in training as the Ocean City Police Department’s only explosives K-9. Not only did he work with his Ocean City Police colleagues, but he also trained with Dover Air Force Base and the Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office. Delon conducted explosives detection work in Worcester, Wicomico and Sussex counties and his dedication to his work on patrol lead to several arrest in Ocean City.
When Delon wasn’t searching for explosives or working patrol, he often participated in functions such as the Town of Ocean City’s Bonfire on the Beach, the Mayor’s Open House, National Night Out, the Citizen’s Police Academy and multiple demonstrations for local schools, summer camps and community oriented events.
“Delon’s passing is a huge loss to the department and to the city,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “His love for his job and his commitment to his community will be remembered by many.” Delon’s hard work and loyalty to his colleagues and citizens of Ocean City will be cherished forever by the Ocean City Police Department.
Republican Fiscal Credibility Is On The Line
Mark Meckler and Jenny Beth Martin, co-founders of the Tea Party Patriots, said in a statement, "Republican credibility as fiscally responsible managers of public resources is on the line" with the issue of the debt limit.
"In a matter of weeks, Congress will vote on whether to raise the nation's debt ceiling," they wrote. "The American people are united in saying 'no,' with recent polls indicating almost 70 percent of the American people opposed to this reckless action. Once again, congressional Republicans will have the opportunity to demonstrate to the American people that they are serious about bringing fiscal responsibility to Washington. Tea Party Patriots will be watching."
The tea party leaders said their group applied immense pressure to see that Republicans lived up to their pledge to cut an initial $100 billion from the budget. They called that "a good start" and a "first step."
"Now it is time to do the right thing by not raising the debt limit," they said. "The whole nation is watching."
Shock the Washington establishment by participating in the "No More Red Ink" campaign and shut down all new plans for bailouts, "stimulus" spending and even the funding for Obamacare.
More and more House Republicans are recognizing the biggest vote they will cast this year is on the question of whether to raise the debt limit because the new majority in the lower house can, by inaction alone, force the most dramatic spending cuts in American history.
Read more
Subject Arrested For Burglary
DATE & TIME: Monday, February 14, 2011 Case # 11-0040
LOCATION: 13517 Madison Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842
CRIME: Burglary / Theft / Malicious Destruction of Property
VICTIM: Dawn McGee
ACCUSED: William Keith Freeman II, Wht/male age 25 10122 Georgetown Road, Berlin, Maryland
CHARGES: Burglary – First Degree / Third Degree, Theft $10,000 to under $100,000 and Malicious Destruction of Property Over $500.
NARRATIVE:
On Sunday, January 23, 2011, Troopers from the Maryland State Police, Berlin Barrack responded to 13517 Madison Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland for a burglary. The case was subsequently forwarded to the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.
Detectives from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit, developed a suspect, William Keith Freeman, II (26 yoa) of Berlin, MD. Freeman was found to be in possession and numerous items taken in the above mentioned Burglary. Freeman was interviewed and confessed to committing the crime.
Freeman was subsequently charged with: Burglary – First Degree / Third Degree, Theft $10,000 to under $100,000 and Malicious Destruction of Property Over $500.Held WCJ on $75,000.00 Bond
LOCATION: 13517 Madison Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842
CRIME: Burglary / Theft / Malicious Destruction of Property
VICTIM: Dawn McGee
ACCUSED: William Keith Freeman II, Wht/male age 25 10122 Georgetown Road, Berlin, Maryland
CHARGES: Burglary – First Degree / Third Degree, Theft $10,000 to under $100,000 and Malicious Destruction of Property Over $500.
NARRATIVE:
On Sunday, January 23, 2011, Troopers from the Maryland State Police, Berlin Barrack responded to 13517 Madison Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland for a burglary. The case was subsequently forwarded to the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation.
Detectives from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Ocean City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit, developed a suspect, William Keith Freeman, II (26 yoa) of Berlin, MD. Freeman was found to be in possession and numerous items taken in the above mentioned Burglary. Freeman was interviewed and confessed to committing the crime.
Freeman was subsequently charged with: Burglary – First Degree / Third Degree, Theft $10,000 to under $100,000 and Malicious Destruction of Property Over $500.Held WCJ on $75,000.00 Bond
FELON WOUNDED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RUN DOWN WORCESTER CO. DEPUTY
(BERLIN, MD) – A Delaware man is under Maryland State Police guard at a Baltimore hospital where he is being treated for wounds he sustained when he allegedly drove his truck at a Worcester County deputy sheriff after he was caught in the act of theft from a Berlin business last night.
The accused is identified as Matthew N. Collins, 28, of the 33000-block of Cowhouse Branch Road, Millsboro, Delaware. Maryland State Police have obtained an arrest warrant charging him with first degree assault, second degree assault, reckless endangerment, and theft under $1,000. This warrant will be served on him as soon as he is medically able to have an initial appearance before a court commissioner at the hospital.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office deputy is identified as Corporal Katie Edgar. Cpl. Edgar is a seven-year law enforcement veteran and has served with the sheriff’s office for about five years.
Worcester County Sheriff Reggie Mason contacted the Maryland State Police last night and requested that Homicide Unit investigators conduct the investigation into a police involved shooting. State Police Homicide Unit investigators responded and were assisted by investigators from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office. State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby responded to the scene and has been personally consulted by investigators.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly before 10:00 p.m. yesterday, Cpl. Edgar, who is a K-9 handler, responded to a 911 call for a reported burglary in progress at Venables Electric, in the 10000-block of Old Worcester Highway (Rt. 575) in Berlin. The witness reported that a vehicle had pulled to the rear of the business and a person appeared to be attempting to enter the building.
Initial information indicates that when Cpl. Edgar arrived, she got out of her patrol vehicle with her dog. Almost immediately, a Ford F-150 pickup truck drove from the rear of the building. Cpl. Edgar, who had her .45 caliber department-issued pistol drawn, attempted to stop the truck.
The truck, being driven by Collins, stopped several feet in front of the corporal. Cpl. Edgar gave repeated verbal commands to Collins to surrender.
Collins, who was alone in the truck, ignored those commands and accelerated, driving directly toward the corporal. In fear for her life, Cpl. Edgar fired her pistol at the driver.
Cpl. Edgar was able to avoid being struck by the truck. Collins drove out of the lot and turned left on Rt. 575. Cpl. Edgar pursued Collins in her patrol car. The pursuit continued onto Carey Road and then to northbound Rt. 113.
Once on Rt. 113, Collins stopped the truck and surrendered to Cpl. Edgar and two other deputies who had responded to the pursuit. The deputies saw Collins had sustained gunshot wounds and immediately provided emergency care and summoned assistance.
Collins was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter initially to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center and then on to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. At this time, his wounds are not believed to be life-threatening.
Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police and the Ocean City Police Department responded to the scenes and spent the night collecting evidence. The truck driven by Collins has been taken to the Berlin Barrack where it will be processed later today pursuant to a search warrant. Investigators can see several air conditioning units in the bed of the truck, which are believed to have been stolen from Venables Electric. One unit fell off the truck during the pursuit.
Investigators learned there had been air conditioning units located outside the rear of Venables Electric. It does not appear Collins gained entry into the building before the corporal arrived.
The investigation is continuing.
The accused is identified as Matthew N. Collins, 28, of the 33000-block of Cowhouse Branch Road, Millsboro, Delaware. Maryland State Police have obtained an arrest warrant charging him with first degree assault, second degree assault, reckless endangerment, and theft under $1,000. This warrant will be served on him as soon as he is medically able to have an initial appearance before a court commissioner at the hospital.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office deputy is identified as Corporal Katie Edgar. Cpl. Edgar is a seven-year law enforcement veteran and has served with the sheriff’s office for about five years.
Worcester County Sheriff Reggie Mason contacted the Maryland State Police last night and requested that Homicide Unit investigators conduct the investigation into a police involved shooting. State Police Homicide Unit investigators responded and were assisted by investigators from the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office. State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby responded to the scene and has been personally consulted by investigators.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly before 10:00 p.m. yesterday, Cpl. Edgar, who is a K-9 handler, responded to a 911 call for a reported burglary in progress at Venables Electric, in the 10000-block of Old Worcester Highway (Rt. 575) in Berlin. The witness reported that a vehicle had pulled to the rear of the business and a person appeared to be attempting to enter the building.
Initial information indicates that when Cpl. Edgar arrived, she got out of her patrol vehicle with her dog. Almost immediately, a Ford F-150 pickup truck drove from the rear of the building. Cpl. Edgar, who had her .45 caliber department-issued pistol drawn, attempted to stop the truck.
The truck, being driven by Collins, stopped several feet in front of the corporal. Cpl. Edgar gave repeated verbal commands to Collins to surrender.
Collins, who was alone in the truck, ignored those commands and accelerated, driving directly toward the corporal. In fear for her life, Cpl. Edgar fired her pistol at the driver.
Cpl. Edgar was able to avoid being struck by the truck. Collins drove out of the lot and turned left on Rt. 575. Cpl. Edgar pursued Collins in her patrol car. The pursuit continued onto Carey Road and then to northbound Rt. 113.
Once on Rt. 113, Collins stopped the truck and surrendered to Cpl. Edgar and two other deputies who had responded to the pursuit. The deputies saw Collins had sustained gunshot wounds and immediately provided emergency care and summoned assistance.
Collins was flown by a Maryland State Police helicopter initially to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center and then on to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. At this time, his wounds are not believed to be life-threatening.
Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police and the Ocean City Police Department responded to the scenes and spent the night collecting evidence. The truck driven by Collins has been taken to the Berlin Barrack where it will be processed later today pursuant to a search warrant. Investigators can see several air conditioning units in the bed of the truck, which are believed to have been stolen from Venables Electric. One unit fell off the truck during the pursuit.
Investigators learned there had been air conditioning units located outside the rear of Venables Electric. It does not appear Collins gained entry into the building before the corporal arrived.
The investigation is continuing.
Obama Deficit Reduction Talk: Blue Smoke And Mirrors
In his Internet video explaining President Obama's fiscal 2012 budget proposal, White House budget director Jack Lew told viewers that as of 2001, "we were running a surplus of $5.6 trillion over the next 10 years." That surplus never actually existed outside of the imaginations of Washington politicians and the green-eyeshade bureaucrats who work for them in the government. Lew's claim is a typical example of how officials mislead the public by using imagined numbers from a fiscal future that may or may not exist, depending on what is done by future politicians. American families don't base their current budgets on possible windfalls or setbacks that may or may not come eight years from now, but our government does.
So, as you pore over Obama's new budget, beware the budgeters' tricky talk. When you hear liberal journalists in the mainstream media repeat the line that Obama's new budget "reduces the deficit by $1.1 trillion over 10 years," don't believe it for a second. Obama is not actually reducing the current $1.65 trillion deficit by $1.1 trillion. Rather, Obama plans to borrow $1.1 trillion less than he would have under earlier projections. Those projections, contained on page 174 of the document the White House released Monday, assumed vast expenditures -- trillion or near-trillion-dollar deficits every year through 2021 -- so Obama is clearing a very low bar.
Here is a more accurate description of what Obama's 2012 budget plan does: It adds $8.8 trillion in new debt between today and October 2021. That number would be even larger, except that Obama's budget also raises taxes by $1.5 trillion on corporations and high-income earners, imposing higher marginal rates and new limits on charitable and mortgage deductions. In Obama's fiscal 2012 budget, no hard choices are made on the key issue of entitlements, but individuals, families and business owners will still see their taxes go up. And Obama's plan for next year actually includes more discretionary spending than last year at the height of stimulus expenditures.
Read more at the Washington Examiner
So, as you pore over Obama's new budget, beware the budgeters' tricky talk. When you hear liberal journalists in the mainstream media repeat the line that Obama's new budget "reduces the deficit by $1.1 trillion over 10 years," don't believe it for a second. Obama is not actually reducing the current $1.65 trillion deficit by $1.1 trillion. Rather, Obama plans to borrow $1.1 trillion less than he would have under earlier projections. Those projections, contained on page 174 of the document the White House released Monday, assumed vast expenditures -- trillion or near-trillion-dollar deficits every year through 2021 -- so Obama is clearing a very low bar.
Here is a more accurate description of what Obama's 2012 budget plan does: It adds $8.8 trillion in new debt between today and October 2021. That number would be even larger, except that Obama's budget also raises taxes by $1.5 trillion on corporations and high-income earners, imposing higher marginal rates and new limits on charitable and mortgage deductions. In Obama's fiscal 2012 budget, no hard choices are made on the key issue of entitlements, but individuals, families and business owners will still see their taxes go up. And Obama's plan for next year actually includes more discretionary spending than last year at the height of stimulus expenditures.
Read more at the Washington Examiner
HOW JFK WAS REALLY KILLED......CHILLING
I remember Lyndon Johnson saying on TV the day after the Kennedy assassination that the world would never know all the facts surrounding Kennedys killing for 75 years until the complete file of information would be revealed. I also remember Walter Cronkite announcing on TV, that the Nation could not handle the full truth in that Century. Well, only 47 years have passed since Kennedy’s assassination. This is hard to fake and is very chilling....... who was driving the limo? This video shows the limousine chauffeur that takes President J.F.K. and his wife, November 22nd 1963 in Dallas , Texas , shooting the gun with his left hand. This was the video that the CIA did not show to the public view. And did you ask yourself why was Jackie trying to run away towards the trunk, away from the front of the car? And why was JFKs skull wound in the front, when supposedly, Oswald was to have shot him from the back? |
Independence Card
Hey Joe!
I just learned something you probably know. Maryland independence card offers a cash option! You can use your card at an ATM! A friend of mine works at North Walmart, and told me that a lady came in, bought 6 packs of gum in separate transactions at $1.03 each transaction, and collected $100 cash back each transaction from her Independence Card!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then she used the cash to give $40 to her friend behind her for a poker game (they were very verbal), and bought a DVD player!!!!
Maryland Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Welcome to the Maryland EBT card website!
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. The Maryland EBT Card is called the Independence Card. It is like a bank debit card that holds the Food Stamp and/or Cash benefits that are deposited into your EBT account each month. Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Independence Card. You can use your Independence Card at any store or ATM, in the United States, Guam and the Virgin Islands, displaying the Quest logo.
The Independence card is a safe and easy way to get and use your benefits. It’s safe - you can’t use your card without a PIN. And it’s easy - you can use it anywhere you see the Quest® logo, and every time you use your card, you get a receipt showing the amount of benefits left in your account.
You can use your card at the grocery store to spend your benefits and some grocery stores will give you cash back with your purchase. Before you begin your shopping, make sure that the store accepts the EBT Card and you know your 4 digit PIN.
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. The Maryland EBT Card is called the Independence Card. It is like a bank debit card that holds the Food Stamp and/or Cash benefits that are deposited into your EBT account each month. Once your benefits are deposited into your account, you can begin using them with your Independence Card. You can use your Independence Card at any store or ATM, in the United States, Guam and the Virgin Islands, displaying the Quest logo.
The Independence card is a safe and easy way to get and use your benefits. It’s safe - you can’t use your card without a PIN. And it’s easy - you can use it anywhere you see the Quest® logo, and every time you use your card, you get a receipt showing the amount of benefits left in your account.
You can use your card at the grocery store to spend your benefits and some grocery stores will give you cash back with your purchase. Before you begin your shopping, make sure that the store accepts the EBT Card and you know your 4 digit PIN.
What should I know about my Cash account?
Independence Card Pamphlet HERE
If you do not use your benefit on the card, you can carry it to next month. If you are no longer eligible for benefits you can use the card as long as the money is on there!!! Can you say Disney World????
Unbelievable!
- You can buy non-grocery items with your Cash benefits, such as cleaning products, pet food, and paper products.
- Some grocery stores will let you get cash from your cash account.
- You can get your Cash benefits from any ATM displaying the Quest logo.
- You may have to pay a surcharge at the ATM.
- You will receive 3 free cash withdrawals per month. Additional cash withdrawals will cost you $.85 each.
- Ongoing monthly benefits will be available from the 2nd through the 4th day of each month depending on the first letter of your last name. See the link to Issuance Schedules.
- You can use your Independence Card even if your Cash case is closed as long as you have benefits left in your account.
- Your benefits will be removed from your account if there has not been any financial activity (such as a cash purchase) on your account in the past 90 days. You will need to contact your local Maryland Department of Social Services office to have your benefits re-issued.
- If you would like your cash benefits deposited directly into your bank account, contact your local EBT Office.
How do I use my card at the ATM?
- Insert your card into the ATM.
- Enter your PIN.
- Press the button for WITHDRAWAL.
- Press the button for CHECKING.
- Enter the dollar amount.
- If the ATM screen tells you that a surcharge will be charged and you do not want to pay it, cancel the transaction by pressing the CANCEL button and try another ATM.
- Press the button for CORRECT to go on if the amount is right, or CANCEL to stop if the amount is wrong.
If you do not use your benefit on the card, you can carry it to next month. If you are no longer eligible for benefits you can use the card as long as the money is on there!!! Can you say Disney World????
Unbelievable!
Obama Issues Government Shutdown Threat
Anatomy of a Government Shutdown
“Of course a shutdown is possible because that's what the Republicans are threatening us with on national TV, Meet the Press or one of those dandies or whatever the show was. The Republican leader was asked, and I'm paraphrasing, 'is there going to be a government shutdown?' and he wouldn't respond to the question. So, this isn't Schumer or Reid or Hoyer. Of course it's a possibility. That's what we're trying to avoid."
-- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid talking to reporters about House Speaker John Boehner
President Obama warned of stopped Social Security checks and issued a formal veto threat Tuesday to the Republican spending plan currently being debated in the House, setting the stage for a potential government shutdown next month.
Democrats in the last congress did not pass a budget at all, so the government has run on a series of stopgap spending extensions since October. The current one expires March 4.
Hometown Hero Wins Best In Show
In football, it’s the Super Bowl. In dog shows, it’s the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden.
And on Tuesday night, an underdog from Virginia took top honors.
The audience roared with delight when Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, a 5-year-old Scottish Deerhound from Warrenton, Va., was named Best In Show. She represented the hound group and beat out the top dogs from each of the other six breed categories. It was a surprise win, as those of the betting persuasion had their money on the Pekingese or fox terrier.
This is the first time a Scottish deerhound has ever won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show. Her handler, Angela Lloyd, beamed and hugged Hickory in front of the television audience. Her human owners are Sally Sweatt, Cecilia Dove and R. Scott Dove.
Public Financing Of Election Campaigns Makes Another TTry
In what has become an annual tradition, Del. Jon Cardin is sponsoring legislation to establish a fund that would finance General Assembly campaigns with public funds. The bill was applauded by citizens’ and voter rights groups appearing before the House Ways and Means Committee Tuesday. It has yet to win approval from both houses of the General Assembly. Cardin, a Baltimore County Democrat, said that he “inherited” the bill from former Del. John Adams Hurson, who retired in 2005.
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"BUDDY" HANCE SHOULD RESIGN AS MARYLAND AGRICULTURE SECRETARY!
Who does this clown think he’s kidding about his pal O’Malley’s latest attack in his war on Maryland’s farmers and landowners, the septic tank ban.
This is in an article in USA Today:
"We're still gathering information about the full impact," said Agriculture Secretary Earl "Buddy" Hance ….
"We knew that the ag(ricultural) community was certainly going to raise some issues and have some concerns. And we're just trying to put a proposal on the table and see what the response is because it's hard to anticipate the perspective of individuals," Hance said.
That informal and innocuous sounding "proposal" is actually the twin bills now pending in the General Assembly that O’Malley has introduced through members from the metro Baltimore-DC area to ban individual septic systems. His "proposal" would significantly reduce the value of farm land that is not near a municipal sewage system – in other words, most farms – as Mr. Hance certainly knows.
If they are "still gathering information about the full impact," then the bills are inappropriate for that reason, too. And if "Buddy" and "Marty" can’t anticipate the "perspective" of the ag. community about their "proposed" property rights grab, they are either complete idiots or outright liars.
Here’s the link to the full article mentioned above: http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=delmarvanow&sParam=35806121.story
This is in an article in USA Today:
"We're still gathering information about the full impact," said Agriculture Secretary Earl "Buddy" Hance ….
"We knew that the ag(ricultural) community was certainly going to raise some issues and have some concerns. And we're just trying to put a proposal on the table and see what the response is because it's hard to anticipate the perspective of individuals," Hance said.
That informal and innocuous sounding "proposal" is actually the twin bills now pending in the General Assembly that O’Malley has introduced through members from the metro Baltimore-DC area to ban individual septic systems. His "proposal" would significantly reduce the value of farm land that is not near a municipal sewage system – in other words, most farms – as Mr. Hance certainly knows.
If they are "still gathering information about the full impact," then the bills are inappropriate for that reason, too. And if "Buddy" and "Marty" can’t anticipate the "perspective" of the ag. community about their "proposed" property rights grab, they are either complete idiots or outright liars.
Here’s the link to the full article mentioned above: http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom/gci/InsidePage.aspx?cId=delmarvanow&sParam=35806121.story
WICOMICO COUNCIL DOES A DOUBLE BACK-FLIP FOR DEVELOPMENT
At yesterday’s meeting the Wicomico County Council rejected the request of the County Exec., Richard Pollitt, to increase the fees for various development review processes by the County. How ironic is that: Mr. Pollitt was Martin O’Malley’s campaign manager for Wicomico County. Has “Rick” forgotten his hero’s ad attacking Ehrlich that we heard over and over last year: “Hey, Bob, a fee is a tax.”
Hey, Rick, read our lips: NO NEW TAXES!
And the Council also voted to voice its opposition to O’Malley’s proposed ban of individual septic systems. Let’s hope that the likes of Conway and Cane, who almost always support O’Malley, hear the Council’s message loud and clear.
At long last we have a Council with enough stones to “just say NO” to the liberal agenda of Pollitt and O’Malley and their acolytes in groups like the Wicomico Environmental Trust. Let’s hope our representatives on the Council keep up their good work when it comes to that proposed new “Comprehensive Plan.”
RSC Update: Changing Congress’ Culture Of Spending
From the Chairman
Conservatives are beginning to change the culture of spending in Congress, but President Obama still hasn’t gotten the message. While Americans are looking for Washington to get out of the way, the budget the President unveiled today imposes a $1.6 trillion tax hike on families and employers over the next ten years while sending the national debt over $26 trillion – dangerous ground for our economy.
Prosperity does not spring from government’s power to tax, borrow, and spend. It is created by families and businesses working to build a better life. That’s why Republicans are working to reduce spending and put the country’s budget back on the path to balance.
This week, the House will debate and vote on H.R. 1, a bill to finish a job Democrats left undone by funding government operations through September 30, 2011. Thanks to the hard work of RSC members, the latest version of the bill saves taxpayers even more than when it was originally proposed. And since any member will be allowed to offer amendments (unheard of under former Speaker Pelosi), the final savings could be even larger still.
This week will set the tone for bigger spending fights to come. Here at the RSC, we will keep fighting to get Washington out of the way of prosperity and back on the path to a balanced budget.
God Bless,
Congressman Jim Jordan
Chairman, Republican Study Committee
Saudis Ready To Aid Bahraini Ruler; Riots In Libya, Yemen, Jordan
Despite security police efforts to dislodge them, anti-government protesters continued to occupy the main square of Manama, Bahrain Tuesday night, Feb. 15, even after its ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa made a rare television appearance to regret the two deaths and promised a full investigation.
Wednesday, first protests were reported in Libya, starting in Benghazi, where eyewitnesses report police responded to stone-throwers with water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets.
In Yemen, security forces stayed on alert after five days of disturbances by protesters demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh's removal from power although he promised not to run again when his term ends in 2013.
Wednesday saw, security forces in Jordan and the army in Syria on high alert.
Saudi Arabia is especially alarmed by the swelling protest in its small but strategic neighbor, Bahrain, site of US Fifth Fleet headquarters for the Gulf region. For the first time, Sunni Muslims joined the majority Shiite protest against the rule of the Al Khalifas who have been in power since 1971.
Debkafile discloses that shortly before dawn Wednesday, Feb. 16, the Bahraini king secretly asked the Saudis for riot dispersal gear for his security forces to break up the protests. He also asked Saudi Arabia to place its security forces on the ready in case they got out of hand.
Riyadh had already taken action out of fear that its own large Shiite minority in the eastern oil-rich regions of the kingdom catch fire from Bahrain. Tuesday, security and military forces were rushed to those regions and security stepped up at the oil facilities and ports of eastern Saudi Arabia, most of which are manned by Shiites who are close to their coreligionists over the bridge in Bahrain.
To the north, Jordan too was rocked by serious street protests, a serious menace to the throne because they are staged with increasing intensity by indigenous Bedouin tribes, the traditional backbone of the Hashemite royal house. Overnight, armed tribesmen blocked Highway No. 1, the main road into the capital Amman, demanding the restoration of lands, which they claim were stolen from them over the years by the royal family and the Jordanian government.
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Wednesday, first protests were reported in Libya, starting in Benghazi, where eyewitnesses report police responded to stone-throwers with water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets.
In Yemen, security forces stayed on alert after five days of disturbances by protesters demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh's removal from power although he promised not to run again when his term ends in 2013.
Wednesday saw, security forces in Jordan and the army in Syria on high alert.
Saudi Arabia is especially alarmed by the swelling protest in its small but strategic neighbor, Bahrain, site of US Fifth Fleet headquarters for the Gulf region. For the first time, Sunni Muslims joined the majority Shiite protest against the rule of the Al Khalifas who have been in power since 1971.
Debkafile discloses that shortly before dawn Wednesday, Feb. 16, the Bahraini king secretly asked the Saudis for riot dispersal gear for his security forces to break up the protests. He also asked Saudi Arabia to place its security forces on the ready in case they got out of hand.
Riyadh had already taken action out of fear that its own large Shiite minority in the eastern oil-rich regions of the kingdom catch fire from Bahrain. Tuesday, security and military forces were rushed to those regions and security stepped up at the oil facilities and ports of eastern Saudi Arabia, most of which are manned by Shiites who are close to their coreligionists over the bridge in Bahrain.
To the north, Jordan too was rocked by serious street protests, a serious menace to the throne because they are staged with increasing intensity by indigenous Bedouin tribes, the traditional backbone of the Hashemite royal house. Overnight, armed tribesmen blocked Highway No. 1, the main road into the capital Amman, demanding the restoration of lands, which they claim were stolen from them over the years by the royal family and the Jordanian government.
More
Taxpayer Money Promotes 'Gay' Valentine's Cards
This Valentine's Day, National Public Radio chose two curious ways to celebrate the holiday: It thanked President Obama for proposing an increase in its federal funding, then it used its taxpayer money to promote greeting cards for the homosexual lifestyle.
During yesterday's "Morning Edition" program, Selena Simmons-Duffin shared a story on air – and expanded in an online article – titled "Greeting Cards that Celebrate a Rainbow of Loves."
"It can be especially hard to find the perfect Valentine's Day card for your special someone if you're in a same-sex relationship," Simmons-Duffin writes. "That's because no major greeting card company carries a line of cards geared toward members of the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community."
More here
During yesterday's "Morning Edition" program, Selena Simmons-Duffin shared a story on air – and expanded in an online article – titled "Greeting Cards that Celebrate a Rainbow of Loves."
"It can be especially hard to find the perfect Valentine's Day card for your special someone if you're in a same-sex relationship," Simmons-Duffin writes. "That's because no major greeting card company carries a line of cards geared toward members of the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community."
More here
Dems Join GOP Criticism Of Budget
Democrats joined Republicans on Tuesday in criticizing President Obama’s budget request for doing too little to bring down the national debt.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) faulted Obama for not taking on entitlement reform, and during testimony by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Jack Lew, suggested the administration was not being serious enough about reducing the deficit.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of Conrad’s panel, said Obama should have followed through on the recommendations of his own debt commission, which in December proposed nearly $4 trillion in cuts over the next decade that included reforms to Medicare, Social Security and the tax code.
Coons said the commission “laid out the kind of strong, broad vision that we need to take on not just the deficit but the debt.”
“I think in large part, the strongest work of the commission is absent in this budget,” he said.
Harsh criticism from House Republicans continued for a second day as Lew testified before both Conrad’s committee and the House Budget panel led by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who will be writing his own budget for 2012.
Ryan said Obama had squandered a prime opportunity to deal with the country’s “crippling burden of debt.”
“Why did you duck?” Ryan asked Lew at the hearing. “Why did you not take this opportunity to lead?”
Even the Democratic chairman of Obama’s debt commission, Erskine Bowles, said the White House budget request goes “nowhere near where they will have to go to resolve our fiscal nightmare,” according to a report in The Washington Post.
The tough criticism left Obama playing defense.
At a surprise press conference on Tuesday, Obama defended his budget as a starting point.
“You guys are pretty impatient,” he told reporters.
More here
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) faulted Obama for not taking on entitlement reform, and during testimony by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Jack Lew, suggested the administration was not being serious enough about reducing the deficit.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of Conrad’s panel, said Obama should have followed through on the recommendations of his own debt commission, which in December proposed nearly $4 trillion in cuts over the next decade that included reforms to Medicare, Social Security and the tax code.
Coons said the commission “laid out the kind of strong, broad vision that we need to take on not just the deficit but the debt.”
“I think in large part, the strongest work of the commission is absent in this budget,” he said.
Harsh criticism from House Republicans continued for a second day as Lew testified before both Conrad’s committee and the House Budget panel led by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who will be writing his own budget for 2012.
Ryan said Obama had squandered a prime opportunity to deal with the country’s “crippling burden of debt.”
“Why did you duck?” Ryan asked Lew at the hearing. “Why did you not take this opportunity to lead?”
Even the Democratic chairman of Obama’s debt commission, Erskine Bowles, said the White House budget request goes “nowhere near where they will have to go to resolve our fiscal nightmare,” according to a report in The Washington Post.
The tough criticism left Obama playing defense.
At a surprise press conference on Tuesday, Obama defended his budget as a starting point.
“You guys are pretty impatient,” he told reporters.
More here
Obama, Labor Gain A Victory
Airport security screeners pushing for full union rights cleared a significant hurdle Tuesday as the Senate rejected a Republican-authored proposal that would have barred them from collective bargaining.
The move — a victory for the Obama administration and organized labor — allows Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees to proceed with an election scheduled to begin next month on whether to let a union represent them in collective-bargaining cases.
The Senate measure failed on a 47-51 vote, falling 13 votes shy of the 60 needed for passage. The proposal was an amendment to a larger Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bill that calls for updating the nation’s aging air traffic control navigation system, which is expected to have a Senate vote in the coming days.
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The move — a victory for the Obama administration and organized labor — allows Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees to proceed with an election scheduled to begin next month on whether to let a union represent them in collective-bargaining cases.
The Senate measure failed on a 47-51 vote, falling 13 votes shy of the 60 needed for passage. The proposal was an amendment to a larger Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bill that calls for updating the nation’s aging air traffic control navigation system, which is expected to have a Senate vote in the coming days.
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VOA Radio Broadcasts To China Signing Off, While Beijing Boosts Propaganda
The Obama administration will cancel shortwave radio broadcasts by Voice of America into China this year, as Beijing is expanding its propaganda operations in the United States and around the world.
Critics of the broadcasting cuts, announced Monday, said major reductions in staff and shortwave broadcasts will sharply curtail an important outlet for unfiltered news and information for large numbers of people in China, especially areas such as Tibet and western Xinjiang province, where pro-democracy forces are opposing Chinese rule.
“This is another alarming sign that America is cowering before China‘s gangster regime,” said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, California Republican and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The Chinese people are our greatest allies, and the free flow of information is our greatest weapon.”
The cuts were outlined as a cost-cutting measure in the fiscal 2012 budget report of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, VOA’s parent agency. The plan calls for shifting the focus from shortwave to digital media, such as Internet broadcasts.
The plan was announced at a recent meeting of China branch employees by VOA Director Dan Austin, who said he supports the administration plan, despite opposition within the unit.
If Congress approves the plan, all shortwave VOA radio and television broadcasts in Chinese, under way since 1942, will end on Oct. 1.
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Critics of the broadcasting cuts, announced Monday, said major reductions in staff and shortwave broadcasts will sharply curtail an important outlet for unfiltered news and information for large numbers of people in China, especially areas such as Tibet and western Xinjiang province, where pro-democracy forces are opposing Chinese rule.
“This is another alarming sign that America is cowering before China‘s gangster regime,” said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, California Republican and member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The Chinese people are our greatest allies, and the free flow of information is our greatest weapon.”
The cuts were outlined as a cost-cutting measure in the fiscal 2012 budget report of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, VOA’s parent agency. The plan calls for shifting the focus from shortwave to digital media, such as Internet broadcasts.
The plan was announced at a recent meeting of China branch employees by VOA Director Dan Austin, who said he supports the administration plan, despite opposition within the unit.
If Congress approves the plan, all shortwave VOA radio and television broadcasts in Chinese, under way since 1942, will end on Oct. 1.
More
Iranian Lawmakers Call For Opposition Leaders' Execution
In the wake of rising protests Iranian lawmakers have called for the execution of two opposition leaders for incitement, Iranian State Television reported Tuesday morning. Mehdi Karrubi and Mir Hossein Moussavi, both former presidential candidates, were denounced by Iran's parliament for calling on supporters to gather in Adazi Square in Tehran, the focal point of protests over Iran's disputed presidential elections in 2009.
Parliamentarians in Iran's plenum raised fiery chants of "death to Karrubi! Death to Moussavi!" on Tuesday.
Calls for Karrubi and Moussavi's execution come in the wake of a particularly deadly month of January in Iran, during which at least 66 people were executed. Most executions were reportedly for drug related offenses, but at least three of the executed were political prisoners, according to the United Nations.
Iran's leaders praised the revolution in Egypt, but sternly warned of a harsh reaction to any unrest at home. Despite the warnings, tens of thousands gathered on Monday, clashing with police forces who used tear gas and warred with protesters in an attempt to disperse the angry crowds -- the largest to gather since the brutally suppressed protests of 2009. Videos show protestors being chased and beaten, while dozens were detained. One protestor was shot and killed, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. Others were injured and listed in serious condition due to the shooting.
According to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency nine members of Iran's security forces were injured by protesters, who were dispersed and cleared from Tehran by nightfall. Iran's Deputy Chief of Police, Ahmad Reza Radan, characterized the protests as "illegal gatherings" asserting the gatherings were "directed from America, England, and Israel." Radan also fumed at opposition leaders saying, "The hands of sedition leaders [sic] are drenched in blood and they should answer for these actions."
Much of the information about the protests is flowing through unconventional sources as foreign journalists were denied visas and accredited journalists living in Iran were not allowed to cover the demonstrations. Internet speeds in Iran slowed to a snail's pace in what many believe is an attempt by the government to impede protest organization and stanch the flow of information out of the country. Nevertheless, protest videos showing throngs of demonstrators marching and burning posters of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were uploaded to video hosting sites on the Internet.
Due to fear of retribution witnesses are not available to authenticate the videos, but they appear to indicate unrest was not restricted to Tehran, with videos showing demonstrations in other cities, such as Ishfazan and Shiraz.
More here
Parliamentarians in Iran's plenum raised fiery chants of "death to Karrubi! Death to Moussavi!" on Tuesday.
Calls for Karrubi and Moussavi's execution come in the wake of a particularly deadly month of January in Iran, during which at least 66 people were executed. Most executions were reportedly for drug related offenses, but at least three of the executed were political prisoners, according to the United Nations.
Iran's leaders praised the revolution in Egypt, but sternly warned of a harsh reaction to any unrest at home. Despite the warnings, tens of thousands gathered on Monday, clashing with police forces who used tear gas and warred with protesters in an attempt to disperse the angry crowds -- the largest to gather since the brutally suppressed protests of 2009. Videos show protestors being chased and beaten, while dozens were detained. One protestor was shot and killed, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. Others were injured and listed in serious condition due to the shooting.
According to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency nine members of Iran's security forces were injured by protesters, who were dispersed and cleared from Tehran by nightfall. Iran's Deputy Chief of Police, Ahmad Reza Radan, characterized the protests as "illegal gatherings" asserting the gatherings were "directed from America, England, and Israel." Radan also fumed at opposition leaders saying, "The hands of sedition leaders [sic] are drenched in blood and they should answer for these actions."
Much of the information about the protests is flowing through unconventional sources as foreign journalists were denied visas and accredited journalists living in Iran were not allowed to cover the demonstrations. Internet speeds in Iran slowed to a snail's pace in what many believe is an attempt by the government to impede protest organization and stanch the flow of information out of the country. Nevertheless, protest videos showing throngs of demonstrators marching and burning posters of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were uploaded to video hosting sites on the Internet.
Due to fear of retribution witnesses are not available to authenticate the videos, but they appear to indicate unrest was not restricted to Tehran, with videos showing demonstrations in other cities, such as Ishfazan and Shiraz.
More here
Sheik: Islam Advances In Times Of Turmoil
First it was German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Then came British Prime Minister David Cameron, and now French President Nicholas Sarkozy is joining the team with his conclusion that the attempts to promote a multicultural society across Europe are a failure, and there needs to be a return to pro-Western values.
British Sheik Anjem Choudary agrees that multiculturalism is failing, but he says that society needs to turn to Islam instead of Western values, and it is during times of turmoil that Muslims advance their cause.
"The clash of civilizations is continuing and rather than hiding behind the façade of multiculturalism, it's much more healthy to come out and say, 'We have a set of values we believe are superior and that will make for some healthy discussion.' I believe Islam is superior and will never be surpassed. I believe this is a very healthy situation," Choudary said.
The concern about multiculturalism has arisen in just the past few months. It was in October when Merkel told a meeting of the Christian Democratic Party that Germany's effort to grow a multicultural nation was creating division and social strife
Then at a Munich security conference, Cameron said that "State Multiculturalism" has failed and that the British need to reassert their national identity to stop the rise of "extremism."
During a recent live television appearance, French President Sarkozy said that the French need to expect their immigrants to assimilate into French society. Agence France-Presse reported the statements from Cameron and Sarkozy were prompted by the increasing influence of Islam in Europe and in response to the turmoil in Egypt.
Read more
British Sheik Anjem Choudary agrees that multiculturalism is failing, but he says that society needs to turn to Islam instead of Western values, and it is during times of turmoil that Muslims advance their cause.
"The clash of civilizations is continuing and rather than hiding behind the façade of multiculturalism, it's much more healthy to come out and say, 'We have a set of values we believe are superior and that will make for some healthy discussion.' I believe Islam is superior and will never be surpassed. I believe this is a very healthy situation," Choudary said.
The concern about multiculturalism has arisen in just the past few months. It was in October when Merkel told a meeting of the Christian Democratic Party that Germany's effort to grow a multicultural nation was creating division and social strife
Then at a Munich security conference, Cameron said that "State Multiculturalism" has failed and that the British need to reassert their national identity to stop the rise of "extremism."
During a recent live television appearance, French President Sarkozy said that the French need to expect their immigrants to assimilate into French society. Agence France-Presse reported the statements from Cameron and Sarkozy were prompted by the increasing influence of Islam in Europe and in response to the turmoil in Egypt.
Read more
Shock Poll: 'Birthers' Rule
A new poll is shocking the political powers in Washington with indication that only 3 in 10 members of the GOP believe that Barack Obama was born in the United States
With the issue still disputed in a number of court cases and under review by nearly a dozen states considering laws that presidential candidates document their constitutional eligibility, the poll by Public Policy Polling found that only 28 percent of the Republicans surveyed believe Obama was born in the U.S. while 51 percent do not.
Another 21 percent say they are not sure.
Questions about Obama's eligibility to be president have been exacerbated by his refusal to answer questions and release ordinary background documentation and his extraordinary legal maneuvers to keep his background hidden.
The Constitution requires a president to be a "natural-born citizen," which is not the same as a "citizen."
Fritz Wenzel of Wenzel Strategies has warned, "Simply put, this question about Obama's legitimacy as president is undermining everything he does in the minds of millions of Americans."
More
With the issue still disputed in a number of court cases and under review by nearly a dozen states considering laws that presidential candidates document their constitutional eligibility, the poll by Public Policy Polling found that only 28 percent of the Republicans surveyed believe Obama was born in the U.S. while 51 percent do not.
Another 21 percent say they are not sure.
Questions about Obama's eligibility to be president have been exacerbated by his refusal to answer questions and release ordinary background documentation and his extraordinary legal maneuvers to keep his background hidden.
The Constitution requires a president to be a "natural-born citizen," which is not the same as a "citizen."
Fritz Wenzel of Wenzel Strategies has warned, "Simply put, this question about Obama's legitimacy as president is undermining everything he does in the minds of millions of Americans."
More
Violence Linked To Immigrant-Help Programs
Over the past decade, the United Nations, U.S. Department of State's Office of Refugee Resettlement and a wide range of immigrant advocates including religious organizations have been answering the desires expressed by Muslims in Somalia and bringing thousands into the United States.
The result? Violence and social conflict is on the rise where large groups have settled in Minneapolis; Seattle; Nashville; Shelbyville, Tenn.; Garden City, Kan.; Emporia, Kan.; St. Louis and Greeley, Colo.
The situations make trained observers wonder how could such situations develop. Just a year ago a 26-year-old Somali man was sought as a "person of interest" in the killings of the mother of his child and three others. And authorities just a few weeks back indicted 29 members of the Somali Outlaws, Somali Mafia and Lady Outlaws for trafficking in sex slaves in Minnesota and in Tennessee.
The problem, experts suggest, is that the societal standards in the Islam-dominated Somalia and the United States are too different to simply transplant those, even the needy, from one place to the other without someone standing in the gap and offering guidance.
After all, since Somalia gained its independence as a U.N. protectorate some 50 years ago, it has been a hotbed of violence and social chaos. With no functioning government, it is run by a network of vicious clan warlords, sea-going pirates, khat-smoking terrorists and their friends.
Critics suggest that those factors, clan rivalries, religious beliefs and social customs, have been brought directly into the U.S. along with the immigrants, and those create huge conflicts.
Documentation of violence related to the immigrant community has come from the Minneapolis, Seattle, Nashville and other areas where large number of Somalis have congregated.
Reporter Brian Mosely of the Shelbyville Times-Gazette reported:
"I found that there was just an enormous culture clash going on here. The Somalis were – according to a lot of the people I talked to here – being very, very rude, inconsiderate, very demanding. They would go into stores and haggle over prices. They would also demand to see a male salesperson, would not deal with women in stores. Their culture is totally alien to anything the residents are used to.
"We're talking about people who have not had any experience with Western civilization. They don't know the language. Things like running water are a miracle to some of these folks … you don't take people from a totally alien culture, put them into a community, and then say 'alright, you must get along,'" he said.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is the agency that recommends who is to be considered for entrance into the U.S. as a refugee, and the U.S. Department of State's Office of Refugee Resettlement works with the U.N. to determine who is granted refugee status in the U.S.
Prior to the 1990s, the U.S. determined who received refugee status – and refugees from Muslim countries were low on the list.
However, in recent years this has shifted. Now, there are high numbers of refugees from Iraq, Burma, Bhutan, Iran and Somalia. In fact, at least 40 percent of the refugees areMuslims.
President Obama has issued a determination letter to Congress that will permit an additional 80,000 refugees to come to the U.S. – mostly from Muslim countries. According to Obama, the importation of Somalis and other refugees into the U.S. is "justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest."
According to the Refugee Settlement Watch, when these Muslims arrive, they automatically are eligible for federal, state and local welfare programs for 30 days.
Federal assistance includes Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, food stamps, public housing, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Child Care and Development Fund, Low-Income Energy Assistance, Postsecondary Education loans and grants and more.
Further, Muslims and other refugees are resettled by charitable organizations, including many funded by George Soros-front groups.
Read more
The result? Violence and social conflict is on the rise where large groups have settled in Minneapolis; Seattle; Nashville; Shelbyville, Tenn.; Garden City, Kan.; Emporia, Kan.; St. Louis and Greeley, Colo.
The situations make trained observers wonder how could such situations develop. Just a year ago a 26-year-old Somali man was sought as a "person of interest" in the killings of the mother of his child and three others. And authorities just a few weeks back indicted 29 members of the Somali Outlaws, Somali Mafia and Lady Outlaws for trafficking in sex slaves in Minnesota and in Tennessee.
The problem, experts suggest, is that the societal standards in the Islam-dominated Somalia and the United States are too different to simply transplant those, even the needy, from one place to the other without someone standing in the gap and offering guidance.
After all, since Somalia gained its independence as a U.N. protectorate some 50 years ago, it has been a hotbed of violence and social chaos. With no functioning government, it is run by a network of vicious clan warlords, sea-going pirates, khat-smoking terrorists and their friends.
Critics suggest that those factors, clan rivalries, religious beliefs and social customs, have been brought directly into the U.S. along with the immigrants, and those create huge conflicts.
Documentation of violence related to the immigrant community has come from the Minneapolis, Seattle, Nashville and other areas where large number of Somalis have congregated.
Reporter Brian Mosely of the Shelbyville Times-Gazette reported:
"I found that there was just an enormous culture clash going on here. The Somalis were – according to a lot of the people I talked to here – being very, very rude, inconsiderate, very demanding. They would go into stores and haggle over prices. They would also demand to see a male salesperson, would not deal with women in stores. Their culture is totally alien to anything the residents are used to.
"We're talking about people who have not had any experience with Western civilization. They don't know the language. Things like running water are a miracle to some of these folks … you don't take people from a totally alien culture, put them into a community, and then say 'alright, you must get along,'" he said.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is the agency that recommends who is to be considered for entrance into the U.S. as a refugee, and the U.S. Department of State's Office of Refugee Resettlement works with the U.N. to determine who is granted refugee status in the U.S.
Prior to the 1990s, the U.S. determined who received refugee status – and refugees from Muslim countries were low on the list.
However, in recent years this has shifted. Now, there are high numbers of refugees from Iraq, Burma, Bhutan, Iran and Somalia. In fact, at least 40 percent of the refugees areMuslims.
President Obama has issued a determination letter to Congress that will permit an additional 80,000 refugees to come to the U.S. – mostly from Muslim countries. According to Obama, the importation of Somalis and other refugees into the U.S. is "justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest."
According to the Refugee Settlement Watch, when these Muslims arrive, they automatically are eligible for federal, state and local welfare programs for 30 days.
Federal assistance includes Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, food stamps, public housing, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Child Care and Development Fund, Low-Income Energy Assistance, Postsecondary Education loans and grants and more.
Further, Muslims and other refugees are resettled by charitable organizations, including many funded by George Soros-front groups.
Read more
"Cheap" Beef Now More Expensive Than The Better Stuff
The last few years have been tough on just about everybody and many of us have reacted by scaling back, buying generics instead of brand names, eating cheaper cuts of meat instead of the good stuff. But since so many people are demanding the less-expensive beef, the lower quality meat now costs more than the better stuff.
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Is This The Secret Recipe For Coca-Cola?
The greatest trade secret of all time — the secret recipe for Coca-Cola — has been revealed, according to This American Life and The Daily Mail. In fact, the secret behind Coke's proprietary mixture of sugar, water, caramel color and more sugar, may have actually been exposed 32 years ago, in an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
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Full-Body Scan Privacy Law Gets One Step Closer To Reality
Back in December, we wrote about the law being proposed by Senator Chuck Schumer that would make it a crime to distribute or save images taken as part of an airport security scan. That law has come one step closer to becoming a reality after being unanimously accepted as an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Bill being considered by the Senate.
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Washington, DC Safeway Store Introduces Receipt Checks
Know what American retail needs? More receipt checks. DCist reports that a Washington, D.C. Safeway store has traded uniformed security guards posted at the door for plainclothes Walmart-style greeters who politely block shoppers from exiting until their receipts are checked. There's an almost literal escape hatch, though: for now, tipsters say that there are no receipt checkers posted at the exit to the parking garage.
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The Secret Economy Behind Free Food Samples
The next time you see free food samples at the local supermarket, take a closer look at what's being served and how it's presented. You could be on the receiving end of an elaborate and expensive offering cooked up by a clever retailer — or may be getting leftovers that are about to hit their expiration date.
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New York State Guarantees Legal Assistance In Foreclosure Cases
While defendants in criminal cases are guaranteed lawyers, folks involved in foreclosure cases either have to go out of pocket for a lawyer or try to fend for themselves. Now the state of New York has become the first state to guarantee legal representation to all residents involved in foreclosures.
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Chamber Of Commerce Linked To Plot Against Bloggers, Unions
The most influential business lobby group in the United States has been linked to a scheme to deploy dirty tricks against its political opponents. Josh Harkinson reports for Mother Jones that prospective vendors for the Chamber of Commerce hatched a plan to frame and entrap critics of the Chamber.
The plan came to light last week after hackers released thousands of emails obtained from the servers of HBGary Federal, a private security company. The emails reveal Chamber law firm Hunton & Williams was looking for firms to help it execute a plot to entrap bloggers, union officials and other Chamber critics. The goal, according to Harkinson, was to manufacture evidence that all the Chamber's critics were working together to discredit the business group:
READ MOREAccording to the emails, Chamber law firm Hunton & Williams wanted to hire digital sleuths that could demonstrate that the business group's opponents had been working as a "single entity instead of a true 'grasroots' campaign." That phrase and others suggest that the Chamber's ultimate goal was to openly accuse its foes of a left-wing form of astroturfing.
America
A Russian arrives in New York City as a new immigrant to the United
States. He stops the first person he sees walking down the street and
says, "Thank you Mr. American for letting me into this country, giving
me housing, food stamps, free medical care, and a free education!"
The passerby says, "You are mistaken, I am a Mexican." The man goes on
and encounters another passerby. "Thank you for having such a beautiful
country here in America ."
The person says, "I not American, I Vietnamese."
The new arrival walks farther, and the next person he sees he stops,
shakes his hand, and says, "Thank you for wonderful America !
That person puts up his hand and says, "I am from Middle East . I am
not American."
He finally sees a nice lady and asks, "Are you an American?"
She says, "No, I am from Africa ."
Puzzled, he asks her, "Where are all the Americans?"
The African lady checks her watch and says, "Probably at work.."
States. He stops the first person he sees walking down the street and
says, "Thank you Mr. American for letting me into this country, giving
me housing, food stamps, free medical care, and a free education!"
The passerby says, "You are mistaken, I am a Mexican." The man goes on
and encounters another passerby. "Thank you for having such a beautiful
country here in America ."
The person says, "I not American, I Vietnamese."
The new arrival walks farther, and the next person he sees he stops,
shakes his hand, and says, "Thank you for wonderful America !
That person puts up his hand and says, "I am from Middle East . I am
not American."
He finally sees a nice lady and asks, "Are you an American?"
She says, "No, I am from Africa ."
Puzzled, he asks her, "Where are all the Americans?"
The African lady checks her watch and says, "Probably at work.."
Rye Bread
Two old guys, Harold and Fred, one 80 and one 87, were sitting on their usual park bench one morning.
The 87 year old had just finished his morning jog and wasn't even short of breath. The 80 year old was amazed at his friend's stamina and asked him what he did to have so much energy.
The 87 year old said, "Well, I eat rye bread every day. It keeps your energy level high and you'll have great stamina with the ladies."
So, on the way home the 80 year old stops at the bakery. As he was looking around, the lady asked if he needed any help.
He said "Do you have any Rye bread?"
She said, "Yes, there's a whole shelf of it. Would you like some?"
He said, "I want 5 loaves."
She said, "My goodness, 5 loaves ... By the time you get to the 3rd loaf, it'll be hard"
He replied, "I can't believe it, everybody knows about this stuff but me".
The 87 year old had just finished his morning jog and wasn't even short of breath. The 80 year old was amazed at his friend's stamina and asked him what he did to have so much energy.
The 87 year old said, "Well, I eat rye bread every day. It keeps your energy level high and you'll have great stamina with the ladies."
So, on the way home the 80 year old stops at the bakery. As he was looking around, the lady asked if he needed any help.
He said "Do you have any Rye bread?"
She said, "Yes, there's a whole shelf of it. Would you like some?"
He said, "I want 5 loaves."
She said, "My goodness, 5 loaves ... By the time you get to the 3rd loaf, it'll be hard"
He replied, "I can't believe it, everybody knows about this stuff but me".
Police Officer Shoots Suspect In Worcester County
Salisbury News was informed last night that there was a shooting involving a Police Officer shooting a suspect after a high speed chase. The suspect was airlifted in serious condition. WCBI called out to handle the incident.
We were also told the suspect may have been involved in a robbery that had just happened at Venables Cleaners.
I'm sure we'll hear more about this incident later today.
We were also told the suspect may have been involved in a robbery that had just happened at Venables Cleaners.
I'm sure we'll hear more about this incident later today.
Public Notice
THERE WILL BE NO BULK PICK UP OR LEAF/YARD DEBRIS PICKUP ON MONDAY
FEBRUARY 21, 2011.
THE NEXT SCHEDULED PICK UP FOR
BULK AND LEAF/YARD DEBRIS IS
FEBRUARY 28, 2011.
PLEASE CALL THE CITY SERVICE CENTER
AT 410-548-3177
TO HAVE YOUR NAME ADDED TO THE LIST
Citizens United vs. United Citizens: Building A Movement To Drive Money Out Of Politics
Friday, January 21, marked the one-year anniversary of "Citizens United," a Supreme Court case that dramatically accelerates the corruptive force of money in US politics.
When money flows in our economy, it's a fuel that helps businesses flourish and people make a living. When money flows in our political system, however, it's a cancer that infects politicians and through them our institutions of democracy. With Citizens United, the cancer is now metastasizing, and as the corruption accelerates, it generates a downward political spiral that threatens the very future of our country.
While this problem is shared by all Americans, the progressive community is frequently at the frontline fighting money's influence in public policy. As a collection of separate issues, it has struggled for relevance in broader American society, but as leaders in the fight to drive money out of politics, progressives have an opportunity to redefine themselves as restorers of American democracy.
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF INVESTMARYLAND
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will testify tomorrow before the Senate Budget and Taxation and the House Ways and Means Committees in support of SB 180 and HB 173, the InvestMaryland initiative, which seeks to create a public-private partnership to invest $100 million in Maryland’s innovative start-up companies. This initiative, the centerpiece of Governor’s O’Malley’s job creation agenda this year, has the potential to support hundreds of Maryland businesses, generate thousands of new jobs, leverage billions of dollars in local economic impact, and return more than double the initial investment.
Earlier in the day tomorrow, more than 300 Maryland legislators, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and business leaders will gather for InvestMaryland Day at the Miller Senate Office Building to rally support for the initiative as it is heard before the respective committees for the first time.
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY CONVENES FORUM ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, HEALTH
Governor continues “Maryland Forward” policy forums to shape transition into new economy, fulfills promise made to stakeholders last year
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley convened the latest in his series of “Maryland Forward” policy forums in Annapolis focused on early childhood education, development, and health. Fulfilling a commitment Governor O’Malley made before the Maryland Family network last fall, the Governor joined 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 facilitated 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.
“We are all here today because we understand that we are in a fight for our children’s future. It’s a fight to expand opportunity for our children to thrive in the new economy,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “If we’re going to make our children winners in the new economy, we need to make early childhood a priority. The choices we make in regards to early childhood are critically important to our ability to expand opportunity and make our children winners in the new economy”
Approximately 100 stakeholders took part in topic-specific workgroups at today’s forum, which was hosted by the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. Workgroup topics included early childhood programs and services, healthy families, and healthy children. Later, Governor O’Malley facilitated a two-hour discussion on the topics discussed and progress moving forward.
Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the nation, yet 22% of Maryland children still enter school unhealthy and unprepared to succeed. Indicators affecting this readiness to succeed include: health disparities, infant mortality, low birth weight, lead poisoning/exposure, poverty, homelessness, abuse and neglect, mental health concerns and psychosocial issues.
Four years ago, Governor O’Malley created the Administration’s 15 strategic goals to improve the quality of life in Maryland. The goals are broadly categorized into four key areas – skills, security, sustainability, and health – reflecting the challenges and opportunities we face as a state in the 21st Century. Three goals directly address the subject matter discussed at today’s forum:
- Improve Student Achievement and School, College and Career Readiness by 25% in MD by End 2015
- End Childhood Hunger in Maryland by 2015
- Reduce Infant Mortality in Maryland by 10% by 2012
In pursuit of these goals, the O’Malley-Brown Administration successfully fought for the President’s “Race to the Top” $250 million education grant, is in the beginning stages of implementing a longitudinal data system to track student progress, and has adopted the principles of the Complete College America initiative. In addition, all food assistance programs outlined in the strategy to end childhood hunger are providing increased levels of support to needy children in Maryland. Since 2007, 72% more children are enrolled in the Food Supplement Program and 13% more children participate in the daily school breakfast program.
The Administration continues to make progress in most phases of the infant mortality reduction plan, including: 50 women receiving ‘Quick Start’ prenatal services, the hiring of 93 Family Investment Aides trained to assist in benefit eligibility screening, and a total of 1,259 pregnant women receiving accelerated Medicaid eligibility for earlier entry into prenatal care statewide.
Prior to his inauguration for a second term, Governor O’Malley convened a series of five “Maryland Forward” forums designed to gather the input of various stakeholders, including recommendations for legislative in areas including jobs and the economy; skills and education; sustainability; children and health; and public safety and security. These day-long summits brought together stakeholders to generate concrete actions and recommendations that support the Administration’s strategic goals.
Following that series, beginning today, Governor O’Malley will convene 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.