Found Dog In Steeple Chase ***UPDATE***

Thank you! The dogs owners are on their way to get him now!

Joe, this dog was found this afternoon in Steeple Chase development in Salisbury. If this dog is yours or if you know who this dog belongs to, please contact Jerry @ Thank you!

Newt Talks Of Impeachment

In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV Friday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said President Barack Obama’s decision not to fully enforce the Defense of Marriage law has sparked a constitutional crisis as he has directly violated his constitutional duties by arbitrarily suspending a law.

Gingrich for the first time raised the specter of Obama’s removal from office, noting that, if a “President Sarah Palin” had taken a similar action, there would have been immediate calls for her impeachment.

Obama Attorney General Eric Holder said on Wednesday that the administration will not defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act in the courts, which has banned recognition of same-sex marriage for 15 years. President Clinton signed the act into law in 1996.

Obama’s decision to forego a legal defense of the law has caused a firestorm of anger from conservative groups.

Gingrich slammed Obama for his decision, telling Newsmax that he is not a “one-person Supreme Court” and his decision sets a “very dangerous precedent” that must not be allowed to stand.

Read more at Newsmax

Update On House Bill 1107 At A Local Level

On a local level, Salisbury News has come to learn that the plan at the moment is for County Executive Rick Pollitt and the County Council to sign a letter of opposition to the legislation and send it to our delegation in Annapolis.

Hebron Residents Want An Alleged Local Drug Dealer To Know, YOU"VE BEEN BLOGGED

"Dear Neighborhood Drug Dealer"

(400 N. Main Street)

Please find a new location.

Sincerely,

The Entire Town of HEBRON

Jack Russel Found In Delmar ***UPDATE***

Well, now its my turn to reach out to the public and share the image above. This very friendly Jack Russel showed up at the Albero Ranch just moments ago. After a few phone calls we were able to learn the owner lives in White Tail Road in Delmar but weren't able to reach them by phone.

If this is your pet, he's safe and sound just waiting for you to come pick him up. Give me a call at 410-430-5349.

Tips Lead To Arrest In Ocean City Pharmacy Burglary

Crime Stoppers and RxPatrol would like to thank all of the news organizations who helped in the apprehension of suspect William Freeman in connection with a burglary that occurred on January 3 at Bailey’s Pharmacy in Ocean City.

Thanks to your help, along with anonymous tips from the public in response to the reward offer, this criminal is off the streets.

For additional details, please call Jessica Waters with the Ocean City Police Department at (410) 723-6665.

Have a nice weekend,

Shannon

Floating Through Winter

Who says Winter isn't beautiful? Here are some beautiful scenes I shot from the ground and air in Delmarva. Most of the areas are in Wicomico County, specifically Wetipquin.

Crime Solvers Site Updated

Help Crime Solvers find these suspects. GO HERE

Port Penn Man Arrested For The Rape Of An Eight Year Old

Location:  100 block of S. Congress Street, Port Penn, DE

 

Date of Occurrences:  Unknown at this time. The incident was reported on Wednesday, February 23, 2011.

 

Victim: 

 

-8 year old Port Penn, DE female

 

Defendant: Joshua Jones, 23, Port Penn, DE

 

Charges:

 

-Rape 1^st Degree

-Unlawful Sexual Contact 1^st Degree

 

Resume:  

Port Penn- Delaware State Police Major Crimes detectives have arrested a 23 year old Port Penn man for the rape of an eight year old female after videos of him were discovered by the victim’s mother.

 

The investigation into this incident began on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 as troopers were called to respond to a residence in the 100 block of S. Congress Street in Port Penn. Upon their arrival the troopers were contacted by a 28 year old female resident who advised them that she had discovered two videos on a desk top computer in the residence that depicted her 8 year old daughter performing sexual acts on her 23 year old boyfriend, Joshua Jones.  Troopers were advised that when the mother confronted Jones about the videos, he fled the residence. Troopers searched the area for Jones, however; they could not locate him. The case when then turned over to detectives from the Major Crimes Unit located at Troop 2. After further investigation, detectives obtained a warrant charging Jones with one count each of Rape 1^st Degree and Unlawful Sexual Contact 1^st Degree.

 

On Thursday, February 24, troopers were called to the area of US Rt. 13 at Drawyer’s Creek, north of Odessa, for the report of a suspicious person. Upon their arrival, they came into contact with Joshua Jones and took him into contact without incident. He was then transported to the Wilmington Hospital for an evaluation. After his release he was arraigned by JP Court 2 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institute for lack of $55,000 secured bail.

The American Red Cross Lower Shore Press Release

Poplar Hill Ave, Salisbury, MD

House Fire 25 February 2011

The American Red Cross Lower Shore Chapter Disaster Action Team #4 responded to assist a family of 3 displaced by a house fire on Poplar Hill Ave, Salisbury, MD early this morning.

HB1107 PART I

This country and our State is in the midst of a depression.  Unemployment is at an all-time high and government is still trying to get larger by increasing their size and spending.  Spending money they don’t have and will never be able to pay back.  Maryland is already trying to balance their budget by pass the cost of their programs down to the counties, but they still retain the control by dictating how the programs are to be enforced.    The proposed bill HB1107 titled Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2011 is just another example of the same kind of liberal control that will further increase the debit.   One might ask how does this increase the debt.  It’s simple,  by directing that all major subdivision must have public facilities drives the cost of development up making it impossible for a property owner to do their own development.  So it either shifts the burden to local towns who already cannot afford to pay their own budgets, which in turn will raise taxes in order to take on the new responsibilities.  Or if that doesn’t happen and someone has a large property that is currently permitted to develop a major subdivision, can no longer afford to do that development.  Therefore they must sell their property to a large development company, which is almost always located out of the jurisdiction where the development will take place.  They move in with their deep pockets, do the development, sell the lots, and when it’s over go back where they came from and take all their profits with them leaving local jurisdictions holding the bag.  So how do they handle all this, increase their size, hire new employees, and yes raise taxes.  This way it also decreases the value of the property to the owner of the property because when a development company purchases the land they need to pay less in order to meet the overall development cost if they are going to make a profit, and they will make a profit, and they will make a profit or they wouldn’t be in the business.  The fact is that right now there is no development going on because even those developers know that the economy there is no one who can afford to purchase their lots.

           

The writer of this bill is making a lot of assumptions that may not be true and I my opinion are not factual.  The bill even says they are estimates.  When the Coastal Bays critical area was being studied the estimates have not changed that much and most of the development taken place has been by these big developers with public facilities.  The fact it that 8% nitrogen load from on-site sewage disposal systems is a drop in the bucket to the overall picture.  What is happening with all the other contributors to this problem?   That’s a good question; farmers and the agricultural business are being hit with more regulations driving their costs up and their profit down.  And if that isn’t enough, environmental groups are suing farmers, and chicken processing companies, who then must defend themselves also increasing their cost and reducing their profit while these environmental groups’ costs are paid for by us the tax payers.  Therefore those being sued are not only paying for their own defense, but also for the lawsuit brought against them and quite frankly these radical environmental groups really don’t care and will tell you they don’t care.  So the end result is government is responsible for reducing the value of the farmer’s land, which can no longer afford to farm the land and this legislation, slaps them in the face once again.  And remember one of the purposes of the bill is agricultural preservation.  So what are they preserving it for, certainly not for agricultural because this bill is further killing the industry and putting the nail in the coffin.  When are our legislators going to wake up and realize they are kill our country and economy by passing regulations such as this piece of junk and driving our economy further and further down.

           

 I think if left in the hands of the property owner growth is controlled much better.  You don’t see a local coming in and building a large 5000 lot subdivision all at one time.  No, they do it a little at a time, in proportion to the need and in accordance with the regulations imposed on them by government.  These regulations, currently on the books already control growth and preserve agricultural land.  For instance in Worcester County, agricultural land is prohibited from doing a major subdivision and the chance of getting a zoning change completed is next to impossible.   The critical area regulations limit development considerably by requiring the size of the lots to be 20 acres even in agricultural zoned land.  Now that really preserves farmland doesn’t it.

           

Now to the minor subdivisions as anticipated in these regulations.  Worcester County now as previously stated only allows up to five lots.  However, this new definition only allows 4 lots (definition as follows: “Minor Subdivision” means the subdivision of land into fewer than five new lots, plats, building sites, or other divisions of land)  therefore the farmer in one swipe of the pen loses again.   And then there’s the addition of nitrogen removal units which adds a minimum of $10,000 to the cost of building a new home or for that matter to the cost of replacing an existing on-site sewage disposal system.  And then we look at the nitrogen removal unit itself.  The definition in this bill says, ”Nitrogen removal technology” means technology for the removal of nitrogen as approved by the department.   So you go to the expense of installing a new or replacement nitrogen unit today and one might think it’s over, but it’s not.  The definition says “as approved by the department”.   So, a few years down  the road, the subsurface part of the system fails and the department has changed what is acceptable technology, guess what, your spending more money to replace that unit again and who knows what the cost will be then.  It’s just a never ending problem because it’s always left up to the discretion of whom, the department and the bureaucrats running it. 

MORE TO COME

WHO ARE THESE “SUPER-DONORS” IN SALISBURY’S CITY ELECTION?

The candidates’ initial reporting for campaign financing has revealed a significant matter – a group of just 8 donors (counting joint donors as one) have provided a total in excess of $4,000 to Messrs. Boda, Dixon and Dryden. That’s about 40% of the total reported by all eight candidates. In the cases of Boda and Dryden, almost all of their funding has come from these super-donors, some of whom are from out-of-town and even out-of-state – here are the details:

Charlene Lococo, Berlin, MD - Dryden, Boda & Dixon – $200 each

Bret Hopkins, Fairfax Station, VA – Dryden, Boda & Dixon -- $150 each

Bryan and Harold Fox, Lexington, SC -- Dryden and Dixon -- $250 each

Paul and Sarah Allen, Lexington, SC -- Dryden and Dixon -- $250 each

Gabriel Investment Company, Salisbury, MD -- Dryden and Boda -- $250 each

Lauren and Keith Fisher, Salisbury, MD -- Dryden and Boda -- $250 each

Lynne Smith, Salisbury, MD -- Dryden and Boda -- $250 each

Susan and Arthur Spengler, Salisbury, MD -- Dryden and Boda -- $250 each

And here is a comparison, by candidate, of all their funds received from large or small contributions:

Boda - $1,635 from 9 donors ($182 each)

Dixon - $1,850 from 8 donors ($231 each)

Dryden - $2,100 from 9 donors ($233 each)

Ford - $310 from 2 donors ($155 each)

Spies - $2,360 from 45 donors ($52 each)

Cohen – $2,155 from 49 donors ($44 each)

Mitchell and Taylor did not receive enough money to require disclosure.

It’s very obvious that anonymous special interests – probably including SAPOA – are funding Boda, Dixon and Dryden, whereas Terry Cohen and Tim Spies have much broader support, mostly from local residents who appreciate their civic involvement over the years. The other candidates were absent from Council meetings until very recently (can you say “Louise Smith?).

Folks, we are just too busy right now to get all the details on these super-donors, so we ask that you send information about them to our e-mail address or post it as a comment to this report. Why, for instance have several persons from Lexington, South Carolina making large contributions to both Dryden and Dixon? Who is “Gabriel Investment Company”?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Medical Marijuana/HB-291

Medical Marijuana/HB-291

by Mike McDermott

 

There are multiple marijuana bills facing the General Assembly this year. They range from decriminalization to the use of the drug as medicine. As with most bills presented, none of them are perfect. For bills which have problem areas, many can be made better with amendments. Such is the case with HB-291, dealing with the application of marijuana as a medicine.

On the surface, the bill has mixed reviews. Many fear the end result witnessed in California, where the application is laughable. That does not mean there is no place for the potential use of marijuana as a medicine. In fact, the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, has been available in pill form (Marinol), and many find relief from some of their suffering through the use of Marinol. However, there are other patients who do not receive that same relief from the pill form.

For those who must inhale to gain relief, vaporization of marijuana is the most effective and medically clean method of receiving relief. Vaporization eliminates the need to “smoke” marijuana and the ingestion of many harmful carcinogens from that process. The sponsor of HB-291, is Delegate Morhaim, who coincidentally is a medical doctor. My research and conversations with medical professionals, such as Delegate Morheim, have led me to offer an amendment to the current bill which would require that marijuana be received into the body through “vaporization, ingestion, pill, or injection”. This would truly constitute “medical” usage of marijuana. Dosage can be properly measured, and, in the case of vaporization, the relief supplied is vastly multiplied to the patient minus the harmful effects of smoking the drug. Many are simply unfamiliar with vaporization.

My proposed amendment would also allow for any future medical devices which may be created for better vaporization or ingestion of marijuana as a medicine. If this is truly a “medical” bill, the amendment would insure that it is viewed by patient and public as a medical issue. Furthermore, vaporization would eliminate any second hand smoking occurring in a residence. Surely this should be a concern for the problems associated with smoking the marijuana indoors as is generally required by the current bill.

Very Sincerely,

Mike McDermott, Delegate

Thank God Its Friday

What Will You Be Doing This Weekend?

Wis. Assembly Passes Bill Taking Away Union Rights

Governor's proposal would strip almost all public sector workers of right to collectively bargain benefits, work conditions

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Assembly early Friday passed a bill that would strip most public workers of their collective bargaining rights — the first significant action on the new Republican governor's plan. 

The vote put an end to three straight days of punishing debate, but the political standoff over the bill is far from over.

The measure now goes to the Senate, where minority Democrats have been missing for a week, preventing a vote in that chamber.

No one knows when — or if — the Senate Democrats will return from their hideout in Illinois. Republicans hold a 19-14 majority but need a quorum of 20 lawmakers to vote on spending bills.

Republicans who control the chamber sent state troopers out looking for them at their homes on Thursday, but they turned up nothing.

More

Bodies Of 3 Amish Kids Found In Ky. Creek

MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Authorities found the bodies of three Amish children early Friday who were swept away in a creek swollen by heavy rains in southwestern Kentucky and continued searching for another child.

A married couple along with seven children were trying to cross the creek Thursday on a roadway in their horse-drawn buggy when it overturned knocking them into the water, Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon said. The couple and three of the children escaped but four other children under age 12 were swept away.

The bodies of three of the children -- including a 6-month-old -- were found Friday around 12:30 a.m., Redmon said. Authorities continued searching for the fourth child, an 11-year-old girl, he said.

More

Behind The Arab Revolt Is A Word We Dare Not Speak

Shortly after the invasion of Iraq in 2003, I interviewed Ray McGovern, one of an elite group of CIA officers who prepared the President’s daily intelligence brief. McGovern was at the apex of the "national security" monolith that is American power and had retired with presidential plaudits. On the eve of the invasion, he and 45 other senior officers of the CIA and other intelligence agencies wrote to President George W. Bush that the "drumbeat for war" was based not on intelligence, but lies.

"It was 95 per cent charade," McGovern told me.

"How did they get away with it?"

"The press allowed the crazies to get away with it."

"Who are the crazies?"

"The people running the [Bush] administration have a set of beliefs a lot like those expressed in Mein Kampf … these are the same people who were referred to in the circles in which I moved, at the top, as ‘the crazies’."
I said, "Norman Mailer has written that he believes America has entered a pre-fascist state. What’s your view of that?"

"Well … I hope he’s right, because there are others saying we are already in a fascist mode."

More

2011 OC FOP Poker Run

To All:

We are holding our 3rd Annual Poker Run on Saturday May 14, 2011, please mark your calendars. 

All of the proceeds raised for this event go to benefit "The Home of the Brave" which is a house in Berlin, MD that is available to troops who have recently returned home from being deployed to reconnect with their families. This is done at no cost to the solider.

Registration begins at 10:30 am at the Public Safety Building located at 65th Street/ Coastal Highway in Ocean City, MD. The ride will continue through Worcester County to include such stops as the Bearded Clam, Home of the Brave, Oasis Bar and Grill, Blue Collar Customs, and Hooters of OC.

Cohen, Spies Brunch Spotlights Crime

Councilwoman Terry Cohen and Tim Spies, candidates for the Salisbury City Council District 2 election, coordinated resources to hold a joint fundraiser at which Wicomico County State's Attorney, Matt Maciarello, and Dr. Mark Bowen, director of Gang Intelligence for the State of Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services, were guest speakers addressing crime, gangs, successes and challenges.  The primary will be held Tuesday, March 1.  From left to right are: Spies, Bowen, Cohen and Maciarello.

 Cohen, Spies Use Fundraiser to Educate on Crime

SALISBURY – Salisbury City Councilwoman Terry Cohen and Tim Spies, both candidates in the Salisbury City Council elections this year, coordinated resources to hold a fundraiser this past Saturday at the American Legion Post #64 with an unusual focus.

Instead of the traditional candidate speeches about qualifications and supporter testimonials, Cohen and Spies brought Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello and Dr. Mark Bowen, director of Gang Intelligence for the State of Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services, to inform the event’s attendees about the crime problem in Salisbury and what is being done about it through the efforts of the Safe Streets Coalition.

Given that both Spies and Cohen have an extensive track record in the fight against crime, focusing the event on the public’s concern about crime came naturally.  Spies is a former law enforcement officer and a four-time co-chair of the Department of Justice’s Salisbury Weed and Seed Program during its six-year run in the city.  Cohen is credited with having initiated the process of bringing the Maryland Safe Streets Program to Salisbury through her contact with Governor Martin O’Malley and the Governor’s Office on Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP).

Maciarello passionately described the activities of his office and numerous allied agencies in the Safe Streets Coalition in identifying and apprehending the Top 25 Violent Offenders.  He stated that approximately half of them have been removed from the streets.

Bowen’s presentation on gang recruitment, illegal activities and mainstream presence was an eye-opener for many in the audience.  He outlined steps being taken to deal with the problem through technology, intelligence-gathering, legislative initiatives and social interventions.

Spies told the audience, “Thanks to our guest speakers, you now know more about crime and gang violence than 99% of the people in Salisbury.”

Cohen said, “We are grateful to Mr. Maciarello and Dr. Bowen for their time and valuable insights.  They came not for any political or endorsement purposes, but to educate.  We absolutely must build on our recent successes and momentum to ensure a safer community.”

For more information, contact Tim Spies at 410-219-5209 or Tim@TimSpies.com, and visit http://www.timspies.com/.  Councilwoman Terry Cohen can be reached at 410-845-0296 or Terry@TerryCohen.com, and by visiting http://www.terrycohen.com/.

Authority: Citizens for Terry Cohen – Rebecca A. Goss, Treasurer    By Authority:  Tim Spies for Salisbury – Emily E. Spies, Treasurer

Here's How They Voted On Gay Marriage

Click on image to enlarge.

Pelosi Edits Honorary Resolution...On Pelosi

The Democratic National Committee wanted to honor Nancy Pelosi Thursday -- but its praise wasn't good enough for the House minority leader.

When the DNC's Resolutions Committee brought up a resolution commemorating Pelosi's years as speaker of the House, Pelosi's daughter sought to alter the proposal at her mother's behest, adding some of the accomplishments that the elder Pelosi felt the committee had overlooked.

"I have some friendly amendments," said Christine Pelosi, a political strategist, at the committee's session during the DNC Winter Meeting at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel Thursday afternoon. She is a member of the committee.

"You think I'm kidding," Christine Pelosi added, to surprised laughter from the room. The proposed changes, she indicated, came out of a discussion with her mother.

Read them here

Republicans Prepared To 'Pull The Plug' On Obama Housing Relief

House Republicans are setting their sights on programs set up by the Obama administration to help struggling homeowners, saying it's time to "pull the pug" on efforts that aren't working.

A key House committee announced plans Thursday to mark up legislation that would eliminate four of the administration's housing programs. The funding for the housing efforts totals $45 billion.

Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) announced Thursday that his panel would consider legislation on March 3 that would shutter four programs designed to assist struggling homeowners, deeming them failures.

"It's time to pull the plug on these programs that are actually doing more harm than good for struggling homeowners," he said. "These programs may have been well-intentioned, but they're not working and, in reality, are making things worse."

Specifically, the panel will move on four bills. Each would shut down an administration program and rescind the money allocated for the effort.

At the top of the committee's list is the HAMP Termination Act. The Home Affordable Modification Program is a cornerstone of the administration's efforts to assist homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments. Included as part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), HAMP was designed to help 4 million homeowners modify their mortgages to make them more affordable and to keep them in their homes.

However, while several programs authorized under TARP have been successful, HAMP has thus far come up short, assisting just over half a million homeowners make permanent modifications to their home loans. Of the $29 billion set aside for HAMP, just $840 million has been spent, Bachus said.

The administration has acknowledged the program's slow start, but maintained that it is beginning to pick up steam and is helping homeowners.

More here

Downturn In Jewish-Arab Relations In Israeli Cities

Reports from Israel's largest cities, Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv Yafo (Jaffa), indicate that relations between Jews and Arabs in the mixed cities are at a boiling point. In Jerusalem, Jews have been arrested on suspicion of murdering an Arab man, while in Yafo, Jewish nationalists are planning a march next week.

On Wednesday, a gag order was lifted on a report that four Jewish youths were arrested on suspicion of murdering an Arab in central Jerusalem two weeks ago. Following this news, Arutz Sheva's Hebrew-language service interviewed Bentzi Gupstein, one of the leaders of anti-assimilation group Lehava.

"The situation in Jerusalem is on the verge of an explosion," Gupstein said. "Jewish girls are afraid to walk down the streets, they encounter harassment. We must put an end to this. There are Jews who decided to stop the phenomenon but it is the police's duty to do this. If the police do not act in this matter and if the phenomenon continues more Jews will get up and act. I do not want this to happen, stopping the harassment is the job of the authorities, and [if they do it] the Jews will not have to protect their sisters."

"We, at the Lehava hotline, continue to receive dozens of calls from all over the country. Girls call us and say that they cannot walk in the streets. These are girls from all sectors. The harassment must stop."

More here

Report: Qaddafi Ordered The Lockerbie Bombing

Libyan minister who has rebelled against dictator Muammar Qaddafi over the latter's brutal assault on protesters has alleged that Qaddafi personally ordered the Lockerbie bombing. Former Justice Minister Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil made his claim Wednesday in an interview with the Swedish newspaper Expressen.

Al Jeleil said he has proof that Qaddafi “gave the order for Lockerbie.” The report did not specify the evidence Jeleil claims to hold.

The 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie killed 270 people. Libyan man Abdel Basset al-Megrahi was convicted in the attack.

Megrahi was released in 2009 for health reasons after doctors said he had just three months to live, but has since far outlived their predictions. According to Jeleil, Qaddafi worked hard to obtain Megrahi's release. “He did everything in his power to get Megrahi back from Scotland,” said Jeleil, who stated that Qaddafi was acting in order to conceal his own role the deadly attack.

“He [Qaddafi] ordered Megrahi to do it,” Jeleil said.

More

Wisconsin’s Teachers Required To Teach Kids Labor Union History

Wisconsin’s teachers are required to teach children about the history of the labor union movement and collective bargaining in the United States, per a law former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle signed in December 2009. Wisconsin’s Assembly Bill (AB) 172 requires the state’s teachers to incorporate “the history of organized labor in America and the collective bargaining process” into their lesson plans.

Describing the new law, AB 172, Wisconsin’s official Department of Public Instruction (DPI) website says, “Wisconsin has long been a leader in labor rights. The Progressive Movement, which had its beginnings in our state, led to laws limiting child labor and safety in the workplace. Unions such as the AFL-CIO and Teamsters allow us to enjoy an eight-hour work week and vacation time. In fact, it has been argued by some historians that the history of the United States itself could be a history of labor.”

For help in lesson planning, the Wisconsin DPI provides links to the Wisconsin Labor History Society, the Wisconsin Historical Society Labor Collections and the Educational Communications Board Surf Report on Labor History, all pro-union websites.

The Wisconsin Labor History Society reported that the only reason the bill passed was because Democrats were in control of both houses of the legislature and the governor’s office for the first time in 12 years.

“In signing the bill, Gov. Doyle cited the importance of elections to achieving legislative goals. He recalled the lengthy effort to pass the bill, with it often passing one house of the legislature, and being stranded in the other,” the group states on their website. “He said for the first time in the last dozen years both houses of the Legislature, and the governor’s office, were in control of Democrats, nearly all of whom support legislation calling for teaching of labor history and collective bargaining in the schools.”

The Wisconsin Labor History Society recommends that, when teachers talk about labor unions and collective bargaining today, they use the following talking points:

    1. Unions work closely in the community, are responsible for passage of key civil rights laws and other citizen protections.
    2. Unions face greater employer challenges after President Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers in 1981.
    3. Unions develop highly successful political efforts during last two decades of the 20th Century.
    4. Organizing and aggressive political action became the top two priorities of the AFL-CIO with the election of John Sweeney as President in 1995.

Another lesson plan recommends that students play a trivia game about labor union history and design patches for unions their parents may be a part of.

The Wisconsin Labor History Society suggests teachers have students imagine that they’re a local firefighter in a union to try to understand why they should have union representation.

More

There's Light At End Of The USPS Budget Tunnel

President Obama's proposed 2012 budget recommends about $11 billion in relief for the U.S. Postal Service.
 

USPS Chief Financial Officer, Joseph Corbett, told Federal News Radio the relief could hardly have come at a better time.

 

This year, said Corbett, the USPS lost $300 million in the first quarter "but we are anticipating for the balance of the year, that by the end of the year, we would lose $6.4 billion dollars, is our current estimate."

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Psst. No Shutdown During A 'Government Shutdown'

WASHINGTON (AP) - Social Security checks would still go out. Troops would remain at their posts. Furloughed federal workers probably would get paid, though not until later. And virtually every essential government agency, like the FBI, the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard, would remain open.

That's the little-known truth about a government shutdown. The government doesn't shut down.

And it won't on March 5, even if the combatants on Capitol Hill can't resolve enough differences to pass a stopgap spending bill to fund the government while they hash out legislation to cover the last seven months of the budget year.

Fewer than half of the 2.1 million federal workers subject to a shutdown would be forced off the job if the Obama administration followed the path taken by presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. And that's not counting 600,000 Postal Service employees or 1.6 million uniformed military personnel exempt from a shutdown.

So we're talking fewer than one in four federal workers staying at home. Many federal workers get paid on March 4, so it would take a two-week shutdown for them to see a delay in their paychecks.

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Higher Tolls Coming On Bridges, Tunnels And Highways

Public hearings about toll increases on several of Maryland’s tolled roads and bridges will start in the next few months, Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley told a Senate budget subcommittee on Thursday.

Continue Reading...

Conservative Delegate Persuades O’Malley To Support Cut In Death Taxes On Family Farms

A newly elected conservative Republican legislator has pulled off a fairly remarkable feat: Frederick County Del. Kathy Afzali persuaded Gov. Martin O’Malley to support and personally testify on her bill to cut death taxes on family farms.

Continue Reading...

A Letter To The Editor

The Daily Times

Have you visited The Daily Times website lately?

If you haven't you certainly are not missing much. They have recently done a makeover - and it is just that.
What a pathedic renovation job. They are definately on their last leg.

Same-Sex Marriage Bill Clears Senate; Supporters Say It Will Bring In $94 Million To Maryland Economy

The Maryland Senate passed a bill allowing same-sex marriage with a 25-21 vote Thursday night, which supporters said would be a $94 million boon to the Maryland economy and bring in $3.2 million in state taxes.

Continue Reading...

"How Long Until Obama Starts Writing Checks"?

Back to the Future:  The “Stimulus” Act of Early 2008

Let’s all take a trip back to February 13th, 2008.  Our war mongering 43rd President, George W. Bush, freaked out by the impact of the subprime crisis on the U.S. economy announced the now almost forgotten “Stimulus Act of 2008.”  A big part of this typical Keynesian stimulus (remember Keynesianism is not a partisan thing it is a economic religion handed down by the Fed to both the Republican and Democratic establishment) was simply writing checks to people.  At the time, I criticized it harshly and said it would lead to massive inflation.  Guess what?  Oil was trading at about $93/b and five months later it topped out at $147/b for a monster gain of 58%.  Then all hell broke loose.

George W. Bush should actually be a hero for most of the fake liberals and fake progressives out there that just spout meaningless drivel about how things should be without ever bothering to look into and understand how the global financial system actually works.  That would be too much work.  It’s much easier to just be ignorant and support “your guy” as they county goes down in flames.  The reason the fake liberals and progressives should love W so much is that at least he just wrote checks to average people.  Obama is the biggest puppet of the banking oligarchs in American history.  I mean this guy’s entire administration so far has revolved around printing money and handing it out, but rather than hand it out to the people he gave it all to the banks that cratered your children’s futures in the first place.  Of course, in order to give away trillions to the financials oligarchs that should be in prisons as opposed to the petty dealers caught with dime bags that fill the prison you need to give the money away in secret.  In comes the Federal Reserve.  To make matters worse, after the Fed and Obama bailed out the banksters the next way to hand out money was defined in Jackson Hole Wyoming in August of last year where Banana Ben Bernanke laid out his plan for QE2.  The unstated yet stated purpose of this policy was to juice the stock market.  He has succeeded wildly in this manipulation until now.  Again, it isn’t the 44 million (a new record every time the data is updated) Americans on food stamps that benefit from this policy, it is the financial oligarchs that game the system and push the stock market up until the point that retail investors finally buy the stocks from them and then they are permitted to crash.  Don’t play their crooked game, don’t buy stocks buy physical gold and silver and take this nation back from the sociopathic financial control freaks running it now.

How Long Until Obama Starts Writing Checks?

The big news this week from Saudi Arabia is that upon his return to the Kingdom after a three month medical absence, King Abdullah has decided to implement a massive $36 billion payoff to his people to stem off any revolt.   Amongst other things:  “The measures include a 15 per cent salary rise for public employees to offset inflation, reprieves for imprisoned debtors, and financial aid for students and the unemployed” according to the Financial Times.  Interestingly, this is exactly what I said would happen in my recent interview with Max Keiser from last week.  Please take the time to watch as it offers more detailed analysis on how I think this will all play out.  It is in three parts and I have gotten great feedback so far.  Link below.

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/mike-kriegers-latest-interview-max-keiser [1]

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Do You Know Your State's Preamble?

Be sure to read the message in red at the very bottom!

Alabama 1901, Preamble
We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..
Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution... 
1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble.. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..
Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction 
Michigan 1908, Preamble.   We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution...
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution .
Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his owArkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in  permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
Idahon conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors. New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..
New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carol ina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carol ina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...
North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
South Carolina , 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carol ina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility....
Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution... 
 
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!   If you found this to be 'Food for thought' send to as many as you think will be enlightened as I hope you were.

Does The Pep Boys 29-Minute Oil Change Guarantee Actually Apply?

Troy is a rational person, which is why he took Pep Boys' advertisement of a guaranteed 29-minute oil change literally. A sign at his local outlet claims that if your oil change takes more than 29 minutes, you'll receive a $10 voucher for your next oil change. Except that's not actually how the program works, and Troy found that there's apparently always a way to weasel out of giving customers the $10.

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Nevada Lawmakers Talk About Getting Rid Of Brothels

While prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas and Reno, each county in Nevada is allowed to determine whether or not the world's oldest profession is acceptable. Ten counties in Nevada allow brothels, and Nevada Senator Harry Reid asked state legislators to consider outlawing them, sparking a debate among elected officials and the business owners.

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Recalled Windstar Not Worth Fixing, Ford Wants To Buy It

Eric owns an elderly (model year 1999) Ford Windstar, and isn't particularly interested in trading it in for a new car for financial reasons. Ford recently recalled hundreds of thousands of older Windstars, and Eric dutifully brought his car in for repair. Instead of a freshly safe car, he received an offer of $3,700 for his van. If he wanted to keep the van, he would need to sign a document absolving ford of any liability if anything goes wrong with the car. What would you do?

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Pier 1 Recalls 400,000 Candles... For Fire Hazard

Pier 1 Imports has announced the recall of 400,000 tea lights because the flame on the candle can burn too high and pose a fire hazard.

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Did Army Use Psy-Ops On U.S. Lawmakers?

A Rolling Stone report says a top general used psychological warfare on U.S. senators to boost support for the war in Afghanistan.

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

Christine O'Donnell On DWTS?

Former senatorial candidate Christine O'Donnell is considering an offer to hoof it on "Dancing with the Stars."

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

New York Depends On You To Police Smoking Ban

New York CIty Mayor Michael Bloomberg tells residents it’s their "job" to uphold the public place smoking ban.

 

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

Maryland SPCA Unveils $2.1 Million Renovation

 

Shelter expansion means more comfort for homeless dogs and cats

Minutes after Simon was introduced to his new feline pied-a-terre Thursday morning, the tabby lazed in kitty bliss, perhaps aware he was enjoying more space and finer quarters than any of the thousands of cats that have passed through the Maryland SPCA.

With a $2.1 million renovation unveiled Thursday, the Baltimore shelter's most significant update since it was built in the 1970s, Simon and the rest of the homeless animals are not only more comfortable — shelter officials believe they have a better chance of finding homes.

Though the shelter now has clean and bright office space and exam rooms, the public will notice the roomier dog and cat housing as well as new, now separate areas for people adopting pets and those who are leaving animals behind.

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TWO CHARGED IN MURDER OF WESTMINSTER MAN

(WESTMINSTER, MD) – Maryland State Police homicide investigators have served Carroll County Grand Jury indictments on two Baltimore men who are now charged with the murder of a man who was found dead in his Westminster apartment last year.

The suspects are identified as Michael V. Brooks, 28, and Tuson K. S. Reese, 26, both of Baltimore, Md. Both have been charged with first and second degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, first and second degree felony murder, first, third, and fourth degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first, third and fourth degree burglary, first and second degree assault, conspiracy to commit first and second degree assault, and manslaughter. Reese was also charged with two additional counts of first degree burglary and conspiracy to commit robbery/attempted robbery.

The victim was identified as Steven R. Hobson, 40, of the unit-block of Main Street, Westminster, Md. Hobson was found dead in his apartment by Westminster Police Department officers shortly before 2:30 a.m. on October 2, 2010, when they responded to a 911 call. An autopsy revealed Hobson died from stab wounds.

Westminster Police Chief Jeff Spaulding requested the case be investigated by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit. State Police homicide investigators have been assisted by officers and detectives from the Westminster Police Department, criminal investigators from the Westminster Barrack, and members of the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Investigators initially developed information about potential suspects through neighborhood checks and witness interviews. Additional evidence was developed through forensic examinations and the ongoing work of homicide investigators. It was determined the two suspects are friends, but it is not known if there was any previous association between the suspects and the victim. A clear motive has not been identified, but robbery remains a possible motive.

Brooks and Reese were both arrested in Baltimore on October 4, 2010, on parole retake warrants. They were currently serving sentences in the Jessup Correctional Institution. After being served with the indictments, both are being held in the Carroll County Detention Center.

So What Else Is New

Daily Times: Some deliveries delayed this morning

6:35 AM, Feb. 25, 2011    

 

Some Daily Times customers may find their newspaper delivery delayed today. The papers are on their way and all will be delivered this morning.