Fruitland Police Department Press Release

DATE & TIME: April 7, 2011 @ 10:30 a.m.

INCIDENT: Domestic Assault

LOCATION: E. Main Street and Morris Street

Fruitland, Md.

CASE NO.: 2011-373

1. PERSON CHARGED: KEVIN DEANDRE TURPIN

AGE: 36

ADDRESS: Spruce Street, Fruitland,Md.

CHARGES: Assault 2^nd

False Imprisonment

Disorderly Conduct

DISPOSITION: Remanded to custody of Central Booking, WCDC

Resume:

Officers were called to a disturbance in the area of E. Main Street and Morris Street near the railroad tracks in response to a report that a male subject was dragging a female by her hair. Upon arrival officers observed the accused and a female at that location. Information provided by the victim and independent witnesses revealed that the accused had assaulted the victim several times and repeatedly had prevented her from getting away from him. The accused was subsequently arrested and incarcerated at WCDC.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE PROSPECT OF A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 8, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today on the prospect of a federal government shutdown:

“Congressional Republicans are allowing their hate of government to hurt the hardworking families of our country.  It appears they care more about hurting our government than they do about helping our recovery.

“Maryland is home to thousands of federal civil servants – moms and dads who will go without pay because Speaker Boehner and the Republicans have chosen to wage an ideological war instead of putting the interests of their nation first.”

Maryland faces the prospect of reduced state income tax revenue should federal workers experience a furlough without retroactive pay.  In addition, state revenue losses are anticipated from the furloughing of federal contractors working in the State.  Further impeding our economic recovery would be the loss of projected revenues from reduced spending on taxable goods.

More Of That 'Civil' Discourse We Heard About

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton: Shutdown 'Equivalent of Bombing Innocent Civilians'

Dem. Rep. Louise Slaughter: GOP Freshmen Came to Washington 'to Kill Women'

Jesse Jackson Declaration: Federal Budget Fight the American Civil War All Over Again

Harry Reid: GOP wants a shutdown to keep 'women from getting cancer screenings'...

DNC FACEBOOK event calls for dumping trash at Boehner's house...

Boehner Says 'Almost All' Policy Differences Settled; Cuts At Issue

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said differences on spending cuts continue to prevent Congress from reaching a deal on a funding measure that would prevent a government shutdown set to begin after midnight.

Insisting the GOP wants to avoid a government shutdown, Boehner said "almost all" of the policy differences between the parties have been dealt with, and that differences over the level of cuts are preventing a final deal.

"We're not going to roll over and sell out the American people like it's been done time and again in Washington," Boehner said. "We're damn serious about it."

Democrats hit cable news shows, the Senate floor and social media Friday with a full-court press, arguing that Republicans were holding up a deal because of a refusal to eliminate a provision in the House-passed bill on abortion. The House bill would prevent government funds from going to Planned Parenthood.

Asked if the Planned Parenthood funding was a problem, Boehner said almost all of the policy issues had been addressed.

Boehner spoke after a meeting with the House GOP conference, which has pressured Republican leaders to win as high a level of cuts as possible to 2011 spending.

Several Republican lawmakers emerged from the meeting confident that a deal was close at hand.

“Everything was pretty upbeat, optimistic. I think we’ll cut a deal,” freshman Rep. Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.) told The Hill.

Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) said Boehner told the conference that he was “not going to get rolled” by the Democrats.

“Most of the policy issues have been settled, and it’s about spending,” he said.

More

Mark Alexander: Shutdown Looms At Midnight

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his proposal for the 2012 budget on Monday, but as we go to press this morning, the 2011 budget process is still stuck in neutral and appears headed for shutdown at midnight tonight.

By a vote of 247-181, the Republican-controlled House passed yet another week-long continuing resolution Thursday that cuts more from federal spending but funds the Pentagon through Sept. 30. Friday morning, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced an agreement on $38 billion in cuts, but said that the Senate will "have our own short-term" bill. The Senate hasn't approved a budget bill of any kind in more than 18 months. Nothing like leadership, Harry.

The hang up isn't so much the dollar amounts, it's whether or not funds are used for Democrats' pet social issues, such as money for abortions at Planned Parenthood. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called removal of those funds "a war on women."

Pelosi also decried GOP spending bills, saying, "In one of the bills before us, six million seniors are deprived of meals -- homebound seniors are deprived of meals. People ask us to find our common ground, the middle ground. Is middle ground three million seniors not receiving meals? I don't think so. We've got to take this conversation from a debate about numbers and dollar figures and finding middle ground there to the higher ground of national values. I don't think the American people want any one of those six million people to lose their meals or the children who are being thrown off of Head Start and the rest of it."

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, however, only 2.6 million seniors receive these meals. In fact, Pelosi's lie was so bad, even The Washington Post called her on it.

Meanwhile, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) fumed, "We are absolutely outraged. This is the functional equivalent of bombing innocent civilians. It's time that the District of Columbia told the Congress to go straight to hell." She continued, "If these Republicans insist that, if they don't get the whole pie they'll take the whole country down with them," she continued, "then we have got to make them pay the price." Don't hold back, Eleanor -- tell us how you really feel.

Barack Obama says he wants "to have an adult dialogue on the budget," but apparently congressional Democrats aren't quite there yet. Then again, neither is Obama. Though he said everyone should "quit playing games and realize it is not 'my way or the highway,'" he called the House bill a "distraction" and has promised a veto if funding for Planned Parenthood is cut. Sounds like his way or the highway to us because that veto would cause (part of) the government to shut down.

In effect, what Obama is saying is, "Pay the ransom (allow us to continue massive government spending) or we stop paying the military, we won't mail tax refunds, we will close national parks and the DC Cherry Blossom Festival will be ruined!"

Both parties will be happy to blame the other if shutdown actually happens, but neither side is winning the confidence of the American people.

More from The Patriot Post

Rt. 13 N. Shut Down

Northbound lanes on Rt. 13  in Laurel at Sycamore Rd. before Bargain Bills closed down due to an accident.

Friends Of Ram Football

Friends of Ram Football

Present

 

Longaberger, Vera Bradley &

Pampered Chef Bingo

 

 

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Salisbury Moose Lodge

 

Benefits Parkside High School Football Team

 

 

Doors Open at 4:30 PM Games Begin at 6:00 PM

$20 Advanced Tickets/ $25 at the Door

 

All Items are Filled! Door Prizes!

Chinese Auction!

 

Food will be available for purchase

 

Phone 410-251-0770 or 410-430-2972

For Tickets or More Information!

 

Friends of Ram Football is in no way affiliated with Longaberger®, Vera Bradley® or Pampered Chef®

All America City Celebration

Friday, April 15th Celebrate Your Community!

Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is pleased to announce a collaboration of celebrations: All America City and 100 Best Communities for Young People next Friday, April 15th, 2011. The National Civic League named the City of Salisbury an All America City for 2010. America’s Promise Alliance named Salisbury/Wicomico County one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People for the fourth consecutive year in 2010. The city and county are coming together to celebrate these two designations in downtown Salisbury, April 15th, 2011.

“We are thrilled to have finally won the title, ‘All America City’ after 4 years of working tirelessly to win the award. This April 15th we will have our city-wide celebration marking the achievement our team deserves.” Mayor Ireton added, “We are among only ten cities in the United States that won the competition in 2010.” County Executive Richard M. Pollitt said, “I am absolutely delighted to join Mayor Ireton in celebrating our 4th selection in 5 years as one of America’s ‘100 Best Communities for Young People.’ I salute Dr. George Whitehead and all of our dedicated citizens who have worked so hard to make Wicomico County and Salisbury a place of hope and promise for our most valuable asset, our young people. While it is wonderful to receive awards and recognition, the best thing about this is that our community is consistently giving our youth the essential resources they need to succeed in life.”

County Executive Pollitt and Mayor Ireton will be presenting awards to winning entries for our “Celebrate Your Community Contest” sponsored by All America City, at 6 p.m. on the steps of the Government Office Building. They will also be present at a Youth Summit, sponsored by America’s Promise Alliance, at 4:30 in the City Center Building on the plaza giving young people a chance to have their voices heard concerning their needs in the community.

The celebration occurs during 3rd Friday, a year-round event that occurs the 3rd Friday of every month in downtown Salisbury that includes art, bands, food from downtown restaurants and much more. Please visit the downtown area starting at 5:30 p.m. on the 15th. It is a perfect chance to find out what’s happening in Downtown Salisbury, right here in Wicomico County! The following organizations will be in attendance, YMCA, 4-H, the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, ShoreUp!, Kids of Honor, the Wicomico Mentoring Project plus others. The evening’s festivities start out with an energetic performance from Bennett’s Drumline, followed by performances from the Korean Presbyterian Church, St. James dancers, Immanuel Baptist’s Latino Choir, Cathedral of Love’s children’s choir and D’Ann Danse Studios, Inc.

Church Fair Last Day Reminder

LAST DAY REMINDER, Church Shoppers Fair tomorrow-

**EVERYONE THAT ATTENDS WILL BE ENTERED IN THE DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS (ONE EVERY 30 MINUTES)!!
**PRINT THIS FLYER AND BRING IT WITH YOU TO ALSO BE ENTERED IN THE GRAND PRIZE DRAWING
(over $100 in products)!!

**OVER 15 VENDORS ON SITE!

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY, LT. GOVERNOR ANTHONY BROWN CONVENE “MARYLAND FORWARD” FORUM ON SMART GROWTH

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 8, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley joined Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker today at the “Maryland Forward” policy forum on smart growth.  Today’s forum served to solicit input from local residents, developers, advocates, and community officials on how best to further smarter, more sustainable growth in Maryland.  Discussions focused on the environmental impact of development, the need for greater focus on transit-oriented development, and community revitalization.

“Smart growth combines the best of public and private investment and the long term vision to protect our shared natural resources,” said Governor O’Malley.  “By concentrating new development and redevelopment in areas that have existing or planned infrastructure, we can create jobs, avoid sprawl, expand transportation, and protect our environment.  I want to thank the participants in today’s forum for their thoughts and valuable input.”

Approximately 200 community development stakeholders joined housing officials, developers, higher education officials, and state and local elected leaders for an open forum on smart growth.

“Expanding smart growth in Maryland will boost our economy while protecting our environment and natural resources,” said Lt. Governor Brown.  “By bringing all ideas to the table, today’s forum represents a valuable opportunity to develop a strategic and smart vision for our future growth.  I thank Governor O’Malley and all participants for their leadership on this important issue.”

“I share the Governor’s vision for Smart Growth and have charged my Administration’s Economic Development Team to grow our County utilizing the most environmentally sustainable practices, processes, and procedures,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.

During the rapid development of highways and suburban communities in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, our nation’s natural resources were treated as if they were unlimited and our older, established communities as if they were expendable. Suburban sprawl consumed valuable open space; devoured public funds for new infrastructure; spawned increasing traffic congestion; contributed to poor air and water quality; and fragmented the bonds of community. 

The O’Malley-Brown Administration has sought to balance Maryland’s critical needs for economic growth and environmental protection by using the state budget to encourage local governments and developers to build in a more sustainable, quality of life enhancing manner.  The Governor has sought to curb sprawl, preserve valuable open space, and revitalize its older communities by emphasizing incentives over regulation. 

Governor O’Malley has included in the Administration’s 15 strategic goals specific benchmarks to support the basic principles of smart growth, including:

·         Accelerate Efforts to Reach a Healthy Chesapeake Bay Tipping Point by 2020

·         Double Maryland’s Transit Ridership by 2020

·         Reduce per Capita Energy Consumption by 15% by 2015

·         Increase Maryland’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard by 20% by 2022

·         Reduce Maryland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 25% by 2020

Last year, Governor O’Malley announced plans to move the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, currently located at a private campus in Crownsville, to a transit-oriented development site in Prince George’s County.

Montana Judge On DUI Task Force Charged With DUI

BUTTE, Mont. — A Montana justice of the peace set to preside over a DUI court later this year has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs.

An assistant attorney general filed the misdemeanor DUI charge Thursday against Robert E. Lee.

He's charged with driving to the Butte-Silver Bow County Courthouse on Nov. 13 while under the influence of methadone. The synthetic narcotic is used to relieve pain or prevent withdrawal from drug addiction.

More

Important Medical Information!

So Whose Fault Is All This Mess?

When someone gives you a check and the bank informs you that there are insufficient funds, who do you get mad at?

In your own life, you get mad at the guy who gave you a check that bounced, not at the bank.

But, in politics, you get mad at whoever tells you that there is no money.
     
One of the secrets of the growth of the welfare state is that politicians get a lot of mileage out of making promises, without setting aside enough money to fulfill those promises.
     
When Congress votes for all sorts of benefits, without voting for enough taxes to pay for them, they get the support of those who have been promised the benefits, without getting grief from the taxpayers. It's strictly win-win as far as the welfare-state politicians are concerned. But it is strictly lose-lose, big-time, for the country, as deficits skyrocket.

Anyone who says that we don't have the money to pay what was promised is accused of trying to destroy Social Security, Medicare or Obamacare-- or whatever other unfunded promises have been made. It is like blaming the bank for saying that the check bounced.
      
It is the same story at the state level as in Washington. The lavish pensions promised to members of public sector unions cannot continue to be paid because the money is just not there. But who are the unions mad at?
Those who say that the money is not there.

Read on..

POODLES-ONLY INTERNATIONAL DOG SHOW

Salisbury Md           Salisbury MD. Kennel Club, Inc.

31663 Winter Place Parkway

P. O. Box 1881

Salisbury, Maryland 21802

April 10, 2011

The Salisbury MD Kennel Club is proud to announce that we will again be host to the Poodle Club of America's POODLES-ONLY INTERNATIONAL DOG SHOW, to be held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center and other places in the area from April 22 through April 29. The public is invited to watch. There is no admission fee for any of the events. Unentered dogs are not allowed on the premises.

Friday April 22 will be an AKC TRACKING TEST at Fair Hill Natural Resource Mgt area, Parking Lot #3, Appleton Rd. N., Elkton, MD starting at 8:00 AM.

Saturday April 23 & Sunday April 24 will be HUNTER & WC/WCS TESTS for STANDARD POODLES ONLY on the Anatidae Farm, 4635 Maiden Forest Rd., Rhodesdale, MD starting at 8:00 AM.

Monday April 25 will be an AGILITY TRIAL at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center beginning at 7:00 AM.

Tuesday April 26 will be OBEDIENCE and RALLY TRIALS at The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center beginning at 8:00 AM.

Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday - April 27, 28 & 29 will be BREED COMPETITION at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center for approximately 800 Poodles (Toy, Miniature, and Standard) from all over the world beginning at 8:00 AM each day.

Also, please note that the Salisbury MD Kennel Club will coordinate with the Poodle Club of America to hold ALL-BREED AGILITY TRIALS Friday April 22, Saturday April 23 & Sunday April 24 at the Crown Sport recreational facility located on US Rt 13-(Business) South of Fruitland. Trials will begin at 8:00 AM each day.

This should be a welcome boost for our local economy. We will appreciate your attendance and support to help make our events successful.

Thank you,

Barbara Furbush,

Director & Show Chairman, SMKC

Asst. Show Chairman, PCA

b.furbush@comcast.net

Info: http://www.salisburymarylandkennelclub.org/

Info: http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/

State Police Arrest Trooper In Stalking Investigation

Released Friday April 8, 2011 @ 10:00 a.m.

Ocean View-The Delaware State Police are announcing the arrest of Ryan J. Mitchell, 36 of Frankford, Delaware in connection with a Stalking complaint lodged on April 5, 2011.  

Ryan J. Mitchell has been employed as a Delaware State Trooper for 15 years and is assigned to Delaware State Police Troop 4 Georgetown Delaware, as the Sergeant/supervisor of the Major Crimes Division.  Mitchell was responsible for overseeing detectives investigating Robberies, Serious Assaults and additional crimes against persons. 

Delaware State Police on April 4, 2011 were notified of the harassment / stalking case involving Mitchell.  As a result of the complaint filed, State Police investigators immediately launched a criminal investigation into the allegations made against Mitchell. 

Investigators reviewed a significant amount of emails, letters, and phone messages sent from Mitchell to a 38 year old Sussex County woman.  The emails were dated February 27, 2011 through April 5, 2011.  Many of the emails were sent to the victim’s place of employment. 

The emails and letters contained descriptive unwanted and unsolicited statements concerning the victim’s physical appearance.  The emails additionally expressed Mitchell’s feelings for the victim, which caused her significant emotional distress. 

After having interviewed the victim concerning the specifics of the allegations Delaware State Police made contact with Mitchell and immediately placed him on suspension during the ongoing investigation.  Mitchell additionally was advised to not have any further contact with the victim. 

While continuing the investigation into Mitchell’s misconduct, Delaware State Police received additional information indicating that Mitchell was continuing to have inappropriate contact with the victim.  This contact was in the form of additional emails. 

State Police took Mitchell into custody on Thursday evening April 7, 2011 and formally charged him with 1 count of Stalking (Felony).  Mitchell was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on $500.00 unsecured bond.

Traffic Advisory

Traffic Advisory for South Division Street and Areas Adjacent to Salisbury University

Due to an event scheduled for the Salisbury University Athletic Fields on Sunday, April 10, the Salisbury Police Department expects increased pedestrian traffic from approximately 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the areas of South Division Street, Bateman Street, Milford Street, Power Street and Halsey Drive. Motorists are encouraged to use caution while traveling in these areas and are reminded that Maryland Law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in designated crosswalks.

A portion of Wayne Street will also be closed during this event.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

ARMED ROBBERY ARREST

On April 6, 2011 at approximately 12:00 noon, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Eagle Express Mart on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the officers met with the clerk who advised that the store had been robbed by a lone suspect. The clerk continued that the suspect had entered the store and had walked to the rear area, loitering and watching a keno monitor. The suspect then approached the clerk and produced a knife, demanding the U.S. currency from the cash register. The suspect took the currency then fled out of the front entrance of the store towards the rear of the store. The clerk was not injured and attempts by responding officers to locate the suspect met with negative results.

Salisbury police detectives responded and became engaged in a number of witness interviews at the scene, in north Salisbury and in Delmar, Delaware. As a result, detectives positively identified the suspect and obtained an arrest warrant charging the suspect with the robbery.

On today’s date, at approximately 8:13 am, Officers received a call to respond to a motor vehicle accident on Union Avenue. Upon arrival the officers found that the operator of the involved motor vehicle was the wanted suspect. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

ARRESTED: Kenneth Robert Worley, 44 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Armed robbery
Robbery
First degree assault
Theft
Possession of a dangerous and deadly weapon
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100012786

On April 4, 2011 at approximately 11:49 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Wailes Street and observed the below listed suspect trespassing on posted residential property. The officers approached the suspect and immediately detected the scent of burning marijuana. The officers observed that the suspect was smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette. When the suspect observed the officers, the suspect fled from the area on foot. After a substantial foot chase, the suspect was caught and taken into custody. The suspect was still in possession of the suspected marijuana cigarette. The suspect was also in possession of a baggie of suspected marijuana.

ARRESTED: Timothy Jamar Mitchell, 21 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Trespassing
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia (2 counts)
Obstructing and hindering an investigation
Failure to obey a lawful order
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100012568

On April 6, 2011 at approximately 3:47 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding warrant for a theft that occurred on March 17. On that date officers were called to the Walmart Department Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a theft. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who indicated that unknown suspects had taken computer equipment from the store without making payment. Officers were able to identify the below listed suspect and obtained the arrest warrant. The investigation is continuing as to the second suspect.

ARRESTED: Willie Robert James, 52 years of age
Fruitland, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft (under $ 1,000)
Conspiracy to commit theft
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100009555

Not A Federal Worker? What A Shutdown Means For You

WASHINGTON -- A federal government shutdown is a real possibility, with a deadline of midnight Friday.
WTOP has the answers:
 
Will the George Washington Parkway Classic be held Sunday, April 10?
The event will be postponed to May 1 if the government shuts down.
 
Will the Cherry Blossom Parade be held?
Yes. Organizers say the event will go on regardless of a shutdown.
 
Will I be able to go the national parks in the area?
No. Parks will be gated.
 
Will the federal parkways, such as the George Washington Parkway and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, be open?
The latest guidance from the Interior Department, which oversees the parkways, is that roads operated by the Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service would be closed, unless they're necessary as thruways. In any effect, U.S. Park Police, who enforce the parkways, would stay on the job as excepted employees.
 
Will I be able to take my family to the zoo and the museums?
No. All Smithsonian Institution facilities would be closed under a federal shutdown. This is bad news during peak tourism season when the museums along the mall and National Zoo are expecting about 500,000 visitors this weekend alone, a Smithsonian spokesperson tells a Washington Post blog.

More

Parole For Life Sentences Changed – Again

After a final vote on amendments Thursday evening, a bill before the House of Delegates again requires the governor to take action to keep people serving life prison sentences behind bars if they are recommended for parole.

Continue Reading...

Expanded Union Rights For Private State Contractors On Way To Passage

As governors and legislatures in the Midwest battle over rolling back collective bargaining rights for government workers, Maryland lawmakers are on the verge of establishing more union rights for private home health aides paid by the state. The Senate gave preliminary approval to the bill Thursday.

Continue Reading...

Tuition For Illegal Immigrant Students Gets Preliminary House Approval

After a marathon 2½ hours of sometimes acrimonious debate and a dozen failed amendments, the House of Delegates Thursday afternoon gave preliminary approval to a bill giving illegal immigrants in-state tuition at community colleges and state universities. The bill, which passed the Senate on a close vote three weeks ago, allows young illegal immigrants who graduated from Maryland high schools to get tuition at in-state rates.

Continue Reading...

Without Reforms, U.S. Funding For U.N. ‘Will Be In Jeopardy,’ Republicans Warn Obama

The battle over funding for the United Nations is heating up in Congress, as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon each visited Capitol Hill this week, pressing the U.N.’s biggest contributor to pay up, in full and on time.

Ambassador Rice testified Wednesday before a House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees spending on diplomacy. On Thursday, she will face the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Ban, meanwhile, is due to hold closed meetings Thursday with members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, his spokesman told reporters.

The flurry of activity comes amid congressional initiatives aimed at withholding or cutting back on funding for the U.N.

H.R.1, a House-passed appropriations bill for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, includes significant cuts to international affairs spending. The Senate has not taken up that Republican-authored bill, however.

In the meantime, a short-term funding bill (called a continuing resolution or CR), introduced by House Appropriations Committee chairman Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) on Monday as a means to prevent a government shutdown for an additional week, includes $237 million in cuts to spending for the U.N. and peacekeeping activities. Rogers says those spending cuts can be offset through existing credits at the U.N. and by scaling back voluntary contributions.

Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) is due to introduce a bill within days that ties funding for the U.N. to wide-ranging reforms.

“Its fundamental principle will be ‘reform first, pay later,’” she said in a recent statement about the measure, which among other things calls for the U.S. to withdraw from the U.N.’s Human Rights Council (HRC).

The U.S. currently pays 22 percent of the U.N.’s regular operating budget and 27 percent of the peacekeeping budget – these are “assessed contributions,” calculated on a scale that takes into account member states’ national economic output.

Ros-Lehtinen and others want U.S. funding to move from an assessed basis to a voluntary one.

“That way, Americans, not U.N. bureaucrats or other countries, will determine how much taxpayer dollars are spent on the U.N., and where they go,” she said. “We should only pay for UN programs and activities that advance our interests and our values. If other countries want different things to be funded, they can pay for it themselves.”

More here

Rep. Andy Harris Opposes Potential Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from Rep. Andy Harris regarding the possibility of a government shutdown:

“We shouldn’t need a government shutdown.  At the same time, Marylanders sent me to Congress this year to end Washington’s spending spree in order to get the economy moving and build an environment for positive job growth. 

Nearly 50 days ago, the House of Representatives passed a reasonable budget that would reduce the federal spending this year by a mere two percent.  I believe those in charge, the Senate and the President, must work with the House of Representatives to control spending. The American people expect us to solve this problem, and we must deliver.”

Thank God its Friday

What Will You Be Doing This Weekend?

Why Glenn Beck Is 'Transitioning Off' Fox Show

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

Hated by the left but loved by the far right, Glenn Beck is "transitioning off" his controversial show. What media watchers are saying.

AFP Press Conference In Annapolis, MD Friday

AFP-Maryland to Host State of the State Address
 on Lawyers Mall, April 8

-AFP to expose O’Malley’s flawed assessment of the state-ANNAPOLIS- While Governor O’Malley ignores Maryland’s overtaxed citizens and overregulated businesses, the Maryland chapter of the grassroots free market group Americans for Prosperity will hold a State of the State Press Conference Friday, April 8^th at 12:30pm on Lawyers Mall to examine the State’s real fiscal position as the General Assembly comes to a close.

What: Citizen’s State of the State Address
Who: Americans for Prosperity

When: Friday, April 8, 2011 at 12:30pm
Where: Lawyers Mall in Annapolis

Senator Cardin To Choose Harry Reid Over MD Federal Employees, Troop Funding

ANNAPOLIS – Senator Ben Cardin is poised to put partisan politics ahead of Maryland federal employees and our troops, by allowing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to block a new one-week continuing resolution.  Today, despite a bipartisan vote in support of the continuing resolution to keep the government running and to fund our brave servicemen and women; Senator Cardin is instead standing in lockstep with Senate Democrats who refuse to even consider the legislation.

“Countless Maryland residents who work for the federal government are set to go without a paycheck because Senator Cardin would rather play political games with the budget. Maryland’s federal employees and our state’s economy simply cannot afford a government shutdown caused by Democrat political posturing.  We only find ourselves in this situation because Cardin along with his Maryland Democrat colleagues failed to pass a federal budget last year when they held both the House and Senate in addition to the White House. Maryland Congressmen Bartlett and Harris along with Congressional Republicans have passed bipartisan legislation to begin the process of putting our fiscal house back in order, but Democrat obstructionism is putting us on a collision course with a government shutdown. I urge Marylanders to call Senator Cardin and demand that he and his colleagues support this reasonable legislation to keep our troops funded and our government running,” said Maryland Republican Party Chairman, Alex X. Mooney.

Marylanders are encouraged to call the office of Senator Cardin at (202) 224.4524 to demand the Senate take up the House’s continuing resolution.

Press Conference: Prosser Picks Up 7K Votes, Dem Canvass Watcher Confirms

Incumbent David Prosser took a commanding lead in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race Thursday as the Waukesha County clerk announced that some 14,000 votes from the city of Brookfield were not counted due to user error in saving the results spreadsheet.

“This is not a case of extra votes being found. This was human error, which I apologize for,” said county clerk Kathy Nickolaus, adding that the canvass procedure is designed to catch such errors.

When asked about accusations of voter fraud, Nickolaus, who is a Republican, cited the canvassing process:

“I’m thankful that the error was found early in the process,” she said. “Anyone who sat in on that canvass could see what we are doing.”

Democratic canvass watcher Ramona Kitzinger was also at the press conference.

“We went over everything & made sure the numbers jibed up and they did,” Kitzinger said. “We’re satisfied that it’s correct.”

Read more

Is Obama Politicizing Our Men and Women in Harm’s Way?

With a looming government shutdown, why would the Obama administration deem our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines as “non-essential”?  The answer is simple.  Politics!!!
According to Big Government, the Obama administration has directed that IF there is a government shutdown our military personnel (uniformed and civilian) will have their paychecks withheld.  Of course they will be paid, only after any shutdown ends.  In the meantime, the spouses and children of our military personnel could be deprived of their allotments and unable to meet normal expenses.  This is something that has never occurred during any previous shutdown.
Why would they do this?  Red State’s Erick Erickson provides some insight:

Democrats are getting pasted in the budget debate generally. They can’t beat the GOP on the argument that cuts are needed. The Democrats have no plan for cutting the deficit, and even liberals are calling Paul Ryan ‘courageous.’ They can’t win, because they simply can’t engage on cutting entitlements. So the GOP was winning on budget cutting, winning on the FY 2012 budget, and likely to win on the debt ceiling vote. The Democrats need a way to change the debate.
Remember, the only reason we are on the verge of a government shutdown is because for the first time since the budget act was passed in the mid-seventies, a Congress — controlled by Democrats last year — failed to pass a budget. That’s right. We are where we are because the Democrats last year failed to pass a budget and now are refusing to go along with cuts as the GOP sorts out the mess the Democrats made.
The only way the White House can do that is to get a shutdown. They want to put the blame on the GOP, but even more than that, they want a shutdown. So the argument will be that spending bills start in the House, and the House still hasn’t passed anything that can get 60 votes in the Senate. And until they do, the fault for the shutdown lies with the GOP. And, in the meantime, our soldiers are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya and cannot get paid.

Sadly, such maneuver is not illegal.  If a president could be impeached for moral crimes, then Barack Obama should be run out of Washington if he allows this to happen.

Harry Reid's Hypocrisy On 'Ideological' Policy Riders

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has blasted Republicans for “focusing on ideological matters that have nothing to do with funding the government” and top Democrats have dismissed out-of-hand a series of policy riders in the House-passed spending bill to fund the government through the rest of 2011.

But in his long career in Washington, Reid has supported numerous policy “riders” to spending and other bills, including emergency spending bills, suggesting his stance now is politically convenient posturing rather than principled conviction.

Reid has used policy riders attached to spending bills to protect the mining industry in Nevada.

In 2003, the Los Angeles Times reported that, starting in 1997, Reid secured a series of riders from his perch on the appropriations committee to delay environmental regulations on the mining industry.

One of those was attached to an emergency-aid bill for Kosovo, the Times reported.

During that time, Reid’s sons and son-in law represented mining interests as lobbyists, and their firms were paid nearly $1 million.

In September 2000, one of Reid’s riders would have limited the scope of regulations by the Interior Department on the mining industry, CQ reported. The rider was put in report language to the Interior appropriations bill.

Protecting the mining industry isn’t the only way Reid has used “ideological matters that have nothing to do with funding the government” to further his policy goals.

Just in September, USA Today reported that Reid attached the Dream Act, which provided a path to amnesty for young illegal immigrants, to a defense reauthorization bill.

Reid’s attachment of the language is particularly notable since the immigration legislation has nothing to do with defense spending.

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We Need Your Help Finding This Dog

Hello everyone,

if you live in the Dagsboro Rd. or Zion Rd. area... I desperately need your help in finding my missing dog. She got loose right by the gun range while we were trying to fix a flat tire on Dagsboro Rd. I have hung flyers and placed ads in every place that I think could be of some assistance but so far NO luck. She is 10 months old and approximately 55-60 lbs.and answers to the name "Cali". She is black and white but has brown patches on the inner parts of her ears and around the outsides of her eyes. She also has a white strip that runs down the center of her face. If anyone has any information that could lead to my baby coming home please contact me @ (443)365-5643. I am offering a reward to whomever returns her to me.F.Y.I. she will not bite so do not be alarmed. I appreciate everyones time and efforts.

Karemore Pharmacy

Dear Joe,

I know sometimes a local business gets a kudos on your blog. Well here is one that people would be interested in. Karemore Pharmacy on Snow Hill Rd. in the Food Lion Shopping Center has got to be the best pharmacy in town. The staff is very friendly, you don’t have to wait in a line for hours for your prescriptions to be filled and best of all, it’s rare to pay full price. The pharmacists there is up to date on all manufacturer’s coupons and offers to save you on Brand name prescriptions. They will take the time to make sure you get a discount if one is available. Not only do they offer local delivery, they will also go to your house and pick up your prescriptions and deliver them. I’m sure most other pharmacies only care about making money.

These pharmacist actually are compassionate and understanding when you are having difficulty paying your bill. That is a rare find these days, especially since it seems like everyone is out there for themselves and want to make a buck. If you are looking for a fast, friendly and caring pharmacy, you need to check out Karemore.

Signed,

A Happy Customer

Kids Easter Party

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY, LT. GOVERNOR ANTHONY BROWN CONVENE “MARYLAND FORWARD” FORUM ON SMART GROWTH

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will join Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker tomorrow in continuing the “Maryland Forward” policy forum series with a forum on smart growth.  Today’s forum will solicit input from local residents, developers, advocates, and community officials on how best to further smarter, more sustainable growth in Maryland.  Discussions will focus on the environmental impact of development, the need for greater focus on transit-oriented development, and community revitalization.

Approximately 200 community development stakeholders will join housing officials, developers, higher education officials, and state and local elected leaders for an open forum on smart growth.

Following the State of the State address, Governor O’Malley announced a series of “Maryland Forward” local policy forums to advance many of those initiatives, serving as a continuation of the “Maryland Forward” forum series before the 2011 Inauguration.  Today’s forum is the third in a series of smaller groups of local stakeholders throughout the 2011 legislative session focused on specific policy areas that will help Maryland be a winner in the new economy, protect our neighborhoods, and create jobs.

U.S. Health Care System Unprepared for Major Nuclear Emergency

Few hospitals drill for radiological emergencies, and agencies aren't prepared to handle mass evacuations. Many states don't even have a basic plan for communicating with the public after a catastrophic radiological release.

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IRS Pays Whistleblower $4.5 Mil

The IRS has paid its first whistleblower award. And it's a doozy at $4.5 million dollars -- before taxes, that is. An in-house company accountant in Pennsylvania raised a red flag about a tax mistake his employer ignored. He tipped off the IRS, which eventually collected $20 million in taxes and interest. The employee received 22 percent. Senator Charles Grassley sponsored the 2006 bill creating the IRS whistleblower office. He tells the AP, the award ought to encourage more people to blow the whistle.

State Braces For Federal Shutdown

Naval Academy declines to speculate on contingencies

State leaders will meet today to discuss the impact of a looming federal government shutdown, the first one in 15 years, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday.

The governor's office asked state agencies to compile lists of potential effects on their operations if Republicans and Democrats can't come to an agreement on budget cuts by midnight tomorrow, said Shaun Adamec, an O'Malley spokesman.

If there's no agreement, the federal government could shut down for the first time since the Clinton administration.

"It wouldn't just impact Maryland citizens, it could also potentially impact a lot of the agencies that partner with federal programs, though I couldn't tell you to what extent," Adamec said yesterday. "We'll know more tomorrow."

When the federal government last shut down in late 1995 and early 1996 - for three weeks - some Anne Arundel Community College students were unable to receive federal financial aid and register for spring classes, according to a January 1996 story in The Capital.

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Lockheed Martin Will Not Shut Down, For Now

Contracting giant Lockheed Martin says a government shutdown, wont close their door. The company's chief executive officer says his employees will continue to work and Lockheed has no plans to furlough anyone, at least right now. The company will also continue to pay benefits.

Government Shutdown

The federal government countdown to shutdown continues toward midnight tonight. Yesterday's intense negotiations fail to result in any agreement to fund the government for the rest of fiscal 2011. President Obama asks Republican and Democratic leaders, as well as his own staff, to work all night. He cancels a trip to Indiana scheduled for today. House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issue a joint statement, saying only that they've narrowed their differences. The House passes another short-term funding bill with 12 billion dollars in cuts plus full year military funding. Senate Democrats reject that bill and the President declares, he'd veto it anyhow. More announcements are expected later this morning.

Congress Continues Negotiations; Feds Frustration Grows

President Obama expects to have an answer before noon today about whether a shutdown can be averted. Meanwhile agencies have new guidance from OMB on how to prepare to close down their offices. Federal workers vent frustrations and ask questions during a town hall meeting sponsored by Rep. Jim Moran. (Burning the midnight oil at the U.S. Capitol in the early hours of April 8, 2011. AP photo.)  

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If US Government Shuts Down, Some Services Would Continue

Washington - Social Security checks would still go out. So would tax payments and refunds for e-filed returns. Soldiers would remain on duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, and sailors off the coast of Libya. FBI agents would still work. Mail would be delivered.

Those are some of the services that would continue even if the federal government runs out of money at 12:01 am Saturday with no agreement to extend the budget.

But much of the government would shut down.

Roughly 800,000 federal employees would be furloughed, including many civilian workers in the Defense Department, much of the White House staff, and at least some of Congress's staff. National parks would close. Hand-mailed tax returns would go unopened.

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Government Calls Native American Resistance Of 1800s "Much Like Modern-Day Al-Qaeda"

The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) issued a statement concerning the hearing before the United States Court of Military Commission Review in United States v. Al Bahlul, before its scheduled date of March 17, 2011. Al Bahlul is the first appeal of a Guantanamo military commission conviction to proceed before the Court of Military Commission Review. The case is notable because, in essence, it is a conviction in desperate search of supporting war crimes. But it's also notable for the ahistorical and racist rhetoric in the government briefs that suggest equivalency between Native Americans resisting US takeover of their homelands and al-Qaeda. If you were to ask the Seminoles, I suspect they would say that the greatest threat to their homeland security during the 1800s was in fact the US government. It's appalling that the Obama administration has abandoned its pledge to close Guantanamo. But it's intolerable that it would invoke and distort one of the darkest moments in American history to justify its failure. Here's the CCR statement:

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Robin Hood In Reverse In The US: Seven Examples

The rich have been getting richer and the poor and the middle class have been getting poorer in the US recently. Here are seven examples that show how the US is going through "Robin Hood in Reverse."

Between 1948 and 1979, the richest 10 percent of families in the US claimed 33 percent of average income growth. Between 2000 and 2007, the richest 10 percent claimed a full 100 percent of average income growth in the US, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Business taxes were cut from 46 to 34 percent 25 years ago, according to ProPublica. But today, 115 of the big 500 companies listed on Standard and Poor's stock index paid federal and other taxes of less than 20 percent over the last five years, according to David Leonhardt of The New York Times.

General Electric's tax rate for last year was seven percent, according to ProPublica.

The top five percent of US households claim 63 percent of the entire country's wealth. The bottom 80 percent hold just 13 percent of the growth, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

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Comcast's CEO Pay Valued At $31.1 M. Did He Earn It?

$31.1 million is what you get for being the CEO of Comcast, reports the AP in their breakdown of Brian Robert's compensation package. Do you feel this pay is deserving and accurately reflects your experience as a Comcast customer? Our handy poll has buttons that you can push to tell the world your opinion. Just don't push the red button with the lips on it. That orders more naughty movies and makes a silver bell in Brian Robert's office go ting-a-ling.

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2nd Air Traffic Controller Could Be Fired For Snoozing On The Job

The second air traffic controller in a month could lose his job for catching some z's up in the tower. FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt told Congress that the controller was "found intentionally sleeping." What defines "intentional sleeping?" He had cushions and a blanket, meaning he brought materials to work with him to help him sleep.

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Around One Out Of Every 10 Mall Stores Now Vacant

The malls of America have seen better days. In the wake of the still-lingering economic downturn, vacancy rates at shopping centers — of both the "classic mall" and "strip mall" varieties — are at their highest levels since the twentieth century.

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Heavy Beer Drinkers May Increase Risk Of Cancer

Science lends more proof to Homer Simpson's assertion that beer is both the cause of and solution to all of life's problems. A Spanish study found that heavy beer drinking — two or three beers a day for several years — can increase the risk of gastric cancer, especially if the drinkers possess a specific gene variant that's present in 20 percent of the population.

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Delta Bans Bulldogs After Increase In Dog Deaths

Delta Airlines took a lot of heat in 2010 for a string of incidents — like this one, this one or this one — involving dead and/or lost pets on its flights. So in an attempt to cut down on the number of animal deaths, the airline will no longer accept bulldogs in its planes' cargo holds.

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Costco Selling $1 Million Diamond Ring

If you're a rich baron of industry out to impress your beloved with a pricey piece of jewelry, forget Tiffany's. Go to Costco. They're selling a big 'ol 6.77 ct diamond solitaire ring for $1,000,000. And true to form, it's a bargain. The piece has been valued at $1,601,875.

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