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Monday, May 30, 2011
14 Dead In Germany As Cucumber Crisis Grows
Belgium and Russia banned the import of vegetables from Spain, believed to be the source of at least some of the contaminated cucumbers. Madrid shot back saying it would seek financial compensation from the European Union for lost sales.
More than two weeks after the food poisoning outbreak was first reported in northern Germany, the number of confirmed and suspected cases has reached 1,200, according to media reports.
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Wicomico Council Budget Session on Tuesday
The Wicomico County Council is scheduled to have a budget work session Tuesday from 9AM – 3PM in the council chambers of the GOB. Most of Tuesday will be be spent on the usual thorough, watch paint dry, topics of county government. Two items should prove particularly “interesting”:
- County Executive Rick Pollitt is to appear at around 10 AM. He is scheduled to make a pitch for his department’s budget and present a plan to restructure his office. Harford County Executive David Craig is scheduled to present Pollitt’s pitch for re-structuring.
- At approximately 12 Noon, the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) is scheduled to appear before council. We expect this to be quite “interesting” in light of information learned this weekend. Look for a special post at 8 AM Tuesday to provide details.
MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION
2011 Wicomico County Memorial Day Observance
Among those present were Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt, County Council President Gail Bartkovich, county council members Bob Culver and Stevie Prettyman, Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton, city council members Laura Mitchell and Tim Spies, Delegates Norm Conway and Charles Otto, Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan, former Wicomico councilman John Cannon, Dave MacLeod, and Tony Sarbanes.
Retired Senior Chief Dave Suiter stepped up this year to ring the Red Knights Memorial Bell.
Postscript From Salisbury vs. Tufts
But the Sea Gulls, ranked No. 1 in the most recent United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association poll, deserve credit for a defensive strategy that held the No. 5 Jumbos to their third-worst production of the season.
In fact, Salisbury (21-1) has been a top-5 defense all season, and that’s not a coincidence, according to senior defenseman Nick Mooney.
“All year, we were just really focused on defense,” he said. “Pressuring hard, coming out hard, coming out from the beginning and stopping everyone. We wanted to be a dominant defense. All year, we wanted to be the best defense in the nation, and we are. Hands down, we’re the best defense in the nation. We wanted to be physical, and we wanted to basically scare the opponent. We wanted to scare them off the field. That was our goal.”
The Sea Gulls were especially suffocating in the postseason. Their four opponents in the tournament – Endicott, Dickinson, Roanoke and Tufts – combined for an average of 13.9 goals prior to meeting Salisbury. Those four teams combined for an average of 6.5 goals against the Sea Gulls.
“They’re just very athletic, a tough defense,” said Jumbos senior attackman D.J. Hessler, whose offense had averaged 12.9 goals prior to Sunday night. “Our guys up top weren’t really able to dodge on them. All credit goes to them.”
Salisbury junior defenseman Chad Surman admitted that the defense gets to hone its game by practicing against the team’s potent offense on a daily basis.
“We play against the best offense in the country every day,” Surman said. “So we know that when we go against another team, we’re not facing players who are nearly as good as the ones we see at practice every day.”
Other notes:
*The Sea Gulls enjoyed their ninth national championship even more because they captured it by defeating the team that prevented from winning last year’s crown. Last May’s 9-6 loss to Tufts resonated with the Salisbury players for a long time. “It’s definitely something that’s a little bit extra,” Surman conceded. “All year, we’ve been talking ‘9-6, Tufts,’ and ‘We’ve got to avenge the loss.’ To get back here against the team that took it from us last year, it adds a little bit more sweetness to the cake.” Hessler, a Monkton native and St. Paul’s graduate, downplayed the revenge angle. “I don’t think it mattered, what we did last year,” said Hessler, who paced the Jumbos with a team-high five points on two goals and three assists. “It’s a totally different game. Yeah, they kept it coming, but that’s what they did and they deserved it. They beat us. If they’re going to keep scoring, we’ve got to stop them.”
*Salisbury and Tufts have never met in the regular season, but that’s not due to a lack of effort, according to Jumbos coach Mike Daly. “We’ve been trying to do that for years and years and years,” he said. “It just hasn’t worked out with our spring break schedule. We had an opportunity last year where we were able to add Stevenson, which was a great game, and they’re back on our schedule next year. So we’re open to playing anyone. We think that’s what gives us the opportunity that we had today. Salisbury needed to play some more in-region opponents outside of their league, and I think they added Roanoke instead of our game last year. But Coach [Jim] Berkman and I have known each other since 1998 when I took over. He’s been a friend, and we’ve been trying to schedule that game for 12 years.”
Source
Troopers Attempting To Locate Escapee
McCain: Palin Can Beat Obama
"But she certainly is a major factor and I believe she can be very competitive."
While he said she inspires "great passion, particularly among the Republican faithful," he also said her high unfavorable ratings have something to do with the attacks she's sustained in the national media.
"I've never seen anyone as mercilessly attacked and relentlessly attacked as I have seen Sarah Palin in the last couple of years," McCain said.
Palin's public flirtation with a bid for the White House reached new levels this week with the announcement of a bus tour that begins Sunday in Washington, D.C. The former Alaska governor has declared the "One Nation" trip an opportunity to "educate and energize Americans about our nation's founding principles, in order to promote the fundamental restoration of America."
But McCain acknowledged the campaign will be a "roller coaster" before the Republicans find their nominee.
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Germany Will Shut Down All Nuke Plants By 2022
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HIGH SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2010
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.
2010 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario 2:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies..
2010 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2010 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.
Scenario 4:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt. 1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college and becomes a successful businessman. 2010 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse, Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. The state psychologist is told by Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares his aspirin with the Principal out on the smoking dock.
2010 - The police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug violations. His car is then searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario 6:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2010 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from the Fourth of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die.
2010 - ATF, Homeland Security and the FBI are all called. Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. The FBI investigates his parents - and all siblings are removed from their home and all computers are confiscated. Johnny's dad is placed on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario 8:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2010 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
Man Dies After Falling Off Bull
Reflecting On Memorial Day
A look at how the news media and blogosphere are examining Memorial Day and its meaning.
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases
GOP Moves To Tighten Vote Rules In 13 States
Republicans in 13 states — where changes have either been passed or introduced in the past two months — say they are trying to ensure voters are qualified; Democrats counter the moves are politically based and aimed at weeding out young and minority voters — many of whom comprise the party’s base, The New York Times reports.
Last week, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Gov. Rick Perry of Texas joined Kansas and South Carolina, and signed laws that would require valid photo identification before a voter could cast a ballot. Twelve states now require photo identification to vote, the Times says.
Gov. Rick Scott in Florida signed a bill this month to tighten restrictions on third-party voter registration organizations and to shorten the number of early voting days. The battleground states of Ohio and Pennsylvania are among those considering voter-identification bills.
“If you have to show a picture ID to buy Sudafed, if you have to show a picture ID to get on an airplane, you should show a picture ID when you vote,” Gov. Nikki Haley said this month when she signed the South Carolina law, the Times says.
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A 62% Top Tax Rate?
If the Democrats' millionaire surtax were to happen—and were added to other tax increases already enacted last year and other leading tax hike ideas on the table this year—this could leave the U.S. with a combined federal and state top tax rate on earnings of 62%. That's more than double the highest federal marginal rate of 28% when President Reagan left office in 1989. Welcome back to the 1970s.
Here's the math behind that depressing calculation. Today's top federal income tax rate is 35%. Almost all Democrats in Washington want to repeal the Bush tax cuts on those who make more than $250,000 and phase out certain deductions, so the effective income tax rate would rise to about 41.5%. The 3% millionaire surtax raises that rate to 44.5%.
But payroll taxes, which are income taxes on wages and salaries, must also be included in the equation. So we have to add about 2.5 percentage points for the payroll tax for Medicare (employee and employer share after business deductions), which was applied to all income without a ceiling in 1993 as part of the Clinton tax hike. I am including in this analysis the employer share of all payroll taxes because it is a direct tax on a worker's salary and most economists agree that though employers are responsible for collecting this tax, it is ultimately borne by the employee. That brings the tax rate to 47%.
Then last year, as part of the down payment for ObamaCare, Congress snuck in an extra 0.9% Medicare surtax on "high-income earners," meaning any individual earning more than $200,000 or couples earning more than $250,000. This brings the total tax rate to 47.9%.
But that's not all.
Read more here
DIVORCE AGREEMENT
Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al:
We have stuck together since the late 1950s for the sake of the kids, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has clearly run its course.
Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right for us all, so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.
Here is a model separation agreement:
--Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a similar portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.
--We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them.
--You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.
--Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military.
--We'll take the nasty, smelly oil industry and you can go with wind, solar and biodiesel.
--You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell. You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them.
--We'll keep capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street.
--You can have your beloved lifelong welfare dwellers, food stamps, homeless, homeboys, hippies, druggies and illegal aliens.
--We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks.
--We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood .
--You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us.
--You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.
--We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.
--You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism, political correctness and Shirley McClane. You can also have the U.N. But we will no longer be paying the bill.
--We'll keep the SUV's, pickup trucks and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Volt and Leaf you can find.
--You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors.
--We'll keep "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "The National Anthem."
--I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute "Imagine", "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing", "Kum Ba Ya" or"We Are the World".
--We'll practice trickle down economics and you can continue to give trickle up poverty your best shot.
--Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag.
Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like-minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you answer which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.
Sincerely,
John J. Wall
Law Student and an American
“Homeland”–A Patriotic Musical
Christ United Methodist Church is sponsoring “’Homeland’ – A Patriotic Musical” tonight at 6PM . Admission is free, and a nursery is available.
A Musical Tribute to Eydie Gorme,
Starring:
at the MAC Center
909 Progress Circle
Salisbury, MD
410-742-0505
Sunday, June 12, 2011 2:00pm - 5:00pm
$50.00 per person includes Appetizers and Beverages
MC/VISA accepted
**This is a benefit for underserved women affected with breast cancer**
Call Leigh Ann Eagle for sponsorship opportunities
Memorial Day Thoughts
Crisfield Soft Shell Spring Fair
A warm, sunny day welcomed those who traveled to Crisfield Sunday afternoon for the 2011 Soft Shell Spring Fair. Visitors were treated to food, fun, and live music down on the City Dock with its gorgeous view over Tangier Sound.
Suffering From Budget Cuts, Public Schools Charge For Basics
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Memorial Day Service
Come down to the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center at 10 AM to pay tribute to those who have given their lives to protect the freedoms which we too often take for granted.
The service is hosted by the Wicomico War Memorial Committee. Some seating is available. In the event of rain, the service will be moved inside the Civic Center.
Gates Calls For Reflection On Memorial Day
He's calling on service members to remember their comrades who died in service to the nation.
During the minute-long video message, Gates says Memorial Day is a time when we all must recognize that this generation is keeping watch and serving the nation in far away lands.
Watch the video.
Poor Attendance And Online Ticket Sales Are A Baseball Fan's Dream
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Cantor: Medicare Plan Impacted NY Election
“It’s undeniable that it played some role in the election. Any time you have one side demagoguing and frankly, accusing the other side in a way that’s not factual of trying to reform the program, certainly that’s going to influence the electorate," Cantor said Sunday on CBS's “Face the Nation.” “As far as Medicare is concerned, there’s a simple choice here — either we’re going to save the program or let it go bankrupt.”
More here
Sorority Treasurer Arrested After Stealing Funds
BREAKING NEWS: Yemeni Troops Fire Into Crowd, Kill At Least 20
House To Vote Tuesday on Debt Ceiling Increase
House lawmakers will conduct a straight, up-or-down vote on increasing the debt limit on Tuesday night, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., has announced.
Republican leaders had previously stated the vote would be sometime this week, but the date was not known before Cantor revealed the schedule Sunday.
By doing the vote after 6:30 pm, that ensures that the market is closed and there is no "real time" metric on Wall Street to measure the vote.
In September 2008, the market fell precipitously as the Troubled Assets Relief Program bill failed on the House floor.
This bill is not expected to pass.
There are two reasons for that. First of all, there are no "spending cuts" or framework attached to the bill.
Secondly, the House is treating this as a suspension bill. That means it has limited debate -- only 20 minutes -- and needs a two-thirds majority to pass.
With 432 members in the House now (not including Kathy Hochul, who has not yet been sworn in after winning last week's New York 26th District special election), 288 yea votes would be necessary to pass the debt ceiling increase.
Former Texas Governor William P. Clements – R.I.P.
Former Gov. Bill Clements, who in 1979 became the first Republican elected governor in Texas since Reconstruction and whose belief that state government should operate like a big business helped change the face of Texas politics, has died. He was 94.
Clements, who served two terms as governor despite losing his first re-election bid, died Sunday after what his family said was a brief stay at a Dallas-area hospital. The family said Clements had been ill for several months and grieving the death of his son, who was shot and killed by a neighbor last year.
"It is somewhat fitting that he died Memorial Day Weekend since he so appreciated the opportunities he had to serve his state and country," the family said in a statement.