New York Senate passes bill to legalize gay marriage, paving way for state to become sixth to allow same-sex couples to wed.
From Fox News
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, June 24, 2011
Don’t the Rules Apply to SAPOA Members?
Over the last several months we have seen landlords such as Mitchell David and Salisbury Area Property Owners Association (SAPOA) president Kris Adams appear before the Salisbury City Council and praise city agencies such as Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance. It struck us as a little odd. For years the city government, and this department in particular, were public enemy number one amongst the SAPOA crowd. Maybe we can glean a little understanding from recent events.
For those that don’t know, Salisbury councilwoman Debbie Campbell lives at 809 Camden Avenue. A few months ago 807 Camden (next door to Campbell and her family) was purchased by Kevin and / or Kris Adams or one of their companies (SDAT records do not show the property transfer at the time of this post). Given that Campbell has been a vocal opponent of many SAPOA practices over the years, many have anticipated some fireworks.PERMITS, WE DON’T NEED NO STINKING PERMITS
We first became aware of the work being done when it was mentioned that the Campbells’ retaining wall had been damaged by the concrete contractors.
It was pretty evident that the folks hired by the Adamses weren’t real concerned about other people’s property. This seemed a little odd, but the initial reaction was, “Hey, everyone makes mistakes”. However, several parties interviewed have suggested that this may be an attempt to put Debbie Campbell into litigation against the Adamses. This would force Campbell to recuse herself on any vote that affected either the Adamses or SAPOA.
Even if true, it is doubtful that Campbell would bite. That’s what insurance companies are for.
What about a building permit? According to the Salisbury’s Department of Building, Permits, and Inspections one isn’t required. I honestly don’t know what kind of work is being done inside the house. However, why isn’t a permit required for the retaining wall?
FIXING THE SIDEWALK
Last, but not least is the repairs to the curbs and sidewalk necessitated by the Adams’ little demolition job.
Eyewitness accounts and a little research say NO.
No breakage permit was issued until AFTER the damage was done, a neighbor complained, and a public works employee visited the site. It’s one thing for Joe Homeowner to profess ignorance; it’s another for someone who makes their living as a rental property investor.
I understand the argument in favor of the Adamses. I have no love for government. While I have a few acquaintances serving on the Historic District Commission, I’ve no use for it either. Here at SbyNEWS we’re strong supporters of property rights. That said … them’s the rules. I also find it a tad hypocritical coming from folks who love to stand up in public and brag that they are in compliance with all of the city’s rules.
What about the repairs?
The tardily applied for permit states that an approved city contractor (Worth Construction) would do the repair work. Two neighbors (neither one of whom is Debbie Campbell) state that Quality Concrete Construction did the repair work.
Given that neither of these witness appear to have any axe to grind and we were unable to confirm with Worth that they did do the work, we have to conclude that the city’s regulations were skirted.
I’m sure that the Campbell’s wall will get repaired. I’m confident that Public Works will follow-up to confirm who actually did the sidewalk repairs. I trust that the Historic District Commission will give the Adamses a fair hearing. I simply hope that the next time we hear from a pious landlord, they don’t tell us what great neighbors they are and how compliant they are.
They might find more sympathy from citizens IF they were just straightforward about their actions. If the regulatory burden is too great in Salisbury, then they might think about moving more of their business out of the city.
New Posts will fall below this one.
Russian Blogger Accuses Putin Of Abuse Of Power
Whistleblower causes stir in Moscow as blogosphere gains traction in Russia
MOSCOW — A Russian blogger created a huge stir in Moscow by accusing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of abusing his office this week, demonstrating the growing influence of the blogosphere in this "managed democracy."
Alexei Navalny charges that in building a new "popular front" to support his bid for national leadership, Mr. Putin is ignoring most of the tough regulations for creating a nongovernmental organization that he authored during his years in the Krem lin.
In the past, a single citizen complaining about the (possibly illegal) hypocrisies of the powerful would be unlikely to get very far. But Mr. Navalny is helping change that dynamic.
Lightning Strikes Twice
This will blow your mind for bad luck... or confirm a very strong message from the powers that be..
Do you ever think your luck is bad? Well next time that thought crosses your mind, think about the fellow shown in this video clip.
This surveillance video shows a man that is hit by lightning. Incredibly, it does not kill him! After a brief moment of unconsciousness, he rallies, picks himself up, and soldiers on- ONLY TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTING A SECOND TIME. UNBELIEVABLE! And even the second bolt doesn't do him in. He survives!
Notice the marks left on the pavement by the lightning strikes.
Only 1 Week To Sign The Immigration Petition
However, we need a few thousand more signatures by Thursday, June 30th to accomplish our goal.
As you know, I am OPPOSED to giving illegal immigrants any government subsidies and urge you and your entire family to join me in signing this petition. To sign the petition, please go to MDPetitions.comand follow the instructions very carefully (print and sign your full name and birthdate).
After we made it through the first deadline successfully, the liberal, out of touch ACLU has threatened to file lawsuits to try to stop us from bringing this issue to the ballot box in 2012. Help me make sure this petition drive is successful.
Please take a minute to go to MDPetitions.com, print out the petition, urge your entire family to sign it and send it to the designated PO Box to let the people decide if in-state tuition for illegal immigrants is a good idea. Remember – the signed petitions must arrive at MDPetitions.com by June 30th!
Md. May Charge Sales Tax Online
States Face Billions In Budget Deficits
Simmering for more than a decade, the battle over Internet sales taxes has boiled over in many states across the nation.
Facing a $1 billion budget deficit, Gov. Martin O'Malley has joined a long line of governors seeking to collect sales taxes from online retailers. E-commerce has grown 15 percent, to a $165 billion industry, which could produce billions of dollars in tax revenue for states.
A loophole allowing retailers without a store in Maryland to avoid collecting sales taxes is about to be challenged. Website retailers cite a Supreme Court decision that granted them the exemption. Maryland lawmakers will address the issue in the next session of the General Assembly. Supporters include local retailers, who have to charge and pay the sales tax. They claim the exemption creates an unfair playing field. Opponents are the big Internet retailers who avoid state taxes and sometimes use loopholes even when they have local operations.
Longhorn Steakhouse to be Placed Over Storm Water Management Pond
Recently we’ve received questions regarding some construction down by the Centre at Salisbury. It seems that there are plans to put a Longhorn Steakhouse between the Olive Garden and Famous Dave’s restaurants. What’s there now? A storm water pond.
How can that be? We’ve all heard that Maryland’s already onerous storm water regulations are getting tighter. Is this just another case of big business getting its way when the little guy would be trampled over?
It doesn’t appear so. However, it does show you what lengths you have to go to in order to get all of your questions answered.
Our first stop was to the Planning Commission. It was explained that they really didn’t have anything to do with it. The property is properly zoned for the restaurant. The only thing coming before them will likely be signage.
Salisbury Public Works – Now we’re getting somewhere! Public Works, along with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) worked with the owners to come up with a revised storm water management scheme.
The owners will be allowed to fill in a portion of the current storm water management pond. They will build a dike separating the two sections and deepen the portion that will continue to be storm water management.
Makes sense so far. A gallon of capacity is a gallon of capacity. It doesn’t matter whether the container is wide or deep.
Now we know that the project has been approved and they have what appears to be a valid explanation. Ah, but if you worked for Joe Albero you would know that it couldn’t end there.
Albero raised a perfectly good question. What about the water table? If they are digging deeper, won’t they loose capacity due to the water table? Also, won’t that cause a problem with construction?
We didn’t get those answers until today. A well drilling rig was observed on the property. Back to Salisbury Public Works.
Have you ever heard of a “de-watering well”? Me either … until today. The well will temporarily lower the local water table to allow workers to complete filling in the section where the restaurant will be built and to drive their foundation pilings. When done, the pumps will be turned off and the water table will naturally rise.
Sounds expensive. It is. This brings us back to where we started – the Salisbury / Wicomico Planning Commission. When discussing this with Planning and Zoning Director Jack Lenox, he commented that this shows how valuable the piece of property is. That location is valuable enough to the owners that they are willing to sink a small fortune into sight prep just to get frontage on US 13 at the Centre.
Nefarious? No. Interesting? We definitely thought so; or we wouldn't have devoted the hours required to get this post out.
Thanks to all of the people interviewed to help put this together; especially those that were not supposed to talk to us. Perhaps the Salisbury city government will learn that allowing their employees to answer questions in a forthright manner goes a long way to making them, their departments, and the city look good. - Ed.
Lawsuit Seeks To Block SF Vote On Circumcision Ban
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - An unlikely coalition of Jews and Muslims on Wednesday filed a lawsuit to block a San Francisco ballot measure that would ban the circumcision of male children, a procedure widely practiced by members of both faiths.
The case filed in San Francisco Superior Court asks the court to remove the voter initiative from the city's Nov. 8 ballot, arguing that California law bars local governments from restricting medical procedures.
The plaintiffs include five Jews, three Muslims, two physicians who regularly perform circumcisions, the Anti-Defamation League and the local chapter of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
"It's a measure that would basically infringe upon my rights as a Muslim to practice here," said plaintiff Leticia Preza, 31, who has a 4-year-old son and baby daughter. "It would also take away my rights as a parent to choose what's a good procedure for my child."
San Francisco is set to be the first U.S. city to hold a public vote on banning male circumcision after city elections officials confirmed last month that the initiative had enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The measure would prohibit circumcision on males under the age of 18, making it a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail. There would be no religious exemptions.
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The case filed in San Francisco Superior Court asks the court to remove the voter initiative from the city's Nov. 8 ballot, arguing that California law bars local governments from restricting medical procedures.
The plaintiffs include five Jews, three Muslims, two physicians who regularly perform circumcisions, the Anti-Defamation League and the local chapter of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
"It's a measure that would basically infringe upon my rights as a Muslim to practice here," said plaintiff Leticia Preza, 31, who has a 4-year-old son and baby daughter. "It would also take away my rights as a parent to choose what's a good procedure for my child."
San Francisco is set to be the first U.S. city to hold a public vote on banning male circumcision after city elections officials confirmed last month that the initiative had enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The measure would prohibit circumcision on males under the age of 18, making it a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail. There would be no religious exemptions.
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Maryland Courts Undecided On Same-Sex Divorces
WASHINGTON -- Like most people who get married, Jessica Port didn't imagine she would ever get divorced. But less than a year after her wedding in San Francisco, she was ready to call it quits. A Maryland court decided she couldn't because she was married to another woman.
"We filed all the paperwork in Prince George's County and paid the fees," she says.
"The judge saved the docket for last and said that because of the unnatural circumstances of the marriage, [we] would have the ruling by mail."
Two weeks later, Port and her ex-partner were denied a divorce.
In his opinion, the judge wrote that "to recognize the alleged marriage would be contrary to the public policy of Maryland" because the state does not recognize same-sex marriages.
Port's lawyer, Michele Zavos, says this is not uncommon.
"Most state laws and certainly most government laws are written based on the term 'spouse.' If someone is not married [according to the law], they do not have a spouse and therefore are not eligible for a divorce."
Part of the problem is that this case is treading on relatively new ground. Zavos says she can only think of three other instances in the state of Maryland where a same-sex couple attempted to legally divorce. One was granted in Anne Arundel County, and two were denied in Prince George's County and in Baltimore City, respectively.
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"We filed all the paperwork in Prince George's County and paid the fees," she says.
"The judge saved the docket for last and said that because of the unnatural circumstances of the marriage, [we] would have the ruling by mail."
Two weeks later, Port and her ex-partner were denied a divorce.
In his opinion, the judge wrote that "to recognize the alleged marriage would be contrary to the public policy of Maryland" because the state does not recognize same-sex marriages.
Port's lawyer, Michele Zavos, says this is not uncommon.
"Most state laws and certainly most government laws are written based on the term 'spouse.' If someone is not married [according to the law], they do not have a spouse and therefore are not eligible for a divorce."
Part of the problem is that this case is treading on relatively new ground. Zavos says she can only think of three other instances in the state of Maryland where a same-sex couple attempted to legally divorce. One was granted in Anne Arundel County, and two were denied in Prince George's County and in Baltimore City, respectively.
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Florida Poll: Tea Party Movement Could Cost Republicans In 2012
Beware, Florida Republicans: The tea party movement that swept you into office in 2010 could cost you the next election.
That's the takeaway message from Republican pollster and consultant Alex Patton, who conducted a recent survey showing that, by a 2:1 ratio, registered Florida voters said the tea party movement did not represent their views.
The sentiment against the tea party is significantly higher among self-described independent voters, who swing elections in Florida and who looked unfavorably on the tea party by 3-to-1, the poll showed. Only Republican voters favored the tea party movement, with 68 percent in support and less than 20 percent opposed.
Makers Of Generic Drugs Don't Have To Warn Of New Dangers, Supreme Court Rules
Washington - The Supreme Court gave the pharmaceutical industry a pair of victories Thursday, shielding the makers of generic drugs from most lawsuits by injured patients and declaring that drug makers had a free-speech right to buy private prescription records to boost their sales pitches to doctors.
In both decisions, the court's conservative bloc formed the majority, and most of its liberals dissented.
About 75% of the prescriptions written in this country are for lower-cost generic versions of brand-name drugs. Federal law requires the original makers of these brand-name drugs to include an approved and up-to-date warning label that tells doctors and patients of possible side effects or complications.
But in a 5-4 decision, the high court said this duty to warn patients of newly revealed dangers does not extend to the makers of generic drugs. Justice Clarence Thomas said that because the federal Food and Drug Administration must approve changes in the warning labels, the generic makers may not be sued under state liability laws for failing to warn patients of new dangers.
"We find impossibility here," Thomas said, because the federal regulatory law and the state liability law are in conflict. The dissenters said the generic drug makers should notify the FDA and its patients as soon as it receives reports of serious new problems.
Green Literacy New Graduation Requirement In MD
Maryland public school students will need to know their green to graduate under a new policy adopted today by the state board of education.
State officials and environmental activists called the vote "historic" and said Maryland has become the first state in the nation to require environmental literacy to graduate from high school. Under the rule, public schools will be required to work lessons about conservation, smart growth and the health of our natural world into their core subjects like science and social studies.
The requirement applies to students entering high school this fall. Local school systems will be able to shape those lessons to be relevant to their communities, but all will have to meet standards set by the state. School systems will have to report to the state every five years on what they're doing to meet the requirements.
Gov. Martin O'Malley issued a statement calling the board's action "a defining moment for education in Maryland," while environmental advocates were even more effusive. Don Baugh, head of the No Child Left Inside Coalition promoting federal environmental literacy legislation, called it a "momentous day."
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State officials and environmental activists called the vote "historic" and said Maryland has become the first state in the nation to require environmental literacy to graduate from high school. Under the rule, public schools will be required to work lessons about conservation, smart growth and the health of our natural world into their core subjects like science and social studies.
The requirement applies to students entering high school this fall. Local school systems will be able to shape those lessons to be relevant to their communities, but all will have to meet standards set by the state. School systems will have to report to the state every five years on what they're doing to meet the requirements.
Gov. Martin O'Malley issued a statement calling the board's action "a defining moment for education in Maryland," while environmental advocates were even more effusive. Don Baugh, head of the No Child Left Inside Coalition promoting federal environmental literacy legislation, called it a "momentous day."
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The Results Are In For Brooke Mulford
MIBG scan is clear!
CT scan showed 2 small nodules on her lungs. The doctors are not too concerned and said that it could be nothing but to be on the safe side they are going to redo scans in 3 months (we were due to move to 6 months between scans). The sclerotic areas on her spine have not changed.
Echocardiogram showed some issues but this too could be nothing – she will get another one in 6 months.
EKG was normal.
Labs all look good and I won’t know results of urine tests for another week or so.
She gained about a pound and grew a little over an inch.
So I will try to stay optimistic and pray that everything is ok – it would have been really nice to leave with a 100% confidence that everything was clear.
Thanks for your prayers,
Amy
BREAKING NEWS: Legendary Actor Peter Falk Dead
Limerick
There once was a pervert named Weiner
Who had a perverted demeanor
Forced from the Hill
For acting like Bill
Now Congress is one weiner leaner
Who had a perverted demeanor
Forced from the Hill
For acting like Bill
Now Congress is one weiner leaner
Majority of Obama Opponents Want New Candidate In The Race
A strong majority of voters who oppose President Obama's reelection said they wish another candidate would get into the race, according to a new poll.
Fifty-eight percent of Americans who will definitely vote for or consider a candidate other than President Obama said in a new Bloomberg News poll Thursday they hope another candidate enters the fray.
Twenty-eight percent said they're mostly happy with the field of candidates running to unseat the president in 2012, while 14 percent were unsure.
While the poll doesn't specifically gauge Republicans' rating of their party's presidential candidates, it takes a broader view of how satisfied Americans are with their alternatives to Obama.
Disappointment with the Republican field has driven a flurry of reports that new candidates could still enter the race, even at this late stage. Both Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) have had to shoot down reports that they'll reconsider running, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is now looking seriously at making a bid, in part because no candidate has stepped forward to fill the gap.
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Fifty-eight percent of Americans who will definitely vote for or consider a candidate other than President Obama said in a new Bloomberg News poll Thursday they hope another candidate enters the fray.
Twenty-eight percent said they're mostly happy with the field of candidates running to unseat the president in 2012, while 14 percent were unsure.
While the poll doesn't specifically gauge Republicans' rating of their party's presidential candidates, it takes a broader view of how satisfied Americans are with their alternatives to Obama.
Disappointment with the Republican field has driven a flurry of reports that new candidates could still enter the race, even at this late stage. Both Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) have had to shoot down reports that they'll reconsider running, and Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) is now looking seriously at making a bid, in part because no candidate has stepped forward to fill the gap.
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Cantor: House to Consider Balanced Budget Amendment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) today issued the following statement regarding House consideration of a balanced budget amendment, H.J. Res. 1, sponsored by Congressman Bob Goodlatte:
“We are being asked by the Obama Administration to approve a debt limit increase. While President Obama inherited a bad economy, his overspending and failure to enact pro-growth policies have made it worse and now our national debt is currently more than $14 trillion. House Republicans have made clear that we will not agree to raise the debt limit without real spending cuts and binding budget process reforms to ensure that we don’t continue to max out the credit card. One option to ensure that we begin to get our fiscal house in order is a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and I expect to schedule such a measure for the House to consider during the week of July 25th. I have no doubt that my Republican colleagues will overwhelmingly support this common sense measure and I urge Democrats to as well in order to get our fiscal house in order."
(Source)
“We are being asked by the Obama Administration to approve a debt limit increase. While President Obama inherited a bad economy, his overspending and failure to enact pro-growth policies have made it worse and now our national debt is currently more than $14 trillion. House Republicans have made clear that we will not agree to raise the debt limit without real spending cuts and binding budget process reforms to ensure that we don’t continue to max out the credit card. One option to ensure that we begin to get our fiscal house in order is a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and I expect to schedule such a measure for the House to consider during the week of July 25th. I have no doubt that my Republican colleagues will overwhelmingly support this common sense measure and I urge Democrats to as well in order to get our fiscal house in order."
(Source)
Google Hides Gay Pride Rainbow
The search engine changed -- or doodled -- the logo on its home page in celebration of the painter Paul Cezanne's 172nd birthday; Robert Louis Stevenson's 160th birthday; the first day of school in Poland; and Pac-Man's 30th anniversary. All of these, with the exception of Poland, which appeared only in that country, were automatically visible to everyone who visited Google.com.
But for Gay Pride Month -- which, in case you didn't notice the parade in the city center, is happening now -- the company took a much less visible approach.
It's one that's stirred up criticism from the gay community.
There's never been an actual Google Doodle in honor of Gay Pride. Instead, during June, a little rainbow pops up next to Google's search bar only when users search for certain "pride-related" terms, including, "gay," "lesbian," "homosexuality," "LGBT," "marriage equality," "bisexual" and "transgender."
"During the month of June, Google is celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride," the company said in an e-mail. "For some Pride-related search queries, we are showing a rainbow at the end of the search bar."
So why hide this feature beneath specific searches?
A company spokeswoman did not provide specifics.
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Comptroller: Md. A 'Laughing Stock' For Buying Gambling Equipment
The comptroller led off with his concerns about the future of unemployment in the state.
Maryland runs dead last in job creation nation-wide, he said. "Last month we had the worst job loss in a long time."
The myth that Maryland is immune to job loss because of its proximity to the federal government "is over."
And raising taxes only stifles small businesses and limits job creation, he added.
"Every time they raise gas tax a penny, I can see the difference in consumer spending," he said. "People will not go and buy a pizza at their local pizza place and small business suffers."
The last general assembly raised $800 million in taxes, and new proposals would increase that by "billions of dollars," he said.
The state could save hundreds of millions in one year if school systems ceased unnecessary and wasteful spending, said Franchot.
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Publishers Notes: Is this guy already running for Governor, OR WHAT!
When It Comes To Sex, Do You Simmer Or Soar?
When comparing male and female sexuality, there’s no shortage of adages: “Men are like light switches - just flip them on and they’re ready to go. Women are like irons - plug them in and let them warm up.”
Or, wait: Is it that men are like microwaves - just push a button to turn them on - and women are like Crock-Pots that need to simmer?
Dr. Emily Nagoski, author of "The Good in Bed Guide to Female Orgasms" writes that “men are like driving standard transmission – if you move through the gears in the right order, you will get where you want to go – and women are like baking a souffle – the outcome depends on the ingredients and the chef, sure, but it also depends on the reliability of the oven, the altitude, the humidity of the day… more variables, more variability.”
Regardless of your metaphor of choice, the oversimplifications of male sexuality abound, as do the explanations:
• Evolutionarily, men are wired to spread their seed indiscriminately, while women are wired to cultivate.
• Psychologically, inside every man is an insecure little boy who needs constant sexual approval.
• Neurochemically, it’s the male “testosterone-brain” versus the female “estrogen-brain.”
• Behaviorally, men respond to simple cues like visual stimulation, while women respond to complex emotional cues.
• Inter-galactically, men are from Mars and women are from Venus!
Whatever the myth, we tend to view male sexuality as simple and female sexuality as complex. Maybe it’s true.
Lately, as reported in the Chart, there have been some really good books by really smart people that support this theory. In their book "Why Women Have Sex," for example, psychologists Cindy Meston and David Buss purposely excluded men from their research.
“We do bring in men occasionally by way of contrast,” they say, “but we wanted to focus exclusively on women so that the complexity of women’s sexual psychology was not given short shrift, so to speak.”
More
Or, wait: Is it that men are like microwaves - just push a button to turn them on - and women are like Crock-Pots that need to simmer?
Dr. Emily Nagoski, author of "The Good in Bed Guide to Female Orgasms" writes that “men are like driving standard transmission – if you move through the gears in the right order, you will get where you want to go – and women are like baking a souffle – the outcome depends on the ingredients and the chef, sure, but it also depends on the reliability of the oven, the altitude, the humidity of the day… more variables, more variability.”
Regardless of your metaphor of choice, the oversimplifications of male sexuality abound, as do the explanations:
• Evolutionarily, men are wired to spread their seed indiscriminately, while women are wired to cultivate.
• Psychologically, inside every man is an insecure little boy who needs constant sexual approval.
• Neurochemically, it’s the male “testosterone-brain” versus the female “estrogen-brain.”
• Behaviorally, men respond to simple cues like visual stimulation, while women respond to complex emotional cues.
• Inter-galactically, men are from Mars and women are from Venus!
Whatever the myth, we tend to view male sexuality as simple and female sexuality as complex. Maybe it’s true.
Lately, as reported in the Chart, there have been some really good books by really smart people that support this theory. In their book "Why Women Have Sex," for example, psychologists Cindy Meston and David Buss purposely excluded men from their research.
“We do bring in men occasionally by way of contrast,” they say, “but we wanted to focus exclusively on women so that the complexity of women’s sexual psychology was not given short shrift, so to speak.”
More
DON'T DO THIS AT HOME!
Food Blogger Jailed For Salty Restaurant Review
A food blogger in Taiwan has been sentenced to jail for 30 days and ordered to pay around $7,000 in damages after a judge ruled that her comments about the saltiness of a restaurant's food were made without doing due diligence.
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Workers? On Rt. 13 Seem To Be Debating A Lot
If we lean a little harder on this railing it should bend another 20 degrees.
Now Charlie over there thinks I'm gonna bust my butt on a hot day like today and that just ain't gonna happen, you?
Well, hell no. Its Friday and I got me a BBQ goin on at 3, ya hear.
LOOKS LIKE OBAMA/BIDEN'S "SHOVEL READY PROJECTS" ARE TRULY PAYING OFF FOR AMERICANS.
Miller For President Press Release
On June 23, 2011, the Obama administration announced that they will sell 30 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The reason for this historic action is "We are taking this action in response to the ongoing loss of crude oil due to supply disruptions in Libya and other countries and their impact on the global economic recovery," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said.
As our next President I will protect this vital National energy reserve for the purpose that it was created for; to provide a last resort energy for our military in times of defending our National security. Also, I will support, empower and trust the American people and the private sector to solve our economic and energy issues while my administration and I protect the Constitution of the United States of America and restore the freedoms that it gives to us.
Thomas J. Miller
Registered Candidate R., President of the United States of America 2012
Federal Election Commission ID: P20001947
Principal Campaign Committee:
Reduce Government w Miller for President ID: C00462010
A Tale Of Two Recoveries: Wealthy Rebounding While Lower-Income Families Struggle
While there may be a load of mansions and McMansions sitting empty or half-finished as a result of the economic collapse, don't take that as a sign that the wealthy are bogged down in the same swamp as the rest of us. According to a study from our research-happy relatives at Consumer Reports, America's well-to-do have been on the upswing for almost 18 months while lower-income families continue to feel the pinch.
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BREAKING NEWS: House Rejects Libya Resolution
House votes down measure giving President Obama authority to continue U.S. military action in Libya.
From Fox News
From Fox News
Can You Die From Laughter?
Be careful how hard you laugh at some of this summer’s blockbuster comedies. "Bridesmaids," "Horrible Bosses" or "The Hangover" sequel could just be the death of you.
“Years ago, I went to see 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' with a friend and I thought I was going to die laughing,” says Jim Dailakis, a 41-year-old comedian from Queens, N.Y. “We had this brutal karate instructor who looked just like this little golden head that Harrison Ford holds up at one point. I saw that head and started howling like a girl. And then I couldn’t catch my breath and had to think of something else so I wouldn’t pass out.”
Dailakis, who says he’s usually goaded into uncontrollable laughing fits by his buddies, says he’s actually blacked out laughing over the years.
“The first time it happened, I thought I was going to die,” he says. “I was on my knees laughing, and then suddenly I couldn’t breathe. It was scary and freaky but I couldn’t stop laughing. And then I began to weep uncontrollably and I thought that was so hilarious, I went into another manic fit of laughter. My friend was laughing so hard, he had to leave the room.”
After that, Dailakis saw stars -- then passed out.
“The next thing I knew, I was lying down and looking up,” he says. “And I could still hear my friend laughing in the next room.”
According to Dr. Martin Samuels, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, blacking out while laughing may be related to over-breathing, and is probably not too dangerous.
“This is most likely benign and unlikely that it would lead to death,” he says.
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Colonoscopy
Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami Herald.
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Colonoscopy Journal:
I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.
A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis.
Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner.
I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'
I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America's enemies.
I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.
Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began mypreparation. In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basicallywater, only with less flavor.
Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-literplastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.
The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result.'
This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.
MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but, have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything.. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.
After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep.
The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.
At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked..
Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep..
At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode.. You would have no choice but to burn your house.
When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was seriously nervous at this point.
Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand.
There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' had to be the least appropriate.
'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me.
'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.
I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.
Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent.. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that It was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.
------------------------------------------
Colonoscopy Journal:
I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.
A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis.
Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner.
I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'
I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America's enemies.
I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.
Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began mypreparation. In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basicallywater, only with less flavor.
Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-literplastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.
The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result.'
This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.
MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but, have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything.. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.
After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep.
The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.
At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked..
Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep..
At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode.. You would have no choice but to burn your house.
When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was seriously nervous at this point.
Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand.
There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' had to be the least appropriate.
'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me.
'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.
I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.
Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent.. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that It was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.
Signs Of A Future Ghost Town?
I took these pictures this morning around 11:00 AM and as I have stated many times in the past, pictures don't lie.
I happened to notice this all week long and while running errands today I decided to take some pictures. Unfortunately, when people look up the history of Salisbury 10 or 20 years from now, this is what they're going to see.
You have to wonder, is the Mayor just sitting in his Office and ignoring the obvious? Are City Council Members doing the same? How many hundreds of thousands of dollars, (if not millions) have been put into Urban Salisbury. Are they blind as well?
Well, there's another side to this story. I guess things could be thriving so much so that you simply cannot find a parking spot anywhere Downtown and people would complain about that too.
In the mean time, stop writing tickets and pissing off the taxpayers and renters living Downtown and welcome those who are investing into rebuilding and supporting such a beautiful part of the Eastern Shore.
Since the spaces are empty and the parking lots aren't bringing in the revenue, be pro active by taking away the meters completely and make it a care free experience to come Downtown to do business.
Is it too much to ask?
Why I Won't Ever Go Back To Kmart
Everyone has those moments as a consumer where we say, "Screw you guys, I'm not coming back." For M., that moment came for her at Kmart when she came back to pick up a refill and learned that in order to take part in Kmart's $10 for a 90-day supply generic drug program, she would need to enroll in the discounter's new Kmart Pharmacy Prescription Savings Club for only $10 per household per year. M. chose instead to transfer her prescriptions to one of the many pharmacies offering the same price for her generic drugs, without having to sign up for any memberships.
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Huma Abedin Weiner
Through all the talk about Anthony Weiner we have mostly listened to jokes about his private parts and his name. His wife was often mentioned as a victim to his online tomfoolery. Today I want to talk about his wife, Huma Abedin Weiner.
In 1996, while Bill Clinton was president, he and Hillary met Huma while on a trip to Saudi Arabia. It’s unclear what transpired, but she ended up in Washington DC with close ties to the Clintons. We now know she is Secretary State Hillary Clinton’s deputy Chief of Staff. This is a very sensitive position so we would think Huma was well vetted.
Huma Abedin Weiner is a devout Muslim. Her brother, Hassan, works at the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies (OCIS) at Oxford University. He has close ties with the Muslim Brotherhood. The Egyptian Al-Azhar University, is well known for a curriculum that encourages extremism and terrorism, and is active in establishing links with OCIS.
Huma’s mother is co-founder of the Dar El-Hekma women’s college in Saudi Arabia, which has close ties to the Muslim Sisterhood, the female version of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Sisterhood is also known as International Women’s Organization (IWO).
We watched in Egypt as the left sided with the Muslim Brotherhood to take over the country. We are watching the same thing in Libya, only this time we have sent American forces to help the very same people we are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The left, no matter whether it’s from America or Europe, defends the Muslims at all cost, while making Israel out to always be the bad guy. We are fighting Islamic extremist, and their biggest allies are sitting inside our own government, the Democratic Party. With Huma Abedin Weiner having access to so much classified material, the radicals know our every move.
I have written in the past asking why we have not experienced any major terrorist attacks. I now know the answer. They have no need to destroy or attack what they are taking over from within. The Islamic radicals learned from history when Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev, the former head of the Soviet Union, said that the communist would take over the USA from within, not with weapons. The left is using our schools and televisions to slowly, methodically give over our country to the radical Islamists, who are also the radical left.
You can’t turn on the television without hearing how bad Christianity is, while they defend Islam. Sheila Jackson Lee (D, Texas) is not alone when she stood before the podium and said that Christian abortion clinic bombers were comparable to the 9/11 terrorist, or the countless other Islamic terrorists.
America, we are at war, and the enemy is not across an ocean, it lies within our own borders.
Even The Home Alone House Can't Sell
The house made famous by Home Alone, the 1990 movie that showed us all it's okay to be neglectful parents of obnoxiously precocious children because that same precocity will come in handy when fighting off a pair crooks straight from Central Casting, has been up for sale for a few months now. But in spite of all the press this piece of real estate has received, it hasn't attracted a buyer.
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Landlord Uses "Psychic Credit Checks" On Potential Tenants
Maybe you weren't worried when you heard that Experian was adding rental payments to its credit reports because you've always paid your landlord on time. But now it's time to look deep within your psyche and soul to ask yourself if you'd pass a psychic credit check.
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Former Forest Service Employee To Serve 4 Years In Jail
A former employee of the Forest Service will serve four years in federal prison after embezzling $1.4 million. Justice Department officials say Kathy Stamps of Rancho Cucamonga was an accountant at the Angeles National Forest offices. From 2002 to 2004 Stamp she filed phony paper work that led to fake refund checks being sent to entities under her control. Stamps spent more than a million dollars on cars, jewelry, mortgage payments and plastic surgery. She's been ordered to pay it all back in restitution.
Delaware State Police Detectives Search For Serial Bank Robbery Suspect
Delaware Locations and Dates of Occurrences:
- June 23, 2011 at 9:20 a.m. PNC Bank, 3840 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE
- August 20, 2010 at 8:25 a.m. WSFS, 4401 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE
- March 9, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. Wilmington Trust, 151 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, DE
- January 11, 2010 9:28 a.m. Wilmington Trust, 151 Lantana Drive, Hockessin, DE
- September 4, 2009 11:53 a.m. PNC Bank, 5325-A Limestone Road, Wilmington. DE
- June 4, 2009 9:45 a.m. PNC Bank, 3840 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE
Pennsylvania Locations and Dates of Occurrences:
- May 27, 2011 at 2:40 p.m. Susquehanna Bank, RT41, Lancaster County, PA
- December 23, 2010 at 11:58 First National Bank, Old Forge Road, East Marlborough Township, PA
Suspect:
- White Male, late 30-39 years of age, 5’10”-6’0” tall, 180-200 lbs, large build. In the latest incident the suspect was wearing a dark blue hooded windbreaker, dark green pants, dark blue NY Yankees hat, dark sunglasses, fake beard and mustache.
Resume:
The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit is searching for a robbery suspect linked to six bank robberies in New Castle County, DE, and an additional two in Pennsylvania dating back to June of 2009.
The latest incident occurred this morning at approximately 9:20 a.m. at the PNC Bank located 3840 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE. The suspect entered the bank armed with a handgun and ordered the bank employees and customers to the ground. The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of US Currency and fled on foot from the bank.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact the Robbery Unit at Troop 2 at 302-834-2630 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com
Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Cutting The Federal Fleet
One in five government cars and trucks would disappear under a proposal to cut the federal fleet. A bill introduced by Senators Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire would reduce federal fleet spending by $500 million. The bill echoes a recommendation from President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility. The U.S. spends about $4.6 billion annually to keep more 662,000 vehicles on the road. The fleet burns through a million gallons of fuel every day.
Today's Survey Question
Do you support releasing 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
Bicycle Advocates Urge Care On The Roads
Street Smart campaign to educate motorists, cyclists, pedestrians about safety
Geoff Matrangola and his wife, Dede, went out with friends for a Memorial Day bike ride from their home in Clarksville. The group was headed for Montgomery County but never made it there.Shortly after crossing the bridge over Brighton Dam, Matrangola crashed into something — he still can't recall what it was — went over the handlebars and onto the roadway. An instant before, one of his friends had lost control of his bike after swerving to avoid whatever Matrangola hit.
Matrangola, 40, sustained a severe concussion, and Dave Dash wound up under a guardrail with several broken ribs.
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Daytime Lane Restrictions In Sussex County For Surface Treatment
Millsboro -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that DelDOT's maintenance crews will do surface treatment repairs, commonly known as "tar and chip", for the following roads throughout Sussex County:
Molly Field Road from Indian Tower Road to Route 113
Wiley Branch Road from Revel Road to Hudson Road
Delbert's Strip Road from Wiley Branch Road to Hudson Road
Revel Road from Nine Foot Road to Route 24
Mission Road from Route 24 to Revel Road
Phillips Ditch Road from Phillips Hill Road to Lakeview Road
Godwin School Road (Road 410) from Godwin School Road (Road 328A) to Hardscrabble Road
Careys Camp Road from Route 24 to Conaway Road
Substation Road from Laurel Road to English Road
Samuel Hill Road from Laurel Road to East Trap Pond Road
Womach Road from Samuel Hill Road to Phillip Hill Road
Little Hill Road from Shell Station Road to East Trap Pond Road
Gordy Road from Kings Crossing Road to Whitesville Road
Little Lane from Whaleys Road to end
The surface work operations will begin on Monday, June 27 and will end on Friday, July 8, weather permitting. The lane restrictions will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. No work on Fourth of July, in observance of Independence Day.
Molly Field Road from Indian Tower Road to Route 113
Wiley Branch Road from Revel Road to Hudson Road
Delbert's Strip Road from Wiley Branch Road to Hudson Road
Revel Road from Nine Foot Road to Route 24
Mission Road from Route 24 to Revel Road
Phillips Ditch Road from Phillips Hill Road to Lakeview Road
Godwin School Road (Road 410) from Godwin School Road (Road 328A) to Hardscrabble Road
Careys Camp Road from Route 24 to Conaway Road
Substation Road from Laurel Road to English Road
Samuel Hill Road from Laurel Road to East Trap Pond Road
Womach Road from Samuel Hill Road to Phillip Hill Road
Little Hill Road from Shell Station Road to East Trap Pond Road
Gordy Road from Kings Crossing Road to Whitesville Road
Little Lane from Whaleys Road to end
The surface work operations will begin on Monday, June 27 and will end on Friday, July 8, weather permitting. The lane restrictions will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. No work on Fourth of July, in observance of Independence Day.
Is Obama Only Postponing The Inevitable?
In deciding to pull all of the 30,000 troops from the surge out of Afghanistan, six weeks before Election Day 2012, but only 10,000 by year's end, President Obama has satisfied neither the generals nor the doves.
He has, however, well served his political interests.
A larger drawdown would have risked the gains made in Kandahar and Helmand and invited a revolt of the generals, some of whom might resign and denounce Obama for denying them the forces to prevail.
Sen. John McCain, citing some generals, is already saying that, with fewer troops and more missions per unit, U.S. casualties will rise.
A smaller drawdown would have enraged the left, whose support is indispensable to Obama's winning a second term.
So, our president did what comes naturally: cut the baby in half.
Strategically, removal of 30,000 troops in 15 months means that Obama has given up all hope of victory over the Taliban. Gen. MacArthur's dictum – "In war, there is no substitute for victory" – is inoperative in yet another American war.
Obama's strategic goal now is the avoidance of defeat, until the election of 2012 is behind him. And by retaining 70,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan during the fighting season and political season of 2012, he has an insurance policy against a Taliban Tet-style offensive or major U.S. military reversal as voters begin to fill out absentee ballots.
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He has, however, well served his political interests.
A larger drawdown would have risked the gains made in Kandahar and Helmand and invited a revolt of the generals, some of whom might resign and denounce Obama for denying them the forces to prevail.
Sen. John McCain, citing some generals, is already saying that, with fewer troops and more missions per unit, U.S. casualties will rise.
A smaller drawdown would have enraged the left, whose support is indispensable to Obama's winning a second term.
So, our president did what comes naturally: cut the baby in half.
Strategically, removal of 30,000 troops in 15 months means that Obama has given up all hope of victory over the Taliban. Gen. MacArthur's dictum – "In war, there is no substitute for victory" – is inoperative in yet another American war.
Obama's strategic goal now is the avoidance of defeat, until the election of 2012 is behind him. And by retaining 70,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan during the fighting season and political season of 2012, he has an insurance policy against a Taliban Tet-style offensive or major U.S. military reversal as voters begin to fill out absentee ballots.
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Landfill Permit Applications Running Late in Wicomico
An SbyNEWS reader emailed us yesterday asking why they hadn’t received their application for a new landfill permit. Their current permit expires in 5 days.
A call to the landfill office yielded the following explanation:
The landfill office has been running late in getting the applications out. They will be going out to current permit holders next week.
Because of the delay, all current permits will be EXTENDED to July 31, 2011. This should allow everyone enough time to get their applications and receive new permits.
Methodist Minister Receives Sanction for Same-Sex Wedding
An openly-gay United Methodist minister was suspended from her religious duties for 20 days after elders decided on Thursday that she violated church doctrine by performing a same-sex wedding.
Rev. Amy Delong was also required to write a paper about how she should deal with issues that "create an adversarial spirit" within the church, according Rev. Tom Lambrecht, representing the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church.
"We feel good that it recognizes that there was a violation of church law and that there is a punishment levied," Lambrecht said of the decision.
IRS Increases Mileage Reimbursement Rate By 4 Cents
Follow this company has increased the reimbursement rate for mileage used on vehicles for business purposes by 4.5 cents.
The hike, linked to rising fuel prices, begins July 1 and increases to 55.5 cents a mile.
The current reimbursement rate is 51 cents. Meanwhile, the mileage reimbursement rate for medical or relocation purposes will increase from 19 cents to 23.5 cents.
Mileage for charitable purposes will remain at 14 cents. "This year's increased gas prices are having a major impact on individual Americans," IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman ...
Read the full story at Baltimore Business Journal
The hike, linked to rising fuel prices, begins July 1 and increases to 55.5 cents a mile.
The current reimbursement rate is 51 cents. Meanwhile, the mileage reimbursement rate for medical or relocation purposes will increase from 19 cents to 23.5 cents.
Mileage for charitable purposes will remain at 14 cents. "This year's increased gas prices are having a major impact on individual Americans," IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman ...
Read the full story at Baltimore Business Journal
TRAFFIC ALERT - Microsurfacing Will Require Lane Closures in Kent & Sussex Counties
Dover -- As part of the Delaware Department of Transportation's (DelDOT) pavement and rehabilitation program, each year a number of roads are selected for a process called microsurfacing. The contractor, Asphalt Paving Systems Inc., will be placing notices on the doors of the affected residences and businesses to advise them of the dates of lane closures. The work will begin on Monday, June 13 and end on Friday, July 15, pending weather. Lane closures will occur from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. The contractor will not work on Fourth of July.
The following roads will be impacted:
Kent County
Upper King Road between Route 13 and Main Street (Camden)
Arthursville Road between Route 44/Everett's Corner Road and Route 300/Sudlersville Road
Arthursville Road between the Maryland State Line and Route 14/Everett's Corner Road
Barkers Landing Road between Main Street/Clapham Road and Ponderosa Drive
Route 15/Canterbury Road between Route 14 and Route 12/Mid-State Road
Northwest Front Street between North DuPont Boulevard and North Rehoboth Boulevard
Route 1 between Dover Air Force Base and Exit 119
Ruritan Lane between limits east of Viola and Evens Road
Sussex County
Cypress Road between Route 30/Millsboro Highway and Daisy Road
Daisey Road between Pyle Center Road and Bayard Road
Firemans Road between Bethel Road and Daisy Road
Microsurfacing is a thin, tough layer of asphalt emulsion containing aggregate (rocks), water and mineral fillers. It is used to seal cracks and prevent moisture from penetrating the road base. It is primarily used for preservation of existing hot-mix roadways, which is important as transportation officials look for cost-effective ways to stretch their pavement funding. Typically half a road is closed for microsurfacing at a time. The length of time the road is closed depends on air temperature and humidity and whether one or two passes of microsurfacing is applied. Once this material is applied to the road, plan on approximately a hour delay before it can be ridden or walked on.
This process is often most effective when the existing hot-mix surface is 5-7 years old and showing minimal signs of distress. Residents may wonder why a road is being rehabilitated when it appears to be in good condition, but this is the ideal time to do a preservation technique that will further extend the life of the underlying pavement and decrease the maintenance cost over the lifetime of the roadway. If the roadway does exhibit signs of distress, patching and crack-sealing will be done prior to the microsurfacing layer. Microsurfacing is being used on several roads throughout Delaware and provides a smoother road surface and less loose material than traditional surface treatment (a.k.a tar and chip).
When a road is first microsurfaced, it may present an initial rougher driver surface. This somewhat abrasive surface creates a more skid-resistant surface, thus increasing the safety of the road itself. However, as cars travel over the road, the stones and materials become compressed and smoother, ultimately resulting in a road surface that is nearly as smooth as traditional asphalt hot-mix overlay, but still course enough to improve skid resistance
The microsurfacing material is also being used to patch rutted roadways in Delaware. The material creates a smoother surface on the road without having to do a large scale and costly overlay project. In addition, this material can be used during nighttime hours and on roads with high traffic volumes.
Access to local residents and emergency response vehicles will be provided at all times.
The following roads will be impacted:
Kent County
Upper King Road between Route 13 and Main Street (Camden)
Arthursville Road between Route 44/Everett's Corner Road and Route 300/Sudlersville Road
Arthursville Road between the Maryland State Line and Route 14/Everett's Corner Road
Barkers Landing Road between Main Street/Clapham Road and Ponderosa Drive
Route 15/Canterbury Road between Route 14 and Route 12/Mid-State Road
Northwest Front Street between North DuPont Boulevard and North Rehoboth Boulevard
Route 1 between Dover Air Force Base and Exit 119
Ruritan Lane between limits east of Viola and Evens Road
Sussex County
Cypress Road between Route 30/Millsboro Highway and Daisy Road
Daisey Road between Pyle Center Road and Bayard Road
Firemans Road between Bethel Road and Daisy Road
Microsurfacing is a thin, tough layer of asphalt emulsion containing aggregate (rocks), water and mineral fillers. It is used to seal cracks and prevent moisture from penetrating the road base. It is primarily used for preservation of existing hot-mix roadways, which is important as transportation officials look for cost-effective ways to stretch their pavement funding. Typically half a road is closed for microsurfacing at a time. The length of time the road is closed depends on air temperature and humidity and whether one or two passes of microsurfacing is applied. Once this material is applied to the road, plan on approximately a hour delay before it can be ridden or walked on.
This process is often most effective when the existing hot-mix surface is 5-7 years old and showing minimal signs of distress. Residents may wonder why a road is being rehabilitated when it appears to be in good condition, but this is the ideal time to do a preservation technique that will further extend the life of the underlying pavement and decrease the maintenance cost over the lifetime of the roadway. If the roadway does exhibit signs of distress, patching and crack-sealing will be done prior to the microsurfacing layer. Microsurfacing is being used on several roads throughout Delaware and provides a smoother road surface and less loose material than traditional surface treatment (a.k.a tar and chip).
When a road is first microsurfaced, it may present an initial rougher driver surface. This somewhat abrasive surface creates a more skid-resistant surface, thus increasing the safety of the road itself. However, as cars travel over the road, the stones and materials become compressed and smoother, ultimately resulting in a road surface that is nearly as smooth as traditional asphalt hot-mix overlay, but still course enough to improve skid resistance
The microsurfacing material is also being used to patch rutted roadways in Delaware. The material creates a smoother surface on the road without having to do a large scale and costly overlay project. In addition, this material can be used during nighttime hours and on roads with high traffic volumes.
Access to local residents and emergency response vehicles will be provided at all times.
Ben Bernanke's Pathetic Failing Fed Promotion
Bernanke passes early media test, challenge to come ... Ben Bernanke used his second-ever news conference on Wednesday to teach the world's financial markets a lot more about the thinking at the Federal Reserve than they could glean from its usual statements. But the Fed chairman and former Princeton professor has yet to face one of the most important oral exams of his career: justifying and defending a change in the Fed's extraordinary monetary policy, when the time comes. – Reuters
Dominant Social Theme: Thank goodness the Federal Reserve is bouncing back with honesty, transparency and sincerity.
Free-Market Analysis: More than two years ago, we pointed out that the Federal Reserve was potentially finished as a credible entity. This is different than saying the Fed was finished as an EFFECTIVE entity. The Fed has accomplished much of what the power elite intended for it to do. It has, in stages, bankrupted the US middle class – as well as federal, state and local governments.
It has thus been the jewel in a studded, strangulating noose that the Anglosphere Power Elite has slipped over the neck of the body politic. The elites have tightened the noose slowly but inexorably in order to weaken this body politic in the process of imposing world government.
But the beginning of the end may be at hand. And for the Fed it may have come in early 2009 when those running this grandest of all central banks in their arrogance and disdain released the Fed's inspector general, Elizabeth Coleman, on an unsuspecting Congressional audience. After watching the video, we wrote an article that appeared on May 13, 2009, entitled, The Beginning of the End? Fed Cannot Account for $9 Trillion. Here's how it started:
We saw the interview with Elizabeth Coleman on TV and then again and again and again on youtube.com. It is entitled "Is Anyone Minding the Store at the Federal Reserve?" and it is one of the single most astonishing moments (or minutes) ever manifested or preserved in this already-amazing digital era. A century ago, when the powers-that-be pushed through the act that set up the American Federal Reserve – which basically kicked off the central banking era in America and abroad – the kind of technological ubiquity offered by the Internet would certainly have been seen as a major and alarming challenge. Well, it is.
The Grayson/Coleman confrontation has to be seen to be believed, and even then it may not seem quite believable. How could the Fed, in all its monied majesty, offer up someone so unprepared to answer the questions of a single quiet and persevering congressman. ... During the questioning of Coleman, [Congressman Alan] Grayson asks her over and over if there is a formal accounting available for the trillions in off-book balance sheet activity for the Fed.
He asks patiently, and he repeats the question many times. Coleman stutters, makes statements that are obviously evasive and finally all-but-admits that she actually has no authority even to examine the Fed's off-balance sheet activities. She admits this in a frazzled manner, but only after losing her way so badly that she has to ask Grayson to repeat the question (which he has already asked about ten times.)
What the scenario seems to shows us – and this has already been suggested by the increasingly querulous appearances of Ben Bernanke – is that the huge monetary and organizational powers of the Fed are a thousand miles wide and an inch deep ...
Here is a link to the Coleman video in the DB video vault: Is Anyone Minding the Store at the Federal Reserve?
More
Dominant Social Theme: Thank goodness the Federal Reserve is bouncing back with honesty, transparency and sincerity.
Free-Market Analysis: More than two years ago, we pointed out that the Federal Reserve was potentially finished as a credible entity. This is different than saying the Fed was finished as an EFFECTIVE entity. The Fed has accomplished much of what the power elite intended for it to do. It has, in stages, bankrupted the US middle class – as well as federal, state and local governments.
It has thus been the jewel in a studded, strangulating noose that the Anglosphere Power Elite has slipped over the neck of the body politic. The elites have tightened the noose slowly but inexorably in order to weaken this body politic in the process of imposing world government.
But the beginning of the end may be at hand. And for the Fed it may have come in early 2009 when those running this grandest of all central banks in their arrogance and disdain released the Fed's inspector general, Elizabeth Coleman, on an unsuspecting Congressional audience. After watching the video, we wrote an article that appeared on May 13, 2009, entitled, The Beginning of the End? Fed Cannot Account for $9 Trillion. Here's how it started:
We saw the interview with Elizabeth Coleman on TV and then again and again and again on youtube.com. It is entitled "Is Anyone Minding the Store at the Federal Reserve?" and it is one of the single most astonishing moments (or minutes) ever manifested or preserved in this already-amazing digital era. A century ago, when the powers-that-be pushed through the act that set up the American Federal Reserve – which basically kicked off the central banking era in America and abroad – the kind of technological ubiquity offered by the Internet would certainly have been seen as a major and alarming challenge. Well, it is.
The Grayson/Coleman confrontation has to be seen to be believed, and even then it may not seem quite believable. How could the Fed, in all its monied majesty, offer up someone so unprepared to answer the questions of a single quiet and persevering congressman. ... During the questioning of Coleman, [Congressman Alan] Grayson asks her over and over if there is a formal accounting available for the trillions in off-book balance sheet activity for the Fed.
He asks patiently, and he repeats the question many times. Coleman stutters, makes statements that are obviously evasive and finally all-but-admits that she actually has no authority even to examine the Fed's off-balance sheet activities. She admits this in a frazzled manner, but only after losing her way so badly that she has to ask Grayson to repeat the question (which he has already asked about ten times.)
What the scenario seems to shows us – and this has already been suggested by the increasingly querulous appearances of Ben Bernanke – is that the huge monetary and organizational powers of the Fed are a thousand miles wide and an inch deep ...
Here is a link to the Coleman video in the DB video vault: Is Anyone Minding the Store at the Federal Reserve?
More
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases
On June 22, 2011 at approximately 6:48 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of West Isabella Street and stopped a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect for traffic violations. The officers making the stop noted suspicious actions by the suspect and requested the assistance of a K-9 to check the vehicle. A K-9 responded from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and gave a positive indication on the vehicle for the presence of contraband. The officers checked the vehicle and located a quantity of suspected methadone, a number of used syringes-each containing suspected controlled substances and a hand tool that had been converted to a smoking device, also containing a suspected controlled dangerous substance.
ARRESTED : Charles Edward Lewis, 42 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Possession of Methadone
Possession of CDS with an altered prescription
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100024287
On June 22, 2011 at approximately 7:32 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Pemberton Drive and Parsons Road and stopped a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect for a traffic violation. The suspect gave the officers consent to search the vehicle and as a result, the officer located a quantity of suspected marijuana and a smoking device containing suspected marijuana.
ARRESTED: Joseph William Vincent, 78 years of age Mardela Springs, Maryland
CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100024291
On June 23, 2011 at approximately 12:05 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to an apartment unit in the University Terrace apartments for the report of a suspicious odor. Upon arrival the officers checked the apartment and detected the scent of suspected marijuana emanating from the residence. The officers made contact with the below listed suspect and recovered several large bags of suspected marijuana with a total weight of over one (1) pound. In addition, the officers also recovered paraphernalia related to the suspected marijuana to include additional baggies and weighing scales.
ARRESTED: Juan Ignacio Soto-Bown, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia (2 counts)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100024312
ARRESTED : Charles Edward Lewis, 42 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Possession of Methadone
Possession of CDS with an altered prescription
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100024287
On June 22, 2011 at approximately 7:32 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of Pemberton Drive and Parsons Road and stopped a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect for a traffic violation. The suspect gave the officers consent to search the vehicle and as a result, the officer located a quantity of suspected marijuana and a smoking device containing suspected marijuana.
ARRESTED: Joseph William Vincent, 78 years of age Mardela Springs, Maryland
CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100024291
On June 23, 2011 at approximately 12:05 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to an apartment unit in the University Terrace apartments for the report of a suspicious odor. Upon arrival the officers checked the apartment and detected the scent of suspected marijuana emanating from the residence. The officers made contact with the below listed suspect and recovered several large bags of suspected marijuana with a total weight of over one (1) pound. In addition, the officers also recovered paraphernalia related to the suspected marijuana to include additional baggies and weighing scales.
ARRESTED: Juan Ignacio Soto-Bown, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia (2 counts)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201100024312
RAPISTS & SOCIOPATHS
Jesse http://jessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.com/ truly gets it. There is a war on the horizon. It will be a war between these sociopathic super rich and the common folk. As they try to rape and pillage the the remaining wealth from this nation, they do not realize their time is short. They will pay for their crimes.
“How could I have done this? I was making a lot of money. I didn’t need the money. Am I a flawed character?”
“I realized from a very early stage that the financial market is a wholly rigged job. There’s no chance that investors have in this market.”
“It’s unbelievable. Goldman– no one has any criminal convictions. The whole new regulatory reform is a joke. The whole government is a Ponzi scheme.”
Bernie Madoff
“The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the banks.”
John Dalberg Lord Acton
“I preyed upon the weak, the harmless and the unsuspecting. This lesson I was taught by others : Might makes right.”
Carl Panzram, serial killer
“I was completely swept along with my own compulsion. I don’t know how else to put it. It didn’t satisfy me completely so maybe I was thinking another one will. Maybe this one will, and the numbers started growing and growing and just got out of control, as you can see.”
Jeffrey Dahmer, serial killer
Not all sociopaths wield knives and knotted cords. Some wear suits, and are exceptionally intelligent and articulate, obsessively driven, and are able to use and undermine the law and the rules for their advantage, like weapons. It is never about the win, never about the money. It is about the kill, the expression of their hatred, about elevating themselves with the suffering of others.
Bind, torture, kill. Not only with ropes and knives, but also with power and money, and the subversion of law. Lawlessness is their addiction, their will to power.
More
“How could I have done this? I was making a lot of money. I didn’t need the money. Am I a flawed character?”
“I realized from a very early stage that the financial market is a wholly rigged job. There’s no chance that investors have in this market.”
“It’s unbelievable. Goldman– no one has any criminal convictions. The whole new regulatory reform is a joke. The whole government is a Ponzi scheme.”
Bernie Madoff
“The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the banks.”
John Dalberg Lord Acton
“I preyed upon the weak, the harmless and the unsuspecting. This lesson I was taught by others : Might makes right.”
Carl Panzram, serial killer
“I was completely swept along with my own compulsion. I don’t know how else to put it. It didn’t satisfy me completely so maybe I was thinking another one will. Maybe this one will, and the numbers started growing and growing and just got out of control, as you can see.”
Jeffrey Dahmer, serial killer
Not all sociopaths wield knives and knotted cords. Some wear suits, and are exceptionally intelligent and articulate, obsessively driven, and are able to use and undermine the law and the rules for their advantage, like weapons. It is never about the win, never about the money. It is about the kill, the expression of their hatred, about elevating themselves with the suffering of others.
Bind, torture, kill. Not only with ropes and knives, but also with power and money, and the subversion of law. Lawlessness is their addiction, their will to power.
More