Wednesday, August 17, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: MAJOR RULINGS IN SALISBURY'S SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT LAWSUIT TODAY

In the Wicomico County Circuit Court, the City of Salisbury survived the first major challenge to its lawsuit against O'Brien & Gere, the engineering firm that designed the huge multi-million dollar upgrade to the Waste Water Treatment Plant that still does not work properly. Not surprisingly, a judge who does not reside locally -- Sidney Campen -- has been appointed to hear the case, with a jury if it goes to trial. After hearing argument, he denied the motion to dismiss the major (fraud, etc.) claims by the City. He also dismissed the motion by a co-defendant, Construction Dynamics Group, Inc. to dismiss the City's claim against it. It looks like the case will proceed to trial on all claims by the City.

To be sure, this does not mean that the City is going to prevail at the trial on all (or any) of its claims. And not yet considered by Judge Campen -- so we understand -- is a provision in the City's contract that limits the damages it can recover to just $1 Million. As the saying goes, "see you in court"!

Here is the official docket entry for today's proceedings:


	08/17/2011
	Open Court Proceeding / Hearing Held
	Case called for motions hearing. Counsel, Chris Mason, present on behalf of Plaintiff. Counsel, Christopher Hassell, present on behalf of Defendant, O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. Counsel, Patirck Attridge, present on behalf of Defendant, Construction Dynamics Group, Inc. Plaintiff's Motion for Special Admission of Out of State Attorney under Rule 14 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Maryland; granted. Defendant, O'Brien & Gere Engineers, INC. Motion to Strike Plaintiff's Stipulation; dismissed, at request of Defendant's counsel. Defendant, Construction Dynamics Group, Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss, argued and denied. Defendant, O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss Counts 2,3, and 4; argued and denied. Plaintiff's Motion to Strike Defendant, Construction Dynamics Group, Inc.'s Reply; denied. Counsel to contact Assignment Office to schedule for trial. Sidney S. Campen, presiding.

Posted at 5:25 PM.

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MML Honors Fruitland Falcons

The MML Achievement Award Medium City Winner was the City of Fruitland’s Falcons Youth Sports Program. Created in 2008 as a youth football program that strictly uses volunteer help and local sponsorships, the organization has continually grown, expanding its sports offerings from football to lacrosse, and eventually planning to include soccer. The program provides funds for the City Park Annex property that is now a top, all-purpose field in Wicomico County known for hosting local and regional events.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY NAMES TWO COMMISSIONERS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 17, 2011) – Governor O’Malley today appointed Kevin Hughes and Kelly Speakes-Backman to serve as Commissioners on the Public Service Commission (PSC). The appointments of Hughes and Speakes-Backman fill two vacancies on the PSC. Hughes will serve a five-year term ending in 2016, and Speakes-Backman will finish the term of Commissioner Goldsmith, who left to become the Insurance Commissioner. Speakes-Backman’s term will end in 2014.

“We are pleased that Kevin and Kelly have chosen to use their many talents to continue serving the people of Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “Both of these individuals understand the importance of a long-term view of the costs and benefits of the State’s energy supply. They bring valued experience in the energy field, and will help us continue to protect the best interests of Maryland consumers and families.”

Kevin Hughes has many years of experience working in state government. He has served as the Governor’s Deputy Legislative Officer since 2007, focusing on energy policy, transportation, K-12 and higher education, state and local taxation, state aid to local governments, and personnel and pensions. Hughes played a vital role in implementing the Governor’s electricity reliability standards and helping the State meet its energy goals. Prior to joining the Administration, Hughes served as the Principal Analyst for the Maryland Department of Legislative Services and has served as Deputy Legislative Officer under Governor Parris Glendening and Legislative Officer under Governor William Donald Schaefer. Hughes earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law, a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Kelly Speakes-Bachman spent 20 years in the private sector, working in energy, sustainability, renewable energy, and environmental business strategies across the nation, including Maryland, Connecticut, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio, prior to joining public service. Most recently, Speakes-Backman served as the Clean Energy Director at the Maryland Energy Administration, where she led a team of policy experts and grant administrators to implement programs to meet the Administration’s goal of increasing Maryland’s renewable energy portfolio to 20 percent by 2022. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical engineering from Boston University and was named a National Merit Scholar from the Minority Engineering Society.

Burger King Shut Down After Officials Reportedly Find Over 200 Species Of Flies

A Chicago Burger King has been shut down after inspectors say they were so many flies in the fast food restaurant that they were "afraid to open their mouths," reports MyFoxChicago.com

The South Side Burger King reportedly had more than 200 flying insects of various types that were found on the walls, ceilings, clean dish shelving, sink, food storage area, dry storage area, on the tubing of boxes of soft drink syrup, and in front of the drive-up window.

Officials shut down the eatery Tuesday.

Man who went in for circumcision says he never OK'd amputation

SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — The dispute between a Kentucky man and a surgeon over the necessity of amputating the patient's penis during surgery in 2008 is set to go to trial this week.

The doctor maintains he found cancer in the man's penis during surgery and that it had to be removed, according to the physician's attorney. The patient claims the surgery was supposed to be a circumcision and he never authorized the amputation, nor was he given a chance to seek a second opinion.

Jury selection begins Thursday in the lawsuit brought by Phillip Seaton of Waddy and his wife, Deborah, against Dr. John Patterson of Louisville. Attorneys hope to start opening statements that afternoon.

Crowds gather hours before the 11 a.m. opening, waiting for a taste of the fast-food favorite

A recent bout with pneumonia kept Colts legend Gino Marchettifrom the Towson opening of his beloved fast-food joint Wednesday, but more than 100 people still lined up outside Gino's Burgers & Chicken, waiting to step into the restaurant and back in time.

"There's the News-American over there," joked Howard Schultze, 69, of Hampstead, who read the long-shuttered newspaper and ate at the restaurant once a week as a teenager.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On August 16, 2011 at approximately 9:07 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant received by Salisbury Detectives for a theft that occurred on August 7. The theft was discovered on August 8 during a traffic stop by the Fruitland Police Department during which the suspect was found in possession of metal from a business on Naylor Mill Road. A representative from the business positively identified the metal and it was found that the suspect had made entry into a fenced compound on their property and had taken the metal to sell as scrap.

ARRESTED: Craig Maurice Handy, 49 years of age
Fruitland, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft scheme (under $ 1,000)
Theft (under $ 1,000) – 2 counts
Malicious destruction of property
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100031910

On August 16, 2011 at approximately 10:57 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the downtown area of Salisbury and observed the below listed suspects loitering in the picnic pavillion near the Riverwalk. The officers made contact with the suspects who were found in possession of open containers of alcohol. During the investigation, suspect # 2 began to yell and scream profanities at others in the area. Despite attempts to calm the suspect, the suspect refused to comply.

ARRESTED #1: Joseph Marsellus Barnard, 32 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Open container of alcohol
ARRESTED #2: Ronald Glenn Mackert, 58 years of age
Mardela Springs, Maryland
CHARGES: Disorderly conduct
DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking
CC # 201100032084

Authorities Find Body Of Missing Maryland Boater

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland Natural Resources Police say they have recovered the body of a man who went missing while crabbing in Tenthouse Creek.

Police say 52-year-old Dean Dixon of Harwood was found at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities say he had been crabbing from his boat Tuesday and spoke to his family by cellphone about 11 a.m. He was not heard from after that.

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Controversial Georgia Mosque Wins Approval

A controversial, 20,000-square-foot Muslim worship center won approval Tuesday by city council members in Georgia.

The Lilburn City Council approved a Muslim congregation's request to construct the center after two years of contentious debate.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the council approved the plan by a 3-1 vote.

Dawn Kamin said she would expect opposition to the flying of an American flag in more liberal parts of the country – but not the suburbs of Memphis, Tenn.

Kamin said she was ordered to remove an American flag she had posted outside her optometry office.

“I was just appalled,” said Kamin, who runs Affordable Eye Care in Germantown, Tenn. “It’s the American flag. Really?”

More Than 400 Personnel Battling Va Swamp Fire

SUFFOLK, Va. - The number of personnel battling a fire in the Great Dismal Swamp National Refuge has surpassed 400.

A refuge spokesman said Wednesday that installing, maintaining and operating large water pumps throughout the fire remains a priority.

Man Arrested In Assault Of Pastor, Theft Of Pennies At Md. Church

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Montgomery County police have arrested a man for assaulting a pastor at a Silver Spring church, but the man has denied also being involved in the theft of thousands of pennies from the church on the same day.

Police arrested 22-year-old Noe Guillen-Velasquez and charged him with second-degree burglary and second-degree assault in the Jan. 9 incident at New Creation Baptist Church. On that same day, someone stole 40,000 pennies being collected by children for the needy.

Congress To Legalize Online Gambling?

Only months after the federal government shut down access to online poker sites come reports that Congress could soon consider a bill that would legalize online gambling.

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Consumerist Techniques Land Reader Free Home Depot Tools

Andrew stared at the row of tools on the shelf at Home Depot and sighed. He had a big new job to do, but after getting all his tools from Home Depot for the past 20 years, there was but a paltry selection. No open stock items and the sets were incomplete. He wouldn't be able to get all the tools he needed. So, drawing on what he'd learned from reading Consumerist, rather than an EECB, he crafted an email to a specific person at Home Depot corporate he thought might help.

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

AUGUST 22, 2011 6:00 p.m.

Government Office Building Room 301

Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.
6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER
6:01 p.m. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
6:03 p.m. INVOCATION/MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:06 p.m. ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
6:08 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
August 1, 2011 work session minutes
August 8, 2011 minutes - meeting with Board of Education representatives
August 8, 2011 regular meeting minutes
Resolution No. 2089 - accepting donation of two K-9 vehicle inserts from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department for use in the Salisbury PoliceDepartment’s K-9 program
Resolution No. 2090 - allowing Chief of Police to sign a memorandum of agreement between the Wicomico County Circuit Court Adult Drug Treatment Court and the Salisbury Police Department and accepting grant funds from the Office of Problem Solving Courts to provide overtime reimbursement to police officers conducting compliance checks on program participants
Resolution No. 2091 - allowing Major David Meienschein and Corporal Richard Engle to sign a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the use of a leased vehicle to be provided for covert operations involving firearms
Resolution No. 2092 - allowing the Chief of Police to sign a memorandum of agreement and to accept funds in cooperation with the Wicomico County Health Department Drug Prevention Office to provide for overtime reimbursement to police officers participating in a program intended to reduce
under-age drinking
Resolution No. 2093 - supporting The Red Devils organization’s application to the Department of Housing and Community Development for Community Investment Tax Credits for their Treatment Support for Maryland Breast Cancer Families project
6:13 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Internal Services Director Pam Oland Declaration of Surplus – police radios
Award of Financial Lease Services RFP 01-12
Acquisition of police radios
Acquisition of replacement ambulance
Award of A-03-12 Chemicals for the WWTP and WTP
6:30 p.m. CONSIDERATION OF OVERRIDING MAYOR’S VETO
Ordinance No. 2165 - amending the cable television franchise ordinance to provide a percentage range of the cable television franchise fee that is dedicated for the public, educational and governmental channel
6:35 p.m. ORDINANCES – Attorney Roscoe Leslie
Ordinance No. 2167 - 2nd reading - bond ordinance for Waverly Drive water Quality storm drain inlets
Ordinance No. 2168 - 2nd reading - amending Ordinance No. 2152 Section A - Lot Rates to add a parking permit rate for parking lot #14 effective September 1, 2011
Ordinance No. 2169 - 1st reading - amending Chapter 15.24 Housing Standards to require that the administrative fee for the removal of rubbish be adjusted and that they are to be set by separate ordinance
Ordinance No. 2170 - 1st reading - establishing the administrative fee for violations of Article XXVI (Accumulation of Rubbish Prohibited) when such violations are abated by the Housing Official
7:35 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS
7:50 p.m. ADJOURNMENT

Why Modern Democracy Is For Idiots

Did you know that the word ‘idiot’ is actually derived from the origins of democracy in ancient Greece? Thousands of years ago, a Greek citizen who demonstrated disinterest in politics was labeled ‘idiotes’; it literally meant ‘private person,’ which curiously enough was a term of derision at the time.

Fast forward to the pitiful excuse we have for a democratic process in the world today, and the opposite is now true: you have to be a complete idiot to invest yourself in these politics.

Saturday’s straw poll in Ames, Iowa is a perfect example. A few thousand people voted for their preferred republican presidential candidate, and mainstream media outlets have been talking about it nonstop. There are a lot of things wrong with this system–

First, why should anyone care what a few thousand people in a single town think? Do the whims of 17,000 people really have any bearing on a country of 310 million? In modern democracy, they do.

Michelle Bachmann won the poll. Granted, she won by bribing [2] her voters with a free Randy Travis concert, but such things don’t matter in modern democracy. In the eyes of the media, she is now the front-runner having garnered a whopping 28.6% of the 17,000 people who voted.

The same logic, however, does not apply to the guy who came in second… if you can even find his name anywhere in print. You see, there’s this lowly fellow from Texas by the name of Ron Paul who scored 4,671 votes, just 152 shy of Bachmann.

Yet while the media is heralding Bachmann’s victory as a major success for her campaign, there has hardly been an utterance of Ron Paul’s strong finish on Bachmann’s heels.

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Houston Man Found Dead In Marsh

Houston, Del. —

A 44-year-old Houston man has been found dead in a marsh near his hometown, a week after he allegedly assaulted his wife, threatened a pair of Harrington police officers with a shotgun and disappeared, prompting a police manhunt, State Police Cpl. Bruce Harris said.

Harris said police had been looking for Harvey D. Griffith, 44, since Aug. 9, the day of the alleged domestic attack, but police dogs lost his trail in a wooded area near Houston. On the morning of Aug. 16, the crew of a police helicopter noticed “large birds” circling a field in the same area, landed and found Griffith, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

A 25-year-old Houston man faces charges after police uncovered a sophisticated pot-growing operation Aug. 15 in his home.

Officers with the Kent County Governors Task Force went to the home in the 400 block of School Street and found 12 ½ pounds of marijuana, said Cpl. Bruce Harris of the Delaware State Police.

During the search, Harris said, police discovered a hydroponic growing operation, in which high-intensity UV light, fans, humidity-control devices, an automated air-handling system, and a regulated watering system were used to grow marijuana plants.

CAPE MAY, N.J. (AP) -- A former Navy destroyer will get a new purpose as an artificial reef off the coast of the Eastern U.S.

The sinking is scheduled for Wednesday. The ship's been prepared for it at a Philadelphia shipyard.

Its resting spot is to be in the Del-Jersey-Land reef created by the states of Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. It's about 26 miles off the Indian River Inlet in Delaware; Ocean City, Md., and Cape May, N.J.

Social Degeneration

by Thomas Sowell

Someone at long last has had the courage to tell the plain, honest truth about race.

After mobs of young blacks rampaged through Philadelphia committing violence – as similar mobs have rampaged through Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee and other places – Philadelphia’s black mayor, Michael A. Nutter, ordered a police crackdown and lashed out at the whole lifestyle of those who did such things.

“Pull up your pants and buy a belt ’cause no one wants to see your underwear or the crack of your butt,” he said. “If you walk into somebody’s office with your hair uncombed and a pick in the back, and your shoes untied, and your pants half down, tattoos up and down your arms and on your neck, and you wonder why somebody won’t hire you? They don’t hire you ’cause you look like you’re crazy,” the mayor said. He added: “You have damaged your own race.”

While this might seem like it is just plain common sense, what Mayor Nutter said undermines a whole vision of the world that has brought fame, fortune and power to race hustlers in politics, the media and academia. Any racial disparities in hiring can only be due to racism and discrimination, according to the prevailing vision, which reaches from street corner demagogues to the august chambers of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Just to identify the rioters and looters as black is a radical departure, when mayors, police chiefs and the media in other cities report on these outbreaks of violence without mentioning the race of those who are doing these things. The Chicago Tribune even made excuses for failing to mention race when reporting on violent attacks by blacks on whites in Chicago.

Such excuses might make sense if the same politicians and media talking heads were not constantly mentioning race when denouncing the fact that a disproportionate number of young black men are being sent to prison.

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Brother, Can You Spare A Trillion?:

THIS IS A MUST WATCH!!!!!

Tampa Police: Student Planned 'Catastrophic' School Plot

Tampa police said they were able to thwart a mass murder plot that was planned for the first day of classes next Tuesday.

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said that police were able to stop a former student from carrying out what could have been a "a potentially catastrophic event" thanks to a tip from a citizen who came forward.

Hillsborough School District spokesman Steve Hegarty confirmed to CNN that a former student, who hasn't attended Freedom High School for a year and a half, had been arrested in connection with the alleged plot. Castor said there was no indication anyone else besides the one suspect was involved in the plot.

Feds Join Probe Of Alleged Mississippi Hate Killing

Jackson, Mississippi (CNN) -- A hit-and-run killing that took place after a group of white teens allegedly set out to kill a black man simply because of his color is now being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department, federal and Mississippi officials tell CNN.

The killing, which a Jackson, Mississippi, district attorney says is a racially motivated hate crime, sparked national attention after CNN obtained and aired exclusive surveillance video

that shows the attack as it took place.

Financial Adviser Accused Of Stealing $800,000

BALTIMORE - A federal grand jury has indicted a financial adviser on charges of stealing $800,000 from two clients, one of them a child with birth injuries.

Fifty-two-year-old Ralph Edward Thomas Jr. of Baltimore was indicted Tuesday.

AAA Questions Accuracy Of College Park Speed Cameras

WASHINGTON -- College Park speed cameras are under fire. AAA Mid-Atlantic says they aren't accurate and are placed to trap drivers.

More than 60,000 tickets have been issued since last fall, bringing in $2.4 million, 40 percent of which goes to the camera vendor, according to the automobile agency.

John B. Townsend II, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, points specifically to one camera on Mettzerott Road near the University of Maryland campus.

MARYLAND CONTINUES HISTORIC REDUCTIONS IN CRIME

Decreases in crime follow increased use of technology

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 17, 2011) - Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that total crime in Maryland is at its lowest level since 1975. According to 2010 year-end crime data compiled by the Maryland State Police and submitted to the FBI for use in the national crime statistics report, total crime in Maryland was down 5.1 percent – its lowest level since modern crime tracking began in 1975. Additionally, violent crime decreased 6 percent and property crime was down 4.9 percent. Currently both the violent crime and property crime rates (per 100,000 people) are the lowest ever on record in Maryland. Since 2006, total crime in Maryland has decreased 12 percent and violent crime has decreased 17 percent.

Among violent crimes, homicides dropped 3.2 percent in 2010 with 14 fewer people murdered last year in Maryland than the year before. The data for 2010 also show reductions in robbery (-7.9%), aggravated assault (-5.6%), burglary (-0.6%), larceny/theft (-5.7%), and motor vehicle theft (-8.1%).

“The most important responsibilities we have in government are to create jobs and protect the public’s safety,” said Governor O’Malley. “Working together with state and local law enforcement, with our partners and neighbors in communities across Maryland, we have helped drive crime down to its lowest level in recorded history. As we continue to make our streets safer, we improve the quality of life for our residents and businesses.”

Sixteen jurisdictions reported reductions in total crime, with three reporting double-digit reductions between 2009 and 2010. Seventeen jurisdictions noted specific reductions in violent crime (murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault), with eight reporting double-digit decreases. Fifteen jurisdictions noted specific reductions in property crime (breaking and entering, larceny/theft, and motor vehicle theft), with three jurisdictions reporting reductions of 10 percent or more.

The declines in crime come at a time when state and local law enforcement agencies are intensifying their use of technology and information sharing. As a result, more criminals are being taken off the streets of Maryland communities. License plate reader technology is now being used by law enforcement across the State and the goal is to network as many jurisdictions as possible to increase information sharing about stolen or suspicious vehicles. The law enforcement Dashboard allows police officers instant access to information from 100 different databases as they investigate crimes.

“The additional tools available to law enforcement and the sharing of pertinent information in partnership with our allied police departments helps us all to continue the trend in crime reduction,” said Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “As a result, the people of Maryland are safer in their homes and neighborhoods.”

DNA hits resulted in the arrests of 290 murderers, rapists, robbers and burglars since 2007. Cross-border collaboration through the Violence Prevention Initiative allowed the Division of Parole and Probation to share live arrest data with the District of Columbia and Virginia. In 2010, Maryland received 2,434 electronic arrest hit notices from its partner probation agencies in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Law enforcement has also been able to reduce the number of guns in Maryland neighborhoods through multi-agency task forces designed to track down violent criminals and remove them and their weapons from the streets.

Social Security Wrongly Declares 14,000 People Dead Each Year

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- More Americans are being erroneously killed off by the Social Security Administration every day.

Of the approximately 2.8 million death reports the Social Security Administration receives per year, about 14,000 -- or one in every 200 deaths -- are incorrectly entered into its Death Master File, which contains the Social Security numbers, names, birth dates, death dates, zip codes and last-known residences of more than 87 million deceased Americans. That averages out to 38 life-altering mistakes a day.

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Watch Fido: Dog Thefts On The Rise

Money seems to be the motive behind a rise in dognappings.

The American Kennel Club says dog thefts are up 32 percent nationwide this year.

The American Kennel Club says it has a record of 224 pets reported stolen in 2011. That’s compared to 150 dogs reported stolen in the same time period last year. Owners reported pets taken from houses, cars, pet stores and even from a child's arms.

Officials say many dogs end up sold, given as gifts and sometimes held for ransom.

Krieger On Peak Government

All quotes below are taken from a Bernank paper written in 1999 titled “Japanese Monetary Policy: A Case of Self-Induced Paralysis?”

Although it is not essential to the arguments I want to make—-which concern what monetary policy should do now, not what it has done in the past—-I tend to agree with the conventional wisdom that attributes much of Japan’s current dilemma to exceptionally poor monetary policy-making over the past fifteen years.

Indeed, as I will discuss, I believe that a policy of aggressive depreciation of the yen would by itself probably suffice to get the Japanese economy moving again.

On the issue of announcement effects, theory and practice suggest that “cheap talk” can in fact sometimes affect expectations, particularly when there is no conflict between what a “player” announces and that player’s incentives.

Suppose that the yen depreciation strategy is tried but fails to raise aggregate demand and prices sufficiently, perhaps because at some point Japan’s trading partners do object to further falls in the yen. An alternative strategy, which does not rely at all on trade diversion, is money-financed transfers to domestic households—-the real-life equivalent of that hoary thought experiment, the “helicopter drop” of newly printed money.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States in 1932 with the mandate to get the country out of the Depression. In the end, the most effective actions he took were the same that Japan needs to take—-namely, rehabilitation of the banking system and devaluation of the currency to promote monetary easing. But Roosevelt’s specific policy actions were, I think, less important than his willingness to be aggressive and to experiment—-in short, to do whatever was necessary to get the country moving again. Many of his policies did not work as intended, but in the end FDR deserves great credit for having the courage to abandon failed paradigms and to do what needed to be done.

In A Currency Tug Of War The US Dollar Loses

I imagine sometimes in my most optimistic moments that one day I will live in the midst of a true free market economy, where the tides of trade and investment, the ebb and flow of commerce, are a rather beautiful thing. A marketplace without centralized manipulation, were legitimate supply and demand are elevated
instead of obscured, and toxic financial instruments, crooked corporate institutions, and even faulty currencies, are allowed to finally meet their long deserved demise because they no longer serve the needs of our nation and our culture. I imagine an economy that is not only continuously shedding off old skins and renewing itself as our society grows, but one whose primary purpose is to nurture and expedite that growth. I imagine an economy that works FOR the people, not against them. Like I said, “optimistic”.

In today’s economy, we have something quite different. We are imprisoned in a labyrinthian deathtrap of a mainstream system, one that feeds endless fiat formaldehyde into the crusted veins of a long since corpsified infrastructure; a financial golem, a wraith, a thing that creeps across the dark horizon of our country’s future waiting to unleash a special kind of hell. A thing that should not exist.

This Just In

At this moment, FBI seen raiding lots of OC boardwalk businesses. Arrests have been made, agents are walking around in tactical apparel with automatic weapons. Started sometime after 10am. Seems to have been coordinated to hit all targets simultaneously. Rumor mill says 300 agents in town?

Study: 1 In 5 American Children Lives In Poverty

Researchers find 14.7 million children were poor in 2009, 2.5 million more than in 2000

LAS VEGAS — Karla Washington worries how she will afford new school uniforms for her five-year-old daughter.

Washington, an undergraduate student, earns less than $11,000 a year from a part-time university job. The salary must cover food, rent, health care, child care and the occasional splurge on a Blue's Clues item for her only child.

"My biggest fear is not providing my daughter with everything that she needs to be a balanced child, to be independent, to be safe, to feel like she is of value," said Washington, 41.

Losses underscore challenges US and international partners face in overcoming corruption in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — After examining hundreds of combat support and reconstruction contracts in Afghanistan, the U.S military estimates $360 million in U.S. tax dollars has ended up in the hands of people the American-led coalition has spent nearly a decade battling: the Taliban, criminals and power brokers with ties to both.

Multifamily housing is only growth sector as vacancy rate is at a five-year low

WASHINGTON — Builders starting on new apartments are busier than ever these days as demand for rentals climbs and the once-sacrosanct American dream of home ownership fades.

The Commerce Department said Tuesday housing starts slipped 1.5 percent in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 604,000 units. But starts on multifamily housing, often used for rentals, rose 7.8 percent to 179,000 units.

The rise in multifamily units reflects an underlying trend in which rentals are increasing while the national home ownership rate declines.

Former Miss Delaware USA Wins TV MasterChef prize

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) -- A Delaware real estate agent and former beauty pageant winner has cooked her way to the top in the reality TV MasterChef competition.

Jennifer Behm of Wilmington was named winner Tuesday in the finale of the Fox TV show that seeks the best amateur cook in America.

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Striking Verizon Workers To Lose Medical Benefits

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Tens of thousands of striking workers from Verizon Communications will lose their medical benefits if they're still picketing at the end of the month, the telephone service provider said Wednesday.

"I can confirm that the 45,000 striking Verizon workers did receive a letter confirming a provision in their 2008 contract that stated in the event of a strike, medical benefits would be suspended on Aug. 31," said Verizon spokesman Richard Young.

Delaware Veterans Offered Free Trip To DC Memorials

DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Delaware veterans of World War II and the Korean War are being offered a free trip to their national memorials in Washington.

The trip is being offered by the Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge, the Delaware Police Chiefs Foundation, the Delaware State Police Association and the Delaware Police Chiefs Council.

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Abercrombie To 'Jersey Shore': Ditch Our Brand

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino may have to find some new attire for his "gym, tan, laundry" routine.

On Tuesday, clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) said it would offer "substantial payment" to MTV's The Jersey Shore's cast members to stop wearing the brand on air.

"We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image.

In Rick Perry's World Without A Fed, He Can Barter For U.S. Votes

Asked about the Federal Reserve...[Texas Governor Rick] Perry said of Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke: "If this guy prints more money between now and the election, I don't know what you all would do to him in Iowa, but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas. Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treacherous -- or treasonous." ... If he believes this, he either doesn't understand the Fed's function, or is a peculiar kind of monetary extremist. ... If the Fed didn't print any more money at all, we'd soon be relying on a cumbersome and rather inexact form of exchange known as the barter system. – Bloomberg

Police: Neighbor Chases Suspected Kidnapper, Rescues 6-Year-Old

(CNN) -- A New Mexico man is credited with rescuing a 6-year-old girl after chasing down a suspected kidnapper who hurled the child into his van and took off.

The girl went to a neighbor's house Monday to pick up a package of tostadas, authorities said.

Antonio Diaz Chacon noticed a commotion when a man grabbed the girl at a mobile home park in southwest Albuquerque.

Asia Inflation May Rise With Thai Rice Price

Yingluck Shinawatra became Thailand's first female prime minister by pledging to lift rural incomes through higher rice prices. The rest of Asia may now have to pay for her campaign promise. ... "High rice prices will translate into higher inflation pressures in Asia, at a time when most inflation readings are flirting near the higher end of central-bank target or forecast ranges," said Chua Hak Bin, a Singapore-based economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. "Once the global backdrop stabilizes, inflation could come back strongly." ... Food makes up more than 30 percent of inflation indexes on average in Asia. – Bloomberg

Tobacco Giants Suing FDA Over Warning Labels Mandate

(CNN) -- Five tobacco companies, including some of the largest in the United States, filed a lawsuit against the federal government on Tuesday, alleging that government-mandated graphic warning labels on cigarette packages unconstitutionally infringe on the companies' rights.

"The primary complaint is that we think it violates the First Amendment for the government to require people who produce a lawful product to essentially urge prospective purchasers not to buy it," says Floyd Abrams, a prominent First Amendment case expert who's representing the plaintiffs.

AT&T Purchase Of T-Mobile May Spur Regulation

AT&T's pursuit of U.S. government approval for its $39 billion planned purchase of T-Mobile USA Inc. may spur more regulation for the entire telecommunications industry. ... "Once you have a monopoly, you have pricing power, you need rules," Howe, the report's co-author, said in an interview. Without more regulation, "your choice is lawlessness." – Bloomberg

Army 'Improperly' Tested Body Plates

(WASHINGTON) — The Army improperly tested new bullet-blocking plates for body armor and cannot be certain that 5 million pieces of the critical battlefield equipment meet the standards to protect U.S. troops, the Defense Department's inspector general found.

The Pentagon report focused on seven Army contracts for the plates, known as ballistic inserts, awarded between 2004 and 2006 and totaling $2.5 billion. The inspector general's audit, carried out over a two-year period ending in March, found the tests were incomplete, conducted with the wrong size plates or relied on ballistic test rounds that were inconsistent. Due to the demands of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, tests under certain temperatures and altitudes were scrapped altogether.

QUOTES OF THE DAY 8-17-11

“Were we to be directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread.”
Thomas Jefferson

“With the exception only of the period of the gold standard, practically all governments of history have used their exclusive power to issue money to defraud and plunder the people.”
F.A. von Hayak

“The fate of the nation and the fate of the currency are one and the same.”
Dr. Franz Pick

“The history of paper money is an account of abuse, mismanagement, and financial disaster.”
Richard M. Ebeling

“The first requisite of a sound monetary system is that it put the least possible power over the quantity or quality of money in the hands of the politicians.”
Henry Hazlitt

“Whom the gods would destroy, they first subsidize.”
George Roche

“All of the government’s monetary, economic and political power, as well as its extensive propaganda machinery, will be enlisted in a constant battle to drive down the price of gold – but in the absence of any fundamental change in the nation’s monetary, fiscal, and economic direction, simply regard any major retreat in the price of gold as an unexpected buying opportunity.”
Irwin A. Schiff

FDA Approves Gene-Targeting Skin Cancer Drug

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Food and Drug Administration has approved a first-of-a-kind drug to treat the deadliest form of skin cancer by targeting a particular genetic mutation found in about half of patients.

The pill-based drug called Zelboraf, made by Roche, is the first treatment for melanoma that targets a specific gene found in skin-cancer tumors. The FDA said Wednesday it also approved a test to screen patients for the mutation.

Melanoma is the fastest-growing form of cancer in terms of new diagnoses. Researchers attribute the acceleration to longer life expectancies among the elderly and increased indoor tanning by the young.

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City Officer Gets 15 Years In Fatal Shooting Of Marine Veteran

Tshamba shot unarmed Brown 12 times outside Mount Vernon bar in 2010

A Baltimore judge had harsh words Tuesday for city police officer Gahiji Tshamba, calling his actions "repugnant" and sentencing him to 15 years in prison in the shooting death last year of an unarmed Marine veteran outside a Mount Vernon bar.

"None of this had to happen," Circuit Judge Edward R.K. Hargadon told Tshamba. "You seriously overreacted."
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Jonah's Job

Seventy-five years ago, Albert Jay Nock wrote a column called Isaiah's Job that was published in The Atlantic Monthly. It advanced the idea that there is in any society a "Remnant" of people who are interested in the truth and in doing the right thing by their fellow man, but who are pretty much isolated from each other and go about their business without ever knowing how many others there are like themselves, if any.

The people of the Remnant can spot a phony immediately and will pay them no mind, but they can spot the purveyor of the genuine article or "true faith" just as easily. Isaiah is preaching to this Remnant and to everybody else that wants to listen, but he has no way of knowing who they are and they have no way of identifying each other.

I have thought about this essay many times over the years in relation to some of the modern Isaiahs such as Nock himself, but also people like Leonard Read, Frank Chodorov, Lew Rockwell, Murray Rothbard, Joseph Sobran, Jacob Hornberger and Ron Paul. These people disseminated their ideas, but had no effective way to reach a mass audience. You almost had to be in a clique to find out about The Freeman, The Rothbard Rockwell Report, analysis or Sobran's. Most of the publications were preaching to the choir for the simple reason that you had to be in the choir to even find out about them.

Ron Paul is probably the most visible Isaiah of modern times, at least in the political realm because he had a little bit of a forum by virtue of his congressional office.

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"The Global Plutocracy Is Terrified Of Dissent"

The Most Liberal Part of the Country Takes a Page from Dictator's Playbook

The most liberal part of the country - the San Francisco Bay Area - is taking a page from Egyptian dictator Mubarak's playbook.
As leading free speech organization Electronic Frontier Foundation reports [3]:

This week, EFF has seen censorship stories move closer and closer to home — first Iran, then the UK, and now San Francisco, an early locus of the modern free speech movement. Operators of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system (BART) shut down cell phone service to four stations in downtown San Francisco yesterday in response to a planned protest.

Treasury Department Approves $3.6 Billion In Small Business Lending

The Treasury Department said it has approved funding that will help spur more than $3.6 billion dollars in extra small-business lending. So far, 11 states and the District of Columbia will have access to the funds, which are made available through the Small Business Credit Initiative — part of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Barack Obama signed into law last fall. Treasury said the funds will not only expand small-business lending, but hopefully spur job growth also. The agency expects the funds to generate at least $10 in new private lending for every $1 in federal funding.

Lowes Abruptly Closes 7 Stores

Lowe's - a large big box retailer of Home Improvement supplies - abruptly closed 7 stores yesterday.

Could Salisbury be the next one slated - on the low performing stores hit list? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Lowes Update On Results Of Last Quarterly Earnings

I would not be the least bit surprised if either Home Depot or Lowes or possibly both board-up.

There just aren't enough customers buying goods to even pay the electric bill - much less the employees.

New Vet Center In Sussex County, Delaware

We would like to introduce ourselves. We are a new Veteran Center open in Sussex County, DE. We are currently working at a temporary location in Lewes, just off of route 1.

The location is diagonal to the Red 'Mill Inn, and across from the Delaware Guidance Program. The address is 16287 Willow Creek Rd, Lewes, DE 19958.

The Vet Center permanent location will be located on route 113 in Georgetown, next to burger king. This location should be available to you in Fall 2011.

HISTORY

Vet centers were established by Congress in 1979 out of recognition that a significant number of Vietnam era vets were still experiencing adjustment problems. In April 1991, in response to the Persian Gulf era, Congress extended the eligibility to veterans to other periods of hostilities. Vet centers also offer counseling for veterans that experience sexual trauma or sexual harassment while in the military. Vet Centers are part of the Department of Veteran Affairs. The services are free and all of the centers are based in the community.

Vet Centers appreciate veterans' war experiences and assisting members and families toward successful post-war adjustment in the community.

WHO ARE WE?

We are the people in the VA who welcome home War Veterans with honor by providing quality Readjustment Counseling in a caring, understanding, and confidential manner. Many of the counselors are also veterans who take great pride in helping those who served.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

Readjustment counseling provides a wide range of psycho-social services to eligible veterans and their families. The efforts are to help veterans make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Included are individual and group counseling on such issues as PTSD, depression, sexual trauma, substance abuse screening and treatment. Additionally, we help veterans with anxiety, mood, anger management problems, support and referral services for benefits, medical, and other related post military issues.

IS THERE COUNSELING FOR FAMILY MEMBERS? Yes, Family members are eligible for readjustment counseling services which include individual, groups, family sessions, support, and education.

Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Phyllis Perrine, MSW 302-824-0856 or Ted Smith, MSW 302-824-8291

Carla Van Curen

Office Manager

Sussex County Veterans'

Readjustment Counseling Service

16287 Willow Creek Road

Lewes, DE 19958

(302) 824-9170

A Letter To The Editor 8-17-11

IS MS. SAMPLE-HUGHES REALLY A RACIST OR SIMPLY AN ELITIST?

I’m just as surprised as everyone that she would seriously suggest that a minimum level of educational attainment should be required for election to the Wicomico County Council. That would be plainly preposterous because there is no such requirement to become President of the United States, a U.S. Senator or Representative, Governor of Maryland, or a member of the General Assembly. It would be both un-American and anti-democratic.

In its effect, requiring any educational attainment to hold legislative office would be discriminatory, both actually and legally so, because of the marked difference in the average level of education among the races. Thus, for Ms. Sample-Hughes to suggest such a requirement is shocking, to say the very least.
Her suggestion also is an affront to all citizens, who regardless of race or other matters, have an inalienable right to elect whomever they want to represent them in elective legislative office – be it federal, state or county.

Lastly, Ms. Sample-Hughes has disparaged those persons who for whatever reason did not complete high school and do not, like her, have a degree from some emporium of higher education. She apparently regards them as unworthy to serve on the County Council regardless of their wisdom, common sense and capability.
We have to wonder how she came to make her suggestion – and whether it was her own idea or if someone put her up to it.

Here Are The Details Of Obama's Upcoming Push For More Fiscal Stimulus

Yesterday we had some choice words indicating why fiscal stimulus in a period of unprecedented monetary intervention (such as now) is about the worst thing that can happen to America, when not even 8 months ago Goldman based its completely wrong and now discredited call that the $100 billion payroll tax "stimulus" would lead to 4.5% 2011 GDP (since retracted). Today, we provide some additional information on just how Obama plans to further stimulate the economy by sacrificing the middle class at the alter of the "this time it's different" gods. From Bloomberg: "President Barack Obama plans to ask Congress for billions of dollars in fresh spending to boost the economy and reduce unemployment, with a new focus on helping the long-term unemployed, an administration official said." But as pointed out the humor is in the post script: "The president also will call for long-term cuts beyond the $1.5 trillion that Congress has charged a 12-member bipartisan “super-committee” of lawmakers to trim by late November, the official said." Preferably cuts that actually affect the US after 2016 when Obama's second term expires. Or even 2013, because according to the mainstream media Perry is now gaining, and who is that Ron Paul fellow?
The comedy continues [2]:

The dollar amount of the additional long-term deficit reduction measures will exceed the cost of the short-term spending that he will propose, said the official, who requested anonymity because plans for the speech haven’t been completed. According to the official, Obama plans to unveil his priorities in a speech in early September and propose a mix of tax cuts and infrastructure spending, including extending two measures that expire at the end of the year: the two-percentage-point payroll tax cut for workers and unemployment insurance benefits.

He will also include new spending and jobs proposals, beyond the ones he has mentioned on his current Midwest bus tour, said the official, without elaborating on the new policies. As part of his jobs package, Obama is said to be considering two sets of ideas: ones that will require legislative action and ones that will can be done by the executive branch alone, without congressional approval.

My life would be complete if __________________________.

Sobo's Special

Half Price Bottles Of Wine Tonight

Tax Fraud Suspected In Obama Land Deal

'My professional background causes me to be suspicious'

The "buffer zone" parcel at the Obama family mansion in Chicago's upscale Kenwood neighborhood purchased by the wife of convicted felon Tony Rezko was transferred to Barack and Michelle Obama without ever being assessed or taxed, in apparent violation of Illinois law, according to a debt-collection expert.

"The Cook County assessor's office told me that there is no record of any tax assessment having been done on this transfer of the buffer zone property into a Northern Trust Co. Deed in Trust," Albert Hendershot told WND.

Hendershot, president and owner of Innovative Portfolio Recovery Inc, a debt collection and skip tracing company based in Birmingham, Ala., noted the buffer zone "does not have an address attached to it, which is probably how the assessment and tax were avoided."

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A Letter To The Editor Referencing WBOC

Joe,

I follow your site on a daily basis and have often seen you bash WBOC for their lack of Journalism and honestly I never really got it UNTIL last night.

I have to be honest, I do watch the news, I guess thinking I would see something "New". As I am watching WBOC last night it hits me I have read all these stories already. Not only do they copy every thing you do but they make their main stories from your site with the most comments.

I now understand why you say what you do about them. You work your butt off and they just ride your coat tails!

Well anyway I thought I would share my opinion.

Signed,

Daily Reader

Publishers Notes:

Dear Daily Reader,

Last night was over the top. I watched in awe as they seemed to have kept some very keen eyes on what we had to say yesterday and ran like mad producing those stories in which received the most comments.

I had a conversation with a friend last night about this very same issue. They too had noticed how WBOC ran with our "original" story about the Police and Firefighters being next, should Congress change military retirement plans.

While many say I should consider this as a complement, yesterday was hard to swallow because there were so many repeats of what we provided. It is an open market and they have every right to do so. However, to try to call yourself Delmarva's News Leader, (as WBOC so boldly claims) I find that laughable.

Very few people go to their Website to see news because they know we'll have it here first anyway. The person I spoke with last night said there's no more investigative reporters at WBOC either. I agreed but added, there are none in any of the MSM outlets.

Yesterday, as I covered Governor O'Malley, WBOC showed up well after the Governor had made his speech in Cambridge, that's why you didn't see an interview or the Governor speaking at the event. For what its worth, the Governor was WELL educated about both events yesterday and truly spoke from his heart. It would have made for some great coverage but they weren't there and they missed it. I'll add, the Governor had a written speech, (Press Release) but he only looked down once of twice as a reminder. The rest came from his knowledge and experience. I was truly impressed.

In my honest opinion, many are growing tired of watching someone else simply read to you what Salisbury News has already produced. If they are to survive they'll have to come up with more original stuff like Travels With Charlie or Heart and Soul with Lisa Bryant, (always great stuff).

Since WBOC is so glued to Salisbury News, let me give them some advice. Be very careful of an up and coming Blog that may just start broadcasting daily news at 4:00 PM, ahead of what you produce. Know that this Blog has the potential of going after those advertisers who know every one comes here first and throughout the day and evening to get real time news. Here's the kicker too. If this Blog chooses to do news coverage on line, know that we'll make it personal and opinionated, something the MSM not only refuses to do, they don't know how to do it either because of the way journalists have been trained and educated.

I say this because this is what is killing the Daily Times and IF we choose to go this route it will kill off the television news as well. Og

Watch out WBOC and WMDT, Salisbury News just might go after you just like we did the Daily Times and guess what, money is NOT an issue here. We've already proven we can have an even nicer studio with a green screen than the $13,000,000.00 you spent on a fixed studio.

Ron Paul Wears Invisibility Cloak In News Media's Eyes

Busted. That's what we in the news media are in the matter of the presidential campaign of Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

Famous and not so famous critics have pointed out in the past day that journalists for the most part have ignored Paul even when he succeeds at a level other Republican presidential candidates haven't.

As far as many political reporters have been concerned, the congressman might as well be wearing one of those Harry Potter invisibility cloaks. He's there but we apparently can't see him.

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Attention