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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

70-Year-Old Bus Attendant Beats, Bites Teen She Claims Bullied Her, Police Say

Video footage on board a Florida school bus shows a 70-year-old bus attendant beating and biting a student she claimed had bullied her, police tell Fox News.


The incident, which was first reported by the Orlando Sentinel, occurred June 2 on a school bus carrying students from Lakeland Senior High School.


Surveillance video on the bus reportedly shows the 4-foot-7 woman, identified as Hattie Yvonne Branch, confronting a 14-year-old boy.






Blundering Forward In The Graveyard Of Empires

Washington’s national security establishment – what used in Britain to be called "imperialists" – is in a growing panic over the war in Afghanistan which, in spite of America’s vast military and economic power, and cornucopia of high tech wizardry, is being slowly beaten by a bunch of lightly-armed but very fierce Pashtun mountain tribesman.

The renowned military strategist, Maj. Gen. J.F.C Fuller, defined war’s true objective as achieving desired political results, not killing enemies.

Operation Enduring Freedom – the dreadfully misnamed ten-year US occupation of Afghanistan – has turned into Operation Enduring Misery.

After ten years of military and civil operations costing at least $450 billion, over 1,600 dead and 15,000 seriously wounded soldiers, the US has achieved none of its strategic or political goals. As for Afghanistan, it has suffered untold civilian casualties, villages shattered by US bombing, night raids by death squads, over two million refugees and a 30-year civil war.

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Pot Brownies At Funeral Service


Here's a genius idea... serve pot brownies at a funeral and don't label them as such. Apparently, munching down on the tainted treats was a favorite past time of the dearly departed's. So the brownies were served up in his honor! But after three unsuspecting seniors dug in, they had to be taken to the hospital complaining of nausea, dizziness, and the inability to walk without assistance. Luckily, all three are going to be okay.

If You Want to Stop Crime In America, Start In The White House And Work Your Way Down

Over 200 people are confirmed dead, including at least one US agent, with “Fast and Furious” weapons which were directed into the hands of drug cartels in Mexico at the order of our Justice Department and the BATF.

Under oath Attorney General Holder denied any knowledge of the operation or active participation in it and continues to deny his involvement to this day:
“My testimony was truthful and accurate and I have been consistent on this point throughout. I have no recollection of knowing about Fast and Furious or of hearing its name prior to the public controversy about it.”

Holder also lashed out at some of the more extreme charges being leveled by Republican lawmakers, such as a statement this week by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) that federal officials who approved the “gun-walking” technique should be charged as accessories to murder.
Source: Politico
However, CBS News reports that Holder did, in fact, have knowledge of the operation in July of 2010, and received at least seven memos where Operation Fast and Furious was mentioned by name.

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First Lady Says She Sneaks Out Of White House As Much As Possible

WASHINGTON -- Turns out Target isn't the only place to find Michelle Obama.


The first lady says she sneaks out of the White House "as much as possible." She says she once took family dog Bo to the pet store Petco and almost went unrecognized. The cashier eventually realized who she was from her credit card.


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U.S. Aims To "Unite The World" Against Iran

(CBS/AP)

Iran plotted to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States into a new global campaign to isolate the Islamic republic.

"It's critically important that we unite the world in the isolation of and dealing with the Iranians," Vice President Joe Biden said on "The Early Show" Wednesday. "That's the surest way to be able to get results."

U.S. officials say the administration will lobby for the imposition of new international sanctions as well as for individual nations to expand their own penalties against Iran based on allegations that Iranian agents tried to recruit a purported member of a Mexican drug cartel to kill the Saudi envoy on American soil.

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Rosie O'Donnell: 'My Gaydar Was Way Off' With Michelle Rounds

(PEOPLE.com) -- Rosie O'Donnell was attracted to Michelle Roundsthe moment she saw her in a Starbucks this summer. But she never thought it would be reciprocated.

"I thought she was a 28-year-old heterosexual girl, because that's what she looked like to me. And she's a 40-year-old gay woman," O'Donnell, 49, tells ABC's "Nightline" in an interview airing Monday night.She adds with a laugh: "My gaydar was way off!"

New Zealand Arrests, Charges Captain As Crack Appears In Stricken Ship

The captain of a cargo ship that has spilled hundreds of tons of oil since striking a reef off the New Zealand coast appeared in a court Wednesday to face criminal charges.

The 44-year-old Filipino, whose name has not been revealed publicly, was charged with operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk and was released on bail when he appeared in Tauranga District Court, near where his ship appeared to be breaking up in mountainous seas.

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Einstein Letter On Nazis Sells For Nearly $14,000

(CNN) -- A letter from Albert Einstein warning of the persecution of Jews in Germany on the eve of World War II sold for nearly $14,000, about double the auctioneer's highest prediction.

The hand-signed letter went Tuesday night for $13,936, including the buyer's premium, said Sam Heller of the California auction house which sold it.The auctioneer did not reveal who the buyer was.

The physicist writes of the importance of "rescuing our persecuted fellow-Jews from their calamitous peril and leading them toward a better future" in the June 10, 1939, letter.

Truth Squad: Has Texas Created Jobs As America Was Losing Them?

(CNN) -- At Tuesday night's debate at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire Texas Governor Rick Perry credited his leadership for the creation of jobs in Texas as the rest of the country was shedding many more.

The statement: "While this country was losing 2-1/2 million jobs, Texas was creating 1 million jobs. That's the kind of leadership that America's longing for, someone that actually understands that you have to be able to give a climate where people know they can risk their capital and have a chance to have a return on that investment." -- Texas Governor Rick Perry

German Officials Admit Using Spyware On Citizens, As Big Brother Scandal Grows

A government surveillance software scandal that erupted in Germany this weekend has spread beyond that nation's borders, raising questions about how far government officials around the globe might go to monitor citizens through spyware.

On Saturday, as reported on MSNBC.com, the German-based Chaos Computer Club announced it had examined a Trojan horse program allegedly spread by government officials to secretly spy on citizens' Internet travels, e-mail, chat and more. The software, originally intended only to help officials intercept Internet phone calls through legal wiretaps, went far beyond those permissible purposes, the hacker group alleged. The group called the government's use of the software outrageous and demanded it be destroyed immediately.

Mr. Washington! ... Fed & Wall Street Are NOT The Same

Protests: Both Conservatives and Liberals Are Right ... Just Looking at Different Sides of the Same Coin ... The Occupy Wall Street protests are obviously targeting Wall Street, i.e. the giant banks. The Occupy the Fed protests – led by Alex Jones, the Oathkeepers and other conservatives – are targeting the Federal Reserve. While some are trying to weaken these two movements through a divide-and-conquer strategy, the truth is that they are two sides of the same coin. – Washington's Blog

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Delaware State Police Issues Gold Alert

Location:  Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, Seaford, DE
 
Date of Occurrence:   Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
 
Gold Alert Subject:
 
-Robert L. Bove, 34, Greenwood, DE
-White male, 6’00” tall, 185 lbs, brown hair, and blue eyes
-He was last seen wearing a dark colored shirt and dark pants
 
 
Resume:  
Seaford, DE- Delaware State Police are issuing a Gold Alert for a missing Greenwood, DE man.
 
The Delaware State Police are currently looking for Robert L. Bove, 34, or Greenwood, DE. He was last seen at approximately 7:30 p.m. this evening at the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford, DE. Bove’s medical condition is such that there is a real concern for his well being.
 
Robert Bove is a white male, 6’00” tall and 185 lbs. He has brown hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing dark pants and a dark colored shirt.
 
If anyone knows the location of Robert Bove, they are asked to contact the 9-1-1 call center or Delaware State Police Troop 5 at 302-337-1090. Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).  Tipsters may also provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

BREAKING NEWS: Congress OKs Trade Pacts

Senate joins House in passing free trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea
From Fox News

Study: Chocolate Lovers Have Lower Risk of Stroke

The news keeps getting sweeter: eating chocolate has been linked to lower blood pressure, a reduced risk of heart disease and now, in a new study, a lower risk of stroke in women.


Even better, the more chocolate women indulged in, the lower their stroke risk, Swedish researchers found. For every 50-gram (1.8-oz.) increase in chocolate consumption per week, participants' overall stroke risk dropped 14%. The protective effect appeared to kick in at 45 g (1.6 oz.) of chocolate a week, with women in the highest consumption group — who ate a median of 66.5 g (2.4 oz.), or between one and two chocolate bars a week — enjoying a 20% lower risk of stroke than those who ate the least.


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MY CAPITAL FILES BANKRUPTCY

The government drones that run Pennsylvania’s state capital have thrown in the towel in an effort to wipe away the results of their incompetence and complete lack of financial acumen. In classic drone fashion, the council has called for a new 1% county tax to help pay off the remaining debt. A drone solution is always to screw the people for their mistakes.

 I’ve read many stories taking shots at Meredith Whitney for her prediction of municipal defaults. The idiots doing a touchdown dance like Terrell Owens are celebrating prematurely. The fiscal condition of cities across the country are deteriorating rapidly. Ben Bernanke is contributing greatly to their woes with his zero interest rates. The pension obligations of these cities become worse by the day. If you are a government worker with a pension, I’d suggest you start saving now. You will not be getting that big fat pension they promised you. So Solly.

Meredith Whitney was early with her prediction, but as with those who saw the mortgage collapse two or three years before it happened (Eismann, Burry), she will be right.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Files for Bankruptcy, Lawyer Says

October 12, 2011, 2:11 AM EDT 
Oct. 12 (Bloomberg) — The city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, facing a state takeover of its finances, filed for bankruptcy protection following a vote by City Council, according to a lawyer for the council.

Mark D. Schwartz, a Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania-based lawyer and former head of municipal bonds for Prudential Financial Inc.’s mid-Atlantic region, said he filed the documents by fax to a federal bankruptcy court last night. The filing couldn’t be confirmed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Harrisburg.

The state capital of 49,500 faces a debt burden five times its general-fund budget because of an overhaul and expansion of a trash-to-energy incinerator that doesn’t generate enough revenue.

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How To Divorce Your Bank in 5 Easy Steps

With all of the ire Americans are directing toward big banks these days, a lot of people are talking about making a change. Protests like the Facebook-driven “Bank Transfer Day” urge consumers to pull up stakes and switch their banking to a credit union. Fans of local and community banks have taken to the blogosphere and social networking sites to sing the praises of institutions where the tellers know their names and there are no “gotcha” fees.

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Chrysler, UAW Agree On Contract

(DETROIT) — Chrysler Group LLC and the United Auto Workers negotiators agreed on a new four-year contract early Wednesday that creates 2,100 new jobs.
Chrysler also will invest $4.5 billion in its plants under the deal, which covers 26,000 U.S. workers.


"This agreement is the latest in a remarkable turnaround for Chrysler," UAW Vice President General Holiefield said in a statement. This is the first contract agreement reached since Chrysler's government bailout and bankruptcy two years ago, and the first since Chrysler has been managed by Italian automaker Fiat SpA.

WBOC Misleads Viewers, Takes Advantage Of Taxpayers


Last night I was watching WBOC and was blown away at what I was seeing. Being that I was at Monday night's City Council Meeting, knowing WBOC or WMDT wasn't there, how in the hell were they able to use the video footage as part of their broadcast?

Did they go to PAC 14 and ask for permission to use their footage. After all, it is us taxpayers who foot the bill for the majority of expenses for PAC 14. Does WBOC have an arrangement with PAC 14? Does WBOC make serious donations to PAC 14?

Here's what I can tell you. WBOC never once put in their broadcast while showing all of the footage from Monday night, "Courtesy of PAC 14".  It seemed to me, it was a smack in the face of those financially supporting PAC 14 and here's why.

WBOC is a FOR PROFIT business. Now they can TIVO a public access television show and use whatever they like, while the rest of us are forced to go to the meetings and actually cover the event. WBOC sells commercials for their broadcasts, therefore they are absolutely making money off the taxpayers expense and quite frankly, (with all due respect) I feel this is absolutely out of line, especially when they blatantly refused to give credit to PAC 14.

I believe there are some ethics violations here and I'll have to look deeper into that. In the mean time, I'd like to know what you think about such practices.

The comments are well worth reading on this Post.

Iran Rejects U.S. Plot Claim As "Childish"

(CBS/AP) As the Obama administration planned to leverage charges that Iran plotted to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States into a new global campaign to isolate the Islamic Republic, Tehran blasted the allegations as fraudulent.
Iran's parliament speaker, Ali Larijani, called the Justice Department's claims a "childish game."

Holder: Iran aimed to bomb Saudi ambassador
Read the U.S. criminal complaint (PDF)
Al Quds: Iran's shadowy terrorist trainers

"These are cheap claims. By giving it a wide media coverage, it was evident that they are trying to cover up their own problems," Larijani told an open session of the parliament Wednesday, apparently suggesting the American claim was an attempt to divert attention from mounting protests in U.S. cities.

BREAKING NEWS: House Approves Trade Pacts

House passes free trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, sending measures to the Senate.
From Fox News

Ineligible Recipients Cost Va. Medicaid Millions

RICHMOND, Va. - A new report says ineligible Medicaid recipients are costing Virginia millions of dollars.

The report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission says ineligible enrollments account for the greatest number of improper payments in Virginia's share of the Medicaid program.

According to the report, improperly enrolled recipients could have cost the state between $18 million and $263 million in fiscal 2009.

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3 Illinois Teens Charged With Helping Friend Kill Parents

A suburban Chicago teen accused of killing his parents plotted with his friends for months before they went into the couple's bedroom, pummeled them with baseball bats as they slept and stole their money, authorities said Tuesday.


The couple's son, John Granat, 17, was charged with first-degree murder Sept. 13, two days after his parents, John Granat, 44, and Maria Granat, 42, were found dead, all but unrecognizable, in their Palos Park bedroom. Authorities on Tuesday also charged three of the high school senior's friends in the couple's deaths.


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Hey, #OWS? Look What I Just Found: You Don't Need a Permit For Tents Under 400 Square Feet

According to the "NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) Quick Reference Guide For All DOB Temporary Special Event Filings," it appears that temporary tents do not need special permits in order to be constructed.

Here is the relevant section from the reference guide linked above (which I found thanks toDaniel Sieradski:


Read Law Here

Some Theaters Refuse To Show Movie That Will Go On Demand 3 Weeks Later

Having a more difficult time getting viewers out to theaters, movie studios want to get their films into homes faster. Theaters aren't happy with plans to subvert the traditional theatrical window, and the conflict is coming to a head with the Ben Stiller comedy Tower Heist, due out in theaters Nov. 4 and slated to go on demand three weeks later. Some theater owners, including mega-chain Cinemark, are protesting the quickie on-demand plan by refusing to show the film unless the studio changes its plans.

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Wicomico Students Join Effort To Renew The Zoo Through Just Zoo It! Campaign

When you see tigers and bears approaching your door this Halloween, they may be armed with more than a bucket of candy.

This year children in Wicomico County may ask you to pull out your spare change to make a contribution to the Just Zoo It! project – an extension of the Renew the Zoo campaign – for the Salisbury Zoo.

“As we approach the final stages of our $3 million capital campaign, we want to involve the one group of people that benefits from the Zoo more than any other – the kids,” said Marty Neat, chairman of the Renew the Zoo campaign.

“Just Zoo It! will give kids the opportunity to be a part of the Zoo’s makeover and have fun doing it.”

All money collected by students and local business partners through the Just Zoo It! initiative will help fund the new Discover Australia exhibits at the Zoo.

The new exhibits will showcase some of the land down under, including the wallaby (a smaller version of the kangaroo) and a walk-thru aviary where visitors will be able to feed the birds up close.

How you can Just Zoo It!

Most Wicomico County public and private schools are participating to help distribute the coin canisters to area school children. If your child doesn’t come home from school with a Just Zoo It! coin canister, you can pick one up beginning Oct. 15 at the Salisbury Zoo, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce (144 E. Main St.), or either Salisbury location of Barb’s Gift and Hallmark (805 S. Salisbury Blvd./313 Civic Ave.).

On Halloween night when your kids go trick-or-treating with a grown up, they can ask friends and neighbors for donations of spare change to help the Salisbury Zoo get a makeover. Canisters should be returned the week following Halloween per the instructions of each school. For other drop off times and locations, please visit www.RenewTheZoo.com.

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Change In Military Funeral Protocol?

Q: Did Obama order the military to drop the words “on behalf of the president of the United States” when presenting the flag to the next of kin at funerals?
A: A chain email that makes that claim is wrong. Spokespersons for the Defense Department and the armed forces say that no change was ordered.

FULL QUESTION
This letter has been circulating lately. Is it true?
Dear Sean,
Today I was incensed at the conclusion of a traditional Serbian-Orthodox funeral for my beloved 85 year old uncle, Daniel Martich, who proudly served in the US Army during The Korean Conflict. During the committal service at a Pittsburgh cemetery the local military detachment performed their ritual, then folded and presented the American Flag to my aunt.
⬐ Click to expand/collapse the full text ⬏
FULL ANSWER
This email, claiming that the White House ordered a change to the language used during the presentation of burial flags at funerals with military honors, has gone viral. It has landed in our inbox dozens of times, and it’s making the rounds on social networking websites as well. But it’s not true.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Defense told FactCheck.org that the agency has not received, published or directed any change recently in the wording used during funeral services with military honors.
No Change in Protocol
The email claims that an unidentified soldier said that members of the military assisting in funerals were directed by the White House to cease referring to the president when presenting the burial flag to a deceased veteran’s next of kin.
Email excerpt: As I’m sure you have witnessed during military funerals, a soldier bends to one knee and recites a scripted message to a surviving relative that begins “On behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation, I wish to present you with this flag in appreciation for your husband’s service … .” However, today the dialogue was “On behalf of the Secretary of Defense and a grateful nation … .” After the service I approached the soldier who presented the flag to my aunt to inquire about the change in language. His response was “The White House notified all military funeral service detachments to immediately remove ‘the President’ and insert ‘the Secretary of Defense.’ I couldn’t believe what I heard and the soldier smiled and said, “You can draw your own conclusion sir but that was the order”. He, too, was ashamed of what he was required to say.
But Maj. Monica Matoush, a spokeswoman for the Defense Department, told us that no change has been ordered. “While there have been some inconsistencies at the unit level in reciting the appropriate verbiage, neither the Department of Defense nor the services have received, published or directed any recent change,” Matoush said.

It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect Your Family From Fire!

Wicomico County Fire Protection Division Encourages Residents to Keep their Homes Safe


What’s the best way to protect your family from fire? Be ahead of the game, of course. With more than 360,000 home fires reported in the United States in 2009, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), your best defense is a good offense. That’s why Wicomico’s Department of Public Works - Fire Protection Section - is teaming up with NFPA to let our community know: “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” This year’s campaign focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires -- cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. Additionally, it urges people to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning.

“In 2009, 2,565 people died in home fires. Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan, keeping things that can burn away from the stove and always turning off space heaters before going to bed,” says Kevin Wright, Fire Inspector for the Wicomico County Department of Public Works - Fire Protection Section. “Fire is a dangerous opponent, but by anticipating the hazards, you are much less likely to be one of the nearly 13,000 people injured in home fires each year.”

Wicomico County offers the following tips for protecting your home and family from fire:
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
  • Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
  • Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
  • If you smoke, smoke outside.
  • Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy table.
  • Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
“While preventing home fires in Wicomico County is always our number one priority, it is not always possible,” Wright continued. Wicomico County’s residents need to provide the best protection to keep their homes and families safe in the event of a fire. This can be achieved by developing an escape plan which you practice regularly and equipping homes with life-saving technologies like smoke alarms and home fire sprinklers.”

The following tips will help keep your family safe if there is a fire in your home:
  • Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home (including the basement).
  • Interconnect all smoke alarms in the home so when one sounds, they all sound.
  • Test smoke alarms at least monthly and replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond when tested.
  • Make sure everyone in your home knows how to respond if the smoke alarm sounds.
  • Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible ways out.  Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.
  • If you are building or remodeling your home, consider installing home fire sprinklers.

To learn more about “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www. firepreventionweek.org .

Osborne To Defend Strategy As Unemployment Hits 15-Year High

U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will be forced to defend his economic strategy today after unemployment rose to its highest rate for 15 years.

Ed Balls, Treasury spokesman for the opposition Labour Party, will use a debate in Parliament in London to renew his call for emergency tax cuts to spur the recovery. Unemployment jumped to 8.1 percent in the three months through August, the highest since 1996, government figures showed today.

“With families feeling the squeeze, no growth in our economy since last autumn and unemployment rising again, it’s clear that Britain now faces a real jobs and growth crisis,” Balls’s deputy, Rachel Reeves, said in e-mailed comments today.

Air Force Officials Kept Quiet For 2 Weeks About Drone Virus

When news broke last week that some of the Air Force's drone aircraft had been infected with a virus, Air Force network security experts reportedly found out about the breach when everyone else did. Officials at a Nevada Air Force base may have known about the problem for as long as two weeks and never reported the issue to security.

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SunPower: Twice As Bad As Solyndra, Twice As Bad For Obama

How did a failing California solar company, buffeted by short sellers and shareholder lawsuits, receive a $1.2 billion federal loan guarantee for a photovoltaic electricity ranch project—three weeks after it announced it was building new manufacturing plant in Mexicali, Mexico, to build the panels for the project.

The company, SunPower (SPWR-NASDAQ), now carries $820 million in debt, an amount $20 million greater than its market capitalization. If SunPower was a bank, the feds would shut it down. Instead, it received a lifeline twice the size of the money sent down the Solyndra drain.

Two men with insight into the process are SunPower rooter Rep. George R. Miller III, (D.-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee and the co-chairman of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and his SunPower lobbyist son, George Miller IV...

SunPower’s political action committee (PAC) was not shy about participating in the political process either.

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Public Not Turning In Bath Salts

Delaware State Police report residents are not turning in the now-banned drug known as 'bath salts.'

Sgt. Paul G. Shavack, director of public information for Delaware State Police, said residents have not taken advantage of the offer to turn over bath salts they have in their possession. He urges all residents to stay away from the now-illegal drug.

"The Delaware State Police are continuing to work in coordination with the Attorney General's Office to develop an effective enforcement strategy but will continue to respond to any complaints regarding bath salts," Shavack said. "We would hope and encourage those that possess bath salts, including stores, to turn them in at any of our stations to become compliant with the ban."

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Buffett's Berkshire Owes $1 Billion In Back Taxes

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett triggered a major debate over taxes recently when he wrote in The New York Times that he should be paying more to the federal government. He called on Washington lawmakers to up tax rates on the rich.

But it turns out that Buffett’s own company, Berkshire Hathaway, has had every opportunity to pay more taxes over the last decade. Instead, it’s been mired in a protracted legal battle with the Internal Revenue Service over a bill that one analyst estimates may total $1 billion.

Yes, that’s right: while Warren Buffett complains that the rich aren’t paying their fair share his own company has been fighting tooth and nail to avoid paying a larger share.

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Gov't Pulls Back On Junk Food Marketing Proposal

WASHINGTON (AP) - Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam can rest easy. Government officials fine-tuning guidelines for marketing food to children say they won't push the food industry to get rid of colorful cartoon characters on cereal boxes anytime soon.

Allowing the brand icons from popular cereals to remain untouched is one of the concessions officials say they are likely to make as they work to convince food companies to curb junk food marketing to children.

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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 10-12-11

On Oct 9, 2011 at approximately 1815 hrs, a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy responded to Ocean Downs Casino in reference to a disorderly subject.  Upon arriving, The Deputy spoke with security manager who had the subject, identified as Antonio Hayward 24 years of age from Bishopville Md., detained by the woods on the south side of the parking lot. 

The security officer stated he observed the subject attempting to enter vehicles in the parking lot. The security officer confronted Mr. Hayward inside a white Suzuki SX4.  Mr. Hayward eventually fled and the security officer pursued.

Mr. Hayward admitted to entering vehicles in an attempt to gain money for a ride home.  A search of Mr. Hayward revealed $11.49 in his pocket. Mr. Hayward admitted the money was taken from the Suzuki he entered.  The owner of the car confirmed the money came from the ashtray in the vehicle.

Mr. Hayward was charged with Rogue and Vagabond and Theft under $100.  Hayward was released on his own personal recognizance.

On Oct 11 2011, at approximately 1615 hrs., a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy responded to 11416 Ocean Gateway, The Walmart, for a shoplifting complaint.  Upon arriving the Deputy met with a Walmart employee.  The employee observed a male, later identified as Lesley Fraley, 55 years of age form Berlin Md. leave the store without paying for items.

Mr. Fraley admitted to taking the items from Walmart without paying for them. Several items from the store valued at about 70 dollars were found in Mr. Fraley’s possession.

Mr. Fraley was charged with Theft under $100 and released pending trial.

A Joke For A Cloudy Day

An Irishman went to the doctor and was asked to give a urine sample.
The Irishman asked, "What's a urine sample?"
The doctor replied, "Go piss in a bottle."
The Irishman retorted, "Go shit in yer hat"
And the fight was on.............

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER PROCLAIMING START OF SPECIAL SESSION ON OCTOBER 17TH

ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 12, 2011) Governor Martin O’Malley today issued an Executive Order proclaiming and convening a special session of the General Assembly beginning October 17, 2011.  The Special Session is necessary to pass legislation establishing Maryland’s congressional districts.  Maryland must pass a Congressional redistricting plan prior to the beginning of the 2012 legislative session in order to conduct the Presidential Primary on April 3, 2012.

“Every 10 years we create electoral districts from which our congressional representatives are to be elected based on census date,” said Governor O’Malley.  “I look forward to working with Senate President Miller, House Speaker Busch and with the members of the General Assembly as we come together and work on passing legislation ensuring every citizen is fairly and accurately represented.”

Russia Issues Travel Alert For It's Citizens Travelling To U.S.

For the first time in nearly four-decades the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a “dire” travel alert for top officials, scientists and military officers travelling to the United States over fears the Obama regime is preparing to instigate a revolution for the purpose of their being able to hold on to power and complete the enslavement of the American people.

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Feds Off The Hook For Wrecked $750G Ferrari

A federal judge in Detroit has dismissed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over the wreck of a $750,000 Ferrari driven by an FBI agent.

Judge Avern Cohn said in his recent decision that the crash of the 1995 F50 sports car was "certainly unfortunate," but cited a law making the government immune to lawsuits when property is in custody of law enforcement.

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President Obama Joins Unemployed Men For Beers On Day Jobs Bill Is Defeated

President Barack Obama has joined four unemployed construction workers in Florida for a round of beers on a day his jobs bill met defeat on Capitol Hill.

Obama met with the group at Harp and Celt Restaurant & Irish Pub in downtown Orlando. He solicited opinions on the jobs situation and said he was trying to figure out how to get the construction trades back to work.

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OCPD TRYING TO IDENTIFY ROBBERY SUSPECT

On October 10, 2011, at approximately 7:50 p.m. Ocean City Police responded to the area of 81st Street and Coastal Highway, in reference to a robbery.

Officers met with a female victim who stated she was retrieving an item from inside her parked car when an unknown black male suspect approached her from behind and placed what she believed to be a gun to her neck. The female was pushed into the car at which time the suspect then stole the victim’s purse as well as a laptop computer.

Ocean City Police forensic services unit personnel processed the scene for evidence. The suspect is described as a black male, 30 to 40 years old, approximately 5’10, with a muscular build, weighing about 200 lbs. He was wearing dark clothing at the time of the robbery.

Ocean City Police are asking anyone with information about the incident and/or the suspect to contact OCPD Detective James Rodriguez at 410-520-5347 or mailto:jrodriguez@oceancitymd.com"; you do not have to give your name.

U.S. Households: Better Off In Recession?

A recently-released survey shows that in the last two years proceeding the recession, overall income and real median household income fell significantly.  

A report from Sentier Research called "Household Income Trends During the Recession and Economic Recovery," released on Monday shows that since the economic recovery began in June 2009, real median household income fell more during that period through June 2011 than it did during the recession from December 2007 to June 2009.

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Banks, Administration Pressure AGs On Foreclosure Settlement

The Obama Administration has finally found something it can agree on with the nation’s big banks: The need for the 50 state attorneys general to finally reach a deal to end the year-long investigation into faulty mortgage foreclosure practices and reach a long-awaited settlement, the FOX Business Network has learned.

People at the big banks say the Obama Administration is prodding the state AGs, led by Iowa’s Tom Miller, to agree on a deal that is currently on the table that calls for fines and revised mortgage foreclosure practices -- but also limits banks' liability on legal action.

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UK Lottery Winners To Give Millions To Friends, Family

'We have drawn up a list of 15 to 20 people that we are going to make millionaires'

A couple from eastern England who won Britain's third-largest lottery jackpot want to make millionaires out of a select group of friends and family members.

Dave Dawes, 47, and his fiancee, Angela Dawes, 43, from Wisbech, close to the city of Cambridge, won 101 million pounds ($156 million) in Friday's Euromillions lottery draw.

State Department Warns Americans Of Potential Terrorist Attack

The State Department is warning Americans around the world of the potential for terrorist attacks against U.S. interests, after an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States was disrupted. In a new worldwide travel alert, the State Department said the foiled scheme might indicate a more aggressive focus by the Iranian government on terrorist activity. Officials said diplomats from countries critical of Iran should be especially careful.

Pennsylvania State Capital To File For Bankruptcy Protection

The potent brew of a weak recovery, falling revenues and high debt has claimed another municipal victim.

This time, it's Harrisburg, Pa., the state capital with a population of 46,000, whose city council voted late Tuesday to file for Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy protection, according to The Patriot News.

“This really is our only option out there,” Councilman Brad Koplinski told the newspaper. “I believe this is the only thing that will work.”

The Associated Press said Wednesday that Harrisburg had indeed filed the petition, which cited "overwhelming debt," adding that the city was in "imminent jeopardy" from creditor claims.

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EEOC Could Get Furloughed

Employees at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission might be furloughed, GovExec reports. That's because the agency is facing a budget cut in fiscal 2012. While EEOC hasn't yet made formal plans to furlough it's 1,800 workers, Chairwoman Jacqueline Berrien has told the staff to be prepared. One option is to designate a skeleton staff to keep basic services running during a furlough. EEOC's 2011 budget was $367 million. Senate appropriators want to reduce that by $7 million, while the continuing resolution imposes a $5.5 million cut.

NE Kansas Stops Pursuing Domestic Abuse Cases

(AP)

TOPEKA, Kan. - Over the past month, one by one, people suspected in domestic battery cases in northeast Kansas have been set free with no charges against them. Prosecutors say they're overwhelmed with felonies and, faced with budget cuts, can't afford to pursue the cases.

Busted budgets have forced tough decisions by governments and law enforcement officials nationwide, but the Shawnee County district attorney's move to stop investigating domestic abuse and other misdemeanor cases has angered victims' advocates who say austerity has gone too far.

The advocates are also outraged by the response from the capital city of Topeka, where the City Council and mayor repealed the city's domestic abuse law Tuesday night — a move designed to ensure the city wouldn't be stuck with the bill for prosecuting such cases.

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Senate Republicans Joined By Two Democrats To Defeat President Obama's $447 Billion Jobs Bill

The bill needed 60 votes but got only 50. The bill would have placed a surcharge on the tax bills of millionaires and provided federal funding for local police, firefighters and teachers. The White House is hoping Congress will vote to keep a cut in the Social Security payroll tax through 2012. It also wants tax breaks for companies who hire unemployed veterans.