MOUNT RAINIER, Wash. – A ranger at Mount Rainier National Park has been shot, and the gunman is on the loose.
The shooting occurred near Longmire Ranger Station. The condition of the ranger is not known.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Lack Of ADHD Drugs Prompt Hundreds Of Complaints Daily
Shortages of medicines like Ritalin and Adderall are so endemic that some patients say they worry almost constantly about availability
Medicines to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are in such short supply that hundreds of patients complain daily to the Food and Drug Administration that they are unable to find a pharmacy with enough pills to fill their prescriptions.
The shortages are a result of a troubled partnership between drug manufacturers and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with companies trying to maximize their profits and drug enforcement agents trying to minimize abuse by people, many of them college students, who use the medications to get high or to stay up all night.
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Medicines to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are in such short supply that hundreds of patients complain daily to the Food and Drug Administration that they are unable to find a pharmacy with enough pills to fill their prescriptions.
The shortages are a result of a troubled partnership between drug manufacturers and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with companies trying to maximize their profits and drug enforcement agents trying to minimize abuse by people, many of them college students, who use the medications to get high or to stay up all night.
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Update On YMCA Story
Last week we received multiple e-mail messages stating the YMCA in Salisbury was closing their doors, THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
The original messages that we received came from From: rbhildrich@mail.com.
Joe,
Just thought you'd like to know that the Mid Delmarva YMCA is going under. No members know this yet, but the Y will be closing the end of January 2012. There is to be a notice sent to all members shortly, but even the employees are not aware of this yet. Sad, but this great institution has served the area well. It will be sad to see it go. Best wishes on the New Year.
Sincerely,
Bob Hildrich
Keep in mind, there were several follow up messages in which this person stated, "I work the front desk part time".
I want to make it very clear, again, this information was a lie and we truly apologize for publishing this false information. We did have a one on one meeting directly with the YMCA in which we forwarded ALL correspondences to the YMCA to show we did not intentionally publish information that was not convincing, they agreed.
The YMCA is in the beginning stages of their yearly fundraising/membership drive and someone is trying to disrupt their attempts. One has to wonder, did the Anti Albero Bloggers do this?
What I can tell you is that the Salisbury YMCA has more than 8,000 members and is doing very well financially. While we do not normally pull complete articles, I chose to do so based on the fact that it was completely untrue. Why Jonathan Taylor and the rest of his screwed up friends want to continue to go after these Non Profits is beyond me. After all, HE is one of the recipients of such services as someone who receives disability checks every month and who knows what else.
Even though this Post only stayed up for less than 30 minutes, the YMCA started receiving a ton of phone calls questioning this information. It stirred up quite a bit of problems for them almost instantly and we owe it to the YMCA to express our deepest apology and ask them to forgive me, they have.
This Post isn't being hidden, we made a mistake and we will own up to it. There's no little correction hidden somewhere in which it would be hard to find. We want it known, we made a mistake. I will tell you this. During our meeting with the YMCA we discussed the information and multiple e-mail messages sent to us and they completely understood why we had published the information. It could be said that since the employees were unaware of this information the YMCA would deny it being true. However, I am absolutely convinced beyond any doubt that what we had been told was a lie.
I truly cannot understand why these people would go to such lengths to hurt these non profits but they have proven time and time again, THEY DO NOT CARE.
Now, in closing, we all make mistakes. However, (to me) its how you handle those mistakes that makes you who you are.
GO HERE to see ALL of the services the YMCA provides.
The original messages that we received came from From: rbhildrich@mail.com.
Joe,
Just thought you'd like to know that the Mid Delmarva YMCA is going under. No members know this yet, but the Y will be closing the end of January 2012. There is to be a notice sent to all members shortly, but even the employees are not aware of this yet. Sad, but this great institution has served the area well. It will be sad to see it go. Best wishes on the New Year.
Sincerely,
Bob Hildrich
Keep in mind, there were several follow up messages in which this person stated, "I work the front desk part time".
I want to make it very clear, again, this information was a lie and we truly apologize for publishing this false information. We did have a one on one meeting directly with the YMCA in which we forwarded ALL correspondences to the YMCA to show we did not intentionally publish information that was not convincing, they agreed.
The YMCA is in the beginning stages of their yearly fundraising/membership drive and someone is trying to disrupt their attempts. One has to wonder, did the Anti Albero Bloggers do this?
What I can tell you is that the Salisbury YMCA has more than 8,000 members and is doing very well financially. While we do not normally pull complete articles, I chose to do so based on the fact that it was completely untrue. Why Jonathan Taylor and the rest of his screwed up friends want to continue to go after these Non Profits is beyond me. After all, HE is one of the recipients of such services as someone who receives disability checks every month and who knows what else.
Even though this Post only stayed up for less than 30 minutes, the YMCA started receiving a ton of phone calls questioning this information. It stirred up quite a bit of problems for them almost instantly and we owe it to the YMCA to express our deepest apology and ask them to forgive me, they have.
This Post isn't being hidden, we made a mistake and we will own up to it. There's no little correction hidden somewhere in which it would be hard to find. We want it known, we made a mistake. I will tell you this. During our meeting with the YMCA we discussed the information and multiple e-mail messages sent to us and they completely understood why we had published the information. It could be said that since the employees were unaware of this information the YMCA would deny it being true. However, I am absolutely convinced beyond any doubt that what we had been told was a lie.
I truly cannot understand why these people would go to such lengths to hurt these non profits but they have proven time and time again, THEY DO NOT CARE.
Now, in closing, we all make mistakes. However, (to me) its how you handle those mistakes that makes you who you are.
GO HERE to see ALL of the services the YMCA provides.
Obama: I Have The Power To Detain Americans… But I Won’t
NOTE: First, it should be remembered that the Obama White House pressured Congress to add the controversial language to the bill, according to Sen. Carl Levin.
Second, Signing Statements are not law, and are not a Constitutional power granted to the executive branch; any reassuring (or troubling) language within has no binding status– though it may shed light on the character of the chief executive and does signal a dangerous trend in de facto rule by “executive fiat”– and does not indicate any deviation of intent from the law as written.
From Wikipedia: the Constitution does not authorize the President to use signing statements to circumvent any validly enacted Congressional Laws, nor does it authorize him to declare he will disobey such laws (or parts thereof). When a bill is presented to the President, the Constitution (Art. II) allows him only three choices: do nothing, sign the bill, or (if he disapproves of the bill) veto it in its entirety.
Statement by the President on H.R. 1540:
Today I have signed into law H.R. 1540, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.” I have signed the Act chiefly because it authorizes funding for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad, crucial services for service members and their families, and vital national security programs that must be renewed. In hundreds of separate sections totaling over 500 pages, the Act also contains critical Administration initiatives to control the spiraling health care costs of the Department of Defense (DoD), to develop counter-terrorism initiatives abroad, to build the security capacity of key partners, to modernize the force, and to boost the efficiency and effectiveness of military operations worldwide.
The fact that I support this bill as a whole does not mean I agree with everything in it. In particular, I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists. Over the last several years, my Administration has developed an effective, sustainable framework for the detention, interrogation and trial of suspected terrorists that allows us to maximize both our ability to collect intelligence and to incapacitate dangerous individuals in rapidly developing situations, and the results we have achieved are undeniable. Our success against al-Qa’ida and its affiliates and adherents has derived in significant measure from providing our counter-terrorism professionals with the clarity and flexibility they need to adapt to changing circumstances and to utilize whichever authorities best protect the American people, and our accomplishments have respected the values that make our country an example for the world.
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Second, Signing Statements are not law, and are not a Constitutional power granted to the executive branch; any reassuring (or troubling) language within has no binding status– though it may shed light on the character of the chief executive and does signal a dangerous trend in de facto rule by “executive fiat”– and does not indicate any deviation of intent from the law as written.
From Wikipedia: the Constitution does not authorize the President to use signing statements to circumvent any validly enacted Congressional Laws, nor does it authorize him to declare he will disobey such laws (or parts thereof). When a bill is presented to the President, the Constitution (Art. II) allows him only three choices: do nothing, sign the bill, or (if he disapproves of the bill) veto it in its entirety.
Statement by the President on H.R. 1540:
Today I have signed into law H.R. 1540, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.” I have signed the Act chiefly because it authorizes funding for the defense of the United States and its interests abroad, crucial services for service members and their families, and vital national security programs that must be renewed. In hundreds of separate sections totaling over 500 pages, the Act also contains critical Administration initiatives to control the spiraling health care costs of the Department of Defense (DoD), to develop counter-terrorism initiatives abroad, to build the security capacity of key partners, to modernize the force, and to boost the efficiency and effectiveness of military operations worldwide.
The fact that I support this bill as a whole does not mean I agree with everything in it. In particular, I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation, and prosecution of suspected terrorists. Over the last several years, my Administration has developed an effective, sustainable framework for the detention, interrogation and trial of suspected terrorists that allows us to maximize both our ability to collect intelligence and to incapacitate dangerous individuals in rapidly developing situations, and the results we have achieved are undeniable. Our success against al-Qa’ida and its affiliates and adherents has derived in significant measure from providing our counter-terrorism professionals with the clarity and flexibility they need to adapt to changing circumstances and to utilize whichever authorities best protect the American people, and our accomplishments have respected the values that make our country an example for the world.
More
Bridge Tolls Rising Again
Drivers of largest trucks to pay more starting at midnight
Commercial truckers driving vehicles with more than four axles will start paying 60 percent more tomorrow to cross the Bay Bridge.
Drivers of some smaller commercial vehicles, however, will actually pay less than right now.
"Larger vehicles have more of an impact on the roadway," said Teri Moss, spokeswoman for the Maryland Transportation Authority, explaining why some commercial vehicles will see a larger toll increase than others.
"We wanted to put the tolls more in line with the impact the vehicles were having on the roadway."
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Verizon Caves, Pulls Plug On $2 Convenience Fee
Well that was fast. Only hours after publicly stating it wouldn't back off from charging a $2/month fee to customers who paid online or by phone with a debit/credit card, Verizon Wireless has pulled a complete 180 and decided to nix the fee completely.
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Turns Out Hair Of The Dog Might Not Lessen A Hangover's Bite
Put down that day-after-the-night-you-drank-too-much beer — it turns out hair of the dog probably won't make your hangover any better, and in fact might just increase the pain. So says a doctor with other tips to avoid feeling miserable on New Year's Day (and any other day, for that matter).
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Wicomico County Sheriff's Department Press Releases 1-1-12
Incident: Trespass
Date of Incident: 29 December 2011
Location: 28000 block of Ocean Gateway, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Thomas E. Bowen, 29, Mardela Springs, MD
Narrative: On 29 December 2011 at 3:03 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded for a reported trespassing complaint in the 28000 block of Ocean Gateway. Upon arrival, the deputy met with the complainant who reported finding Thomas Bowen of Mardela Springs inside a vehicle on property that he tends that is posted “No Trespassing.” The Complainant advised that he caught Bowen alone inside the vehicle dressed in women’s clothing while engaged in sex acts.
The deputy placed Bowen under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Bowen in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Charges: Trespassing on Posted Private Property.
Incident: Weapon Violation
Date of Incident: 30 December 2011
Location: 9000 block of Ocean Highway, Delmar, MD
Suspect: James Ian Taylor, 23, Laurel, DE
Narrative: On 30 December 2011 at 12:16 AM, a deputy was investigating a disturbance in the 9000 block of Ocean Highway in Delmar when the deputy stopped to check on James Taylor who was sitting in a vehicle nearby. During the encounter with Taylor, the deputy noticed behavior that raised the deputy’s suspicions about the activities Taylor was engaged in. While standing at the side of the vehicle, Taylor
acted in a way as if he was trying to conceal something beside the seat. The deputy made repeated requests to see identification from Taylor and for Taylor to exit the vehicle, both of which were either ignored or refused. The deputy assisted Taylor out of his vehicle and then conducted a search of the vehicle which led to the recovery of three large knives, all hidden but within easy reach of Taylor.
The deputy placed Taylor under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Taylor in the Detention Center in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.
Charges: Concealed Dangerous Weapon
Date of Incident: 29 December 2011
Location: 28000 block of Ocean Gateway, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Thomas E. Bowen, 29, Mardela Springs, MD
Narrative: On 29 December 2011 at 3:03 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded for a reported trespassing complaint in the 28000 block of Ocean Gateway. Upon arrival, the deputy met with the complainant who reported finding Thomas Bowen of Mardela Springs inside a vehicle on property that he tends that is posted “No Trespassing.” The Complainant advised that he caught Bowen alone inside the vehicle dressed in women’s clothing while engaged in sex acts.
The deputy placed Bowen under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Bowen in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Charges: Trespassing on Posted Private Property.
Incident: Weapon Violation
Date of Incident: 30 December 2011
Location: 9000 block of Ocean Highway, Delmar, MD
Suspect: James Ian Taylor, 23, Laurel, DE
Narrative: On 30 December 2011 at 12:16 AM, a deputy was investigating a disturbance in the 9000 block of Ocean Highway in Delmar when the deputy stopped to check on James Taylor who was sitting in a vehicle nearby. During the encounter with Taylor, the deputy noticed behavior that raised the deputy’s suspicions about the activities Taylor was engaged in. While standing at the side of the vehicle, Taylor
acted in a way as if he was trying to conceal something beside the seat. The deputy made repeated requests to see identification from Taylor and for Taylor to exit the vehicle, both of which were either ignored or refused. The deputy assisted Taylor out of his vehicle and then conducted a search of the vehicle which led to the recovery of three large knives, all hidden but within easy reach of Taylor.
The deputy placed Taylor under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Taylor in the Detention Center in lieu of $5,000.00 bond.
Charges: Concealed Dangerous Weapon
STATE POLICE HELICOPTER CREW AND FREDERICK CO. ATR TEAM LOCATE LOST HIKER
Frederick, Maryland
On December 31, 2011, a hiker lost in Gambrill State Park was located and rescued by helicopters from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and the United States Park Police, with support from the Frederick County Advanced Technical Rescue Team. A State Police helicopter crew located the hiker with information provided by Frederick County Emergency Communications and with the aid of night vision equipment. Of note, the State Police helicopter crew located the hiker after “seeing” the faint glow from the hiker’s cellular phone using the night vision equipment. Due to difficulty directing the hiker to safety, members of the ATR team were lowered to the victim, using the rescue hoist on the State Police aircraft, with the assistance of high intensity lighting from the U.S. Park Police helicopter. The Frederick County ATR members then used GPS to escort the hiker out of the park to safety. The hiker was located uninjured and did not require medical attention.
On December 31, 2011, a hiker lost in Gambrill State Park was located and rescued by helicopters from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and the United States Park Police, with support from the Frederick County Advanced Technical Rescue Team. A State Police helicopter crew located the hiker with information provided by Frederick County Emergency Communications and with the aid of night vision equipment. Of note, the State Police helicopter crew located the hiker after “seeing” the faint glow from the hiker’s cellular phone using the night vision equipment. Due to difficulty directing the hiker to safety, members of the ATR team were lowered to the victim, using the rescue hoist on the State Police aircraft, with the assistance of high intensity lighting from the U.S. Park Police helicopter. The Frederick County ATR members then used GPS to escort the hiker out of the park to safety. The hiker was located uninjured and did not require medical attention.
Adam Roop Says, I'm Running For Mayor Of Salisbury
Adam Roop of Exit Realty is fed up and wants to make a difference. He says he wants to be your next Mayor and will do so "full time".
"Adam R Roop
I'm running for Mayor. And I'm not doing it for the money.....because I don't need the money. I'm doing for you. Put my name on the ballot!"
Adam called me Friday night to express his intentions and asked if I'd moderate an event he wants to hold this Saturday at the Black Diamond Hall.
"Adam R Roop
I'm holding a brunch meeting at black diamond in Fruitland next Saturday. There will be guest speakers and a moderator. Its free for all...omelets, potatoes, wheat toast....no limit to the amount of people. come one come all!!"
It seems Adam is fed up with how things are going in Salisbury and wants to hear what others think. Many people are growing very tired of the lack of leadership and professionalism of those elected into Office and Adam wants the community to know RIGHT NOW, he's tired of it, he's embarrassed and he wants to make a positive difference.
There are a select group of Adam Roop haters out there. Many are jealous and envious of this young mans business success, yet none of those haters step up to the plate by putting their names into the hat to make a difference. Instead, they hide behind anonymous and attack Mr. Roop. I, (for one) tip my hat to Mr. Roop for being willing stand up for what he believes in. Win, lose or draw, Adam Roop is at least man enough to try.
I will attend this event on Saturday and I hope many of you will join us. Let's make something very clear here. I, Joe Albero and Salisbury News are not announcing any endorsement at this time. I am simply fulfilling Mr. Roop's wishes by participating. There will be NO hate comments posted, period. So don't waste your time doing so, unless you choose to publish your name. It has always been our policy to publish comments with your name attached as you then OWN the comment.
Barn Raising At Its Best Bruno, Nebraska
News report from Bruno , NE In 1981, Herman Ostry and his wife, Donna, bought a farm a half mile outside ofBruno , Nebraska , a small community sixty miles west of Omaha . The property had a creek and came with a barn built in the 1920's. The barn
floor was always wet and muddy. When the creek flooded in 1988, the barn ended up with 29 inches of water covering the floor. That was the last straw. Ostry needed to move it to higher ground. He contacted a building moving company and was
discouraged by the bid. One night around the table, Ostry commented that if they had enough people they could pick the barn up and move it to higher ground.. Everyone laughed.
A few days later, Ostry’s son Mike showed his father some calculations. He had counted the individual boards and timbers in the barn and estimated that the barn
weighed approximately 16,640 pounds. He also estimated that a steel grid needed to move the barn would add another 3,150 pounds, bringing the total weight to just under 10 tons. He figured it would take around 350 people with each person lifting 56 lbs. to move the barn.
The town of Bruno , Nebraska was planning its centennial celebration in late July of 1988. Herman and Mike presented their barn moving idea to the committee. The committee decided to make it part of their celebration.
So, on July 30, 1988, shortly before 11 a.m., a quick test lift was successfully
made. Then, as local television cameras and 4,000 people from eleven states watched, 350 people moved the barn 115 feet south and 6 feet higher up a gentle slope and set it on its new foundation.
The reason most people think that something cannot be done is because they know that they can’t do it by themselves. But impossible things can be done if we join together in the task. Working together, we can not only move barns, but change the world.
floor was always wet and muddy. When the creek flooded in 1988, the barn ended up with 29 inches of water covering the floor. That was the last straw. Ostry needed to move it to higher ground. He contacted a building moving company and was
discouraged by the bid. One night around the table, Ostry commented that if they had enough people they could pick the barn up and move it to higher ground.. Everyone laughed.
A few days later, Ostry’s son Mike showed his father some calculations. He had counted the individual boards and timbers in the barn and estimated that the barn
weighed approximately 16,640 pounds. He also estimated that a steel grid needed to move the barn would add another 3,150 pounds, bringing the total weight to just under 10 tons. He figured it would take around 350 people with each person lifting 56 lbs. to move the barn.
The town of Bruno , Nebraska was planning its centennial celebration in late July of 1988. Herman and Mike presented their barn moving idea to the committee. The committee decided to make it part of their celebration.
So, on July 30, 1988, shortly before 11 a.m., a quick test lift was successfully
made. Then, as local television cameras and 4,000 people from eleven states watched, 350 people moved the barn 115 feet south and 6 feet higher up a gentle slope and set it on its new foundation.
The reason most people think that something cannot be done is because they know that they can’t do it by themselves. But impossible things can be done if we join together in the task. Working together, we can not only move barns, but change the world.
5 Things Your Kids Won't Learn In Drivers' Ed — But Should
Parallel Parking
Parking a minivan parallel to the curb, between two other cars, used to take lots of practice and patience. Today, a driver can hit a button and the car will parallel park almost by itself. The newest self-parking systems scout for a suitable parking spot while driving past parked cars, then control the steering while the driver operates the throttle and brake during the actual parking procedure. In other words, the parking computer makes all the tough decisions.
Anyone learning to parallel park such a car certainly won't be eager to try their skill in a conventional auto, which leads us to believe drivers will become even less serious about judging close distances and turning radii.
More
Parking a minivan parallel to the curb, between two other cars, used to take lots of practice and patience. Today, a driver can hit a button and the car will parallel park almost by itself. The newest self-parking systems scout for a suitable parking spot while driving past parked cars, then control the steering while the driver operates the throttle and brake during the actual parking procedure. In other words, the parking computer makes all the tough decisions.
Anyone learning to parallel park such a car certainly won't be eager to try their skill in a conventional auto, which leads us to believe drivers will become even less serious about judging close distances and turning radii.
More
Troopers Investigate Laurel Liquor Store Robbery
Location: Red Top Liquors, 3061 Sharptown Road, Laurel, DE
Date of Occurrence: Friday, December 30, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.
Victim:
76 year old male employee
Suspects:
White male (no further description) armed with a hand gun.
Black male (no further description) wearing a covering over his face.
Surveillance footage is not available
Resume:
Laurel, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating the armed robbery of a Laurel area liquor store that occurred early last night.
The incident happened at approximately 6:45 p.m. yesterday as two male suspects entered the Red Top Liquor Store located in the 3000 block of Sharptown Road, Laurel. The suspects, one of which was armed with a hand gun, confronted the 76 year old store employee and demanded money and cigarettes. The employee complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes to the suspects. The suspects then exited the store and were last seen fleeing in a westbound direction in an unknown type of vehicle. The victim was not injured.
The Delaware State Police are asking anyone who may have any information in reference to this incident to contact the Robbery Unit at Troop 4 at 302-856-5850. 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.
Date of Occurrence: Friday, December 30, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.
Victim:
76 year old male employee
Suspects:
White male (no further description) armed with a hand gun.
Black male (no further description) wearing a covering over his face.
Surveillance footage is not available
Resume:
Laurel, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating the armed robbery of a Laurel area liquor store that occurred early last night.
The incident happened at approximately 6:45 p.m. yesterday as two male suspects entered the Red Top Liquor Store located in the 3000 block of Sharptown Road, Laurel. The suspects, one of which was armed with a hand gun, confronted the 76 year old store employee and demanded money and cigarettes. The employee complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes to the suspects. The suspects then exited the store and were last seen fleeing in a westbound direction in an unknown type of vehicle. The victim was not injured.
The Delaware State Police are asking anyone who may have any information in reference to this incident to contact the Robbery Unit at Troop 4 at 302-856-5850. 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.
Special Sunday Edition of Fill In The Blank 01/01/2012
2012 will be the year I _______!!!
Happy New Year To All Of Our Loyal Readers
Fein: National Defense And Fugitive Slaves
The execrable ancestor of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA) is the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Frederick Douglass protested, “Under this [Fugitive Slave] law the oaths of any two villains (the capturer and the claimant) are sufficient to confine a free man to slavery for life.”
Under the NDAA, the suspicion of the president is sufficient to confine an American citizen to military detention for life without accusation or trial. The twin laws make for an alarming tale.
The Fugitive Slave Act passed with overwhelming congressional support. Only four members of Congress voted against it. The South clamored for its enactment even though very few slaves ever escaped from their owners.
The act vandalized due process. A claimant could obtain possession of an alleged fugitive slave by presenting an affidavit claiming ownership to a commissioner appointed by the judicial branch.
The alleged slave was prohibited from testifying to discredit the claimant’s enslavement affidavit, which is the equivalent of denying a criminal defendant his right to assert his innocence.
The commissioner received a $10 fee for sustaining an enslavement claim, but only $5 for upholding freedom. During the life of the act, slave claimants prevailed in 322 cases and freedom triumphed in 11.
The NDAA defiles due process even more egregiously than did the Fugitive Slave Act. Section 1021 empowers the military to detain for life without trial any American citizen captured in the United States whom the president maintains is “substantially support[ing] … al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces” engaged in hostilities against “coalition partners” of the United States.
None of the key terms in section 1021 are defined to constrain the president’s power to whisk Americans off to dungeons at Guantanamo Bay or elsewhere.
“Al Qaeda” is undefined. “The Taliban” is undefined. “Associated forces” is undefined. “Coalition partners” is undefined. “Substantially supporting” is undefined. The words can mean whatever the president, like Humpty Dumpty, wants them to mean.
“Substantial support” might be said to include any criticism of the United States government for flouting the Constitution in combatting international terrorism.
The president is crowned by the NDAA with untrammeled authority to decide the proof and method for the executive branch to determine whether an American is substantially aiding al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces against a coalition partner. There is no judicial involvement.
In sum, under the NDAA the president may imprison for life any American citizen for an alleged linkage to international terrorism against coalition partners of the United States on his say-so alone — the very definition of tyranny articulated by James Madison, father of the Constitution, in Federalist No. 47.
More
[Bruce Fein was associate deputy attorney general under President Reagan, 1981-83, and is senior policy advisor to the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign -- Editor]
Under the NDAA, the suspicion of the president is sufficient to confine an American citizen to military detention for life without accusation or trial. The twin laws make for an alarming tale.
The Fugitive Slave Act passed with overwhelming congressional support. Only four members of Congress voted against it. The South clamored for its enactment even though very few slaves ever escaped from their owners.
The act vandalized due process. A claimant could obtain possession of an alleged fugitive slave by presenting an affidavit claiming ownership to a commissioner appointed by the judicial branch.
The alleged slave was prohibited from testifying to discredit the claimant’s enslavement affidavit, which is the equivalent of denying a criminal defendant his right to assert his innocence.
The commissioner received a $10 fee for sustaining an enslavement claim, but only $5 for upholding freedom. During the life of the act, slave claimants prevailed in 322 cases and freedom triumphed in 11.
The NDAA defiles due process even more egregiously than did the Fugitive Slave Act. Section 1021 empowers the military to detain for life without trial any American citizen captured in the United States whom the president maintains is “substantially support[ing] … al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces” engaged in hostilities against “coalition partners” of the United States.
None of the key terms in section 1021 are defined to constrain the president’s power to whisk Americans off to dungeons at Guantanamo Bay or elsewhere.
“Al Qaeda” is undefined. “The Taliban” is undefined. “Associated forces” is undefined. “Coalition partners” is undefined. “Substantially supporting” is undefined. The words can mean whatever the president, like Humpty Dumpty, wants them to mean.
“Substantial support” might be said to include any criticism of the United States government for flouting the Constitution in combatting international terrorism.
The president is crowned by the NDAA with untrammeled authority to decide the proof and method for the executive branch to determine whether an American is substantially aiding al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces against a coalition partner. There is no judicial involvement.
In sum, under the NDAA the president may imprison for life any American citizen for an alleged linkage to international terrorism against coalition partners of the United States on his say-so alone — the very definition of tyranny articulated by James Madison, father of the Constitution, in Federalist No. 47.
More
[Bruce Fein was associate deputy attorney general under President Reagan, 1981-83, and is senior policy advisor to the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign -- Editor]
Kim Il Obama: Will Govern Without Congress
Leaving behind a year of bruising legislative battles, President Barack Obama enters his fourth year in office having calculated that he no longer needs Congress to promote his agenda and may even benefit in his re-election campaign if lawmakers accomplish little in 2012.
Absent any major policy pushes, much of the year will focus on winning a second term. The president will keep up a robust domestic travel schedule and aggressive campaign fundraising and use executive action to try to boost the economy.
Partisan, down-to-the-wire fights over allowing the nation to take on more debt and sharply reducing government spending defined 2011. In the new year, there are almost no must-do pieces of legislation facing the president and Congress.
The one exception is the looming debate on a full-year extension of a cut in the Social Security payroll tax rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. Democrats and Republicans are divided over how to put in place that extension.
The White House believes GOP lawmakers boxed themselves in during the pre-Christmas debate on the tax break and will be hard-pressed to back off their own assertions that it should continue through the end of 2012.
Once that debate is over, the White House says, Obama's political fate will no longer be tied to Washington.
"Now that he's sort of free from having to put out these fires, the president will have a larger playing field. If that includes Congress, all the better," said Josh Earnest, White House deputy press secretary. But, he added, "that's no longer a requirement."
Aides say the president will not turn his back on Congress completely in the new year. He is expected to once again push lawmakers to pass elements of his jobs bill that were blocked by Republicans last fall.
If those efforts fail, the White House says, Obama's re-election year will focus almost exclusively on executive action.
Earnest said Obama will come out with at least two or three directives per week, continuing the "We Can't Wait" campaign the administration began this fall, and try to define Republicans in Congress as gridlocked and dysfunctional.
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Absent any major policy pushes, much of the year will focus on winning a second term. The president will keep up a robust domestic travel schedule and aggressive campaign fundraising and use executive action to try to boost the economy.
Partisan, down-to-the-wire fights over allowing the nation to take on more debt and sharply reducing government spending defined 2011. In the new year, there are almost no must-do pieces of legislation facing the president and Congress.
The one exception is the looming debate on a full-year extension of a cut in the Social Security payroll tax rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent. Democrats and Republicans are divided over how to put in place that extension.
The White House believes GOP lawmakers boxed themselves in during the pre-Christmas debate on the tax break and will be hard-pressed to back off their own assertions that it should continue through the end of 2012.
Once that debate is over, the White House says, Obama's political fate will no longer be tied to Washington.
"Now that he's sort of free from having to put out these fires, the president will have a larger playing field. If that includes Congress, all the better," said Josh Earnest, White House deputy press secretary. But, he added, "that's no longer a requirement."
Aides say the president will not turn his back on Congress completely in the new year. He is expected to once again push lawmakers to pass elements of his jobs bill that were blocked by Republicans last fall.
If those efforts fail, the White House says, Obama's re-election year will focus almost exclusively on executive action.
Earnest said Obama will come out with at least two or three directives per week, continuing the "We Can't Wait" campaign the administration began this fall, and try to define Republicans in Congress as gridlocked and dysfunctional.
More
KUHNER: Will Obama Steal The 2012 Election?
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. claims Jim Crow is returning. In a recent speech, Mr. Holder said that attempts by states to pass voter identification laws will disenfranchise minorities, rolling back the clock to the evil days of segregation. He said that a growing number of minorities fear that “the same disparities, divisions and problems” now afflict America as they did in 1965 prior to the Voting Rights Act. According to the Obama administration, our democracy is being threatened by racist Republicans. Hence, the Justice Department must prevent laws requiring a photo ID to vote from being enacted.
Mr. Holder argues that voter ID laws disproportionately discriminate against poor blacks and Hispanics - citizens who cannot afford to acquire a driver’s license, passport or other form of photo identification. The latest victim is South Carolina; its voter ID law has been blocked by the Justice Department. Liberal Democrats - taking their cue from the White House - are portraying the national movement for election reform as an authoritarian assault upon civil liberties. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has even petitioned the United Nations, asking it to declare states’ voter ID laws human rights abuses. For the radical left, America has become Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
This would be comical if the consequences were not so serious. South Carolina’s legislation provides for free ID cards to be given to anyone who needs one.
Not one person - white, black or brown - is discriminated against or discouraged from casting a vote at the ballot box. Moreover, the Supreme Court already has ruled on the issue - upholding state voter ID laws. In the 2008 Crawford v. Marion County Election Board decision, the high court held that an Indiana law mandating photo identification at the voting booth was indeed constitutional. If it is good enough for the Supreme Court and the overwhelming majority of the states, then it should be for Mr. Holder as well.
It isn’t. And the reason is simple: The administration is trying to whip up minority frenzy, propagating the myth of widespread ballot suppression. The goal is to foster a sense of racial persecution of blacks, intending to maximize voter turnout in November. The results, however, will be to poison race relations further. Mr. Holder is cynically playing the race card in order to achieve President Obama’s overriding ambition: re-election.
Racism has nothing to do with states implementing voter ID laws. Rather, it is about protecting the integrity of our electoral system. Voter fraud is rampant; abuses regularly take place. In Chicago, local elections are often marred by ballot stuffing and multiple voting - including by false voters who use the names of deceased individuals. Indiana election officials have found that, during the 2008 Democratic primary, countless pro-Barack Obama and pro-Hillary Rodham Clinton signatures were falsified. In Minnesota, voter fraud enabled Democrat Al Franken to steal the election from incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. It is precisely to preserve the fundamental basis of our democracy - one person, one vote - that voter ID laws are necessary.
Mr. Holder evidently wants to scuttle ID laws because he knows which organization will be hurt most: ACORN.
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Mr. Holder argues that voter ID laws disproportionately discriminate against poor blacks and Hispanics - citizens who cannot afford to acquire a driver’s license, passport or other form of photo identification. The latest victim is South Carolina; its voter ID law has been blocked by the Justice Department. Liberal Democrats - taking their cue from the White House - are portraying the national movement for election reform as an authoritarian assault upon civil liberties. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has even petitioned the United Nations, asking it to declare states’ voter ID laws human rights abuses. For the radical left, America has become Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
This would be comical if the consequences were not so serious. South Carolina’s legislation provides for free ID cards to be given to anyone who needs one.
Not one person - white, black or brown - is discriminated against or discouraged from casting a vote at the ballot box. Moreover, the Supreme Court already has ruled on the issue - upholding state voter ID laws. In the 2008 Crawford v. Marion County Election Board decision, the high court held that an Indiana law mandating photo identification at the voting booth was indeed constitutional. If it is good enough for the Supreme Court and the overwhelming majority of the states, then it should be for Mr. Holder as well.
It isn’t. And the reason is simple: The administration is trying to whip up minority frenzy, propagating the myth of widespread ballot suppression. The goal is to foster a sense of racial persecution of blacks, intending to maximize voter turnout in November. The results, however, will be to poison race relations further. Mr. Holder is cynically playing the race card in order to achieve President Obama’s overriding ambition: re-election.
Racism has nothing to do with states implementing voter ID laws. Rather, it is about protecting the integrity of our electoral system. Voter fraud is rampant; abuses regularly take place. In Chicago, local elections are often marred by ballot stuffing and multiple voting - including by false voters who use the names of deceased individuals. Indiana election officials have found that, during the 2008 Democratic primary, countless pro-Barack Obama and pro-Hillary Rodham Clinton signatures were falsified. In Minnesota, voter fraud enabled Democrat Al Franken to steal the election from incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. It is precisely to preserve the fundamental basis of our democracy - one person, one vote - that voter ID laws are necessary.
Mr. Holder evidently wants to scuttle ID laws because he knows which organization will be hurt most: ACORN.
More
Gingrich: Justice Dept Wants To 'Steal Elections'
Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich blasted the Justice Department for blocking a South Carolina voter identification law and suggested the Obama administration wants to "steal elections."
During a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the former House speaker questioned why Attorney General Eric Holder is "so determined not to identify if people are not eligible to vote"
Gingrich went on to say that, "you have to ask, why is it that they are desperate to retain the ability to steal elections and I think that's what it comes down to."
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During a campaign stop in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the former House speaker questioned why Attorney General Eric Holder is "so determined not to identify if people are not eligible to vote"
Gingrich went on to say that, "you have to ask, why is it that they are desperate to retain the ability to steal elections and I think that's what it comes down to."
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KNIGHT: Voter ID Terrifies Democrats
The most consequential election in our lifetime is still 10 months away, but it’s clear from the Obama administration’s order halting South Carolina’s new photo ID law that the Democrats already have brought a gun to a knife fight.
How else to describe this naked assault on the right of a state to create minimal requirements to curb voter fraud?
On Dec. 23, Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez sent a letter ordering South Carolina to stop enforcing its photo ID law. Mr. Perez, who heads the Civil Rights Division that booted charges against the New Black Panther Party for intimidating voters in Philadelphia in 2008, said South Carolina’s law would disenfranchise thousands of minority voters.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson rejected Mr. Perez’s math and explained on Fox News why the law is necessary. The state Department of Motor Vehicles audited a state Election Commission report that said 239,333 people were registered to vote but had no photo ID. The DMV found that 37,000 were deceased, more than 90,000 had moved to other states, and others had names not matched to IDs. That left only 27,000 people registered without a photo ID but who could vote by signing an affidavit as to their identity.
Mr. Wilson told me by phone Thursday that he would file a challenge to the order in federal district court in January.
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How else to describe this naked assault on the right of a state to create minimal requirements to curb voter fraud?
On Dec. 23, Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez sent a letter ordering South Carolina to stop enforcing its photo ID law. Mr. Perez, who heads the Civil Rights Division that booted charges against the New Black Panther Party for intimidating voters in Philadelphia in 2008, said South Carolina’s law would disenfranchise thousands of minority voters.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson rejected Mr. Perez’s math and explained on Fox News why the law is necessary. The state Department of Motor Vehicles audited a state Election Commission report that said 239,333 people were registered to vote but had no photo ID. The DMV found that 37,000 were deceased, more than 90,000 had moved to other states, and others had names not matched to IDs. That left only 27,000 people registered without a photo ID but who could vote by signing an affidavit as to their identity.
Mr. Wilson told me by phone Thursday that he would file a challenge to the order in federal district court in January.
More
Quote Of The Week
"In a second Obama administration he will be operating without any of the constraints that limited his actions in the first. He will never have to face the voters again. Obama unbound, with interest groups to reward. America, you don't want to go there."
WSJ Columnist Peggy Noonan
WSJ Columnist Peggy Noonan
Child Abuse Arrest
DATE & TIME: 12/31/11 @ 1402 hours
C C. CARD NUMBER: 11-54-009054
LOCATION 23395 Old Ocean City Road, Pittsville Wicomico County, Maryland
BRIEF RESUME:
On 12/31/2011 at approximately 1402 hours, the Salisbury Barrack received a 911 emergency call from a citizen stating that she was driving down Old Ocean City Road in Pittsville and came upon a small 2 year old child walking down the middle of the road. The citizen took custody of the child and Troopers responded to the scene. Upon arrival it was learned that the child was being watched by a relative, later identified as the suspect Corey Mathew Seaton, while the child’s guardian went to the store. Troopers learned that the suspect had left the child unattended while he went to the bathroom and the child had walked out an unsecured door. The suspect had not noticed that the child had left the house until the complainant made contact with him some time later. The child’s guardian returned to the scene and took custody of the 2 year old. The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the Wicomico County Central Booking Unit for a hearing before a District Court Commissioner. The District Court Commissioner released the suspect on his own recognizance without bond.
Arrested:
1. Corey Mathew Seaton, w/m age 21 of Pittsville, Maryland.
C C. CARD NUMBER: 11-54-009054
LOCATION 23395 Old Ocean City Road, Pittsville Wicomico County, Maryland
BRIEF RESUME:
On 12/31/2011 at approximately 1402 hours, the Salisbury Barrack received a 911 emergency call from a citizen stating that she was driving down Old Ocean City Road in Pittsville and came upon a small 2 year old child walking down the middle of the road. The citizen took custody of the child and Troopers responded to the scene. Upon arrival it was learned that the child was being watched by a relative, later identified as the suspect Corey Mathew Seaton, while the child’s guardian went to the store. Troopers learned that the suspect had left the child unattended while he went to the bathroom and the child had walked out an unsecured door. The suspect had not noticed that the child had left the house until the complainant made contact with him some time later. The child’s guardian returned to the scene and took custody of the 2 year old. The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the Wicomico County Central Booking Unit for a hearing before a District Court Commissioner. The District Court Commissioner released the suspect on his own recognizance without bond.
Arrested:
1. Corey Mathew Seaton, w/m age 21 of Pittsville, Maryland.
Maryland State Police Barrack (E)Participates In Operation Checkpoint Strikeforce & Aggressive Driving Enforcement
During the weeks of December 19th through the 31st Troopers from the Salisbury Barrack participated in Operation Checkpoint Strikeforce and an Aggressive Driving initiative. Sixteen Troopers from the Salisbury Barrack working various shifts patrolled the roadways of Wicomico County looking for impaired drivers and drivers operating vehicles aggressively. During these operations Troopers stopped 280 cars for various traffic violations. Troopers issued 89 citations for speed, 46 citations for other violations. Three arrests were made for driving under the influence. Additionally one driver was arrested for C.D.S. violations. Troopers also issued 143 warnings for various other traffic violations.
SALISBURY AND WICOMICO: IT’S BEEN A VERY BAD YEAR IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
First, let’s look at the elected executives, starting with the big guy. Following his second and a very narrow victory over a political buffoon in late 2010, Rick Pollitt has embarked upon empire building once again. His attempt to expand and glorify his staff has been rejected for the time being by the County Council. But, he is engaged in sleight-of-hand shenanigans, having just engaged a new “public information officer” (adios, Jim Fineran) trained in the art of “creative writing.” And, despite his campaign promise that it would be up to the public to take the initiative in changing or repealing the tax revenue cap, he is leading that effort, and asking the Council to commit immediately to the Bennett Middle School project that would require a tax rate increase of about 10% in the next budget cycle.
Then there’s Jim Ireton, who has abandoned his frequent campaign promised to change the tone of City government and actually surpassed Barrie Tilghman in personal attacks on City Council members who don’t drink his kool-aid, calling them racists among other things in his many media events. His public temper tantrums seem to have decreased in recent months (medication, perhaps), but behind closed doors, who knows?
In these and many other ways, both Pollitt and Ireton have revealed themselves as typical politicians who say whatever helps them get elected but then disregard and dishonor their pledges to the people.
A couple of Council members have distinguished themselves the year by bashing their cohorts. Laura Mitchell has followed Ireton’s lead in that regard. And Sample-Hughes has made clear her dislike of a certain member, suggesting that only those with a high school diploma are qualified to serve on the County Council and that he is unfit to be its president. Could she be speaking for Rick Pollitt, as well?
With leaders like these, the future well-being and stature of the County and City are very much in jeopardy. The folks in Worcester County and Sussex County are overjoyed at the continuing debacle in the County and City that purport to be the leaders on the Shore.
Happy New Year, but things probably won’t get better and could become worse.
Then there’s Jim Ireton, who has abandoned his frequent campaign promised to change the tone of City government and actually surpassed Barrie Tilghman in personal attacks on City Council members who don’t drink his kool-aid, calling them racists among other things in his many media events. His public temper tantrums seem to have decreased in recent months (medication, perhaps), but behind closed doors, who knows?
In these and many other ways, both Pollitt and Ireton have revealed themselves as typical politicians who say whatever helps them get elected but then disregard and dishonor their pledges to the people.
A couple of Council members have distinguished themselves the year by bashing their cohorts. Laura Mitchell has followed Ireton’s lead in that regard. And Sample-Hughes has made clear her dislike of a certain member, suggesting that only those with a high school diploma are qualified to serve on the County Council and that he is unfit to be its president. Could she be speaking for Rick Pollitt, as well?
With leaders like these, the future well-being and stature of the County and City are very much in jeopardy. The folks in Worcester County and Sussex County are overjoyed at the continuing debacle in the County and City that purport to be the leaders on the Shore.
Happy New Year, but things probably won’t get better and could become worse.
Worcester County Sheriff's Office Press Release 12-31-11
On December 22,2011, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office began an Missing Person’s Investigation for a female that was reported missing by family members in the Pocomoke City area. The female, Carol Ann Chandler, was reported missing by her family the following morning. Investigators immediately began searching for Mrs. Chandler.
On December 31,2011, investigators were able to make contact with Mrs. Chandler and determine that she was safe and fine and is currently staying with family members outside of the local area. At this time, Mrs. Chandler is no longer considered missing or endangered. Her family has been contacted and made aware.
On December 31,2011, investigators were able to make contact with Mrs. Chandler and determine that she was safe and fine and is currently staying with family members outside of the local area. At this time, Mrs. Chandler is no longer considered missing or endangered. Her family has been contacted and made aware.
