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Thursday, January 19, 2012

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1 In 8 Low-Income Parents Waters Down Formula, Study Finds

Many low-income parents feel they must resort to “formula stretching,” to keep their infants fed, even with government food assistance programs, a new study shows.

The study found that 30 percent of parents who brought their infants to an inner city children’s clinic didn’t have enough food to make it through each month. And a full 15 percent, or about 1 in 8, made ends meet by watering down their babies’ formula or by feeding less frequently, according to the study which was published in Clinical Pediatrics.

“We knew this was a high-risk population,” said study co-author Andrew Beck, a fellow in general academic pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. “But these numbers are still staggering.”

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American Legion Donation


John Granite, executive committee member for the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166 in Ocean City, presents a $1,000 donation from the post to Rota Knott, Worcester County coordinator for Women Supporting Women, the local breast cancer awareness and support organization.

Jacksons To Conrad Murray: You Don't Owe Us

Family drops $100 million request for restitution from disgraced, convicted doctor

Conrad Murray
— the former personal physician of Michael Jackson who is currently serving out a four-year jail sentence for causing the singer's death — can at least scratch one worry off his list.

Prosecutors for the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office have withdrawn the request for restitution from Murray, following the Jackson family's decision not to pursue it, a spokesperson for the DA's office confirms to TheWrap.

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GOVERNOR O’MALLEY DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT TECH COUNCIL OF MARYLAND’S LEADERSHIP DINNER

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O’Malley delivered the keynote address to members of the Tech Council of Maryland at the group’s annual Leadership Dinner. In his remarks, Governor O’Malley previewed a new Administration initiative that seeks to further technology transfer in partnership with Maryland’s universities.

The Tech Council of Maryland is Maryland’s largest technology trade organization, representing 250,000 people in the greater Maryland region. The Council previously named Governor O’Malley its 2010 “Advocate of the Year” and successfully nominated the Governor for the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) Governor of the Year in 2010.

Arsonists Torched Black Church After Obama's Win

The last of three Mass. men charged in the burning of a predominantly black church to protest President Barack Obama's election was sentenced on Wednesday.

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Sunlight Drafts SUPERPAC Act To Address Hidden Money In Elections

As the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United decision approaches, the Sunlight Foundation has drafted the Stop Undisclosed Payments in Elections from Ruining Public Accountability in Campaigns Act (the SUPERPAC Act). This bill, if enacted, would be one step towards addressing the corrupting influence unlimited, secret SUPERPAC money has on our elections and our elected officials.

Unfortunately, Congress seems to have given up on efforts to shine a light on campaign activities that are financed by secret money flowing from corporations and unions. First, the DISCLOSE Act was largely derailed by congressional Republicans. Now, by failing to offer new legislation, both parties appear to have abdicated their responsibility to ensure our elections are transparent

We hope the SUPERPAC Act reignites the effort and that members of Congress will decide to stop serving their self-interest and start acting in the public interest by taking a step in favor of transparency. The SUPERPAC Act is designed to be a disclosure only bill, largely including the transparency provisions of the DISCLOSE Act while leaving out some of the bans, carve-outs and other provisions that made DISCLOSE controversial.

We encourage the public to comment on our effort so we have posted The SUPERPAC Act on PublicMarkup.org, Sunlight’s web site that allows anyone to help improve legislation we propose. Highlights of the bill include the following:

• Ensure disclosure of donors who fund independent expenditures and electioneering communications made by Super PACs or other 501(c) organizations. Donors giving to an organization for other purposes may remain anonymous if the organization establishes separate accounts for non-election related spending.

• Require real-time, online disclosure of all reports. Data must be in searchable, sortable, machine-readable formats and reports must include unique IDs for all filers.

• Require disclaimers (stand-by-your-ad statements) and identification of top funders in the ad.

• Require registered lobbyists to report their spending on independent expenditures and electioneering communications.

• Require all candidates and committees to file electronically with the Federal Election Commission.

The SUPERPAC Act is not a panacea for all that ails our elections today. It is a critical first step—one that will arm voters with important knowledge about who is paying for our elections. Other proposals to address the problem of unlimited secret money infecting our democracy include a constitutional amendment, legislation to give shareholders a voice in how their money is spent on elections, and public financing of elections. But, as the Supreme Court and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have endorsed disclosure, the Super PAC disclosure-only bill should be the least controversial and most easily enacted of the many proposals.

In politics, the messenger is as important as the message. Voters have a right to information that will tell them whether the Super PAC that paid for an ad they just watched is tied to one of the candidates or was paid for by a corporation or union to whom the candidate will be beholden if he or she is elected. We hope with the new year Congress will return with a new resolve to take up the issue of transparent elections and enact the SUPERPAC Act.

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QUOTES OF THE DAY 1-19-12

“War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small ‘inside’ group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.”

I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.

“The Japanese, a proud people, of course will be pleased beyond expression to see the United States fleet so close to Nippon’s shores. Even as pleased as would be the residents of California were they to dimly discern through the morning mist, the Japanese fleet playing at war games off Los Angeles.”

GENERAL SMEDLEY BUTLER

Cops: Pregnant Woman Armed With Hairspray Attacks Store Employee While Shoplifting

Police say a pregnant woman in South Carolina tried to shoplift from a beauty supply store, and when she was caught, she allegedly whacked the apprehending employee upside the head with a can of pilfered hairspray. Such an example to set for an unborn child!

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Brewing Up a Fool's War In The Gulf

The United States and Iran are playing an increasingly dangerous game of chicken in the Gulf. Threats and counter-threats are flying fast and furious. War could be only an accidental ship collision or aircraft intrusion away.

Nations often blunder into war due to miscalculation, arrogance, or wrong intelligence. One need only recall August, 1914, when joyous throngs of French or Germans cried out, "on to Berlin!" and "On to Paris!" and "Home for Christmas."

The current confrontation between the US/Israel on one side and Iran on the other is about more than Tehran’s UN-inspected nuclear power program that some claim is a front for developing nuclear weapons.

With Iraq defanged and Syria in turmoil, Iran is the last major Mideast state that refuses to be part of the US sphere of influence – what I call the American Raj.

As Iran’s noisy defiance grows, Washington fears its influence and prestige will suffer unless it brings the annoying mullahs to heel. The so-called "Arab spring" has a confused Washington ready to lash out, as Libya showed. A crisis in the Gulf could derail US plans to reassert its influence over the Mideast.

Iran’s nuclear program has become the symbol of that nation’s fiery nationalism. Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, insists the West is determined to keep the Muslim world technologically backward. Iran’s nuclear program is a great technological leap forward for all Muslims, asserts the ayatollah.

Embarrassingly for Washington’s hawks, two recent US national intelligence estimates so far support the ayatollah’s assertions that Iran’s nuclear program is strictly for power generation.

However, US allies on the UN’s Atomic Energy Agency continue to raise questions as to the intent of the Iranian program, without producing any hard proof of warlike intent.

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Craig Newmark Talks To Us About SOPA: "Things Can Go Bad Real Fast"

Craigslist founder Craig Newmark has been a vocal opponent of SOPA and PIPA with good reason: According to Newmark, if the bills as currently written were passed into law, "any site with any kind of user provided content could be shut down easily. For example, Wikipedia, Amazon, craigslist. Any media site with commenting." In an email interview with Consumerist, Newmark (who is also a member of the Board of Directors of our parent company) warned that, despite White House opposition, and recent changes to the bills to limit DNS filtering, consumers should still be concerned.

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The IRS Is Spending $320 Million On Website Improvements

But the Government Accountability Office warns that some of the basics are missing from the agency's Internet strategy. For example, the IRS could encourage customers to use online tools rather than call the agency for information. GAO says pushing customers online will cut costs and give them the help they need sooner. The upgrade is for more secure portals for taxpayers to access information. IRS will debut the site next year.

The Day The LOLCats Died

The Library Of Congress Has Launched A New Mobile App

This one is for iPad tablets. It gives users mobile access to the daily Congressional Record. The House Committee on Administration asked the Library to develop the app. The Library was aided by staff from the Government Printing Office. The two agencies have already collaborated on digitizing the Statues at Large back to 1951. They're also working to digitize congressional debates recorded back to 1873.

A Noteworthy Quote

"However many jobs might be generated by a Keystone pipeline, they're going to be a lot fewer than the jobs that are created by extending the payroll tax cut and extending unemployment insurance." --President Barack Obama

(Source)

The Education Department Is OverhaulingIits Race To The Top Program

The program pits states against one another to come up with the most improvement in public education performance. The winning states receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants. Now the program will be open to local school districts, not just states. Education Secretary Arne Duncan tells the U.S. Conference of Mayors, details are still being hammered out. Duncan already has the go-ahead from Congress. Education will dole out $550 billion this year.

Jeff Jarvis Weighs In: SOPA "Changes The Architecture Of Our Greatest Tool Of Speech"

To say that Jeff Jarvis, the media blogger, journalist and author behind BuzzMachine.com, is against SOPA/PIPA, would be more than an understatement. When we connected with him to prepare for our "SOPA/PIPA Only" content for today, Jarvis made it clear that he's as anti-SOPA as anyone could be.

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Congressman Believes Federal Regulations Are Badly Written

One congressman thinks federal regulations are so badly written, most people can't understand them. Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) wants to extend the Plain Language Act to cover regulations. The act was signed into law in October. It requires agencies to sharpen their written communication skills. But it stops with publications and websites. Braley says poorly written regulations can be expensive for small business. He says that unlike big businesses, the little guys don't have teams of accountants and lawyers to help them figure out what new regulations mean.

Google's Matt Cutts On Why SOPA Is Bad For Everyone

As the Stop Internet Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act have inched their way into the headlines, a number of people — even some who make their living on this here Internet — have shrugged and said things like, "I don't download any pirated movies, so why should this bother me?" So we spoke to Matt Cutts, Principal Engineer at Google, who gave his feelings on why we should all be concerned.

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Billionaire Helps Finance Washington Monument Repairs

A billionaire history buff has stepped forward to help finance repairs to the Washington Monument. Businessman David Rubenstein made a $7.5 million matching gift needed to start repairing cracks near the top of the Monument. He says he was inspired to help by how severely the monument was damaged by a 5.8-magnitude quake last summer. Congress allocated $7.5 million in December on the condition that private donations would match that amount. The National Park Service is expected to announce the gift this afternoon. Park Service says it hopes to have a contractor begin work by the end of August. The repairs are expected to take a year to complete, likely keeping the monument closed for up to two years.

MPAA Calls Anti-SOPA Blackouts A "Gimmick" To Punish Politicians & Turn Us All Into "Corporate Pawns"

The Motion Picture Association of America cares about you. It doesn't want children to see boobs or hear curse words (though rampant bloodshed is cool) and it doesn't want you to turn into a pawn of the big corporations that it says are really behind today's blackouts at sites like Craiglist and Wikipedia, which everyone knows are both monstrous examples of corporate greed.

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Rallying For The Right To Bear Arms

Members of the organization Maryland Shall Issue rallied in Annapolis this week for their Second Amendment rights. Duane Keenan was there and, filed this podcast.

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SOPA Sponsor Accuses Wikipedia Of Spreading Misinformation

Texas Congressman Lamar Smith, sponsor of the Stop Online Piracy Act that has moved a number of sites, including Craigslist and Reddit to shut down for the day, accuses the biggest name involved in the blackouts, Wikipedia, of doing a disservice to its users by inciting outrage over the piece of legislation.

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Flush Tax To Double, But Delegates Question Use For Other Purposes

Doubling the flush tax to $60 a year is one of the revenue increases Gov. Martin O'Malley proposed Wednesday in his fiscal 2013 budget. Revenue from the tax goes into the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund to upgrade sewage treatment plants. Money from septic system users is also used to upgrade some of those systems and pay for cover crops. The new money is needed because the upgrades have cost more than originally estimated.

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White House Dodges Obama’s College Transcripts

Evades question with comment about tax documents

The apparent stonewalling at the White House over vast areas of Barack Obama’s background continues.

In response to a question today at the daily news briefing that concerned Obama’s college records and transcripts, press spokesman Jay Carney said it was a good idea to have presidential candidates release their tax records.

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O’Malley Proposes Tax Hikes For 450,000 ‘High Income’ Households, Doubling Flush Tax

About 450,000 Maryland households that earn more than $100,000 per year will see their state and local income taxes go up next year if the legislature approves Gov. Martin O’Malley’s budget proposal. In order to balance an overall $35.8 billion state budget – a 3% increase over last year – O’Malley is asking to cap tax deductions and phase out exemptions for high earners. O’Malley said the average family of four making $150,000 a year would pay $191 more in state and local income taxes.

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O'Malley's Latest Video

This Just In

Just an fyi single car accident at 50 west and 610. One lane is open for now.

Micah Sifry: SOPA Part Of "Larger Struggle Over How Expression And Creation Will Be Supported"

Micah Sifry, head of Personal Democracy Media and an expert on the intersection of technology and politics, sees the battle over SOPA and PIPA as part of the ongoing changes affecting the content and entertainment industries in the Internet era: "They're trying to use the law to artificially protect business models and slow down new ways of doing things that are disrupting that business model," he told The Consumerist.

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Fire Crew Finds Girl, 6, Home Alone

BETHESDA, Md. (WUSA)-- Montgomery County Police say they are charging a 39-year old mother for leaving her 6-year old daughter unattended Wednesday night inside their apartment on the 4300 block of Rock Forest Drive, in Bethesda.

Investigators say the young girl was home alone trying to cook when she set off smoke detectors, forcing fire crews and police to come racing to the apartment. Police say the child was trying to make toast when the toaster oven began to overheat filling the apartment with smoke.

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Mark Zuckerberg: We Need Political Leaders Who Are Pro-Internet

The folks at Facebook have made no secret of their objection to the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act. And while it would have been a huge statement for Facebook to shut down, even for a few hours, you can't fault the company for not wanting to turn off the money machine. Regardless, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg just took to his personal page to quickly voice his opinion on these pieces of legislation.

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What An Interesting Day This Has Been

I wanted to share some information with our readers today to try and give you an idea how things are going for Salisbury News.

Today we put up an article that gained major attention not only on a local level but it really shook the roof in Annapolis as well.

You see, no one expected little old Salisbury News to produce numbers as accurate as we provided today and because we did so we were not only copied and read on the air, print media actually contacted us as well asking if we'd share exactly where we came up with our figures.

When you have a select group of patriots out there working hard every day, not for money, we do so because we care about our Eastern Shore and our way of life. We're tired of being subjected year after year by special interest and bought media who refuse to put things on the line. You see, WE feel YOU are NOT stupid. WE deliver you the truth and YOU can decide which source you can trust. Clearly by the consistent numbers we turn every day, Salisbury News ranks #1.

When the local media has to steal material from you, (you know who they are) and not give you credit for your work, then watch them throw out lines like Delmava's News Leader, (for example) the only people who believe it is the ones throwing the quote out there in the first place. They do so in order to walk into your business and say, look, we're Delmarva's News Leader, (for example) we'd like you to buy an ad.

When the rest of the media calls you and asks you to help them understand numbers, when some of them don't even call and get on the air and start throwing out numbers NO ONE has yet published, well, their thieves and that's all there is to it. All of which has happened today. In fact, we just put up another article about the businesses closing in this area and I have to believe its just too much work for them to actually do a report on it. They don't want to let you know things are as bad as they actually are, just like their NOT exposing how bad crime actually is here until Salisbury News came along.

I guess the worst part is them having to actually bow down and say that their source was Salisbury News. Some of these people would rather break the law and get sued first before they'd actually admit we've been providing stories well in advance. Heck, let's take the Teacher fainting at Bennett High School today. Let's see how long it takes before they come up with that story. My guess, no later than the 6:00 News and maybe even by the 5:00 News.

It cracked me up the other day when I went to the County Council Meeting, no WBOC at all! Once they saw our article they RACED to the GOB and interviewed Joe Holloway. Then they put a reporter at Bennett Middle School and went live from there at 6:00 PM. Those jackasses couldn't even take the time to be there for one of the most important stories, perhaps of the year. But they have their little munchkins sitting at their computer where they admittedly are told they must refresh Salisbury News every 5 minutes to see what's going on. They saw the response/comments and put it in high gear.

Greg Bassett from the Daily Times blew his stack today and came out of hiding to write an editorial about all kinds of stuff going on. He attacked the City Council over Paul Wilber. Then he attacked the County Council about Bennett Middle School. Guess what Folks. The Daily Times NO LONGER HAS THE INFLUENCE THEY USED TO ENJOY! That's why Greg Bassett started pounding his chest. God Forbid they start losing the biggest accounts they have, the City, the County and the BOE. Without them they're nothing and they know it. So the big Chief has to step in and say, LOOK AT MEEEE, we love you guys and we're madder than hell. Shut up Greg, you look like a fool.

All in all it's been a very interesting day. We may not get the credit we deserve but you and I know who's doing what. Thanks for letting me vent.

Mannie Garcia Of Kensington, Md., Claims Abuse By Montgomery County Police

WHEATON, Md. (WUSA) --- Montgomery County Police have begun an internal affairs investigation of officers whom Kensington photographer Mannie Garcia says attacked him, arrested him, and charged him with disturbing the peace after he took pictures of them making arrests of two men in an underage drinking case in Wheaton.

Garcia, an award-winning professional photographer, has covered wars throughout the world, and has been assigned to cover the presidential administrations of George Herbert Walker Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

GO HERE to see more, and video.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases 1-19-12

Incident: Domestic Assault
Date of Incident: 14 January 2012
Location: Nokomis Ave., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Myrna M. Buchholz, 20, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 14 January 2012
, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival an investigation revealed that the victim had been assaulted by the suspect, Myrna Buchholz. There were minor injuries. Buchholz was placed under arrest.

The deputy transported Buchholz to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner placed a $25,000 bond on Buchholz.

Charges: 2nd Degree Assault

Incident: DUI
Date of Incident: 15 January 2012
Location: Johnson Road Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Garry E. Mosley, 51, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 15 January 2012
a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a traffic accident. A vehicle had collided with an electric pole, and no driver was present at the scene.

During the ensuing investigation into the accident the deputy located the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident. The driver was identified as Garry E. Mosley and he was placed under arrest. Mosley was charged with the below listed offenses and released.

Charges: Failure to remain at the scene of an accident
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving while suspended/revoked
Failure to control speed to avoid a collision

Incident: Burglary
Date of Incident: 15 January 2012
Location: Middlesex Drive Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Kelly A. Meyer, 22, Salisbury, MD and Thomas C. Parish, 22, Delmar, MD

Narrative: On 15 January 2012
, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported Burglary. Numerous pieces of jewelry and a handgun were stolen in the burglary. An investigation revealed that the suspects, Kelly Meyer and Thomas Parish, were involved in the burglary.

Information was developed that Meyer and Parish were in a vehicle, and they were located and detained by way of a traffic stop. The jewelry and handgun were located and recovered. Both Meyer and Parish were placed under arrest, and charged with the below offenses. During the arrest, Meyer kicked one of the deputies and resisted arrest.

The deputy transported Meyer and Parish to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner placed a $50,000 bond on Meyer and a $25,000 bond on Parish.

Charges: Kelley Meyer: Thomas Parish:
Burglary Burglary
Malicious Destruction of Property Malicious Destruction of Property
Theft Theft
Conspiracy Conspiracy
2nd Degree Assault Possession of stolen Handgun
Resisting Arrest Wear/Carry Handgun
Disorderly Conduct

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 17 January 2012
Location: Atlantic Ave., Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Catherine R. Wheatley, 28, and Heather M. Langville, 22, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 17 January 2012
, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an assault. Upon arrival an investigation revealed that a mutual assault had occurred between Wheatley and Langville. There were minor injuries. Both Wheatley and Langville were placed under arrest.

The deputy transported Wheatley and Langville to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner placed a $10,000 bond on Wheatley and a $5,000 bond on Langville.

Charges: 2nd Degree Assault

What Is SOPA? Here Are Five Things You Need To Know

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) has got the entire Internet up in arms today. Media justice advocates say the bill is anathema to basic functioning of the Internet; for a system that’s based on relative freedom and connectivity, SOPA would work as the online world’s stingy gatekeeper, giving government the power to shutdown websites altogether.

Today, hundreds of websites are joining in a day of action to SOPA’s threat to freedom of expression on the Internet. Several civil rights and racial justice organizations are joining in what’s been called an “Internet strike,” by closing their websites from 8 am to 8 pm eastern time. Colorlines.com’s Jamilah King, who covers media policy, explains why:

The Internet’s been an important space for communities of color to tell their own stories and advocate for issues they don’t often see in film or on television. SOPA puts that independence in jeopardy. It’ll add yet another barrier to how and what we can communicate.

So, here are the basics on what you need to know.

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"I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means.

I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.

"In my youth I travelled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer."

Benjamin Franklin in "Management of the Poor," 1776.

ONLY FOREIGN PRESS REPORTS TRUTHFULLY ABOUT RON PAUL

Does it ever make you wonder why the balanced, truthful articles about Ron Paul are written by foreigners, not controlled by the American Elite MSM?

Ron Paul has a tremendous amount of power over what happens in November 2012. I know it. He knows it. You know it. They know it.

Ron Paul: maverick who could decide the future of the Republican party
The 76-year-old libertarian has secured a seat at the high table of US presidential hopefuls, but his rise is causing reverberations

Ron Paul’s uncompromising libertarianism is redefining the Republican party. Illustration: Alexander Wells for the Guardian
The crowd strained forward as the lights dimmed, a sea of smartphones trained on the stage. Whoops and cheers turned to screams of delight as a gaunt-looking figure mounted the steps and slowly approached the microphone.

This wasn’t a rock star or the latest teen idol as you might have expected from the almost universally young gathering. This was 76-year-old Ron Paul, the spidery libertarian from Texas, shuffling towards the podium, his shoulders hunched, head bowed, eyes squinting in the spotlight.

“President Paul! President Paul!” came the chants as he peered out at 500 supporters crammed into a hot, sweaty New Hampshire function room. It was election night in New Hampshire and Paul was celebrating an achievement he has worked for tirelessly for almost 25 years. He had finally secured a seat at the high table of presidential hopefuls by coming in a solid second – a feat that had eluded him in two previous runs for the White House.

So how would he mark this turning point: would he deliver a tub-thumping call to arms in the mould of Teddy Roosevelt? Or would he be smoothly triumphant like Ronald Reagan?

Neither, as it happened. “I think you know my wife Carol,” he said, voice trailing off from the microphone.

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California Town Wards Off Crime With Birdsong

How do you sweep crime from L.A.’s streets? With the lusty shrieks of a male songbird.
The mayor of Lancaster, Calif. swears that the sound of tweeting blackbirds, wrens and robins has deterred potential criminals in his town. “Everybody is now in a better mood, a better place,” R. Rex Parris told the Wall Street Journal. He says chirping noises along the city’s main drag have reduced crime in the area.


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Bank Of America Reverses Loss And Earns $2 Billion

NEW YORK (AP) - Bank of America says it made $2 billion in the last three months of 2011 from selling its stake in a Chinese bank and selling debt. That offset losses and higher legal expenses in its mortgage business.

The bank said Thursday that it earned 15 cents per share, falling short of the 22 cents a share expected by analysts surveyed by data provider FactSet. In the same quarter last year, the bank lost $1.2 billion.

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MPAA: SOPA, PIPA Blackouts Are 'Abuse of Power'


Web sites from Wikipedia to Reddit are dark today in protest of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA), but bill supporters insist the effort is nothing but a publicity stunt and an abuse of power.
In a Tuesday statement, Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)—and a former Connecticut senator—said Web sites participating in the blackout are "resorting to stunts that punish their users or turn them into their corporate pawns, rather than coming to the table to find solutions to a problem that all now seem to agree is very real and damaging."

Area Plant Closings - Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, and Dorchester Counties - Part II




Wicomico County has been hit tremendously hard by this recession. In fact, Wicomico County - (8.3%) - has the highest unemployment rate with exception only to Worcester, Dorchester, and Baltimore City - (Maryland Unemployment Statistics). We can document that our area has lost at least 8,605 jobs during the past decade as witnessed by the above statistical job loss data sheets. This number is extremely conservative as the real unemployment numbers are probably double that figure.

Bottom line - our local income tax base has diminished by almost 7 million dollars - and lost state income tax revenues has lost $10.2 million dollars - annually. We are not making this stuff up folks - as the statistical data is accurate. Sure - we have picked up a few newcomers on the way - but by and large we have lost a lot more ground than we have gained.

So when someone asks you the question as to where all the money has gone - well now you know. When the jobs vanished so did the associated income tax revenue streams.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY DECLARES PURPLE FRIDAY BEFORE RAVENS FACE-OFF IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 19, 2012) – Governor O’Malley today wished the Ravens luck as they continue their success in the playoffs and announced yet another “Purple Friday” this week for state employees, where they will be allowed to dress down in support of the Ravens and wear their team gear to work.

“As the Baltimore Ravens continue their successful playoff run, we wish them nothing but the best of luck as they fight for an AFC title on Sunday,” said Governor O’Malley. “We will be right there cheering and watching as the Ravens trample over the Patriots on their way to Indianapolis.”

Recently, the Governor tweeted at Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to remind him of the lobsters he received after the 2010 Ravens’ victory in Foxboro.

BREAKING NEWS: TEACHER TAKES A MAJOR FALL AT BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL


Just as school was closing today at Bennett High School a teacher passed out while standing at the top of a staircase and fell head first down the stairs.

We all know how the kids are regularly getting a bad rap these days in school but in this case one student immediately got on their cell phone and dialled 911. At this very moment the Ambulance has arrived and is transporting that Teacher to the Hospital. The Teacher is conscious.

We'd like to thank that Student for their quick response and the FACT that they had a cell phone to handle such an emergency. Good work, thank you.

No Housing Recovery Despite Low Maryland Foreclosures

WASHINGTON - Fewer foreclosures can still be a bad thing when many more are coming down the pike.

According to RealtyTrac, foreclosures in Maryland dropped by 29 percent in December 2011 compared to the same month in 2010. They dropped 11 percent when comparing November 2011 to December 2011.

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New Blood Tests Predict Chances Of Living To 100


new blood test can predict a person's chance of living to 100 with up to 85 percent accuracy, U.S. scientists said Thursday.
Researchers from Boston University studied the DNA of 801 centenarians along with a control group of 914 healthy people of all ages and identified 281 genetic variants in the elderly group.
The genetic markers allowed the researchers to formulate a test to predict whether people would live beyond 100 with between 60 percent and 85 percent accuracy.


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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Moves To The Dark Side

The State Department has announced that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with NBA Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to discuss his new role as a global "Cultural Ambassador."

Jabbar desperately wanted to be an NBA coach, but word around the league was that he didn't have the talent to be a coach, and on top of that he was a trouble maker. Which means he is probably well suited for the State Dept.

Source

Georgia Mom Arrested for Allowing 10-Year-Old To Get Tattoo


A Georgia mother who was arrested for allowing her 10-year-old to get a tattoo said she had no idea it was illegal for him to get one, even with her consent.
When Chuntera Napier’s son Gaquan Napier asked her if he could get a memorial tattoo for his 12-year-old brother Malik who died after being hit by a car, Napier was touched by the request.

SOPA 101: Your Guide To The Internet Blackout

You probably woke up this morning to realize the Internet is totally screwy.

Is it the online apocalypse? Not so much. Google, Wikipedia, Boing Boing and others have gone dark, along with thousands of others, who are protesting two anti-piracy bills that are up for debate in the U.S. Congress.

It's a debate that's pitted the Web against Washington. And if the goal of these protests was to get people talking, that sure seems to have worked, with every media organization on the planet talking about piracy today.

Many of these sites are using creative techniques to bring attention to the two bills – one called SOPA, the other PIPA – and making very clear their viewpoint on it.

Before you panic, read our quick-and-dirty guide to these online protests.

So, what are these piracy bills about?

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Florida Home Owner Slams Judge Hearing 300 Cases

Blaize McMonagle, a Florida homeowner who had one of 300 foreclosure cases heard in a courtroom during three days this week, said the judge sped through his case without a chance to defend himself.

 McMonagle, 30, bought his home in Winter Springs, Fla., in October 2007, but fell behind in his mortgage payments when he was laid off from his job as a sales person at an aviation company in January 2008. He was able to pay for several months from his savings until July 2008. His bank put him in default in August-September.

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Another Failure For The Elites As The EU Sinks?

Italy is being pushed into depression by monetary union ... There is no clearer indictment of the dysfunctional nature of monetary union. ... Criminal. Obviously, Italy and Germany can no longer share the same monetary policy. Ergo, Germany should leave EMU, pronto. The Banca said Italy's economy contracted by 0.5pc in the last quarter of 2011. It will shrink by a further 1.5pc this year, with no growth in 2013. This is a direct result of the misguided pro-cyclical austerity polices imposed by Angela Merkel and the ECB – the infamous Trichet letter – without offsetting monetary and exchange stimulus. – UK Telegraph/ Ambrose Evans-Pritchard

Dominant Social Theme: The EU just isn't working. What a mess. Who could have foreseen it?

Free-Market Analysis: One of our favorite mainstream journos, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, writes in his Telegraph blog page that the current EU monetary union is bankrupting Europe.

Good for him. More and more evidently, it's true. The question is, then, why insist on it? The facts are coming clear in countries as disparate as Spain, Greece and even Hungary. Italy's growth is obviously shrinking, he writes, and this is a direct result of Europe's absurd "austerity measures."

These austerity measures are not an after-thought, by the way, but a bedrock fundamental of the EU's approach. Evans-Pritchard refers to a letter from former top European central banker, Jean-Claude Trichet. Search the Internet for it, and you'll find Reuters explaining that back in August, "The European Central Bank demanded sweeping reforms and fiscal tightening measures from Italy."

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DE One Of Few States To Make Strides In Preventing Tobacco-Caused Disease & Death


The American Lung Association has released its “State of Tobacco Control 2012” report.
Deb Brown, CEO of the American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic tells WGMD more about the report:
Delaware did earn all passing grades, including one “A”.

Eastman Kodak Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Eastman Kodak Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New York early Thursday.

Kodak listed total assets of $5.1 billion and debts of $6.75 billion in the filing in the southern district of New York.

The company's shares, which had already dropped more than 90% in the past year, fell further this month after the Wall Street Journal reported that the company was preparing for a bankruptcy filing in case an attempt to sell a number of digital patents failed.

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Tax Day: Will Romney Make April Fools Of Republicans

Mitt Romney's latest flip-flop is almost complete. Having vowed a month ago not to release his federal income tax returns, the Republican presidential front-runner conceded during Saturday night's debate that he would "probably" release his returns, and then on Tuesday afternoon finally said he will do so -- in April, long after he is likely to have secured his party's nomination. With characteristic arrogance, he excused the delay by suggesting that April 15 is the traditional date when public officials supply this information, which is certainly true if you're already president.


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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

JANUARY 23, 2012 6:00 p.m.
Government Office Building Room 301

Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.

6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER

6:01 p.m. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:06 p.m. INVOCATION/MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:08 p.m. PROCLAMATION – Mayor James Ireton, Jr. Recognizing “Mentoring Month”

6:15 p.m. ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

6:20 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
January 3, 2012 work session minutes
January 9, 2012 regular meeting minutes
January 9, 2012 work session minutes Manufacturing exemption request – K & L Microwave
Resolution No. 2137- appointment of Richard H. Parsons to the Marina Committee
Resolution No. 2138 - appointment of Thomas W. Welsh to the Traffic and Safety Advisory Committee
Resolution No. 2139 - accepting overtime reimbursement funding from the United States Marshals Service for the Salisbury Police Department’s investigation, arrest and prosecution of persons who have active state and federal warrants

6:25 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Assistant Internal Services Director-Procurement Catrice Parsons
Surplus of handguns
Surplus of ambulance coolers
Change Order #1 Contract RFP 13-11 Park WTP Meter and Piping Improvements
Change Order #1 Contract RFP 03-10 Southside Elevated Water Storage Tank
Contract RFP 07-12 Eng. Svc. For Coty Cox Branch Flood Relief and Drainage Improvements

6:40 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
Resolution No. 2140 - determining that a sidewalk from Pemberton Drive to Anchors Way, in the Harbor Pointe Planned Residential District, confers special benefits upon that Planned Residential District and determining that a special assessment is appropriate under the circumstances

Resolution No. 2141 - appointing the City Solicitor and the Assistant City Solicitor

7:40 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Paul Wilber
Ordinance No. 2184 - 2nd reading - amending Section 17.04.150 Procedure of the Salisbury Municipal Code regarding public notice provisions
Ordinance No. 2185 - 2nd reading - repealing Chapter 5.64 – Towing Companies of the Salisbury Municipal Code in its entirety and reenacting
Chapter 5.64 – Towing Companies to include licensing requirements; towing and storage lot operation requirements; authorizing fees for towing and storage; and penalties for violation of Chapter 5.64
Ordinance No. 2186 - 2nd reading - establishing a schedule of fees and charges applicable to vehicles towed as dispatched by the Police Department
Ordinance No. 2187 - 2nd reading - amending Article XI Definitions of the Property Maintenance Code to provide a new definition of the term “Rubbish”

8:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

8:15 p.m. ADJOURNMENT

Obama’s Georgia Attorney Files Motion To Quash Subpoenas In Ballot Challenge

CASE TO BE HEARD ON JANUARY 26 IN ATLANTA

(Jan. 18, 2012) — Atty. Orly Taitz, who represents a registered voter and four presidential candidates in a challenge to the eligibility of Barack Hussein Obama to have his name placed on the Georgia ballot for the election of 2012, has told The Post & Email that Obama’s attorney has filed a Motion to Quash which states that “The subpoenas serve no permissible function.”

At issue is whether or not Obama qualifies as a “natural born Citizen” as stipulated in Article II, Section 1, clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution. Obama has claimed a birth in Hawaii, but no hospital there will confirm it. The question of whether or not a person born to a non-U.S. citizen father can be “natural born” has not been answered by any court in the country over the last three and one-half years. Several attorneys have stated that in order to qualify, a person must be born in the United States to parents who are U.S. citizens at the time of the birth. Obama’s campaign website states that he is a “native citizen of the United States,” and another source indicates that being born in the country is enough to meet that part of the eligibility requirement.

Taitz has also stated that Obama is using a social security number which was not assigned to him and does not pass the E-Verify system maintained by the federal government to help employers identify illegal aliens.

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Oxymorons

1. Is it good if
a vacuum really sucks?

2. Why is the third hand
On the watch
Called the second hand?

3. If a word is misspelled
In the dictionary,
How would we ever know?

4. If Webster wrote the first dictionary,
Where did he find the words?

5. Why do we say something is out of whack?
What is a whack?

6. Why does "slow down" and
"slow up" mean the same thing?

7. Why does "fat chance" and "slim chance"
Mean the same thing?

8. Why do "tug" boats push their barges?

9. Why do we sing
"Take me out to the ball game"
When we are already there?

10. Why are they called " stands"
When they are made for sitting?

11. Why is it called "after dark"
When it really is "after light"?

12. Doesn't "expecting the unexpected"
Make the unexpected expected?

13. Why are a "wise man" and
A "wise guy" opposites?

14. Why do "overlook" and "oversee"
Mean opposite things?

15. Why is "phonics"
Not spelled
The way it sounds?

16. If work is so terrific,
Why do they have to pay you to do it?

17. If all the world is a stage,
Where is the audience sitting?

18. If love is blind,
Why is lingerie so popular?

19. If you are cross-eyed
And have dyslexia,
Can you read all right?

20. Why is bra singular
And panties plural?

21. Why do you press harder
On the buttons of a remote control
When you know the batteries are dead?

22. Why do we put suits in garment bags
And garments in a suitcase?

23. How come abbreviated
Is such a long word?

24. Why do we wash bath towels?
Aren't we clean when we use them?

25. Why doesn't glue
Stick to the inside of the bottle?

26. Why do they call it a TV set
When you only have one?

27. Christmas
- What other time of the year
Do you sit in front of a dead tree
And eat candy out of your socks?

28. Why do we drive on a parkway
And park on a driveway?

Lifelike Toy Tiger Stops Traffic Near Houston


It wasn’t a lion and  it wasn’t a bear. It was a tiger, but it was just a toy.
Firefighters in Houston found that out the hard way Wednesday when they rushed to an abandoned hotel after reports there was a tiger on the roof.
The Houston Fire Department began receiving calls during the day from shocked drivers reporting sightings of a tiger perched on the roof of an old hotel in Humble, a Houston suburb, local affiliate KTRK-TV reports.

DRIVER CHARGED IN HIT AND RUN THAT INJURED STATE TROOPER

(ESSEX, MD) – Maryland State Police today charged a Baltimore County man in connection with the hit and run crash early Sunday morning that injured a state trooper who was outside his vehicle on a traffic stop on I-83 north of Ruxton Road.

The suspect is identified as Matthew L. Wood, 30, of the 200-block of Highmeadow Road, Reisterstown, Md. He is charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident resulting in bodily injury, failure of driver in accident to render aid to injured person, failure of driver in bodily injury accident to provide identification, negligent driving, failure to move over or slow down for a stopped emergency vehicle, and failure to obey a traffic control device.

Wood turned himself in to troopers at the Golden Ring Barrack at about 9:00 a.m. today. His action was arranged through his attorney. After processing at the barrack, Wood was taken before a District Court commissioner, who ordered him held in the Baltimore County Detention Center on $275,000 bond.

At about 1:20 a.m. on January 15, 2012, Trooper First Class Jason M. James, 30, of the Golden Ring Barrack, was on a traffic stop on northbound I-83 just north of Ruxton Road. TFC James was standing beside the driver’s door of the vehicle he stopped issuing a citation to the driver, when he was struck by a northbound vehicle that continued from the scene and did not stop. TFC James was able to call for assistance and was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released. He has not yet been able to return to duty.

Maryland State Police investigators collected debris at the crash scene, which included pieces from a car mirror they believe was part of the passing car that struck the trooper. Troopers were able to determine the mirror was from a Buick LeSabre and the car was likely a gold or tan color.

Information about the injured trooper and the vehicle troopers believed was involved was reported by media in the Baltimore area. Media coverage of the incident contributed to the identification Wood.

State Police investigators have examined a 1999 gold Buick LeSabre registered to Wood. The vehicle is missing the passenger side rearview mirror.

Queens Man Charged In Federal Reserve Software Theft

(CBS/AP/Reuters) NEW YORK - A computer programmer who worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is facing charges he stole computer code valued at nearly $10 million and used for his own computer training business.
Bo Zhang, 32, was arrested Wednesday after authorities said he stole the code, which is used to track government finances, last summer while working on it as a government employee. He allegedly copied the software to an external hard drive.

Begin Sex Ed in Kindergarten, Says New ‘National Standards’ Report

(CNSNews.com) – By the time they leave elementary school, children should be able to “define sexual orientation,” and by the eighth grade be able to “define emergency contraception and its use,” according to a report containing controversial new recommendations for sex education in U.S. public schools.

“Ideally, comprehensive sexuality education should start in kindergarten and continue through 12th grade,” says the “National Sexuality Education Standards” report, drawn up by a range of advocates, academics and public education officials.

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EDITORIAL: An Old Soldier Who Won’t Fade Away

Obama is outclassed and outsmarted by retiring Gen. Petraeus

Gen. David H. Petraeus closed his phenomenal 37-year Army career this week with a joint review at Fort Myer in Arlington. Service members from every branch were present, and flags of all 50 states fluttered in the breeze. A substantial crowd had come to hear the general’s farewell address. Many were classmates from the West Point Class of 1974, smartly attired but enthusiastic and occasionally whooping like they were cadets. Others were people with whom he had served over his storied career, whom he recognized from the dais during his speech. The morning was sunny and clear, and the general was his usual affable, ebullient self.

In his remarks, Gen. Petraeus recalled the days when he entered the military, when the Vietnam War was winding down and the armed services were being pared down to the “hollow forces” of the 1970s. “The Army I joined as a second lieutenant had suffered enormously,” he said. “In the wake of our involvement in Vietnam, our Army and much of our military were grappling with a host of very serious challenges.” The senior leaders who first wore the uniform in those dark days were not discouraged. They began their careers with a sense of mission. “I know I speak for many when I say that we came away from that period vowing to never let our forces get to such a point ever again.” Through his efforts, and those of countless other visionaries in and out of uniform, the hollow forces were transformed once again into the finest fighting force in the world

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Wicomico Board Of Education Recognizes Outstanding Students, Teachers, Schools And Community Supporters At Jan. 17 Awards & Recognitions Night

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its Jan. 17 Awards & Recognitions Night at Mardela Middle and High School recognized numerous outstanding students, teachers, schools and community supporters as listed below.

Recognition for Citizenship in Action

On the afternoon of November 3rd, a motorcycle accident blocked the road home for Westside Intermediate and Westside Primary students on Bus 73. The victim was in full view of as aid was being given. Many students were quite upset, especially the younger primary students. Some began to cry.

Since the bus was going to be detained for quite a while, the bus driver began to make calls to parents. Realizing the severity of the situation, three Westside Intermediate fifth-graders, without being asked, took it upon themselves to help. Two students currently serving as safety patrols put on their safety patrol belts for identification and, along with another responsible 5th grader, walked up and down the aisle of the bus to comfort the primary students and reassure everyone. They kept the bus as orderly as possible while the driver made calls.

A number of students and the bus driver expressed their appreciation for the service given by the three fifth-graders. They kept their heads in a stressful situation and showed not only responsibility, but a high level of concern for other students. The Board of Education is very proud to present a certificate of recognition for Citizenship in Action to these Westside Intermediate fifth-graders for their service to their fellow students, bus driver and school on Nov. 3rd:

Brock Brown
Christine Cooper
Colin Whitaker

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Birthday Calculator

Click on 'Birthday Calculator.' It tells you how many hours and how many seconds you have been alive on this earth and when you were probably conceived

How cool is that?

After you've finished reading the info, click again, and see what the moon looked like the night you were born. Who says our time clocks aren't ticking...

Enjoy.

Birthday Calculator

Fill In The Blank 01/19/12

My car is ____ years old.

WCBI Criminal Arrest


DATE: January 18, 2011
CBI Case # 11-0305
LOCATION: 12000 Block Salisbury Road
Ocean City, MD
CHARGES: Theft $1,000 to $10,000

ACCUSED: Nicolas William LUPO W/M 24 yoa
Bel Air, Maryland

NARRATIVE:
On December 22, 2011, a Trooper from the Maryland State Police – Berlin Barrack took an initial report of a Theft from a residence in the 12000 Block of Salisbury Road, Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland. During the initial investigation, it was found that someone had taken $5,000 cash from the residence between December 16, 2011 and December 21, 2011.

As a result the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation was contacted and asked to take the lead and continue the investigation. Through investigation it was found that an employee of a local HVAC company had been in the residence to do work during that timeframe. The employee was identified as LUPO.

During an interview with LUPO after being advised of his Miranda Rights he ultimately gave a full confession. He has been charged with the above crime and was transported to a District Court Commissioner after his arrest. Final disposition of this case is pending through the Maryland Court System.

Romney As Multimillionaire Gets Break for Taxes Less Wage-Earner

Under pressure from his Republican opponents, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney yesterday abandoned months of resistance and said he would make his 2011 tax return public in April.

The hesitation to disclose is understandable given that Romney, one of the richest men to seek the presidency, probably benefits from a controversial tax break that allows him to pay a lower overall rate than do millions of American wage-earners whose votes he’ll need to capture the White House.

That’s because private equity executives, as Romney was for 15 years when he ran Boston-based Bain Capital LLC, receive much of their compensation as “carried interest.” That enables them to treat what would be ordinary income for other service providers, taxed at rates as high as 35 percent, as capital gains taxed at 15 percent.

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THIS IS THE CRAP THAT PASSES FOR JOURNALISM

Below is an editorial in my local paper today. It will also appear in hundreds of newspapers across the country. After reading it, you will understand why the newspaper industry is dying. Editorials like this one aren’t suitable to line the bottom of a bird cage. The man writing this tripe proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that you don’t need an IQ above 60 to get a job as a journalist today.

The MSM and the corporate fascist establishment they propagandize for are apopletic at the momentum Ron Paul is gaining across the country. Their attempts to ignore him failed miserably. Now the establishment mouthpiece puppets like Jay Ambrose are trotted out in an effort to ridicule, misinform and blatantly lie about Ron Paul’s positions. You see, Jay Ambrose is another Big Government pretend conservative that supports undeclared wars across the globe, continued money printing and debt accumulation, Wall Street psychopaths, and his prized military industrial complex. This lightweight faux journalist compares Ron Paul to Bugs Bunny. I wonder how Mr. Ambrose’s life stacks up to Dr. Paul’s:

•Married for 53 years to the same woman, and raising a family of upstanding children
•Served in the military when called (no deferments even though he was eligible)
•Outstanding physician that delivered over 4,000 babies into this world
•Capitalist who has started and run multiple businesses over his lifetime
•Has served is country in Congress for over 25 years, not once ever voting for deficit spending
•Has written multiple best selling books about liberty and freedom (I wonder how many best sellers Ambrose has written)
•Favors a strong military to protect our country. He understands the difference between interventionism and isolationism (Ambrose evidently was asleep during history class in high school)
•Understands the insidious nature of Federal Reserve created inflation in destroying the middle class. (Ambrose appears to be math challenged)
•Understands how the Federal government continues to strip us of our rights and liberties with Orwellian measures like the Patriot Act, NDAA, and SOPA. (Ambrose favors undeclared wars, government control over our lives, and more laws and regulations)
Ambrose scorns Ron Paul’s supporters as nothing more than young idealists. That is what frightens the Elite he represents. Ron Paul is overwhelmingly attracting Independents, people under 30 years old and people making less than $50,000. Sounds like a coalition of those who understand that the existing establishment (Republicans and Democrats) are corrupt and bought off by corporate and banking interests. The Elite realize that Ron Paul’s coalition could win. They will use any means necessary to crush him. This is where useful idiots like Jay Ambrose come into play.

After reading this insipid drivel you wonder what the requirements are for becoming a journalist for the MSM. It appears that a GED is not even necessary. When you get to the end of this hit piece, you realize the purpose. The GOP establishment is terrified of Ron Paul running as a 3rd party candidate and ruining their chances to defeat Obama in November. Ron Paul has tremendous power over the course of this election. His message of restoring America is reverberating across the land. The people are waking up from their stupor and realizing those in power are not looking out for them. I have some advice for the Elite: When you attempt to discredit Ron Paul you should trot out someone other than a 3rd string Daffy Duck like Jay Ambrose.

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Projected Teachers Pensions Cost To Be Shifted To Maryland Counties

The State of Maryland proposes to shift teachers pensions obligations onto the Counties in an effort to try and trim the state deficit. The last time the State did this was during a special session in 1992 whereby they enacted a 1992 Budget Reconciliation Act. At that time - the State shifted the teachers social security portion onto Maryland counties and it cost Wicomico County $2,308,336.00 dollars. Using the same proportional formula as then - here are the projected cost that each county will have to bare if the O'Malley administration and legislature shifts the proposed $239 million dollars onto the backs of local counties.

Allegany $3,276,095.87
Anne Arundel 24,855,007.00
Baltimore City 26,285,454.00
Baltimore Co. 33,571,741.46
Calvert 2,869,879.97
Caroline 1,343,984.45
Carroll 6,670,132.96
Cecil 3,878,929.30
Charles 5,540,064.07
Dorchester 1,340,028.64
Frederick 8,130,266.29
Garrett 1,458,153.82
Harford 9,483,143.93
Howard 11,439,419.88
Kent 847,374.62
Montgomery 44,418,910.90
Prince Georges 34,745,610.56
Queen Anne's 1,703,632.70
St. Mary's 3,686,715.25
Somerset 852,749.94
Talbot 1,349,206.74
Washington 5,523,257.66
Wicomico 3,757,736.82
Worcester 1,972,503.17
____________
$239,000,000







New Posts to fall below.

Today's Help Wanted 01/19/12



Businesses looking to fill positions can put their information in comments for FREE.

PIPA Support Collapses, With 13 New Senators Opposed

Members of the Senate are rushing for the exits in the wake of the Internet's unprecedented protest of the Protect IP Act (PIPA). At least 13 members of the upper chamber announced their opposition on Wednesday. In a particularly severe blow for Hollywood, at least five of the newly-opposed Senators were previously co-sponsors of the Protect IP Act. (Update: since we ran this story, the tally is up to 18 Senators, of which seven are former co-sponsors. See below.)


OC FOP Donates To The DelRicco Family

Members of the Ocean City Fraternal Order of Police recently donated $500 to the DelRicco Benefit Fund in support of Baby Ava’s recovery after a serious motor vehicle accident one month ago.

A benefit was held on January 7, 2012 at the Original Greene Turtle (116th Street) to raise funds for the DelRicco Family. As a result of the community efforts, $2,715.00 dollars was raised to assist in treatment for Baby Ava.

The Only One To Blame For Sarah Foxwell's Death Is Thomas Leggs

Much is being said about Jennifer Foxwell these days because of her criminal past and her inability to prove she is competent of being the Mother of numerous children taken away from her from the state. Most recently was a child in which Jennifer Foxwell put up for adoption but seven other children, (besides the recent adoption) have been subjected to an extremely difficult upbringing.

Many children are suffering at the cost of their parents, Tommy and Jennifer Foxwell. I have personally been involved numerous times in helping Jennifer Foxwell, as well as my friends. I have watched her beg, borrow and whatever to find a place to live, only to find out she never pays rent and other bills and ultimately, (because people feel sorry for her) far too often she gets away with using Sarah's death to her advantage.

That being said, Tommy Foxwell and Jennifer Foxwell have not been visiting their children, all of which I personally feel is not healthy. Consistency is extremely important to children and because one/both parent /'s don't pay child support it makes it even worse. BOTH parents aren't fit to have visitation. Tommy Foxwell was told he could no longer see his children after showing up allegedly intoxicated.

As many of you know, I traveled back and forth to almost every trial hearing in the Thomas Leggs case. I heard things NONE of you heard. There's quite a bit of information that came from this case many of your local officials do NOT want out to the public, nor does the Family. It could make several elected officials look pretty damn bad if the actual TRUTH got out there. Mind you, I understand and respect their positions, hence my remaining quiet all this time. Many have asked me to write a book and that day may come, we'll see. I know at least on a local level it would be a Best Seller.

Nevertheless, people are stating that in the most recent arrest that Jennifer Foxwell called the States Attorney's Office to get her Bond reduced from $25,000.00 down to $5,000.00. Come on now, that's complete BS!

The Wicomico County States Attorney's Office wouldn't touch a case involving Jennifer Foxwell no matter what the circumstances are. A special prosecutor would be brought in because of the Leggs case. Use your heads.

My advice to each and every one of you for the future is, STOP HELPING TOMMY AND JENNIFER FOXWELL. They have taken advantage of Sarah's unfortunate death to the max. Between individuals, church's and corporate help, it's time these individuals face life head on, on their own. Trust me, if you only knew how much money and gifts that have been provided so far you'd be blown away. Let's not forget all of the money lost because Jennifer didn't pay rent.

Take note, the Police Report stated Jennifer Foxwell not only physically assaulted her Daughter, it also stated that in doing so she allegedly struck her daughter's 4 month old child in the head as the daughter was holding the baby when the alleged assault occurred. Didn't this young lady just have another baby not that long ago?

Jennifer Foxwell is out of control. Her former rants on Facebook time and time again in which she implied she was going to take her own life has been enough to give local law enforcement grey hairs. Don't you think enough doors have had to be forced open due to this woman. Have not enough children suffered under her abuse? Jennifer Foxwell needs to face a neutral Judge who knows nothing of Sarah Foxwell and face sentencing as an unfit mother and out of control adult.

ANY Parent who refuses to pay child support should have the driver's licence taken away, period. SOMEONE has to provide for those children and I'm sorry, I couldn't care less about any parent who makes excuses as to why they cannot provide. Again, I don't give a crap what the excuse is. You have children, YOU take care of them, period. Tommy and Jennifer Foxwell are dredges on society and burdens on those who are caring for their children.

When do we as a community say, enough is enough?

OCEAN CITY POLICE DETECTIVE 1ST CLASS JEFFREY JOHNS NAMED 2011 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH OFFICER OF THE YEAR

On Thursday, January 12, 2012, the Ocean City Neighborhood Watch Association gathered at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center for their annual “Officer of the Year” recognition dinner. Nearly 150 guests attended the event, including Mayor Rick Meehan, Council Members, Mary Knight, Margaret Pillas, Brent Ashley and Doug Cymek as well as several Ocean City Police employees, residents and members of the eight Neighborhood Watch Associations in Ocean City, the Boardwalk Group, Bayshore Drive, Caine Keys II, Caine Woods, Edgewater Avenue, Little Salisbury, Montego Bay and Sundowner Park.

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BREAKING NEWS: Perry Endorses Gingrich

Texas Gov. Rick Perry drops out of Republican presidential race and endorses former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

From Fox News

College Student Dies After Tweeting, 'Thank You God'


Ariane Noelle Patterson Was In Religion Class When She Collapsed; 'Thank you God For Another Year Of Life'

A student at Gardner-Webb University has died after she collapsed in class on her 21st birthday.
A spokesman says Ariane Noelle Patterson was in a religion class at the Boiling Springs school when she collapsed Tuesday afternoon.
Patterson tweeted that day, “Thank you God for another year of life.”