DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Computer Displays Implanted Right Into Your Eye?
Ever wanted to see the way cyborgs do in the movies, with computer displays implanted right into you eye? It may not be science fiction anymore. Researchers for DARPA are developing contact lenses that allow the wearer to view virtual reality images — without a bulky helmet or goggles. Digital images are projected onto tiny full-color displays very near the eye. Wearers can focus both on objects that are close up and far away. Researchers say this could allow you to use the tiny displays while sill interacting with the surrounding environment. The end goal is to get the technology into the hands of warfighters to give them greater awareness and improve survivability.
Photo Processor Spotted Teacher Sex Case Images
(CBS News) A longtime elementary school teacher in Los Angeles stands accused of abusing students for years.
It took months for the sheriff and district attorney to finish their investigation and finally tell the public, and there are now charges of a major cover-up.
At Miramonte Elementary School in South Los Angeles, parents were incensed they hadn't heard until now of a year-long investigation of third-grade teacher Mark Berndt. The popular teacher, at the school for 30 years, has been charged with lewd acts with 23 students.
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The 4 Qualities Of A True Statesman
Here in the United States, the inauguration of our next president is a year away, and the Republican primary season is in full swing. Journalists and pundits dissect the candidates’ every speech, appearance, and debate, analyzing what they did right or wrong, and who is waxing and waning in the polls. These talking heads, along with the people watching and listening to them at home, evaluate the candidates on who seems the most “authentic,” had the best line of the evening, or released the hardest-hitting advertisement. The whole thing can oftentimes seem more like a sport or entertaining sideshow than the lead-up to an important election.
So what should the more serious-minded citizen be looking for in the next leader of the free world? What criteria beyond hair and quips might a man use to evaluate and judge candidates for office, or those already in office?
Opinions will certainly differ on such a significant and pressing question. But while I was in college, I was introduced to an excellent yardstick for measuring our leaders, one that has stuck with me ever since.
It was there I took a couple of courses with Dr. J. Rufus Fears, professor of an incredibly manly subject: the history of freedom. One of the things the good professor emphasized to us captivated students was that a politician and a statesman are not the same thing. A statesman, Fears argues, is not a tyrant; he is the free leader of a free people and he must possess four critical qualities:
A bedrock of principles
A moral compass
A vision
The ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision
Let us now explore these four criteria of a democratic statesman in greater depth.
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6 Super Bowl Ads That Don’t Seem Surprising, But Are
With the average cost of Super Bowl XLVI ads up 17 percent from a year ago to $3.5 million for a 30-second spot, this year’s lineup of commercials range from the predictable and reliable, like Go Daddy’s teases, to the shiny-faced freshmen entrants, including those of a few budding filmmakers.
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"We Are Witnessing The Death Of Abundance" And Why Gold Is Becoming The Default "Store Of Value"
While sounding just a tad preachy in his February newsletter, Bill Gross' latest summary piece on the economy, on the Fed's forray into infinite ZIRP, into maturity transformation, and the lack thereof, on the Fed's massive blunder in treating the liquidity trap, but most importantly on what the transition from a levering to delevering global economy means, is a must read. First: on the fatal flaw in the Fed's plan: "when rational or irrational fear persuades an investor to be more concerned about the return of her money than on her money then liquidity can be trapped in a mattress, a bank account or a five basis point Treasury bill. But that commonsensical observation is well known to Fed policymakers, economic historians and certainly citizens on Main Street." And secondly, here is why the party is over: "Where does credit go when it dies? It goes back to where it came from. It delevers, it slows and inhibits economic growth, and it turns economic theory upside down, ultimately challenging the wisdom of policymakers. We’ll all be making this up as we go along for what may seem like an eternity. A 30-50 year virtuous cycle of credit expansion which has produced outsize paranormal returns for financial assets – bonds, stocks, real estate and commodities alike – is now delevering because of excessive “risk” and the “price” of money at the zero-bound. We are witnessing the death of abundance and the borning of austerity, for what may be a long, long time." Yet most troubling is that even Gross, a long-time member of the status quo, now sees what has been obvious only to fringe blogs for years: "Recent central bank behavior, including that of the U.S. Fed, provides assurances that short and intermediate yields will not change, and therefore bond prices are not likely threatened on the downside. Still, zero-bound money may kill as opposed to create credit. Developed economies where these low yields reside may suffer accordingly. It may as well, induce inflationary distortions that give a rise to commodities and gold as store of value alternatives when there is little value left in paper."
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Online Privacy At-Risk With Pending Legislation
A controversial bill regarding retention of Internet records passed through committee and was approved for consideration by Congress in December.
The Protecting Children from Internet Pornographers Act of 2011 would require Internet providers to retain archives of every subscriber’s online activity for up to 18 months, including phone records, credit-card numbers, websites visited and bank-account data.
Delaware State Police Issues Gold Alert
Gold Alert Subject:
Matthew A. Todd, 28, Greenwood, DE
5’11” tall, 180 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes
Possibly operating a dark green 2000 Mazda pick up truck
Location Last Seen:
Residence in the 30000 block of East Atlantic Circle, East Atlantic Apartments, Rehoboth, DE
Date and Time Last Seen:
Wednesday February 1, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Resume:
Rehoboth, DE- The Delaware State Police have issued a Gold Alert for a missing Greenwood man.
The Delaware State Police are currently searching for Matthew A. Todd, 28, of Greenwood, DE. Todd was last seen leaving his brother’s residence located in the East Atlantic Apartments in Rehoboth at approximately 7:00 p.m. this evening and may be in the Milton or Ellendale area of DE. He is described as a white male, 5’11” tall and 180 lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes. He may also be operating a dark green 2000 Mazda pick up truck.
Matthew Todd’s medical condition is such that there is a real concern for his safety.
Troopers are asking anyone who may have any information as to the whereabouts of Matthew A. Todd to contact Troop 7 at 302-644-5020. 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.
U.S. Troops Do Not Have Control Of Taliban
Afghan security forces working alongside U.S. troops don't appear to be under control of the Taliban or insurgent groups. But that hasn't stopped them from shooting and killing 70 U.S. and coalition troops in 45 incidents since 2007. Defense officials will testify on the matter today before the House Armed Services Committee. Their prepared testimony will say the Afghan troops acted out of personal motivation. In a few cases, insurgents impersonated Afghan soldiers. In the latest incident, an Afghan solder killed a NATO service member.
Obama Tops Romney And Gingrich On ‘Understanding’ Average Americans
Fewer than four in 10 voters nationwide see either of the top Republican presidential contenders as really understanding the problems of average Americans, according to a new Washington Post-Pew Research Center poll.
Thirty-nine percent of registered voters see former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney as connecting at least “fairly well” with average Americans, although a slender 7 percent say “very well.” His main rival for the GOP nomination, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, does no better, with 36 percent seeing him as empathetic.
FAA Funded Through 2015
House and Senate negotiators have come to an agreement on a bill to authorize the Federal Aviation Administration through 2015. It allows a budget of $63 billion in that period. That includes $1 billion a year to keep working on the Next Generation air traffic control system. The agreement is a breakthrough. The FAA has been operating under a series of continuing resolutions since 2007. At issue were several questions centering on union activities in the transportation industry. A full vote comes up in the next two weeks.
Pakistan PM's Office Reveals Anthrax Attack
ISLAMABAD - A university professor sent a packet containing anthrax to the office of Pakistan's prime minister in October last year, his spokesman said Wednesday, an attack with an unclear background in a country hosting extremists and battling them at the same time.
No one was made ill by the toxin sent by the professor, and her motive was not clear, said Akram Shaheedi, a spokesman for the apparent target, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
After Journalist Arrests, US Plummets In Global Press Freedom Rankings
In last night’s State of the Union address, President Obama called for a “renewal of American values.” However, over the course of his wide-ranging speech, he made no mention of one core value: the fundamental role of the free press in America.
This absence was highlighted this morning when Reporters Without Borders released its 2011–2012 global Press Freedom Index. After months of journalist arrests and press suppression at Occupy Wall Street-inspired protests, the United States has dropped significantly in the rankings.
According to this report, the U.S. has dropped 27 places to 47th in the world. This is especially troubling as we head into an election year which is sure to spark new conflicts between police and press covering rallies, protests and political events.
And these Occupy arrests are not isolated incidents. According to organizations like the Society for Professional Journalists, the National Press Photographers Association and the Committee to Protect Journalists, the arrests at Occupy events are part of a growing trend in the U.S. and worldwide.
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This absence was highlighted this morning when Reporters Without Borders released its 2011–2012 global Press Freedom Index. After months of journalist arrests and press suppression at Occupy Wall Street-inspired protests, the United States has dropped significantly in the rankings.
According to this report, the U.S. has dropped 27 places to 47th in the world. This is especially troubling as we head into an election year which is sure to spark new conflicts between police and press covering rallies, protests and political events.
And these Occupy arrests are not isolated incidents. According to organizations like the Society for Professional Journalists, the National Press Photographers Association and the Committee to Protect Journalists, the arrests at Occupy events are part of a growing trend in the U.S. and worldwide.
More
3.5 Million Homeless And 18.5 Million Vacant Homes
The National Economic and Social Rights Initiative along with Amnesty International are asking the U.S. to step up its efforts to address the foreclosure crisis, including by giving serious consideration to the growing call for a foreclosure moratorium and other forms of relief for those at risk, and establishing a housing finance system that fulfills human rights obligations.
New government census reports have revealed disturbing information that details the cold, hard numbers of Americans who have been deeply affected by the state of our economy, and bank foreclosure practices:
US Drones Patrolling Its Skies Provoke Outrage In Iraq
Baghdad - A month after the last American troops left Iraq, the State Department is operating a small fleet of surveillance drones here to help protect the United States Embassy and consulates, as well as American personnel. Some senior Iraqi officials expressed outrage at the program, saying the unarmed aircraft are an affront to Iraqi sovereignty.
The program was described by the department’s diplomatic security branch in a little-noticed section of its most recent annual report and outlined in broad terms in a two-page online prospectus for companies that might bid on a contract to manage the program. It foreshadows a possible expansion of unmanned drone operations into the diplomatic arm of the American government; until now they have been mainly the province of the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency.
American contractors say they have been told that the State Department is considering to field unarmed surveillance drones in the future in a handful of other potentially “high-threat” countries, including Indonesia and Pakistan, and in Afghanistan after the bulk of American troops leave in the next two years. State Department officials say that no decisions have been made beyond the drone operations in Iraq.
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The program was described by the department’s diplomatic security branch in a little-noticed section of its most recent annual report and outlined in broad terms in a two-page online prospectus for companies that might bid on a contract to manage the program. It foreshadows a possible expansion of unmanned drone operations into the diplomatic arm of the American government; until now they have been mainly the province of the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence Agency.
American contractors say they have been told that the State Department is considering to field unarmed surveillance drones in the future in a handful of other potentially “high-threat” countries, including Indonesia and Pakistan, and in Afghanistan after the bulk of American troops leave in the next two years. State Department officials say that no decisions have been made beyond the drone operations in Iraq.
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Bird Flu Data Should Be Kept Under Wraps, Science Panel Says
(CNN) -- Details of a genetically altered strain of the deadly avian flu virus are "a grave concern" to public safety and should be kept under wraps, a federal advisory board declared Tuesday.
In a letter released by the journals Science and Nature, the 23-member National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity said the data behind a new strain of the virus can be used to help prepare for a possible future outbreak. But the board recommended the researchers' findings be published without "methods or details" that could be used by terrorists to produce a biological weapon.
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Police Tape
Is Chicago really planning on detaining anyone who records protestor arrests at the G-8 summit?
In three months, thousands of reporters from around the globe will descend on Chicago for the G-8 summit. Part of what they will chronicle is the protests and police crackdownsthat have made each annual meeting so newsworthy. Sadly for all these reporters, and for all the American journalists with plans to film the protestors and cops, any effort to audiotape police activity on public streets or in parks is a crime in Illinois—a crime punishable by 15 years in prison.
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The Invisible War: New Film Exposes Rape, Sexual Assault Epidemic In U.S. Military
On the heels of a new military survey that the number of reported violent sex crimes jumped 30 percent in 2011, with active-duty female soldiers ages 18 to 21 accounting for more than half of the of the victims, we speak with Trina McDonald and Kori Cioca, two subjects of "The Invisible War,” a new documentary that examines the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the U.S. military, which won the Audience Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. "Not only was I astounded by the numbers, but when I started talking to the women and men who had experienced this, I was just so devastated by their stories," says the film’s Academy Award-nominated director, Kirby Dick. "These are women and men who are very idealistic. They joined the military because they wanted to serve their country. They were incredible soldiers. And then, when they were assaulted, they had the courage to come forward, even though many people advised them not to," Dick says.
Click here to view transcript.
GO HERE to view movie.
New Report: Growing Number of Americans Can’t Cover Basic Expenses if Job Loss or Other Emergency Strikes
Washington, DC—In the United States, 27 percent of all households are “asset poor,” meaning they lack
the savings or other assets to cover basic expenses for just three months if a layoff or other emergency
leads to loss of income, according to the 2012 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard, released today by the
Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED). Since the release of the 2009-2010 Assets & Opportunity
Scorecard, the number of asset poor families has increased by 21 percent from one in five families to one in
four families. The asset poverty rate is now nearly twice as high as the Census Bureau’s official income
poverty rate of 15.1 percent.
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Dorchester Humane Has Matchmaking Program
Sage is just one of many pets hoping to find true love this Valentine's Day.
www.dorchesterhumane.org
The Norway Town That Forgave And Forgot Its Child Killers
In 1994, in Trondheim, five-year-old Silje Redergard was beaten to death by two little boys. Today, the girl's family still suffers and one of the boys is in trouble again – the echoes of the Bulger case are clear. So why has the public reaction in Norway been so startlingly different?
On the afternoon of 15 October 1994, three young children, a girl aged five, and two six-year-old boys, were playing on a football field covered in freshly fallen snow. Their parents were neighbours who did not know each other, but the children had played together before. The three had been making "snow castles", until the fun stopped. Nobody knows why. A childish disagreement? A tantrum, perhaps? Whatever it was it triggered a reaction in the boys that devastated a family and the community. At some point while playing, the boys turned on the little girl, punching and kicking her and beating her with stones before stripping off her clothes. Then they ran away, leaving her to die in the snow.
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On the afternoon of 15 October 1994, three young children, a girl aged five, and two six-year-old boys, were playing on a football field covered in freshly fallen snow. Their parents were neighbours who did not know each other, but the children had played together before. The three had been making "snow castles", until the fun stopped. Nobody knows why. A childish disagreement? A tantrum, perhaps? Whatever it was it triggered a reaction in the boys that devastated a family and the community. At some point while playing, the boys turned on the little girl, punching and kicking her and beating her with stones before stripping off her clothes. Then they ran away, leaving her to die in the snow.
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A Koch Brother Donates To The Romney Campaign
It's just real damn tough trying to find a Koch brother that donates to the Ron Paul campaign.
Billionaire William Koch, who had an infamous falling out with his brothers, David and Charles, is a Mitt Romney financial backer, according to CNBC.
Last year, Koch spent $2.3 million for the world's only known photograph of Billy the Kid.
Source
Billionaire William Koch, who had an infamous falling out with his brothers, David and Charles, is a Mitt Romney financial backer, according to CNBC.
Last year, Koch spent $2.3 million for the world's only known photograph of Billy the Kid.
Source
Saudi Oil Minister Calls Global Warming “Humanity’s Most Pressing Concern”
Americans use the term “Saudi Arabia of” to describe an abundance of something — usually energy. We are the “Saudi Arabia of wind,” the “Saudi Arabia of coal,” the “Saudi Arabia of efficiency,” and so on and on and on.
I’ve come to jokingly use this term for anything really huge. (We are, after all, the Saudi Arabia of climate denial.) So in true American spirit, I am dubbing yesterday’s speech by Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi the Saudi Arabia of bold statements.
The Political Cost Of Romney's Nasty Win In Florida
With his resounding victory over Newt Gingrich in Florida on Tuesday, Mitt Romney showed a worried Republican base a side of himself that it has both longed for and feared that he lacked: the agile political street fighter, willing to mock, scold and ultimately eviscerate his opponent.
But if he has quelled doubts about his toughness, he also emerges from the Florida free-for-all and the three contests that preceded it carrying heavy new baggage.
Mr. Romney was savaged by Mr. Gingrich over his record at Bain Capital, softening him up for the coming Democratic effort to portray him as a heartless capitalist happy to fire people to enrich himself. His release of his tax returns, complete with details about a Swiss bank account, provided new facts for opponents seeking to cast him as out of touch with ordinary Americans.
And the very trait that propelled him in Florida — a willingness to descend into the muck and run a relentlessly negative campaign — distracted from his economic-themed argument against Mr. Obama while deepening his rift with some populist conservatives. Should Mr. Gingrich remain a viable enough candidate to stay in the race through the summer, as he vowed on Tuesday, Mr. Romney could be forced to maintain an angry edge that could undermine his appeal among moderate and independent voters — groups whose views of him, polls suggest, appear to have been harmed by the Florida melee.
“There are questions about his wealth and Bain, but he has not become an intensely polarizing figure yet,” said Alex Castellanos, a Republican strategist who worked on Mr. Romney’s presidential campaign in 2008. “The question is, will he become that?”
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But if he has quelled doubts about his toughness, he also emerges from the Florida free-for-all and the three contests that preceded it carrying heavy new baggage.
Mr. Romney was savaged by Mr. Gingrich over his record at Bain Capital, softening him up for the coming Democratic effort to portray him as a heartless capitalist happy to fire people to enrich himself. His release of his tax returns, complete with details about a Swiss bank account, provided new facts for opponents seeking to cast him as out of touch with ordinary Americans.
And the very trait that propelled him in Florida — a willingness to descend into the muck and run a relentlessly negative campaign — distracted from his economic-themed argument against Mr. Obama while deepening his rift with some populist conservatives. Should Mr. Gingrich remain a viable enough candidate to stay in the race through the summer, as he vowed on Tuesday, Mr. Romney could be forced to maintain an angry edge that could undermine his appeal among moderate and independent voters — groups whose views of him, polls suggest, appear to have been harmed by the Florida melee.
“There are questions about his wealth and Bain, but he has not become an intensely polarizing figure yet,” said Alex Castellanos, a Republican strategist who worked on Mr. Romney’s presidential campaign in 2008. “The question is, will he become that?”
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Mexico's Illicit Economy Is Worth $50 Billion Per Year
Yesterday Global Financial Integrity released a new report, "Mexico: Illicit Financial Flows, Macroeconomic Imbalances, and the Underground Economy," which provides an in-depth look at flows of illicit money from Mexico. The study finds that nearly $1 trillion in illicit capital left Mexico from 1970-2010, averaging about $50 billion a year this past decade. Illicit outflows have increased over time - in 1970 only $3 billion of illicit money left the country per year - and experienced particularly large upswings during macroeconomic crises. These flows decreased by more than 50 percent as a share of exports, though this is largely because exports overall increased dramatically as Mexico transformed from a relatively closed to open economy.
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Three Years after Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Passed, Women Still Earn Far Less Than Men
Sunday marked the third anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first legislation signed into law by President Obama. The law, which expanded the statute of limitations on fair pay lawsuits, was a response to a Supreme Court ruling against Ledbetter in her fair pay case.
Though the law expanded the legal remedies available to women who have been victims of discriminatory pay, little has been done to address the pay gap that exists between male and female employees. Since the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was signed into law, the pay gap has closed at less than half-a-cent per year. That trend is continuing, as the pay gap barely closed from 2009 to 2010.
Women made 77 percent of men’s earnings in 2009, the year the law passed. In 2010, that was virtually unchanged, as women’s wages rose to 77.4 percent of men’s. The gap is even larger for African Americans and Latinos: black women made 67.5 percent of all men’s earnings in 2009, while Latino women made 57.7 percent. In 2010, those figures ticked up to 67.7 percent and 58.7 percent, respectively.
BREAKING NEWS: Facebook Files For $5 Billion IPO
Facebook has formally filed its initial public offering looking to sell $5 billion in stock under the symbol “FB,” sometime in the second quarter.
From Fox News
From Fox News
Intel Chief: Pressured Iran Might Strike In U.S.
(CBS News) Top United States intelligence officials had a dire warning for Congress on Tuesday; that Iran would likely launch terrorist attacks on U.S. soil as pressure mounts against the regime in Tehran.
The alarming assessment is making a tense situation even more serious.
The briefing by the nation's top intelligence officers added another ominous development to the possible showdown with Iran.
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The briefing by the nation's top intelligence officers added another ominous development to the possible showdown with Iran.
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Obama's Destructive Urban Policy Alienates Low-Income Communities
From the window of Ruth Long's apartment in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, where she has lived for 33 years, Long can see a McDonald's where a man was shot, a building from which five families were forced out by development before the housing crash, and a "big, beautiful grocery store" where she can't afford to buy her food.
Long is an 85-year-old African-American woman who relies on a combination of Social Security, food stamps and Section 8 subsidized housing to stay out of the nursing home that she says, "would be disastrous" for her.
She is also one of an increasing number of low-income Chicagoans whose vulnerable standard of living is further at risk from the austerity measures and cutbacks hitting cities across the country.
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Long is an 85-year-old African-American woman who relies on a combination of Social Security, food stamps and Section 8 subsidized housing to stay out of the nursing home that she says, "would be disastrous" for her.
She is also one of an increasing number of low-income Chicagoans whose vulnerable standard of living is further at risk from the austerity measures and cutbacks hitting cities across the country.
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Top Cop Says 12yo Girl's Strip Search Justified
A review by Tasmania Police has exonerated the actions of officers who twice strip-searched a 12-year-old girl during a drug raid.
Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard has finished a review of police actions during the raid on Wednesday at Rokeby on Hobart's eastern shore.
The girl was searched in a bedroom of her house with her mother present.
No drugs were found on her.
State Roundup, February 1, 2012
New same sex marriage bill makes few gains with opponents. Still O’Malley and other supporters face off with opponents during a hearing; Prince George’s estimates teacher pension shift could cost county $34 million in 2013; 6% sales tax on gas would make Maryland No. 5 in highest taxes on gas; O’Malley to deliver State of the State today; other legislation includes bill to allow patrons to bring their own wine into eateries and one to make it more difficult for those charged with child molestation to skip court; and Garagiola beats Bartlett in latest fund-raising round while GOP puts Bartlett on protection list.
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First Lady Michelle Obama Pulls No Punches With Jay Leno
But last night on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Leno made sure to get to the bottom of things in his interview with First Lady Michelle Obama -- and he wasn't above doctoring a little video while he was at it.
First, the host got her to reveal what many of us suspected after the Commander-in-Chief's recent headline-making appearance at the Apollo Theater: the President likes to croon.
Sensitive Information Processed By Inmates; Pension Funding Improves
A year after a new law was signed prohibiting inmates from having access to people’s sensitive personal information, an audit found that inmates in Maryland Correctional Enterprises doing data entry could see some Social Security numbers.
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Marijuana Worth $7.5M Found Over Four Floors Of New York Apartment Building
NEW YORK – Cops raided a New York apartment building Tuesday and found it had been turned into a pot farm.
Acting on a tip, police broke down the door at 610 Morris Park Avenue in The Bronx at 1:00 p.m. local time and discovered a staggering 600 marijuana-growing pots. They filled the top four floors of the five-story building.
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Inmate Commits Suicide At Local Jail
An inmate at ECI committed suicide last night. No other real details.
Emotional Hearing On Same-Sex Marriage
Advocates for changing the definition of marriage, and those in favor of keeping the traditional one man-one woman definition, took turns testifying before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Tuesday.
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Occupiers Dump Condoms On Catholic School Girls
A group of Occupy Wall Street protesters disrupted a Right to Life rally and threw condoms on Catholic school girls inside the Rhode Island state capitol building.
Barth Bracy, executive director of Rhode Island Right to Life, said their rally had to be cut short after the Occupiers began screaming and refused to allow a Catholic priest to deliver a prayer.
“This is their idea of civil speech but we believe it’s an outrage,” Bracy told Fox News & Commentary “They started heckling, chanting and blowing whistles. They shouted down a priest.”
Online Lottery Ticket Sales Expected To Start Next Year, Boost Sales
The Maryland State Lottery Agency hopes to make more money, get more exposure, and have more people playing when it takes ticket sales online, said Lottery Director Stephen Martino.
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Secret NATO Taliban Report Revives Pakistan Fears
Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The Taliban in Afghanistan depend on Pakistan for support, even though they do not necessarily welcome it, a secret NATO report says, according to a journalist who has read it.
"It is a marriage of convenience," Times of London reporter Jerome Starkey said Wednesday, citing the report. The Taliban see Pakistan as manipulative, but they see no alternative to accepting its support, he said.
The Taliban are absolutely confident of victory, he said the report found, based on 27,000 interviews with over 4,000 detainees ranging from senior Taliban commanders to Afghan civilians.
They also include mid- and low-level Taliban, al Qaeda, and foreign fighters, he said.
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THE GREAT FOOD STAMP BOONDOGGLE
Why Gingrich Is Right About Food-Stamp Program: Ramesh Ponnuru
Newt Gingrich, as is his wont, has started a controversy. President Barack Obama, Gingrich has said, is the “best food-stamp president in American history.” And: “He will always prefer a food-stamp economy to a paycheck economy.”
In one town-hall appearance in New Hampshire, Gingrich said he would be happy to address a convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to explain that “the African American community should demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps.”
The resulting furor has highlighted what Gingrich got wrong. But Gingrich isn’t wrong to be troubled by the extraordinary growth of the federal food-stamp program.
Liberals have taken Gingrich to be promoting and exploiting racist sentiments. In their view, he is insinuating to white voters that a black president is handing out money to idle blacks because he is hostile to working for a living.
I may be naive, or just biased because I’m a conservative, but I’m inclined to take a more charitable view. Gingrich had been making the paychecks-versus-food-stamps contrast for months without referring to race. He may have been — clumsily — making the point that policies that weaken the private sector and encourage dependency on government harm blacks more than other Americans. That view may or may not be sound, but it isn’t based on racial animosity.
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Newt Gingrich, as is his wont, has started a controversy. President Barack Obama, Gingrich has said, is the “best food-stamp president in American history.” And: “He will always prefer a food-stamp economy to a paycheck economy.”
In one town-hall appearance in New Hampshire, Gingrich said he would be happy to address a convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to explain that “the African American community should demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps.”
The resulting furor has highlighted what Gingrich got wrong. But Gingrich isn’t wrong to be troubled by the extraordinary growth of the federal food-stamp program.
Liberals have taken Gingrich to be promoting and exploiting racist sentiments. In their view, he is insinuating to white voters that a black president is handing out money to idle blacks because he is hostile to working for a living.
I may be naive, or just biased because I’m a conservative, but I’m inclined to take a more charitable view. Gingrich had been making the paychecks-versus-food-stamps contrast for months without referring to race. He may have been — clumsily — making the point that policies that weaken the private sector and encourage dependency on government harm blacks more than other Americans. That view may or may not be sound, but it isn’t based on racial animosity.
More
Scientists Close To Entering Vostok, Antarctica’s Biggest Subglacial Lake
After drilling for two decades through more than two miles of antarctic ice, Russian scientists are on the verge of entering a vast, dark lake that hasn’t been touched by light for more than 20 million years.
Scientists are enormously excited about what life-forms might be found there but are equally worried about contaminating the lake with drilling fluids and bacteria, and the potentially explosive “de-gassing” of a body of water that has especially high concentrations of oxygen and nitrogen.
Unemployment Definition, By Abbott And Costello
COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America .
ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible times. It's 9%.
COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?
ABBOTT: No, that's 16%.
COSTELLO: You just said 9%.
ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed.
COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work.
ABBOTT: No, that's 16%.
COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 16% unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, that's 9%...
COSTELLO: Wait a minute. Is it 9% or 16%?
ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 16% are out of work.
COSTELLO: IF you are out of work you are unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.
COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!
ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.
COSTELLO: What point?
ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.
COSTELLO: To whom?
ABBOTT: The unemployed.
COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.
ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And, if you give up,you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.
COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles, that would count as less unemployment?
ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!
COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?
ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how you get to 9%. Otherwise it would be 16%. You don't want to read about 16% unemployment do ya?
COSTELLO: That would be frightening.
ABBOTT: Absolutely.
COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means they're two ways to bring down the unemployment number?
ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?
ABBOTT: Correct.
COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?
ABBOTT: Bingo.
COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.
ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like an economist.
COSTELLO: I don't even know what the **** I just said!
And now you know why Obama's unemployment figures are improving!
ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible times. It's 9%.
COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?
ABBOTT: No, that's 16%.
COSTELLO: You just said 9%.
ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed.
COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work.
ABBOTT: No, that's 16%.
COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 16% unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, that's 9%...
COSTELLO: Wait a minute. Is it 9% or 16%?
ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 16% are out of work.
COSTELLO: IF you are out of work you are unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.
COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!
ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.
COSTELLO: What point?
ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.
COSTELLO: To whom?
ABBOTT: The unemployed.
COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.
ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work. Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And, if you give up,you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.
COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles, that would count as less unemployment?
ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!
COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?
ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how you get to 9%. Otherwise it would be 16%. You don't want to read about 16% unemployment do ya?
COSTELLO: That would be frightening.
ABBOTT: Absolutely.
COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means they're two ways to bring down the unemployment number?
ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?
ABBOTT: Correct.
COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?
ABBOTT: Bingo.
COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.
ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like an economist.
COSTELLO: I don't even know what the **** I just said!
And now you know why Obama's unemployment figures are improving!
Aussie Bus Boss Wows Staff With $16M In Bonuses
CANBERRA, Australia - Employees of an Australian bus company have been given a 15 million Australian dollar ($16 million) share of the proceeds of the business sale as a thank-you for their loyalty, an executive and a newspaper said Wednesday.
The 1,800 staff at Melbourne-based Grenda Corp. have received bonuses averaging more than AU$8,300 ($8,800) and as much as AU$30,000 ($31,800) after the Grenda family sold the 66-year-old business for AU$400 million ($425 million), the Herald Sun newspaper reported.
CHAIR YVETTE LEWIS RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR O’MALLEY’S STATE OF THE STATE
ANNAPOLIS (February 1, 2012) – Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis issued the following statement in response to Governor O’Malley’s State of State address.
“Today, the Governor delivered a strong and forward looking vision for our state; a vision that offers Marylanders the strength of a modern economy built on investments to create jobs, expand opportunity, and ensure fairness.”
“The Governor and Democrats agree: we must pursue a balanced approach of difficult but fiscally responsible cuts coupled with strategic, modern investments in our shared priorities. This means protecting record funding for public education, building and maintaining our roads, bridges, and schools, and moving towards a sustainable and renewable energy future. We also share a commitment to the values of fairness and responsibility that enable opportunity and prosperity.”
“We must now come together to make the right and tough choices necessary to move Maryland forward.”
Pfizer Recalls 1M Birth Control Packs After Mixup
Pfizer Inc. is recalling 1 million packets of birth control pills because of a packaging error that could leave women with an inadequate dose of the hormone-based drugs and raise the risk that they will get pregnant accidentally.
The problem affects 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. Both products are manufactured by Pfizer and marketed in the U.S. by Akrimax Rx Products under the Akrimax Pharmaceuticals brand.
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The problem affects 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. Both products are manufactured by Pfizer and marketed in the U.S. by Akrimax Rx Products under the Akrimax Pharmaceuticals brand.
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Real Projects & Real Jobs For Worcester County
A real project that would create jobs: Complete the safety improvements and widening along US 113
FBI Uses Chainsaw In Raid On Wrong Fitchburg Apartment
FITCHBURG (CBS) – It’s going to be a while before things get back to normal for Judy Sanchez and her three-year-old daughter.
Last Thursday, a team of FBI agents swarmed her apartment building as part of a massive citywide drug and weapons gang raid.
Trouble is, Sanchez lives in apartment 2R.
The suspect they were after is in 2F.
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Last Thursday, a team of FBI agents swarmed her apartment building as part of a massive citywide drug and weapons gang raid.
Trouble is, Sanchez lives in apartment 2R.
The suspect they were after is in 2F.
More
AAA Warns That Spare Tires Are Going Extinct
No one likes changing a flat tire. In fact, just storing the spare can be a problem: if it's inside the vehicle, it can take up valuable cargo space, and if it's kept outside, it may prevent you from using bike racks or other accessories. But AAA says that thanks to new fuel economy regulations, we may not have to worry about either of those things much longer, since spare tires could soon disappear altogether.
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Real Projects & Real Jobs In Somerset County
A real project that would create jobs: Construct a roundabout at MD 822/MD675 and sidewalks along MD 675 near UMES Campus.
Governor O'Malley's Blog
Governor O'Malley's Blog
Gannett Profits Fall 32% As Ad Revenue Dips
Joe
A picture is worth a thousand words - your picture of The Daily Times rack yesterday tells it all - well almost
READ ON!
Gannett Co. Latest from The Business Journals Colorado stocks: Pure Cycle up 22%; Ascent Solar down 10% Gannett profits fall in fourth quarter Gannett profits fall 32% on lower revenue Follow this company Inc.'s profit fell 32 percent last quarter as revenue continued to erode at the McLean, Va.-based media giant that owns The Arizona Republic and KPNX-TV Channel 12 in Phoenix.
Gannett (NYSE: GCI) reported net income of $124.7 million, 49 cents per diluted share, in its 2011 fiscal year fourth quarter ended Dec. 25, 2011. That compares with $174.1 million, 72 cents per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.
Revenue in the quarter fell 5 percent to $1.39 billion from $1.46 billion a year ago.
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Glass
If you're wondering why HP and others are dropping desktops etc….
It's called GLASS.
The future is almost here with Corning glass, and the ideas are mind boggling!
Probably not in the too distant future...
It's called GLASS.
The future is almost here with Corning glass, and the ideas are mind boggling!
Probably not in the too distant future...
Why MF Corzine Is Free & A Leash-less Lapdog Walker Gets Tazed
The best Tragicomedy is never fiction. For anyone busy here is the encapsulated red pill version: Greece will default, but it wont be called a default – thanks to ISDA [Intentional Swap & Derivative Association]. This will keep the 5 largest (American Banks) laden with 97% of the Greek & Euro Credit Default Insurance alive, banks like the Morg with 1.4 trillion in assets and 89.9 trillion in off balance sheet derivatives.
A FASB redux.
The veil’s opaqueness has an opacity of 30 percent, and the financial mafia’s ways are clearly visible to anyone not fixated on “Jersey Shore.” I have a minute by minute post-mortem of the Ellis Martin/Sinclair interview [Click Here for Sinclair's blog] but the CliffNotes are: Like the Fed, the member banks also own and control ISDA. Sinclair says that MF Global had insurance for its psychopath [my words] bets—but that ISDA didn’t call it a default. Basically the insurance was ruled null and void by ISDA according to Sinclair. It unveils why someone walking two unleashed dogs [Click Here] gets tazered and MF Corzine walks free when 40,000 clients are missing 1.2 billion. In other words, ‘Don’t blame me, go talk to the White House Chief of Staff about his bank and the insurance plan they call the shots on.’ Link:Citigroup Replaces JP Morgan as White House Chief of Staff
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A FASB redux.
The veil’s opaqueness has an opacity of 30 percent, and the financial mafia’s ways are clearly visible to anyone not fixated on “Jersey Shore.” I have a minute by minute post-mortem of the Ellis Martin/Sinclair interview [Click Here for Sinclair's blog] but the CliffNotes are: Like the Fed, the member banks also own and control ISDA. Sinclair says that MF Global had insurance for its psychopath [my words] bets—but that ISDA didn’t call it a default. Basically the insurance was ruled null and void by ISDA according to Sinclair. It unveils why someone walking two unleashed dogs [Click Here] gets tazered and MF Corzine walks free when 40,000 clients are missing 1.2 billion. In other words, ‘Don’t blame me, go talk to the White House Chief of Staff about his bank and the insurance plan they call the shots on.’ Link:Citigroup Replaces JP Morgan as White House Chief of Staff
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Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release 2-1-12
Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 31 January 2012
Location: 2400 block of N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: 1. Omari N. Lowery, 25, Bronx, NY
2. Tirra L. Benjamin, 19, Jackson, NC
Narrative: On 31 January 2012 at 2:58 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for speeding on North Salisbury Boulevard. Upon approaching and contacting the occupants, the deputy detected an overwhelming odor of burnt marijuana. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a box wrapped in Christmas type wrapping with a card attached in the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the package, it was unwrapped and the deputy located glass vials full of marijuana.
Both the driver Omari Lowery and his passenger Tirra Benjamin were placed under arrest and transported to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After their initial appearances, the Commissioner detained both Lowery and Benjamin in the Detention Center on bonds of $5,000.00 and $3,500.00 respectively.
Charges: Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Date of Incident: 31 January 2012
Location: 2400 block of N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: 1. Omari N. Lowery, 25, Bronx, NY
2. Tirra L. Benjamin, 19, Jackson, NC
Narrative: On 31 January 2012 at 2:58 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for speeding on North Salisbury Boulevard. Upon approaching and contacting the occupants, the deputy detected an overwhelming odor of burnt marijuana. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a box wrapped in Christmas type wrapping with a card attached in the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the package, it was unwrapped and the deputy located glass vials full of marijuana.
Both the driver Omari Lowery and his passenger Tirra Benjamin were placed under arrest and transported to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After their initial appearances, the Commissioner detained both Lowery and Benjamin in the Detention Center on bonds of $5,000.00 and $3,500.00 respectively.
Charges: Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Help Wanted 02/01/12
Duke University's Eternal Bonfire Of The Vanities
When we last left Duke University and its home of Durham, North Carolina, the bogus story fueled by the leftwing politics that governs Duke and Durham that three lacrosse players from Duke had beaten and raped Crystal Mangum was being put to rest. True, there were lawsuits filed against both entities by former lacrosse players, but the fires that burned at Duke seemed to have been doused.
For a year while the false criminal case went on, Duke University truly was the Bonfire of the Vanities as students and representatives of the Ruling Party of Durham competed with each other to see who could make the most outrageous and untrue statements. Almost six years ago, I likened it to the Reichstag Fire, but since that time, I have concluded that in the make-believe world that is Duke and Durham (or Dukham, for short), the fires always are burning and there always is a new reason for the Right Kind of People of Dukham to be offended.
(During the lacrosse case, many journalists referred to Tom Wolfe’s book, I Am Charlotte Simmons, which was loosely based upon life at Duke. However, Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities really does a better job of describing the university, where certain people always are on tap to be offended and take to the barricades, making sure all the while that facts don’t get in the way of their pronouncements.)
Six years ago, the lacrosse incident set Dukham ablaze (or, to be more accurate, the refusal of Dukham’s finest to do any independent thinking set Dukhanm ablaze). Today, it is the appearance of an unpublished paper that takes a hard look at some of the unforeseen consequences of Duke’s aggressive affirmative action policies.
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For a year while the false criminal case went on, Duke University truly was the Bonfire of the Vanities as students and representatives of the Ruling Party of Durham competed with each other to see who could make the most outrageous and untrue statements. Almost six years ago, I likened it to the Reichstag Fire, but since that time, I have concluded that in the make-believe world that is Duke and Durham (or Dukham, for short), the fires always are burning and there always is a new reason for the Right Kind of People of Dukham to be offended.
(During the lacrosse case, many journalists referred to Tom Wolfe’s book, I Am Charlotte Simmons, which was loosely based upon life at Duke. However, Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities really does a better job of describing the university, where certain people always are on tap to be offended and take to the barricades, making sure all the while that facts don’t get in the way of their pronouncements.)
Six years ago, the lacrosse incident set Dukham ablaze (or, to be more accurate, the refusal of Dukham’s finest to do any independent thinking set Dukhanm ablaze). Today, it is the appearance of an unpublished paper that takes a hard look at some of the unforeseen consequences of Duke’s aggressive affirmative action policies.
More
State Of The State Preview
In a few minutes, the Governor will deliver his annual State of the State Address where he’ll lay out his balanced plan and vision to move our State forward. We wanted to give you a sneak peek of the address through this word cloud.
We’ve set it up so you can connect before, during and after the State of the State. Here’s how:
Watch the address streamed live on our specially designed State of the State webpage on February 1, 2012 at noon.
Use the hashtag #MDSOTS on Twitter to discuss the address before, during and after.
Submit a question. A few days after the address, Governor O’Malley will answer questions on YouTube and for the first time, members of our senior staff—including our Chief of Staff, Matt Gallagher—will host live chats where they will answer questions submitted online from Marylanders.
Eye Of Newt: Songwriter Sues Gingrich For Using 'Eye Of The Tiger' Music
Newt Gingrich may be the underdog in Tuesday night's Florida primary, but he shouldn't be able to use Rocky Balboa's music at campaign events, lawyers for the composer of "Eye of the Tiger" say in a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Chicago.
After months of attempting to deal with Gingrich's campaign, a Palatine-based music publishing company owned by Survivor lead guitarist Frankie Sullivan has filed suit seeking damages and an injunction to block the Republican contender from using the song at appearances and in campaign videos.
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After months of attempting to deal with Gingrich's campaign, a Palatine-based music publishing company owned by Survivor lead guitarist Frankie Sullivan has filed suit seeking damages and an injunction to block the Republican contender from using the song at appearances and in campaign videos.
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A Comment Worthy Of A Post 2-1-12
Dear Joe,
Whoever said the WCBOE is a sham is correct. Our kid spent 3 years working toward a degree in education and then spent an additional semester working as a student teacher - which incidentally he had to pay for as if he were actually taking up a seat at UMES. It wasn't until we spent a fortune in educational costs was he exposed in his final semester to the real inner workings of the educational system and the fact that all integrity and the best interest of the children is thrown in the trash can in the name of state and federal funding. The damage done and the elimination of educational opportunities to those students who actually can learn is astronomical. All in the name of money. The education or our youth is being compromised by the desire for more money by an appointed BOE and the hand licking administration starting with Fredericksen. Start at the top. We need an elected school board. We need more local control over our childrens educations. We need to learn to live within our means, and we need to get rid of Fredericksen. The hand lickers will fall in line in much the same way they've fallen in line with the current administration. We need to start this now. The elected BOE has been diluted and then put on the back burner. Let's get it moving again. We need a meeting with our county council. Then we need a seperate meeting with our delegates. We need to get this thing to referendum if we have to and get the delegates to support our position on the state level.
Whoever said the WCBOE is a sham is correct. Our kid spent 3 years working toward a degree in education and then spent an additional semester working as a student teacher - which incidentally he had to pay for as if he were actually taking up a seat at UMES. It wasn't until we spent a fortune in educational costs was he exposed in his final semester to the real inner workings of the educational system and the fact that all integrity and the best interest of the children is thrown in the trash can in the name of state and federal funding. The damage done and the elimination of educational opportunities to those students who actually can learn is astronomical. All in the name of money. The education or our youth is being compromised by the desire for more money by an appointed BOE and the hand licking administration starting with Fredericksen. Start at the top. We need an elected school board. We need more local control over our childrens educations. We need to learn to live within our means, and we need to get rid of Fredericksen. The hand lickers will fall in line in much the same way they've fallen in line with the current administration. We need to start this now. The elected BOE has been diluted and then put on the back burner. Let's get it moving again. We need a meeting with our county council. Then we need a seperate meeting with our delegates. We need to get this thing to referendum if we have to and get the delegates to support our position on the state level.
Who Says Raising Boys Is Easier?
(CNN) -- My son had barely taken his first breath when the people in the hospital started telling me how lucky I was. Not because he was healthy, mind you, but because he was a he. "It's easier to raise boys," I was told.
And for a while I actually believed them.
Then I started paying attention.
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Maryland's Economy & Unemployment - The Real Truth
A few days ago the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates released its Estimated Maryland Revenue projections for Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2013. This report is available online.Contrary to what the Federal & State governments have been reporting to the american public regarding increased employment - their own reports refute these claims. In fact - on page 2 of the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates report it states;
'The unemployment rate fell to 8.6% in November, the lowest level since March 2009. Although employment increased by 120,000 jobs, the drop in the unemployment rate was largely due to discouraged workers leaving the work force, which is not necessarily a positive development - in fact, over the past year, the number of Americans not in the labor force is growing faster than the net number of jobs created.'
Also - it is interesting to note in that report it anticipates a reduction in the number of Maryland federal jobs - 5000 in 2013, 12,000 in 2014, and 12,700 in 2015 as a result of the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction being unable to come to an agreement on $1.5 trillion in budgetary savings over a ten year period - thus automatic spending cuts of $1.2 trillion are now required.
It speaks about how Maryland's housing prices continued to fall even as sales volumne increased - 4.2% drop in the median price marks the fourth consecutive year of decline. It shows how Marylanders Real Property Tax revenue is anticipated to spiral downward until 2013 - as a result of reduced property values due to a sluggish economy.
So as a word of caution before you sit down to listen to the Governor's optimistic State of State speech tonight - make sure you keep one eye on the tube - and the other eye on your pocketbook.
California Family Notified 9 Months After Missing Woman Remains Identified
Tracy Melton's family is still in shock days after learning that the remains of the California woman who went missing 14 years ago were discovered and identified last spring in a case that "fell through the cracks."
Melton was last seen May 6, 1998, in Stockton, Calif. She was 32. Evidence pointed to "Speed Freak Killers" Wesley Shermantine and Loren Herzog as suspects. Melton disappeared a few months before the disappearance of Cyndi Vanderheiden, who was killed by the duo, and investigators have never ruled out the pair in Melton's case.
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Melton was last seen May 6, 1998, in Stockton, Calif. She was 32. Evidence pointed to "Speed Freak Killers" Wesley Shermantine and Loren Herzog as suspects. Melton disappeared a few months before the disappearance of Cyndi Vanderheiden, who was killed by the duo, and investigators have never ruled out the pair in Melton's case.
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Troopers Search For Escapee
Location: Snowden Cottage, Delaware Youth and Family Center, 1825 Faulkland Road, Wilmington, DE
Date of Occurrence: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 6:15 p.m.
Suspect and Charge:
Quamyr Seals, 14, Wilmington, DE
Black male, 5’02” tall, 130 lbs, black hair and brown eyes.
Escape 2nd Degree
Resume:
Wilmington, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently searching for a subject who walked away from the grounds of the Delaware Youth and Family Center last night.
Troopers are looking for Quamyr Seals, 14, after he fled from the facility located in the 1800 block of Faulkland Road in Wilmington at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Seals, who had been committed to the Snowden Cottages portion of the facility since November of 2011, fled on foot after returning from a medical appointment at the Ferris School. Responding Troopers searched the area with the assistance of a K-9 unit as well as Delaware State Police helicopter Trooper 4, but were unable to locate him.
Quamyr Seals is described as a black male, 5’02” tall and 130 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue t-shirt, blue sweatpants, and sneakers. He is known to frequent the Riverside area of Wilmington.
The Delaware State Police are asking anyone who may have any information in reference to this incident to contact the 9-1-1 call center immediately. 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.
DECEASED THEFT SUSPECT IDENTFIED AS SEARCH CONTINUES FOR FOUR OTHERS IN CECIL CO.
(NORTH EAST, MD) – Maryland State Police are continuing their search for four suspects who were involved in the theft of a lawn tractor and a subsequent traffic crash as they fled that left one of their fellow suspects dead yesterday in Cecil County.
The deceased suspect is identified as David L. Roland, 35, of Elkton, Md. He was flown from the crash scene by Maryland State Police helicopter to Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of a 2000 Oldsmobile Integra who was eastbound on Rt. 40, just west of Rt. 272, and collided with the suspects’ stolen vehicle when it pulled in front of him, is identified as Stephen H. Kiszenia, 34, of Chesapeake City, Md. He sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at Union Hospital in Elkton.
The investigation has revealed that shortly after 4:30 p.m. yesterday, an employee at the newly constructed and not yet opened Lowe’s store on Rt. 272 at Rt. 40, saw five individuals in dark, hooded sweatshirts loading a John Deere lawn tractor into the back of a pickup. They were in a fenced area at the back of the store where inventory was being kept. The suspects used pallets as a ramp to load the tractor into the pickup.
The store employee ran and closed the gate to the fenced area before calling 911. The suspects spotted the gate being closed and immediately attempted to flee. The driver rammed the gate several times before being able to push it up and drive under it. As the truck passed under the fence, the mower was dislodged and fell off. The truck, with four suspects in the cab and one, later identified as Roland, in the truck bed, sped down an access road behind the shopping center toward Rt. 40.
Upon reaching eastbound Rt. 40, the driver of the truck failed to yield the right of way and drove directly into the path of Kiszenia’s Oldsmobile. The force of the crash ejected Roland from the truck bed and projected him across the eastbound lanes, the median, and the westbound lanes, to where his body came to rest in the ditch.
When troopers arrived at the crash scene, all four of the remaining suspects had fled. An extensive search of the area was conducted throughout the night, but the suspects were not located.
State Police investigators are reviewing surveillance tapes from area businesses and interviewing witnesses today as they compile information concerning the identity of the remaining suspects. Investigators have determined the pickup truck the suspects were using had been stolen from a North East residence where it had been left by the owner, also from North East, to have mechanical work done.
The truck and the lawn mower were taken into custody by State Police investigators. Crime scene technicians processed them both for evidence.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has any information concerning the identity of the remaining four suspects is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the North East Barrack at 410-996-7800. Callers may remain confidential.
The deceased suspect is identified as David L. Roland, 35, of Elkton, Md. He was flown from the crash scene by Maryland State Police helicopter to Christiana Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The driver of a 2000 Oldsmobile Integra who was eastbound on Rt. 40, just west of Rt. 272, and collided with the suspects’ stolen vehicle when it pulled in front of him, is identified as Stephen H. Kiszenia, 34, of Chesapeake City, Md. He sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at Union Hospital in Elkton.
The investigation has revealed that shortly after 4:30 p.m. yesterday, an employee at the newly constructed and not yet opened Lowe’s store on Rt. 272 at Rt. 40, saw five individuals in dark, hooded sweatshirts loading a John Deere lawn tractor into the back of a pickup. They were in a fenced area at the back of the store where inventory was being kept. The suspects used pallets as a ramp to load the tractor into the pickup.
The store employee ran and closed the gate to the fenced area before calling 911. The suspects spotted the gate being closed and immediately attempted to flee. The driver rammed the gate several times before being able to push it up and drive under it. As the truck passed under the fence, the mower was dislodged and fell off. The truck, with four suspects in the cab and one, later identified as Roland, in the truck bed, sped down an access road behind the shopping center toward Rt. 40.
Upon reaching eastbound Rt. 40, the driver of the truck failed to yield the right of way and drove directly into the path of Kiszenia’s Oldsmobile. The force of the crash ejected Roland from the truck bed and projected him across the eastbound lanes, the median, and the westbound lanes, to where his body came to rest in the ditch.
When troopers arrived at the crash scene, all four of the remaining suspects had fled. An extensive search of the area was conducted throughout the night, but the suspects were not located.
State Police investigators are reviewing surveillance tapes from area businesses and interviewing witnesses today as they compile information concerning the identity of the remaining suspects. Investigators have determined the pickup truck the suspects were using had been stolen from a North East residence where it had been left by the owner, also from North East, to have mechanical work done.
The truck and the lawn mower were taken into custody by State Police investigators. Crime scene technicians processed them both for evidence.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has any information concerning the identity of the remaining four suspects is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the North East Barrack at 410-996-7800. Callers may remain confidential.
Report Proposes Dividing Great Lakes, Mississippi
Groups representing states and cities in the Great Lakes region on Tuesday proposed spending up to $9.5 billion on a massive engineering project to separate the lakes from the Mississippi River watershed in the Chicago area, describing it as the only sure way to protect both aquatic systems from invasions by destructive species such as Asian carp.
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Highlighted Events This Week In Wicomico Schools
Thursday, Feb. 2, at noon
New playground opens
Northwestern Elementary
Northwestern Elementary is excited to be opening its new playground for students at noon Thursday, Feb. 2. The playground for Northwestern, a National Blue Ribbon School, was a true community effort, with the school and its PTA each contributing $8,500 and the Board of Education funding approximately $10,000 to make the playground possible. Installation started last Monday and has been done by Facility Services, with two parent volunteers helping out. Northwestern students also got to enjoy moving back into the last of its renovated classrooms last month, as a systemic renovation project that upgraded HVAC for Northwestern was completed. 410-677-5808
Thursday, Feb. 2
2nd annual Family Read In
Wicomico Middle School
Wicomico Middle School will have its 2nd annual Family Read In from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Families will enjoy pizza, apples and hot cocoa, as well as reading activities for all ages. There will be videos by students about the importance of Read 20/20 (an initiative to encourage 20 minutes of reading at school, 20 minutes of reading at home every day). 410-677-5145
New playground opens
Northwestern Elementary
Northwestern Elementary is excited to be opening its new playground for students at noon Thursday, Feb. 2. The playground for Northwestern, a National Blue Ribbon School, was a true community effort, with the school and its PTA each contributing $8,500 and the Board of Education funding approximately $10,000 to make the playground possible. Installation started last Monday and has been done by Facility Services, with two parent volunteers helping out. Northwestern students also got to enjoy moving back into the last of its renovated classrooms last month, as a systemic renovation project that upgraded HVAC for Northwestern was completed. 410-677-5808
Thursday, Feb. 2
2nd annual Family Read In
Wicomico Middle School
Wicomico Middle School will have its 2nd annual Family Read In from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Families will enjoy pizza, apples and hot cocoa, as well as reading activities for all ages. There will be videos by students about the importance of Read 20/20 (an initiative to encourage 20 minutes of reading at school, 20 minutes of reading at home every day). 410-677-5145
Drought Dries Up Mexico's Marijuana Crop
Drug growers in Mexico are feeling the heat, but not from enhanced government security. A harsh drought has reduced their crops of marijuana and opium poppies and is forcing cartels to ramp of their production of other, synthetic drugs.
One effect of the lack of rains is that drug planting has "declined considerably," said Gen. Pedro Gurrola, commander of army forces in the state of Sinaloa, the cradle of the drug cartel by the same name.
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13 American Gangs That Are Keeping The FBI Up At Night
More than 1.4 million Americans are wearing the colors of more than 33,000 gangs across the country, according to a report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Based on evidence from federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, the FBI says gangs commit 48% of violent crime, and are only becoming more dangerous. Some even source weapons from the military.
While many of these groups are regional and only loosely organized, many gangs are expanding their ranks and establishing themselves at international levels.
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Based on evidence from federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, the FBI says gangs commit 48% of violent crime, and are only becoming more dangerous. Some even source weapons from the military.
While many of these groups are regional and only loosely organized, many gangs are expanding their ranks and establishing themselves at international levels.
More
Mitt Romney Helps Bail Out Tim Pawlenty
Mitt Romney, his family, staff and supporters donated a combined $66,000 to help Tim Pawlenty retire the debt left over from his presidential campaign.
Romney, his wife, five sons and brother, as well as his associates from Bain Capital were among those cutting maximum checks to Pawlenty, according to a POLITICO analysis of campaign filings released Tuesday.
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Failed Fed Policies Prolong The Agony
The Federal Reserve's interest rate price-setting board, the FOMC, met last week. They will continue to set the federal funds rate at well below 1%, and plan to keep it low until the end of 2014. That's a year and a half longer than they planned when they met just last month. Chairman Bernanke says they are keeping interest rates so low for so long because the economic outlook warrants it.
The fallacies in their reasoning would be amusing if they weren't so dangerous. The Fed wants to keep the price of money at essentially zero – in other words "free" – to boost the economy. But the boost they are attempting won't get here for another three years. That's not a recovery. And we've already tried this tactic. That's how we got into this mess in the first place: with interest rates artificially low for a very long time. Free money doesn't stimulate growth, as Japan's two lost decades clearly show. Artificially low interest rates only serve to punish saving, distort market signals and cause further malinvestment. They also do nothing to address the only real solution to our economic woes: liquidation of the bad debt that hangs around the neck of the world's economy, preventing recovery. Artificially low interest rates merely ensure that we remain a debt-financed consumer economy guaranteed to end up with a weaker economy and higher prices.
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The fallacies in their reasoning would be amusing if they weren't so dangerous. The Fed wants to keep the price of money at essentially zero – in other words "free" – to boost the economy. But the boost they are attempting won't get here for another three years. That's not a recovery. And we've already tried this tactic. That's how we got into this mess in the first place: with interest rates artificially low for a very long time. Free money doesn't stimulate growth, as Japan's two lost decades clearly show. Artificially low interest rates only serve to punish saving, distort market signals and cause further malinvestment. They also do nothing to address the only real solution to our economic woes: liquidation of the bad debt that hangs around the neck of the world's economy, preventing recovery. Artificially low interest rates merely ensure that we remain a debt-financed consumer economy guaranteed to end up with a weaker economy and higher prices.
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Counterfeit Money, Counterfeit Policy
What is the difference between printing money and counterfeiting? There is none.
Counterfeiting is illegal because it is the false creation of value. The counterfeiter takes low-value paper and turns it into high-value money, which is fundamentally a claim on the real productive value of the economy that issues the currency and recognizes it as a proxy means of exchanging that productive value.
Counterfeiting is illegal because the counterfeiter creates no additional value--he creates only the proxy for value. Creating real value--adding meaningful goods or services to the economy--is tedious, hard work. How much easier to simply transform near-worthless paper into a claim on actual goods and services.
If this is illegal, then would somebody please arrest the Board of the Federal Reserve for counterfeiting? The Fed has blatantly printed money without creating any real value to back up their added claims on productive value. Hence they are counterfeiting, pure and simple. A government based on rule of law would arrest these fraudsters and cons at the earliest possible convenience.
And while you're drawing up the indictment, can you also charge them with counterfeiting competence and policy, as they have demonstrated the Peter Principle par excellence: the Board has risen to its highest level of incompetence. Their counterfeit policies have wreaked incomparable damage on the real productive economy.
The essence of counterfeit policy--a fake policy that claims to be something it is not--is "extend and pretend." And the sole goal of "extend and pretend" is self-preservation and the preservation of the Financial Elite which has tightened its grip on the nation's throat as a direct consequence of Federal Reserve policies--notably "extend and pretend."
"Extend and pretend" extends the "too big to fail" Financial Sector's licence to mask its insolvency and its licence to continue issuing debt, leverage and derivatives under false pretences, i.e. that the risk and market value of these instruments are transparent. They are not.
In effect, the banks are also counterfeiters, as they are issuing debt--a claim on future productive value--without adding any actual value to the economy
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Counterfeiting is illegal because it is the false creation of value. The counterfeiter takes low-value paper and turns it into high-value money, which is fundamentally a claim on the real productive value of the economy that issues the currency and recognizes it as a proxy means of exchanging that productive value.
Counterfeiting is illegal because the counterfeiter creates no additional value--he creates only the proxy for value. Creating real value--adding meaningful goods or services to the economy--is tedious, hard work. How much easier to simply transform near-worthless paper into a claim on actual goods and services.
If this is illegal, then would somebody please arrest the Board of the Federal Reserve for counterfeiting? The Fed has blatantly printed money without creating any real value to back up their added claims on productive value. Hence they are counterfeiting, pure and simple. A government based on rule of law would arrest these fraudsters and cons at the earliest possible convenience.
And while you're drawing up the indictment, can you also charge them with counterfeiting competence and policy, as they have demonstrated the Peter Principle par excellence: the Board has risen to its highest level of incompetence. Their counterfeit policies have wreaked incomparable damage on the real productive economy.
The essence of counterfeit policy--a fake policy that claims to be something it is not--is "extend and pretend." And the sole goal of "extend and pretend" is self-preservation and the preservation of the Financial Elite which has tightened its grip on the nation's throat as a direct consequence of Federal Reserve policies--notably "extend and pretend."
"Extend and pretend" extends the "too big to fail" Financial Sector's licence to mask its insolvency and its licence to continue issuing debt, leverage and derivatives under false pretences, i.e. that the risk and market value of these instruments are transparent. They are not.
In effect, the banks are also counterfeiters, as they are issuing debt--a claim on future productive value--without adding any actual value to the economy
More
PayPal Co-Founders Fund Pro-Paul Super PAC
(Reuters) - Co-founders of online U.S. payment service PayPal, now owned by eBay Inc, donated to the Super PAC funding group supporting Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, the group Endorse Liberty disclosed on Tuesday.
PayPal co-founders Peter Thiel and Luke Nosek and Scott Banister, an early adviser and board member, put their support behind the Endorse Liberty Super PAC, alongside Internet advertising veteran Stephen Oskoui and entrepreneur Jeffrey Harmon, who founded Endorse Liberty in November.
BREAKING NEWS: ‘Soul Train’ Creator Don Cornelius Killed By Gunshot
Producer Don Cornelius, creator of the '70s TV dance show 'Soul Train,' has died from a gunshot wound to the head, Los Angeles police say.
From Fox News
From Fox News
Purchase Girl Scout Cookies At All Rommel’s Locations
Fruitland, MD –Those shopping for a shovel, ice scraper or home tools can get a special treat at 8 of Rommel’s ACE Home Centers across the Delmarva region.
On consecutive Saturdays, Feb. 11 and 18, Girl Scouts from across the region will be selling those delectable Trefoils, Samoas, Thin Mints and all of the yummy cookie types from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Pick up your winter home needs at ACE and help support your local Girl Scouts.
On consecutive Saturdays, Feb. 11 and 18, Girl Scouts from across the region will be selling those delectable Trefoils, Samoas, Thin Mints and all of the yummy cookie types from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Pick up your winter home needs at ACE and help support your local Girl Scouts.
Issa Threatens Contempt Proceeding Against Holder If Justice Fails To Comply With Fast And Furious Subpoenas
The head of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is threatening to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress if he fails to comply with congressional subpoenas for documents.
Holder has until Feb. 9 to comply.
In a four-page letter to Holder, Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., claims the Department of Justice has "misrepresented facts and misled Congress," which began its investigation of Operation Fast and Furious one year ago.
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