Ocean City Councilman Joe Hall Hates OC Visitors

Joseph T Hall II ▶ Citizens-for OceanCity

"It is very difficult for you to make informed choices when people are only feeding you part of the idea that support their closed minded views. The council has only asked for the big picture on parking meters. No one, even me has suggested blanketing ocean city with meters. I'm biggest supporter of getting users of our roads to pay for street repairs. Meter's do that. Why should property owners pay the whole 41 million in needed road repair and the day trippers and visitors that flood our roads and trash our town ride free. This is not about wheather we can or can't do roads. We have too. We are behind. This is who is the fairest to pay. I think it has to come from property tax and meter revenue. It's to big of number to be payed totally by one or the other. Please get whole picture before making up your mind. This bill is out there and it must be paid. We can no longer pass the ball down the road for another year. We can't afford to be city of no."

Survey Says We're All Still Suckers For That Thing Where You Buy Cheesy Valentine's Day Gifts

Your Valentine's Day bahumbuggery isn't fooling anyone — consumers are still throwing cash at cute stuffed animals, jewelry, candy and fancy meals to show their loved ones they're just that — loved. At least, according to a report detailing the mushy gushy season's shopping trends.

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No Matter How Great Those Super Bowl Commercials Are, Don't Forget To Pee

We know you don't want to look up the Super Bowl commercials on the Internet the day after, that's how dedicated you are to viewing each and every one when they air, but please, for the love of your urinary tract, don't forget to get up and pee at some point.

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Kodak Wants To Wipe Its Name Off Of Academy Awards Venue

It's generally seen as bad form for a bankrupt company like Kodak to have its name plastered on a theater as a title sponsor. Kodak, which filed for Chapter 11 protection last month, has realized it would have a lot more cash to burn if it could wriggle out of a $75 million, 20-year commitment to slap its name on the Kodak Theatre, which hosts the Academy awards.

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Anti-Gay Group Tells JCPenney To Fire New Spokeswoman Ellen DeGeneres

Conservative group OneMillionMoms.com, an offshoot of the American Family Association, doesn't like that JCPenney has hired Ellen DeGeneres as their new spokeswoman. Not because of her dance moves or jokes on her talk show, but because she's gay.

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Report Links Taco Bell To 2011 Salmonella Outbreak In 10 States

Last fall, at least 68 people in 10 states fell ill following an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis. In the months since, the Centers for Disease Control have only referred to a possible source of that strain as "Restaurant Chain A," but a new report claims to have confirmed that the anonymous chain is actually Taco Bell.

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Israeli Officer: Iran Able To Make 4 Atom Bombs

The head of the Israeli army’s military intelligence branch, Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, says Iran already has enough enriched uranium to make four atom bombs.

In a rare public appearance, he told the annual Herzliya security conference Israel has conclusive evidence that Teheran is trying to develop nuclear weapons.

'When Khamenei gives the order to produce the first nuclear weapon – it will be done.'

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Homeland Security Scores Big Time

The Homeland Security Department scores a field goal days before the Super Bowl. Working with officials of the NFL, federal officers shut down hundreds of websites and seized nearly $5 million worth of counterfeit Super Bowl merchandise. Immigration and Customs Enforcement teamed up with Customs and Border Protection and Postal inspectors to carry out raids across the country. Operation Fake Sweep started in October and concluded yesterday. It also scooped up phony hockey, basketball and baseball merchandise.

Federal Pay To Remain Frozen

Federal pay would stay frozen for another year to help the Defense Department avoid sequestration cuts in a new plan from Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). They say the bill would save $110 billion dollars a year. The Pentagon is facing a half-trillion dollars in automatic cuts, unless Congress does something. Earlier this week, the House cleared a one-year extension to the federal pay freeze to cut spending. But the Senate is unlikely to approve, and President Obama has promised to veto any bill that would undo sequestration.

Record 1.2 Million People Fall Out Of Labor Force In One Month, Labor Force Participation Rate Tumbles To Fresh 30 Year Low

A month ago, we joked when we said that for Obama to get the unemployment rate to negative by election time, all he has to do is to crush the labor force participation rate to about 55%. Looks like the good folks at the BLS heard us: it appears that the people not in the labor force exploded by an unprecedented record 1.2 million. No, that's not a typo: 1.2 million people dropped out of the labor force in one month! So as the labor force increased from 153.9 million to 154.4 million, the non institutional population increased by 242.3 million meaning, those not in the labor force surged from 86.7 million to 87.9 million. Which means that the civilian labor force tumbled to a fresh 30 year low of 63.7% as the BLS is seriously planning on eliminating nearly half of the available labor pool from the unemployment calculation. As for the quality of jobs, as withholding taxes roll over Year over year, it can only mean that the US is replacing high paying FIRE jobs with low paying construction and manufacturing. So much for the improvement.

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Halo Groundbreaking

What: HALO “Harvest of Hope” groundbreaking

When: Friday, 3 February 2012, at 1:30PM

Where: Garden area adjacent HALO Ministries Café behind the Giant Market at 119 South Blvd (South Boulevard and Eastern Shore Drive)

Info: Event is open to the public. Parking is available adjacent to the garden.

Valentine's Day Special

PUBLIC NOTICE

SPECIAL MEETING AND WORK SESSION SCHEDULED

In accordance with §SC2-4 of the Salisbury City Charter, a majority of the City Council
have called for a Special Meeting to be held on Monday, February 6, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. for the
purpose of considering revisions to Ordinance No. 2185 (Towing Ordinance) and Ordinance No.
2186 (towing fee structure) for first reading.

This special meeting will be held in Conference Room 306 of the City/County
Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).

Immediately following the Special Meeting, the regularly scheduled Work Session will
be held. Both meetings are open to the public. Agendas and briefing materials can be found
online at http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/cityclerk/briefingbook/WS2612.pdf. Hard copies are
available from the City Clerk’s office, (410) 548-3140.

Education Groups Want To Strengthen Requirement For Maintaining School Funding

Education groups in Maryland are asking the legislature to require waivers from counties that fall below maintenance of effort funding levels. Maintenance of effort mandates county governments to spend no less per student than the prior year or face penalties reducing annual increases in state aid.

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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 2-3-12

On 02/02/2012 at approximately 1816 hours, members of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office arrested Skylar James Snead, W/M, age 22, of Dickerson, Maryland on a District Court Arrest Warrant issued on 01/31/2012 for Burglary-Fourth Degree and Theft-Less than $100. Snead was later taken before a District Court Commissioner and released pending trial.

Our View: Wicomico Schools Have Ample Funding

Yesterday's Daily Times feature article gives the impression that our counties K-12 education is in dire financial straits. However - the financial situation is not as bad as The Daily Times staff would have you believe. As most people know - The Daily Times staff is heavily laced with contributors that have strong affiliations and ties with the Board of Education - thus their agenda is to prop-up and syphon off as much taxpayers money as the public will allow them. Today - SBYnews gives our readers our version of the school budget.

Position on County Funding of Education
There are approximately 14,531 students and 1082 teachers in Wicomico County. That means there are approximately 13.43 students per teacher. If that is the case - then there should be fewer teachers - (reduced through retirement) - until the ratio is between 20/1 or 25/1. So let's run the numbers and see how this stacks up for Wicomico's taxpayers.

With a 20/1 ratio - we would need 727 teachers total. If they were all paid a top salary of $55,100 the teacher total would be 40.06 million dollars. Look at it another way - if the ratio is permitted to rise to 20/1, there would be 355 fewer teachers to pay. Presuming the most senior teachers (highest paid) would be the ones to retire, and, presuming they all make about 55.1k/year, then the County would save 19.56 million dollars - ($55,100 x 355 = 19.56m)

If the ratio went to 25/1 there would be 501 less teachers in Wicomico County. Then the savings would be even higher at $27.6 million dollars. At this level of savings - the County could easily afford to pay the remaining teachers substantially higher salaries. Moreover, at this level our County could even escrow and build a capital improvement budget whereby our County would not have to reach out and ask the State for anything. Upon reviewing the Maryland Board of Public Works website - it shows that there are currently three counties that are not requesting any State assistance for capital improvements - (Kent, Talbot, & Worcester).

Note: The current salary of a school teacher is very close to what a Federal employed Engineer would be making if you adjust for the fact that the Engineer is obligated to work 1940 hours verses a school teacher 1488 hours. Someone with a non-technical degree might not make as much as an Engineer. 1940/1488 is 1.303. That's the amount to multiply when you compare your salary with people that work all year and get two weeks and holidays off.

The big problem (or perk) with teaching is that they don't work all year. On the bright side - it gives them the opportunity to experience other jobs during the summer - or - to take long vacations if they can afford them.

Bottom Line - Wicomico's Superintendent John Fredericksen - has all of the tools at his disposal to bring Wicomico's educational budget into alignment with our public's financial expectations. The problem is - he may have already allied himself to special interest - after all - our County does not yet have an elected school board and thus it is not a true reflection or representation of our taxpayers constituency. In fact - it is laced heavily with educators who have shown that they have no qualms about imposing their will upon the people - (i.e. BMS).

We hope that our elected County Council members will take all of the above into consideration before they allocate additional taxpayers resources to the educational entity. As we said - John Fredericksen has all of the tools necessary - question is - how will he use them.

New Posts to fall below.

22 Senators Propose Lockbox For Transportation Funds

After Gov. Martin O’Malley proposed a 6% sales tax on gas to pay for infrastructure projects, Sen. Rob Garagiola and 21 other senators moved to make the tax more salable with a proposed constitutional amendment to safeguard the Maryland Transportation Trust Fund, which governors have repeatedly raided to balance the general fund budget.

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All 14-Year-Old Wants Is For Md. To Vote 'No' On Gay Marriage

WASHINGTON - A Bowie girl told Maryland legislators Tuesday all she wants for her birthday is for them to vote "no" on gay marriage.

While reading from a written statement, the home-schooled 14-year-old from Bowie told Maryland's Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee she feels badly for children who have two parents of the same gender, and fears a world where a legislature or court can change the definiton of any word, such as "marriage" in this case.

The video first appeared on the gay rights advocacy site ThinkProgress.org/lgbt.

"Even though some kids think it's fine, they have no idea what kind of wonderful experiences they miss out on," she said.

"I don't want more kids to get confused about what's right and okay," said the girl. "I really don't want to grow up in a world where marriage isn't such a special thing anymore."

Check out the audio of her appearance here:



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MATTHEW ALAN SCHIRLING CONVICTED OF COUNTERFEITING AND GUN CHARGES BY A WICOMICO COUNTY JURY

On January 31, 2012, after a two day trial in the Wicomico County Circuit Court, a Wicomico County jury found Matthew Alan Schirling, age 27, guilty of eight (8) counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, Manufacture and Possession of Counterfeit U.S. Currency, Conspiracy to Manufacture and Possesses Counterfeit U.S. Currency, and Possession of Marijuana. The charges against Schirling originated from a joint investigation conducted by officers of the Salisbury Police Department, Fruitland Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, and the Maryland State Police, in February of last year. On February 9, 2011, a search and seizure warrant was executed at the residence of 1013 Caroline Street, Salisbury, Maryland, by the above listed law enforcement agencies. During the execution of the warrant, officers recovered eight (8) regulated firearms, 78 grams of Marijuana, $45,000.00 in U.S. Currency, and $13,370.00 in Counterfeit U.S. Currency.

Schirling was facing a maximum sentence of forty (40) years without the possibility of parole for being convicted of the eight firearms charges, and he faced the possibility of an additional twenty (20) years for counterfeiting U.S. currency.
State’s Attorney Maciarello stated: “This case was the product of good police work and communication and collaboration between the Salisbury Police Department, Fruitland Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police. Our local law enforcement agencies worked as a team to make our community a safer place. Guns and drugs are a constant danger to our citizens, and counterfeit currency is a danger to our local economy. We are thankful for all of the hard work and support that our local law enforcement agencies provided in bringing this case to trial.”

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Salisbury Police Department, Salisbury Police Department Safe Streets Officers, Fruitland Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department, Wicomico County Bureau of Investigation, Maryland State Police Crime Lab, United States Secret Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Mr. Maciarello also thanked Deputy State’s Attorney Ella M. Disharoon who prosecuted this case on behalf of the State. For more information or for an interview please call the Office of the State’s Attorney at (410) 548-4880 or go to www.wicomicosao.com.

Philosophy

Now here's an interesting little tidbit; a glimpse, if you will, into the functioning of the intellectual mind.

Being a technical person, I understand things much easier when they are put into a graphical format. This is a deceptively simple philosophy I have been working on and refining most of my life. I am delighted to say that I believe I have refined it down to its simplest form to share it with a select band of friends who may appreciate it. I hope you understand its elegance and simplicity.

ACTUAL PASSPORT LETTER, HILARIOUS!

Dear Sirs,

I'm in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this. How is it that Radio Shack has my address and telephone number and knows that I bought a cable T.V. from them back in 1987, and yet, the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date.

For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand? My birth date you have on my social security card, and it is on all the income tax forms I've filed for the past 30 years. It is on my health insurance card, my driver's license, on the last eight damn passports I've had, on all those stupid customs declaration forms I've had to fill out before being allowed off the plane over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms that are done at election times.

Would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother's name is Maryanne, my father's name is Robert and I'd be absolutely astounded if that ever changed between now and when I die!!!!!! I apologize, I'm really pissed off this morning. Between you an' me, I've had enough of this bull! You send the application to my house, then you ask me for my address? What is going on? Do you have a gang of Neanderthal nuts working there!

Look at my picture. Do I look like Bin Laden? I don't want to dig upYasser Arafat, I just want to go and park my butt on a sandy beach.

And would someone please tell me, why would you care whether I plan on visiting a farm in the next 15 days? If I ever got the urge to do something weird to a chicken or a goat, believe you me, I'd sure as heck not want to tell anyone!

Well, I have to go now, 'cause I have to go to the other end of the city and get another copy of my birth certificate, to the tune of $60. Would it be so complicated to have all the services in the same spot to assist in the issuance of a new passport the same day??

Nooooo, that'd be too damn easy and maybe make sense. You'd rather have us running all over the place like chickens with our heads cut off, then find some idiot to confirm that it's really me on the picture - you know, the one where we're not allowed to smile?! (bureaucratic morons)

Hey, you know why we can't smile? We're totally pissed off!
Signed - An Irate Citizen.
P.S... Remember

What I said above about the picture and getting someone to confirm that it's me? Well, my family has been in this country since 1776 ........I have served in the military for something over 30 years and have had security clearances up the yingyang..........However, I have to get someone 'important' to verify who I am - you know, someone like my doctor WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN INDIA !

Sincerely,
You Sure In The Hell Should Know Who I Am.

..............And you want to run our health care system?!?

Beer Commercial Gone Bad

Mike Krieger Explains Why It's The Leadership, Stupid

It’s the first time we have power with people that don’t have courage. The people on top have power without courage. You cannot find any other society like it. Take the knights. The knights were people who of course, their trade was risking their lives. In theory, The President of the United States was supposed to be first in battle. Not someone pushing a button. The only way you can have a safe society is by moving these types of people (that risk nothing personally and take all the upside) out of their positions. Making them more accountable.

- Nassim Taleb (in this fantastic interview [19])

From our perspective, this is a critical idea. As we have said for several years, we do not see Iran as close to having a nuclear weapon. They may be close to being able to test a crude nuclear device under controlled circumstances (and we don't know this either), but the development of a deliverable nuclear weapon poses major challenges for Iran.

Moreover, while the Iranians may aspire to a deterrent via a viable nuclear weapons capability, we do not believe the Iranians see nuclear weapons as militarily useful. A few such weapons could devastate Israel, but Iran would be annihilated in retaliation. While the Iranians talk aggressively, historically they have acted cautiously. For Iran, nuclear weapons are far more valuable as a notional threat and bargaining chip than as something to be deployed. Indeed, the ideal situation is not quite having a weapon, and therefore not forcing anyone to act against them, but seeming close enough to be taken seriously. They certainly have achieved that.

- Stratfor “Considering a U.S.-Iranian Deal,” January 24th, 2012

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THE WHITE ROSE

In Honor of the 70th Anniversary of the Munich Students Movement – Die Weiße Rose – 2nd Leaflet

Someone asked me, why bring this up now? Why remind ourselves of things better forgotten?
First, because it is after all, the 70th anniversary of an heroic event, and what we remember makes us who we are, makes us the people we wish to be.

Secondly, of course, it is because throughout history there are lights, great beacons in the dark seas of time, that stand out for us as examples of what it is to be human. Such examples are frequently not ‘successful’ in the estimation of the world. More often than not they give up their lives, one way or the other, in quiet or with some notice, but often for the sake of their conscience.

Sometimes they even die ignobly, flanked on the right and left by common thieves. We are so perverse and low in our thinking, in our expectations for ourselves, that if Mother Theresa or Dorothy Day had given up their great work for the poor and the dying, and left to become an actress in Hollywood, we would smugly say, ‘oh, well that is only human.’

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Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk

Make the right play to save your life and others.

Wicomico County - Sheriff Mike Lewis announced today that he is joining forces with the National Football League (NFL), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other State and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to remind everyone to act responsibly by designating a sober driver if they plan on drinking alcohol on Super Bowl Sunday.

“We want to pass our safety message to everyone who will be drinking this weekend, real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” said Sheriff Lewis. “Please call the right play for the big game and pass your keys to a designated driver before the Super Bowl party begins. Getting caught driving while impaired will earn you a costly penalty from local law enforcement and may even result in a turnover of your driving privileges.”

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it has also become one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving.

Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl party list.

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.

• Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.

• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game and begin serving coffee and dessert.

• Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

• Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks

• If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.

• Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

• Always Buckle Up– it’s still your best defense against other impaired drivers.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases 2-3-12

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

Incident: Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 2 February 2012
Location: Lillian Street Hebron, MD
Suspect: Matthew K. Griffith, 26, Hebron, MD

Narrative: On 2 February 2012 a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a bicycle for a traffic violation. During the ensuing investigation, the deputy located a smoking device containing suspected marijuana residue, as well as a container of suspected marihuana in the pants pockets of the suspect, Matthew Griffith. Griffith was placed under arrest, after a brief struggle.

The deputy transported Griffith to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner placed a bond of $3,000 on Griffith.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana
Possession of CDS Paraphernalia
Resisting arrest

Retail Sales Climb 4.2% In January; Keynesian Forecasters Pummeled

Major chain stores posted an impressive 4.2% sales increase in January compared with the same month a year earlier, handily exceeding Keynesian analysts' expectations of a modest 2% rise.

The Keynesians have no clue. With this kind of activity at the retail level, price inflation at the consumer level is very near.

Anecdotal evidence from an annonymous commenter yesterday:

rw, I have doubted you so far, but after this month I have to re-think everything. My company gets most of its work from the deal flow in the PE market and until now its been a trickle. This month, it seems like 2006 all over again. It seems the deal flow is going to pick up with a vengeance in 2012. I don't know if that's good for the guy in the street or if I am just one of the limited beneficiaries of fed money printing, so I'll keep my joy over this contained to this post.. I know when I talk to my brother who has a business in the trades, things are still very slow and he has no pricing power.

Note to anonymous: Private Equity is, of course, a very early beneficiary of Bernanke money printing, but there is so much new money out there it will impact everyone. Your brother will eventually have "pricing power". Hell, everyone is going to have pricing power, It's called price inflation.

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Fill In The Blank 02/03/12

The Local Business with the BEST customer service is ______!

Media Blackout In Obama Georgia Ballot Eligibility Case

Last week, I noted that Obama turned his back not just on Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer, but also on the laws of the State of Georgia. I closed my column, "Georgia Ballot Challenge: Obama Walks on By," with the observation: "And most of the media has followed along right behind him."

At the time, I had just witnessed an historic hearing that actually discussed the eligibility of the sitting president of the United States to run for a second term. The president had been subpoenaed to appear, and instead of his attorney respectfully following protocol to have that subpoena recalled, both Obama and his attorney, Michael Jablonski, simply failed to show up at all or offer any defense whatsoever.

Isn't there a headline in there somewhere?

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BEST QUOTE OF THE DECADE- From CZECH REPUBLIC OBSERVER......

"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting an inexperienced man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama Presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their President. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their President."

How US Fascism Comes Out On Top Via 'Too-Big-To-Fail'?

'Too Big to Fail' Clearinghouse Hunt .. Regulators have notified some payment and clearing firms that they face a review to determine whether their failure could pose a risk to the economy. The Financial Stability Oversight Council, comprising top financial regulators and created by the Dodd-Frank financial-overhaul law, last month sent letters to so-called financial-market utilities—the minutes didn't specify which or how many—saying they are being considered for designation as systemically important. The council disclosed it had sent the letters in minutes from its last meeting, released Wednesday. – Wall Street Journal

Dominant Social Theme: Important businesses cannot be allowed to fail. If, in fact, government must prop them up and take them over, then so be it. Look how well GM is doing!

Free-Market Analysis: Is this how fascism comes to America? It would seem a steady drip, drip, drip of frenetic government activism is concretizing the fascist state the way lime solidifies cement.

Even in the 1980s under the Reagan administration, the media mythos of the US emphasized its marketplace affiliations. The idea was that US civilization was succeeding because it was market based. But this rhetoric seems to have been abandoned in the 2000s.

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BREAKING NEWS: Komen To Restore Grants To Planned Parenthood

Susan G. Komen for the Cure reverses decision and says it will continue existing breast cancer screening grants to Planned Parenthood and permit organization to apply for future grants.

From Fox News

Dog In Need Of Loving Home Immediately: UPDATE

Hi Joe,

Thanks to your site, we have found a very loving home for Mr. Duncan. Thanks for posting this for us!


Hi Mr. Albero,

I know that you do a lot of work for animals and I am hoping you can post this
to your site and maybe help us quickly find this dog a new loving home. Here
are some details.

This is Mr. Duncan-He's an 11 year old Pomeranian and needs to find a new family
immediately. His owner, an elderly gentleman who lived in senior housing,
passed away unexpectedly this morning and the family can't take him in. He is
house trained, very loving and affectionate and gets along well with people and
other animals. Duncan is very quiet and loves to go on daily walks and rides.
He does get separation anxiety, so he would do better with someone who is home a
lot and can pay a lot of attention to him. He also has a medical condition,
CHF, and has a cough because of it and he does have to take medication for this.

I've attached a picture of Duncan to this email also.

If anyone knows of someone who would be able to open their heart and home to
this very sweet dog, please contact Becky. The housing management will not let him stay in the building very long and he will have to be sent to the humane society if we cannot find him a new home.

We really appreciate your help with this.

Wicomico Sheriff's Deputy On The Ball

Just moments ago a Sheriff's Deputy was driving through Downtown and witnessed a man throwing trash on the ground as he was walking. The Deputy, (even though he was heading somewhere) immediately stopped and told the man to go back and pick up his trash. He then explained how that is a $500.00 FINE.

As much trash that is thrown on the ground in Downtown Salisbury, it's refreshing to see someone taking charge and doing something about it.

FOR OUR POSTERITY?

This is for all you Boomers out there. I saw an exit poll that said that 3% of senior citizens voted for Ron Paul yesterday in Florida. Translation, 97% of Senior Citizens voted for tyranny and against the future of this Country.

When seeing this I thought of that line in the Preamble of the Constitution – “Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” The Boomer translation might be “I got mine, screw you young people!!!”

As has been well documented on this site, we have never before seen a more selfish, destructive generation than the Boomers. Now they are screwing America again, this time in an election. Ron Paul wins the youth vote in state after state, even getting a huge number of folks in their 30’s & 40’s, but the Boomers are killing his chances, and this Nation’s.

The irony in all of this is that we have about 12% inflation right now & close to a ZERO % interest savings rate. The Boomers are withering away their own retirement dollars all the while trying desperately to save the status quo.

Please don’t take this as an attack on our many Boomers on this website. Quite the contrary, it is a call to arms. The Boomers on TBP by definition are the most well-read, intelligent, aware Boomers out there.

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Fraudulent Debt = Counterfeit Money

How is borrowing money based on fraudulent claims of asset value and future income any different from counterfeiting money?

Let's compare three financial criminals. The first is an old-fashioned counterfeiter who doctors up paper and runs a printing press to produce fake currency.

The second criminal borrows money based on a fraudulent asset and phantom future income. For example, the criminal might obtain a credit card based on false assets and income, or borrow money against a property that is worth far less than he claims and base his credit on an inflated fantasy income he does not actually receive.

The third criminal borrows money from the Federal Reserve at zero interest and extends a loan to a fraudulent borrower because a government agency has guaranteed the loan. Whatever income the lender receives is pure gravy, and whatever losses are incurred when the fraud is uncovered are made good by the taxpayer.

Since our banking system is based on money being borrowed into existence (i.e. fractional reserve), then how is creating money unsecured by either assets or income any different from actually counterfeiting bills? The outcome is identical: money created out of thin air.

If I fraudulently obtain credit based on bogus claims of future income, borrow a large sum and promptly squander it on consumption, then the lender has no recourse: there are no assets to grab and no income to tap. In effect, I had a good time at the expense of all holders of the currency, as my money-created-from-thin-air diluted the currency without adding any productive value.

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Documents Prove Holder Lied: He Knew Same Day Of Death Of Border Patrol Agent Terry

This past Friday night, congressional officials received a ‘document dump’ from the Department of Justice concerning Operation Fast and Furious. Contained in the cache of documents was a copy of an email confirming that US Attorney General Eric Holder was notified of the death of US Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, on the same day as the tragedy occurred.

According to the report, Dennis Burke, former Arizona US Attorney, received an email at 2:31 am, Dec. 15, 2010 that read,

“On December 14, 2010, a BORTAC agent working in the Nogales, AZ AOR was shot. The agent was conducting Border Patrol operations 18 miles north of the international boundary when he encountered [redacted word] unidentified subjects. Shots were exchanged resulting in the agent being shot. At this time, the agent is being transported to an area where he can be air lifted to an emergency medical center.”

An hour later, Burke received a second email informing him that the agent had passed away.

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A Comment Worthy Of A Post 2-3-12

Bryan Records has left a new comment on your post "Rick Hoppes Rejected As Salisbury's Next Fire Chie...":

After thinking long and hard on this situation I have decided to give my two cents worth on the matter. I am flattered to have my name mentioned for the position of Fire Chief. The people who really know me understand that I have no desire to hold that position. I'm an operations guy who enjoys what I do and being close to the troops.

Let me clearly state that Rick Hoppes has been in and commanded many fires over the years as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Asst. Chief and Deputy Chief in Salisbury. I have been on the end of a hoseline with him and he has proven himself many times. Rick has come through the ranks and prepared himself both personally and professionally to perform at every rank he has held. As the Acting Chief for 18 months he ran the department faithfully until a replacement was found for Chief Dave See. Did he make mistakes ? Yes. But dont we all? He knows the mistakes he made and has become a better person and leader going forward. When Chief Simpson resigned Rick once again stepped forward and accepted the awesome responsibility of Salisbury's Chief. Mayor Ireton displayed his full faith in Rick and made Him his choice for the position of Fire Chief.

I must admit I am shocked at the decision not to promote Rick as the next Chief of the Salisbury Fire Department. I was fully prepared and looking forward to moving forward with Rick as the next chief as were many of my peers.The man had the support of the members and at least eight local fire departments and organizations. That speaks volumes about a mans character when you have that much support. Rick has served this department since 1985 with dedication and professionalism at every level. That could not be said for some of his critics.

I have always believed and openly stated that college degrees do not put out fires or give you leadership abilities. They merely enhance the knowledge base of the individual on a particular subject matter. In our business it is all about respect that is earned over time by doing a good job. You cant buy it, fake it or self proclaim it. Rick has earned my respect and I would go to war with in on any emergency.

I believe Rick is just shy of his BS degree and could easily finish it within a year. If that is the sticking point in this matter then make it a term of employment for the Chief position. I have complete faith that he will complete his degree. Rick Hoppes is a man of his word and would do whatever it took to make the Salisbury Fire Department a premier organization. It is my desire that our City leaders will reconsider their decision and make the right choice in this matter.

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

FEBRUARY 6, 2012
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

4:00 p.m. - SPECIAL MEETING
Convene/announcements

Adoption of legislative agenda

Ordinance No. 2188 - 1st reading - to repeal Chapter 5.64 as amended by Ordinance No. 2185 – Towing Companies of the Salisbury Municipal Code in its entirety and to reenact Chapter 5.64 – Towing Companies to clarify ambiguity regarding licensing requirements; towing and storage lot operation requirements; authorizing fees for towing and storage; and penalties for violation of Chapter 5.64

Ordinance No. 2189 - 1st reading - to repeal Ordinance No. 2186 and to re-establish a schedule of fees and charges applicable to vehicles towed as dispatched by the Police Department and to clarify ambiguity

Adjournment

WORK SESSION

4:15 p.m. Enterprise Zone renewal application briefing

4:45 p.m. Appointment of attorney for Ethics Commission complaints

5:15 p.m. Follow-up discussion on election redistricting

5:45 p.m. Break

6:00 p.m. Briefing on boards and commissions training, with focus on training held for Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals

Follow-up on Board of Zoning Appeals (next steps, options, training, timetable)

7:00 p.m. General discussion/Upcoming Agenda items

7:30 p.m. Adjournment

Results From Board Of Education Announcement Last Night

More than 21,000 people viewed the BOE Post last night and more than 14,000 more people have viewed it so far today.

We didn't even publish the Post until 9:30 PM last night. You want advertising results, you want to build your business, NO ONE can deliver what Salisbury News can deliver traffic wise.

STARTING TODAY, COMMON LANGUAGE PROTOCOL WILL BE USED BY MARYLAND STATE POLICE

(Pikesville, MD)- Effective today, the Maryland State Police will abolish the use of the current ten code system and utilize the Common Language Protocol, also known as Plain Language.

Historically, ten codes were used to describe common phrases used by law enforcement. The codes were intended to shorten voice communication on the radio. But police departments, even those in neighboring districts, have developed different codes to communicate the scenarios they encounter. The Common Language Protocol is expected to improve communication and reduce confusion, especially during multi-jurisdictional incidents or anytime different agencies are required to communicate on the radio.

For example, under the new system, instead of using code 10-46 when talking with a dispatcher or another trooper, the trooper will simply say , “disabled vehicle”. An additional requirement will be the use of the standard phonetic alphabet when conducting radio communications. Starting today, Maryland State Police will use specific words in conjunction with letters to increase the clarity of radio communications. Examples include: A - Alpha; B - Bravo, C – Charlie.

The elimination of the ten code system and the adoption of the standard phonetic alphabet is consistent with Governor Martin O’Malley’s public safety initiative to implement the Maryland Statewide Communications Interoperability Program. “In Maryland, we are committed to building an effective and dependable communications system among all public safety partners,” said Governor O’Malley. “Eliminating the ten code system helps us remove barriers needed to protect Marylanders, and represents a vital step toward building an efficient statewide system of interoperable communications.”

By implementing the Common Language Protocol, Maryland State Police are following a national trend which became more prevalent after 9/11 when agencies had difficulty communicating because they used different codes or signals. Virginia State Police have been using the common language protocol since November 2006. The new guideline also meets the recommendations of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center.

“Communications Interoperability is a necessary investment into the lives of those who work on a daily basis to keep Marylanders safe,” said Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown. “The transition to using the Common Language Protocol and the phonetic alphabet will allow for the most efficient and highest level of immediate communication between state agencies and local jurisdictions.”

Caption This Photo 2-3-12

Thank God Its Friday 2-3-12

What will you be doing this weekend?

America's double standards!!

America's official language should be english, right? I thought so too....until this morning. Just when I think I have my position on issues such as these set in stone, something comes along and causes me to rethink those positions. It seems as though a Native American student in Wisconsin was suspended for saying "I love you" in her Native American tongue! Wait a minute! We force students in our schools to take a second language but when they speak in the Native American tongue they get suspended? What in the hell is that? We are forcing our local boards or education to cater to those students who can't speak english because their parents have smuggled them across the border illegally into the U.S. costing the taxpayers MILLIONS...but we suspend the students for speaking in the tongue of their parents and grandparents, the ancestors of whom have been here for thousands of years before the first Anglo ever arrived! I may retain my position of English as being the official language of the U.S., but this article has made me recognize that everything isn't as cut and dry as I sometimes imagine it to be. As an aside, when I think of the attrocities the American government has carried out against these people I can't help but think...".....the African Americans want apologies, monetary reparations, and affirmative action policies for slavery (which was no doubt an ugly time in American history) yet the Native Americans get nothing and were subjected to early biological weapons (small pox infected blankets) mass genocide, had their land stolen, and were forced into what essentially amounted to internment camps. Once again it seems like America has her priorities screwed up.

To see the article go here:

http://fox6now.com/2012/02/01/basketball-player-benched-for-using-native-american-language/

Four NYC Cops Stripped Of Their Badges After Bloody Fight With Suspect

Four NYPD cops have been stripped of their guns and badges and pulled from the streets after a civilian video popped up on the internet showing them getting rough with a drug suspect, according to the New York Times.

The Bronx District Attorney’s office and the Internal Affairs bureau of the NYPD told the Times the incident was under investigation.

The beating of the suspect, Jateik Reed, 19, occurred last Thursday afternoon after police claim Reed threw a baggy of crack on the ground and resisted arrest. Mr. Reed was charged with assaulting a police officer, drug possession, menacing and harassment.

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