Daily Times Totally Screws Up In Article This Morning

OK, here's the deal Folks. The articles in which the Daily Times published, (two articles) referencing removing the revenue cap was completely screwed up.

Salisbury News is working on an article that will probably be published some time tomorrow but the long and short of it is this.

A new bill partially sponsored by Norm Conway, HB-1412 is an emergency bill about to be heard TOMORROW at 1:00 PM in Annapolis. It goes as follows...

If Wicomico County does not meet maintenance of effort, this bill/legislation will force/instruct the comptroller to immediately hold ALL county income tax and send it directly to the Board of Education!!!!!

I'll repeat, Norm Conway is a sponsor of this bill and in my honest opinion proves the Board of Education doesn't have to be fiscally responsible for ANYTHING.

I told you earlier today, this is just unbelievable and once again the Daily Times only told you a small portion of what was REALLY going on. The beef of this bill is on page 15 from the link above.

Much more to come on this as I will personally make the trip to Annapolis tomorrow, that's how important this bill is. It must be stopped in its tracks immediately.

Considering the Daily Times has a staff that is supposed to be on top of extremely important issues such as this one and they continue to fail to report the TRUTH while people are paying for their publication just makes me sick. Anything for the Board of Education, right Greg Bassett! Don't INFORM your readers about the TRUTH. Just let things go through the process and tell every one AFTER the fact.

Additionally a comment just came in and said; Here is a link to the article from the Sun on the proposed legislation. They want to take the income piggyback tax the state collects for the counties and give it directly to the local Board of Education. Instead of giving to the county, they give it directly to the BOE. This will be done in counties like Wicomico that have failed to meet the Maintenance of Effort. In fact Wicomico is one of the counties singled out in the article. This will be done to fund schools in counties that have revenue caps. The eye-opening part is where they say the General Assembly has the power to overturn a local referendum. I can't believe this isn't your top story of the day, with all the revenue cap supporters on this site.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-maintain-effort-20120228,0,5562569.story


UPDATE: We have just been informed that there's a very good chance this is a done deal, all without public input. Both committees will be meeting simultaneously tomorrow, therefore its not even worth making the trip to Annapolis. GO HERE for details.

New Posts to fall below.

Obama Creates New Trade Office

President Obama issues an executive order creating a new trade office. The Interagency Trade Enforcement Center will be housed in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Ron Kirk, the top trade representative, will appoint the director of the Enforcement Center. Commerce Secretary Ron Kirk gets to appoint the deputy director. Homeland Security and the Intelligence Community will also designate staff. The center will coordinate U.S. trade rights under international agreements. And it'll monitor unfair foreign trade practices, particularly by China.

Seven Arrested For Medicare-Medicaid Scam

Seven people are under arrest, charged with fraud in the largest Medicare-Medicaid scam ever. The arrests followed work by an interagency Medicare-Medicaid fraud team known has HEAT. Deputy Attorney General James Cole says the fraudsters might have received $375 million in phony claims. A Texas doctor, Jacques Roy, and his nurse certified 11,000 people as having received home health care from five service providers. Health and Human Services Inspector Gerald Levinson credits data analysis tools for helping catch the alleged thieves.

Fight A War, Open A Farm Or Ranch

The Agriculture Department wants returning warfighters to consider farming or ranching careers. Secretary Tom Vilsak signs a memorandum of understanding with the American Legion to promote agriculture, animal and plant health and food safety work. Six million veterans live in rural areas. The American Legion has more then 5,000 posts in rural counties. USDA and the Legion agree to publicize USDA jobs, education and training programs. They'll also help veteran-owned companies get USDA contracts.

***TOMORROW***GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, SENATE PRESIDENT MILLER, HOUSE SPEAKER BUSCH TO SIGN THE CIVIL MARRIAGE PROTECTION ACT OF 2012

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 29, 2012) – TOMORROW, Thursday, March 1st, Governor O’Malley, Senate President Miller and House Speaker Busch will sign the Civil Marriage Protection Act of 2012.

WHAT: Governor, Senate President, House Speaker to sign Civil Marriage Protection Act

WHEN: TOMORROW, Thursday, March 1st at 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: 1st Floor, State House Annapolis, MD

NOTE: Security procedures will be strictly enforced. All visitors must present a valid ID. Access to the State House will be granted from the ground floor only. There will be risers and a mult box for media in attendance.

Bates Proposes To Cut Budgets Of Agencies With Repeat Audit Problems

Cutting the budgets of agencies that have problems with waste, poor policies, and lack of adequate controls will spur them to fix the problems more quickly, said Del. Gail Bates, R-Howard. Bates, a new member of the Joint Audit Committee, has proposed a bill that would allow budget committees to withhold up to 5% of an agency’s funds if there are at least three repeated findings on the regular audit reports done every three years by the Office of Legislative Audits.

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Annual Consumer Reports Auto Issue Top Picks: Toyota Cleans Up

Our brilliant benefactors at Consumer Reports have released their annual auto issue, and if Toyota was allowed to brag about it, they'd be tooting their horns over the fact that they took five of the top spots out of 10 categories. The April issue is jam-packed with car ratings for the discerning consumer, but companies aren't allowed to use those scores for commercial use. Sorry!

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Analyst Suggests Fewer Wall Street Investment Managers Would Bring Better Pension Returns

After officials from the State Retirement and Pension System shared a positive investment outlook with members of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on Tuesday, Jeff Hooke of the Maryland Tax Education Foundation told the senators about his idea for bigger returns: fire the Wall Street managers.

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Home Prices Hit Lowest Levels Since '06

If you're waiting for home prices to start going up before you sell your house, feel free to keep waiting. As of December, house prices were still slipping, reaching their lowest levels in five years according to one index.

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BREAKING NEWS: State Police In Princess Anne Shoot Suspect

Salisbury News has learned through a witness that the Maryland State Police were chasing a vehicle back and forth on Rt. 13 between Wilson Landing and the State Police Barracks.

They were able to finally force the vehicle off the road into a ditch. Officers jumped out of their vehicles and the witness thinks he heard an initial shot fired and then the Police started firing back. We've been told, (by the looks of the suspect) that he is dead, according to the witness.

Another call that came in said that additional officers were being called in for some sort of emergency, no we know why.

More to come.

WND TV to Live-Stream Arpaio Eligibility Report

PHOENIX, Ariz. – When Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio announces the findings of the first official law-enforcement investigation into the questions surrounding Barack Obama’s constitutional eligibility for office at a news conference Thursday, March 1, WND TV will be there to provide exclusive live-streaming, founder and Editor Joseph Farah announced today.

In addition, WND will make available to the public, the same day by e-mail, the official report distributed to media by Arpaio’s “Cold Case Posse.” Those interested in receiving the report can sign up for the free service between now and the March 1 press conference.

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For What, All These Wars?

"I wish to express my deep regret for the reported incident. ... I extend to you and the Afghan people my sincere apologies."

As President Obama sent this letter of apology to Hamid Karzai for the burning by U.S. troops of Qurans that were used to smuggle notes between Afghan prisoners, two U.S. soldiers were murdered in reprisal.

Saturday, a U.S. colonel and a major working in the Interior Ministry were shot dead by an Afghan protesting the desecration of the Islamic holy book. All U.S. officers have been pulled out of the ministries in Kabul.

Sunday, seven U.S. troops on base were wounded by a grenade.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Gen. John Allen, commander in Afghanistan, have also offered their apologies.

Remarkable. After fighting for 10 years, investing $500 billion, and losing nearly 2,000 dead and many more wounded and maimed to save Afghanistan from a Taliban future, America is issuing apologies to the regime and people we are fighting and dying to defend?

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Different Public Defender Bills To Be Voted On By Both Houses On Wednesday

The House and Senate sent separate versions of the Public Defender Act for a final vote expected on Wednesday, which will establish the time frame for a defendant’s right to counsel and the appearance before a district court judge.

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Edit Draft Don't Believe All The Baloney About Iran's Threat

What kind of defense could Iran actually mount against an attack on its nuclear and military infrastructure by Israel and/or the United States?

First of all, discount all the TV pictures of Iranian missiles being fired and troops marching in review. They are designed to boost civilian morale at home. Ironically, Western media has used them to trumpet Iran’s alleged military threat. One major US TV network, NBC, even has a fixed logo on its reports from Iran: "Iran Threat."

In reality, Iran, in spite of its 71 million population and oil wealth, is militarily quite weak. Islamic Iran has been under punishing US-led military and economic sanctions since its 1979 revolution, joining other sanctions targets North Korea and Cuba.

As a result, Iran has been unable to modernize most of its 1960’s/1970’s vintage military arsenal, much of which was supplied by the US and Britain to the Shah. Iran’s decrepit civilian aircraft fleet has also been punished by US-led embargos, resulting in numerous crashes due to worn-out equipment and lack of spare parts.

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Evangelist Leaves Celebrity Psychiatrist Tongue-Tied

Evangelist and Christian author Ray Comfort, whose new book “Hitler, God, and the Bible” and its accompanying movie “180″ are energizing pro-life activists across the nation with a simple, truthful approach to the issue, has left prominent celebrity psychologist Carole Lieberman tongue-tied.

Those who have seen the movie or read the book know that it’s a straightforward argument against abortion, comparing the mindless determination that Jews, gypsies and homosexuals in World War II were less than human and could be exterminated to contemporary America’s determination that the unborn are less than human, providing a constant stream of death to feed the abortion industry.

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QUOTES OF THE DAY 2-29-12

Everything we have done in response to the 9-11 attacks, from the Patriot Act to the war in Iraq, has reduced freedom in America. Ron Paul

A national political campaign is better than the best circus ever heard of, with a mass baptism and a couple of hangings thrown in. H. L. Mencken

[The Fall of Rome] . . the rising costs of armies, doles, public works, an expanding bureaucracy, and a parasitic court; the depreciation of the currency; the discouragement of ability and the absorption of investment capital by confiscatory taxation, the strait jacket of serfdom placed upon agriculture, and of caste forced upon industry: all these conspired to sap the material bases of Italian life, until at last the power of Rome was a political ghost surviving its economic death. Will Durant

When a legislature undertakes to proscribe the exercise of a citizen’s constitutional rights it acts lawlessly and the citizen can take matters into his own hands and proceed on the basis that such a law is no law at all. Justice William O. Douglas

Beware how you trifle with your marvelous inheritance, this great land of ordered liberty, for if we stumble and fall, freedom and civilization everywhere will go down in ruin. Henry Cabot Lodge

The income tax has made liars out of more Americans than golf. Will Rogers

Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has any right to but himself. The labor of his body and the work of his hands are properly his. John Locke

The founders were not democrats; they foresaw today’s pillage politics – and they understood that, unchecked, overbearing majorities would be more malignant than monarchs. All too well did the founders know that, granted a vote, the unpropertied masses would help themselves to the belongings of the propertied. Ilana Mercer

The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists. Ernest Hemingway

To act on the belief that we possess the knowledge and the power which enable us to shape the processes of society entirely to our liking, knowledge which in fact we do not possess, is likely to make us do much harm. Friedrich Hayek

Newt: Bibles Burnt, Churches Torched, & Christians Are Murdered...Nobody In Middle East

EAST WICOMICO LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION

Ages 4-16
Time is Running Out
2012 registration will be held at EWLL, located in the board room at
Winterplace Park until try outs.

Registration dates for the 2012 Little League season will be as follows:
Wednesday Feb 29th 6pm-8pm
Try Outs
Saturday’s March 3 and March 10
Scholarships are available!!
Leagues: 4/6 y/o, 7/8 y/o, Minor 9/10,

Major 11/12, Junior 13/14,
Senior 15/16
Registration is for all leagues, ages 4-16.

Age is determined as of April 30, 2012
East Wicomico Little League is for boys and girls

4-16 living in the following school districts,

Beaver
Run, East Salisbury, Glen Avenue,

and North Salisbury Home School
For more information call 410.860.2221
www.eteamz.com/eastwicomicoll
www.facebook.com/EastWicomicoLittleLeague

Police Demote Arizona Cop Over Obama Image On T-Shirt

An Arizona police sergeant who posted a photo on his Facebook account showing youths with guns posing with an apparently bullet-ridden t-shirt with a picture of President Obama on it has been demoted, authorities said on Tuesday.

Patrick Shearer, a 25-year-veteran of the Peoria, Arizona, police department, will be dropped in rank to officer and receive a two-week unpaid suspension for the incident that sparked a U.S. Secret Service investigation, Police Chief Roy Minter said.

"We expect our employees to exercise sound judgment and not bring discredit upon our police department," Minter said in a written statement.

Shearer has 10 days to appeal the decision. He could not be reached for comment.

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Members Of Congress Have Too Much Time On Their Hands

Members of Congress think military pay and benefits cutbacks are falling too heavily on uniformed personnel and not enough on civilians. House and Senate Republicans focused on health care premiums. The Obama administration's 2013 budget proposal raises health care premiums for working-age military retirees. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) says civilian staff members should also pay more. JoAnn Rooney, DoD's acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. She says until last year, it had been 14 years since premiums rose for anyone.

Obama’s Union Speech A ‘Load Of You-Know-What’

False choices. Populist bromides. A lecture on values. President Barack Obama treated us to some of his greatest hits this week.

Speaking before the United Auto Workers union in Washington, Obama, champion of the working man, challenged auto bailout “naysayers” to “come around” and admit that “standing by American workers was the right thing to do,” as bailouts “saved” the auto industry. (You have to wonder whether downtrodden citizens appreciate just how close they came to having to roller-skate to work.)

“They’re out there talking about you like you’re some special interest that needs to be beaten down,” Obama told cheering union members. And those who claim that bailouts were just a labor payback are simply peddling a “load of you-know-what.”

I do know what, Mr. President.

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(Annapolis) Yesterday, Del. Michael Smigiel (R-Cecil) and Del. Michael McDermott (R-Wicomico/Worcester) presented HB-541 to the House Environmental Matters Committee that would create a special license plate in Maryland to honor all veterans. The plates would be available to the public just as the current Agriculture and Bay plates are currently. The funds collected for the Veterans Support plates would go directly to help wounded Maryland Veterans.

“This is an opportunity for all Marylanders to show their true appreciation for the sacrifices of our Veterans” said Del. McDermott. “People want to say ‘thank you’ and
provide real support to those protecting our liberty in harm’s way, and this plate gives them a way to display it proudly”.

The plates would be available from the Department of Motor Vehicles for a fee, but the money collected over the normal registration charges would go directly to help the wounded Maryland Veterans. There has been some resistance to the new plates from the DMV. In a statement, they complained about the administration of the program and storing the new plates. To that, the delegates said, “find room…empty a closet, and stop making excuses”.

“Supporting our farmers is important…supporting the bay is important…but without our veterans, our very liberties would be in peril. How can we not find a way to make this happen?” said Del. McDermott to reporters attending a press conference on Tuesday.

Support for the new plates, featuring a soaring eagle in the background clutching a banner reading “Maryland Supports Veterans”, has been overwhelming.

Congress Honors Slaves Who Helped Build U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional leaders and the chaplains of the House and Senate have dedicated a new stone marker to the slaves who helped build the U.S. Capitol building.

Today's ceremony was held on the next to last day of Black History Month.

The House chaplain, Father Patrick Conroy, noted that the Bible's book of Jeremiah says, "Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, making his countrymen work for nothing, not paying them for their labor."

Conroy called the historic marker in the Capitol's Visitor Center's Emancipation Hall "a small acknowledgement of those sins."

Senate Chaplain Barry Black, who is African American, said the ceremony should be a reminder that "in eternity, many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first."

Source

Oil Goes Up; Obama Goes Down

I hate to quote the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but the chickens have come home to roost for President Barack Obama as higher oil and gasoline prices swamp his re-election bid.

Count the chickens:

Obama has refused to impose tough sanctions on Iran until two months ago, increasing the likelihood of an Israeli attack. Already speculation that such a strike might be in the offing is driving up oil prices.

His anti-Israeli policies have diminished that nation’s confidence that it can rely on the United States to handle Iranian nuclear ambitions.

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Union Hijacking of Charter Schools

Organized labor cares more about teachers’ rights than kids’ education

If you can’t beat them, take them over. That seems to be the new union strategy on charter schools. Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are governed by private groups that sign a contract, or charter, with the state. The charter requires that the school meet certain standards of accountability in return for taxpayer funding, but in other areas it exempts the school from many burdensome state or local regulations. Some of the most burdensome are rules required by labor unions.

Charter school teachers usually are not required to join existing union collective-bargaining units. This means charter schools can more easily promote good teachers and fire bad ones. But, of course, this has made charter schools targets for hostile union action.

Unions correctly view charter schools as a threat to their stranglehold over public education and the tax dollars that come with it. Unions have denounced charter schools for “skimming” off the best students from the public schools, and they have sued school districts that introduce charter schools. Unions have tried to block or repeal charter school laws, and they’ve tried to limit the number of charter schools allowed by states.
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The Autoworkers Obama Left Behind

The White House fairy tale about the Happily Ever After Auto Bailout is missing a crucial, bloody page. While President Obama bragged about “standing by American workers” at a rowdy United Auto Workers meeting Tuesday, he failed to acknowledge how the Chicago-style deal threw tens of thousands of nonunion autoworkers under the bus.

In a campaign pep rally/sermon billed as a “policy speech,” Obama nearly broke his arm patting himself on the back for placing his “bets” (read: our money) on the $85 billion federal auto industry rescue. “Three years later,” he crowed, “that bet is paying off for America.” Big Labor brass cheered Obama’s citation of GM’s “highest profits in its 100-year history” as the room filled with militant UAW chants of “union made.”

“Union made” — but who paid? Scoffing at the criticism that his bailout was a massive union payoff, Obama countered that all workers sacrificed to save the auto industry. “Retirees saw a reduction in the health care benefits they had earned,” Obama told the congregation, er, crowd. “Many of you saw hours reduced,” he sympathized, “or pay and wages scaled back.”

Let’s clear the fumes (again), shall we? The bailout pain was not distributed equally. It was redistributed politically.

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Conservative Leaders Demand Apology From Huffington Over Anti-Catholic Column

A group of socially conservative leaders is demanding Huffington Post publisher Arianna Huffington apologize for allowing a column to be published on her website that compares Catholics to pedophiles and attacks communion as a "barbaric ritual."

In the letter dated Tuesday and obtained first by FoxNews.com, the group -- never fans of the online news site -- writes that the website, recently purchased by AOL, is "complicit in bigotry" for publishing columnist Larry Doyle's article about Rick Santorum's Catholic faith.

"Larry Doyle's recent anti-Catholic screed in the Huffington Post, 'The Jesus-Eating Cult of Rick Santorum,' is bigoted and unacceptable, and a perfect example of 'flame-throwing, name-calling, and simplistic attack dog rhetoric'" that Huffington pledged to avoid when she launched the Huffington Post in 2005.

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POLICE SEEK PUBLIC'S HELP IN SALISBURY MURDER INVESTIGATION - FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS SET

(SALISBURY, MD) – Maryland State Police homicide investigators are hoping to add to the leads they already have by seeking help from citizens who may have information about the murder last week of a Wicomico County man who was found shot to death in his car.

Elmer C. Duffy Jr., 54, of the 1100-block of Kiowa Avenue, Salisbury, Md., was found dead at about 6:30 p.m. on February 20, 2012. Duffy was in a white 1991 Oldsmobile convertible parked in the 700-block of Olivia Street in Salisbury, minutes after troopers had been dispatched there in response to a report of shots fired.

A $2,500 cash reward is being offered by Crime Solvers of the Eastern Shore for information regarding the person or persons responsible for this murder. Callers may remain anonymous. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776, or the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack at 410-749-3101.

Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators have received some leads and information from the public, but are hoping others with information step forward to help police bring the person or persons responsible for Duffy’s death to justice. Investigators believe there are citizens in the Salisbury area who have important information that would be of great assistance to their investigation.

Viewing and funeral arrangements for Duffy have been announced. A viewing will be held on February 29, 2012, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, Md. His funeral will be held on March 1, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 405 Flower Street, Berlin, Md.

12 Scary Debt Facts for 2012

As President Obama unveiled the 2013 fiscal year budget, the nation's financial situation came back into sharp focus. Experts say partisan gridlock in Washington means the budget will probably go nowhere.

Considering this is an election year, however, expect politicians to harp on facts, figures and terms that most Americans weren't taught in high school. To help out, it's time to dredge up lots of scary facts to make you pay attention.

Before we get going, a quick primer on the number TRILLION:

• $1 trillion = $1,000 billion or $1,000,000,000,000 (that's 12 zeros)

• How hard is it to spend a trillion dollars? If you spent one dollar every second, you would have spent a million dollars in 12 days. At that same rate, it would take you 32 years to spend a billion dollars. But it would take you more than 31,000 years to spend a trillion dollars.

• And now, some scary facts about the debt and the deficit -- some basics:

• Deficit = money government takes in -- money government spends

• 2012 US deficit = $1.33 trillion

• 2013 Proposed budget deficit = $901 billion

• National debt = Total amount borrowed over time to fund the annual deficit

• Current national debt = $15.3 trillion (or $49,030 per every man, woman and child in the US or $135,773 per taxpayer)

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Gordy "Tiger Mart" Businesses Get Sued

"We must be careful not to hire too many blacks in the store"

"White trash that sleeps with black men."

"As long as its not a black person"

You better get on the same page as Mrs. Gordy then."

"I don't think a black manager is a good idea"

"He lives in the worst section of town"

"Those people never work out."

"Those black people from that part of town are all thieves."

"I told you we shouldn't hire those people."she dated "black boys" and the last one "was as black as your stereo speaker."

These are just some of the quotes stated in the lawsuit filed in C. A. No. 11-883 filed in the state of Delaware by a former manager.

Well, one has to wonder just how many "black people" will continue to do business with that business????? This "white" person, (me) doesn't do business with them nohow. Look up the case. I'd say Mrs. Gordy has a LOT of explaining to do, according to the documents filed.

New Posts to fall below.

NASCAR Driver Tweets From Car, Gains 100,000 Followers

(Mashable) -- When the Daytona 500 ran into a protracted delay following an explosion and fire on the track Monday night, NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski did what any social media addict would: grabbed his phone and began posting status updates to Twitter.

Then he gained more than 100,000 followers in less than two hours.

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Remains of Some 9-11 Victims Went to Landfill

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon revealed Tuesday that partial, incinerated remains of some 9-11 victims that could not be identified were sent to a landfill.

The number of victims involved was unclear according to a Pentagon report, but it involved some of those killed when a terrorist-hijacked airplane struck the Pentagon, killing 184, and another crashed in Shanksville, Pa., killing 40, in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The Pentagon released the report by an independent committee that was asked to examine practices at the military's mortuary at Dover, Del., the first stopping point for fallen troops coming home from war overseas.

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Interpol Arrests Suspected 'Anonymous' Hackers

(CNN) -- Police in Europe and South America have arrested 25 alleged members of the "Anonymous" hacking group, Interpol said, amid a suspected attack on its own website by the group's supporters.

The arrests include four people in Spain, 10 in Argentina, six in Chile and five in Colombia as part of a worldwide sweep carried out as part of Interpol operation "Exposure."

After Interpol announced the attacks, its website failed to load, a fact acknowledged by Anonymous on Twitter with the message "interpol.int DOWN."

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We Have Already Surpassed Yesterday's Superb Numbers

I just happened to take a quick glance to see how well we're doing today and we have already surpassed yesterday's numbers for the entire day.

Clearly Salisbury News is the GO TO place when something big happens here on the Eastern Shore.

Thanks for visiting and there's a whole lot more coming.

$4.00 GAS HAS ALREADY ARRIVED IN MAJOR U.S. CITIES - NEXT STOP - $5.00

The average price for a gallon of gas is now up to $3.70. It is up 15% in the last two months. But, in many major cities – where the majority of the population in the country resides – gas has already passed $4.00 a gallon or will do so in the next week. Next stop $5.00. But don’t worry. Obama, Bernanke and the MSM are telling us the economy is doing great.


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Maryland Young Republicans Chairman's Statement On Senator Rob Garagiola's Ethics Issues

ANNAPOLIS- Maryland Young Republicans Chairman Brian Griffiths issued the following statement today on the ethics troubles of State Senator Rob Garagiola.

"The revelation that State Senator Rob Garagiola failed to disclose his lobbying efforts on his financial disclosure forms are yet another sad example of the Culture of Corruption that the Maryland Democratic Party has nurtured in our state.

"What Senator Garagiola has done is eerily similar in nature to the ethics troubles of State Senator Ulysees Currie, with one noticeable difference; while Senator Currie was removed from leadership and censured for his actions, Senator Garagiola was rewarded with an gerrymandered district to create a streamlined path for his ascension to Congress. Senator Garagiola is being rewarded, not punished, for doing the wrong thing.

"The ethical troubles of Senators Currie and Garagiola are one of the many reasons that the Maryland Young Republicans have proposed a package of common-sense ethical reforms to restore the faith of Marylanders in their government.

"I urge the State Senate to launch a full investigation of Senator Garagiola's failure to disclose his lobbying activities, and take all appropriate actions against the Senator. Furthermore, Senator Garagiola should withdraw from the Democrat primary for Congress in the 6th District, seeing as his failure to disclose his lobbying efforts make him unfit to serve in Congress."

Whoops: Waiter trips, dumps beers down German Chancellor's back

WASHINGTON - The Germans may love their beer - but probably not enough to want to shower in it.

That's essentially what happened last week when German Chancellor Angela Merkel was attending an Ash Wednesday event when a waiter carrying a tray of five beers lost his balance nearby dropped the tray -- pouring the sticky liquid down her back, according to the Huffington Post.

The waiter says he was shoved from behind.

Apparently, Merkel wasn't to upset. Press reports say she turned to the waiter and grinned after the incident.

Source

Get A Load Of This Crap

By Zoe Pagonis, Communications and New Media Manager

As the Governor’s New Media Manager, I read almost every comment that comes into our office. I have a first-hand look into what people want to know, how they are reacting to different topics and what’s going on around Maryland.

These last few weeks have been a very special time in our office and throughout our State and the comments left by Marylanders on social networks have reflected that sentiment.

As an office, we typically only share these types of comments internally, but these were so moving that we had to share….

GO HERE to view all the messages they HAD to post.

I mean, they even went so far as to publish this below.
You libs will stop at nothing. To make one of your kids write something like that, unbelievable. More like, sick.

Wi-Hi Musical

For the first time in almost 20 years, Wicomico High School is putting on a musical.

On March 9th, 10th, and 11th in the Wicomico High School Auditorium Wi-Hi will be presenting..."Back to the '80s". This "totally awesome" musical that tells the story of what life was like in the 1980's for the senior class of William Ocean High School. "Back to the '80s" is be presented by the music department of Wicomico High School in association with Music Theater International.

Show times are:
Friday, March 9th at 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 10th at 7pm.
Sunday, March 11th at 2pm.

Tickets are $8(general admission) and are available ahead of time at Wicomico High School (410-677-5146) or at the door on the date of the performance.

WHY ISN'T THE MSM REPORTING FANNIE MAE'S $16.9 BILLION LOSS TODAY?

Amazing how this press release could completely slip by Bloomberg and Marketwatch. I guess Fannie Mae, which along with Freddie Mac and the FHA guarantee 95% of all the mortgages in the United States, isn’t really news worthy. It couldn’t be that our corporate MSM buries all bad news while touting every piece of good news. It seems Fannie Mae lost $16.9 billion more of your money in 2011. You own 80% of Fannie Mae, 80% of Freddie Mac and 100% of the FHA. Freddie will announce a massive loss tomorrow which won’t be covered by the MSM. The FHA is already bankrupt. Since 2008, Fannie and Freddie have lost over $200 billion of your tax dollars. But don’t worry, with the beauty of Federal Government accounting, these losses do not show up in the National Debt figures. Home prices hit a new low yesterday and they continue to fall. Fannie and Freddie are being forced to guarantee more mortgages given to deadbeats. Obama is using them for his new bullshit save the housing market schemes. By the time these fine well run organizations are finished, they will lose you another $200 to $400 billion.

The Bank Bailout’s Ugly Stepsister: Fannie Mae Still Losing Billions

The financial sector has had a tough slog in recent years, but the billions of dollars in losses that played out during and after the 2008 crisis have largely passed. That is, of course, except for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The mortgage finance giants have taken on a greater share of supporting the U.S. housing market as private players pared back their exposure in recent years, and the result has been billions of losses on the taxpayer dime. Fannie Mae reported the latest of those Wednesday, booking a $16.9 billion 2011 loss capped off by the loss of $2.4 billion in the fourth quarter.

“While economic factors such as falling home prices and high unemployment produced strong headwinds for our business again in 2011, we continued to grow a very strong new book of business as we have since 2009, “said CEO Michael Williams, who resigned in January but remains on board while the government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) looks for his replacement.Fannie Mae’s losses are still coming largely from legacy book of business (from before 2009), which led to $5.5 billion in credit-related expenses tied to declining home prices. (See “Case-Shiller: U.S. Home Prices Wrapped Up 2011 At Fresh Lows.”)

Business the company has booked since 2009, when lending standards got tighter and the excesses of the housing bubble were firmly in the rearview mirror, are starting to account for more of the firm’s net revenues but still not nearly enough to make the enterprise profitable.Part of the reason for that is the government’s ongoing support of Fannie Mae and sister firm Freddie Mac, which comes at a price.

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Who The Hell Is Eleanor Mulligan?

More than likely the Daily Times doesn't know who the hell she is either but they don't care. I for one do not recall ever meeting this woman, yet she had her letter published in today's Daily Times. Why, because she attacks the majority of the City Council.

Think about it Ladies & Gentlemen, how would you like to be Greg Bassett or Joe Carmean right about now. They refused to publish the truth almost 8 years ago and along came Salisbury News. Sine then we have chipped away at two very cocky guys who firmly believed no one could hurt them. "Bring it on, we love competition," they said.

Today they publish no investigative reporting. They grab about 90+% of their news off the AP Wire and sit back and wait for Mike Lewis, Matt Maciarello, Rick Pollitt or Jim Ireton to hand feed them the news. They have become the laughing stock of print media and it's 100% their own fault.

When HONORABLE men like Delegate Mike McDermott goes to them and says he'll deliver a weekly piece on his work in Annapolis they turn him down. We don't have that kind of space, they told him. Yet they can find all kinds of space if you want to attack Debbie Campbell, Tim Spies or Terry Cohen, go figure.

The Daily Times have become their own worst enemy. They hated the Blogs and claimed they are held to higher standards of professionalism. Ask around and many will say their lies being published on a regular basis are far worse then the Blogs are, yet they just quote people so it isn't their lies. Held to a higher standard, eh? If you know something is a lie and you publish it, just what are those standards?

Nevertheless, Eleanor Mulligan must be related to someone in the former Tilghman Administration. You know, the people who are desperately trying to get back into the GOB and run Salisbury even further into the ground, as if Mayor Ireton isn't doing enough all by himself. From the looks of her letter I'd say she's of the age in which she needs happy pills but has a social security number, if you know what I mean.

Eleanor, take your pills now and go back to bed. Mrs. Mitchell will finish your letter and sign if for you. Heck, she'll even wait until the Daily Times confirms it came from you, just cause she's a really nice woman. That's how those liberals work, you know. What a rag that Daily Times has become. Oh, Mrs. Mitchell, you can turn the oxygen back on if you don't mind.

Robbery Suspect

Caption This Photo 2-29-12

Dedicated To Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputy Tom Funk

Are Rich People Unethical?

At last, an explanation for Wall Street's disgrace, Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme and other high-society crimes and misdemeanors: A new study published in the Proceedings of that National Academy of Sciences found that wealthier people were more apt to behave unethically than those who had less money.

Scientists at the University of California at Berkeley analyzed a person's rank in society (measured by wealth, occupational prestige and education) and found that those who were richer were more likely to cheat, lie and break the law than those who were poorer.

"We found that it is much more prevalent for people in the higher ranks of society to see greed and self-interest … as good pursuits," said Paul Piff, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate at Berkeley. "This resonates with a lot of current events these days."
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Salisbury Towing Fees

The Autoworkers Obama Left Behind

The White House fairy tale about the Happily Ever After Auto Bailout is missing a crucial, bloody page. While President Obama bragged about “standing by American workers” at a rowdy United Auto Workers meeting Tuesday, he failed to acknowledge how the Chicago-style deal threw tens of thousands of non-union autoworkers under the bus.

In a campaign pep rally/sermon billed as a “policy speech,” Obama nearly broke his arm patting himself on the back for placing his “bets” (read: our money) on the $85 billion federal auto-industry rescue. “Three years later,” he crowed, “that bet is paying off for America.” Big Labor brass cheered Obama’s citation of GM’s “highest profits in its 100-year history” as the room filled with militant UAW chants of “union-made.”

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Five Reasons To Oppose Gay Marriage

1) Gay marriage is incompatible with Christianity (and for that matter, Islam & Judaism). If someone asks you why you oppose gay marriage, the only thing you really have to say to explain it is, "I'm a Christian."

God doesn't condemn anyone for who he is; so if you're attracted to the same sex, that absolutely, unconditionally doesn't make you bad, evil or "un-Christian." On the other hand, let me note that I do consider hating, tormenting, or bullying people because of their sexual orientation to be distinctively "un-Christian" behavior. As Billy Graham has said, “God will not judge a Christian guilty for his or her involuntary feelings.” However, God has drawn a clear line in the sand when it comes to homosexual acts. If you're gay, you're not allowed to act on it. If that seems harsh or unfair to you, well, sorry, but you'll have to take it up with God. It's His rule.

"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination." -- Leviticus 18:22
The people of Sodom and Gomorrah could tell you how serious God is about that -- if there were any of them left. So as a Christian, you can no more condone gay marriage than you could give the thumbs up to prostitution or wife swapping. That means if you're a Christian standing in favor of gay marriage, then you're a Christian who's standing directly in opposition to the God whom you claim to worship.

2) Gay marriage will end up infringing on religious freedom. The moment gay marriage becomes the law of the land, all sorts of First Amendment freedoms involving the free exercise of people's religion will likely be infringed upon as a consequence. No pastor should be forced to marry a gay couple. No wedding photographer, cake maker, caterer, or wedding planner should be forced to be involved in these weddings. No church or any other location should be forced to be the site of a gay wedding. Children will be taught in schools that gay marriage is normal, legal, and moral -- and it directly contradicts the teachings of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. To create this special privilege for gay Americans would mean impinging on the First Amendment rights of more than 200 million Americans.

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BREAKING NEWS: '60s Pop Star Davy Jones Of 'The Monkees' Dies

Davy Jones, lead singer of popular 1960s TV rock group 'The Monkees,' dies of a
heart attack at 66, TMZ reports.

SUSPECT BARRICADES HIMSELF IN HOME AFTER SHOOTING WICOMICO SHERIFF'S DEPUTY

The suspect who shot a Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputy this morning is NOT in custody. He has barricaded himself inside his home in Cambridge.

Heck, knowing Officer Funk he'll probably ask to be released from PRMC and go back and finish what was started.

Counties Fight Maryland Gov. O'Malley on Budget

WASHINGTON - The predictions from counties across Maryland were dire.

There will be fewer teachers in county schools, and as a result, the classrooms will be more crowded. County services that are already limping along on tight budgets will be crippled because of a plan to shift the cost of teacher pensions from the state to the counties.

That's the scenario that was outlined by activists from Prince George's to Frederick counties in the "StopTheShift" campaign orchestrated by officials in at least 11 counties.

At a Montgomery County Council briefing, Council President Roger Berliner said Governor Martin O'Malley's plan would shift $300 million dollars from the state budget to the counties over a period of five years.

"We cannot afford $300 million dollars in additional costs," he said
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Recall News

GO HERE to see the most recent recall items.

Parkinson's Disease Awareness Fundraiser

Dear Business Owners & Community Individuals,

EXIT Shore Realty and The Roop Group are teaming up with our Lower Shore Parkinson’s Support Group in efforts to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease (PD) Research & Support by hosting a “Casino Night Party and Dance”. It’s our goal to organize a 2012 fundraising event for Parkinson’s awareness, and to raise over $10,000 for the local Parkinson’s Awareness Chapter.

Our Broker and dear friend Harry Roop, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease three years ago and his father passed away from this disease 6 years ago. Harry has helped countless amounts of people in his lifetime and his warm heart has blessed hundreds of others. Harry is a man of always giving to others before giving to himself, and this is our way to finally give back to him. Helping this group is really near and dear to our hearts! There are over 8,000 people on the Eastern Shore alone that are affected with this disease and we are asking EVERYONE for help!! Anyone that donates a silent auction item, becomes a sponsor, or makes a cash donation, will be placed on advertisements , flyers & our website. All donations are tax deductible too.

The proceeds from this event will be put to good use. The local Chapter is attempting to establish a weekly dance exercise class, known nationally as “Dance for PD”, which members may attend without cost. This class will require a funding source to pay for the use of facilities and a specially trained instructor. Additionally, we are part of a regional effort to serve individuals with PD, as well as maintain an educational resource for the general population. Part of the effort of the Delmarva Parkinson’s Alliance will be to build a website with a database of local PD support groups throughout the Delmarva Peninsula, a calendar of their activities, and educational information including links to national organizations. But most of all a portion of the proceeds will be donated to select national Parkinson's organizations that make grants in support of research seeking a cure for this disease.

We are asking all business owners, organizations and individuals to help us in our efforts to make this event possible by either donating a silent auction item, becoming a Sponsor, and buying a ticket (or two) for this event. Tickets for the Casino Night Party and Dance are just $25 per person and can be purchased at the office of EXIT Shore Realty or can be requested on our website http://www.partyforparkinsons.com/ . Just click the package information and mail in your request to 327-100 Tilghman Rd. Salisbury MD 21804. We have many sponsorship levels available to fit everyone's budget.

This exciting event will be held on Saturday April 28th 2012 at the Elks Lodge in Salisbury MD from 7 to 11pm. There will be Live Music & DJ Dancing Light Buffet Silent Auction 50/50 raffle No limit-Texas Holdem Poker Black Jack Money Wheel and MORE!! Don’t miss your chance to secure your name or business sponsorship. Call Micki today for more information at 410-912-0310 or visit us at http://www.partyforparkinsons.com/

Economy Squeezed As Debt Accelerates

Senator Jeff Sessions, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, has pointed out that our per capita government debt is already larger than Greece's. Per person, our government owes over $49,000 compared to $38,937 per Greek citizen. Our debt has just reached 101% of our Gross Domestic Product. Our creditors see this and have quietly slowed down or stopped their lending to us. As a result, the Federal Reserve has been outright monetizing debt as a way to patch things together and keep the economy on life support a little longer. There is rapidly shrinking demand for our debt, and confidence in the dollar is falling. This phenomenon is hidden only by the fact that confidence in all other fiat currencies is falling faster.

None of this seems to really alarm the administration, obviously, as they have just released a budget that accelerates spending and borrowing. The reason the debt and deficits plague the economy, according to this administration, is that the American economy is not taxed enough. Therefore, hidden in the fine print of the budget is a provision that ramps up the corporate dividends tax rate from its current 15% to 39.6%. In addition, certain deductions and exemptions will be phased out; an additional 3.8% Obamacare investment tax surcharge will be tacked on, bringing the effective dividend tax rate to 44.8% in 2013. Keep in mind, this is not just a tax on big business, this is a tax on anyone who depends on dividend income to live − retirees will be hit hard by these changes and dividend yielding stock prices will adjust downward rapidly to reflect their decreased value.

Not only this, but the Obama administration is worsening the uniquely American policy of taxing income of US based companies earned overseas. No other country presumes to tax globally in this manner, so it amounts to a huge penalty for basing a company in the US. Companies have been able to manage this penalty by deferring taxation until it is repatriated or by paying dividends. What will happen to US based businesses with strong international ties if these allowances are abolished as the Obama administration proposes? A massive wave of permanent capital flight will undoubtedly cause the already high levels of unemployment to rise.

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Today's Fill In The Blank 2-29-12

I saved more money shopping at ________ than any other store.

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES CONTRACT TO CONSTRUCT FINAL SEGMENT OF THE INTERCOUNTY CONNECTOR

Construction between I-95 and US 1 in Prince George’s County to support up to 1,000 jobs

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) recently awarded ICC Constructors (IC3), a joint venture based in Bethesda, the contract to design and build the final segment of the Intercounty Connector (ICC/MD 200). The $89 million "Contract D/E" will complete the ICC by constructing a one-mile segment between I-95 and US 1 in Prince George’s County.

“Projects like the ICC address our State’s infrastructure needs so the next generation can benefit from an improved transportation system,” said Governor O’Malley. “Construction of this final segment will support up to 1,000 jobs for our families, open the door to new economic development opportunities in northern Prince George’s County, and provide a congestion-free option for residents traveling between the US 1/I-95 corridor and the I-270 corridor.”

In addition to supporting 1,000 jobs, the project also includes an On the Job Training (OJT) program with up to two dozen entry-level employment opportunities in construction trades. The recruits will have the opportunity to reach “journeyperson” status and graduate from the program with transportation skills, increasing their future employment options.

“The additional mile of highway will provide new access points to the ICC from U.S. Route 1 and Virginia Manor Road, providing Prince George's County residents safe, reliable, and convenient access to employment opportunities from U.S. Route 1 to the I-270 high-tech corridor and will improve access to the County for commuters traveling east. This also will relieve traffic congestion for motorists along the Route 1 Corridor and in and around the Laurel area. When completed, this final segment of the ICC will improve access to the business community and expand economic development,” said County Executive Rushern L. Baker III. “The jobs supported by the construction and the OJT program are great news for Prince George’s County.”

The ICC is the state’s first all-electronic toll road, ultimately from I-370 to US 1, in which drivers pay with E-ZPass. Operated by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), the ICC provides reliable and relatively congestion free travel between Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. A trip that used to take 47 minutes from Laurel to Gaithersburg now takes 17 minutes on the ICC, a 64 percent time savings that significantly improves mobility for employees and businesses.

The final segment of the ICC will connect to Virginia Manor Road with a partial interchange and to US l near the Muirkirk MARC commuter rail station with a signal-controlled intersection.

Construction will also include separated parallel lanes along I-95 between the ICC and MD 198 interchange for traffic to safely merge at exits.

Engineering design work is underway, with construction starting by late spring of this year. The project is scheduled for completion late 2013/early 2014, weather permitting. At $89 million, Contract D/E is within the $2.5 billion budget of the entire 18.8-mile ICC.

The joint venture IC3 team consists of Shirley Contracting Company, LLC; Clark Construction Group, LLC; Facchina Construction Company, Inc.; and Trumbull Corporation. IC3 was one of three prime contractors that built the first segments of the ICC. The first segment of the ICC, from I-270 to Georgia Ave. (MD 97), opened to traffic Feb. 2011. The next two segments, from Georgia Ave. to I-95, opened to traffic on Nov. 21, 2011.

The 'Fairness' Fraud

During a recent Fox News Channel debate about the Obama administration's tax policies, Democrat Bob Beckel raised the issue of "fairness."

He pointed out that a child born to a poor woman in the Bronx enters the world with far worse prospects than a child born to an affluent couple in Connecticut.

No one can deny that. The relevant question, however, is: How does allowing politicians to take more money in taxes from successful people, to squander in ways that will improve their own reelection prospects, make anything more "fair" for others?

Even if additional tax revenue all went to poor single mothers – which it will not – the multiple problems of children raised by poor single mothers would not be cured by throwing money at them. Indeed, the skyrocketing of unwed motherhood began when government welfare programs began throwing money at teenage girls who got pregnant.

Children born and raised without fathers are a major problem to society and to themselves. There is nothing "fair" about increasing the number of such children.

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BREAKING NEWS DEPUTY SHOT!!!

TWO SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES JUST ARRIVED AT PRMC EXCORTING AN AMBULANCE. MORE TO COME...

IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, A WICOMICO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY HAS BEEN SHOT.

WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THE DEPUTY IS "FINE".

DEPUTY IS TOM FUNK. HE WAS SHOT IN THE UPPER ARM WHILE SERVING A WARRANT ON HUBBARD STREET IN CAMBRIDGE. INJURIES ARE NON LIFE THREATENING.

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT 11:10 AM.

Today's Advertiser Of The Day

BREAKING NEWS: At Least 10 Dead In Illinois After Storms

Severe storms that hit Midwest Wednesday morning kill at least 10 in Harrisburg, Ill., emergency officials say.

From Fox News

2ND ANNUAL PUTT PUTT CHALLENGE

Putting other mini-golf tournaments to shame since 2011

Saturday, April 28th at 1:30pmOld Pro Golf- 68th Street
$30 per player OR$120 per team of fourTeams registered by April 1st will recive one mulligan per player!"Cheats" will be available for purchase at the tourney.

Entry fee includes:Snacks and Adult Beverages on the green.Prizes for 1st and 2nd place teamsPrizes for MOST OUTLANDISH COSTUMES
Booby prize for last place team
Awards after-party and munchies at Fager's Island
Registration is limited to the first 36 teams.

Must be 21 years or older.

No outside beverages allowed (course rules)

Don't worry...we'll have plenty to go around.
RAIN OR SHINE!

For more information contact:

Amy Luppens
United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore
amy@unitedway4us.org
410-742-5143

Amazing Time-Lapse Video Captures The Night Sky

Temporal Distortion from Randy Halverson on Vimeo

Think you've seen the night sky? Not like this. Photographer Randy Halverson took months (when the weather was clear) to shoot the stars overhead of the White River in central South Dakota, Arches National Park in Utah, Canyon of the Ancients area of Colorado, and Madison, Wisconsin. He put it all together in a time-lapse video set to music by the out-of-this-world composer Bear McCreary, who wrote the moody soundtracks to "Battlestar Galactica" and "The Walking Dead."

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Save-A-Limb Ride/Walk

Our son Brayden was born in 2010 with congenital short femur in his left leg. We have been fortunate enough to live near and find one of the best hospitals and doctors(Dr. Shawn Standard) in the world to care for Brayden with what will likely be several operations over the years to correct his leg length. The Save-A-Limb Foundation supports Sinai Hospital and The Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics. The Save-A-Limb ride and walk will raise money to financially assist patients who cannot afford physical therapy, housing during lengthy treatments, transportation or adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs.

This will be our second year participating in the Ride/Walk in Oregon Ridge Park, Maryland and we also have a team name of 'Footprints for Brayden' this year. We will be raising money in the Footprints for Brayden name in the way of tax deductible donations via this website:

http://savealimbride.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=1013766&u=1013766-352856902&e=5478428712

Monatary donations can also be made in person. If you would like to participate with us on the walk or bike ride, feel free to visit the website and sign up. We would be happy to have you join us!! After the Ride/Walk, there are plenty of things for families to do as well along with food and refreshments. Thank you and spread the word!

Also, if you'd like to follow Brayden's journey, here is a link to his blog: http://opsoulone.blogspot.com/

Today's Survey Question 2-29-12

What are your pet peeves?

Sen. Milkulski---Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act

Hi Joe,

The mail below is my reply from Senator Mikulski on the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act.

Owners of the dogs or cock fighting fade into the crowds when Law Enforcement arrive, Police cannot arrest them -----because----- the owners have then "become spectators in the crowd." Passing this Bill would give them the " tools" they need to enforce this crimainal act .

These Blood Fights are highly profitable for the owners , envolving drugs, & high stakes gambling in the Thousands of dollars.

Please take the time to contact your representatives to support the Bill !

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns over the involvement of spectators in animal fighting ventures. It's good to hear from you.

I am appalled by animal-fighting and any person who actively supports it. Animals, especially dogs, are loving and loyal companions who deserve nothing less than our care. It is cruel and inexcusable to pit animals against one another for the sake of sport. I have always supported legislation protects all animals. That's why I am a co-sponsor of the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (S. 1947).

S. 1947 would make it a crime to knowingly attend an animal fight. This legislation is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Knowing of your support for this bill will be helpful to me as the Senate continues to work on this issue.

Again, thanks for writing. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

Maryland realtors to protest O’Malley’s cap on deductions

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland real estate agents are protesting Gov. Martin O'Malley’s plan to cap tax deductions on mortgage interest payments, saying such a move would shortchange homeowners and discourage potential buyers.

The Maryland Association of Realtors will rally Wednesday in Annapolis against the plan, which adds the group to a growing collective of Marylanders opposed to the governor’s lists of proposed tax increases.

Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, has proposed tax increases on income, cigars, septic system bills and gas as well as a new tax on Internet purchases — alarming Republicans, many Democrats and business leaders from the trucking to retail petroleum industries.

The proposed gas-tax increase came just months after the O’Malley administration increased tolls on several highways and bridges.

Mr. O'Malley now seeks to cut the value of itemized deductions by 10 percent for residents making more than $100,000 annually and by 20 percent for those making $200,000 or more.

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FBI Has A Big Year

The FBI is boasting about a big year fighting financial crime. Kevin Perkins is head of the bureau's criminal investigations. He says that last year, FBI probes led to 3,000 convictions and $12 billion in court-ordered restitution. High on the list were Ponzi schemes and Medicare fraud. The FBI set up a financial intelligence center to examine emerging threats. Officials showed a public service ad featuring actor Michael Douglas, who once played the part of a nefarious stock trader.

In Maryland, Your Vote Doesn't Matter Any More

Senator Richard Madaleno Jr. (a democrat from Montgomery County) has proposed a revenue cap loophole that would allow five charter counties in Maryland to tax above and beyond the revenue cap.

Pollitt claims he knows nothing about this and even states that because this Senator didn't come to him for input, he wants nothing to do with it. OK, if you're anything like me, we're calling BS on that one.

Nevertheless, I have stated for many years on this Blog. The government will drain you of every penny you have. Then they'll force you to borrow what you don't have until you get to the point you'll lose everything you did have. The next thing you know you're dependent on your government for survival.

Well, it's a-holes just like this Senator who couldn't give a damn about YOUR vote. These liberals will do anything to support their unions and take from you, even if it means they're taking from your own government.

My strong suggestion to every one of you is as follows. Get the hell OUT of Maryland, even if it means taking a loss. Remember, a home in Delaware is selling at a loss too, so sometimes its worth losing for a gain down the road.

In Sussex County they haven't raised property tax in 64 years. How's it working for YOU in Wicomico County? Even when you VOTE to protect your taxes, new proposals come forward to screw you.

Now, no one is saying Pollitt is behind any of this but let's make something very clear here. Pollitt is on the record for being against the revenue cap and has been spending years trying to convince people it needs to be removed. He may POLITICALLY state he wants nothing to do with this but we all know who we can and can't trust any more. Especially coming from someone who hates the revenue cap.

Pollitt, (in my honest opinion) is staying away from this because he has a majority of republicans on the Council. God Forbid the majority becomes Democrat. I'm no fool, are you?

New Posts to fall below.

7 Accused of Bilking $375M From Medicare, Medicaid

DALLAS (AP) — A Texas doctor has been charged with running a massive health fraud care scheme with thousands of fraudulent patients and intermediaries allegedly offering cash, food stamps or free groceries, to bilk Medicare and Medicaid of nearly $375 million.

A federal indictment unsealed Tuesday charges Jacques Roy, a doctor who owned Medistat Group Associates in DeSoto, Texas, and six others in an alleged scheme to bill Medicare for home health services that were not properly billed, not medically necessary or not done.

The scheme was the largest dollar amount by a single doctor uncovered by a task force on Medicare fraud, authorities said.

U.S. Attorney Sarah Saldana accused Roy of "selling his signature" to home health agencies that rounded up thousands of patients' names and billed Medicare and Medicaid for five years.

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Need $40,000.00?

Do you have a great idea for how QR codes could help improve response during an emergency? Need $40,000? The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency wants to hear your ideas. DARPA has launched its "Cash for Locating and Identifying Quick Response codes" challenge, or CLIQR quest. DARPA will simulate a disaster and then ask teams to use QR codes to quickly identify needs — like water, food and gas — to help direct emergency response and relief efforts. Entries are being accepted until March 8.

Agriculture Department Streamlines

The Agriculture Department is moving forward with plans to streamline itself. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsak tells Congress he will put modernization plans into action in 90 days. The agency wants to consolidate 131 Farm Service Agency Offices with other USDA service centers. It plans to close about 260 offices, facilities and labs in total. Vilsack says investment in innovative technologies and business solution is also a big part of the plan to improve service and the customer experience.

2011 Wicomico County Spring Soccer

Registration is open for the Spring Soccer Team Entry League

(Salisbury, MD) Wicomico County is offering a Team Entry Spring Soccer League for 2012. The league is open to girls and boys 5 – 16 years of age and is divided into six age divisions Under 6 to Under 17. Games will be played once a week on Sunday afternoons in this eight game season at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex beginning April 15, 2012.

This is a team entry league only so Coaches and Parents are encouraged to put a team together and enter them into the league. The team entry fee is $325 which includes an end of the season tournament. There is no individual player participation fee. All divisions will play an 8 v 8 format. Coach/team packets and registration information can be picked up at the Civic Center Box Office and the registration deadline is April 2.

Registration will be accepted at the Box Office located at the Youth & Civic Center, or on line at www.wicomicorecandparks.org. For more information contact program director Kelly Rados at 410-548-4900 ext. 108 or email krados@wicomicocounty.org or Louis Richardson at 410-548-4900 ext. 105 or lrichardson@wicomicocounty.org.

Islamic Group threatens WND

A man who says he represents the United Muslim Nations International organization has warned WND to “moderate” its reporting on issues involving Islam because of how Muslims may react.

The warning came in an email to WND from Faarooq al Mohammedi, who said he was asking on behalf of the Muslim organization that WND “comply as it would be in the companies (sic) best interest as we would not want to take you down the same rout (sic) as we have with other non-complaint media firms.”

The email warned WND to take “extra precaution when publishing religiously sensitive material or in creating religiously sensitive suspicions about peoples (sic) religious beliefs and practices.”

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PUBLIC NOTICE

SPECIAL MEETING 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, March 5, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. for consideration of 1) Ordinance No. 2190 - 2nd reading - FY12 budget amendment to appropriate funds received from the Local Government Insurance Trust for damage incurred by a lightning strike to the police radio tower on Marine Road; 2) Ordinance No. 2191 - 2nd reading - FY12 budget amendment to appropriate the funds received from the recovery and recycling of brass shell casings at the Salisbury Police Range to purchase service weapons; 3) Ordinance No. 2192 - 2nd reading - FY12 budget amendment to appropriate additional funds to pay the projected cost of lighting facilities maintenance; and 4) Ordinance No. 2193 - 2nd reading - FY12 budget amendment to appropriate funds for a traffic signal cabinet that was damaged by a traffic accident.
This special meeting will be held in Conference Room 306 of the City/County Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).

BREAKING NEWS: North Korea Suspends Nuclear Activities, US Says

State Department says North Korea agrees to suspend uranium enrichment, delay nuclear and long-range missile tests.

From Fox News

What's Hiding Behind The Buzzwords In Job Ads?

You've heard the job ad jargon so often, your eyes glaze over: detail-oriented, fast-paced work environment, team player. But these well-worn phrases can expose the dirty little secrets of your potential future employer.

FORTUNE -- Read enough help-wanted advertisements, and you'll soon realize that they all basically sound the same. Jargon like "detail-oriented" and "self-starter" is so overused that the positions advertised begin to sound unremarkable: part of the expected landscape of hunting for a job.

But if you stop and think about what all of these buzzwords are signaling, you'll realize how much information you just might miss if you fail to read between the lines. First of all, when employers fall back on the same old jargon to advertise positions, it could very well be that they actually have no idea what they are looking for. They just know they have a spot to fill.

"Jargon is our way to grow lazier decision making in corporate cultures," says Kevin Fleming, owner of Grey Matters, a neuroscience-based executive development and coaching firm based in Jackson Hole and Tulsa, Ariz. "We use these words to cover up something. It could also be a way to hide some ambivalence."

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How Lefties, Righties See The World Differently

Be careful next time you cast a vote. Your “handedness” might make you choose the wrong candidate, according to a research review published in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

The research sheds light on the so-called “body-specificity hypothesis” which simply means that how we make decisions and how we communicate with each other is influenced not only by our minds, but by our physical bodies.

“Handedness is a good tool (to use) because it’s easily measurable, and our hands our important in how we interact with the physical world,” explains lead author Daniel Casasanto, Ph.D., a cognitive scientist and assistant professor at the New School for Social Research in New York.

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LaHood Honks When Drivers Talk or Text

WASHINGTON - Drivers who talk or text on their cellphones may hear from the Secretary of Transportation in a very personal way.

"I drive around on the weekends in Washington," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood tells WTOP about his informal road patrols.

When he sees what he describes as "my biggest source of irritation" -- somebody on a cellphone, LaHood takes action.

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Editors Note. What is your driving pet peeve?

An Impressive List Of Obama's Accomplishments

First President to apply for college aid as a foreign student, then deny he was a foreigner.
First President to have a social security number from a state he has never lived in.
First President to preside over a cut to the credit-rating of the United States.
First President to violate the War Powers Act.
First President to be held in contempt of court for illegally obstructing oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico .
First President to defy a Federal Judge's court order to cease implementing the Health Care Reform Law.
First President to require all Americans to purchase a product from a third party.
First President to spend a trillion dollars on 'shovel-ready' jobs when there was no such thing as 'shovel-ready' jobs.
First President to abrogate bankruptcy law to turn over control of companies to his union supporters.
First President to by-pass Congress and implement the Dream Act through executive fiat.
First President to order a secret amnesty program that stopped the deportation of illegal immigrants across the U.S. , including those with criminal convictions.
First President to demand a company hand-over $20 billion to one of his political appointees.
First President to terminate America 's ability to put a man in space.
First President to have a law signed by an auto-pen without being present.
First President to arbitrarily declare an existing law unconstitutional and refuse to enforce it.
First President to threaten insurance companies if they publicly spoke-out on the reasons for their rate increases.
First President to tell a major manufacturing company in which State they are allowed to locate a factory.
First President to file lawsuits against the states he swore an oath to protect (AZ, WI, OH, IN).
First President to withdraw an existing coal permit that had been properly issued years ago.
First President to fire an inspector general of Ameri-corps for catching one of his friends in a corruption case.
First President to appoint 45 czars to replace elected officials in his office.
First President to golf 73 separate times in his first two and a half years in office, 90 to date.
First President to hide his medical, educational and travel records.
First President to win a Nobel Peace Prize for doing NOTHING to earn it.
First President to go on multiple global 'apology tours'.
First President to go on 17 lavish vacations, including date nights and Wednesday evening White House parties for his friends; paid for by the taxpayer.
First President to have 22 personal servants (taxpayer funded) for his wife.
First President to keep a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year at taxpayer expense.

First President to repeat the Holy Quran and tell us the early morning call of the Azan (Islamic call to worship) is the most beautiful sound on earth.

Councilwoman Stopped Going 105 mph in a 55 mph

Police gave chase to a Prince George's County Council member allegedly going at least 100 miles per hour on the Beltway - but when Karen Toles was finally pulled over, she was only given a $90 fine and a warning

It began last Wednesday just after noon. A police officer on the inner loop of the Beltway spotted a county-owned Ford SUV allegedly traveling more than 100 miles per hour and recklessly changing lanes.

The officer flipped on his flashing lights and began a pursuit. His dash cam recorded speeds of 105-108 miles per hour as he tried to catch up to the SUV, police say.

The officer followed the SUV off the Beltway and through two traffic lights before the SUV pulled over.
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