Here's the deal: You have to appreciate the speed from the shot taken from the bridge. You thought the train from Paris to Avion was fast at 300 km/h but this is something else. I wonder how far back it has to begin slowing down for the station. Imagine going through a station at full speed!This is a high speed train built by the Alstom rail group in Belfort , France . They share manufacturing facilities with the GE Energy Products Europe (EPE) Gas Turbine group. The video was provided by the GE EPE Chief Engineer in Belfort .The train hit 574.8 Km/h which works out to 357.2 MPH or Mach 0.482 - wow! In particular, watch the train going under a bridge with people watching. This is FAST!! And it is powered by electricity and controlled with Apple iMacs.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, March 19, 2012
Joe Biden Hears Boos at Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The White House got in its fair share of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations Saturday. Between President Barack Obama taking time to down a Guinness in Washington D.C. and Vice President Joe Biden participating in Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, the reelection campaign may be aiming to mend fences with the enormous demographic of Americans who report Irish ancestry. If Biden’s reception during portions of the parade serve as a barometer of how the administration will do in the key swing state this November, President Obama may need the luck of the Irish to get four more years in the White House.
Seen waiving and jogging gingerly on the parade route, Vice President Biden’s entourage was loudly booed at points by some of the hundreds of thousands who turned out for the parade in Pittsburgh Saturday. WPXI reports that Biden spent part of his trip campaigning ahead of November’s election and part of his time enjoying himself.
Video of the parade fun and boos: Here
Starting Next Month, the U.S. Will Have the Highest Corporate Tax Rate in the World
On April 1, Japan will cut its corporate tax rate to 36.8 percent from 39.5 percent.
You know what that means, right?
It means the United States will officially have the highest corporate tax rate in the world, with average combined federal and state profit levies of 39.2 percent.
“Yes, that’s higher than Sweden,” The Wall Street Journal reports. “Higher than Russia. And China, Mexico, Denmark and even France. Doesn’t it make you want to break out in a chant: U-S-A, U-S-A?”
As Japanese politicians found themselves staring down an increasingly burdensome deficit and an aging population, they came up with an idea: Cut the corporate profits tax to boost economic activity and generate higher revenues.
Florida Atheists Scrub Away Highway Blessing With ‘Unholy Water’ Because They‘re Not Going to Tolerate ’Bigotry’
The latest fight between atheists and religious groups leaves one asking who really crossed the line.
Polk County, Florida, sits smack in the middle of the Sunshine State containing several highways drivers travel through to make their way between major cities in the state. Last year, area religious leaders formed a group, Polk Under Prayer (PUP), that decided to bless the Pasco-Polk county line along Highway 98. PUP’s director said the act was done so that “God would protect us from evildoers, mainly the drug crowd, that they would be dissuaded to come in to the county.”
This gesture has apparently offended area atheists deeply enough that they felt the need to organize an event Saturday to symbolically scrub away the holy oils used by PUP to bless the county line. Bay News 9 reports that the atheists, organized by Humanists of Florida, used “unholy water” to remove the blessing and wash the road because it made them feel uncomfortable:
1995 Video of Eric Holder: We Must ‘Brainwash’ People Against Guns
New video of Eric Holder from 1995 has surfaced, and it may put “Fast and Furious” in a much broader perspective.
Recorded on CSPAN2, the clip shows current Attorney General Eric Holder laying out a strategy to “change the hearts and minds of the people in Washington, DC” in how they look at guns.
“What we need to do is change the way in which people think about guns, especially young people, and make it something that’s not cool, that it’s not acceptable, it’s not hip to carry a gun anymore, in the way in which we changed our attitudes about cigarettes.”
Though it’s no surprise that Eric Holder is anti-gun, critics are saying that his proposed initiatives go too far. Among other things, Holder suggested that there be some form of hotline you could call if see a gun, or have any “information” about one.
'10 Commandments Judge' Roy Moore Poised to Return to Alabama Supreme Court
Roy Moore, the former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice made famous by a Ten Commandments monument, is one step closer to getting his old job back. Moore won 50.14% of the vote on Tuesday in the Republican primary for the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
Moore appears to have narrowly avoided a runoff by capturing more than 50% of Republican voters. The state Republican Party has a week to certify the vote but Moore and his campaign are proceeding as if there will not be a runoff.
"We need leadership in the legal branch," Moore told CNN by phone after fielding congratulatory calls from local officials.
Moore held the job of Chief Justice from 2001 to 2003 but was forced out when he defied a federal order to remove a 2.6 ton stone monument of the Ten Commandments he had placed at the courthouse.
The New Tax Proposals In Annapolis
When Martin O'Malley ran for Governor, he seemed very concerned with the amount of taxes and fees levied on Maryland citizens. The new tax proposals coming out of Annapolis these days seem to show that his concerns no longer exist. Marylanders are already overtaxed, and the current administration is only going to make things worse.
Please take a couple of minutes to listen to my thoughts on this very important subject. I share your concerns about the direction our country is moving.I hope that you will listen and send me your thoughts on these critical issues. You can email me at info@andyharris.com.
Thank you for your time and your support. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Thanks,
Andy Harris
Please take a couple of minutes to listen to my thoughts on this very important subject. I share your concerns about the direction our country is moving.I hope that you will listen and send me your thoughts on these critical issues. You can email me at info@andyharris.com.
Thank you for your time and your support. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Thanks,
Andy Harris
Baltimore Police Launch 'Newscast'
BALTIMORE -- Those in the news business have some new competition in Baltimore.
City police officials said they believe the Baltimore Police Department is the first in the nation to launch a daily newscast.
"BPD-TV" will stream live from Baltimore City police headquarters weekdays at 12:30 p.m., and each episode will be archived on the Baltimore Police Department's website.
The Police Department set up a TV studio replete with cameras, lights, scripts -- the works. The police-officer-turned-news-anchor also has the ability to play video during the broadcast.
City police officials said they believe the Baltimore Police Department is the first in the nation to launch a daily newscast.
"BPD-TV" will stream live from Baltimore City police headquarters weekdays at 12:30 p.m., and each episode will be archived on the Baltimore Police Department's website.
The Police Department set up a TV studio replete with cameras, lights, scripts -- the works. The police-officer-turned-news-anchor also has the ability to play video during the broadcast.
Netanyahu Addresses Evangelical Christian Gathering in Jerusalem
American Evangelical pastor John Hagee - who heads the largest pro-Israel lobby group in the United States - half jokingly compared Benjamin Netanyahu to the Messiah on Sunday night, as he waited for the delayed prime minister to arrive at a Jerusalem hotel to address the crowd.
"There's a saying in Judaism about the Messiah - I know that even if he tarries, he'll come," Hagee told hundreds of members of Christians United for Israel. "I know that the prime minister will come, and even if he tarries, he'll come."
The crowd laughed, and so did Hagee. But as Hagee introduced Netanyahu when he finally arrived half an hour later, the comparison with the Messiah no longer seemed so far-fetched.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY RE: EARLY TUESDAY MORNING FUNERAL PROCESSION FROM BALTIMORE CO. TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police are issuing a traffic advisory for early tomorrow as they work with State Highway Administration personnel and allied law enforcement officers to accommodate the funeral procession of a Maryland military officer who gave his life in service to our country.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, beginning at 5:00 a.m., the Maryland State Police, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Baltimore County Police, and the Maryland State Highway Administration will assist with the funeral procession of Major Robert J. Marchanti. Major Marchanti, 48, of Baltimore, died February 25, 2012, in Kabul Afghanistan, of wounds received during an attack on the Afghan Interior Ministry. He was assigned to the 29th Infantry Division Security Partnering Team of the Maryland Army National Guard.
The funeral procession may impact the morning commute and commuters are asked to use caution when travelling alongside the procession and if possible, consider taking an alternate route to work during that time period.
The route of the procession is as follows:
-Depart Evans Funeral Chapel, 8800 Harford Road, Parkville, at 5:00 a.m;
-Travel north on Harford Road to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695);
-Travel west on the Baltimore Beltway toward Towson to I-95 on the
southwest side of the Beltway;
-Travel south on I-95 to the Capital Beltway (I-495).
-The procession is expected to reach the Capitol Beltway between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30
a.m., depending on traffic congestion.
-Travel west on the Capitol Beltway to the American Legion Memorial Bridge;
-The Virginia State Police will assume control of the procession after crossing the
American Legion Memorial Bridge in Virginia.
-After crossing into Virginia, the procession will exit the Capital Beltway and travel
south on the George Washington Memorial Parkway to Arlington National
Cemetery.
On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, beginning at 5:00 a.m., the Maryland State Police, the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Baltimore County Police, and the Maryland State Highway Administration will assist with the funeral procession of Major Robert J. Marchanti. Major Marchanti, 48, of Baltimore, died February 25, 2012, in Kabul Afghanistan, of wounds received during an attack on the Afghan Interior Ministry. He was assigned to the 29th Infantry Division Security Partnering Team of the Maryland Army National Guard.
The funeral procession may impact the morning commute and commuters are asked to use caution when travelling alongside the procession and if possible, consider taking an alternate route to work during that time period.
The route of the procession is as follows:
-Depart Evans Funeral Chapel, 8800 Harford Road, Parkville, at 5:00 a.m;
-Travel north on Harford Road to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695);
-Travel west on the Baltimore Beltway toward Towson to I-95 on the
southwest side of the Beltway;
-Travel south on I-95 to the Capital Beltway (I-495).
-The procession is expected to reach the Capitol Beltway between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30
a.m., depending on traffic congestion.
-Travel west on the Capitol Beltway to the American Legion Memorial Bridge;
-The Virginia State Police will assume control of the procession after crossing the
American Legion Memorial Bridge in Virginia.
-After crossing into Virginia, the procession will exit the Capital Beltway and travel
south on the George Washington Memorial Parkway to Arlington National
Cemetery.
Increased Threat Level In Los Angeles
In the wake of recent events in Afghanistan, rumors are circulating that radical Muslims are planning to go on a rampage in Los Angeles, killing anyone who is a legal U.S. citizen.
Police fear the death toll could be as high as 23. I will keep you posted on future developments.
Police fear the death toll could be as high as 23. I will keep you posted on future developments.
Soldier Who Died Trying to Rescue Daughters To Be Buried at Arlington
A decorated U.S. soldier who died while unsuccessfully trying to rescue his daughters from their burning North Carolina home will be buried alongside the girls at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.
Chief Warrant Officer II Edward Duane Cantrell, 36, was a member of the 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg. The Green Beret had returned in August from his latest overseas deployment.
His wife, Louise, told officials the family was upstairs when the fire broke out just before 2 a.m. in Hope Mills, a suburb of Fayetteville, on March 5.
'Ghost' of '08 to haunt Obama in 2012?
Has the full extent of President Obama’s relationship with former Weather Underground terrorist Bill Ayers been exposed?
Is there still more to the Obama-Ayers affiliation that has not been dug up by enterprising reporters, authors, bloggers and researchers?
Among all Obama’s radical associates from the past, few received more attention or were as shocking as the president’s connection to Ayers.
The relationship plagued Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign and could resurface during this year’s election as many questions remain.
How Drama Queens Sabotage The Tea Party
The only sense of purpose in their lives arises from perceived persecution and perpetual emergency.
Drama queens come in all shapes, sizes, and genders. We have all known our share. Some folks revel in crisis. In a sick way, they need it. The only sense of purpose in their lives arises from perceived persecution and perpetual emergency. Such people actually avoid solutions and resent those who provide them because a solution removes any excuse for mania.
In politics, we may call such people anti-activists, as their efforts tend to work counter to that of activists with whom they should align. Unfortunately, they are legion among libertarians, conservatives, and Tea Party groups. Collectively, they present a greater threat to the restoration of our republic than any active Marxist.
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Drama queens come in all shapes, sizes, and genders. We have all known our share. Some folks revel in crisis. In a sick way, they need it. The only sense of purpose in their lives arises from perceived persecution and perpetual emergency. Such people actually avoid solutions and resent those who provide them because a solution removes any excuse for mania.
In politics, we may call such people anti-activists, as their efforts tend to work counter to that of activists with whom they should align. Unfortunately, they are legion among libertarians, conservatives, and Tea Party groups. Collectively, they present a greater threat to the restoration of our republic than any active Marxist.
More
America's Youth 'Dependency Dilemma' Is A Political Problem, Not Just A Family One
“Researchers at UCLA are studying the habits of middle-class families,” reports the Wall Street Journal today, “asking intriguing questions like why are American kids so helpless and dependent?”
The story, “A Field Guide to the Middle-Class U.S. Family," reports on the work of anthropologist Elinor Ochs and her colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles, who have studied family life as far away as Samoa and the Peruvian Amazon region, but more recently have been studying the American middle class and asking questions like this one: Why do American children depend on their parents to do things for them that they are capable of doing for themselves?
Among the findings: The families had very a child-centered focus, which may help explain the "dependency dilemma" seen among American middle-class families, says Dr. Ochs. Parents intend to develop their children's independence, yet raise them to be relatively dependent, even when the kids have the skills to act on their own, she says. How kids develop moral responsibility is an area of focus for the researchers. Dr. Ochs, who began her career in far-off regions of the world studying the concept of "baby talk," noticed that American children seemed relatively helpless compared with those in other cultures she and colleagues had observed.
Are We On The Verge Of The Obama Great Depression?
America has always been a land of boom and bust. It’s just part of the natural business cycle. But Obama and his socialist cabal have channeled Hoover and FDR, who turned an ordinary bust into The Great Depression with a toxic strategy of bigger government, more spending, more debt, expanded entitlements, more rules and regulations strangling business, higher minimum wages, more power to unions, and dramatically higher taxes to pay for this expansion of big government. Sound familiar? Simply add in "green energy" and this is the same toxic brew of the Obama game plan.
Interestingly, it's the same plan that has led Europe to the edge of the cliff as well. The EU is crumbling under the weight of suffocating debt. If you think Greece was bad, wait until you start hearing the news out of Spain, the "green energy" capital of Europe. 25% unemployment. 50% unemployment among young adults. Crushing corporate debt 6 times higher than Germany. Insolvent banks. Greece was child's play. Spain is the world's 12th biggest economy. As Spain crumbles, it will bring the EU to its knees later this summer. So I guess "green energy" didn't work, huh?
The question is, is Obama following this same toxic game plan out of leftist naiveté and ignorance? Afterall, Obama’s lifetime of business experience before taking up residence in the White House would not qualify him to run a Bronx bodega. Yet we made him CEO of the world’s biggest economy. Oops.
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Interestingly, it's the same plan that has led Europe to the edge of the cliff as well. The EU is crumbling under the weight of suffocating debt. If you think Greece was bad, wait until you start hearing the news out of Spain, the "green energy" capital of Europe. 25% unemployment. 50% unemployment among young adults. Crushing corporate debt 6 times higher than Germany. Insolvent banks. Greece was child's play. Spain is the world's 12th biggest economy. As Spain crumbles, it will bring the EU to its knees later this summer. So I guess "green energy" didn't work, huh?
The question is, is Obama following this same toxic game plan out of leftist naiveté and ignorance? Afterall, Obama’s lifetime of business experience before taking up residence in the White House would not qualify him to run a Bronx bodega. Yet we made him CEO of the world’s biggest economy. Oops.
More
Canada: Lesbian Demands Catholic School Remove Catechism Quote
A self-proclaimed ‘lesbian’ whose two children attend a Catholic school near Peterborough is demanding that the Peterborough Catholic school board remove a Catechism quote dealing with homosexuality from a school pamphlet. Ann Michelle Tesluk has started an online petition to pressure the board to action and describes her activities as gearing to make the Catholic Church into an “openly gay friendly church.”
The pamphlet in question, however, is controversial from more than one perspective. While quoting the Catechism that the homosexual inclination is “objectively disordered”, the pamphlet also misrepresents Catholic teaching in numerous ways. The pamphlet calls on schools to highlight homosexual role models and familiarize students with terms like “LGBTQQ” and “two-spirited.” It indicates that Canada legalized same-sex “marriage” in 2005 without mentioning that the Church opposes such unions.
Greg Reeves, director of education for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB), told LifeSiteNews that they have had enough complaints about the pamphlet, called The Colour of Equity, to give the wording a “relook” to see if they can explain the Church’s teaching better.
Gas prices up for 9th straight day
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline rose for the ninth straight day on Sunday to $3.838. That is now only about 6.7% below the record high of $4.11 from July 2008.
The average price rose by three-tenths of a penny, according to the survey of gas stations conducted for the motorist group AAA. Gas prices are now up more than 17% this year.
The nationwide average was $3.52 a gallon a month ago and $3.76 a gallon on March 9 -- the day that prices started rising again after a few days of slight declines.
Yes He Does! 5 Ways Obama Controls Gas Prices
A plumpish girl making pizzas behind a counter methodically spreads red sauce on a circle of dough as she vents loudly to the cashier: “Do you drink soda pop? No? Well, I do. They say that pop makes you gain weight. I always gain weight from stress and I’m so stressed out. I don’t have enough money. I need a car for college and I can’t afford one. And gas is outrageous. It’s like $5! I mean, I could buy a bike for $5!”
A few minutes later, the girl hands me my oven-ready pizza without looking up. She is visibly distraught. I feel bad for her as I walk away thinking, “Thanks for ruining our economy, President Obama.”
Obama claims he doesn’t manipulate gas prices. He told Fox News this month: "You think the president of the United States going into reelection wants gas prices to go up higher? Is that—is there anybody here who thinks that makes a lot of sense?”
I say: “Yes, Mr. President, that makes a lot of sense. Your regulations and unconstitutional executive orders have caused the price of gas to skyrocket. So, you do control gas prices. Want examples? I’ll give you five.”
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A few minutes later, the girl hands me my oven-ready pizza without looking up. She is visibly distraught. I feel bad for her as I walk away thinking, “Thanks for ruining our economy, President Obama.”
Obama claims he doesn’t manipulate gas prices. He told Fox News this month: "You think the president of the United States going into reelection wants gas prices to go up higher? Is that—is there anybody here who thinks that makes a lot of sense?”
I say: “Yes, Mr. President, that makes a lot of sense. Your regulations and unconstitutional executive orders have caused the price of gas to skyrocket. So, you do control gas prices. Want examples? I’ll give you five.”
More
New Wrinkle In Pot Debate: Stoned Driving
Angeline Chilton says she can't drive unless she smokes pot. The suburban Denver woman says she'd never get behind the wheel right after smoking, but she does use medical marijuana twice a day to ease tremors caused by multiple sclerosis that previously left her homebound.
"I don't drink and drive, and I don't smoke and drive," she said. "But my body is completely saturated with THC."
Her case underscores a problem that no one's sure how to solve: How do you tell if someone is too stoned to drive?
ABC Reports Russian Troops Have Arrived In Syria, Russia Denies
Earlier today, Al Arabiya made waves in the energy market following reports [8]that a Russian ship carrying special forces had arrived in the Syrian port of Tartus, previously demonstrated here [9]to be a key strategic asset in the Mediterranean. This news was promptly denied by RIA [10], which said that "there were no Russian military ships off Syria coast" and that the Iman ship is a tanker which is merely conducting resource support functions. Furthermore, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the crew of Iman consists solely of "civilian personnel, which is being guarded." That may or may not be the case, but has not stopped ABC from blasting, minutes ago, a headline that "Russian anti-terror troops arrive in Syria" a development that a "United Nations Security Council source told ABC News was "a bomb" certain to have serious repercussions." Which begs the question: is everyone now dead set on having war in Syria, and by proxy, Iran?
From ABC [11]:
Russia, one of President Bashar al-Assad's strongest allies despite international condemnation of the government's violent crackdown on the country's uprising, has repeatedly blocked the United Nations Security Council's attempts to halt the violence, accusing the U.S. and its allies of trying to start another war.
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From ABC [11]:
Russia, one of President Bashar al-Assad's strongest allies despite international condemnation of the government's violent crackdown on the country's uprising, has repeatedly blocked the United Nations Security Council's attempts to halt the violence, accusing the U.S. and its allies of trying to start another war.
More
WBOC 16 Angelica Fails. "What are you doing!?" Yells At Cameraman
This is great.. Reporter shows her true colors! What are you doing you low life cameraman.. Trying to help me out.. Blah Blah Blah. TV is a joke now! Get your news from real journalists.. Not on TV or the Newspaper! I must say the guy who came right up and who picked up her slack was a pro.. :)
As quotes on YouTube.
Mr. President, When Should I Expect Your Call?
Dear President Obama,
You don’t know my telephone number, but I hope your staff is busy trying to find it. Ever since you called Sandra Fluke after Rush Limbaugh called her a slut, I figured I might be next. You explained to reporters you called her because you were thinking of your two daughters, Malia and Sasha. After all, you didn’t want them to think it was okay for men to treat them that way:
“One of the things I want them to do as they get older is engage in issues they care about, even ones I may not agree with them on,” you said. “I want them to be able to speak their mind in a civil and thoughtful way. And I don’t want them attacked or called horrible names because they’re being good citizens.”
And I totally agree your kids should be able to speak their minds and engage the culture. I look forward to seeing what good things Malia and Sasha end up doing with their lives.
But here’s why I’m a little surprised my phone hasn’t rung. Your $1,000,000 donor Bill Maher has said reprehensible things about my family. He’s made fun of my brother because of his Down’s Syndrome. He’s said I was “f—-d so hard a baby fell out.” (In a classy move, he did this while his producers put up the cover of my book, which tells about the forgiveness and redemption I’ve found in God after my past – very public — mistakes.)
If Maher talked about Malia and Sasha that way, you’d return his dirty money and the Secret Service would probably have to restrain you. After all, I’ve always felt you understood my plight more than most because your mom was a teenager. That’s why you stood up for me when you were campaigning against Sen. McCain and my mom — you said vicious attacks on me should be off limits.
Yet I wonder if the Presidency has changed you. Now that you’re in office, it seems you’re only willing to defend certain women. You’re only willing to take a moral stand when you know your liberal supporters will stand behind you.
More
You don’t know my telephone number, but I hope your staff is busy trying to find it. Ever since you called Sandra Fluke after Rush Limbaugh called her a slut, I figured I might be next. You explained to reporters you called her because you were thinking of your two daughters, Malia and Sasha. After all, you didn’t want them to think it was okay for men to treat them that way:
“One of the things I want them to do as they get older is engage in issues they care about, even ones I may not agree with them on,” you said. “I want them to be able to speak their mind in a civil and thoughtful way. And I don’t want them attacked or called horrible names because they’re being good citizens.”
And I totally agree your kids should be able to speak their minds and engage the culture. I look forward to seeing what good things Malia and Sasha end up doing with their lives.
But here’s why I’m a little surprised my phone hasn’t rung. Your $1,000,000 donor Bill Maher has said reprehensible things about my family. He’s made fun of my brother because of his Down’s Syndrome. He’s said I was “f—-d so hard a baby fell out.” (In a classy move, he did this while his producers put up the cover of my book, which tells about the forgiveness and redemption I’ve found in God after my past – very public — mistakes.)
If Maher talked about Malia and Sasha that way, you’d return his dirty money and the Secret Service would probably have to restrain you. After all, I’ve always felt you understood my plight more than most because your mom was a teenager. That’s why you stood up for me when you were campaigning against Sen. McCain and my mom — you said vicious attacks on me should be off limits.
Yet I wonder if the Presidency has changed you. Now that you’re in office, it seems you’re only willing to defend certain women. You’re only willing to take a moral stand when you know your liberal supporters will stand behind you.
More
Obama Admin OKs Using Aborted Babies’ Brains in Lab Tests
The Obama administration is getting grief from a pro-life group for approving an experiment using the remains of the bodies of unborn children victimized in abortion for research continues in U.S. laboratories.
Scott Fischbach, the director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life uncovered the information showing a clinical trial approved by the Food and Drug Administration uses brain tissue from aborted unborn babies to treat macular degeneration. StemCells Inc. will inject fetal brain stem cells into the eyes of up to 16 patients to study the cells’ effect on vision.
In its press release announcing the clinical trial, StemCells Inc. was careful to refer to the fetal brain material as “purified human neural stem cell product” or HuCNS-SC cells, rather than “fresh human fetal brain tissue,” a description which can be found elsewhere on its website.
Dr. Daryl Jones Back In The News: STOPASS.org
I launched StopASS.org and WicomicoMagnet.info on 3/6/2012 and on 3/15/2012 I was reassigned to the position of teacher in the Alternative School. Surprise! Surprise! I did not conform to what was expected of me, so it seems very appropriate for me to go work with the non-conforming students of Wicomico County. I look forward to working with each and every one of them. Perhaps we should have made this one of our "top ten reasons to stop tracking", but each year about 90% of students sent to the alternative school in Wicomico County are African American. Two out of three of these African Americans are male. And as you might guess, the overwhelming majority of these non-conforming students come from the low track.
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Magnet schools were formed during the 1960s and 70s to help reduce racial segregation and provide an alternative to government forced desegregation. Magnet schools had specialized curricula in areas such as Math & Science or Performing Arts. White students were attracted to these schools (like to a magnet) which their parents might have typically considered undesirable due to their large minority populations. The purpose of Magnet schools was to reduce minority isolation and increase diversity.
During the 1980s, a complete bastardization of this original Magnet school concept took place in school districts such as Wicomico County. Unhappy with the aftermath of forced desegregation, a group of parents started a movement that led to the creation of Wicomico’s “Magnet” school in 1987. This was a means to re-segregate students, plain and simple, based on test scores. There was no specialized curriculum to attract students, only the return to the predominantly white classes that these parents had been educated in as children.
As the two 2011-2012 3rd grade classes below demonstrate, one across the hall from the other at North Salisbury Elementary School, this "Magnet" re-segregation is still happening in Wicomico County, 25 years after it began:
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New Posts to fall below.
Executive-Order Panic: Martial law in U.S.?
The White House’s late-week release of an executive order has sent the online community into an uproar, worried that President Obama had secretly provided himself means to institute martial law in America.
In the common practice of dumping government documents on a Friday afternoon, just as the news cycle is wrapping up for the week – a move critics say allows the administration to avoid widespread coverage of embarrassing actions – the White House released an executive order on “National Defense Resources Preparedness.”
Filled with language about “government-owned equipment” and a “defense executive reserve,” among other vague statements, rumors began to spread that the executive order expanded the president’s power to do everything from seizing whole industries to drafting private armies.More
March 16 Environmental Matters Hearing
The rules changed overnight – public testimony was not accepted on bills with numbers higher than 1269. Only the sponsors and department representatives go to testify on these. If you signed up anyway, they recognized you by name after the hearing. I signed up for both 1307 and 1372 but only got recognized for 1307. I drove over an hour and a half to testify and they couldn’t even call my name. I won’t bother going next time – that will show them!
I was interviewed by a TV station in Salisbury for my views about the boat fees (HB1307) and then introduced them to Dave Smith so he would be interviewed as well.
HB1307 came up first and the panel consisted of Secretary Griffin, Bob Gaudette (boating guru at DNR), a representative from the boating trades, and the mayors of Rock Hall and Chesapeake Beach. The last minute amendments reduced the fee windfall from $9M to $4M and the Republicans on the committee ripped DNR for diverting Water Improvement Program funds to other uses. The Democrats were quiet on this issue and I assume O’Malley’s plans to divert more money from the program in the new budget made them toe the party line. If you sleep better at night because you trust the State to manage your money, you were wise not to see this – it was disgusting.
The boating guy from DNR complained that most people don’t know what they do with the money and I wouldn’t have had the stones to go there knowing that the Governor was planning to divert some to other general fund uses and some of it went to pay slip fees for commercial fishermen who didn’t have waterfront access.
Gaudette testified that the fees were well received by most people but one of the delegates countered that with the ton of email he received – all in opposition. Another delegate observed that if they hadn’t diverted so much money, they wouldn’t need the fee increase at all. The discussion got outside just boat fees and Griffin, under pressure, agreed that he might be able to address the diversion issues with other cabinet heads but he wasn’t making any promises. Holding my breath starting ……NOW!
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I was interviewed by a TV station in Salisbury for my views about the boat fees (HB1307) and then introduced them to Dave Smith so he would be interviewed as well.
HB1307 came up first and the panel consisted of Secretary Griffin, Bob Gaudette (boating guru at DNR), a representative from the boating trades, and the mayors of Rock Hall and Chesapeake Beach. The last minute amendments reduced the fee windfall from $9M to $4M and the Republicans on the committee ripped DNR for diverting Water Improvement Program funds to other uses. The Democrats were quiet on this issue and I assume O’Malley’s plans to divert more money from the program in the new budget made them toe the party line. If you sleep better at night because you trust the State to manage your money, you were wise not to see this – it was disgusting.
The boating guy from DNR complained that most people don’t know what they do with the money and I wouldn’t have had the stones to go there knowing that the Governor was planning to divert some to other general fund uses and some of it went to pay slip fees for commercial fishermen who didn’t have waterfront access.
Gaudette testified that the fees were well received by most people but one of the delegates countered that with the ton of email he received – all in opposition. Another delegate observed that if they hadn’t diverted so much money, they wouldn’t need the fee increase at all. The discussion got outside just boat fees and Griffin, under pressure, agreed that he might be able to address the diversion issues with other cabinet heads but he wasn’t making any promises. Holding my breath starting ……NOW!
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Presidential Job Approval Center
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ExecutiveExecutive Order -- National Defense Resources Preparedness
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:
PART I - PURPOSE, POLICY, AND IMPLEMENTATION
Section 101. Purpose. This order delegates authorities and addresses national defense resource policies and programs under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (the "Act").
Sec. 102. Policy. The United States must have an industrial and technological base capable of meeting national defense requirements and capable of contributing to the technological superiority of its national defense equipment in peacetime and in times of national emergency. The domestic industrial and technological base is the foundation for national defense preparedness. The authorities provided in the Act shall be used to strengthen this base and to ensure it is capable of responding to the national defense needs of the United States.
Sec. 103. General Functions. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) responsible for plans and programs relating to national defense (as defined in section 801(j) of this order), or for resources and services needed to support such plans and programs, shall:
(a) identify requirements for the full spectrum of emergencies, including essential military and civilian demand;
(b) assess on an ongoing basis the capability of the domestic industrial and technological base to satisfy requirements in peacetime and times of national emergency, specifically evaluating the availability of the most critical resource and production sources, including subcontractors and suppliers, materials, skilled labor, and professional and technical personnel;
(c) be prepared, in the event of a potential threat to the security of the United States, to take actions necessary to ensure the availability of adequate resources and production capability, including services and critical technology, for national defense requirements;
(d) improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the domestic industrial base to support national defense requirements; and
(e) foster cooperation between the defense and commercial sectors for research and development and for acquisition of materials, services, components, and equipment to enhance industrial base efficiency and responsiveness.
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PART I - PURPOSE, POLICY, AND IMPLEMENTATION
Section 101. Purpose. This order delegates authorities and addresses national defense resource policies and programs under the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (the "Act").
Sec. 102. Policy. The United States must have an industrial and technological base capable of meeting national defense requirements and capable of contributing to the technological superiority of its national defense equipment in peacetime and in times of national emergency. The domestic industrial and technological base is the foundation for national defense preparedness. The authorities provided in the Act shall be used to strengthen this base and to ensure it is capable of responding to the national defense needs of the United States.
Sec. 103. General Functions. Executive departments and agencies (agencies) responsible for plans and programs relating to national defense (as defined in section 801(j) of this order), or for resources and services needed to support such plans and programs, shall:
(a) identify requirements for the full spectrum of emergencies, including essential military and civilian demand;
(b) assess on an ongoing basis the capability of the domestic industrial and technological base to satisfy requirements in peacetime and times of national emergency, specifically evaluating the availability of the most critical resource and production sources, including subcontractors and suppliers, materials, skilled labor, and professional and technical personnel;
(c) be prepared, in the event of a potential threat to the security of the United States, to take actions necessary to ensure the availability of adequate resources and production capability, including services and critical technology, for national defense requirements;
(d) improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the domestic industrial base to support national defense requirements; and
(e) foster cooperation between the defense and commercial sectors for research and development and for acquisition of materials, services, components, and equipment to enhance industrial base efficiency and responsiveness.
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Gov. Martin O'Malley Defends Skybox Guest List
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Gov. Martin O'Malley defended his use of the taxpayer-owned skybox at M&T Bank Stadium, joking about his family's use of the box and acknowledging the skybox is a perk. His reaction comes a day after the WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team obtained the guest list full of political allies, donors, family and friends.
At the big home-opener last season -- when the Baltimore Ravens took on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11 -- it paid to be an O'Malley as 15 of 24 tickets were given to the governor's family, all at no cost.
"Yeah, there were a lot of O'Malleys in for the Steelers game, I will confess, Jayne," O'Malley told WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team lead investigative reporter Jayne Miller on Friday.
At the big home-opener last season -- when the Baltimore Ravens took on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11 -- it paid to be an O'Malley as 15 of 24 tickets were given to the governor's family, all at no cost.
"Yeah, there were a lot of O'Malleys in for the Steelers game, I will confess, Jayne," O'Malley told WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team lead investigative reporter Jayne Miller on Friday.
Romney Turns Up The Heat on Obama Energy Policies
Mitt Romney escalated Republican attacks on President Barack Obama's energy policies Sunday, calling for the firing or resignations of what he labeled the "gas hike trio" of top energy and environment officials in the administration.
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The Republican presidential hopeful's remarks on "Fox News Sunday" illustrated a GOP strategy to target Obama for rising gas prices as part of a campaign narrative that depicts the president as stifling U.S. production in order to boost alternative energy sources.
On Sunday, the AAA reported that the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose to $3.84 for an increase of almost 17% so far this year, according to www.fuelgaugereport.comMore
Stunning Percentage Agrees With Sheriff Joe
Poll: Americans unconvinced Obama birth certificate is authentic
Half of Americans are unconvinced that Barack Obama’s birth certificate, released in 2011 at the White House amidst fanfare and proclamation that it is “proof positive” of Obama’s eligibility to be president, is authentic.
About the same number disbelieve his eligibility to be president, and the skeptics also say he has not provided adequate and “authentic” documentation about his qualifications to sit as commander in chief in the Oval Office.
The confirmation numbers are the newest on the long running debate over Obama’s eligibility and occupancy of the presidency, and are from a WND/Wenzel Poll conducted exclusively for WND by the public-opinion research and media consulting company Wenzel Strategies.
The scientific telephone survey was conducted March 10-13 and has a margin of error of 3.72 percentage points.
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Half of Americans are unconvinced that Barack Obama’s birth certificate, released in 2011 at the White House amidst fanfare and proclamation that it is “proof positive” of Obama’s eligibility to be president, is authentic.
About the same number disbelieve his eligibility to be president, and the skeptics also say he has not provided adequate and “authentic” documentation about his qualifications to sit as commander in chief in the Oval Office.
The confirmation numbers are the newest on the long running debate over Obama’s eligibility and occupancy of the presidency, and are from a WND/Wenzel Poll conducted exclusively for WND by the public-opinion research and media consulting company Wenzel Strategies.
The scientific telephone survey was conducted March 10-13 and has a margin of error of 3.72 percentage points.
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Too Warm, Too Soon? High Temperatures Bring Early Blossoms, Bugs, Critters and Sneezes
Unusually warm weather is rousing some critters, blossoms and bugs early from their slumber this winter, but wildlife and plant specialists, as well as orchardists, are worried about the consequences of a potential last minute cold snap.
According to Earth Networks senior meteorologist, James Aman, temperatures in Frederick County averaged about 5 degrees above normal from December through February.
Temperatures are about 8 degrees above normal so far this month and could reach 14 to 18 degrees above the average of 56 degrees for mid-March, Aman said. Of the past 118 winters, this was the ninth warmest.
"That's quite significant," he said.
Poll: U.S. Faces Constitutional Crisis On Obama
Americans finally getting message about possibly ineligible president
Questions have been raised about Barack Obama’s eligibility to be president since before his election, but with a mainstream media leading cheers for him there have been a lot of Americans who haven’t realized the seriousness of the situation – the possibility that the sitting president is ineligible and constitutionally devoid of authority to sign bills, set foreign policy or even host lavish parties for friends in the White House.
That’s changing and a large part of the reason is that Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz., conducted a six-month Cold Case Posse investigation and revealed that there is probable cause to believe there was forgery in the creation of the image of Obama’s “Certificate of Live Birth” and fraud in its presentation to the nation as a genuine document.
The evidence that the word has been reaching Americans comes in the latest WND/Wenzel Poll conducted exclusively for WND by the public-opinion research and media consulting company Wenzel Strategies.
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Questions have been raised about Barack Obama’s eligibility to be president since before his election, but with a mainstream media leading cheers for him there have been a lot of Americans who haven’t realized the seriousness of the situation – the possibility that the sitting president is ineligible and constitutionally devoid of authority to sign bills, set foreign policy or even host lavish parties for friends in the White House.
That’s changing and a large part of the reason is that Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz., conducted a six-month Cold Case Posse investigation and revealed that there is probable cause to believe there was forgery in the creation of the image of Obama’s “Certificate of Live Birth” and fraud in its presentation to the nation as a genuine document.
The evidence that the word has been reaching Americans comes in the latest WND/Wenzel Poll conducted exclusively for WND by the public-opinion research and media consulting company Wenzel Strategies.
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Student Loan Debt: The Next Time Bomb?
While consumers have paid down credit card balances and other debts in recent years, there's one area where they continue to borrow heavily: student loans.
People affected by growing student loan debt are sounding alarms, and no wonder. Look at the numbers. According to data from the Federal Reserve:
- Student loan balances now stand at about $870 billion, an amount that has surpassed total credit card balances ($693 billion) and total auto loan balances ($730 billion).
- The average outstanding student loan balance per borrower is $23,300.
- About 37 million Americans owe money on student loans.
- Almost 10 percent of student loans -- $85 billion worth -- are delinquent, and the Feds fear that number may be understated.
Main St Gym Competes In Baltimore
From left to Right Kobe Moore, Rudy Calixto, Corey Moore, Ivan CalixtoDu Burns Arena, Baltimore,
Main St Gym traveled to Baltimore Friday night to do battle at the Du Burns Arena in front of a large crowd of boxing fans.
The Du Burns arena, home of the Baltimore Blast soccer team, was the transformed into a boxing ballroom with all tables at full capacity.
Four young boxers from the Main St Gym were on hand and matched up for a great night of competitive fights.
Corey Moore, a 15 years old student of Wi Hi, started the night out with good lateral movement and started landing clean punches early. In the third round, Moore appeared to need more conditioning to continue his assault and started to fade in the third leaving Moore just short on points. Corey has very slick movement and is now putting his years of experience to use. He won a Silver medal this year at the regional Silver Gloves Tournament in N.C.and has make a jump up in competition and experience, but has shown that this is where he belongs.
Ivan Calixto then stepped in the ring and dominated Jesse Montana of Baltimore Boxing with a lopsided victory. What made the win special was that Calixto had lost three separate times to Montana and proved that his step up training is paying off.
In Main St Gym’s third bout of the night, Rudy Calixto jumped through the ropes to a crowds chant of “Rudy, Rudy” from the the movie of the same name. It has become standard when the 12 year old Calixto fights. “Rudy has not just come a long way with his skills, but he has a very unique ability to draw fans from where ever we go.
People we don’t even know are yelling Rudy and are just drawn to him. Calixto went on to put in a very sharp performance against a national caliper fighter from Charm City Boxing, to get the well deserved win. “ Rudy has a very respectable record at 8-2, but at this point of his career I am more concerned with how he trains and performs, than who get s the bigger trophy. Tonight he performed very well and it resulted in a good win, but that’s not always the case, wins and loses can be subjective but a good performance will always move you forward”. said Coach Hal Chernoff.
In the last bout of the night Kobe Moore 11 years old went into the bout giving up a significant weight advantage, but fought very well, landing solid shots and moving side to side and turning his foe to avoid much of his opponents attack. It was one of the closest bouts of the evening, with one judge scoring it even on points and two judges seeing Moore with a one point deficit. “Kobe really turns it up in the ring and is one of those kids that performs better in competition than in the gym. This was a real exciting fight that the crowd loved. It was so even, which makes the bout even better. Kobe did great and I am very proud of him, just as I am all these young men.
They work so hard in the gym and then climb through the ropes to put it all out there and test themselves and perform for the crowd. Most people have no idea what it takes to get up in the ring, in front of that many people, up there all alone to box. Then they have to remain composed to execute properly and that is what makes it so special. In most sorts the focus is on a team, but in boxing All eyes are on you.
I feel safe to say, you might want to start following these young men now. because their boxing future looks very good", added Chernoff.
DOE Allocated $4.4M to Teach Firefighters How to Rescue People From Wrecked Volts Without Killing Themselves
Thrusting itself into the news cycle yet again is the much-maligned Chevy Volt. Is it just us or does it seem like it’s one thing after another with this car?
Take, for instance, just last week when the Obama Administration tried again to increase the Volt’s tax credit from $7,500 to $10,000. Pretty big increase, right?
But perhaps more controversial than the car’s generous tax credits, or the fact that GM refuses to admit it’s a flop, or that the batteries seem to have a real problem with spontaneous combustion, is the fact that even GM admits the car can be very dangerous — and it’s going to cost you.
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Take, for instance, just last week when the Obama Administration tried again to increase the Volt’s tax credit from $7,500 to $10,000. Pretty big increase, right?
But perhaps more controversial than the car’s generous tax credits, or the fact that GM refuses to admit it’s a flop, or that the batteries seem to have a real problem with spontaneous combustion, is the fact that even GM admits the car can be very dangerous — and it’s going to cost you.
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Leaving A Pet In A Hot Car Now Comes With A Fine In Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Alexandria City Council passed an ordinance in November that bans animals from being left in vehicles when the outside temperature reaches 70 degrees or above.
Patrick Cole, director of communications and outreach with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, says Alexandria animal control has gotten multiple calls about pets being left in hot cars with our recent warmer weather.
He says that the new law, "gives our animal control officers the authority to break in or enter a car to retrieve an animal that's in distress."
Before the new law, animal control officers had to wait until the owner returned, which meant in some case waiting until it was too late for the animal.
New Details on NSA‘s ’Spy Center‘ and Secrets From Domestic Eavesdropping Operation ’Stellar Wind’
In the heart of Utah’s desert, the National Security Agency is well underway on a project that has been called the nation’s largest, most expensive cyber-security project. Naturally, almost all details about the building’s soon-to-be inner activities are highly classified and no one is talking — officials in Bluffdale where it is being built and the nearby Salt Lake City are kept in the dark. Still, Wired’s Threat Level has gotten some details on the building and provides analysis on some of its expected activity.
Wired describes that the building is ironically and “blandly” named the Utah Data Center. When completed in Sept. 2013 it will house four 25,000 square foot halls of servers, among other things. Wired states that the cost for the project is estimated at $2 billion.
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Wired describes that the building is ironically and “blandly” named the Utah Data Center. When completed in Sept. 2013 it will house four 25,000 square foot halls of servers, among other things. Wired states that the cost for the project is estimated at $2 billion.
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Snagged! Occupy Tells Protesters to Break Law
The Occupy movement is claiming New York City police busted their demonstration yesterday without probable cause while WND has discovered Occupy literature suggesting protesters should intentionally break Zuccotti Park’s rules.
The New York Police Department said it rained on Occupy’s parade when protesters started breaking the park laws, specifically by bringing tents and sleeping bags indicating some activists planed to camp out.
“They set up tents. They had sleeping bags,” NYPD Detective Brian Sessa told the Associated Press.
Sessa told reporters that Brookfield Properties, the park owner, first sent in security to advise the protesters to stop pitching tents and to leave the park before the NYPD was called into action.
At least 25 people were arrested in the ensuing clashes, with three officers suffered injuries, police said.
Gay Divorce Case Heading To Md.'s Highest Court
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland's highest court is scheduled to hear a case that could set a statewide precedent for same-sex divorce even before a gay marriage law takes effect.
The Baltimore Sun (http://bsun.md/FOA01K ) reports Maryland's Court of Appeals will hear the case next month of Jessica Port and Virginia Anne Cowan. The women were married in a California courthouse in 2008 when gay marriage was legal and returned home to Washington.
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The Baltimore Sun (http://bsun.md/FOA01K ) reports Maryland's Court of Appeals will hear the case next month of Jessica Port and Virginia Anne Cowan. The women were married in a California courthouse in 2008 when gay marriage was legal and returned home to Washington.
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SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR SUSPECT POSSIBLY WOUNDED IN CAMBRIDGE PD SHOOTING
(CAMBRIDGE, MD) -- A Cambridge police officer is undergoing treatment for non-life threatening injuries and a search is underway for a suspect who may be wounded after a police involved shooting early this morning.
The suspect is identified as Demetrice D. Demby, 39, of the 700-block of Douglas Street, Cambridge, Md. Demby may be injured and seeking treatment. Anyone who may have had contact with him or knows his location is urged to contact 911. Investigators are obtaining an arrest warrant for him and charges are pending.
The two Cambridge Police Department officers who fired their weapons are not being identified at this time for safety reasons. One officer is undergoing treatment at a hospital for injuries to his arms and legs, including a broken ankle. His injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. The other officer was not injured. Two other Cambridge Police Department officers who were on the scene did not fire their pistols and were not injured.
The police-involved shooting occurred at about 12:30 a.m. today, on the roadside in the 500-block of Leonard Lane, Cambridge, Md. Cambridge Police Department Chief Kenneth Malik requested the investigation be conducted by the Maryland State Police. State Police Homicide Unit investigators are conducting the investigation, which is procedure in police-involved shootings.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly before 12:30 a.m. today, two Cambridge Police Department officers stopped a 1995 Chevrolet truck for a traffic violation in the 500-block of Leonards Lane in Cambridge. Demby was the driver and sole occupant of the truck.
The observations and investigation of the officers during the traffic stop led them to request a K-9 unit to respond to scan the vehicle for possible drug violations. As the K-9 scan was being conducted, Demby accelerated the truck and is believed to have driven directly at one of the officers who was in front of the truck. That officer, in fear for his life, fired his pistol at the Demby. A second officer, fearing for the life of his fellow officer, also fired his pistol. Both officers were carrying department-issued .40 caliber Glock pistols.
The officer in front of the truck dove away as the truck passed him. It is unknown at this time if his injuries were sustained from the truck striking him, or from the fall as he dove out of the way, or both.
Demby continued to accelerate away and fled the scene. Cambridge police officers pursued Demby in his truck, but lost him within minutes. Demby’s truck was located a short time later abandoned on Muir Street, a few blocks away from the traffic stop. The vehicle had damage consistent with gunshots and investigators saw what appeared to be blood in the vehicle. It is not known if the blood is Demby’s, or if he was injured by a shot fired by police.
Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators are obtaining search warrants to further the investigation. They are being assisted in their continuing investigation by uniformed officers and investigators from the Cambridge Police Department. The Dorchester County State’s Attorney responded to the scene and will continue to be consulted by investigators during the ongoing investigation. When the State Police investigation into the police-involved shooting is complete, it will be presented to the State’s Attorney for review.
State Police crime scene technicians are on the scene and will be collecting evidence when the warrants are obtained. State troopers from the State Apprehension Team have responded to the area and are leading the ongoing search for Demby.
The suspect is identified as Demetrice D. Demby, 39, of the 700-block of Douglas Street, Cambridge, Md. Demby may be injured and seeking treatment. Anyone who may have had contact with him or knows his location is urged to contact 911. Investigators are obtaining an arrest warrant for him and charges are pending.
The two Cambridge Police Department officers who fired their weapons are not being identified at this time for safety reasons. One officer is undergoing treatment at a hospital for injuries to his arms and legs, including a broken ankle. His injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. The other officer was not injured. Two other Cambridge Police Department officers who were on the scene did not fire their pistols and were not injured.
The police-involved shooting occurred at about 12:30 a.m. today, on the roadside in the 500-block of Leonard Lane, Cambridge, Md. Cambridge Police Department Chief Kenneth Malik requested the investigation be conducted by the Maryland State Police. State Police Homicide Unit investigators are conducting the investigation, which is procedure in police-involved shootings.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly before 12:30 a.m. today, two Cambridge Police Department officers stopped a 1995 Chevrolet truck for a traffic violation in the 500-block of Leonards Lane in Cambridge. Demby was the driver and sole occupant of the truck.
The observations and investigation of the officers during the traffic stop led them to request a K-9 unit to respond to scan the vehicle for possible drug violations. As the K-9 scan was being conducted, Demby accelerated the truck and is believed to have driven directly at one of the officers who was in front of the truck. That officer, in fear for his life, fired his pistol at the Demby. A second officer, fearing for the life of his fellow officer, also fired his pistol. Both officers were carrying department-issued .40 caliber Glock pistols.
The officer in front of the truck dove away as the truck passed him. It is unknown at this time if his injuries were sustained from the truck striking him, or from the fall as he dove out of the way, or both.
Demby continued to accelerate away and fled the scene. Cambridge police officers pursued Demby in his truck, but lost him within minutes. Demby’s truck was located a short time later abandoned on Muir Street, a few blocks away from the traffic stop. The vehicle had damage consistent with gunshots and investigators saw what appeared to be blood in the vehicle. It is not known if the blood is Demby’s, or if he was injured by a shot fired by police.
Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigators are obtaining search warrants to further the investigation. They are being assisted in their continuing investigation by uniformed officers and investigators from the Cambridge Police Department. The Dorchester County State’s Attorney responded to the scene and will continue to be consulted by investigators during the ongoing investigation. When the State Police investigation into the police-involved shooting is complete, it will be presented to the State’s Attorney for review.
State Police crime scene technicians are on the scene and will be collecting evidence when the warrants are obtained. State troopers from the State Apprehension Team have responded to the area and are leading the ongoing search for Demby.
Paying For Gas With A Credit Card? $1 Extra Per Gallon, Please
It's not legal for a store to charge an extra fee or percentage when customers pay by credit card, but it is legal to offer a discount to customers who pay in cash. Great. The flaw in this plan is that, at least in New York state, there aren't any laws regulating how big that discount can be. Which is why some Long Island gas station operators recently hiked the price per gallon of gas a dollar, then offered a one-dollar discount to customers who pay cash.
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Today's Fill In The Blank 3-19-12
One of the places I'd like to go on my "bucket list" is _________.
First Look Review
The new iPad is shaping up as the best tablet yet
Apple's new iPad has taken a fine product, the iPad 2, and made it notably better, according to preliminary tests today in our lab. This third-generation iPad is shaping up to be the best tablet we've ever tested, whether from Apple or any other manufacturer.
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Apple's new iPad has taken a fine product, the iPad 2, and made it notably better, according to preliminary tests today in our lab. This third-generation iPad is shaping up to be the best tablet we've ever tested, whether from Apple or any other manufacturer.
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Obama's Daughter Spends Springbreak in Mexico
The elder daughter of US President Barack Obama is spending her springbreak in the historic Mexican city of Oaxaca in the company of 12 friends, a state police official said.
The young tourists, including 13-year-old Malia Ann Obama, are staying at a downtown hotel in this city famous for its colonial architecture and well-preserved native American traditions, the official said.
"We are here to block access to the hotel by other people and escort the vehicles that are carrying the visitors to tourism sites," the police official told AFP under the condition of anonymity.
Malia Obama and her friend are guarded by 25 US Secret Service agents as well as Mexican police, the official noted.
The group, which arrived in Oaxaca Saturday, has already visited the architectural zone of Mitla and the tree of El Tule believed to have one thousand years.
The sightseeing plan also includes visits to Monte Alban known for its archeological research sites and Oaxaca's famous artisan quarters.
STATE POLICE HELICOPTERS HELP RESCUE INJURED HIKER IN PA.
(Gardners, Pennsylvania) On Saturday March 17, 2012 at approximately 4:39 PM; Cumberland County (PA) Fire and Rescue officials were contacted about a male hiker who fell while hiking along the Appalachian Trail in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Cooke Township, Cumberland County, PA. The victim was unable to walk and was injured nearly one mile from the nearest roadway.
After EMS personnel arrived with the patient and assessed his injuries, they requested the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to respond and assist in the rescue. Trooper 3, the MSP helicopter based in Frederick, Maryland, was assigned to the mission, and Trooper 5, based in Cumberland, Maryland was also dispatched to support and assist Trooper 3.
While enroute, the crew from Trooper 3 learned that Cumberland County, PA was requesting an aerial patient removal utilizing Trooper 3’s rescue hoist due to rugged terrain causing a difficult and extensive extrication from the scene location. The patient suffered leg injuries and there was not an alternative means to transport the victim down from the mountain.
Trooper 3 utilized the rescue hoist to insert a crew member from the aircraft to the scene with specialized rescue equipment. With the victim secured in a rescue device, Trooper 3 maintained a hover over an opening in the trees and successfully hoisted the victim to the aircraft. Once the patient was hoisted safely to the aircraft, the crew transported the victim to a pre-designated landing zone, where he was transferred to Cumberland County EMS for transport to a local hospital.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970, and operates a fleet of eleven (11) helicopters from seven (7) bases throughout Maryland on a 24/7/365 basis. Missions include medevac, law enforcement, search & rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment. The success of rescues performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on the cooperative effort of local fire, rescue, EMS, and law enforcement agencies.
After EMS personnel arrived with the patient and assessed his injuries, they requested the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to respond and assist in the rescue. Trooper 3, the MSP helicopter based in Frederick, Maryland, was assigned to the mission, and Trooper 5, based in Cumberland, Maryland was also dispatched to support and assist Trooper 3.
While enroute, the crew from Trooper 3 learned that Cumberland County, PA was requesting an aerial patient removal utilizing Trooper 3’s rescue hoist due to rugged terrain causing a difficult and extensive extrication from the scene location. The patient suffered leg injuries and there was not an alternative means to transport the victim down from the mountain.
Trooper 3 utilized the rescue hoist to insert a crew member from the aircraft to the scene with specialized rescue equipment. With the victim secured in a rescue device, Trooper 3 maintained a hover over an opening in the trees and successfully hoisted the victim to the aircraft. Once the patient was hoisted safely to the aircraft, the crew transported the victim to a pre-designated landing zone, where he was transferred to Cumberland County EMS for transport to a local hospital.
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has served Maryland citizens since 1970, and operates a fleet of eleven (11) helicopters from seven (7) bases throughout Maryland on a 24/7/365 basis. Missions include medevac, law enforcement, search & rescue, homeland security, and disaster assessment. The success of rescues performed by the Aviation Command depends a great deal on the cooperative effort of local fire, rescue, EMS, and law enforcement agencies.
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release 3-19-12
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 15 March 2012
Location: 400 block of Skylar Drive, Fruitland, MD
Suspect: Mario E. Morton, 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 15 March 2012 at 3:55 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 400 block of Skylar Drive for a reported altercation. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female victim who advised that she became embroiled in an argument with Mario Morton when Morton began brandishing a large knife while threatening to kill her. The victim stated that Morton was holding the knife over his head in a manner that made the victim believe her life was in
imminent jeopardy.
The deputy located Morton nearby and after an interview placed Morton under arrest. Morton was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Morton in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st Degree
Assault 2nd Degree
Reckless Endangerment
Wear / Carry a Dangerous Weapon
Date of Incident: 15 March 2012
Location: 400 block of Skylar Drive, Fruitland, MD
Suspect: Mario E. Morton, 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 15 March 2012 at 3:55 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 400 block of Skylar Drive for a reported altercation. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female victim who advised that she became embroiled in an argument with Mario Morton when Morton began brandishing a large knife while threatening to kill her. The victim stated that Morton was holding the knife over his head in a manner that made the victim believe her life was in
imminent jeopardy.
The deputy located Morton nearby and after an interview placed Morton under arrest. Morton was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Morton in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st Degree
Assault 2nd Degree
Reckless Endangerment
Wear / Carry a Dangerous Weapon
Who Is Really Paying The $25 Billion TBTF Mortgage Settlement
The surprising tale that I will attempt to pen in this blog entry has a very familiar cast of characters; the Obama Administration, the Housing Bubble, "Toxic Mortgages", and Too Big To Fail "TBTF" Banks among others. While the headline of TBTF banks in a $25bil mortgage settlement is known to many, the underlying details of the settlement are less known and quite appalling when you pull back the covers.
The wounds on past and present homeowners are still fresh from the housing crisis. As Jonathan Laing points out in this weekend's Barron's cover story, "five million of the country's 76million mortgage holders have lost their homes to foreclosure or lender ordered short sales since 2006, and an estimated 14million more own more on their homes than their properties are currently worth. In all, some $7.4 trillion in homeowners' equity has been destroyed according to Mark Zandi..."
Cries for Accountability
While blame deserves to be cast upon numerous parties for the housing bubble, Americans have rightly called for accountability on the TBTF banks. Accountability for what? Among other faults, robo-signing became prevalent among TBTF banks as they forged mortgage documents in order to ensure proper paperwork was done to foreclose on properties.
Details of the $25bil Settlement (in the words of HUD) & Public Lauding
"On February 9, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, other federal agencies, and 49 state attorneys general announced the largest federal and state settlement agreement in history with the five major mortgage servicers for their mortgage servicing practices. The agreement has the potential to help nearly two million American homeowners through a variety of means, including loss mitigation tools such as principal reduction and refinancing of loans for borrowers who owe more on their house than it is worth (“underwater” homeowners), payments of billions of dollars to federal and state parties, and payments directly to individuals who lost their homes to foreclosure and meet certain other criteria." The public seemed to buy right into this news. After all, $25bil being paid by the bank sounds pretty tough right? Upon news of the $25bil Mortgage settlement many media members gushed over President Obama's "accountability" of these banks [16]. President Obama said himself that it was about “standing up for the American people” and “holding those who broke the law accountable.”
What's the Truth?
Only $5bil of the $25bil is actual cash being paid out by the banks. The banks earn "credits" for the remaining $20bil by modifying either loans that they own on their own books or securitized private label MBS that they service. Which will they choose to modify? Alison Frankel described the incentives last week in this article, [17]"Banks receive a $1 credit for every dollar of principal they reduce in a loan they own outright. They earn a 45 cent credit for every dollar written down on a securitized loan. That incentive, in combination with the strictures of the pooling and servicing agreements with investors, was intended to limit the number of securitized mortgages the banks would modify." The major question you should be asking yourself, and the overall premise of this article, is why are non-agency mortgage investors who did no harm being asked to foot the bill for the sins of the TBTF robo-signers? If you were a bank holding a loan at par, would you rather modify a given loan and take a dollar for dollar capital hit to get a credit towards the $20bil bogey, or modify twice as much of a MBS holders loan that you service (taking no capital hit yourself) and get the same credit? As former SIGTARP Neil Barofsky tells Bloomberg, "this would be comical if it wasn't so tragic [18]".
More
The wounds on past and present homeowners are still fresh from the housing crisis. As Jonathan Laing points out in this weekend's Barron's cover story, "five million of the country's 76million mortgage holders have lost their homes to foreclosure or lender ordered short sales since 2006, and an estimated 14million more own more on their homes than their properties are currently worth. In all, some $7.4 trillion in homeowners' equity has been destroyed according to Mark Zandi..."
Cries for Accountability
While blame deserves to be cast upon numerous parties for the housing bubble, Americans have rightly called for accountability on the TBTF banks. Accountability for what? Among other faults, robo-signing became prevalent among TBTF banks as they forged mortgage documents in order to ensure proper paperwork was done to foreclose on properties.
Details of the $25bil Settlement (in the words of HUD) & Public Lauding
"On February 9, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, other federal agencies, and 49 state attorneys general announced the largest federal and state settlement agreement in history with the five major mortgage servicers for their mortgage servicing practices. The agreement has the potential to help nearly two million American homeowners through a variety of means, including loss mitigation tools such as principal reduction and refinancing of loans for borrowers who owe more on their house than it is worth (“underwater” homeowners), payments of billions of dollars to federal and state parties, and payments directly to individuals who lost their homes to foreclosure and meet certain other criteria." The public seemed to buy right into this news. After all, $25bil being paid by the bank sounds pretty tough right? Upon news of the $25bil Mortgage settlement many media members gushed over President Obama's "accountability" of these banks [16]. President Obama said himself that it was about “standing up for the American people” and “holding those who broke the law accountable.”
What's the Truth?
Only $5bil of the $25bil is actual cash being paid out by the banks. The banks earn "credits" for the remaining $20bil by modifying either loans that they own on their own books or securitized private label MBS that they service. Which will they choose to modify? Alison Frankel described the incentives last week in this article, [17]"Banks receive a $1 credit for every dollar of principal they reduce in a loan they own outright. They earn a 45 cent credit for every dollar written down on a securitized loan. That incentive, in combination with the strictures of the pooling and servicing agreements with investors, was intended to limit the number of securitized mortgages the banks would modify." The major question you should be asking yourself, and the overall premise of this article, is why are non-agency mortgage investors who did no harm being asked to foot the bill for the sins of the TBTF robo-signers? If you were a bank holding a loan at par, would you rather modify a given loan and take a dollar for dollar capital hit to get a credit towards the $20bil bogey, or modify twice as much of a MBS holders loan that you service (taking no capital hit yourself) and get the same credit? As former SIGTARP Neil Barofsky tells Bloomberg, "this would be comical if it wasn't so tragic [18]".
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FATHER MORAL HAZARD
The person who wrote this article is already known to be a consummate nave and unapologetic Bankster tool. He insists that no actionable crimes were committed by Wall Street in the Subprime meltdown. Word brothers and sisters.
Now he posits the question: why is our 'savior' Ben Bernanke so hated?
Look at the smug falsely discerning pious grin on this central planning fool.
You want to know why he is universally loathed by those of us who know better?
He is the one most responsible for institutionalizing the towering babel of financial moral hazard that has poisoned the global economy.
Wondering why Lloyd Blankfein and Jamie Dimon are chronically recurring raw nerves afflicting the popular psyche.
Because this man shields them from being held justly accountable. Accountable for leading their storied institutions in a perpetually sequenced crime spree of economic rape, pillage and fiduciary sodomy. Reset...
They can all go fuck themselves and bukake their knowing muppet clients for all we should care. Just as long as they don't come crawling back to us on their TBTF hands and knees begging for another bailout mulligan on Systemic Judgement Day.
Thank you Ben Shalom Bernanke for being the singular pompous PhD idiot who can take the yeoman's credit for navigating this entire ship of financial farce into the sargasso sea of pinstriped fraud.
Amen brothers and sisters...
'Initiative comes to thems that wait.'
(A Clockwork Orange)
WB7
Taxi Cabs
NYPD Probing Apparent Threat After Occupy Protest
NEW YORK (AP) - New York City police are investigating what they say is an online threat made against police officers by an apparent Occupy protester following a clash at Zuccotti Park
Police spokesman Paul Browne confirmed Sunday that the department was seeking a subpoena to identify the person.
The New York Post and Daily News report a message by an apparent Occupy protester saying they won't make a difference if they don't kill a cop or two was tweeted at about 11:40 p.m. Saturday.
Hundreds of protesters had returned to Zuccotti Park near Wall Street on Saturday to mark the six months that have passed since the movement began.
Authorities say 73 people were detained. It was unclear how many were still in custody Sunday afternoon.
The Law Is Dead
Thus from the four preceding articles, the definition of law may be gathered; and it is nothing else than an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community, and promulgated.
~ St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First of the Second Part, Q. 90, Art. 4
The law is the organization of the natural right of lawful defense; it is the substitution of collective for individual forces, for the purpose of acting in the sphere in which they have a right to act, of doing what they have a right to do, to secure persons, liberties, and properties, and to maintain each in its right, so as to cause justice to reign over all.
~ Bastiat, The Law
As a member of that noble profession that concerns itself with the above subject matter, I take care to proclaim that the great Law is dead (or, at best, feeling quite unwell in 21st-century America). There is little hope for a resurrection of Law until the most important question is answered – whodunit?
Like any good suspense novel there are a retinue of likely suspects. Was it the pompous and hypocritical Politician, who rather than acting as guardian of the Law, turned his sacred trust into a tool for personal benefit and needed to off the Law before she squealed? Was it the shadowy Corporate Special Interest in the dead of night who needed the Law out of the way to effect his dastardly plan? Or was it the Professor, envious that Law always took center stage over him and his work? Perhaps it was the unassuming John Q. Public, who seemingly had no motive. Was Public put up to it by the seductive Media – who had an agenda of her own? Or was it – the unkindest cut of all – Lawyer, the Law’s own lover, the most natural suspect?
I will spoil the plot by telling you the ending of this mystery – stolen directly from Murder on the Orient Express – that there are two possible explanations. First, as the sleuth Poirot explains, we can blame the murder on a random stranger – a tragic twist of fate. Alternatively, we can posit that all of the suspects took their turn plunging the blade into her bosom. Poirot suggested adoption of the former in his mystery. I suggest the latter in ours.
The Law died because she had to in order to make room for what Bastiat called "legal plunder" which "destroys for its own profit, and in different degrees amongst the rest of the community, personal independence by slavery, liberty by oppression, and property by plunder." The story is too in-depth to be told in a single article, so I hope to provide fuller detail in the future. But for now, I briefly want to provide an outline of the roles and motives of the players.
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~ St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First of the Second Part, Q. 90, Art. 4
The law is the organization of the natural right of lawful defense; it is the substitution of collective for individual forces, for the purpose of acting in the sphere in which they have a right to act, of doing what they have a right to do, to secure persons, liberties, and properties, and to maintain each in its right, so as to cause justice to reign over all.
~ Bastiat, The Law
As a member of that noble profession that concerns itself with the above subject matter, I take care to proclaim that the great Law is dead (or, at best, feeling quite unwell in 21st-century America). There is little hope for a resurrection of Law until the most important question is answered – whodunit?
Like any good suspense novel there are a retinue of likely suspects. Was it the pompous and hypocritical Politician, who rather than acting as guardian of the Law, turned his sacred trust into a tool for personal benefit and needed to off the Law before she squealed? Was it the shadowy Corporate Special Interest in the dead of night who needed the Law out of the way to effect his dastardly plan? Or was it the Professor, envious that Law always took center stage over him and his work? Perhaps it was the unassuming John Q. Public, who seemingly had no motive. Was Public put up to it by the seductive Media – who had an agenda of her own? Or was it – the unkindest cut of all – Lawyer, the Law’s own lover, the most natural suspect?
I will spoil the plot by telling you the ending of this mystery – stolen directly from Murder on the Orient Express – that there are two possible explanations. First, as the sleuth Poirot explains, we can blame the murder on a random stranger – a tragic twist of fate. Alternatively, we can posit that all of the suspects took their turn plunging the blade into her bosom. Poirot suggested adoption of the former in his mystery. I suggest the latter in ours.
The Law died because she had to in order to make room for what Bastiat called "legal plunder" which "destroys for its own profit, and in different degrees amongst the rest of the community, personal independence by slavery, liberty by oppression, and property by plunder." The story is too in-depth to be told in a single article, so I hope to provide fuller detail in the future. But for now, I briefly want to provide an outline of the roles and motives of the players.
More
MIKE MCDERMOTT AND OTHERS FIGHT HUGE PAY RAISE FOR MARYLAND’S
This part of his latest report about what happened in the House of Delegates last week is worth repeating. It looks like the judges, including Martin O’Malley’s wife, will get a pay raise of at least 10 percent and possibly even more. What do you think about that?
http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/sj/sj0003t.pdf was one of the most egregious bills as it relates to process that many have ever seen in the House. The bill deals with proposed salary raises for judges. They would receive a $14,000.00 raise under this proposal at a time when our state is hurting, and our people are suffering. Many spoke out against these raises occurring during these economic times where budgets are dwindling. The problem with the bill is a matter of timing. The bill was held up by leadership in the Senate and the House until the last few days before the raises would become automatic. Since the Senate voted to give the raises in their bill, if we alter their bill, they stated they would have a hard time getting it passed with any alterations. If we failed to pass the bill as is, the Judicial Compensation Committee recommendations would take effect automatically. That would provide judges with a $29,000.00 raise. SJ-3 would provide a $14,000.00 raise instead. So…if the bill is voted down and sent back to the Senate, their failure to act would double the raise. If we vote the bill as presented, we consent to a significant raise as presented. We attempted to amend the bill to a 0% raise (Monday evening) and then a 1% raise this morning. Both amendments were rejected. It passed on a vote of 84-57. I voted, with many others, on principle to strike the bill down and send it back to the Senate. Our judges deserve due consideration, as do all of our employees. To separate them for a raise under these circumstances is over the top and a tough sell to the folks back home. It was intentionally brought out at the ninth hour so we would not have time to work out a compromise bill with both chambers. This was a disgraceful way to run a railroad.
PS: As you might guess, the local Democrat members – Cane and Conway – voted for the pay raise, and all of the Republicans – Otto, Eckardt, Haddaway-Riccio and McDermott were opposed to it.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/bills/sj/sj0003t.pdf was one of the most egregious bills as it relates to process that many have ever seen in the House. The bill deals with proposed salary raises for judges. They would receive a $14,000.00 raise under this proposal at a time when our state is hurting, and our people are suffering. Many spoke out against these raises occurring during these economic times where budgets are dwindling. The problem with the bill is a matter of timing. The bill was held up by leadership in the Senate and the House until the last few days before the raises would become automatic. Since the Senate voted to give the raises in their bill, if we alter their bill, they stated they would have a hard time getting it passed with any alterations. If we failed to pass the bill as is, the Judicial Compensation Committee recommendations would take effect automatically. That would provide judges with a $29,000.00 raise. SJ-3 would provide a $14,000.00 raise instead. So…if the bill is voted down and sent back to the Senate, their failure to act would double the raise. If we vote the bill as presented, we consent to a significant raise as presented. We attempted to amend the bill to a 0% raise (Monday evening) and then a 1% raise this morning. Both amendments were rejected. It passed on a vote of 84-57. I voted, with many others, on principle to strike the bill down and send it back to the Senate. Our judges deserve due consideration, as do all of our employees. To separate them for a raise under these circumstances is over the top and a tough sell to the folks back home. It was intentionally brought out at the ninth hour so we would not have time to work out a compromise bill with both chambers. This was a disgraceful way to run a railroad.
PS: As you might guess, the local Democrat members – Cane and Conway – voted for the pay raise, and all of the Republicans – Otto, Eckardt, Haddaway-Riccio and McDermott were opposed to it.
Caution - Falling Currencies
In 1913, the US Congress authorized the creation of the Federal Reserve. Its mandate was limited, but it grew over time to become the central planner of all things monetary. In 1933, President Roosevelt outlawed the ownership of gold. In 1944, the soon-to-be-victorious allied powers signed a treaty at Bretton Woods, agreeing to use the US dollar as if it were gold. Their central banks would hold dollars and borrow dollars, and pyramid credit in their own currencies on top of the dollar.
The US dollar was redeemable by foreign central banks, and so this was effectively a scheme for various currencies to have a fixed exchange rate between each other and to gold. It, at least, had the virtue of limiting credit expansion, as there was still this one tie to gold and hence to reality.
The problem with fixing the price of one thing relative to another is that whichever one is undervalued is hoarded and whichever is overvalued is dumped. The US government set the price of gold too low, and so foreign central banks were increasingly demanding delivery of gold.
By the time President Nixon was in office, something had to be done. In 1971, he defaulted on the gold obligations of the US government. This had the effect of severing gold from the monetary system, plunging us into the worldwide regime of irredeemable paper money.
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The US dollar was redeemable by foreign central banks, and so this was effectively a scheme for various currencies to have a fixed exchange rate between each other and to gold. It, at least, had the virtue of limiting credit expansion, as there was still this one tie to gold and hence to reality.
The problem with fixing the price of one thing relative to another is that whichever one is undervalued is hoarded and whichever is overvalued is dumped. The US government set the price of gold too low, and so foreign central banks were increasingly demanding delivery of gold.
By the time President Nixon was in office, something had to be done. In 1971, he defaulted on the gold obligations of the US government. This had the effect of severing gold from the monetary system, plunging us into the worldwide regime of irredeemable paper money.
More
Comedian Gallagher Out of Coma, Telling Jokes
LEWISVILLE, Texas (AP) - The comedian Gallagher is telling jokes after being taken out of a medically induced coma that doctors put him in following his heart attack last week in Texas.
Doctors slowly woke up Gallagher on Sunday morning. His promotional manager, Christine Scherrer, says Gallagher immediately recognized his family and started talking to them. She says he's breathing on his own, moving and joking around.
The comedian, whose full name is Leo Anthony Gallagher, is known for smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer.
Scherrer says Gallagher had two stents replaced after collapsing Wednesday before a performance at Lewisville bar, near Dallas. Gallagher had a minor heart attack last March after collapsing while performing in Minnesota.
Scherrer isn't sure how long Gallagher will remain hospitalized. She says he appreciates his fans' thoughts and prayers.
House Republicans Propose A 2% Cut To 2012 Budget
House Republicans are preparing an alternative 2013 budget that cuts the existing deal by 2 percent. Many of the $19 billion in cuts would come from the Education, Energy and Housing and Urban Development departments. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is spearheading the effort. Last year's budget deal capped 2013 discretionary spending at just over $1 trillion and left Social Security and Medicare-Medicaid untouched.
PUBLIC NOTICE
DURING THE SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL’S WORK SESSION (AFTER GENERAL
DISCUSSION/UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS PORTION) ON MONDAY, MARCH 19,
2012, THE COUNCIL WILL ENTERTAIN A VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED
SESSION TO DISCUSS THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR A PUBLIC
PURPOSE AND MATTERS DIRECTLY RELATED THERETO AS PERMITTED
UNDER THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND SECTION 10-508(a)(3).
THE WORK SESSION WILL BE HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM 306 OF THE
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING (125 N. DIVISION STREET) AT WHICH TIME
THE PUBLIC CAN OBSERVE THE MOTION, ANY DISCUSSION AND THE VOTE TO
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION AS NOTED ABOVE.
DISCUSSION/UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS PORTION) ON MONDAY, MARCH 19,
2012, THE COUNCIL WILL ENTERTAIN A VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED
SESSION TO DISCUSS THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR A PUBLIC
PURPOSE AND MATTERS DIRECTLY RELATED THERETO AS PERMITTED
UNDER THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND SECTION 10-508(a)(3).
THE WORK SESSION WILL BE HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM 306 OF THE
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING (125 N. DIVISION STREET) AT WHICH TIME
THE PUBLIC CAN OBSERVE THE MOTION, ANY DISCUSSION AND THE VOTE TO
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION AS NOTED ABOVE.
Unbelievable Accident
Short video—wonder how many times we have all driven fast on snow/iceetc. and gotten away with it..
This is very graphic!
Why you should drive a little slower when it is slick and DON'T mess around.
http://rmirror.net/r/videos/comments/q5hu9/car_accident_nsfl/
This is very graphic!
Why you should drive a little slower when it is slick and DON'T mess around.
http://rmirror.net/r/videos/comments/q5hu9/car_accident_nsfl/
New Paint for Bay Bridge Means Lanes Closures for Drivers
WASHINGTON - Get ready for more lane closures on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
The westbound span of the Bay Bridge is getting a $20 million makeover. For the first time in decades, that portion of the bridge is slated to be cleaned and repainted.
The bridge has not been fully painted since it opened in 1973.
Most of the work will be performed from the water via barges, however, it will require scaffolding along the twin bridge towers, says Kelly Melhem, spokesperson for the Maryland Transportation Authority.
SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA
MARCH 19, 2012
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
1:30 p.m. Towing – follow up report – Chief Duncan
1:45 p.m. Sustainable Communities Plan briefing – Debbie Stam
2:10 p.m. Possible Zoo concession stand briefing – Joel Hamilton
2:35 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. Policy on handling properties that cannot be sold through tax sale – John Pick
3:30 p.m. Workload/Workflow further discussion
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
1:30 p.m. Towing – follow up report – Chief Duncan
1:45 p.m. Sustainable Communities Plan briefing – Debbie Stam
2:10 p.m. Possible Zoo concession stand briefing – Joel Hamilton
2:35 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. Policy on handling properties that cannot be sold through tax sale – John Pick
3:30 p.m. Workload/Workflow further discussion
CLOSER TO THE BOTTOM THAN THE TOP
Remember those Baby Boomer dreams of retiring and living off the equity in your house? Forget it. If you bought a house in 1979, you’ve lost 13.7% after 33 years. Ouch!!!
Not only are home prices down 42% in the last seven years, but equity in homes is at an all-time low of 38%. I guess people shouldn’t have extracted $3 trillion of equity from their homes and spent it on vacations, BMWs, igadgets, pools, HDTVs, facelifts, boob jobs, Rolexes, and smokes.
The good news is that we are closer to the bottom than the top. The bad news is that home prices are still falling. With a shadow inventory of 9 million homes and an avalanche of foreclosures ready to be unleashed due to the mortgage settlement, prices will fall at least another 10% to 15% in the next three years. Any moron lured into buying a house by Obama in the last three years is already underwater. Don’t believe the blather about housing recovery. It’s a false storyline.
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Not only are home prices down 42% in the last seven years, but equity in homes is at an all-time low of 38%. I guess people shouldn’t have extracted $3 trillion of equity from their homes and spent it on vacations, BMWs, igadgets, pools, HDTVs, facelifts, boob jobs, Rolexes, and smokes.
The good news is that we are closer to the bottom than the top. The bad news is that home prices are still falling. With a shadow inventory of 9 million homes and an avalanche of foreclosures ready to be unleashed due to the mortgage settlement, prices will fall at least another 10% to 15% in the next three years. Any moron lured into buying a house by Obama in the last three years is already underwater. Don’t believe the blather about housing recovery. It’s a false storyline.
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Delaware State Police Issues Gold Alert
Gold Alert Subject:
Kaitlyn M. Cox, 20, Magnolia, DE
5’4” tall, 130 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Location Last Seen:
Residence in the 300 block of Greg Lane, Magnolia, DE
Date and Time Last Seen:
Friday March 16, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.
Resume:
Magnolia, DE- The Delaware State Police have issued a Gold Alert for a missing Magnolia woman.
The Delaware State Police are currently searching for Kaitlyn M. Cox, of Magnolia, DE. Cox was last seen at her residence at 4:00 p.m. Friday March 16th. Cox may be in the Newark or Wilmington area of DE. She is described as a white female, 5’04” tall and 130 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes.
Kaitlyn Cox’s medical condition is such that there is a real concern for his safety.
Troopers are asking anyone who may have any information as to the whereabouts of Kaitlyn M. Cox to contact Troop 3 at 302-697-4454. Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters may also provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet at http://www.tipsubmit.com/.
Kaitlyn M. Cox, 20, Magnolia, DE
5’4” tall, 130 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Location Last Seen:
Residence in the 300 block of Greg Lane, Magnolia, DE
Date and Time Last Seen:
Friday March 16, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.
Resume:
Magnolia, DE- The Delaware State Police have issued a Gold Alert for a missing Magnolia woman.
The Delaware State Police are currently searching for Kaitlyn M. Cox, of Magnolia, DE. Cox was last seen at her residence at 4:00 p.m. Friday March 16th. Cox may be in the Newark or Wilmington area of DE. She is described as a white female, 5’04” tall and 130 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes.
Kaitlyn Cox’s medical condition is such that there is a real concern for his safety.
Troopers are asking anyone who may have any information as to the whereabouts of Kaitlyn M. Cox to contact Troop 3 at 302-697-4454. Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters may also provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet at http://www.tipsubmit.com/.
Study of 'Meth Babies' Finds Behavior Problems
CHICAGO (AP) - The first study to look at methamphetamine's potential lasting effects on children whose mothers used it in pregnancy finds these kids at higher risk for behavior problems than other children.
The behavior differences _ anxiety, depression, moodiness _ weren't huge, but lead researcher Linda LaGasse called them "very worrisome."
Methamphetamine is a stimulant like crack cocaine, and earlier research showed meth babies have similarities to so-called "crack babies" _ smaller in size and prone to drowsiness and stress. Results in long-term studies conflict on whether children of cocaine-using mothers have lasting behavior problems.
Obama Executive Order: Peacetime Martial Law!
This Executive Order was posted on the WhiteHouse.gov web site on Friday, March 16, 2012, under the name National Defense Resources Preparedness. In a nutshell, it's the blueprint for Peacetime Martial Law and it gives the president the power to take just about anything deemed necessary for "National Defense", whatever they decide that is. It's peacetime, because as the title of the order says, it's for "Preparedness". A copy of the entire order follows the end of this story.
Under this order the heads of these cabinet level positions; Agriculture, Energy, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Defense and Commerce can take food, livestock, fertilizer, farm equipment, all forms of energy, water resources, all forms of civil transporation (meaning any vehicles, boats, planes), and any other materials, including construction materials from wherever they are available. This is probably why the government has been visiting farms with GPS devices, so they know exactly where to go when they turn this one on.
Specifically, the government is allowed to allocate materials, services, and facilities as deemed necessary or appropriate. They decide what necessary or appropriate means.
UPDATE: BIN reader Kent Welton writes: This allows for the giving away of USA assets and subsidies to private companies: "(b) provide for the modification or expansion of privately owned facilities, including the modification or improvement of production processes, when taking actions under sections 301, 302, or 303 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2091, 2092, 2093; and (c) sell or otherwise transfer equipment owned by the Federal Government and installed under section 303(e) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093(e), to the owners of such plants, factories, or other industrial facilities."
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Under this order the heads of these cabinet level positions; Agriculture, Energy, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Defense and Commerce can take food, livestock, fertilizer, farm equipment, all forms of energy, water resources, all forms of civil transporation (meaning any vehicles, boats, planes), and any other materials, including construction materials from wherever they are available. This is probably why the government has been visiting farms with GPS devices, so they know exactly where to go when they turn this one on.
Specifically, the government is allowed to allocate materials, services, and facilities as deemed necessary or appropriate. They decide what necessary or appropriate means.
UPDATE: BIN reader Kent Welton writes: This allows for the giving away of USA assets and subsidies to private companies: "(b) provide for the modification or expansion of privately owned facilities, including the modification or improvement of production processes, when taking actions under sections 301, 302, or 303 of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2091, 2092, 2093; and (c) sell or otherwise transfer equipment owned by the Federal Government and installed under section 303(e) of the Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 2093(e), to the owners of such plants, factories, or other industrial facilities."
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U.S. Banks: 1-4 Family 1st Liens
This week BankRegData.com [3] reviews 1-4 Family First Liens for the entire banking industry. I am going to cover Nonperforming Loans, Accrual on NPLs, Charge Offs and NPLs to Charge Offs.
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Britain Banning 'Husband and Wife'
Reforms to allow same-sex marriage will see the words husband and wife removed from official forms, it was revealed last night.
Tax and benefits guidance and immigration documents must be rewritten so they no longer assume a married couple is a man and a woman.
And private companies will be told to overhaul paperwork and computer databases containing the words.
The Schrodinger Inflation: Ignore All Time High March Gas Prices, BLS Tells You Inflation Is Lower Than Expected
Just spent a record high amount at the gas pump for this time of year? The BLS says you didn't, and after all when it comes to reality, the BLS has a right of first refusal. The just printed headline CPI came at 0.4%, just in line with expectations of 0.4%, while core CPI of 0.2%, missed expectations of 0.3%. That's right: not only is inflation meaningless, it is less than expected, leading to surge higher in stocks, bonds and the EURUSD. As for those items which are once again soaring in prices such as food and gas? Luckily, those can be hedonically adjusted by everyone to virtually zero. (wait? You still pay your mortgage or rent? Sucker!) Remember: the iPad is deflationary.
From the report:
The gasoline index rose sharply in February, accounting for over 80 percent of the change in the all items index. The gasoline increase led to a 3.2 percent rise in the energy index despite a decline in the index for natural gas. The food index was unchanged in February, with the food at home index unchanged for the second month in a row as major grocery store food indexes were mixed.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in February after increasing 0.2 percent in January. Indexes for shelter, new vehicles, medical care, and household furnishings and operations all advanced, while indexes for apparel, recreation, used cars and trucks, and tobacco all declined.
The all items index has risen 2.9 percent over the last 12 months, the same figure as last month. The index for all items less food and energy was up 2.2 percent, a slight decline from last month’s 2.3 percent figure, while the 12-month change in the food index fell to 3.9 percent in February, its lowest level since last June. In contrast, the 12-month change in the energy index was 7.0 percent in February compared to 6.1 percent in January.
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From the report:
The gasoline index rose sharply in February, accounting for over 80 percent of the change in the all items index. The gasoline increase led to a 3.2 percent rise in the energy index despite a decline in the index for natural gas. The food index was unchanged in February, with the food at home index unchanged for the second month in a row as major grocery store food indexes were mixed.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.1 percent in February after increasing 0.2 percent in January. Indexes for shelter, new vehicles, medical care, and household furnishings and operations all advanced, while indexes for apparel, recreation, used cars and trucks, and tobacco all declined.
The all items index has risen 2.9 percent over the last 12 months, the same figure as last month. The index for all items less food and energy was up 2.2 percent, a slight decline from last month’s 2.3 percent figure, while the 12-month change in the food index fell to 3.9 percent in February, its lowest level since last June. In contrast, the 12-month change in the energy index was 7.0 percent in February compared to 6.1 percent in January.
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Stunning Percentage Agrees with Sheriff Joe
Editor’s note: This is another in a series of “WND/WENZEL POLLS” conducted exclusively for WND by the public-opinion research and media consulting company Wenzel Strategies.
Half of Americans are unconvinced that Barack Obama’s birth certificate, released in 2011 at the White House amidst fanfare and proclamation that it is “proof positive” of Obama’s eligibility to be president, is authentic.
About the same number disbelieve his eligibility to be president, and the skeptics also say he has not provided adequate and “authentic” documentation about his qualifications to sit as commander in chief in the Oval Office.
The confirmation numbers are the newest on the long running debate over Obama’s eligibility and occupancy of the presidency, and are from a WND/Wenzel Poll conducted exclusively for WND by the public-opinion research and media consulting company Wenzel Strategies.
Industrial Production Misses, Capacity Utilization Declines For First Time Since April 2011
The Schrodinger economy continues to chug along, with another economic data point miss to follow the blistering beats of the various regional Fed indices: Industrial production [2]was unchanged in February after having risen 0.4 percent in January. Expectations were for a 0.4% increase relative to the pre-revision 0.0% change. Instead we got a slow down in expansion. From the Fed: "Previously, industrial production was reported to have been unchanged in January. Manufacturing output moved up 0.3 percent in February. Within manufacturing, the index for motor vehicles and parts fell 1.1 percent after jumping 8.6 percent in January, but the index for manufacturing excluding motor vehicles and parts increased 0.4 percent in February. Production at mines fell 1.2 percent, while the output of utilities was unchanged. At 96.2 percent of its 2007 average, total industrial production for February was 4.0 percent above its year-earlier level." In other words, instead of growing in February as previously expected, the economy will now have grown in January. Also Capacity utilization for total industry edged down to 78.7 percent, a rate 1.2 percentage points above its level from a year earlier but 1.6 percentage points below its long-run (1972--2011) average. This was the first decline in utilization since April 2011.
Industrial Production - trending lower.
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Industrial Production - trending lower.
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