As the U.S. Supreme Court heard its third and final day of arguments Wednesday on the constitutionality of President Barack Obama’s health care law, Maryland plunged ahead in preparing the state for the law’s implementation. Despite concerns that the 2010 Affordable Care Act could be overturned by the Supreme Court, both chambers of the General Assembly have approved bills backed by Gov. Martin O’Malley that lay the groundwork for the execution of the federal law on the state level.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, March 30, 2012
Housing Authority: Helping Public Housing Residents Become Home Owners
“I've been living in public housing ever since I was a little girl,” Beckham said.
Beckham, a hard-working single mother of five thought she would live in public housing for the rest of her life.
But now, her new townhome, paid for by the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), is considered a stepping stone to becoming a homeowner.
“When I had children I just wanted them to grow up in their own home but, I knew I couldn't get one on my own because of credit issues. So I gave up,” she said.
Beckham will live in the southeast Washington community with other aspiring homeowners who are all part of a brand new, and first of its kind, program for public housing residents.
Beckham will continue to pay 30 percent of her income to DCHA. But, now, that money is going into an escrow account to eventually become a down payment on a new home. She will also be counseled on budgeting, career advancement and on raising her credit score.
Beckham will have five years to complete the program. She says she knows she'll cross the finish line—especially with the support of her new community.
Welcome To The United States Of Orwell, Part 4: "Consumer Protection" Just Another Federal Reserve Power Grab
How to mask yet another Federal Reserve power grab? Call it "consumer protection."
This is truly Orwellian: the latest and greatest Executive Branch/Federal Reserve power grab is labeled "consumer protection." I am indebted to correspondent Jim S. who seems to be one of the few Americans to have actually sorted through this monstronsity and gleaned its true nature: an unprecedented extension of Executive (i.e. Imperial Presidency) and Federal Reserve power.
Let's start by recalling that the Federal Reserve is a consortium of private banks. Calling a private consortium of banks the "Federal Reserve" is the original Orwellian misdirection, for there is nothing "Federal" about the Federal Reserve. It is not a government agency.
Now guess who will fund and control this vast new bureaucracy of "consumer protection"? Yes, the private consortium known as the Federal Reserve. "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) [13]will be an independent unit located inside and funded by the United States Federal Reserve. It will write and enforce bank rules, conduct bank examinations, monitor and report on markets, as well as collect and track consumer complaints."
Since managing the money supply and interest rates is the ultimate "consumer protection," we can ask how well the Fed managed those tasks in the past 15 years: alas, their management has been catastrophic for the nation and the middle class, which has been gutted by their policies of serial bubble blowing, leveraged speculation and bank predation.
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This is truly Orwellian: the latest and greatest Executive Branch/Federal Reserve power grab is labeled "consumer protection." I am indebted to correspondent Jim S. who seems to be one of the few Americans to have actually sorted through this monstronsity and gleaned its true nature: an unprecedented extension of Executive (i.e. Imperial Presidency) and Federal Reserve power.
Let's start by recalling that the Federal Reserve is a consortium of private banks. Calling a private consortium of banks the "Federal Reserve" is the original Orwellian misdirection, for there is nothing "Federal" about the Federal Reserve. It is not a government agency.
Now guess who will fund and control this vast new bureaucracy of "consumer protection"? Yes, the private consortium known as the Federal Reserve. "The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) [13]will be an independent unit located inside and funded by the United States Federal Reserve. It will write and enforce bank rules, conduct bank examinations, monitor and report on markets, as well as collect and track consumer complaints."
Since managing the money supply and interest rates is the ultimate "consumer protection," we can ask how well the Fed managed those tasks in the past 15 years: alas, their management has been catastrophic for the nation and the middle class, which has been gutted by their policies of serial bubble blowing, leveraged speculation and bank predation.
More
Will Gay Marriage Survive in Maryland?
It’s been only a few weeks since the Maryland legislature passed, to much fanfare from supporters, the same sex marriage bill.
Now, though, opponents are already using a webpage to gather signatures for a referendum petition to put the law on the November ballot.
They are expected to succeed. One poll by the independent firm Opinion Works which found that 43 percent of Marylanders oppose same sex marriage while 40 percent would make it legal. But since 11 percent say they have no opinion or may not vote and 5 percent are undecided, it is a statistical dead heat.
“I thought they'd be more against it,” says resident Judy Carrigan. “A lot of people are not open minded.”
Some people interviewed were supportive of the idea of a referendum.
“Let the people vote,” says Roopa Tiwari.
THE MORE CORRUPT THE STATE
“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.”
― Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome
Federal Reserve Act (1913) – 31 pages
Glass-Steagall Act (1933) – 37 pages
Social Security Act of 1935 – 82 pages
Civil Rights Act of 1964 – 74 pages
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) – 2,074 pages
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act – 2,319 pages
DO YOU FEEL SAFER?
― Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome
Federal Reserve Act (1913) – 31 pages
Glass-Steagall Act (1933) – 37 pages
Social Security Act of 1935 – 82 pages
Civil Rights Act of 1964 – 74 pages
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) – 2,074 pages
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act – 2,319 pages
DO YOU FEEL SAFER?
Two Stabbings at Occupy San Francisco
Warmer weather has brought back the occupiers and with them fresh criminal behavior. There have been two stabbings at the Occupy SF camp in two nights. The most recent happened Monday night:
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Editors Note: The picture used in this story will offend many and also involves nudity.
A 27-year-old man was hospitalized after an argument led to a stabbing near the Occupy SF encampment in San Francisco's Financial District late Monday night, according to San Francisco police.This followed a more serious incident Sunday night:
The protester was stabbed in the chest about 10:40 p.m. Sunday on the 100 block of Market Street while arguing with another man about the whereabouts of a camera, said police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza. He would not be more specific.This report in the SF Examiner offers a bit more detail about the suspect in Sunday night's stabbing:
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Editors Note: The picture used in this story will offend many and also involves nudity.
WCSO Press Releases 3-30-12
Incident: Fugitive
Date of Incident: 26 March 2012
Location: Shell Road, Delmar, MD
Suspect: David Michael Arvey, 52, Delmar, MD
Narrative: On 26 March 2012 at 9:40 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle and located David Michael Arvey in it. Arvey had been wanted on a District Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation in a Burglary and theft case.
The deputy took Arvey into custody and transported him 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 Arvey in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Charges: Violation of Probation
Incident: Fugitive
Date of Incident: 26 March 2012
Location: 7000 block of Friendship Road, Pittsville, MD
Suspect: Steven Michael Bloodsworth, 24Willards, MD
Narrative: On 26 March 2012 at 5:05 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office located Steven Bloodsworth in the 7000 block of Friendship Road in Pittsville. Bloodsworth was wanted on a Wicomico County Circuit Court Bench Warrant that had been issued on 27 February 2012 for violation of probation in a CDS Possession case.
The deputy took Bloodsworth into custody and transported him to the Detention Center where he was held without bond pending an appearance before a Circuit Court Judge.
Charges: Violation of Probation
Incident: Fugitive
Date of Incident: 28 March 2012
Location: Salisbury, MD
Suspect: William J. Bryan III, 27, Fruitland, MD
Narrative: On 28 March 2012 at 11:15 PM, William J. Bryan surrendered himself at the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. Bryan had been featured on a segment of TV47 the same evening that profiled wanted subjects. Bryan had been sought since the issuance of an arrest warrant in January 2012 that stemmed from the thefts of jewelry and a small computer that occurred in the autumn of 2011. Bryan also stands accused of removing money from another individual’s bank account without authorization.
Bryan 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 Bryan in the Detention Center in lieu of $30,000.00 bond.
Charges: Theft Scheme $1,000 t0 $10,000
Theft $1,000 to $10,000
Incident: Trespass
Date of Incident: 28 March 2012
Location: 800 block of Booth Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Eartha L. Conway, 55, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 28 March 2012 at 11:17 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Westside Cash Market on West Road in Salisbury for a reported disturbance in the store.
Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that Eartha Conway was inside arguing with the proprietor. The deputy was familiar with Conway from previous contacts at the establishment and was aware that she had been told on three prior occasions that she is not allowed in the store. During subsequent conversation with Conway, she admitted that she knew she was not allowed back on the property.
The deputy placed Conway under arrest for trespassing and transported her to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Conway in the Detention Center without bond.
Charges: Trespass
Incident: Theft / Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 28 March 2012
Location: 6300 block of Ayrshire Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 15, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 28 March 2012 at 3:40 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 6300 block of Ayrshire Drive, Salisbury, MD for a reported bicycle theft.
The victim reported that he watched a juvenile walk up in his yard and take a bicycle in what appeared to be an attempt to steal it. The victim chased after the juvenile who ended up dropping the bike down the street and fleeing on foot. The victim recovered the bike and then contacted the Sheriff’s Office.
The responding deputy located the juvenile described by the victim walking on Rockawalkin Road and discovered him to be in possession of marijuana and a smoking device. The victim came to the scene and positively identified the juvenile as the one who tried to steal the bicycle.
The juvenile was released to a parent pending formal adjudication through the Department of Juvenile Services.
Charges: Theft
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Date of Incident: 26 March 2012
Location: Shell Road, Delmar, MD
Suspect: David Michael Arvey, 52, Delmar, MD
Narrative: On 26 March 2012 at 9:40 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle and located David Michael Arvey in it. Arvey had been wanted on a District Court Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation in a Burglary and theft case.
The deputy took Arvey into custody and transported him 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 Arvey in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Charges: Violation of Probation
Incident: Fugitive
Date of Incident: 26 March 2012
Location: 7000 block of Friendship Road, Pittsville, MD
Suspect: Steven Michael Bloodsworth, 24Willards, MD
Narrative: On 26 March 2012 at 5:05 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office located Steven Bloodsworth in the 7000 block of Friendship Road in Pittsville. Bloodsworth was wanted on a Wicomico County Circuit Court Bench Warrant that had been issued on 27 February 2012 for violation of probation in a CDS Possession case.
The deputy took Bloodsworth into custody and transported him to the Detention Center where he was held without bond pending an appearance before a Circuit Court Judge.
Charges: Violation of Probation
Incident: Fugitive
Date of Incident: 28 March 2012
Location: Salisbury, MD
Suspect: William J. Bryan III, 27, Fruitland, MD
Narrative: On 28 March 2012 at 11:15 PM, William J. Bryan surrendered himself at the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. Bryan had been featured on a segment of TV47 the same evening that profiled wanted subjects. Bryan had been sought since the issuance of an arrest warrant in January 2012 that stemmed from the thefts of jewelry and a small computer that occurred in the autumn of 2011. Bryan also stands accused of removing money from another individual’s bank account without authorization.
Bryan 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 Bryan in the Detention Center in lieu of $30,000.00 bond.
Charges: Theft Scheme $1,000 t0 $10,000
Theft $1,000 to $10,000
Incident: Trespass
Date of Incident: 28 March 2012
Location: 800 block of Booth Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Eartha L. Conway, 55, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 28 March 2012 at 11:17 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Westside Cash Market on West Road in Salisbury for a reported disturbance in the store.
Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that Eartha Conway was inside arguing with the proprietor. The deputy was familiar with Conway from previous contacts at the establishment and was aware that she had been told on three prior occasions that she is not allowed in the store. During subsequent conversation with Conway, she admitted that she knew she was not allowed back on the property.
The deputy placed Conway under arrest for trespassing and transported her to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Conway in the Detention Center without bond.
Charges: Trespass
Incident: Theft / Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 28 March 2012
Location: 6300 block of Ayrshire Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 15, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 28 March 2012 at 3:40 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 6300 block of Ayrshire Drive, Salisbury, MD for a reported bicycle theft.
The victim reported that he watched a juvenile walk up in his yard and take a bicycle in what appeared to be an attempt to steal it. The victim chased after the juvenile who ended up dropping the bike down the street and fleeing on foot. The victim recovered the bike and then contacted the Sheriff’s Office.
The responding deputy located the juvenile described by the victim walking on Rockawalkin Road and discovered him to be in possession of marijuana and a smoking device. The victim came to the scene and positively identified the juvenile as the one who tried to steal the bicycle.
The juvenile was released to a parent pending formal adjudication through the Department of Juvenile Services.
Charges: Theft
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Jimmy Carter: Democrats Should Abandon Pro-Abortion Position
Appearing on the radio talk show of conservative radio host Laura Ingraham today, former President Jimmy Carter said he believes the Democratic Party should moderate its position on abortion, which it currently supports without limits and funded at taxpayer expense.
Carter said toning down the stridently pro-abortion position would help win back Republicans who abandoned the Democrats because of abortion and other liberal social issue positions.
Carter said toning down the stridently pro-abortion position would help win back Republicans who abandoned the Democrats because of abortion and other liberal social issue positions.
Carter said:
“I never have believed that Jesus Christ would approve of abortions and that was one of the problems I had when I was president having to uphold Roe v. Wade and I did everything I could to minimize the need for abortions. I made it easy to adopt children for instance who were unwanted and also initiated the program called Women and Infant Children or WIC program that’s still in existence now. But except for the times when a mother’s life is in danger or when a pregnancy is caused by rape or incest I would certainly not or never have approved of any abortions.”
SPD Press Release 3-30-12
Tracey Michael Rodwell, 40yo of Salisbury, MD was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery, Robbery, and Theft $100.
On March 24, 2012 at approximately 4:22pm, a black male entered into Bradley’s Market located on Lake St, Salisbury, MD. The black male approached the clerk behind the counter and demanded U.S. Currency.
The black male kept his hand in a coat pocket indicating that he had a weapon. The clerk complied with the black male’s order and handed over an undetermined amount of U.S. Currency. The black male then exited the store. The clerk was not injured.
During the course of their investigation, detectives were able to develop Rodwell as a suspect. A photographic lineup was prepared and presented to the clerk at Bradley’s Market. The clerk was able to positively identify Rodwell as the subject that had robbed Bradley’s on March 24, 2012.
On March 28, 2012, detectives were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Rodwell. This warrant was served on Rodwell during the execution of a search & seizure warrant on his residence located on Mohawk Ave during the early morning of March 29, 2012.
Rodwell was released to the custody of central booking.
On March 24, 2012 at approximately 4:22pm, a black male entered into Bradley’s Market located on Lake St, Salisbury, MD. The black male approached the clerk behind the counter and demanded U.S. Currency.
The black male kept his hand in a coat pocket indicating that he had a weapon. The clerk complied with the black male’s order and handed over an undetermined amount of U.S. Currency. The black male then exited the store. The clerk was not injured.
During the course of their investigation, detectives were able to develop Rodwell as a suspect. A photographic lineup was prepared and presented to the clerk at Bradley’s Market. The clerk was able to positively identify Rodwell as the subject that had robbed Bradley’s on March 24, 2012.
On March 28, 2012, detectives were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Rodwell. This warrant was served on Rodwell during the execution of a search & seizure warrant on his residence located on Mohawk Ave during the early morning of March 29, 2012.
Rodwell was released to the custody of central booking.
Roseanne Tweets Address of Zimmerman's Parents
Roseanne Tweets Address of Zimmerman's Parents - UPDATE: Barr Threatens to Go To House
The comedian Roseanne Barr last night tweeted the home address of George Zimmerman’s parents to her 110,000-plus Twitter followers, only to delete the posting after “not fully understanding that it was private not public.”
Barr’s posting of the correct Florida address of Robert and Gladys Zimmerman came at the same time Spike Lee was issuing an apology for erroneously disseminating a tweet that purportedly contained the home address of George Zimmerman, who last month killed teenager Trayvon Martin.
Don't Let Trayvon Hysteria Lynch a Good Law
The media circus surrounding the tragic death of Trayvon Martin has largely focused on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. That focus is misplaced.
Stand Your Ground, or SYG, provides certain narrow protections for individuals who use deadly force in self-defense, but the basic standards for whether the use of deadly force is justified are not changed by the SYG law, nor are the penalties and liabilities for the unjustified use of deadly force.
In the Trayvon Martin case, the specific part of the law that has applied so far is a provision that a person claiming self-defense should not be arrested unless there is some clear evidence that self-defense was not the motive. In this case, George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot Martin, was beaten and bloody with grass stains and mud on his clothes when police arrived. Zimmerman told them he had turned around and was going back to his vehicle when he was attacked by Martin. There was nothing to suggest Zimmerman was lying then, nor has any new evidence surfaced indicating that his story was not true.
Google Announces Account Activity, So You Can Track Your Googling Too
Earlier this month, Google launched a new approach to its user policy, in which it links data from all the Google accounts that you sign in to use—and launched a firestorm of privacy concerns as well. Perhaps at least partially as a attempt to reassure worried users, the company today announced a new feature called Account Activity: Sign up and you'll receive a monthly report that shows exactly how you're using Google services that require you to log in, such as Gmail and Google Latitude.
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Central Florida Teacher Quits After Comment About Student's Cleavage
A Eustis Middle School teacher resigned after she made a comment about a student's cleavage in front of the classroom.
Joan Bannister, a 53-year-old math teacher, drew attention to the girl's cleavage and said she would be out of dress code if the girl were measured, according to a memo from Lake County Schools. The girl filed a complaint saying that on Jan. 30 Bannister approached her with a ruler and said the math teacher wanted to measure her exposed "boobage."
In the memo, Bannister denied ever using the word "boobage" but admitted to having a conversation with the girl about her being out of compliance with the dress code. She said she never touched the girl, but "could have handled the situation better," according to the memo.
A Letter To The Editor 3-30-12
Joe, isnt it funny that Zimmerman is Half Hispanic and half white, but the media and Black Panthers call him white NOT Bi-racial? Isnt it funny, that Obama is Half white, and half black but the Media, and Jackson all call him the First BLACK president?
What happens when he is booted from office from lying, is he now a bi-racial president, or WHITE president. What if Zimmerman was right? is he now Hispanic?
Just so darn funny how race card is played in this country, not just race but sex or morality.
If this country does not go back to the roots of its origin, then we are doomed.
Isnt that funny. the only ones who win are the ones making profit off this and playing us like a fiddle.
What happens when he is booted from office from lying, is he now a bi-racial president, or WHITE president. What if Zimmerman was right? is he now Hispanic?
Just so darn funny how race card is played in this country, not just race but sex or morality.
If this country does not go back to the roots of its origin, then we are doomed.
Isnt that funny. the only ones who win are the ones making profit off this and playing us like a fiddle.
Warren Jeffs' Appeal Denied
A Texas judge denied the appeal of fundamentalist sect leader Warren Jeffs on Thursday, the same day a jury considered testimony to determine how to sentence a key figure in his church after his own bigamy conviction.
The leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jeffs is serving a life-plus-20-year term in Texas for sexual assault. He was convicted in August of the aggravated sexual assaults of a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl, who Jeffs had claimed were his "spiritual wives."
On Thursday, Chief Justice J. Woodfin Jones of Texas' Third District Court of Appeals ruled against Jeffs' appeal of that conviction.
The leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jeffs is serving a life-plus-20-year term in Texas for sexual assault. He was convicted in August of the aggravated sexual assaults of a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl, who Jeffs had claimed were his "spiritual wives."
On Thursday, Chief Justice J. Woodfin Jones of Texas' Third District Court of Appeals ruled against Jeffs' appeal of that conviction.
OCPD’S CPL RICHARD WAWRZENIAK NAMED 2011 AMERICAN LEGION OFFICER OF THE YEAR
On Wednesday, March 28, 2012, Ocean City Police Cpl. Richard Wawrzeniak was named Officer of the Year by the American Legion Post 166. Commander of Post 166, Sarge Garlitz, presented the Officer of the Year award to Cpl. Wawrzeniak, in addition to the presentation of awards for Ocean City Emergency Services Paramedic of the Year Ocean Pines Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, Maryland State Police Trooper of the Year and Ocean City Firefighter of the Year.
Pictured from left to right: OCPD Captain Kevin Kirstein, Corporal Rick Wawrzeniak and American Legion Sinepuxent Post 166 Commander William “Sarge” Garlitz
“I am extremely proud of Cpl. Wawrzeniak,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “He demonstrates the high qualities and standards expected of an Ocean City Police Officer. He is a hero.”
Cpl. Wawrzeniak is from Bowie, MD. He joined the OCPD full time in 1999, after two summers as a seasonal officer. He is an active member of the department’s Bike Unit and Quick Response Team. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division’s evening watch.
In addition to being named “2011 Officer of the Year” by the American Legion, Cpl. Wawrzeniak was recently named “Officer of the Year” by the Knights of Columbus and was a finalist for the Neighborhood Watch Officer of the Year. In addition, he received a Silver Star for his quick and decisive action on December 10, 2010 when he witnessed Marvin Mitchell assaulting his wife with a knife.
Cpl Wawrzeniak neutralized Mitchell by gunfire, saving the lives of four persons.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” Cpl. Wawrzeniak said. “It really has been a special year for me. I’m proud to be a part of such a professional organization. Our officers strive to give their best each and every day. I would like to thank Chief DiPino, all my fellow officers, and my family for their support; and of course, the American Legion for this award.”
BEST BUY IMPLODES: Misses Revenue, Firing 400, Closing 50 Stores
Electronics retailer Best Buy announced it would close 50 big box locations in the U.S. as it refocuses its operations around mobile.
The company said it will launch 100 new mobile locations as it retools its domestic store format.
The announcement was timed with the company's fourth quarter report, where it sharply beat analyst expectations on the bottom line. Over the final quarter of 2011, revenue grew three percent to $16.6 billion while earnings per share hit $2.47.
However, analysts polled by Bloomberg had forecast top line results of $17.15 billion, some $500 million more than the company reported. The quarter also benefitted from an extra week in the company's fiscal calendar — excluding the week would mean revenue actually fell 1.1 percent. Shares were down 6 percent in the first minutes of trading.
Lunch With The Easter Bunny At Boonies
Are your kids hopping with excitement about Easter??
Bring them into see the Easter Bunny at Boonies this Saturday, from 12 Noon-2pm. For only $12 they can enjoy lunch (w/beverage), a picture with the Easter Bunny and participate in an Easter Egg Hunt!!
Call today for reservations for Lunch w/Easter Bunny or for Sunday, April 8 for Easter Lunch/Dinner
410.873.2244
Michigan to Count Lottery Wins Against Welfare
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - After twice finding out lottery winners continued to use food stamps after collecting the jackpot, Michigan lawmakers on Thursday gave final approval to legislation aimed at making sure it doesn't happen again.
Bills headed to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature would require lottery officials to notify the state's Department of Human Services about winners of $1,000 or more. The legislation also would put into law a requirement for asset tests to help determine eligibility for some public assistance programs in the state, and lottery winnings would factor into those tests.
The asset tests provision drew the most opposition from lawmakers Thursday, although some asset tests already are used in Michigan through state department policy.
Central Banks Won't Produce Natural Interest
The Bank of England should raise interest rates next week ... Most people that read finance columns have heard of the "natural rate of unemployment", and many will know that the term was introduced by Milton Friedman. But far fewer will know where he got the term. He said himself, in his Nobel Prize lecture, that "The 'natural rate of unemployment' [is] a term I introduced to parallel Knut Wicksell's 'natural rate of interest'". But who was Knut Wicksell and what is the "natural rate of interest" – and does it matter? We shall see that it does indeed matter, and tells us something important about current UK monetary policy and the outlook for the UK economy and George Osborne's chances of delivering his fiscal plans ...Three years, now, at 0.5 percent, and counting. That compares with a natural rate of interest that was about 5 percent when times were better and will be around 3-3.5 percent now. (Essentially, add the 2.5 per cent RPI inflation rate that's about the target to the 1 percent or so sustainable growth rate, and you get a decent guess at the natural rate.) Having interest rates so far below the natural rate damages the sustainable growth rate of the economy. – UK Telegraph/ Andrew Lilico
Dominant Social Theme: We just have to figure out what's natural and then fake it.
Free-Market Analysis: Here comes Andrew Lilico, an economist with Europe Economics, and a member of the Shadow Monetary Policy Committee, according to the UK Telegraph (see article above).
The gibberish contained in the above excerpt is only magnified throughout the article. It is really incredible. What is it about price fixing that such intelligent commentators don't understand?
If you artificially set a price by force – and this is what central banks do – then that price is almost bound to be incorrect. Only the market itself can generate a "natural" rate of interest or determine monetary volume.
That's because the market itself is competitive. The "Invisible Hand" of competition creates naturally fluctuating interest rates and the appropriate volume of money stuff.
This is why monetary competition historically yields up evermore efficient and healthy money. People voluntarily choose the kind of money they want and the volume of money as well.
Within this context, gold and silver have proven to be a historically popular money stuff. Used with each other, gold and silver provide a ratio. If the ratio becomes distorted, people can tell that someone is trying to manipulate the market. This called bi-metalism.
Greenbackerism has made a startling comeback of late, which we have long predicted, citing Ellen Brown's effective boosting of the idea that government ought to have the sole franchise to print money.
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Dominant Social Theme: We just have to figure out what's natural and then fake it.
Free-Market Analysis: Here comes Andrew Lilico, an economist with Europe Economics, and a member of the Shadow Monetary Policy Committee, according to the UK Telegraph (see article above).
The gibberish contained in the above excerpt is only magnified throughout the article. It is really incredible. What is it about price fixing that such intelligent commentators don't understand?
If you artificially set a price by force – and this is what central banks do – then that price is almost bound to be incorrect. Only the market itself can generate a "natural" rate of interest or determine monetary volume.
That's because the market itself is competitive. The "Invisible Hand" of competition creates naturally fluctuating interest rates and the appropriate volume of money stuff.
This is why monetary competition historically yields up evermore efficient and healthy money. People voluntarily choose the kind of money they want and the volume of money as well.
Within this context, gold and silver have proven to be a historically popular money stuff. Used with each other, gold and silver provide a ratio. If the ratio becomes distorted, people can tell that someone is trying to manipulate the market. This called bi-metalism.
Greenbackerism has made a startling comeback of late, which we have long predicted, citing Ellen Brown's effective boosting of the idea that government ought to have the sole franchise to print money.
More
St. Petersburg Russia Law Questions if Gay Rights are Human Rights?
St. Petersburg, Russia has adopted a new policy designed to protect young people from exposure to propaganda by homosexual rights groups. The policy has created controversy amongst gay rights group.
On March 7, 2012, Gov. Georgy Poltavchenko signed into a law a bill that will fine individuals up to $170 and companies up to $17,000 for violating a ban on "public actions aimed at propagandizing sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism, and transgenderism among minors.”
The St Petersburg law also includes amendments introducing stricter punishments for pedophilia.
Applauding the recent legislation, the Russian Orthodox Church is calling for a similar nationwide ban. Dmitry Pershin, head of the Church’s youth council, says: “helping to protect children from information manipulation by minorities that promote sodomy.”
Responding to homosexualist activist Nikolay Alexeyev’s intention to organize protest rallies near children’s establishments, Pershin says “the persistence of sexual minorities and their intention to rally near children’s establishments indicate that this regional law is highly needed and should be urgently given federal status.”
New Bill To Stop Human Trafficking
A new House bill aims to stop federal contractors from taking part in human trafficking, The Hill reported. The measure by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) stemmed from concerns about contractors abroad. Last year, the government uncovered some firms allegedly holding back employee passports, forcing people to stay on work sites. There have also been allegations that some companies have lied about compensation. Connolly's bill would let agencies terminate contracts, if a company is found to be involved in human trafficking.
Texas Trucker Pleads Guilty to 2 More Murders
HOUSTON (AP) - A Texas trucker who kept a torture dungeon in the cab of his long-haul rig has avoided the death penalty by accepting life prison sentences for murdering a hitchhiking couple two decades ago.
Robert Ben Rhoades, who already is serving a life sentence for killing a 14-year-old girl in Illinois, pleaded guilty to two counts of capital murder when he appeared before a West Texas judge this week. He has no chance of parole.
Organized Money From Cities, Unions And Churches Moving Out Of Big Banks
It's getting expensive these days to be a bad citizen in America, if you're a major bank. A growing number of cities around the country have passed, introduced or drafted responsible banking ordinances that hit big financial institutions where it hurts most - the pocketbook.
Los Angeles drafted a responsible banking ordinance in March that assesses banks that do business with the city based on foreclosure data; in February, Kansas City, Missouri, passed a resolution ordering the city manager to only do business with banks that don't engage in predatory lending; and in November, New York City introduced legislation that would force banks that want to hold city deposits to submit community reinvestment plans.
And just days ago, in Massachusetts, the city of Brockton was persuaded to move its money out of Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase altogether after they refused to negotiations on loan modifications for homeowners facing foreclosure.
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Los Angeles drafted a responsible banking ordinance in March that assesses banks that do business with the city based on foreclosure data; in February, Kansas City, Missouri, passed a resolution ordering the city manager to only do business with banks that don't engage in predatory lending; and in November, New York City introduced legislation that would force banks that want to hold city deposits to submit community reinvestment plans.
And just days ago, in Massachusetts, the city of Brockton was persuaded to move its money out of Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase altogether after they refused to negotiations on loan modifications for homeowners facing foreclosure.
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OCPD SEEKING THEFT SUSPECTS’ IDENTITY
On March 17, 2012 at approximately 4 p.m., Ocean City Police responded to the Wine Rack, located at 8501 Coastal Highway, in reference to a theft.
The manager of the Wine Rack advised that a bank bag containing a large amount of money was stolen from the Wine Rack. The money was in a blue colored bank bag in the back office of the Wine Rack. The Wine Rack’s video surveillance system captured the suspect taking the bag.
The OCPD has recovered video surveillance footage of the suspect committing the crime as well as several still images.
Clip number 1 – Shows one of the unidentified suspects entering the office and stealing the blue bank bag containing the money.
The subsequent investigation has revealed a total of four suspects working together to steal the bank bag. The suspects are described as follows:
SUSPECT 1: black male, medium build, wearing a knee length black colored coat, light blue knit hat, black shoes, bracelet on right wrist, blue jeans with designer torn knees.
SUSPECT 2: black male, medium build wearing a light grey sweatshirt, blue jeans and light colored boonie/fisherman’s hat.
SUSPECT 3: black male, medium build, short cropped hair cut, wearing blue jeans, dark colored jacket.
SUSPECT 4: black male, yellow construction hardhat, black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, yellow safety reflective vest.
The manager of the Wine Rack advised that a bank bag containing a large amount of money was stolen from the Wine Rack. The money was in a blue colored bank bag in the back office of the Wine Rack. The Wine Rack’s video surveillance system captured the suspect taking the bag.
The OCPD has recovered video surveillance footage of the suspect committing the crime as well as several still images.
Clip number 1 – Shows one of the unidentified suspects entering the office and stealing the blue bank bag containing the money.
The subsequent investigation has revealed a total of four suspects working together to steal the bank bag. The suspects are described as follows:
SUSPECT 1: black male, medium build, wearing a knee length black colored coat, light blue knit hat, black shoes, bracelet on right wrist, blue jeans with designer torn knees.
SUSPECT 2: black male, medium build wearing a light grey sweatshirt, blue jeans and light colored boonie/fisherman’s hat.
SUSPECT 3: black male, medium build, short cropped hair cut, wearing blue jeans, dark colored jacket.
SUSPECT 4: black male, yellow construction hardhat, black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, yellow safety reflective vest.
Afghan Massacre: Truth Of Events Remains Elusive
Getting to the truth of the events that led to one of the worst massacres of the war in Afghanistan may be as long and tortuous as the conflict itself.
Reporter Yalda Hakim of Australia's SBS, one of the first western journalists to visit the villages where a U.S. soldier allegedly shot 17 people dead, told CNN that while she felt the villagers were telling the truth, some of their accounts were conflicting."
I did sense that they were upfront and their stories were heartfelt," Hakim said. "(But) there were some disparities between the stories."
I spoke to mainly children and it is always difficult to assess whether a child is actually aware of what they saw," she said. "Some of the children I spoke to told me that they only saw one American in their house. The eight-year-old girl that I spoke to said she saw several Americans in her house."
Reporter Yalda Hakim of Australia's SBS, one of the first western journalists to visit the villages where a U.S. soldier allegedly shot 17 people dead, told CNN that while she felt the villagers were telling the truth, some of their accounts were conflicting."
I did sense that they were upfront and their stories were heartfelt," Hakim said. "(But) there were some disparities between the stories."
I spoke to mainly children and it is always difficult to assess whether a child is actually aware of what they saw," she said. "Some of the children I spoke to told me that they only saw one American in their house. The eight-year-old girl that I spoke to said she saw several Americans in her house."
It Might Not Be Too Long Before Our Economy Gets Screwed By Wall Street
The corporate corruption of our government is most glaring when it comes to regulating Wall Street. According to a new report released today by Public Citizen – lawmakers who oppose the Volcker Rule, which says banks can't gamble with your checking account money, receive on average four times more in campaign contributions from Wall Street than those lawmakers who support the Volcker Rule. In total – Members of Congress opposing the Volcker Rule have collected more than $66 million since 2010 from the banksters – which works out to about $388,000 per Member. While most Americans are horrified by this blatant buy-off of our Congress – Wall Street considers it a worthwhile investment and the Supreme Court says it's legal.
Spike Lee Settles for Retweeting Wrong Address
SANFORD, Fla. (AP) - An elderly couple has reached a settlement with Spike Lee after the pair said they had to leave their Florida home after the director help spread a Twitter posting listing their address as that of the man who shot an unarmed teen.
The couple's attorney, Matt Morgan, announced the settlement Thursday. Morgan says Lee called them to apologize for retweeting their address. Specifics of the settlement weren't disclosed.
Our Planet May Be Dangerously Close To A Tipping Point When It Comes To Global Climate Change
That's the message coming out of the "Planet Under Pressure" conference in London this week, where scientists warned that irreversible catastrophic damage to the planet is just around the corner unless nations radically act THIS decade to cut CO2 emissions. According to scientists – if emissions continue at this pace – the global temperatures will rise by six degrees Celsius by 2100 – leading to mass extinctions, freak weather, and even "contemporary civilization's collapse." Unfortunately - as long as oil barons - who care more about their quarterly profits than about the planet we're passing on to our children – retain control of our Congress – then real action on climate change in this country is impossible.
School Bans Child Suffering From Cerebral Palsy From Using Walker
A Texas school district is banning a girl suffering from cere
bral palsy from using a walker, instead wanting her to use a wheelchair at school.
bral palsy from using a walker, instead wanting her to use a wheelchair at school. Texas mother Kristi Roberts has been campaigning for her daughter, LaKay, the right to use her walker, despite the New Caney Independent School District board turning down the request.
Not satisfied with the answer, Roberts met with one school official, and recorded their interaction as he continued to deny LaKay, who suffers from cerebral palsy, the right to use the walker, insisting instead that she use a wheelchair.
Roberts documented the entire meeting on tape, then posted it to YouTube.
The Newt Gingrich Campaign Is Sinking
Way behind in delegates to Romney and Santorum, and his campaign now in more debt than it has cash on hand – Gingrich has already replaced his campaign manager and now plans to lay off one-third of his campaign staff. According to one source within the campaign - the new Gingrich strategy is centered on "Core Gingrich" – getting back to "big ideas and positive solutions." In reality though – Gingrich just needs a new billionaire to step in to single-handedly fund his campaign because Shelly Adelson has stopped giving Gingrich millions.
Md. House Seat Long Held By GOP Put in Play
HAGERSTOWN, Md. - If U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett feels a threat to his re-election, he doesn't show it. Addressing a breakfast crowd at a Republican primary debate in Hagerstown, the 85-year-old conservative from Frederick County calmly ticks off the same objectives _ lower taxes, less regulation, smaller government _ that he's espoused since he first claimed Maryland's 6th District for the GOP in 1992.
Yet some listeners say they're hungry for a fresh message to counter the district's strongest Democratic offensive in 20 years. Redistricting added a big chunk of Democrat-heavy Montgomery County to what had been a Republican stronghold. The change made the seat competitive and led Bartlett to consider retiring rather than face bulked-up Democratic opposition. As a result, registered Republicans and re-energized Democrats both have large fields of candidates from which to choose their parties' nominees Tuesday.
It's a quandary for Republican voters accustomed to easy victories by a congressman who now seems stale to some.
Ocean City Take Home Vehicle Abuse
There has been controversy regarding take home vehicles for town of Ocean City workers.This picture was taken Saturday March 24th @ 4:00 p.m at the Super Fresh in West Ocean City. I am pretty sure the driver wasn't coming from work as he was dressed in jeans, sweatshirt and sneakers. If that's the case then why don't they use their own vehicles.
Publishers Notes: This information was sent in by a reader.
PUBLIC NOTICE
30-Day Comment Period for Environmental Assessment
Sussex County, Delaware
Sussex County, Delaware
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are
undertaking a project to identify, select and protect an alignment for a limited access highway from north of
Milford south to the Maryland state line, a distance of approximately 40 miles. A limited access highway will be
needed to meet the long-term transportation needs in the US 113 corridor to accommodate existing and planned
economic growth and development while minimizing impacts to properties and environmental and historic
resources. The Georgetown Area is approximately 10.4 miles long and extends from south of Ellendale to north of
Millsboro. This is just one section of the much larger US 113 North/South Study, which will lead to the conversion
of US 113 into a limited access highway in Sussex County, Delaware.
The Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment contains the environmental analysis of the Refined On-
Alignment Alternative which DelDOT has identified as the Recommended Preferred Alternative for the
Georgetown Area in June 2007. The Refined On-Alignment Alternative includes the upgrade of existing US 113
to limited access with an additional lane in each direction, grade separated interchanges at eight locations,
elimination of all traffic signals and unsignalized crossovers along US 113, and widen existing shoulders to
maintain right-in/right-out turns for existing access and consolidate access points where possible.
DelDOT and the FHWA, in accordance with the Federal requirements of 23 CFR 771.119(f) and 49
undertaking a project to identify, select and protect an alignment for a limited access highway from north of
Milford south to the Maryland state line, a distance of approximately 40 miles. A limited access highway will be
needed to meet the long-term transportation needs in the US 113 corridor to accommodate existing and planned
economic growth and development while minimizing impacts to properties and environmental and historic
resources. The Georgetown Area is approximately 10.4 miles long and extends from south of Ellendale to north of
Millsboro. This is just one section of the much larger US 113 North/South Study, which will lead to the conversion
of US 113 into a limited access highway in Sussex County, Delaware.
The Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment contains the environmental analysis of the Refined On-
Alignment Alternative which DelDOT has identified as the Recommended Preferred Alternative for the
Georgetown Area in June 2007. The Refined On-Alignment Alternative includes the upgrade of existing US 113
to limited access with an additional lane in each direction, grade separated interchanges at eight locations,
elimination of all traffic signals and unsignalized crossovers along US 113, and widen existing shoulders to
maintain right-in/right-out turns for existing access and consolidate access points where possible.
DelDOT and the FHWA, in accordance with the Federal requirements of 23 CFR 771.119(f) and 49
U.S.C. 303, are
hereby notifying the public of the availability of the Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment.
A copy of the document is available for review at the following locations:
hereby notifying the public of the availability of the Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment.
A copy of the document is available for review at the following locations:
DelDOT Administration Building in Dover;
DelDOT South District Administration Building in Georgetown;
The Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment may also be viewed via the project’s website
www.deldot.gov/information/projects/us113 or a copy of the document may be purchased (for the price of printing)
by contacting DelDOT Public Relations at 1-800-652-5600 or (302) 760-2080.
The Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment may also be viewed via the project’s website
www.deldot.gov/information/projects/us113 or a copy of the document may be purchased (for the price of printing)
by contacting DelDOT Public Relations at 1-800-652-5600 or (302) 760-2080.
All interested parties are invited to comment on the Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment. Comments must
be submitted in writing within 30 days of the publication of this notice, or by April 26, 2012.
be submitted in writing within 30 days of the publication of this notice, or by April 26, 2012.
Written comments
may be sent to the following address:
may be sent to the following address:
Office of Public Relations
Delaware Department of Transportation
(Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment)
800 Bay Road
P.O. Box 778
Dover, Delaware 19903
Delaware Department of Transportation
(Georgetown Area Environmental Assessment)
800 Bay Road
P.O. Box 778
Dover, Delaware 19903
A Comment Worthy Of A Post 3-31-12
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Ron Alessi Becomes Front Page News":
You guys are ridiculous!!! If you actually meet the guy you'd understand he's trying to do the right thing. He doesn't make decisions about lunches and whether they are catered or not. WHat the hell? You liberal thugs just want something to cry about like always. Leave my grandfather alone or actually call him and talk to him instead of assuming things. Do you understand liquor is money that this county needs. I mean damn if Rick keeps spending money the way he does we need all the money we can get.
You guys are ridiculous!!! If you actually meet the guy you'd understand he's trying to do the right thing. He doesn't make decisions about lunches and whether they are catered or not. WHat the hell? You liberal thugs just want something to cry about like always. Leave my grandfather alone or actually call him and talk to him instead of assuming things. Do you understand liquor is money that this county needs. I mean damn if Rick keeps spending money the way he does we need all the money we can get.
International Activists to Storm Israel's Borders Friday
TEL AVIV – Israel is concerned that elements of the so-called Global March to Jerusalem slated for Friday will attempt to storm the Jewish state’s borders to provoke a confrontation amid reports Iranian-backed jihad groups are involved in planning the event.
U.S. endorsers of the Global March include President Obama’s controversial former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.; Cornel West, a longtime friend of Obama who served as an adviser to the president’s 2008 campaign; and Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the anti-war group Code Pink.
Weather Underground founder Bill Ayers, a close associate of Obama for years, helped originate the concept of creating border chaos for Israel in 2009.
Genuine Military Defense Anyone?
As much as one may object to Iran's government's efforts to build atomic weapons, the American government isn't supposed to be some kind of meta-police that embarks upon restraining such governments! Certainly spending American taxpayers' funds on conducting military actions against Iran would be going way beyond the proper military role of the American government, which is to protect its citizen's freedom from domestic and foreign criminals.
It bears remembering here that however off course the American government has gone in its role in the country, the real role it has is to be a government strictly limited to the functions laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, which is to stand ready to defend the country when it is attacked or when there is a demonstrably clear and present danger that it will be − not might be − attacked. So the criteria by which one must judge its conduct, both domestic and international, is whether it amounts to such defense.
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It bears remembering here that however off course the American government has gone in its role in the country, the real role it has is to be a government strictly limited to the functions laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, which is to stand ready to defend the country when it is attacked or when there is a demonstrably clear and present danger that it will be − not might be − attacked. So the criteria by which one must judge its conduct, both domestic and international, is whether it amounts to such defense.
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AP sources: Ryan Expected to Endorse Romney
WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the chairman of the Republican-led House Budget Committee, is expected to endorse presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, two Republican officials said Thursday.
Ryan's endorsement could come as soon as Friday, when Romney is scheduled to give an economic speech in Appleton, Wis., the officials said. They were not authorized to speak publicly about the announcement and requested anonymity.
Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Releases 3-30-12
Gregory James Wright Sr. of Princess Anne, arrested 3-22-12 regarding 7 warrants regarding failure to appear for court, and obstructing and hindering police. Wright was later held, and later turned over to the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office
Thomas William Marshall Jr. of Salisbury, arrested 3-22-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Marshall was held on a $500.00 bond.
Kasey Thomas Bozman of Salisbury, criminal summons served for theft less than $1,000. Bozman was released on signature pending court actions.
Roger Ellis Lloyd Jr. of Townson Maryland, arrested 3-26-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Lloyd was held on a $500.00 bond.
Kishaun Tywan Robinson of Salisbury, arrested 3-26-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Kishuan was held on a $500.00 bond.
William Henry Gatling Jr. of Baltimore, arrested 3-27-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Gatling was held on a $250.00 bond.
Louis Edward Shockley Jr. of Princess Anne, arrested 3-28-12 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Shockley was held on a $100,000 bond.
Nichole Lee Rachor of Quantico Maryland, arrested 3-28-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Rachor was held on a $250.00 bond.
Ju-Wan Elizabeth Walston of Salisbury, arrested 3-28-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Walston was released after posting a $250.00 bond.
Thomas William Marshall Jr. of Salisbury, arrested 3-22-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Marshall was held on a $500.00 bond.
Kasey Thomas Bozman of Salisbury, criminal summons served for theft less than $1,000. Bozman was released on signature pending court actions.
Roger Ellis Lloyd Jr. of Townson Maryland, arrested 3-26-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Lloyd was held on a $500.00 bond.
Kishaun Tywan Robinson of Salisbury, arrested 3-26-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Kishuan was held on a $500.00 bond.
William Henry Gatling Jr. of Baltimore, arrested 3-27-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Gatling was held on a $250.00 bond.
Louis Edward Shockley Jr. of Princess Anne, arrested 3-28-12 on a warrant regarding violation of probation. Shockley was held on a $100,000 bond.
Nichole Lee Rachor of Quantico Maryland, arrested 3-28-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Rachor was held on a $250.00 bond.
Ju-Wan Elizabeth Walston of Salisbury, arrested 3-28-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Walston was released after posting a $250.00 bond.
Pelosi: If Justice System Probe of Trayvon Martin Death 'Doesn't Seem to be Working' 'Other Options' Should Be Considered
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that while she supports the investigation into the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin that is taking place in the justice system, “other options” should be considered "if that doesn't seem to be working."
“We all supported an investigation that is taking place,” Pelosi said at her Thursday news conference when asked if Congress should hold hearings on the case. “I think that’s an issue in the justice system, and if that doesn’t seem to be working then consider some other options, but I’m pleased that the investigation is going forward.”
Assange And Anonymous Acting As Predicted?
Anonymous Supposedly Plans to "Kill" the Internet on March 31 ... Planned DDOS campaign against DNS is meant to highlight piracy legislation issues. Al Gore may have finally met his match. While members of Anonymous aren't planning on inventing the internet, they are planning on destroying it – supposedly ... The DDOS campaign is expected to target the world's 13 domain name servers (DNSs), that allow the public to use the internet by translating human legible text-string URLs into machine-readable IP addresses. If the attack indeed materializes and if the DNS servers are all taken down, the Mayan apocalypse could come early -- the internet could blink offline. – DailyTech
Dominant Social Theme: We just have to figure out what's natural and then fake it.
Free-Market Analysis: Julian Assange wants to run for public office in Australia, his home country, and Anonymous wants to destroy the Internet, temporarily anyway. We are not surprised.
The Internet is like the Gutenberg Press before it. During the era of the Gutenberg Press, the social order was overturned. The Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment rolled like waves over Europe and America.
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Dominant Social Theme: We just have to figure out what's natural and then fake it.
Free-Market Analysis: Julian Assange wants to run for public office in Australia, his home country, and Anonymous wants to destroy the Internet, temporarily anyway. We are not surprised.
The Internet is like the Gutenberg Press before it. During the era of the Gutenberg Press, the social order was overturned. The Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment rolled like waves over Europe and America.
More
Karen Toles to Contest Reckless Driving Charge
WASHINGTON - Prince George's County Councilwoman Karen Toles, who was fined for reckless driving and an unsafe lane change while speeding on the Beltway, says she plans to challenge at least one of her citations.
A trial is scheduled for April 20 in Upper Marlboro.
Toles pleaded guilty to the unsafe lane change on March 5. It's the second time she's paid a $90 fine for that particular citation.
Legal experts tell the Washington Post that Toles' attorney could now try to throw out the reckless driving charge on double jeopardy grounds.
What Will Republicans Do If The Supreme Court Kills Obamacare?
Given the tone and substance of today’s arguments, it looks like there’s a decent chance the Supreme Court will not only toss Obamacare’s individual mandate (a 62% chance according to Intrade), but all of Obamacare as well.
But then what? It seems highly unlikely—to say the least!—that any sort of replacement would pass this year. So now we are talking about 2013, where the issue would get sucked into the swirling nexus of entitlement and tax reform. It’s actually tough to logically separate out healthcare reform from those two issues, as Obamacare more or less attempts to do. Rising U.S. healthcare costs are driven by a market-distorting, third-party payment system where either government (via Medicare and Medicaid) or business (via the health insurance tax exclusion) picks up the tab for individual healthcare spending. You can’t really “fix” healthcare without significant tax and entitlement reform.
Conservatives want to change the system so markets can work their magic. But Republicans have been unclear about what they want to replace Obamacare with, exactly. Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP’s resident wonk, gave a speech last September where, in addition to advocating block granting Medicaid to the states and transitioning Medicare to a premium support system, he endorsed “replacing the inefficient tax treatment of employer-provided healthcare with a portable, refundable tax credit that you can take with you from job to job, allowing you to hang onto your insurance even during those tough times when a job might be hard to find.”
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But then what? It seems highly unlikely—to say the least!—that any sort of replacement would pass this year. So now we are talking about 2013, where the issue would get sucked into the swirling nexus of entitlement and tax reform. It’s actually tough to logically separate out healthcare reform from those two issues, as Obamacare more or less attempts to do. Rising U.S. healthcare costs are driven by a market-distorting, third-party payment system where either government (via Medicare and Medicaid) or business (via the health insurance tax exclusion) picks up the tab for individual healthcare spending. You can’t really “fix” healthcare without significant tax and entitlement reform.
Conservatives want to change the system so markets can work their magic. But Republicans have been unclear about what they want to replace Obamacare with, exactly. Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP’s resident wonk, gave a speech last September where, in addition to advocating block granting Medicaid to the states and transitioning Medicare to a premium support system, he endorsed “replacing the inefficient tax treatment of employer-provided healthcare with a portable, refundable tax credit that you can take with you from job to job, allowing you to hang onto your insurance even during those tough times when a job might be hard to find.”
More
Retrial Begins in Burning of Pit Bull
A retrial began Thursday for twin brothers accused in the fatal burning of a pit bull in 2009.
Prosecutors told jurors that they will prove that Tremayne and Travers Johnson set the dog nicknamed Phoenix on fire and left her to die. A police officer used her sweater to put out the flames, but the dog was later euthanized.
The brothers, who are now 20, are charged with animal cruelty and mutilation of an animal. Defense attorneys said evidence and witnesses won’t prove that the brothers set fire to the dog. They said it was convenient for authorities to charge the twins to silence public outcry after the incident.
A mistrial was declared in the first trial last year after jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision.
Today's Survey Question 3-30-12
Should President Obama be impeached or forgiven if found to have intentionally hidden the truth about his birth place and birth certificate?Maryland Senate Passes $1.1 Billion Capital Budget
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Senate has signed off on a $1.1 billion capital budget proposal.
Senators voted 39-7 Thursday to approve the bill, which now moves to the House of Delegates for consideration.
The plan calls for the state to spend $351.39 million to build and renovate schools, $3.78 million to acquire and design renovations of a post office in Annapolis, $38.67 million to buy new helicopters for the state police and $2.5 million to design an expansion of the Baltimore Convention Center.
The General Assembly has until April 9 to pass the legislation and reconcile any differences in bills supported by the House and Senate
J.P. Morgan Economists: Sustained Job-Market Recovery Is Here
JPMorganChase economists Michael Feroli, Bruce Kasman and Robert Mellman wrote in a report to clients (via WSJ).
It is important to recognize that significant change is taking place in U.S. labor markets that should alter perceptions and reverberate broadly across the macroeconomic landscape over the coming year.
The labor market is transitioning to strong job growth as business gradually shifts toward a stance of medium-term expansion that is more consistent with the current environment of elevated profit margins, strong corporate balance sheets, and relatively easy financing.
That said, they amazingly don't see the price inflation that is coming. They wrote, according to WSJ that inflation pressures are unlikely to arise from wage growth. This view, they said, underpins “our view that the Federal Reserve will be able to keep its policy rate on hold until 2014.”
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It is important to recognize that significant change is taking place in U.S. labor markets that should alter perceptions and reverberate broadly across the macroeconomic landscape over the coming year.
The labor market is transitioning to strong job growth as business gradually shifts toward a stance of medium-term expansion that is more consistent with the current environment of elevated profit margins, strong corporate balance sheets, and relatively easy financing.
That said, they amazingly don't see the price inflation that is coming. They wrote, according to WSJ that inflation pressures are unlikely to arise from wage growth. This view, they said, underpins “our view that the Federal Reserve will be able to keep its policy rate on hold until 2014.”
More
Dimon: Housing Market Will Soon Head Higher
The U.S. housing market is very close to a bottom and there are already signs its improvement is giving a boost to the overall economy, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon told CNBC Wednesday. This is what I wrote yesterday in the EPJ DailyAlert:
The Case-Shiller housing numbers are out and they show U.S. single-family home prices were unchanged in January. I don't consider this a important data point, since the housing market is totally screwed up because of government intervention. If it wasn't for the intervention, the housing sector would have been cleared of overhead supply years ago. That said, once the overhang supply is cleared, housing prices like everything else are going to soar in price. If you are considering buying a house, now is the time, especially with interest rates are so low. Buy now and lock in a long-term fixed rate and you will be very thankful in three years. House prices will be way up by then as will be interest rates.
This is what Dimon said today:
I believe we’re very close to the inflection point. People look at prices that are still coming down but all the other signs are flashing green....the shadow inventory everyone talks about is lower today than it was 12 months ago. It will be a lot lower 12 months from now. Homes for sale are about half what they were four years ago. You could come up with a pretty bullish case. If the economy grows, housing gets better, quicker.
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The Case-Shiller housing numbers are out and they show U.S. single-family home prices were unchanged in January. I don't consider this a important data point, since the housing market is totally screwed up because of government intervention. If it wasn't for the intervention, the housing sector would have been cleared of overhead supply years ago. That said, once the overhang supply is cleared, housing prices like everything else are going to soar in price. If you are considering buying a house, now is the time, especially with interest rates are so low. Buy now and lock in a long-term fixed rate and you will be very thankful in three years. House prices will be way up by then as will be interest rates.
This is what Dimon said today:
I believe we’re very close to the inflection point. People look at prices that are still coming down but all the other signs are flashing green....the shadow inventory everyone talks about is lower today than it was 12 months ago. It will be a lot lower 12 months from now. Homes for sale are about half what they were four years ago. You could come up with a pretty bullish case. If the economy grows, housing gets better, quicker.
More
Is Your Implanted Medical Device Safe?
You might assume so, but many implanted devices, including artificial joints and surgical mesh, were never clinically tested on humans before being put on the market, according to a new Consumer Reports investigation. Worse still, if anything goes wrong, you might not hear about it—and may even have a hard time finding out what device you got.
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IRS Offers Some Relief For Those Unemployed In '11 And '12
Nothing adds insult to injury like owing money to the IRS when you've been unemployed. The IRS is seeking to address that with additions to its "Fresh Start" program, announced earlier this month.
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Man Walks Away From Thrift Store With Possible Picasso Print For $14
Like an Antiques Roadshow devotee's dream come true, a man in Columbus, Ohio, spotted a print signed possibly bearing the signature of Pablo Picasso at his local thrift store and snagged it for $14.14. When he first picked it up, he said he didn't even notice the faint red signature in the corner of the piece, which advertises a 1958 exhibition of Picasso's work.
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Obama Must Apologize: Genuine Birth Certificate Surfaces
This just came across the transom. A duly signed official letter and a very special document will be scanned for all to see – this comes in a few hours or days, depending on how quick API gets the clearance to do so. The two documents will put the issue to rest and clear the air once and for all who wish to know the true facts of this case file that has bothered a large section of the American people!Subject: President Obama will be forced by circumstances to apologize: Genuine Birth Certificate surfaces - Americans have been led to believe otherwise, revelation to change the political landscape ~ African Press International (API)
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New Posts to fall below.
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY ON RELEASE OF FEBRUARY JOBS REPORT
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 30, 2012) – Governor Martin O’Malley today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Labor’s release of employment data for the month of February. February was the sixth straight month of job growth. Maryland’s unemployment rate remains at 6.5 percent – the lowest unemployment rate in three years and nearly two full percentage points below the national rate of 8.3 percent. Since February of last year, Maryland employers added 47,000 jobs, 42,200 of which were in the private sector.
“Since February of last year, Maryland continued to create jobs, adding 47,000 jobs - 42,200 jobs in the private sector alone. Our unemployment rate of 6.5 percent remains nearly two percentage points below the national rate. Nearly 80 percent of jobs lost in Maryland during the recession have now been recovered – almost twice as fast as the U.S .economy as a whole.
“This steady progress in job creation is a positive sign that Maryland continues to move forward but the most important job we create is the next one. There is more work to be done and our focus remains on creating and saving jobs. Through programs like the Maryland Innovation Initiative that is now before the General Assembly and with existing programs like InvestMaryland, we will continue to create jobs and opportunity in Maryland. We recently held a successful first-in-the nation online auction to raise $84 million in venture capital through InvestMaryland to help businesses grow and thrive, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks Maryland as America’s seventh best state for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
“Expanding opportunity to strengthen and grow our middle class is a choice. Because we have chosen to make the modern investments a modern economy requires to create jobs– investments in education, investments in innovation and investments in infrastructure, more Marylanders are working this year than last. Together, we can expand opportunity today, so that our children can compete and win the jobs and opportunity of tomorrow.”
“Since February of last year, Maryland continued to create jobs, adding 47,000 jobs - 42,200 jobs in the private sector alone. Our unemployment rate of 6.5 percent remains nearly two percentage points below the national rate. Nearly 80 percent of jobs lost in Maryland during the recession have now been recovered – almost twice as fast as the U.S .economy as a whole.
“This steady progress in job creation is a positive sign that Maryland continues to move forward but the most important job we create is the next one. There is more work to be done and our focus remains on creating and saving jobs. Through programs like the Maryland Innovation Initiative that is now before the General Assembly and with existing programs like InvestMaryland, we will continue to create jobs and opportunity in Maryland. We recently held a successful first-in-the nation online auction to raise $84 million in venture capital through InvestMaryland to help businesses grow and thrive, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks Maryland as America’s seventh best state for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
“Expanding opportunity to strengthen and grow our middle class is a choice. Because we have chosen to make the modern investments a modern economy requires to create jobs– investments in education, investments in innovation and investments in infrastructure, more Marylanders are working this year than last. Together, we can expand opportunity today, so that our children can compete and win the jobs and opportunity of tomorrow.”
$26 Hot Dog Joins The Snack Roster At Rangers Ballpark
Everything is bigger in Texas and the Rangers' new Champion Dog is no exception. The two foot hot dog with one pound of meat is the latest addition to the Sportservice menu at Rangers Ballpark.
The whopping wiener is topped with chili, sautéed onions and shredded cheese. It may be a bit pricey at $26 but at two feet, you could feed the whole family. Heck you could feed an entire ball team.
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The whopping wiener is topped with chili, sautéed onions and shredded cheese. It may be a bit pricey at $26 but at two feet, you could feed the whole family. Heck you could feed an entire ball team.
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O'Malley Commutes 2 Life Sentences
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - For the first time in his tenure, Gov. Martin O'Malley commuted two life prison sentences on Thursday, for a then-14-year-old boy involved in a fatal robbery and a woman whose boyfriend killed a man she met in a bar.
The governor signed executive orders to grant conditional commutations for Mark Farley Grant and Tamara Settles. Grant's life term was commuted to a term of life with all but 45 years suspended. Settles' life term was commuted to a term of life with all but 40 years suspended.
Renee Hutchins, who has been Grant's attorney since 2005, said she spoke to Grant earlier in the day when she learned about the commutation. She described him as "absolutely speechless."
Rep. Andy Harris Released The Following Statement On The Passage Of The House Budget
“Today, House Republicans passed a budget that takes the first step in restoring the American dream by placing America on a path to prosperity and opportunity. The House budget will put America on a sustainable trajectory to end trillion-dollar deficits and help secure the retirement and health care programs, like Medicare, for our nation’s future. Last night, President Obama’s budget was unanimously rejected 414-0. It’s clear that even House Democrats agree that the President’s plan only leads us on a path to bankruptcy by adding another $11 trillion in additional debt and by imposing $1.9 trillion in new taxes on hard-working families. I hope that the Senate will finally take action on a budget after not passing one in over 1,000 days. It’s time for the Senate and the President to work with the House to place America on a path to fiscal stability.”
A Letter To The Editor 3-30-12
Joe;
I want to thank you for posting the truth on your site about Obama and his administration!!
He and his policies are ruining the country we know as America!! It's amazing that none of the major networks or newspapers will say or print anything against the President and his administration. I guess someday you'll get a call or visit from someone making you stop your truthful postings. It's also amazing to me that with all that is know about the President and all that is not known or covered up that no one seems to be able to do anything about it. Our Country is going down the tubes fast and the President seems to be stepping on the accelerator pedal to make it go faster!! America used to be a proud country with hard working men and women, now it's becoming a country of persons just waiting for entitlements and free government programs to support them. Our country is going broke and the President or no one else will stop the spending especially now with an election year everyone wants to give away all they can to get votes. Our country cannot stand another four years of what has been going on the past three and one-half years, we will not be a free people we'll be a people ruled by the government in every aspect of our lives.
Once again thank you for your postings, please encourage all your readers to forward your web site to all their friends and family across town, across state, and across the country, make as many people as possible aware of your site and posting to bring out the truth, tell everyone to check the site for new news every day. The truth must be gotten out prior to November or we can all kiss America as we know it GOOD BYE!!
I want to thank you for posting the truth on your site about Obama and his administration!!
He and his policies are ruining the country we know as America!! It's amazing that none of the major networks or newspapers will say or print anything against the President and his administration. I guess someday you'll get a call or visit from someone making you stop your truthful postings. It's also amazing to me that with all that is know about the President and all that is not known or covered up that no one seems to be able to do anything about it. Our Country is going down the tubes fast and the President seems to be stepping on the accelerator pedal to make it go faster!! America used to be a proud country with hard working men and women, now it's becoming a country of persons just waiting for entitlements and free government programs to support them. Our country is going broke and the President or no one else will stop the spending especially now with an election year everyone wants to give away all they can to get votes. Our country cannot stand another four years of what has been going on the past three and one-half years, we will not be a free people we'll be a people ruled by the government in every aspect of our lives.
Once again thank you for your postings, please encourage all your readers to forward your web site to all their friends and family across town, across state, and across the country, make as many people as possible aware of your site and posting to bring out the truth, tell everyone to check the site for new news every day. The truth must be gotten out prior to November or we can all kiss America as we know it GOOD BYE!!
SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA 4-2-12
APRIL 2, 2012
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
4:30 p.m. Capacity Fees – follow up discussion
5:15 p.m. Housing Board of Adjustments & Appeals – further discussion
5:45 p.m. Break
6:00 p.m. Election Redistricting – Council discussion
7:30 p.m. General discussion/Upcoming Agenda items
7:45 p.m. Adjourn
Fine Overturned Against VaTech Over Gunman Warning
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A U.S. Department of Education judge has ruled that Virginia Tech did not violate federal law in its response to the campus massacre that left 33 people dead in 2007.
Administrative Judge Ernest Canellos overturned a $55,000 fine against the school and determined that the university's actions on April 16, 2007, didn't violate the Clery Act, which requires schools to issue timely warnings of campus threats.
"This was not an unreasonable amount of time in which to issue a warning. .. if the later shootings at Norris Hall had not occurred, it is doubtful that the timing of the email would have been perceived as too late." the ruling said.
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Administrative Judge Ernest Canellos overturned a $55,000 fine against the school and determined that the university's actions on April 16, 2007, didn't violate the Clery Act, which requires schools to issue timely warnings of campus threats.
"This was not an unreasonable amount of time in which to issue a warning. .. if the later shootings at Norris Hall had not occurred, it is doubtful that the timing of the email would have been perceived as too late." the ruling said.
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Democrat Judge Targets Tea Party Group
A Texas judge has ruled to strip a Tea Party-aligned group of its non-profit status. The judge ruled that the group, King Street Patriots (KSP), was actually a political action committee (PAC) for engaging in anti-voter fraud efforts.
In reality, the True the Vote campaign is separate from KSP; while both were founded by Tea Party activist Catherine Engelbrecht, the two entities operate separately. “Everyone labels us as the same organization and I think they do that because it’s a political maneuver to create the impression that the facts are other than what they actually are,” says Catherine Englebrecht, the founder of both organizations. “If we were to argue this on the facts they wouldn’t have a case.” Engelbrecht said that although she is the founder of both groups, they have acted completely apart from one another. “We’re taking a number of actions to make sure that it’s clear the groups operate independently from one another, which they always have.”
The Democratic Party has charged that True the Vote made unlawful political contributions to the Texas Republican Party by working with the party to train poll watchers and by holding candidate forums that were limited to GOP candidates. “Neither group has ever given a political campaign contribution to a political candidate or party,” said Engelbrecht.
Councilwoman Campbell Responds To My Request Referencing Ethics Commission
Mr. Albero,
Thank you for calling with your questions regarding the ruling of the ethics commission. As I confirmed, we were notified individually by Chariman Lyster on Tuesday regarding the outcome of the commission’s deliberation and the decision that there was not an ethics violation. Council President Cohen inquired of Mr. Bloxom, attorney to the commission for this matter, whether or not the discussion reported during the call should be treated as confidential. In a written response, Mr. Bloxom indicated that while the information conveyed by Chariman Lyster was not confidential he did recommend that we consider waiting to release the determination because it would be better accomplished with the written opinion which will give an explanation as to why there are no violations, and was hopeful that it would answer a lot of the speculation and questions of the public regarding the allegations. A good outcome for the public that will set the record straight is what is most should be most important. It appears that Mr. Dunn and or the Daily Times went ahead with an article prior to the finalization and release of the commission’s formal report and applied their own sets of filters rather than allowing the public to process the findings of the commission as published in the commission’s own words. I will not comment further on the matter until the formal findings of the commission are released.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond. I trust that you will print my comment unedited and in its entirety.
Regards.
Debbie Campbell
Thank you for calling with your questions regarding the ruling of the ethics commission. As I confirmed, we were notified individually by Chariman Lyster on Tuesday regarding the outcome of the commission’s deliberation and the decision that there was not an ethics violation. Council President Cohen inquired of Mr. Bloxom, attorney to the commission for this matter, whether or not the discussion reported during the call should be treated as confidential. In a written response, Mr. Bloxom indicated that while the information conveyed by Chariman Lyster was not confidential he did recommend that we consider waiting to release the determination because it would be better accomplished with the written opinion which will give an explanation as to why there are no violations, and was hopeful that it would answer a lot of the speculation and questions of the public regarding the allegations. A good outcome for the public that will set the record straight is what is most should be most important. It appears that Mr. Dunn and or the Daily Times went ahead with an article prior to the finalization and release of the commission’s formal report and applied their own sets of filters rather than allowing the public to process the findings of the commission as published in the commission’s own words. I will not comment further on the matter until the formal findings of the commission are released.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond. I trust that you will print my comment unedited and in its entirety.
Regards.
Debbie Campbell
New Posts to fall below.
Old Jeans Will Become Home Insulation
Blue jeans are the common denominator of American closets.
But what is popular in the world of denim pants -- flared, skinny, distressed, dark-washed -- can change with the blink of an eye. And it is not uncommon for children to outgrow a pair of jeans over the course of one school semester.
That's the idea behind the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore denim drive.
Not many people can donate an appliance or a piece of furniture, said project organizer Chelsea Boice, "but a lot of people have denim."
"You Might Be Establishment" Tea Party vs GOP
Recently I’ve been troubled by the results of these GOP primary beauty pageants. More specifically by the fact that Ron Paul has been getting 10-20% of the “Tea Party” vote. Ron Paul started the Tea Party. Ron Paul is the Tea Party. He is the only one who follows its mantra – Taxed Enough Already!!! The reality is that some of the less educated folks in the Tea Party have been sucked up by the GOP establishment. So, in light of this, I’ve compiled a list for those folks to see if they are really Tea Party, or if they’ve been fooled and become part of the very machine we are fighting. If you believe just one of these things you are NOT Tea Party and you need to rethink before we totally lose the Country.
If you think the Patriot Act protects US Citizens from terrorists, you might be establishment.
If you think the TSA is helping “keep us safe” while molesting little girls and grandmothers, you might be establishment.
If you think bombing defenseless women, kids, houses, and villages in the name of “democracy” is a good idea, you might be establishment.
If you don’t know the difference between National Defense and starting unprovoked wars repeatedly, you might be establishment.
If you think The Golden Rule is outdated, you might be establishment.
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If you think the Patriot Act protects US Citizens from terrorists, you might be establishment.
If you think the TSA is helping “keep us safe” while molesting little girls and grandmothers, you might be establishment.
If you think bombing defenseless women, kids, houses, and villages in the name of “democracy” is a good idea, you might be establishment.
If you don’t know the difference between National Defense and starting unprovoked wars repeatedly, you might be establishment.
If you think The Golden Rule is outdated, you might be establishment.
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Prostitute Blames McDonald's For Driving Her Into Profession
We've heard of people blaming McDonald's for getting them fat or burning their grandchildren with hot liquid, but rare is the occasion that the fast food giant is accused of leading one into a life of prostitution. But if you live long enough, you see everything, hence a federal court case in which a woman accuses McDonald's and her franchisee ex-husband of pushing her into the world's oldest profession in the 1980s.
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Beef Company Insists Pink Slime Doesn't Exist, While Critics Say It Ain't Ground Beef
The makers of the ground beef filler we all know now as "pink slime" aren't taking this nickname lying down. After losing business from grocery stores, Beef Products Inc. is fighting back in the media, insisting pink slime isn't even a real thing. Opponents of the stuff are firing right back.
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Buy Israeli Goods Weekend Gets Underway
Pro-Israel organization StandWithUs announces 'BIG' day for March 30, urges shoppers to purchase Israeli-made products in bid to counter global anti-Israel boycott day
For the past few years, storeowners worldwide who chose to sell Israeli made products and their customers have had to face a daily gauntlet of protestors seeking to boycott Israeli goods through the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is actively seeking to operate against Israel on a global level.
For the past few years, storeowners worldwide who chose to sell Israeli made products and their customers have had to face a daily gauntlet of protestors seeking to boycott Israeli goods through the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is actively seeking to operate against Israel on a global level.
Now, StandWithUs, a pro-Israeli organization is fighting back. StandWithUs is urging schools, campuses, synagogues, community organizations, and individuals to celebrate Israel by designating March 30 as the day to buy up Israeli goods at local stores - the BIG weekend.
Company Behind Billions Of Phony "Auto Warranty" Robocalls Shut Down By FTC
Have you ever answered a call from an unfamiliar number only to hear a recording tell you there is important information about your automobile warranty? You're not alone, as the folks at the FTC have shut down an operation it says was responsible for billions of instances of deceptive dialing.
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Passengers Can Fight, Too: Woman Allegedly Attacks Crew Mid-Flight
Although it's been flight attendants and captains making the headlines lately for disrupting flights with scary and sometimes violent outbursts, let's not forget that passengers can exhibit wild behavior as well. A woman flying on US Airways yesterday had to be restrained after attacking the flight crew, say cops and airline officials.
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OCPD RECOGNIZES NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH IN APRIL
The Ocean City Police Department is supporting the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) by recognizing April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The 2012 Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign centers on promoting healthy sexuality to prevent sexual violence by proclaiming “It’s time…to talk about it!”
“This year’s campaign encourages individuals and communities to participate in the conversations on how we connect with and respect one another in order to prevent sexual violence,” said Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette A. DiPino. “By talking about this topic we are making the connection that promoting a healthy behavior encourages relationships that are consensual, respectful and informed.”
Sexual violence, including child sexual abuse, crosses all ages, genders, races, ethnicities and economic backgrounds. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, among college women, nine in ten victims of rape and sexual assault knew their offender. In addition, almost 12.8 percent of completed rapes, 35 percent of attempted rapes, and 22.9 percent of threatened rapes happened during a date.
The Ocean City Police Department, in partnership with Atlantic General Hospital, Worcester County SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) and the Life Crisis Center, raise awareness for sexual assault year-round through the Sexual Offense/Assault and Rape Reduction Project, also known as SOARr. “The purpose of SOARr, is to educate people about the dangers of sexual assault and teach ways it can be prevented. It targets teens and young adults, those at highest risk of a sexual assault, by providing messages such as “No means No,” “No Friend Left Behind,” and “Hand Over Your Drink,” Chief DiPino continued. “We want to help people to use good judgment, remind them not to trust strangers and encourage them contact the police immediately if they are the victim of a crime.”
For more information about National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, please visit http://www.nsvrc.org/. In addition, victims seeking help should visit http://rainn.org, for live, one-on-one advice, support and information helplines. The service is anonymous, secure and available 24/7 – providing victims with the help they need, via online, telephone or text message.
“This year’s campaign encourages individuals and communities to participate in the conversations on how we connect with and respect one another in order to prevent sexual violence,” said Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette A. DiPino. “By talking about this topic we are making the connection that promoting a healthy behavior encourages relationships that are consensual, respectful and informed.”
Sexual violence, including child sexual abuse, crosses all ages, genders, races, ethnicities and economic backgrounds. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, among college women, nine in ten victims of rape and sexual assault knew their offender. In addition, almost 12.8 percent of completed rapes, 35 percent of attempted rapes, and 22.9 percent of threatened rapes happened during a date.
The Ocean City Police Department, in partnership with Atlantic General Hospital, Worcester County SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) and the Life Crisis Center, raise awareness for sexual assault year-round through the Sexual Offense/Assault and Rape Reduction Project, also known as SOARr. “The purpose of SOARr, is to educate people about the dangers of sexual assault and teach ways it can be prevented. It targets teens and young adults, those at highest risk of a sexual assault, by providing messages such as “No means No,” “No Friend Left Behind,” and “Hand Over Your Drink,” Chief DiPino continued. “We want to help people to use good judgment, remind them not to trust strangers and encourage them contact the police immediately if they are the victim of a crime.”
For more information about National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, please visit http://www.nsvrc.org/. In addition, victims seeking help should visit http://rainn.org, for live, one-on-one advice, support and information helplines. The service is anonymous, secure and available 24/7 – providing victims with the help they need, via online, telephone or text message.
Va. Man Who Received New Face Never Gave Up
MARTINSVILLE, Va. - A single blast from a 12-gauge shotgun changed former Henry County resident Richard Norris' life forever, but he refused to give up, his father said.
"At times he would be depressed. He had a hard time. But he got on the Internet and started researching hospitals," Frank Norris said Wednesday while traveling through Henry County on his way home to Hillsville from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
Norris said he left his son, Richard Lee Norris, 37, and his son's mother, Sandra Norris, at the medical center. There, Richard Norris got a new lease on life after undergoing an extensive, 36-hour face transplant earlier this month.
Working Around The Drawbacks Of Line-Drying Your Clothes
One way to cut down on gas and electricity use is to abandon your dryer in favor of a clothesline. That's easier said than done, however, because the old-fashioned method poses a bunch of negatives.
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Salisbury Man Pleads Guilty to Using ATM Skimming Devices
BALTIMORE - The U.S. attorney's office say a Moldovan man has admitted to using an ATM skimming device to get debit and credit card numbers.
Twenty-two-year-old Serghei Rotaru, who lives in Salisbury, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore to conspiracy to commit access device fraud. He faces a maximum sentence of 7 1/2 years in prison at sentencing for May 11.
According to his plea agreement, a Cambridge police officer questions Rotaru after he walked away from an ATM that ahe had accessed with a counterfeit device. Officers found $800 in cash, and a department store gift card with a pin number.
Prosecutors say Rotaru also had several other gift cards encoded with stolen information.
Yard Sale
Mutli-family yard sale Sat. March 31, from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Rising Eagle Rd., Mardela Springs, MD. Around the 102 mile marker on Route 50 Eastbound. Wide variety of household items, toys, tools, etc. Come on out and find some new "treasures" for You!
Marijuana Dispensaries to Have State-Of-The-Art Security
WASHINGTON - Medical marijuana growers and sellers will have to take thorough measures to ensure their product doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Measures from state-of-the-art surveillance systems to panic buttons for employees.
Applicants for licenses to either sell or grow medical marijuana were required to submit detailed security plans to the Department of Health and the Metropolitan Police Department. The final rulemaking, issued by the mayor's office, set forth some basic requirements.
Mideast officials: Obama in secret talks with Iran
JERUSALEM – President Obama has been engaged in secret, back-channel talks with Iran in which he informed Tehran’s leaders he is completely opposed to any Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to informed Middle Eastern officials.
The officials told WND the behind-the-scenes talks aim to secure a guarantee from Iran that it will not retaliate against the U.S. in the event of any Israeli military strike, the officials said.
It was unclear what, if anything, Obama offered Iran in exchange for a pledge against targeting U.S. installations, including in the Gulf.
The State Department did not immediately return a WND request seeking comment on the alleged back-door talks.
In a wide-ranging interview March 9 with Al-Monitor, an Arab website founded in the wake of the Middle East revolutions, former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel hinted that private approaches to Iran were already occurring.
No Settlement in Law School Clinic Poultry Pollution Suit
Lawyers have not reached a settlement in a poultry pollution case filed by a University of Maryland environmental law clinic.
U.S. District Judge William Nickerson said in a filing Thursday that while a settlement had not been reached, some progress was made in a settlement conference before Judge Paul W. Grimm on Wednesday. Attorneys in the case met for the closed-door settlement conference in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
The clinic represents plaintiffs suing Perdue Farms Inc. and Hudson Farm, claiming the Salisbury-based poultry company and the Worcester County contract grower are polluting a nearby waterway. Farm groups say the suit could bankrupt Hudson Farm and set a harmful precedent for other family farms.
Fellow Citizens Pitch In Over $25K To Help America's Tallest Man Afford Special Shoes
We've gotten a few tips about the plight of America's Tallest Man, who lives in Rochester, Minn. Igor is 7'8" tall, and after 15 foot surgeries to help support his body, needed special shoes. The only problem — they cost about $15,000, an amount he just didn't have.
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