Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Monday, April 02, 2012

Is The So-Called Student Loan Crisis One Big Exaggeration?

Hear that sound? It's the collective freakout of students across the nation as it comes time for them to finally pay up on those student loans. But while student loan debt is a big issue, at over $1 trillion total, experts are telling everyone to take a deep breath and calm down, because it's really not that bad.

More

Romney Falls For Elaborate April Fool's Prank

(Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney likes to play the occasional prank on his staff. On Sunday, his aides got him back.

They made him victim of an elaborate April Fool's prank when he was introduced into an empty room, telling him beforehand, "We didn't get much of a turnout this morning."

In on the joke were Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan and Senator Ron Johnson, both of whom have endorsed Romney.

The prank was elaborate.

At a Milwaukee restaurant before a regularly scheduled campaign event, Romney was taken into a basement ballroom and his staff warned him in a holding room that the crowd was small.

"It's really small. But it'll be OK,'" Romney said they told him.

Ryan first went on stage and gave an entire introduction of Romney to the sound of applause piped in over the sound system.

Romney and Johnson then walked out and took their assigned places. The room was completely empty.

Romney said his first thought was, "This is going to look really bad on the evening news."

The prank was a sign that Romney and his staff are feeling good about their prospects in the Wisconsin primary contest on Tuesday, and the overall state of the race. Romney leads Rick Santorum in Wisconsin polls and has a big lead in the state-by-state competition for the nomination.

Romney suggested payback might be in order.

"Not only did they do that but they caught it on camera," said Romney. "This is known as forgive, but remember. We're going to remember this."

Source

Court Rules That Pay TV's Nasty Habit Of Bundling Channels Is Legal

Pay TV companies make bundles by bundling channels together in subscription packages, forcing customers to pay inflated fees for packages that are stuffed with channels they don't care about. The U.S. Court of Appeals could have done subscribers a solid by forcing cable and satellite companies to change their modus operandi, but it ruled that there's nothing illegal about the exploitative practice, upholding a judgment in a lower court.

More

Analysis: Young U.S. Farmers Coax Crops From Conservation Lands

North Dakota farmer Justin Zahradka will plant wheat this spring on 40 acres that has been off-limits for two decades, protected by a government conservation program that is shrinking as high crop prices make farmland more valuable.

The 18-year-old high school senior leased the land a year ago from a neighbor who opted not to re-enroll it in the federal Conservation Reserve Program, a scheme that pays farmers and landowners nearly $2 billion annually to leave land idle in order to protect wildlife and the environment.

After loosening up the soil with vegetables last year, he has high hopes for a good harvest. His acres are part of a total 1.7 percent rise in the number of acres of U.S. field crops that farmers are projected to plant this spring, according to Friday's annual U.S. Agriculture Department plantings survey.

More

6 Completely Legal Ways The Cops Can Screw You

We are so lucky to be living in an era of law when it's no longer common for, say, suspects to be interrogated with live cobras tied to the ends of nightsticks. Unfortunately, there are still many colorful ways the police can royally screw you while Lady Justice shrugs.

For instance, you might be surprised to learn that right now in the U.S., it's actually legal for the cops to...

#6.Steal Your Stuff

Imagine you had your car stolen, but then fortune smiles upon you and the cops find it after the thief used it to smuggle 200 pounds of cocaine across the border, running over 30 children in the process while sexually assaulting the car itself.

You realize you're going to need to get all of its fluids replaced from a mechanic with a soft voice and gentle hands, but you still want it back, because hey, it's your car, right?

More

Reverends To The Rescue!

NYC List of Banned Words Goes Public

When I noted in this forum that the New York City Department of Education had banned 50 words from appearing on tests, some of our readers jokingly asked if I was kidding. Unfortunately I was not, and now the NYC Ed Department has published those 50 words, proving it.

Howard Portnoy, over at Hot Air's Green Room reprinted the entire list, which I am copying verbatim here:

Continued Here

Obama Campaign Donor Accused of Fraud

(AP) WASHINGTON - A major donor to President Obama has been accused of defrauding a businessman and impersonating a bank official, creating new headaches for Obama's re-election campaign as it deals with the questionable history of another top supporter.

The New York donor, Abake Assongba, and her husband contributed more than $50,000 to Obama's re-election effort this year, federal records show. But Assongba is also fending off a civil court case in Florida, where she's accused of thieving more than $650,000 to help build a multimillion-dollar home in the state — a charge her husband denies.

Obama is the only presidential contender this year who released his list of "bundlers," the financiers who raise campaign money by soliciting high-dollar contributions from friends and associates. But that disclosure has not come without snags; his campaign returned $200,000 last month to Carlos and Alberto Cardona, the brothers of a Mexican fugitive wanted on federal drug charges.

More

The Media And Black Homicide Victims

Cable mogul Evan Shapiro had a stunningly clueless Trayvon Martin entry on Huffington Post yesterday asking: Why doesn’t the media cover more black crime victims?

Shapiro, the president of indie cable broadcaster IFC, should pose the same question to Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and every member of the black protest establishment: Why don’t you protest more black crime victims? The answer would be the same in all cases: Because the only black victims who interest the race industry and its mainstream media handmaidens are blacks who have been killed by “white” civilians, including honorary whites like Martin’s killer George Zimmerman, or blacks who have been killed or offended by the police (black officers will do here in a pinch).

Unfortunately, there are very few such victims. Ninety-three percent of all black homicide casualties from 1980 to 2008 were killed by other blacks, and are thus of no interest whatsoever to today’s race advocates, because they fail to support the crucial story line that blacks remain under siege by a racist white power structure.

The coverage of New York City’s West Indian Day Parade in September 2011 exemplifies this rule. The New York Times and other local outlets spilled an enormous amount of ink on an altercation between a black city councilman, Jumaane Williams, and the New York Police Department. Williams had tried to cross a police line, and, when he was not allowed to pass, got into a scuffle with some officers. He was then handcuffed and held until the police verified his identity. The city’s Public Advocate, a New York State Assemblyman, and Williams charged the police with racism, claiming that the treatment of Williams exemplified the “siege mentality” with which the police treat black men in New York City. To this day, the Williams detention is regularly mentioned by the New York Times in its constant coverage of the alleged racism of the NYPD.

More

DELEGATE MIKE MCDERMOTT: PRESS RELEASE 4-2-12

“Urge the Members of the Ways and Means Committee to Take Action on HB966”

On March 15th, 2012, the House Ways and Means Committee heard HB 966 - Wicomico County - Board of Education - Selection of Members - Straw Ballot. This bill, sponsored by Delegate Michael A. McDermott (Worcester and Wicomico Counties), would simply allow the people of Wicomico County to voice their opinions about the selection method of the members on the Wicomico County Board of Education. It proposes a non-binding referendum that would ask whether voters favor changing the selection method of school board members from being appointed by the Governor to a direct election by county voters.

What has happened since the hearing on March 15th? Absolutely nothing. In response to this, Delegate McDermott is asking the citizens of Wicomico County to urge the Ways and Means Committee Members to vote on this bill. In particular, please contact the Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman:

Delegate Sheila E. Hixson

Phone Number: 410-841-3469 or 301-858-3469 or 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3469

Address: Room 131, House Office Building, Annapolis, MD 21401-1912

E-mail: sheila.hixson.annapolis@house.state.md.us

Fax: (410) 841-3777, (301) 858-3777

Delegate McDermott is also asking the citizens of Wicomico County to contact the members of the Wicomico County Delegation who did not support this bill:

Delegate Norman Conway

Phone Number: 410-841-3407 or 301-858-3407 or 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3407

Address: Room 121, House Office Building, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401

E-mail: norman.conway@house.state.md.us

Fax: (410) 841-3416, (301) 858-3416

Delegate Rudolph Cane

Phone Number: 410- 841-3427 or 301-858-3427 or 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3427

Address: Room 364, House Office Building, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401

E-mail: rudolph.cane@house.state.md.us

Fax: (410) 841-3780 or (301) 858-3780

If the people of Wicomico County want the right to simply ask a question at the ballot box, they must act now!


New Posts to fall below.

Mattel To Manufacture Bald Barbie Doll

(CBS News) - Big news for the campaign for a bald Barbie: Mattel has agreed to manufacture a hairless doll.

Mattel company spokesman Alan Hilowitz told HealthPop that the company will produce a friend of Barbie that will have wigs, hats, scarves and other accessories to give children "a traditional fashion play experience." The kids will have the option to remove the wigs and head coverings.

The company stated that they will not be selling the dolls at stores, but instead will donate them to children's hospitals and other hospitals, as well as the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.

Jane Bingham, a photographer and the co-founder of the Beautiful and Bald Barbie! Let's see if we can get it made Facebook group, said that she's never thought her efforts to create a doll to help girls dealing with hair loss would gain so much support.

More

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

The urchins were startled. "Hey, let's go outside and play some baseball," I said.

Outside? Are you kidding me? Inside, the two 8-year-old boys have an Xbox, iPads and personal computers at the ready. Outside?

So I dragged them down to the ball field.

"I need a helmet," one wailed. "Where're the helmets?"

"And what about a heart-guard?" the other one said. "Mom says I have to get a heart-guard before I can play."

"We're just going to practice," I replied. "No danger. Let's just throw the ball around and hit a few."

The boys looked confused.

"But we need helmets!"

The year was 1957, and two Central Nassau little league teams were on the field. There were no helmets. No heart-guards. Just a dusty field with dirty bases and a coach who sat on a splintered bench drinking beer.

I was 7 years old. Billy Weir was on the mound. I was at the plate. He threw; I swung the bat. The ball rocketed into left field. My first hit ever. I'll never forget it.

"OK, I'll hit you guys some grounders, and you throw the ball home. Got it?"

The boys looked even more confused.

"What happens if the ball hits me?" the smarter one asked.

"Pain," I said. "But that's why you have a glove. You catch the ball in the glove, and that protects you."

More

Joe Biden: I Wouldn't Want 'A Real Job'

Vice President Joe Biden, long known for making embarrassing verbal gaffes, echoed the cynical criticism many people levy against career politicians, stating he had stayed in the Senate for 36 years because he didn’t want to get “a real job.”

Biden was speaking to a Democratic fundraiser in Chicago Thursday night, when he turned to praise the work of Richard M. Daley, the city’s former mayor of over 20 years.

“I never had an interest in being a mayor, ’cause that’s a real job. You have to produce,” Biden said, according to a White House pool report. “That’s why I was able to be a senator for 36 years.”

Biden was elected to the Senate in 1972 directly from the county council of New Castle County in Delaware at the age of 29. He turned 30 – the minimum age to become a senator – less than two months before taking office. Biden then served continuously as Delaware’s senator until 2009, when he became Barack Obama’s vice president.

More

Texas Lawyers Offer $10,000 For George Zimmerman's Legal Defense

The National Association for Legal Gun Defense wants to contribute $10,000 toward George Zimmerman's legal expenses, a member said today.

The group represents gun owners involved in self-defense shooting cases, said attorney Blue Rannefeld of Fort Worth, Texas.

Rannefeld said he has not been able to contact Zimmerman, 28, and is trying to reach Zimmerman's attorney, Craig Sonner of Altamonte Springs to make the group's offer of assistance.

Source

Home-school, private-school families win tax break

After eight years of fighting, proponents of helping parents send their children to private schools won approval Wednesday in the South Carolina House.

The House voted 65-49 on a measure supporters say represents a home-grown version of a long-divisive issue fueled by out-of-state money.

Rep. Eric Bedingfield, R-Mauldin, said it's about providing parents choices.

"I don't believe education is a one-size-fits-all proposition," he said. He noted students can get lottery-funded scholarships toward tuition at private colleges in the state: "Why shouldn't we give the choices in K-12?"

More

Merchandising Trayvon Martin


In the music industry, it’s not about the music; it’s about the t-shirt, the poster and the songbook. In the modern politicized tragedy, it’s not about the dead body; it’s about the hoodie, the t-shirt and the keychain. At a rally in Sanford, Florida, where the whole thing began, a vendor was eagerly selling commemorative t-shirts, shouting, “I’ve got every size.”

Like the concert, the protest rally or the memorial event is a great place to pick up some merchandise. Discriminating consumers can choose from t-shirts that denounce Zimmerman, white racism or the menace that faces every black man in America once he buys some skittles and puts on a hoodie. Then there’s the always popular, “Enough is Enough” shirt which can go on being sold at just about any event when the outrage machine had moved on to the next grievance theater.

Not to be left out of the action, Sybrina Fulton, Martin’s mother has applied for trademarks on “I Am Trayvon” and “Justice for Trayvon.” They say that you can’t buy justice, but if the trademark is approved then you will be able to license, “Justice for Trayvon” from her for a reasonable price

More

Hollywood Producer Heard Bill Clinton Say Obama Ineligible

A successful Hollywood producer who had an insider’s view of Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign claims she heard Bill Clinton say that Barack Obama is not eligible to be president.

Bettina Viviano – who started her own film production company in 1990 after serving as vice president of production for Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment – told WND that it was common knowledge among delegates committed to Hillary that the Clintons believed Obama was constitutionally ineligible and that Bill Clinton would eventually disclose his belief to the public.

The Clintons were the original “birthers,” Viviano told WND in an interview in Los Angeles.

“Everybody who has called this a conspiracy from the Republicans or the tea party, they need to know who started it – the Democrats,” she said.

“It was Hillary and Bill, and it percolated up from there,” said Viviano, who had access to the campaign through a documentary she produced on the claims of delegates that Obama and the Democratic National Committee were stealing the nomination from Hillary.

More

Our Disingenuous President

Many Americans believe that whenever a politician opens his mouth, something pops out other than the truth. But on the issue of energy, this President has really stepped into an issue and now seems able to maintain his political credibility solely with more lies and obfuscation.

We live in an age in which America and the rest of the world has a huge need for electrical power – with no evidence of reduced demand on the horizon. Even though our automobiles, appliances, and tools have become more energy-efficient, we have more devices than ever like smartphones and tablets and our thirst for energy has not and will not subside in the foreseeable future.

President Obama repeatedly attacks his political opponents for not supporting taxpayer-funding of new forms of energy. First he accuses Republicans of being behind the loans given to Solyndra and other “clean-energy” companies – most of which have gone bust during his administration. But then out of the other side of his mouth, he accuses Republicans of being members of the Flat Earth Society for being “against energy innovation.”

This is the same man who enthusiastically extols the benefits of wind-generated power. But when I think of wind energy, I just can’t help imagining a 16th-century Dutch windmill. There’s a reason that this form of energy went out of use – it is grossly inefficient. I’ve had extensive conversations with the owners of wind farms, the quality of whose windmills has vastly improved over the past twenty years. They are far more productive than they’ve ever been, and yet they still don’t come close to the energy density of fossil fuels.

More

Student With Cancer Too Ill To Go With Taylor Swift To Awards Show

New York (CNN) -- A cancer-stricken New Jersey student asked by superstar singer Taylor Swift to join her at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards is too ill to attend, supporters said.

A Facebook group started by Kevin McGuire's older sister, Victoria, said Saturday that her 18-year-old brother was admitted to the hospital Friday night.

The post continued, saying, "Please continue to pray for Kevin and his health, because that is the most important thing. As for Taylor, she is just as depressed as all of us to miss out on this date, and we are so thankful for the opportunity she has given us."

The country sweetheart took to her Twitter page hours after, confirming the sad news. Swift wrote, "Just talked to Kevin McGuire. He's not well enough to join me at the ACMs. Please keep him in your thoughts. I'll make it up to you, Kevin!"

More


Understanding The Slave Mentality

In the initial stages of nearly every recorded tyranny, the saucer eyed dumbstruck masses exhibit astonishing and masterful skill when denying reality. The facts behind their dire circumstances and of their antagonistic government become a source of cynical psychological gameplay rather than a source of legitimate concern. Their desperate need to maintain their normalcy bias creates a memory and observation vacuum in which all that runs counter to their false assumptions and preconceptions disappears forever. It is as if they truly cannot see the color of the sky, or the boot on their face. The concrete world of truth becomes a dream, an illusion that can be heeded or completely ignored depending on one’s mood. For them, life is a constant struggle of dissociation, where the tangible is NOT welcome…

This is the problem that we in the Liberty Movement deal with most often in our writings and films. Our confrontation with willful ignorance has been epic, even by far reaching historical standards. The gains in social awareness have been substantial, and yet the obstacles are incredible. Unprecedented. As an activist trend, we have an almost obsessive drive to draw back the curtain so that the public has at least the opportunity to see what is on the other side. Unfortunately, there is another danger that must be taken into account…

It is one thing to bear witness to the rejection of truth in our time and the oblivious attitudes of many towards the growth of totalitarianism. Eventually, though, a second phase in the development of oligarchy arises. I am speaking of the point at which tyranny becomes so blatant that the skeptics have to acknowledge its existence, but after doing so, they choose to rationalize it as necessary. Yes, there are many in this world that will laugh at the prospect of the Orwellian nightmare only to happily embrace it when it arrives in full color.

I was recently looking into the divisive issue of U.S. Marine Sgt. Gary Stein, whose position has come under threat due to his criticisms of Barack Obama and his founding of the ‘Armed Forces Tea Party Facebook Page’. What I discovered was a large number of Americans in support of Stein’s right to speak as a citizen (even under Marine regulations) against the unconstitutional actions of any president or presidential candidate. I also discovered a considerable number who wanted to see the soldier dishonorably discharged, or even set upon a noose as punishment.

More

Australia to Lure More US Construction Workers

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia is hoping to lure more American plumbers, electricians and construction workers to be employed on Outback projects in the burgeoning mining and gas industries by changing how their skills are assessed.

Currently U.S. skilled workers can wait in Australia for months before they are issued with licenses that allow them to work in a trade and they face the risk of being rejected if their skills don't meet Australian standards.

The government said Monday that the system will be overhauled this month so that their skills can be assessed in the United States, giving applicants certainty that they can work in their trade when they arrive.

Australia will also host its first ever skills expo in the United States to explain what jobs are available and how Americans can apply. Because of the resource industry focus, the expo will be held in Houston, Texas, on May 19 and 20. Similar expos have been held in Ireland and Greece where crippling government debt and recession have fueled unemployment.

Australia avoided recession during the global financial crisis thanks to Chinese demand for raw materials including iron ore and coal, Australia' two largest exports. The Australian unemployment rate is 5.2 percent.

More

Today's Quote Of The Day 4-2-12

“Fathom the hypocrisy of a Government
that will require every citizen to prove
they are insured……but not everyone
must prove they are a citizen”

Baltimore County Jackpot Winner Stays In The Dark

The millions of jackpot hopefuls who fantasized about the adventurous trips they would take, the luxury cars they would buy, and the family and friends they would help with their Mega Millions winnings have only one thing to imagine now - the faces of the people who will be splitting the $656 million prize, none of whom by Sunday had come forward.

A Baltimore County convenience store sold one of the three winning tickets for Friday’s world-record jackpot, and a state law allowing the winner or winners to remain anonymous could mean locals will never know who bought the lucky ticket at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

Hordes of television crews and nosey neighbors invaded the 7-Eleven on Liberty Road in Milford Mill, eager to meet the winner, who will split the money with two others in Red Bud, Ill., and northeastern Kansas.

More

Italians- It's In Their Blood

BlackBerry Maker to Focus on Business Customers

TORONTO — Struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. said Thursday that it plans to return its focus to its corporate customers after failing to compete with flashier, consumer-oriented phones such as Apple’s iPhone and models that run Google’s Android software.

The shift in strategy came with a management shakeup that includes longtime executive Jim Balsillie leaving the board and severing ties with a company he helped build and later see decline.

RIM said it will focus its consumer efforts on targeted offerings that tap the company’s strengths. That includes devices that employees will want to buy on their own and bring to the corporate environment. The company was exploring partnerships and other opportunities for consumer products that aren’t deemed central. Those products could include software and features that are then incorporated into RIM’s own offerings

More

Caption This Photo 4-2-12

BREAKING LOCAL NEWS: BILL REDDISH PARTS WAYS WITH WICO

Local icon and well respected Radio Host Bill Reddish is no longer with WICO. Bill has been a leader when it comes to local news, information and especially interviews with local and state politicians.

While Bill and I may not have seen eye to eye over the years, there's just no way I could ever say I didn't respect the man for his ability to draw in incredible interviews.

Its my understanding that WMDT will now fill in the local news on WICO, go figure. There's no doubt things will never be the same. Hopefully Bill, (and others) finds a new home soon.

It has also been reported that other staff with WICO was released today and we wish them all well.




The radio business nation wide has become more syndicated and local content is almost non existent any more. We wish Bill the very best and thank him for entertaining us for so many years.


New Posts to fall below.

Ambassador John Bolton Backs Douglas, Romney

Ambassador John Bolton, appearing on behalf of Governor Mitt Romney's presidential campaign at the Royal Kosher Restaurant in Baltimore April 1, voiced strong support for Douglas's April 3 primary bid to challenge 45-year Democratic incumbent Ben Cardin.

"I am grateful to Ambassador John Bolton -- a native son of Baltimore and Maryland resident -- for stating once again his support for my Senate candidacy and for serving as co-chairman of my campaign," said Douglas.

Douglas looked forward to the Ambassador's possible role in a new Administration.

"If the people of Maryland choose me as their next U.S. Senator, I will look forward to leading Senate action in January to confirm Mr. Bolton for a senior national security position in a new Republican cabinet."

Biden Slams Republicans for Blocking Programs for Renewable Energy

More investment in “green” technology is shaping up to be a cornerstone of President Obama’s re-election effort, and the administration’s No. 2 man on Sunday accused Republicans of standing in the way of wind, solar and other renewable sources of energy.

“They’re emasculating all the efforts to deal with renewable energy,” Vice President Joe Biden said Sunday in a prerecorded interview on CBS‘ “Face the Nation.”

“They have no policy,” he said of Republicans, including the GOP presidential hopefuls who increasingly are making more U.S. oil and gas drilling a major campaign theme.

More

The Debt Generation

Obama Pushes Congress on Millionaires' Tax

President Barack Obama is calling on Congress to increase taxes on millionaires, reviving a proposal he first pitched last September that aims to draw sharp election-year lines between the president and the Republican opposition.

The plan, scheduled for a vote in the Democratic-controlled Senate on April 16, stands little chance of passing in Congress. But it is a prominent symbol of the efforts the president and congressional Democrats are making to portray themselves as champions of economic fairness. Republicans dismiss the idea as a political stunt with little real effect on the budget.

"We don't envy success in this country. We aspire to it," Obama said in his Saturday radio and Internet address. "But we also believe that anyone who does well for themselves should do their fair share in return, so that more people have the opportunity to get ahead _ not just a few."

More

Americans Are Worrying About The Constitution Again

“I don’t worry about the Constitution,” said Rep. Phil Hare, Democrat of Illinois, at a town hall meeting where voters questioned his support of the legislation that became Obamacare. You can find the clip on youtube.com, where it has 462,084 hits.

That was before the 2010 election, in which Hare, running for a third term in a district designed by Democrats to elect a Democrat, was defeated 53 to 43 percent by Bobby Schilling, proprietor of a pizza parlor in East Moline.

A lot of politicians are worrying about the Constitution these days. Liberal commentators were shocked this past week when in three days of oral argument in the lawsuits challenging Obamacare, five Supreme Court justices — a majority — asked questions strongly suggesting they think the legislation is unconstitutional.

And so the Constitution — and the limits it places on Congress’ powers — is once again part of our politics. And will continue to be, whichever way the Court rules.

More

BREAKING NEWS: 5 Dead In College Shooting

Police confirm five are dead and suspect is in custody after shooting at Christian university in Oakland, Calif.

From Fox News

Statement From Congressman Roscoe Bartlett Regarding David Brinkley And Wife’s

"The Bartlett campaign has not criticized David Brinkley's personal life and has
no role whatsoever in the release of the 911 tapes. If our campaign learns of
any outside party responsible for the release of the tapes, we'll be sure to
provide that information. Congressman Bartlett's focus is on the issues and his
conservative leadership, not any other candidate's personal life."

Dems Sharpen Attack as GOP Rallies Behind Romney

MILWAUKEE (AP) - President Barack Obama's administration launched a multi-pronged assault on Mitt Romney's values and foreign policy credentials Sunday, while a fresh set of prominent Republicans rallied behind the GOP front-runner as the odds-on nominee, further signs the general election is overtaking the primary season.

A defiant Rick Santorum outlined plans to leave Wisconsin the day before the state's contest Tuesday, an indication that the conservative favorite may be in retreat, his chances to stop Romney rapidly dwindling.

"I think the chances are overwhelming that (Romney) will be our nominee," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union." "It seems to me we're in the final phases of wrapping up this nomination. And most of the members of the Senate Republican conference are either supporting him, or they have the view that I do, that it's time to turn our attention to the fall campaign and begin to make the case against the president of the United States."

More

Most Unbelievable Thing You Will Ever Watch

March Deaths Iraq's Lowest Since 2003

(BAGHDAD) — Official figures show 112 people were killed by violence in Iraq in March, the lowest monthly death toll for Iraqis since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

The figures compiled by the defense, interior and health ministries were released late Sunday and also show that 357 were wounded last month.

The total death toll included 87 civilians, 22 policemen and 12 soldiers.

The previous lowest for a month was in November 2009 when 122 died.

Tight security measures that were imposed for Baghdad's hosting of an Arab summit Friday have led to a big drop in attacks.

Violence has dropped significantly in Iraq, but insurgents often carry out attacks in order to shake confidence on the Shiite-led government.

More

Salisbury University

Hi Joe,

I have a daughter that is a student at SU. Last night there were two separate incidents there. One home invasion and one attempted rape. All students received messages but I think all that live in that area should be aware.

Incumbent Cardin Likely Victor in Md. Primary Race

ANNAPOLIS — For state Sen. C. Anthony Muse, campaigning to oust sitting U.S. Sen. Benjamin Cardin has not been about winning over the Democratic establishment.

Early in his campaign, Muse took aim at party leaders for what he said were inappropriate pre-primary endorsements and acknowledged he is the underdog in Tuesday’s primary, a contest in which observers say he is unlikely to topple the well-funded and popular Cardin.

“No one expected this to become a race, but it became a race because I did not wait for the party bosses,” said Muse.

While Muse, 53, is confident in his grassroots campaign, the Democratic primary race, which boasts an additional seven largely unknown candidates, is not competitive, said Allan Lichtman, a history professor at American University who was among Cardin’s challengers in the 2006 primary.

More

BREAKING NEWS: Gunman Opens Fire At California University

Classroom shooting at Oikos University, a Christian school in Oakland, Calif., reportedly leaves at least one dead.

From Fox News

United States Moves Closer To Direct Intervention In Syria

The United States and more than 60 other countries moved closer on Sunday to direct intervention in the fighting in Syria, with Arab nations pledging $100 million to pay opposition fighters and the Obama administration agreeing to send communications equipment to help rebels organize and evade Syria's military, according to participants gathered here.

The moves reflected a growing consensus, at least among those who met here this weekend under the rubric "Friends of Syria," that mediation efforts by the United Nations peace envoy, Kofi Annan, were failing to halt the violence in Syria and that more forceful action was needed. With Russia and China blocking measures that could open the way for military action by the United Nations, the countries lined up against the government of President Bashar al-Assad have sought to bolster Syria's beleaguered opposition through means that seemed to stretch the definition of humanitarian assistance.

The offer to provide salaries and communications equipment to rebel fighters known as the Free Syrian Army — with the hopes that the money might encourage government soldiers to defect, officials said — is bringing the loose Friends of Syria coalition to the edge of a proxy war against Mr. Assad's government and its international supporters, principally Iran and Russia.

More

Sequestration May Hit Defense Industry Harder Than Troops

Pentagon leaders have been telling Congress for months that sequestration would have a "devastating" impact on military programs. On Thursday, officials said it could also mean hundreds of thousands of layoffs in the defense industrial base and undo what progress the Pentagon's made on driving better business deals with industry.

The Pentagon already is worried about the defense industry based on the spending cuts it's already planning for the next 10 years. The reductions mandated by the Budget Control Act reduce DoD's previously-planned budget by $487 billion over that period. Officials say they're keeping a close eye on things, including building a comprehensive sector-by-sector and tier-by-tier map of the defense industry so they can keep better tabs on the health of the industrial base.

But Frank Kendall, the president's nominee to be the new Pentagon acquisition chief, told Congress sequestration, which would roughly double DoD's cuts, would change the picture entirely.

"We've already taken $50 billion a year out of the Defense budget. If we had to take another $50 billion out, a lot of that would fall onto industry," he told senators at his confirmation hearing Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

More

Driving Towards Justice: Vermont Migrant Rights Campaign Wins Licenses

The Vermont Senate voted in last March to establish a committee to introduce new legislation for Vermont residents to access state issued ID and Drivers' Licenses regardless of immigration status. Here is the story of how Vermont's migrant justice movement won this historic victory.

A bill churning through the Vermont Statehouse for the last few months seeks to reaffirm Vermont's courageous commitment to civil rights, especially where the federal government has proven intransigent and ineffective. Originally conceived as a 'Vermont Migrant Guest Worker Program,' Senate bill S-238 is meant to begin addressing the ongoing plight faced by the estimated 1,500 migrant farm workers living and working throughout Vermont with limited protections or access to basic services. S-238 will confront these challenges by making state issued ID and drivers' licenses available to everyone, regardless of immigration status.

Today, the Vermont Senate voted to establish a committee to introduce S-238. Next up for the law is a 3rd and final reading and vote in the Senate on Tuesday, which it is expected to pass easily after a unanimous vote today, and then its over to the House.

More

Mega Millions Generates More Than $21M for Va. Schools

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The excitement surrounding the record-breaking Mega Millions jackpot generated more than $21 million for public schools in Virginia.

The Virginia Lottery says that the tickets bought between Jan. 24 and Friday's drawing generated $21.8 million in profit, all of which goes to K-12 public schools in Virginia.

Retailers selling tickets in the commonwealth also earned more than $2.4 million in commissions.

While it wasn't the whole jackpot, five Virginia tickets each won a piece of Friday's historic Mega Millions lottery drawing.

Virginia Lottery officials say that while no Virginia ticket matched all six numbers for the estimated $640 million, five tickets matched the first five numbers to win $250,000 each.

Those tickets were bought in Fredericksburg, North Tazewell, Richmond, Vinton and Virginia Beach.

An estimated 14.3 million Mega Millions tickets were bought in Virginia on Friday alone. Three tickets bought in Illinois, Kansas and Maryland will split the historic jackpot.

Seven Mega Millions jackpots have been won in Virginia since the game began in 2002.

Source

Throwing Gasoline On The Fire

Click on image to enlarge.

Hundreds Take Part in Blossom Kite Festival

The sky around the Washington Monument was littered with hundreds of high-flying kites Saturday as hundreds of people descended on the National Mall for the Blossom Kite Festival.

“You’re at the center of the political universe so It’s a wonderful place to fly a kite,” participant Dana Hannah said. "You can take advantage of all that hot air coming off the Capitol building.”

Amateur and experienced kite-fliers were all looking for the same thing: good wind.

The wind, at least 5 mph less than hoped for, was not as strong as the enthusiasm of some of the fliers.

“It’s not that windy,” Karen Rambo of Falls Church, Va., said. “This is my son’s kite, but he got tired after running so much, so I’m trying. It’s good exercise.

The lack of wind didn’t stop the competition.

More

U.S. Gets Pushed For More Money

WASHINGTON – Uzbekistan has become more and more unpredictable in its response to requests to let the United States use its railway into Afghanistan as part of the Northern Delivery Network to deliver vital supplies to U.S. troops, according to a report from Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.

It’s apparently because the nation is wanting more money for the permissions, and it is feeling pressure from the Russians. But the result is that more expensive and increasingly difficult approaches are being considered.

The need to look to the NDN first came about after Pakistan retaliated against recent U.S. actions by cutting off the flow of supplies through the Khyber Pass, through which some 75 percent of these supplies has been flowing. Due to the recent accidental killing of some 24 Pakistani troops along the Afghan-Pakistan border, the Pakistani government cut off U.S. use of the Khyber Pass altogether, forcing the U.S. and coalition forces to face the obstacles that the NDN posed.

More


FDA: Tobacco Companies Must Report Ingredients

WASHINGTON — Tobacco companies will be required to report levels of dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes, chew and other products, under the latest rules designed to tighten restrictions on the tobacco industry.

The preliminary rule from the Food and Drug Administration marks the first time tobacco makers will be required to report quantities of 20 ingredients associated with cancer, lung disease and other health problems. The FDA will require companies to display the information in consumer-friendly packaging by next April.

Regulators have identified more than 93 harmful or potentially harmful chemicals in tobacco products, though the agency is only focusing on 20 for now.

A law enacted in 2009 gave the FDA authority to regulate a number of aspects of tobacco marketing and manufacturing, though the agency cannot ban nicotine.

More

Police Tracking Of Cell Phones May Be Coming To A Phone Near You

Law enforcement tracking of cellphones, once the province mainly of federal agents, has become a powerful and widely used surveillance tool for local police officials, with hundreds of departments, large and small, often using it aggressively with little or no court oversight, documents show.

The practice has become big business for cellphone companies, too, with a handful of carriers marketing a catalog of "surveillance fees" to police departments to determine a suspect's location, trace phone calls and texts or provide other services. Some departments log dozens of traces a month for both emergencies and routine investigations.

With cellphones ubiquitous, the police call phone tracing a valuable weapon in emergencies like child abductions and suicide calls and investigations in drug cases and murders. One police training manual describes cellphones as "the virtual biographer of our daily activities," providing a hunting ground for learning contacts and travels.

More

Obama's Accomplishments

Here are just a FEW things Obama has done since in the White House. I’m sure you forgot but once you read the list it’will ring some bells in your head..! And WE all know this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more he’s done to DAMAGE America..4 more years I HOPE & PRAY NOT..!

1. Obama Lying About His Social Security Number
2. Obama Lying About His Nation Of Birth
3. Obama’s Endless Tyrannical Executive Orders
4. The Obama Soros’ Occupy Wall street Mob
5. Uganda
6. Obama Giving Solyndra 535 Million Of Our Money
7. Raising The Deficit To 18 Trillion
8. America’s First Credit Downgrade
9. Obama’s Fast And Furious Criminal Operation
10. Repeal Of DOMA
11. Repeal Of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
12. Obama Buying His Union Votes With Our Tax Money
13. Obama Empowering The Muslim Brotherhood And Al Qaeda
14. Obama Swearing That He Would Side With Muslims Against Us Patriots
15. Obama’s Hate Speech Provocations
16. Obama putting Muslim’s Rights Over All Other American’s Rights
17. Obama Ignoring North Korean Aggression
18. Obama’s Democrats Voting Against Auditing The Corrupt Federal Reserve Bank
19. Obama Giving Brazilian & Soros Owned Oil Company Two Billion To Drill Off Shore With The Oil Slated To Go To China
20. Lopsided Nuke Deals
21. Obama’s Expensive & Unnecessary Trip To India
22. Obama’s Illegal Aunt Living Off Our Taxes
23. Obama Taking 500 Billion From Medicare And From Our Senior Citizens To Fund His Illegals On welfare
24. Obama Having The Cross and the letters IHS covered up that symbolizes the name of Jesus Christ at Georgetown University obama delivering a dismal 45-minute speech.
25. Mosque At 9-11 Ground Zero
26. Obama and Hillary calling in the UN to slam Arizona, 22 States & our nation’s laws
27. Our Tax Money Being Used To Fund The Democrat Propagandist National Public Radio
28. Obamacare
29. Abortions paid for under Obamacare
30. Suing Arizona
31. Obama’s Wealth Redistribution
32. No Social Security Cost Of Living Increase For Retired Americans For Two Years
33. Bailouts
34. Bribes
35. Obama’s & BP’s Mishandled Gulf Of Mexico Oil Aneurysm
36. 535 Billion Of Your Money Spent On Illegals Every Year
37. Obama’s 2.6 Trillion Amnesty
38. Economy Trashed By The Democrats
39. Democrat Voter Fraud
40. No Real Border Security Enforcement
41. Siding with the Marxist Zelaya in Honduras against the will of the people their
42. No Jobs
43. Beer Summit
44. Calling Our Returning Veterans Potential Terrorists
45. AG Holder setting the 9-11 terrorist trial just blocks from the 9-11 attack site
46. Calling Christians Potential Terrorists
47. Hands Holding Crotch During Pledge Of Allegiance
48. Rev Wright
49. Michelle
50. Massive & Reckless Spending
51. Harry Reid
52. Nancy Pelosi
53. Sestak Obamacare Death Panels
54. Nationalizing Banks
55. Nationalizing US Industry
56. Obama’s Massive Stimulus Failure
57. Calling Tea Party Activists Racists
58. New Black Panther Party Thugs empowered by Obama’s AG Holder
59. Using the NAACP to spread Racist Propaganda
60. Obama’s Dept Of Justice Refusing To Prosecute Black Racist Discrimination Against White People
61. ACORN
62. Dead People Voting As Democrats
63. Calling Terrorism A Man Made Disaster
64. Calling America a Muslim Nation
65. Obama Giving One Billion Of Your Money To The Hamas Terrorists Of Gaza
66. Bowing to the Saudi king of Terror
67. The Obama Apology Tour
68. Obama’s Marxist Czars
69. Obama’s Muslim Czars advocating for Islamic Sharia Law in America
70. Cap & Trade Tax
71. agenda 21
72. Obama’s Terrorist Appeasement
73. The Islamization Of NASA
74. Muslims exempted from Obamacare
75. Obama’s Mistreatment Of Israel
76. The NDAA to imprison Americans at will the New Start Treaty in Russia the 111th Democratic Congress
77. Violating the rules of the U.S. House•
78. Inappropriately handing out the legislative powers of Congress.
79. Upending the legislative process Usurping the powers reserved to the states in the U.S. Constitution.
80. Barack Obama has advocated that the nation should move beyond the constraints of the founding document.
81.President Obama informed Congress and the American people that he and he alone will decide which laws coming to his desk are constitutional or not.
82.FEMA Camps
83.Obama mistreating our friends
84. obama apologizing to afghanistan. Americans, hear what your president is saying: I’ll work within the system. But if they won't move, then…I will dictate where we’re going.
The arrogance of this man and the way he rewrites all of American history and obama adds something new everyday, because he never stops hurting our America.

Here's a couple more:
85.giving mid-eastern countries our money to rebuild their mosques.
86.giving egypt 700 mil. to rebuild their antiquated sewer system. the power grabs continue to this day. I'm sure you can think of many more but this is a good starting point.

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

As you open your pocketbooks for the next natural disaster, please keep these facts in mind:The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans' salary for the year was $951,957 plus expenses.

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $675,000 base salary alongwith numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,900,000 per year (158K) per month, plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE. Less than 5 cents (4.4 cents) per donated dollar goes to the cause.

The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

· The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

· The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

· The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

· The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

No further comment is necessary.

Today's Fill In The Blank 4-2-12

The worst drivers in America are from ___.

House Approves Offshore Wind Bill 88-47, Administration Accused Of Coercion

The House passed the administration’s offshore wind power bill Friday amid accusations Gov. Martin O’Malley secured votes on the House Economic Matters Committee by coercing lawmakers with the state’s disparity grant program.

More

Alexandra Pelosi Interviews Welfare Recipients In NYC

Suspending Child Support Payments For Inmates Stirs Senate Debate

Legislation that would suspend child support payments for those serving more than an 18 month prison sentence was threatened in the Senate Friday by an amendment that supporters say would gut the bill.

More

Today's Advertiser Of The Day 4-2-12



OC FOP Poker Run 5/12/12

The Ocean City, MD Fraternal Order of Police will hold its 4th Annual Poker Run on Saturday May 12, 2012. Proceeds for the event will go to benefit the "Home of the Brave" in Berlin, MD.

The "Home of the Brave" supports America's combat veterans and their families by providing a relaxing environment where they can reconnect after combat military service.

The beginning and end of the Poker Run will be at Hooters of Ocean City (123rd Street Ocean City, MD)

Attached you will find a flyer for the event.

Participants will enjoy Happy Hour prices at Stop Locations and 25% off at Hooters.

Hooters will also be open for breakfast for anyone that would like to have breakfast prior to the Poker Run

If you have any questions and/ or concerns, please contact Event Coordinator Joe Lotito at FOP10Pokerrun@gmail.com or 410-202-6042.

Biden: Gun Laws Likely To Be Debated In Wake Of Trayvon Martin Shooting

Vice President Joe Biden said Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law would likely be thoroughly examined in the aftermath of Trayvon Martin’s death.

“I’m confident the people of Florida will debate and discuss whether or not this law, the Stand Your Ground law, whether is being applied as it was intended to be applied and whether or not as intended it makes sense,” Biden said on CBS's “Face the Nation,” which will air Sunday. “But that’s a decision for the state to make.”

Biden emphasized individuals should have their Second Amendments rights, but he warned that this protection should not “put [individuals] in harms way.”

More

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE APRIL 2, 2012 WORK SESSION AGENDA FOR THE SALISBURY CITY
COUNCIL HAS BEEN AMENDED TO INCLUDE COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON HIRING
THE ASSISTANT CITY CLERK. THE DISCUSSION IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT
7:45 P.M. AND THE AGENDA PACKET HAS BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE THE
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL.

THE WORK SESSION WILL BE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 301
BEGINNING AT 4:30 P.M.

Today's Survey Question 4-2-12

Why is the autism rate rising?

Mixed Use Development Eyed For Cambridge Port

CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) -- Cambridge officials say a mixed used redevelopment is planned for the city's waterfront.

A mixture of commercial, public and possibly some residential properties is being considered for the port property at Sailwinds Park along Franklin Street. The property is owned by the state and leased by the city. The city and state have agreed to develop the property.

Cambridge Economic Development Director Natalie Chabot told The Star Democrat of Easton (http://tinyurl.com/7rxjeqd) that an Annapolis developer has been selected for the project. Groundbreaking is planned for next year with a 2015 completion expected.

Chabot said the redevelopment goal for the waterfront is to connect the Hyatt hotel, a visitors center at Sailwinds Park and downtown Cambridge.

Information from: The Star Democrat of Easton, Md., http://www.stardem.com

Justin Kuhel, Former Marine, Walks From Ohio to Arlington for Wounded Warriors Project


Along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, he walks in a rhythmic, deliberate step. The kind of cadence learned in the military.

A young, bearded man, wearing fatigue pants, carrying a large American flag, on a mission.

"This is the very least I can do", says former Marine Justin Kuhel. "I owe them."

Kuhel, 23, served two combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He was never wounded.

His walk is a way of paying tribute to friends who were killed or wounded in battle.

"It could've been me just as easily that was injured", Kuhel says. "And I'd want somebody doing that for me".

More

Incident: Violation of Protective Order
Date of Incident: 28 March 2012
Location: 1200 block of Kiowa Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Darryl Corbin, 42, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 28 March 2012
at 5:28 hrs, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office
responded to a reported protective order violation at a residence in the 1200 block of Kiowa Avenue.

Upon arrival, the deputy discovered that Darryl Corbin had come to the residence in violation of a protective order that had been previously served on him. The deputy also discovered that Corbin allegedly had been both calling and texting the victim in violation of the same order.

The deputy placed Corbin under arrest 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 Corbin in the Detention Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.
Charges: Violation of a Protective Order

Incident: Flee and Elude
Date of Incident: 28 March 2012
Location: 500 block of Hearn Lane
Suspect: Male Juvenile, 16, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 28 March 2012
at 6:57 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office was on Hearn lane in a marked Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle when a subject drove by the deputy on a dirt bike at a high rate of speed while pulling a “wheelie.” The deputy attempted to stop the subject who then accelerated away quickly in an apparent attempt to elude the deputy. The deputy terminated the pursuit but stayed in the area and re-acquired the subject on Jersey Road and managed to apprehend him before he was able to flee again. The deputy identified the motorcycle rider as a 16 year old juvenile.

The deputy arrested the juvenile and impounded the dirt bike. The juvenile was subsequently released to a parent pending formal adjudication through the Department of Juvenile Services.

Charges: Flee and Elude
Unregistered Motor Vehicle
Driving Without a License

Incident: Theft
Date of Incident: 29 March 2012
Location: 24000 block of Old Bradley Road, Mardela Springs, MD
Suspect: Leonard G. Hess, 43, Bivalve, MD

Narrative: On 29 March 2012
a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a theft of a safe from a house under renovation. During the investigation, the deputy identified a worker, Leonard G. Hess, as the suspect who took the safe. During a subsequent interview, Hess admitted to the theft and described how he forced the safe open to steal the collection of silver coins inside.

The deputy placed Hess under arrest 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 released Hess on Personal Recognizance.

Charges: Theft under $1,000.00

Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 29 March 2012
Location: Maple Way, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Sean M. Torrance, 40, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 29 March 2012
at 7:25 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a person walking in the vicinity of Maple Way in Salisbury, MD. During the ensuing encounter, the deputy began a consensual search of the subject, Sean Torrance, and located what the deputy recognized as marijuana in Torrance’s pocket.

The deputy transported Torrance 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 Torrance on $10,000 bond.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana

GOP Points to Stumbles as Signs of Obama's 2012 Vulnerabilities

Republicans say President Obama's stumbles this week expose his vulnerabilities heading into the general election.

They argue Obama’s hot-mic comment to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev about his “flexibility” on missile defense after the election — paired with the rough treatment his health law received at the Supreme Court — prove the president is on shaky ground with voters.

“I think the activity this week shows us that Obama is vulnerable heading into November,” said Kirsten Kukowski, a press secretary for the Republican National Committee. “His signature legislation, ObamaCare, is in danger of getting overturned by the court, and there is a narrative building that Obama will say and do anything to get reelected, even if it means keeping Americans in the dark on important foreign policy with Russia.”

More

Socialists Of Maryland

Two members of Congress from Maryland, Donna Edwards and Congressman Elija Cummings, are listed as members of the Socialist Party of America.

http://congressmantomtancredo.com/socialist-party-of-america-releases-the-names-of-70-democrat-members-of-congress-who-are-members-of-their-caucus

MSP Press Release 4-2-12

DATE & TIME: 03/24/2012 at 0932 hours
C.C. CARD NUMBER: 12-54-001943
LOCATION: 25170 Ocean Gateway, Mardela Springs, Wicomico County, MD.

BRIEF RESUME:

On the above date and time, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack were dispatched to the above location for the report of malicious destruction of property. Upon arrival, contact was made with multiple victims who advised that they observed the suspect, Ambrose Junior Bishop 2nd, use a hammer to shatter out numerous windows of the victims vehicles. The victims also observed Bishop to reach into one of the vehicles and steal a Wicomico County Board of Education ID badge. One of the vehicles that were damaged belonged to the Somerset County Commissioners Office. Bishop was later located at his residence at 201 Dykes Road, Salisbury, MD. Bishop was arrested and transported to the Wicomico County Detention Center to go before a district court commissioner.

Arrested:
1. Ambrose Junior Bishop 2nd, B/M age 46 of Salisbury, Maryland

The suspect was charged with:
Malicious destruction of property over $500.00
Theft
Rogue and Vagabond

US Census Bureau Shows Wicomic'so Poverty Rate Among Maryland's Highest

Here is the link to the latest US census study for Wicomico County. It shows Wicomico's overall percentage of poverty rate for all ages to be 16.6%.

Nearly 1 - in 5 Wicomico residences are considered to be living in poverty.

Wicomico's poverty rate is eclipsed only by Baltimore City - (24.7%), Allegany - (17.1%), and Somerset Co. - (19.3%).

We rank No. 21 out of 24 jurisdictions.

Also, our counties Median Income shows Wicomico to be ranked near the bottom at No. 19 - ($47,705) - out of 24 jurisdictions.

This information is also current - Release Date 11/20/2011.

Here is the link to the US Census bureau statistics:

http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/data/statecounty/data/2010.html

Click onto the first hyperlink on the US census bureau website whereby it lists all of the nations States & Counties.

Md. National Guard Deploys To Afghanistan

About 300 men and women in the Maryland National Guard's 175th Wing for operations and maintenance packed up overnight for a deployment to Afghanistan.

The group left from Warfield Air National Guard Base in Middle River early Friday morning and will arrive at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, where it will serve as ground support staff for the A-10 aircraft conducting combat operations there.

"I'm a little pumped up and a little afraid at the same time," said Staff Sgt. Ashley McFaul.

Deployment is never a routine, the guard members said. Master Sgt. Charles Bock is heading to his ninth deployment, leaving his four-legged pal, Katie, once again.

Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 4-2-12

On 03/30/2012 at approximately 2048 hours, members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office arrested Maurice Bishop, 53 years of age, from Pocomoke City, Maryland on a District Court Bench Warrant issued after failing to appear on 03/30/2012. Bishop was originally charged with theft-less than $100 and later released.

Listing Of Spring Concerts In Wicomico Schools

Thursday, April 19

Willards Elementary first-grade students will present “America’s Cities and Countryside” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19 in the Willards Elementary auditorium. As a part of our Arts Integration, all of the students at Willards Elementary have been studying the United States through the various art forms. The 1st grade has focused on the Mid-West and New-England regions of the United States with particular interest in the cities and countryside found in that region. Their Spring Program is based on “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse” and will include city and country soundscapes, dances, songs, drama, and scenery production. Admission is free. 410-677-5819

Monday, April 23

The Mardela Middle & High School Spring Concert, featuring 6th Grade Intermediate Band, State Solo & Ensemble Performers, and West Salisbury Orchestra will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the Mardela Middle and High School cafetorium. Admission is free. 410-677-5142

Thursday, April 26

The James M. Bennett High School Symphonic and Intermediate Bands will present the Spring Band Concert on Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in the James M. Bennett Auditorium. The concert will feature serious band literature by Richard Saucedo and Brian Balmages, as well as lighter selections from the artists Hoagie Carmichael and Frank Sinatra. Admission is always free. 410-677-5141

Monday, April 30

East Salisbury Elementary School’s 4th-grade music classes, 4th and 5th grade string students, and 5th grade band students will perform a Spring Concert at 7 p.m. Monday, April 30, in the school gym. Admission is free. 410-677-5803

Consistent Attire Program

View CAP Video Now
April Board Vote Scheduled on Consistent Attire Program (CAP) for 9 Elementary Schools; Watch CAP Video Now
Board Considering Consistent Attire Program (CAP) Proposal for 11 Elementary Schools; Input Welcome Before April Board Meeting
Policy Draft
Presentation: November 2011
Presentation: Feb. 29 Parent Information Meeting

GO HERE to view each one.

Temporary Outage of Visa Card Network Sunday

WASHINGTON (AP) - A technical problem affecting the Visa network barred some people around the United States from using their credit and debit cards for about 45 minutes on Sunday, the company said.

The outage was caused by a recent update Visa has made to its system, said Visa Inc. spokeswoman Sandra Chu. She said Visa had trouble processing some transactions as a result, but the system is operating normally now.

Chu said the problem Sunday was unrelated to the security breach potentially affecting Visa and MasterCard customers that was reported Friday by credit card processor Global Payments Inc.

More

April Board Vote Scheduled On Consistent Attire Program (CAP) For 9 Elementary Schools; Watch CAP Video Now

The Board of Education at its April 10 meeting will vote on a Consistent Attire Program (CAP) for nine Wicomico County elementary schools that met the draft policy’s threshold of 70% parent response to surveys, with 60% of responding parents in favor of CAP.

The CAP proposal is awaiting an April Board vote on 2nd reading, after being approved on 1st reading in February. If the Board approves CAP, it would take effect with the 2012-13 school year in following elementary schools: Beaver Run, Charles H. Chipman, Delmar, North Salisbury, Pemberton, Pinehurst, Prince Street, Wicomico Early Learning Center, and West Salisbury Elementary. Two schools that were part of the original proposal – East Salisbury Elementary and Glen Avenue Elementary – did not receive a sufficient level of parent response to proceed.

The draft policy statement on consistent attire and a video showing what consistent attire would look like are posted on the Board’s home page at www.wcboe.org, under Spotlight. The Consistent Attire Program video will also air on PAC 14.

Public comment is welcome at comments@wcboe.org, at 410-677-5251, or at Public Input, Wicomico Schools, PO Box 1538, Salisbury MD 21802.

At the request of the Board, the draft policy statement includes information about consequences for violations of consistent attire, and procedures for approving (or discontinuing) a consistent attire program. According to the draft policy statement, “If at least 70% of the parent surveys are returned and 60% of those parents are in favor of consistent attire, the plan will be submitted to the Board of Education for approval.” Schools involved in the CAP proposal surveyed parents by a combination of phone survey and paper survey, and ensured that each parent’s vote was counted only one.

If the Board approved CAP in April, that would leave plenty of time to inform families that it would take effect for the 2012-13 school year and alert local clothing merchants to the new program.

GO HERE to see video.

Police Surveillance Video of Zimmerman May Show Head Injury

Surveillance video of George Zimmerman arriving at a Sanford, Fla. police station indicates what may be an injury to the back of his head, a Daily Caller analysis shows.

ABC News published the video Wednesday evening. Zimmerman is the man who shot and killed 17-year-old black teen Trayvon Martin a month ago.

“A police surveillance video taken the night that Trayvon Martin was shot dead shows no blood or bruises on George Zimmerman,” ABC News reporter Matt Gutman wrote, noting that Zimmerman told police “he shot Martin after he was punched in the nose, knocked down and had his head slammed into the ground.”

ABC News reported that Zimmerman appears uninjured in the video. But a still image from the video indicates what appears to be a vertical laceration or scar several inches long.

County Executive’s Community Forums On Wicomico’s FY 2013 Economic Outlook

County Executive Rick Pollitt is calling on all citizens to attend one of the upcoming Community Forums as we present an overview of the economic factors affecting the county and hear from constituents regarding their priorities. A presentation will be given on the County’s current fiscal health and will include a spending and revenue trend analysis. The County Executive has developed this outreach series to better engage community members from around the county as part of the annual budget process. All citizens are urged to attend and actively participate with comments and questions. If you are interested in having this presentation at your next organizational meeting please email tleebrooks@wicomicocounty.org. 410-548-4801

The forums are scheduled for:

Wednesday, March 28, 7 p.m., Midway Room of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m., Hebron Volunteer Fire Department (parking and entry behind the fire hall)
Monday, April 2, 7 p.m., Pittsville Volunteer Fire Department

Sharpton Explains How He Manipulates Media On Race Cases

Earlier today, MSNBC's Al Sharpton threatened the peace of a small Florida town if it doesn't acquiesce to his demand for the arrest of George Zimmerman. According to the Orlando Sentinel:

If George Zimmerman is not arrested in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin soon, the Rev. Al Sharpton will call for an escalation in peaceful civil disobedience and economic sanctions. Sharpton would not say the efforts would be taken against the city of Sanford specifically, but he has been critical of the police department's handling of the case.

If only someone had warned NBC News that they were giving a prime-time platform to a vitriolic, race-hustling charlatan. Oh wait--we did. Even some journalists on the left did. Recently uncovered video from over twenty years ago has Al Sharpton, in his own words, bragging about his ability to manipulate the media to draw attention to his race-hustling agenda. And he's playing out his blueprint to a T in Florida today.

In the video seen below, Sharpton brags about his ability to manipulate the media through his grandstanding, demonstrations and marches. He pats himself on the back over being able to convert a “one day story” into an international sensation by giving the media what they want: drama, contention, provocative images and charges of racism.

More including video Here