A bellyache after a bucket of chicken is one thing, but in the case of a little girl who fell ill with salmonella poisoning after eating at KFC, things are a lot more serious. The fast food chain has been ordered to pay $8.3 million to the Australian girl's family after she suffered severe brain damage after being poisoned by a "Twister" wrap from KFC in 2005.
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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
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Sam's Club Absolutely Must See Your ID For One-Day Pass; Can't Say Why
Claudia is a Costco member, but when Sam's Club advertised a one-day shopping pass in her local paper, she went to see what Sam's had to offer. What the ad didn't mention was that a photo ID would be needed to get the pass from the store's customer service desk. Which is interesting, since you can actually print a pass from the Sam's Club web site, presumably without holding your driver's license up to the screen.
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Hundreds Of Thousands Of People Are Still Renting Home Phones
While many of us are ditching landlines in favor of wireless, a large portion of the country still has some sort of terrestrial home phone. But what's surprising is just how many folks out there are still paying every month to lease their phones.
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No. 1 Salisbury Men’s Lax Tops No. 4 Stevenson To Win The CAC Crown
Salisbury got on the scoreboard first as senior attackman Matt Cannone netted a pass from senior attackman Erik Krum. Cannone led the team with seven points and six assists in the game. The Mustangs took the lead back with two goals, including one from their leading scorer midfielder Justin Lea who scored three in the game. But that was their last lead.The Sea Gulls regained the advantage with a six-goal run that lasted from 7:57 left in the first quarter until 5:31 in the second quarter. Senior midfielder Cory Nowak, the team leader with four goals in the game, tallied three of his scores during the run.After taking a 7-2 lead in the second quarter, the Sea Gull offense sputtered and Stevenson ripped off four-straight goals to cut the Gulls' lead to 7-6 at halftime. That was as close as the Mustangs would get.At the half, Salisbury was outshot by the Mustangs 18-15 but had the advantage on faceoffs and clears by winning 9 of 15 at the X and was successful on 7 of 9 clears.Senior midfielder Sam Bradman netted all three of his goals in the second half to keep the Sea Gulls on top of the Mustangs for the remainder of the game.Krum started the third quarter with his third goal of the game, and with that goal, he moved past former Sea Gull Matt Hickman as the No. 10 all-time career goal scorer with 143.Salisbury took a 10-8 lead into the final quarter, and two goals from Bradman capped off the win for the Gulls. The final score: 13 to 9.Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Taylor picked up the victory playing the entire game in the cage and making seven saves.
The contest was the final Capital Athletic Conference tournament meeting between the two programs as Stevenson is moving to the Middle Atlantic Conference after this season. The Sea Gulls have won 17 of 18 conference titles since joining the CAC.
Stevenson may play here again this spring – in the NCAA tournament – because SU will have the home field through the final gave in its bracket. Whoever wins out in the South bracket will play in the championship game in Foxboro, Mass.Salisbury will next be in action in the NCAA tournament on May 9 at Sea Gull Stadium. The field for the tournament will be announced next week, and SU will have the top seed for sure.
The contest was the final Capital Athletic Conference tournament meeting between the two programs as Stevenson is moving to the Middle Atlantic Conference after this season. The Sea Gulls have won 17 of 18 conference titles since joining the CAC.
Stevenson may play here again this spring – in the NCAA tournament – because SU will have the home field through the final gave in its bracket. Whoever wins out in the South bracket will play in the championship game in Foxboro, Mass.Salisbury will next be in action in the NCAA tournament on May 9 at Sea Gull Stadium. The field for the tournament will be announced next week, and SU will have the top seed for sure.
US Not Reporting all Afghan Troop Attacks on American Soldiers
WASHINGTON – The military is
under-reporting the number of times that Afghan soldiers and police open
fire on American and other foreign troops.
The U.S.-led coalition routinely reports each time an American or foreign solider is killed by an Afghan in uniform. But The Associated Press has learned it does not report insider attacks in which the Afghan wounds -- or misses -- his U.S. or allied target. It also does not report the wounding of troops who were attacked alongside those who were killed.
Such attacks reveal a level of mistrust and ill will between the U.S.-led coalition and its Afghan counterparts in an increasingly unpopular war. The U.S. and its military partners are working more closely with Afghan troops in preparation for handing off security responsibility to them by the end of 2014.
The U.S.-led coalition routinely reports each time an American or foreign solider is killed by an Afghan in uniform. But The Associated Press has learned it does not report insider attacks in which the Afghan wounds -- or misses -- his U.S. or allied target. It also does not report the wounding of troops who were attacked alongside those who were killed.
Such attacks reveal a level of mistrust and ill will between the U.S.-led coalition and its Afghan counterparts in an increasingly unpopular war. The U.S. and its military partners are working more closely with Afghan troops in preparation for handing off security responsibility to them by the end of 2014.
25 Horrible Statistics About The U.S. Economy That Barack Obama Does Not Want You To Know
The human capacity for self-delusion truly is remarkable. Most people out there end up believing exactly what they want to believe even when the truth is staring them right in the face. Take the U.S. economy for example. Barack Obama wants to believe that his policies have worked and that the U.S. economy is improving. So that is what he is telling the American people. The mainstream media wants to believe that Barack Obama is a good president and that his policies make sense and so they are reporting that we are experiencing an economic recovery. A very large segment of the U.S. population still fully supports Barack Obama and they want to believe that the economy is getting better so they are buying the propaganda that the mainstream media is feeding them. But is the U.S. economy really improving? The truth is that it is not. The rate of employment among working age Americans is exactly where it was two years ago and household incomes have actually gone down while Obama has been president. Home ownership levels and home prices continue to decline. Meanwhile, food and gasoline continue to become even more expensive. The percentage of Americans that are dependent on the government is at an all-time record high and the U.S. national debt has risen by more than 5 trillion dollars under Obama. We simply have not seen the type of economic recovery that we have seen after every other economic recession since World War II.
The horrible statistics about the U.S. economy that you are about to read are not talked about much by the mainstream media. They would rather be "positive" and "upbeat" about the direction that things are headed.
But lying to the American people is not going to help them. If you are speeding in a car toward a 500 foot cliff, you don't need someone to cheer you on. Instead, you need someone to slam on the brakes.
The cold, hard reality of the matter is that the U.S. economy is in far worse shape than it was four or five years ago.
We have never come close to recovering from the last recession and another one will be here soon.
The following are 25 horrible statistics about the U.S. economy that Barack Obama does not want you to know....
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The horrible statistics about the U.S. economy that you are about to read are not talked about much by the mainstream media. They would rather be "positive" and "upbeat" about the direction that things are headed.
But lying to the American people is not going to help them. If you are speeding in a car toward a 500 foot cliff, you don't need someone to cheer you on. Instead, you need someone to slam on the brakes.
The cold, hard reality of the matter is that the U.S. economy is in far worse shape than it was four or five years ago.
We have never come close to recovering from the last recession and another one will be here soon.
The following are 25 horrible statistics about the U.S. economy that Barack Obama does not want you to know....
More
Dartmouth: Dorm Assignments Will Not be 'Limited by Traditional Gender Binary'
Dartmouth College is expanding its "gender neutral" housing
program, opening up more rooms where "students of any gender can
cohabitate," the school newspaper, The Dartmouth, reported last week.
The Ivy League school's website says Dartmouth "seeks to provide a living environment welcoming to all gender identities; one not limited by the traditional gender binary."
The school's Director of Housing Rachael Class-Giguere is quoted as saying that gender-neutral housing options have been available on campus since 2007. (A growing number of colleges now offer such options.)
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The Ivy League school's website says Dartmouth "seeks to provide a living environment welcoming to all gender identities; one not limited by the traditional gender binary."
The school's Director of Housing Rachael Class-Giguere is quoted as saying that gender-neutral housing options have been available on campus since 2007. (A growing number of colleges now offer such options.)
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Spend The DAY AT THE BEACH
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Links at Lighthouse Sound
Cost: $100.00 per player/$400.00 per team
Cost Includes: Golf, Cart, Dinner at Lighthouse Sound
Start: 2:00 p.m. Shotgun Start – Registration 1:00 p.m.
Awards and silent auction immediately following golf
For registration information please call
Wendy Myers (410) 641-0097 x 4204
All Proceeds Benefit:
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Links at Lighthouse Sound
Cost: $100.00 per player/$400.00 per team
Cost Includes: Golf, Cart, Dinner at Lighthouse Sound
Start: 2:00 p.m. Shotgun Start – Registration 1:00 p.m.
Awards and silent auction immediately following golf
For registration information please call
Wendy Myers (410) 641-0097 x 4204
All Proceeds Benefit:
The CRICKET Center
The Child Advocacy Center of Worcester County
The CRICKET Center collaborating agencies: Atlantic General Hospital, Life Crisis, Inc., Local Law Enforcement,
Worcester County Board of Education, Department of Social Services, and State’s Attorney’s Office
The Child Advocacy Center of Worcester County
The CRICKET Center collaborating agencies: Atlantic General Hospital, Life Crisis, Inc., Local Law Enforcement,
Worcester County Board of Education, Department of Social Services, and State’s Attorney’s Office
Painkillers Behind Surge of Drug-Addicted Babies
Less than a month old, Savannah Dannelley scrunches her tiny face
into a scowl as a nurse gently squirts a dose of methadone into her
mouth.
The infant is going through drug withdrawal and is being treated with the same narcotic prescribed for her mother to fight addiction to powerful prescription painkillers.
Disturbing new research says the number of U.S. babies born with signs of opiate drug withdrawal has tripled in a decade because of a surge in pregnant women's use of legal and illegal narcotics, including Vicodin, OxyContin and heroin, researchers say. It is the first national study of the problem.
The number of newborns with withdrawal symptoms increased from a little more than 1 per 1,000 babies sent home from the hospital in 2000 to more than 3 per 1,000 in 2009, the study found. More than 13,000 U.S. infants were affected in 2009, the researchers estimated.
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The infant is going through drug withdrawal and is being treated with the same narcotic prescribed for her mother to fight addiction to powerful prescription painkillers.
Disturbing new research says the number of U.S. babies born with signs of opiate drug withdrawal has tripled in a decade because of a surge in pregnant women's use of legal and illegal narcotics, including Vicodin, OxyContin and heroin, researchers say. It is the first national study of the problem.
The number of newborns with withdrawal symptoms increased from a little more than 1 per 1,000 babies sent home from the hospital in 2000 to more than 3 per 1,000 in 2009, the study found. More than 13,000 U.S. infants were affected in 2009, the researchers estimated.
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Backlash Continues Against Best Buy For Supporting Hamas-Linked CAIR
Last week, it was revealed that Best Buy is financing Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)–a group tied to Hamas. CAIR has been clear about its main goal in the United States and that is to turn the country into a Sharia-compliant state. Sharia law is in conflict with democracy, women’s rights and religious freedom. It is not compatible with the US constitution.
The funding arrangement is with the Minnesota chapter of CAIR and involves an annual CAIR banquet. In fact, CAIR is listed as a Best Buy “Platinum Sponsor.” And, according to Islamist Watch, Best Buy has not ruled out future support for the terror-tied group.
Best Buy released this statement amidst the controversy:
“Best Buy’s customers and employees around the world represent a variety of faiths and denominations. We respect that diversity, and choose to engage with our customers, employees and communities in ways that reflect their traditions and maintain good relationships for Best Buy.”
Christian Teens Say Gay Activist Made Girls Cry
Jake Naman knew something was about to happen.
The 18-year-old from Redlands, Calif., was sitting inside a cavernous building in Seattle waiting to hear from Dan Savage, the founder of the “It Gets Better” anti-bullying campaign.
Savage had been invited to speak to several thousand high school journalists attending a national conference hosted by the National Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association.
Naman, who is a yearbook photographer at Arrowhead Christian Academy, thought Savage was going to talk about his anti-bullying campaign. But the Christian teenager soon learned that Savage had a very different message for the students.
“I hope you’re all using birth control,” Savage told the teenagers as he began his remarks. From there, he regaled the young people who stories about his husband, describing how he looked in a Speedo. At one point, Savage imagined what it would be like with his husband on stage – telling the kids that they would have to pry him off his partner.
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The 18-year-old from Redlands, Calif., was sitting inside a cavernous building in Seattle waiting to hear from Dan Savage, the founder of the “It Gets Better” anti-bullying campaign.
Savage had been invited to speak to several thousand high school journalists attending a national conference hosted by the National Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association.
Naman, who is a yearbook photographer at Arrowhead Christian Academy, thought Savage was going to talk about his anti-bullying campaign. But the Christian teenager soon learned that Savage had a very different message for the students.
“I hope you’re all using birth control,” Savage told the teenagers as he began his remarks. From there, he regaled the young people who stories about his husband, describing how he looked in a Speedo. At one point, Savage imagined what it would be like with his husband on stage – telling the kids that they would have to pry him off his partner.
More
Dutch Courts Move to Ban Marijuana Cafés
A ruling in the Dutch courts means that foreigners heading to Amsterdam's famous marijuana cafés will soon will be banned from buying cannabis in a bid to end drug tourism to the Netherlands.
"Coffee shops" where small amounts of cannabis
have been legally bought and smoked, on or off the premises, since 1976,
have become a major industry and a popular tourist attraction in many
Dutch cities, especially the capital.
But the Dutch government has in recent years launched a major overhaul of the country's "gedoogbeleid" or tolerance policy on soft drugs in order to combat drug tourism, which has is associated with public rowdiness in border towns, such as Maastricht, that lie close to Belgium, France and Germany.
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Supporters Say Legalizing Medical Marijuana In Md. Will Help Save Lives
A good kid—an Eagle Scout—buys marijuana on the street. What would make him do that? He tells his story to Vic Carter. He’s in the fight of his life and wants you to know why he’s breaking the law.
They believe lighting up marijuana will help save their lives.
It’s no ordinary high. “It’s just as useful to me as chemotherapy,” said Phillip Weigner, medical marijuana user.
The 22-year-old is battling a rare type of stage four cancer. The symptoms are brutal.
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They believe lighting up marijuana will help save their lives.
It’s no ordinary high. “It’s just as useful to me as chemotherapy,” said Phillip Weigner, medical marijuana user.
The 22-year-old is battling a rare type of stage four cancer. The symptoms are brutal.
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Sheriff Arpaio: ‘I’ll Put up More Tents’ If Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Immigration Law
If the Supreme Court decides in favor of Arizona’s tough immigration
bill, the Obama attorney arguing against SB 1070 predicted “mass
incarceration” of Latinos.
But Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told CNSNews.com that he does not see that as a problem in his jurisdiction.
“We lock up people all the time,” Arpaio said in a phone interview last week. “Since I started enforcement, we’ve arrested on the streets, investigated – in our jails over 51,000.
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But Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told CNSNews.com that he does not see that as a problem in his jurisdiction.
“We lock up people all the time,” Arpaio said in a phone interview last week. “Since I started enforcement, we’ve arrested on the streets, investigated – in our jails over 51,000.
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U. of Maryland’s Efforts to ‘Queer the Turtle’ Include Lavender Graduation
In a letter on the website for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies at
the University of Maryland, the program’s director touts the program
as an effort to “queer the turtle,” referring to the school’s mascot,
the diamondback terrapin.
“We hope you enjoy your virtual tour of LGBT Studies at Maryland,” Associate Professor of English and Director of LGBT Studies Marilee Lindemann says in her letter. “We invite you to see what we mean when we say, Queer the Turtle!”
The banner on the home page of LGBT studies says “Fear The Turtle, Queer the Turtle,” referring to Testudo, the name of the diamondback terrapin made the school’s mascot in 1932.
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“We hope you enjoy your virtual tour of LGBT Studies at Maryland,” Associate Professor of English and Director of LGBT Studies Marilee Lindemann says in her letter. “We invite you to see what we mean when we say, Queer the Turtle!”
The banner on the home page of LGBT studies says “Fear The Turtle, Queer the Turtle,” referring to Testudo, the name of the diamondback terrapin made the school’s mascot in 1932.
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Delaware State Police Memorial Service
Dover- Wednesday May 2, 2012, Delaware State Police will conduct their annual Police Memorial Service in front of the Delaware State Police Training Academy, located on Route 13 in Dover. The service will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Fellow Troopers, Family members, Relatives, and Friends will gather to remember those Troopers who have made the “Ultimate Sacrifice” in service to the State of Delaware. Twenty Three, (23) Troopers have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1923.
Lt. Governor Matthew Denn, Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Colonel Robert M. Coupe Superintendent Delaware State Police, and Lieutenant Thomas Brackin President Delaware State Police Troopers Association will be in attendance and provide remarks.
This event is open to the public and media.
Fellow Troopers, Family members, Relatives, and Friends will gather to remember those Troopers who have made the “Ultimate Sacrifice” in service to the State of Delaware. Twenty Three, (23) Troopers have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1923.
Lt. Governor Matthew Denn, Secretary Lewis D. Schiliro Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Colonel Robert M. Coupe Superintendent Delaware State Police, and Lieutenant Thomas Brackin President Delaware State Police Troopers Association will be in attendance and provide remarks.
This event is open to the public and media.
Harvard Got $5.6M in Federal Student Loans and Grants--Despite Its $31.7B Tax-Exempt Endowment
In fiscal year 2011, Harvard University’s tax-exempt endowment
jumped in value by about $4.17 billion, rising from $27,557,404,000 to
$31,728,080,000--but that did not stop Harvard from collecting tuition
and fees derived from federal grants and student loans that U.S.
taxpayers provided to Harvard undergraduates.
Other universities with major endowments--including Yale and Princeton (from which the author of this article graduated)--also saw massive increases in their endowments and they also benefited from their students paying tuition and fees with federal grants and loans.
In the 2009-2010 school year, according to the U.S. Department of Education, Harvard undergraduates received $4,093,140 in federal Pell Grants and $1,467,017 in federal student loans.
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Other universities with major endowments--including Yale and Princeton (from which the author of this article graduated)--also saw massive increases in their endowments and they also benefited from their students paying tuition and fees with federal grants and loans.
In the 2009-2010 school year, according to the U.S. Department of Education, Harvard undergraduates received $4,093,140 in federal Pell Grants and $1,467,017 in federal student loans.
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British Lawmakers Say Media Tycoon Rupert Murdoch Not "Fit and Proper Person" To Run International Company, But....
Who is going to tell the British lawmakers that they, like everyone else, are not fit to centrally plan a national economy and decide, among many other things,who is fit to run any firm?
Source
Source
Activists Claim Police Brutality During Protest
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Caught on tape. A protester pinned to the ground by
police and activists say what happened to him is police brutality. Meghan McCorkell has more on the police response.
Police say that man failed to follow instructions when he was ordered to move out of the street and onto the sidewalk, but activists claim officers too it too far.
Chaos broke out at a protest in east Baltimore. A Youtube video showed police pinning a man to the ground.
“They grabbed me,” said protester Thomas Threatt. “I say, `Why is you grabbing me? My daughter’s out here.’”
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Police say that man failed to follow instructions when he was ordered to move out of the street and onto the sidewalk, but activists claim officers too it too far.
Chaos broke out at a protest in east Baltimore. A Youtube video showed police pinning a man to the ground.
“They grabbed me,” said protester Thomas Threatt. “I say, `Why is you grabbing me? My daughter’s out here.’”
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Wind Farms Can Cause Climate Change, Finds New Study
Usually at night the air closer to the ground becomes colder when the sun goes down and the earth cools.
But on huge wind farms the motion of the turbines mixes the air higher in the atmosphere that is warmer, pushing up the overall temperature.
Satellite data over a large area in Texas, that is now covered by four of the world's largest wind farms, found that over a decade the local temperature went up by almost 1C as more turbines are built.
This could have long term effects on wildlife living in the immediate areas of larger wind farms.
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But on huge wind farms the motion of the turbines mixes the air higher in the atmosphere that is warmer, pushing up the overall temperature.
Satellite data over a large area in Texas, that is now covered by four of the world's largest wind farms, found that over a decade the local temperature went up by almost 1C as more turbines are built.
This could have long term effects on wildlife living in the immediate areas of larger wind farms.
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BREAKING NEWS: Obama On Unannounced Trip In Afghanistan
President Obama is in Afghanistan on unannounced trip to sign an agreement on the United States' post-war role.
From Fox News
From Fox News
White House Locks Out WND at U.N. Event
The Obama administration, already criticized for a lack of
transparency and evenhandedness with the press, today reached a new
milestone when, with a terse accusation of lack of “professional
courtesy and respect,” the U.S. United Nations mission refused without
explanation a request for WND’s veteran U.N. reporter to attend a
government event.
The event: A meeting with U.N. correspondents marking the end of the month-long tenure of U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice as chief of the Security Council. The WND reporter: Stewart Stogel, a 25-year U.N. correspondent who has also worked for ABC News, NBC News and been featured in many other news outlets including Time and Newsweek.
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The event: A meeting with U.N. correspondents marking the end of the month-long tenure of U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice as chief of the Security Council. The WND reporter: Stewart Stogel, a 25-year U.N. correspondent who has also worked for ABC News, NBC News and been featured in many other news outlets including Time and Newsweek.
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THE POLITICS OF POVERTY
Star Parker cuts through all the left wing political crap about poverty in America. About 46.2 million people are now considered in poverty as of the end of 2010, up 2.6 million from 2009. The government defines the poverty line as income of $22,314 a year for a family of four and $11,139 for an individual. This explains the 46.5 million people on food stamps. All you have to do is drive through West Philly to confirm that poverty is a big problem in this country.
Lyndon Johnson declared a War on Poverty in 1964. We’ve spent over $10 trillion on this war in the last five decades and the chart below shows you the ROI. A higher percentage of Americans are living in poverty today than in 1965.
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Lyndon Johnson declared a War on Poverty in 1964. We’ve spent over $10 trillion on this war in the last five decades and the chart below shows you the ROI. A higher percentage of Americans are living in poverty today than in 1965.
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Declassify Most of Bin Laden’s Files
Osama bin Laden was killed by an elite group of Navy Seals one year ago
this week. And bin Laden’s files, a massive trove captured in his
Abbottabad, Pakistan safe house, have been the subject of various
articles since. Now, the Obama administration has reportedly decided to release “some” of the files to the public.
That’s good news. The files should be released to the public. But not just “some”—nearly all of them should be released.
Yes, some files still contain operationally
relevant intelligence and exceptions can be made in such cases. But the
vast majority of bin Laden’s documents should be made freely available
online. Why?
What Is The Consequence Of Printing Money That Nobody Wants?
In a week that saw Britain slide into its first double-dip recession since 1975, we quite fittingly also saw evidence of the sort of insular bigotry and protectionist narrow-mindedness that one associates with that same ugly, painful decade, when Barry Sheerman, Member of Parliament, said:
"I'm getting increasingly worried about the free movement of people across Europe. It's a very competitive world out there, and my constituents resent that."
The signs of unravelling are not confined to British shores. French voters in the presidential elections shocked markets by
(a) favouring the socialist Francois Hollande; and (b) giving almost a fifth of their votes to the far-right extremist Marine Le Pen.
Meanwhile in another turn of the sovereign debt screw, Spain was downgraded toward reality. And the Dutch government collapsed altogether.
Amazingly, the people of Europe just don't seem that keen on austerity. Yet it's worth asking-- why hasn't the recession of today produced the same sense of crisis from the 1970s?
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"I'm getting increasingly worried about the free movement of people across Europe. It's a very competitive world out there, and my constituents resent that."
The signs of unravelling are not confined to British shores. French voters in the presidential elections shocked markets by
(a) favouring the socialist Francois Hollande; and (b) giving almost a fifth of their votes to the far-right extremist Marine Le Pen.
Meanwhile in another turn of the sovereign debt screw, Spain was downgraded toward reality. And the Dutch government collapsed altogether.
Amazingly, the people of Europe just don't seem that keen on austerity. Yet it's worth asking-- why hasn't the recession of today produced the same sense of crisis from the 1970s?
More
Fox TV Versus The New York Times
My team of media researchers is on vacation just now, so I have to do this by myself, based on my non-scientific study of the journalistic lay of the land. What I have concluded from years of observation is that Fox TV news is widely scoffed at by erudite folks, just the kind who routinely read The New York Times. The alleged basis for the disdain is that Fox is obviously biased whereas the Old Gray Lady is impeccably objective.
But this is, I have concluded, a misimpression from the get-go, at least as far as political and public policy coverage are concerned. Take just the design of The Times's Op Ed page. Its regular columnists, Paul Krugman, David Brooks, et al., are nearly all echoing the editorial philosophy that's guiding the paper. Sure, Brooks is less harshly mainstream liberal and on occasion will defend a conservative line but lately less and less so. Moreover, he is so ambivalent in his views that they offer no contrast to the rest of the Leftist claptrap produced as opinion and analysis by the paper.
Now, there are some contributors to the Times who appear in its business section who don't toe the line but this doesn't count for much. The news analyses, so-called, that the paper publishes in its "Sunday Week" section and in the Sunday magazine is uniformly statist, favoring big government and the extension of Washington's killer deficit public finance philosophy. (The occasional exceptions deal with civil libertarian matters, excluding the civil rights of people in the business community.) The likes of Ron Paul, who champions free markets and free minds with equal intensity, rarely get a respectful treatment so that anyone who promotes fiscal responsibility is dismissed as hating the poor, etc. Those marching in protest in Greece against efforts to rein in state profligacy might well have gotten their orders from the Times's editorials.
MoreHopkins University To Teach Ethics Course For Secret Service Agents
The US Secret Service is under new scrutiny as the top watchdog at
Homeland Security announces his own investigation of the growing
prostitution scandal. Inspector General Charles K. Edwards wants to
probe the agency’s response. With some suggesting the scandal in
Colombia wasn’t an isolated incident, ethics experts from right here in
Baltimore are stepping in. Johns Hopkins University will train dozens of
agents in the coming days. Kai Jackson has more on the university’s key role.
It’s no secret that Johns Hopkins is teaching this two-day ethics course but it will be on Secret Service property at an undisclosed location.
The sex scandal rocking the US Secret Service now has a Maryland connection. Because of what happened, Johns Hopkins University will teach agents a two-day course in ethics.
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It’s no secret that Johns Hopkins is teaching this two-day ethics course but it will be on Secret Service property at an undisclosed location.
The sex scandal rocking the US Secret Service now has a Maryland connection. Because of what happened, Johns Hopkins University will teach agents a two-day course in ethics.
More
New Jersey Goes After Woman For $73 Debt From 1977
Thirty-five years ago, the state of New Jersey accidentally overpaid on a teenager's unemployment claim to the tune of $73. Now the Garden State wants that money back.
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Obama’s Senior Swindle
The most politically brazen feature of Obamacare has always been its
looting of Medicare. About half of Obamacare’s costs are to be covered
with money taken from an already nearly bankrupt program for seniors.
And the most politically perilous aspect of this ploy is Obama-care’s
cuts in Medicare Advantage funding, which would cause many seniors to
lose their preferred health plans. Under the implementation schedule
stipulated in Obamacare, many seniors would either lose their plans, or
learn that they are going to lose them, before the election that will
likely decide Obamacare’s—and Obama’s—fate.
Anticipating a senior revolt, the administration took action. It ran millions of dollars’ worth of taxpayer-funded TV ads featuring Andy Griffith saying things like, “That new health care law sure sounds good for all of us on Medicare!” It mailed out full-color, taxpayer-funded propaganda brochures singing the same tune. It repeatedly claimed (and continues to claim) that money taken out of Medicare to fund Obamacare would—magically—also stay in Medicare and be used to extend its solvency.
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Anticipating a senior revolt, the administration took action. It ran millions of dollars’ worth of taxpayer-funded TV ads featuring Andy Griffith saying things like, “That new health care law sure sounds good for all of us on Medicare!” It mailed out full-color, taxpayer-funded propaganda brochures singing the same tune. It repeatedly claimed (and continues to claim) that money taken out of Medicare to fund Obamacare would—magically—also stay in Medicare and be used to extend its solvency.
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Pressure Mounts For Special Session From Groups Impacted By Budget Cuts
The pressure is mounting for a special session to raise the taxes that failed to pass as the legislature adjourned April 9 and “fix” a “doomsday” budget with cuts that had been specifically designed to scare up votes for tax hikes. Details have not been worked out, but legislators have been advised that Gov. Martin O’Malley will likely call a special session for the week of May 14.
Maryland Not Meeting Ozone Standards
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland is not meeting federal ozone standards and isn't likely to do so without federal policies to address pollution blowing in from other states.
That's the word from a new clean-air report issued Monday by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
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That's the word from a new clean-air report issued Monday by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
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Reports Indicate Federal Workers' Comp Long Overdue for Update
The federal workers' compensation program has long been targeted by
agency inspectors general, who have cited the program's lack of
oversight and susceptibility to improper payments
Some members of Congress also argue the program's benefit structure, which hasn't been meaningfully updated since the mid-1970s, has led to widespread inefficiencies.
In a new report to lawmakers, the Government Accountability Office compiled some of the longstanding issues with the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) program, which paid out nearly $3 billion to injured federal employees in 2010.
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Some members of Congress also argue the program's benefit structure, which hasn't been meaningfully updated since the mid-1970s, has led to widespread inefficiencies.
In a new report to lawmakers, the Government Accountability Office compiled some of the longstanding issues with the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) program, which paid out nearly $3 billion to injured federal employees in 2010.
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Farm Subsidy Reform Could Backfire
A Senate proposal to end direct federal payments to farmers and
replace it with a new subsidy program gambles that crop prices will
remain at historically high levels, a tactic that could backfire and
double its cost, some experts say.
The proposed “shallow loss” program would pay farmers when decreasing yields or declining crop prices result in a farmer’s revenue falling below historic averages. The program would save about $2 billion annually compared with the current $5 billion direct payment system — but only if crop prices remain near their current levels. If prices dip, the saving could disappear and the cost could exceed the direct payment price tag, experts say.
“On balance, the policy shift is ill considered from a broader public policy perspective,” said Vincent Smith, an economics professor at Montana State University and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative-leaning Washington think tank.
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The proposed “shallow loss” program would pay farmers when decreasing yields or declining crop prices result in a farmer’s revenue falling below historic averages. The program would save about $2 billion annually compared with the current $5 billion direct payment system — but only if crop prices remain near their current levels. If prices dip, the saving could disappear and the cost could exceed the direct payment price tag, experts say.
“On balance, the policy shift is ill considered from a broader public policy perspective,” said Vincent Smith, an economics professor at Montana State University and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative-leaning Washington think tank.
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Seacrets In Ocean City Wins Trademark Case
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Seacrets, a megaclub in Ocean City, has won a federal trademark infringement case against a competitor using a similar brand name for its chain of luxury resorts.
The recent decision in U.S. District Court in Baltimore gives Seacrets a permanent injunction protecting its trademark. The club is also awarded $50,000 in punitive damages.
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The recent decision in U.S. District Court in Baltimore gives Seacrets a permanent injunction protecting its trademark. The club is also awarded $50,000 in punitive damages.
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Obama Campaign Grapples With New Voter ID Laws
Field workers for President Obama's campaign fanned out across the country over the weekend in an effort to confront a barrage of new voter identification laws that strategists say threaten the campaign's hopes for registering new voters ahead of the November election.
In Wisconsin, where a new state law requires those registering voters to be deputized in whichever of the state's 1,800 municipalities they are assigned to, the campaign sent a team of trainers armed with instructions for complying with the new regulations.
In Florida, the campaign's voter registration aides traveled across the state to train volunteers on a new requirement that voter registration signatures be handed in to state officials within 48 hours after they are collected.
And in Ohio, Mr. Obama's staff members have begun reaching out to let voters know about new laws that discourage precinct workers from telling voters where to go if they show up at the wrong precinct.
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In Wisconsin, where a new state law requires those registering voters to be deputized in whichever of the state's 1,800 municipalities they are assigned to, the campaign sent a team of trainers armed with instructions for complying with the new regulations.
In Florida, the campaign's voter registration aides traveled across the state to train volunteers on a new requirement that voter registration signatures be handed in to state officials within 48 hours after they are collected.
And in Ohio, Mr. Obama's staff members have begun reaching out to let voters know about new laws that discourage precinct workers from telling voters where to go if they show up at the wrong precinct.
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Ultimate Revenge? Recently Dumped Dentist Removes All of Her Ex’s Teeth
A recently dumped Polish dentist got revenge on her former boyfriend
by removing all of his teeth – causing his new girlfriend to give him
the boot as well, the New York Daily News reported.
Anna Mackowiak, 34, agreed to treat a toothache for her ex-boyfriend, Marek Olszewski, 45, just a few days after he had broken up with her. According to the New York Daily News, Mackowiak initially tried to be professional about the process but had a sudden change of heart when she saw him lying in her chair.
That’s when Mackowiak allegedly gave Olszweski a massive dose of anesthetic and took out every single one of his teeth. After the procedure, she wrapped his jaw in bandages to keep him from opening his mouth – and then she left.
According to the New York Daily News, Olszewski knew something was wrong as soon as he woke up, but he didn’t realize the full horror until he got home and looked in his mirror.
Anna Mackowiak, 34, agreed to treat a toothache for her ex-boyfriend, Marek Olszewski, 45, just a few days after he had broken up with her. According to the New York Daily News, Mackowiak initially tried to be professional about the process but had a sudden change of heart when she saw him lying in her chair.
That’s when Mackowiak allegedly gave Olszweski a massive dose of anesthetic and took out every single one of his teeth. After the procedure, she wrapped his jaw in bandages to keep him from opening his mouth – and then she left.
According to the New York Daily News, Olszewski knew something was wrong as soon as he woke up, but he didn’t realize the full horror until he got home and looked in his mirror.
The Obama Contradiction
He has few constraints (except those he's internalized). No one can stop him or countermand his orders. He has a bevy of lawyers at his beck and call to explain the "legality" of his actions. And if he cares to, he can send a robot assassin to kill you, whoever you are, no matter where you may be on planet Earth.
He sounds like a typical villain from a James Bond novel. You know, the kind who captures Bond, tells him his fiendish plan for dominating the planet, ties him up for some no less fiendish torture, and then leaves him behind to gum up the works.
As it happens, though, he's the president of the United State, a nice guy with a charismatic wife and two lovely kids.
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He sounds like a typical villain from a James Bond novel. You know, the kind who captures Bond, tells him his fiendish plan for dominating the planet, ties him up for some no less fiendish torture, and then leaves him behind to gum up the works.
As it happens, though, he's the president of the United State, a nice guy with a charismatic wife and two lovely kids.
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This is not a drill!
Since it was first projected in 1999, government-watchers have been
anticipating a massive brain-drain, a retirement tsunami that would
strip the government of its best and brightest, dumbing down many
federal agencies.
Fighting the brain drain spawned a cottage industry of experts who discussed the dangers with the media and advised government agencies how to recruit, mentor or retain people until competent replacements could be hired or trained.
Also over the past decade, federal workers have worried about, and their unions and associations have fought, congressional plans and proposals to reduce future pension benefits and cost-of-living adjustments and force workers to pay a larger share of their retirement and health premiums.
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Fighting the brain drain spawned a cottage industry of experts who discussed the dangers with the media and advised government agencies how to recruit, mentor or retain people until competent replacements could be hired or trained.
Also over the past decade, federal workers have worried about, and their unions and associations have fought, congressional plans and proposals to reduce future pension benefits and cost-of-living adjustments and force workers to pay a larger share of their retirement and health premiums.
More
Hands Missing From Clock Tower at Georgetown
Police believe the hands on Healy Hall, a Gothic-style flagship building of the main campus and a National
Historic Landmark, were removed over the weekend.
The tower's hands have been a popular target of pranksters for years.
The Hoya reports "Stealing the Healy clock hands is a long-standing Georgetown tradition that took root in the 1960s."
School officials say the hands were removed in 2005 and the clock was damaged, requiring $25,000 in repairs
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The Costs Of War
This month Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced the addition of some 1,900 mental health nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers to its existing workforce of 20,590 mental health staff in attempt to get a handle on the epidemic of suicides among combat veterans. Unfortunately, when presidents misuse our military on an unprecedented scale – and Congress lets them get away with it – the resulting stress causes military suicides to increase dramatically, both among active duty and retired service members. In fact, military deaths from suicide far outnumber combat deaths. According to an article in the Air Force Times this month, suicides among airmen are up 40 percent over last year.
Considering the multiple deployments service members are forced to endure as the war in Afghanistan stretches into its second decade, these figures are sadly unsurprising.
Ironically, the same VA Secretary Eric Shinseki was forced to retire from the Army by President Bush for daring to suggest that an invasion and occupation of Iraq would not be the cakewalk that neoconservatives promised. Then Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, who is not a military veteran, claimed that General Shinseki was "wildly off the mark" for suggesting that several hundred thousand soldiers would be required to secure post-invasion Iraq. Now we see who was right on the costs of war.
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Considering the multiple deployments service members are forced to endure as the war in Afghanistan stretches into its second decade, these figures are sadly unsurprising.
Ironically, the same VA Secretary Eric Shinseki was forced to retire from the Army by President Bush for daring to suggest that an invasion and occupation of Iraq would not be the cakewalk that neoconservatives promised. Then Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, who is not a military veteran, claimed that General Shinseki was "wildly off the mark" for suggesting that several hundred thousand soldiers would be required to secure post-invasion Iraq. Now we see who was right on the costs of war.
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Chicago To Welcome Militarized May Day?
If there is going to be a dress rehearsal for the coming NATO summit in Chicago, May Day is it. The first major mobilization of the 99 percent the month of the summit will take place on Tuesday, May 1. It will also, coincidentally or not, be the first day that police in "battle" dress hit the streets to prepare for the summit.
Operation Red Zone, a security perimeter around McCormick Place where the summits will be held and a "vast" area in downtown Chicago where federal and local government offices are located, according to the Sun-Times, will be patrolled by federal law enforcement carrying "non-lethal" guns beginning Tuesday. (Update: Today, Monday April 30, Mayor Emanuel claimed
The placement of the "red zone" may overlap with the planned route of the May Day march, which will go from Union Park, on Chicago's near southwest side, to Federal Plaza downtown.
The police force will be "highly visible," according to Cleophas Bradley, deputy regional director with the Federal Protective Service, "but we will not be preventing anyone from entering the red zone."
New Report Says MD Ozone Problem Not Our Fault
Maryland is not
meeting federal ozone standards and isn't likely to do so without
federal policies to address pollution blowing in from other states.
That's the word from a new clean-air report issued Monday by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
More
That's the word from a new clean-air report issued Monday by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
More
Stairs Or Escalator?
Here we have a set of stairs, adjacent to a moving escalator next to it ..... both of which lead to the same spot on the floor of the upper level. At first no one took the stairs, almost 97% of the people took the escalator. Okay. I think that could be a normal expected result.
Then a group of engineers got together, and decided they wanted to change the percentage around.
Notice what these scientists did. Clever. And now they have reversed the percentages, as a whopping 66% more people take the stairs, than ride the escalator. Now click on the attachment.
Delaware Wants Snakeheads Killed
New Signage Alerts Anglers to Look for Invasive Snakeheads in Delaware Waterways
DOVER.
New signs have been posted at several popular fishing locations in Sussex and New Castle counties to alert anglers to the possible presence of northern snakeheads, and asking them to remove and kill these highly invasive fish if caught, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife announced today.
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DOVER.
New signs have been posted at several popular fishing locations in Sussex and New Castle counties to alert anglers to the possible presence of northern snakeheads, and asking them to remove and kill these highly invasive fish if caught, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife announced today.
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BREAKING NEWS: 5 Arrested For Trying To Blow Up Bridge, Source Says
Five people, described as anarchists, were arrested yesterday in a Cleveland-area park for trying to blow up a bridge, source tells Fox News.
Allow Me To Respond To The Grapevine
"City legal feesIt is a disgrace that the Salisbury City Council will need a total of $240,000 to cover its legal expenses for the current fiscal year. If Councilwomen Terry Cohen and Debbie Campbell would stop nitpicking every issue to death, maybe council would be able to resolve many of the issues that remain in limbo."
The legal fees this fiscal year are in line with what's been needed for at least the last seven years.
Current legal billing shows that since the city attorney was replaced, the bills have gone down, not up. Campbell and Cohen's "nitpicking" has saved the city a big bunch of money, like hundreds of thousands already. As for those issues that "remain in limbo", the writer would be hard-pressed to name them and explain where the holdup is on each one. The disgrace here is that of the ignorance of this Grapevine contributor, who speaks before she knows what she's talking about. Get educated.
The legal fees this fiscal year are in line with what's been needed for at least the last seven years.
Current legal billing shows that since the city attorney was replaced, the bills have gone down, not up. Campbell and Cohen's "nitpicking" has saved the city a big bunch of money, like hundreds of thousands already. As for those issues that "remain in limbo", the writer would be hard-pressed to name them and explain where the holdup is on each one. The disgrace here is that of the ignorance of this Grapevine contributor, who speaks before she knows what she's talking about. Get educated.
WCSO Press Releases 5-1-12
Incident: Burglary Investigation
Date of Incident: 28 April 2012
Location: 33000 Wango Road, Parsonsburg, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 28 April 2012 at 8:53 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a reported residential burglary in the 33000 block of Wango Road. Investigation revealed that cash was taken from the residence along with plumbing equipment that had been stored in an outbuilding.
At this time the investigation is ongoing. There were no signs of any forced entry into the residence. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.
You may also report information anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Charges: Burglary
Theft
Incident: Burglary Investigation
Date of Incident: 29 April 2012
Location: 800 block of Cornish Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 29 April 2012 at 8:19 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a residential burglary that occurred in the 800 block of Cornish Street in Salisbury. Investigation revealed that unknown perpetrators forced entry through a rear bedroom window. Once entry way gained, these unknown suspects made off with a substantial amount of household electronics.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891.
You may also report information anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Charges: Burglary
Theft
Incident: Burglary Investigation
Date of Incident: 29 April 2012
Location: 300 block of Carey Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 29 April 2012 at 12:36 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a residential burglary in the 300 block of Carey Avenue in Salisbury. Investigation revealed that forced entry had been made through a rear door and once the perpetrators gained access to the residence they made off with cash, household electronics and medication. The burglary is believed to have happened during the preceding overnight hours.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891.
You may also report information anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Charges: Burglary
Theft
Incident: Hit and Run Investigation
Date of Incident: 28 April 2012
Location: Scotland Parkway, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 28 April 2012 at 8:15 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a hit and run collision that occurred during the preceding overnight hours. An unknown vehicle was travelling westbound on Scotland Parkway when it left the roadway and ran over a mailbox and a street sign, after which the operator left the scene without reporting the damage.
Investigation revealed that the suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2007-2011 Volvo, possibly silver in color; that will currently be missing its driver’s side rear view mirror. Anyone with information about the owner of the Volvo is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.
You may also report information anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Charges: Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident
Date of Incident: 28 April 2012
Location: 33000 Wango Road, Parsonsburg, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 28 April 2012 at 8:53 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a reported residential burglary in the 33000 block of Wango Road. Investigation revealed that cash was taken from the residence along with plumbing equipment that had been stored in an outbuilding.
At this time the investigation is ongoing. There were no signs of any forced entry into the residence. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.
You may also report information anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Charges: Burglary
Theft
Incident: Burglary Investigation
Date of Incident: 29 April 2012
Location: 800 block of Cornish Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 29 April 2012 at 8:19 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a residential burglary that occurred in the 800 block of Cornish Street in Salisbury. Investigation revealed that unknown perpetrators forced entry through a rear bedroom window. Once entry way gained, these unknown suspects made off with a substantial amount of household electronics.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891.
You may also report information anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Charges: Burglary
Theft
Incident: Burglary Investigation
Date of Incident: 29 April 2012
Location: 300 block of Carey Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 29 April 2012 at 12:36 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a residential burglary in the 300 block of Carey Avenue in Salisbury. Investigation revealed that forced entry had been made through a rear door and once the perpetrators gained access to the residence they made off with cash, household electronics and medication. The burglary is believed to have happened during the preceding overnight hours.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office at 410-548-4891.
You may also report information anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Charges: Burglary
Theft
Incident: Hit and Run Investigation
Date of Incident: 28 April 2012
Location: Scotland Parkway, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Pending
Narrative: On 28 April 2012 at 8:15 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into a hit and run collision that occurred during the preceding overnight hours. An unknown vehicle was travelling westbound on Scotland Parkway when it left the roadway and ran over a mailbox and a street sign, after which the operator left the scene without reporting the damage.
Investigation revealed that the suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2007-2011 Volvo, possibly silver in color; that will currently be missing its driver’s side rear view mirror. Anyone with information about the owner of the Volvo is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.
You may also report information anonymously to Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.
Charges: Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident
SU Hosts 11th Relay For Life Friday-Saturday, May 4-5
Since 2002, Salisbury University’s Relay For Life has raised nearly $800,000 for the American Cancer Society. The goal for this year’s 11th event: push that total toward $900,000. SU’s Relay is consistently among the top collegiate Relays in the nation, and organizers anticipate another highly successful event. Opening ceremonies for the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser begin 6 p.m. Friday, May 4, at the SU Intramural Fields. Closing ceremonies are 6 a.m. Saturday, May 5. This year’s theme is “Holidays!” SU students Maggie Sullivan and Casey Gaul co-chair the event.
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Ocean City's Seacrets Wins Federal Trademark Infringement Case, $50K in Damages
Ocean City's Seacrets has won a federal trademark infringement case
against a competitor that was using a similar brand name to market its
chain of luxury resorts. The decision in Baltimore's U.S. District Court
awards the megaclub $50,000 in punitive damages and a permanent
injunction protecting its 'Seacrets' trademark.
The lawsuit, filed two years ago, was an important one for the Maryland megaclub as its seeks to establish a franchise business and underscores its ambitions to expand outside the United States.
In 2008, the Coryn Group, which operates AMR Resorts, sued Seacrets after the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board canceled its federal registration of the trademark "Secrets" for its luxury resort chain in Mexico and the Caribbean. The board said the two brands were too similar.
Seacrets countersued for infringement and unfair competition and after an eight-day trial last November, a jury upheld its trademark and awarded it $1 in compensatory damages and $265,000 in punitive damages.
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The lawsuit, filed two years ago, was an important one for the Maryland megaclub as its seeks to establish a franchise business and underscores its ambitions to expand outside the United States.
In 2008, the Coryn Group, which operates AMR Resorts, sued Seacrets after the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board canceled its federal registration of the trademark "Secrets" for its luxury resort chain in Mexico and the Caribbean. The board said the two brands were too similar.
Seacrets countersued for infringement and unfair competition and after an eight-day trial last November, a jury upheld its trademark and awarded it $1 in compensatory damages and $265,000 in punitive damages.
More
SU Student Designs Final Downtown Salisbury Sculpture
Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, looks down upon visitors to Peninsula Regional Hospital following the recent unveiling of the final public artwork overseen by the Downtown Salisbury Sculpture Committee. Salisbury University art student Lawrence “Trip” Ulvila designed the PRMC-sponsored sculpture of Asclepius, erected on East Carroll Street near the entrance to Peninsula Regional’s Guerrieri Heart and Vascular Institute.
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As America's Waistline Expands, Costs Soar
U.S. hospitals are ripping out wall-mounted toilets and replacing them with floor models to better support obese patients. The Federal Transit Administration wants buses to be tested for the impact of heavier riders on steering and braking. Cars are burning nearly a billion gallons of gasoline more a year than if passengers weighed what they did in 1960.
The nation's rising rate of obesity has been well-chronicled. But businesses, governments and individuals are only now coming to grips with the costs of those extra pounds, many of which are even greater than believed only a few years ago: The additional medical spending due to obesity is double previous estimates and exceeds even those of smoking, a new study shows.
Many of those costs have dollar signs in front of them, such as the higher health insurance premiums everyone pays to cover those extra medical costs. Other changes, often cost-neutral, are coming to the built environment in the form of wider seats in public places from sports stadiums to bus stops.
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Fernando Guerrero Supports Joe Albero
From the time that I met Joe he's always been there for me. Way back when I was an amateur to now when I'm a professional. Way back when I was undefeated to now in my first defeat. From young to old, from undefeated to defeated, Joe Albero has always been a Fernando Guerrero supporter, a Fernando Guerrero friend. He has offered a lot of commitment to our friendship and only wanted nothing but friendship back. That's why I'm so excited for him to step up and say, "hey I can make a difference" and for me there is no one better to make that difference.
Joe for Mayor, I think Salisbury needs him.
Spirit Airlines' Final Answer to Dying Vietnam Vet Seeking Ticket Refund: No!
After a weekend of brutal publicity over its refusal to grant a dying
Vietnam vet a $197 ticket refund because his doctor forbids him to fly,
Spirit Airlines issued has a simple response:
"No."
The terse, one-word retort from company spokeswoman Natalie Pinson appears to have grounded any hope that Jerry Meekins, 76, of Clearwater, Fla., might get his money back. Meekins bought the ticket to Atlantic City last month so he could see his daughter before she had surgery of her own. But when his esophageal cancer left his immune system too ravaged for travel, all the airline offered him was another ticket.
"What are they going to do?" Meekins asked the Tampa Bay Times. "Fly my casket up to Atlantic City?"
"No."
The terse, one-word retort from company spokeswoman Natalie Pinson appears to have grounded any hope that Jerry Meekins, 76, of Clearwater, Fla., might get his money back. Meekins bought the ticket to Atlantic City last month so he could see his daughter before she had surgery of her own. But when his esophageal cancer left his immune system too ravaged for travel, all the airline offered him was another ticket.
"What are they going to do?" Meekins asked the Tampa Bay Times. "Fly my casket up to Atlantic City?"