New Jersey insiders say it’s not so far-fetched.
A few steps away from the Delaware River, in the marble halls of New Jersey’s capitol, there’s a consensus among Trenton insiders: Governor Chris Christie would gladly accept the vice-presidential nomination, should Mitt Romney offer it.
“Christie is open to it, his family’s comfortable with it, and he’s been vetted before,” one top state lawmaker says. “He isn’t going to campaign for it, but it’s no secret that he would relish the opportunity to play at that level.”
The open question, however, is whether Romney will actually pick up the phone and call — tapping one of the GOP’s brightest rising stars to share the stage. As one Garden State operative puts it, “It’s like asking Joe DiMaggio if he wants to play alongside Mickey Mantle.” Christie would help the team, but he may steal the spotlight.
“I think Christie has enjoyed the national attention,” says Ed Rollins, a veteran Republican consultant who managed President Ronald Reagan’s 1984 campaign. “I think he would bring star quality to the ticket and he could help energize the base,” but his “big personality might overshadow Romney.”
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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 08, 2012
Unable To Say ‘I Do’
Just two days after his inimitably voluble vice president kind of, sort of, probably came out in favor of same-sex marriage, and just a day after his education secretary expressed more succinct, unambiguous support for it, Barack Obama is scheduled to visit New York and cross paths with the governor who is arguably the Democratic standard-bearer for marriage equality, Andrew Cuomo.
And it will be clearer than ever: on this issue, the president isn’t leading. He’s following. And the gap by which he trails others in his party grows broader and sadder.
Maybe he’ll surprise us this week. I doubt it, for reasons that I’ll explain shortly — and that I mostly sympathize with.
But his timidity is being thrown into ever starker relief. Joe Biden’s comments on Sunday, while falling short of a clarion call for federal recognition of same-sex marriage, traveled several compassionate, justice-minded miles beyond anything the still-“evolving” president has said on the topic.
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And it will be clearer than ever: on this issue, the president isn’t leading. He’s following. And the gap by which he trails others in his party grows broader and sadder.
Maybe he’ll surprise us this week. I doubt it, for reasons that I’ll explain shortly — and that I mostly sympathize with.
But his timidity is being thrown into ever starker relief. Joe Biden’s comments on Sunday, while falling short of a clarion call for federal recognition of same-sex marriage, traveled several compassionate, justice-minded miles beyond anything the still-“evolving” president has said on the topic.
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Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever, But Under Threat
Florence Williams gets right to the bosom of her new book in its first line, reeling off names for the most beloved part of the female anatomy: "Funbags. Boobsters. Chumawumbas. Dingle bobbers. Dairy pillows. Jellybonkers. Nim nums."
So begins William's humorous, but deadly serious treatise, "Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History."
"We love breasts, yet we can't quite take them seriously," she writes. "We name them affectionately, but with a hint of insult. Breasts embarrass us. They're unpredictable. They're goofy. They can turn both babies and grown men into lunkheads."
Breasts feed us, nurture us and excite us. But the most versatile organ in the female body can also kill us. They are made up of fat and estrogen receptors -- so they "soak up pollution like a pair of soft sponges," she writes.
One in eight women will have breast cancer in her lifetime.
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So begins William's humorous, but deadly serious treatise, "Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History."
"We love breasts, yet we can't quite take them seriously," she writes. "We name them affectionately, but with a hint of insult. Breasts embarrass us. They're unpredictable. They're goofy. They can turn both babies and grown men into lunkheads."
Breasts feed us, nurture us and excite us. But the most versatile organ in the female body can also kill us. They are made up of fat and estrogen receptors -- so they "soak up pollution like a pair of soft sponges," she writes.
One in eight women will have breast cancer in her lifetime.
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Jon Stewart Loses Delta Airlines As Sponsor Due To 'Vagina Manger' Sketch
As NewsBusters reported
last month, Comedy Central's Jon Stewart did a truly vile sketch a few
weeks ago displaying a Nativity scene over a woman's vagina.
According to BuzzFeed, Delta Airlines has dropped its sponsorship of the Daily Show as a result:
According to BuzzFeed, Delta Airlines has dropped its sponsorship of the Daily Show as a result:
BREAKING NEWS: North Carolina Bans Gay Marriage
North Carolina voters approve state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
From Fox News
From Fox News
Bowl-a-Thon Group Touts Raising Funds for 14-Year-Old’s Abortion
The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF), who last month raised
over $400,000 for abortions through its Bowl-a-Thon, touted that it
provided money for a 14-year-old’s abortion as part of the group's “real
stories of abortion access.”
On its website in a post entitled, “Getting an abortion means getting a second chance,” NNAF highlights the story of Darcy, a 14-year-old who terminated her pregnancy with the help of the group’s “George Tiller Memorial Fund.”
“I'm pretty smart for 14, I think,” Darcy writes. “I love biology, especially the stuff on animals. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be a vet -- I definitely want to start my own practice so that I make enough money and when I have kids I can be home with them,” she said.
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On its website in a post entitled, “Getting an abortion means getting a second chance,” NNAF highlights the story of Darcy, a 14-year-old who terminated her pregnancy with the help of the group’s “George Tiller Memorial Fund.”
“I'm pretty smart for 14, I think,” Darcy writes. “I love biology, especially the stuff on animals. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be a vet -- I definitely want to start my own practice so that I make enough money and when I have kids I can be home with them,” she said.
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Students Launch Driving Mrs. M.
After 20 years as a teacher at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen School, Anne Mekalian remains out of the classroom.
In March, 2011, the third grade teacher came down with strep throat which she says became much more serious.
“I developed sepsis and as a result I didn’t get enough blood flow to the small parts of the hands and the feet, so they amputated both of my hands below the elbow, and they amputated both of my feet below the knee," Mekalian told WBAL News.
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In March, 2011, the third grade teacher came down with strep throat which she says became much more serious.
“I developed sepsis and as a result I didn’t get enough blood flow to the small parts of the hands and the feet, so they amputated both of my hands below the elbow, and they amputated both of my feet below the knee," Mekalian told WBAL News.
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Consumers Upped Their Borrowing in March
WASHINGTON — U.S. consumers swiped their credit cards more often in
March and took out more loans to attend school, driving overall
borrowing up by the most in more than a decade.
Total consumer borrowing rose $21.4 billion in March, the Federal Reserve said Monday. That’s the seventh straight monthly increase and the largest since November 2001.
A measure of auto and student loans increased by $16.2 billion. A separate gauge of mostly credit card debt rose $5.2 billion after declining in January and February.
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Total consumer borrowing rose $21.4 billion in March, the Federal Reserve said Monday. That’s the seventh straight monthly increase and the largest since November 2001.
A measure of auto and student loans increased by $16.2 billion. A separate gauge of mostly credit card debt rose $5.2 billion after declining in January and February.
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Lack of Sleep Has 'Profound Consequences' on Toddlers
Little kids can get really grouchy when they miss a nap. Sleep
researchers are beginning to find out that the impact may actually be
far greater.
New studies suggest skipping even one nap can have a big effect on a toddler's behavior. Dr. Judith Owens, director of sleep medicine at Children's National Medical Center, says there are even indications that sleep deprivation could set back cognitive development.
"We think loss has really profound consequences, not only on things like behavior and learning, but also on things like metabolic function."
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New studies suggest skipping even one nap can have a big effect on a toddler's behavior. Dr. Judith Owens, director of sleep medicine at Children's National Medical Center, says there are even indications that sleep deprivation could set back cognitive development.
"We think loss has really profound consequences, not only on things like behavior and learning, but also on things like metabolic function."
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Did Farting Kill the Dinosaurs?
Gassy vegetarians like the Brontosaurus may have produced so much methane that they triggered global warming, possibly hastening their extinction
While scientists are touting a new study of dinosaur flatulence as a "major new climate finding,"
the media is greeting it with undisguised mirth. According to this
research, the prehistoric beasts may have tooted so much methane into
the air that they triggered a catastrophic climate change and, consequently, their own extinction. Here's a guide to the revolutionary — and, for some, giggle-worthy — findings:
What's this new research?A study by a team of British scientists published in Current Biology
argues that dinosaur flatulence "turned the Earth into one giant Dutch
oven, contributing significantly to a warmer climate 150 million years
ago," says Slate. When long-necked sauropod dinosaurs like the Brontosaurus digested vast amounts of plants and vegetation, they produced methane, says Reuters,
a potent greenhouse gas that has "as much as 25 times the
climate-warming potential as carbon dioxide," and ultimately warmed the
planet during the "hot, wet Mesozoic era."
BREAKING NEWS: Would-Be Bomber Reportedly Was CIA Informant
Would-be bomber at the heart of a thwarted Al Qaeda plot to bomb a U.S.-bound jet was a CIA informant, officials tell the AP.
From Fox News
From Fox News
If HHS Issues A Pork Mandate, Will Jewish Rest Homes And Muslim Soup Kitchens Comply?
What will come next? Will the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issue a Pork Mandate
as part of ObamaCare? Will this be the next shoe to drop? Sound
ridiculous? But, wait. Here’s what the pork industry says about pork,
“the other white meat.”
Pork today compares favorably for fat, calories and cholesterol with many other meats and poultry. While providing a greater amount of vitamins and minerals, many cuts of pork are as lean or leaner than chicken. Pork tenderloin, for example, is just as lean as skinless chicken breast and meets the government guidelines for “extra lean.” In total, six pork cuts meet the USDA guidelines for “lean,” with less than 10 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving.
This is a fairly persuasive catalog of the benefits of pork versus chicken. The case for pork is even stronger when compared with beef. And isn’t it the case that the fat and cholesterol content of beef has been a subject upon which nutritionists and cardiologists have been writing for some time?
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Pork today compares favorably for fat, calories and cholesterol with many other meats and poultry. While providing a greater amount of vitamins and minerals, many cuts of pork are as lean or leaner than chicken. Pork tenderloin, for example, is just as lean as skinless chicken breast and meets the government guidelines for “extra lean.” In total, six pork cuts meet the USDA guidelines for “lean,” with less than 10 grams fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving.
This is a fairly persuasive catalog of the benefits of pork versus chicken. The case for pork is even stronger when compared with beef. And isn’t it the case that the fat and cholesterol content of beef has been a subject upon which nutritionists and cardiologists have been writing for some time?
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Will Smith Supports Obama's Call for Higher Taxes
One of Hollywood's biggest and best-paid stars is supporting
President Barack Obama's call for higher taxes on the country's top
earners.
Will Smith said while promoting "Men In Black III" last week that he supports the move.
"I'm very supportive of that idea," Smith told The Associated Press in an interview. "America has been fantastic to me. I have no problem paying whatever I need to pay to keep my country growing."
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Will Smith said while promoting "Men In Black III" last week that he supports the move.
"I'm very supportive of that idea," Smith told The Associated Press in an interview. "America has been fantastic to me. I have no problem paying whatever I need to pay to keep my country growing."
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Cities are Squeezing Nonprofits to Ante Up
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Wary of tax increases, weary of layoffs and
determined to avoid bankruptcy, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras had only
to gaze up at his city’s Ivy League campus to see a way out of the
morass.
On College Hill sits Brown University, with a $2.5 billion endowment and property worth an estimated $1 billion. Brown would pay the city $38 million in property taxes each year — more than enough to solve the city’s budget problems — if only it wasn’t tax exempt.
And so city officials and state lawmakers applied some pressure to the university, and last week Brown agreed to contribute $31.5 million to Providence over the next 11 years. The money comes on top of nearly $4 million that Brown already voluntarily gives the city every year.
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On College Hill sits Brown University, with a $2.5 billion endowment and property worth an estimated $1 billion. Brown would pay the city $38 million in property taxes each year — more than enough to solve the city’s budget problems — if only it wasn’t tax exempt.
And so city officials and state lawmakers applied some pressure to the university, and last week Brown agreed to contribute $31.5 million to Providence over the next 11 years. The money comes on top of nearly $4 million that Brown already voluntarily gives the city every year.
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Octomom Stoops To Porn. I Blame Murphy Brown.
She’s wacky, she’s fame hungry, and of course most importantly, she has 14 kids with no baby daddy around to help take care of them. She has posed topless, sold her bras on eBay, gone on welfare and now, this 36 year old mother of 14 is moving on to porn to try to pay the bills.
Nadya Suleman had sworn she would never stoop to doing porn in order to support her 14 children.
But Octomom, who is severely financially troubled, started filming her x-rated ‘self-pleasure video’ in order to get a big pay day.
The 36-year-old turned up to a San Fernando Valley mansion on the outskirts of Los Angeles start taping that will see her cavorting in front of the camera by herself in sordid scenes.
…The 36-year-old filed for bankruptcy last week after falling into $1million worth of debt.
It is unknown how much money Octomom will receive for her porn appearance, however a source tells the site: ‘It’s a lot more than the $10,000 she made for posing topless.’
The mother-of-14 will continue to shoot scenes and the movie will be released later this summer.
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Nadya Suleman had sworn she would never stoop to doing porn in order to support her 14 children.
But Octomom, who is severely financially troubled, started filming her x-rated ‘self-pleasure video’ in order to get a big pay day.
The 36-year-old turned up to a San Fernando Valley mansion on the outskirts of Los Angeles start taping that will see her cavorting in front of the camera by herself in sordid scenes.
…The 36-year-old filed for bankruptcy last week after falling into $1million worth of debt.
It is unknown how much money Octomom will receive for her porn appearance, however a source tells the site: ‘It’s a lot more than the $10,000 she made for posing topless.’
The mother-of-14 will continue to shoot scenes and the movie will be released later this summer.
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EXCLUSIVE: Super Secret Closed Session Meeting Exposed
A lot of closed session meetings have been going on in the City of Salisbury over the past few days.
Only one was announced on Sunday but there have been more. On Monday and today the Mayor and Council have been in deep negotiations for perhaps a settlement in Ocean City, Maryland on the Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant.
I thought I'd go ahead and make this announcement before the notorious Mayor Ireton called a Press Conference and not invite Salisbury News, as usual.
I'll save my remarks until after the formal announcement, (if it ever comes) on the outcome of these meetings. I believe the reason for these meetings being held in Ocean City is based on one of the defending attorneys office being located there.
What an absolute MESS Barrie Tilghman, Gary Comegys, Lynn Cathcart, Mike Dunn and Shanie Shields got us into. The $64,000,000.00 Plant is requiring another $40,000,000.00 in renovations as the UNPROVEN system never worked properly. The former Mayor and Attorney allowed a $1,000,000.00 liability clause in the deal should anything fail. That has to be one of the dumbest things I as a businessman have ever heard of.
Nevertheless, the City taxpayers have footed millions of dollars in legal fees because of the blatant mistakes by the former Tilghman Administration.
In less than one year you'll have the opportunity to forever change politicians acting like business people. You have to ask yourselves, are you better off 12 years later??????
New Posts to fall below.
Facebook Welcomes Investors, Pedophiles … Huh?
WND’s stunning four-part expose of the dark underbelly of Facebook
hit the front page on Sunday night, just ahead of the Internet social
media giant’s initial public offering expected to value the company as
high as $100 billion.
The introduction to Chelsea Schilling’s shocking expose that should be read by every parent offers the following warning: “This report contains graphic details of sexual abuse of children as it has appeared in numerous locations on Facebook. WND immediately reported images of child pornography and child sexual abuse to the FBI. Censored screenshots published are among the mildest of those found.”
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The introduction to Chelsea Schilling’s shocking expose that should be read by every parent offers the following warning: “This report contains graphic details of sexual abuse of children as it has appeared in numerous locations on Facebook. WND immediately reported images of child pornography and child sexual abuse to the FBI. Censored screenshots published are among the mildest of those found.”
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Who Is The Real Sarah Palin?
If you listen to the media, the left, and the GOP establishment, you’ll hear that Sarah Palin is “unqualified.” Even those who grudgingly admit that she helped the McCain ticket in 2008 by energizing the base will still dismiss her gently by saying that she was not “prepared.”
Translation: “Sure, sure, she drew a crowd. She’s Caribou Barbie. The rubes like her, but that doesn’t mean she’s competent.”
Is she “unqualified” or “unprepared”? What is her actual record? The media demanded and got unprecedented access to the emails she wrote as governor. No other national or state politician has been more open and transparent. We can know this woman if we just take the time to investigate.
I did, and I discovered a record of relentless reform and fiscal leadership that goes beyond “drill, baby, drill” and is more complex than selling an expensive state jet.
Today everyone likes to call himself a deficit hawk, but it’s easy to be a budget cutter when you’re broke. Palin was a serious deficit hawk at a time when her state was flush with a massive oil revenue surplus. It takes discipline and strong conservative principles to rein in spending at a time like that. Palin cut spending by nearly 10% during her tenure while reforming government, attracting more energy companies to do business in her state and adding jobs.
In the days of credit downgrades in states across the country and for the country as a whole, Alaska has seen its credit upgraded twice since 2006 due to Palin’s reform of the state employee pensions and Alaska’s oil valuation tax.
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Translation: “Sure, sure, she drew a crowd. She’s Caribou Barbie. The rubes like her, but that doesn’t mean she’s competent.”
Is she “unqualified” or “unprepared”? What is her actual record? The media demanded and got unprecedented access to the emails she wrote as governor. No other national or state politician has been more open and transparent. We can know this woman if we just take the time to investigate.
I did, and I discovered a record of relentless reform and fiscal leadership that goes beyond “drill, baby, drill” and is more complex than selling an expensive state jet.
Today everyone likes to call himself a deficit hawk, but it’s easy to be a budget cutter when you’re broke. Palin was a serious deficit hawk at a time when her state was flush with a massive oil revenue surplus. It takes discipline and strong conservative principles to rein in spending at a time like that. Palin cut spending by nearly 10% during her tenure while reforming government, attracting more energy companies to do business in her state and adding jobs.
In the days of credit downgrades in states across the country and for the country as a whole, Alaska has seen its credit upgraded twice since 2006 due to Palin’s reform of the state employee pensions and Alaska’s oil valuation tax.
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Occupy's Next: Global Protests For 'Wealth Distribution'
On the heels of its May Day chaos in the U.S. last week, the Occupy
movement plans to hold global protests Saturday with the claimed goal of
“social justice, wealth distribution and an ethic of commons.”
Some of Occupy’s rhetoric for the coming protest employs key progressive economic phraseology that is also routinely used by President Obama.
The website May12.net lists about 70 cities around the world planning events Saturday, including London, Moscow, New York, Detroit, Toronto and Berlin.
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Some of Occupy’s rhetoric for the coming protest employs key progressive economic phraseology that is also routinely used by President Obama.
The website May12.net lists about 70 cities around the world planning events Saturday, including London, Moscow, New York, Detroit, Toronto and Berlin.
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Conservatives And Gays
In addition to labeling conservatives and Republicans “anti-woman” (for opposing government-mandated free contraception), “anti-black” and “anti-Hispanic” (for advocating photo identification for voting), and “anti-science” (for skepticism regarding the belief that man-made carbon emissions will destroy much of the planet), Democrats now regularly label Republicans “anti-gay” (for opposing same-sex marriage).
All these charges are demagogic. But when it comes to the “anti-gay” charge, conservatives need to clarify to themselves as much as to the general public where they stand.
As an opponent of the most radical redefinition of marriage in history (more radical than outlawing polygamy), I have argued for the Defense of Marriage Act before Congress and have written and spoken on behalf of amending state constitutions to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. I believe that the ultimate aim of the LGBT movement and the rest of the cultural left is nothing less than to end gender distinctions.
But I am not anti-gay. Proponents of same-sex marriage may conflate opposition to same-sex marriage with being anti-gay. But conservatives must not.
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All these charges are demagogic. But when it comes to the “anti-gay” charge, conservatives need to clarify to themselves as much as to the general public where they stand.
As an opponent of the most radical redefinition of marriage in history (more radical than outlawing polygamy), I have argued for the Defense of Marriage Act before Congress and have written and spoken on behalf of amending state constitutions to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. I believe that the ultimate aim of the LGBT movement and the rest of the cultural left is nothing less than to end gender distinctions.
But I am not anti-gay. Proponents of same-sex marriage may conflate opposition to same-sex marriage with being anti-gay. But conservatives must not.
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Calif. Group Gives Texas Dog National Hero Award
Debbie Zeisler came to his rescue. She has lost count of the times since then that he has come to hers.
On Monday, Bear was honored with the 30th National Hero Dog award by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles.
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Wells Fargo Fires Woman After Finding Out She Shoplifted 40 Years Ago
A woman in Milwaukee is paying for a crime she committed 40 years ago by losing her job. Wells Fargo found out during a background check that she had shoplifted in 1972, and subsequently fired her. She thinks she's already paid her time for that crime, but Wells Fargo's policies disagree.
More »
More »
Now a Witness to Breitbart's Death Vanishes
A private investigator has been unable to find the only eyewitness to
the sudden death of media innovator and conservative activist Andrew
Breitbart.
The apparent disappearance of Christopher Lasseter, who says he saw Breitbart drop to the sidewalk in front of a restaurant, adds to the mystery surrounding Breitbart’s March 1 death.
On the day the Los Angeles County coroner released Breitbart’s autopsy report, a photographic technician at the coroner’s office died suddenly of suspicious causes.
In addition, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., just three weeks before Breitbart’s death – where he promised to unveil “damning” new video evidence of Barack Obama’s radical past that would change the election – Breitbart gave WND details of his upcoming revelations.
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The apparent disappearance of Christopher Lasseter, who says he saw Breitbart drop to the sidewalk in front of a restaurant, adds to the mystery surrounding Breitbart’s March 1 death.
On the day the Los Angeles County coroner released Breitbart’s autopsy report, a photographic technician at the coroner’s office died suddenly of suspicious causes.
In addition, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., just three weeks before Breitbart’s death – where he promised to unveil “damning” new video evidence of Barack Obama’s radical past that would change the election – Breitbart gave WND details of his upcoming revelations.
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Northrop Grumman Files Lawsuit Against USPS
The Postal Service is facing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit from one of its major contractors. Northrop Grumman has sued the agency for breaching a $874 million contract, according to the PostalReporter News Blog. The Postal Service had hired the company to install mail-sorting machines. Law 360 reported that Northrop Grumman alleged that the Postal Service improperly delayed and disrupted the installation. It said the agency kept tweaking its requests and ignoring the original deal. That made it hard for the project to continue. Northrup Grumman said the Postal Service owes it more than $60 million. The agency expects to lose billions of dollars this year. Congress is considering legislation to help it regain its financial footing.
Romney Backer Sees Treason, Obama's Campaign Cries Foul
It was one of the defining moments of the 2008 presidential campaign: A woman at a rally for Republican John McCain, while asking McCain a question, called Democratic contender Barack Obama "an Arab" who couldn't be trusted.
McCain took the microphone and said, "No ma'am. He's a decent family man ... who I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues." McCain's response symbolized his discomfort with the volatile crowds he was seeing as his campaign faded during the final days of the 2008 race.
On Monday, at a factory in this Ohio community near Cleveland the crowd that greeted Mitt Romney wasn't angry, but the Republican presidential candidate faced a similar situation.
A woman asked Romney whether he thought Obama was "operating outside the structure of our Constitution." The woman then added that the president "should be tried for treason."
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The Unknowns
In a strange form of 21st century vigilantism, a group of hackers called "the Unknowns" said they have hacked into NASA and Air Force computers, according to Government Computer News. But the group said it did this to help those agencies patch up security holes. In a blog post on Pastebin, the group said that unlike hacker group Anonymous, it is not against the U.S. government. The Unknowns posted the names and email addresses of government employees but then sent emails to those same employees telling them how they could protect themselves in the future. The Unknowns also hacked into Harvard University's website and the defense ministries of several countries in Europe and the Middle East.
Thomas Kinkade Cause Of Death: Painter Died Of Drug And Alcohol Overdose, Coroner Rules
LOS ANGELES, May 7 (Reuters) - "Painter of Light" Thomas Kinkade died
of accidental acute intoxication from alcohol and an anti-anxiety
medication, according to autopsy report made public on Monday by local
NBC Bay Area TV.
The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office reported Kinkade's cause of death as "acute ethanol and Diazepam intoxication" and manner of death as "accident," according to the NBC station. Diazepam is the active ingredient in Valium.
A Santa Clara County Coroner's investigator confirmed to Reuters that the autopsy report on Kinkade had been completed but said he could not release it after business hours.
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The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office reported Kinkade's cause of death as "acute ethanol and Diazepam intoxication" and manner of death as "accident," according to the NBC station. Diazepam is the active ingredient in Valium.
A Santa Clara County Coroner's investigator confirmed to Reuters that the autopsy report on Kinkade had been completed but said he could not release it after business hours.
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Getting Hazing Under Control
House Democrats said the military needs to get hazing under control. They introduced a bill to require the services to track incidents. Those could be cases of soldiers committing violence against each other as a punishment, initiation rite or bonding activity. Hazing isn't clearly defined now. The measure would provide a legal definition so that it could be treated as a stand-alone crime. The bill would require auditors to look at each service's training and prevention policies. It would direct the Defense Department to develop a comprehensive plan to stop hazing. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) is one of the bill's sponsors and has named it after her nephew Harry Lew, who committed suicide last year after being hazed by his Marine Corps platoon in Afghanistan.
A Real Mayor Isn't Blind
Welcome to Salisbury Maryland, the most unfriendly community you've ever seen when it comes to the handicapped. Oh sure, if the feds are handing out lots of cash to replace curbs at street corners, Salisbury dives right into taking that money. However, why pound your chest and act like you're friendly to the handicapped when you see images like those above. Allow me to explain.
The images you are seeing show ONE handicap parking space. Think about that for a minute. In fact, start thinking about the locations of ALL of the handicapped parking spaces throughout the entire Downtown area. You see, if it were you and I opening a business we'd have to provide multiple handicapped spaces but the City seems to be exempt from that.
There are 52 parking spaces in Lot 15. 16 of these spaces are metered, 1 is handicapped and get this. Look at the images above. The ONE handicap parking space in the very last spot furthest from the Plaza.
Every single day I sit in my Office and watch the elderly struggling to get up the long and slow incline heading to the Plaza. I can't stress this enough. There isn't just one or two per day, there are DOZENS! Many elderly people are pushing wheel chairs, walkers, canes and others are simply assisted by others holding their arms while they walk for stability.
So now your elderly, (handicapped in some way) and you go to visit your Dentist or Lawyer. You put a quarter or two in the meter and you have to race to your location hoping you'll be in and out before you get a ticket. If your smart you'll not even consider parking in the ONE spot furthest from the Plaza because, well, it's not easy making that long walk, would you agree?
As you scan the images below, the last photo shows the Downtown Plaza where there's not one handicap parking space. There's none on Division Street either. So in reality there's only ONE handicapped parking space. Oh, that is, unless you pull into the 2 hour free parking, which is even farther away than Lot 15. I guess it all depends on where your going.
Look at this picture above. To your immediate left is the ONE handicapped parking space. We need 3 or 4 Handicap parking spaces all the way towards the north end of this lot. But you know how those liberals currently in office think, there's no money in it for them if they actually cared about what is RIGHT.
Now we'll take a look at the rest of Lot 15. The Opportunity Shop is only open on Thursday from 10 to 3. I kid you not, when they are getting ready to open there are 30 to 40 people standing in line to get in their door at 10:00 AM. Now think about that for a minute. There are 12 metered spaces, (many of which are taken by others visiting businesses on the Plaza) on this end of Lot 15. Last Thursday one of the meter people was leaning against the light pole at 9:50 AM just waiting for the people to start walking into the Opportunity Shop so they could start writing tickets. WHY, because many of these people parked in the permit parking because there were no other available spaces. Then when the meters start running out they start writing tickets for the meter spaces.
This is NOT how we welcome people to Salisbury, Maryland and as Mayor I would immediately address the City Council to remove the parking meters in Lot 15 AND the entire Downtown Plaza. You want me for Mayor, get yourselves totally prepared for change that will ENCOURAGE others to visit Downtown and NOT punish them.
Just imagine how many customers Anne Taylor, (Parker Place) had that were subjected to these same kind of tickets. It's no wonder she packed up and left. While some may think this is a small deal, you're wrong. Become one of the recipients of one of these tickets and you'll completely understand. The City is acting like they own a huge shopping mall and the first 50 parking spaces closest to the stores have parking meters on them. The reason you don't see meters in the Mall is because it's stupid, selfish and it drives people AWAY.
When the fine was a dollar, that was one thing. Now it's $10.00 and causes all kinds of problems for many with DMV down the road. I want to change some of these problems, Ireton does not. In fact, Ireton is growing that department because their revenue is bigger then they've ever seen before. You now have two full time people writing tickets and two bicycle cops doing the same.
I firmly believe changes like what I am proposing will encourage people to come back to the Downtown area and help its growth. Sure, some will say employees will take advantage of it. This may be true but we'll simply have to create an honor system for those who abuse these spaces. Limit them to 2 hour parking. I believe it's the right thing to do and I'd encourage the Council to rethink the Downtown parking. I encourage Mayor Ireton to look into this immediately. It doesn't have to wait for me to become the Mayor. It doesn't require a Press Conference. Just do what's right and STOP punishing people who visit this fine City.
In closing, figure something out for those people who actually pay big bucks to live Downtown. STOP writing them tickets. STOP forcing them to buy parking permits. Many are paying upwards of $1,200.00 a month to live in these beautiful apartments. Make it a PERK to live Downtown with FREE parking in Lot 15. By the way, 99.9% of the people living Downtown WORK for a living. Therefore they head off to work BEFORE the meter people start writing tickets and come home AFTER they shut down for the day. God Forbid they get sick or furloughed one week day and stay home.
Open your eyes Mayor Ireton. It really is the little things that can actually start rebuilding Downtown Salisbury.
New Posts to fall below.
Worker Jumps Into Vat of Acid to Save Colleague
A New Jersey roofer jumped into a vat of nitric acid solution to save a co-worker who had fallen 40 feet into the tank, fire officials said.
Rob Nuckols, 51, was working on the ground floor Monday morning at Swepco Tube LLC when his colleague Martin Davis plunged through a roof and into the vat of diluted acid and became fully submerged, officials said.
He jumped into the vat and was waist-high while he and three others pulled Davis out, Clifton Fire Chief Vince Colavitti
told The Record of Woodland Park. The vat
contained a 40 to 70 percent nitric acid solution used for cleaning
metal tubing.
Casinos Generate $14.5 Million In Revenue During April
Perryville casino rakes in $10.7 million; Ocean Downs earns $3.8 million
BALTIMORE - Maryland's two casinos generated more than $14.5 million in revenue for the state, in keeping with a relatively stable first half of the year.
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BALTIMORE - Maryland's two casinos generated more than $14.5 million in revenue for the state, in keeping with a relatively stable first half of the year.
More
Billionaire Soros Pledges $2 Million to Progressive Democratic Groups
George Soros is pledging $2 million to two outside groups supporting progressive causes and helping President Barack Obama's re-election campaign and other Democrats running in November, a Soros advisor said on Monday.
Soros adviser Michael Vachon said in an email that the billionaire investor is concentrating his giving on grassroots organizing and "holding conservatives accountable for the flawed policies they promote."
Vachon said Soros has pledged $1 million to American Bridge 21st Century, a "super" political action committee, or Super PAC, that is largely focused on research and tracking Republican candidates.
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Court Sees Video Of Officers Hitting Homeless Man Who Died
A video shows Officer Manuel Ramos and another officer swing at a shirtless Kelly Thomas with their batons and pin him to the ground as he pleads with them to stop.
More »
More »
To Protect Military Budget, House GOP Plans to Cut 25 Percent From Programs "Directly Benefiting The Poor"
The House Budget Committee is set to meet today on a new GOP plan to stave off further cuts in military spending that are mandated by the Budget Control Act's sequestration trigger. The Pentagon will be required to trim $55 billion from its budget next year and House Republicans think they've figured out a way to prevent that: cut programs for the poor, the AP reports:
The Republicans who control the House are using cuts to food aid, health care and social services like Meals on Wheels to protect the Pentagon from a wave of budget cuts come January. [...]
Fully one-fourth of the House GOP spending cuts come from programs directly benefiting the poor, such as Medicaid, food stamps, the Social Services Block Grant, and a child tax credit claimed by working immigrants.
As CAP's Melissa Boteach, Lawrence Korb and Max Hoffman noted in a report last month, with the cuts they are calling for, House Republicans will be protecting "largely useless" weapons systems, preserving funding for unnecessary programs like the V-22 Osprey, and adding two nuclear submarines to the U.S. military's already "overwhelming preponderance of sea power."
At the same time, the GOP plan would, for example, cut food stamps for 2 million people and reduce the same benefits for 44 million others. Nearly 300,000 school children would lose free school meals and hundreds of thousands could lose their Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops last month criticized the GOP's cuts to food stamps, tax credits for immigrant families, and other safety net programs as "unjustified and wrong."
More
The Republicans who control the House are using cuts to food aid, health care and social services like Meals on Wheels to protect the Pentagon from a wave of budget cuts come January. [...]
Fully one-fourth of the House GOP spending cuts come from programs directly benefiting the poor, such as Medicaid, food stamps, the Social Services Block Grant, and a child tax credit claimed by working immigrants.
As CAP's Melissa Boteach, Lawrence Korb and Max Hoffman noted in a report last month, with the cuts they are calling for, House Republicans will be protecting "largely useless" weapons systems, preserving funding for unnecessary programs like the V-22 Osprey, and adding two nuclear submarines to the U.S. military's already "overwhelming preponderance of sea power."
At the same time, the GOP plan would, for example, cut food stamps for 2 million people and reduce the same benefits for 44 million others. Nearly 300,000 school children would lose free school meals and hundreds of thousands could lose their Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops last month criticized the GOP's cuts to food stamps, tax credits for immigrant families, and other safety net programs as "unjustified and wrong."
More
FOUND DOG: UPDATE
A Golden Retriever just showed up on my daughter's doorstep, she lives out near PRMC. If anyone is missing their dog please call.......
Just to ensure the correct owner is calling, questions regarding its sex, collar and markings will be asked.
Six Downstate Ponds To Be Treated For Aquatic Weeds During 2012 Season
DOVER - During the next three weeks, weather permitting, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will be treating six downstate ponds for aquatic nuisance weeds that, left unchecked, can choke the waters, crowd out beneficial plant species, and prevent fishing and boating access. The ponds to be treated are: Blairs Pond and Griffiths Lake near Milford; Millsboro Pond; Records Pond near Laurel; Wagamons Pond near Milton; and Concord Pond near Seaford.
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Bill Would Have Businesses Foot Cost Of Cyberwar
Business executives and national security leaders are of one mind over the need to improve the security of the computers that control the U.S. power grid, the financial system, water treatment facilities and other elements of critical U.S. infrastructure. But they divide over the question of who bears responsibility for that effort.
The disagreement stands as an obstacle to passage of major cybersecurity legislation backed by senators Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Susan Collins of Maine, among others.
Many intelligence and security officials who worked under President George W. Bush, as well as those serving under President Obama, are backing stricter government regulation of cybersecurity, a key part of the Lieberman-Collins legislation. Business leaders, however, generally oppose those provisions.
"The major concern is the vast regulatory structure that would be set up at the Department of Homeland Security," says Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance, an association of major U.S. companies with interests in the cybersecurity debate.
More
The disagreement stands as an obstacle to passage of major cybersecurity legislation backed by senators Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Susan Collins of Maine, among others.
Many intelligence and security officials who worked under President George W. Bush, as well as those serving under President Obama, are backing stricter government regulation of cybersecurity, a key part of the Lieberman-Collins legislation. Business leaders, however, generally oppose those provisions.
"The major concern is the vast regulatory structure that would be set up at the Department of Homeland Security," says Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance, an association of major U.S. companies with interests in the cybersecurity debate.
More
Woman In Black Burka Kicked Out Of Obama Campaign Event
RICHMOND, Va. (CBSDC/AP) — A woman dressed in a black burka was removed during President Obama’s inaugural re-election campaign stop at Virginia Commonwealth University Saturday.
According to a White House pool report, photographers observed the woman being escorted out of the gym by Richmond police and other security officials. The woman appeared to be wearing dark clothing and U.S. military pins and was carrying a book. She cooperated with police, according to the report.
CBSDC obtained video of the incident from VCU journalism instructor Vivian Medina-Messner. In the video, you can hear the woman shouting while being escorted out of the building by police.
VCU Police Chief John Venuti told CBS 6 WTVR that the Secret Service is now investigating the incident.
More
According to a White House pool report, photographers observed the woman being escorted out of the gym by Richmond police and other security officials. The woman appeared to be wearing dark clothing and U.S. military pins and was carrying a book. She cooperated with police, according to the report.
CBSDC obtained video of the incident from VCU journalism instructor Vivian Medina-Messner. In the video, you can hear the woman shouting while being escorted out of the building by police.
VCU Police Chief John Venuti told CBS 6 WTVR that the Secret Service is now investigating the incident.
More
Partisan Death Jam: How the Two Parties Are Destroying Our Political System
The new book "It's Even Worse Than It Looks" explores the adversarial, winner-take-all climate we find ourselves in today that makes governing near impossible.
If you thought the debates over the debt ceiling last year – one of the most striking examples of political dysfunction and gridlock in recent memory — were over, think again. Although Republicans agreed to a small raise and to put off discussion of the issue until after the upcoming 2012 elections, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox, “We’ll be doing it all over” in 2013.
Clearly, the partisan rupture that’s dividing Washington is not going to heal any time soon, but how did things get so dire to begin with?
When congressional scholars Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein say “It’s Even Worse Than It Looks” – the title of their book – they’re being serious (subtitle: “How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism”). Mann, the W. Averell Harriman chair and senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, and Ornstein, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, began the Congress Project in the midst of the 1978 midterm campaign to track the institution as it evolved. What they’ve found since hasn’t been encouraging.
More
If you thought the debates over the debt ceiling last year – one of the most striking examples of political dysfunction and gridlock in recent memory — were over, think again. Although Republicans agreed to a small raise and to put off discussion of the issue until after the upcoming 2012 elections, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox, “We’ll be doing it all over” in 2013.
Clearly, the partisan rupture that’s dividing Washington is not going to heal any time soon, but how did things get so dire to begin with?
When congressional scholars Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein say “It’s Even Worse Than It Looks” – the title of their book – they’re being serious (subtitle: “How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism”). Mann, the W. Averell Harriman chair and senior fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, and Ornstein, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, began the Congress Project in the midst of the 1978 midterm campaign to track the institution as it evolved. What they’ve found since hasn’t been encouraging.
More
The Real Cost Of A Haircut In Salisbury
Haircut $12.00
Parking Fine $10.00
Welcome To Salisbury, Maryland.
"Anonymous said...I like going to Eric the Barber, but I hate that I have to worry if I'm going to get a ticket 'cause the meter might run out...maybe if it was free, (and there was actually a reason to BE downtown), I might wander around and possibly go in a shop or two (if there were any shops)......."
The Treasury Bubble In One Graph
That’s right, after taking into account inflation, many investors in treasuries are standing over a drain and pouring their money down it.
And so America’s creditors are now getting slapped quite heavily in the mouth by the Fed’s easy money inflationist policies.
I propose (much, I am sure, to the consternation of the monetarist-Keynesian “print money and watch your problems evaporate” establishment) that this is a very, very, very dangerous position. And I propose that those economists who are calling for even greater inflation are playing with dynamite.
See, while the establishment seems to largely believe that the negative return on treasuries will juice up the American economy — in other words that “hoarders” will stop hoarding and start spending — I believe that negative side-effects from these policies may cause severe harm.
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White House Ditches Arab-Owned Site for U.S. Jobs Speech. Venue Got Huge Subsidies, Tax Breaks
The White House
has switched the venue in upstate New York for President Obama’s speech
Tuesday on manufacturing, ditching a plant owned by the government of
Abu Dhabi that has received more than $1 billion in state subsidies.
Mr. Obama will speak about the economy at the State University of New York at Albany, highlighting high-tech jobs at the school’s NanoTech Complex. But last week, the local Democratic congressman and others announced that Mr. Obama would speak at GlobalFoundries in Malta, N.Y., a manufacturer of computer chips that employs about 1,300 workers.
White House officials said the site change was made over the weekend for “logistical reasons” and that GlobalFoundries’ officials still would attend the event.
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Mr. Obama will speak about the economy at the State University of New York at Albany, highlighting high-tech jobs at the school’s NanoTech Complex. But last week, the local Democratic congressman and others announced that Mr. Obama would speak at GlobalFoundries in Malta, N.Y., a manufacturer of computer chips that employs about 1,300 workers.
White House officials said the site change was made over the weekend for “logistical reasons” and that GlobalFoundries’ officials still would attend the event.
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ARGUMENT BETWEEN SIBLINGS LEADS TO 1st DEGREE ASSAULT WITH MOTOR VEHICLE
On Saturday, May 5, 2012, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Ocean City Police responded to the area of 39th Street and Coastal Highway for a report of a motor vehicle accident and an assault. When officers arrived, they observed a 2011 Mazda, which was stopped and parked across the sidewalk. The Mazda had struck an exterior wall, brick stairs, railing and mailbox of a real estate office building at 3906 Coastal Highway.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle, Ladon Chimere Thomas, 28, of Washington, DC, was in a verbal argument with her brother, which led to a physical altercation between the two siblings. After the altercation, Thomas got into her vehicle and turned north onto Coastal Highway. She then suddenly and deliberately swerved onto the sidewalk, striking her brother from the rear. Thomas then collided with a real estate office causing damage to the business.
During the course of the investigation, Thomas was highly agitated and continued to yell, scream and curse. She also assaulted a police officer during her description of the incident. She was arrested and charged with 1st and 2nd degree assault, in addition to 2nd degree assault on a police officer. Charges for several traffic violations related to the collision are pending and the investigation is on-going.
The victim was seen by Ocean City Emergency Services and later transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. Thomas, who was transported to Atlantic General Hospital and released, was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and held on a $50,000 bond.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle, Ladon Chimere Thomas, 28, of Washington, DC, was in a verbal argument with her brother, which led to a physical altercation between the two siblings. After the altercation, Thomas got into her vehicle and turned north onto Coastal Highway. She then suddenly and deliberately swerved onto the sidewalk, striking her brother from the rear. Thomas then collided with a real estate office causing damage to the business.
During the course of the investigation, Thomas was highly agitated and continued to yell, scream and curse. She also assaulted a police officer during her description of the incident. She was arrested and charged with 1st and 2nd degree assault, in addition to 2nd degree assault on a police officer. Charges for several traffic violations related to the collision are pending and the investigation is on-going.
The victim was seen by Ocean City Emergency Services and later transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. Thomas, who was transported to Atlantic General Hospital and released, was seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner and held on a $50,000 bond.
Wicomico County Health Department Cancels Rabies Clinic
In anticipation for the potential of inclement weather, the Wicomico County Health Department is canceling its rabies clinic previously scheduled for Wednesday, May 9th at the Salisbury Moose Lodge. The next scheduled clinic will be held on Thursday, June 14th at the Delmar VFW from 5pm to 7pm. Please remember:
Pets must be brought by a responsible adult. Dogs must me secured on a leash. Cats must be in a carrier or box with air holes. Only dogs and cats will be vaccinated. Pet owners are encouraged to bring previous rabies vaccination records so that their animals may receive a 3 year vaccine. Otherwise, a 1 year vaccination will be given. $10 per animal. Cash only.
Maryland Law requires all dogs and cats older than four months to be currently vaccinated to protect them against rabies. The rabies virus is present in every county in Maryland and every year many pets in Maryland are needlessly euthanized due to exposure to suspected or confirmed rabid animals. Wicomico County Health Officials are urging residents to protect their pets and vaccinate them before it is too late. Rabies vaccine is the best way for pet owners to protect the pets they love.
Vaccination is a simple, easy process. Don’t hesitate to vaccinate. Only you can protect your family and pets from the deadly rabies virus. For more information, please call the Wicomico County Health Department, Environmental Health Division at 410 546-4446 or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
All animal bites or scratches should be reported to the Wicomico
Pets must be brought by a responsible adult. Dogs must me secured on a leash. Cats must be in a carrier or box with air holes. Only dogs and cats will be vaccinated. Pet owners are encouraged to bring previous rabies vaccination records so that their animals may receive a 3 year vaccine. Otherwise, a 1 year vaccination will be given. $10 per animal. Cash only.
Maryland Law requires all dogs and cats older than four months to be currently vaccinated to protect them against rabies. The rabies virus is present in every county in Maryland and every year many pets in Maryland are needlessly euthanized due to exposure to suspected or confirmed rabid animals. Wicomico County Health Officials are urging residents to protect their pets and vaccinate them before it is too late. Rabies vaccine is the best way for pet owners to protect the pets they love.
Vaccination is a simple, easy process. Don’t hesitate to vaccinate. Only you can protect your family and pets from the deadly rabies virus. For more information, please call the Wicomico County Health Department, Environmental Health Division at 410 546-4446 or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
All animal bites or scratches should be reported to the Wicomico
Maryland GOP Gives Voters The Last Word
When Marylanders go to the polls in November, the most interesting races might not involve political candidates.
The state’s voters will elect eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives and one U.S. senator, and will help choose a president, but an unprecedented slate of ballot initiatives is expected to set the state’s course on social issues, including same-sex marriage and illegal immigration, and potentially on gambling and congressional redistricting.
This will be the first time in 20 years that a voter-petitioned referendum makes the state’s ballot, and as many as three could appear. All were initiated by Republicans who have embraced online technology as a way to distribute petitions and fight legislation enacted by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly.
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The state’s voters will elect eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives and one U.S. senator, and will help choose a president, but an unprecedented slate of ballot initiatives is expected to set the state’s course on social issues, including same-sex marriage and illegal immigration, and potentially on gambling and congressional redistricting.
This will be the first time in 20 years that a voter-petitioned referendum makes the state’s ballot, and as many as three could appear. All were initiated by Republicans who have embraced online technology as a way to distribute petitions and fight legislation enacted by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly.
More
TSA Reveals Passenger Complaints … Four Years Later
From intrusive pat-downs to body scans to perceived profiling, the Transportation Security Administration always seems to be the target of complaints.
Here's another one: It took the TSA almost four years to tell me what people complained about — in 2008.
googletag.display('google-callout');
In my first week at ProPublica in June 2008, I filed a public records request for the agency's complaint files. Such records can provide good fodder for investigations.
For example, amid the brouhaha over the agency's introduction of intensive full-body pat-downs in 2004, I requested complaints and discovered an untold story of the pain and humiliation suffered by rape victims and breast cancer survivors. In one incident that I found from that request — while I was a reporter at the Dallas Morning News — a woman complained that a screener asked her to remove her prosthetic breast to be swabbed for explosives.
When I made a similar FOIA request in 2008, I assumed the TSA would respond in a few months. Government agencies have about a month to respond to public record requests, though they often take longer. I figured even if their response took months, I'd be able to repeat it regularly to get a timely, inside look as to what passengers were complaining about and find out about incidents that required some more digging.
Boy, was I wrong.
More
Here's another one: It took the TSA almost four years to tell me what people complained about — in 2008.
googletag.display('google-callout');
In my first week at ProPublica in June 2008, I filed a public records request for the agency's complaint files. Such records can provide good fodder for investigations.
For example, amid the brouhaha over the agency's introduction of intensive full-body pat-downs in 2004, I requested complaints and discovered an untold story of the pain and humiliation suffered by rape victims and breast cancer survivors. In one incident that I found from that request — while I was a reporter at the Dallas Morning News — a woman complained that a screener asked her to remove her prosthetic breast to be swabbed for explosives.
When I made a similar FOIA request in 2008, I assumed the TSA would respond in a few months. Government agencies have about a month to respond to public record requests, though they often take longer. I figured even if their response took months, I'd be able to repeat it regularly to get a timely, inside look as to what passengers were complaining about and find out about incidents that required some more digging.
Boy, was I wrong.
More
State-Wide Call-In For Dogs TODAY!
Tens of thousands of dogs will die without your help!
On April 26, 2012, the Maryland Court of Appeals issued a decision which has serious and far-reaching consequences for everyone in Maryland who deals with dogs. In the case of Tracey v. Solesky. The court ruled that in a dog attack involving a pit bull or a pit bull cross, the owner or other persons (including a landlord) who have the right to control a pit bull’s presence on a premises, is liable for damages caused by the dog. Previous to this ruling a landlord could only be held liable if the landlord had a reason to believe that a dog was dangerous.
This ruling effects dog owners, residential and commercial landlords, veterinarians, groomers, and pet stores. Landlord associations are already advising landlords that they can’t afford the liability of having tenants with pit bulls and pit bull mixes, and dog owners are being pressured to give up well-tempered family dogs. The ruling sets a very dangerous precedent under which other dog breeds can be designated as inherently dangerous. It discourages landlords from renting to families with pit bulls, pit bull mixes, or anything that anyone thinks looks like a pit bull. Some landlords will decide it is easier and safer to ban all dogs from their residential and commercial properties.
Please call Governor Martin O’Malley on Tuesday, May 8 to urge him to support introduction of legislation during next week’s special session to provide a legislative remedy to the Court of Appeals ruling on pit bulls. Dangerous dog legislation should be based on a dog’s behavior, not the dog’s breed. We want to create an impression by overwhelming the phone lines at the Governor’s office on Tuesday but calls are needed any time this week. You can also e-mail the Governor. Be polite. The Governor and his staff did not create this problem, and we need their support to solve it.
Governor Martin O’Malley
410 974-39011 800 811-8336
Maryland Relay: 1 800 735-2258
http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/
Sample script/letter:
Dear Governor O'Malley:Please put a legislative remedy to the pit-bull ruling on the agenda for the special session starting next week. The consequenses of this ruling are so dire that pit-bulls, their owners and landlords cannot wait until 2013. We ask for your intervention now.Sincerely.
________________(your name and address)
On April 26, 2012, the Maryland Court of Appeals issued a decision which has serious and far-reaching consequences for everyone in Maryland who deals with dogs. In the case of Tracey v. Solesky. The court ruled that in a dog attack involving a pit bull or a pit bull cross, the owner or other persons (including a landlord) who have the right to control a pit bull’s presence on a premises, is liable for damages caused by the dog. Previous to this ruling a landlord could only be held liable if the landlord had a reason to believe that a dog was dangerous.
This ruling effects dog owners, residential and commercial landlords, veterinarians, groomers, and pet stores. Landlord associations are already advising landlords that they can’t afford the liability of having tenants with pit bulls and pit bull mixes, and dog owners are being pressured to give up well-tempered family dogs. The ruling sets a very dangerous precedent under which other dog breeds can be designated as inherently dangerous. It discourages landlords from renting to families with pit bulls, pit bull mixes, or anything that anyone thinks looks like a pit bull. Some landlords will decide it is easier and safer to ban all dogs from their residential and commercial properties.
Please call Governor Martin O’Malley on Tuesday, May 8 to urge him to support introduction of legislation during next week’s special session to provide a legislative remedy to the Court of Appeals ruling on pit bulls. Dangerous dog legislation should be based on a dog’s behavior, not the dog’s breed. We want to create an impression by overwhelming the phone lines at the Governor’s office on Tuesday but calls are needed any time this week. You can also e-mail the Governor. Be polite. The Governor and his staff did not create this problem, and we need their support to solve it.
Governor Martin O’Malley
410 974-39011 800 811-8336
Maryland Relay: 1 800 735-2258
http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/
Sample script/letter:
Dear Governor O'Malley:Please put a legislative remedy to the pit-bull ruling on the agenda for the special session starting next week. The consequenses of this ruling are so dire that pit-bulls, their owners and landlords cannot wait until 2013. We ask for your intervention now.Sincerely.
________________(your name and address)
3 Charged With Roles in End-Of-Year Fires at WVU
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Three men are facing misdemeanor charges for
allegedly contributing to street fires marking the end of finals week at
West Virginia University.
Police Chief Ed Preston says firefighters handled eight trash bin fires and seven street blazes over the weekend.
Twenty-year-old Kyle Whelan of Seaville, N.J., was cited for underage drinking and for throwing a couch into a fire.
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Police Chief Ed Preston says firefighters handled eight trash bin fires and seven street blazes over the weekend.
Twenty-year-old Kyle Whelan of Seaville, N.J., was cited for underage drinking and for throwing a couch into a fire.
More
The Best, Most Disgusting Reporting On Food Safety
Safety of Beef Processing Method Is Questioned [3], The New York Times, December 2009A look at the development of Beef Product Inc.’s “novel” method of meat production that later became known as the infamous "pink slime." Reporter Michael Moss won a Pulitzer Prize [4] for his investigations into contaminated beef.
Our Dwindling Food Variety [5], National Geographic, July 2011Our dwindling food variety, in a stride-stopping infographic.Contributed by @kleinmatic [6]
What the USDA Doesn't Want You to Know About Antibiotics and Factory Farms [7], Mother Jones, July 2011The U.S. Department of Agriculture appears to have repeatedly removed a report by a USDA-contracted researcher that summarized recent academic work, from “reputed, scientific, peer-reviewed, and scholarly journals," on possible links between antibiotic-resistant infections and factory farm animals. Mother Jones got a permanent PDF of the researcher’s report, dubbing it the “document the USDA doesn’t want you to see.”Contributed by @foodinteg
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Our Dwindling Food Variety [5], National Geographic, July 2011Our dwindling food variety, in a stride-stopping infographic.Contributed by @kleinmatic [6]
What the USDA Doesn't Want You to Know About Antibiotics and Factory Farms [7], Mother Jones, July 2011The U.S. Department of Agriculture appears to have repeatedly removed a report by a USDA-contracted researcher that summarized recent academic work, from “reputed, scientific, peer-reviewed, and scholarly journals," on possible links between antibiotic-resistant infections and factory farm animals. Mother Jones got a permanent PDF of the researcher’s report, dubbing it the “document the USDA doesn’t want you to see.”Contributed by @foodinteg
More
Wicomico Schools Accepting Vendors Now To Participate In The 2012 School Readiness Fair July 26
Hundreds of families with children ages 0-5 will learn more about early childhood education and expectations Thursday, July 26 at the 5th Annual School Readiness Fair, put on by the Wicomico County Judy Center Partnership and Wicomico County Public Schools.
The School Readiness Fair will take place from 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Prince Street Elementary School. It is a showcase of the great things happening in early childhood education in Wicomico County. Organizations, businesses and programs with early childhood services are invited to apply now to participate in the School Readiness Fair as a vendor. Contact Lisa Nowak at 410-677-4518 or lnowak@wcboe.org.
This free event for young children and their families will showcase the many aspects of early childhood education and services available in the community, and will help parents and guardians ensure that their child is ready to get a good start on school. Hundreds of young children and their families are expected to take advantage of this midsummer opportunity to get a great start to their school careers.
"You can't wait anymore for children to enter prekindergarten or kindergarten to begin the schooling process. Preparation for school and life must begin early, and parents and other caregivers have to help children to have all the skills and information they need to ensure a successful beginning," said Sandra Drummond, supervisor of early childhood programs for Wicomico County Public Schools.
Children will have the opportunity to meet Buster the School Bus, who will guide them through the basics of school bus safety. They'll also get to board a school bus and talk with the driver. Inside the School Readiness Fair, they'll be able to meet principals and assistant principals from Wicomico elementary schools, and pick up free learning materials to take home.
Parents will be able to visit exhibit tables to receive information on area child care centers, family child care providers, the Lower Shore Child Care Resource Center, Head Start, the Judy Center (serving children in the Beaver Run and Pemberton school districts), Wicomico County Library and the Wicomico County Health Department, which will have information on programs and immunizations. There will be great door prizes and fun activities for children. Dinner will be provided.
Families who have not registered for prekindergarten or kindergarten will have the chance to do so at the School Readiness Fair. To register, families will need to bring in the child’s birth certificate, proof of immunization, Social Security number and proof of residency. (Proof of residency may be a lease agreement, mortgage statement or utility bill for the address noted.)
The School Readiness Fair will take place from 4-7 p.m. Friday, July 26 at Prince Street Elementary School. It is a showcase of the great things happening in early childhood education in Wicomico County. Organizations, businesses and programs with early childhood services are invited to apply now to participate in the School Readiness Fair as a vendor. Contact Lisa Nowak at 410-677-4518 or lnowak@wcboe.org.
This free event for young children and their families will showcase the many aspects of early childhood education and services available in the community, and will help parents and guardians ensure that their child is ready to get a good start on school. Hundreds of young children and their families are expected to take advantage of this midsummer opportunity to get a great start to their school careers.
"You can't wait anymore for children to enter prekindergarten or kindergarten to begin the schooling process. Preparation for school and life must begin early, and parents and other caregivers have to help children to have all the skills and information they need to ensure a successful beginning," said Sandra Drummond, supervisor of early childhood programs for Wicomico County Public Schools.
Children will have the opportunity to meet Buster the School Bus, who will guide them through the basics of school bus safety. They'll also get to board a school bus and talk with the driver. Inside the School Readiness Fair, they'll be able to meet principals and assistant principals from Wicomico elementary schools, and pick up free learning materials to take home.
Parents will be able to visit exhibit tables to receive information on area child care centers, family child care providers, the Lower Shore Child Care Resource Center, Head Start, the Judy Center (serving children in the Beaver Run and Pemberton school districts), Wicomico County Library and the Wicomico County Health Department, which will have information on programs and immunizations. There will be great door prizes and fun activities for children. Dinner will be provided.
Families who have not registered for prekindergarten or kindergarten will have the chance to do so at the School Readiness Fair. To register, families will need to bring in the child’s birth certificate, proof of immunization, Social Security number and proof of residency. (Proof of residency may be a lease agreement, mortgage statement or utility bill for the address noted.)
Salisbury Police Department Press Releases 5-8-12
Michael Lamar Pagson Sr, 41yo of Salisbury was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, Use Handgun during Commission of a Felony, Possess a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession of Firearm by a Felon, Possession of a Firearm after Conviction of a Felony, Possession of a Regulated Firearm by a Felon, Possession of a Regulated Firearm after being Convicted of a Disqualifying Crime, and Possession of Paraphernalia (4 counts).
On May 5, 2012 at approximately 9:06am, officers executed a search and seizure warrant on an apartment located on Emory Court. The warrant was obtained after officers responded to the apartment for a domestic disturbance and observed in plain view evidence of contraband. Evidence was seized that linked Pagson to the distribution of cocaine. In addition, a quantity of cocaine was located on Pagson’s person to indicate distribution of the narcotic. Also found with paraphernalia utilized to weigh and distribute the CDS was a loaded 9mm handgun. A criminal
history check of Pagson revealed that he is a prohibited person by Maryland law to be in possession of a handgun.
Pagson was released to the custody of central booking.
On May 5, 2012 at approximately 9:06am, officers executed a search and seizure warrant on an apartment located on Emory Court. The warrant was obtained after officers responded to the apartment for a domestic disturbance and observed in plain view evidence of contraband. Evidence was seized that linked Pagson to the distribution of cocaine. In addition, a quantity of cocaine was located on Pagson’s person to indicate distribution of the narcotic. Also found with paraphernalia utilized to weigh and distribute the CDS was a loaded 9mm handgun. A criminal
history check of Pagson revealed that he is a prohibited person by Maryland law to be in possession of a handgun.
Pagson was released to the custody of central booking.
Phillips to Close Facility, Cut 100 Jobs
A Baltimore staple, Phillips Food & Seafood Restaurants, is closing
their manufacturing and distribution facility, cutting 100 jobs.
The popular restaurant chain will close the Baltimore-based manufacturing and distribution facility, but say they will maintain the Fort Avenue location as the world headquarters with sales, marketing and R&D staff.
Caroline Tippett, Vice President of Marketing, says that closure will not impact the restaurants and the crab deck at the Power Plant location is still slated to open this summer.
The popular restaurant chain will close the Baltimore-based manufacturing and distribution facility, but say they will maintain the Fort Avenue location as the world headquarters with sales, marketing and R&D staff.
Caroline Tippett, Vice President of Marketing, says that closure will not impact the restaurants and the crab deck at the Power Plant location is still slated to open this summer.
WCSO Press Releases 5-8-12
Incident: Prescription Fraud
Date of Incident: 4 May 2012
Location: 34000 block of Old Ocean City Road, Pittsville, MD
Suspect: Gary Richard Gray, 45, Pittsville, MD
Narrative: On 4 May 2012 at 11:34, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into an incident of alleged prescription fraud. The deputy responded to a pharmacy in Pittsville and discovered that Gary Gray had dropped off a prescription script to be filled. Upon inspection of the script, it was discovered that not only did it appear to be a copy; it was also filled out in the name of a doctor who had retired and was no longer prescribing medication.
The deputy obtained a warrant for the arrest of Gray with charges related to prescription forgery and arrested him later the same day. The deputy transported Gray 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 Gray on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Prescription fraud
Possession of a forged prescription
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 5 May 2012
Location: 6000 block of Kenwood Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Denise Carolyn Carter, 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 5 May 2012 at 7:33 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into an assault that allegedly occurred in the 6000 block of Kenwood Drive in Salisbury.
Upon arrival the deputy met with a male victim who stated that when he arrived at that address to pick up his vehicle that was there a verbal altercation began with Denise Carter. During this altercation, Carter allegedly kicked the victim’s vehicle causing damage and produced a black handgun and pointed it at the victim. During the investigation, the deputy located a witness who also recounted these same details.
Carter was unable to be located upon the arrival of the deputy so a warrant for her arrest was obtained.
That warrant was served later that same day and Carter was transported to the Central Booking Unit upon arrest. At the Central Booking Unit, Carter was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Carter in the Detention Center in lieu of $75,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st Degree
Reckless Endangerment
Incident: Assault / Disorderly Conduct
Date of Incident: 5 May 2012
Location: 500 Glenn Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Duane O. Long, 42, Orbisonia, PA
Narrative: On 5 May 2012 at 5:20 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office was at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center when the deputy witnessed a confrontation between Duane Log and his 16 year old son. The Long’s were at the Civic Center participating in a regional wrestling tournament.
Duane Long was visibly agitated with his son over his son’s performance and both parties became engaged in a physical altercation. After the parties were separated, the deputy observed clear signs of injury on Long’s son. The deputy also observed that this incident created a significant disturbance on the second tier of the Civic Center.
The deputy placed Duane Long 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 Long on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
Disorderly Conduct
Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Date of Incident: 5 May 2012
Location: S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Richard Brian Parker, 39, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 5 May 2012 at 4:45 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Richard Parker of Salisbury for extreme erratic driving on South Salisbury Blvd. Upon making contact with Parker, the deputy detected an odor of alcohol emanating from Parker which led to the conduction of sobriety testing.
After sobriety testing, the deputy placed Parker under arrest. During processing a breath sample was obtained that confirmed that Parker was well over the limit to drive a vehicle. The deputy released Parker upon the issuance of citations.
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se
Date of Incident: 4 May 2012
Location: 34000 block of Old Ocean City Road, Pittsville, MD
Suspect: Gary Richard Gray, 45, Pittsville, MD
Narrative: On 4 May 2012 at 11:34, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into an incident of alleged prescription fraud. The deputy responded to a pharmacy in Pittsville and discovered that Gary Gray had dropped off a prescription script to be filled. Upon inspection of the script, it was discovered that not only did it appear to be a copy; it was also filled out in the name of a doctor who had retired and was no longer prescribing medication.
The deputy obtained a warrant for the arrest of Gray with charges related to prescription forgery and arrested him later the same day. The deputy transported Gray 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 Gray on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Prescription fraud
Possession of a forged prescription
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 5 May 2012
Location: 6000 block of Kenwood Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Denise Carolyn Carter, 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 5 May 2012 at 7:33 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into an assault that allegedly occurred in the 6000 block of Kenwood Drive in Salisbury.
Upon arrival the deputy met with a male victim who stated that when he arrived at that address to pick up his vehicle that was there a verbal altercation began with Denise Carter. During this altercation, Carter allegedly kicked the victim’s vehicle causing damage and produced a black handgun and pointed it at the victim. During the investigation, the deputy located a witness who also recounted these same details.
Carter was unable to be located upon the arrival of the deputy so a warrant for her arrest was obtained.
That warrant was served later that same day and Carter was transported to the Central Booking Unit upon arrest. At the Central Booking Unit, Carter was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Carter in the Detention Center in lieu of $75,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st Degree
Reckless Endangerment
Incident: Assault / Disorderly Conduct
Date of Incident: 5 May 2012
Location: 500 Glenn Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Duane O. Long, 42, Orbisonia, PA
Narrative: On 5 May 2012 at 5:20 PM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office was at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center when the deputy witnessed a confrontation between Duane Log and his 16 year old son. The Long’s were at the Civic Center participating in a regional wrestling tournament.
Duane Long was visibly agitated with his son over his son’s performance and both parties became engaged in a physical altercation. After the parties were separated, the deputy observed clear signs of injury on Long’s son. The deputy also observed that this incident created a significant disturbance on the second tier of the Civic Center.
The deputy placed Duane Long 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 Long on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
Disorderly Conduct
Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Date of Incident: 5 May 2012
Location: S. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Richard Brian Parker, 39, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 5 May 2012 at 4:45 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle operated by Richard Parker of Salisbury for extreme erratic driving on South Salisbury Blvd. Upon making contact with Parker, the deputy detected an odor of alcohol emanating from Parker which led to the conduction of sobriety testing.
After sobriety testing, the deputy placed Parker under arrest. During processing a breath sample was obtained that confirmed that Parker was well over the limit to drive a vehicle. The deputy released Parker upon the issuance of citations.
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Per Se
Mosquito Season Starts Early This Year
It's not even summer yet, but don't be surprised to see mosquitoes.
Health officials say it's going to be a bad season for mosquito bites.
You can blame it on the mild winter we had. It's created a favorable environment for mosquitoes.
That means you're going to see mosquito season arrive earlier and it's going to be a lot worse this summer.
Health officials say it's going to be a bad season for mosquito bites.
You can blame it on the mild winter we had. It's created a favorable environment for mosquitoes.
That means you're going to see mosquito season arrive earlier and it's going to be a lot worse this summer.
Contract For Ocean View Bicycle And Pedestrian Improvements Awarded
Construction Scheduled to Begin Monday, May 14
Ocean View -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that David A. Bramble, Inc. is the low bidder for the Town of Ocean View Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements. For this project, the Maryland-based firm submitted a bid of $691,649.41, the lowest of seven bids received. The location of the project will be along Woodland Avenue from West Street to Atlantic Avenue. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 14, and will be completed in approximately 208 calendar days. Work will be conducted Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work on Fridays or Saturdays is possible depending on factors like weather. Lane restrictions will also be in place along Woodland Avenue during the project.
The Town of Ocean View applied for and was awarded a Transportation Enhancement (TE) Project that helped fund Phase I of their downtown revitalization effort to improve pedestrian mobility and safety in the area. The required match of 15% of the total project cost was raised by the town and totaled $123,875.55.
The project will include construction of new curb and sidewalk, installation of curb ramp improvements to meet compliance regulations with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), improved signage, and crosswalks.
Ocean View -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that David A. Bramble, Inc. is the low bidder for the Town of Ocean View Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements. For this project, the Maryland-based firm submitted a bid of $691,649.41, the lowest of seven bids received. The location of the project will be along Woodland Avenue from West Street to Atlantic Avenue. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, May 14, and will be completed in approximately 208 calendar days. Work will be conducted Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work on Fridays or Saturdays is possible depending on factors like weather. Lane restrictions will also be in place along Woodland Avenue during the project.
The Town of Ocean View applied for and was awarded a Transportation Enhancement (TE) Project that helped fund Phase I of their downtown revitalization effort to improve pedestrian mobility and safety in the area. The required match of 15% of the total project cost was raised by the town and totaled $123,875.55.
The project will include construction of new curb and sidewalk, installation of curb ramp improvements to meet compliance regulations with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), improved signage, and crosswalks.
Senate Heads Toward Showdown Vote on Student Loans
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate is steaming toward a showdown on a
Democratic proposal to keep student loan interest rates from doubling
for 7.4 million students. In a measure of how the upcoming election is
driving work in Congress these days, it's a vote Democrats won't
terribly mind losing _ which is probably what will happen.
The Senate planned a Tuesday roll call on the plan, which would extend today's 3.4 percent interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans for another year. Without congressional action, those rates will double July 1.
Republicans say they favor freezing student loan interest rates but oppose how Democrats would finance the $6 billion bill: by raising Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes on high-earning stock holders of some privately owned corporations.
More
The Senate planned a Tuesday roll call on the plan, which would extend today's 3.4 percent interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans for another year. Without congressional action, those rates will double July 1.
Republicans say they favor freezing student loan interest rates but oppose how Democrats would finance the $6 billion bill: by raising Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes on high-earning stock holders of some privately owned corporations.
More
AMERICAN TOO BROKE TO GO BANKRUPT
This year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are expected to be too broke to file for bankruptcy.
The average cost to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, the most common form of consumer bankruptcy, is more than $1,500, according to recent research submitted to the National Bureau of Economic Research.
As a result, anywhere between 200,000 and one million consumers are estimated to be unable to afford that steep cost this year.
The research, conducted by a group of professors from Columbia University, the University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis, examined how bankruptcy filings spiked after people received their tax rebates in previous years. They estimate that another 200,000 consumers, who would otherwise not have enough money to file, will use their tax refunds to pay for bankruptcy this year.
More
The average cost to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, the most common form of consumer bankruptcy, is more than $1,500, according to recent research submitted to the National Bureau of Economic Research.
As a result, anywhere between 200,000 and one million consumers are estimated to be unable to afford that steep cost this year.
The research, conducted by a group of professors from Columbia University, the University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis, examined how bankruptcy filings spiked after people received their tax rebates in previous years. They estimate that another 200,000 consumers, who would otherwise not have enough money to file, will use their tax refunds to pay for bankruptcy this year.
More
Federal Pension Hike Advances as Part of House Alternative to Atomatic Cuts
A plan to avoid automatic cuts to discretionary federal agency spending,
including to the Defense Department, advanced in the House, passing the
budget committee and heading to the House floor for a vote later this
week.
Among the $300 billion in alternative cuts approved by the committee, in a 21-9 party-line vote, is a provision requiring federal employees to pay more for their retirement benefits.
Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), the chairman of the House Budget Committee, introduced the Sequester Replacement At of 2012 last week. It nullifies the across-the-board cuts, known as sequestration, that were set in motion by last summer's Budget Control Act and the subsequent failure of the "supercommittee" to come up with an alternative deficit-reduction plan.
More
Among the $300 billion in alternative cuts approved by the committee, in a 21-9 party-line vote, is a provision requiring federal employees to pay more for their retirement benefits.
Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), the chairman of the House Budget Committee, introduced the Sequester Replacement At of 2012 last week. It nullifies the across-the-board cuts, known as sequestration, that were set in motion by last summer's Budget Control Act and the subsequent failure of the "supercommittee" to come up with an alternative deficit-reduction plan.
More
West Salisbury Little League Water Issues
Would you be able to shed any light as to the water issue at West Salisbury Little League park?
There are Health Department signs posted and they have not had running water since the middle of April. There are concerned parents as the bathrooms are locked and portable toilets have been brought in. Except ice and fountain drinks, the concession stand remains in full operation. Some insight as to what is wrong and any possible remediation would put minds at ease, especially with the WWTP operations in plain sight and smell of the ball park.
There are Health Department signs posted and they have not had running water since the middle of April. There are concerned parents as the bathrooms are locked and portable toilets have been brought in. Except ice and fountain drinks, the concession stand remains in full operation. Some insight as to what is wrong and any possible remediation would put minds at ease, especially with the WWTP operations in plain sight and smell of the ball park.
US Won't Negotiate With Al-Qaida on Aid Worker
The U.S. will not negotiate with al-Qaida even
though it is concerned about the safety of a Rockville, Md., aid worker
kidnapped in Pakistan
The White House says the Obama administration does not and will not negotiate with al-Qaida even though it is concerned about the safety and well-being of a 70-year-old American aid worker kidnapped in Pakistan nine months ago.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the administration condemns the kidnapping of Warren Weinstein and called for his immediate release.
In a video released by al-Qaida, Weinstein said he would be killed unless President Barack Obama agrees to the group's demands.
More
The White House says the Obama administration does not and will not negotiate with al-Qaida even though it is concerned about the safety and well-being of a 70-year-old American aid worker kidnapped in Pakistan nine months ago.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the administration condemns the kidnapping of Warren Weinstein and called for his immediate release.
In a video released by al-Qaida, Weinstein said he would be killed unless President Barack Obama agrees to the group's demands.
More
Glen Ave Closed Tonight
For safety reasons, Glen Ave will be closed from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the Wor- Wic Community College's Commencement ceremony at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.
Congratulations to the graduates!
Congratulations to the graduates!
What Teachers Want
(Photo: Riggzy) It is difficult to generalize about the opinions of any group as large and diverse as public school teachers, of which there are about 3.2 million. But it can’t be good news that a survey of teachers released in March by MetLife found the lowest job satisfaction numbers since 1989, with just 44 percent of respondents describing themselves as “very satisfied” with their classroom careers, down from 59 percent in 2009 and 62 percent in 2008. According to MetLife, nearly a third of public school teachers are considering leaving their jobs.
Some will cry “good riddance.” The contention that large numbers of teachers lack ambition and are insufficiently committed to raising student achievement—and should therefore be replaced—is common among politicians and has helped to fuel the standards and accountability school reform movement.
More
Some will cry “good riddance.” The contention that large numbers of teachers lack ambition and are insufficiently committed to raising student achievement—and should therefore be replaced—is common among politicians and has helped to fuel the standards and accountability school reform movement.
More
US Secretly Releasing Taliban Fighters, Report Says
The US has been secretly releasing captured Taliban fighters from a
detention center in Afghanistan in a bid to strengthen its hand in peace
talks with the insurgent group, the Washington Post reported Monday.
The "strategic release" program of high-level detainees is designed to give the US a bargaining chip in some areas of Afghanistan where international forces struggle to exercise control, the report said.
Under the risky program, the hardened fighters must promise to give up violence and are threatened with further punishment, but there is nothing to stop them resuming attacks against Afghan and American troops.
The "strategic release" program of high-level detainees is designed to give the US a bargaining chip in some areas of Afghanistan where international forces struggle to exercise control, the report said.
Under the risky program, the hardened fighters must promise to give up violence and are threatened with further punishment, but there is nothing to stop them resuming attacks against Afghan and American troops.