Annapolis, MD - Change Maryland, a non-partisan grassroots organization, released today a list of tax and fee increases from 2007 to 2012 that shows levies have been raised a staggering 20 times with a $2 billion annual impact to taxpayers. Ranging from the $603 million sales tax increase in 2007, to more modest measures such as the $2.5 million 2011 fee increase for vanity license plates, the list also includes off-the-books revenue collections such as last year's record toll increases imposed by the Maryland Transportation Authority.
"For years now, our elected officials have not listened to the 96% of Marylanders who oppose higher taxes," said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan. "Gov. Martin O'Malley was not elected saying 'I'd like to drastically increase state spending and raise taxes on struggling Marylanders.' He ran on a false claim of fiscal responsibility, and we had the wool pulled over our eyes."
The state's budget has grown $1.2 billion a year, on average - from $28.8 billion in 2007 to $34.7 billion in 2012. While the Governor has claimed $7.5 billion in cuts during his term in office, the numbers simply don't add up. Moreover, the aftermath of the special session next week is likely to result in higher individual income taxes with which to continue government spending at levels the one-party monopoly finds politically appealing.
The Change Maryland Tax and Fee fact sheet details measures including the expired millionaire's tax and the ill-conceived computer services tax - a case study in 11th-hour legislating and a nationally-recognized embarrassment. Although one expired and the other was repealed, these two measures branded Maryland as a non-business-friendly state generating national headlines.
A May report by Chief Executive Magazine ranks Maryland the 40th best state for business. Maryland's dismal ranking is due to income-tax increases on the middle class which adversely impacts businesses, according to the magazine. The latest among a dozen such studies, there is ample evidence that Maryland's ability to create private sector jobs is threatened by a hostile tax environment.
"All Marylanders - Republicans, Democrats and Independents - suffer when the professional politicians and the special interest groups go unchecked and continue to push the same failed tax and spend policies, year after year," Hogan said.
Addressing the Governor's press conference this week to announce the special session, Hogan noted a flurry of statistics the Administration selected in attempting to justify raising the income tax.
"We increased spending more than 46 other states and O'Malley says that's not enough," Hogan said. "We are number four in total tax burden, which he must think is too low. The state's own budget analysts said our income tax is already second in the nation. O'Malley is moving Maryland forward to number one in every objective measure of taxation levels."
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, May 11, 2012
Beer & Wine Tasting
Greetings!
Join us today in the bottle shop for a unique beer tasting featuring Steenbrugge. Specific Gravity is the only place in Salisbury to get these unique beers
We will begin tasting at 5pm:
Steenbrugge Dubbel Bruin
Brown beer with a fullbodied, rich flavour in combination with Bruges' subtle herbal mixture (gruut). STEENBRUGGE Dubbel Bruin has an alcohol content of 6.5 % Alc/Vol.
Steenbrugge Tripel
Triple beer with a malt character and fragrant hint of hops with Bruges' subtle herbal mixture (gruut). STEENBRUGGE Tripel has an alcohol content of 8.7 % Alc/Vol
Steenbrugge Blond
Steenbrugge Blond is a blond abbey beer (abbey founded in 1084 by St Arnold, patron saint of brewers) with a warm, well-rounded taste combined with subtle Bruges herbal notes (Gruut). Top-fermented beer with secondary fermentation in the bottle
Wine Tasting:
Flirt RedBlend: Syrah, Tempranillo and Zinfandel
Be Flirty Pink Moscato- This mischievous Moscato is made to be sipped with a wink and a smile. Rich berry and delicate tropical and floral notes dance on the tongue for a luscious taste and juicy finish sealed with a kiss of pink. Serve chilled for an irresistible treat. Fermentation was slowed early to achieve the perfect level of sweetness, which is complemented by mouthwatering acidity. Notes of ripe mandarin orange and pink grapefruit unfold with delicate rosewater on the palate. Flirty Pink Moscato with your playful side. Whether it's a good hair day, or that new pair of stylish shoes, Be. Flirty will set the mood for an unforgettable day
La Marca Prosecco Grown in Italy, the Glera grape is cherished for its expressiveness. La Marca Prosecco is a fresh sparkling wine with a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach and honeysuckle. The soft, harmonious fruity notes highlighted by pleasant acidity make this wine ideal for any occasion
Martin Codax Albarino- A refreshing food friendly white wine, Albariño is crisp, elegant and dry and has aromas and flavors of pear, passion fruit and apple with bright acidity.
Join us on Mothers Day! Open at noon
Treat Mom to a wonderful time at Specific Gravity
Join us today in the bottle shop for a unique beer tasting featuring Steenbrugge. Specific Gravity is the only place in Salisbury to get these unique beers
We will begin tasting at 5pm:
Steenbrugge Dubbel Bruin
Brown beer with a fullbodied, rich flavour in combination with Bruges' subtle herbal mixture (gruut). STEENBRUGGE Dubbel Bruin has an alcohol content of 6.5 % Alc/Vol.
Steenbrugge Tripel
Triple beer with a malt character and fragrant hint of hops with Bruges' subtle herbal mixture (gruut). STEENBRUGGE Tripel has an alcohol content of 8.7 % Alc/Vol
Steenbrugge Blond
Steenbrugge Blond is a blond abbey beer (abbey founded in 1084 by St Arnold, patron saint of brewers) with a warm, well-rounded taste combined with subtle Bruges herbal notes (Gruut). Top-fermented beer with secondary fermentation in the bottle
Wine Tasting:
Flirt RedBlend: Syrah, Tempranillo and Zinfandel
Be Flirty Pink Moscato- This mischievous Moscato is made to be sipped with a wink and a smile. Rich berry and delicate tropical and floral notes dance on the tongue for a luscious taste and juicy finish sealed with a kiss of pink. Serve chilled for an irresistible treat. Fermentation was slowed early to achieve the perfect level of sweetness, which is complemented by mouthwatering acidity. Notes of ripe mandarin orange and pink grapefruit unfold with delicate rosewater on the palate. Flirty Pink Moscato with your playful side. Whether it's a good hair day, or that new pair of stylish shoes, Be. Flirty will set the mood for an unforgettable day
La Marca Prosecco Grown in Italy, the Glera grape is cherished for its expressiveness. La Marca Prosecco is a fresh sparkling wine with a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach and honeysuckle. The soft, harmonious fruity notes highlighted by pleasant acidity make this wine ideal for any occasion
Martin Codax Albarino- A refreshing food friendly white wine, Albariño is crisp, elegant and dry and has aromas and flavors of pear, passion fruit and apple with bright acidity.
Join us on Mothers Day! Open at noon
Treat Mom to a wonderful time at Specific Gravity
Don't Miss Preakness Palooza!
Join us for the ULTIMATE Preakness Party. Enjoy live music by Wes Davis and Ray Marchman, lots of opportunities to "bet" and win big, and the best seats in the house to view the famous race.
$40.00 per person
Includes one hour of open bar, followed by happy hour specials and a delicious assortment of heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Register online or call to RSVP by Monday, May 14th
Sponsorships are still available! On raceday, sponsors will select their horses for the event. The sponsors with the winning horse will receive two weeks of advertising courtesy of Clear Channel Outdoor on two electronic billboards with locations on Route 50 heading to Ocean City and Route 13 in Eden, MD. For more information on sponsorships, contact Brad Sutliffe at 301-717-2184 or email brad_sutliffe@rpsins.com.
$40.00 per person
Includes one hour of open bar, followed by happy hour specials and a delicious assortment of heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Register online or call to RSVP by Monday, May 14th
Sponsorships are still available! On raceday, sponsors will select their horses for the event. The sponsors with the winning horse will receive two weeks of advertising courtesy of Clear Channel Outdoor on two electronic billboards with locations on Route 50 heading to Ocean City and Route 13 in Eden, MD. For more information on sponsorships, contact Brad Sutliffe at 301-717-2184 or email brad_sutliffe@rpsins.com.
Proceeds from Preakness Palooza will benefit United Way's Imagination Library program serving Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester Counties. When registered children will receive one book a month delivered directly to their households. In addition to helping the children develop a love of reading, the program is designed to engage parent involvement, prepare children for entry to kindergarten, and enable every household to have books, regardless of income level.
A 6-Year-Old Just Made the Toughest Play in Baseball
There have only been 15 unassisted triple plays in the history of Major League Baseball. In fact, there hasn’t been one in the majors since 2009. But don’t tell that to this 6-year-old, who looks to have accomplished the feat last week during a little league game.
HuffPo describes the play:
More
HuffPo describes the play:
In the clip [...], a 6-year-old (according to the YouTube title) shortstop catches a fly ball with men — boys, actually — on second and third. With both baserunners on the move, the kid was able to touch third base and then tag the runner coming from second for the unassisted triple play.
More
Have You Seen the Attention-Grabbing New TIME Cover?
Time magazine is out with its latest cover, one that’s sure to get its
fair share of attention. Headlined “Are You Mom Enough?”, it features a
blonde, skinny jean-wearing woman — and a preschool-age boy unmistakably
latched on to her breast:
The mother pictured on the cover is Jamie Lynne Grumet of Los Angeles and her 3-year-old son.
“I don’t consider breastfeeding immodest at all—I’m not shy about doing it in public,” she told Time.
More
The cover goes with the magazine’s feature
story on “attachment parenting” — a philosophy designed to foster a
secure bond to the child. Co-sleeping, or the “family bed,” and
breastfeeding well past babyhood are sometimes the hallmarks of
attachment parenting.
The mother pictured on the cover is Jamie Lynne Grumet of Los Angeles and her 3-year-old son.
“I don’t consider breastfeeding immodest at all—I’m not shy about doing it in public,” she told Time.
More
Fight Leads To Sister Running Over Brother
A Washington, D.C. woman was arrested on first-degree assault and
other serious charges last weekend after allegedly driving her car onto
the sidewalk in the area of 39th Street and deliberately running over
her brother with whom she had been fighting.
Around 6:30 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 39th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported motor vehicle accident and assault. When officers arrived on the scene, they observed a 2011 Mazda parked across the sidewalk. The vehicle had struck an exterior wall, brick staircase, railing and mailbox of a real estate office on 39th Street.
The investigation revealed the driver, identified as Ladon Chimere Thomas, 28, had been 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, according to police reports. The vehicle then collided with a real estate office, causing damage to the business.
More
Around 6:30 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 39th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported motor vehicle accident and assault. When officers arrived on the scene, they observed a 2011 Mazda parked across the sidewalk. The vehicle had struck an exterior wall, brick staircase, railing and mailbox of a real estate office on 39th Street.
The investigation revealed the driver, identified as Ladon Chimere Thomas, 28, had been 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, according to police reports. The vehicle then collided with a real estate office, causing damage to the business.
More
Iraq Releases American-Murdering Hezbollah Terrorist
An Iraqi court recently ruled that Ali Musa Daqduq, a Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist accused of helping to coordinate the 2007 abduction and murder of five American soldiers in Karbala, Iraq, should be released due to “lack of evidence.”
The decision comes only months after the Office of Military Commissions started filing charges of murder, terrorism and espionage against Daqduq, marking the Hezbollah terrorist as the first potential defendant without connections to al-Qaeda or the Taliban to be tried before an American military commission.
The Iraqi court’s decision, however, comes as little surprise to the many American intelligence officials and lawmakers who expressed grave concern in December 2011 when, as the remaining American troops exited from Iraq, Daqduq was the last of 1,000 US detainees handed over to the Iraqi government.
More
The decision comes only months after the Office of Military Commissions started filing charges of murder, terrorism and espionage against Daqduq, marking the Hezbollah terrorist as the first potential defendant without connections to al-Qaeda or the Taliban to be tried before an American military commission.
The Iraqi court’s decision, however, comes as little surprise to the many American intelligence officials and lawmakers who expressed grave concern in December 2011 when, as the remaining American troops exited from Iraq, Daqduq was the last of 1,000 US detainees handed over to the Iraqi government.
More
Former Baltimore Crime Lab Tech Arrested For Growing More Than $500,000 In Pot
Half a million dollars worth of marijuana growing inside a Laurel
home. And investigators say the suspect used to work for the police.
Thirty-year-old Manoj Unni is the alleged mastermind behind a massive marijuana growing operation. Howard County police seized 341 plants in the basement of his Laurel townhouse, part of a sophisticated irrigation system.
“He had high intensity lights, air filters, a water pumping system, an air pumping system, a ventilation system– so this is what we consider to be a sophisticated grow operation that’s been going on for some time,” Sherry Llewellyn, spokesperson for the Howard County Police Department, said.
More
Thirty-year-old Manoj Unni is the alleged mastermind behind a massive marijuana growing operation. Howard County police seized 341 plants in the basement of his Laurel townhouse, part of a sophisticated irrigation system.
“He had high intensity lights, air filters, a water pumping system, an air pumping system, a ventilation system– so this is what we consider to be a sophisticated grow operation that’s been going on for some time,” Sherry Llewellyn, spokesperson for the Howard County Police Department, said.
More
Washington Post Romney Hit Piece Implodes
Today’s unconscionable Washington Post story, which implied without evidence that Mitt Romney was a homophobic bully to one John Lauber back in his high school days five decades ago, has totally imploded.
Timed to drop the day after President Obama’s announced embrace of same-sex marriage, the story set the political world atwitter. But earlier today, Breitbart News reported that the Post had inflated witness testimony. The original Washington Post piece stated the following:
“I always enjoyed his pranks,” said Stu
White, a popular friend of Romney’s who went on to a career as a public
school teacher and has long been bothered by the Lauber incident. [emphasis added]
Yet in an interview with ABC News today, White disowned that characterization:
While the Post reports White as having
“long been bothered” by the haircutting incident,” he told ABC News he
was not present for the prank, in which Romney is said to have
forcefully cut a student’s long hair and was not aware of it until this
year when he was contacted by the Washington Post.
Berlin Youth Club Seeking Summer Volunteers
Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) is getting
ready to launch into its second
Berlin Youth Club summer camp and is looking for volunteers in the community with an interest in helping children.
“We’re excited about some things we’ll have going on this summer,” said WYFCS Executive Director Teresa Fields.
Hoping to build on the success of last years’ summer camp, WYFCS will be keeping some of the most popular aspects of that program while expanding opportunities for youth in Berlin through workshops and specialized classes that concentrate on areas like science, sports, art and many others.
More
Berlin Youth Club summer camp and is looking for volunteers in the community with an interest in helping children.
“We’re excited about some things we’ll have going on this summer,” said WYFCS Executive Director Teresa Fields.
Hoping to build on the success of last years’ summer camp, WYFCS will be keeping some of the most popular aspects of that program while expanding opportunities for youth in Berlin through workshops and specialized classes that concentrate on areas like science, sports, art and many others.
More
Santorum: Obama Wrong to Cite Jesus in Gay Marriage Shift
Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania said Thursday that
President Obama is wrong to suggest that Jesus Christ would be on his
side in his newfound support for gay marriage and predicted the
president's shifting position will motivate social conservatives to head
to the polls this fall.
"I assume people are entitled to their Christian beliefs, but they are not entitled to take the Bible and twist it to where it is unrecognizable — and that is certainly what the president did yesterday," Mr. Santorum said during an appearance on former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's radio show.
Mr. Obama on Wednesday cited his Christian faith as a driving force behind the "evolution" of his thinking on gay marriage.
More
"I assume people are entitled to their Christian beliefs, but they are not entitled to take the Bible and twist it to where it is unrecognizable — and that is certainly what the president did yesterday," Mr. Santorum said during an appearance on former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's radio show.
Mr. Obama on Wednesday cited his Christian faith as a driving force behind the "evolution" of his thinking on gay marriage.
More
House Shifts Pending Budget Cuts From Defense to Entitlements
Six months after the congressional supercommittee failed to come to a
long-term deal on federal spending, House Republicans reignited the
debate Thursday by passing legislation that would stop looming defense
cuts and instead cut hundreds of billions of dollars from entitlement
programs.
The legislation, passed on a 218-199 vote, is unlikely to advance beyond the House. The Senate hasn’t shown any interest in holding a budget debate this year, and the White House said President Obama likely would veto the House bill if it reaches his desk.
But it serves as a marker in a debate that all sides expect to play out as the end-of-the-year deadline for the defense cuts grows nearer.
More
The legislation, passed on a 218-199 vote, is unlikely to advance beyond the House. The Senate hasn’t shown any interest in holding a budget debate this year, and the White House said President Obama likely would veto the House bill if it reaches his desk.
But it serves as a marker in a debate that all sides expect to play out as the end-of-the-year deadline for the defense cuts grows nearer.
More
3,000-year-old Artifacts Reveal History Behind Biblical David and Goliath
An archaeological dig near Goliath's biblical hometown has yielded
evidence of Judean religious practices 3,000 years ago, pointing up
fresh historical connections to the stories of King David and King
Solomon.
"We have a city with a population relating to the Kingdom of Judah," Yosef Garfinkel, an archaeologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told me today. "This is totally different from Philistine, Canaanite or the cult in the Kingdom of Israel."
The site, known today as Khirbet Qeiyafa, is about 20 miles (30 kilometers) southwest of Jerusalem, on top of a hill overlooking the Valley of Elah. For the past five years, Garfinkel and his colleagues have been excavating the ruins of a fortified city there, situated across from what was once the Philistine city of Gath. In the Bible, the giant Goliath came out from Gath to face the Israelites, and was smitten by a rock hurled from David's sling.
More
"We have a city with a population relating to the Kingdom of Judah," Yosef Garfinkel, an archaeologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told me today. "This is totally different from Philistine, Canaanite or the cult in the Kingdom of Israel."
The site, known today as Khirbet Qeiyafa, is about 20 miles (30 kilometers) southwest of Jerusalem, on top of a hill overlooking the Valley of Elah. For the past five years, Garfinkel and his colleagues have been excavating the ruins of a fortified city there, situated across from what was once the Philistine city of Gath. In the Bible, the giant Goliath came out from Gath to face the Israelites, and was smitten by a rock hurled from David's sling.
More
Study Finds Widespread Pedophilia on Facebook
They are graphic images and disturbing websites no parent wants their child to stumble upon, and they can be found on Facebook. A new report by WorldNetDaily uncovers several pages for pedophiles, as well as pictures of adults assaulting kids.
To see the disturbing images, all one needs is a Facebook account.
"All of it was pretty shocking to me. When I went on, I expected to see some pretty seedy stuff - maybe some topless children and stuff," said WorldNetDaily staff writer Chelsea Schilling. "When I went on, I actually found children under the age of 12 being sexually abused by adults and actually in the process of intercourse and having these photos uploaded to Facebook by cell phone.
Schilling is writing a revealing four-part expose called "The Secret Dark Side of Facebook". Working with advocates opposed to child pornography, she surfed the most popular social media website and found an underground world of online pedophilia.
More
To see the disturbing images, all one needs is a Facebook account.
"All of it was pretty shocking to me. When I went on, I expected to see some pretty seedy stuff - maybe some topless children and stuff," said WorldNetDaily staff writer Chelsea Schilling. "When I went on, I actually found children under the age of 12 being sexually abused by adults and actually in the process of intercourse and having these photos uploaded to Facebook by cell phone.
Schilling is writing a revealing four-part expose called "The Secret Dark Side of Facebook". Working with advocates opposed to child pornography, she surfed the most popular social media website and found an underground world of online pedophilia.
More
Goodbye Mom
A young man shopping in a supermarket noticed a little old lady following him around. If he stopped, she stopped. Furthermore she kept staring at him.
She finally overtook him at the checkout, and she turned to him and said, "I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it's just that you look so much like my late son."
He answered, "That's okay."
"I know it's silly, but if you'd call out 'Good bye, Mom' as I leave the store, it would make me feel so happy."
She then went through the checkout, and as she was on her way out of the store, the man called out, "Goodbye, Mom."
The little old lady waved and smiled back at him..
Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine into someone's day, he went to pay for his groceries. "That comes to $121.85," said the clerk..
"How come so much? I only bought 5 items."
The clerk replied, "Yeah, but your Mother said you'd be paying for her things, too."
Bet you thought this was going to be a tear jerker.
Don't trust Little Old Ladies!!!
She finally overtook him at the checkout, and she turned to him and said, "I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it's just that you look so much like my late son."
He answered, "That's okay."
"I know it's silly, but if you'd call out 'Good bye, Mom' as I leave the store, it would make me feel so happy."
She then went through the checkout, and as she was on her way out of the store, the man called out, "Goodbye, Mom."
The little old lady waved and smiled back at him..
Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine into someone's day, he went to pay for his groceries. "That comes to $121.85," said the clerk..
"How come so much? I only bought 5 items."
The clerk replied, "Yeah, but your Mother said you'd be paying for her things, too."
Bet you thought this was going to be a tear jerker.
Don't trust Little Old Ladies!!!
‘On My Behalf’
Really?
The debate over same sex “marriage” has engaged the heartfelt feelings and convictions of millions of Americans. Then there is Barack Obama.
In his ABC interview, the president pretended that his much touted “evolution” had now led him, ineluctably, to speak out now, today; he simply could no longer stay silent. ABC let him off the hook, but this is not a credible account. In March, the Washington Post was reporting the debate among his advisers on whether the issue would help or hurt the reelection campaign and what, therefore, Obama should say: “Obama’s top political advisers have held serious discussions with leading Democrats about the upsides and downsides of coming out for gay marriage before the fall election.”
The same advisers told the Post that Obama would make the decision based on his gut, but that is an insulting way to refer to the vice president. There is no evidence that Obama planned to speak until Joe Biden said last weekend that he was for gay “marriage” and forced the issue.
More
The debate over same sex “marriage” has engaged the heartfelt feelings and convictions of millions of Americans. Then there is Barack Obama.
In his ABC interview, the president pretended that his much touted “evolution” had now led him, ineluctably, to speak out now, today; he simply could no longer stay silent. ABC let him off the hook, but this is not a credible account. In March, the Washington Post was reporting the debate among his advisers on whether the issue would help or hurt the reelection campaign and what, therefore, Obama should say: “Obama’s top political advisers have held serious discussions with leading Democrats about the upsides and downsides of coming out for gay marriage before the fall election.”
The same advisers told the Post that Obama would make the decision based on his gut, but that is an insulting way to refer to the vice president. There is no evidence that Obama planned to speak until Joe Biden said last weekend that he was for gay “marriage” and forced the issue.
More
Blair Lee: Levyland, The Fee State
Government spending is a way of life here in Levyland, where tax cuts are unnatural acts and budget cuts are hate crimes.
In Levyland, government spending cures all ills. Test scores plummeting? Spend more money. Traffic congested? Spend more money. Bay polluted? Spend more money. Not enough jobs? Spend more money. Too much crime? Spend more money.
Nothing can stop it. Good times or bad times, it doesn’t matter, we just keep spending. Levyland’s governor, Martin O’Malley, says he cut spending $7 billion during his six years in office. But that’s a fib. His first budget was $30 billion, his latest budget is $35 billion. That’s a $5 billion increase, not a $7 billion cut.
And how does Levyland’s government afford all this spending? By raising taxes. That’s what Levyland’s voters want, or at least, that’s the message Levyland’s lawmakers heard when they were all re-elected in 2010.
Heck, some enlightened professors over at the University of Levyland even have studies proving that Levyland’s citizens are seriously undertaxed compared to select European countries.
But despite their mandate, Levyland’s lawmakers goofed during the final hours of their recent 90-day session. Time ran out before they could raise more taxes. So Gov. O’Malley is convening a special session next Monday to finish the job.
In Levyland, the question is never, “Taxes, yes or no?” It’s always, “Taxes, how high and on whom?” That’s what next Monday is all about. The only problem facing Levyland’s lawmakers is that they’re running out of taxes to raise.
During Gov. O’Malley’s six-year tenure they’ve increased just about every tax and fee on the books, some of them twice! You don’t believe me? Here’s a list compiled by “Change Maryland,” a taxpayers group led by Larry Hogan.
More
In Levyland, government spending cures all ills. Test scores plummeting? Spend more money. Traffic congested? Spend more money. Bay polluted? Spend more money. Not enough jobs? Spend more money. Too much crime? Spend more money.
Nothing can stop it. Good times or bad times, it doesn’t matter, we just keep spending. Levyland’s governor, Martin O’Malley, says he cut spending $7 billion during his six years in office. But that’s a fib. His first budget was $30 billion, his latest budget is $35 billion. That’s a $5 billion increase, not a $7 billion cut.
And how does Levyland’s government afford all this spending? By raising taxes. That’s what Levyland’s voters want, or at least, that’s the message Levyland’s lawmakers heard when they were all re-elected in 2010.
Heck, some enlightened professors over at the University of Levyland even have studies proving that Levyland’s citizens are seriously undertaxed compared to select European countries.
But despite their mandate, Levyland’s lawmakers goofed during the final hours of their recent 90-day session. Time ran out before they could raise more taxes. So Gov. O’Malley is convening a special session next Monday to finish the job.
In Levyland, the question is never, “Taxes, yes or no?” It’s always, “Taxes, how high and on whom?” That’s what next Monday is all about. The only problem facing Levyland’s lawmakers is that they’re running out of taxes to raise.
During Gov. O’Malley’s six-year tenure they’ve increased just about every tax and fee on the books, some of them twice! You don’t believe me? Here’s a list compiled by “Change Maryland,” a taxpayers group led by Larry Hogan.
More
New Posts to fall below.
Delegate Norman Conway - Working Man's Arch Enemy
Letter to the Editor
Having followed Mr. Conway's political career for over the past 20 years - it is most unfortunate that our citizens get such little respect from this elected official. Throughout his extensive political career that now spans several decades - he has chosen not to enrich the lives of taxpayers - but instead - has authored and co-authored legislation to bolster the lifestyles of special interest groups like the Board of Education and the Maryland State Teachers union.
During his tenure - he has aligned himself with the likes of notable liberal spenders; Delegate Sheila Hixson who herself has close ties to the Maryland State Teachers union. Together, Mr. Conway and Mrs. Hixson helped to co-author HB-1412 - Maintenance of Effort, the companion bill to SB-848 - Maintenance of Effort. The bill contains spending formulas that seek to harm the citizens of Wicomico County by 'enjoining' Wicomico taxpayers to collective bargaining agreements whereby they have no input. It is a form of extortion that ought not to be allowed. Moreover, the bill provides for overriding our county's revenue cap limitation in order to fund this special interest group - the Board of Education.
It wasn't enough for him to have drawn a salary from the same entity-(BOE)-that he seeks to enrich - but he has the audacity to vote on these initiatives knowing full well that it represents a clear conflict of interest.
But what really irks me the most - is that at the same time he seeks to covertly insulate the Board of Education from the economic downturns of our recesssion - he continues to 'rub shoulders' with liberal representatives like Sheila Hixson. As the old say goes - 'you are judged by the company you keep'.
That being said - lets take a closer in-depth look at what Mrs. Hixson has previously sponsored. In 2005 - Mrs. Hixson co-sponsored HB-965. HB-965 is legislation that would exempt all school teachers from having to pay any real estate taxes on their own personal homes. It is particularly interesting to note - that the Fiscal Note attached to the bill specifies that everyone else's taxes are to be raised in order to exempt this elite group of individuals. Here is the precise wording contained in the fiscal note for HB-965:
'Local Effect: Potentially significant reduction in local government property tax revenues.'
Delegate Hixson attempted this action not once - but twice. The very following year - 2006 - she did it again and co-sponsored similar legislation, HB-197, but this time she lumped-in the school teachers with law enforcement and fire fighters in order to try and exempt these groups too from having to pay any real estate property taxes.
My question to Delegate Hixson and Delegate Conway - What about the electricians, plumbers, beauticians, UPS and FedEx workers? What about the secretaries, laborers, chicken catchers, realtors, accountants, garbage collectors, among others. Are not these groups also entitled to the same perks and benefits?
As for myself - I have had about enough of this self-serving malarkey. Isn't it high time for our society to rid ourselves of the likes of these self serving career politicians?
Johnnie Miller
5786 Argyle Drive
Parsonsburg, Maryland 21849
New Posts to fall below.
Plim Plaza Seeks Lawsuit Dismissal
Three weeks after a Virginia couple filed a $6 million suit against a
historic Boardwalk hotel and its ownership group after one of them
allegedly fell ill to Legionnaire’s Disease, the defendants this week
denied the allegations and are seeking a dismissal of the case.
In October, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Worcester County Health Department confirmed the presence of legionellosis, more commonly known as Legionnaire’s Disease, in the water system at the Plim Plaza Hotel on the Boardwalk after as many as six individuals who had stayed at the facility during the late summer months had contracted the disease. One of the victims, an elderly out-of-state guest at the hotel, later succumbed to symptoms of the disease.
On April 18, a Virginia couple, Pat Eldon Dent, Jr. and his wife Martha Dent, filed suit in U.S. District Court alleging negligence on the part of the hotel for failing to “adequately inspect, monitor and maintain its premises and the hotel’s water system for dangerous conditions, including but not limited to the presence of legionella.” The Virginia couple is seeking a total of $6 million in compensatory damages, including $5 million for the negligence count and an additional $1 million for loss of consortium.
More
In October, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Worcester County Health Department confirmed the presence of legionellosis, more commonly known as Legionnaire’s Disease, in the water system at the Plim Plaza Hotel on the Boardwalk after as many as six individuals who had stayed at the facility during the late summer months had contracted the disease. One of the victims, an elderly out-of-state guest at the hotel, later succumbed to symptoms of the disease.
On April 18, a Virginia couple, Pat Eldon Dent, Jr. and his wife Martha Dent, filed suit in U.S. District Court alleging negligence on the part of the hotel for failing to “adequately inspect, monitor and maintain its premises and the hotel’s water system for dangerous conditions, including but not limited to the presence of legionella.” The Virginia couple is seeking a total of $6 million in compensatory damages, including $5 million for the negligence count and an additional $1 million for loss of consortium.
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The Amazing 2002 Forecasts Of Ron Paul
When you understand economics and how government works, you can make some pretty awesome predictions.
In a 5 minute 2002 speech, Ron Paul tells the House speaker exactly what is going to happen (and has happened) by the end of 2012.
"I have no timetable for these predictions, but just in case, keep them around and look at them in 5-10 years. Let's hope and pray that I'm wrong on all accounts. If so, I will be very pleased."
Source
In a 5 minute 2002 speech, Ron Paul tells the House speaker exactly what is going to happen (and has happened) by the end of 2012.
"I have no timetable for these predictions, but just in case, keep them around and look at them in 5-10 years. Let's hope and pray that I'm wrong on all accounts. If so, I will be very pleased."
Source
Obama Stance May Affect Md. Marriage Referendum
President Barack Obama's announcement that he favors same-sex unions
could help turn back a likely referendum challenging the gay marriage
law approved in Maryland this year, the law's supporters said Wednesday.
But opponents organizing a petition drive to get the issue on the ballot said they remained confident that Marylanders would vote their conscience and reject gay marriage, regardless of their support for the president.
Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a law legalizing gay marriage in March. It's scheduled to take effect in January, but a successful referendum could wipe it off the books. Six states and the District of Columbia issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples; Washington state also passed a law this year that has yet to take effect.
More
But opponents organizing a petition drive to get the issue on the ballot said they remained confident that Marylanders would vote their conscience and reject gay marriage, regardless of their support for the president.
Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a law legalizing gay marriage in March. It's scheduled to take effect in January, but a successful referendum could wipe it off the books. Six states and the District of Columbia issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples; Washington state also passed a law this year that has yet to take effect.
More
Italian, Mexican Restaurants Eye Berlin’s Main St.
Two new restaurants are planning to open on Berlin’s Main Street this
June and, while their owners have similar backgrounds and goals, the
two experiences offered will be “night and day different,” according to
Siculi co-owner Pete Livolsi.
Siculi, a rustic Italian kitchen, and Paco’s Tex-Mex and Beyond both plan on opening for business in Berlin in mid-June. Between the two of them, the restaurants represent an overnight boom to the town’s dining industry, though neither business is worried about competition issues between themselves or other already established restaurants.
According to Pete Livolsi, Siculi will be unique enough not to step on Paco’s or any other toes in town but will contribute to Berlin’s dining appeal as a whole.
More
Siculi, a rustic Italian kitchen, and Paco’s Tex-Mex and Beyond both plan on opening for business in Berlin in mid-June. Between the two of them, the restaurants represent an overnight boom to the town’s dining industry, though neither business is worried about competition issues between themselves or other already established restaurants.
According to Pete Livolsi, Siculi will be unique enough not to step on Paco’s or any other toes in town but will contribute to Berlin’s dining appeal as a whole.
More
Obama Embraces Gay Marriage
Obama and Corzine — A Match Made in Heaven?
Unlike virtually every mainstream media commentator or political talking head I don’t care about Obama embracing gay marriage.
Now I know that a lot of people on the left — disappointed by his banker-friendly, PATRIOT Act-renewing, indefinite-detention-enabling, American-citizen-assassinating regime — are searching for any reason to vote for him, and plausible reason to defend his record. That’s the nature of tribal politics — “anti-war” Democrats will happily protest the Bush war machine, but they seem quiet when Obama is the one using drone strikes to assassinate American citizens without trial. I don’t like Mitt Romney either, [15] but that’s not the point.
Even for those in favour of gay marriage, let’s not forget that Obama is capable of doing absolutely zero to change the law. Want to introduce a law allowing homosexual couples to marry? Good luck getting it through the Republican Congress.
I’m in favour of consenting adults being able to do whatever they like with each other, but the fact that the current push for gay marriage is supported by Lloyd Blankfein and Goldman Sachs [16] makes me very suspicious (does he want to sell securitised gay marriage debt?).
It just seems like an easy issue for Obama to posture on, while trampling the Constitution into the dirt.
When it comes to civil liberties, Obama has always talked a good game, and then acted more authoritarian than Bush. He talked about an end to the abuses of the Bush years and an open and transparent government, yet extended the Fourth-Amendment-shredding Patriot Act, empowered the TSA to produce naked body scans and engage in humiliatingly sexual pat-downs, signed indefinite detention of American citizens into law, claimed and exercised the power to assassinate American citizens without trial, and aggressively prosecuted whistleblowers. Under his watch the U.S. army even produced a document [17] planning for the reeducation of political activists in internment camps. Reeducation camps? In America? And some on the left are still crowing that talking about being in favour of gay marriage makes him “pro civil liberties”? Is this a joke?
More
Unlike virtually every mainstream media commentator or political talking head I don’t care about Obama embracing gay marriage.
Now I know that a lot of people on the left — disappointed by his banker-friendly, PATRIOT Act-renewing, indefinite-detention-enabling, American-citizen-assassinating regime — are searching for any reason to vote for him, and plausible reason to defend his record. That’s the nature of tribal politics — “anti-war” Democrats will happily protest the Bush war machine, but they seem quiet when Obama is the one using drone strikes to assassinate American citizens without trial. I don’t like Mitt Romney either, [15] but that’s not the point.
Even for those in favour of gay marriage, let’s not forget that Obama is capable of doing absolutely zero to change the law. Want to introduce a law allowing homosexual couples to marry? Good luck getting it through the Republican Congress.
I’m in favour of consenting adults being able to do whatever they like with each other, but the fact that the current push for gay marriage is supported by Lloyd Blankfein and Goldman Sachs [16] makes me very suspicious (does he want to sell securitised gay marriage debt?).
It just seems like an easy issue for Obama to posture on, while trampling the Constitution into the dirt.
When it comes to civil liberties, Obama has always talked a good game, and then acted more authoritarian than Bush. He talked about an end to the abuses of the Bush years and an open and transparent government, yet extended the Fourth-Amendment-shredding Patriot Act, empowered the TSA to produce naked body scans and engage in humiliatingly sexual pat-downs, signed indefinite detention of American citizens into law, claimed and exercised the power to assassinate American citizens without trial, and aggressively prosecuted whistleblowers. Under his watch the U.S. army even produced a document [17] planning for the reeducation of political activists in internment camps. Reeducation camps? In America? And some on the left are still crowing that talking about being in favour of gay marriage makes him “pro civil liberties”? Is this a joke?
More
Maryland Man Gets Life for State Trooper's Death
A man who shot an off-duty Maryland state trooper who kicked him out
of a restaurant was ordered Thursday to spend the rest of his life
behind bars by a judge who called him a threat to society and liable to
kill again if free.
Cyril Cornelius Williams, 29, made no apologies to the family of Wesley Brown as he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 25 years. His lawyers, who made no arguments during the sentencing hearing, said he maintained his innocence and was appealing the conviction.
"Your vengeful acts deprived our community of a young public servant and of a crusader for the at-risk youth of this county," Prince George's County Circuit Court Judge Sean Wallace said in imposing the maximum possible sentence for the June 2010 murder.
More
Cyril Cornelius Williams, 29, made no apologies to the family of Wesley Brown as he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 25 years. His lawyers, who made no arguments during the sentencing hearing, said he maintained his innocence and was appealing the conviction.
"Your vengeful acts deprived our community of a young public servant and of a crusader for the at-risk youth of this county," Prince George's County Circuit Court Judge Sean Wallace said in imposing the maximum possible sentence for the June 2010 murder.
More
TIPS FROM THE REDNECK BOOK OF MANNERS
TIPS FROM THE REDNECK BOOK OF MANNERS
1. Never take a beer to a job interview.
2. Always identify people in your yard before shooting at them.
3. It's considered poor taste to take a cooler to church.
4. If you have to vacuum the bed, it is time to change the sheets.
5. Even if you're certain that you are included in the will, it is still considered tacky to drive a U-Haul to the funeral home.
DINING OUT
1. If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your fingers covering the label.
2. Avoid throwing bones and food scraps on the floor as the restaurant may not have dogs.
ENTERTAINING IN YOUR HOME 1. A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist.
2. Do not allow the dog to eat at the table no matter how good his manners are.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
1. While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this is a job that should be done in private using one's OWN truck keys.
2. Proper use of toiletries can forestall bathing for several days. However, if you live alone, deodorant is a waste of good money.
3. Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to detract from a woman's jewelry and alter the taste of finger foods.
DATING (OUTSIDE THE FAMILY) 1. Always offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date.
2. Be aggressive. Let her know you're interested: 'I've been wanting to go out with you since I read that stuff on the bathroom wall two years ago.'
3. Establish with her parents what time she is expected back. Some will say 10:00 PM; others might say 'Monday.' If the latter is the answer, it is the man's responsibility to get her to school on time.
4. Always have a positive comment about your date's appearance, such as, 'Ya'll sure don't sweat much for a fat gal.'
WEDDINGS
1. Livestock, usually, is a poor choice for a wedding gift.
2. Kissing the bride for more than 5 seconds may get you shot.
3. For the groom, at least, rent a tux. A leisure suit with a cummerbund and a clean bowling shirt can create too sporty an appearance.
4. Though uncomfortable, say 'yes' to socks and shoes for this special occasion.
5. It is not appropriate to tell the groom how good his wife is in the sack.
DRIVING ETIQUETTE
1. Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles, even if the gun is loaded, and the deer is in sight.
2. When approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires always has the right of way.
3. Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape.
4. When sending your wife/girlfriend down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer.
5. Never relieve yourself from a moving vehicle, especially when driving.
6. Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession.
TWO REASONS WHY IT IS HARD TO SOLVE A REDNECK MURDER:
1. All the DNA is the same.
2. There are no dental records
1. Never take a beer to a job interview.
2. Always identify people in your yard before shooting at them.
3. It's considered poor taste to take a cooler to church.
4. If you have to vacuum the bed, it is time to change the sheets.
5. Even if you're certain that you are included in the will, it is still considered tacky to drive a U-Haul to the funeral home.
DINING OUT
1. If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your fingers covering the label.
2. Avoid throwing bones and food scraps on the floor as the restaurant may not have dogs.
ENTERTAINING IN YOUR HOME 1. A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist.
2. Do not allow the dog to eat at the table no matter how good his manners are.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
1. While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this is a job that should be done in private using one's OWN truck keys.
2. Proper use of toiletries can forestall bathing for several days. However, if you live alone, deodorant is a waste of good money.
3. Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to detract from a woman's jewelry and alter the taste of finger foods.
DATING (OUTSIDE THE FAMILY) 1. Always offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date.
2. Be aggressive. Let her know you're interested: 'I've been wanting to go out with you since I read that stuff on the bathroom wall two years ago.'
3. Establish with her parents what time she is expected back. Some will say 10:00 PM; others might say 'Monday.' If the latter is the answer, it is the man's responsibility to get her to school on time.
4. Always have a positive comment about your date's appearance, such as, 'Ya'll sure don't sweat much for a fat gal.'
WEDDINGS
1. Livestock, usually, is a poor choice for a wedding gift.
2. Kissing the bride for more than 5 seconds may get you shot.
3. For the groom, at least, rent a tux. A leisure suit with a cummerbund and a clean bowling shirt can create too sporty an appearance.
4. Though uncomfortable, say 'yes' to socks and shoes for this special occasion.
5. It is not appropriate to tell the groom how good his wife is in the sack.
DRIVING ETIQUETTE
1. Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles, even if the gun is loaded, and the deer is in sight.
2. When approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires always has the right of way.
3. Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape.
4. When sending your wife/girlfriend down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer.
5. Never relieve yourself from a moving vehicle, especially when driving.
6. Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession.
TWO REASONS WHY IT IS HARD TO SOLVE A REDNECK MURDER:
1. All the DNA is the same.
2. There are no dental records
OC Escalator Lawsuit Closed Two Years After Settlement
Nearly three years after a Vermont high school student filed suit
against the town of Ocean City and a private manufacturer after
suffering serious injuries when an escalator collapsed in the Roland E.
Powell Convention Center in 2006, the books were finally closed this
week with an undisclosed amount of damages paid to the victim.
In May 2006, several members of a high school band from Vermont, in Ocean City for the annual Youth Music Competition at the Convention Center, were injured when the north elevator to the second floor stopped suddenly and starting running in reverse. Several of the students fell during the accident and a handful were taken to Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin where they were treated for a wide variety of injuries.
Nearly three years to the day of the accident, one of the injured students, Rebecca Beall, of Barre, Vt., filed suit in U.S. District Court last June, claiming negligence against the town of Ocean City, the Ocean City Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, Inc., and the private ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company, which the town retained to service and maintain the faulty escalator.
More
In May 2006, several members of a high school band from Vermont, in Ocean City for the annual Youth Music Competition at the Convention Center, were injured when the north elevator to the second floor stopped suddenly and starting running in reverse. Several of the students fell during the accident and a handful were taken to Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin where they were treated for a wide variety of injuries.
Nearly three years to the day of the accident, one of the injured students, Rebecca Beall, of Barre, Vt., filed suit in U.S. District Court last June, claiming negligence against the town of Ocean City, the Ocean City Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, Inc., and the private ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company, which the town retained to service and maintain the faulty escalator.
More
Left-Libertarianism - An Oxymoron?
Let me state up front that I reject any division of libertarianism into left and right wings. To do so is nearly akin to dividing it into high and low, yellow and blue, or round and triangular versions. Yes, there are quite a few more or less enthusiastic supporters of the division; indeed, reading some of them suggests that they have a lot invested in this effort. However, I find what they are embarking upon, if not outright incoherent, then certainly confusing and a waste of good energy and time that could be devoted to more important elements of the task of advancing the cause of human liberty.
Combining libertarianism with elements of the Right or the Left defeats the purpose of conceptual clarity about a certain broad political topic. Historically, neither the Right nor the Left has shown a sustained, uncompromising loyalty to individual human rights to life, liberty and property, while classical liberalism and especially libertarianism is exactly about such unwavering loyalty, one that requires the proverbial eternal vigilance.
By its nature libertarianism is about political liberty for all individuals to do whatever is peaceful or non-aggressive, including acquiring and holding property or valued items either found in nature or obtained through free trade and inheritance.2 Claiming that libertarianism can include more or less severe limits on the right to private property − imposed by public policy and law − as Left-libertarianism does, simply renders the view indistinguishable from what social democrats and welfare statists propose. It reminds one of market socialism, arguably another oxymoron.
More
Combining libertarianism with elements of the Right or the Left defeats the purpose of conceptual clarity about a certain broad political topic. Historically, neither the Right nor the Left has shown a sustained, uncompromising loyalty to individual human rights to life, liberty and property, while classical liberalism and especially libertarianism is exactly about such unwavering loyalty, one that requires the proverbial eternal vigilance.
By its nature libertarianism is about political liberty for all individuals to do whatever is peaceful or non-aggressive, including acquiring and holding property or valued items either found in nature or obtained through free trade and inheritance.2 Claiming that libertarianism can include more or less severe limits on the right to private property − imposed by public policy and law − as Left-libertarianism does, simply renders the view indistinguishable from what social democrats and welfare statists propose. It reminds one of market socialism, arguably another oxymoron.
More
Art Monk Suing NFL, Helmet Maker Over Concussion Injuries
NFL Hall of Famer Art Monk
is joining the national debate surrounding the long-term effects of
players who suffer concussions while playing. Monk is suing the league
and helmet maker Riddell, reports NFL Concussion Litigation.
Monk, who spent 14 seasons with the Redskins, says he is impaired by the injuries he suffered during his football career, citing short term memory loss, headaches and speech difficulty.
Monk's lawsuit accuses the NFL of knowing and concealing the long-term effects of concussions while "engaging in a long-running course of negligent and fraudulent conduct."
More
Monk, who spent 14 seasons with the Redskins, says he is impaired by the injuries he suffered during his football career, citing short term memory loss, headaches and speech difficulty.
Monk's lawsuit accuses the NFL of knowing and concealing the long-term effects of concussions while "engaging in a long-running course of negligent and fraudulent conduct."
More
Rome Didn't Fall In A Day
Back in the '70s, I used to expect the government to suffer a financial collapse at which time it would have to quit doing most of the things it's doing because it would run out of money. That isn't what has happened. Instead of cutting spending it has printed more money and tried to increase taxes on various things.
Like many things historical, there's a precedent for this. There's a proverbial saying that "Rome wasn't built in a day," but it didn't collapse in a day either. Probably most of the Romans who lived as the Empire was collapsing didn't realize that was what was happening, but plenty of them realized they weren't living in the good old days.
One such person was a man named Salvian, sometimes called Salvian the Presbyter. He wrote a treatise that is called in English The Governance Of God or De gubernatione Dei in Latin*. Its original title was On The Present Judgment and it is well worth reading to see how things played out then and probably always will. His purpose was to show that the then current problems were caused by moral collapse, excessive taxation and a greedy and conniving landed class, not an abandonment of the old pagan religion. Julian the Apostate who had made the opposite argument 70 or so years before, had tried to re-institute paganism and even tried to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, presumably because it wasn't Christian and he liked practices such as animal sacrifice, but his efforts ended when he was killed in a war with the Persians after a short reign.
In making his case, Salvian left us a first-hand account of how things went to rot. One of the things he mentions over and over is how the peasant class was obliterated by oppressive taxation and how the small land owners indentured themselves to the large land owners who paid their taxes for them, but in return got their land and their labor, eventually leading to feudalism. Even after the small land owners had lost their land and become coloni – those who worked the land but did not own it – they still were liable for the tax, thus permanently indenturing them to the wealthy land owner who paid it for them.
The Romans had a system of permanent tax collectors called curiales. If you were born a curiale, you could not change jobs and were liable to pay any taxes you could not collect. Needless to say, this assured great diligence on the part of the curiales.
One of the many things Salvian mentions that is starting to be more common in the U.S., but was unheard of just a few years ago is people fleeing the Empire and renouncing their citizenship.
More
Like many things historical, there's a precedent for this. There's a proverbial saying that "Rome wasn't built in a day," but it didn't collapse in a day either. Probably most of the Romans who lived as the Empire was collapsing didn't realize that was what was happening, but plenty of them realized they weren't living in the good old days.
One such person was a man named Salvian, sometimes called Salvian the Presbyter. He wrote a treatise that is called in English The Governance Of God or De gubernatione Dei in Latin*. Its original title was On The Present Judgment and it is well worth reading to see how things played out then and probably always will. His purpose was to show that the then current problems were caused by moral collapse, excessive taxation and a greedy and conniving landed class, not an abandonment of the old pagan religion. Julian the Apostate who had made the opposite argument 70 or so years before, had tried to re-institute paganism and even tried to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, presumably because it wasn't Christian and he liked practices such as animal sacrifice, but his efforts ended when he was killed in a war with the Persians after a short reign.
In making his case, Salvian left us a first-hand account of how things went to rot. One of the things he mentions over and over is how the peasant class was obliterated by oppressive taxation and how the small land owners indentured themselves to the large land owners who paid their taxes for them, but in return got their land and their labor, eventually leading to feudalism. Even after the small land owners had lost their land and become coloni – those who worked the land but did not own it – they still were liable for the tax, thus permanently indenturing them to the wealthy land owner who paid it for them.
The Romans had a system of permanent tax collectors called curiales. If you were born a curiale, you could not change jobs and were liable to pay any taxes you could not collect. Needless to say, this assured great diligence on the part of the curiales.
One of the many things Salvian mentions that is starting to be more common in the U.S., but was unheard of just a few years ago is people fleeing the Empire and renouncing their citizenship.
More
Gas Leak In Salisbury
Joe,
I went to my local gas station earlier today and there was MD Department of Environment Truck there with 4 individuals inspecting their gas tanks. When I asked what was going on, apparently the Exxon near Dennys had an underground gas leak from their tanks that contaminated the soil. So now gas stations all over the area are being inspected.
I went to my local gas station earlier today and there was MD Department of Environment Truck there with 4 individuals inspecting their gas tanks. When I asked what was going on, apparently the Exxon near Dennys had an underground gas leak from their tanks that contaminated the soil. So now gas stations all over the area are being inspected.
The Public Eye
I’ve been trying to get a handle on the concept of underwear bombs.
Just this week, we are being told that the CIA has thwarted an attempt by an Al Qaeda cell to blow up something with a new and improved underwear bomb.
I have to say that when I think of underwear bombs, explosives are not the first thing to come to mind. In fact, every time I hear “underwear bombs,” I think of the guy I recently saw on television who was fishing from his kayak down south when an alligator jumped up out of the water and almost got him.
Being a frequent kayak fisherman myself, I can imagine his reaction, which for one reason or the other, makes the term “underwear bomb” seem somehow appropriate.
More
Just this week, we are being told that the CIA has thwarted an attempt by an Al Qaeda cell to blow up something with a new and improved underwear bomb.
I have to say that when I think of underwear bombs, explosives are not the first thing to come to mind. In fact, every time I hear “underwear bombs,” I think of the guy I recently saw on television who was fishing from his kayak down south when an alligator jumped up out of the water and almost got him.
Being a frequent kayak fisherman myself, I can imagine his reaction, which for one reason or the other, makes the term “underwear bomb” seem somehow appropriate.
More
Austin Steals Elderly Veteran’s House For Crime Of Having Fallout Shelter
(Kurt Nimmo) The city of Austin, Texas, was looking for an excuse to steal Joe Del Rio’s modest home. It found one – it insisted he had a “bunker” beneath the house.
Actually, it was a fallout shelter built during the Cold War, something millions of Americans were encouraged to build by the federal government, beginning in 1961 under the Community Fallout Shelter Program.
The city began its theft by sending the code enforcement team to Mr. Del Rio’s home early one Saturday morning in May of 2010. After the retired Air Force reservist, Vietnam veteran, and former state employee put on some clothes and opened the door, he was rushed by an Austin Police SWAT team. He was detained and interrogated over a period of ten hours.
Neighbors were told to evacuate and the home was searched for more than four hours as emergency personnel staged units nearby. Cops found several weapons and 55-gallon drums they considered suspicious. There was nothing sinister about the drums and the legal weapons were returned to Del Rio after the cops examined them.
Source
Actually, it was a fallout shelter built during the Cold War, something millions of Americans were encouraged to build by the federal government, beginning in 1961 under the Community Fallout Shelter Program.
The city began its theft by sending the code enforcement team to Mr. Del Rio’s home early one Saturday morning in May of 2010. After the retired Air Force reservist, Vietnam veteran, and former state employee put on some clothes and opened the door, he was rushed by an Austin Police SWAT team. He was detained and interrogated over a period of ten hours.
Neighbors were told to evacuate and the home was searched for more than four hours as emergency personnel staged units nearby. Cops found several weapons and 55-gallon drums they considered suspicious. There was nothing sinister about the drums and the legal weapons were returned to Del Rio after the cops examined them.
Source
No More Yes Sirring
It is an act of civility to be respectful toward others – but it’s an act of cringing servility to call a cop “sir.” It degrades the speaker and it elevates the recipient of the honorific beyond his station. A cop is just a guy (or a he-gal) wearing a uniform designed to intimidate and the hardware to back it up. To call this enforcer “sir” is of a piece with a field hand circa 1840 doing the same as he inquires, oh-so-deferentially, of massa.
The “yes, sir” bowing and scraping one routinely sees during episodes of fascist porn such as the TV shop, Cops is atrocious. Hulking, buzz-cut Officer 82nd Airborne stuffed inside his flak jacket and BDUs has pulled over some hapless motorist and is unctuously lecturing his captive prey about such things as the luscious goodness of seat belt laws or the Great Evil of possessing an arbitrarily illegal drug. The prey has assumed the position – meekly nodding and yes-sirring.
Agreeing with all that Officer 82nd Airborne tells him.
Or at least, pretending to. In precisely the same way that striped apes on the chain gang would yes boss the guy on the horse cradling the Remington 870.
Once upon a time, citizens didn’t behave like stripe apes or prison inmates in the presence of a mere cop. The attitude was best expressed by the character Paulie in the Rocky movies: “I don’t sweat you,” Paulie told Clubber Lang.
Citizens in a free country bound by the rule of law ought not to sweat cops, either.
Unfortunately, they have to – chiefly because the country is no longer free and the law is no longer on their side. Cops have been empowered to do almost anything – and can get away with doing almost anything. Hence, the fear. And the fearful Yes sirring. But this only encourages them. You’ve accepted your status as their plaything. Made it clear you will tolerate anything – are guilty, ipso facto, of everything. Stop resisting!
Yes, sir!
This is dangerous, both on the individual as well as the societal level – for the same reason that deferring to bullies on the playground is dangerous. It emboldens them – and it conditions you to accept being bullied.
More
The “yes, sir” bowing and scraping one routinely sees during episodes of fascist porn such as the TV shop, Cops is atrocious. Hulking, buzz-cut Officer 82nd Airborne stuffed inside his flak jacket and BDUs has pulled over some hapless motorist and is unctuously lecturing his captive prey about such things as the luscious goodness of seat belt laws or the Great Evil of possessing an arbitrarily illegal drug. The prey has assumed the position – meekly nodding and yes-sirring.
Agreeing with all that Officer 82nd Airborne tells him.
Or at least, pretending to. In precisely the same way that striped apes on the chain gang would yes boss the guy on the horse cradling the Remington 870.
Once upon a time, citizens didn’t behave like stripe apes or prison inmates in the presence of a mere cop. The attitude was best expressed by the character Paulie in the Rocky movies: “I don’t sweat you,” Paulie told Clubber Lang.
Citizens in a free country bound by the rule of law ought not to sweat cops, either.
Unfortunately, they have to – chiefly because the country is no longer free and the law is no longer on their side. Cops have been empowered to do almost anything – and can get away with doing almost anything. Hence, the fear. And the fearful Yes sirring. But this only encourages them. You’ve accepted your status as their plaything. Made it clear you will tolerate anything – are guilty, ipso facto, of everything. Stop resisting!
Yes, sir!
This is dangerous, both on the individual as well as the societal level – for the same reason that deferring to bullies on the playground is dangerous. It emboldens them – and it conditions you to accept being bullied.
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Isleton Police Chief Placed On Leave Over Facebook Posts
ISLETON (CBS13) – Isleton Police Chief Steven Adams has been placed on paid administrative leave after posting on Facebook about setting up a press conference with the media about the department’s problems, but the chief would never get that chance.
Isleton City Manager Dan Hinrichs put Adams on leave and shut down the department before Adams could speak out.
“He came in yelling at me and telling me to get out of the police department now,” said Police Chief Steven Adams.
Adams says it’s the first time in his 32-year career as a law enforcement officer that he’s ever been placed on paid leave.
“[I feel] confused, frustrated, I didn’t know what to feel,” said Adams.
And, the city manager wouldn’t elaborate on why Adams was put on leave, only saying he did it after receiving complaints from the public. However, Adams doesn’t believe that’s the case.
“No, I don’t believe that because I’ve had nothing but support from the public,” said Adams.
Instead, the chief believes he’s the target of city leaders that are unhappy that he’s so vocal about the department’s troubles.
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Isleton City Manager Dan Hinrichs put Adams on leave and shut down the department before Adams could speak out.
“He came in yelling at me and telling me to get out of the police department now,” said Police Chief Steven Adams.
Adams says it’s the first time in his 32-year career as a law enforcement officer that he’s ever been placed on paid leave.
“[I feel] confused, frustrated, I didn’t know what to feel,” said Adams.
And, the city manager wouldn’t elaborate on why Adams was put on leave, only saying he did it after receiving complaints from the public. However, Adams doesn’t believe that’s the case.
“No, I don’t believe that because I’ve had nothing but support from the public,” said Adams.
Instead, the chief believes he’s the target of city leaders that are unhappy that he’s so vocal about the department’s troubles.
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Flashback: Obama’s Sordid High School Past
While the Washington Post has been diligently digging into relatively innocent high school pranks by Mitt Romney, they’ve spent the last few years diligently ignoring President Obama’s far more controversial high school days.
Obama, by all accounts, was a habitual drug user in high school. He tried cocaine, he admits in Dreams From My Father; he “tried drugs enthusiastically.” The Chicago Tribune reported back in 2007 that Obama thanked the “Choom Gang” in his high school yearbook; “chooming” was Hawaiian slang for smoking pot. The Honolulu Advertiser reported that Obama’s senior portrait “prominently displayed … A package of ‘Zig-Zag’ rolling papers and a matchbook.” One of Obama’s close friends was arrested for drug possession during high school.
In his memoir, Obama talked about routinely getting high. “Junkie. Pothead,” he wrote. “That’s where I’d been headed: the final, fatal role of the young would-be black man.” But, according to Obama, he only got high because he was contemplating deep matters: drugs could “push questions of who I was out of my mind.”
Obama told students in 2007 that this activity constituted “goofing off” and “wasting time”:
"I will confess to you that I was kind of a goof off in high school as my mom reminded me," Obama said. "I went to high school in Hawaii, so there's a lot of opportunity to goof off because the weather is really good all the time …
"You know, I made some bad decisions …. You know, got into drinking and experimenting with drugs. There was a whole stretch of time where I didn't apply myself. It wasn't until I got out of … high school, and went to college that I started realizing, man, I wasted a lot of time.”
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Obama, by all accounts, was a habitual drug user in high school. He tried cocaine, he admits in Dreams From My Father; he “tried drugs enthusiastically.” The Chicago Tribune reported back in 2007 that Obama thanked the “Choom Gang” in his high school yearbook; “chooming” was Hawaiian slang for smoking pot. The Honolulu Advertiser reported that Obama’s senior portrait “prominently displayed … A package of ‘Zig-Zag’ rolling papers and a matchbook.” One of Obama’s close friends was arrested for drug possession during high school.
In his memoir, Obama talked about routinely getting high. “Junkie. Pothead,” he wrote. “That’s where I’d been headed: the final, fatal role of the young would-be black man.” But, according to Obama, he only got high because he was contemplating deep matters: drugs could “push questions of who I was out of my mind.”
Obama told students in 2007 that this activity constituted “goofing off” and “wasting time”:
"I will confess to you that I was kind of a goof off in high school as my mom reminded me," Obama said. "I went to high school in Hawaii, so there's a lot of opportunity to goof off because the weather is really good all the time …
"You know, I made some bad decisions …. You know, got into drinking and experimenting with drugs. There was a whole stretch of time where I didn't apply myself. It wasn't until I got out of … high school, and went to college that I started realizing, man, I wasted a lot of time.”
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Survey: Americans Overwhelmingly Support Defense Cuts
As Congress struggles to rein in the federal deficit, a new survey finds Americans preferred to cut defense spending more than any other program.
In a new survey that not only asked for opinion, but also briefed the respondents on the federal budget, Americans came to a bipartisan conclusion: 67 percent of Republicans and 90 percent of Democrats supported cutting the defense budget.
And by quite a bit.
Here's how the Center for Public Integrity (CPI), one of the three non-profits who conducted the survey, boils it down:
"The average total cut was around $103 billion, a substantial portion of the current $562 billion base defense budget, while the majority supported cutting it at least $83 billion. These amounts both exceed a threatened cut of $55 billion at the end of this year under so-called 'sequestration' legislation passed in 2011, which Pentagon officials and lawmakers alike have claimed would be devastating.
'When Americans look at the amount of defense spending compared to spending on other programs, they see defense as the one that should take a substantial hit to reduce the deficit,' said Steven Kull, director of the Program for Public Consultation (PPC), and the lead developer of the survey. 'Clearly the polarization that you are seeing on the floor of the Congress is not reflective of the American people.'
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In a new survey that not only asked for opinion, but also briefed the respondents on the federal budget, Americans came to a bipartisan conclusion: 67 percent of Republicans and 90 percent of Democrats supported cutting the defense budget.
And by quite a bit.
Here's how the Center for Public Integrity (CPI), one of the three non-profits who conducted the survey, boils it down:
"The average total cut was around $103 billion, a substantial portion of the current $562 billion base defense budget, while the majority supported cutting it at least $83 billion. These amounts both exceed a threatened cut of $55 billion at the end of this year under so-called 'sequestration' legislation passed in 2011, which Pentagon officials and lawmakers alike have claimed would be devastating.
'When Americans look at the amount of defense spending compared to spending on other programs, they see defense as the one that should take a substantial hit to reduce the deficit,' said Steven Kull, director of the Program for Public Consultation (PPC), and the lead developer of the survey. 'Clearly the polarization that you are seeing on the floor of the Congress is not reflective of the American people.'
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Moving Map Of The Country ( UNIQUE HISTORY LESSON! )
Probably the best capsule of the history of our country ever put together, free! (:) It's fascinating to watch the evolution of growth from the 13 colonies up to the present day -- with dates, wars, purchases, etc. all included. As much as you may know about American history, I guarantee you'll learn something from this short video clip. Please share this!!!.
Best history lesson you've had in a long time!
Click on the next line... (When it opens, do not click on Go at the bottom ....but rather.....click on Play at the top.)
Best history lesson you've had in a long time!
Click on the next line... (When it opens, do not click on Go at the bottom ....but rather.....click on Play at the top.)
Northside Park Movies Return
The return of movies at Northside Park may be just what the North
Ocean City Business Alliance (NOCBA) needs to get business moving in
their direction.
In the beginning of this year the NOCBA was formed to gather ideas in how to draw more attention to the north end of Ocean City and its businesses. One of the ways suggested to boost business was to hold more special events in that end of town.
The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department has recently announced that it is preparing for the first series of free movies at Northside Park, located on the bayside of 126th Street. Movies will be shown outside or in the case of bad weather the show will be indoors in the gym on a big screen projector.
The first movie, “We Bought a Zoo”, is scheduled to be shown tonight at 8 p.m. The next movie will be shown on Friday, May 25, with “The Adventures of Tin Tin.”
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In the beginning of this year the NOCBA was formed to gather ideas in how to draw more attention to the north end of Ocean City and its businesses. One of the ways suggested to boost business was to hold more special events in that end of town.
The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department has recently announced that it is preparing for the first series of free movies at Northside Park, located on the bayside of 126th Street. Movies will be shown outside or in the case of bad weather the show will be indoors in the gym on a big screen projector.
The first movie, “We Bought a Zoo”, is scheduled to be shown tonight at 8 p.m. The next movie will be shown on Friday, May 25, with “The Adventures of Tin Tin.”
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Why Bush Was So Bad
Regardless of your political persuasion, you need to read this. What you do with the information is up to you. This tells the story of why Bush was so bad at the end of his term. Don’t just skim over this, it’s not very long, read it slowly and let it sink in. If in doubt, check it out!!! The day the democrats took over was not January 22nd 2009, it was actually January 3, 2007 the day the Democrats took over the House of Representatives and the Senate, at the very start of the 110th Congress. The Democrat Party controlled a majority in both chambers for the first time since the end of the 103rd Congress in 1995. For those who are listening to the liberals propagating the fallacy that everything is "Bush's Fault", think about this: January 3rd, 2007 was the day the Democrats took over the Senate and the Congress. At the time: The DOW Jones closed at 12,621.77 The GDP for the previous quarter was 3.5% The Unemployment rate was 4.6% George Bush's Economic policies SET A RECORD of 52 STRAIGHT MONTHS of JOB GROWTH Remember the day... January 3rd, 2007 was the day that Barney Frank took over the House Financial Services Committee and Chris Dodd took over the Senate Banking Committee. The economic meltdown that happened 15 months later was in what part of the economy? BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES! Unemployment... to this CRISIS by (among MANY other things) dumping 5-6 TRILLION Dollars of toxic loans on the economy from YOUR Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac FIASCOES! Bush asked Congress 17 TIMES to stop Fannie & Freddie - starting in 2001 because it was financially risky for the US economy. And who took the THIRD highest pay-off from Fannie Mae AND Freddie Mac? OBAMA And who fought against reform of Fannie and Freddie? OBAMA and the Democrat Congress So when someone tries to blame Bush.. REMEMBER JANUARY 3rd, 2007.... THE DAY THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER!" Budgets do not come from the White House. They come from Congress and the party that controlled Congress since January 2007 is the Democrat Party. Furthermore, the Democrats controlled the budget process for 2008 & 2009 as well as 2010 &2011. In that first year, they had to contend with George Bush, which caused them to compromise on spending, when Bush somewhat belatedly got tough on spending increases. For 2009 though, Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid by passed George Bush entirely, passing continuing resolutions to keep government running until Barack Obama could take office. At that time, they passed a massive omnibus spending bill to complete the 2009 budgets. And where was Barack Obama during this time? He was a member of that very Congress that passed all of these massive spending bills, and he signed the omnibus bill as President to complete 2009. If the Democrats inherited any deficit, it was the 2007 deficit, the last of the Republican budgets. That deficit was the lowest in five years, and the fourth straight decline in deficit spending. After that, Democrats in Congress took control of spending, and that includes Barack Obama, who voted for the budgets. If Obama inherited anything, he inherited it from himself. In a nutshell, what Obama is saying is I inherited a deficit that I voted for and then I voted to expand that deficit four-fold since January 20th.
SUBJECT FALLS FROM HOTEL
On May 9, 2012, at approximately 4 p.m., Ocean City Police and Paramedics responded to the Holiday Inn hotel, located at 1701 Atlantic Avenue, regarding a person that had fallen onto the pool deck.
Emergency personnel located an unresponsive individual who appeared to have fallen from a hotel balcony. The individual was transported to Atlantic General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The deceased has been identified as Eric Austin Allen, 26, of Dayton, Maryland.
Allen’s remains were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland in Baltimore for autopsy. Ocean City detectives continue to investigate the manner and cause of death in this case.
Emergency personnel located an unresponsive individual who appeared to have fallen from a hotel balcony. The individual was transported to Atlantic General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The deceased has been identified as Eric Austin Allen, 26, of Dayton, Maryland.
Allen’s remains were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland in Baltimore for autopsy. Ocean City detectives continue to investigate the manner and cause of death in this case.
Franklin Graham: Obama Shaking His Fist at God
In another provocative comment aimed at Barack
Obama, evangelist Franklin Graham on Thursday accused the president of
having “shaken his fist” at God by changing his position on same-sex
marriage.
“It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more,” Graham said in a prepared statement.
“This is a sad day for America. May God help us.”
On Tuesday, North Carolina became the 31st state to ratify a constitutional amendment designed to block same-sex marriage.
The next day, amid an online clamor to move the Democratic National Convention from Charlotte, the president changed his longstanding position against same-sex unions.
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“It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more,” Graham said in a prepared statement.
“This is a sad day for America. May God help us.”
On Tuesday, North Carolina became the 31st state to ratify a constitutional amendment designed to block same-sex marriage.
The next day, amid an online clamor to move the Democratic National Convention from Charlotte, the president changed his longstanding position against same-sex unions.
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Sharpton: GOP Declared 'War On Black People' Time To 'Fire Back'
MSNBC's Al Sharpton in JEFFERSON CITY, MO: It’s war on black people, it’s war on women, it’s war on immigrants. … We have got to turn this around and start targeting in Missouri those legislators that want to roll back our right to vote!”
Skin Cancer Prevention Stressed During Awareness Month
May is national Skin Cancer Awareness month and with the summer
season fast approaching, Worcester County health care officials and
Ocean City Beach Patrol representatives are urging residents and
visitors alike to protect themselves.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), 13 million Americans have a history of non-melanoma skin cancer and close to 800,000 have a history of melanoma, which the foundation stresses is “the most dangerous form of skin cancer.”
“About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 65 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun,” said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF). “Everyone, regardless of skin color, should make staying safe in the sun a priority and incorporate sun protection measures into their daily life.”
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According to the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), 13 million Americans have a history of non-melanoma skin cancer and close to 800,000 have a history of melanoma, which the foundation stresses is “the most dangerous form of skin cancer.”
“About 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 65 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun,” said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF). “Everyone, regardless of skin color, should make staying safe in the sun a priority and incorporate sun protection measures into their daily life.”
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Lawsuit Says Sheriff Discriminated Against Latinos
PHOENIX — A federal lawsuit asserting a “pattern of unlawful discrimination” by law enforcement officials here claims that Latinos at the county jail were often referred to as “stupid” or addressed with a coarse ethnic slur. It also says that an e-mail circulated among jail officers contained a photograph of a Chihuahua in a swimsuit, over the words, “A rare photo of a Mexican Navy Seal.”
On the streets, Latino drivers were five to nine times more likely than their non-Latino counterparts to be stopped or searched, the suit asserts, for appearing disheveled or dirty or if it was deemed that too many people were in the back seat. Some were detained because they were said to have looked nervous or avoided eye contact.
The accusations are among those included in a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department on Thursday against Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, who, calling himself “America’s toughest sheriff,” has waged a relentless crackdown on illegal immigrants.
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On the streets, Latino drivers were five to nine times more likely than their non-Latino counterparts to be stopped or searched, the suit asserts, for appearing disheveled or dirty or if it was deemed that too many people were in the back seat. Some were detained because they were said to have looked nervous or avoided eye contact.
The accusations are among those included in a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department on Thursday against Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, who, calling himself “America’s toughest sheriff,” has waged a relentless crackdown on illegal immigrants.
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Democrats To Employers: Stop Asking For Facebook Passwords
The Password Protection Act of 2012 would make it illegal for employers to force current or potential employees to hand over access to their social network accounts.
Democrats in Washington are aiming to protect employees being asked to hand over the keys to their Facebook accounts.
A new bill introduced yesterday in the U.S. Senate would seek to stop employers from requesting passwords or access to an employee's account on Facebook and other social networks.
Known as the Password Protection Act Of 2012 (PDF), the bill is the latest response from politicians over the growing trend of employers eager to snoop around their workers' online accounts.
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Democrats in Washington are aiming to protect employees being asked to hand over the keys to their Facebook accounts.
A new bill introduced yesterday in the U.S. Senate would seek to stop employers from requesting passwords or access to an employee's account on Facebook and other social networks.
Known as the Password Protection Act Of 2012 (PDF), the bill is the latest response from politicians over the growing trend of employers eager to snoop around their workers' online accounts.
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Sheriff Joe to Holder: 'Clean Your Own House First!'
A defiant Sheriff Joe Arpaio is preparing to tell President Obama and
Attorney General Eric Holder later today there is “no way” he will turn
over the management of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to the
Justice Department despite the threat of a federal lawsuit.
“Clean your own house, Eric Holder, before you come trying to clean mine,” Arpaio said today in a telephone interview with WND.
As WND reported, the Justice Department informed Arpaio yesterday it plans to take him to federal court on allegations of systematic violations of the civil rights of Hispanics. Holder has sought an agreement to establish a court monitor in Arpaio’s office to clear his decisions.
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“Clean your own house, Eric Holder, before you come trying to clean mine,” Arpaio said today in a telephone interview with WND.
As WND reported, the Justice Department informed Arpaio yesterday it plans to take him to federal court on allegations of systematic violations of the civil rights of Hispanics. Holder has sought an agreement to establish a court monitor in Arpaio’s office to clear his decisions.
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Medical Marijuana Is Not An "Issue Of Significance" To Mitt Romney
During an interview with a local CBS News affiliate in Colorado yesterday, Mitt Romney got more than a little annoyed with a reporter after she asked about gay marriage, college tuition for children of illegal immigrants, and finally about medical marijuana. Romney wanted to talk about other things. And he told her so.
“Aren’t there issues of significance you’d like to talk about," Romney asked. "The economy, the growth of jobs, the need to put people back to work, the challenges of Iran? We’ve got enormous issues that we face. But go ahead, you want to talk about medical marijuana?"
She did. And so he gave an answer:
"I think medical marijuana should not be legal in this country. I believe it's a gateway drug to other drug violations. The use of illegal drugs in this country is leading to terrible consequences in places like Mexico, and actually in our own country. I oppose legalization of marijuana. I oppose legalizations of other kinds of drugs."
You can watch the clip here. The medical marijuana outburst starts around the 2:20 mark.
Cop Kicks Pregnant Woman In Stomach, Dept. Says He Was Within Policy
Officer says he didn't know the woman was pregnant.
Just when you thought the police ran out of ways to disgust you.
Dekalb County police officer Jerad Wheeler was called to a home to settle a domestic dispute involving a pregnant woman named Raven Dozier, her brother and his child and baby's mother.
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Just when you thought the police ran out of ways to disgust you.
Dekalb County police officer Jerad Wheeler was called to a home to settle a domestic dispute involving a pregnant woman named Raven Dozier, her brother and his child and baby's mother.
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Fatal Fall From Ocean City Hotel Balcony
Around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Ocean City Police and Paramedics responded to the Holiday Inn on the Boardwalk at 17th Street for a report of an individual that had fallen onto the pool deck below on the ocean side of the facility. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and located an unresponsive individual who appeared to have fallen from a hotel balcony.
A source at the scene said the individual had fallen from a balcony on the 14th floor of the hotel to the pool deck below. The victim, later identified as Eric Austin Allen, 26, of Dayton, Md., was transported to Atlantic General Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
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WICOMICO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
The Wicomico County Department of Public Works announced today that on Monday, May 14th Coulbourne Mill Road will be closed from Kingswood Drive to Sturbridge Drive from 8am to 3pm to replace two failed cross road pipes.
The county Roads Division will be replacing both failed pipes on the same day, weather permitting, to limit the inconvenience to motorists. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes. Detour signs will be posted.
The county Roads Division will be replacing both failed pipes on the same day, weather permitting, to limit the inconvenience to motorists. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes. Detour signs will be posted.
Poll Shows Americans' Pessimism on Economy Growing
Americans are growing more pessimistic about the economy and handling it remains President Barack Obama's weak spot and biggest challenge in his bid for a second term, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.
And the gloomier outlook extends across party lines, including a steep decline in the share of Democrats who call the economy "good," down from 48 percent in February to just 31 percent now.
Almost two-thirds of Americans — 65 percent — disapprove of Obama's handling of gas prices, up from 58 percent in February. Nearly half, 44 percent, "strongly disapprove." And just 30 percent said they approve, down from 39 percent in February.
Multi Family Yard Sale
Multi family yard sale on Saturday morning from 7-12? It is on Tarrytown Road and the community is the Village of Sleepy Hollow off of Pemberton Drive. Lots of baby/children items furniture, tools, collectibles and clothes for him and her.
Offshore Powerboat Season Kicks Off In OC
OCEAN CITY -- The grand spectacle of offshore powerboat racing
returns to Ocean City this weekend with the arrival of the first leg of
the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) summer-long series around the
country.
The OPA series gets underway this weekend with the Ocean City Grand Prix, the first of seven events at locations all over the country. Dozens of high-powered offshore powerboats will converge on the resort area starting this afternoon for a series of events onshore and off throughout the weekend culminating with two races just off the coast of Ocean City on Sunday afternoon. Phil Houck, owner of the Bull on the Beach and lead sponsor on the event, said this week he expects a big turnout based on early registration.
“We’re expecting about 50 boats,” he said. “It’s the first race of the year and it will be nationally televised, so just about all of the competitors will be out for this one in Ocean City.”
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The OPA series gets underway this weekend with the Ocean City Grand Prix, the first of seven events at locations all over the country. Dozens of high-powered offshore powerboats will converge on the resort area starting this afternoon for a series of events onshore and off throughout the weekend culminating with two races just off the coast of Ocean City on Sunday afternoon. Phil Houck, owner of the Bull on the Beach and lead sponsor on the event, said this week he expects a big turnout based on early registration.
“We’re expecting about 50 boats,” he said. “It’s the first race of the year and it will be nationally televised, so just about all of the competitors will be out for this one in Ocean City.”
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I Can, Can You?
To my 'selected' strange-minded friends:
If you can read the following paragraph, forward it on to your friends and the person that sent it to you with 'yes' in the subject line..
Only great minds can read this
This is weird, but interesting!
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
If you can read the following paragraph, forward it on to your friends and the person that sent it to you with 'yes' in the subject line..
Only great minds can read this
This is weird, but interesting!
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!