Mayor Ireton Wants To Put The Cart Before The Horse

Yesterday afternoon Mayor Ireton presented an uplifting proposal in which he clearly stated he did not author. In fact he used the word "stole" it from an idea created 30 years ago. The Mayor presented his plans to revitalize Downtown Salisbury.

As many of you have seen, Mayor Ireton is a very charismatic person who excels in public speaking, (some call is BS). Nevertheless, I was entertained by his excitement but let me explain why it is so wrong, seriously.

Mayor Ireton wants to surplus all of the parking lots in Downtown. His claim, (and that's all it is) is that barely anyone is using the parking garage, therefore if he takes all of the other parking away and people simply started using the parking garage it would be fine.

So surplus the parking lots and sell them for pennies on the dollar. You know, like the old Fire House 16. I offer $250,000.00, they refuse my CASH offer and then sell it to someone else for $100,000.00.

Ireton wants to build 200,000 square feet of new commercial buildings/space and 500 new residential units. Of course Mayor Ireton doesn't mention any of this being low income or subsidized housing units but nevertheless he's putting the cart before the horse because I'll simply ask you a couple of simple questions.

The first being, what about all of the available retail/commercial space sitting vacant in Downtown Salisbury?

The second question, what about all of the condos and apartments available right now?

The BIGGEST question would be, WHY? Allow me to expand. Please tell me WHAT is drawing people to the Downtown area first. There's not even a grocery store people can walk to. In Jim's speech yesterday he conveniently mentioned the Salisbury Festival, "it's a destination place". OK, for TWO days it is. There's still 363 days to fill to attract people here. Then he mentioned 3rd Friday. Again, that's a few hours 12 days a year. There's still 351 days left.

My point is, as a BUSINESS MAN or INVESTOR, you DON'T build such mentioned space unless there's a much bigger plan and that's why I'm calling it the cart before the horse.

Now, here's where things get really interesting. Remember the old Feldman's deal where Palmer Gillis wanted to purchase the building but said he has forever backed out of that deal. NOT TRUE! Behind the scenes for the past several months, (once against without ANY knowledge to the Council) Ireton has been working with the Historic Society, the Bank of Delmarva,(by the way, who do we know who has stock in Bank of Delmarva) and Palmer Gillis to demo the old Feldman's building with exception of the historic 3 story building.

Ireton has plans to totally revitalize that area BUT AT WHO'S EXPENSE? Guess what, the answer is YOURS and MINE. That's right, we'll pay to tear if all down and when I asked the Mayor why he's not tearing down the 3 story portion he said, because the Bank still owns it.

So the BANK is somehow willing to allow these structures to be torn down, very interesting and unusual. That is, unless you have someone like Palmer Gillis waiting in the background to purchase that property for, (GET THIS) $45,000.00. PRETTY DARNED SWEET!

Now, I need to be very open here and state that I truly respect Palmer Gillis and his ability to see things very few of us would envision. He also puts his money where his mouth is, as long as it's a sweet deal. Can't blame a man for that.

Even with all this being done behind the scenes, the Mayor never confronted the Council about any of this and will once again shove it down their throats expecting them to fold and agree to it all. Well, you and I both know that this project will never fly when you disrespect the actual LEGISLATIVE body who actually represents YOU far more so than the Mayor does.

A good Mayor would have brought this proposal immediately to the Council and NOT be a Mayor who went out yesterday, (for example) and confronted everyone at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon as well as the Lower Eastern Shore Mayors Association dinner last night. He's trying to sell the business community first, (not the voters) and completely ignoring the Council. Oh, wait just a second, let me correct that statement. Stick with me for just a second.

I attended most of these meetings yesterday, one of which was the most important, the Budget Work Session. Guess who WASN'T at the most important meeting of the year, Shanie Shields. Shanie was too sick to attend the budget meeting but when it came to a MAYOR'S DINNER, oh you can believe Shanie mysteriously got a LOT better and was there to support the Mayor. Getting back to my point, Laura Mitchell also attended that meeting as well as the Chamber Luncheon.

So, all that being said, TWO of the City Council Members are FULLY aware of not only the well hushed up Downtown Revitalization Plan, they also know about the Feldman/Gillis project. ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME NOW?

You see Folks, these THREE, (Mayor and two Council Members) know the Mayor's proposals are crap. They also know there are three other Council Members that aren't going to buy into these games. The Mayor runs around selling his snake oil and gets the big crowds while the responsible members say NO. This is how everything this Mayor has proposed has been done. He wants your PITTY while completely screwing the three responsible council members not only in public meetings but the Daily Times is running with everything the Mayor wants run.

You only get the TRUTH from Salisbury News. Yesterday I personally witnessed former Council President Mike Dunn looking at Parker Place with the owner. HMMMMMM, now why all of a sudden do you think there's special interest in the building just across the street from Feldman's? Could it be someone on the INSIDE knows more than the general public? Hey, maybe I made an incredible investment on my building after all.

I know this Post is long so let me start wrapping it up. Please tell me what attraction is situated in Downtown Salisbury that would warrant 200,000 sq ft of new office space and 500 residential units???????

I talk about removing the parking meters to make it more convenient for people to live and shop Downtown. Ireton wants to pull the meters to build apartments/condos/office space on those very same parking lots and force you to park in the parking garage.

You know what Folks, you are going to have another option for your next Mayor. I put the horse before the cart. I will assure you I will make the Council aware of EVERY project brought to my attention immediately to the Council's attention, ALL 5 of them.

This Mayoral Term is only 2 years and I refuse to WASTE any of my time playing games behind elected officials backs. There are 10,000 out of the 12,000 registered voters that do NOT vote. We're going to need YOUR help reaching out to those 10,000 voters and get them to the polls. Are you with me?
Caption (gotta love photo shop)

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Paper Plane Champ Watches His Record Fly, Fly Away

Stephen Kreiger had lived through many attempts to overtake his world record for flight. But he watched with resignation in February as a challenger prepared to unseat him using an unorthodox strategy.

Mr. Kreiger had held since 2003 the Guinness World Record for throwing a paper airplane the farthest. He had won it at age 15, after a summer's preparing by toning his throwing arm.
But here was 51-year-old John Collins at the end of the empty Air Force hangar in Sacramento, Calif., preparing for the flight of a newly folded plane he had designed, having not worked out at all.

And his plane was in the hands of a ringer: a large 27-year-old man with a buff arm.

The stand-in, Joe Ayoob, wound up and rifled the plane in a long, towering arch that came as little surprise: Mr. Ayoob, as a University of California-Berkeley quarterback, logged more than 1,700 passing yards in 2005.

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Comcast to Start Charging Heavy Downloaders Extra

Comcast Corp., the country’s largest Internet service provider, is going to start charging extra when customers go over a certain monthly data limit.

That limit, however, is very high, starting at 300 gigabytes for basic Internet plans. Only a tiny fraction of Internet users use that much data in a month.

Comcast Corp. said Thursday that it will test charging $10 for every 50 gigabytes over that limit.

Comcast has previously limited use to 250 gigabytes per month, but hasn’t charged those who exceed that limit. Instead, it’s warned them, and threatened repeat offenders with cancellation of their service.

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What the Bible Really Still Says About Homosexuality

On Tuesday afternoon, CNN ran an article on its Belief Blog by Catholic priest (sort of) Daniel Helminiak entitled "My Take: What the Bible really says about homosexuality." The article is amazing for including so many bad arguments in so little space. A quick trip through the piece will show you what I mean. Helminiak's writing will be in bold and then my response will follow.

President Barack Obama's support of same-sex marriage, like blood in the water, has conservative sharks circling for a kill. In a nation that touts separation of religion and government, religious-based arguments command this battle. Lurking beneath anti-gay forays, you inevitably find religion and, above all, the Bible.

We now face religious jingoism, the imposition of personal beliefs on the whole pluralistic society. Worse still, these beliefs are irrational, just a fiction of blind conviction. Nowhere does the Bible actually oppose homosexuality.

These two paragraphs perfectly depict how many see any Christian opposition to homosexuality or gay marriage. We are undercover (or not!) theocrats trying to impose our personal preferences on the rest of the country. But the charge of legislating our morality is not as simple as it sounds. For starters, the government legislates plenty of morality already-morality about killing, stealing, polluting and a thousand other things we've decided are bad for society or just plain wrong. Moreover, the arguments being made in favor of gay marriage are fundamentally about morality. That's why you hear words like justice, love, and equality. Most gay marriage advocates are making their case based on moral categories, if not religious and biblical.

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Nine Year Old Counter-Protester Takes on Westboro Baptist Church

Prior to this story, we could have easily accused the Westboro Baptist Church of having all the maturity of a nine-year-old schoolyard bully.

Except, as we now see, that’s an insult to nine-year-olds. Witness this photo of nine-year-old Josef Miles, of Topeka, KS, staging a one-man anti-Westboro counter-protest, courtesy of Gawker:

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Eric Holder to Face Contempt Charges?

Rep. Darrel Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, is publicly circulating a briefing paper and draft contempt-of-Congress resolution against Attorney General Eric Holder over the Department of Justice’s stonewalling in the investigation into the gun-walking scandal known as Operation Fast and Furious.

True to form, Holder is shrugging off the threat and calling foul.

A lawyer for DOJ sent a letter in which he said the department “strongly disputes” the assertion that it has not been cooperating with Congress. He pointed out that the DOJ has provided over 7,600 pages of documents to congressional investigators so far and allowed numerous department officials to testify. He then cited Bush and Reagan administration arguments against releasing information about ongoing investigations to Congress and about releasing information about how members of the department planned to deal with a congressional investigation. He concluded by saying that it looks like Issa is more interested in political gamesmanship than working toward a mutually satisfactory agreement.

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YouTube Pulls Plug on Homosexuality Exposé

A ministry that opposes the advocacy for homosexual “marriage” in the United States took the opportunity of Barack Obama’s endorsement of the idea recently to create a video that documents changes that could be advancing on the United States in coming years: A real-time look at what already is standard practice in Canada where same-sex marriage was legitimized several years ago.

For that, the ministry was accused of “hate” and YouTube pulled down the documentary-type video.

“Friends, people need to realize that homosexual marriage is not about homosexual marriage; it is about overturning law by a totalitarian government,” said Bradlee Dean, of the You Can Run But You Cannot Hide ministry.

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Fiat Pulls Epic Prank on Volkswagen Rivals Using Google Street View

If there's one thing we can say about European car makers, it's that most of them seem to have a great sense of humor. Nowhere is this more apparent than on a trip past Volkswagen's Swedish headquarters in Google Street View, where rival auto brand Fiat took the liberty of parking its flagship 500 model right in front of the company's entrance.

Fiat's Swedish base of operations is just 45 minutes away from the VW building, so the prank wouldn't have taken very long to pull off, but just how Fiat knew that Google Street View was in the area is a mystery. But judging by past pre-planned Street View gags, it's clear that once someone spots the car, word travels fast.

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Arpaio Reacts to Latest Obama-Kenya Connection

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, whose special investigative unit already has found probable cause that Barack Obama’s Hawaii birth certificate is a forgery, says the discovery of a 1991 literary brochure listing Obama’s birthplace as Kenya “puts more smoke out there.”

And the old saying is? “Where there’s smoke there’s fire.”

His comment came today after Breitbart.com published the image of a promotional brochure from two decades ago that declares Obama was “born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia and Hawaii.

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Obama Requesting Help to Pay for Afghan Army

Mapping the way out of an unpopular war, the United States and NATO are trying to build an Afghan army that can defend the country after 130,000 international troops pull out. The alliance’s plans for arm’s-length support for Afghanistan will be a central focus of the summit President Obama is hosting Sunday and Monday in Chicago.

The problem with the exit strategy is that someone has to pay for that army in an era of austerity budgets and defense cutbacks.

The problem for the United States is how to avoid getting stuck with the check for $4.1 billion a year.

“This has to be a multilateral funding effort,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said. “We think there should be contributions from other countries.”

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Obama Citizen-Detention Plan in Trouble

A district-court judge has suspended enforcement of a law that could strip U.S. citizens of their civil rights and allow indefinite detention of individuals President Obama believes to be in support of terror.

The Obama administration has refused to ensure that the First Amendment rights of authors and writers who express contrary positions or report on terror group activities are protected under his new National Defense Authorization Act.

Targeted in the stunning ruling from U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest of New York was Paragraph 1021 of the NDAA, which Obama signed into law last Dec. 31. The vague provision appears to allow for the suspension of civil rights for, and indefinite detention of, those individuals targeted by the president as being in support of terror.

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OC To Begin Charging For Phone, Radio Records

With telephone records recently revealing questionable activity among City Council members, a policy was approved this week to charge for the release of records as well as in certain cases be reviewed by the city’s attorney for approval.

According to Emergency Services Director Joseph Theobald, during budget hearings he had proposed the town implement a more formal policy for the disclosure of telephone and radio records out of the Ocean City’s Public Safety Communications Center in compliance with Maryland law and the Maryland Public Information Act.

“We get a great number of public requests for recordings on an annual basis and right now we do not have a formal policy,” Theobald said.

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Paint-Damaged Vehicles Results in Ocean City Lawsuit

The mayor and City Council of Ocean City filed a lawsuit last week asking the court to declare work order contracts involving the cleanup of paintdamaged vehicles to be null and void.

Ocean City hired D&M Painting Corp. of Washington, Pa., to paint the water storage tank at 64th Street. During the paint job, droplets of paint landed on several vehicles owned by the town and some of its employees. The paint damaged windows and other vehicle parts, according to the lawsuit filed May 9 in Circuit Court in Snow Hill.

Because of the damage, D&M hired Overspray Removal Specialists of Sarasota, Fla., to remove the paint and clean the damaged vehicles. Employees of Overspray Removal Specialists came to Ocean City to do the work, but required that work orders be signed before actually commencing that work.

An unnamed, but unauthorized employee of the Ocean City Public Works Department and the individual employees whose personal vehicles were affected signed the work orders.

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Here's A Link To Radio Show Interview Today

GO HERE to listen.

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Chincoteague Police Department Poker Run for the Kids

The Chincoteague Police Department is to hold the 8th Annual "Ride for the Kids" Poker Run on Saturday, September 8, 2012 (Rain date 9/9/12). The bike event begins at Sting-Ray's in Cape Charles, Va at 11:00. It will be escorted by VA State Police with officers at each intersecton so no one will have to stop for traffic signals. They will stop at The Wine Rack in Onley, VA. Then will finish in Chincoteague to Don's Seafood Reastaurant where there will be an entire street blocked off for the Block Party that will run from 4:00 p.m. til 9:00 p.m. with live entertainment. There will be an auction prior to the Block Party where we be auctioning off various items that are donated to the department for the cause including beautiful decoy carvings by famous carvers from here in Chincoteague. The auction events and the block party are open to the public. There are raffle tickets for sale $5.00/ book of 6 or $1.00/single. The winner will be drawn after the auction. 1st drawing prize of $1,500.00, 2nd prize of $1,000.00, and 3rd of $500.00. The Chincoteague Police Department raised over $20,000.00 at last year's event. The proceeds go to helping children and families in Chincoteague who need help with clothing, food, utilities, medications, etc. This is a great cause and helps our community a great deal. We are also excepting donations (monetary, auction items, items for families, etc). For more details, please contact the Chincoteague Police Department @ 757-336-3155

‘Church Was Not Their Thing’: New Audio From Rev. Wright’s Shocking Interview With Obama Book Author Ed Klein

• Ed Klein says Wright was “very quiet, very polite, very measured” during their interview


• Of the Obamas, Wright said, ”Church is not their thing. It was never their thing.”


• Wright claims Clinton campaign may have been paying black pastors to disparage him


• He says his words have been “misused and taken out of context”


• Reverend alleges that Obama changed dramatically once he became president

Edward Klein’s new book, “The Amateur,” an unauthorized biography of President Barack Obama, makes some startling and intriguing claims. From former President Bill Clinton calling Obama an “amateur” to Rev. Jeremiah Wright alleging that he was offered hush money, the book is full of political surprises. Earlier this week, Klein gave Fox News’ Sean Hannity the three-hour recording of his discussion with Wright. The Blaze also obtained some copies of the recordings. We are currently working to obtain the raw, three-hour interview audio.

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Seattle Couple Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Welfare Programs While Living in Luxury

A well-off Seattle couple who lived in a $1.2 million waterfront home and purchased expensive items like jewelry while collecting tens of thousands of dollars in welfare has pleaded guilty to theft of government funds.

David Silverstein, 60, a chiropractor, and Lyudmila Shimonova, 53, his live-in partner, pleaded guilty Thursday to theft of government funds and defrauding state and federal benefit programs, the Department of Justice said in a release.

The couple will pay back two and a half times the amount they stole, including more than $261,000 in restitution fees and an additional $216,441 civil penalty to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Social Security Administration,and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

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Field Notes…“Special Session Pirates”

By Delegate Mike McDermott

Behaving more akin to pirates than elected legislators, I witnessed first hand a budget slush fund crafted for the O’Malley-Brown administration and an overall budget increase of $938 million in new taxes and spending. All this in a three day session where the fix was in before we ever arrived in Annapolis.

As I stated to the governor at Monday night’s protest on the Lawyer’s Mall: “If you insist on behaving like pirates…you need to strike the Maryland colors on the State House and run up the Jolly Roger!!!”

The budget that was in place in April was a good spending plan. It increased the budget by over $700 million but was within the projected revenues. It also did not call for any tax or fee increases, no pension shifts to the counties for teacher retirement pay, and no transfers of any “trust” funds (such as Transportation or Bay Restoration). This budget, arguably the best spending plan in decades to come out of Annapolis, was not enough for most of the democrats who rule Maryland.

The new budget does several things to increase spending by a billion dollars. First, it increases Income Tax rates on wage earners making $100,000 or more and couples earning $150,000 or better. Second, it transfers teacher pensions (paid for since 1927 by the state) to county governments. The budget also adopts other fees and taxes which will provide additional reasons not to start or expand a business in Maryland at a time when our economy continues to struggle.

Another interesting item is the “Budget Restoration Fund” established in this new supplemental budget through which all of the new taxes, fees, and transfers will be collected and spent. The bill establishes this as a gubernatorial slush fund that uses the word “may” instead of “shall” when directing where the money can be spent. Essentially, this vast amount of money is not required to be spent for any of the purposes for which it was collected. We tried to change that one word with an amendment, but it was shot down.

In fact, many amendments were offered , mostly by Republicans, which would have provided better guidance to this bill or would have cut back some of the burden that will be borne by Maryland’s middle class. They were summarily defeated with around 7 to 10 Democrats voting with the loyal opposition to try and curb the madness.

Here’s how some of the Income Tax increases break down:
The new tax rates, by income brackets, are:

· $125,001 to $150,000 will go from 4.75 percent to 5.25 percent

· $150,001 to $250,000 will go from5 percent to 5.5 percent

· Incomes above $250,000 to be taxed at 5.75 percent


Joint filers in the higher brackets also will pay more:
· $150,001 to $175,000 will go from 4.75 percent to 5 percent
· $175,001 to $225,000 will go from 5 percent to 5.25 percent

· $225,001 to $300,000 will go from 5 percent to 5.5 percent

· Incomes above $300,000 to be taxed at 5.75 percent

The government will raise an additional $52 million in the coming year by reducing personal tax exemptions for some tax brackets.

For individuals with federal adjusted gross incomes above $100,000, the exemption will be reduced from $2,400 to $1,600. The amount will be reduced from $1,800 to $800 for earners who make more than $150,000, and will be eliminated for those earning over $200,000. There will be similar reductions for taxpayers filing jointly.

You can get ready to feel the pain very soon. In fact, democrats rejected an amendment that would have only made the tax apply beginning January 1, 2013. Since it will be in effect this year, payroll deductions will be double for affected wage earners during the coming 6-months. Essentially, you’ll experience a double hit courtesy of the Special Session.

The transfer of the teacher pensions will result in long term budget pain for county governments. This costs will, without a doubt, migrate to the tax payers through additional local taxes. The counties simply cannot absorb this hit from the state in such a down turned economy. The budget act also enacts the extortion override of county tax caps thereby authorizing the state to withhold county revenues and send them directly to the local Board of Education if a county cannot meet their Maintenance of Effort (MOE) spending obligations. This is a terrible act and I doubt it would even survive a Constitutional challenge in the courts.

There are one year “sweeteners” in the act designed to cushion the blow to local government, but they are a false hope. Even the $14 million MOE adjustment for Wicomico County pales when stacked against the longer term obligations of these pension funds. When the Thornton Act was passed in 2002, the General Assembly failed to identify a funding mechanism. Well, a decade later and they have now identified the funding source: County Government. Unfunded mandates continue to wreck havoc on tax payers.

If there is anything from which to draw encouragement from this latest act of piracy, it would have to be the final vote in the House: 77-60. For all of the hue and cry about a lack of “bi-partisanship” exhibited in the General Assembly, true bi-partisanship was displayed from those opposing this monster tax increase (consisting of 42-R’s and 18-D’s). Those 77 votes in favor are only democrats.

During the debate, I customarily projected my voice which prompted the Speaker to state that we should use our “inside voice”. Here is my response to his request. Pay particular attention at the very end to the Speakers comment...no truer words were ever spoken.

* How they voted: On the shore, only the democrats voted for the tax and spend bills. Delegate Conway and Delegate Cane voted for both bills (Budget and Revenue-Tax bill). Senator Mathias voted for the Budget Act and then against the Revenue-Tax bill.Delegates Otto, Eckardt, Haddaway-Riccio, and myself voted against both bills. Senator Colburn also voted against both bills.

Downtown Berlin To Offer Free Wireless Access

Downtown Berlin will be connecting in a whole new way now that town officials are moving forward with the expansion of free wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet service to most of the commercial district.

Originally suggested by Councilwoman Lisa Hall last autumn, Mayor Gee Williams revealed that Berlin has looked into offering free Wi-Fi before but always balked at the price. However, a recent estimate from NGX Grid, a Virginia firm based, has made Wi-Fi coverage a much more palatable expense.

“The cost is substantially lower than originally thought … thousands and thousands less than what we originally thought,” said Williams.

The figure cited is $2,596, with the council agreeing to spend up to $3,000.

According to Town Administrator Tony Carson, previous estimates for the service were brutal. “The cost was probably about 10-15 times that,” he said.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

THE SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WILL HOLD A BUDGET WORK SESSION ON
TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 STARTING AT 9:30 A.M. IN CONFERENCE ROOM 306 OF
THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, 125 NORTH DIVISION STREET.

THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO OBSERVE AND TO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS
PERTAINING TO THE CITY’S BUDGET.

US envoy to Israel: Plans in Place to Attack Iran if Necessary

The U.S. has plans in place to attack Iran if necessary to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Washington's envoy to Israel said, days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear talks with Tehran.

Dan Shapiro's message resonated Thursday far beyond the closed forum in which it was made: Iran should not test Washington's resolve to act on its promise to strike if diplomacy and sanctions fail to pressure Tehran to abandon its disputed nuclear program.

Shapiro told the Israel Bar Association the U.S. hopes it will not have to resort to military force.

"But that doesn't mean that option is not fully available. Not just available, but it's ready," he said. "The necessary planning has been done to ensure that it's ready."

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Berlin Looking To Embrace Weddings

Berlin’s best kept secret won’t be a secret for long if several businesses get to fill their hearts’ desire this June.

Berlin’s best kept secret is that it won’t be long before couples who “Say I Do” begin living happily ever after with a one-of-a-kind Berlin wedding.

For several weeks, businesses from Berlin and the surrounding area have been collaborating on how to best make Berlin a wedding destination for the mid-Atlantic region.

“We thought what better place to have a memorable and tasteful wedding, then here in historic and beautiful Berlin,” said Angela Reynolds, who is chairing the effort.

The historical and picturesque ambiance of Berlin is a perfect setting for all types of weddings, according to Jen Davis of Bustle, a new bridal boutique on Main Street that will officially open June 8.

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D.C. Police to Allow Sikh Officers To Wear Full Beards And Turbans On The Job

Sikh American police officers in Washington, D.C. are now allowed to wear turbans and full beards on the job under a uniform policy change announced Wednesday.

The written change is said to be the first of its kind for a major metropolitan police force, though other law enforcement agencies have less formal arrangements, according to the Associated Press.

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Looking Good For Walker in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, sitting Republican Governor Scott Walker has opened up a six-point lead over his Democrat rival, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, in the recall election that will take place on June 5th. The election represents the final attempt by Democrats and their union enablers to overturn the results of the 2010 contest that handed Republicans control of both houses in the state legislature, in turn leading to a curtailment of collective bargaining privileges for the state’s government unions. For many on both sides of the political divide, this race represents a bellwether indication of where the nation is headed in the general election next November.

Thus, it is unsurprising that plenty of money from both sides has been heading into the state. Kantar Media/Campaign Media Analysis Group, which tracks political ad spending, tells CNN that nearly $11 million has been spent from the beginning of November through last Monday to run recall television commercials in Wisconsin. Yet there has been much discontent on the progressive side of the ledger, with Wisconsin Democrats infuriated by a Democratic National Committee (DNC) that, up until yesterday, had refused to make a major investment in unseating the incumbent governor. “We are frustrated by the lack of support from the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Governors Association,” a top Wisconsin Democratic Party official said. “Scott Walker has the full support and backing of the Republican Party and all its tentacles. We are not getting similar support.”

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Worcester Schools Rank Second Highest in State

Ninety-one percent of all seniors attending Worcester County Public Schools have met their graduation requirements, according to a report by the Worcester County Board of Education, giving the schools the second highest ranking in the state.

Students must fulfill the requirements of four different categories in order to graduate and a total of 21 class credits must be completed. A student cannot be absent from school any more than six days of each school year. At least 75 hours of community service, deemed Service Learning, must be performed. Each of the three High School Assessments — state exams focusing on English, math and science — also must be passed.

“Those numbers are very positive to us,” Stephanie Zanich, coordinator of instruction and assessment, said during the Board of Education meeting Tuesday in Newark. “It’s a glimpse that reveals to all of us that we’re doing the right things for the students we work with.”

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What's Happening In Ocean City

May 17-20
Cruisin' OCInlet Parking Lot Visit Website
May 19
Ride for the FeastBoardwalk & Downtown Ocean City Visit Website
May 19
Delmarva ESA Surf Series48th Street on the Beach Visit Website
May 20
CROP WalkOn the Boardwalk Visit Website
June 9 - 10
OC Air Show 201216th St. & Boardwalk Visit Website
September 20 - 23
Sunfest 2012Inlet Parking Lot Visit Website

More Doctors are Ditching The Old Prescription Pad

Dropping a paper prescription at the drugstore is becoming old-school: More than a third of the nation's prescriptions now are electronic, according to the latest count.

The government has been pushing doctors to e-prescribe, in part because it can be safer for patients. This year, holdouts will start to see cuts in their Medicare payments.

Thursday's report from Surescripts, the largest network for paperless prescribing, shows more doctors are signing up fast.

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Justice: Prisons To Step Up Anti-Rape Efforts

The Obama administration ordered federal, state and local officials Thursday to adopt zero tolerance for prison rape as it issued mandatory screening, enforcement and prevention regulations designed to reduce the number of inmates who suffer sexual victimization at the hands of other prisoners and prison staff.

Anti-rape advocates and victims of prison rape, while saying the standards are not perfect, cheered the new regulations. The rules have been under development since Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act in 2003 to fight rape and sexual victimization in the nation’s prisons, jails and halfway houses. The regulations were announced only minutes after the Justice Department unveiled a new survey of former state and local prisoners that showed that almost one in every 10 reported at least one incident of sexual victimization by prison staff or other inmates.

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Google Photo Team Working OC

The Google Business View Photo Team is in Ocean City expanding its search engine website by creating virtual tours of local participating businesses.

The team shoots pictures of businesses creating a virtual tour to be placed on their Google Places page as part of search results within Google Maps. Businesses can also add the tour to their own personal websites.

On Monday morning, the team started with a photo shoot of the Clarion Hotel and had plans to move onto Old Pro Golf by the end of the week. Last month, the team shot A Perfect Face Day Spa, the Kite Loft, the Country Side Café and Culver Antiques & Framing in Ocean City, Delaware and Berlin.

According to Google Certified Trusted Photographer Frank Clark, the team has been on ground in Maryland for six weeks, working in Annapolis and moving toward Baltimore but Ocean City has become a primary focus at this time.

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BREAKING NEWS: House Passes $642B Defense Authorization Bill

House ignores veto threat from White House and passes bill that includes operations in Afghanistan and accounts for half of all federal discretionary funding.

From Fox News

In A Jam

Pig Mascots to Deliver Baseballs to Umps

WASHINGTON - Baseball history is being made in Minnesota. For the first time ever, the St. Paul Saints independent baseball team will use two pig mascots to deliver baseballs to umpires and entertain fans.

Romance triggered the decision with the club, in a release, noting the pigs eyes met across the sty. Apparently their love is as thick as mud and the Saints have formally announced the engagement of of Kim LARDashian and Kris HAMphries.

The Saints' news release notes that this past winter the couple began going out in public and were photographed by the piggyrazzi. 

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Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Releases 5-18-12

Calvin Mitchell Sterling of Crisfield, arrested 5-10-12 on warrants regarding burglary 4th and 2nd degree, theft less than $1,000.00 forgery, uttering false documents, and malicious destruction of property. Sterling was held on a $40,000 bond.

Two female juveniles arrested at Washington High School for fighting. On 5-11-12 Deputies were called to the school regarding two females involved in a fight. Deputies later arrested the students and charged them with second degree assault, and disturbing school functions. The juveniles were later released to their parents pending juvenile court actions.

Nichole L. Bennett of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, arrested 5-12-12 for driving without a license, and a headlight violation. Bennett was later released on signature pending court actions.

Eric Anthony Tobin of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, arrested 5-12-12 regarding violating an out of state protective order. Tobin was later released on personal recognizance.

Paula Anselmo Bisset of Crisfield, arrested 5-12-12 regarding driving on a suspended drivers license, and driving with expired tags. Bisset was later released on signature pending court actions.

Welson William Ward of Princess Anne, arrested 5-12-12 on warrants regarding failing to appear in court, and resisting arrest. Ward was held on a $210,000 bond.

Tevin DeShawn Mumford of Salisbury, arrested 5-13-12 regarding underage possession of alcohol. Mumford was released on signature pending court actions. The arrest was the result of Deputies being called to the Civic Center in Princess Anne regarding a large crowd. Deputies saw Mumford stumbling in the parking area, and detected alcohol.

Two juveniles arrested for assaulting another juvenile while mowing his grass. Deputies responded to the area of Harvey Russell Rd regarding an assault. Deputies later learned that two male juveniles had punched the victim at his residence while he was trying to mow the grass. Deputies later arrested two Princess Anne juveniles and charged them with second degree assault. Both juveniles were later released to their parents pending juvenile court actions.

Edwin Lamont Fletcher of Crisfield, arrested 5-15-12 on a warrant regarding failing to appear in court. Fletcher was held on a $1,000 bond.

Jamar Marquel Tenner of Crisfield, arrested 5-16-12 regarding warrants for failing to appear in court, armed robbery, assault 1st and 2nd degree, reckless endangerment, robbery, handgun used in felony, and a parol retake. Tenner was later held without bond. The arrest was the result of Deputies receiving a tip that Tenner was hiding out in the area of the Wink Lane Apartments. Deputies later found Tenner hiding behind a large television in the living room of a friend’s apartment.

Tammy Lynn Cawood of Princess Anne, arrested 5-16-12 on warrants regarding assault 1st and 2nd degree, reckless endangerment, and violating a peace order. Cawood was held on a $50,000 bond.

Luvernea Khadjia Michelle Hodge of Princess Anne, arrested 5-16-12 for harboring a fugitive, and obstructing police. Hodge was later held on a $100,000 bond.

Troopers Investigating Pedestrian Struck By Train

Location:
Philadelphia Pike and Naamans Road, Claymont, DE

Date and Time of Occurrence:
Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 12:15 p.m.

Resume:
Claymont- The Delaware State Police are currently at the scene of an incident in which a pedestrian has been struck by a train early this afternoon in the area of Philadelphia Pike and Naamans Road in Claymont.

Initial information is that the pedestrian has died.

The investigation into this incident is in its early stages and more details will be released after they are obtained from investigators.

Today's Fill In The Blank 5-18-12

_______ is my favorite part of Salisbury News.

Bond Market May Not Warn When Debt Crisis Strikes

One by one, European nations are letting their voices be heard, tossing out the party in power and voting in those who, in some cases, have a more radical agenda or, in others, are just willing to say “no” to the status quo. A bas l’austerite! Down with austerity! Up with growth!

If only it were that simple. That’s how the trade-off is being portrayed, and perhaps that’s what policy makers pushing the idea, and individuals on the receiving end, want to believe. With many euro-zone countries in recession, one can understand the appeal. Spend more, grow more and presto! The debt shrinks in relation to the economy and becomes more manageable.

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Fire At Salisbury Denny's

Bushes on fire. Denny's employees using buckets of water. Wendys manager coming to aid with fire extinguisher. Fire dept not yet on scene. Seems to be a losing fight.

Link Into Radio Show Interview NOW

If you'd like to listen On Line to the Coastal Connection Interview GO HERE. It will start at noon.

Today's Advertiser Of The Day 5-18-12

State Police Investigating Pedestrian Fatality UPDATE

Location: 14511 Sycamore Road, Laurel, DE

Date of Occurrence: Friday May 18, 2012 at approximately 9:03 a.m.

Resume:
Laurel, DE- Sycamore Road is now open. The investigation into this crash and is still on-going and details will be released later this afternoon.

State Police Investigating Pedestrian Fatality

Location: 14511 Sycamore Road, Laurel, DE

Date of Occurrence: Friday May 18, 2012 at approximately 9:03 a.m.

Resume:
Laurel, DE- The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is now investigating a pedestrian fatality involved in the crash with a motorcycle. The victim is an adult female.

The investigation is in its early stages and a more detailed release will be sent later this afternoon as information is received. The roadway will continue to be shut down as the crash is investigated.

PUBLISHERS NOTES: This was the Teacher mentioned in my earlier Post. We understand they closed that School for the day as this happened right in front of the students as they were coming to School.

Motorcycle Runs Over & Kills Teacher In Laurel

A teachers was struck by a motorcycle this morning in the Laurel School District and passed away. The information is coming in little by little and we hope to provide more information soon.

Sarah's 14th Birthday

Today would have been Sarah Foxwell's 14th Birthday.

R.I.P. our Christmas Angel.

MBRG: Special Session Is Self-Inflicted Wound On Job Growth

Maryland Business for Responsive Government characterized the conclusion of the special session as yet another self-inflicted wound on the state's business climate. The outcome of this special session, enabling the state to collect $264 million in additional revenues, comes mostly through increases in the individual income tax. New tax brackets and reduced exemptions will hit those with annual incomes of $100,000 or greater and comes on the heels of such legendary ill-conceived tax policies including the 2007 tech-tax and its replacement - the millionaire's tax.

"This latest self-inflicted wound on our business climate could have been avoided if our state government lived within its means, " said MBRG President Kimberly M. Burns. "Instead, our top elected officials chose the politically expedient route of continuing government spending at record levels and avoiding the difficult choices required of a fiscally-responsible approach to governing."

Over 80,000 businesses filed S-corporation tax returns in Maryland in 2010, according to the state comptroller's office. Income from S-Corporations, LLCs, and sole proprietorships are taxed at personal income rates. Many businesses will simply reduce employment levels or reduce costs elsewhere.

Robert Bauman, President of Trusted Systems, Inc. in Carroll County, and a member of MBRG, said businesses will adjust to tax increases in any number of ways including layoffs, pay cuts, raising prices or identifying other cost-saving measures.

“Many people don't realize that with this increase in the individual income tax, you are essentially taxing businesses at higher levels as well," said Bauman. "It's foolish to think that won't impact hiring and stunt private sector job growth."

Ariz. Secretary of State Threatens to Keep Obama’s Name Off Ballot Without Birth Certificate Verification

Arizona‘s secretary of state is threatening to keep President Barack Obama’s name off the November ballot unless the state of Hawaii can verify that Obama’s birth certificate is valid.

Secretary of State Ken Bennett told KFYI Phoenix radio host Mike Broomhead on Thursday he’s not a “birther,” but that he‘s responding to constituent concerns in the wake of Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s investigation into Obama’s long-form birth certificate. Arpaio released findings in March that said he believes the birth certificate the White House released last year is a “computer-generated forgery.”

“I’m not a birther, I believe the president was born in Hawaii — or at least I hope he was,” Bennett said on KFYI. “My responsibility as secretary of state is to make sure the ballots in Arizona are correct and that those people whose names are on the ballot have met the qualifications for the office they are seeking.”

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D.C. Tops List of Best Cities for Women

It's good to be a woman in the nation's capital.

A new study on female well-being in the U.S. finds women in the District earn more, are better educated and live longer than women in any major city.

Women in San Francisco and Boston ranked second and third, respectively.

"We wanted to look at just women and see how women are comparing to one another," says Kristen Lewis, co-director of Measure of America, the organization that conducted the study. "Lots of studies compare women to men and men to men. But what's done less is compare women to each other."

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Schumer Introduces Ex-PATRIOT Act: Will Banish Those Who Renounce US Citizenship

What comes after Banana Republic? Because America is it - after last week Facebook co-founder, and native Brazilian, Eduardo Saverin announced he would denounce his US citizenship [4], America has decided to make it virtually illegal to denounce one's citizenship in what can only be classified as the dumbest proposed law in recent history: meet the Ex-PATRIOT Act (Expatriation Prevention by Abolishing Tax-Related Incentives for Offshore Tenancy) proposed by Chick Schumer and Bob Casey. One wonders just how much taxpayer money was spent to pay naming consultants to come up with this witty acronym for a law that can only be classified as utter idiocy. Here is our suggestion for the follow up law: The "GULAG" Act: Get Ur Laughable Asses Gone (although we are open to any other non-taxpayer funded acronym suggestions).

From ABC [5]:

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has a status update for Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin: Stop attempting to dodge your taxes by renouncing your U.S. citizenship or never come to back to the U.S. again.

In September 2011, Saverin relinquished his U.S. citizenship before the company announced its planned initial public offering of stock, which will debut this week. The move was likely a financial one, as he owns an estimated 4 percent of Facebook and stands to make $4 billion when the company goes public. Saverin would reap the benefit of tax savings by becoming a permanent resident of Singapore, which levies no capital gains taxes.

At a news conference this morning, Sens. Schumer and Bob Casey, D-Pa., will unveil the "Ex-PATRIOT" - "Expatriation Prevention by Abolishing Tax-Related Incentives for Offshore Tenancy" - Act to respond directly to Saverin's move, which they dub a "scheme" that would "help him duck up to $67 million in taxes."

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Today's Survey Question 5-18-12

Do you still own a VCR?

72 Hours To Save On Your 2012 Maryland Young Republicans Convention Registration!

$30 Rate ends Sunday Night at 10 PM!
The 2012 Maryland Young Republicans Convention will take place on Saturday, June 2nd at the Doubletree Hotel in Annapolis starting at 10 AM.
Join the Maryland Young Republicans as we come together for networking, training, and planning for the 2012 Elections.

Speakers for this great event include:
Harford County Executive David Craig
House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnell
State Senator Nancy Jacobs
U.S. Senate Candidate Dan Bongino
Congressional Candidate Faith Loudon
Comptroller Candidate Bill Campbell
YRNF Chairman Lisa Stickan
Phil Bell from the Maryland Republican Party
There will also be a special edition of Red Maryland Radio broadcasting live from our post-convention reception at 4 PM.
Early Bird Registration is only available for $30 for 72 more hours, through 10 PM ET May 20th!

Coroner: RFK Jr.’s Estranged Wife Died From Hanging

The estranged wife of Robert Kennedy Jr. died of asphyxiation due to hanging, a medical examiner in suburban New York said Thursday.

Mary Richardson Kennedy, 52, was discovered dead Wednesday on the family’s property in this New York City suburb. An autopsy was performed Thursday morning.

Mary Kennedy’s life had both highlights and troubled moments, and they played out publicly because of the famous political family she married into in 1994.

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WCSO Press Releases 5-18-12

Incident: CDS Distribution
Date of Incident: 16 May 2012
Location: 2700 block of N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Julia L. Wagner, 20, Laurel, DE

Narrative: On 16 May 2012 at approximately 1230 PM, Julia Wagner initiated a series of text messages to an individual in an attempt to sell a quantity of marijuana. Unbeknownst to Wagner, she was inadvertently texting a law enforcement officer who then continued the text conversation. Wagner told this officer where she would be and what kind of vehicle she would be in. That information was relayed to an on-duty deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office who responded to the parking lot Wagner texted she was en-route to. The deputy entered the parking lot and located the vehicle matching the description that was texted out. Upon identifying the driver and sole occupant as Julia Wagner of Laurel, DE; she then admitted to having the marijuana in her possession.

The marijuana was packaged and in a sufficient quantity to indicate an intent to sell it.

The deputy placed Wagner under arrest and transported her to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Wagner in the Detention Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.

Charges: Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute

USPS Moves Ahead With Closings, Staff Reductions

The nearly bankrupt U.S. Postal Service is moving ahead with plans to close dozens of mail processing centers, saying on Thursday it can no longer wait as Congress remains deadlocked over how to help.

At a news briefing, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said the agency's mail processing network had simply become too big, given declining mail volume and its mounting debt. It will now consolidate nearly 250 plants as originally planned, including 48 this summer, but will stretch out the remainder over a longer time frame in 2013 and 2014.

Earlier this month, nearly half the Senate had written letters to Donahoe asking that he hold off on closing any mail facility until Congress could pass final postal overhaul legislation. The Senate last month passed a bill that would halt many of the closings; the House remains stalled over a measure allowing for more aggressive cuts.

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LA County Health Enforcers Conduct Door-To-Door Raw Milk Confiscation Operations

In a bombshell revelation of the depth of the food police state that now exists in LA County, California, NaturalNews has learned that the LA County health department has unleashed door-to-door raw milk confiscation teams to threaten and intimidate raw dairy customers into surrendering raw milk products they legally purchased and own.

According to Mark McAfee (see quotes below), both LA County and San Diego county have attempted to acquire customer names and addresses from Organic Pastures (www.OrganicPastures.com) for the sole purpose of sending “food confiscation teams” to customers’ homes to remove the raw milk from customers’ refrigerators. Using both phone calls and home visits, these teams intimidate customers and try to force them to give up their milk.

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It's 3rd Friday In Salisbury

Will you be attending tonight?

The Wisdom Of Thucydides

Thucydides was probably born about 460BC and was for a time a General on the side of democratic Athens against aristocratic Sparta in what is known as the Peloponnesian War in which most of Greece took a side. After being exiled he wrote his famous history. The passage that I’ve quoted in full below is, in my opinion, one of the finest passages of classical antiquity. I was somewhat surprised not to be able to find it elsewhere quoted online. It descibes the breakdown of civil society and in doing so it perfectly describes every civil war and revolution that has taken place in the almost two and half thousands years since it was written including the English Civil War, French Revolution, American Civil War, Russian Revolution, and Spanish Civil War. Human nature, it seems is immutable.

I bring it to attention in the vain hope that those who have blindly pursued the policies which have brought Greece to the brink and risks plunging the whole of Europe into the abyss, might consider more keenly the consequences of their actions and change course before it’s too late.

“So revolutions broke out in city after city, and in places where the revolutions occured late the knowledge of what had happened previously in other places caused still new extravagances of revolutionary zeal, expressed by an elaboration in the methods of seizing power and by unheard-of atrocities in revenge. To fit in with the change of events, words, too, had to change their meanings. What used to be described as a thoughtless act of aggression was now regarded as the courage one might expect to find in a party member; to think of the future and wait was merely another way of saying one was a coward; any idea of moderation was just an attempt to disguise one’s unmanly character; ability to understand a question from all sides meant that one was totally unfitted for action. Fanatical enthusiasm was the mark of a real man, and to plot against an enemy behind his back was perfectly legitimate self-defence. Anyone who held violent opinions could always be trusted and anyone who objected to them became suspect. To plot successfully was a sign intelligence, but it was still cleverer to see that a plot was hatching. If one attempted to provide against having to do either, one was disrupting the unity of the party and acting out of fear of the opposition. In short, it was equally praiseworthy to get one’s blow in first against someone who was going to do wrong, and to denounce someone who had no intention of doing any wrong at all. Family relations were a weaker tie than party membership, since party members were more ready to go to any extreme for any reason whatever. These parties were not formed to enjoy the benefits of established laws, but to aquire power by overthrowing the existing regime; and the members of these parties felt confidence in each other not because of any fellowship in a religious communion, but because they were partners in crime. If an opponent made a reasonable speech, the party in power, so far from giving it a generous reception, took every precaution to see that it had no practical effect.

Revenge was more important than self-preservation, And if pacts of mutual security were made, they were entered into by the two parties only in order to meet some temporary difficulty, and remained in force only so long as there was no other weapon available. When the chance came, the one who seized it boldly, catching the enemy off his guard, enjoyed a revenge that was all the sweeter from having taken, not openly, but because of a breach of faith. It was safer that way, it was considered, and at the same time a victory won by treachery gave one a title for superior intelligence. And indeed most people are more ready to call villainy cleverness than simple-mindedness honesty. They are proud of the first quality and ashamed of the second.

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22nd Annual Cruisin Underway In OC Area

One of the largest hot rod shows on the East Coast, the 22nd Annual Cruisin Ocean City, returned yesterday to Ocean City and will continue through the weekend.

The nationally recognized event attracts more than 3,500 customs, hot rods, street machines, classics and more from over 20 states plus Canada. The 22nd Annual Cruisin will have more than 10,000 event participants taking part in various car shows at the Convention Center on 40th Street, the downtown Inlet parking lot and various citywide locations.

Scheduled to appear at this year's Cruisin, from the hit TV show Swamp People, is "The Gator Queen Liz.” Liz will be at Cruisin Friday and Saturday signing autographs, posing for pictures and talking about life in the swamp.

Also joining in on the fun from The Brady Bunch, Mike Lookinland, who starred as Bobby Brady, will be at the show Friday, Saturday and Sunday for meet and greets, photo opportunities and autographs. Additional entertainment includes live music by DNR, celebrity Stars Deejay, Cruisin Gold Deejay and more.

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5 Years Ago Today

Remember this letter? Click on image to enlarge.

Thank God Its Friday 5-18-12

What will you be doing this weekend?

Six Years Ago Today 5-18-12

Census: Minorities Now Surpass Whites in U.S. Births

For the first time, racial and ethnic minorities make up more than half the children born in the U.S., capping decades of heady immigration growth that is now slowing.

New 2011 census estimates highlight sweeping changes in the nation’s racial makeup and the prolonged impact of a weak economy, which is now resulting in fewer Hispanics entering the U.S.

“This is an important landmark,” said Roderick Harrison, a former chief of racial statistics at the Census Bureau who is now a sociologist at Howard University. “This generation is growing up much more accustomed to diversity than its elders.”

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Autopsy: Evidence of Marijuana in Martin’s Blood

Medical examiners found evidence of marijuana in Trayvon Martin’s system after he was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer, an autopsy report released Thursday shows.

The report was included in a large amount of evidence released by prosecutors that includes many new details about the case. The autopsy says the examiners found THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, when they tested Martin’s blood and urine.

Also in the package is a photo of suspect George Zimmerman with a bloody nose taken the night of the fight. A paramedic report says Zimmerman had a 1-inch laceration on his head and forehead abrasion.

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MULTI - FAMILY YARD SALE

Saturday, May 19th

Starting 6:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Sharptown Road - midway between Mardela Springs & Sharptown

"Look for the Big White Tent"

Puppies From Heaven: Calif. Boy Finds Dog on Property

Taylor Callaway considers his new puppy a gift from God.

It's no surprise, considering the 8-week-old puppy literally dropped out of the sky and onto the family's property in Los Banos, Calif., KSEE24 News reports.

Taylor and his grandmother, Elaine Bouchard, estimate the puppy fell 30 feet out of the sky, from the talons of a hawk that lives on their property.

The two spotted the puppy shortly after its harrowing fall. The hawk was still flying overhead, as they scooped up the dog and took him home.

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The Vetting - Exclusive - Obama's Literary Agent in 1991 Booklet: 'Born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia and Hawaii'

Breitbart News has obtained a promotional booklet produced in 1991 by Barack Obama's then-literary agency, Acton & Dystel, which touts Obama as "born in Kenya and raised in Indonesia and Hawaii."

The booklet, which was distributed to "business colleagues" in the publishing industry, includes a brief biography of Obama among the biographies of eighty-nine other authors represented by Acton & Dystel.

It also promotes Obama's anticipated first book, Journeys in Black and White--which Obama abandoned, later publishing Dreams from My Father instead.

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DON'T MISS MY INTERVIEW AT NOON WITH BRYAN RUSSO ON 88.3 FM

Don't forget to tune in today at Noon for my interview on Coastal Connections. Then come back to this Post and let us all know your thoughts.

GO HERE to listen NOW.

15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy

Here is a list of 15 things which, if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and much, much happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress and suffering – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing ourselves to be stress free and happy – we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today we will give up on all those things that no longer serve us, and we will embrace change. Ready? Here we go:

1. Give up your need to always be right
There are so many of us who can’t stand the idea of being wrong – wanting to always be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. It’s just not worth it. Whenever you feel the ‘urgent’ need to jump into a fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: “Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind?” Wayne Dyer. What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big?

2. Give up your need for control
Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.


“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.” Lao Tzu

3. Give up on blame
Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or don’t have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life.

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