United Nations officials are using American taxpayers’ money, which
subsidizes UN operations, to put their noses into the treatment of
Occupy Wall Street protesters in various cities across the United
States.
In a letter
written to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by Frank La Rue, UN
special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to
freedom of opinion and expression, and Maina Kiai, UN special rapporteur
on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, the
UN officials demanded an explanation of “the behavior of police
departments that violently disbanded some Occupy protests last fall.”
The letter, sent in December 2011, was publicly released last week in
connection with the 20th annual United Nations Human Rights Council
meeting. It complained of “forced removal” by law enforcement officials
in various cities, including New York, Portland, Seattle, Denver and
Oakland, of “unwilling protesters from the public areas in which they
were located.” The letter theorized that the primary reason for the
“forced removal” was “related to their dissenting views, criticisms of
economic policies, and their legitimate work in the defense of human
rights and fundamental freedoms.”
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
$5.7 Billion in Taxpayer Money Spent So Far to Encourage Use of Electronic Health Records
The Obama administration has paid more than $5.7 billion in the past
year to health professionals to encourage the use of electronic health
records, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) announced on Tuesday.
As of the end of May, more than 110,000 health care providers and 2,400 hospitals had been paid to use the new technology through an incentive program established by the HITECH section of the stimulus law, which President Obama signed in 2009.
The Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, which began in 2011, pays eligible professionals and hospitals to adopt, implement, upgrade, or "meaningfully use" certified EHR technology in ways that improve care. Eligible professionals include physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and some physician assistants.
More
As of the end of May, more than 110,000 health care providers and 2,400 hospitals had been paid to use the new technology through an incentive program established by the HITECH section of the stimulus law, which President Obama signed in 2009.
The Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, which began in 2011, pays eligible professionals and hospitals to adopt, implement, upgrade, or "meaningfully use" certified EHR technology in ways that improve care. Eligible professionals include physicians, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and some physician assistants.
More
McCain on Obama Granting Work Permits to Illegals: He Can't Do It Because He's Not King
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told CNSNews.com on Monday that President
Barack Obama does not have the authority to unilaterally grant illegal
aliens the authorization to work in the United States because he is not a
king.
In making this argument, McCain said he was referencing Obama's own words.
CNSNews.com asked McCain, “President Obama said Friday that his administration would like to grant work authorization to some illegal aliens. Where specifically does the Constitution authorize the Executive Branch to permit illegal aliens to work in the United States?”
More
In making this argument, McCain said he was referencing Obama's own words.
CNSNews.com asked McCain, “President Obama said Friday that his administration would like to grant work authorization to some illegal aliens. Where specifically does the Constitution authorize the Executive Branch to permit illegal aliens to work in the United States?”
More
Must Be an Election Year: Bullets Are Flying Off the Shelves
When Barack Obama was elected president and the Democrats regained control of Congress four years ago, a boom time for gun sales
soon followed. A record number of background checks were conducted
during the election month of November 2008, and retailers reported sharp
increases in firearm sales (up 39% in early 2009). The spikes came at
least partly the result of fears that new government leadership would
soon make it more difficult to buy guns, via tougher gun control
legislation. Another election is approaching and it’s no coincidence
that 2012 is shaping up to be a huge year for sales of bullets and guns.
President Obama is even being referred to as “salesman of the year”
among gun industry insiders. He may have competition for that title,
though, in the form of … zombies?
Few firms welcome the reelection of Barack Obama quite as much, and for quite as odd a reason, as Olin Corp., a company based in Clayton, Missouri, that manufacturers bullets for Winchester rifles and handguns. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Olin’s ammunition sales have risen strongly during the first quarter of 2012, increasing 8% overall and 13% among civilians. During an April conference call with analysts, Olin’s CEO said the increase in sales “may be related to the election.”
The comments of analysts suggest that the forthcoming election have a more definite impact on rising sales. Bloomberg quoted the report on Olin by Susquehanna Financial Group’s Don Carson, which states:
More
Few firms welcome the reelection of Barack Obama quite as much, and for quite as odd a reason, as Olin Corp., a company based in Clayton, Missouri, that manufacturers bullets for Winchester rifles and handguns. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Olin’s ammunition sales have risen strongly during the first quarter of 2012, increasing 8% overall and 13% among civilians. During an April conference call with analysts, Olin’s CEO said the increase in sales “may be related to the election.”
The comments of analysts suggest that the forthcoming election have a more definite impact on rising sales. Bloomberg quoted the report on Olin by Susquehanna Financial Group’s Don Carson, which states:
More
Wesley Warren Jr., Man With 100-Pound Scrotum, Turns Down Free Surgery Offer
GRAPHIC content below:
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Wesley Warren Jr. declined an opportunity to have the "Dr. Oz Show" pay for the medical expenses associated with the surgery, partially because they wanted exclusive interview rights.
More including video HERE
'Burn in hell!' for singing 'God Bless the USA'
Young children singing “God Bless the USA” outside a New York school
were shouted at by angry adults and told those organizing the event were
going to “burn in hell.”
U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, R-N.Y., gathered the students outside Public School 90 in Coney Island whose principal had yanked the singing of the patriotic song at a graduation ceremony, while Justin Bieber’s pop tune “Baby” reportedly remained on the roster.
“The kids don’t even know what they’re singing!” one of the hecklers yelled as the kids belted out the Lee Greenwood classic at Turner’s event.
More including video HERE
U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, R-N.Y., gathered the students outside Public School 90 in Coney Island whose principal had yanked the singing of the patriotic song at a graduation ceremony, while Justin Bieber’s pop tune “Baby” reportedly remained on the roster.
“The kids don’t even know what they’re singing!” one of the hecklers yelled as the kids belted out the Lee Greenwood classic at Turner’s event.
More including video HERE
Obama Bows to Mexican President
Is it November yet?
In the midst of being "lectured to" by Vladmir Putin at the G20 Summit, Obama felt his crusade to humiliate his country and show off his amateurism wasn't quite enough. So he made sure to add to his Bowing To Foreign Leaders Hits by doing so to Mexican President President Felipe Calderon.Having a President who does not believe in American exceptionalism and constantly proving it in front of the world is starting to get on my nerves. Respect for foreign leaders is one thing but bowing before anyone is as unAmerican as it gets. We fought a war to disassociate ourselves from the kind of government where one man is expected to bow to another. But Obama doesn't understand that because he doesn't understand America.
More
Expanding Drone Legislation ‘Raising an Alarm With the American Public’
Thousands of drones patrolling U.S. skies?
Predictions that multitudes of unmanned aircraft could be flying here within a decade are raising the specter of a “surveillance society” in which no home or backyard would be off limits to prying eyes overhead. Law enforcement, oil companies, farmers, real estate agents and many others have seen the technology that was pioneered on battlefields, and they are eager to put it to use.
It’s not just talk: The government is in the early stages of devising rules for the unmanned aircraft.
So far, civilian use of drones is fairly limited. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued fewer than 300 permits for drones by the end of last year.
More
Predictions that multitudes of unmanned aircraft could be flying here within a decade are raising the specter of a “surveillance society” in which no home or backyard would be off limits to prying eyes overhead. Law enforcement, oil companies, farmers, real estate agents and many others have seen the technology that was pioneered on battlefields, and they are eager to put it to use.
It’s not just talk: The government is in the early stages of devising rules for the unmanned aircraft.
So far, civilian use of drones is fairly limited. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued fewer than 300 permits for drones by the end of last year.
More
Battle Against Taxpayer-Funded Shariah Escalates
A battle against federal taxpayer subsidies for Shariah programs is
being escalated to the full 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after a
three-judge panel of the court decided that a U.S. Marine had no right
to challenge the government’s financial support for Islamic law.
The case has been brought by taxpayer Kevin J. Murray over the federal government’s multi-billion dollar bailout of AIG. It’s being handled by Robert Muise and David Yerushalmi of the American Freedom Law Center.
“It is one thing that our government felt compelled to bail out AIG after its fortunes were destroyed due to the company’s own recklessness and bad acts. It is quite another thing to use U.S. taxpayer dollars to promote and support AIG’s Shariah businesses,” Yerushalmi said.
More
The case has been brought by taxpayer Kevin J. Murray over the federal government’s multi-billion dollar bailout of AIG. It’s being handled by Robert Muise and David Yerushalmi of the American Freedom Law Center.
“It is one thing that our government felt compelled to bail out AIG after its fortunes were destroyed due to the company’s own recklessness and bad acts. It is quite another thing to use U.S. taxpayer dollars to promote and support AIG’s Shariah businesses,” Yerushalmi said.
More
Missing Dog
My family's English Pointer/Black Lab mix has gone missing in the Pittsville - Willards area. Her name is Molly and is currently not wearing her collar.
If any one has any information regarding this dog, please contact Anthony at (443)523-5662.
Maher: GOP 'Party of the Apes'
You need not use the left's absurdly low and usually ridiculous standards surrounding what is and isn't racism when it comes to Barack Obama to be taken aback by crybaby Bill Maher's blog post yesterday:
Also because the idea that the
blame for our government’s dysfunction is equally shared by the parties
just is a giant, steaming mound of horseshit and anyone who has paid
attention to politics over the last 20 years knows it. Or as I like to
call it, “The Rise of the Party of the Apes.”
Maher then went on to single out black Republican Congressman Allen West as an example:
Chicago's Unreported Race War
According to a statement in the Chicago Tribune, reporting on the race of individuals involved in news events, such as mobs attacking, robbing and vandalizing, is irrelevant.
A news anchor at the ABC affiliate in Chicago goes even further: Anyone who reads or writes about the epidemic of racial violence in Chicago is an “idiot” who engages in “meaningless … race baiting,” says Ravi Baichwal.
City officials and the media might be the only two places left where people still deny Chicago is under assault from more than 50 episodes of black mobs attacking, beating, robbing and vandalizing over the last three years in and around downtown. Many of them are on display at YouTube.
More
A news anchor at the ABC affiliate in Chicago goes even further: Anyone who reads or writes about the epidemic of racial violence in Chicago is an “idiot” who engages in “meaningless … race baiting,” says Ravi Baichwal.
City officials and the media might be the only two places left where people still deny Chicago is under assault from more than 50 episodes of black mobs attacking, beating, robbing and vandalizing over the last three years in and around downtown. Many of them are on display at YouTube.
More
‘Remember Who Magically Appears to Save Your Sorry Ass’: Cavuto Rips EC President for Saying U.S. Banks Created Europe’s Mess
Fox News Channel’s Neil Cavuto closed his 4.pm. show Tuesday with
possibly the most epic cable news rant of the year, torching European
Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso for daring to blame the
European economic crisis on North America.
“For god’s sake wake up and sniff your obviously spiked cappuccino,” Cavuto exclaimed while commenting in frustration on Barroso’s remarks during the G20 summit in Mexico Tuesday. “U.S. banks did not create your mess, you did. U.S. banks did not grant cradle-to-the-grave government protections that were unsustainable decades ago let alone today, you did. U.S. banks did not make austerity a foreign concept in Europe, you did. And U.S. banks didn’t force public workers to retire at age 52 or refuse to ask them to contribute so much as a single euro to their healthcare benefits, or their prescription drug benefits, or their ridiculously–unaffordable spousal and kid benefits, you did.
“You created the safety net and now you’re throwing us under the net? I don’t think so Peppe. We are many things in this country, but even our most gullible institutions aren’t half that stupid.”
More
“For god’s sake wake up and sniff your obviously spiked cappuccino,” Cavuto exclaimed while commenting in frustration on Barroso’s remarks during the G20 summit in Mexico Tuesday. “U.S. banks did not create your mess, you did. U.S. banks did not grant cradle-to-the-grave government protections that were unsustainable decades ago let alone today, you did. U.S. banks did not make austerity a foreign concept in Europe, you did. And U.S. banks didn’t force public workers to retire at age 52 or refuse to ask them to contribute so much as a single euro to their healthcare benefits, or their prescription drug benefits, or their ridiculously–unaffordable spousal and kid benefits, you did.
“You created the safety net and now you’re throwing us under the net? I don’t think so Peppe. We are many things in this country, but even our most gullible institutions aren’t half that stupid.”
More
New Obama Jobs Program: Pay Anti-Romney Protesters
President Obama’s latest job-creation gimmick is a self-serving one: Obama allies are reportedly paying protesters to stake out Mitt Romney’s rallies. Two Michigan protesters said that they were getting paid to do that arduous work. They’re clearly not unionized – one protester claimed she was getting paid $7.25 per hour, while another man said he was being paid $17 per hour. These same professional protesters had appeared at another Romney rally that same day. Their story was confirmed by an Obama campaign official, but disassociated his own group from those protesters.
This is nothing new. Back in May, John Nolte reported that the Washington Post had spotted Occupy types protesting Romney – and being organized by the Obama campaign to do so. And, of course, the Occupy movement was largely sponsored by the major unions, who all back Obama.
More
BREAKING NEWS: The Daily Times Makes Major Announcement
On the heels of today's scandal and their admission to a reporter being "indirectly" involved, the President and Publisher Howard L. Griffin has announced the Daily Times are taking away the business responsibilities from Greg Bassett and are bringing in Tom Claybaugh as General Manager/Regional Vice President of the Daily Times.
You might say the ship is sinking fast and the DT's is bringing in a big hitter from Rochester, NY to hopefully salvage what is left.
It's about time someone did something.
Daily Times Makes Claim Reporter Participated In Prank Call
This morning on the front page of the Daily Times Greg Bassett created an article many should seriously question. First of all, do they really apologize? The fact is, they did not. Did they ask their viewers to forgive them for doing so, absolutely not.
Considering the Daily Times allegedly claims they had a reporter who knew all the inns and outs about this alleged event, why didn't they name the reporter? Why didn't they name the person who allegedly made the prank call? Could it be as simple as the reporter was standing with the Mayor at the time the call was made?
Did the Daily Times simply sacrifice a lamb? Think about it Ladies & Gentlemen. What good were they doing for the Mayor IF this was a so called prank call? Remember now, I'm the one who was at the receiving end of the phone call. Others were present when the call came in and immediately identified the voice saying, "that's Jim Ireton". I won't state what they said after that because it simply wasn't favorable to Mayor Ireton.
The Daily Times never once made contact with me in reference to this article. Nor has the Chief of Police called me to let me know of their alleged findings that have NOT been published in the Daily Times, how convenient. More importantly, there's been word all over the Internet that someone has a recording of this phone call. THAT IS ILLEGAL. Notice how there's NO mention of that recording in their article. Not that I personally care, I was very kind to the Mayor on the phone and welcomed the call with open arms.
Nevertheless, the Daily Times goes on and on about how they are held to a higher standard in today's article. REALLY? That would mean they would make contact with ME and get the other side of the story.
Greg Bassett's article stinks to high heaven. I personally feel the Daily Times knows the impact Joe Albero can play in the upcoming election. What will they do if a Blogger gets elected and THEY may no longer have access to the Mayor's Office?
The very first thing I heard this morning was, WHAT, this made front page news! I have heard that at least 7 times already this morning. Someone sent in a comment earlier stating the Mayor should sue me for everything I have for publishing our original article. REALLY? The Mayor calls me, I provide clear evidence that he did so and you feel the Mayor can sue me for publishing the truth. I want all of you to know that I ran into Mayor Ireton (one on one) the other day in the GOB. He never said hello, he never brought the subject up. I've known Jim Ireton for many years now and Jim would never have a problem saying, what the heck happened with that phone call the other day Joe, it wasn't me. Jim put his head down and walked right past me, never saying a word.
Mr. Bassett, when "I" apologize to anyone I say, I'm sorry, can you please forgive me. THAT is an apology Mr. Bassett. Not excuses and we should know better. As for Chief Duncan, where are the charges for the alleged person making the alleged call? Where are the charges for the illegal recording of the alleged phone call? The Daily Times delivered a very poor article this morning and I personally believe this is the final nail in their coffin. They are desperate to stay afloat with ANY Mayor other than Joe Albero and that's all there is to it.
I will provide a link to another article written about this. I think it spells the situation, (competition wise) out a whole lot better. It also shares their distribution numbers the Daily Times refuses to publish and quite frankly we kick their butt. HERE
New Posts to fall below.
U.S. Employers Post Fewest Job Openings in 5 Months
Employers in April posted the fewest job openings in five months, suggesting hiring will remain sluggish in the months ahead.
The Labor Department said Tuesday that job openings fell to a seasonally adjusted 3.4 million in April, down from 3.7 million in March. The March figure was the highest in nearly four years.
The decline could mean employers are growing more cautious about adding workers in the face of financial turmoil in Europe and slower growth in the United States. Job openings can take one to three months to fill.
More
The Labor Department said Tuesday that job openings fell to a seasonally adjusted 3.4 million in April, down from 3.7 million in March. The March figure was the highest in nearly four years.
The decline could mean employers are growing more cautious about adding workers in the face of financial turmoil in Europe and slower growth in the United States. Job openings can take one to three months to fill.
More
Maryland Needs More Pension Reform, Study Says
Maryland is in the same pension pickle as three-fifths of the other states, with its management of its long-term retirement obligations causing “serious concern” to the authors of a new study by the Pew Center on the States. Like 43 states facing similar problems, Maryland made substantial changes in its pension system last year. But the Pew Center report says additional reform will be needed, especially since Maryland and other states continue to short-change the recommended annual contributions to the pension system.
MSNBC Host: 9/11 Gave America ‘PTSD’, ‘Muslim Terrorists’ Were An ‘Imagined Racial Enemy’ for White America
According to MSNBC Host Melissa Harris-Perry
More
- 9/11 vaulted America into a “nationalist fervor” that was similar to “having post-traumatic stress disorder”
- Makes racial joke about African-American men wearing NYPD hats
- 9/11 provided an opportunity for a new “racial enemy” in America
- America “identifies who we are…through our notions of whiteness and of the racial enemies that are the non-whites”
- 9/11 gave America a chance to shift its racial hate from “Reagan‘s ’welfare Queen’“ to ”imagine” our enemy as ”somehow Muslim, or Arab, or Sikh, or something else.”
- Americans an ability to “stomach a kind of horrific racial violence in the name of national security”
- Those that are “activating terrorism against us” are “imagined racial enemies”
More
BREAKING NEWS: House Panel Backs Contempt For Holder
House committee votes on party lines to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress over withholding documents in 'Fast and Furious' investigation.
From Fox News
From Fox News
Nuclear Plant Springs A Leak
There could be trouble brewing at the San Onofre nuclear power plant in California.
Earlier this year – a tube broke in one of the plant's steam generators leading to a release of radiation and endangering the 7.4 million Californians who live within 50 miles of San Onofre. Now – a team of federal investigators has concluded the cause of the leak was a major design flaw within the reactors – causing its parts to malfunction. The plant has been shut down since the leak in January, but its operators want the plant restarted. Meanwhile – the environmental group "Friends of the Earth" has filed a legal petition with the NRC to keep the reactors at San Onofre shut down until the design flaws can be fixed.
Keep an eye on this story.
Earlier this year – a tube broke in one of the plant's steam generators leading to a release of radiation and endangering the 7.4 million Californians who live within 50 miles of San Onofre. Now – a team of federal investigators has concluded the cause of the leak was a major design flaw within the reactors – causing its parts to malfunction. The plant has been shut down since the leak in January, but its operators want the plant restarted. Meanwhile – the environmental group "Friends of the Earth" has filed a legal petition with the NRC to keep the reactors at San Onofre shut down until the design flaws can be fixed.
Keep an eye on this story.
Comptroller Pratt Refuses To Apologize To Mayor
Baltimore City Comptroller Joan Pratt has refused to apologize to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake over accusations that the Mayor and her Office of Information Technology have violated the city procurement process by purchasing more than $650,000 in telephone equipment.
Mayor Rawlings-Blake had requested an apology from Pratt. Comptroller Pratt, on Maryland's News Now, said "absolutely not, absolutely not." Pratt told WBAL Radio Tuesday that she has more evidence than what has been given to the public that the administration has violated the procurement process of Baltimore City.
Pratt went on to say that as of July of last year, the administration spent more than $9 Million dollars on expenditures and has spent about $200,000 a month since then. Pratt went on to say that the Rawlings-Blake administration is going to ask for a contract for another $2 million expenditure at the Baltimore City Board of Estimates meeting Wednesday.
More
Three Cheers To The Texas State Democratic Party
The Texas Democratic Party released its official platform for 2012, and making it on the list: a complete decriminalization of marijuana. As Texas Democrats argue, "Marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. Recent polls show over 50% of Americans believe marijuana should be decriminalized. While arrests for marijuana since 1965 have been over 20 million citizens, marijuana is more prevalent than ever before." The Party then goes on to urge President Obama, Attorney General Holder, and Congress to support legislation to decriminalize and regulate marijuana just like tobacco or alcohol. Just a few weeks ago – the Republican State Party in Iowa released its platform for 2012 – which didn't include legalizing pot. However, it did include outlawing pornography, abortion, and the EPA. Yes, there is a difference between the two parties.
Rabid Skunk Bites Woman At Jimmy Buffett Cheeseburger In Paradise Restaurant
Rabies in paradise doesn't have such a relaxing ring to it.
Last Thursday, a skunk walked into the Jimmy Buffett-inspired Cheeseburger in Paradise, a restaurant near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in southern Maryland, and bit a woman on the foot.
Earlier this week, authorities disclosed that the skunk, which was captured and shot in the restaurant's parking lot following the attack, was rabid.
More
Last Thursday, a skunk walked into the Jimmy Buffett-inspired Cheeseburger in Paradise, a restaurant near the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in southern Maryland, and bit a woman on the foot.
Earlier this week, authorities disclosed that the skunk, which was captured and shot in the restaurant's parking lot following the attack, was rabid.
More
Mitt Romney Comes Out In Opposition To Hiring More Public Workers
Mitt Romney has come out in staunch opposition to hiring more public workers, and other Republicans – from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie – have demonized public workers as a drain on our economy. But who exactly are these Republicans talking about when they rail against so-called "public workers?" The answer is: teachers, cops, and firefighters. As the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities uncovered – the majority of public workers being targeted at the state and local level by Republicans aren't nameless bureaucrats pushing paper – but are actually men and women teaching our children science, patrolling our neighborhoods, and putting out our fires. Nine million teachers make up the largest share of public workers, with 2.4 million cops and firefighters coming in second, and 1.4 million nurses and health professionals coming in third. These are the people Republicans are cutting. As the White House reported – a quarter-million teachers have lost their jobs in the last three years thanks to budget cuts. Altogether more than 600,000 public sectors workers have been laid off – mostly by Republican Governors – since President Obama took office. If those American still had a job – then the unemployment rate could be as much as a full point lower.
Admin. Discipline Recommended in Quran Burning
A U.S. military investigation is recommending that as many as seven
U.S. troops face administrative punishments, but not criminal charges,
in the burning of Qurans at a U.S. base in Afghanistan in February, The
Associated Press has learned.
U.S. military officials said the classified report and recommendations for disciplinary action against the service members involved were delivered to the Pentagon more than a week ago. They have been turned over to the Army and Navy secretaries. No final decisions have been made.
According to the officials, one Navy service member and as many as six Army soldiers could face nonjudicial disciplinary actions, which can range from a letter in their file to docking their pay or assigning them additional duties.
More
U.S. military officials said the classified report and recommendations for disciplinary action against the service members involved were delivered to the Pentagon more than a week ago. They have been turned over to the Army and Navy secretaries. No final decisions have been made.
According to the officials, one Navy service member and as many as six Army soldiers could face nonjudicial disciplinary actions, which can range from a letter in their file to docking their pay or assigning them additional duties.
More
WCSO Press Releases 6-20-12
Incident: DUI
Date of Incident: 17 June 2012
Location: Ocean Gateway & Hobbs Road Salisbury, MD
Suspect: William R. Campbell, 19, Mifflintown, PA
Narrative: On 17 June 2012 at about 3:56 AM a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. The driver of the vehicle was identified as William R. Campbell. During the investigation, the deputy detected an odor of alcohol on Campbell’s breath. Field
sobriety tests were conducted which led to Campbell being placed under arrest. A breath test was completed which confirmed that Campbell was over the legal limit. Campbell was later released with the issuance of citations.
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Exceeding speed limit
Incident: Domestic Assault
Date of Incident: 17 June 2012
Location: Argyle Drive Parsonsburg, MD
Suspect: Kristen L. Russ, 23, Parsonsburg, MD
Narrative: On 17 June 2012, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival an investigation revealed that the victim had been assaulted by the suspect, Kristen Russ. There were minor injuries. Russ was placed under arrest.
The deputy transported Russ to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner placed a $15,000 bond on Russ.
Charges: 2nd Degree Assault
Incident: Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 16 June 2012
Location: Ocean Gateway & White Richardson Road Pittsville, MD
Suspect: Daniel T. Horgan, 18, Murraysville, PA
Taylor Chappie, 18, Murraysville, PA
Logan Madera, 18, Murraysville, PA
A 17 year old Juvenile of Delmont, PA
Narrative: On 16 June 2012 a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle the deputy detected a strong odor of burnt marihuana emanating from the vehicles interior. During the ensuing investigation, the deputy
located a smoking device and a baggie containing suspected marihuana in the vehicle.
All four suspects were placed under arrest, and charged with the below offenses.
The deputy transported Horgan, Chappie and Madera to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released all three on their own recognizance. The juvenile was released to a relative.
Charges: Possession of Marihuana
Possession of CDS Paraphernalia
Date of Incident: 17 June 2012
Location: Ocean Gateway & Hobbs Road Salisbury, MD
Suspect: William R. Campbell, 19, Mifflintown, PA
Narrative: On 17 June 2012 at about 3:56 AM a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. The driver of the vehicle was identified as William R. Campbell. During the investigation, the deputy detected an odor of alcohol on Campbell’s breath. Field
sobriety tests were conducted which led to Campbell being placed under arrest. A breath test was completed which confirmed that Campbell was over the legal limit. Campbell was later released with the issuance of citations.
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Exceeding speed limit
Incident: Domestic Assault
Date of Incident: 17 June 2012
Location: Argyle Drive Parsonsburg, MD
Suspect: Kristen L. Russ, 23, Parsonsburg, MD
Narrative: On 17 June 2012, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival an investigation revealed that the victim had been assaulted by the suspect, Kristen Russ. There were minor injuries. Russ was placed under arrest.
The deputy transported Russ to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner placed a $15,000 bond on Russ.
Charges: 2nd Degree Assault
Incident: Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 16 June 2012
Location: Ocean Gateway & White Richardson Road Pittsville, MD
Suspect: Daniel T. Horgan, 18, Murraysville, PA
Taylor Chappie, 18, Murraysville, PA
Logan Madera, 18, Murraysville, PA
A 17 year old Juvenile of Delmont, PA
Narrative: On 16 June 2012 a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle the deputy detected a strong odor of burnt marihuana emanating from the vehicles interior. During the ensuing investigation, the deputy
located a smoking device and a baggie containing suspected marihuana in the vehicle.
All four suspects were placed under arrest, and charged with the below offenses.
The deputy transported Horgan, Chappie and Madera to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released all three on their own recognizance. The juvenile was released to a relative.
Charges: Possession of Marihuana
Possession of CDS Paraphernalia
Obama Campaign Requests Outside Republican Group Disclose Donors
Democratic President Barack Obama's top campaign lawyer filed a complaint with the federal election regulator on Tuesday, demanding that the well-heeded and high-spending Republican advocacy group Crossroads GPS disclose its donors.
This is the latest Democratic effort to slow down Crossroads GPS, run by former aide to President George W. Bush Karl Rove, which plans to spend some $300 million alongside its sister "super" political action committee to help Republican candidates ahead of the November 6 election, largely through advertising.
Republican non-profit and "Super PAC" groups have been far outpaced their Democratic rivals in fundraising and spending, which expected to help presumed Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney bridge
June 2012 Notes From The Wicomico County Board of Education
Board Notes provide an informal summary of business conducted at recent meetings of the Wicomico County Board of Education. The Board of Education at its monthly meeting held on June 12, 2012:
Board Member Tribute
Presented a tribute to Board member L. Michelle Wright, who has resigned from the Board effective June 30 after six years of service. The Board gave Wright a resolution detailing the many ways in which she has provided outstanding service to Wicomico students and schools, and thanked her for her commitment to public education in Wicomico County. Maryland Del. Norman Conway presented her with citations from the House of Delegates, Senate and the Governor in recognition of her service.
In her letter of resignation sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley, Wright said she had intended to serve her full five-year term through 2016, but new financial disclosure requirements in the state’s ethics law forced her to make a choice between her desire for public service and her family’s right to privacy.
Administrative Appointment and Administrative Assignments
Appointed Paige Greenwood as Coordinator of Reading Prek-8, effective July 1. Greenwood had been serving as Dean of Students at Salisbury Middle School, and before that had been a middle school RELA (Reading English Language Arts) teacher, reading intervention teacher, Maryland Schools for Success facilitator and reading coach. She has been with Wicomico County Public Schools since 1995, and prior to that worked as a middle ESOL school teacher in Montgomery County. She has extensive experience in writing curriculum and assessments at a variety of grade levels, and expertise in providing professional development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Hood College.
Received for information the school administrative assignments for 2012-13. Some dean of student positions will be filled later this summer.
Food Service Budget, Price Changes
Adopted the School Food and Nutrition Service budget for 2012-13. Due to federal reimbursement regulations for free meals, Wicomico must increase its food service prices for paid meals by 10 cents each. For the 2012-13 school year, meal prices will be $2.20 for elementary lunch, $2.45 for secondary lunch, and $1.20 for breakfast, with a la carte pricing increasing by no more than five cents per item. The budget is balanced and includes a $675,000 transfer from the general fund, $75,000 less than in previous years.
More
Board Member Tribute
Presented a tribute to Board member L. Michelle Wright, who has resigned from the Board effective June 30 after six years of service. The Board gave Wright a resolution detailing the many ways in which she has provided outstanding service to Wicomico students and schools, and thanked her for her commitment to public education in Wicomico County. Maryland Del. Norman Conway presented her with citations from the House of Delegates, Senate and the Governor in recognition of her service.
In her letter of resignation sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley, Wright said she had intended to serve her full five-year term through 2016, but new financial disclosure requirements in the state’s ethics law forced her to make a choice between her desire for public service and her family’s right to privacy.
Administrative Appointment and Administrative Assignments
Appointed Paige Greenwood as Coordinator of Reading Prek-8, effective July 1. Greenwood had been serving as Dean of Students at Salisbury Middle School, and before that had been a middle school RELA (Reading English Language Arts) teacher, reading intervention teacher, Maryland Schools for Success facilitator and reading coach. She has been with Wicomico County Public Schools since 1995, and prior to that worked as a middle ESOL school teacher in Montgomery County. She has extensive experience in writing curriculum and assessments at a variety of grade levels, and expertise in providing professional development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Hood College.
Received for information the school administrative assignments for 2012-13. Some dean of student positions will be filled later this summer.
Food Service Budget, Price Changes
Adopted the School Food and Nutrition Service budget for 2012-13. Due to federal reimbursement regulations for free meals, Wicomico must increase its food service prices for paid meals by 10 cents each. For the 2012-13 school year, meal prices will be $2.20 for elementary lunch, $2.45 for secondary lunch, and $1.20 for breakfast, with a la carte pricing increasing by no more than five cents per item. The budget is balanced and includes a $675,000 transfer from the general fund, $75,000 less than in previous years.
More
Obama Bundlers From 2008 Disappear In 2012 Campaign Fundraising
In politics, as in life, no good deed goes unpunished. Just ask President Barack Obama.
Facing a tidal wave super PAC spending from the likes of GOP-backing billionaires Sheldon Adelson and the Koch brothers, the Democratic president lacks countervailing help from the super pack of well-heeled allies he drew in 2008 -– and rewarded with government jobs abroad.
Call them the Bundler-Ambassadors: wealthy individuals, most of them with deep ties to the business community or corporate law, who gave money of their own, and, more importantly, hit up wealthy friends for “bundled” Obama cash.
More
Facing a tidal wave super PAC spending from the likes of GOP-backing billionaires Sheldon Adelson and the Koch brothers, the Democratic president lacks countervailing help from the super pack of well-heeled allies he drew in 2008 -– and rewarded with government jobs abroad.
Call them the Bundler-Ambassadors: wealthy individuals, most of them with deep ties to the business community or corporate law, who gave money of their own, and, more importantly, hit up wealthy friends for “bundled” Obama cash.
More
A Letter To The Editor 6-20-12
Growing by Grace Deliverance Ministries rented the property located at 124 Wilson Street, Salisbury, MD, effective January 1st 2012. We rented the property with the intent to make it a place of worship and community outreach. With the understanding that the property was zoned for a church, we began to have services in April in the building. Now I must admit, we did not get a permit to occupy the building because it was our intent to have services and renovate at the same time. I now know that we couldn’t do that. We had a total of four services before we were asked to leave the building. Not that we were trying to do something illegal, but our problems began after we started having services in the building.
Even though we are not in Newtown, it was the complaints from the Newtown residents of the noise on Sundays that bought the attention that lead to us being asked to leave. Because of their complaints the police was dispatched to our address three different Sundays, in which they stated that the music was not too loud. I repeat they said it was not too loud. It was then stated by one of the officers that some of the ones complaining are friends with the mayor. I will not share his name. Not long after that we were asked to leave the building and not hold any more services until we had an occupancy permit. Well since then we have done what was asked of us and hired an architect and a licensed contractor. But that wasn’t good enough for them they just don’t want us there. The problem they are giving us now is parking.
They say we need parking spaces for at least 86 cars, which will accommodate 258 people. We don’t have the space on the property, but with the use of the street we do. In fact, the businesses on that street use it for parking now. The street is undeveloped and cannot be developed because of the railroad tracks. Also there is not one ‘no parking’ sign on the street. I heard bill Holland say the street could be used for parking, but they don’t want to approve it for us. It’s no doubt in my mind they want us out even though us being there will be a plus for the community.
It’s a church for heaven sakes. I don’t know if you can help or not but we have a right to be there and I plan to fight for that right, even if I have to ask other Spiritual leaders and community members to get involved. We are only parking there twice a week for the most part.
I don’t understand how people complain about the state of our community but choose to be part of the problem.
Apostle Chappelle Stanford Sr
Even though we are not in Newtown, it was the complaints from the Newtown residents of the noise on Sundays that bought the attention that lead to us being asked to leave. Because of their complaints the police was dispatched to our address three different Sundays, in which they stated that the music was not too loud. I repeat they said it was not too loud. It was then stated by one of the officers that some of the ones complaining are friends with the mayor. I will not share his name. Not long after that we were asked to leave the building and not hold any more services until we had an occupancy permit. Well since then we have done what was asked of us and hired an architect and a licensed contractor. But that wasn’t good enough for them they just don’t want us there. The problem they are giving us now is parking.
They say we need parking spaces for at least 86 cars, which will accommodate 258 people. We don’t have the space on the property, but with the use of the street we do. In fact, the businesses on that street use it for parking now. The street is undeveloped and cannot be developed because of the railroad tracks. Also there is not one ‘no parking’ sign on the street. I heard bill Holland say the street could be used for parking, but they don’t want to approve it for us. It’s no doubt in my mind they want us out even though us being there will be a plus for the community.
It’s a church for heaven sakes. I don’t know if you can help or not but we have a right to be there and I plan to fight for that right, even if I have to ask other Spiritual leaders and community members to get involved. We are only parking there twice a week for the most part.
I don’t understand how people complain about the state of our community but choose to be part of the problem.
Apostle Chappelle Stanford Sr
Brain-Speared Florida Teen Making 'Miraculous Recovery'
Yasser Lopez, 16, was fishing with a friend at a Miami lake nearly two weeks ago when the spear gun they were using accidentally deployed and hit Lopez in the head, according to Miami-Dade police.
Lopez was rushed by paramedics to the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital where he arrived conscious but with 3 feet of the spear protruding from his forehead.
"The tip, it didn't penetrate the skin but you could feel underneath the skin on the back of his head so we knew that it went all the way through," said Dr. George Garcia, an assistant professor of surgery at the Army Trauma Training Center who treated Lopez.
An Ominous Greece Parallel: The 1930s And The EU Today
"The Euro Titanic has now hit the iceberg and sadly there simply aren't enough lifeboats." – Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party
Another Greek election and an uncertain outcome will likely continue the corrupt status quo in Greece. The Greek politicians on the take by the EU interests acting like most Western politicians and the American two-party mafia monopoly will continue to steal from the Greek people and the bailouts while the nation gets poorer. We are watching a throwback to the Great Depression years of the 1930s in Europe.
American investors should study their history and get ready for a fast replay of an Internet style version of European history during 1919, 1931 and 1933 that could transpire quickly over the next year. Comparing the unsustainable sovereign debt burden today in most European nations to the German Versailles debt is a scary prospect with ominous parallels…. (continued on the URL below)
BREAKING NEWS: Defense Rests In Sandusky Child Sex Abuse Trial
Defense for former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky -- charged with 51 counts of child molestation -- rests without calling him to stand.
From Fox News
From Fox News
Detroit Man Gambles Away $1.5 Million Accidentally Given by ATM
Ronald Page seemingly had it made when Bank of America unintentionally changed his account status, allowing the 55-year-old man to make unlimited ATM cash overdraft withdrawals.
But ABC News reports that Page, who in reality had only $300 in his checking account, used the accidental loophole to withdraw more than $1.5 million—losing it all on gambling.
And even worse for Page, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit says he is now facing 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of theft of bank funds, $1,543,104 in total between December 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009.
Springtime For The Military-Industrial Complex
The FT erroneously concludes [13] that the boom-times are over for the military contractors:
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have been a boon to US contractors. The US has used so many of them in the conflicts that at times they outnumbered the military they supported. But the boom times are coming to an end and military service companies in particular are being squeezed.
Moody’s, the rating agency, expects revenue and margin pressure on defence service companies to become visible soon as the US Department of Defence, the world’s biggest military spender, negotiates tougher terms for contractors, reduces spending on them and brings its troops home from Afghanistan in time to meet the end 2014 deadline set by President Barack Obama [14].
In Iraq and Afghanistan the top contractor was Kellog, Brown & Root [15], the engineering and construction services company. It earned $40.8bn during the past decade, while Agility, the logistics company, and DynCorp [16], which specialises in security, earned $9bn and $7.4bn respectively, according to a US government report.
After a decade of unrivalled prosperity thanks to war and a booming global economy the defence service sector will have to work harder through innovation, as well as lean and well-focused management, to prosper.
In a word, nope. What cuts? The Obama budget aims [17] to increase military expenditures far-above their already-puffed-up status quo:
Offering a military budget designed to head off charges that he’s weak on defense, President Obama unveiled a Pentagon spending plan [18]that fails to cut any major procurement programs and calls for spending $36 billion more on the military in 2017 than it will spend this year.
More
The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have been a boon to US contractors. The US has used so many of them in the conflicts that at times they outnumbered the military they supported. But the boom times are coming to an end and military service companies in particular are being squeezed.
Moody’s, the rating agency, expects revenue and margin pressure on defence service companies to become visible soon as the US Department of Defence, the world’s biggest military spender, negotiates tougher terms for contractors, reduces spending on them and brings its troops home from Afghanistan in time to meet the end 2014 deadline set by President Barack Obama [14].
In Iraq and Afghanistan the top contractor was Kellog, Brown & Root [15], the engineering and construction services company. It earned $40.8bn during the past decade, while Agility, the logistics company, and DynCorp [16], which specialises in security, earned $9bn and $7.4bn respectively, according to a US government report.
After a decade of unrivalled prosperity thanks to war and a booming global economy the defence service sector will have to work harder through innovation, as well as lean and well-focused management, to prosper.
In a word, nope. What cuts? The Obama budget aims [17] to increase military expenditures far-above their already-puffed-up status quo:
Offering a military budget designed to head off charges that he’s weak on defense, President Obama unveiled a Pentagon spending plan [18]that fails to cut any major procurement programs and calls for spending $36 billion more on the military in 2017 than it will spend this year.
More
CORPORATIONS ARE PEOPLE
Remember who said corporations are people. Remember who hasn’t prosecuted one Wall Street criminal. Realize that it doesn’t matter which party appears to be in control. The Corporate Fascist interests rule the world. They don’t care about you. They have an insatiable desire for more power, control and wealth. They are truely vampire squids sucking the life out of what reamins of our once noble republic. The enemy is winning. Jesse with another outstanding post.
The Secret State and the Tyranny of the Faceless and the Lifeless
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself.
For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero
“Corporations have neither bodies to be punished, nor souls to be condemned, they therefore do as they like.”
Edward Thurlow, Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England
More
The Secret State and the Tyranny of the Faceless and the Lifeless
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself.
For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero
“Corporations have neither bodies to be punished, nor souls to be condemned, they therefore do as they like.”
Edward Thurlow, Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England
More
You're Wrong If You Think This Financial Insanity Can Go On Forever
The storyline behind the convulsions shaking the money centers of the world is such a hopeless labyrinth of mathematical metaphysics because abstraction unto infinity is the last refuge of those seeking to evade reality. This is why individual human beings faced with terrible choices go crazy, and it is true of societies and nations, too.
Reality is so boringly concrete. The facts just sit there implacably like dull cement bollards in a roadway, waiting for impact with objects in motion. These facts are as follows: The world is dead broke. (By "world" I mean those places where the electricity is on more than it is off.) The world spent all of its future capital to stage an orgy of blow-out development and then the future arrived and there was no money to run everything.
To make matters worse, there are massive interest payments due on all that money misspent. Nobody has the means to pay the interest. All the activity around this fact is an Olympiad of money games that amount to musical chairs and hot potato, signifying that 1) there is not enough to go around, and 2) somebody has to end up stuck with a problem.
The orgy averred to above coincided with the last years of cheap and abundant energy supplies to run the development. That's over and done with, too, despite the strenuous efforts of wishful thinkers, cornucopia propagandists, and corporate racketeers to pretend that technological magic can make up for dwindling cheap supplies.
More
Reality is so boringly concrete. The facts just sit there implacably like dull cement bollards in a roadway, waiting for impact with objects in motion. These facts are as follows: The world is dead broke. (By "world" I mean those places where the electricity is on more than it is off.) The world spent all of its future capital to stage an orgy of blow-out development and then the future arrived and there was no money to run everything.
To make matters worse, there are massive interest payments due on all that money misspent. Nobody has the means to pay the interest. All the activity around this fact is an Olympiad of money games that amount to musical chairs and hot potato, signifying that 1) there is not enough to go around, and 2) somebody has to end up stuck with a problem.
The orgy averred to above coincided with the last years of cheap and abundant energy supplies to run the development. That's over and done with, too, despite the strenuous efforts of wishful thinkers, cornucopia propagandists, and corporate racketeers to pretend that technological magic can make up for dwindling cheap supplies.
More
Fed Lies Unravel ... Bank Board Gave US$ 4 Trillion In Loans To Its Own Institutions
A report just released by the US Government Accountability Office explains how the Federal Reserve divvied up more than $4 trillion in low-interest loans after the fiscal crisis of 2008, and the news shouldn't be all that surprising. When the Federal Reserve looked towards bailing out some of the biggest banks in the country, more than one dozen of the financial institutions that benefited from the Fed's Hail Mary were members of the central bank's own board, reports the GAO. At least 18 current and former directors of the Fed's regional branches saw to it that their own banks were awarded loans with often next-to-no interest by the country's central bank during the height of the financial crisis that crippled the American economy and spurred rampant unemployment and home foreclosures for those unable to receive assistance. – RT
Dominant Social Theme: It is necessary for Fed board members to bail out their own banks. That's what it is there for.
Free-Market Analysis: "Quantitative Easing" ... "Operation Twist" ... "Discount Window" ... The mavens at the Fed have so much jargon at their disposal.
Not anymore. This is really simple to understand – see above.
Fed board members gave trillions to their own banks so the would survive the crisis of 2008.
They gave their own banks money. They put their own banks first. This is not hard to grasp.
It's cronyism. It's an abuse of power. It's criminal.
The Fed bankers can argue that they are SUPPOSED to hand out gobs of money. That's its public mandate.
But if they argue this way, they'll only remind the public of what they've done.
If they shut up about it, they'll look guilty as hell. As well they should.
Talk about a no-win situation.
The bankers will try to obfuscate using incomprehensible terminology. But it won't work.
More
Dominant Social Theme: It is necessary for Fed board members to bail out their own banks. That's what it is there for.
Free-Market Analysis: "Quantitative Easing" ... "Operation Twist" ... "Discount Window" ... The mavens at the Fed have so much jargon at their disposal.
Not anymore. This is really simple to understand – see above.
Fed board members gave trillions to their own banks so the would survive the crisis of 2008.
They gave their own banks money. They put their own banks first. This is not hard to grasp.
It's cronyism. It's an abuse of power. It's criminal.
The Fed bankers can argue that they are SUPPOSED to hand out gobs of money. That's its public mandate.
But if they argue this way, they'll only remind the public of what they've done.
If they shut up about it, they'll look guilty as hell. As well they should.
Talk about a no-win situation.
The bankers will try to obfuscate using incomprehensible terminology. But it won't work.
More
Unconstitutional Uses Of Drones Must Stop
Last week I joined several of my colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama requesting clarification of his criteria for the lethal use of drones overseas. Administration officials assure us that a "high degree of confidence" is required that the person targeted by a drone is a terrorist. However, press reports have suggested that mere "patterns of behavior" and other vague criteria are actually being used to decide who to target in a drone strike. I am concerned that an already troublingly low threshold for execution on foreign soil may be even lower than we imagined.
The use of drones overseas may have become so convenient, operated as they are from a great distance, that far more "collateral damage" has become acceptable. Collateral damage is a polite way of saying killing innocent civilians. Is the ease of drone use a slippery slope to disregard for justice, and if so what might that mean for us as they become more widely used on American soil against American citizens?
This dramatic increase in the use of drones and the lowered threshold for their use to kill foreigners has tremendous implications for our national security. At home, some claim the use of drones reduces risk to American service members. But this can be true only in the most shortsighted sense. Internationally the expanded use of drones is wildly unpopular and in fact creates more enemies than it eliminates.
Earlier this month a former top terrorism official at the CIA warned that President Barack Obama's expanded use of drones may actually be creating terrorist "safe havens." Robert Grenier, who headed the CIA's counter-terrorism center from 2004 to 2006, told a British newspaper that, "[the drone program] needs to be targeted much more finely. We have been seduced by them and the unintended consequences of our actions are going to outweigh the intended consequences."
More
The use of drones overseas may have become so convenient, operated as they are from a great distance, that far more "collateral damage" has become acceptable. Collateral damage is a polite way of saying killing innocent civilians. Is the ease of drone use a slippery slope to disregard for justice, and if so what might that mean for us as they become more widely used on American soil against American citizens?
This dramatic increase in the use of drones and the lowered threshold for their use to kill foreigners has tremendous implications for our national security. At home, some claim the use of drones reduces risk to American service members. But this can be true only in the most shortsighted sense. Internationally the expanded use of drones is wildly unpopular and in fact creates more enemies than it eliminates.
Earlier this month a former top terrorism official at the CIA warned that President Barack Obama's expanded use of drones may actually be creating terrorist "safe havens." Robert Grenier, who headed the CIA's counter-terrorism center from 2004 to 2006, told a British newspaper that, "[the drone program] needs to be targeted much more finely. We have been seduced by them and the unintended consequences of our actions are going to outweigh the intended consequences."
More
Racial Double Standards
Back in 2009, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said we were "a nation of cowards" on matters of race. Permit me to be brave and run a few assertions by you just to see whether we're on the same page. There should be two standards for civilized conduct: one for whites, which is higher, and another for blacks, which is lower. In other words, in the name of justice and fair play, blacks should not be held accountable to the same standards that whites are and should not be criticized for conduct that we'd deem disgusting and racist if said or done by whites.
You say, "Williams, what in the world are you talking about?" Mitt Romney hasn't revealed all of his fall campaign strategy yet, but what if he launched a "White Americans for Romney" movement in an effort to get out the white vote? If the Romney campaign did that, there'd be a media-led outcry across the land, with charges ranging from racial insensitivity to outright racism. When President Barack Obama announced his 2012 launch of "African Americans for Obama", the silence was deafening. Should the same standards be applied to Obama as would be applied to Romney? The answer turns out to be no, because Obama is not held to the same standards as Romney.
More
You say, "Williams, what in the world are you talking about?" Mitt Romney hasn't revealed all of his fall campaign strategy yet, but what if he launched a "White Americans for Romney" movement in an effort to get out the white vote? If the Romney campaign did that, there'd be a media-led outcry across the land, with charges ranging from racial insensitivity to outright racism. When President Barack Obama announced his 2012 launch of "African Americans for Obama", the silence was deafening. Should the same standards be applied to Obama as would be applied to Romney? The answer turns out to be no, because Obama is not held to the same standards as Romney.
More
Pit Bull Task Force Hears Both Sides of Debate
A task force of lawmakers reviewing a court ruling that
singles out pit bulls as "inherently dangerous" heard from animal rights
advocates on Tuesday who oppose the decision and from the parents of a severely
injured boy who prompted the court's action.
Delegate Curt Anderson, the co-chairman of the task force, said members are exploring how to make owners of dogs besides pit bulls more liable.
"If your dog bites somebody, you are liable. Period," said Anderson, D-Baltimore. "That's what the law should be."
More
Delegate Curt Anderson, the co-chairman of the task force, said members are exploring how to make owners of dogs besides pit bulls more liable.
"If your dog bites somebody, you are liable. Period," said Anderson, D-Baltimore. "That's what the law should be."
More
Playing With Words
It bothers me a little when conservatives call Barack Obama a "socialist." He certainly is an enemy of the free market, and wants politicians and bureaucrats to make the fundamental decisions about the economy. But that does not mean that he wants government ownership of the means of production, which has long been a standard definition of socialism.
What President Obama has been pushing for, and moving toward, is more insidious: government control of the economy, while leaving ownership in private hands. That way, politicians get to call the shots but, when their bright ideas lead to disaster, they can always blame those who own businesses in the private sector.
Politically, it is heads-I-win when things go right, and tails-you-lose when things go wrong. This is far preferable, from Obama's point of view, since it gives him a variety of scapegoats for all his failed policies, without having to use President Bush as a scapegoat all the time.
Government ownership of the means of production means that politicians also own the consequences of their policies, and have to face responsibility when those consequences are disastrous – something that Barack Obama avoids like the plague.
Thus the Obama administration can arbitrarily force insurance companies to cover the children of their customers until the children are 26 years old. Obviously, this creates favorable publicity for President Obama. But if this and other government edicts cause insurance premiums to rise, then that is something that can be blamed on the "greed" of the insurance companies.
More
What President Obama has been pushing for, and moving toward, is more insidious: government control of the economy, while leaving ownership in private hands. That way, politicians get to call the shots but, when their bright ideas lead to disaster, they can always blame those who own businesses in the private sector.
Politically, it is heads-I-win when things go right, and tails-you-lose when things go wrong. This is far preferable, from Obama's point of view, since it gives him a variety of scapegoats for all his failed policies, without having to use President Bush as a scapegoat all the time.
Government ownership of the means of production means that politicians also own the consequences of their policies, and have to face responsibility when those consequences are disastrous – something that Barack Obama avoids like the plague.
Thus the Obama administration can arbitrarily force insurance companies to cover the children of their customers until the children are 26 years old. Obviously, this creates favorable publicity for President Obama. But if this and other government edicts cause insurance premiums to rise, then that is something that can be blamed on the "greed" of the insurance companies.
More
Your Urgent Action Needed!
Now is your chance to push back against the partisan Big Government liberals in Maryland!
We have an opportunity to send a clear message to the Democrat Leadership in Maryland as they try to draw Republicans out of existence in Maryland. No matter what party you are affiliated with, we all know how valuable and important a two party system is to our Democratic Republic system.
Our congressional delegation consisted of 4 Democrats and 4 Republicans about ten years ago. After two partisan redistricting efforts, they have changed the make up to 2 Republicans and 6 Democrats. If the liberal leadership gets their way, I will be the only Republican representing you in Washington DC!
That’s just not right - Please act NOW! Sign the Maryland Congressional Redistricting Petition!
Go to: www.mdpetitions.comUnder Active Petitions, click on Maryland Redistricting Petition
Fill out the petition and mail it in TODAY! Have your family, friends, and neighbors sign the petition too. Follow the petition directions carefully; we need every signature to count.
Thank you,Andy
We have an opportunity to send a clear message to the Democrat Leadership in Maryland as they try to draw Republicans out of existence in Maryland. No matter what party you are affiliated with, we all know how valuable and important a two party system is to our Democratic Republic system.
Our congressional delegation consisted of 4 Democrats and 4 Republicans about ten years ago. After two partisan redistricting efforts, they have changed the make up to 2 Republicans and 6 Democrats. If the liberal leadership gets their way, I will be the only Republican representing you in Washington DC!
That’s just not right - Please act NOW! Sign the Maryland Congressional Redistricting Petition!
Go to: www.mdpetitions.comUnder Active Petitions, click on Maryland Redistricting Petition
Fill out the petition and mail it in TODAY! Have your family, friends, and neighbors sign the petition too. Follow the petition directions carefully; we need every signature to count.
Thank you,Andy
OCEAN CITY POLICE WARNING RESIDENTS OF COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY
The Ocean City Police Department is warning residents, business owners and employees to be on the lookout for counterfeit currency being circulated in Ocean City. Since May 1, 2012, the OCPD has received approximately 12 reports of counterfeit bills being passed as payments to local businesses.
Ocean City Police are encouraging citizens to closely examine currency by looking carefully at the money you receive. Citizens should be aware of the security features located on currency. The three main security features located on bills are: shifting inks on the number security threads, which display the denomination of the currency imbedded in the bill and the watermark of the main image on the face of the bill located on the right side of note.
More
BREAKING NEWS: Obama Grants Holder Request for Executive Privilege On 'Fast And Furious' Documents
President Obama has granted an 11th-hour request by Attorney General Eric Holder to exert executive privilege over 'Fast and Furious' documents, a last-minute maneuver that appears unlikely to head off a contempt vote against Holder by Republicans in the House.
From Fox News
From Fox News
BREAKING NEWS: House Oversight Committee Takes Up Contempt Of Congress Against Eric Holder
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is meeting to decide whether to find Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his refusal to turn over 'Fast and Furious' documents. Watch live on Fox News and FoxNews.com
Michael Phelps Set for London Trials
Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte renew their rivalry at next week's
U.S. Olympic trials, where both swimmers could face each other in six
events.
They'll open the eight-day meet in Omaha, Neb., on Monday in the 400-meter individual medley, a grueling event that Phelps had said he wasn't going to swim anymore after the 2008 Olympics, where he won a record eight gold medals. He holds the world record in the event.
Their other events against each other will be the 100 and 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 IM and 100 butterfly. Phelps is entered in the 200 butterfly as one of his seven events.
Lochte is entered in a total of 11 events, including the 50 free, 100 breaststroke, 200 fly and 400 free, but is unlikely to swim all of them. Swimmers can scratch out of an event up until the end of finals the day before their scheduled event.
More
They'll open the eight-day meet in Omaha, Neb., on Monday in the 400-meter individual medley, a grueling event that Phelps had said he wasn't going to swim anymore after the 2008 Olympics, where he won a record eight gold medals. He holds the world record in the event.
Their other events against each other will be the 100 and 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 200 IM and 100 butterfly. Phelps is entered in the 200 butterfly as one of his seven events.
Lochte is entered in a total of 11 events, including the 50 free, 100 breaststroke, 200 fly and 400 free, but is unlikely to swim all of them. Swimmers can scratch out of an event up until the end of finals the day before their scheduled event.
More
FOUR ARRESTED AFTER POLICE WITNESS ASSAULT AND ROBBERY
On June 19, 2012, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Ocean City Police were on uniformed bike patrol when they witnessed four men in the area of 1st Street and Philadelphia Avenue. At this time, officers witnessed the four men in progress of a robbery.
The suspects, who were all from Harrisburg, PA, were identified as Vaughn Labray Samuel Jones, 19, Averee Loren Robinson, 18, and Larry Donnell Rascoe, 18, and a juvenile. Jones, Robinson, Rascoe and the juvenile fled from the area when they saw the officers approaching the scene.
After a brief pursuit, officers located the suspects and placed all four under arrest for robbery, second degree assault, two counts of theft and disorderly conduct. After being seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner, Jones, Robinson and Rascoe were being held on a $25,000 bond. The juvenile suspect was released to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Services.
The suspects, who were all from Harrisburg, PA, were identified as Vaughn Labray Samuel Jones, 19, Averee Loren Robinson, 18, and Larry Donnell Rascoe, 18, and a juvenile. Jones, Robinson, Rascoe and the juvenile fled from the area when they saw the officers approaching the scene.
After a brief pursuit, officers located the suspects and placed all four under arrest for robbery, second degree assault, two counts of theft and disorderly conduct. After being seen by an Ocean City District Court Commissioner, Jones, Robinson and Rascoe were being held on a $25,000 bond. The juvenile suspect was released to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Services.
Romney Says Rubio Being 'Thoroughly Vetted'
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Tuesday that his
campaign is "thoroughly vetting" Marco Rubio as it searches for a
running mate despite reports that the Florida senator is not being
considered.
ABC News and The Washington Post cited unnamed advisers in reporting that Rubio, R-Fla., wasn't on the short list for the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket.
"I can't imagine who such people are, but I can tell you this: They know nothing about the vice presidential selection or evaluation process," Romney told reporters Tuesday evening outside a Michigan ice cream shop. "The story was entirely false. Marco Rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process."
More
ABC News and The Washington Post cited unnamed advisers in reporting that Rubio, R-Fla., wasn't on the short list for the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket.
"I can't imagine who such people are, but I can tell you this: They know nothing about the vice presidential selection or evaluation process," Romney told reporters Tuesday evening outside a Michigan ice cream shop. "The story was entirely false. Marco Rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process."
More
60 Illegals From Countries That ‘Promote, Produce, or Protect’ Terrorists Caught Along U.S. Coastlines
The U.S. Border Patrol in fiscal 2011 caught 60 aliens from
countries “that have shown a tendency to promote, produce, or protect
terrorist organizations or their members” trying to enter the United
States through its coastal boundaries, according to statistics from
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In fiscal 2011, the Border Patrol caught a total of 6,552 aliens along the U.S. coast lines. Of these, 4,123 were “other than Mexican” (OTM).
CBP provided CNSNews.com with a country-by-country breakdown of the nations of origin for these 4,123 OTMs apprehended along U.S. coast lines.
More
In fiscal 2011, the Border Patrol caught a total of 6,552 aliens along the U.S. coast lines. Of these, 4,123 were “other than Mexican” (OTM).
CBP provided CNSNews.com with a country-by-country breakdown of the nations of origin for these 4,123 OTMs apprehended along U.S. coast lines.
More
Origins Of Fast And Furious Accidentally Revealed By White House
Intent upon linking the genesis of ”gunwalking” to the Bush Administration, the Obama Regime has unwittingly revealed compelling leads to the birth of Operation Fast and Furious, its possible father, former Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Phoenix Branch, William Newell and the man who may be the Operation’s D.C Godfather, White House National Security Council staffer Kevin O’Reilly.
At the beginning of October, the White House released a number of emails shared between Newell and O’Reilly during the summer of 2010. By this frequently employed method of ”selective release”, the Regime intended to relay the ”fact” that as neither Fast and Furious nor “gunwalking” were mentioned in the correspondence, the topics were obviously not directly discussed by the pair. (1)
It was hoped that this would bolster the White House claim that it knew nothing of the Operation until TV news reports brought it to the attention of the nation at large in 2011.
More
At the beginning of October, the White House released a number of emails shared between Newell and O’Reilly during the summer of 2010. By this frequently employed method of ”selective release”, the Regime intended to relay the ”fact” that as neither Fast and Furious nor “gunwalking” were mentioned in the correspondence, the topics were obviously not directly discussed by the pair. (1)
It was hoped that this would bolster the White House claim that it knew nothing of the Operation until TV news reports brought it to the attention of the nation at large in 2011.
More
Record Number of Baby Oysters Spawned in Md.
It has been a big spring in the long process of restoring oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.
The Horn Point Lab Oyster Hatchery produced a record numbers of baby oysters - or "spat" - last month.
"We had the best month of May we've ever had, for lots of reasons," says Don "Mutt" Meritt, who's in charge of the oyster hatchery program.
More
The Horn Point Lab Oyster Hatchery produced a record numbers of baby oysters - or "spat" - last month.
"We had the best month of May we've ever had, for lots of reasons," says Don "Mutt" Meritt, who's in charge of the oyster hatchery program.
More
Summer Splash Of Fun, Games, Prizes Set For Whole Family June 24th
A Summer Splash of “fun for the entire family” on Sunday, June 24th, is how a church is introducing itself to its new community. The games and prize drawing begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. at the church just north of North Salisbury Elementary School and one block west of U.S. 13 at the railroad overpass.
This is definitely a entire family affair with a 50-foot human slingshot slip N slide, water balloon battles, volleyball, horseshoes and mass beach ball games. Be sure to dress in shorts and t-shirts!
Following some opening games at 10:30 a.m., there will be an outside morning service followed by a free cookout, more games, and music. There will be prize drawings every hour, so be sure to sign for your free drawing ticket as soon as you arrive.
Grace Landing Community Church moved into the north Salisbury neighborhood after being at Crown Sports Center in Fruitland. It is a young church committed to bringing hope into the life of our new neighborhood. “The Summer Splash is the church’s way of getting to know everyone by inviting them to a backyard cookout and outdoor services,” said the young church’s pastor, Keith Rittenhouse.
To reach the church, from the north, drive south on N. Salisbury Blvd., and turn right immediately after driving over the railroad overpass. If you are coming from the south, turn left just approaching the overpass.
This is definitely a entire family affair with a 50-foot human slingshot slip N slide, water balloon battles, volleyball, horseshoes and mass beach ball games. Be sure to dress in shorts and t-shirts!
Following some opening games at 10:30 a.m., there will be an outside morning service followed by a free cookout, more games, and music. There will be prize drawings every hour, so be sure to sign for your free drawing ticket as soon as you arrive.
Grace Landing Community Church moved into the north Salisbury neighborhood after being at Crown Sports Center in Fruitland. It is a young church committed to bringing hope into the life of our new neighborhood. “The Summer Splash is the church’s way of getting to know everyone by inviting them to a backyard cookout and outdoor services,” said the young church’s pastor, Keith Rittenhouse.
To reach the church, from the north, drive south on N. Salisbury Blvd., and turn right immediately after driving over the railroad overpass. If you are coming from the south, turn left just approaching the overpass.
Food Stamp Vote In Senate Blocks Bid To Restore $4.5 Billion In Aid
The Senate overwhelmingly rejected a bid to preserve some $4.5
billion in food stamps funding, as part of the massive farm bill, on
Tuesday.
The amendment to keep that spending in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, offered by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), failed 33 to 66. Sixty votes were needed to pass.
Gillibrand had hoped to prevent food aid cuts in the $969 billion bill by trimming the guaranteed profit for crop insurance companies from 14 to 12 percent and by lowering payments for crop insurers from $1.3 billion to $825 million.
More
The amendment to keep that spending in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, offered by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), failed 33 to 66. Sixty votes were needed to pass.
Gillibrand had hoped to prevent food aid cuts in the $969 billion bill by trimming the guaranteed profit for crop insurance companies from 14 to 12 percent and by lowering payments for crop insurers from $1.3 billion to $825 million.
More
OPERATION BORDER TO BORDER - COORDINATED FOUR STATE ENFORCEMENT OF U.S. ROUTE 15 YIELDS 1,100 PLUS VIOLATIONS
(FREDERICK, MD) – Four state police agencies spent Friday, June 15, 2012, through Sunday, June 17, 2012, enforcing “Operation Border to Border” along approximately 400 miles of U.S. Route 15 in an effort to prevent traffic crashes along the heavily-traveled corridor. This coordinated traffic safety enforcement initiative resulted in 1,159 total summonses and arrests among the four states.
During the three-day initiative, state troopers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina worked together conducting saturation patrols, sobriety check points and other enforcement initiatives to reduce traffic crashes and combat criminal behavior along this non-interstate highway. The north-south corridor is popular for passenger and commercial vehicles attempting to avoid congested interstates serving all four states, especially during the summer travel season.
Along the multi-state stretch of Route 15, troopers stopped 509 speeders and 16 reckless drivers. Three commercial vehicles were stopped and cited for speeding in Virginia and North Carolina. Seven drunk drivers in Virginia and Maryland were arrested. Troopers cited 56 seat belt violations and 19 child restraint violations. A total of 24 felony and misdemeanor arrests, to include two drug arrests, also resulted from the initiative.
No traffic fatalities occurred during the three-day project. There were three traffic crashes that involved injuries – all of which occurred in Virginia.
“Operation Border to Border” targeted 27 miles of Route 15 in Pennsylvania; 37.85 miles of Route 15 in Maryland; 230 miles in Virginia; and 106 miles in North Carolina.
During the three-day initiative, state troopers from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina worked together conducting saturation patrols, sobriety check points and other enforcement initiatives to reduce traffic crashes and combat criminal behavior along this non-interstate highway. The north-south corridor is popular for passenger and commercial vehicles attempting to avoid congested interstates serving all four states, especially during the summer travel season.
Along the multi-state stretch of Route 15, troopers stopped 509 speeders and 16 reckless drivers. Three commercial vehicles were stopped and cited for speeding in Virginia and North Carolina. Seven drunk drivers in Virginia and Maryland were arrested. Troopers cited 56 seat belt violations and 19 child restraint violations. A total of 24 felony and misdemeanor arrests, to include two drug arrests, also resulted from the initiative.
No traffic fatalities occurred during the three-day project. There were three traffic crashes that involved injuries – all of which occurred in Virginia.
“Operation Border to Border” targeted 27 miles of Route 15 in Pennsylvania; 37.85 miles of Route 15 in Maryland; 230 miles in Virginia; and 106 miles in North Carolina.
Attention OBX Visitors
The Interior Department is closing pubic beaches on Hatteras Island all in the name of a few birds that are being coddled and protected by a select group of Environmentalists. I urge you to go here and sign this petition to restore a level of sanity to the situation. It could be your favorite beach or forest that the come next.
Would you please take the time to read and sign this petition.
More
Updated information HERE
In Ocean City, Open Beer in Public Now Can Lead to Arrest
Note to summer vacationers: Drinking a beer in public in Ocean City can now get you arrested, even if you're older than 21.
On Monday night, at the direct request of the Ocean City Police Department, the Ocean City Town Council unanimously passed an "emergency ordinance" to change the punishment for possessing an open alcohol container in public from a municipal infraction to a misdemeanor offense.
The new ordinance, effective immediately, returns the town's laws to what they were before 2008, and gives police officers in the town the ability — though not the mandate — to arrest people drinking outside, according to Police Chief Bernadette DiPino.
More
On Monday night, at the direct request of the Ocean City Police Department, the Ocean City Town Council unanimously passed an "emergency ordinance" to change the punishment for possessing an open alcohol container in public from a municipal infraction to a misdemeanor offense.
The new ordinance, effective immediately, returns the town's laws to what they were before 2008, and gives police officers in the town the ability — though not the mandate — to arrest people drinking outside, according to Police Chief Bernadette DiPino.
More
Mayor Ireton Wants To Sell Parking Lots & Make People Walk From The Parking Garage
Since Jim Ireton sits in his 3rd floor office he clearly doesn't get out often enough to see that his Downtown proposal is simply ridiculous.
There are elderly and handicapped people that frequent the west end of the Plaza. Requiring them to go all the way from the parking garage to the far end of the Plaza is just cruel and not necessary.
However, leave it to a charismatic politician and he can make us feel guilty that we don't walk enough or far enough. In fact, we have been publishing these kind of images for months now and he has yet to do anything referencing handicap parking Downtown.
Today I watched a couple walking from the parking lot to the Plaza. He was using a walker and could only go two or three steps before he had to stop and take a break. Again, do I have to become Mayor of Salisbury FIRST before some immediate changes be made to better their quality of life? OR could this Mayor do what is right and take constructive critisism and photo proof and use it to his advantage.
Mayor Ireton has openly refused to do ANYTHING Joe Albero has suggested and quite frankly Ladies & Gentlemen, I can't stand such simple behavior. And the man wonders why I'm planning on running for Mayor.
One thing I can assure you of, if elected Mayor I will make immediate changes to better the quality of life in Salisbury.
Bay Bridge And Key Bridge Traffic To Be Held
The Maryland Transportation Authority will temporarily hold traffic in both directions on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Francis Scott Key Bridge during passage of a marine vessel carrying four large cranes.
This crane delivery will also postpone by one day the start of the continuous (24/7) single-lane closure associated with the I-895/K-Truss steel bridge repair project.
Traffic on the Bay Bridge will be held at about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday for about 40 minutes. Traffic on the Key Bridge will be held at about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday for about 20 minutes.
More
