Someone's Got Some Splainin To Do

FINALLY, someone in the MSM wants to get to the bottom of Mayor Ireton's phone call three weeks ago and who better than Bryan Russo.

Bryan called this morning to ask if I'd be willing to sit down with him for an in depth interview, I agreed. He stated he'd be speaking with Greg Bassett and hopefully Mayor Jim Ireton. So tomorrow I'll sit down with Bryan and give him the interview Chief Barbara Duncan never asked for, yet completed and closed her investigation.

One thing is for sure, I'll make the firm statement, I spoke with Mayor Jim Ireton for 7 minutes and 38 seconds and that's all there is to it. No one sided investigation. Just remember Folks, Jim Ireton has never refused to return a phone call to me or a text message. Interesting how he has chosen this time to not return a call or text, eh?

Put your seat belts on because the ship it going to hit the fan. Let me close with this. A friend called me earlier today and he said 90% of the people believe what I'm saying. The other 10% are saying I took this one too far. REALLY, too far, eh? I get a phone call from the Mayor, people get fired over it and I've taken things too far. Some have even stated that I'm being charged with filing a false report. HELLO! I never filed ANY report to start with. Secondly, it's already been PROVEN a call was made with Ireton's number.

If there's ANYONE who is innocent here it is me. Think about this as well. It's been well known Jim Ireton, Sarah Lake and Joe Carmean were close friends. WHY on God's Green Earth would THEY want to pull a prank they knew would backfire on their friend Jim Ireton. I rest my case.

Stay Tuned...

Teen Lesbian Couple Found Shot In Texas park

Two teenage girls in a relationship were found with gunshot wounds to the head in a south Texas park, with one of them dying from her injuries, media reports say. Police were searching for their assailants.

Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Christine Chapa, 18, were found in knee-deep grass in a nature area in Portland by a couple Saturday, said Portland Police Chief Randy Wright, who confirmed to msnbc.com details first reported by the Corpus Christi Caller Times.

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Delaware Loan Program Helping Spread Irrigation

Delaware Loan Program Helping Spread Irrigation to More than 850 Acres of Farmland

More than 850 acres of Delaware farmland will be irrigated this year with support from an innovative economic development and agricultural loan program now marking its first year.

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Delaware State Parks To Expand Tobacco Free Areas

NEWARK - Tobacco free areas in certain sections of Delaware’s state parks will be expanded beginning July 1, 2012. Areas newly affected will include designated swim beaches and trails, boardwalks and bath houses, fishing piers, general picnic areas and youth camps, and other areas.

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Official Figures Show Steady Decline in DOJ Criminal Immigration Prosecutions

The number of criminal immigration prosecutions by the Department of Justice, stemming from referrals by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agencies over the year ending in March 2012 dropped in comparison to previous years, according to the latest available federal data.

Through the Freedom of Information Act, the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University obtained the data from DOJ’s Executive Office for United States Attorneys. TRAC describes itself as a non-partisan “data gathering, data research and data distribution organization.”

Over the 12-month period from April 2010 to March 2011, the number of DOJ prosecutions resulting from referrals by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) totaled 21,669. By comparison, the period April 2011 to March 2012 accounted for 19,149 prosecutions based on ICE referrals – an estimated 12 percent drop.

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‘It’s My Gun’: Minn. Man Beaten, Arrested for Reportedly Carrying Handgun… Despite Having Concealed Carry Permit

A Minneapolis man says he suffered a concussion after receiving a beating from five police officers who attacked him after they noticed he was carrying a gun in his waist band, WCCO-TV in Minnesota reports.

The problem is, Zachary King has a concealed carry permit to lawfully carry the firearm. He argues police still attacked him anyway as he was leaving a local nightclub on Father’s Day night even after he told them he was carrying the permit.

“’I have my conceal and carry, and it’s my gun.’ And soon as I said that he grabbed me by my neck, slammed me against the wall, snatched my gun out the holster, started waving it in the air saying ‘gun, gun, gun,’” King said.

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Scalia: AZ Decision Deprives Sovereign States From Excluding ‘People Who Have No Right to Be There’

In his dissenting opinion on the constitutionality of Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration law (SB 1070), Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia decried the court’s 5-3 ruling, arguing that it effectively took away a sovereign state’s authority to exclude people who have no right to be in that state. The court struck down three of four provisions of the law.

“Today’s opinion, approving virtually all of the Ninth Circuit’s injunction against enforcement of the four challenged provisions of Arizona’s law, deprives states of what most would consider the defining characteristic of sovereignty: the power to exclude from the sovereign’s territory people who have no right to be there,” Scalia said in his opinion, backed by Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.

“Neither the Constitution itself nor even any law passed by Congress supports this result,” Scalia said. “I dissent.”

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NY Rep. Peter King Wants to Know How Member of Terrorist Group Attended White House Meetings

Rep. Peter King (R-NY), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, wants to know why the


Obama administration allowed a member of a designated terrorist organization to enter the United States unimpeded and attend meetings inside the White House with senior-level Obama administration and State Department officials.

In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano dated June 24, 2012, King requested answers about Hani Nour Eldin’s trip to the U.S. last week. Though Eldin is a member of Egypt’s parliament, he is also a self-proclaimed member of Gama’a al-Islamiyya, a U.S. designated terrorist organization since 1997, which has ties to violence in Egypt.

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Spies at U.N. 'Green' Confab Expose Red Agenda

A team of “spies” led by the U.K.’s Lord Christopher Monckton infiltrated the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, known as Rio+20, over the past few weeks, uncovering startling and open admissions that the real agenda behind the confab is not environmentalism, but one-world government.

In an interview following the conference with Liberty News Network, Monckton, a former advisor to U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and current policy advisor for the Science & Public Policy Institute, explained that many attendees openly admitted the “green” agenda was failing, but that the dream of a global socialist government must nonetheless go on.

“The deforestation that’s evident here in Brazil should be discouraged and reversed … these are real environmental concerns. But these concerns were not talked about here at this conference,” Monckton revealed. “Instead, they were still effectively talking about a mechanism for setting up a global government so that they can shut down the West, shut down democracy and bring freedom to an end worldwide.”

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Postal Workers & Activists Go on Hunger Strike to Protest Budget Cuts

In an effort to bring attention to the financial plight of the Unites States Postal Service (USPS) and to fight calls for its privatization, 10 postal workers, activists, and supporters announced on Monday that they would be staging a four-day hunger strike.

“The strikers will make their stand days before the postal service makes changes that will end overnight delivery of up to 20 percent of the country’s first-class mail, as mail-sorting hubs are shuttered,” writes the Washington Post’s Lisa Rein.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) joined the protesters on Capitol Hill for their big announcement (which nobody saw because everyone was watching the Supreme Court this morning) and offered words of encouragement.

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Study: More Than Half a Trillion Dollars Spent on Welfare But Poverty Levels Unaffected

The federal government is not making much headway reducing poverty despite spending hundreds of billions of dollars, according to a study by the libertarian Cato Institute.

Despite an unprecedented increase in federal anti-poverty spending, the national poverty rate has not declined, the study finds.

“[S]ince President Obama took office [in January 2009], federal welfare spending has increased by 41 percent, more than $193 billion per year,” the study says.

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Is Jimmy Carter the Latest Democrat Politician to Undermine Obama? Wait Until You Read His Latest Op-Ed

While the president’s detractors have long drawn unflattering parallels between Jimmy Carter‘s presidency and Barack Obama’s, it seems even Jimmy Carter is starting to distance himself from the president.

In a Sunday New York Times article titled “A Cruel and Unusual Record,” Carter blasts the administration‘s foreign policy decisions and the implications for the United States’ “moral authority” around the world.

He wrote:

Revelations that top officials are targeting people to be assassinated abroad, including American citizens, are only the most recent, disturbing proof of how far our nation’s violation of human rights has extended….

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Hillary Tied to New Muslim Brotherhood President

Saleha Mahmood Abedin, the mother of Hillary Clinton’s chief of staff, reportedly served in the women’s division of the Muslim Brotherhood alongside the wife of Egypt’s new president, the Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi.

WND previously exposed Abedin represented a Muslim charity known to have spawned terror groups, including one declared by the U.S. government to be an official al-Qaida front.

WND also reported Clinton spoke at Abedin’s Saudi women’s college, where she was introduced by Abedin alongside the Islamic activist’s daughter, Huma, who serves as Clinton’s chief of staff. At the speech, Clinton praised Saleha’s “pioneering work.”

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Another Embarrassing NBC Edit Revealed — And This One Could Affect the Jerry Sandusky Verdict

The NBC news empire has just been a part of another editing flub — and this one could have implications in the defense and appeal of recently-convicted sexual predator Jerry Sandusky.

A story published by Reuters reveals that, during the former coach’s trial, prosecutors played three versions of Sandusky’s phone interview with network correspondent Bob Costas. But one of the versions played in court included an embarrassing editing mistake that now could factor into Sandusky’s conviction as defense attorneys are reportedly considering using it as part of the basis for an appeal. Reuters explains:

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Sheriff Joe: 'Obama Waging War on Arizona

“Obama is waging war on Arizona over illegal immigration.”

That terse assessment is from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has tangled with the White House over his investigation of Obama’s birth records, as well as the Department of Justice’s allegations that the sheriff’s department profiles suspects.

Both of those major issues remain unresolved, with Arpaio’s Cold Case Posse review of Obama’s eligibility for the White House continuing. The investigators earlier confirmed there is probable cause to believe Obama’s birth records were forged and presenting them as an official government document is a fraud.

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Laura Mitchell Hangs Out With Governor Today

I don't mean to pick on Laura Mitchell but seeing her in Salisbury this morning really bothered me today, allow me to explain.

You see, the Taxpayers of Salisbury paid for Laura Mitchell to attend the yearly MML seminars/classes today. Rather than attending those classed already paid for, she was at Evolution Brewery.

Considering Mrs. Mitchell had already gone way over budget on such trips already this year, (in reality NO ONE ELSE can attend ANY trips because she spent so much of the entire budget) it pretty much ticked me off that she would slap the citizens in the face by playing hookie at MML in Ocean City.

My job is to report the news and this is news.

Summer Concert Series At Trap Pond State Park

Enjoy free concerts at Trap Pond State Park through Delaware State Parks' Summer Concert Series. The concert series presents a diverse lineup of family-friendly performances every Friday evening. The concerts are held at 6:30 p.m. at the Baldcypress Nature Center, and refreshments will be sold by the Trap Pond Partners. Park entry fees are in effect. Trap Pond State Park is located at 33587 Baldcypress Lane in Laurel, DE. More information about Trap Pond is available by calling (302) 875-5163. A full concert line-up and additional information is available at destateparks.com/summer-concert.

June 29 Double Tap Country
July 6 Rob E. Lutz Elvis
July 13 Whirled Peas American Roots
July 20 Bad Juju Blues
July 27 No Stringz Attached Rock
August 3 Willow Brook Pop
August 10 Moe Stringz Acoustic Rock
August 17 Fossil Band Country
August 24 Angela Natrin Acoustic
August 31 Rusted Axle Folk

Report: FBI Investigates More Than 100 Suspected Islamic Extremists Within U.S. Military

More than 100 investigations into suspected Islamic extremists within the military have been carried out by the FBI, including 12 cases considered serious, NPR is reporting.  Investigators believe the main target to be military bases. NPR reports:

Officials define that as a case requiring a formal investigation to gather information against suspects who appear to have demonstrated a strong intent to attack military targets. This is the first time the figures have been publicly disclosed.

The FBI and Department of Defense call these cases “insider threats.” They include not just active and reserve military personnel but also individuals who have access to military facilities such as contractors and close family members with dependent ID cards.

Officials would not provide details about the cases and the FBI would not confirm the numbers, but they did say that cases seen as serious could include, among others things, suspects who seem to be planning an attack or were in touch with “dangerous individuals” who were goading them to attack.

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RiverWalk Cleanup Project 2012

Is your company interested in making the Salisbury RiverWalk a cleaner, more beautiful place? We are looking for any local business that are interested in donating a few hours of their time for the clean-up project along RiverWalk Park. This is an ideal community service project which allows employee teams to work together outside of the business setting. The Chamber is seeking a different company each month willing to provide 5-10 people. A photo will be taken before and after the cleanup, which will be published in the next issue of the "Business Journal." Supplies and lunch will also be provided for your employees. For further information, please contact Donna at 410-749-0144 or Donna@salisburyarea.com.

Good Question

Joe, My question for you is, Why did you call CouncilWoman Campbell regarding Ireton's call to you. Many of us don't get it!


anonymous 3:55, I'd be more than happy to answer that question for you. When I spoke with JIM that Saturday night it was pretty obvious he was pretty depressed. When Jim didn't return my calls or text messages, (as he always has in the past) I grew concerned for his well being. I called Debbie Campbell to get Jim's address so I could drive by and check up on him. After explaining to Debbie what had happened she felt it would be best to ask the Police Chief to go by or send someone by to check up on him.

The decision was an honorable one out of true concern. Look, Jim could have easily replied, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT JOE, HE DID NOT. Some have tried to turn our good intentions around and that's unfortunate. Nevertheless, what else do they have to say. Jim screwed up, period.

Phelps & Lochte Qualify for 400M Individual Medley

Ryan Lochte has won his first head-to-head showdown with Michael Phelps at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.

The 27-year-old Floridian captured the 400-meter individual medley Monday night, taking command on the breaststroke leg and holding off Phelps in the freestyle for a time of 4 minutes, 7.06 seconds. Phelps claimed the second Olympic spot in 4:07.89.

Tyler Clary, who took second at last year's world championships, won't even get a chance to swim the event in London. He faded to third in 4:09.92.

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Missing Dog

Mia has been missing since Friday evening (6-22-12) from the South end of Main St. in Hebron, Md. She answers to Mia, Mommy, or Mamma Mia. My contact info is Erin White 410-430-1757.

Salisbury Chamber of Commerce & City Of Salisbury To Host Concert

On Friday, July 6, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce & The City of Salisbury are sponsoring an evening of music by the 78th Army Band, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on the steps of the City/County Office building, on the corner of Main & Division streets. The 78th Army band was formed in August of 1943 and played for troops during World War II, all over Europe. Currently, the band calls Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ "home", and they will be playing several shows in the area surrounding the Fourth of July. Bring your family, your friends, and your lawn chairs for a great summertime evening of music in downtown Salisbury. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 410/749-0144

Md., Va., Pa. Communities Win Green Streets Grants

Ten communities in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania have been selected to receive Green Streets grants to protect the environment as well as create green jobs.

The Environmental Protection Agency, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment plan to announce the grants Wednesday in Baltimore.

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Soccer Tryouts

We are seeking young soccer athletes who desire to be the best they can be age groups are U6-U8-U10. Our competitive soccer program offers great training as well as game play. We challenge our players to improve their skills. Most of all, we offer a fun soccer community that encourages individual growth and personal development. All interested players are highly encouraged to attend our upcoming soccer tryout and see if you have what it takes to play for Eastern Shore Express! Sunday, July 8, 2012 Time: 1pm @ the YMCA Salisbury MD. For more information on tryouts please contact: Gary @Phone: 443-735-5139

Egypt Election Turns US Policy On Its Head

WASHINGTON (AP) - The election of an Islamist president in Egypt is turning longstanding U.S. policy in the Mideast inside out: The Obama administration is relieved that the candidate representing three decades of close partnership with the United States lost.

The United States is now set to embrace a religious-based former opposition leader who does not share many U.S. goals, perhaps including the 30-year peace with Israel upon which U.S. policy in the region is based. The embrace won't be warm, and for the administration it will come with strings attached.

Still, the administration is calling the election of Mohammed Morsi on Sunday a milestone in the transition to democracy.

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Policies That Create Jobs

This past session, we created the Maryland Innovation Initiative – a partnership between Johns Hopkins, Morgan State University, the University of Maryland’s campuses, and your state government designed to transfer 40 technologies out of the lab and into the economy to create jobs within a year.

On Friday, the Board of Regents took a big step forward and granted final approval for a new policy that will give faculty credit for patents and commercialization when they are being considered for tenure or promotion.

Why is this policy shift important?

In Maryland, we rank #1 in entrepreneurship and innovation. We have the most Ph.D.’s per capita, the best school system in the country and we’re #1 in research and development per capita.

Together, we’re making college more affordable, accessible and cost-effective. From 2008 to 2012, we’ve led the nation in holding down college costs with the lowest percentage increase in the nation. Our institutions are more affordable than ever, our students

But when it comes to transferring new technologies and ideas into the marketplace we rank 20th. We can and must do better.

When we are able to transfer technology into the marketplace, we create jobs. We create companies like Google and Under Armour. And we create products that feed, fuel and heal our planet.

Thanks to everyone at the University System for developing this new policy. We look forward to continuing to work with you on this important project.

How Many Do You See?

The New Egyptian President Reportedly Said 'Jihad Is Our Path And Death In The Name Of Allah Is Our Goal'

Comments reportedly made just over a month ago by new Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi have some spooked.

The Voice of Russia radio website reported that Mordi made the following remarks on May 13:

“The Koran is our constitution, the Prophet is our leader, jihad is our path and death in the name of Allah is our goal,” Morsi said in his election speech before Cairo University students on Saturday night.

Today Egypt is close as never before to the triumph of Islam at all the state levels, he said.

“Today we can establish Sharia law because our nation will acquire well-being only with Islam and Sharia. The Muslim Brothers and the Freedom and Justice Party will be the conductors of these goals,” he said.

While the comment have not been widely reported, they appear to have been reported by the respectable Ria Novosti news-wire, and are no doubt worrying to Middle East observers.

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12 Fruits and Veggies High in Pesticide Contamination

Eat your vegetables!

Since we were children, we've been reminded about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. So if you've been doing just that, give yourself a pat on the back.

But you're not out of the woods yet. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its "Dirty Dozen" list, which names the conventionally grown fruits and veggies containing the highest levels of insecticide contamination.

Click HERE for the list, in order of most contaminated:

PUBLIC NOTICE

SPECIAL MEETING SCHEDULED

In accordance with §SC2-4 of the Salisbury City Charter, a majority of the City Council have called for a Special Meeting to be held on Monday, July 2, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. for consideration of 1) Ordinance No. 2207 – 2nd reading – changing Bateman Street from two-way to one- way traffic, and 2) Resolution No. 2169 – accepting a gift from Salisbury University for Streetscape Improvements for the Onley/Bateman project.

This Special Meeting will be held in Council Chambers, Room 301, of the City/County Government Office Building, located at 125 N. Division Street. Members of the public will be allowed to make public comments on the above items at this Special Meeting.

Same-Sex Marriage Opponents Add More Signatures

Opponents of same-sex marriage in Maryland are calling additional signatures to put the matter on the ballot an exclamation point.

Derek McCoy, executive director of Maryland Marriage Alliance, said Monday the group is turning in 39,743 more signatures. That's on top of 113,000 already submitted.

They need 55,736 to put the issue on the ballot.

The Maryland State Board of Elections already has validated more than 109,000 signatures from ones already turned in to the state.

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Coast Guard Rescues 2 Men From Ocean City Inlet

OCEAN CITY, Md. - Two men had to be rescued from the Ocean City Inlet after being caught in a storm and nearly pulled out to the ocean.

U.S. Coast Guard officials from Ocean City said the men were on personal watercraft Monday when the weather turned bad. They said the two men were wearing life vests, and that may have saved their lives.

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Military Rolls Tanks Onto St. Louis Streets...But Why?

I have to say that this event, which is being labeled a "training exercise", makes very little sense to me. U.S. Army troops all the way from Maryland running open exercises in armored personnel carriers on the busy streets of St. Louis? I know Maryland is a small state, but is there really not enough room at Ft. Detrick to accommodate a tank column and some troops?

Are there not entire fake neighborhood and town complexes built with taxpayer dollars on military bases across the country meant to facilitate a realistic urban environment for troops to train in? And why travel hundreds of miles to Missouri? At the very least, this is a massive waste of funds.

On the other hand, such an action on the part of the Department of Defense makes perfect sense if the goal is to acclimate citizens to the idea of seeing tanks and armed military acting in a policing capacity. Just check out the two random idiots the local news affiliate picked to interview in St. Louis on the subject. Both state that they think the exercise is a "great idea", because having the military on the streets would help to "reduce crime":

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/06/us-military-to-run-urban-exercises-in-north-st-louis-residents-hope-it-will-cut-down-on-crime/

I suspect that the news affiliate did not go out of its way to get any counter-opinions, even though they admitted to being contacted by those voicing concerns over martial law.

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Final Steel Beam Lifted at 4 World Trade Center

A final steel beam was lifted Monday atop a new World Trade Center skyscraper _ the first expected to open at the site next year since the twin towers were decimated on 9/11.

With gospel superstar BeBe Winans offering a powerful rendition of "God Bless America," workers raised their hardhats in tribute as the mammoth beam rose slowly into the Manhattan sky, swaying from a steel rope hoisted by a crane.

A U.S. flag attached to the bottom of the beam fluttered above several hundred spectators at the topping-off ceremony.

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Only 22% Of Voters Think Washington 'Has The Consent Of The Governed'

This is pretty depressing when you stop and think that the underpinnings of our republic depend on a citizenry who believes they have a say in government.

Rasmussen's findings belie that notion:

Democrats are happier with the status quo than Republicans and voters not affiliated with either of the major parties when it comes to the current Congress and the federal government.

One of the central tenets of the Declaration of Independence is that governments derive "their just powers from the consent of the governed." Only 22% of the nation's likely voters believe the government today has such consent.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds a wide partisan gap on the question. Democrats are evenly divided as to whether or not the government has the consent needed for legitimacy. Only eight percent (8%) Republicans and 21% of unaffiliated voters believe it does. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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Mom Given Bill To Clean Street After Son Killed By Illegal Immigrant Driving Drunk

GREENVILLE, SC – A grieving mother told a South Carolina court she was slapped with several bills, including one to clean the street after her son was killed by a drunken driver last year.

Loretta Robinson spoke on June 19 of the emotional and financial toll her son Justin Walker's death had on her as the driver Anna Gonzales, who is an illegal immigrant, pleaded guilty in the case.

Robinson told the judge she has been unable to work due to the emotional impact of her son's death, and can't pay the bills she keeps receiving from the accident even though her son was not at fault, WYFF reports.

"I had to pay to have the vehicle towed," she said according to WYFF. "I had to pay for the vehicle removed and to clean up the street from Justin's blood on the ground."

Robinson said the $50 bill to clean the street stung the most.

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Obama Campaign Says Political Donation Is The Perfect Wedding Gift

Skip the china, go for the donations. That's a suggestion made by President Barack Obama's re-election campaign. The campaign has started an "Obama event registry" to let engaged supporters of the president ask friends and family for donations to his re-election bid instead of presents.

A blog post www.barackobama.com/news/entry/the-obama-event-registry asks anyone with an upcoming birthday, wedding, or anniversary to "support the President on your big day" by asking for donation money "in lieu of a gift."

The site provides suggested language for couples to use when soliciting campaign cash. "For my big day, I'd like to show my support for a cause I believe in - re-electing President Obama," it reads. "That's why I'm asking my friends and family to donate to the Obama campaign. Thanks for chipping in!"

See the registry here: http://www.barackobama.com/obama-event-registry/ .

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Today's Fill In The Blank 6-26-12

I believe Obamacare is ____.

SCOTUS Derails The Democrats' SEIU Gravy Train

Some days, things just work out right. Last Thursday was one of those days for conservatives. It was a day of reckoning for the Service Employees International Union and the Democratic politicians they use our tax dollars to buy and pay for. And it was a day the United States Supreme Court stood strong for our First Amendment rights. Justice Alito's majority opinion in Knox v. SEIU met the uncompromising standard set by Citizens United and Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn. It not only reasserted the constitutional protection of free speech against union power, but also held that the process by which protection against compelled speech is afforded must not itself become a burden.

A little background is in order. Under California's agency shop law, public employees are not required to join a union to keep their jobs; however, non-members are assessed a percentage of the union's regular dues as a condition of employment. The rationale is that since non-members enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining, they should bear their fair share of its costs. To protect non-members' First Amendment rights, they are required to pay for only the percentage of total dues that covers those costs, not for the union's "political or ideological projects".

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Bob Dylan And His Band Announce August 30th Stop At WY&CC

Salisbury, MD – Bob Dylan and his Band released their summer North American concert dates this morning. The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, MD is scheduled for Thursday, August 30th. Tickets for the 7:30pm show go on sale Friday, June 29th.

Dylan, who has not performed on the Eastern Shore since 1994, is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fammer and Pullitzer Prize winner. His singing and songwriting is recognized not just for its artistic value, but for capturing the voice of a generation. Beginning with his re-energizing of the folk music genre in the early Sixties, Dylan’s contribution to the music world continued with his embrace of electric later that decade. Throughout his career Dylan’s lyrics, songs and delivery have bridged the gap across folk, rock n’ roll and country.

Ticket prices range from $35 to $50 (additional fees apply) and are available online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, in person at the Box Office or via phone at 410.548.4911.

The True Source Of Monopoly

For centuries the common law defined "monopoly" as a governmental grant to an individual or enterprise to operate without any legal competition. Government-sanctioned monopoly was a key feature of European "mercantilism," the type of political/economic system that Adam Smith railed against in his famous 1776 treatise, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of The Wealth of Nations. So-called mercantilism was essentially a collection of government policies, such as protectionist tariffs and government-sanctioned monopolies, which benefited producers at the expense of consumers. Granting such favors to politically-connected businesses was a way in which the European monarchs could share in the plunder of their citizens through kickbacks from the monopolists. Today these kickbacks go by various euphemisms, such as "campaign contributions."

Of course, the worst of all monopolies is a government-run monopoly financed directly by tax dollars, for the consumers’ refusal to pay for the "services" of government monopolists can lead to the forceful confiscation of one’s income and property or prison (for tax evasion). At least with most "private" government franchise monopolies a consumer can always say "no thanks, I’m not wasting my money; you can go play in the traffic as far as I’m concerned."

There is no such thing as "free-market monopoly" and there never has been. The notion of "free-market monopoly" is especially ridiculous in today’s age of globalization, where competition can spring up from anywhere on the planet – as long as governments do not interfere with the free market by prohibiting competition, as they often do in myriad ways. Monopoly has always been solely a creation of government.

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Today's Advertiser Of The Day 6-26-12

USPS Overpays Pension Obligations By $13.1 Billion, IG Report Says

A new inspector general audit revealed that the Postal Service has overfunded its pension benefit obligations by nearly 105 percent. While this might seem to be good news for the cash- strapped agency, legislative action will be required for USPS to get back the $13.1 billion surplus it paid into its employees' pensions.

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Caption This Photo 6-26-12

Governor O'Malley Visits Evolution Brewery

John & Tommy Knorr welcomed Governor O'Malley along with multiple dignitaries from the Eastern Shore.

The Knorr Brothers employ more than 350 employees within all of their corporations and the Governor was very excited about that.

At this moment the Governor is touring the entire facility where Comptroller Peter Franchot will also be visiting around 1:00 this afternoon.

Do You Have Emergency Savings? Almost Half Of Americans Don’t

Is there a box of cash stuffed behind the freezer-burned chicken in your freezer to cover your butt in case of an emergency, or even better, money set aside in your savings in case you need it? Almost half of all Americans — 49% — don't have enough emergency savings to cover three months of expenses, says new research.

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O'Malley to Tour Evolution Craft Brewing Company Before He Speaks In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) - Gov. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to speak at the Maryland Municipal League's convention in Ocean City.

The speech is scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Before the speech, the governor will tour Evolution Craft Brewing Company in Salisbury. The company recently moved to Maryland.

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Supreme Court Upholds Corporations’ Right To Unlimited Campaign Spending

It's been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee case and declared that limiting corporate spending on political campaigns is a violation of businesses' right to free expression. Today, the Supremes affirmed that controversial decision by striking down a 100-year-old Montana law that capped spending on state-level elections.

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Leon Panetta Get Your Head Out Of The Saudi Princes' Arse

Glenn Greenwald is one of the best journalists operating in the United States today. The more I read his stuff, the more I am impressed. Unlike most automatons out there in the mainstream media, he is able to call out the “red team” vs. “blue team” wrestling match rhetoric for the nonsense it is. The real battle is the 0.01% oligarchy vs. the rest of humanity. They use the Republican and Democratic sham to divide and conquer the sheeple on “social” or “emotional” issues that distract the masses from the real issues.

In his latest piece, Greenwald blasts the obvious hypocrisy of U.S. foreign policy, particularly related to how our politicians have their heads up the asses of Saudi royalty. They are somehow great partners in the war on terror despite 15 of 19 of the 9/11 hijackers being Saudis. How soon we forget…

This line from our Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, is my favorite:

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30+ More Days Of Silence

Another 30+ days have passed and as taxpayers the States Attorneys Office has nothing to say. No convictions, no press releases. I'm sure Matt is thinking he's got better things to do than worry about Joe Albero and Salisbury News. Think again Matt. Salisbury News is one of the reasons you are States Attorney right now. I always say, never forget where you came from.

I know I pay some pretty hefty taxes in Salisbury and Wicomico County and I'd say I/We deserve better. This once every 60 day teaser about a conviction is complete BS and they know it.

It seems pretty clear the States Attorneys position has been far too difficult for this young man to handle. The word on the street is that their conviction rate is a joke but I've also heard there's been a LOT of bad busts and most are walking. The local attorneys must be having a field day.

Today's Survey Question 6-26-12

What would you like to see change wise in Salisbury to make life better?

And the Verdict Is

Tom McGuire gets 9 months on Malicious Burning/First Degree. May be eligible for work release.  Other charges are still pending.

Egyptian Election

Joe,

While I understand Allen West being upset that the Muslim Brotherhood-backed candidate Mohammed Morsi won the Egyptian election, I also know that we go around the world supporting free elections and democracy. I too would be happy if a different candidate had won this election, however, we can't talk out of both sides of our mouth. If we are going to advocate for democratic governments and free elections, we have to accept the results that they produce. We don't have to support the resulting government with out dollars but we do have to respect and support the process otherwise we aren't any better than they are.

Tiderunner

The Distortions Never Went Away

I have been reading into Herbert Croly's The Promise of American Life (1909). Croly was the founder of The New Republic, which has remained a foremost middle way publication on the American political scene, a champion of the welfare state, of a half way between capitalism and socialism. The central theme of the book is that America should be made into a country that promotes "the welfare of the whole people," the policy "intelligently informed by the desire to maintain a join process of individual and social amelioration."

Socialism is the idea that what counts for most is the social whole, even humanity in its entirety. Individualist capitalism focuses, instead, on protecting the rights to life, liberty and property of each individual, leaving it to their own discretion whether to embark on various groups efforts, including the improvement of some "whole," whatever that would be. (As Margaret Thatcher famously said, there is no society as such, suggesting that there are in fact only human individuals who come together in various ways − family, club, corporation, orchestra, choir, team and so forth. As with my college classes, they are merely useful fictions, the only reality being the students who comprise them.)

What American leftists have tried to do is create some kind of hybrid, one that merges the individualist and the collectivist systems of various Platonic dreamers. America itself has been an experiment in which the hybrid has been rejected as futile and even vile, usually an excuse for some in society ruling the rest. Just as Croly and all who have followed him have argued, of importance to the detractors has been some kind of group − the tribe, or race or ethnic bunch or whatever. Even now the major domestic opposition to the American alternative is the communitarian, welfare statist regime, such as the one recently promoted very vigorously by Harvard professor of government, Michael Sandel, in his recently published attack on individualism, What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012).

Never mind all the distortions and mistakes in the book, no more valid than those in Croly's published in 1909. Same old, same old. Individuals are isolated, heartless, etc., markets lead to alienation and such, la di da di da. Paul Krugman pedals this twice weekly on the Op Ed pages of The New York Times, claiming that the country is in the grip of market fundamentalism, something that has never been so in America, let alone elsewhere. (The idea of a fully free market economic system has never swept the country except in some academic corners where a few economists hold forth mostly! Even for them it has only been a theoretic model, little more than that. This has all been laid out quite well by Karl Marx who claimed that in such a system a cash nexus dominates and everyone is commodified, made into an object for sale.)

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Access Roads Near Indian River Inlet Bridge Reopen Soon

Daytime Bridge Demolition Activities Continue

Indian River -- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that access roads near the Indian River Inlet Bridge will open prior to the busy July 4th holiday weekend. The contractor, George & Lynch, is currently completing the paving on the access from SR 1 northbound to the Day Use Parking Lot located on the southeast side of the bridge.

The placement of pavement markings on the new access road will start Wednesday, June 27 and be completed within two days. Once the contractor has completed their work and made the area surrounding the roadway safe for use, it will be opened to the general public. The road is expected to be open for use by Friday, June 29, 2012.

It is important to note that this work will have minimal impact on those currently accessing the area, and no impact to users of Route 1 northbound.

The opening of the access road will mark the end to all major roadway detours required for the Indian River Inlet Bridge and Roadway Approach/Demolition projects.

There is some work planned for this fall, such as placement of the final pavement surface on the southbound lanes north and south of the bridge and the connector road under the new bridge. Other minor work remaining includes the completion of pedestrian facilities as well as grading and miscellaneous electrical work.

Removal of Old Indian River Inlet Bridge

Nighttime bridge demolition activities over the water will be concluding this week. Starting next week, the remaining bridge demolition activities should occur during daytime hours for the next six to eight weeks. During bridge demolition, the contractor will take steps to maintain the safety of the traveling public while continuing to maintain access to the park facilities and waterways. Updates for pedestrians and mariners will continue to be posted on the website, www.irib.deldot.gov. This work is expected to have minimal to no impact on users of the new bridge traveling through the area this summer.

Please note all work activities are weather dependent, and dates could be pushed back if inclement weather occurs.

OSC Warns Agencies of Email Monitoring Restrictions

The Office of Special Counsel is reminding agencies not to engage in email monitoring that could have a chilling effect on whistleblowers who report waste, fraud and abuse.

In a memo last week, Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner urged agencies to evaluate their employee email monitoring policies.

"Although lawful agency monitoring of employees communications serves legitimate purposes, federal law also protects the ability of workers to exercise their legal rights to disclose wrongdoing without fear of retaliation, which is essential to good government," according to the memo.

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Hillary Tied To New Muslim Brotherhood President

Radical links run through secretary of state's chief of staff

Saleha Mahmood Abedin, the mother of Hillary Clinton’s chief of staff, reportedly served in the women’s division of the Muslim Brotherhood alongside the wife of Egypt’s new president, the Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi.

WND previously exposed Abedin represented a Muslim charity known to have spawned terror groups, including one declared by the U.S. government to be an official al-Qaida front.

Saleha Mahmood Abedin, the mother of Hillary Clinton’s chief of staff, reportedly served in the women’s division of the Muslim Brotherhood alongside the wife of Egypt’s new president, the Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi.

WND previously exposed Abedin represented a Muslim charity known to have spawned terror groups, including one declared by the U.S. government to be an official al-Qaida front.

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My Trip To The Store

There was a bit of confusion at the store this morning. When I was ready to pay for my groceries, the cashier said, "Strip down facing me."

Making a mental note to complain to my local politician about Security running amok, I did just as she had instructed.

When the hysterical shrieking and alarms finally subsided, I found out that she was referring to my credit card.

I have been asked to shop elsewhere in the future.

They need to make their instructions to us seniors a little clearer!

Pray For Good News

Just a quick note to let everyone know that Brooke will be at CHOP this Tuesday 6/26 and Wednesday 6/27 for her 6 month testing. Tues she will have a CT scan around 11:30, MIBG injection at 1:00 and she will attempt to do a Pulmonary Function Test at 2:00. Wed she will have her MIBG scan at 9:30am and Oncology Clinic at 1:00. Please pray for clear scans!

Don't Give Up

DE-SENSITIZING THE MASSES

Military Rolls Tanks Onto St. Louis Streets…But Why?

I have to say that this event, which is being labeled a “training exercise”, makes very little sense to me. U.S. Army troops all the way from Maryland running open exercises in armored personnel carriers on the busy streets of St. Louis? I know Maryland is a small state, but is there really not enough room at Ft. Detrick to accommodate a tank column and some troops? Are there not entire fake neighborhood and town complexes built with taxpayer dollars on military bases across the country meant to facilitate a realistic urban environment for troops to train in? And why travel hundreds of miles to Missouri? At the very least, this is a massive waste of funds.

On the other hand, such an action on the part of the Department of Defense makes perfect sense if the goal is to acclimate citizens to the idea of seeing tanks and armed military acting in a policing capacity. Just check out the two random idiots the local news affiliate picked to interview in St. Louis on the subject. Both state that they think the exercise is a “great idea”, because having the military on the streets would help to “reduce crime”:

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/06/us-military-to-run-urban-exercises-in-north-st-louis-residents-hope-it-will-cut-down-on-crime/

I suspect that the news affiliate did not go out of its way to get any counter-opinions, even though they admitted to being contacted by those voicing concerns over martial law.

Even so, it’s sad and simultaneously terrifying that there are plenty of mindless dupes out there who do not understand the dangers of the Army crossing the Rubicon and acting in a civil law enforcement capacity, never mind that they are completely ignorant of the fact that it violates the Posse Comitatus Act. One of the interviewees even points out that in some countries they don’t use police at all; only military. This is true. We call those countries “tyrannies”…

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Moody's Downgrades Banks On Wall Street

The American financial system took a blow late Thursday night when Moody's Investors Service gave a credit downgrade to a slew of big banks on Wall Street. Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs are among some of the banks that saw their credit downgraded. Moody's is questioning whether or not the banks can repay their debts. Curiously, the CEOs at the banks have all received record-breaking paychecks this year, just as their businesses go down the tubes – proving that there still is no accountability on Wall Street. Banks being unable to repay their debts got us into the financial crisis to begin with back in 2007, and with House Republicans blocking Wall Street regulations, and banksters again only focused on short-term profits – we may be headed for the same mess. Time to break up "Too Big to Fail," and revitalize American manufacturing so that our economy depends on building things again, rather than just moving around money.

It Helps To Have The Chamber On Your Side

When you're arguing before the Supreme Court, it helps if the Chamber of Commerce is on your side. Cementing its reputation as the most corporate-friendly court in recent memory, the Roberts Court has ruled in favor of the Chamber of Commerce in every single case it has heard so far this term. That's seven straight wins for the Chamber, and an overall win percentage of 68% since John Roberts became Chief Justice – higher than under the past two Chief Justices – Rehnquist and Burger. And next week, if the Supreme Court strikes down Obamacare, it will be an eighth straight win for the Chamber. Not only do we have the best Congress money can buy – it looks we have the best Supreme Court money can buy, too.

U.S. Expanding Military Aid, Intelligence in Africa

The U.S. is carefully expanding efforts to provide intelligence, training and at times small numbers of forces to African nations to help counter terrorist activities in the region, the top American military commander for Africa said Monday.

Speaking to a conference that included representatives from African nations, Gen. Carter Ham, head of U.S. Africa Command, said coordinated moves by several Africa-based terrorist groups to share their training, funding and bomb-making materials are worrisome and pose a threat to the U.S. and the region.

He pointed to U.S. surveillance in central Africa to try to ferret out rebel leader Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army and said it is the type of thing the U.S. military can do, but only when invited to partner with African nations.

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Only In America ---Top Ten

1) Only in America could politicians talk about the greed of the rich at a $35,000 a plate campaign fund raising event.

2) Only in America could people claim that the government stilldiscriminates against black Americans when we have a black President, a black Attorney General, and roughly 18% of the federal workforce is black. Just 12% of the population is black.

3) Only in America could we have had the two people most responsible for our tax code, Timothy Geithner, the head of the Treasury Department and Charles Rangel who once ran the Ways and Means Committee, BOTH turn out to be tax cheats who are in favor of higher taxes.

4) Only in America can we have terrorists kill people in the name of Allah and have the media primarily react by fretting that Muslims might be harmed by the backlash.

5) Only in America would we make people who want to legally become American citizens wait for years in their home countries and pay tens of thousands of dollars for the privilege while we discuss letting anyone who sneaks into the country illegally just become American citizens.

6) Only in America could the people who believe in balancing the budget and sticking by the country's Constitution be thought of as "extremists."

7) Only in America could you need to present a driver's license to cash a check or buy alcohol, but not to vote.

8) Only in America could people demand the government investigate whether oil companies are gouging the public because the price of gas went up when the return on equity invested in a major U.S. oil company (Marathon Oil) is less than half of a company making tennis shoes (Nike).

9) Only in America could the government collect more tax dollars from the people than any nation in recorded history, still spend a trillion dollars more than it has per year for total spending of $7 million PER MINUTE, and complain that it doesn't have nearly enough money.

10) Only in America could the rich people who pay 86% of all income taxes be accused of not paying their "fair share" by people who don't pay any income taxes at all.

OFFICIAL PACE CAR

New Bumper Sticker

Teen, 17, Arrested in Frying Pan Park Animal Slashings

A Herndon teenager faces felony charges in connection with animal slashings at Frying Pan Park in April and May.

Fairfax County police say the 17-year-old boy is charged with four felony counts of maiming animals, three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of unlawful entry.

Police say they arrested the teen Saturday after getting a tip on Friday. They aren't describing the motive, but say they believe they have the weapon used in the attacks: a machete.

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Best Police Pursuit...EVER!

Supreme Court Rules Maryland Can Count Inmates At Their Home Addresses

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling Monday that allows Maryland to count prison inmates at their last known addresses - rather than their prison addresses - for redistricting purposes, and upholds the map approved by the General Assembly last year.

Activists had sued the state, saying that the newly drawn congressional districting map violated the U.S. Constitution. The map was developed by a committee appointed by Gov. Martin O'Malley and based on census data and statewide input. It was also drawn to reflect a 2010 Maryland law that counts prisoners at their last known addresses, which differs from the U.S. Census Bureau’s policy of counting inmates at their prison addresses, used by most states.

Critics of the federal policy say it has artificially inflated the populations and voting power of the often-rural districts that contain prisons, while reducing

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This Is What Happens When A Mega Bank Is Caught Red-Handed

Back on May 10, when JPMorgan announced [10]its massive CIO trading loss (which may or may not have been unwound courtesy of a risk offboarding to another hedge fund which may or may not be backstopped by the Fed as the massive IG9 position was not novated but merely transferred) JPM also disclosed something else which may have bigger implications for the broader, and just downgraded, banking sector. As a reminder, in the 10-Q filing, the bank reported a VaR of $170 million for the three months ending March 31, 2012. This compared to a tiny $88 million for the previous year. According to the company, “the increase in average VaR was primarily driven by an increase in CIO VaR and a decrease in diversification benefit across the Firm.” What JPM really meant is that after being exposed in the media for having a monster derivative-based prop bet on its books, it had no choice, as it was no longer possible to use manipulated and meaningless risk "models" according to which the $2 billion loss, roughly 23 sigma based on the old VaR number, was impossible (ignoring that VaR is an absolutely meaningless and irrelevant statistical contraption). Turns out it is very much possible. Which brings us to the latest quarterly Office of the Comptroller of the Currency report [11], and particularly the chart on page 7. More than anything it shows what happens when a big bank is caught red-handed lying about its risk exposure. We urge readers to spot the odd one out.

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A Confirmed 'Microburst' Struck Md. Neighborhood

BLADENSBURG, Md. - As many as 80 residents in Prince George's County, whose homes were damaged in Friday night's storm, have been forced into shelter at Bladensburg High School.

"Some are there because of loss of power, and are just waiting for restoration of power. Others will be more long term," says Ronnie Gill, director of Emergency Management for Prince George's County.

Gill says the aftermath of Friday's storms, which slammed into Bladensburg and Cheverly Friday night, resembles a war zone.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER ALBERO

Salisbury News Exceeds 66,000 Posts

In a world of numbers now in the trillions, sixty six thousands doesn't sound like a whole lot. Well, my fingers tell a different story. My keyboards that no longer show the letters on each key tells a different story as well. I can tell you at 7:00 AM we already have Posts ready to go from 8 AM to midnight. We have toned it down somewhat by going to every 30 minutes after 5 PM but there's plenty of news out there we feel concerns our way of life and we're delivering what we feel might impact you.

We have experienced record breaking days for about a week now and yesterday was no exception. How and why, I just don't know. All I can say is, Salisbury News is kicking some butt out there and we thank each and every one of you for your support.

I thought I'd also take this opportunity to share with you the three little newborn kittens have been adopted by a wonderful Fruitland Family. They have hundreds of animals on their Farm and this is nothing new to them. They are in very good hands and we hope to keep you updated as time goes on.

Again, we thank you for your support and please don't forget those advertisers on Salisbury News. We don't just let anybody advertise here so please show your support and keep your money local. Have a great day.

P.S., We still have plenty of tee shirts and bumper stickers for anyone who'd like one, or two, or three. LOL

Most Popular

The Postal Service may be struggling with money, but it's gaining ground on its competitors in at least one respect. The agency has reached record levels of customer satisfaction. It has caught up to UPS and come close to Fed Ex. The American Customer Satisfaction Index gives the Postal Service a rating of 81. That also means it's more popular than Congress by nearly four to one.