Monday, September 24, 2012

Let's Tackle The Salisbury Zoo Head On

As a future candidate for Mayor for the City of Salisbury, serious financial issues need to be discussed. While your current Mayor has no clue how to restructure the City's business, assets and debt, I have an absolute solution for the Salisbury Zoo.

We've already discussed how I plan to revitalize the Downtown Plaza, here's what I would do with the Zoo.

One major problem I see with how the Zoo is structured is the fact that they now have TWO non profit organizations related to the Zoo in which they can do fundraising. The Mayor nor the City Council have ANY say in what they say or do, that's a problem.

Now, let me make something very clear here. I have NO problem with the people involved in these organizations, I simply have solutions as to how we can all make this work.

Considering the Zoo, (in the past) has hired full time employees that were originally under the umbrella of the Zoo Commission, once those grant funds disappeared they came to the rubber stamp Council and made them all full time employees with benefits.

The overall expense for employees and food for the animals 7 years ago was $350,000.00. Now it's close to $1,400,000.00 and that's a problem. Every time the Zoo Commission and the AZA do anything, it ends up costing the taxpayers millions of dollars.

So, here's my proposal. I say we should RENT the Zoo property and buildings to the Zoo Commission for $1.00 a year, very similar to the Humane Society. At that point and time ALL Employees will become the responsibility of the Zoo Commission as well as ALL expenses.

IF the Zoo is everything the Zoo Commission claims it is, then let them back it up by fully supporting the Zoo. You see Folks, when you make alleged donations to FEED the animals, that money does NOT come back to the General Fund, (taxpayers). YOU continue to fund feeding the animals in that $1,400,000.00 expense each year.

At this point the Zoo will not have to answer to the Mayor or the Council. I'd demand that at least one Council Member continue to sit on the Board. This proposal shows that I have NO interest in shutting down the Zoo. It leaves the Zoo Commission with full control over the Zoo but it also makes them accountable in the sense that when and if they hire someone they will do so because it is an absolutely necessary position to fill.

The City would continue to forward the $200,000.00 a year it receives from the Hotel/Motel tax income to the Zoo as our yearly contribution.

That would leave the City Taxpayers with an additional $1,400,000.00 to help fund the Salisbury Police Department WITHOUT having to possibly raise taxes, as your current Mayor has proposed.

THE INTERVIEW WITH AN IPHONE 5 BUYER THAT’S SO MIND-NUMBING YOU‘LL THINK IT’S STAGED

Let‘s start this article off by saying the man behind the interview you’re about to see swears it’s not staged. That’s important.

Why is that important? Because the interview is so incredible you’ll think it was. How is it incredible? Let‘s just say it’s not evident if the woman seen waiting in line recently outside a NYC Apple store really understands what she’s doing, why she’s doing it, and what exactly an iPhone is — let alone what the Internet is. But alas, the video below picks up as a woman named “Rachel” has been waiting for two days to buy an iPhone 5. By the end of the conversation we know she doesn’t like the Internet, she begins calling the phone an “Apple 5,” and that she’s not afraid to put a lot of money on her credit card.

When Iranian President Ahmadinejad ascended the podium to speak on the rule of law at the UN today, Israeli UN envoy Ron Prosor rose from his seat and walked out while the U.S. envoys remained, according to Fox News. Update: Raw video from the UN confirms that U.S. representatives attended the entire speech.

Ahmadinejad alluded to what he sees as Israel's illegitimate nuclear arsenal, and criticized members who haven't stopped Israel from acquiring it: "Some members of the Security Council with veto rights have chosen silence with regard to the nuclear warheads of a fake regime, while at the same time [impeding]...the scientific progress of other nations."

Remember back in 2008 when shock jock Howard Stern had his associates conduct “man on the street” interviews with Obama supporters ? We’re sure you do. The results were both hilarious and depressing (depending on your political persuasion, of course).

Why were the results of the 2008 experiment hilarious/depressing? Because it became painfully clear that many of the people interviewed by Stern’s team had absolutely no idea what they were talking about or why they were supporting candidate Obama.

And if you thought it was funny (and/or depressing) in 2008, you’ll really enjoy the 2012 edition. Yes, Stern’s cohort once again descends on Harlem to ask a fistful of Obama supporters about the president, his accomplishments, and his GOP rival Mitt Romney.

Shocking

I WROTE A BOOK ABOUT MY STRUGGLES I was born in one country, raised in another. My father was born in another country. I was not his only child. He fathered several children with numerous women. I became very close to my mother, as my father showed no interest in me. My mother died at an early age from cancer. Although my father deserted me and my mother raised me, I later wrote a book idolizing my father,not my mother. Later in life, questions arose over my real name. My birth records were sketchy. No one was able to produce a legitimate, reliable birth certificate. I grew up practicing one faith but converted to Christianity, as it was widely accepted in my new country, but I practiced non-traditional beliefs and didn't follow Christianity, except in the public eye under scrutiny. I worked and lived among lower-class people as a young adult, disguising myself as someone who really cared about them. That was before I decided it was time to get serious about my life and embarked on a new career. I wrote a book about my struggles growing up. It was clear to those who read my memoirs, that I had difficulties accepting that my father abandoned me as a child. I became active in local politics in my 30s. Then, with help behind the scenes, I literally burst onto the scene as a candidate for national office in my 40s They said I had a golden tongue and could talk anyone into anything I had a virtually non-existent resume, little work history and no experience in leading a single organization. Yet I was a powerful speaker,and citizens were drawn to me as though I were a magnet and they were small roofing tacks. I drew incredibly large crowds during my public appearances. This bolstered my ego. At first, my political campaign focused on my country's foreign policy... I was very critical of my country in the last war and seized every opportunity to bash my country. But what launched my rise to national prominence were my views on the country's economy. I pretended to have a really good plan on how we could do better, and every poor person would be fed and housed for free. I knew which group was responsible for getting us into this mess. It was the free market, banks and corporations. I decided to start making citizens hate them;and, if they became envious of others who did well, the plan was clinched tight. I called mine "A People's Campaign.” That sounded good to all people. I was the surprise candidate because I emerged from outside the traditional path of politics and was able to gain widespread popular support. I knew that if I merely offered the people'hope', together we could change our country and the world. So, I started to make my speeches sound like they were on behalf of the downtrodden, poor, ignorant to include "persecuted minorities." My true views were not widely known,and I kept them unknown until after I became my nation's leader. I had to carefully guard reality, as anybody could have easily found out what I really believed if they had simply read my writings and examined those people I associated with. I'm glad they didn't. Then I became the most powerful man in the world. And then the world learned the truth. Who am I? (See below) Adolf Hitler

The National Debt And Federal Budget Deficit Deconstructed

America - And Western Civilization As A Whole - Was Founded On A Conspiracy Theory

The Constitution, Magna Carta and Democracy Itself Are Based on the Idea that – Without Checks and Balances – Those In Power Will Take Advantage of Us

America was founded on a conspiracy theory: that Britain’s King George and his men were conspiring against the colonists.

The Declaration of Independence recites a series of conspiracies [16]:

When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism … The history of the present King of Great Britain [and others working with and for him] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

***

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

***

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

Big Activity In Berlin

Walmart/Home Depot in Berlin

Something happening there. Either big bomb threat, or hostage situation. Everyone locked in, perimeter secured. MSP and Berlin PD on location. Fire police keep ppl away from shopping center.

When You're In Your Casket

Three friends from the local congregation were asked, "When you're in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?"

Artie said, "I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man."

Eugene commented, "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people's lives.."

Al said, "I'd like them to say, 'Look, he's moving!"

4th Marriage

A woman who had been married three times walked into a bridal shop one day and told the sales clerk that she was looking for a wedding gown for her fourth wedding.

"Of course, madam," replied the sales clerk, "exactly what type and color dress are you looking for?"

The bride to be said, "A long frilly white dress with a veil."

The sales clerk hesitated a bit, then said, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but gowns of that nature are considered more appropriate for brides who are being married the first time - for those who are a bit moreinnocent, if you know what I mean? Perhaps ivory or sky blue would be nice?"

"Well," replied the customer, a little peeved at the clerk's directness, "I can assure you that a white gown would be quite appropriate. Believe it or not, despite all my marriages, I remain as innocent as a first-time bride. You see, my first husband was so excited about our wedding, he died as we were checking into our honey moon hotel. My second husband and I got into such a terrible fight in the limo on our way to our honeymoon hotel that we had that wedding annulled immediately and never spoke to each other again."

"What about your third husband?" asked the sales clerk.

"That one was a Democrat," said the woman, "and every night for four years, he just sat on the edge of the bed and told me how good it was going to be, but nothing ever happened."

Morning-After Pills Available At 13 NYC Schools

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York City Department of Education is making the morning-after-pill available to high school girls at 13 public schools.

The DOE says girls as young as 14 will be able to get the Plan B emergency contraception without parental consent.

Parents have been notified about the CATCH pilot program and how their daughters can opt out of it.

How accurate is the Farmers' Almanac when it comes to predicting winter in Washington? The answer might surprise you. WTOP goes in-depth and takes a year-by-year look at the prediction and the reality over the last five years.

You Know You Are A Conspiracy Theorist If

You are capable of critical thinking.

You distrust mainstream media.

You like nature.

You think it’s a good idea to spend the Friday after Thanksgiving with your family rather than camping outside Best Buy to get a cheap plasma television made in China.

You think it’s a little strange that WTC building 7 came down at free fall speed on 9/11 yet it was never hit by a plane.

You think that drones in America might not be for Al Qaeda.

You would like to be able to get on a plane without having to engage in a mandatory radiation bath and digital strip search.

$900 BILLION UNFUNDED PUBLIC PENSIONS

Three stories below sum up the delusion, corruption, and idiocy of the politicians and public employee unions. State politicians across the land have promised government employees $900 billion more than they have actually funded. Liberals pretend they don’t understand the term unfunded liability and completely ignore the fact that the only way to honor these unfunded promises is to jack up your real estate, sales, and income taxes by 50% or more. Essentially, it is mathematically impossible to honor these promises without crushing the American taxpayer. Are you willing to pay an extra $1,000 per year in real estate taxes so a high school gym teacher can get a $100,000 per year pension?

Now for the bad news. The 2nd story made me laugh. The mental midgets that run the City of Pittsburgh refuse to even examine the possibility of changing the return assumption on their pension plans from 8% to 7.5%. They actually believe their pension plan will return 8% per year over the long term when 10 Year Treasuries yield 1.7% and the S&P 500 is priced to return 4.5% over the next ten years. Someone needs to tell the delusional numbskulls in Pittsburgh that just because you choose to pretend that reality doesn’t exist, doesn’t mean your pension fund will have the cash to pay out to government drones.

The 3rd story reveals the reality of the situation. CALPERS, the biggest public pension fund in the world, returned 1% last year. That was slightly below their 7.5% assumption. This country continues to act like a 3 year old child. We want our candy and will throw a fit until our mommy gives in. Pretend and extend, while faking the accounting, will not create the cash needed to pay our unfunded liabilities. Using a REAL return assumption of 4% would make the unfunded state pension liability approximately $1.6 trillion.

I predict hundreds of municipal bankruptcies in the next five years when reality meets delusion and false assumptions.

QUOTES OF THE DAY 9-24-12

[The State] is a device for taking money out of one set of pockets and putting it in another. Voltaire

In liberal logic, if life is unfair then the answer is to turn more tax money over to politicians, to spend in ways that will increase their chances of getting reelected. Thomas Sowell

A fool and his money are soon elected. Will Rogers

History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. Benjamin Franklin

And thus the community perpetually retains a supreme power of saving themselves from the attempts and designs of anybody, even of their legislators, whenever they shall be so foolish, or so wicked, as to lay and carry on designs against the liberties and properties of the subject. John Locke

Ignorant men raise questions that wise men answered a thousand years ago. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

One of the consequences of such notions as “entitlements” is that people who have contributed nothing to society feel that society owes them something, apparently just for being nice enough to grace us with their presence. Thomas Sowell

Charities Deceive Donors Unaware Money Goes To A Telemarketer

Carol Patterson was waiting for a call from her doctor. When the phone rang on that afternoon in August 2011 at her home in Cortland, Ohio, it wasn’t a physician on the other end. A woman named Robin said she was representing the American Diabetes Association.

Robin didn’t ask for money. She asked Patterson to stamp and mail pre-printed fundraising letters to 15 neighbors. Both of Patterson’s parents and one grandmother had been diabetic, so she agreed to do it, Bloomberg Markets magazine reports in its October issue.

“I thought since it does run in the family, it wouldn’t hurt for me to help,” says Patterson, 64, a retired elementary school teacher. She guessed, based on what she knew about charity fundraising, that about 70 to 80 percent of the money she brought in would be used for diabetes research.

A new, national voter registration data exchange Maryland joined earlier this year to help clean up its voter rolls will not deliver necessary data to the State Board of Elections in time to scrub the lists before the Nov. 6 elections. The group – Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), did however provide timely data to the state board of elections that would help increase the number of registered voters, according to David Becker of The Pew Center on the States, the group that created the program.

Continue Reading...

Keep Your Eyes On The Road

As if delivering the mail weren't enough, the Postal Service is taking on another task: getting drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Florida news station WWSB reported the agency was tired of drivers crashing into post offices in that state. Eight Florida post offices have been crashed into just this year. One woman plowed into a post office lobby because she hit the gas rather than the brakes. The Postal Service says that's a common reason for the accidents. The other is that customers think they're in drive when they're really in reverse.

A Letter To The Editor 9-24-12

Dear Joe,

I read the article in the Daily Times , dated Sept. 20th--- "County , city look at altering dog ordinances." I also watched the news about one of the dogs reported to Animal Control who was living in a plastic crate, which appeared to have a hole in the side. Addressing the statement in the paper--- "Even though ANIMAL CONTROL DECIDED the dogs weren't being neglected or abused in those cases, officials want to insure everyone is on thesame page" Good Idea! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

However----I would think All Animal Control officers have to be given copies of their Countys Laws & know them well so they will be enforced by them. After hearing about this on the News & in the paper I obtained a copy of the County Laws & this is what I find to be LAW IN OUR COUNTY-----FROM THOSE PAGES.

It states in our COUNTY Dog Laws 133-17, dated 12/22/2-11 that---THE STRUCTURE SHALL PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM WEATHER, I.E., SUN, WIND, PRECIPITATION OR OTHER INCLEMENT OR UNSAFE WEATHER CONDITIONS & SHELTER THAT IS MAINTAINED IN A CLEAN, SANITARY CONDITION, FREE FROM EXTREME & UNREASONABLE OBJECTIONABLE ODER.------(THIS WAS ADDED TO THE LAWS IN 12-16-2008

Under CARE OF ANIMAL "F" , which was amended in 12-2008, The LAW states-----" A fully contained area free of fecal buildup, debris & infestitation."

The picture I saw of the dog , sent via Internet to me---- appeared to have a a hole on the side of the plastic crate . I was told the inside of the crate had water standing in it. I'm sure everyone will remember the terrible torrents of rain & winds we had recently. This was the weather the animal was suppose to seek shelter in this crate ---in surroundings ---which appeared to have no grass around the plastic crate----so---just mudd for the animal to walk in when it rains? I was told this was reported twice to Animal Control. If -- Knowing the laws, shouldn't this animals situation been taken care of Then?????? I would think so!

Had it not been raining when they saw where the dog was----I would think they would Know what was going to happen when it rained------wouldn't they?

Another of our COUNTY LAWS---under DOG HOUSE states: A structure with secure sides & tops to protect the animal from the WEATHER! There must be a floor free from rot , DRY & clear of debris. The dog house must be of a size appropiate to the size of the dog living in it. ( This added 12-16-2008 )

Again , the question ----WHY was the animal not attended to properly??

Another statement from the paper I found interesting was------"Among the likely changes in the county are Further Defining "adequate" water " to mean 24 - 7 access to clean water."

Under our COUNTY LAW----133-17 ANIMAL CARE & or ANIMAL NEGLECT

"DRINKING WATER"----There MUST be drinkable water in ADEQUATE supply.

Under the laws of CARE OF AN ANIMAL: Food & Water in SUFFICIENT quanities to maintain animals in healthy condition.

To quote from Websters Dictionary----Adequate means Sufficient and Sufficient means, enough. I am thinking---If I saw an animal with 1/10th of a bowl of water----would I not know that animal NEEDED WATER & SHOULD HAVE IT ? Of course ---that's a no-brainer. So, if the animal did have such a situation----then YES, SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP THE ANIMAL, RIGHT? After all this is what County Dog Laws states. So, why would this not be enforced & done for them if reported???? ( Adding 24/7 would give this law a bit of a boost---- I suppose.)

IN CURRENT DOG LAWS UNDER ----- " UNSAFE WEATHER CONDITIONS" It states:

Shall be when the temp. is BELOW freezing or ABOVE 100 degrees. ( ADDED 12-16-2008 ),

Stated in the newspaper article of Thurs. Sept . 20th, 2012---"The COUNTY COUNCIL also may set a minimum & maximum temperature for when animals can be left outside"

I hope the statements quoted in the Daily Times of "Among the likely changes in the county are-- " isn't just a pacifier to the people coming before them with the complaints.

Council had the opportunity to "fix this" when call for changes were brought before them a few years ago. I think the members who are still on the Council that were back then are--- Mr. Holloway , Ms Bartkovitch & Ms Prettymen.

Hopefully, this will be adjusted as no human or animal should be made to stay outside in 100 degree or freezing temperatures!!

I went before the Board several years ago to request New Laws for protection of people & the animals. This was done when I was told by the Humane Society nothing could be done when I reported a dog tied to 3 feet of chain!!! It was then I ask who made the Laws & where could I obtain a copy. After reading the Laws , seeing that a dog could live -----after Killing someone & seeing in the Laws what I'd been told by the Humane Society to not be truth, I contacted then President , John Cannon. After this , the matter & request for change was presented to the Council . A committee was formed & worked tirelessly to research how other States had their Laws written & worked for the benefit of the people & the animals in creating new Laws to present to the Council. Only a few changes were made. Yes, there was some progress , but not near enough!!!! There was great disappointment from the committee as they had worked long hours , meeting at nights to rewrite & propose the laws to Council. There was much disappointment in how long it took to get back to Council to request these changes ----- and then with only minimal new laws approved by them. One of the changes I requested was Animal Control Laws be kept in view at the Humane Society-----that was denied----I think Council should reconsider so people know Truth when it comes to the Laws---not just by heresay from someone!

There were a few more things on our Laws that people might be interested in also , so they can report to Animal Control when there's the need.

COLLARS " Are to be LEATHER OR NYLON ---Sooo , NO chains around the neck

RESTRAINTS --Dogs confined on a tether, excepting periods of times that are brief & incidental, tether shall NOT be LESS THAN 15 FEET--ANDPOSITIONED TO PREVENT TANGLING & HANGING---( Added12-16-08 )

Now, the question of WHO IS RESPONSIBLE WHEN OUR COUNTY LAWS ARE NOT ENFORCED???

My understanding is the Humane Society & Animal Control are separate. Duty of Animal control is to enforce the laws. He is authorized to employ additional animal control officers---WITH CONSENT OF COUNTY. EXECUATIVE, as deemed necessary for enforcements of provisions of the laws and CTY EX. PAYS Animal Control for their expense. I've heard Wicomico Cty gives $200,000 to the Humane Society & I don't know if the amt. paid Animal Contro is a separate amt. or not. I am guessing this leaves the responsibility up to the BOARD , appointed by the Cty?, should the Laws not be enforced. Would that be a correct assumption ???????????????????? If not-----then to whom does the responsibility lie?????????? Sure is a mixed mess it seems----No Accountability----No Responsibility.

The American Dream Hinges On Organized Labor

That's the conclusion of a new study by the Center for American Progress looking at data from the Pew Research Center. The study looked at unionization rates within states and found that states with the highest percentage of unionized workers also have the highest rates of economic mobility – as in, the chances that someone born into the middle class can work their way into the upper class. Being able to come from nothing and live a successful life is the basis of the American Dream. Unfortunately, the United States now lags behind the rest of the developed world when it comes to economic mobility. Today, more than 2/3 of Americans born in the bottom-fifth income bracket – will stay in the bottom two-fifths income brackets their entire lives. A lot of that has to do with a 32-year war against organized labor starting with Ronald Reagan. The study concludes by showing that just a ten-percent boost in unionized workers in an average state would increase economic mobility by 4%. It's time to bring democracy back to the work place through unions and give workers a shot at what they've been promised – a shot at the American Dream.

Banks Threaten Elderly Veterans With Foreclosure

San Francisco - Robert Moses is 92, an African American and a World War II Navy veteran.

Don Baird is a couple of weeks shy of his 90th birthday, is scheduled for heart surgery next week, and is also a World War II veteran.

Aside from being former servicemen, both men also share one other thing: they are about to lose the homes they owned, each for more than four decades, to foreclosure.

D.C. Sniper Victim Remember Horror

Former Alabama liquor store clerk Kellie Adams still has difficulty going out in public 10 years after she was shot during a robbery that was tied to the "D.C. Snipers" case.

Adams was severely wounded and Claudine Parker was killed on Sept. 21, 2002, when they finished closing up a state liquor store in Montgomery. A gun brochure found near scene tied the shootings to Lee Boyd Malvo.

Adams told The Montgomery Advertiser that she went through 30 surgeries in five years. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and hospitalized for psychological problems. Her marriage ended in divorce, and her ex-husband got custody of their daughter.

A unique offer from a local jewelry store is getting a lot of attention.

D. Geller and Son is giving away a free gun to customers who buy a diamond.

Owner Mike Geller said he got the idea, after seeing a similar offer at a Missouri car dealership.

Geller’s promotion offers a free hunting rifle, if you buy a diamond worth $2,499 or more.

Scandal Continues

The Secret Service prostitution scandal in Colombia is reverberating in the presidential campaign. The Homeland Security inspector general found a hotel record of an administration employee. The IG indicated that person might have been involved in bringing prostitutes to rooms of the president's Secret Service detail. The discovery prompted two Republican senators to call for more information. Charles Edwards, the DHS acting inspector general, said his office is only looking at Secret Service activities, and that it didn't pursue the possible role of the White House worker. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wonders why the IG's final report is so long overdue.

Mormons, Romney And The White Horse Prophecy

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney could become the first Mormon president of the United States. Questions about how a candidate's religious faith may impact his presidency are always a topic of discussion during campaign season but when the candidate belongs to something other than an established mainstream American Church, people are more curious.

The vast majority of Americans have been mostly unfamiliar with the history or teachings of the Mormon Church so a little investigation seems warranted. The Church has an interesting history and some rather odd teachings when compared to those of Protestant Christianity.

Founded in 1830 in the United States by its first prophet, Joseph Smith, the LDS Church is now the fourth largest denomination in the United States, with some 14 million members. Because of its early promotion of polygamy, belief that it is the only true Church based on the model established by Jesus and its inclusion of the Book of Mormon as a scripture in addition to the King James Bible, Americans have not been particularly accepting of Mormonism. Add to that the mystery surrounding Temple worship, which is not open to the public, and it becomes evident why Americans have questions about their potential next president.

There is one piece of information I find particularly interesting, given everything unfolding in the United States at the moment. Before his death, Joseph Smith supposedly issued the White Horse Prophecy, which stated that at some time in the future of the United States, evil men and secret combinations would combine to destroy liberty, freedom and free agency in the United States. It is true that we do see this happening today by secretive power elites, politicians and the Federal Reserve.

The U.S. Suffered Its Worst Airpower Loss Since Vietnam Last Week And No One Really Noticed

The Taliban attack on an air base in southern Afghanistan on Friday drew coverage for the way the insurgents cloaked themselves in U.S. army uniforms to gain a tactical advantage, but few have taken note of the historical proportions of the damage inflicted. John Gresham, at the Defense Media Network, has published a detailed account of the attack on Camp Bastion, in which two Marines were killed, six U.S. Marine Corps jet fighters were destroyed, and two more "significantly" damaged. Those facts were all carried in most reports, but if that just sounds like a typical damage report from a decade-long war, you're wrong. Gresham explains the devastating damage done to VMA-211, the name of the Marine Corps attack squadron that was most affected last week, noting that it is "arguably the worst day in [U.S. Marine Corps] aviation history since the Tet Offensive of 1968." Or you could go back even further. "The last time VMA-211 was combat ineffective was in December 1941, when the squadron was wiped out during the 13-day defense of Wake Island against the Japanese."

He spells out some more of the details of the attack:

Eight irreplaceable aircraft (the AV-8B has been out of production since 1999) have been destroyed or put out of action – approximately 7 percent of the total flying USMC Harrier fleet. Worse yet, the aircraft involved were the AV-B+ variant equipped with the APG-65 radar and AAQ-28 Litening II targeting pods – the most capable in the force. Given the current funding situation, it’s likely that the two damaged AV-8Bs will become spare parts “hangar queens” and never fly again. A Harrier squadron commander is dead, along with another Marine. Another nine personnel have been wounded, and the nearby Marines at Camp Freedom are now without effective fixed-wing air support. The USMC’s response to this disaster will be a telling report card on its leadership and organizational agility.

I think we're going to have a _____ winter.

Crumb & Get It - No To Joe

Obama Tries To Distract Us – Dick Morris TV: Lunch Alert!

In this video commentary, I discuss how Obama will talk about anything to get us away from the economy issue. Tune in!

Click Here to give me your thoughts and continue the discussion.

This Dick Morris Lunch Alert! sponsored by Stansberry Research.

My Favorite Animal

Our teacher asked what my favorite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken."
She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else laughed. My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did. Fried chicken is my favorite animal. I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA.

He said they love animals very much. I do, too. Especially chicken, pork and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office.

I told him what happened, and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again.

The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was.

I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, so I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken.

She sent me back to the principal's office. He laughed, and told me not to do it again.

I don't understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't like it when I am.

Today, my teacher asked us to tell her what famous person we admire most. I told her, "Colonel Sanders." Guess where I am now...

Today's Advertiser Of The Day 9-24-12

Damning Portrait Of Obama Presented In New Exposé

A damning new 10-part expose of President Barack Obama calls into question much of his past, as well as revealing contradictions about the president’s claims of an impoverished upbringing. The series, “The Obama You Don’t Know,” claims the commander in chief has covered his tracks throughout his life, producing new narratives as he goes along. It says that while Obama has painted a picture of growing up poor in Indonesia and Hawaii, in fact in both places his family was relatively well-off. In Indonesia the family lived in the Menteng neighborhood, “then and now the most exclusive neighborhood of Jakarta where bureaucrats, diplomats, and economic elites reside,” the Examiner said in the report that was four months in the making. Read more on Newsmax.com: Damning Portrait of Obama Presented in New Exposé Important: Do You Support Pres. Obama's Re-Election? Vote Here Now! More

New York Prisoner Gets Five Years In Solitary For Cell Phone Smuggled In By Guard

Philip Miller was midway through a twenty-year sentence for robbery at Sing Sing Prison in New York, with an almost spotless prison record, when he was caught with a mobile phone in his cell in April 2010. He was charged with two disciplinary violations: "possession of contraband" and also "altering state property," since he had hidden the cell phone and charger in "a compartment carved out of the windowsill."

Miller was brought before an internal prison disciplinary hearing and pled guilty to the two charges. But he sought to call various inmates who could attest to his good behavior and to describe what actually had happened. The hearing officer denied him his request, claiming that he, the prison officer, knew all about Miller and it wasn't necessary to call the witnesses. Miller was found guilty of both charges and sentenced to 60 months—five years—in solitary, with a proviso that 24 months might be suspended if he incurred no further disciplinary charges. Despite the nonviolent nature of his offenses, Miller was shipped off to serve his time at Southport, the all-solitary supermax facility south of Elmira.

Today's Survey Question 9-24-12

What do you think is the most popular name for a child today?

SHHHHH, No One Is Supposed To Know, Not Even The Council

Salisbury News learned over the weekend its been rumored that Mayor Jim Ireton and Chief Barbara Duncan have shut down the Safe Streets Team.

Yes, the very organization that the Mayor has credited towards a major reduction in crime is allegedly no longer.

Talk about a Mayor who couldn't care less about public safety! This team was put together with grant money. Funny how the ZOO hires people full time with benefits after the grant money runs out but God Forbid we actually do the same for public safety. Also, its been rumored the grant was extended for another year.

Right now there's a ton of discussion about the "what ifs" referencing the City's commitment towards the grant funding. All I can tell you right now is, IF you didn't think Salisbury needed new leadership, I hope your opening your eyes now. None of the City Council Members I spoke to were aware that the Safe Streets Team has been disbanded.

Swoosh

The giant swooshing sound you heard was Congress leaving town. It's out of session until after the November national election. Before adjournment, the Senate passed a $500 billion continuing resolution bill, following House passage of its version. Once the president signs the CR, the government will be assured of no shutdown on Sept. 30. But Congress left undone passage of a farm bill that covers many federal food and nutrition programs, and it has yet to find an alternative to sequestration, which will automatically cut budgets in January. Expect a lot of honking from the lame duck session.

140 Million Families Will Be Forced To Submit Obamacare Individual Mandate Compliance Forms To IRS

CBO estimates hours and hours of more paperwork for American taxpayers because of the Individual Mandate tax.

The Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday announced that six million American families will be forced to pay the Obamacare individual mandate non-compliance penalty tax.

The six million families who will be forced to pay the tax understates the true compliance burden of the looming Obamacare individual mandate scheduled to take effect in 2014:

Every American required to file an income tax return must report to the IRS whether or not they have “qualifying” health insurance under Obamacare.

Thus, this tax will not just impact the six million American families having to pay the tax, but the 140 million U.S. households which file an annual income tax return. Each of the 140 million households will be forced to complete and submit compliance forms to the IRS.

Toothless Document

Joe,

I just signed up to be an election judge for the upcoming November elections, and they made me sign a pledge to uphold, among others, the Maryland Constitution. So, I decided I’d better read it.

I have to promise to enforce this without the benefit of seeing anyone’s I.D. card. I must work an entire 15 hour day and “remember faces” as they come and go, and if I see one twice, what proof do I have? If they give a different name, what proof do I have of the name they gave before?

A truly toothless document.

http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/01art1.html

‘Problem Of Sexual Abuse Crosses All Social Groups, All Religions’

Washington-based writer Gayle Trotter spoke with Dawn Eden about her new book, “My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints, based on her experiences and how faith helped heer to recover..

Gayle Trotter: Why do you think that Catholics should learn about sexual abuse?

Dawn Eden: The problem of sexual abuse crosses all social groups, all religions. In the United States one out of four adult women and one out of six adult men report having been sexually abused in childhood. So the problem is quite wide.

GT: Is your book only for people who have suffered sexual abuse or for others as well?

DE: What I really wanted to do before writing “My Peace I Give You” was to write a book that would give us a theology of suffering. Only in the Catholic faith do we really have this deep understanding of what it means to be part of the mystical body of Christ. We are united to the passion of Christ in all our suffering. Our Savior is wounded and His wounds are now glorified.

9 Counties That Could Swing The Election

With fewer than 50 days to go until the polls open, the presidential race has narrowed down to just a handful of battleground states.

Ad spending indicates that President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are seriously competing in eight states, which together will absorb the bulk of the campaign's manpower and cash, including the roughly $600 million in ads that are expected to run between now and Election Day.

The states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire — account for 95 of the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the election.

Found male black lab near Mt Pleasant Church Willards. Has collar no tags.

Owner can call 443-523-2771.

SAUDI BILLIONAIRE DID HELP OBAMA INTO HARVARD

Exclusive: Jack Cashill shares shocking secret president tried to keep under wraps In late March 2008, on a local New York City show called “Inside City Hall,” the venerable African-American entrepreneur and politico, Percy Sutton, told host Dominic Carter how he was asked to help smooth Barack Obama’s admission into Harvard Law School 20 years earlier.

More

Obama Approval Rating Tanking

President Barack Obama's approval rating in Gallup's rolling survey has plunged 6 percentage points in two weeks, a troubling sign that puts him on shaky historical ground for re-election.

Obama's approval rating is down to just 46 percent, down from a high of 52 percent after the Democratic National Convention. His disapproval rating, meanwhile, now stands at 48 percent, up from 42 percent after the DNC. Altogether, that's a 12-point swing in two weeks.

Today marks my sixth month living in Salisbury. I can't believe the time is flying by as quickly as it is. The election is now that much closer and we're now over the hump, so to speak.

The goal from this day forward is to encourage every single city resident to step up to the plate and get out there and VOTE.

Look, if you've been happy with the way things have been going for the past 16 years, by all means, vote for Jim Ireton.

If you are tired of the back and forth bickering, threats of tax increases, presentations of subsidized housing Downtown, no jobs and the loss of property values you'll cast your vote for me.

We've got a LOT of work to do in a very short period of time. I'm only going to do this once Ladies & Gentlemen. If you want to learn more about what I plan on doing for Salisbury, invite me to your community gatherings. Invite me to your club meetings.

One thing you can be sure of, you won't fall asleep during my presentation. You won't be fed lines of BS, like you'll be swimming in the river in 10 years. Like anyone will ever trust the water would be that clean anyway. Heck, look at the BILLIONS spent on the Chesapeake Bay and after 30 years it still gets a failing grade each and every year.

I look forward to hearing from you. alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349.

The Insane Stream Media Hates Gracious Christianity And Loves Violent Islam

Man, don’t cha love how the Insane Stream Media and their soft-brain disciples make Christians out to be fish-stickered, bug-eyed equals to incensed Islam? If you were to accept what the White House, some atheists and prattling gay activists say about Christians as true, you’d think the Church is chomping at the bit to chop off some heads of unbelievers, glory to Gawd!

Yep, if you were to believe the barf belched out by the BS brokers on the ludicrous Left, you’d stagger away stupid with the belief that there is little disparity between conservative Christians and militant Muslims.

As a matter of fact, you probably would be bamboozled into believing that Islam is a peaceful, Little House on the Prairie religion being temporarily hijacked by Jihadist renegades, and Christianity … Christianity is the real vicious, charity-vacant cult that’s vying for the opportunity to seize the whip and whip us good.

Quote Of The Week

Our quote of the week award recipient is none other than Atlanta Fed's Dennis Lockhart for the following pearl of wisdom:

LOCKHART SAYS FED WILL BUY BONDS UNTIL U.S. EMPLOYMENT IMPROVES.

Considering that employment is bad because of Fed "bond buys", which are preventing price clearing and discovery, and perpetuating the worst capital misallocation environment in the history of the world (if not for Apple's professional line waiters [6]), one should just replace "buy bonds" with "continue beatings" and "U.S. employment" with "morale."

And as a bonus:

FED'S LOCKHART SAYS HAS CONFIDENCE FED WILL KNOW WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE TO START NORMALIZATION OF MONETARY POLICY

Translation: 'New Normal' monetary policy is like porn

Governor, Guests Honor Baltimore Pastor's Community Legacy

Gov. Martin O'Malley joined hundreds of other guests to celebrate a Baltimore pastor's legacy of service to the community.

Rev. Marcus Garvey Wood has led Providence Baptist Church on Pennsylvania Avenue for 60 years.

When Garvey began preaching at the church, in 1952, gas cost 20 cents a gallon.

"Sixty years says something. And I think that is to be commended," said Rev. Dr. Douglas Summers. "Not only of one man, but of a congregation."

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Monday, September 24, 2012

The Constitution, Magna Carta and Democracy Itself Are Based on the Idea that – Without Checks and Balances – Those In Power Will Take Advantage of Us

How accurate is the Farmers' Almanac when it comes to predicting winter in Washington? The answer might surprise you. WTOP goes in-depth and takes a year-by-year look at the prediction and the reality over the last five years.