Netflix Outbids Pay-TV For Rights To Disney Movies

Netflix's video subscription service has trumped pay-TV channels and grabbed the rights to show Disney movies shortly after they finish their runs in theaters.

The multiyear licensing agreement announced Tuesday represents a breakthrough for Netflix as it tries to add more recent movies to its popular service that streams video over high-speed Internet connections.

It's the first time that one of Hollywood's major studios has sold the coveted rights to Netflix Inc. instead of a premium TV network such as HBO, Starz and Showtime.
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Atheist Group Pressures New Members of Congress Not to Join Prayer Caucus

They haven’t even been sworn in yet, but already the newest members of Congress are being pressured by a high-powered atheist group. The group, the American Humanist Association, has sent them letters urging them not to join the Congressional Prayer Caucus.

The letter reads in part, “Incoming House members should know that approximately one in five of their constituents are not religiously affiliated, and even more insist on maintaining the wall of separation between church and state … I ask you not to join the Congressional Prayer Caucus…”
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Md. Taxpayers Face Their Own Fiscal Cliff

If Congress fails to prevent automatic tax increases by year’s end, the typical family in Maryland will pay a bigger bill than the typical family just about anywhere else in the United States.

The Tax Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan tax research group based in Washington, D.C., found in an analysis of U.S. Census and Internal Revenue Service data that a four-person family in Maryland with a median household income would owe an extra $7,200 in taxes next year if some potential tax increases are not averted through lawmakers’ efforts to avoid the “fiscal cliff.”

That’s the highest dollar-figure increase in the nation, and the second-highest increase by percentage of income.
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‘Hannity’ Debate on Gun Control Turns Into Screaming Match

A debate over gun control turned into an all-out screaming match tonight on Hannity. Guests Erik Rush and Leo Tyrell were on the show to discuss the NFL tragedy of Jovan Belcher’s murder-suicide. NBC’s Bob Costas catapulted the debate on guns in the wake of this incident when he used the “Sunday Night Football” halftime segment to project his opinion on gun laws.
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Get This

Social Security employees will be picketing outside their offices tomorrow with the hope of pressuring leaders to strike a deal on the fiscal cliff. Their union representative, the American Federation of Government Employees, said sequestration could cut the agency's budget by more than 5 percent. It said those cuts would add to the agency's backlog and limit the help it could give Americans. It predicts Social Security would freeze hiring in all areas except its hearings operations. It would close 300 stations and cut face-to-face services in many rural areas. It would also stop mailing statements.

MIKULSKI TO CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FOR MARYLAND AT APPROPRIATIONS HEARING

MIKULSKI TO CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FOR MARYLAND AT APPROPRIATIONS HEARING EXAMINING IMPACT OF SUPER-STORM SANDY

Senator Mikulski will speak and question witnesses

Hearing will be streamed live at www.appropriations.senate.gov

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, will speak at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security entitled “Hurricane Sandy: Response and Recovery – Progress and Challenges.” Senator Mikulski will call for immediate action for communities on the Eastern Shore that are still suffering in the wake of Super-Storm Sandy.

The hearing will include two panels of witnesses. The first panel will consist of Senators from impacted states. The second panel will include the Honorable Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Honorable Craig Fugate, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

WHO:

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) 

Members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security

Members of Impacted States

The Honorable Shaun Donovan, Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Honorable Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

WHEN:

10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2012

WHERE:

Dirksen Senate Office Building

Room 192

Washington, D.C. 20510

Andy Harris Sends Letter Urging Gov. O'Malley To Appeal President Obama's Denial Of Individual Assistance

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Andy Harris sent a letter to Gov. O’Malley asking him to appeal President Obama’s denial of Individual Assistance for areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The 1^st Congressional District had many areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy particularly the communities of Crisfield, Smith Island, Marion, Fairmount, Deal Island, Ocean Pines and Princess Anne.

                “I was disappointed to learn that President Obama has denied Maryland’s application for Individual Assistance.   I encourage Gov. O’Malley to use all resources at his disposal to ensure that the residents of the areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy are provided access to any and all recovery resources for which they are eligible.” 

The full text of the letter to Governor O’Malley follows:

December 4, 2012

The Honorable Martin O’Malley

State House

Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Governor O’Malley:

Just a month ago, you and I toured Crisfield and Ocean City to see firsthand the serious impact of superstorm Sandy.  Like you, I was stunned to see the evident devastation there and throughout the First Congressional District, especially in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties.   As you know, these areas represent some of the poorest communities in our state, with limited access to resources but with the greatest need for assistance.

     

I was disappointed to learn that President Obama has denied Maryland’s application for Individual Assistance.   I encourage you to use all resources at your disposal to ensure that the residents of the areas we mutually represent are provided access to any and all recovery resources to which they should be eligible, including appealing the denial of individual assistance benefits.

'SESAME STREET' STAR CALLS ISRAEL 'BULLIES,' THINKS PALESTINIANS SHOULDN'T 'RECOGNIZE' JEWISH STATE

This episode in moral relativism is brought to you by the letter "M" - for Maria.

Sonia Manzano, who plays Maria on the long-running PBS series "Sesame Street," isbashing Israel via her Twitter feed.

The actress sent out two pro-Palestinian messages relating to the latest unrest in the Middle East, first calling Israel bullies and then comparing the Jewish state to early American settlers who wiped out Native Americans.
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Iraqi Muslim Social Security Office Bomber May Not be Charged with Terrorism Due to “Political Sensitivities”

So says Patrick Poole and it’s plausible enough. So riddle me this, how is Abdullatif Aldosary different from Gale Nettles who was charged with domestic terrorism for plotting to blow up a courthouse over his forgery conviction? Well he’s politically inconvenient for one thing.

But here’s another larger question. For all those people who wanted us to withdraw from Iraq to end the constant attacks, haven’t we imported Iraqi terrorism along with Iraqi refugees? Abdullatif Aldosary is just the latest Iraqi in America to be charged with violent offenses against this country and its people.
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Before Raising Rates, Obama Aides Should Pay Their Taxes

We all know by now fiscal cliff talks are at a stand still, but before President Obama asks those making more than $250,000 per year to pay more in taxes, he should first ask his own aides in the White House to pay their back taxes.

A few dozen people who work for President Obama are having some trouble paying their taxes.

The IRS has released its Federal Employee and Retiree Delinquency Inventory, and it shows that 36 of Obama’s aides owe a total of $833,970 in back taxes.

And what about employees of government agencies outside of the White House? They could chip in too.

Other government employees owe a lot, too. At the Environmental Protection Agency, 413 people owe more than $19 million; at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which is supposed to “maintain stability and public confidence in the nation’s financial system,” 185 employees owe more than $3 million; and five people at the U.S. Tax Court owe $62,508.
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OCPD Arrests 26 Suspect’s In Heroin Distribution Investigation

The Ocean City Police Vice/Narcotics Unit has been involved in an aggressive and extensive six week undercover drug investigation which involved multiple suspects throughout Ocean City. The investigation, which was initiated by the Ocean City Police Department due to an overwhelming increase in heroin abuse this year, resulted in approximately 72 drug buys of heroin, cocaine, prescriptions and marijuana. The drug purchases were predominantly heroin.

On November 27, 2012, Ocean City Police narcotics detectives went before the Worcester County Grand Jury which resulted in the indictments of 23 suspects for various drug distribution charges. The bonds on the indicted suspects ranged from $100,000 to $300,000.

The indicted suspects are identified as:

1. Bruce Culver Bennett, 31, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody
2. Thomas Kelly Myers, 35, of Ocean City, MD (Not in Custody)
3. Jessica Stone Vincent, 29, Ocean City, MD (Not in Custody)
4. Joshua Allen Drennan, 20, of Ocean City, MD (Not in Custody)
5. Edward Allen Paddy, 37, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody)
6. Charles Darick Andrews, 33, of Ocean City, MD (Not in Custody)
7. Sheron Levette Purnell, 40, of Berlin, MD (Not in Custody)
8. Anthony DeLarry Hayward, 31, of Berlin, MD (In Custody)
9. Michael Anthony Jones, 42, of Ocean City, MD (Not in Custody)
10. Thomas Wayne Purnell Jr., 25, of Berlin, MD (In Custody)
11. Hunter William Davis, 25, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody)
12. Michael Eugene Helmbright, 41, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody)
13. Erik Ryan Curry, 24, of Berlin, MD (In Custody) (In Custody)
14. James Joseph “Joey” Glenn, Jr., 22 of Berlin, MD (In Custody)
15. Christopher Shaun Fitzpatrick, 32, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody)
16. Cody Lee Bradshaw, 26, of Cambridge, MD (In Custody)
17. Jennifer Lynn Adams, 36, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody)
18. Shelly Ann Brittingham, 41, of Delmar, DE (In Custody)
19. Daniel Zellman, 19, of Whaleyville, MD (In Custody)
20. Taylor David Bakke, 22, of Berlin, MD (In Custody)
21. Tracey Lee Shaffer, 43, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody)
22. Nicholas Alexander Palmisano, 18, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody)
23. Tori Logan DeCelles, 21, of Ocean City, MD (In Custody)

On Thursday, November 29, 2012, OCPD detectives served a search and seizure warrant on Louis Joseph Rychwalski III, 27, of Ocean City. Rychwalski was found to be in possession of four “bundles” of heroin, which amounted to 46 bags of heroin. Detectives also arrested two additional suspects (Nicholas Alexander Palmisano, 18, of Ocean City and Edward Allen Paddy, 37 of Ocean City) who were coming to meet with Rychwalski to buy heroin from him. Rychwalski, who was not one of the OCPD indicted suspects, has been charged with various drug charges including possession with the intent to distribute heroin. He is being held on $75,000.00 bond.

During the search and seizure warrant at Rychwalski’s residence detectives located additional heroin, drug paraphernalia, and two replica handguns in the house.

On November 29, while police were attempting to locate and arrest indicted suspects, officers stopped a vehicle containing an indicted suspect, Shelly Anne Brittingham, 41, of Delmar, DE. During the stop, police recovered a total of 63 bags of heroin from the vehicle. Further investigation revealed two additional suspects, identified as Quamaine Lamar Huggins, 20, of Delmar, DE and Stephanie Lynne Orick, 24 of Hebron, MD, who were both charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and a third suspect who was the driver/owner of the car, identified as Markel Lamar Barkley, 21 of Quantico, MD, was arrested and charged with possession of heroin. The vehicle was seized pending forfeiture. (Pictures of indicted suspects and arrestee’s are available upon request)

Police arrested additional wanted suspects as a result of the indictments. In all, 26 suspects were arrests, three vehicles were seized,110 bags of heroin were confiscated, along with five bags of cocaine, five replica handguns, and $656 in cash.

There are still six outstanding wanted persons from this investigation; they are identified as:

The OCPD will continue the search for the indicted suspects in Ocean City. If they are unable to be located in Ocean City, they will be turned over to the Maryland State Police Fugitive Recovery Squad.

The OCPD conducted this investigation with cooperation and support of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department/Criminal Enforcement Team, Maryland State Police and the Worcester County States Attorney’s Office.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of the six fugitives listed above, please contact the OCPD at 410-723-6610 or your local law enforcement agency.

Cops To Congress: We Need Logs Of Americans' Text Messages

AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and other wireless providers would be required to record and store information about Americans' private text messages for at least two years, according to a proposal that police have submitted to the U.S. Congress.

CNET has learned a constellation of law enforcement groups has asked the U.S. Senate to require that wireless companies retain that information, warning that the lack of a current federal requirement "can hinder law enforcement investigations."

They want an SMS retention requirement to be "considered" during congressional discussionsover updating a 1986 privacy law for the cloud computing era -- a move that could complicate debate over the measure and erode support for it among civil libertarians.
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GUESS HOW MANY ISLAMIC TERROR ATTACKS SINCE 9/11

A little less than every five hours, somewhere around the world a Muslim is carrying out a fatal jihadist attack.

These are not the regular beatings and vandalism against Christians, Hindus and Buddhists but religion-oriented attacks in which someone dies at the hand of a member of the”religion of peace.”

A website called “The Religion of Peace” has listed more than 20,000 such fatal attacks since Sept. 11, 2001.

As of today, the total was 20,022. The 20,000th came a few days ago when a Jewish woman was cut in pieces in Iran by religious radicals “intent on expanding a mosque.”
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Gun Applications Skyrocket After Election

Following the re-election of President Barack Obama last month, applications for gun ownership nearly doubled statewide.

In the weeks following the Nov. 6 election, applications for gun ownership increased 83 percent, according to a Maryland State Police spokeswoman.

The state police are receiving an average of 1,200 to 2,000 applications per week — up from roughly 800 a week prior to the election, police spokeswoman Elena Russo said.
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Enraged Judge Delays Sentencing In Assault Case

You don’t hear this every day.

A county Circuit Court judge was so enraged by the assault on a mentally challenged teen that he couldn’t sentence one of the boy’s attackers.

After calling Michael Owings, 23, a coward, Judge William C. Mulford II told a sheriff’s deputy to take the man into custody.

“I’m so angry right now I can’t sentence him,” Mulford said during Friday’s hearing. “Bond is revoked...I’ll sentence him sometime next year. I can’t do it right now.”
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Stolen Ambulance Pursued on Route 50; Goes Wrong Way But No One Is Hurt

CENTREVILLE--A stolen ambulance led police on a pursuit through parts of Talbot and Queen Anne's counties Tuesday morning and ended up going the wrong way on Route 50 before coming to a stop near Route 404, but no one was injured.

The incident began shortly before 8 a.m. when several motorists called 911 to report an ambulance being driven in a reckless manner westbound on Route 50 in Talbot County, said Lt. Dwayne Boardman, Commander of the Maryland State Police barrack in Centreville.

Troopers from the Easton and Centreville barracks pursued the ambulance as it accelerated and continued west on Route 50 into Queen Anne's County. Traffic at the time was described as heavy. Boardman said the vehicle was attempting to elude police and made an illegal U-turn near Outlet Center Drive in Queenstown and headed east on Route 50.
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Wal-Mart: Huffington Post Story 'Riddled With Inaccuracies,' 'One-Sided Rhetoric'

Wal-Mart says it is cutting off communications with The Huffington Post -- again* -- after the website reported that the retail chain plans to halt health insurance benefits for newly hired part-time workers.

In an email to POLITICO, Wal-Mart spokesperson Randy Hargrove said HuffPo's story was "riddled with inaccuracies" and "reinforces our company’s decision to no longer participate in the Huffington Post’s one-sided rhetoric."

The article, by Alice Hines, reports that Wal-Mart "plans to begin denying health insurance to newly hired employees who work fewer than 30 hours a week, according to a copy of the company’s policy obtained by The Huffington Post."
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City of Salisbury’s Safe Streets Initiative Receives Award

Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is pleased to announce the Salisbury Safe Streets program has been honored with the Governor’s award for outstanding comprehensive community-based anti-crime strategies in Maryland.  Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan, Colonel Ivan Barkley and Mayor Ireton are attending the 33^rd Annual Governor’s Crime Prevention Awards ceremony in Glen Burnie, Maryland today to accept the award.

This award was given to outstanding comprehensive, community-based anti-crime strategies, which, as judged by the awards subcommittee, made a significant impact on the prevention of crime in Maryland.

        

The mayor would like to thank the Maryland Community Crime Prevention Institute for the award and the following agencies for their hard work and dedication to the success of the Safe Streets program:

Governor Martin O’Malley’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention

U.S. Attorney Steve Hess

U.S. Marshalls Office

Salisbury Police Department

Safe Streets Unit

Neighborhood Substations

Salisbury Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance

Maryland State Police

Maryland State Apprehension Team

Gang Unit

Warrant Task Force

Narcotics Unit

Homicide Unit

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

Wicomico County Sherriff’s Office

Fruitland Police

Salisbury University Police

Wicomico County State’s Attorney

Maryland Department of Parole and Probation

Maryland Department of Corrections

Poplar Hill Pre-Release Unit

Wicomico County Board of Education

New Jersey Governor Christie Seeks 100 Percent FEMA Reimbursement For Sandy

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is asking the federal government to reimburse the state for 100 percent of emergency costs for at least 90 days after Superstorm Sandy swept ashore on October 29.

In a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency dated November 30 and released on Monday, Christie said the economic damage from the storm could be nearly $40 billion.

FEMA generally reimburses states for 75 percent of emergency clean-up and repair costs from natural disasters. The agency can cover more, but state officials must ask for the relief.

Christie previously asked for 90 percent reimbursement.
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Back To Budgets, Ryan Returns To Comfortable Topic

A month after the GOP's presidential ticket lost an election, the party's vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), is in the thick of a debate over how to avert automatic tax increases and spending cuts that many economists fear could cripple the economy if Congress doesn't head them off by Jan. 1.

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African-American Leaders Deliver Agenda For Obama's Second Term

Following a four-hour closed door meeting Monday, the leaders of four African-American advocacy groups emerged looking pleased to announce a collective wish list they plan to deliver to President Barack Obama for his second term.

The "black agenda," as the groups have called their wish list on Twitter, starts with ensuring the fiscal cliff doesn't disproportionately hurt black Americans. That's something Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, has worried about before. But Morial also listed five new priorities that came out of what he called Monday's "historic gathering." Those include: working for parity for blacks in education, health care and the economy; reforming the criminal justice system; and protecting and defending voting rights.

The White House did not immediately respond to request for comment about whether the president would make these priorities a focus during his second term.
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Discovery

Now that I'm older here's what I've discovered: 

1. I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it. 

2. My wild oats have turned into prunes and all-bran. 

3. I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart. 

4. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded. 

5. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded. 

6. If all is not lost, where is it? 

7. It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser. 

8. Some days, you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant. 

9. I wish the buck stopped here; I sure could use a few. 

10. Kids in the back seat cause accidents. 

11. Accidents in the back seat cause kids. 

12. It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere. 

13. The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom. 

14. If God wanted me to touch my toes, he'd have put them on my knees. 

15. When I'm finally holding all the cards, why does everyone want to play chess? 

16. Its not hard to meet expenses . . . they're everywhere. 

17. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. 

18. These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter ...I go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I'm hereafter

19. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded. 

20. DID I SEND THESE TO YOU BEFORE..........??????

2016 Contenders Court Mega-Donors

A week after Election Day, three Republican governors mentioned as 2016 presidential candidates — Bobby Jindal, John Kasich and Bob McDonnell — each stopped by the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino to meet privately with its owner Sheldon Adelson, a man who could single-handedly underwrite their White House ambitions.

Planning a presidential campaign used to mean having coffee with county party chairs in their Iowa or New Hampshire living rooms. The courting of Adelson, a full four years out from 2016, demonstrates how super PAC sugar daddies have become the new must-have feature for White House wannabes.

And prospective candidates from both parties are wasting little time schmoozing potential super PAC funders.

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is meeting with big donors in Los Angeles this week and has a fundraiser scheduled for next Monday in the Washington suburbs. Vice President Joe Biden, Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) have been meeting with big donors, leaving the impression that they’re ready to run.
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Say Goodbye To The Thrift Travel Inn

Release Of The Cockroaches

Bed bugs and airborne DNA of every hooker that called Salisbury home, 

a few low life druggies, some blue collar men with poor indiscretion 

and probably a few of Salisbury's elite.

U.S. Risks 'Another Benghazi' Under Mexican Rules Barring Agents From Arming

U.S. agents on assignment in Mexico, where they are helping the local authorities go after violent drug cartels, are not allowed to carry weapons for their own protection, a situation that one lawmaker says could turn into “another Benghazi.”

Because the official role of U.S. agents south of the border is limited to intelligence gathering and training their Mexican counterparts, they are barred by Mexico from carrying weapons. The danger they face was underscored last month, when 15 Mexican National Police were arrested in connection with the attempted murder of two CIA agents in August.

“I don't want another Benghazi, absolutely do I feel our agents should be armed," Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the incoming chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, told FoxNews.com. 
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Old Cemeteries

A truly Happy Person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. And, one who can enjoy browsing old cemeteries...

Some fascinating things on old tombstones!

Harry Edsel Smith of Albany , New York :

Born 1903--Died 1942.

Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the

Car was on the way down. It was.

=============================

In a Thurmont, Maryland , cemetery:

Here lies an Atheist, all dressed up

And no place to go.

=============================

On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in

East Dalhousie Cemetery, Nova Scotia:

Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102.

Only the good die young.

=============================

In a London , England cemetery:

Here lies Ann Mann, who lived an old maid

But died an old Mann. Dec. 8, 1767

=============================

In a Ribbesford, England , cemetery:

Anna Wallace

The children of Israel wanted bread,

And the Lord sent them manna.

Clark Wallace wanted a wife,

And the Devil sent him Anna.

===============================

In a Ruidoso, New Mexico , cemetery:

Here lies Johnny Yeast.

Pardon him for not rising.

===============================

In a Uniontown, Pennsylvania , cemetery:

Here lies the body of Jonathan Blake,

Stepped on the gas instead of the brake.

==============================

In a Silver City , Nevada , cemetery:

Here lays The Kid,

We planted him raw.

He was quick on the trigger,

But slow on the draw.

================================

A lawyer's epitaph in England :

Sir John Strange.

Here lies an honest lawyer,

And that is Strange.

=================================

John Penny's epitaph in the Wimborne,

England , cemetery:

Reader, if cash thou art in want of any,

Dig 6 feet deep and thou wilt find a Penny.

==================================

In a cemetery in Hartscombe , England :

On the 22nd of June, Jonathan Fiddle went out of tune.

==================================

Anna Hopewell's grave in Enosburg Falls ,

Vermont :

Here lies the body of our Anna,

Done to death by a banana.

It wasn't the fruit that laid her low,

But the skin of the thing that made her go.

==================================

On a grave from the 1880s in Nantucket ,

Massachusetts :

Under the sod and under the trees,

Lies the body of Jonathan Pease.

He is not here, there's only the pod,

Pease shelled out and went to God.

==================================

In a cemetery in England :

Remember man, as you walk by,

As you are now, so once was I.

As I am now, so shall you be,

Remember this and follow me.

To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone:

To follow you I'll not consent,

Until I know which way you went.

Maryland, Virginia Each Pay $100k For Governor's Traveling Security Detail

State Police forces in both Maryland and Virginia each spent roughly $100,000 protecting the states' governors on out-of-state trips this year.

The Maryland State Police's Executive Protection Unit spent $98,460 on hotels, meals, rental cars, travel expenses and overtime pay while accompanying Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on 26 out-of-state trips between January and mid-September, the Maryland State Police reported in information shared with The Washington Examiner.

The agency, which protects the governor around the clock, would not provide the specifics regarding how many state troopers accompanied the governor on specific trips, nor could they offer a list of the trips taken. O'Malley stopped in 19 states during the eight-and-a-half-month span, according to The Baltimore Sun, which first reported the cost of the police protection.
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Whatever Happened To The Right To Be Left Alone?

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was written in order to keep the government from invading the right to be left alone--today known as the right to privacy. The Framers who wrote the Constitution, and Jefferson and his colleagues who insisted on the Fourth amendment among others, had suffered grievously at the hands of the British king and his soldiers.

When King George III and Parliament were looking for new ways to extract revenue from the colonists, they devised the Stamp Act. This legislation required that on every piece of paper in the homes of every colonist there must appear a stamp issued by and purchased from the British government. This applied to all books, letters, financial and legal documents, even to pamphlets to be distributed and posters to be nailed to trees. 

Question: How did the king and the Parliament who were 3,000 miles away and across the sea, know if colonists had the stamps on the papers in their homes? 

Answer: Parliament enacted the Writs of Assistance Act. This legislation permitted British soldiers to write their own search warrants in which they authorized themselves to enter the homes of the colonists ostensibly to look for the stamps.

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Cardin: Military Lead Exposure A Health Hazard

Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin says a new report shows military exposure to lead is a health hazard.

Cardin says a new report by the National Academy of Science shows lead from ammunition fired on military ranges in the past five years has frequently exceeded federal limits. And the report issued Monday said the decades-old limits are not enough to protect the health of those at the ranges.
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Jennifer Hunt Sues The Department of Defense

As a Civil Affairs Specialist in the Army Reserves, Staff Sergeant Jennifer Hunt has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and earned a purple heart, after her vehicle was hit by an IED.

A 1994 Department of Defense policy bans women from serving in units with direct ground combat missions. But Hunt says many of the 16,000 women currently deployed are already exposed to combat and deserve recognition.

“It's a policy that doesn't reflect the current realities of the situation,” said Hunt. “Women like myself have and are currently putting themselves at the same amount of risk as their male counterparts.
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MISSING FREDERICK CO. MAN FOUND DEAD

(DERWOOD, MD) -- Maryland State Police are investigating the apparent murder of a missing Frederick County man whose body was found this afternoon in the trunk of his car parked in a Montgomery County lot. 

The victim is identified as John P. Ryan, 37, of Frederick, Md. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His body will be taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.

Ryan’s car was found by a US Department of Homeland Security investigations agent assigned to the Frederick County Narcotics Task Force shortly before 2:30 p.m. today. Investigators were searching for Ryan’s black 2007 Lexus LS460L and found it parked in a parking lot used by multiple businesses in the 15000-block of Somerville Drive in Derwood, Md.

The car was removed from the lot and transported by truck under police escort back to the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack. State Police investigators obtained a search warrant to search the car.

Police found Ryan’s body in the trunk. Investigators observed what appeared to be trauma to the body, which will not be detailed further at this time due to the continuing investigation. Police also found a quantity of suspected marijuana and cash in the trunk.

Ryan’s wife reported him missing to the Frederick Police Department on November 29, 2012. She said she last saw him at their home on the night of November 27th and that he had left the house before she awoke on November 28th.

Frederick Police requested Maryland State Police assistance in the missing person investigation. Maryland State Police enlisted the assistance of the Frederick County Narcotics Task Force in the search for Ryan. The task force includes investigators from the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, FBI, and the US Department of Homeland Security. Montgomery County Police also assisted with the search for Ryan and have continued to assist with the ongoing investigation.

Police investigators had been searching for Ryan since his wife reported him missing. They conducted numerous interviews with family members, friends, and associates, of Ryan.

Ryan was a businessman who specialized in property maintenance. He traveled for business throughout the region of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia.

No arrests have been made. A motive is unknown at this time. The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about the disappearance and death of Ryan is urged to contact Maryland State Police Corporal Jonathan Martin or Sergeant Richard Bachtell at 301-644-4151. Callers may remain anonymous.

Veggie Burger Recall

Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets have issued a voluntary recall of meatless burgers.

The recall was issued this week and follows a recall by Veggie Patch due to the possible contamination by listeria monocytogenes.

Below are specifics on the product:

Veggie Patch Ultimate Meatless Burger, UPC 61012900211, 9 oz., sell by date of
January 12, 2013

Consumers looking for additional information on the recall may call Veggie Patch customer service at 1-888-698-3444. In addition, customers may call GIANT/MARTIN'S customer service at 1-888-814-4268 for more information.

Greene Turtle Locals' Xmas Party 12/10/12

College Says “Men Working” Sign is Sexist

An Ohio community college forced a construction crew to remove its “Men Working” sign after the sign was deemed sexist and non-inclusive by a college administrator.

The construction crew at Sinclair Community College in Dayton was forced to stop working until the sign had been removed.

A spokesman for the college told Fox News that they have a deep commitment to diversity and take it quite seriously.

“While it may not have been necessary to suggest work be stopped, we stand by our commitment to providing an environment that is inclusive and non-discriminatory,” director of public information Adam Murka told Fox News.
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U.S. Manufacturing Sector Contracts In November

Manufacturing unexpectedly contracted in November to its lowest level in more than three years, as companies worried about whether lawmakers in Washington could reach a budget deal in time avert a crisis that many fear could lead to a recession.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said on Monday that its index of national factory activity fell to 49.5 in November from 51.7 the month before. The reading was shy of expectations of 51.3, according to a Reuters poll of economists.

The figure was the softest since July 2009 when the U.S. economy was struggling in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Economists said the November slide may have been aggravated by Superstorm Sandy, which devastated the U.S. east coast in late October, as well as uncertainty over budget negotiations in Washington.

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Recycled Card Program

WE ACCEPT USED, ALL-OCCASION GREETING CARDS YEAR ROUND!!

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children recycles your used greeting cards and creates new holiday and greeting cards for any occasion. Recycled cards are sold in packs of 10 for $10 to support our programs and services.

The program is beneficial to everyone – customers receive fun, “green” holiday cards they can feel good sending to their friends and loved ones, and the children at St. Jude’s Ranch receive payment for their work and learn about basic job skills and the importance of recycling.

Recycled Card Program History

More than thirty years ago, wishing to show our donors appreciation for making St. Jude’s Ranch for Children possible, the idea was conceived to turn the previous year’s Christmas cards into “new” cards for the coming season. The recipients were so delighted when they received the unique “thank you,” that they requested to purchase the special cards. The program soon expanded to include all occasion greeting cards…as well as Thank You cards, Easter cards, Birthday cards and Just Because cards.

Support for the Recycled Card Program was so overwhelming that people from all over the world began donating to our program by sending in their used cards. The Program became so successful that soon we were receiving more than 1 million cards.

How it Works

Operated by Kids’ Corp., a program for the children at St. Jude’s Ranch to learn entrepreneurship skills, the children participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by children and volunteers.
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What About Wealth Redistribution?

Ever since then candidate Obama's brief exchange with "Joe the Plumber" there has been plenty of mention of wealth redistribution in the major media. Then came the recovery of a 2001 interview in which the former Senator faulted the framers of the US Constitution and the Founders who authored the Declaration of Independence for not including a right of everyone to be helped with redistributed wealth. As some have noted, this was all discussed in connection with the Civil Rights legislation, which Obama also faulted for its lack of attention to wealth redistribution – maybe reparation, as some have interpreted him. But the central point was clearly more general.

It is useful, then, to consider just what wealth redistribution is all about. But to do that, we need to consider briefly what wealth is and what amounts to its initial distribution such that some favor its being redistributed.

Wealth is whatever someone owns that he or she and others consider valuable, useful to themselves or others. The ownership, in turn, can arise from working on what is given in nature or by way of earnings from marketable labor, or from gifts and inheritance from those who had earnings in the first place, or from good fortune (as when one wins the lottery or unexpectedly finds oil beneath his land), etc.

There is an ancient dispute about whether such ownership is best regarded as private or as public. At first the dispute was carried on in terms of what type of ownership, private or public, would be most useful or productive. Aristotle gave his defense of private property as follows: "For that which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it. Every one thinks chiefly of his own, hardly at all of the common interest; and only when he is himself concerned as an individual. For besides other considerations, everybody is more inclined to neglect the duty which he expects another to fulfill; as in families many attendants are often less useful than a few." (Politics, 1262a30-37)

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Taxpayers Are Subsidizing US Law Schools

Why should $50,000 per year law school tuition be enabled by taxpayer subsidies?

This is the real question that legal academic defenders of IBR [income-based repayment for student loans], such as Philip Schrag and Lisa Lerman, need to answer.  It's no real answer to respond, as Schrag does to Brian Tamanaha's criticisms, that lots of goods and services in our economy are subsidized by public money in one way or another.

So what?  I don't suppose Schrag (a self-described "conservative") would consider that observation an adequate defense for farm subsidies to Archer Daniels Midland, or tax breaks which encourage people to buy more giant SUVs than they otherwise would, or which enable building bridges to nowhere. 

So why should IBR function as a massive taxpayer subsidy to law school budgets, which it certainly will if it begins to "solve" the problem of skyrocketing law school costs in the way Schrag envisions it will?

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The Pentagon's Revolving Door with Defense Contractors. Some Shocking Statistics

High ranking generals and admirals earn their stars.  They earn their stripes.  Then, they earn their cash.  New research by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) found 70% of the 108 three-and-four star generals and admirals who retired between 2009 and 2011 took jobs with defense contractor or consultants.  In at least a few cases, the retirees have continued to advise the Department of Defense while on the payroll of defense contractors, suggesting the Pentagon may not always be receiving unbiased counsel.

A Boston Globe investigation revealed the number of retired three-and-four star generals and admirals moving into lucrative defense industry jobs rose from less than 50% between 1994 and 1998 to a stratospheric 80% between 2004 and 2008. 

- From Strategic Maneuvers: The Revolving Door from the Pentagon to the Private Sector, a report by CREW

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has just released a fantastic new report on the revolving door between the Pentagon and the private sector, which raises serious concerns not only about ethics and corruption within the defense sector, but also raises issues of national security if retired generals are merely acting as mercenaries once they retire.  Meanwhile, these are the folks we are supposed to allow to read all of our emails and communications without warrants??

When I first figured out the gigantic ponzi scheme, theft and fraud within the financial system, centered around the Federal Reserve system and the TBTF banks, as well as the revolving door between the SEC, Treasury Department, etc and Wall Street firms, I never imagined the same thing goes on in virtually every sector of our corrupt crony capitalist economy…including the military.

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Today's Fill In The Blank 12-4-12

My favorite place to have a Christmas Party is _____.

2 APACHES KILL A PLATOON OF TALIBAN

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS THE TRUTH

a few good men, Abraham Lincoln, Adolf Hitler, Aldous Huxley, Bangladesh, Ben Bernanke, BLS, China, CNBC,CPI, Edward Bernays, entitlements, Federal Reserve, fiscal cliff, Fox News, GDP, George Carlin, Harald Bell Wright, Inflation, Keynesianism, Krugman, Kyle Bass, Lady Gaga, Lindsey Lohan, median household income,Mein Kampf, Middle class, MSNBC, Obama, People of Wal-Mart, Propaganda, real wages, Rogoff & Reinhart,Savings rate, Tim Geithner, truth, Wall street bankers, war, war on terror

“Eyes blinded by the fog of things
cannot see truth.
Ears deafened by the din of things
cannot hear truth.
Brains bewildered by the whirl of things
cannot think truth.
Hearts deadened by the weight of things
cannot feel truth.
Throats choked by the dust of things
cannot speak truth.”
― Harald Bell Wright – The Uncrowned King

 

I consider myself a seeker of truth. It isn’t easy finding it in todays’ world. In an alternate version of the famous scene from A Few Good Men, I picture myself telling Turbo Tax Timmy Geithner that I want the truth and his angry truthful response:

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