Fraud and Racketeering at CAIR

35,000 Pakistanis have been killed in Muslim terrorist attacks since September 11. The death toll in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen, which mostly consist of Muslim-on-Muslim violence, is swiftly rising through the tens of thousands. While it’s obvious that Islamists victimize non-Muslims, it’s not always noted that they victimize Muslims first.

The first goal of every Islamist movement, from your political Islamists to your unfriendly neighborhood Islamist militia toting its black flags and assault rifles around the yard, is to set up a corrupt totalitarian system in a Muslim country that will dismantle what few human rights and legal protections had existed earlier and replace them with a judicial system run by the three blind men who memorized the most Koran verses while sitting in a corner somewhere. This system is invariably much worse than what came before it. And those who live under it are mostly Muslims.

The Islamist tentacles of the Muslim Brotherhood are every bit as unethical and as abusive as their parent organization. In Australia the country’s leading Islamic group is under investigation for not only defrauding the Australian government, but for also defrauding its own associated Muslim schools. And in the United States, David Yerushalmi’s lawsuit against CAIR’s abuses of its own clients has continued wending its way through the courts for four years.
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Shipping Deadlines: Don't Get Scrooged This Holiday Season

WASHINGTON - Time is quickly running out for getting those Christmas presents to their destinations, and shipping carriers are urging customers to place their last minute orders in this week.

Monday is your safest bet for on-time delivery when it comes to FedEx ground shipping. If you don't mind shelling out extra money for two-day delivery, you have until Dec. 20, UPS says. Even premium overnight or next-day shipping orders should be placed by Saturday, Dec. 22., unless you're using the United States Post Office, which suggests getting in orders by Dec. 21 at the latest.

To prepare for the holiday demand, UPS says it will add more than 400 flights per day this week. The carrier estimates Thursday will be its biggest day of the year, though some estimate Monday is the beginning of the rush:
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Diet Pepsi Quietly Changes Sweetener

Diet Pepsi is quietly changing its sweetener ahead of a major rebranding of the soft drink set for next month.

The change comes as PepsiCo Inc. looks to reinvigorate its namesake brands after losing market share to Coca-Cola Co. in recent years.

Cans of Diet Pepsi around the country now list a mix of two artificial sweeteners, a pairing that is commonly found in newer diet sodas. Previously, Diet Pepsi used only aspartame, which is sensitive to heat and breaks down more easily.
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IRAN MAKING ANTHRAX AT SECRET PLANT

Russian scientists have helped Iran master four microbial agents for bombs, which the Islamic regime has used to arm 37 launch-ready missiles so far, sources have revealed.

The secret work is being done at a plant named Shahid Bahonar on a mountaintop by the city of Marzanabad off the mountainous Chalus road to the Iranian Caspian Sea.

The plant, under the supervision of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, is headed by Dr. Esmaeil Namazi, who oversees 28 Iranian and 12 Russian scientists, according to a source in the Revolutionary Guards intelligence division with access to the site.

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Military Reunions with Man's Best Friend

Milford High Student Brought Loaded Shotgun To School

A 16-year-old Milford High School student was arrested Monday after police found a loaded shotgun in his vehicle.

Police said Milford's School Resource Police Officer received a tip Monday that the student had purposefully brought a loaded weapon to school and that it might be in his vehicle.

Officers searched the student's vehicle and discovered a loaded 20-gauge shotgun along with additional ammunition.

The unidentified student is now charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of a firearm in a safe school zone and possession of an unlawfully loaded shotgun.

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U.S. Doctors Fight U.N. Ban On Preservative In Vaccines

In a move likely to stoke an already raging debate over the safety of the vaccines routinely given to children, America’s largest organization for pediatricians is strongly objecting to a proposal by the United Nations to ban a mercury-containing preservative from the world’s vaccine supply.

Thimerosal has not been found to be harmful, and removal of thimerosal-containing vaccines would needlessly jeopardize the lives and health of millions of children in underdeveloped countries, said commentaries in Monday’s issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Thus, the AAP has endorsed the recommendation of a panel of specialists at the World Health Organization (WHO), who say thimerosal should be excluded from a ban on mercury-containing products and processes.
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Obama Rights

Ad War Erupts Over Meaning Of 'Jihad' in U.S.

An advertising war has erupted over just what the Muslim word “jihad” means in America and why it’s important not to let the term be sugarcoated.

And the latest volley in the battle is both sly and stunning.

The most recent flare-up began with a controversial series of advertisements from the American Freedom Defense Initiative on New York subway station clocks. The ads depicted the burning towers of 9/11 and a Quran quote: “Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers” (3:151)
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Petition To Legally Recognize Westboro Baptist Church As A Hate Group

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO:

Legally recognize Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group.

This group has been recognized as a hate group by organizations, such as The Southern Poverty Law Center, and has repeatedly displayed the actions typical of hate groups.

Their actions have been directed at many groups, including homosexuals, military, Jewish people and even other Christians. They pose a threat to the welfare and treatment of others and will not improve without some form of imposed regulation.

Created: Dec 14, 2012

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They Never Say "Tax the Successful"

Comedian Adam Carolla has never been one to censor what comes out of his mouth. The gift of gab took him from humble beginnings in economically destitute North Hollywood to dizzying heights inthe entertainment industry, where he could afford to move a few miles away.

It's a story of hard work and success that comes through in his recent book Not Taco Bell Material, a chaotic tour that takes readers from Carolla's early years to how he finally found his calling - and his success.

Carolla's disdain for the politically-correct culture of sensitivity has made him an unlikely but powerful critic of the progressive watering-down of American culture. His first book, In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks, was an ode to an era of manliness lost to decades of gender-neutral education. And in recent years, he's lamented the loss of a society that takes responsibility for its actions.
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Obamacare Gets Stunning Rebuke from 25 States

December 14 has come and gone — and President Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — better known as Obamacare — has received a stunning blow.

State governments had until December 14, 2012 to decide whether or not they would build their own health insurance exchange, an online service that would allow individuals to purchase private health insurance if it wasn't provided for by their employees.

That date has now passed and the exchange has been rebuked by half the states — with 25 state governments refusing to participate in this critical component of Obamacare.
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Dog Receives 210 Bottles for Christmas

BREAKING NEWS: Hawaii Senator Inouye Dies

Daniel K. Inouye, a World War II veteran, Medal of Honor recipient and Hawaii's senior senator, died Monday from respiratory complications at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

New NHTSA Analysis Shows 2011 Traffic Fatalities Declined by Nearly Two Percent

Highway deaths fell to lowest level in more than six decades, down 26 percent since 2005

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a new analysis indicating that highway deaths fell to 32,367 in 2011, marking the lowest level since 1949 and a 1.9 percent decrease from the previous year. The updated 2011 data announced today show the historic downward trend in recent years continued through last year and represent a 26 percent decline in traffic fatalities overall since 2005.

"The latest numbers show how the tireless work of our safety agencies and partners, coupled with significant advances in technology and continued public education, can really make a difference on our roadways," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "As we look to the future, it will be more important than ever to build on this progress by continuing to tackle head-on issues like seat belt use, drunk driving, and driver distraction."

While Americans drove fewer miles in 2011 than in 2010, the nearly two percent drop in roadway deaths significantly outpaced the corresponding 1.2 percent decrease in vehicle miles traveled. In addition, updated Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) information released today shows 2011 also saw the lowest fatality rate ever recorded, with 1.10 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2011, down from 1.11 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2010. Other key statistics include:

• Fatalities declined by 4.6 percent for occupants of passenger cars and light trucks (including SUVs, minivans and pickups).

• Deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers dropped 2.5 percent in 2011, taking 9,878 lives compared to 10,136 in 2010.

• Fatalities increased among large truck occupants (20 percent), pedalcyclists (8.7 percent), pedestrians (3.0 percent), and motorcycle riders (2.1 percent). NHTSA is working with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to gather more detailed information on the large truck occupant crashes to better understand the increase in fatalities in 2011.

• The number of people killed in distraction-affected crashes rose to 3,331 in 2011 from 3,267 in 2010, an increase of 1.9 percent. NHTSA believes this increase can be attributed in part to increased awareness and reporting.

An estimated 387,000 people were injured in distraction-affected crashes, a seven percent decline from the estimated 416,000 people injured in such crashes in 2010. Thirty-six states experienced reductions in overall traffic fatalities, led by Connecticut (100 fewer fatalities), North Carolina (93 fewer), Tennessee (86 fewer), Ohio (64 fewer) and Michigan (53 fewer).

"In the past several decades, we've seen remarkable improvements in both the way motorists behave on our roadways and in the safety of the vehicles they drive, and we're confident that NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings Program and nationwide collaborations like ‘Click It or Ticket' and ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' have played a key role in making our roads safer," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "Even as we celebrate the progress we've made in recent years, we must remain focused on addressing the safety issues that are continuing to claim more than 30,000 lives each year."

View the latest 2011 FARS data

'Tea Party' Group Fights For Islamic Causes

Far from being the lock-step GOP ground troop some in the media have suggested it is, the tea-party movement includes people of many different ideologies … but this element is most unusual.

WND has discovered a Muslim activist organization that claims to be working from within the tea party to counter the movement’s “Islamophobia.”

The group Muslims4Liberty, however, also decries American “greatness,” accuses the U.S. of “war crimes,” espouses seemingly anti-Israel ideology and slams the “evangelical and conservative Jewish bloc” of the Republican party.
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S&P 500 EARNINGS ARE A FRAUD

The earnings of Apple, IBM and Western Digital are legitimate. They make things and sell them.

The “earnings” of Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citicorp, AIG, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and General Electric are a sham. These reported earnings were nothing but accounting entries relieving their loan loss reserves and the interest earned on the backs of taxpayers by borrowing from the Fed at 0% and reinvesting the money in Treasuries. Their earnings, which account for about 70% of the reported S&P 500 earnings, are a sham and don’t benefit the country in any way. They just enrich the oligarchs that run these criminal institutions. So it goes.

What kind of a warped economy has 10 companies out of 500 account for 88% of the incremental profit earned in this country?

Source

Volunteers Lay Wreaths At Arlington National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America

Saturday, volunteers with Wreaths Across America placed holiday wreaths on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery. Wreath laying ceremonies were held throughout sections of the cemetery as those in attendance honored the legacies of the fallen.
Click HERE to see the pictures

Linens Of The Week Demolition

Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is pleased to announce that the demolition of the final portion of the Linens of the Week building in the Church Street neighborhood will begin TODAY, December 17, 2012. Please join Mayor Ireton at the Linens of the Week building on Anne Street at 12:30 for a media availability followed by demolition of the building. A history of the abandoned building follows.

In 2008 the City of Salisbury began negotiating with the owners of the old Linens of the Week building in the Church Street neighborhood to see if they would be willing to donate that property to the city so that it could be redeveloped in a manner that would be beneficial to the area. A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment was conducted in 2009, and funding sources were researched for both environmental remediation measures and demolition of the existing dilapidated buildings.

In February 2011 the ownership of the property was officially transferred to the city. The city utilized CDBG funds in March 2011 to conduct an asbestos and lead survey on the buildings, and in July 2011 to remove and dispose of an above-ground chemical storage tank. In October 2011 a combination of CDBG and city funds were used to demolish a portion of the Linens of the Week building so that contractors could get on to the site and conduct some remediation work.

In December 2011 the Maryland Dept. of the Environment through their Oil Control Program provided $136,027 to remove a 10,000 and a 500 gallon underground storage tank, removed and disposed of 775 tons of petroleum contaminated soil and backfilled the excavation area with 620 tons of clean soil and 212 tons of stone. Funds for the demolition of the remaining portion of the building were included in the city’s 2012 CDBG Action Plan.

“This project has taken a long time to come to fruition, and has involved a lot of time and effort on the part of many people” said Deborah Stam, Salisbury’s Community Development Department Director. “This dilapidated facility has been a blighting influence on the Church Street neighborhood for a long time, but soon the property will be available for redevelopment in a positive manner that will contribute to the community.”

Workers Say Charity Gave Little Money To Vets

A veterans charity already under scrutiny for how it raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in Tennessee handed out only a fraction of the money in the form of gift cards and threatened to fire workers if they didn't meet fundraising quotas, former employees say.

The Stuart, Fla.-based Veterans Support Organization has been criticized by other groups for how it uses donations raised outside retail stores and supermarkets. It had been fined by Tennessee for making false claims about the benefits it offered, and Connecticut lawmakers called for a federal investigation before the group's Tennessee branch closed last month.

However, former employees interviewed by The Associated Press shed new details on how the charity operated. For instance, it claimed to help veterans and non-veterans by providing them jobs, but disciplined people who didn't meet fundraising quotas. It also claimed to provide housing and help for poor or homeless veterans, though the former workers say that amounted to little more than a rented home in Tennessee where the workers were charged $400 a month for bunk beds and plastic dressers.
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Is The US Killing The Global Economy?

The United States is the ONLY country that taxes American citizens even if they have never lived in the United States at any time. Once born American, you owe taxes as an economic slave even when you receive nothing and have never lived in the USA. This law passed last December that authorizes the confiscation of any firm’s assets if they do not report what an American citizen does overseas has been devastating. Americans have been thrown out of banks everywhere. In Switzerland, you have to fill out papers to open and account swearing you are not an American citizen even if you are Swiss. Americans are being thrown out of public funds and just about everything anywhere right down to safety deposit boxes. The balance of trade will continue to collapse as foreign goods can be sold to Americans but Americans cannot open businesses overseas unless you are part of the big multinational corporations. This alone has sent the velocity of money spiraling downward. However, what is going on now is just off the wall.

The US government is now hunting down people who may have had one parent as an American yet they have lived outside the USA all their lives. The IRS has been hunting lineage of Canadians who had one American parent and are sending them letters informing them that by US law they should have been paying taxes their whole life to America in addition to Canada. This is sending countless Canadians running for lawyers all because the USA is broke.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/us-tax-crackdown-hits-canadian-residents/article584297/

How Americans are being treated by their own country is not as a free individual, but as economic property to pay revenue to the government regardless of where they live. NO OTHER NATION DOES THIS BUT THE USA. We are in such serious trouble with this Sovereign Debt Crisis that all liberty is being lost. Virtually every other major nation does not tax worldwide income if earned outside the country under the simple theory you pay taxes to use state services. If you are not there, you do not pay. American are owned by the government no different than the days of slavery. If your parents were slaves, you were the moment you were born. We perhaps ended private ownership of people, but we did not end state ownership of people. You must work and pay taxes and it has nothing to do with paying your “fair share” since there is nothing owed to a citizen by the state.

The desperate need for revenue to pay the bond holders has destroyed everything the constitution was intended to secure.

Where Was God?

The TRUE SOURCE of RANDOM & MASS SHOOTINGS and VIOLENCE

Math Quiz

Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism FY12 Annual Report Released

Salisbury, MD – Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism announced the completion of its 32nd Annual Report this week. The report clearly outlines the successes and challenges of the past fiscal year (2011-12) as well as next year’s goals for the Department’s four main divisions including recreation, parks, tourism and the civic center.

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism’s ability to fulfill its mission, which is to enhance the quality of life in Wicomico County while generating a positive and significant impact for the local economy, has been hindered by the national and local economic trends. The Department’s tax subsidy, which off-sets operational costs for Recreation, Parks and the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center (WY&CC), was reduced by one third since the start of the recession. Currently the Department provides its services at a cost of just $14.40 per citizen, which is 46% less than the Eastern Shore average.

The FY12 Annual Report outlines efforts undertaken to continue operations during the recession, including the introduction of cost-saving measures, and demonstrates the positive economic impact generated for the community. A few highlights:

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism brought a total of 1,097 events to Wicomico County in 2011-12, bringing together an estimated 820,400 attendees.

Of these events, 45 were sold by the Tourism Division and held at County parks and facilities including the WY&CC. In total, these events make up over 50% of the Department’s entire economic impact.

Through these events, the department was able to generate a $32.8+ Million economic impact for Wicomico County. For every $1 spent by the Department, over $4 was generated in positive economic impact.

In addition, these events earned both the State and Wicomico County tax revenue.

The complete report is attached and can also be found at: http://www.wicomicorecandparks.org/images/stories/whitepapers/annual_report.pdf

To Be My Wawfully Wedded Wife

Shock: Onion Takes Aim At Official 9/11 Story

Ho, Ho, Ho! 9/11 Was An Inside Job! ... Seasons greeting from your old friend Santa! My, my, Christmas is just two short weeks away, and everyone here at the North Pole can't wait to deliver presents to all you nice boys and girls this year. Yes, Jolly ol' St. Nicholas hopes you're all being as good as can be! But today, Santa would like to tell you all about something very naughty, something very, very naughty indeed. Dear children, have you not heard? Why, 9/11 was an inside job! Oh, ho, ho, my, yes it was! – The Onion

Dominant Social Theme: Let's forget about 9/11. It's been resolved.

Free-Market Analysis: Holy Batman! The satirical Onion website has just posted an editorial entitled, "Ho, Ho, Ho! 9/11 Was An Inside Job!"

We are very surprised to see this sort of article at the Onion, as we long ago gave up on this website as a site that was as predictable as it was unfunny.

Maybe it was a mistake? But, no ... the editorial is featured on the top righthand side, the most important place.

Weird, eh? Is this the advent of a new Onion? Will this version actually aspire to be Lenny Bruce rather than Gomer Pyle?

Humor, especially in increasingly authoritarian times, often needs to be edgy to be truly good. Often we have found the Onion to be dull rather than innovative.

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Boehner Offers To Take Debt Limit Off The Table

House Speaker John A. Boehner has offered to push any fight over the federal debt limit off for a year, a major concession that would deprive Republicans of leverage in the budget battle but is breathing new life into stalled talks over the year-end “fiscal cliff.”

The offer came Friday, according to people in both parties familiar with the talks, as part of the latest effort by Boehner (R-Ohio) to strike a deal with President Obama to replace more than $500 billion in painful deficit-reduction measures set to take effect in January.

With the national debt already bumping up against the $16.4 trillion cap set last year, Congress risks a government default unless it acts to raise the debt ceiling in the next few months. 
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Southwest Raising Bag Fees, Will Start Charging For No-Shows

Hours after announcing a $29 million settlement over its drink voucher program, Southwest Airlines revealed plans to add $300 million in new and increased fees, along with a policy change that will certainly irk some frequent Southwest travelers.
First up are the increased bag fees. Southwest will still not charge for passengers first two bags, but it told investors today that it plans on jacking up its fees for additional pieces of luggage and overweight baggage. Reuters says the upped bag fees alone are expected to bring in about $100 million/year in additional revenue to the airline.

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Businesses named for Ocean Landings II, west of Home Depot

Four stores and one beauty salon are slated to open near Super WalMart and Home Depot on Route 50 near the Route 589 intersection.

The stores, HomeGoods, Ross, Joann Fabrics, Sally Beauty and Hair Cuttery, are named online at www.paramountrealty.com as tenants at Ocean Landings II, which is now under construction west of Home Depot. The Coffee Beanery is also expected to open there and additional spaces remain available.

Richard Eisenberg, counsel for project owner Allen and Connie LLC, which also built Pennington Commons in Ocean Pines, has been handling the leasing for the Ocean Landings II project.
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Here’s Another Reason To Avoid Giving Gift Cards

By this point, we’ve probably all given or received gift cards during the holidays. But most consumers don’t know how easy it is for scammers to steal value from these cards, and what a pain in the butt in can be to get that money back.
See, around this time of year, scam artists are going around and getting peeks at the numbers on cards available for sale at stores. They record these numbers, and then a few months from now they’ll go online or call up the 800 numbers for these cards to see if they have been activated and if they have been used.

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Gun-control Advocates Press Obama For Help

Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Sunday she will introduce a bill to reinstate the federal ban on assault weapons on the first day of the new Congress next year, as gun control advocates ramp up pressure on President Obama to tackle the issue in the wake of the school massacre in Newtown, Conn., on Friday.

The shooting deaths of 26 people, including 20 young children, at Sandy Hook Elementary school could now force the president to tackle an issue that was largely on the sidelines during his first term in office as he dealt with an anemic economy, perpetual overseas tumult and a bruising battle to push his health care overhaul through Congress.
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A Letter To The Editor: Downtown Break Ins

Dear Joe,
My friend owns a business in downtown Salisbury. She has been in the same location for over 10 years. There has been a rash of car break-ins. When reported to the Salisbury police department their response was " yea, we have had a half dozen reports of break-ins." After 3 reports don't you think the least they could do is increase patrols in the area? She now has parents wondering if it is safe to bring their kids downtown. Downtown Salisbury will never be a "go to location" until the police make the necessary effort to make people feel safe all the time, not just "Third Friday". I hope after you are elected this will become a priority.

Fernando Guerrero To Fight For World Title

Get ready for the biggest action Fernando Guerrero has ever seen in the boxing ring. Fernando called me personally to tell me he will be fighting Peter Quillin on February 9th 2013 in Brooklyn New York at the Barkley Center for the WBO World Title.

He said he'd be coming back to Salisbury immediately following the fight to celebrate. We will be putting together bus trips to the fight and Fernando is trying to put together a section just for Salisbury Maryland Fans.

More to come...

Wicomico County School News

Nominations Sought Now for Maryland Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) Program
Do you know a parent who deserves statewide recognition for his or her work to improve public education? Nominate him or her today. The Maryland State Department of Education is currently accepting nominations for the Sixth Annual Maryland Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) Program. The Maryland PIMA is an annual award for parents (and others with legal responsibility for a child) whose exemplary contributions to public education have led to improvements for Maryland’s public school children, teachers, schools, programs, and/or policies. Wicomico has had state finalists for the PIMA the past two years with education advocates Lauralyn Geiser and Ben Brumbley. 
The award was created by the Maryland State Department of Education to highlight the positive impact parents have on public schools and to encourage all parents to get involved in whatever way they can. An eligible nominee is a parent or person with legal responsibility for a child in a Maryland public school who has significantly impacted public education within the last 24 months with his or her involvement in the area(s) of communication; volunteering; learning; collaborating with community; or decision making. 
To learn more about the program and how previous winners were involved, and to download an application, go to www.MarylandPublicSchools.org/pima. Completed applications must be 
postmarked by Jan. 31.
Reminder for Homeowners in Maryland: Homestead Tax Credit Deadline Dec. 31
Any resident homeowner eligible for or receiving the Homestead Tax Credit must submit the one-time Homestead Application by December 31, 2012 to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, according to an announcement by the Wicomico County Executive’s Office. To determine if you have already filed, go to the Department’s website, www.dat.state.md.us and click on the Real Property page for your specific property address. At the bottom of the page for your property, you will see the Homestead Application Status and the date an application was approved, if received. If an application is not submitted by December 31, 2012, then the Homestead Credit will be disallowed beginning with the July 1, 2013 tax year bill.
If you have not filed an application, you can call the Department’s Homestead Program at 410-767-2165 from the Baltimore/Metropolitan area or toll free at 866-650-8783, where a special application with an ‘Access Code’ will be mailed to you so that you can file the form electronically on the website. Filing electronically gets the form processed immediately and you will receive via email an electronic confirmation of the form’s receipt. Alternatively, you can go the Department’s website and click on the Homestead Application heading. There you can print a fillable application in PDF format that you will have to mail to the Department at the address show. You will NOT receive a written acknowledgment that the paper form was received.

Just A Few Miles From Newtown

We’re spending a holiday season weekend at the home of friends in a small Connecticut town just a few miles up the road from Newtown. Returning from the local store, our friend Emily tells us that the talk there this morning is of nothing but the killings; every customer seems to know at least one of the families devastated by the volleys of gunshots. The headline on the front page of The Danbury News-Timesis the single word, “Shattered,” in enormous type.

At The Atlantic website, I read a piece by Edward Small, a reporter who attended the school in Newtown when he was a kid and I remember my own elementary school in a small town in upstate New York. In those days, the only emergency drills we ever had were the duck-and-cover alerts that sent us into the hallways or under our desks during the depths of Cold War hysteria; the only violence was getting shoved from behind by a bully, books and binder flying.

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How to Talk To Children About Tragedies

The thoughts and prayers of people throughout the Wicomico County Public School System and Wicomico County are with the families and staff members affected by the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Because tragic events in the news can leave children feeling confused and frightened, some advice is provided below about talking with children about this tragedy.
Young children, teens and even adults may be disturbed by images and stories of people getting hurt when shown in the media or on TV. Children can become anxious and fearful about the world around them. 
Unfortunately over the past few years in particular, we have been exposed to numerous mass killings that have been disturbing and heartbreaking for all of us. Images in the media and discussions around the world can be quite alarming for our kids. It is imperative that we recognize these events and explain what has happened.
Try to watch television with your kids (especially during the news), listen for their questions and answer them honestly. Tragedies affect everyone, both children and adults. Children need to talk about their fears, frustration and disbelief. It is important that we are watchful for these emotions and encourage open discussions. Sometimes our kids hear stories from others that may not be correct, so it is up to us to ensure they have the right perception.
Children may worry:
• that the event could happen to themselves or a loved one;
• that they could be separated from someone they love or be left alone;
• about their safety or that of their loved ones.
Depending on their age and level of maturity, children will perceive things differently than adults. Remember with younger children (up to 9 years old) to be uncomplicated in your
explanations without going in to gory details, especially if the tragedy is extremely unpleasant. Be supportive and reassuring during your discussion. Older children will be able to handle more information.
Discussion Techniques:
Be truthful. Children need to understand what is happening around them to feel secure. Provide them with facts about what happened and acknowledge it was a terrible and
frightening event. Help them to see that we share their feelings.
Encourage any questions. Ensure your child feels as though they can approach you to ask questions as much as they need. Sometimes a child will process a tragic event much later
and come back to you again for more discussion. Remind them that questions are welcome.
Feelings are normal. Some children may take a while to get over tragic events and that is perfectly normal. Allow them to cry if they need to and show their emotions. Share your
feelings about what happened with them. Help your kids to verbalize their feelings with you. Secure them with a warm cuddle and remind them that they are safe. Keep things in
perspective and remind them that not all people are harmful towards others.
When talking about tragedy to kids, your choice of words really depends on the age of the children. In any case, though, you should:
• Ensure they feel safe – explain to them that it is a real misfortune what has happened and that we all feel for those people who were there or are experiencing pain.
• Stay close by and show affection as they desire – give them a hug and reassure them that their world is safe. Keep them among familiar things until they’re feeling more secure, for example family and friends.
• Allow the children to talk about it and how it has made them feel. Honestly answer their
questions and try to put their minds at ease. By not talking about it may make them think it is taboo.
• Be watchful for behavioral changes – kids who are behaving differently, such as not sleeping at night, feel frightened, don’t want mum to go to work, they want to start sleeping in with you may need some more reassurance, time and talking. If it continues it might be time to seek professional help.
• For teens – talk with them, listen and ask questions. Stabilize the subject by asking “What are your friends saying about it? How are you feeling?” Make sure they’re receiving the true facts. Tell them you’re there for them.
Adapted from: childdevelopment info.com http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/talk-to-kids-media-violence.shtml

Construction Projects Grinding To A Halt

Federal construction and renovation projects are grinding to a halt, thanks to deep budget cuts.Federal Times reports, analysis from the inspector general at the General Services Administration spells it out. Construction funding fell from nearly $900 million in 2010 to $50 million last year. That's leaving projects across the country half-finished. Plus, the IG said delays only make the projects more expensive in the long run. Among the suspended efforts: A renovation of the Commerce Department's 80-year-old building is on hold indefinitely. The multi-billion dollar Homeland Security headquarters is partially built, with no re-start in sight.

Main St Gym Jan 19th Boxing Event

IRS AGAIN

They sent my Tax Return back! AGAIN!!!
In response to the question: "List all dependents?" 

I replied -

"12 million illegal immigrants;
"3 million crack heads;
"42 million unemployable people on food stamps,
"2 million people in over 243 prisons;
"Half of Mexico ; and,
"535 fools in the U.S. House and Senate."

Apparently, this was NOT an acceptable answer.

We Have Our Own School Safety Issues Right Here On The Shore

Date: Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Subject: SCHOOL SAFETY....VIENNA ELEMENTARY.
To: wagnerh@dcpsmd.org

Mr Wagner

I am writing this text to you as  concerned parents of  children that attend to Vienna elementary, There was an incident at the school on Monday Nov 26th at 10:00am involving a parent, The situation was handled professionally by the school administration, But i have Noticed a lack of  security at the front entrance with the door being open  and lack of monitoring, I think that one camera and a door buzzer security lock would be the least the school could do to insure safety to the children and workers, unfortunately these days we need this type of security for protection of our children, I have seen New schools in dorchester county receive surveillance cameras over Sixty of them at one school, I don't think it is to much to ask for such minimum security  at Vienna elementary ,

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. 

Paul Adams

Date: Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 4:11 PM
Subject: RE: SCHOOL SAFETY....VIENNA ELEMENTARY.

Mr. Adams,

Thank you for your inquiry and we will give this suggestion due consideration.

Regards,

Henry V. Wagner, Jr., Ed.D.
Superintendent
Dorchester County Public Schools

Date: Wed, Dec 5, 2012 at 2:54 PM
Subject: Lack of security at Vienna elementary school....

Senator Colburn,

I am reaching out to you for an incident that happened at Vienna elementary school in dorchester county, in which earlier this month a parent was Arrested, the staff handled the incident quickly and  professionally,  i reached out to the school superintendent and was sent a response from a Mr McCabe (see attached) I know things are tough as far as funds but i find it unacceptable that this issue has to go on hold due to some minor funds issues,The issue is that the front door to the school remains open,the second issue is there is NOT 1 camera  is in front of the school to monitor the front door to protect the children and staff  i thought in these times we should be Pro-Active instead of Re-Active, I am asking for help in this matter and hope you can respond to our concerns.

Thank you
Paul Adams

Date: Thu, Dec 6, 2012 at 6:58 AM

Good morning Mr. Adams,

Dr. Wagner sent me the same response that Mr. McCabe sent you.  In the e-mail he does mention using your suggestions when the school budget discussion begin.  Generally this is a plan developed in the County at which time they make their budgetary requests to the State.  I mentioned in my previous e-mail that you contact your County Council rep.  I also highly suggest you share your concerns with the School Board member that represents Vienna.  They would have great input into the school system's budget process.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please let me know!

Thanks again for contacting Senator Colburn.  Have a great day!

Jessica

Jessica Hackett
Chief of Staff- Senator Richard F. Colburn
5210 Heron Road
Cambridge, MD 21613

Date: Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 9:18 AM
Subject: SCHOOL SHOOTING / LOCKING OF FRONT DOORS AT ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN MD
To: "Hackett, Jessica" <JHackett@senate.state.md.us>

I am sure you have heard about this ELEMENTARY school shooting in ct, this has been my issue about the lack of security in our elementary schools in Dorchester county, i hope this issue will be addressed at the next school safety committee meeting in February in the meantime i would hope that ALL front doors would remain locked during school hours until this matter is addressed.

Paul Adams

TODAY

I received a call from a Mr ABT from human resources at the Dorchester BOA stating that they reached out to Dorchester Sheriff Philips and asked for his advice about the open front door at Vienna elementary school Mr ABT advised me that the sheriff stated that the front door can remain open, I called Sheriff Philips and left a voice mail asking for his reconsideration in this matter, I have yet to get a response, I have been complaining about this matter since November 7 where a female went to the school and tried to remove a child from the school where she was arrested, All I am asking for is that the front door remain locked during school hours and that the security issue be addressed at the next school safety committee in February 2013 but in the mean time the door should be LOCKED, for crying out loud our HS and Middle schools have proper security and cameras why cant we protect our children and staff in ALL elementary schools, I have sent emails to senator Ben Cardin for his assistance in this matter and awaiting his response,please lets  be Proactive instead of reactive.

Concerned parent.
Paul Adams

Today's Advertiser Of The Day 12-17-12

Update On Brooke Mulford 12-17-12

I wanted to start by thanking everyone for the outpouring of love, prayer, support and offers to make Brooke's dreams come true. To those who have offered to help: thank you so much and I am sorry that I have not gotten back to you yet...this week has been brutal and I have been focused on coming up with a plan- I will get back to everyone soon and we will start planning a lifetime of fun for Brooke! 

We headed to CHOP again this past Wed and I met with Dr. Weiser and Dr. Maris. There are really no good options. CHOP does things a little different from most hospitals with NB relapse. Instead of hitting the cancer hard again, they believe in starting with a clinical trial that Brooke should tolerate well and still have good quality of life. They look at it similar to a chess game and like to look at not just the move they are making now but looking 3 moves ahead as well. If they hit it hard now than in the future they have less options available. Brooke is now enrolled in a COG clinical trial called ADVL0918, A Phase I study of Temsirolimus in Combination with Irinotecan and Temozolomide. On this study, she will only have to go to CHOP one day a week for about 2-3 hours. She will start this Wed and will get one of the chemos through an IV and the other two orally. Phase I clinical trials are about testing safe levels of dosages of drugs and Brooke will be on the highest dose level of the experimental drug Temsirolimus - which part of me is glad about because I feel like that will increase the chance it will kill her tumor however it also means it increases the toxicity and will most likely have more of the side effects. She will start to lose her hair again in about 10-14 days after starting the chemo. Brooke is having a much tougher time with the thought of losing her hair this time around. She has done really well dealing with her relapse although she did have a pretty rough night earlier in the week. She was taking a bath and I think everything just pretty much hit her. She started crying about losing her hair and for the next couple hours had so many questions about what was going to happen with her treatment. It broke my heart. She is 4 years older this time around and is so much more aware of her disease and what can happen. I spoke to her doctor about her anxieties this time around and while we were there this week had her Child Life Specialist for the clinic and day hospital, Meghan, really focus on helping her deal with fears through medical play. Other than that one night Brooke has really been her usual joyful self that just loves Jesus, life and everyone she meets.

Brooke and I stayed at Grammy's house Wed night after our meeting at CHOP and had to be back at CHOP early the next morning for her to have a bone marrow biopsy to see if her cancer has spread to her bone marrow. I have not gotten the results back yet. She was so brave and did not shed a tear while getting the IV put in her hand and woke up from the GA just as happy as can be. She has had some pain at the two sites where they took her marrow from her hip bones but is mostly doing well. We headed back to Salisbury that night and we were able to catch most of the Cirque Christmas show at the Civic Center with my girlfriends. Friday, Brooke was asked to be the guest of honor at the Salisbury Zoo for the ribbon cutting for the new Wallaby exhibit - she even got to name one of the 2 Wallabies and named him Skipper. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Friday night her school had their Christmas Concert and we went to DQ afterwards with all her buddies. We have a big day today for soccer with a double header this morning and then a team party after the second game. Uncle Johnny came down for the Christmas concert last night and to see her games today and Aunt Johanna is heading down this morning to cheer her on as well. 

Well, I need to start getting ready for the day ahead. I was asked to share with everyone on this site and facebook that friends Kellie and Laurie have set up

A checking account at M&T bank in honor of Brooke! Brooke's Wish account is specifically going to be used to help Brooke fulfill her dreams!

Donations can be made at any M&T branch or mailed to:
Brooke's Wishes
26691 Passerdyke Ct
Eden, MD 21822

Checks made out to Brooke's Wishes!
Brooke also still has a Medical Gift Account through Bank of Delmarva that helps with medical/travel expenses.

Thank you everyone again for staying with us through Brooke's journey. Please continue to pray for a miracle and that we are all blessed with her for many years to come.

With much love and gratitude,

Amy

T-Shirt Of The Day

Murder Defendant Wants New Representation

The Pocomoke man whose murder conviction was overturned in April wants a different attorney, but his behavior in court last week drew the ire of the judge.

In Circuit Court in Snow Hill last Thursday, James Edward Ballard, 32, ranted about his displeasure with Burton Anderson, the longtime public defender who represented him during the trial.

“I don’t want to represent myself, but I don’t want him to represent me,” Ballard told Judge Thomas C. Groton III. “We don’t see eye to eye.”

Groton said that Ballard had not given him any good reason why he wanted a different defense attorney and said Anderson “is as good as the best there is and better than most. You’ll be adequately represented by Mr. Anderson.”
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Best Christmas Decoration - EVER

"Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down.

First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard."

Today's Survey Question 12-17-12

Do you own guns and how do you keep them safe?

Good Questions

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE PHILOSOPHY OF AMBIGUITY, AS WELL AS THE IDIOSYNCRASIES OF ENGLISH:
Please enjoy and understand the following:
1. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.
2. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.
3. IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?
4. THE MAIN REASON THAT SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BAD GIRLS LIVE.
5. I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF- HELP SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.
6. WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?
7. IF A DEAF CHILD SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?
8. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?
9. IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?
10. WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?"
11. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?
12. IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?
13. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?
14. WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL BREAK-IN AND CLEAN THEM?
15. IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?
16. CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?
17. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MUTE, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?
18. WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES?
19. HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?
20. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?
21. ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.
22. DOES THE LITTLE MERMAID WEAR AN ALGEBRA?
23. DO INFANTS ENJOY INFANCY AS MUCH AS ADULTS ENJOY ADULTERY?
24. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?
25. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?
26. IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?
27. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?
28. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?
29. WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED "HEMORRHOIDS" INSTEAD OF "ASSTEROIDS"?
30. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?
31. WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?
32. IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL MAN IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES, DOES HE BECOME DISORIENTED?
33. CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD?

Poinsettias

The A+ Garden Centre operated by Horticulture students in the Parkside High Departmant of Career & Technology Education will have extended hours today from 3-5:30 p.m., in addition to the regular hours of 8:15-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m. Poinsettias are buy 2, get 1 free.

Stop Media From Profiting On Tragedy

Being outraged about the shootings and what happened I understand, wanting to help absolutely. Thinking of making MORE laws will help is stupid. Making preparations to prevent it, sure that's possible. Hire off duty cops, retired cops and arm certain teachers that are willing to take the training in the schools like Air Marshall's

I have an issue with media, all I hear is trying to figure out why this happened. Please stop this, you as media TV will not get the answers. All media news is getting from this is a topic to talk about, all the politicians will get from it is popular from feeding off sorrow. If the gunman would had taken his own life, it would have been much easier instead of all those kids and teachers. If the media wants to put up stories on remembering the kids, how to help I'm all for it. The more they highlight the tragedy as why it happened and what they are going to do to prevent it is a mistake. All the media does is give intelligence to the next idiot who decides to do this, or terrorist home grown or from another country.

You want to prevent it? Start getting our countries morals back, get rid of these sick ideals we as a country have become. Media controls our lives. These freaks feed off Media, and think they are heroes and media helps them. I am feel so bad for all involved and would be crushed as a parent. I still would not want media or politicians to making an agenda off my tragedy though, I'd want to be left alone to grieve.

If you think for one minute that Terrorists are not watching the way we handle this and the attention it gets from media... Your sadly mistaken, I pray for media to handle it right and politicians.
Stop Media from profiting on tragedy....

SHA PLANNED LANE CLOSURE UPDATE (12/13 TO 12/20)

Worcester County

• On Monday, December 17, SHA will begin performing routine bridge inspections for the MD 90 Bridge over the Assawoman Bay in Ocean City. Inspections will take place Monday through Friday, December 21 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. with single lane closures likely. Traffic guided through work zone by flaggers.

BREAKING NEWS: Rep. Tim Scott To Succeed Sen. Jim DeMint

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will name Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C., to succeed Sen. Jim DeMint, Fox News confirms.

Explanation Of Entitlements

I'm cutting back and you may want to also....
I'm going to bite the bullet, too!!!!

President Obama ordered the cabinet to cut $100,000,000.00 ($100 million) from the $3,500,000,000,000.00 ($3.5 trillion) federal budget.

I'm so impressed by this sacrifice that I have decided to do the same thing with my personal budget. I spend about $2,000 a month on groceries, household expenses, medicine, utilities, etc., but it's time to get out the budget cutting axe, go through my expenses, and cut back.

I'm going to cut my spending at exactly the same ratio (1/35,000) of my total budget. After doing the math, it looks like instead of spending $2,000 a month, I'm going to have to cut that number by six cents. Yes, I'm going to have to get by with $1999.94, but that's what sacrifice is all about.

I'll just have to do without some things, that are, frankly, luxuries – six cents worth.

Did this President actually think no one would do the math? Please send this to everyone on your list so people understand how idiotic a $100 million cut is in a $3.5 trillion budget – ludicrous!!!!!!!

"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation...
One is by sword...
The other is by debt."
John Adams 1826

Godless Society

A Letter To The Editor 12-17-12 Money Beggars

I am confused by the number and frequency of times I am confronted by the money beggars of Salisbury.

Today - Beggars on the corner of the walmart parking lot, another one by Chickfila, one at the entrance of the Target shopping center, one by the mall and another (as everyday) sitting on the guardrail at Priscilla and Rt 13, and this was only today.

What is with this town? Why does the PD allow this to continue and progress? Is this legal? 

You are a fool to give ANY of them money. I see one guy in several spots every week (he moves from location to location) and the homeless that sit @ Priscilla street are a DAILY occurance and the PD does nothing to stop this.

What an awful awful impression this town makes to everyone who enters by continuing to allow this to go on.

I find this appalling, especially since the lack of action on the PD's part has allowed this practice to continue and escalate.

STOP giving them money and they will stop begging.

Bomb Threat Evacuates Conn. Church Near Sandy HooK

NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) - Worshippers hurriedly left a church Sunday, saying they were told there was a bomb threat not far from the elementary school where 20 kids and six adults were massacred.

At least a dozen police in camouflage SWAT gear and carrying guns arrived at the St. Rose of Lima Church. An Associated Press photographer saw police leave carrying something in a red tarp.

There was no official report from police about the threat or evacuation.
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Taking Downtown Trash To The Landfill

Last week we spoke about the Mayor removing Downtown trash from the agenda. On Friday's I have to collect my trash as well as the majority of Downtown residents and take it to the landfill.

This has been a heated topic for many years now, yet no one seems to want to resolve this problem. Fortunately I have a truck but think about the majority of residents who live down here who do not.

Can someone please tell me what Jim Ireton has been able to get done since he's been in Office?