CAUGHT ON TAPE: SHOTGUN-WIELDING THUG FINDS HIMSELF STARING DOWN THE BARREL OF HIS OWN GUN AFTER ‘VICTIM’ FIGHTS BACK

 

 Language warning on video

A New Orleans man decided to fight back against a shotgun-wielding attacker who attempted to rob him at around 5 a.m. Saturday morning. Instead of hoping for the best and following the criminal’s orders to give up his cash, the would-be victim yanked the shotgun from the robber’s hands and sent him running for his life.

The man was approached moments later by two black men, one of which was apparently the attacker, in a black four-door sedan, according to police. Hilariously, the driver of the car reportedly tried to negotiate with the man, saying “give me my gun back and I’ll give you your phone that you dropped.”

The man wasn’t about to accept that “deal.” An New Orleans Police Department spokesman told WWL.com that he instead used the shotgun to shatter the rear windshield of the vehicle. For the second time, the criminal fled from his “victim.” It was unclear whether the shotgun was loaded.
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The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council Presents Survival Boot Camp Training On May 15

Training for Heritage Tourism Related Non-Profits

(Salisbury, MD) The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Heritage Tourism Program is offering a Survival Boot Camp training session for heritage tourism sites and organizations on Wednesday, May 15 from 8:00am to 1:30pm at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

Survival Boot Camp is a half-day training session that involves an active and hands-on discussion of the actions you can take to get a better handle on your organizations situation in today’s economy. It is designed to engage participants in voicing their challenges and ideas, to help in developing creative strategies for their own sites and destinations, and to offer inspiration through the sharing of survival stories from across the country.

Carolyn Brackett, the Senior Field Officer with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will be facilitating and leading the discussion. She has been involved with the development of the ten year strategic plan for the Maryland Heritage Areas Program and the development of the corridor management plan’s heritage tourism sections for Michener’s Chesapeake Byway.

This program is meant to benefit volunteers, board members, or staff involved in areas of historic sites, museums, Main Street Programs, scenic byways, heritage areas, arts organizations, and state and county tourism agencies. The strategies discussed within this program have shown to be successful for many of these cultural and heritage tourism organizations across the country.

Advanced paid reservation is required. Registration fee is $20 per person if received by May 1st. After May 1st registration cost is $25. Final registration must be received by May 10th. A continental breakfast and full lunch are included.

Please contact Lisa Ludwig or Jay Parker at the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council to register by calling 410-677-4706 or email atleshc1@aol.com.

Boston Marathon Bomb Amputees Offered Prosthetics Free Of Cost

A trade group representing makers of artificial limbs on Tuesday promised to provide prosthetics free of cost to the estimated 20 to 25 victims of the Boston Marathon bombings who underwent amputations.

The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association offered initial services and prosthetics not covered by insurance for patients injured in the blasts, which tore the lower limbs off some spectators near the finish line of the race on April 15.

Costs for a below-knee device average $8,000 to $12,000 each and $40,000 to $60,000 for above-knee prosthetics, said Greig Martino, a prosthetist treating bombing victims.
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911 Center Safety Open House

Location: Sussex County Emergency Operations Center, 21911 Rudder Lane, Georgetown, DE

Date of Occurrence: Thursday May 9, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Resume:
Georgetown, DE- Delaware State Police Sussex Communication Section along with the Fire and Ambulance Callboard of Sussex County will be hosting their 12th Annual 911 Open House Thursday May 9, 2013. The Open House will take place at the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center located at 21911 Rudder Lane, Georgetown Delaware. The safety event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Approximately 500 children from the local school districts are expected to visit the 911 center on this day. They will be given a tour of the 911 center and students will learn important safety tips on How and When to contact 911.

To promote public safety, the following demonstrations, displays, and activities will be available to the public: University of Delaware’s Bicycle Safety Program, “Kick Butts” Anti-Smoking Campaign provided by American Lung Association, Millsboro Fire Company’s Fire Safety House, and McGruff the Crime Dog. Various units from the Delaware State Police, Local Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services will also be on display. This will provide hands on education for the students.

Last year's event had a very impressive turn out and we are expecting more of the same this year. For additional information concerning the 911 Open House please contact Bryan Schieferstein at (302)752-6802.

Preakness Beefs Up Security, Bans Backpacks

Backpacks and duffel bags will be prohibited at the Preakness this year, part of a new security policy at Pimlico Race Course influenced by the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

For the first time, only clear coolers will be allowed in the building and the infield at the middle jewel of racing's Triple Crown. The new policy also forbids laser lights and pointers, along with cameras with lenses more than 6 inches in length.

In previous years, backpacks and duffel bags were allowed in the vastly populated infield. Duffel bags were permitted in the building and the grandstand, but now duffel bags and backpacks are forbidden on the entire premises. The rule applies to fans, employees and vendors.
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NAACP WILL HOST JOB READINESS SEMINAR FOR YOUTH

Salisbury, MD… Wicomico County NAACP Branch #7028 will host a Job Readiness

Seminar addressing the interview process, appropriate dress for job interviews, and the use of proper conversational skills. The targeted audience is middle and high school students. The seminar will be presented in such a way that the students will have hands on experience and fun. Lunch will be provided at noon.
Date: June 8, 2013 

Time: 10:00 A.M. – Noon

Place: Sojourner-Douglass College

408 Coles Circle, Suite D (Truitt Street near railroad track)

Salisbury, MD 21804

Cost: Free
To obtain a permission slip, email us at wcnaacpbranch7028@yahoo.com or call 410-543-4187. 
Students must register by May 31, 2013 with name, address, phone number, age and a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian, giving permission to participate in this seminar. 

Send registration to WCNAACP, P.O. Box 1047, Salisbury, MD 21802. Family must provide transportation to and from this event.
This event is open to the public. For more information, contact Mary Ashanti at 410-543-4187.

Smithsonian Limits Gallery Closures To 3 Museums

The Smithsonian Institution is limiting the number of galleries it will close due to budget cuts mandated by Congress.

Smithsonian officials plan to close sections of three buildings between May 1 and Sept. 30. The museum complex must reduce its budget by $42 million as part of Congress' across- the-board budget cuts.

Spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas says the Smithsonian will close a small exhibit space in the National Museum of African Art, some sections of the Hirshhorn Museum displaying parts of its permanent collection and the Commons area of the Smithsonian Castle. That area shows objects from every Smithsonian museum.

No major exhibitions will close.
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NAACP TO ADDRESS “UNLOCKING THE MINDS OF MALES IN EDUCATION”

Salisbury, MD … Mr. Kenneth Jones will be the guest speaker for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) monthly meeting on Thursday, May 23rd at 7:00 P.M. This meeting will be held at Chipman Cultural Center, 325 Broad Street, Salisbury, MD.
Mr. Jones’ topic will be “Unlocking the Minds of Males in Education.” Kenneth Jones is a 

Wicomico High School teacher, who grew up as a ward of the state, spending the first 18 years of his life in foster care and on a variety of welfare programs. Mr. Jones’ seminar is a clarion call to action to examine the effects of the educational achievement gaps on young males and society.

The seminar will also offer practical solutions to the problems that males are facing in education.
For additional information about this meeting, contact Mary Ashanti, President, at 410-543-4187. 

The public is invited to attend this meeting.

YET ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL CARTOON ON THE DEADLY TEXAS FERTILIZER EXPLOSION

 The Sacramento Bee last Thursday published a “shocking” cartoon featuring side-by-side images of Republican Gov. Rick Perry boasting of the state’s “booming” business and the deadly explosion, TheBlaze’s Jason Howerton reported:

And even though the Gov. Perry editorial was not well received, the Sacramento Bee cartoon isn’t alone in its take on the West tragedy.

Syndicated editorial cartoonist Matt Davies last week published his take on the deadly West, Texas, explosion that claimed the lives of at least 15 people and injured hundreds more. And it’s just now grabbing headlines. Here it is:

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Recovery For The 7 Percent

"From the end of the recession in 2009 through 2011 (the last year for which Census Bureau wealth data are available), the 8 million households in the U.S. with a net worth above $836,033 saw their aggregate wealth rise by an estimated $5.6 trillion, while the 111 million households with a net worth at or below that level saw their aggregate wealth decline by an estimated $600 billion." Pew Research, "An Uneven Recovery," by Richard Fry and Paul Taylor.

Since the recession was officially declared to be over in June 2009, I have assured readers that there has been no recovery. Gerald Celente, John Williams(shadowstats.com), and no doubt others have also made it clear that the alleged recovery is an artifact of an understated inflation rate that produces an image of real economic growth.

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WCSO Press Release 4-30-13

• 4/30/2013 Warrant - Bivens
• 4/30/2013 Fugitive - Sherwood
• 4/30/2013 Burglary & Assault - Hubbard
• 4/30/2013 CDS - Parsons
• 4/29/2013 DUI - Stern
• 4/29/2013 Fugitive - Wilson
• 4/29/2013 Warrant - Shirley

OBAMA'S AUNT ON DISABILITY

SPD Press Release 4-30-13

Md. Groups Want To Overturn Gun Control Law

Gun control opponents gear up for a fight at the polls. A petition drive called Free State Petition may soon be up and running.

But, as political reporter Pat Warren reports, even some of the staunchest Second Amendment advocates think the petition is ill-advised.

Gun groups brought thousands of gun rights advocates to Annapolis to fight the governor’s gun bill in the General Assembly, but they will use lawyers to fight it in court.

“This bill is clearly unconstitutional. It goes against our rights,” Delegate Neil Parrott said.

Gun groups have decided it is better to go to court than to the polls, because of Second Amendment constitutional guarantees.
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Does President Obama Possess A Constitutional Right To Kill Americans Without Due Process ?

Republican advocate of mass murder, John Bolton, empathetical declares “YES” and uses the genocide committed against the Southern people in the years 1861-1865 as precedent for justification of murder by a pseudo-Republican government.

THE ALL-POWERFUL STATE

ACLU, GAY LEGAL GROUPS OPPOSE 'RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION' IN JOB DISCRIMINATION BILL

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) has just been re-introduced in the Senate and specifically bans employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill has been around for the last couple of decades and its new supporters (two Republicans and three Democrats) probably believe that polls showing movement in favor of same-sex marriage mean that the iron is hot for striking.

From what I can gather, ENDA will offer the LGBT workers the same federal protections against employer discrimination as there are now in the categories of age, race, gender, religion, and disability. As the bill is written now, it would exempt employers with fewer than 15 employees, religious institutions, and religious-affiliated employers, such as Presbyterian hospitals, Catholic adoption agencies, etc.

Let's leave the debate over the overall bill for another time. The development I want to focus on is brand new. There is now a push underway to remove the exemption for religious-affiliated employers by no less than the ACLU and a number of LGBT legal organizations.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY 4-30-13

“Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

Mike Tyson

FORMER GREEN JOBS CZAR VAN JONES ARRESTED

Van Jones, former advisor to President Barack Obama and progressive activist, was arrested outside a federal courthouse Monday during a protest against “Big Coal.”

Jones confirmed his arrest on Twitter and said he “volunteered” to be arrested at the demonstration “supporting miners being ripped off by Big Coal.” Shortly later he announced he was out of jail and “ready for next round.”
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Turn In Your Guns

First Cruise Of The 2013 Season

Smith Island Cruises would like to announce their first cruise of 2013 tomorrow May 1st. The cruise departs Crisfield at 12:30 and returns from Smith Island at 3:45pm. Treat yourself to a fun afternoon and fresh homemade crab cakes at the Bayside Inn restaurant on Smith Island! To reserve your seat call 410-425-2771.

Casinos Reap Benefits As Maryland Lottery Revenues Drop

The Maryland Lottery is losing ground thanks largely to the rise of casino gambling in the Free State.

Lottery revenue in fiscal 2013 totaled about $435 million as of April 14, according to a report from lottery Director Stephen Martino. That's less than the $442 million in revenue at the same point last year.

Total sales, according to the report, are down nearly $29 million -- from $1.41 billion as of April 14 last fiscal year to $1.38 billion this year. Revenue from Keno games, which lottery officials said are more similar to slots and casino games than more standard lottery tickets, are down more than $5.9 million over the same period.
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‘Misha’ Speaks: An Interview With The Alleged Boston Bomber’s ‘Svengali’

As the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombings continues, one of the more clouded aspects is the tale of “Misha,” a mysterious US-based Islamist who has been accused by members of the Tsarnaev family of radicalizing Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the elder of the two alleged bombers. “It started in 2009. And it started right there, in Cambridge,” Tamerlan’s uncle, Ruslan Tsarni, told CNN after the attacks. “This person just took his brain. He just brainwashed him completely.” These accusations set off a frenzied search for what some reports have called an Islamic Svengali, and over the past few days, the FBI has said it has located and has been talking to “Misha,” though his identity has remained unknown.

Today I was able to meet “Misha,” whose real name is Mikhail Allakhverdov. Having been referred by a family in Boston that was close to the Tsarnaevs, I found Allakhverdov at his home in Rhode Island, in a lower middle class neighborhood, where he lives in modest, tidy apartment with his elderly parents. He confirmed he was a convert to Islam and that he had known Tamerlan Tsarnaev, but he flatly denied any part in the bombings. “I wasn’t his teacher. If I had been his teacher, I would have made sure he never did anything like this,” Allakhverdov said.

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3rd Annual 10K/5K Run Slated To Promote Camp Barnes Summer Program

WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 2013, 10K, 5K, and 1 mile walk at 1:00 p.m. Kids Fun Run at 12:45 p.m. (Rain or Shine)

WHERE: Assawoman Wildlife Refuge at Camp Barnes
Address: 37171 Camp Barnes Rd. Frankford, De 19945

DESCRIPTION: A beautiful 10K/5K/1 mile walk through the Assawoman Wildlife Refuge on country roads and scenic trails. Kids Run will be held inside Camp Barnes.

REGISTRATION: 10K/5K/1 Mile Walk-$20 Pre-registration thru April 27, 2012. $25 registration April 28th through Race Day. Register online at www.seashorestriders.com or register by
mail by downloading the application from the website. Kids Fun Run 12 and under FREE (donations accepted, no shirt, but awards and lunch).

AWARDS: Presented to Overall and Master Champions, as well as, the Top 3 male and female in nine age groups. Awards to all kids who participate in the Fun Run.

AMENITIES: Long sleeve T-shirts guaranteed to all Pre-registered participants in the 10K, 5K and 1 Mile Walk. Water Stops and post event lunch for all registered participants. Lunch is also available for all non-participants. FEE: Adults $5. Children $3 (12 and under).

In 1947, the Delaware Association of Chiefs’ of Police, an organization which was composed of active law enforcement and correctional officers, accepted the challenge to undertake a project to combat juvenile delinquency in the First State. A committee was appointed to investigate the problems confronting youth. The committee’s resulting recommendations led to the establishment of Camp Barnes for the recreation of deserving youth from throughout the state.

Camp Barnes, located on Miller’s Creek, a tributary of Little Assawoman Bay, has since served the needs of thousands of children from throughout Delaware. Camp Barnes was originally designed to provide the children who were unable to attend summer camp an opportunity to experience life at a summer youth camp. 

Camp Barnes has remained basically unchanged, providing Delaware children with these outdoor experiences for over 60 years.

The summer camp is an overnight residential camp run by the Delaware State Police and is open to children between the ages of 10 and 13 at no cost to the camper or family. Camp Barnes accommodates 60 campers per week for six weeks. The camp is in session from early July through August. All children are eligible to attend regardless of family income.

One of the many positive aspects of Camp Barnes summer camp is the innovative use of adventure based outdoor learning experiences. Camp Barnes has on its grounds an extensive outdoor initiative course with 17 different initiative and team building elements. Some of the many activities campers participate in throughout the week include swimming in an Olympic size pool, kayaking in Miller’s Creek, arts and crafts, nature walks, and talent shows. Campers also enjoy a scaled down version of the Olympics and State Police demonstrations by the K-9 unit. 

Camp Barnes has a staff of 12 counselors, two cooks, and one kitchen assistant and a nurse. Counselors are required to submit to a criminal background check as well as an interview. There is also a State Trooper on grounds at all times when the camp is in session. Website: www.campbarnes.net

Ohio Girl, 8, Gets Kidney Donation From Teacher

CLEVELAND (AP) -- An Ohio girl is recovering after getting a critical kidney transplant -- with the organ donated by her former kindergarten teacher.

Nicole Miller, an 8-year-old first-grader at Mansfield Christian School, got the kidney last week from Wendy Killian, who was her kindergarten teacher last year.

"See you soon, sweet girl," Killian told Nicole just before they both taken into the pre-operation area last week, The Mansfield News Journal reported.
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LESBIAN ACTIVIST’S SURPRISINGLY CANDID SPEECH: GAY MARRIAGE FIGHT IS A ‘LIE’ TO DESTROY MARRIAGE

A 2012 speech by Masha Gessen, an author and outspoken activist for the LGBT community, is just now going viral and it includes a theory that many supporters of traditional marriage have speculated about for years: The push for gay marriage has less to do with the right to marry – it is about diminishing and eventually destroying the institution of marriage and redefining the “traditional family.”
The subject of gay marriage stirs powerful reactions on both sides of the argument. There are those who argue that legalizing it would diminish traditional marriage. And those advocating for gay marriage have long stated that the issue will not harm traditional marriage. Ms. Gessen’s comments on the subject seem to contradict the pro-gay-marriage party lines.

Gessen shared her views on the subject and very specifically stated;
“Gay marriage is a lie.”
“Fighting for gay marriage generally involves lying about what we’re going to do with marriage when we get there.”
“It’s a no-brainer that the institution of marriage should not exist.” (This statement is met with very loud applause.)

As mentioned above, Gessen also talked about redefining the traditional family. This may have something to do with the fact that she has “three children with five parents”:

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Md. Delegate Ron George Plans To Run For Governor

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Delegate Ron George said Monday he will seek to be the GOP’s candidate for governor in 2014, adding to a pool of Republicans who are eyeing a potential run.

George said in an interview that he has made up his mind to run after much thought and encouragement from supporters. He said he plans to announce his candidacy June 5 in Annapolis.

“We’ve reached that decision now,” said George, who represents an Anne Arundel County district that includes Annapolis. 
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Fed Is 'Wrecking Our Free Enterprise System'

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his allies at the central bank haven’t merely embarked on a misguided policy — they’re a threat to U.S.-style capitalism, says former White House Budget Director David Stockman.

The Fed now determines the level of short-, medium- and long-term interest rates, he told Newsmax TV in an exclusive interview. “It’s all rigged. This is administered price-setting by 12 people who are not even elected.”
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DelDOT Promotes Bicycle Month

Bicycling is an inexpensive and environmentally sensitive alternative to driving

Dover -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is 'pedaling' Bicycle Month in May. During the month, DelDOT will sponsor a variety of events to raise public awareness about bicycling as an inexpensive and environmentally sensitive alternative to driving.

"Studies show that most motorists take trips that are three miles or less. For these people, bicycling is maybe a viable means of transportation for some of these trips. It's more affordable and greener than driving a vehicle. There are health benefits and environmental benefits for bicyclists," said DelDOT Senior Planner Anthony Aglio.

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Schedule Of FY14 Budget Sessions

Thursday April 18 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Overview of City's financial condition

Room 306 General Fund Revenues

City Council

City Clerk

Elections

Mayor's Office

City Attorney

Monday April 22 6:00 p.m.

Council Chambers

Regular Council Meeting - 1st reading of proposed

FY14 Budget and establishing date for a public

hearing; Water & Sewer rates Ordinance

Tuesday April 23 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Community Development

Room 306 Information Technology

Planning & Zoning

Municipal Buildings - Poplar Hill Mansion

Fire Department

Building, Permitting & Inspections

Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance

Community Promotions

Lunch Break

Police Department

Internal Services - Finance

Thursday May 2 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Water & Sewer Fund

Room 306 Water & Sewer Rates

Tuesday May 7 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Debt Service & Other Uses

Room 306 Marina Fund

Parking Authority

SWED ?

Internal Services - Procurement

Internal Services - Human Resources

Government Office Building

Lunch Break

Public Works - General Fund
Thursday May 9 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. General Discussion

Personnel Committees

Tax Rate – Discussion

Follow-up on outstanding issues

Monday May 13 6:00 p.m. Regular Council Meeting - Public Hearing on FY13

Council Chambers Budget; Proposed Water and Sewer Rates & Constant

Yield

Tuesday May 14 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. General Discussion (if necessary)

Room 306 Follow-up on outstanding issues

Thursday May 16 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. General Discussion (if necessary)

Room 306 Follow-up on outstanding issues

Tuesday May 28 6:00 p.m. Regular Council Meeting - 2nd reading and adoption

Council Chambers of Budget; adoption of Water & Sewer rates

Groundwater Contamination Meeting Tonight

Click To Enlarge

Geranium Sale, Just In Time For Mother's Day!

Geranium Sale Extended Through May 1! Just in Time for Mother's Day! Locally Grown and Competitively Priced at Just $4 Each Available in Pink, White and Red Pick up locations in all four lower shore counties. Order HERE until 5 pm on May 1.

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Press Release 4-29-13

On 4/28/13, A Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy stopped a vehicle for weaving on Rt. 113 near Bishopville. The Deputy observed a suspected cocaine in the center console of the vehicle Mr. Paul Elwood Longacre 51 years old of Delaware, was operating. Mr. Longacre was arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of CDS paraphernalia.

PENTAGON TAPS ANTI-CHRISTIAN EXTREMIST FOR RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE POLICY

“Today, we face incredibly well-funded gangs of fundamentalist Christian monsters who terrorize their fellow Americans by forcing their weaponized and twisted version of Christianity upon their helpless subordinates in our nation’s armed forces.”

Those words were recently written by Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), in a column he wrote for the Huffington Post. Weinstein will be a consultant to the Pentagon to develop new policies on religious tolerance, including a policy for court-martialing military chaplains who share the Christian Gospel during spiritual counseling of American troops.

Weinstein decries what he calls the “virulent religious oppression” perpetrated by conservative Christians, whom he refers to as “monstrosities” and “pitiable unconstitutional carpetbaggers,” comparing them to “bigots” in the Deep South during the civil rights era.
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Liberty Was Also Attacked In Boston

Forced lockdown of a city. Militarized police riding tanks in the streets. Door-todoor armed searches without warrant. Families thrown out of their homes at gunpoint to be searched without probable cause. Businesses forced to close. Transport shut down.

These were not the scenes from a military coup in a far off banana republic, but rather the scenes just over a week ago in Boston as the United States got a taste of martial law. The ostensible reason for the military-style takeover of parts of Boston was that the accused perpetrator of a horrific crime was on the loose. The Boston bombing provided the opportunity for the government to turn what should have been a police investigation into a military-style occupation of an American city. This unprecedented move should frighten us as much or more than the attack itself.

What has been sadly forgotten in all the celebration of the capture of one suspect and the killing of his older brother is that the police state tactics in Boston did absolutely nothing to catch them. While the media crowed that the apprehension of the suspects was a triumph of the new surveillance state – and, predictably, many talking heads and Members of Congress called for even more government cameras pointed at the rest of us – the fact is none of this caught the suspect. Actually, it very nearly gave the suspect a chance to make a getaway.

The "shelter in place" command imposed by the governor of Massachusetts was lifted before the suspect was caught. Only after this police state move was ended did the owner of the boat go outside to check on his property, and in so doing discover the suspect.

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REPORT: OBAMA SPENT TWICE AS MUCH TIME ON VACATION/GOLF AS ECONOMY

According to a new report by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Institute (GAI), President Barack Obama has spent over twice as many hours on vacation and golf (976 hours) as he has in economic meetings of any kind (474.4 hours).

The report, “Presidential Calendar: A Time-Based Analysis,” used the official White House calendar, Politico’s comprehensive presidential calendar, and media reports through March 31, 2013 to calculate its results.

GAI’s findings may actually understate Obama’s recreational hours.

Last year, Obama told CBS News that playing golf is “the only time that for six hours, I'm outside." But instead of six hours, GAI counted a round of golf as taking just four hours. Likewise, for presidential vacation hours, researchers attributed just six hours of any day of vacation to leisure activity.
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The Average Payday Loan Borrower Spends More Than Half The Year In Debt To Lender

The idea of the payday loan — a short-term, high-interest loan intended to help the borrower stay afloat until his next paycheck — is not inherently a bad notion. However, a new study confirms what we’ve been saying for years: That many payday borrowers are taking out loans they can’t pay back in the short-term, and that lenders rely on this revolving door format to keep the fees rolling in.

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Judge Orders Cops To Return Marijuana To Man Pulled Over For Speeding A Year Ago

It’s gotta be kind of weird for police officers in Washington State now that marijuana is on the up-and-up. Case in point: A judge is ordering cops to give a man’s pot back to him after they seized it during a traffic stop last May. Since then, marijuana in small amounts has become legal, but the cops are still hanging on to the guy’s stash.

A judge in Tacoma told the police yesterday that they had better return the drugs to the man within seven days or they could be found in contempt, reports the Associated Press.

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School Construction Agency Faulted For Project Oversight, Incomplete Records And Missing Reports

The Interagency Committee on School Construction (IAC), which oversees the state’s $336 million annual school construction budget, had problems overseeing construction projects, recovering state funds, and reporting on maintenance inspections, auditors found in a report released Friday.

Auditors identified four weaknesses in the IAC’s operations, highlighting concerns that the milllions of dollars going into school construction called for better management and administration. The Interagency Committee is under the Board of Public Works, chaired by the governor.

The audit found the committee’s records disorganized and, at times, lacking altogether, making it difficult to track projects and contract costs.

Read more

Superstorm Sandy, Six Months Later: An Exclusive Survey Of Its Impact

Six months ago today—on October 29, 2012—Sandy slammed into the mid-Atlantic region. A new Consumer Reports survey documents the deep disruption and devastation Sandy wrought, along with highlighting the steps that helped victims cope in its aftermath.

The Consumer Reports National Research Center askedConsumer Reports online subscribers in the areas hit hardest by Sandy, including New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut, about their problems and actions during the days following the storm's landfall.

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Boy Suspended for Bringing Swiss Army Knife on School Camping Trip

A 10-year-old California boy was suspended and threatened with expulsion after he brought a Swiss Army Knife on a week-long school school camping trip.

Tony Bandermann told Fox News that his son Braden was on a science camping trip with his class at Garden Gate Elementary School in Cupertino, Calif.

According to a school incident report, the boy showed the small knife to other students who then reported him to teachers. The incident report stated that law enforcement was also notified. However, no charges were filed. 
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BILL AYERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN PRISON

Bring them to Justice! They must pay for their crimes! Mob mentally is enough to prosecute anyone deemed unworthy of their freedom. Unless of course, you are in the justice system, and can work the system in your favor. So many people deserved to have their asses in jail. After the events over this past week I did some research into topics. When I found that there aren’t any articles that I wanted to read, I decided to write them myself.

I have an important question that has been bouncing around in my head. WHY IS BILL AYERS NOT ROTTING IN PRISON?? WHY IS BERNADINE DOHRN NOT ROTTING IN PRISON?? Average Americans are calling for the head of Jahar Tsarnaev , but nobody is connecting the fact that Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn committed, and bragged about the same crimes Tsarnaev is facing. How can this happen?

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Radical Imam Encourages Pulling Welfare Benefits for Jihad

We've learned this week that Boston bombing suspect number one Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his wife were pulling welfare benefits in Massachusetts up until November 2012. Growing up, both bombing suspects received food stamps and other welfare benefits.

The family of Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the two brothers accused in the Boston Marathon bomb attacks, received food stamps and welfare when the brothers were growing up, according to a letter from the state Department of Transitional Assistance that was obtained by the Globe.

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Beware: The Best And Worst Replacement Car Batteries Can Be From The Same Brand

Our latest tests show that shopping for a car battery by brand name alone can be a big mistake, both in terms of performance and in cost. But our latest Ratings make it easy to find the best one for your needs and budget, no matter what you drive.

Big-name battery brands DieHard (Sears and Kmart), EverStart (Walmart), and Interstate all top our Ratings in some group sizes, but they are at or near the bottom in others. The greatest inconsistency comes from DieHard, which makes both the best and worst performers in two of six common sizes. Based on our findings, it is best to cast aside brand loyalty, and instead focus on CR's test results. (See which car batteries we recommend.)

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Anne Arundel Democrats Outspend Republicans In 2013 Legislative Lodging Expenses

When it comes to trading taxpayer dollars for hotel stays, Anne Arundel County Democrats in the General Assembly outspent Republicans 47-to-1 during the 2013 session.

Six of 10 county Democrats asked the state for lodging reimbursements totaling more than $47,000, with five claiming the maximum amount of $9,191, according to records obtained from the Department of Legislative Services through a Public Information Act request.

Meanwhile, three of 10 Anne Arundel Republicans asked for state reimbursements to cover a total of $1,000 in lodging expenses throughout the three-month session.
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Civilian Jet Confirmed As New Air Show Headliner

OCEAN CITY -- Just weeks after the U.S. Navy Blue Angels team, the planned headliner of the 2013 Ocean City Air Show, announced it was shutting down its show schedule indefinitely due to federal budget cuts, the event has added a civilian-owned Harrier jet to the lineup.

In mid-April, the Blue Angels announced all remaining appearances for 2013 had been cancelled due to budget cuts caused by sequestration. The Blue Angels’ decision followed an earlier announcement that all other military air demonstration teams were being grounded for the remainder of 2013 and likely beyond.

While certainly disappointing, the Blue Angels announcement was not unexpected. Ocean City Air Show producer Brian Lilley briefed the Mayor and Council in February on the potential grounding of military demonstration teams for air shows around the country and vowed the show would go on as planned regardless of the outcome of sequestration. The show’s producers promised to fill the void with the best private sector acts available and began patching together an all-civilian line-up.
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The Good Guys Are Not Coming To Save Us

A lot of Americans know that the US government is out of control. Anyone who has cared enough to study the US Constitution even a little knows this. Still, very few of these people are taking any significant action, and largely because of one error: They are waiting for “the good guys” to show up and fix things.

Some think that certain groups of politicians will pull it together and fix things, or that one magnificent politician will ride in to fix things. Others think that certain members of the military will step in and slap the politicians back into line. And, I’m sure there are other variations.

There are several problems with this. I’ll start with the small issues:
It doesn’t happen. A lot of good people have latched on to one grand possibility after another, waiting for a good guy to save the day, and it just doesn’t happen. Thousands of hours of reading, writing and waiting are burned with each new “great light” who comes along with a promise to run the system in the “right” way, and give us liberty and truth. (Or whatever.) Lots of decent folks grab on to one pleasant dream after another, only to end up right back where they started… but poorer in time, energy and finances.

Hope is a scam. It’s a dream of someday, somehow, getting something for nothing. People who hope do not act – they wait for other people to act. Hope is a tool to neuter a natural opposition: they sit and hope, and never act against you. Even the biblical meaning of hope is something more like expectation (or sometimes waiting) than the modern use of hope.

Petitioning an abuser for compassion. The “good guys” are considered to be a few people inside the abusive government. But if the good guys were really good, wouldn’t they have dissociated themselves with an abuser some time ago? By pleading for the good guys to rise up, people are asking one sub-group of the abusers to save them from the rest of the abusers. However, they all work for the same operation; they all get paid out of the same offices; according to the same rulebook. And if the good guys are so willing to turn against their employers, why would they have waited until now?

Movies. We all grew up in the company of movie heroes who rode in at the last minute to save the noble victims. From John Wayne to Star Trek to Bruce Willis, the story line differs little. These are pleasant stories, of course, but cinema is not reality, and hoping for it to become reality is something that we should get over prior to adulthood.

But, as I say, those are the smaller issues. Let’s move on to the serious ones.

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Russians To US: Boston Bombing Suspect, Mother Discussed Jihad In 2011

Russian authorities have told U.S. investigators they recorded a 2011 telephone conversation between Boston bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev and his mother in which the pair discussed jihad, according to a source briefed on the investigation.

The conversation, which Russians have said was captured electronically via a wiretap, was not presented to U.S. authorities until after the April 15 bombing that killed three people and injured 264 near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, according to the source. Tamerlan Tsarnaev also mentioned the possibility of a trip to Palestine during the conversation, the source said.

The phone call does not indicate there was clear intelligence that the now-deceased 26-year-old was plotting an attack at the time, counterrorism experts said. 
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"The Illuminati Were Amateurs" - Matt Taibbi Explains How "Everything Is Rigged"

Everything Is Rigged: The Biggest Price-Fixing Scandal Ever

The Illuminati were amateurs. The second huge financial scandal of the year reveals the real international conspiracy: There's no price the big banks can't fix
Conspiracy theorists of the world, believers in the hidden hands of the Rothschilds and the Masons and the Illuminati, we skeptics owe you an apology. You were right. The players may be a little different, but your basic premise is correct: The world is a rigged game. We found this out in recent months, when a series of related corruption stories spilled out of the financial sector, suggesting the world's largest banks may be fixing the prices of, well, just about everything.

You may have heard of the Libor scandal, in which at least three – and perhaps as many as 16 – of the name-brand too-big-to-fail banks have been manipulating global interest rates, in the process messing around with the prices of upward of $500 trillion (that's trillion, with a "t") worth of financial instruments. When that sprawling con burst into public view last year, it was easily the biggest financial scandal in history – MIT professor Andrew Lo even said it "dwarfs by orders of magnitude any financial scam in the history of markets."

That was bad enough, but now Libor may have a twin brother. Word has leaked out that the London-based firm ICAP, the world's largest broker of interest-rate swaps, is being investigated by American authorities for behavior that sounds eerily reminiscent of the Libor mess. Regulators are looking into whether or not a small group of brokers at ICAP may have worked with up to 15 of the world's largest banks to manipulate ISDAfix, a benchmark number used around the world to calculate the prices of interest-rate swaps.

Interest-rate swaps are a tool used by big cities, major corporations and sovereign governments to manage their debt, and the scale of their use is almost unimaginably massive. It's about a $379 trillion market, meaning that any manipulation would affect a pile of assets about 100 times the size of the United States federal budget.

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Americans Are More Afraid Of The GOVERNMENT Than TERRORISTS

According to a pair of recent polls, for the first time since the 9/11 terrorist hijackings, Americans are more fearful their government will abuse constitutional liberties than fail to keep its citizens safe.

Even in the wake of the April 15 Boston Marathon bombing – in which a pair of Islamic radicals are accused of planting explosives that took the lives of 3 and wounded over 280 – the polls suggest Americans are hesitant to give up any further freedoms in exchange for increased “security.”

A Fox News survey [9] polling a random national sample of 619 registered voters the day after the bombing found despite the tragic event, those interviewed responded very differently than following 9/11.

For the first time since a similar question was asked in May 2001, more Americans answered “no” to the question, “Would you be willing to give up some of your personal freedom in order to reduce the threat of terrorism?”

Of those surveyed on April 16, 2013, 45 percent answered no to the question, compared to 43 percent answering yes.

In May 2001, before 9/11, the balance was similar, with 40 percent answering no to 33 percent answering yes.

But following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the numbers flipped dramatically, to 71 percent agreeing to sacrifice personal freedomto reduce the threat of terrorism.

Subsequent polls asking the same question in 2002, 2005 and 2006 found Americans consistently willing to give up freedom in exchange for security. Yet the numbers were declining from 71 percent following 9/11 to only 54 percent by May 2006.

Now, it would seem, the famous quote widely attributed to Benjamin Franklin – “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety” – is holding more sway with Americans than it has in over a dozen years.

A similar poll sampling 588 adults, conducted on April 17 and 18 for the Washington Post [10], also discovered the change in attitude.

“Which worries you more,” the Post asked, “that the government will not go far enough to investigate terrorism because of concerns about constitutional rights, or that it will go too far in compromising constitutional rights in order to investigate terrorism?”

The poll found 48 percent of respondents worry the government will go too far, compared to 41 percent who worry it won’t go far enough.

And similar to the Fox News poll, the Post found the worry to be a fresh development, as only 44 percent worried the government would go too far in January 2006 and only 27 percent worried the government would go too far in January 2010.

The Fox News poll found that a bare majority of Democrats (51%) would give up more personal freedom to reduce the threat of terror, while only 47% of Republicans – and a mere 29% of independents – would do so.

This is not entirely surprising.

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Dozens Of Air Shows Cancel Without Military Jets

Dozens of air shows that draw tens of thousands of people and generate millions of dollars for local economies have been cancelled this year after the military grounded its jet and demonstration teams because of automatic federal budget cuts.

For years, the biggest draws at air shows have been the military's two elite jet teams, the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds, and their intricate stunts. The armed services also have provided F-16, F-18 and F-22 fighter jets and the U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights. All the teams were grounded as of April 1 to save money, and the military also dramatically curtailed its help with ground displays of various aircraft.

Those cutbacks have affected more than 200 of the approximately 300 air shows held in the United States each year, said John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows. About 60 shows have been cancelled, and he expects more cancellations as the season progresses and hope for restoration of the budget cuts fades. He predicted 15 percent to 20 percent of the shows won't return next year, even if the military begins participating again.
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WANT A FREE HOUSE?

I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the coming implementation of the health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued: They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard a young man exclaim, "Isn't Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick."

A young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, "Yeah, and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market wouldn't work for health care."

Another said, "The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so  they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate."

At this, I had more than enough. I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached their table. "Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one moment?"

They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.

"I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?"

They looked at each other in astonishment. "Why would you do something like that?" asked a young man, "There isn't anything for free in this world." They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had just made my point.

"I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no money whatsoever. Anyone interested?"

In unison, a resounding "Yeah" fills the room.

"Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money-free bargain."

I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust.

"I tell you what; I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules."

Again, they looked at one another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces.

The perky young woman asked, "What are the rules?"

I smiled and said, "I don't know. I have not yet defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you."

They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of  which said, "What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man."

I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. "I am serious, this is a legitimate offer."

They gaped at me for a moment.

"I'll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?" boasted the youngest among them.

"Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?" I asked.

The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the privacy of their table. "Oh yeah! Where do I sign up?"

I took a napkin and wrote, "I give this man my home, without the burden of financial obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction."

I signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature.

"Where are the keys to my new house?" he asked in a mocking tone of voice.

All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new homeowner.

"Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by all of your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere to from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are  your keys." I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumbfounded.

"Are you out of your mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?" the young man appeared irritated.

"You did when you signed this contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the agreement."

The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of people.

"You can shove that stupid deal up your a** old man. I want no part of it!" exclaimed the now infuriated young man.

'You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by all of your friends. You cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the  power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short, I am your Master."

At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.

After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed my true intent.

"What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn, and for that which you did not earn, you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if  your new Master gives it to you. A freedom that is given can also be taken away. Therefore, it is not freedom at all."

With that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. "This is the nature of your new health care legislation."

I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation -- and was surprised by applause.

The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained, shook my hand enthusiastically and said, "Thank you, Sir. These kids don't understand Liberty ."

He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he said, "You earned this one. It is an honor to pick up the tab."

I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.

Disgusted ICE Agent Faces Down ‘Gang Of Eight’ In Dramatic Senate Testimony

Ammunition Is Getting Scarce:

This morning I lucked out and was able to buy

several cases of ammo.

On the way home I stopped at the gas station where a drop-dead gorgeous brunette was filling up her car at the next pump.

She looked at the ammo in the back of my SUV and said

in a very sexy voice,

 

"I'm a big believer in barter, big boy.

Would you be interested in trading sex for ammo?"

I thought a few seconds and asked,

 

"What kinda ammo ya got?"

Victims’ Rights Advocates Seek Constitutional Right To Notice

WASHINGTON — Victims of crimes are treated by the U.S. “roll-of-the-dice” criminal justice system as pawns, dogs and second-class citizens, advocates said at a news conference last week to introduce a proposed Victims’ Rights Amendment.

Sponsored by Reps. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., Jim Costa, D-Calif., and Ed Royce, R-Calif., the amendment would provide crime victims with the right to be heard at any release, plea or sentencing and require they receive “reasonable” notice of public proceedings and the release of the accused.

The proposed amendment defines crime victim as “any person against whom the criminal offense is committed or who is directly and proximately harmed by the commission of an act, which, if committed by a competent adult, would constitute a crime.”

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Walk At Lunch 05/13/2013

The first 500 walkers receive a FREE reusable lunch tote

In observation of National Employee Health & Fitness Day, Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt is pleased to announce the 13th annual Walk @ Lunch on Wednesday, May 15th, sponsored by the Wicomico County Executive’s Fitness Council.

Sharon E. Cooper, Wicomico County Health Department Community Health Educator and Fitness Council co-chairperson is encouraging everyone to, “Spend your lunchtime downtown enjoying a scenic walk and healthy lunch with your friends and co-workers.” The course will be open from 11am to 1:30 pm and participants can begin at any time during that period.

The Fitness Council is sponsoring Walk @ Lunch to give the community one more way to help them reach theOne Million Minutes of Movement Challenge through Live Healthy, Wicomico. Teams signed up for the 10-week Challenge (LiveHealthyWicomico.org) who participate in Walk @ Lunch will receive an extra special reward! It’s not too late to sign up your team!

Walk @ Lunch is free and open to the public but participants need to register online at www.wicomicohealth.orgby May 13th. Walkers may register the day of the event but they will not be guaranteed a free lunch. The event showcases the ease of including walking as part of one’s workday. Studies show that including at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day can improve or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Pollitt commented, “While I greatly appreciate the Executive’s Fitness Council for organizing this event, I also want to acknowledge our many wonderful sponsors. We couldn’t bring this event to our community every year without their support. We look forward to seeing you at the pavilion on East Market Street!”

Panel: Maryland Hospitals Should Absorb Sequestration Cuts

The panel that sets hospital rates in Maryland is recommending that the state's hospitals absorb a 2 percent cut to Medicare as part of across-the-board federal spending cuts, a move strongly opposed by the hospitals.

The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission is scheduled to vote Wednesday on the recommendation for the last three months of the current fiscal year, which could mean hospitals won't see rate increases for the rest of Maryland's fiscal 2013, which ends June 30.

Maryland's hospitals say they're already operating on thin margins and the cut would further hurt their solvency. They could lose between $7 million and $8 million a month under the recommended plan.
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Congressman Harris Votes For FAA Flexibility Bill

It Didn’t Have to Come to This

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. voted for the Reducing Flight Delays Act of 2013 (H.R. 1765) that would allow the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to transfer $253 million from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program to their operations account – removing any remaining doubt that the FAA can end the furloughs announced Sunday at airports across the country and keep open the contract towers, including those in Easton and Salisbury.

“Today’s vote, in addition to the announcement by the FAA earlier this month to delay the closure of the Easton and Salisbury control towers until June 15, means there is no reason why these towers should not stay open indefinitely,” said Congressman Harris.

Congressman Harris wrote Administrator of the FAA Michael Huerta recently urging him to reconsider closing the control towers at the Easton and Salisbury airports. He also applauded the announcement earlier this month to delay the closures until June 15.

“It is unfortunate that President Obama has chosen to implement these budget cuts in the most painful manner possible to make a political point. He could have instructed the agencies in question to be prepared for these cuts or worked with Congress on a plan to institute greater flexibility so people would not have to be furloughed.

“This vote demonstrates that President Obama was wrong – these cuts could have been implemented in a way that doesn’t raise taxes, cost jobs, or threaten the American people’s livelihood. It’s too bad this President is more worried about scoring political points than doing what’s right.”

Remember – Congressman Harris found during a House Appropriations hearing on March 5th that White House claims saying Maryland children would not get vaccinated because of sequestration turned out to be suspect because President Obama’s own budget would cut the program in question three times more than sequestration.

Poll: Holder Calls Amnesty A Civil Right?

WHY DOES DHS NEED 1,000 MORE ROUNDS OF AMMO PER PERSON THAN THE U.S. ARMY?

After their pitiful display of accuracy last week in Boston, maybe 1,000 more rounds isn’t enough.
AT LAST, SOME IN CONGRESS ASK: Why does the DHS need 1,000 more rounds of ammo per person than the U.S. Army?

Kudos to Representative Jason Chaffetz for calling out a Department of Homeland Security that appears to resemble President Obama’s “Civilian National Security Force” more and more each day.

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WORKING IS FOR STIFFS

This is the biggest scam in the country, besides Wall Street and the Federal Reserve. Obama has gained at least 1 million automatic votes in the last four years by encouraging lazy good for nothings to join the ranks of the disabled. There is no logical reason for the number of people on SSDI to surge by 17% in less than four years other than fraud. When 33% of the new enrollees claim back pain and 15% get on SSDI because they are depressed, you know it’s mostly dirtbags and lowlifes. It would be fascinating to see which cities acount for the largest proportion of SSDI enrollees. I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that West Philly and the other Democrat run urban shitholes account for the vast majority. The liberal response to the facts below would be that corporate welfare cheating is worse, so this is OK.

That response is bullshit. Fraud and cheating the system is wrong whether it is done by an individual or a corporation. It is a stone cold fact that at least 50% of the people receiving SSDI are capable of working. That means they are robbing the working taxpayer to the tune of about $100 billion per year (SSDI & Medicare). That ain’t chump change. So, if you want to join the FSA just read TBP for a week and get really depressed.

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$2 Trillion US Underground Economy Is The Free Market Striking Back?

$2 Trillion Underground Economy May Be Recovery's Savior ... Estimates are that underground activity last year totaled as much as $2 trillion. The growing underground economy may be helping to prevent the real economy from sinking further, according to analysts. The shadow economy is a system composed of those who can't find a full-time or regular job. Workers turn to anything that pays them under the table, with no income reported and no taxes paid. "I think the underground economy is quite big in the U.S.," said Alexandre Padilla, associate professor of economics at Metropolitan State University of Denver. "Whether it's using undocumented workers or those here legally, it's pretty large." − CNBC

Dominant Social Theme: The US is recovering nicely and doesn't need an underground economy.

Free-Market Analysis: The United States is usually portrayed as a place where – unlike corrupt countries like the former Soviet Union – laws are obeyed, taxes are paid and a grateful nation takes its lead from Congress, the White House and even the military-industrial complex.

But now we see in this mainstream report from CNBC that there is an underground economy after all. Some would call it a black market economy. Others would call a "shadow economy."

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