The Miami Herald has more information:
One of the fired officers, Dario Socarras, reportedly ignored armed robbery and residential burglary calls so he could meet his girlfriend in the parking lot of the Dadeland Mall on two different occasions…More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
MIAMI-DADE POLICE OFFICERS FIRED AFTER VID SHOWS THEM FLAGRANTLY IGNORING EMERGENCY CALLS
The Miami Herald has more information:
SECOND GRADER PLAYING ‘RESCUE THE WORLD’ AT RECESS SUSPENDED AFTER THROWING PRETEND GRENADE AT ‘EVIL FORCES’
It’s getting harder and harder to be a kid these days. Back in the day, children frequently played “cops and robbers” and other good vs. bad games at recess and around the house. Now they’re getting punished for it.
On the heels of three 6-year-olds being suspended for making gun signs with their hands during recess and a 5-year-old girl being suspended and labeled a “terrorist threat” for threatening to shoot her friend with a “Hello Kitty” bubble gun, a 7-year-old Colorado boy at Loveland’s Mary Blair Elementary School is reportedly in a similar position.
So what did he do? Apparently the 2nd grader was playing “rescue the world” at recess when he threw a pretend grenade at a make-believe box full of “evil forces.” There wasn’t actually anything in his hand, nor was there a real box.
More
Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team Press Release 2-5-13
On February 1, 2013, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team concluded a cocaine distribution investigation in the Pocomoke, Maryland area. As a result of this investigation a search and seizure warrant was authored for Christopher Shawn Harmon, Age 39, of Pocomoke, Maryland along with his residence on 8th Street, Pocomoke, Maryland. On this date, Harmon was observed operating a vehicle in the area of Linden Avenue at which time members of the Criminal Enforcement Team attempted to conduct a traffic stop of this vehicle in order to execute this search and seizure warrant. Harmon subsequently fled in this vehicle on to U.S. Route 13, where he was observed discarding several glass vials of cocaine from the window of the vehicle. Harmon was stopped near the intersection of U.S. Route 13 and U.S. Route 113, Pocomoke, Maryland at which time he was taken into custody without further incident. Approximately 12.2 grams of cocaine was recovered from the roadway and Harmon’s vehicle. Harmon was transported to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office where he was charged with the following offenses: Possession of cocaine Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine Harmon was committed to the Worcester County Detention Center on a $25,000.00 bond. Harmon was just recently released on January 3, 2013 from the Maryland Department of Corrections stemming from a previous controlled dangerous substance conviction. The Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team was assisted by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Pocomoke City Police Department, and the Maryland State Police. Lieutenant Edward C. Schreier This e-mail may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the recipient), please contact the sender by reply e-mail and delete all copies of this message.
TED NUGENT GOES OFF ON PIERS MORGAN DURING FIERY GUN DEBATE: ‘YOU’RE SO FULL OF CRAP’
Morgan began the interview by asking his guest to explain to him, “in the least inflammatory way possible,” why any American needs to own an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Morgan had just gotten done shooting an AR-15 at a gun range and said he was surprised by the power it possessed.
After first offering prayers to the Chris Kyle and Littlefield families, Nugent told Morgan to “take it to the bank” that he would never understand the true purpose of firearms.
More
DEF Director Retiring
Obama More Bullish On Background Checks Than Weapons Ban
Obama's remarks to a cadre of law enforcement leaders in Minneapolis crystallized the battle lines in the contentious debate over how to reduce gun violence in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
Facing long odds for either an assault weapons ban or a prohibition on high-capacity ammunition clips, Obama pushed hardest for expanded background checks, calling the proposal "universally supported."
More
Feb 6th Assault Weapons Ban
Wednesday we are taking a bus up to Annapolis for the rally against the Assault weapons ban and the hearings in the senate judiciary committee. We have some spots available please contact Wink's Sporting Goods to reserve a spot 410-621-0400 and ask for Jamie.
What: Committee Hearing and Testimony
When: Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM until as long as it takes
Here are the high points of what you need to know. Be sure to download and
read the details in the 2013_Senate_Gun_Bill_Day_Info_Pak. Print the pages
you need, and bring them with you for reference during the day. Plan on a
very long day.
Parking:
Navy Marine Corps stadium parking lot (free shuttle to Rally - see maps in
Info Pak for details - allow 30 minutes minimum to reach the Rally from the
parking lot)
Weather:
The Rally will be outdoors - dress for the weather - coats and ties are
preferred; equivalent attire for the ladies - please no cammies
Testimony:
If you plan to offer oral testimony, arrive early enough to sign up before
the Rally begins - see Info Pak for sign-up location. See attached sheets
for more information on presenting testimony.
Access:
Allow enough time to pass through security; lines will be long, so give
yourself enough time. NO firearms, knives, outdoor utility tools, or
anything which may be used for aggressive purpose. You will need your photo
ID to enter the buildings so please have it readily available. CCW holders
are NOT permitted to bring firearms into the building - leave them home.
Signs etc.:
Signs or banners are permitted outside the building. No sticks are permitted
on signs.
Opposition:
Do not interact or react to those who support the ban. You won't change
their minds. Ignore them and simply walk away. Do not make the mistake of
enabling them to provoke an incident.
Media:
Avoid speaking to the media. They are not unbiased. Walk away.
What: Committee Hearing and Testimony
When: Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM until as long as it takes
Here are the high points of what you need to know. Be sure to download and
read the details in the 2013_Senate_Gun_Bill_Day_Info_Pak. Print the pages
you need, and bring them with you for reference during the day. Plan on a
very long day.
Parking:
Navy Marine Corps stadium parking lot (free shuttle to Rally - see maps in
Info Pak for details - allow 30 minutes minimum to reach the Rally from the
parking lot)
Weather:
The Rally will be outdoors - dress for the weather - coats and ties are
preferred; equivalent attire for the ladies - please no cammies
Testimony:
If you plan to offer oral testimony, arrive early enough to sign up before
the Rally begins - see Info Pak for sign-up location. See attached sheets
for more information on presenting testimony.
Access:
Allow enough time to pass through security; lines will be long, so give
yourself enough time. NO firearms, knives, outdoor utility tools, or
anything which may be used for aggressive purpose. You will need your photo
ID to enter the buildings so please have it readily available. CCW holders
are NOT permitted to bring firearms into the building - leave them home.
Signs etc.:
Signs or banners are permitted outside the building. No sticks are permitted
on signs.
Opposition:
Do not interact or react to those who support the ban. You won't change
their minds. Ignore them and simply walk away. Do not make the mistake of
enabling them to provoke an incident.
Media:
Avoid speaking to the media. They are not unbiased. Walk away.
A Viewer/Supporter Writes...
Joe,
Sorry that we didn’t get to talk more this morning. I really think that you can, and will make a very positive difference in Salisbury as mayor. I know it must be a drain on your personal life to have to live in Salisbury. There are many out there who appreciate your sacrifice, myself included. Although we do not live in Salisbury, everything that happens there impacts our lives. We as a family living in Wicomico County spend a great deal of our time, and money in Salisbury.
Best wishes and warm regards.
Sorry that we didn’t get to talk more this morning. I really think that you can, and will make a very positive difference in Salisbury as mayor. I know it must be a drain on your personal life to have to live in Salisbury. There are many out there who appreciate your sacrifice, myself included. Although we do not live in Salisbury, everything that happens there impacts our lives. We as a family living in Wicomico County spend a great deal of our time, and money in Salisbury.
Best wishes and warm regards.
Lawmakers: Sewage Spill Fines Should Help Environment, Not Pay Officials
Two local lawmakers want to make sure water pollution fines are used to restore waterways fouled by pollution — not to pay state officials.
State Sen. Bryan Simonaire and Del. Cathy Vitale said they were motivated to pursue legislation following a report in The Capital last summer that found the majority of money in the Maryland Clean Water Fund goes to salaries and overhead at the Maryland Department of the Environment.
“Those funds should go back to restoring or improving the area that was affected,” said Simonaire, R-Pasadena, who is particularly perturbed by repeated sewage spills in the Patapsco River.
The Maryland Clean Water Fund gets money from two broad areas: fees for water-related permits and fines for water pollution violations.
More
State Sen. Bryan Simonaire and Del. Cathy Vitale said they were motivated to pursue legislation following a report in The Capital last summer that found the majority of money in the Maryland Clean Water Fund goes to salaries and overhead at the Maryland Department of the Environment.
“Those funds should go back to restoring or improving the area that was affected,” said Simonaire, R-Pasadena, who is particularly perturbed by repeated sewage spills in the Patapsco River.
The Maryland Clean Water Fund gets money from two broad areas: fees for water-related permits and fines for water pollution violations.
More
100 Years Of U.S. Federal Income Tax
On February 3rd, 1913, one of the two most historic events in US history took place: the ratification of the 16th amendment, which established Congress' right to impose a Federal income tax on Americans, and overturned Article I, Section 9 of the US Constitution which explicitly prohibited a general income tax. The amendment was brief and to the point, and read as follows: "The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration." And with that, the US Federal Income Tax was born and has been with us for precisely 100 years.
More
More
Senate Considers Monthly $2 Natural Gas Surcharge
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Maryland Senate is considering allowing natural gas companies to ask state regulators to impose a $2 surcharge on monthly bills to help recover costs for replacing aging infrastructure.
The Senate is scheduled to take up the bill on Tuesday.
Senators who back the measure say companies need to replace aging pipes to address safety concerns. Opponents say gas companies shouldn't be asking for extra money to do a job they should have been doing all along.
More
The Senate is scheduled to take up the bill on Tuesday.
Senators who back the measure say companies need to replace aging pipes to address safety concerns. Opponents say gas companies shouldn't be asking for extra money to do a job they should have been doing all along.
More
QUOTES OF THE DAY 2-5-13
Nations are not ruined by one act of violence, but gradually and in an almost imperceptible manner by the depreciation of their circulating currency, through excessive quantity? — Nicholas Copernicus – 1525
If you want to remain slaves of the bankers and pay for the costs of your own slavery, let them continue to create money and control the nation’s credit. — Sir Josiah Stamp
Mischief springs from the power which the monied interest derives from a paper currency which they are able to control, and from the multitude of corporations with exclusive privileges…which are employed for their benefit. — Andrew Jackson
The fanatics in the Washington establishment don’t get it that Keynesianism does not work. You cannot increase your debts to pay off your debts. You cannot print more money to cure all of the money you’ve printed, and all of this printed money is flooding out all over the world and wreaking havoc everywhere. They are all running the printing presses. Mark my words, if you don’t own gold you will rue the day you decided not to buy it. — James Dines
The paper money disease has been a pleasant habit thus far and will not be dropped voluntarily any more than a dope user will without a struggle give up narcotics — Congressman Howard Buffett
The annual operating shortfall is running between $4 and $5 trillion; not $500 billion as we saw before the crisis or the $1.4 trillion that they announced for fiscal 2009.Now to put that into perspective, if the government wanted to balance its deficit on a GAAP basis for a year, and it seized all personal income and corporate profits, taxing everything 100%, it would still be in deficit. — John Williams
A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. — Proverbs 22:3
If you want to remain slaves of the bankers and pay for the costs of your own slavery, let them continue to create money and control the nation’s credit. — Sir Josiah Stamp
Mischief springs from the power which the monied interest derives from a paper currency which they are able to control, and from the multitude of corporations with exclusive privileges…which are employed for their benefit. — Andrew Jackson
The fanatics in the Washington establishment don’t get it that Keynesianism does not work. You cannot increase your debts to pay off your debts. You cannot print more money to cure all of the money you’ve printed, and all of this printed money is flooding out all over the world and wreaking havoc everywhere. They are all running the printing presses. Mark my words, if you don’t own gold you will rue the day you decided not to buy it. — James Dines
The paper money disease has been a pleasant habit thus far and will not be dropped voluntarily any more than a dope user will without a struggle give up narcotics — Congressman Howard Buffett
The annual operating shortfall is running between $4 and $5 trillion; not $500 billion as we saw before the crisis or the $1.4 trillion that they announced for fiscal 2009.Now to put that into perspective, if the government wanted to balance its deficit on a GAAP basis for a year, and it seized all personal income and corporate profits, taxing everything 100%, it would still be in deficit. — John Williams
A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. — Proverbs 22:3
Congressional Staff Jobs Provide ‘Dreamers’ A Leg Up To Citizenship
Erika Andiola and Jose M. Quintero gained tentative legal status under President Obama’s non-deportation policy for young adults that took effect in August, and both have been hired to work in district offices for members of Congress.
Coming in the middle of the immigration debate, the hirings are freighted with symbolism about the bargain Mr. Obama and many in Congress want to offer illegal immigrants: come forward, register and be given legal status.
More
Obama Misses His 4th Budget Deadline
President Obama missed the Monday deadline for submitting a budget to Congress, marking the fourth time in five years he has been late — and in a town where missing deadlines is routine, this one is beginning to get noticed.
The Budget Act requires that he submit a blueprint for taxes and spending by the first Monday in February, but only once, in 2010, has he met that deadline. This year, the White House hasn't yet said when it will have a plan.
"Focus on substance over deadlines," White House press secretary Jay Carney urged reporters aboard Air Force One as the president jetted to Minnesota to campaign for stronger gun controls.
More
The Budget Act requires that he submit a blueprint for taxes and spending by the first Monday in February, but only once, in 2010, has he met that deadline. This year, the White House hasn't yet said when it will have a plan.
"Focus on substance over deadlines," White House press secretary Jay Carney urged reporters aboard Air Force One as the president jetted to Minnesota to campaign for stronger gun controls.
More
Ex-Md. County Head John Leopold Faces Discrimination Suits
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - John Leopold's resignation as Anne Arundel county executive isn't the end of his legal troubles.
Leopold is still facing civil discrimination lawsuits from two former county employees who say they were wrongfully fired.
A judge last week found Leopold guilty of misconduct in office for using his security detail to perform political campaign activities while on the job and for making staffers empty his urine catheter bag. Leopold resigned after the verdict.
More
Leopold is still facing civil discrimination lawsuits from two former county employees who say they were wrongfully fired.
A judge last week found Leopold guilty of misconduct in office for using his security detail to perform political campaign activities while on the job and for making staffers empty his urine catheter bag. Leopold resigned after the verdict.
More
Code Blue At Wor-Wic
Someone fell and busted their head open at WorWic Community College. Men in trench coat like jackets are telling students and faculty there was a code blue situation and they cannot access certain areas of the college.
More to come...
More to come...
Highlighting Hunger in Montgomery Co., Leaders Take $5 Challenge
Feeding a family on $5 a day is not a challenge for thousands of families, it's a necessity. Even in affluent Montgomery County, thousands struggle to live on the federally funded supplemental nutrition assistance program, or SNAP, known to most people as food stamps.
In an effort to draw attention to the needs of residents in need, Montgomery County Council member Valerie Ervin came up with the idea of the SNAP Challenge: Get public officials to try to pay for their meals on just $5 a day.
The program is designed to to make an impression on lawmakers to influence their policy-making decisions.
More
In an effort to draw attention to the needs of residents in need, Montgomery County Council member Valerie Ervin came up with the idea of the SNAP Challenge: Get public officials to try to pay for their meals on just $5 a day.
The program is designed to to make an impression on lawmakers to influence their policy-making decisions.
More
Starion Energy
Joe,
Could you please get the word out about Starion Energy. Here is my open letter to them. I imagine more of your readers are getting calls too:
For approximately the last month, I have received multiple telephone calls per day from telephone number (410) 397-XXXX. This number appears on my called ID as “Church Creek, MD.” Most of the time when I answer the call, there is no one on the other end; my “hellos” are met with silence. On every fourth or fifth call, I am greeted by an individual who offers to lower my electric bill. My response of not being interested falls on deaf ears. My request to be removed from the call list falls on deaf ears. I continually received calls, daily. On one occasion I received 6 calls in one day. I have skimmed through my caller ID and noted a few examples of the calls that I have received, AFTER advising that I am not interested and requesting to be removed from the call list:
2/1/2013 at 1:21 pm
1/31/2013 at 7:11 pm
1/31/2013 at 5:14 pm
1/29/2013 at 9:20 am
1/25/2013 at 8:22 pm
1/25/2013 at 2:06 pm
I did a Google search of the telephone number (410)397-0063, and I have found that I am not alone. This is not an anomaly. Telemarketers representing Starion are making repeated telephone calls to others, in violation of FTC regulations, including the National Do-Not-Call list, and in violation of other State and Federal laws and regulations. Review these websites for other examples:
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-410-397-0063
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/4103970063
Today I telephoned Starion’s corporate office at (800)600-3040. I again requested to be removed from the call list. The first person with whom I spoke, I believe her name was Ann, stating something to the effect of, “You are off the list. Didn’t I talk to you last week.” She then advised that she looked into the issue and found that for some reason the call system computer was not “filtering” my telephone number. She apologized and recommended that I signup for the national do-not-call list. I signed up on the first day the law was enacted. Did a lot of good, huh?
I called the corporate office back two more times and spoke to two different employees, requesting that each do the same thing: remove me from the call list. What I found remarkable during one of my conversations is learning the fact that Starion energy is not even available for my service area (Choptank Electric Cooperative, Wicomico County, Maryland.) Starion’s employees are not only wasting my time, they are wasting their own time: I couldn’t become a Starion customer even if I wanted to. It should go without saying… I DO NOT WANT TO BE A STARION CUSTOMER. After this experience, if signing up with Starion could save me $100,000 per year, but Starion would profit one red cent, I would surely say no. If you can please, pretty please, with a cherry on top, facilitate my never receiving another call from Starion for a service that they cannot provide to me, I will forever be indebted to you. It is a reasonable request, is it not?
Until I receive a response from a Starion Energy executive, acknowledging this issue, accepting responsibility for this issue, and ACTING to ensure that these telephone calls end, I will be doing the following:
I will call the Starion Energy Corporate Office daily. I will limit the number of times I call each day to the number of times Starion Telemarketers call me. That seems fair and reasonable, does it not?
I will write letters to area media, bloggers, Facebook associates and anyone else who will listen, and I will convey my experience with Starion Energy. I think potential customers should be duly informed before deciding to do business with them. I will relentlessly spread the word.
I will make formal complaints to any relevant regulatory entity.
Could you please get the word out about Starion Energy. Here is my open letter to them. I imagine more of your readers are getting calls too:
For approximately the last month, I have received multiple telephone calls per day from telephone number (410) 397-XXXX. This number appears on my called ID as “Church Creek, MD.” Most of the time when I answer the call, there is no one on the other end; my “hellos” are met with silence. On every fourth or fifth call, I am greeted by an individual who offers to lower my electric bill. My response of not being interested falls on deaf ears. My request to be removed from the call list falls on deaf ears. I continually received calls, daily. On one occasion I received 6 calls in one day. I have skimmed through my caller ID and noted a few examples of the calls that I have received, AFTER advising that I am not interested and requesting to be removed from the call list:
2/1/2013 at 1:21 pm
1/31/2013 at 7:11 pm
1/31/2013 at 5:14 pm
1/29/2013 at 9:20 am
1/25/2013 at 8:22 pm
1/25/2013 at 2:06 pm
I did a Google search of the telephone number (410)397-0063, and I have found that I am not alone. This is not an anomaly. Telemarketers representing Starion are making repeated telephone calls to others, in violation of FTC regulations, including the National Do-Not-Call list, and in violation of other State and Federal laws and regulations. Review these websites for other examples:
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-410-397-0063
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/4103970063
Today I telephoned Starion’s corporate office at (800)600-3040. I again requested to be removed from the call list. The first person with whom I spoke, I believe her name was Ann, stating something to the effect of, “You are off the list. Didn’t I talk to you last week.” She then advised that she looked into the issue and found that for some reason the call system computer was not “filtering” my telephone number. She apologized and recommended that I signup for the national do-not-call list. I signed up on the first day the law was enacted. Did a lot of good, huh?
I called the corporate office back two more times and spoke to two different employees, requesting that each do the same thing: remove me from the call list. What I found remarkable during one of my conversations is learning the fact that Starion energy is not even available for my service area (Choptank Electric Cooperative, Wicomico County, Maryland.) Starion’s employees are not only wasting my time, they are wasting their own time: I couldn’t become a Starion customer even if I wanted to. It should go without saying… I DO NOT WANT TO BE A STARION CUSTOMER. After this experience, if signing up with Starion could save me $100,000 per year, but Starion would profit one red cent, I would surely say no. If you can please, pretty please, with a cherry on top, facilitate my never receiving another call from Starion for a service that they cannot provide to me, I will forever be indebted to you. It is a reasonable request, is it not?
Until I receive a response from a Starion Energy executive, acknowledging this issue, accepting responsibility for this issue, and ACTING to ensure that these telephone calls end, I will be doing the following:
I will call the Starion Energy Corporate Office daily. I will limit the number of times I call each day to the number of times Starion Telemarketers call me. That seems fair and reasonable, does it not?
I will write letters to area media, bloggers, Facebook associates and anyone else who will listen, and I will convey my experience with Starion Energy. I think potential customers should be duly informed before deciding to do business with them. I will relentlessly spread the word.
I will make formal complaints to any relevant regulatory entity.
USDA Bans Deep Fryers In Employee Cafeterias
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is cutting down on fried foods with a new plan to eliminate deep fryers from the federal department's cafeterias.
The employee dining overhaul is due to the USDA's desire to meet the standards established by the Dietary Guidelines for Americas, which were developed collaboratively by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.
"Like many employers, USDA is taking important steps to improve our cafeteria to enhance the quality and healthfulness of food available for our employees to purchase," says USDA Departmental Management Assistant Secretary Gregory Parham in a news release.
More
The employee dining overhaul is due to the USDA's desire to meet the standards established by the Dietary Guidelines for Americas, which were developed collaboratively by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.
"Like many employers, USDA is taking important steps to improve our cafeteria to enhance the quality and healthfulness of food available for our employees to purchase," says USDA Departmental Management Assistant Secretary Gregory Parham in a news release.
More
POSTCARD CLUB ANNUAL SIGN
DELMARVA POSTCARD CLUB’S
13th ANNUAL SHOW
SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 10, 2013
WICOMICO CIVIC CENTER
CIVIC AVENUE, SALISBURY, MD
DANANG ROOM - 10 AM TO 4 PM
POSTCARD DISPLAYS
FREE ADMISSION & PARKING
POSTCARDS, POSTCARDS & MORE
POSTCARDS!
(Stamp dealers. Too!!)
LOCAL AND OUT OF TOWN DEALERS
FOR INFO CALL: NICK CARTER (410) 632-1474
or GEORGE CHEVALLIER (410) 749-1021
Chicago Rising Murder Rate, Gun Contro
Last week, Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl from Chicago, was performing with her high school band at President Obama's inauguration.
On Tuesday, she was gunned down as she sought shelter from the rain under a canopy in a park near her well-regarded prep school — and less than a mile from Obama's Chicago home.
Instantly, the teen — an honors student, volleyball player, and majorette at Kings College Prep School — became the face of Chicago's high, and possibly rising, murder rate.
She also became part of the debate over gun violence that has erupted since the December massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., as Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) cited her death as the latest evidence of the need for more strict gun control.
Gun-control advocates, however, note that Hadiya Pendleton was the 44th person to die in Chicago this year.
"That puts Chicago on pace to surpass last year's total of more than 500 murders," says the Washington Examiner in an editorial. Is that because the city has lenient gun laws? Quite the opposite, according to the Examiner. If anything, the paper says, Chicago is a laboratory that is proving that "feel-good laws" really "do nothing to decrease gun violence."
More
On Tuesday, she was gunned down as she sought shelter from the rain under a canopy in a park near her well-regarded prep school — and less than a mile from Obama's Chicago home.
Instantly, the teen — an honors student, volleyball player, and majorette at Kings College Prep School — became the face of Chicago's high, and possibly rising, murder rate.
She also became part of the debate over gun violence that has erupted since the December massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., as Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) cited her death as the latest evidence of the need for more strict gun control.
Gun-control advocates, however, note that Hadiya Pendleton was the 44th person to die in Chicago this year.
"That puts Chicago on pace to surpass last year's total of more than 500 murders," says the Washington Examiner in an editorial. Is that because the city has lenient gun laws? Quite the opposite, according to the Examiner. If anything, the paper says, Chicago is a laboratory that is proving that "feel-good laws" really "do nothing to decrease gun violence."
More
Republican Delegates Question Use Of Highway Funds For Transit, Other Programs
“We were told that all of the money from the general fund has been paid back, but there’s about a billion dollars from the highway user fund that has not been returned,” said Del. Nancy Stocksdale, R-Carroll. Stocksdale was referring to the $1.1 billion of highway funds that have been diverted from the transportation trust fund to the general fund since 2003.
Legislative analyst Jonathan Martin explained that highway user revenues are not technically part of the transportation trust fund and that because they are a legally distinct entity, the O’Malley administration is correct in saying that it paid off all its debts to the transportation trust fund.
More
Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release
Carl Lamont Fosque of Crisfield, arrested 1-23-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Fosque was released after posting a $1,000 bond.
Nina K Adkins of Crisfield, arrested 1-25-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Adkins was later held without bond.
April Lynn Dennis of Seaford Delaware, arrested 1-25-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Dennis was later released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
Cynthia Marie Davis of Princess Anne, arrested 1-29-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Davis was held on a $10,000 bond.
Marvin Argueta-Coj of Princess Anne, arrested 1-29-13 for three warrants regarding failing to appear in court, and resisting arrest. Argueta was held on a $20,000 bond.
Rasoul Bilal Pasha of Crisfield, arrested 1-30-13 on a warrant for theft less than $1,000, and possession of cds, not marijuana. Pasha was later released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Dwayne Scott Fischer of Eden, arrested 1-30-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Fischer was held on a $35,000 bond.
Kermit Lawson Jr. of Marion, arrested 1-31-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Lawson was held without bond until transferred to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
Brandon Alexander Waters of Fruitland, arrested 1-31-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Waters was held on a $10,000 bond.
Nina K Adkins of Crisfield, arrested 1-25-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Adkins was later held without bond.
April Lynn Dennis of Seaford Delaware, arrested 1-25-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Dennis was later released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.
Cynthia Marie Davis of Princess Anne, arrested 1-29-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Davis was held on a $10,000 bond.
Marvin Argueta-Coj of Princess Anne, arrested 1-29-13 for three warrants regarding failing to appear in court, and resisting arrest. Argueta was held on a $20,000 bond.
Rasoul Bilal Pasha of Crisfield, arrested 1-30-13 on a warrant for theft less than $1,000, and possession of cds, not marijuana. Pasha was later released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Dwayne Scott Fischer of Eden, arrested 1-30-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Fischer was held on a $35,000 bond.
Kermit Lawson Jr. of Marion, arrested 1-31-13 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Lawson was held without bond until transferred to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
Brandon Alexander Waters of Fruitland, arrested 1-31-13 on a warrant for violation of probation. Waters was held on a $10,000 bond.
Happiness Is Not The Best Way To Measure Success
Should happiness or productivity be the measure of whether you’ve lived a good life?
Author and career coach Marty Nemko thinks that the answer is productivity. As he points out in his latest book What’s The Big Idea: Reinventions for a Better America: “the extent to which you have left the world better is, in my view, the most valid criterion for assessing whether you’ve lived a worthwhile life.”
Instead of filling our lives with things that might make us happy in the moment like video games, movies, tasty foods, fancy clothes, vacations, or a nice car, he recommends that we live life by using The Meter. The idea is simple yet powerful:
Author and career coach Marty Nemko thinks that the answer is productivity. As he points out in his latest book What’s The Big Idea: Reinventions for a Better America: “the extent to which you have left the world better is, in my view, the most valid criterion for assessing whether you’ve lived a worthwhile life.”
Instead of filling our lives with things that might make us happy in the moment like video games, movies, tasty foods, fancy clothes, vacations, or a nice car, he recommends that we live life by using The Meter. The idea is simple yet powerful:
S&P Expects U.S. Lawsuit Over Its Mortgage Ratings
Standard & Poor’s says the government plans to file a civil lawsuit alleging wrongdoing by the agency when it gave high ratings to mortgage debt securities that later plunged in value and fueled the 2008 financial crisis.
S&P said Monday that it has been told by the Justice Department that it intends to file a civil lawsuit focusing on S&P’s ratings on some mortgage debt securities in 2007. A suit would mark the first enforcement action by the federal government against a major rating agency over the issue.
The big rating agency denies any wrongdoing and says any lawsuit would be without factual or legal merit.
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S&P said Monday that it has been told by the Justice Department that it intends to file a civil lawsuit focusing on S&P’s ratings on some mortgage debt securities in 2007. A suit would mark the first enforcement action by the federal government against a major rating agency over the issue.
The big rating agency denies any wrongdoing and says any lawsuit would be without factual or legal merit.
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Severe Disaffection: Seventy-five Percent of US Citizens Don't Trust Government
A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds the nation is increasingly distrustful of the federal government: 73 percent don't have faith that lawmakers – members of Congress in particular – will do the right thing. Judy Woodruff asks Andy Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center, for more details and historical context. – PBS Newshour
Dominant Social Theme: This has been going on for a long time and is nothing new. When the economy improves, people will feel better.
Free-Market Analysis: The Pew Survey has found that three-quarters of the United States population doesn't trust government but for the Public Broadcasting System, it's a partisan issue and also "business as usual."
From our point of view, it is not, of course. It is a manifestation of a larger disaffection that has been exacerbated by what we call the Internet Reformation. The Internet allows people to understand their world in ways they didn't before and tends to put discontent into a larger perspective.
Whereas before, people might have been more apt to blame themselves or their circumstances for their troubles, now they may see their dilemmas as part of a larger systemic issue. But the nation's media gatekeepers like PBS continue to focus on such issues as they have in the past, mainly through the lens of the two-party political system. This in a sense trivializes the growing discontent and misinterprets it, as well.
In a transcript of a discussion of the findings, Judy Woodruff of PBS, the US public news organization, positioned the issue as one where people felt they were "not getting what they want out of government."
More
Dominant Social Theme: This has been going on for a long time and is nothing new. When the economy improves, people will feel better.
Free-Market Analysis: The Pew Survey has found that three-quarters of the United States population doesn't trust government but for the Public Broadcasting System, it's a partisan issue and also "business as usual."
From our point of view, it is not, of course. It is a manifestation of a larger disaffection that has been exacerbated by what we call the Internet Reformation. The Internet allows people to understand their world in ways they didn't before and tends to put discontent into a larger perspective.
Whereas before, people might have been more apt to blame themselves or their circumstances for their troubles, now they may see their dilemmas as part of a larger systemic issue. But the nation's media gatekeepers like PBS continue to focus on such issues as they have in the past, mainly through the lens of the two-party political system. This in a sense trivializes the growing discontent and misinterprets it, as well.
In a transcript of a discussion of the findings, Judy Woodruff of PBS, the US public news organization, positioned the issue as one where people felt they were "not getting what they want out of government."
More
Fans Bet Record $98.9M In Nevada On Super Bowl
Sports fans bet a record $98.9 million at Nevada casinos on the Super Bowl, the Nevada Gaming Control Board said Monday.
Unaudited tallies show 183 sports books made $7.2 million on the football action. The San Francisco 49ers started out as a 5-point favorite but the Baltimore Ravens won 34-31.
Odds makers say California fans drove the unprecedented handle, flooding Las Vegas and the Lake Tahoe area with wagers on the hometown team, which hadn't been in the Super Bowl since 1995.
More
Unaudited tallies show 183 sports books made $7.2 million on the football action. The San Francisco 49ers started out as a 5-point favorite but the Baltimore Ravens won 34-31.
Odds makers say California fans drove the unprecedented handle, flooding Las Vegas and the Lake Tahoe area with wagers on the hometown team, which hadn't been in the Super Bowl since 1995.
More
THE STOCK MARKET: FOOD STAMPS FOR THE 1%
For most of the past four or five years, I have spent the majority of my time studying the dominant forces that fuel the power structure that exists in these Unites States today, and indeed throughout the world. My education began quite suddenly and unexpectedly in the middle of the last decade when I started understanding fiat money, Central Banking and the global monetary system. Since then, I have expanded my understanding to mainstream media brainwashing, the military-industrial complex, the role of the political oligarchs in Washington D.C., the corruption of the food industry under the complicity of the FDA itself and much more. The more I peered under the curtain, no matter what the industry, the clearer it became that the system had no chance of survival under its current form. What’s worse, it became obvious that the very small 0.01% of the population that I call oligarchs (financial and political), who are actively gaming the system for their own pleasure, are well aware of the system’s terminal nature. That’s why they are rapidly putting in place the police state grid.
That said, this article is not about the implementation of the surveillance state. I cover that pretty much daily these days. This post is more of a philosophical stream of consciousness; a guilty pleasure that I have not engaged in as of late.
I have mentioned many times in the past that food stamps are just a payoff to the poor. While I think a permanent and expanding welfare state is completely and utterly destructive to an economy and culture, I do not demonize these folks. The vast majority of them would like to work and be productive. They are victims and this is being done to them quite intentionally. It creates dependency. It keeps them off the streets. It’s an unspoken bribe plain and simple. The oligarchs do not want angry, roving, hungry masses on the streets while they strip mine what’s left of the economy. Food stamps, disability and all sorts of other freebies take care of this segment of the population as the oligarchs continue on with their crimes and prepare for the day of reckoning (hence the surveillance grid).
More
That said, this article is not about the implementation of the surveillance state. I cover that pretty much daily these days. This post is more of a philosophical stream of consciousness; a guilty pleasure that I have not engaged in as of late.
I have mentioned many times in the past that food stamps are just a payoff to the poor. While I think a permanent and expanding welfare state is completely and utterly destructive to an economy and culture, I do not demonize these folks. The vast majority of them would like to work and be productive. They are victims and this is being done to them quite intentionally. It creates dependency. It keeps them off the streets. It’s an unspoken bribe plain and simple. The oligarchs do not want angry, roving, hungry masses on the streets while they strip mine what’s left of the economy. Food stamps, disability and all sorts of other freebies take care of this segment of the population as the oligarchs continue on with their crimes and prepare for the day of reckoning (hence the surveillance grid).
More
GOVERNMENT UNION DRONES WILL FIGHT AGAINST YOUR INTERESTS TO THE END
Only corrupt politician hacks that slither through the State House in Harrisburg could possibly oppose the privitazation of the State monopoly on liquor sales in Pennsylvania. Governor Corbett is again taking on the government union drones that are ruining the finances of the state. Fast Eddie Rendell did nothing about this outrage in his 8 years as governor, because he and his Democratic cronies are bought and sold by the unions. Pennsylvanians are stuck with a Prohibition era system of State owned and operated liquor stores. You cannot buy alcohol anywhere but State stores and Beer distributors. It’s a monopoly that drives prices sky high, reduces selection, increases the inconvenience for every person in PA, and pays for the gold plated pensions of 3,500 retail union government drones. This antiquated, inefficient, expensive joke of a system is kept in place by corrupt politicians to benefit 3,500 drones at the expense of the 12.7 million Pennsylvanians who are plagued by high prices and limited selection.
Corbett’s plan would end the monopoly, allow alcohol to be sold at grocery stores, Costco, and anyone willing to pay for a new license. Prices would plummet, as free market competition would work its magic. The selection and convenience for customers would increase dramatically. And it would raise $1 billion of revenue for the schools. And here is why I despise government unions. The school systems across the state are being destroyed by the pension payouts to the union teacher gold plated funds put into place and not funded by prior administrations. These same government union workers will fight Corbett’s plan to privatize the State stores, even though the money raised will go towards the school budgets. Theses unions don’t care about students or taxpayers. They only care about getting as much out of the taxpayer as they can and funneling money to politicians who protect their interests.
Polls show there is overwhelming support for privatizing the state stores. So what will the politicians do? They will ignore the will of the people and vote against Corbett’s plan. Remember TARP? Over 90% of Americans were against it. What did the politicians do?
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Corbett’s plan would end the monopoly, allow alcohol to be sold at grocery stores, Costco, and anyone willing to pay for a new license. Prices would plummet, as free market competition would work its magic. The selection and convenience for customers would increase dramatically. And it would raise $1 billion of revenue for the schools. And here is why I despise government unions. The school systems across the state are being destroyed by the pension payouts to the union teacher gold plated funds put into place and not funded by prior administrations. These same government union workers will fight Corbett’s plan to privatize the State stores, even though the money raised will go towards the school budgets. Theses unions don’t care about students or taxpayers. They only care about getting as much out of the taxpayer as they can and funneling money to politicians who protect their interests.
Polls show there is overwhelming support for privatizing the state stores. So what will the politicians do? They will ignore the will of the people and vote against Corbett’s plan. Remember TARP? Over 90% of Americans were against it. What did the politicians do?
More
Miller Reveals Transportation Funding Plan, Including 3 Percent Gas Tax
Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr. officially introduced his transportation funding plan on Monday evening.
Miller's plan includes a new 3 percent sales tax on gas paid at the wholesale level and giving local jurisdictions the ability to add as much as 5 cents to the state's existing 23.5-cents-a-gallon gas tax to pay for local road and transit projects.
Funding for transportation projects has been a hot topic since 2010. But lawmakers have struggled to agree on how the state will pay for proposed high-dollar projects including the Red Line in Baltimore, the Purple Line in Prince George's and Montgomery counties and the Corridor Cities Transitway along Interstate 270 northwest of Washington. The state currently only has enough money to maintain existing projects, officials have said.
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Miller's plan includes a new 3 percent sales tax on gas paid at the wholesale level and giving local jurisdictions the ability to add as much as 5 cents to the state's existing 23.5-cents-a-gallon gas tax to pay for local road and transit projects.
Funding for transportation projects has been a hot topic since 2010. But lawmakers have struggled to agree on how the state will pay for proposed high-dollar projects including the Red Line in Baltimore, the Purple Line in Prince George's and Montgomery counties and the Corridor Cities Transitway along Interstate 270 northwest of Washington. The state currently only has enough money to maintain existing projects, officials have said.
More
Two Thirds Of Americans Aged 45-60 Plan To Delay Retiremen
With today's jobs number due out shortly, it is worth pointing out some of the key trends that we have observed in the underlying data stripped of month-to-month seasonal variance, which expose the "quality" side of the US non-recovery, instead of the far more manageable "quantity" side. First and foremost, as we showed over two years ago [6], and as the mainstream is gradually picking up [7], the US labor force is increasingly transitioning to one of part-time, and temp workers, which has key implications for wages, worker leverage, and overall job prospects, all of which logically are negative. But perhaps an even more disturbing trends is the conversion of America into a gerontocratic worker society, where the bulk of jobs are handed out to those 55 and over [8], which puts all young workers, not to mention college graduates, at a major disadvantage relative to far more experienced older workers, who are willing to work for less as they scramble to compensate for retirement shortfalls, and which prevents the natural rotation of the US labor force from older to younger.
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REPEAT DUI OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 8 YEARS
On February 4, 2013, James David Nibblett, Jr., age 48, of Berlin, Maryland, was sentenced on one count of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol as a subsequent offender. A Wicomico County Circuit Court judge sentenced Nibblett to the maximum sentence under state law: 3 years in the Maryland Division of Corrections, with all but 1 year and 1 day suspended. Nibblett will be subject to 3 years of supervised probation upon his release from prison. This sentence was in addition to recent sentences that were previously imposed in two other similar cases.
On October 19, 2012, Nibblett appeared before the Wicomico County Circuit Court for a separate Driving Under the Influence arrest. On that date, he was sentenced to 2 years in the Division of Corrections, with all but 1 year and 1 day suspended. Less than a week later, on October 25, 2012, Nibblett appeared in the Wicomico County District Court and was sentenced to 3 years in the Division of Corrections with one year suspended on yet another Driving Under the Influence case. These three convictions represent Nibblett’s four, fifth and sixth convictions for alcohol related traffic offenses.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Maryland State Police and the Fruitland Police Department for their work in the investigation and prosecution of these three cases. Mr. Maciarello also thanked James L. Britt and Jared Monteiro who prosecuted Nibblett. Mr. Maciarello stated, “The 8 year sentence received by this defendant, which includes 4 years of active time in the Division of Corrections, is a strong message to repeat offenders that driving under the influence and driving impaired will not be tolerated in Wicomico County.”
On October 19, 2012, Nibblett appeared before the Wicomico County Circuit Court for a separate Driving Under the Influence arrest. On that date, he was sentenced to 2 years in the Division of Corrections, with all but 1 year and 1 day suspended. Less than a week later, on October 25, 2012, Nibblett appeared in the Wicomico County District Court and was sentenced to 3 years in the Division of Corrections with one year suspended on yet another Driving Under the Influence case. These three convictions represent Nibblett’s four, fifth and sixth convictions for alcohol related traffic offenses.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Maryland State Police and the Fruitland Police Department for their work in the investigation and prosecution of these three cases. Mr. Maciarello also thanked James L. Britt and Jared Monteiro who prosecuted Nibblett. Mr. Maciarello stated, “The 8 year sentence received by this defendant, which includes 4 years of active time in the Division of Corrections, is a strong message to repeat offenders that driving under the influence and driving impaired will not be tolerated in Wicomico County.”
Ravens' Super Bowl Win Sets Ratings Record
Officials from the Nielsen Company reported the game scored a 48.1 rating.
That's 1 percent higher than last year's game in which the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17, according to Nielsen officials.
Movie Screening
Hello my name is Dawn Roberts and I am a local mom with children adopted from China. We are fortunate enough to have been able to schedule a screening of a new documentary called "Somewhere Between" at Regal Cinema in Salisbury on March 11 @ 7:30pm. Below is a synopsis:
In profiling Chinese adoptees in contemporary America, Linda Goldstein Knowlton's (THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SESAME STREET) deeply moving documentary illustrates that even the most specific of experiences can be universally relatable. Of the roughly 80,000 girls who have been adopted from China since 1989—a decade after China implemented its One Child Policy—the film intimately follows four teenagers: Haley, Jenna, Ann, and Fang. These four wise-beyond-their-years, yet typical American teens, reveal a heartbreaking sense of self awareness as they attempt to answer the uniquely human question, “Who am I?” They meet and bond with other adoptees, some journey back to China to reconnect with the culture, and some reach out to the orphaned girls left behind. In their own ways, all attempt to make sense of their complex identities. Issues of belonging, race, and gender are brought to life through these articulate subjects, who approach life with honesty and open hearts. *A note to parents: Due to the sensitive subject matter, this film is not recommended for ages 13 and under.
This even will happen ONLY if enough tickets are sold. Would you be willing to post information about this event? It is good information for any trans racial adoptive family, not only those with children adopted from China.
The tickets can be purchased at the following web site : http://www.tugg.com/events/2977
Tickets are $13
Thank you so much!
In profiling Chinese adoptees in contemporary America, Linda Goldstein Knowlton's (THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SESAME STREET) deeply moving documentary illustrates that even the most specific of experiences can be universally relatable. Of the roughly 80,000 girls who have been adopted from China since 1989—a decade after China implemented its One Child Policy—the film intimately follows four teenagers: Haley, Jenna, Ann, and Fang. These four wise-beyond-their-years, yet typical American teens, reveal a heartbreaking sense of self awareness as they attempt to answer the uniquely human question, “Who am I?” They meet and bond with other adoptees, some journey back to China to reconnect with the culture, and some reach out to the orphaned girls left behind. In their own ways, all attempt to make sense of their complex identities. Issues of belonging, race, and gender are brought to life through these articulate subjects, who approach life with honesty and open hearts. *A note to parents: Due to the sensitive subject matter, this film is not recommended for ages 13 and under.
This even will happen ONLY if enough tickets are sold. Would you be willing to post information about this event? It is good information for any trans racial adoptive family, not only those with children adopted from China.
The tickets can be purchased at the following web site : http://www.tugg.com/events/2977
Tickets are $13
Thank you so much!
WCSO Press Release 2-5-13
- 2/4/2013 Assault on Deputy - Rivero
- 2/4/2013 Robbery - Vass
- 2/4/2013 Burglary - Culp/Lowe
- 2/4/2013 Drug Violation - Warren
- 2/4/2013 DUI - Carroll
- 2/1/2013 Resist- Henry
- 2/1/2013 CDS & Resisting- Tingle
- 2/1/2013 Warrant- Smith
- 2/1/2013 Warrant- Dupont
- 2/1/2013 Forgery- Davis
- 2/1/2013 Assault- Strohm & Reynolds
- 2/1/2013 Extradition- Scott
- 2/1/2013 Fugitive- Baynard
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