Listen To Me Very Carefully: By Joe Albero

OBAMA: "After years of grueling recession, our businesses have created over 6 million new jobs."

In the post just below it talks about the facts of Obama's State of the Union Address. In this case, 6 million new jobs.

I'd like to share my personal thoughts and opinion on this matter.

It's no secret that with the fear of Obamacare upon the business world, many of the largest corporations are cutting back part time hours to less than 30 hours a week. Some full time jobs are now being cut back to less than 30 hours a week. DON'T BE FOOLED as to why. 

While hours are being cut back and Obama trying to increase the minimum wage, MORE people, (PART TIME) will be hired to fill in the gaps. Hence, yes, more people will be employed and the unemployment will in fact DROP. HOWEVER, they will be filled with more part time jobs, NOT full time jobs. 

It's a numbers game Ladies & Gentlemen and it's a GAME in which is NOT going to help cure America's desperate need for good paying jobs. 

When your child comes out of college and needs a good paying job to pay back loans, buy a car, pay for insurance, get a place of their own and fumble around for change to eat off the dollar menu every night, our leader, (Obama) is NOT fooling this American. 

Obama is dumbing down America and I can only hope YOU are not falling for it. Salisbury has enough of this similar problem WITHOUT President Obama making it even worse. Home Depot, WalMart and many other corporations are already cutting back hours and preparing for the worst. 

This is why I announced my intent to make the Mayor's job a FULL TIME job. Yes, even at the $25,000.00 a year it now offers. Half of my day will be spent doing the business of the City as your Mayor and the other half will be dedicated to reaching out to businesses that provide great paying jobs and encourage them to relocate to Salisbury, Maryland from all over the world. 

We can no longer do what Jim Ireton and Barrie Tilghman have done by sitting back and waiting for businesses to fall into their laps. You must work hard to bring these businesses here and STOP calling Press Conferences pointing fingers at every one else, blaming them for why Salisbury is so far behind. 

We do not need 500 affordable housing units Downtown by giving away our Downtown parking lots. We need good paying jobs so people can afford well built homes they can buy and afford. We want homes with 50 year roofing shingles, not 10 year roofing shingles.

As your next Mayor I will work hard to plan ahead, think out of the box and NOT depend on scraps our Government leaves us to pick on. This is called LEADERSHIP. 

Sheriff Offers Roses For Tips On Bad Guys

The Queen Anne's County Sheriff is using Valentine's Day to try and find some wanted suspects.

Sheriff Gary Hofman says he will personally give a dozen roses and a card to the significant others or spouses of the wanted suspects who give deputies information about their whereabouts.

The Sheriff is featured in the YouTube video then showing photos the suspects and offering information about their alleged crimes. 
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PUBLIC NOTICE

FEBRUARY 19, 2013 WORK SESSION

TO BEGIN AT 2 P.M.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION

WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 IN ROOM #306

OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING. TO ACCOMMODATE

CONFLICTING SCHEDULES, THE WORK SESSION HAS BEEN

RESCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 2 P.M.

Infested Shipment Found At Port Of Baltimore

Agriculture specialists with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection are confirming that a recent incoming shipment was heavily infested with an insect from India.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office agriculture specialists at the Port of Baltimore say they discovered that the shipment of celery seed was heavily infested with Khapra Beetles.

The discovery was made February 7th at the Port of Baltimore. No live insects were found, officials say.
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SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR MURDER OF FREDERICK CO. MAN

(NEW YORK, NY) – An Anne Arundel County man was arrested early this morning at a New York airport after a warrant was issued charging him with the murder of a Frederick County man whose body was found in the trunk of his car late last year.
The suspect is identified as Michael A. Stahlnecker, 51, of the 1700-block of Fallsway Drive, Crofton, Md. He is charged on a warrant from the District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County with first degree murder, second degree murder, first degree assault, second degree assault, reckless endangerment, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony/violent crime. 

Stahlnecker was arrested shortly before 6:00 a.m. today by New York/New Jersey Port Authority Police, special agents from ICE Homeland Security Investigations, and the US Marshals Service, as he prepared to board a flight at the JFK International Airport. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, the State Apprehension Team, and the Frederick County Narcotics Task Force were with federal agents and Port Authority Police when the arrest was made. Stahlnecker is currently held on a fugitive warrant in New York pending extradition proceedings to return him to Maryland.

The victim is identified as John P. Ryan, 37, of Frederick, Md. His body was found in his 2007 Lexus in a parking lot in the 15000-block of Somerville Drive, Derwood, Md., on the afternoon of December 3, 2012. Police had been searching for Ryan since his wife reported him missing to the Frederick Police Department on November 29, 2012.

Since the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit became involved with this investigation, investigators have worked closely with the Frederick County Narcotics Task Force. Task force investigators had initiated an investigation in the summer of 2012 into allegations that Ryan and associates were involved in the importation and distribution of marijuana. Stahlnecker was identified as a close associate of Ryan’s in this operation.

State Police homicide investigators believe Ryan had a meeting scheduled with Stahlnecker on the morning of November 28, 2012, at a warehouse leased by the suspect in the 3300-block of Laurel Fort Meade Road, Laurel, Md. A search warrant served at the address resulted in the recovery of Ryan’s blood near the rear loading dock and on the bristles of a broom outside the rear of the business.

Investigators believe evidence indicates Ryan was shot at the warehouse location and then driven in his car to the address in Montgomery County where his body was found in the trunk. A motive has not been confirmed at this time, however investigators determined Stahlnecker owed large amounts of money to several persons.

The investigation is continuing.

‘SICKENING’: VID ALLEGEDLY SHOWS THUGS STRIPPING NEWARK TEEN, WHIPPING HIM OVER $20

Shocking video recorded in Newark, New Jersey appears to show a man forcing a teenager to strip naked before rapidly and ruthlessly beating him with a belt for several minutes. To make the degradation complete, another individual filmed the scene and the apparent attacker forced the victim to tell the camera “it’s a dog eat dog world.”

At the beginning of the video, the assailant cites a $20 debt as the reason for the beating. It’s difficult to make out, but some sites say it wasn’t even the boy who owed $20, but his ​father​.

“Where my money at?” the suspect demands between lashings.
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Arrogance Of Power!

Just how utterly reliant on sheer power is President Obama can be appreciated from the fact that no one in his administration bothers to defend his policy of confiscating people's resources. Apart from calling upon the phony support of a few super rich folks like Warren Buffet − who, I understand, is by no means offering his own wealth up for use by Mr. Obama (instead, engaging in customary dodging and weaving, not paying up) − no argument has been put forth by the administration for the progressive tax policy it relies upon. Merely declaring that the very wealthy "may be asked" to contribute a higher percentage of their belongings isn't an argument, merely a dishonest dogma. Why, one may ask! What principle supports this policy of public finance? Why must those with exceptional talent, skill, luck, etc. be punished for possessing these?

Sure, such very rich folks may not need their resources as badly as do poorer folks but why is that a justification for the confiscatory policy? It simply is not. Matters concerning who needs what, how much, etc., just have no generalized answer. "Fair share" is a made-up idea, a rationalization, based on nothing more than the wish to take, take and take some more. Such a wish has no standing in morality or public finance!

If the country were some kind of club or organization that came together voluntarily, with the provision that dues will be progressive, the case would be different. But just being born into a society with greater advantages and resources than others possess doesn't by any means serve as a valid reason to be subjected to confiscation. Consent would be needed for that; otherwise, what we have is nothing different from highway robbery.

Some gullible folks have compared Obama's philosophy of public finance to Robin Hoodism but that's entirely misguided. What Robin Hood did was to take funds back from those who taxed the population! Robin Hood correctly regarded taxes as unjustified takings, as robbery!

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Spinach

Joe, I just got a recorded phone call from Sam's Club stating that the Spinach we bought a few days ago could possibly have ecoli! Not sure if you want to post it, but might be a good idea. People need to find out before eating it. I will take mine back like they recommended. It is Taylor's Organic Spinach. Sell by date Feb.24th.

Bills Seek To Slow The Revolving Door Of Public Officials Into Lobbying

In hopes of slowing the political revolving door out of government to influence government as a lobbyist, House Minority Leader O’Donnell testified Tuesday for package of four ethics measures he’s introduced.

The package seeks to renew and in some cases tighten up the ethics code, particularly as it relates to former government officials becoming lobbyists to advocate for issues they worked on and where their influence remains.

“The reason I put these bills in is because they address potential problems,” said O’Donnell. He supports “anything we can do to raise the perception [of political integrity] in the public’s eye.”
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A Black Box in Every Car - To Make You Safer

Feds Set To Mandate "Black Box" Data Recorders In Every Car And Truck ... Privacy advocates worry, but technology has caught bad drivers lying about accident causes ... Accident investigators will soon have black-box data from all crashes, because of a new rule set to be finalized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ... Many motorists don't know it, but it's likely that every time they get behind the wheel, there's a snitch along for the ride. ... This week ended the public comment period on a proposed law that would put so-called black boxes in every new car sold by September 1, 2014. The thing is, most cars already have them unbeknownst to many drivers. – AP

Dominant Social Theme: The government intends to make you safer, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Free-Market Analysis: We've known this was coming but we are still surprised that the plans proceed – and that the rationale remains the same.

What articles like this show clearly is that wire services like AP are content with sticking with a general theme that governments are "here to help" and that the intrusiveness of government and demolition of privacy is less important than saving lives.

A subdominant social theme would be that industry and government working together can make a difference. But this, in fact, is an invitation to more authoritarianism rather than less.

Private public partnerships are always going to yield to mercantilism in which government is used by some powerful private powers to advance their agendas over others.

In this case, the private party is, generally speaking, a tiny power elite that wants to implement world government and is continually launching initiatives to generate the required result.

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Md. Inmate Homicides Spiked in 2012

HAGERSTOWN — Inmate-on-inmate homicides at Maryland state prisons spiked in 2012 to seven, the highest number in at least 11 years, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said Tuesday.

The seven slayings, up from four in 2011, were isolated incidents that don’t reflect decreased safety at the agency’s 27 institutions, spokesman Rick Binetti said in an emailed response to questions from The Associated Press. He said inmate-on-inmate homicides have averaged 3.6 per year since 2001.

“While there was an uptick last year at seven, there have been other years where that has kicked up above the average as well,” Binetti wrote. For example, there were six such deaths in both 2009 and 2006, he said.
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This Is What Textbook Capital Controls Look Like

Selling snake oil and issuing unbacked paper currency are not so different. They're both wildly successful ploys for the guys pulling the strings. And they're both complete scams that depend solely on the confidence of a willing, ignorant public.

But once the confidence begins to erode, the fraud unravels very, very quickly, and the perpetrators resort to desperate measures in order to keep the party going.

In the case of fiat currency, governments in terminal decline resort to a very limited, highly predictable playbook in which they try to control... everything... imposing capital controls, exchange controls, wage controls, price controls, trade controls, border controls, and sometimes even people controls.

These tactics have been used since the ancient Sumerians. This time is not different.

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State Treasurer Says Md. Bonds Face Moody’s Downgrade

As fiscal brinkmanship continues in Congress, state treasurer Nancy Kopp warned a Maryland Senate committee that a federal sequester and the resulting cuts to the state budget could result in a downgrade of Maryland’s triple-A credit rating from Moody’s Analytics, one of America’s three major credit rating agencies.

On Tuesday, Kopp told the Senate Budget and Tax Committee that she recently had discussions with Moody’s representatives. She argued that Maryland’s educated workforce and “conservative budget” make it worthy of the agency’s highest credit rating. But the agency has refused to budge on its position that Maryland’s creditworthiness depends upon the outcome of Washington budget negotiations.

“There is this cloud on the horizon,” Kopp said. “If those ladies and gentleman on Capitol Hill can’t get it together and reach the consensus that Moody’s wants, then they will downgrade the United States, and they might downgrade Maryland, too.”
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DelDOT Reports Diesel Spill

St. Georges -- St. Georges -- About 1600 gallons of diesel fuel is being recovered today; the result of a spill that occurred over the weekend at a DelDOT facility near St. Georges, DE.
The spilled fuel was contained by a nearby retention pond, and there are no indications that any of the fuel reached a nearby stream.

DelDOT officials became aware of the extent of the spill this morning. Operators had fueled vehicles at this location during storm operations this past weekend.

As part of their Hazardous Material plan, DelDOT personnel contacted the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to report the incident. In addition, DelDOT officials also contacted Guardian Environmental Services, a contractor for DelDOT, who had a team on site within 30 minutes to contain and clean up the spill.

Environmental experts at the scene said they were confident most of the fuel would be recovered. Clean-up operations should be completed this evening.

Clean-up costs are estimated to be about $50,000. DelDOT is cooperating with DNREC's Environmental Crimes Unit to determine the cause of the spill.

The Most Common Pain Killer ... Is A Killer

Take a close look through your medicine cabinet. First look for all the obvious Tylenol medications – Tylenol, Tylenol PM, Tylenol Cough and Cold, acetaminophen (the generic name for Tylenol), etc. Next, look for any prescription pain medications you may have such as Lortab or Hydrocodone/APAP – the APAP means Tylenol has been added. Check cold medications – Nyquil, Alka-Seltzer Plus, St. Joseph Aspirin Free and Zicam, etc. Any drug that has APAP, cet, or acetam as part of the name probably contains Tylenol. Notice how many of your medications contain acetaminophen/Tylenol.

This hunt is not just an academic exercise. Tylenol is the No. 1 reason for liver failure in America today – not because people are knowingly taking an overdose, but because they are being unwittingly exposed to acetaminophen from a variety of sources over a long period of time. The Tylenol people have done a great job of slipping their product into a myriad of commonly used drugs.

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HERE’S A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF HOW OBAMA, RUBIO, & PAUL VIEW THE STATE OF THE UNION

President Barack Obama on Monday went before Congress to deliver his State of the Union address, the first of his second term.

Shortly after the president’s speech, Florida senator and rising GOP star Marco Rubio delivered the official Republican response. And shortly after Sen. Rubio’s response, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul delivered the official Tea Party response.

In their own words, here’s a look at how President Obama, Sen. Rubio, and Sen. Paul view the following topics:
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DEF Golf Tournament

Honor an Educator by playing in DEF golf tourney at Deer Run

The Delmarva Education Foundation will hold its first Honor an Educator benefit golf tournament at Deer Run Golf Club in Berlin on Saturday, June 8. Proceeds from the golf tournament will benefit both DEF and the new Marian Colbert Memorial Scholarship fund.

DEF is a local non-profit that helps make the dream of obtaining a college degree a reality for students in Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset counties by assisting them with finding money to continue their education. Many of those served by DEF are low-income, first-generation college students who don’t have anyone in the family to help them work through the college application and financial aid process.

The Marian Colbert Memorial Scholarship is being established in memory of Deer Run owner Ed Colbert’s first wife, Marian, and will provide much-needed money for local students to go to college.

The registration fee is just $100 per player. The tournament features a Captain’s Choice Scramble format and kicks off with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Registration includes a continental breakfast, lunch, golf and cart, range balls, one mulligan per player, team prizes, hole-in-one prize. There will also be silent and live auctions, a putting contest, cash raffle and much more. To Register, Call Deer Run at 410-629-0060.

Golf tournament sponsors are also needed as are silent and live auction donations. As a golf tournament sponsor at the $1,000 level, sponsors will receive a free team entry for 4 players, a 1/2 page advertisement in the event program, a sponsorship mention in all tournament marketing and a large professional hole sign posted on the golf course during the event. Additional sponsorship levels are also available.

By becoming a sponsor of DEF’s Honor an Educator golf tournament, local businesses can help ensure that all residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula have the opportunity to succeed in college. To become a tournament sponsor or to learn more about DEF, call Rota L. Knott, executive director, at 410-219-3336.

Ohio School Board Votes To Keep Jesus Portrait Up

JACKSON, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio school district decided Tuesday night to keep a portrait of Jesus hanging in the school where it's been 65 years, denying a federal lawsuit's claim the portrait's display unconstitutionally promotes religion in a public school.

The Jackson City Schools board offered a constitutional justification of its own in voting 4-0 to keep the portrait up in its middle school, saying it must protect students' free speech rights. The vote drew cheers and applause from the dozens of people gathered in the elementary school gymnasium.

After huddling with attorneys in closed session for more than an hour, the school board said the portrait belongs to the student group that put it up, the Hi-Y club. The portrait's frame is inscribed with the club's name and the Christian-based service group is the portrait's owner, not the school, the board said.

The board said the portrait is part of a "limited public forum," and that the Jackson schools will allow other student clubs to hang portraits appropriate to their organizations.
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Wicomico Board Of Education Recognizes 68 Magi Children’s Choir Singers

The Board of Education recently presented certificates of recognition to 68 Wicomico students from 11 elementary and middle schools who sang in service with the 2012 Magi Children’s Choir at the annual Magi Fund Choral Festival.
Every November for the past 19 years, The Magi Fund’s Choral Festival has helped address pressing needs in the community. Two sold-out concerts at the Wicomico High School Auditorium on Nov. 17 and 18 raised $62,000 and brought in 2,800 cans of donated food for the Christian Shelter and Joseph House Center. Children’s Choir participants put in many hours of practice to prepare for the concerts.
The Board of Education recently presented a certificate of recognition to the following students for participating in the 2012 Magi Children’s Choir:
East Salisbury Elementary School: Tiffany Adkins, Bryanna DeRosa, Mackenzie DeRosa, Sha'kayla Brinson, Taylor Jacobs, Summer Arsenault, Brandon Lawrence, Jermia Johnson, Holly Holtzapple, Shelbie Crisman, Kelsey Carr, Brendan Spaulding, Mardocha Dolce, Renata Banks, Alexis Hambleton, Vincent Mahler, Chloe Welch
Glen Avenue Elementary: Autumn Catron
North Salisbury Elementary School: Gaby Giorgi, Colleen Sullivan, Sacasia Sturgis, Alexandra Seagroves, Marvin Li, Maniaya Wright, Morgan Smiley, Paige Faulkner, Ahmyia Harrell, NyShae Bozman, Ja'dasia McCarter, Kamerin Hull, Lilandra Hayes, Jessica Ennis, Ambrozia Howard, Kaytlen Ferruccio, Alycia George, Yeeun (Leena) Jang, Janiyah Brickhouse, Tae Woo Kang, Shanaya Stevenson
Northwestern Elementary: Alyssa Boltz
Pemberton Elementary: Logan Beebe, Meeval Biju, Lili Howeth, Anna Long, Katelyn Menzel, Lindsey Menzel, Micah Reddish, Jenna Tilghman, Micaela Upton, Trinity Weaver
Prince Street Elementary: Katelyn Ford
Bennett Middle: Brooke Bennish, Leanne Townsend, Sarah Townsend, Darla Simms, Alison Sahler, Elizabeth Hobbs
Mardela Middle School: Carys Hazel, Abbie Boltz, Zoe Bradshaw
Pittsville Middle School: Stephenie Linton, Kelsey Warren 
Salisbury Middle School: Stephanie Myers, Grant Sullivan, Jared Sullivan
Wicomico Middle School: Susie Graham, Megan Catron, Anthony Roberts

FACT CHECK: Overreaching In State Of Union Speech

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama did some cherry-picking Tuesday night in defense of his record on jobs and laid out a conditional path to citizenship for illegal immigrants that may be less onerous than he made it sound.

A look at some of the claims in his State of the Union speech, a glance at the Republican counterargument and how they fit with the facts:

OBAMA: "After years of grueling recession, our businesses have created over 6 million new jobs."

THE FACTS: That's in the ballpark, as far as it goes. But Obama starts his count not when he took office, but from the point in his first term when job losses were the highest. In doing so, he ignores the 5 million or so jobs that were lost on his watch, up to that point.
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Spielberg's Sovietization Of U.S. History: The Bait-And-Switch Game Of 'Historical Docudrama'

When Steve Spielberg’s movie "Lincoln" came out Time magazine featured interviews with him and his historical advisor on the film, Doris Kearns-Goodwin. Spielberg said the movie is based on part of Goodwin’s book, Team of Rivals, because he was so impressed with her scholarship and the great detail and abundance of historical facts in the book. Goodwin herself wrote in Time that she spent ten years researching and writing the book to assure audiences that the movie was in fact very, very well researched. (This project was commenced shortly after she was kicked off the Pulitzer Prize committee and PBS for confessing to plagiarism related to an earlier book of hers).

Time’s cover story included another article by another historian, in order to further persuade Americans that the movie portrays The True Story about the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution that ended slavery. Another major theme of the movie, one which is accurate but not developed nearly enough, is how much of a political conniver, liar and manipulator Lincoln was, and how he ignored the law and the Constitution in myriad ways. This was brought out in the movie so that the punditry could then editorialize about how President Obama should be "more like Lincoln" and ignore any and all constitutional constraints on presidential powers. The punditry did indeed behave in exactly that way before and after the November election.

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State Of The Union 2013: Republican Address To The Nation Delivered By Sen. Marco Rubio

Here is a full transcript of the Republican address to the nation, given by Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.).

SEN. MARCO RUBIO: Good evening. I’m Marco Rubio. I’m blessed to represent Florida in the United States Senate. Let me begin by congratulating President Obama on the start of his second term. Tonight, I have the honor of responding to his State of the Union address on behalf of my fellow Republicans. And I’m especially honored to be addressing our brave men and women serving in the armed forces and in diplomatic posts around the world. You may be thousands of miles away, but you are always in our prayers.

RUBIO: The State of the Union address is always a reminder of how unique America is. See, for much of human history, most people were trapped in stagnant societies, where a tiny minority always stayed on top and no one else even had a chance.

But America is exceptional, because we believe that every life, at every stage, is precious and that everyone everywhere has a God- given right to go as far as their talents and hard work will take them.
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Today's Military

Medal Of Honor Winner Clint Romesha Declines State Of The Union Invite From Michelle Obama

Just a day after receiving the Medal of Honor by the president of the United States, former Army staff sergeant Clinton Romesha has declined an invite by the first lady to be her guest at the State of the Union address Tuesday night.

He said that after some soul searching he decided he’d rather spend the evening with friends from his former unit, his wife Tammy — with whom he celebrates a wedding anniversary Tuesday — and their families, CNN reports.

“As much as a great honor it would be to be a guest of the first lady, it’s also kind of hard to break away from the friends and the family and all the great guys here,” he told CNN.
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OBAMACARE LIES BEING REVEALED AFTER THE ELECTION - SHOCKING!!!!

Wheels coming off
ObamaCare policies will cost more, cover far fewer than promised
By BETSY MCCAUGHEY

The central parts of ObamaCare don’t roll out until 2014, but the wheels are already falling off this clunker. The latest news from four federal agencies is that 1) insurance will be a lot less affordable than Americans were led to expect, 2) fewer people than promised will get insurance and 3) millions of people who have coverage through a job now will lose it, thanks to the president’s “reforms.” Oh, and children are the biggest victims.

The Affordable Care Act is looking less and less affordable.

Start with the IRS’s new estimate for what the cheapest family plan will cost by 2016: $20,000 a year to cover two adults and three kids. And that will only cover 60 percent of medical bills, so add hefty out-of-pocket costs, too.


The next surprise is for parents who thought their kids would be covered by an employer. Sloppy wording in the law left that unclear until last week, when the IRS ruled that kids won’t be covered.

Starting in 2014, the law will require employers with 50 or more full-time employees to offer coverage or pay a penalty. “Affordable” coverage, that is — meaning the employee can’t be told to contribute more than 9.5 percent of his salary. For example, a worker earning $40,000 a year cannot be required to pay more than $3.800.

But the law doesn’t specifically mandate family coverage — and now the administration says that won’t be required.

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REP. HARRIS RESPONDS TO THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

MONOPOLY UPDATED FOR TODAY'S REALITY

Holding the Line: Round 2 – March 1st and 5th

Dear Second Amendment Defender:

There are two days of important hearings on bad and good gun bills- if you can only attend one, please attend the March 1st hearing to oppose HB 294- the crossfiled bill of SB 281.

Please note: There is a planned anti gun rally at lawyers mall on March 1st- we should come to Annapolis in numbers as you did Feb 6, but do not converge on lawyers mall so as not to give the anti gunners extra numbers!

HB 294 ( crossfile of SB 281- so called firearms safety act)
March 1st, 1pm House Judiciary Committee
Lowe House Office Building
To submit written testimony, you would need to bring 40 copies of your testimony. If you can get your 40 copies to me in room 216 of the Lowe House Office Building, I will make sure your copies are submitted. Testimony can be brought in anytime between now and the hearing date.

Other bills heard on March 1st can be found by following this link: Judiciary Committee Schedule and scrolling to “Friday March 1”
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America Loves Drone Strikes

This graph shows everything we need to know about the geopolitical reality of Predator Drones (coming soon to the skies of America to hunt down fugitives?).

The American public loves drone strikes:

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Which Country Has The Highest Rape Rate In The World?

After thinking over the question for five minutes, you might come up with South Africa or some other third world country as your answer. However, the real answer might shock you.Who has the highest number of rapes in the world?
The title sadly goes to Sweden, which now sees one out of every four Swedish women being the victim of rape.
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February 1979

Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann
Ocean City experienced a rare phenomenon in February 1979 when the Atlantic Ocean allegedly “froze.”
During a severe cold spell, large ice flows from the Delaware Bay drifted down and piled up along the shoreline. In some places, the ice extended far out into the ocean giving the impression that it had actually frozen solid.
 
Some people walked across the ice and reported feeling waves rolling beneath them. Many recall the eerie quiet as the sound of breaking surf was silenced.
The Sinepuxent Bay froze solid and the Ocean City Pier lost more than 100 feet to the crushing ice. It was truly a winter to remember.
Photo courtesy of JD Quillin
Story courtesy of The Dispatch.

A Tale of Two Stories - Part III

Accuracy of Reporting
Doesn't Equate to Fairness

Sunday we examined Jeremy Cox's front page piece on Salisbury mayoral candidate (and SBYNews publisher) Joe Albero.  Yesterday we looked at its companion piece on incumbent mayor Jim Ireton and his penchant for control.  As we noted in Part I, Cox's Albero piece was accurate but lacked fairness.  We admit that fairness is, at best, a highly subjective concept.  We also admit that IF a reader looks at both articles (Albero HERE, Ireton HERE) IN THEIR ENTIRETY he or she would not believe that the Daily Times had hacked Albero to ribbons while publishing a puff piece on Ireton.  However, it is the middle ground, where you examine tone and what was left out that is a subject for concern.  We also live in the real world and know that not all readers examine an article in its entirety or read critically.

Mirror Images

Look at the titles of the two articles:

ALBERO: Candidate haunted by past blog posts

vs.

Ireton: Incumbent says he speaks for city

Look at the leads for both articles:

From birther conspiracies to local blurbs attributed to the likes of “men in trench coat-like jackets,” Salisbury News has distinguished itself as a safe haven for mainstream-eschewing news and viewpoints.

vs.

Serving as the unofficial spokesman and public face of the municipality is one of the most important, if unwritten, functions of the mayor in any city. Think Rudy Giuliani in New York City or Cory Booker in Newark, N.J.

What's YOUR impression?  My view is that it appears you are about to be reading something negative about Albero and the Ireton article is positive.  In reality, both pieces are negative.  They just happen to be mirror images.  The Albero article starts off with a negative tone while the Ireton piece starts off positively.

Just as I argued that there are a few suspect facts and a glaring omission in the Albero piece, there are even more glaring omissions in the Ireton piece.  Nowhere is there any mention of Ireton's repeated attempts to influence media coverage (remember the DT sending reporter Sarah Lake to take part in a private political strategy session) and his refusing to allow the city council access to staff is barely glossed over.  Let's not forget that the reason the council changed the charter to put the city attorney under the council was because Ireton prohibited the city attorney from meeting with the council.

Less Than Perfect Reporting OR Excessive Editorial Influence?

You don't need to lie or even misreport facts to be biased.  The two previous posts provide ample evidence that tone and choosing what facts to OMIT can change an objectively neutral article into one that is PERCEIVED as positive or negative.

I know that Cox did a fair amount of research for these two articles.  Therefore I have to ask - were these omissions, and the tone of each article deliberate on the part of Mr. Cox or was it the result of heavy handed work by his editor(s)?   Four years ago, a DT reporter took the unusual step of demanding that their byline be removed if editors continued to change the tone of certain articles written during the last mayoral election.  While all of the editors involved no longer work for either Gannett or the Daily Times, we know that the precedent does exist.

We can only hope that coverage of city politics and government will improve during this election.  Mr. Cox is doing a far better job than his two immediate predecessors.  Yet, I think the voters of Salisbury deserve more over the coming weeks.

Part I

Part II

G. A. Harrison is a former editor of Salisbury News and a guest contributor.  He also writes at the DelMarVa Observer.

STATE OF DIS-UNION

The fog of chatter about Federal Reserve money-printing shenanigans, currency wars, fiscal intransigence, exchange rates, and alphabetized rescue operations conceals the central reality of the historical moment: that all industrial economies now face epic contraction, even rip-roaring China in its absurd and spectacular bid to become the latest drive-in utopia. The so-called advanced nations of the world are all sliding toward something less than they wish to be, and the so-called developing nations will backslide further into poverty and anarchy where development will never happen.

The implacable contraction underway is the simple result of growing scarcity of cheap oil, the master resource. Thus, in a world where fantasy has replaced analysis, the propaganda channels brim with false news of America’s coming “energy independence” and the rebirth of domestic manufacturing, the coming electric car fleet, and space tourism. There is also chatter among the paranoid that an imagined elite has deliberately engineered American collapse for fun and profit, with sideshows about the Department of Homeland Security promoting social upheaval in order to make a show of putting it down. This is all bullshit concealing the futile machinations of people so unfortunate as to hold political office in an unraveling they can’t control. Where control is no longer possible, paranoid fantasies fill the vacuum of wishing for control.

One thing you can be sure of: the current sociopolitical weather will change. A front will blow through and sweep the fog away. So many circles of hazard are spinning around events that some fast-turning object will come off its axis and start smashing all the fantasies. When that happens, it will be every community for itself, and where there are no real communities — for instance, the vast matrix of suburban noplaces that America emergently composed itself out of in a tragic quest to become its own televised fantasy — we’ll discover the dark side of the “liberty” that so-called conservatives endlessly invoke, in all its screaming eagle iconography.
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Baltimore Mayor Wants No Pensions For New Hires

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is proposing ending pensions for newly hired civilian employees and moving to a hybrid pension plan for newly hired police officers.

The proposed pension reforms are part of a broad package of cuts intended to stave off a structural budget deficit that could bankrupt the city government.
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Hugh Bowman Vs Monsanto Soybean Case

As David versus Goliath battles go it is hard to imagine a more uneven fight than the one about to play out in front of the U.S. supreme court between Vernon Hugh Bowman and Monsanto.
On the one side is Bowman, a single 75-year-old Indiana soybean farmer who is still tending the same acres of land as his father before him in rural south-western Indiana. On the other is a gigantic multibillion-dollar agricultural business famed for its zealous protection of its commercial rights.

Not that Bowman sees it that way. "I really don't consider it as David and Goliath. I don't think of it in those terms. I think of it in terms of right and wrong," Bowman told The Guardian in an interview.

Either way, in the next few weeks Bowman and Monsanto's opposing legal teams will face off in front of America's most powerful legal body, weighing in on a case that deals with one of the most fundamental questions of modern industrial farming: who controls the rights to the seeds planted in the ground.

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Brown: Yes, Progressives, God Made Farmers

What was it about the Dodge' commercial, "God Made a Farmer," that stirred the souls of so many Americans during the Superbowl? Maybe it was the imagery of the dirt and grit of real America, not the white-washed concrete meccas many of us call home. Maybe for just a moment we were unplugged from our instant and superficial world and taken back to a time when we were captivated by God's creation, not what our friends were doing on Facebook. Or maybe it was just the quintessential sound of American icon, the late Paul Harvey, whose voice wraps around you like a warm blanket on a cold day. His message was one you could expect for a happy ending, even at a time when happy endings weren't en vogue.

Or maybe it was the unvarnished idea of the farmer, which is so often identified with America. It is the image of a tough life, one marked by hard work and honest living. A time when men were men, and that was okay. A time when workdays didn't end until the work was done.

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WCSO Press Release 2-13-13

• 2/12/2013 Fugitive Arrest - Winneberger
• 2/12/2013 Fugitive Arrest - McGill
• 2/12/2013 Theft from MV's

U.S. Capitol Tour With David Barton

Yes, I know this is a repeat but to me it's worth a second view.

This Film Won Grand Prize At Int'l Wildlife Film Festival 3

GO HERE

Miller: O'Malley Might Propose Transportation Funding Bill

Maryland's Senate president says Gov. Martin O'Malley will be meeting House Speaker Michael E. Busch and working with the Senate, House and his administration to try to develop a consensus on a transportation revenue measure this legislative session.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller told reporters on Tuesday that O'Malley favors raising the sales tax to fund transportation improvements.
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STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY ON PRESIDENT OBAMA'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

WASHINGTON, DC (February 12, 2013) - Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement following President Obama's State of the Union Address this evening:

“The President made a persuasive case tonight for why we must begin to make better choices as a nation. Progress is a choice. Job creation is a choice. And whether we give our children a future of more or a future of less, this too is a choice.

“The better choices the President laid out will achieve better results. They're choices that prioritize the safety of our streets, schools, and places of worship. They're choices to implement forward-looking policies to address the consequences of climate disruption and bring some thoughtfulness to our immigration system. And they're choices based on the sound fiscal policy of a balanced approach, where eliminating government waste and cutting spending responsibly are paired with investments in core priorities like promoting innovation, improving our schools, and rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure.

“We know this balanced approach works because it’s what we’ve done in Maryland over the last six years. And, even in the toughest of times, we’ve seen the results: a stronger middle class and a stronger Maryland. Maryland is #1 in education five years in a row, #1 in holding down the cost of college, #1 in innovation and entrepreneurship, #1 in research and development, and #1 in median family income.

“It’s time for Congress to do its part and work with President Obama to make these better choices. Only with their help can we truly build a stronger middle class and stronger America.”

President Obama Outlines Plan To Tackle Global Warming With Clean Energy

Baltimore—Tonight, President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. Tommy Landers, Director of Environment Maryland, responded with the following statement:

“Tonight, President Obama backed up his bold words on addressing global warming from his inaugural address by outlining clean energy solutions that will pave the way towards a cleaner, healthier future.

“From Hurricane Sandy to the worst drought since the Dust Bowl, far too many Americans and Marylanders have already been affected by extreme weather events that scientists warn will grow more common and more severe unless we take action to tackle global warming pollution now.

“We must cut carbon pollution that’s fueling global warming, rein in our energy use by making our homes and businesses more efficient, and ramp up our production of truly clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

“Americans have been asking for leadership on tackling global warming. Clean energy solutions, like cutting our energy waste in half and expanding renewable energy, as the president outlined, are critical pieces of the puzzle. We are also counting on the president to clean up carbon pollution from power plants, which will help the United States fulfill its obligation to future generations.

“We look forward to working with the Obama administration to implement and expand upon the president’s plan to address global warming, as outlined tonight in his State of the Union address.

“And at the same time, we look forward to working with Gov. Martin O’Malley and other state leaders to do all that we can at the state level to tackle global warming. Smart energy choices like offshore wind power and increased energy efficiency will ensure that Maryland plays a leadership role in the effort to reduce dangerous global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy.”

Rep. Harris Responds To The State Of The Union Address

Washington, DC - Rep. Andy Harris, M.D., released the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union speech:

“Like so many of President Obama’s other lofty speeches, his words do not match his actions. Four straight trillion dollar deficits under the President’s watch clearly show we have a spending problem. Unfortunately, instead of focusing on getting Americans working again and reducing our deficit, President Obama focused on issues like gun control and climate change.

“House Republicans have recognized the urgent need to tackle the economic challenges we face. America’s spending is out of control. During the President’s speech tonight, America spent $450 million dollars, much of which was borrowed from places like China. This  has to end. We have a moral obligation to our children and grandchildren to make sure the future we pass on to them is as free and prosperous as the one our parents passed on to us.”

BREAKING NEWS: Human Remains Found In Search For Fugitive Ex-Cop

Human remains have been found in the burned-out cabin where a fugitive ex-cop was believed to be and investigators will attempt to identify them through forensic tests, sheriff's spokeswoman says. 

From Fox News

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WICOMICO COUNTY EXECUTIVE POLLITT TO HOST FOLLOW UP COMMUNITY MEETING

RE: Fruitland/Allen Transfer Station Meeting

February 11, 2013, Salisbury, MD – Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt will host a follow up community meeting 7pm on Tuesday, February 19 at the Winfield Center to update citizens on the status of the Fruitland/Allen Transfer Station.

The first meeting was held on November 27, 2012. Residents provided valuable feedback and suggestions while county officials searched for an acceptable permanent site. All residents who utilize the Fruitland/Allen Transfer Station are invited to attend.

Who: County Executive Pollitt, employees from the Department of Public Works

What: Community meeting with users of the Fruitland/Allen Transfer Station

When: Tuesday, February 19th at 7pm

Where: The Winfield Center, Fruitland

700 South Camden Avenue

At the corner of Allen Cut-Off Road and Camden Avenue