Recent posts misstated the amount as 19 million dollars. The statement issued by his executive assistant, John Pick (available here: http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2013/02/iretons-new-19-million-tax-part-2.html), indicates that the “Storm Water Utility” would extract a total of $76.6 Million from Salisbury property owners during a 4 year period – you do the math. Even that slightly lower amount is about equal to the sum that the City has extracted in recent years with its general tax on real estate. So, the new tax is similar in amount extracted to doubling the general tax rate, which itself may have to be increased due to the shrinking value of the “tax base”. By the way, did Ireton mention any of that during his recent dog and pony show at Holloway Hall?
Now, property owners may wonder whether the new “stormwater utility” tax can be imposed unless the City’s tax rate cap, which is stated in the City Charter, is raised. Apparently, it can be because it is designed as a “fee” for a new “enterprise fund” for stormwater management. It’s like a pay to play charge to have stormwater handled by the City’s storm drain system, similar to water and sewer charges. And some homeowners seem to think that they will be exempt because of the homeowner provisions of the tax code – but that’s not so.
Speaking of sewer and water charges, they will soon go up hugely in order to fund the repair of the wastewater treatment plant and other infrastructure of those systems. His proposed capital improvement plan calls for $21 Million funded by sewer and water charges (much more than the so-called surplus that he crows about). Property owners may soon find that the actual cost of ownership of city property (taxes plus “fees”) has doubled or tripled since Ireton was elected 4 years ago.
Are your surprised that he didn’t level with the voters about these matters in his recent “state of the city” speech, in which he proclaimed that the City is in good shape because of his “accomplishments? Do you want more of this duplicity.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Today Marks 11 Months Of Living In Downtown Salisbury
My opponent came out of the gate calling me a Delaware Blogger and stating I am not a resident of Maryland, he lied. The personal attacks and lies about me have proven to the NAACP and other community leaders and organizations that Jim Ireton will say and do just about anything to discredit me because Jim Ireton has no record to run on.
I have been so honored going door to door introducing myself, even in the rain and snow, people know I'm taking this far more serious than my opponent. One former candidate asked, how many doors have been slammed in your face. The answer, NONE. While I have been told by four city voters that are satisfied with Jim Ireton and they will vote for him again, thousands of other people have taken the time to listen to my vision and leadership and I have earned their vote.
The one thing you'll learn about Joe Albero is, when I say I'm going to do something, I DO IT. I will NOT tell you I'm heading in one direction and once elected, disappoint you. I will do what I say and together we will build a much better Salisbury.
My Wife and Grandson have been the champions of this election race. They have sacrificed my daily living with them because they know and support my passion towards a better Salisbury.
The KEY to this election, (and I cannot express this enough) we need you to get out and VOTE. We need to set a record in this upcoming election with a turn out like Salisbury has never seen before. I have stated this so many times, "This is not Joe Albero's election to lose, it's the citizens' election to lose".
There are thousand and thousands of daily viewers that live in Salisbury coming to this Site. We have sent out FOUR Press Releases to the local Media and guess what, not one of them have been published. Everything the Daily Times promised with changes in their journalistic protocol has proven to be a complete lie. The television news only shows small pieces of what I say, allowing my opponent to pick it apart and YOU the viewer never get to see the TRUTH behind my entire statements.
With your help I can win this election. Yesterday I knocked on a citizens door and I could see that look on her face. I knew something was wrong. I introduced myself and she said, I know who you are. Let me put it to you this way. When all was said and done, not only will she be voting for me, she now has a yard sign in her front yard.
Love me or hate me, I have come to learn throughout this election that 99% of the citizens are sick and tired of the City's Mayor ramming unnecessary things through with mainly special interests in mind. Not one person supports the 500 Downtown affordable housing units and ALL of our parking lots being sold off.
Ladies & Gentlemen, I personally relocated my manufacturing company and myself from the Annapolis area here to the Eastern Shore. It's not easy relocating yourself to any new community, let alone your company. I personally know all of the advantages of why others should do exactly what I chose to do so many years ago and I can personally go to other communities and companies and convince them that IF they should ever consider relocating, they should relocate right here to Salisbury, Maryland.
My opponent not only doesn't have the time to do anything of the sort, he has no clue how to understand what it takes to make such a move. He has been a government employee his entire adult life. He has been the recipient of only having to work 9 months out of the year and involved in a union catered by the state. This is a man who wants pay raises for only his staff in the Mayors Office and NOTHING for the rest of the City Employees, I will change all that.
The entitlements are over! We need new businesses, manufacturing jobs and great paying jobs for skilled workers. We need to bring in those businesses that will support a tax base this City hasn't seen in some 16 years, so as local residents don't have to experience any more tax increases.
These businesses will bring in new tax revenue in which we can actually get ahead of our failing infrastructure. We can start paving desperately needed roads that have been ignored for more than a decade. Once we rebuild, then we can look at Skate Parks and other luxuries a strong community deserves. Until then, it's time to take care of business first and that means truly protecting the residents and taxpayers of this City.
That being said, IF you support me and our mission, YOU need to get out there and VOTE.
In closing I want to thank ALL of you for being so kind when I came to your doors unannounced. I want to thank ALL of you for taking the time to listen and hear me out. I want to also thank ALL of you for sharing your thoughts and vision as well. Don't think for a second I'm done. There are thousands more doors I need to knock on but I will say this, when looking back at the numbers and only FOUR people telling me they are voting for Jim Ireton, I think the Citizens of Salisbury have had enough.
I will NOT let you down.
Why Do Women Cry So Easily?
A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him.
"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."
Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"
"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.
Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked,
"God, why do women cry so easily?"
God said, "When I made the woman she had to be special.
I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.
I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.
I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."
"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart the place where love resides."
"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."
Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"
"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.
The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.
Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked,
"God, why do women cry so easily?"
God said, "When I made the woman she had to be special.
I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.
I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.
I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.
I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.
I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.
I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."
"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart the place where love resides."
Revised Agenda
CITY COUNCIL AGENDAFebruary 25, 2013 6: 00 p.m.
Government Office Building Room 301
Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.
6: 00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER
6: 01 p.m. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
6: OS p,m. INVOCATION/MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6: 07 p.m. ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
6: 10 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA—City Clerk Kim Nichols '
February 4, 2013 work session minutes
February 4, 2013 special meeting minutes
February 8, 2013 open session minutes
February 8, 2013 closed session minutes separate envelope)
February 1 l, 2013 regular meeting minutes
Resolution No. 2256 - appointing James D. Maybury to the Zoo Commission for a term ending 12/ 31/ 2015
Resolution No. 2257 - reappointing James W. Magill and Scott G. Rogers to the Planning & Zoning Commission for terms ending 12/ 31/ 2017
6: 15 p.m. RESOLUTION—Council President Terry E. Cohen
Resolution No. 2251 —amending the Salisbury City Council Regulations and 2 Rules of Order
6: 25 p.m. RESOLUTION—City Administrator John Pick
Resolution No. 2258— amending the Pay And Classification Plans to add a 3 classification entitled Quartermaster and to reclassify the Property Custodian II position to Quartermaster
6:45 p.m. ORDINANCES—City Attorney Mark Tilghman
Ordinance No. 2230— 2nd reading - amending false alarm fees and designating certain reoccurring false alarms within the same calendar year at the same property location as municipal infractions
Ordinance No. 2233 — 1St reading - setting false alarm fees 4b
Ordinance No. 2234— lst reading - approving a budget amendment of the FY 13 General Fund to appropriate funds received from the Speed Camera Program for construction of a fence at the City' s Police Range
Government Office Building Room 301
Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.
6: 00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER
6: 01 p.m. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
6: OS p,m. INVOCATION/MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6: 07 p.m. ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
6: 10 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA—City Clerk Kim Nichols '
February 4, 2013 work session minutes
February 4, 2013 special meeting minutes
February 8, 2013 open session minutes
February 8, 2013 closed session minutes separate envelope)
February 1 l, 2013 regular meeting minutes
Resolution No. 2256 - appointing James D. Maybury to the Zoo Commission for a term ending 12/ 31/ 2015
Resolution No. 2257 - reappointing James W. Magill and Scott G. Rogers to the Planning & Zoning Commission for terms ending 12/ 31/ 2017
6: 15 p.m. RESOLUTION—Council President Terry E. Cohen
Resolution No. 2251 —amending the Salisbury City Council Regulations and 2 Rules of Order
6: 25 p.m. RESOLUTION—City Administrator John Pick
Resolution No. 2258— amending the Pay And Classification Plans to add a 3 classification entitled Quartermaster and to reclassify the Property Custodian II position to Quartermaster
6:45 p.m. ORDINANCES—City Attorney Mark Tilghman
Ordinance No. 2230— 2nd reading - amending false alarm fees and designating certain reoccurring false alarms within the same calendar year at the same property location as municipal infractions
Ordinance No. 2233 — 1St reading - setting false alarm fees 4b
Ordinance No. 2234— lst reading - approving a budget amendment of the FY 13 General Fund to appropriate funds received from the Speed Camera Program for construction of a fence at the City' s Police Range
The Free State Speaks
Last week, I sat through four excruciating hours of legislative hearings before the Ways and Means Committee of Maryland’s House of Delegates. I was waiting to testify on behalf of Citizens in Charge against House Bill 493.
For the 20 years before last November, not a single citizen-initiated referendum made it to the Maryland ballot. Why? The state boasts the country’s most draconian rules for verifying petition signatures. An attorney running his own petition effort had his signature disallowed because he did not sign one of his two middle names or write the initial.
Most states use the standard of “substantial compliance” — if they can tell it is the signature of the registered voter, they count it, even if it doesn’t appear exactly as written on the voter registration record. Maryland’s strict compliance, on the other hand, disallows the signature of “Joe” when it’s “Joseph” that’s official.
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For the 20 years before last November, not a single citizen-initiated referendum made it to the Maryland ballot. Why? The state boasts the country’s most draconian rules for verifying petition signatures. An attorney running his own petition effort had his signature disallowed because he did not sign one of his two middle names or write the initial.
Most states use the standard of “substantial compliance” — if they can tell it is the signature of the registered voter, they count it, even if it doesn’t appear exactly as written on the voter registration record. Maryland’s strict compliance, on the other hand, disallows the signature of “Joe” when it’s “Joseph” that’s official.
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Bankrupt San Bernardino Picks Twice Bankrupt Manager
(Reuters) - The bankrupt city of San Bernardino has hired a new city manager who, according to court filings, has twice declared personal bankruptcy and was recently ousted from the board of a small community's water company after being sued by shareholders.
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Black Leaders: Gun Control is "Black People Control"
“There’s a direct correlation between gun control and black people control,” Stacy Swimp, president and CFO of the Frederick Douglass Society, said at the press conference sponsored by the Center for Urban Renewal and Education(CURE).
Swimp compared the call for universal background checks for gun purchase to the time when blacks were required to register with the government.
“The first gun laws were put into place to register black folks, to make sure that they would know who we were – that we could not defend ourselves,” Swimp said.
More
War Zone Killing: Vets Feel 'Alone' In Their Guilt
WASHINGTON (AP) — A veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, former Marine Capt. Timothy Kudo thinks of himself as a killer — and he carries the guilt every day.
"I can't forgive myself," he says. "And the people who can forgive me are dead."
With American troops at war for more than a decade, there's been an unprecedented number of studies into war zone psychology and an evolving understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. Clinicians suspect some troops are suffering from what they call "moral injuries" — wounds from having done something, or failed to stop something, that violates their moral code.
Though there may be some overlap in symptoms, moral injuries aren't what most people think of as PTSD, the nightmares and flashbacks of terrifying, life-threatening combat events. A moral injury tortures the conscience; symptoms include deep shame, guilt and rage. It's not a medical problem, and it's unclear how to treat it, says retired Col. Elspeth Ritchie, former psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon general.
"The concept ... is more an existentialist one," she says.
More
"I can't forgive myself," he says. "And the people who can forgive me are dead."
With American troops at war for more than a decade, there's been an unprecedented number of studies into war zone psychology and an evolving understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder. Clinicians suspect some troops are suffering from what they call "moral injuries" — wounds from having done something, or failed to stop something, that violates their moral code.
Though there may be some overlap in symptoms, moral injuries aren't what most people think of as PTSD, the nightmares and flashbacks of terrifying, life-threatening combat events. A moral injury tortures the conscience; symptoms include deep shame, guilt and rage. It's not a medical problem, and it's unclear how to treat it, says retired Col. Elspeth Ritchie, former psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon general.
"The concept ... is more an existentialist one," she says.
More
DON'T EXPOSE THE STATE
Freedom is lost with every passing day. Government has become Leviathan, a ruthless master which serves only itself. It has become pure force, unanswerable to anyone. George Washington’s warning has taken on new meaning:
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
The Lord Acton vision of the corruption as a function of power has been demonstrated by our very own government. The Rule of Law and Constitutional constraints no longer matter, it seems. Rule by tyranny is so much easier and has displaced the constraints that enabled America to become great and successful.
Examples of the abuse of power now abound. Recent treatment of the ratings agencies is but one example. The ratings agencies dared tell the truth about the US government’s financial condition. They did so by lowering their ratings on US government securities. That is the business they are in and that is what they are supposed to do when conditions warrant.
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Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
The Lord Acton vision of the corruption as a function of power has been demonstrated by our very own government. The Rule of Law and Constitutional constraints no longer matter, it seems. Rule by tyranny is so much easier and has displaced the constraints that enabled America to become great and successful.
Examples of the abuse of power now abound. Recent treatment of the ratings agencies is but one example. The ratings agencies dared tell the truth about the US government’s financial condition. They did so by lowering their ratings on US government securities. That is the business they are in and that is what they are supposed to do when conditions warrant.
More
Governors Agree: Avoid The Sequester
"I think the effects will be significant, and people will feel them," Gov. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., predicted. The cuts, if Congress fails to replace them this week, will dramatically slash defense programs, force furloughs for government employees across agencies, slow airport procedures and reduce the number of security agents on the border, among a host of other things. Hickenlooper noted in particular the "impossible choices" weighing on the Department of Education, which would see billions in cuts to Head Start and school budget items like teacher salaries.
But the doomsday scenario being painted by President Obama might not be all that, Gov. Jan Brewer, R-Ariz., argued. She cited the continuing resolution (CR) of 2013, which, as a stopgap, has only set funding for the government until March 27 instead of through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. In the four-week window in which Congress must extend the CR or risk shutting down the government, there may be a chance to roll into it a package to replace the sequester.
18 Ways Your Office Job Is Destroying Your Body
If you're used to the hours of sedentary, stressful working conditions that come with your office job, you may want to know that this kind of working environment is killing you a lot faster than you think.
Aside from the stress that comes from tight deadlines, plenty of things you do every day in the workplace are slowly chipping away at you.
From the printer to your keyboard, the dangers presented in an office can have real effects on your physical well-being, just as mental strains can hurt you in the long-term.
Aside from the stress that comes from tight deadlines, plenty of things you do every day in the workplace are slowly chipping away at you.
From the printer to your keyboard, the dangers presented in an office can have real effects on your physical well-being, just as mental strains can hurt you in the long-term.
WAYNE LAPIERRE’S BOLD CLAIM ABOUT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS: ‘THAT REGISTRY WILL BE USED TO CONFISCATE YOUR GUNS’
The organization has been targeted by many on the left in the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary last December. While the NRA argues that more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens creates a safer community, many in the administration and on the left disagree, saying it leads to more gun violence and accidental deaths.
Most recently, the NRA has been publicizing a memo it by from the Justice Department that says the success of universal background checks would depend in part on “requiring gun registration,” and says gun buybacks would not be effective “unless massive and coupled with a ban.”
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Obama Dispatches 100 US Troops To Niger To "Support Predator Drone Base"
As we speculated from the very beginning [9], and as was reaffirmed in "Is Nigeria, And Its Light Sweet Crude, About To Be Drawn Into The Mali "Liberation" Campaign [10]?", the "French" (with complete and fully-comped US support) Mali campaign is slowly but surely migrating to its intended target: Nigeria, and rather its holdings of light sweet crude. And while the US presence in this latest resource land grab, this time in Africa, was so far rather stealthy, it appears the time for foreplay is over and moments ago Obama told congress has has dispatched 40 more American troops to Niger this week, bringing the total U.S. military presence in the west African country to 100. Let's hear it for the full retroactive transparency demanded by the War Powers Resolution.
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13,753 Gov’t Requests for Google E-Mail Data in 2012, Most Without a Warrant
The total number of users about whom government agencies wanted information also set a record at 31,072, up from 23,300 in 2011, the first year Google began reporting the data. The discrepancy comes because government agencies request information on multiple users or accounts at the same time.
Most of these 13,753 requests, 6,542 of 8,438 in the latter half of 2012 alone, were done without a search warrant, Google data show. Google did not make available any detailed data prior to June 2012, nor did it make available which requests came from the federal government and which came from state or local law enforcement agencies, when asked by CNSNews.com.
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Veterans Receive Letters From VA Prohibiting Ownership or Purchase of Firearms
This must be Barack Obama’s way of thanking our veterans for serving.
US veterans are receiving letters from the government informing them that they are disabled and not allowed to own, purchase or possess a firearm. If the veteran does decide to purchase a firearm he will by fined, imprisoned or both.
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US veterans are receiving letters from the government informing them that they are disabled and not allowed to own, purchase or possess a firearm. If the veteran does decide to purchase a firearm he will by fined, imprisoned or both.
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BREAKING NEWS: Jimmie Johnson Wins Daytona 500
Jimmie Johnson has won NASCAR's Daytona 500 race at Daytona International Speedway.
WHY IS THIS MONTH-OLD CLIP OF AN EX-SECRET SERVICE AGENT SUDDENLY GOING VIRAL?
Dan Bongino lost his race for the U.S. Senate last Fall and the former Secret Service agent was finally closing up shop on his campaign offices when his phone started ringing like crazy. Television and radio shows were calling to ask Dan if he was free… free to talk about this brief speech he gave on January 19th at a Guns Across America rally in Annapolis Maryland.
We started seeing the clip popping up on various pro-Second Amendment websites and wondered why the six minute speech had suddenly started attracting so much attention.
TheBlaze spoke with Dan Bongino on Friday night. He told us that the video had only generated about five or six views before this week.
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We started seeing the clip popping up on various pro-Second Amendment websites and wondered why the six minute speech had suddenly started attracting so much attention.
TheBlaze spoke with Dan Bongino on Friday night. He told us that the video had only generated about five or six views before this week.
More
ObamaCare: The Neutron Bomb That Will Decimate Employment
ObamaCare will act as a neutron bomb on employment in the U.S. for two basic reasons.
Longtime readers know I have repeatedly explained why healthcare, i.e. sickcare, will bankrupt the nation. Here are two of the dozens of entries I've written on sickcare:
America's Hidden 8% VAT: Sickcare (May 10, 2012)
Can Chronic Ill-Health Bring Down Great Nations? Yes It Can, Yes It Will (November 23, 2011)
I have also explained why ObamaCare's "fixes" are simulacra reforms that don't even address the systemic costs arising from the cartel-fiefdom structure of sickcare:
Why "Healthcare Reform" Is Not Reform, Part I (December 28, 2009)
Why "Healthcare Reform" Is Not Reform, Part II (December 29, 2009)
Longtime readers know I have repeatedly explained why healthcare, i.e. sickcare, will bankrupt the nation. Here are two of the dozens of entries I've written on sickcare:
America's Hidden 8% VAT: Sickcare (May 10, 2012)
Can Chronic Ill-Health Bring Down Great Nations? Yes It Can, Yes It Will (November 23, 2011)
I have also explained why ObamaCare's "fixes" are simulacra reforms that don't even address the systemic costs arising from the cartel-fiefdom structure of sickcare:
Why "Healthcare Reform" Is Not Reform, Part I (December 28, 2009)
Why "Healthcare Reform" Is Not Reform, Part II (December 29, 2009)
Obama Urges Supreme Court To Strike Down Federal Defense of Marriage Act
The request regarding the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act was made Friday in a brief by Solicitor General Donald Verrilli that argues the law is unconstitutional because it violates "the fundamental guarantee of equal protection."
The high court is set to hear two cases next month on the issue: the constitutional challenge on Proposition 8, the 2008 California that allowed same-sex marriages in the state that two years later was overturned, and United States v. Windsor, which challenges DOMA.
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Scorecard: How Many Rights Have Americans REALLY Lost?
Preface: While a lot of people talk about the loss of our Constitutional liberties, people usually speak in a vague, generalized manner … or focus on only one issue and ignore the rest.
This post explains the liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution – and provides a scorecard on the extent of the loss of each right.
First Amendment
The 1st Amendment protects speech, religion, assembly and the press:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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This post explains the liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution – and provides a scorecard on the extent of the loss of each right.
First Amendment
The 1st Amendment protects speech, religion, assembly and the press:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
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"We Have An Entitlement Problem" And One Day The Fed's Hamster Wheel Will Stop
Two and a half years ago, George Soros' former partner Stanley Druckenmiller closed shop when he shut down his iconic Duquesne Management, after generating 30% average annual returns since 1986. Some time later he raised many red flags by being one of the first "establishment" types to expose the Fed's take over of the market when he said in a rare May 2011 [12]interview that "It's not a free market. It's not a clean market.... The market isn't saying anything about the future. It's saying there's a phony buyer of $19 billion of Treasurys a week." This was in the context of the constantly declining interest rates on an ever exploding US debt load. And while back then total debt was a "manageable" $14.3 trillion, as of today it is some $2.3 trillion higher moments ago printing at a fresh record high of $16.6 trillion [13], not surprisingly the phony buyer is still here only now he is buying not $19 billion by over $20 billion in total debt each week. But just like it was the relentless rise in the US debt that forced him out of his privacy in the public scene back then, so it was also the US debt that was also the topic of his rare CNBC appearance today (where he fiercely poked at all those other TV chatterbox pundits when he said "money managers should manage money and not go on shows like this") in the aftermath of his recent WSJ Op-Ed. [14]There, he once again said what everyone knows but is scared to admit: "we have an entitlement problem."
Druckenmiller's definition of the problem:
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Druckenmiller's definition of the problem:
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Report: Administration To Turn Over Benghazi Documents to Congress
President Obama has agreed to turn over to Congress more internal documents relating to last year's terror attack in Benghazi, Libya, in order to get a vote on his nominee to head the CIA, the Associated Press reports.
The documents include emails showing the internal debate among intelligence agencies about how to characterize the attack that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans at the U.S. mission in Libya. Republicans have accused the administration of misleading the public about the attack to avoid undermining Obama's lead on national security ahead of the November elections.
The Senate Intelligence Committee has delayed a vote on John Brennan to be the next head of the CIA after requesting more documents about the administration's drone program and targeted killings. It's not clear if the Benghazi documents will be enough to satisfy Republicans or if they'll continue to press for more information on the drone program as well.
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The documents include emails showing the internal debate among intelligence agencies about how to characterize the attack that killed Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans at the U.S. mission in Libya. Republicans have accused the administration of misleading the public about the attack to avoid undermining Obama's lead on national security ahead of the November elections.
The Senate Intelligence Committee has delayed a vote on John Brennan to be the next head of the CIA after requesting more documents about the administration's drone program and targeted killings. It's not clear if the Benghazi documents will be enough to satisfy Republicans or if they'll continue to press for more information on the drone program as well.
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Wicomico DPW GuardRail Installations Project
The Wicomico County Department of Public Works (DPW) – Roads Division announces guardrail installations on 8 bridge locations will begin on Monday, February 25, 2013. All of the repairs will be on the east side of the county beginning on Three Bridges Road. This project is expected to last a week but is contingent on favorable weather conditions.
The other locations include: Bethel Road Sheppards Crossing Road Richardson Road Burnt Mill Road Warren Road Waste Gate Road Twilleys Bridge Road
Drivers should expect some lane closures. Flaggers and signage will be on site for public safety and traffic control. The employees of the Wicomico County Public Works Department appreciate your patience and understanding as they work to improve your drive throughout the county.
The other locations include: Bethel Road Sheppards Crossing Road Richardson Road Burnt Mill Road Warren Road Waste Gate Road Twilleys Bridge Road
Drivers should expect some lane closures. Flaggers and signage will be on site for public safety and traffic control. The employees of the Wicomico County Public Works Department appreciate your patience and understanding as they work to improve your drive throughout the county.
Md.: DNA Law In Front of SCOTUS Aided 43 Cases
A Maryland DNA law being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court helped lead to 43 convictions over the past four years, but state data show the majority of the convictions could eventually have happened even without the new law.
For years, Maryland required people convicted of serious crimes to provide a DNA sample. The sample, taken from a swab of saliva, was then compared against a database of DNA evidence from crime scenes, and some old cases were able to be solved.
Maryland changed its law in 2009, however, so that people had to provide the saliva sample when they were arrested on charges of committing certain violent crimes — before going to trial.
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For years, Maryland required people convicted of serious crimes to provide a DNA sample. The sample, taken from a swab of saliva, was then compared against a database of DNA evidence from crime scenes, and some old cases were able to be solved.
Maryland changed its law in 2009, however, so that people had to provide the saliva sample when they were arrested on charges of committing certain violent crimes — before going to trial.
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How Stupid Is The American Public?
The cruelest law of all is the minimum wage. It is the most basic law of economics: if the price rises on a good (ceteris paribus, of course), then less of it will be purchased. Labor is no exception. When you raise the price (i.e., the minimum wage in this case), less labor at the low end of the skill scale will be employed. For a thorough discussion, see here. [6]
In a time when our economy is struggling and teenage unemployment is through the roof (especially minorities), raising the minimum wage is the worst thing that can be done. This price control hurts the most vulnerable in society and those most in need of jobs. Yet the political class knows they can depend upon the ignorance and stupidity of the voting public. By appearing to be compassionate, they gain favor and votes. This move is not compassionate, it is harmful and destructive. There is nothing more harmful to low-skilled workers than raising the minimum wage. If it benefits politicians they don’t care what havoc and destruction they impose so long as enough of the people can be fooled.
The reality is that Government schooling produced this situation of zero to low skills. Now government rides to the rescue by making laws that make it illegal for their damaged output to be hired. No employer will hire an employee that costs him money. Unless the employee has a reasonable chance of contributing more than he costs, he has no hope of escaping unemployment. Unskilled workers are capable of doing productive work, but not at a beginning wage set too high by politicians looking out only for themselves. If the minimum wage is so good, why not raise it to $20.00 per hour or $50.00? Wouldn’t that erase poverty?
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In a time when our economy is struggling and teenage unemployment is through the roof (especially minorities), raising the minimum wage is the worst thing that can be done. This price control hurts the most vulnerable in society and those most in need of jobs. Yet the political class knows they can depend upon the ignorance and stupidity of the voting public. By appearing to be compassionate, they gain favor and votes. This move is not compassionate, it is harmful and destructive. There is nothing more harmful to low-skilled workers than raising the minimum wage. If it benefits politicians they don’t care what havoc and destruction they impose so long as enough of the people can be fooled.
The reality is that Government schooling produced this situation of zero to low skills. Now government rides to the rescue by making laws that make it illegal for their damaged output to be hired. No employer will hire an employee that costs him money. Unless the employee has a reasonable chance of contributing more than he costs, he has no hope of escaping unemployment. Unskilled workers are capable of doing productive work, but not at a beginning wage set too high by politicians looking out only for themselves. If the minimum wage is so good, why not raise it to $20.00 per hour or $50.00? Wouldn’t that erase poverty?
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Insurer With NY's 'Worst' Record Of Complaints Gets $340M Obamacare Loan
The New York-based Freelancers Insurance Company has been rated the "worst" insurer for two straight years by state regulators, and data compiled by a national insurance association show an extremely high rate of consumer complaints.
The firm was founded in 2008 by Sara Horowitz, who worked with Obama while he was in the Illinois state senate to launch Demos, a left-wing, New York think tank funded in part by George Soros.
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NO HESITATION TARGETS?
I know many people here do not like Infowars as a source of news, but has anyone else heard of this? If true, do you find this disturbing?
How much more evidence do you need? DHS trains to shoot pregnant women, old men, children with guns
Mike Adams
How much more evidence do you need? DHS trains to shoot pregnant women, old men, children with guns
Mike Adams
Natural News
Feb 21, 2013
I really didn’t want to cover this subject, but a warning has to be issued to Natural News readers. Infowars writer Paul Joseph Watson has uncovered proof that a U.S. based company called “Law Enforcement Training, Inc.” has been selling millions of dollars worth of “no hesitation” targets to the Department of Homeland Security.
These targets (see images below) are used to train DHS employees to shoot American citizens and they depict pregnant women, old men, children and even young moms with guns. The purpose of the targets, according to the company that sells them, is to “eliminate any hesitation” that U.S. government employees might normally feel in shooting to kill pregnant women, children and old men. (I’m not making this up. The government’s plan to murder Americans is now right out in the open…)
InfoWars reports they have been informed the “no hesitation
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Feb 21, 2013
I really didn’t want to cover this subject, but a warning has to be issued to Natural News readers. Infowars writer Paul Joseph Watson has uncovered proof that a U.S. based company called “Law Enforcement Training, Inc.” has been selling millions of dollars worth of “no hesitation” targets to the Department of Homeland Security.
These targets (see images below) are used to train DHS employees to shoot American citizens and they depict pregnant women, old men, children and even young moms with guns. The purpose of the targets, according to the company that sells them, is to “eliminate any hesitation” that U.S. government employees might normally feel in shooting to kill pregnant women, children and old men. (I’m not making this up. The government’s plan to murder Americans is now right out in the open…)
InfoWars reports they have been informed the “no hesitation
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NASCAR Crash Injures Fans at Daytona International Speedway
The accident happened on the last lap of the second-tier Nationwide Series race on the eve of Sunday’s Daytona 500, which officials said would go on as scheduled.
The crash began as the field approached the checkered flag and leader Regan Smith attempted to block Brad Keselowski to preserve the win. That triggered a chain reaction, and rookie Kyle Larson hit the cars in front of him and went airborne into the fence.
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A Comment Worthy Of A Post 2-24-13
Carol Jones has left a new comment on your post "IRETON’S PROPOSED TAX IS ONLY $18.9 MILLION PER YE...":
I have worked for a Salisbury business, which has been a part of the Salisbury community for more than years.
Salisbury, like many communities, needs to attract new businesses that will bring valuable jobs. New businesses are drawn to areas by the quality of life, skilled workforce, education systems and strong city leadership that works to attract them.
Many manufacturing companies have left this city, It is time for that to change.
Joe this was sent to the Daily Times last week and I thought they would print today. They did not!
Joe Albero has the vision, desire and qualifications to tackle important issues and move Salisbury in a positive direction. It’s time to elect him and give the next generation a chance to succeed.
Carol F. Jones
Salisbury, Maryland
I have worked for a Salisbury business, which has been a part of the Salisbury community for more than years.
Salisbury, like many communities, needs to attract new businesses that will bring valuable jobs. New businesses are drawn to areas by the quality of life, skilled workforce, education systems and strong city leadership that works to attract them.
Many manufacturing companies have left this city, It is time for that to change.
Joe this was sent to the Daily Times last week and I thought they would print today. They did not!
Joe Albero has the vision, desire and qualifications to tackle important issues and move Salisbury in a positive direction. It’s time to elect him and give the next generation a chance to succeed.
Carol F. Jones
Salisbury, Maryland
Are Amercians Turning Their Bulging Back On Fast Food?
Ten years after the infamous 'Supersize Me' movie highlighted the epidemic of obesity and fast-food in the US, it appears, from CDC data, that the message that greasy burgers and other artery-clogging food is not good (no matter how cheap). As NBCNews reports [3], the percentage of calories consumed from fast-food has dropped from 12.8% between 2003-2006 to 11.3% between 2007-2010. The reasons are not entirely clear though an aging population is certainly a factor as they comment, "Maybe you don't listen at 30, but you do at 60 when you are more vulnerable to clogged arteries of high blood pressure," as the 60-plus age group's consumption of fast-food dropped as low as 6% of calories (with the 20-39 age group consuming the most). Unfortunately, non-Hispanic black adults consumed a worrying 21% of their calories from fast-food. While this appears to be a positive thing, and indeed the aging of our population provides some backing for it continuing, we can't help but fear that the ongoing surge in food stamps and disability benefits suggests the fast-food 'breadlines' of today may be regrowing.
Via NBCNews [3],
Americans’ love affair with fast food may be far from over, but there are signs we may be cutting down on French fries, greasy burgers and other artery-clogging food, according to a new study.
A survey released on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, on average, adults consumed about 11.3 percent of their daily calorie intake from fast food in the 2007-2010 period – a drop from 12.8 percent in 2003-2006.
The CDC noted that more frequent fast-food consumption is associated with higher energy and fat intake and lower intake of healthful nutrients.
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Via NBCNews [3],
Americans’ love affair with fast food may be far from over, but there are signs we may be cutting down on French fries, greasy burgers and other artery-clogging food, according to a new study.
A survey released on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, on average, adults consumed about 11.3 percent of their daily calorie intake from fast food in the 2007-2010 period – a drop from 12.8 percent in 2003-2006.
The CDC noted that more frequent fast-food consumption is associated with higher energy and fat intake and lower intake of healthful nutrients.
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Lawmakers Debate Eliminating Speed Cameras In Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - While most eyes in Annapolis are focused on gun control and the gas tax, several bills to address speed cameras are being actively discussed, including one measure that would eliminate the cameras altogether.
State Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Cecil, introduced the bill on Feb. 1.
"We've had three years of experience related to this," Pipkin said at a Senate Judicial Proceedings hearing on Wednesday in reference to Baltimore, which scrapped its speed camera system after several drivers received bogus tickets.
Pipkin says drivers are more likely to change their behavior if a police officer pulls them over to issue a ticket. He says receiving a ticket in the mail makes drivers feel as though Big Brother is watching.
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State Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Cecil, introduced the bill on Feb. 1.
"We've had three years of experience related to this," Pipkin said at a Senate Judicial Proceedings hearing on Wednesday in reference to Baltimore, which scrapped its speed camera system after several drivers received bogus tickets.
Pipkin says drivers are more likely to change their behavior if a police officer pulls them over to issue a ticket. He says receiving a ticket in the mail makes drivers feel as though Big Brother is watching.
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MDOT Bicycle And Pedestrian Survey
Want to help make Maryland more bike - and pedestrian-friendly? The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is updating the state’s 20-year Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The plan provides guidance and investment strategies to support walking and bicycling in the Old Line State.
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My Mothers Hands
The director discovered from his CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent. He asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "no".
" Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"
"My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.” he replied.
" Where did your mother work?"
"My mother worked as clothes cleaner.”
The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.
" Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?"
"Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Besides, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.
The director said, "I have a request. When you go home today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.
The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back home, he asked his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to her son.
The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother winced when he touched it.
This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fees. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his education, his school activities and his future.
After cleaning his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.
That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.
Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.
The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, when he asked: "Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"
The youth answered," I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes'
“I know now what appreciation is. Without my mother, I would not be who I am today. By helping my mother, only now do I realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done on your own. And I have come to appreciate the importance and value of helping one’s family.
The director said, "This is what I am looking for in a manager. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life.”
“You are hired.”
This young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and worked as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.
A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop an "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who may be good academically, they may be successful for a while, but eventually they would not feel a sense of achievement. They will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying our children instead?
You can let your child live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch on a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your child learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.
Interesting History
used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken &
Sold to the tannery.......if you had to do this to survive
you were "Piss Poor"
But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't
even afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to
piss in" & were the lowest of the low
The next time you are washing your hands and complain
because the water temperature isn't just how you like it,
think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about
the 1500s:
Most people got married in June because they took their
yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by
June.. However, since they were starting to smell . ...... .
Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor.
Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting
Married.
Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man
of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then
all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the
children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so
dirty you could actually lose someone in it.. Hence the
saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"
Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no
wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get
warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs)
lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and
sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof...
Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."
There was nothing to stop things from falling into the
house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs
and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence,
a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top
afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into
existence.
The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other
than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had
slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet,
so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their
footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until,
when you opened the door, it would all start slipping
outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way.
Hence: a thresh hold.
(Getting quite an education, aren't you?)
In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big
kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit
the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly
vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the
stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold
overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew
had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence
the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas
porridge in the pot nine days old. Sometimes they could
obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When
visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show
off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home
the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests
and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high
acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food,
causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with
tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were
considered poisonous.
Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt
bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests
got the top, or the upper crust.
Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination
would Sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days.
Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and
prepare them for burial.. They were laid out on the kitchen
table for a couple of days and the family would gather
around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake
up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.
England is old and small and the local folks started running
out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins
and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the
grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins
were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they
realized they had been burying people alive... So they would
tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the
coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell.
Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night
(the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone
could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
And that's the truth....Now, whoever said History was boring