REPORTS: ALLEGED TSARNAEV ACCOMPLICE IN US ILLEGALLY

 Several media outlets are now reporting that one of the three men arrested in connection with the Boston terrorist attack is an illegal immigrant.

CNN’s Jake Tapper reports that the three alleged accomplices in custody are students. Two of them, Dias Kadyrbayev and Azamat Tazhayakov, are from Kazakhstan, and the third is U.S. citizen Robel Phillipos.

Kadyrbayev and Tazhayakov are being charged with obstruction of justice. Complaints from the U.S. Attorney Office say they helped destroy evidence that might further implicate Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in the April 15 terrorist attacks at the Boston Marathon, namely disposing of a backpack containing fireworks and a laptop belonging to Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The complaints say Kadyrbayev and Tazhayakov "admitted that they agreed to get rid of [the backpack] after concluding from news reports that Tsarnaev was one of the Boston Marathon bombers."

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House Committee Tables Death Penalty Bill In Delaware

DOVER — Days after supporters failed to muster enough support to move legislation repealing Delaware’s death penalty out of a House committee, opponents successfully tabled the measure Tuesday, making it more difficult to revive the bill this session.

However, supporters of death penalty repeal say they hopeto override the committee’s action by seeking the suspension of House rules to bring the bill up for a vote.

The bill narrowly passed the Senate at the end of March and moved to the 11-member House Judiciary Committee, which heard public testimony last week from advocates on both sides of the capital punishment debate.

At the close of that hearing a motion to table the bill failed. Milton Republican Rep. Stephen Smyk then attempted to make a motion to defeat the bill, but he was not recognized and the meeting was adjourned.

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NETFLIX Losing 2,000 Movies & Shows

Boy Scouts of America Survey: 61% Support Current Policy of Excluding Homosexuals

The results of a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) survey shows that a majority of members support keeping in place the policy that prohibits homosexuals from joining or leading the organization.

Ahead of a May 23 vote on whether to change its policies to allow openly homosexual scout members and/or gay scout leaders, the BSA has provided CNSNews with the results of survey conducted in February of BSA members, parents, donors and other interested parties.

The survey’s executive summary describes it as “the most comprehensive listing exercise in [BSA] history.”

The survey shows that of the 200,000 adult members who responded, 61 percent are in favor of keeping the current policy, which excludes open and avowed homosexuals from the BSA; while 34 percent of the respondents said they would like to see the current policy changed.
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GLEN AVENUE TO CLOSE FOR UPCOMING COMMENCEMENT ACTIVITIES

Salisbury MD – County Executive Pollitt has announced that Glen Avenue will be closed for the following commencement ceremonies held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center during the month of May.

Please be aware that on the following dates, from 5pm to 10pm, Glen Avenue will be blocked off to thru traffic:

· Tuesday, May 7 – Wor-Wic Community College

· Saturday, May 18 – Salisbury University 8AM – 5PM

· Tuesday, May 28 – James M. Bennett High School

· Wednesday, May 29 – Parkside High School

· Friday, May 31 – Wicomico High School

Since 2010, County Executive Pollitt has closed Glen Avenue during major events for the safety and well-being of participants and attendees.

Congressman Andy Harris: "Big Surprise Coming This Fall" Because of Obamacare

Congressman Andy Harris, MD went on WBAL’s The C4 Show earlier to discuss the news last week that Blue Cross Blue Shield of MD proposed raising health insurance rates between 25-150% for young/healthy people because of Obamacare. He also addressed the testimony that Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius gave last Thursday before the House Appropriations Committee he sits on regarding these rate hikes. In the interview, he refuted her claim that these rate hikes are “unlikely” because of “more competition.”

Listen to the radio interview here.

Pemberton Park Nature Camp To hold Open House May 4 & 5

(Salisbury, MD) Pemberton Park Nature Camp will hold an open house on May 4 & 5 to provide a sneak peek of their summer camp in which children explore the great outdoors and learn about the natural world through hands-on lessons, hiking, fishing, games, crafts and other activities. The open house is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 from 10:00am-2:00pm and Sunday, May 5 from 1:00pm-4:00pm. This event is free and open to the public, registration is not required.

Pemberton Park Nature Camp will take place June 17-August 23 at Pemberton Historical Park in Salisbury. Each week-long session will run Monday-Friday from 9:00am-3:00pm (before and after care available from 7:00am-5:00pm). Registration is open to boys and girls ages 5-15. The program fee is $135 per week. Themed sessions are listed below.

Slithers and Scales I - June 17-21
Bugging - June 24-28
Plant-tastic! - July 1-5 (Reduced Rate $115, Closed July 4)
Nocturnal Neighbors (Ages 7-15) - July 8-12
Slithers and Scales II - July 15-19
Mucking Around - July 22-26
Fishing - July 29-August 2
Marvelous Mammals of Maryland - August 5-9
Things with Wings - August 12-16
Adventures with Ranger Bob - August 19-23

Fannie Mae Evicts Family In Foreclosure, Then Installs Armed Guards

On January 16, 2013, just after 5 AM, 12 sheriff's deputies and 10 Portland police officers forcefully evicted the original Portland foreclosure fighters - Debbie and Ron Austin - from their NE Portland home. The eviction was at the demand of the government sponsored and funded mortgage finance vehicle, Fannie Mae.

The family was evicted, but their home is not empty. A force of armed private security guards from McRoberts Security was immediately installed in Debbie Austin's home. The guards have been on 24-hour duty in the home ever since.

Typical cost for private security indicates that Fannie Mae is spending $480-$600 a day, or $15,000 a month on 24-hour armed guards. Since the Austins' January eviction, Fannie Mae has spent nearly $50,000 of essentially public money to keep one home empty.

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Delaware Moves From 10th To 5th Among Bicycle Friendly States

League of American Bicyclists ranks Delaware first among northeastern states

Dover -- In honor of National Bike Month, the League of American Bicyclists today released its latest Bicycle Friendly States ranking. In the sixth annual assessment, Delaware achieved a fifth place ranking nationally, while placing number one in the northeastern United States.

"People want to work and live in places they are proud to call home," said Governor Markell. "This shows the progress we've been making to expand trails and pathways, offering more connected workplaces and homes. We're on the road to making our quality of life in Delaware #1 in the country. It's good for families and for businesses who want to grow here."
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Study: Desperate For Attention, White House Reporters Abandon Tough Questions

A groundbreaking new study of White House press conferences over the past 23 years reveals that the events are in a death spiral, especially under President Obama. Reporters, desperate to keep the press conferences alive, have switched to asking easy questions in a bid to coax the president to host more of them, the study says.

Noting that the days when reporters like Sam Donaldson and Helen Thomas pestered President Reagan are long gone, the study in the authoritative journal American Politics Research said that adversarial questions have become rare as presidents have rebelled at them.

"The press want to encourage presidents to hold more of these direct exchanges to benefit their own reputations and media's prestige," said the study provided to Secrets. "The press will be less adversarial in these rare meetings to encourage more of them."
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Governor O'Malley Orders Flag To Be Flown At Half-Staff

This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the Maryland State Flag flown at half-staff immediately. This is in honor of Firefighter Gene Kirchner, a 7 year veteran of the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company, who died today as a result of injuries suffered in the line of duty. The flag shall continue to be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment. When the date of his funeral is determined, an updated notification will be sent. This action is taken under the Protocol for the United States and Maryland State Flag. Any questions on the above should be directed to the Office of the Secretary of State.

The Twinkies Are Coming, The Twinkies Are Coming!: New Hostess To Open Bakeries Soon

As with anything delicious and filled with ooey, gooey creamy goodness, we’ve been keeping an eye on the new Hostess for any signs of Twinkies’ return. A judge cleared the way for the brand’s sale in March, with the new owners eyeing a summer release date for the first batch of Twinkies, and now the company has announced that bakeries will soon be open and ready for business.

Last week Hostess announced that bakeries would reopen bakeries in Georgia and Kansas, and today it revealed that bakeries will also open in Indiana and Illinois, reports the Associated Press.

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Crash Closes Route 50 In Both Directions In Queen Anne's County

QUEENSTOWN, Md. —Route 50 is closed in both directions at the Route 301 split in Queenstown after a multi-vehicle crash, according to police.

Police said the crash happened shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday.
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FACEBOOK POST ALLEGEDLY BY CONSERVATIVE MALE THREATENING RAPE AGAINST LIBERAL FEMALE STUDENT TAKES INTERESTING TWIST

Over the weekend and into this week, the University of Wyoming has been mired in controversy over an alleged Facebook post that threatened sexual violence against an outspoken liberal student by someone who the post made out to be a conservative male.

According to Wyoming’s Star-Tribune, on the non-university affiliated Facebook page UW Crushes, which has since been shut down, a post appeared last week that read:

“I want to hatef— Meg Lanker- so hard,” the Facebook post said. “That chick that runs her liberal mouth all the time and doesn’t care who knows it. I think its hot and it makes me angry. One night with me and shes gonna be a good Republican b—-.”

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In Whose Pocket Is The New Head Of Fannie And Freddie?

Following the earlier reported  devastating news for Mark Zandi fans (all one of them, including Mr. Zandi himself) that the Moody's economist/ADP seasonal adjuster, will not be the next head of the GSEs, and instead that privilege will go to North Carolina Democrat Mel Watt, we decided to take a quick look in whose pocket the career Congressman (elected into congress in 1992) truly lies. We are delighted to announce that with Mr. Watt's lobbying dollars coming almost exclusively from Wall Street, Lawyers/Law Firms, and Labor Unions, the $7+ trillion in US mortgages, and sole source of mortgage creation in the US, is in "very good", if just a little conflicted and quite socialist, hands. Mortgage forgiveness-demanding, crony capitalist comrades of the world, unite! (while charging $1000/hour)

Mel Watt's biggest career contributors by industry:

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Construction Jobs Up in Maryland

Construction jobs are up 12-percent since this time last year in the Baltimore area, according to a construction industry trade group.

"It's about 7,700 jobs more than we saw at this time last year," according to Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America. He said across the U.S., construction jobs increased in 152 out of 339 metropolitan areas between March 2012 and March 2013.

Simonson said many of the jobs are in residential construction.
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Equality In Gun Control Finally Achieved

According to the Associated Press, new billboards in northern Colorado are controversial for using the fate of the Native Americans as an illustration of the dangers of gun control. The billboards are in the style of a reddit meme and feature a photograph of three men in traditional Plains Indian attire, with the caption "Turn in your arms. The Government will take care of you."

According to the AP, one person condemned the billboard for "making light of atrocities the federal government committed against Native Americans."

Had the journalist or anyone interviewed for this story done any actual research on this matter, he or she would have quickly learned that the billboard is obviously based on a series of memes that have been around for years in various forms, and far from "making light" of atrocities against the Indians, are intended to be deadly serious (for the most part) in their references to the genocidal wars waged against the Indians.

Some interviewed for the piece went on to declare the message of the billboards as "extreme," and it says a lot that pointing out the indisputable fact that the treatment of Native Americans throughout most of American history has been based on deception and murder is considered by some people to be "extreme."

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Wait, What? DHS Under Investigation For Ammo Purchases

The Department of Homeland Security is under investigation for purchasing large stockpiles of ammunition, days before legislation was introduced that would restrict the amount a government agency can legally buy.

The Government Accountability Office is now conducting the investigation into the alleged DHS purchases, which is “just getting underway,” GAO spokesman Chuck Young told US News & World Report.

DHS officials have repeatedly denied stockpiling ammunition, but AP reports claim that the agency plans to buy more than 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition over the next four or five years, and has already bought 360,000 rounds of hollow point bullets and 1.5 billion rounds in 2012.

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THEY WILL COME FOR YOU

Corrections Officer Charged With Pointing Gun

Baltimore County Police have arrested a corrections officer they say pointed a handgun at a man who asked for payment after performing a sex act.

Twenty-six-year-old William Hawkins was charged with assault and other offenses Tuesday. He was released on $75,000 bail.

Police say a man met Hawkins online and agreed to perform a sex act for money. Officers say Hawkins went to the man's home Sunday and the man performed the sex act.
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QUOTES OF THE DAY 5-2-13

“Missing a train is only painful if you run after it! Likewise, not matching the idea of success others expect from you is only painful if that’s what you are seeking.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable

“Heroes are heroes because they are heroic in behavior, not because they won or lost.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets

“Remember that you are a Black Swan.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb

“If you hear a “prominent” economist using the word ‘equilibrium,’ or ‘normal distribution,’ do not argue with him; just ignore him, or try to put a rat down his shirt.”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable

“My biggest problem with modernity may lie in the growing separation of the ethical and the legal”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms

“The inability to predict outliers implies the inability to predict the course of history”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable

“The difference between technology and slavery is that slaves are fully aware that they are not free”
― Nassim Nicholas Taleb

And Now, The Ugly Side Of A College Education

Yesterday we showed the good side of college [7]by presenting those majors that result in the best starting salaries fresh out of college. Now the bad side.

According to a survey by Accenture, more than 40% of recent US college graduates are "disillusioned", "underemployed" or "need more training" to get on a career track. But... what about those tends of thousands in student loans, or at least the remainder that was not spent on Apple products? Turns out the marginal utility of a college education is dropping as fast as the total notional in Federal student loans is rising. What is most ironic, is that according to the survey, many of the respondents end up at jobs that do not even require a college degree. Of the respondents, 34% said they owed $30,000 or less, while 17% had between $30,000 and $50,000 in student loans.

So what is the solution: why more degrees of course!

Nearly half, 42 percent, of recent graduates expect they will need an advanced degree to further their career and almost a quarter are already planning to take graduate courses. More degrees, more debt, more dead end opportunities for a generation that is stuck in place not because it is underqualified, but because of barriers to entry erected by those already in the workforce, especially those aged 55 and over who courtesy of Bernanke's ZIRP4EVA can't afford to retire, and who as the following chart shows are employed more now than ever. The losers: those aged 20-24 whose employment level has not budged in the past four decades despite a demographic boom that puts millions more into precisely this age cohort with every passing year. Where are those who are not in the labor force (and not playing Call of Duty)? Why in college of course.

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This Is A Must See Video. Truely Amazing.

Mother's Day At The Red Roost

Make Your Reservations Today!

No one is better at giving us what we need than Mom. So make sure you show how much she is appreciated this Mother's Day. Gather the whole family and let The Red Roost do all the work...

Mother's Day - Sunday, May 12th

Open at 12:00 Noon!

~Accommodations for groups of all sizes and ages~
Reservations strongly recommended... make yours today!
410.546.5443

Md. Governor To Sign Oyster Shell Recycling Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley says he will sign an oyster shell recycling bill.

The bill provides a dollar a bushel tax credit for empty oyster shells, up to $750 a year.
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Rape Hoax

Liberal student activist threatened herself with rape in Facebook hoax to frame conservatives

University of Wyoming student Meg Lanker-Simons, a liberal activist, posted a threatening Facebook message targeting herself to frame Conservative Republicans, police say.

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Cause For Paws

Saturday, May 11th 10:00am-1:00pm

5130 Citation Drive Salisbury, MD 21804

Enjoy food, craft vendors, pet contests, raffles, K-9 and Salisbury Kennel Club demonstrations, & more!

Help support the 1000's of animals that come through our door every year, walk with your friends or a team from work. Collect donations to help a great cause! Walk with or without a pet.

Prizes for the top fundraising team and the most creative T-shirt.

Update On Recent Boston Bombing Arrests

A new arrest in the Boston Marathon bombings case is casting a light on communication problems at the Homeland Security Department. One of the three people arrested yesterday was allowed to return to the United States from Kazakhstan despite not having a valid student visa. Azamat Tazhayakov was a classmate of suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Tazhayakov left the United States in December. The university dismissed him for academic reasons. His student-visa status was terminated. A Homeland Security spokesman said when Tazhayakov arrived in January, Customs and Border Protection did not know Tazhayakov's status had changed. DHS is reforming the student visa system to give Customs access to all relevant student visa information.

Party with us for Preakness!

...and support United Way's Imagination Library.

May 18th from 5-8pm at Vinny's La Roma.

Includes live entertainment, big screen TVs courtesy of Sound Advice Audio, open bar, endless Italian buffet and the opportunity to be a "guest jockey" and win tons of prizes!

Tickets available here.

State Pays Settlement To Baltimore Jail Inmate After Beatings

The Board of Public Works reluctantly approved a request by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide $40,000 in settlement to inmate Michael Smith, who was brutally assaulted multiple times while in state custody.

Surfacing amid the Baltimore City Detention Center scandal that made a splash in state and national media, Smith’s shocking case raises further questions about the Maryland’s correctional facilities with allegations of corrupt correctional officers, denial of medical treatment, and incompetence across the correctional system.

While in the city jail, Smith cut a deal with correctional officer Duane Crew who agreed to smuggle heroin, cell phones, and other contraband into the facility. When inmate Smith backed out of the partnership, it is alleged that Crew provided another inmate, Bryan Medlin, with a handcuff key, allowing Medlin to escape from triple restraints (hands cuffed and chained to the feet) and carry out a violent assault on Smith.

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The End Of Furloughs

It's official. President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill to end furloughs of air traffic controllers, despite his preference for a governmentwide solution to sequestration. The law lets the FAA transfer up to $253 million from other programs to keep controllers on the job. The agency resumed normal operations this weekend in anticipation of the bill becoming law. Lawmakers passed the measure Friday but there was a typo. Congress had to fix it before it reached the president. The FAA said furloughs led to 863 flight delays one day last week.

Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund

United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore received a $150,000 grant to provide long term relief for Hurricane Sandy survivors in Somerset County. If you or a loved one needs assistance, please call 410-742-5143 to set up an in-home visit.

Bootlegger's Ball Tickets On Sale

Friday, June 7th from 6pm to 10pm

Presented by the Wicomico Rotary.

Enjoy live music, great food, an hour of open bar with silent and live auctions. A portion of ticket sales and auction proceeds will benefit United Way. 

Tickets available by clicking here.

Navy Charges 2 In Deaths Of 2 Divers At Md. Pond

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Two members of a Virginia-based Navy dive unit face military criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter and dereliction of duty in the February drowning deaths of two divers at an Army facility test pond near Baltimore, officials said Wednesday.

Navy officials said the two defendants, whom they haven't identified, are a chief warrant officer 3 and a senior chief petty officer in Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2. The sailors had a supervisory role in the events at the pond, according to Navy officials in Washington who discussed the matter on condition of anonymity because the case is under investigation.

They also belonged to the same unit as the victims, Diver 1st Class James Reyher, 28, of Caldwell, Ohio, and Diver 2nd Class Ryan Harris, 23, of Gladstone, Mo., said Lt. Cdr. Charity Hardison of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command in Virginia Beach, Va.
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Maryland Recreation And Parks Association Recognizes Local Eagle Scout

(Photo attached; pictured from left to right, Matthew Purkins, Carroll County Recreation & Parks, MRPA President; Wendy Donley, M-NCPPC, Prince George’s Co., MRPA Awards Chair; Gavin Stephens)

On Thursday, April 18, the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) recognized local Eagle Scout Gavin Stephens with the 2013 Community Volunteer Award for his outstanding service to the West Salisbury Little League Park.

In November 2011, Stephens chose to build a playground and make improvements to the West Salisbury Little League Park for his Eagle Scout Leadership Project. Stephens wanted kids to have a place to make friends and create a community park that families could enjoy year-round.

Initially, Stephens raised over $17,000 in six months by selling engraved brick pavers and collecting donations from community leaders and civic organizations to build a small playground at the park. Along the way, Stephens met with Gary Mackes, Director of Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism and discovered the opportunity to apply for a Program Open Space Grant, which could help provide a larger playground and additional improvements to the park including water and sewer upgrades and sidewalks. In September 2012, Stephens testified before the Maryland Board of Public Works on behalf of Wicomico County and his project was awarded a $135,000 Program Open Space Grant.

In November 2012, Stephens led a team of over 50 volunteers in the construction of a $40,000 playground consisting of a large play module with two slides, monkey bars and swing set, wood timbers for playground borders, landscape fabric and mulch. Community volunteers logged over 300 service hours to complete the project. Stephens personally spent over 150 hours on the project, which took 12 months from conceptualization to completion.

West Salisbury Little League Park is located at 1406 Pemberton Drive in Salisbury.

SPD Delivery Robbery Prevention Tips

For Police assistance call 9-1-1 in an Emergency

or

Salisbury Police Department at (410)548-3165

Addtional Boston Suspects Revealed

Two classmates of Boston Marathon bomb suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (above right) and a third person face federal charges in connection with the April 15 attack, a federal law enforcement source said Wednesday.

Boston police announced the arrests Wednesday morning, adding that there was "no threat to the public." They were expected to appear before a federal judge Wednesday afternoon, U.S. government sources said.

The classmates -- Azamat Tazhayako (above left) and Dias Kadyrbayev (above center) -- are both from Kazakhstan and had been in federal custody on immigration charges already, their lawyers said. The third person arrested is a U.S. citizen.

The Kazakh students face charges of making false statements to investigators and conspiracy to obstruct justice, according to a federal law enforcement source with firsthand knowledge of the investigation.
Source

SPD Press Release 5-2-13

Presidential Proclamation -- National Day of Prayer, 2013

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2013

---------

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Americans have long turned to prayer both in times of joy and times of sorrow. On their voyage to the New World, the earliest settlers prayed that they would "rejoice together, mourn together, labor, and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work." From that day forward, Americans have prayed as a means of uniting, guiding, and healing. In times of hardship and tragedy, and in periods of peace and prosperity, prayer has provided reassurance, sustenance, and affirmation of common purpose.

Prayer brings communities together and can be a wellspring of strength and support. In the aftermath of senseless acts of violence, the prayers of countless Americans signal to grieving families and a suffering community that they are not alone. Their pain is a shared pain, and their hope a shared hope. Regardless of religion or creed, Americans reflect on the sacredness of life and express their sympathy for the wounded, offering comfort and holding up a light in an hour of darkness.

All of us have the freedom to pray and exercise our faiths openly. Our laws protect these God-given liberties, and rightly so. Today and every day, prayers will be offered in houses of worship, at community gatherings, in our homes, and in neighborhoods all across our country. Let us give thanks for the freedom to practice our faith as we see fit, whether individually or in fellowship.

On this day, let us remember in our thoughts and prayers all those affected by recent events, such as the Boston Marathon bombings, the Newtown, Connecticut shootings, and the explosion in West, Texas. Let us pray for the police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who put themselves in harm's way to protect their fellow Americans. Let us also pray for the safety of our brave men and women in uniform and their families who serve and sacrifice for our country. Let us come together to pray for peace and goodwill today and in the days ahead as we work to meet the great challenges of our time.

The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on the President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a "National Day of Prayer."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2, 2013, as a National Day of Prayer. I join the citizens of our Nation in giving thanks, in accordance with our own faiths and consciences, for our many freedoms and blessings, and in asking for God's continued guidance, mercy, and protection.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

Can I Really Get Cheaper Meds If I Don't Use My Insurance?

Yes! Many retailers offer discount prices on generics that may be cheaper than your co-pay. We asked our Secret Shoppers to price common generic drugs at more than 200 pharmacies around the U.S. and they found some real deals if you use cash or credit card instead of insurance. For instance, instead of paying a $10 drug co-pay for the generic version of escitalopram (Lexapro), you could instead pay just $7 at Costco.

Also, many retailers, including Kroger, Target, and Walmart, offer long lists of discount generic drugs that cost $4 for a 30-day supply or $10 for 90 days. Common examples include generic versions of the diabetes drug metformin (Glucophage) and antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac), and even drugs to lower cholesterol, such as lovastatin (Mevacor) and pravastatin (Pravachol).

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