I’m thinking most of our military already know this government is corrupt. Hiding this scandal from them isn’t going to change that fact:
WND – President Obama has said the outrage over the federal government’s decision to monitor citizens’ phone activity is all “hype.”
He might want to share his opinion with the U.S. Air Force, which is ordering members of the service not to look at news stories about it.
WND has received an unclassified NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) that warns airmen not to look at news stories related to the data-mining scandal.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann
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| Photo by Bunk Mann |
Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann
The biblical sand sculptures have been an Ocean City tourist attraction for over 40 years. Located on the beach in front of the Plim Plaza Hotel, they are one of the most photographed sites on the Boardwalk. Themes such as Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, Jesus on the Cross and the Last Supper inspire and delight thousands of visitors to the Boardwalk each year.The sculptures were began by artist Marc Altamar in the early 1970s and continued under the skilled hands of Randy Hofman after Altamar moved to Florida in 1981. Hofman, a well-known local artist and ordained minister, carves the figures using his hands and a plastic crab knife while young people from the Son’spot dig the piles of sand on which the sculptures sit. A mixture of glue and water help preserve the sand sculptures, which depending on the weather can last for several weeks.
Source
Americans Deeply Split Over Government Spying Programs: Poll
A new poll finds Americans have divergent opinions on whether it is all right for the government to track telephone records in the name of fighting terrorism.
A majority of respondents, 56 percent, said the National Security Agency’s recently disclosed database of call logs is acceptable, yet a “substantial minority” of 41 percent say it’s unacceptable, according to a national survey conducted June 6-9 by the Pew Research Center and The Washington Post among 1,000 adults.
The poll, Pew says, “finds no indications that last week’s revelations of the government’s collection of phone records and internet data have altered fundamental public views about the tradeoff between investigating possible terrorism and protecting personal privacy.”
A majority of respondents, 56 percent, said the National Security Agency’s recently disclosed database of call logs is acceptable, yet a “substantial minority” of 41 percent say it’s unacceptable, according to a national survey conducted June 6-9 by the Pew Research Center and The Washington Post among 1,000 adults.
The poll, Pew says, “finds no indications that last week’s revelations of the government’s collection of phone records and internet data have altered fundamental public views about the tradeoff between investigating possible terrorism and protecting personal privacy.”
Health Benefits Of Watermelon – Lose Weight, Lower Blood Pressure, And More
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry has published findings from a joint research effort between scientists at the University of Kentucky and Purdue University regarding the health benefits of watermelon – that sweet summer favorite. According to researchers on the team, watermelon, native to South Africa, contains a number of influential substances including citrulline, a compound thought to protect against atherosclerosis. This high water content fruit is also touted for its ability to help with weight management. Watermelon is just another fruit, in a long line of researched fruits, including berries and apples that have proven effective in the promotion of health and protection from cardiovascular disease, cancer and stroke.
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Fun Stuff To Do ??? (Part 1)
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| Bike trail on the Cliffs of Moher |
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| Extreme picnicking |
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| Ice climbing a frozen waterfall |
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| On the Edgewalk in Toronto |
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| Tree camping in Germany |
TV Makeover Show Comes To Ocean City
The Lankford Hotel and its associated cottages and apartment buildings on 8th Street and the Boardwalk opened in 1924 and has been owned and operated by the same family ever since for nearly nine decades spanning several generations. While the hotel has retained its early 20th Century charm and has attracted many of the same visitors each summer for decades, the facility has found it difficult to compete with the newer, more modern Ocean City and its sparkling big hotel chains with the latest amenities, particularly in the often-tough shoulder season.
To that end, the family reached out to noted hotel guru Melchiorri and his crew from the hit Travel Channel show “Hotel Impossible” to provide a new set of eyes and ears on some of the issues, both aesthetically and from an operational standpoint. The “Hotel Impossible” show follows Melchiorri as he rescues struggling hotels, some which are down to their last hope and at risk of closing, and others, like the Lankford, for example, that need a nudge into the 21st Century.
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SOCIAL MEDIA IMPORTANT IN SEARCH FOR MISSING CHILDREN MD
Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons: Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/MD.MCMUP Twitter: https://twitter.com/mcmup_msp
(PIKESVILLE, MD) – The Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons is reminding citizens they can help locate missing children by connecting to the social media tools that provide notifications and photos of persons being sought.
On average, 10,000 to 12,000 children are reported missing in Maryland each year. On any given day, there are 1,000 active missing person cases in Maryland. One in every three of these children is located because someone has seen and recognized their photos.
In response to these statistics, the Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons, a unit of the Maryland State Police, coordinates an official Facebook page and operates a Twitter feed, both of which are designed to raise public awareness and participation in the search for Maryland’s missing.
The Facebook page features all missing person cases from a state, county, or municipal police department, or a parent or guardian, who requested the creation of a missing person poster. Additionally, the Facebook page features cold cases, Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts that are issued in Maryland, as well as information about attempted child abductions. Valuable resources and information on child safety can also be found within the page. The Facebook page receives an average of 150,000 views per week.
The Twitter account is used exclusively for child abductions that result in an Amber Alert being activated. In order for Amber Alerts to be most effective, strict criteria have to be met before an alert is issued. When an alert is issued, it usually contains information about a suspect vehicle the abducted child may be in, which gives motorists something to look for. The child’s picture will also be placed on the Facebook page as soon as it becomes available.
The dedicated staff members of the Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons are excited about the positive impact the use of social media is having on the successful location of missing Maryland children and adults. To follow the Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons Facebook page, simply “like” the following: http://www.facebook.com/MD.MCMUP. The Twitter account can be followed athttps://twitter.com/mcmup_msp.
(PIKESVILLE, MD) – The Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons is reminding citizens they can help locate missing children by connecting to the social media tools that provide notifications and photos of persons being sought.
On average, 10,000 to 12,000 children are reported missing in Maryland each year. On any given day, there are 1,000 active missing person cases in Maryland. One in every three of these children is located because someone has seen and recognized their photos.
In response to these statistics, the Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons, a unit of the Maryland State Police, coordinates an official Facebook page and operates a Twitter feed, both of which are designed to raise public awareness and participation in the search for Maryland’s missing.
The Facebook page features all missing person cases from a state, county, or municipal police department, or a parent or guardian, who requested the creation of a missing person poster. Additionally, the Facebook page features cold cases, Amber Alerts and Silver Alerts that are issued in Maryland, as well as information about attempted child abductions. Valuable resources and information on child safety can also be found within the page. The Facebook page receives an average of 150,000 views per week.
The Twitter account is used exclusively for child abductions that result in an Amber Alert being activated. In order for Amber Alerts to be most effective, strict criteria have to be met before an alert is issued. When an alert is issued, it usually contains information about a suspect vehicle the abducted child may be in, which gives motorists something to look for. The child’s picture will also be placed on the Facebook page as soon as it becomes available.
The dedicated staff members of the Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons are excited about the positive impact the use of social media is having on the successful location of missing Maryland children and adults. To follow the Maryland Center for Missing and Unidentified Persons Facebook page, simply “like” the following: http://www.facebook.com/MD.MCMUP. The Twitter account can be followed athttps://twitter.com/mcmup_msp.
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STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH OF CHILD IN CECIL COUNTY
The deceased victim is identified as Kami Ring, 10, of the 600 block of Bladen Street in Charlestown, Maryland. Ring was found deceased yesterday evening in a field near a home where she had been staying. The child’s body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
Shortly after 11:00 a.m. yesterday, troopers from the North East Barrack responded to the 100-block of Waibel Road in Port Deposit, Maryland for a report of the missing ten year old. A resident of the home made the 9-1-1 call. Police were told the child was last seen inside the home on the night of June 9, 2013 when it was assumed she had gone to bed.
During the course of the initial investigation, police learned that Kami had been staying at the Waibel Road residence at the time of her disappearance. Kami’s grandparents and one other individual, related to the grandmother, reside at the home.
State Troopers, K-9 Units from the Maryland State Police and Natural Resources Police, along with Chesapeake Search and Rescue conducted a thorough search of the area. At 6:20 p.m. yesterday evening, the body of the deceased victim was discovered about sixty yards in front of the Waibel Road residence in a field near a shed. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to gather evidence. Assistance was provided by the Maryland State Police Child Recovery Unit, the MSP Gang Unit, the Maryland State Apprehension Team, and criminal investigators from the North East Barrack. The Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office is being briefed as the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit continues the investigation.
At this time, investigators have several leads and persons of interest. Calls are being taken by the Maryland State Police North East Barrack at 410-996-7800. Calls will remain confidential.
Md. Police: 10-Year-Old Girl Found Dead In Field
Police say troopers were called to Kami Ring's grandparents' home in Port Deposit on Monday morning after she was reported missing. Investigators were told that Ring was last seen Sunday night at the home and it had been assumed she had gone to bed.
Police say Ring's body was found Monday evening near a shed in a field about 60 yards in front of the home.
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WILL U.S. EVEN SURVIVE OBAMA'S FULL TERM?
Media giant: America being 'taken over' by president's policies
The rash of scandals facing Barack Obama and his administration in recent days has some people wondering if the president can survive his full term through January 2017.
Britain’s Telegraph newspaper is even running the headline: “You have to wonder: Will Obama see out his full term?”
But U.S. radio giant Rush Limbaugh says that’s the wrong question to ask.
“That’s not the question. The question is: Will America last through Obama’s full term?” Limbaugh said on his program Monday.
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The rash of scandals facing Barack Obama and his administration in recent days has some people wondering if the president can survive his full term through January 2017.
Britain’s Telegraph newspaper is even running the headline: “You have to wonder: Will Obama see out his full term?”
But U.S. radio giant Rush Limbaugh says that’s the wrong question to ask.
“That’s not the question. The question is: Will America last through Obama’s full term?” Limbaugh said on his program Monday.
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Commentary: More NSA disclosures cause loss of trust
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| Gen. Keith Alexander |
Who will protect us from those who are supposed to protect us? That is the question that lingers after the disclosure of two programs that monitor the phone records and Internet use of millions of Americans by the National Security Agency, based at Maryland’s Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County.
Here is what Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the NSA, told the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce on April 25.
“Our people take pride in protecting our civil liberties and our privacy,” Alexander said. “We can’t tell you how we do that.”
Read more
California Elementary School Holds A Toy Gun Buyback
White House Calls for 'Paycheck Fairness,' But Pays Male Staffers 13% More
The White House is calling for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, citing that women earn just 77 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts.
"On average, full-time working women earn just 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. This significant gap is more than a statistic -- it has real life consequences. When women, who make up nearly half the workforce, bring home less money each day, it means they have less for the everyday needs of their families, and over a lifetime of work, far less savings for retirement," says the White House website.
It continues, "President Obama supports passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a comprehensive and commonsense bill that updates and strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which made it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages to men and women who perform substantially equal work."
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"On average, full-time working women earn just 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. This significant gap is more than a statistic -- it has real life consequences. When women, who make up nearly half the workforce, bring home less money each day, it means they have less for the everyday needs of their families, and over a lifetime of work, far less savings for retirement," says the White House website.
It continues, "President Obama supports passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a comprehensive and commonsense bill that updates and strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which made it illegal for employers to pay unequal wages to men and women who perform substantially equal work."
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A Letter To The Editor 6-11-13
I have been reading about the Health Department raising the license for food service (restaurants). Didn't really hear when the council were gong to vote on this. I read on Facebook this morning there was a special meeting held to approve the tax hike and the raising of the food service fee. I just spoke with a Council member to ask when is the meeting scheduled. He informed me it was this morning and the restaurant fee will be raised from $350.00 to $500.00 per restaurant.
These local restaurants are hanging on the edge, fighting chain restaurants, the economy, raising of food prices, equipment, electric, gas, insurance, taxes from city, county and state. Higher taxes for unemployment, alcohol taxes going higher. It is hard to swallow with this new almost double license from the health department. They need to do what we restaurants have done...lay off some one or delete a position. There is no money tree. From what I hear Mr. Bob Culver is the ONLY one who stood up for the local restaurants.
Thanks Stevie, John. I guess you love eating at the chain restaurants. They will be only ones left because government has put such a burden on the local people they can't survive.
Even if we had attended the council meeting it probably wouldn't made a difference. I guess this raise for the county will purchase a few more vehicles for the county.
Even if we had attended the council meeting it probably wouldn't made a difference. I guess this raise for the county will purchase a few more vehicles for the county.
DOJ Regards Criticism Of Islam, Obama As Criminal?
U.S. attorney who vowed to punish anti-Muslim rhetoric also prosecuted 'birther'
The U.S. attorney who warned last week that “inflammatory speech” against Islam could violate civil-rights laws was the prosecutor who brought firearms charges against a Navy veteran who challenged the validity of President Obama’s birth certificate.
William Killian, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, made the warning in a slide presentation June 4 in Manchester, Tenn.
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The U.S. attorney who warned last week that “inflammatory speech” against Islam could violate civil-rights laws was the prosecutor who brought firearms charges against a Navy veteran who challenged the validity of President Obama’s birth certificate.
William Killian, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee, made the warning in a slide presentation June 4 in Manchester, Tenn.
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Obama Administration Will Approve 'Plan B' Pill For Women And Girls Of All Ages
The Justice Department said it would stop fighting a court order requiring it to remove all age restrictions on the sale of Plan B One-Step without a prescription.
Obama had previously said he was uncomfortable with removing all age restrictions on the sale of the so-called "morning after pill." He said over a year ago that "as the father of two daughters," he supported his Health secretary's decision to block over-the-counter sales for younger teens. But a federal judge excoriated the administration's defense of age limits on the pill, calling it a nakedly political decision divorced from science.
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Obama had previously said he was uncomfortable with removing all age restrictions on the sale of the so-called "morning after pill." He said over a year ago that "as the father of two daughters," he supported his Health secretary's decision to block over-the-counter sales for younger teens. But a federal judge excoriated the administration's defense of age limits on the pill, calling it a nakedly political decision divorced from science.
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Troopers Conducting Death Investigation, Christiana
Location:
Christiana Bypass (DE 273) eastbound between Old Baltimore Pike and Bear Christiana Road (DE 7), Christiana, DE
Date of Occurrence:
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 10:15 a.m.
Victim:
Unidentified adult white male
Resume:
Christiana- The Delaware State Police are conducting a death investigation after a body was found in the Christina River, under the elevated section of the Christiana Bypass (DE 7) this morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. this morning as an industrial painting crew was working under the elevated section of the Christiana Bypass (DE 7) and found the decomposing body of an adult white male. The body was located approximately 12 feet from the western rock embankment of the Christina River in approximately 3 feet of water. The body was a fully clothed, decomposing adult white male.
Troopers with the assistance of the New Castle County Swift Water Rescue Team were able to access and recover the body from the water. The body was removed from the scene and turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Delaware State Police Detectives continue their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.
DE 273 eastbound experienced intermittent closures and delays, with traffic restricted to one lane for approximately four hours while New Castle County Fire/EMS, Swift Water Rescue crews and DSP conducted investigative and recovery operations at the scene.
If anyone has any information about this incident are asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at Troop 2 at 302-834-2630 Extension #208 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Christiana Bypass (DE 273) eastbound between Old Baltimore Pike and Bear Christiana Road (DE 7), Christiana, DE
Date of Occurrence:
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 10:15 a.m.
Victim:
Unidentified adult white male
Resume:
Christiana- The Delaware State Police are conducting a death investigation after a body was found in the Christina River, under the elevated section of the Christiana Bypass (DE 7) this morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:15 a.m. this morning as an industrial painting crew was working under the elevated section of the Christiana Bypass (DE 7) and found the decomposing body of an adult white male. The body was located approximately 12 feet from the western rock embankment of the Christina River in approximately 3 feet of water. The body was a fully clothed, decomposing adult white male.
Troopers with the assistance of the New Castle County Swift Water Rescue Team were able to access and recover the body from the water. The body was removed from the scene and turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Delaware State Police Detectives continue their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.
DE 273 eastbound experienced intermittent closures and delays, with traffic restricted to one lane for approximately four hours while New Castle County Fire/EMS, Swift Water Rescue crews and DSP conducted investigative and recovery operations at the scene.
If anyone has any information about this incident are asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at Troop 2 at 302-834-2630 Extension #208 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 6-11-13
During the month of May 2013, members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team initiated an undercover Heroin distribution investigation of an individual identified as Brian Jones Sr., Age 35, of Ocean Pines, Berlin, Maryland. During that period of time an undercover law enforcement officer made purchases of heroin from Jones in the Berlin / Ocean Pines area. On June 7, 2013, Jones agreed to meet with an undercover officer in order to sell a quantity of heroin to that undercover officer. Members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team, with the assistance of the Ocean City Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Ocean Pines Police Department, placed Jones under arrest in a parking lot area near Ocean Pines, Maryland. During the course of this investigation a total of 173 individual bags of heroin was purchased and seized from Jones. A search warrant was executed at Jones’s residence which revealed various items of paraphernalia along with a small quantity of marijuana.
Jones was charged with the following offenses:
1) Distribution of Heroin
2) Possession with intent to distribute Heroin (2 Cts.)
3) Possession of Heroin (2 Cts.)
4) Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
5) Conspiracy to Possess Heroin with intent to distribute
6) Conspiracy to Possess Heroin
Jones was committed to the Worcester County Jail on a $25,000.00 bond.
Jones was charged with the following offenses:
1) Distribution of Heroin
2) Possession with intent to distribute Heroin (2 Cts.)
3) Possession of Heroin (2 Cts.)
4) Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin
5) Conspiracy to Possess Heroin with intent to distribute
6) Conspiracy to Possess Heroin
Jones was committed to the Worcester County Jail on a $25,000.00 bond.
Ron Paul Warns Of Electronic Surveillance back In…1984
There are three words that come to mind when I think of Ron Paul; principles, credibility and consistency. Not only is the video below great because we get to see Dr. Paul speak on the Congressional floor thirty years younger, but also because he was adamantly criticizing civil liberties threats in the context of a Republican President, Ronald Reagan. He warned us about what the NSA and other intelligence agencies are currently doing well before the internet became widespread. The man is a statesman of the highest order. Definitely take the time to watch this short video.
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Awesome Act of Kindness at Denny’s Restaurant
Two high school kids were eating at Denny’s restaurant and decided to run out without paying. Their server discovered this and started crying, frantically looking for the money. It was going to come out of her paycheck. That’s when a friend of Reddit user coldxshivers paid her bill like this:
Afghan Taliban 'behead two boys'
The Taliban have beheaded two boys they accused of spying, according to authorities in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar.
The youngest, aged 10, was known in the area for accepting food from police officers in order to feed his poverty-stricken family and was killed on Sunday.
The second boy was aged 16, according to details released by the governor of Kandahar, who condemned the killings as inhuman and un-Islamic.
Javed Faisal, his spokesman, said the two had been killed after collecting food from rubbish bins used by the Afghan police and army in the Zhari district, which may have led to suspicions they were spies.
“We condemn this brutal act and will try to arrest those who did it,” he said.
A spokesman for the Taliban denied that the group was responsible and described the killing as a "crime".
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The youngest, aged 10, was known in the area for accepting food from police officers in order to feed his poverty-stricken family and was killed on Sunday.
The second boy was aged 16, according to details released by the governor of Kandahar, who condemned the killings as inhuman and un-Islamic.
Javed Faisal, his spokesman, said the two had been killed after collecting food from rubbish bins used by the Afghan police and army in the Zhari district, which may have led to suspicions they were spies.
“We condemn this brutal act and will try to arrest those who did it,” he said.
A spokesman for the Taliban denied that the group was responsible and described the killing as a "crime".
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Starberry
Boy, 13, Alleges He Was Sexually Assaulted At SEED School Of Maryland
The alleged incident occurred May 28 inside the boarding school’s dormitory. The victim says a group of four or five boys held him down and sexually assaulted him using a toothbrush and pencil.
The victim reported the assault to his parents June 2.
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Vacation Markets: This Just In
Good Morning, Joseph,
Who hasn’t returned from a summer holiday weekend dreaming about purchasing their own vacation place someday? Now is the time to buy as the vacation home market is very ripe—NAR’s 2013 Investment and Vacation Home Buyer Survey reported that vacation home accounted for 11 percent of all transactions in 2012.
Forget the Hamptons and Malibu, though. The best values in vacation homes can often be found in unexpected alternatives to the hot spots. ERA Real Estate has pinpointed four under-the-radar markets with an average sales price of $150,000.
Salisbury, Md., is located between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and just 30 miles from the lovely beaches at Ocean City, Md., and the National Seashore at Assateaque Island. According to Bill Martin, broker/owner of ERA Martin Associates, sales activity is up nearly 23 percent over last year, with an average sales price around $158,000.
Would you be interested in speaking with a broker from ERA Real Estate to discuss these alternative destinations and the state of the vacation home market?
Government Spying: Should We Be Shocked?
Last week we saw dramatic new evidence of illegal government surveillance of our telephone calls, and of the National Security Agency’s deep penetration into American companies such as Facebook and Microsoft to spy on us. The media seemed shocked.
Many of us are not so surprised.
Some of us were arguing back in 2001 with the introduction of the so-called PATRIOT Act that it would pave the way for massive U.S. government surveillance — not targeting terrorists but rather aimed against American citizens. We were told we must accept this temporary measure to provide government the tools to catch those responsible for 9/11. That was nearly 12 years and at least four wars ago.
We should know by now that when it comes to government power-grabs, we never go back to the status quo even when the “crisis” has passed. That part of our freedom and civil liberties once lost is never regained. How many times did the PATRIOT Act need to be renewed? How many times did FISA authority need to be expanded? Why did we have to pass a law to grant immunity to companies who hand over our personal information to the government?
It was all a buildup of the government’s capacity to monitor us.
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Many of us are not so surprised.
Some of us were arguing back in 2001 with the introduction of the so-called PATRIOT Act that it would pave the way for massive U.S. government surveillance — not targeting terrorists but rather aimed against American citizens. We were told we must accept this temporary measure to provide government the tools to catch those responsible for 9/11. That was nearly 12 years and at least four wars ago.
We should know by now that when it comes to government power-grabs, we never go back to the status quo even when the “crisis” has passed. That part of our freedom and civil liberties once lost is never regained. How many times did the PATRIOT Act need to be renewed? How many times did FISA authority need to be expanded? Why did we have to pass a law to grant immunity to companies who hand over our personal information to the government?
It was all a buildup of the government’s capacity to monitor us.
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Md. Man Guilty Of Helping Iran Launch Satellite
GREENBELT, Maryland (AP) -- A Maryland jury has convicted an Iranian-American of illegally helping Iran launch its first satellite.
The jury returned its verdict against Maryland resident Nader Modanlo on Monday. Federal prosecutors had accused Modanlo of brokering a deal to help Iran launch an earth observation satellite from Russia in 2005. The launch marked the practical beginning of Iran's space program after decades of aspirations. Prosecutors said Modanlo was paid $10 million for his assistance.
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The jury returned its verdict against Maryland resident Nader Modanlo on Monday. Federal prosecutors had accused Modanlo of brokering a deal to help Iran launch an earth observation satellite from Russia in 2005. The launch marked the practical beginning of Iran's space program after decades of aspirations. Prosecutors said Modanlo was paid $10 million for his assistance.
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NOTAM
President Obama has said the outrage over the federal government’s decision to monitor citizens’ phone activity is all “hype.”
He might want to share his opinion with the U.S. Air Force, which is ordering members of the service not to look at news stories about it.
WND has received an unclassified NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) that warns airmen not to look at news stories related to the data-mining scandal.
The notice applies to users of the Air Force NIPRNET (Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network), which is the only way that many troops stationed overseas and on bases in the U.S. are able to access the Internet.
The last line of the executive summary states:
“Users are not to use AF NIPRNET systems to access the Verizon phone records collection and other related news stories because the action could constitute a Classified Message Incident.”
Cindy McGee, the mother of an airman stationed in the UAE, spoke with WND.
“The fact that our government is attempting to censor our service members from the truth of what is happening here at home is truly frightening and disheartening,” said McGee.
Her son received the same notice.
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He might want to share his opinion with the U.S. Air Force, which is ordering members of the service not to look at news stories about it.
WND has received an unclassified NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) that warns airmen not to look at news stories related to the data-mining scandal.
The notice applies to users of the Air Force NIPRNET (Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network), which is the only way that many troops stationed overseas and on bases in the U.S. are able to access the Internet.
The last line of the executive summary states:
“Users are not to use AF NIPRNET systems to access the Verizon phone records collection and other related news stories because the action could constitute a Classified Message Incident.”
Cindy McGee, the mother of an airman stationed in the UAE, spoke with WND.
“The fact that our government is attempting to censor our service members from the truth of what is happening here at home is truly frightening and disheartening,” said McGee.
Her son received the same notice.
More
Pentagon Papers' Ellsberg Says Snowden Saves Us From The "United Stasi Of America"
It is perhaps too early to judge the impact of Edward Snowden's confirmation of conspiracy fact, but in Pentagon Papers' Daniel Ellsberg opinion in today's Guardian, there has not been a more important leak in American history. The "executive coup" against the US constitution that has, at first sercretly but increasingly openly, been under way since 9/11 could finally be stalled by the Whistleblower's efforts. Ellsberg notes Senator Frank Church's 1975 comments on the NSA warning of the dangerous prospect that America's intelligence gathering capability "at any time could be turned around on the American people and no American would have any privacy left," noting 'that has now happened'. That is what Snowden has exposed, with official, secret documents. The NSA, FBI and CIA have, with the new digital technology, surveillance powers over our own citizens that the Stasi – the secret police in the former "democratic republic" of East Germany – could scarcely have dreamed of.
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Marijuana, Police, And Racism
A couple of things stood out at us in a recent American Civil Liberties Union report on marijuana arrests: Maryland has the fourth-highest arrest rate and third highest per-person spending on enforcement in the nation.
Those aren’t the only eyebrow-raising Maryland-specific facts and figures revealed by the report, which spans 2001 to 2010. There’s the enormous racial disparity here and across the nation.
Black people in Maryland are being targeted by law enforcement. They make up a third of the state’s population but account for 60 percent of the arrests.
The arrest rate for black people is well above the national rate, even though as many whites use marijuana.
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Those aren’t the only eyebrow-raising Maryland-specific facts and figures revealed by the report, which spans 2001 to 2010. There’s the enormous racial disparity here and across the nation.
Black people in Maryland are being targeted by law enforcement. They make up a third of the state’s population but account for 60 percent of the arrests.
The arrest rate for black people is well above the national rate, even though as many whites use marijuana.
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Ron Paul: "It's Going To Get Much, Much Worse"
Dr. Ron Paul has long been a leading voice for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, sound money, civil liberty, and non-interventionist foreign policies.
His last term in the U.S. House of Representatives ended earlier this year, so we caught up with the former Congressman to get his latest perspective on how successfully our national leadership is dealing with America’s economic challenges.
In Dr. Paul’s assessment, Washington is too committed to deficit spending and the debt-based economy – both operationally and philosophically – to expect it to embrace a more fiscally-responsible model without a forcing crisis (which he believes is coming):
They believe it like a religion that spending is good no matter what the spending is on. And that the deficits don't matter; deficits are not a burden. And even though we have this national debt and we have a foreign debt, they don't consider that so bad, as long as people will spend money. And if the people won't spend any money, the government has this moral obligation to do it.
I don't expect anything else because they are reflecting what I consider “prevailing attitudes.” And the prevailing attitudes for the last 50 or 60 years, especially since the 1930s, has been spending and deficits and printing money is the way to go.
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His last term in the U.S. House of Representatives ended earlier this year, so we caught up with the former Congressman to get his latest perspective on how successfully our national leadership is dealing with America’s economic challenges.
In Dr. Paul’s assessment, Washington is too committed to deficit spending and the debt-based economy – both operationally and philosophically – to expect it to embrace a more fiscally-responsible model without a forcing crisis (which he believes is coming):
They believe it like a religion that spending is good no matter what the spending is on. And that the deficits don't matter; deficits are not a burden. And even though we have this national debt and we have a foreign debt, they don't consider that so bad, as long as people will spend money. And if the people won't spend any money, the government has this moral obligation to do it.
I don't expect anything else because they are reflecting what I consider “prevailing attitudes.” And the prevailing attitudes for the last 50 or 60 years, especially since the 1930s, has been spending and deficits and printing money is the way to go.
More
New Jersey police officer accused of shooting man dead in road rage incident
A New Jersey police officer is being held on $1 million bail after he allegedly shot and killed a man in an apparent act of road rage while traveling with his family in Maryland.
My FoxNY.com reports police say 40-year-old Joseph Walker, a sworn officer with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey, shot and killed 36-year-old Joseph Harvey Jr. after an altercation on the shoulder of an interstate Saturday night.
Officials in Maryland say they were told that a road rage incident had happened between the two vehicles before they pulled over. Harvey had one passenger in his car at the time and Walker's wife and three children were in his minivan.
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My FoxNY.com reports police say 40-year-old Joseph Walker, a sworn officer with the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey, shot and killed 36-year-old Joseph Harvey Jr. after an altercation on the shoulder of an interstate Saturday night.
Officials in Maryland say they were told that a road rage incident had happened between the two vehicles before they pulled over. Harvey had one passenger in his car at the time and Walker's wife and three children were in his minivan.
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Tornado Reported In Md., Homes Damaged In Del.
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| Storm Damage On Starting Gate Court, Howard County, MD |
A fire official in Howard County reported high winds destroyed a building and detached garage were destroyed in the part of Woodbine that is in Howard County.
In Baltimore, flooding was reported on several streets.
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office said Monday night that while there were reports of a tornado touching down in the Woodbine area, there were no reports of damage as of 8 p.m.
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CHILLING FLASHBACK: ‘TRANSFORMERS’ ACTOR TELLS JAY LENO IN 2008 HOW AN FBI CONSULTANT SHOWED HIM PROOF OF GOV’T PHONE SPYING YEARS AGO
The leaks of previous whistleblowers have been recalled and compared to that of the former government contractor who leaked to the media classified documents of the NSA’s collecting of metadata from phone conversations. But these previous whistleblowers aren’t the only ones who tried to warn of government spying.
Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf in 2008 during an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno detailed how he learned phone calls were allegedly being recorded.
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Hollywood actor Shia LaBeouf in 2008 during an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno detailed how he learned phone calls were allegedly being recorded.
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The Govt. Stimulus Plan
Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House.
One is from Chicago, another is from Tennessee, and the third is from Montana. All three go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The Montana contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil."Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900. That's $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700. That's $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys. How did you come up with such a high figure?"The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."
"Done!" replies the government official.
And that, my friends, is how the Government Stimulus plan worked
One is from Chicago, another is from Tennessee, and the third is from Montana. All three go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The Montana contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil."Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900. That's $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700. That's $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys. How did you come up with such a high figure?"The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."
"Done!" replies the government official.
And that, my friends, is how the Government Stimulus plan worked