Thirty one year old Brandon Alexander Perez probably thought he had an easy mark when he went after a 72 year old grandmother and her 85 year old, wheelchair-bound WWII vet husband. Unfortunately for him, he thought wrong.
A 72-year-old Southern California grandmother who shot at — and narrowly missed — a man trying to break into her home said Tuesday she was shocked at the attention her action was getting but does not regret defending herself and her husband, an 85-year-old World War II veteran who uses a wheelchair.
Jan Cooper, of Anaheim, fired one shot from her .357-magnum Smith & Wesson revolver around 12:30 a.m. Sunday as a man attempted to break into her home.
…The suspect, 31-year-old Brandon Alexander Perez, was not hit and was arrested a short while later by responding deputies, who heard the gunshot, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
…Cooper said she is amazed by the anger in her voice — and the curse word she let fly — after she fired the shot.
“I am a Christian woman and I’m very proud of it and I don’t curse but after I shot, rage took hold and I just blasted away,” she said. “And, in fact, afterwards my husband said, ‘I’ve never heard you talk like that!’”
The stunned intruder apologized to Cooper after she fired, she recalled, telling her, “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m leaving. Please don’t shoot.”
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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
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Scammers Taking Advantage Of National Settlement
WASHINGTON - More than 32,000 Virginia and Maryland residents will be getting checks from the government this week -- part of a multi-state settlement with five major banks over abusive mortgage and foreclosure practices.
Word that the checks were actually on the way though, has brought back scammers trying to take advantage of the news.
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says scammers are calling or sending out letters to people, particularly the elderly, telling them they may be eligible for some of the settlement money when they are not.
"In our letter with the check, we don't ask them for any information," he says.
"If they ask you for your information, you should be suspicious," he says.
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Word that the checks were actually on the way though, has brought back scammers trying to take advantage of the news.
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says scammers are calling or sending out letters to people, particularly the elderly, telling them they may be eligible for some of the settlement money when they are not.
"In our letter with the check, we don't ask them for any information," he says.
"If they ask you for your information, you should be suspicious," he says.
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Gore Says Obama Needs To Get Serious On Dealing With Hotcoldwetdry
Alternate headline: Man with massive “carbon footprint” and lots of money at stake says other man with largest “carbon footprint” in the world needs to Do Something about no statistically significant warming in 15+ years
(Politico) Add Al Gore to the chorus of environmentalists who say it’s time for President Barack Obama to get serious about climate change.
The former vice president used a Google+ plus video chatTuesday to tell supporters that Obama needs to go beyond his “great words” on the topic, and to lament that the president has yet to assemble a team to spearhead his second-term climate agenda.
Gore echoed the complaints of other green activists who say Obama isn’t moving fast enough — and who are pleading with him not to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada.
“I hope that he’ll get moving on to follow up on the wonderful pledges he made in his inaugural speech earlier this year and then soon after in his State of the Union,” Gore said. “Great words. We need great actions now.”
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(Politico) Add Al Gore to the chorus of environmentalists who say it’s time for President Barack Obama to get serious about climate change.
The former vice president used a Google+ plus video chatTuesday to tell supporters that Obama needs to go beyond his “great words” on the topic, and to lament that the president has yet to assemble a team to spearhead his second-term climate agenda.
Gore echoed the complaints of other green activists who say Obama isn’t moving fast enough — and who are pleading with him not to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada.
“I hope that he’ll get moving on to follow up on the wonderful pledges he made in his inaugural speech earlier this year and then soon after in his State of the Union,” Gore said. “Great words. We need great actions now.”
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REVOLT AMONG REPUBLICANS ON IMMIGRATION BILL: 70 HOUSE MEMBERS RISK CAREERS IN PLANNED SHOWDOWN WITH LEADERSHIP
Seventy House Republicans are planning a politically risky showdown with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to try to force additional debate on an immigration bill they say will mean amnesty for illegal immigrants and have dire consequences for the country.
The 70 members are petitioning for a special Republican conference meeting on the bill, a “highly unusual” move to go head-to-head with the speaker, according to Reps. Michele Bachmann (Minn.), Steve King (Iowa) and Louie Gohmert (Texas), who are serving as spokespersons for the group.
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The 70 members are petitioning for a special Republican conference meeting on the bill, a “highly unusual” move to go head-to-head with the speaker, according to Reps. Michele Bachmann (Minn.), Steve King (Iowa) and Louie Gohmert (Texas), who are serving as spokespersons for the group.
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Everyone Is Gross: Study Says 95% Of Us Don’t Wash Our Hands The Right Way
You’ve had your suspicions, and you’ve cast many a side-eyed glance at your fellow restroom patrons when they skip the sinks and head out the door. But a new study says even if you do wash your hands after using the bathroom, 95% of us aren’t doing it long enough to kill harmful bacteria. In essence, we’re all totally grody germ-spreaders.
Researchers at Michigan State University sent out trained student spies to observe bathroom hand-washing behavior, and found that only two in three people are using soap while one in 10 skip the sink altogether. Men are dirtier culprits, notes Live Science: Only half of men used soap and 15% didn’t wash their hands at all.
Researchers at Michigan State University sent out trained student spies to observe bathroom hand-washing behavior, and found that only two in three people are using soap while one in 10 skip the sink altogether. Men are dirtier culprits, notes Live Science: Only half of men used soap and 15% didn’t wash their hands at all.
3 Tornadoes Reported In Central And Eastern Md.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Maryland Emergency Management Agency is reporting only minor damage to buildings from three reported tornadoes
Spokesman Ed McDonough says there have been no reports of injuries from the storms Thursday afternoon. He says a woman was struck by lightning in Cecil County Thursday morning.
McDonough says tornadoes were reported near Olney in Montgomery County, Laurel in Prince George's County and Snow Hill in Worcester County on the Eastern Shore.
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Spokesman Ed McDonough says there have been no reports of injuries from the storms Thursday afternoon. He says a woman was struck by lightning in Cecil County Thursday morning.
McDonough says tornadoes were reported near Olney in Montgomery County, Laurel in Prince George's County and Snow Hill in Worcester County on the Eastern Shore.
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School Threatens to Ruin Valedictorian’s Naval Academy Appt.
Hiram Sasser, director of litigation with the Liberty Institute, said Joshua High School principal Mick Cochran threatened to write a letter to the U.S. Naval Academy disparaging the character of Remington Reimer.
“It was intimidating having my high school principal threaten my future because I wanted to stand up for the Constitution and acknowledge my faith and not simply read a government approved speech, the teenager said.
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Worst Charities In America Give Charities A Bad Name
We might be experts on who the Worst Company in Americais, but what about the worst charities in America? The Tampa Bay Times crunched on a bunch of data and figured out which American charities actually give the smallest proportion of their income out in cash aid.
No, that doesn’t necessarily mean charities that you disagree with, but organizations that collect a whole bunch of money and don’t use very much of it for a charitable purpose. The worst is right in Florida, and is called the Kids Wish Foundation. Records show that it has collected $127.8 million in donations, only $3.2 million of which actually went to helping any dying children. Check out the Top 50 list to see whether any names look familiar.
No, that doesn’t necessarily mean charities that you disagree with, but organizations that collect a whole bunch of money and don’t use very much of it for a charitable purpose. The worst is right in Florida, and is called the Kids Wish Foundation. Records show that it has collected $127.8 million in donations, only $3.2 million of which actually went to helping any dying children. Check out the Top 50 list to see whether any names look familiar.
STATE POLICE ARREST SUSPECT IN MURDER OF TEN YEAR OLD CECIL COUNTY GIRL
(Port Deposit, MD) Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit arrested the suspect today, responsible for the murder of a ten year old Cecil County girl.
The accused is identified as Richard Madden, 29, of the 100 block of Waibel Road in Port Deposit. Madden was arrested for the murder of Kami Ring in Cecil County.
Madden is charged with first and second degree murder, first degree assault and first degree rape. He is currently being processed at the North East Barrack. He will be transported to the District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance.
After consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney, Madden was arrested today at 5:30 p.m. without incident. He was being held at the Cecil County Detention Center for violating his probation stemming from drug charges.
The body of Kami Ring, 10, of Charlestown, Maryland was found in a field across the street from the home she was visiting on Waibel Road. Madden was one of three residents living at the home.
Crime scene analysts, working closely with homicide investigators, gathered evidence from the field, in which Kami was found, and from the Waibel Road residence, where she was believed to be staying.
Biological evidence linked Madden to the murder of Kami. Autopsy results reveal the cause of death as blunt force trauma and asphyxia.
Investigators have determined there is no biological connection between Madden and Ring. The grandparents, who also reside at the Waibel Road residence and are not biologically related to Ring, and are the parents of Madden.
A motive for the murder remains unclear at this time. The investigation continues…
The accused is identified as Richard Madden, 29, of the 100 block of Waibel Road in Port Deposit. Madden was arrested for the murder of Kami Ring in Cecil County.
Madden is charged with first and second degree murder, first degree assault and first degree rape. He is currently being processed at the North East Barrack. He will be transported to the District Court Commissioner for an initial appearance.
After consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney, Madden was arrested today at 5:30 p.m. without incident. He was being held at the Cecil County Detention Center for violating his probation stemming from drug charges.
The body of Kami Ring, 10, of Charlestown, Maryland was found in a field across the street from the home she was visiting on Waibel Road. Madden was one of three residents living at the home.
Crime scene analysts, working closely with homicide investigators, gathered evidence from the field, in which Kami was found, and from the Waibel Road residence, where she was believed to be staying.
Biological evidence linked Madden to the murder of Kami. Autopsy results reveal the cause of death as blunt force trauma and asphyxia.
Investigators have determined there is no biological connection between Madden and Ring. The grandparents, who also reside at the Waibel Road residence and are not biologically related to Ring, and are the parents of Madden.
A motive for the murder remains unclear at this time. The investigation continues…
A Chronic Disease
Conservatives and Republicans in Washington — activists, strategists, politicians — are increasingly embracing a theory about Obamacare: It’s going to collapse of its own weight, and its failure could yield a sharp right turn in the 2014 and 2016 elections. That theory is probably wrong, and dangerously so. To be rid of Obamacare, Republicans will have to do more than just wait for it to go away — and more than they have done so far.
You can see why the theory has caught on. The early implementation of Obamacare is not going well, with every week bringing fresh news embarrassing to the law’s proponents: Insurers are raising premiums, sometimes dramatically; the administration has had to announce that it will miss statutory deadlines; companies are planning to scale back coverage or even drop it completely. Senator Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who did as much to shape the law as any other person, said that implementation could be a “train wreck” and then said he would not run for reelection next year. And there are reasons for thinking that the law is too badly conceived ever to work well.
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You can see why the theory has caught on. The early implementation of Obamacare is not going well, with every week bringing fresh news embarrassing to the law’s proponents: Insurers are raising premiums, sometimes dramatically; the administration has had to announce that it will miss statutory deadlines; companies are planning to scale back coverage or even drop it completely. Senator Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who did as much to shape the law as any other person, said that implementation could be a “train wreck” and then said he would not run for reelection next year. And there are reasons for thinking that the law is too badly conceived ever to work well.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY 6-15-13
“At its very inception this movement depended on the deception and betrayal of one’s fellow man; even at that time it was inwardly corrupt and could support itself only by constant lies. After all, Hitler states in an early edition of ’his’ book: ‘It is unbelievable, to what extent one must betray a people in order to rule it.’
If at the start this cancerous growth in the nation was not particularly noticeable, it was only because there were still enough forces at work that operated for the good, so that it was kept under control.
As it grew larger, however, and finally in an ultimate spurt of growth attained ruling power, the tumor broke open, as it were, and infected the whole body.
The greater part of its former opponents went into hiding. The German intellectuals fled to their cellars, there, like plants struggling in the dark, away from light and sun, to gradually choke to death.”
The White Rose
Second Leaflet
Munich, 1942
If at the start this cancerous growth in the nation was not particularly noticeable, it was only because there were still enough forces at work that operated for the good, so that it was kept under control.
As it grew larger, however, and finally in an ultimate spurt of growth attained ruling power, the tumor broke open, as it were, and infected the whole body.
The greater part of its former opponents went into hiding. The German intellectuals fled to their cellars, there, like plants struggling in the dark, away from light and sun, to gradually choke to death.”
The White Rose
Second Leaflet
Munich, 1942
Baltimore Mayor's Close Relationship With Lobbyist Questioned
WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team raises new questions about Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Bake's connections to two top lobbyists -- the same two whose wedding she officiated in Las Vegas.
Now the issue is a beach house in Rehoboth.
The mayor spent Memorial Day weekend in the lobbyist's beach house. She said no foul committed, but a public watchdog group said not so fast.
A few weeks ago in Las Vegas the mayor was pictured performing a wedding between Lisa Harris Jones and Sean Malone. The two are a real power couple, each a top lobbyist, making hundreds of thousands of dollars representing firms that do business in the state and city. More
Now the issue is a beach house in Rehoboth.
The mayor spent Memorial Day weekend in the lobbyist's beach house. She said no foul committed, but a public watchdog group said not so fast.
A few weeks ago in Las Vegas the mayor was pictured performing a wedding between Lisa Harris Jones and Sean Malone. The two are a real power couple, each a top lobbyist, making hundreds of thousands of dollars representing firms that do business in the state and city. More
Obama Administration Gets Sued
Revelations about National Security Agency surveillance have spawned their first lawsuit. The American Civil Liberties Union has sued the Obama administration. It's asking the government to stop a phone-tracking program that collects the telephone records of millions of Americans. The ACLU says the program is unconstitutional. It wants all phone metadata purged. It filed the suit in federal court in New York. Defendants include intelligence director James Clapper and FBI Director Robert Mueller, also Attorney General Eric Holder and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. The NSA has been gathering the data under an order from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Analysis: StateStat Measures Much, But Delivers Less Than Promised
The program, an outgrowth of the CityStat initiative Martin O’Malley began as mayor, was much touted in the early days of the O’Malley-Brown administration, but now chugs along in obscurity. While StateStat conveys much information, it can be substantially improved so that it comes close to living up to the high expectations inherent in the governor’s StateStat messaging.
O’Malley promotes StateStat as a tool for managing and reporting the state’s performance related to 16 wide-ranging, high-priority goals. Those goals are reported within four categories: Opportunity, Security, Sustainability, and Health. The Governor’s Delivery Unit (GDU) works closely with StateStat and Maryland agencies to monitor and track progress or deterioration for each goal.
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Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Wicomico County, MD
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 308 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 4 COUNTIES
IN THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND
DORCHESTER SOMERSET WICOMICO WORCESTER
IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 9 COUNTIES
IN NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA
BERTIE CAMDEN CHOWAN CURRITUCK GATES HERTFORD NORTHAMPTON PASQUOTANK PERQUIMANS
IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 31 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA
AMELIA CHESTERFIELD CUMBERLAND GOOCHLAND HANOVER HENRICO POWHATAN PRINCE EDWARD PRINCE GEORGE
IN EAST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
CHARLES CITY GLOUCESTER KING WILLIAM KING AND QUEEN LANCASTER MIDDLESEX NEW KENT
IN SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA
BRUNSWICK DINWIDDIE GREENSVILLE LUNENBURG MECKLENBURG NOTTOWAY
IN SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA
ISLE OF WIGHT JAMES CITY MATHEWS SOUTHAMPTON SURRY SUSSEX YORK
IN THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA
ACCOMACK NORTHAMPTON
IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 15 INDEPENDENT CITIES
IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA
CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS CITY OF HOPEWELL CITY OF PETERSBURG CITY OF RICHMOND
IN SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA
CITY OF CHESAPEAKE CITY OF EMPORIA CITY OF FRANKLIN CITY OF HAMPTON CITY OF NEWPORT NEWS CITY OF NORFOLK CITY OF POQUOSON CITY OF PORTSMOUTH CITY OF SUFFOLK CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF... ADKINS STORE... AHOSKIE... AMELIA COURTHOUSE... AMMON... ANGOLA... ASHBY... AULANDER... AYDLETT... BARCO... BARHAMSVILLE... BARLEY... BARNETTS... BARTLETT... BAVON... BEAR CREEK LAKE STATE PAR... BEAZLEY... BELCROSS... BELLWOOD... BENSLEY... BERLIN... BERTHA... BISCOE... BLACKSTONE... BLAKES... BON AIR... BOTTOMS BRIDGE... BOWERS HILL... BOYKINS... BRINK... BROWNS CORNER... BRUINGTON... BRYANTS CORNER... BUFFORD CROSSROADS... BURNT MILLS... BUSCH GARDENS... CALEDONIA... CAMBRIDGE... CAMDEN... CAPE CHARLES... CARDINAL... CARTERSVILLE... CARVER GARDENS... CENTERVILLE... CENTERVILLE... CHARLES CITY... CHASE CITY... CHERITON... CHESAPEAKE AIRPORT... CHESTER... CHICKAHOMINY SHORES... CHINCOTEAGUE... CHRISTENSONS CORNER... CHUCKATUCK... CHULA... CLANCIE... CLAREMONT... CLARESVILLE... CLARKSVILLE... CLEOPUS... CLINTON... COBBS CREEK... COINJOCK... COLONIAL DOWNS... COLONIAL HEIGHTS... COROLLA... COURTLAND... COWIE CORNER... CREWE... CRISFIELD... CRITTENDEN... CROAKER... CROUCH... CROZIER... CUMBERLAND... CURRITUCK... CITY OF NORFOLK... CITY OF PORTSMOUTH... DAHLIA... DEANES... DEATONVILLE... DEEP CREEK... DENARO... DENDRON... DIASCUND... DIGGS... DIXIE... DOWNTOWN RICHMOND... DOWNTOWN SUFFOLK... DRAGONVILLE... DRIVER... DUNCAN... EARLS... EAST HIGHLAND PARK... EDEN... EDENTON... ELIZABETH CITY... ELK HILL... ELTHAM... ELWOOD... EMPORIA... ETTRICK... EWELL... EXMORE... FARMVILLE... FENTRESS... FIFE... FORT LEE... FORT NONSENSE... FRANKLIN... GATESVILLE... GEORGES TAVERN... GLEN ALLEN... GLOUCESTER POINT... GOOCHLAND... GOOSE CREEK... GRANDY... GREAT BRIDGE... GREENBRIER... GRESSIT... HAMPTON... HERBERTS CORNER... HERTFORD... HICKORY... HIGHLAND SPRINGS... HOLDCROFT... HOLLY FORKS... HOPEWELL... HORSESHOE... INDIANTOWN... IVOR... JARRATT... JEFFERSON... JETERSVILLE... KEMPSVILLE... KENBRIDGE... KILMARNOCK... LAKESIDE... LAUREL... LAWRENCEVILLE... LEWISTON WOODVILLE... MCKENNEY... MECHANICSVILLE... MOUNT VERNON... MURFREESBORO... NASSAWADOX... NEW HOPE... NEWPORT NEWS... NORFOLK INTERNATIONAL AIR... OCEAN CITY... OCEAN PINES... ONANCOCK... PETERSBURG... POCOMOKE CITY... POQUOSON... PRINCESS ANNE... ROACHES CORNER... ROXBURY... SALISBURY... SMITHFIELD... SOUTH HILL... SURRY... TUCKAHOE... URBANNA... VICTORIA... WAKEFIELD... WAVERLY... WEST OCEAN CITY... WEST POINT... WHITE STONE... WILLIAMSBURG... WINDSOR... WINFALL AND YORKTOWN.
A Letter To The Editor 6-13-13
Not sure if you caught the 6pm WBOC newscast, they are copying you yet again with pet connect on Delmarva life.
Publishers Notes: From day one, when I started Salisbury News, it's always been about the animals. I started off with stories about the horrible animal husbandry at the Salisbury Zoo. Many took it as a personal thing between the Director and me personally and that was never true, it was about the animals.
As far as WBOC finally getting on board and copying what Salisbury News has been accomplishing for almost 9 years now, I'm glad they are finally on board. Anything we can ALL do to help reunite animals with their Owners is a positive thing.
A few months ago I had it out with their General Manager. We may not see eye to eye on many things but in this case I agree with their intention. I had been told by one of their employees that the Staff at WBOC believe I write the majority of comments here on Salisbury News. I simply wanted their General Manager to know that rumor was completely false. In fact, I invited Mr. Jahelka to come visit my Office and I'd be more than happy to show him once and for all each and every comment that has EVER come into Salisbury News.
In fact, there are more than 520,819 comments and that does NOT include the ones we deleted/rejected. Mr. Jahelka refused to come visit me and see for himself because he knew I was telling him the truth.
Nevertheless, welcome aboard WBOC. I highly doubt they'll capture similar results because they don't get the local traffic we do but it's a great start after 9 years.
Audit: Maryland Military Agency Claimed $700k In Unauthorized Grant
A state audit of Maryland's Military Department found that the agency claimed it had $700,000 from a federal grant that was never authorized. That money will have to come out of taxpayers' pockets if the department can't convince the federal government to reverse its denial of the grant.
The report by the Office of Legislative Audits also found that the department gave too much money to local fire departments that weren't meeting their own obligations and failed to install safeguards on purchasing cards, which allowed one employee to run up more than $100,000 in questionable purchases and remain undetected for about three years.
The Maryland Military Department maintains the state National Guard and coordinates disaster management efforts through the Maryland Emergency Mangement Agency. It also administers loan and grant programs to local volunteer fire companies.
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The report by the Office of Legislative Audits also found that the department gave too much money to local fire departments that weren't meeting their own obligations and failed to install safeguards on purchasing cards, which allowed one employee to run up more than $100,000 in questionable purchases and remain undetected for about three years.
The Maryland Military Department maintains the state National Guard and coordinates disaster management efforts through the Maryland Emergency Mangement Agency. It also administers loan and grant programs to local volunteer fire companies.
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CIA Deputy Director Resigns
Deputy CIA Director Michael Morell abruptly announced his retirement on Wednesday, and a White House lawyer will take over the second-highest-ranking position at the spy agency.
“Whenever someone involved in the rough and tumble of Washington decides to move on, there is speculation in various quarters about the ‘real reason,’” Morell said in a statement. “But when I say that it is time for my family, nothing could be more real than that.”
Morell will remain in his post until Aug. 9.
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“Whenever someone involved in the rough and tumble of Washington decides to move on, there is speculation in various quarters about the ‘real reason,’” Morell said in a statement. “But when I say that it is time for my family, nothing could be more real than that.”
Morell will remain in his post until Aug. 9.
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'Quit Google, Facebook' Suggests Tech Expert As Surveillance Scandal Deepen
A best-selling author and technology expert has said that web users should boycott internet giants like Google and Facebook if it is confirmed they were involved in a US surveillance programme referred to as Prism.
In an interview with Wired.co.uk, Professor Tim Wu of Columbia Law School suggested that consumers had a responsibility to leave social networks found out to be collaborating secretly with intelligence services such as the US National Security Agency:
"When you have enormous concentrations of data in a few hands, spying becomes very easy"
Tim Wu
"Quit Facebook and use another search engine. It's simple." He added, "It's nice to keep in touch with your friends. But I think if you find out if it's true that these companies are involved in these surveillance programs you should just quit."
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In an interview with Wired.co.uk, Professor Tim Wu of Columbia Law School suggested that consumers had a responsibility to leave social networks found out to be collaborating secretly with intelligence services such as the US National Security Agency:
"When you have enormous concentrations of data in a few hands, spying becomes very easy"
Tim Wu
"Quit Facebook and use another search engine. It's simple." He added, "It's nice to keep in touch with your friends. But I think if you find out if it's true that these companies are involved in these surveillance programs you should just quit."
More
Monument Honoring Michelle Obama Ancestor Is Vandalized
A stone monument to Michelle Obama’s great-great-great-grandmother, Melvinia Shields, was pushed over in suburban Atlanta and will need to be inspected for cracks.
Police in Georgia are investigating after a monument dedicated to one of first lady Michelle Obama’s relatives was knocked over in suburban Atlanta.
Clayton County Commissioner Sonna Singleton tells WSB-TV that a stone monument to Michelle Obama’s great-great-great-grandmother, Melvinia Shields, was pushed over and will need to be inspected for cracks. The report was aired Monday.
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Police in Georgia are investigating after a monument dedicated to one of first lady Michelle Obama’s relatives was knocked over in suburban Atlanta.
Clayton County Commissioner Sonna Singleton tells WSB-TV that a stone monument to Michelle Obama’s great-great-great-grandmother, Melvinia Shields, was pushed over and will need to be inspected for cracks. The report was aired Monday.
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Nepotism In Intern Hiring 'Widely Accepted' At DOE, Report Says
It appears to be a widely accepted practice at the Energy Department to advocate for hiring employees' relatives as interns, the DOE office of inspector general says in a report dated June 6.
The OIG came to that conclusion in the course of its inspection of an Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy senior official, whose three children all received internships at the department in 2012. The official told auditors that he didn't think he had done anything wrong and that, based on his observations, trying to secure internships for relatives was common at the department.
Two officials who made the hiring decisions in question also said they believed it was common practice to advocate for internships for one's relatives, the report (.pdf) says. They also said they didn't believe there was a violation of nepotism rules because the interns did not directly report to their father.
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The OIG came to that conclusion in the course of its inspection of an Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy senior official, whose three children all received internships at the department in 2012. The official told auditors that he didn't think he had done anything wrong and that, based on his observations, trying to secure internships for relatives was common at the department.
Two officials who made the hiring decisions in question also said they believed it was common practice to advocate for internships for one's relatives, the report (.pdf) says. They also said they didn't believe there was a violation of nepotism rules because the interns did not directly report to their father.
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Juvenile Seal Returns To Ocean After Completing Rehab
Ponyboy’s release on Wednesday was the latest in a recent string of releases of injured or ill seals back into the wild after graduating from the Marine Animal Rescue Program’s (MARP) rehabilitation unit at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. On May 23, the MARP crew, led by director Jen Dittmar, released another seal, “Sodapop,” from the beach at Assateague after an extensive rehabilitation program.
On Wednesday, a large crowd gathered in anticipation on the beach just north of the Fishing Pier for the release of Ponyboy and the rehabbed grey seal did not disappoint, although he certainly appeared reluctant to leave the safety of his keepers and the high life he enjoyed at the National Aquarium for the last few months. When MARP staffers opened his crate on the beach, Ponyboy shuffled out, looked around and attempted to go right back in.
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Undercounting The Poor
In 1995, a blue-ribbon panel of poverty experts selected by the National Academy of the Sciences (NAS) told us that the “current U.S. measure of poverty is demonstrably flawed judged by today’s knowledge; it needs to be replaced.” Critics have long pointed out shortcomings including the failure to adequately account for the effects of “safety net” programs and insensitivity to differences in the cost of living between different places.
The Census Bureau, the federal agency charged with publishing the official poverty numbers, has yet to replace the poverty line. However, in the last couple years it has published an alternative, the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). The SPM is the product of over two decades of work to fix problems in the federal poverty line (FPL).
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The Census Bureau, the federal agency charged with publishing the official poverty numbers, has yet to replace the poverty line. However, in the last couple years it has published an alternative, the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). The SPM is the product of over two decades of work to fix problems in the federal poverty line (FPL).
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Rail Crossing Stop Signs Faded At Md. Crash Site
BALTIMORE - Stop signs at a rail crossing where a train and trash truck crashed in a Baltimore suburb were faded and one was hung upside down and facing away from the road, according to a preliminary report on last month's derailment and explosion.
The National Transportation Safety Board released the report on the May 28 derailment in Rosedale on Wednesday.
It says the two-track highway grade crossing where the crash occurred has no active warning lights or crossing gates. It is marked with crossbuck signs and yellow, nonstandard stop signs. The paint on both signs had faded significantly. The signs were also displaced from their mountings.
The driver of the truck, 50-year-old John J. Alban Jr., did not stop at the crossing, the report said.
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The National Transportation Safety Board released the report on the May 28 derailment in Rosedale on Wednesday.
It says the two-track highway grade crossing where the crash occurred has no active warning lights or crossing gates. It is marked with crossbuck signs and yellow, nonstandard stop signs. The paint on both signs had faded significantly. The signs were also displaced from their mountings.
The driver of the truck, 50-year-old John J. Alban Jr., did not stop at the crossing, the report said.
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How Many Iraqis Died in The Iraq War?
How many Iraqis died in the Iraq War? That's the kind of question that should be asked, especially if you happen to live in the countries that launched the war that killed so many.
The results from a new poll commissioned by the British media watchdog group MediaLens exposed a startling disconnect between the realities of the Iraq War and public perceptions of it: Namely, what the Iraqi death toll was. When Britons were asked "how many Iraqis, both combatants and civilians, do you think have died as a consequence of the war that began in Iraq in 2003?," 44 percent of respondents estimated that 5,000 or fewer deaths had occurred.
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The results from a new poll commissioned by the British media watchdog group MediaLens exposed a startling disconnect between the realities of the Iraq War and public perceptions of it: Namely, what the Iraqi death toll was. When Britons were asked "how many Iraqis, both combatants and civilians, do you think have died as a consequence of the war that began in Iraq in 2003?," 44 percent of respondents estimated that 5,000 or fewer deaths had occurred.
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Personal Information
Is this where your personal information will be stored? The one-million square-foot Utah data mining facility being built by NSA
Concerns over what the government will store at the Utah Data Center have been reinvigorated by the revelation that U.S. intelligence agencies have been extracting information to track people.
Concerns over what the government will store at the Utah Data Center have been reinvigorated by the revelation that U.S. intelligence agencies have been extracting information to track people.
Troopers Probe Drive-By Shooting In Capitol Park
Location: 100 block of Presidents Drive, Capitol Park, Dover, DE
Date of Occurrence: Wednesday June 12, 2013 at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Victims:
44 year old male
22 year old male
Suspects:
2 - 4 black males wearing baseball caps (No further clothing or physical description available).
Operating a 2005-2010 Ford Crown Victoria or Mercury Grand Marquis (No further description available).
Resume:
Dover, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating an incident in which two people were shot in an apparent drive-by shooting in a south Dover neighborhood early last night.
The investigation began at approximately 10:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, as troopers and Emergency Medical Services responded to a residence located in the 100 block of Presidents Drive in the neighborhood of Capitol Park for a report of subjects shot. Upon their arrival troopers were advised that a blue Crown Victoria or Grand Marquis with four black males had driven by the residence and shot two males as they were standing in the driveway. The vehicle then fled the area and out of the development onto Bay Road (US113) in an unknown direction. A 44 year old male and a 22 year old male were transported to a local hospital where they were treated for gunshot wounds to their lower extremities. Further investigation conducted by troopers at the scene revealed that several shots that were fired at the victims.
This incident remains under investigation at this time.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Det. P. Jackson at 302-741-2812 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."
Date of Occurrence: Wednesday June 12, 2013 at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Victims:
44 year old male
22 year old male
Suspects:
2 - 4 black males wearing baseball caps (No further clothing or physical description available).
Operating a 2005-2010 Ford Crown Victoria or Mercury Grand Marquis (No further description available).
Resume:
Dover, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating an incident in which two people were shot in an apparent drive-by shooting in a south Dover neighborhood early last night.
The investigation began at approximately 10:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, as troopers and Emergency Medical Services responded to a residence located in the 100 block of Presidents Drive in the neighborhood of Capitol Park for a report of subjects shot. Upon their arrival troopers were advised that a blue Crown Victoria or Grand Marquis with four black males had driven by the residence and shot two males as they were standing in the driveway. The vehicle then fled the area and out of the development onto Bay Road (US113) in an unknown direction. A 44 year old male and a 22 year old male were transported to a local hospital where they were treated for gunshot wounds to their lower extremities. Further investigation conducted by troopers at the scene revealed that several shots that were fired at the victims.
This incident remains under investigation at this time.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Det. P. Jackson at 302-741-2812 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."
Long-Lost Nazi Diary
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton is in Delaware today to announce his agents have seized a long-lost Nazi diary. It's the diary of Adolf Hitler's friend Alfred Rosenberg.
Rosenberg helped plan the Nazi take-over of Europe, and the killing of millions of Jews in the Holocaust. ICE has a homeland security investigations team dedicated to recovering smuggled artifacts. Past captures have included paintings, manuscripts and an Egyptian sarcophagus.
Former OCPD Chief Frank G. Pappas Passes Away
Former Ocean City Police Chief Frank G. Pappas passed away at age 90 surrounded by his family on June 9, 2013. Considered a law enforcement icon by many and a career public servant, Chief Pappas served as a monumental asset to OCPD during his time as Chief. Chief Pappas took office in 1980 with a staff of eighty officers and ten civilians. As a former Drug Enforcement Administration official, he stepped-up the fight against drugs and launched a crackdown on other crimes to help preserve the resort’s “family image”. Chief Pappas also established the Quick Response Team, a group of specially trained officers that are called upon to provide tactical support in incidents that require special resources. Before his retirement in January 1986, Chief Pappas established a completely new police administrative system and rewrote the department’s General Orders, the operations and conduct policy manual.
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| Left to right: Former OCPD Officer Kevin Healy receiving recognition from Former Chief Frank G. Pappas |
“Chief Pappas was an essential part of the current success of the Ocean City Police Department”, said Acting Chief Greg Guiton. “Many of the initiatives and policies that he established are still in place today.”
Former Chief Pappas was a dedicated public servant who not only served the community of Ocean City as their Chief of Police but spent over 30 years with the federal gov’t as a member of the Drug enforcement Administration as well as service in the military during World War II. Chief Pappas can be credited with modernizing our emergency communications system, police vehicle fleet, and organizational structure as a professional police department.
Female DEA Agents File Law Suit
The Drug Enforcement Administration owes female special agents back pay and promotions. The Federal Times reports the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says gender discrimination is rampant at the DEA. The EEOC's recent ruling is part of a long-running class action lawsuit brought by female special agents who sought assignments abroad. Between 100 to 250 women are eligible for the back pay and compensatory damages of up to $300,000 each. The women applied for the assignments between 1990 and 1992.
DHS insider: It’s About To Get Very Ugly
Washington, D.C.—Something quite unexpected happened just hours ago, in the dark of night, during a two-day layover in Washington, DC. My son and I are scheduled to take part in a seminar outside of Raleigh, North Carolina this weekend, so we combined our travels to include a side-trip to DC for a business meeting we had previously arranged. It was during this layover that something seemingly ripped from the pages of a spy novel took place.
While I was in the middle of a perfectly good and well needed sleep in the very early hours of this morning, I received a message. I cannot disclose how I received this message, at least not now. The discerning reader will understand why, which, by the way, would make a very interesting story alone. The message was extremely clear and precise. I was to meet my high level DHS insider at a very specific location in Washington, DC, at a time when most ‘normal’ people, except third-shift workers are still asleep. And, I was to come alone and make certain that I was not being followed, and I was to leave any cell phone or electronic device behind.
Seriously? I thought, as I was still trying to make sense of it all. Is all this really necessary? Is this really happening? I considered waking my son to accompany me, but opted to follow the instructions to the letter. Besides, I thought, he’s not the most affable middle-of-the-night person. I left a hastily written but detailed note in my hotel room before my departure in the event something happened. I looked at the digital clock on my rental car (my personal car would never survive our long distance trip). It was 3:20 a.m.
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While I was in the middle of a perfectly good and well needed sleep in the very early hours of this morning, I received a message. I cannot disclose how I received this message, at least not now. The discerning reader will understand why, which, by the way, would make a very interesting story alone. The message was extremely clear and precise. I was to meet my high level DHS insider at a very specific location in Washington, DC, at a time when most ‘normal’ people, except third-shift workers are still asleep. And, I was to come alone and make certain that I was not being followed, and I was to leave any cell phone or electronic device behind.
Seriously? I thought, as I was still trying to make sense of it all. Is all this really necessary? Is this really happening? I considered waking my son to accompany me, but opted to follow the instructions to the letter. Besides, I thought, he’s not the most affable middle-of-the-night person. I left a hastily written but detailed note in my hotel room before my departure in the event something happened. I looked at the digital clock on my rental car (my personal car would never survive our long distance trip). It was 3:20 a.m.
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Must Be Nice
Washington, D.C., area federal agencies are open today. But, with forecasters predicting flash floods, non-emergency employees have the option of working from home. The Office of Personnel Management says you can take unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework with your supervisor's approval. Emergency employees should report to work as usual. A flash flood watch is in effect for parts of Maryland, Virginia and the District through 8 p.m.
German Government Brands Goods Made in Factories That Are Owned by Jews
In a throwback to its darkest past, the German government recently decided to back an initiative which singles out Jewish-owned businesses and targets them for detrimental treatment. Joining 13 other European Union members, Berlin has reportedly agreed to support efforts aimed at applying special labels of origin to products manufactured by Jewish owned factories in Judea and Samaria.
The goal is to harm the livelihood of Jewish businessmen and entrepreneurs as a way of undermining the settlement enterprise. Needless to say, goods made by Palestinian-run plants in the territories will not similarly be branded.
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The goal is to harm the livelihood of Jewish businessmen and entrepreneurs as a way of undermining the settlement enterprise. Needless to say, goods made by Palestinian-run plants in the territories will not similarly be branded.
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PUBLIC NOTICE 6-13-13
THE SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WILL ENTERTAIN A VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION AT 3:00 P.M. TODAY (THURSDAY, June 13, 2013) TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER (ZOO DIRECTOR POSITION) AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND § 10-508(a)(1)(i).
THE SESSION WILL BE HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM 306 OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING (125 N. DIVISION STREET) AT WHICH TIME THE PUBLIC CAN OBSERVE THE MOTION, ANY DISCUSSION AND THE VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION AS NOTED ABOVE.
THE SESSION WILL BE HELD IN CONFERENCE ROOM 306 OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING (125 N. DIVISION STREET) AT WHICH TIME THE PUBLIC CAN OBSERVE THE MOTION, ANY DISCUSSION AND THE VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION AS NOTED ABOVE.
Matchbox Twenty And Goo Goo Dolls Add WY&CC To Summer Tour
Salisbury, MD – Matchbox Twenty and the Goo Goo Dolls are embarking on a co-headlining tour this summer that will make a stop at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, MD on Tuesday, August 20th. The show begins at 7:30pm with special guest Kate Earl.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 14th at 10:00am and can be purchased online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, via phone at 410.548.4911 or in person at the WY&CC Box Office (500 Glen Ave. Salisbury, MD).
Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 14th at 10:00am and can be purchased online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, via phone at 410.548.4911 or in person at the WY&CC Box Office (500 Glen Ave. Salisbury, MD).
Lost Dog 6-13-13
Publishers Notes: If you'd be so kind, could you please text a message to the number above instead of calling. Thank You very much.