‘JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON’: PROTESTS DRAW CROWDS IN NYC, LA, OTHER AMERICAN CITIES

Rapper Jay Z and his wife, R&B singer Beyonce, joined the Rev. Al Sharpton and Trayvon Martin’s mother at a Saturday rally for Martin in Harlem, N.Y.—one of at least 100 protest gatherings scheduled to take place across America.

Sharpton’s National Action Network organized the “Justice for Trayvon” rallies and vigils outside federal buildings from New York and Los Angeles to Wichita, Kan., and Atlanta, where people stood in the rain at the base of the federal courthouse, with traffic blocked on surrounding downtown streets. Most rallies were scheduled for noon local times.

Jay Z with Justin Timberlake dedicated the song “Forever Young” to Martin during their closing number at Yankee Stadium Friday night: “Everybody put a cell phone and light it up,” Jay Z said according to TMZ, “let’s light the sky for Trayvon Martin tonight in here.” 
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Tracking Your Every Move

Your local police department may be tracking your every move. A new report from the ACLU shows that automatic license plate readers are snapping photos of our cars, even when we're not speeding or running a red light. And, those photos are being stored in mega databases just like our phone and internet data, which is being captured by the NSA. According to the ACLU, cameras mounted on police cars, bridges, traffic lights, and other objects record the plate number, time, and location for every passing car. At first, law enforcement agencies only used that information to check for stolen cars, or to act on arrest warrants, but now many police forces are storing those images indefinitely. This information could potentially be used to document where you drive, who you associate with, or even how long you were there. Law enforcement is no longer keeping this information only on those found guilty of a crime, they're storing data on everyone to prove criminal activity at some later date. That's the reason the ACLU is exposing this surveillance program. They say the government shouldn't be watching our every move, just in case we commit a crime later. As is the case with the NSA surveillance programs, government officials contend that this supposedly-modest invasion of our privacy is necessary to find criminals and keep us safe. However, the ACLU and various privacy advocates do not agree. They say that there is no justifiable reason for the federal government to monitor our phone and internet activity, and no reason our every move should be photographed and stored by local governments.

Cardin To Announce Plans For Attorney General Race

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Del. Jon Cardin is scheduled to announce his plans about running for Maryland attorney general next week.

The Baltimore County Democrat sent out a news release on Friday announcing what was described as a major announcement in Baltimore on Monday regarding the race for attorney general.

Cardin formed an exploratory committee to consider running for the job late last year.
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[Nanny]Bloomberg Demands New Yorkers Take The Stairs

Why take an escalator to the twentieth floor when you can just run up the stairs? New York mayor Michael Bloomberg wants all new buildings and renovated buildings to start making it easier for people to take the stairs:
The Order also requires that agencies assess opportunities to promote the use of stairways, and that agencies train design and construction personnel in the use of the City’s Active Design Guidelines. …

Additionally, the Bloomberg Administration plans to submit for City Council approval two items of legislation to promote access to stairways in all new construction and buildings undergoing major renovations in New York City. The first bill requires that building owners give occupants access to at least one, clearly identified stairway in the building; and post signs that prompt stair use near elevators. The second bill increases access to and the visibility of stairways by permitting the use of hold-open devices in the doors of one stairway per building, for a maximum of three consecutive floors

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Tension Over Crime Continues After ‘Pants Law’ Spat

Despite the apparent political death last week of Councilman Brent Ashley’s so-called “saggy pants ordinance,” tension over the resort’s crime and social environment continued at Monday night’s meeting.

“There’s still this intimidation going on … people are emailing us and saying, ‘This is what I saw on 8th Street or 12th Street or on the Boardwalk in front of my hotel,’ and they’re not happy about it,” Councilwoman Margaret Pillas said.

Four weeks ago, Ashley requested that a decency policy for the Boardwalk be discussed at this week’s council session, following the recent passage of a similar policy in the resort town of Wildwood, N.J.
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No Defense

Despite Obamacare Delay, City Will Maintain Cuts

Although the major mandate of the federal Affordable Care Act has been pushed back until 2015, the Town of Ocean City said this week that it has no plans to reverse the cutback of hours for part-time city employees that were instituted earlier this year.

“There is no plan at this time to make any changes to how we manage the part-time employees,” said city Communications Manager Jessica Waters. “I think we think it’s a little too early in the legislative process to make a final decision.”

Early this year, the city indicated that it would be facing a considerable financial and personnel crunch from the federal Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare.” The law would require, as of January 2014, that any employer with 50 or more employees provide health insurance to any worker who is considered to be full-time and non-seasonal.
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Holder Witch Hunt

Agritainment Venue Offers Three-Day Music Festival

An agritainment venue on old Route 113 will be the site of a three-day music festival to raise money for local charities.

“We’re not planning on making any kind of profit,” Tim Keane, a former Ocean City police officer, told the Board of License Commissioners on Wednesday.

The Labor Day Music Festival will held be Aug. 30-Sept. 1 by the Law Enforcement Officers Safeguarding America, a security company founded by Tim Keane, a former Ocean City police officer. Ocean City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 is co-sponsoring the event.

The festival at the 50-acre site at 11039 Worcester Highway will include vendors selling food and merchandise plus live entertainment. That entertainment is expected to be local acts performing classic rock.
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Motorcyclist Severely Injured In West Ocean City This Afternoon

From The Facebook Page of The Dispatch

Motorcyclist Severely Injured In West Ocean City This Afternoon
Freelance Photographer Christopher Casale reports, 'On Saturday July 20th, 2013 at approximately 3:15pm, Ocean City Fire and EMS personel were dispatched to the area of Stephen Decatur Highway and Assateague Rd for the report of a motorcycle. Upon arrival Ems members found an 83 year old motorcyclist down in the roadway with part of the windshield impaled or stuck in the patients abdomen. Immediately, Maryland State Police Medevac Trooper 4 was requested to fly and landed at the Ocean City Municipal Airport on Route 611. The patient was then taken to the landing and was loaded into the awaiting helicopter. The patient was then flown to an unspecified trauma center for treatment. The roadway remained shut down for a short time, and the Maryland State Police are handling the accident investigation.'
Photo by Christopher CasaleSource 

Q. "Did You Think The NSA Could Keep This Secret Forever?" A. "Well, We Tried!"

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), the chairman of the committee, said he was surprised that the programs had been kept secret for so long.

“Do you think a program of this magnitude gathering information involving a large number of people involved with telephone companies could be indefinitely kept secret from the American people?” Goodlatte asked.

“Well,” ODNI general counsel Robert S. Litt said with a slight smile, “we tried.”

- From a Washington Post article yesterday

The backlash in Congress against the government’s monstrous spy program and the ridiculous notion that a secret court (the FISA court) grants any sort of oversight is growing, and it is a bipartisan effort. More from theWashington Post:

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SPD Press Release 7-20-13

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: It’s Obscene That The Govt. Profits Off Student Loans

There were several sticking points that bogged down the U.S. Senate from quickly passing legislation that would provide a long-term solution to the problem of interest rates on federal Stafford student loans. Among these was whether the government should be able to charge a rate that would allow it to make a profit.
Proponents of that idea say the profit will be used to pay down the national debt, but Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts believes it’s wrong to saddle young borrowers with higher interest just because the government hasn’t been able to maintain its books properly.

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Pioneering Reporter Helen Thomas Dies At 92

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Covering 10 presidents over five decades, Helen Thomas aged into a legend. She was the only reporter with her name inscribed on a chair in the White House briefing room -- her own front row seat to history.

Starting as a copy girl in 1943, when women were considered unfit for serious reporting, Thomas rose to bureau chief.

Working at a news service, where writers expect obscurity, she became one of journalism's most recognized faces. Thomas embraced her role as a Washington institution, doing cameos in movies, giving lectures, writing books about her life until the spotlight landed on inflammatory remarks she made about Israel.
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WCSO Press Release 7-20-13

Trayvon Witness Accepts College Offer

Trayvon Martin witness Rachel Jeantel accepts radio host Tom Joyner's college offer

Rachel Jeantel, the 19-year-old witness in the Trayvon Martin trial, has accepted radio personality Tom Joyner's offer to pay her college fees. In an open letter, Joyner said 'I realized a hug wasn't enough.'

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Franchot To Talk About Tax Credit With Health Care Reform

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The comptroller of Maryland is urging small businesses to take advantage of tax credit they could be eligible for relating to health care reform.

Comptroller Peter Franchot is scheduled on Monday to talk about a pilot program to see how well mailings to more than 5,000 small businesses in Howard County will boost interest.

Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition, says it's hoped the pilot program will be replicated across the state.
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Caption This Photo 7-20-13

Trayvon Martin Case Shows Strength Of Maryland Law, Attorneys Say

By now, we all know the situation: an armed neighborhood watch volunteer, a young black man, a physical confrontation, a fatal shooting. Arrest, trial, verdict, and, depending on your point of view, outrage or vindication.

Among the numerous and overlapping questions raised by the shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida last year and the recent acquittal of George Zimmerman — about race and profiling, about crime, about weapons and public safety — observers say Maryland’s more restrictive regulations on handgun permits likely would keep such an incident from occurring in the Free State.

But if Zimmerman had been tried in a Maryland courtroom, there’s a “substantial likelihood” that he would probably not be a free man now, said Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy (D).
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OJ Simpson 'Has Only THREE MONTHS To Live Because Of An Extreme Case Of Diabetes'

OJ Simpson has only three months to live as a result of his extreme case of diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle behind bars.

The combination of 'sky high' blood pressure, a vastly expanding waistline and a lack of physical activity as he serves a 33-year prison sentence have doctors concerned about his health.
Simpson's lawyer Ozzie Fumo told MailOnline that he has not heard anything about his clients poor health. 
'As far as I know his health is very good, he was doing just fine. I just spoke to him on Saturday,' Mr Fumo said.

'I spent a lot of time with him preparing for the retrial motion and he never once mentioned diabetes.

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We Will No Longer Be Called Hillbilly Rednecks

QUOTE OF THE DAY 7-20-13

“Men of integrity, by their very existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we can live above the level of moral squalor. We need that belief; a cynical community is a corrupt community.”

John William Gardner

$500 Fines Issued For Underage Alcohol Sales

SNOW HILL -- Hearings for seven different alcohol license violations managed to only generate a collective $2,000 in fines at this month’s Board of License Commissioners (BLC) hearing. Approval was also granted for a premises change at an Ocean City restaurant that recently came under fire for noise violations.

The board judged seven of the nine license violation charges on this month’s agenda, with two of the hearings suspended.

The Plaza Tapatia in Pocomoke and the location in Ocean Pines were both delayed until next month. Of the remaining seven violations, four received a $500 fine each, while the other three only received official letters of reprimand.
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Lincoln And Libertarians

Recently at LRC, the headline article is by Tom DiLorenzo, entitled “Why Neocons Are Freaking Out Over Lincoln.” It is a worthwhile read; yet one sentence really caught my attention. This one sentence reminded me of the kind praise I have for Mr. Russert. From DiLorenzo:

The neocons are still punch drunk, in other words, from how the Ron Paul phenomenon, during the congressman’s two attempts at securing the Republican Party presidential nomination, captured the imaginations of millions of young people and continues to do so.

Many will remember Ron Paul’s visit to “Meet the Press” during his presidential run in 2007. This was just after the two large money bombs, but before any primaries were held.

Russert’s purpose in this interview was the “gotcha,” throwing out statements and questions that were unquestioned in the mainstream – the various myths that prop up the American religion. Russert’s task was obvious from his method – make it clear to so-called serious voters that Ron Paul is a flake.

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State Issues New Protocols For Heart Attack Patients

A change in the way paramedics treat cardiac arrest patients could delay their arrival to the hospital, but could also increase their chances of survival.

New protocols released by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems create two major practice changes for EMS providers. As of July 1, providers will first treat medical cardiac arrest patients on the scene rather than rushing them to a hospital.

They also now have the authority to declare a patient dead on the scene.

“The public expects that we swoop in, we scoop up the patient, and we swoop out,” said Alan Butsch, battalion chief for the EMS section of Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service.

Now, EMS providers are required to perform “high-quality continuous CPR” for 15 minutes on the scene. If a patient regains cardiac activity during that time, then the patient would be taken to a hospital.
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10 Things Most Americans Don't Know About America

Imagine you have a brother and he’s an alcoholic. He has his moments, but you keep your distance from him. You don’t mind him for the occasional family gathering or holiday. You still love him. But you don’t want to be around him. This is how I lovingly describe my current relationship with the United States. The United States is my alcoholic brother. And although I will always love him, I don’t want to be near him at the moment.

I know that’s harsh, but I really feel my home country is not in a good place these days. That’s not a socio-economic statement (although that’s on the decline as well), but rather a cultural one.

I realize it’s going to be impossible to write sentences like the ones above without coming across as a raging prick, so let me try to soften the blow to my American readers with an analogy:
You know when you move out of your parents’ house and live on your own, how you start hanging out with your friends’ families and you realize that actually, your family was a little screwed up? Stuff you always assumed was normal your entire childhood, it turns out was pretty weird and may have actually fucked you up a little bit. You know, dad thinking it was funny to wear a Santa Claus hat in his underwear every Christmas or the fact that you and your sister slept in the same bed until you were 22, or that your mother routinely cried over a bottle of wine while listening to Elton John.

The point is we don’t really get perspective on what’s close to us until we spend time away from it. Just like you didn’t realize the weird quirks and nuances of your family until you left and spent time with others, the same is true for country and culture. You often don’t see what’s messed up about your country and culture until you step outside of it.

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Country Party Tonight!

US Totalitarianism Wins Again As Appeals Court Brings NDAA's Indefinite Military Detention Back

Back in September we, somewhat naively, penned "US Totalitarianism Loses Major Battle As Judge Permanently Blocks NDAA's Military Detention Provision" in which we said that "in May, U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest ruled in favor of a temporary injunction blocking the enforcement of the authorization for military detention. Today, the war against the true totalitarian terror won a decisive battle, when in a 112-opinion, Judge Forrest turned the temporary injunction, following an appeal by the totalitarian government from August 6, into a permanent one." Sadly, the "victory" lasted about 10 months. Today, US totalitarianism wins again.
U.S. APPEALS COURT THROWS OUT PERMANENT INJUNCTION THAT HAD LIMITED U.S.
GOVERNMENT'S USE OF INDEFINITE MILITARY DETENTION -- COURT RULING

In other words, every legal decision will be binding... until Obama's cronies in the 13 circuit courts of the appellate system get a tap on the shoulder. And good luck with the SCOTUS.

And with that, the time to be on the lookout for black helicopters is back.

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Md. Resident Writes Mystery Children’s Book About Ocean City

OCEAN CITY -- There are so many great things about Ocean City’s beaches. Fresh air, warm sand, rolling waves, friendly faces. The list could go on and on. But, let’s face it. seagulls would not make the list.

Seagulls are a nuisance, hovering overhead, squawking loudly, stealing food. Personally, many could do without them. And so could Jill, the character in a new children’s book written exclusively about Ocean City.

In “The Flip Flop Fiasco,” Jill is enjoying a fun day at the beach when a seagull swoops down and steals her flip flop. The gull flies away before Jill can catch him.
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BREAKING NEWS: Journalist Helen Thomas Dies At 92

Groundbreaking female journalist Helen Thomas dies at 92, Fox News confirms.

Archaeologists Say They Uncovered King David's Palace

Archaeologists in Jerusalem have uncovered two large buildings fit for a king-- Biblical King David, that is.

Over the past year, archaeologists have excavated a site that they believe to be the fortified Judean city of Shaarayim, where David smote Goliath as described in the Bible.

"The ruins are the best example to date of the uncovered fortress city of King David," said professors Yossi Garfinkel of Hebrew University and Saar Ganor, who led the excavations. "This is indisputable proof of the existence of a central authority in Judah during the time of King David."

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Laurel Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Shooting A Man In Blades

Location: Marinas Bar, 16 North Market Street, Blades, DE

Date of Occurrence: Friday July 19, 2013 at approximately 1:10 a.m.

Victim:
34 year old male

Defendant, Charges, and Bond Information:

Donregus Holland, 19, Laurel, DE (Photo Attached)
Attempted Murder 1st
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony

Arraigned at JP2 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $150,000.00 cash bond.

Resume:
Blades, DE- The Delaware State Police have arrested a Laurel man after he shot another man in the parking lot of a Blades bar.

Troopers and officers from Blades and Seaford Police Departments were called to Marinas Bar located at 16 North Market Street in Blades around 1:10 a.m. Friday morning for a reported shooting. When they arrived at the scene, they were informed a 34 year old male victim had been driven to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital by private vehicle with a gunshot wound to his torso. Witnesses also informed officers of several suspects involved in the shooting leaving the establishment in a black PT Cruiser heading southbound on Sussex Highway (US13) toward Laurel. Dispatchers in the Emergency Operations Center (9-1-1) put out a general bulletin on the vehicle which was subsequently stopped by Laurel Police Department. Several subjects, including Donregus Holland were taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 5 where detectives from Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation. Upon searching the vehicle, officers located a .22 caliber revolver under the passenger's side seat.

It was determined through interviews that a fight occurred in the parking lot of the bar and as the 34 year old victim, who is employed by Marinas as security, was attempting to break it up, he was shot in the torso by Holland with the .22 caliber revolver. Holland then fled the scene with several other subjects in the PT Cruiser and hid the firearm under the front passenger's seat before they were stopped by Laurel PD.

Detectives are continuing their investigation into this incident and more arrests could be forthcoming. The victim has since been transferred to another area hospital where he is currently listed in stable condition.

Donregus Holland was arrested on the charges of Attempted Murder 1st and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned at JP2 and committed to SCI in default of $150,000.00 cash bond.

Maryland Warns Of Dangers Of Agressive Driving Around Large, Commerical Vehicles

BALTIMORE - State and federal transportation officials are urging motorists to avoid aggressive driving around large commercial vehicles this summer.

According to the Maryland State Highway Administration, in the last five years, 299 people lost their lives and 12,951 people were injured on Maryland roads in crashes involving a large commercial truck or cross-country bus. Transportation officials cite speeding, following too closely, weaving in and out of lanes, running stop signs and stop lights and improper passing as key causes of the crashes.

The push was made at a news conference Wednesday at M&T Bank Stadium as part of Maryland’s Smooth Operator program. Founded in 1997, Smooth Operator is a public safety campaign that targets aggressive drivers in the District of Columbia and Maryland and now includes more than 50 law enforcement agencies.
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Delmar Police Department Press Release 7-20-13

The Delmar Police Department ended a two month investigation involving the distribution of Heroin and Crack Cocaine in the Delmar area. Delmar Police Department assisted by the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office, Georgetown Delaware Police Department and Blades Delaware Police Department executed two search and seizure warrants:

Warrant #1 was executed at 10 West East Street Delmar, Maryland. A quantity of suspected Cocaine,
suspected Marihuana and packaging equipment was seized.

ARRESTED CHARGES
1. Alexander MOSES Maintaining a Property as a Common Nuisance
Possession of Cocaine
Possession of Marihuana <10 grams
2. Caroline MOSES Possession of Marihuana <10 grams
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
3. Kimberly WORLEY Possession of Marihuana <10 grams
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
4. Orlando SMACK Possession With The Intent to Deliver Cocaine
Maintaining a Property as a Common Nuisance
Possession of Cocaine
• Possession of Marihuana <10 grams\
Caroline MOSES and Kimberly WORLEY were released on State of Maryland Criminal Citations.
Alexander MOSES and Orlando SMACK were released to the District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance.

Warrant #2 was executed at 502 JewelI Street, Apartment B Delmar, Delaware. A quantity of Heroin,
Marihuana, Suboxone, packaging equipment and U.S. Currency was seized.

ARRESTED CHARGES
1. Joseph WALTEMEVER Possession Heroin in a Tier 4 Quantity DE 16-4752
Possession With Intent to Deliver Heroin DE 164754
Maintaining a Drug Property DE 16-4760
Possession of Suboxone DE 16-4763
Possession of Marihuana DE 16-4764
2. Robert WALTEMEYER Possession Heroin in a Tier 4 Quantity DE 16-4752
Possession With Intent to Deliver Heroin DE 16-4754
Maintaining a Drug Property DE 16-4760
Possession of Suboxone DE 16-4763
Possession of Marihuana DE 16-4764
3. Stephanie TYRE Possession Heroin in a Tier 4 Quantity DE 16-4752
Possession With Intent to Deliver Heroin DE 16-4754
Maintaining a Drug Property DE 16-4760
Possession of Suboxone DE 16-4763
Possession of Marihuana DE 16-4764
4. Cristina FREY Possession Heroin in a Tier 4 Quantity DE 16-4752
Possession With Intent to Deliver Heroin DE 16-4754
Maintaining a Drug Property DE 16-4760
Possession of Suboxone DE 16-4763
Possession of Marihuana DE 16-4764
5. Jessica WALTEMEVER Possession Heroin in a Tier 4 Quantity DE 16-4752
Possession With Intent to Deliver Heroin DE 16-4754
Maintaining a Drug Property DE 16-4760
Possession of Suboxone DE 16-4763
Possession of Marihuana DE 16-4764

The aforementioned subjects were arraigned before a Justice of the Peace Judge in Delaware where the
following bails were imposed:
Joseph WALTEMEYER —$26,500.00 Cash bond
Robert WALTEMEYER -$26, 500.00 Cash bond
Jessica WALTEMEYER —$26, 500.00 Cash bond
Stephanie TYRE —$26, 500.00 Cash bond
Cristina FREY -$26,500.00 Cash bond

Ocean City Area Mourns Passing Of Steve Falck; His ‘Grace And Humility’ During Illness Fondly Recalled

BERLIN - The local community lost a giant this week with the passing of Steve Falck, a surfer, coach, businessman, father, husband and perhaps, most importantly, a shining example of how to handle adversity with dignity, class and grace.

Falck, 64, died peacefully at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury last Sunday after a lengthy battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA), a rare neurological disease for which there is no cure or treatment. As if life hadn’t dealt Falck a tough hand already, he was also battling prostate cancer in the waning months of his life.

Despite the debilitating disease that curtailed many of his favorite activities, including surfing and everything to do on the water, Falck’s spirit remained strong and he remained active until the end and set a perfect example in the community he loved.
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Sebelius Compares Obamacare Opponents To Segregationists

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, speaking at the NAACP convention in Orlando Wednesday, compared the opponents of the Affordable Care Act to the segregationist opponents of civil rights.

"The Affordable Care Act is the most powerful law for reducing health disparities since Medicare and Medicaid were created in 1965, the same year the Voting Rights Act was also enacted," she opined. As recently as March, Medicare trustees predicted that the program will run out of funds in 2026.

Sebelius went on to compare the opponents of the Voting Rights Act—then Southern Democrats—to today's Obamacare opponents, urging the audience to fight for the new law with the same arguments as civil rights demonstrators.

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