One World Trade Center deemed to be tallest skyscraper in United States, measuring 1,776 feet tall, according to Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
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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, November 12, 2013
Family Of Kidnapped Louisiana Woman Kills Abductor In Daring Rescue
The family of a kidnapped Louisiana mother tracked down and killed the father of her child in the abandoned house where he was allegedly holding her prisoner, authorities said.
Bethany Arceneaux, 29, of Duson, La., was abducted in the parking lot of a daycare where she was picking up her 2-year-old at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department Captain Kip Judice told ABCNews.com.
Witnesses saw the suspect, Scott Thomas, allegedly force Arceneaux into his white Buick LeSabre, before driving off, Lafayette Police Department spokesman Paul Mouton told ABCNews.com.
Thomas, 29, of Leonville, La., is the father of Arceneaux's child, Judice said. The woman had a restraining order against Thomas, but Judice said he did not know when it was filed.
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Bethany Arceneaux, 29, of Duson, La., was abducted in the parking lot of a daycare where she was picking up her 2-year-old at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department Captain Kip Judice told ABCNews.com.
Witnesses saw the suspect, Scott Thomas, allegedly force Arceneaux into his white Buick LeSabre, before driving off, Lafayette Police Department spokesman Paul Mouton told ABCNews.com.
Thomas, 29, of Leonville, La., is the father of Arceneaux's child, Judice said. The woman had a restraining order against Thomas, but Judice said he did not know when it was filed.
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Exposing Rich-Versus-Poor Demagoguery
Dems in 2016 will replay de Blasio’s “inequality” theme — the GOP should stress income mobility.
New York City: If a campaign theme can make it there, it can it make it anywhere — or at least in the 2016 U.S. presidential election? Democrat Bill de Blasio won the Big Apple’s mayoralty last week in a historic landslide. His winning campaign was built around a rich vs. poor, “two cities” storyline. In his election-night victory speech, de Blasio described income inequality as “that feeling of a few doing very well, while so many slip further behind” and identified it as “the defining challenge of our time.”
Team Obama hung Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” comment around the Republican candidate’s neck, but the president didn’t go nearly as far as de Blasio did this year in making inequality his campaign’s raison d’être. Don’t be surprised, however, if a former U.S. senator from New York grabs the inequality baton from the incoming Gotham boss if she makes a White House run. A recent Timemagazine analysis highlighted income inequality as one of six potential presidential campaign themes that “Hillary is test driving.” Reporter Zeke Miller noted that in a recent speech at Yale Law School, Clinton said the nation must “reverse this tide of inequality that is eating away at the social fabric of our country.”
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New York City: If a campaign theme can make it there, it can it make it anywhere — or at least in the 2016 U.S. presidential election? Democrat Bill de Blasio won the Big Apple’s mayoralty last week in a historic landslide. His winning campaign was built around a rich vs. poor, “two cities” storyline. In his election-night victory speech, de Blasio described income inequality as “that feeling of a few doing very well, while so many slip further behind” and identified it as “the defining challenge of our time.”
Team Obama hung Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” comment around the Republican candidate’s neck, but the president didn’t go nearly as far as de Blasio did this year in making inequality his campaign’s raison d’être. Don’t be surprised, however, if a former U.S. senator from New York grabs the inequality baton from the incoming Gotham boss if she makes a White House run. A recent Timemagazine analysis highlighted income inequality as one of six potential presidential campaign themes that “Hillary is test driving.” Reporter Zeke Miller noted that in a recent speech at Yale Law School, Clinton said the nation must “reverse this tide of inequality that is eating away at the social fabric of our country.”
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GOVERNOR O'MALLEY APPOINTS STEVEN ARENTZ TO THE MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES
ANNAPOLIS (November 12, 2013) – Today, Governor Martin O'Malley announced the appointment of Queen Anne's County Commission President Steven J. Arentz as Delegate for Legislative District 36, representing parts of Caroline, Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne's Counties. He will fill the vacancy left by Stephen S. Hershey, who was recently appointed to the Maryland State Senate for Legislative District 36.Steven J. Arentz was first elected to the Queen Anne's County Commission in 2010 and has served as its president for the last three years. He currently serves on the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) Board and is Secretary of the Upper Shore Regional Council. He is a Realtor for Long and Foster and previously owned Hemingway's Restaurant on Kent Island. He previously served as Chairman and Secretary of the Queen Anne's County Economic Development Commission and is a former Chair of the Queen Anne's County Chamber of Commerce.
Three Ritzy Eric Holder Events Cost $400,000 In Awards Alone
The Justice Department’s internal watchdog blasted the U.S. Marshals Service for excessive spending on “swag,” but the attorney general spent half as much on just three events.
Internal documents reveal that award spending for the Annual Attorney General Awards Ceremony — headed by Attorney General Eric Holder — more than doubled between 2009 and 2011, coming to a total of over $410,000 in the course of just three ceremonies.
The event is held by the Justice Department to recognize employees for their work. Holder presents the awards himself, which may explain why the department spared no expense when purchasing them.
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Internal documents reveal that award spending for the Annual Attorney General Awards Ceremony — headed by Attorney General Eric Holder — more than doubled between 2009 and 2011, coming to a total of over $410,000 in the course of just three ceremonies.
The event is held by the Justice Department to recognize employees for their work. Holder presents the awards himself, which may explain why the department spared no expense when purchasing them.
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DOES A BORDER FENCE WORK? CHECK OUT THE DRAMATIC CHANGE AFTER ISRAEL PUT ONE UP
According to the government, the number of illegal entries has declined from the thousands in each recent year to just several dozen this year.
In January, Israel finished building the main portion of the 16-foot high fence, which is made of razor wire and reinforced by military surveillance, including motion sensors and cameras, aimed at keeping out both illegal African migrants and terrorists operating in the Sinai.
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BREAKING NEWS: DROWNING IN SALISBURY
There's been a drowning on Troopers Way in Salisbury. The information coming in states there's an older female victim face down.
More to come....
More to come....
Condemned Ohio Child Killer Wants To Donate Organs
The request by Ronald Phillips to donate a kidney and his heart is not a delay tactic, but rather an attempt to make a final gesture for good, according to his public defender.
"It is our sincere hope that the state of Ohio will do the right thing to ensure that as many people as possible will benefit from the gift of life that Ron is so generously willing to bestow as his own life approaches its end," attorney Lisa Lagos said in an interview.
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Eric Holder, Hate Crimes And Double Standards
Attorney General Holder seems determined to prove his chief critic, J. Christian Adams, right.
Adams is the former Justice Department lawyer who told Congress that the Attorney General treated cases of racial bias against white people with “open contempt.”
Most famously, Adams noted the case of electoral intimidation against two members of the New Black Panther Party who brandished weapons and issued threats at a Philadelphia polling booth the day Barack Obama was elected president.
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Adams is the former Justice Department lawyer who told Congress that the Attorney General treated cases of racial bias against white people with “open contempt.”
Most famously, Adams noted the case of electoral intimidation against two members of the New Black Panther Party who brandished weapons and issued threats at a Philadelphia polling booth the day Barack Obama was elected president.
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The Drift Toward Despotism
Too many of our rulers and their enforcers reflexively see the citizenry as a threat.
At a time when over 4 million people have had their health insurance canceled, it’s good to know that some Americans can still access prompt medical treatment, even if they don’t want it. David Eckert was pulled over by police in Deming, N.M., for failing to come to a complete halt at a stop sign in the Walmart parking lot. He was asked to step out of the vehicle, and waited on the sidewalk. Officers decided that they didn’t like the tight clench of his buttocks, a subject on which New Mexico’s constabulary is apparently expert, and determined that it was because he had illegal drugs secreted therein. So they arrested him, and took him to Gila Regional Medical Center in neighboring Hidalgo County, where Mr. Eckert was forced to undergo two abdominal X-rays, two rectal probes, three enemas, and defecate thrice in front of medical staff and representatives of two law-enforcement agencies, before being sedated and subjected to a colonoscopy — all procedures performed against his will and without a valid warrant.
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At a time when over 4 million people have had their health insurance canceled, it’s good to know that some Americans can still access prompt medical treatment, even if they don’t want it. David Eckert was pulled over by police in Deming, N.M., for failing to come to a complete halt at a stop sign in the Walmart parking lot. He was asked to step out of the vehicle, and waited on the sidewalk. Officers decided that they didn’t like the tight clench of his buttocks, a subject on which New Mexico’s constabulary is apparently expert, and determined that it was because he had illegal drugs secreted therein. So they arrested him, and took him to Gila Regional Medical Center in neighboring Hidalgo County, where Mr. Eckert was forced to undergo two abdominal X-rays, two rectal probes, three enemas, and defecate thrice in front of medical staff and representatives of two law-enforcement agencies, before being sedated and subjected to a colonoscopy — all procedures performed against his will and without a valid warrant.
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Report: Fewer Than 50,000 Signed Up For Exchanges On Healthcare.Gov
Between 40,000 and 50,000 people signed up for private health insurance plans through the website for Obamacare exchanges, well short of the goal put forward by the White House, according to a new report.
Citing “people familiar with the matter,” The Wall Street Journal found that actual enrollments were roughly one-tenth of the Obama administration's goal for the first month of the public health exchanges. Administration officials had expected that about 500,000 people would sign up for new health plans during the month of October.
The Department of Health and Human Services has yet to officially release enrollment figures. A HHS spokeswoman again reiterated that such a tally would come later this week.
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Citing “people familiar with the matter,” The Wall Street Journal found that actual enrollments were roughly one-tenth of the Obama administration's goal for the first month of the public health exchanges. Administration officials had expected that about 500,000 people would sign up for new health plans during the month of October.
The Department of Health and Human Services has yet to officially release enrollment figures. A HHS spokeswoman again reiterated that such a tally would come later this week.
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Bryant Park ‘Shooter’ All But Confessed Online
A 16-year-old suspected gang-banger virtually confessed to shooting two people over a coat at the Bryant Park skating rink as he ranted online about keeping the cops at bay and whether to kill himself, make the cops kill him or surrender Sunday.
“FEDS AT MY DOOR IM GOIN OUT WITH A BANG!!!!!!! TAKE MY SOUL,’’ Corey Dunton wrote on Facebook as police descended on his mom’s Bronx apartment, where he was hiding, around 8 a.m.
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“FEDS AT MY DOOR IM GOIN OUT WITH A BANG!!!!!!! TAKE MY SOUL,’’ Corey Dunton wrote on Facebook as police descended on his mom’s Bronx apartment, where he was hiding, around 8 a.m.
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GONZAGA STUDENTS THREATENED WITH EXPULSION FOR USING GUN TO FEND OFF INTRUDER
Two Gonzaga University students are facing expulsion for using a handgun to defend themselves when a six-time felon broke into their home.
In late October, Erik Fagan and Dan McIntosh were in campus housing located off the main campus when John Taylor pushed through their door and entered the dwelling. Taylor had "six prior convictions" and was "arrested later that night on an unrelated charge."
According to the Daily Mail, Taylor said he was looking for money so McIntosh pulled a handgun when he entered the dwelling. Upon seeing the gun Taylor left the premises.
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In late October, Erik Fagan and Dan McIntosh were in campus housing located off the main campus when John Taylor pushed through their door and entered the dwelling. Taylor had "six prior convictions" and was "arrested later that night on an unrelated charge."
According to the Daily Mail, Taylor said he was looking for money so McIntosh pulled a handgun when he entered the dwelling. Upon seeing the gun Taylor left the premises.
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WHAT OBAMA AND I LEARNED AT COLUMBIA: HOW TO DESTROY AMERICA FROM WITHIN
Remember when Geraldo opened Al Capone’s vault live on national TV? Well I’m about to solve the mystery of Obama. I’m about to break “the Obama code.” I’m about to tell you everything about the way Obama, and the people around him, really think. I’m about to rip open the true Obama plan to destroy our country. Because I was there when the plan was hatched.
How do I know all this? Because I was Barack Obama’s college classmate at Columbia University, Class of 1983. I was easy to recognize – the lone outspoken conservative in a class of 700 students. I knew I was in trouble when my first political science class at Columbia was “Communism 101″ taught by Professor Trotsky in the Fidel Castro Building, at the corner of Marx Blvd. and Lenin Drive.
I’m only half-kidding. My experiences at Columbia were not far off.
Everyone needs to hear my story because what Obama and I learned at Columbia explains EXACTLY what Obama is doing to America today.
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How do I know all this? Because I was Barack Obama’s college classmate at Columbia University, Class of 1983. I was easy to recognize – the lone outspoken conservative in a class of 700 students. I knew I was in trouble when my first political science class at Columbia was “Communism 101″ taught by Professor Trotsky in the Fidel Castro Building, at the corner of Marx Blvd. and Lenin Drive.
I’m only half-kidding. My experiences at Columbia were not far off.
Everyone needs to hear my story because what Obama and I learned at Columbia explains EXACTLY what Obama is doing to America today.
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Feds Stiff Arizona Border Town For Ambulance Costs For Immigrants
The Arizona city billed the federal government for hundreds of ambulance sorties dispatched to calls from federal agents when they find someone injured, but the government has paid less than 20 cents on the dollar — leaving Nogales to bear the burden of more than $250,000 in the past fiscal year alone.
“We would love to be reimbursed 100 percent. If we were to be reimbursed 100 percent, we could provide a higher level of service to our residents in Nogales,” said Aaron White, the city’s acting finance director.
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Ron Paul: "Chaining" Taxpayers
One of the least discussed, but potentially most significant, provisions in President Obama’s budget is the use of the “chained consumer price index” (chained CPI), to measure the effect of inflation on people’s standard of living. Chained CPI is an effort to alter the perceived impact of inflation via the gimmick of “full substitution.” This is the assumption that when the price of one consumer product increases, consumers will simply substitute a similar, lower-cost product with no adverse effect. Thus, the government decides your standard of living is not affected if you can no longer afford to eat steak, as long as you can afford to eat hamburger.
The problem with “full substitution” should be obvious to anyone not on the government payroll. Since consumers did not choose to buy lower-priced beef before inflation raised the price of steak, they obviously preferred steak. So if the Federal Reserve’s policies create inflation that forces you to purchase hamburger instead of steak, your standard of living is lowered. CPI already uses this sort of substitution to mask the costs of inflation, but chained CPI uses those substitutions more frequently, thereby lowering the reported rate of inflation.
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The problem with “full substitution” should be obvious to anyone not on the government payroll. Since consumers did not choose to buy lower-priced beef before inflation raised the price of steak, they obviously preferred steak. So if the Federal Reserve’s policies create inflation that forces you to purchase hamburger instead of steak, your standard of living is lowered. CPI already uses this sort of substitution to mask the costs of inflation, but chained CPI uses those substitutions more frequently, thereby lowering the reported rate of inflation.
More
Obama’s Grassroots Moneybags: The Top 19 Organizing For Action Donors
One of the mottos of Organizing for Action, President Obama’s grassroots advocacy group, pretty much says it all: “Our work didn’t stop on election day.” And neither has Obama’s fundraising.
The organization, which released its third quarter results in mid-October, boasts an average contribution around $59 split among more than 355,000 Americans. But the OFA haul of nearly $21 million this year has been led by 19 individuals—including one married couple—that have raised $100,000 or more for the organization, or over $3.3 million combined. Here are the 19 individuals, with their title and total amount given, who form the big-money core of the Obama effort.
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The organization, which released its third quarter results in mid-October, boasts an average contribution around $59 split among more than 355,000 Americans. But the OFA haul of nearly $21 million this year has been led by 19 individuals—including one married couple—that have raised $100,000 or more for the organization, or over $3.3 million combined. Here are the 19 individuals, with their title and total amount given, who form the big-money core of the Obama effort.
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Black Mob Picks On ‘The Wrong Guy’
'Knockout Game' results backfire when 'victim' is armed
EDITOR’S NOTE: The links in the following report may contain offensive language.
DeAndre Felton and his crew had a problem: The mall was closed. The curfew in effect. But they were still high on drugs and wanted to have more fun. So they decided to beat someone up.
Turns out they chose The Wrong Guy.
They had just come from a local park where DeAndre and 15 others beat up two girls, sending one to the hospital with a broken arm.
So DeAndre came up with an increasingly popular idea: In St. Louis they call it the Knockout Game. In Illinois, Polar Bear Hunting.
Regardless of what DeAndre in Meriden, Conn., called it, the rules are the same all over: Find a person who looks defenseless. Then punch him. Or kick him until you get tired or he is knocked out. Or worse. Game over.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The links in the following report may contain offensive language.
DeAndre Felton and his crew had a problem: The mall was closed. The curfew in effect. But they were still high on drugs and wanted to have more fun. So they decided to beat someone up.
Turns out they chose The Wrong Guy.
They had just come from a local park where DeAndre and 15 others beat up two girls, sending one to the hospital with a broken arm.
So DeAndre came up with an increasingly popular idea: In St. Louis they call it the Knockout Game. In Illinois, Polar Bear Hunting.
Regardless of what DeAndre in Meriden, Conn., called it, the rules are the same all over: Find a person who looks defenseless. Then punch him. Or kick him until you get tired or he is knocked out. Or worse. Game over.
More
Commentary: Medicare A Model Of Efficiency Compared To Obamacare
It was five days into the federal government sort-of-shutdown on a Saturday morning that I went onto the Social Security web site to apply for part A, which covers hospitalization. I knew that some units of the Social Security Administration (SSA) were supposed to be working.
This unit clearly was. I quickly filled in my information, submitted the data and promptly got back an e-mail from www.ssa.gov: “We hope you found our online Benefit Application convenient to use and easy to understand.”
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Why Obamacare Horror Is Just Beginning
'Liberals running scared' over 'virtual certainty' health takeover will fail
WASHINGTON — The horror stories about Obamacare get worse daily, but what does it all mean?
Americans are so mesmerized by the daily revelations of abysmal Obamacare failures that few have stopped to wonder what will happen to health care, and the country, in the end.
A WND analysis of what is happening now, and what is likely to happen, indicates that it is a virtual certainty that Obamacare will fail.
What happens after that could be even worse.
First, a look at the ways in which Obamacare appears fatally flawed.
Then a look at what is likely to happen next.
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WASHINGTON — The horror stories about Obamacare get worse daily, but what does it all mean?
Americans are so mesmerized by the daily revelations of abysmal Obamacare failures that few have stopped to wonder what will happen to health care, and the country, in the end.
A WND analysis of what is happening now, and what is likely to happen, indicates that it is a virtual certainty that Obamacare will fail.
What happens after that could be even worse.
First, a look at the ways in which Obamacare appears fatally flawed.
Then a look at what is likely to happen next.
More
Moody’s Warns Of Bankruptcy In Scranton As City Faces $20 Million Budget Gap
Scranton could be headed towards another fiscal crisis like the one that resulted in city workers having their pay cut to minimum wage in 2012, according to a major credit ratings agency.
In a weekly publication, Moody’s warned investors that Scranton could be facing the threat of default or bankruptcy thanks to a $20 million budget gap for the fiscal year that begins Jan. 1. The city is supposed to approve a new budget by Nov. 15, which would have to close that deficit to balance the budget.
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In a weekly publication, Moody’s warned investors that Scranton could be facing the threat of default or bankruptcy thanks to a $20 million budget gap for the fiscal year that begins Jan. 1. The city is supposed to approve a new budget by Nov. 15, which would have to close that deficit to balance the budget.
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D.C.'S FIVE OBAMACARE ENROLLEES COST $26.7 MILLION EACH
In Washington D.C., a sparse five residents have been able to enroll in a health insurance plan provided by the Affordable Care Act—making the cost to taxpayers per enrollee a whopping $26.7 million.
According to data released by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the three major carriers in the D.C. exchange only signed up a few each; a fourth signed up no one.
Care First, Blue Cross Blue Shield: two enrollees from Oct. 1, 2013, through Oct. 30, 2013.
Kaiser Permanente: three enrollees from Oct. 1, 2013, through Oct. 31, 2013.
United Healthcare: no enrollment data from the exchange as of Nov. 4, 2013.
Aetna: No enrollment data as of Oct. 24, 2013.
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According to data released by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the three major carriers in the D.C. exchange only signed up a few each; a fourth signed up no one.
Care First, Blue Cross Blue Shield: two enrollees from Oct. 1, 2013, through Oct. 30, 2013.
Kaiser Permanente: three enrollees from Oct. 1, 2013, through Oct. 31, 2013.
United Healthcare: no enrollment data from the exchange as of Nov. 4, 2013.
Aetna: No enrollment data as of Oct. 24, 2013.
More
Feds Deploy National Spy System Of Microphones Capable Of Recording Conversations
Hidden in plain sight: The next level of NSA snooping will detect dissent via ubiquitous audio sensors
The revelations of Edward Snowden shone fresh light on NSA spying targeting the American people, but what has gone largely unnoticed is the fact that a network of different spy systems which can record real time conversations are already in place throughout many urban areas of the United States, as well as in the technology products we buy and use on a regular basis.
These systems are no secret – they are hiding in plain view – and yet concerns about the monolithic potential for their abuse have been muted.
That lack of discussion represents a massive lost opportunity for the privacy community because whereas polls have shown apathy, indifference, or even support for NSA spying, anecdotal evidence suggests that people would be up in arms if they knew the content of their daily conversations were under surveillance.
More
The revelations of Edward Snowden shone fresh light on NSA spying targeting the American people, but what has gone largely unnoticed is the fact that a network of different spy systems which can record real time conversations are already in place throughout many urban areas of the United States, as well as in the technology products we buy and use on a regular basis.
These systems are no secret – they are hiding in plain view – and yet concerns about the monolithic potential for their abuse have been muted.
That lack of discussion represents a massive lost opportunity for the privacy community because whereas polls have shown apathy, indifference, or even support for NSA spying, anecdotal evidence suggests that people would be up in arms if they knew the content of their daily conversations were under surveillance.
More
Ron Paul Exposes The Fed-Driven Erosion Of US Living Standards
One of the least discussed, but potentially most significant, provisions in President Obama’s budget is the use of the “chained consumer price index” (chained CPI), to measure the effect of inflation on people’s standard of living. Chained CPI is an effort to alter the perceived impact of inflation via the gimmick of “full substitution." This is the assumption that when the price of one consumer product increases, consumers will simply substitute a similar, lower-cost product with no adverse effect. Thus, the government decides your standard of living is not affected if you can no longer afford to eat steak, as long as you can afford to eat hamburger.
The problem with “full substitution” should be obvious to anyone not on the government payroll. Since consumers did not choose to buy lower-priced beef before inflation raised the price of steak, they obviously preferred steak.So if the Federal Reserve’s policies create inflation that forces you to purchase hamburger instead of steak, your standard of living is lowered. CPI already uses this sort of substitution to mask the costs of inflation, but chained CPI uses those substitutions more frequently, thereby lowering the reported rate of inflation.
Supporters of chained CPI also argue that the government should take into account technology and other advances that enhance the quality of the products we buy. By this theory, increasing prices signal an increase in our standard of living! While it is certainly true that advances in technology improve our standard of living, it is also true that, left undisturbed, market processes tend to lower the prices of goods. Remember the mobile phones from the 1980s? They had limited service, constantly needed charging, and were extremely expensive. Today, almost all Americans can easily afford a mobile device to make and receive calls, texts, and e-mails, as well as use the Internet, watch movies, read books, and more.
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The problem with “full substitution” should be obvious to anyone not on the government payroll. Since consumers did not choose to buy lower-priced beef before inflation raised the price of steak, they obviously preferred steak.So if the Federal Reserve’s policies create inflation that forces you to purchase hamburger instead of steak, your standard of living is lowered. CPI already uses this sort of substitution to mask the costs of inflation, but chained CPI uses those substitutions more frequently, thereby lowering the reported rate of inflation.
Supporters of chained CPI also argue that the government should take into account technology and other advances that enhance the quality of the products we buy. By this theory, increasing prices signal an increase in our standard of living! While it is certainly true that advances in technology improve our standard of living, it is also true that, left undisturbed, market processes tend to lower the prices of goods. Remember the mobile phones from the 1980s? They had limited service, constantly needed charging, and were extremely expensive. Today, almost all Americans can easily afford a mobile device to make and receive calls, texts, and e-mails, as well as use the Internet, watch movies, read books, and more.
More
St. Mary’s College Of Maryland Allows Opposite-Sex Housing
Students at St. Mary’s College of Maryland no longer have to consider gender when selecting a roommate under a new open-housing policy that allows students of the opposite sex to live together in the same room.
The open-housing policy was designed to provide better housing arrangements for students who do not identify with their birth sex or are uncomfortable living with students of the same gender, said Joanne Goldwater, director of residence life and associate dean of students.
The policy “is going to ensure that our students have a safe space to live,” Goldwater said.
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The open-housing policy was designed to provide better housing arrangements for students who do not identify with their birth sex or are uncomfortable living with students of the same gender, said Joanne Goldwater, director of residence life and associate dean of students.
The policy “is going to ensure that our students have a safe space to live,” Goldwater said.
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POLICE: A Teen Shot A Guy In New York Over This Notorious Jacket
Police are questioning a 16-year-old in connection with the shooting, which took place around 11 p.m. Saturday. Charges are pending, The New York Times reports.
The teen allegedly shot Javier Contreras, 20, in the arm after approaching him about his Marmot Mammoth "Biggie" coat.
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The United States Has More People In Jail Than High School Teachers And Engineers
America has become a gigantic gulag over the past few decades and most of its citizens don’t know, or just don’t care. One of the primary causes of the over incarceration in the U.S. is the absurd, tragic failure that is the “war on drugs”, and indeed nearly half of the folks in prison are there for drug related offenses. [5] Making matters worse is a rapidly growing private prison system, which adds a profit motive to the equation. Recently, I wrote an extensive rant against the private prison system and provided details on how it works in: A Deep Look into the Shady World of the Private Prison Industry. [6]
Now here are some of the sad facts. There are 1.57 million people in federal and state prison (does not even include county and local jail) according to the Department of Justice. That’s above the nation’s 1.53 million engineers and 1.05 million high school teachers.
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Now here are some of the sad facts. There are 1.57 million people in federal and state prison (does not even include county and local jail) according to the Department of Justice. That’s above the nation’s 1.53 million engineers and 1.05 million high school teachers.
More
Chicken Slaughtered, Raised In China Could Pose Major Risk
USDA Says It Has Not Finalized Audit Of China
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Chicken from China has officials on alert, including U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)
As WCBS 880’s Jim Smith reported Sunday, Schumer said first, the U.S. Department of Agriculture only allowed chickens that had been processed in China to be sold in the U.S. Now, he said the USDA plans to green-light poultry raised and slaughtered in China.
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Lost Dog 11-12-13
CITY ELECTS FIRST REPUBLICAN MAYOR SINCE 1997 – DEMOCRATIC-DOMINATED COUNCIL TO VOTE ON MEASURE STRIPPING HIM OF POWER
Democratic Alderman Ross Arnett of Ward 8 tells The Capital he will introduce a charter amendment to move Annapolis to a council-manager style of government. The city manager would report directly to the City Council, not the mayor.
Under Arnett’s legislation, the mayor’s post would be largely ceremonial. The mayor would retain a single vote on the council. Arnett says the change would stabilize the city’s management.
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Chase Isn't The Only Bank In Trouble
I've been away for weeks now on a non-financial assignment (we have something unusual coming out in Rolling Stone in a few weeks) so I've fallen behind on some crazy developments on Wall Street. There are multiple scandals blowing up right now, including a whole set of ominous legal cases that could result in punishments so extreme that they might significantly alter the long-term future of the financial services sector.
As one friend of mine put it, "Whatever those morons put aside for settlements, they'd better double it."
Firstly, there's a huge mess involving possible manipulation of the world currency markets. This scandal is already drawing comparisons to the last biggest-financial-scandal-in-history (the Financial Times wondered about a "repeat Libor scandal"), the manipulation of interest rates via the gaming of the London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor. The foreign exchange or FX market is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily trading volume of nearly $5 trillion.
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As one friend of mine put it, "Whatever those morons put aside for settlements, they'd better double it."
Firstly, there's a huge mess involving possible manipulation of the world currency markets. This scandal is already drawing comparisons to the last biggest-financial-scandal-in-history (the Financial Times wondered about a "repeat Libor scandal"), the manipulation of interest rates via the gaming of the London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor. The foreign exchange or FX market is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily trading volume of nearly $5 trillion.
More
Government Redistributes More Than $2 Trillion In One Year
Government policies effectively redistributed more than $2 trillion in income
from the top 40 percent of American society to the bottom 60 percent in 2012, according to a new study from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.
The study tracked the beneficiaries of government spending programs largely paid for by taxpayers who are not very big beneficiaries of those programs.
Families in the top 1 percent shouldered nearly half of the more than$2 trillion that was redistributed last year.
More
from the top 40 percent of American society to the bottom 60 percent in 2012, according to a new study from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.The study tracked the beneficiaries of government spending programs largely paid for by taxpayers who are not very big beneficiaries of those programs.
Families
in the top 1 percent shouldered nearly half of the more than$2 trillion that was redistributed last year.More
O'Malley/Brown/Gansler Double Down On Rain Tax
"The rain tax has outraged Marylanders across the state, and leaders smart enough to realize the unpopularity of this tax have found alternative ways to fund their priority projects. For the state to force these jurisdictions to implement a rain tax just proves this is another money grab by the O'Malley-Brown Administration," said Change Maryland Chairman, Larry Hogan. "The Attorney General is just as culpable as the O'Malley-Brown Administration on this issue."
In a letter released last Tuesday, the state attorney general's office notified officials in Carroll and Frederick Counties that they were in violation of the 2012 law imposing the rain tax, or stormwater management fee, and could face action from the state if they charge an "insufficient" tax. In addition to the letter from the attorney general’s office, the Maryland Department of Environment has also warned these counties that they could face thousands of dollars in fines: up to $10,000 per day in Carroll, and up to $32,500 per day in Frederick.
"Everyone wants a clean and healthy Chesapeake Bay," Hogan reiterated on Wednesday. "But this most recent missive from the administration proves that this is more about increasing people's taxes than protecting our Bay. It's time for us to start electing real leaders who will fund important projects like cleaning up the Bay without breaking the backs of taxpayers."
In Carroll County, Commissioners invested $20 million in stormwater control projects with existing property taxes, rather than levying an additional tax. In Frederick County, officials set aside $3 million in the county budget for stormwater clean-up.
The rain tax is just one of forty consecutive tax hikes that have been levied by the O'Malley-Brown Administration since 2007 that have taken over $9.5 billion out of the Maryland economy and are projected to cost taxpayers $20 billion by 2018.
RECORD: OVER 47 MILLION ON FOOD STAMPS FOR ENTIRE YEAR
Food stamp enrollments have remained over 47 million for an unprecedented 13 consecutive months.
According to the most recent figures available from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the food stamp program, in August 2012, 47,102,765 individuals were enrolled in the program, known officially as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Enrollments never fell below 47 million in subsequent months and as of August 2013 stood at 47,665,069, representing nearly one out of every seven people in America.
Recent years have seen an explosion in food stamp enrollments. Since January 2009, the number of individuals on food stamps has skyrocketed from 31.9 million to 47.6 million.
Source
According to the most recent figures available from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the food stamp program, in August 2012, 47,102,765 individuals were enrolled in the program, known officially as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Enrollments never fell below 47 million in subsequent months and as of August 2013 stood at 47,665,069, representing nearly one out of every seven people in America.
Recent years have seen an explosion in food stamp enrollments. Since January 2009, the number of individuals on food stamps has skyrocketed from 31.9 million to 47.6 million.
Source
INDIANAPOLIS GUN SALES SURGE AFTER HOME INVASIONS RISE
With home invasions and other robberies on the rise in and around Indianapolis, gun store owners say there is a "large increase" in the number residents who are "buying guns, applying for gun permits, and taking gun safety courses."
RTV6 ABC reports that these guns are being bought for self-defense.
Trade Post gun store owner Brian Ludlow said the home invaders "aren't coming in and being nice about it." Rather, "most of [the] criminals are armed when they come in. So by arming yourself you level the playing field."
Indiana State Police show "a steady increase" for concealed carry permits throughout 2013, with a surge of requests in the third quarter.
More
RTV6 ABC reports that these guns are being bought for self-defense.
Trade Post gun store owner Brian Ludlow said the home invaders "aren't coming in and being nice about it." Rather, "most of [the] criminals are armed when they come in. So by arming yourself you level the playing field."
Indiana State Police show "a steady increase" for concealed carry permits throughout 2013, with a surge of requests in the third quarter.
More
Q105 BRINGS BACK CHRISTMAS MUSIC
Salisbury, MD – Q105 (104.7FM) announced today the launch of its Christmas music programming, featuring Christmas favorites around the clock through Christmas day. The radio station has been carrying on this tradition for over 10 years.
“This year we involved the listeners in our decision to kick-off Christmas music by giving them the opportunity to vote about the Christmas launch on our website,” said Operations Manager Susan Groves. “The enthusiastic response we saw showed us Delmarva is ready to jump into the Christmas spirit!”
Fans can listen to Q105 FM for holiday music on-air and via the station's website, www.Q105FM.com as well as on iHeartRadio, Clear Channel's all-in-one digital radio service. iHeartRadio delivers everything listeners want in one free, fully-integrated service: instant access to more than 1,500 of the nation's most popular live broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities, plus user-created custom stations inspired by favorite artists and songs. iHeartRadio also offers listeners a "Perfect For" feature which allows users to choose from thousands of curated stations based on a range of moods and activities. New - iHeartRadio Talk feature (now in beta) offers on-demand listener-created talk content alongside popular news, celebrity and entertainment “audiosodes.” iHeartRadio Talk also features “Daily Pulse,” a customizable Talk channel featuring the most up-to-date news and culture highlights, to which users can add or remove content that is most important to them.
“This year we involved the listeners in our decision to kick-off Christmas music by giving them the opportunity to vote about the Christmas launch on our website,” said Operations Manager Susan Groves. “The enthusiastic response we saw showed us Delmarva is ready to jump into the Christmas spirit!”
Fans can listen to Q105 FM for holiday music on-air and via the station's website, www.Q105FM.com as well as on iHeartRadio, Clear Channel's all-in-one digital radio service. iHeartRadio delivers everything listeners want in one free, fully-integrated service: instant access to more than 1,500 of the nation's most popular live broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities, plus user-created custom stations inspired by favorite artists and songs. iHeartRadio also offers listeners a "Perfect For" feature which allows users to choose from thousands of curated stations based on a range of moods and activities. New - iHeartRadio Talk feature (now in beta) offers on-demand listener-created talk content alongside popular news, celebrity and entertainment “audiosodes.” iHeartRadio Talk also features “Daily Pulse,” a customizable Talk channel featuring the most up-to-date news and culture highlights, to which users can add or remove content that is most important to them.
Blades-Seaford Draw Bridge And Cedar Beach Road Bridge In Slaughter Beach Closures Update
The contractual work for these locations is essentially complete. Testing of the Blades-Seaford Draw Bridge's operation is occurring and last minute adjustments are being made to the bridge. On the Cedar Beach Road Bridge in Slaughter Beach the contractor is addressing a few minor items Weather permitting; the bridges should be back in full operation prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The repairs of the bridges on Front Street in Seaford and Cedar Beach Road in Slaughter Beach were due to damage sustained as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The repairs consisted of full replacement/refurbishment of the mechanical and electrical systems.
The contract work was performed by JJID, Inc., at a total cost of $467,991.04 ($302,991.04 for Front Street Bridge in Seaford and $165,000.00 for Cedar Beach Road Bridge in Slaughter Beach).
Motorists should be aware that bridge personnel and equipment may be operating in close proximity to the travel lanes.
The repairs of the bridges on Front Street in Seaford and Cedar Beach Road in Slaughter Beach were due to damage sustained as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The repairs consisted of full replacement/refurbishment of the mechanical and electrical systems.
The contract work was performed by JJID, Inc., at a total cost of $467,991.04 ($302,991.04 for Front Street Bridge in Seaford and $165,000.00 for Cedar Beach Road Bridge in Slaughter Beach).
Motorists should be aware that bridge personnel and equipment may be operating in close proximity to the travel lanes.
Annapolis City Council Considers Stripping Mayor's Powers
Alderman says the push is unrelated to the election of a new Republican mayor
Annapolis Alderman Ross Arnett insists the City Council's decision to take another look at making the mayor's job a more ceremonial role has nothing to do with party politics.
But if the Democrat-majority council acts to remove the mayor's power, the timing will coincide with the election of Annapolis' first Republican mayor in nearly two decades, Mike Pantelides, who defeated the incumbent Democrat, Mayor Josh Cohen, last week.
"I think that's the right system," he said of the council-manager style of government being considered. Arnett plans to introduce a charter amendment in the coming weeks to make the change.
More
Annapolis Alderman Ross Arnett insists the City Council's decision to take another look at making the mayor's job a more ceremonial role has nothing to do with party politics.
But if the Democrat-majority council acts to remove the mayor's power, the timing will coincide with the election of Annapolis' first Republican mayor in nearly two decades, Mike Pantelides, who defeated the incumbent Democrat, Mayor Josh Cohen, last week.
"I think that's the right system," he said of the council-manager style of government being considered. Arnett plans to introduce a charter amendment in the coming weeks to make the change.
More
SFD Calls For Service 11-11-13
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 23:44:12Nature: Medical AlarmCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 19:42:24Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 801 N Division St Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 17:56:31Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 2327 Hudson Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 17:38:58Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 200 Civic Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 17:38:51Nature: Unconscious SubjectCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 17:24:00Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 15:21:38Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 15:19:47Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 13:53:21Nature: Psychiatric EmergencyCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 13:27:47Nature: Chest PainCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 13:27:46Nature: Automatic AlarmAddress: 105 Winterborn Ln Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 13:04:27Nature: ElectricalAddress: 105 E North Pointe Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 13:00:10Nature: Structure FireAddress: 702 E William St Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 13:00:08Nature: Structure FireAddress: 702 E William St Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 13:00:06Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 700 College Ln Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 13:00:01Nature: OverdoseCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 11:47:09Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 10:29:01Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 09:59:00Nature: Diabetic DifficultyCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 09:44:03Nature: Pi AccidentCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 08:44:02Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 06:42:49Nature: Non BreathingAddress: 223 Wall St Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 05:36:33Nature: Pro Qa EmsCity: Salisbury
- Monday November, 11 2013 @ 00:43:06Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
A Letter To The Editor: Get The Government Out Of My Fats
The news reports of the proposed FDA ban on all trans fats has me so disconsolate I am about to scream…no, there is a noise ordinance preventing loud sounds coming from this neighborhood. An ordinance I probably support but that’s another something else…for later.
Where is the public outrage at having the FDA decide what FAT I should be able to consume? Who is in charge of the government, what happened to a republic with input from “we the people”? Are we all nuts or were they banned?
Are we one step away from having the FDA decide what our grocery list is made up of…no candy, bacon, eggs, ice cream…cookies or spam…okay they can ban the spam…but really what’s the FDA doing in my kitchen…fast or slow food joint.
Well the answer of course is protecting me from myself under the guise of lowering health care costs leaving us a better, healthier citizenry…too many of us living longer already… so in becoming more healthy we stand an improved chance to be an even bigger burden to the young people of our country…come on sheep it’s time to rise up and bleat.
How about the FDA reverse course and encourage retired persons or anyone over the age of sixty to up their consumption of da bad stuff. Coupons for Ruth’s Chris Steak house, for example, with special deals on French fries smothered in butter, sour cream and bacon bits stuffed into a twice baked potato…with Caesar salad followed by a good cigar with a nice brandy…or maybe a chocolate cream filled éclair…and espresso. Just leave the dessert cart right where it is.
Get the FDA outta my diet altogether! I’ll decide what gooey poisons and/ or good stuff to eat all by myself. By the way, try a Nashville Goo Goo cluster before they’re banned.
Where is the public outrage at having the FDA decide what FAT I should be able to consume? Who is in charge of the government, what happened to a republic with input from “we the people”? Are we all nuts or were they banned?
Are we one step away from having the FDA decide what our grocery list is made up of…no candy, bacon, eggs, ice cream…cookies or spam…okay they can ban the spam…but really what’s the FDA doing in my kitchen…fast or slow food joint.
Well the answer of course is protecting me from myself under the guise of lowering health care costs leaving us a better, healthier citizenry…too many of us living longer already… so in becoming more healthy we stand an improved chance to be an even bigger burden to the young people of our country…come on sheep it’s time to rise up and bleat.
How about the FDA reverse course and encourage retired persons or anyone over the age of sixty to up their consumption of da bad stuff. Coupons for Ruth’s Chris Steak house, for example, with special deals on French fries smothered in butter, sour cream and bacon bits stuffed into a twice baked potato…with Caesar salad followed by a good cigar with a nice brandy…or maybe a chocolate cream filled éclair…and espresso. Just leave the dessert cart right where it is.
Get the FDA outta my diet altogether! I’ll decide what gooey poisons and/ or good stuff to eat all by myself. By the way, try a Nashville Goo Goo cluster before they’re banned.
Federal Employees Just Aren't Happy
The latest survey of federal employees is out, and the picture isn't good. The Office of Personnel Management has published results of its most recent annual Viewpoint survey. For the second year in a row, employee satisfaction has dropped. It now stands at 59 percent. Less that half of federal employees feel they have enough resources to do their jobs effectively. More than 376,000 employees responded to the survey.