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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The True Story of Rudolph


A man named Bob May, depressed and broken-hearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.


His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bob's wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer.


Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never
come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked,
"Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's
jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question
brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the
story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob.
Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied
by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in
sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember.
From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit
in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and
was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery
Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with
his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout
with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob
and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment
in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.


Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined to make one - a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the
character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May
created was his own autobiography in fable form. The
character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The
name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with
a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give
it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there.


The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book. In an unprecedented
gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights
back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and
marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a
growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to
comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either.


Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to
Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular
vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by
the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed
Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal
success, selling more records than any other Christmas song,
with the exception of "White Christmas."



The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.
MERRY CHRISTMAS

A Multi-Billion Dollar Pension Crisis Threatens Chicago's Future

CHICAGO (AP) — It's not the vision of a world-class city that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel typically likes to portray.

More teachers losing their jobs, thousands fewer police and firefighters on duty, less frequent trash collection and miles of potholed roads going unrepaired — all as property taxes soar.

But that's the scenario Emanuel and others have said could befall the nation's third-largest city if the state Legislature — which passed a landmark measure last week to address Illinois' severe public pension shortfall — doesn't deal with Chicago's own multibillion-dollar pension problem.

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Notice Of Closed Session

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET AT 1:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013 TO ENTERTAIN A VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER (CITY CLERK EVALUATION) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND §10-508(a)(1)(i).

THE CLOSED SESSION WILL BE HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 301 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.

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE CLOSED SESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH §SC2-4 OF THE SALISBURY CITY CHARTER, THE COUNCIL WILL CONVENE IN A SPECIAL MEEETING AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 P.M.TO CONSIDER:

ORDINANCE NO. 2273 – 2ND READING - TO AUTHORIZE AND EMPOWER CITY OF SALISBURY (THE “CITY”) TO ISSUE AND SELL FROM TIME TO TIME, UPON ITS FULL FAITH AND CREDIT, GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN ONE OR MORE SERIES IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THREE MILLION ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,178,000.00), THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE THEREOF TO BE USED AND APPLIED FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF FINANCING, REIMBURSING OR REFINANCING COSTS (AS DEFINED HEREIN, WHICH INCLUDE ISSUANCE COSTS AND CAPITALIZED INTEREST) OF THE PUBLIC PURPOSE PROJECTS IDENTIFIED HEREIN AS: RIVERWALK, MAINSTREET MASTER PLAN, COTY COX DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND GERMANIA CIRCLE

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING AT APPROXIMATELY 2:15 P.M., THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED WORK SESSION WILL BEGIN. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND.

EPA Wants To Regulate Water On YOUR Land

Happy holidays from the Obama administration. Federal agencies are currently working on rolling out hundreds of environmental regulations, including major regulations that would limit emissions from power plants and expand the agency’s authority to bodies of water on private property.

On Tuesday, the White House released its regulatory agenda for the fall of 2013. It lists hundreds of pending energy and environmental regulations being crafting by executive branch agencies, including 134 regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency alone.

The EPA is currently crafting 134 major and minor regulations, according to the White House’s regulatory agenda. Seventy-six of the EPA’s pending regulations originate from the agency’s air and radiation office, including carbon-dioxide-emission limits on power plants.

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A Message From WCSO

Don't forget to signup to receive an email alert if a registered sex offender moves into your neighborhood! 
http://www.icrimewatch.net/register.php?AgencyID=55336

Italian Riot Police Remove Helmets, Join Anti-EU Protesters

University Students May Face Criminal Charges After Snowball Fight

OCPD CLOSE EIGHT MONTH INVESTIGATION OF SNOW HILL MAN

Billy Conn Davis, Jr.
(December 10, 2013) – On December 7, 2013 at approximately 5:50 p.m. the Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit brought an eight-month drug distribution investigation to an end with the arrest of Billy Conn Davis, Jr., 50, of Snow Hill, MD. Over the course of eight months, police received information that Davis was selling controlled dangerous substances in Ocean City. 

On December 7, Ocean City Police Narcotics Unit conducted surveillance on Davis and initiated a traffic stop in the area of 67th Street and Coastal Highway. During a search of Davis’ vehicle, police recovered over 150 bags of heroin and a large amount of cocaine and crack cocaine. Police also recovered marijuana, oxycontin and seized over $900. 
Ocean City police have charged Davis with multiple drug possession and distribution charges. Davis was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and transferred to Worcester County Jail on $75,000 bond.

Congressmen Call For Declassification Of 9/11 Files Discussing Hijacker Links To Saudi Government

Since terrorists attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, victims’ loved ones, injured survivors, and members of the media have all tried without much success to discover the true nature of the relationship between the 19 hijackers — 15 of them Saudi nationals — and the Saudi Arabian government.

Many news organizations reported that some of the terrorists were linked to the Saudi royals and that they even may have received financial support from them as well as from several mysterious, moneyed Saudi men living in San Diego.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied any connection, and neither President George W. Bush nor President Obama has been forthcoming on this issue.

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Price Tag Placement Can Change The Product Name...12-11-13

 
 

Saturday's County Executive, County Council, Delegates Breakfast

Hi Joe

I read your article about WBOC - (reporting stories in Texas) - verses local events.

Well get this - I have checked the DT everyday about Saturday's Delegates Breakfast held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center and The Daily Times reporter, Jennifer Strut, still has not published any coverage of the event - even though she was there taking notes.

Even if they went to press tonight - their news about the event would be 5 days old - (or old news).

Of course - there is always the possiblity that she refuses to give Pollitt any publicity because she is pissed off about this:
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20131211/NEWS/312110084/Wicomico-cites-executive-privilege-on-records-request

EPA Says Taking Over Private Property Will Benefit The Economy

Can the EPA run your property better than you? The Environmental Protection Agency says that its proposal to extend its regulatory powers over wetlands and waterways would produce economic benefits.

Republican lawmakers warn that the agency is trying to extend its power to regulate private property.

The EPA’s rule would redefine the term “waters of the United States” to include all “tributaries, regardless of size and flow, and all lakes, ponds and wetlands within a floodplain” reports E&E News. Other bodies of water, “such as geographically isolated wetlands, would have to be shown on a case-by-case basis to have a significant chemical, physical or biological effect on larger waterways downstream — a major point of concern for environmental groups” E&E added.

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Registered Sex Offenders That Are WANTED By The WCSO

1 of 3 WANTED Registered Sex Offenders Apprehended!! Please contact Wicomico County Sheriff's Office if you've have information about the other two. Thank you!

Did O’Malley-Brown Administration Shake-Down State Contractors For Huge Contributions?

ANNAPOLIS – Change Maryland released initial findings that show a relationship between 2011 contributions to the Democratic Governor’s Association (DGA) and the award of state contracts. The group found that in many cases, DGA contributors received significant state benefits shortly before, or after, making generous donations to the organization Governor Martin O’Malley chaired.

"Our preliminary research indicates a disturbing 'pay to play' pattern emerging from the O’Malley-Brown Administration where some DGA donors received a substantial, and increased, state benefits before and after making a contribution," charged Larry Hogan, Chairman of Change Maryland. "Did the Governor solicit large contributions to help further his national aspirations and reward those donors with huge state contracts and/or implement policies that help them significantly?"

While state law prohibits state contractors from making contributions to an elected official’s state account, nothing prohibits those doing business with the state from making contributions to a national organization.

"Our initial research of DGA financial records is just the tip of the iceberg," said Hogan. "It establishes a troubling trend which, when complete, may require a deeper investigation."

Change Maryland expects to release its full report in January 2014. A 2011 Baltimore Sun piece identified a couple of questionable contributions and Change Maryland has identified more, including the following activities:

Beowulf Energy, a company interested in building an offshore wind farm off of the coast of Maryland. In 2011, the Baltimore Sun reported that Beowulf donated 10,000 to the DGA. The firm’s acting director, Michael Enright, is former chief of staff to and lifelong friend of Governor O’Malley. O’Malley signed the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act into law in 2013.
Change Maryland took their investigation one step further than the Sun, and found that in addition, Colorado Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of Beowulf Energy, donated $30,000 to the DGA on June 14, 2011. On July 27, 2011, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved a lease of 250 acres of former state prison land to Maryland Solar, LLC to construct a solar farm. Maryland Solar was created by Beowulf Energy.

United Healthcare Services, which donated $375,000 to the DGA in 2011. Since 2008, the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene has paid UHS over $2 billion in state contracts.

Scientific Games Management Corporation, a multifaceted gaming company that provides services to state lotteries. Scientific Games donated $25,000 in 2009, $50,370 in 2010, and $50,000 in 2011, the year that Governor O’Malley and the Board of Public Works approved a contract extension with the company. The company doubled their donations as the contract renewal approached.

"Marylanders deserve better than this," Hogan continued. "Marylanders deserve honest leadership that will create opportunity for the people, not the politicians.”

SFD Now Hiring!


Government Criminalizes Church Groups Feeding Homeless

Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann

St. Rose’s Summer Home for Orphans was built by the Sisters of Charity of Washington, DC in 1898. It was far outside of city limits at the time (Ocean City ended at 7th Street in that era) and the road to 14th Street was unpaved. Supplies were delivered by ox cart and horse drawn wagon and it would be over 30 years before the Boardwalk was extended that far north.
In 1911, the building was sold to the Dominican Fathers of Catholic University and used as a summer home for students preparing for the priesthood. In 1946, the property and land around it was sold again in what was the largest real estate auction in Ocean City history up to that time and the building divided into two attached hotels -- the LaGrande and the Broadripple.
The LaGrande was damaged in the March Storm of ’62 and subsequently demolished while the Broadripple was torn down in 2009. Today the site is a parking lot for the Beach Plaza Hotel.
Photo courtesy Bill and Kitt Matthews

The Nursing Shortage: Myth Or Reality?

News stories abound about the nationwide nursing shortage. In recent weeks, FierceHealthcare reported that New Mexico is desperate for nurses and plans to spend $220,000 on a marketing campaign to recruit nurses from other regions of the country to work in the state.

NBC in Southern California this week bemoaned the fact that a lack of nursing faculty at colleges and universities would bring the nationwide nursing shortage to its worst levels in recent years.

But FierceHealthcare also published reports this week that makes me wonder if the problem really is a lack of nurses and dearth of students interested in pursuing the profession.

First we ran a story that as the job market dries up for hospital nursing positions, more nurses are taking lower-paying jobs in rehabilitation centers, patient homes and outpatient clinics.

And on Thursday the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) released survey results that indicate nearly 60 percent of recent nursing school graduates with bachelor's degrees had job offers at the time of graduation. And by four to six months after they received their diplomas, almost 90 percent of the graduates were working as nurses.

So is the nursing shortage a myth?

Shore-up Accepting Applications For Assistance

Wicomico County Health Department
 

The Shore-Up! in Salisbury is currently accepting applications from those who need help paying their home heating and electric bills during the colder months. Residents of Wicomico county who meet state income guidelines may qualify for assistance. To receive help, an individual must complete an Energy Assistance application and provide supporting documentation. For more information visit www.shoreup.org (Go to "Energy Assistance and Family Support Programs" and click on link to state application)

Help Us Solve A Murder

We've been working with investigative reporter Stephen Janis and former homicide detective Stephen Tabeling on another installment of our continuing televisual dialog on crime called "Why Do We Kill?" viewable herehttp://bit.ly/1bfmyi2.

In this episode you'll get a detailed and chilling recounting of the circumstances, evidence, and harrowing details of crimes that confound the normal explanations for violent crime. It's a riveting tale of two inexplicable acts of violence.

On May 3, 2008, a star lacrosse play and honor student living in Cockeysville, Maryland named Nicholas Browning took a break from playing video games at a friend's house, walked home, picked up his father's gun, and shot his entire family as they slept.

Several weeks later just miles from the Browning residence another promising young man inexplicably turned to murder.

A 17-year old star athlete, Lewin Powell, picked up a bat during the dispute with his mother and beat her to death. But Powell wasn't done, later attacking his father while he slept, fracturing his skull in two places before the bewildered parent could subdue him.

Neither boy came from troubled homes or suffered from mental illness. In fact, they were both leading exemplary lives.

I'm encouraging a dialog about these heinous acts for the same reason I continue to advocate for your right to know about crime in your community. I firmly believe that transparency about crime draws on the most powerful tool for preventing it: the wisdom and knowledge of the people. Share your comments at our Baltimore True Crime Facebook page here http://on.fb.me/1bfna7j.

And if you want to read more on the subject of why people commit heinous crimes please consider purchasing the book "You Can't Stop Murder" at Amazon http://amzn.to/1bfmteh or Nook http://bit.ly/1bfmpLr.

As always, I remain appreciative of your support making SpotCrime the most popular crime mapping site in the country.

Sincerely,

Colin Drane
Founder
Feedback@SpotCrime.com

Are There Animal Care Problems At National Zoo?

WASHINGTON - The National Zoo has a reputation as a leader in animal care, science and cute photo opportunities such as the naming of Bao Bao the baby panda earlier this month.

But a CBS News investigation has learned that behind the scenes, there are insider allegations of mismanagement involving animal care. Five sources with more than 35 years' combined experience at the National Zoo have raised concerns to CBS News about recent animal injuries, deaths and escapes.

The sources don't want to be identified for fear of retaliation. They say problems began last year when the zoo decided to double the population of the Cheetah Conservation Station, adding a half dozen new species but no extra space. Besides cheetahs, the CCS also houses zebras, gazelles and other species.

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INTERESTING COMMERCIAL

Time To Be Afraid In America: The Frightening Pattern Of Throwing Police Power At Social Problems

Policing overkill has entered the DNA of America's social policy.

If all you’ve got is a hammer, then everything starts to look like a nail. And if police and prosecutors are your only tool, sooner or later everything and everyone will be treated as criminal. This is increasingly the American way of life, a path that involves “solving” social problems (and even some non-problems) by throwing cops at them, with generally disastrous results. Wall-to-wall criminal law encroaches ever more on everyday life as police power is applied in ways that would have been unthinkable just a generation ago.

By now, the militarization of the police has advanced to the point where "the War on Crime” and “the War on Drugs” are no longer metaphors but bland understatements. There is the proliferation of heavily armed SWAT teams, even in small towns; the use of shock-and-awe tactics to bust small-time bookies; the no-knock raids to recover trace amounts of drugs that often result in the killing of family dogs, if not family members; and in communities where drug treatment programs once were key, the waging of a drug version of counterinsurgency war. (All of this is ably reported on journalist Radley Balko’s blog and in his book, The Rise of the Warrior Cop.) But American over-policing involves far more than the widely reported up-armoring of your local precinct. It’s also the way police power has entered the DNA of social policy, turning just about every sphere of American life into a police matter.

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37 Reasons Why "The Economic Recovery Of 2013" Is A Giant Lie

"If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it." Sadly, that appears to be the approach that the Obama administration and the mainstream media are taking with the U.S. economy. They seem to believe that if they just keep telling the American people over and over that things are getting better, eventually the American people will believe that it is actually true.

On Friday, it was announced that the unemployment rate had fallen to "7 percent", and the mainstream media responded with a mix of euphoria and jubilation. For example, one USA Today article declared that "with today's jobs report, one really can say that our long national post-financial crisis nightmare is over." But is that actually the truth? As you will see below, if you assume that the labor force participation rate in the U.S. is at the long-term average, the unemployment rate in the United States would actually be 11.5 percent instead of 7 percent.

There has been absolutely no employment recovery. The percentage of Americans that are actually working has stayed between 58 and 59 percent for 51 months in a row. But most Americans don't understand these things and they just take whatever the mainstream media tells them as the truth.

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A Woman Who Claimed She Was The Victim Of The Knockout Game Was Actually Hit By Her Boyfriend

The above photo of Depew’s face after she was “attacked” was posted on Facebook by her sister Brigette Ulmer-Loynd in November and was shared over 11,000 times.

Ashley Depew, is the younger sister who I taught at my dance studio. She was a victim of the “one Punch Knockdown” a game that teenagers are now doing, this was done in STL a couple nights ago. Please Pray for a quick recovery as she is going under reconstruction surgery.

These groups of teenagers will punch out anybody, then scatter to run. please don’t be a victim and always be aware of your surroundings!

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President And Media Ignore Conservative Alternatives To Obamacare

“You are entitled to your own opinion but you are not entitled to your own facts” is generally attributed to the late Senator Daniel Moynihan, but it certainly applies to President Barack Obama when he complains the GOP has not put forward a plan to resolve America’s healthcare issues.

In a recent speech Obama said, “the only alternative that Obamacare’s critics have is, well, let’s just go back to the status quo — because they sure haven’t presented an alternative.” But this simply isn’t true.

My former colleagues have always delivered free-market based solutions to resolve the healthcare issue. As a matter of fact, House Republicans, spearheaded by my former Committee on Small Business, successfully repealed the small business paperwork (“1099”) mandate: The paperwork mandate was called “one of Washington’s dumbest ideas” – it would have destroyed jobs and “hit start-ups hardest, not to mention farms, charities and churches.” This legislation, H.R. 4, passed the House, the Senate, and was signed by President Obama. It also reduced exchange subsidy overpayments by $25 billion.
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FT Explains The Decline And Fall Of The West ... Thanks!

The west is losing faith in its own future ... Living standards are even under pressure in countries that have done relatively well ... American and European politicians like to talk about values and institutions. But for billions of people around the world, the crucial point is simpler and easier to grasp. The west is the part of the world where even ordinary people live comfortably. That is the dream that makes illegal immigrants risk their lives, trying to get into Europe or the US. Yet, even though the lure of the west remains intense, the western world itself is losing faith in its future. Last week Barack Obama gave one of the bleakest speeches of his presidency. In unsparing terms, the US president chronicled the increasing inequality and declining social mobility that, he says, "pose a fundamental threat to the American dream, our way of life and what we stand for around the world". – The Financial Times 

Dominant Social Theme: The West is failing ... and it is a terrible thing. 

Free-Market Analysis: The Financial Times does us the favor of advancing what we call directed history in this article. It is certainly an amazing article, explaining how the West is collapsing and what it portends. You can see at the end of this excerpt that a specific threat is left dangling.

The only thing the article doesn't discuss is WHY. And there is a reason for that. 

Here's more: 

According to researchers at the Brookings Institution, the wages of working-age men in the US – adjusted for inflation – have fallen by 19 per cent since 1970. Joe Average – once the epitome of the American dream – has fallen back, even as gains for the top 5 per cent of incomes have soared. Even conservative politicians are worried. -

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CURL: Obama Tells A Whopper On IRS Scandal

Fact: The IRS targeted conservative and tea party groups requesting tax-exempt status in the run-up to the 2012 presidential election. That’s a fact.

Congress held hearings — embarrassing hearings. Three top Internal Revenue Service officials resigned. No heads rolled, but for the Obama administration, and the lawless Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., that amounted to a major scandal. Even White House spokesman Jay “Circus” Carney called the IRS‘ actions “inappropriate.” Fact.

But President Obama, in an interview last week with sycophant Chris Matthews, now says the entire scandal was made up by the media.

“When we do things right, they don’t get a lot of attention,” the president said, no doubt sending a thrill up the MSNBC host’s leg. “If we do something that is perceived at least initially as a screw-up, it will be on the nightly news for a week.”

Like, say, deploying the nation’s tax watchdog to target political opponents? Just a “screw-up.”

You bet. Manufactured in the media.

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Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

And, that means we shouldn't judge a person by the clothes that they wear or the places that they choose to get dinner. Bonnie Kaltenborn was a regular around Lincoln, Nebraska soup kitchens, and most people believed that she was homeless. So, her 24 favorite charities were quite surprised to see that she left each of the $20,000 dollars in her will. Some checks went to the very shelters that provided her meals, and others went to national health organizations, like the Heart Association and the Leukemia Society. The people who knew Bonnie were utterly surprised that she saved that kind of money for charity, as she was never seen without her trademark blue parka, or tattered gloves that were patched with duct tape. She purposely saved every penny to pass on to organizations that help the less fortunate, and never asked for anything beyond a hot meal. Bonnie's story helps us remember that heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and that we should never judge someone over a pair of duct-tape-covered gloves.

Gary Maynard Leaving As Head Of Corrections

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The head of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is leaving the job.

Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Tuesday that Gary Maynard is departing after working at the helm of the department since 2007.

O'Malley also announced that Gregg Hershberger will take over the department. Hershberger is the deputy secretary for operations for the department with more than 31 years of experience.
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Company Owns Thousands Of Property Liens But No One Knows Who Owns The Company

For the longest time, the tax lien investment business — in which investors buy property tax liens from cities and counties and then collect on the debt (or foreclose on the homeowner) — primarily consisted of small, local investors looking for a relatively quick profit. But in the last two decades, larger companies have taken to buying up as many liens as possible and then shaking down homeowners for the debt and often thousands of dollars in fees. But just because these lien-buyers are bigger and operate in multiple states doesn’t mean they are any more legitimate.

The Washington Post has a fascinating, in-depth look at one Chicago-based company, Aeon Financial, which has purchased thousands of liens in D.C., Maryland, Kentucky, Iowa, and Ohio.

We say “Chicago-based,” but that’s really just where the company’s mailboxes are, reports the Post.

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DHL Uses Drone To Deliver Medicine In Germany

We might as well start digging our underground rebel hideouts now and prepare for the inevitable Robot Wars of 2023, as DHL has made the first successful package delivery via flying drone.

Days after Amazon’s Jeff Bezos unveiled plans to someday unleash an army of self-guiding drones upon the skies, the folks at Deutsche Post DHL did a short proof-of-concept test on their own flying menace messenger.

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Delmarva Bridal Showcase Returns To Wicomico Youth & Civic Center January 5

Salisbury, MD – Brides, plan your Delmarva dream wedding at the Delmarva Bridal Showcase on Sunday, January 5 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. From dresses to diamonds, rehearsals to receptions, the event will feature everything brides need, all in one room.

Throughout the day, attendees will enjoy live bands and fashion shows featuring wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, tuxedos and honeymoon attire, wedding cake and catering samples, planning tips and tricks from the pros and a chance to win a free honeymoon and other great door prizes.

Tickets for the event are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Brides are admitted free if pre-registered by December 25. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.delmarvabride.com.

Missing Nevada Family Found Alive After Two Days In Wilderness

RENO, Nev. - A desperate search for a couple and four children missing for two days in the below-zero cold of Nevada's rugged mountains turned jubilant Tuesday when rescuers guided in part by cellphone signals and footprints in the snow found them alive and well near their overturned Jeep.

About 200 people had searched by land and air after the group of six failed to return Sunday from a trip to play in the snow near their hometown of Lovelock, in Nevada's high desert.

"They stayed together and that was the key that allowed them to live through this experience. You don't see that that often in search and rescue," said Paul Burke, search-and-rescue coordinator for the state. "They did some pretty unusual things, heating up rocks and things. Staying together, that was a big deal."
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USTASC Now Official Trainer At Gander!

TASC has entered into an agreement with Gander Mountain to provide them with HQL training services. We are now the official trainers of Gander in Salisbury. However many other firearms dealers also use TASC as their training provider.

You can sign up for TASC services at most every other firearms store in this area of the Eastern Shore. Visit any of these retailers:

Shooter's Supply
Shooters Choice (Delaware)
How Sweet It Is
Gander Mountain
Larry's Trading Post
Winks Sporting Goods

Salisbury News Publishes More Than 510,000 Comments

Today Salisbury News surpassed publishing more than 510,000 comments.

Missing Out On Any Of These 7 Nutrients Can Make You Really Sick

Today's average restaurant meal is more than four times larger than in the 1950s, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults are, on average, 26 pounds heavier. Despite the embarrassing abundance of food, many Americans still unknowingly suffer from nutrient deficiencies. Whether from vapid calories (hello, junk food), chemical-induced deficiencies, a lack of a variety, or any number of other factors, some of us just aren't getting what we need.

The CDC's Second Nutrition Report, an assessment of diet and nutrition in the U.S. population, concludes that there are a number of specific nutrients lacking in the American diet. Not only can nutrient deficiencies have long-lasting health effects, they can make you feel rotten.

Here are some of the more common vitamins and minerals lacking in our diets, deficiencies that can cause an array of symptoms, from poor memory and bleeding gums to impaired work productivity and depression.

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Riots Break Out In Singapore; Think Your Country Is Immune?

Mohamed Bouazizi. It’s not a name that means much to most people. But you’ll recall his story.

Frustrated with the absurd amount of regulation and corruption that prevented him from being able to put food on the table for his family, Bouazizi was the 26-year old Tunisian fruit merchant that set himself on fire in 2011.

In doing so, all the pent up frustration across the Middle East and North Africa erupted all at once; the entire region immediately plunged into multi-year revolution which became known as the Arab Spring that has since toppled a number of governments.

Like individual people, societies have their own breaking points. They build up anger and frustration for years… sometimes decades. Then all it takes is one spark. One catalyst. And it all becomes unglued.

Just yesterday, a 33-year old Indian man got hit by the proverbial bus in Singapore’s Little India neighborhood. That was the catalyst. What transpired for the next several hours was a full blown riot… the first of its kind since 1969.

Several hundred rioters stormed the streets. They started off smashing the up the bus that was still on the corner of Hampshire Road and Race Course Road. Then they started throwing objects at the ambulance staff who were unsuccessful in extracting the man in time to save his life.

By the end of the evening, an angry mob had lit five police vehicles on fire, plus the ambulance, leaving the streets in a towering inferno.

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As The Stomach Turns


Somebody Tell Democrat Ann Kuster That Her Response About Benghazi Is The Worst We've Ever Seen

Worcester County Bureau of Investigation Press Release 12-11-13

DATE: December 11, 2013
CBI Case #: 13-0293
LOCATION: 12741 Ocean Gateway
CRIME: First Degree Assault
SUSPECT: Unknown

NARRATIVE: On December 10, 2013, the Maryland State Police and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation were called to respond to the Tanger Outlets, 12741 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, Maryland, regarding an assault that had occurred. During the investigation, it was found that a member of loss prevention for one of the outlet stores had attempted to stop a shoplifter from fleeing the business. The suspect (attached photos) exited the store and was followed by the loss prevention employee.

The loss prevention employee attempted to convince the suspect to return items that he had taken from the store. The suspect refused and entered a vehicle, identified as a newer model lime green “boxy” styled vehicle, such as a Kia Soul or Scion XB (stock photos attached). The suspect fled the scene, striking the loss prevention employee with the vehicle in the process.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Detective Jason Burnett at the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation at 410-632-1111. Information can also provided to the Lower Eastern Shore Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776, where a reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case.

Brown Says Health Exchange Still Evolving

Under fire from political rivals in Maryland's governor's race, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown pledged Tuesday to remain focused on fixing the state's bedeviled health care exchange and conduct a full assessment later on why its website has been troubled with computer problems.

Brown, who is running for governor, took the lead on implementing health care reform in Maryland. Now, as the state's health care exchange remains challenged more than two months after its launch, Brown is faced with questions about whether the exchange is a lemon.

"I am frustrated and disappointed how the launch of the exchange website has gone," Brown said at a news conference in Baltimore. "My focus is on resolving the issues and ensuring that every Marylander can obtain quality, affordable health care."

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Rand Paul: "Send The Bums Home"

"Send the bums home, they need to get a job."


That was U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) speaking at the Detroit Economic Club last week about the need for congressional term limits.

We could not agree with him more.

"I've been there three years and I get beaten down every day," he said. "It's how long can you maintain your enthusiasm to try to change something."

The lack of enthusiasm to bring about real change is not only a powerful argument for term limits, it's also the central difference between establishment Republicans and conservatives.

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You Want To Keep Your Doctor? ‘You Can Pay For It,’ Says Obamacare Architect

(CNSNews.com) – Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, a former health policy adviser in the Obama White House, grudgingly admitted on Sunday that President Obama did promise the American people that they could keep their doctors if they liked them under Obamcare.

“No one guaranteed you that your premium wouldn't increase,” Emanuel, a medical doctor, told Fox News Sunday.

“The president guaranteed me I could keep my doctor,” Chris Wallace told Emanuel.

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'Think Like A Nazi' Homework Controversy At Albany High School

Common Core Lesson Teaches Children Obama Is A Messiah

Propaganda: A lesson plan for third-graders linked to a controversial federal education initiative makes sure America's next generation does not forget who is the one we have been waiting for.

During the Soul Train Awards in 2012, comedian and actor Jamie Foxx exhorted a wildly cheering crowd to "first of all (give) honor to god, and our lord and savior Barack Obama," exhibiting the all-too-widespread hero worship that casts rational thought aside and labels even legitimate criticism as virtual blasphemy.

The same cult of personality is creeping into lesson plans and reading materials being created under the guise of the platform for nationalized education known as Common Core. One new lesson teaches our children that Obama is indeed the messiah

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SFD Calls For Service 12-10-13

  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 23:23:49Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 21:44:00Nature: Heart PatientCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 19:57:32Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 19:38:19Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 19:34:10Nature: Unconscious SubjectCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 18:10:00Nature: Pi AccidentAddress: N Salisbury Blvd and alexander Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 18:09:56Nature: Unconscious SubjectCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 17:54:22Nature: PoisoningCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 17:09:06Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 16:07:45Nature: Allergic ReactionCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 15:08:13Nature: Petroleum SpillAddress: Snow Hill Rd and nassawango Church Rd Salisbury, MD 21802
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 12:42:04Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 12:16:51Nature: Syncopal EpisodeCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 11:48:58Nature: SeizureCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 11:18:55Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 07:20:56Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
  • Tuesday December, 10 2013 @ 07:01:58Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury

Why The GOP Won’t Challenge Vote Fraud

Friends and Patriots,

It’s major duct tape time ’cause you’ll need it to keep your head from exploding.

Are you ready for this?

Here we go….

There is now compelling and undeniable evidence that MAJOR vote fraud had been perpetrated in the November 2012 Election. See FOTM’s posts chronicling the extensive pervasive fraud by going to our “2012 Election” page below our FOTM masthead, and click on those post links colored dark green.

But our screaming and hollering are to no avail. No one is listening to us. Not even the Republican Party.

Here’s why….
The Republican Party made an agreement 30 years ago with the Democrat Party NOT to ensure voting integrity and NOT to pursue suspected vote fraud.

Yes. You read it correctly.

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Help Family Of 11 Who Lost Everything In Fire

$1,209raised of $5,000 goal

Organizer: Lisa Webber Beneficiary: Nathan & Valerie Hilton

Nathan and Valerie Hilton woke up to their home being on fire! They grabbed their 9 children and got out of the house with their lives but have lost everything.

Nathan and Valerie Hilton and their nine children just survived a house fire. They had put a fire out in the fireplace and what they didn’t know was the fireplace was not built to code and was faulty. Somehow a fire broke out and fortunately they were able to get all of the kids out of the house but they weren’t able to bring anything with them. They are currently staying in a hotel and have additional expenses now. We don’t know what is going to happen with the insurance company or what the time frame is but there is a lot of need now. If you are able to donate even a small amount, know that it will be put to good use by a large family that really appreciates it! The money is going directly into Nathan’s paypal account. Thank you so much for your help during this very difficult time for them!

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Barack Obama’s De Facto Totalitarian Nation

“When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in an American flag.”—Huey P. Long

“You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality.Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.”—Malcolm X [el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz]

As the year 2013 approaches its conclusion, it is more obvious than ever before that the United States is a corporate-owned de facto totalitarian nation. It is, in reality, a 21st century U.S. fascist state under the auspices of Barack Obama and his Democrat and Republican cohorts.

The vast majority of this nation’s people have relinquished their constitutional, human, and political rights to the gods of consumerism, greed, apathy, cynicism, and manipulated fear. The ‘America’ about which the late great Langston Hughes wrote in his poem, ‘Let America Be America Again,’ has been all but utterly destroyed by insatiably greedy corporate vultures in concert with the lying, blood-sucking politicians of both the Democrat and Republican parties. The ‘rope and chain’ drone man, U.S. President Barack Obama, and his minions, have in a span of less than six years, in large measure, poisoned and massively distorted the very essence of the dreams once held by so many everyday ordinary Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow people throughout this land for transparent government and a more just society.

Many so called “liberals,” “progressives,” and “leftists” in the U.S. have demonstrated, and are continuing to demonstrate, cynicism and double standards in their hypocritical support for the indefensible internal and external policies of drone man Barack Obama and his cohorts. Moreover, much if not most, of the U.S. black elite (otherwise known as the black ‘misleadership’ class) have brazenly joined the corporate-owned U.S. Empire, which includes embracing the anti-constitutional and the militaristic policies at home and abroad of Barack Obama.

Using the ‘race’ card to prop up Obama’s NDAA corporate police state

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