Hang In There

Schumaker Pond Elevation To Be Lowered

On Monday, January 13, 2014, the City of Salisbury Public Works Department will lower the water elevation of Schumaker Pond per the request of the Schumaker Pond Association. The pond will be lowered for four (4) weeks until February 10, 2014. The lowered water level will provide homeowners along the pond the opportunity to do routine maintenance on their properties.

SEE THE SCATHING LETTER GOP LAWMAKERS SENT TO OBAMA ON IMMIGRATION

Sixteen GOP lawmakers warned President Obama in a letter delivered Thursday that they “reject” his call for the House to pass an immigration reform bill, which they say will displace tens of millions of American workers who are already struggling to keep a part time job, reduce wages and affect tens of millions more who are unemployed.

Alabama Republican Rep. Mo Brooks spearheaded the letter, along with 15 other members, saying the Senate’s immigration overhaul will give permanent residency to over 30 million immigrants in the next decade, adding in the letter that the “so-called comprehensive immigration reform may be a good deal for big businesses who want to reduce labor costs, and it may be a good deal for progressive labor unions seeking new workers from abroad, but it’s an awful deal for U.S. workers – including African-American and Hispanic communities enduring chronically high unemployment.”
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Sen. Rand Paul’s Obamacare Woe: Son Had To Go To Welfare Office, ‘Prove His Existence’

Sen. Rand Paul said Obamacare has proven a futile effort for his family after his son was dumped into Medicaid — despite his attempt to pay for his plan — and had to physically go to the local welfare office to prove he was alive.

“I actually tried to get my son signed up through the Kentucky exchange, you know, that the Democrats have said is so good,” Mr. Paul said, on ABC’s “This Week” television broadcast. “We didn’t try to get him Medicaid. I’m trying to pay for his insurance. But they automatically enrolled him in Medicaid.”

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Tomorrow Is A 24 Hour News Day

Salisbury News will be providing articles for 24 hours straight on Friday.

BREAKING NEWS: Indian Diplomat Leaves US, Despite Indictment

Federal prosecutor says the Indian envoy at the center of a diplomatic dispute left the US on Thursday, as she was indicted by a grand jury on visa fraud charges.

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Ken Cuccinelli To Assist Rand Paul In NSA Lawsuit

Former Virginia gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will join Sen. Rand Paul as a legal adviser to the Kentuckysenator's class-action lawsuit against the National Security Agency.

Cuccinelli, who left office Saturday, will be the lead lawyer in Paul's lawsuit against the data-collection programs revealed by Edward Snowden. The former attorney general asked supporters on Facebook to join him and Paul “in asserting our right to privacy” and stopping the overreach of government into innocent Americans' private lives.

Paul first announced his lawsuit on Jan. 3 to Fox News' Eric Bolling. He also briefly spoke of Cuccinelli's involvement at that time.

“He has constitutional expertise,” Paul said. “And we're hoping that with his help we can get a hearing in court and ultimately get this class action lawsuit -- I think the first of its kind on a constitutional question -- taken all the way to the Supreme Court.”

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Increased Presence Of Snowy Owls In Md. Poses Threat To Aviation

It’s not the usual type of bird you’d see flying around BWI but airport wildlife workers recently captured and relocated a snowy owl.

Monique Griego has more on how and why they keep track of these types of animals.

Because wildlife—mostly birds—can pose such a threat to airplanes, BWI has a system it uses year-round to reduce the danger.

In December, the airport’s USDA Wildlife Services team safely captured and relocated a snowy owl.
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Star-Spangled Banner, Song To Be Joined In DC

The original, handwritten manuscript of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and the flag that inspired the song's lyrics will be displayed together at the Smithsonian in Washington, the first time the historic pieces are believed to have been shown side by side.

The manuscript is normally on display at the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore and the flag has been at the Smithsonian since the early 1900s. They will be displayed together from Flag Day, June 14, through July 6. The three-week display is the start of celebrations marking 200 years since the song was written on Sept. 14, 1814.

Bonnie Lilienfeld, a Smithsonian curator who is working on the manuscript's display in Washington, said she hopes the exhibit will help people think more about where the song's words came from. Having the two objects together provides an "aha moment," said Jennifer Jones, the curator who oversees the flag.
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Ron Paul On Iraq Part 2: "The ‘Liberation’ Neocons Would Rather Forget"

Remember Fallujah? Shortly after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the US military fired on unarmed protestors, killing as many as 20 and wounding dozens. In retaliation, local Iraqis attacked a convoy of US military contractors, killing four. The US then launched a full attack on Fallujah to regain control, which left perhaps 700 Iraqis dead and the city virtually destroyed.

According to press reports last weekend, Fallujah is now under the control of al-Qaeda affiliates. The Anbar province, where Fallujah is located, is under siege by al-Qaeda. During the 2007 “surge,” more than 1,000 US troops were killed “pacifying” the Anbar province. Although al-Qaeda was not in Iraq before the US invasion, it is now conducting its own surge in Anbar.

For Iraq, the US “liberation” is proving far worse than the authoritarianism of Saddam Hussein, and it keeps getting worse. Last year was Iraq’s deadliest in five years. In 2013, fighting and bomb blasts claimed the lives of 7,818 civilians and 1,050 members of the security forces. In December alone nearly a thousand people were killed.

I remember sitting through many hearings in the House International Relations Committee praising the “surge,” which we were told secured a US victory in Iraq. They also praised the so-called “Awakening,” which was really an agreement by insurgents to stop fighting in exchange for US dollars. I always wondered what would happen when those dollars stopped coming.

Where are the surge and awakening cheerleaders now?

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The Drop Box

 In Seoul, South Korea, hundreds of unwanted babies are abandoned on the streets every year. That’s when this brave pastor and his wife decided to do something about it. Watch their extraordinary story of love here.

Pimping The Empire, Conservative-Style

"Conservatives" and "Progressives" alike are pimping for the Empire when they support the Central State's essentially unlimited powers.

Yesterday I described how so-called "Progressives" are pimping for the Empire. The same is true of so-called "Conservatives." (I am reprinting the intro for those who missed yesterday's essay.)

(I say "so-called" because the "Progressives" are not actually progressive, and the "Conservatives" are not actually conservative. Those labels are Orwellian double-speak, designed to mask the disastrous consequences of each ideology's actual policies.)

Let's begin by stipulating that ideology, any ideology, is an intellectual and emotional shortcut that offers believers ready-made explanations, goals, narratives and enemies without any difficult, time-consuming analysis, study or skeptical inquiry. This is the ultimate appeal of ideology: accepting the ideology relieves the believer of the burdens of analysis, skeptical inquiry, uncertainty/doubt and responsibility: all the answers, goals and narratives are prepackaged and mashed together for easy consumption.

This is one of the core messages of Erich Fromm's classic exploration of ideology and authoritarianism, Escape from Freedom.

And what is the essential foundation of authoritarianism? A central state. This is not coincidental.

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Taking Care Of Our Bankster Friends?

Let’s see if I get this right. Outgoing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke blames Congress for federal spending cuts that cost the US economy up to 1½% growth. He says Congress cut 700,000 jobs (2) at a time when the nation’s central bank was dispensing money at low interest rates and Congress should have been on a spending spree to invest new money into growing the economy.

But, but, Ben, wasn’t Congress enacting spending cuts and reducing Federal employment rolls because our lenders (China, Japan, on the hook for about $3 trillion the US doesn’t look like it will ever pay back) were threatening to sell off their US IOUs (treasury bills) at a discount, which would have resulted in a massive collapse in the value of the US dollar in international trade? The US had to send a message to our foreign creditors that we intend to get Federal spending under control. There was really no choice, was there Ben? Or is the US economy supposed to be run just to make the Federal Reserve chairman look good?

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Black Mob Breaks Man’s Jaw, Fractures Face

'Basically my whole cheek is caved in'

The racial beatings are back in Denver. Just like last year, the year before and the two years before that.

Then, like now, the alleged perpetrators are black. The victims are not. This time, however, police told anyone who wanted to know about the pattern of racial violence. And how at least one victim said he and friend were part of the “Knockout Game.”

Some Denver media thought it was important to report the description. Others, however, followed the lead of the Denver Post, which said the attacks were “random” and refused to report the race of the alleged predators.

Also like the Post, most local media did not report Denver’s history of recent racial violence, some under the name of the Knockout Game. Many documented in “White Girl Bleed A Lot: The Return of Racial Violence to America and How the Media Ignore It.”

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January 13, 2014 City Council Meeting

6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER

6:01 p.m. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:03 p.m. INVOCATION/MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:10 p.m. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION PRESENTATION -
Tim Sherman, Chief Operating Officer, Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE)

6:20 p.m. ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

6:25 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Kim Nichols

 November 18, 2013 closed session minutes (in separate envelope) 

 December 2, 2013 work session minutes 

 December 9, 2013 regular meeting minutes 

 December 16, 2013 closed session minutes (in separate envelope)  December 16, 2013 special meeting minutes 

 December 16, 2013 work session minutes 

 Resolution No. 2359 - accepting a donation from Donna Faw for a memorial park bench
 Resolution No. 2360 - extending Acting Status for Acting City Administrator M. Thomas Stevenson
 Resolution No. 2361 - extending Acting Status for Acting Neighborhood Services/Code Compliance Director Susan Phillips

6:30 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Assistant Director of Internal Services – Procurement & Parking Jennifer L. Miller

 Change Order #1 to Contract No. 114-13 – Mill Street Bulkhead

6:35 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – Acting City Administrator M. Thomas Stevenson

 Resolution No. 2362 - establishing a Foreclosure Task Force to establish, evaluate and review the City’s response to foreclosures and to recommend appropriate policies and/or legislation to address the impact of foreclosures in the City

6:45 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING / RESOLUTIONS - Merritt Mill Road/ Smith Annexation

 Resolution No. 2356 – approving the Merritt Mill Road/Smith Annexation 

 Resolution No. 2357 – approving the annexation plan for the Merritt Mill Road/Smith Annexation

7:15 p.m.

ORDINANCES – City Attorney Mark Tilghman

 Ordinance No. 2272 – 2nd reading - rezoning property (former Linens of the Week property) located on the Northerly side of Anne Street and on both sides of Short Street from General Commercial to R-5a Residential
 Ordinance No. 2274 – 1st reading – to amend Subsection 15.24.490 General Definitions of the Property Maintenance Code of the City of Salisbury to add a definition for “blight”

7:25 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

7:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Swearing Toddler Taken Into Protective Custody

GO HERE to view video.

DEA, U.S ATTORNEYS SECRETLY MET WITH DRUG CARTELS IN MEXICO TO OBTAIN INFO ON RIVALS

U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents and U.S Attorneys held secret meetings with drug trafficking organizations, especially the Sinaloa cartel, on Mexican soil, revealed Mexico-based newspaper El Universal.

The DEA and the U.S. Attorney's office are both components of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Official and court documents from the U.S and Mexican governments were cited as the source in the Jan. 6 news report.

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How Is Obama's "War On Poverty" Affecting You?

Men Rob Dying Woman At Taco Bell

(WICHITA EAGLE) — In 2013, Daquantrius Shaquill Johnson and Quanique Dontrell Thomas-Hameen were co-defendants in a Wichita burglary case.

Now, police suspect the two 19-year-olds of being partners in crime again. This time, the alleged crime has caused widespread outrage because it was seen as the epitome of cold-heartedness.

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AFSCME Reports Using Thousands In Taxpayer Money To Organize Unions

Opponents of an effort to unionize family child-care providers have long suspected — but could never prove — that some taxpayer money designated for training was instead used for union organizing.

There now appears to be a smoking gun that supports their allegation — mandated disclosure forms, uncovered by Watchdog Minnesota Bureau, were filed with the U.S. Department of Labor.by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

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Outbreak Of 'Nightmare Bacteria' In Illinois Stirs Worry

The largest outbreak to date of one strain of what authorities have called "nightmare bacteria" is adding to concerns about the spread of such drug-resistant bugs.

The outbreak, centered on a hospital in a Chicago suburb, has infected 44 people in Illinois over the past year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The bug, known as carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae, bears a rare enzyme that breaks down antibiotics.

"This is a huge cluster," said Alex Kallen, a medical officer with the CDC and supervisor for the Illinois outbreak investigation, noting that only 97 cases of the infection have been reported to the agency since 2009.

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Radical AG Holder: "Hands Off Minority Troublemakers"

The Obama administration is urging schools to abandon overly zealous discipline policies that civil rights advocates have long said lead to a school-to-prison pipeline that discriminates against minority students.

The wide-ranging series of guidelines issued Wednesday in essence tells schools that they must adhere to the principle of fairness and equity in student discipline or face strong action if they don't. The American Civil Liberties Union called the recommendations "ground-breaking."

"A routine school disciplinary infraction should land a student in the principal's office, not in a police precinct," Attorney General Eric Holder said.

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2 Charged In Suspected 'Knockout' Assault In Henrico

HENRICO -- Henrico County police have charged two males, one of them a juvenile, for their alleged roles in what authorities investigated as a possible attempted "knockout" assault on a homeless man.

The incident occurred Dec. 28 about 4 a.m. at a McDonald's in the 7100 block of West Broad Street, where police said both suspects struck the victim in the face while he sat at a table. The suspects ran from the business after the assault and were picked up in the parking lot by someone driving a dark-colored, four-door vehicle.

The victim was not seriously injured.

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Democrats' Odds Of Retaking The House Take Another Brutal Hit

Democrats' slim odds of retaking control of the House of Representatives are getting lower by the day.

Multiple reports today suggest that Reps. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) are planning on retiring instead of running for another term in office.

Democrats should keep control of McCarthy's seat. She was reelected by a 2-to-1 margin in 2012, and President Barack Obama won her district by double-digits.

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BREAKING NEWS: Christie Fires Top Aide In Bridge Scandal

NJ Gov. Chris Christie fires deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly, saying she 'betrayed my trust' in asking for bridge lane closures as punishment for Ft. Lee mayor not backing Christie's re-election bid.

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Saxo Bank CEO Warns Of Collapse Into “Totalitarian”

The political class is using Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged as an instruction manual

Saxo Bank CEO Lars Seier Christensen warns that excessive government regulation, overtaxation and a coming economic collapse are all setting the stage for a slide into an overtly “totalitarian” society.

In a blog post entitled, What is the broader relevance of Ayn Rand for society?, Christensen adeptly describes how the predictions of the author, most famous for her 1957 dystopian classic Atlas Shrugged, are now coming to pass.

The Saxo Bank CEO argues that free market capitalism and freedom in general is under constant attack by elites whose constant intrusions into the economy and people’s personal lives are predicated around the need to justify more centralization of power.

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DEMOCRATS CANNIBALIZE EACH OTHER OVER OBAMACARE

Republicans are not the only ones looking to wield Obamacare as a political bludgeon come election time; Democratic primary challengers are using Obamacare to attack their own for the failed implementation of the controversial and unpopular health care program.

On Tuesday, Maryland Democratic gubernatorial primary challenger Attorney General Doug Gansler blasted his Democratic rival, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, for overseeing the state's failed Obamacare exchange.

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$32 Million Spent On Lobbying State, With Health Care Industry At Top

More than $32 million was spent last year lobbying state government, and the health-care industry was the top spender at $7.1 million.

The figures come from the official reports on lobbying by the State Ethics Commission, further massaged in an analysis by Common Cause, the good government advocacy group, which called the totals “staggering.”

Not surprising in a year that saw the implementation of Obamacare, causing the further growth of state involvement in health care through Medicaid, 62 health-care organizations spent $7.1 million on lobbying.
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Orbital-1 Update-- Countdown Underway Ahead of 1:07 p.m. EST Launch

The launch day countdown began at 4:07 a.m. EST this morning as teams reported to stations in preparation for today's launch of Orbital Sciences' Orbital-1 cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. Orbital is targeting a 1:07 p.m. launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia. Launch is on-track and the Orbital team is not working any issues.

 Weather has improved to an 85 percent chance of favorable conditions at the time of launch. Thick clouds are the primary concern for a weather violation.

 Video b-roll of launch preparations will air at 12:15 p.m. on NASA Television. Launch commentary coverage will begin at 12:45 p.m.

 > NASA TV schedule and video streaming information

> Mission Information

> See the launch from the Chincoteague, Va., area  

> See the launch from the eastern mid-Atlantic region

That’s Rich: Poverty Level Under Obama Breaks 50-Year Record

Fifty years after President Johnson started a $20 trillion taxpayer-funded war on poverty, the overall percentage of impoverished people in the U.S. has declined only slightly and the poor have lost ground under President Obama.

Aides said Mr. Obama doesn’t plan to commemorate the anniversary Wednesday of Johnson’s speech in 1964, which gave rise to Medicaid, Head Start and a broad range of other federal anti-poverty programs. The president’s only public event Tuesday was a plea for Congress to approve extended benefits for the long-term unemployed, another reminder of the persistent economic troubles during Mr. Obama’s five years in office.

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BREAKING NEWS: Gov. Christie To Hold News Conference On Bridge Scandal

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to hold press conference at 11 a.m. ET to answer questions about alleged diversion of bridge traffic to punish New Jersey mayor. WATCH LIVE on Fox News and FoxNews.com.

Emails Link Top Christie Aide To 'Bridgegate' Controversy

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is running a "paramilitary organization," Barbara Buono, his Democratic opponent in November's election, said after emails were published painting him as the "ringleader" who snarled a town's traffic to pay back its mayor for not supporting him.

Emails and text messages, released in a trove of documents to a state Assembly committee examining the closure of the George Washington Bridge in September, show that one of Christie's top aides suggested it was "time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee" about a month before lanes were closed on the George Washington Bridge, snagging commuter traffic heading into New York City.

Bridget Anne Kelly, a deputy chief of staff for Christie, sent the email on Aug. 13 to David Wildstein, the former director of interstate capital projects for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, reports The Wall Street Journal.

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Incredible!

Troopers Investigating an Attempted Robbery of an 8-Year-Old Male

Location: Scotch Pine Drive, Pinewood Acres, Dover, DE

Date of Occurrence: Wednesday January 8, 2014 at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Victim: 8 year old male

Suspect:

Black male, 30-40 years of age, 6’00”-6’02” tall, 150-180 lbs., wearing an all-black jacket, black pants, and a black ski mask (no further clothing or physical description). Operating a white in color work van with tinted windows (no make, model, or registration available). Armed with a knife.

Resume:
Dover, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating an attempted robbery of a young male as he was walking through Pinewood Acres yesterday evening.

Troopers responded to the residence of an 8 year old boy, living in Pinewood Acres, who informed his mother that an unknown subject approached him while he was walking home from a friend’s house and threatened to stab him if he didn’t give him all his money. The incident occurred near the intersection of Scotch Pine Drive and Loblolly Pine Drive around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday as the young boy was approached by black male armed with a knife. After the subject demanded money, the child turned to run away from the stranger when he lunged at the boy with the knife. The young victim was able to elude the assailant and make it safely home without being physically injured. The male was last seen entering a white work van with tinted windows and fled the area in an unknown direction.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Troop 3 at 302-697-2104 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at: http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by callingDelaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

OCPD CPL. JAMES RUNKLES NAMED 2013 OFFICER OF THE YEAR

From L to R: Lt. Mark Pacini, Ofc. Daniel McBride,
Cpl. James Runkles, Lt. Scott Harner and Cpl. Allen Hawk

On Tuesday, January 7, 2014, the Neighborhood Watch Associations of Ocean City gathered at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center Bayfront Ballroom for their annual “Officer of the Year” recognition dinner. Nearly 140 guests attended the event, including Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and all seven city council members. Also in attendance were OCPD employees, Ocean City residents and members of the eight Neighborhood Watch Associations in Ocean City, which consist of the Boardwalk Association, Bayshore Drive Association, Caine Keys II Association, Caine Woods Association, Edgewater Avenue Association, Little Salisbury Association, Montego Bay Association and Sundowner Park Association.

Ocean City Corporal (Cpl.) James Runkles was selected to be the honorable recipient of the Ocean City Neighborhood Watch Association’s 2013 “Officer of the Year” award. Also nominated were Ocean City Police Lieutenant Scott Harner, Lieutenant Mark Pacini, Corporal Allen Hawk, and Officer Daniel McBride.
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Congress Could Cut Another $8.7 Billion In Food Stamp Benefits

Just two months after America’s 47 million food stamp recipients got hit with an automatic $5 billion benefits reduction, Congress is getting ready to cut even more out of the nutrition program. Lawmakers are currently hammering out the details on a finalized 2013 Farm Bill which is likely to reduce food stamp benefits by $8.7 billion over the next decade.

Unlike the $5 billion “hunger cliff,” the Farm Bill proposal would not cut benefits for all food stamp recipients across the board. Instead, it would affect approximately 850,000 households spread across 15 states. The affected households would lose an average $90 per month in benefits, according to a 2013 report from the Congressional Research Service.

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CARSON: Gray Matter, The Stuff That Really Matters

It’s time to ignore the inflammatory rhetoric of the haters and dividers

A few years ago, I was participating in a national radio interview when the questioner asked me, “Dr. Carson, I notice that you don’t speak very often about race. Why is that?”

I replied, “It’s because I’m a neurosurgeon.”

The puzzled look on her face demanded further clarification.

I proceeded to explain that when I take a patient to the operating room and open the cranium, exposing the brain, I am operating on the actual thing that makes that person who they are.

The hair, scalp and skull bones are merely external coverings of the critical entity — namely, the brain — which determines all the most important things about us as human beings.

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GIULIANI SLAMS DE BLASIO: 'WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BASICALLY MARXIST IDEAS'

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani takes newly sworn in New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to task for his "retrogressive" ideology and criticisms of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in interview on Tuesday's broadcast of FNC's "Hannity."

“I’m getting really annoyed at this concept of ‘progressive,’” Giuliani said. “There’s absolutely nothing progressive in this class warfare stuff. It’s retrogressive. Every single policy that they’re talking about is a policy that has failed several times historically going back 130, 140 years. We’re talking about basically Marxist ideas. We saw them used in Eastern Europe.”

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Celebrate The Life Of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Salisbury, MD – Join in on the celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center during two events on Monday, Jan. 20. The morning will start with the 28th Annual Youth Activity presented by Salisbury High School Association. In the evening, the Tri-County Organizations’ Coalition, Inc. will hold the 29thAnnual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration and Commemoration Banquet.

The 28th Annual Youth Activity will be held in the Midway Room from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Enjoy a free breakfast during presentations by youth speakers and entertainment including youth praise dances and youth choirs. Free bus transportation will be provided. For more information, contact Rosemary Hudson 410-742-8524, Wanda Downes 410-742-2749 or Edward Henry 410-749-1815.

The 29th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration and Commemoration Banquet will be held in the Normandy Arena starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 each. Tables will be reserved for tickets purchased in blocks of ten for $350. Tickets can be purchased from Lamech Lodge #30, 305 E. Isabella Street in Salisbury, MD. Please contact Jesse T. Ballard 410-546-4206 or Marion (Bud) Barkley at 410-742-2482 for more information.

The FBI Admits Its Primary Focus Is "Not" Law Enforcement

Recently, the FBI made a significant change to its self-proclaimed primary focus in its fact sheet from “law enforcement” to “national security.” This change merely confirms what I and countless others have claimed to be true for quite some time. That the entire regulatory, security and intelligence apparatus of these United States has been redirected away from protecting the Constitution and the rule of law, toward a narrow focus on protecting the economic and social positions of the oligarch class at all costs under the guise of a “war on terror.” We have seen many signs of cronyism at the FBI for decades now, something most accurately pointed out in the priceless image “All My Heroes Have FBI Files.”

While this change to the FBI fact sheet is just confirmation of something we already knew, it’s still mind-boggling to see it shoved right in our faces:

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States To NSA: Get A warrant

Lawmakers push back against federal agency's spy program

The National Security Agency may be able to spy on citizens by collecting data about their telephone calls and Internet usage, but at least two states are developing a strategy that would leave the data largely unusable without a warrant.

The newly revealed practices of the NSA to monitor all telephone calls made by American citizens could even be found in violation of the Missouri state constitution.

Several court cases that could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court have been filed since former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked information about the program

Lawmakers in several states, however, aren’t waiting.

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State of Maryland Approves Ocean City’s Sustainable Community Plan

The Town of Ocean City was recently added to the State of Maryland’s list of Sustainable communities, along with 16 additional Maryland communities. These 17 Maryland communities were recognized for their efforts to join the statewide initiative to strengthen reinvestment and revitalizing in Maryland’s older neighborhoods.

“Sustainable Communities seek to conserve resources; provide green spaces and parks for recreation and agriculture and conserve historical and cultural resources,” said Ocean City Planning and Community Development Director Matt Margotta. “Being added to the state’s list of Sustainable Communities is a huge accomplishment for the Town of Ocean City. It is a positive reflection of our commitment to the town’s past, present and future.”

Currently, Governor O’Malley’s Smart Growth subcabinet has approved 55 Sustainable Communities under Maryland’s Sustainable Communities Act of 2010. Along with Ocean City, newly added communities included Towson, Taneytown, Annapolis, Cambridge, Thurmont and Chestertown.
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CDC: 38 Million Americans Drink Too Much Alcohol

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A new report from the Centers for Disease Control shows tens of millions of Americans are drinking too much alcohol. And, the report finds that healthcare providers are not doing enough to tell people about the risks.

The CDC reports at least 38 million Americans drink too much.

While they say most are not alcoholics, excessive drinking can cause health and social problems.

The CDS recommends “all” adults have an honest chat with their doctors.

Researchers say alcohol screening and counseling can reduce a binge drinker’s consumption by as much as 25 percent.

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Lost Dog 1-9-14

Hi, I was hoping you might be able to post this about my dog Honey who ran away this morning around 5:35 am. I live on Westbury Dr, in Salisbury MD, off Nanticoke Rd and am very worried about her.

She's almost 15 years old, Black fur, about 40 lbs, hard of hearing and somewhat blind. She's very friendly with people of all ages and if she can hear or see someone, she would be friendly to approach. However, she loves to be chased and is an escape artist. I have looked all over for her. If you can please post this about her, I would very much appreciate it. I can be reached at 443 614 7288

Obama Nominates Cop Killer Advocate To Head DOJ Civil Rights Division

In 1982, former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted of murdering Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner. Abu-Jamal never denied the killing during his trial. He, and his supporters, are still unapologetic for Faulkner's death. More on this from Matthew Vadum:
“The question of Abu-Jamal’s guilt is not a close call,” according to John Fund. “Two hospital workers testified that Abu-Jamal confessed to them: ‘I shot the motherf***er, and I hope the motherf***er dies.’ His brother, William, has never testified to his brother’s innocence even though he was at the scene of the crime. Abu-Jamal himself chose not to testify in his own defense.”

As Faulkner tried to arrest Abu-Jamal’s brother during a traffic stop, Abu-Jamal shot the policeman once in the back and then stood over him and shot him four more times at close range, once directly in the face. Multiple eyewitnesses were present during the crime.

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SFD Calls For Service 1-8-14

• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 20:36:03Nature: Flood With Electrical HazardsAddress: 501 E Railroad Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 19:06:05Nature: Psychiatric EmergencyCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 18:39:18Nature: Flood With Electrical HazardsAddress: 744 Hemlock St Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 18:29:07Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 17:59:03Nature: Pro Qa FireAddress: 154 Persimmon Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 17:51:54Nature: Back PainCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 17:05:06Nature: Citizen AssistAddress: 1615 Tree Sap Ct Salisbury, MD 21802
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 17:02:54Nature: Automatic AlarmAddress: 103 Overlook Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 15:50:38Nature: Petroleum SpillAddress: 2401 E Naylor Mill Rd Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 15:48:53Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 13:16:36Nature: Pro Qa FireAddress: 312 Mill Pond Ln Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 12:38:26Nature: Pro Qa FireAddress: 233 Troopers Way Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 12:23:19Nature: Pro Qa EmsCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 11:10:28Nature: Heart PatientCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 10:57:45Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 832 S Schumaker Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 10:48:25Nature: Heart PatientCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 10:39:45Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 09:43:38Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 08:32:33Nature: Subject FallenCity: Fruitland
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 06:27:49Nature: Pi AccidentAddress: E Salisbury Pkwy and civic Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 04:45:56Nature: Pro Qa EmsCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 02:13:50Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
• Wednesday January, 8 2014 @ 02:11:30Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury

Troopers Investigating Serious Crash East Of Millsboro

Location: American Legion Post #28, 31768 Legion Road, Millsboro, DE

Date of Occurrence: Thursday January 9, 2014 at approximately 7:35 a.m.

Resume:
Millsboro, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently on the scene of a serious motor vehicle crash behind the American Legion Post off John J. Williams Highway (SR24) in which a vehicle struck a propane tank.

Legion Road is currently closed at SR24 as fire crews work to contain the propane leak. Evacuations have been made in the immediate area.

Information regarding this incident will be released at a later time.

Maryland's Second Amendment Warrior Needs Your Help

Salisbury Greene Turtle To Host National MS Society Fundraiser

Salisbury, MD - Come dine with us and raise money for the National MS Society, Maryland Chapter! Turn off the oven, put the pots and pans away and enjoy a well-deserved night out while supporting an important cause.

Who: The Greene Turtle&National MS Society, MD Chapter

What: Join us for lunch or dinner and a portion of your check will be donated to the MD Chapter (must present flyer). Society staff will be on-site to register participants, hand out team captain and fundraising materials, and answer any questions for those interested in learning more about Walk MS, Bike MS or Challenge Walk MS. Be sure to stop by, say hello and pick up some valuable information.Click here for flyer

Where: The Greene Turtle
2618 N Salisbury Blvd.
Salisbury, MD 21801

When: Tuesday, January 14
11am- 1am

Information: Visit us or call 443.641.1200 to learn more about MD Chapter Restaurant Nights, events, programs and services.