DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, January 10, 2014
Student High On Party Drug Cuts Off His Own PENIS After Stabbing Mother
The 19-year-old, described as a "lovely lad", was believed to have taken meow meow before the incident at the family home
A deranged student cut off his own penis with a knife while apparently high on party drug meow meow.
The spaced-out teenager, 19, mutilated himself after stabbing his mother at their home, it was claimed yesterday.
Police raced to the scene after the injured 46-year-old woman called 999. Once there, they found her son hanging out of a bedroom window with blood pouring from his wounds.
Both were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries in the early hours of December 29. Yesterday the mother was said to be in a stable condition at the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton.
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A deranged student cut off his own penis with a knife while apparently high on party drug meow meow.
The spaced-out teenager, 19, mutilated himself after stabbing his mother at their home, it was claimed yesterday.
Police raced to the scene after the injured 46-year-old woman called 999. Once there, they found her son hanging out of a bedroom window with blood pouring from his wounds.
Both were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries in the early hours of December 29. Yesterday the mother was said to be in a stable condition at the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton.
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And The Most Popular Political Party In America Is...
The following poll results from Gallup represent the most significant domestic news story I have come across in 2014 to-date. Gallup polling in 2013 showed that the highest number of Americans now identify as Independents since it starting asking the question 25 years ago. Specifically, 42% identify as Independents, versus 31% as Democrats and 25% as Republicans. Even more interesting, the trend accelerated as the year progressed. If we look at quarterly results, in 4Q13 46% identified as Independents, versus 29% Democrat and 22% Republican.
This is huge, huge news and it seems that my long held belief that both the Democrat and Republican parties are set to completely disintegrate during this current 4th Turning. Earlier in 2012, wrote a piece titled, The Seventy Percent, in which I predicted that no matter who would go on to win the Presidential election, 70% of the public would be disappointed.
This sets up huge opportunities for non-conventional candidates to gain control of local and national office in 2014 and beyond. While I hold out limited hope for traditional politics, we must fight on all fronts for secular reform and the window right now is wide open.
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This is huge, huge news and it seems that my long held belief that both the Democrat and Republican parties are set to completely disintegrate during this current 4th Turning. Earlier in 2012, wrote a piece titled, The Seventy Percent, in which I predicted that no matter who would go on to win the Presidential election, 70% of the public would be disappointed.
This sets up huge opportunities for non-conventional candidates to gain control of local and national office in 2014 and beyond. While I hold out limited hope for traditional politics, we must fight on all fronts for secular reform and the window right now is wide open.
More
That's An Ice Pattern: Artist Uses A Compass And His FEET To Create Intricate Designs
55-year-old Simon Beck walks miles in the snow to make these incredible pieces that only last a day before being covered by a fresh snowfall.
The artist from Bracknell, Berkshire walks over layers of fresh snow with nothing but an expedition compass and a pair of snowshoes to create his slope styling art.
The orienteering map designer, finds spaces in between lodges and mountains at ski resorts to create these masterpieces.
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Saturday Will Be Another 24 Hour News Cycle
Where America Took An Historical Wrong Turn
America should never have replaced the Articles of Confederation with the United States Constitution. Although it is revered as the source and seat of freedom, the Constitution ensured freedom's eventual demise. The power it centralized in a federal government has gradually broken free from restraints. But as long as the Constitution is worshipped, rather than understood as a political problem, America will not free itself again.
The Articles of Confederation Emerge
In September 1774, representatives from twelve of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss how to respond to a series of laws called the Coercive Acts through which Britain was punishing its wayward colonies. (Georgia was absent because it required British assistance against rebellious indians.) This was the First Continental Congress. Its two main accomplishments were an agreement to boycott British goods and an agreement to call a subsequent assembly.
The Second Continental Congress met in May 1775 with all colonies represented. The first military conflicts of the American Revolution had occurred the month before: the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Congress quickly assumed the role of a provisional government in order to coordinate the war effort. The Second Congress appointed a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. The next day, it appointed another committee to draft a constitution to unite the emerging states.
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The Articles of Confederation Emerge
In September 1774, representatives from twelve of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss how to respond to a series of laws called the Coercive Acts through which Britain was punishing its wayward colonies. (Georgia was absent because it required British assistance against rebellious indians.) This was the First Continental Congress. Its two main accomplishments were an agreement to boycott British goods and an agreement to call a subsequent assembly.
The Second Continental Congress met in May 1775 with all colonies represented. The first military conflicts of the American Revolution had occurred the month before: the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Congress quickly assumed the role of a provisional government in order to coordinate the war effort. The Second Congress appointed a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. The next day, it appointed another committee to draft a constitution to unite the emerging states.
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OC’s Pick-Up Law Approved; Skate Park To Get New Canopy
OCEAN CITY – Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council regular session had a light agenda, but some matters of consequence were discussed, including the evaluation of three-wheel scooters on the Boardwalk, considering heftier fine for flicking cigarettes out of car windows, a bid for a new shade canopy at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park was approved and a law to ban riding in the beds of pick-up trucks was finalized.
Pick-Up Law Okayed
An ordinance to amend a chapter of the Town of Ocean City Code under the division titled “Seat Belts” by adding a section titled “Passengers in unenclosed areas of motor vehicles” came before the Mayor and City Council for second reading.
A “motor vehicle” is defined as a Class A for passenger cars and station wagons, Class E is for a truck, and Class M is a multipurpose passenger vehicle, as defined in the Transportation Article of the State Code. Motor vehicle includes any trailer towed, pulled or powered by a motor vehicle.
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Pick-Up Law Okayed
An ordinance to amend a chapter of the Town of Ocean City Code under the division titled “Seat Belts” by adding a section titled “Passengers in unenclosed areas of motor vehicles” came before the Mayor and City Council for second reading.
A “motor vehicle” is defined as a Class A for passenger cars and station wagons, Class E is for a truck, and Class M is a multipurpose passenger vehicle, as defined in the Transportation Article of the State Code. Motor vehicle includes any trailer towed, pulled or powered by a motor vehicle.
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Comptroller: Delayed Tax Season Could Hurt Maryland Residents
WASHINGTON - October's government shutdown is long over, but it still could hit every working American right in the wallet this tax season.
The IRS announced returns won't start processing until Jan. 31 as a direct result of the government shutdown. That has Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot worried.
"We are dependent on the IRS to first process the returns," says Franchot. That needs done before Maryland can begin to work on state returns. And that means anyone waiting for a refund will have to wait a little longer."
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The IRS announced returns won't start processing until Jan. 31 as a direct result of the government shutdown. That has Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot worried.
"We are dependent on the IRS to first process the returns," says Franchot. That needs done before Maryland can begin to work on state returns. And that means anyone waiting for a refund will have to wait a little longer."
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Florida Expanding ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law
Florida state legislators are a step closer to expanding their Stand Your Ground law to include the ability to legally fire a warning shot. The expansion being considered “would grant the same protections already in place under Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law to people who only threaten to use force.”
According to Fox News, a state Senate committee “voted in favor of the bill (SB 488) on [January 8] and a house committee has… voted in favor of similar legislation (HB 89),” as well.
If the expansion takes place, law-abiding citizens who fire a warning shot “would be immune from Florida’s ’10-20-Life’ law, which requires anyone who shows a gun while committing certain felonies…be sentenced to 10 years in prison.” If someone is wounded, the “10-20-Life” law requires a sentence of 25 years to life.
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According to Fox News, a state Senate committee “voted in favor of the bill (SB 488) on [January 8] and a house committee has… voted in favor of similar legislation (HB 89),” as well.
If the expansion takes place, law-abiding citizens who fire a warning shot “would be immune from Florida’s ’10-20-Life’ law, which requires anyone who shows a gun while committing certain felonies…be sentenced to 10 years in prison.” If someone is wounded, the “10-20-Life” law requires a sentence of 25 years to life.
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Lost Dog 1-10-14: UPDATE
Black Mob Violence In Rochester: Get Used To It
Rochester does not have a problem with black mob violence. Or black on white crime. The city does, however, have a problem with white people who are not used to it.
So says a Rochester city councilman.
The latest example is a “disturbing” video of a group of black people laughing and dancing as they talk about how they are going wait for an “old lady” to leave a convenience story, then smash her in the face with a snow ball. And a fist.
Which they did. Thanks to the efforts of local activist Davy V., police have a copy of the video and know who the culprits are. And they will talk to them eventually. But police told the local paper it looks more like harassment than assault.
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So says a Rochester city councilman.
The latest example is a “disturbing” video of a group of black people laughing and dancing as they talk about how they are going wait for an “old lady” to leave a convenience story, then smash her in the face with a snow ball. And a fist.
Which they did. Thanks to the efforts of local activist Davy V., police have a copy of the video and know who the culprits are. And they will talk to them eventually. But police told the local paper it looks more like harassment than assault.
More
Berlin’s Downtown Culinary Offerings Continue To Expand
BERLIN — Berlin’s growing culinary culture has jumped forward again with the opening of one long anticipated restaurant and the announcement of a second planned for this spring.
Owners for both establishments were at the Historic District Commission (HDC) this week requesting signage approval with one of the requests approved and the other tabled due to lack of a quorum.
Eatery options in Berlin had been restrictive with only three restaurants located downtown for many years. But the addition of a deli and two other restaurants over the past two years made dining options much more flexible. Now, with The Burley Inn Tavern open and The Blacksmith on its way, Berlin will have even more options to grab a bite downtown, something HDC member Mary Moore was excited to see.
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Owners for both establishments were at the Historic District Commission (HDC) this week requesting signage approval with one of the requests approved and the other tabled due to lack of a quorum.
Eatery options in Berlin had been restrictive with only three restaurants located downtown for many years. But the addition of a deli and two other restaurants over the past two years made dining options much more flexible. Now, with The Burley Inn Tavern open and The Blacksmith on its way, Berlin will have even more options to grab a bite downtown, something HDC member Mary Moore was excited to see.
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Obama administration Guidelines Could Lead To Racial Quotas In School Discipline
How discipline is doled out in the classroom now will be under much closer scrutiny by the federal government, but some analysts say the Obama administration’s efforts ultimately may backfire and could lead to de facto racial quotas in American schools.
The Education Department and the Justice Department on Wednesday issued new “guidance” to ensure minority students aren’t punished through suspension, expulsion or other means more than their white peers. The administration cited legal authority under Titles IV and VI in offering detailed rules for how school districts can administer discipline.
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The Education Department and the Justice Department on Wednesday issued new “guidance” to ensure minority students aren’t punished through suspension, expulsion or other means more than their white peers. The administration cited legal authority under Titles IV and VI in offering detailed rules for how school districts can administer discipline.
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Federal Law Says You CAN Opt Out Of Obamacare And CAN NOT Be Penalized If You Do
I haven’t either.
But thanks to FOTM reader Joseph, now we all do!
This is how Cornell University Law School’s website describes 42 USC § 18115:
No individual, company, business, nonprofit entity, or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall be required to participate in any Federal health insurance program created under this Act(or any amendmentsmade by this Act), or in any Federal health insurance program expanded by this Act (or any such amendments), and there shall be no penalty or fine imposed upon any such issuer for choosing not to participate in such programs.
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Common Core Generates Bill To Drop Old Tests In Md. Public Schools
The Maryland Student Assessment test (MSA) is slated to be phased out after this year, when it will be administered once more this spring. But the test is considered outdated because it doesn’t test for what students are learning in classrooms this year under the state’s new Common Core education curriculum.
“The MSA tests students on material they aren’t being taught, and takes away valuable teaching time to do it,” said Del. Eric Luedtke, D-Montgomery, the lead sponsor of the House bill. “It’s testing for the sake of testing, and we should not be giving it.”
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$292 Million Down The Drain: White House Fires Main Obamacare IT Contractor
Proving once again that if you want something done wrong, and preferably at massive cost overruns, then just leave it to the government, moments ago news broke that the main IT contractor behind the embarrassment that is healthcare.gov - CGI Federal - has been fired. Who could possibly foresee this? Well, anyone who had actually done some diligence on the clusterfuck that is CGI Federal, and which as WaPo profiled some time ago, "is filled with executives from a company that mishandled at least 20 other government IT projects, including a flawed effort to automate retirement benefits for millions of federal workers, documents and interviews show." Make that 21. "A year before CGI Group acquired AMS in 2004, AMS settled a lawsuit brought by the head of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, which had hired the company to upgrade the agency’s computer system. AMS had gone $60 million over budget and virtually all of the computer code it wrote turned out to be useless, according to a report by a U.S. Senate committee." Sounds like the perfect people to hire in order to make a complete disaster out of the Obamacare portal - almost as if by design.
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DOJ Wants To Know 'Race, Sex, Disability, Age And English-Learner Status' Of Misbehaving Students
Schools Urged to Collect 'Demographic Data' on Students Who Are Disciplined
(CNSNews.com) - The Obama administration, concerned that "zero tolerance" policies are sending too many students to court instead of the principal's office, on Wednesday urged schools to back off -- particularly in the case of minority students and other federally protected groups.
"Racial discrimination in school discipline is a real problem today," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who joined Attorney General Eric Holder in speaking about the new guidance. Holder said "students of color and those with disabilities" often receive "different and more severe punishment than their peers."
While the nation's schools are under local control, they must follow federal civil rights and disability laws. And the new guidance for the nation's schools could subject more of those schools to federal discrimination lawsuits. In fact, the crackdown already is happening, as CNSNews.com previously reported.
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(CNSNews.com) - The Obama administration, concerned that "zero tolerance" policies are sending too many students to court instead of the principal's office, on Wednesday urged schools to back off -- particularly in the case of minority students and other federally protected groups.
"Racial discrimination in school discipline is a real problem today," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who joined Attorney General Eric Holder in speaking about the new guidance. Holder said "students of color and those with disabilities" often receive "different and more severe punishment than their peers."
While the nation's schools are under local control, they must follow federal civil rights and disability laws. And the new guidance for the nation's schools could subject more of those schools to federal discrimination lawsuits. In fact, the crackdown already is happening, as CNSNews.com previously reported.
More
Record Number Of Women Not In Labor Force
The number of employed women 16 and over declined by 20,000 from November to December, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The number of women employed dropped from 67,882,000 in November to 67,862,000 in December.
Additionally, the number of women who are not in the labor force climbed to a record high of 55,028,000 last month. That was up slightly from the 55,026,000 women who were not in the labor force in October, and up 203,000 from 54,825,000 women who were not in the labor force in November.
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The number of women employed dropped from 67,882,000 in November to 67,862,000 in December.
Additionally, the number of women who are not in the labor force climbed to a record high of 55,028,000 last month. That was up slightly from the 55,026,000 women who were not in the labor force in October, and up 203,000 from 54,825,000 women who were not in the labor force in November.
Read more
Senior Citizens In Charge At The State House
He has sometimes referred to himself as “the poster boy” for term limits. Only one senator, Sen. Norman Stone, has served longer in the Senate than Miller, now 71. The other 45 senators have known no other president than Miller, the longest serving presiding legislative officer in the 50 states and the longest serving in Maryland by two decades.
Miller was reelected 43-1, with only Republican Bryan Simonaire in the negative. Democratic Sen. Jim Brochin of Baltimore County, sometimes the subject of Miller’s wrath, abstained.
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More Than Half Of December Jobs Added Were Temporary
Once again, in its sheer panic to tout the quantity, or lack thereof, in the case of the December jobs number, the frenzied media and pundits completely ignored the quality of the jobs gained in the last month of December. Or lack thereof. Because as the simple breakdown below shows, of the 74K jobs gained in December, 55%, or 40K were the worst of the lot when it comes to wages or benefits: temporary jobs.
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Dog Survives More Than A Week In Maine Elements
“I have a dog myself and I just know I would be devastated if anything happened to him,” she said. “I felt like I needed to go look, even if it was just for 10 minutes.”
The dog, a one-year-old boxer named Dempsey, disappeared during a trip to visit family in North Anson with his owner Jamie Cyrway and her three children, who live in Severn, Md., but were visiting Cyrway’s mother, Janet Boothby, for Christmas.
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Congressional Democrats: Global Warming Turns Women Into Prostitutes
Not content with making American’s lives miserable, Progressive Democrats now want to spread their wackadoodle ideas around the world in the name of saving women from the mythical ravages of climate change.
A resolution put forward by Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., and a dozen other House Democrats claims that global warming could drive women to prostitution, The Hill reported Monday. According to Democrats, climate change will affect women worse than men and could force poor women into the sex trade.
Where to begin with this. I suppose a good place to start is with the outrageously sexist notion that women are more worthy of Big Government Solutions TM than men are.
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A resolution put forward by Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., and a dozen other House Democrats claims that global warming could drive women to prostitution, The Hill reported Monday. According to Democrats, climate change will affect women worse than men and could force poor women into the sex trade.
Where to begin with this. I suppose a good place to start is with the outrageously sexist notion that women are more worthy of Big Government Solutions TM than men are.
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Common Core And The EduTech Abyss
The Common Core gold rush is on. Apple, Pearson, Google, Microsoft and Amplify are all cashing in on the federal standards/testing/textbook racket. But the EduTech boondoggle is no boon for students. It's more squandered tax dollars down the public school drain.
Even more worrisome: The stampede is widening a dangerous path toward invasive data mining.
According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, the ed tech sector "is expected to more than double in size to $13.4 billion by 2017." That explosive growth is fueled by Common Core's top-down digital learning and testing mandates. So: Cui bono?
In North Carolina, the Guilford County public school district withdrew 15,000 Amplify tablets last fall. Pre-loaded with Common Core apps and part of a federal $30 million Race to the Top grant program, the devices peddled by News Corp. and Wireless Generation were rendered useless because of defective cases, broken screens and malfunctioning power supplies.
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Even more worrisome: The stampede is widening a dangerous path toward invasive data mining.
According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, the ed tech sector "is expected to more than double in size to $13.4 billion by 2017." That explosive growth is fueled by Common Core's top-down digital learning and testing mandates. So: Cui bono?
In North Carolina, the Guilford County public school district withdrew 15,000 Amplify tablets last fall. Pre-loaded with Common Core apps and part of a federal $30 million Race to the Top grant program, the devices peddled by News Corp. and Wireless Generation were rendered useless because of defective cases, broken screens and malfunctioning power supplies.
More
Salisbury In Top 5 Of Most Dangerous Cities To Live
According to a new report, Salisbury, a small city in Maryland's Eastern Shore, is one of the top five of most dangerous places to live in the country.
In cities with populations of more than 25,000 people, the website Neighborhood Scout places Salisbury fourth as most dangerous place to live in the country. Salisbury comes in behind Saginaw, Mich., Chester, Pa. and Las Vegas Nev.
According to the annual report, the chances of being the victim of a violent crime in Salisbury are 1 in 42, drastically higher than the state's average, which is 1 in 159.
In recent years, Salisbury has been battling a large uptick in gang-related violence, crime, and prostitution, but city officials say that crime has actually gone down slightly in the last year, and point to the city's 2010 award as an All-American City -- an honor awarded by the National Civic League.
Still, some folks in this little community of just 28,000 people are shocked and outraged by the report that says Salisbury is only safer than just 2 percent of cities in America.
In an interview with Coastal Connection's Bryan Russo, Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton disputes this distinction, saying crime in Salisbury is on the decline.
Source
Note: For those of you who did not click on the link, this story was published, (as well as the one below) in 2011. Our intent was to shed light on today's article So Mayor Ireton, You Claim Crime Is Down In Salisbury, Eh? Within Maryland, more than 99% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Salisbury.
In cities with populations of more than 25,000 people, the website Neighborhood Scout places Salisbury fourth as most dangerous place to live in the country. Salisbury comes in behind Saginaw, Mich., Chester, Pa. and Las Vegas Nev.
According to the annual report, the chances of being the victim of a violent crime in Salisbury are 1 in 42, drastically higher than the state's average, which is 1 in 159.
In recent years, Salisbury has been battling a large uptick in gang-related violence, crime, and prostitution, but city officials say that crime has actually gone down slightly in the last year, and point to the city's 2010 award as an All-American City -- an honor awarded by the National Civic League.
Still, some folks in this little community of just 28,000 people are shocked and outraged by the report that says Salisbury is only safer than just 2 percent of cities in America.
In an interview with Coastal Connection's Bryan Russo, Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton disputes this distinction, saying crime in Salisbury is on the decline.
Source
Note: For those of you who did not click on the link, this story was published, (as well as the one below) in 2011. Our intent was to shed light on today's article So Mayor Ireton, You Claim Crime Is Down In Salisbury, Eh? Within Maryland, more than 99% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Salisbury.
STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE ATTEMPTED MURDER SUICIDE IN ST. MARY'S COUNTY
(Hollywood, MD) Maryland State Police are investigating a possible attempted murder suicide in St. Mary’s County.
The deceased is identified as James Daniel Dean, 48, of the 43,000 block of Johnson Road in Hollywood, Maryland. Dean was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.
The victim is identified as Angela Dean, 43, also of the 43,000 block of Johnson Road in Hollywood. Angela is the wife of the deceased and is currently being treated at the Prince George’s Hospital Trauma Unit for gunshot wounds.
Shortly before midnight last night, the St. Mary’s County Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from Angela Dean. She reported having an argument with James and that he was in the process of loading a gun. During the phone call, which lasted less than one minute, noise that sounded like gun shots were heard in the background.
Patrol units from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack and deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the scene. After forcing entry into the residence, police located James Dean on the living floor with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.
Angela was found nearby with apparent gunshot wounds and was provided immediate emergency medical treatment. She was flown by State Police medevac, Trooper 7, to the PGH Trauma Unit where she currently remains.
Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to process the scene. Sheriff deputies from the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office and paramedics from the Hollywood Rescue Squad responded to assist. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the Criminal Enforcement Division/Central South continue the investigation.
The deceased is identified as James Daniel Dean, 48, of the 43,000 block of Johnson Road in Hollywood, Maryland. Dean was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.
The victim is identified as Angela Dean, 43, also of the 43,000 block of Johnson Road in Hollywood. Angela is the wife of the deceased and is currently being treated at the Prince George’s Hospital Trauma Unit for gunshot wounds.
Shortly before midnight last night, the St. Mary’s County Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from Angela Dean. She reported having an argument with James and that he was in the process of loading a gun. During the phone call, which lasted less than one minute, noise that sounded like gun shots were heard in the background.
Patrol units from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack and deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the scene. After forcing entry into the residence, police located James Dean on the living floor with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.
Angela was found nearby with apparent gunshot wounds and was provided immediate emergency medical treatment. She was flown by State Police medevac, Trooper 7, to the PGH Trauma Unit where she currently remains.
Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to process the scene. Sheriff deputies from the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office and paramedics from the Hollywood Rescue Squad responded to assist. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the Criminal Enforcement Division/Central South continue the investigation.
Real Unemployment Rate Of 11.5% Means Difference To Reported Rises To Record
The gross manipulation of the unemployment rate due to the plunging labor force participation rate and the soaring, record number of people that are not in the labor force is by now, we hope, clear to all. Yes, millions may be dropping out of the labor force because they can't find a job which somehow means the US economy is getting better, but sadly the US civilian, non-institutional population keeps rising, and hit a record 246.7 million in December. Which is why every month we show what the real unemployment rate would look like when normalized for the fudged participation rate by taking a 30 year average.
Today, we find that the difference between the reported (6.7%) unemployment rate, and the implied using realistic assumptions for the US labor force, which remained at 11.5% where it has been ever since the start of the Second Great Depression, just hit a record high 4.8%. As did the spin, lies and obfuscation by the administration that "all is well."
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Today, we find that the difference between the reported (6.7%) unemployment rate, and the implied using realistic assumptions for the US labor force, which remained at 11.5% where it has been ever since the start of the Second Great Depression, just hit a record high 4.8%. As did the spin, lies and obfuscation by the administration that "all is well."
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Casting Crowns includes Salisbury’s Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in 2014 “Thrive” Tour
Salisbury, Md. – Multi-platinum selling group Casting Crowns experienced a landmark year in 2013 with three GRAMMY® nominations, a RIAA 2x multi-Platinum certification, multiple RIAA Gold certifications and more. Since forming more than a decade ago, Casting Crowns' message of hope has resonated with people around the globe, with total album sales surpassing 8 million. Moving into an exciting new season in 2014, the band reveals its seventh studio record, THRIVE, out Jan. 28, with Mark Hall's newest book "Thrive – Digging Deep, Reaching Out"releasing on Feb. 11. In support of the new record, Casting Crowns has also announced its upcoming national tour, "The Thrive Tour," which will feature Laura Story and For King & Country and will kick off in Lexington, Ky. on Feb. 20. The tour includes a stop at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, Md. on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
THRIVE includes 12 brand new tracks from Casting Crowns, adding to its esteemed list of hits and nine No. 1 singles. Working again with veteran industry producer Mark Miller, half of the record follows the theme of "Reaching Out" with songs like the upbeat, folk anthem and title track "Thrive." The remaining half of the record centers on the theme of "Digging Deep" with songs like the haunting and vulnerable ballad "Broken Together" that encourages couples in whatever season they are in, as well as the reflective lead single "All You've Ever Wanted."
Tickets range from $15-$65 (additional fees may apply). A special VIP Package can be added to any level of ticket for an additional $25. The VIP Package includes early admission, a Q&A with Casting Crowns and an autographed copy of Casting Crowns new album Thrive. Group discounts are available for ten or more. For more information, and to purchase tickets visit www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, call 410.548.4911 or visit the WY&CC Box Office at 500 Glen Ave., Salisbury (open M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
THRIVE includes 12 brand new tracks from Casting Crowns, adding to its esteemed list of hits and nine No. 1 singles. Working again with veteran industry producer Mark Miller, half of the record follows the theme of "Reaching Out" with songs like the upbeat, folk anthem and title track "Thrive." The remaining half of the record centers on the theme of "Digging Deep" with songs like the haunting and vulnerable ballad "Broken Together" that encourages couples in whatever season they are in, as well as the reflective lead single "All You've Ever Wanted."
Tickets range from $15-$65 (additional fees may apply). A special VIP Package can be added to any level of ticket for an additional $25. The VIP Package includes early admission, a Q&A with Casting Crowns and an autographed copy of Casting Crowns new album Thrive. Group discounts are available for ten or more. For more information, and to purchase tickets visit www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, call 410.548.4911 or visit the WY&CC Box Office at 500 Glen Ave., Salisbury (open M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Illinois Taxpayers Paying Billions To ‘Manage’ Debt
Illinois taxpayers realize the state is buried in debt.
Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension systems alone owe at least $130 billion, but now comes a new warning about the high cost of simply managing that debt.
In her latest fiscal report, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka warns that Illinois will see billion dollar payments in interest on the state’s exploding debt.
“(Last year) Illinois spent $1.45 billion on its general obligation bonds’ interest alone,” Topinka wrote in the December Fiscal Focus report. “Every dollar spent on interest is a dollar not spent on some other pressing need.”
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Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension systems alone owe at least $130 billion, but now comes a new warning about the high cost of simply managing that debt.
In her latest fiscal report, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka warns that Illinois will see billion dollar payments in interest on the state’s exploding debt.
“(Last year) Illinois spent $1.45 billion on its general obligation bonds’ interest alone,” Topinka wrote in the December Fiscal Focus report. “Every dollar spent on interest is a dollar not spent on some other pressing need.”
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WCSO Press Release 1-10-14
Press Releases 1/10/2013
PRESS RELEASE
Incident: WCSO Activity
Location: Wicomico County
- On 9 January 2014 at 12:49 AM, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Mario E. Curvan, 20 of Springfield Gardens, NY, for erratic and negligent driving on U.S. 13. During the encounter, the deputy recovered what was recognized as marijuana from Curvan and his two passengers. All three were charged on criminal citations and released pending a future court date.
- On 9 January 2014 at 12:36 PM a deputy arrested Danyal Donta Dashiell, 39 of Salisbury, on an open arrest warrant. The warrant was issued back in August 2011 after locating marijuana and cocaine at Dashiell’s residence during an investigation. Dashiell was not there at that time which resulted in the issuance of the warrant. Dashiell was detained on a bond of $5,000.00.
Dashiell, Danyal
- On 9 January 2014 at 2:30 PM a deputy arrested Dana Lynn Chamberlin, 35 of Salisbury, on an outstanding District Court Bench Warrant. The warrant was issued after Chamberlin violated the terms of her probation in a CDS Possession case. Chamberlin was detained without bond.
Chamberlin, Dana
- On 9 January 2014 at 4:38 PM, a deputy arrested George William Bowden, 50 of Pittsville, on an outstanding Circuit Court Bench Warrant at an address in the 7400 block of Gumboro Road in Pittsville. The warrant was issued back in July after Bowden violated the terms of his probation after a conviction of Assault 2nd Degree. Bowden was detained on a bond of $5,000.00.
Bowden, George
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 9 January 2014
Location: 1200 block of Pocahontas Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Percey H. Jackson, 48, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 9 January 2014 at 4:15 PM, a deputy responded to a reported altercation at a residence in the 1200 block of Pocahontas Avenue in Salisbury. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female victim who advised that she had become embroiled in an argument with her boyfriend, Percey Jackson that turned physical. According to the victim, Jackson pushed her in the face and then onto the floor. During the investigation, the deputy observed signs of injury that corroborated her account.
The deputy placed Jackson under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance the Commissioner detained Jackson in the Detention Center in lieu of $40,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
Jackson, Percey
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Releasing Authority: Lt. Tim Robinson Date: 10 January 2014
10 Things Disappearing From America
The country is evolving at a rapid pace, and that means some aspects of life that our parents and grandparents counted on are getting cast aside.
America just isn't what it used to be.
For better or worse, there's no arguing it -- the United States continues to evolve. Sometimes, that means a host of new innovations enriching our lives. But sometimes, that also means some things once considered "the norm" are falling by the wayside.
A timely for-instance: a full day's rest on Thanksgiving. Once considered a fairly untouchable day for most Americans (outside of critical services and the National Football League), deal-hungry Americans have turned retailers gutsy enough to bleed Black Friday specials well into Thanksgiving Day itself.
So what else is fading into black? Here's a look at 10 things disappearing across America:
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America just isn't what it used to be.
For better or worse, there's no arguing it -- the United States continues to evolve. Sometimes, that means a host of new innovations enriching our lives. But sometimes, that also means some things once considered "the norm" are falling by the wayside.
A timely for-instance: a full day's rest on Thanksgiving. Once considered a fairly untouchable day for most Americans (outside of critical services and the National Football League), deal-hungry Americans have turned retailers gutsy enough to bleed Black Friday specials well into Thanksgiving Day itself.
So what else is fading into black? Here's a look at 10 things disappearing across America:
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JUST IN: Federal Government Will Recognize Same-Sex Marriages In Utah
Attorney General Eric Holder says the federal government will recognize same-sex marriages in Utah, despite an earlier announcement this week from the state's governor saying the state would not.
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Plea In Mortgage Fraud Scheme
SALISBURY — An Eastern Shore woman now faces 30 years in prison after pleading guilty this week in U.S. District Court to bank fraud in connection with a scheme she carried out with her brother to obtain mortgage loans in the names of family members and using the proceeds for their own benefit.
According to the plea agreement, Jill Dail, 59, of Cambridge, was a loan settlement processor in the mortgage department of a Salisbury bank until she was terminated in June 2007 as part of a reduction in the bank’s workforce. Shortly thereafter, Dail was hired by the manager of the bank’s mortgage department to continue to do the same loan processing work she had performed as an employee of the bank.
The bank manager paid Dail out of his own funds and gave her full access to the bank premises, computer system and loan files. Dail continued to represent herself as a bank employee in her dealings with title companies and other businesses, according to the plea agreement reached this week.
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According to the plea agreement, Jill Dail, 59, of Cambridge, was a loan settlement processor in the mortgage department of a Salisbury bank until she was terminated in June 2007 as part of a reduction in the bank’s workforce. Shortly thereafter, Dail was hired by the manager of the bank’s mortgage department to continue to do the same loan processing work she had performed as an employee of the bank.
The bank manager paid Dail out of his own funds and gave her full access to the bank premises, computer system and loan files. Dail continued to represent herself as a bank employee in her dealings with title companies and other businesses, according to the plea agreement reached this week.
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Unshockingly, Democrats Blame Big Business For Obamacare Rollout
I’d like to say this is a 100% idiotic attempt to deflect blame, but there are enough business haters out there for it to partly work
(Politico) Democrats taking heat back home for Obamacare’s rocky online rollout say don’t blame them — blame Big Business.
Facing an onslaught of constituent frustration over problems with online exchanges, several Democrats have started pointing fingers at the companies and senior executives in their home states that have contracts to get the health care websites up and running.
Democrats have made a version of the argument in Washington in recent months, defending the health care law not only from Republican attacks that it’s a failure — but from the line that government itself can’t do big things.
Now that rhetoric — blame the contractors — is hitting local events.
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(Politico) Democrats taking heat back home for Obamacare’s rocky online rollout say don’t blame them — blame Big Business.
Facing an onslaught of constituent frustration over problems with online exchanges, several Democrats have started pointing fingers at the companies and senior executives in their home states that have contracts to get the health care websites up and running.
Democrats have made a version of the argument in Washington in recent months, defending the health care law not only from Republican attacks that it’s a failure — but from the line that government itself can’t do big things.
Now that rhetoric — blame the contractors — is hitting local events.
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Knockout Game: Black Teen Hits Older White Woman For The Fun Of It Then Posts Video On Facebook
Hey Eric Holder, can we get a hate crime charge?
Rochester New York police are characterizing the brazen attack of an elderly woman as harassment rather than what it appears to be — another example of the hotly-debated “knockout game.”
The attacker, a young black male who operated a Facebook account under the name “True Goon Tocool Sneekey”, narrated his plan for the camera.
“True Goon”, who according to his now-deleted Facebook account attends John Marshall High School in Rochester, grabbed a snowball from the ground saying, “I’m about to smack the old lady with the snowball when she come out the store.”
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Rochester New York police are characterizing the brazen attack of an elderly woman as harassment rather than what it appears to be — another example of the hotly-debated “knockout game.”
The attacker, a young black male who operated a Facebook account under the name “True Goon Tocool Sneekey”, narrated his plan for the camera.
“True Goon”, who according to his now-deleted Facebook account attends John Marshall High School in Rochester, grabbed a snowball from the ground saying, “I’m about to smack the old lady with the snowball when she come out the store.”
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Define Income Inequality
Democrats are revving up for a huge national “conversation” on income inequality. This is in no small part because the Obama administration and congressional Democrats would rather talk about anything other than Obamacare.
But it would be unfair to say this is all a cynical effort to gain partisan advantage. For instance, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is certainly sincere in his desire to take “dead aim at the Tale of Two Cities” in the Big Apple. He and his team want to fix the distribution of income in New York by distributing it differently.
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But it would be unfair to say this is all a cynical effort to gain partisan advantage. For instance, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is certainly sincere in his desire to take “dead aim at the Tale of Two Cities” in the Big Apple. He and his team want to fix the distribution of income in New York by distributing it differently.
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OCPD MOURNS THE LOSS OF RETIRED K9
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| Tacko |
Tacko was certified eight times by the North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) and the National Law Enforcement Canine Organization (NLECO). During his distinguished police career with the OCPD, Tacko had over 1500 deployments, which include building and vehicle searches, searches for suspects as well as open field searches for evidence resulting in the detection and recovery of illegal contraband and the arrests of hundreds of suspects. In addition, Tacko has assisted other Maryland law enforcement agencies, the US Air Force and US Customs Service with drug interdiction and detection.
In a press release announcing Tacko’s retirement, Pfc. Flower said, “I really believe he put a smile on everyone’s face that he encountered. Tacko attended numerous shift roll-calls and greeted every officer he could.”.
The Ocean City Fraternal Order of Police and the Ocean City Police Department recently presented Pfc. Flower with a commemorative urn and recognized Tacko’s accomplishments at the 2013 Neighborhood Watch Officer of the Year Banquet on January 7, 2014. “He worked so hard for so many officers,” Flower continued. “He was the best partner an officer could ever hope to have and he will be truly missed.”
Could We Get Some Immigrants Who Can Take A Poll?
With Republicans tying themselves in knots over the Democrats’ destructive, but superficially appealing, demand that unemployment benefits be extended to two and a half years, I return to my suggestion that Republicans stop playing defense and go on offense.For every issue that MSNBC loves to prattle on about, gloating that it will cost Republicans this or that demographic, there’s an equivalent issue to use against the Democrats. (The difference is: Our proposals would actually be good for the country.)
In addition to my repeated suggestion that Republicans introduce bills to institutionalize the dangerous mentally ill and force the Democrats to defend the right of psychos to crap in libraries and shoot up schools, Republicans should take the public’s side on immigration.
Democrats love to pretend their sucking up to illegals is all upside for them, but that’s because they lie even when taking polls.
Liberals will claim that 99 percent of Americans favor national health care after taking a poll that asks: “Do you support Americans being nice to one another?”
WAIT! THAT’S NOT A POLL ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE!
It’s the same thing. The government providing free health care to everyone is just being nice.
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In addition to my repeated suggestion that Republicans introduce bills to institutionalize the dangerous mentally ill and force the Democrats to defend the right of psychos to crap in libraries and shoot up schools, Republicans should take the public’s side on immigration.
Democrats love to pretend their sucking up to illegals is all upside for them, but that’s because they lie even when taking polls.
Liberals will claim that 99 percent of Americans favor national health care after taking a poll that asks: “Do you support Americans being nice to one another?”
WAIT! THAT’S NOT A POLL ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE!
It’s the same thing. The government providing free health care to everyone is just being nice.
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3 Americans Dead As Military Plane Crashes In Afghanistan
Three Americans aboard a U.S. military MC-12 plane were killed Friday morning following a crash in the eastern portion of Afghanistan.
The cause of the crash is not yet known, but a defense officer told ABC News that investigators have ruled out enemy fire.
The New York Daily News reported the statement from a NATO spokesman: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members and one ISAF civilian died following an aircraft mishap in eastern Afghanistan today. It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”
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The cause of the crash is not yet known, but a defense officer told ABC News that investigators have ruled out enemy fire.
The New York Daily News reported the statement from a NATO spokesman: “Two International Security Assistance Force service members and one ISAF civilian died following an aircraft mishap in eastern Afghanistan today. It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”
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NAPOLITANO: An Unworried NSA Sneers At Congress
Happy New Year. Just when you thought the National Security Agency spying scandal couldn’t get any worse, it has.
Last week, Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, wrote to Gen. Keith Alexander, the NSA’s director, and asked plainly whether the agency has been or is now spying on members of Congress or other public officials. The senator’s letter was no doubt prompted by the revelations of Edward Snowden to the effect that the federal government’s lust for personal, private data about all Americans and many foreigners knows no bounds, and its respect for the constitutionally protected and statutorily enforced right to privacy is nonexistent.
The senator’s benign and neutral letter came on the heels of a suggestion by Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, to the effect that Gen. Alexander’s boss, James R. Clapper, director of national intelligence, perjured himself before a Senate subcommittee when he testified that the NSA is not gathering massive amounts of data from tens or hundreds of millions of Americans. Gen. Alexander himself is also on the hook for having testified in a highly misleading manner to a House committee when he was asked whether the NSA has the ability to read emails and listen to phone calls and he stated: “No, we don’t have that authority.”
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Last week, Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, wrote to Gen. Keith Alexander, the NSA’s director, and asked plainly whether the agency has been or is now spying on members of Congress or other public officials. The senator’s letter was no doubt prompted by the revelations of Edward Snowden to the effect that the federal government’s lust for personal, private data about all Americans and many foreigners knows no bounds, and its respect for the constitutionally protected and statutorily enforced right to privacy is nonexistent.
The senator’s benign and neutral letter came on the heels of a suggestion by Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, to the effect that Gen. Alexander’s boss, James R. Clapper, director of national intelligence, perjured himself before a Senate subcommittee when he testified that the NSA is not gathering massive amounts of data from tens or hundreds of millions of Americans. Gen. Alexander himself is also on the hook for having testified in a highly misleading manner to a House committee when he was asked whether the NSA has the ability to read emails and listen to phone calls and he stated: “No, we don’t have that authority.”
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BREAKING NEWS: State Department Names Groups Behind Benghazi Strike
The State Department for the first time blames specific groups and militants for the Sept. 11, 2012, Benghazi attack, designating them as terrorists, further undermining initial claims the attack was spontaneous.
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Maryland Healthcare Exchange Promotion Costing Millions
Up to $150 million is going towards promoting the Maryland Healthcare Exchange. Not running the exchange,paying the "navigators" or subsidizing insurance for those that qualify. $150 million tax dollars to advertise.
The 2012 US Census reported Maryland's estimated total population as 5.84 million people. Almost 23% of the total population were under 18 (so not in the market for health insurance).
The exchange website, Maryland Health Connection, has experienced numerous problems since it was launched Oct 1, 2013. At the last count in late December, about 18,250 residents had signed up for health insurance through the exchange.
Lt. Governor Anthony Brown announced last week that they will soon push emergency legislation to provide retroactive coverage to the hundreds, or possibly thousands, who were unsuccessful in trying to sign up through the exchange.
State Senator Jim Mathias and Delegate Norm Conway both voted in favor of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012 (SB 238).
Mathias and Conway, thank you again for the Maryland Health Exchange. We really won't forget it.
Senator Mathias Contact Information:
http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa14577.html
Delegate Norman Conway
http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa12202.html
The 2012 US Census reported Maryland's estimated total population as 5.84 million people. Almost 23% of the total population were under 18 (so not in the market for health insurance).
The exchange website, Maryland Health Connection, has experienced numerous problems since it was launched Oct 1, 2013. At the last count in late December, about 18,250 residents had signed up for health insurance through the exchange.
Lt. Governor Anthony Brown announced last week that they will soon push emergency legislation to provide retroactive coverage to the hundreds, or possibly thousands, who were unsuccessful in trying to sign up through the exchange.
State Senator Jim Mathias and Delegate Norm Conway both voted in favor of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2012 (SB 238).
Mathias and Conway, thank you again for the Maryland Health Exchange. We really won't forget it.
Senator Mathias Contact Information:
http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa14577.html
Delegate Norman Conway
http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa12202.html
Bond Authorized For New Snow Hill High School
SNOW HILL — Worcester County has officially gone to the bond market for partial financing of Snow Hill High School (SHHS).
The County Commissioners voted to borrow $45 million in general obligation bonds this week. That will be used to fund the lion’s share of SHHS renovations with the remaining money coming from the state. The total projected cost for the renovations is about $50 million.
During the public hearing, prior to the bond authorization, some familiar complaints about the cost of the design of the school re-surfaced. Ever since the new SHHS was announced, there has been the occasional criticism of the cost of some of the features. Resident Ellie Diegelmann made similar complaints this week and wondered why aspects of the design couldn’t be cut to reduce costs.
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The County Commissioners voted to borrow $45 million in general obligation bonds this week. That will be used to fund the lion’s share of SHHS renovations with the remaining money coming from the state. The total projected cost for the renovations is about $50 million.
During the public hearing, prior to the bond authorization, some familiar complaints about the cost of the design of the school re-surfaced. Ever since the new SHHS was announced, there has been the occasional criticism of the cost of some of the features. Resident Ellie Diegelmann made similar complaints this week and wondered why aspects of the design couldn’t be cut to reduce costs.
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CDC: U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low For 2nd Straight Year; 40.7% Of Babies Born To Unmarried Women
(CNSNews.com) - The fertility rate of women in the United States fell to a record low for the second year in a row in 2012, according to data released last week by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Also for the second year in a row, 40.7 percent of the babies born in the United States were born to unmarried mothers.
The fertility rate is the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15-44. In 2012--according to the Dec. 30, 2013 CDC report “Births: Final Data for 2012"--the U.S. fertility rate was 63.0. That was down from 63.2 in 2011, the previous all-time low.
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Also for the second year in a row, 40.7 percent of the babies born in the United States were born to unmarried mothers.
The fertility rate is the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15-44. In 2012--according to the Dec. 30, 2013 CDC report “Births: Final Data for 2012"--the U.S. fertility rate was 63.0. That was down from 63.2 in 2011, the previous all-time low.
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OBAMA DONOR TO HEAD IRS TEA PARTY TARGETING INVESTIGATION
The attorney heading the internal investigation into potential unfair targeting of conservative groups by the IRS is a frequent and significant donor to both the Democratic National Committee and President Obama, Rep. Darrell Issa revealed today, in what he calls a "startling conflict of interest" that jeopardizes the investigation.
Rep. Issa, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent a letter today to Attorney General Eric Holder revealing new information that reached the committee on who is conducting the internal investigations at the IRS regarding the inappropriate targeting of conservative groups. Seeking an explanation as to why the FBI has been unresponsive to the committee, Rep. Issa noted that current and former IRS officials revealed Barbara Bosserman, a trial attorney within the IRS's Civil Rights Commission, is leading the internal investigation.
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Rep. Issa, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent a letter today to Attorney General Eric Holder revealing new information that reached the committee on who is conducting the internal investigations at the IRS regarding the inappropriate targeting of conservative groups. Seeking an explanation as to why the FBI has been unresponsive to the committee, Rep. Issa noted that current and former IRS officials revealed Barbara Bosserman, a trial attorney within the IRS's Civil Rights Commission, is leading the internal investigation.
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Anti-Tobacco Measures Have Saved Eight Million Lives In The U.S. Since 1964
Fifty years ago, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry issued the first Report on Smoking and Health, and for the first time ever, explained the toll that cigarettes take on our nation. In addition to saving lives, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that national efforts to curb smoking rates have increased the life expectancy of men and women in the U.S. Unfortunately, almost a fifth of Americans still smoke cigarettes, and smoking rates are actually rising is in nations like India, China, and Bangladesh. Millions of lives have been saved in the U.S. because of anti-smoking measures, however we must continue these efforts to save millions more in our nation, and around the world.
More so, we need you alive for as long as we can. It's about you paying taxes. Oh, and we care about you too.
People Not In Labor Force Soar To Record 91.8 Million; Participation Rate Plunges To 1978 Levels
Curious why despite the huge miss in payrolls the unemployment rate tumbled from 7.0% to 6.7%? The reason is because in December the civilian labor force did what it usually does in the New Normal: it dropped from 155.3 million to 154.9 million, which means the labor participation rate just dropped to a fresh 35 year low, hitting levels not seen since 1978, at 62.8% down from 63.0%.
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Radiation Level Update 1-10-14
According to RadCast.org, waves of radiation are still hitting some areas of the U.S., and levels will likely increase in many places in coming days. Chicopee, Massachusetts is reporting levels of 44 counts per minute, with spikes of 69, and Fredericksburgh, Virginia is hovering at 37, with highs of 57. Rapid City, South Dakota is averaging 43 counts per minute, with highs of 68, and Colorado Springs is sitting at 60, with spikes of 72 counts per minute. Henderson, Nevada is reporting levels of 47 counts per minute, with spikes of 70, and Chico, California is sitting at 33, with highs of 66. Medford, Oregon is averaging 37, with peaks of 60, and Seattle, Washington is hovering at 33, with spikes of 43. RadCast.org's alert level is 100 counts per minute, but they remind us that there is no such thing as a safe level of radiation.
Our Cars And Hamburgers Are Even More Toxic Than We Thought
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that some chemical reactions create toxins that are hundreds of time more dangerous than their parent compounds. Basically, when chemicals found in car exhaust or grilled meat mix together, they create new chemicals that pose a serious risk to our health. And, scientists didn't even know these chemicals existed, so no we have no health standards by which to measure them. Scientists are still working to identify the levels of these chemicals in our environment, and determine their exact health risks, but you may want to think twice before breathing in those exhaust fumes or taking a bite of that barbequed burger.
The Clear Evidence That QE FAILS To Produce Jobs
Over the last five years, the US Federal Reserve has substantially changed the investing landscape of the capital markets in the last 12 months. In particular we need to assess how ongoing QE programs affect notions of “risk” and rates.
In the period from March 2008 to late 2013, the Federal took a series of strategic steps to attempt to rein in the financial crisis and to support certain financial institutions that it deemed most critical to the health of the financial system.
These steps consisted of cutting interest rates to zero and engaging in rounds of Quantitative Easing, commonly referred to as QE.
QE in its simplest form consists of printing new money that is then used to buy US debt, called Treasuries. The Fed has made a myriad of claims for why it did this (to help housing, the help the economy, etc.) but the blunt reality is that this policy was primarily a means of financing the US deficit, which swelled in the post-2008 period as the public sector expanded rapidly in an effort to pick up the economic slack in the private sector.
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In the period from March 2008 to late 2013, the Federal took a series of strategic steps to attempt to rein in the financial crisis and to support certain financial institutions that it deemed most critical to the health of the financial system.
These steps consisted of cutting interest rates to zero and engaging in rounds of Quantitative Easing, commonly referred to as QE.
QE in its simplest form consists of printing new money that is then used to buy US debt, called Treasuries. The Fed has made a myriad of claims for why it did this (to help housing, the help the economy, etc.) but the blunt reality is that this policy was primarily a means of financing the US deficit, which swelled in the post-2008 period as the public sector expanded rapidly in an effort to pick up the economic slack in the private sector.
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Wicomico Democrats Seek Allies
How are Wicomico County Democrats progressing towards next fall’s elections? Better than you might think. Since a Democrat majority is highly unlikely, local Democrat leaders want the next best thing – a liberal council that will rubber-stamp increased spending and higher taxes if Rick Pollitt is re-elected to the County Executive’s post.
Sources within the Wicomico Democrat Central Committee indicate that they are preparing to give appointee John Hall (R-4) and first term incumbent Matt Holloway (R-At Large) a free pass. Why? One need simply look at their voting records and Matt Holloway’s role of carrying water for County Executive Rick Pollitt (D) on council.
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Sources within the Wicomico Democrat Central Committee indicate that they are preparing to give appointee John Hall (R-4) and first term incumbent Matt Holloway (R-At Large) a free pass. Why? One need simply look at their voting records and Matt Holloway’s role of carrying water for County Executive Rick Pollitt (D) on council.
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Chilling Canadian Warning To US: Gun Registration Has Begun, Confiscation Not Far Behind
A Canadian news commentator has a warning for his American friends: Now that the United States has begun gun registration, get ready for gun confiscation.
Brian Lilley, the Sun News host of Byline, traded hyperbole for history to make his case. But he didn’t use Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia or Communist China as examples, as one would expect.
He used the more-recent history of freedom-loving Canada — his own country, where registration quickly led to confiscation.
He predicted the same for us, despite statistics showing that as gun ownership rises, gun violence drops.
“It’s not about the guns,” he said. “It’s about the control.”
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Brian Lilley, the Sun News host of Byline, traded hyperbole for history to make his case. But he didn’t use Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia or Communist China as examples, as one would expect.
He used the more-recent history of freedom-loving Canada — his own country, where registration quickly led to confiscation.
He predicted the same for us, despite statistics showing that as gun ownership rises, gun violence drops.
“It’s not about the guns,” he said. “It’s about the control.”
More
500 Years Of History Shows That Mass Spying Is Always Aimed At Crushing Dissent
No matter which government conducts mass surveillance, they also do it to crush dissent, and then give a false rationale for why they’re doing it.
For example, the U.S. Supreme Court noted in its 1965 Stanford v. Texas opinion (footnotes omitted):
While the Fourth Amendment [of the U.S. Constitution] was most immediately the product of contemporary revulsion against a regime of writs of assistance, its roots go far deeper. Its adoption in the Constitution of this new Nation reflected the culmination in England a few years earlier of a struggle against oppression which had endured for centuries. The story of that struggle has been fully chronicled in the pages of this Court’s reports, and it would be a needless exercise in pedantry to review again the detailed history of the use of general warrants as instruments of oppression from the time of the Tudors, through the Star Chamber, the Long Parliament, the Restoration, and beyond.
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For example, the U.S. Supreme Court noted in its 1965 Stanford v. Texas opinion (footnotes omitted):
While the Fourth Amendment [of the U.S. Constitution] was most immediately the product of contemporary revulsion against a regime of writs of assistance, its roots go far deeper. Its adoption in the Constitution of this new Nation reflected the culmination in England a few years earlier of a struggle against oppression which had endured for centuries. The story of that struggle has been fully chronicled in the pages of this Court’s reports, and it would be a needless exercise in pedantry to review again the detailed history of the use of general warrants as instruments of oppression from the time of the Tudors, through the Star Chamber, the Long Parliament, the Restoration, and beyond.
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BREAKING NEWS: Just 74,000 New Jobs Created In December
Labor Department reports only 74,000 new jobs created in December, overshadowing dip in unemployment rate to 6.7 percent.
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