Medicaid: Half of Doctors Won’t Accept New Patients

Merritt-Hawkins, a national health care search and consulting firm, recently released the results of a telephone survey that measures physicians’ ability or willingness to accept new Medicaid patients across five specialties in 15 metropolitan markets.

The survey’s key finding: The average rate of Medicaid acceptance by physicians in all five specialties and in all 15 markets surveyed was only 45.7 percent. This is lower than the acceptance rate found by the same survey in 2009 (55.4 percent) and in 2004 (49.9 percent).

The survey found that, in 2013, Boston had the highest rate of Medicaid acceptance by physicians in the 15 markets surveyed—73 percent—while Dallas had the lowest, a mere 23 percent.

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Teen Pregnancy, Birth Rates Plummet

Teen pregnancy, birth and abortion rates have declined to historic lows over the last 30 years, according to a new study, evidence researchers say shows efforts to prevent unwanted pregnancies are starting to work.

A study released this week by the Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit reproductive health group, found teen pregnancy rates plummeted in 2010, with 57.4 pregnancies out of 1,000. The drop marks a full 51% decline from its peak in 1990, while teens aged 15 to 19 accounted for a 15% dip in pregnancies in the last two years of data alone, from 2008 to 2010.

According to the report, women aged 18 to 19 made up a majority of teen pregnancies, 69%. And though an increasing proportion of teens in that age group said they were sexually active, fewer became pregnant.

“The decline in the teen pregnancy rate is great news,” lead author Kathryn Kost said in a statement. “Other reports had already demonstrated sustained declines in births among teens in the past few years; but now we know that this is due to the fact that fewer teens are becoming pregnant in the first place.”

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Student Loans to Cost More This Fall

Subsidized student loans will get pricier this fall, thanks to Congress.

Students taking out government student loans could pay nearly a percentage point more in interest rates. Based on rates set at Wednesday's Treasury bond auction, undergraduate loans will likely pay an interest rate of around 4.66% and graduate school loans around 6.21%. That compares to 3.86% for undergraduates and 5.41% for graduates last year.

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On Prom Night, Va. Students Wear Protective Masks To Support Friend With Cancer

A Virginia high school student wanted to go to his girlfriend's prom, but his doctor told him he had to wear a mask to protect himself from getting sick. What his girlfriend and their group of friends did to make him feel comfortable at the prom will no doubt warm your heart.

The 18-year-old you are about to meet received a cancer diagnosis last September. Chemotherapy wasn't far behind.

As if that wasn't tough enough for anyone, especially a teen, his doctor said if he was going to go to the prom, he had to wear a protective mask.

“They had said that I was diagnosed with testicular cancer,” said Jared Hill. “It didn't hit me at first until I got home. And then later that night, I tried to sit down and do some English homework and I just couldn't. I started bawling.”

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The four Ds of the Democrats' Benghazi strategy: Deny, Delay, Disrupt, Discredit

President Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress and the mainstream media face a huge problem in House Speaker John Boehner's decision to appoint a select committee headed by Rep. Trey Gowdy to investigate the Benghazi scandal.

Gowdy is a former prosecutor who has demonstrated beyond any doubt in his work on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that he means business. Don't be deceived by the Southern manners and the "Yes Ma'ams" and "No sirs."

So Democrats will spare no effort to make Gowdy's life miserable and the work of the panel impossible to complete.

The Democrats' response

White House spokesman Jay Carney and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi framed the Democratic strategy as soon as Boehner's decision became clear.

Carney said "If you look at even what some Republicans have said, it certainly casts doubt on the legitimacy of an effort that is so partisan in nature."

Even "some Republicans" question whether the select committee "is necessary after seven congressional committees and multiple investigations," he added.

As for Pelosi, she initially hinted that House Democrats would boycott the panel, then demanded that Boehner appoint equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans as members.

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Homemade Stink Bug Traps Better Than Store-bought

Warmer weather will bring out stink bugs from cooler hiding places. To get rid of them, researchers at Virginia Tech found homemade stink bug traps work better than store-bought traps.

A pan of soapy water under a desk lamp attracts and kills 14 times more stink bugs than commercially produced traps that can cost as much as $50, the study finds. The study was conducted in 16 houses over two years.

It's the first time the solution was tested scientifically. The findings will be published in the Journal of Extension.

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Marine

A Marine squad was marching north of Fallujah when they came  upon an Iraqi terrorist who was badly injured and unconscious.

On the  opposite side of the road was an American Marine in a similar but less  serious state. 

The Marine was conscious and alert and as first aid was given to both men, the squad leader asked the  injured Marine what had happened. 

The Marine reported, "I was  heavily armed and moving north along the highway here, and coming  south was a heavily armed insurgent.

We saw each other and both took  cover in the ditches along the road.

I yelled to him that Saddam Hussein  was a miserable, lowlife scum bag who got what he deserved.

And he yelled back that Barack Obama is a lying, good-for-nothing, left wing Communist who isn't even an American.

So I said that Osama Bin Laden dresses and acts like a frigid, mean-spirited lesbian!

He retaliated by yelling, Oh yeah? Well, so does Nancy Pelosi!. 

And, there we were, in the middle of the road, shaking hands, when a truck hit us." 

Anthony Brown Campaign For Governor Hires Lobbyist As Adviser

BALTIMORE —The gubernatorial campaign of Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown is receiving scrutiny with a new addition to the payroll.

A lobbyist from one of the state's most connected firms switched hats and joined the campaign a few months ago, the WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team has learned.

Campaign ethics experts said there's nothing illegal or wrong about putting a lobbyist on the campaign payroll but they ask, "Why would you?" considering the types of questions that might be raised.
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JUST IN: House Votes To Establish Select Committee On Benghazi

The House voted Thursday to establish a select committee on Benghazi, formally launching a comprehensive and contentious investigation aimed at answering lingering questions about what happened before, during and after the terror attack that killed four Americans.

The House voted 232-186 to approve the panel. The vote breakdown was 225 Republicans and 7 Democrats in favor, with 186 Democrats voting against the measure.

The vote was never in doubt, as majority Republicans largely were united in support of the committee ever since House Speaker John Boehner called for it last week. Unclear is whether Democrats will boycott the investigation itself.
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Gangster State

Where Is America’s Democracy?

Anyone who looks carefully behind the veil of words cannot find democracy in America. For years I have been writing that the US government is no longer accountable to law or to the people (see, for example, my book, How America Was Lost). The Constitution has been set aside, and the executive branch is degenerating into Caesarism.

Government is used to impose agendas that result from the symbiotic relationship between the neoconservative ideology of US world hegemony and the economic interests of powerful private interest groups, such as Wall Street, the military/security complex, the Israel Lobby, agribusiness, and extractive industries (energy, mining, and timber). Dollar imperialism, threats, bribes, and wars are means by which US hegemony is extended. These agendas are pursued without the knowledge or approval of the American people and in spite of their opposition.

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Residents Encouraged to Take Steps to Reduce Mosquito Breeding Grounds in their Own Yards and Neighborhoods

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The weather has been wet and soggy and now it’s warming up – a combination which means (among other things): more mosquitoes and a higher risk of mosquito-borne diseases to humans, pets and livestock. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) encourages citizens to learn about the simple things they can do around their homes and yards to reduce mosquito breeding grounds and help keep mosquito populations in check.

“There are 60 species of mosquitoes in Maryland, and many of them are annoying and potentially carry disease,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “When they are biting people and ruining outdoor activities, they can seem to be winning the war, but there are steps homeowners can take right now to prevent them from breeding and multiplying.”

Krauthammer's Take: America's War on Carbon Emissions Is 'Economic Suicide, Global Do-Goodism'

Business Group Rolls Out Roll Call Report Card

Passage of the minimum wage increase has worried business owners and their advocates, who already fret that Mayland’s economic climate is hostile to corporations and mom-and-pop shops alike.

This year’s Maryland Business for Responsive Government’s Roll Call, an annual report card rating lawmakers on how “business friendly” they have voted, also offers analysis of how the hike to minimum wage, signed into law Monday by Gov. Martin O’Malley, will affect the future of the business climate in Maryland.

MBRG, founded in 1985, touts itself and Roll Call as a non-partisan endeavor, representing the interests of state businesses and holding legislators accountable. But inevitably MBRG’s positions tend to fall more in line with Republicans and their pro-business attitudes. Virtually no Democrats earn top scores, but Democrats did do well on a new list of “most improved” legislators.
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Harry Reid’s enriching ‘good old boys’ network

Trail of scandals, corruption trace back decades

NEW YORK – At the center of a Nevada “good old boys” network of movers and shakers through which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and his family have profited for decades is the Las Vegas-based law firm Lionel Sawyer & Collins.

Some have questioned how Reid, who arrived in Washington in 1983 with a net worth estimated at $1 million, has managed to amass a net worth estimated recently to have peaked at $10 million. He receives as Senate majority leader a top Senate salary set at an annual base of $193,400.

Researching Reid’s relationship with Lionel Sawyer & Collins, WND found a trail of scandals and corruption that trace back decades, surfacing again recently in the Bureau of Land Management standoff with Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy. As WND reported, Reid had championed a proposal by a Chinese energy corporation to fund and own a massive $5 billion solar energy project in Nevada utilizing land currently used to graze cattle.

Nevada law firm hired four Harry Reid sons

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Ocean City Kicks Off the Start of the Season with a Busy Springfest

The season has officially begun, as the 24th Annual Springfest brought over 102,000 people to the Inlet Lot. Accompanied by beautiful weekend weather, Springfest offered four fun-filled days of music, food, arts and crafts for residents and visitors to enjoy.

“We had an extraordinary weekend and I think if you ask any of our vendors or guests they will tell you that Springfest was a success,” said Special Events Director Frank Miller. “We had over 300 outstanding vendors, great entertainment, sold-out headlining concerts and delicious food. Not to mention, aside from a cool start on Thursday, Mother Nature didn’t disappoint!”

Traffic Stop Near Middletown Results in Major Heroin, Cocaine Seizure

Middletown - A traffic stop on Route 1 yesterday afternoon resulted in the seizure of hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of heroin and cocaine.

The stop occurred at 3:47 p.m. south of the Biddles Toll Plaza when a trooper observed a southbound 2014 Dodge Charger speeding. The trooper initiated a traffic stop.

While the trooper spoke to the driver, Michael Chandler, 35, of Philadelphia, a state police drug detection canine sniffed the exterior of the vehicle and indicated there were drugs within.

Troopers searched the vehicle and located plastic bag in the trunk. Inside of the bag was 271 grams of heroin and 83.2 grams of cocaine. The heroin was pure, a form that would normally be diluted before sale to a user. The 271 grams of pure heroin, once diluted and sold, would create over 40,000 bags of heroin valued at more than $400,000.

Chandler was transported to Troop 9 and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance in a tier 5 quantity, two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institute on $1,333,300 cash bail.

Garlic Reverses Heart Disease: UCLA Study

Aged garlic extract can stop heart disease from progressing and, in some cases, even reverse artery plaque accumulation, according to new research.

The studies were conducted at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and led by cardiologist Matthew Budoff, M.D.

He took CAT scans of 72 heart patients who had blockages of at least one of major cardiac artery. He asked half of the study subjects to take two pills of Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract each day, one in the morning and another in the evening. The other participants took placebo pills.

After a year, he repeated the CAT scans and discovered that the subjects who took the garlic experienced regression of arterial plaque. The plaque buildup in patients who took the placebo got worse.

“Our study demonstrated the benefit of this supplement on both plaque changes over time and preventing new plaque formation,” Dr. Budoff told Newsmax Health.

“We have completed four randomized studies to date, and all have led us to concur that aged garlic extract is both beneficial for slowing atherosclerosis and reversing the early stages of heart disease.”

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Survey: Maryland Oyster Population Makes Gains

A survey has found Maryland's oyster population has more than doubled since 2010.

Maryland's 2013 Fall Oyster Survey was released Wednesday by the Department of Natural Resources.

The survey says the oyster population is at its highest point since this type of monitoring began in 1985.

The increase is being attributed to high oyster survival over the past few years and strong reproduction in 2010 and 2012.
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GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, PRESIDING OFFICERS SIGN LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY, SAVE CONSUMERS MONEY AND SUPPORT LOCAL GREEN JOBS

Legislation Will Provide Incentives to Expand the Purchase of Electric Vehicles and Recharging Stations
Bill Passage Advances Governor’s Goal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Providing financial incentives to expand the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles and recharging stations as a means to improve air quality, save consumers money and support local green jobs, Governor Martin O’Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., and House Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones on Monday signed the Electric Vehicles and Recharging Equipment-Rebates and Tax Credits bill (HB 1345 / SB 908). The legislation extends a tax credit on the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles for three years, increases the value of the tax credit provided to most vehicles and enhances the incentive on the purchase and installation of electric vehicle recharging station equipment.

“I applaud my colleagues in the General Assembly for working closely with us to pass this bill that will improve air quality, save hard-working Maryland consumers money and support green jobs here in Maryland,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “A key component of our strategic efforts to reduce Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 is to make owning an electric vehicle more convenient and economical, which this legislation accomplishes.”

“Making it easier to own and operate an electric vehicle is an important part of building a healthy and sustainable environment for Maryland,” said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. “When we work together with advocates, businesses, and legislative leaders, we can protect our environment while also creating jobs for Maryland’s workers.”

Jet To Stop Printing, Change To Digital App

Jet magazine, which first hit newsstands at the dawn of the civil rights era, is ceasing regular print publication and transforming into a digital app.

Johnson Publishing Co., which owns Jet along with Ebony magazine, says the switch will occur at the end of June. The Chicago-based company says the move is a proactive effort to adapt to its readers' growing desires for quicker and easier access to information.

Desiree Rogers, Johnson Publishing's CEO says the change will take the magazine back to its roots. She notes that Jet, which was founded by John Johnson in November 1951, was originally intended as a newsweekly digest for African-Americans living in an increasingly faster-paced world.
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Governor's Task Force Seizes Over 13,000 Bags of Heroin in Claymont

Claymont - A Philadelphia man is being held on more than a million-dollars bail after troopers assigned to the Governor's Task Force (GTF) found a large amount of heroin and cash in his vehicle.

The incident occurred yesterday at 9:15 p.m. when GTF member proactively patrolling in Claymont observed 2000 Mercedes-Benz S340 commit several moving violations. The troopers stopped the vehicle on Naamans Road near Peachtree Road.

While the troopers spoke to the driver, Luis Garcia Valle, 22, of Philadelphia, they observed suspicious behavior. A Wilmington Police Department canine handler responded to the scene of the traffic stop, and his drug-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs in the rear seat of the vehicle.

Troopers inspected the seat and discovered an after-market hidden compartment. Inside of the compartment was 13,006 bags (325.15 grams) of heroin and more than $6,900 in cash.

Garcia Valle was transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance in a tier 5 quantity and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He was committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institute on $1,300,000 cash bail.

Labor Force Participation Rate for 25-29 Year Olds Hits Record Low

(CNSNews.com) -- The labor force participation rate in April 2014 for Americans ages 25 to 29 hit the lowest level recorded since 1982, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) started tracking such data.

The labor force participation rate, which is the percentage of the civilian non-institutional population who participated in the labor force by either having a job during the month or actively seeking one, hit a record low in April 2014 of 79.8%.

In January 1982, when the data were first collected, the labor force participation rate for this group was 80.7%.

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World War II Map Pays Homage To Lost Sub Crews

A priceless artifact of World War II has been discovered in an old shed in Rehoboth Beach, and the Fort Miles Historical Association is stepping in to preserve it.

Unlike the 16-inch USS Missouri gun barrel the association brought to Fort Miles two years ago, the new discovery is a massive document: a fragile, 90-square-foot map glued to the wall of a storage shed that tells the little-known story of more than 3,500 submariners who were lost at sea during World War II.

Gary Wray, president of the association, said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Henry Draper Sipple used the wall map to detail submarine battles of World War II.

“It's amazing," Wray said. "It's the map of his life and the story of submarine warfare in the Pacific.”

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Baby Mamas In Tag-Team Taser Assault Of Daddy

Victim told cops women were angry he has a new girlfriend

MAY 7--A South Carolina man was pummeled and tased yesterday afternoon by his “baby’s mama” and his “other baby’s mama,” who teamed up to ambush and assault the father of their children since he “has a new girlfriend,” cops report.

According to a Spartanburg Police Department report, Rodrick Tucker, 21, told officers that Tabitha Martin, 23, invited him to her apartment Tuesday. Tucker, who described Martin as his “baby’s mama,” added that when he arrived at the residence, Martin invited him into the bedroom.

Tucker told police that “once he was lying on the bed” in Martin’s apartment, Courtney Littlejohn--his “other baby’s mama”--entered the bedroom. Tucker, who was likely expecting an afternoon delight, quickly became the target of a tag-team attack.

The women, Tucker told police, yanked him off the bed and began “repeatedly punching him in the face and head.” After escaping the bedroom, Tucker said he was “again knocked to the floor.” He added that Littlejohn, 23, “sat on top of him, not allowing him to get up.”

Martin (left) and Littlejohn are pictured above.

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Shocking!!: Non-English Speakers Getting Fast-Tracked for Social Security Disability Approval. Obama Is Redistributing Your Money As Fast As He Can!!

94% Of March Consumer Credit Was For Student And Car Loans

Another month, another confirmation that when it comes to the US consumer, it is all about student debt (and to a lesser extent, car loans). Moments ago the Fed reported that consumer credit number for March: at $17.5 billion, it not only blew out the expectation of a $15.5 billion increase (although when one adds last month's $3.5 billion downward revision to $13.0 billion the two month total actually missed), but was the highest monthly increase since February 2013. That's the good news.

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Dover Air Force Base Placed On Lockdown Due To Reports Of Suspicious Individual

Dover Air Force Base along Route 1 in Dover, Kent County has been placed on lockdown as of 11 a.m. Thursday.

According to the Air Force, a suspicious individual was reported near Building 706.

As a precautionary measure, officials implemented a base lockdown and instructed all personnel to shelter in place.
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UPDATE: The All Clear was given at approximately 2:40pm. The lockdown has been lifted.

Nightmarish Crime Gets New Name, Stiffer Penalties: Home Invasion

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Victims of home invasions are offering praise for a new Maryland law that will make the nightmarish crime legally distinct from burglary and carry a stiffer penalty starting in October.

Monique Anderson will likely never forget the night in January 2011 when armed men stormed into her Silver Spring home while her new baby was cradled in her mother-in-law's arms.

"It was definitely terrifying because I just brought this little girl into the world and I was scared that it was going to be her last day," Anderson says.

"A home invasion is different from a burglary, a home invasion is just not the same," says Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy, who brought together crime victims who support the new law and state legislators who helped guide the legislation through the Maryland General Assembly. The governor signed the bill into law April 14.
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Qualifications

The question really is, other than being appointed by a 100% partisan Governor, what qualification does Sarbanes have to be a Circuit Court Judge?

Remember, a Circuit Court Judge has in his or her hands the fate of a person's liberty (they can cause a person to be sent to prison for life), a person's family (they an cause a person to lose their kids in a custody or divorce case), or order a person to pay a boat load of money (in a civil case).

One can only imagine (hypothetical) the scene going like this:

Question: Judge Sarbanes, I see you have no criminal trial experience, no custody case experience, no lead counsel in a major civil case experience..... In deed, no serious jury trial experience...... What qualifies you to hold this incredibly important, life changing, position,

Judge Sarbanes: Well.... the Governor appointed me...... and I wasn't really doing anything else..... so what the heck, why not?

Move over Monica, another Clinton-sex victim speaks

Her slogan now: 'Hillary is the war on women'

WASHINGTON – Kathleen Willey, the former volunteer aide to Bill Clinton who claims she was sexually harassed by the president in the 1990s, says she is very sympathetic toward Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern who, after 19 years, has decided to tell all about the lies and deceit surrounding the sexual relationship that ultimately led to impeachment.

“She has every right to tell her story,” said Willey. “She probably needs to if she is going to have experience any kind of normal life going forward.”

But she is quick to point out the story is never going away – especially if Hillary Clinton runs for president in 2016.

Asked if she thought a Hillary candidacy was likely, Willey quickly said: “She’s going to run. No question about it.”

As strongly revolted as she is about the actions of Bill Clinton during her tumultuous experience, Willey reserves a special revulsion for Hillary Clinton’s role in the cover-up.

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A+ Garden Centre will have extended hours

A+ Garden Centre will have extended hours this week. WED/THUR/FRI we will be open till 6:00pm. Saturday we will be open from 8:00am till Noon. Thank you

http://aplusgardencentre.weebly.com/

World War II Bomber "Panchito" offers flights to the public

World War II Bomber "Panchito" offers flights to the public during Ocean City Air Show Week and Two New Exciting Performers Added to Air Show Lineup

OCEAN CITY -- During the Ocean City Air Show this year, the public will be able to do more than just watch the planes from the beach - they will be able to fly in a World War II B25 Bomber.

The Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation is offering the chance to experience what it was like for flight crews during World War II on board "Panchito", a B25 Mitchell Bomber. The flights will be out of the Ocean City Airport and will be available June 12-15th. The cost is a $425 donation to the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation.

"This is a rare and unique opportunity to be a part of the Air Show this year," said Bryan Lilley, president of the Ocean City Air Show. "This plane will be flying over the beach both Saturday and Sunday during the Air Show and we are excited that visitors will have a chance to experience it that week from inside the aircraft now as well. What a great addition to the Air Show!"

To learn more about Panchito and the role the of B25s in World War II, go here:www.b25.ocairshow.com.

To reserve a seat on Panchito call (443) 458-8926 or email panchitoB25@aol.com. The plane can take up to five people during the 30-minute flight. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Also this week, Air Show officials announced that two new performers will take to the skies over Ocean City during the Air Show. Gary Ward in the MX-2 and Greg Connell in the Pitts Model 12 will each perform individually and then go head to head.

To volunteer for the Ocean City Air Show, go to www.OCAirShow.com and click on the Volunteer Tab. Air Show volunteers are stationed throughout the Air Show and help with ticket collection, VIP areas, vendors and even at the airport.

Advanced pricing for tickets is about to end so hurry and take advantage of the 15 percent discount when you purchase by May 18th. That up to $50 in savings on a two-day VIP Skybox ticket. Go to www.OCAirShow.com for more details.

Md. Woman Offers Undercover Agent Drugs, Cash To Kill Witness

A Maryland woman has been arrested after offering an undercover agent money and drugs to kill a witness before her boyfriend's upcoming trial.

Stacie Elizabeth Roberts, 33, gave an undercover detective prescription drugs and $1,600 along with the victim's name, description and address. During the meeting she described what she wanted done to the victim and reiterated that she didn't want that person to be able to testify.

The Annapolis Police Department launched the investigation within the past two weeks after receiving information that Roberts inquired about preventing the victim from appearing at the trial.

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Marathon Suspect: Statements Should Be Thrown Out

Lawyers for Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev argued Wednesday that statements he made to authorities after he was arrested should be thrown out because he was questioned for 36 hours in a hospital room while suffering from gunshot wounds and without being told his rights.

The lawyers said in a flurry of pretrial court filings that federal agents began questioning Tsarnaev about 20 hours after he arrived at the hospital in critical condition and his statements can't be considered voluntary.

Federal investigators questioned him days after last year's deadly bombing without formally telling him of his right to a lawyer under a public safety exception allowed when there's concern about an ongoing threat. But defense attorneys said the questioning continued "despite the fact that he quickly allayed concerns about any continuing threat to public safety, repeatedly asked for a lawyer, and begged to rest." They said his treatment included painkillers that impaired his judgment and increased his susceptibility to pressure.
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The 4 Deeper Truths about Benghazi and Libya

Democrats and Republicans have very different views about Benghazi, Libya.

Republicans say the Obama administration is to blame for the death of Ambassador Stevens – and have created a special committee to investigate Benghazi – while Democrats by and large say that the is nothing but politics.

The truth is bigger than either side is admitting …

First, Pulitzer prize winning reporter Seymour Hersh – who broke the story of the Mai Lai massacre in Vietnam under Nixon and the torture scandal under Bush – says that Benghazi was really a CIA outpost for running weapons capture from Libya after Gaddaffi was overthrown into Syria … approved on a bipartisan basis by both Democrats and Republicans.

Second, it has been confirmed that the U.S. backed Al Qaeda terrorists in Libya so that they would overthrow Gaddaffi.

Third, as we noted right after Gaddaffi fell, the Obama administration’s stated reason for going into Libya makes no sense [10]. Now, RAND Corporation political scientists theorize that Obama might have decided to bomb Libya – not for any reason having to do with Libya or Gaddaffi themselves – but rather “to keep the Arab Spring going“.

The U.S. ousted Gaddaffi and then left, and Libya has now descended into chaos.

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Save the Internet!

Update: Actions every day starting on Wednesday, May 7th, at noon and 5 pm. To Save The Internet, we are building a People’s Firewall against the FCC’s proposed rule that will create a ‘pay to play’ Internet by ending net neutrality. The FCC is located at 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554.

To ensure the Internet is open to all on an equal basis we must act now to prevent mega-corporations from destroying Internet Freedom.

It is time for escalating actions against the FCC before their vote on May 15th to end net neutrality.

If we act NOW, we can ensure a free, open and equal Internet for the 21st Century. On Wednesday, May 15 the FCC will vote on a proposal to end net neutrality and impose class-based Internet discrimination, but we have the power to stop them.

To ensure the Internet we want, we must take action today; and people need to plan to come to Washington, DC beginning next Wednesday to join in a series of escalating protests that will undermine the legitimacy of the FCC leadership and force them to pay attention to the public interest rather than the interests of mega-corporations.

The people have the power to keep the Internet open and free with equal access to all.

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Sea Level Rises Are an Insignificant Problem to Which We Can Easily Adapt, Says New Report

Attempts to stem sea level rises by reducing CO2 levels in order to "combat" global warming are a complete waste of time says a new report by two of the world's leading oceanographic scientists.

Over the last 150 years, average global sea levels have risen by around 1.8 mm per annum - a continuation of the melting of the ice sheets which began 17,000 years ago. Satellite measurements (which began in 1992) put the rate higher - at 3mm per year. But there is no evidence whatsoever to support the doomsday claims made by Al Gore in 2006 that sea levels will rise by 20 feet by the end of the century, nor even the more modest prediction by James Hansen that they will rise by 5 metres.

Such modest rises, argue oceanographer Willem P de Lange and marine geologist Bob Carter in their report for the Global Warming Policy Foundation, are far better dealt with by adaptation than by costly, ineffectual schemes to decarbonise the global economy.

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Democrats Trade Barbs In First Televised Debate in Governor's Race

Seven weeks before the primary election, the leading Democratic candidates for governor held their first broadcast debate tonight.

Attorney General Doug Gansler got off to a quick start Wednesday night, criticizing Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown for the state's rocky health exchange rollout.

Gansler says Brown is responsible for "an unmitigated disaster," and he says there has been a "coverup" in getting all the facts about what went wrong.
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Economy Not Keeping Up With Population Growth

8 million added to working population, half a million fewer jobs

Despite adding more than 8 million people to the working-age population since 2007, total employment has declined by half a million, according to an analysis by the Senate Budget Committee.

Before President Barack Obama took office 259.7 million people were part of the working-age population, or between ages 16 and 65. Now, the number has risen to 267.7 million.

However, in the same time period, total employment declined from 146.3 million to 145.7 million. In other words, 531,000 fewer people have jobs.

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Taking Back Our Economy

Last week, a group of more than 500 people gathered in Washington, DC to start figuring out how we take back our economy.The event was put on by the National People's Alliance, and it was called the "Rising Voices for a New Economy Conference." Activists, workers, farmers, and various advocacy groups got together to say that it's time to change who is in the room when major decisions are made about our economy. They don't want Wall Street executives shaping the conversation, when real hard-working Americans aren't even allowed to participate in the discussion. Aijen Poo, the executive director of the National Domestic Workers' Alliance, said, "We are America and we should shape the future of this economy." It's our nation, and it's our future, and we should have the right to help decide it.

Police Execute Dog Outside 5-Year-Old’s Bedroom Window

Department stands by trooper who shot family dog before raiding wrong home

A Pennsylvania man is accusing a state trooper of excessive force after his dog was shot and killed outside his grandson’s bedroom window late last week.

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Four Dead in Benghazi

March for Babies

In Spite Of Evidence To Contrary, AG Holder Claims “Too Big To Jail” Is A Myth

Is Attorney General Eric Holder all talk and no action? For the second time this year Holder has made it clear that the Justice Department does not believe that any corporation or executive is too big to jail. But an abundance of fines and a lack of actual prosecutions is enough to make one wonder if the declarations are just for show.

On Monday, Holder continued his message that no company is too large or important to indict in a video message on the Justice Department’s website.

“There is no such thing as too big to jail,” Holder says. “Some have used that phrase to describe a theory that certain financial institutions, even if they engage in criminal misconduct, should be immune to prosecution due their sheer size and influence on the economy. That view is mistaken and it’s a view that has been rejected by the Department of Justice.”

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Posting A Video Called “Me Driving Like An Idiot” Was Teen’s Second Mistake

Look, kid. You’ve made at least two mistakes recently (allegedly!), the least of which isn’t posting a video called “Me driving like an idiot” on YouTube for all to see. Because of course the most important mistake you made is (allegedly!)choosing to drive like an idiot.

Now that I’m done lecturing via the Internet, a Florida teen has been arrested and charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a crash with injuries as well as reckless driving and driving without a license after he reportedly filmed himself driving erratically and smashing into other vehicles as he went, reports UPI.

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This guy hits the proverbial nail squarely

Robert A. Hall is an actor. He plays the coroner on CSI if you watch that show.

He also is a Marine Vietnam War Veteran, but does not mention that he had his legs blown off in that war.

This should be required reading for every man, woman and child in the United States of America

"I'm 63 and I'm Tired" by Robert A. Hall

I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought Mc Mansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble use their own money to help them.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America provided to them. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have:
1. the economy of Zimbabwe ,
2. the freedom of the press of China
3. the crime and violence of Mexico ,
4. the tolerance for Christian people of Iran
5. the freedom of speech of Venezuela .

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Sharia's law tells them to.

I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.

I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly in an all-knowing government.

I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must not complain when Saudi Arabia uses the money we pay for their oil to fund mosques and madras Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think gay people choose to be gay, but I #@*# sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from "cool" people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers", especially those who aren't working, but living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track citizenship for any Hispanic who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military. Those are the kind of citizens we need.

I'm tired of the trashing of our military by latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's a deal for those folks. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, while the critics of our military can be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of school girls in Indonesia because the girls were Christian -- then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois , where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has looted the public treasury for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about "innocent" mistakes, "stupid" mistakes or "youthful" mistakes, when all of us know they think their only mistake was getting caught.

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement who have air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.

I'm real tired of people, rich or poor, who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

Yes, I'm tired, but I'm also glad to be 63, mostly because I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam Veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.

Cops: Thieves Robbed Gas Station And Shot Clerk, Then Stuck Around To Sell Gas

It’s one thing when criminals are bold enough to return to the scene of the crime, but what if they decide to stick around and do a bit of light work afterward? It’s certainly puzzling police as to why three suspects robbed a gas station, shooting and injuring a clerk, and then stayed put for a few hours serving customers and selling discounted gas.

According to police in Philadelphia, the three suspects entered a Hess gas station at around 1:30 in the morning, with one of the men wearing a Hess shirt. That led the 18-year-old clerk working at the time to think maybe they were delivery men, his father tells CBS Philadelphia.

“He said the first guy came in, he [saw] the shirt and he thought it was one of the deliveries. The second guy came in with a gun to his head,” he said.”Next thing you know, he tried to hit him and the gun went off.”

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Living proof that government employees are flat out nuts!

The chief operating officer of the Federal Housing Finance Agency faces a felony charge of threatening the former director. Richard Hornsby allegedly threatened to shoot Edward DeMarco, who retired last week. Hornsby was released and ordered to stay away from the FHFA and DeMarco. The Wall Street Journal reports, agency staff notified the inspector general after Hornsby made the threats last week. DeMarco was escorted to a secure location. Reports filed in court allege Hornsby promised to harm DeMarco and then kill himself.

Should they stay or should they go?

A Republican senator accuses the Obama administration of a go-it-alone strategy on immigration after two agencies announce new rules for foreign immigrant spouses. The departments of Homeland Security and Commerce propose letting spouses of high-skilled immigrants work in the United States. Department leaders say the move will keep top talent in the country. The plan would affect fewer than 100,000 people. But Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) accuses the departments of overreach on a hot-button issue.

Indian Givers

The EPA is asking some employees to return their retention bonuses. The agency has started the collection process with two staff members following an inspector general report. It questions a total of $670,000 in incentives paid to keep 13 employees. One staffer received the payments for four years, earning an extra $100,000 in that time. In 10 other cases, the agency could not show proof that the employees deserved the incentives. The IG launched the investigation after news broke that the EPA had paid a senior official a retention bonus for 10 years past the authorized date.

Gas Prices: Follow the Money

Let me see if I have this right . . .

Ukraine buys almost all its energy (natural gas)from Russia. Revenues from natural gas sales are a primary source of income for Russia.

Because of the recent disagreement between Ukraine and Russia, Russia is raising the price of natural gas it sells to The Ukraine.

The Ukraine is almost broke and can't afford the increase in the natural gas price because it would be forced into bankruptcy.

President Obama (The USA) just announced the United States is giving The Ukraine, $1 billion to assist in paying for the higher priced natural gas it buys from Russia.

So, the United States is actually giving Russia $1 billion because the money is just passing through (Transfer Payment) the Ukraine to Russia.

The first question: Has Vladimir Putin figured out a way to raise the price of his natural gas sales and make the U.S. pay for the increase?

If this analysis is accurate, Vladimir Putin just got Barack Obama (the USA) to pay him $1 billion by holding a press conference and trucking some troops across town from the Russian Navy base in Ukraine.

Who is the smartest guy in the room now ?

Oh Yes… Remember what President Obama said to the Russian President before the last election:

“I’ll have more flexibility after I am reelected. "