DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, August 04, 2014
Substituting Debt For Income Is Not Success - It's Failure On An Epic Scale
The Fed's substitution of debt for income has only doomed the nation to a deeper, more painful realignment of real income and expenses.
The economic "recovery" has been based on a simple premise: debt can be substituted for income with no ill effects. As real household incomes have declined, the legitimate foundation of additional spending--more income--has eroded for the bottom 90%.
Even the ephemeral foundation of additional debt-based spending--the Fed's beloved wealth effect--has eroded for all but the thin layer at the very top of the wealth pyramid.
To replace this diminished income, the Status Quo has substituted debt as the source of additional spending: household debt, corporate debt and government debt.
But debt is not income. Rather, debt requires income to be diverted to pay interest and principal. So substituting debt for income ends up further depleting declining income.
This scheme of keeping a bloated, inefficient Status Quo afloat with debt is not a success--it's a failure on an epic scale.
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The economic "recovery" has been based on a simple premise: debt can be substituted for income with no ill effects. As real household incomes have declined, the legitimate foundation of additional spending--more income--has eroded for the bottom 90%.
Even the ephemeral foundation of additional debt-based spending--the Fed's beloved wealth effect--has eroded for all but the thin layer at the very top of the wealth pyramid.
To replace this diminished income, the Status Quo has substituted debt as the source of additional spending: household debt, corporate debt and government debt.
But debt is not income. Rather, debt requires income to be diverted to pay interest and principal. So substituting debt for income ends up further depleting declining income.
This scheme of keeping a bloated, inefficient Status Quo afloat with debt is not a success--it's a failure on an epic scale.
More
Australia Has Zero Illegals Coming In: Here's How
Australia had a problem with illegal immigration.
It doesn’t anymore.
In the past seven months, not one single illegal immigrant arrived on Australian shores. Not one single boat has docked on the Australian coastline.
Compare this to the preceding four year period: Over 50,000 illegal immigrants arrived on Australian shores. More than 800 boats. Upwards of 1,000 people drowned at sea. A budget blowout of more than $10.3 billion.
Those that arrived were given welcome hampers, mobile phones, plasma TVs, housing, medical and other household items — all at a cost to the taxpayer.
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It doesn’t anymore.
In the past seven months, not one single illegal immigrant arrived on Australian shores. Not one single boat has docked on the Australian coastline.
Compare this to the preceding four year period: Over 50,000 illegal immigrants arrived on Australian shores. More than 800 boats. Upwards of 1,000 people drowned at sea. A budget blowout of more than $10.3 billion.
Those that arrived were given welcome hampers, mobile phones, plasma TVs, housing, medical and other household items — all at a cost to the taxpayer.
More
Obamacare Bringing Insurers, Hospitals Big Profits
Experts, insurers, and hospitals still don't have enough data to say if Obamacare is going to be good for the country, but two things seem certain thus far: hospital chains and insurers are raking in the dough while patients are paying higher costs for insurance.
Bloomberg reports that HCA Holdings Inc. (HCA), "the largest for-profit hospital chain," and WellPoint Inc., a for-profit healthcare insurance provider, both raised their forecasts after the two companies made record profits due, they assume, to Obamacare.
Another company, LifePoint Hospitals Inc., reports that their earnings increased $13 million in the second quarter this year.
"Obamacare's turned out to be quite good for health-care companies," healthcare investor Les Funtleyder told Bloomberg.
The business reporters went on to note that several other large healthcare companies, such as UnitedHealth Group, Inc., are also seeing higher profits.
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Bloomberg reports that HCA Holdings Inc. (HCA), "the largest for-profit hospital chain," and WellPoint Inc., a for-profit healthcare insurance provider, both raised their forecasts after the two companies made record profits due, they assume, to Obamacare.
Another company, LifePoint Hospitals Inc., reports that their earnings increased $13 million in the second quarter this year.
"Obamacare's turned out to be quite good for health-care companies," healthcare investor Les Funtleyder told Bloomberg.
The business reporters went on to note that several other large healthcare companies, such as UnitedHealth Group, Inc., are also seeing higher profits.
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Leaked Dem’s campaign plan: Milk Jews, use blacks, and count on the lib media’s support
This is about as clear as it gets.
Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn, is running for her father’s old Senate seat with a campaign built on a foundation of Jewish donors, an activist black clergy, and a reliably compliant media that will make it possible to “kill” or “muddy” stories that will make the Democrat look bad.
That might sounds like the Obama campaigns of 2008 and 2012, but they’re some of the main points of an internal campaign analysis accidentally leaked by the Nunn campaign, according to the National Review’s Eliana Johnson.
The analysis, apparently posted on the Internet by accident in December, is interesting as much for what it says about the Democratic Party as a whole as it does for Nunn specifically. In particular, the Democrat campaigns can be certain of sympathetic media— so much so that Nunn’s campaign included it in as a factor in their campaign strategy.
The constant pitching and communications with reporters is also good for developing relationships between the campaign and the press corps that can be leveraged to affect coverage … (italics added)
Part of the communications department’s job (in conjunction with research) is to leverage relationships and find the material to push back against negative research hits. Often we will have fair warning and can work to kill or muddy the story. (italics added)
How many Republican campaigns will say in strategy documents that they will have “fair warning” from the media to “kill or muddy” a story?
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Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn, is running for her father’s old Senate seat with a campaign built on a foundation of Jewish donors, an activist black clergy, and a reliably compliant media that will make it possible to “kill” or “muddy” stories that will make the Democrat look bad.
That might sounds like the Obama campaigns of 2008 and 2012, but they’re some of the main points of an internal campaign analysis accidentally leaked by the Nunn campaign, according to the National Review’s Eliana Johnson.
The analysis, apparently posted on the Internet by accident in December, is interesting as much for what it says about the Democratic Party as a whole as it does for Nunn specifically. In particular, the Democrat campaigns can be certain of sympathetic media— so much so that Nunn’s campaign included it in as a factor in their campaign strategy.
The constant pitching and communications with reporters is also good for developing relationships between the campaign and the press corps that can be leveraged to affect coverage … (italics added)
Part of the communications department’s job (in conjunction with research) is to leverage relationships and find the material to push back against negative research hits. Often we will have fair warning and can work to kill or muddy the story. (italics added)
How many Republican campaigns will say in strategy documents that they will have “fair warning” from the media to “kill or muddy” a story?
More
This 8-Year-Old Boy Finished a Triathlon — But He Didn’t Do It Alone
“I like everything about him,” he told KTVB-TV. “He’s perfect.”
Noah’s brother, 6-year-old Lucas, was born with lissencephaly, a rare crippling brain condition that limits mobility and lifespan, but his Boise, Idaho family has never let his condition get in the way of an active lifestyle, they told KTVB.
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Grieving parents crushed by daughter’s $200,000 in student loans
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) – When his 27-year old daughter Lisa died suddenly of liver failure five years ago, Steve Mason was as devastated as any father would be.
He and his wife Darnelle immediately took in Lisa’s three children – ages 4, 7 and 9 at the time – even though they knew it would be a huge struggle to support them. Steve earns less than $75,000 per year as a pastor, while Darnelle earns even less as a director at the same church.
Then the student loan bills started coming.
Mason had co-signed on the $100,000 in private student loans that his daughter took out for nursing school, and the lenders wanted their money.
Unable to keep up with the monthly payments on top of all of the other mounting expenses, the $100,000 balance ballooned into $200,000 as a result of late penalties and interest rates of as high as 12%.
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He and his wife Darnelle immediately took in Lisa’s three children – ages 4, 7 and 9 at the time – even though they knew it would be a huge struggle to support them. Steve earns less than $75,000 per year as a pastor, while Darnelle earns even less as a director at the same church.
Then the student loan bills started coming.
Mason had co-signed on the $100,000 in private student loans that his daughter took out for nursing school, and the lenders wanted their money.
Unable to keep up with the monthly payments on top of all of the other mounting expenses, the $100,000 balance ballooned into $200,000 as a result of late penalties and interest rates of as high as 12%.
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ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVER UNIQUE SLAVE BARRACKS IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
Since this spring, Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) and Anne Arundel County archaeologists have been surveying along General’s Highway as part of a federally funded Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) project. Currently, they are focusing their efforts on Scott’s Plantation, also known as Belvoir, the location where French commander Rochambeau encamped with almost 5,000 men in 1781 on his way to Yorktown, Virginia. The plantation was also home to Francis Scott Key’s grandmother, Anne Ross Key. Instead of an American Revolutionary War campsite, archaeologists discovered a 34 ft x 34 ft stone foundation with brick floors and thousands of artifacts including beads, animal bones, and dish fragments.
SHA manages TEP projects under the Department of Planning and Preliminary Engineering. It’s Director, Gregory I. Slater says of the archaeological aspect of the project, "Understanding the history around our highway network is an important element in our work; these activities and discoveries, as part of our cultural resources stewardship program, help us piece together that valuable story."
SHA manages TEP projects under the Department of Planning and Preliminary Engineering. It’s Director, Gregory I. Slater says of the archaeological aspect of the project, "Understanding the history around our highway network is an important element in our work; these activities and discoveries, as part of our cultural resources stewardship program, help us piece together that valuable story."
Cuomo's Scandal Parallels Christie's as Jon Stewart Mocks Him
New York’s Democratic governor, Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Chris Christie of New Jersey say they share essential values as the sons of Sicilian women. Now they share something else: scandals that may block their aspirations for higher office.
Cuomo, who is running for re-election, is being attacked by opponents and watchdog groups after reports that aides interfered with an anti-corruption commission he created and then disbanded. U.S Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan is probing possible witness tampering, the New York Times reported today. In New Jersey, Christie is the target of investigations after his allies shut down the George Washington Bridge, possibly as payback for a mayor who didn’t endorse him.
“It’s the kind of thing that’s noteworthy in that Cuomo is a national political figure trying to become a greater one,” said Columbia University professor Robert Shapiro, who specializes in U.S. politics. “The parallel here is Bridgegate and Christie. These kinds of things can have ramifications for people’s political careers.”
Both governors are considered potential presidential candidates. Christie, 51, who grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, has ramped up his travel as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Today, he’s in New Hampshire after visiting Iowa two weeks ago. Both are key states in the presidential selection process.
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Cuomo, who is running for re-election, is being attacked by opponents and watchdog groups after reports that aides interfered with an anti-corruption commission he created and then disbanded. U.S Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan is probing possible witness tampering, the New York Times reported today. In New Jersey, Christie is the target of investigations after his allies shut down the George Washington Bridge, possibly as payback for a mayor who didn’t endorse him.
“It’s the kind of thing that’s noteworthy in that Cuomo is a national political figure trying to become a greater one,” said Columbia University professor Robert Shapiro, who specializes in U.S. politics. “The parallel here is Bridgegate and Christie. These kinds of things can have ramifications for people’s political careers.”
Both governors are considered potential presidential candidates. Christie, 51, who grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, has ramped up his travel as chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Today, he’s in New Hampshire after visiting Iowa two weeks ago. Both are key states in the presidential selection process.
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SHA Revises Project Costs Downwards by $30 Million; Meets Project Spending Targets
As the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) continues to ramp up the number of its ongoing projects to new record highs each month (see this previous post), StateStat has been monitoring spending on projects to make sure that they are in line with the amounts originally awarded for each project’s contract. Even as the number of SHA’s projects increased to another new record high in May, the agency kept projects’ funding levels at target (no greater than 108 percent of the total award amount). As seen in the chart below, 96 percent of project spending in May was under this target. This represents a record high since data tracking began in July 2013. What’s more, from June to July of 2014 alone, SHA revised downwards the total costs of its active projects by over $30 million.
Key Democrat: 'Immigration Reform Is Not About Enforcement'
Democratic Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI), the Democrat U.S. Senate nominee in Michigan, told attendees of a town hall event in Detroit’s Mexicantown neighborhood that immigration reform was not about enforcing America’s laws.
“Immigration reform is not about enforcement,” Peters said in a short video clip obtained by Breitbart News. “It’s about finding a way to fix the problems in our immigration system.”
The event was held April 6, 2013, and was hosted by local pro-amnesty organization One Michigan—before the Senate passed the “Gang of Eight” immigration bill. The organization pushed for that bill and frequently advocates on its Facebook page on behalf of illegal aliens.
This comment could become problematic for Peters, who is losing steam in what previously seemed like a sure bet of a Senate race for Democrats. Republican Terri Lynn Land has been gaining on Peters, as a recent New York Times and CBS News poll put Land up a point over Peters.
Land has been fundraising successfully as well, raking in $3.3 million last quarter,according to the Washington Free Beacon. She bested Peters, who pulled in just under $2 million.
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“Immigration reform is not about enforcement,” Peters said in a short video clip obtained by Breitbart News. “It’s about finding a way to fix the problems in our immigration system.”
The event was held April 6, 2013, and was hosted by local pro-amnesty organization One Michigan—before the Senate passed the “Gang of Eight” immigration bill. The organization pushed for that bill and frequently advocates on its Facebook page on behalf of illegal aliens.
This comment could become problematic for Peters, who is losing steam in what previously seemed like a sure bet of a Senate race for Democrats. Republican Terri Lynn Land has been gaining on Peters, as a recent New York Times and CBS News poll put Land up a point over Peters.
Land has been fundraising successfully as well, raking in $3.3 million last quarter,according to the Washington Free Beacon. She bested Peters, who pulled in just under $2 million.
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‘You’re a F***ing Racist F***ing Bigot’: Bizarre Airplane Confrontation Caught on Camera
Content warning — Very Strong Language:
A ranting, swearing woman was escorted off an airplane in Philadelphia while giving police an earful about how “racist” they all were.
Another passenger caught the bizarre confrontation on camera.
The video of a woman being escorted off US Airways flight 738 was posted to Reddit Sunday, and the video has already garnered hundreds of comments and more than 20,000 views on YouTube.
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A ranting, swearing woman was escorted off an airplane in Philadelphia while giving police an earful about how “racist” they all were.
Another passenger caught the bizarre confrontation on camera.
The video of a woman being escorted off US Airways flight 738 was posted to Reddit Sunday, and the video has already garnered hundreds of comments and more than 20,000 views on YouTube.
More
Non-hunters who use state game lands across Pennsylvania could be forced to pay fee
The guys say the forested property is convenient to their respective homes in Ephrata and Landisville, and it's a pleasant place to play for a few hours.
"I brought my kids up here to hike for the first time last week," Ketner said. "It's nice."
Neither Ketner or Buehler is a hunter, and so neither paid to help buy the 5,100-acre tract on the Lancaster-Lebanon county line, nor do they currently pay for its maintenance.
Hunters have shouldered the bulk of that financial load for the past century.
But under a proposal being considered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which owns and takes care of some 1.5 million acres of game lands across the state, non-hunters who use those properties would be required to pay up — possibly $30 a year.
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New York Hospital Testing Sick Patient For Ebola, ABC Reports
A patient at Mount Sinai hospital is being tested after traveling to a country where the Ebola virus is present, the hospital said in a statement.
The man arrived at Mount Sinai’s emergency room early Monday morning with high fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.
The man told doctors he had recently traveled to a West African country where Ebola is present, the hospital said.
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The man arrived at Mount Sinai’s emergency room early Monday morning with high fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.
The man told doctors he had recently traveled to a West African country where Ebola is present, the hospital said.
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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 8-4-14
Mr. Haines frequents the Ocean City downtown area and the West Ocean City area.
If anyone sees Mr. Haines contact the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office at 410 632-1111
Report: Dems Retreating from 'War on Women' Rhetoric
Democrats have reportedly given up on accusing Republicans of waging a so-called "war on women."
National Journal reported that Democrats in 2014 have "now sworn off its catch phrase, dropping it almost completely from a campaign strategy that" still tries to focus on women's issues.
"[Saying] 'Republicans are waging a war on women' actually doesn't test very well," Celinda Lake, a top Democrat pollster, told National Journal. "Women find it divisive, political—they don't like it."
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National Journal reported that Democrats in 2014 have "now sworn off its catch phrase, dropping it almost completely from a campaign strategy that" still tries to focus on women's issues.
"[Saying] 'Republicans are waging a war on women' actually doesn't test very well," Celinda Lake, a top Democrat pollster, told National Journal. "Women find it divisive, political—they don't like it."
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Troopers Seek Public’s Help in Locating a Wanted Subject
The incident took place on Friday July 11, 2014 around 10:00 p.m. when Erica Jones, 23 of Lincoln, and Niesha N. Bland, 20 of Laurel, broke into a residence in the 26000 block of Portside Drive brandishing a large pipe. Once inside, a 32 year old female resident, who is also an acquaintance of the two suspects, was tackled by the two and then assaulted. Prior to the two female suspects leaving the residence, Niesha slapped the two year old son of the female victim across the face. Once outside, the two used the pipe to smash the front windshield of a 56 year old males automobile and then fled the area.
Niesha Bland was arrested on Saturday July 12, 2014 and charged with Home Invasion, Conspiracy 1st, and two counts of Offensive Touching. She was released on a $28,000.00 unsecured bond.
Erica Jones (Photo attached) is wanted on charges of Home Invasion, Conspiracy 1st, Offensive Touching, and Criminal Mischief. She is also wanted out of Sussex County Court of Common Pleas on two capiases.
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Erica Jones they are asked to contact Corporal J. O'Neil at 302-644-5020 ext. 250 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Dept of Agri Shuts Down Cell of Potential "Agri-Terrorists": Seed Libraries Outlawed in Pennsylvania
It looks like Michigan is not the only state with a Department of Agriculture that is adamant about the best interests of their citizens. Residents in Pennsylvania can now breathe a little bit easier since an illegal enterprise has been shut down.
The Joseph T. Simpson Public Library in Mechanicsburg was participating in an activity that put the entire ecosystem of the state at risk.
In an astonishing act of hubris, they were running a seed library, right there amongst the books, in the very facility where small children go to have stories read to them.
I’m not making this up. A SEED LIBRARY.
If you aren’t sure what this is, it allows patrons to go in and get heirloom seeds, for free. The borrower plants the seeds, then at harvest time, saves seeds and returns them to the library.
The horror.
Apparently this violates the “Seed Act of 2004.” That’s right, there’s a Seed Act that makes this illegal.
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The Joseph T. Simpson Public Library in Mechanicsburg was participating in an activity that put the entire ecosystem of the state at risk.
In an astonishing act of hubris, they were running a seed library, right there amongst the books, in the very facility where small children go to have stories read to them.
I’m not making this up. A SEED LIBRARY.
If you aren’t sure what this is, it allows patrons to go in and get heirloom seeds, for free. The borrower plants the seeds, then at harvest time, saves seeds and returns them to the library.
The horror.
Apparently this violates the “Seed Act of 2004.” That’s right, there’s a Seed Act that makes this illegal.
More
BREAKING NEWS: Former White House Press Secretary James Brady dies
James Brady, who served as White House press secretary under President Ronald Reagan, is dead at 73, Fox News has learned.
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SFD Calls For Service 8-3-14
- Sunday August, 3 2014 @ 19:12Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Sunday August, 3 2014 @ 19:10Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Sunday August, 3 2014 @ 18:19Nature: Petroleum SpillAddress: 5286 Lear Jet Way Salisbury, MD 21801
- Sunday August, 3 2014 @ 16:55 Nature: Vehicle Accident w/InjuriesAddress: Pinehurst Ave & Camden Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
- Sunday August, 3 2014 @ 16:33Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
Why Some Donors Are Giving To Dark Horse Martin O'Malley
Though former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the presumed Democratic frontrunner, leads by as much as 50 percent in some polls, there is some evidence that some former supporters are looking with interest at Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley.
As many Democrats might have expected, O’Malley has attracted respectable support from within Maryland, as well as from some prominent former Obama supporters, such as the bundler Stewart Bainum.
But, more surprisingly, O’Malley’s early base of support also overlaps somewhat with Clinton’s network, even as she appears as poised as ever to run for president and swamp him in the race, at least at the outset.
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Ebola terror at Gatwick as passenger collapses and dies getting off Sierra Leone flight
Staff tell of fears as jet from Africa is quarantined after the death of passenger who was 'sweating and vomiting' before she collapsed
Airport staff tonight told of their fears of an Ebola outbreak after a passenger from Sierra Leone collapsed and died as she got off a plane at Gatwick.
Workers said they were terrified the virus could spread globally through the busy international hub from the West African country which is in the grip of the deadly epidemic.
The woman, said to be 72, became ill on the gangway after she left a Gambia Bird jet with 128 passengers on board.
She died in hospital on Saturday.
Ebola has killed 256 people in Sierra Leone.
A total of 826 have died in West Africa since the outbreak began in February.
Tests were carried out to see if the woman had the disease.
The plane was quarantined as officials desperately tried to trace everyone who had been in contact with the woman.
Airport workers faced an anxious wait to see if the woman had Ebola. One said: “Everyone’s just petrified.
“We’ve all seen how many people have died from Ebola, especially in Sierra Leone, and it’s terrifying.”
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Airport staff tonight told of their fears of an Ebola outbreak after a passenger from Sierra Leone collapsed and died as she got off a plane at Gatwick.
Workers said they were terrified the virus could spread globally through the busy international hub from the West African country which is in the grip of the deadly epidemic.
The woman, said to be 72, became ill on the gangway after she left a Gambia Bird jet with 128 passengers on board.
She died in hospital on Saturday.
Ebola has killed 256 people in Sierra Leone.
A total of 826 have died in West Africa since the outbreak began in February.
Tests were carried out to see if the woman had the disease.
The plane was quarantined as officials desperately tried to trace everyone who had been in contact with the woman.
Airport workers faced an anxious wait to see if the woman had Ebola. One said: “Everyone’s just petrified.
“We’ve all seen how many people have died from Ebola, especially in Sierra Leone, and it’s terrifying.”
More
Suspects Identified and Arrested Thanks to Anonymous Tips
Rehoboth Beach, DE – Troopers have arrested the two suspects involved in the theft of a purse from a vehicle after information was initially received through the Delaware State Police Crime Tip Application.
A 16 year old Lewes male and a 17 year old Milton male were arrested Sunday afternoon after information was developed when an anonymous tipster provided one of the teenagers name through the DSP Crime Tip App. A second anonymous tip was received by Master Corporal Gaglione via voicemail which provided the second suspect's information. The two juveniles were contacted at their residences and transported to Troop 7 where they were formally charged with Theft Under $1,500.00 and Conspiracy 3rd. The 16 year old male was additionally charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after he was found to be in possession of the substance while being taken into custody.
The 16 year old male was incarcerated at William Marion Stevenson House Detention Center in Milford on $2,000.00 secured bond, while the 17 year old was released to the custody of his parents pending a hearing in Family Court.
A 16 year old Lewes male and a 17 year old Milton male were arrested Sunday afternoon after information was developed when an anonymous tipster provided one of the teenagers name through the DSP Crime Tip App. A second anonymous tip was received by Master Corporal Gaglione via voicemail which provided the second suspect's information. The two juveniles were contacted at their residences and transported to Troop 7 where they were formally charged with Theft Under $1,500.00 and Conspiracy 3rd. The 16 year old male was additionally charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after he was found to be in possession of the substance while being taken into custody.
The 16 year old male was incarcerated at William Marion Stevenson House Detention Center in Milford on $2,000.00 secured bond, while the 17 year old was released to the custody of his parents pending a hearing in Family Court.
Army to force out 550 majors; some in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON — About 550 Army majors, including some serving in Afghanistan, will soon be told they have to leave the service by next spring as part of a budget-driven downsizing of the service.
Gen. John Campbell, the vice chief of the Army, acknowledged Friday that telling troops in a war zone that they're out of a job is a difficult task. But he said some of the soldiers could join the National Guard or the Army Reserve.
The decision to cut Army majors comes on the heels of a move to slash nearly 1,200 captains from the ranks. Army leaders were criticized at the time for giving 48 of them the bad news while they were deployed to Afghanistan.
The Army declined to say how many majors will be notified while they are at the battlefront.
"The ones that are deployed are certainly the hardest," Campbell told reporters. "What we try to do there is, working through the chain of command, minimize the impact to that unit and then maximize the time to provide to that officer to come back and do the proper transition, to take care of himself or herself, and the family."
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Gen. John Campbell, the vice chief of the Army, acknowledged Friday that telling troops in a war zone that they're out of a job is a difficult task. But he said some of the soldiers could join the National Guard or the Army Reserve.
The decision to cut Army majors comes on the heels of a move to slash nearly 1,200 captains from the ranks. Army leaders were criticized at the time for giving 48 of them the bad news while they were deployed to Afghanistan.
The Army declined to say how many majors will be notified while they are at the battlefront.
"The ones that are deployed are certainly the hardest," Campbell told reporters. "What we try to do there is, working through the chain of command, minimize the impact to that unit and then maximize the time to provide to that officer to come back and do the proper transition, to take care of himself or herself, and the family."
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Water Utilities Charge More To Offset Low-flow Toilets, Faucets And Shower Heads
Utility officials say they understand that charging more for water because demand has dropped might seem to violate a basic premise of Economics 101. But utilities that generally charge by the number of gallons used are beginning to feel the financial pinch of 20 years of environmentally friendly fixtures and appliances, as older bathrooms and kitchens have been remodeled, utility experts say.
Federal laws aimed at conserving water limit toilets that once needed up to seven gallons per flush to 1.6 gallons. Shower heads that spewed up to eight gallons per minute are being replaced with sprays of about 2.5 gallons.
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Two Men Arrested After Becoming Disorderly in a Laurel Restaurant and Displaying a Gun
The incident occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. Sunday evening when six males entered the Tacos Chabelita restaurant located at 30661 Sussex Highway in Laurel and attempted to order alcohol. One of the men, who was later identified as Henry A. Larios-Quiroz, 22 of Seaford, was ask by a male employee to produce some identification in order to buy some beer. Larios-Quiroz was unable to produce any I.D. and the employee informed the men he could not serve alcohol to anyone without some sort of proper identification. Larios-Quiroz then stood up and lifted his shirt, exposing a handgun tucked in the waistband of his pants threatening to use the gun if he didn't serve the men some beer. Upon seeing a possible confrontation ensuing, a female employee intervened and was also threatened by Larios-Quiroz to serve them beer when he also showed her the gun in his waistband.
Numerous phone calls were made to the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center (9-1-1) by other patrons in the restaurant after they had witnessed the disorderly subjects and the handgun. Henry A. Larios-Quiroz, and the five other males that arrived with him, then departed the establishment and stood outside in the parking lot while the employees locked the doors. Soon afterwards, Larios-Quiroz and his brother, who was later identified as Wilson Larios-Quiroz, 20 of Bridgeville, drove off in their vehicle and was stopped by Laurel Police Department after the vehicle description was given out as a general bulletin.
Both subject were taken into custody and upon searching their car, a CO2 pellet gun was located under the driver's seat in which Henry was the operator. They were both transported back to Troop 5 where they were charged with two counts of Attempted Robbery 1st, two counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Aggravated Menacing, five counts of Conspiracy 2nd, Terroristic Threatening, Endangering the Welfare of a Child (male employee was under the age of 18), and Disorderly Conduct. Henry Larios-Quiroz (Photo Attached) was additionally charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and other traffic related offenses. He was incarcerated at Sussex Correctional Institution on $57,952.00 secured bond. Wilson Larios-Quiroz (No Photo Available) was committed to SCI on $15,600.00 secured bond.
None of the patrons or employees were injured during this incident.
If anyone has any information in reference to four other subjects involved in this incident, they are asked to contact Tfc. P. Schlimer at 302-337-1090 ext. 326 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
BREAKING NEWS: Hurricane Bertha forms in Atlantic
Tropical Storm Bertha has been upgraded to hurricane status in the Atlantic.
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Now USA Today Tells Our Story
US Airways passenger Flight 4343 was on its way to the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport when a rapid descent caused the flight attendant to look out the window.
What she saw was scary. The plane was low, and it was going quickly.
"My brain went into emergency/evacuation mode," flight attendant Charlene Helgason said, according to a record of her phone interview with Federal Aviation Administration officials.
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Porn-surfing feds blame boredom, lack of work for misbehavior
Employees rarely face criminal prosecution for time and attendance fraud
For one Federal Communications Commission worker, his porn habit at work was easy to explain: Things were slow, he told investigators, so he perused it “out of boredom” — for up to eight hours each week.
Lack of work has emerged time and again in federal investigations, and it’s not just porn, nor is it confined to the FCC. Across government, employees caught wasting time at work say they simply didn’t have enough work to do, according to investigation records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
“He stated he is aware it is against government rules and regulations, but he often does not have enough work to do and has free time,” investigators wrote of another federal employee, this one at the Treasury Department, who viewed more than 13,000 pornographic images in a six-week span.
Investigations at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Commerce Department and the General Services Administration have turned up similar cases, though memos show the employees rarely face criminal prosecution for time and attendance fraud.
A spokesman for the FCC declined to comment on what, if any, action the agency took after the FCC’s inspector general singled out the eight-hour-a-week porn peeper.
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For one Federal Communications Commission worker, his porn habit at work was easy to explain: Things were slow, he told investigators, so he perused it “out of boredom” — for up to eight hours each week.
Lack of work has emerged time and again in federal investigations, and it’s not just porn, nor is it confined to the FCC. Across government, employees caught wasting time at work say they simply didn’t have enough work to do, according to investigation records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
“He stated he is aware it is against government rules and regulations, but he often does not have enough work to do and has free time,” investigators wrote of another federal employee, this one at the Treasury Department, who viewed more than 13,000 pornographic images in a six-week span.
Investigations at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Commerce Department and the General Services Administration have turned up similar cases, though memos show the employees rarely face criminal prosecution for time and attendance fraud.
A spokesman for the FCC declined to comment on what, if any, action the agency took after the FCC’s inspector general singled out the eight-hour-a-week porn peeper.
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$1M-Winning Powerball Ticket Sold In Easton
Maryland Lottery officials said the winning second-tier ticket was sold at Acme Market in the 200 block of Marlboro Avenue in Easton.
The winning Powerball numbers drawn Wednesday were 12, 26, 44, 46, 47 and the Powerball was 29. Watch Powerball drawings on WBAL-TV 11 Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:22 p.m.
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Fed’s Fisher, Plosser push for earlier rate hike : The Fiscal Times
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Two top Federal Reserve officials known for their hawkish policy views said Friday they believed the U.S. economy was ready for interest rate hikes sooner than many expect, with one saying he thought rate hikes should start this year.
Fed policy, which has included keeping short-term borrowing costs near zero since December 2008, "remains well behind what I consider to be appropriate given our goals," Charles Plosser, president of the Philadelphia Fed, said in a statement.
Plosser was the lone dissenter in the U.S. central bank’s decision Wednesday to keep its promise to hold interest rates near zero for a "considerable time" after it ends its bond-buying stimulus program in October.
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Fed policy, which has included keeping short-term borrowing costs near zero since December 2008, "remains well behind what I consider to be appropriate given our goals," Charles Plosser, president of the Philadelphia Fed, said in a statement.
Plosser was the lone dissenter in the U.S. central bank’s decision Wednesday to keep its promise to hold interest rates near zero for a "considerable time" after it ends its bond-buying stimulus program in October.
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DNC Chairwoman Admits Obama Doesn't Do His Job
The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee inadvertently agreed with arguments by Republicans that President Barack Obama isn't doing his job properly.
"I'm going to go to the House floor and actually debate why we shouldn't be voting for the first time in American history to sue the president of the United States for doing his job, and doing his job actually less often and at a rate that is lower than any other president since Grover Cleveland," said Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on MSNBC Wednesday, the Daily Caller reported.
Wasserman Schultz was criticizing the GOP's measure to sue the president for executive overreach and added that it's the Republicans that "refuse to do anything."
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"I'm going to go to the House floor and actually debate why we shouldn't be voting for the first time in American history to sue the president of the United States for doing his job, and doing his job actually less often and at a rate that is lower than any other president since Grover Cleveland," said Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on MSNBC Wednesday, the Daily Caller reported.
Wasserman Schultz was criticizing the GOP's measure to sue the president for executive overreach and added that it's the Republicans that "refuse to do anything."
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Homeland Security Now Investigating Illegal Movie Downloads
Pirates accused of eaking a full version of the upcoming film Expendables 3
A federal investigation has been opened into the source of the illegal downloads of Lionsgate action pic The Expendables 3, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, aka ICE, has picked up the case after Lionsgate made calls to several law-enforcement agencies to ask for help in locating the pirates, who are accused of leaking a full version of the pic on various file-sharing sites last week.
U.S. Customs was merged into DHS, and it investigates illegally distributed copyrighted materials, including media content. In the past it has actually seized domain names of websites used to illegally distribute media content and/or counterfeit goods. Said an ICE public affairs officer this afternoon, “It is our policy to neither confirm or deny that an investigation is underway, unless or until it results in some type of public enforcement action.”
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A federal investigation has been opened into the source of the illegal downloads of Lionsgate action pic The Expendables 3, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, aka ICE, has picked up the case after Lionsgate made calls to several law-enforcement agencies to ask for help in locating the pirates, who are accused of leaking a full version of the pic on various file-sharing sites last week.
U.S. Customs was merged into DHS, and it investigates illegally distributed copyrighted materials, including media content. In the past it has actually seized domain names of websites used to illegally distribute media content and/or counterfeit goods. Said an ICE public affairs officer this afternoon, “It is our policy to neither confirm or deny that an investigation is underway, unless or until it results in some type of public enforcement action.”
Read more
Ocean City Landmark May Not Be Closing After All
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The owner of Ocean Gallery, which for 50 years has sold all kinds of art near the south end of the Ocean City Boardwalk, says his gallery may not close after all.
There had been reports owner Joe Kroart was going to sell the property, and pack up and move it to Hollywood, as part of a contract with a television production company creating a new reality show.
Kroart told Maryland's News Now, that the response from customers to his leaving was so great, that he is considering not leaving.
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"Bureaucracy Is Out Of Control," Martin Armstrong Blasts "Obama Should Just Resign"
Obama should just resign. He is outrageous. He supported the NSA and has claimed the CIA does not spy on Congress. Well, the Inspector General has released his report and oops – yes the CIA spies on Congress.
Let’s get real here. I have reported that for 2 years speaking and communicating with people on the House Financial Services Committee (banking), they were telling me that the NSA was sweeping up even their emails and phone calls way before Snowden. I was told that point-blank and not in confidence. Therefore, EVERY journalist had that SAME info and refused to report it. Snowden had to go to the Guardian in Britain to get the story out because WE HAVE NO PRESS WITH INTEGRITY that is still standing in the United States.
Now they are all reporting the CIA spies on Congress. The executive branch led by the President controls the Judiciary as well and it is at war with Congress. Obama has used the NSA, IRS, and the CIA to attack everyone. These people behind the curtain are the unelected. They threaten and blackmail people as part of their routine. I have seen this first hand and you do not grasp pure evil until you see it in their eyes.
These types of people see themselves so above everyone else and bask in their power to destroy anyone or anything they deem inappropriate. Where this will all end is written in history and it is never pretty.
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Let’s get real here. I have reported that for 2 years speaking and communicating with people on the House Financial Services Committee (banking), they were telling me that the NSA was sweeping up even their emails and phone calls way before Snowden. I was told that point-blank and not in confidence. Therefore, EVERY journalist had that SAME info and refused to report it. Snowden had to go to the Guardian in Britain to get the story out because WE HAVE NO PRESS WITH INTEGRITY that is still standing in the United States.
Now they are all reporting the CIA spies on Congress. The executive branch led by the President controls the Judiciary as well and it is at war with Congress. Obama has used the NSA, IRS, and the CIA to attack everyone. These people behind the curtain are the unelected. They threaten and blackmail people as part of their routine. I have seen this first hand and you do not grasp pure evil until you see it in their eyes.
These types of people see themselves so above everyone else and bask in their power to destroy anyone or anything they deem inappropriate. Where this will all end is written in history and it is never pretty.
More
Pelosi: Qataris Have Told Me 'Hamas Is a Humanitarian Organization'
(CNSNews.com) - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says the United States must look to Qatar, an ally of the terrorist group Hamas, for advice in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
"And we have to confer with the Qataris, who have told me over and over again that Hamas is a humanitarian organization," she told CNN's "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley.
As CNSNews.com reported last week, Qatar is a strong supporter and funder of Hamas. Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal operates from Qatar, and has so far rejected ceasefire proposals put forward by Egypt and promoted by Secretary of State John Kerry.
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"And we have to confer with the Qataris, who have told me over and over again that Hamas is a humanitarian organization," she told CNN's "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley.
As CNSNews.com reported last week, Qatar is a strong supporter and funder of Hamas. Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal operates from Qatar, and has so far rejected ceasefire proposals put forward by Egypt and promoted by Secretary of State John Kerry.
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We Are ALL Wondering, Just Where Did The Daily Times Get This Story In Sundays Paper?
US Airways passenger Flight 4343 was on its way to the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport when a rapid descent caused the flight attendant to look out the window.
What she saw was scary. The plane was low, and it was going quickly.
"My brain went into emergency/evacuation mode," flight attendant Charlene Helgason said, according to a record of her phone interview with Federal Aviation Administration officials.
She didn't know the pilot-in-command, Edmund C. Draper, had purposely lowered the plane in order to fly over his home, according to Federal Aviation Administration documents recently reviewed by The Daily Times.
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My phone went off the HOOK yesterday when people had heard and seen the Daily Times taking what turned out to be a HUGE story on Salisbury News MONTHS ago and re purposed it for their own increase in sales.
But the Main Stream Media like to call themselves LEADERS on Delmarva. Let's see, they did the very same thing years ago with my breaking story on Salisbury's Waste Water Treatment Plant and even won national awards ON MY STORY. It has become the NORM any more, even with WBOC and WMDT.
However, when WE see stories we feel are incredible, WE ALWAYS give them credit and usually title the article, Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due. We use their LOGO, (just like you see on the top of this article) and we ALWAYS link to their article after a couple paragraphs.
Well, did the Daily Times credit US for our hard work and investigation on this matter, hell no. Did they link to us, hell no. Did they use our logo, hell no.
The Daily Times knows the kind of numbers we are turning each and every day and they are now taking our big stories, (this particular one on MARCH 3rd HERE) and we republished it again on Sunday March, 9th.
They reproduced our story FIVE MONTHS LATER! They also reproduced it on their busiest day of the week. The Daily Times needs to give credit where credit is due. What do YOU think?
I have another question. Didn't the Daily Times promise their customers they were adding 75 or 80 pages to the paper on a daily basis, what happened to that?
I have another question. Didn't the Daily Times promise their customers they were adding 75 or 80 pages to the paper on a daily basis, what happened to that?
Pelosi Chases Republican Tom Marino Across House Chamber
In an unusual breach of decorum, even for the divided Congress, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi chased Rep. Tom Marino across the House floor, taking offense at comments by the Pennsylvania Republican during debate on the border funding bill Friday night.
“We don’t have law and order,” Marino began as he wrapped up his comments on the border supplemental. “My colleagues on the other side don’t want to do anything about it.”
“You know something that I find quite interesting about the other side? Under the leadership of the former Speaker [Pelosi], and under the leadership of their former leader [Rep. Steny Hoyer], when in 2009 and 2010, they had the House, the Senate and the White House, and they knew this problem existed,” he continued. “They didn’t have the strength to go after it back then. But now are trying to make a political issue out of it now.”
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“We don’t have law and order,” Marino began as he wrapped up his comments on the border supplemental. “My colleagues on the other side don’t want to do anything about it.”
“You know something that I find quite interesting about the other side? Under the leadership of the former Speaker [Pelosi], and under the leadership of their former leader [Rep. Steny Hoyer], when in 2009 and 2010, they had the House, the Senate and the White House, and they knew this problem existed,” he continued. “They didn’t have the strength to go after it back then. But now are trying to make a political issue out of it now.”
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Oh, Sheila: TX Democrat Jackson-Lee Busted Lying
Admittedly, some of Jackson Lee’s, er, more “zany” antics, have been harmless and quite amusing, like when she demanded that more hurricanes be given African-American sounding names, tried to close a public hallway for her visit with Michael Jackson, and claimed she was once a slave.
But, some of her actions and statements are more serious, and a few are downright disturbing.
Jackson Lee has been the U.S. Representative for Texas’s 18th congressional district since 1995. The district includes most of inner-city Houston.
She’s known for being one of the worst bosses in Congress – she’s lost at least 39 employees in the last 13 years – including 11 chiefs of staff. She reportedly called staffers names I won’t publish here (yes, they are THAT bad), and even threw a cell phone at one employee. Gladys Quinto, a former staffer, said Jackson Lee instructed her to write a memo about why she was incompetent in front of other staffers.
Jackson Lee also thinks the Constitution is 400 years old and is a big fan of Obama signing executive orders. Oh, and she also voted FOR HR 1960 – the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014.
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Upcoming Event Benefiting Women Supporting Women
When
12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
September 13, 2014
Where
Tall Tales Brewery
6929 Heron Grove Court
Parsonsburg, Maryland 21849
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Coming to Tall Tales From Frederick, Maryland
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