DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, December 26, 2014
2nd Amendment protects more than just guns
Key ruling for man sent to jail for item in car
The Connecticut Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of a man who was found to have war memorabilia in his car, including a dirk knife and a police baton, while he was moving from one residence to another.
The non-profit advocacy group Knife Rights said the decision affirmed knives are arms protected by the Second Amendment in a case with potential wider implications.
The case centered on the transportation of Jason DeCiccio’s weapons collection, including knives, in his move from Connecticut to a rental in Bolton, Massachusetts, where he was to take a job as a claims processor at the Veterans Administration.
“The defendant originally was convicted for having a weapon in a motor vehicle, a violation of Connecticut’s harsh anti-weapons laws,” Knife Rights said.
But the court noted the Second Amendment “protects the defendant’s right to possess the dirk knife – in his home and, second, that the statute’s complete ban on transporting those items between residences unduly burdens that right.”
The court said the “safe transportation of weapons protected by the Second Amendment is an essential corollary of the right to possess them in the home for self-defense when such transportation is necessary to effectuate that right.”
DeCiccio was injured in a traffic accident and taken to a hospital, where he became “disoriented and combative.”
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The Connecticut Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of a man who was found to have war memorabilia in his car, including a dirk knife and a police baton, while he was moving from one residence to another.
The non-profit advocacy group Knife Rights said the decision affirmed knives are arms protected by the Second Amendment in a case with potential wider implications.
The case centered on the transportation of Jason DeCiccio’s weapons collection, including knives, in his move from Connecticut to a rental in Bolton, Massachusetts, where he was to take a job as a claims processor at the Veterans Administration.
“The defendant originally was convicted for having a weapon in a motor vehicle, a violation of Connecticut’s harsh anti-weapons laws,” Knife Rights said.
But the court noted the Second Amendment “protects the defendant’s right to possess the dirk knife – in his home and, second, that the statute’s complete ban on transporting those items between residences unduly burdens that right.”
The court said the “safe transportation of weapons protected by the Second Amendment is an essential corollary of the right to possess them in the home for self-defense when such transportation is necessary to effectuate that right.”
DeCiccio was injured in a traffic accident and taken to a hospital, where he became “disoriented and combative.”
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Delaware Family Pays For Christmas Breakfast for PGPD Officers
The Myers family was traveling through Oxon Hill from Delaware today when they stopped to have breakfast at IHOP. The Myers thanked the officers for their service and paid for all of the officers' meals. A gracious Christmas gift with exceptional meaning this year. Sending a most sincere thank you to the Myers family from the PGPD family!
Son's Christmas gift leaves parents in tears
In a video sure to make many rethink the gifts they gave their parents this holiday season, a son handed his mother and father a present that made them weep: A note letting them know he'd paid off their mortgage.
In the video posted to Youtube Thursday and shared on Reddit, Joseph Riquelme sits between his mother and father. "I have one more gift for you," he says, pulling a small envelope from a sweatshirt pocket. "For both of you."
His mother reads the note inside and her reaction is almost immediate as she begins laughing and crying at the same time. His father reads the note, wipes his eyes and then hugs his son.
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NYPD Killer Stole Gun Used in 2011 Crime
NYPD officer killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley previously acquired guns by stealing them, according to a new report.
According to ABC 13 WHAM, Brinsley pleaded guilty to “theft, property damage, possession of a gun by a felon and discharging a gun near a public park” in Cobb County, Georgia in 2011.The gun he used in the crime was a .25 caliber semi-automatic which he stole before opening fire on a gold Chevy Malibu.
In that instance, no amount of gun control would have stopped Brinsley: He sidestepped every law to acquire his firearm unlawfully.
The same situation took place in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, where Adam Lanza bypassed gun control laws by stealing his guns, then using them to carry out his murderous attack on Sandy Hook Elementary.
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According to ABC 13 WHAM, Brinsley pleaded guilty to “theft, property damage, possession of a gun by a felon and discharging a gun near a public park” in Cobb County, Georgia in 2011.The gun he used in the crime was a .25 caliber semi-automatic which he stole before opening fire on a gold Chevy Malibu.
In that instance, no amount of gun control would have stopped Brinsley: He sidestepped every law to acquire his firearm unlawfully.
The same situation took place in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, where Adam Lanza bypassed gun control laws by stealing his guns, then using them to carry out his murderous attack on Sandy Hook Elementary.
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Why every newborn you see on Facebook is wrapped in the same baby blanket
The dead giveaway? The blanket.
You’ve seen the one, whether you’ve had a baby or not: it is mostly white, with thick blue and thinner pink stripes at the edges. If you’re on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve seen it tens, maybe hundreds of times.
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Experts: North Korea did not hack Sony, studio insider Lena may have
The FBI just last week confirmed what many Americans already assumed to be a forgone conclusion when they revealed there was conclusive evidence that North Korea's government was behind the hacking of Sony, an attack the government bureau said was carried out as a way 'to inflict significant harm on a U.S. business and suppress the right of American citizens to express themselves.'
Then, in a press conference on Friday, President Obama not only attacked North Korea and leader Kim Jong-un for their attempts to 'intimidate' Americans through their actions, but went so far as to warn the country that America would retaliate in response their actions.
Almost immediately the North Korean leader issued a statement denying involvement and demanding an apology from the United States for their 'evil doings.'
And while that apology is probably never coming, it seems that Kim Jong-un may be right, at least according to numerous cybersecurity experts and hackers who have come forward to not only point out the flaws in the FBI's investigation, but also possibly reveal the identity of the culprit.
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Then, in a press conference on Friday, President Obama not only attacked North Korea and leader Kim Jong-un for their attempts to 'intimidate' Americans through their actions, but went so far as to warn the country that America would retaliate in response their actions.
Almost immediately the North Korean leader issued a statement denying involvement and demanding an apology from the United States for their 'evil doings.'
And while that apology is probably never coming, it seems that Kim Jong-un may be right, at least according to numerous cybersecurity experts and hackers who have come forward to not only point out the flaws in the FBI's investigation, but also possibly reveal the identity of the culprit.
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One Woman’s Letter to Her Ex-husband’s New Wife is Going Super Viral and It’s Not Hard to See Why
Here is the full letter from Curry’s Women With Worth blog via our friends at Young Cons. Take a look for yourself.
To My Daughter’s Stepmom,
I never wanted you here. You simply were never part of the plan. Growing up and dreaming of my family I never included you. I didn’t want help from another woman to raise my child. The plan was for my family to include me, daddy and our children, not you. I doubt you ever wanted me in your life. I doubt you planned to mother a child that you didn’t give birth to. I can bet that your plan for your family included you, daddy and your children together, not me or my daughter. I can almost bet that when you dreamed of becoming a mother it would be the day you gave birth and not the day you married your husband. I’m pretty sure you never planned on me being here.
But God has plans that far exceed our own and when my little family dissolved to form two families I knew you would be coming.
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Kim Jong-un gets a drag queen makeover as revenge for Sony hack
Their success was short lived however, as just days later, Sony reversed their decision, deciding to put the film in selected theaters across the country while also releasing it on video on demand on Christmas day.
And now, North Korea and their Supreme Leader are getting mocked again thanks to a new photo sweeping social media that shows the stoic and stern Kim Jong-un with a full face of make-up and the hashtag '#YouCantSilenceOurFreedomOfSpeech.'
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Smith Island Bakery Sent Hundreds Of Cakes For Christmas
The Smith Island Baking Company, which makes the 10-layer Smith Island cakes, says that for Christmas it shipped out hundreds of cakes as a result of the company’s online business.
The five-year-old business on remote Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay has had so much demand it’s doing its baking both on the island and in an old seafood restaurant in Crisfield, back on the mainland.
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North Carolina Chick-fil-A co-workers give Christmas surprise to single mother
Sheree Carter, 37, has been working at a Chick-fil-A restaurant since Oct. 1 and had just moved into her first home last week after being homeless with two children.
"I don't even think they knew that I was homeless because I didn't show it," Carter told ABC affiliate WTVD in Raleigh of her co-workers.
Carter, who lost her parents and the father of her children, has lived in shelters and temporary housing. She worked hard to provide for her children, ages 15 and 9.
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ISIS is turning Christian churches into torture chambers
Islamic State militants are turning Christian churches into torture chambers where they force attendees to convert to Islam, it has been reported.
The fanatics are also said to be stripping the former places of worship of ancient relics, which they are smuggling to Western collectors to help fund their terrorist activity.
Christians were reportedly being held captive in make-shift torture chambers set up in raided churches in Qaraqosh, Iraq.
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The fanatics are also said to be stripping the former places of worship of ancient relics, which they are smuggling to Western collectors to help fund their terrorist activity.
Christians were reportedly being held captive in make-shift torture chambers set up in raided churches in Qaraqosh, Iraq.
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Bruce Willis Ticks Off Liberals With Blunt Christmas Message to the Troops
There aren’t many in the liberal folds of the Hollywood elite who would be brave enough to actually say the words, “Merry Christmas” and show support for our troops serving overseas during the holidays.
But one action hero puts both Hollywood and national politics aside during this time of the year, as he took the time several years ago to join a USO tour just to get a taste of what U.S. military troops go through around this time of year.
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It’s always about Al
Anyone surprised Al Sharpton’s immediate reaction to the execution of two cops was how this will affect Al Sharpton?
As news broke of the shooting of Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, Sharpton issued a condemnation. But he also worried it might derail “the pursuit of justice” in the Eric Garner and Michael Brown cases. And he played a phone recording of death threats against him filled with racial slurs.
The Rev effectively draws a moral parallel between the deaths of Garner and Brown — both of whom died, regretfully, while resisting arrest — and Officers Liu and Ramos, who were shot point blank while defending New Yorkers from criminals.
Throughout Sharpton’s career, from the Freddy’s Fashion Mart killings to the ambush of these officers, his causes have been attended by violence. Often he condemns such acts. But Sharpton remains stuck in a narrative where New York is 1960s Alabama and our cops are all Bull Connors.
Yet Mayor de Blasio has treated him as though he were the second coming of Martin Luther King, Jr. President Obama has him down to the White House where he is treated as a civil-rights leader.
And when a Sony exec makes some racially insensitive remarks in an e-mail, it’s the Rev. Al she ends up apologizing to.
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As news broke of the shooting of Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, Sharpton issued a condemnation. But he also worried it might derail “the pursuit of justice” in the Eric Garner and Michael Brown cases. And he played a phone recording of death threats against him filled with racial slurs.
The Rev effectively draws a moral parallel between the deaths of Garner and Brown — both of whom died, regretfully, while resisting arrest — and Officers Liu and Ramos, who were shot point blank while defending New Yorkers from criminals.
Throughout Sharpton’s career, from the Freddy’s Fashion Mart killings to the ambush of these officers, his causes have been attended by violence. Often he condemns such acts. But Sharpton remains stuck in a narrative where New York is 1960s Alabama and our cops are all Bull Connors.
Yet Mayor de Blasio has treated him as though he were the second coming of Martin Luther King, Jr. President Obama has him down to the White House where he is treated as a civil-rights leader.
And when a Sony exec makes some racially insensitive remarks in an e-mail, it’s the Rev. Al she ends up apologizing to.
More
Gallup: Three In Four Americans Identify As Christian
Nearly three-quarters of Americans identify as Christians.
Of those identifying as Christians in 2014, half identified as Protestants or another non-Catholic Christian religion and nearly a quarter identified as Catholic, according to a Gallup survey.
Nineteen percent of Americans do not have a formal religious identity, the poll found — up one percent from last year.
More here
Of those identifying as Christians in 2014, half identified as Protestants or another non-Catholic Christian religion and nearly a quarter identified as Catholic, according to a Gallup survey.
Nineteen percent of Americans do not have a formal religious identity, the poll found — up one percent from last year.
More here
Attempted Murder/ First Degree Assault in Salisbury
LOCATION: Kiowa Avenue
NARRATIVE: On 12/25/2014 The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1200 block of Kiowa Avenue Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland in reference to a victim of a gunshot wound.
Upon arrival deputies made contact with a black female victim whom had had suffered from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was transported to PRMC. Investigators with the Wicomico County Bureau of Investigations responded and interviewed witnesses who identified, Jack Braboy black male, 24 years of age, as the shooter. Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Maryland State Police troopers searched the area for the Braboy and were able to apprehend Braboy in the area of Delaware Avenue a short time later. Braboy was released to the Wicomico County Detention Center.
The victim is currently in critical condition.
If anyone has information, please contact: Detective Wilson at the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation. 410-548-4898.
Woman critical after Salisbury shooting
SALISBURY, Md. (AP) - Wicomico County authorities say a woman is in critical condition after being shot in the head and that the shooter is in custody.
The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office says deputies were called to the 1200 block of Kiowa Avenue in Salisbury on Christmas for a report of a shooting. The sheriff's office says deputies found a victim with a gunshot wound to the head and she was taken to the hospital.
The sheriff's office says witnesses identified 24-year-old Jack Braboy of Salisbury as the shooter. The sheriff's office says Braboy was apprehended a short time later. A message left at a telephone listing for Braboy was not immediately returned Friday.
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The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office says deputies were called to the 1200 block of Kiowa Avenue in Salisbury on Christmas for a report of a shooting. The sheriff's office says deputies found a victim with a gunshot wound to the head and she was taken to the hospital.
The sheriff's office says witnesses identified 24-year-old Jack Braboy of Salisbury as the shooter. The sheriff's office says Braboy was apprehended a short time later. A message left at a telephone listing for Braboy was not immediately returned Friday.
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Home for the holidays: Dog returned to couple after vet performs free surgery
Lola had a tough week. Back surgery for a slipped disk that prevented her from walking. And the prospect of a new home.
The 4-year-old dachshund’s owners also had a difficult time. Unable to afford the surgery, the Pembroke Pines couple had given up Lola to an animal rescue group.
But when Kendall veterinarian Michael Wong found out that the family couldn’t afford the $6,000 back operation, he did the surgery for free.
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Obama Nominee Helped Dem Group Skirt Massive IRS Fine
Former Media Matters CEO prevented donor disclosure, $5 million IRS penalty for Democracy Alliance-backed political group
President Barack Obama’s nominee to a federal panel that oversees elections previously helped a top Democratic political group avoid a $5 million IRS penalty and worked to prevent the disclosure of the group’s donors.
Matthew Butler, who Obama tapped for a seat on the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in November, has made a career at highly partisan left-wing advocacy groups, including a stint as the chief executive of Media Matters for America, a pro-Hillary Clinton opposition research blog.
Critics of Obama’s pick on the left and right say that Butler lacks any actual experience in monitoring or administering elections and will increase partisan divisions at the EAC.
“Choosing someone who has worked for Media Matters and who apparently has no election administration experience to speak of is (deliberately?) provocative of the Republican side,” wrote University of California, Irvine, law professor Rick Hasen, an expert in political and campaign law.
Congress established the Commission in 2002 to provide resources and guidance to states regarding voting equipment, procedures, and guidelines.
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President Barack Obama’s nominee to a federal panel that oversees elections previously helped a top Democratic political group avoid a $5 million IRS penalty and worked to prevent the disclosure of the group’s donors.
Matthew Butler, who Obama tapped for a seat on the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in November, has made a career at highly partisan left-wing advocacy groups, including a stint as the chief executive of Media Matters for America, a pro-Hillary Clinton opposition research blog.
Critics of Obama’s pick on the left and right say that Butler lacks any actual experience in monitoring or administering elections and will increase partisan divisions at the EAC.
“Choosing someone who has worked for Media Matters and who apparently has no election administration experience to speak of is (deliberately?) provocative of the Republican side,” wrote University of California, Irvine, law professor Rick Hasen, an expert in political and campaign law.
Congress established the Commission in 2002 to provide resources and guidance to states regarding voting equipment, procedures, and guidelines.
More
SFD Calls For Service 12-25-14
- Thursday December, 25 2014 @ 21:23Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Thursday December, 25 2014 @ 19:07Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Thursday December, 25 2014 @ 18:51Nature: Animal BiteAddress: 910 West Rd Salisbury, MD 21801
- Thursday December, 25 2014 @ 16:21Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Thursday December, 25 2014 @ 15:46Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
Innis: Progressives Like Obama, de Blasio Want to 'Racialize' US
Congress of Racial Equality spokesman Niger Innis says he has no doubt the shooting deaths of two New York City police officers on Saturday was inspired by the tone set by President Barack Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and National Action Network president Al Sharpton.
"I call them the cabal, the four Musketeers," Innis said Tuesday on Fox News Channel's "Your World with Neil Cavuto."
Before shooting NYPD officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu to death, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley invoked the name of Eric Garner, and said on Instagram, "I'm putting wings on pigs today."
Innis said that big government lobbyists and people on Wall Street have benefited from the "Obama economy," but not so for working class minorities.
"Sharpton, Obama, Holder, de Blasio, the progressives have run out of bullets so they need to racialize America," Innis said. "They need to divide America to maintain their relevance because their solutions that have dominated our country since Obama came into the presidency have failed miserably."
Their ultimate goal is to stay relevant, Innis said, and Obama, Holder and de Blasio all have helped elevate Sharpton by consulting him as a defacto spokesman for black America.
More here
"I call them the cabal, the four Musketeers," Innis said Tuesday on Fox News Channel's "Your World with Neil Cavuto."
Before shooting NYPD officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu to death, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley invoked the name of Eric Garner, and said on Instagram, "I'm putting wings on pigs today."
Innis said that big government lobbyists and people on Wall Street have benefited from the "Obama economy," but not so for working class minorities.
"Sharpton, Obama, Holder, de Blasio, the progressives have run out of bullets so they need to racialize America," Innis said. "They need to divide America to maintain their relevance because their solutions that have dominated our country since Obama came into the presidency have failed miserably."
Their ultimate goal is to stay relevant, Innis said, and Obama, Holder and de Blasio all have helped elevate Sharpton by consulting him as a defacto spokesman for black America.
More here
WSJ: IRS Mulled Gift Tax on Tax-Exempt Political Groups
The IRS contemplated placing a gift tax on large contributions to tax-exempt political organizations in 2011, recently surfaced emails have revealed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The emails came to light during the GOP probe into the IRS crackdown on conservative groups, fueling Republican concerns that the agency tried to quash politically active tax-exempt organizations.
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa of California, the outgoing chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said the emails "demonstrate that the IRS sought to use the gift tax as one part of a larger effort" to curtail political speech.
The emails were included in a year-end report from Issa’s committee about the IRS targeting scandal that was expected to be released Tuesday, the Journal reported.
The top gift tax rate was 35 percent in 2011 and is now 40 percent, the Journal reported, while noting that such a gift tax would have "disproportionately hurt conservative activists."
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The emails came to light during the GOP probe into the IRS crackdown on conservative groups, fueling Republican concerns that the agency tried to quash politically active tax-exempt organizations.
Republican Rep. Darrell Issa of California, the outgoing chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said the emails "demonstrate that the IRS sought to use the gift tax as one part of a larger effort" to curtail political speech.
The emails were included in a year-end report from Issa’s committee about the IRS targeting scandal that was expected to be released Tuesday, the Journal reported.
The top gift tax rate was 35 percent in 2011 and is now 40 percent, the Journal reported, while noting that such a gift tax would have "disproportionately hurt conservative activists."
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Protesters' next stop: Fox News, New York Post
The demonstration is scheduled for Jan. 2 at New Corporation’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters, with invitations posted at Occupy-affiliated Facebook pages.
The invitation reads: “As many already know The NY POST is a newspaper that is owned and controlled by the Right Winger Rupert Murdoch, who in essence is a corporate racist that continually supports and disseminates racist, classist, sexist and all forms of pro 1% misinformation through his NY POST newspaper as well as FOX television.”
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EPA Can't Regulate Lead Bullets, Says Federal Court
Hunters, hold your fire — the Environmental Protection Agency won't regulate your bullets.
A federal appeals court denied a lawsuit Tuesday by environmental groups that the EPA must use the Toxic Substances Control Act regulate lead used in shells and cartridges.
"We agree with EPA that it lacks statutory authority to regulate the type of spent bullets and shot identified in the environmental groups’ petition," Judge David Tatel wrote for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Environmental groups had sued the agency to do so, saying spent lead ammunition posed an "unreasonable risk of injury" to wildlife and humans who would eat the animals they kill. The groups rejected the EPA's assertion that it lacked the authority to do so.
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A federal appeals court denied a lawsuit Tuesday by environmental groups that the EPA must use the Toxic Substances Control Act regulate lead used in shells and cartridges.
"We agree with EPA that it lacks statutory authority to regulate the type of spent bullets and shot identified in the environmental groups’ petition," Judge David Tatel wrote for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Environmental groups had sued the agency to do so, saying spent lead ammunition posed an "unreasonable risk of injury" to wildlife and humans who would eat the animals they kill. The groups rejected the EPA's assertion that it lacked the authority to do so.
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DENEEN BORELLI: Black lives matter, and Obama climate change policy hurts them
Following the lead of the Rev. Al Sharpton, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets to protest grand jury decisions regarding the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and physical restraint death of Eric Garner in New York, by white police officers.
With chants of “Black lives matter” and “No justice, no peace,” demonstrators are expressing their frustration with what they regard as a system gamed against black Americans. Underlying the social unrest is a weak economic recovery that has left blacks behind. Blacks have the highest unemployment rate, the lowest average income and the lowest rate of homeownership.
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With chants of “Black lives matter” and “No justice, no peace,” demonstrators are expressing their frustration with what they regard as a system gamed against black Americans. Underlying the social unrest is a weak economic recovery that has left blacks behind. Blacks have the highest unemployment rate, the lowest average income and the lowest rate of homeownership.
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Holidays: The Perfect Time To Recycle
DNREC reminds Delawareans that holiday time is the right time to trim the “wasteline” while helping the environment - by recycling all those extra mail order boxes, gift-wrapped packages, tags and cards. It’s easier than ever to recycle these holiday items and more through Delaware’s Universal Recycling program, and keeping them out of the state’s landfills is a holiday gift to the earth.
Delaware’s Universal Recycling program is single stream - meaning holiday season recycling is easier because no sorting is needed: simply toss all recyclables into a recycling container for curbside pickup or drop them off at a DSWA recycling drop-off center. Single-stream recycling is now available to all single and multi-family residences and to all businesses, nonprofits, organizations, municipalities, and schools in Delaware.
An updated “How to Recycle” guide is available at www.recycling.delaware.gov. The guide’s center page features a handy list with images of items that can be recycled in Delaware.
Here are some helpful tips for recycling this season, as well as for reducing and reusing materials for the holidays next year:
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Delaware’s Universal Recycling program is single stream - meaning holiday season recycling is easier because no sorting is needed: simply toss all recyclables into a recycling container for curbside pickup or drop them off at a DSWA recycling drop-off center. Single-stream recycling is now available to all single and multi-family residences and to all businesses, nonprofits, organizations, municipalities, and schools in Delaware.
An updated “How to Recycle” guide is available at www.recycling.delaware.gov. The guide’s center page features a handy list with images of items that can be recycled in Delaware.
Here are some helpful tips for recycling this season, as well as for reducing and reusing materials for the holidays next year:
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Americans Have a Duty to Express Unpopular Opinions
Marquette University suspends a professor for arguing against classroom speech codes, a conservative writer blames liberal “hate speech” for the murder of two cops (echoing liberals who do the same again and again) and Sony shuts down a movie because of vague threats.
This all culminates months of colleges chasing away those with unpopular views, and social media mobs getting people fired for holding unfashionable opinions.
The pattern is this: The U.S., and the West more broadly, is becoming intolerant of expression that offends an angry minority or the elite sensibilities.
This intolerance shows itself in many ways, ranging from government censorship (mostly in Europe), to institutional censorship (in the American academy), to wild freakouts or blaming “hate speech” and “incitement” when a madman commits a murder.
Let’s look at two recent instances: Marquette and the New York Police Department.
(Continued here)
This all culminates months of colleges chasing away those with unpopular views, and social media mobs getting people fired for holding unfashionable opinions.
The pattern is this: The U.S., and the West more broadly, is becoming intolerant of expression that offends an angry minority or the elite sensibilities.
This intolerance shows itself in many ways, ranging from government censorship (mostly in Europe), to institutional censorship (in the American academy), to wild freakouts or blaming “hate speech” and “incitement” when a madman commits a murder.
Let’s look at two recent instances: Marquette and the New York Police Department.
(Continued here)
At Christmastime, George W. Bush was Santa, Obama is Scrooge
It was in that week each year for the eight years I covered him as a reporter that he gave me a spectacular gift — and he knew it.
I started covering the newly elected president in 2000, when I was in my 30s. Back then, as a reporter for The Washington Times, we went everywhere the president went. If he went to Charlotte, North Carolina, to give a 30-minute speech on an airport tarmac, we went. Up at 4 a.m., an hourlong commute to Andrews Air Force Base, in place on the ground hours before POTUS landed, and there for hours and hours after he left — sometimes right through the evening news so network reporters could file live from the site.
We also went with the president to Texas every summer — often for a month — and every winter, too, over the holidays.
But here’s the thing: In December, we never left Washington, D.C., until the day after Christmas. Never. Mr. Bush and his wife, Laura, would always depart the White House a few days before the holiday and hunker down at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. After a few years, I asked a low-level White House staffer why.
I still remember what she said: “So all of us can be with our families on Christmas.”
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Background check fails as ex-convict lands HUD job, embezzles $800,000
Brian Thompson had a criminal record spanning more than two decades, but that didn’t stop him from getting an office job at the Department of Housing and Urban Development earning nearly $90,000 per year.
His extensive criminal history only came to light in recent days after federal prosecutors outlined convictions and charges of armed robbery, theft and larceny against Thompson, who now faces federal prison time for embezzling more than $800,000 from HUD during his short stint as a federal worker.
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His extensive criminal history only came to light in recent days after federal prosecutors outlined convictions and charges of armed robbery, theft and larceny against Thompson, who now faces federal prison time for embezzling more than $800,000 from HUD during his short stint as a federal worker.
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No “Redistributing Teachers” to Bad Schools Won’t Work
Politico has an entire article discussing the redistribution of teachers without considering a few minor possibilities.
More than a decade ago, Congress ordered states to figure out a way to distribute qualified teachers fairly, so low-income and minority children weren’t so often stuck with inexperienced and unlicensed educators.
As it turns out, they’ve done a lousy job.
Actually it’s people who don’t want to work lousy jobs. That’s something Socialist planners never seem to understand.
1. Bad schools get bad teachers because they’re bad places to work. And vice versa. Trying to force good teachers into bad schools won’t change that. It will however burn out good teachers and turn them into bad teachers.
Vice versa, bad teachers may not be that bad, they often are limited by the problems of the student body or have simply burned out.
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More than a decade ago, Congress ordered states to figure out a way to distribute qualified teachers fairly, so low-income and minority children weren’t so often stuck with inexperienced and unlicensed educators.
As it turns out, they’ve done a lousy job.
Actually it’s people who don’t want to work lousy jobs. That’s something Socialist planners never seem to understand.
1. Bad schools get bad teachers because they’re bad places to work. And vice versa. Trying to force good teachers into bad schools won’t change that. It will however burn out good teachers and turn them into bad teachers.
Vice versa, bad teachers may not be that bad, they often are limited by the problems of the student body or have simply burned out.
More
Face of Defense: Yankees, USO Help Bring Christmas to Baghdad
Christmas 2014 in Baghdad is a prime example of what can happen when many gather in a common goal, bringing the holidays to everyone.
The 1st Infantry Division, the United States Department of State, the United Service Organizations, the New York Yankees and many other organizations gathered more than 7,000 presents to show their support for service members in Iraq.
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Thomas Sowell: Al Sharpton’s ‘Trail of Slime’
In his column on Tuesday, author Thomas Sowell highlighted the political union of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and community agitator Al Sharpton in the wake of the murder of two city police officers while they sat in their car.
“Mayor de Blasio has made anti-police comments with Al Sharpton seated at his side,” Sowell commented.
“This is the same Al Sharpton with a trail of slime going back more than a quarter of a century,” he continued, “during which he has whipped up mobs and fomented race hatred from the days of the Tawana Brawley ‘rape’ hoax of 1987 to the Duke University ‘rape’ hoax of 2006 and the Ferguson riots of 2014.”
Sowell recommended that de Blasio show some “residual decency,” by not “defiling” the funerals of the officers killed in cold blood.
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“Mayor de Blasio has made anti-police comments with Al Sharpton seated at his side,” Sowell commented.
“This is the same Al Sharpton with a trail of slime going back more than a quarter of a century,” he continued, “during which he has whipped up mobs and fomented race hatred from the days of the Tawana Brawley ‘rape’ hoax of 1987 to the Duke University ‘rape’ hoax of 2006 and the Ferguson riots of 2014.”
Sowell recommended that de Blasio show some “residual decency,” by not “defiling” the funerals of the officers killed in cold blood.
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International Brand Enters Real Estate Marketplace
OCEAN CITY – A major change within the local real estate industry has taken place, as the internationally recognized Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is now operating in the marketplace.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) PenFed Realty Team Leader/Sales Manager Jay Wise explained in 2011 Prudential Carruthers Realtors was sold to Pentagon Federal (PenFed) Credit Union, which is the third largest credit union in the country based in Alexandria, Va.
PenFed Credit Union is one of the strongest and safest financial institutions with more than $19 billion in assets, serving 1.3 million members with a longstanding mission to provide superior financial services.
PenFed Credit Union is comprised of member-owners and is headed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Each director attends training and provides focus on areas of importance to the credit union. Board members meet monthly to discuss recommendations from management and implement changes to policy.
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) PenFed Realty Team Leader/Sales Manager Jay Wise explained in 2011 Prudential Carruthers Realtors was sold to Pentagon Federal (PenFed) Credit Union, which is the third largest credit union in the country based in Alexandria, Va.
PenFed Credit Union is one of the strongest and safest financial institutions with more than $19 billion in assets, serving 1.3 million members with a longstanding mission to provide superior financial services.
PenFed Credit Union is comprised of member-owners and is headed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Each director attends training and provides focus on areas of importance to the credit union. Board members meet monthly to discuss recommendations from management and implement changes to policy.
More
'Fake' army ranger busted getting a Starbucks discount in uniform
Another man has been sprung impersonating an army officer - possibly to get a discounted coffee - after being confronted by an actual veteran.
Christian Parmer, 21, a former U.S. Army Combat Engineer, told The Daily Mail he was at Fresno International Airport on Monday going through security when he noticed the apparent officer sitting down drinking a Starbucks.
What stood out to Parmer was the fact the man had his hat on inside - which is against protocol -and he informed a police officer who was walking by.
'I just knew he wasn't military, but I could hear him talking about being in the EOD,' Parmer said.
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Christian Parmer, 21, a former U.S. Army Combat Engineer, told The Daily Mail he was at Fresno International Airport on Monday going through security when he noticed the apparent officer sitting down drinking a Starbucks.
What stood out to Parmer was the fact the man had his hat on inside - which is against protocol -and he informed a police officer who was walking by.
'I just knew he wasn't military, but I could hear him talking about being in the EOD,' Parmer said.
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Man killed in Louisiana mall after buying present for his mother
A man who had just bought something at a suburban New Orleans shopping mall on Christmas Eve was shot to death at close range and a suspect was in custody, police said.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has said that the victim was James Vaughn, 24, and the suspect is 25-year-old Gary M. Francois.
Vaughn purchased a present for his mother right before the deadly shooting, his grandmother told WDSU.
It happened about 4:21 p.m. Wednesday, less than two hours before the Oakwood Center mall in Gretna was scheduled to close for the holiday, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said.
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The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has said that the victim was James Vaughn, 24, and the suspect is 25-year-old Gary M. Francois.
Vaughn purchased a present for his mother right before the deadly shooting, his grandmother told WDSU.
It happened about 4:21 p.m. Wednesday, less than two hours before the Oakwood Center mall in Gretna was scheduled to close for the holiday, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said.
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All work and some play for the Obamas on Christmas Eve
Obama has been snapped wearing a rather fetching, jewel-encrusted tiara with Girl Scouts from a Tulsa, Oklahoma troop.
The image, which was actually taken at the annual White House Science Fair in May, was shared by Chief White House photographer Pete Souza on Christmas Eve.
Souza uploaded the image to his Instagram account on Wednesday, explaining that he came across the image while editing his images from 2014.
ABC News noted that the smiling youngsters managed to get Obama to do something the Navy football team had been unable to do in April - wear a headdress.
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Was Berkeley cop AMBUSHED by Antonio Martin?
The lawyer for the St. Louis-area cop who shot dead Antonio Martin has suggested his client may have been set up and ambushed by Antonio Martin, who police say pulled a loaded 9mm pistol on the officer without warning.
The Berkeley, Missouri, officer was responding to a 911 call about a possible theft from a Mobil gas station about 11.15pm on Tuesday.
Brian Millikan, the lawyer for the unnamed 34-year-old Berkeley officer, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the cop may have been walking into a deadly trap set by Martin and his friend.
'Their behavior is certainly bizarre, and it wouldn't surprise me at all, in the environment we are in, that's for sure,' Mr Millikan told the newspaper.
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The Berkeley, Missouri, officer was responding to a 911 call about a possible theft from a Mobil gas station about 11.15pm on Tuesday.
Brian Millikan, the lawyer for the unnamed 34-year-old Berkeley officer, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the cop may have been walking into a deadly trap set by Martin and his friend.
'Their behavior is certainly bizarre, and it wouldn't surprise me at all, in the environment we are in, that's for sure,' Mr Millikan told the newspaper.
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Proposal seeks gun permits for Colorado pot users
Colorado was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana sales. Now the state's voters may consider a ballot measure to allow pot smokers to carry a concealed firearm.
The 'Colorado Campaign for Equal Gun Rights' is working to put a question on the November 2016 ballot to have Colorado ignore guidelines from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives about firearms and pot.
The measure would change state law to prevent sheriffs from denying concealed carry permits because of marijuana use. It's a new frontier in the marijuana wars, and one that has divided gun-rights activists.
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The 'Colorado Campaign for Equal Gun Rights' is working to put a question on the November 2016 ballot to have Colorado ignore guidelines from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives about firearms and pot.
The measure would change state law to prevent sheriffs from denying concealed carry permits because of marijuana use. It's a new frontier in the marijuana wars, and one that has divided gun-rights activists.
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Judge tosses immigration lawsuit brought by Arizona sheriff
A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit brought by an Arizona sheriff that sought to halt President Barack Obama's plan to spare nearly 5 million people from deportation.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, herself nominated to the federal bench by Obama in 2010, said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio had legal standing to challenge the immigration program the president announced last month.
She suggested the topic is better left for Congress and the Obama administration to sort out.
The case 'raises important questions regarding the impact of illegal immigration on this nation, but the questions amount to generalized grievances which are not proper for the judiciary to address,' Howell wrote.
The White House held up the decision on Wednesday as confirmation that the president's executive actions are on the up and up.
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U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, herself nominated to the federal bench by Obama in 2010, said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio had legal standing to challenge the immigration program the president announced last month.
She suggested the topic is better left for Congress and the Obama administration to sort out.
The case 'raises important questions regarding the impact of illegal immigration on this nation, but the questions amount to generalized grievances which are not proper for the judiciary to address,' Howell wrote.
The White House held up the decision on Wednesday as confirmation that the president's executive actions are on the up and up.
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A hair-raising mugshot: Teenager attempts to escape arrest by shaving
Codi James Antoniello, 19, from Holland Township in Michigan was chased by police last Thursday after allegedly attacking a 21-year-old man with a pickax and baseball bat.
In a bid to escape, he quickly tried to alter his appearance by shaving his head.
However, he was caught mid-transformation and a booking photo shows him with a large bald strip running through his brown locks.
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State Police Detectives Arrest Georgetown Woman on Felony Theft Charges
The investigation into this incident began back in May of 2014 when the nephew of William (92) and Marion Pepper (90) became the Durable Power of Attorney for William, and the executor of Marion's estate after her death. At that time, William, who is now deceased, was placed in a nursing home and the nephew began reviewing their financial records. Upon noticing numerous discrepancies, he responded to Troop 4 in Georgetown to report the issues.
The investigation revealed that while William and Marion Pepper were living in Milton,Dawn Greene, 45 of Georgetown, was employed as their caretaker due to their health issues and had been there since June of 2012. The financial records showed that on one occasion, a check for more than $5,500.00 was written out to Dawn Greene for medical supplies, when in fact, all supplies were covered under the victim's health insurance. Other checks written as far back as August of 2013 ranged from as low as $550.00 to $5,800.00, which was supposed to be used to remodel and repair the victim's kitchen but was never started or completed. In November of 2013, a check was written out to Greene in the amount of $21,000.00 which was used by her to purchase of a 2014 Ford Fusion. An audit of the victim's account showed that Greene had defrauded them of more than $466,000.00 over nine month period.
Dawn Greene was contacted at her residence on Tuesday December 23, 2014 and taken into custody. She was transported back to Troop 4 where she was charged with two counts of Exploit Resources Greater than $50,000.00 of an Infirmed Adult, two counts of Theft Where Property Value is $100,000.00 or More, and Conspiracy 2nd. She was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women's' Correctional Institution on $81,000.00 secured bond.
State Police Arrest Two Millsboro Women on Felony Theft Charges
The investigation into this incident began in February of 2014 when a 91 year old victim of Millsboro responded into Troop 7 with her current caregiver to report a possible theft complaint.
The investigation revealed that a former care giver and neighbor, Tammy Lynn Willis (53), of Millsboro had been given power of attorney and began writing large amounts of checks on the victim’s account to herself.
On August 9, 2012 and April 15, 2013, Tammy Lynn Willis, wrote out checks for roof repairs in the amount of $12,076.00 and there were no roof repairs completed. Two of the checks were issued to her son, Ricky Pennington 36, of Lewes. On January 5, 2013 Tammy Lynn Willis, purchased a 2003 yellow Pontiac Aztek in the amount of $5,443.00 and used the victim’s account. Amanda Willis 30, of Millsboro received over $11,000.00 in checks written out to her from the victim’s account for "in home care" which the victim never received.
From December 29, 2012 to present, Tammy Willis wrote over $46,000.00 in checks to herself and used the victim’s check and credit card for purchases totaling more than $82,000.00. The victim was defrauded more than $129,000.00.
Tammy Lynn Willis was arrested on Friday, December 19, 2014, by Troop 4 Detectives. She was charged with the following: Theft Where the Property Value is $100,000.00 or more, Exploit Resources Greater Than $50,000.00 of an infirmed adult, and Conspiracy 2nd. She was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution on $61,000.00 secured bond.
Amanda Willis was arrested on Monday, December 22, 2014 by Troop 4 Detectives.
She was charged with Theft over $1500 where Victim is 62 years of age or older or Infirmed/Disabled Person (Fraud), Conspiracy 2nd and Abuse, Neglect, Exploit or Mistreat an Infirmed Adult. She was arraigned at JP2 and released on $35,000.00 unsecured bond.
Ricky Pennington has not been arrested at this time and warrants are on file at Troop 4 for Theft over $1500.00 and Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older or Infirmed/Disabled Person (Fraud), Conspiracy 2nd and Abuse, Neglect, Exploit or Mistreat an Infirmed Adult. No photo available of Ricky Pennington.
The photo of Tammy Lynn Willis shows she has eye glasses and a red shirt. Her daughter Amanda Willis is the second photo attached.
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