WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement after becoming an original cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act. The legislation, introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), would entirely repeal the inequitable Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and ensure that all legally married, same-sex couples are treated equally under federal law. Senator Cardin also was a cosponsor of similar legislation in the 113th and 112th Congresses.
“By striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act the Supreme Court affirmed the core principle on which our nation was founded: all persons must be treated equally under the law. Despite this victory for civil rights, large portions of the law still allow for discrimination against legally married LGBT couples,” said Senator Cardin. “I believe that there is no place for discrimination in American society. Congress should pass the Respect for Marriage Act and ensure that the federal government is not complicit in blatant discrimination. America should be a beacon of human rights for nations around the world. That the United States still has statutorily discriminatory laws like DOMA on the books is simply unacceptable. Legally married gay and lesbian couples should be entitled to the same benefits as heterosexual couples. Congress should follow the lead of a majority of states, including Maryland, and companies that give full recognition and equality to same-sex couples.”
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, January 08, 2015
US Selling Another 170 M-1 Abrams Tanks To Iraq After ISIS Captured 40 Last Summe
Remember when shortly after ISIS' stunning and rapid ascent to power it was revealed that a key reason for the terrorist organization's blistering success were the M-1 Abrams tanks, armored transport trucks, Howitzers and countless Humvees made in the US, sold to Iraq and subsequently captured by ISIS? It appears that the US has decided to restock ISIS, if only indirectly. As Matthew Aid's Strategypage.com discloses, the US is now selling a whopping 170 M-1 tanks to Iraq in order to restock the 40 lost to ISIS last summer, and then some. And since ISIS will promptly recapture a substantial portion of this latest batch, the US now appears to have found a fully covert, backdoor ISIS-restocking supply channel: one where Iraq pays to US military contrators (using US taxpayer aid money) such as General Dynamics, and subsequently the inventory mysteriosuly finds its way to barbaian, headcutting terrorists.
From Aid:
Iraq is buying another 170 American M-1A1 tanks. In 2008 Iraq had ordered and received (by 2010) 140 M-1A1 tanks, 21 M88A1 armored recovery vehicles and 60 M1070 tank transporters (which can also carry supplies or other vehicles.) Iraq was not be the first Arab country to operate the M1 tank. Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia already operate over 1,600 of them, and Egypt has built hundreds of them (mainly using components imported from the U.S., but with some locally made parts). Iraq receives the M-1A1 version. All the other Arab users have at least some of the latest model (M1A2 SEP).
From Aid:
Iraq is buying another 170 American M-1A1 tanks. In 2008 Iraq had ordered and received (by 2010) 140 M-1A1 tanks, 21 M88A1 armored recovery vehicles and 60 M1070 tank transporters (which can also carry supplies or other vehicles.) Iraq was not be the first Arab country to operate the M1 tank. Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia already operate over 1,600 of them, and Egypt has built hundreds of them (mainly using components imported from the U.S., but with some locally made parts). Iraq receives the M-1A1 version. All the other Arab users have at least some of the latest model (M1A2 SEP).
The Arab users of the M1 have been very happy with their American tanks. This satisfaction increased when they saw how the M-1 performed in Iraq. While most Arabs deplored U.S. operations in Iraq, Arab tank officers and M-1 crewmen were quietly pleased that their tanks appeared invulnerable, and able to assist the infantry in any kind of fight. Iraqi army officers have spoken to fellow Arab officers who have used the M-1, and were told this was the way to go.
Corruption in the Iraqi Army led to Iraqi M-1 crews being poorly trained and led. So far Iraqi troops have lost (or abandoned) at least 40 M-1s to enemy action or panic. At least one Iraqi Mi1 was destroyed by a Russian ATBM (anti-tank guided missile).
The punchline:
The Iraqis promise they will do better with their new batch of M-1s.
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Corruption in the Iraqi Army led to Iraqi M-1 crews being poorly trained and led. So far Iraqi troops have lost (or abandoned) at least 40 M-1s to enemy action or panic. At least one Iraqi Mi1 was destroyed by a Russian ATBM (anti-tank guided missile).
The punchline:
The Iraqis promise they will do better with their new batch of M-1s.
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How Chick-Fil-A Treated a Homeless Man Might Surprise Some People
The problem liberals are having is that, in spite of all of the effort they’ve taken to paint Chick-fil-A as a source of hatred and greed, Americans can see how the corporation works up close. This latest example, posted to Facebook by someone who witnessed it, illustrates perfectly how religion has made Chick-fil-A a more caring, inclusive organization.
“My son and I were at the location on Highway 280 in Birmingham, AL when a man came in to escape the 35 degree temps and strong winds with all of his earthly possessions strapped to his back,” read the post by Andrea Stoker, a stay-at-home mom from Alabama.
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Rand Paul: 'We Could Try Freedom for a While'
(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says the new Republican-led Congress will vote to repeal all of Obamacare. And when President Obama vetoes that, they'll vote to repeal parts of Obamacare.
And what happens if Republicans are successful in repealing Obamacare? Fox New's Greta Van Susteren asked the senator Monday night.
"We could try freedom for a while," Paul responded. "We had it for a long time. That's where you sell something and I agree to buy it because I like it. That is how we operate in most of rest of the marketplace other than health care. Now the president has said you can only buy certain types of health care that I approve of, and anything I don't approve of, you are not allowed to purchase. We could try freedom. I think it might work. It works everywhere else."
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And what happens if Republicans are successful in repealing Obamacare? Fox New's Greta Van Susteren asked the senator Monday night.
"We could try freedom for a while," Paul responded. "We had it for a long time. That's where you sell something and I agree to buy it because I like it. That is how we operate in most of rest of the marketplace other than health care. Now the president has said you can only buy certain types of health care that I approve of, and anything I don't approve of, you are not allowed to purchase. We could try freedom. I think it might work. It works everywhere else."
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1,191 illegals from terrorist states caught trying to cross U.S border in 2014. How many did we miss?
Most likely the latter, according to CNSNews.com who says, “The Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection reports that in fiscal year 2014 (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30) agents apprehended 1,191 individuals from 12 of the 14 countries that DHS and the State Department have considered as countries that have problems with terrorism.”
“In December, CBP released its apprehension statistics for 2014, which show that of the 486,651 apprehensions, 257,473 were from countries “other than Mexico.” Of those apprehended from countries “other than Mexico,” CBP provided CNSNews.com the countries of origin of those taken into custody. Of those from countries “other than Mexico,” 1,191 were from 12 countries – Iran, Sudan, Cuba and Syria (state sponsors of terror), and Afghanistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen (“countries of interest”) – designated by the federal government to have terrorist links.
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Republican Commerce Committee Chair Won’t Rule Out Gas-Tax Hike
(CNSNews.com) -- Incoming Republican Senate Commerce Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) will not rule out a gas-tax hike as a means to replenish the Highway Trust Fund, according to his press office and his own comments on Fox News.
On Jan. 4, on Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace asked Senator Thune, “One of the big items on your agenda is the fact that you have to find a way to finance the transportation bill, which would pay for upkeep of our highways and the public transit system. With gas prices now under $2.50 a gallon, would you favor increasing the gas tax?”
“Well, I don’t favor increasing any tax, Chris, but I think we have to look at all the options,” said Thune. “We obviously have a big delta we have to meet. The highway bill expires at the end of May and there’s about a hundred billion shortfall of what it would take to fund the highway trust fund at the current level of operation.”
“So, obviously, we’ve got to deal with it here,” Thune said. “And I think there’s a number of ways you could deal with that, and those discussions continue. I think we’ll get to a resolution on that, but it is important we fund infrastructure, and our committee deals with that, as well as planes, trains and automobiles, all those issues.”
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On Jan. 4, on Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace asked Senator Thune, “One of the big items on your agenda is the fact that you have to find a way to finance the transportation bill, which would pay for upkeep of our highways and the public transit system. With gas prices now under $2.50 a gallon, would you favor increasing the gas tax?”
“Well, I don’t favor increasing any tax, Chris, but I think we have to look at all the options,” said Thune. “We obviously have a big delta we have to meet. The highway bill expires at the end of May and there’s about a hundred billion shortfall of what it would take to fund the highway trust fund at the current level of operation.”
“So, obviously, we’ve got to deal with it here,” Thune said. “And I think there’s a number of ways you could deal with that, and those discussions continue. I think we’ll get to a resolution on that, but it is important we fund infrastructure, and our committee deals with that, as well as planes, trains and automobiles, all those issues.”
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Boehner profits from Obamacare stocks
Medical, insurance investments continue to prosper
NEW YORK – Since the passage of Obamacare, House Speaker John Boehner has been dogged by critics pointing out his investment portfolio has benefited from owning insurance and medical company stocks that have profited from the legislation.
An analysis of Boehner’s current investment holdings includes a number of stocks benefiting from Obamacare in a total portfolio estimated at between $3.5 and $5 million in current market value.
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NEW YORK – Since the passage of Obamacare, House Speaker John Boehner has been dogged by critics pointing out his investment portfolio has benefited from owning insurance and medical company stocks that have profited from the legislation.
An analysis of Boehner’s current investment holdings includes a number of stocks benefiting from Obamacare in a total portfolio estimated at between $3.5 and $5 million in current market value.
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Democrats want to snatch Americans’ gas savings away
Market forces and new technologies have created a growth in the supply of oil that has drastically reduced its price. With the price of oil “falling briefly below $50 per barrel for the first time since April 2009,” consumers have seen prices at the pump drop to $2.55 per gallon nationally. Lower gasoline prices might be fleeting, or they may linger for a while. But, lest the public spend the money they save on themselves and their families, Democrats are already pushing an initiative to snatch that money away. It’s incredible.
How much money are we even talking about? $550. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), “the average U.S. household is expected to spend about $550 less on gasoline in 2015 compared with 2014.” Heaven forbid. Democrats think the sudden windfall may spoil us. And, it is only $550 if current prices are static. Does anyone think gasoline prices won’t eventually rise again?
Anyway, no less than Lawrence Summers, a seasoned veteran of the Clinton and Obama economic teams, has seized on the drop in gasoline prices as another excuse for a carbon tax. In an op-ed for the Washington Post, Summers calls a carbon tax “desirable” because “those who use carbon-based fuels or products do not bear all the costs of their actions.” Really? The market price plus the existing state and local taxes don’t cover the cost? How does anyone know that? American families – who have had Washington’s foot on their neck for most of the last decade – have stumbled upon some good fortune that will provide a little relief through lower gasoline prices, and what do the “smart people” want to do? Essentially, they want to grab that money and kick you to the curb. In other words, Summers and his ilk believe the government needs the money more than you do.
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How much money are we even talking about? $550. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), “the average U.S. household is expected to spend about $550 less on gasoline in 2015 compared with 2014.” Heaven forbid. Democrats think the sudden windfall may spoil us. And, it is only $550 if current prices are static. Does anyone think gasoline prices won’t eventually rise again?
Anyway, no less than Lawrence Summers, a seasoned veteran of the Clinton and Obama economic teams, has seized on the drop in gasoline prices as another excuse for a carbon tax. In an op-ed for the Washington Post, Summers calls a carbon tax “desirable” because “those who use carbon-based fuels or products do not bear all the costs of their actions.” Really? The market price plus the existing state and local taxes don’t cover the cost? How does anyone know that? American families – who have had Washington’s foot on their neck for most of the last decade – have stumbled upon some good fortune that will provide a little relief through lower gasoline prices, and what do the “smart people” want to do? Essentially, they want to grab that money and kick you to the curb. In other words, Summers and his ilk believe the government needs the money more than you do.
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1 million expected to lose food stamps as economy improves
That's a new estimate by a left-leaning think tank, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which is urging Congress to change a federal law that limits how long someone can receive food stamps when they are out of a job.
Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, most adults without children can receive food stamps for only three months unless they are working or attending a job training program at least 20 hours a week.
The three-month period was designed in the mid-1990s as a compromise between lawmakers who wanted a safety net and those who wanted to give beneficiaries an incentive to work.
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46,200 Undocumented Immigrants Apply For California Driver's License
Department of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez said Tuesday that 970 licenses were issued Friday to immigrants who weren't required to take a road test because they previously had a license in California or another state.
Most applicants are given permits after passing a required written test and must return for a road test before getting a license.
The DMV says 54 percent of all new driver's license applicants who took the written test in English on Friday passed it, while 36 percent passed it in Spanish.
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Well-Balanced Afterschool Programs Essential to Year-Long Success
As students have filled up their backpacks to begin another school year, there is a central conversation among parents and guardians regarding the quality of education their children receive at school. Part of those conversations should also focus on afterschool care, which is a prime opportunity for student enrichment.
Each afternoon during the school year, millions of students spend anywhere from an hour to 2.5 hours in an afterschool program. However, there are still more than 19.4 million youth left unsupervised in the afternoon, and parents should look to enroll their students in quality afterschool programs. The most effective programs nurture the whole child, and can offer impressive gains in cognitive, social-emotional and physical development – essential for creating the best opportunity for children to thrive.
This school year, the Y is asking parents and guardians to take a closer look at what their afterschool care offers to ensure year-long success for their children. The Y suggests that parents and guardians ask the following six questions when determining the best afterschool program.
Each afternoon during the school year, millions of students spend anywhere from an hour to 2.5 hours in an afterschool program. However, there are still more than 19.4 million youth left unsupervised in the afternoon, and parents should look to enroll their students in quality afterschool programs. The most effective programs nurture the whole child, and can offer impressive gains in cognitive, social-emotional and physical development – essential for creating the best opportunity for children to thrive.
This school year, the Y is asking parents and guardians to take a closer look at what their afterschool care offers to ensure year-long success for their children. The Y suggests that parents and guardians ask the following six questions when determining the best afterschool program.
Here are some questions to help you determine the best program for your child:
1. Are there opportunities for continued learning? Afterschool programs can be a great way to enhance your child’s learning opportunities outside of the classroom. In addition to assistance with homework completion and tutoring, today’s progressive afterschool programs provide opportunities for children to participate in enriching activities focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), and arts and humanities.
2. Does the program encourage a healthy and balanced lifestyle? Your child's health is important to maintaining focus and engagement in school. Look for an afterschool program that offers nutritious snacks and encourages the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
3. Does the program promote healthy social skills? Social skills help children build a sense of self, and further develop and manage their emotions. Afterschool activities should continue to teach children how to work together in an inclusive, welcoming and respectful environment that provides additional opportunities to develop their social skills.
4. Does the program endorse active learning? Step into an afterschool program that encourages engaged learning and you’ll see inquisitive kids working side by side with staff members on a variety of enriching projects.
5. Will your child be safe in the program? Make sure to ask about past incidents and find out how they were handled. Also, find out what policies and procedures are in place to prevent incidents, such as protocol for who has access to the students and who can pick up students.
6. What are the staff’s qualifications? Make sure the staff meets or exceeds state regulations and certifications, and that they have passed background checks. The Y works with all its certified teachers to make sure its afterschool programs enhance and align with strong academic content. Take time to observe staff in action. How does the staff interact with children? Do they engage in learning activities?
The best afterschool programs should welcome your questions and provide opportunities for you to observe and check in on your child’s progress.
As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, the Y nurtures kids and teens’ social-emotional, cognitive and physical development from birth to career. With well over 5,400 afterschool programs nationwide, Ys in partnership with schools work to help youth achieve and succeed in school all year round. For more information about afterschool programs available in your area visit ymca.net.
1. Are there opportunities for continued learning? Afterschool programs can be a great way to enhance your child’s learning opportunities outside of the classroom. In addition to assistance with homework completion and tutoring, today’s progressive afterschool programs provide opportunities for children to participate in enriching activities focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), and arts and humanities.
2. Does the program encourage a healthy and balanced lifestyle? Your child's health is important to maintaining focus and engagement in school. Look for an afterschool program that offers nutritious snacks and encourages the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
3. Does the program promote healthy social skills? Social skills help children build a sense of self, and further develop and manage their emotions. Afterschool activities should continue to teach children how to work together in an inclusive, welcoming and respectful environment that provides additional opportunities to develop their social skills.
4. Does the program endorse active learning? Step into an afterschool program that encourages engaged learning and you’ll see inquisitive kids working side by side with staff members on a variety of enriching projects.
5. Will your child be safe in the program? Make sure to ask about past incidents and find out how they were handled. Also, find out what policies and procedures are in place to prevent incidents, such as protocol for who has access to the students and who can pick up students.
6. What are the staff’s qualifications? Make sure the staff meets or exceeds state regulations and certifications, and that they have passed background checks. The Y works with all its certified teachers to make sure its afterschool programs enhance and align with strong academic content. Take time to observe staff in action. How does the staff interact with children? Do they engage in learning activities?
The best afterschool programs should welcome your questions and provide opportunities for you to observe and check in on your child’s progress.
As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, the Y nurtures kids and teens’ social-emotional, cognitive and physical development from birth to career. With well over 5,400 afterschool programs nationwide, Ys in partnership with schools work to help youth achieve and succeed in school all year round. For more information about afterschool programs available in your area visit ymca.net.
For Now, OC Council Stops Short Of Boardwalk Smoking Ban; Officials To Tour Proposed Designated Areas
This week the Mayor and City Council continued discussion to restrict smoking to designated areas on the beach and adjacent to the Boardwalk.
City Manager David Recor recalled the former Mayor and City Council last discussed the issue in April and voted 5-2 to restrict smoking on the beach and Boardwalk effective May 1, 2015. At that time, the council directed staff to prepare an implementation plan and prepare for further discussion prior to September 2014.
Following the discussion, an internal Smoking Policy Committee was formed comprised of a number of town departments who were tasked to devise a plan of action, develop enforcement criteria and prepare draft legislation.
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The 25 House Conservatives Who Could Kill Boehner’s Agenda
They are known as the Tea Party wing of the House GOP or simply the “Hell No Caucus,” but however one describes these lawmakers, they are House Speaker John Boehner’s worst nightmare.
Boehner of Ohio was elected to his third term as speaker on Tuesday with 216 votes cast for him, or 11 more than he needed from all the Republicans and Democrats who were present and voting in the chamber. But his election was by no means a slam dunk, and a surprising 25 conservative and libertarian members voted against him in a startling display of dissension within the party.
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Boehner of Ohio was elected to his third term as speaker on Tuesday with 216 votes cast for him, or 11 more than he needed from all the Republicans and Democrats who were present and voting in the chamber. But his election was by no means a slam dunk, and a surprising 25 conservative and libertarian members voted against him in a startling display of dissension within the party.
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Task force: Implement driving-privilege cards for undocumented motorists
Delaware should implement a system that enables undocumented residents to drive lawfully upon meeting all the same requirements of licensed drivers, according to a report issued by the Undocumented Motorist Safety and Insurance Task Force.
Such a system would make Delaware’s roadways safer, and would give accident victims more recourse when they’re in a collision with an unlicensed driver. The task force report urges the General Assembly take up legislation that would give undocumented residents an opportunity to purchase insurance and pass driving assessments, both requirements for licensed drivers who operate a motor vehicle in the First State.
“The Undocumented Driver Task Force was established to discuss a very real modern problem of safety and equality,” said Division of Motor Vehicle Director Jennifer Cohan, who served on the task force. “Many voices were brought together for an open and honest dialogue. I am very pleased to know that the work of all the members has led to reasonable recommendations.”
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Such a system would make Delaware’s roadways safer, and would give accident victims more recourse when they’re in a collision with an unlicensed driver. The task force report urges the General Assembly take up legislation that would give undocumented residents an opportunity to purchase insurance and pass driving assessments, both requirements for licensed drivers who operate a motor vehicle in the First State.
“The Undocumented Driver Task Force was established to discuss a very real modern problem of safety and equality,” said Division of Motor Vehicle Director Jennifer Cohan, who served on the task force. “Many voices were brought together for an open and honest dialogue. I am very pleased to know that the work of all the members has led to reasonable recommendations.”
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The Station In Laurel
Video of Dump Truck Attack on PG County Officers
We have arrested and charged a dump truck driver who intentionally rammed his truck into two marked police cruisers. Thankfully, our two patrol officers, who were standing next to those cruisers, escaped injury. The suspect is 31-year-old Gene Thomas Brandon, Jr., of the 19000 block of Aquasco Road in Aquasco. The attack on our officers was captured on surveillance video.
On January 7, 2015, at about 11:35 am, our officers were talking next to their cruisers in a parking lot of a shopping center in Glendarden. Brandon pulled up his dump truck next to the officers and yelled at them from an open window. The officers ordered him to keep moving as he was blocking traffic. Brandon drove off and turned around in the parking lot. Seconds later, the officers saw the dump truck barreling directly toward them. The officers, who were standing between their cruisers, ran out of the truck's path. Brandon slammed his truck into the back of one of the cruisers, causing it to plow into the second one. The dump truck finally came to rest on top of one of the cruisers after pushing it more than 50 feet. Brandon then jumped out of his truck and aggressively approached our officers. The officers were able to take Brandon into custody without injury to the officers or the suspect.
Brandon is charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of first degree assault. He’s in custody at the Department of Corrections being held without bond.
This appears to be an isolated incident. Our investigation reveals the suspect has a history of mental illness. He told our detectives he had not been taking his prescribed medication.
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Foundation to pay off slain NYC police officers' mortgages
A foundation created to honor a firefighter killed on Sept. 11 has raised enough money to pay off the mortgages and make repairs on the homes of two slain New York Police Department officers.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation said $860,000 has been donated, and another $150,000 has been pledged for the families of Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.
The officers were killed late last month as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street.
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The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation said $860,000 has been donated, and another $150,000 has been pledged for the families of Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.
The officers were killed late last month as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street.
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SFD Calls For Service 1-7-15
- Wednesday January, 7 2015 @ 23:40Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Wednesday January, 7 2015 @ 22:42Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Wednesday January, 7 2015 @ 18:38 Nature: Vehicle Accident w/InjuriesAddress: 1100 Beaglin Park Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
- Wednesday January, 7 2015 @ 18:23Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Wednesday January, 7 2015 @ 17:58Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
IRS imposters strike harder
As of today, close to 300,000 consumers have reported to the Treasury Inspector General for Taxpayer Administration, or TIGTA for short, that they've been contacted by callers claiming to be from the IRS. As we head into tax season in 2015, 12,000 people are complaining to TIGTA about the IRS impersonation scam every single week. At least $14 million have been reported to be extorted by criminals, and the actual number may be twice that high.
Even one of the chief investigators fielded a call at home. How much did he supposedly owe the IRS in back taxes? Seven-hundred-fifty dollars, Tim Camus, deputy treasury inspector general for investigations, told 7 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Kimberly Suiters. And if he didn't pay right away, the caller would send the police to his door? Correct.
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Gas tax hike still a mistake
Calls for a federal gas tax hike are rising in the wake of historically low gas prices and a May 2015 deadline to fix funding for the Highway Trust Fund. Without reform, the Highway Trust Fund, which relies heavily on the federal gas tax, will become insolvent, forcing the Department of Transportation to cut funding for state infrastructure projects.
One of the few proposals to solve the Highway Trust Fund’s long-term funding problem comes from Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. During last year’s Highway Trust Fund debate, Corker and Murphy proposed a 12 cents per gallon increase in the gas tax spread out over two years, then linking the tax to inflation. In order to make the tax hike more acceptable for Republicans, the proposal made some temporary tax breaks permanent so that the legislation would technically be revenue-neutral.
The problem? Gas at the time cost $3.63 per gallon, on average, its highest level in almost a year. The idea of a gas tax hike in an election year scared away supporters.
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One of the few proposals to solve the Highway Trust Fund’s long-term funding problem comes from Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. During last year’s Highway Trust Fund debate, Corker and Murphy proposed a 12 cents per gallon increase in the gas tax spread out over two years, then linking the tax to inflation. In order to make the tax hike more acceptable for Republicans, the proposal made some temporary tax breaks permanent so that the legislation would technically be revenue-neutral.
The problem? Gas at the time cost $3.63 per gallon, on average, its highest level in almost a year. The idea of a gas tax hike in an election year scared away supporters.
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Biden Has Seriously Awkward Interaction with Senator’s Daughter
Today is Vice President Joe Biden’s favorite day of the year. He gets to swear-in incoming U.S. senators and make a series of borderline-innappropriate comments to their families as they awkwardly pose for photos. Among the many uncomfortable moments during today’s proceedings, none can top Biden’s interaction with the young daughter of second-term U.S. Senator Chris Coons from the VP’s home state of Delaware.
We will likely never know what sweet nothings Biden whispered into the girl’s ear before trying to kiss her on the cheek as she pulled away, but we will have these GIFs, from a conservative super PAC and both left and right-leaning media outlets to marvel over for a long time to come:
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We will likely never know what sweet nothings Biden whispered into the girl’s ear before trying to kiss her on the cheek as she pulled away, but we will have these GIFs, from a conservative super PAC and both left and right-leaning media outlets to marvel over for a long time to come:
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Board Approves O'Malley Budget Cuts, Transfers
A Maryland board has approved a plan to address about $410 million of a budget shortfall for the current fiscal year to better position the state to tackle a deficit in the next fiscal year.
The Board of Public Works voted 3-0 Wednesday for the plan.
It includes about $206 million in cuts. Another $108 million will come from spending transfers. There also are some savings from early retirement offerings and cutting vacant positions.
The cuts include a 2-percent reduction across state agencies. There are about $18 million in reductions to higher education.
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The Board of Public Works voted 3-0 Wednesday for the plan.
It includes about $206 million in cuts. Another $108 million will come from spending transfers. There also are some savings from early retirement offerings and cutting vacant positions.
The cuts include a 2-percent reduction across state agencies. There are about $18 million in reductions to higher education.
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Hillary Out? Democrats Should Beware
Now the Enquirer has another hot story: “Bill Clinton Underage Sex Lawsuit Shocker!” It begins in the mag’s inimitable prose:
Bill Clinton has been identified in a sex lawsuit involving underage girls – and the sleazy scandal threatens to blow up his wife Hillary’s bid to be president!
In a bombshell exclusive, The ENQUIRER has obtained shocking court documents that reveal details of Bill’s close relationship with billionaire money manager Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex creep.
According to the legal papers, Clinton traveled on Epstein’s private jet numerous times and partied on a Caribbean island owned by Epstein, who served 13 months for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
“While it’s been reported that the two men were friends, Bill’s name is all over the legal papers, which are chock-full of sordid claims about Epstein,” a source told The ENQUIRER.
“This could end up being the final nail in the coffin of Hillary’s bid to be president!”
The documents filed in Florida’s Palm Beach Circuit Court, are part of a legal dispute between Epstein and lawyers Scott Rothstein and Bradley Edwards.
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Outrage erupts over lack of media coverage of NAACP office bombing
One day after the FBI called an explosion outside a Colorado NAACP office building "deliberate," #NAACPBomb is a top worldwide trending topic on Twitter.
Almost all of the hashtag's thousands of tweets are criticizing the mainstream media for their lack of coverage of the attack.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is a 106-year-old civil rights organization—the oldest in the country—that has played a key role in countless political battles over the last century. On Tuesday, someone planted an improvised explosive device on the wall of the group’s Colorado Springs office, right next to a gasoline can that failed to ignite, according to the FBI.
"All of a sudden I heard this big boom," one witness told CNN affiliate KDVR. "There was smoke everywhere, the building on the side was burnt."
The FBI's primary suspect is a balding white male who looks about 40 years old. Curiously, major outlets like CNN neglect to mention the suspect's race despite police providing that information.
The bombing received precious little coverage on TV the day after it occurred. Even some locals said they had barely heard anything about what had happened.
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Almost all of the hashtag's thousands of tweets are criticizing the mainstream media for their lack of coverage of the attack.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is a 106-year-old civil rights organization—the oldest in the country—that has played a key role in countless political battles over the last century. On Tuesday, someone planted an improvised explosive device on the wall of the group’s Colorado Springs office, right next to a gasoline can that failed to ignite, according to the FBI.
"All of a sudden I heard this big boom," one witness told CNN affiliate KDVR. "There was smoke everywhere, the building on the side was burnt."
The FBI's primary suspect is a balding white male who looks about 40 years old. Curiously, major outlets like CNN neglect to mention the suspect's race despite police providing that information.
The bombing received precious little coverage on TV the day after it occurred. Even some locals said they had barely heard anything about what had happened.
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Boehner Acknowledges Punishing Conservatives For Opposing His Re-Election
Speaker of the House John Boehner acknowledged Wednesday that he punished two Republicans who opposed his re-election by stripping them of committee assignments.
Reps. Daniel Webster and Richard Nugent, both Republicans, lost their seats on the House Rules Committee hours after voting for someone else for speaker on Tuesday. In total, 25 Republicans voted against Boehner.
“Because of some of the activities on the floor,” Boehner explained in a Wednesday news conference, “two of our members weren’t put back on the committee immediately.”
Referencing the vote, Boehner said he plans to talk to his members about how to unify as the new session of Congress heats up.
“We’re going to have a family conversation,” Boehner said. “Which we had this morning about bringing our team together. And I expect that those conversations over the next couple of days will continue.”
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Reps. Daniel Webster and Richard Nugent, both Republicans, lost their seats on the House Rules Committee hours after voting for someone else for speaker on Tuesday. In total, 25 Republicans voted against Boehner.
“Because of some of the activities on the floor,” Boehner explained in a Wednesday news conference, “two of our members weren’t put back on the committee immediately.”
Referencing the vote, Boehner said he plans to talk to his members about how to unify as the new session of Congress heats up.
“We’re going to have a family conversation,” Boehner said. “Which we had this morning about bringing our team together. And I expect that those conversations over the next couple of days will continue.”
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ObamaCare 2015: Harvard faculty outraged over health care hikes
Turns out there’s no free lunch, even if you’re among those lucky few dining at the Harvard Faculty Club.
The New York Times is feasting on the delicious uproar created by Harvard professors who are now outraged to be hit with higher health care costs as a result of ObamaCare. I hardly know where to start on this one. Perhaps with the fact that the article appears in the New York Times? I will let that one go for the moment.
Here’s what’s clear: Health care costs at Harvard are going up. Immediately. And they are rising directly as a result of ObamaCare.
We all want life to be better for everyone. Who wouldn’t want all of their fellow Americans, or all of humanity for that matter, to have good health care? But are you willing to personally take a pay cut to pay for the policy you are advocating?
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The New York Times is feasting on the delicious uproar created by Harvard professors who are now outraged to be hit with higher health care costs as a result of ObamaCare. I hardly know where to start on this one. Perhaps with the fact that the article appears in the New York Times? I will let that one go for the moment.
Here’s what’s clear: Health care costs at Harvard are going up. Immediately. And they are rising directly as a result of ObamaCare.
We all want life to be better for everyone. Who wouldn’t want all of their fellow Americans, or all of humanity for that matter, to have good health care? But are you willing to personally take a pay cut to pay for the policy you are advocating?
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Gunman arrested in Paris after female police officer shot dead
A policewoman was shot in the back and killed and a hero street cleaner was shot in the face as he tried to grapple with the gunman in a second horrific attack on the streets of Paris within 24 hours.
The officer, who has not been named, died this morning after being attacked just before dawn in Montrouge, a suburb in the south of the French capital.
A street cleaner who stepped in to try and disarm the gunmen is also said to be in a serious condition, after he was shot in the face.
The shooting came less than 24 hours after the massacre at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, which left 12 dead - including two police officers.
It is not known if the two attacks are linked.
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The officer, who has not been named, died this morning after being attacked just before dawn in Montrouge, a suburb in the south of the French capital.
A street cleaner who stepped in to try and disarm the gunmen is also said to be in a serious condition, after he was shot in the face.
The shooting came less than 24 hours after the massacre at the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo, which left 12 dead - including two police officers.
It is not known if the two attacks are linked.
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Oldest-ever time capsule in the US - buried in 1795 - has been opened
They were the foot soldiers of the American Revolution, and are set to be at the center of new History channel miniseries Sons of Liberty.
And on Tuesday night a time capsule buried by war figures Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and William Scollay in 1795 was opened up, some 220 years after it was first put in the ground.
Officials at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts spent hours pouring through the 10-pound, corroded copper box and the artifacts inside.
Among the finds were five folded newspapers and at least 24 coins - dating from 1652 to 1855 - including half-cent, one-cent, half-dime, 10-cent and 25-cent coins.
Another set of coins included a pine tree shilling and a copper medal showing George Washington.
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And on Tuesday night a time capsule buried by war figures Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and William Scollay in 1795 was opened up, some 220 years after it was first put in the ground.
Officials at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts spent hours pouring through the 10-pound, corroded copper box and the artifacts inside.
Among the finds were five folded newspapers and at least 24 coins - dating from 1652 to 1855 - including half-cent, one-cent, half-dime, 10-cent and 25-cent coins.
Another set of coins included a pine tree shilling and a copper medal showing George Washington.
More
Teresa Giudice's 15-month prison sentence gets slashed by two months
Now comes word that the Real Housewife Of New Jersey star has been granted an early release, which means she'll have to stick it out for 13 months.
The 42-year-old mother-of-four will now be released on February 5, 2016, as People magazine reported on Thursday.
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NYC Arrests Drop 56% for Second Week as Even the NYPD Union Admitted Many Arrests Aren't "Absolutely Necessary"
Ever since the NYPD essentially went on strike following the shooting of two police officers after weeks of nationwide police brutality protests, they’ve continued to show everyone just how utterly unnecessary such a bloated, militarized police force really is in America today.
The first week, NYC arrests dropped 66% compared to the same time last year; the following week, they were still down 56%.
The “strike” of sorts was issued by the NYPD’s union New York Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association just before Christmas:
“Starting IMMEDIATELY: At least two units are to respond to EVERY call, no matter the condition or severity, no matter what type of job is pending, or what the opinion of the patrol supervisor happens to be.
“IN ADDITION: Absolutely NO enforcement action in the form of arrests and or summonses is to be taken unless absolutely necessary and an individual MUST be placed under arrest.
“These are precautions that were taken in the 1970′s when police officers were ambushed and executed on a regular basis.
“The mayor’s hands are literally dripping with our blood because of his words actions and policies and we have, for the first time in a number of years, become a ‘wartime’ police department. We will act accordingly.”
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The first week, NYC arrests dropped 66% compared to the same time last year; the following week, they were still down 56%.
The “strike” of sorts was issued by the NYPD’s union New York Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association just before Christmas:
“Starting IMMEDIATELY: At least two units are to respond to EVERY call, no matter the condition or severity, no matter what type of job is pending, or what the opinion of the patrol supervisor happens to be.
“IN ADDITION: Absolutely NO enforcement action in the form of arrests and or summonses is to be taken unless absolutely necessary and an individual MUST be placed under arrest.
“These are precautions that were taken in the 1970′s when police officers were ambushed and executed on a regular basis.
“The mayor’s hands are literally dripping with our blood because of his words actions and policies and we have, for the first time in a number of years, become a ‘wartime’ police department. We will act accordingly.”
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Little Girl Dies After Flu Shot Injection
Media purposefully ignores lethal adverse reactions to vaccines
Once again the medical industrial complex is pushing the flu scare to new heights.
Unfortunately parents, the elderly and the ignorant will roll up their sleeves and their children’s to inject this toxic cocktail into their bodies.
Every year Infowars is forced to keep account of the victims who are dead or debilitated by flu vaccines. Leave it to the mainstream media to run cover for the eugenics mafia and not ask the obvious hard questions of the by-design side effects of this deadly shot. RIP victims of the New World Order.
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Once again the medical industrial complex is pushing the flu scare to new heights.
Unfortunately parents, the elderly and the ignorant will roll up their sleeves and their children’s to inject this toxic cocktail into their bodies.
Every year Infowars is forced to keep account of the victims who are dead or debilitated by flu vaccines. Leave it to the mainstream media to run cover for the eugenics mafia and not ask the obvious hard questions of the by-design side effects of this deadly shot. RIP victims of the New World Order.
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Wicomico County Welcome Center Temporarily Closed for Renovations
Salisbury, MD – The Wicomico County Information Center will temporarily close its restrooms this winter for renovations. The Center, located on Route 13 in Delmar, MD will close its restrooms beginning on January 13, 2015. The remainder of the Welcome Center will remain open during the renovations, and it is expected to be fully operational again by mid-February.
The current restroom facilities are original to the building, which was built in 1996. Funding for the project comes from a capital escrow account, which was established by the tourism division to cover maintenance and repair costs for the Welcome Center. The tourism division is funded through a 6% local hotel room tax, and it does not require a County tax subsidy in order to operate or maintain its facilities.
Travelers to the area may visit Maryland’s State Dept. of Transportation State Highway Administration web site for a listing of alternative rest areas www.roads.maryland.gov. Those seeking information on Wicomico County can continue to do so by visiting www.WicomicoTourism.org or calling 1.800.332.TOUR (8687).
The current restroom facilities are original to the building, which was built in 1996. Funding for the project comes from a capital escrow account, which was established by the tourism division to cover maintenance and repair costs for the Welcome Center. The tourism division is funded through a 6% local hotel room tax, and it does not require a County tax subsidy in order to operate or maintain its facilities.
Travelers to the area may visit Maryland’s State Dept. of Transportation State Highway Administration web site for a listing of alternative rest areas www.roads.maryland.gov. Those seeking information on Wicomico County can continue to do so by visiting www.WicomicoTourism.org or calling 1.800.332.TOUR (8687).
Two dead and dozens injured in Pennsylvania 18-vehicle crash caused by blinding snow
Two people were killed in the crash on Interstate 80, near Clarion, Pennsylvania, and dozens more were injured.
Nine trucks, several of them tractor-trailers, and nine cars were involved in the crash that occurred at 1:40 p.m. in the westbound lanes of I-80 in Clarion Township, state police said.
'There was a whiteout. There was very heavy snow at the time with visibility virtually zero,' Clarion County Emergency Services director Vern Smith said.
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Woman shot by police in front of 4-year-old son, husband; Family dog was intended target
On the morning of Tuesday, January 6, a domestic disturbance call took a deadly turn when a police officer fired at a family dog and missed. According to The Hawk Eye, Autumn Steele was fatally shot by a Burlington Police officer in front of her husband, Gabriel Steele, and their four-year-old son.
Court records reportedly revealed Steele was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse one day prior to her death. Apparently, an altercation took place between her and her husband because she was ordered not to return to the home alone without a police escort.
The officer was dispatched to supervise Steele so she could gather some of her belongings. Unfortunately, the situation took a horrific turn when the couple’s German Shepherd reportedly approached the officer. Apparently, the officer felt threatened by the dog because he pulled his gun and began shooting at the animal. An eyewitness revealed the officer fell into the snow while he was shooting and one of the bullets hit Steele in the chest.
She was transported to the Great River Medical Center where she later died.
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Court records reportedly revealed Steele was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse one day prior to her death. Apparently, an altercation took place between her and her husband because she was ordered not to return to the home alone without a police escort.
The officer was dispatched to supervise Steele so she could gather some of her belongings. Unfortunately, the situation took a horrific turn when the couple’s German Shepherd reportedly approached the officer. Apparently, the officer felt threatened by the dog because he pulled his gun and began shooting at the animal. An eyewitness revealed the officer fell into the snow while he was shooting and one of the bullets hit Steele in the chest.
She was transported to the Great River Medical Center where she later died.
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Wife Asks for Jewelry for Christmas… So Here’s What Her Husband Got Her
If he did, he has no one to blame but himself.
Because of his Christmas gift to his wife, he’s going to be spending an awful lot of time there.
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Cell Phones
The Equality Racket
Some time ago, burglars in England scrawled a message on the wall of a home they had looted: “RICH BASTARDS.”
Those two words captured the spirit of the politicized vision of equality — that it was a grievance when someone was better off than themselves.
That, of course, is not the only meaning of equality, but it is the predominant political meaning in practice, where economic “disparities” and “gaps” are automatically treated as “inequities.” If one racial or ethnic group has a lower income than another, that is automatically called “discrimination” by many people in politics, the media and academia.
It doesn’t matter how much evidence there is that some groups work harder in school, perform better and spend more postgraduate years studying to acquire valuable skills in medicine, science or engineering. If the economic end results are unequal, that is treated as a grievance against those with better outcomes, and a sign of an “unfair” society.
The rhetoric of clever people often confuses the undeniable fact that life is unfair with the claim that a given institution or society is unfair.
Children born into families that raise them with love and with care to see that they acquire knowledge, values and discipline that will make them valuable members of society have far more chances of economic and other success in adulthood than children raised in families that lack these qualities.
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Those two words captured the spirit of the politicized vision of equality — that it was a grievance when someone was better off than themselves.
That, of course, is not the only meaning of equality, but it is the predominant political meaning in practice, where economic “disparities” and “gaps” are automatically treated as “inequities.” If one racial or ethnic group has a lower income than another, that is automatically called “discrimination” by many people in politics, the media and academia.
It doesn’t matter how much evidence there is that some groups work harder in school, perform better and spend more postgraduate years studying to acquire valuable skills in medicine, science or engineering. If the economic end results are unequal, that is treated as a grievance against those with better outcomes, and a sign of an “unfair” society.
The rhetoric of clever people often confuses the undeniable fact that life is unfair with the claim that a given institution or society is unfair.
Children born into families that raise them with love and with care to see that they acquire knowledge, values and discipline that will make them valuable members of society have far more chances of economic and other success in adulthood than children raised in families that lack these qualities.
More
New York City cop injured in shootout 'wasn’t too happy' about hospital visit from Mayor Bill de Blasio
A cop who was injured following a shootout in the Bronx seems to still resent New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's recent support for the city's protesters.
NYPD officer Andrew Dossi was visited by Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bill Bratton at St. Barnabas Hospital Monday night after he and his partner were shot by robbers shortly at a grocery store after their shift ended Monday, and according to his father, the Mayor was not a welcome site.
'He wasn’t too happy about the Mayor’s visit,' said Joe Dossi.
This as the alleged gunman responsible for the attack has been taken into custody.
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NYPD officer Andrew Dossi was visited by Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bill Bratton at St. Barnabas Hospital Monday night after he and his partner were shot by robbers shortly at a grocery store after their shift ended Monday, and according to his father, the Mayor was not a welcome site.
'He wasn’t too happy about the Mayor’s visit,' said Joe Dossi.
This as the alleged gunman responsible for the attack has been taken into custody.
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Obama cybersecurity chief gets serious prison time for child porn
One of the key players in the creation and implementation of cybersecurity protocols for President Barack Obama's "signature legislation," the Affordable Care Act of 2010, will be spending the next two-and-a-half decades in a federal prison cell after a conviction for trafficking in Internet child pornography. Timothy DeFoggi, who served as the acting director of cybersecurity at Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the disgraced Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, was told by a judge on Monday that he'll serve the next 25 years in federal prison for kiddie pornography dissemination. DeFoggi was convicted by a federal jury on Aug. 26, 2014, after only a four-day trial in Omaha, Nebraska.
According to Justice Department officials, the 56-year-old computer security expert communicated online with other offenders in an underground Internet forum. At trial, it was shown that he articulated his strong desire to rape and murder children. Being a cyberscience expert, DeFoggi knew how to use the Tor browser, an online service that is capable of eluding law enforcement from tracking his Internet activities while he worked at HHS as its head of cybersecurity in 2013. What surprise many was the fact, he remained listed on the HHS staff roster with top security clearance even after he was arrested.
DeFoggi exchanged graphic sexual images of children on the website, which was impervious to traditional search engines or Web browsers, according to the Department of Justice. The FBI special agents assigned to the case subsequently were successful in closing down the kiddie porn site in December 2012.
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According to Justice Department officials, the 56-year-old computer security expert communicated online with other offenders in an underground Internet forum. At trial, it was shown that he articulated his strong desire to rape and murder children. Being a cyberscience expert, DeFoggi knew how to use the Tor browser, an online service that is capable of eluding law enforcement from tracking his Internet activities while he worked at HHS as its head of cybersecurity in 2013. What surprise many was the fact, he remained listed on the HHS staff roster with top security clearance even after he was arrested.
DeFoggi exchanged graphic sexual images of children on the website, which was impervious to traditional search engines or Web browsers, according to the Department of Justice. The FBI special agents assigned to the case subsequently were successful in closing down the kiddie porn site in December 2012.
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I should add, we have had a record week. Not just in hits but in comments as well. Thanks for visiting and participating.
Poll: Virginians back decriminalizing marijuana use
Three out of five Virginians surveyed support removing criminal penalties for possessing up to an ounce of pot and three out of four back medical marijuana use for seriously or terminally ill patients, according to a survey released Tuesday by an advocacy group.
Forty-nine percent polled support legalizing marijuana for adults and regulating it similarly to alcohol.
“Most voters do not support laws that saddle people with criminal penalties just for possessing a small amount of marijuana,” said Rachelle Yeung, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. “These antiquated prohibition laws are causing far more problems than they solve.”
The survey by Public Policy Polling found that 60 percent of voters questioned say the criminal penalties for possession of up an an ounce should be replaced with a $100 fine with no possibility of jail time. The offense currently is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
The Virginia Senate this year is to consider making personal possession punishable only by a civil fine of $100.
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Forty-nine percent polled support legalizing marijuana for adults and regulating it similarly to alcohol.
“Most voters do not support laws that saddle people with criminal penalties just for possessing a small amount of marijuana,” said Rachelle Yeung, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. “These antiquated prohibition laws are causing far more problems than they solve.”
The survey by Public Policy Polling found that 60 percent of voters questioned say the criminal penalties for possession of up an an ounce should be replaced with a $100 fine with no possibility of jail time. The offense currently is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
The Virginia Senate this year is to consider making personal possession punishable only by a civil fine of $100.
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Follow UP: His ONLY Wish....Somerset County Sheriff's Office Requests Your Help
Somerset County (MD) Sheriff's Office
What an awesome picture! It appears Deputy Salvas dined in style tonight with some very special friends! What a beautiful sight. Special thanks to the Salvas family for sharing this picture with us. #SalvasStrong
The above is a follow up on the our original post
His ONLY Wish....Somerset County Sheriff's Office Requests Your Help
Maryland legislators who voted for DOMA now part of effort to repeal it
It's now part of the accepted narrative on same-sex marriage in this country that many long-serving politicians, particularly Democrats, have "evolved" on the issue over the last two decades -- mostly following their constituencies toward greater support for gay couples.
President Barack Obama did it. Bill and Hillary Clinton did, too. And, so did several Maryland legislators -- as we were reminded once again Tuesday, when companion Senate and House bills were filed in Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
That law banned federal recognition of same-sex marriages in 1996, at a time when legislators felt increasing pressure to put a federal restriction on marriages as being between a man and a woman. Marriage law is widely considered a state issue, but calls for federal action had begun to heat up at the time as the still-remote possibility of states passing same-sex marriage laws began to gain a foothold.
Same-sex marriage was legalized in Maryland and upheld by voters in 2012. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of DOMA in 2013, but other parts of the law remain. Subsequent lower court rulings overturning state bans on same-sex marriages since have brought about a huge shift this year in the country, where such marriages are now legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The Supreme Court could very well take up the issue of same-sex marriage again soon.
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President Barack Obama did it. Bill and Hillary Clinton did, too. And, so did several Maryland legislators -- as we were reminded once again Tuesday, when companion Senate and House bills were filed in Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
That law banned federal recognition of same-sex marriages in 1996, at a time when legislators felt increasing pressure to put a federal restriction on marriages as being between a man and a woman. Marriage law is widely considered a state issue, but calls for federal action had begun to heat up at the time as the still-remote possibility of states passing same-sex marriage laws began to gain a foothold.
Same-sex marriage was legalized in Maryland and upheld by voters in 2012. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of DOMA in 2013, but other parts of the law remain. Subsequent lower court rulings overturning state bans on same-sex marriages since have brought about a huge shift this year in the country, where such marriages are now legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The Supreme Court could very well take up the issue of same-sex marriage again soon.
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1M Exp.to Lose Food Stamps as Economy Improves
A side effect of the improving economy: About 1 million needy people will lose food stamp benefits starting this fall.
That's a new estimate by a left-leaning think tank, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which is urging Congress to change a federal law that limits how long someone can receive food stamps when they are out of a job.
Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, most adults without children can receive food stamps for only three months unless they are working or attending a job training program at least 20 hours a week.
The three-month period was designed in the mid-1990s as a compromise between lawmakers who wanted a safety net and those who wanted to give beneficiaries an incentive to work.
But during the recession, most states got a waiver of the three-month cap because unemployment surged.
Today, 42 states still have full or partial waivers from the cap, according to numbers from the Agriculture Department, which coordinates the federally-funded SNAP program.
And now as the economy is improving, the three-month limit is expected to kick in again in many states.
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That's a new estimate by a left-leaning think tank, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which is urging Congress to change a federal law that limits how long someone can receive food stamps when they are out of a job.
Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, most adults without children can receive food stamps for only three months unless they are working or attending a job training program at least 20 hours a week.
The three-month period was designed in the mid-1990s as a compromise between lawmakers who wanted a safety net and those who wanted to give beneficiaries an incentive to work.
But during the recession, most states got a waiver of the three-month cap because unemployment surged.
Today, 42 states still have full or partial waivers from the cap, according to numbers from the Agriculture Department, which coordinates the federally-funded SNAP program.
And now as the economy is improving, the three-month limit is expected to kick in again in many states.
More
Supreme Court's Chance to Cut Taxes
Do you earn any money outside your state? Whether you’re an NBA player or a lowly lecturer-consultant like some of us, you know the drill: Pay income tax where you earned the money, then get a credit from your home state when you file your return.
Unless, that is, you live in Maryland. Maryland refuses to credit residents for part of the money they earn elsewhere, choosing instead to double-tax them. The U.S. Supreme Court now has to decide whether this is constitutional. Depending on the outcome, copycats probably won’t be far behind.
The key to the case being argued today, which goes under the banal-sounding name of Comptroller v. Wynne, is a constitutional doctrine that has struck fear in the hearts of generations of law students. It’s called thedormant commerce clause, not because it puts you to sleep but because it regulates something different from and, in a sense, more passive than ordinary commerce clause jurisprudence.
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Unless, that is, you live in Maryland. Maryland refuses to credit residents for part of the money they earn elsewhere, choosing instead to double-tax them. The U.S. Supreme Court now has to decide whether this is constitutional. Depending on the outcome, copycats probably won’t be far behind.
The key to the case being argued today, which goes under the banal-sounding name of Comptroller v. Wynne, is a constitutional doctrine that has struck fear in the hearts of generations of law students. It’s called thedormant commerce clause, not because it puts you to sleep but because it regulates something different from and, in a sense, more passive than ordinary commerce clause jurisprudence.
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Frederick Co. councilman apologizes for newspaper threat
In a statement released by the county, Councilman Kirby Delauter says that it was inappropriate to tell the Frederick News-Post not to print his name.
“My statement to the Frederick News-Post regarding the use of my name was wrong and inappropriate. I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong,” Delauter says in the statement.
He said he feels frustrated when he is misrepresented or misinterpreted by the local paper and that he regrets writing the Facebook post.
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Citizens United: Republican Members Should Vote For Boehner Alternative For Speaker
As lawmakers prepare to select new leadership on Tuesday, conservative movement powerhouse Citizens United is urging Republicans to replace Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) as Speaker of the House.
“It’s clear to Citizens United and millions of grassroots conservative activists nationwide that the time has come for new conservative leadership in the People’s House,” Citizens United president David Bossie, a former top aide to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, said in a statement provided to Breitbart News. “We need a Speaker who will stand up to President Obama’s dangerous policies and drive an optimistic conservative agenda. The failed status quo should not stand.”
There are currently two Republican candidates for Speaker other than Boehner, Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Ted Yoho (R-FL). For Citizens United — along with scores of grassroots groups both national and local across America — to throw its support into the movement to replace Boehner is a sign that opposition to his leadership is growing. And Boehner is feeling it.
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“It’s clear to Citizens United and millions of grassroots conservative activists nationwide that the time has come for new conservative leadership in the People’s House,” Citizens United president David Bossie, a former top aide to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, said in a statement provided to Breitbart News. “We need a Speaker who will stand up to President Obama’s dangerous policies and drive an optimistic conservative agenda. The failed status quo should not stand.”
There are currently two Republican candidates for Speaker other than Boehner, Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Ted Yoho (R-FL). For Citizens United — along with scores of grassroots groups both national and local across America — to throw its support into the movement to replace Boehner is a sign that opposition to his leadership is growing. And Boehner is feeling it.
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1 of 3 suspects in Paris terror attack surrenders to police
A French judicial official tells the Associated Press that one of the three suspects wanted in the deadly terror attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine has surrendered; 2 other suspects remain at large.
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Jeffrey Epstein kept a blacklist nicknamed 'The Holy Grail
Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire child abuser friend of Prince Andrew , cultivated an extraordinary range of contacts - from President Bill Clinton to Mick Jagger - it is revealed today.
Court documents obtained by MailOnline disclose how Epstein kept multiple phone numbers, email and home addresses for the great and the good on both sides of the Atlantic.
The document was presented as an exhibit as lawyers sought a court's permission to take evidence from Bill Clinton and his staff, for whom Epstein had 21 numbers, all under the name of his former advisor Doug Band.
Epstein also had multiple contact details for a string of celebrities, including the Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger; Donald Trump's ex-wife Ivana and their daughter Ivanka; and a series of women recorded under 'massage' in the document, nicknamed 'The Holy Grail' by a former employee.
The contents of the document are disclosed by MailOnline as Prince Andrew, the Queen's second son, fights back against allegations that he had sex with Virginia Roberts - who claims she was kept by Epstein as a 'sex slave' - when she was a 17-year-old minor.
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Court documents obtained by MailOnline disclose how Epstein kept multiple phone numbers, email and home addresses for the great and the good on both sides of the Atlantic.
The document was presented as an exhibit as lawyers sought a court's permission to take evidence from Bill Clinton and his staff, for whom Epstein had 21 numbers, all under the name of his former advisor Doug Band.
Epstein also had multiple contact details for a string of celebrities, including the Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger; Donald Trump's ex-wife Ivana and their daughter Ivanka; and a series of women recorded under 'massage' in the document, nicknamed 'The Holy Grail' by a former employee.
The contents of the document are disclosed by MailOnline as Prince Andrew, the Queen's second son, fights back against allegations that he had sex with Virginia Roberts - who claims she was kept by Epstein as a 'sex slave' - when she was a 17-year-old minor.
More
WCSO Press Releases - January 5, 2015
Incident: Disturbing the Peace / Resisting Arrest
Date of Incident: 4 January 2015
Location: 1200 block of Edgemont Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Shawn Miller Jr., 20, Salisbury, MD
Shawn Miller
Narrative: On 4 January 2015 at 3:21 AM a deputy responded to a disturbance at a residence in the 1200 block of Edgemont Avenue. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with a subject that would be identified as Shawn Miller. The deputy observed that Miller, who appeared under the influence of alcohol, was making disparaging comments towards other deputies at the residence and that they had no right to enforce the underage drinking laws with him. Miller left the property screaming loudly what the deputies could go do to themselves. Miller was cited for Underage Possession of Alcohol.
Miller walked back to the property and refused to leave after being asked to in the presence of the deputy. After the deputy observed that Miller attempted to renter the residence, the deputy attempted to place him under arrest for trespassing. Instead of submitting, Miller tried to pull away from the deputy at which point steps were taken to gain the compliance of Miller.
Miller was transported to the central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Miller on $5,000.00 unsecured bond.
Charges: Underage Possession of Alcohol
Trespassing
Disturbing the Peace
Resisting Arrest
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Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 4 January 2015
Location: 1000 block of Tuscola Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Lionel Christopher Watson, 23, Salisbury, MD
Lionel Watson
Narrative: On 4 January 2015 at 8:57 PM a deputy responded to a reported altercation at a residence in the 1000 block of Tuscola where one of the involved subjects was reportedly brandishing a knife. During the investigation the deputy was told that Lionel Watson engaged in an argument with his mother, during which he brandished the knife and menaced her with it. Watson also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
At the conclusion of the investigation which included witness interviews, the deputy placed Watson under arrest. Following an initial appearance in front of the District Court Commissioner, Watson was detained in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st Degree
Assault 2nd Degree
Reckless Endangerment
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Incident: Firearm / CDS
Date of Incident: 6 January 2015
Location: West Road at Boundary Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Joshua Patrick Williams, 31, Princess Anne, MD
Joshua Williams
Narrative: On 6 January 2015 at 4:58 PM a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Joshua Williams for speeding on West Road. Upon making contact with Williams, the deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from within the vehicle. Williams exited the vehicle upon request but upon discovering that a search was going to be conducted, Williams began moving away from the vehicle in what appeared an attempt to flee. The deputy attempted to grab a hold of Williams’ arm as he was moving away at which point Williams swung at the deputy with his other arm. At this point a struggle ensued as the deputy had to physically engage Williams and had to physically struggle to place a combative Williams into handcuffs.
Upon engaging in a search of Williams’ vehicle the deputy located a substantial amount of what was identified as marijuana. Some of the marijuana was located in a Maxwell Coffee can with a false bottom, Clorox and Comet containers that had hidden compartments and a Monster Energy Drink that concealed a hidden compartment when the top came off. The deputy also recovered what was identified as heroin in the vehicle.
Further search revealed a loaded Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun. It was discovered that Williams was prohibited from possessing a handgun due to a previous criminal conviction. This is the second incident this week where a deputy has recovered an illegally possessed loaded handgun from a subject in Wicomico County.
Following an initial appearance, Williams was detained without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.
Charges: Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute / Possession of Heroin
Resisting Arrest
Handgun in Vehicle
Possession of a Handgun by a Prohibited Person
Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime
Releasing Authority: Lt. Tim Robinson Date: 7 January 2015
Viagra prescription in Rev Al Sharpton’s name found by police in apartment of lawyer ally cleared of rape
High-profile civil rights attorney Sanford Rubenstein, 70, has been told he will not face criminal charges after a woman accused him of rape last year.
But rather than the case disappearing from the media spotlight, it was leaked that a prescription for Viagra – a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction – was found in Rubenstein’s apartment, made out in Sharpton’s name.
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Wicomico County NAACP 18th Annual American Celebration
Event: 18th Annual African American Heritage Celebration
Sponsored by: Wicomico County NAACP Branch 7028
Date: Saturday , February 7, 2015
Time: 3:00pm
Place: Chipman Cultural Center, 325 Broad Street, Salisbury, MD
Theme: "Celebrate the Legacy of African American History"
Keynote speaker: Tyler Jones (middle school student)
Admissions: Free. Public invited.
Reception following the program. Light refreshments will be served.
Contact: Mary Ashanti, President
Phone: 410-543-4187
Email:wcnaacpbranch7028@gmail.com
Sponsored by: Wicomico County NAACP Branch 7028
Date: Saturday , February 7, 2015
Time: 3:00pm
Place: Chipman Cultural Center, 325 Broad Street, Salisbury, MD
Theme: "Celebrate the Legacy of African American History"
Keynote speaker: Tyler Jones (middle school student)
Admissions: Free. Public invited.
Reception following the program. Light refreshments will be served.
Contact: Mary Ashanti, President
Phone: 410-543-4187
Email:wcnaacpbranch7028@gmail.com
Court Ruling Against Obama Sends Shock Waves Across the Country
As a country, we all knew that President Barack Obama’s amnesty plan was about as unconstitutional as appointing Hugo Chavez’s corpse dictator for life. However, the general consensus was that it might take a while for the courts to recognize what everyone else did, at which point it might be too late to stop major damage being done.
However, a major ruling in a Pennsylvania court sent shock waves throughout the political establishment, as it became clear the legal system was catching up with Obama’s very illegal executive action.
Suddenly, it seemed as if amnesty by fiat could disappear just as quickly as it came about.
Judge Arthur J. Schwab, a federal judge representing western Pennsylvania, described parts of the plan as unconstitutional in a test case involving a single illegal immigrant facing a drunk driving charge.
More
However, a major ruling in a Pennsylvania court sent shock waves throughout the political establishment, as it became clear the legal system was catching up with Obama’s very illegal executive action.
Suddenly, it seemed as if amnesty by fiat could disappear just as quickly as it came about.
Judge Arthur J. Schwab, a federal judge representing western Pennsylvania, described parts of the plan as unconstitutional in a test case involving a single illegal immigrant facing a drunk driving charge.
More
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