DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident
Queen Anne's County Office of the Sheriff
INCIDENT: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident
DATE / TIME: January 13, 2015 @ 1154 Hours
LOCATION: Double Creek Road @ Double Creek Point Road, Chestertown (QA)
NARRATIVE: Emergency personnel responded to location for a reported rollover single motor vehicle accident with possible ejection. The driver of the Ford pickup was being worked on by EMS personnel and was alert and speaking with medical personnel on arrival of the deputy. The driver was then transported by Maryland State Police aviation. While enroute to the hospital, the driver went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived. The deceased was identified as Bruce William Parks (48) of Chestertown. Preliminary investigation indicates that speed and failure to wear a seatbelt as contributing factors.
Investigation is continuing...
Deputy: Dfc. Chris Neall
INCIDENT: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident
DATE / TIME: January 13, 2015 @ 1154 Hours
LOCATION: Double Creek Road @ Double Creek Point Road, Chestertown (QA)
NARRATIVE: Emergency personnel responded to location for a reported rollover single motor vehicle accident with possible ejection. The driver of the Ford pickup was being worked on by EMS personnel and was alert and speaking with medical personnel on arrival of the deputy. The driver was then transported by Maryland State Police aviation. While enroute to the hospital, the driver went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived. The deceased was identified as Bruce William Parks (48) of Chestertown. Preliminary investigation indicates that speed and failure to wear a seatbelt as contributing factors.
Investigation is continuing...
Deputy: Dfc. Chris Neall
Pennsylvania Law Opens Courts to Suits Over Gun Control
One week ago, a new Pennsylvania law brought local gun regulations in line with the state’s firearm preemption rules by allowing residents to sue their municipalities for local “ordinances that regulated the ownership, possession, transfer or transportation of guns or ammunition.”
The law allows organizations like the NRA to sue on behalf of group members who are Pennsylvania residents.
According to ABC News, attorney Joshua Prince has already put “nearly 100 municipalities on notice” that suits are coming their way if they do not repeal their strict gun control regulations. In response, 22 municipalities have repealed their gun control regulations or signaled their intention to do so.
The law, Act 192, was signed by former Gov. Tom Corbett (R) on October 28. It does not require gun owners “to prove they have been harmed by the local measures” before challenging them, but in the event that they have been harmed, it allows them to “seek damages.”
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The law allows organizations like the NRA to sue on behalf of group members who are Pennsylvania residents.
According to ABC News, attorney Joshua Prince has already put “nearly 100 municipalities on notice” that suits are coming their way if they do not repeal their strict gun control regulations. In response, 22 municipalities have repealed their gun control regulations or signaled their intention to do so.
The law, Act 192, was signed by former Gov. Tom Corbett (R) on October 28. It does not require gun owners “to prove they have been harmed by the local measures” before challenging them, but in the event that they have been harmed, it allows them to “seek damages.”
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Principal: Let students hurl canned food to fight off intruders
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VALLEY, Ala. -- A middle school principal in eastern Alabama wants to stockpile cans of food such as corn and peas in classrooms so that students could hurl them as weapons in a last-resort confrontation with a school intruder.
In a letter Friday, W.F. Burns Middle School Principal Priscella Holley asked parents to have each student bring an 8-ounce canned item.
"We realize at first this may seem odd; however, it is a practice that would catch an intruder off guard," she wrote in the letter, published by CBS affiliate WHNT in Huntsville.
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Mass Armed Robbery by the NYPD **ADMITTED**
If I stick a gun in your face and say “Hand over $243″, what is that?
The premise of so-called “law enforcement” is that the “low-level” offenses enforced (e.g. an open container of beer, etc) are about enhancing public safety. That is, the way this is sold to you is that enforcing these laws increases public order and, as part and parcel of that, deters crime.
Ok, fine.
If that’s true.
What happens when the police admit in public that it is about no such thing – that is simply about taking money?
“Everyone here is under orders — no time off” during the summons catch-up blitz, said one cop at the 105th Precinct in Queens.
“And the majority of [new] summonses written aren’t protecting the public in any way.
“But now they’re realizing how much revenue the city is losing and they’re enforcing their will upon us,” he said.
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The premise of so-called “law enforcement” is that the “low-level” offenses enforced (e.g. an open container of beer, etc) are about enhancing public safety. That is, the way this is sold to you is that enforcing these laws increases public order and, as part and parcel of that, deters crime.
Ok, fine.
If that’s true.
What happens when the police admit in public that it is about no such thing – that is simply about taking money?
“Everyone here is under orders — no time off” during the summons catch-up blitz, said one cop at the 105th Precinct in Queens.
“And the majority of [new] summonses written aren’t protecting the public in any way.
“But now they’re realizing how much revenue the city is losing and they’re enforcing their will upon us,” he said.
More
WOCO Sheriff's Office Gets Donation To Help Purchase K-9
Worcester County Sheriff's Office
On Tuesday 1-13-2015 Mrs. Patricia Brenner and her son Bob Brenner presented Worcester County Sheriff, Reggie Mason, with $6000.00 dollars to help purchase a K-9 trained in bomb detection to serve Worcester County and the State of Maryland.
Mrs. Brenner is the mother of the late Sue Haslam who was a successful realtor in Ocean City. Bob Brenner is Ms. Haslam’s brother.
Ms. Haslam passed away un-expectantly in 2012.
Ms. Haslam was an avid supporter of animals and their welfare. She wanted to support the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office K-9 program through a generous donation from her estate.
Sheriff Mason would like to extend his heart felt appreciation for the generosity of the Brenner family and Ms. Haslam.
Retired professor turns whistleblower on climate change
While much of the debate over climate change surrounds whether or not it is occurring, one glaciologist and retired professor says the real issue is that the topic is being used as a political pawn to siphon money and votes.
Dr. Terry Hughes, in an interview with The College Fix, said researchers want to keep federal funding for climate change alive, and politicians want to earn environmentalist votes, and both predict global pandemonium to that end.
Hughes, a professor emeritus of earth sciences and climate change at the University of Maine, said for years his colleagues urged him to be in lockstep with former Vice President Al Gore – “the drum major in the parade denouncing global warming as an unmitigated disaster,” he told The College Fix.
But Hughes – who believes global warming is actually a good thing because more carbon dioxide isgood for the environment in many ways – said he does not want to march to that beat.
“Too many (the majority) of climate research scientists are quite willing to prostitute their science by giving these politicians what they want,” he said.
Hughes – who worked for 35 years at the Department of Earth Sciences and the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine – said climate cycles overlap with election cycles, which helps politicians “get electoral visibility by pounding the panic drums.”
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Dr. Terry Hughes, in an interview with The College Fix, said researchers want to keep federal funding for climate change alive, and politicians want to earn environmentalist votes, and both predict global pandemonium to that end.
Hughes, a professor emeritus of earth sciences and climate change at the University of Maine, said for years his colleagues urged him to be in lockstep with former Vice President Al Gore – “the drum major in the parade denouncing global warming as an unmitigated disaster,” he told The College Fix.
But Hughes – who believes global warming is actually a good thing because more carbon dioxide isgood for the environment in many ways – said he does not want to march to that beat.
“Too many (the majority) of climate research scientists are quite willing to prostitute their science by giving these politicians what they want,” he said.
Hughes – who worked for 35 years at the Department of Earth Sciences and the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine – said climate cycles overlap with election cycles, which helps politicians “get electoral visibility by pounding the panic drums.”
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You Won’t Believe What Jesse Ventura Plans To Do With His $1.8 Million Settlement
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Ventura sat down with the hosts of CBS’ “This Morning” on Wednesday to plead his case. It was evident that the anchors of the program are not his biggest fans. Ventura spent the segment ranting about how he is the victim in all of this and Taya Kyle had all of her attorney’s fees paid for by the insurance company. When asked what he planned to do with his settlement money, Ventura snidely replied, “Pay my lawyers.”
Well, there you have it. Ventura has put a slain Navy SEAL’s family through Hell all so that he can pay his attorneys. Makes your stomach churn, doesn’t it? Kyle left behind a wife and two children who should have been allowed to mourn his loss and try to move on without a lawsuit looming over their heads.
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BREAKING NEWS: Mugging In Salisbury
We're told it is the Bank of America on Rt. 50 near K-Mart.
Do you suffer from technology-related disorder NETBRAIN?
Across the world, research has found that almost 182 million of us are addicted to using the web.
And as gadgets becomes more popular, the trend is leading to the emergence of new technology-related disorders.
The latest has been dubbed NetBrain - and sufferers show increased levels of narcissism, poor attention span and fear of missing out (FOMO).
These people are also more likely to gamble online and regularly use social networks and gaming sites and apps.
Unsurprisingly, people with smartphones are almost three times more likely to score highly for NetBrain than those without.
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And as gadgets becomes more popular, the trend is leading to the emergence of new technology-related disorders.
The latest has been dubbed NetBrain - and sufferers show increased levels of narcissism, poor attention span and fear of missing out (FOMO).
These people are also more likely to gamble online and regularly use social networks and gaming sites and apps.
Unsurprisingly, people with smartphones are almost three times more likely to score highly for NetBrain than those without.
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Officials: Thousands Possibly Exposed In Disney Measles Outbreak
The number of those infected keeps growing, and asLinh Bui reports, most of those who got the disease were not vaccinated against it.
Of the 20 people infected by the current outbreak, at least 15 were not vacated.
With tens of thousands of visitors from around the world in close contact everyday, the “happiest place on earth” was an ideal place for the highly contagious disease to spread.
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China bans U.S. poultry, eggs amid avian-flu fears
Products currently en route will either be destroyed or returned
(REUTERS) — China has banned all imports of U.S. poultry, poultry products and eggs amid recent reports of highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza found in the Pacific Northwest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday.
All such products currently en route to the country will either be destroyed or returned, according to the agency and the U.S. trade group USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.
The ban, effective as of Jan. 8, also applies to poultry breeding stock, which includes live chicks and hatching eggs.
(REUTERS) — China has banned all imports of U.S. poultry, poultry products and eggs amid recent reports of highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza found in the Pacific Northwest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday.
All such products currently en route to the country will either be destroyed or returned, according to the agency and the U.S. trade group USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.
The ban, effective as of Jan. 8, also applies to poultry breeding stock, which includes live chicks and hatching eggs.
2015 Maryland General Assembly: Issues to watch
The budget
Maryland's budget shortfall could hamstring any priorities Larry Hogan has planned. Legislators have to find $1.2 billion to shore up finances over the next 18 months. That would seem to put the squeeze on any tax cuts or new spending
Transportation
The behind-the-scenes jostling for transportation cash already seems to be underway. Whether it's the debate between rural road construction versus city street paving projects or the roads-versus-rails question of whether Hogan will sign off on Baltimore's Red Line light rail project, transportation funding is set to be a hot issue.
Stormwater remediation fee
Hogan bashed this fee — which the state requires local jurisdictions to levy on impervious surfaces like parking lots in order to fund federal mandates for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay — as a "rain tax." Funding for bay cleanup can't go away, but Hogan hammered this fee so effectively that it's hard to imagine him not trying to change it.
SUBSEQUENT DRUG OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS WITHOUT PAROLE
SUBSEQUENT DRUG OFFENDER SENTENCED
TO 25 YEARS WITHOUT PAROLE
TO 25 YEARS WITHOUT PAROLE
The charges against Campbell arose out of his actions on May 14, 2014 when a rental car in which he was a passenger was stopped for traffic violations. A K-9 was called to the scene and alerted to the odor of controlled dangerous substances. During a search of the vehicle deputies found 3.6 grams of cocaine, 98 grams of marijuana (packaged in 18 individually wrapped bags), and over $5,000.00 in U.S. Currency.
Campbell was sentenced today as a subsequent offender, having been convicted of possessing cocaine for distribution in 2008 and 1998. Because this conviction made him a third time offender he was sentenced to 25 years of incarceration without the possibility of parole.
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Mr. Maciarello also thanked the citizens of Wicomico County and Safe Streets Prosecutor, Richard J. Brueckner Jr., who prosecuted this case.
For more information or for an interview please call the Office of the State’s Attorney at (410) 548-4880 or go to www.wicomicosao.com.
M&T Bank provides grant to GSC’s college leadership program
The program recognizes outstanding community leadership among college students at the three area higher education institutions including Salisbury University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and WorWic Community College. Others providing funding for the program included the foundations of Salisbury University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
“The key to a thriving community is strong leadership, and organizations like the GSC Foundation, are fundamental in developing the leaders of the future,” said Jon Sherwell, commercial regional vice president of M&T Bank. “This is why M&T Bank is proud to support the development of student leaders in the Greater Salisbury area by providing needed scholarship funding. Without funding from its partners, the GSC Foundation would not be able to serve as a catalyst of opportunity for our promising leaders in our local college and university level.”
T. Jan Wiseman, president and CEO of the Greater Salisbury Community, said the program will recognize that many higher education students are already choosing to help make their community a better place to live and that this recognition will encourage others to do so in the future. He added, “Our community leadership comes from many individuals who together can build a great community.”
GSC has a long history of developing leadership in the community including the development of the Academy for Leadership in Education with Salisbury University, the Civic and Governmental Leadership Academy, the Community Leaders Workshop, the O.U.R. Program (Organize, Unite, and Revitalize), and others.
Currently, students at each institution are in the process of competing for the award with the final judging taking place in late February or early March. The top three finalists for each school will be forwarded for final judging. The award winner for each university or college will be announced at the Greater Salisbury Committee Banquet in late April. The campus coordinators are Robert Sheehan at Salisbury University, William Woods at UMES, and Katherine Jones at WorWic Community College.
Identification on the accompanying photo: Jon Sherwell, commercial regional vice president of M&T Bank; Jim Thomas, president of the GSC Foundation; and John Allen, chair of the Greater Salisbury Committee.
Troopers Arrest Eight on Drug Charges, Seaford
Seaford, DE- The Delaware State Police have arrested eight people after the culmination of a four month investigation into illegal drug sales from a Seaford home.
Detectives from Sussex County Drug Task Force (DTF) with the assistance of the Governor's Task Force (GTF) and Special Operations Response Team (SORT) responded to the 22000 block of Coyote Road Monday January 12, 2015 around 7:40 p.m. to conduct a search warrant.
Upon the troopers arrival, numerous subjects were contacted and placed in custody without incident. Detectives then continued with the search warrant and located 3560 bags of heroin with a total weight of 53.4 grams, 439.8 grams of marijuana, 54 Oxycodone pills, over $5,300.00 in suspected drug proceeds, a .40 caliber Glock pistol, and other drug paraphernalia.
The following were all transported back to Troop 4 and charged accordingly:
James X. Marks, 24 of Seaford, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Conspiracy 2nd, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $143,000.00 cash bond. (Photo Attached - Labeled)
Carl X. Stallings, 22 of Lewes, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Conspiracy 2nd, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $78,500.00 secured bond. (Photo Attached - Labeled)
Devon T. Morris, 20 of Seaford, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Conspiracy 2nd, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $143,000.00 cash bond. (Photo Attached - Labeled)
Ryan E. Whitfield, 22 of Seaford, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Drug Property, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Conspiracy 2nd, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $83,500.00 secured bond. (Photo Attached - Labeled)
Lisa A. Lauer, 41 of Seaford, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Drug Property, Conspiracy 2nd, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Committed to Delores J. Baylor Women's Correctional Institution on $26,000.00 secured bond. (No Photo Available)
Justin Cannon, 24 of Seaford, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Conspiracy 2nd, and two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $13,500.00 secured bond. (Photo Attached - Labeled)
Orrin S. Johnson, 29 of Bridgeville, Possession with Intent to Deliver Oxycodone. Released after posting $5,000.00 secured bond. (Photo Attached - Labeled)
Toja M. Ricketts, 39 of Seaford, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone). Released on $500.00 unsecured bond. (No Photo Available)
Pelosi to name first Muslim lawmaker to House intelligence committee
A senior Democratic aide said Rep. André Carson of Indiana would be named in the “coming days” to the key national security-focused panel. Pelosi (D-Calif.) told lawmakers of the appointment during the members’ weekly caucus meeting.
Carson would be the first Muslim to serve on the committee and was the second Muslim to be elected to Congress. He already serves on the Armed Services Committee and worked for the Department of Homeland Security’s Fusion Center — the clearinghouse established by the federal government to streamline data sharing between the CIA, FBI, Department of Justice and the military.
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Cops confiscate reporter’s camera, firestorm follows
'Do I sound like I'm negotiating with you?'
The prosecutor’s office in Ocean County, New Jersey, says its officers will undergo training sessions on how to deal with media members after a detective arrested and confiscated the camera of a photographer who responded to a motor-vehicle accident.
Charges against the reporter are in the process of being dismissed, Public Affairs Director Al Della Fave told WND Monday.
A video about the confrontation was posted online by photographer Andrew Flinchbaugh, 23, who contributes to a local news site.
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The prosecutor’s office in Ocean County, New Jersey, says its officers will undergo training sessions on how to deal with media members after a detective arrested and confiscated the camera of a photographer who responded to a motor-vehicle accident.
Charges against the reporter are in the process of being dismissed, Public Affairs Director Al Della Fave told WND Monday.
A video about the confrontation was posted online by photographer Andrew Flinchbaugh, 23, who contributes to a local news site.
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3D-printed car company to open micro-factory in Maryland
Phoenix-based Local Motors is announcing Monday that it plans to open a lab, showroom and assembly floor where people can participate in building products and vehicles at National Harbor in late 2015. The company says this will be the first location to debut its fleet of 3D-printed cars.
Officials say the facility is expected to create more than 100 jobs.
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Why Democrats Are Pushing a $1.2 Trillion Redistribution of Wealth
The Republican Party has just taken over both houses of Congress for at minimum the next two years – so this may seem an odd time for House Democrats to announce major policy proposals to raise the fees paid by the financial services industry and taxes on the wealthy, all in an effort to give a tax break to the middle class.
Yet there was Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) on Monday, in a speech at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, proposing a $1.2 trillion redistribution of wealth from the richest Americans to a large swath of middle- and lower-income earners over the next 10 years.
Van Hollen’s centerpiece proposal, the Paycheck Bonus Tax Credit, would cut taxes by $1,000 per year per worker, up to $2,000 for a couple earning a combined $200,000 or less. The proposal would also give an extra $250 credit to individuals who save at least half their $1,000 credit in an eligible investment vehicle.
In a release, Van Hollen said, “Our current tax code imposes higher tax rates on income earned through hard work, while providing preferential treatment to unearned financial gains and allowing billions of dollars of stock profits and other capital gains to pass tax-free to heirs of multi-million-dollar fortunes.”
“Taken together,” he continued, “the preferential tax treatment of certain kinds of non-work, unearned income has contributed to a startling result: 17 percent of the major tax expenditures in the tax code flow to households with the top 1 percent of incomes. That translates into roughly $150 billion in tax breaks for the very wealthy each year. We need to do more to even the playing field and ensure that the tax code increases the take-home income of working Americans and does not just reward wealth.”
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Yet there was Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) on Monday, in a speech at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, proposing a $1.2 trillion redistribution of wealth from the richest Americans to a large swath of middle- and lower-income earners over the next 10 years.
Van Hollen’s centerpiece proposal, the Paycheck Bonus Tax Credit, would cut taxes by $1,000 per year per worker, up to $2,000 for a couple earning a combined $200,000 or less. The proposal would also give an extra $250 credit to individuals who save at least half their $1,000 credit in an eligible investment vehicle.
In a release, Van Hollen said, “Our current tax code imposes higher tax rates on income earned through hard work, while providing preferential treatment to unearned financial gains and allowing billions of dollars of stock profits and other capital gains to pass tax-free to heirs of multi-million-dollar fortunes.”
“Taken together,” he continued, “the preferential tax treatment of certain kinds of non-work, unearned income has contributed to a startling result: 17 percent of the major tax expenditures in the tax code flow to households with the top 1 percent of incomes. That translates into roughly $150 billion in tax breaks for the very wealthy each year. We need to do more to even the playing field and ensure that the tax code increases the take-home income of working Americans and does not just reward wealth.”
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Former Substitute Teacher Sentenced On Child Pornography
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Jeremy Sykes of Columbia was sentenced Monday.
In October he pleaded guilty to 19 different charges.
He was arrested in January of last year, after investigaztors found he had uploaded the proniographic images on a home computer and a computer at Folly Quarter Middle School, where he worked as a long term substitute teacher.
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The Stupid Party Strikes Again: GOP Flirts with Gas Tax Hike
One of the very first “accomplishments” of the new GOP majority in Congress was to approve a piece of corporate welfare to subsidize terrorism insurancefor big companies.
But I tried to overlook that development since there were a few modest reforms included with the legislation. After all, you shouldn’t make the perfect the enemy of the good (even if the good, in this case, was rather anemic).
There won’t be any excuse, however, if Republicans move forward with a plan to hike the gas tax and further centralize transportation decisions in Washington.
And that’s exactly what seems to be brewing. Senator Corker of Tennessee (an otherwise generally sensible lawmaker) has put forward a specific plan.
Corker, R-Tenn., is drafting something most conservatives avoid at all costs — a tax bill. The Tennessee senator, along with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wants the 18.4-cents per-gallon federal gasoline tax and the 24.4-cents per-gallon federal diesel tax to each increase by 12 cents over the next two years — and then be indexed to inflation.
And there are several other senior GOPers who have expressed sympathy.
“I just think that option is there, it’s clearly one of the options,” said Sen. Inhofe (R-Okla.), new chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the third-ranking Senate Republican, also said they were open to the possibility of raising the tax.
Wow. This is so bad and so discouraging that I’m not even sure where to start.
So let’s make three observations.
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But I tried to overlook that development since there were a few modest reforms included with the legislation. After all, you shouldn’t make the perfect the enemy of the good (even if the good, in this case, was rather anemic).
There won’t be any excuse, however, if Republicans move forward with a plan to hike the gas tax and further centralize transportation decisions in Washington.
And that’s exactly what seems to be brewing. Senator Corker of Tennessee (an otherwise generally sensible lawmaker) has put forward a specific plan.
Corker, R-Tenn., is drafting something most conservatives avoid at all costs — a tax bill. The Tennessee senator, along with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wants the 18.4-cents per-gallon federal gasoline tax and the 24.4-cents per-gallon federal diesel tax to each increase by 12 cents over the next two years — and then be indexed to inflation.
And there are several other senior GOPers who have expressed sympathy.
“I just think that option is there, it’s clearly one of the options,” said Sen. Inhofe (R-Okla.), new chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the third-ranking Senate Republican, also said they were open to the possibility of raising the tax.
Wow. This is so bad and so discouraging that I’m not even sure where to start.
So let’s make three observations.
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Volunteers Needed to Educate Students on the Chesapeake Bay and its Natural Resources
Volunteers should have an outgoing personality, a strong environmental ethic, a passion for communicating, and a desire to teach 45-minute to 1.5-hour lessons in classroom. Participants may choose in which region and how often they teach, but must volunteer at least four times in a school year to remain active. Volunteers will work in pairs. They MUST attend a three-session TEAM training before beginning, as well as have their own transportation, and be at least 18 years old.
The next set of workshops will be held consecutive weeks in February/March. Participants must attend all three for necessary training.
- Friday, February 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DNR Tawes Building (580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis 21401)
- Friday, February 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DNR Tawes Building
- Thursday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (1361 Wrighton Rd., Lothian 20711)
To register for the trainings and for more information, contact Chris Hintz at 410-260-8809 or christine.hintz@maryland.gov
EPD PRESS RELEASE - COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY INVESTIGATION 2-13-15
PRESS RELEASE - COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY INVESTIGATION
January 13, 2015
The Easton Police Department needs the public’s assistance in
identifying this subject and vehicle. On December 12, 2014, the subject entered Wal-Mart in Easton, MD and purchased items using counterfeit money. He spent approximately $300.00 dollars in counterfeit $20.00’s. The suspect left in a green Dodge Neon with Delaware temporary registration.
identifying this subject and vehicle. On December 12, 2014, the subject entered Wal-Mart in Easton, MD and purchased items using counterfeit money. He spent approximately $300.00 dollars in counterfeit $20.00’s. The suspect left in a green Dodge Neon with Delaware temporary registration.
On December 26, 2014, the same subject passed more counterfeit $20.00 bills at Wal-Mart in Easton. The subject used the same vehicle from the previous incident.
If anyone can identify this subject or vehicle, they are asked to contact the Easton Police Department. Below you will find ways to leave a tip with the Easton Police Department.
• Telephone
410-822-1111: Direct line to police department dispatchers. This is a recorded line andtraceable.
410-763-6140: “Tip-Line”, record your message. NOTICE, this may not receive immediate attention because it is not a line that is monitored or traceable.
410-822-1111: Direct line to police department dispatchers. This is a recorded line andtraceable.
410-763-6140: “Tip-Line”, record your message. NOTICE, this may not receive immediate attention because it is not a line that is monitored or traceable.
• Online
www.town-eastonmd.com
Click on “Departments”
Click on “Police” (opens Police website)
Click “Submit a tip”
www.town-eastonmd.com
Click on “Departments”
Click on “Police” (opens Police website)
Click “Submit a tip”
• Text
Text information to “CRIMES”
Start message with “EASTONPD
Text information to “CRIMES”
Start message with “EASTONPD
Hazardous Weather Outlook (1-13-15)
Hazardous Weather Outlook
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 1148 AM EST TUE JAN 13 2015 MDZ021>025-VAZ048-049-060>064-067>078-083>086-099-100-141700- DORCHESTER-WICOMICO-SOMERSET-INLAND WORCESTER-MARYLAND BEACHES- FLUVANNA-LOUISA-PRINCE EDWARD-CUMBERLAND-GOOCHLAND-HANOVER-CAROLINE- NOTTOWAY-AMELIA-POWHATAN-CHESTERFIELD-HENRICO-KING WILLIAM- KING AND QUEEN-ESSEX-WESTMORELAND-RICHMOND-NORTHUMBERLAND-LANCASTER- NEW KENT-GLOUCESTER-MIDDLESEX-MATHEWS-ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON VA- 1148 AM EST TUE JAN 13 2015 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND...CENTRAL VIRGINIA...EAST CENTRAL VIRGINIA...SOUTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA...THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA...THE MIDDLE PENINSULA OF VIRGINIA...THE NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA AND THE PIEDMONT OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY. A WINTERY MIX OF PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. SOME SLICK SPOTS ARE POSSIBLE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR LIGHT ICING. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
Police Make Arrest In Double Fatal Shooting Over Parking Space
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A Baltimore man has been arrested and charged in the double murder of two men.
Tracey Leong has more on what police say led to this vicious attack.
Police say it started as an argument between two neighbors over a parking space. That quickly escalated and turned deadly.
A heinous crime in the center of a Baltimore neighborhood surrounded by an elementary and high school.
“You don’t even hear a bird chirp. It’s a shock…what happened,” said a neighbor.
More
Tracey Leong has more on what police say led to this vicious attack.
Police say it started as an argument between two neighbors over a parking space. That quickly escalated and turned deadly.
A heinous crime in the center of a Baltimore neighborhood surrounded by an elementary and high school.
“You don’t even hear a bird chirp. It’s a shock…what happened,” said a neighbor.
More
The Police Threat Is Too High
The hypocrisy of American police is beginning to bother even law and order conservatives. The New York Police Department is rivaling the black community in Ferguson in keeping alive the murders of their community members.
We are constantly reminded of how dangerous it is to be a police officer. A total of 50 police officers were reportedly killed last year in the “line of duty,” but the police themselves managed to kill 1,029 Americans during the same time period, most of whom were unarmed and innocent of wrongdoings.
In other words, any encounter between the public and the police is more than 20 times more dangerous for the public than for the police.
That should raise questions about the absence of restraint on the ability of police to use deadly force as a first resort. Yet authorities and white communities invariably defend police violence against the public.
If Americans had half-decent educations, Americans would know that power comes from precedent. The police, like the executive branch, have now established themselves above the law. The laws that apply to the public do not apply to police, US presidents, presidential appointees, NSA, and CIA.
More
We are constantly reminded of how dangerous it is to be a police officer. A total of 50 police officers were reportedly killed last year in the “line of duty,” but the police themselves managed to kill 1,029 Americans during the same time period, most of whom were unarmed and innocent of wrongdoings.
In other words, any encounter between the public and the police is more than 20 times more dangerous for the public than for the police.
That should raise questions about the absence of restraint on the ability of police to use deadly force as a first resort. Yet authorities and white communities invariably defend police violence against the public.
If Americans had half-decent educations, Americans would know that power comes from precedent. The police, like the executive branch, have now established themselves above the law. The laws that apply to the public do not apply to police, US presidents, presidential appointees, NSA, and CIA.
More
Pelosi to name 1st Muslim to House intel
Democrat to hold post on key national-security panel
(POLITICO) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi announced in a closed-door meeting Tuesday she would name the first Muslim lawmaker to the House’s Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
A senior Democratic aide said Rep. André Carson of Indiana would be named in the “coming days” to the key national security-focused panel. The California Democrat told lawmakers of the appointment during the members’ weekly caucus meeting.
Carson would be the first Muslim to serve on the committee and was the second Muslim to be elected to Congress. He already serves on the House Armed Services Committee and worked for the Department of Homeland Security’s Fusion Center — the clearinghouse established by the federal government to streamline data sharing between the CIA, the FBI, the Department of Justice and the military.
(POLITICO) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi announced in a closed-door meeting Tuesday she would name the first Muslim lawmaker to the House’s Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
A senior Democratic aide said Rep. André Carson of Indiana would be named in the “coming days” to the key national security-focused panel. The California Democrat told lawmakers of the appointment during the members’ weekly caucus meeting.
Carson would be the first Muslim to serve on the committee and was the second Muslim to be elected to Congress. He already serves on the House Armed Services Committee and worked for the Department of Homeland Security’s Fusion Center — the clearinghouse established by the federal government to streamline data sharing between the CIA, the FBI, the Department of Justice and the military.
Teen Missing From Montgomery County
http://www.missingkids.com/poster/USMD/g15001905
SFD Calls For Service 1-12-15
- Monday January, 12 2015 @ 23:36Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Monday January, 12 2015 @ 20:53Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Monday January, 12 2015 @ 20:39Nature: Gas LeakAddress: 236 Tilghman Rd Salisbury, MD 21801
- Monday January, 12 2015 @ 20:35Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
- Monday January, 12 2015 @ 19:54Nature: Medical EmergencyCity:Salisbury
Smyrna Man Waives Extradition in Indiana
The Smyrna man, Cortez A. Hamilton currently in Indiana, has waived his extradition hearing and will be returning back to Delaware.
The Delaware State Police continues to coordinate search efforts for missing female Keisha S. Hamilton, 35 year old Smyrna woman, while the Gold Alert remains active.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Sergeant David L. Weaver at Troop 3 at 302-741-2728 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
The Delaware State Police continues to coordinate search efforts for missing female Keisha S. Hamilton, 35 year old Smyrna woman, while the Gold Alert remains active.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Sergeant David L. Weaver at Troop 3 at 302-741-2728 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
WCSO Press Releases - January 13, 2015
Incident: Fugitive from Delaware
Date of Incident: 7 January 2015
Location: Wicomico County
Suspect: Peter L. Blanchfield, 32, Delmar, MD
Peter Blanchfield
Narrative: On 7 Jan 2015 a deputy arrested Peter Blanchfield as a fugitive from the State of Delaware. Blanchfield was wanted in that state after a warrant was issued following his failure to appear for a case where he had been charged with Failing to Register as a Sex Offender.
Blanchfield was held without bond pending extradition back to Delaware.
Charges: Fugitive from Delaware
**************************************************
Incident: Possession of CDS
Date of Incident: 9 January 2015
Location: Richmond Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Rip Thomas Scotton, 33, Willards, MD
No photo available
Narrative: On 9 Jan 2015 at 2:25 PM a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Rip Scotton for speeding on Richmond Avenue. During the encounter Scotton was extremely nervous and upon the arrival of a WCSO Drug K9 team, he handed over an unlabeled prescription bottle that held what would be identified as suboxone.
The deputy placed Scotton under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Scotton on $25,000.00 unsecured bond.
Charges: Possession of CDS
Obliterate a Prescription Drug Label
**************************************************
Incident: Warrant Arrest
Date of Incident: 9 January 2015
Location: Morris Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Michael Cyrano Thaxton, 30, Salisbury, MD
Michael Thaxton
Narrative: On 9 Jan 2015 at 10:28 PM a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Michael Thaxton on Morris Street and discovered two warrants for his arrest. Both were issued after Thaxton failed to appear in the District Court for two separate cases, one for DUI and the other for Driving While Suspended.
Thaxton was detained on a combined bond of $77,500.00 in the Detention Center.
Charges: Failure to Appear
**************************************************
Incident: Warrant Arrest
Date of Incident: 9 January 2015
Location: S. Fruitland Blvd., Fruitland, MD
Suspect: Anjoli Annabell Mathews, 24, Salisbury, MD
Anjoli Matthews
Narrative: On 9 Jan 2015 at 11:06 PM a deputy arrested Anjoli Mathews on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant. The warrant was issued after Mathews violated the terms of her probation in a Burglary 3rd Degree case.
Mathews was detained on a bond of $10,000.00 pending an appearance in front of a Circuit Court Judge.
Charges: Violation of Probation
**************************************************
Incident: Assault / False Imprisonment
Date of Incident: 10 January 2015
Location: 300 block of Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Adam J. Starky, 31, Salisbury, MD
Adam Starky
Narrative: On 10 Jan 2015 at 10:23 PM a deputy responded to a reported domestic disturbance in the 300 block of Glen Avenue. While en-route the deputy was told that a female subject was reportedly screaming for help. Upon arrival, the deputy repeatedly tried to get someone to answer the door of the apartment to no avail. Because of the multiple reports of a female screaming for help, the deputy took steps that allowed him to enter the apartment at which time he contacted the resident, Adam Starky. Further investigation revealed that Starky and a female subject had engaged in a verbal argument, during which the female attempted to leave the apartment. According to the female, Starky grabbed her and pulled her back into the apartment which precipitated her screams for help.
The deputy placed Starky under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the district Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Starky in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 2nd Degree
False Imprisonment
**************************************************
Incident: Theft
Date of Incident: 12 January 2015
Location: Wicomico County
Suspect: Cheyenne Lea Hart, 22, Laurel, DE
Cheyenne Hart
Narrative: On 12 Jan 2015 at 10:00 AM, Cheyenne Hart surrendered at the Wicomico Sheriff’s Office after an arrest warrant was issued that charged Hart with theft. Hart is accused of taking $180.00 from a subject that was intended for groceries and instead using it for her own use.
Hart was processed at the Central Booking Unit and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Hart on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Theft under $1,000.00
**************************************************
Incident: Violation of Probation Warrant
Date of Incident: 12 January 2015
Location: 500 block of Viewfield Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Miguel Angel Santos-Villalta, 40, Salisbury, MD
No Photo
Narrative: On 12 Jan 2015 at 12:11 PM a deputy arrested Miguel Santos on a District Court Bench Warrant that was issued after he violated the terms of his probation. Santos was convicted in September 2014 for Intoxicated Endangerment and received a suspended jail sentence.
The deputy transported Santos to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance Santos was detained in the Detention Center in lieu of $10,000.00 bond.
Charges: Violation of Probation
**************************************************
Incident: Hindering / Interfering with Arrest
Date of Incident: 12 January 2015
Location: 500 block of Viewfield Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Liza M. Nichols, 37, Salisbury, MD
Liza Nichols
Narrative: On 12 Jan 2015 at 11:41 AM a deputy was at a residence where Liza Nichols lived for the purpose of arresting Miguel Santos on a violation of probation bench warrant. Following the arrest of Santos, Nichols followed the deputy and Santos outside and repeatedly tried to speak to Santos and interrupt the deputy as he was attempting to complete the arrest and prepare Santos for transport to the Sheriff’s Office. Nichols was warned by the deputy to cease trying to interfere with the process but she stated she could do whatever “she desired.” After Nichols continued to interfere with the deputy’s arrest, she too was placed under arrest.
Post arrest it was discovered that there was a Circuit Court Bench Warrant out of Somerset County for Nichol’s arrest.
Nichols was processed at the Central Booking Unit where she was taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, Nichols was released on Personal Recognizance. Nichols was further detained at the Detention Center pending her transfer to Somerset County for service of their Circuit Court Bench Warrant.
Charges: Hindering and Obstructing
Interfering With an Arrest
**************************************************
Incident: Extradition
Date of Incident: 12 January 2015
Location: Accomack County, VA
Suspect: Charles Nathaniel Ray Jr., 28, Accomac, VA
No Photo
Narrative: On 12 Jan 2015 a deputy extradited Charles Ray back from Accomack County, VA, Authorities there had detained Ray at the behest of Wicomico County on a District Court bench warrant that had been issued after Ray failed to appear for a Motor Vehicle Theft case in March 2014.
The deputy transported Ray to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Ray on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Failure to Appear
**************************************************
Incident: Warrant
Date of Incident: 12 January 2015
Location: 900 block of Snow Hill Rd, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Darlene Michelle Fish, 52, Salisbury, MD
Darlene Fish
Narrative: On 12 Jan 2015 at 2:32 PM, a deputy was conducting a follow-up at a locale in the 900 block of Snow Hill Road when he located a wanted subject, Darlene Fish there. Fish was wanted on a District Court Bench Warrant that was issued after she failed to appear for a Driving Suspended and Driving Revoked case back in 2012.
The deputy transported Fish to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Fish on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Failure to Appear
Releasing Authority: Lt. Tim Robinson Date: 13 January 2015
Governor-Elect Hogan Announces Transportation Secretary, Senior Officials
"Today I am pleased to name an additional Cabinet-level appointment and several top senior level administration appointments," Hogan said. "I believe each of these individuals brings a unique perspective to our administration and I am honored that they have joined me in this effort."
Governor-elect Hogan announced Pete Rahn as Secretary of Transportation. Rahn served as Cabinet secretary for the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department from 1995 to 2002 and led the Missouri State Department of Transportation from 2004 to 2010.
The governor-elect also announced Tim Hutchins as Director of Homeland Security, Senator Christopher Shank as Director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, Steve McAdams as Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, Arlene Lee as Executive Director of the Governor's Office for Children, Bob Scholz as Governor's Counsel, Delegate Keiffer Mitchell as Special Adviser to the Governor, and Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio as Director of Intergovernmental Services.
All the appointees announced today, as well as most of the governor-elect's previous appointees, have experience in both the public and private sectors, criteria that the governor-elect has explained will help administration officials better serve the people of Maryland.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The next meeting of the City Council will be held on January 26, 2105 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of the Government Office Building as regularly scheduled.
The public is invited to attend.
De Blasio Is a Lesson New Yorkers Need to Learn
New York City shouldn’t exist. Its population of waiters waiting to become actors, professors waiting to write bestsellers, muggers waiting to become drug kingpins, welfare cases waiting for American Idol and cyclists waiting to become international humanitarians are the natural constituency of the left.
Like every major city in the last fifty years, New York City is caught between a progressive death wish to embrace every single insane policy of the left from midnight basketball for crackheads to a 99 percent tax on everyone who has a job and the common sense competence that keeps it afloat.
Every election is another opportunity for the city to commit suicide. After decades in which the voters elected candidates who wouldn’t completely destroy their city and then salt the earth with their tears, a small decisive percentage of New Yorkers put a gun to the head of their city and fired a bullet named Bill de Blasio into its brain.
Like most brutal incidents in the Big Apple, Bill de Blasio won’t kill New York City. His term in office will be another painful learning experience. Every few decades New Yorkers lose their street sense and let a progressive take over. And then when his term is up, the city is out of money, everyone has been mugged at least once and nothing works, they kick him out again.
It’s a generational ritual that lets seasoned New Yorkers look back in horror at the days of Lindsay or Dinkins and now De Blasio. While the New York Times gushes adoringly over his every insane new policy, without noticing that they were all badly translated from the original Russian, his true function is to become a cautionary tale about the dangers of voting your politics instead of your pocketbook.
More
Like every major city in the last fifty years, New York City is caught between a progressive death wish to embrace every single insane policy of the left from midnight basketball for crackheads to a 99 percent tax on everyone who has a job and the common sense competence that keeps it afloat.
Every election is another opportunity for the city to commit suicide. After decades in which the voters elected candidates who wouldn’t completely destroy their city and then salt the earth with their tears, a small decisive percentage of New Yorkers put a gun to the head of their city and fired a bullet named Bill de Blasio into its brain.
Like most brutal incidents in the Big Apple, Bill de Blasio won’t kill New York City. His term in office will be another painful learning experience. Every few decades New Yorkers lose their street sense and let a progressive take over. And then when his term is up, the city is out of money, everyone has been mugged at least once and nothing works, they kick him out again.
It’s a generational ritual that lets seasoned New Yorkers look back in horror at the days of Lindsay or Dinkins and now De Blasio. While the New York Times gushes adoringly over his every insane new policy, without noticing that they were all badly translated from the original Russian, his true function is to become a cautionary tale about the dangers of voting your politics instead of your pocketbook.
More
Valerie Jarrett, Obama’s ‘Berlin Wall’
The woman insiders describe as the president’s “real chief of staff” keeps out bad news and new ideas.
It’s high time the news media paid more attention to Valerie Jarrett. An old Chicago friend of both Barack and Michelle Obama’s, she exercises unusual influence in the White House as a “senior adviser.” Many in Washington believe that she is at the heart of the disappointment the Obama administration has become. They are unwilling to say so in public. But the evidence keeps piling up.
One who is isn’t afraid to speak up is Steven Brill, the author of a searing new book analyzing American health care called “America’s Bitter Pill.” Brill is a liberal and still thinks that Obamacare should have been passed. But in his exhaustively researched book (he spoke with 243 people over a 27-month period), he slams “incompetence in the White House” for the catastrophic launch of Obamacare in 2013: “Never [has there] been a group of people who more incompetently launched something.” During an interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” last week, he lay much of the blame at Jarrett’s doorstep. “The people in the administration who knew it was going wrong went to the president directly with memos, in person, to his chief of staff,” he told NPR’s Terry Gross. But “the president was protected, mostly by Valerie Jarrett, from doing anything.” Although Obama had no idea of the issues until they ultimately reared their head, he still bears the blame, Brill said. “At the end of the day, he’s responsible. . . . The president, whatever we can say about him on policy and on giving speeches, as a manager, he failed. He didn’t know what was going on in the single most important initiative of his administration.”
How important is Jarrett inside the Obama White House? Brill was able to interview the president about the struggles of Obamacare and reports that heconcluded: “At this point, I am not so interested in Monday morning quarterbacking the past.” That must be one reason Jarrett is still at his side, in the same outsize role she’s held since both arrived in D.C. in January 2009. How outsize? Brill told the president that five of the highest-ranking Obama officials had told him that “as a practical matter . . . Jarrett was the real chief of staff on any issues that she wanted to weigh in on, and she jealously protected that position by making sure the president never gave anyone else too much power.” When Brill asked the president about these aides’ assessment of Jarrett, Obama “declined comment,” Brill wrote in his book. That, in and of itself, is an answer.
More
It’s high time the news media paid more attention to Valerie Jarrett. An old Chicago friend of both Barack and Michelle Obama’s, she exercises unusual influence in the White House as a “senior adviser.” Many in Washington believe that she is at the heart of the disappointment the Obama administration has become. They are unwilling to say so in public. But the evidence keeps piling up.
One who is isn’t afraid to speak up is Steven Brill, the author of a searing new book analyzing American health care called “America’s Bitter Pill.” Brill is a liberal and still thinks that Obamacare should have been passed. But in his exhaustively researched book (he spoke with 243 people over a 27-month period), he slams “incompetence in the White House” for the catastrophic launch of Obamacare in 2013: “Never [has there] been a group of people who more incompetently launched something.” During an interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” last week, he lay much of the blame at Jarrett’s doorstep. “The people in the administration who knew it was going wrong went to the president directly with memos, in person, to his chief of staff,” he told NPR’s Terry Gross. But “the president was protected, mostly by Valerie Jarrett, from doing anything.” Although Obama had no idea of the issues until they ultimately reared their head, he still bears the blame, Brill said. “At the end of the day, he’s responsible. . . . The president, whatever we can say about him on policy and on giving speeches, as a manager, he failed. He didn’t know what was going on in the single most important initiative of his administration.”
How important is Jarrett inside the Obama White House? Brill was able to interview the president about the struggles of Obamacare and reports that heconcluded: “At this point, I am not so interested in Monday morning quarterbacking the past.” That must be one reason Jarrett is still at his side, in the same outsize role she’s held since both arrived in D.C. in January 2009. How outsize? Brill told the president that five of the highest-ranking Obama officials had told him that “as a practical matter . . . Jarrett was the real chief of staff on any issues that she wanted to weigh in on, and she jealously protected that position by making sure the president never gave anyone else too much power.” When Brill asked the president about these aides’ assessment of Jarrett, Obama “declined comment,” Brill wrote in his book. That, in and of itself, is an answer.
More
Eric Holder’s Replacement
A Senate Judiciary Committee member says she may be even worse.
David Vitter believes that Loretta Lynch, President Obama’s attorney-general nominee, might be even more dangerous than Eric Holder, the man she will replace if confirmed. The Louisiana senator met privately with Lynch this week in his capacity as a Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He tells NRO that Lynch, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, is quieter and more restrained than Holder, which he worries will deflect attention from some of the Justice Department’s more outrageous actions and policies.
Vitter’s warning about Lynch should not be taken lightly. While he previously saidthat Holder has directly attacked his state more than any other attorney general has, Vitter thinks Lynch may pose an even greater threat. In their extensive one-on-one meeting, Vitter says, Lynch would not answer several of his questions about her position on the president’s executive action on immigration. His Republican colleagues have refrained from raising questions about her nomination, which has puzzled him, given the intense debate the executive action is inspiring in the Capitol.
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David Vitter believes that Loretta Lynch, President Obama’s attorney-general nominee, might be even more dangerous than Eric Holder, the man she will replace if confirmed. The Louisiana senator met privately with Lynch this week in his capacity as a Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He tells NRO that Lynch, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, is quieter and more restrained than Holder, which he worries will deflect attention from some of the Justice Department’s more outrageous actions and policies.
Vitter’s warning about Lynch should not be taken lightly. While he previously saidthat Holder has directly attacked his state more than any other attorney general has, Vitter thinks Lynch may pose an even greater threat. In their extensive one-on-one meeting, Vitter says, Lynch would not answer several of his questions about her position on the president’s executive action on immigration. His Republican colleagues have refrained from raising questions about her nomination, which has puzzled him, given the intense debate the executive action is inspiring in the Capitol.
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Is Obama the apologizer-in-chief?
President Barack Obama started his presidency by removing a bust of Winston Churchill from the Oval Office, sending the Queen of England an iPod filled with his own speeches and gifting a boxed set of 25 DVDs to then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown – which he reportedly couldn't play in the UK.
There were no apologies for the Borat-like gaffes, leading pundits to predict that America's new chief executive would insist being president means never having to say you're sorry.
Not so much.
More
There were no apologies for the Borat-like gaffes, leading pundits to predict that America's new chief executive would insist being president means never having to say you're sorry.
Not so much.
More
Obama hopes climate of fear will boost his cyber push
President Obama is banking that a spate of high-profile hacks at major American companies will help his new cybersecurity standards succeed where others failed.
The president called Monday for separate bills that would require companies to notify customers within 30 days if their personal information had been compromised and prohibit the selling of student data to third parties for non-education purposes.
But for Obama to leverage the panic over data breaches at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Target and Home Depot, he’ll have to navigate between governmental and business bureaucracies and find a solution amenable to both sides.
As the president laid out his recommendations, the extent of the cyber problem was made even clearer, when hackers tied to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria took over the U.S. Central Command Twitter feed.
The broader challenge for the White House now is determining how to address concerns among private companies about the extent of information they would have to turn over to the federal government in warding off cyber attacks. And government agencies already under fire for cyber snooping would also have to consent to sharing a greater level of data with private businesses, a development that makes some in the intelligence community uneasy.
More
The president called Monday for separate bills that would require companies to notify customers within 30 days if their personal information had been compromised and prohibit the selling of student data to third parties for non-education purposes.
But for Obama to leverage the panic over data breaches at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Target and Home Depot, he’ll have to navigate between governmental and business bureaucracies and find a solution amenable to both sides.
As the president laid out his recommendations, the extent of the cyber problem was made even clearer, when hackers tied to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria took over the U.S. Central Command Twitter feed.
The broader challenge for the White House now is determining how to address concerns among private companies about the extent of information they would have to turn over to the federal government in warding off cyber attacks. And government agencies already under fire for cyber snooping would also have to consent to sharing a greater level of data with private businesses, a development that makes some in the intelligence community uneasy.
More
Leaked Documents Show Most Illegals Now Immune to Arrest
New Obama administration rules make the vast majority of illegal immigrants immune to arrest and relegate border patrol agents to the role of social workers, according to Breitbart Texas.
A border agent leaked the documents to the conservative web site, explaining that the Department of Homeland Security has decided that the majority of immigrants crossing U.S. borders illegally cannot be detained or deported without approval from top officials in Washington.
The documents do not specifically order agents to let illegal immigrants pass freely into the United States, the source said. But the rules “clearly” say “don’t waste your time because the alien will not be put into detention, sent back or deported,” he said.
“There is literally no reason to arrest an illegal alien because they are specifically telling Border Patrol there will be no consequence for the illegal alien. It is a waste of time and resources to arrest someone who is off limits for detainment or deportation and the documents make that fact clear,” the source added.
“Border Patrol agents are now being trained to be social workers, not law enforcement.”
More
A border agent leaked the documents to the conservative web site, explaining that the Department of Homeland Security has decided that the majority of immigrants crossing U.S. borders illegally cannot be detained or deported without approval from top officials in Washington.
The documents do not specifically order agents to let illegal immigrants pass freely into the United States, the source said. But the rules “clearly” say “don’t waste your time because the alien will not be put into detention, sent back or deported,” he said.
“There is literally no reason to arrest an illegal alien because they are specifically telling Border Patrol there will be no consequence for the illegal alien. It is a waste of time and resources to arrest someone who is off limits for detainment or deportation and the documents make that fact clear,” the source added.
“Border Patrol agents are now being trained to be social workers, not law enforcement.”
More
Free Army helicopter ends up costing Newark's police $2 million, records show
Sometimes free things are too good to be true.
A 42-year-old Vietnam-era OH-58A Bell Kiowa helicopter, given to Newark for free from the U.S. Army in 2005 as part of a military surplus program, has cost the city more than $2 million to refurbish, maintain and operate, according to documents obtained by NJ Advance Media.
An examination of the sky-high bill shows that the Newark City Council has approved $1.13 million in maintenance contracts the last five years alone, including a $27,412 invoice to strip, apply corrosion coating, prime and paint the aircraft and the purchase of new rotor blades that cost $143,386.
The helicopter also has been equipped with a night vision system that allows pilots to see in the dark and a receiver to track stolen cars, despite the city’s budget problems which, most notably, forced then-Mayor Cory Booker to lay off 167 cops in 2010.
More
A 42-year-old Vietnam-era OH-58A Bell Kiowa helicopter, given to Newark for free from the U.S. Army in 2005 as part of a military surplus program, has cost the city more than $2 million to refurbish, maintain and operate, according to documents obtained by NJ Advance Media.
An examination of the sky-high bill shows that the Newark City Council has approved $1.13 million in maintenance contracts the last five years alone, including a $27,412 invoice to strip, apply corrosion coating, prime and paint the aircraft and the purchase of new rotor blades that cost $143,386.
The helicopter also has been equipped with a night vision system that allows pilots to see in the dark and a receiver to track stolen cars, despite the city’s budget problems which, most notably, forced then-Mayor Cory Booker to lay off 167 cops in 2010.
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Sharia Law and Gun Control
Freedom of the press is now a moot point in Europe. Freedom of the press is related to the right to keep and bear arms: Amendments 1 and 2 of the U.S. Constitution.
If you don’t have the right to keep and bear arms, you don’t have freedom of the press. The state cannot protect you. It can only try to find your assassins.
Liberal democracy is committed to freedom of the press. Islam is not. Here is an editorial that was run in USA Today by a man identified as a teacher of Sharia law in Great Britain. This man has clearly set forth the principles of Islam as they apply to freedom of the press. He was given freedom of the press by USA Today. We read: People know the consequences: Opposing view. He took this opportunity to send us a message about consequences.
Contrary to popular misconception, Islam does not mean peace but rather means submission to the commands of Allah alone. Therefore, Muslims do not believe in the concept of freedom of expression, as their speech and actions are determined by divine revelation and not based on people’s desires.Although Muslims may not agree about the idea of freedom of expression, even non-Muslims who espouse it say it comes with responsibilities. In an increasingly unstable and insecure world, the potential consequences of insulting the Messenger Muhammad are known to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Muslims consider the honor of the Prophet Muhammad to be dearer to them than that of their parents or even themselves. To defend it is considered to be an obligation upon them. The strict punishment if found guilty of this crime under sharia (Islamic law) is capital punishment implementable by an Islamic State. This is because the Messenger Muhammad said, “Whoever insults a Prophet kill him.”
However, because the honor of the Prophet is something which all Muslims want to defend, many will take the law into their own hands, as we often see.
Within liberal democracies, freedom of expression has curtailments, such as laws against incitement and hatred.
The truth is that Western governments are content to sacrifice liberties and freedoms when being complicit to torture and rendition — or when restricting the freedom of movement of Muslims, under the guise of protecting national security.
So why in this case did the French government allow the magazine Charlie Hebdo to continue to provoke Muslims, thereby placing the sanctity of its citizens at risk?
It is time that the sanctity of a Prophet revered by up to one-quarter of the world’s population was protected.
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If you don’t have the right to keep and bear arms, you don’t have freedom of the press. The state cannot protect you. It can only try to find your assassins.
Liberal democracy is committed to freedom of the press. Islam is not. Here is an editorial that was run in USA Today by a man identified as a teacher of Sharia law in Great Britain. This man has clearly set forth the principles of Islam as they apply to freedom of the press. He was given freedom of the press by USA Today. We read: People know the consequences: Opposing view. He took this opportunity to send us a message about consequences.
Contrary to popular misconception, Islam does not mean peace but rather means submission to the commands of Allah alone. Therefore, Muslims do not believe in the concept of freedom of expression, as their speech and actions are determined by divine revelation and not based on people’s desires.Although Muslims may not agree about the idea of freedom of expression, even non-Muslims who espouse it say it comes with responsibilities. In an increasingly unstable and insecure world, the potential consequences of insulting the Messenger Muhammad are known to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Muslims consider the honor of the Prophet Muhammad to be dearer to them than that of their parents or even themselves. To defend it is considered to be an obligation upon them. The strict punishment if found guilty of this crime under sharia (Islamic law) is capital punishment implementable by an Islamic State. This is because the Messenger Muhammad said, “Whoever insults a Prophet kill him.”
However, because the honor of the Prophet is something which all Muslims want to defend, many will take the law into their own hands, as we often see.
Within liberal democracies, freedom of expression has curtailments, such as laws against incitement and hatred.
The truth is that Western governments are content to sacrifice liberties and freedoms when being complicit to torture and rendition — or when restricting the freedom of movement of Muslims, under the guise of protecting national security.
So why in this case did the French government allow the magazine Charlie Hebdo to continue to provoke Muslims, thereby placing the sanctity of its citizens at risk?
It is time that the sanctity of a Prophet revered by up to one-quarter of the world’s population was protected.
More