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Thursday, April 30, 2015
30 Things You Can’t Buy If You’re on Welfare
Residents of the Sunflower State who receive public assistance through the Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) program have just gotten a stern message: Use your welfare check for frivolous reasons and you’ll lose the privilege.
To ensure that federal and state dollars are being used appropriately, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, just signed a bill prohibiting his state’s welfare recipients from spending public aid on items and services that range from liquor to lottery tickets. Also off limits are tattoos, psychic readings, theme park passes and concert tickets.
Many other states – nearly half the states – restrict the ways in which government assistance can be used. The purchase of alcohol, tobacco and adult entertainment, for example, is off limits across the board. Although enforcement is hardly ironclad, there are penalties for rulebreakers.
At least 37 states issue their TANF cash benefits through electronic benefit transfer cards. These EBT cards function much like any other debit card: Users can withdraw cash and make purchases as they see fit. But to cut down on fraud, a number of states have been restricting the venues at which these cards can be used and the purchases that can be made with them. Click here to see a list of states that limit welfare purchases.
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To ensure that federal and state dollars are being used appropriately, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, just signed a bill prohibiting his state’s welfare recipients from spending public aid on items and services that range from liquor to lottery tickets. Also off limits are tattoos, psychic readings, theme park passes and concert tickets.
Many other states – nearly half the states – restrict the ways in which government assistance can be used. The purchase of alcohol, tobacco and adult entertainment, for example, is off limits across the board. Although enforcement is hardly ironclad, there are penalties for rulebreakers.
At least 37 states issue their TANF cash benefits through electronic benefit transfer cards. These EBT cards function much like any other debit card: Users can withdraw cash and make purchases as they see fit. But to cut down on fraud, a number of states have been restricting the venues at which these cards can be used and the purchases that can be made with them. Click here to see a list of states that limit welfare purchases.
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6.7 magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea: USGS
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck New Britain island off Papua New Guinea Thursday, 131 kilometres (81 miles) southwest of the town of Kokopo, US seismologists said.
The quake hit the island at 1045 GMT, northeast of mainland Papua. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said "a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected."
The quake hit at a depth of 48.9 kilometres and the US Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake's magnitude at 6.8, but later revised its strength.
Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Mark Leonard said the depth of the quake and its location meant the tremor was unlikely to cause any serious damage to Papua New Guinea.
"It's this deep and it's just on the end of the coast, so the area of damage is only a few kilometres around," Leonard told AFP.
"That outpost of New Britain is very sparsely populated so we're not really expecting any serious damage."
Leonard added that no tsunami would be generated as there was no displacement of sea floors for an earthquake at this depth.
The epicentre was 680 kilometres from Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby.
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The quake hit the island at 1045 GMT, northeast of mainland Papua. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said "a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected."
The quake hit at a depth of 48.9 kilometres and the US Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake's magnitude at 6.8, but later revised its strength.
Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Mark Leonard said the depth of the quake and its location meant the tremor was unlikely to cause any serious damage to Papua New Guinea.
"It's this deep and it's just on the end of the coast, so the area of damage is only a few kilometres around," Leonard told AFP.
"That outpost of New Britain is very sparsely populated so we're not really expecting any serious damage."
Leonard added that no tsunami would be generated as there was no displacement of sea floors for an earthquake at this depth.
The epicentre was 680 kilometres from Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby.
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Al Sharpton Gets Physical With Fox News Reporter
Fox News reporter Leland Vittert got into a heated — and eventually physical — confrontation with activist and MSNBC host Al Sharpton, when the latter tried to keep him from questioning Democratic Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
(VIDEO: Democratic Congressman Walks Away From Live Fox News Interview)
We can’t ask questions?” Vittert challenged her. “You are a public official and we can’t ask questions?”
“You will have the opportunity,” Sharpton said.
“Then you’ll answer our questions?” he pressed.
“At the press conference, we will answer all questions,” Sharpton said. But as Vittert kept tailing them, a second man stepped between the reporter and the mayor and began pushing him away.
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(VIDEO: Democratic Congressman Walks Away From Live Fox News Interview)
We can’t ask questions?” Vittert challenged her. “You are a public official and we can’t ask questions?”
“You will have the opportunity,” Sharpton said.
“Then you’ll answer our questions?” he pressed.
“At the press conference, we will answer all questions,” Sharpton said. But as Vittert kept tailing them, a second man stepped between the reporter and the mayor and began pushing him away.
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'Clinton Cash' Author Says He Has Full-Time Security
The author of a controversial book that alleges wrongdoing within the Clinton family's foundation said Wednesday he has full-time security.
Peter Schweizer told Bloomberg he has retained security services when asked if he has received death threats over his book, "Clinton Cash."
"I'll just say we have security," Schweizer said near the end of the interview. "And that security is not something that just came because we decided to have security. And we'll just leave it at that."
Hillary Clinton announced her candidacy for president more than two weeks ago. Some critics have said her campaign is already coming apart over the "Clinton Cash" allegations and the ongoing scandal regarding her use of a private email address and server during her time at the State Department.
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Peter Schweizer told Bloomberg he has retained security services when asked if he has received death threats over his book, "Clinton Cash."
"I'll just say we have security," Schweizer said near the end of the interview. "And that security is not something that just came because we decided to have security. And we'll just leave it at that."
Hillary Clinton announced her candidacy for president more than two weeks ago. Some critics have said her campaign is already coming apart over the "Clinton Cash" allegations and the ongoing scandal regarding her use of a private email address and server during her time at the State Department.
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Ten jailed in Pakistan for involvement in attack on Malala
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani court jailed 10 men for 25 years each on Thursday for involvement in the 2012 shooting of teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, targeted for her campaign against Taliban efforts to deny girls education.
Pakistani Taliban militants claimed responsibility for attacking Malala as she travelled home from school in her home in Swat, northwest of the capital, Islamabad.
"Judge Mohammad Amin Kundi in his verdict gave 25 years jail to all of these people," said a court official in Swat, where the 10 were convicted in an anti-terrorism court.
They were the first convictions for the attack.
Malala was seriously wounded and airlifted to Britain for treatment, where she now lives. Two other schoolgirls were wounded.
Since then, Malala has become a symbol of defiance in the fight against militants operating in ethnic Pashtun areas in northwest Pakistan. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
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Pakistani Taliban militants claimed responsibility for attacking Malala as she travelled home from school in her home in Swat, northwest of the capital, Islamabad.
"Judge Mohammad Amin Kundi in his verdict gave 25 years jail to all of these people," said a court official in Swat, where the 10 were convicted in an anti-terrorism court.
They were the first convictions for the attack.
Malala was seriously wounded and airlifted to Britain for treatment, where she now lives. Two other schoolgirls were wounded.
Since then, Malala has become a symbol of defiance in the fight against militants operating in ethnic Pashtun areas in northwest Pakistan. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
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A Contributor Writes: It's As If SBYnews Had Already Predicted the Rioting in Baltimore
Since SBYnews is the ONLY publication that has previously published the jobs statistics for Wicomico County, and, the State of Maryland's deplorable economic environment including the Local Factory Closing List. SBYnews Local Factory Closing chronologically list and documents in excess of 100 disappearing businesses - some of which were former Fortune 500 companies. We also wrote about and covered extensively about Maryland being the NO.2 State in Housing Foreclosures.
It's almost as if the entire staff at SBYnews was acutely aware that something unprecedented was about to happen. And guess what - it happened right before your very eyes - right in Front of a FULL BLOWN NATIONAL PRESS CORE!!! One can accurately say that SBYnews was way out in front of this National event. But in reality - it was a no-brainer from our perspective. You see Maryland has a former Democrat Mayor/Governor - Martin O'Malley - who is right now traversing across our Country touting about Maryland's creation of high paying jobs, touting high educational standards, touting just about everything that people wished for - but in actuality - the Democratic controlled Maryland Legislation is WAS - AND IS - A TOTAL FAILURE. And the entire City of Baltimore now knows it - as the national episode plays out before an INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE.
Thank you SBYnews for being the most credible source of information - not just locally - but internationally.
It's almost as if the entire staff at SBYnews was acutely aware that something unprecedented was about to happen. And guess what - it happened right before your very eyes - right in Front of a FULL BLOWN NATIONAL PRESS CORE!!! One can accurately say that SBYnews was way out in front of this National event. But in reality - it was a no-brainer from our perspective. You see Maryland has a former Democrat Mayor/Governor - Martin O'Malley - who is right now traversing across our Country touting about Maryland's creation of high paying jobs, touting high educational standards, touting just about everything that people wished for - but in actuality - the Democratic controlled Maryland Legislation is WAS - AND IS - A TOTAL FAILURE. And the entire City of Baltimore now knows it - as the national episode plays out before an INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE.
Thank you SBYnews for being the most credible source of information - not just locally - but internationally.
Rubio Pushing for Recognition of Israel in Iran Deal
Republican presidential candidate and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is pushing hard for votes on amendments to a carefully crafted bill that would allow Congress to review any nuclear deal with Iran — including a politically charged rider forcing Tehran to recognize Israel.
"If you don't want to vote on things, don't run for office," Rubio said in challenging his fellow senators, the Weekly Standard reports.
But Politico reports that the Israel amendment gives Democrats a dilemma: they want to look strong on defending Israel and yet loyal to President Barack Obama, who could threaten to veto the measure if it's significantly amended.
Rubio has seven amendments he's aiming to pass, and the Israel recognition issue isn't the only difficult one, Politico notes: one demands the release of Americans held in Iran, another requires Obama to submit any United Nations proposals to Congress, and still another aims to keep economic sanctions on Iran.
"I want a vote on all of my amendments," Rubio said.
But Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, slammed the Israel amendment as a "poison pill" that would defeat the White House-supported bill.
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"If you don't want to vote on things, don't run for office," Rubio said in challenging his fellow senators, the Weekly Standard reports.
But Politico reports that the Israel amendment gives Democrats a dilemma: they want to look strong on defending Israel and yet loyal to President Barack Obama, who could threaten to veto the measure if it's significantly amended.
Rubio has seven amendments he's aiming to pass, and the Israel recognition issue isn't the only difficult one, Politico notes: one demands the release of Americans held in Iran, another requires Obama to submit any United Nations proposals to Congress, and still another aims to keep economic sanctions on Iran.
"I want a vote on all of my amendments," Rubio said.
But Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, slammed the Israel amendment as a "poison pill" that would defeat the White House-supported bill.
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Colorado mom chastised by school for packing Oreo cookies in daughter's lunch
Preschooler Natalee Pearson told her mom Friday that she wasn't allowed to eat the cookies in her lunchbox.
The note told parents to pack a nutritious lunch that includes a fruit, vegetable and healthy snack.
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Defiant Gun Range Owner Refuses To Reverse Her Anti-Muslim Policy
In her initial statement, Morgan cited the fact that the Quran contains “109 verses commanding hate, murder and terror against all human beings who refuse to submit or convert to Islam,” wondering why she would “hand a loaded gun” to someone whose faith teaches such violence.
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‘Embarrassed’ Son of Mom Who Slapped Him When She Saw Him With Baltimore Rioters Speaks Out
“I understand how much my mama really cares about me,” Michael Singleton told ABC News. “I just got to try to do better.”
Singleton recounted the moment he saw his mother, Toya Graham, catch him on the Baltimore streets.
“I’m like, ‘Oh man. What is my mama doing down here?’” he said.
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Justice Alito: Why Not Let 4 Lawyers Marry One Another?
“Would there be any ground for denying them a license?” Alito asked.
“Let's say they're all consenting adults, highly educated. They're all lawyers,” he said.
Alito posed the question to Mary L. Bonauto, a lawyer who was presenting the court with arguments on behalf of clients seeking to establish a right to same-sex marriage.
Bonauto expressed the view that states cannot prohibit two people of the same-sex from marrying but can prohibit four people of different sexes from marrying.
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Home schooling - info meeting
Information meeting - find out about homeschooling K through high school! Please come learn about Classical Conversations - a community of home schooling families meeting weekly in Salisbury (and Georgetown, Easton and Dover). Classical Conversations provides instruction from trained tutors, support, encouragement, and peer interaction.
Princess Anne - Monday, May 4, 11am - Princess Anne Library, children's area
Berlin - Monday, May 4, 2 - 3 pm - Berlin Library, children's area
Salisbury - Monday, May 4, 7- 8 pm - Panera Bread, N Salisbury Blvd
email classicalalternatives@gmail.com for more information.
Princess Anne - Monday, May 4, 11am - Princess Anne Library, children's area
Berlin - Monday, May 4, 2 - 3 pm - Berlin Library, children's area
Salisbury - Monday, May 4, 7- 8 pm - Panera Bread, N Salisbury Blvd
email classicalalternatives@gmail.com for more information.
Gallup: Less Than 1% of Adult Population Part of a Same-Sex Couple
The same survey finds that approximately .3 percent (.3%) of U.S. adults are married to a same-sex spouse, a mere .5 percent (.5%) identify as being in a same-sex domestic partnership and, of the estimated .8 percent (.8%) of the total U.S. adult population that are a part of a same-sex couple, 780,000 are married. In other words, of the estimated 2 million adults that are a part of a same-sex couple, 39 percent (39%) are married.
Gallup’s survey also has statistics for “All others.” “All others” account for the estimated 241,000,000 U.S. adults (99.2%) that are not either married with a same-sex spouse or unmarried and living with a same-sex domestic partner.
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A Great Way To Start Your Morning
'No one gets to be a winner' after Baltimore riots, economist says
"No one gets to be a winner," said Daraius Irani, chief economist at the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University. "There are these negative perceptions that are very hard to shake."
Irani has heard more media references to "The Wire," Baltimore's homicide rate and the city's 1968 riots in the hours since violence broke out Monday, he said. That can build a widespread negative perception undermining investment in the city as homebuyers, businesses, conventions and tourists reconsider buying into the area for fear of violence and disruption.
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Dog Rescued In Berlin
Amid cheers this afternoon, Berlin Police were just now able to rescue a scared dog that had jumped through a hole in a...
Posted by The Dispatch on Thursday, April 30, 2015
U.S. homeownership rate lowest in 20-plus years
For the first time in more than 20 years, the homeownership rate in the U.S. has fallen below 64 percent, the U.S. Census Bureau announced Tuesday.
The seasonally adjusted 63.8 percent rate is far below the 69 percent rate just 10 years ago — a time when homebuying may have been the easiest for Americans.
When one looks at the regional and age breakdowns of the falling homeownership rates, some of the country's largest homebuilders such as Lennar Corp., Toll Brothers and KB Homes may well go back to their gamebook to devise a new strategy.
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The seasonally adjusted 63.8 percent rate is far below the 69 percent rate just 10 years ago — a time when homebuying may have been the easiest for Americans.
When one looks at the regional and age breakdowns of the falling homeownership rates, some of the country's largest homebuilders such as Lennar Corp., Toll Brothers and KB Homes may well go back to their gamebook to devise a new strategy.
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WCSO Press Releases - April 30, 2015
Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 22 April 2015
Location: 1900 block of Pine Way, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Kevin Stuart Moore, 25, Salisbury, MD
Kevin Moore
Narrative: On 22 April 2015 at 9:07 AM a deputy responded to a residence in the 1900 block of Pine Way for a reported domestic related assault. Upon arrival, the deputy was told by the victim that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend, Kevin Moore, who had left the residence prior to the arrival of the deputy. According to the victim, the couple was arguing over living arrangements when Moore allegedly became mad and struck the victim. At one point it is reported that Moore bit the victim on the nose. While speaking with the victim, the deputy observed obvious signs of injury that were reportedly inflicted by Moore.
The deputy located Moore on an adjacent street and took him into custody. Moore was transported to the central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Moore in the Detention Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.
Charges: Assault 1st Degree
Assault 2nd Degree
Reckless Endangerment
******************************************************
Incident: Theft
Date of Incident: 24 April 2015
Location: 5000 block of Berry Road, Parsonsburg, MD
Suspect: John K. Holt, 31, Millsboro, DE
John Holt
Narrative: On 24 April 2015 a deputy arrested John Holt in connection with a theft that occurred in Parsonsburg. Investigation revealed that a 16 gauge nail gun was stolen from a job site and was found to be in the possession of John Holt who attempted to sell it at a local pawn shop. After the owner of the nail gun arrived and positively identified his nail gun, the deputy placed Holt under arrest.
Following an initial appearance in front of the District Court Commissioner, Holt was released on $15,000.00 unsecured bond.
Charges: Theft under $1,000.00
A Second Look
As the weather warms up more motorcycles will be on the road. Please watch this video.
Honda Out, Harley In
Obama vs. Reagan on Economic Growth: Not Even Close
Ronald Reagan’s economic plan saw GDP surge at a 3.5% clip – 4.9% after the recession. That’s a 32% bump.
During the Obama years, thanks to his big government policies, the US economy has stalled. Today the quarterly GDP was announced. The GDP for the first quarter of 2015 braked more sharply than expected at only a .2% pace. The US economy has grown an anemic 9.6% during the Obama years (excluding today’s dismal number).
Of course, Obama’s record on job growth is also much worse that President Reagan’s record.
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New rule permits US schools to increase number of designated school officials
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to improve management of international student programs and increase opportunities for study by spouses and children of international students.
In order to be certified by SEVP to enroll international students, U.S. schools must nominate a designated school official to serve as a liaison between the school and SEVP. This individual is responsible for maintaining international students’ records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and ensuring schools comply with U.S. laws and regulations governing international students studying in the U.S.
Under the amended regulations, SEVP-certified schools have greater flexibility in determining how many designated school officials to nominate. Previously, SEVP-certified schools could only nominate a maximum of 10 designated schools officials. The new regulation removes the cap and permits SEVP-certified schools to nominate an appropriate number of designated school officials based on their school’s specific needs. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), however, must review each nominee and maintains discretion on whether to approve or deny the nomination.
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Walmart in Baltimore Refusing Ammo Sales
A Walmart in Baltimore is refusing to sell ammo to customers in the aftermath of riots that swept the city this week, according to journalist Charles C. Johnson.
Johnson, who has written for the the Wall Street Journal and the Weekly Standard, relates how his cousin, who lives in Baltimore, was turned away by Walmart during a bizarre exchange that suggests the retail giant has instituted a policy to remove ammunition from its shelves.
“No ammo on the shelves. This is at a store 30 minutes from downtown,” wrote the individual, adding, “If you couldn’t specifically ask for what you wanted they refused to sell it to you.”
However, another customer who specifically asked for a certain type and amount of ammo was also turned away empty handed.
The Walmart employee told the individual that any ammo which wasn’t visible on store shelves was unavailable as a result of a “policy” that had been put in place.
“I don’t see any ammo on the shelves,” said the customer, to which the Walmart employee responded, “Exactly.”
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Johnson, who has written for the the Wall Street Journal and the Weekly Standard, relates how his cousin, who lives in Baltimore, was turned away by Walmart during a bizarre exchange that suggests the retail giant has instituted a policy to remove ammunition from its shelves.
“No ammo on the shelves. This is at a store 30 minutes from downtown,” wrote the individual, adding, “If you couldn’t specifically ask for what you wanted they refused to sell it to you.”
However, another customer who specifically asked for a certain type and amount of ammo was also turned away empty handed.
The Walmart employee told the individual that any ammo which wasn’t visible on store shelves was unavailable as a result of a “policy” that had been put in place.
“I don’t see any ammo on the shelves,” said the customer, to which the Walmart employee responded, “Exactly.”
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Obese Moms Four Times More Likely to Have Kids With ADHD
The researchers had found evidence of this link in two previous studies, said lead author Heejoo Jo of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We wanted to see if we would find the same association using a variety of different measures,” said Jo.
“We did find pretty large associations, much bigger than we thought,” she said.
Jo and her coauthors studied data on 1,311 mother-child pairs collected between 2005 and 2012, including the mothers’ body mass index (BMI, a height-to-weight ratio) before pregnancy and their reports of the children’s psychosocial difficulties at age six. (On online BMI calculator is here: 1.usa.gov/1ooHYzU.)
The researchers also incorporated the children’s developmental diagnoses and receipt of special needs services.
Kids of moms who were severely obese, with a BMI greater than 35, were twice as likely to have emotional symptoms, problems with peers and total psychosocial difficulties compared to kids of moms who had a healthy BMI, between 18.5 and 25.
They were three times as likely to have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and more than four times as likely to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as reported in Pediatrics.
The researchers accounted for pregnancy weight gain, gestational diabetes, breastfeeding duration, postpartum depression and infant birth weight, none of which explained the apparent link.
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Riot-Plagued Baltimore Is a Catastrophe Entirely of the Democratic Party’s Own Making
A few weeks ago, there was an election in Ferguson, Mo., the result of which was to treble the number of African Americans on that unhappy suburb’s city council. This was greeted in some corners with optimism — now, at last, the city’s black residents would have a chance to see to securing their own interests. This optimism flies in the face of evidence near — St. Louis — and far — Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco . . .
St. Louis has not had a Republican mayor since the 1940s, and in its most recent elections for the board of aldermen there was no Republican in the majority of the contests; the city is overwhelmingly Democratic, effectively a single-party political monopoly from its schools to its police department. Baltimore has seen two Republicans sit in the mayor’s office since the 1920s — and none since the 1960s. Like St. Louis, it is effectively a single-party political monopoly from its schools to its police department. Philadelphia has not elected a Republican mayor since 1948. The last Republican to be elected mayor of Detroit was congratulated on his victory by President Eisenhower. Atlanta, a city so corrupt that its public schools are organized as a criminal conspiracy against its children, last had a Republican mayor in the 19th century. Its municipal elections are officially nonpartisan, but the last Republican to run in Atlanta’s 13th congressional district did not manage to secure even 30 percent of the vote; Atlanta is effectively a single-party political monopoly from its schools to its police department.
American cities are by and large Democratic-party monopolies, monopolies generally dominated by the so-called progressive wing of the party. The results have been catastrophic, and not only in poor black cities such as Baltimore and Detroit. Money can paper over some of the defects of progressivism in rich, white cities such as Portland and San Francisco, but those are pretty awful places to be non-white and non-rich, too: Blacks make up barely 9 percent of the population in San Francisco, but they represent 40 percent of those arrested for murder, and they are arrested for drug offenses at ten times their share of the population. Criminals make their own choices, sure, but you want to take a look at the racial disparity in educational outcomes and tell me that those low-income nine-year-olds in Wisconsin just need to buck up and bootstrap it?
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St. Louis has not had a Republican mayor since the 1940s, and in its most recent elections for the board of aldermen there was no Republican in the majority of the contests; the city is overwhelmingly Democratic, effectively a single-party political monopoly from its schools to its police department. Baltimore has seen two Republicans sit in the mayor’s office since the 1920s — and none since the 1960s. Like St. Louis, it is effectively a single-party political monopoly from its schools to its police department. Philadelphia has not elected a Republican mayor since 1948. The last Republican to be elected mayor of Detroit was congratulated on his victory by President Eisenhower. Atlanta, a city so corrupt that its public schools are organized as a criminal conspiracy against its children, last had a Republican mayor in the 19th century. Its municipal elections are officially nonpartisan, but the last Republican to run in Atlanta’s 13th congressional district did not manage to secure even 30 percent of the vote; Atlanta is effectively a single-party political monopoly from its schools to its police department.
American cities are by and large Democratic-party monopolies, monopolies generally dominated by the so-called progressive wing of the party. The results have been catastrophic, and not only in poor black cities such as Baltimore and Detroit. Money can paper over some of the defects of progressivism in rich, white cities such as Portland and San Francisco, but those are pretty awful places to be non-white and non-rich, too: Blacks make up barely 9 percent of the population in San Francisco, but they represent 40 percent of those arrested for murder, and they are arrested for drug offenses at ten times their share of the population. Criminals make their own choices, sure, but you want to take a look at the racial disparity in educational outcomes and tell me that those low-income nine-year-olds in Wisconsin just need to buck up and bootstrap it?
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Bill Clinton Takes Top Foundation Donors on 9-Day Africa Tour
Former President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton are leading a delegation of donors to their foundation on a nine-day trip to Africa starting Wednesday. The highpoint is expected to be a gala conference and networking opportunity in Marrakesh, Morocco, Politico reported.
The Clinton Foundation describes itself as bringing together "businesses, governments, NGOs, and individuals" to promote public health, opportunities for women, economic improvement, and to address climate change.
The trip will have stopovers in Tanzania, Kenya, Liberia and Morocco, where donors will visit programs funded by the foundation. The finale in Marrakesh will be under the rubric of the
Clinton Global Initiative Middle East and Africa Meeting and include time with King Mohammed VI and his top officials. The country has donated heavily to the foundation, Politico reported.
Morocco, the only Arab country on the itinerary, is one of the more stable states in the Middle East though tensions simmer below the surface, according to The Guardian.
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The Clinton Foundation describes itself as bringing together "businesses, governments, NGOs, and individuals" to promote public health, opportunities for women, economic improvement, and to address climate change.
The trip will have stopovers in Tanzania, Kenya, Liberia and Morocco, where donors will visit programs funded by the foundation. The finale in Marrakesh will be under the rubric of the
Clinton Global Initiative Middle East and Africa Meeting and include time with King Mohammed VI and his top officials. The country has donated heavily to the foundation, Politico reported.
Morocco, the only Arab country on the itinerary, is one of the more stable states in the Middle East though tensions simmer below the surface, according to The Guardian.
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We Are Capable of More
The images of these last days are now seared into our collective memory as a people -- a new senior citizen center engulfed in flames, a new drugstore burning. Small neighborhood grocery stores looted and burning. Police cars and neighbors' cars vandalized and burning.
Perhaps many of us, for the first time, felt a sense of the constant state of vulnerability that so many of our black neighbors must feel every day, and feel especially for their sons growing up in the United States of America today.
The burning anger in the heart of our city -- broadcast around the world -- reminded all of us of a hard truth. It is a truth we must face as a nation. Because it is a truth that threatens our children's future. It is the reality that eats away at the heart of America and the very survival of the American Dream we share.
The hard, truthful reality is this: growing numbers of our fellow citizens in American cities across the United States feel unheard, unseen, unrecognized -- their very lives un-needed.
This is not just about policing in America. This is about everything it is supposed to mean to be an American.
As Dr. Martin Luther King once said, "a riot is the language of the unheard." And, this week the people of our city and our entire country were forced to listen.
Walter Cronkite’s grandson dead from suicide, found in dorm
The grandson of legendary CBS anchor Walter Cronkite took his own life over the weekend at his Maine college, just days away from graduation.
Peter Cronkite, 22, was found Sunday in his dorm room on Colby College by police in Waterville.
The rugby player and standout scholar took his own life, the Cronkite family said.
Waterville police said they responded to an emergency medical call to Colby but refused to provide details.
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Peter Cronkite, 22, was found Sunday in his dorm room on Colby College by police in Waterville.
The rugby player and standout scholar took his own life, the Cronkite family said.
Waterville police said they responded to an emergency medical call to Colby but refused to provide details.
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MIKULSKI CALLS ON HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY TO CONDUCT AUDIT OF SEASONAL WORKER H-2B VISAS AND MAKE AVAILABLE UNUSED VISAS FOR BUSINESSES THAT USE H-2B VISAS
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, at a hearing of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, hand-delivered a letter and urged to Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Jeh Johnson to conduct an immediate & expedited audit on the number of non-immigrant H-2B visas that have been both requested and used in 2015. The Senator requested that any unused visas uncovered as a part of this audit be promptly made available to eligible businesses that have been unable to secure workers due to the cap being reached.
“Maryland businesses that use the H-2B visa program have a real problem right now, and that’s that, because of the H-2B visa caps, they can’t get the H-2B visas this year that they need to run their businesses. But I have a suggestion for how to beat this problem,” Senator Mikulski said. “I’m requesting that you do an audit of how many non-immigrant H-2B visas have been requested and how many have been used. That would allow you to give the unused visas to businesses that need them. These businesses need a government on their side. Every time there is a bureaucratic rule change or legal interpretation that harms their ability to operate their business, they lose another piece of their livelihood. They need a functioning H-2B program.”
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Woman killed by shark off the coast of Maui
A 65-year-old Hawaiian resident was killed Wednesday in an apparent shark attack off the coast of Maui.
The woman's body was found floating face-down in the water near the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve with injuries consistent with a shark attack, Maui County government said in a statement. She had been snorkeling with two friends when they were separated, authorities said, and she was found alone. Beaches near where the incident took place will be closed until at least noon on Friday.
There have been two other shark attacks in Hawaii this year, neither one fatal. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said that since 1995, there have been three confirmed fatal shark attacks in the state, all off the coast of Maui.
Source
The woman's body was found floating face-down in the water near the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve with injuries consistent with a shark attack, Maui County government said in a statement. She had been snorkeling with two friends when they were separated, authorities said, and she was found alone. Beaches near where the incident took place will be closed until at least noon on Friday.
There have been two other shark attacks in Hawaii this year, neither one fatal. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said that since 1995, there have been three confirmed fatal shark attacks in the state, all off the coast of Maui.
Source
'Embarrassing' state-senator caught on camera HUGGING a rioter after coming under fire for 'defending thieves and looters' in on-air confrontation with Geraldo Rivera
Shortly after, she angrily told a Fox News host that demonstrators were not looking for trouble.
Now, Maryland State Senator Catherine E. Pugh is under fire for 'empathizing' with the hundreds of people who were taking to the streets of Baltimore armed with rocks and bottles on Tuesday night.
The 65-year-old was accused of being 'foolish' and 'an embarrassment' by social media users for defending protesters in the city, which has been the scene of riots following Freddie Gray's death.
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Baltimore Leaders Try to Curb Expectations Over a Pending Police Report
BALTIMORE — An edgy peace held sway here as a huge crowd took to the streets before a curfew Wednesday night and the mayor and the police sought to tamp down expectations that residents would learn details on Friday about how a young black man died after being injured in police custody.
Fears ran high that the end of the week could return this city to the violence spurred by the still-unexplained death of the man, Freddie Gray, 25 — particularly if people think they will get answers but do not. Speculation about the possible release of some or all of the findings has fueled expectations that the public will learn much more about the case that day.
But the mayor, the police commissioner, a large group of prominent clergymen and a lawyer for Mr. Gray’s family emerged from a meeting Wednesday to give a united warning against expecting any revelations Friday, when the Police Department has said it will turn its findings over to the state’s attorney for Baltimore, Marilyn J. Mosby, who will decide whether to seek criminal charges. Six officers have been suspended in the episode.
The 34-year-old Mosby is the daughter of police officers and wife of City Councilman Nick Mosby. She couples a police officer's love of telling stories from the beat with a belief in the importance of civil rights.
"The criminal justice system is probably the biggest problem facing African-Americans today," Mosby says.
After law school at Boston College, Mosby passed the Maryland bar in 2006 and started as a city prosecutor. She quickly moved up to handling more serious cases. She said she took about half a dozen felony cases to trial, as well as about 40 misdemeanors, before leaving the office in late 2011.
She was not involved in a rape or a murder case as a prosecutor.
Read more here and here
Fears ran high that the end of the week could return this city to the violence spurred by the still-unexplained death of the man, Freddie Gray, 25 — particularly if people think they will get answers but do not. Speculation about the possible release of some or all of the findings has fueled expectations that the public will learn much more about the case that day.
But the mayor, the police commissioner, a large group of prominent clergymen and a lawyer for Mr. Gray’s family emerged from a meeting Wednesday to give a united warning against expecting any revelations Friday, when the Police Department has said it will turn its findings over to the state’s attorney for Baltimore, Marilyn J. Mosby, who will decide whether to seek criminal charges. Six officers have been suspended in the episode.
The 34-year-old Mosby is the daughter of police officers and wife of City Councilman Nick Mosby. She couples a police officer's love of telling stories from the beat with a belief in the importance of civil rights.
"The criminal justice system is probably the biggest problem facing African-Americans today," Mosby says.
After law school at Boston College, Mosby passed the Maryland bar in 2006 and started as a city prosecutor. She quickly moved up to handling more serious cases. She said she took about half a dozen felony cases to trial, as well as about 40 misdemeanors, before leaving the office in late 2011.
She was not involved in a rape or a murder case as a prosecutor.
Read more here and here
Troopers Investigating Fatal Hit and Run Motor Vehicle Crash
Cheswold - The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a fatal hit and run motor vehicle crash north of Cheswold which has resulted in the death of a pedestrian.
The initial investigation has determined that the incident was reported at approximately 4:53 a.m. this morning, Thursday, April 30, 2015 by a newspaper deliver person on North DuPont Highway (US13) southbound just north of South Messina Hill Road. The adult male pedestrian, whose identity is unknown at this time, was located lying in a driveway and was pronounced dead by paramedics.
The body has been turned over the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for autopsy and positive identification.
The vehicle that struck the pedestrian fled the scene and has not been identified at this time.
US13 southbound lanes were opened at approximately 9:45 a.m.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Master Corporal J. Lane at 302-697-4454 ext. 215. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet atwww.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
The initial investigation has determined that the incident was reported at approximately 4:53 a.m. this morning, Thursday, April 30, 2015 by a newspaper deliver person on North DuPont Highway (US13) southbound just north of South Messina Hill Road. The adult male pedestrian, whose identity is unknown at this time, was located lying in a driveway and was pronounced dead by paramedics.
The body has been turned over the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for autopsy and positive identification.
The vehicle that struck the pedestrian fled the scene and has not been identified at this time.
US13 southbound lanes were opened at approximately 9:45 a.m.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Master Corporal J. Lane at 302-697-4454 ext. 215. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet atwww.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Hillary Clinton Unveils New Rainbow Campaign Logo
Ever since announcing her run for the White House, Hillary has flip-flopped on several key issues, one of which is her stance on same-sex marriage, which moved from a traditional view to a modern progressive one.
This is clearly a strategy to appeal to the LGBT demographic and pull votes from that community and its supporters.
Well, it seems Clinton is taking her groveling to the next level by unveiling a new campaign logo, which is rainbow colored.
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Baltimore city police commissioner takes down rioter in the street
But Baltimore City Police Commissioner Anthony Batts has proved he is not just about speeches after he was seen taking down a protestor himself in the stricken city.
Baltimore has been besieged by protestors starting fires, destroying buildings and marching following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died of spinal injuries after being arrested and put into a police van.
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Ben Carson to Baltimore Parents: 'Take Control of Your Children'
Presidential hopeful and former pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson is pleading with Baltimore parents to control their children and keep them away from the violence in the streets.
"I urge parents, grandparents and guardians to please take control of your children and do not allow them to be exposed to the dangers of uncontrolled agitators on the streets," Carson said in a statement on his Facebook page about the riots in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died earlier this month while in police custody.
"As a former resident of the city of Baltimore, it is very sad and unfortunate to see the destruction taking place by irresponsible individuals," he said.
"It is vital to remember that the best way to create positive change is through peaceful conversation and policy ideas that display a commitment to resolution," the presidential hopeful explained.
"My thoughts and prayers are extended to those who are experiencing fear and loss during this troubling time, including the families of Mr. Gray and first responders/officers," Carson added.
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"I urge parents, grandparents and guardians to please take control of your children and do not allow them to be exposed to the dangers of uncontrolled agitators on the streets," Carson said in a statement on his Facebook page about the riots in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died earlier this month while in police custody.
"As a former resident of the city of Baltimore, it is very sad and unfortunate to see the destruction taking place by irresponsible individuals," he said.
"It is vital to remember that the best way to create positive change is through peaceful conversation and policy ideas that display a commitment to resolution," the presidential hopeful explained.
"My thoughts and prayers are extended to those who are experiencing fear and loss during this troubling time, including the families of Mr. Gray and first responders/officers," Carson added.
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Pope Decries 'Scandal' of Lower Salaries for Women
Pope Francis on Wednesday made an impassioned plea for an end to the salary gap between men and women, calling it "a scandal" that Christians should decisively reject.
"Why is it taken for granted that women must earn less than men? No! They have the same rights. The discrepancy is a pure scandal," he told tens of thousands of people at his general audience in St. Peter's Square.
Raising his voice for emphasis as he made some of his most forceful remarks on the subject to date, he said Christians should "decisively support the right to equal pay for equal work".
Women in the European Union were paid 16.4 percent less than men on average in 2013, according to statistics agency Eurostat, and United States Census Bureau data indicate women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, based on annual median salaries.
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"Why is it taken for granted that women must earn less than men? No! They have the same rights. The discrepancy is a pure scandal," he told tens of thousands of people at his general audience in St. Peter's Square.
Raising his voice for emphasis as he made some of his most forceful remarks on the subject to date, he said Christians should "decisively support the right to equal pay for equal work".
Women in the European Union were paid 16.4 percent less than men on average in 2013, according to statistics agency Eurostat, and United States Census Bureau data indicate women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns, based on annual median salaries.
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Obama: Police Must Hold Officers Accountable for Wrongdoing
President Barack Obama said the Baltimore riots show that police departments need to hold officers accountable for wrongdoing "instead of just the closing-ranks approach that all too often we see."
In an interview broadcast Wednesday morning on "The Steve Harvey Morning Show," Obama said his heart goes out of the Baltimore officers who were injured by rioters. He said there's no excuse for that kind of violence and Baltimore police showed "appropriate restraint."
But he said police departments have to build more trust in minority communities by building accountability and transparency.
"It's in their interest to root out folks who aren't doing the right thing, to hold accountable people when they do something wrong, instead of just the closing-ranks approach that all too often we see that ends up just feeding greater frustration and ultimately, I think, putting more police officers in danger," Obama said in the interview taped Tuesday and broadcast on black radio stations nationwide.
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In an interview broadcast Wednesday morning on "The Steve Harvey Morning Show," Obama said his heart goes out of the Baltimore officers who were injured by rioters. He said there's no excuse for that kind of violence and Baltimore police showed "appropriate restraint."
But he said police departments have to build more trust in minority communities by building accountability and transparency.
"It's in their interest to root out folks who aren't doing the right thing, to hold accountable people when they do something wrong, instead of just the closing-ranks approach that all too often we see that ends up just feeding greater frustration and ultimately, I think, putting more police officers in danger," Obama said in the interview taped Tuesday and broadcast on black radio stations nationwide.
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101 Baltimore Protesters Go Free as Arrest Paperwork Backs Up
Dozens of people arrested in violent demonstrations this week in Baltimore were being released early Wednesday evening because police were unable to complete their paperwork in time, the state public defender's office said.
The 101 detainees began walking free without charges about the same time that Baltimore police announced that their report into the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African-American man who died in police custody this month, wouldn't be made public Friday.
Police Commissioner Anthony Batts set a deadline of May 1 to file the report with state investigators. Capt. Eric Kowalczyk said late Wednesday afternoon that the report would remain closed to protect the integrity of the inquiry.
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The 101 detainees began walking free without charges about the same time that Baltimore police announced that their report into the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African-American man who died in police custody this month, wouldn't be made public Friday.
Police Commissioner Anthony Batts set a deadline of May 1 to file the report with state investigators. Capt. Eric Kowalczyk said late Wednesday afternoon that the report would remain closed to protect the integrity of the inquiry.
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Jesse Jackson Calls Baltimore Police an 'Occupying Force': Mediaite
Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said Tuesday that police in Baltimore — where rioting erupted on Monday in the latest U.S. flashpoint over race and policing — behave like an "occupying force" toward residents because they are not required to live in the city where they work, Mediaite reports.
Many Baltimore police officers live in the suburbs, and some as far away as Pennsylvania, Jackson told Amy Goodman of the syndicated public television news show, "Democracy Now!"
"So they come in as an occupying force, not as neighbors," he said.
Jackson said that Baltimore should have a residency requirement for its police officers, because without one, "often people are afraid of [police], because they're not taxpaying neighbors whose children go to school with their children."
Chicago, headquarters of Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, requires all of its municipal employees, including police, to live within city limits.
"Those who get nectar from the flower should sow pollen where they pick up nectar," said Jackson.
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Many Baltimore police officers live in the suburbs, and some as far away as Pennsylvania, Jackson told Amy Goodman of the syndicated public television news show, "Democracy Now!"
"So they come in as an occupying force, not as neighbors," he said.
Jackson said that Baltimore should have a residency requirement for its police officers, because without one, "often people are afraid of [police], because they're not taxpaying neighbors whose children go to school with their children."
Chicago, headquarters of Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, requires all of its municipal employees, including police, to live within city limits.
"Those who get nectar from the flower should sow pollen where they pick up nectar," said Jackson.
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Can Your Sweet Tooth Give You Alzheimer's?
Got a sweet tooth? If so, you may have a greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
That’s the latest word from Richard Jacoby, M.D., a peripheral nerve surgeon who notes a growing body of scientific research has tied sugar to dementia — in addition to the sweet stuff’s well-known association with diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
In a new book, “Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health,” Dr. Jacoby explains that sugar damages a key nerve is tied to the brain’s memory center known as the hippocampus — as well as the sense of smell.
“The olfactory nerve, which controls our ability to smell, passes through a very tight tunnel to reach the nose, making it more susceptible to the damaging effects of sugar,” he tells Newsmax Health. “Part of the olfactory nerve nucleus is the hippocampus …and an early sign of Alzheimer’s is a lack of smell.”
In fact, docs sometimes detect Alzheimer’s using a “peanut butter test” — asking a patient if he or she can detect its strong odor when it is held up to the nose. Other clues: When an older woman wears a ton of perfume, not knowing how strong it is, or a man adds a lot of spicy tabasco sauce to food because he can’t taste or smell it.
More here
That’s the latest word from Richard Jacoby, M.D., a peripheral nerve surgeon who notes a growing body of scientific research has tied sugar to dementia — in addition to the sweet stuff’s well-known association with diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
In a new book, “Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health,” Dr. Jacoby explains that sugar damages a key nerve is tied to the brain’s memory center known as the hippocampus — as well as the sense of smell.
“The olfactory nerve, which controls our ability to smell, passes through a very tight tunnel to reach the nose, making it more susceptible to the damaging effects of sugar,” he tells Newsmax Health. “Part of the olfactory nerve nucleus is the hippocampus …and an early sign of Alzheimer’s is a lack of smell.”
In fact, docs sometimes detect Alzheimer’s using a “peanut butter test” — asking a patient if he or she can detect its strong odor when it is held up to the nose. Other clues: When an older woman wears a ton of perfume, not knowing how strong it is, or a man adds a lot of spicy tabasco sauce to food because he can’t taste or smell it.
More here
Feds Find Thousands of New Lois Lerner Emails
The emails had former IRS chief Lois Lerner’s name all over them; the Hill reported the messages were either sent to her, or sent from her.
In all, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or TIGTA, uncovered 6,400 new emails the IRS hadn’t turned over to lawmakers on Capitol Hill investigating the election year scandal.
Roughly 650 emails were from 2010 and 2011, and most of the remainder from 2012. Lawmakers haven’t had a chance to review them yet.
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Mayor Jim Ireton Is A Liar
This man has to be the biggest liar I have ever seen.
Mayor Jim Ireton is NOT a supporter of "FREE SPEECH" unless WE only agree with his views.
Mayor Jim Ireton absolutely refuses to allow Salisbury News the ability to be provided with ANY press releases. He refuses to allow us AN invitation to Press Conferences.
Now, if I was gay, if I kissed his A$$ and published his Press Releases as if they were truthful, he'd allow us to participate. Remember his quote to me years ago, "If you play nice we'll send you information".
However, Mayor Jim Ireton's above statement is a flat out lie, just like his false support of African Americans. "I ain't letting Tawanda and her 5 children live in a river front condo".
He's a typical Liberal politician who will LIE at any opportunity to make himself look better.
Commemorating 40 Years Since Operation Frequent Wind
With the fall of Saigon imminent, U.S. policy involved removing “at risk” Vietnamese who had supported efforts to stop the Communist takeover of South Vietnam.
More than 7,000 Americans and Vietnamese refugees escaped from Saigon as the North Vietnamese attacked the outskirts of the city. For nearly 30 hours, American military helicopters flew refugees to aircraft carriers offshore. Helicopters that were built for 10 people were taking five times as many.
Agitated and confused men, women and children held onto what few possessions they could carry in their arms, until they were set for take off.
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Meaningful steps toward clean water take decades
TOM HORTON
The Chesapeake Bay just got an important “win” with Maryland’s agreement to end the spreading of poultry manure across sections of its Eastern Shore.
Everyone should be happy about that. But no one should be satisfied. We could have had this win a decade ago. Understanding why we didn’t is important for ensuring the current agreement works.
The manure problem became evident by 1997. Outbreaks of toxic algae caused fish kills and memory loss in humans along Eastern Shore waterways. Legislative hearings and a gubernatorial commission’s report followed.
These shone a spotlight on the overuse of poultry manure in gross excess of what crops needed. More than half of the farmers surveyed indicated they had a disposal problem — more manure than they knew what to do with. There was scant accountability.
By 1997, science showed how the saturation of Eastern Shore farm soils with phosphorus — from too much manure — was a bigger problem than realized. At high levels, soil-bound phosphorus dissolved and escaped to waterways.
Maryland adopted new rules that were strong and clear: By 2002, all farmers would have plans to “fully and demonstrably” ensure that nitrogen and phosphorus didn’t exceed what crops needed and soils could retain. There would be extensive monitoring and evaluation.
Maybe 2002 was ambitious. But the problem and its solutions had been recognized. Why did it take until 2015 for the rules to finally be put into action? And why do solutions have to wait until 2024 to be implemented?
Why so long? Several reasons stand out. The culture of agriculture — which includes the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, and Maryland’s influential poultry industry — was, and is, primarily protective of farmers.
This might not matter if the Maryland Department of the Environment and the EPA had full and clear jurisdiction over agricultural pollution; but they don’t.
The Chesapeake Bay just got an important “win” with Maryland’s agreement to end the spreading of poultry manure across sections of its Eastern Shore.
Everyone should be happy about that. But no one should be satisfied. We could have had this win a decade ago. Understanding why we didn’t is important for ensuring the current agreement works.
The manure problem became evident by 1997. Outbreaks of toxic algae caused fish kills and memory loss in humans along Eastern Shore waterways. Legislative hearings and a gubernatorial commission’s report followed.
These shone a spotlight on the overuse of poultry manure in gross excess of what crops needed. More than half of the farmers surveyed indicated they had a disposal problem — more manure than they knew what to do with. There was scant accountability.
By 1997, science showed how the saturation of Eastern Shore farm soils with phosphorus — from too much manure — was a bigger problem than realized. At high levels, soil-bound phosphorus dissolved and escaped to waterways.
Maryland adopted new rules that were strong and clear: By 2002, all farmers would have plans to “fully and demonstrably” ensure that nitrogen and phosphorus didn’t exceed what crops needed and soils could retain. There would be extensive monitoring and evaluation.
Maybe 2002 was ambitious. But the problem and its solutions had been recognized. Why did it take until 2015 for the rules to finally be put into action? And why do solutions have to wait until 2024 to be implemented?
Why so long? Several reasons stand out. The culture of agriculture — which includes the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, and Maryland’s influential poultry industry — was, and is, primarily protective of farmers.
This might not matter if the Maryland Department of the Environment and the EPA had full and clear jurisdiction over agricultural pollution; but they don’t.
I Told You This Was Coming!
Hillary Clinton will call Wednesday for sweeping criminal justice reform and an end to the "era of mass incarceration," delivering a message that has even more currency after days of rioting in Baltimore.
Clinton's comments will come in the first policy speech of her campaign, at Columbia University in New York, where she will outline her vision for criminal justice reform, a campaign aide said.
The former secretary of state plans to call for a changed approach to punishment and prison, including making changes to probation practices, finding alternative punishments for low- level offenders, and increasing support for mental health and drug treatment.
Clinton will say that she supports seeing every police department in the country obtain body cameras "to improve transparency and accountability in order to protect those on both sides of the lens."
She will also discuss the "hard truth and fundamental unfairness in our country" that African-American men are much more likely than others to be stopped and searched by police, and charged with crimes.
Clinton offered a preview of her speech on Tuesday night, telling New York donors who had given $2,700 each or raised at least $27,000 that "Baltimore is burning" and that the situation there "is heartbreaking."
"The tragic death of another young African-American man. The injuries to police officers. The burning of peoples’ homes and small businesses. We have to restore order and security. But then we have to take a hard look as to what we need to do to reform our system," she said, adding that she would say more Wednesday.
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A Viewer Writes: Accident in Accomack Co.
Again WBOC doesn't report on the Eastern Shore of VA. Early last evening a woman pulled out in front of a large truck at the intersection of Saxis Rd and New Parker Rd. There were Four Roads Closed for many hours her car was completely run over. It would of been nice of them to alert people of this situation. But again by all means report of the accident in Dorchester Co that part of the Shore is more important.
