The 15th annual Walk @ Lunch will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the pavilion on East Market Street at Baptist Street from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This free event is held in celebration of Global Employee Health and Fitness Month. It is a reminder that taking an exercise break is good for employee health and therefore, a company’s bottom line, and that downtown Salisbury is a great place to walk.
This year’s walk will feature most of the new permanently marked Downtown Walking Route, exhibitors/vendors, giveaways, door prizes, including a FitBit, and fun.
Registration is now closed, but walk-ins will be accepted the day of the event. Lunch will be provided to all previously registered participants, but cannot be guaranteed for walk-ins. However, walk-ins will be eligible for all other aspects of the event.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Three Years Ago, He Found Her Bloodied and Stabbed 32 Times by Her Ex-Boyfriend.
One of the first responders who arrived on the scene was Cameron Hill, a firefighter and paramedic. ”It was so bad,” Hill recalled in 2013, “you couldn’t tell she was blond.”
He helped load Dohme onto a helicopter, and then, he said, he felt a “sixth sense.” He knew it wouldn’t be the last he saw her.
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BREAKING NEWS: Amtrak train derails in Philadelphia
An Amtrak train traveling from Washington DC to New York City crashes and derails in Philadelphia; The Associated Press reports that several people appear injured.
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THIS JUST IN: Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA) Wins Approval For Direct Car Sales In Maryland, Starting October 1
Currently, 25 states prohibit Tesla from selling its cars through its own boutique stores.
The Maryland law, specifically crafted for Tesla, allows “a manufacturer or distributor to be licensed as a vehicle dealer if the manufacturer or distributor deals only in electric or nonfossil-fuel burning vehicles.” It was approved by the state’s Legislature last month. In March, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, like Hogan a Republican, signed a similar bill into law.
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A huge round of applause today for North Salisbury Elementary School
A huge round of applause today for North Salisbury Elementary School, which has just been notified that it will be a...
Posted by Wicomico County Public Schools on Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Senators Cardin, Brown and Booker Urge President Obama to Expand Job Opportunities for People with Records and Reduce Recidivism
In addition to Cardin, Brown and Booker, the letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Tom Carper (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-R.I,), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).
“There isn’t a single member of the United States Senate who hasn’t received a second chance at one point or another,” said Senator Cardin. “If we want to reduce recidivism, we must allow Americans who have served their time to fully reintegrate by seeking gainful employment in our communities. Banning the box along with my legislation to restore voting rights to the millions who are out of prison but excluded from the democratic process, are important steps towards reforming our criminal justice system.”
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Baltimore Police Radio Dispatch Reveals: Stunning Evidence of Marilyn Mosby’s “Egregious Rush to Judgment” In Her Direct Action Charges…
[Marilyn Mosby’s] case against the two arresting officers rests upon an “illegal” arrest. She says the knife that Freddie Gray was carrying was legal. But the police task force examined it and said the officers were indeed correct, the knife was spring-assisted and therefore prohibited.
It’s Mosby who made the “illegal” arrest, and could be charged under her own theory of “false imprisonment.” And sued to boot, since she forfeited her immunity from civil action by doing the charging herself. (link)
We continue looking through the direct action filing, the probable cause to arrest determination, as outlined in Mosby’s own words – and comparing her words to the factual evidence she is seeking to hide. What we are finding is jaw dropping.
Mosby claimed:
[…] “Despite stopping for the purpose of checking on Mr. Gray’s condition, at no point did [Officer Goodson] seek nor did he render any medical assistance for Mr. Gray.” (link)
This is a lie! An intentional lie we will prove below.
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It’s Mosby who made the “illegal” arrest, and could be charged under her own theory of “false imprisonment.” And sued to boot, since she forfeited her immunity from civil action by doing the charging herself. (link)
We continue looking through the direct action filing, the probable cause to arrest determination, as outlined in Mosby’s own words – and comparing her words to the factual evidence she is seeking to hide. What we are finding is jaw dropping.
Mosby claimed:
[…] “Despite stopping for the purpose of checking on Mr. Gray’s condition, at no point did [Officer Goodson] seek nor did he render any medical assistance for Mr. Gray.” (link)
This is a lie! An intentional lie we will prove below.
More
UCSD teacher has students take final in the nude
SAN DIEGO - A UC San Diego professor is reportedly requiring that his students take their final exam for a visual arts class completely in the nude.
Associate Professor Ricardo Dominguez has been teaching Visual Arts 104A: Performing the Self for 11 years.
"The class that focuses on the history of body art and performance art in relation to the question of the self or subjectivity," Dominguez told 10News by phone Friday.
A mother of a woman in his class claims that her daughter was forced to perform nude for her final in the class, or risk getting a failing grade.
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Associate Professor Ricardo Dominguez has been teaching Visual Arts 104A: Performing the Self for 11 years.
"The class that focuses on the history of body art and performance art in relation to the question of the self or subjectivity," Dominguez told 10News by phone Friday.
A mother of a woman in his class claims that her daughter was forced to perform nude for her final in the class, or risk getting a failing grade.
More
BREAKING NEWS: Magnitude-7.4 earthquake strikes Nepal
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake has hit Nepal, 17 days after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake killed over 8,000 people in that country.
Angry With Obama, Most Gulf Rulers to Skip US Summit
It is not just the Saudi king who will be skipping the Camp David summit of U.S. and allied Arab leaders. Most Gulf heads of state won't be there.
The absences will put a damper on talks that are designed to reassure key Arab allies, and almost certainly reflect dissatisfaction among leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council with Washington's handling of Iran and what they expect to get out of the meeting.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced late on Sunday that newly installed King Salman will not be attending. The ostensible reason was because the upcoming summit on Thursday coincides with a humanitarian cease-fire in the conflict in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Shiite rebels known as Houthis.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who is also interior minister, will lead the Saudi delegation and the king's son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is defense minister, will also attend.
President Barack Obama had planned to meet King Salman one-on-one a day before the gathering of leaders at the presidential retreat but the White House did not take his decision to skip the summit as a sign of any substantial disagreement with the United States.
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The absences will put a damper on talks that are designed to reassure key Arab allies, and almost certainly reflect dissatisfaction among leaders of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council with Washington's handling of Iran and what they expect to get out of the meeting.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced late on Sunday that newly installed King Salman will not be attending. The ostensible reason was because the upcoming summit on Thursday coincides with a humanitarian cease-fire in the conflict in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Shiite rebels known as Houthis.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who is also interior minister, will lead the Saudi delegation and the king's son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is defense minister, will also attend.
President Barack Obama had planned to meet King Salman one-on-one a day before the gathering of leaders at the presidential retreat but the White House did not take his decision to skip the summit as a sign of any substantial disagreement with the United States.
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It's Infrastructure Week: More Potholes Than Tax Dollars To Fill Them
This is National Infrastructure Week in Washington, D.C. That's when serious policy wonks, along with the construction, labor groups and other related industries, hold conferences, raise awareness and maybe most important, lobby Congress on behalf of road, bridge and other brick and mortar and concrete improvements.
There is added urgency to their efforts this year, as federal highway building money is set to run out, probably sometime this summer, and so is the government's authority to spend what little money it has left.
At a kickoff speech, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the challenge the government faces "is actually worse than last summer," when Congress provided a temporary boost to highways using money from general revenues.
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There is added urgency to their efforts this year, as federal highway building money is set to run out, probably sometime this summer, and so is the government's authority to spend what little money it has left.
At a kickoff speech, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the challenge the government faces "is actually worse than last summer," when Congress provided a temporary boost to highways using money from general revenues.
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Black Man Found Hanging From Tree In Georgia Draws State And Federal Investigators
The man was identified as 43-year-old Roosevelt Champion III, NBC News reports. Champion was found hanging from a tree behind a residence that was not his own, the Greensboro Police Department told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Law enforcement said that Champion was hanging by a strap like those used to secure cargo on car roofs, with no visible wounds and his feet brushing the ground, NBC reports.
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Several additional arrests made in brutal beating of Dundalk man
DUNDALK, Md. - Baltimore County police have made additional arrests in connection with the last month's brutal assault of a man by a group of teens in Dundalk.
According to a news release from the police, those charged in the beating of 61-year-old Rick Fletcher include:
- Andrew Omar Allen, 15, who has been charged as an adult with attempted first-degree murder, robbery, and related charges. He is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
- Yahkeem Zavion Wheatley, 15, who has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, robbery, and related charges. He is being held on $200,000 bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
- Samtoya Isiah Wiliams, 17, who has been charged as an adult with first-degree assault, second degree assault, and robbery. He is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on $1 million bail.
- Mya Lashae Stewart. 15, was originally charged as a juvenile but later indicted by a Baltimore County grand jury as an adult with attempted first-degree murder, robbery, and related charges. Her current custody status is unknown.
- Antoine Willie Lawson, 17, was originally charged as an adult with first- and second-degree assault. A grand jury has since indicted him on attempted first-degree murder, robbery, and related charges. His current custody status is unknown.
Police added that they also have an arrest warrant out for 20-year-old Keenan Tylike Holloway in connection with this incident. He is currently in custody in Baltimore City on unrelated charges.
U.S. In Grip Of What Experts Call ‘Pollen Tsunami
An unusually high amount of pollen in the air is causing misery for the estimated 40 million people with nasal allergies. One of the biggest pollen hot zones spans the northeast.
Blooming flowers and budding branches mean spring is in the air—and so is the pollen. It’s everywhere, collecting in thick clumps on the ground and coating cars.
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BREAKING NEWS: Senate Democrats block Obama trade proposal
Senate Democrats deal a setback to President Obama, rejecting a proposal that would expand the president's powers to negotiate a comprehensive trade package.
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NY Times: Don’t Blame Obama For Not Fixing Race Relations
NY Times columnist Charles Blow is Very Upset that people, especially Rush Limbaugh, are criticizing Michelle Obama
Of Museums and Racial Relics
Recently, Rush Limbaugh lambasted the first lady, Michelle Obama, for bringing up the idea of diversity among museum visitors at the opening of the new Whitney Museum in New York.
According to Limbaugh, the first lady said: “Museums and concert halls just don’t welcome nonwhite visitors — especially children — the way they welcome white people.”
What the first lady actually said was:
“You see, there are so many kids in this country who look at places like museums and concert halls and other cultural centers and they think to themselves, well, that’s not a place for me, for someone who looks like me, for someone who comes from my neighborhood. In fact, I guarantee you that right now, there are kids living less than a mile from here who would never in a million years dream that they would be welcome in this museum.”
Blow goes on to write
And, the first lady was right. A 2010 report by the Center for the Future of Museums (an initiative of the American Association of Museums) found that:
“African-Americans and Latinos have notably lower rates of museum attendance than white Americans. Why is that so? In part, it is the legacy of historic discrimination. A summary study of S.P.P.A. [Survey of Public Participation in the Arts] data from the 1980s on white and black attendance at arts events concluded that the measurable difference in participation could be tied to ‘subtle forms of exclusion.’ ”
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Of Museums and Racial Relics
Recently, Rush Limbaugh lambasted the first lady, Michelle Obama, for bringing up the idea of diversity among museum visitors at the opening of the new Whitney Museum in New York.
According to Limbaugh, the first lady said: “Museums and concert halls just don’t welcome nonwhite visitors — especially children — the way they welcome white people.”
What the first lady actually said was:
“You see, there are so many kids in this country who look at places like museums and concert halls and other cultural centers and they think to themselves, well, that’s not a place for me, for someone who looks like me, for someone who comes from my neighborhood. In fact, I guarantee you that right now, there are kids living less than a mile from here who would never in a million years dream that they would be welcome in this museum.”
Blow goes on to write
And, the first lady was right. A 2010 report by the Center for the Future of Museums (an initiative of the American Association of Museums) found that:
“African-Americans and Latinos have notably lower rates of museum attendance than white Americans. Why is that so? In part, it is the legacy of historic discrimination. A summary study of S.P.P.A. [Survey of Public Participation in the Arts] data from the 1980s on white and black attendance at arts events concluded that the measurable difference in participation could be tied to ‘subtle forms of exclusion.’ ”
More
Md. woman charged with contaminating milk with human skin
Sarah Preston Shrock, 56, of Mechanicsville, Md. was charged with felony contaminating/poisoning food/drink and three counts of second degree assault, and violation of a peace order.
Police said one of Shrock's roommates said she and two other people returned home after being out all day. One person poured milk, which was stored in the home's refrigerator, into glasses to drink during dinner.
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Justice for Melissa Anne Bingham. Ten shot in Baltimore Thursday night
Thursday night turned out to be a seriously tragic episode in Baltimore, where the city is already in the grips of major unrest over the case of Freddy Gray. Ten people were shot, with three of them winding up dead and the remainder being treated for wounds of varying severity. Hearing something like that, you’re to be forgiven if you are once again expressing dismay over the relations between the police and the community. How, you might be wondering, could this happen? Are the looters out of control? Have the cops just started mowing people down at random?
Well, as it turns out you would be wrong. This had nothing to do with the protests or the police or the Mayor or the City Attorney. This was just another night in Baltimore. (From the Baltimore Sun)
Ten shootings were reported Thursday across Baltimore, continuing a spate of gun violence that began after riots overtook West Baltimore on April 27. At least three of the victims died.
About 40 people have been shot since April 28, the day after Baltimore’s most intense day of rioting.
Just after midnight Thursday morning, a 24-year-old man walked into an area hospital with a gunshot wound to his foot. The victim told police he was approached by an unknown man who shot him in the 1200 block of E. North Ave.
It wasn’t police shootings and it wasn’t protesters gone wild. This was the gang activity and random violence which grips parts of Baltimore and other major urban centers. The newspaper wasn’t even able to identify all of the victims by name, including one of the deceased. But another young woman was known to residents and her story had the worst ending of all.
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Well, as it turns out you would be wrong. This had nothing to do with the protests or the police or the Mayor or the City Attorney. This was just another night in Baltimore. (From the Baltimore Sun)
Ten shootings were reported Thursday across Baltimore, continuing a spate of gun violence that began after riots overtook West Baltimore on April 27. At least three of the victims died.
About 40 people have been shot since April 28, the day after Baltimore’s most intense day of rioting.
Just after midnight Thursday morning, a 24-year-old man walked into an area hospital with a gunshot wound to his foot. The victim told police he was approached by an unknown man who shot him in the 1200 block of E. North Ave.
It wasn’t police shootings and it wasn’t protesters gone wild. This was the gang activity and random violence which grips parts of Baltimore and other major urban centers. The newspaper wasn’t even able to identify all of the victims by name, including one of the deceased. But another young woman was known to residents and her story had the worst ending of all.
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BREAKING NEWS: US Marine Corps helicopter missing in Nepal
A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter has been reported missing in Nepal while supporting the earthquake relief effort, the U.S. Pacific Command says.
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Md. woman works to preserve Enchanted Forest memories
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — One of America’s first theme parks was in the D.C. region — and two of its roadside remnants will soon be moved.
Disneyland opened in July 1955; the Enchanted Forest, in Ellicott City, Maryland, followed just one month later.
The Enchanted Forest closed in the ‘80s, and the rest of the property was turned into a shopping center. Many of the attractions were fenced off behind the shopping center’s stores, but that hasn’t kept people from visiting the ruins tucked away in the woods.
The castle-shaped park entrance and the sign that looks like a storybook still stand proudly along Route 40, but in the next month or so, they will be moved.
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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 5-12-15
On 05/08/2015 at 8:13 pm, Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputies responded to Sheppards Crossing Road in reference to an alleged burglary.
Deputies met with the complainant who stated a drunk female had entered the back door of her residence without permission. After a short argument ensued between the occupants of the residence and the female, the female exited the residence through the front door.
Shortly after, Deputies located the suspect who was identified as Diana Elaine Griffin, age 32, of Pittsville, Maryland who was seated in her vehicle in the driveway. Griffin was asked to roll down the vehicle window and the Deputy immediately detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath as she spoke. The Deputy also noted Griffin’s eyes to bloodshot and glassy and her words slurred as she spoke.
The Deputy asked Ms. Griffin to exit the vehicle to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety testing in which she refused several times. Ms. Griffin was ultimately placed under arrest after resisting attempts. Ms. Griffin was charged with burglary 4th degree, driving while impaired by alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol, violating an alcohol restriction, and resisting arrest. Ms. Griffin was later released on her personal recognizance pending trial.
Deputies met with the complainant who stated a drunk female had entered the back door of her residence without permission. After a short argument ensued between the occupants of the residence and the female, the female exited the residence through the front door.
Shortly after, Deputies located the suspect who was identified as Diana Elaine Griffin, age 32, of Pittsville, Maryland who was seated in her vehicle in the driveway. Griffin was asked to roll down the vehicle window and the Deputy immediately detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath as she spoke. The Deputy also noted Griffin’s eyes to bloodshot and glassy and her words slurred as she spoke.
The Deputy asked Ms. Griffin to exit the vehicle to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety testing in which she refused several times. Ms. Griffin was ultimately placed under arrest after resisting attempts. Ms. Griffin was charged with burglary 4th degree, driving while impaired by alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol, violating an alcohol restriction, and resisting arrest. Ms. Griffin was later released on her personal recognizance pending trial.
Obama Allegedly Lied About Bin Laden Raid
There are drawbacks to having a Commander in Chief whose main strategic objective is self-aggrandizement:
An expose published on Sunday alleges that President Obama deceived Americans with his narrative of the 2011 assassination of Osama bin Laden.
Author Seymour M. Hersh accuses Obama of rushing to take credit for the al Qaeda leader’s death.
This decision, Hersh argues in the London Review of Books, forced the military and intelligence communities to scramble and then corroborate the president’s version of events.
“High-level lying nonetheless remains the modus operandi of U.S. policy, along with secret prisons, drone attacks, Special Forces night raids, bypassing the chain of command, and cutting out those who might say no,” Hersh wrote of the Obama administration’s counterterrorism policies. …
Hersh’s report also accuses the Obama administration of embellishing the details of the raid itself and presenting al Qaeda as a bigger threat than it actually was before bin Laden’s death.
Not many things have gone right during Obama’s presidency. It is hardly surprising, given his personality, that he would milk Osama bin Laden’s death for every drop of positive press he could get out of it. At least he refrained from taking one of his selfies with his arm around the terrorist’s corpse.
Source
An expose published on Sunday alleges that President Obama deceived Americans with his narrative of the 2011 assassination of Osama bin Laden.
Author Seymour M. Hersh accuses Obama of rushing to take credit for the al Qaeda leader’s death.
This decision, Hersh argues in the London Review of Books, forced the military and intelligence communities to scramble and then corroborate the president’s version of events.
“High-level lying nonetheless remains the modus operandi of U.S. policy, along with secret prisons, drone attacks, Special Forces night raids, bypassing the chain of command, and cutting out those who might say no,” Hersh wrote of the Obama administration’s counterterrorism policies. …
Hersh’s report also accuses the Obama administration of embellishing the details of the raid itself and presenting al Qaeda as a bigger threat than it actually was before bin Laden’s death.
Not many things have gone right during Obama’s presidency. It is hardly surprising, given his personality, that he would milk Osama bin Laden’s death for every drop of positive press he could get out of it. At least he refrained from taking one of his selfies with his arm around the terrorist’s corpse.
Source
Taking Donald Trump Seriously
In a new Bloomberg-St. Anselm poll of New Hampshire, Donald Trump is running in fifth place in the 2016 Republican presidential field. The real estate developer and reality TV personality is behind only Rand Paul, Scott Walker, Jeb Bush, and Marco Rubio — and is ahead of Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, John Kasich, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum.
In a WMUR Granite State New Hampshire poll taken a short time earlier, Trump again placed ahead of Huckabee, Carson, Perry, Santorum, Fiorina, Jindal, Kasich, and Graham.
In Iowa, Craig Robinson, a former state GOP official and founder of the Iowa Republican blog, recently published a piece headlined "It's hard to ignore Trump when he's doing all the right things." "Trump has spent more time in Iowa this year than Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Chris Christie combined," Robinson noted, "and he has more trips to Iowa already scheduled."
To some Iowa Republicans, Trump's hiring of the respected veteran GOP operative Chuck Laudner — last seen guiding Rick Santorum to a hard-won caucus victory in 2012 — is a sign Trump is serious about the possibility of running for president. Laudner has, in turn, hired three staff members — at this stage in Iowa, that's a fairly substantial campaign. Trump is running a smart operation, Robinson notes, and seeing encouraging early signs:
He addressed a crowd of over 500 at Simpson College in Indianola, and last week, he had a crowd of over 800 at Wartburg College in Waverly. In addition to college stops, Trump has been headlining fundraising events for Republican candidates and organizations. Trump has done events for the Polk County Republican Party, state Sen. Jack Whitver, Secretary of State Paul Pate, and the Scott County GOP. In each instance, Trump has helped each draw impressive crowds.
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In a WMUR Granite State New Hampshire poll taken a short time earlier, Trump again placed ahead of Huckabee, Carson, Perry, Santorum, Fiorina, Jindal, Kasich, and Graham.
In Iowa, Craig Robinson, a former state GOP official and founder of the Iowa Republican blog, recently published a piece headlined "It's hard to ignore Trump when he's doing all the right things." "Trump has spent more time in Iowa this year than Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Chris Christie combined," Robinson noted, "and he has more trips to Iowa already scheduled."
To some Iowa Republicans, Trump's hiring of the respected veteran GOP operative Chuck Laudner — last seen guiding Rick Santorum to a hard-won caucus victory in 2012 — is a sign Trump is serious about the possibility of running for president. Laudner has, in turn, hired three staff members — at this stage in Iowa, that's a fairly substantial campaign. Trump is running a smart operation, Robinson notes, and seeing encouraging early signs:
He addressed a crowd of over 500 at Simpson College in Indianola, and last week, he had a crowd of over 800 at Wartburg College in Waverly. In addition to college stops, Trump has been headlining fundraising events for Republican candidates and organizations. Trump has done events for the Polk County Republican Party, state Sen. Jack Whitver, Secretary of State Paul Pate, and the Scott County GOP. In each instance, Trump has helped each draw impressive crowds.
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Governor Larry Hogan Signs 350 Bills Into Law
Bills Include Tax Relief, Public Safety and Charter School Improvement
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan was today joined by Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Busch in his third bill signing ceremony. During a two part session, the governor signed 350 bills into law.
“I am proud to sign bills that demonstrate our administration’s commitment to Maryland businesses, including repealing the most detested of taxes in Maryland – the rain tax,” said Governor Hogan. “Additionally, we are taking action to address public safety issues in Baltimore City and around the state, including legislation that will work to ensure that every child in Maryland has access to a quality education.”
Among the bills signed today include:
SB 863, Rain Tax (also known as the Watershed Protection and Restoration Programs, Revision), which repeals the requirement that forces local jurisdictions to collect a stormwater remediation fee, and instead authorizes such jurisdictions to do so.
SB 595, Public Charter School Improvement Act of 2015, which would alter state law regarding the establishment and operation of public charter schools, and existing requirements for public charter schools. The bill provides greater flexibility in operations to eligible public charter schools that have existed for at least five years and meet certain conditions. The role of the Maryland State Board of Education as a chartering authority is eliminated and its authority in appeals is clarified.
SB 592: Income Tax – Subtraction Modification – Military Retirement Income – Individuals at Least 65 Years Old, which expands the existing military retirement income tax subtraction modification by increasing the maximum amount of retirement income that can be excluded from Maryland adjusted gross income for purposes of calculating Maryland income tax liability from $5,000 to $10,000.
HB 943: Economic Competitiveness and Commerce -- Restructuring, which would rename the Department of Business and Economic Development to the Department of Economic Competitiveness and Commerce and establish an Office of the Secretary of Commerce in the Office of the Governor.
SB 482 / HB 533: The Public Safety – Law Enforcement Officers – Body-Worn Digital Recording Device and Electronic Control Device, emergency bills that would make it lawful for a law enforcement officer to intercept an oral communication with a “body-worn digital recording device” or an “electronic control device.” These bills would also establish the Commission Regarding the Implementation and Use of Body Cameras by Law Enforcement Officers to study and make recommendations to the Police Training Commission and the General Assembly.
HB 954: Public Safety – Deaths Involving a Law Enforcement Officer – Reports, which would require law enforcement agencies to provide the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention with information about deaths of individuals in police custody, as well as deaths of officers occurring in the line of duty.
SB 133, Environment – Bay Restoration – Use of Funds, which adds to the authorized uses of the Bay Restoration Fund (BRF), beginning in FY 2016, funding for up to 87.5% of the cost of projects, as approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Mayor's Authority To Declare Curfew Challenged
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In a filing Monday in Maryland District Court, the deputy city public defender says Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake overstepped her authority in ordering a citywide, 10 p.m. curfew for all residents April 27.
Natalie Finegar says only the governor could have ordered a curfew when he declared a state of emergency that day.
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MICHAEL SAVAGE NEWSLETTER: Obama is already drawing up plans to ban the criticism of Islam
Welcome to “The Michael Savage Newsletter,” your daily insider report on all things “Savage.”
In today’s issue: Dr. Savage notes that it isn’t just the left that is blaming Pamela Geller for the thwarted Muslim terror attack on her “Draw Muhammad” event in Garland, Texas.
He points out that two major hosts on “conservative” Fox News have also adopted the same cowardly line of argument.
“I’m in the free speech business, so it’s something I know a lot about,” Savage reminded his listeners.
As far as the Pamela Geller event in Texas, I see that Bill O’Reilly and Greta Van Sustern are bending over backwards to blame her for the attack.
They should be ashamed of themselves, but then again, they’ve always been fronts for the progressive Islamic establishment.
Prince Alwaleed of Saudi Arabia still owns 18 percent of Fox News, if I’m not mistaken.
Bill and Greta don’t attack the Islamic murderers.
They don’t attack the religion that put hatred in the minds of these throwbacks.
No, they attack Geller for provoking them.
Of course she provoked them, to show the world what they’re capable of if they aren’t constrained.
Today it’s cartoons of Muhammad, but what is it tomorrow?
I can guaranteed you that Barack Hussein Obama in the White House is already drawing up plans to ban the criticism of Islam.
Source
In today’s issue: Dr. Savage notes that it isn’t just the left that is blaming Pamela Geller for the thwarted Muslim terror attack on her “Draw Muhammad” event in Garland, Texas.
He points out that two major hosts on “conservative” Fox News have also adopted the same cowardly line of argument.
“I’m in the free speech business, so it’s something I know a lot about,” Savage reminded his listeners.
As far as the Pamela Geller event in Texas, I see that Bill O’Reilly and Greta Van Sustern are bending over backwards to blame her for the attack.
They should be ashamed of themselves, but then again, they’ve always been fronts for the progressive Islamic establishment.
Prince Alwaleed of Saudi Arabia still owns 18 percent of Fox News, if I’m not mistaken.
Bill and Greta don’t attack the Islamic murderers.
They don’t attack the religion that put hatred in the minds of these throwbacks.
No, they attack Geller for provoking them.
Of course she provoked them, to show the world what they’re capable of if they aren’t constrained.
Today it’s cartoons of Muhammad, but what is it tomorrow?
I can guaranteed you that Barack Hussein Obama in the White House is already drawing up plans to ban the criticism of Islam.
Source
Former Democratic Aide Avoids Jail Time for Rapes
Do Democrats Get a Pass for Scandals?
The Tea Party News Network (TPNN) reports that in 2014, Donny Ray Williams, a former Democrat congressional aide, pled guilty to raping two women - but will not be serving any jail time.
TPNN reports that Williams began his D.C. career in 1999, working with politicians such as Sen. Mary Landrieu and Sen. Herb Kohl. He worked as the general deputy assistant secretary for congressional and intergovernmental relations in the Department of Housing and Urban Development between April 2009 and October 2010, and served as a staff director for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee.
In 2010 Williams drugged his first victim, an intern, with Ambien before assaulting her. Later that same year he raped another woman who was too drunk to give consent. He pled guilty.
So why no jail sentence? In 2013 Williams himself was assaulted by a man who poured acid on his face and body. After the attack,
Williams' lawyer convinced Judge Robert Morin that his client's disfiguring and debilitating injuries were serious enough to warrant five years probation in lieu of prison time. Williams, who says he is now jobless and $1 million in debt, claimed that "he needed to focus on his health after the attack and not a trial," and promised that henceforth, "I will protect a woman’s right to her own body.”
TPNN asserts that this is an example of a "serious double standard" in which conservatives are held accountable for scandals and crimes but "Democrats, more often than not, get a free pass."
More
The Tea Party News Network (TPNN) reports that in 2014, Donny Ray Williams, a former Democrat congressional aide, pled guilty to raping two women - but will not be serving any jail time.
TPNN reports that Williams began his D.C. career in 1999, working with politicians such as Sen. Mary Landrieu and Sen. Herb Kohl. He worked as the general deputy assistant secretary for congressional and intergovernmental relations in the Department of Housing and Urban Development between April 2009 and October 2010, and served as a staff director for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee.
In 2010 Williams drugged his first victim, an intern, with Ambien before assaulting her. Later that same year he raped another woman who was too drunk to give consent. He pled guilty.
So why no jail sentence? In 2013 Williams himself was assaulted by a man who poured acid on his face and body. After the attack,
Williams' lawyer convinced Judge Robert Morin that his client's disfiguring and debilitating injuries were serious enough to warrant five years probation in lieu of prison time. Williams, who says he is now jobless and $1 million in debt, claimed that "he needed to focus on his health after the attack and not a trial," and promised that henceforth, "I will protect a woman’s right to her own body.”
TPNN asserts that this is an example of a "serious double standard" in which conservatives are held accountable for scandals and crimes but "Democrats, more often than not, get a free pass."
More
Almost Half Of US States Are Officially Broke
Last month, we documented the case of Louisiana State University, the large, well-known public institution whose 2014 enrollment totaled nearly 31,000 students. LSU, it turns out, is facing funding cuts of as much as 82% which, if realized, would likely force the school into financial exigency, the college equivalent of bankruptcy. The reason for the cuts: the sharp decline in oil prices and fiscal mismanagement have conspired to blow a $1.6 billion hole in the state’s budget.
Bloomberg has more:
With tax revenue from the oil industry falling short of projections, the deficit has swelled to $1.6 billion for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s say they may lower Louisiana’s credit rating if officials don’t come up with sustainable budget solutions.
Louisiana paid the price when it sold $335 million of general obligations Wednesday, its first deal this year. Borrowing costs jumped compared with an issue in November, with the yield spread more than doubling on some maturities.
“They have to make significant cuts across the board -- it’s almost a foregone conclusion they’ll be downgraded,” said Tom Metzold, co-director of municipal investments in Boston at Eaton Vance Management, which oversees $25 billion in local debt.
More
Bloomberg has more:
With tax revenue from the oil industry falling short of projections, the deficit has swelled to $1.6 billion for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s say they may lower Louisiana’s credit rating if officials don’t come up with sustainable budget solutions.
Louisiana paid the price when it sold $335 million of general obligations Wednesday, its first deal this year. Borrowing costs jumped compared with an issue in November, with the yield spread more than doubling on some maturities.
“They have to make significant cuts across the board -- it’s almost a foregone conclusion they’ll be downgraded,” said Tom Metzold, co-director of municipal investments in Boston at Eaton Vance Management, which oversees $25 billion in local debt.
More
Sheriff: Deputies Shoot, Kill Man Who Rammed Vehicle
Deputies pursued a truck driven by a suspect in a domestic violence case to Nalley Road in Landover, where the truck rammed a deputy’s vehicle, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. That’s when two deputies fired at the man, striking him, the sheriff’s office said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Sharon Taylor, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office, said deputies had responded to a 911 call indicating that the man had a knife, but she did not know whether he was armed during his encounter with the deputies. The victim in the domestic-violence incident pointed out the man’s truck to deputies on the scene, and the deputies pursued him before the fatal confrontation, Taylor said.
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Ex-CIA Officer Get 3½ Years for NY Times Leak
Former CIA officer Jeffrey Sterling was sentenced Monday to 3½ years in prison for leaking classified information to a New York Times journalist.
Sterling was convicted in January of revealing details of a botched U.S. attempt during president Bill Clinton's administration to thwart Iran's nuclear program.
"The court has to impose a very clear message," U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema said at Sterling's sentencing in the Washington suburb of Alexandria, Virginia.
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Sterling was convicted in January of revealing details of a botched U.S. attempt during president Bill Clinton's administration to thwart Iran's nuclear program.
"The court has to impose a very clear message," U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema said at Sterling's sentencing in the Washington suburb of Alexandria, Virginia.
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From Facebook Page of Carl Anderton Jr.
Governor Larry Hogan signing HB1039, which allows brewpubs to double production in Wicomico County. The new law protects...
Posted by Carl Anderton Jr. on Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Governor Larry Hogan Signs Rain Tax Repeal And Military Retiree Tax Relief Legislation
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today signed two bills that will bring tax relief to hardworking Marylanders - the rain tax repeal and military retire income tax exemption legislation. The bills were signed into law during the first half of today’s bill signing ceremony, held this morning between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
“Charging Marylanders for the rain that falls on the roof of their homes made the rain tax the most universally detested tax throughout the state and I am pleased to finally declare an end to it,” said Governor Hogan. “We are also making sure our veterans will be taxed less. Signing this bill is not only the right thing to do for our men and women in uniform, but it will also encourage more people to live and retire in our state. It’s a small token of the respect and appreciation we have for their service and sacrifice.”
The bills are as follows:
SB 863, Rain Tax Mandate Repeal (Watershed Protection and Restoration Programs, Revision), which repeals the requirement that forces local jurisdictions to collect a stormwater remediation fee, and instead authorizes such jurisdictions to do so.
SB 592: Income Tax – Subtraction Modification – Military Retirement Income – Individuals at Least 65 Years Old, which expands the existing military retirement income tax subtraction modification by increasing the maximum amount of retirement income that can be excluded from Maryland adjusted gross income for purposes of calculating Maryland income tax liability from $5,000 to $10,000.
“Charging Marylanders for the rain that falls on the roof of their homes made the rain tax the most universally detested tax throughout the state and I am pleased to finally declare an end to it,” said Governor Hogan. “We are also making sure our veterans will be taxed less. Signing this bill is not only the right thing to do for our men and women in uniform, but it will also encourage more people to live and retire in our state. It’s a small token of the respect and appreciation we have for their service and sacrifice.”
The bills are as follows:
SB 863, Rain Tax Mandate Repeal (Watershed Protection and Restoration Programs, Revision), which repeals the requirement that forces local jurisdictions to collect a stormwater remediation fee, and instead authorizes such jurisdictions to do so.
SB 592: Income Tax – Subtraction Modification – Military Retirement Income – Individuals at Least 65 Years Old, which expands the existing military retirement income tax subtraction modification by increasing the maximum amount of retirement income that can be excluded from Maryland adjusted gross income for purposes of calculating Maryland income tax liability from $5,000 to $10,000.
STATE FIRE MARSHAL LAUDS EFFORTS OF INVESTIGATIVE AGENCIES RESPONDING TO ASSIST BALTIMORE CITY
As a direct result of these timely investigations into the origin and cause of these fires throughout the city, multiple leads have been developed for persons of interest who may have intentionally set fires to various vehicles and structures.
“The Office of the State Fire Marshal will remain committed in its support of fire and/or explosive investigations along with the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Baltimore City Police Department,” stated Geraci. “The professionalism of fire investigators throughout the State of Maryland that were directly involved with these investigations was a true testament of our core values”.
Confession: Liberal Columnist Says Left Lies, Intimidates to Silence Right
Kirsten Powers, a USA Today and Daily Beast columnist and designated "liberal" on Fox, confessed in her new book that the left aggressively tries to "silence people" who don't fall into the liberal line.
In The Silencing: How the Left is Killing Free Speech, she calls out the lefty tactics, especially how they belittle conservative women and African-Americans. She said the goal is to silence the right and its outlets.
"Conservative women are treated as dimwitted, self loathing puppets of the patriarchy, or nefarious gender traitors," she writes in the book from Regnery Publishing provided to Secrets.
Ditto for blacks. "Raffi Williams, a young black conservative who works as the deputy press secretary for the Republican National Committee, told me he regularly gets Facebook comments or tweets from supposed liberals calling him an 'Uncle Tom,' 'house n-word,' race traitor, and sellout," she added.
Powers is sure to get slapped herself as a sellout for hitting what she views as hypocrisy by liberals, as former CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson did before her.
"Two experiences unexpectedly put me in a regular relationship with conservatives: working as a contributor at Fox News and a later in life conversion to Christianity. The more I got to know actual conservative and religious people, the harder it was to justify the stereotypes I had so carelessly embraced."
More here
In The Silencing: How the Left is Killing Free Speech, she calls out the lefty tactics, especially how they belittle conservative women and African-Americans. She said the goal is to silence the right and its outlets.
"Conservative women are treated as dimwitted, self loathing puppets of the patriarchy, or nefarious gender traitors," she writes in the book from Regnery Publishing provided to Secrets.
Ditto for blacks. "Raffi Williams, a young black conservative who works as the deputy press secretary for the Republican National Committee, told me he regularly gets Facebook comments or tweets from supposed liberals calling him an 'Uncle Tom,' 'house n-word,' race traitor, and sellout," she added.
Powers is sure to get slapped herself as a sellout for hitting what she views as hypocrisy by liberals, as former CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson did before her.
"Two experiences unexpectedly put me in a regular relationship with conservatives: working as a contributor at Fox News and a later in life conversion to Christianity. The more I got to know actual conservative and religious people, the harder it was to justify the stereotypes I had so carelessly embraced."
More here
Spinning Wheels: May 15
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