DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, June 19, 2015
Southern Baptists Urged To Reject Any Laws Legalizing Gay Marriage
“Our first duty is to love and obey God, not man”
Prepare for civil disobedience.
That’s the message one prominent pastor is sending to some 16 million members of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, said American Christians should be prepared for massive fallout if the Supreme Court legalizes same-sex unions.
“We want to stay in the system,” Graham told me in a telephone interview. “We want to work in the system. We want to support our government. We want to obey its laws.”
But...
“But there’s a coming a day, I believe, that many Christians personally and churches corporately will need to practice civil disobedience on this issue.”
The foundation for such a possibility was laid Wednesday morning in Columbus, Ohio where the current and former presidents of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination sent a strong message to the country.
“We strongly encourage all Southern Baptist pastors, leaders, educators and churches to openly reject any mandated legal definition of marriage and to use their influence to affirm God’s design for life and relationships,” the statement declared.
While affirming their love for all people – regardless of sexual orientation, the former Southern Baptist presidents said the “cannot and will not affirm the moral acceptability of homosexual behavior or any behavior that deviates from God’s design for marriage.”
More here
Prepare for civil disobedience.
That’s the message one prominent pastor is sending to some 16 million members of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas, said American Christians should be prepared for massive fallout if the Supreme Court legalizes same-sex unions.
“We want to stay in the system,” Graham told me in a telephone interview. “We want to work in the system. We want to support our government. We want to obey its laws.”
But...
“But there’s a coming a day, I believe, that many Christians personally and churches corporately will need to practice civil disobedience on this issue.”
The foundation for such a possibility was laid Wednesday morning in Columbus, Ohio where the current and former presidents of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination sent a strong message to the country.
“We strongly encourage all Southern Baptist pastors, leaders, educators and churches to openly reject any mandated legal definition of marriage and to use their influence to affirm God’s design for life and relationships,” the statement declared.
While affirming their love for all people – regardless of sexual orientation, the former Southern Baptist presidents said the “cannot and will not affirm the moral acceptability of homosexual behavior or any behavior that deviates from God’s design for marriage.”
More here
MET Easement Protects Endangered Species Habitat
Fifty-three acres of forest in Talbot County, home of the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, are permanently protected from development, thanks to the Maryland Environment Trust (MET) and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy in partnership with the Talbot Preservation Alliance.REMCO Properties, LLC, the landowner, ensured the protection of this forest for wildlife.
“We are delighted to work with our partners to protect this critical piece of habitat,” said John Turgeon, Acting Director for Maryland Environmental Trust.
Forest interior dwelling bird species also make their home in this block of forests, but their populations are dwindling. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classified this property as having high conservation value because of its status as a habitat for the Delmarva fox squirrel.
Reuters Poll: Walker Favorite of Republican Conservatives
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is the clear favorite of conservative voters as he readies an expected bid for the Republican Party's presidential nomination in 2016, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Walker has gained little traction among the moderate voters who account for the majority of the party, the poll shows. But his strength on the right gives him a good base of support, analysts said.
"It's never bad to be the most conservative guy in a Republican primary fight - he could win the nomination that way. The question is can he do so in a way that does not alienate moderates?" said David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.
Walker and Texas Senator Ted Cruz can each claim about a quarter of the most conservative party members, the poll shows. While ardent conservatives only account for 1 in 10 Republican voters, they are more likely to vote in primary contests and take an active role in politics. He also wins a large share of conservative-leaning voters who are less inclined to see every issue in terms of black and white.
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Walker has gained little traction among the moderate voters who account for the majority of the party, the poll shows. But his strength on the right gives him a good base of support, analysts said.
"It's never bad to be the most conservative guy in a Republican primary fight - he could win the nomination that way. The question is can he do so in a way that does not alienate moderates?" said David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.
Walker and Texas Senator Ted Cruz can each claim about a quarter of the most conservative party members, the poll shows. While ardent conservatives only account for 1 in 10 Republican voters, they are more likely to vote in primary contests and take an active role in politics. He also wins a large share of conservative-leaning voters who are less inclined to see every issue in terms of black and white.
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WWII vets cut a rug at Reagan National
WASHINGTON — A pair of World War II veterans went off the proverbial hook at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport recently.
A group of veterans who were part of an Honor Flight were waiting in Reagan National Airport last month when a group of singers sent to entertain them broke into The Andrews Sisters’ 1940s hit “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” the Daily Mail reports.
That did it.
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Probation agents adjust to dangers of Baltimore with new measures
The streets of Baltimore may be getting too dangerous for probation agents.
In an email sent to all city probation agents, supervisors said routine visits to clients’ homes are now discretionary. It’s up to the agents to decide whether they’re safe to visit.
If agents do choose to conduct home visits, supervisors are ordering agents to wear body armor. Otherwise, clients must report to their agent’s office.
The measures come after agents expressed concern about safety risks. Union leaders say they’re pleased with the new protocol.
Source
In an email sent to all city probation agents, supervisors said routine visits to clients’ homes are now discretionary. It’s up to the agents to decide whether they’re safe to visit.
If agents do choose to conduct home visits, supervisors are ordering agents to wear body armor. Otherwise, clients must report to their agent’s office.
The measures come after agents expressed concern about safety risks. Union leaders say they’re pleased with the new protocol.
Source
Blue Angels Pilot Speaks To Shore ROTC Students
Nearly three decades later, that hasn’t changed. Instead of admiring them from the ground though, he’s living his childhood dream as a member of the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels.
Talbot, 31, shared his story with a group of ROTC students from area schools at Stephen Decatur High School in advance of last weekend’s air show.
“I’m not here to recruit you,” he said. “I’m here to talk about the mission of the Blue Angels. We’re here to inspire a culture of excellence.”
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Mayor's feud with Hogan flares over city liquor stores
Six months ago, Maryland's incoming Republican governor and the Democratic mayor of Baltimore went out for dinner in Roland Park. They smiled and posed for photos together. They talked of a "productive" working relationship.
Now, rarely a week goes by without Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake speaking harsh criticism of Gov. Larry Hogan — blasting him over a range of decisions including cuts to city school aid and support for rebuilding liquor stores in riot-damaged neighborhoods.
The tone of Rawlings-Blake's criticism of Hogan has struck some as a political misstep, but others argue it could be a smart strategy in a heavily Democratic city with a mayoral election less than a year away.
"The citizens of Baltimore want to know the mayor is standing up for what's best for the city," said Quincey Gamble, a former director of the Maryland Democratic Party. "If that's casting the governor as the perpetual opponent of progress, so be it. She's got to look like the city's No. 1 advocate."
Others said they think the mayor is making a political mistake.
"I don't quite get it," said Todd Eberly, an associate professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland who has been supportive of Hogan. "It looks like lashing out. Baltimore City desperately needs the governor."
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Now, rarely a week goes by without Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake speaking harsh criticism of Gov. Larry Hogan — blasting him over a range of decisions including cuts to city school aid and support for rebuilding liquor stores in riot-damaged neighborhoods.
The tone of Rawlings-Blake's criticism of Hogan has struck some as a political misstep, but others argue it could be a smart strategy in a heavily Democratic city with a mayoral election less than a year away.
"The citizens of Baltimore want to know the mayor is standing up for what's best for the city," said Quincey Gamble, a former director of the Maryland Democratic Party. "If that's casting the governor as the perpetual opponent of progress, so be it. She's got to look like the city's No. 1 advocate."
Others said they think the mayor is making a political mistake.
"I don't quite get it," said Todd Eberly, an associate professor of political science at St. Mary's College of Maryland who has been supportive of Hogan. "It looks like lashing out. Baltimore City desperately needs the governor."
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It's Official, 'Veep' Says So Long To Maryland
HBO announced Thursday that it will move production of the show starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus to southern California.
HBO spokeswoman Cecile Cross-Plummer says Maryland has been home to many vital HBO projects, including "The Corner," ''The Wire" and "Game Change," and they "look forward to returning with another production in the future."
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Man Tries To Assault Teenage Girl. Furious Mob Cuts Off His Genitals with a Meat Cleaver!
In Ganganagar, India, a man tried to sexually assault a young girl. A group of angry men retaliated by grabbing the man and actually cutting off his genitals.
The would-be-rapist had the woman pinned against a wall in an alleyway as she screamed in horror. Thankfully people acknowledged her screams and some men came to her rescue.
The men grabbed the suspect, 40-year-old Suresh Kumar.
The men refrained from calling the police. Instead they decided to take a more vigilante approach towards justice. They gathered and decided what form the vigilante approach should take.
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The would-be-rapist had the woman pinned against a wall in an alleyway as she screamed in horror. Thankfully people acknowledged her screams and some men came to her rescue.
The men grabbed the suspect, 40-year-old Suresh Kumar.
The men refrained from calling the police. Instead they decided to take a more vigilante approach towards justice. They gathered and decided what form the vigilante approach should take.
More
I'm sure there are some $$ inaccuracies in this but regardless - we're screwed
Notes from an Engineer
I am a consulting engineer and make between $60,000 and $125,000 per year, depending on how hard I work and whether or not there are work projects out there for me.
My girlfriend is 61 and makes about $18,000 per year, working as a part-time mail clerk.
For me, making $60,000 a year, under ObamaCare, the cheapest, lowest grade policy I can buy, which also happens to impose a $5,000 deductible, costs $482 per month.
For my girlfriend, the same exact policy, same deductible, costs $1 per month. That's right, $1 per month. I'm not making this up.
Don't believe me? Just go to http://www.coveredca.gov/, the ObamaCare website for California and enter the parameters I've mentioned above and see for yourself. By the way, my zip code is 93940. You'll need to enter that.
So OK, clearly ObamaCare is a scheme that involves putting the cost burden of healthcare onto the middle and upper-income wage earners. But there's a lot more to it. Stick with me.
And before I make my next points, I'd like you to think about something:
I live in Monterey County , in Central California . We have a large land mass but just 426,000 residents - about the population of Colorado Springs or the city of Omaha .
But we do have a large Hispanic population, including a large number of illegal aliens, and to serve this group we have Natividad Medical Center, a massive, Federally subsidized county medical complex that takes up an area about one-third the size of the Chrysler Corporation automobile assembly plant in Belvedere, Illinois (see Google Earth View). Natividad has state-of-the-art operating rooms, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, fully equipped, 24 hour emergency room, and much more. If you have no insurance, if you've been in a drive-by shooting or have overdosed on crack cocaine, this is where you go. And it's essentially free, because almost everyone who ends up in the ER is uninsured.
Baltimore Woman Launches Campaign After Neighbor Says Yard Is ‘Relentlessly Gay’
A friend of the Maryland homeowner, Maeve Brigid, created a post on the ordeal stating her friend made rainbow-colored solar lamps for her garden hoping to bring cheer, but instead she got an hateful note, calling her yard “relentlessly gay.”
The message reads:
“Dear Resident of 4900 Kenwood Avenue,More
Your yard is becoming Relentlessly Gay!
Myself and Others in the neighborhood ask that you Tone It Down. This is a Christian area and there are Children. Keep it up and I will be Forced to call the Police on You. Your Kind need to have respect for GOD.
A Concerned Home Owner.”
Oil spill cleanup continues in Baltimore outside BP generating station - Multimedia
Cleanup efforts are expected to be complete by the end of the day.
Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research personnel have completed their assessment of the area and found no additional impact to local wildlife.
Source
OC Council Gives Final Approval To Street Performer Changes
The Town of Ocean City has been struggling with the proliferation of street performers on the Boardwalk for several years. A Boardwalk Task Force was created to specifically look into the growing concerns. After two public hearings over the winter, the task force’s recommendations were submitted to the Mayor and City Council and presented in an ordinance form.
On Monday evening, the ordinance came before the council for its second and final reading. The ordinance regulates street performers on the Boardwalk and will force buskers to sign up for designated locations from the Inlet to 9th Street.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM PAC14
Live Streaming over the Internet for viewing on computers or mobile devices will be down until further notice due to technical difficulties. City Meetings will continue as usual, to air live on PAC14 and to be available the next day after 2:00 p.m. at Video On Demand (VOD) on the PAC14 website. Any questions or inquiries should be directed to PAC14 at 410-546-3670 or 410-677-3431.
WICOMICO COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION CELEBRATES SERVICE OF EMPLOYEES REACHING MILESTONES
The Wicomico County Board of Education celebrates the service of employees who have reached five-year milestones of service to Wicomico County Public Schools. Those honored and thanked this year include everyone from employees who have spent 5 years in the school system to two who have served Wicomico students and families for 45 years.
Employees who have served 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years are listed below. At the Service Awards dinner this spring, Board President Ron Willey and Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen thanked each of them for their dedication and their commitment to supporting student success.
45 years: Leroy A. Hall, Marilyn K. Johnson
40 years: Susan M. Gebhart, Jerdy L. Heatwole, Barbara C. Horsey, Barbara G. Kerr, Jacqueline B. Lemon, Linda S. Pusey, Richard G. Roman, Linda J. Stark, Robin L. Taylor
35 years: Cheryl H. Doughty, Doris Q. Henson, Charlotte A. Hertz, Douglas L. Miles, Howard K. Snow, Sandra L. Titus, Kay F. White
30 years: Sharon L. Birch, Susan G. Dickerson, Mary E. Hayward, Karen M. Kundell, Courtland B. Lilley, Desiree A. Martin, Cassandra M. McNeese, Lois A. Mitchell, Carroll J. Nichols, Stewart M. Soper, William R. Wainwright
25 years: Katrena B. Bailey, Terry T. Budd, David J. Churchman, Debra M. Cooper, Ellen M. Doxtater, Sharon E. Ehrisman, Barbara A. Hayward, Laura G. Hynes, Barbara J. Karsnitz, Jane P. Kitzrow, Patricia K. McKenzie, Donna R. Melson, Sandra L. Mills, Lori S. Peters, Randy J. Polk, Tamara L. Pusey, Cathy J. Reed, Barbara J. Robinson, Jon D. Shearer, Cherie R. Simon, Bobbie S. Smith Hasson, Rickey J. Thomas, Donelle L. Vanholten, Elizabeth A. Vastine, Susan B. Waldman
July 4th Celebration!
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EVO Public House will celebrate Independance Day....
Saturday, July 4th - RED, WHITE & BREW!!!
Join us for lunch or dinner!
Kids (12 and younger) Eat Free 6-9pm!
Great food and drink specials all day!
Dine indoors or out on the patio, under the palms!
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201 East Vine Street Salisbury, MD | 443.260.2337 |
Dredging needs get $250K boost from Corps
Commercial and recreational fishermen who have had trouble entering and exiting the Ocean City Inlet because of incessant shoaling can breathe a little easier as the Army Corps of Engineers has made $250,000 available to pay for intermittent dredging.
“The money is being allocated now, but that’s not to say work will begin immediately,” Sarah Gross, public affairs specialist with the Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday.
Action began on the issue after commercial fisherman Joe Letts said he was forced to move his fleet into New Jersey to avoid potential damage and delays because of shoaling at the inlet.
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“The money is being allocated now, but that’s not to say work will begin immediately,” Sarah Gross, public affairs specialist with the Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday.
Action began on the issue after commercial fisherman Joe Letts said he was forced to move his fleet into New Jersey to avoid potential damage and delays because of shoaling at the inlet.
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Salisbury's Coach Hal Chernoff With Shawn Porter
Cardin Statement on Ramadan
“Ramadan is marked by a period of fasting and self-reflection, a time defined by prayer, service, and charity. These are universal values, embraced by communities of all faiths and religions. Families across Maryland, throughout the United States, and around the world are now gathering daily to observe this holy month. Throughout this holiday, we must all be guided by acts of compassion and humanity, and together we must strive to uplift all of our communities, particularly those who are confronting challenges and struggles. We must always be guided by principles of caring and harmony. From my family to yours, Ramadan Kareem.”
Editors Note: No statement was released for Easter or Christmas By Rep Cardin. See the below link for all his press releases.
http://www.cardin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/index.cfm?PageNum_rs=1
Shona Banda’s Attorney Plans to Fight Cannabis’ Classification As Schedule 1 Narcotic
As cannabis oil activist and Crohn's disease patient Shona Banda, who lost custody of her son and is facing over 30 years in prison after her son spoke out about her cannabis oil treatment during a school anti-drug presentation, surrendered herself to authorities, her attorney Sarah Swain said at a press conference that she intends to challenge cannabis' classification as a hardcore Schedule 1 narcotic with no medical use as a part of her defense of Banda and that she will take her case to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Since March of 2014, Truth in Media has covered the work of cannabis oil activist and Crohn’s disease sufferer Shona Banda, who has successfully used cannabis oil to manage her disease and developed her own inexpensive method to extract it. However, Banda’s story took a dramatic turn recently when her home was raided by police and her son was seized by the Kansas Department for Children and Families after he spoke out about his mother’s cannabis oil treatment during an anti-drug presentation at school. Truth in Media’s exclusive interview with Banda about the State of Kansas’ seizure of her son went viral and attracted worldwide mainstream media attention from outlets like The Washington Post and ABC’s The View.
Last week, Finney County Attorney Susan Richmeier announced that Shona Banda would be facing five criminal counts related to the cannabis oil and paraphernalia items that were found in her home during the aforementioned April raid by Garden City police. Truth in Media spoke exclusively with Banda last week about those charges, three of which are felonies.
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Since March of 2014, Truth in Media has covered the work of cannabis oil activist and Crohn’s disease sufferer Shona Banda, who has successfully used cannabis oil to manage her disease and developed her own inexpensive method to extract it. However, Banda’s story took a dramatic turn recently when her home was raided by police and her son was seized by the Kansas Department for Children and Families after he spoke out about his mother’s cannabis oil treatment during an anti-drug presentation at school. Truth in Media’s exclusive interview with Banda about the State of Kansas’ seizure of her son went viral and attracted worldwide mainstream media attention from outlets like The Washington Post and ABC’s The View.
Last week, Finney County Attorney Susan Richmeier announced that Shona Banda would be facing five criminal counts related to the cannabis oil and paraphernalia items that were found in her home during the aforementioned April raid by Garden City police. Truth in Media spoke exclusively with Banda last week about those charges, three of which are felonies.
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Armed Black Muslims Chant For The Murder Of Police Officers In Austin, Texas
Armed members of the New Black Panther Party militia paraded through Austin, Texas chanting for the murder of police officers. The marchers chanted “A pig is a pig that’s what I said, the only good pig is a pig that’s dead.” That was followed by “Oink! Oink! Bang! Bang!”
Some of the marchers wore kevlar vests and other tactical gear. The New Black Panther Party teaches that the black race will exterminate all white people in a race war that will occur in a near future. They endorse in Nation of Islam theology and consider themselves to be Muslims.
The march coincided with the South by Southwest Music Festival. Last year’s event was held in nearby Killeen, Texas. It ended early when a black male used his car as a weapon to go on a spree killing. Two people were killed and twenty three were wounded.
More/Video
Some of the marchers wore kevlar vests and other tactical gear. The New Black Panther Party teaches that the black race will exterminate all white people in a race war that will occur in a near future. They endorse in Nation of Islam theology and consider themselves to be Muslims.
The march coincided with the South by Southwest Music Festival. Last year’s event was held in nearby Killeen, Texas. It ended early when a black male used his car as a weapon to go on a spree killing. Two people were killed and twenty three were wounded.
More/Video
Obama's new Admiral - She can't fly, but she rules over Navy pilots
(NY Times) -- Adm. Michelle J. Howard was looking for new insignia for her white Navy dress uniform when she ran into an unusual problem.
“I said, ‘I need to order a four-star women’s shoulder board,’ and there’s this silence,” Admiral Howard recalled. “Then the lady goes, ‘Um, I’m not seeing any in the system.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I thought that might be the case.’ ”
Last week Admiral Howard, the vice chief of naval operations, became the first female four-star in the 239-year history of the Navy. She is also the highest-ranking African-American woman in a male-dominated military that did not even allow the promotion of women to general or admiral until 1967.
“I didn’t know it was possible to grow up to be anything more than a one-star,” Admiral Howard, 54, said in a recent interview, referring to the rank of rear admiral. She said today’s sailors “have never known a life when there hasn’t been a woman admiral, women three-stars, women in command of ships, women in command of destroyers.”
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“I said, ‘I need to order a four-star women’s shoulder board,’ and there’s this silence,” Admiral Howard recalled. “Then the lady goes, ‘Um, I’m not seeing any in the system.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I thought that might be the case.’ ”
Last week Admiral Howard, the vice chief of naval operations, became the first female four-star in the 239-year history of the Navy. She is also the highest-ranking African-American woman in a male-dominated military that did not even allow the promotion of women to general or admiral until 1967.
“I didn’t know it was possible to grow up to be anything more than a one-star,” Admiral Howard, 54, said in a recent interview, referring to the rank of rear admiral. She said today’s sailors “have never known a life when there hasn’t been a woman admiral, women three-stars, women in command of ships, women in command of destroyers.”
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Who Died Before They Collected Social Security
THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S CALCULATION
OF AVAILABLE SOCIAL SECURITY IS THEY FORGOT
TO FIGURE IN THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THEY EVER COLLECTED A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK!!!
WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO?
TO FIGURE IN THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THEY EVER COLLECTED A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK!!!
WHERE DID THAT MONEY GO?
Remember, not only did you and I contribute to Social Security but your employer did, too.
It totaled 15% of your income before taxes.
If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.
Read that again.
Did you see where the Government paid in one single penny?
We are talking about the money you and your employer put in a Government bank to insure you and me
If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.
Read that again.
Did you see where the Government paid in one single penny?
We are talking about the money you and your employer put in a Government bank to insure you and me
that we would have a retirement check from the money we put in, not the Government.
Now they are calling the money we put in an entitlement when we reach the age to take it back.
If you calculate the future invested value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution)
Now they are calling the money we put in an entitlement when we reach the age to take it back.
If you calculate the future invested value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution)
at a simple 5% interest (less than what the Government pays on the money that it borrows).
After 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98.
After 49 years of working you'd have $892,919.98.
If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years
(until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit!
If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.
If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.
THE FOLKS IN WASHINGTON
HAVE PULLED OFF A BIGGER PONZI SCHEME THAN BERNIE MADOFF EVER DID.
Entitlement my foot; I paid cash for my social security insurance!
Just because they borrowed the money for other government spending,
Just because they borrowed the money for other government spending,
doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!
Remember the benefits for members of Congress?
+ free healthcare,
+ outrageous retirement packages,
+ 67 paid holidays,
+ three weeks paid vacation,
+ unlimited paid sick days.
Now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement payments entitlements?
They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives, and now, when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money.
Why did the government borrow from it in the first place?
Remember the benefits for members of Congress?
+ free healthcare,
+ outrageous retirement packages,
+ 67 paid holidays,
+ three weeks paid vacation,
+ unlimited paid sick days.
Now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement payments entitlements?
They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives, and now, when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money.
Why did the government borrow from it in the first place?
It was supposed to be in a locked box, not part of the general fund.
Oyster restoration project aims for big Chespeake Bay benefits
Angie Sowers is part of the Baltimore Division of the Army Corps of Engineers, and has focused on the Harris Creek oyster restoration project for years.
"Oysters in the Chesapeake are at very low levels. And we have to not only put oysters back, but also their habitat is lost," Sowers explained.
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IRS Apologizes For Brushing Off House Republican With a Form Letter
The IRS has apologized to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., after she received an unsigned form letter from the IRS in response to her request for an investigation into the Clinton Foundation.
Blackburn was furious at the response, and called it "unbelievably disrespectful" for a member of Congress to be brushed off in that way.
Blackburn wrote the IRS to say the agency should review the Clinton Foundation's tax-exempt status, after it was revealed that the foundation failed to report millions of dollars in donations from foreign governments.
In reply, the IRS sent a letter starting with "Dear Sir or Madam," which said the information she submitted would be considered.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen wrote Blackburn personally and said the form letter should have at least been signed.
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Blackburn was furious at the response, and called it "unbelievably disrespectful" for a member of Congress to be brushed off in that way.
Blackburn wrote the IRS to say the agency should review the Clinton Foundation's tax-exempt status, after it was revealed that the foundation failed to report millions of dollars in donations from foreign governments.
In reply, the IRS sent a letter starting with "Dear Sir or Madam," which said the information she submitted would be considered.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen wrote Blackburn personally and said the form letter should have at least been signed.
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Every Mass Shooting Shares One Thing In Common & It’s NOT Weapons
Nearly every mass shooting incident in the last twenty years, and multiple other instances of suicide and isolated shootings all share one thing in common, and itsnot the weapons used.
The overwhelming evidence points to the signal largest common factor in all of these incidents is the fact that all of the perpetrators were either actively taking powerful psychotropic drugs or had been at some point in the immediate past before they committed their crimes.
Multiple credible scientific studies going back more than a decade, as well as internal documents from certain pharmaceutical companies that suppressed the information show that SSRI drugs (Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors ) have well known, but unreported side effects, including but not limited to suicide and other violent behavior. One need only Google relevant key words or phrases to see for themselves. www.ssristories.com is one popular site that has documented over 4500 “ Mainstream Media “ reported cases from around the World of aberrant or violent behavior by those taking these powerful drugs.
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Father's Day!
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Study: New Orleans' Unique School Choice System Is WORKING
After Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans in August 2005, the state-run Recovery School District took over most of New Orleans' schools, largely due to poor academic performance. The new system was meant to stress choice in education, allowing families to have a say in which school their children attend rather than having their children assigned to a school based on geography. Today, more than 90 percent of New Orleans students attend charter schools.
"The academic performance of New Orleans' schools has improved remarkably over the past ten years," the report's authors, Patrick Sims and Vincent Rossmeier, wrote. "With increasing test scores and graduation rates, everyone involved in education should feel proud of the progress made thus far."
The reforms were wildly successful. In 2005, 62 percent of New Orleans students attended a failing school. Amazingly, that number has fallen to just seven percent today. Ten years ago, the graduation rate was nine percentage points lower in New Orleans compared to the state overall. Today, the graduation rates are virtually equal.
Lawyer’s signs raise questions about DUI checkpoints
BOCA RATON, Florida (MEDIA GENERAL) – A criminal defense attorney is gaining national attention after his message about DUI checkpoints went viral.
Warren Redlich is a criminal defense attorney based in Boca Raton, Florida. In 2013, he published a book called “Fair DUI” and launched a web site of the same name (fairdui.org).
Redlich’s message is that when drivers approach a DUI checkpoint, they are not required to roll down their windows and talk to police. He says by doing so, drivers open themselves up to problems.
Redlich is not the first with this kind of message. But, he is getting a lot of attention after a video he posted on New Year’s Day received 2.3 million views. “It wasn’t what any of us expected,” Redlich told us.
Redlich says the problem lies in allowing an ordinary person the ability to assert his or her right to remain silent without actually speaking. To fix this problem, Redlich has created downloadable signs that can be printed out and put in the car. The signs are even customized for 10 states.
Customized Fair DUI signs:
New York
Florida
California
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Planning Comm. Endorses New District Where Weekly Rentals Would Be Banned; Council To Have Ultimate Say
On Tuesday evening, the commission held a public hearing to consider amending the zoning code to create an R-1A Single Family Residential District.
The proposed amendment states, “The purpose of this district is to provide for established year round residents to maintain the integrity of family values, youth values, and the blessings of quiet seclusion and to make the area a sanctuary for people living in the neighborhood and to avoid the adverse effects of transient short term rentals. This district is for single-family residential development, together with accessory uses as may be necessary or are normally compatible with residential surroundings.”
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China's Military Practices Invading Taiwan
In a new analysis by Richard Fisher and James Hardy, IHS Jane’s reports that “A series of Chinese military exercises between late May and early June showcased the ability of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to project land, air, and naval power into the area around Taiwan.”
The exercises demonstrated the People's Liberation Army’s plan to use civilian ships during emergencies to help boost its forces.
“To compensate for the relatively small size of its formal naval amphibious transport fleet the PLA has co-funded construction of a large number of ferries used by civilian companies. They will be made available to the PLA during emergencies and are a frequent element in civil-military transport exercises,” Fisher and Hardy write.
Included in these drills, for example, was a 20,000-ton roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ferry that was assigned to the Transportation Department of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). During the drill, the ferry helped transport troops and trucks from the Bohai Sea to the South China Sea.
Fisher and Hardy, citing an Asian government source, assess that in the event of an invasion, a combined military and civilian effort could transport between 8-12 PLA divisions to Taiwan.
The National Interest had previously reported on the drills, noting last week that China announced that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) were conducting a joint exercise near the Bashi Channel. The channel sits near islands owned by the Philippines and Taiwan, and the drills were conducted near both of those countries’ Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ).
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Teen arrested for armed robbery at Ocean City motel
Ocean City police officers arrested and charged Christian Gill, 16, of Hagerstown, Md. as an adult for attempting to rob a group of people with a handgun inside a motel last week.
On June 10, police met with a group of individuals who identified Gill as the person who displayed a handgun and demanded money from the victims. They resisted and the suspect fled to a room inside the Ocean City motel with a number of other people.
Officers were able to determine which room Gill was in, and they ultimately detained five individuals.
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On June 10, police met with a group of individuals who identified Gill as the person who displayed a handgun and demanded money from the victims. They resisted and the suspect fled to a room inside the Ocean City motel with a number of other people.
Officers were able to determine which room Gill was in, and they ultimately detained five individuals.
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The IRS Mystery Man Calling the Shots
Behind the scenes and nearly six months after the scandal first made headlines, the House Oversight Committee is quietly continuing its investigation of the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of tea-party groups. Since May, congressional investigators have interviewed over 30 witnesses and examined thousands of pages of documents.
The latest official called to testify before committee investigators is an important one: IRS chief counsel William Wilkins.
Wilkins is one of just two political appointees at the IRS, a generous donor to Democratic candidates and causes, and once represented Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ. Evidence of his involvement in the targeting would spell trouble for the White House and bring renewed focus to a scandal that has largely receded from public consciousness.
The Oversight Committee has furnished none, to date, but it is expressing gross dissatisfaction with Wilkins’s testimony and, in a letter sent to him on Wednesday, offering him the opportunity to amend it.
“In your testimony, you stated ‘I don’t recall’ a staggering 80 times in full or partial response to the Committee’s questions,” committee chairman Darrell Issa and Ohio representative Jim Jordan wrote. “Your failure to recollect important aspects of the Committee’s investigation suggests either a deliberate attempt to obfuscate your involvement in this matter or gross incompetence on your part.”
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The latest official called to testify before committee investigators is an important one: IRS chief counsel William Wilkins.
Wilkins is one of just two political appointees at the IRS, a generous donor to Democratic candidates and causes, and once represented Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ. Evidence of his involvement in the targeting would spell trouble for the White House and bring renewed focus to a scandal that has largely receded from public consciousness.
The Oversight Committee has furnished none, to date, but it is expressing gross dissatisfaction with Wilkins’s testimony and, in a letter sent to him on Wednesday, offering him the opportunity to amend it.
“In your testimony, you stated ‘I don’t recall’ a staggering 80 times in full or partial response to the Committee’s questions,” committee chairman Darrell Issa and Ohio representative Jim Jordan wrote. “Your failure to recollect important aspects of the Committee’s investigation suggests either a deliberate attempt to obfuscate your involvement in this matter or gross incompetence on your part.”
More here
Counting On Vote Fraud
When two of the nation’s most prominent liberals claim that a political phenomenon does not exist, you know you’ve hit a sore spot.
Last week, in a major campaign speech at Texas Southern University, Hillary Clinton dismissed the “phantom epidemic of election fraud.” A couple of days ago, blogger Markos Moulitsas, founder of the Daily Kos website, dismissed voter fraud as a “lie” and a “myth.”
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks,” as Shakespeare put it. If you really believe something doesn’t exist, you don’t waste your time denying it. There’s no such thing as an Easter Bunny deniers’ club.
It’s far more likely that Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Moulitsas are fully aware that vote fraud is thriving in the United States. They don’t only know it exists, they’re counting on it, because they fear liberalism cannot win without cheating.
As a former Ohio secretary of state, I’ve learned a thing or two about vote fraud.
Read more here
Last week, in a major campaign speech at Texas Southern University, Hillary Clinton dismissed the “phantom epidemic of election fraud.” A couple of days ago, blogger Markos Moulitsas, founder of the Daily Kos website, dismissed voter fraud as a “lie” and a “myth.”
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks,” as Shakespeare put it. If you really believe something doesn’t exist, you don’t waste your time denying it. There’s no such thing as an Easter Bunny deniers’ club.
It’s far more likely that Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Moulitsas are fully aware that vote fraud is thriving in the United States. They don’t only know it exists, they’re counting on it, because they fear liberalism cannot win without cheating.
As a former Ohio secretary of state, I’ve learned a thing or two about vote fraud.
Read more here
Texas Creating Nation’s First State-Level Gold Depository
(CNSNews) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill last Friday that creates the nation’s first state-level gold depository.
The Texas version of Fort Knox will be used to store $1 billion in gold bullion the state plans to “repatriate” from the Federal Reserve Bank in New York.
“Today I signed HB 483 to provide a secure facility for the State of Texas, state agencies and Texas citizens to store gold bullion and other precious metals,” Abbott said in his signing statement.
“With the passage of this bill, the Texas Bullion Depository will become the first state-level facility of its kind in the nation, increasing the security and stability of our gold reserves and keeping taxpayer funds from leaving Texas to pay for fees to store gold in facilities outside our state."
Abbott said the gold depository “will serve as the custodian, guardian and administrator of bullion that may be transferred to or otherwise acquired by the State of Texas.” The Texas Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts will administer the depository and submit an annual report to the governor and the Texas legislature.
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The Texas version of Fort Knox will be used to store $1 billion in gold bullion the state plans to “repatriate” from the Federal Reserve Bank in New York.
“Today I signed HB 483 to provide a secure facility for the State of Texas, state agencies and Texas citizens to store gold bullion and other precious metals,” Abbott said in his signing statement.
“With the passage of this bill, the Texas Bullion Depository will become the first state-level facility of its kind in the nation, increasing the security and stability of our gold reserves and keeping taxpayer funds from leaving Texas to pay for fees to store gold in facilities outside our state."
Abbott said the gold depository “will serve as the custodian, guardian and administrator of bullion that may be transferred to or otherwise acquired by the State of Texas.” The Texas Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts will administer the depository and submit an annual report to the governor and the Texas legislature.
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OBAMA POLITICIZES CHARLESTON SHOOTING: CALLS FOR GUN CONTROL, SLAMS AMERICA
Obama is wrong on both counts. Innocent people were killed because a murderer–likely motivated by racial hatred–had a gun–but guns in the right hands have stopped, or interrupted similar attacks before. In South Africa, for example–whose racist past seems to have provided gruesome inspiration for the Charleston killer–a parishoner stopped a mass shooting by a black nationalist group against a multi-racial congregation by firing his .38 revolver at the assailants, who ran away.
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Black NC GOP Chairman: Why I Became a Republican
When Hasan Harnett first moved to North Carolina, he registered to vote as a Democrat because that's what he thought he was supposed to do. That is, until a friend introduced him to conservative ideas about government.
Harnett, who is the first African American chairman of the North Carolina GOP, told Ed Berliner on "MidPoint" on Newsmax TV Wednesday, that he started to change his views through a friend, who "inspired me to become the Republican I am today."
"He talked about the power of limited government as well as having strong family. After those kinds of conversations, I realized that I was part of the wrong party," he explained.
He believes that more African Americans can become Republicans through "education and having open conversations" about the issues.
"One of the things I've done successfully is take both platforms — the Democratic platform as well as the Republican platform — and white-out [the party names] and ask that individual to read these two platforms and make a decision as to which one best represents them," he explained.
More here
Harnett, who is the first African American chairman of the North Carolina GOP, told Ed Berliner on "MidPoint" on Newsmax TV Wednesday, that he started to change his views through a friend, who "inspired me to become the Republican I am today."
"He talked about the power of limited government as well as having strong family. After those kinds of conversations, I realized that I was part of the wrong party," he explained.
He believes that more African Americans can become Republicans through "education and having open conversations" about the issues.
"One of the things I've done successfully is take both platforms — the Democratic platform as well as the Republican platform — and white-out [the party names] and ask that individual to read these two platforms and make a decision as to which one best represents them," he explained.
More here
Walter Williams: Culture and Social Pathology
A civilized society’s first line of defense is not the law, police and courts but customs, traditions, rules of etiquette and moral values. These behavioral norms — mostly transmitted by example, word of mouth and religious teachings — represent a body of wisdom distilled over the ages through experience and trial and error. They include important thou-shalt-nots, such as thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not steal and thou shalt not cheat. They also include all those courtesies that have traditionally been associated with ladylike and gentlemanly conduct.
The failure to fully transmit these values and traditions to subsequent generations represents one of the failings of what journalist Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.” People in this so-called great generation, who lived during the trauma of the Great Depression and fought World War II, not only failed to transmit the moral values of their parents but also are responsible for government programs that will deliver economic chaos.
Behavior accepted as the norm today would have been seen as despicable yesteryear. There are television debt relief commercials that promise to help debtors pay back only half of what they owe. Foul language is spoken by children in front of and sometimes to teachers and other adults. When I was a youngster, it was unthinkable to use foul language to any adult. It would have meant risking a smack across the face. But years ago, parents and teachers didn’t have “experts” on child rearing to tell them that corporal punishment was wrong and ineffective and “timeouts” would be a superior form of discipline. One result of our tolerance for aberrant behavior was that, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2011-12 academic year, 209,000 primary- and secondary-school teachers were physically assaulted and 353,000 were threatened with injury. As a result of this and other forms of school violence, many school districts employ hundreds of police officers.
Nowadays baby showers are often held for unwed mothers. Yesteryear such an acceptance of illegitimacy would have been unthinkable.
More here
The failure to fully transmit these values and traditions to subsequent generations represents one of the failings of what journalist Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.” People in this so-called great generation, who lived during the trauma of the Great Depression and fought World War II, not only failed to transmit the moral values of their parents but also are responsible for government programs that will deliver economic chaos.
Behavior accepted as the norm today would have been seen as despicable yesteryear. There are television debt relief commercials that promise to help debtors pay back only half of what they owe. Foul language is spoken by children in front of and sometimes to teachers and other adults. When I was a youngster, it was unthinkable to use foul language to any adult. It would have meant risking a smack across the face. But years ago, parents and teachers didn’t have “experts” on child rearing to tell them that corporal punishment was wrong and ineffective and “timeouts” would be a superior form of discipline. One result of our tolerance for aberrant behavior was that, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2011-12 academic year, 209,000 primary- and secondary-school teachers were physically assaulted and 353,000 were threatened with injury. As a result of this and other forms of school violence, many school districts employ hundreds of police officers.
Nowadays baby showers are often held for unwed mothers. Yesteryear such an acceptance of illegitimacy would have been unthinkable.
More here