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Monday, October 19, 2015
Palestinians Torch Jewish Shrine Amid 'Revolution' Calls
Palestinians torched a site revered by Jews in the West Bank overnight in an incident that threatened to further inflame over two weeks of deadly unrest, as fresh protests were planned for Friday.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, under pressure over recent comments that some have labelled incitement, quickly condemned the fire at the site in the northern city of Nablus known as Joseph's Tomb.
Video showed what looked like an extensive blaze and the Israeli army called it "a despicable act" of desecration.
The arson came as Palestinians called for a "Friday of revolution" against Israel, and Jerusalem police barred men under 40 from attending the main weekly prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, seeking to keep young protesters away.
Israeli security forces have deployed massively in Jerusalem after two weeks of Palestinian attacks in the city and across Israel. Beginning Sunday, some 300 soldiers will reinforce police, stretched thin by the unrest.
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Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, under pressure over recent comments that some have labelled incitement, quickly condemned the fire at the site in the northern city of Nablus known as Joseph's Tomb.
Video showed what looked like an extensive blaze and the Israeli army called it "a despicable act" of desecration.
The arson came as Palestinians called for a "Friday of revolution" against Israel, and Jerusalem police barred men under 40 from attending the main weekly prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, seeking to keep young protesters away.
Israeli security forces have deployed massively in Jerusalem after two weeks of Palestinian attacks in the city and across Israel. Beginning Sunday, some 300 soldiers will reinforce police, stretched thin by the unrest.
More
Pizza Woman Delivers to Church… Leaves Sobbing After What Christians Do to Her
Members of Sycamore Creek Church in Pickerington, Ohio, recently did something absolutely amazing for a Domino’s pizza delivery driver named Natasha.
When Natasha arrived at a church gathering on Oct. 4 to deliver a $5.99 pizza, reported The Columbus Dispatch, the lead pastor Rev. Steve Markle brought her on stage and asked her what the biggest tip she had ever received was.
She replied that it was $10. Rev. Markle then handed her $15 from his own pocket.
“We’ve been teaching our church this last month about being generous, and so we did something special for you today,” he continued. “We took up a special offering for a tip for you.”
Without a moment to lose, the reverend then handed her the rest of his congregation’s tip — a stack of bills valued at $1,046.
(A video recording of the whole incident can be viewed here)
When Natasha arrived at a church gathering on Oct. 4 to deliver a $5.99 pizza, reported The Columbus Dispatch, the lead pastor Rev. Steve Markle brought her on stage and asked her what the biggest tip she had ever received was.
She replied that it was $10. Rev. Markle then handed her $15 from his own pocket.
“We’ve been teaching our church this last month about being generous, and so we did something special for you today,” he continued. “We took up a special offering for a tip for you.”
Without a moment to lose, the reverend then handed her the rest of his congregation’s tip — a stack of bills valued at $1,046.
(A video recording of the whole incident can be viewed here)
This Is How Much Not Having Health Insurance Will Cost Starting in 2016
WASHINGTON (AP) — The math is harsh: The federal penalty for having no health insurance is set to jump to $695, and the Obama administration is being urged to highlight that cold fact to help drive its new pitch for health law sign-ups.
That means the 2016 sign-up season starting Nov. 1 could see penalties become a bigger focus to motivate millions of people who have remained eligible for coverage, but uninsured. They’re said to be more skeptical about the value of health insurance.
Until now, health overhaul supporters have stressed the benefits of getting covered: taxpayer subsidies that pay roughly 70 percent of the monthly premium, financial protection against sudden illness or an accident, and access to regular preventive and follow-up medical care.
But in 2016, the penalty for being uninsured will rise to the greater of either – $695 or 2.5 percent of taxable income – for someone who goes without coverage for a full 12 months. This year the comparable numbers are $325 or 2 percent of income. While the increase isn’t good news, it does create a marketing opportunity.
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That means the 2016 sign-up season starting Nov. 1 could see penalties become a bigger focus to motivate millions of people who have remained eligible for coverage, but uninsured. They’re said to be more skeptical about the value of health insurance.
Until now, health overhaul supporters have stressed the benefits of getting covered: taxpayer subsidies that pay roughly 70 percent of the monthly premium, financial protection against sudden illness or an accident, and access to regular preventive and follow-up medical care.
But in 2016, the penalty for being uninsured will rise to the greater of either – $695 or 2.5 percent of taxable income – for someone who goes without coverage for a full 12 months. This year the comparable numbers are $325 or 2 percent of income. While the increase isn’t good news, it does create a marketing opportunity.
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Troopers Investigate Hit and Run of Bicyclist, Seaford
Seaford, DE – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into the October 15th hit and run crash involving a teen riding a bicycle west of Seaford and have located the vehicle and identified the operator.
On Monday October 19, 2015 , investigators were contacted by Justin J. Trice, 26 of Easton, Maryland, who was operating a 1999 GMC Sonoma when he struck Melleca Butler while riding his bicycle southbound on Woodpecker Road.
No charges have been filed at this time and the investigation into this incident is on-going.
Melleca Butler is still hospitalized in critical condition.
On Monday October 19, 2015 , investigators were contacted by Justin J. Trice, 26 of Easton, Maryland, who was operating a 1999 GMC Sonoma when he struck Melleca Butler while riding his bicycle southbound on Woodpecker Road.
No charges have been filed at this time and the investigation into this incident is on-going.
Melleca Butler is still hospitalized in critical condition.
IRS spends millions to upgrade to outdated version of Windows
If you were a half-dozen years behind on your taxes, Uncle Sam would almost certainly be knocking at the door. But at the Internal Revenue Service, millions of dollars are still being spent to upgrade computers to the 6-year-old Windows 7 operating system, which is two generations outdated.
The long-overdue upgrades are leaving fiscal watchdogs scratching their heads and have security specialists worried about vulnerabilities to hackers.
Windows 7 was introduced to the market in October 2009, and the IRSdidn’t begin upgrading until 2011. After four years and nearly $140 million, the IRS still had not upgraded thousands of Windows XP computers to the already outdated Windows 7 operating system by their “end of life” deadlines, according to a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
In all, the IRS had 110,000 workstations to upgrade from Windows XP and 6,000 servers to upgrade from Windows Server 2003, but according to the report, the IRS had not accounted for the location or migration status of approximately 1,300 workstations and upgraded only about half of its Windows servers from the 2003 software version to Windows 7.
Now, the “new” operating system required for IRS computers is 6 years old and the XP system is no longer supported by Microsoft, leaving taxpayers’ information vulnerable, the watchdog warned. Since the upgrades began, Microsoft has issued two newer generations of its operating software, Windows 8 in August 2012 and Windows 10 this year.
“When an operating system reaches its end of life, companies such as Microsoft stop supporting the operating system, which leaves the systems vulnerable to attack. For the IRS, the use of outdated operating systems may expose taxpayer information to unauthorized disclosure, which can lead to identity theft,” auditors wrote. “Further, network disruptions and security breaches may prevent the IRS from performing vital taxpayer services, such as processing tax returns, issuing refunds, and answering taxpayer inquiries.”
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The long-overdue upgrades are leaving fiscal watchdogs scratching their heads and have security specialists worried about vulnerabilities to hackers.
Windows 7 was introduced to the market in October 2009, and the IRSdidn’t begin upgrading until 2011. After four years and nearly $140 million, the IRS still had not upgraded thousands of Windows XP computers to the already outdated Windows 7 operating system by their “end of life” deadlines, according to a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
In all, the IRS had 110,000 workstations to upgrade from Windows XP and 6,000 servers to upgrade from Windows Server 2003, but according to the report, the IRS had not accounted for the location or migration status of approximately 1,300 workstations and upgraded only about half of its Windows servers from the 2003 software version to Windows 7.
Now, the “new” operating system required for IRS computers is 6 years old and the XP system is no longer supported by Microsoft, leaving taxpayers’ information vulnerable, the watchdog warned. Since the upgrades began, Microsoft has issued two newer generations of its operating software, Windows 8 in August 2012 and Windows 10 this year.
“When an operating system reaches its end of life, companies such as Microsoft stop supporting the operating system, which leaves the systems vulnerable to attack. For the IRS, the use of outdated operating systems may expose taxpayer information to unauthorized disclosure, which can lead to identity theft,” auditors wrote. “Further, network disruptions and security breaches may prevent the IRS from performing vital taxpayer services, such as processing tax returns, issuing refunds, and answering taxpayer inquiries.”
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Anne Arundel County cop charged in testicle-biting incident no longer with department
A Baltimore City man is no longer an Anne Arundel County police officer after he was charged for public intoxication and biting a man in the testicles during a fight outside a bar in May, officials said.
Michael Flaig, a Northern District officer and 10-year veteran of the department, became involved in an argument with a man outside Looney's Pub in Canton after the man told Flaig to stop groping the man's female roommate, police wrote in charging documents. The interaction escalated to a physical confrontation, with the man straddling Flaig's upper body, when Flaig bit the man "in the testicle area," according to police.
Flaig, 31, was charged with second degree assault and an alcohol offense, according to charging documents. Flaig faced up to 10 years or $2,500 for the assault charge and 90 days or $100 for the alcohol charge.
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Michael Flaig, a Northern District officer and 10-year veteran of the department, became involved in an argument with a man outside Looney's Pub in Canton after the man told Flaig to stop groping the man's female roommate, police wrote in charging documents. The interaction escalated to a physical confrontation, with the man straddling Flaig's upper body, when Flaig bit the man "in the testicle area," according to police.
Flaig, 31, was charged with second degree assault and an alcohol offense, according to charging documents. Flaig faced up to 10 years or $2,500 for the assault charge and 90 days or $100 for the alcohol charge.
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PA Moves to Ban Government Union Political Funding
Senate bill would separate political from representational funding
The Pennsylvania state Senate passed a bill that would ban the government transfer of public sector worker dues to political organizations on Wednesday.
The Senate voted 26-23 to pass SB 501 after a short debate. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Eichelberger (R.) said the vote was a victory for individuals over political interests.
“This is what the majority of union members want and what the public deserves,” Eichelberger said in a release. “It protects members from being forced through the union to fund political candidates or causes they don’t support.”
The bill became known as Mary’s Law, named after Pennsylvania College of Technology professor Mary Trometter who filed suit to stop her local union from directly financing political causes with which she disagreed. Tormetter complained to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in November after receiving a Pennsylvania State Education Association mailer implying that all teachers supported Democratic candidate Tom Wolf.
“As a family member of an educator, you know they are devoting their career to helping others … Please join Mary in voting for Tom Wolf for Governor on November 4th,” the letter said.
Wolf beat Republican Gov. Tom Corbett by 10 points.
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The Pennsylvania state Senate passed a bill that would ban the government transfer of public sector worker dues to political organizations on Wednesday.
The Senate voted 26-23 to pass SB 501 after a short debate. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Eichelberger (R.) said the vote was a victory for individuals over political interests.
“This is what the majority of union members want and what the public deserves,” Eichelberger said in a release. “It protects members from being forced through the union to fund political candidates or causes they don’t support.”
The bill became known as Mary’s Law, named after Pennsylvania College of Technology professor Mary Trometter who filed suit to stop her local union from directly financing political causes with which she disagreed. Tormetter complained to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in November after receiving a Pennsylvania State Education Association mailer implying that all teachers supported Democratic candidate Tom Wolf.
“As a family member of an educator, you know they are devoting their career to helping others … Please join Mary in voting for Tom Wolf for Governor on November 4th,” the letter said.
Wolf beat Republican Gov. Tom Corbett by 10 points.
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Driver’s Astonishing Response After He’s Caught on Video Swerving His Car Into a Passing Motorcycle and Sending the Riders Crashing to the Road
A Saturday afternoon ride on a Texas highway ended in shocking fashion when a car swerved into a passing motorcyclist, sending the rider and his girlfriend passenger crashing to the road.
When a trailing motorcyclist confronted the car driver after the collision, telling him what happened to his friend, the driver’s response — several times — was, “I don’t care.”
And it was all caught on the trailing motorcyclist’s helmetcam, a video that’s been viewed on Facebook nearly 1.5 million times.
The relevant portion of the video starts after the 1:30 mark. (Content warning: Strong language):
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When a trailing motorcyclist confronted the car driver after the collision, telling him what happened to his friend, the driver’s response — several times — was, “I don’t care.”
And it was all caught on the trailing motorcyclist’s helmetcam, a video that’s been viewed on Facebook nearly 1.5 million times.
The relevant portion of the video starts after the 1:30 mark. (Content warning: Strong language):
More
Kentucky City Fights to Save Cross on Water Tower
Residents of a Kentucky city are pushing back against an atheist group that is attempting to have a cross removed from a water tower with the help of like-minded Christians from across the nation.
A Pro-Cross Rally is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday in Wilmore, Ky., a small city with a population of 6,000. Hundreds of white crosses this week have appeared on residents’ front lawns throughout the city to show support after the Freedom From Religion Foundation demanded that the city remove the cross and a picture of the water tower from the city’s website. The group claims that the cross “unabashedly creates the perception of government endorsement of Christianity” and “has an exclusionary effect, making non-Christian and non-believing residents of Wilmore political outsiders.”
The cross has been located for over four decades on top of a water tower on Asbury University, a Christian school. The city owns the water tower, but the university pays the electric bill for the cross.
Harold Rainwater, the town’s mayor, told a local newspaper he does not plan to remove the cross, and several attorneys have offered to represent the city in its fight against the foundation if it files a lawsuit.
One resident, Sheila Nighy, started making wooden crosses this week, and many have been placed throughout the city. Nagy said if the group disliked one cross, they would dislike hundreds more.
“We saw the letter and I said, ‘Take down our cross? We’ll put up more!’”
The residents of Wilmore are not alone in their fight to save their cross. Many on social media from across the country have weighed in. Some from as far away as Arizona have asked Nighy whether they could purchase a cross.
More here
A Pro-Cross Rally is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday in Wilmore, Ky., a small city with a population of 6,000. Hundreds of white crosses this week have appeared on residents’ front lawns throughout the city to show support after the Freedom From Religion Foundation demanded that the city remove the cross and a picture of the water tower from the city’s website. The group claims that the cross “unabashedly creates the perception of government endorsement of Christianity” and “has an exclusionary effect, making non-Christian and non-believing residents of Wilmore political outsiders.”
The cross has been located for over four decades on top of a water tower on Asbury University, a Christian school. The city owns the water tower, but the university pays the electric bill for the cross.
Harold Rainwater, the town’s mayor, told a local newspaper he does not plan to remove the cross, and several attorneys have offered to represent the city in its fight against the foundation if it files a lawsuit.
One resident, Sheila Nighy, started making wooden crosses this week, and many have been placed throughout the city. Nagy said if the group disliked one cross, they would dislike hundreds more.
“We saw the letter and I said, ‘Take down our cross? We’ll put up more!’”
The residents of Wilmore are not alone in their fight to save their cross. Many on social media from across the country have weighed in. Some from as far away as Arizona have asked Nighy whether they could purchase a cross.
More here
Russia Targets Christians, Religious Minorities in Ukraine
Report: Pro-Kremlin groups, Russian troops beat, expel religious leaders to establish dominance of Russian Orthodox Church
Russia and its proxy forces have engaged in a systematic campaign in the last year to abuse religious minorities in Ukraine, according to a new report and accounts that have garnered scant attention in the Western press.
In its annual report on International Religious Freedom, released Wednesday, the Department of State said that conditions for religious minorities deteriorated in the parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists, as well as in the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea. Russia seized Crimea in March 2014, and Western nations have accused the Kremlin of backing the Ukrainian separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 8,000 people since last April.
“In the areas they control, the separatists have kidnapped, beaten, and threatened Protestants, Catholics, and members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, as well as participated in anti-Semitic acts,” the report said.
The separatists formed two “people’s republics” last April in Donetsk and Luhansk and declared in the constitution that the primary religion would be the “Christian Orthodox faith … practiced by the Russian Orthodox Church.” All other religions, including separate Christian denominations, appear to have been targeted.
Russia and its proxy forces have engaged in a systematic campaign in the last year to abuse religious minorities in Ukraine, according to a new report and accounts that have garnered scant attention in the Western press.
In its annual report on International Religious Freedom, released Wednesday, the Department of State said that conditions for religious minorities deteriorated in the parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists, as well as in the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea. Russia seized Crimea in March 2014, and Western nations have accused the Kremlin of backing the Ukrainian separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 8,000 people since last April.
“In the areas they control, the separatists have kidnapped, beaten, and threatened Protestants, Catholics, and members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, as well as participated in anti-Semitic acts,” the report said.
The separatists formed two “people’s republics” last April in Donetsk and Luhansk and declared in the constitution that the primary religion would be the “Christian Orthodox faith … practiced by the Russian Orthodox Church.” All other religions, including separate Christian denominations, appear to have been targeted.
DHS ID card rule could bar some visitors from federal buildings
Visitors to federal facilities and military bases must now have identification cards from states that adopted REAL ID standards to be admitted.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that starting Oct. 10, visitors to government property must have identification from states meeting minimum security requirements to enter everything from federal office buildings to nuclear power plants.
New York, Minnesota, Louisiana and American Samoa are the only jurisdictions not in compliance with REAL ID standards.
Those outlier states have a three-month grace period before federal building staff begin enforcing the new rule. The federal government will announce which states get further extensions in the coming days.
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The Department of Homeland Security announced that starting Oct. 10, visitors to government property must have identification from states meeting minimum security requirements to enter everything from federal office buildings to nuclear power plants.
New York, Minnesota, Louisiana and American Samoa are the only jurisdictions not in compliance with REAL ID standards.
Those outlier states have a three-month grace period before federal building staff begin enforcing the new rule. The federal government will announce which states get further extensions in the coming days.
More
Catholic Cardinal: 'Atheistic Secularism' and 'Islamic Fundamentalism' Are 'Almost Like Two "Apocalyptic Beasts"'
Cardinal Robert Sarah, one of the most prominent Catholic Church leaders participating in the Vatican’s ongoing synod meeting about the family, said in his remarks that the world currently faces two major threats, 1) the “idolatry of Western freedom,” which he defined as “atheistic secularism,” and 2) “Islamic fundamentalism.”
These “two unexpected threats” are “almost like two ‘apocalyptic beasts,’” said Cardinal Sarah, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 to head the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
He also stressed that just as Nazi-fascism and communism were twin evils of the 20th century, so too today are “Western homosexual and abortion Ideologies and Islamic fascism.”
“’We are not contending against creatures of flesh and blood,’” he said, referencing scripture. “We need to be inclusive and welcoming to all that is human; but what comes from the Enemy cannot and must not be assimilated. You can not join Christ and Belial!”
Read more here
These “two unexpected threats” are “almost like two ‘apocalyptic beasts,’” said Cardinal Sarah, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 to head the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
He also stressed that just as Nazi-fascism and communism were twin evils of the 20th century, so too today are “Western homosexual and abortion Ideologies and Islamic fascism.”
“’We are not contending against creatures of flesh and blood,’” he said, referencing scripture. “We need to be inclusive and welcoming to all that is human; but what comes from the Enemy cannot and must not be assimilated. You can not join Christ and Belial!”
Read more here
MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE $800,000 IN FUNDING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY FOODS, CREATES JOBS IN BALTIMORE CITY
WORLD FOOD DAY 2015: MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE $800,000 IN FUNDING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY FOODS, CREATES JOBS IN BALTIMORE CITY
U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (Both D-Md.) announced that the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC), Inc. has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the construction of City Seeds-Baltimore Food Enterprise Center. The City Seeds- Baltimore Food Enterprise Center is a shared use commercial kitchen facility that would allow small businesses, urban farmers and other food entrepreneurs to use the facility as needed to distribute their products. The facility would also accommodate local urban farmers, gardeners and other growers seeking to either further process their fresh crop (wash, sort, cut and package) or produce a product with a shelf life.
“These federal dollars through a public/private partnership will help get rid of food deserts and create jobs in Baltimore by supporting small business that bring healthy food right to where Baltimore families need it the most,” Senator Mikulski said. “As a social worker, I know the importance of nutrition assistance to those who need it most. That’s why I’m for smart federal investments that reflect our American values of protecting our country and neighbor helping neighbor. From the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program that helps pregnant and postpartum women to the Farmers Market Nutrition Program that helps low-income families have better access to healthy food. No one should ever have to choose between paying the rent or buying food.”
DOJ Official Praises the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Work
(CNSNews) – John Carlin, the assistant attorney general for national security, announced Wednesday that the Justice Department is creating the new position of domestic terrorism counsel to combat the “real and present threat” of domestic extremism.
Carlin praised groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center “that dedicate themselves to examining what the threat is, observing it, and reporting on it,” adding that the work of the SPLC was “very important.”
The SPLC says it places groups -- including conservative, Christian groups -- on its "Hate List" based on their beliefs, not their propensity for violence.
Carlin was asked about the value of SPLC’s work in helping DOJ deal with the threat of domestic terrorist extremism.
“I can say, based on our briefings, that as I said in my opening remarks, we very much think that the domestic terrorism threat is a real and present threat that demands to be addressed in new, creative ways,” he replied emphasizing that “Southern Poverty Law Center and other groups in this space are very important.”
The SPLC’s website features a “hate map” that lists the conservative. Christian Family Research Council (FRC) as a “hate group” because of its defense of traditional marriage.
More here
Carlin praised groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center “that dedicate themselves to examining what the threat is, observing it, and reporting on it,” adding that the work of the SPLC was “very important.”
The SPLC says it places groups -- including conservative, Christian groups -- on its "Hate List" based on their beliefs, not their propensity for violence.
Carlin was asked about the value of SPLC’s work in helping DOJ deal with the threat of domestic terrorist extremism.
“I can say, based on our briefings, that as I said in my opening remarks, we very much think that the domestic terrorism threat is a real and present threat that demands to be addressed in new, creative ways,” he replied emphasizing that “Southern Poverty Law Center and other groups in this space are very important.”
The SPLC’s website features a “hate map” that lists the conservative. Christian Family Research Council (FRC) as a “hate group” because of its defense of traditional marriage.
More here
Georgetown to be renamed Hill Valley for Back to the Future Day Oct. 21
Great Scott! It's 2015 and the future is here. And Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Town of Georgetown, along with millions across the world, will be celebrating Back to the Future Day, a day that movie fans have been waiting for since the release of the second film in the iconic movie trilogy.
In tribute to the 30th anniversary of the Back to the Future films, Georgetown Mayor & Town Council will pass a resolution, ceremoniously changing the name of Georgetown to "Hill Valley" Oct. 21. The resolution is just one part of a multifaceted event the Georgetown Chamber has organized, in partnership with Southern Delaware Tourism, 16 Mile Brewery and the Town of Georgetown, to commemorate this particular day. In Back to the Future Part II, Oct. 21, 2015 is the very date that main character Marty McFly travels from his present-day 1985 to 30 years in the future.
For this celebration, Scott McMullan of Bryn Mawr, Pa. and member of the DeLorean Mid-Atlantic Car Club, will attend with his classic DeLorean “time machine.” A recreation (of sorts) of the electric scene at Hill Valley’s Clock Tower from the first movie will take place in front of the County Courthouse Clock Tower starting at 4:30 p.m. All the while “Doc Brown” (aka DJ Sky Brady) will be spinning tunes from the film’s popular soundtrack. Come prepared to compete in Back to the Future trivia and win BTTF props if you come dressed like Marty McFly or Doc Brown.
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In tribute to the 30th anniversary of the Back to the Future films, Georgetown Mayor & Town Council will pass a resolution, ceremoniously changing the name of Georgetown to "Hill Valley" Oct. 21. The resolution is just one part of a multifaceted event the Georgetown Chamber has organized, in partnership with Southern Delaware Tourism, 16 Mile Brewery and the Town of Georgetown, to commemorate this particular day. In Back to the Future Part II, Oct. 21, 2015 is the very date that main character Marty McFly travels from his present-day 1985 to 30 years in the future.
For this celebration, Scott McMullan of Bryn Mawr, Pa. and member of the DeLorean Mid-Atlantic Car Club, will attend with his classic DeLorean “time machine.” A recreation (of sorts) of the electric scene at Hill Valley’s Clock Tower from the first movie will take place in front of the County Courthouse Clock Tower starting at 4:30 p.m. All the while “Doc Brown” (aka DJ Sky Brady) will be spinning tunes from the film’s popular soundtrack. Come prepared to compete in Back to the Future trivia and win BTTF props if you come dressed like Marty McFly or Doc Brown.
More
Cat Missing 10-19-15
My phone number is 410-726-3534. She is a spayed female almost 3 she has a Marilyn Monroe beauty mark by her mouth. She is black and white with black and white patches on back and looks like a cow pattern. She went missing from 405 Valleywood Drive Salisbury Maryland 21804
Terrorist Disguised as Journalist Stabs IDF Soldier
A terrorist wearing the yellow garb of a photojournalist stabbed an IDF soldier on Friday, at the Hazayit checkpoint near Hebron.
According to initial reports, the terrorist - who wore a yellow vest with "PRESS" written on it and who carried photography equipment - loitered near the checkpoint, with Hamas's Al Quds television station broadcasting live.
The Deputy Commander of the IDF's Judea-Samaria Brigade, and the Battalion Commander of the Tsabar Battalion of Givati, were touring the area and scanning for terror activity there following Hamas's declaration of a "Day of Rage," Yediot Aharonot reports.
When the two left their vehicle, the terrorist pulled out a knife, dropped his props, and ran for a soldier who was part of the two commanders' entourage, stabbing him.
The terrorist was shot dead immediately by a senior officer at the site.
The soldier, a 20 year-old man, was evacuated for medical treatment to Shaarei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem by Magen David Adom (MDA) medics at the scene, and is reportedly in moderate condition.
More here
According to initial reports, the terrorist - who wore a yellow vest with "PRESS" written on it and who carried photography equipment - loitered near the checkpoint, with Hamas's Al Quds television station broadcasting live.
The Deputy Commander of the IDF's Judea-Samaria Brigade, and the Battalion Commander of the Tsabar Battalion of Givati, were touring the area and scanning for terror activity there following Hamas's declaration of a "Day of Rage," Yediot Aharonot reports.
When the two left their vehicle, the terrorist pulled out a knife, dropped his props, and ran for a soldier who was part of the two commanders' entourage, stabbing him.
The terrorist was shot dead immediately by a senior officer at the site.
The soldier, a 20 year-old man, was evacuated for medical treatment to Shaarei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem by Magen David Adom (MDA) medics at the scene, and is reportedly in moderate condition.
More here
Recording Device Found In Towson University Locker Room
Towson University police are investigating after a phone was recovered from the women’s locker room that appeared to have been recording members of the swimming and diving team.
According to a statement issued by the school’s president, administrators were contacted by team members who discovered the phone in the locker room on Friday morning. The device “may have captured video images and audio recordings” of the athletes in the changing room, the statement said.
After learning of the phone, administrators immediately contacted the Towson University Police Department, which has initiated an investigation. The school is offering members of the team counseling and providing other resources.
Source
According to a statement issued by the school’s president, administrators were contacted by team members who discovered the phone in the locker room on Friday morning. The device “may have captured video images and audio recordings” of the athletes in the changing room, the statement said.
After learning of the phone, administrators immediately contacted the Towson University Police Department, which has initiated an investigation. The school is offering members of the team counseling and providing other resources.
Source
Ron Paul: ‘Greatest Resistance’ to Federal Reserve Audit is Desire to Keep International Activities Secret
"No, you can’t reveal our negotiations with other central banks, the World Bank, and what we do with governments," bankers told Paul
In an interview Monday with host Ameera David on RT, former United States House of Representatives member Ron Paul (R-TX) noted that the biggest resistance to his effort to require an audit of the Federal Reserve is rooted in the desire to shield the Fed’s international activities from scrutiny.
Paul explains in the interview focused on the Federal Reserve:
[An audit of the Federal Reserve] would especially reveal the international transactions that go on. When I worked on this in Washington, that was where the greatest resistance was: ‘No, you can’t reveal our negotiations with other central banks, the World Bank, and what we do with governments.’ Who knows what we’re doing, because we are very much involved in worldwide politics, and we have an empire to deal with, and we can channel funds in a certain way through the Federal Reserve. So they wouldn’t be able to do that if you had a true audit of the Fed.
Watch the complete interview here:
In an interview Monday with host Ameera David on RT, former United States House of Representatives member Ron Paul (R-TX) noted that the biggest resistance to his effort to require an audit of the Federal Reserve is rooted in the desire to shield the Fed’s international activities from scrutiny.
Paul explains in the interview focused on the Federal Reserve:
[An audit of the Federal Reserve] would especially reveal the international transactions that go on. When I worked on this in Washington, that was where the greatest resistance was: ‘No, you can’t reveal our negotiations with other central banks, the World Bank, and what we do with governments.’ Who knows what we’re doing, because we are very much involved in worldwide politics, and we have an empire to deal with, and we can channel funds in a certain way through the Federal Reserve. So they wouldn’t be able to do that if you had a true audit of the Fed.
Watch the complete interview here:
Sad News From The Salisbury Zoo
Our entire community is saddened by the death of Gritto, the Salisbury Zoo's male Andean Bear. Gritto was born at the...
Posted by Delmarva Zoological Society on Monday, October 19, 2015
Gerrymandering in Maryland
Gerrymandering. We’ve all likely heard of it at some point in our academic careers, but how much real-world attention do we give it? Well, considering that some of Maryland’s congressional districts are among the most gerrymandered in the nation, probably not enough.
Take, for example, Maryland’s 3rd District. Spanning four counties and ranging from the suburbs of Washington, D.C., to the suburbs of Annapolis and a large portion of Baltimore, the district is considered by many experts to be one of the most gerrymandered in the country. And by some analyses, Maryland is tied with North Carolina as the most gerrymandered state in the country.
So how can this even happen? Well, congressional districts are drawn by both parties, but Maryland’s Democrats have the numbers to skew things in their favor. For decades, the districts have been redrawn to displace conservative voters and provide Democratic candidates with more African-American voters and wealthy donors. Conservative counties are split into multiple districts so as to diminish the chances of a conservative winning a seat there. The suburbs of Washington and Annapolis often consist of neighborhoods and towns where there are actually more Republicans than Democrats, yet they are broken up in such a way that this majority will be overwhelmed.
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Take, for example, Maryland’s 3rd District. Spanning four counties and ranging from the suburbs of Washington, D.C., to the suburbs of Annapolis and a large portion of Baltimore, the district is considered by many experts to be one of the most gerrymandered in the country. And by some analyses, Maryland is tied with North Carolina as the most gerrymandered state in the country.
So how can this even happen? Well, congressional districts are drawn by both parties, but Maryland’s Democrats have the numbers to skew things in their favor. For decades, the districts have been redrawn to displace conservative voters and provide Democratic candidates with more African-American voters and wealthy donors. Conservative counties are split into multiple districts so as to diminish the chances of a conservative winning a seat there. The suburbs of Washington and Annapolis often consist of neighborhoods and towns where there are actually more Republicans than Democrats, yet they are broken up in such a way that this majority will be overwhelmed.
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Shocking 'Text Neck' X-rays
Shocking X-rays show teenagers and children as young as seven developing hunchbacks and abnormally curved spines because of an addiction to smartphones.
A leading Australian chiropractor has warned that 'text neck' - a condition often brought on by bending over phones and tablets for several hours at a time - is becoming an epidemic.
Dr James Carter, based in Niagara Park, on the NSW Central Coast, said the relatively new condition can lead to anxiety and depression as well as spinal damage.
He revealed he had seen an 'alarming increase' in the number of patients with the condition over the past few years and said 50 per cent of them are school-age teenagers.
Research suggests that smartphones users spent an average of four hours a day staring at their device - resulting in up to 1,400 hours a year of excess stresses on the cervical spine.
The posture we adopt as we stare at our phones causes excessive wear and tear that may eventually require an operation to correct it.
'It can also mean that happy hormones, such as Endorphins and Serotonin are not released, meaning people can wake up anxious.'
More here
A leading Australian chiropractor has warned that 'text neck' - a condition often brought on by bending over phones and tablets for several hours at a time - is becoming an epidemic.
Dr James Carter, based in Niagara Park, on the NSW Central Coast, said the relatively new condition can lead to anxiety and depression as well as spinal damage.
He revealed he had seen an 'alarming increase' in the number of patients with the condition over the past few years and said 50 per cent of them are school-age teenagers.
Research suggests that smartphones users spent an average of four hours a day staring at their device - resulting in up to 1,400 hours a year of excess stresses on the cervical spine.
The posture we adopt as we stare at our phones causes excessive wear and tear that may eventually require an operation to correct it.
'It can also mean that happy hormones, such as Endorphins and Serotonin are not released, meaning people can wake up anxious.'
More here
The Problem Isn't Student Loans - It's Higher Education
Forgiving skyrocketing student debt won't solve the real problem, which is the soaring costs imposed by a cartel that is failing to prepare students for the economy of tomorrow.
Everyone understands soaring student debt is a problem: burdened with $1.3 trillion in student loans, young people are unable to start businesses, buy homes and start families. The high cost of housing and meeting regulations to launch businesses add additional burdens, but the weight of $1.3 trillion in debt right out of the starting gate is crushing.
The "solution" being pursued by the federal government is obvious: take over most of the student debt and then eventually bury it in the zombie-loan graveyard (i.e. defaults are ignored but the debt isn't officially written off), write it down via forgiveness programs, or some other mechanism to reduce the burden.
If this wasn't the plan, then why has federal ownership of student loan debt skyrocketed from zero to $900 million in a few short years?
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Everyone understands soaring student debt is a problem: burdened with $1.3 trillion in student loans, young people are unable to start businesses, buy homes and start families. The high cost of housing and meeting regulations to launch businesses add additional burdens, but the weight of $1.3 trillion in debt right out of the starting gate is crushing.
The "solution" being pursued by the federal government is obvious: take over most of the student debt and then eventually bury it in the zombie-loan graveyard (i.e. defaults are ignored but the debt isn't officially written off), write it down via forgiveness programs, or some other mechanism to reduce the burden.
If this wasn't the plan, then why has federal ownership of student loan debt skyrocketed from zero to $900 million in a few short years?
More
Obama Continues to Ignore Generals’ Advice
In the end, President Obama was forced to listen to his generals — not his political instincts — on Afghanistan troop levels, and he decided to split the difference.
Mr. Obama is keeping 5,500 troops in Afghanistan beyond his presidency, about half the strength recommended by his top general in-country. It marks the sixth time he has rejected the advice of a ground commander on the force size in the long Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Military experts call that streak unprecedented for a commander in chief.
Like the current 9,800 U.S. troops there, the draw-down force of 5,500 will maintain a noncombat stance in training Afghan forces and hunting al Qaeda terrorists, Mr. Obama said Thursday. Administration officials said the U.S. will spend about $14.6 billion a year to house the troops at a total of four bases in Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Bagram — an increase over the estimated $10 billion annual cost of keeping a force at the U.S. Embassy in the Afghan capital.
“The security situation in Afghanistan is so far from stable that to pull out all the troops, even for this president, doesn’t make any sense,” said retired Army Gen. John Keane, who devised the 2007 Iraq troop surge and has advised Afghan commanders in the past.
Mr. Keane, whose guidance is sought by Congress, said Gen. Campbell wanted to retain the current force of 9,800, but Mr. Obama “cut that in half.”
“He still does not listen to his combat field general, who wanted the current force to remain as is,” Mr. Keane said. “Quite unprecedented, this is the sixth time President Obama has not listened to a field commander recommendation on force levels for troops in combat.”
More here
Mr. Obama is keeping 5,500 troops in Afghanistan beyond his presidency, about half the strength recommended by his top general in-country. It marks the sixth time he has rejected the advice of a ground commander on the force size in the long Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Military experts call that streak unprecedented for a commander in chief.
Like the current 9,800 U.S. troops there, the draw-down force of 5,500 will maintain a noncombat stance in training Afghan forces and hunting al Qaeda terrorists, Mr. Obama said Thursday. Administration officials said the U.S. will spend about $14.6 billion a year to house the troops at a total of four bases in Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Bagram — an increase over the estimated $10 billion annual cost of keeping a force at the U.S. Embassy in the Afghan capital.
“The security situation in Afghanistan is so far from stable that to pull out all the troops, even for this president, doesn’t make any sense,” said retired Army Gen. John Keane, who devised the 2007 Iraq troop surge and has advised Afghan commanders in the past.
Mr. Keane, whose guidance is sought by Congress, said Gen. Campbell wanted to retain the current force of 9,800, but Mr. Obama “cut that in half.”
“He still does not listen to his combat field general, who wanted the current force to remain as is,” Mr. Keane said. “Quite unprecedented, this is the sixth time President Obama has not listened to a field commander recommendation on force levels for troops in combat.”
More here
One of the Homicide Suspects Arrested
Dover, DE- The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate a Dover area home invasion where three people were shot and two killed. Troopers were called to the 1400 block of John Clark Road (Rodney Village) Dover, on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at approximately 1:38 a.m. for a report of a home invasion with two suspects.
One of the suspects, Matthew Harrington, 23 of Pennsylvania, turned himself into the Buckingham Township Police Department located at 4613 Hughesian Drive Buckingham, Pennsylvania, last night at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2015. Harrington is awaiting extradition back to Delaware and he is currently being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility. (mug shot attached)
Saleem Shabazz, 21 of Philadelphia, Pa. is still wanted and is Considered Armed and Dangerous. Shabazz is described as a black male approximately 6’00” tall weighing 150-160 lbs. with a slim build wearing dark clothing armed with unknown type of handgun. Saleem Shabazz is currently wanted for Murder 1st, Two Counts of Attempted Robbery, Assault 1st, Six Counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Two Counts of Burglary 1st, Conspiracy 1st, and Conspiracy 2nd.
The Suspect’s vehicle may be described as a four door dark colored SUV.
If anyone has any information about this incident or the whereabouts of the suspect, they are asked to call 9-1-1 or contact Detective D. Grassi at 302-365-8441. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or by sending anonymous tips by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword DSP via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.
Dumbest. War. Ever.
AMERICA’S BONEHEADED SYRIAN INTERVENTION
Where to start with this whole Syria debacle …
Well, let’s go back a couple years when fiscally liberally warmongers like U.S. Senator John McCain and Lindsey Graham were desperate to invade the country with American troops (because that strategy has been so successful).
How desperate? Um … yeah. This desperate.
Thankfully, there was no invasion … but Graham and McCain were successful in supporting a bunch of radical Islamic terror organizations. And pumping in tons of U.S. weapons.
And not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for things to escalate further …
America’s goal in Syria? To take out president Bashar al-Assad, who is a major thorn in the side of our “partners in peace” down in Saudi Arabia. In fact, it is widely believed (if not reported by the U.S. press) that Saudi Arabia was really responsible for at least some of the chemical weapons attacks in Syria that have been pinned on the Assad regime.
Anyway …
America has repeatedly stated that it has been attacking the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (its latest manufactured enemy) in this conflict. But is that really what our planes and “advisors” have been up to?
Now that Russia has gotten involved in the Syrian War, it is becoming abundantly clear that the administration of Barack Obama – which loves to use ISIS for fear-mongering here at home – isn’t exactly going all-out against “the enemy.”
In fact the Russians are waging an aggressive air campaign against ISIS, targeting dozens of installations housing the terrorist network’s military infrastructure.
Wait … isn’t this the stuff American planes are supposed to be hitting?
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Where to start with this whole Syria debacle …
Well, let’s go back a couple years when fiscally liberally warmongers like U.S. Senator John McCain and Lindsey Graham were desperate to invade the country with American troops (because that strategy has been so successful).
How desperate? Um … yeah. This desperate.
Thankfully, there was no invasion … but Graham and McCain were successful in supporting a bunch of radical Islamic terror organizations. And pumping in tons of U.S. weapons.
And not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for things to escalate further …
America’s goal in Syria? To take out president Bashar al-Assad, who is a major thorn in the side of our “partners in peace” down in Saudi Arabia. In fact, it is widely believed (if not reported by the U.S. press) that Saudi Arabia was really responsible for at least some of the chemical weapons attacks in Syria that have been pinned on the Assad regime.
Anyway …
America has repeatedly stated that it has been attacking the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (its latest manufactured enemy) in this conflict. But is that really what our planes and “advisors” have been up to?
Now that Russia has gotten involved in the Syrian War, it is becoming abundantly clear that the administration of Barack Obama – which loves to use ISIS for fear-mongering here at home – isn’t exactly going all-out against “the enemy.”
In fact the Russians are waging an aggressive air campaign against ISIS, targeting dozens of installations housing the terrorist network’s military infrastructure.
Wait … isn’t this the stuff American planes are supposed to be hitting?
More
Over the weekend we did a "corn poll" at the Autumn Wine Festival
Over the weekend we did a "corn poll" at the Autumn Wine Festival. It's completely unscientific but the results were...
Posted by Wicomico GOP on Sunday, October 18, 2015
Florida Sheriff Stands Fast Against Atheists’ Bumper Sticker Lawsuit
PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Despite renewed demands from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen still has no plans to remove “In God We Trust” bumper stickers from his patrol cars or to pull videos with religious content from his office’s website.
“I have not responded to them because I am not going to respond to threats about something like that,” Sheriff McKeithen recently told The Washington Times.
Sheriff McKeithen also has not responded to a cease-and-desist letter that he received from the American Civil Liberties Union in July.
Madeline Ziegler, an attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said this week that her organization is considering a lawsuit against the Bay County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies across the country that have not removed items, namely bumper stickers, that it says are unconstitutional endorsements of religion.
Over the past 40 years, U.S. courts have ruled that the national motto, “In God We Trust,” does not represent a government endorsement of religion. Despite a four-decade losing streak, atheist groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation remain determined to change court opinion on the national motto.
Purging religion from the public realm hasn’t come easy. Protesters of the “In God We Trust” bumper stickers have been vastly outnumbered by counter-protesters. Also, no one has come forward complaining that the officers’ religious beliefs have interfered with their duties.
There's much more here
“I have not responded to them because I am not going to respond to threats about something like that,” Sheriff McKeithen recently told The Washington Times.
Sheriff McKeithen also has not responded to a cease-and-desist letter that he received from the American Civil Liberties Union in July.
Madeline Ziegler, an attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said this week that her organization is considering a lawsuit against the Bay County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies across the country that have not removed items, namely bumper stickers, that it says are unconstitutional endorsements of religion.
Over the past 40 years, U.S. courts have ruled that the national motto, “In God We Trust,” does not represent a government endorsement of religion. Despite a four-decade losing streak, atheist groups such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation remain determined to change court opinion on the national motto.
Purging religion from the public realm hasn’t come easy. Protesters of the “In God We Trust” bumper stickers have been vastly outnumbered by counter-protesters. Also, no one has come forward complaining that the officers’ religious beliefs have interfered with their duties.
There's much more here
NYT Reporter: Clinton Remarks ‘Not the First Time’ Obama Has Tried to Influence a Fed Investigation
New York Times reporter Mark Landler told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Friday that President Barack Obama has a history of disrupting ongoing intelligence and security investigations by giving anticipatory remarks.
“It’s actually not the first time this has happened,” Landler said. “There’s real frustration at the FBI that the president not only got out ahead of the investigation, but maybe foreclosed a certain legal course that might have happened otherwise.”
In an appearance on 60 Minutes last week, Obama told host Steve Kroft that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server did not jeopardize national security.
“This is not a situation in which America’s national security was endangered,” he said.
However, Obama’s answer predated an ongoing inquiry by the FBI that aims to determine whether Clinton’s private server undermined national security.
“Was the president—who is a lawyer, a constitutional lawyer—getting way out ahead of himself, or was he trying to signal a political bent there?” Mitchell asked Landler.
Landler said that Obama’s declaration threw off the investigation into Clinton’s server, angering FBI officers in the process.
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“It’s actually not the first time this has happened,” Landler said. “There’s real frustration at the FBI that the president not only got out ahead of the investigation, but maybe foreclosed a certain legal course that might have happened otherwise.”
In an appearance on 60 Minutes last week, Obama told host Steve Kroft that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server did not jeopardize national security.
“This is not a situation in which America’s national security was endangered,” he said.
However, Obama’s answer predated an ongoing inquiry by the FBI that aims to determine whether Clinton’s private server undermined national security.
“Was the president—who is a lawyer, a constitutional lawyer—getting way out ahead of himself, or was he trying to signal a political bent there?” Mitchell asked Landler.
Landler said that Obama’s declaration threw off the investigation into Clinton’s server, angering FBI officers in the process.
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DHS Opens Door to More Foreign Tech Workers
Foreign students in science and technology fields would be able to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after they get their degrees under a program the Obama administration proposed expanding on Friday, saying the country needs to find a way to keep those students-turned-workers here.
The program would cover hundreds of thousands of students, according to the proposal released by Homeland Security.
But critics say it provides companies with a significant source of cheap labor, making it easier to stiff American workers.
The Optional Practical Training, or OPT, program is open to all foreign students. But Friday’s proposal focuses on those who graduate with degrees in science, technology, engineering or math, the so-called STEM fields.
The proposal would expand the amount of time they’re allowed to stay and work in what are the equivalent of paid internships after graduation from 29 months to 36 months total, while imposing new requirements on the businesses that hire them — including coming up with a mentoring plan to try to make sure the interns are still learning.
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The program would cover hundreds of thousands of students, according to the proposal released by Homeland Security.
But critics say it provides companies with a significant source of cheap labor, making it easier to stiff American workers.
The Optional Practical Training, or OPT, program is open to all foreign students. But Friday’s proposal focuses on those who graduate with degrees in science, technology, engineering or math, the so-called STEM fields.
The proposal would expand the amount of time they’re allowed to stay and work in what are the equivalent of paid internships after graduation from 29 months to 36 months total, while imposing new requirements on the businesses that hire them — including coming up with a mentoring plan to try to make sure the interns are still learning.
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Senate Dems to Block Bill Punishing 'Sanctuary Cities'
The Senate will hold a test vote Tuesday on legislation that would punish cities that fail to follow federal immigration laws and guidance, which many Republicans say is leading to preventable violence by illegal immigrants against Americans.
But Democrats are expected to block the bill from advancing.
The bill is authored by Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican who is running for governor and faces a potentially difficult Oct. 24 primary against Rep. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, and two other Republicans.
Vitter's bill has received special treatment from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who elected to skip the committee process and "fast track" the measure directly to the Senate floor for a vote.
Vitter's legislation would withhold some federal funding and grants from sanctuary cities, which are defined in the bill as a state or local government that prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials.
Vitter and ten GOP co-sponsors say the bill is needed following a series of crimes committed by illegal immigrants allowed to remain free in the United States thanks to the protection of sanctuary cities.
Among those victims is Kate Steinle.
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But Democrats are expected to block the bill from advancing.
The bill is authored by Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican who is running for governor and faces a potentially difficult Oct. 24 primary against Rep. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, and two other Republicans.
Vitter's bill has received special treatment from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who elected to skip the committee process and "fast track" the measure directly to the Senate floor for a vote.
Vitter's legislation would withhold some federal funding and grants from sanctuary cities, which are defined in the bill as a state or local government that prohibits law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials.
Vitter and ten GOP co-sponsors say the bill is needed following a series of crimes committed by illegal immigrants allowed to remain free in the United States thanks to the protection of sanctuary cities.
Among those victims is Kate Steinle.
More
Read The Gag Order Issued In Freddie Gray Trials
The gag order at the trials of the six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray has now been put into writing.
On Tuesday, at the end of a motions hearing, Judge Barry Williams issued the order from the bench.
"I do not want you discussing my orders with anyone...except your clients and your experts," Williams told lawyers at the end of Tuesday's proceedings.
In the written order dated on Wednesday, and posted on the Court's website on Friday, Williams wrote that, "there is a substantial likelihood that certain forms of publicity, such as extrajudicial statements by the parties involved in this case to members of the press or media,could impair the rights of the Defendant, the State and the public to a fair trial by an impartial jury."
Williams wrote that likelihood makes it necessary to "take limited steps" regarding statements to the media.
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On Tuesday, at the end of a motions hearing, Judge Barry Williams issued the order from the bench.
"I do not want you discussing my orders with anyone...except your clients and your experts," Williams told lawyers at the end of Tuesday's proceedings.
In the written order dated on Wednesday, and posted on the Court's website on Friday, Williams wrote that, "there is a substantial likelihood that certain forms of publicity, such as extrajudicial statements by the parties involved in this case to members of the press or media,could impair the rights of the Defendant, the State and the public to a fair trial by an impartial jury."
Williams wrote that likelihood makes it necessary to "take limited steps" regarding statements to the media.
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REPORT: Limitless Immigration Creating Permanent Democrat Majority
Watching the Democrat debate, I couldn’t help but wonder why Republicans will likely struggle to eke out a victory against a field of candidates that in any other generation would be unelectable. There is not a single moderately liberal candidate with broad appeal in this field of Democratic presidential candidates. The Democrat Party of the 1980s, which was bad enough in its own time, would hardly recognize this cast of characters who champion the transgendered agenda, illegal immigration, and the Muslim Brotherhood.
So why is it that by all accounts this will still be a relatively close election – with Democrats guaranteed over 200 electoral votes no matter the outcome, the quality of the candidates, or the issues confronting the country?
It’s immigration, stupid.
Sure, if you dumped this cast of characters into an election during the ‘80s, each one of them would likely lose almost every state. But times have changed.
There’s a reason the Democrats are such ardent supporters of open borders. It has helped give them an impervious floor of support very close to the 50-yard line in American politics, and under the current trajectory, they will easily cross that critical 51% marker of a permanent electoral majority.
A number of immigration analysts, including yours truly, have written about the unprecedented nature – in terms of scope, duration, and origin – of the current wave of immigration (which still hasn’t peaked). But what is truly breathtaking is the growth of naturalizations that has been engendered by this wave of immigration when compared even to the Great Wave around the turn of the century.
More facts and numbers:
So why is it that by all accounts this will still be a relatively close election – with Democrats guaranteed over 200 electoral votes no matter the outcome, the quality of the candidates, or the issues confronting the country?
It’s immigration, stupid.
Sure, if you dumped this cast of characters into an election during the ‘80s, each one of them would likely lose almost every state. But times have changed.
There’s a reason the Democrats are such ardent supporters of open borders. It has helped give them an impervious floor of support very close to the 50-yard line in American politics, and under the current trajectory, they will easily cross that critical 51% marker of a permanent electoral majority.
A number of immigration analysts, including yours truly, have written about the unprecedented nature – in terms of scope, duration, and origin – of the current wave of immigration (which still hasn’t peaked). But what is truly breathtaking is the growth of naturalizations that has been engendered by this wave of immigration when compared even to the Great Wave around the turn of the century.
More facts and numbers:
Canceled California wedding leads to banquet for homeless
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —After a groom-to-be called off a wedding, the bride-to-be's family decided to turn the extravagant event into a feast for those less fortunate.
It was a phone call too shocking, too sudden for Kari Duane to believe. On the other end of the line, her 27-year-old daughter Quinn told her the wedding wasn’t going to happen.
Her fiancé had called it off.
Deposits for the $35,000 wedding were already paid and more bills were coming due.
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It was a phone call too shocking, too sudden for Kari Duane to believe. On the other end of the line, her 27-year-old daughter Quinn told her the wedding wasn’t going to happen.
Her fiancé had called it off.
Deposits for the $35,000 wedding were already paid and more bills were coming due.
More
'Convert or Die' ISIS Graffiti Jihadis Declare First European 'Caliphate'
The terror group's logo was daubed on the wall of a restaurant in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Chilling messages such as "convert or die" and "the caliphate is here" were also found covering the outside of Markus Samuelsson's bakery.
"I felt a sudden chill down my spine. It’s terribly painful, we feel threatened," Samuelsson said.
The Arabic letter for "N" – which has been used to identify Christians and drive them out of their homes by ISIS fighters – was also painted on the restaurant.
Gothenburg is a hotbed for jihadist recruiting, terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp described it as "the Swedish Center for Jihadists".
Cops have launched a probe into the incident and will no doubt be on high alert in fear of a potential attack.
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Chilling messages such as "convert or die" and "the caliphate is here" were also found covering the outside of Markus Samuelsson's bakery.
"I felt a sudden chill down my spine. It’s terribly painful, we feel threatened," Samuelsson said.
The Arabic letter for "N" – which has been used to identify Christians and drive them out of their homes by ISIS fighters – was also painted on the restaurant.
Gothenburg is a hotbed for jihadist recruiting, terrorism expert Magnus Ranstorp described it as "the Swedish Center for Jihadists".
Cops have launched a probe into the incident and will no doubt be on high alert in fear of a potential attack.
More
Carson: Arab States Would Have Delivered bin Laden On Silver Platter
Appearing on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Dr. Ben Carson, second place in most GOP presidential polls and the Washington Examiner's power rankings, said he opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, agreeing with Donald Trump, and indicated that he might not have invaded Afghanistan in 2001, a position he has been toying with for some time.
He indicated that he would have favored a policy of isolating extremist elements in the middle east, but conceded he would have considered "aggressive action" in 2001.
"Declare that within five to 10 years, we will become petroleum independent. The moderate Arab states would have been so concerned about that, they would have turned over Osama bin Laden and anybody else you wanted on a silver platter within two weeks," Carson said.
"I think that probably would have trumped any loyalty that they had to people like Osama bin Laden," Carson added.
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He indicated that he would have favored a policy of isolating extremist elements in the middle east, but conceded he would have considered "aggressive action" in 2001.
"Declare that within five to 10 years, we will become petroleum independent. The moderate Arab states would have been so concerned about that, they would have turned over Osama bin Laden and anybody else you wanted on a silver platter within two weeks," Carson said.
"I think that probably would have trumped any loyalty that they had to people like Osama bin Laden," Carson added.
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GOP Lawmaker: Dems' Obstruction Slowing Benghazi Probe
Responding to criticism that the investigation into the Benghazi attack has stretched on longer than the Watergate investigation, Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., said Sunday that the committee has been working for so long because of obstruction on the part of Democrats.
"What's taken us so long is Democrats on the committee and in this administration have played hide the ball," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "We would have been happy to move more quickly but we were met with obstruction all along the way."
Hillary Clinton is expected to testify this week before the House Select Committee on Benghazi.
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"What's taken us so long is Democrats on the committee and in this administration have played hide the ball," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "We would have been happy to move more quickly but we were met with obstruction all along the way."
Hillary Clinton is expected to testify this week before the House Select Committee on Benghazi.
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Top Dem on Benghazi Committee Slams Group for Lack of Transparency
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), top Democrat on the House Select Committee on Benghazi, once again slammed the committee for not being “transparent” or fulfilling its job.
Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Cummings said the committee needs a “complete transparent record” and called for Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), chairman of the committee, to release all of the transcripts from their interviews. Again, the Maryland congressman criticized the committee for “zeroing in on Hillary Clinton” which he said was evident by who the House committee interviewed.
“The fact is, this is a Benghazi committee. Perhaps another Committee on Oversight might want to look into all that,” Cummings said, referring to Clinton’s controversial use of a personal email server. “We have actually strayed away from what we were supposed to be doing. And again, I’m looking for transparency.”
Cummings said he plans to release the Democrats’ report that includes a variety of unclassified interview transcriptions this week.
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Appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Cummings said the committee needs a “complete transparent record” and called for Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), chairman of the committee, to release all of the transcripts from their interviews. Again, the Maryland congressman criticized the committee for “zeroing in on Hillary Clinton” which he said was evident by who the House committee interviewed.
“The fact is, this is a Benghazi committee. Perhaps another Committee on Oversight might want to look into all that,” Cummings said, referring to Clinton’s controversial use of a personal email server. “We have actually strayed away from what we were supposed to be doing. And again, I’m looking for transparency.”
Cummings said he plans to release the Democrats’ report that includes a variety of unclassified interview transcriptions this week.
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Black Americans React to Farrakhan's Call to 'Stalk and Kill'
Twenty years ago, an estimated half-million black men gathered in Washington, D.C., at the Million Man March to protest what they perceived as social and economic inequality in America.
In his two-hour speech at the historic event, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan made headlines when he called for black empowerment and declared, “The [Great] Seal and the Constitution reflect the thinking of the Founding Fathers, that this was to be a nation by white people and for white people. Native Americans, blacks, and all other non-white people were to be the burden bearers for the real citizens of this nation.”
Two decades later, Farrakhan was back at the National Mall – this time hosting the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March, with its chilling “Justice or Else” theme, on Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C.
So have the lives of black Americans improved since Farrakhan’s first Million Man March in 1995?
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, founder of the Los Angeles-based Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny, or BOND, and an exclusive WND columnist, took to the streets of South Central Los Angeles to ask black Americans that very question...
Read more
In his two-hour speech at the historic event, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan made headlines when he called for black empowerment and declared, “The [Great] Seal and the Constitution reflect the thinking of the Founding Fathers, that this was to be a nation by white people and for white people. Native Americans, blacks, and all other non-white people were to be the burden bearers for the real citizens of this nation.”
Two decades later, Farrakhan was back at the National Mall – this time hosting the 20th anniversary of the Million Man March, with its chilling “Justice or Else” theme, on Oct. 10 in Washington, D.C.
So have the lives of black Americans improved since Farrakhan’s first Million Man March in 1995?
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, founder of the Los Angeles-based Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny, or BOND, and an exclusive WND columnist, took to the streets of South Central Los Angeles to ask black Americans that very question...
Read more
SPD Press Release 10-16-15
We originally posted this on Saturday 10-16-15, however many people could not read the information due to the type of file format used by SPD when they posted the press release on Twitter.
'Muslim Mafia' Cries Foul for Exposure as Criminal Enterprise
After three times agreeing that it had no legal basis to claim its reputation was damaged by an undercover investigation documenting its ties to global jihad, the Washington, D.C.-based Council on American-Islamic Relations is reversing itself just as a trial is about to be set.
CAIR filed suit in 2009 against former federal investigator Dave Gaubatz and his son, Chris Gaubatz, after the two published their findings in the WND Books expose’ “Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That’s Conspiring to Islamize America.”
In its lawsuit, CAIR originally alleged it suffered damages after the younger Gaubatz, posing as an intern, obtained access to some 12,000 pages of CAIR internal documents under false pretenses and made recordings of officials and employees without consent.
But U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly eliminated from the case any claim that the publication of the material or its transmission was in itself wrongful, meaning CAIR cannot claim damages.
“Muslim Mafia” documents CAIR’s support of radical jihad, recounting its origin as a front group for the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, the worldwide movement that has stated its intent to transform the U.S. into a Saudi-style Islamic state.
More here
CAIR filed suit in 2009 against former federal investigator Dave Gaubatz and his son, Chris Gaubatz, after the two published their findings in the WND Books expose’ “Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld That’s Conspiring to Islamize America.”
In its lawsuit, CAIR originally alleged it suffered damages after the younger Gaubatz, posing as an intern, obtained access to some 12,000 pages of CAIR internal documents under false pretenses and made recordings of officials and employees without consent.
But U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly eliminated from the case any claim that the publication of the material or its transmission was in itself wrongful, meaning CAIR cannot claim damages.
“Muslim Mafia” documents CAIR’s support of radical jihad, recounting its origin as a front group for the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, the worldwide movement that has stated its intent to transform the U.S. into a Saudi-style Islamic state.
More here
MSNBC Admits Anti-Israel Graphics Were ‘Wrong’
MSNBC has admitted that highly controversial graphics aired on the network that depicted Israel as stealing land from the Palestinians were “factually wrong” and that the broadcast would be corrected on Monday, according to a network spokesperson.
The cable news network has been fighting off criticism after it aired the graphics and analysis, including a map linked to conspiracy groups branded as anti-Semitic, that portrayed Israel as existing on territory expropriated from Palestine.
The graphics garnered criticism from pro-Israel advocates and has now prompted the network to acknowledge that the graphics were highly misleading.
“In an attempt to shed light on the geographic context of the Israeli-Palestinian issue, we aired a map that was factually wrong,” the spokesperson said on Sunday.
Two MSNBC broadcasters, Kate Snow and Martin Fletcher, “will address the map in a segment Monday about agendas and disinformation on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the spokesperson said.
Fletcher, a Middle East analyst, said on Sunday that the map and analyses were “dead wrong.”
More
The cable news network has been fighting off criticism after it aired the graphics and analysis, including a map linked to conspiracy groups branded as anti-Semitic, that portrayed Israel as existing on territory expropriated from Palestine.
The graphics garnered criticism from pro-Israel advocates and has now prompted the network to acknowledge that the graphics were highly misleading.
“In an attempt to shed light on the geographic context of the Israeli-Palestinian issue, we aired a map that was factually wrong,” the spokesperson said on Sunday.
Two MSNBC broadcasters, Kate Snow and Martin Fletcher, “will address the map in a segment Monday about agendas and disinformation on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the spokesperson said.
Fletcher, a Middle East analyst, said on Sunday that the map and analyses were “dead wrong.”
More
Congress Looks to Cut U.S. Aid to Palestinians Amid Terror Campaign
Momentum is building on Capitol Hill for a new congressional resolution that would cut more than $5 billion in U.S. aid to the Palestinians as a result of an increase in violence that has claimed the lives of at least eight Israelis and wounded many more, according to a copy of the measure viewed by the Free Beacon.
The bill comes amid criticism from lawmakers about the Obama administration’s response to the terrorism and efforts to blame Israel for the violence.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Tex.), among others, has demanded that Secretary of State John Kerry resign his post in light of accusations by the administration that Israel has fostered the violence as a result of its policies to combat Palestinian terrorism.
Rep. Martha McSally (R., Ariz.), a retired Air Force colonel, is now seeking to hold the Palestinian Authority directly responsible for the terrorist acts by cutting off U.S. taxpayer aid to the governing body, officials of which have called for more violence against Jewish people in recent days.
More
The bill comes amid criticism from lawmakers about the Obama administration’s response to the terrorism and efforts to blame Israel for the violence.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Tex.), among others, has demanded that Secretary of State John Kerry resign his post in light of accusations by the administration that Israel has fostered the violence as a result of its policies to combat Palestinian terrorism.
Rep. Martha McSally (R., Ariz.), a retired Air Force colonel, is now seeking to hold the Palestinian Authority directly responsible for the terrorist acts by cutting off U.S. taxpayer aid to the governing body, officials of which have called for more violence against Jewish people in recent days.
More
SPD Investigate Late Evening Robbery At Royal Farms
SPD inv late evening robbery @ royal farms main st/13, susp blk male30's 5-09, #crimesolvers pic.twitter.com/n71RlMR0sg
— Salisbury Police (@SalisburyPD) October 19, 2015
Governor’s Mansion Lit Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The governor’s mansion in Maryland has been lit pink this weekend to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Gov. Larry Hogan issued a proclamation earlier this month announcing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The governor’s office says about 4,730 Maryland women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and an estimated 810 will die of the disease.
Medical experts say regular breast cancer screening for women should begin at age 40.
Source
Gov. Larry Hogan issued a proclamation earlier this month announcing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The governor’s office says about 4,730 Maryland women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and an estimated 810 will die of the disease.
Medical experts say regular breast cancer screening for women should begin at age 40.
Source
NO!
What the hell is wrong with people that a MAN wants to send a wet tee shirt picture on what is supposed to be a professional Website, someone I absolutely do NOT know to get me to accept their request, NO!
Might I recommend Jimmy Ireton instead? How creepy! Maybe this guy used to be a Salisbury Firefighter and moved to Florida. Does anyone know who this guy is?
Might I recommend Jimmy Ireton instead? How creepy! Maybe this guy used to be a Salisbury Firefighter and moved to Florida. Does anyone know who this guy is?
Wal-Mart's Business Model 'Crumbling'
Once the undisputed heavyweight champion of the retail industry, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. now faces a struggle to survive as its “entire business model is crumbling,” Business Insider points out.
Wal-Mart is under pressure from investors to trim costs after forecasting this week that earnings will decrease 6 percent to 12 percent next year. Sales aren’t growing fast enough to offset the billions of dollars that Wal-Mart is spending on higher wages for its workers and improvements to its website. The outlook sent the shares on their worst one-day decline since 1988.
Wal-Mart faces tough competition on multiple fronts, from the relentless expansion of online leader Amazon.com Inc to dollar stores and supermarkets fighting for a piece of its grocery business. Its international operations are also under pressure with a stronger dollar eating into sales, Reuters reported.
“The deterioration of Walton's pioneering business model has been playing out for some time in Wal-Mart's numbers,” the Street.com points out, bluntly declaring that Wal-Mart’s “entire business model is being smashed to pieces.”
The chain may look to shutter some of its massive U.S. stores and exit poor-performing markets overseas to help revive growth after the retailer warned of an unprecedented decline in earnings next year.
More here
Wal-Mart is under pressure from investors to trim costs after forecasting this week that earnings will decrease 6 percent to 12 percent next year. Sales aren’t growing fast enough to offset the billions of dollars that Wal-Mart is spending on higher wages for its workers and improvements to its website. The outlook sent the shares on their worst one-day decline since 1988.
Wal-Mart faces tough competition on multiple fronts, from the relentless expansion of online leader Amazon.com Inc to dollar stores and supermarkets fighting for a piece of its grocery business. Its international operations are also under pressure with a stronger dollar eating into sales, Reuters reported.
“The deterioration of Walton's pioneering business model has been playing out for some time in Wal-Mart's numbers,” the Street.com points out, bluntly declaring that Wal-Mart’s “entire business model is being smashed to pieces.”
The chain may look to shutter some of its massive U.S. stores and exit poor-performing markets overseas to help revive growth after the retailer warned of an unprecedented decline in earnings next year.
More here