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Tuesday, May 17, 2016
New York City’s Real-Life Superhero Civil War
New York City’s real-life superhero scene has family feuds, too.
UPDATE: The New York Initiative reached out to The Daily Beast to dispute Chris Pollak's characterization of their group and provided the following statement via Krystal Marx, aka "Temper" (her alias within the Initiative/Real-Life Superhero world): "The New York Initiative (NYI) is not only operational, it is a growing branch of the international Initiative Collective - a grassroots volunteer organization with branches in California, Illinois, Tennessee, Washington state, Virginia, Massachusetts and the U.K. Christopher 'Dark Guardian' Pollack is a former NYI member who left on bad terms, but we wish him well."
A supporter of the New York Initiative, who asked to remain anonymous, added in an email to The Daily Beast, "I work with the NYI, who unlike the article inaccurately states are NOT disbanded. The NYI is part of a larger effort and is currently run by a two-time Iraqi veteran." He also noted that "there IS no war" and added that the NYI "is obviously trying to to good in the world."
It was an overcast afternoon on a gray street in Manhattan’s Financial District, and the Dark Guardian was out to recruit more superheros for his new justice league.
Dark Guardian—the alter-ego of Chris Pollak, martial arts instructor by day, civilian watchdog by night—has a flair for the dramatic. He was dolled up in red nylon pants, a utility belt (contents: red flashlight, first aid kit), and a red bulletproof vest with his personal insignia: the letters “DG” in Superman-style font.
Pollak/Dark Guardian is a so-called real-life superhero, a community crime-fighter who has spent years patrolling New York’s streets in his unorthodox uniform. His current super-crew is a team of four or five superheroes, though he used to run with the New York Initiative—you might know them from the HBO documentary Superheroes, which followed the loosely organized vigilante network as they patrolled their cities for scofflaws. But recently Pollack became disenchanted with his former pals.
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UPDATE: The New York Initiative reached out to The Daily Beast to dispute Chris Pollak's characterization of their group and provided the following statement via Krystal Marx, aka "Temper" (her alias within the Initiative/Real-Life Superhero world): "The New York Initiative (NYI) is not only operational, it is a growing branch of the international Initiative Collective - a grassroots volunteer organization with branches in California, Illinois, Tennessee, Washington state, Virginia, Massachusetts and the U.K. Christopher 'Dark Guardian' Pollack is a former NYI member who left on bad terms, but we wish him well."
A supporter of the New York Initiative, who asked to remain anonymous, added in an email to The Daily Beast, "I work with the NYI, who unlike the article inaccurately states are NOT disbanded. The NYI is part of a larger effort and is currently run by a two-time Iraqi veteran." He also noted that "there IS no war" and added that the NYI "is obviously trying to to good in the world."
It was an overcast afternoon on a gray street in Manhattan’s Financial District, and the Dark Guardian was out to recruit more superheros for his new justice league.
Dark Guardian—the alter-ego of Chris Pollak, martial arts instructor by day, civilian watchdog by night—has a flair for the dramatic. He was dolled up in red nylon pants, a utility belt (contents: red flashlight, first aid kit), and a red bulletproof vest with his personal insignia: the letters “DG” in Superman-style font.
Pollak/Dark Guardian is a so-called real-life superhero, a community crime-fighter who has spent years patrolling New York’s streets in his unorthodox uniform. His current super-crew is a team of four or five superheroes, though he used to run with the New York Initiative—you might know them from the HBO documentary Superheroes, which followed the loosely organized vigilante network as they patrolled their cities for scofflaws. But recently Pollack became disenchanted with his former pals.
More
Fmr. Top DOJ Official: Clinton Likely Committed ‘Biggest Violation of Federal Records Act in History’
Dan Metcalfe was the Founding Director of the Justice Department’s Office of Information and Privacy (1981-2007). Metcalfe was essentially “the federal government’s chief information-disclosure ‘guru.'”
When most people hear the phrase, “violates the law,” or “is contrary to law,” or perhaps even the word “unlawful,” they tend to think that the conduct involved is a violation of some criminal law for which there are criminal penalties. But some laws and legal obligations are only civil in nature, for which there exist only monetary or administrative sanctions at best. Such is the case with federal records laws such as the Federal Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act, which govern the conduct of federal employees and officials, even that of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
What’s more, the civil sanctions provided in these laws can be applied only to people who still remain federal employees at the time at which their violation is discovered and acted upon. In other words, if you violate these laws and then leave government service quickly enough, you are beyond the reach of their penalties. Indeed, a common refrain among political appointees during the latter part of the George W. Bush Administration was: “That’s OK, because by the time anyone finds out about it, we’ll be long gone.”
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When most people hear the phrase, “violates the law,” or “is contrary to law,” or perhaps even the word “unlawful,” they tend to think that the conduct involved is a violation of some criminal law for which there are criminal penalties. But some laws and legal obligations are only civil in nature, for which there exist only monetary or administrative sanctions at best. Such is the case with federal records laws such as the Federal Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act, which govern the conduct of federal employees and officials, even that of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
What’s more, the civil sanctions provided in these laws can be applied only to people who still remain federal employees at the time at which their violation is discovered and acted upon. In other words, if you violate these laws and then leave government service quickly enough, you are beyond the reach of their penalties. Indeed, a common refrain among political appointees during the latter part of the George W. Bush Administration was: “That’s OK, because by the time anyone finds out about it, we’ll be long gone.”
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CNN: Group Gives Only 2 Percent of Donations for Vietnam Vets to Charity
Only a small percentage of the $29 million raised by the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation has gone to actually help veterans, CNN reports.
The foundation, headed up by two military veterans, President Thomas Burch and Vice President David Kaufman, brought in $8.6 million in donations for what its website says is used for "aiding, supporting and benefiting America's veterans and their families."
Burch and Kaufman each took salaries of $65,000 from that.
But the bulk of the $8.6 million – a total of $7.7 million – went to paid telephone fundraisers.
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The foundation, headed up by two military veterans, President Thomas Burch and Vice President David Kaufman, brought in $8.6 million in donations for what its website says is used for "aiding, supporting and benefiting America's veterans and their families."
Burch and Kaufman each took salaries of $65,000 from that.
But the bulk of the $8.6 million – a total of $7.7 million – went to paid telephone fundraisers.
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US Treasury Quashes Saudi Threat of Dumping Treasuries
A secret US-Saudi deal from 1973 falls apart.
Ever since the US made a secret deal with Saudi Arabia in 1973 to end the oil embargo, the Treasury Department has never disclosed Saudi Arabia’s holdings of US Treasury securities.
“It’s among concessions that U.S. administrations made over the years to maintain America’s strategic relationship with the Saudi royal family and access to the kingdom’s oil reserves,” Bloomberg News explained, after it had successfully pushed the Treasury via a Freedom-of-Information Act request into finally disclosing the data.
So today, the Treasury released the data on Saudi Arabia for the first time. It’s a doozie: a lot smaller than the number that had been bandied about in the media.
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Ever since the US made a secret deal with Saudi Arabia in 1973 to end the oil embargo, the Treasury Department has never disclosed Saudi Arabia’s holdings of US Treasury securities.
“It’s among concessions that U.S. administrations made over the years to maintain America’s strategic relationship with the Saudi royal family and access to the kingdom’s oil reserves,” Bloomberg News explained, after it had successfully pushed the Treasury via a Freedom-of-Information Act request into finally disclosing the data.
So today, the Treasury released the data on Saudi Arabia for the first time. It’s a doozie: a lot smaller than the number that had been bandied about in the media.
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Forbes: Remittances to Mexico Worth More Than Double Oil Revenue
The money Mexican workers send home from the United States is Mexico's top source of foreign income and represents more than twice the value of crude oil exports, according to a new report.
A Forbes story quotes José Alfredo Coutiño, Moody's Director for Latin America, as saying the remittances — which have come under fire by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump — account for a lot of money in Mexico.
"Remittances surpassed crude oil revenues for the first time in history in December of 2014," Coutiño told Forbes. "Since then, remittances have continued to increase even to the point of representing more than twice the value of crude oil exports since December of 2015."
More here
A Forbes story quotes José Alfredo Coutiño, Moody's Director for Latin America, as saying the remittances — which have come under fire by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump — account for a lot of money in Mexico.
"Remittances surpassed crude oil revenues for the first time in history in December of 2014," Coutiño told Forbes. "Since then, remittances have continued to increase even to the point of representing more than twice the value of crude oil exports since December of 2015."
More here
'The Wire' actor arrested for allegedly attacking Sanders supporter
Wendell Pierce, known for playing Detective William “Bunk” Moreland on HBO’s “The Wire,” faces a misdemeanor charge after allegedly attacking a supporter of Democratic presidential candidateBernie Sanders.
Witnesses at the Loews Hotel in Atlanta told TMZthat Pierce, a supporter of Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, became angry with a woman on Saturday night who said she backed the Vermont senator.
According to TMZ, Pierce, who's 52, pushed her boyfriend and then grabbed the woman’s hair and hit her. The couple then went back to their room and called security, who contacted police.
Pierce was arrested and charged with simple battery, The New York Times reported. He was released on $1,000 bail.
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Witnesses at the Loews Hotel in Atlanta told TMZthat Pierce, a supporter of Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, became angry with a woman on Saturday night who said she backed the Vermont senator.
According to TMZ, Pierce, who's 52, pushed her boyfriend and then grabbed the woman’s hair and hit her. The couple then went back to their room and called security, who contacted police.
Pierce was arrested and charged with simple battery, The New York Times reported. He was released on $1,000 bail.
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Subject: Congressman: Classified Details of Iran’s Treatment of U.S. Sailors Will Shock Nation
The classified details behind Iran’s treatment of several U.S. sailors who were captured by the Islamic Republic during a tense standoff earlier this year are likely to shock the nation, according to one member of the House Armed Services Committee, who disclosed to the Washington Free Beacon that these details are currently being withheld by the Obama administration.
Rep. Randy Forbes (R., Va.) told the Free Beacon in an interview that the Obama administration is still keeping details of the maritime incident under wraps. It could be a year or longer before the American public receives a full accounting of the incident, in which several U.S. sailors were abducted at gunpoint by the Iranian military.
“I’ve had a full classified briefing” from military officials, Forbes told the Free Beacon. “It could be as long as a year before we actually get that released.”
Details of the abduction are likely to start an uproar in the nation and call into question the Obama administration’s handling of the incident, which many experts say violated international and maritime law.
“I think that when the details actually come out, most Americans are going to be kind of taken aback by the entire incident, both how Iran handled it and how we handled it,” Forbes disclosed. “I think that’s going to be huge cause for concern for most Americans. That’s why I’ve encouraged members of Congress to get that briefing so they do know exactly what did take place.”
Forbes suggested that Iran’s treatment of the U.S. sailors—which included filming them crying and forcing them to apologize at gunpoint—may have been much worse than what has been publicly reported.
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Rep. Randy Forbes (R., Va.) told the Free Beacon in an interview that the Obama administration is still keeping details of the maritime incident under wraps. It could be a year or longer before the American public receives a full accounting of the incident, in which several U.S. sailors were abducted at gunpoint by the Iranian military.
“I’ve had a full classified briefing” from military officials, Forbes told the Free Beacon. “It could be as long as a year before we actually get that released.”
Details of the abduction are likely to start an uproar in the nation and call into question the Obama administration’s handling of the incident, which many experts say violated international and maritime law.
“I think that when the details actually come out, most Americans are going to be kind of taken aback by the entire incident, both how Iran handled it and how we handled it,” Forbes disclosed. “I think that’s going to be huge cause for concern for most Americans. That’s why I’ve encouraged members of Congress to get that briefing so they do know exactly what did take place.”
Forbes suggested that Iran’s treatment of the U.S. sailors—which included filming them crying and forcing them to apologize at gunpoint—may have been much worse than what has been publicly reported.
More
Phoenix Artists Sue City Over LGBT Non-Discrimination Law
Two artists at a Phoenix calligraphy studio are suing the city over its non-discrimination law, saying they fear they could face jail or other penalties if they refuse to create art for same-sex weddings.
Lawyers for the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom filed the lawsuit last Thursday for evangelical Christians Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski, co-owners of Brush & Nib Studio, the Arizona Republic reports.
No gay couple has filed a complaint against them, The Arizona Republic reports.
"We fully expect to have a hearing in the next few weeks on our motion for preliminary injunction and to have the Arizona superior court grant our motion and vindicate the free speech and religious liberty rights of our clients," lawyer Jon Scruggs tells The Daily Caller.
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Lawyers for the conservative Alliance Defending Freedom filed the lawsuit last Thursday for evangelical Christians Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski, co-owners of Brush & Nib Studio, the Arizona Republic reports.
No gay couple has filed a complaint against them, The Arizona Republic reports.
"We fully expect to have a hearing in the next few weeks on our motion for preliminary injunction and to have the Arizona superior court grant our motion and vindicate the free speech and religious liberty rights of our clients," lawyer Jon Scruggs tells The Daily Caller.
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Underemployment is worse than official stats suggest
Underemployment in the U.S. is worse than the most commonly cited figures suggest, a new analysis published by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors concludes.
Researchers at the central bank published a note Monday saying that the Bureau of Labor Statistics figures on the number of workers forced into part-time work "substantially underestimates underemployment along the dimension of hours people are actually working."
In other words, there are more people who would like more work than is captured in the monthly jobs report.
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Researchers at the central bank published a note Monday saying that the Bureau of Labor Statistics figures on the number of workers forced into part-time work "substantially underestimates underemployment along the dimension of hours people are actually working."
In other words, there are more people who would like more work than is captured in the monthly jobs report.
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Trump Gets Game-Changing News From New York... Hillary Camp Stunned
First, Donald Trump won the New York primary by such a wide margin that it propelled him to the GOP nomination. Now, it seems that a massive move by a major state third party could put the Empire State into play for the general election.
According to Newsmax, the New York Conservative Party will officially endorse Trump for the presidency with “overwhelming” support, something that could spell trouble for Hillary Clinton in the general election.
The Conservative Party was founded in 1962, based on the fact that New York’s Republican Party politicians — in particular its governor, Nelson Rockefeller, widely seen as one of the first RINOs — weren’t conservative enough.
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According to Newsmax, the New York Conservative Party will officially endorse Trump for the presidency with “overwhelming” support, something that could spell trouble for Hillary Clinton in the general election.
The Conservative Party was founded in 1962, based on the fact that New York’s Republican Party politicians — in particular its governor, Nelson Rockefeller, widely seen as one of the first RINOs — weren’t conservative enough.
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Gay pastor apologizes, says Whole Foods cake slur a hoax
“I want to apologize to Whole Foods and its team members for questioning the company’s commitment to its values, and especially the baker associate who I understand was put in a terrible position because of my actions,” Brown said in his statement Monday.
Brown continued, “I apologize to the LGBT community for diverting attention from real issues. I also want to apologize to my partner, my family, my church family, and my attorney.”
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City of Salisbury Money NOT well spent
Black Lives Matter activists destroy ‘Blue Lives Matter’ display at Dartmouth College
The Dartmouth College Republicans received permission from the college to put up a “Blue Lives Matter” display honoring law-enforcement work during National Police Week. After just one day, the display was completely removed and replaced with Black Lives Matter signs, according to the Dartmouth Review, a conservative newspaper.
On Thursday, May 12, after a three-week process to gain access to the bulletin board, the College Republicans put up their display. By 9 a.m. the following morning, social media was buzzing about the display.
“News of the display gained traction on social media,” the Dartmouth Review reported. “One post stated in reference to the bulletin board, ‘In case recent news about inclusivity and diversity had you fooled, Dartmouth is still racist. Located in the student center atrium.’ “
Then, by 11 a.m., a group of students at the New Hampshire college had taken the display down completely, replacing it with four fliers that said, “You cannot co-opt the movement against state violence to memorialize its perpetrators. #blacklivesmatter,” according to Dartmouth Review.
The college intervened, and told the Black Lives Matter protesters they were in violation of college policy for taking down the display because the College Republicans had rightfully reserved it. The protesters said they were aware of their violation, but they refused to stand down.
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Maryland Addressing Lack of Health Care for Hispanics
A collaborative effort is under way in Maryland to provide health care to those who can't afford it. The focus is on Prince George's County, which has the highest rate of uninsured residents in Maryland.
In the Hispanic community, about 87 percent of adults lack medical insurance.
La Clínica del Pueblo and Doctors Community Hospital have teamed up to offer preventive and specialty care at a new location next to the Prince George's Plaza Metro Station.
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Maryland: 83 Percent of Obamacare Enrollments Are Medicaid
The Maryland Health Connection is the state's Obamacare Marketplace. Monday, an agency press release noted that Maryland "has cut by 40 percent the number of Marylanders who were eligible for private insurance coverage when the state marketplace began three years ago." However, the breakdown of that statistic reveals that only 165,000 out of more than one million sign-ups are non-Medicaid enrollments.
When the exchange opened three years ago, an estimated 405,000 people were eligible for private coverage. Three years later, that number has fallen to 240,000. But the press release notes that including Medicaid over one million have been enrolled in through the Maryland Health Connection. This puts the number of Medicaid sign-ups around 83 to 84 percent and private coverage around only 16 to 17 percent.
Maryland also notes in the press release that, including Medicaid, ninety percent of those enrolled through the exchange received either subsidized or free coverage:
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When the exchange opened three years ago, an estimated 405,000 people were eligible for private coverage. Three years later, that number has fallen to 240,000. But the press release notes that including Medicaid over one million have been enrolled in through the Maryland Health Connection. This puts the number of Medicaid sign-ups around 83 to 84 percent and private coverage around only 16 to 17 percent.
Maryland also notes in the press release that, including Medicaid, ninety percent of those enrolled through the exchange received either subsidized or free coverage:
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WCSO Press Releases May 17, 2016
Brumskin, JamesIncident: Child Support
Date of Incident: 13 May 2016
Location: Salisbury, MD
Suspect: James L. Brumskin, 25, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 13 May 2016 at 6:55 PM a deputy located James Brumskin at a location in Salisbury and took him into custody on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant. The warrant was issued after Brumskin failed to appear for a Constructive Criminal Contempt hearing in a Child Support Case. The deputy transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was detained without bond pending an appearance in front of a Circuit Court Judge.
Charges: Failure to Appear
Incident: Theft
Date of Incident: 14 May 2016
Location: Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Marvin Thomas Walker, 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 14 May 2016 at 12:25 AM, a deputy located Marvin Walker at a location in Salisbury and took him into custody on the charges of felony theft and theft scheme. It was alleged that Walker took a check book that belonged to another subject and proceeded to write checks and cash them at Salisbury area establishments back in 2013. Walker was identified as the culprit in this case and a warrant was obtained but Walker was not located until now. The amount of checks written totaled just over $2,400.00. Following his arrest, the deputy transported Walker to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Walker in the Detention Center in lieu of $15,000.00 bond.
Charges: Theft $1,000.00 to $10,000.00 and Theft Scheme
Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Date of Incident: 13 May 2016
Location: 31000 block of Mt. Olive Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: David William Noonan Jr., 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 13 May 2016 6:40 PM a deputy responded to a reported vehicle in a ditch in the 31000 block of Mt. Olive Road in Salisbury. Upon arrival the deputy made contact with the operator, David Noonan and detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. The odor, along with other indicators prompted the deputy to conduct sobriety testing on Noonan after which he placed Noonan under arrest for DUI. During subsequent processing, Noonan submitted to a breath test with the result being .10. Noonan was released upon the issuance of citations.
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Incident: Warrant Arrest
Date of Incident: 14 May 2016
Location: 32000 block of Johnson Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Tammy Sue Hensley, 46, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 14 May 2016 at 12:21 PM a deputy arrested Tammy Sue Hensley on an outstanding District Court Bench Warrant. The warrant was issued after Hensley failed to appear for a case where she had been charged with theft and resisting arrest. The deputy transported Hensley to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner detained Hensley in the Detention Center in lieu of a bond of $5,000.00.
Charges: Failure to Appear
Incident: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Date of Incident: 14 May 2016
Location: 1400 block of Jersey Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Tracy Lee Matsatsos Jr., 30, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 14 May 2016 at 5:53 PM, a deputy responded to a reported single vehicle collision in the 1400 block of Jersey Road. Upon arrival, the deputy met with the operator, Tracy Matsatsos who had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and was slurring his words. Matsatsos told the deputy that Matsatsos didn’t even know how he got there. The deputy initiated sobriety testing after which the deputy placed Matsatsos under arrest for DUI. During subsequent processing, Matsatsos submitted to a breath test with a result of .14. Matsatsos was released upon the issuance of citations.
Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Cancer Patient Receives First Penis Transplant in U.S.
Massachusetts General Hospital has confirmed that Thomas Manning of Halifax, Massachusetts, received the transplanted penis in a 15-hour procedure last week. The organ was transplanted from a deceased donor.
The New York Times first reported the transplant Monday.
Dr. Curtis Cetrulo, who helped lead the surgical team, tells the newspaper that normal urination should be possible for the 64-year-old Manning in a few weeks, with sexual function possible in weeks to months.
The Times reports most of Manning’s penis was removed during his battle with penile cancer.
The world’s first penis transplant was performed at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa in December 2014.
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Maryland students and lawmakers push Hogan to sign college affordability bill
Hogan (R) is scheduled to hold his final bill-signing ceremony Thursday, and it remained unclear Monday whether the governor will sign a bill that provides a tax credit of as much as $5,000 for residents who have a student loan debt that exceeds $20,000 and creates a small matching-fund program for families who use the state’s college saving program.
“Helping to relieve student debt for Maryland families is a smart investment for the state. It’s a smart investment that I hope Governor Hogan makes,” said Marc Szczepaniak, a student at University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Szczepaniak said it is a “real struggle” for many of his friends who are saddled with student loans and are anxious about how they will repay them.
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Becoming Citizens To Vote Against Trump
Obama is paying for it all with a $10 Million Grant, and WAIVING the $680 application fee!
Read more HERE
Bison calf rescued in 'misguided' attempt is euthanized
Well, the folks at the National Park Service are urging you, begging you, harshly warning you to leave the bison alone.
Even if you do find a baby one wandering around and load him into your car, thinking the poor calf is cold.
That's what a father-son duo did a couple of days ago at Yellowstone National Park when they spotted a newborn bison and thought it was cold and lost.
Wrong move.
Rangers called their "good intentions" misplaced. Because what happened after the pair drove the calf to a park facility is where the "road to hell" part comes in.
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Ninth Circuit: Right to Bear Arms Includes Right to Acquire Arms
Teixeira revolves around Alameda County zoning rules for incorporated areas that not only require a gun store owner to obtain requisite local, state, and federal permits for the business, but also make sure “the proposed location of the business is not within five hundred feet of a ‘[r]esidentially zoned district; elementary, middle or high school; pre-school or day care center; other firearms sales business; or liquor stores or establishments in which liquor is served.'”
After being denied the requisite county permits to open “Valley Guns and Ammo” — due to complaints of persons within 500 feet of the proposed business — Plaintiff John Teixeira contended that the “500-foot rule” was tantamount to a backdoor ban on gun stores. And while there was some question over the exact distance between the proposed store and some of those who complained, the issue for Teixeira turned on the right of due process and other rights protected by the Second Amendment.
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Obama doesn’t think rapists, armed robbers, drug dealers are criminals
It’s only May, but I think I’ve found the euphemism of the year: According to Team Obama, criminals should now be declared “justice-involved individuals.”
The neo-Orwellianism comes to us from the bizarre flurry of last-minute diktats, regulations and bone-chilling threats collectively known to fanboys as Obama’s Gorgeous Goodbye.
In another of those smiley-faced, but deeply sinister, “Dear Colleague” letters sent to universities and college this week, Obama’s Education Secretary John King discouraged colleges from asking applicants whether they were convicted criminals.
An accompanying pamphlet was called “Beyond the Box: Increasing Access to Higher Education for Justice-Involved Individuals.”
So rapists, burglars, armed robbers and drug dealers aren’t criminals anymore. These folks are simply “involved” with “justice,” according to Obamanoids.
Maybe they’re right: “Criminals” is an inherently disparaging term that leads to stigmatization and decreased access to Eugene O’Neill seminars. But don’t we need to retroactively reconfigure how we think of those unfortunate souls who found themselves pursued by harsh enforcers of restrictive behavioral norms?
When you think about it, Jack the Ripper was merely a “cutlery-involved individual” while Jeffrey Dahmer was simply a “unconventional dietary-options-involved individual.”
Colleges generally ask whether applicants have criminal records, and for excellent reason. Parents probably don’t want their eager young freshperson daughter Molly living across the hall from a rapist — I mean, sexual-justice-involved individual.
King notes that when you ask college applicants about whether they brutalized, mugged or otherwise committed outrages against their fellow human beings, the ugly specter of “disparate impact” arises. The black crime rate is higher than the white crime rate, so the “Are you a criminal?” question is bound to do injury to blacks, or so goes the reasoning.
Obama is fighting the war for criminals to get closer to you on several fronts. Last month, through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, he went after landlords, threatening them with penalties if they barred criminals from living in their buildings.
In November, Obama unilaterally ordered federal agencies to strike the box asking applicants whether they had committed crimes and referred to criminals as “folks.” This would be the same president who on Oct. 25, 2010, referred to Republicans as “enemies” and suggested voters should “punish” them. Convicted rapists? They’re just “folks.”
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The neo-Orwellianism comes to us from the bizarre flurry of last-minute diktats, regulations and bone-chilling threats collectively known to fanboys as Obama’s Gorgeous Goodbye.
In another of those smiley-faced, but deeply sinister, “Dear Colleague” letters sent to universities and college this week, Obama’s Education Secretary John King discouraged colleges from asking applicants whether they were convicted criminals.
An accompanying pamphlet was called “Beyond the Box: Increasing Access to Higher Education for Justice-Involved Individuals.”
So rapists, burglars, armed robbers and drug dealers aren’t criminals anymore. These folks are simply “involved” with “justice,” according to Obamanoids.
Maybe they’re right: “Criminals” is an inherently disparaging term that leads to stigmatization and decreased access to Eugene O’Neill seminars. But don’t we need to retroactively reconfigure how we think of those unfortunate souls who found themselves pursued by harsh enforcers of restrictive behavioral norms?
When you think about it, Jack the Ripper was merely a “cutlery-involved individual” while Jeffrey Dahmer was simply a “unconventional dietary-options-involved individual.”
Colleges generally ask whether applicants have criminal records, and for excellent reason. Parents probably don’t want their eager young freshperson daughter Molly living across the hall from a rapist — I mean, sexual-justice-involved individual.
King notes that when you ask college applicants about whether they brutalized, mugged or otherwise committed outrages against their fellow human beings, the ugly specter of “disparate impact” arises. The black crime rate is higher than the white crime rate, so the “Are you a criminal?” question is bound to do injury to blacks, or so goes the reasoning.
Obama is fighting the war for criminals to get closer to you on several fronts. Last month, through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, he went after landlords, threatening them with penalties if they barred criminals from living in their buildings.
In November, Obama unilaterally ordered federal agencies to strike the box asking applicants whether they had committed crimes and referred to criminals as “folks.” This would be the same president who on Oct. 25, 2010, referred to Republicans as “enemies” and suggested voters should “punish” them. Convicted rapists? They’re just “folks.”
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Md. Man Pleads Guilty to Getting Dead Sister-In-Law’s Pension, Marrying Elderly Woman Twice in Fraud Scheme
According to his guilty plea, 58-year-old Calelah John Lattisaw of New Carrollton began receiving Supplemental Security Income through the Social Security Administration for a disability in February 1993.
In 1997, Lattisaw was living with his sister-in-law. When she died on November 23 of that year, she was receiving Social Security survivor benefits, as well as a D.C. pension, administered via direct deposit by the U.S. Treasury.
Prior to her death, Lattisaw was added as a co-signor to her bank account under the name John. H. Lattisaw, using the Social Security number of another individual. The Social Security Administration and the U.S. Treasury were not advised of the woman’s death, and Lattisaw withdrew virtually all of the Social Security and pension benefits from her account via ATM withdrawals and debit purchases. Lattisaw did not advise the Social Security Administration of this additional income.
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Canterbury Bells Garden Pro Flowers Sucks
Talk about a huge disappointment. What was delivered was nothing compared to what they advertise.
To make the experience even worse, when we called to complain the company said, you ordered that through Amazon so you'll have to call them for a refund, so we did. Amazon then said, you have to call the company you ordered them from.
Clearly that was the first and now the very last time we'll go that route. The cost of this arrangement, $54.98.
Cantuberry Bells Garden Pro Flowers, YOU'VE BEEN BLOGGED.
Wicomico Outbuilding Fire Johnson Road
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: 5/17/2016
Time: 2:49 a.m.
Location / Address: 32846 Johnson Road, Parsonsburg, Wicomico Co.
Type of Incident: Garage Fire
Description of Structure / Property: 41 ’x 48’ wood framed residential outbuilding
Owner / Occupants: John and Phyllis Ennis (owners)
Injuries or Deaths: See below
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 60,000.00 Contents: $ 15,000.00
Smoke Alarm Status: n/a
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Parsonsburg
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 40
Time to Control: 25 minutes
Discovered By: Owner
Area of Origin: Interior of building
Preliminary Cause: Accidental, wood stove
Additional Information: Mr. Ennis received minor burns while attempting to extinguish the fire. Mr. Ennis was treated on scene by Parsonsburg EMS.
Our Immigration Policy Is Not Only Unjust - It’s Un-American
Our nation’s current policy on immigration reform and the treatment of refugees is not just disappointing; it is directly opposed to the founding principles and the most enduring values of our nation.
Today, yes today, the United States of America maintains the largest system of immigrant detention camps of any nation on the planet. Not North Korea, not Yemen, not the People’s Republic of China, but us. The People of the United States.
Have we not learned the lessons of our shameful internment of Japanese Americans, of Irish immigrants, of our turning away of those fleeing the Holocaust in Nazi Germany?
One year ago, the American Bar Association put forward recommendations for addressing this injustice:
1) Immediately release families held at the Berks, Dilley, and Karnes family detention facilities, cease expansion of the facilities, and do not renew their contracts for family detention;
2) Permanently abandon deterrence-based detention policies;
3) Adopt a presumption against detention and treat release into the community as the general rule, particularly in the case of families, children, and asylum seekers;
More
Have we not learned the lessons of our shameful internment of Japanese Americans, of Irish immigrants, of our turning away of those fleeing the Holocaust in Nazi Germany?
One year ago, the American Bar Association put forward recommendations for addressing this injustice:
1) Immediately release families held at the Berks, Dilley, and Karnes family detention facilities, cease expansion of the facilities, and do not renew their contracts for family detention;
2) Permanently abandon deterrence-based detention policies;
3) Adopt a presumption against detention and treat release into the community as the general rule, particularly in the case of families, children, and asylum seekers;
More
Experienced, higher ranking soldiers getting the ax from Army
The Army is giving a clearer picture as to who is being involuntarily separated from active duty service as it tries to slim troops down to 450,000 by 2018.
Soldiers with more than 20 years of experience who held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel and those in the upper echelons of the enlisted ranks made up the majority of the service’s members who were laid off, a report to Congress states.
In total the Army involuntarily separated 494 soldiers between July and December 2015. The Army let go 238 Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels and 206 Sargent First Classes and Master Sergeants. Of the nearly 500 soldiers laid off, all except for 31 had 20 years or more of service, the report states.
The specialties of those involuntarily separated ranged from electronic warfare specialist to public affairs officer. Logistics officers took the biggest hit: the Army cut 33. Other specialties that took the brunt of the layoffs were aviation officers, with 21, Corps of Engineers officers, with 20, and infantry officers with 18, the report states.
More
Soldiers with more than 20 years of experience who held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel and those in the upper echelons of the enlisted ranks made up the majority of the service’s members who were laid off, a report to Congress states.
In total the Army involuntarily separated 494 soldiers between July and December 2015. The Army let go 238 Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels and 206 Sargent First Classes and Master Sergeants. Of the nearly 500 soldiers laid off, all except for 31 had 20 years or more of service, the report states.
The specialties of those involuntarily separated ranged from electronic warfare specialist to public affairs officer. Logistics officers took the biggest hit: the Army cut 33. Other specialties that took the brunt of the layoffs were aviation officers, with 21, Corps of Engineers officers, with 20, and infantry officers with 18, the report states.
More
Goodson Files Motions To Dismiss Charges
Officer Caesar Goodson is scheduled to stand trial on June 6 on charges including second-degree murder, depraved heart.
He filed a number of motions last that became public Monday.
Goodson says his right to a speedy trial was violated when the state asked for a delay days before his original January 6, trial date.
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Police chief regrets not reaching Md. gunman sooner
WASHINGTON — The Prince George’s County police chief said he has regret about how an investigative tactic may have affected the outcome of a two-day shooting rampage spanning two counties.
On Thursday, May 5, Prince George’s County officers rushed to High Point High School and found 44-year-old Gladys Tordil with a gunshot wound. Surveillance video showed her estranged husband, 62-year-old Eulalio Tordil leaving the parking lot.
Knowing Tordil, a federal officer, had police experience changed the investigation, Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said.
“We knew that if he knew we had identified that vehicle, then he would leave that vehicle. At that point we didn’t have a direct route to finding him,” Stawinski said on News Channel 8.
More
On Thursday, May 5, Prince George’s County officers rushed to High Point High School and found 44-year-old Gladys Tordil with a gunshot wound. Surveillance video showed her estranged husband, 62-year-old Eulalio Tordil leaving the parking lot.
Knowing Tordil, a federal officer, had police experience changed the investigation, Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said.
“We knew that if he knew we had identified that vehicle, then he would leave that vehicle. At that point we didn’t have a direct route to finding him,” Stawinski said on News Channel 8.
More
Human vs. machine story drones on
A drone is doing to take your job. No, not a slinking sycophant, but rather a machine that works longer and harder than you and doesn’t need vacation or sick time.
This sort of warning has been around since at least ’93 — 1793, that is, when Eli Whitney created the cotton gin. But now PriceWaterhouseCoopers predicts a worldwide drone technology market of $127 billion for a nearly unlimited range of applications. The company has established a “centre of excellence” in drones and data analytics in Poland.
PWC is talking about unmanned aerial vehicles and how they’ll transform business and its processes. The biggest chunk of that $127 billion market will lie in what PWC refers to as infrastructure. Lie above it, more precisely, as drones with cameras and data transmission capabilities take over inspection and analysis of infrastructure from people who climb or fly manned aircraft.
Would you do this if a drone could do it instead? PWC doesn’t talk about actuators or robotic devices mounted on drones, but I figure that’s got to be next. Sending a man to change a light bulb 1,700 feet in the air seems like a costly thing to keep doing.
More
This sort of warning has been around since at least ’93 — 1793, that is, when Eli Whitney created the cotton gin. But now PriceWaterhouseCoopers predicts a worldwide drone technology market of $127 billion for a nearly unlimited range of applications. The company has established a “centre of excellence” in drones and data analytics in Poland.
PWC is talking about unmanned aerial vehicles and how they’ll transform business and its processes. The biggest chunk of that $127 billion market will lie in what PWC refers to as infrastructure. Lie above it, more precisely, as drones with cameras and data transmission capabilities take over inspection and analysis of infrastructure from people who climb or fly manned aircraft.
Would you do this if a drone could do it instead? PWC doesn’t talk about actuators or robotic devices mounted on drones, but I figure that’s got to be next. Sending a man to change a light bulb 1,700 feet in the air seems like a costly thing to keep doing.
More
Dump truck driver pleads guilty to attempted murder of police officers
Gene Thomas Brandon was behind the wheel of a 2007 GMC dump truck when he approached officers Jeffrey Bragg and Rodney Lauchman on Jan. 7, 2015, as the officers stood between their parked cruisers at Woodmore Towne Centre, in Glenarden, Maryland.
Brandon told the officers they killed his brother. The officers told Brandon they did not kill his brother, and he would have to move his truck because it was blocking traffic.
When Brandon repeated the accusation, the officers again replied they had not harmed his brother, ordered him to move his vehicle, and told him to have a nice day.
More
The Shock-Jock Candidate
Almost every policy Donald Trump has championed is built around Pat Buchanan’s positions on trade, treaties, and immigration. Almost every tactic he’s used to best his competition—controversy, outrage, personal attacks—is borrowed from the repertory of Howard Stern. But by taking Buchanan’s positions, blending them with Stern’s tactics, and adding in his own talent, Trump has managed to produce a success that is all his own.
When Trump started to run, I was as skeptical as anyone else. But as I listened to him in January, I suddenly realized I’d heard this before. I worked at WRC radio in Washington, D.C., when Pat Buchanan first went on the air in the 1970s. Later, I worked at the station carrying Howard Stern. And watching Trump reminds me a great deal of watching their own rise.
Like them, Donald Trump is a broadcasting star—he’s more experienced on television than any of his rivals, and that’s where presidential races are won or lost. The only presidential contender with more television experience than Ronald Reagan is Donald Trump. But broadcasting has changed since Reagan’s days. In order to be a big star in broadcasting today, personalities have to be so polarizing that they are hated as well as loved. Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, and Chris Matthews all achieved remarkable ratings—and Trump’s presidential campaign has similarly driven cable news ratings through the roof. This willingness and ability to be confident, controversial, and combative can create big ratings, revenues, and salaries.
Howard Stern took this formula one big step further, aggressively attacking his competitors on the air. Mentioning your competitor’s name, much less attacking him this way, violated an unwritten rule of radio. Stern didn’t just stretch that rule, he shattered it—launching attacks that were so intense, relentless, and outrageous that his rivals felt compelled to respond. They reacted on their own shows, providing free advertising for Stern. Listeners tuned in to hear Stern for themselves, and many of them stayed. Stern used this technique to become the top-rated radio personality in almost every major American city, before taking a $500 million contract to move to satellite radio.
Trump has employed this same technique masterfully against his Republican opponents. None of Trump’s victims have figured out what hit them—much less how to hit back.
Most conservative politicians, in direct contrast to conservative talk-show hosts, are deep-dipped in nice. They couldn’t do nasty if they had an instruction manual. Marco Rubio looked ridiculous attacking Trump. Jeb Bush at least had the good sense not to do something for which his mother would spank him. Ted Cruz was consistently awkward, whatever he did.
Trump was news when he was on TV, and Trump was news when the other candidates were on TV.
Democrat Convention Schedule Update
Saturday, 27 August 2016
11:15 AM
Free lunch, medical marijuana, and bus ride to the Convention.
Forms distributed for Food Stamp enrollment.
2:30 PM
Group Voter Registration for Undocumented Immigrants.
4:00 PM
Opening Flag Burning Ceremony
Sponsored by CNN
4:15 PM
Address on "Being the Real You"
Rachel Dolezal, former Head of the Seattle NAACP and
Caitlyn Jenner
4:30 PM
"How to Bank $200 Million as a
public Servant and claim to be broke"
Hillary Clinton
4:45 PM
“How to have a successful career
without ever having a job, and
still avoid paying taxes!j
A Seminar Moderated by Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson
5:00 PM
Medals of Freedom presentation to
Army deserter Bo Berghdal
Baltimore Looters
5:30 PM
Invitation-only Autograph Session
Souvenir photographs of Hillary and
Chelsea dodging Sniper Fire in Bosnia
5:45 PM
Tribute to All of the 57 States
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi
6:00 PM
General vote on praising Baltimore rioters,
and on using the terminology
"Alternative Shoppers" instead of "Looters"
7:30 PM
Announcement of VP Nominee
Chris Stevens, with a quick rebuttal and
withdrawal when Hillary realizes he’s
someone she got killed in Benghazi
8:30 PM
The White House "Semantics Committee" Meeting
General vote on re-branding "Muslim Terrorism" as
"Random Acts of Islamic Over-Exuberance"
9:00 PM
“Liberal Bias in Media – How we can make it work for you”
Tutorial sponsored by CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, PBS,
the Washington Post and the New York Times
with Guest Speaker, Brian Williams
9:15 PM
Tribute Film to the Brave Freedom Fighters
still incarcerated at GITMO
Michael Moore
9:45 PM
Personal Finance Seminar -
"Businesses Don't Create Jobs"
Hillary Clinton
10:00 PM
Group Condemnation of Bitter Gun Owners.
10:30 PM
Ceremonial “We Surrender” Waving of the
White Flag to Afghanistan, Russia, and ISIS.
11:00 PM
Short film, "Setting Up Your Own Illegal
Email Server While Serving in A
Cabinet Post and How to Pretend
It's No Big Deal"
Hosted by Hillary Clinton
11:30 PM
Official Nomination of Hillary
Bill Maher and Chris Matthews
Officer testifies for the prosecution in Freddie Gray case
Officer Garrett Miller took the stand in the nonjury trial of Officer Edward Nero, who faces assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges stemming from Gray’s arrest, which prosecutors say was unlawful. Miller faces identical charges.
Prosecutors also say Nero was negligent when he failed to buckle Gray into a seat belt after he, Miller and another officer slid Gray head-first onto the floor of a police transport van, handcuffed and shackled.
Miller told Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams that he alone arrested and detained Gray, and that Nero didn’t touch Gray until after the man was in custody. Gray died April 19 of last year, a week after his neck was broken in the van.
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State Police to use Private Social Network for Neighborhoods
The Delaware State Police is the first State Police agency in the country to utilize Nextdoor.com. Nextdoor.com is a private and secure social networking tool used to help foster neighbor-to-neighbor communications.
Selected Troops throughout the state are piloting the social media platform. Neighbors across the state will be able to work together to increase safety and strengthen virtual neighborhood watch programs with the support of the Delaware State Police and Nextdoor.
The Delaware State Police announces this partnership with the social media network to provide safer and more secure communities with the help of Delaware residents. The Delaware State Police can effectively share crime prevention and safety updates, free community safety events, and urgent alert notifications. The public can expect to receive posts related to crime and safety updates from the Delaware State Police on Nextdoor.
Nextdoor is a free private and secure social media website that is available to Delaware residents. The website is kept private and accessible only to residents of their neighborhood who have a verified address. Neighbors establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor.com website. The Delaware State Police will not be able to access resident’s websites, contact information, or content; we can only see the number of Crime and Safety Posts. As a result we can reach out to that community and offer help, direct resources and police services.
We enc
Selected Troops throughout the state are piloting the social media platform. Neighbors across the state will be able to work together to increase safety and strengthen virtual neighborhood watch programs with the support of the Delaware State Police and Nextdoor.
The Delaware State Police announces this partnership with the social media network to provide safer and more secure communities with the help of Delaware residents. The Delaware State Police can effectively share crime prevention and safety updates, free community safety events, and urgent alert notifications. The public can expect to receive posts related to crime and safety updates from the Delaware State Police on Nextdoor.
Nextdoor is a free private and secure social media website that is available to Delaware residents. The website is kept private and accessible only to residents of their neighborhood who have a verified address. Neighbors establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor.com website. The Delaware State Police will not be able to access resident’s websites, contact information, or content; we can only see the number of Crime and Safety Posts. As a result we can reach out to that community and offer help, direct resources and police services.
We enc
Wicomico County Budget Sessions
Wicomico County Budget Sessions
Wicomcio County Council- Budget Sessions
Government Office Building
125 N. Division Street, Room 301
Salisbury, Maryland 21801
May 17, 2016
9:00 a.m. - Library
1:00 p.m. - Board of Education (Quarterly Work Session & Budget Session)
May 25,2016
9:00 a.m.- Recreation, Parks and Tourism
10:00 a.m.- Volunteer Fire/ EMS
11:00 a.m.- Public Works (Roads and Solid Waste)
1:00 p.m.- Law
Structure Fire In Salisbury
have been alerted for a structure fire (garage fire) at 32846 Johnson Road. This is the same address that they were called to yesterday for a barn fire.
Station 8 (Willards) is being asked to standby in Parsonsburg
with a tanker. Willards is now being asked to go to Johnson Road to assist.
Delmar asked to send engine and tanker to standby at Parsonsburg.
Structure is fully involved. Possible exposure to the residence.
This address is in Parsonsburg's district but has Salisbury address.
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