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Monday, July 03, 2017
Rand Paul Warns The Healthcare Bill "Is Going Nowhere"
Despite President Trump's ever-optimistic overtures that something 'great' will happen with the GOP healthcare reform bill, Senator Rand Paul is dropping some painful truth bombs this morning on Fox News, warning "I don't think we're getting anywhere with the bill we have."
Senate Republicans decided last week to delay a vote on their healthcare bill after it became clear it lacked the votes for passage. But, as The Hill reports, Paul, who has been a vocal critic of the Senate's healthcare bill, does not see any light at the end of this tunnel...
"We're at an impasse," he said. "So right now this bill, which is not a repeal, has become the kitchen sink.
"The bill is just being lit up like a Christmas tree full of billion-dollar ornaments," he added.
More
Senate Republicans decided last week to delay a vote on their healthcare bill after it became clear it lacked the votes for passage. But, as The Hill reports, Paul, who has been a vocal critic of the Senate's healthcare bill, does not see any light at the end of this tunnel...
"We're at an impasse," he said. "So right now this bill, which is not a repeal, has become the kitchen sink.
"The bill is just being lit up like a Christmas tree full of billion-dollar ornaments," he added.
More
America's Pension Bomb: Illinois Is Just the Start
We've written quite a bit over the past couple of months about the pending financial crisis in Illinois which will inevitability result in the state's debt being downgraded to "junk" at some point in the near future (here is our latest from just this morning: "From Horrific To Catastrophic": Court Ruling Sends Illinois Into Financial Abyss).
Unfortunately, the state of Illinois doesn't have a monopoly on ignorant politicians...they're everywhere. And, since the end of World War II, those ignorant politicians have been promising American Baby Boomers more and more entitlements while never collecting nearly enough money to cover them all...it's all been a massive state-sponsored scam.
As we've noted frequently before, some of the largest of the many entitlement 'scams' in this country are America's public pension funds. Up until now, these public pension have been covered by stealing money set aside for future generations to cover current claims...it's a ponzi scheme of epic proportions...$5-$8 trillion to be exact.
Of course, the problem with ponzi schemes is that eventually you get to the point where the ponzi is so large that you can't possibly steal enough money from new entrants to cover redemptions from those trying to exit...and, with a tidal wave of baby boomers about to pass into their retirement years, we suspect that America's epic ponzi is on the verge of being exposed for the world to see.
More
Unfortunately, the state of Illinois doesn't have a monopoly on ignorant politicians...they're everywhere. And, since the end of World War II, those ignorant politicians have been promising American Baby Boomers more and more entitlements while never collecting nearly enough money to cover them all...it's all been a massive state-sponsored scam.
As we've noted frequently before, some of the largest of the many entitlement 'scams' in this country are America's public pension funds. Up until now, these public pension have been covered by stealing money set aside for future generations to cover current claims...it's a ponzi scheme of epic proportions...$5-$8 trillion to be exact.
Of course, the problem with ponzi schemes is that eventually you get to the point where the ponzi is so large that you can't possibly steal enough money from new entrants to cover redemptions from those trying to exit...and, with a tidal wave of baby boomers about to pass into their retirement years, we suspect that America's epic ponzi is on the verge of being exposed for the world to see.
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Obama warns Americans about too much patriotism - on July 4th weekend!
While most Americans are gathering with family and community this weekend to celebrate the most exceptional country in the history of the world, Mr. Hope and Change is halfway around the world talking doom and gloom — and criticizing his successor.
Barack Obama visited Indonesia this weekend, and in a series of appearances, attacked love of country and the policies of Donald Trump.
The Guardian reports:
The former US president said some countries had adopted “an aggressive kind of nationalism” and “increased resentment of minority groups”, in a speech in Indonesia on Saturday that could be seen as a commentary on the US as well as Indonesia.
“It’s been clear for a while that the world is at a crossroads. At an inflection point,” Obama said, telling a Jakarta crowd stories of how much the capital had improved since he lived there as a child.
But he said that increased prosperity had been accompanied by new global problems, adding that as the world confronts issues ranging from inequality to terrorism, some countries – both developed and less developed – had adopted a more aggressive and isolationist stance.
“If we don’t stand up for tolerance and moderation and respect for others, if we begin to doubt ourselves and all that we have accomplished, then much of the progress that we have made will not continue,” he said.
“What we will see is more and more people arguing against democracy, we will see more and more people who are looking to restrict freedom of the press, and we’ll see more intolerance, more tribal divisions, more ethnic divisions, and religious divisions and more violence,” Obama asserted.
While former presidents rarely criticize their successors at home, Obama took the unusual step of going to a foreign country to do it.
More
Barack Obama visited Indonesia this weekend, and in a series of appearances, attacked love of country and the policies of Donald Trump.
The Guardian reports:
The former US president said some countries had adopted “an aggressive kind of nationalism” and “increased resentment of minority groups”, in a speech in Indonesia on Saturday that could be seen as a commentary on the US as well as Indonesia.
“It’s been clear for a while that the world is at a crossroads. At an inflection point,” Obama said, telling a Jakarta crowd stories of how much the capital had improved since he lived there as a child.
But he said that increased prosperity had been accompanied by new global problems, adding that as the world confronts issues ranging from inequality to terrorism, some countries – both developed and less developed – had adopted a more aggressive and isolationist stance.
“If we don’t stand up for tolerance and moderation and respect for others, if we begin to doubt ourselves and all that we have accomplished, then much of the progress that we have made will not continue,” he said.
“What we will see is more and more people arguing against democracy, we will see more and more people who are looking to restrict freedom of the press, and we’ll see more intolerance, more tribal divisions, more ethnic divisions, and religious divisions and more violence,” Obama asserted.
While former presidents rarely criticize their successors at home, Obama took the unusual step of going to a foreign country to do it.
More
Mad Maxine still ranting about Trump inauguration: 'Not going to tolerate him!'
Another day, another rant from Maxine Waters about how much she hates Donald Trump.
Waters continues to obsess over Trump’s inauguration, and is still trolling to accolades over her refusal to attend.
The California congresswoman appeared at the Essence convention on Saturday and tore into Trump and his Cabinet.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have taken off the gloves,” Waters shouted to the audience.
“I am not going to tolerate a president who showed us who he is in the campaigns. I never thought he would be elected. Unfortunately, he’s elected.
“And so, when it was time for the inauguration and they expected us all to go, I said, ‘I am not about to go to any inauguration.’
“Inaugurations are about honoring the new president. Bringing them in. Respecting him,” Waters said.
“I don’t honor him. I don’t respect him. And I’m not going to tolerate him. I am going to do everything that I can do to get him impeached!” she shouted.
More
Waters continues to obsess over Trump’s inauguration, and is still trolling to accolades over her refusal to attend.
The California congresswoman appeared at the Essence convention on Saturday and tore into Trump and his Cabinet.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have taken off the gloves,” Waters shouted to the audience.
“I am not going to tolerate a president who showed us who he is in the campaigns. I never thought he would be elected. Unfortunately, he’s elected.
“And so, when it was time for the inauguration and they expected us all to go, I said, ‘I am not about to go to any inauguration.’
“Inaugurations are about honoring the new president. Bringing them in. Respecting him,” Waters said.
“I don’t honor him. I don’t respect him. And I’m not going to tolerate him. I am going to do everything that I can do to get him impeached!” she shouted.
More
Police Seek Citizen Reports With Byrd Park Concerns
SNOW HILL – Following concerns regarding crime at Byrd Park, Snow Hill’s police chief encourages residents to report suspicious activity.
While some residents have expressed frustration regarding litter and suspected drug activity at the Snow Hill park, Police Chief Tom Davis says the best way to prevent it is to report it.
“Call us at the time it occurs,” he said. “Not afterwards.”
Byrd Park, located just off West Market Street along the Pocomoke River, is a picturesque public space that plays host to several community events throughout the year. After dark, though, some residents say it is a hotspot for drug related activities.
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While some residents have expressed frustration regarding litter and suspected drug activity at the Snow Hill park, Police Chief Tom Davis says the best way to prevent it is to report it.
“Call us at the time it occurs,” he said. “Not afterwards.”
Byrd Park, located just off West Market Street along the Pocomoke River, is a picturesque public space that plays host to several community events throughout the year. After dark, though, some residents say it is a hotspot for drug related activities.
More
What The 4th Of July Means To Us Today
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their LIVES, their FORTUNES, and their SACRED HONOR.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well-educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward
Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton, had their properties looted by vandals or soldiers.
Thomas Nelson, Jr, At the battle of Yorktown noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire.The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
So, please take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's a small price for the price they paid.
It is worth Remembering: FREEDOM IS: NEVER, EVER, FREE!
We thank these early patriots with all our hearts and souls, as well as thosepatriots and warriorsnow fighting to KEEP our FREEDOM from those who are actively attempting to HIJACK IT FOR THEMSELVES TO PLUNDER AND RULE.
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their LIVES, their FORTUNES, and their SACRED HONOR.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well-educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward
Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton, had their properties looted by vandals or soldiers.
Thomas Nelson, Jr, At the battle of Yorktown noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire.The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
So, please take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's a small price for the price they paid.
It is worth Remembering: FREEDOM IS: NEVER, EVER, FREE!
We thank these early patriots with all our hearts and souls, as well as thosepatriots and warriorsnow fighting to KEEP our FREEDOM from those who are actively attempting to HIJACK IT FOR THEMSELVES TO PLUNDER AND RULE.
Police arrest man who burned American flag hanging from Virginia home
Andrew Rosas, 26, was arrested and charged with arson.
Homeowner James Tanner said he discovered the vandalism when he woke up Wednesday and checked footage from the Nest cam focused on his front porch.
"This is vandalism and you have somebody that totally disregards the safety of the people around there," Tanner told CBS 6. "It is also totally disregard what the flag represents."
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White House Endorses Free Market Amendment To Obamacare
“We hope it’s part of the process of bringing everybody together”
A top White House official suggested Sunday that the administration is in favor of an amendment to the Senate health care bill pushed by GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah.
The amendment, known as “Consumer Choice,” allows insurers to sell plans that do not follow regulations created under Obamacare for patients with pre-existing conditions, with the caveat that insurers have to sell at least one plan that adheres to Obamacare’s mandates. The proposal would allow insurers to sell cheaper plans with fewer benefits.
“We hope it’s part of the process of bringing everybody together,” White House legislative affairs director Marc Short said on Fox News Sunday.
Short compared the recent negotiations between hard-line conservative and moderate Republicans in the Senate to the drawn out Obamacare repeal effort in the House, where the same divide threatened to upend the process entirely.
More
A top White House official suggested Sunday that the administration is in favor of an amendment to the Senate health care bill pushed by GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah.
The amendment, known as “Consumer Choice,” allows insurers to sell plans that do not follow regulations created under Obamacare for patients with pre-existing conditions, with the caveat that insurers have to sell at least one plan that adheres to Obamacare’s mandates. The proposal would allow insurers to sell cheaper plans with fewer benefits.
“We hope it’s part of the process of bringing everybody together,” White House legislative affairs director Marc Short said on Fox News Sunday.
Short compared the recent negotiations between hard-line conservative and moderate Republicans in the Senate to the drawn out Obamacare repeal effort in the House, where the same divide threatened to upend the process entirely.
More
111 terminally ill people end their lives under California's new right-to-die law
The data was part of the first report by the California Department of Health since the End of Life Option Act became effective on June 9, 2016. According to the report, between June 9 and Dec. 31, 2016, 191 people who had six months or fewer to live, received life-ending prescriptions. According to the report, only 111 of them took the pills by the end of the reporting period in December.
The report found that of the 111 who died, 58.6% had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and 18% suffered from neuromuscular disorders like ALS and Parkinsons's.
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Lady Gunfighter Vanquishes 2 Home Invaders
The Daily Iberian & KABC TV-3 reported 06-07-2017 in Jeanerette, Louisiana, Police Chief Jeffery Matthews said a suspect broke into a house in the 2000 block of Frisco Street around 2 in the morning on Wednesday.
The 60-year-old female homeowner was watching TV in the living room when she heard a noise. She went to the bedroom and retrieved her gun. Hearing more noise, she went into the kitchen and found the intruder!
The first suspect shot at her and she returned fire, hitting him four times. That suspect fell to the ground and a second intruder kicked the back door open and both fled out the back of the home.
They both fled the scene towards the railroad tracks. A blood trail led police over railroad tracks to a patch of grass where the wounded suspect was laying. He was transported to a local hospital and is in critical condition. Police are still looking for the second suspect who is possibly wounded.
More
The 60-year-old female homeowner was watching TV in the living room when she heard a noise. She went to the bedroom and retrieved her gun. Hearing more noise, she went into the kitchen and found the intruder!
The first suspect shot at her and she returned fire, hitting him four times. That suspect fell to the ground and a second intruder kicked the back door open and both fled out the back of the home.
They both fled the scene towards the railroad tracks. A blood trail led police over railroad tracks to a patch of grass where the wounded suspect was laying. He was transported to a local hospital and is in critical condition. Police are still looking for the second suspect who is possibly wounded.
More
Trump administration targets parents who paid to smuggle children into U.S.
The recent arrests, which had been largely rumored but not confirmed until now, have set off a new wave of confusion and fear through immigrant communities that have already been subject to greater enforcement.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have begun sharing information with immigration agents about U.S.-based relatives of unaccompanied children. The information is being used to track down the parents, according to lawyers and government case workers familiar with the practice.
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Trump Allies Want The Tweets To Keep On Comin
President Donald Trump continues to be “modern day presidential” and use his Twitter account to attack cable news hosts. This strategy is endorsed by several key allies of the administration.
The president caused an uproar on Thursday when he said that “Morning Joe” host Mika Brzezinski was bleeding at Mar a Lago after receiving a “face lift.” The tweet was not out of the ordinary for Trump, who uses the social media platform frequently to dish out personal attacks.
This one remark, however, led several Republican lawmakers to criticize the way the president continues to use Twitter. “Stop it! The Presidential platform should be used for more than bringing people down,” Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski tweeted.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders stood by the tweets and said that Trump “fights fire with fire,” and in a tweet Saturday Trump declared that his “use of social media is not Presidential – it’s MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL.”
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The president caused an uproar on Thursday when he said that “Morning Joe” host Mika Brzezinski was bleeding at Mar a Lago after receiving a “face lift.” The tweet was not out of the ordinary for Trump, who uses the social media platform frequently to dish out personal attacks.
This one remark, however, led several Republican lawmakers to criticize the way the president continues to use Twitter. “Stop it! The Presidential platform should be used for more than bringing people down,” Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski tweeted.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders stood by the tweets and said that Trump “fights fire with fire,” and in a tweet Saturday Trump declared that his “use of social media is not Presidential – it’s MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL.”
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University: We Screwed Up! We Won't Toss Out Bibles or Crosses
"We moved too quickly," ECU president Katricia Pierson said in a prepared statement. "We regret not taking time to pause and thoughtfully consider the request and the results of our actions on all of the students, faculty and community members who we serve."
In other words -- they screwed up.
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NOI-Fireworks Injury-Talbot-7/1/2017-Tilghman Beach Drive, Tilghman
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: July 1, 2017
Time: 10:00 pm
Location / Address: 5828 Tilghman Beach Drive, Tilghman, Talbot Co
Type of Incident: Fireworks related traumatic hand injury
Description of Structure / Property: Outside of a single family residence
Owner / Occupants: Michael S. Malcolm
Injuries or Deaths: Victim suffered a severe hand injury from igniting a firework
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $0.00 Contents: $0.00
Smoke Alarm Status: N/A
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: N/A
Arrests(s): None
Primary Responding Fire Department: Talbot County EMS initially treated the patient prior to the patient being flown to the Union Memorial Hand Center by Maryland State Police helicopter.
# of Alarms: N/A # Of Firefighters: N/A
Time to Control: N/A
Discovered By: Neighbor
Area of Origin: N/A
Preliminary Cause: N/A
Additional Information: A juvenile found an unknown type of suspected illegal explosive/firework and gave it to his neighbor who subsequently ignited the device. The device detonated while the victim was still holding the device in his hand. The injury is serious but not life threatening. The St. Michaels Police Department and Talbot County Sheriff's Office assisted the Office of the State Fire Marshal with the investigation.
Four Arrested In Cecil Co. Assaults
(North East, MD) – Maryland State Police arrested four suspects yesterday in connection with assaults on three people, including one who was stabbed, during related incidents occurring in the North East area of Cecil County.
The suspects are identified as Jose A. Batista, 30, Freddy L. Gantier, 39, Luisa Morales, 38, and Amanda S. Thodos, 24, all of whom are from North East, Md. Each suspect was charged with first degree assault, second degree assault, and reckless endangerment. They were taken to the county central booking center for processing and an initial appearance before a court commissioner.
The three victims are adult males, who are all from North East, Md. One victim, a 26-year-old, sustained a stab wound from a knife and is undergoing treatment at Christiana Hospital. Another victim sustained cuts reportedly from a broken bottle. He did not seek medical treatment yesterday for any injuries. The third victim was struck when he tried to block the suspects’ vehicle with his as they fled the scene of the stabbing. He was not reported to have been injured. One of the victims reported a suspect displayed what appeared to be a handgun in a threatening manner from the van as they fled the scene.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m. yesterday, state troopers from the North East Barrack responded to the Lakeside Trailer Park in North East for the report of a fight. Responding troopers learned the stabbing victim had already been transported to the hospital by his wife. Cecil County Sheriff’s Office deputies also responded to the scene and provided assistance during the investigation.
Investigators from the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division responded to conduct the investigation. The preliminary investigation indicates an altercation occurred near the trailer park between the victim who was assaulted with a broken bottle and the suspects. This victim’s brother-in-law responded to the altercation and attempted to break it up before being stabbed with a knife.
As the four suspects attempted to flee the scene in a van, their path was blocked by a vehicle driven by the brother of the stabbing victim, who was also responding to the scene. His vehicle was rammed by the suspects’ van, which was driven by Thodos. Troopers and sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene of this crash and took all four suspects into custody at that time.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the suspects’ van. They recovered a revolver-style BB gun and several knives. The weapons will be forwarded to the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division for examination.
Worst cities in America are revealed - and Detroit is No.1
Detroit, Michigan is the worst city in the US to live in due to its urban decay, violent crime rates and dwindling population, according to a new study.
It's not alone in being a dreadful place to reside, however: Birmingham, Alabama and Flint, Michigan take the next two spots.
And there are 47 more cities behind them, ranging from the dusty, deprived city of Merced, California, to tourist favorites Philadelphia and Miami Beach, 24/7 Wall Street reported.
To make the list, the site compiled data on the 551 cities that had populations of more than 65,000 in 2015.
It then rated them on a slew of subjects in nine major categories: crime, economy, demography, education, environment, health, housing, infrastructure, and leisure.
Each of those was then split into sub-sections, so 'crime' differentiates between violent and property crime, while 'health' includes the death rate from illnesses as well as how often people are readmitted to hospital.
Other factors included property prices, poverty and unemployment rates, availability of public transportation and the quality of air.
All data came from 2015 figures.
The statistics were given points and weighted, and final scores handed out to each of the cities to see which were the best and worst on offer.
Below are the top ten worst cities, according to the analysis; the full list can be found at the bottom of the page.
It's not alone in being a dreadful place to reside, however: Birmingham, Alabama and Flint, Michigan take the next two spots.
And there are 47 more cities behind them, ranging from the dusty, deprived city of Merced, California, to tourist favorites Philadelphia and Miami Beach, 24/7 Wall Street reported.
To make the list, the site compiled data on the 551 cities that had populations of more than 65,000 in 2015.
It then rated them on a slew of subjects in nine major categories: crime, economy, demography, education, environment, health, housing, infrastructure, and leisure.
Each of those was then split into sub-sections, so 'crime' differentiates between violent and property crime, while 'health' includes the death rate from illnesses as well as how often people are readmitted to hospital.
Other factors included property prices, poverty and unemployment rates, availability of public transportation and the quality of air.
All data came from 2015 figures.
The statistics were given points and weighted, and final scores handed out to each of the cities to see which were the best and worst on offer.
Below are the top ten worst cities, according to the analysis; the full list can be found at the bottom of the page.
1. Detroit, Michigan
The 2nd Amendment Comes To Europe: Czech Republic To Enshrine Right To Bear Arms Into Constitution
Most people inside and outside of the US believe that this country’s gun ownership rate is unique, but that’s not exactly true. Though America has the most privately owned guns per capita, there are other countries that aren’t too far behind us, such as Serbia, Yemen, Cyprus, and many Western nations like Finland and Switzerland. In most cases, these countries don’t have access to the same kind of firearms that we do, but nonetheless there are a ton of guns floating around in these places.
What really separates the US from every other country in the world, is that we have the right to bear arms preserved in our constitution. Technically, Honduras and Mexico have the same right in their constitutions, but in both cases it comes with a lot of restrictions. Their right to bear arms doesn’t have any teeth. The Swiss are known for letting many of their citizens own guns, but gun ownership for most Swiss citizens is more of a duty than a right.
America stands alone in this regard. We’re the only country with a constitution that gives civilians a clear and explicit right to own and carry firearms. In every other nation, civilians don’t own firearms unless their governments let them.
That however, is about to change. While most EU governments are eyeing more restrictive gun laws, the Czech Republic is about to addthe right to bear arms to its constitution.
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What really separates the US from every other country in the world, is that we have the right to bear arms preserved in our constitution. Technically, Honduras and Mexico have the same right in their constitutions, but in both cases it comes with a lot of restrictions. Their right to bear arms doesn’t have any teeth. The Swiss are known for letting many of their citizens own guns, but gun ownership for most Swiss citizens is more of a duty than a right.
America stands alone in this regard. We’re the only country with a constitution that gives civilians a clear and explicit right to own and carry firearms. In every other nation, civilians don’t own firearms unless their governments let them.
That however, is about to change. While most EU governments are eyeing more restrictive gun laws, the Czech Republic is about to addthe right to bear arms to its constitution.
More
Kobach: What Are States 'Trying to Hide' in Not Providing Voter Data?
In a rebuttal to states that have announced they would not comply with President Donald Trump's request to supply voter data to his commission on election integrity, the panel's vice chair on Friday questioned if perhaps they had something to hide.
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity can't force states to comply with the request or any recommendations the commission might make, The Hill reported Friday.
"Frankly, if a state like Kentucky or California won't provide available information, one has to ask the question, 'Why not?'" Kobach told NPR Friday. "I mean, what are they trying to hide if they don't want a presidential advisory commission to study their state voter rolls?"
At last count, 25 states have said they would not turn over the data requested by the commission, The Washington Post reported.
Information asked for included names, addresses, birth dates and party affiliations of registered voters in each state, as well as felony convictions, military statuses, the last four digits of Social Security numbers and voting records dating back to 2006, The Hill detailed.
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Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity can't force states to comply with the request or any recommendations the commission might make, The Hill reported Friday.
"Frankly, if a state like Kentucky or California won't provide available information, one has to ask the question, 'Why not?'" Kobach told NPR Friday. "I mean, what are they trying to hide if they don't want a presidential advisory commission to study their state voter rolls?"
At last count, 25 states have said they would not turn over the data requested by the commission, The Washington Post reported.
Information asked for included names, addresses, birth dates and party affiliations of registered voters in each state, as well as felony convictions, military statuses, the last four digits of Social Security numbers and voting records dating back to 2006, The Hill detailed.
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Woman sues Uber after 'driver sexually assaulted her'
A Kansas City, Missouri, woman is suing Uber, alleging that a driver who served prison time for attempted murder sexually assaulted her after dropping her off at home.
The woman alleges the driver took her to various locations that evening and persuaded her to let him use her bathroom when he took her home, according to The Kansas City Star.
She says she was intoxicated and he sexually assaulted her there.
The lawsuit was filed this month and also names the driver, Yahkhahnahn Ammi, as a defendant.
It says police are investigating the attack, but The Associated Press couldn't immediately confirm that with the department.
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The woman alleges the driver took her to various locations that evening and persuaded her to let him use her bathroom when he took her home, according to The Kansas City Star.
She says she was intoxicated and he sexually assaulted her there.
The lawsuit was filed this month and also names the driver, Yahkhahnahn Ammi, as a defendant.
It says police are investigating the attack, but The Associated Press couldn't immediately confirm that with the department.
More
Maryland takes new steps to combat opioid crisis
WASHINGTON — Maryland Medicaid now has a more rigorous authorization process required for prescription opioids and they are encouraging providers to consider non-opioids as a first-line treatment for chronic pain. They have also expanded reimbursement for substance abuse programs.
These new tactics to combat the opioid crisis took effect July 1st, 2017.
“The implementation of these two initiatives help us reach providers and participants by reducing the number of opioids prescribed and ensuring the vital treatment is available to those already grappling with an opioid use disorder,” Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said in a news release.
Former heroin addict turned drug abuse expert Mike Gimbel says the changes by Maryland Medicare are good ones.
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These new tactics to combat the opioid crisis took effect July 1st, 2017.
“The implementation of these two initiatives help us reach providers and participants by reducing the number of opioids prescribed and ensuring the vital treatment is available to those already grappling with an opioid use disorder,” Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said in a news release.
Former heroin addict turned drug abuse expert Mike Gimbel says the changes by Maryland Medicare are good ones.
More
PRESS RELEASE: Congressman Andy Harris Opens Application for Military Service Academy Nominations
Admission is based on SAT/ACT scores, class rank, physical aptitude scores, extracurricular activities, leadership ability, athletic abilities, medical examinations, and a panel interview. Academies accept applications on a rolling basis beginning in September. Final acceptance is also contingent upon receiving a nomination from an authorized source such as one's Congressman or Senator.
The deadline to apply for a nomination from Congressman Harris is October 30, 2017. All residents of the First District between the ages of 17 and 23 are encouraged to apply. Interviews will be conducted by Congressman Harris’ Military Academy Review Board, which is made up of veterans and reservists of the United States military. Interviews will be conducted in the fall, and the Service Academies will be notified of Congressman Harris’ nominations by December 31, 2017.
Students can download the nomination application at https://harris.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations. For questions, please call the Kent Island District Office at 410-643-5425.
Fake News: AP Engulfed in CNN-Level Scandal as It Covers Up Imaginary Pruitt Meeting
The Associated Press is at it again, pushing more fake news. Sadly, the once-great news wire service is trying to cover up its mistake—nearly the exact mistake that cost three editorial staffers at CNN their jobs in a scandal that first exploded a week ago today.
A Breitbart News investigation has led to the correction by the Associated Press–which originally resisted–of the fake news it printed as deeper questions of responsibility, accountability, and journalistic ethics consume the AP heading into Fourth of July weekend.
This time, the Associated Press invented an imaginary meeting between EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris, and then alleged that some kind of impropriety happened as a result.
This is exactly the same mistake CNN made a week ago, when it alleged that Anthony Scaramucci—the founder of SkyBridge Capital and an associate and ally of President Donald Trump—held “meetings” with Russian investment fund leaders and was under investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee and Treasury Department as a result.
A Breitbart News investigation uncovered that no such “meetings” took place, the Senate Intelligence Committee was not investigating the matter, and the Treasury Department had already—at the urging of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to now Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin before Trump’s inauguration—looked into it and determined the matter to be entirely “without merit.”
More here
A Breitbart News investigation has led to the correction by the Associated Press–which originally resisted–of the fake news it printed as deeper questions of responsibility, accountability, and journalistic ethics consume the AP heading into Fourth of July weekend.
This time, the Associated Press invented an imaginary meeting between EPA administrator Scott Pruitt and Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris, and then alleged that some kind of impropriety happened as a result.
This is exactly the same mistake CNN made a week ago, when it alleged that Anthony Scaramucci—the founder of SkyBridge Capital and an associate and ally of President Donald Trump—held “meetings” with Russian investment fund leaders and was under investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee and Treasury Department as a result.
A Breitbart News investigation uncovered that no such “meetings” took place, the Senate Intelligence Committee was not investigating the matter, and the Treasury Department had already—at the urging of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to now Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin before Trump’s inauguration—looked into it and determined the matter to be entirely “without merit.”
More here
Trump calls out states refusing to comply with ‘voter fraud’ panel
President Trump on Saturday fired back at testy state officials irked at a federal request for voter-registration data.
“Numerous states are refusing to give information to the very distinguished VOTER FRAUD PANEL,”Trump tweeted. “What are they trying to hide?”
At least 24 states have refused to fully comply with the request for voter data that includes partial Social Security numbers, addresses, birth dates, party affiliation, voting history and military status.
Even some of Trump’s fellow Republicans are annoyed.
“They can go jump in the Gulf of Mexico,” Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, a Republican, said of the request issued Wednesday by the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity.
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“Numerous states are refusing to give information to the very distinguished VOTER FRAUD PANEL,”Trump tweeted. “What are they trying to hide?”
At least 24 states have refused to fully comply with the request for voter data that includes partial Social Security numbers, addresses, birth dates, party affiliation, voting history and military status.
Even some of Trump’s fellow Republicans are annoyed.
“They can go jump in the Gulf of Mexico,” Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, a Republican, said of the request issued Wednesday by the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity.
More
Conservative Leaders Applaud Trump’s Tweet to Repeal Obamacare First, Replace Later
American conservative leaders welcomed President Donald Trump’s tweet suggesting to Republicans that they immediately repeal Obamacare first and then work together to replace it later.
On a media conference call Friday morning, national conservative group leaders overwhelmingly applauded Trump’s suggestion and rebuked GOP leaders for introducing Obamacare “replacement” legislation that they say simply continues former President Barack Obama’s disastrous healthcare reform. The leaders made clear to Republicans that they hold power in both chambers of Congress largely because the conservative base elected them to repeal Obamacare and put GOP leaders on notice that their draft healthcare bill is costing them their base.
“This draft bill was not what was promised to voters when Republicans were pushed to the majority – it’s not even close,” David Bozell, president of For America, said about the recent Senate version of the GOP healthcare bill. “It’s a liberal piece of legislation that has been met with record low levels of support. This bill enjoys support in the teens, meaning Republicans have lost their base with this bill.”
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On a media conference call Friday morning, national conservative group leaders overwhelmingly applauded Trump’s suggestion and rebuked GOP leaders for introducing Obamacare “replacement” legislation that they say simply continues former President Barack Obama’s disastrous healthcare reform. The leaders made clear to Republicans that they hold power in both chambers of Congress largely because the conservative base elected them to repeal Obamacare and put GOP leaders on notice that their draft healthcare bill is costing them their base.
“This draft bill was not what was promised to voters when Republicans were pushed to the majority – it’s not even close,” David Bozell, president of For America, said about the recent Senate version of the GOP healthcare bill. “It’s a liberal piece of legislation that has been met with record low levels of support. This bill enjoys support in the teens, meaning Republicans have lost their base with this bill.”
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Google to give $2 Million to Gun Control Campaign
Google announced plans on Friday to donate $2 million to a violence reduction campaign that includes the nation's leading gun control organizations.
The grant will be given by Google.org, an arm of the search giant that provides money and resources to nonprofit organizations, and go to the PICO LIVE FREE Campaign. That campaign focuses on reducing gun violence, especially in minority communities centered in major cities. The new initiative it's creating with the grant will involve gun control groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Americans for Responsible Solutions, Guns Down America, the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.
The money will primarily be spent to "scale up and accelerate the implementation of evidence-based gun violence prevention strategies in cities with high incidents of gun related homicides and shootings" a press release detailing the grant said. Chicago, New York City, Dallas, Oakland, Orlando, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee will be among the cities the campaign focuses on.
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The grant will be given by Google.org, an arm of the search giant that provides money and resources to nonprofit organizations, and go to the PICO LIVE FREE Campaign. That campaign focuses on reducing gun violence, especially in minority communities centered in major cities. The new initiative it's creating with the grant will involve gun control groups like Everytown for Gun Safety, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Americans for Responsible Solutions, Guns Down America, the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.
The money will primarily be spent to "scale up and accelerate the implementation of evidence-based gun violence prevention strategies in cities with high incidents of gun related homicides and shootings" a press release detailing the grant said. Chicago, New York City, Dallas, Oakland, Orlando, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee will be among the cities the campaign focuses on.
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TONIGHT: 9th Annual Willards Independence Day Celebration
36161 Richland Rd, Willards, MD 21874-1137
Update On Rex. (The Dog that was missing in for 11 days)
Update 7/3: Rex is back home and recovering after missing for 11 days! His injuries included a torn ligament, a deep cut under front right leg, and many bug bites and rashes on his belly/abdomen/legs and feet, and he lost 17lbs, half of his body weight.
His injuries are healing nicely, his ligament will heal naturally and doesn't seem to bother him much. His cut hurts when I clean it, but he's still a trooper. He's sleeping a lotttt, and is getting super spoiled with extra cuddles, being allowed on my bed (see in the picture, he usually is not allowed!), and he has visitors bringing him yummy treats and his favorite, squeaky toys! He is gaining his weight back and although the first couple days he was a little down in the dumps, each day I see just a bit more pep in his step.
Thanks everyone again so much for caring for this little guy! He is so loved!
Save Me The Feigned Outrage Over Trump's Mika Brzezinski Tweet
After two years of ceaselessly objectifying Donald Trump with vicious insults about his personal appearance, the mainstream media is now feigning outrage over Trump commenting on the personal appearance of MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski.
Give me a break.
“I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don’t watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year’s Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!” Trump tweeted this morning.
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Nancy Pelosi struggles to remember latest Russia accusation - 6 mins after making it!
Nancy Pelosi, who recently insisted she’s “worth the trouble” amid criticisms over her performance as leader, continued her bizarre behavior during her weekly press conference as she was confused about what time of day it was, struggled to recall her latest accusations against Russia just six minutes later, and again awkwardly stopped speaking mid-sentence and stared at reporters before resuming.
As Pelosi approached the podium on Thursday, she muttered to herself on the hot mic, “It’s afternoon. It is afternoon. Good afternoon everyone.”
She then immediately got confused about what time of day it was.
“Thank you for being here. I’m honored this morning, or now afternoon…” she said. She went on to refer to her Democratic colleague as the “chairman” of a committee, before correcting herself and calling him the “ranking member.”
Going off script proved to be a disaster.
While denouncing Republican attempts to replace Obamacare, Pelosi said, “And what does that mean? Higher costs, fewer benefits, uh, terrible age tax undermining Medicare, uh, uh, stealing from Medicare and Maid-icaid, as I should have said,” mispronouncing the word.
A statement about Medicaid left the listener to wonder what other things Pelosi thinks are covered by the program.
More/Video
As Pelosi approached the podium on Thursday, she muttered to herself on the hot mic, “It’s afternoon. It is afternoon. Good afternoon everyone.”
She then immediately got confused about what time of day it was.
“Thank you for being here. I’m honored this morning, or now afternoon…” she said. She went on to refer to her Democratic colleague as the “chairman” of a committee, before correcting herself and calling him the “ranking member.”
Going off script proved to be a disaster.
While denouncing Republican attempts to replace Obamacare, Pelosi said, “And what does that mean? Higher costs, fewer benefits, uh, terrible age tax undermining Medicare, uh, uh, stealing from Medicare and Maid-icaid, as I should have said,” mispronouncing the word.
A statement about Medicaid left the listener to wonder what other things Pelosi thinks are covered by the program.
More/Video
NOI 07 02 17 Somerset Under Inv SF Dwelling Dryden Rd Princess Anne
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: July 2, 2017
Time: 8:36 pm
Location / Address: 11480 Dryden Road, Princess Anne, Somerset County
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: two story wood framed single family dwelling
Owner / Occupants: Victoria Dews & Don Ballard
Injuries or Deaths: none
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 85,000.00 Contents: $ 15,000.00
Smoke Alarm Status: unknown
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): none
Primary Responding Fire Department: Princess Anne
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 25
Time to Control: 2 hours
Discovered By: Occupant
Area of Origin: front bedroom
Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation
Additional Information: Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Lower Eastern Region Office of the State Fire Marshal at 410-713-3780
Off-duty cop kills woman and himself in high speed crash
A woman was killed by an off-duty police officer who was fleeing other officers in a high-speed car crash.
Chicago Police Officer Taylor Clark, 32, was speeding in his black Jeep when he t-boned Chequita Adams, 27, just after 1am Tuesday.
Both were pinned inside their vehicles, which caught fire.
Adams was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and according to the medical examiner's office she died at 1.27am, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Clark was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at 2.55am.
Clark, a tactical officer who had been with the department for four years, had left work just ten minutes before the chase and was driving home.
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Chicago Police Officer Taylor Clark, 32, was speeding in his black Jeep when he t-boned Chequita Adams, 27, just after 1am Tuesday.
Both were pinned inside their vehicles, which caught fire.
Adams was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and according to the medical examiner's office she died at 1.27am, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Clark was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at 2.55am.
Clark, a tactical officer who had been with the department for four years, had left work just ten minutes before the chase and was driving home.
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NOI 07 02 17 Wicomico Incendiary Vacant Motel S Salisbury Blvd
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: July 2, 2017
Time: 8:07 pm
Location / Address: 1510 S. Salisbury Blvd, Salisbury, Wicomico Couty
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: vacant two story motel
Owner / Occupants: SU Foundation
Injuries or Deaths: none
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 500.00 Contents: $ 0.00
Smoke Alarm Status: none
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: none
Arrests(s): none
Primary Responding Fire Department: Salisbury
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 20
Time to Control: 15 mins
Discovered By: passerby
Area of Origin: rear office
Preliminary Cause: Incendiary
Additional Information: Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Lower Eastern Region Office of the State Fire Marshal at 410-713-3780
Brian Frosh is Lying, and Everybody Knows It
We’ve chronicled the fact that Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh is an undignified partisan hack before, but his latest stunt really takes the cake.
In responding to the redistricting lawsuit against the state of Maryland, Frosh had the audacity to say that Republican voters were not targeted in the redistricting lawsuit. Really:
Frosh, a Democrat, countered Friday that there is no evidence the General Assembly targeted individual Republicans for retribution. He also noted that a voter isn’t entitled to be represented in Congress by someone of like mind.
“All of plaintiffs’ arguments hinge on a single false premise: That individuals who affiliate with a party have a right to maintain electoral successes gained by their party under prior redistricting maps,” Frosh wrote. “Plaintiffs have produced no evidence that any decision maker ‘specifically intended to burden the representational rights of certain citizens.'”
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NOI 07 02 17 Wicomico Under Inv Trash Fire Fairview Ln Salisbury
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: July 2, 2017
Time: 2:43 pm
Location / Address: in the area of 1100 Block of Fairview Lane, Salisbury, Wicomico County
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: trash / abandoned sofa
Owner / Occupants: Unknown
Injuries or Deaths: none
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 0.00 Contents: $ 0.00
Smoke Alarm Status: n/a
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): none
Primary Responding Fire Department: Salisbury
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 5
Time to Control: 10 mins
Discovered By: neighbor
Area of Origin: open land area
Preliminary Cause: Incendiary
Additional Information: Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Lower Eastern Region Office of the State Fire Marshal at 410-713-3780
White House aide: 'The fake news complex is collapsing'
“To those supporters of the Trump administration who are worried by all the fake news reporting of the last 23 weeks, I can assure you, just ignore it.”
White House aide Sebastian Gorka claimed in an interview aired Sunday that mainstream news media are losing influence, citing recent resignations at CNN and cuts at The New York Times.
“To those supporters of the Trump administration who are worried by all the fake news reporting of the last 23 weeks, I can assure you, just ignore it,” Gorka, who serves as deputy assistant to President Trump, told radio host John Catsimatidis on AM 970 in New York.
“The fake news complex is collapsing in on itself. We see that with the massive scandal at CNN, having to fire people who were generating totally false stories about the administration. We see that with the severe personnel cuts at The New York Times,” he continued.
Gorka was referring to three CNN staffers who resigned after the network retracted a story linking a Trump ally to a Russian investment bank, as well as potential layoffs at The New York Times.
Read more
White House aide Sebastian Gorka claimed in an interview aired Sunday that mainstream news media are losing influence, citing recent resignations at CNN and cuts at The New York Times.
“To those supporters of the Trump administration who are worried by all the fake news reporting of the last 23 weeks, I can assure you, just ignore it,” Gorka, who serves as deputy assistant to President Trump, told radio host John Catsimatidis on AM 970 in New York.
“The fake news complex is collapsing in on itself. We see that with the massive scandal at CNN, having to fire people who were generating totally false stories about the administration. We see that with the severe personnel cuts at The New York Times,” he continued.
Gorka was referring to three CNN staffers who resigned after the network retracted a story linking a Trump ally to a Russian investment bank, as well as potential layoffs at The New York Times.
Read more
NOI 06 30 17 Wicomico Under Inv SF Dwelling Highland Ave Delmar
NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
Date: June 30 2017
Time: 6:12 pm
Location / Address: 205 Highland Avenue, Delmar, Wicomico County
Type of Incident: Fire
Description of Structure / Property: one story wood framed single family dwelling
Owner / Occupants: Tiffany Keene
Injuries or Deaths: none
Estimated $ Loss: Structure: $ 55,000.00 Contents: $ 500.00
Smoke Alarm Status: present, unknown if activated
Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a
Arrests(s): none
Primary Responding Fire Department: Delmar
# of Alarms: 1 # Of Firefighters: 30
Time to Control: 35 mins
Discovered By: passerby
Area of Origin: rear bedroom
Preliminary Cause: Under Investigation
Additional Information: Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Lower Eastern Region Office of the State Fire Marshal at 410-713-3780