DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Pearl Will Be Playing Today From 5 to 8 At Caribbean Joe's
Listen Up West Ocean City & Ocean Pines residents,
Rita will knock your socks off! This duo in my opinion is one of the very best on the Shore and we're honored to have them play this weekend. Tell your friends...
The material We cover:
Fleet wood Mac
Beatles
Roy Orbison
Linda Rondstant
Sonny and Cher
Blonde
Pat Benatar
Billy Joel
Journey
And much more!!
The filter comes off now.
The filter comes off now.
I think it's easier for people to believe that I left teaching because of the lousy pay. It was easier for my former HR director to believe it was because I found something that I was more passionate about. Some would allow them to assume that... let them be comfortable in their assumptions because your truth may lead to discomfort of others. Well... I'm not some. That ain't me .
.
Let me tell you why those who ooze passion for teaching are leaving the occupation like their hair is on fire...
.
1. The old excuse "the kids have changed". No. No friggin way. Kids are kids. PARENTING has changed. SOCIETY has changed. The kids are just the innocent victims of that. Parents are working crazy hours, consumed by their devices, leaving kids in unstable parenting/coparenting situations, terrible media influences... and we are going to give the excuse that the KIDS have changed? What did we expect them to do? Kids behave in undesirable ways in the environment they feel safest. They test the water in the environment that they know their mistakes and behaviors will be treated with kindness and compassion. For those "well behaved" kids--they're throwing normal kid tantrums at home because it's safe. The kids flipping tables at school? They don't have a safe place at home. Our classrooms are the first place they've ever heard 'no', been given boundaries, shown love through respect. Cue "the kids have changed" 🙄.
.
2. In the midst of all of this... our response is we need to be "21st Century" schools. 1 to 1 student to technology. Oh. Okay. So forget the basics of relationship building and hands on learning. Kids already can't read social cues and conduct themselves appropriately in social settings... let's toss more devices at them because it looks good on our website. During an interview, one division asked me "how are you with technology? That's important to us". Uhhh... I hear Bobo the chimpanzee is pretty tech savvy... I consider myself pretty great with kids 🙄.
.
3. And since our technology approach doesn't seem to be working, teachers must need more training. So take away two planning periods a week. And render that time utterly worthless when it comes to ADDING to the quality of the instruction. Just this year, a new math assessment was introduced for K teachers. We had to attend a training on a school day (time missed with students) then it took us THREE WEEKS to administer it... one on one... to 21 students. Such. A. Waste. All of the info I could have told you about them without taking away from precious instructional time.
.
4. Instead of holding parents accountable... and making them true partners, we've adopted a customer service mindset. I've seen the Facebook rants about attendance and getting "the letter". Well, here's the thing... I can't teach your child if he's not in school 🤷♀️. I was cussed out by parents who wanted to attend field trips but missed the THREE notes that went home--and when they did attend a trip, sat on their phone the entire time. I've had parents stand me up multiple times on Conference Days then call to tattle on me when I refused to offer an after school option. I've had parents tell me that I'm not allowed to tell their child 'no'...
.
5. My mental and physical health was in jeopardy every.single.day. Knowing that your kids need and deserve more than they're getting. Sitting in one meeting after another, begging for more support, only to be told 'don't lose sleep over them'... when you LOVE your kids and are PASSIONATE about your mission... these messages tear you apart. Watching them come in... dirty clothes... chaos at home... and knowing they need more than you can give them in a classroom of 21, with less and less support, multple languages spoken, several different disabilities... it breaks you. We become emotional eaters. We become couch potatoes to zone out. We become so short fused that our families suffer.
.
So... that's why.
.
I finally realized... you can't save them all. You can't even help 21 if you aren't healthy yourself. If your mental and physical health aren't a focus, you aren't even good for the 21.
.
I left my retirement fund... my paid sick leave (46 days left on the table, unpaid). I didn't leave for better pay.
.
I decided to start with my 1 at home... and work to help other mommas be able to show up for their ones at home. Because... I really do believe it starts there ❤ I found something that allows me to impact the environments that those 21 go home to. I found something that I can make an impact with... that doesn't leave my tank empty, rendering me useless for others.
.
I may have left the classroom... but I am still advocating for those kiddos. It just looks different now 😘
Maryland launches pilot program to test digital license plates
Maryland is the first state on the East Coast to test the new digital plates, which are similar in size to traditional metal plates but have an electronic display, according to the Motor Vehicle Administration.
The plates, made by Reviver, are being tested on 20 MVA fleet vehicles and two Maryland Transportation Authority vehicles.
"At MDOT MVA, we are constantly evaluating emerging technologies in the transportation industry to find innovative ideas that could benefit our customers," MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer said in a statement. "We are excited about the digital plate pilot and the potential of this technology to pave the way for additional customer convenience."
The technology would allow vehicle owners to update information, like registration, electronically instead of with a sticker. The display can also be updated to show information, such as AMBER Alerts or an alert if a car is stolen.
More
Changing food stamp rules cause drop in sales for some Lexington Market vendors
Mary Mervis Delicatessen used to serve a daily rush of 1,000 customers, who lined up for the Lexington Market stall’s meats and cheeses, corned beef sandwiches and shrimp salad. But traffic, already down to about 400 people a day since the Freddie Gray riots, has plummeted by at least half again since the century-old deli lost food stamp eligibility.
“People don’t come to the market because we can’t accept food stamps anymore,” said Eliott Bodner, the deli owner.
The deli is among a group of Baltimore public market vendors who have lost or are in danger of losing eligibility to take payments through SNAP, the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program for low-income people. Because of changes phased in over the last several years and heavier scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the program, market merchants such as delis, bakeries and crab shacks no longer meet federal requirements for vendors.
More
“People don’t come to the market because we can’t accept food stamps anymore,” said Eliott Bodner, the deli owner.
The deli is among a group of Baltimore public market vendors who have lost or are in danger of losing eligibility to take payments through SNAP, the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program for low-income people. Because of changes phased in over the last several years and heavier scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the program, market merchants such as delis, bakeries and crab shacks no longer meet federal requirements for vendors.
More
Iran shoots down American drone in international airspace, US official confirms
In a major provocation, Iran shot down an unarmed and unmanned U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton drone while it was flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz Thursday, a U.S. official told ABC News.
The incident is sure to trigger serious discussions within the Trump administration about how to respond to a direct attack on a U.S. military asset that goes beyond recent attacks in the Middle East that the U.S. has blamed on Iran.
The U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton was shot down by an Iranian surface to air missile while the reconnaissance drone was flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, a U.S. official told ABC News.
Earlier, Iranian state media had quoted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as saying it had downed a Global Hawk drone when it entered Iranian airspace near the Kouhmobarak district north of the Strait of Hormuz.
More
The incident is sure to trigger serious discussions within the Trump administration about how to respond to a direct attack on a U.S. military asset that goes beyond recent attacks in the Middle East that the U.S. has blamed on Iran.
The U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton was shot down by an Iranian surface to air missile while the reconnaissance drone was flying in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, a U.S. official told ABC News.
Earlier, Iranian state media had quoted Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as saying it had downed a Global Hawk drone when it entered Iranian airspace near the Kouhmobarak district north of the Strait of Hormuz.
More
A Viewer Writes......
UPDATE: I spoke with John O’Brien of the City of Salisbury . He stated that this was not a “secret squirrel or a black hawk “these men from Salisbury University were hired to take pictures of houses/ structures throughout Salisbury for the purpose of assessing the property structures and conditions for the City of Salisbury. I believe the City of Salisbury already has inspectors to do this. I asked if this “project” was ever properly disclosed to the homeowners and the citizens of Salisbury. He couldn’t immediately answer . He later informed me that he spoke with Chris Demone of the City of Salisbury and he believed that it was posted on social media not sure when since this was a brand new project . I have checked online and can’t find anything. I’m just not buying this. If this was a legit project why weren’t the citizens made aware of this by Print , Tv, Radio, Social Media.? Why weren’t these men wearing some type of identification badges? More to come on this one.
****************************
Around 3:45 yesterday on Shiloh Street in Salisbury two men both wearing sunglasses ( one tall man with facial hair and a red back pack and a shorter man wearing a tank top both Caucasian) were taking pictures in my yard of my home. By brother asked why are you taking pictures they said we are hired by the university to assess properties yet they only came to our home , they proceeded blocks away to Springfield Circle and got into a Salisbury University car number 44 and drove away. I went to Campus Police on Wayne Street I was originally told that there isn’t any assessment being done by Salisbury University . I was told an officer would come out to speak to me named Scott from the City of Salisbury Police to talk about this or I could call Public Works in Salisbury, the police officer never came out to talk to me. Interesting that the Salisbury Police has officers at a University. I called Public Works and spoke to Heather who confirmed that they did employee Salisbury University and she said I would need to speak to John O’Brian to discuss this matter he is the director of the City of Salisbury. He still has not called. The irony is I spoke with Heather about 30 minutes before these men arrived because my trash was the only house on Shiloh that was not picked up and my trash was out at 6pm last night . I was physically assaulted in 2013 by a stranger who the former district attorney let walk . We have had two shootings on Shiloh that have gone unanswered I have had three attempts to break into my home and those people were never arrested. This would never have happened if we had honorable men like the late Police Chief Coulbourne Dykes and Mayor Paul Martin running this town . These two men who were on my property today have violated my privacy and I demand answers. I will not ever again be violated.
****************************
Around 3:45 yesterday on Shiloh Street in Salisbury two men both wearing sunglasses ( one tall man with facial hair and a red back pack and a shorter man wearing a tank top both Caucasian) were taking pictures in my yard of my home. By brother asked why are you taking pictures they said we are hired by the university to assess properties yet they only came to our home , they proceeded blocks away to Springfield Circle and got into a Salisbury University car number 44 and drove away. I went to Campus Police on Wayne Street I was originally told that there isn’t any assessment being done by Salisbury University . I was told an officer would come out to speak to me named Scott from the City of Salisbury Police to talk about this or I could call Public Works in Salisbury, the police officer never came out to talk to me. Interesting that the Salisbury Police has officers at a University. I called Public Works and spoke to Heather who confirmed that they did employee Salisbury University and she said I would need to speak to John O’Brian to discuss this matter he is the director of the City of Salisbury. He still has not called. The irony is I spoke with Heather about 30 minutes before these men arrived because my trash was the only house on Shiloh that was not picked up and my trash was out at 6pm last night . I was physically assaulted in 2013 by a stranger who the former district attorney let walk . We have had two shootings on Shiloh that have gone unanswered I have had three attempts to break into my home and those people were never arrested. This would never have happened if we had honorable men like the late Police Chief Coulbourne Dykes and Mayor Paul Martin running this town . These two men who were on my property today have violated my privacy and I demand answers. I will not ever again be violated.
A Viewer Writes........Countywide EMS program
Early this morning Pittsville EMS was alerted for a hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding). Each department is given 8 minutes to responded.
Pittsville EMS was alerted, after 8 minutes they failed to respond.
Willards EMS was then alerted to cover the call, after 8 minutes they failed to respond.
Parsonsburg EMS was then alerted to cover the call, after 4 minutes Willards finally responded.
A paramedic from Powellville responded to Willards to staff their ambulance.
ZERO volunteers responded. Pittsville Fire didn’t even bother responding to the medical assist.
The ambulance took so long to get there that the patient ended up transporting them selves to PRMC prior to the arrival of the ambulance.
The ambulace took at least 25 minutes to get to the scene. That’s unheard of.
It’s time for countywide EMS program. Fire Department’s obviously can’t handle EMS calls anymore.
Pittsville EMS was alerted, after 8 minutes they failed to respond.
Willards EMS was then alerted to cover the call, after 8 minutes they failed to respond.
Parsonsburg EMS was then alerted to cover the call, after 4 minutes Willards finally responded.
A paramedic from Powellville responded to Willards to staff their ambulance.
ZERO volunteers responded. Pittsville Fire didn’t even bother responding to the medical assist.
The ambulance took so long to get there that the patient ended up transporting them selves to PRMC prior to the arrival of the ambulance.
The ambulace took at least 25 minutes to get to the scene. That’s unheard of.
It’s time for countywide EMS program. Fire Department’s obviously can’t handle EMS calls anymore.
Beto O'Rourke says white Americans need to get behind reparations before he can 'quantify' them
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Beto O'Rourke faced pressure to explain his plan for reparations if he is elected is president, a day after voicing support for making amends to black Americans for centuries of slavery.
Yet as the Democrat attempts to court black voters in South Carolina, he was dodgy on details, choosing instead to kick the question to a future date when he said white Americans better understand the history of enslavement in the U.S.
"I don't think the history lesson is incidental," O'Rourke told reporters on Saturday after a journalist cut him off mid-response. "I think it's telling everyone, especially white America, which forms the majority, understands the story. In a democracy you're never going to get to a solution."
More
Yet as the Democrat attempts to court black voters in South Carolina, he was dodgy on details, choosing instead to kick the question to a future date when he said white Americans better understand the history of enslavement in the U.S.
"I don't think the history lesson is incidental," O'Rourke told reporters on Saturday after a journalist cut him off mid-response. "I think it's telling everyone, especially white America, which forms the majority, understands the story. In a democracy you're never going to get to a solution."
More
Eric Holder: I’m ‘Extremely Disappointed’ in AG William Barr
Former Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday said he is “surprised and extremely disappointed” by current Attorney General William Barr’s performance under the Trump administration.
“I’m both surprised and extremely disappointed,” Holder said of Barr in an appearance on Iowa Public Television’s Iowa Press. “I actually thought that he was an institutionalist and I thought that he would actually be at odds with President Trump relatively soon in his tenure, and he has proved to be anything but that.”
“[Barr] has become a defender of the president, a protector of the president, and has done things inconsistent with what I think an attorney general is supposed to do,” he said.
More
“I’m both surprised and extremely disappointed,” Holder said of Barr in an appearance on Iowa Public Television’s Iowa Press. “I actually thought that he was an institutionalist and I thought that he would actually be at odds with President Trump relatively soon in his tenure, and he has proved to be anything but that.”
“[Barr] has become a defender of the president, a protector of the president, and has done things inconsistent with what I think an attorney general is supposed to do,” he said.
More
Biden: Obama ‘Had No Time to Explain the Affordable Care Act’
Joe Biden claimed Monday that former President Barack Obama had "no time to explain the Affordable Care Act" because of the volume of problems he encountered in his presidency.
The former vice president's comments were off the cuff, but they still belied the fact that Obama campaigned for re-election in 2012 on his signature health care law, also known as Obamacare, and held countless town halls and speeches about it before and after its passage in 2010. Those remarks included constant promises that no one would lose their preferred doctor or insurance under the law.
More
The former vice president's comments were off the cuff, but they still belied the fact that Obama campaigned for re-election in 2012 on his signature health care law, also known as Obamacare, and held countless town halls and speeches about it before and after its passage in 2010. Those remarks included constant promises that no one would lose their preferred doctor or insurance under the law.
More
Schumer demands investigation into Tubman $20 delay
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is asking federal investigators to probe why the Trump administration postponed recreating the $20 bill with abolitionist Harriet Tubman on it.
The New York Democrat sent a letter to the inspector general of the Treasury Department on Wednesday, asking investigators to look into why the department canceled plans to replace former President Andrew Jackson on the $20 note in 2020.
The Treasury has pushed back updating the bill until 2028.
"We do not know the real reason for these decisions, but we do know that during his campaign, President Trump referred to efforts to replace President Jackson's likeness on the front of the $20 note as 'pure political correctness,'" Schumer wrote.
More
The New York Democrat sent a letter to the inspector general of the Treasury Department on Wednesday, asking investigators to look into why the department canceled plans to replace former President Andrew Jackson on the $20 note in 2020.
The Treasury has pushed back updating the bill until 2028.
"We do not know the real reason for these decisions, but we do know that during his campaign, President Trump referred to efforts to replace President Jackson's likeness on the front of the $20 note as 'pure political correctness,'" Schumer wrote.
More
Pelosi says she's 'afraid' of Barr
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she does not trust Attorney General William Barr during a Wednesday breakfast with the Christian Science Monitor.
“I don’t know if this is news or it was news last week, but we will be having access to [a] less-redacted version of the Mueller report. I had said originally unless the whole country can see what they show us, we shouldn’t see it," Pelosi began.
“But I have. When we had the offer of this less redacted for many more people than just the leadership I accepted that because I’m afraid. I really don’t trust the attorney general of the United States and I’m afraid," she continued.
More
“I don’t know if this is news or it was news last week, but we will be having access to [a] less-redacted version of the Mueller report. I had said originally unless the whole country can see what they show us, we shouldn’t see it," Pelosi began.
“But I have. When we had the offer of this less redacted for many more people than just the leadership I accepted that because I’m afraid. I really don’t trust the attorney general of the United States and I’m afraid," she continued.
More
Trump asks if Americans will 'demand' he stay after two terms
President Donald Trump on Sunday asked whether his supporters might "demand" he not leave office after two terms.
Trump made the suggestion while attacking the New York Times and Washington Post on Twitter.
Trump made the suggestion while attacking the New York Times and Washington Post on Twitter.
"A poll should be done on which is the more dishonest and deceitful newspaper, the Failing New York Times or the Amazon (lobbyist) Washington Post! They are both a disgrace to our Country, the Enemy of the People, but I just can’t seem to figure out which is worse? The good news is that at the end of 6 years, after America has been made GREAT again and I leave the beautiful White House (do you think the people would demand that I stay longer? KEEP AMERICA GREAT), both of these horrible papers will quickly go out of business & be forever gone!More
Ocean City Police Investigate Fatal Crash, Drunk Driver in Custody
OCEAN CITY, MD – (June 21, 2019): The Ocean City Police Department is currently investigating the events leading up to a fatal crash that occurred in the area of 46th Street, around 1:15 a.m., which claimed one life. The preliminary investigation indicates that police attempted to stop the suspect vehicle, a white Lexus LX570, after receiving a call for a drunk driver.
Police located the vehicle in the area of 59th Street and Coastal Highway and attempted to stop the vehicle. According to crash investigators, the driver failed to stop for officers and officers then lost sight of the suspect vehicle.
Moments later, the driver, Todd Pivec, 41, from Cockeysville, MD, then struck another vehicle going southbound. The southbound vehicle became engulfed in flames as a result of the accident. The driver of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. Pivec’s vehicle became immobilized after striking a telephone pole. Pivec attempted to flee on foot however, he was immediately taken into custody by Ocean City police.
At the time of this release, the OCPD Traffic Safety Unit is still investigating the crash. The investigation is ongoing and charges for Pivec are pending. Pivec will be charged with manslaughter, homicide by motor vehicle while intoxicated and several additional traffic related offenses. The victim’s name has not yet been released, pending next of kin notification.
Psychology Today: People Refusing To Date Transgenders Is ‘Dehumanizing’
If you are a heterosexual cisgendered person who only wishes to date heterosexual cisgendered people, then shame on you for dehumanizing transgenders and the non-binary, according to a recent article published in Psychology Today.
The article explores a study written by Karen L. Blair and Rhea Ashley Hoskins in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, which essentially chastises people as bigots for the sin of being attracted to a man who is an actual man or a woman who is an actual woman — while also arguing that the prevailing attitude contributes to the psychological harm of transgenderism.
When first conducting their study, Blair and Hoskins asked close to 1,000 participants what kind of partner they preferred and gave them the following options:
More
The article explores a study written by Karen L. Blair and Rhea Ashley Hoskins in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, which essentially chastises people as bigots for the sin of being attracted to a man who is an actual man or a woman who is an actual woman — while also arguing that the prevailing attitude contributes to the psychological harm of transgenderism.
When first conducting their study, Blair and Hoskins asked close to 1,000 participants what kind of partner they preferred and gave them the following options:
More
