TROOPERS INVESTIGATE SKELETAL REMAINS FOUND NEAR WESTMINSTER

(Westminster, MD) -- Maryland State Police homicide investigators are working with forensic pathologists and crime scene technicians as they collect evidence and attempt to identify skeletal remains found late yesterday behind an industrial area in Carroll County.

The identity of the remains is unknown. The age, sex, and race of the individual have not been confirmed. The remains have been transported to the Office of the State Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

Just before 5:00 p.m. yesterday, Maryland State Police were called to the 900-block of Baltimore Boulevard, Westminster, where troopers contacted an individual who had been walking through a wooded ravine to the rear of a manufacturing company. The individual called police after seeing what appeared to be a human skull in an area where debris had been dumped over the years.

This morning, State Police crime scene technicians and criminal investigators from the Westminster Barracks and the Homicide Unit initiated evidence collection at the scene. State Highway Administration personnel assisted investigators with clearing away a thick area of underbrush.

Beneath a ground cover of leaves, rock and construction debris, investigators recovered what appear to be human skeletal remains. A forensic investigator from the Office of the State Medical Examiner responded to the scene and assisted with the removal of the remains.

No potential identity has been immediately suggested through missing person reports. State Police are checking with surrounding jurisdictions and have issued an alert to law enforcement agencies throughout the region. Troopers have briefed officials from the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office on this investigation.

The investigation is continuing.

Comments This Week

I had a little spare time to take a look at comments this week. So far they look pretty darned good.

Monday, 372 Comments

Tuesday, 317 Comments

Wednesday, so far, 236 Comments

We appreciate every one's point of view on each topic. I would also like to thank those of you who e-mail me with so much information. Know that I will never post your name unless asked to, that is my policy.

As always, we have rejected quite a bit of comments this week as well. Please note, no curse words, no going off topic and no capital letters. We're starting to get a lot of those lately and while I'd like to post some of these comments, we've start to reject them. If we happen to know for a fact someone is lying we'll reject those too.

Don't forget the Forum tonight at SU.

Update On Sentence To Two Consecutive Life Sentences

A Salisbury man is sentenced to 2 consecutive life sentences plus 20 years for the shooting death of another Salisbury man.

Today, a Wicomico County Circuit Court judge sentenced Duran Moss, 27, to Life in Prison for 1st Degree Murder plus 20 years for the Use of a Handgun in a Crime of Violence plus Life in Prison for Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Murder, all to be served consecutively.

On January 29, 2009, a jury found Moss guilty of the following charges:

1st Degree Pre-Meditated Murder, 2nd Degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault, Use of a Handgun in the Commission of a Violent Crime, Carrying a Handgun, Transporting a Handgun, Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm, and Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Murder.

Deputy State’s Attorney Sam Vincent says Moss shot and killed Kevil Tull in the stairway of his Runaway Bay Apartment building on May 12, 2008. Tull was 22 years old.

Vincent says, “The court imposed the sentence the State requested, which was the maximum sentence.”

Breaking News

A Salisbury man is sentenced to 2 consecutive life sentences plus 20 years for the shooting death of another Salisbury man.

More to come.....

Pinehurst Elementary Hosts Summer Camp Expo Thursday

Registration Open Now for Gifted and Talented Camps

Wicomico County families have several opportunities to explore a range of summer activities for students, beginning with a Summer Camp Expo Thursday night.

Pinehurst Elementary School will host a Summer Camp Expo from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, so that all families in the community will be able to check out summer activities offered by many groups in the community.

Vendors will include Mitchell's Martial Arts, Salisbury Zoo, Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Wicomico County Recreation and Parks, Wicomico County Summer School, Wicomico County Summer Enrichment Program, Dancenter Salisbury, Wicomico County Public Library, Wor-Wic Community College, Camp Odyssey, Sherman Wood Youth Football Camp, Salvation Army, YMCA, Kumon, Sylvan, Lower Shore Childcare Resource Center, Crown Sports Center, Kaleidoscope Children & Youth Productions, Diamond Dreams and more. This event is free and open to the public. Call 410-677-5813 for information.

Registration deadlines are looming for the 16 Maryland Summer Centers for Gifted and Talented Students coordinated through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). For 42 years, the Maryland Summer Centers program has offered unique instructional experiences for gifted and talented students entering grades 4 through 12. The Centers offer one- to three-week residential and non-residential programs with a focus on the arts, sciences, mathematics, technology, physics, creative writing, government, history, engineering, and world languages. The activities are designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving while challenging students academically.

Summer Centers located locally include:

Arts:

Center for the Fine and Performing Arts at Salisbury University, Wicomico County, entering grades 7-12. July 5-18. (Deadline: April 16)

Science & Engineering:

Center for Environmental Studies at University of Maryland, Horn Point Environmental Laboratory, Dorchester County, entering grades 6-10. July 13-24

Center for Environmental and Historical Research on the Lower Eastern Shore ("Diary of a River"), Wicomico County. Environmental Research, entering grades 4-8, July 6-17. Historical Research, entering grades 5-7, June 29-July 3 (Deadline: April 15)

Students from throughout Maryland may apply to attend any of the 16 Summer Centers for which they are the right grade level to attend. Information on other Summer Centers and the application process is available at www.MarylandPublicSchools.org/summercenters.

The Maryland Summer Centers program, in partnership with public and nonpublic agencies, provides Maryland’s diverse gifted and talented students with advanced, rigorous, experiential learning opportunities that nurture these students’ talents and abilities within unique learning environments. Tuition ranges from $125 to $750 and full and partial scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance. Brochures and application forms are available from schools and local gifted and talented education coordinators, and on line.

Most applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 15, except for some Fine Arts Centers, which have varying deadlines and may require auditions. Materials are available in Spanish upon request. For more information contact Stephanie F. Zenker at 410-767-0821.

Wor-Wic Community College is also hosting a summer enrichment program for gifted and talented students, Summer Scholars '09.

Summer Scholars is open to students entering grades 4-9 in August 2009; verification of gifted and talented status is provided by the student's school. In Wicomico County, all students who participate in the Magnet, TAD or GATE programs are automatically qualified, though they must still have a school representative complete the verification information. (Students from outside the Lower Shore may attend Summer Scholars '09 for an additional $10 per course, while out-of-state students may attend for an additional $15 per course.)

Summer Scholars '09 will run four weeks: July 13-17, 20-24, 27-31, and Aug. 3-7, with classes in cooking, critical thinking, digital and visual arts, and science, including chemistry, robotics, CSI, aquatic life, aeronautics, weather and medicine. Tuition is $100 for half-day courses and $180 for full-day classes, plus fees. For information and a brochure with registration form, visit www.worwic.edu/SummerScholars or call 410-334-2815.

Another Comment Worthy Of A Post

An Old Rebel Who's Fed Up has left a new comment on your post "BARRIE & GARY OWE SALISBURY RESIDENTS A MAJOR APOL...":

WOW! One of the best written pieces I've seen in a long time, here or elsewhere. Its author has a grasp of the situation and an ability to sum it up succinctly that's admirable.

It sure got me to thinking! What if this project can't be made to work as originally intended despite dumping God knows how much MORE taxpayer money into it? What happens then? Do we just chalk it up to experience and start over? Now a question for the Mayor and Mr. Comegys: ISN'T THAT SOME RATHER EXPENSIVE CHALK?

I find it distressing (to put it mildly) that Ms. Tilghman refers to the problems with this project as "hiccups". Even IF the $20,000 in consultant fees represented the total cost to correct this disaster, that would be one damned expensive cure for "hiccups", wouldn't you say, Mayor? (And let's be real here: That 20K may very well represent only the tip of the spending iceberg before all is said and done.) While $20,000 probably isn't much money to you, Mayor,let me assure you that it's way more than pocket change to the VAST majority of hardworking Salisbury taxpayers who have no political agendas. For most of US, our agenda is putting next week's food on our tables, paying our mortgages, and trying to make it until our next overtaxed paycheck comes in.

Ms. Mayor and Mr. Comegys (the latter included since you've publicly admitted being the father of our disastrous WWTP child), aren't we the people - we the FINANCIERS of this project - at least entitled to know to what extent, if any,O'Brien & Gere will be held legally and financially accountable for this debacle? Or is it possible that even you don't know the answer to that? If you don't, I have a super bright suggestion for you: FIND OUT!! WE WANT TO KNOW....N-O-W! It is the least you us owe for the fiasco your temerity was instrumental in getting us into. (If you don't know what "temerity" is, look it up. It has characterized way too much of your time in office and, at times, your personal conduct while in the public eye.)

Mayor, not long ago you asserted that our city was "under siege" by the blogs. I totally disagree with you, but if you're right and I'm wrong about this(pay close attention: an unpleasant dose of medicine follows), did you ever stop to think that MAYBE it is because of cover-ups like the one that was just exposed on this blog Monday? Where else can good citizens turn to find out what's happening in our own government? To your office? To Mr. Comegys who never answered me the one time I emailed him ions ago? To The Daily Times who even now is soft-peddling this story (again putting it mildly). The same Daily Times who, for whatever mysterious reasons, suddenly found it necessary last Sunday morning to remove the online version of a letter to the editor daring to praise Mrs. Campbell (a sworn enemy of yours) while challenging Mr. Boda to think rationally for a change?

No, Mrs. Tilghman, the local blogs are here largely because of cover ups, shadiness, secret good old boy networks, and a council majority who has long since worn out its rubber stamp and its welcome. So, if Salisbury News is such a menace, you might want to reflect during your retirement days on just what - and WHO - made it that way.

Personally I think you owe the very people you hate so badly - you know, Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Cohen, Mike Lewis, one Mr. Joe Albero, GA Harris, folk like that - a debt of thanks as you prepare to leave office. Without the likes of them, we'd be paying more taxes than we already do, the accountability we do have wouldn't exist, and perhaps worst of all, the citizenry would be totally in the dark about what goes on at the highest level of city government. In short, you owe them thanks because they did your job for you while we paid YOU to do it. However, since you curse these people instead of thanking them for their service, then "I" will do that for you.

THANK YOU Debbie, Terry, Sheriff Lewis (a hell of a lawman if you ask me), Joe, GA - for services well-rendered.

And to our next Mayor, Jim Ireton, I say: Thank YOU for being willing to come in and clean up the monumental mess left behind by the current administration. You've got one BIG task before you, sir, but you've also got the support of us who love the city and still believe that we can SEE SALISBURY SHINE (love that slogan, Mrs. Campbell) once the right people take office. You won't be alone, Jim! We admire your courage and will back you all the way. Stay strong, we believe in you.

And we know that with you as Mayor, the day isn't far away when folk like me won't have to be afraid of putting their name to a blog posting. It'll be a non-issue under your administration anyway since I won't NEED to write a post like this.

Just 13 more days, good people. Let's CLEAN HOUSE. A new broom sweeps clean!

WOW! Someone Get Alan Keys A Pill

I Think I'll Take A Drive Around Salisbury Tomorrow And Take Some Pictures

After the Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant Fiasco being exposed this week, I'd like to take a few hours of my time tomorrow and drive around the City and see just how many residents and business owners really support Gary Comegys any more.

I have been hearing more and more that the Comegys signs are coming down and I'd like to see for myself if this is true. Nevertheless, I will make several posts in the near future showing these properties as I personally feel that IF someone still stands behind Gary Comegys and proudly sports their campaign sign in their front yards, YOU should know who these people are.

With the many thousands of people that visit this Site each and every day, this should get quite interesting. Neighbors should be challenging neighbors about the fact that Gary refuses to do an interview over this very serious matter. You know and I know this Administration was trying to COVER IT UP until AFTER the election.

Well, I'm not letting go of this one. I want everyone to see these properties. You want to sport his sign, well, we'll give you more attention than you ever dreamed of.

Officer Involved Shooting

Update #3 DSP News Release: Wednesday, March 25, 2009- Officer Involved Shooting

Wilmington- Fabian Silvestre was arraigned at his bedside this afternoon (at Christiana Hospital) on the New Castle County Police charge of Assault 2nd (felony) and the State Police charges of Assault 2nd (felony) and Resisting Arrest (felony). He was issued a $21,000.00 secured bond and his custody was transferred to the Department of Corrections who will supervise him at the hospital until his release from medical care.

This should be the final release in regards to this incident.

Update #2 DSP News Release: Wednesday, March 25, 2009- Officer Involved Shooting

Wilmington- Warrants have been completed by Delaware State Police Detectives charging Fabian Silvestre with felony Assault 2nd and felony Resisting Arrest. He will be formally charged upon his release from the hospital. It is unknown when this will take place.

Additional information will be released when known and confirmed.

Fabian Silvestre

Electric Shock

3/25/09

It has been reported that Local Property Management Firm, Sperry Van Ness/Miller Commercial Real Estate, has been over charging the tenants of Court Plaza Shopping Center that pay common area electricity fees. Any tenant who has paid common area maintenance (cam) fees from 12/07 to the present is a possible victim of this "situation". Apparently, the tenants have paid bills from a meter connected to two rental units, not the bills from the meter that is clearly marked "house meter".

Preliminary figures show that the tenants have been paying electric cam fees based on over $7,000.00 of fraudulent bills.

The Tenants of the Court Plaza

If any of the Court Plaza tenants wish to contact Sperry Van Ness please contact Ann Morris/Property Manager, 206 E. Main St. Salisbury, MD 21801 office# 410-543-2440 ext. 120, or at ann.morris@svn.com

BARRIE & GARY OWE SALISBURY RESIDENTS A MAJOR APOLOGY!

Until very recently, it was a well-kept secret that for at least six months the City and its project engineer for the waste water treatment plant upgrade (O’Brien & Gere) have been unable to get the new system to work as intended. Several weeks ago, just before the primary election, Barrie Tilghman and Gary Comegys did a "public affairs" radio program to promote Bubba for mayor in which they discussed the WWTP in glowing terms and Comegys attempted to portray himself as the one responsible for the success of the upgrade and expansion of its capacity. No mention whatsoever was made about the ongoing problem. (see audio link to this interview on the right hand side of this blog)

If at the time we had known about the real situation, it’s almost certain that Bob Caldwell would have beaten Bubba in the primary election on March 3rd. So, Barrie and her choice to become her successor as mayor engaged in false representation and cover-up – their blatant blather broadcast on WICO is posted elsewhere on this blog. Click on http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/8/26/2067396/Bubba-WWTP_%28Mar.3_09%29.mp3 Comegys - WWTP under the “Audio Files” heading on the right.

On March 12 Barrie brazenly bragged, as part of her "State of the City" address, that: "the upgrade and expansion of the Waste Water Treatment Plant was substantially completed in 2008," without mentioning that it still cannot be operated as intended. And there have been other statements by Barrie and Bubba claiming full credit for the "success" of the project.

But we now know that on the very day that Barrie gave her speech on PAC 14 members of her administration were in conference by telephone with the engineering consultant that the City apparently has retained to replace the initial project engineer. Mr. Stover’s letter to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Superintendent dated March 13, 2009, begins as follows:

"Dear Mr. Winslow:

Thank you and everyone for your time yesterday to discuss your wastewater treatment plant situation. It is a very interesting, but obviously very disappointing position to be in at this time.

It sounds like your treatment plant has been plagued with both process and physical/mechanical problems since start-up. . . ."

The letter outlines his prospective services in several separate phases, and states: "I propose that you consider a starting budget of around U.S. $20,000.00 to complete the Phase I scope."

In a memo written several days later, the City’s Deputy Director of Public Works stated that "the City has selected another Engineer / Operations Expert (suspending O’Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc.) to assist the City in wastewater-treatment-process engineering, functional operations, and adjustments for the upgraded and expanded WWTP processes and facilitate compliance with NPDES limits within the remaining 1.5 – month time period, to avoid enforcement measures from MDE and EPA and prevent a non-compliant discharge to the environment from the Salisbury WWTP."

That memo also states that "it is difficult at this time to estimate the extent of the remaining work efforts for Phase II and Phase III" and therefore "these work activities are to be provided via authorized change orders at later dates." Thus, it appears that the special consultant’s services will ultimately cost much more than the initial amount ($20,000). And we have no idea what the other costs to make the system work properly might be – or even if it can be made to work as intended at any cost.

Nothing has been disclosed to date about the liability of O’Brien & Gere or anyone else for a system that is still nonfunctional, albeit "substantially completed" according to Barrie, who is now trying to make it appear that only minor tweaking is needed to prevent "hiccups" from happening in the treatment process. Thus, we don’t yet know whether or how much the City gets screwed again.

Since the debacle at the WWTP has become public knowledge, nothing about it has been stated by Bubba Comegys, who has apparently forgotten his now notorious attempt to cast himself as the "father of the WWTP." Apparently he is content to let Barrie do her standard spiel about how the blogs and certain members of the City Council are to blame for the entire situation. Here’s how to deal with this pair: don’t get mad, get even at the polls on April 7.

Links of interest:

Consultant’s Letter to City dated March 13, 2009:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/22/1774763/3-13-09%20The%20Stover%20Group%20Proposal.pdf

City Memo of March 16, 2009:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/2/22/1774763/3-16-09%20Memo%20Request%20Stover.pdf

Jim Ireton - Making Salisbury The Safest City in Maryland Part 2

Jim Ireton - Making Salisbury The Safest City in Maryland Part 1

Kent County Troopers Apprehend Wanted Man Hiding Under Sofa

Felton – The Delaware State Police have arrested Felton man who was wanted on domestic violence charges. Troopers also found him to be in possession of xanax, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Last evening at approximately 10:00 pm, members of the Kent County Governors Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence in the unit block of Rubeon May Dr, Woodland Manor Mobile Home Park, Felton. The target of the search warrant was Carlos S. Bryant, 30 of Felton, who was wanted on domestic related charges from Troop 3 and had two active capias charges from Kent County Court of Common Pleas and Sussex County Superior Court for Violation of Probation.

Information was developed that Bryant would be at the residence after 8:00 pm last evening. When troopers arrived, they were initially met with resistance as occupants refused to open the door stating Bryant was not there. When troopers made entry, they located Bryant hiding beneath a sofa in the living room of the residence. He refused the uniformed troopers commands to surrender and was taken into custody after a brief struggle. During the search of Bryant’s bedroom, troopers located three Xanax pills, 1. 8 grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

As a result of the investigation Carlos S. Bryant, was arrested for resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of Xanax, possession of drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy 3rd degree. He was also arrested for Offensive Touching in regards to the domestic warrant and the capias’. He was committed to the James T Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of a $3,329 secured bail.

Why Looters Would Rather Steal From You

Real solutions to real problems?  Not on your life.  Why produce when you can steal?

As we noted yesterday, groups like WET and the CBF aren't interested in solutions to actual environmental problems.  Red herrings to be included in fundraising letters are a much better tool.

Yesterday, the CBF won another battle against real solutions to real environmental problems.  It just goes to prove ...

Read More ...

Delaware State Police Seek Identity Of Burglary Suspects

Location of Incident: Aquinas Academy, 2370 Red Lion Road, Bear, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Suspect(s): Two white males wearing dark clothing. See attached photos.

Resume: Detectives from the Delaware State Police Burglary Unit are investigating an incident which occurred last week.

Troopers were called to Aquinas Academy, a small Catholic School educating about 100 students, on March 19th for a burglary that took place over night. The suspects, two white males, forced their way into the school via an unknown means. The bandits successfully located an undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene.

Surveillance pictures were obtained and are attached to this release. Anyone who may recognize these suspects is asked to call 302.834.2630 ext. 254.

Troopers Seize Marijuana After Drug Raid At Local Motel

Rehoboth Beach - The Delaware State Police have arrested two persons after they executed a drug related search warrant at the Econo Lodge on Coastal Hwy in Rehoboth Beach last evening at approximately 8:15 pm.

Members of the Sussex County Drug Unit, assisted by troopers from the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) and Sussex Governor’s Task Force (GTF), conducted the search warrant in connection with a two-month undercover investigation into the distribution of marijuana.

The search warrant was executed in room # 308 and once inside troopers encountered Katie R. Hynson and John P. O’Connor. Both subjects were taken into custody and a subsequent search yielded two separate bags of marijuana. One weighed 458 grams and the other weighed 461 grams.

As a result of the investigation, John P. O’Connor, 29 of Lewes and Katie R. Hynson, 23 of Rehoboth were arrested for Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling for Keeping Controlled Substances, Conspiracy 2nd Degree and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. O’Connor was incarcerated in the Sussex Correctional Institute (SCI) in lieu of a $6,000 cash bail. Hynson was incarcerated at SCI in lieu of a $3,000 secured bail.

A Comment Worthy Of A Post

Dave C has left a new comment on your post "The Other Obama Point Of View":

I'm posting here because I didn't want this message to get lost in the negative comments posted on Joe's early thread:

President Obama Comforted This Republican

Seriously? We aren't Americans here...we're nothing but a bunch of whiners and complainers. Pride is gone! Every single person on that post had an opinion about what Obama is doing, but ABSOLUTELY NOBODY, offered up an alternative solution despite Joe asking several times.

I have a an enormous amout of respect for ANYBODY and EVERYBODY who attempted to lead this Country during this toilet bowl economy! Who would want to take on this task at all? We are at war, we have the worst economy ever, we have the greatest national debt ever, we are plagued with pollution, we have an energy crisis, we have a mortgage/lending crisis, we have a plummetting stock market, we have failing health care, we have a failing automobile industry, we have higher crime, we have immigration problems...if it's bad, we have it!

So I ask all of you folks out there complaining about what Obama is doing to help solve these problems ALL AT THE SAME TIME: What would you do? You sit at home in complain, but you provide no insight. Anybody can take the coward way out and just complain, but offer up a solution instead. Use your mind and quit being ignorant. I respect this post tremendously because Joe offered up his opinion and solutions; he didn't simply criticize.

There are very few people, if any, who post on this blog that are truly effected by any of Obama's tax hikes to the upper class. The majority of us are middle class citizens. We, the middle class citizens, unfortunately carry the most burdens. We carry the burden of the lower class needing government assistances and we now also carry the burden of some of the poor CEO decisions that helped drive our economy into the sh!t hole. So let me ask you, who do you try to help out with your policies? Do you help out the upper class who have money to spare but help drive the economy? or do you help out the hard working middle class (the majority) so they don't slip into poverty? or do you help the lower class so that they can get back into the productive working class of America? How would you solve ALL of these problems? Its not so easy-I certainly wouldn't want the man's job!

In addition, WE ARE IN DEBT!! We are in debt as a nation! There's not such thing as free money. If you have bills that you need to pay off, what do you do? You take a little bit of money out of each pay check and pay them down. We CAN NOT pay off our national debt without a little bit of taxes from EVERYBODY! I by no means have alot of money, but I have enough to get me by with some extra to spare. I would certainly be willing to give some up to HELP MY NATION AND MY FELLOW AMERICANS! Sure, government spending needs to be cut back, but the less taxes that we pay in, the longer this is going to last! The longer it is going to take to get back to the "good times". Have you ever paid off a car payment early? Remember that good feeling you had when you could take that money that you would have normally spent on your car payment and bought something that otherwise wouldn't have had? We got ourselves in this debt, whether directly or indirectly, we have to get ourselves out now.

Nothing is a guarantee. It's like the stock market-a big old casino, everything is fine when you're winning, but when your cards stop coming everybody wants to blame the dealer! If it was a guarantee they would call it "winning" not "investing". Obama's plan might not work, but you got to give the man a chance. He's only been in office for 2 months. Give the guy a chance! I'm not going to say that I agree with everything he has implemented thus far, but I step back and look at the big picture and begin to see how it could work. His policies might not make sense yet, but it's going to take time to get them to work. Although Obama has a great chance of failing because of the cards he was dealt, he also has a chance to be great. Let's get some national pride and see where we go in the next 4 years.

Local News Afraid To Cover Salisbury Tea Party

"There was one local station who expressed interest in covering our event. After a week of getting information, they realized they have a prior engagement. Two inside sources confirmed they believe there will be some anti-Obama signs and were worried they would lose listeners. I say, if you cover news events, them cover them. If you are scared and too cowardly to cover the news, then get out of the business. I don't want to say the name, but it was a station I believed would want to cover this event as most their listeners are very Pro_America and stand for freedom."

I happen to agree. Part of what is wrong with this Country is the fact that the MSM is controlling our every day lives by feeding us 10 to 15 second sound bites of what's going on and quite frankly in many cases they only tell you what they want you to hear.

Some people are drawn to 20/20 or 60 minutes because they tell you more about a story and make it look like they are doing far more than your every day newscast. While this is true, trust me, there is far more to every story than they deliver. I think it would be cool to provide the other side of a story that 60 Minutes delivers from another Network. The Audi story comes to mind when I say this, implying their cars mysteriously jumped out of park and started running over people. It wasn't true but it forever destroyed the Audi product here in America.

Anyhow, getting back to this local story. This event is news. However, each Station is driven by ABC, NBC, FOX and so forth. If they say not to cover these events, well, the next thing you're going to hear is, we have a prior engagement. Get used to it.

This is why the Blogs have grown so fast. WE WILL cover this event and like today's Jim Ireton piece, we'll probably deliver in depth video of the event as well. Americans need to see what this is all about and perhaps even get involved. The MSM doesn't want you to know about it because they are in control. I'd say in another year, perhaps two, the MSM will be the Blogs and not ABC, NBC, Fox, etc.

I also believe the advertisers will approach the quality Bloggers and start advertising there instead. Mark my words, I got into the right business with this Blog. It's not easy but i the end Salisbury News will hold more value both financially as well as respect than any other news source. Salisbury News will be at the Tea Party on April 15th in front of the GOB. You may eventually see a 6:00 News via Podcast on Salisbury News in the near future as well. Oh, commercial free too! "Real News In Real Time."

Snopes-Surprising

For the past few years www.snopes.com has positioned itself, or others have labeled it as the 'tell-all, final word' on any comment, claim and e-mail.


But for several years people tried to find out who exactly was behind snopes.com. Only recently did Wikipedia get to the bottom of it - kinda makes you wonder what they were hiding. Well, finally we know. It is run by a husband and wife team - that's right, no big office of investigators and researchers, no team of lawyers. It's just a mom-and-pop operation that began as a hobby.

David and Barbara Mikkelson in the San Fernando Valley of California started the website about 13 years ago - and they have no formal background or experience in investigative research. After a few years it gained popularity believing it to be unbiased and neutral, but over the past couple of years people started asking questions who was behind it and did they have a selfish motivation? The reason for the questions - or skepticisms - is a result of snopes.com claiming to have the bottom line facts to certain questions or issues, when in fact, they have been proven wrong. Also, there were criticisms the Mikkelsons were not really investigating and getting to the 'true' bottom of various issues.

When I saw that Snopes had falsely claimed that Obama's Birth Certificate had been properly validated, I realized something was wrong with either their research and/or their credibility. It seems something is seriously wrong with both.

Then a few months ago, when my State Farm agent Bud Gregg in Mandeville hoisted a political sign referencing Barack Obama and made a big splash across the Internet, supposedly the Mikkelson's claim to have researched this issue before posting their findings on snopes.com. In their statement they claimed the corporate office of State Farm pressured Gregg into taking down the sign, when in fact nothing of the sort ever took place.

I personally contacted David Mikkelson (and he replied back to me) thinking he would want to get to the bottom of this, and I gave him Bud Gregg's contact phone numbers. Bud was going to give him phone numbers to the big exec's at State Farm in Illinois who would have been willing to speak with him about it. He never called Bud. In fact, I learned from Bud Gregg no one from snopes.com ever contacted anyone with State Farm. Yet snopes.com issued a statement as the 'final factual word' on the issue as if they did all their homework and got to the bottom of things. Not!

Then it has been learned the Mikkelson's are very Democrat and extremely liberal. As we all now know from this presidential election, liberals have a purpose agenda to discredit anything that appears to be conservative. There has been much criticism lately over the Internet with people pointing out the Mikkelson's liberalism revealing itself in their website findings. Gee, what a shock!

So, I say this now to everyone who goes to www.snopes.com to get what they think to be the bottom line facts: Proceed with caution. Take what it says at face value and nothing more. Use it only to lead you to their references where you can link to and read the sources for yourself. Plus, you can always Google a subject and do the research yourself. It now seems apparent that's all the Mikkelson's do. After all, I can personally vouch from my own experience for their 'not' fully looking into things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snopes.com