Amid Crises, Obama Declares War -- On Arizona

The Obama administration has a lot of fights on its hands. Putting aside real wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, there's the battle against leaking oil in the Gulf, the struggle against 9.7 percent unemployment across the country, and clashes over the president's agenda on Capitol Hill. Despite all that, the White House has found time to issue a new declaration of war, this time against an unlikely enemy: the state of Arizona.

The Justice Department is preparing to sue Arizona over its new immigration law. The president has stiffed Gov. Jan Brewer's call for meaningful assistance in efforts to secure the border. And the White House has accused Arizona's junior senator, Republican Jon Kyl, of lying about an Oval Office discussion with the president over comprehensive immigration reform. Put them all together, and you have an ugly state of affairs that's getting uglier by the day.

First, the lawsuit. Last week, Brewer was appalled to learn the Justice Department's intentions not from the Justice Department but from an interview done by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with an Ecuadorian TV outlet. "It would seem to me that if they were going to file suit against us," Brewer told Fox News' Greta van Susteren last week, "they definitely would have contacted us first and informed us before they informed citizens ... of another nation."

But they didn't.

"There certainly seems to be an underlying disrespect for the state of Arizona," says Kris Kobach, the law professor and former Bush administration Justice Department official who helped draft the Arizona law. Kobach points out that during the Bush years, several states openly flouted federal immigration law on issues like sanctuary cities and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Respecting the doctrines of comity and federalism, the Bush administration didn't sue. Now, when Arizona passes a measure that is fully consistent with federal law, the Obama administration, says Kobach, "goes sprinting to the courthouse door."

Then there is the matter of the White House's assistance, or nonassistance, in Arizona's border-security efforts. On June 3, the president, under criticism for refusing to meet or even talk to Brewer, reluctantly granted her an audience in the Oval Office. After the meeting, Brewer told reporters Obama pledged that administration officials would come to Arizona within two weeks with details of plans to secure the border.

June 17 marked two weeks, and there were no administration officials and no plans. There still aren't. "What a disappointment," Brewer told van Susteren. "You know, when you hear from the president of the United States and he gives you a commitment, you would think that they would stand up and stand by their word. It is totally disappointing."

And now, there's the Kyl controversy. On June 18, Kyl told a town meeting in North Phoenix that Obama personally told him the administration will not secure the U.S.-Mexico border because doing so would make it politically difficult to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Read more at the Washington Examiner:

Uncle Steny: Tax Hike Needed On Middle Class To Keep Up With Spending

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Tuesday that tax increases will eventually be necessary to address the nation's mounting debt, raising a difficult election-year issue as Democrats fight retain control of Congress.

In the shorter term, Hoyer raised the possibility that Congress will only temporarily extend middle-class tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year. He pointedly suggested that making them permanent would be too costly.

Tax cuts enacted under former President George W. Bush are scheduled to expire at the end of the year, affecting taxpayers at every income level. President Barack Obama proposes to permanently extend them for individuals making less than $200,000 a year and families making less than $250,000—at a cost of about $2.5 trillion over the next decade.

"As the House and Senate debate what to do with the expiring Bush tax cuts in the coming weeks, we need to have a serious discussion about their implications for our fiscal outlook, including whether we can afford to permanently extend them before we have a real plan for long-term deficit reduction," said Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat.

In the short term, government spending has been necessary to stimulate the economy, Hoyer said. But in the longer term, Congress will have to rein in spending and raise taxes to tackle the debt, he added.

"Raising revenue is part of the deficit solution, too," Hoyer said.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, "It's now official. Top Democrats on Capitol Hill are starting to signal their intention to raise taxes on the middle class."

More

Unprecedented

Egyptian Government Suppresses Christian Doctrine

by Raymond Ibrahim

Pajamas Media

It is not enough that the Egyptian government facilitates persecution of the Copts, Egypt's indigenous Christian minority. Now the government is interfering directly with the church's autonomy concerning doctrine. According to the Assyrian International News Agency:

The head of the Coptic Church in Egypt has rejected a court ruling that orders the church to allow divorced Copts to remarry in the church. In a press conference held on Tuesday June 8, Pope Shenouda [III], reading from the statement issued by the Holy Synod's 91 Bishops, including himself, said: "The Coptic Church respects the law, but does not accept rulings which are against the Bible and against its religious freedom which is guaranteed by the Constitution." He went on to say "the recent ruling is not acceptable to our conscience, and we cannot implement it." He also said that marriage is a holy sacrament of a purely religious nature and not merely an "administrative act."

Though little reported in the West, this issue is rapidly boiling over. There is even talk that, if he does not submit to the court's ruling, the pope will (once again) be imprisoned. What is behind such unprecedented governmental interference with the Coptic Church's autonomy?

Reading Egypt's national newspaper, Al Ahram, one gets the impression that, by trying to make divorce and remarriage easier for Copts, the Egyptian government is attempting to "liberalize" Coptic society — only to be challenged by an antiquated pope not open to "reform." It quotes one Copt saying that the "Pope's limiting divorce and remarriage to cases of adultery is unfair. It is against human nature." Even the manager of the Centre for Egyptian Women's Legal Assistance claims that his position "exposes Pope Shenouda's desire to impose his will over the Christian community" (a curious statement, considering that some 10,000 Copts recently demonstrated in support of the pope, and that the Catholic and Orthodox churches — which guide some 1.5 billion Christians — hold similar views on divorce and remarriage).

At any rate, lest the reader truly think that the Egyptian government is becoming more "liberal," there are a few important facts to remember:

GO HERE to read more.

BREAKING NEWS: Rumors Of Executive Order Amnesty

Several Senators have learned of a possible plan by the Obama Administration that would provide a mass Amnesty for the nation's 11-18 million illegal aliens. Led by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), eight Senators addressed a letter to the President asking for answers to questions about a plan that would allow DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to provide an amnesty if they can't secure enough votes for a bill in the Senate.

The letter that was sent to Pres. Obama earlier today asks the President for clarification on the use of deferred action or parole for illegal aliens. The executive actions are typically used in special cases and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but if 60 votes can't be secured in the Senate to pass a mass Amnesty, the Administration may use the discretionary actions as an alternative.

Here is the text of the letter signed by Sens. Grassley, Hatch (R-Utah), Vitter (R-La.), Bunning (R-Ky.), Chambliss (R-Ga.), Isakson (R-Ga.), Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Cochran (R-Miss.).:

(Read the letter here)

[Bypassing the Legislative branch in such a way on this issue would be akin to dictatorship, no? Contact your Congressman and Senators to voice your opinion on such a plan-- show them you care-- Editor]

New Traffic Law 2010 - Ticket Cost $754.00

GOOD THING TO KNOW:

New Law: If a patrol car is pulled over to the side of the road, you have to change to the next lane (away from the stopped vehicle) or slow down by 20 mph. Every state except Hawaii, Maryland and D.C. has this law.

A friend's son got a ticket for this recently. A police car (turned out it was 2 police cars) was on the side of the road giving a ticket to someone else. He slowed down to pass but did not move into the other lane. The second police car immediately pulled him over and gave him a ticket. He had never heard of the law. It is a fairly new law that states if any emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, if you are able (be sure and look to make sure no one is passing on the left), you
are to move into the far lane.

The cost of the ticket was $754, with 3 points on your license and a mandatory court appearance. Please let everyone you know that drives about this new law. It is true, see details at the following web address: http://www.moveoveramerica.com

Water Tower Struck By Lightning

Due to a lightning strike Sunday, June 20th, the water tower on College Ave. lost power and cannot be monitored electronically so the Water Plant Operators are manually checking the water levels. It may be possible that the water will overflow occasionally. If you see this please contact the water treatment plant at 410-548-3199 or after hours the operator on duty at 410-713-8290.

Andy Harris Officially Files For Maryland's First Congressional District

Harris cites the need to protect the American dream from an out-of-control Congress

ANNAPOLIS - State Senator Andy Harris, M.D. today officially filed his candidacy for Maryland's First Congressional District. Dr. Harris filed as a strong fiscal conservative who will work to stop the wasteful overspending and soaring national debt that endangers the American dream for current and future generations. Dr. Harris released the following statement:

"I am running to be the next member of Congress for Maryland's First District to protect citizens from an out-of-control Congress," Harris said. "After 18 months of bailouts, government takeovers, the largest national debt in history and trillion dollar spending schemes, it is clear we need new leadership in Washington. Marylanders are witnessing firsthand the systematic dismantling of the American dream by this Administration and the majority in Congress and they want it to stop. I am running to restore fiscal responsibility to Washington while ending the vast government overreaching endorsed by Congressional leaders and their rank-and-file enablers. I have a solid record on protecting taxpayers from the abuse we're seeing in Congress and am proud to have the broad support of Republicans, Democrats and Independent Marylanders who share my concerns and want to work to change the course our country is on."

Harris served 17 years in the United States Naval Reserve, including active duty during Desert Storm. He is a practicing obstetric anesthesiologist and served three terms in the Maryland State Senate.

Deepwater Drilling Ban Lifted By New Orleans Federal Judge

A New Orleans federal judge lifted the six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling imposed by President Barack Obama following the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Shares of drilling services companies jumped on the news.

Obama temporarily halted all drilling in waters deeper than 500 feet on May 27 to give a presidential commission time to study improvements in the safety of offshore operations. More than a dozen Louisiana offshore service and supply companies sued U.S. regulators to lift the ban.

U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman today granted a preliminary injunction, halting the moratorium. Government lawyers told Feldman that ban was based on findings in a U.S. report following the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon rig off the Louisiana coast in April.

“The court is unable to divine or fathom a relationship between the findings and the immense scope of the moratorium,” Feldman said in his 22-page decision. “The blanket moratorium, with no parameters, seems to assume that because one rig failed and although no one yet fully knows why, all companies and rigs drilling new wells over 500 feet also universally present an imminent danger.”

U.S. Will Appeal

GO HERE to read more.

Alexander Crippen Charged With 1st Degree Murder

Serving Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester Counties
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, May 26, 2010
LOCATION: Pocomoke City, Worcester County
CRIME: 1st Degree Murder
VICTIM: Reginald Jerome Handy Jr.
ACCUSED: Alexander Crippen

NARRATIVE: On Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at approximately 10 p.m. the Pocomoke City Police Department received numerous calls for shots fired in the area of Laurel and Fifth streets.

Upon their arrival, officers found Reginald Jerome Handy Jr., of Greenbush, VA., suffering from a gunshot wound.

Handy was transported by ambulance to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

Subsequent investigation by members of the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation determined that thirty six year old Alexander Crippen of Pocomoke City, MD was responsible for shooting Handy.

Crippen was subsequently located and charged with 1st Degree Murder in the death of Reginald Handy, however the location of the firearms involved in this crime have not been located.

If you have information which may lead to the recovery of these firearms, contact Crime Solvers or your local law enforcement agency immediately. You may remain anonymous when calling Crime Solvers. Information provided that leads to the successful recovery of the firearms in this case may qualify the caller for a reward up to $1,000.00.

Crime solvers Unites Local Law Enforcement for a Safer Community
Crime Solvers is a 501C – 3 organization
410-548-1776

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACTIONS

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, SENATE PRESIDENT MILLER, SPEAKER BUSCH, COMPTROLLER FRANCHOT, TREASURER KOPP TO ANNOUNCE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACTIONS

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 22, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley will join Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and Treasurer Nancy Kopp to make an announcement on specific government accountability and transparency actions by the General Assembly and the Board of Public Works moving forward.

The O’Malley-Brown Administration has championed open government, nationally recognized for its accountability and transparency tools that monitor investments made from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in Maryland. In addition, tools employed through BayStat, GreenPrint, and StateStat, place Maryland as the driving force behind some of the nation’s most cutting edge technology used to inform the public about the resources and services available to our State.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Salisbury’s Animal control Officers ask that you please leave your pets at home while running errands or making quick trips to places that doesn’t allow pets.

On hot days as we are currently experiencing or on a warm day that may seem comfortable to us, the temperature in a parked car can reach levels that can endanger your pet. The interior temperature can easily rise to 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with the windows partially open. Because a dog can only attempt to cool itself by panting and sweating through its paws, it can succumb to high temperatures in a very short time. Lasting effects of exposure to high temperatures can include heat stroke brain damage or death.

Animal Control

“JOBS ACROSS MARYLAND TOUR” WITH RELEASE OF STUDY ON MEDICAL INNOVATION, JOB CREATION

Governor joins former Majority Leader Dick Gephardt to release study on medical innovation in America

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 22, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley continued his “Jobs Across Maryland Tour” at Baltimore’s World Trade Center today, where he joined Dick Gephardt, former U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader, to release Gone Tomorrow?, a study on promoting medical innovation, creating jobs and finding cures for diseases. The study, prepared by the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice, develops a policy agenda for the continued investment in medical innovation, which will fuel job creation and discovery of cures.

“Maryland’s biotechnology industry is at the forefront of medical innovation and continues to make groundbreaking discoveries because of the State’s continued investments in our workforce, our higher education system and in the programs that have helped our emerging companies to succeed,” said Governor O’Malley. “We are pleased to join in the release of the Gone Tomorrow? report, which shares many of the same goals of our BioMaryland 2002 plan, including growing venture capital funding, investing in medical research and supporting tech transfer.”

Medical innovation has the proven ability to generate economic growth by sustaining and creating new jobs in the highly desirable, knowledge-based economy and providing significant health advances that benefit individuals and society as a whole. Gone Tomorrow? recognizes that policy proposals designed to spur innovation, economic development, and job growth should include medical innovation as a cornerstone to succeed fully.

“Medical innovation presents the best opportunity to help innovate our way out of the health and economic crises facing America today, but it’s clear the clock is ticking,” said Richard Gephardt, Former U.S. House Majority Leader and Chairman of the Council for American Medical Innovation. “Advancing a national strategy for medical innovation that engages all sectors – public, private and academic – through an empowered federal office is an effective first step.”

The study finds that over the past 30 years, our world-class medical innovation ecosystem has enabled the U.S. to become the global leader in biomedical development and provided people in the U.S. unparalleled access to medical breakthroughs.

Proposed actions in the report include:
· Sustained public investment in medical research;
· Enlightened public policies supporting technology transfer and intellectual property protection;
· Advanced venture financing at all stages of firm development;
· A robust market for new treatments; and
· A tax and regulatory climate that provided a path for private enterprise to advance new product development.

Under Governor O’Malley’s leadership, Maryland continues to invest in an “innovation economy,” even in tough times, through initiatives such as BioMaryland 2020. This initiative delivered approximately $100 million in investments in FY2010 and 2011 in the biotechnology industry, including more than $22 million for the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund. Governor O’Malley also increased investment in the Biotech Tax Credit from $6 million in FY2010 to $8 million in FY2011. Last month, Governor O’Malley proposed an ambitious initiative called Invest Maryland to invest in Maryland’s emerging technology and bioscience companies.

Home to nearly 500 bioscience companies and 50 research-intense federal institutes and centers, Maryland is well positioned in the global bioscience industry and has been recognized by the Milken Institute as one of the top tier states highly specialized in overall bioscience development. Since the early 1990s, Maryland has focused on bioscience development and was one of the first states to develop a strategic plan for the industry.

Over the years, strategic investments have helped Maryland’s bioscience industry grow into one of the world’s largest bioscience research complexes, known for its wealth of federal facilities, institutions of higher learning and concentration of highly trained bioscience researchers. From 2001 to 2006, the State’s bioscience industry grew by nearly 15 percent, adding 3,200 jobs to top more than 25,000 bioscience jobs in Maryland. In addition, from 2002 to 2007, Maryland’s university bioscience research soared, growing 44 percent from $877,000 to $1.3 billion. Today, Maryland ranks first among the states in federal R&D obligations, according to National Science Foundation data, and second in federal obligations for research and development with $12.5 billion.

Former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt serves as Chairman of the Council for American Medical Innovation (CAMI). Launched in 2009, CAMI has brought together leaders in research, medicine, public health, academia, education, labor, and business, who are working in partnership to encourage public policies that advance medical innovation and the development of lifesaving treatments, enhance job growth, and promote patient access.

Sexual Assault Suspect Apprehended

Resume: Several weeks ago, the Delaware State Police was tasked with investigating two sexual assault cases in the Stanton Area.

Early this morning, detectives arrested 40-year-old Alfred Hubbard of the unit block of Blue Ridge Drive in Bear, Delaware. Mr. Hubbard was taken into custody by a surveillance team as he exited his home without incident.

The first incident of this investigation occurred on June 2nd when a female was sitting in her vehicle in a parking lot along the 1000 block Twin C Lane in Newark. The suspect approached the victim and brandished a handgun. A carjacking ensued and the victim was forced to drive to various locations where subsequent sexual assaults occurred. The victim was later advised to return to the area of the initial abduction where the suspect got out of the car and fled the scene.

On June 5th the second attack occurred where it appeared that the same suspect from the June 2nd incident abducted a female in the parking lot of 300 Continental Drive. A carjacking and sexual assault followed and the victim was eventually returned to the very spot where she was abducted.

Detectives diligently conducted their investigation in the days and weeks that followed. Composite sketches were distributed and hundreds of tips were forwarded to investigators through Crime Stoppers. At this time, it does not appear that Hubbard’s name was provided as a tip.

A break in the case came yesterday afternoon when DNA evidence collected during this investigation was processed using the CODIS system. CODIS is an acronym for the Combined DNA Indexing System. Detectives learned that the DNA evidence collected in this case proved to be a match to DNA previously indexed in Maryland and Virginia. From this, the suspect was identified as Alfred Hubbard.

Detectives worked hard to locate Hubbard, who previously lived in Dover, Smyrna and Clayton, Delaware. An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained last night and detectives set up surveillance at Hubbard’s house.

After the apprehension Alfred Hubbard was transported back to Troop 2 where he will be processed on the following charges:
Five counts of Rape
Seven counts of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a felony
Two counts of Kidnapping
Attempted Robbery
Robbery
Unlawful Sexual Contact and
Terroristic Threatening

The success in this investigation is shared amongst agencies both public and private. Detectives, patrol officers and citizens alike. A special note of thanks goes out to several people including the Christiana Care Health System SANE Nurses, DNA technicians from the State of Delaware Office of the Chief Medical Examiners, the CODIS administrator from Virginia, as well as the multiple Troopers who investigated this case.

A news release will be forthcoming which will outline Hubbard’s bail.

THREE CAR CRASH CLOSES ROUTE 90 BRIDGE FOR TWO HOURS

On June 18, 2010, just after midnight, Ocean City Police and Fire Department personnel responded the Route 90 bridge between Isle of White and Ocean City, in reference to three-vehicle car crash. When police arrived at the scene two of the three vehicles had caught fire and were quickly engulfed by flames.

For safety reasons, OCPD/FD personnel closed the Rt. 90 bridge in both directions so that the OC Fire Department could extinguish the fires. No one was injured as a result of the vehicle crash or the fire.

Investigation at the scene revealed that one of the three vehicles involved in the crash had a mechanical problem, which caused the driver to stop the vehicle on the apex of the bridge. A second vehicle stopped to assist the first vehicle, which was subsequently struck by a third vehicle operated by Michael Joseph Delaney, 38, of Ocean City.

Based on contact with Delaney, police suspected he might be under the influence of alcohol. Police conducted several field sobriety tests and later placed Delaney under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The bridge remained closed for over two hours so that Maryland State Highway Administration personnel could inspect it to ensure there were no damages. The bridge was re-opened at approximately 2:30 a.m.

The Ocean City Police Department reminds citizens if you are planning on or have consumed alcoholic beverages to not drive or operate motor vehicles. Citizens who have consumed alcoholic beverages should make use of available public transportation such as buses and taxis. Driving under the influence is not only illegal, but potentially deadly. The OCPD wants every citizen to get to their destination safely, so please don’t drink and drive.

Update On Sarah Foxwell Murder Trial

One of the bigger topics in today's hearing was, where are they going to house Thomas Leggs, suspect charged with the murder of 11 year old Sarah Foxwell.

The Cecil County Court/Jail is under construction and they cannot guarantee they can keep Leggs in Solitary confinement.

Leggs, who has been housed in Wicomico County will not be returning, as of today. There was talk today about sending Leggs to Anne Arundel County.

Wicomico County has budgeted $100,000.00 for this case and quite frankly, transporting Leggs back and forth from Anne Arundel County to Elkton will tap into those funds quite a bit.

Leggs attorney was complaining today that they still had yet to receive "discovery" from the Wicomico County States Attorney's Office but Ruark countered stating they would have that information in two weeks.

Many were amazed our earlier information had already made it onto the Internet. Unfortunately, most of the Foxwell Family did not make it to today's hearing. Sarah's Aunt, Tracey Powell was the only Family member to attend.

Mind you, this was not a "big show" and I can personally understand the Family not wanting to add any additional stress at this point in the trial proceedings. It will be difficult enough to sit through this case when it really takes off. In fact, (personally) I don't even know if I could handle what's about to be exposed in this case if I were Sarah's Uncle.

Death Of Free Speech

Click on image to enlarge.

D.C. Police Warn Kids About Summer Curfew

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department is doing a big campaign to let the city’s youngest residents know that if they’re out on the streets just one minute past midnight this summer, they’re in trouble.

Posters asking “Are U In?” warn that it’s breaking curfew for anyone under 17 to be on “the street,” in “the common area of an apartment building,” on Metro, or on “the premises of any private business (such as a movie theatre or store).”

The grammatically challenged campaign also uses the even less comprehensible tag line, “Are U N” -- which seems like it’s promoting Model United Nations programs. MPD has also created an unintentionally hilarious video to spread the word about staying at home:

GO HERE to read more.

Today's Survey Question

Who Serves The Best Ice Cream On The Shore?

Canceled Disney Vacation, A Missing Refund

Family emergency puts trip on hold, but Mickey shows little compassion

Q: I'm hoping you can help me. I read your column, and I really believe you are my last option.

My family and I were scheduled to visit Walt Disney World for six nights this spring. However, life got complicated when our daughter ran away. We called the police and reported her a runaway, and then finally canceled our vacation. She had not come home, and the police suggested we not leave the state while our minor child was missing.

While I realize that the running away of minor children is not a listed excuse for travel cancellation, how can it not be a bona fide reason? I imagine it's not listed because it is not a common occurrence — but who in their right mind would not heed the advice of police officers looking for a teenage runaway? What kind of crazy family would go on a Disney vacation while their child is missing?

GO HERE to read more.

May Home Sales Unexpectedly Fall 2.2 Percent

Boost from government incentives appears to be winding down

WASHINGTON - Sales of previously occupied homes dipped 2.2 percent in May, signaling that a boost from home-buying tax credits is fading sooner than expected.

Last month's sales fell from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.66 million, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday. Analysts who had expected sales to rise expressed concern that the real estate market could tumble once the benefit of the federal incentives is gone entirely, starting next month.

Sales have climbed 25 percent from the 4.5 million annual rate hit in January 2009 — the lowest level of the recession. But they're still down 22 percent from the peak rate of 7.25 million in September 2005.

GO HERE to read more.