Jeannie Hadaway Sby News Interview from Jack Powell on Vimeo.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
PA Residents Cry Foul Over Ballots
A petition was filed with the Board of Elections over absentee ballots.
(See the petition)
A trio of Bucks County residents backed by the county Republican committee say they have evidence linking Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy's campaign to a scheme to flood the county voter registration office with fraudulent applications for absentee ballots.
In a petition filed Tuesday, county Republicans say the name of Murphy's campaign manager appeared on a Bristol post office box where voters were urged in a series of letters paid for by the state Democratic Committee to send absentee ballot applications.
The county Republicans submitted with the petition a photograph of a note inside the mailbox that said, "Tim Percico and Paul Hampel only pick up mail." Tim Persico is Murphy's campaign manager, although his name is misspelled in the note. Hampel is a volunteer for the Democratic state committee who said he collects mail from the box.
While county and state Democratic officials denied involvement in the letter campaign or refused to discuss it, Persico said Tuesday that the "PA Vote 2010" project that paid for the letters is a partnership between Murphy's campaign and the state Democrats.
Persico said the goal of the project is to help eligible Democratic voters obtain and cast absentee ballots.
He dismissed assertions by Republican critics that the letters were misleadingly worded and noted that the Democratic state committee clearly takes credit for the mailings, which comply with all election laws.
"The only reason the Republican Party is mad is working parents and college kids are sending in an application because they want to vote," Persico said.
Neither Murphy nor a spokeswoman for his campaign returned calls Tuesday.
Bucks County Democratic Party Chairman John Cordisco said the county Democratic organization has no connection to the letters or the fraud alleged in the petition. "If there was voter registration fraud, it was being done outside the Democratic organization," Cordisco said.
In response to the Republican petition, the Bucks County Board of Elections scheduled a hearing 9:30 a.m. Friday at the courthouse to hear evidence of what the Republicans characterize as a coordinated effort to trick voters into improperly applying for absentee ballots and efforts to submit fraudulent applications for absentee ballots.
"While some of these invalid applications have been caught and rejected by the Board of Elections, we believe many other defective and objectionable applications were inadvertently approved by the Board of Elections due to the pervasive nature of the fraud," the petition says.
The petition also asks county election officials to secure all completed absentee ballots at the courthouse in Doylestown until the board of elections can conduct an investigation of the claims.
More here
(See the petition)
A trio of Bucks County residents backed by the county Republican committee say they have evidence linking Democratic Congressman Patrick Murphy's campaign to a scheme to flood the county voter registration office with fraudulent applications for absentee ballots.
In a petition filed Tuesday, county Republicans say the name of Murphy's campaign manager appeared on a Bristol post office box where voters were urged in a series of letters paid for by the state Democratic Committee to send absentee ballot applications.
The county Republicans submitted with the petition a photograph of a note inside the mailbox that said, "Tim Percico and Paul Hampel only pick up mail." Tim Persico is Murphy's campaign manager, although his name is misspelled in the note. Hampel is a volunteer for the Democratic state committee who said he collects mail from the box.
While county and state Democratic officials denied involvement in the letter campaign or refused to discuss it, Persico said Tuesday that the "PA Vote 2010" project that paid for the letters is a partnership between Murphy's campaign and the state Democrats.
Persico said the goal of the project is to help eligible Democratic voters obtain and cast absentee ballots.
He dismissed assertions by Republican critics that the letters were misleadingly worded and noted that the Democratic state committee clearly takes credit for the mailings, which comply with all election laws.
"The only reason the Republican Party is mad is working parents and college kids are sending in an application because they want to vote," Persico said.
Neither Murphy nor a spokeswoman for his campaign returned calls Tuesday.
Bucks County Democratic Party Chairman John Cordisco said the county Democratic organization has no connection to the letters or the fraud alleged in the petition. "If there was voter registration fraud, it was being done outside the Democratic organization," Cordisco said.
In response to the Republican petition, the Bucks County Board of Elections scheduled a hearing 9:30 a.m. Friday at the courthouse to hear evidence of what the Republicans characterize as a coordinated effort to trick voters into improperly applying for absentee ballots and efforts to submit fraudulent applications for absentee ballots.
"While some of these invalid applications have been caught and rejected by the Board of Elections, we believe many other defective and objectionable applications were inadvertently approved by the Board of Elections due to the pervasive nature of the fraud," the petition says.
The petition also asks county election officials to secure all completed absentee ballots at the courthouse in Doylestown until the board of elections can conduct an investigation of the claims.
More here
You Can't Be Serious
The newest member of the Supreme Court is in the minority in backing a stay of execution over questions about the safety of a drug to be used in a lethal injection. Shortly after the stay was overturned Tuesday, Arizona executed Jeffrey Landrigan.
Justice Elena Kagan cast her first vote on the Supreme Court late Tuesday, joining the liberals in dissent when the high court cleared the way for the execution of an Arizona murderer.
The 5-4 ruling overturned orders by a federal judge in Phoenix and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that had stopped the execution by lethal injection of Jeffrey Landrigan.
His lawyers, in a last-ditch appeal, had raised questions about one of the drugs used in the execution. Since the only U.S. manufacturer of sodium thiopental had suspended production, Arizona officials said they had obtained a supply of the drug from a British company.
The judge in Phoenix put the execution on hold because she said she was "left to speculate" whether this drug was safe for its intended use.
[Really? That's what she said? -- Editor]
More
Justice Elena Kagan cast her first vote on the Supreme Court late Tuesday, joining the liberals in dissent when the high court cleared the way for the execution of an Arizona murderer.
The 5-4 ruling overturned orders by a federal judge in Phoenix and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that had stopped the execution by lethal injection of Jeffrey Landrigan.
His lawyers, in a last-ditch appeal, had raised questions about one of the drugs used in the execution. Since the only U.S. manufacturer of sodium thiopental had suspended production, Arizona officials said they had obtained a supply of the drug from a British company.
The judge in Phoenix put the execution on hold because she said she was "left to speculate" whether this drug was safe for its intended use.
[Really? That's what she said? -- Editor]
More
Armed Robbery At Blockbusters
White male with knife. Left the scene in a silver Honda Civic. Tan pants, black shirt and a mask.
Man Charged With D.C.-Area Subway Bomb Plot
Justice Department says he thought he was working with al-Qaida
WASHINGTON — A Pakistani-born U.S. citizen was arrested Wednesday on charges of planning bombings at Metrorail stations in the Washington, D.C., area after an FBI sting operation, the Justice Department announced
WASHINGTON — A Pakistani-born U.S. citizen was arrested Wednesday on charges of planning bombings at Metrorail stations in the Washington, D.C., area after an FBI sting operation, the Justice Department announced
"Farooque Ahmed, 34, of Ashburn, Va., was arrested today for attempting to assist others whom he believed to be members of al-Qaida," the department said in a statement.
A grand jury returned an indictment against Ahmed on Tuesday, "charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization, collecting information to assist in planning a terrorist attack on a transit facility, and attempting to provide material support to help carry out multiple bombings," the department added.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison.
GO HERE to read more.
Tornado Watch Until 8 PM Tonight
The NWS Has Issued Tornado Watch 733 In, Effect Until 8 Pm Edt This Evening For The Following Areas In Maryland This Watch Includes 4 Counties In The Lower Eastern Shore Of Maryland Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester.
The Truth About Obama's New Sales Tax On Homes
As part of the Obamacare screw-job, At the last minute, Democratic lawmakers decided on a new 3.8 percent tax on the net investment income of high-income persons. But the claim that this would amount to a $15,200 tax on the sale of a typical $400,000 home is utterly false.
The truth is that only a tiny percentage of home sellers will pay the tax. First of all, only those with incomes over $200,000 a year ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly) will be subject to it. And even for those who have such high incomes, the tax still won’t apply to the first $250,000 on profits from the sale of a personal residence — or to the first $500,000 in the case of a married couple selling their home.
The Internal Revenue Service says that to qualify for the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion, a seller must have owned the home and lived there as the seller’s "main home" for at least two years out of the five years prior to the sale.
The truth is that only a tiny percentage of home sellers will pay the tax. First of all, only those with incomes over $200,000 a year ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly) will be subject to it. And even for those who have such high incomes, the tax still won’t apply to the first $250,000 on profits from the sale of a personal residence — or to the first $500,000 in the case of a married couple selling their home.
The Internal Revenue Service says that to qualify for the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion, a seller must have owned the home and lived there as the seller’s "main home" for at least two years out of the five years prior to the sale.
Lies, Lies & More Lies
I'm sure Joel Todd is now thinking, I wonder if I should have handled the Davis Ruark case with a little more dignity and respect? Karma sure is a real B ummer.
Joel Todd Caught Telling the BIG LIE!
Worcester County State’s Attorney Joel Todd has decided that winning re-election is far more important than behaving in an ethical manner. Running behind in his bid for another term, Todd recently sent out a series of mailings to voters in Worcester County. In them he displays people as “supporters” who either are not supporting his bid for re-election or had not given their permission.
Todd’s behavior is worse than that of Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) or the DCCC. We can only infer from Todd’s behavior that desperation will cause this man to say or do almost anything.
Worcester County Commissioner Bud Church doesn’t support Todd’s bid, but is pictured as a “community leader” who supports Joel Todd. In an interview with the Ocean Pines Independent, Todd claims to have the endorsement of OPA Director Ray Unger. Unger is adamant in his support for Todd’s opponent – Beau Oglesby. Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing has been dismissed as an election judge because of Todd’s scurrilous actions. Both Downing and the Worcester County Board of Elections informed Todd that Downing COULD NOT be listed on any campaign material because of Downing’s volunteer position as a Chief Election Judge. Of course, this doesn’t matter to someone as egocentric as Todd. He needs to claim law enforcement endorsements, even if they don’t exist, due to Oglesby’s endorsement by all three Worcester County FOP lodges as well as the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police.
If there was ever a question as to whether Joel Todd deserves re-election, the matter seems settled. The citizens of Worcester County deserve better than a State’s Attorney that has shown he will say or do anything to win a political campaign. Such behavior would be bad enough from your run of the mill office seeker. However, a State’s Attorney (like a county Sheriff) has the power to deprive citizens of their property and liberty. How safe can one feel with a man like Joel Todd holding that kind of power?
from Delmarva Dealings
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY REGARDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN CONSTELLATION AND EDF
ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 27, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued the following statement today following last night’s announcement of a comprehensive agreement between Constellation Energy Group and EDF:
“I am pleased that Constellation Energy and EDF successfully resolved their differences and came to a resolution that preserves the thousands of jobs that will be created with the development of Calvert Cliffs 3. Together, with Senator Mikulski, members of Maryland's Congressional Delegation, the AFL-CIO, building trades, and steelworkers, we are committed to keeping those 5,000 union jobs associated with Calvert Cliffs 3, in Maryland.”
Senator Colburn Announces Funding For The Williamsburg Line
The project involves an infrastructure issue of extraordinary importance to the Eastern Shore—the expansion of a storage capacity for liquid propane (LP) to serve the Mid-Shore region. Since the shutdown of the Valero refinery in Delaware, the propane supply has been nearly eliminated on the Delmarva Peninsula. Because of this elimination, the rail-served facility at Williamsburg is necessary to provide the propane needed by both residents and businesses of the agricultural community as well as the poultry industry. Tripling what is currently a fixed-tank storage capacity will supply the region with adequate amounts of LP. This project is of utmost importance because while demand for LP on the Shore has increased, LP storage for the region has decreased. This project will avert potential economic disaster for both large and small businesses on the Shore by providing dramatically more LP storage that is both central and accessible to businesses. It will also ensure the retention of jobs on the Eastern Shore.
Although there were alternative sites in Delaware, the site in Williamsburg is ideal because it is already a major place for LP distribution, it is served by the Maryland and Delaware Railroad, and it is a safe and secure location. Furthermore, this project is strongly supported by the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland Department of Agriculture. In addition to the grant, Tri-Gas & Oil will invest a minimum of $100,000 in improvements to the Williamsburg storage facility.
Why Dems Are On The Verge Of Losing The House
The reasons why Dems are on the verge of losing the House… And why Republicans could fall short… Why the anger and high emotions we’re seeing feel different from past cycles… GOP continues to expand the House playing field… Our primer on midterm turnout… Wrapping up the final Crist-Meek-Rubio debate… Matt Lauer’s challenge to Brown and Whitman… And profiling PA-17.
*** Why Dems are on the verge of losing the House: Over the last two days, we’ve explained how Republicans could win control of the House, or how Democrats could be able to hold on to their majority. Today, we turn to the why. Here’s why Democrats are on the verge of losing the House and maybe (though much less likely) the Senate. Part of it would be history (a president's party almost always loses seats in a midterm cycle). Part of it would be the nation's disinclination of one-party control. Much of it would be due to the nation's high unemployment rate (9.6%), and the economic stimulus' inability to reduce it substantially over the past two years. Just those four items in one stew would be enough to put Democrats on the verge of a loss in House control, but it doesn't end there. Another culprit would be Democrats’ inability to sell the public on the health-care law and their inability to fire up their base. Outside GOP money has played a role, too, by expanding the playing field. And there's this: Democrats, after two years in FULL control, were unable to deliver on their biggest thematic promise to change the way the Washington works.
*** Why Republicans could fall short: And if Republicans are unable to win the House and rack up substantial Senate gains? Part of it would be the sheer number of seats they need to gain to win majorities (39 for the House and 10 for the Senate). Part of it would be the Tea Party pushing the GOP too far to the right, especially in non-GOP friendly states and districts. And much of it would be due to the Republican Party's inability to develop new ideas after its defeats in '06 and '08 (after all, our poll shows the GOP with a lower fav/unfav than the Dem Party).
GO HERE to read more.
*** Why Dems are on the verge of losing the House: Over the last two days, we’ve explained how Republicans could win control of the House, or how Democrats could be able to hold on to their majority. Today, we turn to the why. Here’s why Democrats are on the verge of losing the House and maybe (though much less likely) the Senate. Part of it would be history (a president's party almost always loses seats in a midterm cycle). Part of it would be the nation's disinclination of one-party control. Much of it would be due to the nation's high unemployment rate (9.6%), and the economic stimulus' inability to reduce it substantially over the past two years. Just those four items in one stew would be enough to put Democrats on the verge of a loss in House control, but it doesn't end there. Another culprit would be Democrats’ inability to sell the public on the health-care law and their inability to fire up their base. Outside GOP money has played a role, too, by expanding the playing field. And there's this: Democrats, after two years in FULL control, were unable to deliver on their biggest thematic promise to change the way the Washington works.
*** Why Republicans could fall short: And if Republicans are unable to win the House and rack up substantial Senate gains? Part of it would be the sheer number of seats they need to gain to win majorities (39 for the House and 10 for the Senate). Part of it would be the Tea Party pushing the GOP too far to the right, especially in non-GOP friendly states and districts. And much of it would be due to the Republican Party's inability to develop new ideas after its defeats in '06 and '08 (after all, our poll shows the GOP with a lower fav/unfav than the Dem Party).
GO HERE to read more.
Technion Develops New Blood Test To Detect Cancer
Technion University researchers in Israel have come up with a new and simple blood test that may be able to detect cancer.
Professor Ari Admon, who led the research team, said its technique may “provide a large enough source of information to enable personalized treatment for the disease.” The researchers’ study was published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Current blood tests for cancer detect where cancer cells are in the blood, but the technique developed by Prof. Admon’s team has come up with a test that can identify different types of cancers and other diseases.
The scientists’ report on a new source of blood-derived biomarkers may help doctors determine whether a recovering cancer patient has relapsed, and may someday aid in the early detection of a variety of cancers. The technique may also “provide a large enough source of information to enable personalized treatment for the disease,” Prof. Admon said.
The biomarkers consist of immune molecules called HLA and their cargo of peptides, which are degraded bits of protein that they haul to the surface of tumor cells. Since cancer cells release larger amounts of the HLA molecules, “we may be able to diagnose different disease, including cancer, by analyzing the repertoires of peptides carried by these soluble HLA,” he explained.
So far, the method has been tested in blood from patients with multiple myeloma and leukemia, as well as healthy people and cancer cells grown in the lab. If their process holds up under further intensive testing, the researchers say, it could form “a foundation for development of a simple and universal blood-based cancer diagnosis.”
Here's more
Professor Ari Admon, who led the research team, said its technique may “provide a large enough source of information to enable personalized treatment for the disease.” The researchers’ study was published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Current blood tests for cancer detect where cancer cells are in the blood, but the technique developed by Prof. Admon’s team has come up with a test that can identify different types of cancers and other diseases.
The scientists’ report on a new source of blood-derived biomarkers may help doctors determine whether a recovering cancer patient has relapsed, and may someday aid in the early detection of a variety of cancers. The technique may also “provide a large enough source of information to enable personalized treatment for the disease,” Prof. Admon said.
The biomarkers consist of immune molecules called HLA and their cargo of peptides, which are degraded bits of protein that they haul to the surface of tumor cells. Since cancer cells release larger amounts of the HLA molecules, “we may be able to diagnose different disease, including cancer, by analyzing the repertoires of peptides carried by these soluble HLA,” he explained.
So far, the method has been tested in blood from patients with multiple myeloma and leukemia, as well as healthy people and cancer cells grown in the lab. If their process holds up under further intensive testing, the researchers say, it could form “a foundation for development of a simple and universal blood-based cancer diagnosis.”
Here's more
Maryland Governor – Bob Ehrlich
Former governor Bob Ehrlich had his faults while in office AND as a candidate. They pale in comparison to O’Malley’s actions over the last four years.
Under O’Malley we have seen an already uncompetitive state become even LESS attractive to those looking to move or start businesses. A regulatory attitude that practically SCREAMS “Go Somewhere Else!” has gotten worse, not better, under O’Malley. Higher corporate and personal taxes, along with a sales tax increase that harms Maryland’s retailers, also the O’Malley attitude to business.
Why not? When O’Malley and a leftist legislature believe that the best job is a public sector job, would you expect more? When the federal government has to step in to help O’Malley balance a bloated budget, need we ask where the next round of dollars will be coming from?
Yes, Ehrlich raised taxes while in office. He should be ashamed. Yes, Ehrlich raised fees – for which there are valid reasons. That said, how can Marylanders honestly want another four years of O’Malley? The millionaires ran to Florida. We’re going to have to pay full freight for the next round.
US House, MD-1 – Andy Harris
Almost ANYONE would be an acceptable replacement for Blue Dog Frank. Fortunately, we have an alternative that more closely reflects the values of the Eastern Shore – Dr. Andy Harris.
Harris has served the people of Maryland well in the State Senate. While colleagues seldom hesitated to compromise their professed values in order to gain a little pork, Harris has been one of a few who stands firm; putting principle before base political motives. Anyone who has paid attention to Washington since January, 2009 understands that we not only need Andy Harris representing us in Congress – we need a whole lot more just like him!
Kratovil partisans may argue that Frank received the endorsements of groups such as the NRA and the US Chamber. True enough. However, given that no serious gun related bill came up in this Congress, it was a given that Kratovil (as the incumbent) would receive the NRA nod. As we have noted in the past, the US Chamber reflects corporatist, not free market, values. As far as we’re concerned, they deserve each other. Even Kratovil’s vote against ObamaCare was little more than OBVIOUS political pandering to an Eastern Shore electorate that was adamant in their opposition to it. What did Kratovil do? Vote against it, refuse to support any move to repeal it, and has refused to meet with constituents in any setting other than a tightly controlled one.
We need someone who will listen to us; someone who will stand firm; and someone who will be accessible. That man is clearly Andy Harris.
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