“When I first pulled off the baseboard I thought, ‘ewwww…someone’s nasty stuff is back here,’” Amanda Reddy told TheBlaze in an email.
Then, she started pulling out post cards dating back to 1907 and 1909 along with a few other possessions.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
NEW HOMEOWNER REMOVES BASEBOARD IN HER HOUSE AND GETS A 100-YEAR-OLD SURPRISE
“When I first pulled off the baseboard I thought, ‘ewwww…someone’s nasty stuff is back here,’” Amanda Reddy told TheBlaze in an email.
Then, she started pulling out post cards dating back to 1907 and 1909 along with a few other possessions.
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CONFIRMED: The DEA Struck A Deal With Mexico's Most Notorious Drug Cartel
An investigation by El Universal found that between the years 2000 and 2012, the U.S. government had an arrangement with Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel that allowed the organization to smuggle billions of dollars of drugs while Sinaloa provided information on rival cartels.
Sinaloa, led by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, supplies 80% of the drugs entering the Chicago area and has a presence in cities across the U.S.
There have long been allegations that Guzman, considered to be "the world’s most powerful drug trafficker," coordinates with American authorities.
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Sinaloa, led by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, supplies 80% of the drugs entering the Chicago area and has a presence in cities across the U.S.
There have long been allegations that Guzman, considered to be "the world’s most powerful drug trafficker," coordinates with American authorities.
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KieshaHaughton Smoots Joins MCE Board Of Directors
Since 2009, Smootshas managed the Central Region for the Maryland SBTDC, which is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs establish and expand their business. Founded in 1979, the Central Maryland office is part of a national network that helps over 500,000 businesses on an annual basis. The SBTDC provides a variety of management and technical assistance programs designed to strengthen business firms, thereby contributing to the growth of the local, state and national economies.
"We are grateful to have Kiesha's vast experience helping businesses in the Baltimore/Annapolis area," said MCE's CEO Joe Morse. "MCE and the SBTDC will continue to work closely together to assist entrepreneurs in this region and this addition will help us further build on that relationship to help area businesses."
She was a founding member of the MCE Baltimore-Annapolis area advisory board, and will help MCE expand service in Baltimore City, as well as and Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties.
Smoots has a BA Degree and a MBA degree from the University of Maryland and a MA Degree in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration from the University of Denver.
Ron George Statement On Lt Gov Brown Testimony
Annapolis, Md. – State Delegate Ron George, candidate for governor, has released the following statement regarding Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown’s testimony at today’s health insurance exchange hearing.
“The failed rollout of Maryland’s health insurance exchange sits squarely with Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. However, the Affordable Care Act is also a failure of one party, big government policy. The ACA has increased the cost of health care, worsened Maryland’s doctor shortage and raised taxes on the middle class. Brown says he was kept in the dark, but insurers and citizens are still being kept in the dark on the true costs of government run healthcare.
“The administration’s proposal to retroactively enroll people at a cost of $5-$10 million more taxpayer dollars is only throwing more taxpayer money on the ACA fire. For the health care exchange to work, hundreds of thousands of Marylanders need to purchase private plans, however, because of government regulations, the plans are far too expensive and effectively worthless for young workers. Instead, we are enrolling hundreds of thousands of people in Medicaid, the same program whose budget was cut to fund the ACA.
“The O’Malley/Brown administration always viewed the Affordable Care Act as a campaign tool instead of as a sincere effort to extend health insurance coverage, and it’s Maryland citizens who are paying the price.”
“The failed rollout of Maryland’s health insurance exchange sits squarely with Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. However, the Affordable Care Act is also a failure of one party, big government policy. The ACA has increased the cost of health care, worsened Maryland’s doctor shortage and raised taxes on the middle class. Brown says he was kept in the dark, but insurers and citizens are still being kept in the dark on the true costs of government run healthcare.
“The administration’s proposal to retroactively enroll people at a cost of $5-$10 million more taxpayer dollars is only throwing more taxpayer money on the ACA fire. For the health care exchange to work, hundreds of thousands of Marylanders need to purchase private plans, however, because of government regulations, the plans are far too expensive and effectively worthless for young workers. Instead, we are enrolling hundreds of thousands of people in Medicaid, the same program whose budget was cut to fund the ACA.
“The O’Malley/Brown administration always viewed the Affordable Care Act as a campaign tool instead of as a sincere effort to extend health insurance coverage, and it’s Maryland citizens who are paying the price.”
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY AND LT. GOVERNOR BROWN ANNOUNCE NEW EFFORTS TO ASSIST MARYLANDERS WHO HAD TROUBLE ENROLLING THROUGH WEBSITE
Administration also announces decision to stay the course with Maryland Health Connection site
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 14, 2014) – Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown today announced that an estimated several thousand Marylanders who experienced technical challenges on the health reform website will be able enroll in the private plan of their choice with coverage retroactive to January 1.
Maryland officials have been doing everything they can to (a) get as many Marylanders as possible enrolled in health coverage, and (b) help Marylanders adversely affected by the technological problems the Maryland Health Connection web site has experienced. State officials have been working closely with the private insurance carriers in Maryland, and urging them to offer retroactive coverage back to January 1 for individuals who had difficulties signing up through the website late last year. On Monday, all four insurance carriers participating in the state-based exchange -- CareFirst, Evergreen Co-op, Kaiser Permanente, and United -- agreed to make retroactive coverage available.
“We encouraged the carriers to make this program available because we want as many Marylanders as possible to enroll in health coverage, and because we want to provide whatever assistance we can to individuals and families who had difficulty using the web site,” Gov. O’Malley said.
“We are 100% focused on making health care available to more Marylanders,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “By working with the carriers to establish retroactive coverage and passing MHIP legislation to provide a bridge for those who need care the most, we’re making a positive difference in the lives of Marylanders across our State.”
Starting today, the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange will reach out to consumers with known issues in their applications prior to January 1, and offer them an opportunity to register with the program. Other Marylanders who experienced significant website problems that prevented enrollment and are interested in coverage back to January 1, should call the Consumer Support Center to be considered for the program.
The carriers set a deadline of 5 pm on January 21, 2014 to enroll in the program. Therefore, anyone wishing to enroll in the program must do so before that deadline. Anyone with questions about enrolling, or who wishes to enroll, should call the Consumer Support Center at 1-855-642-8572. Staff from the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange will reach out to program participants to confirm eligibility and record plan selection. Coverage will be effective once consumers pay their January and February premiums -- the deadline for paying is February 15, 2014. Consumers will then be able to submit bills for medical services received back to January 1 for reimbursement under the terms of their policy.
“We share the State’s interest in getting as many Marylanders as possible enrolled in health coverage for 2014,” said CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield President and CEO Chet Burrell. “It’s part of our mission to support programs that increase access to health care and this step certainly does just that.”
The new option is expected to significantly reduce the number of Maryland residents who might need to take advantage of the proposed option of joining the Maryland Health Insurance Program. Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown remain committed to their legislative proposal, so that MHIP can continue to serve as a safety net of last resort.
Summary:
Deadline to REGISTER for the program: January 21
Deadline to PAY January and February premiums: February 15
To ask questions or to enroll: Call the Consumer Support Center at 1-855-642-8572
In addition, after evaluating the feasibility of using certain back-end functions of the federal marketplace, the Governor and Lt. Governor have decided that during the remaining months of open enrollment, the risks associated with a transition to the federal site would outweigh the benefits. The IT team and the vendors working on the project will continue the ongoing efforts to fix the remaining technical issues so that more Marylanders can enroll in coverage during the open enrollment period that ends March 31, 2014.
Video Of A Man Hugging A Wild Lion Will Bring You To Tears
Kevin Richardson is an animal behaviorist who has become famous for getting up-close to wild animals, including lions and hyenas.
In a viral video, taken by a GoPro camera, the so-called "lion whisperer" can be seen hugging and cuddling two lions that he rescued as cubs when their mother abandoned them.
The lions are now 10 years old.
Despite all of this time living in the wild in South Africa, the lions still respond to Richardson's voice. He calls the animals' names and they come running to greet him.
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In a viral video, taken by a GoPro camera, the so-called "lion whisperer" can be seen hugging and cuddling two lions that he rescued as cubs when their mother abandoned them.
The lions are now 10 years old.
Despite all of this time living in the wild in South Africa, the lions still respond to Richardson's voice. He calls the animals' names and they come running to greet him.
More
Detroit Free Press Reporter Makes Incest Joke In Light Of West Virginia Chemical Spill
What sort of joke would a Detroit Free Press reporter make about a chemical spill that has left hundreds of thousands of West Virginians trying to make do without tap water? This sort.
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Not If Mayor Jim Ireton And The City Of Salisbury Has Anything To Do With It
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 14, 2014) -- Tomorrow, Governor O’Malley will host a briefing for media on the FY 2015 state budget at 11:00 a.m. in the Governor’s Reception Room in Annapolis. The Governor will discuss how this budget (i) closes the $584 million revenue shortfall without tax or fee increases, (ii) puts the State on a path to totally eliminate the structural deficit by FY 2017, and (iii) supports 48,000 jobs and makes strategic investments in other shared priorities, including quality schools, affordable college, and restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
WHAT: Governor O’Malley to present balanced FY 2015 state budget
WHEN: Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Governor’s Reception Room, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, Md. 21401
IN U.S. MOST ADMIRED POLL, HILLARY CLINTON RANKS LOWER THAN BUSH, RUSH LIMBAUGH
According to a new YouGov.com poll of the most admired people in the world, Hillary Clinton unsurprisingly ranks under Pope Francis and Billy Graham. What is surprising is that Hillary is less popular even than George W. Bush and Rush Limbaugh!
According to the poll, on the aggregated list of the world's most admired people, the former Secretary of State ranks 27th, while on the US list she comes in at tenth place.
The poll, conducted by the Times of London, asked some 14,000 people in 13 countries two open-ended questions: "Who do you think is the most famous person in the world?" and "Who do you admire?"
Answers were restricted to people who are still living.
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According to the poll, on the aggregated list of the world's most admired people, the former Secretary of State ranks 27th, while on the US list she comes in at tenth place.
The poll, conducted by the Times of London, asked some 14,000 people in 13 countries two open-ended questions: "Who do you think is the most famous person in the world?" and "Who do you admire?"
Answers were restricted to people who are still living.
More
Mars To Close Baltimore Distribution Center
Chris D'Anna, chairman and CEO of Mars, said the company decided to close the center, located at 1401 Edison Highway in Baltimore, due to “ever-increasing competition in the grocery business and to remain competitive with large regional and national chains.”
D’Anna said Mars will be outsourcing its grocery supply and distribution to Bozzuto's, Inc. According to the company’s website, Mars employs just less than 1,700 people and their 300,000 square foot distribution center has supplied their stores with dry groceries, meats, deli/dairy, frozen goods and produce.
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What If Americans Rebel Against The Obamacare Mandate?
The Obama administration is trying to persuade millions of uninterested, or perhaps reluctant, Americans to purchase health insurance through the Obamacare exchanges. But the heart of Obamacare is coercion. If Americans fail do what the law's Democratic authors believe is best, the federal government will punish them, through the progressively higher penalties of the individual mandate, until it hurts more not to buy coverage than it does to give up and purchase it.
But what if many of those Americans rebel? Even if they know having health insurance is better than not having it, what if they refuse to be forced to buy the kind of coverage dictated by the government — which may not really meet their needs — at prices they don't want to pay? What then?
"I don't think Obamacare can survive without people wanting to buy it," Bob Laszewski, the respected health care analyst whose writings on Obamacare have become essential in recent months, told me in an email exchange recently. "How the hell are you going to enforce a mandate to buy something that people don't think is valuable enough to buy? If the uninsured don't start to see value in Obamacare and buy it, is the Democratic solution to fine the heck out of them until it hurts so much they have to buy it? Great political strategy!"
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But what if many of those Americans rebel? Even if they know having health insurance is better than not having it, what if they refuse to be forced to buy the kind of coverage dictated by the government — which may not really meet their needs — at prices they don't want to pay? What then?
"I don't think Obamacare can survive without people wanting to buy it," Bob Laszewski, the respected health care analyst whose writings on Obamacare have become essential in recent months, told me in an email exchange recently. "How the hell are you going to enforce a mandate to buy something that people don't think is valuable enough to buy? If the uninsured don't start to see value in Obamacare and buy it, is the Democratic solution to fine the heck out of them until it hurts so much they have to buy it? Great political strategy!"
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Under Obama, Wall Street Soars While Main Street Hurts
As President Obama prepares to lay out an economic agenda to address this disappointing state of affairs in his State of the Union address this month, his inability to stem long-term trends toward inequality are giving congressional Republicans little incentive to work with him as they push their recently developed agenda against poverty.
Mr. Obama has acknowledged that the record gap between the rich and everyone else has only grown on his watch, and has vowed to devote his final three years in office to trying to rectify the situation.
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Craig, Haddaway On Maryland Health Connection Hearings In General Assembly Committee
"The hearing in Annapolis today confirms what we have been saying all along - trying to solve a bureaucratic nightmare with more bureaucracy doesn't work," said Haddaway.
"This is another waste of taxpayers money and creates even more opportunity for people to fall through the cracks because they can't get coverage or because they can't prove they tried to get coverage from the exchange.
"It is unbelievable to me that the State does not know how many people are affected. Why are they covering up the numbers and why are they covering up the fact that people can get coverage by simply going to a local insurance broker in their neighborhood?
"They are so afraid to admit the extent of the Exchange's problems that they are willing to choose politics over people yet again."
Did Someone Say “Crash”?
Guess who’s investing in America’s future?
Nobody, that’s who.
Just check out this excerpt from an article by Rex Nutting at Marketwatch and you’ll see what I mean. The article is titled “No one is investing in tomorrow’s economy”:
“The U.S. economy simply isn’t investing enough to ensure that there will be enough good paying jobs for our children and our children’s children. Net investment — the amount of capital added to our stock — remains at the lowest levels since the Great Depression. …
Net investment…measures the additional stock of buildings, factories, houses, equipment, software, and research and development — above and beyond the replacement of worn-out capital. In 2012, net fixed investment totaled $485 billion, only about half of the $1.1 trillion invested in 2006…
If businesses, consumers and governments were investing for the future at usual rate, the economy would be at least 3% larger, employing millions more people. That’s a huge hole in the economy that can’t be filled by heavily indebted consumers, especially at a time when government is handcuffed by forces of austerity.” (“No one is investing in tomorrow’s economy”, Rex Nutting, Marketwatch)
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Nobody, that’s who.
Just check out this excerpt from an article by Rex Nutting at Marketwatch and you’ll see what I mean. The article is titled “No one is investing in tomorrow’s economy”:
“The U.S. economy simply isn’t investing enough to ensure that there will be enough good paying jobs for our children and our children’s children. Net investment — the amount of capital added to our stock — remains at the lowest levels since the Great Depression. …
Net investment…measures the additional stock of buildings, factories, houses, equipment, software, and research and development — above and beyond the replacement of worn-out capital. In 2012, net fixed investment totaled $485 billion, only about half of the $1.1 trillion invested in 2006…
If businesses, consumers and governments were investing for the future at usual rate, the economy would be at least 3% larger, employing millions more people. That’s a huge hole in the economy that can’t be filled by heavily indebted consumers, especially at a time when government is handcuffed by forces of austerity.” (“No one is investing in tomorrow’s economy”, Rex Nutting, Marketwatch)
More
Spending Bill Bans IRS Targeting, Preserves Incandescent Light Bulbs
But some of the most interesting action happened on the sidelines, where negotiators agreed to strict rules to prevent the Internal Revenue Service from targeting groups for ideological scrutiny, and specifically banning the agency from targeting citizens “for exercising any right guaranteed under the First Amendment.”
Negotiators also agreed to block the Obama administration from imposing standards that effectively would prohibit the sale of incandescent light bulbs. The move continues a prohibition that Republicans imposed when they took control of the House in 2011.
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DOE Plugs Energy Rating For Homes, Similar To MPG Rating For Cars
(CNSNews.com) - The Energy Department on Tuesday is rolling out new, improved software to help Americans measure the energy efficiency of their homes.
DOE says its energy-scoring software -- called the Home Energy Scoring Tool -- is like a vehicle's mile-per-gallon rating because it allows homeowners to compare the energy performance of their homes to other homes nationwide. It also provides homeowners with suggestions for improving their homes' efficiency.
The software is part of the government's effort to reduce the nation's energy consumption; but it's also billed as a way to keep home-retrofitting going, at a time when stimulus funds for weather-proofing have run out.
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DOE says its energy-scoring software -- called the Home Energy Scoring Tool -- is like a vehicle's mile-per-gallon rating because it allows homeowners to compare the energy performance of their homes to other homes nationwide. It also provides homeowners with suggestions for improving their homes' efficiency.
The software is part of the government's effort to reduce the nation's energy consumption; but it's also billed as a way to keep home-retrofitting going, at a time when stimulus funds for weather-proofing have run out.
More
1 Child Dies, 2 Injured After Falling Through Ice On Md. Pond
Two other children remained hospitalized in stable condition Monday night, said Scott Graham, spokesman for the Montgomery County Fire Department.
The storm water retention pond is located behind the Crown Farm development, north of Great Seneca Highway on Diamondback Drive, which is currently under construction, ABC 7's Tom Roussey tells WTOP.
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Toddler Caught On Video Cursing Now In Foster Home With 17-Year-Old Mother
An Omaha, NE juvenile court ruled on Monday that the 2-year-old and his 17-year-old mother will both be placed with the same foster family.
It's a video that sparked a firestorm of controversy, a 2-year-old boy being provoked to curse, and saying all kinds of profane things. But behind the video, there's another more personal story to tell.
The 2-year-old boy is being raised by a 17-year-old mother, who lived with her 19-year-old sister and their 38-year-old mother was recently incarcerated on gun charges. There were other children in the house as well.
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