DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, May 09, 2014
Stasi In the Pew
Cops penetrate churches and turn them into snitch operations for the national security state
The Hanover County, Virginia, Sheriff has rolled out a surveillance and snitch program based inside local churches.
The mission of the program, according to a post on the Hanover County web page, is to “reduce crime and the fear of crime in houses of worship and areas frequented by the faith community as well as provide for emergency preparedness partnership initiatives. We provide education and partnership opportunities to our faith community in an effort to recognize crime risks, train them to accurately report crimes, and be better prepared in the event of an emergency.”
As we have previously noted, emergency preparedness has operated as a cover for federal penetration of state and local law enforcement since the presidency of Ronald Reagan under Executive Order 12656, but really took off after the 9/11 terror attacks.
Laws passed since the 9/11 attacks, including the Patriot Act, the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007, and the Military Commissions Act, are designed to compliment and enhance continuity of government operations more tightly focused on responding to internal dissent and threats to the status quo than maintaining government cohesion after a nuclear attack.
As the Department of Defense has stressed, crime and terrorism are now inseparable.
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The Hanover County, Virginia, Sheriff has rolled out a surveillance and snitch program based inside local churches.
The mission of the program, according to a post on the Hanover County web page, is to “reduce crime and the fear of crime in houses of worship and areas frequented by the faith community as well as provide for emergency preparedness partnership initiatives. We provide education and partnership opportunities to our faith community in an effort to recognize crime risks, train them to accurately report crimes, and be better prepared in the event of an emergency.”
As we have previously noted, emergency preparedness has operated as a cover for federal penetration of state and local law enforcement since the presidency of Ronald Reagan under Executive Order 12656, but really took off after the 9/11 terror attacks.
Laws passed since the 9/11 attacks, including the Patriot Act, the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007, and the Military Commissions Act, are designed to compliment and enhance continuity of government operations more tightly focused on responding to internal dissent and threats to the status quo than maintaining government cohesion after a nuclear attack.
As the Department of Defense has stressed, crime and terrorism are now inseparable.
More
Issa: 'How Much Pornography' Does it Take 'to Get Fired' at EPA?
"How much pornography would it take for an EPA employee to lose their job?" Darrell Issa, (R-Calif.) Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, asked EPA officials at a hearing yesterday, where it emerged that an EPA employee viewed two to six hours of porn per day since 2010.
The employee has over 7,000 porn files on his computer and even watched porn when inspector general agents visited his office, Deputy Assistant Inspector General Allan Williams testified in a statement submitted to the committee. He makes over $120,000 a year and he even received performance awards for his time at the agency. And this man is still employed at the EPA, even though he confessed to the time he spent viewing the pornography.
"This individual spent four consecutive hours on a site called 'sadism is beautiful,'" Issa said at the hearing. "I've been out of the business world for a number of years, but I have a strong feeling that the House of Representatives has figured out how to block sites with titles like that. It would shock me that they wouldn't. It shocks me that you could tell us that you do a pretty good job [of blocking porn sites] and something as explicit as those key words or 'bear so horny' or - I'm not going into the other names, it disgusts me. You are running an organization from which no one can get fired."
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The employee has over 7,000 porn files on his computer and even watched porn when inspector general agents visited his office, Deputy Assistant Inspector General Allan Williams testified in a statement submitted to the committee. He makes over $120,000 a year and he even received performance awards for his time at the agency. And this man is still employed at the EPA, even though he confessed to the time he spent viewing the pornography.
"This individual spent four consecutive hours on a site called 'sadism is beautiful,'" Issa said at the hearing. "I've been out of the business world for a number of years, but I have a strong feeling that the House of Representatives has figured out how to block sites with titles like that. It would shock me that they wouldn't. It shocks me that you could tell us that you do a pretty good job [of blocking porn sites] and something as explicit as those key words or 'bear so horny' or - I'm not going into the other names, it disgusts me. You are running an organization from which no one can get fired."
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Elections Not Stopping Obama Pollution Rules
Within weeks, President Barack Obama's administration is set to unveil unprecedented emissions limits on power plants across the U.S., much to the dismay of many Democratic candidates who are running for election in energy-producing states. Fearful of a political backlash, they wish their fellow Democrat in the White House would hold off until after the voting.
But Obama can't wait that long.
Unlike the Keystone XL oil pipeline, whose review the administration has delayed, probably until after November's elections, the clock is ticking for the power plant rules — the cornerstone of Obama's campaign to curb climate change. Unless he starts now, the rules won't be in place before he leaves office, making it easier for his successor to stop them.
So even though the action could bolster Republican attacks against some of this year's most vulnerable Democrats, the administration is proceeding at full speed. Obama's counselor on climate issues, John Podesta, affirmed that the proposal will be unveiled in early June — just as this year's general election is heating up.
"Having this debate now will only injure Democrats," said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic strategist. "Democrats are in trouble. The best thing when you're in trouble is to avoid further controversy."
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But Obama can't wait that long.
Unlike the Keystone XL oil pipeline, whose review the administration has delayed, probably until after November's elections, the clock is ticking for the power plant rules — the cornerstone of Obama's campaign to curb climate change. Unless he starts now, the rules won't be in place before he leaves office, making it easier for his successor to stop them.
So even though the action could bolster Republican attacks against some of this year's most vulnerable Democrats, the administration is proceeding at full speed. Obama's counselor on climate issues, John Podesta, affirmed that the proposal will be unveiled in early June — just as this year's general election is heating up.
"Having this debate now will only injure Democrats," said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic strategist. "Democrats are in trouble. The best thing when you're in trouble is to avoid further controversy."
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Obama Sternly Warns State and Local School Districts "Not to Deny" Illegal Immigrant Enrollment
In a joint letter, the U.S. Education and Justice departments said they had become aware of student enrollment practices "that may chill or discourage" participation of students based on their or their parents' "actual or perceived immigration status."
"These practices contravene Federal law," the letter said.
The letter, which updates 2011 guidelines, did not single out districts for criticism. However, practices at some of the nation's districts have been targeted by immigration rights advocates in recent years.
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Obama's actions on night of Benghazi attack under scrutiny
White House calls probes a partisan witch hunt
As House investigators gear up for a new probe of Benghazi, one question they’ll likely pursue is what President Obama did or didn’t do on the night that the terrorist attack was unfolding 20 months ago.
While much attention has focused on Susan E. Rice’s “talking points” that blamed the Benghazi attack on an anti-Islam video, the White House has largely ducked questions about Mr. Obama’s actions during the crucial hours when U.S. officials were debating how, or whether, to rescue the Americans under attack at U.S. consulate in Libya.
Four U.S. citizens died, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in the line of duty since 1979.
The White House said Wednesday it has provided “remarkable cooperation” on seven previous congressional probes into Benghazi. And an Obama aide criticized a Republican fundraising email that mentioned the new probe, saying it’s evidence of a partisan witch hunt.
“I think that tells you just about all you need to know when it comes to assessing the political motivations of those who are leading the effort to form this committee,” said White House deputy press secretary Joshua Earnest.
More
As House investigators gear up for a new probe of Benghazi, one question they’ll likely pursue is what President Obama did or didn’t do on the night that the terrorist attack was unfolding 20 months ago.
While much attention has focused on Susan E. Rice’s “talking points” that blamed the Benghazi attack on an anti-Islam video, the White House has largely ducked questions about Mr. Obama’s actions during the crucial hours when U.S. officials were debating how, or whether, to rescue the Americans under attack at U.S. consulate in Libya.
Four U.S. citizens died, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the first U.S. ambassador to be killed in the line of duty since 1979.
The White House said Wednesday it has provided “remarkable cooperation” on seven previous congressional probes into Benghazi. And an Obama aide criticized a Republican fundraising email that mentioned the new probe, saying it’s evidence of a partisan witch hunt.
“I think that tells you just about all you need to know when it comes to assessing the political motivations of those who are leading the effort to form this committee,” said White House deputy press secretary Joshua Earnest.
More
They Put Old Bay On Everything In Maryland. Soon You Will, Too
In short, it feels like Old Bay is everywhere these days, and not just in Maryland. Old Bay's Facebook page has nearly half a million 'likes.' On its Web site, the company claims 50 million ounces of the seasoning were sold last year — that works out to about 8.3 million of the little yellow tins that are ubiquitous on dinner tables in the Chesapeake Bay region. The company also maintains an "Old Bay Nation" fan site that collects testimonials from Old Bay enthusiasts worldwide.
Search data from Google confirms that interest in Old Bay — nationwide, not just in Maryland — is indeed on the upswing.
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Convicted Felon with ‘Mood Disorder’ Receives $8,700/Month Disability & My Daughter with Brain Tumor Denied
When I read about former US Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., a convicted felon, receiving $8,700 a MONTH in disability for his mood disorder, I was and still am livid.
Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandra pled guilty to the criminal charges of illegally using campaign funds for personal gain. Sandra stole a mere $168,000 from the campaign fund, while her hubby pilfered a whopping $750,000. Among the 3,100 personal lavishes that were financed with campaign funds between 2005 to April 2012, were fur capes and parkas purchased by Sandra for $5,150. Jesse Jr used $9,587.64 of campaign funds to buy children’s furniture and another $43,350 for a gold-plated Rolex watch. The couple used Campaign credit cards to purchase $582,772 worth of personal items, $60,857 for restaurants, lounges, nightclubs and gym memberships, $5,814 for alcohol and $14,513 for dry cleaning. Additionally, his campaign fund paid Sandra’s consulting firm $5,000 a week during the entire time of his indiscretions. The consulting fees totaled up to over $340,000.
As part of the plea deal, Sandra has been ordered to pay restitution of $168,000 and Jesse Jr has been ordered to pay restitution of $750,000. Federal prosecutors have recommended that Sandra also serve 18 months in prison and Jesse Jr serve 48 months in prison. They also recommend that Sandra serve her sentence first and then Jesse since the couple have kids. If you asked me, both parents should serve time together and the kids would be much better off living with someone else that might help instill better values and morals.
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Jackson Jr. and his wife Sandra pled guilty to the criminal charges of illegally using campaign funds for personal gain. Sandra stole a mere $168,000 from the campaign fund, while her hubby pilfered a whopping $750,000. Among the 3,100 personal lavishes that were financed with campaign funds between 2005 to April 2012, were fur capes and parkas purchased by Sandra for $5,150. Jesse Jr used $9,587.64 of campaign funds to buy children’s furniture and another $43,350 for a gold-plated Rolex watch. The couple used Campaign credit cards to purchase $582,772 worth of personal items, $60,857 for restaurants, lounges, nightclubs and gym memberships, $5,814 for alcohol and $14,513 for dry cleaning. Additionally, his campaign fund paid Sandra’s consulting firm $5,000 a week during the entire time of his indiscretions. The consulting fees totaled up to over $340,000.
As part of the plea deal, Sandra has been ordered to pay restitution of $168,000 and Jesse Jr has been ordered to pay restitution of $750,000. Federal prosecutors have recommended that Sandra also serve 18 months in prison and Jesse Jr serve 48 months in prison. They also recommend that Sandra serve her sentence first and then Jesse since the couple have kids. If you asked me, both parents should serve time together and the kids would be much better off living with someone else that might help instill better values and morals.
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Md. Senior Olympics Coming to Kent Island
Wroth said, “The venue at the Elks’ lodge is possibly the best location in the state. It’s outstanding.”
This will be only the second time that the any portion of the Maryland games will be hosted on the Eastern Shore. Beginning in 1980, all Maryland games were hosted at Towson University. Towson’s Athletic Director Bob Ziegler helped start the Maryland Senior Olympics, and the university hosted the games until Ziegler retired in 2006.
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Wind Farms Severely Harmful to Wildlife, New Study Finds
A new study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, combining an impressive six hundred other studies, describes the severe effects wind turbines can have on wildlife. Not only are the disturbances and noise of the building of turbines an issue but also the sound of the windmills rotating and electromagnetic fields (EMF) caused by transferring the electricity produced to the mainland.
At the construction phase, for example, "extreme noise from pile-driving" is observed to cause "significant avoidance behaviour in marine mammals" and "highly likely to cause mortality and tissue damage in fish."
On the noise of the blades there was "avoidance of the offshore wind farm (OWF) area by harbour porpoise, and possibly a habituation over time."
EMF affects “cartilaginous fish, which use electromagnetic signals in detecting prey” and EMF could also disturb fish migration patterns.”
The OWF “may also alter local biodiversity patterns and lead to undesired effects.”
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At the construction phase, for example, "extreme noise from pile-driving" is observed to cause "significant avoidance behaviour in marine mammals" and "highly likely to cause mortality and tissue damage in fish."
On the noise of the blades there was "avoidance of the offshore wind farm (OWF) area by harbour porpoise, and possibly a habituation over time."
EMF affects “cartilaginous fish, which use electromagnetic signals in detecting prey” and EMF could also disturb fish migration patterns.”
The OWF “may also alter local biodiversity patterns and lead to undesired effects.”
More
Cardin Responds To Report Of Missed Votes
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Baltimore County Delegate Jon Cardin responded to a Baltimore Sun review that showed Delegate Jon Cardin missed 75-percent of his votes on the House Ways and Means Committee in this year's legislative session, while he was running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.
His rivals Senator Brian Frosh and Delegate Aisha Braveboy criticized Cardin, noting that the fate of many bills is determined in the committee, and not on the House floor.
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Alaska hunter bags world record grizzly bear
Although Fitzgerald shot the bear last September, Boone and Crockett, which certifies hunting records, has only now determined the grizzly, with a skull measuring 27 and 6/16ths inches, is the biggest ever taken down by a hunter, and the second largest grizzly ever documented. Only a grizzly skull found by an Alaska taxidermist in 1976 was bigger than that of the bear Fitzgerald bagged.
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Wicomico Districts Slightly Changed
SALISBURY – The Wicomico County Council voted this week to make a slight amendment to its redrawn election districts.
The Resolution states, “the Wicomico County Council have established Councilmanic districts. Subsequent to the establishment of the Councilmanic districts, the State of Maryland concluded the realignment of state legislative districts. As a result of the State’s realignment of the legislative districts, a precinct containing one block with a single voter was created.
The Wicomico County Board of Election Supervisors has requested a modification of the boundaries of Councilmanic Districts 1 and 2 to eliminate the single voter precinct to avoid the expense and confusion that may accompany reporting election results with a single voter precinct.”
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The Resolution states, “the Wicomico County Council have established Councilmanic districts. Subsequent to the establishment of the Councilmanic districts, the State of Maryland concluded the realignment of state legislative districts. As a result of the State’s realignment of the legislative districts, a precinct containing one block with a single voter was created.
The Wicomico County Board of Election Supervisors has requested a modification of the boundaries of Councilmanic Districts 1 and 2 to eliminate the single voter precinct to avoid the expense and confusion that may accompany reporting election results with a single voter precinct.”
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Dick Morris: We're Missing the Wrong Benghazi Talking Points
We’ve been looking in the wrong place.
Until now, anyone trying to figure out what really happened at Benghazi has examined the "talking points" prepared by the CIA on Sept. 14, 2012 that President Barack Obama’s former UN Ambassador Susan Rice supposedly relied on.
Rice appeared on five Sunday talk shows two days later and on each show, she falsely claimed that an internet video caused a "spontaneous" demonstration that eventually erupted into the deadly violence in Benghazi.
But that never made sense, because the CIA memo never mentioned anything about a video.
So where did she get that completely erroneous information?
Straight from the Obama White House, that’s where.
More
Until now, anyone trying to figure out what really happened at Benghazi has examined the "talking points" prepared by the CIA on Sept. 14, 2012 that President Barack Obama’s former UN Ambassador Susan Rice supposedly relied on.
Rice appeared on five Sunday talk shows two days later and on each show, she falsely claimed that an internet video caused a "spontaneous" demonstration that eventually erupted into the deadly violence in Benghazi.
But that never made sense, because the CIA memo never mentioned anything about a video.
So where did she get that completely erroneous information?
Straight from the Obama White House, that’s where.
More
State’s First Large Wind Farm To Be Off OC Coastline
With Ocean City poised to be the site of Maryland’s first large-scale, offshore wind farm, the Business Network for Maryland Offshore Wind is working to connect potential business partners with wind farm developers.
The Network launched its supply chain portal — a listing of businesses from logistics companies to land-based contractors —a month ago, but 75 companies have already signed up for the free service, said Liz Burdock, executive director of the group.
“It’s helpful for the developer,” she said. “Say they wanted a marine diving company to do some work. They would call me, and I could give them the name of the marine diving companies that were interested in the offshore wind project.
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The Network launched its supply chain portal — a listing of businesses from logistics companies to land-based contractors —a month ago, but 75 companies have already signed up for the free service, said Liz Burdock, executive director of the group.
“It’s helpful for the developer,” she said. “Say they wanted a marine diving company to do some work. They would call me, and I could give them the name of the marine diving companies that were interested in the offshore wind project.
More
NSA to Control the Stock Market
Spy agency can easily manipulate the market through latest surveillance hub
Through the use of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)’s latest database, which keeps investor data in the same centralized location, the NSA could easily capture private, financial data on targeted investors and even influence the stock market as a whole.
And it appears that the dragnet database, called the Comprehensive Automated Risk Data System (CARDS), was designed with such vulnerabilities in mind.
“I can’t think of any other reason that someone would invest so much time and so much effort into trying to monitor every brokerage account in the United States in real time,” Porter Stansberry, the founder of the Stansberry & Associates Investment Research Conference, said on the Alex Jones Show. “That is an enormous technical challenge.”
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Council Questions Capital Improvement List
SALISBURY — The Salisbury City Council indicated this week that it in the future would like to see a more realistic Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) presented for annual review.
Acknowledging that the CIP is basically a wish list of upcoming projects, several council members said Monday that past CIPs have seemed overloaded with many projects having to be shelved for years.
The issue was raised by Councilwoman Laura Mitchell during a work session this week. This year’s CIP, which is a five-year outlook plan on city projects, was being discussed when Mitchell mentioned that she’s seen a pattern during her years reviewing similar plans.
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Acknowledging that the CIP is basically a wish list of upcoming projects, several council members said Monday that past CIPs have seemed overloaded with many projects having to be shelved for years.
The issue was raised by Councilwoman Laura Mitchell during a work session this week. This year’s CIP, which is a five-year outlook plan on city projects, was being discussed when Mitchell mentioned that she’s seen a pattern during her years reviewing similar plans.
More
Roses Discount Store Chestertown MD
CHESTERTOWN — Roses Discount Store, a fixture of the Kent Plaza shopping center for 26 years, will be closing its doors.
Wilson Sawyer, president of Roses, said in a phone interview Wednesday, May 7, that the store’s landlord, the Cordish Companies, told Roses it has another use for the space. “We will be leaving before Aug. 1,” when the lease runs out, he said.
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Wilson Sawyer, president of Roses, said in a phone interview Wednesday, May 7, that the store’s landlord, the Cordish Companies, told Roses it has another use for the space. “We will be leaving before Aug. 1,” when the lease runs out, he said.
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Maryland's Unhappy Residents
"If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." That little nugget of truth, also known as the "law of the instrument," can be applied to more than just tool selection. When it comes to some closely-held beliefs, people tend to see circumstances as frequently proving them correct — even when they do nothing of the kind.
At least that might explain why a recently-released Gallup poll finding that 47 percent of Maryland residents would choose to move if they could — the third highest percentage among the states — is being cited by many as evidence of failed tax policy. What the state's anti-tax crowd may lack of political muscle, they certainly make up in fidelity to their point of view.
And it isn't just Republicans or conservatives offering the usual anti-tax screed to explain every signal of dissatisfaction. That was Attorney General Douglas Gansler who mentioned the Gallup poll and attributed the results to high taxes in the televised debate among Democratic candidates for governor last week in College Park.
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At least that might explain why a recently-released Gallup poll finding that 47 percent of Maryland residents would choose to move if they could — the third highest percentage among the states — is being cited by many as evidence of failed tax policy. What the state's anti-tax crowd may lack of political muscle, they certainly make up in fidelity to their point of view.
And it isn't just Republicans or conservatives offering the usual anti-tax screed to explain every signal of dissatisfaction. That was Attorney General Douglas Gansler who mentioned the Gallup poll and attributed the results to high taxes in the televised debate among Democratic candidates for governor last week in College Park.
More
Familiar Firm To Manage Beach Patrol Project
OCEAN CITY – The city decided this week to hire Gillis Gilkerson to manage the construction of the new Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) headquarters downtown.
During Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council session, two bid awards came under the consent agenda — construction management services for the new OCBP headquarters and an Energy Performance Contract.
The city received six proposals for the OCBP construction management services that have been reviewed by staff, and two firms were selected to make oral presentations. Staff recommended to the Mayor and City Council to award the contract to Gillis Gilkerson.
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During Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council session, two bid awards came under the consent agenda — construction management services for the new OCBP headquarters and an Energy Performance Contract.
The city received six proposals for the OCBP construction management services that have been reviewed by staff, and two firms were selected to make oral presentations. Staff recommended to the Mayor and City Council to award the contract to Gillis Gilkerson.
More
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