A confidential government report says terrorist groups such as the Islamic State have all but abandoned trying to put together huge plots such as the Sept. 11 attacks and warns counter-terrorism agencies of a “new landscape” where lone killers strike and massacre quickly thanks to the digital age.
The report by the National Counter-terrorism Center marks a historical shift that requires the FBI, CIA and other agencies to try to locate the mobile and digital-savvy loner, and not necessarily detect a complex plot.
“The steady rise in the number of lone actor operations is a trend which coincides with the deepening and broadening of the digital revolution as well as the encouragement of such operations by terrorist groups because intensified [counter-terrorism] operations have disrupted their ability to launch larger plots,” the NCTC says in a report obtained by The Washington Times. “Lone actors now have greater capability to create and broadcast material than a decade ago, while violent extremists can contact and interact with potential recruits with greater ease.”
The report was circulated Dec. 28 to counter-terrorism agencies across the country.
The analysis says the new faces of extremist violence are “small autonomous cells” and “individual terrorism.”
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[ This certainly makes the case for concealed-carry, doesn't it? --Editor ]
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, January 06, 2017
Study looks at impact of adjunct hiring on college spending patterns
Study suggests the funds institutions gain aren’t going to instruction.
Colleges and universities of all kinds are increasingly relying on non-tenure-track faculty members. And administrators frequently defend their hiring choices by citing money. Since adjuncts are paid less than those on the tenure track (and frequently lack benefits), it costs colleges less to have a section taught by an adjunct than by someone who is tenured or on the tenure track.
But where do the savings go?
The American Institutes of Research released two studies Wednesday to answer that question. Both studies use data from the Delta Cost Project -- which is highly regarded for tracking how colleges spend money -- and both were sponsored by the TIAA Institute.
With regard to savings, the studies suggest that what colleges are saving on instructional costs isn’t resulting in more investment in tenure-track faculty, as some might hope. Rather, the savings appear to be showing up elsewhere, if at all.
Here are some of the key findings:
Private four-year colleges that use large proportions of non-tenure-track faculty members spend 37 percent less on full-time faculty members of all kinds than do similar institutions with small shares of non-tenure-track faculty members. But looking at spending on all categories of full-time employees, these institutions are spending only 19 percent less than those with small shares of non-tenure-track faculty members. So more spending seems possible on the administrative side of the house.
Colleges and universities of all kinds are increasingly relying on non-tenure-track faculty members. And administrators frequently defend their hiring choices by citing money. Since adjuncts are paid less than those on the tenure track (and frequently lack benefits), it costs colleges less to have a section taught by an adjunct than by someone who is tenured or on the tenure track.
But where do the savings go?
The American Institutes of Research released two studies Wednesday to answer that question. Both studies use data from the Delta Cost Project -- which is highly regarded for tracking how colleges spend money -- and both were sponsored by the TIAA Institute.
With regard to savings, the studies suggest that what colleges are saving on instructional costs isn’t resulting in more investment in tenure-track faculty, as some might hope. Rather, the savings appear to be showing up elsewhere, if at all.
Here are some of the key findings:
Private four-year colleges that use large proportions of non-tenure-track faculty members spend 37 percent less on full-time faculty members of all kinds than do similar institutions with small shares of non-tenure-track faculty members. But looking at spending on all categories of full-time employees, these institutions are spending only 19 percent less than those with small shares of non-tenure-track faculty members. So more spending seems possible on the administrative side of the house.
America to Obama: Stop now. You lost.
Kevin Lee believes the main point of last year's election was a wholesale rejection of President Obama's policies.
"So I wish the president would stop pushing those very same agenda policies like Obamacare, or issuing more executive orders and tacking on more regulations as he is walking out the door," said Lee, the president of Lee Supply Company in this Mon Valley town.
"These are issues and policies voters clearly wanted nothing to do with," he said.
Since November, Obama has conducted a flurry of actions and issued executive orders that have not just irked Trump voters, but also many Democrats.
"His tin ear has been breathtaking," said Anthony Ripepi, a 54-year-old chief of surgery at a suburban Pittsburgh hospital.
Ripepi also found Washington Democrats standing behind Obamacare praising the law on Wednesday an amusing stage setting, "considering I have not seen or heard anyone of them running on the merits of that law since it was passed," he said.
Obama made it clear in his interview with his former chief strategist David Axelrod last month he believes he and his policies would have beaten Donald Trump last November. He is reinforcing that belief by continuously issuing executive orders and attempting to salvage his unpopular Obamacare.
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"So I wish the president would stop pushing those very same agenda policies like Obamacare, or issuing more executive orders and tacking on more regulations as he is walking out the door," said Lee, the president of Lee Supply Company in this Mon Valley town.
"These are issues and policies voters clearly wanted nothing to do with," he said.
Since November, Obama has conducted a flurry of actions and issued executive orders that have not just irked Trump voters, but also many Democrats.
"His tin ear has been breathtaking," said Anthony Ripepi, a 54-year-old chief of surgery at a suburban Pittsburgh hospital.
Ripepi also found Washington Democrats standing behind Obamacare praising the law on Wednesday an amusing stage setting, "considering I have not seen or heard anyone of them running on the merits of that law since it was passed," he said.
Obama made it clear in his interview with his former chief strategist David Axelrod last month he believes he and his policies would have beaten Donald Trump last November. He is reinforcing that belief by continuously issuing executive orders and attempting to salvage his unpopular Obamacare.
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Fed: 4 Charged In Liquor Board Bribery Conspiracy
Prince George’s County Liquor Board Officials and Business Owners Charged in Federal Bribery Conspiracy
“Our government is not supposed to work that way”
Greenbelt, Maryland – Prince George’s County Liquor Board officials, David Dae Sok Son, age 40, of Bowie, Maryland, and Anuj Sud, age 39, of Hyattsville, Maryland, and Prince George’s County business owners, Young Jung Paig, age 62, of Beltsville, Maryland, and Shin Ja Lee, age 55, of Landover, Maryland, are charged by criminal complaints with a bribery conspiracy. The defendants allegedly conspired to engage in bribery in order to influence public officials in the performance of their official duties in Prince George’s County. Son, Paig, and Lee are also charged with a bribery conspiracy to influence the State of Maryland.
The charges were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Thomas Jankowski of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Chief Hank Stawinski of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
“The defendants allegedly paid cash bribes to state and local officials in Prince George’s County in return for favorable action concerning liquor licenses,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Our government is not supposed to work that way.”
Thomas Sowell's Retirement: The End of an Era
He published his final “Random Thoughts” piece on December 27. Here are a few priceless excerpts:
Warning America: “If you want to understand the fatal dangers facing America today, read ‘The Gathering Storm’ by Winston Churchill. The book is not about America, the Middle East, or nuclear missiles. But it shows Europe’s attitudes and delusions…”
Addressing academic idiocy: “Black adults, during the years when I was growing up in Harlem, had far less education than black adults today — but far more common sense. In an age of artificial intelligence, too many of our schools and colleges are producing artificial stupidity, among both blacks and whites.”
More here
Sears - Store closures now at 150
Sears announced a second wave of store closures on Wednesday, bringing the total number of closures scheduled for early 2017 to 150.
The company will shut down 108 Kmart stores and 42 Sears stores by April, according to an internal document obtained by Business Insider.
That represents about 10% of Sears' store base.
Forty-six closures were announced internally on December 27. Employees learned of the remaining closures on Wednesday.
Sears did not respond to a request for comment on the closures.
Here's a list of Kmart stores that are closing:
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The company will shut down 108 Kmart stores and 42 Sears stores by April, according to an internal document obtained by Business Insider.
That represents about 10% of Sears' store base.
Forty-six closures were announced internally on December 27. Employees learned of the remaining closures on Wednesday.
Sears did not respond to a request for comment on the closures.
Here's a list of Kmart stores that are closing:
More
Churchill and Saratoga complete acquisition of Ocean Downs
Louisville, KY and Saratoga Springs, NY --- Churchill Downs Incorporated and Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC today announced that they have completed their previously announced purchase of the Casino at Ocean Downs and Ocean Downs Racetrack from a private ownership group led by Mr. William M. Rickman Jr.
The purchase of the property by Old Bay Gaming & Racing, LLC, a new 50/50 joint venture formed by CDI and SCH, follows the approval of the transaction by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and the Maryland Racing Commission.
The Casino at Ocean Downs and Ocean Downs Racetrack are located in Berlin, Md., about five minutes from the coastal resort community of Ocean City, Md.
The Casino at Ocean Downs, which opened in 2010, hosts 800 video lottery terminals and electronic table games. Ocean Downs Racetrack, which opened in 1949, offers live seasonal harness racing as well as a year-round simulcast facility. Further information can be found at www.oceandowns.com.
The purchase of the property by Old Bay Gaming & Racing, LLC, a new 50/50 joint venture formed by CDI and SCH, follows the approval of the transaction by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency and the Maryland Racing Commission.
The Casino at Ocean Downs and Ocean Downs Racetrack are located in Berlin, Md., about five minutes from the coastal resort community of Ocean City, Md.
The Casino at Ocean Downs, which opened in 2010, hosts 800 video lottery terminals and electronic table games. Ocean Downs Racetrack, which opened in 1949, offers live seasonal harness racing as well as a year-round simulcast facility. Further information can be found at www.oceandowns.com.
Fed. Debt Climbs $1,054,647,941,626.91 in 2016
(CNSNews.com) - The federal debt climbed by more than a trillion dollars during 2016, according to data released today by the U.S. Treasury.
On Dec. 31, 2015, the last business day of 2015, the federal debt was $18,922,179,009,420.89. On Dec. 30, 2016, the last business day of 2016, it was $19,976,826,951,047.80.
The one-year increase in the federal debt during calendar year 2016 was therefore $1,054,647,941,626.91.
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On Dec. 31, 2015, the last business day of 2015, the federal debt was $18,922,179,009,420.89. On Dec. 30, 2016, the last business day of 2016, it was $19,976,826,951,047.80.
The one-year increase in the federal debt during calendar year 2016 was therefore $1,054,647,941,626.91.
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Natural Disasters causes $175B in Damage in 2016
Only 30% of losses were insured
LONDON (CNNMoney) - Earthquakes in Japan. Devastating floods in China. A deadly hurricane that swept across Haiti.
These disasters helped push the total damage caused by natural catastrophes to $175 billion in 2016, according to the German reinsurance firm Munich RE.
The global cost was the highest in four years. Only 30% of the losses -- $50 billion -- were insured, according to Munich RE.
The costliest disasters were in Asia. Two earthquakes in Japan combined to produce $31 billion in losses, while floods that struck China during the summer caused $20 billion in damage.
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LONDON (CNNMoney) - Earthquakes in Japan. Devastating floods in China. A deadly hurricane that swept across Haiti.
These disasters helped push the total damage caused by natural catastrophes to $175 billion in 2016, according to the German reinsurance firm Munich RE.
The global cost was the highest in four years. Only 30% of the losses -- $50 billion -- were insured, according to Munich RE.
The costliest disasters were in Asia. Two earthquakes in Japan combined to produce $31 billion in losses, while floods that struck China during the summer caused $20 billion in damage.
More
Ocean Pines Crews Working to Prepare for Possible Snow Storm
Director of Public Works, Eddie Wells, has reported that crews are monitoring conditions. Plowing of roadways would start at a three (3) inch snowfall or when conditions warrant. The Ocean Pines Public Works Department uses a seven-truck system, plowing all streets to make sure that all roads are passable for emergency vehicles. After precipitation stops, all intersections and side streets will be widened. Cul de sacs will be done after roads are completed.
The Director of Public Works along with the Ocean Pines Police Department will determine when to salt roadways, bridges, police and fire departments at the first sign of snow or ice. Top priority are Ocean Parkway, entrances in and out of ‘The Pines,’ all bridges, fire stations, police department followed by high traffic roads. After precipitation has stopped intersections and other areas requested by emergency officials (police, fire) or at the request of a resident.
The public works employees encourage drivers to stay off the road, if at all possible. Drivers are urged to keep a safe distance from plow trucks. Please do not pass snow plows and salting trucks.
Crews with the Ocean Pines Public Works Department are on-call as of Friday morning, Jan. 6, and will be in to work Friday night or early Saturday as soon as it warrants. To help with the removal of snow, Ocean Pines residents are asked to park their vehicles in driveways.
Maryland's highest court hears arguments from Holder, opponents on bail reform
The Court of Appeals put off voting on a change until February, after a hearing that stretched more than six hours and included testimony from dozens of people. The proposed revisions call for judges and court commissioners to view requiring bail as a last option after considering a defendant's financial means.
An initial motion to adopt the changes failed to pass after garnering three votes from the seven judges.
Critics of the bail system say too many people are detained without being found guilty because they're given a bail that they can't pay. The purpose of bail is not to hold someone, but to ensure appearance in court. Judges can order someone held without bond if they believe they are dangerous or a flight risk
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More than 1,000 to attend conservative Presbyterian gathering
A fast-growing theologically conservative Presbyterian denomination will be holding its latest National Gathering later this month in South Carolina.
The Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, a denomination formed in 2012 in response to the increasingly liberal positions of the Presbyterian Church (USA), will be holding its 2017 National Gathering Jan. 24-26.
First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, a congregation of about 3,500 members that joined ECO back in 2012, is the scheduled location for the major gathering.
The Rev. Richard Gibbons, senior pastor of FPC Greenville, told The Christian Post that his church was chosen as the site for the gathering for multiple reasons. "A large central meeting area was required for the plenary sessions, as was multiple breakout rooms for smaller seminars and workshops," said Gibbons.
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The Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians, a denomination formed in 2012 in response to the increasingly liberal positions of the Presbyterian Church (USA), will be holding its 2017 National Gathering Jan. 24-26.
First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, a congregation of about 3,500 members that joined ECO back in 2012, is the scheduled location for the major gathering.
The Rev. Richard Gibbons, senior pastor of FPC Greenville, told The Christian Post that his church was chosen as the site for the gathering for multiple reasons. "A large central meeting area was required for the plenary sessions, as was multiple breakout rooms for smaller seminars and workshops," said Gibbons.
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In Massive Blow To California Unions, A Second Court Rules That Pension Benefits Can Be Reduced
Back in September, we noted that, in a surprisingly logical decision particularly for a state like California which is typically devoid of all reason, a court upheld the rights of Marin County (and it's taxpayers) to reduce final year salary levels utilized to calculate pension payments. The ruling was meant to protect taxpayers against "salary spiking," a practice whereby union employees artificially drive up their final year salary, by taking cash vacation payouts or 1x bonus payments for example, in an effort to game the annual pension payment they'll then receive in perpetuity.
Now, according to Pension & Investments, a second California court in San Francisco has made a similar ruling, finding that while a public employee does have a "vested right" to a pension it is only to a "reasonable pension."
A second California appeals court panel has said that vested pension rights can be reduced or eliminated in California as long as employees still receive a pension that is “substantial” and “reasonable,” court filings show.
The Dec. 30 decision by a three-member panel in San Francisco affirmed a state pension reform law that went into effect in 2013 and eliminated the right of participants of the $302.4 billion California Public Employees' Retirement System, Sacramento, to enhance their pension by buying retirement credits. A lower court in Alameda County in 2015 had ruled that the pension enhancement benefits could be eliminated.
The enhanced benefit, known as an airtime service credit, allowed CalPERS participants to increase their retirement benefit by up to five years by making additional contributions from their salary.
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Now, according to Pension & Investments, a second California court in San Francisco has made a similar ruling, finding that while a public employee does have a "vested right" to a pension it is only to a "reasonable pension."
A second California appeals court panel has said that vested pension rights can be reduced or eliminated in California as long as employees still receive a pension that is “substantial” and “reasonable,” court filings show.
The Dec. 30 decision by a three-member panel in San Francisco affirmed a state pension reform law that went into effect in 2013 and eliminated the right of participants of the $302.4 billion California Public Employees' Retirement System, Sacramento, to enhance their pension by buying retirement credits. A lower court in Alameda County in 2015 had ruled that the pension enhancement benefits could be eliminated.
The enhanced benefit, known as an airtime service credit, allowed CalPERS participants to increase their retirement benefit by up to five years by making additional contributions from their salary.
More
Email Headache Returns: New Clinton messages show passwords, schedules flowed freely
The election’s over – but Hillary Clinton’s emails are still coming to light. And they help illustrate why the FBI declared she was “extremely careless” with the information flowing across her secret server.
A new batch of messages released by the State Department on Tuesday shows the former secretary of state and her team routinely shared her upcoming schedules, talking points and sensitive items – such as her iPad password – via the homebrewed system.
Other newly revealed emails, which were posted as the result of litigation, show Clinton’s top advisers griping about her during her time as secretary of State; an Asian ruler who later implemented Sharia law saying he considered former President Bill Clinton part of his “family”; and Clinton talking about Justin Cooper, one of the key figures who administered to her private server.
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A new batch of messages released by the State Department on Tuesday shows the former secretary of state and her team routinely shared her upcoming schedules, talking points and sensitive items – such as her iPad password – via the homebrewed system.
Other newly revealed emails, which were posted as the result of litigation, show Clinton’s top advisers griping about her during her time as secretary of State; an Asian ruler who later implemented Sharia law saying he considered former President Bill Clinton part of his “family”; and Clinton talking about Justin Cooper, one of the key figures who administered to her private server.
More
SEE IT: Trump Gets New Hair Do for Inauguration
Donald J. Trump just changed one of the most trademark things about his appearance: his hair!
See the new look the president-elect will be sporting for his inauguration.
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See the new look the president-elect will be sporting for his inauguration.
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Oasis Band Lineup This Month
This Saturday:
HIGH CHAPARRAL.......Combination of Classic Country with a mix of Contemporary and Southern Rock.....
1/14:
SCRAPPLE - 90's and Modern Rock.....
1/21:
KAOTIK - Mix of everything - Rock - Country - Classic Rock - Party Stuff
1/28:
BIG NIGHT!!
80'S NIGHT WITH "SHOTS FIRED".....
Going back to the 80's with an awesome 80's Hair Band! Playing everything from Poison, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Ratt, Whitesnake etc.....We will have 80's Drink Specials too....
HIGH CHAPARRAL.......Combination of Classic Country with a mix of Contemporary and Southern Rock.....
1/14:
SCRAPPLE - 90's and Modern Rock.....
1/21:
KAOTIK - Mix of everything - Rock - Country - Classic Rock - Party Stuff
1/28:
BIG NIGHT!!
80'S NIGHT WITH "SHOTS FIRED".....
Going back to the 80's with an awesome 80's Hair Band! Playing everything from Poison, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Ratt, Whitesnake etc.....We will have 80's Drink Specials too....
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