Joe's Been Blogged

While I'm out and about taking pictures of others, sometimes I get caught in the middle of a shot from our readers who forward them to me for fun.

Do you have one you'd like to see published. If so, send it to alberobutzo@wmconnect.com and I'll put it out there.

Post 64 Baseball's Unlikely Summer Comes To An End

Post 64 Baseball's amazing season of being MD State Champions for the first time ever and advancing to the Regional field of the final 32 American Legion baseball teams in the country came to an end on Sunday in Reading PA. The team came up one day short of a trip to Tacoma Washington and the American Legion World Series.

On Saturday night Salisbury lost to VA 4-1. Canaan Crropper started on the mound and after giving up a 2 run homer in the 3rd was lifted in favor of left hander Andrew Dane who came on and shut down the VA squad for the remainder of the game. Salisbury stranded 15 baserunners and out hit the VA squad 11 to 6 but could not put together any runs. On Sunday the team fell behind early against NJ and an explosive offense 15-1 after 4 innings. They clawed back making it 15-7 but the deficit was too big and the day too short. With a record of 2-2 in regional play after wins over a powerful WVA squad on Thursday night 10-7 and DE on Friday 12-2 their storied season came to an end.

"As the bus was bringing us home last night I realized what an accomplishment these young men achieved in the last 2 months. With a record of 31-9 and having earned a MD title against some of the highest level programs in MD and the region, they are a great baseball team and we will never be the same again after this experience together", said first year manager Bill Cropper. "I have coached in the LLWS in 2007 and a National Championship 14U Travel Team that was ranked #1 nationally in USSSA Baseball in 2009 and this is the best team I have ever been with and the highest level of competition I have ever faced" "We faced premier college level pitching every day along with some of the most elite high school players from MD DE VA PA NY NJ and WVA and were one or two hits and one or two pitchers away from a World Series. No one will ever know the exceptional level of competition we faced and the exceptional level of play by this group of college and local high school players except those with us! What a great run! Salisbury should be proud of their baseball!"

Team members include:

Miles Illian SS Tusculum College
Seth Illian CF Tusculum College
Jake Ross P Delaware Tech
Tanner Drennan C Southern Union CC
Lucas Koenig 1B UMES
Will Jones 3B Frostburg State
Canaan Cropper 3B/P JMB HS 2013
Josh Wyatt 2B JMB HS 2013
KJ Trader C/P Delmar HS 2013
Connor Shockley OF/P JMB HS 2012
Ryan Aebly C JMB HS 2012
Zack Sterling P JMB HS 2011
Tyler Illian IF/OF Parkside HS 2011
Ryan Holland P JMB HS 2010
Ricky Hoffman OF Wicomico HS 2010
Andrew Dane P/OF Parkside HS 2010
Trey Jones P JMB HS 2012

I've Been Blogged

Some smart Alic thought they'd be funny by taking MY picture cruising down the Blvd. on my Harley. If only the picture had sound, right Bruce!

S.A.R.A.H.'S House Fundraiser A Huge Success

Hundreds of Bikers showed up on Sunday for this event and as I participated as well, it was a great time had by ALL.

Jennifer & Tommy Foxwell showed up as well as Sheriff Mike Lewis. Davis Ruark is out of town and couldn't be there.

We rode from Salisbury to Powelville, to Ocean City to Wayleyville and back to Salisbury. It was a perfect day weather wise and they raised quite a bit of money for S.A.R.A.'S House.

EHRLICH OPPOSES IMPORTANT TOOL IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME AND TERRORISM

License Plate Reader Technology Is Catching Criminals, Protecting Homeland Security

Baltimore, MD (August 9, 2010) - In a Washington Times Editorial, Bob Ehrlich's campaign put partisan politics ahead of public safety once again, opposing Maryland law enforcement's use of License Plate Reader (LPR) technology that has helped decrease vehicle thefts by 35.8% while serving as a key Homeland Security tool as well.

Governor O'Malley, who co-chairs the National Governor's Association Homeland Security Committee, was joined last week by Maryland law enforcement officials and community leaders to announce an additional $2 Million in grants to help law enforcement deploy 100 new LPR units across the state. This technology allows police to identify stolen vehicles or tags from those vehicles being sought by police instantly, and is a critical tool in the modern fight against crime.

But through spokesperson Andy Barth, the Ehrlich campaign told the Washington Times that "Ehrlich would need to see compelling arguments that these 'readers' have real benefit to remove concerns about government surveillance."

According to O'Malley deputy campaign manager Rick Abbruzzese:

"Bob Ehrlich is opposed to this critical crime fighting and homeland security tool either because he doesn't get it, or because he can't support anything proposed by Governor O'Malley because he thinks it would hurt him in this campaign. Either way, his position on this issue is out of touch, and would quite simply make Maryland less safe."

In the wake of the Faisal Shahzad car bomb attempt in New York City, license plate reader technology was employed to help track Shahzad's movements from the days leading up to the attempted attack. And officials in Long Beach, California say the technology has allowed them to catch murderers and even alert the FBI to a suspect on their terrorism watch list.

Abbruzzese concluded:

"Bob Ehrlich left the state of Maryland a shameful backlog of 24,000 unprocessed DNA samples when he left office, meaning hundreds of criminals were walking around Maryland free. Now, he wants to withhold vital tools that law enforcement professionals say are proven to reduce vehicle theft and serve as a key component in our Homeland Security efforts. He should be embarrassed that trying to win an election so clearly comes before the safety of Maryland families."

Blessing Of The Combines In Snow Hill

The Blessing of the Combines in Snow Hill was one heck of an event. If you were fortunate enough to take the time to enjoy this event, you were one of thousands of people out enjoying a perfect day.

Ever since I started Salisbury News some 6 years ago I have had the pleasure of traveling all over the Eastern Shore. If someone were to ask me which Town I enjoy the most I'd have to reply, I can't answer that. Between Berlin, Snow Hill, Princess Anne, Pocomoke, Crisfield, the list just goes on and on and I couldn't tell you which one is better than the rest.

What I can tell you is, the Eastern Shore, (as a whole) is by far the best place anyone could spend their upbringing and or retirement because the people are so great.

Several politicians were on hand to greet the thousands of people that attended this event. The only downer, (for me personally) to this event was the lack of Press. I didn't see WBOC, WMDT or the DT's and quite frankly that's a shame. We should be encouraging these kinds of events and support the people that support us.

Nevertheless, great job Snow Hill!

CORRECTION: I have been informed that the Press was in fact there. While I'm taking their word for it, I did not see a single one of them there but I am told by a confident source they were. Therefore I apologize, forgive me.

More Cool Images From Blessing Of The Combines In Snow Hill

Mayor Wraps Up Safe Streets Week

After a week long worth of events in Salisbury, Mayor Ireton, political dignitaries, Police, Firefighters and Staff ended the event Friday on the Downtown Plaza.

From Farmville To MARS

Rocket Fuel Tank Will Be Used To Re-supply Space Station
By KEN WOODLEY

FARMVILLE — A 120,000-gallon liquid rocket fuel storage tank was hauled through Farmville Thursday morning on its way to a launch facility that will see the Taurus II rocket power re-supply missions to the international space station.

Not lifting off from Cape Canaveral or anywhere else in Florida, lifting off, instead, from Virginia—Wallops Island, just off the Eastern Shore and not far from Chincoteague. Blasting off into Earth orbit from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, or MARS, from the state-owned launch site.

The gargantuan fuel tank was quite a spectacle for motorists at about 10 a.m. last Thursday, as the fuel tank was maneuvered via the 56-wheel truck transporting it off US 15 and onto the by-pass. All 56 wheels are needed to disburse the extraordinary weight.

The $1 million fuel tank is 124 feet long and 13 feet wide, weighing 230,000 pounds (empty) and seemed to perform magic as it negotiated through a 90- degree turn, in traffic.

With the truck, the entire vehicle was 154-feet long and it filled the Dowdy’s Corner intersection after exiting the by-pass to continue northward through Buckingham.

“It’s pretty big, pretty exciting,” Laura Naismith told The Herald.

Orbital Sciences Corporation, of Loudoun, was selected by NASA for a $1.9 billion contract to design and build a brand new rocket to re-supply the international space station, said Naismith, director of government relations and public affairs for the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority and MARS.

The fuel tank will be one of 50 placed at the launch site to fuel the rocket prior
to the eight contracted re-supply missions between 2011 and 2015.

Commercial space launches, Naismith said, are "a whole new business opportunity for Virginia" and the "General Assembly and the Governor have been very supportive and very enthusiastic."

A demonstration launch should be held next June, prior to the first re-supply mission, which could occur in November or December of 2011.

Rocket launches are nothing new for Wallops Island, the oldest launch site in the nation, and the precursor to NASA launched monkeys into space from Wallops Island to see if they could survive. MARS has existed at the Wallops Island site since 1995 and the commonwealth has invested some $26 million in new infrastructure for the facility, which is now a $50-million launch complex, according to Naismith.

The rocket’s journey into Earth orbit won’t be as long as the fuel tank’s trip, which began over two months ago in Mexico, on its way to the six-square miles of Wallops Island.

A Pennsylvania company was contracted to construct the fuel tank and its plant is in Mexico. The fuel tank has been on the road for more than eight weeks and should conclude its journey at the end of this week.

"We’re anxious to see it here," said Sheila Taylor, Construction Manager for the project.

The rocket-sized fuel tank was certainly seen in Prince Edward, Farmville and Buckingham last Thursday.

A Letter To The Editor

MAYOR IRETON: YOUR APOLOGY IS IN ORDER!

Dear Mr. Mayor:

When being interviewed on a radio show last week, you were asked about the "tax differential" issue. After explaining that the consultant retained by Wicomico County, Salisbury, Delmar and Fruitland had calculated the amount by which the County’s property tax should be reduced on real estate in these municipalities, you said "but the County Council said no [to any reduction]."

When advised by the host that the County Council had not been informed of the consultant’s report, you then admitted that the rejection letter had come from the County’s "administration" without further explanation.

The County Council has taken no action on the tax differential, and the rejection letter was sent by the County’s Executive’s administrative assistant. Thus, it should be regarded as stating a decision made by Mr. Pollitt, not the County Council, to whose members you should promptly apologize for your attack upon them.

And please tell us why, when you received that letter, you failed to promptly protest the rejection by correspondence sent to both Mr. Pollitt and to the County Council.

Congressional Candidate Andy Harris Visits The Downtown Barber Shop

Eric Ludwig continues to bring in some of the biggest names in politics. At the same time, a $12.00 haircut just can't be beat.

Arab World Loses Hope For Change Under Obama

Arabs' belief that U.S. President Barack Obama could deliver on promises for a “new beginning” have been dashed, an annual survey of public opinion in Middle Eastern countries shows.

The survey of Arab public opinion conducted by Shibley Telhami shows that positive views of President Obama have plummeted from 45 percent in 2009 to 20 percent today, with the negative views of him skyrocketing from 23 percent to 62 percent.

While Obama has been claiming that his “outstretched hand” approach will win the U.S. new friends in the Mideast, the poll suggests otherwise. Only 12 percent expressed favorable views of the United States, even lower than the 15 percent that the Bush administration got in its final year.

According to Middle East analyst Marc Lynch, writing in Foreign Policy Magazine, Arabs have “grown frustrated at Obama's perceived failure to deliver on the promise of the 'new beginning' outlined in Cairo and had begun to lose hope in his ability to meaningfully change American policies towards the region.”

This year’s poll surveyed close to 4,000 people in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.

Only 16 percent declare that they are hopeful about administration policies, compared to 51 percent last year. Sixty-three percent declare themselves discouraged, up from 15 percent. On the other hand, there has been a significant drop in those with "very unfavorable" views of the United States – from 64% in 2008 to 47% today.

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Nun's Death Rallies Anti-Illegal Immigration Forces

In Arizona, the shooting death of a rancher blew the lid off simmering anger over border security and helped solidify support for a tough new immigration law. A similar eruption threatens in Virginia following the death of a Catholic nun in a car accident involving a man in the country illegally and accused of drunken driving.

The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia tried to discourage using the death of Sister Denise Mosier as a "forum of the illegal immigration agenda" and pleaded for a focus on "Christ's command to forgive."

"The sisters' mission is peace and love," said Corey Stewart, chairman of Prince William County's Board of Supervisors. "My mission is law enforcement and the protection of public safety."


The sisters at the Bristow, Va., monastery have buried Mosier, who would have turned 67 on Aug. 26. Two other nuns injured in the crash, Charlotte Lange and Connie Ruth Lupton, have undergone surgery and remain in critical condition.

The man charged in the case, Carlos A. Martinelly Montano, 23, of Bolivia, had two prior drunken driving convictions, but was not required to serve any of his 30-day sentence for the first one. A Prince William County judge required Montano to serve only 20 days of his approximately one-year sentence on his second conviction.

Local officials turned him over to federal immigration enforcement officers after the second incident and after sentencing, but federal officers released him both times while he awaited hearings.

Montano is being held at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center, and the county's prosecutor is promising to ask a grand jury to consider charges that could put him in prison for 40 years.

Montano entered the U.S. illegally with his parents and siblings, his uncle Luis Ronald Montano told The Associated Press. He attended American schools in New Jersey and Virginia from third grade through high school. He is engaged and is the father of two boys, ages 1 and 2, who were born in Manassas, Va.
Prince William County, about 25 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., stepped up its immigration enforcement in 2007 amid explosive growth of its Hispanic and immigrant populations. Under Stewart's leadership, the county implemented a local policy requiring police to determine the immigration status of all people arrested on suspicion of violating state or local laws.

Stewart rushed back into the immigration debate after the Aug. 1 accident, firing off a statement that President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and members of Congress "all have blood on their hands."

"What I'm hoping is that this situation, which because it involves a nun has drawn the nation's attention, can serve as a catalyst for change and force the administration to come clean about its catch-and-release policies," Stewart said. He also says that the tragedy illustrates the need for Virginia to toughen its drunken driving laws.

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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Releases

On August 8, 2010, a Worcester County Sheriff's Deputy stopped Todd Jeffery Simpson, 27 of Salisbury, Maryland for 101 mph in a 55 mph on Route 50 in West Ocean City. Upon speaking with Mr. Simpson, Deputies detected alcohol on his breath and field tests were given. Mr. Simpson was subsequently placed under arrest for Driving While Impaired. Mr. Simpson was released from custody pending a trial date.

On August 8, 2010 at 1:30 am, a Worcester County Sheriff's Deputy stopped Joseph William Pierce 4th, 34 of Forestville Md., on Rt. 50 at the Harry Kelly Bridge in West Ocean City, Maryland for speeding. Deputies detected alcohol on Piece's breath and field tests were given. Subsequently Mr. Pierce was charged with Driving While Impaired. Mr. Pierce was released pending a trial date.

On August 4, 2010, a Worcester County Deputy was on patrol in the area of Racetrack Road and Route 113 when he observed a passenger vehicle with a headlight out. The Deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle attempted to elude the Deputy. A pursuit ensued on Route 113 with speeds in excess of 80 mph. Additional units joined in the pursuit as it continued towards Delaware. The vehicle ran numerous stop signs on county roads and entered the state of Delaware. Selbyville Police Department assisted in the pursuit and the operator jumped out of the vehicle on Selbyville Road. After a brief foot chase, the operator was taken into custody. The operator, Bruce Dennis of Frankford, Del. Was with fleeing and eluding along with numerous other traffic charges in Maryland and was taken into custody by Delaware authorities for traffic related charges. Mr. Dennis was held at the Sussex Correctional Institute.

On August 6, 2010, a Worcester County Deputy was on patrol in the Oak Street area of Pocomoke City, Maryland. The Deputy observed a pedestrian standing in middle of the street and attempted to identify the individual. As the Deputy approached the individual, the suspect, later identified as Desmond Monte Marshall, began to walk away from the Deputy. When the Deputy approached Mr. Marshall and asked for his identification, Mr. Marshall became argumentative and refused to comply with Deputy’s request. As the Deputy attempted to prevent Mr. Marshall from running away, a struggle ensued and Mr. Marshall struck the Deputy in the chest. The Deputy was equipped with a Taser Device and the device was deployed on Mr. Marshall. Mr. Marshall was able to resist all efforts to take him into custody and a foot pursuit began. Mr. Marshall was subsequently caught again in the area of Bonneville Ave, where a second attempt with the Taser was utilized and Mr. Marshall was taken into custody. Mr. Marshall was charged with 2nd degree assault, escape, and disorderly conduct. Mr. Marshall was held without bond.

Incident At The Mall Yesterday

Hi Joe,

"Today I took one of our daughters to the Mall to get school clothes. We parked at Macy's, the side across from the Food Court. I parked the car and as we were walking to the doors I noticed a bumper sticker I liked and saw a woman standing with the front door open smoking. I commented on the sticker and she went on to tell me how she had 8 dogs and was trying to get rid of 3 of them. I told her that we already had 2 and that we weren't interested. That was the end of the conversation.

My daughter and I came out of the mall around 4:15 and noticed the car was still there. The dogs were angry and barking a lot. Of course they were, they were locked in a sweltering car for hours on end!!!

I called the police and reported her. Gave her license plate #, make and model of the car and where she was parked. The officer on the phone said that he would send someone as soon as they had someone to send. I didn't stay until the police got there because I was in a rush to get home. There were 2 other ladies that witnessed this too and they stayed and called Mall security.

Shortly after arriving home I got a call from an officer asking if I would come back up to the mall and talk to them. When I arrived back to the parking lot, I was asked a series of questions and noticed what looked like chaos. There were quite a few people around the car, 2 people sitting on the curb in hand cuffs and the looks on everyone's / the officers faces were sad. It was heart breaking to see and hear those poor dogs in their condition. It was HOT today! We were sweating just standing there talking and those poor dogs were locked in a car for hours upon hours! How cruel can one be? This is sickening to me and I hope that the owners get what they deserve!

An officer called me a while ago to update me. It was over 105 degrees in that car!!! They were left in there to dye in my eyes! This is just awful!!! I won't get into the detailed report that I got, but it's not pretty. Those poor dogs are suffering because of their owners stupidity!!!

I am happy that I could help, but saddened to hear that one of the dogs didn't make it. I just do not understand some people. It was a sad, sad situation...

I will be supined to court and will gladly go and testify against those MONSTERS!!!!!

I know that you too, have witnessed things like this and wanted to share my story. One last thing before closing...

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PETS...DON'T HAVE PETS!!!!!

Have a good night and give your pets some extra love tonight."

Marital Trouble? Consider Divorce Insurance!

You already have home insurance, car insurance, life insurance, and maybe even health insurance—why not insure your marriage, too? For around $16 per month, a North Carolina company called SafeGuard sells "units of protection" that could be worth $1,250 if your marriage implodes in divorce. The company claims that it wants to help defray the costs associated with legal fees and finding a new home, but the insurance, called WedLock, comes with plenty of catches.

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A Letter To The Editor

Recently, candidates for state office were given the opportunity to interview with http://www.sbynews.blogspot.com/. Several questions addressed taxes. The responses were revealing.

Delegate Norm Conway, D-38B, and Mayor Gee Williams, a Democratic candidate for the district, are not in favor of seeing taxes lowered on Marylanders. They desire no change in the sales tax (recently raised by 20 percent), no change in the millionaire's tax (a recent income tax increase) and no change in Maryland's corporate taxes (highest in the region).

The liberal, progressive agenda believes in government. They believe government knows best. They approach taxes from the perspective that your take-home pay is what government allows you to keep. Kings and royals behave as such.

O'Malley's tax policies, supported by Conway and Williams, are abject failures. The millionaire's tax was supposed to produce hundreds of millions in additional revenue. It resulted in a loss of revenue as those affected merely voted with their feet.

Every sales tax increase in Maryland raises revenues only for Delaware and Virginia, yet this is lost on government bureaucrats who have seemingly no knowledge of free-market principles.

When cigarette tax revenues drop in Maryland, they believe it is because folks have stopped smoking and proclaim it a "victory," while sales increase in neighboring states. What folly.

The path to freedom and prosperity is paved with reduced government spending and lower taxes. The current tail on Maryland's kite is a lead ball and chain. She wants to soar -- let's cut her loose in November.

Mike McDermott

Pocomoke City

Editors Note: The Daily Times did not create an on line link to Salisbury News, (as usual) and in fact broke up the address so if someone wanted to copy and paste it to see what was up, the link wouldn't work. Again, Salisbury News always links directly to their story if we happen to provide one from them. Very unprofessional Daily Times. You'll use any trick in the book.

Parents Who Named Kid "Adolph Hitler" Lose Custody Battle

The child, Adolph Hitler Campbell, and his siblings, JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbel and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbel, named for Schutzstaffel head Heinrich Himmler, who first came to our attention after ShopRite refused to make him a cake with Adolph's name on it - though, according to the original news article, Walmart had no problem with the request - will remain wards of the state, an appeals court has ruled.

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Basket Of Crabs... Cake

Joe,

you no longer need to travel to the city to get a custom cake. They are right here in Salisbury on the Eastern Shore. The “Basket of Crabs” the “Ear of Corn” and the “Box of Old Bay” are all edible. Even the crab on the table is made of icing. Everything is made from our cake and icing.

We made and delivered four bushels of crabs to serve 800+ guests. They served as center pieces for their event. They average 75 lbs. Per bushel.

Cakes By David has been right here in Salisbury for 21 years. We have done large cakes for weddings and other large events. We have been known to deliver 100+ miles.

We can size down to meet your smaller needs. This is an example of something big, but we can go bigger.

Cakes By David is a family owned and operated business owned by Barbara & David Wharton.

Wealthy Political Newcomers Are Spending Big

In the midst of one of the worst recessions in decades, a host of former corporate leaders are spending millions in their quest for elective office.

GO HERE to read more.

Redneck College Exam

Is It Worth It To Go To College?

Daunting debt makes some wary of higher education

Wracked by recession, choked with debt and uncertain about the future, more Americans are asking: Is college worth it?

The question is understandable. Private college tuition and fees have risen 70 percent over the past decade, according to the College Board. That is more than twice the rate of inflation. Public college tuition and fees have doubled in the same timeframe.

But while college debt has proven a financial chokehold for some people, a four-year degree is still great insurance, especially in a tough job market: The unemployment rate for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 4.5 percent in July, compared to 10.1 percent for those with only a high school diploma.

Perhaps the greatest lesson of the Great Recession isn't that you shouldn't go to college, but that you should approach it like you would any other investment: with caution.

GO HERE to read more.

Native American Paper Sculpture

Sculptures of Native American scenes made out of paper by Allen and Patty Eckman

Why Target And Best Buy's Support Of Anti-Gay Bigots Is Going To Change The Way You Shop Forever

Target gave $150,000. Best Buy chipped in $100,000. Companies supporting politicians or their political action committees isn't new. A quarter-million dollars for Minnesota Forward—a group that supports anti-gay rights candidates like Tom Emmer—might seem like a gay rights issue, but it's so much more. It represents the next frontier in consumer activism and a world where every purchase acts as a political statement. Join us inside as we explain.

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Pocomoke City House Fire

The Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a fire in Pocomoke City which displaced a family of seven (7). The fire was reported at 2PM at 6 Forth Street. Arriving firefighters found fire venting out of a bedroom window in the single story single family home.

The fire was quickly extinguished. The house was occupied at the time of the fire and all occupants escaped with no injuries. The tenant of the house is Maria Marshall and 5 of her 6 children ages, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 16 were home at the time of the fire. The house is owned by Dean Guy. The Red Cross has placed the family in a local motel. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

BORN IN THE USA?

Another Obama puzzle: 3rd grade in 2 countries?

Photo at Hawaii school doesn't line up with State Department info, registration

The release of two sets of State Department documents through a Freedom of Information Act request has given new life to the puzzle of how Barack Obama could have attended third grade in Hawaii, as claimed by a classmate, while he has stated he was living in Indonesia at the time.

The indication Obama attended third grade in 1969 at Noelani Elementary School in Honolulu comes from an old photograph made public by classmate Scott Inoue. The informal photo shows Obama and Inoue against a background of what appears to be Christmas drawings by schoolchildren posted on a classroom bulletin board.

"The photo shows Barack Obama's arm around me in the third grade at Noelani in 1969," Inoue told WND. "My mother wrote that inscription on the bottom of the photograph at the time the picture was taken."

The inscription reads: "Scott & Barry 3rd grade 1969."

GO HERE to read more.

Good Idea

By now, I suspect everyone is familiar with snopes.com and/or truthorfiction.com for determining whether information received via email is just that: true/false or fact/fiction. Both are excellent sites. Advice from snopes.com VERY IMPORTANT!!

1) Any time you see an email that says "forward this on to '10' (or however many) of your friends", "sign this petition", or "you'll get bad luck" or "you'll get good luck" or "you'll see something funny on your screen after you send it" or whatever --- it almost always has an email tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and emails of those folks you forward to. The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active' email addresses to use in SPAM emails or sell to other spammers. Even when you get emails that demand you send the email on if you're not ashamed of God/Jesus --- that is email tracking, and they are playing on our conscience. These people don't care how they get your email addresses - just as long as they get them. Also, emails that talk about a missing child or a child with an incurable disease "how would you feel if that was your child" --- email tracking. Ignore them and don't participate!

2) Almost all emails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards. All it was, and all any of this type of email is, is a way to get names and 'cookie' tracking information for telemarketers and spammers -- to validate active email accounts for their own profitable purposes.

You can do your Friends and Family members a GREAT favor by sending this information to them. You will be providing a service to your friends. And you will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam emails in the future!

Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listing regardless how inviting they might sound! Or make you feel guilty if you don't! It's all about getting email addresses and nothing more.

You may think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT!

Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later and very possibly a virus attached! Plus, we are helping the spammers get rich! Let's not make it easy for them!

ALSO: Email petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress of any other organization - i.e. social security, etc. To be acceptable, petitions must have a "signed signature" and full address of the person signing the petition, so this is a waste of time and you are just helping the email trackers.

State Roundup

Palin's nod to Murphy means little to Ehrlich, a lot to Murphy; Ehrlich and O'Malley on same sex marriage; Mikulski fights to get federal transit regulation considered now; state House candidate's pro-ball claims in question; so is a crime stat touted by Kevin Kamenetz; Baltimore police commish's lawn sprouts sign for Jessamy foe.

GO HERE to read more.

FLACCO LIFTS SHOREBIRDS TO WALK-OFF 2-1 WIN

Shorebirds Win Back-to-Back Games for First Time Since Mid-July

Salisbury, Md. – After being silenced through the first eight innings, the Shorebirds plated two runs in the ninth inning to walk away with a 2-1 win over the Lexington Legends in game three at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Sunday. The last time the Shorebirds won back-to-back games was on July 16th and 17th.

The Legends scored first in the third inning. With Grant Hogue at second, Jiovanni Mier hit a line drive single to left field to give the Legends a 1-0 edge.

Neither team scored another run until the ninth inning. Gary Helmick drew a lead off walk. Then, Ty Kelly blasted a single into right field to advance Helmick to second. Kieron Pope was hit by a pitch to the load the bases. Two batters later, Mike Flacco rifled a single into right-center field to score both Helmick and Kelly to give the ‘Birds a walk off 2-1 win.

David Walters earned the win in two shutout innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out two.

The loss was pinned on Kirk Clark, who allowed the game-winning hit to Flacco.

Jesse Beal was scratched from his start before the game and Nick Haughian made his first start of the season. He allowed six hits and just one run in 4.1 innings. James Brandhorst tossed 2.2 hitless and scoreless innings in relief of Haughian.

The Shorebirds and Legends square off in game four of the series on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Patrick Kantakevich makes the start for Delmarva.