DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS DANCE TEAM TO DEBUT IN 2011

New Dance Team Open to Children Ages 6-18

Salisbury, Md. – The Delmarva Shorebirds are extremely excited to announce the formation of the brand new Delmarva Shorebirds Dance Team, which will debut during the 2011 season.  Registration is now open to children between the ages of six and 18.   The Shorebirds have partnered with the High Voltage All Stars.

The Shorebirds Dance Team will undergo weekly technique and choreography lessons at High Voltage in preparation for six performances at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium during weekend Shorebirds games throughout the summer.

“The dance team is something new and fresh that will increase the entertainment value at Perdue Stadium,” said general manager Chris Bitters.  “We have really worked hard to make the experience a very affordable one for all families.”

Each dancer will receive a custom designed uniform, practice gear, two free Shorebirds tickets to each performance, a VIP parking pass, countless hours of instruction at High Voltage, a chance to perform in front of large crowds at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium and an end-of-season party to be held at Perdue Stadium during a Shorebirds game. 

The Shorebirds Dance Team will be separated into two teams based on age and prior dance experience.  However, no dance experience is required to sign up for the team. 

Dancers will be required to attend weekly dance/choreography lessons, which will be held at High Voltage studios, located at 1303 South Salisbury Blvd, Suite D. The dance studio is located across from Salisbury University and next to The Fractured Prune.  A schedule of lessons will be available upon sign up. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Delmarva Shorebirds. The Shorebirds Dance Team members will learn 2-3 routines that they will perform in front of the crowds at the games,” said Justine Lathbury, co-owner of High Voltage All Stars. 

“We are excited to open our facility to the dancers and we are planning routines that they are going to love,” said Kathy Brown, co-owner of High Voltage All-Stars.

Dance lessons and choreography will be taught by two experienced instructors.  Brittney Marshall will serve as the dance team coach and will be assisted by Alexz Goldin.  Marshall’s dance experience includes ballet, Bennett’s Rock and Roll Revival, and a scholarship in field show dancing in college.  Goldin is currently a dancer for the Untouchable Dance group at Salisbury University.

The Shorebirds Dance Team will perform on the following dates at Perdue Stadium: May 28, June 4, July 1, July 30, August 12 and September 3.  The dancers will perform pre-game, in-game and postgame. 

The Shorebirds and High Voltage will hold two registration dates at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.  The first registration day will be on Saturday, January 29 from 2-4 p.m. and the second registration day will be on Saturday, February 12 from 2-4 p.m.  Both instructors will be on hand to answer questions and meet parents.  Plus, High Voltage All Stars and Shorebirds representatives will be in attendance.  In addition, Sherman the Shorebird will be there to greet the kids and light refreshments will be served. 

To sign up over before the registration dates, contact the High Voltage All Stars at 443-735-0712 or visit them online at http://www.highvoltageallstars.com/.

Great Idea

Taking uninsured cars off the highway.

Recently, in the City of Dallas, Texas, they passed an ordinance that if you are pulled over by law enforcement and not able to provide proof of insurance, your car will be towed right away.  

 

Afterwards, to retrieve your car after being impounded, you must show proof of insurance to have your car released. This has made it easy for the City of Dallas to remove uninsured cars that are typically driven by mostly illegals.

Shortly after the 'No insurance' ordinance was passed, the Dallas impound lots began to fill up quickly and were full after nine days.

Most of the impounded cars were driven by illegals.  

 

Not only must you provide proof of insurance to have your car released, you have to pay for the cost of the tow, a $350 fine, and charged $20 for every day their car is kept in the lot.  

 

I would suggest other cities across the nation to follow what Dallas, Texas is doing.

Not only is it getting uninsured drivers off the road, but it is taking away vehicles driven by illegals that have no insurance that might endanger your life.

Brings a tear to my eye.  

GO    Texas!

Dallas' solution, get them off the road WITHOUT making them show proof of nationality. Wonder how the ACLU or the Justice Department will get around this one.

Dallas, Texas' solution to illegal's, brilliant!

International Space Station

Look at what happened from 1998 until 2008. In just ten years  it has grown and grown. 

Watch the pieces come together as they are sent up from Earth.

This is the International Space Station (ISS) Assembly diagram, piece by piece.

I had no idea the Space Station had grown to this size.  This is neat....

  

Click below: 
 http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/iss_timeline/flash.htm  

Senior's Love Song

Poplar Hill Mansion Tea

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:30 A.M., Poplar Hill Mansion will present a First Ladies Tea, to benefit the completion of our Milestones and Memories brick pathway, part of the serpentine boxwood garden. Our tea menu includes; fruit cup, savory winter soup, assorted tea sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, sweets, and tea.

Local jewelry artist, Donna Warren, will have her classic and artsy jewelry for sale with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Mansion. 

Bring your friends and please reserve now as our teas are very popular and sell out quickly. 

$20.00 per person.  Make check payable and mail to:

     Friends of Poplar Hill Mansion

     117 Elizabeth Street

      Salisbury, MD 21801

Aleta Davis, Publicity Chair

www.poplarhillmansion.org

Nancy Marasco, Curator

curator@poplarhillmansion.org

410-749-1776

 

Indian Chief Predicting Cold This Winter:

It's  late fall and the Indians on a remote reservation in South  Dakota  asked their new chief if the coming winter  was going to be cold or mild.
Since he was a  chief in a modern society, he had never been taught  the old secrets. When he looked at the sky, he  couldn't tell what the  winter was going to be  like.
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he  told his tribe that the winte was indeed going to  be cold and that the members of the village should collect firewood to be  prepared.
But, being a practical leader, after  several days, he got an idea. He went to the phone  booth, called the National Weather Service and  asked, 'Is the coming winter going to be  cold?'
'It looks like this winter is going to be  quite cold,' the meteorologist at the weather  service responded.
So the chief went back to his  people and told them to collect even more firewood  in order to be prepared.
A week later, he called  the National Weather Service again. 'Does it still  look like it is going to be a very cold winter?'
'Yes,' the man at National Weather Service again replied,  'it's going to be a very cold winter.'
The chief again went back to his people and ordered them to  collect every scrap of firewood they could  find.
Two weeks later, the chief called the  National Weather Service again. 'Are you absolutely  sure that the winter is going to be very   cold?'
'Absolutely,' the man replied.   'It's looking more and more like it is going to be  one of the coldest winters we've ever seen.'
'How can you be so sure?' the chief asked.
The  weatherman replied, 'The Indians are collecting a boatload  of firewood'

K-9's Tribute . . .

These animals are given the same honor and respect in life and death, as their handlers. These are U.S. service dogs over in Iraq . Its one of the best Power Point presentations I have seen. Enjoy. I know you will enjoy this tribute.

http://www.southeuclidpolice.com/K-9Presentation.html

Help Save Maryland Newsletter

Leggett's Lament
Poor Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, his tax and spend mantra is collapsing around him like a sand castle hit by an ocean wave. County income and property tax receipts continue to lag behind out of control county spending, inflated salaries for his senior managers and costly county employee pensions. 

With the economy flat-lining, housing prices continuing to slip and no hope of a bailout from debt-ridden Governor Martin O'Malley or the federal government, Mr. Leggett has tried a variety of new initiatives to create jobs and raise tax revenue in hopes of saving his fantasy world.

Just how is Mr. Leggett doing?  His support for the controversial carbon emissions tax bill, combined with a 150 percent energy tax increase for county residents, certainly raised some revenue but no jobs to speak of.  Same for the dozens and dozens of speed trap cameras erected county-wide in the name of "public safety".  He did vindictively fire all 21 low salary volunteer firefighter administrators, but left his highly paid security and administrative staff intact so no real savings or job creation there. 

Mr. Leggett's partners at CASA of Maryland did report an increase in county-wide employment from the multiple taxpayer funded Day Laborer Centers, but alas the illegal alien day laborers do not pay any taxes on their cash wages they receive, so again no gain.

Seems the only thing "looking up" for Mr. Leggett is the growing number of illegal alien students receiving In-County tuition at Montgomery College, a revenue killer for the County, and the tidal wave of illegal alien children & anchor babies registering for county public schools.  2,500+ more children than expected this school year, part of a projected 10,000+ student increase over the next few years.  

 

At a cost of $14,000 per student per year (not including English for Speakers of other Languages costs), this budget breaker is clearly the result of Mr. Leggett's open door sanctuary policy for illegal alien families.

Mr. Leggett has long accused Help Save Maryland of "not being able to separate fact from fiction" when it comes to the financial cost of illegal aliens (education, healthcare, incarceration, law enforcement, social services, etc.). 

 

Hope Santa brought poor old Ike a new abacus to help with his budget dilemma!

Brad Botwin
Director, Help Save Maryland

Clean Your Dishwasher With Lemonade Kool-Aid

You can spend a lot on fancy cleaners to get the scum out of your dishwasher, or you can just pop in two 10-cent bags of lemonade Kool-Aid in the soap dispenser.

More »

A Small Beer Is Really A Large Beer At Qwest Field, And Vice Versa

Hey all you silly people out there at Seattle Seahawks games, stop wasting money on those large beers at Qwest Field! For $1.25 less, you can get a small beer, which seems to contain just as much liquid-y ale goodness as the large. D'oh!

More »

Scalia: Women's Rights Not Protected By 14th Amendment

Justice Antonin Scalia is under fire after saying the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection does not include women.

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

Reid Predicts the End of the Tea Party

In an interview on Meet the Press, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid predicted the Tea Party would disappear after the economy recovers.

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

Pennsylvania’s Drilling Wastewater Released To Streams, Some Unaccounted For

As gas-drilling operations proliferated in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale over the past couple of years, most of the hundreds of millions of gallons of briny wastewater they produced was eventually dumped into the state’s rivers. Much of the rest is unaccounted for.

 

GO HERE to read more.

Obama Expresses Displeasure With Guantanamo Restrictions But Signs Them Into Law

The president says he will seek the repeal of new provisions tucked into defense-spending legislation, but averts a confrontation with the new Congress by not raising constitutional objections.

 

GO HERE to read more.

Cathie Black And The Demise Of Public Education

The appointment of Cathie Black - the Hearst magazine executive with zero education experience - as New York City schools chancellor is further evidence of the complete collapse of the 20th century model of liberal public education in the US. The cynical compromise between Mayor Bloomberg and his liberal opponents to appoint an educator as deputy chancellor only serves to highlight the obvious message: education is a business that is too lucrative in these difficult times to leave to teachers and communities. It now seems inevitable that we will move to a dual education system not seen since the days of legal segregation, with minorities and the poor shuttled through a system of for-profit institutions emphasizing standardized testing, uniform lessons and rote learning.

It is remarkable how quickly the liberals caved. Maybe this is because of the way pro-business education reformers co-opted the traditional liberal discourse of equality and civil rights. Or maybe it's the money. It is heart-warming to see the captains of industry, hedge fund managers and politicians across the political spectrum lining up to bankroll an attempt to level the playing field for the poor. This equalization is a noble cause, and one that is difficult to criticize. Unfortunately, it is also a scam. Once again, the rich are preying on the hopes of the poor in order to further their monopoly on wealth and power. The education reforms enshrined in the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), like charter schools, increased testing and subcontracted tutoring and provided a huge opening for private education entrepreneurs, even as public school budgets are repeatedly slashed. If anyone had any doubts about the true intentions of these corporate conquistadores, the announced departure of current New York City schools chancellor Joel Klein to Murdoch's News Corp in order to pursue opportunities in the "education marketplace" makes clear their objectives.

GO HERE to read more.

Obama Created More Jobs In One Year Than Bush Created In Eight

Yesterday morning, the Labor Department released its employment data for December, showing that the U.S. economy ended the year by adding 113,000 private sector jobs, knocking the unemployment rate down sharply from 9.8 percent to 9.4 percent — its lowest rate since July 2009. The “surprising drop — which was far better than the modest step-down economists had forecast — was the steepest one-month fall since 1998.” October and November’s jobs numbers were also revised upward by almost 80,000 each. Still, 14.5 million Americans remain unemployed, and jobs will have to be created much faster in coming months for the country to pull itself out of the economic doldrums.

Responding the jobs report, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) noted that President Obama and the Democratic Congress have created “more jobs in 2010 than President Bush did over eight years.”

GO HERE to read more.

How AT&T, Verizon And The Telecom Giants Have Captured the Regulator Supposed To Control Them

In a recent AlterNet article, we detailed how the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) helped increase the “FCC Line Charge” (SLC), now capped at $6.50 per line, that is imposed on every residential and business phone line. It is a charge that is usually hidden among the “taxes and surcharges” section of the phone bill. It does not go to fund the FCC, but is a direct subsidy to phone companies.

However, the full story of the role AT&T, Verizon and others played in the FCC’s deliberations establishing the SLC has yet to be told. It is a model of what is known as “regulatory capture,” the process by which a federal or state regulatory or other government agency becomes too cozy with those it is charged to oversee.

In 2000, the phone companies created a campaign known as CALLS (Coalition for Affordable Local and Long Distance Service) to raise fees. It is the model of how these companies, their astroturf shills, co-opted consumer groups, corporate-funded research firms, federal bureaucrats and politicians worked together to effectively take control of the FCC’s agenda and create a massive marketing campaign to fool the public.

GO HERE to read more.

MARYLAND STATE POLICE MARKS 90TH ANNIVERSARY - PROTECTING, PREVENTING, PROVIDING SINCE 1921

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan is joining sworn and civilian employees to mark the 90th anniversary of the commencement of the first training class of members of the newly formed Maryland State Police.

On January 10, 1921, 36 recruits began training at Saunders Ridge firearms range near Glen Burnie to become members of a new statewide law enforcement agency. They graduated one month later and were charged with protecting citizens, preventing traffic and criminal offenses, and providing the highest quality of law enforcement services as the first members of the Maryland State Police.

“Our troopers and civilian employees work around-the-clock, in all kinds of weather and circumstances, to protect the people of Maryland and I am grateful for their service,” Colonel Sheridan said. “We will never know how many people have been helped by members of the Maryland State Police during these past 90 years. We do know that during each day of these previous nine decades, there were people across Maryland who were helped and whose lives were positively impacted because of the efforts of the members of this Department. As we mark our 90th year of service to the people of Maryland, we look forward to meeting the challenges ahead with the diligent determination that has been at the core of this Department since its inception.”

The dawn of the 1920’s brought a perplexing problem to the office of Maryland Governor Albert Ritchie. The advent of the automobile was providing criminals with the means to expand their criminal enterprises and the ability to quickly flee their crime scenes and travel out of the area to avoid detection and arrest.

Governor Ritchie proposed a solution that changed the landscape of law enforcement in Maryland. He decided a police force was needed that had statewide jurisdiction and would provide both criminal and traffic enforcement across the entire state of Maryland.

Governor Ritchie’s vision began to take shape when the training for the three dozen recruits began 90 years ago today. On February 10, 1921, Governor Ritchie presided over the graduation of the first members of the Maryland State Police. He charged them to “…protect the men, women and property of the state of Maryland and to preserve law and order.” The members of the Maryland State Police have proudly done so ever since.

With the anniversary observance, members of the Maryland State Police are also remembering those who gave their lives in the line of duty. Since 1921, 41 men and one woman have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Maryland. Twenty troopers were killed in vehicle crashes, three were outside their vehicles when they were struck and killed by other vehicles, eight died in helicopter crashes, one died in a plane crash, nine troopers were shot and killed, and one trooper died of exposure after trying to transport food to stranded citizens during a blizzard.

Today, more than 1,500 troopers and 700 civilian support personnel work across the state around-the-clock to serve and protect Maryland’s citizens. Patrol troopers in the Field Operations Bureau staff 22 barracks and enforce traffic and criminal laws, while others work in specialized units like the Aviation Command, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Special Operations Division, and Automotive Safety Division.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau includes the Drug Enforcement Division and the Criminal Investigation Division. Troopers in these divisions are focused on criminal enforcement efforts that target illegal drugs, guns, fugitives, gangs, and violent crime. The Bureau also includes the Forensic Sciences Division where more than 80 scientists and crime scene technicians work in the state-of-the-art laboratory in Pikesville and two satellite labs in Berlin and Hagerstown.

The Support Services Bureau provides logistical support that keeps the State Police operating. It includes the Personnel Command that recruits and trains troopers, the Logistics Command that maintains equipment, vehicles, and facilities, and the Records Command that coordinates investigative and crash reports and operates the Licensing Division, responsible for investigating persons applying to purchase and or carry regulated firearms in Maryland.

For more information about the Maryland State Police, visit our website at www.mdsp.org.

Look Who Else Put 'Bull's-Eye' On Giffords

Shortly after news broke of the attempted murder of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., the left-leaning blog Daily Kos was swift to scrub its post from a Tucson writer explaining how the congresswoman was now "dead to me."

One of the blog's diary writers, identifying himself as BoyBlue, had written a post only two days before the shooting titled "My CongressWOMAN voted against Nancy Pelosi! And is now DEAD to me!"

"I am from the Tucson area and live in Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' district," BoyBlue wrote. "Today, just a little while ago, I saw on Andrea Mitchell Reports that Giffords voted against Nancy Pelosi as our minority leader. … Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is dead to me now."

Several news sources and commentators have sought to analyze yesterday's mass shooting in Tucson that left six dead and Giffords in critical condition, while many blogs and columns have blamed the nation's heated political "rhetoric" for inspiring people toward violence against their elected officials.

Sarah Palin in particular has been singled out for criticism by CBS News, the Guardian and others for publishing a "target map" on her website using images of gun sights to identify the districts of 20 House Democrats up for election in last year's mid-terms, including Giffords.

Daily Kos joined in the criticism, and the blog's founder, Markos Moulitsas, tweeted early yesterday, "Mission accomplished, Sarah Palin," with a link to Palin's map.

Moulitsas, however, had also posted what he called a "target list" identifying Giffords. In a 2008 Daily Kos post, Moulitsas listed Giffords as one of dozens of representatives with "a bull's-eye on their district" for being a "bad apple" Democrat.

The "dead to me" diary has since been deleted from Daily Kos, while Moulitsas' "target list" is still viewable.

Read more

2 Dead, 4 Hurt In Baltimore Club Shooting

BALTIMORE –  A fight at a Baltimore nightclub spilled onto the street early Sunday and led to an eruption of gunfire that killed a police officer and another man and left four people hurt, police said.

One of those wounded also was a police officer, who was shot in the leg, said police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. Investigators were trying to determine if officers may have fired on a fellow officer whose badge and other identifying markings came off his uniform during the scuffle, he said.

No arrests have been made, but dozens of people were being questioned, Guglielmi said.

"This is an absolutely horrible incident ... I prayed we would never lose another officer, but here we are again," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. An off-duty Baltimore detective was killed in October when he was hit in the head during an argument over a parking space.

Authorities said officers arrived at the Select Lounge to find a large fight and called for backup. Investigators still weren't sure if anyone besides officers had fired their weapons.

GO HERE to read more.

SPD Shooting Arrest

On January 5, 2011 at approximately 12:08 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the four hundred (400) block of Newton Terrace and to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for the report of a shooting. Officers met with the victim of the shooting, 49 year old Donald Hall of Salisbury who advised that he had been shot in the side by two (2) suspects while operating a taxi cab. The victim was admitted to the hospital in stable condition with non life threatening injuries.

On the same date, Detectives of the Salisbury Police were able to positively identify the two (2) suspects and obtain arrest warrants charging them with the assault and attempted murder of the victim.

Members of the Maryland State Apprehension Team located the first suspect, 20 year old Shamale Dontae Goslee of Salisbury, and took him into custody.

On January 8, 2011, Members of the Maryland State Apprehension Team located the second suspect, listed below, and took this suspect into custody.

ARRESTED #2: Lamar Pierre Jones, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Attempted first degree murder
Attempted second degree murder
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Handgun use in a violent crime
Reckless endangerment
Handgun in a vehicle

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Bookin
CC # 201100000471

Marylander's Beware, Liberals Will Attempt To Get Rid Of The Death Penalty Very Soon!

The wet pants liberals are working diligently, (behind the scenes) to actually remove the death penalty in the state of Maryland.

I have personally spoken to members of the Maryland State Delegation who have advised me that Democrats have introduced legislation to completely eliminate the death penalty and many believe they'll have enough votes to get it passed.

Now, get this. It could actually happen as early as February! So why haven't you seen anything in the Main Stream Media? Because Maryland is a liberal state and most newspapers in Maryland are liberal as well.

Imagine this. IF they were to pass this legislation, this means the Thomas Leggs case where the State is seeking the death penalty would have been a complete waste of time and money. It means, should Thomas Leggs get convicted and receive the death penalty, he'd never see death row.

Salisbury News will deliver the exact legislative proposal this coming week but I will tell you that I have seen a physical copy of the document and couldn't believe what I was seeing with my own eyes. We've been told that even if Governor O'Malley sits back on this legislation and doesn't sign it, it could still pass into law and he would walk away as if he never had anything to do with it.

We'll keep you posted.

Today's Survey Question

Do you believe our nation's polarized political climate is causing shootings and questionable packages?

Never Waste A Crisis

On November 5, 2009, Maj. Nidal Hasan opened fire at a troop readiness center in Ft. Hood, Texas, killing 13 people.  Within hours of the killings, the world knew that Hasan reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar!" before he began shooting, visited websites associated with Islamist violence, wrote Internet postings justifying Muslim suicide bombings, considered U.S. forces his enemy, opposed American involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan as wars on Islam, and told a neighbor shortly before the shootings that he was going "to do good work for God." 

There was ample evidence, in other words, that the Ft. Hood attack was an act of Islamist violence.

Nevertheless, public officials, journalists, and commentators were quick to caution that the public should not "jump to conclusions" about Hasan's motive.  CNN, in particular, became a forum for repeated warnings that the subject should be discussed with particular care.

"The important thing is for everyone not to jump to conclusions," said retired Gen. Wesley Clark on CNN the night of the shootings.

"We cannot jump to conclusions," said CNN's Jane Velez-Mitchell that same evening. "We have to make sure that we do not jump to any conclusions whatsoever."

Fast forward a little more than a year, to January 8, 2011.  In Tucson, Arizona, a 22 year-old man named Jared Lee Loughner opened fire at a political event, gravely wounding Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, killing a federal judge and five others, and wounding 18.  In the hours after the attack, little was known about Loughner beyond some bizarre and largely incomprehensible YouTube postings that, if anything, suggested he was mentally ill. 

Yet the network that had shown such caution in discussing the Ft. Hood shootings openly discussed the possibility that Loughner was inspired to violence by…Sarah Palin.  Although there is no evidence that Loughner was in any way influenced by Palin, CNN was filled with speculation about the former Alaska governor.

[But they're still not jumping to any conclusions about Ft. Hood--  Editor]

More here

Editors Notes: This comment came in from Thomas J. Miller 2012 Presidential Candidate.

"Just for the record, there were 14 lives lost at Fort Hood. One of the victims was a pregnant woman, her unborn child was the one person the media does not acknowledge."

Thomas J. Miller

CECIL CO. MAN FATALLY WOUNDED AFTER THREATENING TROOPERS WITH A SWORD

(ELKTON, MD) – A Cecil County man was fatally wounded last night after he called troopers to his apartment for a dispute with a neighbor and then confronted them with swords and what appeared to be a rifle and a handgun.

The deceased is identified as Jason E. Honaker, 25, of the 700-block of West Pulaski Highway, Elkton, Md. He was pronounced dead at Christiana Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m. yesterday, a call was received at the Maryland State Police North East Barrack from a man who identified himself has Jason Honaker. He told the duty officer that police needed to respond to his location or he was going to kill his neighbor.

Trooper First Class Matthew Telep and Trooper Brian Schweers were dispatched and responded to Honaker’s apartment. Honaker’s girlfriend met troopers at the door and told them Honaker was armed with ‘swords and guns’ and he was intoxicated. She directed troopers to a back bedroom where she said Honaker was located.

The troopers immediately began giving verbal orders to Honaker and telling him to come out of the bedroom. When he emerged, Honaker was carrying a sword that was about two feet long and what appeared to be a rifle. Troopers also saw that Honaker was wearing another sword and had what appeared to be a handgun tucked into his waistband.

Troopers ordered Honaker to drop the weapons he was carrying and put his hands in the air. The preliminary investigation indicates Honaker threw the sword and what appeared to be the rifle he was carrying down toward the troopers, who were less than ten feet from him. Troopers continued to tell Honaker to put his hands in the air and not to touch the other weapons.

Honaker ignored those commands and pulled the shorter sword, described as a curved, martial arts-type sword, about 18 inches long. In fear for his life and the life of his fellow trooper, TFC Telep fired his State Police issued .40 caliber Beretta pistol, striking Honaker.

Troopers immediately summoned emergency medical assistance to the scene. Honaker was transported by ambulance to Christiana hospital where he underwent surgery, but later died.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the North East Barrack Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene to conduct an investigation that included the service of a search warrant at the apartment for the collection of evidence. Investigators and crime scene technicians recovered the two swords, and several other edged-weapons. The guns that appeared to be a rifle and handgun were determined to be an air rifle and a BB pistol that closely resembled a real handgun.

Honaker’s girlfriend, who is more than eight months pregnant, told investigators Honaker began drinking vodka late that afternoon and had consumed a pint. Investigators also learned Honaker had been arrested on December 23, 2010, for assaulting his girlfriend and she had obtained an interim protective order against him. She failed to appear for a hearing on the protective order and the case was dismissed.

The neighbor in the apartment next to Honaker’s told investigators he had gone to Honaker’s apartment and asked him to turn down his loud music. Honaker then came to his apartment and told him if he called the police, it would ‘take seven officers to take him down.’ The neighbor told Honaker he wasn’t calling the police, he just wanted him to turn his music down. He described Honaker as ‘extremely intoxicated’ and said he had to assist him in standing upright when he was talking to him.

Investigators from the Maryland State Police Internal Affairs Unit also responded to the scene and will conduct an administrative investigation, as they do in every police-involved shooting. When the investigation by the State Police Homicide Unit is complete, it will be presented to the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office for review, which is also procedure.

TFC Telep is a four year veteran of the Maryland State Police and Trooper Schweers has been a trooper for two and one-half years. Both are assigned to uniform road patrol duties at the North East Barrack. Per procedure, both troopers have been placed on routine administrative leave as the investigation continues.

Congresswoman Still Sedated After Gunman's Attack

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Authorities are seeking a possible accomplice to the rampage that left six dead

TUCSON, Ariz. — Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was in critical condition Sunday as investigators attempted to understand what motivated a gunman's shooting rampage that killed six and as investigators asked for the public's help in finding a possible accomplice who was still at large.

University Medical Center spokeswoman Darci Slaten told The Associated Press that Giffords remained sedated after undergoing a two-hour surgery Saturday and has not been conscious since the shooting. She said more information will be released at a news conference in which one of the doctors who operated on Giffords plans to speak.

Outside of the hospital, candles flickered at a makeshift memorial. Signs read "Peace + love are stronger," "God bless America and "We love you, Gabrielle." People also laid down bouquets of flowers, American flags and pictures of Giffords.

GO HERE to read more.

Is Salisbury's WWT Plant Dilemna Going To Be Similar To Jefferson County Alabama?

The Multi-million dollar question for Salisbury taxpayers - Is the City of Salisbury going to end-up a financial basketcase like what happened in Jefferson County, Alabama 

Sewer construction and bond swap controversy

Two extremely controversial undertakings by the county account for the majority of this debt. First was a massive overhaul of the county-owned sewer system, and second was a series of risky bond-swap agreements. Both have been scrutinized by federal prosecutors, with several former county officials convicted of bribery and corruption.^{[citation needed]}

In 1995, Jefferson County entered into a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency regarding sewer overflows into the Cahaba River watershed. A total of $3.2 billion of new construction was subsequently contracted, both to comply with the consent decree and to expand the system to newly-developing areas and increase the number of ratepayers financing the construction. Several engineers, building contractors and commissioners have since been tried and convicted in Federal Court. On May 12, 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the convictions in large part.^{[citation needed]}

A series of controversial interest rate swaps, initiated in 2002 and 2003 by former Commission President Larry Langford (removed as the mayor of Birmingham after his conviction^[4]), were intended to lower interest payments, but have, in fact, had the opposite effect, increasing the county's indebtedness to the point that officials have issued formal statements doubting the county's ability to meet its financial obligations. The bond swaps are at the center of an investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.^[5]

In late February 2008 Standard & Poor's lowered their rating of Jefferson County bonds to "junk" status. The likelihood of the county filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection has been debated in the press.^[6] In early March 2008, Moody's followed suit and indicated that it would also review the county's ability to meet other bond obligations.^[7]

On March 7, 2008, Jefferson County failed to post $184 million collateral as required under its sewer bond agreements, thereby moving into technical default.^[8]

Democrats Lash Out At Inflammatory Rhetoric Following Shooting

Following the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), some Democrats are targeting political rhetoric they say could encourage violent behavior.

Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said the event was "both a personal tragedy and a tragic reminder that we cannot remain silent when political rhetoric turns violent."

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said, "America must not tolerate violence or inflammatory rhetoric that incites political violence."

"Even though we do not have all the answers yet, we are all too familiar with the violent and polarizing climate in which we live," said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), the new chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. "Those of us in leadership must be overly cautious of fanning the flames of extremism in hopes to prevent another horrendous tragedy such as this."

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence called for a return to civil political discourse.

"We ... are deeply concerned about the heated political rhetoric that escalates debates and controversies, and sometimes makes it seem as if violence is an acceptable response to honest disagreements," said Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke in a statement.

It is not known at this time whether the shooter had political motivations.

Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips condemned the attack on Giffords, but warned backers that the Tea Party movement would have to defend itself from attacks by political opponents.

"While we need to take a moment to extend our sympathies to the families of those who died, we cannot allow the hard left to do what it tried to do in 1995 after the Oklahoma City bombing," he said.

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Lawmaker Protests Vietnam Attack On U.S. Diplomat

A member of the congressional caucuses on Vietnam and human rights lashed out at Hanoi for roughing up a U.S. diplomat who was attempting to visit a well-known dissident.

Christian Marchant, a political officer with the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, was attempting to meet with Father Nguyen Van Ly, a democracy advocate being held under house arrest. Ly told Radio Free Asia that the diplomat was "wrestled down to the ground right in the middle of the road" in front of hundreds of witnesses.

"We are aware of and deeply concerned by the incident and have officially registered a strong protest with the Vietnamese government in Hanoi," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday.

Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement Friday that Marchant's legs were repeatedly slammed in a car door in violation of international laws protecting diplomats.

"This attack on a U.S. diplomat is beyond reprehensible," Royce said. "My staff has met with this political officer and can confirm that he is no threat to Vietnam. That, however, didn’t prevent his legs from being crushed by Vietnamese officials.

"In the past, the Vietnamese government has reserved the use of its thuggish tactics for peaceful dissidents and those deemed as threats to the government’s stranglehold on power. It’s now become clear that no one is immune from abuse," Royce added.

On the same day of the attack, Royce introduced H.R.156, the Vietnam Human Rights Sanctions Act, a bill that imposes sanctions on Vietnamese government officials who are complicit in human-rights abuses committed against the people of Vietnam. 

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Republicans Introduce Bill To Eliminate Presidential 'Czars'

A group of House Republicans introduced a bill on Wednesday to rein in the various "czars" in the Obama administration.

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and 28 other House Republicans introduced legislation to do away with the informal, paid advisers President Obama has employed over the past two years.

The legislation, which was introduced in the last Congress but was not allowed to advance under Democratic control, would do away with the 39 czars Obama has employed during his administration.

The bill defines a czar as "a head of any task force, council, policy office within the Executive Office of the President, or similar office established by or at the direction of the President" who is appointed to a position that would otherwise require Senate confirmation.

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Assassin's Politics Lean 'Left Wing, Quite Liberal'

"The Communist Manifesto" and Hitler's "Mein Kampf" were among the favorite reading materials of Jared Lee Loughner, the suspected gunman in yesterday's fatal shooting that reportedly left six dead and gravely injured a U.S. congresswoman.

Lougher, 22, listed those tomes among his favorites on his YouTube channel, in which he wrote that "conscience dreams" were a "great study" at his college, Pima Community College.

One user on Twitter, Caitie Parker, wrote she went to high school, college and was in a band with the gunman. She said she hadn't seen him since 2007.

Parker wrote of Lougher, "As I knew him he was left wing, quite liberal and oddly obsessed with the 2012 prophecy."

She also described him as "more left."

Lougher also left a trail of bold political statements.


Read more at WND

Have You Been To The Store Yet?

It's looking like our weather could be pretty messy from Monday night into Wednesday.

A low moving across the south and off the coast of the Carolinas will move up the coast and eventually
merge with another low coming from Kentucky/Tennessee.  These two systems will interact,
putting our area in the squeeze between them.

Depending, of course, on the track of the two systems, we could get significant snow, but it is looking more
likely that we will get a mix to the south and snowier conditions to the north of our area.

The possibility of freezing rain/sleet is certainly there, and we will definitely need to be prepared.  Ice frequently prunes our
trees (and cuts our power..), so you'll want to be ready.

The roads may still be a mess on Wednesday as the very cold air behind the storm arrives. 

We will keep you informed.

(Accuweather)

Obama Eyeing Internet ID For Americans

President Obama is planning to hand the U.S. Commerce Department authority over a forthcoming cybersecurity effort to create an Internet ID for Americans, a White House official said here today.

It's "the absolute perfect spot in the U.S. government" to centralize efforts toward creating an "identity ecosystem" for the Internet, White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt said.

That news, first reported by CNET, effectively pushes the department to the forefront of the issue, beating out other potential candidates including the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The move also is likely to please privacy and civil liberties groups that have raised concerns in the past over the dual roles of police and intelligence agencies.

The announcement came at an event today at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, where U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Schmidt spoke.

The Obama administration is currently drafting what it's calling the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace, which Locke said will be released by the president in the next few months. (An early version was publicly released last summer.)

"We are not talking about a national ID card," Locke said at the Stanford event. "We are not talking about a government-controlled system. What we are talking about is enhancing online security and privacy and reducing and perhaps even eliminating the need to memorize a dozen passwords, through creation and use of more trusted digital identities."

The Commerce Department will be setting up a national program office to work on this project, Locke said.

Details about the "trusted identity" project are unusually scarce. Last year's announcement referenced a possible forthcoming smart card or digital certificate that would prove that online users are who they say they are. These digital IDs would be offered to consumers by online vendors for financial transactions.

There's more details here

Daley: Dems 'Have To Look More Conservative'

Newly named White House chief of staff and member of Chicago's legendary political dynasty William Daley, a moderate Clinton administration veteran, is purportedly being brought in by President Barack Obama to mend fences with American business.

But the former commerce secretary once anonymously told the late political reporter extraordinaire and CNN commentator Robert Novak something that might indicate his new job is actually all about appearances.

In his lengthy autobiography, "The Prince of Darkness," Novak revealed the name of the "well-placed Democratic leader" featured in his column who in the aftermath of what Novak called the "unusually predictive" November 1993 off-year elections -- in which Republicans won the New Jersey and Virginia governorships, as well as the New York City mayoralty -- accused both President Bill Clinton and the then-Democratic-controlled Congress of rank political incompetence. It was none other than Bill Daley.

"I'm afraid the Reagan coalition is forming again after we took it apart last year because we don't know what we're doing," Daley told Novak. "Last year" refers to Clinton's defeat of incumbent President George H.W. Bush in 1992.

"Our people in Congress," Daley added, "and, I'm afraid, in the White House, don't have a clue. We have to look more conservative."

Could it be that Daley has been brought into the White House at a low point for Democrats to make Obama "look more conservative"?

Read more

Fruitland Police Department Press Release: Armed Robbery

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Armed Robbery
On 01/07/2011 at 2153 hours Fruitland Police responded to Eagle Express located at 101 North Camden Ave in reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival, police met with the victims inside the store. According to the victims, a black male approximately 25 to 35 years old, wearing all black and having dreadlocks entered the store with his face covered and displayed a handgun. The suspect demanded money from the register. After the suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register, He then fled the store on foot in an unknown direction of travel.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fruitland Police Department at 410-548-2803 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776.

LOCATION OF INCIDENT: Eagle Express

Coming To A Billboard Near You

I just learned they will be adding Shawn Porter to the card and his fight will also be televised. Shawn is another top shelf fighter.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!! UPDATE

Pocomoke City, confirmed, Device found on exterior of the PNC Bank on Lynhaven Drive.

Local Fire and Police on the scene. Worcester County Fire Marshall on the scene.

Ocean City Bomb Unit enroute to assist.

ATTN. ALL PUBLIC: You are to stay clear of this area and are advised NOT to use any cell phones or cellular devices in that area. 2:36 PM

More to come.......

UPDATE: The package was found to be left behind by the maintenance crew.

More Breaking News

There's been a water main break on Baptist Street right next to the Chamber of Commerce.

City Public Works just arrived.

Fernando At Civic Center Feb 18, 2011

Congresswoman Giffords, Others Shot In Arizona

Conflicting reports on whether Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., has died

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head and an unknown number of others were wounded Saturday when an assailant sprayed bullets into an area where the lawmaker was meeting with constituents, congressional officials said.

Officials said one of the victims died soon after the attack, and others were taken to a nearby hospital.

There were conflicting reports on whether the congresswoman had died.

The officials said the wounded included some of Gifford's aides who were with her at the time.

The officials who described the events did so on condition of anonymity, saying they were not permitted to comment publicly.

FBI officials and local law enforcement were investigating the attack, which took place while Giffords was greeting constituents outside a Safeway grocery store.

Giffords, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting her first "Congress on Your Corner" event in northwest Tucson, NPR reported.

GO HERE to read more.

Armed Robbery In Fruitland

There was an armed robbery at the Eagle Express in Fruitland last night. From what I've gathered it happened around the same time the train wreck occurred. We heard they got away with quite a bit of cash. More to come......

Pelosi Passes Gavel To Boehner

Officer Refusing Homosexual Training Program Reassigned

The Army National Guard officer who refuses to cooperate with the Obama administration's plan to force open homosexuality on the military is not being punished.

On the contrary, the lieutenant colonel, whose identity is being protected at his request, is getting exactly what he asked for: transfer from a command to a staff position so he will not have to order troops to undergo the Pentagon's pro-'gay' indoctrination.

"Today is my last day in command," said the career Army officer. "From now on I'll be a staff officer without a bunch of people working under me, so I won't have the moral conflict with having to enforce this new policy on them.

"It's not punitive, the state is actually standing by my position. I've worked with some really good commanders over the years and we have a good rapport."

The officer, who formerly commanded a battalion-sized unit, has strongly held religious beliefs that homosexual behavior is morally wrong, and he thinks the military will be damaged severely if it implements the Obama administration's plan to allow homosexuals to serve openly. He said many of the men under his command share his views.

While his identity is known within his chain of command and his state's National Guard administration, the officer believes he has not been identified yet by the Department of the Army. Nearing twenty years in service, he wants to remain anonymous in order to protect his pension for his family's benefit.

"When I retire I will speak on the record. I don't know how much I can do before that. Sooner or later I'm going to get told to shut up. If I continue to make statements, it might become a witch hunt. I don't want to lose my retirement unless it comes to the point they tell me I have to attend the [pro-'gay'] training."

Many fellow officers are applauding him for the stand he has taken, the officer told WND.

"I've had nothing but support from all those in my unit, in my state, everyone that I've talked to. A lot of people have called me to voice their support for my position … a lot more men would take my position but they're not as close to retirement.

He added the men in his chain of command are sympathetic to his position opposing the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning open homosexuality in the ranks.

The officer criticized the U.S. Senate harshly for voting to repeal DADT, accusing them of "contempt for the Constitution" and hypocrisy.

"The only real argument the senators made for repealing DADT is that we're losing all these potential soldiers who could be filling all these critical roles in our military. Well, what are they talking about right now? They're talking about making large cuts in the military. Were they just pulling the wool over our eyes, just making the best argument they could while knowing this was coming all the time? To me It's so hypocritical.

Read more

HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER

Hitchhiking

Another thing of the past is the “art of the thumb”. In the 1950’s, it was not uncommon to see many guys standing alongside the road with their thumb out, hoping to get a ride by some passing car. The practice had many advantages for both parties. The driver of the car had company on a possibly long trip, and the rider got to where he wanted to go at no expense to him. The majority of riders in those days were sailors from Norfolk. They didn’t make a lot of money, and a free ride was appreciated. Most of them didn’t have to wait long before some car would stop and pick them up.

         

One thing you never saw was a woman or girl hitchhiking. They just didn’t do it, at least, not around here. That all changed in the 1960’s when the “hippie” movement swept the country, and girls became more a part of mainstream culture. Nowadays, the dangers of anyone being on the highway alone are enough to keep people from seeking the benefit of a free ride.

         

The practice had pretty well stopped by the 1970’s. It seemed that even the poorest of the poor had a car, or knew somebody who did, and didn’t need to seek a free ride. The idea of picking up some stranger by the side of the road is so foreign today. The sailors of yesterday were always clean-cut-looking young men, and you never had any fear that something bad would happen. Their conversation was always positive, and they were more than glad to share their experiences with you. And the company and conversation on a trip helped to pass the time away.

         

The occasional hitchhiker of today does not instill in you a great sense of safety to your well-being. So, most of them get passed by. Besides, who wants to take a chance that you are picking up some fugitive or crazy that will add grief to your life.

         

Along with the steady prospects along Route 13, there was always the road to Ocean City. It was always full of young people trying to get to the ocean. Even kids from Salisbury would hitch to Ocean City without a dime in their pocket. They seemed to think it was exciting to do it. Once they got to Ocean City, they would beg for quarters to subsist. This practice was utilized by kids that were more affluent and could easily afford to do things differently. But they thought it was exciting to experience how the “other half” lived. I could never see it myself mainly, because I never liked being dirty – or broke.

         

Times change, as we all have witnessed. Hitchhiking now has developed into a fine art. Generally, the truck stops are the best place to get a ride. Befriending a trucker can lead to a ride to some far-off destination, and they are usually good company. Some of them are glad for the chance to not have to travel alone. It does take a certain amount of desperation to entrust your life with a perfect stranger though.

Today's Survey Question

What will you be doing this weekend?

Missing Cat In Hebron/Mardela Springs Area

Our cat Maddie is still missing. She's been missing since Dec. 20th. We are offering a $50 reward if someone finds her. Please contact Terri at 410.422.9902. She's about 2 years old and our family really misses her.

Chinese Stealth Jet A 'Terrifying' Challenge

As the pentagon downplays China rolling out a stealth fighter jet, experts warn that the technology appears to be 'leaps and bounds' above anything the U.S. fleet offers.

GO HERE to read more.

Prince George's Officers Suspended After Cruiser Used In Robbery

PALMER PARK, Md. - Two Prince George's County Police officers have been placed on administrative leave after one officer's uniform and the other officer's marked cruiser were used in a robbery.

Police say Larry Hawkins, 27, used his brother’s uniform shirt and another officer’s cruiser to stop people in the county and rob them of cash.

Hawkins is a former Bladensburg police officer who was fired in 2008. Last year, he was charged with impersonating a police officer. Hawkins' brother, Brandon, is a one-year veteran of the Prince George's County Police force.

Early Thursday morning in the 2400 block of Kenilworth Avenue in Cheverly, police say Larry Hawkins used a marked county cruiser to pull over a man on his way to work. Police say Hawkins told the man he was stopped on suspicion of DWI.

GO HERE to read more.

Is Mossad Systematically Killing Iranian Nuclear Scientists?

Iran's state-run Fars News Agency (FNA) is accusing Israel's international intelligence agency of killing the country's nuclear scientists.

The news agency quoted a report posted Wednesday on the IranNuc.ir website that said the Mossad “has a long record in assassinating Arab and Muslim scientists in collaboration with its U.S. and British counterparts (CIA and MI6).”

The report listed nearly a dozen scientists from Egypt, Lebanon and elsewhere whom it claimed were assassinated by the Mossad.

Among those was Iranian university professor and nuclear scientist Massoud Ali Mohammadi, who died in a Tehran bombing in January 2010. But it was the death of Majid Shahriari in November 2010 that caught the world's attention, FNA opined.

“Global attention was redirected to Mossad's terror plots for assassinating the nuclear scientists of the Islamic world after Iranian professor Majid Shahriari was killed by the Israeli spy agency in Tehran late in 2010,” the news agency reported.

Shahriari and another Iranian university professor, Fereidoon Abbasi Davani, were killed in two separate bomb blasts in Tehran on November 29.

Their deaths were followed by that of a young Iraqi nuclear scientist who was gunned down in the streets of Baghdad the following month, according to the report. Mohammed al-Four had just published his new uranium enrichment formula in a number of western journals before he died. The news agency openly accused the Mossad of shooting him to death, although there has been no evidence linking Israel to the murder.

There's more here

Bottled Water

Dear Friend,


Labels on expensive bottled water may lead us to think the water inside comes from pristine springs or has amazing healing powers. But bottled water companies don't have to tell us what is in those bottles.
EWG decided to look at what they do tell us. And the story can be summed up in a few words: not much.

EWG's just-released 2011 Bottled Water Scorecard grades more than 170 bottled waters on the information they do or do not disclose on their labels and websites.

When we looked for answers to obvious questions -- Where does the water come from? Is it purified? How? Have tests found any contaminants? -- nine out of the ten best-selling brands didn't answer at least one of those questions.

Yahoo! published this investigation on their home page and Green section and already it's made a huge splash (no pun intended).

Because we know you care about what you drink, and feed your family -- we wanted to make sure you saw this important right-to-know report.

Click here to see Yahoo!'s take on the best and worst of the brands we looked at.

Sincerely,

Ken Cook
President, Environmental Working Group