BALTIMORE, – As state lawmakers gear up for another debate about offshore wind power in 2012, Maryland Senator Catherine Pugh of Baltimore City heard vocal support for the issue from dozens of her constituents and an array of local Baltimore organizations and businesses at this evening’s town hall forum at Saint Mark’s Church.
“Offshore wind offers Baltimoreans and Marylanders local, clean energy for years to come, improved public health, and jobs both in constructing and maintaining the wind turbines,” said Ewa Krason, Field Organizer for Environment Maryland, one of the groups who organized the event.
This town hall comes just a few weeks before the start of the 2012 General Assembly session in which Gov. Martin O’Malley will promote a bill to tap the power of wind blowing off Maryland’s Atlantic coast. Senator Pugh (D) sits on the Senate Finance Committee which will review this legislation.
Senator Pugh was joined by her colleague in the House of Delegates, Del. Barbara Robinson, and a variety of panelists who spoke about job creation, health benefits and climate change reduction that offshore wind power can provide.
“All of Maryland must benefit from offshore wind development,” said Joe Gaskins, CEO of the Economic Development and Training Institute. “In the Baltimore area alone, there are over 200 businesses, many minority-owned that could potentially participate in the supply chain process.”
Gaskins was joined by Ross Tyler of the Business Coalition for Maryland Offshore Wind and Rod Easter, President of the Baltimore Building and Construction Trades Council, who also highlighted the economic benefits of offshore wind power.
With the Persian Gulf of wind power just off our coast, this new American industry will take off whether Maryland is on board or not. After losing 85,000 manufacturing jobs since 1990, Maryland workers cannot afford to see this serious jobs plan disappear according the coalition Marylanders for Offshore Wind that Environment Maryland is a part of. One moderate sized offshore wind park would create 2400 jobs, and there are over 1000 Maryland businesses, employing over 30,000 workers, that could participate in offshore wind development.
Christine D. Keels, a 30-year Baltimore resident with severe asthma, spoke emotionally about her yearly hospitalizations and complications from asthma over the last decade and highlighted the importance of Maryland moving toward a clean energy future.
“I remember pictures of windmills as a child and always felt that it meant clean air and healthy living” Keels said. “As an adult Baltimore resident with asthma, I want the same clean air I dreamed of as child” she added.
Katie Huffling from Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and the University Of Maryland School Of Nursing also spoke about the health benefits of offshore wind energy stating that “changing to offshore wind power can reduce the public health impacts of air pollution and help make it easier for kids with asthma to stay out of the ER.”
With offshore wind, Maryland families will save over $4 billion over 25 years by preventing premature deaths. Marylanders cannot afford to continue paying higher medical bills for asthma attacks, emergency room visits, and lung disease.
Maryland cannot meet its statutory clean energy standards without offshore wind power. The state’s renewable electricity standard and the carbon reduction standard are required by historic acts of the General Assembly. Offshore wind energy will help to meet these responsibilities.
“Offshore wind works for Marylanders. Offshore wind works for ratepayers, workers, our health, our climate, and our national security. We cannot afford to miss the many, many benefits that offshore wind development will bring to Maryland,” said Tommy Landers, Campaign Director for Environment Maryland.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Siri Can't Direct You To An Abortion Clinic
(CNN) -- Siri can help you find drugstores and bars, but the iPhone 4S digital assistant is clueless when it comes to the locations of abortion clinics, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The advocacy group this week launched an online petition asking people to send e-mails to Apple saying that "if Siri can tell us about Viagra, it should not provide bad or no information about contraceptives or abortion care. Send a message to Apple: Fix Siri."
The advocacy group this week launched an online petition asking people to send e-mails to Apple saying that "if Siri can tell us about Viagra, it should not provide bad or no information about contraceptives or abortion care. Send a message to Apple: Fix Siri."
"Although it isn't clear that Apple is intentionally trying to promote an anti-choice agenda, it is distressing that Siri can point you to Viagra, but not the Pill, or help you find an escort, but not an abortion clinic," the group wrote in a blog post Wednesday. "We're confident that the developers at Apple want to provide iPhone users with accurate information."
Aaron Thomas, East Coast Rapist Suspect, Transported To Va.; Arraignment In Prince William County
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (WUSA) -- Aaron Thomas was transported to Virginia Tuesday and was arraigned in District Court in Manassas this morning at 8:30.
Thomas faces eight charges in two rapes that happened in Woodbridge on Halloween night. 2009. Three teenage girls were walking home from trick or treating when Thomas, the accused "East Coast Rapist", raped two of them in a wooded area. He is also chraged with use of a firearm during those rapes.
Judge Scott Bailey asked Thomas if he understood the eight charges against him and Thomas, who stared down at his feet the entire time, said, "No." The judge asked what was it that he didn't understand and Thomas finally indicated that he wanted a court-appointed attorney. The judge appointed attorney Ron Fahy to represent Thomas.
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Thomas faces eight charges in two rapes that happened in Woodbridge on Halloween night. 2009. Three teenage girls were walking home from trick or treating when Thomas, the accused "East Coast Rapist", raped two of them in a wooded area. He is also chraged with use of a firearm during those rapes.
Judge Scott Bailey asked Thomas if he understood the eight charges against him and Thomas, who stared down at his feet the entire time, said, "No." The judge asked what was it that he didn't understand and Thomas finally indicated that he wanted a court-appointed attorney. The judge appointed attorney Ron Fahy to represent Thomas.
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I-95 Newark Toll Plaza Experienced No Delays Throughout Thanksgiving Holiday
Newark -- Despite an increase in traffic volumes through both the manual and E-ZPass lanes from previous years, there were no reported delays at the I-95 Toll Plaza in Newark for the entire Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.
On the nation's most traveled weekend, where toll plaza traffic backups had in the past reached for miles, the newly reconstructed design of the I-95 toll plaza virtually eliminated all delays. The toll plaza now incorporates highway speed E-ZPass lanes where users are able to pass seamlessly under sensor devices with the capability of registering tolls at highway speed.
"Our plaza managers do a terrific job of providing full scheduling for all peak holiday traffic events each year," said Vic Buono, Chief of Toll Operations. "In the past we experienced severe back-ups on weekends and holidays at Newark due to the lack of highway speed lanes. This was especially visible during the construction project which caused unavoidable additional daily delays. The difference this year was a result of the redesigned lane configuration implemented in late June, coupled with the full staffing of all of the manual/cash lanes, allowing for smoother traffic flow with no delays at all. As always, our staff at all three Delaware toll plazas continue to do outstanding work 24-hours a day, throughout the year under all types of conditions."
A total of 611,332 vehicles passed through the I-95 Newark toll plaza during the Thanksgiving weekend. An average of 4,412 transactions processed per hour.
2011 Daily Traffic Count - November 23 to 29
Tuesday - 81,907
Wednesday - 115,966
Thursday - 96,110
Friday - 47,905
Saturday - 66,077
Sunday - 51,342
On the nation's most traveled weekend, where toll plaza traffic backups had in the past reached for miles, the newly reconstructed design of the I-95 toll plaza virtually eliminated all delays. The toll plaza now incorporates highway speed E-ZPass lanes where users are able to pass seamlessly under sensor devices with the capability of registering tolls at highway speed.
"Our plaza managers do a terrific job of providing full scheduling for all peak holiday traffic events each year," said Vic Buono, Chief of Toll Operations. "In the past we experienced severe back-ups on weekends and holidays at Newark due to the lack of highway speed lanes. This was especially visible during the construction project which caused unavoidable additional daily delays. The difference this year was a result of the redesigned lane configuration implemented in late June, coupled with the full staffing of all of the manual/cash lanes, allowing for smoother traffic flow with no delays at all. As always, our staff at all three Delaware toll plazas continue to do outstanding work 24-hours a day, throughout the year under all types of conditions."
A total of 611,332 vehicles passed through the I-95 Newark toll plaza during the Thanksgiving weekend. An average of 4,412 transactions processed per hour.
2011 Daily Traffic Count - November 23 to 29
Tuesday - 81,907
Wednesday - 115,966
Thursday - 96,110
Friday - 47,905
Saturday - 66,077
Sunday - 51,342
Md. Man Wins Aruba Appeal In Missing Woman Case
ORANJESTAD, Aruba (AP) — A U.S. businessman who spent nearly four months in an Aruban jail before a judge ordered his release scored another legal victory Wednesday when an appeals court rejected a prosecution appeal to put him back in pretrial detention.
Gary Giordano had already left Aruba when the three-judge appeals court panel ruled that prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence to continue holding him as a suspect in the disappearance and presumed death of his traveling companion, Robyn Gardner
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Gary Giordano had already left Aruba when the three-judge appeals court panel ruled that prosecutors lacked sufficient evidence to continue holding him as a suspect in the disappearance and presumed death of his traveling companion, Robyn Gardner
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Fill In The Blank 12-01-11
The biggest/most expensive gift I will buy this Christmas is going to be ____.
Buffett Buys Hometown Newspaper
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The Oracle of Omaha is making an old-media buy.
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA, Fortune 500) announced plans on Wednesday to purchase the Omaha World-Herald Company, which owns the Omaha World-Herald and several other newspapers in Nebraska and Iowa.
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Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA, Fortune 500) announced plans on Wednesday to purchase the Omaha World-Herald Company, which owns the Omaha World-Herald and several other newspapers in Nebraska and Iowa.
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Ron Paul's Reaction To The Central Bank Moves
Ron Paul tells it the way it is: In this CNBC interview, he correctly points out that we are bailing out the Greeks and it is a worldwide quantitative easing. The price inflation will come. He also explains why it is very unlikely he will run as a third party candidate.
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Ron Paul Statement On The Fed's Bailout Of Europe
The Fed's latest actions in cooperating with foreign central banks to undertake liquidity swaps of dollars for foreign currencies is another reason why Congress needs enhanced power to oversee and audit the Fed. Under current law Congress cannot examine these types of agreements. Those who would argue that auditing the Fed or these agreements with central banks harms the Fed's independence should reevaluate the Fed's supposed independence when the Fed bails out Europe so soon after President Obama promised US assistance in resolving the Euro crisis.
Rather than calming markets, these arrangements should indicate just how frightened governments around the world are about the European financial crisis. Central banks are grasping at straws, hoping that flooding the world with money created out of thin air will somehow resolve a crisis caused by uncontrolled government spending and irresponsible debt issuance. Congress should not permit this type of open-ended commitment on the part of the Fed, a commitment which could easily run into the trillions of dollars. These dollar swaps are purely inflationary and will harm American consumers as much as any form of quantitative easing.
The Fed is behaving much as it did during the 2008 financial crisis, only this time instead of bailing out politically well-connected too-big-to-fail firms it is bailing out profligate government spending. Citizens the world over deserve better than this. They deserve sound money that cannot be manipulated and created out of thin air by central planners who promise printed prosperity. Fiat money caused this European crisis and the financial crisis before it. More fiat money is not the cure. The global fiat currency system has proven itself a failure, we need real monetary reform. We need sound money.
Source
Rather than calming markets, these arrangements should indicate just how frightened governments around the world are about the European financial crisis. Central banks are grasping at straws, hoping that flooding the world with money created out of thin air will somehow resolve a crisis caused by uncontrolled government spending and irresponsible debt issuance. Congress should not permit this type of open-ended commitment on the part of the Fed, a commitment which could easily run into the trillions of dollars. These dollar swaps are purely inflationary and will harm American consumers as much as any form of quantitative easing.
The Fed is behaving much as it did during the 2008 financial crisis, only this time instead of bailing out politically well-connected too-big-to-fail firms it is bailing out profligate government spending. Citizens the world over deserve better than this. They deserve sound money that cannot be manipulated and created out of thin air by central planners who promise printed prosperity. Fiat money caused this European crisis and the financial crisis before it. More fiat money is not the cure. The global fiat currency system has proven itself a failure, we need real monetary reform. We need sound money.
Source
Government Settles Case Brought By First Anthrax Victim For $2.5 Million
WASHINGTON – While denying negligence by one of its premier bio-weapons labs, the government has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a wrongful death suit filed by survivors of the first fatality victim of the deadly 2001 anthrax mail attacks, court papers revealed Tuesday.
The money will go to the widow and children of Robert Stevens, a Florida-based photo editor for the National Enquirer and other tabloids who was the first of five people to die after inhaling the tiny spores.
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The money will go to the widow and children of Robert Stevens, a Florida-based photo editor for the National Enquirer and other tabloids who was the first of five people to die after inhaling the tiny spores.
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Wicomico Recreation’s Youth Basketball Takes The Court This Winter
Salisbury, MD – Wicomico Recreation is stepping onto the court this winter with the introduction of Youth Basketball. The eight week season will tip-off on January 14th and conclude with single elimination play-offs in March. The program is recruiting players and volunteer coaches.
Play is open to boys and girls of all skill levels from 5th through 8th grade. Players can register as part of a team of ten or individually to play on house created teams. Practice sessions will be held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in early January prior to the first game. Once the season begins, all games will be held on Saturdays at Salisbury Middle School (607 Morris Street). Scheduled games will begin at 9am and run through the early afternoon.
Potential players and/or coaches are invited to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Monday, December 12th from 6pm to 8pm for a free skills clinic. The clinic will provide a review, drills and an overview of the new program. The clinic will also kick-off registration, and all those that on-site will receive a $5 discount.
The cost to play is regularly $50. The registration fee includes regular season, play-offs and t-shirt. The registration window will run from Monday, December 12th through Friday, January 6th 2012 at 5pm. Register online at www.WicomicoRecandParks.org or in person at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Ave. Salisbury, MD 21804). For more information on playing or coaching please contact Program Coordinator Louie Richardson at 410.548.4900 ext. 105.
Play is open to boys and girls of all skill levels from 5th through 8th grade. Players can register as part of a team of ten or individually to play on house created teams. Practice sessions will be held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in early January prior to the first game. Once the season begins, all games will be held on Saturdays at Salisbury Middle School (607 Morris Street). Scheduled games will begin at 9am and run through the early afternoon.
Potential players and/or coaches are invited to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Monday, December 12th from 6pm to 8pm for a free skills clinic. The clinic will provide a review, drills and an overview of the new program. The clinic will also kick-off registration, and all those that on-site will receive a $5 discount.
The cost to play is regularly $50. The registration fee includes regular season, play-offs and t-shirt. The registration window will run from Monday, December 12th through Friday, January 6th 2012 at 5pm. Register online at www.WicomicoRecandParks.org or in person at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Ave. Salisbury, MD 21804). For more information on playing or coaching please contact Program Coordinator Louie Richardson at 410.548.4900 ext. 105.
Banks May Have Illegally Foreclosed On 5,000 Members Of The Military
For months, major banks have been dealing with the fallout of the “robo-signing” scandal, following reports that the banks were improperly foreclosing on homeowners and, in many instances, falsifying paperwork that they were submitting to courts. Banks have been forced to go back and re-examine foreclosures to ensure that homeowners did not lose their homes unlawfully.
In the latest episode of this mess, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has found that banks — including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup — may have improperly foreclosed on up to 5,000 active members of the military:
Ten leading US lenders may have unlawfully foreclosed on the mortgages of nearly 5,000 active-duty members of the US military in recent years, according to data released by a federal regulator. [...]
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In the latest episode of this mess, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has found that banks — including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup — may have improperly foreclosed on up to 5,000 active members of the military:
Ten leading US lenders may have unlawfully foreclosed on the mortgages of nearly 5,000 active-duty members of the US military in recent years, according to data released by a federal regulator. [...]
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Alex Mooney Announces Congressional Exploratory Committee
Shortly before 5:00pm on Wednesday November 30, 2011, former Republican State Senator and current Maryland Republican Party Chairman Alex Mooney officially filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to form a campaign fundraising committee called “Mooney for Congress.”
“With the recent news about Congressman Roscoe Bartlett’s long time chief-of-staff preparing to run for Congress and the Democratic Party's cynical and corrupt redistricting plan to oust Congressman Bartlett, I felt it was time for me also to start an exploratory committee for Congress. We cannot let Congressman Bartlett's seat be taken by a tax-and-spend liberal like Rob Garagiola. Our economy is suffering and we need more jobs -- not more government, more debt and more taxes,” said Mooney.
Donations can be made to “Mooney for Congress” and Mr. Mooney plans to officially file as a candidate for Congress in January, at which time he would step down from his position as Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party and take a leave of absence from his job running a non-profit organization which trains journalists.
“With the recent news about Congressman Roscoe Bartlett’s long time chief-of-staff preparing to run for Congress and the Democratic Party's cynical and corrupt redistricting plan to oust Congressman Bartlett, I felt it was time for me also to start an exploratory committee for Congress. We cannot let Congressman Bartlett's seat be taken by a tax-and-spend liberal like Rob Garagiola. Our economy is suffering and we need more jobs -- not more government, more debt and more taxes,” said Mooney.
Donations can be made to “Mooney for Congress” and Mr. Mooney plans to officially file as a candidate for Congress in January, at which time he would step down from his position as Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party and take a leave of absence from his job running a non-profit organization which trains journalists.
Herman Cain's Problem Is Herman Cain
As GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain battles charges of sexual harassment from four different women, he has used a number of ploys to defend himself. At the end of the day, whether the issue is sexual harassment, who developed his 9-9-9 plan or his limited understanding of foreign policy, the source of Herman Cain's problems is his inability to command the facts.
His problems don't stem from the Perry campaign, "unstable women" or the liberal media; Herman Cain's problem is Herman Cain.
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His problems don't stem from the Perry campaign, "unstable women" or the liberal media; Herman Cain's problem is Herman Cain.
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Get Your Cheap Eat On: Subway To Offer $2 Sandwiches In December
Not in the mood for an entire $5 foot-long sub? The holiday season has brought yet another gift, in the form of a deal: Starting today and going through December, you can grab a $2 six-inch sandwich from Subway.
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Peter Schiff Explains What Today's Global Fed-Funded Bailout Means For The Future
If anyone is still confused by what has transpired today, here is Peter Schiff explaining in simple words, why what happened "may be one of the most important economic events of the year" and what to do next: "Today’s unprecedented announcement by the world’s most powerful central banks was a loud and clear bell ringing to buy precious metals. The move, disguised as an attempt to help the fragile state of the global economy, is in reality a move to prop up failing banks in Europe and the US. By reducing interest rates paid for dollar swaps, central bankers are in effect increasing the quantity of global dollars in circulation. The result? The dollar will weaken, inflation will rise, and gold will soar. Gold was up more than $30 today, and the dollar got crushed. I urge you to take 7 minutes to watch the video I recorded exclusively for my subscribers a few hours ago. It explains, in plain language, what happened today – and what is the likely outcome for your portfolio. This may be one of the most important economic events of the year." And pardon Schiff's self-promotional piece at the end, but the truth is that he is essentially correct about what the actions means from a big picture perspective. Furthermore, as Goldman made all too clear, this is merely the beginning as more and more inflationary actions have to be undertaken by central banks to save banks from being crushed by untenable debt loads. Whether they succeed in overturning the deflationary tsunami is unknown. What is certain is that they will bring fiat currencies to the verge of viability (and beyond) in trying.
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Reporter Investigating Foreclosure Fraud Finds Out He's A Victim Of Foreclosure Fraud
As much as we Consumerists hate when our work crosses over into our personal lives and we end up on hold with our cable TV provider for hours or feel the sting of the grocery shrink ray, that's nothing compared to what happened to a reporter in Las Vegas who, while investigating the rampant foreclosure fraud in his region, discovered he too had fallen victim to the very problem he was reporting on.
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Employer Health Costs Rise Faster Than Medicare
The upward spiral in U.S. health insurance costs is especially acute for employers that offer the benefit and employees shouldering more of their own costs.
Much of the attention on the rising cost of health care has focused on unsustainable public outlay for programs like Medicare. The federal government — using tax dollars — pays for millions of peoples’ coverage (and, eventually, will chip in for all of our care if we live long enough). The spiraling costs of doctor visits, medicine and surgery for so many people have contributed considerably to the country’s glum economic outlook.
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Much of the attention on the rising cost of health care has focused on unsustainable public outlay for programs like Medicare. The federal government — using tax dollars — pays for millions of peoples’ coverage (and, eventually, will chip in for all of our care if we live long enough). The spiraling costs of doctor visits, medicine and surgery for so many people have contributed considerably to the country’s glum economic outlook.
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Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 12-1-11
On 11/30/2011, at about 1957 hrs., a Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Deputy stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on Ocean Highway and Linden Avenue, Pocomoke City, Maryland. The driver was identified as Shelby Leon Coates, age 65, from Suffolk Virginia. A wanted check showed that Mr. Coates was wanted through Somerset County, Maryland for Failure to Appear on a Sale of Untaxed Cigarettes charge on 08/17/2006. Mr. Coates was held at the Worcester County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.
Obama Admin Seals Records Of Murdered Border Patrol Agent Implicated In Fast And Furious
And to think that Attorney General Eric Holder is getting testy about congressional calls for his resignation. After all, the Justice Department has nothing to hide, right?:
The Obama Administration has abruptly sealed court records containing alarming details of how Mexican drug smugglers murdered a U.S. Border patrol agent with a gun connected to a failed federal experiment that allowed firearms to be smuggled into Mexico.
This means information will now be kept from the public as well as the media. Could this be a cover-up on the part of the “most transparent” administration in history? After all, the rifle used to kill the federal agent (Brian Terry) last December in Arizona’s Peck Canyon was part of the now infamous Operation Fast and Furious. Conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the disastrous scheme allowed guns to be smuggled into Mexico so they could eventually be traced to drug cartels.
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The Obama Administration has abruptly sealed court records containing alarming details of how Mexican drug smugglers murdered a U.S. Border patrol agent with a gun connected to a failed federal experiment that allowed firearms to be smuggled into Mexico.
This means information will now be kept from the public as well as the media. Could this be a cover-up on the part of the “most transparent” administration in history? After all, the rifle used to kill the federal agent (Brian Terry) last December in Arizona’s Peck Canyon was part of the now infamous Operation Fast and Furious. Conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the disastrous scheme allowed guns to be smuggled into Mexico so they could eventually be traced to drug cartels.
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Obama Issues Executive Order
Federal managers, management associations and unions will have two more years to make kumbaya. President Obama issued an executive order extending the National Council on Federal Labor-Management Relations through 2013. It was set to expire in a month. The White House calls the extension routine. But not much on the committee's agenda has been done. A few weeks ago, it recommended ways to improve employee evaluation systems. But it's still working on other objectives. One is to gage the value of union participation in non-bargaining decisions, such as how many workers to assign to a project
"China Will Not Hesitate To Protect Iran Even With A Third World War"
Fast forward to 2:08: "It is puzzling to some that Major General Zhang Zhaozhong, a professor from the Chinese National Defense University, said China will not hesitate to protect Iran even with a third World War... Professor Xia Ming: "Zhang Zhaozhong said that not hesitating to fight a third world war would be entirely for domestic political needs...." And don't forget Russia, which recently said it is preparing to retaliate against NATO and has put radar stations on combat alert: "Russia is another ally of Iran, with similar policy to that of China. Toward Iran." Watch, and please forward the entire video, for an explanation of how China is approaching the situation not only in Iran, but a perspective of how they view the western "threat", as well as what tensions they face domestically.
2 Governors Asking U.S. To Ease Rules On Marijuana To Allow For Its Medical Use
The governors of Washington and Rhode Island petitioned the federal government on Wednesday to reclassify marijuana as a drug with accepted medical uses, saying the change is needed so states like theirs, which have decriminalized marijuana for medical purposes, can regulate the safe distribution of the drug without risking federal prosecution.
WANTED MAN SHOT AFTER ATTACKING WARRANT TEAM
(UPPER MARLBORO, MD) – A Maryland state trooper assigned to a federal warrant task force shot and wounded a Prince George’s County man this morning after the man charged the trooper and team members with a knife.
The man is identified as Michael W. King, 31, of the 9200-block of Goldenrod Lane, Upper Marlboro, Md. He is undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds at the Prince George’s Hospital Center. He is under police guard at the hospital and criminal charges against him are pending.
The trooper involved is identified as Trooper First Class Wesley Jefferson, a four-year-veteran of the Maryland State Police. TFC Jefferson is assigned to the Maryland State Police Criminal Investigation Division State Apprehension Team. He is currently serving as a member of the United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.
At about 8:30 a.m. today, eight members of the task force went to King’s residence to serve a Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office warrant for drug distribution. Members of the team were from the Maryland State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Team members knocked repeatedly on the door of King’s mobile home and announced themselves as police officers. They repeatedly called King by name as they continued to knock on the door and announce their presence. There was no answer.
Police verified King’s vehicle was in the driveway and developed probable cause
that King was inside his home. About 45 minutes after their arrival, team members
entered the residence through a front window. As they went through the window, task
force members continued to announce themselves as police and called King by name.
Task force members were wearing jackets and badges that clearly identified them as
law enforcement officers.
The preliminary investigation indicates that once inside the residence, the team
members were preparing to conduct a tactical search for King. Without warning, King
came around the corner from behind a wall with an upraised knife and ran straight at
team members who were about five feet from him. King was yelling as he ran toward
police.
In fear for his life and the safety of his fellow team members, TFC Jefferson fired
his department-issued .40 caliber Beretta PX4 Storm pistol. King was wounded in the
head and torso. No other members of the team fired their weapons. No law enforcement
officers were injured.
Task force members immediately called for emergency medical services and
administered first aid to King. King was transported by ambulance to the Prince
George’s Hospital Center.
The knife King was holding was recovered at the scene. It is described as a
folding tactical style knife with a curved blade about four inches long.
Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and Internal Affairs Unit investigators are conducting an investigation into the police involved shooting. After consultation with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, State Police investigators are applying for a search warrant for King’s residence. Investigators and crime scene technicians remain at the scene and will be searching the home and processing the scene pursuant to the warrant.
TFC Jefferson has been placed on routine administrative leave, which is procedure in police involved shootings. The investigation is continuing.
The United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force was formed to combine law enforcement resources in a cooperative effort to locate and arrest fugitives and wanted criminals, with the ultimate goal of reducing violent crime. Members of the task force include the: US Marshals Service, Maryland State Police, Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, Prince George’s County Police Department, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Police Department, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, US Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Baltimore Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
The man is identified as Michael W. King, 31, of the 9200-block of Goldenrod Lane, Upper Marlboro, Md. He is undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds at the Prince George’s Hospital Center. He is under police guard at the hospital and criminal charges against him are pending.
The trooper involved is identified as Trooper First Class Wesley Jefferson, a four-year-veteran of the Maryland State Police. TFC Jefferson is assigned to the Maryland State Police Criminal Investigation Division State Apprehension Team. He is currently serving as a member of the United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.
At about 8:30 a.m. today, eight members of the task force went to King’s residence to serve a Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office warrant for drug distribution. Members of the team were from the Maryland State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Team members knocked repeatedly on the door of King’s mobile home and announced themselves as police officers. They repeatedly called King by name as they continued to knock on the door and announce their presence. There was no answer.
Police verified King’s vehicle was in the driveway and developed probable cause
that King was inside his home. About 45 minutes after their arrival, team members
entered the residence through a front window. As they went through the window, task
force members continued to announce themselves as police and called King by name.
Task force members were wearing jackets and badges that clearly identified them as
law enforcement officers.
The preliminary investigation indicates that once inside the residence, the team
members were preparing to conduct a tactical search for King. Without warning, King
came around the corner from behind a wall with an upraised knife and ran straight at
team members who were about five feet from him. King was yelling as he ran toward
police.
In fear for his life and the safety of his fellow team members, TFC Jefferson fired
his department-issued .40 caliber Beretta PX4 Storm pistol. King was wounded in the
head and torso. No other members of the team fired their weapons. No law enforcement
officers were injured.
Task force members immediately called for emergency medical services and
administered first aid to King. King was transported by ambulance to the Prince
George’s Hospital Center.
The knife King was holding was recovered at the scene. It is described as a
folding tactical style knife with a curved blade about four inches long.
Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and Internal Affairs Unit investigators are conducting an investigation into the police involved shooting. After consultation with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, State Police investigators are applying for a search warrant for King’s residence. Investigators and crime scene technicians remain at the scene and will be searching the home and processing the scene pursuant to the warrant.
TFC Jefferson has been placed on routine administrative leave, which is procedure in police involved shootings. The investigation is continuing.
The United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force was formed to combine law enforcement resources in a cooperative effort to locate and arrest fugitives and wanted criminals, with the ultimate goal of reducing violent crime. Members of the task force include the: US Marshals Service, Maryland State Police, Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office, Prince George’s County Police Department, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Police Department, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, US Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Baltimore Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Big News Day Today
We've already covered up until midnight tonight, so you'll see a lot of Posts up inbetween the regular every 15 minute Posts throughout the day.
Folks, I'm very excited about the Christmas Free TV Giveaway we started yesterday. We've enjoyed quite a few letters already and each one of them qualifies for a TV.
If you know of a Family in need you should let us know as they are disappearing fast.
Movers And Sheriff’s Deputies Refuse Bank’s Order To Evict 103-Year-Old Atlanta Woman
Yesterday, a Deutsche Bank branch in Atlanta had requested the eviction of Vita Lee, a 103-year-old Atlanta woman, and her 83-year-old daughter. Both were terrified of being removed from their home of 53 years and had no idea where they’d go next.
But when the movers hired by the bank and police were dispatched to evict the two women, they had a change of heart. In a huge victory for the 99 Percent, the movers “took one look at” Lee and decided not to go through with it. Watch WSB TV’s Channel 2′s video report about the incident:
SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA
DECEMBER 5, 2011
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
4:30 p.m. Review of audit/financial statements – Gerri Moore/Pam Baker
5:15 p.m. Transition for Charter Amendment on access to legal – Paul Wilber
6:00 p.m. Resolution to place a non-binding referendum question on the ballot at the next
General Election on the first Tuesday of April, 2013, to vote for or against Charter Amendment Resolution No. 2109, placing appointment, oversight and discharge authority of the City Solicitor under the City Council – Councilwoman Laura Mitchell
6:15 p.m. Break
6:30 p.m. Follow-up discussion on Board of Zoning procedures – Paul Wilber/Bill Holland//Tom
Stevenson Consideration of moratorium extension
7:00 p.m. Towing Ordinance – Council
7:30 p.m. 2012 City Council meeting dates/times – Brenda Colegrove
7:45 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
Election redistricting
Rental inspections
Other
8:00 p.m. Adjournment
5:15 p.m. Transition for Charter Amendment on access to legal – Paul Wilber
6:00 p.m. Resolution to place a non-binding referendum question on the ballot at the next
General Election on the first Tuesday of April, 2013, to vote for or against Charter Amendment Resolution No. 2109, placing appointment, oversight and discharge authority of the City Solicitor under the City Council – Councilwoman Laura Mitchell
6:15 p.m. Break
6:30 p.m. Follow-up discussion on Board of Zoning procedures – Paul Wilber/Bill Holland//Tom
Stevenson Consideration of moratorium extension
7:00 p.m. Towing Ordinance – Council
7:30 p.m. 2012 City Council meeting dates/times – Brenda Colegrove
7:45 p.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
Election redistricting
Rental inspections
Other
8:00 p.m. Adjournment
Would You Watch An Ad To Avoid An ATM Fee?
From e-mail to broadcast TV programming, search engines to roadside billboards, consumers are accustomed to being inundated with advertisements at every turn. Typically, the tradeoff for being subjected to ads is that consumers get some sort of free or subsidized service. Could this business model also work for ATM transactions, thereby eliminating annoying $3 fees for consumers?
More
More
Questions
Can you cry under water?
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway...
Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Why, do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead?
Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?
If people evolved from apes,
why are there still apes?
-Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
Is there ever a day that mattresses
are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?
And my FAVORITE.........
The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons are suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway...
Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Why, do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead?
Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?
Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?
If people evolved from apes,
why are there still apes?
-Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
Is there ever a day that mattresses
are not on sale?
Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?
How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?
And my FAVORITE.........
The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons are suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.
Case Of The Drowned Million-Dollar Car To Go To Trial
Remember the guy who drove that million-dollar car into a Texas swamp a couple of years ago? A jury will have to decide whether he was trying to scam an insurance company to double his money on it.
This video of the incident on YouTube has drawn more than 2.6 million people eager to watch Andy House, an auto dealer in Lufkin, Texas, drive the $1 million French-built Bugatti Veyron — one of only 300 ever made — into a lagoon in LaMarque, near Galveston, in November 2009:
1st Sandusky Abuse Suit Comes From New Accuser
PHILADELPHIA - Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually abused a boy more than 100 times, then threatened to harm his family to keep him quiet, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday that details new accusations not included in criminal charges against Sandusky.
The lawsuit is the first in the Penn State child sex-abuse scandal and identifies the plaintiff, now 29 years old, only as John Doe. It claims Sandusky abused the boy from 1992 to 1996 at the coach's State College home, in a Penn State locker room, on trips to Philadelphia and a bowl game.
US Embassy in Iran? Michele Bachmann’s ‘Oops’ Moment
ABC News’ Molly Hunter reports:
Did Michelle Bachmann have her “oops” moment?
In light of the British Foreign Ministry pulling all U.K. nationals out of the British embassy in Tehran after students stormed the building in protest, GOP presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann told a crowd in Waverly, Iowa, today that she would close the U.S. embassy in Iran.
Cain Consulting With Family On Candidacy Following Claims Of Long-Term Affair
Herman Cain told Fox News on Wednesday he is consulting with his family on whether to stay in the presidential race and plans to make a decision within a week, as he continued to defend himself against allegations of a 13-year extramarital affair.
The Republican presidential candidate lashed out at his critics, saying he's the victim of a "direct character assassination" and that he doesn't understand where the latest allegations are coming from.
More
Troopers Seek Public’s Help In Locating Stalking Suspect
Location: 31000 block of Red Mill Drive, Lewes, DEDate of Occurrence: Saturday, November 26, 2011
Victim:
28 year old Lewes, DE female
Suspect:
Carlos Batres, 32, Georgetown, DE
Hispanic male, 6’00” tall, 211 lbs, brown hair and brown eyes
Charges:
Stalking
Harassment
Resume:
Lewes, DE- The Delaware State Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 32 year old Georgetown, DE man after he sent over 30 text messages and called a Lewes, DE female over 25 times during the past weekend.
Troopers have obtained a warrant charging Carlos Batres, 32, with one count each of stalking and harassment. On Saturday, November 26, Batres sent numerous text messages and made multiple phone calls to the victim, all of which were unwanted. He then responded to the victim’s place of employment and drove around the parking lot looking for her, but left after being unable to locate her. The victim, who had previously been involved in a relationship with Batres, then responded to Delaware State Police Troop 7 and reported the incidents.
Carlos Batres is described as a Hispanic male. He is 6’00” tall and 211 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes.
The Delaware State Police are asking anyone who may have any information in reference to the location of Carlos Batres to contact the 9-1-1 call center immediately. Information may also be provided to Troop 7 at 302-644-5020. Citizens may also provide a tip by texting keyword “DSP” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters may also provide information through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333. Callers can also submit information via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com.
Police Probing New Florida A&M Hazing Case
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Authorities are investigating another possible case of hazing connected to Florida A&M University band.
The Tallahassee Police Department has opened an investigation into the alleged battery of 18-year-old Bria Shante Hunter.
Hunter's parents told Atlanta's WXIA-TV on Tuesday that the freshman clarinet player suffered a fractured thigh bone and damaged knee. They say when she returned to Georgia she couldn't bend her legs.
Help Us Find Blake: UPDATE
LOCATED, THANK YOU FOLKS!
Blake was last seen at noon Wednesday at Bennett, she is a freshman. Please contact the Police if you see her.
Blake was last seen at noon Wednesday at Bennett, she is a freshman. Please contact the Police if you see her.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A Horrible Experience At The China Buffet In North Salisbury
One thing is for sure, I'll not return to this business. Tonight we went out to eat. I asked everyone, what would you like to have tonight, where would you like to go. With what seems like a hundred choices it was clear, China Buffet.
One of the key reasons we enjoy going there is the variety of different food for our Grandson. We sat down, ordered our drinks and went up to get our food.
For the first time since we've been going there, each time I took a bite of the different things on the plate, it tasted like everything was boiled in water, mixed with veggies and that was it. Even the general chicken had no real taste or bite to if, (so to speak).
Being immediately disappointed I asked how every one else's meal was. My Grandson was chewing hard on a piece of fried chicken and he immediately said, it's really hard. He went, (by himself) to the chef there and asked him to make bbq ribs. Honest to God, he was cutting the meat with no bones in it for a good two minutes and I asked if I could help him and he said he'd get it. He took one bite and refused to eat any more of it. My Wife spices things up so much, it simply tasted the same.
I got up and went over to the manager and expressed my disappointment. I told her everything was very bland and that we come there fairly often and it just wasn't good. She said she'd check into it. She picked up my full plate and took it away.
The next thing I knew the waitress came over to our table and dropped off the check. Mind you, we had only been there 5 or 10 minutes, I thought that was strange. Nevertheless, I figured they'd compensate me for at least my meal, since I hadn't eaten anything with the exception of biting each sample of what I put on the plate.
I opened the check and the bill was for 100% of what we would normally get charged. My Wife knew what was next, so she was smart to get up and leave. I went over to the manager to pay our bill and I said, so your going to charge me full price, knowing we didn't eat and or enjoy what we had? She said, I don't know how much you ate. I said, ask the waitress, she took my full plate away and we've only been here 10 minutes. She handed me the phone in which the general manager started telling me she had been there at lunch time and the food was fine.
I said, Mam, my name is Joe Albero and I own Salisbury News. I said, look, if I have to pay full price for this meal, let me assure you, I'm publishing this experience on Salisbury News. I call the owner and complain. I said, I AM THE OWNER! She immediate said, if you say anything, we sue you. I started laughing my a$$ off and asked if she'd like the name of my lawyer.
I paid full price and walked out. We have had bad experiences before with the Owner of this business a few years ago. Not in food but with a Post I put up as a survey question asking what was a proper tip in an all you can eat restaurant. Because MOST people said 10%, the owner of this business and the one across the street started going off on me.
Nevertheless, we had a bad experience. It happens. However, when business owners and or managers treat you like a thief, they've lost my business and YOU should know about it. When the general manager of a business threatens to sue you for voicing your opinion, well, I say, bring it on!
Now, YOU can do whatever you like but I will not set foot in that restaurant ever again.
Salisbury News Wants To Make Christmas Extra Special For 20 Needy Families This Year
As you can see from the image above, I have purchased twenty, 27" Remote Control Television Sets with the intention of finding 20 local Families who could use a nice little boost this Christmas.In order to qualify to be considered we'd like you to send us a story as to why you or your Family deserve such a gift this Holiday Season. alberobutzo@wmconnect.com. Please put "Television" in the subject line of your e-mail.
I want to make myself very clear here. These TV's are for Families in need, not for a kids bedroom, not a second TV, etc.
We'll need a name, phone number and physical address within each letter.
We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
I LOVE INSIDE INFORMATION!
Joe:
The article about the DT and the legal ads has them scrambling now. The insertion equipment will be put back in place and the press will be restarted to get publication back in Salisbury.
Press operators along with former employees are being sought and asked to come back for production as soon as possible. Bassett understands about the legal ramifications and is sweating bullets. Look for local production in about 10 days to 2 weeks. You have Wilmington fuming !!!!
Keep up the good work. SBYNEWS is the best !!!
Publishers Notes: I learned this morning that the Daily Times has been all over the County Council asking questions about yesterday's articles on snow removal AND the Christmas Bonus. Who's DelMarVa's News Leader Folks!
Hank Paulson Tipped Off The Goldman-Led "Plunge Protection Team" About Fannie Bankruptcy 7 Weeks In Advance
Today, BusinessWeek's Michael Serrill and Jonathan Neumann have released a blockbuster report [40]based on a FOIA response by the Treasury, which proves that in America rules are only for little people, that this country has been a banana republic for years, that Animal Farm was spot on, and gives excruciating detail of how Hank Paulson tipped off a select group of Goldman diaspora hedge fund managers about the eventual failure of Fannie and Freddie 7 weeks ahead of this information becoming public knowledge. The report basically is a summary of a meeting that took place at the offices of Eton Mindich's Eton Park headquarters on July 21, 2008, 7 days after his famous '“If you have a bazooka, and people know you have it, you're not likely to take it out," speech and 7 weeks before both GSEs effectively filed for bankruptcy and were put into conservatorship. Now if it only ended there it would have been fine - a case of potential criminal collusion between the government (although nothing specific against Paulson as he didn't actually trade: he just made sure his former Goldman colleagues made money), and the 0.00001% in the face of a few multi-billionaires who most certainly did trade on material non-public information sourced by Hank. Where it however gets worse is when one considers the actual role of one Eric Mindich in the hierarchy of the Asset Managers' committee of the President's Working Group on Capital Markets, better known of course as the PPT: a topic we discussed first back in September 2009 when we asked "What Is Goldman Alum Eric Mindich's Role As Chair Of The Asset Managers' Committee Of The President's Working Group [41]?" Back then we did not get an answer. Luckily, courtesy of a few answered FOIA requests, some real investigative journalism, and not reporting for the sake of brown-nosing just so one can get soundbites for their next name dropping "blockbuster" and straight to HBO movie, we are starting to get the full picture of just how high in US government the Goldman Sachs controlled "crony capitalist" adminsitration truly runs.
Before we get into the details of Mr Mindich's curious relationship with the government, here is the gist of the BusinessWeek piece [40], which as noted focuses on Paulson who "said he had erred by not punishing Bear Stearns shareholders more severely. The secretary, then 62, went on to describe a possible scenario for placing Fannie and Freddie into “conservatorship” -- a government seizure designed to allow the firms to continue operations despite heavy losses in the mortgage markets."
More
Before we get into the details of Mr Mindich's curious relationship with the government, here is the gist of the BusinessWeek piece [40], which as noted focuses on Paulson who "said he had erred by not punishing Bear Stearns shareholders more severely. The secretary, then 62, went on to describe a possible scenario for placing Fannie and Freddie into “conservatorship” -- a government seizure designed to allow the firms to continue operations despite heavy losses in the mortgage markets."
More
Delmar Christmas Parade
Sat. Dec. 10th - 2pm
Rain date: Sun. Dec. 11th - 2pm
Participation is FREE with application
on file. Trophies & plaques will be
awarded in several categories
Applications available by calling
302-846-3336, download from website at
www.delmar-chamberofcommerce.com
or at Delmar Town Hall.
Application deadline is Dec. 7th!
Parade sponsored by The Greater
Delmar Chamber of Commerce
How Hank Paulson Tipped Off 5 Goldman Sachs Alumni And Other Elites
First, we learn the details of Fed chairman Ben Bernanke tipping off elite insiders as to moves the Fed has been making.Now, Bloomberg's Richard Teitelbaum chronicles how then-Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson mislead NYT and then tipped off hedge fund managers as to how the government was about to deal with the crisis at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Teitelbaum writes:
On the morning of July 21, before the Eton Park meeting, Paulson had spoken to New York Times reporters and editors, according to his Treasury Department schedule. A Times article the next day said the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency were inspecting Fannie and Freddie’s books and cited Paulson as saying he expected their examination would give a signal of confidence to the markets.
At the Eton Park meeting, he sent a different message, according to a fund manager who attended. Over sandwiches and pasta salad, he delivered that information to a group of men capable of profiting from any disclosure.
Around the conference room table were a dozen or so hedge- fund managers and other Wall Street executives -- at least five of them alumni of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS), of which Paulson was chief executive officer and chairman from 1999 to 2006. In addition to Eton Park founder Eric Mindich, they included such boldface names as Lone Pine Capital LLC founder Stephen Mandel, Dinakar Singh of TPG-Axon Capital Management LP and Daniel Och of Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC.
After a perfunctory discussion of the market turmoil, the fund manager says, the discussion turned to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Paulson said he had erred by not punishing Bear Stearns shareholders more severely. The secretary, then 62, went on to describe a possible scenario for placing Fannie and Freddie into “conservatorship” -- a government seizure designed to allow the firms to continue operations despite heavy losses in the mortgage markets.
More
On the morning of July 21, before the Eton Park meeting, Paulson had spoken to New York Times reporters and editors, according to his Treasury Department schedule. A Times article the next day said the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency were inspecting Fannie and Freddie’s books and cited Paulson as saying he expected their examination would give a signal of confidence to the markets.
At the Eton Park meeting, he sent a different message, according to a fund manager who attended. Over sandwiches and pasta salad, he delivered that information to a group of men capable of profiting from any disclosure.
Around the conference room table were a dozen or so hedge- fund managers and other Wall Street executives -- at least five of them alumni of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS), of which Paulson was chief executive officer and chairman from 1999 to 2006. In addition to Eton Park founder Eric Mindich, they included such boldface names as Lone Pine Capital LLC founder Stephen Mandel, Dinakar Singh of TPG-Axon Capital Management LP and Daniel Och of Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC.
After a perfunctory discussion of the market turmoil, the fund manager says, the discussion turned to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Paulson said he had erred by not punishing Bear Stearns shareholders more severely. The secretary, then 62, went on to describe a possible scenario for placing Fannie and Freddie into “conservatorship” -- a government seizure designed to allow the firms to continue operations despite heavy losses in the mortgage markets.
More
Rand Paul versus John McCain On The Terrorist Detainee Amendment
Senator Rand Paul has come out swinging against the bill that would define the whole of the United States as a “battlefield” and allow the U.S. Military to arrest American citizens in their own back yard without charge or trial.Rand and John McCain battled on the Senate floor today over a proposed amendment to the pending defense authorization bill.
Rand and John McCain battled on the Senate floor today over a proposed amendment to the pending defense authorization bill.
Rand argued the amendment, which is cosponsored by McCain, "puts every single American citizen at risk" and suggested that if the amendment passes, "the terrorists have won."
“Should we err today and remove some of the most important checks on state power in the name of fighting terrorism, well then the terrorists have won," he argued, "[D]etaining American citizens without a court trial is not American."
McCain responded by saying that
An individual, no matter who they are, if they pose a threat to the security of the United States of America, should not be allowed to continue that threat. We need to take every stop necessary to prevent that from happening, that’s for the safety and security of the men and women who are out there risking their lives ... in our armed services.
More
Rand and John McCain battled on the Senate floor today over a proposed amendment to the pending defense authorization bill.
Rand argued the amendment, which is cosponsored by McCain, "puts every single American citizen at risk" and suggested that if the amendment passes, "the terrorists have won."
“Should we err today and remove some of the most important checks on state power in the name of fighting terrorism, well then the terrorists have won," he argued, "[D]etaining American citizens without a court trial is not American."
McCain responded by saying that
An individual, no matter who they are, if they pose a threat to the security of the United States of America, should not be allowed to continue that threat. We need to take every stop necessary to prevent that from happening, that’s for the safety and security of the men and women who are out there risking their lives ... in our armed services.
More
The Folly Of Sanctions
Many people have the misconception that sanctions are an effective means to encourage a change of behavior in another country without war. However, imposing sanctions and blockades are not only an act of war according to international law, they are most often the first step toward a real war starting with a bombing campaign. Sanctions were the first step in our wars against Iraq and Libya, and now more sanctions planned against Syria and Iran are leading down the same destructive path.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) latest report, just out this month, there is no evidence that Iran has diverted enriched uranium from the peaceful and lawful generation of power toward building a nuclear weapon. According to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has every right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Unfortunately, US foreign policy has boxed Iran into a corner where they may view development of a nuclear weapon as the only way to maintain sovereignty. They are surrounded by unfriendly nuclear powers and history has shown that having a nuclear weapon is the best way to avoid being bombed or invaded. The unintended consequences of our confrontational policies toward Iran may be to actually encourage them to seek nuclear weapons capabilities. We should be using diplomacy rather than threats and hostility.
More
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) latest report, just out this month, there is no evidence that Iran has diverted enriched uranium from the peaceful and lawful generation of power toward building a nuclear weapon. According to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has every right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Unfortunately, US foreign policy has boxed Iran into a corner where they may view development of a nuclear weapon as the only way to maintain sovereignty. They are surrounded by unfriendly nuclear powers and history has shown that having a nuclear weapon is the best way to avoid being bombed or invaded. The unintended consequences of our confrontational policies toward Iran may be to actually encourage them to seek nuclear weapons capabilities. We should be using diplomacy rather than threats and hostility.
More
VIDEO: Rand Paul Confronts Geithner Over Fed Monetary Price Fixing
Senator Rand Paul, son of famous libertarian father Congressman Ron Paul, recently had a very interesting discussion with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner over Federal Reserve policy. You can see it reproduced below in this video.
Part of the reason that this video hasn't gotten more attention in libertarian circles is because Geithner, at the end, seems to have an effective comeback to Rand Paul's criticisms.
From our point of view, this back-and-forth illustrates three things:
• First, Rand Paul's heart is in the right place in taking on this battle over the Fed's legally granted money monopoly.
• Second, if one is to argue against a money monopoly, one had best be prepared to face arguments of the most devious kind of sophistry, such as those employed by Geithner in defense of the Fed.
• Third, the conversation between the two men shows the difficult of discussing a subject like monetary policy in soundbites.
More
Part of the reason that this video hasn't gotten more attention in libertarian circles is because Geithner, at the end, seems to have an effective comeback to Rand Paul's criticisms.
From our point of view, this back-and-forth illustrates three things:
• First, Rand Paul's heart is in the right place in taking on this battle over the Fed's legally granted money monopoly.
• Second, if one is to argue against a money monopoly, one had best be prepared to face arguments of the most devious kind of sophistry, such as those employed by Geithner in defense of the Fed.
• Third, the conversation between the two men shows the difficult of discussing a subject like monetary policy in soundbites.
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Georgetown Man Seriously Injured In Crash
Location: Northbound US Rt. 113 at Wood Branch Road, Georgetown, DE
Date and Time of Occurrence: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 4:50 p.m.
Operators and Vehicles:
Operator #1: Donis Ubiel-Perez, 24, Georgetown, DE
Vehicle #1: 1999 Plymouth Voyager
Operator #1: Christopher Dyer, 22, Georgetown, DE
Vehicle #2: 2006 Pontiac G6
Resume:
Georgetown, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a two vehicle crash which left a Georgetown man seriously injured this afternoon.
The incident happened at approximately 4:50 p.m. as Christopher Dyer, 22, was operating a Pontiac G6 and was attempting to cross the northbound lanes of US Rt. 113 in an eastbound direction at the intersection of Wood Branch Road, in Georgetown. Dyer entered into the path of a 1999 Plymouth Voyager which was being operated by Donis Ubiel-Perez and which was traveling in the right hand lane of northbound US Rt. 113. The Voyager then struck the passenger side door of Dyer’s vehicle.
Christopher Dyer was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Memorial Hospital where he was stabilized. He was then flown to the Christiana Hospital where he is being treated for serious but non life threatening injuries. A passenger in Dyer’s vehicle, Abigail Richardson, 19, of Harrington, DE was also transported from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Memorial Hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.
Donis Ubiel-Perez was not injured; however, two passengers in his vehicle suffered minor injuries and were treated and released. The names of the injured passengers were not known at the time of this release.
This crash remains under investigation at this time.
Date and Time of Occurrence: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 4:50 p.m.
Operators and Vehicles:
Operator #1: Donis Ubiel-Perez, 24, Georgetown, DE
Vehicle #1: 1999 Plymouth Voyager
Operator #1: Christopher Dyer, 22, Georgetown, DE
Vehicle #2: 2006 Pontiac G6
Resume:
Georgetown, DE- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a two vehicle crash which left a Georgetown man seriously injured this afternoon.
The incident happened at approximately 4:50 p.m. as Christopher Dyer, 22, was operating a Pontiac G6 and was attempting to cross the northbound lanes of US Rt. 113 in an eastbound direction at the intersection of Wood Branch Road, in Georgetown. Dyer entered into the path of a 1999 Plymouth Voyager which was being operated by Donis Ubiel-Perez and which was traveling in the right hand lane of northbound US Rt. 113. The Voyager then struck the passenger side door of Dyer’s vehicle.
Christopher Dyer was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Memorial Hospital where he was stabilized. He was then flown to the Christiana Hospital where he is being treated for serious but non life threatening injuries. A passenger in Dyer’s vehicle, Abigail Richardson, 19, of Harrington, DE was also transported from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Memorial Hospital where she was treated for minor injuries.
Donis Ubiel-Perez was not injured; however, two passengers in his vehicle suffered minor injuries and were treated and released. The names of the injured passengers were not known at the time of this release.
This crash remains under investigation at this time.
Greenwood Man Dies In Motorcycle Crash
Location: 2400 block of Farm Lane, Camden-Wyoming, DE
Date and Time of Occurrence: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
Operator and Vehicle:
Operator: Edward W. Loller, Jr., 52, Greenwood, DE
Vehicle: 1998 Harley Davidson FWA Motorcycle
Resume:
Camden-Wyoming, DE- The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred this afternoon in Camden-Wyoming, DE.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. as Edward W. Loller, Jr., was operating a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle as was traveling northbound in the 2400 block of Farm Lane. Loller’s motorcycle then struck a deer which was attempting to cross Farm Lane in a westbound direction. Loller, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle. He was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Kent General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
This crash remains under investigation at this time.
Date and Time of Occurrence: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
Operator and Vehicle:
Operator: Edward W. Loller, Jr., 52, Greenwood, DE
Vehicle: 1998 Harley Davidson FWA Motorcycle
Resume:
Camden-Wyoming, DE- The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred this afternoon in Camden-Wyoming, DE.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. as Edward W. Loller, Jr., was operating a 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle as was traveling northbound in the 2400 block of Farm Lane. Loller’s motorcycle then struck a deer which was attempting to cross Farm Lane in a westbound direction. Loller, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle. He was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Kent General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
This crash remains under investigation at this time.
Maryland State Police Press Releases
DATE & TIME: 11/28/2011 @ 2024 hrs
LOCATION: 808 Manoa, Salisbury, Wicomico County, MD
CASE NUMBER: 11-54-008341
CRIME: 1. Contribute to Condition of a Child
2. Confine Unattended Child
3. Neglect of a Minor
Defendant: Ronald Charles, B/M age 31 of Salisbury, MD
BRIEF RESUME: On 11/28/2011 at approximately 2024 hours, a Trooper from the Salisbury Barrack responded to 808 Manoa Ave, Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland, in reference to an unattended child. Investigation showed that Ronald Charles had left his six-year old son home alone for several hours while he was at work. This had been occurring for several months while Charles was at work, according to witnesses. Charles was contacted at work and returned home. Charles was placed under arrest and transported to central booking.
DATE & TIME: 11/27/2011 @ 1911 hrs
LOCATION: 811 Chippewa Blvd, Salisbury, Wicomico County, MD
CASE NUMBER: 11-54-008308
CRIME: 1. Violation of Protective Order
Defendant: Robert Parks, III, B/M age 20 of Salisbury, MD
BRIEF RESUME: On 11/27/2011 at approximately 191 hours, a Trooper from the Salisbury Barrack responded to 815 Chippewa Blvd, Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland, in reference to a violation of protective order. Upon arrival, the Trooper met with Starr Renee Boone who advised she had an active protective order against Robert Parks, III. Boone advised that Parks made contact with her at approximately 1630 hours on that date in the area of Manoa Blvd at Nokomis Avenue, Salisbury. A warrant for Parks was obtained. Troopers responded to 811 Chippewa Blvd, Salisbury, to serve the warrant and Parks was placed under arrest. Parks was transported to central booking.
LOCATION: 808 Manoa, Salisbury, Wicomico County, MD
CASE NUMBER: 11-54-008341
CRIME: 1. Contribute to Condition of a Child
2. Confine Unattended Child
3. Neglect of a Minor
Defendant: Ronald Charles, B/M age 31 of Salisbury, MD
BRIEF RESUME: On 11/28/2011 at approximately 2024 hours, a Trooper from the Salisbury Barrack responded to 808 Manoa Ave, Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland, in reference to an unattended child. Investigation showed that Ronald Charles had left his six-year old son home alone for several hours while he was at work. This had been occurring for several months while Charles was at work, according to witnesses. Charles was contacted at work and returned home. Charles was placed under arrest and transported to central booking.
DATE & TIME: 11/27/2011 @ 1911 hrs
LOCATION: 811 Chippewa Blvd, Salisbury, Wicomico County, MD
CASE NUMBER: 11-54-008308
CRIME: 1. Violation of Protective Order
Defendant: Robert Parks, III, B/M age 20 of Salisbury, MD
BRIEF RESUME: On 11/27/2011 at approximately 191 hours, a Trooper from the Salisbury Barrack responded to 815 Chippewa Blvd, Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland, in reference to a violation of protective order. Upon arrival, the Trooper met with Starr Renee Boone who advised she had an active protective order against Robert Parks, III. Boone advised that Parks made contact with her at approximately 1630 hours on that date in the area of Manoa Blvd at Nokomis Avenue, Salisbury. A warrant for Parks was obtained. Troopers responded to 811 Chippewa Blvd, Salisbury, to serve the warrant and Parks was placed under arrest. Parks was transported to central booking.
The Real Reason Bloomberg Sued To Open Up Fed Records?
Secret Fed Loans Gave Banks $13 Billion ... The Federal Reserve and the big banks fought for more than two years to keep details of the largest bailout in U.S. history a secret. Now, the rest of the world can see what it was missing. The Fed didn't tell anyone which banks were in trouble so deep they required a combined $1.2 trillion on Dec. 5, 2008, their single neediest day. Bankers didn't mention that they took tens of billions of dollars in emergency loans at the same time they were assuring investors their firms were healthy. And no one calculated until now that banks reaped an estimated $13 billion of income by taking advantage of the Fed's below-market rates, Bloomberg Markets magazine reports in its January issue. – New York Times
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November Chicago PMI 62.6 Better Than Expectations Of 58.5
The barrage of better than expected "everything" is relentless.November PMI comes at 62.6, higher than 58.4 before, and a beat of Consensus 58.5. Highest since April. This also means that the ISM will almost certainly be an upside "surprise" imminently. And with the miraculous outlier print from the ADP it was only logical that the employment index in the PMI would print... lower, from 62.3 to 56.9. No data makes sense anymore, so just buy: after all there is no risk. Fed will bail everyone out.
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Give Your Loved Ones The Holiday Gift Of Not Having To Buy You Crap
Do you want to kick your anti-consumerism crusade up a notch this holiday season? Two years ago, we introduced the Consumerist Anti-Gift Card, a handy card that explains why gift cards are stupid. Pair it with cash for a thoughtful and educational gift. This year, blogger Miss Minimalist takes the idea further, and offers readers a printable anti-gift certificate. As in, a certificate that instructs the recipient not to give you any gifts this year, and explains why.
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DELIBERATE DOLLAR DEBASEMENT
Today’s “SURPRISE” Central Bank intervention in the markets has achieved its desired effect for today. Stock markets are soaring, enriching the 1% who own all the stocks. The real reason this coordinated effort happened is because the world is broke. No one can pay anyone back. The banks are insolvent. Ben Bernanke can not let the USD get stronger or his master plan to deflate away our debt burden by screwing China and anyone else who has been foolish enough to loan us money. The USD had gained 6% against the world’s currencies in the last month. That was unacceptable. Today’s move immediately debased the USD by over 1% in a matter of seconds.
These desperate moves by desperate bankers and politicians will ultimately lead to the conclusion reached by John Williams in the interview below. His prediction is hyperinflation by 2014. Sounds reasonable to me. Every action taken by central bankers and politicians on a daily basis convinces me there is no other outcome possible.
GOT GOLD?
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These desperate moves by desperate bankers and politicians will ultimately lead to the conclusion reached by John Williams in the interview below. His prediction is hyperinflation by 2014. Sounds reasonable to me. Every action taken by central bankers and politicians on a daily basis convinces me there is no other outcome possible.
GOT GOLD?
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3 Things You Can Make Instead Of Buy
With a pair of hands, some raw materials and imagination, you can make a lot of things you'd otherwise buy. Your do-it-yourself projects may or may not measure up in quality to manufactured goods, but at least you'll know whom to complain to if you're not satisfied.
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Everything Wall Street Does Is Illegal?
Judge Blocks Citigroup Settlement With S.E.C. ... Taking a broad swipe at the Securities and Exchange Commission's practice of allowing companies to settle cases without admitting that they had done anything wrong, a federal judge on Monday rejected a $285 million settlement between Citigroup and the agency. The judge, Jed S. Rakoff of United States District Court in Manhattan, said that he could not determine whether the agency's settlement with Citigroup was "fair, reasonable, adequate and in the public interest," as required by law, because the agency had claimed, but had not proved, that Citigroup committed fraud. – Bloomberg
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Military Members And Families Get Break At Airports
The House votes to give military people and their families an easier time through airport security, the Associated Press reports. The bill would give Homeland Security six months to develop a trusted traveler system for the armed forces. It passed unanimously and was forwarded to the Senate. Rep. Chip Cravaak (R-Minn.) is the bill's chief sponsor. He says regular screening is too slow because men and women in uniform have medals to remove and boots to unlace. He says speeding them through security would make things faster for everyone.
Council on Foreign Relations Asks If Ron Paul Has A Foreign Policy Problem
Yes, the elitists think Ron Paul isn't warmonger enough to win. In a "2012 Campaign Roundup", the CFR states under the headline "Is Foreign Policy a Problem for Ron Paul?":
A common trope so far in campaign 2012 is the argument that Republicans have turned isolationist. Someone apparently forgot to tell voters in Iowa. Polls currently have Ron Paul running fourth there. Today’s Wall Street Journal reports that what’s hurting him with many Iowa Republicans is his non-interventionist foreign policies...
The reservations that Iowans have about Paul’s foreign policy views are striking. Why? Because the Midwest has historically been a stronghold of isolationist sentiment in America, and Iowa is the most Midwestern of states. (Indeed, Hollywood delights in movies in which Iowans are reluctant to go to war.) So perhaps “isolationism” doesn’t quite capture the complexity of the debate within the Republican Party on foreign policy...
The reservations that Iowans have about Paul’s foreign policy views are striking. Why? Because the Midwest has historically been a stronghold of isolationist sentiment in America, and Iowa is the most Midwestern of states. (Indeed, Hollywood delights in movies in which Iowans are reluctant to go to war.) So perhaps “isolationism” doesn’t quite capture the complexity of the debate within the Republican Party on foreign policy.
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A common trope so far in campaign 2012 is the argument that Republicans have turned isolationist. Someone apparently forgot to tell voters in Iowa. Polls currently have Ron Paul running fourth there. Today’s Wall Street Journal reports that what’s hurting him with many Iowa Republicans is his non-interventionist foreign policies...
The reservations that Iowans have about Paul’s foreign policy views are striking. Why? Because the Midwest has historically been a stronghold of isolationist sentiment in America, and Iowa is the most Midwestern of states. (Indeed, Hollywood delights in movies in which Iowans are reluctant to go to war.) So perhaps “isolationism” doesn’t quite capture the complexity of the debate within the Republican Party on foreign policy...
The reservations that Iowans have about Paul’s foreign policy views are striking. Why? Because the Midwest has historically been a stronghold of isolationist sentiment in America, and Iowa is the most Midwestern of states. (Indeed, Hollywood delights in movies in which Iowans are reluctant to go to war.) So perhaps “isolationism” doesn’t quite capture the complexity of the debate within the Republican Party on foreign policy.
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Senate Rejects Provisions On Terrorist Defense Bill
The Senate has rejected an effort to remove controversial provisions dealing with terrorist suspects from a defense bill, the Associated Press reports. The White House has threatened to veto the bill if it includes the measures. It would require all terror suspects be held in military custody. It also puts limits transferring detainees from the naval prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. FBI Director Robert Mueller came out against the requirement earlier this week. But lawmakers have voted to keep it. They say there is a waiver that can be filed to make exceptions and that the overall bill is a careful bipartisan effort.
O’Malley defends trade mission to India
Gov. Martin O’Malley, talking to reporters via Skype from India’s financial capital of Mumbai, on Tuesday strongly defended his six-day trade mission to the subcontinent. “It would be economically irresponsible for us not to be engaged with India,” O’Malley said.
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Major Border Drug Tunnel Found In San Diego
SAN DIEGO - U.S. authorities said they discovered a major cross-border tunnel Tuesday, the latest in a spate of secret passages found to smuggle drugs from Mexico.
"It is clearly the most sophisticated tunnel we have ever found," said Lauren Mack, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in San Diego. She did not provide details.
The tunnel links warehouses in San Diego and Tijuana, authorities said.
How Paulson Gave Hedge Funds Advance Word
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson stepped off the elevator into the Third Avenue offices of hedge fund Eton Park Capital Management LP in Manhattan. It was July 21, 2008, and market fears were mounting. Four months earlier, Bear Stearns Cos. had sold itself for just $10 a share to JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)
Now, amid tumbling home prices and near-record foreclosures, attention was focused on a new source of contagion: Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac, which together had more than $5 trillion in mortgage-backed securities and other debt outstanding, Bloomberg Markets reports in its January issue.
Paulson had been pushing a plan in Congress to open lines of credit to the two struggling firms and to grant authority for the Treasury Department to buy equity in them. Yet he had told reporters on July 13 that the firms must remain shareholder owned and had testified at a Senate hearing two days later that giving the government new power to intervene made actual intervention improbable.
“If you have a bazooka, and people know you have it, you’re not likely to take it out,” he said.
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Now, amid tumbling home prices and near-record foreclosures, attention was focused on a new source of contagion: Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac, which together had more than $5 trillion in mortgage-backed securities and other debt outstanding, Bloomberg Markets reports in its January issue.
Paulson had been pushing a plan in Congress to open lines of credit to the two struggling firms and to grant authority for the Treasury Department to buy equity in them. Yet he had told reporters on July 13 that the firms must remain shareholder owned and had testified at a Senate hearing two days later that giving the government new power to intervene made actual intervention improbable.
“If you have a bazooka, and people know you have it, you’re not likely to take it out,” he said.
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Former Sheriff Of The Year Busted On Drug Charge
A former national sheriff of the year has been arrested in Colorado on suspicion of attempting to deal drugs in exchange for sex, KUSA TV reports.
Patrick Sullivan, 68, who was the National Sheriff's Association's "Sheriff of the Year" in 2001, was being held on $250,000 bail in the Arapahoe County jail that bears his name, the Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Detention Facility. KUSA says he is being kept in a jail cell away from other inmates.
At One Washington Theater, Texting And Tweeting Are Welcome
There are few things more annoying than being interrupted by a cell phone user in a theater. Whether they are live tweeting the plot, checking text messages, or chatting with their bestie about their armrest-hogging date, cell phone users are usually anathema to theatergoers. Yet people continue to use their phones long after the lights have dimmed. Now a theater in Seattle is opting to embrace the inevitable and is encouraging patrons to use their phones while the curtain’s up.
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