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Monday, December 10, 2012

When Numbers Are Used To Distort The Truth

Early in its article last Sunday (December 2), the Daily Times repeated an assertion by the Mayor that “21 major policy proposals” were being blocked by a majority of the Council. The newspaper offers its readers little to no information about whether that assertion is correct or what that “21” means. The article references a few of the issues, but again with little to no meaningful discussion about what the differences of opinions are or whether all of the proposals should move forward. (Some of the issues referenced by the paper will be addressed later on this site.)

A meaningful discussion for the public would have entailed putting the “21” in context, asking questions such as:

What is the full list of “21”?

Does it include issues like the aggressive dog ordinance (as mentioned in the article), which were not delayed by Council, but instead were delayed six times at the request of the City Administrator?

Of the hundreds of items Administration has advanced to Council (most of which Council has advanced for a vote), could any have been sent to a back burner so Council and City Attorney time could have been devoted to issues on the list of “21”? For example, the Mayor and Administration advanced an ordinance to regulate portable storage devices (e.g., brand names “Cubes” and “PODS”).  Upon discussion, the Council and the City Attorney learned this had only had 3 or 4 complaints in recent years.

Should the numerous issues on which the Council supported the Mayor (e.g., Wicomico River environmental improvements, Tenants’ Rights Addendum) or got to “yes” (e.g., Onley-Bateman intersection, River’s Edge project, firefighters SAFER grant) have taken a back seat to the issues on this list of “21”?

Are some of the issues really “stalled” or “blocked,” or are they actually multi-step processes?

Are some of the “21” issues those with highly complex implications that require extensive legal research to avoid costly court battles for the City?

Is the time frame expected for turnaround by Council realistic given the workload of competing priorities? For example, issues like the state-mandated Ethics Ordinance or the Wastewater Treatment Plant could not be set aside.

These questions come back to a discussion of priorities, or as one legislative advisory service said, “Organizations cannot do everything at once.” In November, I extended an invitation to the Mayor to join the Council in December for a discussion of priorities for the remainder of the fiscal year (i.e., through June 30), but he declined.

Taking stock mid-year of where we are and where we want to be is a good way to ensure our time, resources and taxpayer money are devoted to the highest priorities. Let’s not waste City Attorney time and money, staff resources or Council deliberation time again on a portable storage ordinance when we have matters of greater importance to consider.

By simply tossing the “21” out there, the Daily Times gave the impression that all “21” are worthy of moving forward, which may not be the case. Does the list contain initiatives the Mayor is advancing that could undermine years of building a “growth pays for growth” discipline into our policies, inviting a return to a form of developer reimbursements that have not served the taxpayers well?

As you can see, context is vital when tossing numbers around. The Daily Times can claim journalistic innocence by saying it was merely quoting the Mayor. However, it built a so-called “news” story around such claims. This was not a time-sensitive topic. The newspaper could have delivered a well-balanced piece by waiting the few days for when I offered to meet and discuss it.

That might have resulted in real questions and answers the public would have found meaningful, which the Daily Times does not appear to find as juicy a story to tell. That’s truly unfortunate because the real story is newsworthy and, when the public is fully informed, people participate at a level that is really beneficial to producing good government.

Read More HERE

USDA To Allow More Meat, Grains In School Lunches

The Agriculture Department is responding to criticism over new school lunch rules by allowing more grains and meat in kids' meals.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told members of Congress in a letter Friday that the department will do away with daily and weekly maximums of meats and grains. Several lawmakers wrote the department after the new rules went into effect in September saying kids aren't getting enough to eat.

School administrators also complained, saying set maximums on grains and meats are too limiting as they try to plan daily meals. 

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Progress Doesn’t Come From Ultimatums

Last Sunday, the Daily Times devoted an extensive amount of space, words and pictures on its front page, news and opinion pages about disputes in Salisbury city government. There were, unfortunately, numerous inaccuracies and misleading statements.

For example, the aggressive dog ordinance isn’t delayed because of council. I scheduled it six times for discussion since July as requested by the administration. Each time the city administrator asked that it be postponed. My space to respond is very limited on a monthly basis by the newspaper, so I will have to refer readers towww.OnYourSideSBY.blogspot.com for a fuller correction of the record.

Today, I’d like to talk about one step for reducing conflict.

The Annapolis chief financial officer who spoke at a Maryland Municipal League (MML) conference a couple of years ago discussed 5-year budgeting. His audience was a mix of municipal legislators, mayors and administrative staff members, but his wise advice was directed to the mayors and staff:

“Get early buy-in from your councils.”

Good advice. It is the council that makes policy, so it’s good business to get these decision-makers on board early to move a goal forward, rather than surprising them with an ultimatum at the end of the process. This is true whether it’s a mayor-council form of government or a city manager-council form of government.

I have been asking the administration for an early buy-in process since I was first elected in 2007. Voters expressed their dissatisfaction with the council functioning as a rubber stamp.

Grants are a perfect opportunity to apply the early buy-in principle – not the small, “reimbursement” grants (such as police overtime), but those that involve city assets (such as real estate) or a large commitment of resources in the future, whether required as a “match” or not.

For the grant that added four new police officers to our force, the federal government required the legislative body’s approval for applying. This ensured that the budget makers were aware of, understood and prepared to meet the grant’s financial and resource obligations.

The result? Salisbury applied as a unified government, prepared for future obligations. The city got four new officers – and everyone was spared the current dramas.

The recent grant for additional firefighters did not have an early buy-in process, resulting in unnecessary drama. Even when grant-making agencies don’t require proof of application submission approval from the legislative body, they often expect that the council is informed and concerns are already addressed. After all, the city government – which by charter means the mayor and the council – is making application, not just the mayor’s office.

The council did not vote down the grant for additional firefighters as the Daily Times erroneously reported. The grant was not moved forward for a vote due to the lack of information in a short window for consideration.

The technical difference is important. If the council had voted to accept the grant right away, the taxpayers could have been on the hook each year for the $400,000 benefits mistake in the grant application that Council Vice President Debbie Campbell’s questions uncovered. Some want to label that “micro-managing,” but there is nothing “micro” about $400,000.

Early “buy-in” also promotes a good reputation and relationship with higher government agencies because the city government is applying with a unified voice. No council should be politically cornered to approve a grant for which they have insufficient information or sincerely feel the terms of a grant aren’t in the best interest of our city. Don’t place these valuable relationships or the city’s reputation at risk in the first place and they won’t be.

Progress does not come from ultimatums. Ultimatums create political drama and divisiveness, which drains time, money, resources and emotions. An early buy-in process is common to success in business and government, identifying and solving problems in a timely and effective manner.

Terry Cohen is president of the Salisbury City Council.

Fundraiser Concert For Seaford Christian Academy


8 Years Later Mayor Ireton Tables Trash Again

Images taken this morning.

The Daily Times published "Plaza trash raises a stink" this morning explaining some of the problems business owners and residents have referencing trash pickup, (or the lack thereof) Downtown.

What wasn't mentioned was just how long we've been fighting this problem and how many Council's we've been through addressing the problem.

Mayor Jim Ireton has been well aware of this problem for years and now all of a sudden he's delaying yet another agenda item because the media is all of a sudden interested days before the problem is to be addressed. 

The images shown above were taken early this morning and shows the overflow of trash as well as Public Works coming by at 10:15 AM to finally pick it up. 

When Jeremy called me to interview me on Friday I expressed to him that the only time the Plaza gets cleaned up is the day before 3rd Friday. I, (along with many others) walk the Plaza a few times a day and whenever I come across trash I pick it up and throw it in the trash cans when they're not overflowing. 

I'll never forget Mike Dunn and Gary Comegys saying something must be done about this trash on the Plaza, yet nothing ever happened. This was back in the day when people used to give me a hard time on Salisbury News because I would show pictures on a regular basis of just how bad the trash problem was Downtown. 

Now we're some 8 years later and guess what, Ireton can't even figure out how to resolve such a simple problem. Its all about fees in the City. We pay monstrous taxes yet we get no services. We get no parking for property owners, no trash pickup, NOTHING! Heck, we get fined from the City if a weed grows in the curb on the street in front of our properties.

These are yet another reason I'm running for Mayor. I want to get rid of the parking meters. I want to provide trash pickup for the Downtown area and not spend 8 years figuring out how Salisbury can be more inviting. ALL of which can be done WITHOUT it costing a penny to the taxpayers.

The Council has no problem addressing this issue. It's the Mayor who keeps tabling these items as expressed in Terry Cohen's Op Ed in yesterdays paper. 

Today's Survey Question 12-10-12

Do you expect to collect social security when your eligible?

THE REAL FISCAL CRISIS

The fake fiscal cliff crisis will not impact you directly until the economic system grinds to a halt at some point in the future when confidence in the USD dissolves. In the meantime, the Federal government can keep generating $1.4 trillion annual deficits and the Federal Reserve will buy all the newly issued debt. The Federal government can get away with deficit spending because the Federal Reserve can debase our currency.

States must balance their budgets every year. The unfunded pension liability for state government union workers is real and the contributions to fund these liabilites must be made every year. As I’ve pointed out previously, the 8% return assumption for these pension plans is complete and utter bullshit. They will be lucky to generate 4% returns over the long haul. There will be a showdown between the taxpayers and government unions in the next few years. The only way to balance state budgets will be to massively increase taxes on the citizens or to drastically cut the pensions of of government union drones.

Ed Easterling lays out all the ugly data in this excellent article.

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Here's The Reason

Why Mitt lost the election.
Romney said, "When I'm elected, I will put Americans back to work,"
and 51% said, "Screw That!!"

QUOTES OF THE DAY 12-10-12

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake up in the day to find it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
― T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph
“He was old and wise, which meant tired and disappointed…”
― T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom

“Mankind has had ten-thousand years of experience at fighting and if we must fight, we have no excuse for not fighting well.”
― T.E. Lawrence

“You wonder what I am doing? Well, so do I, in truth. Days seem to dawn, suns to shine, evenings to follow, and then I sleep. What I have done, what I am doing, what I am going to do, puzzle and bewilder me. Have you ever been a leaf and fallen from your tree in autumn and been really puzzled about it? That’s the feeling.
(T.E. Lawrence to artist Eric Kennington, May 1935 )”
― T.E. Lawrence

Drug Makers’ Settlements Get Supreme Court Review


The Supreme Court will take a close look at payments from brand-name drug makers to manufacturers of generic equivalents to keep the no-name products off the market at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion a year to consumers.

The justices said Friday they will consider competing appeals court decisions about whether the practice known as reverse payments or “pay for delay” illegally reduces competition by delaying the sale of substantially cheaper generic drugs.

The payments typically are made to resolve patent infringement claims by the brand-name manufacturers against the makers of the generic drugs. What is unusual about the practice is that the claim is resolved by a payment from the company that holds the patent rights to the company accused of violating them.

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LINCOLN - THE MOVIE

I was invited to go and see Lincoln last night. Ugh. What a piece of trash. It uses every trick in the Hollywood filmmaker’s book to manipulate your emotions and color your perception of Lincoln and his actions to put him in a positive light. Yes, the screenwriters touch on Lincoln’s unconstitutional seizing of war powers, but the film clearly intends you to believe that it was due to his motives to end slavery once and for all.

Spielberg does it all: soaring music at the right moments; the use of light around Lincoln when the 13th Amendment is passed; in most of the images of Union soldiers they are black; the Confederate peace delegates appear small and sniveling; throughout the movie it is remarked about Lincoln how much he is loved ad nauseum; at the news of his death we see his young son screaming as a reaction. All of Hollywood’s tools are employed to make him appear great. One of my wife’s friends was crying at the end. Leni Riefenstahl would be proud.

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WATCH YOUR MAILBOX

Just wanted to let you know - today I received my 2013 Social Security Stimulus Package. It contained two tomato seeds, cornbread mix, two discount coupons to KFC, an 'Obama Hope & Change' bumper sticker, a prayer rug, a machine to blow smoke up my behind and a 'Blame it on Bush' poster for the front yard. The directions were in Spanish.

Yours should arrive soon.

Foodstamps Soar By Most In 16 Months: Over 1 Million Americans Enter Poverty In Last Two Months

And we thought last month's delayed foodstamp data [3]was bad. The just reported foodstamp number for September was a doozy, with 607,544 new Americans becoming eligible for foodstamps, as a record 47.7 million Americans are now living in poverty at least according to the USDA. The monthly increase was the highest since May 2011, and with August's 421K new impoverished America, over 1 million Americans made the EBT card their new best friend. It is unclear just which atmospheric phenomenon will get the blame for this unprecedented surge in poverty, which comes at a time when the pre-election economic data euphoria was adamant that the US economy was on an escape velocity to utopia. Instead what we do know is that in August and September, over three times as many foodstamp recipients were add to the economy as jobs (324,000). We also know that with the imminent impact of Sandy, which will send foodstamp recipients soaring, it is now looking quite possible that the US may end 2012 with just over a mindboggling 50 million Americans living in absolute poverty and collecting the $134.29 average monthly benefit per person, instead of working. Welcome to the recovery indeed.
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Senate Filibuster Challenged In Court

Filibusters in the US Senate have become the parliamentary maneuver everyone loves to hate. The technique may be losing its luster, but is it unconstitutional?

A federal court in Washington on Monday takes up a legal challenge to the Senate filibuster brought by four House Democrats and the political reform group Common Cause, which calls the procedure "an accident of history, not included in the Constitution and never contemplated by its drafters."

At issue are Senate rules allowing discussion without time limit and requiring a vote of three-fifths of the members, or 60 senators, to end debate. That 60-vote super-majority, the lawsuit contends, is at odds with the Constitution, which specifies only a small number of circumstances in which more than a simple majority is required -- overriding a veto, impeaching the president, or expelling a member, for example. 

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Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release 12-10-12

Travis James Shreaves of Atlantic Georgia, arrested 12-3-12 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Shreaves was released after posting a $ 5,000 bond.

Tiffany Rochelle Marshall of Princess Anne, criminal summons served 12-3-12 for 2nd degree assault, and trespassing. Marshall was released on signature pending court actions.

Angela Leigh Losiewski of Chance, criminal summons served 12-3-12 for theft under $10,000. Losiewski was released on signature pending court actions.

Galaleldin Hammad Kamandego of Princess Anne, arrested 12-6-12 on a civil body attachment warrant. Kamandego was held on a $ 5,000 bond.

Stephen Wayne Carey Jr. of Eden, criminal summons served 12-6-12 for possession with the intent to distribute cds, and possession of cds other than marijuana. Carey was released on signature pending court actions.

D’vonte William Gregory of Crisfield, arrested 12-6-12 on a warrant for violation of probation. Gregory was held on a $ 10,000 bond.

Lawrence Antonio James of Crisfield, arrested 12-6-12 on a Circuit Court indictment for cds distribution, and possession of cds. James was held on a $ 150,000 bond.

Joshua mark Hill of Princess Anne, criminal summons served for cds possession of marijuana. Hill was released on signature pending court actions.

Danita Dalores Singletary of Baltimore, arrested 12-7-12 on a warrant for failing to appear in court. Singletary was held on a $ 500.00 bond.

KEEP HANDS CLEAN THIS DECEMBER

And don’t forget, it’s not too late to get your flu shot!

The Wicomico County Health Department is reminding their residents that the first full week of December is National Hand Washing month. From December 2, 2012 - December 8, 2012, spread awareness by educating others on the safety benefits of hand washing. Children especially need to understand the best ways to handle their germs and colds to prevent the spread of germs.
Health Officials offer some simple ways to maintain health and safety when it comes to clean hands. Here are a few simple rules to follow:

1. Wash hands when they are dirty and before eating.

2. Do not cough into your hands.

3. Do not sneeze into your hands.

4. Above all, do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth.
In addition to keeping hands clean this winter, remember it’s not too late to get your flu shot! “Vaccination is the single most useful tool for preventing the flu,” says Lori Brewster, Heath Officer of the Wicomico County Health Department. “We are still in the midst of flu season, so prevent the spread of germs and diseases by getting vaccinated and washing your hands often.”
There are several locations you can visit to get your flu vaccination. Visit http://flushot.healthmap.org to find a location near you. For more information on the seasonal flu, visit www.cdc.gov, and for more information on hand washing visit www.henrythehand.com.

Bigfoot And The Nation’s Top Monster Trucks Return To The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center February 1 & 2

Bigfoot and the nation's top monster trucks will return to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center for the Monster Truck Winter Nationals on Friday, February 1 & Saturday, February 2. The adrenaline-pumping show will offer excitement for the whole family with larger-than-life thrills and stunts including wheelie contests, side-by-side racing and a car crushing contest.

The Monster Trucks Winter Nationals will have three showings; Friday, February 1 at 7:30pm and Saturday, February 2 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Purchase tickets in advance and save. Feel the power with VIP reserved seats, available for all three shows, $25 for adults and $12 for children under 12. Super value end zone tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Get your tickets at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm), online atwww.WicomicoCivicCenter.org or charge by phone at 410-548-4911. (Additional fees may apply.)

Want in on the action? Local licensed drivers over the age of 18 are invited to participate in a Tuff Truck Competition. For more information on the Tuff Truck Competition call Checkered Flag Productions at 940-683-4742 between 9am-5pm.

Md. Panel Recommends Taxes, Fees To Pay For Health Exchange

A Maryland panel is recommending that the state charge a combination of taxes and fees to pay for the roughly $35 million annual cost of running the state's health benefits exchange, the insurance marketplace required under the federal health care law.

Among the fees the committee of state lawmakers and health officials suggests are new charges on individual ratepayers and increases to existing charges on health care professionals. Gov. Martin O'Malley and the state legislature will make the final call when the General Assembly session starts in January.

The panel also recommended an increase in the state's tobacco tax. If 18 cents from a tobacco tax increase went to the program, it would cover the exchange's estimated $21.3 million in annual fixed costs, according to the report.

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A Brighter Future For Maryland

You’ve probably driven past them and not even noticed. For the past five years, more and more citizens of Maryland have been putting solar panels on their roof and producing the power that runs their television, microwave and computer themselves. The electricity they are producing is clean solar energy produced by systems installed by Maryland companies and Maryland workers.
Solar Energy


Astrum Solar is one of the companies helping to bring solar to Maryland homes. Started in 2008 by Vadim Polikov, Josh Goldberg and Ben Davis (Vadim and Josh are Maryland natives) and headquartered in Howard County, Astrum has installed nearly 1,000 solar electric systems in Maryland alone. Astrum Solar’s mission is to spread solar power to the rooftops of America. More and more people around the country are ready to take control of their unpredictable utility costs and reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprints. When they make that decision, Astrum is there to guide them and make going solar easy and rewarding.

With that mission, in under five years Astrum Solar has expanded to twelve states, created 100 Maryland jobs and been named the 2nd fastest growing company in the nation by Inc. Magazine. As Astrum has grown, Maryland as a state has seen an explosive growth in solar installations. In the past 22 months alone, solar capacity in the state has grown by approximately 700%. This growth was made possible by considered policies put in place by the state years ago. Maryland instituted a broad but responsible grant program that seeded the market by helping home and business owners afford the upfront cost associated with solar. Maryland also affirmed its commitment to clean energy by demanding that a percentage of its power be produced by clean sources, specifically solar. These policies are largely the result of the smart government and vision of Governor Martin O’Malley, a trusted partner of Astrum Solar.

The solar industry has changed a lot since Maryland took those first steps. Declines in the cost of materials have made solar affordable for everyone without state assistance. Accordingly, the grant has decreased dramatically. Advances in financing now allow people to go solar for no money down. The market for solar is taking off nation-wide, and Maryland has positioned itself to benefit from the economic development and local jobs that come with this expansion. And let’s not forget that this growth helps Maryland to preserve its air and water quality while limiting its dependence on foreign fuels.

Despite this initial success, there is much more to do. Renewables and solar are still only emerging as major power sources and Astrum Solar has considerable growth ahead of it. Maryland will need to continue to take appropriate and considered steps toward a clean energy future to preserve and expand the considerable gains it has already made. As it does this, Astrum Solar will continue to grow and give Maryland citizens the ability to choose clean, affordable, self-produced electricity.

The All-Important Reading Lesson

A thorough lesson on the Six Types of Syllables should be taught to new readers; to poor readers; to damaged readers; to anyone wanting to speed up and improve reading and spelling skills. With deeper Code knowledge, and improved automaticity, readers of any age will decode and interpret Print with greater finesse and fluidity. When the brain is trained to automatically handle the decoding side of reading, the reader can then focus completely on drawing meaning from the print; on comprehension. Few understand the importance of the syllables for precise speech and accurate use of English in all of its expressive and receptive forms and levels.

In fact, the ability to instantly see, identify, and use the Six Syllable Types is so important that, if I was given but one opportunity to teach onereading lesson, that lesson would be "How to Use Syllables to Improve Reading and Spelling Skills."

I purposely use the structure "if I was" because some months ago, I was given the opportunity to teach that lesson. A young man, who had always struggled with reading, was here working on my computer. I suggested that we trade skills: a reading lesson for his computer assistance. During a 90 minute lesson, I taught him to spot and use the Six Types of Syllables. I have not seen him since, but he did phone to report that the one lesson has made all of the difference; that he is now reading everything he has long wished to read; and that he is reading smoothly with rapid decoding and effective comprehension.

________________________________

Reading Comprehension depends on…and is limited by…the brain’s Ability, Agility, and Fluidity as it rejects or make connections among and between: automatic Code processing; streaming thought processes; vocabulary and concept banks; language and communication skills; storage of aural and oral information; and the reader’s knowledge and experience base.

By teaching both Phonics and the Six Syllable Types to automaticity, the brain takes over the responsibility for rapid Code processing thereby vastly improving the ability of the reader to develop brain processes that are agile and fluid while interweaving thought; while checking and rechecking knowledge, experience, and language against a developing mental image.

GOOD JOBS TO BAD JOBS TO NO JOBS


From Good Jobs To Bad Jobs To No Jobs – The Tragic Downfall Of The American Worker
There was a time in America when virtually anyone that wanted a job could go out and get one and the United States boasted the largest and most prosperous middle class in the history of the world. Sadly, those days are long gone. Back in 1969, 95 percent of all men between the ages of 25 and 54 had a job. But now there are millions of Americans in their prime working years that cannot find a job. Millions of others are working low wage jobs or part-time jobs because that is all they can get. The other day I went to a large retail store and I got into a conversation with the lady who was checking me out. She said that she had worked professional jobs all her life, and that she had taken this job to tide her over as she searched for a new job, but now she had been there for two years with no end in sight. I felt really bad for her, because she was obviously a sharp lady with a lot of skills. But this is the new reality. Good paying manufacturing and professional jobs are being replaced by low paying service jobs. We are transitioning from an economy with plenty of good jobs to an economy with plenty of bad jobs. The next stage in our transition will be to an economy where it seems like there are no jobs for anyone. We are witnessing the tragic downfall of the American worker, and it is heartbreaking.
Many of our politicians insist that things are getting better for American workers, but that is simply not true. Just look at the chart below. Back at the start of 2008, the percentage of working age Americans with a job was sitting at about 63 percent. Since then it has fallen below 59 percent and it has stayed there for over 3 years. After every other recession in the post-World War II era the employment-population ratio has always bounced back. That has not happened this time…
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Brown, Cummings Welcome Civil Rights Leader Jackson

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Rep. Elijah Cummings urged members of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators on Thursday to continue fighting racial disparities in health care, voting and unemployment.

Both men were part of the panel of speakers invited to introduce the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who received the caucus’ humanitarian award in front of approximately 200 people at the opening breakfast of the group’s annual conference in the District.

Brown, a prospective front-runner to replace Martin O’Malley as Maryland’s governor in 2014, offered surprisingly low-key comments, notably brief, that focused on thanks and recognition for various attendees.

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QUID PRO QUO

Turnout Should Be Key Factor In Any Expansion Of Early Voting, Md. Elections Director Says

State Elections Administrator Linda Lamone told a seminar of state legislators and staff Thursday that any decisions to expand early voting in Maryland should be based largely on voter turnout.

“Early voting takes a lot of stress off of election day, but do you want to spend the money to have early voting when you have a very low turnout, for example in the primary elections?” Lamone said. “We should utilize our resources according to turnout.”

Lamone moderated a session on early voting at the National Conference of State Legislatures Fall Forum at the Washington Hilton Nov. 6.

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Number Of Workers Aged 25-54 Back To April 1997 Levels


When people think of the conventional battery of options the BLS applies to fudge the monthly payrolls number, the labor force participation is the first thing that comes mind: after all the thesis is that old workers are increasingly dropping out of the labor force and retiring. Nothing could be further from the truth as can be seen in this chart [6]of workers aged 55-69, i.e. the prime retirement age. But perhaps a far more important secular issue is the complete lack of pickup in the prime worker demographic, those aged 25-54, which in November dropped by 400k to 94 MM. This is a level first breached in April 1997, in other words in the past 15 years not a single incremental job has been gained in this most productive and lucrative of age groups!

Furthermore, there is absolutely no demographic reason why America, which has a substantial natural growth rate across all demographics, should not see more workers from the younger age cohorts enter this age group. We are, however, confident one will promptly be discovered as this chart becomes prevalent in the mainstream media.
 [7]
And, as a tangent, workers aged 55 and Over:
 [8]
Source: St. Louis Fed

Heroin Overdose Deaths On The Rise, Maryland Report Says

Heroin overdose deaths have climbed while prescription painkiller overdose deaths have dropped in Maryland, according to a new report by the state's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The state posted a 41 percent increase in heroin overdose deaths, to 205 in the first seven months of the year from 145 over the same period last year, according to the report. Overdose deaths from prescription drugs like oxycodone and hydrocodone dropped from 208 to 177 over the same time period.

The data seem to support a trend in which experts say prescription painkiller abusers move on to heroin due to the latter's inexpensive price and potent high.

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Sunday, December 09, 2012

Greenwood Man Charged After Stabbing His Parents

Location:
100 block of Broad Street, Greenwood, DE

Date of Occurrence:
Sunday, December 09, 2012, at approximately 9:00 a.m.

Victims:
80-year-old female
82-year-old male

Suspect and Charges:
Ricky A. Brewington, 51, of Greenwood, DE (no photograph available)
Attempted Murder First Degree (two counts)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (two counts)
Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $150,000 cash bail.

Resume:
Greenwood- Troopers have arrested a Greenwood man after he stabbed his parents in the home where all three reside.

Detectives have determined that at approximately 9:00 a.m. Ricky A. Brewington, 51, of Greenwood, used a butcher knife to stab his 80-year-old mother and 82-year-old father in the kitchen of their home in the 100 block of Broad Street in Greenwood. Afterwards, the victims drove to the Greenwood Fire Department to obtain medical care, and Brewington called 911 from the home to report what had just occurred.

A Greenwood police officer arrived at the residence and took Brewington into custody without incident. The victims were transported by ambulance from the fire station to Nanticoke Hospital where they were both admitted in stable condition with multiple stab wounds.

Brewington was charged with two counts of attempted murder first degree and two counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $150,000 cash bail.

Florida Family Pleads For Son’s Release From Mexican Jail

A South Florida family is pleading for help after their son, a former Marine, was imprisoned in Mexico.

Jon Hammar, 27, was just driving through on his way to Costa Rica when he was stopped at the border, his parents said.

“One of the reasons we went public is because we’ve run out of answers,” Olivia Hammar said.

Hammar has not seen Jon since August, when the 27-year-old Westminster Christian School graduate decided an exotic trip would help heal some of the emotional wounds suffered during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Denver Airport Holiday Flash Mob

Wife's First Hunt

Now that we are empty-nested, my younger son got a stable position and has moved out, I felt guilty about deserting my spouse on opening day as I have for all these years. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this year’s hunt and sent this note below to all her friends.

My husband invited me to go hunting with him this year. I couldn't believe it, the first time ever...after all these years. never thought he'd be willing to share his' guy time' with me and being the thoughtful man that he is he even gave me an opening day present.


He calls it “ The First Timers Lucky Hat.” ' I'm so fortunate to be married to him. have attached a picture of me in my lucky hat, and we can hardly wait until "opening day"

Small Business Owners' Hiring Intent Plunges To 2008 Lows

Don't Blame Sandy or Fiscal Cliff

A Gallup random dial poll of 607 small businesses conducted November 12-16 2012 asked the question "Over the next 12 months, do you expect the overall number of job positions at your company to increase a lot, increase a little, stay the same, decrease a little, or decrease a lot?"

The net survey results show Small-Business Owners' Hiring Intentions Plunge.

U.S. small-business owners expect to add fewer net new jobs over the next 12 months than at any time since the depths of the 2008-2009 recession, according to this November's Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index survey. Small-business owners' net hiring intentions for the next 12 months plunged to-4 in November, down from +10 in July and matching the previous record low recorded by the Wells

Fargo/Small Business Index of -4 in November 2008.

The City Of Detroit Is Asking President Obama For Some Help

This week, Detroit City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson called for a financial lifeline from the White House to assist her cash-strapped city. Watson argued that 75% of Wayne County voters supported the President in his re-election bid and that in return the President should help Detroit. It's estimated that Detroit may run out of money by the end of the year, but so far the White House has no plans to bail it out. There are several cities across America like Detroit that have been devastated by three decades of Reaganomics and so-called Free Trade deals that have wiped out local manufacturing. These cities received the deathblow in 2007 when Wall Street crashed our economy. And there's a history of the federal government bailing out broke cities – President Ford loaned New York City $2 billion in 1975 to avoid going broke. Rather than spending billions – maybe trillions – on nation building in Iraq and Afghanistan – it's time to do some nation building at home, starting with Detroit.

The Revolving Door Claims Another Willing Public Official Turned Lobbyist

As Politico reported on Tuesday, the architect of Obamacare, Senator Max Baucus' health policy counsel Liz Fowler, has accepted a job as a lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry. Not only did Fowler basically create Obamacare, but she was also put in charge by the White House of overseeing the law's implementation after it was passed. Before her gig on Capitol Hill and at the White House, Fowler was a lobbyist for health insurance giant Wellpoint. And despite a lot of good things in Obamacare like protection for Americans with pre-existing conditions, there's no doubt about it that the individual mandate, absent a public option, is a giant stimulus for the for-profit private health insurance industry. Obamacare was also a big giveaway to the big pharmaceutical industry, which defeated the importation of cheap drugs from Canada. Now for her services in protecting the pharmaceutical industry while crafting Obamacare, Liz Fowler is taking a nice cushy job with the pharmaceutical industry. This is how Washington works nowadays – quid pro quos for all policymakers if they want to make big bucks in the corporatocracy after they leave government. We need new laws to bolt tight Washington's revolving door.

Dancing With A Wounded Warrior


CLASS DOESN'T MAKE THE NEWS! 

Green and white shirt, black tee shirt, gray pants and tennis shoes. He must be a grandpa……
How many know that he hosts several Wounded Warrior weekends at his ranch every year?Not what you expect to see!

Dancing with a "Wounded Warrior"

This man has so much class.

Like Mother Like Daughter… Malia Obama’s Spring Break Vacation Cost U.S. Taxpayers $115,500

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch today released records detailing the government funds expended on First Daughter Malia Obama’s March 2012 Spring Break vacation to Mexico. According to the records, obtained from the U.S. Secret Service as a result of a Judicial Watch Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed on September 20, 2012, the total cost of the trip amounted to $115,500.87 (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Secret Service (No. 12-cv-01562)).

The following is a breakdown of the costs as detailed in the documents:

Ground transportation: $23,964.81
Lodging: $21,682.92
Airfare: $47,767.34
“Vouchers”: $21,636.14 (not itemized)
Support Charges: $449.66 (travel for one from Mexico City to Oaxaca, not itemized)

Malia Obama’s spring break trip evoked controversy after the Obama White House reportedly ordered the removal of press reports detailing the trip. On March 19,2012, numerous online press outlets reported that the president’s 13-year-old daughter, Malia Obama, was on a Spring Break trip to Mexico accompanied by 25 U.S. Secret Service Agents and as many as 12 of her friends. However, shortly after the press reports surfaced they were quickly removed from the Internet. The trip took place shortly after the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a statement advising students on Spring Break “to avoid Mexico.”

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Drones In America? They Are Already Here

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) [8] is one of the most important organizations we have in America today. While most of the country lays fast asleep to the dangers of the encroaching surveillance state, the EFF is always vigilantly at work on the front lines. In their latest article, they show that military drones are already flying all over these United States and, using information received from a FOIA lawsuit they provide important details on what is flying and where. You may be shocked at some of their conclusions. From the EFF:
These records, received as a result of EFF’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), come from state and local law enforcement agencies, universities and—for the first time—three branches of the U.S. military: the Air Force, Marine Corps, and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).

The records show that the Air Force has been testing out a bunch of different drone types, from the smaller, hand-launched Raven, Puma and Wasp drones designed by Aerovironment in Southern California, to the much larger Predator and Reaper drones responsible for civilian and foreign military deaths abroad. The Marine Corps is also testing drones, though it chose to redact so much of the text from its records that we still don’t know much about its programs.

Perhaps the scariest is the technology carried by a Reaper drone the Air Force is flying near Lincoln, Nevada and in areas of California and Utah. This drone uses “Gorgon Stare” technology, which Wikipedia defines as “a spherical array of nine cameras attached to an aerial drone . . . capable of capturing motion imagery of an entire city.” This imagery “can then be analyzed by humans or an artificial intelligence, such as the Mind’s Eye project” being developed by DARPA. If true, this technology takes surveillance to a whole new level.

While LIDAR can be used to create high-resolution images of the earth’s surface, it is also used in high tech police speed guns—begging the question of whether drones will soon be used for minor traffic violations.

However, once again, the records do not show that the FAA had any concerns about drone flights’ impact on privacy and civil liberties. This is especially problematic when drone programs like Otter Tail’s appear on first glance to be benign but later turn out to support the same problematic law enforcement uses that EFF has been increasingly concerned about.

It’s been over a year and a half since we first filed our FOIA request with the FAA, and we’re still waiting for more than half of the agency’s drone records. This is unacceptable.

Like with any new technology, drones can be put to good use or to evil use. Just like nuclear power can harness energy or destroy humanity altogether, drones could do a lot of good, but the problem is that the government is clearly moving more and more towards a surveillance state so we must be extra careful. Stay vigilant.
Source

'Ron Paul: The Film' By Infowars Backs Up Retiring Congressman's Points

Ron Paul's farewell speech in November 2012 made the rounds on the Internet, but due to skepticism over the Texas congressman's words, Infowars pieced together news clips and backup documentation to show that Paul speaks the truth. Hence the birth of "Ron Paul: The Film."

Paul, a 77-year-old Texas Republican who is retiring from the House in January, posed several questions. Since President Barack Obama's re-election, the White House website has filled up with tens of thousands of electronic signatures from citizens wanting their state to secede from the United States, as reported in the Allvoices article,"US indivisible?"

But on top of that, another petition has joined the secession desires, this one wanting the Obama administration to respond to several questions Paul posed in his farewell speech: Answer ALL the questions posed by Congressman Ron Paul in his final speech on the House floor, Nov. 14, 2012

In 2012, more young people became aware of the damage "big government" continues to do to our economy and civil liberties as thousands showed up to his rallies, Paul points out.

Paul begins wrapping up his speech with the five greatest dangers that the American people face to impede a goal of a free society. What are they?

1. The continuous attack on our civil liberties which threatens the rule of law and our ability to resist the onrush of tyranny.

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Meet Liz Fowler: Architect Of ObamaCare Jumps Ship To Johnson & Johnson

Following the passage of ObamaCare, several of the smartest people I know claimed that the bill was actually written by and for the drug and insurance companies rather than “the people” as Obama had claimed. My friend and orthopedic surgeon Dave Janda wrote an excellent piece that I published titled:Thoughts on Obamacare from a Surgeon and Friend.

In recent days it has emerged that Liz Fowler, who is said to have been one of the key architects of ObamaCare, is doing what any good revolving door crony capitalist would do. She is moving to the private sector to receive her payoff. Trudy Lieberman of the Columbia Journal Review explains that:

Herewith is a brief Fowler curriculum vitae: In 2001 she had a plum job as chief counsel for the Senate Finance Committee, which deals with healthcare bills. As Greenwald’s old Salon post notes, her biography says she “played a key role” in the 2003 Medicare prescription drug law that created a new senior drug benefit—a benefit provided via private insurers, not the government, as is the case for other Medicare benefits. A few years later she landed a position at WellPoint as a vice president overseeing the giant insurer’s lobbying activities.

Fowler then returned to Senate Finance in 2008 to work for Sen. Max Baucus, who chaired the committee, which was becoming Action Central for health reform.Fowler and Baucus pretty much wrote the bill that became Obamacare—and which, we should note, did not include a proposed “public option,” which was popular with ordinary people but not the insurance companies that lobbied hard to make sure it was out of the mix.

Then this week Politico’s Dave Levinthal and Anna Palmer had a scoop: Fowler is returning to the private world, this time to a senior level position leading global health policy at Johnson & Johnson’s government affairs and policy group.

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It's All About Jobs

Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan continues to hold the O'Malley Administration accountable for the "jobs, jobs, jobs" they promised but failed to deliver. As we head into another General Assembly session just over a month from now, we hear the same worn out policies that the vast majority of Marylander's don't want - raising the gas tax and a new tax on consumers to pay for the Governor's offshore wind mills.

These articles from just the past week or so, show what real change looks like - reforming the state's economic development office and returning its mission to attract businesses and jobs for starters.

Together, we will show the arrogant one-party monopoly just how out of touch they really are. We have grown to over 25,000. As we grow stronger, our voice gets louder. We are being heard and we are making difference. Join us in this fight to Change Maryland for the better at facecebook.com/ChangeMaryland, or atwww.changemaryland.org.

Republicans For Big Government

Do you know anyone who voted Republican this past election in order to further President Obama’s big government agenda? Or is it more likely that Republican voters sought to advance a smaller version of the federal government? And if they did, why are Republican congressional leaders offering to help the president spend us into oblivion?

I suspected that those questions might be asked when Mitt Romney was nominated to oppose Obama. My view of his campaign then and now has been that he presented a choice to the voters of big government versus bigger government, and bigger government prevailed. Romney argued during the campaign that he was at a disadvantage because the president had distributed federal tax dollars to persons and groups critical to his re-election. He has since argued that he lost the election because nearly half of Americans – some by chance, some by choice and some by force – are dependent on government for much of their income or subsistence.

His argument sounds harsh, but it’s true. A formerly working and now retired couple in their mid-80s who are receiving monthly payments from the Social Security Administration into which they were forced to make payments while they were working can hardly be considered slackers. But they can be considered dupes. All of us who have fallen for the government’s nonsense about it holding our money for our future use have been duped. The government doesn’t hold anyone’s money for him. It spends whatever it collects as soon as it receives it. When its entitlement bills come due, it uses current tax revenue, or it borrows money in order to acquire the cash to make the payments.
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I Told You So! Of Course Washington Will Steal Your Retirement Benefits

Today the twin fake memes of a "Fiscal Cliff" and "Austerity" are combining to create a contrived excuse to tax and steal far more of your wealth and income, including your retirement benefits. The press is filled with articles and editorials like one recently atCNBC entitled "Amid Tax Talks, a cry of 'Save My 401(k)'."

Many retirement, offshore and political experts including Jeff Berwick, Larry Grossman and others are now warning how government revenue needs and austerity measures by the Obama Administration today threaten the private retirement system and benefits of millions of successful Americans. Back on January 28, 2010 I wrote a report entitled "The Coming Obama Retirement Trap Has Started," published at LewRockwell.com, republished in its entirety below, for your review.

Over the last few weeks I've been inundated with emails similar to this one:

Ron,

In early 2010 you wrote an article called "Are you ready for the coming Obama retirement trap?"

Now, I find an article from National Seniors Council that there was a recent hearing sponsored by the Treasury and the Labor Department that marked the beginning of the Obama Administration's effort to nationalize the nation's pension system and to eliminate private retirement accounts including IRA's and 401k plans.

What is your thinking on this? Should one, even with a large IRA, consider cashing it in or doing something to keep it out of harm's way? Your response is appreciated.

The GOP Is Dying Because The Liberty Movement Is Thriving


To the point of causing intestinal convulsions, there has been no shortage of analysis on the elections of 2012.  Every no-name mop-head mainstream media hack with a niche audience has put in his or her two cents on the finale of perhaps the biggest non-event of the decade and almost every single one of them has been depressingly wrong or completely disingenuous - but perhaps this was to be expected.  The word “journalist” has today become synonymous with “whore”, simply because success in the field makes whoredom essential.  The job of news outlets is not to report on the facts, but to fashion an illusory world out of manure bricks and glossy paint, and this is exactly what they have done in their musing on the fate of the GOP.      

For any saucer-eyed skeptic who still believes that all disinformation is mere coincidence or personal bias rather than an engineered and coordinated conspiracy, I would like to point out the sudden, similar and simultaneous conclusions of MSM pundits in the wake of Barack Obama’s “victory” in November.  You would think that there would be hundreds if not thousands of conflicting ideas about what really happened this year, but instead, Americans are being presented with a chorus of identical viewpoints.

One meme that is being spread widely in the mainstream that I do actually agree with is that the Republican Party is “dying”.  Oh yes, this is undoubtedly true.  The GOP is on the fast track to the stew pot (or maybe another pot), but what the mainstream fails to mention is that this is something that alternative analysts in the Liberty Movement have been predicting for years, long before the name “Barack Obama” ever haunted the dreams of average Republicans, and this raises an important question; what did the alternative media see that the mainstream media missed?

The primary root of all the dysfunctional observations of the GOP is that most people today have no clue what conservatism is, and therefore, they have no idea how to diagnose problems in the Republican Party (an institution which is supposed to represent conservative values).  You don’t send a lawnmower repairman to examine a cancer ridden human being, you send a doctor who knows what a healthy body is supposed to look like.  You also don’t send a hardcore liberal or a Neo-Con flunky to comment on the failings of the GOP; you send a true conservative who knows how a healthy conservative organization is supposed to function.  And, the only people left in this country who actually understand what conservatism really is are Liberty Movement activists.

Ironically, those of us in the movement who have deeply considered the election aftermath have predominantly concluded that it is WE who have taken the mojo out of the GOP, and frankly, we’re happy to do so… 
      
The GOP is dying because it no longer supports or nurtures the progress of true and traditional conservative values or the people who hold them.  The GOP is fading into the bowels of political history because real conservatives are LEAVING it behind, and searching for other more legitimate avenues.  These are the cold hard facts which the establishment and those who aid in its dominance have tried to keep out of the mainstream limelight post election.  They have concocted a swarm of unsupported and absurd talking points which have been unleashed shotgun-style on the unsuspecting American populace.  Their goal?  To hide the fact that the Liberty Movement has gained enough momentum to bury the Neo-Con led GOP and even swing state contests at will, simply by not participating in the farce.

A Letter To The Editor: The Daily Times And Thanksgiving

Were you aware the Daily Times felt it necessary to charge their home subscribers, who pay by credit card or automated payment an ADDITIONAL TWO DOLLARS ($2) on their monthly bill for November? When questioned, the official Daily Times response was the additional charge was for the THANKSGIVING DAY edition.

The Daily Times explanation was, they pay additional money to the delivery carriers and those that stuff the advertising circulars in the paper due to the extra ads for Black Friday.

My arguments are:

1. There was no advance notice this charge was going to happen, regardless of the end destination of the additional fee,
2. There was no after-the-fact notice about this charge. And no explanation of the need for the additional charge,
3. IF there was to be an additional charge for the paper that day, shouldn't the advertisers pay that fee, not the subscribers?

An additional five-cents per advertiser would have more than made up that fee. Additionally, the advertisements for Black Friday are not printed by the paper, they are delivered FINISHED to the paper, for inclusion/stuffing into the Daily Times.

An explanation from the Daily Times was only provided to those that chose to call and inquire. How much of the additional two dollars actually made it to the carriers and insert-stuffers?

"Slaves Are Always Disarmed"


In the wake of the mainstream media’s latest attack on the 2nd Amendment care of Bob Costas and Piers Morgan, I bring you an absolutely phenomenal article by Charles Cook.  This man destroys Piers in a manner I thought only Jesse Ventura capable of.
As conservatives including myself never tire of pointing out to the uninitiated, the not-unrelated notions that the Second Amendment is either a historical anomaly or that it only applies to, say, hunters are both arrant nonsense. You won’t hear this in school, kids, but the right to bear arms is an issue that not only predates the Second Amendment by a matter of centuries, but one that strikes at the very heart of the relationship between the citizen and the state. Free men who control the government can, of course, bear arms. Slaves cannot. The distinction is crucial, as Dred Scott discovered.
- Charles Cook
Just read this article.  Fantastic work.

Ohio State University Marching Band Halftime Gangnam Style

Main Street Gym Boxing Update

Question Of The Day

Who will win the game?

OBAMA'S NEW PLANTATION


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THE OLD PLANTATION

In the heyday of the Dem0krats’ Golden Era Of Slavery, many of the rich, wealthy Dem0krat landowners enjoyed the fruits of their kkkapitalist ventures. They amassed for themselves huge fortunes, huge houses and huge parcels of land. No one seemed to complain about the “1%”, or “fairness and equality” and “social justice” in those days because they were too busy sitting around on their excessively large porches sipping mint juleps, playing their banjos and entertaining their wealthy cronies with elaborate parties.

In order to maintain such a lush, care-free lifestyle, they needed to have others do all the work they refused to do. Using their wealth, they would purchase for themselves slaves of a minority race.

These slaves had little say in what they did. They were ordered to do their tasks and that was the end of it. Whatever the rich Dem0krat wanted them to do they would do. They had no choice in the matter. They were offered cheap housing and a meager subsistence for their labor. If a slave didn’t want to perform their duties, or had other ideas that were not acceptable to the plantation owner, they were punished until their minds were made right once again.

Slaves being born into slavery only made their lifestyle seem like the only one they would ever know. They were born to serve the white Dem0krat ‘massahs’ as that was their only mission in life. There were no choices for them other than to live, serve Dem0krats and die.

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Study Suggests That A Bracing Regimen Of Beer Could Ward Off The Winter Sniffles

If you want to keep winter colds at bay and also enjoy a nice, hoppy beer, well, you’re a lucky person. A new study by scientists at Sapporo Medical University (and sponsored by the Sapporo brewery, natch) says a key ingredient in beer can ward off colds in adults. Beyond that, if it weren’t for that whole “underage” thing, the stuff is reportedly effective in blocking a virus that causes pneumonia and bronchitis in young children.

You’ll have to consume large quantities, says the study, in order to get enough of the ingredient that curbs respiratory syncytial virus. Humulone is the magic ingredient in hops, but since kids shouldn’t be guzzling booze, scientists say they have more work to do.

“The RS virus can cause serious pneumonia and breathing difficulties for infants and toddlers, but no vaccination is available at the moment to contain it,” said a researcher from the company, via AFP.

Tests Show Ford Fusion, C-Max Hybrid Are Not Getting Close To 47 MPG

One Comment Says It All

Most Commented 

Marylanders are able to lead themselves | 1 

Republicans stabbed in the back | 1

One would think the Daily Times Website would show the information they provide at least brings the community together through comments but clearly this is not the case. 

Their top two articles, (by their own admission) only have one comment each. I'd say at this point Gannett Corporation is simply keeping them afloat and the big shot from New York did them no good. Too many holes in that sinking ship with only a hand full of people left to patch them. 

When you take a Press Release from the Chamber of Commerce, (like they did yesterday) and butcher it up, suggesting there's a scandal involved, your on your last leg. Brad has given 14 years of his life to help Salisbury and he deserves better than what they did to him yesterday. Nevertheless, it's all about selling papers and now it's all about desperately selling papers. 

Greg Bassett promised months ago that they were better than this and they vowed to do better, he lied. The business community, (at least) will now think twice about how they will be perceived when one of them retires and this is exactly why the Daily Times is a sinking ship.

In the very least the Daily Times could have published the Chamber's in tact Press Release with all due respect. Funny how many people in the Chamber have been afraid of Joe Albero but in the end got smacked down by the Daily Times instead. 

Mobile Computing Fuels Arlington Cemetery Modernization

In our special report, Gov 3.0: It's Mobile, Federal News Radio explores how some agencies are meeting the demand internally and externally for mobile devices and apps. Just two years ago, Arlington National Cemetery was plagued by mismarked and unidentified gravesites and incomplete paper records. Now, the Army has at its disposal a massive, GPS-enabled digital database of every gravesite. And what's more — the cemetery has made the database available to the public via its website and a mobile application.

Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Resigns After 14 Years Of Service


Brad Bellacicco, of Salisbury Maryland resigned as Executive Director of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce after more than a decade of service.

SALISBURY, MD
— Brad Bellacicco was named the Executive Director of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce in June of 1998.

Bellacicco came to Salisbury shortly after retiring as a Lt. Colonel in the United States Air Force, stationed at the Dover Air Force Base. His accomplishments for the Chamber and Salisbury’s Business Community are vast but include increasing the Chamber membership from 524 to more than 800 companies, organizations and individuals.

He oversaw the procurement of the Chamber Business Center in December 2002 and the move to a new 13,000 square foot facility in January 2003. Additionally, several environmental projects and upgrades to the facility have cut the facilities cost and enhanced the Chamber’s image.

Bellacicco coordinated three United States Chamber Accreditation reviews that resulted in two Four- Star ratings for the Salisbury Chamber. He also created the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Eastern Shore Business Leadership Network.

Under Bellacicco’s leadership, the Chamber received awards from the US Department of Labor, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Salisbury University School of Business and many other groups.

“I have enjoyed my experiences at the Chamber”, stated Bellacicco. “After 14 years as the Executive Director I will miss the interaction with our members. The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful organization and will continue to be committed to the quality of life within our area. I am proud to have played a role in growing our community over the past 14 years.

The Chambers President Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello said Brad will be sorely missed and that he leaves very big shoes to fill. She and the Executives, Board of Directors and more than 800 business leaders wish Bellacicco the best in his new endeavors. The Executive Committee is currently searching for his replacement.

Chrismas Flash Mob

USPS & UPS Team Up

The Postal Service says add blue to brown and you get green. It formally has launched a partnership with rival delivery service UPS, the folks in brown. The Postal Service has to provide door-to-door service, which isn't profitable for companies. It is carrying many UPS packages through its so-called last-mile network. In turn, UPS is letting the Postal Service ship mail on company airplanes and trucks. The Postal Service said the partnership helps customers, the environment and the agency's bottom line.

Interior Department Made $12 Billion

The Interior Department said it made $12 billion in revenue from energy production on federal lands. More than half of that goes to federal coffers, making the program one of the biggest non-tax money makers. States and tribal governments get the rest. The total figure is $1 billion more than in fiscal 2011. The department said that was mostly because of bonus bids received for new oil, gas and coal lease sales. It also credited reforms within its Office of Natural Resources Revenue. It said employees came up with solutions like a data-mining effort to find companies in real time that were making reporting errors.