The Tea Party might not be over, but it is increasingly clear that the election last month significantly weakened the once-surging movement, which nearly captured control of the Republican Partythrough a potent combination of populism and fury.
Leading Congressional Republicans, though they remain far apart fromPresident Obama, have embraced raising tax revenues in budget negotiations, repudiating a central tenet of the Tea Party. Even more telling, Tea Party activists in the middle of the country are skirting the fiscal showdown in Congress and turning to narrower issues, raising questions about whether the movement still represents a citizen groundswell to which attention must be paid.
Grass-roots leaders said this month that after losing any chance of repealing the nationalhealth care law, they would press states to “nullify” or ignore it. They also plan to focus on a two-decade-old United Nations resolution that they call a plot against property rights, and on “fraud” by local election boards that, some believe, let the Democrats steal the November vote.
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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 27, 2012
Last Call For The Homestead Tax Credit
Residents have just a few more days to apply for the Maryland Homestead Tax Credit, which protects homeowners from sudden increases in property tax bills from reassessments.
Once a homeowner is eligible for the credit, his or her property tax can increase by no more than 2 percent in a given tax year.
To see if you have been approved for the credit, visit http://dat.state.md.us/ and type in your address. At the bottom of the page, check the field that says Homestead Application Status to see if you are approved.
If you are not approved, you can apply at www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/Homestead_application.pdf.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 31, and there is no way to appeal your bill once that date has passed.
For more information, call the state Department of Assessments and Taxation at 410-974-5709.
Once a homeowner is eligible for the credit, his or her property tax can increase by no more than 2 percent in a given tax year.
To see if you have been approved for the credit, visit http://dat.state.md.us/ and type in your address. At the bottom of the page, check the field that says Homestead Application Status to see if you are approved.
If you are not approved, you can apply at www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/Homestead_application.pdf.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 31, and there is no way to appeal your bill once that date has passed.
For more information, call the state Department of Assessments and Taxation at 410-974-5709.
Breaking News Route 90 Eastbound Shut Down
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Who Arrested Speeding Miami Officer Files Lawsuit
The Florida Highway Patrol trooper who pulled over a speeding Miami Police officer last year filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that several agencies illegally accessed her personal information to intimidate her, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
On Friday, Trooper Donna “Jane” Watts and lawyer Mirta Desir filed the 69-page lawsuit, which seeks more than $1 million in damages. It alleges that 88 officers from 25 jurisdictions, including her own, violated her privacy by illegally obtaining her personal information more than 200 times.
Watts said the Oct. 11 incident, when she pulled over Miami officer Fausto Lopez for speeding on Florida’s Turnpike, has caused backlash. She was captured on camera with her gun drawn as she approached Fausto, who she said she followed for seven minutes while he drove 120 mph.
The lawsuit alleges that following the traffic stop, actions of other officers created a “life-threatening” situation for Watts. She said she now fears for her life, has become a “hermit,” and is even moving.
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On Friday, Trooper Donna “Jane” Watts and lawyer Mirta Desir filed the 69-page lawsuit, which seeks more than $1 million in damages. It alleges that 88 officers from 25 jurisdictions, including her own, violated her privacy by illegally obtaining her personal information more than 200 times.
Watts said the Oct. 11 incident, when she pulled over Miami officer Fausto Lopez for speeding on Florida’s Turnpike, has caused backlash. She was captured on camera with her gun drawn as she approached Fausto, who she said she followed for seven minutes while he drove 120 mph.
The lawsuit alleges that following the traffic stop, actions of other officers created a “life-threatening” situation for Watts. She said she now fears for her life, has become a “hermit,” and is even moving.
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Starbucks Cups To Come With A Political Message
Starbucks is using its coffee cups to jump into the political fray in Washington.
The world’s biggest coffee chain is asking employees at cafes in the Washington, D.C. area to scribble the words “Come Together” on cups for drink orders. CEO Howard Schultz says the words are intended as a message to lawmakers about the damage being caused by the divisive negotiations over the “fiscal cliff.”
It’s the first time employees at Starbucks cafes are being asked to write anything other than customers’ names on cups.
While companies generally steer clear of politics to avoid alienating customers, the plea to “Come Together” is a sentiment unlikely to cause controversy. If anything, Starbucks could score points with customers and burnish its image as a socially conscious company.
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The world’s biggest coffee chain is asking employees at cafes in the Washington, D.C. area to scribble the words “Come Together” on cups for drink orders. CEO Howard Schultz says the words are intended as a message to lawmakers about the damage being caused by the divisive negotiations over the “fiscal cliff.”
It’s the first time employees at Starbucks cafes are being asked to write anything other than customers’ names on cups.
While companies generally steer clear of politics to avoid alienating customers, the plea to “Come Together” is a sentiment unlikely to cause controversy. If anything, Starbucks could score points with customers and burnish its image as a socially conscious company.
More
BREAKING NEWS: EPA Administrator Resigns
Environmental Protection Agency head Lisa Jackson says she's stepping down after four years in the position, ending a tenure marked by high-profile fights with business groups and Republicans.
Source Fox News
260 School Children Killed In Chicago In 3 Years -- Where Are The Tears For Them?
What makes the victims of everyday inner-city gun violence expendable?
Like President Obama and many others across the country, I too wiped away tears as I watched the horrifying news coverage of the tragic shootings in Newton, Conn. I immediately called my children who were still in school. I sat watching the television trying to fathom how I would respond if I got a call that a shooting had occurred at my children’s school. This brought on more tears. But for the parents of 20 children and six other families in Newton, it wasn’t an exercise; it was an excruciating reality.
I then watched and listened to our President, and like parents around the world, the shooting had affected him emotionally as well. Twenty children gunned down. He struggled to hold back tears.
It was then that my phone buzzed. I quickly grabbed it to see if it was one of my children calling back. But it wasn’t. It was a colleague in Chicago. I had emailed her the day before asking for research into one of the mentoring programs in the city’s schools for youth with the highest risk of being shot.
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D.C. Police Warned NBC Against Possessing Gun Clip
Police are investigating whether Gregory, 42, violated D.C. gun laws during the program, which was taped in Washington and aired Sunday.
D.C. police spokeswoman Gwen Crump said police discussed the use of the clip with NBC before the program was taped.
"NBC contacted MPD inquiring if they could utilize a high-capacity magazine for their segment. NBC was informed that possession of a high-capacity magazine is not permissible, and their request was denied," according to a statement released by Crump. "The matter is currently being investigated."
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Health Care Tax Hikes For 2013 May Be Just A Start
New taxes are coming Jan. 1 to help finance President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Most people may not notice. But they will pay attention if Congress decides to start taxing employer-sponsored health insurance, one option in play if lawmakers can ever agree on a budget deal to reduce federal deficits.
The tax hikes already on the books, taking effect in 2013, fall mainly on people who make lots of money and on the health care industry. But about half of Americans benefit from the tax-free status of employer health insurance. Workers pay no income or payroll taxes on what their employer contributes for health insurance, and in most cases on their own share of premiums as well.
It’s the single biggest tax break the government allows, outstripping the mortgage interest deduction, the deduction for charitable giving and other better-known benefits. If the value of job-based health insurance were taxed like regular income, it would raise nearly $150 billion in 2013, according to congressional estimates. By comparison, wiping away the mortgage interest deduction would bring in only about $90 billion.
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The tax hikes already on the books, taking effect in 2013, fall mainly on people who make lots of money and on the health care industry. But about half of Americans benefit from the tax-free status of employer health insurance. Workers pay no income or payroll taxes on what their employer contributes for health insurance, and in most cases on their own share of premiums as well.
It’s the single biggest tax break the government allows, outstripping the mortgage interest deduction, the deduction for charitable giving and other better-known benefits. If the value of job-based health insurance were taxed like regular income, it would raise nearly $150 billion in 2013, according to congressional estimates. By comparison, wiping away the mortgage interest deduction would bring in only about $90 billion.
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Michael Moore: ‘Calm Down, White People, and Put Away Your Guns’
In a blog post entitled “Celebrating the Prince of Peace in the Land of Guns,”while still calling for stricter gun-control laws, Moore said such laws will not stop mass killings because of “who we are” as a nation.
“We are a country whose leaders officially sanction and carry out acts of violence as a means to often an immoral end,” Moore said. “We invade countries who didn't attack us. We're currently using drones in a half-dozen countries, often killing civilians.”
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Farmers Plow Through Red Tape To Hire Legal Workers
Bernie Kohl, Jr., president and part owner of Angelica Nurseries Inc., knew something was wrong when the then-Immigration and Naturalization Service showed up on his property with buses on a fall day in 1996. The INS went into the company’s offices, hung up phones, and lined workers up outside while they went into the company’s human resources offices to get paper files on all the laborers.
“They went through the I-9s and they scrutinized the paperwork and could say that these documents don’t look genuine,” Kohl said. “We aren’t document specialists, those are the kind of things that we can’t do.”
The raid resulted in around 80 of his workers being deported. The place didn’t quite shut down, but it meant an incredible struggle that year to make the harvest.
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“They went through the I-9s and they scrutinized the paperwork and could say that these documents don’t look genuine,” Kohl said. “We aren’t document specialists, those are the kind of things that we can’t do.”
The raid resulted in around 80 of his workers being deported. The place didn’t quite shut down, but it meant an incredible struggle that year to make the harvest.
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Shot For Being White
I would like to talk to you today about the recent murder of 20-year-old Joshua Proutey, who was shot for being white by a gang of four blacks who were out targeting white people who were “bound to have money” – as you reported in your story on this for WND.com.
Tell us what happened.
Flaherty: Four black people in Wilmington, North Carolina needed money for marijuana and traveling. So they set out to get it by robbing white people. They tried to break into a house, but were seen, so they fled. They stalked a woman through downtown Wilmington, but she escaped. Finally they came upon a 20-year-old college kid named Joshua. They took his money, cell phone and sandwich. Then he asked them to only take his money and not his ID because he explained to them it was hard to replace. Then they shot and killed him. The reason I wrote about this for WND.com and for my book, is not that it is special, but because racial violence is increasingly common and most media ignore it.
FP: What do you mean it is not “special”?
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Tell us what happened.
Flaherty: Four black people in Wilmington, North Carolina needed money for marijuana and traveling. So they set out to get it by robbing white people. They tried to break into a house, but were seen, so they fled. They stalked a woman through downtown Wilmington, but she escaped. Finally they came upon a 20-year-old college kid named Joshua. They took his money, cell phone and sandwich. Then he asked them to only take his money and not his ID because he explained to them it was hard to replace. Then they shot and killed him. The reason I wrote about this for WND.com and for my book, is not that it is special, but because racial violence is increasingly common and most media ignore it.
FP: What do you mean it is not “special”?
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Wicomico County Council Meeting Cancelled
The Wicomico County Council has cancelled their meeting of January 1, 2013 and their next regular scheduled meeting will be on January 15, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, Government Office Building.
Christmas In An Anti-Christian Age
For two millennia, the birth of Christ has been seen as the greatest event in world history. The moment Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem, God became man, and eternal salvation became possible.
This date has been the separation point of mankind's time on earth, with B.C. designating the era before Christ, and A.D., anno domino, in the Year of the Lord, the years after. And how stands Christianity today?
"Christianity is in danger off being wiped out in its biblical heartlands," says the British think tank Civitas.
In Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Ethiopia and Nigeria, Christians face persecution and pogroms. In Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, conversion is a capital offense. In a century, two-thirds of all the Christians have vanished from the Islamic world.
In China, Christianity is seen as a subversive ideology of the West to undermine the regime.
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This date has been the separation point of mankind's time on earth, with B.C. designating the era before Christ, and A.D., anno domino, in the Year of the Lord, the years after. And how stands Christianity today?
"Christianity is in danger off being wiped out in its biblical heartlands," says the British think tank Civitas.
In Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Ethiopia and Nigeria, Christians face persecution and pogroms. In Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, conversion is a capital offense. In a century, two-thirds of all the Christians have vanished from the Islamic world.
In China, Christianity is seen as a subversive ideology of the West to undermine the regime.
More
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Obama Cuts Vacation Short As 'Fiscal Cliff' Looms
HONOLULU (AP) - With a yearend deadline looming before the economy goes over the so-called fiscal cliff, President Barack Obama is cutting short his traditional Christmas holiday in Hawaii, planning to leave for Washington on Wednesday evening.
Obama was expected to arrive in Washington early Thursday, the White House said late Tuesday. First lady Michelle Obama and the couple's two daughters are scheduled to remain in Hawaii until Jan. 6.
In the past, the president's end-of-the-year holiday in his native state had stretched into the new year. The first family left Washington last Friday night.
Congress was expected to return to Washington on Thursday. Before he departed for Hawaii, Obama told reporters he expected to be back in the capital this week.
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Obama was expected to arrive in Washington early Thursday, the White House said late Tuesday. First lady Michelle Obama and the couple's two daughters are scheduled to remain in Hawaii until Jan. 6.
In the past, the president's end-of-the-year holiday in his native state had stretched into the new year. The first family left Washington last Friday night.
Congress was expected to return to Washington on Thursday. Before he departed for Hawaii, Obama told reporters he expected to be back in the capital this week.
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Spokesman: George H.W. Bush In Intensive Care
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Jim McGrath, Bush's spokesman in Houston, said in a brief email that Bush was admitted to the ICU at Methodist Hospital on Sunday. He said doctors are cautiously optimistic about his treatment and that the former president "remains in guarded condition."
No other details were released about his medical condition, but McGrath said Bush is surrounded by family.
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Double-Digit Increase In Reported Sexual Assaults At Military Academies
The Pentagon's latest report on sexual assault at the three military academies finds sexual assault reports jumped by 23 percent over the past year. But DoD says combined with other findings in the annual study, the figure is not necessarily bad news.
The report to Congress lists 80 sexual assaults reported at the service academies in the 2011-2012 school year, compared with 65 the year before. Fifteen of the victims were at the Army's West Point, 13 at the U.S. Naval Academy and 52 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Thirteen of them happened before the victim entered military service.
Maj. Gen. Gary Patton, the director of DoD's sexual assault prevention and response office, said each of those reports reflects the fact that someone was the victim of a heinous crime. But DoD sees the trend lines as positive in one respect.
"Because sexual assault is a grossly unreported crime, not only in the military but in society, we view an increase in reports as a positive trend that's indicative of an increase in victim confidence," he said. "We view any report being positive, because it means they're receiving some sort of care."
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The report to Congress lists 80 sexual assaults reported at the service academies in the 2011-2012 school year, compared with 65 the year before. Fifteen of the victims were at the Army's West Point, 13 at the U.S. Naval Academy and 52 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Thirteen of them happened before the victim entered military service.
Maj. Gen. Gary Patton, the director of DoD's sexual assault prevention and response office, said each of those reports reflects the fact that someone was the victim of a heinous crime. But DoD sees the trend lines as positive in one respect.
"Because sexual assault is a grossly unreported crime, not only in the military but in society, we view an increase in reports as a positive trend that's indicative of an increase in victim confidence," he said. "We view any report being positive, because it means they're receiving some sort of care."
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Opposed To Same-Sex Marriage, Company Ends Wedding Business
An Annapolis company whose old-fashioned trolleys are iconic in the city's wedding scene has abandoned the nuptial industry rather than serve same-sex couples.
The owner of Discover Annapolis Tours said he decided to walk away from $50,000 in annual revenue instead of compromising his Christian convictions when same-sex marriages become legal in Maryland in less than a week. And he has urged prospective clients to lobby state lawmakers for a religious exemption for wedding vendors.
While most wedding businesses across the country embraced the chance to serve same-sex couples, a small minority has struggled to balance religious beliefs against business interests.
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The owner of Discover Annapolis Tours said he decided to walk away from $50,000 in annual revenue instead of compromising his Christian convictions when same-sex marriages become legal in Maryland in less than a week. And he has urged prospective clients to lobby state lawmakers for a religious exemption for wedding vendors.
While most wedding businesses across the country embraced the chance to serve same-sex couples, a small minority has struggled to balance religious beliefs against business interests.
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Facebook’s New Privacy Controls Rolling Out Soon: Here’s What’s About To Happen
There are plenty of times we’re critical of Facebook — the $1 message from strangers plan, launching auto-play ads— but with its new privacy controls it’s actually kinda sorta seems like the social network is (dare we say it?) making things easier for users. The new settings have rolled out globally and will be hitting U.S. accounts soon as well. They look like they’re easy to navigate, so, high five there, Facebook.
The first big change discussed by Facebook is a new “Shortcuts” tabthat will appear in the upper right hand tool bar on your Facebook homepage. There are three options that now appear laid out in plain terms: “Who can see my stuff?” “Who Can contact me?” and “How do I stop someone from bothering me?”
The first big change discussed by Facebook is a new “Shortcuts” tabthat will appear in the upper right hand tool bar on your Facebook homepage. There are three options that now appear laid out in plain terms: “Who can see my stuff?” “Who Can contact me?” and “How do I stop someone from bothering me?”
Body Found In Home Of Ambush Killer Of Firemen
The ex-con who lured two firefighters to their deaths in a blaze of gunfire left a rambling typewritten note saying he wanted to burn down the neighborhood and "do what I like doing best, killing people," police said Tuesday as they recovered burned human remains believed to be the gunman's missing sister.
Police Chief Gerald Pickering said 62-year-old William Spengler, who served 17 years in prison for the 1980 hammer slaying of his grandmother, armed himself with a revolver, a shotgun and a military-style rifle before he set his house afire to lure first responders into a death trap before dawn on Christmas Eve.
"He was equipped to go to war, kill innocent people," Pickering said.
The rifle he had was a military-style .223-caliber semiautomatic Bushmaster rifle with flash suppression, the same make and caliber weapon used in the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., Pickering said.
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Police Chief Gerald Pickering said 62-year-old William Spengler, who served 17 years in prison for the 1980 hammer slaying of his grandmother, armed himself with a revolver, a shotgun and a military-style rifle before he set his house afire to lure first responders into a death trap before dawn on Christmas Eve.
"He was equipped to go to war, kill innocent people," Pickering said.
The rifle he had was a military-style .223-caliber semiautomatic Bushmaster rifle with flash suppression, the same make and caliber weapon used in the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., Pickering said.
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MEET THE FIRST FEMALE NASCAR PIT CREW MEMBER NAMED ‘CHRISTMAS’ WHO ONLY WEIGHS 115 LBS
But she also likes tackling “any challenge that is said can’t be done.” Perhaps one of these was joining a NASCAR pit crew. It’s a physically demanding job where not only strength but speed are of the essence. Abott has proved that she both and joined a pit crew as the first female ever in NASCAR history.
ABC News featured Abott last month reporting she was trained for the job by Turner Motorsports. Her duty on the crew is in the front tire position where she cranks off all five lug nuts, pulls off the tire, replaces it with a fresh one and puts the lug nuts back on. Then repeat on the other side. According to ABC, the entire pit crew’s efforts take about 12 seconds.
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US Retailers Report Weakest Holiday Sales Since 2008
A report that tracks spending on popular holiday goods, the MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, said Tuesday that sales in the two months before Christmas increased 0.7 percent, compared with last year. Many analysts had expected holiday sales to grow 3 to 4 percent.
In 2008, sales declined by between 2 percent and 4 percent as the financial crisis that crested that fall dragged the economy into recession. Last year, by contrast, retail sales in November and December rose between 4 percent and 5 percent, according to ShopperTrak, a separate market research firm. A 4 percent increase is considered a healthy season.
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MAJOR SETBACK FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD: JUDGE SAYS OKLAHOMA CAN END CONTRACT WITH CLINICS
U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot ruled that although the state’s stated reasons don’t seem to be sufficient cause for ending agreements with Planned Parenthood’s three Tulsa-area clinics that have been in place for 18 years, the group’s response to the state’s concerns was insufficient enough to warrant ending the relationship.
The decision will likely mean that the group will have to close one of the clinics and eliminate six full-time staff positions when the contracts end on Dec. 31, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland’s President and CEO Jill June said in a statement.
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SUSPECT ARMED WITH HAMMER FATALLY WOUNDED IN TANEYTOWN POLICE INVOLVED SHOOTING
(TANEYTOWN, MD) – A Carroll County man armed with a hammer and acting disorderly was fatally wounded by a Taneytown Police Department officer when he failed to surrender and advanced threateningly at the officer.
The man is identified as Edward L. Becker, Jr., 26, of the unit-block of Commerce Drive, Taneytown, Md. He was pronounced dead at the Carroll Hospital Center.
The officer involved is a four and one-half year veteran of the Taneytown Police Department. He is not being identified at this time by Chief William Tyler. He has been placed on routine administrated leave by Chief Tyler, which is procedure in police-involved shootings.
Chief Tyler requested the police-involved shooting be investigated by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit. Investigators from the Homicide Unit, the Westminster Barrack, and State Police crime scene technicians responded to the scene to process evidence and conduct the investigation.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 8:30 p.m. yesterday, the parents of Becker called 911 and reported he had been drinking and was acting disorderly. Becker’s father reported his son was smashing windows out of his truck with a hammer.
Three Taneytown Police Department officers responded to the area of the address on Commerce Street. They saw Becker walking down the street toward them. They exited their vehicles and began shouting commands to Becker to drop the hammer and surrender. Becker continued to approach. The officers, who were all in uniform and marked patrol cars, retreated down the street and positioned themselves behind their police cars.
The investigation indicates the officers continued to shout commands to Becker to drop the hammer and surrender. Becker ignored the commands and continued to approach the officers. He approached to approximately within arm’s length of an officer and raised the hammer.
In fear for his life, the officer fired his .40 caliber Glock 22 department issued pistol. He was the only officer on the scene who fired his pistol. Becker was struck in the upper torso and stopped his advance.
Officers immediately administered emergency care and summoned EMS personnel. Becker was transported to Carroll Hospital Center.
The investigation is continuing. Upon completion, it will be forwarded to the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office for review.
The man is identified as Edward L. Becker, Jr., 26, of the unit-block of Commerce Drive, Taneytown, Md. He was pronounced dead at the Carroll Hospital Center.
The officer involved is a four and one-half year veteran of the Taneytown Police Department. He is not being identified at this time by Chief William Tyler. He has been placed on routine administrated leave by Chief Tyler, which is procedure in police-involved shootings.
Chief Tyler requested the police-involved shooting be investigated by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit. Investigators from the Homicide Unit, the Westminster Barrack, and State Police crime scene technicians responded to the scene to process evidence and conduct the investigation.
The preliminary investigation indicates that shortly after 8:30 p.m. yesterday, the parents of Becker called 911 and reported he had been drinking and was acting disorderly. Becker’s father reported his son was smashing windows out of his truck with a hammer.
Three Taneytown Police Department officers responded to the area of the address on Commerce Street. They saw Becker walking down the street toward them. They exited their vehicles and began shouting commands to Becker to drop the hammer and surrender. Becker continued to approach. The officers, who were all in uniform and marked patrol cars, retreated down the street and positioned themselves behind their police cars.
The investigation indicates the officers continued to shout commands to Becker to drop the hammer and surrender. Becker ignored the commands and continued to approach the officers. He approached to approximately within arm’s length of an officer and raised the hammer.
In fear for his life, the officer fired his .40 caliber Glock 22 department issued pistol. He was the only officer on the scene who fired his pistol. Becker was struck in the upper torso and stopped his advance.
Officers immediately administered emergency care and summoned EMS personnel. Becker was transported to Carroll Hospital Center.
The investigation is continuing. Upon completion, it will be forwarded to the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office for review.
HO, HO, HO: UNITED NATIONS WANTS 5% BUDGET INCREASE
Late yesterday, the United Nations General Assembly approved a 5% budget increase for 2012-2013--with half of the additional spending going towards the UN's "political missions," which typically handle peacemaking and conflict resolution. In a time of global austerity, the UN's career diplomats have decided they deserve more cash.
The spending is particularly concerning given the fact that the UN is hardly known for running a tight financial ship. Last week, the Associated Press published an article headlined: "Santa Arrives Early at UN," referring to the newly renovated office of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who also received a "new armored car wrapped in a red ribbon with a big bow." A significant amount of UN spending is also wasted on controversial propaganda, such as a recent art display depicting the proto-state of Palestine as encompassing all of the State of Israel.
The United States is responsible for 22% of the UN's regular budget, including the political missions. Some of these missions complement U.S. activities in Iraq and Afghanistan; others, such as the UN Special Coordinator Office for the Middle East Peace Process, do not.
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The spending is particularly concerning given the fact that the UN is hardly known for running a tight financial ship. Last week, the Associated Press published an article headlined: "Santa Arrives Early at UN," referring to the newly renovated office of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who also received a "new armored car wrapped in a red ribbon with a big bow." A significant amount of UN spending is also wasted on controversial propaganda, such as a recent art display depicting the proto-state of Palestine as encompassing all of the State of Israel.
The United States is responsible for 22% of the UN's regular budget, including the political missions. Some of these missions complement U.S. activities in Iraq and Afghanistan; others, such as the UN Special Coordinator Office for the Middle East Peace Process, do not.
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In 2013, It's Lights Out For The 75-Watt Incandescent
Let's use the occasion of the shortest day of the year to say so long to another energy-wasting incandescent lightbulb. Federal law mandates that 75-watt bulbs can no longer be made in the U.S. or imported as of January 1, although retailers can sell remaining stock. Fortunately, in Consumer Reports lightbulb tests we found an LED that uses only 17 watts but is as bright as a 75-watt bulb.
Most screw-in bulbs have to use at least 27 percent less energy by 2014 as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The phase-out started last January with 100-watt bulbs and now 75-watt lightbulbs will fade away. If you're looking for replacements consider the Philips AmbientLED (model 17W 75W A21 Soft White 418400). Using 17 watts, it instantly brightens and casts a nice warm light—it scored an impressive 99 out of 100 after 3,000 hours of testing. This dimmable LED can be used in lamps and ceiling fixtures.
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Most screw-in bulbs have to use at least 27 percent less energy by 2014 as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The phase-out started last January with 100-watt bulbs and now 75-watt lightbulbs will fade away. If you're looking for replacements consider the Philips AmbientLED (model 17W 75W A21 Soft White 418400). Using 17 watts, it instantly brightens and casts a nice warm light—it scored an impressive 99 out of 100 after 3,000 hours of testing. This dimmable LED can be used in lamps and ceiling fixtures.
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The Cultural Impacts Of Growing Singlehood And Childlessness
Pat Buchanan wrote The Death of the West in 2001. Chapter Two was titled “Where Have All the Children Gone?”
Five years later, Mark Steyn wrote “America Alone,” which also examined falling birthrates in the West. This year, Ross Douthat wrote in the New York Times about America’s falling birthrates.
Buchanan worried about the erosion of Western, Christian culture. Steyn worried mostly about our public pension systems, which depend on every generation being bigger than the one before. Douthat worried about the moral character, the “decadence” that is a cause and a result of widespread childlessness. All of arguments have points I agree with and ones I disagree with. It’s an important topic that much of our media avoids delving deeply into.
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Liberty and Safety Must Walk Together
by Delegate Mike McDermott
The easiest political solution in response to the murderous rampage in Connecticut would be to point the finger at something...anything...and ban it to the abyss. We could then pronounce our children to be “safe” and accept the kudos for our “success”. Politics as usual.
On the books, we have thousands of gun laws obeyed by our good citizens while ignored by criminals. Most of our mass shootings have been perpetrated by those suffering from mental illness who were not armed with “assault rifles”. The massacre at Virginia Tech involved a handgun and resulted in significantly more victims.
In order to solve the problem, let’s begin by confessing that we cannot stop it from happening again. We cannot fix all the sick, broken people determined to do others and themselves harm. We cannot take away all of the guns. We cannot afford cops at every entrance to every school.
We can, however, harden the target and limit our vulnerabilities if we become aggressive in our response to potential threats. There are school districts in our country which have adopted a proactive approach to security threats. Within their schools are certain staffers (known only to the administration) who carry concealed firearms within the school. These trained individuals are designated as “Guardians” and they represent a vigilant line of defense for those we must protect. They are equipped and ready to stand in the gap. Like Sky Marshals, School Guardians remain behind the scenes unknown to all, but prepared nonetheless.
We can opt to provide less lethal technology, such as Tasers, to select staff within our schools. While their effective range is limited, they could provide a line of defense for those who currently have nothing at their disposal. This would require minimal expense and training and could be in place within a matter of weeks.
How I wish one or more of the staff at Sandy Hook Elementary had been a “Guardian” or equipped with a Taser. How differently might the outcome have been.
We must change the way that we view mental health issues and options in our country. We closed the doors on institutions during the 1980’s only to provide no alternatives. The results surround us and it is politically incorrect to even discuss the issues. If we feel your conduct or actions place our society at an undue risk, your liberty should be in jeopardy. We recognize this when it comes to passenger aircraft, and it is time we recognized it outside of the airports as well.
The media must police itself or be subjected to fines for sensationalizing instead of simply reporting these types of tragedies. Most of these murdering crazies seek celebrity status, even in death, and the electronic media is generally only too glad to oblige. Why do we understand this when it comes to streakers at a televised event, yet fail to grasp it in these situations? There is a balance missing that the media desperately needs to find or we can find it for them.
Preparing our children to take their place in civil society is the responsibility of parents. Teachers, mentors, and the rest of society can only reinforce what parents are instilling. There are some who advocate taking certain guns from responsible citizens while simultaneously letting junior play the most hellish video games available night and day. What’s wrong with that picture? Training a child is the toughest, most important job if we are to preserve a civil society for the coming generation. In this, we must hold each other accountable. We simply must stop subsidizing and making excuses for antisocial behavior.
I will introduce legislation in the next two weeks which would:
Authorize a Maryland School District to implement a “Guardian” program;
Authorize a Maryland School District to issue Taser style less-lethal weapons to select personnel within a school;
Authorize persons who possess Conceal-Carry Permits along with Active or Retired Law Enforcement Officers (who are certified to possess firearms) to carry a concealed firearm on the campus of a public school.
It was Benjamin Franklin who proclaimed, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Let us be a people who truly understand how to provide safety while maintaining our liberty.
HERE’S A LIST OF TAX HIKES & FEES COMING WITH OBAMACARE NEXT YEAR
For the vast majority of people, the health care law won’t mean sending more money to the Internal Revenue Service. But the wealthiest two percent of Americans will take the biggest hit, starting next year.
And roughly 20 million people eventually will benefit from tax credits that start in 2014 to help them pay insurance premiums.
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Main St. Fighters..... Battle At York
York PA. Two Main St. Gym boxers traveled to York PA last Friday evening to compete on a Profession-Amateur card. Both Ryan Watson, an open class middleweight and Shawn Woodford an open class 152lb, were successful in winning their bouts over Babar Shah of Lincoln Way Gym in York and Ramses Brown of Combat Gym in Bell Mawr N.J. respectively. Woodford scored two standing 8 counts as his opponent regrouped from a barrage of Woodford punches, while Watson scored a unanimous decision win. “We were called to fill in on this pro-am card at the last minute, but the guys were ready” said Coach Hal Chernoff. “Usually when you go into your opponent’s hometown it’s like swimming upstream, you can get there but is harder to get the job done. You don’t want the bout to be close if you can help it, so you might have to take some chances to win convincingly.” Chernoff added.
Both boxers are slated to compete in Salisbury on Sat January 19th at the Main St Gym, along with other Main St boxers matching up wit fighter from around the east coast.
Tickets will be available at the door or you can call 410-430-6687 for tickets or more information.
Both boxers are slated to compete in Salisbury on Sat January 19th at the Main St Gym, along with other Main St boxers matching up wit fighter from around the east coast.
Tickets will be available at the door or you can call 410-430-6687 for tickets or more information.
Maryland's Top Court To Hear Death Penalty Challenge
Maryland's highest court is scheduled to hear a challenge to the state's death penalty law next week, just weeks before the state legislature is expected to weigh a ban on capital punishment.
The challenge was brought by attorneys for Jody Lee Miles, of Wicomico County, who was convicted of robbing and killing Salisbury theater manager Edward Atkinson in 1997.
Miles was sentenced to death in March 1998. He has brought a string of failed appeals since his sentencing, with the Maryland Court of Appeals upholding the sentence last year. In the latest appeal, slated for that court on Jan. 3, Miles' attorney is arguing that the state's death penalty law is illegal under the state constitution.
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The challenge was brought by attorneys for Jody Lee Miles, of Wicomico County, who was convicted of robbing and killing Salisbury theater manager Edward Atkinson in 1997.
Miles was sentenced to death in March 1998. He has brought a string of failed appeals since his sentencing, with the Maryland Court of Appeals upholding the sentence last year. In the latest appeal, slated for that court on Jan. 3, Miles' attorney is arguing that the state's death penalty law is illegal under the state constitution.
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Businesses Warn Of 'Coast Wide Port Shutdown' As Union Strike Looms, Appeal for Obama Intervention
Business groups and state officials in recent days have called on President Obama to intervene, and use emergency powers to "avoid a coast wide port shutdown." They warn it could cost billions, citing estimates that a 10-day port lockout in 2002 cost $1 billion a day -- and caused a major backlog in shipments.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is the latest to enter the fray and call for White House intervention. But a port strike would affect more than the East and Gulf coasts, where all these ports are located. It could choke supply chains across the country. Groups ranging from the automobile industry to the National Retail Federation to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the Cheese Importers Association of America are warning of dire consequences.
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SCHOOL OBAMA'S DAUGHTERS ATTEND HAS 11 ARMED GUARDS
Some interesting news has broken in the wake of the latest push for gun control by President Obama and Senate Democrats: Obama sends his kids to a school where armed guards are used as a matter of fact.
The school, Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, has 11 security officers and is seeking to hire a new police officer as we speak.
If you dismiss this by saying, "Of course they have armed guards -- they get Secret Service protection," then you've missed the larger point.
The larger point is that this is standard operating procedure for the school, period. And this is the reason people like NBC's David Gregory send their kids to Sidwell, they know their kids will be protected from the carnage that befell kids at a school where armed guards weren't used (and weren't even allowed).
Shame on President Obama for seeking more gun control and for trying to prevent the parents of other school children from doing what he has clearly done for his own. His children sit under the protection guns afford, while the children of regular Americans are sacrificed.
Source
The school, Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, has 11 security officers and is seeking to hire a new police officer as we speak.
If you dismiss this by saying, "Of course they have armed guards -- they get Secret Service protection," then you've missed the larger point.
The larger point is that this is standard operating procedure for the school, period. And this is the reason people like NBC's David Gregory send their kids to Sidwell, they know their kids will be protected from the carnage that befell kids at a school where armed guards weren't used (and weren't even allowed).
Shame on President Obama for seeking more gun control and for trying to prevent the parents of other school children from doing what he has clearly done for his own. His children sit under the protection guns afford, while the children of regular Americans are sacrificed.
Source
Major Accident On Rt. 50
Numerous patients. Ocean Pines medic unit requested to assist.
Study: More Casinos Don't Mean More Money For State
More casinos do not necessarily mean more casino-goers, according to a study released by the University of Iowa.
It's a finding Maryland may have to grapple with as its casinos double in number over the next four years.
The survey looked at how much and how often Iowa residents reported using the state's 21 casinos and compared the results to similar surveys conducted in 1995 and 1989. While the number of Iowa casinos has more than doubled since 1995, the percentage of Iowans who gamble dropped from 23 percent to 14 percent over that time. The number of residents who refrained from gambling grew from 72 percent in 1995 to the current 83 percent.
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It's a finding Maryland may have to grapple with as its casinos double in number over the next four years.
The survey looked at how much and how often Iowa residents reported using the state's 21 casinos and compared the results to similar surveys conducted in 1995 and 1989. While the number of Iowa casinos has more than doubled since 1995, the percentage of Iowans who gamble dropped from 23 percent to 14 percent over that time. The number of residents who refrained from gambling grew from 72 percent in 1995 to the current 83 percent.
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Lost Dog 12-24-12
Official: Navy SEAL Died Of Apparent Suicide
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. military officials are investigating the apparent suicide of a Navy SEAL commander in Afghanistan.
Cmdr. Job W. Price, 42, of Pottstown, Pa., died Saturday of a gunshot wound to the head while supporting stability operations in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, a U.S. military official said Monday on condition of anonymity because the death is still under investigation.
The official said Price failed to show up for an appointment and was found when others went to check on him.
Price was from Virginia Beach, Va.-based SEAL Team 4, which is part of the mission to train Afghan local police to stave off the Taliban in remote parts of Afghanistan.
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Cmdr. Job W. Price, 42, of Pottstown, Pa., died Saturday of a gunshot wound to the head while supporting stability operations in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, a U.S. military official said Monday on condition of anonymity because the death is still under investigation.
The official said Price failed to show up for an appointment and was found when others went to check on him.
Price was from Virginia Beach, Va.-based SEAL Team 4, which is part of the mission to train Afghan local police to stave off the Taliban in remote parts of Afghanistan.
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Iran: Computer Worm Strikes Again; U.S. Blamed
An Iranian semi-official news agency says there has been another cyberattack by the sophisticated computer worm Stuxnet, this time on the industries in the country's south.
Tuesday's report by ISNA quotes provincial civil defense chief Ali Akbar Akhavan as saying the virus targeted a power plant and some other industries in Hormozgan province in recent months.
Akhavan says Iranian computer experts were able to "successfully stop" the worm.
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Tuesday's report by ISNA quotes provincial civil defense chief Ali Akbar Akhavan as saying the virus targeted a power plant and some other industries in Hormozgan province in recent months.
Akhavan says Iranian computer experts were able to "successfully stop" the worm.
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Lost Dog 12-26-12
There Is Such A Thing As The Milk Cliff: If Congress Doesn’t Act Soon, Prices Could Double
For the apparently shrinking amount of milk drinkers out there, we’ve got some bad news: There’s a thing called the Milk Cliff, and we’re standing on it. If Congress doesn’t act on a new farm bill that amends a policy from 1949, the price of a gallon of milk could increase and possibly even double.
Firemen's Killer Left Chilling Note, Deaths At 3
William Spengler, 62, who served 17 years in prison for manslaughter in the 1980 hammer slaying of his grandmother, set his house afire before dawn Christmas Eve before taking a revolver, a shotgun and a semiautomatic rifle to a sniper position outside, Police Chief Gerald Pickering said.
The death toll rose to three as police revealed that a body believed to be the killer's 67-year-old sister, Cheryl Spengler, was found in his fire-ravaged home.
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Twinkies & Wonder Bread To Likely End Up With Different Parents Following Hostess Collapse
As potential buyers line up to pick the sweet, slightly artificial-tasting bones of Hostess, it appears more and more likely that the company’s snacks will end up under new ownership that doesn’t include Hostess’ bread brands.
It’s like one of those industrial revolution tales of orphaned siblings being split up and sent off to live with different sets of parents. Except this is about snack cakes and incredibly white sandwich bread, so it’s even more heartbreaking.
It’s like one of those industrial revolution tales of orphaned siblings being split up and sent off to live with different sets of parents. Except this is about snack cakes and incredibly white sandwich bread, so it’s even more heartbreaking.
Ready For A New Toll In Maryland?
A new toll could be added one of the D.C. region's busy roads, if a state lawmaker gets his way.
The idea is to add a new toll at the Maryland border with Pennsylvania along U.S. Route 15, and it comes in a bill introduced by Maryland Sen. Ron Young.
He wants the money to help pay for three road projects, including a Route 15 interchange at Monocacy Boulevard north of the city of Frederick, and the widening of Route 15 in the city of Frederick from two to three lanes in each direction.
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The idea is to add a new toll at the Maryland border with Pennsylvania along U.S. Route 15, and it comes in a bill introduced by Maryland Sen. Ron Young.
He wants the money to help pay for three road projects, including a Route 15 interchange at Monocacy Boulevard north of the city of Frederick, and the widening of Route 15 in the city of Frederick from two to three lanes in each direction.
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Tuesday, December 25, 2012
INTIMIDATION: NY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES NAMES, ADDRESSES OF GUN PERMIT HOLDERS
The map indicates the addresses of all pistol permit holders in Westchester and Rockland counties. Each dot represents an individual permit holder licensed to own a handgun — a pistol or revolver. The data does not include owners of long guns — rifles or shotguns — which can be purchased without a permit. Being included in this map does not mean the individual at a specific location owns a weapon, just that they are licensed to do so.The newspaper didn’t even feel it necessary to publish a rationale for that violation of privacy – publishing the names and addresses of gun owners makes them more vulnerable to robbery when they aren’t at home, since criminals will know where the guns are.
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Other Cops Give Newtown Police Christmas Off
On Christmas Day, thanks to a grassroots effort by their fellow law enforcement brethren in nearby communities, Newtown's police officers will be the recipients of a rare gift in their profession -- a holiday off, for the entire force.
"Patrol officers and sworn personnel will be given the day off to be home on Christmas. Officers from surrounding towns will be patrolling Newtown," police Sgt. Steve Santucci of Newtown told CNN.
Newtown police have been working nonstop since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14. The school shooting claimed the lives of 20 children and six faculty members, leaving a close-knit community -- and its police force -- still reeling 10 days later.
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Police: Employee Of Coin Shop Shoots & Kills Intruder
Anne Arundel County Police say an employee of a Glen Burnie business shot and killed someone who was trying to break into his store this morning.
Lt. John McAndrew told WBAL News the shooting took place at around 6:30 this morning at the Arundel Cards and Coins on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard.
The employee told police that a man had broken into the store. A fight broke out, and the intruder was shot. Police say the intruder ran out of the shop and collapsed in the parking lot.
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Lt. John McAndrew told WBAL News the shooting took place at around 6:30 this morning at the Arundel Cards and Coins on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard.
The employee told police that a man had broken into the store. A fight broke out, and the intruder was shot. Police say the intruder ran out of the shop and collapsed in the parking lot.
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Police Investigating Another Fire in Accomack Co.
Virginia State Police agents are investigating a barn fire that occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
The fire occurred at 26000 Nelsonia Road, a news release from state police said. Agents responded to the scene and are investigating.
If determined to be an arson, it would be the 39th in Accomack County since Nov. 13.
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The fire occurred at 26000 Nelsonia Road, a news release from state police said. Agents responded to the scene and are investigating.
If determined to be an arson, it would be the 39th in Accomack County since Nov. 13.
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Merry Christmas From Heaven
I still hear the songs,
I still see the lights,
I still feel your love on wintery nights.
I still share your hopes and all of your cares,
I'll even remind you to please say your prayers.
I just want to tell you, you still make me proud,
You stand head and shoulders above all of the crowd.
Keep trying each moment, to stay in His grace,
I came here before you to help set your place.
You don't have to be perfect all of the time,
He forgives you the slip, if you continue the climb.
To my Family and Friends,
Please be thankful today,
I'm still close behind you,
In a new special way.
I love you all dearly,
Now don't shed a tear,
Cause I'm spending my Christmas,
With Jesus this year.
Hawaiian Surf
President Obama is pictured above as he wades in the Hawaiian surf.
Christmas Puzzle
Let
me
be
one
of
the
first to
wish
you a
very
Merry Christmas
by
sending
you
this
do
it
yourself
jigsaw
Christmas
card
Actor Charles Durning Dies At 89
Charles Durning, a two-time Oscar-nominated actor and World War II veteran has died at the age of 89 in New York, agent says.
We Can Rebuild Him
All kidding aside, Larry is in the Hospital/Rehab Center this Christmas Day and we want to send out a very special and Merry Christmas wish to him and his Family.
Christmas At The Gas Station
Instead of throwing the man out, Old George as he was known by his customers, told the man to come and sit by the heater and warm up. "Thank you, but I don't mean to intrude," said the stranger. "I see you're busy, I'll just go." "Not without something hot in your belly." George said.
He turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. "It ain't much, but it's hot and tasty. Stew ... Made it myself. When you're done, there's coffee and it's fresh."
Just at that moment he heard the "ding" of the driveway bell. "Excuse me, be right back," George said. There in the driveway was an old '53 Chevy. Steam was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked. "Mister can you help me!" said the driver, with a deep Spanish accent. "My wife is with child and my car is broken." George opened the hood. It was bad. The block looked cracked from the cold, the car was dead. "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away.
"But Mister, please help ..." The door of the office closed behind George as he went inside. He went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside. He walked around the building, opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting. "Here, take my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good."
George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. He turned and walked back inside the office. "Glad I gave 'em the truck, their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new ." George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The Thermos was on the desk, empty, with a used coffee cup beside it. "Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought.
George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do. Christmas Eve meant no customers. He discovered the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator. "Well, shoot, I can fix this," he said to
himself. So he put a new one on.
"Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car anyway.
As he was working, he heard shots being fired. He ran outside and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Please help me."
George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention. "Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The uniform company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct tape to bind the wound. "Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease.
"Something for pain," George thought. All he had was the pills he used for his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills. "You hang in there, I'm going to get you an ambulance."
The phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your car." He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two way radio.
He went back in to find the policeman sitting up. "Thanks," said the officer. "You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the area."
George sat down beside him, "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya. Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your gonna be right as rain."
George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked. "None for me," said the officer. "Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city. Too bad I ain't got no donuts." The officer laughed and winced at the same time.
The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun. "Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before.
"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.
"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George, "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt."
The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now give me the cash!"
The cop was reaching for his gun. "Put that thing away," George said to the cop, "we got one too many in here now."
He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you need money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that pea shooter away."
George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry. "I'm not very good at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job, my rent is due, my car got repossessed last week."
George handed the gun to the cop. "Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can."
He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup of coffee. "Bein' stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out."
The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot you. It just went off. I'm sorry officer." "Shut up and drink your coffee " the cop said. George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn. "Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer.
"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?"
"GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.
Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just dropped his gun and ran."
George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other.
"That guy work here?" the wounded cop continued. "Yep," George said, "just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."
The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"
Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas boy ... and you too, George, and thanks for everything."
"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve some of your problems."
George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring box. "Here you go, something for the little woman. I don't think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day."
The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw. "I can't take this," said the young man. "It means something to you."
"And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories. That's all I need."
George reached into the box again. An airplane, a car and a truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of yours."
The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier.
"And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that too," George said. "Now git home to your family."
The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good."
"Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after."
George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you come from? I thought you left?"
"I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?"
"Well, after my wife passed away, I just couldn't see what all the bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was gettin' a little chubby."
The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the holiday, George. You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry. The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.
The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists. The young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and not take any for himself. "That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man."
George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know all this?" asked the old man.
"Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your days are done you will be with Martha again."
The stranger moved toward the door. "If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."
George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the stranger was wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill the room.
"You see, George ... it's My birthday. Merry Christmas."
George fell to his knees and replied, "Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus"
Merry Christmas!!
This story is better than any greeting card.
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