DNREC Order Authorizes Use Of Lethal Action On Coyotes Posing Threat To Humans, Livestock, Pets

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara has issued a Secretary’s Order effective Jan. 11, authorizing landowners to use certain firearms all year on coyotes conditionally for human safety and the protection of livestock or domestic animals. The issuance of the order coincides with the effective date of new wildlife regulations that include the establishment of coyote hunting and trapping seasons in Delaware.

“These new wildlife regulations are based on modern wildlife management science, with the coyote hunting and trapping seasons designed to manage the coyote population at biologically and socially acceptable levels,” said David Saveikis, director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. “The combination of coyote hunting and trapping seasons to manage the coyote population and the Secretary’s Order authorizing landowners to protect themselves and their property from coyotes provides the tools needed to address Delaware’s relatively small coyote population.”

The Secretary’s Order pre-authorizes Delaware landowners or their agents to take coyotes, with no individual permit needed, on the landowner’s property under circumstances where coyotes present an imminent threat of injury to, or are in the act of injuring humans, livestock or domestic animals, subject to the following conditions:
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A Must Read: OBAMACARE

OBAMACARE - A comment posted on the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare FB page:

"I actually made it through this morning at 8:00 AM. I have a preexisting condition (Type 1 Diabetes) and my income base was 45K-55K annually.

I chose tier 2 "Silver Plan" and my monthly premiums came out to $597.00 with $13,988 yearly deductible!!! There is NO POSSIBLE way that I can afford this so I "opt-out" and chose to continue along with no insurance.

I received an email tonight at 5:00 P.M. informing me that my fine would be $4,037 and could be attached to my yearly income tax return.

Then you make it to the "REPERCUSSIONS PORTION" for "non-payment" of yearly fine.

First, your driver's license will be suspended until paid, and if you go 24 consecutive months with "Non-Payment" and you happen to be a home owner, you will have a federal tax lien placed on your home.

You can agree to give your bank information so that they can easy
"Automatically withdraw" your "penalties" weekly, bi-weekly or monthly!

This by no means is "Free" or even "Affordable."

Kinda sheds a lot of light on all of the arming and beefing up of arms for all of the domestic departments INCLUDING the IRS now doesn't it?

There's a war coming folks, COUNT ME IN!

Songs Of The Past

Songs of the past just great, you got to book mark this, its funny how
you can remember the words to these old songs , but you have trouble remembering your own name at times.

GO HERE

Evan Sayet - Best Political Comedian

Stop Stealing Our Sign!

In an effort to curb the theft of the 420 mile markers here in CO since pot was legalized the state has done this.

 

Shame On You, Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, a prominent billionaire member of America’s racial grievance industry, is claiming once again that the society that idolizes her is racist to the core.

In a recent interview with the BBC to promote the European release of “Lee Daniel’s The Butler,” a movie in which she stars and is considered an Oscar contender, Winfrey said about her friend, President Barack Obama:

There’s a level of disrespect for the office that occurs in some cases, and maybe even many cases, because he’s African-American. There’s no question about that. And it’s the kind of thing no one ever says, but everybody’s thinking.

What disrespect, exactly? Despite “some cases” and “even many cases,” what examples prove Winfrey’s flimsy accusation?

Winfrey gives but one example — when Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) rudely yelled out “You lie!” during Obama’s address to Congress about ObamaCare in 2009. It was rude for Wilson to do it, as he later apologized for it. But that’s it?

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Morality Versus The National Security State

One of the horrible consequences of the national-security state apparatus that was grafted onto America’s governmental system is how it has oftentimes placed Americans in the position of choosing between morality and obedience to the law.

Just this week, we have been reminded of the conflict between morality and law back in 1971, during the height of the Cold War, the “war” that was used to justify the existence of the national-security state apparatus in the first place.

The federal government was illegally targeting American citizens who were protesting and demonstrating against the national-security state’s war in Vietnam. In a free society, people are free to protest and demonstrate against anything they want. Freedom entails letting the government know that one is opposed to what it is doing. Freedom entails having the right to persuade government that it is doing wrong and to change direction. Freedom entails persuading other people to take a stand against government wrongdoing.

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New York Teen Arrested In Connection With Videotaped "Knockout Game" Attack On Elderly Woman

The First Brew Master’s Competition

SALISBURY, MD---Brew River Restaurant & Bar and Dogfish Head Brewery are teaming up for a one-of-a-kind contest. The first Brew Master’s Competition will be held on Saturday, January 25, 4-8 p.m. at Brew River in Salisbury, MD. 

Participants are tasked with coming up with a new “infusion” idea for an existing Dogfish Head line. Submissions must include the name for the new creation, the ingredients the beer is to be infused with and the name of the Dogfish Head beer used. The competition is free to enter and can be submitted by emailing info@brewriver.com or through any of Brew River’s social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @BrewRiver). Submissions are being accepted from now until one day prior to the event. 

The winner will become an honorary guest at Dogfish Head for one day and receive a VIP tour of the brewery with ten guests. The winning beer will be announced at the event and will be available for sampling during the Brew Master’s Competition. Dogfish Head will also have tastings available for their World Wide Stout Vertical. The winner must be present when announced. 

To enter, visit Brew River on 
Facebook at://www.facebook.com/.../Brew-River-Restaurant.../72349485589, on 
Twitter at www.twitter.com/brewriver, on 
Instagram atwww.instagram.com/brewriver, or email at info@brewriver.com. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 410-677-6757 or visit www.brewriver.com.

‘Main Street’ GOP Groups And Their Leftist Funders

Unions are funding Republican groups to help push through amnesty for illegal immigrants.

What do George Soros, labor unions, and money-grubbing former GOP representative StevenLaTourette all have in common? They’re control freaks. They’re power hounds. They’re united against tea-party conservatives. And they have all operated under the umbrella of D.C. groups masquerading as “Main Street” Republicans.

LaTourette heads up the so-called Main Street Partnership, which claims to represent “thoughtful,” “pragmatic,” “commonsense,” and “centrist” Republican leadership. Reality check: The pro-bailout, pro-debt, pro-amnesty, anti-drilling group founded by former liberal GOP representative Amory Houghton of New York includes three liberal Senate Republicans (John McCain, Mark Kirk, and Susan Collins) and 52 center-left House Republicans. LaTourette himself is a self-serving Beltway barnacle who held office for nearly two decades. Now he’s using his new tea-party-bashing platform to benefit a family-operated lobbying business.

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DEMOCRATS SAVE ILLEGAL ALIEN TAX CREDIT, KILL MOVE TO RESTORE VETERANS' PENSIONS

Senate Democrats killed an amendment from Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) that would have paid for unemployment benefits for many Americans and replaced recent cuts to veterans’ pensions by closing a tax code loophole that allows illegal aliens to access the Refundable Child Tax Credit.

The vote failed on Thursday 54-42, with all Republicans but Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) voting for the amendment and against Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV). Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) crossed the aisle to vote alongside Republicans in favor of the amendment.

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McDonald’s Sued Over Hot Coffee. Yes, Again

Times used to be, someone would bring up a lawsuit over hot McDonald’s coffee and we’d all sagely nod our heads and intone, “Ah yes, That One Famous Case 20 Years Ago.” But lately it seems what old is new again, as another Mickey D’s customer is suing the chain saying she was burned by hot coffee at an L.A. location.

It’s not like this is the very first time hot coffee since that first big case — there was this lawsuit from 2010, a caseinvolving a toddler in 2012 and in somewhat related liquids, this hot chocolate suit.

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Christie vs. O'Malley On Taking Responsiblity

New Jersey’s Republican Governor Chris Christie fired his deputy chief of staff for her role in “bridgegate,” a political scandal in the Garden State involving state officials closing lanes on the busy George Washington Bridge connecting Ft. Lee, N.J., to New York City.

Christie fired Bridget Anne Kelly after emails surfaced exposing her involvement in closing the lanes a part of political payback against Ft. Lee’s Democratic mayor, Mark Sokolich, who did not endorse Christie for reelection.

Christie said he was “embarrassed and humiliated” by the conduct of some of his staff.
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If You Don’t Want A Google+ Stranger You’ve Never Met To Email You, Opt Out Now

If you’re a Gmail user who likes to keep tight control of your inbox, with nary a missive gone unread, you probably noticed an announcement from Google last night waving the carrot of: “Contact more people you know.” Sounds great! But what it really means is that anyone on Google+ can email you, even if they don’t have your email address.

Yes, that Google+ user first has to move you into one of their Circles, which is a matter of a few clicks. And no, they will not be able to see your actual email address unless you actually respond or move them into one of your Circles.

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Suicides Of Young Veterans Top Those Of Active-Duty Troops

Whatever torment has driven U.S. troops to commit suicide in historically high numbers is following them as they leave the service, according to new data released by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Young veterans just out of the service and receiving health care from the government committed suicide at nearly three times the rate of active-duty troops in recent years, according to new data released Thursday by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

VA officials say the data show that severe personal issues driving self-destructive tendencies for those in uniform follow them when they leave the military. The figures were released through a USA TODAY public records request.

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Is Staples Cutting Employee Hours Ahead Of Affordable Healthcare Act?

Is it a case of following old rules, or a way to skirt paying part-time employees healthcare? That’s the question for Staples this week as a memo surfaced advising managers not to schedule part-time employees for more than 25 hours a week. Under the Affordable Healthcare Act, which takes effect next year, employees working more than 30 hours a week are considered full-time and eligible for affordable healthcare through their employer.

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Rare Blue Lobster Joins National Aquarium

OCEAN CITY- A rare blue lobster hauled in off the coast of Ocean City by a commercial fishing vessel in June 2012 found a permanent home at the National Aquarium on Baltimore this week.

In June 2012, Captain John Gourley and mate Tim Aulinskis aboard the “Pot Luck” out of the commercial harbor in West Ocean City discovered a rare blue lobster in their harvest and donated the specimen later named “Toby” to the National Aquarium. For the roughly year and a half since, Toby was housed at the now-defunct National Aquarium in Washington, D.C.

This week, however, the very special lobster joined the ranks of the 17,000-plus animals at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. On Tuesday, Toby became the newest resident in the Atlantic Shelf gallery in the larger Maryland: Mountains to the Sea exhibit. The exhibit depicts the continental shelf habitat off Maryland’s Atlantic coast and has plenty of cave-like structures perfect for lobsters.
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“A Pathway To Prosperity In 2014”

The Right Answer for Maryland

“A Pathway to Prosperity in 2014”

By Delegate Mike McDermott

For years, Maryland has been losing ground on attracting and holding businesses and corporate expansion opportunities. The results can be seen in lost revenues and a state that struggles to keep up with their budget projections (currently we are over one half billion in the hole). The Brown-Obamacare roll out by the Maryland Senate has crippled future planning and expansion and left many without jobs, healthcare, or a future they can rely upon.

General Assembly Republicans see a Maryland full of promise hidden behind the fog of failed policies and progressive-liberal misadventures. All of which have served to limit personal and corporate liberty.

A bold agenda is called for, and Republicans will be offering solutions on all fronts. For starters, I am joining many of my colleagues in sponsoring a repeal of Obamacare to free Marylanders from this onerous law. Helping our fellow citizens address their health insurance needs can be accomplished without destroying our entire system.

Maryland maintains the highest Corporate Tax rates (8.25%) in the region and some of the worst in the country. I am sponsoring a bill which will reduce our corporate rates to 6% by 2017. This act would stimulate our economy and make us a more inviting state in which to do business. Diminished revenue from lowered rates would be replaced by expanding revenue from new business and those choosing to remain and grow in Maryland.

Our state is one of the worst when it comes to inheritance taxes. While most states have eliminated this final shakedown of the taxpayer, Maryland maintains rates that cause many of our citizens to flee to other states in their later years. To protect their families from this draconian tax, I have sponsored a bill with other delegates to repeal the inheritance tax.

When it comes to tax reform, there are many targets in Maryland. One area that I am focusing on with my colleagues is income tax rates. Our families deserve relief, not additional taxes. I’m joining my fellow Republicans in sponsoring a bill which would reduce income tax across the board by 10% for all Marylanders.

We continue to be a grossly over-regulating state, and I am sponsoring several bills to curtail the effects of big government on businesses and people. I want to require the state to provide a detailed fiscal impact statement on the rules they move to adopt when we are not in session. This was on full display with the recent Phosphorus Management Tool being pushed by the Department of Agriculture. This is a far reaching problem.

I have filed bills to address “no reason” permit denials by government as well as a penalty forgiveness bill for minor first offenses discovered during state inspections. Restoring the business community’s faith and confidence in government will encourage expansion and entrepreneurship in Maryland.

Lip service will not grow our economy. We must be bold, and change the way we think.

Alcohol Abuse?

Captain Craig Moreau was driving back home from Austin with his wife when he noticed smoke pouring out of an 18-wheeler on the side of the road. Without a second thought, the Houston firefighter stopped to help. Obviously, Captain Moreau didn't have a fire hose handy to put out the brake fire, so he got creative, and used the truck's contents to fight the flames. He asked the driver, "what have you got in here?" and the driver said, "It's beer! It's all beer." So, the driver, the Captain, and his wife all started shaking cans and spraying them on the flames until the fire went out. Captain Moreau said, "It's in [my] nature to help folks, but this is the first time that I've done it with beer." Most people hate to see a good beer go to waste, but even the Fire Chief was impressed with Captain Moreau's quick thinking. He said, "I support the extinguishment of the fire, no matter what the cost."

Feb 4th 2nd Amendment Rally

SFD Calls For Service 1-10-14

• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 20:07:27Nature: Allergic ReactionCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 19:33:15Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 19:19:30Nature: Odor InvestigationAddress: 618 Gunby Rd Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 16:25:34Nature: Flood With Electrical HazardsAddress: 104 Cherry St Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 15:23:57Nature: Pro Qa EmsCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 12:51:55Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 11:40:38Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 09:27:14Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 09:11:31Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 07:28:55Nature: Abdominal PainCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 06:46:37Nature: Structure FireCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 06:46:37Nature: Structure FireAddress: 517 Bailey Ln Salisbury, MD 21801
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 04:58:35Nature: Medical AlarmCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 04:40:11Nature: Unconscious SubjectCity: Salisbury
• Friday January, 10 2014 @ 01:09:35Nature: Abdominal PainCity: Salisbury

Say It Isn’t So: Nine Dealerships Cop To Deceptive Advertising

You can’t always believe what you see. Especially when it comes to car advertisements. Those ads promising low financing and easy monthly payments are probably too good to be true.

Nine auto dealers agreed to settle charges of alleged deceptive advertising, the Federal Trade Commission announced in a conference call and press release Thursday. Action is currently being taken with a tenth dealership.

The nationwide sweep, Operation Steer Clear, found dealers made a variety of misrepresentations in advertisements, violating the FTC Act by falsely leading consumers to believe they could purchase or lease vehicles for much lower prices.

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Craig, Haddaway Blast Emergency Obamacare Legislation

Maryland Lt. Governor candidate and state delegate Jeannie Haddaway pointed out fundamental flaws of the O'Malley-Brown Administration's emergency health care legislation which is intended to be a stop-gap measure for consumers experiencing enrollment difficulties on the state-run exchange.   The bill, SB 134, introduced today in the Maryland General Assembly, is the Administration's latest response to numerous technical challenges plaguing Maryland Health Connection.  

“The O'Malley-Brown Administration's ill-conceived emergency legislation merely shuffles people from the failing state-run Obamacare exchange into another state-run insurance program for a limited amount of time,” said Haddaway. “Trying to fix bureaucratic problems with more bureaucracy just creates more confusion and makes it more difficult for consumers.”

The bill shuffles people from Maryland Health Connection to another state-run program, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan, a high-risk insurance pool the state created in 2002.  The legislation requires that people must provide evidence that they could not sign up for coverage.  It is unclear how government officials plan to deal with those who may not have such evidence or simply gave up due to computer screen freezes and crashes. 

This transfer plan would only be in effect until March 31. That means consumers would have to apply for the Maryland Health Insurance Plan and then go back and re-apply to Maryland Health Connection.  The Administration is assuming that Maryland Health Connection would then by working properly. 

"I am very concerned that people will fall through the cracks and wind up without access to healthcare," said Haddaway. "The Administration does not know how many people are affected, nor what the cost to the taxpayer will be.  Moreover, if Governor O'Malley's health care point man and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown had been on top of this, there would not be a need for so-called 'emergency legislation."

Harford County Executive and Maryland Governor candidate David Craig, along with Haddaway, have previously called on the Administration to drop the emphasis on Maryland Health Connection and instead inform consumers of their rights to sign up for coverage directly through carriers or utilize the assistance of insurance brokers. 

"It is time to call on people who know what they're doing," said Craig. 

The Administration has previously estimated the measure will cost up to $10 million affecting anywhere from hundreds to thousands of consumers. 

BREAKING NEWS: Israel’s Ariel Sharon Dies

Former prime minister, 85, was in a coma for eight years after suffering a stroke.

From Fox News

Nation’s Highest Corn Yield Was Harvested In Henrico

It Gets Even Better Today

Last night we said we'd provide articles at least every hour throughout the day today for 24 hours. It gets better. We'll be providing articles from 8 AM to 5 PM every 15 minutes and every half hour from 8 AM to midnight. That is how it stands right now and it could get even better. 

So while it's raining outside and there's nothing better to do you can at least pop on here whenever you like and stay occupied throughout the entire day. 

1 Shot As Corrections Cops’ Love Triangle Turns Deadly

A love triangle between three corrections officers turned deadly early Friday when a jilted husband was fatally shot by his estranged wife’s new boyfriend during a confrontation on a Queens street, police sources said.

The victim — identified by police as 50-year-old off-duty corrections cop Jeffrey Ragland — was shot once in the chest by the boyfriend as the two men tangled on 108th Avenue near 227th Street in Queens Village around 4:30 am, sources said.

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Caption This Photo 1-11-14

As seen on Northwood Drive yesterday.

DUI Suspect Hid 19 Pieces Of Jewelry, Marijuana And Socket Wrench In His Rectum

HEIDLEBERG TOWNSHIP, Pa. - In early December, 18-year-old Christopher Scheller was heading eastbound on Old Hanover Rd when he lost control of his vehicle and slid off the road into a tree. Although his injuries were non-life threatening, a responding officer summoned medical personnel to the scene and Scheller was transported to York Hospital.

Upon closer examination of the crash scene, the officer found evidence suggesting Scheller may have been intoxicated. The officer then headed to York Hospital to have a chat with the suspect.

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Let The Sessions Begin

GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY'S PUBLIC SCHEDULE

January 11, 2014 through January 17, 2014

Saturday, January 11, 2014

NO PUBLIC SCHEDULE

Sunday, January 12, 2014

NO PUBLIC SCHEDULE

Monday, January 13, 2014

12:00 p.m.       Governor O’Malley to Make Remarks at the SS200 "Star Spangled Summer" Press Luncheon

Location: 21 Club, West 52nd Street, New York, New York

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

6:00 p.m.         Governor O’Malley to Attend a Rally on Minimum Wage with Lt. Governor Brown

Location: Lawyers' Mall, State Circle, Annapolis, Maryland

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

OFFICE SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 16, 2014

OFFICE SCHEDULE

Friday, January 17, 2014

OFFICE SCHEDULE

In The Long Run It Always Depends

Someone has finally explained the reason baby diapers have brand
names such as "Luvs" and "Huggies," while undergarments for old
people are called "Depends."

You see, when babies crap their pants, people are still gonna Luv'em and Hug'em. However, when old people crap their pants, it "Depends" on who's in the will.

Glad to get that straightened out for you.

Obama Super PAC Morphs Into Hillary Super PAC

Buffy Wicks, a senior Democrat operative at the pro-war Center for American Progress run by Clintonista John Podesta, is gearing up to run the Iron Maiden as president in 2016.

From CNN:

The main super PAC that supported President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election is scheduled to announce new hires Friday, as the group works towards transforming itself into a key super PAC for a possible Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign.

According to a Democratic source with knowledge of the moves by Priorities USA, the super PAC will announce that Buffy Wicks, a veteran field organizer who was a top staffer in the Obama re-election campaign, will become the group’s executive director. Jonathan Mantz, an experienced Democratic fundraiser who served as national finance director for Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign, will join Priorities as a senior finance adviser.

The source, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, said it’s doubtful there would be any announcement Friday regarding Jim Messina joining Priorities. Messina, who steered the President’s 2012 re-election campaign, is reportedly discussing the possibility with Priorities.

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GUNS (Virtual State of the Union 2013)

FUNNY: Clutch Player AIR Scare Rockets' Players

Student High On Party Drug Cuts Off His Own PENIS After Stabbing Mother

The 19-year-old, described as a "lovely lad", was believed to have taken meow meow before the incident at the family home

A deranged student cut off his own penis with a knife while apparently high on party drug meow meow.

The spaced-out teenager, 19, mutilated himself after stabbing his mother at their home, it was claimed yesterday.

Police raced to the scene after the injured 46-year-old woman called 999. Once there, they found her son hanging out of a bedroom window with blood pouring from his wounds.

Both were rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries in the early hours of December 29. Yesterday the mother was said to be in a stable condition at the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton.

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And The Most Popular Political Party In America Is...

The following poll results from Gallup represent the most significant domestic news story I have come across in 2014 to-date. Gallup polling in 2013 showed that the highest number of Americans now identify as Independents since it starting asking the question 25 years ago. Specifically, 42% identify as Independents, versus 31% as Democrats and 25% as Republicans. Even more interesting, the trend accelerated as the year progressed. If we look at quarterly results, in 4Q13 46% identified as Independents, versus 29% Democrat and 22% Republican.

This is huge, huge news and it seems that my long held belief that both the Democrat and Republican parties are set to completely disintegrate during this current 4th Turning. Earlier in 2012, wrote a piece titled, The Seventy Percent, in which I predicted that no matter who would go on to win the Presidential election, 70% of the public would be disappointed.

This sets up huge opportunities for non-conventional candidates to gain control of local and national office in 2014 and beyond. While I hold out limited hope for traditional politics, we must fight on all fronts for secular reform and the window right now is wide open.

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That's An Ice Pattern: Artist Uses A Compass And His FEET To Create Intricate Designs

An artist makes incredible delicate and detailed pieces of art just by walking over fresh snowfall.

55-year-old Simon Beck walks miles in the snow to make these incredible pieces that only last a day before being covered by a fresh snowfall.

The artist from Bracknell, Berkshire walks over layers of fresh snow with nothing but an expedition compass and a pair of snowshoes to create his slope styling art.

The orienteering map designer, finds spaces in between lodges and mountains at ski resorts to create these masterpieces.
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Saturday Will Be Another 24 Hour News Cycle

I hear it will be raining all day tomorrow so there's a good chance there will be more traffic here than usual. That being said, we'll provide news and information for 24 hours tomorrow at least every hour and many in between. Have a great weekend. Thanks for a GREAT week!

Where America Took An Historical Wrong Turn

America should never have replaced the Articles of Confederation with the United States Constitution. Although it is revered as the source and seat of freedom, the Constitution ensured freedom's eventual demise. The power it centralized in a federal government has gradually broken free from restraints. But as long as the Constitution is worshipped, rather than understood as a political problem, America will not free itself again.

The Articles of Confederation Emerge

In September 1774, representatives from twelve of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss how to respond to a series of laws called the Coercive Acts through which Britain was punishing its wayward colonies. (Georgia was absent because it required British assistance against rebellious indians.) This was the First Continental Congress. Its two main accomplishments were an agreement to boycott British goods and an agreement to call a subsequent assembly.

The Second Continental Congress met in May 1775 with all colonies represented. The first military conflicts of the American Revolution had occurred the month before: the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Congress quickly assumed the role of a provisional government in order to coordinate the war effort. The Second Congress appointed a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. The next day, it appointed another committee to draft a constitution to unite the emerging states.

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OC’s Pick-Up Law Approved; Skate Park To Get New Canopy

OCEAN CITY – Monday evening’s Mayor and City Council regular session had a light agenda, but some matters of consequence were discussed, including the evaluation of three-wheel scooters on the Boardwalk, considering heftier fine for flicking cigarettes out of car windows, a bid for a new shade canopy at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park was approved and a law to ban riding in the beds of pick-up trucks was finalized.


Pick-Up Law Okayed

An ordinance to amend a chapter of the Town of Ocean City Code under the division titled “Seat Belts” by adding a section titled “Passengers in unenclosed areas of motor vehicles” came before the Mayor and City Council for second reading.

A “motor vehicle” is defined as a Class A for passenger cars and station wagons, Class E is for a truck, and Class M is a multipurpose passenger vehicle, as defined in the Transportation Article of the State Code. Motor vehicle includes any trailer towed, pulled or powered by a motor vehicle.
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Comptroller: Delayed Tax Season Could Hurt Maryland Residents

WASHINGTON - October's government shutdown is long over, but it still could hit every working American right in the wallet this tax season.

The IRS announced returns won't start processing until Jan. 31 as a direct result of the government shutdown. That has Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot worried.

"We are dependent on the IRS to first process the returns," says Franchot. That needs done before Maryland can begin to work on state returns. And that means anyone waiting for a refund will have to wait a little longer."
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Florida Expanding ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law

Florida state legislators are a step closer to expanding their Stand Your Ground law to include the ability to legally fire a warning shot. The expansion being considered “would grant the same protections already in place under Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law to people who only threaten to use force.”

According to Fox News, a state Senate committee “voted in favor of the bill (SB 488) on [January 8] and a house committee has… voted in favor of similar legislation (HB 89),” as well.

If the expansion takes place, law-abiding citizens who fire a warning shot “would be immune from Florida’s ’10-20-Life’ law, which requires anyone who shows a gun while committing certain felonies…be sentenced to 10 years in prison.” If someone is wounded, the “10-20-Life” law requires a sentence of 25 years to life.

Read more

Have A Heart, Let Them Come Inside

Lost Dog 1-10-14: UPDATE

Left 01/09 in morning near Westbury Acres off Nanticoke Rd. Black w grey and white markings. Hard of sight and hearing. Friendly. Would approach w food. Loves to be chased though.

Black Mob Violence In Rochester: Get Used To It

Rochester does not have a problem with black mob violence. Or black on white crime. The city does, however, have a problem with white people who are not used to it.

So says a Rochester city councilman.

The latest example is a “disturbing” video of a group of black people laughing and dancing as they talk about how they are going wait for an “old lady” to leave a convenience story, then smash her in the face with a snow ball. And a fist.

Which they did. Thanks to the efforts of local activist Davy V., police have a copy of the video and know who the culprits are. And they will talk to them eventually. But police told the local paper it looks more like harassment than assault.

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Berlin’s Downtown Culinary Offerings Continue To Expand

BERLIN — Berlin’s growing culinary culture has jumped forward again with the opening of one long anticipated restaurant and the announcement of a second planned for this spring.

Owners for both establishments were at the Historic District Commission (HDC) this week requesting signage approval with one of the requests approved and the other tabled due to lack of a quorum.

Eatery options in Berlin had been restrictive with only three restaurants located downtown for many years. But the addition of a deli and two other restaurants over the past two years made dining options much more flexible. Now, with The Burley Inn Tavern open and The Blacksmith on its way, Berlin will have even more options to grab a bite downtown, something HDC member Mary Moore was excited to see.
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Obama administration Guidelines Could Lead To Racial Quotas In School Discipline

How discipline is doled out in the classroom now will be under much closer scrutiny by the federal government, but some analysts say the Obama administration’s efforts ultimately may backfire and could lead to de facto racial quotas in American schools.

The Education Department and the Justice Department on Wednesday issued new “guidance” to ensure minority students aren’t punished through suspension, expulsion or other means more than their white peers. The administration cited legal authority under Titles IV and VI in offering detailed rules for how school districts can administer discipline.

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Federal Law Says You CAN Opt Out Of Obamacare And CAN NOT Be Penalized If You Do

Ever heard of a federal law 42 USC § 18115: Freedom Not to Participate in Federal Health Insurance Programs?

I haven’t either.

But thanks to FOTM reader Joseph, now we all do!

This is how Cornell University Law School’s website describes 42 USC § 18115:

No individual, company, business, nonprofit entity, or health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall be required to participate in any Federal health insurance program created under this Act(or any amendmentsmade by this Act), or in any Federal health insurance program expanded by this Act (or any such amendments), and there shall be no penalty or fine imposed upon any such issuer for choosing not to participate in such programs.

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Common Core Generates Bill To Drop Old Tests In Md. Public Schools

Emergency legislation to stop Maryland from administering a federally mandated student assessment test was introduced Thursday in the House of Delegates with strong bipartisan sponsorship.

The Maryland Student Assessment test (MSA) is slated to be phased out after this year, when it will be administered once more this spring. But the test is considered outdated because it doesn’t test for what students are learning in classrooms this year under the state’s new Common Core education curriculum.

“The MSA tests students on material they aren’t being taught, and takes away valuable teaching time to do it,” said Del. Eric Luedtke, D-Montgomery, the lead sponsor of the House bill. “It’s testing for the sake of testing, and we should not be giving it.”
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$292 Million Down The Drain: White House Fires Main Obamacare IT Contractor

Proving once again that if you want something done wrong, and preferably at massive cost overruns, then just leave it to the government, moments ago news broke that the main IT contractor behind the embarrassment that is healthcare.gov - CGI Federal - has been fired. Who could possibly foresee this? Well, anyone who had actually done some diligence on the clusterfuck that is CGI Federal, and which as WaPo profiled some time ago, "is filled with executives from a company that mishandled at least 20 other government IT projects, including a flawed effort to automate retirement benefits for millions of federal workers, documents and interviews show." Make that 21. "A year before CGI Group acquired AMS in 2004, AMS settled a lawsuit brought by the head of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, which had hired the company to upgrade the agency’s computer system. AMS had gone $60 million over budget and virtually all of the computer code it wrote turned out to be useless, according to a report by a U.S. Senate committee." Sounds like the perfect people to hire in order to make a complete disaster out of the Obamacare portal - almost as if by design.

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DOJ Wants To Know 'Race, Sex, Disability, Age And English-Learner Status' Of Misbehaving Students

Schools Urged to Collect 'Demographic Data' on Students Who Are Disciplined

(CNSNews.com) - The Obama administration, concerned that "zero tolerance" policies are sending too many students to court instead of the principal's office, on Wednesday urged schools to back off -- particularly in the case of minority students and other federally protected groups.

"Racial discrimination in school discipline is a real problem today," said Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who joined Attorney General Eric Holder in speaking about the new guidance. Holder said "students of color and those with disabilities" often receive "different and more severe punishment than their peers."

While the nation's schools are under local control, they must follow federal civil rights and disability laws. And the new guidance for the nation's schools could subject more of those schools to federal discrimination lawsuits. In fact, the crackdown already is happening, as CNSNews.com previously reported.

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Record Number Of Women Not In Labor Force

The number of employed women 16 and over declined by 20,000 from November to December, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of women employed dropped from 67,882,000 in November to 67,862,000 in December.

Additionally, the number of women who are not in the labor force climbed to a record high of 55,028,000 last month. That was up slightly from the 55,026,000 women who were not in the labor force in October, and up 203,000 from 54,825,000 women who were not in the labor force in November.

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Senior Citizens In Charge At The State House

Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. took the oath of office as president of the Maryland Senate for the 28th time Wednesday. “I love this position, I love this Senate,” he told the chamber.

He has sometimes referred to himself as “the poster boy” for term limits. Only one senator, Sen. Norman Stone, has served longer in the Senate than Miller, now 71. The other 45 senators have known no other president than Miller, the longest serving presiding legislative officer in the 50 states and the longest serving in Maryland by two decades.

Miller was reelected 43-1, with only Republican Bryan Simonaire in the negative. Democratic Sen. Jim Brochin of Baltimore County, sometimes the subject of Miller’s wrath, abstained.
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More Than Half Of December Jobs Added Were Temporary

Once again, in its sheer panic to tout the quantity, or lack thereof, in the case of the December jobs number, the frenzied media and pundits completely ignored the quality of the jobs gained in the last month of December. Or lack thereof. Because as the simple breakdown below shows, of the 74K jobs gained in December, 55%, or 40K were the worst of the lot when it comes to wages or benefits: temporary jobs.

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Dog Survives More Than A Week In Maine Elements

When Christine Pierce heard about a family from Maryland who lost their dog while visiting relatives over the holidays, she piled her children and younger brother into her Jeep and went to look for it.

“I have a dog myself and I just know I would be devastated if anything happened to him,” she said. “I felt like I needed to go look, even if it was just for 10 minutes.”

The dog, a one-year-old boxer named Dempsey, disappeared during a trip to visit family in North Anson with his owner Jamie Cyrway and her three children, who live in Severn, Md., but were visiting Cyrway’s mother, Janet Boothby, for Christmas.
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Congressional Democrats: Global Warming Turns Women Into Prostitutes

Not content with making American’s lives miserable, Progressive Democrats now want to spread their wackadoodle ideas around the world in the name of saving women from the mythical ravages of climate change.

A resolution put forward by Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., and a dozen other House Democrats claims that global warming could drive women to prostitution, The Hill reported Monday. According to Democrats, climate change will affect women worse than men and could force poor women into the sex trade.

Where to begin with this. I suppose a good place to start is with the outrageously sexist notion that women are more worthy of Big Government Solutions TM than men are.

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Common Core And The EduTech Abyss

The Common Core gold rush is on. Apple, Pearson, Google, Microsoft and Amplify are all cashing in on the federal standards/testing/textbook racket. But the EduTech boondoggle is no boon for students. It's more squandered tax dollars down the public school drain.

Even more worrisome: The stampede is widening a dangerous path toward invasive data mining.

According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, the ed tech sector "is expected to more than double in size to $13.4 billion by 2017." That explosive growth is fueled by Common Core's top-down digital learning and testing mandates. So: Cui bono?

In North Carolina, the Guilford County public school district withdrew 15,000 Amplify tablets last fall. Pre-loaded with Common Core apps and part of a federal $30 million Race to the Top grant program, the devices peddled by News Corp. and Wireless Generation were rendered useless because of defective cases, broken screens and malfunctioning power supplies.

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Salisbury In Top 5 Of Most Dangerous Cities To Live

According to a new report, Salisbury, a small city in Maryland's Eastern Shore, is one of the top five of most dangerous places to live in the country.

In cities with populations of more than 25,000 people, the website Neighborhood Scout places Salisbury fourth as most dangerous place to live in the country. Salisbury comes in behind Saginaw, Mich., Chester, Pa. and Las Vegas Nev.

According to the annual report, the chances of being the victim of a violent crime in Salisbury are 1 in 42, drastically higher than the state's average, which is 1 in 159.

In recent years, Salisbury has been battling a large uptick in gang-related violence, crime, and prostitution, but city officials say that crime has actually gone down slightly in the last year, and point to the city's 2010 award as an All-American City -- an honor awarded by the National Civic League.

Still, some folks in this little community of just 28,000 people are shocked and outraged by the report that says Salisbury is only safer than just 2 percent of cities in America.

In an interview with Coastal Connection's Bryan Russo, Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton disputes this distinction, saying crime in Salisbury is on the decline.

Source

Note: For those of you who did not click on the link, this story was published, (as well as the one below) in 2011. Our intent was to shed light on today's article So Mayor Ireton, You Claim Crime Is Down In Salisbury, Eh? Within Maryland, more than 99% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Salisbury.

STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE ATTEMPTED MURDER SUICIDE IN ST. MARY'S COUNTY

(Hollywood, MD) Maryland State Police are investigating a possible attempted murder suicide in St. Mary’s County.

The deceased is identified as James Daniel Dean, 48, of the 43,000 block of Johnson Road in Hollywood, Maryland. Dean was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy.

The victim is identified as Angela Dean, 43, also of the 43,000 block of Johnson Road in Hollywood. Angela is the wife of the deceased and is currently being treated at the Prince George’s Hospital Trauma Unit for gunshot wounds.

Shortly before midnight last night, the St. Mary’s County Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from Angela Dean. She reported having an argument with James and that he was in the process of loading a gun. During the phone call, which lasted less than one minute, noise that sounded like gun shots were heard in the background.

Patrol units from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack and deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the scene. After forcing entry into the residence, police located James Dean on the living floor with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.

Angela was found nearby with apparent gunshot wounds and was provided immediate emergency medical treatment. She was flown by State Police medevac, Trooper 7, to the PGH Trauma Unit where she currently remains.

Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to process the scene. Sheriff deputies from the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Office and paramedics from the Hollywood Rescue Squad responded to assist. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit and the Criminal Enforcement Division/Central South continue the investigation.

What It's Like To Have A Brother With Autism.

Real Unemployment Rate Of 11.5% Means Difference To Reported Rises To Record

The gross manipulation of the unemployment rate due to the plunging labor force participation rate and the soaring, record number of people that are not in the labor force is by now, we hope, clear to all. Yes, millions may be dropping out of the labor force because they can't find a job which somehow means the US economy is getting better, but sadly the US civilian, non-institutional population keeps rising, and hit a record 246.7 million in December. Which is why every month we show  what the real unemployment rate would look like when normalized for the fudged participation rate by taking a 30 year average.

Today, we find that the difference between the reported (6.7%) unemployment rate, and the implied using realistic assumptions for the US labor force, which remained at 11.5% where it has been ever since the start of the Second Great Depression, just hit a record high 4.8%. As did the spin, lies and obfuscation by the administration that "all is well."

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Casting Crowns includes Salisbury’s Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in 2014 “Thrive” Tour

Salisbury, Md. – Multi-platinum selling group Casting Crowns experienced a landmark year in 2013 with three GRAMMY® nominations, a RIAA 2x multi-Platinum certification, multiple RIAA Gold certifications and more. Since forming more than a decade ago, Casting Crowns' message of hope has resonated with people around the globe, with total album sales surpassing 8 million. Moving into an exciting new season in 2014, the band reveals its seventh studio record, THRIVE, out Jan. 28, with Mark Hall's newest book "Thrive – Digging Deep, Reaching Out"releasing on Feb. 11. In support of the new record, Casting Crowns has also announced its upcoming national tour, "The Thrive Tour," which will feature Laura Story and For King & Country and will kick off in Lexington, Ky. on Feb. 20. The tour includes a stop at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, Md. on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

THRIVE includes 12 brand new tracks from Casting Crowns, adding to its esteemed list of hits and nine No. 1 singles. Working again with veteran industry producer Mark Miller, half of the record follows the theme of "Reaching Out" with songs like the upbeat, folk anthem and title track "Thrive." The remaining half of the record centers on the theme of "Digging Deep" with songs like the haunting and vulnerable ballad "Broken Together" that encourages couples in whatever season they are in, as well as the reflective lead single "All You've Ever Wanted."

Tickets range from $15-$65 (additional fees may apply). A special VIP Package can be added to any level of ticket for an additional $25. The VIP Package includes early admission, a Q&A with Casting Crowns and an autographed copy of Casting Crowns new album Thrive. Group discounts are available for ten or more. For more information, and to purchase tickets visit www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, call 410.548.4911 or visit the WY&CC Box Office at 500 Glen Ave., Salisbury (open M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Illinois Taxpayers Paying Billions To ‘Manage’ Debt

Illinois taxpayers realize the state is buried in debt.

Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension systems alone owe at least $130 billion, but now comes a new warning about the high cost of simply managing that debt.

In her latest fiscal report, Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka warns that Illinois will see billion dollar payments in interest on the state’s exploding debt.

“(Last year) Illinois spent $1.45 billion on its general obligation bonds’ interest alone,” Topinka wrote in the December Fiscal Focus report. “Every dollar spent on interest is a dollar not spent on some other pressing need.”

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WCSO Press Release 1-10-14

Press Releases 1/10/2013

PRESS RELEASE

Incident: WCSO Activity

Location: Wicomico County

• On 9 January 2014 at 12:49 AM, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Mario E. Curvan, 20 of Springfield Gardens, NY, for erratic and negligent driving on U.S. 13. During the encounter, the deputy recovered what was recognized as marijuana from Curvan and his two passengers. All three were charged on criminal citations and released pending a future court date.

• On 9 January 2014 at 12:36 PM a deputy arrested Danyal Donta Dashiell, 39 of Salisbury, on an open arrest warrant. The warrant was issued back in August 2011 after locating marijuana and cocaine at Dashiell’s residence during an investigation. Dashiell was not there at that time which resulted in the issuance of the warrant. Dashiell was detained on a bond of $5,000.00.

Dashiell, Danyal

• On 9 January 2014 at 2:30 PM a deputy arrested Dana Lynn Chamberlin, 35 of Salisbury, on an outstanding District Court Bench Warrant. The warrant was issued after Chamberlin violated the terms of her probation in a CDS Possession case. Chamberlin was detained without bond.

Chamberlin, Dana

• On 9 January 2014 at 4:38 PM, a deputy arrested George William Bowden, 50 of Pittsville, on an outstanding Circuit Court Bench Warrant at an address in the 7400 block of Gumboro Road in Pittsville. The warrant was issued back in July after Bowden violated the terms of his probation after a conviction of Assault 2nd Degree. Bowden was detained on a bond of $5,000.00.

Bowden, George

Incident: Assault

Date of Incident: 9 January 2014

Location: 1200 block of Pocahontas Avenue, Salisbury, MD

Suspect: Percey H. Jackson, 48, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 9 January 2014 at 4:15 PM, a deputy responded to a reported altercation at a residence in the 1200 block of Pocahontas Avenue in Salisbury. Upon arrival, the deputy met with a female victim who advised that she had become embroiled in an argument with her boyfriend, Percey Jackson that turned physical. According to the victim, Jackson pushed her in the face and then onto the floor. During the investigation, the deputy observed signs of injury that corroborated her account.

The deputy placed Jackson under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance the Commissioner detained Jackson in the Detention Center in lieu of $40,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault 2nd Degree

Jackson, Percey

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Releasing Authority: Lt. Tim Robinson        Date: 10 January 2014

10 Things Disappearing From America

The country is evolving at a rapid pace, and that means some aspects of life that our parents and grandparents counted on are getting cast aside.

America just isn't what it used to be.

For better or worse, there's no arguing it -- the United States continues to evolve. Sometimes, that means a host of new innovations enriching our lives. But sometimes, that also means some things once considered "the norm" are falling by the wayside.

A timely for-instance: a full day's rest on Thanksgiving. Once considered a fairly untouchable day for most Americans (outside of critical services and the National Football League), deal-hungry Americans have turned retailers gutsy enough to bleed Black Friday specials well into Thanksgiving Day itself.

So what else is fading into black? Here's a look at 10 things disappearing across America:

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The Unintended Consequences Of Pot Legalization

JUST IN: Federal Government Will Recognize Same-Sex Marriages In Utah

Attorney General Eric Holder says the federal government will recognize same-sex marriages in Utah, despite an earlier announcement this week from the state's governor saying the state would not.
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Plea In Mortgage Fraud Scheme

SALISBURY — An Eastern Shore woman now faces 30 years in prison after pleading guilty this week in U.S. District Court to bank fraud in connection with a scheme she carried out with her brother to obtain mortgage loans in the names of family members and using the proceeds for their own benefit.

According to the plea agreement, Jill Dail, 59, of Cambridge, was a loan settlement processor in the mortgage department of a Salisbury bank until she was terminated in June 2007 as part of a reduction in the bank’s workforce. Shortly thereafter, Dail was hired by the manager of the bank’s mortgage department to continue to do the same loan processing work she had performed as an employee of the bank.

The bank manager paid Dail out of his own funds and gave her full access to the bank premises, computer system and loan files. Dail continued to represent herself as a bank employee in her dealings with title companies and other businesses, according to the plea agreement reached this week.
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War On Poverty

Unshockingly, Democrats Blame Big Business For Obamacare Rollout

I’d like to say this is a 100% idiotic attempt to deflect blame, but there are enough business haters out there for it to partly work

(Politico) Democrats taking heat back home for Obamacare’s rocky online rollout say don’t blame them — blame Big Business.

Facing an onslaught of constituent frustration over problems with online exchanges, several Democrats have started pointing fingers at the companies and senior executives in their home states that have contracts to get the health care websites up and running.

Democrats have made a version of the argument in Washington in recent months, defending the health care law not only from Republican attacks that it’s a failure — but from the line that government itself can’t do big things.

Now that rhetoric — blame the contractors — is hitting local events.

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Knockout Game: Black Teen Hits Older White Woman For The Fun Of It Then Posts Video On Facebook

Hey Eric Holder, can we get a hate crime charge?

Rochester New York police are characterizing the brazen attack of an elderly woman as harassment rather than what it appears to be — another example of the hotly-debated “knockout game.”

The attacker, a young black male who operated a Facebook account under the name “True Goon Tocool Sneekey”, narrated his plan for the camera.

“True Goon”, who according to his now-deleted Facebook account attends John Marshall High School in Rochester, grabbed a snowball from the ground saying, “I’m about to smack the old lady with the snowball when she come out the store.”

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Define Income Inequality

Democrats are revving up for a huge national “conversation” on income inequality. This is in no small part because the Obama administration and congressional Democrats would rather talk about anything other than Obamacare.

But it would be unfair to say this is all a cynical effort to gain partisan advantage. For instance, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is certainly sincere in his desire to take “dead aim at the Tale of Two Cities” in the Big Apple. He and his team want to fix the distribution of income in New York by distributing it differently.

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