And People Wonder Why No One Wants To Be Affiliated With The Republican Central Committee, Or Party

"I FOUND SOMEBODIES BALLS"

Now WHY would any politician post something so suggestive on Social Media.

I have a friend who told me they refuse to run for the Central Committee because they don't want their name affiliated with some of the elected people on it now. I have to agree. Thank God for Photoshop though, eh. 

The Liberals on the Eastern Shore are laughing their butts off and again, I can't blame them. In fact, I'm ready to change my party to Independent. 

Congress Votes To Fund Nearly 300,000 Visas For Muslim Migrants In One Year

The House passed Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill, negotiated with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). A majority of House Republicans voted for the measure, which fully funds Obama’s refugee resettlement operation, all Mideast immigration programs, Sanctuary Cities, Obama’s continued executive amnesty for DREAMers, and the resettlement of illegal aliens within the U.S. interior.

In perhaps a display of loyalty to Ryan, three-fifths of the Republican conference supported his legislation, and even gave him a standing ovation following the bill’s passage.

In passing this legislation, the House has approved funding for the issuance of nearly three hundred thousand visas to migrants from Muslim countries in the next year alone.

Ryan’s bill accomplishes this migrant surge by fully funding every U.S. immigration program currently in existence, as well as funding the President’s expansion of the refugee program through Syrian migrant resettlement.

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These Are The 10 Most Ghetto Cities In Maryland

There are lots of people who throw the term ‘ghetto’ around. But which of Maryland’s largest cities are the most ghetto of all?

How do you decide if a place is ghetto or not? You ask the internet. According to the Urban Dictionary, a ghetto is defined as:

“urban; of or relating to (inner) city life” and “poor; of or relating to the poor life.”

Using that criteria, it’s not hard to scrape the internet, run some scientific data on where ghettos might exist in a state, and then put out a list.

After analyzing the largest cities in the Old Line State, we came up with this list as the most ghetto places to live in Maryland:

1. Hyattsville
2. Salisbury
3. Baltimore
4. Bladensburg
5. Cambridge
6. District Heights
7. Hagerstown
8. Suitland
9. Temple Hills
10. Elkton

In case you’re wondering, Edgewood is the least ghetto city of all we measured.

Read on below to see where your hometown ranked and why.

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The Fox & The Hen House

Last night a Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputy played a security guard at the "KEEP IT SAFE" liquor store next to Giant in Salisbury. 

What we found very interesting was the while he was on the job he kept his vehicle parked in the "FIRE LANE," you know, the same place they write us civilians extremely expensive tickets for. 

No, this was not just an officer stopping in to check on things. His vehicle was parked there for hours. 

What is also interesting is how the taxpayers have their own security system for their own business. Hence, the fox & the hen house title. 

Let's see. Five dispensaries throughout the County and Sheriff's Deputies collecting, (double dipping) additional money to PROTECT a business that should already be protected anyway! It's no wonder why so many Officers are making a good $100,000.00 a year. 

The person who sent these images said to me, I wanted to steal something just to see if the obese officer could actually catch me. He guaranteed me there was no way the officer could ever do so. Especially since he was sitting in a chair. Must have been a LONG day, eh officer?

Sheriff Mike Lewis On Fox News

If video is not loading for you, click on the title of this post.

“Millions of dollars of damage had been done to Baltimore City, and not one of those individuals has been held...
Posted by Fox News on Thursday, December 17, 2015

 

Headquarters Live Wants A Full Liquor Tavern License & Underage Patrons

In another strange event at the County Council Meeting last Tuesday, the owners and their attorney confronted the Council asking for their blessing to get a full tavern license, (including hard liquor) while also allowing underage patrons to participate.

Their attorney stated that there is such a venue in Montgomery County but excluded the full details such as the other establishment also serves food and Headquarters Live does not. 

The owners were asking the Council to support new legislation that would allow them to do this and guess what, the majority of Council Members agreed.

Once again, it's all about who you know. You have one Council Member who wants to start manufacturing marijuana and he'll quit the Council once his influence allows he and his partners to obtain the license. 

You have an entire City Council who SOLD the building to Joey Gilkerson and Brad Gillis under the pretense that it was going to be an arts & entertainment venue. Many other local bars and restaurants fought the original concept because they felt it would compete with their businesses when they, (together) have invested millions of dollars into their businesses and this building was being sold for $70,000.00. 

Now all of a sudden, (as politics usually go in Salisbury) they want to change the original concept and agreement. 

What's even more interesting is the fact that once again, this was brought in front of the County Council. We published an article yesterday that went nuts referencing the Liquor Dispensary wanting to give away free shots to the public and just like Headquarters Live, THEY HAVE NO SAY! 

So why, might you ask, are they even confronting the Council. Well, because they want to go to the Liquor Board with strength by saying the County Council agrees to this. Funny how they haven't gone to the CITY Council where they are located and or where the original agreement for sale was created. 

Now look, it's no secret that I like Joey Gilkerson and Brad Gillis. Heck, I even like Palmer Gills. I'm a firm believer that everyone should have their chance at success. However, I'm also an individual that stands firm on being a "man of my word". Especially if I sign a contract stating I'm committed to something. 

The Liquor Board need not support NEW legislation that only serves special interests. This group knew what they were getting into when they purchased this building and they need to abide by those terms. 

As for John Cannon, STOP allowing this waste of taxpayer money by allowing special interests to present their case in front of an uninformed public on live TV. Heck, I can guarantee not one of the Council Members looked up the agreement these gentlemen made with the City in the first place, yet they support it without any background information. Is that the kind of legislators YOU want representing you? How many federal laws have been passed where no one read the actual language before it was passed!  

It needs to be noted that there are two kinds of tavern licenses. 

One is for beer and wine and does allow under age patrons. The second is  also a tavern license but it includes a full liquor license, yet it does NOT allow anyone under 21 on the premises. Headquarters Live has the beer and wine license but wants to expand to full liquor while asking state legislators to change the law by allowing under age people on the premises. 

Finally: the City Council sold that property under the pretense that the buyers were going to open a business with a family atmosphere to attract SHOPPERS into Downtown Salisbury, NOT just come to that one business and leave. It was never the understanding this was going to be just another Bar.

Why Beretta is moving its gun factory to Tennessee

Beretta USA says Maryland's tough new gun laws are the reason it's moving its factory to gun-friendly Tennessee.

The American subsidiary of the 500-year-old Italian company has had a factory in Accokeek, Maryland since the 1970s. The company has manufactured the M9, the U.S. Army's standard-issue sidearm, since 1987 at that factory, which is about 20 miles south of Washington, D.C.

Beretta is relocating the factory to Gallatin, Tenn., in early 2016, because it's worried that Maryland gun laws could force it out of the state.

Maryland is one of several states that have passed new gun laws to restrict military-style semiautomatic rifles and high capacity magazines since the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, three years ago. These weapons have been used in subsequent mass shootings, including the recent one in San Bernardino.

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Laura Mitchell Appointed to National League of Cities Finance, Administration & Intergovernmental Relations Committee

More Questions As To Where The Greater Salisbury Committee Is Heading

Could it be that GSC may be trying to grow their control. Look at this link and all the counties that they are publishing agendas, meetings, etc. for. http://greatersalisbury.org/Local-Government-Meetings.aspx

In some of these counties there have been forceful runs on gigantic factory farms, sweeping changes to zoning, etc. Same sort of thing we saw in Salisbury a while back. Were they practicing here before claiming more of the shore?

The GSC was created to assist with economic development through wisdom. It is now becoming a political powerhouse strictly for special interests.

BREAKING‬: Officers wrestle a man to the ground, detain him outside courthouse in Baltimore

#BREAKING: Officers wrestle a man to the ground, detain him outside courthouse in Baltimore. Police are not carrying...

Posted by ABC 7 News - WJLA on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Armed Robbery At Dunkin Donuts In Salisbury

SPD invest armed robbery dunkin donuts 13/south, 1 susp, no injuries #crimesolvers 410-548-1776 https://t.co/ta5vQEBj9r
Posted by Salisbury Police Department on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

A Viewer Writes: Debilitating Migraines

I am a 40 year old female that has suffered from debilitating migraines for over twenty years. I have sought all kinds of treatment ( CT scans, MRI, Chiropractic care and hormone therapy) no cause has been pin pointed and nothing has helped. I take a daily drug to prevent them and also a quick dissolve fast acting drug when I feel one coming on. I follow a proposed diet plan in which I stay away from high sodium and sulfates. It has taken over my life due to their unpredictability. I no longer can hold a full time job. I was dismissed over a year ago due to missing to many days. This has put a stress on helping my husband with the bills. I have applied for disability and for the past 6 months I have been seeing doctors they have recommended and still have yet to be approved. No one else in my family gets them. A lot of people cannot identify that a migraine is not just a headache. My migraines range to at least three a month for one to three days with no other pattern. I have tunnel vision, sensitivity to light and sound, horrible throbbing pain in my head and vomiting and I obviously cannot drive. If I am lucky enough to take my meds when I feel one coming on....my symptoms are far less but they make me sleep an entire day. If not, I will end up in the ER to get a cocktail via IV. I am exhausted. I have missed many important moments in my children's and other family members lives. Is there anyone that has any advice or can relate? I want my life back. I want to work and enjoy the many offering of a normal life.

MSNBC’s Melissa Harris Perry: Star Wars is Racist Because Darth Vader Is a ‘Black Guy’

MSNBC host Melissa Harris Perry, in addition tocomparing black people to the bestial Wookies, complained Saturday that Star Wars is racist becauseDarth Vader totally looks like a black guy.

“I know why I have feelings — good, bad and otherwise — about Star Wars,” Perry explained. “…I spent the whole day talking about the Darth Vader situation.”

“The part where he was totally a black guy, whose name was basicallyJames Earl Jones,” she said. “While he was black he was terrible and bad, awful and used to cut off white men’s hand, and didn’t actually claim his son. But as soon as he claims his son, goes over to the good, takes off his mask and he is white — yes, I have many feelings about that.”

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Following deadlock, Porter jury struggles to find verdict

BALTIMORE (AP) — After announcing a deadlock nine hours into deliberations, a Baltimore jury is resuming its work in the trial of William Porter, one of six police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray.

The third day of deliberations Wednesday follows a jury note to the judge Tuesday afternoon saying members had deadlocked. He told them to keep working.

Porter faces manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office stemming from Gray's death. Prosecutors say Porter is partially responsible for Gray's death for failing to buckle the man into a seatbelt and not calling an ambulance when he indicated he was in distress. Porter told jurors he didn't think Gray was injured, and that it was the van driver's responsibility to fasten Gray's seat belt.
Source

Mayor Jake Day Appointed to National League of Cities Community and Economic Development Committee

WASHINGTON – Salisbury, MD Mayor Jake Day has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) Community and Economic Development committee. This committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC federal policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation and international competitiveness. The appointment was announced by NLC President Melodee Colbert-Kean, councilmember, Joplin, Mo.

Mayor Day will not only bring his experience in city economic development to the Committee, but will bring leading strategies home to Salisbury. “Cities are economic engines, comprised of the places we live and play, the businesses that create jobs and the people who those jobs represent”, said Mayor Day. “I am honored to help our cities become even more efficient and productive and to lobby our federal leaders to support those efforts.”

As a member of the committee, Mayor Day will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the Administration and at home.

This map shows you where most poverty is concentrated in Maryland

Baltimore City and Somerset County have the highest poverty levels in Maryland, with each estimated to have more than 20 percent of residents living below the federal poverty line, according to new Census data.

The data reveal that counties with the highest poverty rates in the state are largely concentrated on the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland. Most counties in those areas had more than 10 percent of residents living below the federal poverty line.

The data comes from the Census' 2014 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates program.

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Jury Deadlocked in Porter Trial, Judge Orders Deliberations To Continue

The jury in the trial of Officer William Porter told Judge Barry Williams Tuesday afternoon they are deadlocked.

The jury came in around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Williams sent them back for more deliberations after re-reading some of the jury instructions. The jury did not say which of the four charges against Porter are at issue. The jury is not hung. If they were, that would be grounds for Williams to declare a mistrial.

Around 9:15 a.m. Tuesday defense attorney Gary Proctor made a request for a mistrial, and to move this trial out of Baltimore City.

Proctor told the judge his motion was based on the letter that Baltimore City schools CEO Gregory Thornton sent home to parents Monday, warning them of possible unrest. In the letter, Thornton said the school won’t tolerate any students leaving class to protest if Officer Porter is acquitted.

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WCSO Have Not Received A Request, (yet) To Go To Baltimore

While other law enforcement agencies have been requested to go to Baltimore, the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office have not received a request to help support the Baltimore Police. 

Maryland officers staging in Baltimore ahead of verdict in Freddie Gray case, police confirm

Police officers from neighboring jurisdictions have begun staging in Baltimore in preparation for unrest that local commanders hope never materializes.

On Tuesday afternoon, Anne Arundel County Police officers were photographed staging in Druid Hill Park with an armored vehicle, helmets and shields by local photographer Devin Allen, who was made famous after one of his images from April's unrest landed on the cover of Time magazine. Allen posted his images on Twitter, where he has about 12,500 followers — including many journalists. A Baltimore Sun reporter who responded to the park also observed dozens of officers and protective gear, though the officers were no longer wearing the gear.

T.J. Smith, the Baltimore Police Department's chief spokesman, confirmed the presence of outside law enforcement personnel in the city but said the images were "not the visual that we want to portray."

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Commissioner Manfred denies reinstatement for Rose

Pete Rose, who was given a lifetime ban for betting on baseball, will not be reinstated and will continue to be banned from working in baseball, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Monday.

"Mr. Rose has not presented credible evidence of a reconfigured life either by an honest acceptance by him of his wrongdoing, so clearly established by the Dowd Report, or by a rigorous, self-aware and sustained program of avoidance by him of the circumstances that led to his permanent eligibility in 1989. Absent such credible evidence, allowing him to work in the game presents an unacceptable risk of a future violation by him of Rule 21, and thus to the integrity of our sport," Manfred wrote.

"I, therefore, must reject Mr. Rose's application for reinstatement."

The all-time hits leader, 74, was placed on the permanently ineligible list for violating Major League Baseball's strict rule against betting on baseball on Aug. 23, 1989. Subsequently, the Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum declared that all players on that list would also be ineligible for election.

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Events canceled amid potential verdict in trial of Officer William Porter

BALTIMORE —The city of Baltimore and some school systems are taking action head of a verdict being reached in the trial of Officer William Porter.

The Baltimore County Public School System has postponed and, in some instances, canceled field trips and/or events in Baltimore City through Friday.

Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Gregory Thornton sent a letter home to parents, saying he's concerned about the possibility of civil disorder after the verdict announcement. He also wrote the district is taking every precaution to keep the students and schools safe.

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New York: Black Muslim Woman Takes Oath As Judge, Swears on Holy Quran

New York – New York Judge Carolyn Walker-Diallo, a Black Muslim woman took oath as a civil court judge in New York on Thursday, while swearing to abide by the U.S. Constitution placing her hand on the Holy Quran.

In the United States and the majority of Western countries, politicians and members of the courts are sworn in to their positions while placing their hand on the Holy Bible when they take their oath.

However, Judge Walker took her oath respecting the sacred book of her Islamic faith, the Holy Quran, while also wearing a hijab.

A video posted on Facebook shows the moment when Judge Walker was sworn in as a civil court judge of the 7th Municipal District at the Brooklyn Burough Hall in New York City.

“All is praise is indeed due to the Most High! I am humbled that my community has entrusted me with the immense responsibility of ensuring that EVERYONE has notice and a FAIR opportunity to be heard in the halls of justice,” Walker wrote on her website.

The video of her ceremony has prompted many comments in favor her induction.

“Good on her. Doesn’t matter if it’s a Bible or a Holy Quran, it’s just the promise to perform to the best of your ability, swearing on something sacred to you,” a Facebook user said.

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State and city law enforcement braces for verdict in Baltimore

Maryland law enforcement officials have been in direct communication with Baltimore police as the city braces for a verdict in the trial against Officer William G. Porter, the first officer being tried in the death of Freddie Gray, state officials said Monday.

“The governor has been pleased with the level of communication between the state and city, especially with the new (police) commissioner Kevin Davis,” said Doug Mayer, a spokesman for Gov. Larry Hogan (R).

Mayer said Hogan told community leaders in Baltimore during a recent meeting that the state would be “hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.”

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Kathleen Parker: Women in Combat Put Men at Risk

Crickets. This was the sound of America reacting to news earlier this month that all military positions, including ground combat, will be opened to women.

It is axiomatic that the White House, not just this one, makes controversial announcements when people are otherwise distracted. Usually, this means late Friday afternoons when there isn't much time for the media to make trouble. This particular announcement came on a Thursday, the day after two vicious killers opened fire on a holiday party in San Bernardino.

Ever since, all eyes have been on the assault and aftermath, as well as the antics of Donald Trump, while the notion of women in combat faded from the nation's peripheral vision.

Arguments against this move are many, some of which I touched upon in a previous column that focused on women's unequal opportunity to survive because of various physical differences. This time, I submit another crucially important but politically incorrect proposition: Men's lives will also be put at greater risk if women are in combat.

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SALISBURY SKATEPARK GRAND OPENING CEREMONY

Salisbury – Mayor Jake Day is pleased to announce that the grand opening ceremony for the Salisbury Skatepark will take place on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the site – 921 South Park Drive.

Helmets are mandatory, so skaters bring your helmet and be prepared to have a great time! All skaters must also be appropriately registered. Skaters 18 years of age and older must complete and sign a Waiver and Release form and obtain a Salisbury Skatepark registration sticker. This sticker must be displayed prominently on your skating helmet in order to enter and skate in the park. All skaters under the age of 18 must have the waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Salisbury Community Development staff members will be on-site from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. following the grand opening ceremony to register skaters who have not yet completed the required Waiver and Release form.

Deborah Stam, Salisbury Community Development Director, stated “The Salisbury Skatepark Committee members and I have been working toward the realization of this goal for eight long years. It is so gratifying to finally see this dream become a reality. The Salisbury Skatepark will enhance the quality of life for our local residents by providing a new, positive outlet for the energy and exuberance of the community’s youth. I want to thank the Mayor and City Council members who have supported this project over the years, and all the many City staff members who assisted with the construction of this very important addition to our recreational amenities.”
 
“A lot of positive energy and hard work has been given to this project by so many people,” said Mayor Jake Day. “I’m delighted to see phase 1 complete. I offer my thanks to Debbie Stam for her steadfast dedication to the Skatepark, and I look forward to seeing the skaters enjoy a facility for which they’ve waited such a long time.”

Byrd Stadium is renamed after Board of Regents approves Loh's recommendation

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents voted Friday in favor of renaming the University of Maryland's Byrd Stadium, backing university President Wallace Loh's proposal to change the name earlier this week .

Following the 12-5 vote, the football stadium will be known as “Maryland Stadium,” which takes effect immediately, according to the announcement.

Loh created the Byrd Stadium Naming Work Group in September, in response to petitions from students requesting that the "Byrd" name be replaced because the school's former president, whom it honors, supported racial segregation. The students, alumni, faculty and staff who composed the group provided Loh with “a thoughtful and balanced assessment of possible options,” the announcement said, in the form of two reports.
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Hispanic activists vow to flood voter rolls with 1 million immigrants, punish Trump, GOP at polls

Immigrant rights activists have vowed to sign up 1 million immigrants — mostly Mexicans — for citizenship and then quickly register them to vote in time to punish Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans at the polls in November for their harsh rhetoric.

The advocates say the new voters could make a difference in the presidential race, where most of the Republican field has tacked to the right in word and policy, and in key Senate races in Illinois and Florida, where Republicans will be reaching to hang on to critical seats.

“This is a huge amount of latent power,” said Joshua Hoyt, executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans, the group he and other leaders announced Thursday at the National Press Club.

The effort is funded in part by the Open Society Foundation, the project of liberal billionaire George Soros.

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JUST IN: Bowe Bergdahl faces court-martial and possible life imprisonment

Washington (CNN)U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will face a military court on charges of desertion and endangering fellow soldiers, the U.S. Army announced Monday.

Gen. Robert Abrams, the commander of U.S. Army Forces Command, ordered the court-martial on Monday, breaking with the U.S. military officer overseeing Bergdahl's preliminary hearing who recommended that Bergdahl be referred to a special court-martial and face no jail time.

Abrams on Monday ordered Bergdahl's case to a general court-martial, which means Bergdahl could face life imprisonment if convicted of "misbehavior before the enemy by endangering the safety of a command, unit or place."

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What Would You Buy?

Forensic Science Has Revealed the Real Face of Jesus

Forensic science reveals the most famous face in history.

From the first time Christian children settle into Sunday school classrooms, an image of Jesus Christ is etched into their minds. In North America he is most often depicted as being taller than his disciples, lean, with long, flowing, light brown hair, fair skin and light-colored eyes. Familiar though this image may be, it is inherently flawed. A person with these features and physical bearing would have looked very different from everyone else in the region where Jesus lived and ministered. Surely the authors of the Bible would have mentioned so stark a contrast. On the contrary, according to the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane before the Crucifixion, Judas Iscariot had to indicate to the soldiers whom Jesus was because they could not tell him apart from his disciples. Further clouding the question of what Jesus looked like is the simple fact that nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus described, nor have any drawings of him ever been uncovered. There is the additional problem of having neither a skeleton nor other bodily remains to probe for DNA. In the absence of evidence, our images of Jesus have been left to the imagination of artists. The influences of the artists' cultures and traditions can be profound, observes Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi, associate professor of world Christianity at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta. "While Western imagery is dominant, in other parts of the world he is often shown as black, Arab or Hispanic." And so the fundamental question remains: What did Jesus look like?

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CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Female Baltimore Teacher FIGHTS Student...THREATENS To KILL Her!!

Is Slavery Really Gone?

Wednesday marked the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which banned slavery. Barack Obama observed the occasion, saying, “A hundred and fifty years proved the cure to be necessary but not sufficient. Progress proved halting, too often deferred. Newly freed slaves may have been liberated by the letter of the law, but their daily lives told another tale.” He’s right that systemic oppression has often been a part of America — indeed, the human experience. He called slavery “our nation’s original sin” and described all the ways the struggle against it has unfolded over the years. It should go without saying that slavery was (and is) a vile institution.

What Obama failed to mention, however, is his own party’s long history of guilt on the matter. The Democrats' “Great Society” has done nothing but run up trillions in debt to continue poverty. As Mark Alexander wrote on the 50th anniversary of that travesty, “The human tragedy of LBJ’s soul-crushing ‘welfare’ programs is incalculable.

A rapidly growing permanent underclass, one utterly dependent on the state for its day-to-day existence, now constitutes the Great Society.” By design, Democrats benefit politically from that dependence and permanent racial grievance. Also by design, the first black president has only made race relations worse.

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Board of Education, Superintendent Announce Appointment of Kim Miles as Assistant Superintendent for Student and Family Services, Effective Jan. 1

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen and the Wicomico County Board of Education are pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Kimberly D. “Kim” Miles as Assistant Superintendent for Student and Family Services, effective Jan. 1, 2016.

“To increase the focus on student learning and to place a higher priority on improving behavior and changing our disciplinary rates, I am restructuring the current Director of Student and Family Services position to Assistant Superintendent for Student and Family Services,” said Dr. John Fredericksen, Superintendent of Schools.

As Assistant Superintendent for Student and Family Services, Mrs. Miles will retain most of her current tasks as Director of Student and Family Services, but will now carry increased supervisory responsibilities and will report directly to the superintendent. Goals for the new position include faster response time for student discipline processing and a greater focus on heavier users of disciplinary resources, Dr. Fredericksen said. In time, there may be other adjustments in the Student & Family Services Division as the school system matches needs with resources. The division will now be headed by the Assistant Superintendent for Student and Family Services, and it will not have a Director of Student and Family Services.

Interview With God

Lee Brice “Life Off My Years” Tour

Limbaugh: Is Jeff Sessions ‘the Only Conservative Left in Congress?’

On his Friday radio program, conservative talker Rush Limbaugh expressed disappointment in the House and Senate Republican leaderships for the passage of the end-of-the-year omnibus spending bill.

According to Limbaugh, Republicans should have long seen this coming and could have averted any impasse months ago. Instead he argued they were using that as cover to pass this bill instead of each spending measure individually in regular order.

“Who runs this place?” Limbaugh said. “Who has the majority of seats in this place? Ditto over in the Senate. What is this? Why does the clock always run out on an end-the-of-the-year budget deal when everybody knows months in advance the end of the year budget deal is coming up? How in the world does any of this happen?”

“Maybe that’s a rhetorical question because this is what the Republicans wanted the end result to be,” he continued.

“And of course when they’re called on it, naturally those of us who criticize it are going to be pointed to as the problem,” he continued. “Why is the only Republican in all of Congress who is complaining about this Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)?

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Panel to review Maryland’s school construction policies

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland officials are forming a commission to review the state’s school construction policies.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch made the announcement Friday.

The panel will make recommendations for more efficient and effective school construction practices. Maryland last reviewed its school construction policies in 2004.

The panel will include private sector representatives from the construction services and development industry, as well as local government and educational members and state officials. The panel will report back by December 2016.

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Rubio Misses Spending Bill Vote

Sen. Marco Rubio missed Friday’s Senate vote approving a massive $1.8 trillion end-of-the-year spending bill and tax package — a day after he suggested that he could try to slow the legislation down.

The Florida Republican, who is running for president, was the only 2016 contender to miss the vote, which is the Senate's final vote of the year.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), three other presidential candidates, all voted against the legislation.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a fourth GOP presidential candidate from the Senate, backed the bill.

Cruz announced his opposition to the legislation on Thursday, describing his vote as a “hell no.”

“This is what's wrong with the Washington Cartel,” he told "The John Fredericks Show." “Republican leadership has proven to be the most Democratic leaders we have ever seen. ...[This] does not honor the promises we made to the men and women who elected us.”

Rubio's missed vote comes after he suggested that he could use procedural tactics to try to slow down the legislation, which he said he opposed.

“We should use every procedural aspect that we have to slow it down and perhaps force some changes on these things we've been discussing,” Rubio told Fox News.

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Military Welcome Home Tonight At The Airport

This is something "Everyone" should do...Thank each of you for your service, and keeping America Free. God Bless you and your familys.
Posted by Hogs and Heroes Foundation, Inc. MD-8 on Saturday, December 19, 2015

If you are unable to see this post please click on the title.

Teaching about religion in public schools can be risky, but it’s worth it

On Friday, a Virginia school system made news by shutting down in response to hate mail and other backlash about a world geography lesson on Islam. Some parents had vehemently protested an assignment for students to practice calligraphy by writing the shahada, or Muslim statement of faith. While such a dramatic reaction from administrators may be unprecedented, teachers facing controversy as they try to teach about religion is common.

In this case, like others, school district officials stood by the teacher. Educating about religion has long been a part of the curriculum in Virginia schools and elsewhere. Most states passed standards during the past two decades requiring that students be educated about the world’s religions as part of social studies and geography. Some teachers were teaching about world religions long before the standards existed.

In writing a book about schools’ efforts to teach about religion, I found that Islam is singled out for fear in the classroom. Regardless of the teacher’s approach, opponents often claim that children are being indoctrinated into a faith they see as evil. Many argue against teaching Islam by saying they feel public schools have abandoned Christianity.

While schools have steadfastly refuted claims of indoctrination, the controversies reveal a reality: Teaching about religion is complicated. With lots of gray areas.

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UPDATE: Missing Dog In Salisbury

 

Scout has been found and is home!!

Who Wrote the Omnibus? Four Lawmakers, Many Lobbyists

The ugly work that went into the massive pork-filled omnibus spending bill snaking its way through congress is now starting to be exposed.

And it’s not for the faint at heart-- members of congress had little input in the bill and, in many cases, didn’t even know what was in it.

Senator Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Republican of Alabama, in a blistering interview Thursday night, shed some light on the details.

According to Sessions, lawmakers found out what was in the bill by talking to lobbyists, who had a better idea than they did as to what was being included in the bill. “No member of even the House and Senate knew what was going on,” he told Portland, Oregon talk show host Lars Larson. “Special interests did because we heard from lobbyists what some things were being considered.”

Sessions went on to note that basically four members of congress put the deal together without consulting their colleagues. “It’s not right for ultimately four members, in secret — for reasons we have no understanding of — to make critical decisions on things,” he said.

Sessions also bristled and how the bill was quickly presented to members of congress with little time to consider it.

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Dog's Best Day - Caitlyn

Gowdy: List of Visa Overstays Should Be Sent to Firearms Dealers

(CNSNews) - Never mind the secret and mysterious government watchlists: The government could and should be sending its list of people who overstay their visas to federally licensed firearms dealers, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) told two Obama administration officials on Thursday.

Speaking at a hearing on foreign travelers and national security, Gowdy said three groups of people currently are barred by law from purchasing or possessing a firearms, including people in the country without permission; people who overstay their visas; and even, in most cases, people who are here on a valid visa.

"Are those lists made available to federally licensed firearms dealers so they can make sure they don't sell firearms to those three categories of prohibited people?" Gowdy asked Leon Rodriguez, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and John Bersin, assistant secretary of Homeland Security.

"Mr. Gowdy, I'm just not familiar with the ATF process with regard to that," Bersin replied. "I don't believe that DHS circulates those lists," he added.

"Well, this is the frustration that I face, is that I listen to an administration call for additional gun laws," Gowdy said. "They want additional gun control in the wake of almost every tragedy. That's the very first place they run. And it just forces me to ask, well, I wonder how we're doing with the current gun laws that we have?"

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Numbed by death of colleague, police tear up seeing kids lining procession

Earlier this week, as part of a funeral procession of more than 500 police cars, officer Joe Groeger rode silently in a passenger seat. Ahead was a hearse carrying the body of officer Noah Leotta.

Groeger and Leotta had gone through the Montgomery County police academy together. Both were 24 and shared an apartment.

“Look at all of them,” the officer behind the wheel told Groeger.

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Pruden: The Deadly Dereliction of Duty at the Top

Franklin D. Roosevelt told a frightened nation on the eve of World War II that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself,” and it was a message everyone understood. Fear paralyzes even the strong. The United States had a war to win, and paralysis doesn’t win wars.

Now we are engaged in another great struggle (to steal language from another wartime president,) testing whether this nation, or any nation conceived and dedicated to liberty and freedom as this one is, can survive and endure. Barack Obama, alas, is neither a FDR nor an Abraham Lincoln.

President Obama is mortally afraid of offending Muslims, radical or otherwise, whom he imagines are the key to making America safe. He’s heard that pretty evening music from the mosque. He finally recognizes the painful truth that domestic and sometimes homegrown terrorism is more than “workplace violence,” but wants to put American safety in the hands of Islamic “partners” of dubious reliability.

Fear drives Republicans, too. When duty calls, earplugs can be a comfortable answer. Paul Ryan, the new speaker of the House, backed by a comfortable Republican majority, is mortally afraid of Barack Obama. He executed a monumental cave on the new budget of bloat, waste and extravagance that would make a Democratic spendthrift lose his breakfast, lunch and dinner. He expects, in connivance with the Democratic minority, to get the House to approve it on Friday. Mr. Ryan, with a grin as broad as the Capitol rotunda, looks in the photographs as if he had just won the lottery.

Many Republicans caved with him, showing no shame, and now owe John Boehner an apology. The Republicans in the House threw out Mr. Boehner for caves like this. He did it on nearly every issue crucial to the Republicans keeping their word to the people who sent them to Washington, and Mr. Ryan seems determined to protect the losing streak. We can expect the Republican tough talk to resume next year when the elections approach, voter anger subsides, the Republican candidates return with their begging bowls.

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Biggest BBQ

BIGGEST BBQ...
BBQ anyone???
Posted by DJ Reminise on Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Hagel: The White House Tried to ‘Destroy’ Me

Jet-lagged from a long overseas trip, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had just sat down with his wife for a quiet dinner at an upscale Italian restaurant in northern Virginia when his phone rang. It was the White House on the line. President Barack Obama wanted to speak with him.

It was Aug. 30, 2013, and the U.S. military was poised for war. Obama had publicly warned Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad that his regime would face consequences if it crossed a “red line” by employing chemical weapons against its own people. Assad did it anyway, and Hagel had spent the day approving final plans for a barrage of Tomahawk cruise missile strikes against Damascus. U.S. naval destroyers were in the Mediterranean, awaiting orders to fire.

Instead, Obama told a stunned Hagel to stand down.

Assad’s Aug. 21 chemical attack in a Damascus suburb had killed hundreds of civilians, but the president said the United States wasn’t going to take any military action against the Syrian government. The president had decided to ignore his own red line — a decision, Hagel believes, that dealt a severe blow to the credibility of both Obama and the United States.

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County Employees Get Free Fitness Room Perk

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners approved two measures designed to improve the health of county employees this week.

On Tuesday the commissioners agreed to ban the use of e-cigarettes, essentially any type of electronic delivery device like vaporizers, within county buildings. They also voted unanimously to provide county employees with free access to the new fitness center at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill.

“I’m personally thrilled for the new addition,” said Stacey Norton, the county’s human resources director. “I know I plan on using this. Speaking with our employees, there’s a lot of interest. In accordance with our wellness plan, I think it’s important we provide opportunities for our employees to utilize this service.”

Norton said many employees had expressed interest in the new fitness room that is the highlight of the 6,000-square-foot addition to the county’s recreation center. She said if employees were given free access to the room, interest might increase in the array of health-related programs offered at the recreation center.

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Open-Borders Money Backs Marco Rubio

Political analysis of the Las Vegas debate immigration dust-up between Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio is missing a key ingredient: the money factor.

You can read the lips of the candidates till the cows come home. But you'll get to the truth much faster when you learn where pro-amnesty power brokers have placed their bets and hitched their wagons.

Rubio's brazenly fraudulent campaign to paint Cruz as soft on illegal immigration is a flabbergasting attempt to distract from the Florida junior senator's faithful allegiance to the open-borders donor class.

Here's what you need to know:

Worcester County bans vaping, stops short of smoke-free campus

Despite objections from Emergency Services Director Fred Webster, the Worcester County Commissioners voted Tuesday to end in-house vaping at county facilities, but stopped short of banning nicotine consumption outright at the Government Center, courthouse and State’s Attorney’s office.

County employees may still smoke in vehicles, so long as only one person is occupying the vehicle at the time.

Webster’s main objections stem from his dispatch staff, where he had allowed eight of 24 employees operate electronic cigarettes at their consoles while on duty, rather than exiting the facility to smoke outside.

In a memo submitted to Human Resources Director Stacey Norton, Webster said, “With the advent of the vapor cigarettes many of my staff that did smoke regular tobacco cigarettes converted to the vapor smokes.”

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Trump: Congress ‘Threw In The Towel’ on Budget Deal

GOP frontrunner Donald Trump told Breitbart News that Republicans in Congress “threw in the towel” when drafting the 2016 budget.

“The only special interest not being served by our government is the American people,” he said late Thursday night.

“If anyone needed more evidence of why the American people are suffering at the hands of their own government, look no further than the budget deal announced by Speaker [Paul] Ryan,” Trump said about the Omnibus spending plan, which will likely be finalized on Friday morning.

The budget allows $1.1 trillion in 2016 spending.

“To avoid a government shutdown, a cowardly threat from an incompetent President, the elected Republicans in Congress threw in the towel and showed absolutely no budget discipline,” he said.

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Online Holiday Shipping A Growing Business For Many Operators

OCEAN CITY — As more consumers flock to online stores instead of brick and mortar establishments, local companies are busy juggling the balance between meeting the increased demand and managing the rising costs to do business in cyberspace.

“Our online business started with me driving a few boxes of crab cakes to our customers back in 2000,” said Crabcake Factory owner Johnny Brooks. “Now 15 years later, the shipping part of our business has grown more than a 100-fold and it has its own dedicated building and small staff managing it.”

Yet, shipping high end seafood overnight comes at a significant cost according to Brooks, and that cost is going up each and every year.

“It’s always been on the expensive side to do this part of our business, but [the shipping cost] is definitely going up substantially so we’ve really seen a growth in our gift card sales and our non-food items like our bloody mary mix,” said Brooks. “People don’t want to leave their houses anymore to shop, and with the growth of these sites, we have to be able to get people what they want quickly.”

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SPD Press Release 12-19-15 (Armed Robbery Investigation Wendy's)

Virginia School District Shuts Down After Backlash Over Islamic Assignment

(CNSNews) -- After defending a Virginia teacher who made her students copy the Muslim statement of faith known as the shahada as part of a calligraphy assignment, Augusta County Schools shut down the entire school system Friday when a backlash erupted on social media.

“While there has been no specific threat of harm to students, schools and school offices will be closed Friday, December 18, 2015,” Augusta County Public Schools said in a statement Thursday, noting the “voluminous phone calls and electronic mail” it had received “locally and from outside the area.”

The controversy ignited after parents learned that World Geography teacher Cheryl LaPorte had required her ninth-grade students at Riverheads High School in Staunton to copy the shahada, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, as part of an assignment on world religions.

Reciting the shahada is the first step in converting to Islam.

The passage translated from Arabic states: “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

LaPorte also invited her female students to try on headscarves, the Shilling Show first reported.

“Neither these lessons, nor any other lesson in the world geography course, are an attempt at indoctrination to Islam or any other religion, or a request for students to renounce their own faith or profess any belief,” Superintendent Eric Bond said in a statement.

But Bond’s reassurances did not assuage the 100 parents and community members who attended a forum at the Good News Ministries Church near the school to protest the assignment and point out that a public school teacher who required students to copy passages from the Bible would be fired, the Staunton News Leader reported.

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Grants Available for Communities to Address Impacts of Storm Events, Flooding and Sea Level Rise

 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing Community Resiliency Grants to local governments to prepare for weather-related hazards, including flooding, storm events and sea level rise.

“Community Resiliency Grants take a big picture approach to mitigating local storm and flooding events,” Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “Through this program, we aim to create twofold solutions that protect not only our residents and our infrastructure, but also the Chesapeake Bay watershed and water quality.”

At least one proposal will be awarded in each of the two categories: CoastSmart Communities, coastal communities looking to plan and prepare for hazards; and new this year, Green Infrastructure Resiliency, any community (including non-coastal) experiencing frequent flooding from intense weather events.

• Open to all Maryland coastal communities, CoastSmart Communities provides funding for local governments to plan for future flooding caused by both tidal and rain events. Actions include incorporating lower-risk planning scenarios into everyday decision-making and adopting long-term strategic plans. This program also focuses on helping residents, business owners, officials and planners understand existing hazards and the actions that can be taken to maintain a community’s identity and cultural heritage.

• Open to all communities, Green Infrastructure Resiliency funding intends to help local governments plan and carry out projects to reduce localized flooding risks. Project examples include green infrastructure practices such as rain gardens, permeable pavement, bio-retention areas, and infiltration trenches that focus on addressing floodplain and stormwater management while improving water quality.

Life Sentence in Murder of Baby Niece

BEL AIR, MD - A Forest Hill man was sentenced on his 22nd birthday to life in jail for the murder of his infant niece.

Colin Christopher Wolf, formerly of the 2000 block of Bay Meadows Court, pleaded guilty Friday in Harford County Circuit Court to the first-degree murder of his two-month-old niece Aubree Roberts, who died in April 2013.

Wolf spoke softly and in two-word answers as the judge questioned him to make sure he understood the plea agreement. When asked if he believed he was guilty, Wolf swallowed and said: “Yes, ma’am.”

He received a life sentence with all but 33 years suspended, followed by five years of probation.

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More than 31,000 Deer Harvested During Maryland Firearm Season

Maryland hunters reported taking 31,390 deer during the popular two-week deer firearm season. Despite mild weather across the state, rain on key hunting days resulted in an eight percent decline in harvest compared to last season. More than 3,200 deer were taken on the Sunday hunting days.

“Scattered rain across the state on opening weekend, combined with warm weather throughout the season, made for challenging hunting conditions this year,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “With Sunday hunting available in most counties, hunters had more opportunities to adapt to these conditions and achieve the harvest necessary to meet our deer management objectives.”

During the firearm season, hunters reported taking 20,041 antlerless white-tailed deer—nearly double the antlered white-tailed deer taken (11,349). Focusing harvest on antlerless deer remains a fundamental component in the effort to manage Maryland’s population.

The harvest of sika deer declined with hunters reporting 390 antlered and 581 antlerless deer, compared to 471 antlered and 670 antlerless in 2014. The bag limit for antlerless sika deer was increased in 2014 in response to rising agricultural damage complaints in the region. Hunters have responded favorably by harvesting more antlerless sika deer to help stabilize the population and reduce it to more acceptable levels in problem areas.
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Poll: College Students Prefer Free Markets, Call Black Lives Matter ‘Anti-Police’

A new scientific poll commissioned by campus activist group Young America’s Foundation queried college students across the country on social and political issues from the importance of free enterprise to gender roles.

The poll, which was conducted by Washington, D.C.-based The Polling Company Inc./Woman Trends, found that a majority of college students, 50 percent, prefer “smaller government with fewer services and lower taxes.” Just 34 percent said they want “larger government that provides more services and higher taxes.”

More college students, 48 percent, said a “strong free market” spawns a significantly stronger economy. Just 34 percent support a “strong/active government.”

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Congress Votes To Fund Nearly 300,000 Visas For Muslim Migrants In

The House passed Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill, negotiated with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

A majority of House Republicans voted for the measure, which fully funds Obama’s refugee resettlement operation, all Mideast immigration programs, Sanctuary Cities, Obama’s continued executive amnesty for DREAMers, and the resettlement of illegal aliens within the U.S. interior.

In perhaps a display of loyalty to Ryan, three-fifths of the Republican conference supported his legislation, and even gave him a standing ovation following the bill’s passage.

In passing this legislation, the House has approved funding for the issuance of nearly three hundred thousand visas to migrants from Muslim countries in the next year alone.

Ryan’s bill accomplishes this migrant surge by fully funding every U.S. immigration program currently in existence, as well as funding the President’s expansion of the refugee program through Syrian migrant resettlement.

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Initial estimates show slight increase in property values

The state Department of Assessments and Taxation delivered the initial estimates of Worcester’s taxable assessable base last Thursday, nearly two weeks late and showing the county regained some of the ground lost during the 2008 meltdown.

“The takeaway is that it was positive and that’s huge,” County Treasurer Phil Thompson said.

The full year real property base estimate for Worcester County in fiscal 2016 is about $14.7 billion, up from about $14.5 billion according to last year’s final projections. The department releases reports in November and March each year to aid local governments develop their budgets. The final tallies aren’t known until the money is actually collected and that number audited independently.

The assessment increase, taxed at the current rate, would generate about $1.67 million in new revenue. In terms of Worcester County’s budget of about $190 million, it’s a drop in the bucket, but it’s also not a loss.

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Army Plans to Double Training Days for Guard Units, Chief Says

The U.S. Army's top officer is planning to more than double the number of required annual training days for some National Guard units to reinforce the service's shrinking active force.

The service's current strategy of reducing the active force from 490,000 to 450,000 by 2018 is forcing leaders to depend on the National Guard to assist with potential future contingency missions, according to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley.

"I am going to lean heavily on the Guard," Milley told an audience at a Dec. 14 National Security Forum sponsored by the Center for a New American Security.

In November, Milley asked Army Lt. Gen. Timothy Kadavy, the director for the Army National Guard, to assess readiness needs of the Guard.

"We are one Army, so what I need to do is not only maintain the readiness of the regular Army ... but I have got to increase the readiness of the National Guard," he said.

Currently, Guard units are required to train 39 days per year, Milley said.

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Ken Cuccinelli Endorses Cruz for President

Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential bid Friday at an appearance in Richmond, praising the Texas GOP hopeful as someone who will respect rights and bring the deficit under control.

Mr. Cuccinelli said Mr. Cruz’s penchant for irking his own party leaders is reason alone for conservatives to choose him.

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The New York Times Has a Source Pollution Problem

A certain kind of source has burned the paper more than once this year.

The New York Times has a serious source pollution problem. As is now obvious, somebody fed the paper bad information on San Bernardino murderess Tashfeen Malik's social media habits. It was said that she was posting jihadist screeds on Facebook. The Times hyped the scoop by stating pretty clearly that the government—and the administration running it—slipped up. It was the inspiration for endless bloviating about how "political correctness is killing people" at Tuesday night's Republican debate. Then comes FBI director James Comey to say that, no, there were no public Facebook posts that the government missed because there weren't any at all.

More than a few people have noted that two of the three reporters who were fed this story also had their bylines on the notorious (and thoroughly debunked) piece about how the FBI had launched a "criminal inquiry" into Hillary Rodham Clinton's alleged mishandling of classified materials in her e-mails. Pretty clearly, somebody's peddling bad information and its apparent purpose is to submarine both the current Democratic administration and the prospective one. I'm more concerned about that than I am about the Times' having fallen for it. If the same source is responsible for both of these debacles, then that source should be outed by the reporters who currently are twisting in the wind.

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