DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, January 28, 2010
A Letter To The Editor
We all owe a debt of gratitude to the citizens of Massachusetts for election Sen. Scott Brown. Let's keep the momentum going until November. Perhaps then we can stop, and maybe reverse, the damage Obama and his henchmen have visited upon our nation.
Edwin B. Carneal
Edwin B. Carneal
Journalists Around Country Join Our Super Bowl Blitz
Journalism folks from California to New England are joining our Super Bowl Blitz. The effort, launched on Tuesday, aims to find out which members of Congress are attending this year’s Super Bowl and how they got their tickets. We know the NFL sets aside a large number of tickets for public officials and corporations to buy at face value. And those tickets can be used to give congressmen perks. But we don’t know yet who’s getting what. That’s where you come in.Over at California Watch reporter Chase Davis published the call-list for California, and is asking his readers to report in to him. Wisconsin representatives and senators will be dialed by folks at the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Reporting. The New England Center for Investigative Reporting has almost made it through Massachusetts, thanks to the hard work of Lyle Moran and Sydney Lupkin. They’re still looking for an answer from Senator-elect Scott Brown.
GO HERE to read more.
Board of Education Defers Redistricting Recommendation
The Board of Education received and discussed several options from the Superintendent’s Redistricting Task Force at its work session on Tuesday, January 26, 2010. The options included changing boundaries that could affect up to 226 students in elementary schools. The options showed potential changes that could occur if magnet-type high performance learning was offered in all intermediate schools or remained in the current centers.
The Board deferred action upon receiving the recommendation from Superintendent Fredericksen to delay the process until after the Superintendent’s High Performance Learners Task Force had an opportunity to meet to determine what changes or expansion of program would best serve Wicomico’s high performance learners.
The primary goal of the Redistricting Task Force was to help ensure that all school buildings have optimum capacity of 90- 95% with no school more than 5% over capacity (based on the State-Rated Building Capacity). In the school system, several buildings are over capacity and a few schools are under capacity.
The Task Force looked at the possibility of changes in capacity based on residential home sales and examined ways to improve balance by ethnicity and for the numbers of students receiving free and reduced meals (FARM). No changes were proposed for the boundaries for middle and high schools; the optimum capacity rates could be met or maintained through current enrollment processes.
The Redistricting Task Force met for three months and was composed of nearly 30 parents, community members, and staff persons.
The Board deferred action upon receiving the recommendation from Superintendent Fredericksen to delay the process until after the Superintendent’s High Performance Learners Task Force had an opportunity to meet to determine what changes or expansion of program would best serve Wicomico’s high performance learners.
The primary goal of the Redistricting Task Force was to help ensure that all school buildings have optimum capacity of 90- 95% with no school more than 5% over capacity (based on the State-Rated Building Capacity). In the school system, several buildings are over capacity and a few schools are under capacity.
The Task Force looked at the possibility of changes in capacity based on residential home sales and examined ways to improve balance by ethnicity and for the numbers of students receiving free and reduced meals (FARM). No changes were proposed for the boundaries for middle and high schools; the optimum capacity rates could be met or maintained through current enrollment processes.
The Redistricting Task Force met for three months and was composed of nearly 30 parents, community members, and staff persons.
Kratovil To Host “How To Pay For College” Forum
Washington, DC – Rep. Frank Kratovil will host two “How to Pay for College” forums for college bound High School Seniors in Maryland’s First Congressional District.
Saturday February 6th, 2010
9:30 am -12 pm
Chesapeake College
Rufus M. and Loraine Hall Todd Performing Arts Center
Maryland 213 & Route 50
Queenstown, MD
February 13th, 2010
9:30 am –12 pm
Perry Hall High School
Auditorium
4601 Ebenezer Road, Baltimore, MD
In addition to representatives from Rep. Kratovil’s outreach staff, representatives from The United States Service Academies, The Maryland Higher Education Commission, The Maryland Comptroller’s Office, The United States Department of Education as well as local colleges will be on hand to help seniors and their families better understand their educational options.
For more information please contact Karen Willis at (443) 262 -9136
Saturday February 6th, 2010
9:30 am -12 pm
Chesapeake College
Rufus M. and Loraine Hall Todd Performing Arts Center
Maryland 213 & Route 50
Queenstown, MD
February 13th, 2010
9:30 am –12 pm
Perry Hall High School
Auditorium
4601 Ebenezer Road, Baltimore, MD
In addition to representatives from Rep. Kratovil’s outreach staff, representatives from The United States Service Academies, The Maryland Higher Education Commission, The Maryland Comptroller’s Office, The United States Department of Education as well as local colleges will be on hand to help seniors and their families better understand their educational options.
For more information please contact Karen Willis at (443) 262 -9136
Uncle Steny: It's Good For People To Make Money Because Then They Can Pay Taxes
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D.-Md.) said in his weekly press briefing that it is good that Americans are making money again because it means they can pay taxes.Hoyer pointed to the fact that projected federal revenues have stopped declining and have stabilized as evidence that people must be making money in America.
More.
Kratovil Praises State Lawmakers
Kratovil Praises State Lawmakers for Protecting Maryland’s Children by Making Sexual Predators a Top Legislative Priority
Will continue to work closely with them on the federal level until fully compliant with the Adam Walsh Act
Washington, DC – Rep. Frank Kratovil praised Maryland State lawmakers for announcing a series of legislative initiatives targeted at protecting Maryland families from sexual predators and strict enforcement of sex offender laws, including lifetime supervision for certain sex offenses.
“I applaud these efforts to make Maryland’s children safer by making implementation of federal sex offender standards a top priority. I will continue to offer my full support and the resources of my office to help Maryland meet these federal standards in the fight against child predators,” said Rep. Kratovil.
On January 13th Kratovil sent a letter to Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and General Assembly leaders urging legislative action and offering his assistance to bring Maryland’s sex offender registration and notification laws into compliance with revised federal standards. Kratovil’s letter asked the leaders to make implementation of the revised federal sex offender registry standards a top priority for the new legislative session, and offered to work closely with state leaders in the effort to meet these federal standards. Click here to view a copy of the letter.
Senate President Mike Miller has since announced a bill to expand information contained on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry about the offender and require links and information contained on other states’ registries to connect to the Maryland site. Miller noted that many of the Bill’s requirements would ensure compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act. Governor O’Malley also announced a number of related legislative initiatives today, including a plan to reconstitute the Sexual Offender Advisory Board. O’Malley has asked former Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran to serve as Chair.
“This is an issue on which state and federal lawmakers must work together to ensure that our law enforcement officers have the tools and resources necessary to keep dangerous predators away from our children and Maryland families have access to the tools that will make them more aware of sexual predators in their communities,” said Kratovil. “As a father, a former prosecutor, and now a Member of Congress, I’m proud to partner with leaders in Annapolis in this fight.”
Will continue to work closely with them on the federal level until fully compliant with the Adam Walsh Act
Washington, DC – Rep. Frank Kratovil praised Maryland State lawmakers for announcing a series of legislative initiatives targeted at protecting Maryland families from sexual predators and strict enforcement of sex offender laws, including lifetime supervision for certain sex offenses.
“I applaud these efforts to make Maryland’s children safer by making implementation of federal sex offender standards a top priority. I will continue to offer my full support and the resources of my office to help Maryland meet these federal standards in the fight against child predators,” said Rep. Kratovil.
On January 13th Kratovil sent a letter to Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and General Assembly leaders urging legislative action and offering his assistance to bring Maryland’s sex offender registration and notification laws into compliance with revised federal standards. Kratovil’s letter asked the leaders to make implementation of the revised federal sex offender registry standards a top priority for the new legislative session, and offered to work closely with state leaders in the effort to meet these federal standards. Click here to view a copy of the letter.
Senate President Mike Miller has since announced a bill to expand information contained on the Maryland Sex Offender Registry about the offender and require links and information contained on other states’ registries to connect to the Maryland site. Miller noted that many of the Bill’s requirements would ensure compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act. Governor O’Malley also announced a number of related legislative initiatives today, including a plan to reconstitute the Sexual Offender Advisory Board. O’Malley has asked former Maryland Attorney General Joseph Curran to serve as Chair.
“This is an issue on which state and federal lawmakers must work together to ensure that our law enforcement officers have the tools and resources necessary to keep dangerous predators away from our children and Maryland families have access to the tools that will make them more aware of sexual predators in their communities,” said Kratovil. “As a father, a former prosecutor, and now a Member of Congress, I’m proud to partner with leaders in Annapolis in this fight.”
News Release On Behalf Of The Pennsylvania State Police
This crime occurred on 12/08/09 at approximately 1547 hours. In the commission of this crime, a male caller contacted the Berks County District Attorney’s Office by telephone. He left a message on the voicemail of an Assistant District Attorney and identified himself as "Detective Dave" from the Delaware State Police. The caller alleged that he wanted assistance in expediting the release of a defendant named John VATTILANO because he works for or with the Delaware State Police. The Assistant District Attorney was prosecuting a case for which the defendant was currently held in Berks County Prison. The caller left a phone number to call back. The Assistant District Attorney returned the call and spoke to a legitimate DSP Trooper who indicated he had never called the DA’s office but he was familiar with the defendant. VATTILANO was immediately suspected of placing this call himself and impersonating a police officer in order to secure, expedite, or influence his release.
An investigation was initiated and evidence was obtained that indicated that VATTILANO had placed this phone call, misrepresented his identity, and impersonated a public servant – in that VATTILANO did falsely pretend to hold a position in the public service with intent to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon that pretense to his prejudice, in violation of Section 4912 of the PA Crimes Code.
The accused was arrested by Criminal Complaint being filed with District Court 23-3-05 on 01/23/10 at the conclusion of the investigation.
It is strongly suspected that the accused has misrepresented himself via telephone on other occasions.
An investigation was initiated and evidence was obtained that indicated that VATTILANO had placed this phone call, misrepresented his identity, and impersonated a public servant – in that VATTILANO did falsely pretend to hold a position in the public service with intent to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon that pretense to his prejudice, in violation of Section 4912 of the PA Crimes Code.
The accused was arrested by Criminal Complaint being filed with District Court 23-3-05 on 01/23/10 at the conclusion of the investigation.
It is strongly suspected that the accused has misrepresented himself via telephone on other occasions.
MARYLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD AIRCRAFT HEADED TO HAITI
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO SEND OFF CREW OF MARYLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD AIRCRAFT HEADED TO HAITI
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will greet the crew of a Maryland Air National Guard C-130K cargo aircraft which has been called to service to support the humanitarian mission to earthquake-devastated Haiti. The Governor will visit the crew tomorrow at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Middle River.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley will greet the crew of a Maryland Air National Guard C-130K cargo aircraft which has been called to service to support the humanitarian mission to earthquake-devastated Haiti. The Governor will visit the crew tomorrow at Warfield Air National Guard Base in Middle River.
Journey To The Philadelphia Flower Show With Wicomico Recreation
Bus Trip Slated for Thursday, March 4
(Salisbury, MD) Journey around the globe with breathtaking stops in India, Brazil, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand and Singapore at this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show. Wicomico Recreation has scheduled a bus trip to Philadelphia for Thursday, March 4. The bus will depart from the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center at 9:30am.
Guests have the option to attend the Philadelphia Flower Show: A Passport to the World or can opt to spend the day exploring the sights of Philadelphia on their own. The cost per person is $64 or $42 for those not attending the Flower Show. Price includes transportation, flower show ticket (not included with bus ride only price) and gratuities.
Registration is currently being accepted. To register, visit the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm or visit www.WicomicoRecandParks.org to register online. For more information on this bus trip or to obtain a complete listing of upcoming bus trips please contact Karen McInturff at (410) 548-4900 ext. 113 or email kmcinturff@wicomicocounty.org.
(Salisbury, MD) Journey around the globe with breathtaking stops in India, Brazil, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand and Singapore at this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show. Wicomico Recreation has scheduled a bus trip to Philadelphia for Thursday, March 4. The bus will depart from the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center at 9:30am.
Guests have the option to attend the Philadelphia Flower Show: A Passport to the World or can opt to spend the day exploring the sights of Philadelphia on their own. The cost per person is $64 or $42 for those not attending the Flower Show. Price includes transportation, flower show ticket (not included with bus ride only price) and gratuities.
Registration is currently being accepted. To register, visit the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm or visit www.WicomicoRecandParks.org to register online. For more information on this bus trip or to obtain a complete listing of upcoming bus trips please contact Karen McInturff at (410) 548-4900 ext. 113 or email kmcinturff@wicomicocounty.org.
Ponderisms
Can you cry under water?
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. But it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. But it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
What disease did cured ham actually have?
How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?
If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
Camden Neighborhood Association Announcement
The Camden Neighborhood Association is pleased to announce the date of its next meeting and
an informal meet and greet for Salisbury's new Director of Public Works, Ms. Theresa Gardner,
and Salisbury Police Department Interim Chief Ivan Barclay.
Each of these highly qualified professionals brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to
their new positions, and are eager to meet the public that they serve.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 4th
at 809 Camden Avenue,
(Near the northeast corner of Camden Avenue and South Boulevard)
7:15 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served.
Please, bring a friend or neighbor!
an informal meet and greet for Salisbury's new Director of Public Works, Ms. Theresa Gardner,
and Salisbury Police Department Interim Chief Ivan Barclay.
Each of these highly qualified professionals brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to
their new positions, and are eager to meet the public that they serve.
The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 4th
at 809 Camden Avenue,
(Near the northeast corner of Camden Avenue and South Boulevard)
7:15 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served.
Please, bring a friend or neighbor!
Salvation Army Press Cookbook
Salisbury, MD….”Recipes from the Heart – From Our Heart to Yours”, is a collection of recipes from the volunteers, staff, members and friends of The Salvation Army’s Richard Hazel Youth Center. The cookbooks, which are filled with treasured Eastern Shore family recipes as well as other favorites, are on sale for just $10 each and will benefit sports and other programs at the Hazel Youth Center.
“We cannot thank the Hazel Center Advisory Council enough for their efforts in soliciting and collecting recipes for the book,” said Willie Downing, Center Director. “A lot of love and care by Ms. Sara Robinson, Mrs. Elaine Price and Ms. Deloris Watson went into its creation.”
Recipes include everything from Appetizers, Soups, Side Dishes, Main Dishes, Breads, Desserts, Candy and more. Food lovers will want to try the Jamaican Hot Wings, Bertie Mae’s Corn Pudding, Famous Head of the Creek Oyster Fritters, Mom’s Old Fashioned Corn Bread, Sara’s Sweet Potato Pie and so much more.
“This cookbook really is a treasure of so many old family recipes handed down from generation to generation. That is why we named it ‘Recipes from the Heart’, said Downing. “Every page has a dish you won’t be able to resist!”
The Richard Hazel Youth Center, located in the Billy Gene Jackson, Sr. Park, originally opened its doors in June 2001 as the West Salisbury Youth Club. The cost of construction was raised through generous donations from local corporations, civic groups, churches, individuals and the State of Maryland. In January, 2007, the club was renamed after local business leader and philanthropist Richard Hazel, who was a champion of youth in the local community.
The Center offers many positive activities for boys and girls ages 4 to 15. Sports programs include flag football, soccer, basketball and baseball. Other activities include after school educational programs, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Kids of Honor, Junior Achievement, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a model car building club. During the summer, the Center offers the only public pool on the west side of Salisbury.
The Salisbury Corps of The Salvation Army opened in 1913 as one of the first Corps established in the United States. The Corps now runs 4 youth clubs – two in Salisbury, one in Pocomoke and one in Crisfield, in addition to a host of other programs including a thrift store, senior center, day care, social services and learning centers.
Cookbooks can be purchased at the Hazel Youth Center, 429 North Lake Drive or at The Salvation Army Administrative Offices, 407 Oak Street, both in Salisbury. For more information, please call 410-546-7766.
“We cannot thank the Hazel Center Advisory Council enough for their efforts in soliciting and collecting recipes for the book,” said Willie Downing, Center Director. “A lot of love and care by Ms. Sara Robinson, Mrs. Elaine Price and Ms. Deloris Watson went into its creation.”
Recipes include everything from Appetizers, Soups, Side Dishes, Main Dishes, Breads, Desserts, Candy and more. Food lovers will want to try the Jamaican Hot Wings, Bertie Mae’s Corn Pudding, Famous Head of the Creek Oyster Fritters, Mom’s Old Fashioned Corn Bread, Sara’s Sweet Potato Pie and so much more.
“This cookbook really is a treasure of so many old family recipes handed down from generation to generation. That is why we named it ‘Recipes from the Heart’, said Downing. “Every page has a dish you won’t be able to resist!”
The Richard Hazel Youth Center, located in the Billy Gene Jackson, Sr. Park, originally opened its doors in June 2001 as the West Salisbury Youth Club. The cost of construction was raised through generous donations from local corporations, civic groups, churches, individuals and the State of Maryland. In January, 2007, the club was renamed after local business leader and philanthropist Richard Hazel, who was a champion of youth in the local community.
The Center offers many positive activities for boys and girls ages 4 to 15. Sports programs include flag football, soccer, basketball and baseball. Other activities include after school educational programs, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Kids of Honor, Junior Achievement, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a model car building club. During the summer, the Center offers the only public pool on the west side of Salisbury.
The Salisbury Corps of The Salvation Army opened in 1913 as one of the first Corps established in the United States. The Corps now runs 4 youth clubs – two in Salisbury, one in Pocomoke and one in Crisfield, in addition to a host of other programs including a thrift store, senior center, day care, social services and learning centers.
Cookbooks can be purchased at the Hazel Youth Center, 429 North Lake Drive or at The Salvation Army Administrative Offices, 407 Oak Street, both in Salisbury. For more information, please call 410-546-7766.
Dine Out To Support The National MS Society!
Dine out for MS
Join the movement of the National MS Society Maryland Chapter by dining out and spreading the word about Walk MS.
Dine out Tuesday, February 9 for lunch, happy hour or dinner! The Salisbury Greene Turtle will contribute 10% of their entire day’s sales to the National MS Society, Maryland Chapter.
Join us from 5 to 9 pm Tuesday evening for the Walk MS Team Rally. The rally will offer you the perfect opportunity to socialize and network with your fellow Walk team captains, members and participants. Team Captains and team members will be able to pick up information with tips on fundraising and recruiting team members. Interested in forming a team? Stop by to learn more about how to start your own team.
25 door prizes to be given throughout the evening including:
Complimentary stay at the Hilton Suites in Ocean City, MD
Two reserved box seats for any game within 2010 Shorebirds Season
$20 gift certificate to Famous Dave’s including a four sauce pack.
Help support MS research and dine out February 9. Enjoy the fun at the Walk MS Kick Off Rally-- Sherman the Shorebird will be signing autographs from 5 - 5:30pm and the team with the most members at the Rally will receive t-shirts.
If you have questions or you would like more information, please contact Whitney Pogwist at 443-641-1213 or whitney.pogwist@nmss.org.
We hope to see you there!
Obama In Free Fall
by Victor Davis Hanson
NRO's The Corner
A year ago, a number of "moderate" Republicans and Democratic stalwarts, in the gush of the inauguration, warned us of new Democratic majorities for years to come. A new race/class/gender dynamic would doom conservatives and their-old-white-guy party and its reactionary fellow-travelers. And, of course, the post-national, post-racial, post-modern president would hope and change his way to just about anything he wanted.
All of this was nonsense, but the narrative did mesmerize quite a lot of DC-NY pundits, who mistakenly fell for the Emanuel/Axelrod thesis that popular outrage at Wall Street banditry, weariness with Iraq, and the lackluster McCain campaign would translate into populist support for a kinder, gentler socialism.
And now? On every issue — more bailouts, more stimuli, more deficits, higher taxes, statist healthcare, cap and trade, diplomatic apologetics, the shunning of natural gas, oil, and nuclear in favor of "millions of green jobs" subsidized by billions in federal "stimulus" — the Obama position polls 5-15 points below 50 percent.
After Van Jones, Anita Dunn, the Skip Gates mess, the "tea-bagger" slurs, the attacks on Fox News, the Copenhagen dashes, the bowing, the apologizing, the reordering of creditors, the NEA obsequiousness, the lackluster overseas-contingency-operation front, the deer-in-the-headlights pause on Afghanistan, the pseudo-deadlines on Iran, Guantanamo, and healthcare, the transparency and bipartisanship fraud, and dozens of other things, Obama simply does not have the popularity to carry unpopular legislation forward. Indeed, he is reaching a point where he may poll more negatively than his agenda does. "Let me be perfectly clear" and "make no mistake about it" are now caricatures.
So where are we at twelve months? Obama showed the country his vision of where he wanted us to go; he had both houses of Congress, a toady media, and enormous personal popularity — and he is getting nowhere. Why? Because most Americans are vehemently opposed to taking their country in the direction that Obama, Pelosi, and Reid would prefer.
Since Obama is both inexperienced and apparently a stubborn ideologue, I think all we will be left with when the novelty wears off is rhetoric and euphemism. Obama will grow the deficit even larger and call it fiscal sobriety; he will push for higher taxes and suggest the entrepreneurial class is the same as the super-rich who "made out like bandits under Bush"; he will declare that his outreach to Chávez, Assad, Putin, and Ahmadinejad has been successful, even as those leaders incrementally and insidiously readjust their respective regional maps; he will borrow far more money than Bush did and copy his homeland-security protocols, while continuing to blame Bush for America's problems — hoping that $2 trillion of annual borrowing, along with a recovering world economy and the resilience of U.S. business, will bring a half-hearted recovery by November 2010.
That's about all you have, when you bet your holdings on European-style socialism and it proved a losing hand.
NRO's The Corner
A year ago, a number of "moderate" Republicans and Democratic stalwarts, in the gush of the inauguration, warned us of new Democratic majorities for years to come. A new race/class/gender dynamic would doom conservatives and their-old-white-guy party and its reactionary fellow-travelers. And, of course, the post-national, post-racial, post-modern president would hope and change his way to just about anything he wanted.
All of this was nonsense, but the narrative did mesmerize quite a lot of DC-NY pundits, who mistakenly fell for the Emanuel/Axelrod thesis that popular outrage at Wall Street banditry, weariness with Iraq, and the lackluster McCain campaign would translate into populist support for a kinder, gentler socialism.
And now? On every issue — more bailouts, more stimuli, more deficits, higher taxes, statist healthcare, cap and trade, diplomatic apologetics, the shunning of natural gas, oil, and nuclear in favor of "millions of green jobs" subsidized by billions in federal "stimulus" — the Obama position polls 5-15 points below 50 percent.
After Van Jones, Anita Dunn, the Skip Gates mess, the "tea-bagger" slurs, the attacks on Fox News, the Copenhagen dashes, the bowing, the apologizing, the reordering of creditors, the NEA obsequiousness, the lackluster overseas-contingency-operation front, the deer-in-the-headlights pause on Afghanistan, the pseudo-deadlines on Iran, Guantanamo, and healthcare, the transparency and bipartisanship fraud, and dozens of other things, Obama simply does not have the popularity to carry unpopular legislation forward. Indeed, he is reaching a point where he may poll more negatively than his agenda does. "Let me be perfectly clear" and "make no mistake about it" are now caricatures.
So where are we at twelve months? Obama showed the country his vision of where he wanted us to go; he had both houses of Congress, a toady media, and enormous personal popularity — and he is getting nowhere. Why? Because most Americans are vehemently opposed to taking their country in the direction that Obama, Pelosi, and Reid would prefer.
Since Obama is both inexperienced and apparently a stubborn ideologue, I think all we will be left with when the novelty wears off is rhetoric and euphemism. Obama will grow the deficit even larger and call it fiscal sobriety; he will push for higher taxes and suggest the entrepreneurial class is the same as the super-rich who "made out like bandits under Bush"; he will declare that his outreach to Chávez, Assad, Putin, and Ahmadinejad has been successful, even as those leaders incrementally and insidiously readjust their respective regional maps; he will borrow far more money than Bush did and copy his homeland-security protocols, while continuing to blame Bush for America's problems — hoping that $2 trillion of annual borrowing, along with a recovering world economy and the resilience of U.S. business, will bring a half-hearted recovery by November 2010.
That's about all you have, when you bet your holdings on European-style socialism and it proved a losing hand.
Prince George's Police Academy Director Replaced
Prince George's Community College has replaced the head of the police academy it runs for small departments and hired a consultant in an effort to meet state training standards.
But two months after assuring the state that it could certify that the academy meets those goals, the college still cannot produce records showing that its recent graduates all were taught, tested on and passed required areas, a state official said Tuesday. The academy is barred from offering new training classes until it can satisfy state auditors.
Thirty-five rookies from 21 police agencies who graduated in 2008 and 2009 already were forced to repeat some course work beginning in November after state officials could not find complete records during a routine audit. But the academy failed to keep solid records again, and those 35 face being recalled another time, said Albert Liebno, head of skills training for the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions.
The problems at the academy already have caused three officers -- in Hyattsville, Bladensburg and Laurel -- to be assigned desk duties while their academic records are sorted through, Liebno said. The trouble lies with the academy, not with the officers, he said.
"Academy records remain a mess," Liebno said. "There are documents missing, and others hopscotch around so much that we can see some people in classes who had grades recorded but others in the same class didn't. Some tests results are there, some aren't. But there is no pattern to it."
As of Friday, academy director Wendell Brantley "is no longer employed by the college," said Daniel Mosser, the college's vice president for workforce development and continuing education. Regina Taylor-White, a retired major with the Prince George's County Police Department and a former instructor at its academy, has been hired to remedy state concerns about the most recent graduates within 30 days. She also will come up with long-term improvements during the next three months, Mosser said.
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President Says Demonstrate Fiscal Responsibility - Congress Votes To Buy Virgin Island Beach
Hours before President Obama urged members of Congress to show spending restraint Wednesday, the House voted to authorize spending as much as $50 million to create a national historic site in the U.S. Virgin Islands on beachfront land the National Park Service isn't yet sure it wants.
Republicans had blocked the bill last week, saying it was a bad use of money for a government bleeding cash, but Democrats pushed it through this week, saying they didn't want to lose the chance to acquire the land.
And in a show that partisanship abounds, the House also unanimously passed a bill sponsored by a Democrat that allow for repairs to waterways in Idaho wilderness lands - after Democrats last week voted down a bill with the exact same language that was sponsored by a Republican. Last week's vote was in retaliation for Republicans blocking the Virgin Islands bill.
"Payback time, I guess, is once again in order," said Rep. Pete Sessions, Texas Republican.
Both bills will still need Senate approval before going to the president.
The arcane maneuvers on the floor masked the fundamental battle between Democrats and Republicans over whether the federal government should be expanding its land, even as the National Park Service already has a $9 billion backlog of obligations.
The Virgin Islands project, on the island of St. Croix, would be called Castle Nugent National Historic Site. It's intended to preserve 2,900 acres of land and an additional 8,600 acres underwater that together include archeological sites, a barrier coral reef and historic cattle plantations.
The underwater lands are owned by the Virgin Islands, but the other lands are privately held and would have to be bought and managed, at an estimated cost of between $40 million and $50 million. That's what sparked the floor fight.
Three years ago Congress directed the National Park Service to do a study, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, to see if it should acquire the land. That study is not yet completed, and the Park Service has asked that Congress delay the bill until that study is done.
But Democrats said developers are eyeing the land and could strike before the Park Service. They also mocked Republicans for wanting to wait, saying it wouldn't be the first time Congress has authorized sites without completed studies.
"This concern for NPS studies is newly discovered," said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall Jr., West Virginia Democrat.
He accused Republicans of "park-bashing" and said the service ran up a $9 billion backlog of spending because Republicans didn't fund the agency properly when they were in power.
The Park Service has said its draft conclusions suggest the land is a good candidate for preservation.
Democrats also said the bill doesn't actually spend any money, but allows Congress to spend that money in the future.
"This bill does not cost $50 million. It does not cost $40 million. It does not cost $30 million. It does not cost one penny. It is simply an authorization," said Rep. Jared Polis, Colorado Democrat.
The Castle Nugent bill passed 241-173, with four Democrats joining all Republicans in voting against it. The Idaho waterways bill passed 415-0.
From The Washington Times
Republicans had blocked the bill last week, saying it was a bad use of money for a government bleeding cash, but Democrats pushed it through this week, saying they didn't want to lose the chance to acquire the land.
And in a show that partisanship abounds, the House also unanimously passed a bill sponsored by a Democrat that allow for repairs to waterways in Idaho wilderness lands - after Democrats last week voted down a bill with the exact same language that was sponsored by a Republican. Last week's vote was in retaliation for Republicans blocking the Virgin Islands bill.
"Payback time, I guess, is once again in order," said Rep. Pete Sessions, Texas Republican.
Both bills will still need Senate approval before going to the president.
The arcane maneuvers on the floor masked the fundamental battle between Democrats and Republicans over whether the federal government should be expanding its land, even as the National Park Service already has a $9 billion backlog of obligations.
The Virgin Islands project, on the island of St. Croix, would be called Castle Nugent National Historic Site. It's intended to preserve 2,900 acres of land and an additional 8,600 acres underwater that together include archeological sites, a barrier coral reef and historic cattle plantations.
The underwater lands are owned by the Virgin Islands, but the other lands are privately held and would have to be bought and managed, at an estimated cost of between $40 million and $50 million. That's what sparked the floor fight.
Three years ago Congress directed the National Park Service to do a study, at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, to see if it should acquire the land. That study is not yet completed, and the Park Service has asked that Congress delay the bill until that study is done.
But Democrats said developers are eyeing the land and could strike before the Park Service. They also mocked Republicans for wanting to wait, saying it wouldn't be the first time Congress has authorized sites without completed studies.
"This concern for NPS studies is newly discovered," said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall Jr., West Virginia Democrat.
He accused Republicans of "park-bashing" and said the service ran up a $9 billion backlog of spending because Republicans didn't fund the agency properly when they were in power.
The Park Service has said its draft conclusions suggest the land is a good candidate for preservation.
Democrats also said the bill doesn't actually spend any money, but allows Congress to spend that money in the future.
"This bill does not cost $50 million. It does not cost $40 million. It does not cost $30 million. It does not cost one penny. It is simply an authorization," said Rep. Jared Polis, Colorado Democrat.
The Castle Nugent bill passed 241-173, with four Democrats joining all Republicans in voting against it. The Idaho waterways bill passed 415-0.
From The Washington Times
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