DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
No More Minimum Wage For Cops & Firefighters
Cops and Firefights in Scranton, Pennsylvania will again receive the paychecks they're entitled to. After Scranton Mayor Chis Doherty reduced the pay of his city's public workers – including cops and firefighters – down to minimum wage, arguing his city can't afford it – three public sector unions in the city took the mayor to court challenging the pay cuts. Now, a deal has been worked out- and Mayor Doherty has promised to restore his public workers' pay with interest on the backlogged salaries. During a time when public works are assault all around the country, it's nice to hear some good news.
Egyptian Co. Releases Pics of What a Sharia-Compliant Vacation Looks Like (And You’ll Want to See Them)
The company, Cairo-based Shouq Travel, actually calls the vacations “halal,” meaning they are acceptable by Islamic law, but the entire concept has been dubbed “sharia tourism” by a number of sites.
The company’s website advertises: “Shouq Travel [provides destinations] to all Muslim families are committed to ‘Sharia,’ and includes hotels [that] do not provide alcohol, [and] all swimming pools, and health facilities [separate] men and women…”
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India Is In Trouble
The nation of India is dealing with an energy crisis, which has led to the largest blackout in the history of the world. Half the country went dark on Tuesday, as India's power grids collapsed – leaving 620 million people without electricity. The blackout raises questions about India's infrastructure and its capability to sustain an emerging superpower economy. The problem was made worse by a monsoon season with unseasonably warm temperatures, suggesting that as the climate crisis picks up, developing nations could be hardest hit by freak weather.
Ron Paul’s Not Done Yet
The dedicated fans of Rep. Ron Paul are determined to make a big noise at the Republican National Convention, and the Texas Republican is raising money to get them there. Mr. Paul says he’s told his campaign staff to offer financial assistance to “pro-liberty delegates” who can’t afford to journey to Tampa, Fla., at month’s end; the lawmaker has sent out an impassioned plea for contributions to help with their travel and lodging.
“This is incredibly important for a number of reasons. First, the convention is our opportunity to plant our flag and show that our Liberty movement is the future of the GOP,” Mr. Paul says. “Second, we’re expecting a credentials battle at the convention to ensure the national GOP doesn’t just ‘look the other way’ at some of the dirty tricks my supporters had to deal with in many states.”
Obama Is Not Going To Win
President Obama will likely become the first ever incumbent President to be outraised by his opponent in his re-election bid. And in a desperate attempt to even the playing field just slightly before November – the President has been forced to hold endless fundraisers. As the Center for American Progress reveals, President Obama has already held nearly 200 fundraisers during his first term in office. To put that in perspective, George. W Bush held slightly more than 80, and President Clinton held roughly 70. But in the post-Citizens United era when billionaires can dump their fortunes into our elections, then politicians are forced to endlessly raise money. And it's not just President Obama, Members of Congress are stuck in this trap, too. If the average House Member spent 40 hours a week fundraising, he or she would need to raise, on average, $367 an hour. For a Senator, $819 an hour. This is one of the biggest problems facing our democracy. We elect our representatives to go to Washington and represent our interests. But in reality what they do is fundraise, fundraise, fundraise – giving those with deep pockets more influence than average voters like you and me. To fix this – we need to get money out of politics. Go to MoveToAmend.org.
Democratic Party Supports Marriage Equality
The Democratic Party is officially the party of equality. On Monday, the Democratic Party platform drafting committee officially added marriage equality to the Democratic platform. In addition to supporting same-sex marriage, Democrats are also officially supporting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act – which forbids employers from discriminating against workers based on their sexual orientation. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress, led by Speaker of the House John Boehner using taxpayer dollars to continue defending the discriminatory Defense Against Marriage Act. So while Democrats are moving into the 21st century and supporting civil rights for all. Republicans are content being the Party of dinosaurs.
Alzheimer's Drugs Do Little To Slow Disease, Our Analysis Shows
Alzheimer's disease gradually destroys the brain, robbing people of their ability to remember, complete everyday tasks, and function on their own. Sadly, drugs to treat the disease, including Aricept and Namenda, don't work well. And even when they do, it's only in a few people. Since there are no other options, some will want to try these drugs anyway, but it's a gamble most people won't win. That's why our new CR Best Buy Drugs report on Alzheimer's medications doesn't recommend any of them as Best Buy picks.
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The Emperor's New School Uniform
I am a third generation educator. I also have nothing against school uniforms. I wore one from my first day of school until I graduated high school. My problem is with lazy, politically expedient decision making -- which is a fair characterization of the school board's imposition of school uniforms.
First, some background from a conversation with the school administrator who spearheaded the initiative for school uniforms. He mentioned that the idea came from a parent in his school. He also said that the school board researched the idea, and found no evidence that school uniforms in and of themselves impacted student test scores, behavior or engagement/pride in school. That is an accurate summary of the research literature. One can always find examples that support a predetermined position -- some research says uniforms work and more shows they don't. The issue here is critical and thoughtful analysis. This was not done. If it was, the board would have concluded that on both sides of the issue the research is methodologically weak, has poor statistical controls, and suffers from sophomoric and wholly inappropriate statistical analysis. The handful of studies that meet a minimum good practice criteria uniformly show (pun intended) that school uniforms do not impact student outcomes.
I mentioned this to my administrator friend. He agreed, and then stunned me by saying, "we're doing it anyway." So some schools are changing to school uniforms and expecting improved test scores, reduced bullying and improved school pride. All from a new pair of slacks and polo shirts. Which begs the question -- what other magical powers do clothes have?
Here are some outstanding issues I'd like the board to publically clarify:
» This is not being implemented district-wide. If uniforms are so beneficial, why withhold such an educational bounty from the majority of students in the district?
» Participation in the program was voluntary. It is curious that only Title I schools "volunteered."
» A survey was held where there had to be a 70 percent parent response rate and 60 percent of those parents had to be in favor for a school to adopt the uniform policy. I requested a copy of the data so that I could independently verify the results -- I have yet to receive a copy.
» The district sent out a flyer extolling the virtues of uniforms that was either unintentionally misleading or knowingly false. Why?
So why would the school board do this? The answer is simple -- political expediency. It looks like they're actually doing something when in reality they are doing absolutely nothing. There is the added bonus that implementing this program doesn't cost the school board one red cent. The cost is carried by the parents of the children in the Title I schools. Those with the least financial means are now required to purchase school uniforms.
When I brought this to the attention of my administrator friend, his response was, "We'll give people a voucher."
I received my vouchers on the last day of school. I ripped them up.
David F. Lopez
First, some background from a conversation with the school administrator who spearheaded the initiative for school uniforms. He mentioned that the idea came from a parent in his school. He also said that the school board researched the idea, and found no evidence that school uniforms in and of themselves impacted student test scores, behavior or engagement/pride in school. That is an accurate summary of the research literature. One can always find examples that support a predetermined position -- some research says uniforms work and more shows they don't. The issue here is critical and thoughtful analysis. This was not done. If it was, the board would have concluded that on both sides of the issue the research is methodologically weak, has poor statistical controls, and suffers from sophomoric and wholly inappropriate statistical analysis. The handful of studies that meet a minimum good practice criteria uniformly show (pun intended) that school uniforms do not impact student outcomes.
I mentioned this to my administrator friend. He agreed, and then stunned me by saying, "we're doing it anyway." So some schools are changing to school uniforms and expecting improved test scores, reduced bullying and improved school pride. All from a new pair of slacks and polo shirts. Which begs the question -- what other magical powers do clothes have?
Here are some outstanding issues I'd like the board to publically clarify:
» This is not being implemented district-wide. If uniforms are so beneficial, why withhold such an educational bounty from the majority of students in the district?
» Participation in the program was voluntary. It is curious that only Title I schools "volunteered."
» A survey was held where there had to be a 70 percent parent response rate and 60 percent of those parents had to be in favor for a school to adopt the uniform policy. I requested a copy of the data so that I could independently verify the results -- I have yet to receive a copy.
» The district sent out a flyer extolling the virtues of uniforms that was either unintentionally misleading or knowingly false. Why?
So why would the school board do this? The answer is simple -- political expediency. It looks like they're actually doing something when in reality they are doing absolutely nothing. There is the added bonus that implementing this program doesn't cost the school board one red cent. The cost is carried by the parents of the children in the Title I schools. Those with the least financial means are now required to purchase school uniforms.
When I brought this to the attention of my administrator friend, his response was, "We'll give people a voucher."
I received my vouchers on the last day of school. I ripped them up.
David F. Lopez
Check Out Chick-Fil-A Today
Joe,
Just took these photos today @ 11:00 AM at the north end of Salisbury. The first ones are from the middle of Kohl's parking lot across from Chick-fil-a!
More to come...
Construction Of Hearns Pond Dam Auxiliary Spillway Near Seaford Begins
Harry Reid Makes Wild Claim About Mitt
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has revealed strong, and
questionable accusations against Mitt Romney. The Nevada Democrat has told the Huffington Post that
a Bain investor called his office claiming that Romney did not pay any
taxes for 10 years. Sen. Reid and his aides have not identified the
alleged caller, and the Romney campaign has criticized the claims and
irreverent comments from Sen. Reid in regards to the late George Romney
in the Huffington Post story.
Democrats have pressed the former Massachusetts governor to release more than his 2010 tax return and 2011 estimate, which Sen. Reid insists that if revealed, would bar Romney from making it through a Senate confirmation process as a Cabinet nominee.
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Democrats have pressed the former Massachusetts governor to release more than his 2010 tax return and 2011 estimate, which Sen. Reid insists that if revealed, would bar Romney from making it through a Senate confirmation process as a Cabinet nominee.
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The Central Banking Theater Of The Absurd
The astounding hubris of central bankers is comical, but the consequences of their actions are playing out as needless tragedy.
Central bankers present themselves as Masters of the Universe. They are, but only in their own little Theater of the Absurd. In the real world, they are as clueless as any other mortals about the unintended consequences of their actions and the speed with which the corrupted, unsustainable financial Status Quo will decay and die.
The only attribute they possess in abundance is hubris. Their claims to godhood are comical when viewed in their little Theater of the Absurd, but they become tragic when the consequences of their actions play out in the real world.
Their job, such as it is, is to deflate a tottering system based on phantom assets slowly enough that it doesn't implode. Stripped of mumbo-jumbo, their strategy to accomplish this is to inflate other phantom assets to replace the phantom assets that are falling to zero.
All their promises, preening and posturing boil down to patting their breast pocket and speaking vaguely about a "secret plan" to end the crisis without bringing down the system that spawned the crisis as a consequence of its very nature.
More
Central bankers present themselves as Masters of the Universe. They are, but only in their own little Theater of the Absurd. In the real world, they are as clueless as any other mortals about the unintended consequences of their actions and the speed with which the corrupted, unsustainable financial Status Quo will decay and die.
The only attribute they possess in abundance is hubris. Their claims to godhood are comical when viewed in their little Theater of the Absurd, but they become tragic when the consequences of their actions play out in the real world.
Their job, such as it is, is to deflate a tottering system based on phantom assets slowly enough that it doesn't implode. Stripped of mumbo-jumbo, their strategy to accomplish this is to inflate other phantom assets to replace the phantom assets that are falling to zero.
All their promises, preening and posturing boil down to patting their breast pocket and speaking vaguely about a "secret plan" to end the crisis without bringing down the system that spawned the crisis as a consequence of its very nature.
More
Two New Castle Men Cited For Tampering With Commercial Crab Pots
NEW CASTLE - Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents cited two New Castle men July 25 for violations of state crabbing regulations including tampering with commercial crab pots, in connection with an incident on the Delaware River in northern New Castle County.
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Audit The Fed Moves Forward!
Last week the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed my legislation calling for a full and effective audit of the Federal Reserve. Well over 300 of my Congressional colleagues supported the bill, each casting a landmark vote that marks the culmination of decades of work. We have taken a big step toward bringing transparency to the most destructive financial institution in the world.
But in many ways our work is only beginning. Despite the Senate Majority Leader's past support for similar legislation, no vote has been scheduled on my bill this year in the Senate. And only 29 Senators have cosponsored Senator Rand Paul's version of my bill in the other body. If your Senator is not listed at the link above, please contact them and ask for their support. We need to push Senate leadership to hold a vote this year.
Understand that last week's historic vote never would have taken place without the efforts of millions of Americans like you, ordinary citizens concerned about liberty and the integrity of our currency. Political elites respond to political pressure, pure and simple. They follow rather than lead. If all 100 Senators feel enough grassroots pressure, they will respond and force Senate leadership to hold what will be a very popular vote.
In fact, "Audit the Fed" is so popular that 75% of all Americans support it according to this Rasmussen poll. We are making progress.
Of course Fed apologists − including Mr. Bernanke − frequently insist that the Fed already is audited. But this is true only in the sense that it produces annual financial statements. It provides the public with its balance sheet as a fait accompli: We see only the net results of its financial transactions from the previous fiscal year in broad categories, and only after the fact.
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But in many ways our work is only beginning. Despite the Senate Majority Leader's past support for similar legislation, no vote has been scheduled on my bill this year in the Senate. And only 29 Senators have cosponsored Senator Rand Paul's version of my bill in the other body. If your Senator is not listed at the link above, please contact them and ask for their support. We need to push Senate leadership to hold a vote this year.
Understand that last week's historic vote never would have taken place without the efforts of millions of Americans like you, ordinary citizens concerned about liberty and the integrity of our currency. Political elites respond to political pressure, pure and simple. They follow rather than lead. If all 100 Senators feel enough grassroots pressure, they will respond and force Senate leadership to hold what will be a very popular vote.
In fact, "Audit the Fed" is so popular that 75% of all Americans support it according to this Rasmussen poll. We are making progress.
Of course Fed apologists − including Mr. Bernanke − frequently insist that the Fed already is audited. But this is true only in the sense that it produces annual financial statements. It provides the public with its balance sheet as a fait accompli: We see only the net results of its financial transactions from the previous fiscal year in broad categories, and only after the fact.
More
How Times Have Changed
Having been born in 1936 has allowed me to witness both societal progress and retrogression. High on the list of things made better in our society are the great gains in civil liberties and economic opportunities, especially for racial minorities and women. People who are now deemed poor have a level of material wealth that would have been a pipe dream to yesteryear's poor. But despite the fact that today's Americans have achieved an unprecedented level of prosperity, we have become spiritually and morally impoverished compared with our ancestors.
Years ago, spending beyond one's means was considered a character defect. Today not only do people spend beyond their means but also there are companies that advertise on radio and TV to eliminate or reduce your credit card and mortgage debt. Students saddled with college loans have called for student loan forgiveness. Yesterday's Americans would have viewed it as morally corrupt and reprehensible to accumulate debt and then seek to avoid paying it. It's nothing less than theft. What's worse is there's little condemnation of it by the rest of us.
Earlier this year, as a result of a budget crunch, the Philadelphia School District had to lay off 91 school police officers. During the 1940s and '50s, I attended Philadelphia schools in poor neighborhoods. The only time we saw a policeman in school was during an assembly period when we had to listen to a boring lecture about safety. Because teacher assaults are tolerated – 4,000 over the past five years in Philadelphia – school police are needed. Prior to the '60s, few students would have thought of talking back to a teacher, and no one would have cursed, much less assaulted, a teacher.
More
Years ago, spending beyond one's means was considered a character defect. Today not only do people spend beyond their means but also there are companies that advertise on radio and TV to eliminate or reduce your credit card and mortgage debt. Students saddled with college loans have called for student loan forgiveness. Yesterday's Americans would have viewed it as morally corrupt and reprehensible to accumulate debt and then seek to avoid paying it. It's nothing less than theft. What's worse is there's little condemnation of it by the rest of us.
Earlier this year, as a result of a budget crunch, the Philadelphia School District had to lay off 91 school police officers. During the 1940s and '50s, I attended Philadelphia schools in poor neighborhoods. The only time we saw a policeman in school was during an assembly period when we had to listen to a boring lecture about safety. Because teacher assaults are tolerated – 4,000 over the past five years in Philadelphia – school police are needed. Prior to the '60s, few students would have thought of talking back to a teacher, and no one would have cursed, much less assaulted, a teacher.
More
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