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Monday, October 01, 2012

Probe Slams VA Over $6M Conference Tab Including Parody Video, Official Resigns

An Obama administration appointee has resigned in connection with another bombshell report detailing the waste of taxpayer money at feel-good conferences -- this time, at a pair of Veterans Affairs summits in Orlando that cost more than $6 million. 
John Sepulveda, who as assistant secretary for human resources and administration was the agency's top HR official, resigned just as the VA Office of Inspector General released its 150-page report on the conferences, held on his watch in July and August 2011. 
The report said he "abdicated his responsibilities" in overseeing the conferences, leading to "numerous examples of excessive costs, and unnecessary and unsupported expenditures."

Today The Daily Times Starts Charging For On Line Access

Well, you can't say Salisbury News hasn't created a huge impact to the Eastern Shore. Today the Daily Times has announced they will start charging for on line access to their Newspaper. What they didn't say was that they have also increased their subscription rate by 15% as well. 

What's even more interesting is that Delmarva Crossroads shut their doors down last week. While they provided a newspaper last week, their doors have been closed due to employee complications. We're not sure at this time if they'll rebuild and come back but clearly hiring those who had been fired from the Daily Times won't cut it. Greg Bassett published the following today.

Subscription options will range from digital-only to full access with seven-day delivery of the print edition. Non-subscribers will have access to a limited number of free articles before they are required to subscribe, though some products will remain open.

We know a good number of our longtime and loyal readers don’t have much Internet interest — we will keep our commitment to producing the best print product.

Salisbury News has absolutely NO INTEREST in charging a fee to read our news and information. The whole idea was to create a news source in which every one can access for FREE. One of the main reason we can and will remain FREE is because most of the information we publish each day comes from viewers like yourself sending us links to the most interesting articles around the world. 

We are truly a community news outlet. Viewers send us information and photos LIVE and or in real time, hence the instant images of the Ocean City fire last week, even before the Fire Department had arrived. 

Times have most certainly changed and there's no question in my mind that this is the final stand for the Daily Times. Greg Bassett mentioned in his article that they have more reporters than any other news outlet on the Shore. So what. Their Reporters don't have HISTORY in Salisbury and they rely on Press Releases to publish whatever the Mayor and others want published. That's not reporting. Considering I am the only Reporter/Blogger covering local news events, I'd say we've done a hell of a job competing with the largest volume of reporters on the Shore, wouldn't you agree? Then, consider this. We're FREE. 

Oh well, it's a new day on DelMarVa and time will tell if bringing in the big shot from Upstate New York was worth their time. At least some know when to fold.

THIS SCANDAL COULD DWARF 'FAST AND FURIOUS'

Did White House arm al-Qaida operatives who killed U.S. ambassador?

 

JERUSALEM – While echoes of the “Fast and Furious” scandal still resound in the White House, another administration decision at the heart of Obama’s Mideast policy may prove even more explosive.
Almost entirely missing from the debate surrounding the anti-U.S. attacks in Libya is the administration’s policy of arming jihadists to overthrow Mideast governments. But in the case of Libya, the arming of jihadists may have directly resulted in the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks against the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and the subsequent murder of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith, private security employees and former U.S. Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.

 More

A Football Question


Put on your football headgear and dig down deep to try and get this question right, football fan or not. 

Last year.....after the Packers / Bills game, Buffalo released quarterback Trent Edwards.

During the Packers / Eagles game, the Packers injured Philadelphia quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Philadelphia then had to play backup quarterback Michael Vick.

During a playoff game against the Eagles, the Packers injured Michael Vick and another backup was needed.

After the Packers / Cowboys game, Dallas fired Wade Phillips and most of his staff .

After the Packers / Vikings game, Minnesota fired Brad Childress and most of his staff.

Four weeks after losing to the Packers, the 49er's coach Mike Singletary and most of his staff were fired and replaced.

During the Bears Playoff game, the Packers injured Jay Cutler and backup Todd Collins forcing the
Bears to go with 3rd string quarterback Caleb Hanie.

So here's the question...
Is it just me, or did the Packers create more jobs last year than Obama?

Hillary: ‘Loosen Regulation’ Because ‘Too Many People Still Can’t Find Jobs’-In Tunisia, Egypt, Libya

 Speaking to a group of foreign ministers from Arab nations at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York on Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed support for loosening regulations, particularly on small businesses, because “too many people still can’t find jobs”--in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.
In Libya, according to an estimate published in May   by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development [OECD], real Gross Domestic Product is expected to grow this year at a rate of 20.1 percent—or about 15 times the 1.3 percent annualized rate at which real GDP grew in the United States in the second quarter of this year. The OECD further estimated that Libya’s real GDP would grow by another 9.5 percent next year.

Giant Food Recall


PRODUCT RECALL: Indiana White Cheddar Popcorn (1 UPC)
Recall Date: October 1, 2012
DALE & THOMAS - INDIANA WHITE CHEDDAR POPCORN - 9 oz.UPC: 84357100078
Recall Information: Dale and Thomas Popcorn is voluntarily recalling a limited number of ready-to-eat bags of select flavors of Popcorn, Indiana-Brand products because of possible contamination by Listeria Monocytogenes.
Consumers can call the Dale and Thomas hotline at 866-940-7936 Monday through Friday 9:00a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. In addition customers may call Giant Customer Service at 1-888-469-4426 for more information.

Caption This Photo 10-1-12


'NEXT RONALD REAGAN' TO STUN SUPER LIBERAL?

As a former Secret Service agent who was tasked with protecting President Obama and President George W. Bush, Dan Bongino   saw things most people never see in Washington.

“I am so fed up with insider politics, games and insulated lifestyles and political celebrities,” Bongino told WND. “You know there’s that saying: If you don’t decide to change it, you are destined to be ruled by people lesser than yourself. I was very upset at the direction in which the country was going. And I felt that it was time for action.”

So Bongino quit his lucrative job to run as the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate against Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, who is ranked as the third most liberal Senate Democrat  . He’s been endorsed by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah; Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and other leading conservatives.

More

Contacting Ron Paul

Joe,

I am currently trying to email Ron Paul on Sunday night at 7 PM, and his site is showing an “overloaded” page. Right now, after today’s events and the current cast of characters doing what they are doing, now EVERYBODY needs to get in touch with Mr. Paul. My question, since I will be working out of my precinct as an Election Judge, is “When I write in for Ron Paul for President during early voting, do I write in a VP name?”.

I’ll keep on trying, but it’s pretty obvious that I am not alone. Has anyone else been able to get an answer to this question?

Montgomery County Dropping Traditional Letter Grades from K-3 Report Cards

Say good-bye to the “A for effort” and hello to the “DEM.”
Your kid not doing so hot in math? Don’t count on seeing a C or D. Look for an N instead.
Montgomery County Public Schools are joining other districts across the country in abandoning traditional letter grades and instead matching student evaluations with specific curriculum standards.
Instead of seeing A’s, B’s, C’s or D’s on report cards this November, for the first time parents of Montgomery students in first through third grades will see ES, P, I or N. Teachers also will mark students separately on learning skills such as “effort,” “intellectual risk taking” and “originality” with separate codes of DEM (demonstrating), PRG (progressing) or N (not yet evident).
 More

AMERICAN JUSTICE

Washington Confirms Chinese Hack Attack On White House Computer

White House sources partly confirmed an alarming report that U.S. government computers -- reportedly including systems used by the military for nuclear commands -- were breached by Chinese hackers.
“This was a spear phishing attack against an unclassified network,” a White House official told FoxNews.com. “These types of attacks are not infrequent and we have mitigation measures in place.”
A law enforcement official who works with members of the White House Military Office confirmed the Chinese attack to FoxNews.com on Monday, but it remains unclear what information, if any, was taken or left behind.
More 

A Whopper of a Problem

Maryland commercial fishermen owe DNR $3 million

When the watermen’s associations concurredwith the legislation passed last May in House Bill 1372, they might not have realized the eventual financial impact it would have on their members. It has proven to be a $3 million whopper.

 Under that bill, Department of Natural Resources’ costs for administration and enforcement would be paid for by the recreational and commercial fishing sectors, each covering its own area.


The recreational sector is composed of more than 300,000 individual anglers who have accepted a number of increases in licensing fees over the last few years. This sector now annually generates more than enough funds to pay for its share of DNR administrative costs in 2013.

 More

Very Touching Video

Maryland Bees Prepare For (civil) Action

Maryland’s bees don’t have to rely solely on their stingers to protect their honey-making operations. As of Monday, they’ll have a new tool in their collective arsenal: litigation.
A new state law sets a standard of identity for Maryland honey — effectively establishing that to be called “honey,” a product must be produced by honey bees. Products made from corn syrup or processed sugar must be called something else.
More 

Navy Actions Led To Pirate Hostage Deaths


NORFOLK -- Attorneys for three Somali men charged in the deaths of four Americans during a pirate attack in the Arabian Sea last year say the Navy and FBI's efforts to rescue the hostages led to the killings.
Defense lawyers also asked that the high-profile federal trial be moved out of Norfolk, where they argue deep pride in the Navy and an unusual interest in piracy cases will make it difficult to assemble an objective jury.
The arguments were spelled out in a series of motions filed by the defense team Monday.
Co-defendants Ahmed Muse Salad, Shani Nurani Shiekh Abrar and Abukar Osman Beyle face the death penalty on murder, kidnapping, piracy and related charges.

Police Horses Compete In Obstacle Course Designed Like Mini City

Tonka the police horse kept her poise patrolling the real Occupy Washington. But the Morgan cross bucked when confronted Sunday by a small model of the protest encampment set up on an obstacle course.
Officer Megan Lau of the Maryland National Capital Park Police couldn’t explain her horse’s reluctance, which cost her points during the 29th annual North American Police Equestrian Championships   in Gaithersburg.
“Maybe she’s having flashbacks to the real Occupy,” Lau said. “She did just fine here until the tents.”

QUOTES OF THE DAY 10-1-12


“None of the men and women who voted for this bill has any right to speak in public about the rule of law anymore, or to take a high moral view of the Third Reich, or to wax poetic about the American Idea…If the government can round up someone and never be required to explain why, then it’s no longer the United States of America as you and I always understood it. Our enemies have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. They have made us become like them.”
Garrison Keillor
“To know and to serve God, of course, is why we’re here, a clear truth, that, like the nose on your face, is near at hand and easily discernible but can make you dizzy if you try to focus on it hard. But a little faith will see you through.
What else will do except faith in such a cynical, corrupt time? When the country goes temporarily to the dogs, cats must learn to be circumspect, walk on fences, sleep in trees, and have faith that all this woofing is not the last word. What is the last word, then?
Gentleness is everywhere in daily life, a sign that faith rules through ordinary things: through cooking and small talk, through storytelling, making love, fishing, tending animals and sweet corn and flowers, through sports, music and books, raising kids — all the places where the gravy soaks in and grace shines through.
Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people.”
Garrison Keillor

LANDMARK CALIF. BURGER JOINT FORCED TO SHUT DOWN OVER ADA LAWSUIT

A decades-old Sacramento, Calif. burger joint is shutting its doors for being out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act because the owner says he can’t afford to bring it up to code.
Ford’s Real Hamburgers has been slinging burgers, fries and shakes for years, but was hit hard in the recession. Now, KTXL-TV is reporting   that a local attorney who makes his living filing ADA cases — many on his own behalf — is suing the restaurant — and Ford‘s can’t keep up.
“We scrimped and saved and cut down the staff. I’m down to six employees,” owner Hank Vereschzagin told KTXL.

Home Sales Tax 2013

When does your home become part of your health care? After 2012!

Your vote counts big time in 2012, make sure you and all your friends and family know about this !

HOME SALES TAX

I thought you might find this interesting, -- maybe even SICKENING!

The National Association of Realtors is all over this and working to get it repealed, -- before it takes effect. But, I am very pleased we aren't the only ones who know about this ploy to steal billions from unsuspecting homeowners. How many realtors do you think will vote Democratic in 2012?

Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home, etc. When did this happen? It's in the health care bill, -- and it goes into effect in 2013. Why 2013? Could it be so that it doesn’t come to light until after the 2012 elections? So, this is ‘change you can believe in’?

Under the new health care bill all real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% sales tax.

If you sell a $400,000 home, there will be a $15,200 tax. This bill is set to screw the retiring generation, -- who often downsize their homes. Does this make your November, 2012 vote more important?

Oh, you weren't aware that this was in the ObamaCare bill? Guess what; you aren't alone! There are more than a few members of Congress that weren't
aware of it either.

You can check this out for yourself at:
http://www.gop.gov/blog/10/04/08/obamacare-flatlines-obamacare-taxes-home

VOTERS NEED TO KNOW..