Our technology may be getting smarter, but a provocative new study suggests human intelligence is on the decline. In fact, it indicates that Westerners have lost 14 I.Q. points on average since the Victorian Era.
What exactly explains this decline? Study co-author Dr. Jan te Nijenhuis, professor of work and organizational psychology at the University of Amsterdam, points to the fact that women of high intelligence tend to have fewer children than do women of lower intelligence. This negative association between I.Q. and fertility has been demonstrated time and again in research over the last century.
But this isn't the first evidence of a possible decline in human intelligence.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, May 24, 2013
5% Of Federal Work Force Furloughed Today
Americans wanting a smaller federal government have gotten it — at least for today. About 5 percent of the federal workforce is on furlough. A White House official confirmed that about 115,000 employees from six agencies are affected. Most work at EPA, Housing and Urban Development, the IRS, and the Office of Management and Budget. Also on furlough today, some employees at the Labor and Interior departments. Some services for the public are also curtailed today.
“They knew they were gonna die” – Parents Of SEAL Team 6 Member Want Answers In Son’s Death
Billy and Karen Vaughn, parents of SEAL Team 6 member Aaron Vaughn, were on Fox and Friends this morning pushing for answers in their son’s 2011 death in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. They revealed that yesterday a recently retired SEAL Team 6 member called them and told them that despite the claims of higher-ups that the team members were OK with how they were operating in Afghanistan, he said that they all knew they were going to die and talked about it all the time. He said that because they were using a national guard helicopter instead of a special operations helicopter, that it was only a matter of time before they were going to die.
Watch the full interview:
More
Watch the full interview:
More
WHY WERE DHS AGENTS SEEMINGLY MONITORING MULTIPLE TEA PARTY IRS PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON TUESDAY?
There were multiple reported sightings of agents with the Department of Homeland Security at several Tea Party-led IRS protests in states like Missouri, Florida, Illinois and Indiana. The rallies that occurred across the country on Tuesday were sparked by the IRS’ unfair targeting of conservative groups — one of the several scandals the Obama administration is dealing with.
What is unclear though is why federal officials felt the Tea Party presence required more than the attention of local law enforcement.
These photos, one showing “armed” DHS guards, were reportedly taken at the St. Louis IRS protest:
More
What is unclear though is why federal officials felt the Tea Party presence required more than the attention of local law enforcement.
These photos, one showing “armed” DHS guards, were reportedly taken at the St. Louis IRS protest:
More
Lawyer, School Officials to Meet Following Student’s Pledge of Allegience Complaint
The 10th grade Damascus High student went to the American Civil Liberties Union after she felt the apology she received from the principal wasn’t good enough. ACLU attorney David Rocah heard back from the District Wednesday, and they agreed to talk. He hopes they can reach “a meaningful resolution.”
According to Rocah, the student just wants to ensure no other county student faces harassment for practicing a legal right.
More
Ex-Cincinnati IRS Manager: This Was Not The Work Of ‘Low-Level’ Employee
Bonnie Esrig, a former manager at the Internal Revenue Service Cincinnati office at the center of the political targeting scandal, told NBC News she believes the scandal goes well beyond “low-level” employees.
The 38-year IRS veteran said she was shocked when she saw headlines blaming the scandal on “rogue” employees. She added that she was equally surprised when she saw headlines tying the scandal to the Obama White House.
“Those were things that were not consistent with my knowledge of the way the organization works,” she said:
More
The 38-year IRS veteran said she was shocked when she saw headlines blaming the scandal on “rogue” employees. She added that she was equally surprised when she saw headlines tying the scandal to the Obama White House.
“Those were things that were not consistent with my knowledge of the way the organization works,” she said:
More
Kmart Unleashes Another Near-Profane Ad
The retailer that set the advertising world on fire almost two months ago with its "ship your pants" campaign is now out with a follow-up.
And its new ad campaign is almost as funny as the original.
Once again, Kmart's ad agency ( which will probably rake in the awards for these) is using almost-profanity to sell a new idea at the longtime retailer.
Read more
And its new ad campaign is almost as funny as the original.
Once again, Kmart's ad agency ( which will probably rake in the awards for these) is using almost-profanity to sell a new idea at the longtime retailer.
Read more
IRS's Lois Lerner Has History Of Harassing Religious Groups
Lois Lerner, director of the IRS’s Exempt Organizations Division and a central figure in the recent IRS scandal, has been accused of a number of untruths since she admitted the agency has targeted hundreds of conservative and Tea Party groups for over two years.
Though some of her defenders claim she is "apolitical," prior to joining the IRS, Lerner’s tenure as head of the Enforcement Office at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) was represented by what appears to be politically motivated harassment of conservative groups, particularly those with religious ties.
According to Mark Hemingway at the Weekly Standard, Lerner was head of the FEC’s enforcement division between 1986 and 2001. In the late 1990’s, the FEC initiated a burdensome investigation of the Christian Coalition, an endeavor that ended up costing the organization hundreds of thousands of dollars and many hours of time.
Hemingway indicates that the investigation was particularly notable because the FEC claimed that “the Christian Coalition was coordinating issue advocacy expenditures with a number of candidates for office.” Though there was no proof that this was occurring, the question remained of whether the FEC actually had the authority to bring these charges at all.
More
Though some of her defenders claim she is "apolitical," prior to joining the IRS, Lerner’s tenure as head of the Enforcement Office at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) was represented by what appears to be politically motivated harassment of conservative groups, particularly those with religious ties.
According to Mark Hemingway at the Weekly Standard, Lerner was head of the FEC’s enforcement division between 1986 and 2001. In the late 1990’s, the FEC initiated a burdensome investigation of the Christian Coalition, an endeavor that ended up costing the organization hundreds of thousands of dollars and many hours of time.
Hemingway indicates that the investigation was particularly notable because the FEC claimed that “the Christian Coalition was coordinating issue advocacy expenditures with a number of candidates for office.” Though there was no proof that this was occurring, the question remained of whether the FEC actually had the authority to bring these charges at all.
More
Hobby Lobby's Obamacare Birth Control Fight Up For Federal Appeal
DENVER — In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. asked a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage that includes access to the morning-after pill.
The Oklahoma City-based arts-and-crafts chain argued that businesses – not just the currently exempted religious groups – should be allowed to seek exception from that section of the health law if it violates their religious beliefs.
The arguments Thursday centered on the Green family, founders of Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. and a sister company, Christian booksellers Mardel Inc. An eight-judge panel peppered both sides with questions about whether the contraceptives mandate is an undue burden on the Greens' religious belief.
More
The Oklahoma City-based arts-and-crafts chain argued that businesses – not just the currently exempted religious groups – should be allowed to seek exception from that section of the health law if it violates their religious beliefs.
The arguments Thursday centered on the Green family, founders of Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. and a sister company, Christian booksellers Mardel Inc. An eight-judge panel peppered both sides with questions about whether the contraceptives mandate is an undue burden on the Greens' religious belief.
More
IRS internal Investigation Ended 6 Months Before Election, Hidden From Congress
In a startling exchange Wednesday during the IRS hearings before the House Oversight and Reform Committee, America learned that the IRS knew in May of 2012 that its employees were targeting conservative organization with paralyzing harassment and Kafka-esque audits. Although the IRS knew this, they did not report this information to Congress.
"While a tremendous amount of attention is centered about the Inspector General's report, or investigation, the committee has learned from Ms. Paz that she in fact participated in an IRS internal investigation that concluded in May of 2012 - May 3 of 2012 - and found essentially the same thing that Mr. George found more than a year later," Committee Chair Issa said.
"Think about it," Issa continued. "For more than a year, the IRS knew that it had inappropriately targeted groups of Americans based on their political beliefs, and without mentioning it, and in fact without honestly answering questions that were the result of this internal investigation."
More
"While a tremendous amount of attention is centered about the Inspector General's report, or investigation, the committee has learned from Ms. Paz that she in fact participated in an IRS internal investigation that concluded in May of 2012 - May 3 of 2012 - and found essentially the same thing that Mr. George found more than a year later," Committee Chair Issa said.
"Think about it," Issa continued. "For more than a year, the IRS knew that it had inappropriately targeted groups of Americans based on their political beliefs, and without mentioning it, and in fact without honestly answering questions that were the result of this internal investigation."
More
JOHN MCCAIN LECTURES TEA PARTY SENATOR ON HOW ‘BUSINESS’ GETS DONE IN CONGRESS: ‘THAT’S WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED YEARS’
McCain lectured Lee over such a proposal, saying it would “paralyze the process.”
“The senator from Utah keeps talking about back-room, closed-door deals,” McCain said, explaining how that’s how stuff gets done in Congress. “How do we reconcile legislation that is passed by one body and the other body? That’s what we’ve been doing for a couple hundred years.”
More
Response To Councilman Culver's Allegations: Plus Publishers Comment
Wicomico County Councilman Bob Culver recently made public statements about the bid process for the new State’s Attorney’s Office. We, the Wicomico County Executive’s Office, the Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew Maciarello and the majority of the Wicomico County Council, feel portions of Mr. Culver’s statements do not reflect the truth and need to be corrected.
EMPTY CHAIR
That “empty chair” metaphor from the Republican convention was so out of line, huh?” –Jim Geraghty
TIME TO GO: HOLDER OK'D PRESS PROBE
The report places Holder at the center of one of the most controversial clashes between the press and the government in recent memory. The warrant he approved named Rosen as a "co-conspirator" in a leak investigation, causing many to warn that the Justice Department was potentially criminalizing journalism. The warrant also approved the tracking of Rosen's movements in and out of the State Department, as well as his communications with his source, Stephen Kim.
The Justice Department later said that it did not intend to press any charges against Rosen.
More
Wicomico Councilman’s Future In Question
SALISBURY – The future of an elected official is unclear this week after the Wicomico County Council voted to meet in closed session to discuss “council personnel issues” following Tuesday’s legislative session.
After the council approved the release of closed session minutes from March 18, it was confirmed the majority of the County Council had begun to question whether Councilman Bob Culver could secure confidential information.
“I would like to make a motion that after the adjournment of the legislative session we enter into a closed session to discuss council personnel issues,” Councilman John Hall said, and Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman second the motion.
More
After the council approved the release of closed session minutes from March 18, it was confirmed the majority of the County Council had begun to question whether Councilman Bob Culver could secure confidential information.
“I would like to make a motion that after the adjournment of the legislative session we enter into a closed session to discuss council personnel issues,” Councilman John Hall said, and Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman second the motion.
More
Numbers Soar
We want to thank everyone for coming here and hope your enjoying the material we provide. Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. By the way, a friend of mine is heading down to North Carolina and when they went over the Maryland line into Virginia on Rt. 13 a sign stated, "Have A Nice Holiday". And you wonder why I can't stand LIBERALS. Really, Have A Nice Holiday, seriously?
It's MEMORIAL DAY you SOB's. Next year, should we expect it to be "Have A Nice Obama Day"?
Local Lame Stream Media
Salisbury Middle School
WMDT just posted about a man across the street, laying in the street with a head injury. WMDT said it seems to be related to the school. It is not related to the school. I was there. A man came in and reported it and the resource officer responded. A woman coming to pick up her child saw him laying on the edge of the street. It is unknown what happened at the time. I was with the man and the officer until EMS arrived. Detectives were called due to not knowing what happened but students were released on time. WMDT reporting something they know nothing about.
House Committee Wants To Hear From Anyone Targeted By The IRS
Claims of political targeting by the Internal Revenue Service are flooding into the House Ways and Means Committee, bolstered by evidence that includes secretly recorded conversations with IRS officials.
Ways and Means has created a website inviting Americans who believe they were targeted to share their stories, and among the information being forwarded to committee investigators are surreptitious recordings of interviews with the IRS. The recordings and other evidence are coming from conservatives who believe they were subjected to tax audits because of their political activism, or from members of conservative groups who believe their organizations' requests for tax-exempt status was subjected to extra scrutiny.
More
Ways and Means has created a website inviting Americans who believe they were targeted to share their stories, and among the information being forwarded to committee investigators are surreptitious recordings of interviews with the IRS. The recordings and other evidence are coming from conservatives who believe they were subjected to tax audits because of their political activism, or from members of conservative groups who believe their organizations' requests for tax-exempt status was subjected to extra scrutiny.
More
Cooper-Booth 'Victim of Unfortunate Circumstances'
MOUNTVILLE, Pa. -- In business since 1865 and one of the top 20 convenience store distributors in the country, Cooper-Booth Wholesale Co. LP, a wholesaler in the Mid-Atlantic region, has become collateral damage over an investigation and indictments in the state of New York involving cigarettes it sold to a customer, smuggled into the Empire State and sold without tax stamps. The federal government froze Cooper-Booth's main bank account, which has forced it to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 21, executives said.
According to the bankruptcy court declaration of Barry Margolis, Mountville, Va.-based Cooper-Booth's president and CEO, Cooper-Booth and its two corporate partners "were experiencing sales growth, were operating profitably and the future was bright and prosperous."
The bankruptcy was not in response to the company's business practices; rather, they were the "victims of unfortunate circumstances."
More
Man Wins Appeal But Remains On Sex Offender List
BALTIMORE (AP) -- A man who successfully petitioned Maryland's highest court to be removed from the state's sex offender registry is still on the list.
That's according to the lawyer for the unidentified man, who has filed a motion for contempt.
The man identified in court documents as John Doe pleaded guilty in 2006 to sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in 1984. The Court of Appeals ruled in March that he couldn't be placed on the sex offender registry because it didn't exist when the crime was committed.
More
That's according to the lawyer for the unidentified man, who has filed a motion for contempt.
The man identified in court documents as John Doe pleaded guilty in 2006 to sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in 1984. The Court of Appeals ruled in March that he couldn't be placed on the sex offender registry because it didn't exist when the crime was committed.
More
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)