Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy issues a temporary ruling Wednesday blocking an appeals court decision that declared same-sex marriage legal in Idaho and Nevada.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Fall Cruisin Car Show Event Kicks Off Thursday
This four-day automotive event continues to be one of the eastern region’s largest fall car shows with more than 2,000 hot rods, street machines customs and more. Show hours are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9 through Saturday, Oct. 11, and the Grand Finale Car Show and Awards Ceremony will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12. This event will have more than 8,000 participants taking part in various car shows at the Convention Center on 40th Street, the downtown Inlet parking lot and various citywide locations.
Special guests this year are from the hit television show, American Restoration, Tyler Dale and Brettly Otterman. They will be at the event talking about all the fun they have on the show plus share their love of cars, Friday, Oct. 10, at the Inlet, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday, inside the OC Convention Center, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
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It’s Not Unnatural for Republicans to Want the President Protected
"Even opposition lawmakers who have spent the last six years fighting his every initiative have expressed deep worry for his security."
So wrote the New York Times' Peter Baker in the lead paragraph of a story on the congressional hearing on the Secret Service.
Baker is an excellent reporter and a good writer, and so it's useful to consider the implications of his framing of the story. And let's leave aside his hyperbole about Republicans opposition "every initiative" -- some presidential initiatives are uncontroversial and widely supported -- and look at that word "even."
Contained within that word and in the snarky tone of the story is the assumption that if you are politically opposed to a president, you won't mind seeing him or his family murdered. After all, you're against him, so why would you feel "deep worry for his security"?
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So wrote the New York Times' Peter Baker in the lead paragraph of a story on the congressional hearing on the Secret Service.
Baker is an excellent reporter and a good writer, and so it's useful to consider the implications of his framing of the story. And let's leave aside his hyperbole about Republicans opposition "every initiative" -- some presidential initiatives are uncontroversial and widely supported -- and look at that word "even."
Contained within that word and in the snarky tone of the story is the assumption that if you are politically opposed to a president, you won't mind seeing him or his family murdered. After all, you're against him, so why would you feel "deep worry for his security"?
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ISIS, Ebola — Americans can handle the truth
The Ebola virus is not a threat, but ISIS is. That’s what some of our leaders tell us. Should we believe them? Do they have a track record for truth-telling that would lend them credibility?
ISIS hasn’t (yet) invaded America, but Ebola has. We are bombing ISIS in Syria, but treating Ebola here as an interloper that can be controlled. There is nothing to worry about. No need to panic. Pay no attention to the disease behind the curtain. Experts are in charge and we must always trust our experts. Do you? I sure don’t.
Sometimes it seems the priority of our elected officials and experts is self-protection rather than the protection of the public, which they are supposed to serve. We only know what they tell us. We presume they have access to accurate information, but we only get their version of the truth.
Government officials testify before congressional committees and either deny responsibility for their own incompetence and malfeasance, blame others, hide behind the all-purpose “mistakes were made,” or take the Fifth. A few accept “responsibility,” but only in rare cases does anyone lose their job, unless their transgressions are so glaring they can’t be ignored, like Julia Pierson, former director of the Secret Service. If politicians and bureaucrats protected us the way they protect themselves, there would be no need to fear Ebola, ISIS or anything else.
In the case of Ebola, our leaders want us to remain unconcerned. They have it under control, they say. And yet infected people keep popping up. Not to worry, they say. We can trust West African nations to examine those leaving their countries, even though it appears we can’t. Thomas Eric Duncan managed to get out of Liberia and travel to the U.S. with relative ease.
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ISIS hasn’t (yet) invaded America, but Ebola has. We are bombing ISIS in Syria, but treating Ebola here as an interloper that can be controlled. There is nothing to worry about. No need to panic. Pay no attention to the disease behind the curtain. Experts are in charge and we must always trust our experts. Do you? I sure don’t.
Sometimes it seems the priority of our elected officials and experts is self-protection rather than the protection of the public, which they are supposed to serve. We only know what they tell us. We presume they have access to accurate information, but we only get their version of the truth.
Government officials testify before congressional committees and either deny responsibility for their own incompetence and malfeasance, blame others, hide behind the all-purpose “mistakes were made,” or take the Fifth. A few accept “responsibility,” but only in rare cases does anyone lose their job, unless their transgressions are so glaring they can’t be ignored, like Julia Pierson, former director of the Secret Service. If politicians and bureaucrats protected us the way they protect themselves, there would be no need to fear Ebola, ISIS or anything else.
In the case of Ebola, our leaders want us to remain unconcerned. They have it under control, they say. And yet infected people keep popping up. Not to worry, they say. We can trust West African nations to examine those leaving their countries, even though it appears we can’t. Thomas Eric Duncan managed to get out of Liberia and travel to the U.S. with relative ease.
More
Teacher Indoctrination
Students at several Jefferson County, Colorado, high schools walked out to protest the school board's recently proposed curriculum review committee that seeks to promote patriotism, respect for authority, free enterprise, plus the positive aspects of U.S. history.
The teachers union, whose members forced two high schools to close by calling in sick, is against the implementation of performance-based pay. The union has encouraged and applauded student protests against what it's calling academic censorship.
The average parent and taxpayer has little idea of what is being taught to our youngsters. In February 2006, I wrote a column titled "Indoctrination of Our Youth," followed in March with "Youth Indoctrination Update." Both columns focused on rants that a student secretly had recorded of a geography teacher at another Colorado school — Overland High School in Aurora. The teacher was Jay Bennish. He told his students that President George W. Bush's State of the Union address sounded "a lot like the things that Adolf Hitler used to say."
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The teachers union, whose members forced two high schools to close by calling in sick, is against the implementation of performance-based pay. The union has encouraged and applauded student protests against what it's calling academic censorship.
The average parent and taxpayer has little idea of what is being taught to our youngsters. In February 2006, I wrote a column titled "Indoctrination of Our Youth," followed in March with "Youth Indoctrination Update." Both columns focused on rants that a student secretly had recorded of a geography teacher at another Colorado school — Overland High School in Aurora. The teacher was Jay Bennish. He told his students that President George W. Bush's State of the Union address sounded "a lot like the things that Adolf Hitler used to say."
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State of Maryland Gubernatorial Debate - Anthony Brown versus Larry Hogan
In case you were unable to view last nights debate here it is. The debate starts at about the 2:30 time mark.
Be Compassionate
I had a patient a number of years ago in my career as a heart surgeon who was 101 years old. He lived on a small farm in Port Townsend, WA, on the other side of Puget Sound from Seattle, with his 96-year-old wife. This fellow, George Crosby, kept up his farm work, which included looking after some cattle and tending a stand of fruit trees and a bean field, until he had so much trouble breathing that he had to be admitted to the hospital. He was in the hospital’s intensive care unit when I met him undergoing treatment for congestive heart failure caused by severe aortic stenosis. His aortic valve had become extremely thickened and scarred, blocking the flow of blood out of his heart. With blood backing up into his lungs, he was now unable to breathe comfortably even with continuous intravenous medications and oxygen. Despite his advanced age I agreed to perform open heart surgery on him and replace the valve. This was the only way he would be able to leave the hospital, alive. Some of my medical colleagues argued that this patient was too old to undergo heart surgery and that he shouldn’t have it. To their surprise, however, this indomitable centenarian came through his aortic valve replacement without any trouble. He left the intensive care two days after his operation. On the 3rd postop day, asked how he was feeling as he walked down the hall unaided, George replied, “I’m not tip top.” He made a smooth, uncomplicated recovery and was discharged from the hospital eight days later. Six weeks later he resumed all his farm chores with renewed vigor.
Awed and inspired by his incredible resilience and spirit, I asked George Crosby to please tell me, if he could, how he had done it. How had he been able to maintain such good health that would enable him to withstand open heart surgery at his age? Without missing a beat, George told me that his philosophy of life was this: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you—and do it first.” He accepted life as it is and was not given to judgmental thinking. He did not harbor regrets for the past or concerns about the future. He lived in the eternal present. He said that he had wanted to be an engineer but his father put him out to work after the eighth grade, and he worked contentedly at a Pacific Northwest lumber mill. He was quick to forgive but, as his wife later told me, slow to forget. When his son was having difficulties in high school he pulled him out and put him to work logging their property. After a year of this backbreaking work and the boy happily resumed his education, graduated from college and became a bank executive. (This now 76-year-old son was sitting with his mother in the surgical family waiting area when I came out to speak to them after the surgery.)
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Awed and inspired by his incredible resilience and spirit, I asked George Crosby to please tell me, if he could, how he had done it. How had he been able to maintain such good health that would enable him to withstand open heart surgery at his age? Without missing a beat, George told me that his philosophy of life was this: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you—and do it first.” He accepted life as it is and was not given to judgmental thinking. He did not harbor regrets for the past or concerns about the future. He lived in the eternal present. He said that he had wanted to be an engineer but his father put him out to work after the eighth grade, and he worked contentedly at a Pacific Northwest lumber mill. He was quick to forgive but, as his wife later told me, slow to forget. When his son was having difficulties in high school he pulled him out and put him to work logging their property. After a year of this backbreaking work and the boy happily resumed his education, graduated from college and became a bank executive. (This now 76-year-old son was sitting with his mother in the surgical family waiting area when I came out to speak to them after the surgery.)
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These Are The 10 Worst States to Retire In
Maryland and Vermont rank among the worst places to retire on Bankrate's list for a variety of reasons.
Both have relatively high costs of living and high state and local taxes. Maryland's crime rate also is worse than the national average, and Vermont's weather could be tough on a lot of retirees. Temperatures have been an average of 43.1 degrees in Vermont from 1981 to 2010, making it one of the coldest states in the country.
Of course, those drawbacks may not be enough to dissuade lovers of Maryland crab cakes or Vermont's rolling blue-green hills.
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Both have relatively high costs of living and high state and local taxes. Maryland's crime rate also is worse than the national average, and Vermont's weather could be tough on a lot of retirees. Temperatures have been an average of 43.1 degrees in Vermont from 1981 to 2010, making it one of the coldest states in the country.
Of course, those drawbacks may not be enough to dissuade lovers of Maryland crab cakes or Vermont's rolling blue-green hills.
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School Board Criticizes First Lady for Lunch Regulations: ‘It’s a Broken System’
More public schools are voicing their distaste for the new federal restrictions on kids' lunches and snacks set forth by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
The new regulations, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama, were intended to improve "the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children." The standards have been criticized, however, for failing to take into account how diets differ from student to student:
"Recommended calorie intakes differ from child to child based upon their weight, height and level of physical activity," argued the Tonawanda News. Lunch entrees are not to exceed 350 calories and snacks, just 200 calories.
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The new regulations, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama, were intended to improve "the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children." The standards have been criticized, however, for failing to take into account how diets differ from student to student:
"Recommended calorie intakes differ from child to child based upon their weight, height and level of physical activity," argued the Tonawanda News. Lunch entrees are not to exceed 350 calories and snacks, just 200 calories.
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Confidence in Pres. on Economy Sinks to New Low
Despite an improving economy and the lowest unemployment rate in six years, Americans' views of President Barack Obama's economic leadership stands at the lowest level of his presidency, according to the latest CNBC All-America Economic survey.
Just 24 percent of Americans say they are extremely or quite confident in Obama's economic policies and goals, down from 33 percent when the question was last asked in June 2013, the previous low-point of the Obama presidency. And 44 percent of the public say they have no confidence at all in the president on the economy, tied with the prior low in August 2012. (Prior surveys were conducted by the NBC/Wall Street Journal).
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Just 24 percent of Americans say they are extremely or quite confident in Obama's economic policies and goals, down from 33 percent when the question was last asked in June 2013, the previous low-point of the Obama presidency. And 44 percent of the public say they have no confidence at all in the president on the economy, tied with the prior low in August 2012. (Prior surveys were conducted by the NBC/Wall Street Journal).
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Princess Anne Police Department Press Release 10-8-14
On 10-4-14, the Princess Anne Police Department arrested Mascot Chiebuka Obua, 22, of Princess Anne Maryland for disorderly conduct. The arrest stemmed from a large crowd complaint located at the Talons Square South apartment complex located off of UMES Boulevard. Obua was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing and hindering an investigation, failure to obey a lawful order, and resisting arrest. Obua was seen by a District Court Commissioner who issued a $5,000.00 unsecure bond.
On 10-4-14, the Princess Anne Police Department charged Adric Dysheik Turner, 18, of Joppa Maryland with trespassing. The charge stemmed from officers observing Turner in the Talons Square South apartment complex parking lot after being ordered to leave since he was not a registered guest. Turner was released from custody upon being issued his citation.
On 10-1-14, the Princess Anne Police Department responded to Go-Getters located at 11559 Somerset Avenue in reference to malicious destruction of property. Investigation revealed that a vehicle that belonged to Go-Getters was damaged when several subjects became involved in a physical altercation in the parking lot. The suspects were identified and the complainant was referred to the District Court Commissioners Office for charges.
On 9-30-14, the Princess Anne Police Department arrested Bedford Carroll Powel, 62, of Princess Anne Maryland in reference to an outstanding District Court Bench Warrant. Powel was seen by a District Court Commissioner and was temporarily committed to the Somerset County Detention Center. Powel was released into the custody of the Somerset County Detention Center.
On 9-30-14, the Princess Anne Police Department responded to the BB&T bank parking lot located at 12136 Elm Street in reference to a motor vehicle crash. Investigation revealed that as a vehicle was leaving the parking lot, it collided with another parked vehicle. The crash caused minor damage and no injuries were reported.
On 9-29-14, the Princess Anne Police Department responded to Antioch Avenue in reference to an assault. Investigation revealed that the victim was assaulted by the suspect during an argument. The victim was referred to the District Court Commissioners Office for charges.
On 9-29-14, the Princess Anne Police Department responded to 12090 Somerset Avenue in reference to malicious destruction of property. Investigation revealed that the victim’s vehicle was damaged on 9-28-14. The suspect was identified and charges are pending.
On 9-28-14, the Princess Anne Police Department charged Omar Mohammad Muslimani, 54, of Princess Anne Maryland with failure to obey a lawful order. The charges stemmed from Muslimani being observed on the property of Dollar General, located at 30371 Mt Vernon Road after been ordered to not be on the property. Muslimani was issued a criminal citation for failure to obey a lawful order and was then released from custody.
On 9-27-14, the Princess Anne Police Department charged Tammy Sue Davis, 47, of Wenona Maryland with driving on a suspended license. The charges stemmed from a traffic stop where Davis was found to be the operator of the vehicle. Davis was released from custody upon being issued traffic citations.
On 9-23-14, the Princess Anne Police Department responded to the TLC parking located at 12145 Elm Street in reference to a motor vehicle crash. Investigation revealed that as a vehicle was backing out of a parking space, it collided with another vehicle. The crash caused minor damage and no injuries were reported.
On 9-23-14, the Princess Anne Police Department responded to 30188 Deal Island Road in reference to an assault. Investigation revealed that an argument turned into a physical assault between residents. The victims were referred to the District Court Commissioners Office for charges.
On 9-23-14, the Princess Anne Police Department responded to the Goose Creek store parking lot located at 30293 Mt Vernon Road in reference to a hit and run motor vehicle crash. Investigation revealed that the suspect struck the victim’s vehicle while it was parked near the ice machines while the victim was inside the store. Incident remains under investigation.
On 9-22-14, the Princess Anne Police Department responded to the Princess Anne Library located at 11767 Beechwood Street in reference to a theft. Investigation revealed that as the victim was inside the library, the suspect(s) stole a bag off of the victim’s bicycle. Incident remains under investigation.
Maryland Toll Revenues Surge
The Maryland Transportation Authority reported $276.6 million in toll revenues from in fiscal year 2009 from seven facilities and $308.5million in FY2010. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013 after toll increases were in place, revenue from the same facilities had increased to $411.5. Budget forecasts predicted these facilities would produce $540.3million in FY2014, a 75% increase since 2010.
MDTA estimates that recent toll increases have reduced the number of transaction (ie toll road use) by 6.2%. The higher rates more than made up for the lost revenues.
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Disney Bails Out Its European Theme Park
Paris isn't the happiest place on earth for Disney right now.
For the second time in three years, Walt Disney (DIS) has been forced to ride to the rescue of Disneyland Paris -- this time by leading a billion euro ($1.25 billion) refinancing of park operator Euro Disney.
Since opening in 1992, the theme park east of Paris has become Europe's top tourist attraction by visitor numbers.
But the dream has turned into a nightmare for Disney and other investors.
Attendance has been hit by Europe's economic crisis, leaving the company struggling to invest in new attractions while servicing its massive debts.
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For the second time in three years, Walt Disney (DIS) has been forced to ride to the rescue of Disneyland Paris -- this time by leading a billion euro ($1.25 billion) refinancing of park operator Euro Disney.
Since opening in 1992, the theme park east of Paris has become Europe's top tourist attraction by visitor numbers.
But the dream has turned into a nightmare for Disney and other investors.
Attendance has been hit by Europe's economic crisis, leaving the company struggling to invest in new attractions while servicing its massive debts.
More
TRAFFIC ALERT - Replacement of Railroad Crossing Will Require the Closure of Donovans Road in Georgetown
Georgetown -- WHEN: 8 a.m. on Monday, October 13 until midnight on Friday, October 17, pending weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
WHERE: Donovans Road between North Bedford Street and Wilson Road in Georgetown.
WHAT: As a public courtesy, the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) wants to inform area residents that Norfolk Southern Railroad will be replacing the crossings.
Message boards will be posted in advance of the closure and detour routes will also be posted.
Detour northbound: Donovans Road onto North Bedford Street to U.S. Route 113 onto Wilson Road and return to Donovans Road.
Detour southbound: Donovans Road onto Wilson Road to U.S. Route 113 onto North Bedford Street and back to Donovans Road.
October Special Events throughout Delaware Will Require Temporary Road and Lane Restrictions
Dover -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that motorists can expect road and lane restrictions with an interruption to traffic for the following special events in October.
Dewey Goes Pink-Dewey Beach
Motorists can expect delays in traffic from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 4 on Route 1 and Silver Lake Drive in Dewey Beach.
For more information, please contact Races2Run
Apple Scrapple Festival-Bridgeville
Motorists can expect road closures and delays in traffic from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, October 10 and 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 11 in Bridgeville.
For additional information, please contact Apple Scrapple Festival
Milford Community Parade-Milford
The annual Milford Community Parade will start at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15 on Seabury Avenue to Walnut Street and end at Northeast Front Street at the high school. During the parade, Walnut Street will be closed to traffic. Motorists should choose another alternate route in Milford.
For further information, please contact Milford Community Parade
Delaware State University Annual Homecoming with Parade-Dover
Motorists can expect possible lane restrictions and delays in traffic beginning at 10 a.m. for the Annual Homecoming Parade on Loockerman Street in Downtown Dover on Saturday, October 18. After the parade, a football game will be held at the Delaware State University's Alumni Stadium. The main entrance will be closed at Delaware State University.
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