Clint Eastwood's Oscars Challenge: Getting Liberal Voters to Love 'American Sniper'

With his late-entry contender, the legend may pull off another 'Million Dollar Baby,' but he's got some work to do: "This lefty crowd isn't going to gather around a Navy SEAL best known for killing people," says a rival campaigner

Deep into 2004, as the Oscar race was coalescing around just a few pictures, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator looked like the film to beat. It was classy, it was a period piece, it had a roster of top-notch performances, it was directed by America's most acclaimed filmmaker and its subject matter was near and dear to Hollywood's heart: Howard Hughes.

Sure, Alexander Payne's Sideways and the biopic Ray looked like they might give it a run for its money. But both were small in scale, unlikely to appeal to below-the-line voters, and had none of Aviator's scope.

Just one small threat loomed on the horizon: a boxing picture helmed by an Oscar-winning director and starring an Oscar-winning actor. No, it wasn't the one you might think: It was Cinderella Man, based on the real-life story of James Braddock, which teamed Ron Howard and Russell Crowe for the first time since A Beautiful Mind.

More

Obamacare premiums for most popular plans will spike 10 percent

Premiums on the most popular Obamacare exchange plans will increase by an average of 10 percent in 2015, according to an analysis released Thursday that underscores the importance of shopping around in the law’s second year.

Avalere Health, a Washington-based consultancy, said 28 percent of all exchange enrollees selected the lowest-cost silver plan available.

They will be re-enrolled in the plan for the coming year if they do not select a new one by Dec. 15, and researchers say consumers can find cheaper options if they look for one.

“This is a competitive market dynamic and many plans that priced attractively last year are playing catch up for 2015,” Avalere CEO Dan Mendelson said. “Consumers who care about costs need to shop.”

Avalere also warned that the benchmark plan by which subsidies are calculated — the second-lowest-cost silver plan — could shift by 2014 to 2015. If last year’s benchmark is no longer the standard in 2015, a person’s with a subsidized plan may see their costs go up.

More

Senior Citi Banker Found Dead In Bathtub With Slashed Throat

The dust has barely settled on the latest high profile banker suicide in which Deutsche Bank's associate general counsel, and former SEC regulator, Charlie Gambino was found dead, having hung himself by the neck from a stairway banister, and here comes the latest sad entrant in the dead banker chronicles of 2014 when earlier today, the Post reports, a Citigroup banker was found dead with his throat slashed in the bathtub "of his swanky downtown apartment, authorities said Wednesday."

Shawn D. Miller, Citigroup’s managing director of environmental and social risk management, was discovered around 3 p.m. Tuesday by a doorman in the Greenwich Street building, law enforcement sources said. “We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with Shawn’s family at this time,” said a statement sent out by Citigroup.

Bloomberg adds that "a 42-year-old man was found unconscious yesterday in the bathtub of his Greenwich Street apartment in lower Manhattan with a neck laceration and later pronounced dead, the New York Police Department said in a statement."

Medics declared him dead after responding to an emergency call about 3:11 p.m. and an investigation to determine the cause of death is continuing, police said.

Miller advised executives and clients on sustainability matters, including environmental and social policies related to industries including mining and renewable energy, according to his LinkedIn profile. He helped oversee the development and implementation of policies in more than 100 countries.

“We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with Shawn’s family at this time,” Danielle Romero-Apsilos, a spokeswoman for the New York-based bank, told Bloomberg an e-mailed statement.

More

Wicomico’s Crumbling Schools

Last week I asked the question, “Should Wicomico County borrow more money?”.  This was primarily in reference to the swearing in of a new County Executive and County Council and council president Matt Holloway acted responsibly by pulling the item from the agenda. Yet, a greater underlying problem lurks beneath the surface for Wicomico taxpayers.  How does the county provide a decent education for the children of Wicomico County and still live within its means?

West Salisbury Elementary School has been slated for rebuilding.  There is also discussion by the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE) to merge West Salisbury and Charles Chipman Elementary Schools.  Why do we need a new school?  Some may argue that we don’t, but the fact that West Salisbury has been denied any meaningful renovation since it opened in the early 1960’s means that a new school may have to be built.

West Salisbury is Bennett Middle all over again.  Don’t renovate.  Don’t maintain the physical plant more than absolutely necessary in hopes of building a new school.  Evidently, building (first) and renovating schools looks good on a superintendent’s resume.  In addition, the state pays for a hefty share of new school construction but doesn’t cover renovation costs.  As I have noted earlier, Wicomico County can expect a decline in state aid  (and possibly direct aid to the county’s schools).  Currently Wicomico County pays less than 25% of the cost of the county’s schools.  Compare this to 35% in Dorchester and over 75% in Worcester.  In addition, Wicomico will no longer have the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee to look to.  So what should Wicomico County, and its new County Executive, do?

Obama: Taxpayers Must Pay Illegals For Their Kids

Illegal immigrants will receive huge payments from American taxpayers under rules now being imposed by President Barack Obama’s unilateral amnesty.

The illegals will get work-permits and Social Security cards, and will be required to pay taxes, according to Cecilia Munoz, the former immigration lobbyist who is now a top Obama aide.

That means they’re part of the tax system, she said, when she was asked if the illegals would get annual payments under the Earned Income Tax Credit program.

“They are subject to our tax law,” she said, carefully.

More

WCSO Most Wanted 11-24-14

Edward Timothy Johnson
• Black Male 5’09” 155 lbs
• DOB 12/22/1982 31 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Johnson’s last known address was Salisbury or Princess Anne MD
• Johnson is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued in April 2014 for Violation of Probation on the charge of Burglary 2nd degree
• And on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued for Failure to Appear in June 2014 for a Criminal Child Support charge
• There is no preset bond, he must be brought before the court
• Johnson has history of DRUG ABUSE 

Antonio Ramon Sanabria
• Black Male, 5’08” 155 lbs
• DOB 07/27/1962 52 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Sanabria’s last known address was Rehoboth Beach DE but may have moved on to NJ
• Sanabria also uses the names Tony or Ricky Sanabria, Louis or Dwayne Warren, and Lewis Laboy
• Sanabria is wanted by the Sheriff's Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued for Failure to Appear in January 2014 on the charge of CDS Possession with Intent Distribute Narcotics
• There is no preset bond, he must be brought before the court
• Sanabria should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION and has history of DRUG ABUSE
• The state will extradite Sanabria from DE and NJ

Ollie Mae Blackwell
• Black Female, 5’02” 240 lbs
• DOB 09/27/1948 66 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Blackwell’s Last known address was in Prince George’s County MD and Greenwood DE
• Blackwell also uses the names Ollie Justice, Ollie Brown, Essie Desham, Juanita Griffin, and Vanessa Nock
• Blackwell is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued in June 2012 for Violation of Probation on the charge of CDS Manufacture Distribute
• There is no preset bond, she must be brought before the court
• Blackwell has history of DRUG ABUSE
• The state will extradite her from anywhere East of the Mississippi
 

Jazico Jermel Douglas
• Black Male, 5’11” 160 lbs
• DOB 07/24/1993 21 years of age
• Brown hair, Brown eyes
• Douglas’ last known address was Salisbury MD
• Douglas is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued in October 2014 for Violation of Probation on the charge of CDS Possess with Intent to Distribute Narcotics
• There is no preset bond, he must be brought before the court
• Douglas has history of being ARMED, of DRUG ABUSE, and should be APPROACHED WITH EXTREME CAUTION
 
Markee Terrell Dashiell
• Black Male, 5’11” 150 lbs
• DOB 08/13/1988 26 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Dashiell’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Dashiell is wanted by the Sheriff's Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued in July 2014 on the charge of Criminal Child Support
• There is no preset bond, he must be brought before the court
• The state will extradite him from DE and VA
• Dashiell should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION and has history of DRUG ABUSE 

Bradley Jonathan Collins
• White Male, 5’08” 130 lbs
• DOB 04/26/1993 21 years of age
• Black hair, Blue eyes
• Collins last known address was Delmar MD
• Collins is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a District Court Bench Warrant issued for Failure to Appear in April 2014 for a Violation of Probation Hearing on the charge of CDS Possess Not Marijuana
• The preset bond is $50,000
• The state will extradite him from DE and VA
• Collins has history of DRUG ABUSE
 
Dasia Antwaniesha Banks
• Black Female, 5’05” 120 lbs
• DOB 09/11/1988 26 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Banks’ last known address were Salisbury MD or Seaford DE but her current address is unknown
• Banks is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued for Violation of Probation in May 2014 on the charge of ROBBERY
• She is also wanted by Fruitland Police
• There is no preset bond, she must be brought before the court
• Banks has history of DRUG ABUSE and should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION
• The state will extradite her from DE and VA
 
William James Mitchell Jr.
White Male, 5’08” 180 lbs
DOB 11/06/1966 46 years of age
Brown hair, Blue eyes
Mitchell’s last known address was Salisbury MD
Mitchell is wanted by the Sheriff's Office on a Child Support Body Attachment issued for Failure to Appear in November 2012
The preset bond is $40,000 cash

Earl Wayne Taylor
• White Male, 5’09” 175 lbs
• DOB 11/09/1956 57 years of age
• Gray hair, Brown eyes
• Taylor’s last known address was Laurel DE
• Taylor also uses the name Earl Wayne Byrd, Steve Lewis, or Doug Owen
• Taylor is wanted by the Sheriff's Office on a District Court Arrest Warrant issued in November 2013 for Failure to Comply with a Peace Order
• Taylor may be ARMED, should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION and has history of DRUG ABUSE
• The state will extradite him from DE and VA

  Shantell Monique Green
• Black Female 5’02” 105 lbs
• DOB 12/06/1988 27 years of age
• Brown hair, Brown eyes
• Green’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Green is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on two District Court Bench Warrants issued in December 2013 and April 2014, both for Failure to Appear for a Violation of Probation hearing on the charge of Theft
• The total preset bond is $15,000

Tyreka Lashon Chandler
• Black Female, 5’09” 200 lbs
• DOB 04/09/1978 36 years of age
• Black hair, Brown eyes
• Chandler’s last known address was Salisbury MD
• Chandler is wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a Circuit Court Bench Warrant issued for Failure to Appear in August 2014 for a Violation of Probation Hearing on the charge of Forgery
• There is no preset bond, she must be brought before the court
• Chandler should be APPROACHED WITH CAUTION

AGH, Beebe Partnership Called ‘A Positive For The Patients’

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital has joined Beebe Healthcare to participate in a program designed to increase collaboration among local physicians.

Atlantic General Hospital has been invited by Beebe Healthcare to take part in the Delmarva Health Network, a Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization (ACO).

“It’s an opportunity for us to collaborate more and coordinate care better,” said Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital (AGH).

By participating in the Delmarva Health Network, which was started by Beebe last year, AGH’s 10 primary care physicians will join 29 others already taking part.

More

Hillary Clinton Will Suffer for Obama's Executive Amnesty

The march towards a Hillary Clinton presidency seems inevitable, but Clinton continues to be her own greatest opponent. After refusing for weeks to take a definitive stance on President Barack Obama's proposed executive amnesty, Clintonendorsed it, via Twitter, after the fact on Thursday evening--therefore ensuring that she will be the target of Republican criticism and public outrage as the 2016 presidential campaign begins in earnest.

More

State Police Investigating a Homicide in Milton Apartment Complex

Milton - Delaware State Police Homicide Detectives are conducting an investigation into the shooting of two males in the Park Royal Apartment complex parking lot.

The incident occurred around 2:42 a.m. Monday November 24, 2014 when the Sussex County Emergency Operation Center (9-1-1) received a call of shots fired in the area of Park Royal Apartments located at 501 Palmer Street. A Milton Police Officer responded to the call and found two male victims parked in a vehicle outside the 400 building with gunshot wounds. First aid was rendered by the officer until Sussex County Paramedics and EMS arrived and transported the two victims to an area hospital.

The 20 year old male victim was pronounced dead upon arriving at the hospital and a 14 year old boy is admitted in critical condition.

At the request of the Milton Police Department, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit was contacted to assume the investigation. Currently, detectives continue their investigation by conducting interviews and collecting evidence at the scene to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Additional information and investigative details will be disseminated as soon as it becomes available and the investigation progresses.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact Detective J. King at 302-741-2821 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at: http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."

America’s Coolest Small Town recognized with three awards at Tourism and Travel Summit

The Town of Berlin was the focal point of three awards at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit held last week in Ocean City, announced Mayor Gee Williams.

Berlin was recognized as having the Best Social Media Campaign by the Maryland Tourism Council for its drive to become America’s Coolest Small Town. The Berlin’s Coolest Small Town win was also highlighted in the Visit Maryland Award given by the Maryland Office of Tourism to Worcester County Department of Tourism Director Lisa Challenger. The Visit Maryland Award is granted to individuals and businesses that elevate Maryland’s image as a tourism destination.

“Our partnerships continue to keep us cool,” said Mayor Gee Williams. “We could not have won these awards without the support of the Worcester County Office of Tourism, especially Director Lisa Challenger. She nominated us for the Budget Travel contest. She was the catalyst,” he added.

In addition, Berlin figured prominently in the Best Product or Event Award given to the Horses at the Beach, a horse history trail designed to preserve Maryland’s equine history. Spearheaded by Angela Reynolds, Managing Director at Hotels at Fager’s Island, and a volunteer on the Department of Agriculture’s Horse Industry Board’s Horse History Committee, Horses at the Beach is the first horse history trail in the state, with several locations in Berlin.

“Congratulations to Lisa and Angela on a job well done,” said Mayor Williams. “I am proud of the work they’ve done to enhance the economy of our community. They are helping co-create an even brighter future,” he added.

Source

Will History Repeat Itself?

Hello Joe - I'll probably need some help from your readers in getting information about Maryland's past government history and I welcome their input.  I have heard that if you wait long enough history will repeat itself.  When I look at today's political scenario that is now playing out here in Maryland -  I don't believe it's been that long ago since the people have seen the same playbook.  In recent times (well - almost recent 12-16 years ago) we had seen a Democratic Governor, nick named "Glendspending," because of his tax and spend management style, drive Maryland deeper into the "Structural Deficit Hole".  Now I don"t remember seeing that term used in Maryland's budget before Paris Glendening. To me - that says there is an automatic deficit built into the budget from the start and that is definitely the wrong road to go down. 

MD's Previous History. The people in Maryland were so upset over this "tax/spend" governing style that this Democratic State finally said "Enough is Enough" and did the unthinkable (at least for Maryland) and voted in a Republican Governor. The new Governor did get the state out of the red and into the black but he sure ruffled some feathers along the way. 

Ehrlich's Hallmarks - The Deal with Constellation Energy, which gave consumers the largest electric rate increase in our nations history - it really ticked off a lot of people.  After all, wasn't that what the last Governor was all about, taking more money out of our pockets? Then along comes that now famous bill, only surpassed by the "Rain Tax", and it was dubbed "THE FLUSH TAX".  Along with some other decisions (come on now, think back) this resulted in the ouster of the Republican Governor after just one term.  Perhaps if he had listened to the people who had elected him and not the entrenched establishment he would have been in for another term. So once again we get a darling of the Democratic Party elected - O'Malley - who goes right back to doing what Dems seem to do best and that is tax and spend.

So that brings us up to the present and history that's not yet written but you can recognize the scenario that appears to be getting put in placed. Remember when I said, " the Republican Governor should have listened to the people and not the entrenched establishment"?  Let's take a brief look at the Governor Elect's "Transition Team".  To me that term "Transition Team" means just a movement from one form of government and players to another different form of government with different players.  Remember also the "People", said Loud and Clear that they want "CHANGE". Well how can we get change with some of the people who have been assigned to this team? There's Nancy Grasmick to serve as "Education Adviser".   Now here's where I would like to get some assistance from you on these people. Isn't she the person who accepted every Liberal dollar from the federal government for programs like Thornton, Race to the Top, Common Core? Can't we do better? There's got to be some history here that we aren't privy to in order to make that decision. 

Then there's the new budget adviser, former Senator Robert Neal, who was a Republican and then changed to become a Democrat.  I don't know about you but I'm not too thrilled about having a Democrat advising on financial matters at this time. Anirban Basu will head up economic development for the transition team. Now he is the chief executive officer of a BALTIMORE Policy Group that charges cities, towns, counties and businesses large sums of money (they charged Pollitt 26-36K to tell him how to improve Wicomico County. Didn't work did it?).  In Wicomico one of the ideas proposed by the Sage Policy Group headed by Mr. Basu - was to charge out of county workers a tax, fee, etc whatever they want to call it, for the privilege of working in Wicomico County. Can you imagine the repercussions? I'm sure this company has some very good ideas but lets face it, the company is based in BALTIMORE.  Need I say anything more about that city? Just drive through it sometime. Look at it's stats - as it is slated for Bankruptcy in less than a decade. 

To me, if you want to make positive changes you have to start with a winning team. I see some good but also some very questionable choices. So how about it. Am I jumping the gun and being overly cautious or am I just reading too much into this "Transition Team"? I personally would like to see many changes in the next eight years, but Governors have to remember who and why they were put into office.

The People will be watching. 

John Palmer, Delmar, Md.

SPD Press Release 11-24-14 (Shoplifting)

11-17-14 through 11-23-14 _Shoplifting Press Release_.pdf

Sorry, Democrats: The GOP's Landslide Victory Wasn't Due to Low Voter Turnout

Many on the Left have sought to diminish the midterm election results, citing low voter turnout to throw cold water on the notion that Republicans won a mandate in their Election Night romp. President Obama himself attempted to address the electoral results through this prism, going out of his way to note that 'two-thirds' of voters failed to cast ballots in his first post-election press conference:

Liberals' preferred story instantaneously shifted from "there will be NoWave," to "that wave doesn't really count because no one voted." Obama's message implied that a small minority of Americans threw his party out of office, while many people stayed home out of disillusionment with politics in general. Three pieces of empirical data debunk this narrative. Item one:

More

Black Leaders Shamefully Silent on Obamnesty

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are endorsing President Obama’s amnesty for illegal immigrants, as they endeavor to maintain the fiction that the Democratic Party is aligned with the needs of the black community and maintain their own positions within the political power structure.

In reality, the failure of these organizations to examine the repercussions of the Executive Order on the black community is one more piece of evidence that black so-called “leaders” only care about the black community in order to keep the “racist meme” alive.

First and foremost, the average black person’s employment opportunities are jeopardized by the President’s order. According to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 20 percent of black people between the ages of 20 and 24 are unemployed and more than 30 percent of black people between the ages of 18 and 19 are unemployed. These rates have risen to their current level under the Obama administration, while black homeownership rates and median income have also fallen.

In many economic segments, the projected 5 million new workers will be competing directly for already scarce employment opportunities leaving a very real possibility that the economic status of blacks will decline further.

More

Al Sharpton: Racism To Blame For His Unpaid Tax Bills

Professional race baiter Al Sharpton owes a lot of money in back taxes to state and local governments in New York. How much? According to The New York Times , it’s $4.5 million – although Sharpton claims he only owes $800,000.

Either way, we’re talking about some serious cheddar …

The thinking is that Sharpton’s debt to the government is $4.5 million and the $800,000 figure he cites is what he’s negotiated with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to avoid being imprisoned.

Not surprisingly Sharpton – whose entire existence is devoted to inflaming racial tensions – views the whole situation as racially motivated. In fact in addressing the “misleading and totally out of context” reporting of the Times – one of America’s liberal media icons – he claims the criticism against him is due to the fact Barack Obama (a black man) is America’s president.

“A lot of people don’t like the fact that President Obama’s the president,” Sharpton told reporters this week.

Wow …

More

A Letter To The Editor: Today's Daily Times Edition - Front Page shows Conway/ Anderton, Mathias/ McDermott

Hi Joe

On this mornings edition of The Daily Times it profiles the campaign expenses of the incumbents, Norman Conway and Jim Mathias. It shows a full front page display - of the disparity in spending by the incumbents over their rival Republicans.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2014/11/21/maryland-campaign-finance-reports-conway-big-spender/19338073/

IMHO - The Daily Times missed the mark!! They continue to discount the effectiveness of SBYnews - as it was SBYnews that took the campaign fight to the public forefront.

Just yesterday - I was in a Salisbury manufacturer's office and the secretary was reading SBYnews on the office computer. She looked at me and said;

'You know what I think helped to swing the November 4th election - I truly believed that there are a lot more people reading SBYnews than you could possibly imagine and now you are seeing the results.'

BREAKING NEWS: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to step down

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is stepping down, a senior administration official tells Fox News. 

Maryland Unemployment Rate Improves In October

Maryland added 1,400 jobs in October, pushing the state's unemployment rate down to 6 percent.

The job market was boosted by the private sector, which posted a gain of 3,900 jobs in the month, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor. The unemployment rate is down from 6.3 percent in September.

During October, the professional and business sector led the way, adding 2,600 jobs. Education and health care services gained 1,200 jobs, while manufacturing grew by 400 jobs.

More

Leaked WH Amnesty Document: Obama to Fast Track Green Cards, Access to Govt. Benefits

President Barack Obama will fast track green cards--or legal permanent residency in the United States--in his planned executive amnesty for illegal aliens that he will announce on Thursday evening, a leaked document published by a liberal group shows.

The document says that for illegal aliens who get what the administration calls “relief from deportation,” that the Obama White House is “reducing the time that families are separated while obtaining their green cards.”

“Undocumented immigrants who are immediate relatives of lawful permanent residents or sons or daughters of US citizens can apply to get a waiver if a visa is available,” the White House document, published by the National Immigrant Youth Alliance—a pro-amnesty group—ahead of its scheduled release at 6 p.m., reads.

“The President’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions are an important step to fix our broken immigration system,” the document’s introduction reads. “Millions of undocumented immigrants who live in the shadows but want to play by the rules and pay taxes have no way to correct their immigration status under the law. That’s why the President is taking immediate action to fix as much of the problem as he can while continuing to work with Congress to pass a comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform bill.”

More

EPA Regulations To Raise Power Costs 37 Percent By 2020

Environmental Protection Agency rules will only force electricity prices up even higher as the agency finalizes a slew of regulations aimed at the power sector, according to a new report.

The report by Energy Ventures Analysis found that the EPA underestimates how much its power plant regulatory regime will raise electricity and natural gas prices by imposing new regulations on power plants, most recently being the agency’s rules to cut carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants.

These new rules to tackle global warming, combined with other rules to reduce more traditional air pollutants, will dramatically increase Americans’ utility bills by 2020, according to EVA’s report, which was sponsored by the coal company Peabody Energy.

“Annual power and gas costs for residential, commercial and industrial customers in America would be $284 billion higher ($173 billion in real terms) in 2020 compared to 2012 — a 60% (37%) increase,” the EVA report found.

More