DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, October 19, 2015
Palestinians Torch Jewish Shrine Amid 'Revolution' Calls
Palestinians torched a site revered by Jews in the West Bank overnight in an incident that threatened to further inflame over two weeks of deadly unrest, as fresh protests were planned for Friday.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, under pressure over recent comments that some have labelled incitement, quickly condemned the fire at the site in the northern city of Nablus known as Joseph's Tomb.
Video showed what looked like an extensive blaze and the Israeli army called it "a despicable act" of desecration.
The arson came as Palestinians called for a "Friday of revolution" against Israel, and Jerusalem police barred men under 40 from attending the main weekly prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, seeking to keep young protesters away.
Israeli security forces have deployed massively in Jerusalem after two weeks of Palestinian attacks in the city and across Israel. Beginning Sunday, some 300 soldiers will reinforce police, stretched thin by the unrest.
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Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, under pressure over recent comments that some have labelled incitement, quickly condemned the fire at the site in the northern city of Nablus known as Joseph's Tomb.
Video showed what looked like an extensive blaze and the Israeli army called it "a despicable act" of desecration.
The arson came as Palestinians called for a "Friday of revolution" against Israel, and Jerusalem police barred men under 40 from attending the main weekly prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, seeking to keep young protesters away.
Israeli security forces have deployed massively in Jerusalem after two weeks of Palestinian attacks in the city and across Israel. Beginning Sunday, some 300 soldiers will reinforce police, stretched thin by the unrest.
More
Pizza Woman Delivers to Church… Leaves Sobbing After What Christians Do to Her
Members of Sycamore Creek Church in Pickerington, Ohio, recently did something absolutely amazing for a Domino’s pizza delivery driver named Natasha.
When Natasha arrived at a church gathering on Oct. 4 to deliver a $5.99 pizza, reported The Columbus Dispatch, the lead pastor Rev. Steve Markle brought her on stage and asked her what the biggest tip she had ever received was.
She replied that it was $10. Rev. Markle then handed her $15 from his own pocket.
“We’ve been teaching our church this last month about being generous, and so we did something special for you today,” he continued. “We took up a special offering for a tip for you.”
Without a moment to lose, the reverend then handed her the rest of his congregation’s tip — a stack of bills valued at $1,046.
(A video recording of the whole incident can be viewed here)
When Natasha arrived at a church gathering on Oct. 4 to deliver a $5.99 pizza, reported The Columbus Dispatch, the lead pastor Rev. Steve Markle brought her on stage and asked her what the biggest tip she had ever received was.
She replied that it was $10. Rev. Markle then handed her $15 from his own pocket.
“We’ve been teaching our church this last month about being generous, and so we did something special for you today,” he continued. “We took up a special offering for a tip for you.”
Without a moment to lose, the reverend then handed her the rest of his congregation’s tip — a stack of bills valued at $1,046.
(A video recording of the whole incident can be viewed here)
This Is How Much Not Having Health Insurance Will Cost Starting in 2016
That means the 2016 sign-up season starting Nov. 1 could see penalties become a bigger focus to motivate millions of people who have remained eligible for coverage, but uninsured. They’re said to be more skeptical about the value of health insurance.
Until now, health overhaul supporters have stressed the benefits of getting covered: taxpayer subsidies that pay roughly 70 percent of the monthly premium, financial protection against sudden illness or an accident, and access to regular preventive and follow-up medical care.
But in 2016, the penalty for being uninsured will rise to the greater of either – $695 or 2.5 percent of taxable income – for someone who goes without coverage for a full 12 months. This year the comparable numbers are $325 or 2 percent of income. While the increase isn’t good news, it does create a marketing opportunity.
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Troopers Investigate Hit and Run of Bicyclist, Seaford
Seaford, DE – The Delaware State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing their investigation into the October 15th hit and run crash involving a teen riding a bicycle west of Seaford and have located the vehicle and identified the operator.
On Monday October 19, 2015 , investigators were contacted by Justin J. Trice, 26 of Easton, Maryland, who was operating a 1999 GMC Sonoma when he struck Melleca Butler while riding his bicycle southbound on Woodpecker Road.
No charges have been filed at this time and the investigation into this incident is on-going.
Melleca Butler is still hospitalized in critical condition.
On Monday October 19, 2015 , investigators were contacted by Justin J. Trice, 26 of Easton, Maryland, who was operating a 1999 GMC Sonoma when he struck Melleca Butler while riding his bicycle southbound on Woodpecker Road.
No charges have been filed at this time and the investigation into this incident is on-going.
Melleca Butler is still hospitalized in critical condition.
IRS spends millions to upgrade to outdated version of Windows
The long-overdue upgrades are leaving fiscal watchdogs scratching their heads and have security specialists worried about vulnerabilities to hackers.
Windows 7 was introduced to the market in October 2009, and the IRSdidn’t begin upgrading until 2011. After four years and nearly $140 million, the IRS still had not upgraded thousands of Windows XP computers to the already outdated Windows 7 operating system by their “end of life” deadlines, according to a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
In all, the IRS had 110,000 workstations to upgrade from Windows XP and 6,000 servers to upgrade from Windows Server 2003, but according to the report, the IRS had not accounted for the location or migration status of approximately 1,300 workstations and upgraded only about half of its Windows servers from the 2003 software version to Windows 7.
Now, the “new” operating system required for IRS computers is 6 years old and the XP system is no longer supported by Microsoft, leaving taxpayers’ information vulnerable, the watchdog warned. Since the upgrades began, Microsoft has issued two newer generations of its operating software, Windows 8 in August 2012 and Windows 10 this year.
“When an operating system reaches its end of life, companies such as Microsoft stop supporting the operating system, which leaves the systems vulnerable to attack. For the IRS, the use of outdated operating systems may expose taxpayer information to unauthorized disclosure, which can lead to identity theft,” auditors wrote. “Further, network disruptions and security breaches may prevent the IRS from performing vital taxpayer services, such as processing tax returns, issuing refunds, and answering taxpayer inquiries.”
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Anne Arundel County cop charged in testicle-biting incident no longer with department
Michael Flaig, a Northern District officer and 10-year veteran of the department, became involved in an argument with a man outside Looney's Pub in Canton after the man told Flaig to stop groping the man's female roommate, police wrote in charging documents. The interaction escalated to a physical confrontation, with the man straddling Flaig's upper body, when Flaig bit the man "in the testicle area," according to police.
Flaig, 31, was charged with second degree assault and an alcohol offense, according to charging documents. Flaig faced up to 10 years or $2,500 for the assault charge and 90 days or $100 for the alcohol charge.
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PA Moves to Ban Government Union Political Funding
Senate bill would separate political from representational funding
The Pennsylvania state Senate passed a bill that would ban the government transfer of public sector worker dues to political organizations on Wednesday.
The Senate voted 26-23 to pass SB 501 after a short debate. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Eichelberger (R.) said the vote was a victory for individuals over political interests.
“This is what the majority of union members want and what the public deserves,” Eichelberger said in a release. “It protects members from being forced through the union to fund political candidates or causes they don’t support.”
The bill became known as Mary’s Law, named after Pennsylvania College of Technology professor Mary Trometter who filed suit to stop her local union from directly financing political causes with which she disagreed. Tormetter complained to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in November after receiving a Pennsylvania State Education Association mailer implying that all teachers supported Democratic candidate Tom Wolf.
“As a family member of an educator, you know they are devoting their career to helping others … Please join Mary in voting for Tom Wolf for Governor on November 4th,” the letter said.
Wolf beat Republican Gov. Tom Corbett by 10 points.
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The Pennsylvania state Senate passed a bill that would ban the government transfer of public sector worker dues to political organizations on Wednesday.
The Senate voted 26-23 to pass SB 501 after a short debate. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. John Eichelberger (R.) said the vote was a victory for individuals over political interests.
“This is what the majority of union members want and what the public deserves,” Eichelberger said in a release. “It protects members from being forced through the union to fund political candidates or causes they don’t support.”
The bill became known as Mary’s Law, named after Pennsylvania College of Technology professor Mary Trometter who filed suit to stop her local union from directly financing political causes with which she disagreed. Tormetter complained to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in November after receiving a Pennsylvania State Education Association mailer implying that all teachers supported Democratic candidate Tom Wolf.
“As a family member of an educator, you know they are devoting their career to helping others … Please join Mary in voting for Tom Wolf for Governor on November 4th,” the letter said.
Wolf beat Republican Gov. Tom Corbett by 10 points.
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Driver’s Astonishing Response After He’s Caught on Video Swerving His Car Into a Passing Motorcycle and Sending the Riders Crashing to the Road
When a trailing motorcyclist confronted the car driver after the collision, telling him what happened to his friend, the driver’s response — several times — was, “I don’t care.”
And it was all caught on the trailing motorcyclist’s helmetcam, a video that’s been viewed on Facebook nearly 1.5 million times.
The relevant portion of the video starts after the 1:30 mark. (Content warning: Strong language):
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Kentucky City Fights to Save Cross on Water Tower
A Pro-Cross Rally is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday in Wilmore, Ky., a small city with a population of 6,000. Hundreds of white crosses this week have appeared on residents’ front lawns throughout the city to show support after the Freedom From Religion Foundation demanded that the city remove the cross and a picture of the water tower from the city’s website. The group claims that the cross “unabashedly creates the perception of government endorsement of Christianity” and “has an exclusionary effect, making non-Christian and non-believing residents of Wilmore political outsiders.”
The cross has been located for over four decades on top of a water tower on Asbury University, a Christian school. The city owns the water tower, but the university pays the electric bill for the cross.
Harold Rainwater, the town’s mayor, told a local newspaper he does not plan to remove the cross, and several attorneys have offered to represent the city in its fight against the foundation if it files a lawsuit.
One resident, Sheila Nighy, started making wooden crosses this week, and many have been placed throughout the city. Nagy said if the group disliked one cross, they would dislike hundreds more.
“We saw the letter and I said, ‘Take down our cross? We’ll put up more!’”
The residents of Wilmore are not alone in their fight to save their cross. Many on social media from across the country have weighed in. Some from as far away as Arizona have asked Nighy whether they could purchase a cross.
More here
Russia Targets Christians, Religious Minorities in Ukraine
Report: Pro-Kremlin groups, Russian troops beat, expel religious leaders to establish dominance of Russian Orthodox Church
Russia and its proxy forces have engaged in a systematic campaign in the last year to abuse religious minorities in Ukraine, according to a new report and accounts that have garnered scant attention in the Western press.
In its annual report on International Religious Freedom, released Wednesday, the Department of State said that conditions for religious minorities deteriorated in the parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists, as well as in the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea. Russia seized Crimea in March 2014, and Western nations have accused the Kremlin of backing the Ukrainian separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 8,000 people since last April.
“In the areas they control, the separatists have kidnapped, beaten, and threatened Protestants, Catholics, and members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, as well as participated in anti-Semitic acts,” the report said.
The separatists formed two “people’s republics” last April in Donetsk and Luhansk and declared in the constitution that the primary religion would be the “Christian Orthodox faith … practiced by the Russian Orthodox Church.” All other religions, including separate Christian denominations, appear to have been targeted.
Russia and its proxy forces have engaged in a systematic campaign in the last year to abuse religious minorities in Ukraine, according to a new report and accounts that have garnered scant attention in the Western press.
In its annual report on International Religious Freedom, released Wednesday, the Department of State said that conditions for religious minorities deteriorated in the parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists, as well as in the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea. Russia seized Crimea in March 2014, and Western nations have accused the Kremlin of backing the Ukrainian separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 8,000 people since last April.
“In the areas they control, the separatists have kidnapped, beaten, and threatened Protestants, Catholics, and members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, as well as participated in anti-Semitic acts,” the report said.
The separatists formed two “people’s republics” last April in Donetsk and Luhansk and declared in the constitution that the primary religion would be the “Christian Orthodox faith … practiced by the Russian Orthodox Church.” All other religions, including separate Christian denominations, appear to have been targeted.
DHS ID card rule could bar some visitors from federal buildings
Visitors to federal facilities and military bases must now have identification cards from states that adopted REAL ID standards to be admitted.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that starting Oct. 10, visitors to government property must have identification from states meeting minimum security requirements to enter everything from federal office buildings to nuclear power plants.
New York, Minnesota, Louisiana and American Samoa are the only jurisdictions not in compliance with REAL ID standards.
Those outlier states have a three-month grace period before federal building staff begin enforcing the new rule. The federal government will announce which states get further extensions in the coming days.
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The Department of Homeland Security announced that starting Oct. 10, visitors to government property must have identification from states meeting minimum security requirements to enter everything from federal office buildings to nuclear power plants.
New York, Minnesota, Louisiana and American Samoa are the only jurisdictions not in compliance with REAL ID standards.
Those outlier states have a three-month grace period before federal building staff begin enforcing the new rule. The federal government will announce which states get further extensions in the coming days.
More
Catholic Cardinal: 'Atheistic Secularism' and 'Islamic Fundamentalism' Are 'Almost Like Two "Apocalyptic Beasts"'
These “two unexpected threats” are “almost like two ‘apocalyptic beasts,’” said Cardinal Sarah, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 to head the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
He also stressed that just as Nazi-fascism and communism were twin evils of the 20th century, so too today are “Western homosexual and abortion Ideologies and Islamic fascism.”
“’We are not contending against creatures of flesh and blood,’” he said, referencing scripture. “We need to be inclusive and welcoming to all that is human; but what comes from the Enemy cannot and must not be assimilated. You can not join Christ and Belial!”
Read more here
MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE $800,000 IN FUNDING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY FOODS, CREATES JOBS IN BALTIMORE CITY
WORLD FOOD DAY 2015: MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE $800,000 IN FUNDING TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY FOODS, CREATES JOBS IN BALTIMORE CITY
U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (Both D-Md.) announced that the Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC), Inc. has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support the construction of City Seeds-Baltimore Food Enterprise Center. The City Seeds- Baltimore Food Enterprise Center is a shared use commercial kitchen facility that would allow small businesses, urban farmers and other food entrepreneurs to use the facility as needed to distribute their products. The facility would also accommodate local urban farmers, gardeners and other growers seeking to either further process their fresh crop (wash, sort, cut and package) or produce a product with a shelf life.
“These federal dollars through a public/private partnership will help get rid of food deserts and create jobs in Baltimore by supporting small business that bring healthy food right to where Baltimore families need it the most,” Senator Mikulski said. “As a social worker, I know the importance of nutrition assistance to those who need it most. That’s why I’m for smart federal investments that reflect our American values of protecting our country and neighbor helping neighbor. From the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program that helps pregnant and postpartum women to the Farmers Market Nutrition Program that helps low-income families have better access to healthy food. No one should ever have to choose between paying the rent or buying food.”
DOJ Official Praises the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Work
(CNSNews) – John Carlin, the assistant attorney general for national security, announced Wednesday that the Justice Department is creating the new position of domestic terrorism counsel to combat the “real and present threat” of domestic extremism.
Carlin praised groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center “that dedicate themselves to examining what the threat is, observing it, and reporting on it,” adding that the work of the SPLC was “very important.”
The SPLC says it places groups -- including conservative, Christian groups -- on its "Hate List" based on their beliefs, not their propensity for violence.
Carlin was asked about the value of SPLC’s work in helping DOJ deal with the threat of domestic terrorist extremism.
“I can say, based on our briefings, that as I said in my opening remarks, we very much think that the domestic terrorism threat is a real and present threat that demands to be addressed in new, creative ways,” he replied emphasizing that “Southern Poverty Law Center and other groups in this space are very important.”
The SPLC’s website features a “hate map” that lists the conservative. Christian Family Research Council (FRC) as a “hate group” because of its defense of traditional marriage.
More here
Carlin praised groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center “that dedicate themselves to examining what the threat is, observing it, and reporting on it,” adding that the work of the SPLC was “very important.”
The SPLC says it places groups -- including conservative, Christian groups -- on its "Hate List" based on their beliefs, not their propensity for violence.
Carlin was asked about the value of SPLC’s work in helping DOJ deal with the threat of domestic terrorist extremism.
“I can say, based on our briefings, that as I said in my opening remarks, we very much think that the domestic terrorism threat is a real and present threat that demands to be addressed in new, creative ways,” he replied emphasizing that “Southern Poverty Law Center and other groups in this space are very important.”
The SPLC’s website features a “hate map” that lists the conservative. Christian Family Research Council (FRC) as a “hate group” because of its defense of traditional marriage.
More here
Georgetown to be renamed Hill Valley for Back to the Future Day Oct. 21
In tribute to the 30th anniversary of the Back to the Future films, Georgetown Mayor & Town Council will pass a resolution, ceremoniously changing the name of Georgetown to "Hill Valley" Oct. 21. The resolution is just one part of a multifaceted event the Georgetown Chamber has organized, in partnership with Southern Delaware Tourism, 16 Mile Brewery and the Town of Georgetown, to commemorate this particular day. In Back to the Future Part II, Oct. 21, 2015 is the very date that main character Marty McFly travels from his present-day 1985 to 30 years in the future.
For this celebration, Scott McMullan of Bryn Mawr, Pa. and member of the DeLorean Mid-Atlantic Car Club, will attend with his classic DeLorean “time machine.” A recreation (of sorts) of the electric scene at Hill Valley’s Clock Tower from the first movie will take place in front of the County Courthouse Clock Tower starting at 4:30 p.m. All the while “Doc Brown” (aka DJ Sky Brady) will be spinning tunes from the film’s popular soundtrack. Come prepared to compete in Back to the Future trivia and win BTTF props if you come dressed like Marty McFly or Doc Brown.
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Cat Missing 10-19-15
Terrorist Disguised as Journalist Stabs IDF Soldier
A terrorist wearing the yellow garb of a photojournalist stabbed an IDF soldier on Friday, at the Hazayit checkpoint near Hebron.
According to initial reports, the terrorist - who wore a yellow vest with "PRESS" written on it and who carried photography equipment - loitered near the checkpoint, with Hamas's Al Quds television station broadcasting live.
The Deputy Commander of the IDF's Judea-Samaria Brigade, and the Battalion Commander of the Tsabar Battalion of Givati, were touring the area and scanning for terror activity there following Hamas's declaration of a "Day of Rage," Yediot Aharonot reports.
When the two left their vehicle, the terrorist pulled out a knife, dropped his props, and ran for a soldier who was part of the two commanders' entourage, stabbing him.
The terrorist was shot dead immediately by a senior officer at the site.
The soldier, a 20 year-old man, was evacuated for medical treatment to Shaarei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem by Magen David Adom (MDA) medics at the scene, and is reportedly in moderate condition.
More here
According to initial reports, the terrorist - who wore a yellow vest with "PRESS" written on it and who carried photography equipment - loitered near the checkpoint, with Hamas's Al Quds television station broadcasting live.
The Deputy Commander of the IDF's Judea-Samaria Brigade, and the Battalion Commander of the Tsabar Battalion of Givati, were touring the area and scanning for terror activity there following Hamas's declaration of a "Day of Rage," Yediot Aharonot reports.
When the two left their vehicle, the terrorist pulled out a knife, dropped his props, and ran for a soldier who was part of the two commanders' entourage, stabbing him.
The terrorist was shot dead immediately by a senior officer at the site.
The soldier, a 20 year-old man, was evacuated for medical treatment to Shaarei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem by Magen David Adom (MDA) medics at the scene, and is reportedly in moderate condition.
More here
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