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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Kratovil Panders for Socialized Medicine

Any time a politician talks about something being a "right", get ready for a tax increase. If congressional candidate Frank Kratovil has his way, get ready to pony up for socialized medicine.

On Thurday, Kratovil spoke before a group of federal retirees in Ocean City. This supposed "independent thinker" was towing the Nancy Pelosi line pretty hard. According to Kratovil, health care is a "right". That means a big new government program. Guess who gets to pay for it?

Read More ...

The DT ARTICLE - COSTS LIMIT TAKE - HOME VEHICLES

Thank you SBYnews. Your media is way out in the forefront on this subject.

SBYnews covered this in great detail several weeks ago. SBYnews even showed the bid solicitations for Wicomico's gasoline and diesel fuel solicitations being posted on the Wicomico County website. This generated considerable consternation from sby readers as evidenced by the number of comments posted.

Maybe the DT editor should give SBYnews some congratulatory praise for uncovering this and bringing the counties energy consumption to the forefront for the citizens of Wicomico County.

On the other hand. . .maybe the reason the County is just now starting to act on adopting a policy is because they first read about it being uncovered on SBYnews.

Thanks Joe. . . that's why I always look up SBYnews website first when waking up each morning. It's the only real - unbiased - news Wicomico County citizens are getting.

The Crisfield Labor Day Weekend Parade









To think that Salisbury only has one Parade a year shows the major difference between other communities getting out enjoying themselves and happy with their own community. Crisfield went all out with this Parade and the thousands of people that showed up had a blast! The kids lined the streets where candy was flying everywhere and life long lasting memories were made. It wasn't bitter cold, (obviously) and as you can see from these photos, people were truly having fun.

Oh, that's right, we have the Salisbury Festival, that's right. I liked the Parade and Crab Derby better myself. Thanks for a great time Crisfield. I'll be back!!!!!

Andy Harris Meets The Locals In Crisfield







The Crisfield Fire Department was giving out these unbelievably huge Hot Dogs and drinks yesterday after the Parade and Andy & I couldn't resist pounding one of those puppies! Their hospitality was no different than a family reunion and we thank you for that.

Crisfield is a beautiful Eastern Shore Town and if you haven't been there before, my God, you have no clue what you're missing.

DON'T FORGET!!!!!! Today at Noon is the Boat Docking Contest in Crisfield where they're expecting more than 4,000 people to attend.

Congressional Candidate Andy Harris Visits Crisfield Saturday






I had a blast hanging out with Andy Harris and Mark McIver yesterday in Crisfield.

Let me start by saying this. Thank You, ALL of you, who welcomed me as well as Andy Harris at this event. Even Andy was amazed at just how many people saw me or saw my tee shirt and came right up to shake my hand thanking me for what I do. It was certainly a pleasure meeting all of you.

Andy enjoyed meeting so many people there as well. There was so much talk about McCain's choice for Vice President and truly, everyone is very excited about it.

Frank White from Princess Anne was there with his beautiful Bride, Happy Birthday Melissa. Oh, and a very special Happy Birthday goes out to Andy Harris' Bride Cookie, today is her Birthday.

There was no sighting of Frank Kratovil anywhere yesterday in Ocean Pines or in Crisfield, nor the Democratic Crab Fiest last week?

With at least a 16 point lead in Andy's favor, it looks like Andy is going to smoke Kratovil anyway.

The Crisfield Crab Derby




Thousands of people showed up Friday and Saturday for the "Crab Derby" in Crisfield for their annual event. Did you go?

The Crown Still Packs Them In!


Yesterday I drove past the Crown Center in Fruitland twice and let me tell you, that place was packed both times! Bill & Judy Hearne have done something here people simply take for granted.

Yes, I know they charge for people to use this facility but believe me when I tell you, this man is NOT making money hand over fist on this facility. I hope they'll forgive me for saying this but ever since they lost their Son, this project came from their hearts and it has been their way of "Giving Back" and let me tell you, they've done just that.

Bill & Judy Hearne are, (IMHO) living legends in Wicomico County and we are all very blessed to have them here. If you've never been to this facility, drop by and visit it and see for yourself just what they've done and offer. I am personally honored to know this Family and you know what, there are very few people in this entire world like them.

Thank You Bill & Judy Hearne! Joe

Boss Hogg's Cousin!

Billy received a phone call from his sister in Orange County, CA this morningcousin-sarah.jpg informing him that John McCaines choice for VP, Sarah Palin is their shirt tail cousin!

Billy's uncle Moe moved to Alaska after the war and started his family. He and his wife Judy had nineteen children that survived. They were a nice Catholic couple who took their bite off of the American Pie in the Alaska, and they have all done well.

Family reunions are an astounding event especially when the Alaska Burkes show up, as all of the kids have had quite large families of their own and at the reunion last summer they filled the Grand Geneva Hotel in Wisconsin.

All of the Burke clan that I have met have Democrats, except for Billy. His teenage rebellion was being conservative! He is the black sheep in his family because of his political views being sooo conservative. Apparently, Billy is not the only one in the family who has crossed over....

Known as a political maverick Palin was elected as mayor in Wansilla, Alaska on a platform to end wasteful spending. Upon election she promptly fired the Chief of Police, opposed higher taxes and won, then ran for a second term and won even bigger than the first time

Sarah joined the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation board in 2003 where she resigned after only a year of service because of their lack of ethics and cronyism. After resigning she filed federal complaints against three of her fellow board members who were fined and were forced to resign.

Palin also exposed the state Republican Party's chairman, Randy Ruedrich, one of her fellow Oil & Gas commissioners for ethics violations. Unethical, for profit, pork barrel spending like the Bridge to Nowhere, which she was instrumental in having shut down is only part of her hit list.

With these brave attempts to take out the 'Good Ole Boy's', Palin drew much notoriety and declared her campaign for governor.

Mother of five, she is Alaskas first woman governor and it's youngest.

In the Pioneer Spirit of standing up for what is right, she won and won big. As Governor, Palin has continued her efforts to cut wasteful spending.

Immediatley after taking office as Governor she rescinded 35 polital appointments made by former Governor Frank Murkowski. She has tirelessly worked to get the Good O'le Boys out of the process, it is working .

Let's hope Sarah brings all of this to Washington to with her, it could use a little house cleaning!

What a small world; isn'nt it?

When WW III Started****1979

AMERICA NEEDS TO WAKE UP!

That's what we think we heard on the 11th of September 2001 (When more than 3,000 Americans were killed) and maybe it was, but I think it should have been 'Get Out of Bed!' In fact, I think the alarm clock has been buzzing since 1979 and we have continued to hit the snooze button and roll over for a few more minutes of peaceful sleep since then.

It was a cool fall day in November 1979 in a country going through a religious and political upheaval when a group of Iranian students attacked and seized the American Embassy in Tehran . This seizure was an outright attack on American soil; it was an attack that held the world's most powerful country hostage and paralyzed a Presidency.. The attack on this sovereign U. S. Embassy set the stage for events to follow for the next 25 years.

America was still reeling from the aftermath of the Vietnam experience and had a serious threat from the Soviet Union when then, President Carter, had to do something. He chose to conduct a clandestine raid in the desert. The ill-fated mission ended in ruin, but stood as a symbol of America's inability to deal with terrorism.

America's military had been decimated and down sized/right sized since the end of the Vietnam War. A poorly trained, poorly equipped and poorly organized military was called on to execute a complex mission that was doomed from the start.

Shortly after the Tehran experience, Americans began to be kidnapped and killed throughout the Middle East. America could do little to protect her citizens living and working abroad. The attacks against US soil continued.

In April of 1983 a large vehicle packed with high explosives was driven into the US Embassy compound in Beirut When it explodes, it kills 63 people. The alarm went off again and America hit the Snooze Button once more.

Then just six short months later in 1983 a large truck heavily laden down with over 2500 pounds of TNT smashed through the main gate of the US Marine Corps headquarters in Beirut and 241 US servicemen are killed. America mourns her dead and hit the Snooze Button once more.

Two months later in December 1983, another truck loaded with explosives is driven into the US Embassy in Kuwait , and America continues her slumber.

The following year, in September 1984, another van was driven into the gate of the US Embassy in Beirut and America slept.

Soon the terrorism spreads to Europe . In April 1985 a bomb explodes in a restaurant frequented by US soldiers in Madrid

Then in August 1985 a Volkswagen loaded with explosives is driven into the main gate of the US Air Force Base at Rhein-Main, 22 are killed and the snooze alarm is buzzing louder and louder as US interests are continually attacked.

Fifty-nine days later in 1985 a cruise ship, the Achille Lauro is hijacked and we watched as an American in a wheelchair is singled out of the passenger list and executed.

The terrorists then shift their tactics to bombing civilian airliners when they bomb TWA Flight 840 in April of 1986 that killed 4 and the most tragic bombing, Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988 , killing 259.

The wake up alarm is getting louder and louder.

The terrorists decide to bring the fight to America . In January 1993 , two CIA agents are shot and killed as they enter CIA headquarters in Langley , Virginia

The following month, February 1993 , a group of terrorists are arrested after a rented van packed with explosives is driven into the underground parking garage of the World Trade Center in New York City. Six people are killed and over 1000 are injured. Still this is a crime and not an act of war? The Snooze alarm is depressed again.

Then in November 1995 a car bomb explodes at a US military complex in Riyadh Saudi Arabia killing seven service men and women.

A few months later in June of 1996 , another truck bomb explodes only 35 yards from the US military compound in Dhahran , Saudi Arabia. It destroys the Khobar Towers , a US Air Force barracks, killing 19 and injuring over 500. The terrorists are getting braver and smarter as they see that America does not respond decisively.

They move to coordinate their attacks in a simultaneous attack on two US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania .. These attacks were planned with precision. They kill 224. America responds with cruise missile attacks and goes back to sleep.

The USS Cole was docked in the port of Aden, Yemen for refueling on 12 October 2000 , when a small craft pulled along side the ship and exploded killing 17 US Navy Sailors. Attacking a US War Ship is an act of war, but we sent the FBI to investigate the crime and went back to sleep.

And of course you know the events of 11 September 2001. Most Americans think this was the first attack against US soil or in America . How wrong they are. America has been under a constant attack since 1979 and we chose to hit the snooze alarm and roll over and go back to sleep.

In the news lately we have seen lots of finger pointing from every high officials in government over what they knew and what they didn't know. But if you've read the papers and paid a little attention I think you can see exactly what they knew. You don't have to be in the FBI or CIA or on the National Security Council to see the pattern that has been developing since 1979.

I think we have been in a war for the past 25 years and it will continue until we as a people decide enough is enough. America needs to 'Get out of Bed' and act decisively now. America has been changed forever.. We have to be ready to pay the price and make the sacrifice to ensure our way of life continues. We cannot afford to keep hitting the snooze button again and again and roll over and go back to sleep.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Admiral Yamamoto said '... it seems all we have done is awakened a sleeping giant.' This is the message we need to disseminate to terrorists around the world.

Today's Wild Photo

Today's Daily Times

Look, considering the Sunday Daily Times is the most expensive of the week, give me a little something for my money! Give me articles that haven't been all over Salisbury News days ago! Give me information in your News Tracker, (or whatever they call it) that didn't come from Salisbury News. Heck, I don't even recall them doing an article on the street performer in Ocean City, (I have done two articles on that) topic. Quite frankly, I believe this Sunday's Paper was smaller than any regular week day with exception of the sale ads.

I have been in contact with insiders within the Daily Times and although Joe Carmean denied several days ago that they were laying off people left and right, they are laying off people left and right and no one knows about it. This was confirmed to me just recently.

The hand me down equipment they're getting is causing massive delays in production, yet they're spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on Office Supplies, like desks and chairs.

The local Salisbury Daily Times is being seriously mismanaged and they better start doing something real quick because I don't think it's going to take much longer with this slowing economy and daily customers getting fed up with their lack of news. AP articles are great but we all know we can get that news on line and or well before hand on local television news shows.

I am very disappointed in today's paper and should you waste the money to go out and buy one today, so will you. Just my opinion.

Now That's A Beautiful Truck!


My Brother used to have a 57 P/U Truck just like this one. The only difference was, his was blue. This is one of the many classic cars down in Crisfield Saturday for the Parade and Car Show. The owner of this beauty must be very proud.

More Sign Waving On Saturday






At 8:00 AM, Andy Harris came to Salisbury and joined everyone waving signs and enjoying the reception from the Eastern Shore. It's always nice when the Candidate gets involved.

Andy left this location around 9:00 AM to head out to Ocean Pines for their Labor Day Parade and then he was off to Crisfield for their parade at Noon. I should have a Post up about that event as well.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Sam's Club Drops Prices Again

Sam's Club took the lead again this evening by dropping their gas prices down to $3.34 a Gallon! Gordy is at $3.45 a Gallon. Happy traveling Folks.

Today's Wild Photo

How Many Families Must be Displaced before We Change our City Codes?

On August 16, four Pocomoke City families lost their homes. Why? Because they lived in a structure that was originally built for one single family, but our codes allow property owners to take a large home and turn it into Multi-family dwellings.

So what is the problem with this?

The problem is these (usually older) homes are built using 'balloon construction'. Which means that the perimeter of the structure is where the main strength of the building lies, that is then covered in some sort of sheathing, usually wood, and now to improve looks and to avoid painting they are often covered in highly toxic (when burned) vinyl siding.

Inside the structure there are no solid walls that are solid and keep fire from spreading from one unit to another. Thus when one of these rental properties catches fire, it burns just like a single family home in that the fire follows the path of least resistance and is able to spread from room to room and floor to floor.

Building that are purpose built to be apartments are required to have fire walls in between each unit. This is not only a life saving requirement but also saves property.

This particular home from all outward appearances seems to have been owned by a conscientious person as it has been well maintained and that is great. However, the burden lies on the City to change these laws that dictate how many units your property can be divided into.

Last year at about this same time, a huge home on Market Street went up into flames and Five families lost their homes on that day, as well as other structure over the last year. How many families have been displaced through tragedy instead of through good planning?

How long will this be OK with the people of this city?

With proper zoning and planning our citizens will be safer, while saving tax payer dollars in Emergency Shelter, and relocation. Not to mention the cost of trauma on the lives of our citizens.

Labor Day Traffic Is Nowhere To Be Found



While you'd expect there to be bumper to bumper traffic on the Bypass for Labor Day Weekend, that's just not the case this year. The cars are few and far between, probably because of the back up at the Bay Bridge. Nonetheless, this has got to be killing Ocean City business! Be safe this weekend Folks.

WHO IS SARAH PALIN (Besides Being Gov. Of Alaska)?


Details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin

Extract:

Palin was elected governor in 2006 after defeating incumbent governor Frank
Murkowski in the Republican primary and former Democratic governor Tony Knowles
in the general election. She was the youngest person, and the first woman, to
be elected governor of Alaska. She gained attention for publicizing ethical
violations by state Republican Party leaders. Before becoming governor, Palin
served two terms on the Wasilla City Council from 1992 to 1996, was elected
mayor of Wasilla in 1996, and ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in
2002.

Early life

Palin was born Sarah Louise Heath in Sandpoint, Idaho, the daughter of Sarah
(née Sheeran), a school secretary, and Charles R. Heath, a science teacher and
track coach. She has English, Irish, and German ancestry. Her family moved to
Alaska when she was an infant. The Heaths were avid outdoors enthusiasts; Sarah
and her father would sometimes wake at 3 a.m. to hunt moose before school, and
the family regularly ran 5 km and 10 km races.

At Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Alaska, Palin was the head of the school
Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was the point guard and captain for the
basketball team. She helped the team win the Alaska small-school championship
in 1982, hitting a critical free throw in the last seconds, despite a stress
fracture in her ankle. She earned the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" because of her
intense play, and was the leader of team prayer before games.

In 1984, after winning the Miss Wasilla contest earlier that year, Palin
finished second in the Miss Alaska beauty pageant which won her a scholarship
to help pay her way through college. In the Wasilla pageant, she played the
flute and also won Miss Congeniality.

Palin holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Idaho
where she also minored in politics. She married her high school sweetheart,
Todd Palin, on August 29, 1988, and briefly worked as a sports reporter for
local Anchorage television stations while also working as a commercial
fisherman with her husband. From 1994 until 1997, Palin and her husband owned a
snowmobile, watercraft, and all terrain vehicle business.


Pre-gubernatorial political experience

Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council from 1992 to 1996. In 1996,
she challenged and defeated the incumbent mayor, criticizing wasteful spending
and high taxes. The ex-mayor and sheriff tried to organize a recall campaign,
but failed. Palin kept her campaign promises by reducing her own salary, as
well as reducing property taxes by 60%. She ran for reelection against the
former mayor in 1999, winning by an even larger margin. Palin was also elected
president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors.

In 2002, Palin made an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor, coming in
second to Loren Leman in a four-way race. After Frank Murkowski resigned from
his long-held U.S. Senate seat in mid-term to become governor, Palin
interviewed to be his possible successor. Instead, Murkowski appointed his
daughter, then-Alaska State Representative Lisa Murkowski.

Governor Murkowski appointed Palin Ethics Commissioner of the Alaska Oil and
Gas Conservation Commission, where she served from 2003 to 2004 until resigning
in protest over what she called the "lack of ethics" of fellow Alaskan
Republican leaders, who ignored her whistleblowing complaints of legal
violations and conflicts of interest. After she resigned, she exposed the state
Republican Party's chairman, Randy Ruedrich, one of her fellow Oil & Gas
commissioners, who was accused of doing work for the party on public time, and
supplying a lobbyist with a sensitive e-mail. Palin filed formal complaints
against both Ruedrich and former Alaska Attorney General Gregg Renkes, who both
resigned; Ruedrich paid a record $12,000 fine.


Personal life

Palin's husband, Todd, is a commercial fisherman and is one-eighth Yup'ik..
Outside the fishing season, Todd works for BP energy corporation at an oil
field on Alaska's North Slope and is a champion snowmobiler, winning the 2000-
mile "Iron Dog" race four times. The two eloped shortly after Palin graduated
from college; when they learned they needed witnesses for the civil ceremony,
they recruited two residents from the old-age home down the street. The Palin
family lives in Wasilla, about 40 miles north of Anchorage.

On September 11, 2007, the Palins' then eighteen-year-old son Track, eldest of
five, joined the Army. He now serves in an infantry brigade and will be
deployed to Iraq on September 11, 2008. She also has three daughters: Bristol,
Willow and Piper.

On April 18, 2008, while in office as governor, Palin gave birth to her second
son and fifth child, Trig Paxson Van Palin, who has Down syndrome. She returned
to the office three days after giving birth. Her decision to have the baby
after prenatal genetic testing revealed he had the disorder resulted in
admiration from the pro-life community.

Details of Palin's personal life have contributed to her political image. She
hunts, eats moose hamburger, ice fishes, rides snowmobiles, and owns a float
plane. Palin holds a lifetime membership with the National Rifle Association.
She admits that she used marijuana when it was legal in Alaska, but says that
she did not like it. In December 2007, Palin posed for a photo spread in the
fashion magazine Vogue.

Andy Harris For Congress, John McCain For President






Supporters for both parties were standing on Rt. 50 near Perdue Stadium last nigt waving o everyone tat passed by. The reception was unbelievable! I can't lie, one guy even honked and gave me the Joe Albero is #1 sign, LOL. Seriously though, they chose a perfect spot because there was a ton of horns honking away and people cheering them on as they drove by.

Whatever Works For You?


However, is it legal?

Governor Sarah Palin In Kuwait In 2007

Don't Forget Today's Classifieds

The link is just to your right. Click on it and check out the items listed for this week. Remember, if you have something you want to sell, send it to alberobutzo@wmconnect.com .

Have a safe and happy weekend.

Salisbury News Delivers In Real Time!


While the Daily Times is out delivering yesterday's news, Salisbury News is delivering instant news in real time. Oh, did I forget to mention we're FREE too?

THE NEW METER MAN'S HERE, THE NEW METER MAN'S HERE!


Who wants to start a pool to see how long this one will last?

Why Does Public Works Have A Repair Shop?


I'm just wondering why the City sends their vehicles out to be repaired or standard maintenance?

Prescription Discount Information

Several people contacted me over the past few days asking for more information on the Wicomico County Discount Prescription Program so I thought I'd put up this Post to help everyone understand it better. Yes, it's boring but a necessity for many. I hope this helps.

Cards are available at the Government Office Building, the Health Department, the Civic Center, the Salvation Army, Family Connection Centers, the Hazel Youth Center and the Library. Ms. Brewster added that, “We would be delighted to provide a card display for any other organizations that want to participate.”

The rest is as simple as this…anyone who has a card can use it at a participating pharmacy. These are:

Apple Discount Drugs 404 N. Fruitland Blvd. Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 749-8401

Apple Discount Drugs 1500A Pemberton Drive Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 543-8401

Community Pharmacy 725 S. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 749-1899

Delmarva Pharmacy 1324 Belmont Aye, Suite 101 Salisbury MD 21804 (410) 677-0561

Eastern Shore Pharmacy 400 Eastern Shore Drive #103 Salisbury MD 21804 (410) 749-5253

Giant Pharmacy 751 S. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury MD 21801 (443) 260-2400

Kmart Pharmacy 301 Tilghman Rd Salisbury MD 21804 (410) 742-2662

Milford Street Pharmacy 106 Milford Street Salisbury MD 21804 (410) 742-0869

Neighborcare Salisbury 119W. Naylor Mill Rd, Suite 7 Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 860-2620

Pemberton Pharmacy and Gift 1147 Pemberton Drive Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 677-0707

Rite Aid Pharmacy 833 S. Salisbury Blvd Salisbury MD 21801 (443) 260-0722

Rite Aid Pharmacy 1301 E. State Street Delmar MD 21875 (410) 896-9612

Rite Aid Pharmacy 1214 Nanticoke Rd Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 543-8180

Rite Aid Pharmacy 309 Civic Ave Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 749-0205

Rite Aid Pharmacy 740 S. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 334-3933

Rite Aid Pharmacy 1111 Mt. Hermon Rd Salisbury MD 21804 (410) 543-9358

Riverside Pharmacy 540 Riverside Drive Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 742-1188

Sams Club 2700 N. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 546-1984

Super Fresh Pharmacy 125 College Ave Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 860-9446

Target Pharmacy 125 E. Northpointe Dr. Salisbury MD 21804 (410) 572-8518

Walgreens 735 S. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 219-5261

Wal-Mart Pharmacy 409 N. Fruitland Blvd. Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 341-6208

Wal-Mart Pharmacy 2702 N. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury MD 21801 (410) 860-5323

Her are the promotional materials that accompany the program…



No Daily Times Delivery AGAIN This Morning!