Popular Posts

Friday, January 22, 2010

Poll: Frustration With D.C. Fueled GOP In Mass.


2 in 3 Brown voters say they are dissatisfied with Democrats in Washington

WASHINGTON
- Dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, antipathy toward federal government activism and opposition to the Democrats' health-care proposals drove the upset election of Republican Senator-elect Scott Brown of Massachusetts, according to a new post-election survey of Massachusetts voters.

The poll by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University's School of Public Health underscores how significantly voter anger has turned against Democrats in Washington and how dramatically the political landscape has shifted during President Obama's first year in office.

Sixty-three percent of Massachusetts special-election voters say the country is seriously off track, and Brown captured two-thirds of these voters in his victory over Democrat Martha Coakley. In November 2008, Obama scored a decisive win among the more than eight in 10 Massachusetts voters seeing the country as off course.

GO HERE to read more.

Delmar Police Department Press Release

Incident: Controlled Substance Violations
Date: 01-22-10
Location: North RT 13 @ Winner Blvd Delmar, Maryland
Suspect: Jeffrey Marcellous Stewart Jr, 25 Y.O.A. Salisbury, MD

On Friday, January 22, 2010 Law enforcement Officer of the Delmar Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jeffrey Stewart. During the stop, a Delmar K-9 Unit scanned the vehicle for presence of controlled dangerous substance. After the K-9 alerted on the odor of controlled substances, Officers searched the vehicle. The search revealed a large quantity of marijuana located in the trunk of the vehicle. Based on the amount of marijuana seized, it appeared to be a sufficient amount for distribution by Stewart.

The Officer transported Stewart to Wicomico County Detention Center where he was held on a $75,000.00 bond.

Charges:
Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana
Possession of Marijuana

Biden In Iraq To End Voting Dispute


BAGHDAD — Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. arrived Friday in a visit that underlined an enduring reality of Iraq under the Obama administration: As the United States prepares to withdraw, an Iraqi political system tailored to crisis and brinkmanship has repeatedly necessitated United States intervention to propel the political process forward.

The visit was Mr. Biden’s third as vice president and came amid a dispute over the disqualifications of hundreds of candidates for promoting the Baath Party of former President Saddam Hussein. American officials have feared the disqualifications could impair the credibility of the March 7 parliamentary elections, a vote seen as a landmark date in American plans to pull out combat troops by the end of August.

“I think the American role here is still needed,” said Qassem Daoud, a lawmaker and candidate for the Iraqi National Alliance, one of the leading Shiite Muslim lists. “They are mediators, and mediators that we’ve worked with for seven years.”

Mr. Biden’s visit was expected to last about 24 hours. On Saturday, he planned to meet many of the country’s senior leaders, including Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and Ayad al-Sammarai, the parliament speaker, all of them pivotal figures in the dispute that has aggravated sectarian tensions in Iraq.

His national security adviser, Antony J. Blinken, played down Biden’s role in reaching a solution, saying the vice president believed that Iraqi officials would manage to find a compromise. But in a briefing after Mr. Biden’s arrival, he made clear the potential problems if the disqualifications, as handed down, went forward.

“The only concern we’ve expressed is not on the goal but on the process,” he said at the United States Embassy. “If the process by which they pursued the disqualification of candidates is perceived to lack transparency and fairness and credibility, it will cast doubt on the election, and these elections are so pivotal and important for Iraq’s future.”


More from the NY Times HERE.

Applebee's Fundraiser For Local Special Needs Child


Joe,

I would like to invite you and your readers to a fundraiser tomorrow for my son, Isaac "Bubba Man" Campbell. Attached is the flyer for the event and you can read about Isaac at http://www.bubbamancan.com/ The event is a Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee's in Salisbury from 8:00 am - 10:00 am. Applebee's will be serving a pancake and sausage breakfast and we will also have raffles and a 50/50. Tickets can be bought at the door for $6.00

The fundraiser is part of an effort to raise money for Isaac's Intensive Feeding Program at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. For more information on the program, visit http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_cp.jsp?pid=1464

Isaac is a special needs child who has struggled since birth. He was born 2 months early at PRMC with complications and soon after was flown to Children's National Medical Center where he spent his first month. His first year of life was day by day with nobody knowing what to expect. He was fed through a NG tube which goes up the nose and into the stomach and is used to pump fluids into him. Since the NG tube is inserted through the nose and down the esophagus, it caused him pain and discomfort. He now associates this pain coupled with reflux (which is very common in premature babies) with eating and refuses all food by mouth. After being failure to thrive and showing basically no signs of growth, they finally put a G-Tube in him. If you are not familiar, a G-Tube is kind of like a piercing through the stomach which allows fluids to be pumped into him. Once he got the G-Tube, he was a different child. I mean, he immediately began gaining weight and started to develop physically and mentally. At this point, Isaac is severely developmentally delayed due to an unknown/unclassified genetic and/or neurological disorder.

Our goal is simply to teach our son to eat by mouth and eventually remove the G-Tube. He has been accepted to the program which has a very high success rate because they deny children who they don't think they can help. All his doctors and therapists are very optimistic and the general consensus is that he will be a success story. Our insurance, CIGNA will not pay for Intensive Feeding Programs because they consider them experimental and unproven even though their own research showed total success in 9 out of 12 children sampled. For more information on CIGNA's position, see http://www.cigna.com/customer_care/healthcare_professional/coverage_positions/medical/mm_0422_coveragepositioncriteria_pediatric_intensive_feeding_programs.pdf The costs of the program are estimated to be $40,000 - $60,000 for out patient treatment for 6-8 weeks.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could come, and I would be in your debt if you could post this on your blog to help us spread the word

Best Regards,
Jason S. Campbell

Unemployment Rises In 43 States In December


Report shows the economy is recovering at a pace too weak to create jobs

WASHINGTON
- Unemployment rates rose in 43 states last month, the government said Friday, painting a bleak picture of the job market and illustrating nationwide data released two weeks ago.

The rise in joblessness was a sharp change from November, when 36 states said their unemployment rates fell. Four states — South Carolina, Delaware, Florida and North Carolina — reported record-high jobless rates in December.

New Jersey's rate, meanwhile, rose to a 33-year high of 10.1 percent while New York's reached a 26-year high of 9 percent.

GO HERE to read more.

Delmarva Power




Joe,

These photos I sent you are proof that something is going on with Delmarva Power. We have many rentals with electric service provided by Delmarva Power. Each month for the past 10 months we've found at least one error in their meter readings that are never in our favor. In fact, they are between $30.00 and $90.00 in their favor each time. Every month we read our own meters and compare them to what they are posting as the "actual" readings. Every time we have to contact them and speak with someone who has a difficult time believing that the meters were not read accurately. This time I said "no more" I'm gonna get them some "attention" on Sbynews. Mind you not every meter is read incorrectly every month, but each month at least one meter is read incorrectly which would have cost more than it would have had we not been checking up on them.

As you see in the picture of the meter, the reading is 85733. The electricity had not been used at all last month since there was a problem at the mast head and the power had been disconnected at the pole. They submitted a reading of 86337. The net power alleged to have been used was 604 kWh.

Total Bill: $91.14. From that you subtract the customer charge of $6.00 that everyone pays whether you use electricity or not and you have an overcharge of $85.14. Imagine that's 1 out of every 18 houses where the meter was "misread" yielding an average of $50.00 each. Who wins? Delmarva Power and of course the government due to all the taxes. Who loses? We all do.

Laurel Women Arrested In Connection With Two Millsboro Crimes

Location(s):
29000 block of Honeysuckle Knoll Millsboro
31000 block of Sylvester Lane Millsboro

DATE and TIME:
December 29, 2009, 8:30 P.M. (Honeysuckle Knoll)
December 31, 2009, 9:00 P.M. (Sylvester Lane)

Victim(s):
59 year old male
51 year old female

Defendant(s):
Tara L. Garrison-29 of the 32000 block of S. Springcourt Road Laurel

Charge(s):
Attempted Robbery 1st degree
Assault 1st degree
Burglary 1st degree
2 counts Conspiracy 2nd degree
2 counts Criminal Mischief under $1000.00
Attempted Burglary 2nd degree

Bond Information:
Remanded to Baylor Women’s Institute $78,000 secured bond

Resume:

Delaware State Police on Tuesday December 29th, 2009 investigated a home invasion in the 29000 block of Honeysuckle Knoll Millsboro Delaware. The home invasion occurred around 8:30 P.M.

During the Honeysuckle home invasion 5 suspects forced their way into the residence and confronted two victims ages 59 and 51. One of the suspects during this home invasion struck the 59 year old male’s head with a handgun. The male victim was treated and released from Beebe Medical Center Lewes for a head laceration. The 51 year old female was not harmed.

The suspects displayed guns, demanded money and ransacked the residence and fled. It is not believed they obtained any property.

On December 31st, 2009 Delaware State Police investigated an attempted burglary in the 31000 block of Sylvester Lane Millsboro which occurred around 9 P.M. The 51 year old female from the first incident on December 29th is also a victim in this incident.

During the December 31st incident the victim was inside her residence when she heard a loud noise at the front of her residence. The banging sound continued for a short time. The suspects never gained entry and fled the area after causing damage to the door to the residence. The victim observed multiple suspects fleeing from her residence after the incident.

State Police through their investigation developed Tara L. Garrison as a suspect in both December incidents. State Police are following up on additional leads and expect additional arrest related to the home invasion and attempted burglary.

Tara Garrison was arrested on the above listed charges and remanded to Baylor Women’s Institute in lieu of $78,000 secured bond.

UPDATE GREENWOOD HOME INVASION 01/11/2010

DSP News Release: Millsboro Man Arrested for Greenwood Home Invasion

DATE and TIME:
Occurred Monday January 11, 2010 12:21 A.M.

Location(s):
· Location 23000 block of S. DuPont Highway Greenwood, Delaware

Victim(s):
34 year old male from 23000 block of Greenwood, Delaware
51 year old female from 23000 block of Greenwood, Delaware

Defendant(s):
DeShawn A. Hitchens-30 of the 32000 block of Legion Road Millsboro

Charges and Bond Information:
Robbery 1st degree
Assault 1st degree
Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
Burglary 1st degree
Wearing a disguise during the Commission of a Felony
Conspiracy 2nd degree
Remanded to Sussex Correctional Institute

Resume:

State Police Tuesday January 19, 2010 arrested DeShawn A. Hitchens after he reported for a Violation of Probation hearing.

State Police on January 11, 2010 investigated a Home Invasion which occurred in the 23000 block of Greenwood, Delaware. During the Home Invasion 3 suspects forced entry into the residence however one remained outside in a detached garage.

The 34 year old victim during the Home Invasion was shot multiple times in the leg. The victim is still listed in stable condition. The victim initially was taken to Christiana Hospital. (His current location is unavailable) State Police as a result of their investigation were able to identify DeShawn A. Hitchens as a person directly involved in this incident.

State Troopers obtained arrest warrants and took custody of Hitchens on January 19th. Hitchens was arrested on the above listed offenses and incarcerated into Sussex Correctional Institute after failing to post $104,000 cash bail.

Delaware State Police are continuing their investigation into the matter and expect additional arrest to be made.

Thieves Caught In The Act



Location:
4089 S. DuPont Hwy Camden, Delaware

DATE and TIME:
Wednesday January 20, 2010 11:20 P.M.
Arrest made Wednesday January 20, 2010

Victim(s):
Tractor Supply 4089 S. DuPont Hwy Camden, Delaware

Defendant(s):
Jason E. Evans-28, 6200 block of Vernon Road Harrington
William E. Tatman Jr-30, 200 block of Thompsonville Road Milford

Charge and Bond Information:
Theft under $1,500
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Conspiracy 2nd degree
Resisting Arrest
Criminal Mischief under $1,000
Criminal Trespass 2nd degree

Additional Charges William E. Tatman Jr.:
Offensive Touching
Criminal Trespass
$1,000 secured bond on Offensive Touching and Criminal Trespass
Escape from Sussex Halfway House

Stolen Merchandise:
Silver Helix 150cc Go-Kart valued at $1,800.00 (recovered)

Resume:


Delaware State Police Wednesday January 20, 2010 responded to the Tractor Supply business located at 4089 S. DuPont Hwy Camden Delaware for an burglary alarm.


When the Trooper arrived he observed a blue Chevrolet pick up truck with a trailer attachment parked next to the business. The Trooper also observed Jason E. Evans and William E. Tatman Jr. loading a go-kart onto their trailer.


Once the Evans and Tatman noticed the Trooper they fled in the Chevrolet truck with the trailer still attached. The Trooper pursued the truck for several miles until the truck became stuck in a field. Tatman and Evans next fled from their vehicle however were apprehended following a foot pursuit by the Trooper.


Troopers returned to Tractor Supply and discovered a hole was cut into the chain link fenced area in order to gain access. The damage to the fence was estimated at $900.00. Trooper also learned the Trailer which the thieves used was also stolen and valued at $1,100.00.


Tatman and Evans were both arrested on the above listed offenses and each remanded to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $3,600 secured bail.


A computer check of Tatman also revealed he had an active warrant out of Troop 5 Bridgeville and escape from the Sussex Halfway House Georgetown, Delaware.

State Police Investigating Found Body

Location:
· The area of Port Mahon Boat Ramp East of Dover (Marsh area)

DATE and TIME:
· Thursday January 21, 2010 11:45 A.M.

Victim(s):
· Unidentified female (race unknown) No further description

Suspect(s):
· N/A

Resume:

Delaware State Police Criminal Unit and the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (DNREC) on Thursday January 21, 2010 obtained information regarding a found body on Port Mahon Road in the area of the boat ramp. Port Mahon Road is off of Main Street Little Creek Delaware.

The body was recovered and it is believed to be a female. The body was turned over to the Delaware Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy. State Police have not been able to identify the race of the female thus far or determine the length of time the body has been there.

State Police is in the process of having DNA evidence sent away for testing. Delaware State Police is unable to release additional information related to the condition of the body or how the body was located and by whom. State Police does not have a time line as to when the results will be returned. As a rule of thumb it can take up to 30 days.

Additional information concerning this case will be released when it becomes available.

Combative Obama Pushes New Jobs Bill

President urges tax cuts for businesses, defends bailouts at Ohio town hall

ELYRIA, Ohio
- A combative President Barack Obama exhorted Congress Friday to pass a new job-creation bill, taking a populist appeal to America's recession-racked Rust Belt in an effort to recapture the excitement of his campaign.

Obama weaved us-against-them rhetoric into his appearances, telling a town hall audience that he "will never stop fighting" for an economy that works the hard-working, not just those already well off.

He said a jobs bill emerging in Congress must include tax breaks for small business hiring and for people trying to make their homes more energy efficient — two proposals he wasn't able to get into a bill the House passed last month. And he used the word "fight" or some variation of it over a dozen times. The House-passed $174 billion stimulus package faces a stern test in the Senate, in part because it is financed with deficit spending.

GO HERE to read more from MSNBC.

STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS DATE CHANGED


ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 22, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley’s State of the State address, originally scheduled for Wednesday, January 27, 2010, has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 4, 2010 at noon in order to better accommodate President Obama’s State of the Union address on the 27th.

A SFD Letter To The Editor


It was announced yesterday at the Salisbury Fire Department that Volunteer Deputy Chief Gordy is taking an extended leave of absence. It is known that he dropped the city car off on Monday and headed to Florida with his wife.

Morale has picked up just slightly and will improve considerably when Richard Hoppes and John Dru Bragg and his PIO are gone!

Don't Miss Our 6:00 News Broadcast Tonight

Then again, if you do miss it, no worries. Just come back at whatever time you like and click on the video. Have a great weekend Folks!

Rich Colburn


Joe:

Sometimes life really stumps me. Republicans are supposed to be conservative - right?

I guess they didn't learn a thing about what transpired in Mass. just a few days ago.

Why in the world won't they act that way. Look at what Rich Colburn has sponsored in the past few days.

1. This bill is an electric transmission proposed tax.
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/sb0193.htm

2. This bill is regulation on microbreweries - undoubtedly will result in burdensome regulations, licenses, fees
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/sb0194.htm

He wasn't satisfied with Dorchester . . no he had to include Wicomico;
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/sb0195.htm

Here is yet another regulatory encumbering bill;
http://mlis.state.md.us/2010rs/billfile/sb0196.htm

If you could send this communiqué to the brothers who decided to relocate their brewery into Delaware I would appreciate it.

Fortunately for them - they made the right choice.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases



On January 20, 2010 at approximately 6:34 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the three hundred (300) block of South Haven Street for the report of a malicious destruction of property which was found to be an assault with a bb gun. Upon arrival the officers met with a victim who advised that he had been operating his vehicle with a friend in the area of South Haven Street and Roger Street when a projectile struck the passenger side window of the vehicle and broke the window. The projectile traveled through the window and injured the victim. The officers observed that the victim had sustained a bb wound to the left cheek of his face. The victim was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment and was released. Officers searched the area and located the below listed suspect in a shed behind a residence on South Haven Street. The officers recovered a bb rifle and took the suspect into custody.

ARRESTED: Juvenile, 13 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Reckless endangerment
Possession of a dangerous and deadly weapon
Discharge of an airgun in the city
Malicious destruction of property

DISPOSITION: Released to Juvenile Justice CC # 201000002941


On January 21, 2010 at approximately 11:41 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police responded to a residence on Cynthia Place in an effort to serve an active bench warrant. Upon arrival the officers made contact with the below listed suspect. During contact with the suspect, the officers observed suspected marijuana and related paraphernalia in plain view in the residence. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

ARRESTED: Jason John Anderson, 19 years of age Pasadena, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia (2 counts)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201000003075

On January 21, 2010 at approximately 3:30 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Pemberton Apartments on Fairground Drive for the report of a fight. Upon arrival the officers met with complex security who advised that the below listed suspect had been observed assaulting another subject. The officers attempted to meet with the suspect however the suspect refused to cooperate with the investigation and became disorderly.

ARRESTED: Taquelle Donta Johnson, 18 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Obstructing and hindering an investigation
Disorderly conduct

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 201000003111

Bogus Text Message Warning


Beware Text Warning Your Bank Card Requires Reactivation

Consumers have reported an outbreak of bogus text messages notifying them that their Wachovia bank cards starting with "4828" have been deactivated. Cardholders are urged not to fall for the "SMishing" (short message phishing) attack and should not call the phone number in the message.

Not only do you risk unauthorzed charges and identity theft by revealing your personal and account information to the scammer, some SMishing attacks can will infect your smartphone with a Trojan Horse virus that will highjack the device's web features and become part of a botnet, or network of computers, to conduct further criminal activity.

To get more information on scams and to find businesses you can trust, go to www.bbb.org.

Thank God Its Friday


What Will You Be Doing This Weekend?

Whitman Leads Calif. Republican Governor Race


Former eBay CEO works to improve her image with advertising blitz

SAN FRANCISCO
- Former eBay Inc. Chief Executive Meg Whitman has grabbed a lead of 28 percentage points in the race for the Republican nomination to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger as California governor, a poll showed on Friday.

The Field Poll survey found Whitman ahead of State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, 45 percent to 17 percent, with 38 percent of likely voters in the Republican primary undecided. The Republican primary is set for June 8.

"She has improved her image rating among both Republicans and nonpartisans," said Field Poll Director Mark DiCamillo.

GO HERE to read more.

Salisbury And The Eastern Shore’s Response To The Children Of Haiti



In 2007 I had the privilege of representing Salisbury and the entire Delmarva Peninsula as coach of the West Salisbury Little League team that played in the Little League World Series in Williamsport PA. One of the most moving parts of that entire experience was seeing ,what felt like, the entire Eastern Shore community come together and live in a heightened moment in time for that summer. One high ranking city law enforcement official said that it was as if the bad news stopped for a few weeks that summer. The outpouring of support for our kids was overwhelming!



Let’s fast forward to Christmas day of 2009. I was driving to my mother’s house with my own 3 children and wife to celebrate family Christmas. At 3:30pm I received a phone call from Sherriff Mike Lewis telling me that they had just came out of the woods from finding 11 year old Sarah Foxwell’s body. Wearing the hat of a pastor and not a coach I was asked to ride with Sherriff Lewis and Gary Baker to notify the families of the tragic news about Sarah. Though one of the most difficult things I have ever done I felt a bigger obligation and sense of duty than just Mike Lewis and our relationship. As one who lives in this community and was born and raised on the Eastern Shore I felt like a custodian over Sarah. It was like she was mine. It was like I was responsible for her. I saw that in Mike Lewis and Gary Baker that day as well. It was like we all became responsible for her.



Even though the summer of 2007 was a celebration, and Christmas of 2009 was a crisis of horrific proportion, they both had one thing in common. They were heightened moments in time for us as a city, a county, and a community known as the Eastern Shore. As was seen and witnessed across the media on Christmas day at Shorebird Stadium by the turnout of thousands, the outpouring of support for one lost child was overwhelming!



Its now January of 2010 and we are faced with another heightened moment in time. Haiti is facing disaster of HORRIFIC proportions. Salisbury and Eastern Shore natives Tom and Beverly Brumbley have been in Haiti for 38 years and have given their lives to working with the children of Haiti. They are missionaries and school administrators who have built nine (9) schools; the largest campus having an enrollment of 900 children, and the total number of kids in the nine schools being 2300. Yes, these Salisbury natives have spent their lives there, and are responsible for these 2300 lost kids, soon to be forgotten kids, in Haiti.



According to the 2008 Census the population of Salisbury is 28,800 people. 20,000 dead Haitians were piled into pits by large front end loaders in the last 2 days and their bodies burned. That is like nearly 76% of Salisbury being wiped out in a week! 500,000 people are waiting, YES WAITING, to receive medical attention! That is 5 times the population of Wicomico County!



Now wearing the hat of a pastor, coach, father of 3, and simply a humanitarian, a human being, I am pleading with this community to come to the aid of the Brumbley’s, and these children, in Haiti. I plead with your spiritual senses, I plead with your parental senses, I plead with your sense of right and wrong, I plead with your sense of who we are as a people on the Eastern Shore, please help the Brumbley’s and these children in Haiti!



Those kids from West Salisbury baseball in 2007 were our kids. Sarah Foxwell was our child this past Christmas. The Brumbleys are our people from right here on the Eastern Shore. I believe as in times past, the outpouring of support for these children in Haiti will be overwhelming!



Here’s how we as a city, a county, and a community called the Eastern Shore can help. There are 13 drop off sites throughout the Salisbury area and Delmarva where you can drop off desperately needed supplies. You may also donate toward the 500,000 dollars that is being raised to rebuild the schools in Haiti that were destroyed by this earthquake. 100% of all donations go to the Brumbleys in Haiti and these specific children under their care. For information on drop off sites, a list of supplies, or how to give financially go to http://www.theuprisingchurch.org/ and click on Brumbley Haiti Relief.



This is not a call from a church. It is a call and a cry from the Eastern Shore for the children of Haiti!

THINK

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'


One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life
led her to refuse to marry him.


Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'


This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.


Life Is a Gift


Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat..


Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.


Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven..


Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.


And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.


And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around..

O'Malley Borrowing From Fed To Pay Unemployment Benefits


State Gets Help From Uncle Sam To Tide It Over


The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is seeking a short-term advance of about $250 million from the federal government so the state agency can continue paying unemployment benefits.


The money will be used to pay benefits beginning next month and until April when employers send in their unemployment insurance tax payments to the state.


Reserves in the Maryland Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund have dropped from $755 million at the end of 2008 to less than $100 million. Maryland pays out about $22 million a week to residents who lost their jobs for no fault of their own.


As part of the 2009 economic stimulus package, the federal government offers tax-free advances until the end of this year to states needing to replenish their trust funds.


Maryland expects to repay the federal government by the year-end deadline.


The state agency said 26 other states have availed themselves of $25 billion in federal advances.


http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/story.aspx?articleid=44309&zoneid=3

Why Pelosi Doesn't (Yet) Have The Votes For The Senate Health-Care Bill


Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi fueled speculation of health care’s demise when earlier this morning she told reporters, "I don't think it's possible to pass the Senate bill in the House. I don't see the votes for it at this time." Which, for me, raises an interesting question: how is it that Pelosi, with 256 Democrats in her caucus, 219 of whom voted for the bill the first time around, doesn’t have the 218 votes she needs to approve the Senate bill?

From what I can tell, the answer is this: among those 256 Democrats, she has a lot of colleagues unhappy with, and unwilling to vote for, the many compromises that their Senate counterparts made.

The Senate bill required a lot of dealmaking to get the whole Democratic caucus on board. In that process, a number of House provisions got watered down or altogether dropped. The Senate nixed the public option and then the Medicaid buy-in when that was causing issues. Their Medicaid expansion and federal subsidies are much smaller. The Senate bill would create less ambitious state-level exchanges rather than the national exchange in the House bill. Senators toned down abortion language, from the very strong Stupak restrictions to a more moderate version crafted by Ben Nelson from Nebraska and Harry Reid. Take a look at the two bills side by side and you'll see the Senate bill is consistently a compromise.


This kind of compromise works well when you’re trying to woo a moderate senator like Ben Nelson. But not so much when you want to win over a more liberal House who seem, from most estimates, unwilling to part with their more ambitious demands. It’s mostly noted liberals Anthony Weiner of New York, Lynn Woolsey of California and Barney Frank of Massachusetts making the television circuits declaring the Senate bill untenable (Frank, to be fair, walked back on his comments a bit earlier today). None have commented specifically on what exactly they find so objectionable about the Senate bill, but the general sense is that it’s just too weak.

GO HERE to read more.

Rural Electric Youth Tour And Scholarship Opportunities


RURAL ELECTRIC Washington Youth Tour for
High School Juniors


An all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 13th – 17th will be awarded to two high school juniors from our area.

This once in a lifetime event brings together over 1,500 young people from across the country for fellowship, fun and a chance to “see their government in action”. Highlights of this trip include visits to the offices of Senator Carper, Senator Kaufman and Congressman Castle. Students will also visit the Newseum (http://www.newseum.org/), which is the world’s most interactive museum, where five centuries of news history meets up-to-the-second technology on America’s Main Street and the museum of Crime & Punishment (http://www.crimemuseum.org/). There will also be time to socialize with many other students as well during a boat cruise on the Potomac River and the all states dinner dance.

Applicants must be high school juniors, whose parent(s)/guardian(s) receive electric service from the Delaware Electric Cooperative. For more information, visit www.delaware.coop/youthtour.php or contact Kevin Yingling at 302-349-3120 or Kevin@decoop.com.

College Scholarships for High School Seniors

High School seniors whose parents or guardians are members of Delaware Electric Cooperative are eligible to apply for a college scholarship awarded by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) Educational Scholarship Foundation.

Scholarships of $500 or $1,000 will be awarded. Recipients will be chosen based on a competitive screening process and applicants must provide evidence of college acceptance.

The scholarship funds are sent directly to the educational institution and placed in the student’s account. Funds may be used to pay for tuition, fees and books.

The application deadline is April 1, 2010. Applications are available at www.vmdaec.com or by writing to VMDAEC Scholarships, P.O. Box 2340, Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340.

“Let Me Be Perfectly Not Clear” And “Make Lots Of Mistakes About It”

It’s the Lying, Stupid?

“Lie” is a rather harsh word; the noun and its verb form leave little to context or extenuating circumstances. So I use it sparingly.

But I know no other word for President Obama’s long string of “misstatements,” especially the blatant ones about closing Guantanamo within a year of his inauguration or serially declaring that he would insist on healthcare debate airing live on C-SPAN.

How odd that the liberal block is quiet that once coined “Bush lied, thousands died” (even when the CIA and Defense intelligence was accepted by both parties and in sync with what the Arab world and Europe were insisting upon [recall the charge of a supposed naïve Bush taking us to war against a nut who would gas our troops marshalling in Kuwait.]). In any case, not telling the truth has a lot to do with sinking polls.

So I don’t quite buy the liberal lament that the people will support Obama when the economy improves.

It was roaring in 2005-6, and still Bush was unpopular — given the violence in Iraq and the administration’s inability to articulate our objectives there. And even when Iraq was winding down in 2008, polls still showed persistent American anger at the media narrative of a botched Katrina, the insurgency in Iraq, and a “jobless recovery.”

No, the American people are losing confidence in Team Obama because quite simply they are tiring of being lied to, and treated like children in need of Ivy-League Platonic guardians.

Yes, they intrinsically liked Obama and put away for a time their suspicions that he had not come clean on his real ideological intentions, his radical leftist past, his intimate association with the creepy Rev. Wright, and his partisanship that had made him the most liberal senator in the Congress.

Let Us Count the Ways

GO HERE to read more.

Celibacy

What is Celibacy?

Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by
circumstances.

While attending a Marriage Weekend,

Walter and his wife, Ann,

listened to the instructor declare,

'It is essential that husbands
and wives know the things that are important to each other.."

He then addressed the men,
'Can you name and describe

your wife's favorite flower?'

Walter leaned over, touched

Ann's arm gently, and
whispered,

'Gold Medal-All-Purpose,right?'

And thus began Walter's life of celibacy.........










BEWARE-- NEW DISEASE!!

READ AND TAKE NECESSARY CORRECTIVE ACTION.

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of Transmitted Disease. The disease is contracted through ignorant, promiscuous, and irresponsible behavior. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectem and pronounced "gonna re-elect 'em."

Many victims contracted it in 2008, after having been "brainwashed" with promised change and then screwed. Naturalists and epidemiologists are amazed at how widespread this disease has become since it is so easily cured.....by voting out all incumbents!

Why Is The US Military Occupying Four Airports In Haiti?

The United States is now operating at four airports to ferry aid and relief supplies to quake-devastated Haiti, a senior US military commander said Thursday.

In addition to the Caribbean nation’s main port of entry, Port-au-Prince airport, US forces were also now at work at airports in the coastal city of Jacmel.

They were also operating in the neighboring Dominican Republic at San Isidro and Barahona, US Southern Command chief General Douglas Fraser said.

Around 11,000 US military personnel are currently controlling the operations both on the ground and offshore aboard US Navy and Coast Guard vessels, and another 4,000 US troops are expected to arrive in the coming days.

The Americans’ controlling of the aid operations has raised tensions with some countries. Bolivia and Venezuela have criticized its heavy presence and France earlier expressed annoyance after aid planes were delayed from landing.

French Secretary of State for Cooperation Alain Joyandet called on the United Nations to clarify the US role in Haiti, saying the priority was “helping Haiti, not occupying Haiti.”

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) has complained that five of its planes carrying a total of 85 tons of medical and relief supplies have been diverted from Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic since January 14, although one of its planes was allowed to land this week.

On Thursday, the Haitian president said that “Haiti is not under guardianship” of other countries as they help nurse and feed the victims of last week’s huge quake.

GO HERE to read more.

A Haiti Disaster Relief Scenario Was Envisaged By The US Military One Day Before The Earthquake

SEE ALSO: CNN — An e-mail from Haiti, then minutes later, a nightmare

“Last Tuesday, from his room at the Hotel Montana near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, U.S. Air Force Maj. Ken Bourland sent an e-mail to his wife telling her that he was fine and had just settled in for what was going to be an exciting time taking a disaster preparedness course.”

Michel ChossudovskyGlobal Research January 21, 2010

A Haiti disaster relief scenario had been envisaged at the headquarters of US Southern Command SOUTHCOM in Miami one day prior to the earthquake.

The holding of pre-disaster simulations pertained to the impacts of a hurricane in Haiti. They were held on January 10. (Bob Brewin,Defense launches online system to coordinate Haiti relief efforts (1/15/10) — GovExec.com, complete text of article is contained in Annex)

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DoD), was involved in organizing these scenarios on behalf of US Southern Command.(SOUTHCOM).

Defined as a “Combat Support Agency”, DISA has a mandate to provide IT and telecommunications, systems, logistics services in support of the US military. (See DISA website: Defense Information Systems Agency).

On the day prior to the earthquake, “on Monday [January 11, 2010], Jean Demay, DISA’s technical manager for the agency’s Transnational Information Sharing Cooperation project, happened to be at the headquarters of the U.S. Southern Command in Miami preparing for a test of the system in a scenario that involved providing relief to Haiti in the wake of a hurricane.” (Bob Brewin, op cit, emphasis added)

GO HERE to read more.

The Loudmouth Liberal Network Goes Belly Up

Posted on the Air America website on Thursday:


"It is with the greatest regret, on behalf of our Board, that we must announce that Air America Media is ceasing its live programming operations as of this afternoon, and that the Company will file soon under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code to carry out an orderly winding-down of the business.

The very difficult economic environment has had a significant impact on Air America's business. This past year has seen a "perfect storm" in the media industry generally. National and local advertising revenues have fallen drastically, causing many media companies nationwide to fold or seek bankruptcy protection.. "

Blah blah blah...

So why is Conservative programming still doing quite well? Is Rush about to file for bankruptcy?

Methinks not.

Maybe this is not so much about the economy-- perhaps it's more about people not being interested in listening to this self-delusional diatribe.

"We are proud that Air America’s mission lives on through the words and actions of so many former radio hosts.."

Right. Just like The Mission will live on in many, many former Congressmen and Senators..

I think somehow we will press on without them.

Watch for a slick move in Congress shortly to provide massive funding for public radio, citing "The Economy."

Governor O'Malley Takes Telephone Call from Wicomico County Citizen


A few days ago SBYnews notified its readers that Governor O'Malley was going to take telephone calls in a live call-in MPT show.

Well guess what - his very first call was received by none other than a Wicomico County native - John Palmer - who just so happens to also be the President of VOICE - the taxpayer advocacy group that spearheaded Wicomico's revenue cap.

What was even more compelling was that John posed the question to the Governor regarding whether or not diversion or re-direction of open space money - specifically monies dedicated for the purchase of lands adjacent to the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center - could be made possible for upgrading Wicomico County's more immediate need - road repairs.

As a listening observer one could easily tell that the Governor was quite shaken by the suggestion and even complimented John for offering the proposal. Bottom - line he said he was going to investigate the subject and would get back in touch with him after consulting with his staff to see if such a re-direction of funding was possible.

What is even more significant is that had it not been for SBYnews notification about the Governor's call-in program - the Governor would have probably let this subject just slip-a-way.

It will be interesting to see if the Governor will allow a re-direction of open space money especially in these financial difficult times where our State and local finances are continuing to struggle.

But it makes perfect sense to me to put the money where there is a more urgent priority than purchasing 5 or 10 acres of land for yet another unneeded Wicomico County government expansion.

U.S. Private Security Firms Head To Haiti


Just days after Haiti was devastated by a powerful earthquake, The Nation reports that some of the same private security companies operating in Iraq and Afghanistan are preparing to set up shop in the Caribbean nation.

A trade group representing military contractors and private security firms, the International Peace Operations Association, has launched a Web site for prospective clients, listing member companies offering their services in Haiti. Among them is Triple Canopy, a large private security firm that has operated under multi-million dollar contracts in Iraq. Others are already in Haiti, like HART Security which is currently "providing security services to the media."

GO HERE to read more.

Quitting Smoking May Double Cancer Survival


Many lung cancer patients who lived 5 years had stopped, researchers say

LONDON
- People with early lung cancer who quit smoking could double their chances of surviving, a new study says.

Until now, there has been little proof that quitting smoking after developing lung cancer makes any difference to survival.

Lung cancer is the top cancer worldwide, and the prognosis is usually poor. Only about 7 percent of patients make it to five years, though about 20 percent of patients are diagnosed early enough to be treated.

GO HERE to read more.

As Economic Freedom Declines, So Does Prosperity

Governments often make poor policy decisions. And all too often, they then fervently cling to these mistakes, compounding the error. Unfortunately, the U.S. is no exception.

Consider our recent economic policy. In late 2008, the specter of a financial meltdown triggered dangerous decisions under President Bush. He approved an unprecedented intervention in the financial sector - the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program - which actually fed the crisis. Instead of changing course, President Obama not only doubled down on those decisions, but went even further, in the belief that only bigger government can "lift us from a recession this deep and severe."

The early return on those big-government policies is disappointing, to say the least.

In December, the U.S. economy lost an additional 85,000 jobs. Despite all the bailouts and stimulus spending, the economy shed 3.4 million net jobs in 2009. But while employment has shrunk, the federal deficit has ballooned. One year after Mr. Obama took office, the deficit has grown to $1.4 trillion. His 10-year budget will add $13 trillion to the national debt by 2019.

We've heard a lot of talk in the U.S. about the need to revamp or even abandon the free enterprise or capitalist system. Not surprisingly, much of the world is ignoring this rhetoric. Indeed, America is becoming something of an outlier, with its calls for greater regulation and government spending.

A lot of countries, particularly in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, have emerged from decades of having their economies dominated by the government. Having lived with the consequences of big government, they're not about to turn back now from the promise of free markets. They are cutting taxes and taking other steps that free their businesses to compete in a global economy and attract foreign customers and investors.

The bad news is that the United States is falling behind. The 2010 Index of Economic Freedom, released Wednesday, finds that the U.S. experienced the most precipitous drop in economic freedom among the world's top 20 economies (as measured by the gross domestic product). The decline was steep enough to tumble the U.S. from the ranks of truly "free" economies. We are now numbered among the ranks of the "mostly free" - the same as Botswana, Belgium and Sweden. Canada now stands as the sole beacon of economic freedom in North America, getting a higher score on the economic-freedom Index than the United States.

On the index's 100-point scale of economic freedom, the U.S. fell 2.7 points. Canada's score dropped, too, but only one-tenth of a point. Meanwhile, countries such as Germany, France, Poland, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Indonesia managed to maintain or even improve their scores, despite the economic crisis.

Why? In large measure, it's because of the way Washington has exacerbated the financial and economic crisis since 2008. By June of last year, when we cut off data collection in order to begin our analysis, Washington's interventionist policies had already caused a decline in seven of the 10 categories of economic freedom we measure. Particularly significant were declines in financial freedom, monetary freedom and property rights.

Conditions attached to large government bailouts of financial and automotive firms significantly undermined investors' property rights. Additionally, politically influenced regulatory changes - such as the imposition of executive salary caps - have had perverse effects, discouraging entrepreneurship and job creation and slowing recovery. On top of this, we had massive stimulus spending that is leading to unprecedented deficits.

It's not good news, and the trends we document in the index are worrisome, indeed. We are heading the wrong way. The index, co-published annually by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal, has become a "leading indicator" of economic vitality, but other surveys also show that when economic freedom drops, falling opportunity and declining prosperity follow. Unless Washington takes steps to reverse the poor decisions it has made, Americans can expect a long and difficult time ahead.

The good news is that we've been here before, and we've turned things around before. There's no reason we can't do that again. Poll after poll demonstrates that the American people understand this, even if their politicians don't.

They clearly want Washington to gather up the political will to do things such as lowering taxes and reducing regulation and massive spending that feeds the federal debt. We need to unleash the power of the market to create jobs and to reclaim our competitive edge in the global economy.

The solutions to our problems are not magic. Indeed, they are well-documented in the Index of Economic Freedom. The less government intervenes in our lives and our economy, the freer and more prosperous we can become. The choices Mr. Obama takes in the future will determine whether America remains a land of opportunity and can reclaim its international reputation as "the land of the free."

Kim R. Holmes, a former assistant secretary of state, is a vice president at the Heritage Foundation (Heritage.org) and co-author of the 2010 Index of Economic Freedom.

Source

Toyota Issues Recall For 2.3 Million Vehicles


Automaker acts after 'isolated reports' of sticking accelerator pedals

Toyota issued a recall covering 2.3 million late model cars, SUVs and pickup trucks Thursday, broadening its largest such action ever and acknowledging that potential accelerator pedal problems were deeper than previously acknowledged.

The automaker previously recalled about 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal "entrapment" caused by floor mats, according to a news release issued by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. About 1.7 million Toyota vehicles are subject to both recalls, the company said.

“In recent months, Toyota has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles without the presence of floor mats,” Toyota group Vice President Irv Miller said in the statement.

GO HERE to read more.

Paying Attention To The Matter At Hand

First-year students at Texas A&M's Vet School were receiving their first anatomy class, with a dead cow.

They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet.

The professor started the class by telling them, "In Veterinary Medicine it is necessary to have two important qualities as a doctor: The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the animal body."

For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the butt of the dead cow, withdrew it and stuck it in his mouth.

"Go ahead and do the same thing," he told his students.

The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes, but eventually took turns sticking a finger in the anal opening of the dead cow and sucking on it.

When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and said, "The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention. Life's tough, but it's even tougher if you're stupid."

ALWAYS ASK, NEVER ASSUME


His request approved, the CNN News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight.

He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.

Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger.

He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, 'Let's go'.

The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off.

Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over the valley and make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires on the hillsides.'

'Why?' asked the pilot.

'Because I'm a photographer for CNN' , he responded, 'and I need to get some close up shots.'

The pilot was strangely silent for a moment, finally he stammered, 'So, what you're telling me, is . . . You're NOT my flight instructor?'

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO MEET WITH MONTENEGRIN PRIME MINISTER MILO DJUKANOVIC

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 22, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley will meet with the Prime Minister of Montenegro, where the two leaders will discuss economic development initiatives in that country and in the Western Balkans.

The Governor will greet the Prime Minister on the front steps of the State House at 1:45 p.m. Governor O’Malley and members of his cabinet will then meet privately with Prime Minister Djukanovic and other high ranking Montenegrin officials. The meeting will then conclude with a public reception at 2:15 p.m. in the Governor’s Reception Room.

Older Women Are So Reasonable

AFTER BEING MARRIED FOR 44 YEARS, I TOOK A CAREFUL LOOK AT MY WIFE ONE DAY AND SAID, '44 YEARS AGO WE HAD A CHEAP APARTMENT, A CHEAP CAR, SLEPT ON A SOFA BED AND WATCHED A 10-INCH BLACK AND WHITE TV, BUT I GOT TO SLEEP EVERY NIGHT WITH A HOT 25-YEAR-OLD GIRL".

NOW I HAVE A $1,500,000 HOME, A $45,000.00 CAR, NICE BIG BED AND PLASMA SCREEN TV, BUT I'M SLEEPING WITH A 65-YEAR-OLD WOMAN. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU'RE NOT HOLDING UP YOUR SIDE OF THINGS.'

MY WIFE IS A VERY REASONABLE WOMAN. SHE TOLD ME TO GO OUT AND FIND A HOT 25-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND SHE WOULD MAKE SURE THAT I WOULD ONCE AGAIN BE LIVING IN A CHEAP APARTMENT, DRIVING A CHEAP CAR, SLEEPING ON A SOFA BED AND WATCHING A 10-INCH BLACK AND WHITE TV.

AREN'T OLDER WOMEN GREAT? THEY REALLY KNOW HOW TO SOLVE YOUR MID-LIFE CRISES.

Bull Fighter Turned Funny Man

Rodeo Clown Brian Potter brings Laughter to the Lone Star Rodeo

(Salisbury, MD)
The Lone Star Rodeo is in town and bringing an exciting line-up of events to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center this weekend. Cowboys and girls of all ages are invited on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23. The fun starts at 7:30pm each night and includes a full rodeo line-up with eight competitive events. Rodeo Clown Brian Potter will also be on hand to keep the crowd laughing.

Newville, Alabama’s Brian Potter has been rodeoing for nearly 20 years, most of which was spent riding bareback horses and bulls. In 1997 though, Potter began a new venture as a bull fighter. His fighting career was cut short though, as Potter realized he had a knack for entertaining the crowds. Potter now serves as a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and travels across the United States entertaining crowds as a rodeo clown.

Potter’s funny antics lighten the mood and provide a unique contrast to the intense competition taking place during the rodeo. The competition line-up includes riding and timed events. Riding events include Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, and Brahma Bull Riding. Cowgirl’s Barrel Racing and Steer Wrestling along with Team, Tie Down and Breakaway Roping round out the evening with timed events.

Although the Rodeo doesn’t start until 7:30pm, the fun begins shortly after the doors open (doors open at 6:00pm). Pre-show entertainment includes a ‘Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl Contest’ and Gold Rush. Kids 10 and under are invited to participate in both events.

Tickets are still available. Take advantage of the Froggy 99.9 Bargain Night for Friday, January 22 where all general admission seats are only $10. Tickets for the Saturday night Rodeo start at $15 for adults or $12 for children. Lower Level reserved seating is available for $22 each night. Additional taxes/fees may apply to all ticket prices. Purchase your tickets now at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, by phone at 410-548-4911 or in person at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

The Lone Star Rodeo is presented by Cheerwine and sponsored in part by Atlantic Tractor, Mitchell’s Martial Arts, Froggy 99.9 and Cat Country.

Paul Reubens Revives ‘Pee-Wee Herman Show’


Los Angeles audience doesn’t mind that material mostly recycled

LOS ANGELES
- A funny thing happened to Paul Reubens on the way to his twilight years: He rediscovered the child within.

After an absence of almost two decades, the actor is re-creating his inspired comic creation, the silly but sly-like-a-fox Pee-Wee Herman, a moppet diva trapped in a man's body. The mid-1980s Saturday-morning show "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" and two feature films were as much adult guilty-pleasure fare as they were kid-friendly. That remains the case, as evidenced by the ages of fans who flocked to L.A. Live's Club Nokia on opening night.

It didn't matter that the material mostly is recycled, culled from Reubens' early-1980s stage show and TV series. The crowd was ready to hoot and holler with unbridled glee at the goofy visual and verbal gags, sometimes a few seconds before they arrived.

GO HERE to read more.

It Doesn't Take A Psychiatrist To See That They're Nuts


Pundits on the Left are suggesting that the reason Massachusetts voters rejected Martha Coakley -- aside from her personal failings as a candidate - is that Democrats in Washington failed to pursue a sufficiently liberal agenda.

As Sen. John Kerry and the other leaders of the Massachusetts Democratic Party were still standing on stage, jaws slack and eyes vacant, commentators Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow on MSNBC said that the vote was proof that President Obama and his team had to act urgently to jam his health care bill through Congress by any parliamentary means necessary. Maddow, astonishingly, said it had to be done in 30 days.

A Boston Globe editorial, having dismissed Brown's win as an event as common as the start of the maple syrup harvest, then picked up the argument that now was the moment for a kamikaze mission to pass the Democrats' health plan.


Read more..

Faith Played Role In Mom's Survival In Haiti, Son Says


(CNN) -- Ena Zizi was participating in a prayer group at the national cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when the structure came down on her during the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the island on January 12.

In New York, meanwhile, her son, Maxim Janvier, had no way of knowing what befell her other than she was missing.

Miraculously, the 70-year-old Zizi survived seven days trapped under the rubble before she was rescued by international search crews this week. A person can, give or take, expect to survive 72 hours trapped without water or food. Zizi managed to hold on for twice as long, something that experts say speaks to the body's resilience in times of danger. It is possible for a healthy person to survive more than 10 days in some cases, experts say.

"I wasn't surprised. I knew she would live through that. She is a tough woman," Janvier said, recalling when he heard the news, via a CNN tip, that his mother had been found. Earlier, he had used CNN's Web site to enter his mother's name, age and approximate location in hope of someone identifying her.

Zizi has since been moved to a medical facility aboard the USS Bataan, and now her son is seeking help moving her to a hospital in Florida for further treatment.

"I haven't given up hope," Janvier told CNN. "It's God's sign to me that I will have another chance to see my mom."

A CNN crew captured video of Tuesday's rescue.

GO HERE to read more and see video.

New Government Programs

Due to the current financial situation caused by the slowdown in the economy, Congress has decided to implement a scheme to put workers of 50 years of age and above on early retirement, thus creating jobs and reducing
unemployment.

This scheme will be known as RAPE (Retire Aged People Early).

Persons selected to be RAPED can apply to Congress to be considered for the SHAFT program (Special Help After Forced Termination).

Persons who have been RAPED and SHAFTED will be reviewed under the SCREW program (System Covering Retired-Early Workers).

A person may be RAPED once, SHAFTED twice and SCREWED as many times as
Congress deems appropriate.

Persons who have been RAPED could get AIDS (Additional Income for Dependants & Spouse) or HERPES (Half Earnings for Retired Personnel Early Severance).

Obviously persons who have AIDS or HERPES will not be SHAFTED or SCREWED any further by Congress.

Persons who are not RAPED and are staying on will receive as much SH!T (Special High Intensity Training) as possible. Congress has always prided themselves on the amount of SH!T they give our citizens.

Should you feel that you do not receive enough SH!T, please bring this to the attention of your Congressman, who has been trained to give you all the SH!T you can handle.

Sincerely,
The Committee for Economic Value of Individual Lives (E.V.I.L.)

PS - - Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas and oil, as well as current market conditions, the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off.