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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Delaware Making In-Roads Into Renewable Energy





Today my wife and I decided to visit Lewes, Delaware to see the gigantic wind turbine that was turned on this past week. It is an awesome sight to see. From ground elevation it extends to 400'. It is so huge that you can see it as far away as Rehoboth Beach, DE.

What a sight to see - and it is relatively quite. You can hear a slight whisper sound as the blades rotate.

The turbine is relatively easy to find. . . just look to the left as you are on Route 24 headed east on the road leading from Millsboro to Rehoboth Beach, DE. Continue to take the road to the Cape-May Lewis Ferry and you can't miss it. Look for the University of Delaware signs and it is located near the Lewis Boat Ramp.

Iranian Threats Over Gaza Keep USS Truman Carrier In Mediterranean


The USS Harry S. Truman carrier, complete with its strike group of 60 warplanes and 6,000 seamen, has been ordered to turn course from the Persian Gulf and deploy with the US Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean for the time being, debkafile's military and Washington sources report. The administration's decision was prompted by incoming intelligence attesting to heightened marine and military tensions between Israel, Turkey and Iran, in the wake of the Turkish premier Recep Erdogan's determination to give his screws on Israel another turn - or two.

He was solidly backed up from Tehran Wednesday, June 16, by parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, who threatened military retaliation against Persian Gulf and Mediterranean shipping for any interference with the vessels Iran was sending to the Gaza Strip. He did not specify what kind they were.

In Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman asserted that Israel would no longer respect these vessels as promoted by aid agencies because they were obviously dispatched by outright enemies with hostile intent thinly disguised as humanitarian efforts.

Erdogan is planning more provocative sea convoys for Gaza and the severance of diplomatic relations.
Ankara has set its face implacably toward a full rupture and is determined to breach Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip by force, regardless of the relaxations on the siege restrictions ceded by Israel in consultation with Washington.

More here

BREAKING: US, Israel Warships In Suez May Be Prelude To Faceoff With Iran


Egypt allowed at least one Israeli and 11 American warships to pass through the Suez Canal as an Iranian flotilla approaches Gaza. Egypt closed the canal to protect the ships with thousands of soldiers, according to the British-based Arabic language newspaper Al Quds al-Arabi.

One day prior to the report on Saturday, Voice of Israel government radio reported that the Egyptian government denied an Israeli request not to allow the Iranian flotilla to use the Suez Canal to reach Gaza, in violation of the Israeli sea embargo on the Hamas-controlled area.

International agreements require Egypt to keep the Suez open even for warships, but the armada, led by the USS Truman with 5,000 sailors and marines, was the largest in years. Egypt closed the canal to fishing and other boats as the armada moved through the strategic passageway that connects the Red and Mediterranean Seas.

Despite Egypt’s reported refusal to block the canal to Iranian boats, the clearance for the American-Israeli fleet may be a warning to Iran it may face military opposition if the Iranian Red Crescent ship continues on course to Gaza.

The warships may exercise the right to inspect the Iranian boat for the illegal transport or weapons. Newsweek reported that Egyptian authorities could stop the ship for weeks, using technicalities such as requiring that any official documents be translated from Farsi into Arabic.

The magazine’s website also reported that the Iranian navy is the weakest part of its armed forces. Tehran has already backed down from announced intentions to escort the Iranian ships with "volunteer marines” from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

More here

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

To those Father's who cannot be home, allowing all of us to enjoy this special day, Thank You!

Did Obama Deal Blackmail Israel?

The U.S. extracted concessions from Israel in exchange for American opposition to the establishment of a United Nations commission to investigate Israel's commando raid of a flotilla earlier this month that resulted in the deaths of nine violent activists, WND has learned.

Separately, an official from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office told WND the Obama administration pressed hard on Israel to ease a blockade on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Israel says the blockade is intended to stop the shipment of weapons into Gaza.

Earlier this week, Netanyahu's office released a statement that Israel's security cabinet decided to ease the Gaza blockade.

The White House yesterday called that decision "a step in the right direction."

Obama has called the three-year blockade unsustainable and urged Israel to scale it back dramatically.

In the place of a U.N. commission, which had been opposed by the U.S., Israel established its own commission of inquiry into the flotilla incident earlier this month in which violent activists engaged in confrontations with Israeli commandos who stormed the ship, resulting in the deaths of nine activists.

The Israeli commission consists of three Israelis and two foreign observers – David Trimble, a Northern Ireland politician and Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Canadian jurist Ken Watkin.

Israel had opposed a U.N. commission, believing such an investigative body would be partial.

Previous U.N. commissions investigating the Jewish state were seen as biased against Israel, including a probe earlier this year that claimed Israel carried out war crimes during its defensive war in Gaza in 2009 targeting the Hamas terror group.

Just yesterday, Israel issued an official complaint against the president of the U.N. Correspondents Association for deliberately barring Israeli officials from responding to the public screening of a documentary film on the events of the Gaza-bound flotilla. The documentary was filmed by one of the flotilla activists. Israel called the film one-sided.

An Israeli government official, meanwhile, told WND the Obama administration extracted concessions from the Netanyahu government in exchange for U.S. opposition to a U.N. investigation.

The official said the concessions regard an extended freeze on Jewish construction in the strategic West Bank and eastern Jerusalem as well as a resumption of talks aimed at creating a Palestinian state.

The developments came as Iran announced it will facilitate the sail of more flotillas to Gaza.

Israel maintains a naval blockade on Hamas-controlled Gaza, fearing if it allows ships to reach the territory, Hamas will be able to transport weaponry for use against Israelis.

Israel and the international community numerous times have stopped ships loaded with weapons destined for Gaza.

Despite claims of activists, Israel does not block humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel allows a large number of trucks daily to enter Gaza with food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies. Israel transfers monthly into Gaza tens of millions of dollars worth of Israeli shekels to ensure the flow of cash in the territory.

More here

Left-Wing Lobbyists Orchestrate Gaza Campaign

An American communications firm best known for shaping the liberal Moveon.org into a national movement has tackled a new project: orchestrating an international anti-Israel campaign aimed at breaking the blockade of the Gaza strip.


Fenton Communications, which has offices in Washington, D.C., New York, and San Francisco, signed two contracts last year with Qatar to develop “a communications action plan for an 18-month campaign” aimed at de-legitimizing Israel and generating international support for the Hamas-run Gaza strip, documents filed with the Department of Justice show.


The campaign, known as the “Al Fakhoora Project,” has a very visible Web presence that boasts of rallying 10,000 activists “against the blockade on Gaza.”

Fenton signed the contracts, worth more than $390,000, with the Office of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, the wife of the Qatari ruler, and a separate foundation she chairs. The contracts are ongoing, according to Fenton’s Foreign Agent registration forms.

The cash from Qatar bought a sophisticated U.S. media campaign aimed at manipulating public opinion to generate support for the Hamas-led government and the people of the Gaza strip.

It also included a full-scale fundraising effort aimed at generating a war chest of up to $100 million in addition to the money the Qatari sheikha provided.

U.S. diplomats in the region view the elegant sheikha as a “progressive” force in Qatar, who has partnered in the past with U.S. AID and other U.S. government agencies on projects involving education, women’s rights, and the arts.

Fenton’s Al Fakhoora project is cleverly disguised as a campaign to help students in Gaza in the pursuit of a better education.

Read more here

Alexander: The Centennial Of Father's Day

"It is the duty of parents to maintain their children decently, and according to their circumstances; to protect them according to the dictates of prudence; and to educate them according to the suggestions of a judicious and zealous regard for their usefulness, their respectability and happiness." --James Wilson


Father's Day was first celebrated the third Sunday in June in the year 1910.

The original observance was in honor of William Jackson Smart, an Arkansas veteran of the War Between the States, who raised a daughter and five sons on his own, after his wife died giving birth to their sixth child. Smart was devoted to his children, as they were to him, and his daughter, Sonora Smart Dodd, wanted to honor her father for that devotion.

Though Mother's Day had been observed in one form or another for centuries, Fathers Day was a fitting complement, and within a few years following the first ceremony, it became a national rite.

While this first formal recognition came about just a century ago, it was abundantly clear to our Founding Fathers that families with both mothers and fathers were critical to the well-being of children.

John Adams wrote, "The foundation of national morality must be laid in private families.... How is it possible that Children can have any just Sense of the sacred Obligations of Morality or Religion if, from their earliest Infancy, they learn their Mothers live in habitual Infidelity to their fathers, and their fathers in as constant Infidelity to their Mothers?"

His wife, Abigail, wrote, "What is it that affectionate parents require of their Children; for all their care, anxiety, and toil on their accounts? Only that they would be wise and virtuous, Benevolent and kind."

The vital role of fathers has been extolled throughout history, in virtually every religion and culture. No less, it is now well understood that the foundation of our nation is "laid in private families," and that this foundation is critical if the next generation is to be "wise and virtuous, Benevolent and kind."

Unfortunately, there is an epidemic of negligence among fathers today, and consequently (according to the CDC, DoJ, DHHS and the Bureau of the Census) the 30 percent of children who live apart from their fathers will account for 63 percent of teen suicides, 70 percent of juveniles in state-operated institutions, 71 percent of high-school dropouts, 75 percent of children in chemical-abuse centers, 80 percent of rapists, 85 percent of youths in prison, 85 percent of children who exhibit behavioral disorders, and 90 percent of homeless and runaway children.

The causal link between fatherless children and crime "is so strong that controlling for family configuration erases the relationship between race and crime and between low income and crime," notes social researcher Barbara Dafoe Whitehead.

More to the point, a counselor at a juvenile-detention facility in California, which has the nation's highest juvenile-incarceration rate, protested, "[If] you find a gang member who comes from a complete nuclear family, I'd like to meet him. ... I don't think that kid exists."

Arguably, the vast majority of social problems confronting our nation today originate in homes without fathers1, including those without functioning or effective fathers. (It should be noted here that an increasing number of fatherless homes are the result of mothers who separate from fathers without reasonable grounds for severance.)

"Maturity does not come with age, but with the accepting of responsibility for one's actions," writes Dr. Edwin Cole. "The lack of effective, functioning fathers is the root cause of America's social, economic and spiritual crises."

Here is more

100 Years Later, It’s A New Day For Dads

Despite strides, could fathers once again use an image boost?

SPOKANE, Wash
. - Father's Day was started a century ago because its founder Sonora Smart Dodd was upset by widespread mocking of fathers in popular culture as lazy, sleazy and drunk.

This June 20 marks the 100th anniversary of Father's Day, and while today's fathers have come a long way, some would say they could once again use an image boost thanks to the much-mocked antics of the likes of Tiger Woods and Jon Gosselin.

While it is easy to take shots at dads who mess up, it's important to focus on the important role of men, said Michael Gurian, an author who specializes in the struggles of men in the modern world.

GO HERE to read more.

Obama Says GOP Making Life Harder For The Jobless

President Barack Obama on Saturday pinned blame on Republicans for making life harder for the unemployed and for those who could lose their jobs without new federal intervention. He did so even as he sought to distance himself from the "dreary and familiar politics" of Washington.

Capping a week in which the administration scored a victory - a $20 billion fund to be paid by BP for the victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill - Obama reserved his radio and Internet address to focus on the work that didn't get done.

His main concern was the rejection of a bill in the Senate that would have provided more money for the long-term unemployed, aid for strapped state governments and the renewal of popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals.

"If this obstruction continues, unemployed Americans will see their benefits stop," Obama said. "Teachers and firefighters will lose their jobs. Families will pay more for their first home. All we ask for is a simple up or down vote. That's what the American people deserve."

The broad economic bill failed Thursday when Democrats could not muster the 60 votes needed to end debate. The 56-40 vote fell four shy of the total required to break the GOP filibuster. Republicans support many of the policies in the legislation but are demanding changes to shrink its toll on the deficit.

["Obstruction..."-- it sounds like it was a few Democrats who shot this down-- Editor]

"Americans want us to show we're serious about lowering the debt, so the president and his allies in Congress have a choice to make: they can either vote to reduce the deficit, or they can lock arms and dig an even deeper hole of debt," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

More here

Egypt Refuses To Stop Flotillas

Cairo newspaper "A-Dar" reported Friday that Israel issued a request to Egypt to prevent aid ships from Iran reaching Gaza via the Suez Canal. Egyptian officials reported the request because "it contradicts the law."

Egyptian authorities explained to the Cairo newspaper that Israel requested Egypt prevent any aid ships arriving from Iran passing through the Suez Canal claiming that Iran is aiding Hamas to work against Egypt.

The newspaper added that Egypt refused the Israeli demands because it is not possible to prevent the passage of any ship through the canal because of international laws. Egyptians explained that they are not able to stand against the intent of Arab states, the Muslim world and international organizations to provide aid to the residents of Gaza and to lift the blockade.

More here

Presidential Qualifications

In a Florida State University classroom, they were discussing the qualifications to be President of the United States. It was pretty simple. The candidate must be a natural born citizen of at least 35 years of age.

However, one girl in the class immediately started in on how unfair was the requirement to be a natural born citizen. In short, her opinion was that this requirement prevented many capable individuals from becoming president.
The class was taking it in and letting her rant, and not many jaws hit the floor when she wrapped up her argument by stating:

"What makes a natural born citizen any more qualified to lead this country than one born by C-section?"

Yep, these are the same kind of 21-year-olds that just voted in our last election! *

*They breed and they walk among us...

FCC: We'll Just Do It Anyway

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on Thursday to begin the formal process of bringing the Internet under greater federal control – a move sought by both President Barack Obama and FCC Chairnman Julius Genachowski--even though federal law calls for an Internet "unfettered by Federal or State regulation."

This step comes after the federal D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in April rebuked the FCC in its attempt to enforce a controversial regulatory doctrine called Net Neutrality, which would allow the government to prevent private Internet providers from deciding which applications to allow on their networks.

The court said that the FCC did not have the authority to prevent Comcast, specifically, from blocking certain peer-to-peer Web sites.

The FCC is now trying to reclassify the Internet to broaden its authority over the Web. Currently, the FCC only has “ancillary” authority, meaning it can regulate Internet access only in the process of regulating another service that it has direct authority over, such as television or cable.

The 3-2 party-line vote on Thursday at the FCC began the formal process of reclassifying the Internet as a telecommunications service instead of an information service – its current classification. This is necessary because, as an information service, the government has little power to regulate Internet networks.

As a telecommunications service, such as a telephone network, the Internet would fall under a much broader regulatory scope – giving the government the power to enforce universal service requirements, making them pay into a federal universal service fund used to provide communications services to poor areas.

The FCC will now begin the mandatory public comment period, where it will solicit input from private companies and citizens about whether it should reclassify the Internet and, if so, how it should do it.

Read more about it

UNKILLED HAMBURGER

Note To All Hunters:

This is from a San Francisco newspaper




Folks, just remember as you read this, this person probably drives & votes

AND, may have already reproduced.......

Answering The Welfare System

Joe,

What can we do about people who abuse the welfare system? I know of a single mom (dad is in jail) who has 3 kids (ages 5, 4, 2) who does not work, state pays for her daycare (why the heck she needs daycare if she doesn't work is beyond me), and she sits home (or goes to the beach) all day and still is able to collect a check.

I'm sick of it! my husband and I are small business owners in Salisbury. We bust our you-know-what everyday, trying to make ends meet and could probably qualify for some sort of assistance from the state but we wouldn't dare even apply. I know that she isn't making any effort whatsoever to find employment (why would she?) and it makes me sick!

I'm all for people being able to get assistance when/if they need it, but abusing the system with no intentions of fixing it is rediculous. Her 5 year old actually told his daycare mother the other day "my mommy doesn't have to work because she still gets a check each month and the only reason you (daycare mother) has to work is because you're older" - so now this child is growing up to think its ok to mooch? UGH!

Signed,
Frustrated & Broke (but full of integrity)

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Press Release


On Saturday, June 19th, 2010 at approximately 1:49am A Worcester County Sheriff's Office Deputy stopped a vehicle at Route 50 and Hall Road for a traffic violation. Upon speaking with the operator an odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected. The driver was identified as Vilmar DaCasta 34 years of age from Salisbury Md. Mr. DaCosta did poorly on field sobriety tests and was arrested.

Mr DaCosta was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and released pending trial

Delaware Electric Cooperative "Peak Alert"



Beat the Peak Sunday, June 20th between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

GREENWOOD-Because of the warm temperatures over our region, Delaware Electric Cooperative and Choptank Electric Cooperative are asking all of their members to voluntarily conserve or limit energy usage between the hours of 3 pm and 7 pm, Sunday, June 20th, when our membership will be using the greatest amount of electricity and as a result the cooperatives will be purchasing power from the market at extremely high prices.

During "normal" load periods we pay only pennies per kilowatt-hour for power. However, during "Peak" demand or energy periods when the temperatures rise, we can pay up to one dollar per kilowatt-hour and in turn, we must pass these higher costs on to our members which may have an impact on rates.

Between the hours of 3 pm and 7 pm Sunday, June 20th we are asking our members to turn off all unnecessary lights and appliances that may not be needed. We would ask that our members delay major appliance usage such as dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers and delay any hot water usage.

Other important steps to take might include closing window shades and adjusting thermostats up 3 degrees during these "Peak" times.

Drowning In Georgetown

Location: 16363 Old Furnace Road, Georgetown, DE
Date of Occurrence: Saturday June 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Victim: 2 year old male

Resume:


Delaware State Police are investigating a drowning that claimed the life of a two year old.

The incident occurred on Saturday June 19, 2010 at a residence in Georgetown, DE where a family reunion was occurring. After the victim, a two year old male, was discovered missing, party members searched for him and found the victim inside of an above ground pool located on the property. The victim was unresponsive. A State Trooper and a Georgetown Police Department officer arrived and administered CPR to the victim. He was then transported to the Nanticoke Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. It is not known how long the victim had been in the pool prior to being located.

The investigation is on going at this time.

MORELAND ROCK SOLID IN 7-1 THUMPING OF LEGENDS

‘Birds Win Season High Sixth Straight Game

SALISBURY, Md.
– Delmarva exploded for six runs in the third inning and Kenny Moreland pitched eight innings, allowing two hits as the Shorebirds defeated the Lexington Legends, 7-1, at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium Saturday.

Moreland improved to 3-2 on the season as he helped the ‘Birds (32-37) extend their season-long winning streak to six games. The victory was also the ninth straight at home.

Moreland retired 14 consecutive Legends (34-35) and 17 of the last 18 batters he faced in the win. He struck out four and walked one, giving up a third-inning double by Jiovanni Mier and an eighth-inning two-bagger to Kody Hinze.

The right-hander Moreland was the first Delmarva pitcher to pitch eight innings in a start.

Third baseman Gary Helmick led the Shorebirds’ eight-hit offense with two doubles and two runs while first baseman Tyler Stampone chipped in with two RBI.

The Shorebirds took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Helmick led off the frame with a blooper down the right-field line. A sacrifice bunt by Ty Kelly moved Helmick to third and with two outs and Stampone up, Lexington starter Brad Dydalewicz (0-1) uncorked a wild pitch to put Delmarva ahead.

Delmarva sent 11 men to the plate in the third, scoring seven runs and knocking Dydalewicz out of the game.

Helmick made it a 2-0 game with a double down the left-field line to plate Jason Stifler. Then, with one out, Stampone doubled down the right field line to bring in Helmick and Kelly for a 4-0 lead. Levi Cololus, Garabez Rosa and Stifler also added run scoring hits in the inning.

Dydalewicz surrendered seven earned runs on six hits in 2.2 innings.

Lexington picked up its only run in the eighth on a passed ball, scoring Hinze from third after his double with no one out in the inning.

The Shorebirds and Legends finish the series on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. For tickets and information, contact the Shorebirds’ box office at (410) 219-3112. On the mound will be right-hander Bobby Bundy (2-3, 3.98). Lexington goes with righty Robert Donovan (0-0, 0.00).