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Friday, November 19, 2010

School Reverses "Second Chance" Cheating Policy

The principal at West Potomac High School has reversed an earlier decision to allow teachers to decide whether a student accused of cheating should be allowed to retake a test instead of getting a zero.

In a memo dated Nov. 18, Principal Cliff Hardison wrote:

As I've talked with teachers, parents and students about the recent publicity surrounding our grading practices, it has become clear to me that we do not have consensus within the faculty, the student body, or the parents at West Potomac to change our grading practices from prior years. ...I have not nor will I ever tolerate cheating. West Potomac will completely return to its Unified school discipline policy where students receive forfeiture of credit for incidents of cheating or plagiarism.

Hardison previously said he had made the policy change allowing students to retake tests because he believed cheating should be considered a disciplinary problem and not an academic issue.

GO HERE to read more.

Most 9/11 Responders Settle Suit Over Toxic Dust

More than 10,000 ground zero workers involved in legal deal

More than 10,000 workers exposed to the tons of toxic dust that blanketed ground zero after the World Trade Center fell have ended their bruising legal fight with New York City and joined a settlement worth at least $625 million, officials said Friday.

The deal will resolve an overwhelming majority of the lawsuits over the city's failure to provide protective equipment to the army of construction workers, police officers and firefighters who spent months clearing and sifting rubble after Sept. 11.

Among the thousands who sued, claiming that soot at the site got into their lungs and made them sick, more than 95 percent eligible for the settlement agreed to take the offer. Only 520 said no or failed to respond.
City officials and lawyers for the workers said they welcomed a resolution to a case that had pitted New York and a long list of demolition companies against the very men and women who helped lower Manhattan recover.

"This settlement is a fair and just resolution of these claims, protecting those who came to the aid of this City when we needed it most," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.

GO HERE to read more.

Traffic Advisory In Salisbury

Traffic Advisory for South Division Street and Onley Road

November 19, 2010

From Monday, November 22 through Sunday, December 5, 2010, parent/guardian drop offs and pick ups for James M. Bennett High School will take place using the Onley road entrance. This temporary procedure is needed to allow the construction contractor an opportunity to work on the area off of East College Avenue that is currently used for pick ups and drop offs.

Motorists are advised to take other routes around the Onley Road/Bateman Street/South Division Street intersection at drop off and pick up times to avoid traffic congestion. School is in session next week only on Monday and Tuesday.

Wicomico County Burning Regulations

Wicomico County Open Air Burning Guidance: County Residents Should Take Precautions When Conducting Open Air Burnings


November 19, 2010 — Fall is a season of high fire danger in Maryland and open air burning is the leading cause of wildfire in Maryland, accounting for over 30% of wildfire starts. County officials are reminding residents who wish to conduct burning activities to adhere to Maryland State and County regulations. Contact the Wicomico County Health Department to determine if a permit is required prior to initiating any burning.

Persons wishing to burn should remember the following:

1) Burning must be at least 200ft away from any dwelling or place of congregation.
2) Burning must be at least 200ft away from any road, as long as the smoke doesn’t cross the road.
3) Burning must be 400ft away from any fuel/gas tank.
4) Do not burn on rainy, windy or cloudy days.
5) Stay with the fire until it is completely out.
6) Always have sufficient help. Water, tools and equipment must readily be available at the burn site to control the fire.
7) NEVER burn hazardous materials.
8) All structures to be burned must be left intact; piled debris is considered solid waste and must be disposed of at the county landfill.
9) Any burning activities that create a nuisance must be extinguished immediately regardless if activity is permitted or not.

Leaf and household trash burning is permitted only if NO PUBLIC COLLECTION service is available and appropriate setbacks are met.

For further information about State or County burning regulations please call the Wicomico County Health Department Environmental Health Division at 410-546-4446.

Nineteen Is The Number To Watch As UN Committee Prepares To Vote On Religious ‘Defamation’

As a U.N. General Assembly committee prepares to vote on a controversial religious “defamation” resolution – possibly as early as Friday – critics will be keen to see how successful their lobbying against the Islamic-led initiative has been.

Nineteen will be the number to better. That was the margin of difference between countries voting for and against the resolution in 2009. The result then was 80-61 in favor of the resolution, with 42 abstentions.

Any margin smaller than 19 this year will be welcome by opponents, although an outright defeat of the measure is the ultimate goal.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)-sponsored text has passed at the General Assembly every year since 2005 (and at the U.N.’s human rights body in Geneva every year since 1999.)

The past three years have seen waning support, however: The 2006 and 2007 resolutions passed by a margin of 57 votes, but that dropped to 33 in 2008 and then to 19 last year. Anything below that number this year will indicate that the opposition – from a wide range of interests including Western governments, religious freedom and free speech advocacy groups – is continuing to make an impact.

The OIC, a bloc of 56 countries, argues that Islam and its teachings, symbols and prophetic figures are being denigrated by non-Muslims as a result of ignorance, prejudice or fear, especially over the period since 9/11.

It includes in these acts of “Islamophobia” incidents such as the publication of newspaper cartoons satirizing Mohammed, security “profiling,” threats to burn copies of the Qur’an, or claims that Islam’s revered text promotes violence against non-Muslims.         
More from CNSNews

It's Been A Challenging Week

If you've ever received a letter in the mail requesting you to come in for Jury Duty, you know what this week has been like for me. Sweating it out every night, up late into the evening trying to get posts up for the next day. Then getting up at 5:00 AM to fill in even more posts and then off to Jury Duty. It's been one heck of a roller coaster ride and a very difficult week. Hopefully none of you have noticed I have been gone quite a bit. I've done my very best to keep things flowing with the help of one of our Contributors moderating comments.

Nevertheless, it's been a fantastic experience so far. It's been a LONG time since I received a pay check from someone. I do feel kind of cheap though, $20.00 a day doesn't seem to cut the mustard but its more than I get paid from Salisbury News. ;-)

All that being said, it's been an incredible week hit wise and more importantly, comment wise. There's probably been an average of 250 comments a day this week, so we must be doing something right. I did receive a call today from Linda Lugo, (Director of the Humane Society) and they couldn't be happier with yesterday's judgement passed on the couple who killed the dog at the Salisbury Mall. They all did a great job, especially the Police Officer who made the arrest.

I'll have more posts shortly.

IAF Strikes Targets In Gaza In Response To Rocket Fire

Following multiple rockets and mortar shells being fired into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on Friday, the IDF confirmed that IAF jets successfully struck three terror-related targets in Gaza in response.

The IDF also reported that the four mortar shells that landed in the Ashkelon Regional Council area earlier on Friday contained white phosphorous.

The Salah al-Din Brigade claimed responsibility for the four mortar shells, which they said came in response to the IDF assassination of two members of the Army of Islam, an al-Qaida affiliated group, earlier this week.

In addition to the four mortar shells containing white phosphorous fired into Israel on Friday, three additional mortar shells were fired towards the western Negev.

Earlier on Friday a Grad rocket was shot from Gaza towards Israel.

In addition, two Kassam rockets landed in the Merhavim Regional Council of the western Negev. No injuries and damage were reported.

Another rocket was shot on Friday morning. It landed in Palestinian territory.

Kassam rockets have been shot from Gaza towards the western Negev almost daily since 2001. The IDF Spokesperson's unit reported that over 180 rockets have landed in Israel since the beginning of the year.

JPost

Young Israel Slams Critical U.S. Report

The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) has condemned a U.S. State Department report that criticizes Israel for alleged religious discrimination against non-Jews and non-Orthodox Jews.  The report put Israel in the same category as Afghanistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iran in terms of religious freedom.

"Although Israel was established as a Jewish State in 1948, it has spent the past six decades actively encouraging and facilitating freedom of religion for all of its citizens," said NCYI President Shlomo Mostofsky.  "Equating Israel, the United States' sole democratic ally in the Middle East region, with rogue nations that actively suppress the free exercise of religion is unjust and uncalled for."

The State Department report acknowledged that, "government policy contributed to the generally free practice of religion,” but claimed, “governmental and legal discrimination against non-Jews and non-Orthodox streams of Judaism continued."

Among the policies the report cited as examples of “religious discrimination” were the fact that the Law of Return, under which Jews can receive Israeli citizenship, does not apply to Jews who have converted to another religion, and the fact that the Rabbinate recognizes conversions to Judaism only if they are performed according to traditional Torah law. The report did not note that changing that policy is reverse discrimination against those who adhere to Jewish law.
"The Israeli courts have consistently focused on the importance of protecting freedom of religion for its citizenry,”  countered Mostofsky.

The report also claimed that Israel fails to protect non-Jewish holy sites, a claim INN and Mostofsky dismissed as completely  false.  "Despite constant security concerns that warrant the implementation of certain protective measures in order to properly protect the public, Israel continues to provide unfettered access to holy sites of all religions, and the religious beliefs of Christians, Muslims, and Jews are not encumbered in any way.  Israel should be commended for its high level of religious tolerance, not condemned."

 The report failed to note, as INN reported, that Government security forces often prevent Jews  from even approaching the Temple Mount, and numerous Jews have been arrested -- including a young bride and her father  at one point -- for infractions as spurious as simply "moving their lips" on the site, because the area has been designated an official holy site for Muslims, where the Al-Aqsa mosque is located.

All Islamic sites are controlled by the Waqf, also known as the Islamic Religious Authority – due to the preference of the imams themselves, and under a special arrangement. Much damage has been caused and thousands of priceless artifacts from the First and Second Temple eras have been destroyed due to damage caused by construction near the Dome of the Rock mosque – which rests on the Temple Mount, where the Jewish Holy of Holies is located -- authorized by the Waqf.        

More from INN

Evidence Mounts That Plume Off Coast Of California Actually Chinese Missile Launch

Joe,

Below are videos of experts claiming that plume off the coast of California was in no way a "con trail" from an airplane. In fact it appears that our government has actually provided photo shopped images trying to play this whole thing off using "experts" from places like the Discovery Channel.

Below are videos of former Generals and NSA experts saying that this was a muscle flexing by the Chinese in defiance over the devaluing of the US dollar. Check them out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1qsPWeWh8k&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ekoPpSozI&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6JipNHsUNE&feature=player_embedded

Think about what one commenter said when referring to 3:55 in the last video:

"maybe i'm kinda nervous my government is covering somethin up here.." nahh say it ain't so..our government wouldn't lie to us..never. USS Maine, USS Liberty (8th June 1967), Gulf of Tonkin, JFK, Iran-Contra, Operation Northwoods, Project Paprclip, MK Ultra, WPM in Iraq, Mercury in infant vaccines, Tuskegee experiment, 100,000 Japanese Americans in inter. camps WWII,Toxic fluoride in tap water (70% of the country), "No New Taxes", "I didn't have sexual relations with that woman Monica"
Shall we add the economy, cap and trade, Obama's trip to India, Obamacare?
People need to stop ignoring what is right in front of them.

Today's Survey Question

Do You Think $100,000.00 Is A Fair Price For The Old Fire Station 16?

Ex-Auto Czar Cuts Deal With SEC; N.Y. Sues

Former Obama car czar Steven Rattner has agreed to pay $6.2 million to settle federal charges over his role in a "pay-to-play" scandal, but says he won't be "bullied" into accepting a harsher penalty from New York's attorney general.

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Thursday that Rattner had accepted the fine and a two-year ban from the securities industry to resolve allegations that he paid illegal kickbacks to help his private equity firm land a lucrative investment from a state pension fund.

Similar settlement talks with state officials collapsed, however, and yesterday New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed two lawsuits seeking a much tougher punishment: at least $26 million and a lifetime ban from the securities business.

Rattner expressed outrage over that demand in a statement e-mailed to reporters.

"While settling with the SEC begins the process of putting this matter behind me, I will not be bullied simply because the Attorney General's office prefers political considerations instead of a reasoned assessment of the facts," he said.

He said he did not violate the state securities law that gave Cuomo the authority to intervene in the case.

"This episode is the first time during 35 years in business that anyone has questioned my ethics or integrity -- and I certainly did not violate the Martin Act," he said. "That's why I intend to clear my name by defending myself vigorously against this politically motivated lawsuit."

Both federal and state investigators have accused Rattner of greasing the palms of state officials and their associates in order to help his private equity firm, the Quadrangle Group, land about $150 million in pension fund investments.     

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Hacker Arrested After Cracking Federal Reserve

A federal grand jury has indicted a Malaysian citizen for allegedly hacking into a computer network at the Federal Reserve Bank and stealing more than 400,000 credit and debit card numbers. Federal prosecutors also allege Lin Mun Poo, 32, made a career of compromising systems at financial institutions, major corporations and defense contractors. They say he sold or traded the information he found. Also according to the Justice Department, "in approximately August 2010, he hacked into the computer system of a Department of Defense contractor that provides systems management for military transport and other military operations, potentially compromising highly sensitive military logistics information." Poo was arrested when he traveled to the U.S. in October. If convicted of the most serious charges, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

This story is part of Federal News Radio's daily Cybersecurity Update brought to you by Tripwire. For more cybersecurity news, click here.

More Fruitland Shenannigan

Mr. Albero -

Thought you would be interested in seeing once again how the City of Fruitland is WASTING its constituents money through its legal department. Fruitland has retained AWB Engineers to handle the design and bidding process for its new Police Department. There was a mandatory pre-bid meeting, three bid addendums issued and one faxed memo sent out during the bid process. The bids were publicly opened and read aloud. Fruitland has now been bullied by one of the contractors over an issue that the project was bid without sales tax and that it should have been included and they have protested the bid and threatened legal action if the project is not rebid. Of course they have bent to this pressure and are now redoing the whole process again, all the while paying out more money to the Engineering firm to oversee this process. The big problem is that ALL bidders were aware that the project was to exclude sales tax (see attached). Fruitland knows it got a competitive bid from the lowest firm since there was a very small percentage separating them. They are now allowing that public bid opening information to be used in another competitive (not so much now) bid opening. If the GC protesting should of had any issue, it should have been done prior to the bid opening to protect all those who had submitted them so all the competition would not know the numbers.

More back-door politics, More money thrown out the door, More of the same. And just to be clear, our company was listed with the apparent low bidder as one of its prime subcontractors.

FAX NUMBER
Harkins Contracting, Inc Don Smith, Mark Figgs (410) 749-2150
JOB Construction Steve Edmundson (302) 337-3890
Nason Construction Fred Doster, Mike Dashiell (410) 749-4433
Evans Builders Inc. Dan Baker (410) 749-1703
Gillis Gilkerson Incorporated Dwight Miller, Tyler Barnes (410) 749-7934
Whiting Turner Andrew Bratten (410) 901-8335
Willow Construction Calley Dawkins (410) 820-7392
Mervin L. Blades & Son, Inc. Matt Esham (410) 957-2648
Sens Mechanical, Inc. Steve Pope (410) 629-0778
Bennett Construction Bruce Giordano (410) 749-3411
Cain Masonry, Inc. Mike Townsend (410) 749-0092
Advantech, Inc. Steve Allis (302) 674-3698
DiCarlo Precision Instrument Inc Christina Baker (410) 749-9323
FROM: Amy Bechard
DATE: October 25, 2010
SUBJECT: Fruitland Police Dept
Clarification:
Since this is a municipal project for The City of Fruitland, the project is tax-exempt.


Memo

TO: All Bidders

COMPANY ATTENTION

Four In 10 Say Marriage Is Becoming Obsolete

But half of unmarried adults still want to get hitched, new study finds

Is marriage becoming obsolete?

As families gather for Thanksgiving this year, nearly one in three American children is living with a parent who is divorced, separated or never-married. More people are accepting the view that wedding bells aren't needed to have a family.

A study by the Pew Research Center highlights rapidly changing notions of the American family. And the Census Bureau, too, is planning to incorporate broader definitions of family when measuring poverty, a shift caused partly by recent jumps in unmarried couples living together.

GO HERE to read more.

GM's Bailout Is A Financial Disaster

Only the government would consider it a success to buy stock at $43.84 a share and sell it at $33. -- But President Obama and those who supported his bailout of General Motors and Chrysler are claiming just that today.

First, the alternative to the government bailout wasn't to "give up" as Obama claimed on Thursday at his press conference. Bankruptcy didn't mean that all jobs were going to be lost. It didn't mean that all the factories producing cars would be closed.

Yet, the president made that claim in his announcement again today and he continually misstates what would have happened in a normal bankruptcy. Courts don't just close down bankrupt companies. In fact, that rarely occurs. Any part of a company that can continue operating profitably continues to do so.

Some are pointing out that just a year and a half ago GM stock was trading at just $1 a share and claim that today's closing price of $34.19 is proof of the bailout's success. It simply doesn't account for the over $50 billion in direct bailout funds and the tens of billions of dollars in other breaks President Obama gave the company and its unions.

It also ignores that GM's stockholders and particularly its bondholders had their wealth stolen from them when the government took over ownership of the company. Traditional property right protections were shredded by the Obama administration, making corporate investments in America riskier as a result.

GO HERE to read more.

10 U.S. Cities Where Renting Rules

Some locales where paying a landlord rather than taking on a mortgage may surprise you

We're all aware that the housing market, well, stinks right now. With an excess of supply and lowered demand, it's a buyer's market — but is that true everywhere? Here are 10 cities where renting rules, and why you're better off writing your landlord a check than taking on a mortgage.

1. New York
Average List Price: $1,879,000
New York: if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere, right? That certainly holds true for real estate, because the average home price in the Big Apple is nearly $2 million. Rent is high too, but it still makes more sense than owning a home: According to Trulian, New York City's rent-to-buy index is 35, meaning that it would take 35 years of renting before you match homeowners' expenses. That rent check may make you cringe, but it beats paying a mortgage in New York.

Bottom line
We've all been taught that homeownership means you've arrived, but the recent downturn in the housing market has made everyone re-evaluate that rule. Many of these cities share a stronger-than-average job market, making them desirable places to live. Whether you live in one of these cities, elsewhere, or plan a move, do your homework before thinking buying a home is your next step. Sometimes, renting means you're financially savvy — something we all aspire to these days.

GO HERE to read more.

Youth Nonprofit's Exec Accused Of Fraud

The executive director of a D.C. non-profit is accused of taking $506,000 that was supposed to benefit at-risk children and using it for gambling and personal expenses.

Keely Thompson Jr., of Keely's District Boxing and Youth Center, was arrested Thursday and charged with wire fraud. Thompson allegedly took the city funds beginning in 2004, authorities said.

Since 2004, the gym has received about $1.4 million in public funds, according to court documents.

Thompson is accused of using a gym debit card to withdraw $150,000 in cash while on various cruises and at Bally's Casino in Atlantic City.

In addition to his salary -- from $46,000 in 2004 to $81,000 in 2009 -- Thompson received 127 checks totaling $355,210, according to court documents. The non-profit failed to provide legitimate purposes for that money.

Thompson has confessed to some of these crimes, according to court documents. He allegedly told the FBI he intended to pay the money back, NBC Washington's Darcy Spencer reported.

"I used the money in the wrong way," Thompson said. "I done it and I can't change it."

GO HERE to read more.

Thank God Its Friday!

What Will You Be Doing This Weekend?

China's New Drones Raise Eyebrows

China is ramping up production of unmanned aerial vehicles in an apparent bid to catch up with the U.S. and Israel in developing technology that is considered the future of military aviation.

Western defense officials and experts were surprised to see more than 25 different Chinese models of the unmanned aircraft, known as UAVs, on display at this week's Zhuhai air show in this southern Chinese city. It was a record number for a country that unveiled its first concept UAVs at the same air show only four years ago, and put a handful on display at the last one in 2008.

The apparent progress in UAVs is a stark sign of China's ambition to upgrade its massive military as its global political and economic clout grows.

The U.S. and Israel are currently the world leaders in developing such pilotless drones, which have played a major role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and which analysts say could one day replace the fighter jet.

This year's models in Zhuhai included several designed to fire missiles, and one powered by a jet engine, meaning it could—in theory—fly faster than the propeller-powered Predator and Reaper drones that the U.S. has used in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Exhibitors didn't give precise details of which Chinese drones were fully operational, although one confirmed that the People's Liberation Army, or PLA, had deployed at least two propeller-powered reconnaissance UAVs, which featured in last year's 60th National Day parade.

But the large number of UAVs on display illustrates clearly that China is investing considerable time and money to develop drone technology, and is actively promoting its products on the international market.

That has implications for China's external and domestic security, as well as for many other countries, including Iran, that have sought in vain to acquire drones either for military purposes or for police surveillance and antiterrorist operations.

It is of particular concern to the U.S. and Israel, whose drones are unrivalled in the world today, and could worry China's neighbors, many of which have territorial disputes with China in the East and South China seas.

China's apparent progress is likely to spur others, especially India and Japan, to accelerate their own UAV development or acquisition programs.

U.S. anxiety about China's UAVs were highlighted in a report released Wednesday by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which was formed by Congress in 2000 to assess the national security implications of trade and economic relations with China.

"The PLA Air Force has deployed several types of unmanned aerial vehicles for both reconnaissance and combat purposes," the report said. "In addition, China is developing a variety of medium- and high-altitude long-endurance unmanned vehicles, which when deployed, will expand the PLA Air Force's 'options for long-range reconnaissance and strike,' " it said, citing an earlier Pentagon report.     
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Businesses & Organizations Supporting The Salvation Army This Year

ORGANIZATIONS RINGING WHOLE DAYS
Affordable Business Systems
Atlantic General Hospital
Bank of Delmarva
Barr International
Burnett White
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 111
First Shore Federal
Hanna, Kremer & Tilghman
Hebron Savings Bank
Herl’s Bath & Tile Company
Gillis-Gilkerson
Knights of Columbus – Salisbury
Living Stones Church
Ocean Pines Kiwanis
Peninsula Regional Medical Center
Pepsi Bottling Ventures
Perdue Farms, Inc.
Perdue School of Business, SU
Pittsville Ford
Pohanka Automotive Group
Queen City Lodge
Robinson’s Family of Businesses
Salisbury Automotive
Salisbury Host Lions
Salisbury Kennel Club
Salisbury Sunrise Rotary
Salvation Army Advisory Board
Salvation Army Hazel Youth Club Advisory Board
Salvation Army Oak Street Youth Club
St James AME Church
St Paul’s United Methodist Church – The Uprising
Twilley, Rommel and Stephens PA
Wicomico County Democratic Club
Wicomico County Dept of Corrections
Wicomico Rotary
Wicomico Senior High Girls Basketball
Wicomico Senior High National Honor Society
WMDT/CW3

ORGANIZATIONS RINGING MULTIPLE PARTIAL DAYS
City of Salisbury
Comprehensive Financial Services (CFS)
Dove Pointe
Eastern Shore Distributing
ERA Martin & Associates
Hynes & Associates
Fruitland Chamber of Commerce
Fruitland Volunteer Fire Company
(The) Harkins Group
Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company
Pocomoke Kiwanis
Pocomoke Rotary
Pocomoke Ruritan
Pocomoke Soroptimist
Rotary Club of Salisbury
Salisbury Christian School
Salisbury Metro Lions Club
Salisbury Optimist Club
Salisbury- Wicomico Lions
St Stephens United Methodist Church
Success Temple 154
Wicomico County Board of Education

THANK YOU!

Now K Street Has Its Own Senator: Lisa Murkowski

Now that she has apparently won re-election without the backing of the Republican Party, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is in debt to nobody -- besides the revolving-door K Street lobbyists and government contractors who financed her write-in campaign.

As her write-in votes surpassed the votes for Republican nominee Joe Miller this week, Murkowski asserted her independence from the party.

Murkowski told the press she feels liberated because she won "not because I came as my party's nominee but because a very, very wide range of Alaskans of all political stripes have stepped up and said 'you're the person we want to represent us in Washington.' " The Hill newspaper reported, "Murkowski said her 'backbone is stiffer, straighter' " from winning as a write-in.

And how is Murkowski standing up to the GOP bosses? By rejecting the party's earmark ban and promising to pork up spending bills with parochial, unauthorized pet projects that, no doubt, will help her political allies.
Murkowski has repeatedly said this week she will continue to request earmarks, justifying them because Alaska is a "young" state (a "young state" that takes five dollars in spending for every dollar in taxes it sends to Washington, according to the Cato Institute).

Murkowksi points out that the Republican Senate Conference rule banning earmarks has no real enforcement mechanism, and says she'll chose Alaska over the party.

But Murkowski's earmarking shows us that pork isn't about helping out the home state as much as it's about rewarding political donors and greasing the gears of the political patronage machine.

The "Alaska Mafia," as it's known on Capitol Hill, K Street, and in the 49th state, is a network of former aides to Murkowksi, her father, Frank, the late Sen. Ted Stevens, and Rep. Don Young -- all Republicans. The aides now populate K Street firms like Van Ness Feldman, BlueWater Strategies, and Birch & Horton, winning earmarks and special favors for their clients -- Alaska towns and privileged Alaska Native Corporations.

Read more at the Washington Examiner

Feds Holding Firm On Intrusive Airport Security

Despite a deluge of complaints over intrusive pat-downs and revealing airport scans, the government is betting Americans would rather fly safe than untouched. "I'm not going to change those policies," the nation's transportation security chief declared Wednesday.

Responded a lawmaker: "I wouldn't want my wife to be touched in the way that these folks are being touched."

The debate over where to strike the balance between privacy and security, in motion since new safety measures took effect after the 2001 terrorist attacks, has intensified with the debut of pat-downs that are more thorough, and invasive, than before, and the spread of full-body image scans.

A week before some of the busiest flying days of the year, some passengers are refusing the regimen, many more are complaining and the aviation industry is caught in the middle.

In Florida, the Orlando Sanford Airport, which handles 2 million passengers a year, now plans to replace "testy" Transportation Security Administration screeners with private contractors, and two veteran commercial pilots are refusing to fly out of airports using the procedures.

"The outcry is huge," Texas Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told the TSA administrator, John Pistole, at a Capitol Hill hearing. "I know that you're aware of it. But we've got to see some action."

Pistole conceded "reasonable people can disagree" on how to properly balance safety at the nation's airports but he asserted the new security measures are necessary because of intelligence on latest attack methods that might be used by terrorists.
Read more at the Washington Examiner

'Convention Liaison' Irks GOP

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele hired his former personal assistant to manage the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., for $15,000 a month plus a $25,000 signing bonus, The Washington Times has learned.

The contract, signed by Mr. Steele on the RNC's Committee on Arrangements (COA) letterhead, calls for Belinda Cook to serve "as RNC liaison to the convention."

The Tampa press has been identifying Mrs. Cook as "convention manager" - a position invariably filled in the past by Republicans of considerable federal-level experience in negotiating many contracts each worth millions of dollars.

Former RNC convention managers say they know of no such previous title as "liaison to the convention" and questioned the need for such a position in the second half of 2010.

They also say the contract with Tampa to be the host city was made six months earlier than with host cities in the past, thus causing an already cash-strapped RNC to spend more money sooner than in the past on the national nominating convention.

"Strikes me that this liaison mission is premature and overcompensated," said former RNC general counsel David Norcross, who in 2004 also served as chairman of the COA, the RNC panel that oversees the quadrennial presidential nominating convention.

"I know of no prior 'liaison' position, nor do I know what such a person would do," said Mr. Norcross, who is in San Diego for the annual Republican Governors Association meeting.

"There is no need for a full-time person starting more than two years out from the beginning of the convention," Mr. Norcross told The Times.

Other former RNC convention managers, speaking to The Times on the condition of anonymity, agreed that Mrs. Cook's position is unnecessary at this stage of the election cycle, overpaid for what work may be required at the end of 2010, and beyond Mrs. Cook's known qualifications.     

More here

[What is it gonna take for them to fire this guy? --- Editor]

Uncle Steny 'In A Way' Over GOP's Postponement Of White House Visit

A leading House Democrat on Thursday said he was "disappointed" that Republican leaders rejected President Obama's invitation to meet at the White House this week.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the snub sends the wrong signal following elections in which voters seemed to be calling for more bipartisan cooperation in Washington.

The Maryland Democrat said accepting such invitations "is not only respectful of the president of the United States, but it also furthers the ability to solve the problems confronting our country."

Two days after the Democrats were trounced in the midterm elections, Obama scheduled a meeting with leaders of both parties to discuss a way forward in light of the recent power shift.

"The American people don't want us just standing still," Obama said at the time. "They don't want us engaged in gridlock."

That gathering was scheduled for Nov. 18, but GOP leaders this week said "scheduling issues" would prevent them from attending. They've postponed the meeting until Nov. 30, when Congress returns to Washington following next week's Thanksgiving recess.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said they agreed to move the meeting after exchanging phone calls with GOP leaders.

"We agreed that it was inconvenient to have the meeting when we originally set it," Gibbs said. "We moved it to a different date."

Hoyer told reporters on Thursday he could "never remember an instance" when President George W. Bush asked Democratic leaders to the White House "that we did not accommodate our schedule to that request."     
More here

Obama Sets Aside Only Two Hours To Meet With European Leaders At NATO Meeting In Portugal

Nine months after disappointing European leaders with a decision not to attend a scheduled United States-European Union summit, President Obama will meet with E.U. leaders on the sidelines of the NATO gathering in Lisbon this weekend.

Two hours reportedly have been set aside for the meeting on Saturday afternoon, with a crammed agenda topped by economic issues and including security – especially in the light of recent terrorism alerts in Europe – trade, development aid and climate change.

Obama’s trip to Europe will be over in less than 48 hours during which, according to unconfirmed Russian media reports, time will be found for a separate meeting between Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Medvedev, who will be in Lisbon for the NATO event, met with Obama just a week ago, in Japan.

The White House has not announced any bilaterals in Lisbon, apart from those with Portuguese leaders. Ben Rhodes, deputy national security advisor for strategic communications, told a briefing Tuesday that “there may be additional bilateral meetings that the president is able to have on the margins of these summits.”

“The proposed U.S.-E.U. agenda is robust, but time is exceedingly short for discussion,” Heather Conley, director of the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in an analysis Wednesday.

She noted that “amidst a significant European economic crisis with major consequences for the United States and other countries,” less than two hours would be devoted to economic matters.     

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Sen. Barbara Boxer Likens U.S. To Iran, North Korea And Pakistan Because U.S. Bans Homosexuals From Military

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) likened the United States of America to Iran, North Korea and Pakistan because those nations also do not allow homosexuals in their militaries.

Boxer likened the U.S.A. to the Communist regime in North Korea, the Islamic regime in Iran and the Pakistani government at a press conference in which she called for repealing the ban on homosexuals in the military during the lameduck session of Congress, which is taking place now before the new members elected on Nov. 2 can arrive in Washington, D.C. and replace the members who are retiring or who were defeated.

“We now stand with this rule with countries like Iran, North Korea and Pakistan in banning gays and lesbians from military service,” said Boxer. “Our brave young men and women fight alongside allies like Australia, the United Kingdom and others who allow gays and lesbians to serve openly. Let’s not stand with Pakistan and with North Korea and Iran.”     
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BREAKING NEWS: Scumbags Going To Jail

Back in August Salisbury News broke the story about two scumbags charged with killing an animal, (a dog) at the Salisbury Mall. The trial for that case was today. It started at 8:30 AM and our people finally left the court house at 6:30 PM after being there the entire day.

The long and short of it is, Greenburg was sentenced to 18 months in jail, 9 months suspended. Hussain was sentenced to 90 days in jail, both got 3 years probation and their animals were removed from their home. Greenburg started crying in front of the Judge.

The Officer on the scene tried to revive the dog giving it mouth to mouth resuscitation but the animal didn't survive. Also, it should be known that the sentences listed above were the final offer by Judge Davis at 6:30 PM. This is what we were told.

That being said, GOOD for Judge Davis! He is the voice of the animals and based on these scumbags records this is the least they should get. Let it be heard loud and clear, you mistreat animals in Wicomico County, your going to jail!

Read the article below and click on the link at the end to see what Greenburg is all about too. What Joel Todd couldn't do in Worcester County is complete in Wicomico County.

On August 8, 2010 at approximately 5:22 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the parking lot of the Centre at Salisbury for the report of canines secured in a dangerously hot vehicle. Upon arrival the officers met with witnesses who pointed out a vehicle in the parking lot that contained six (6) canines which appeared to be in duress due to the heat.

The windows of the vehicle were up with only one inch of space at the top. The officers observed that the canines were having health issues and made entry into the vehicle. The temperature in the vehicle was found to be in excess of 105 degrees. One dog was found to be unresponsive and later died from the exposure to the heat. The remaining dogs were given water and air conditioning and slowly revived. The officers located the owners of the canines and found that the dogs had been left in the vehicle for over three (3) hours. Both owners were taken into custody
.
ARRESTED #1: Shannon Mecall Hussain, 36 years of age
Berlin, Maryland
ARRESTED #2: Kirt Barren Greenberg, 45 years of age
Berlin, Maryland
CHARGES (both): Deprivation of necessary sustenance (6 cts)
Unlawful deprivation of sustenance (6 cts)
Inflicting unnecessary suffering and pain (6 cts)
Did cause the cruel killing of an animal
DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking
201000031467

GO HERE to read more about Greenburg.

Otininally posted at 8:28 PM last night.

Citizens United Likens Pelosi Election To Fruitcake Regifting

Some fellas go to Jared around the holidays, earning not only the undying devotion of their beloved but also the envy of all the girls on the block (and the ire of guys who believe that every kiss begins with Kay). Others go to the cupboard where they store last year’s fruitcake and pull one out for a little regifting, ending up with egg on their faces. Well, not really, except in a spoof Web video the conservative group Citizens United rolled out for the holidays as Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California retained a leadership position in the House, albeit as a minority leader.

Citizens United’s website explains its three videos, “We are having a little early holiday fun with the fact that Democrats are regifting Nancy Pelosi as their leader once again in the House of Representatives. Pelosi as Democrat Minority Leader is as popular as a Christmas fruitcake – and nobody wants a fruitcake. In fact, Nancy Pelosi is only 1% more popular than fruitcake according to public opinion polls!”

The group even fashioned a Pelosi fruitcake website all its own.

All humor aside, news reports in media of all stripes, and backroom gossip, show that Pelosi’s election was about as popular with many of her party colleagues as of one of those much-maligned fruitcakes under a Christmas tree. Indeed, it occurred only after a Pelosi smackdown during a caucus of venting rebellion that took her six hours to quell.     

There's more here

Ethics Committee Recommends Censure For Rangel

The ethics committee voted 9-1 to recommend censure and that Rangel pay any taxes he owes on income from a vacation villa in the Dominican Republic. The five Democrats and five Republicans on the panel deliberated for about three hours behind closed doors.

Earlier, at a sanctions hearing, the 20-term congressman apologized for his misconduct but said he was not a crooked politician out for personal gain. He was in the House hearing room when the ethics committee chairman, Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, announced the recommendation.

Rangel, 80, ended the sanctions hearing with an emotional plea to salvage his reputation.

Before speaking, Rangel sat for several minutes trying to compose himself. He placed his hands over his eyes and then his chin, before he slowly stood up and said in a gravelly voice that was barely audible: "I don't know how much longer I have to live."

Facing the committee members, he asked them to "see your way clear to say, 'This member was not corrupt.'"

He continued: "There's no excuse for my behavior and no intent to go beyond what has been given to me as a salary. I apologize for any embarrassment I've caused you individually and collectively as a member of the greatest institution in the world."

In the most dramatic clash of the proceeding, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, questioned the assertion of Rangel — the former chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee — that he wasn't corrupt.

"Failure to pay taxes for 17 years. What is that?" McCaul asked, referring to Rangel's shortchanging the Internal Revenue Service on rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic.     
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Yard Sales

Longaberger yard sale
Saturday, 11/20 @ 7:00 am
9101 Logtown Road in Berlin, MD

Deal Reached To Postpone Doctors' Medicare Cut

The Senate late Thursday voted to postpone a massive cut in Medicare pay for doctors, agreeing to pay doctors at current levels through Dec. 31.

If the House goes along, Congress would stave off a 23 percent cut in doctors' pay scheduled to take effect Dec. 1. The cost of the one-month postponement, $1 billion over 10 years, will be paid for by changes in Medicare reimbursement for outpatient therapy services.

The Senate's voice-vote approval came after an agreement on the one-month postponement was announced earlier in the day by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., and the panel's top Republican, Charles Grassley of Iowa. Baucus and Grassley also pledged to work toward a mutually acceptable 12-month postponement that could pass before the end of this year.

Doctors were threatening to stop taking new Medicare patients if the cut went through, and experts warned that the situation would undermine the health care program for 46 million elderly and disabled. Health care for military service members, families and retirees also would be jeopardized because Tricare payments are tied to Medicare's.

AARP Senior Vice President David Sloane hailed the Senate vote and urged to House to follow suit to avoid what he called "a potentially devastating pay cut to doctors in Medicare, ensuring seniors can continue to see their doctors during the holiday season."

"Tonight's vote will help to extend the immediate deadline and give lawmakers time to adopt the yearlong extension that seniors and doctors need," Sloane added.     

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National GOP Group Mum On Miller In Alaska

A national Republican group is staying mum on whether Joe Miller should concede Alaska's Senate race.

The state GOP called on Miller to do that Wednesday, when the last votes were tabulated and Sen. Lisa Murkowski claimed victory.

National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Brian Walsh said the group believes the race "should be decided by the people of Alaska." He declined further comment until the election is officially certified. That's expected Nov. 29.   
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Boehner, Republicans Plan $100 Billion Budget Rollback

Incoming House Speaker John Boehner and his new tea-party fueled colleagues are laying the groundwork for what would be, in absolute terms, the largest reduction ever in federal discretionary spending.

During the recent midterm elections campaign, Republican leaders pledged to reduce non-entitlement spending by a whopping $100 billion.

Doing so would effectively roll back the federal government’s non-entitlement spending to 2008 levels, budget experts tell Newsmax.

“I’m here tonight to tell you that our new majority will be prepared to do things differently,” Boehner declared after the elections, “to take a new approach that hasn’t been tried before in Washington by either party. It starts with cutting spending instead of increasing it. … Reducing the size of government instead of expanding it.”

Democratic leaders, keenly aware that budget cutting will draw bitter opposition from special-interest groups, seem almost amused by the “rollback to 2008” mantra that Boehner and the freshman GOP members of Congress have enthusiastically embraced. The newly re-elected leader of House Democrats, Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday she welcomes Republican proposals.

But Pelosi’s openness figures to change once the 112th Congress gets down to business. Experts on the federal budgeting process tell Newsmax there is little doubt that Republicans will move quickly to trim federal spending.

“The Republican leadership has committed to this $100 billion cut,” says Brian Riedl, lead budget analyst for the Heritage Foundation. “I expect them to do everything in their power to enact it. They’re on the record, they ran on this, and if it’s brushed aside there would be harsh political consequences.”

In fact, some Republicans want much deeper cuts. Outgoing Florida Republican Sen. George LeMieux tells Newsmax that he will introduce legislation in the lame-duck session to roll back all federal spending, including entitlements, to 2007 levels.

Doing so, he says, would balance the budget by 2013.

“And it doesn’t seem like that should be that hard to do,” LeMieux tells Newsmax. “Were things really so bad with the way the government was providing services just three years ago? … let’s go back, let’s cap all spending. That will make Congress do its job.”

No one expects LeMieux’s initiative to be much more than symbolic. But in the soon-to-be GOP-controlled House, the budget cutting fervor is palpable.     
More at Newsmax

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On November 16, 2010 at approximately 5:07 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant following the report of a shoplifting from the Sears Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury. Sears security contacted the Salisbury Police on November 15 and advised that the suspect had been observed by Sears employees taking video games from the store without making payment. The suspect was confronted and dropped the stolen property, which was recovered by the store. The responding officer was able to positively identify the suspect and obtained the arrest warrant.

ARRESTED: Amy Lynn Donoway, 27 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Theft ($ 1,000 to under $ 10,000)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000040824


On November 16, 2010 at approximately 12:11 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Walmart Department Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of two (2) shoplifters. Upon arrival the officers met with store security who advised the officers that store employees had observed the below listed suspects attempt to take property from the store without making payment. The suspects were stopped and the property was recovered.

ARRESTED #1: Kevin Colin Waryasz, 24 years of age
Millsboro, Delaware
ARRESTED #2: David Richard Lathbury, 49 years of age
Millsboro, Delaware
CHARGES (Both): Theft (under $ 1000)

DISPOSITION: Both released to Central Booking
CC # 201000045322

On November 16, 2010 approximately 11:20 pm, Detectives of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant for a check fraud that was reported on July 7, 2009. Detectives received the arrest warrant for the suspect following her identification as the suspect responsible for creating and passing fraudulent checks at a check cashing business in the Salisbury area.

ARRESTED: Kathryn Alexandra Phillips, 25 years of age
Seaford, Delaware
CHARGES: Forgery of private documents
Issue false documents
Theft (under $ 500)
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900032859

On November 17, 2010 at approximately 5:20 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Safe Streets Unit were at an apartment on the three hundred (300) block of North Division Street attempting to locate a wanted subject. The officers made contact with the below listed suspect and were attempting to positively identify the suspect when the suspect attempted to flee from the area. The officers chased the suspect and during the chase, one of the officers sustained an injury to his rib area. The officer was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center for treatment and was found to have sustained broken ribs and a punctured lung. The officer remains in fair condition. The suspect was apprehended and a search incident to arrest revealed a smoking device containing suspected "crack"/cocaine. This suspect was not the suspect wanted on the outstanding warrant.

ARRESTED: Robert Russell Davis, 48 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: False statement to a police officer
Resisting arrest
Obstructing and hindering an investigation
Possession of cocaine
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
201000045460

Maryland Very Different Politically And Much Better Off Economically Than The Rest Of The Nation

Len Lazarick did not need to fly 2,000 miles to arid Arizona to confirm that Maryland is very different politically -- and much better off economically -- than most other states, as Gov. Martin O’Malley has been telling us for a year and a half.

But being among scores of statehouse reporters from states across the nation for the annual meeting of Capitolbeat, the national association of State House reporters, reinforced those facts.

In many states, voters formed a Republican tidal wave to flip the party makeup of legislatures and the governorships on Nov. 2. But the wave skipped Maryland as if we had a massive seawall.

GO HERE to read more.

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Come In And Check Us Out!!

Nothing Says I Love You Better Than A Potato Chip

I wanted to share this with you and I wasn't exactly sure how send it, I figured e-mail would be the safest way to do so.  My boyfriend found this potato chip in a bag of Ruffles potato chips this evening.  I just thought it was the neatest and funniest thing.  What are the chances of finding a potato chip like this in a bag of chips, and intact at that. 

Leslie Johnson Needs To Resign

ANNAPOLIS Maryland Republican Party Chairman Audrey Scott issued the following statement today regarding Leslie Johnson’s failure to resign one week after being arrested for federal corruption charges:
“In order to restore confidence in the Prince Georges County Government Leslie Johnson must resign immediately. Just one week after being caught with more money in her undergarments than most Marylanders make in a year, her failure to resign continues to plague a county that has endured enough scandal this year. It’s time to clean up our state and local governments, with record unemployment burdening our residents, our politicians need to focus on getting Maryland back to work, not needless distractions from politicians who break the law. Leslie Johnson must go.”

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION 2010 RANKING OF ‘NEW ECONOMY STATES’

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement following the release of the Kauffman Foundation’s 2010 Ranking of ‘New Economy States.’  The report found Maryland ranks third among all 50 states for moving toward a global, innovation-based economy.  In addition, Maryland ranks second for the education of our workforce and the percentage of managerial, professional and technical jobs in our workforce.

“Maryland’s economy is an innovation economy, and today’s study by the prestigious Kauffman Foundation reaffirms that Maryland is in a strong position to come through this national recession stronger and more quickly than other states. 

“To move forward creating and saving jobs, and expanding opportunity – our challenge and opportunity is to advance innovation and its primary ingredient: the skills and education of our people.  And if we are to expand opportunity to greater numbers of our people and continue to create jobs in the new economy, we must commit to continued advancement of innovation.”

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY CONTINUES “JOBS ACROSS MARYLAND” TOUR, VISITS NIH CLINICAL RESEARCH CENTER

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Continuing his “Jobs Across Maryland” tour, Governor Martin O’Malley joined National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins and members of the Federal Facilities Advisory Board on a tour of the Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center, the largest clinical research hospital in the world, on the campus of the NIH headquarters in Bethesda. Governor O’Malley visited the Center’s Pediatric Unit, facilities for obesity research and the patient care areas that support clinical research. Following the tour, Governor O’Malley addressed the Federal Facilities Advisory Board, which he appointed earlier this year to develop a comprehensive assessment of how Maryland can best support and leverage the vast potential of its more than 50 federal facilities and help connect Maryland companies with federal opportunities to create jobs. The NIH employs more than 18,000 people and awarded more than $2 billion in procurement contracts and $1.2 billion in research grants within the state of Maryland in FY 2010.

“Maryland is proud to be the home of the NIH, a center of innovation, groundbreaking research and life-saving discoveries that help save the lives of millions around the globe,” said Governor O’Malley. “Through our Federal Facilities Advisory Board, we are working hard to strengthen our partnerships with federal facilities like the NIH and others, so that we can expand opportunities for federal contracting and procurement, create jobs and grow Maryland’s economy.”

“As the largest employer in Montgomery County, we are honored to have Governor O’Malley and his Federal Facilities Advisory Board visit the NIH campus,” said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. “Maryland is a leader in life sciences research and NIH is an integral part of this important effort that has a positive impact on the entire country.”

The NIH is the nation’s medical research agency, conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research on diseases and disorders from rare and unusual illnesses to the common cold. A component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH comprises 27 institutes and centers. Annually, the NIH invests more than $31 billion in biomedical research, which has helped lower death rates from heart disease and stroke, increased the survival rate for childhood cancers, and protected millions from infectious diseases like rubella, whooping cough and pneumococcal pneumonia through vaccines. The NIH Clinical Research Center serves the needs of 17 NIH Institutes, focusing on rare diseases and research that sheds new light on common conditions. While the Center has more than 124,000 active patients from all over the globe, nearly 57,000 patients are Marylanders.

Governor O’Malley has made strengthening Maryland’s biotechnology and life sciences sector and increasing partnerships with the State’s federal facilities a key part of the State’s economic development plan. In 2009, the Governor launched BioMaryland 2020, a 10-year, $1.3 billion strategy for moving Maryland’s bioscience industry forward. To date, more than $100 million has been spent, or approved for spending, on BioMaryland initiatives, not including $70 million in science and technology related infrastructure at the State’s universities and community colleges. One of the first key deliverables was the opening of the Maryland Biotechnology Center in September 2009. Home to nearly 500 bioscience companies and 50 research-intense federal institutes and centers, Maryland is well positioned in the global bioscience industry and has been recognized by the Milken Institute as one of the top tier states highly specialized in overall bioscience development. Since the early 1990s, Maryland has focused on bioscience development and was one of the first states to develop a strategic plan for the industry.

Since January 2010, the Federal Facilities Advisory Board has been focused on developing a strategic plan to guide the State’s efforts in building sustainable partnerships with the federal community, comprised of 58 non-military and 18 military facilities. The Board developed a white paper supporting the creation of the National Cyber Security Center of Excellence, which received Senate Appropriations Committee approval earlier this year for $10 million to create the center. In addition, the Board is also creating a Team Maryland Network and Mentoring Program to teach Maryland small businesses best practices in federal contracting and provide teaming opportunities with experienced companies in federal procurement. In FY 2009, the federal government spent $92.2 billion in Maryland, up from $77.9 billion in FY 2008, with $34.3 billion in federal procurement contracts.

In the past year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has implemented an aggressive agenda of new and expanded programs to create jobs, retain jobs and improve the conditions that allow businesses large and small to create and save jobs, including: 
·         Increasing the biotech tax credit to $8 million in fiscal year 2011;
·         Pioneering the Jobs Creation and Recovery Tax Credit;
·         Expanding the Small Business Loan Guaranty program to increase access to credit; and
·         Creating InvestMaryland, an administrative and legislative proposal designed to support the growth of the state’s knowledge based industries by stimulating investment in the Maryland Venture Fund. 

TSA Frisks Screaming 3-Year-Old To Confirm She's Not The Littlest Terrorist

It's embarrassing and totally politically incorrect, but you have to admit you've done it. You're seated on a flight, start looking around, and your gaze stops at the 3-year-olds you come across, wondering whether or not they're potential hijackers. But fear not, concerned travelers. The Transportation Security Administration has got your back, demonstrating it's fully capable of giving pre-schoolers vigorous pat-downs to ensure they're not packing any WMDs underneath their pull-ups.

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Returning Veteran TONIGHT

Friday Nov 19 at 2131/9:31 PM  SFC (E7) Orlando Duffy U.S.Army will be flying into Salisbury airport.
He completed three (3) tours in IRAQ and is returning from Germany with wife and daughter.

Don't Worry About The Economy, People Are Buying Pickup Trucks

Everything is going to be just cupcakes, at least judging by how pickup trucks are selling.

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Blockbuster To Waste $15-20 Million On TV Ads

Bankrupt relic of a bygone time, Blockbuster Video, announced plans yesterday to launch its first national TV ad campaign since 2007 and that they plan on somehow taking aim at Redbox and Netflix.

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Found Dog UPDATE

The Humane Society has contacted us this morning saying that Scouts Parents have called looking for him. They gave me the contact info and I have called and left messages on both lines. So we are very hopefully by the end of the day scout will be returned to his home. Thanks so much for all you do!!!

Hello Joe,

We live in Nanticoke Acres and have found a lost Black Lab wondering in our neighborhood. He is well tempered and has rabies tags but no tag with ownership. Im sorry but I dont have a way to send you a picture of him. Please help us find his home. You can reach us at 443-665-4027. Thanks so much.

The McDormans

American Family Association Calls For Boycott On Dick's Sporting Goods For Not Using The Word "Christmas"

If there's one thing the not-at-all insane people at the American Family Association are good for, it's hilarious boycotts. The latest on their hit list is Dick's Sporting Goods, not because of the sorta-phallic name -- though you might expect that from a group that spells "nudity" as "nud**y" -- but because Dick's has the balls to not use the word "Christmas" in its holiday sales promotions.

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War Hero Dog Euthanized By Mistake

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

A dog credited with saving her owner's life in Afghanistan has been mistakenly put to death by an animal shelter in Arizona.

Major Thanksgiving Week Traffic Delays Expected At I-95 Toll Plaza In Delaware

Dover -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) warns motorists to expect major traffic delays throughout the Thanksgiving Holiday Week at the I-95 Newark Toll Plaza. The predicted impacts are expected to be greater than in recent years and could stretch for miles and take hours to clear.

Due to the on-going I-95 Newark Toll Plaza Reconstruction, reduced toll lane access and altered traffic patterns will greatly impact Thanksgiving Holiday travelers. These factors, combined with the anticipated increase of holiday traffic, will result in serious backups and travel delays, starting as early as Tuesday morning, November 23 and lasting through Monday evening, November 29. Travelers should consider using alternative routes, using alternative modes of travel or traveling during hours with lower traffic volumes.

DelDOT's Traffic Management Center (TMC) will be monitoring the Plaza area closely to assist any stranded motorists and to help expedite the clearing of any accidents that may occur. Motorists travelling through the area can get updates by following Twitter @DelawareDOT, or by tuning to WTMC 1380AM radio. Those at home can check delays by viewing the Interactive Traffic Map

Available northbound and southbound toll lanes have been reduced as part of the construction. This reduction impacts both the manual cash lanes as well as the dedicated E-ZPass lanes. Additionally, due to the construction, the three open northbound E-ZPass lanes merge into a single lane just beyond the toll plaza creating a reduction in available lane space.

The I-95 Newark Toll Plaza Reconstruction Project will include significant improvements to the 47 year old site, with an expected completion of summer 2011. The changes will result in much better plaza operations when two non-stop, highway-speed E-ZPass lanes plus seven manual cash-lanes will be open in each direction. This $32 million modernization project is fully funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and was awarded to A-Del Construction Company of Newark, Delaware.

Some of the additional improvements include:

1. Widening of the approach lanes for the northbound plaza to create more vehicle storage space
2. Installation of new roadway signing and pavement markings
3. Upgrades to the plaza lighting systems
4. Reduction of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by reducing congestion
5. Improvement of mobility for interstate truck traffic
6. Improving safety of traveling public by reducing queues and need for lane changes
7. Toll worker safety is addressed by creating an overhead passageway, new crash attenuators, and a dedicated equipment maintenance gantry