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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Boy, 4, Says Angels Sang To Him While Lifeless

It was the kind of nightmare every parent fears.

A wrongly diagnosed illness.

Another wrongly diagnosed illness.

Then a lifeless 4-year-old boy rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery for a an appendix that had ruptured five days earlier.

When it was all over, Colton survived and recovered.

But that was just the beginning of the amazing saga.

Four months later, Colton began telling his parents things he could not have known.

"Mom, I have two sisters," he said. "You had a baby die in your tummy didn't you?"

Sonja, his Mom, was shocked. When she asked him who told him, he said, "she did Mommy, she said she died in your tummy." Todd and Sonja had never told their son about the miscarriage Sonja had before Colton was born.

Colton went on to tell his mom that she was a girl and, "she looked familiar and she started giving me hugs and she was glad to have someone in her family up there."

Asked by his Dad about his hospital experience, Colton said: "You know, Dad, the angels sang to me while I was there."

Colton said that while on the operating table he went to heaven and that he met his great-grandfather Pop. Colton says his grandfather didn't look like the man in the photo in his house, but instead looked like the man in the picture sent months later by his Grandmother, a young man without glasses.

Later he described Jesus, and he talked about Armageddon and how God told him his father would fight in the final battle.  Although Todd was a pastor, he says he never talked detail like this with his preschool-aged son.

Read more

The War On Taxpayers

The President and his party chose sides long ago.

Barack Obama’s “Organizing for America” web page includes this update about the situation in Wisconsin: “For the past two days, thousands of workers have been gathering at the State Capitol in Madison, WI, to defend their rights in the workplace. From nurses to police officers, public sector workers and OFA volunteers have been protesting against proposed legislation to take away workers' rights to bargain collectively.”

Nurses?  Well, the medical profession is certainly doing its part in Madison.  Fox News reports that “alleged doctors were handing out 'fake' sick notes to protesters - allowing them to call in sick while the budget impasse continues.” Conservative provocateur Andrew Breitbart strolled up to one of these highly professional practitioners of medicine and got a “sick note” by simply asking for one.  You’d think leftist agitators would start carrying little cards with Breitbart’s picture on them.

Police officers?  WTMJ Radio in Milwaukee reports testimony from “a savvy insider” that “a young female reporter trying to get into the Senate chamber struggled to get through the crowd.  She arrived disheveled and upset because she had been roughed up as she tried to get through.  A senior senator was spat on.  A senator and his female staffer struggled to get into the capitol. He was worried about his staffer because the crowd was grabbing at her and pushing her. University Police were two arms lengths away and did nothing. They, of course, are union.”  The Wisconsin Senate was forced to adjourn early on Friday because its security could not be guaranteed.

What condition have the union mobs and President Obama’s shock troops left the capitol in?  Another eyewitness quoted by WTMJ says “the entire place smelled when she walked in on Friday morning. There was garbage everywhere... This is one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the country. The mob had no respect for the place, for what happens there, or for the citizens whose freedoms it represents.”

How about those Organizing for America volunteers?  What have the President’s political operatives been up to?  A correspondent in Wisconsin tells me they’re making “cold calls to the general public to get support.”  They woke up his elderly mother-in-law early in the morning, to ask her to travel over sixty miles to march with the unions.

Every aspect of the Democrat machine, from the DNC to Nancy Pelosi, from MSNBC to Jesse Jackson, has been activated in Wisconsin.  The Tea Party has arranged counter-protests.  Presidential candidate Herman Cain spoke at one of these rallies, and called the protests in Madison “ground zero for the rest of the nation.”

Cain has it exactly right.  The War on Taxpayers is under way, and if you are not a union member, the Democrat Party is your declared enemy.

President Obama is a general in the opposing army.  As the Associated Press puts it, “President Barack Obama and his political machine are offering tactical support, eager to repair strained relations with some union leaders upset over his recent overtures to business.”  The New York Times calls the protests “more organized than organic,” and says the unions and Democrats see this event as “an opportunity to begin rallying troops for the next election.”  Union machinery is already plowing a similar field of Astroturf in Ohio, where another broke state government is trying to gain control of crippling public union benefit costs.

What has begun in Wisconsin is the final, logical outcome of the political allocation of wealth.  The spectacle of the President of the United States deliberately acting to incite a riot, and overturn the democratic results of a state election, is shocking… to anyone who didn’t already know about his ugly “community organizer” past, which the media didn’t want to talk about in 2008.

It’s also not really an option for Obama to call for order and insist on respect for the will of Wisconsin voters, and the authority of their governor.  Unions own the Democrat Party, lock stock and barrel.  The teachers union is their biggest contributor at the national level.  When it comes to a choice between the financial security of taxpayers, and the demands of union bosses… well, that’s not really a choice for a Democrat.

More here

12K State Workers Could Be Fired, Wisconsin Governor Warns

If changes aren't made to the benefit contributions paid by Wisconsin's nearly 300,000 public sector employees, about 10,000-12,000 workers will lose their jobs, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker warned Sunday.

The Republican governor has been targeted by protesters for nearly a week for negotiating a bill now in the state Senate that would require workers to increase their contributions to pensions and health care coverage, would limit collective bargaining rules and tie raises to inflation.

But Walker said while the state enjoys a lower-than-average unemployment rate -- about 7.5 percent compared to 9 percent nationally -- about 5,000-6,000 state workers and 5,000-6,000 local government workers could lose their jobs if they don't accept changes to their benefits plan.

"I don't want a single person laid off in the public nor in the private sector and that's why this is a much better alternative than losing jobs," Walker told "Fox News Sunday."

The budget vote was supposed to take place last week, but was delayed when state Senate Democrats fled to Illinois to avoid having to vote on the plan, which would cost public sector employees about $300 million over two years, or less than 10 percent of the deficit total.

"If we're going to be in this together, (cut) our $3.6 billion budget deficit, it's going to take a whole lot more than just employee contributions when it comes to pensions and health care," Walker said. "But it's got to be a piece of the puzzle because as I saw at the local level, it's like a virus that eats up more and more of the budget if you don't get it under control."

Protesters and Democratic lawmakers have likened Walker to a dictator, and demonstrators protesting the budget bill have waived signs comparing him to ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak and Adolf Hitler.

President Obama, whose group Organizing for America, has bused in some of the nearly 70,000 protesters outside the state capitol on Saturday, last week called the bill "an assault on unions."

Walker said the president should stay focused on fixing the federal budget, which is $1.5 trillion in deficit this year.
More here

***Updated Crash Information*** Troopers On Scene of Serious Motor Vehicle Crash, New Castle

Operator and Vehicle Information:

  • Robert C. Steele-33 Wilmington (Photo Attached)
  • 2007 Pontiac G-6

  • Artrell Flonnory-32 Wilmington
  • 1997 Buick LeSabre

  • Johnny Gore-28 New York
  • 1997 Ford Explorer
Defendant(s) Charges(s) and Bond Information
  • Robert C. Steele-33 Wilmington, DE
  • Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
  • Vehicular Assault First Degree
  • Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Injury
  • Driving While Suspended
  • Various Traffic Offenses
  • Committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution $7500.00 Secured Bond
Resume:

New Castle- The Delaware State Police investigated a three vehicle crash in which 6 people were injured Saturday night.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:10 p.m. last night as Robert C. Steele, 33, of Wilmington, DE was operating a 2007 Pontiac G-6 and was travelling at a high rate of speed northbound on New Castle Avenue, approaching the area of Rizzo Avenue. The front of the Pontiac G-6 struck the rear of a 1997 Buick LeSabre that was travelling northbound, New Castle Avenue in front of Steele.  The Buick LeSabre was being operated by Artrell Flonnory, 32, of Wilmington.

After the impact, the Buick LeSabre was propelled into the southbound lanes of New Castle Avenue where it was struck head on by a 1997 Ford Explorer, operated by Johnny Gore-28, of New York. After the collisions, the Buick LeSabre caught fire with Flonnory and 3 passengers still inside.  It was reported that the four occupants of the LeSabre were pulled from the vehicle to safety by passing motorists and residents of the area.  Robert C. Steele immediately fled the scene on foot but was located and apprehended in the area by Troopers.

Johnny Gore was transported to Christiana Hospital by EMS for non life threatening injuries.   Artrell Flonnory and the three passengers in Flonnory’s vehicle were all transported from the scene by EMS to the Christiana Hospital where they were admitted for burns and smoke inhalation, reported to be non life threatening.  One passenger from Flonnory’s vehicle was later transferred to Crozer Hospital, Chester PA.  Robert C. Steele was transported to Christiana Hospital where he was treated and released.

Robert C. Steele was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Vehicular Assault First (2 Counts), Driving While Suspended, Leaving the Scene of Collision Resulting in Injury, and various other traffic offenses.  He was arraigned and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $7500.00 Secured Bond

New Castle Avenue was closed for approximately 4 hours as the crash was cleared and investigated.

Released 022011 1200 

Delegate Mike McDermott Field Notes Feb. 14th-18th, 2011

Field Notes
Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities
By Delegate Mike McDermott
Feb. 14th-18th, 2011
  • Monday afternoon I attended Governor O’Malley’s Press Conference on an interestingly titled bill called the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2011. Sounds great, doesn’t it? In Annapolis, there is no doubt an entire army of people burning the midnight oil to see who can create the most disingenuous title for threatening legislation. The title for this bill should be “No Crapper Left Behind” Act of 2011. Although I issued an immediate press release to keep you informed this week, here is the bottom line of this bill: The measure would prohibit the use of individual septic systems for major subdivisions outside of planned water and sewer service areas. It also restricts the subdivision of agricultural lands. Specifically it:
    1. Defines a “major subdivision” as 5 or more lots;
    2. Requires any “major subdivision” located outside of a planned area to utilize a “shared” waste disposal system;
    3. Requires the use of advanced technology systems for individual development;
    4. Would prohibit local government from authorizing any major development outside of areas served by water and sewer infrastructure after July 1st this year; and
    5. It would restrict any further subdivisions or modifications of existing subdivisions once a property has been subdivided into a residential minor subdivision.
PLEASE STAY ENGAGED ON THIS BILL.
  • On Monday evening, prior to session, the TEA (taxed enough already) Party Caucus met and discussed upcoming visits scheduled by AFP groups and other concerned citizens. A Legislative Action Committee was formed to focus on specific legislation the caucus would support during the session. It was also agreed that members would need to sign a pledge of fiscal restraint to be considered part of the caucus.
  • M y Chess playing ended Monday night when I was defeated by Del. Gilchrest. It was a great game that came down to only a couple of pieces on the board. He will play for the championship soon.
  • Tuesday was Maryland Farm Bureau Day in Annapolis. I had the pleasure of meeting with several of our local farmers from Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset Counties. We talked a lot about the governor’s septic proposals and what that would mean to the value of farm land and potential development issues.
  • Tuesday HB 266 received a hearing in Judiciary. This is a bill I sponsored which would strengthen the laws dealing with Human Trafficking. This continues to be a problem around the country and Maryland is no exception. There is also come companion legislation that would provide support for juveniles who are being trafficked (primarily underage girls) in the sex trade industry. These bills have a lot of support in the committee.
We also heard HB- which would remove the Governor’s final say in parole cases dealing with “Life Sentence” inmates and turn it over to the Parole Board. I do not like this idea, and I’m sure the governor will not like it either. Governor O’Malley believes that “life means life” and has refused to consider paroling any inmate serving a life sentence while he has been governor. Of course, we heard from many about their “rehabilitated” loved ones who are behind bars and how they deserve another chance after 20 plus years. The bottom line: the 20 plus years behind bars is 20 years more than their victims ever had a chance to see. I think that’s how the governor sees it as well. This hearing went long into the night.
  • On Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee heard the following bills:
    1. HB-247 is a technical modification of a bill enacted last year dealing specifically with the Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act. This bill seeks to address an area of the act which failed to include certain financial documents and transactions.
    2. HB-336 seeks to create a task force addressing Military Service Members, Veterans, and the Courts. This type of program has been used successfully in other states to help our veterans by recognizing that they may be addressing a unique set of circumstances in life as a result of their service to our country. The task force would provide feedback and recommendations for future consideration in support of our military service members.
    3. HB-340 deals with certifications and reports submitted by qualified experts in health care malpractice claims. It would create a timeline for challenging the credentials of an expert who is submitting documents or testifying in a case before the courts.
    4. HB-475 would provide for the Carroll County Industrial Development Authority (a non-profit board) to fall under the Local Government Tort Claims Act. This would provide tort protection as is extended to many Para government operations. There is always much discussion on these types of requests as several committee members do not like limiting the liability of organizations without significant reasons to do so.
    5. HB-483 is another technical law bill which would allow an attorney the ability to limit the paperwork needed to file for recovery of a previous judgment. It would further aid plaintiffs who are attempting to discover if a person has the means to pay on a previous judgment granted by the court.
  • Thursday morning I was honored to give the Opening Prayer for the Session. I referenced the Continental Congress and quoted Benjamin Franklin as a preface to my prayer. It was well received. If you would like to hear the prayer and other action taken on the floor, a direct link is available on my website at delegatemcdermott.com
  • On Thursday at noon, the House Republican Caucus held a Press Conference to address the O’Malley administrations rush to implement Obamacare in Maryland. My notes on this are contained in a previous information release. Essentially, we need to slow down the process of implementation and several legal cases have already declared Obamacare to be Unconstitutional. Therefore, why should we 
    • invest tax dollars in a program that will most likely be declared null and void? We also revealed several bills we are supporting to help insure Marylanders have access to high quality, affordable health care services when needed.
    • On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee heard the following bills:
    1. HB-255 and HB-256 address issues relating to adopted individuals being able to search records for sibling information. This bill is intended to allow the Department of Social Services to allow access to their own departmental records of adoption records so family members may be contacted if it is their expressed desire.
    2. HB-294 seeks to add additional penalties when a firearm or source of ignition is used to inflict pain and suffering on a domestic animal. This hearing drew a large crowd based upon the recent act committed in Anne Arundel involving the shooting of a dog at a park. There was questioning regarding a felony charge which would seem to answer the question of creating a “harsher penalty” and whether or not this law really needs to be adopted. I did find it interesting in this case that there was significant media coverage and lots of people. However, the way we treat female juveniles in correctional facilities was the next bill and the press and cameras were nowhere to be found. Dogs verses kids…dogs seem to win every time. I found this very troubling.
    3. HB-304 seeks to allow for the termination of alimony payments in cases where the ex-spouse is cohabitating with another in a romantic situation. It was brought out that these types of issues can be brought to the courts attention and modifications of terms can be made by a judge. This bill was a little to general and many of the attorneys poked enough holes to make it look like Swiss cheese before we were through.
    4. HB-349 represents a corrective bill to modify a broad change made last year in Peace Orders and Protective Orders relative to the shielding of certain records. It is a technical adjustment to the current law.
    5. HB-426 for me was the most interesting bill discussed today. Essentially it would place juveniles who are classified as gang members under the jurisdiction of the adult courts. I liked the idea of treating the gang bangers as adults for court purposes. This would allow more significant sentencing for crimes committed by extremely street wise 16 and 17 year olds. Many of whom are creating mayhem on our city streets and even reaching into our rural communities. Of course, the ACLU was on hand to defend the indefensible.
    6. HB-511 seeks to address perceived inequalities between opportunities and programs available to male juveniles verses those currently available to female juveniles. This would mandate equality of program opportunities much like Title 9 does for sports programs. The only problem is the cost. Juvenile females only 
      1. make up about 10% of our inmate population. Due to the need to keep male and female inmates separated, the cost of providing duplicate programs would be severe. We were assured by the Department of Juvenile Justice that they are concerned and want to correct many issues that seem to be out of joint with the department at the present time. There was grave concern voiced by the committee as to the recidivism rate for juvenile offenders being higher that for adult inmates. This must be tackled and programs that don’t work need to be abandoned in search of better models.
      • On Friday, we took our first votes in Judiciary. If a bill received at least 12 votes, it was listed as “favorable” and sent to the full House for a Second Reading. If a bill did not receive 12 votes of support, it was listed as “unfavorable” and is considered dead in the committee this year. There are also bills that are held by the Chairman which cannot be voted on unless he brings the bill up for a vote. Many bills, even with strong committee support, will wind up staying “in the drawer” by the decision of the Chairman and never see the light of day. I believe all bills deserve an up or down vote in the committee, but this prerogative lies with the Chairman of each committee.

      Here is a list of the bills that received a “Favorable” vote from the Judiciary Committee today:
      HB-49
      HB-105
      HB-133
      HB-345
      Here is a list of the bills that received an “Unfavorable” vote from the Judiciary Committee today:
      HB-91
      HB-94
      HB-132
      HB-134
      HB-138
      HB-140
      HB-149
      HB-169
      HB-189
      HB-239
      HB-272
      HB-276
      HB-342
      HB-419
      HB-475

HEBRON TAXPAYERS SPENDING BIG BUCKS ON ATTORNEYS BUT CAN'T PREVAIL IN COURT? WHAT'S GOING ON?

Several months ago Maryland Dept. of Environment fined Hebron $7600 in penalties for alleged violations at its Waste Water Treatment Plant and a hearing was held on this with Hebron's attorney on board. The decision came down against Hebron and Hebron didn't like it, so the Town appealed it to the Circuit Court for Wicomico County.

Well, guess, what, the Circuit Court just ruled agreeing with the first Judge's decision and Hebron did not win. Wanna bet that Hebron will appeal this too?

Questions that Hebron taxpayers should be asking:

Questions--What is Hebron's track record when it has its day in court (including Waller Landing)?

Bigger Question--How much have Hebron taxpayers spent on attorneys' fees vs. cost of the MDE penalties?

THEY’RE BAAACK – SU MEN’S LACROSSE STARTS SEASON STRONGLY

An upset loss in last year’s NCAA championship – to Tufts of all teams – has the Gulls fired up, but they were ranked only No. 3 preseason. However, they are off and running with the mission of winning that championship ring this year.

On February 13, in what was more a scrimmage than a game, they humbled Greensboro College, 25 – 2 at Sea Gull Stadium. Yesterday, they faced a stronger opponent on the road, and came away with a solid win –

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Junior Sam Bradman found the back of the net a staggering eight times on Saturday afternoon at Lynchburg College as the Salisbury University men's lacrosse team picked up a 13-5 victory.

The Sea Gulls (2-0) score four times in the first 5:07, three of which came from Bradman, to take a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Bradman's eight goals are a career high, bettering his previous career effort of five scores, which came on March 3, 2010 against McDaniel.

The Hornets put up their first goal of the game with 7:20 showing on the clock in the first quarter, but the Sea Gulls would answer right back less than 90 seconds later on Bradman's fourth score of the first period.

Bradman scored twice in the second quarter to go along with junior Erik Krum's goal, giving the Gulls an 8-4 edge at halftime.

The second half belonged to the Salisbury defense, which allowed just one Lynchburg goal while holding the Hornets (0-1) to eight shots in the final 30 minutes of play.

After Bradman got the second-half scoring started, junior Tony Mendes added his second tally of the day. Senior Shawn Zordani and junior Kyle Quist each scored a goal to push Salisbury's lead to 12-4, the team's largest advantage of the day.

Lynchburg's only second-half goal game midway through the fourth quarter before Bradman put home his eighth and final score of the day, capping the scoring. The eight goals, is just three shy of the program single-game record held by Dave Cottle, who scored 11 in a game during the 1976 season.

Mendes also had an assist to go with his two goals, while Zordani had a pair of helpers to give each player a three-point day. Senior goalkeeper Johnny Rodriguez turned away four Lynchburg shots to pick up his second win of the season.

The Sea Gulls will be back in action on Wednesday as they host Washington & Lee University at Sea Gull Stadium. The game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Hey, Sports Fans: these guys are really good! We may have two national champions in Salisbury this year – FERNANDO GUERRERO and SU LAX

And, in case you didn’t notice – no Daily Times coverage until the day after the day after now that it’s published in Wilmington!

Timothy Johnson: Blacks Must Control Own Fate

Blacks must work to control their own fate on issues that hinder them in particular, such as abortion, incarceration, and dropout rates, Dr. Timothy Johnson tells Newsmax.TV. They need to focus on values such as self-reliance instead of relying on the government, says Johnson, chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation.

The foundation, a Christian, pro-life, and traditional marriage group founded in 2008, makes education its primary mission, he said during an interview at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. “We also believe that there are some public policies out there that disproportionately, obviously, affect the black community, and we need to be willing to talk about that from a Republican perspective.

More details and the video

O'Malley Rants About 'Tea Party' Governors

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley (D), called out New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie again Saturday during a speech at a Democratic fundraising dinner, saying the "tea partying" governor lives "in a different world than ours."

O'Malley, the chairman of the Democratic Governor's Association, accused Christie and other GOP governors across the country of irresponsibly slashing funding for priorities like education and infrastructure.

"The tea partying Republican governors would have us believe a lot of things that just aren't so," said O'Malley. "They would have us believe that we can somehow eat cake and lose weight. They would have us believe that we can just cut our way to a better future -- no need to invest in education or rebuild our infrastructure."

O'Malley was keynoting the Virginia Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson fundraising dinner, where he touted former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine's record of "fiscal discipline," slamming GOP governors who he said "would have you believe that they are the only governors who balance their budgets every year."

"At the Republican governor's tea party, where colorful characters like Chris Christie preside, there is no need to pay bills, no need to protect bond ratings, no need to invest in the future," O'Malley said. "Down is up, up is down; candy is a vegetable, and vegetables are candy."

More

GOP Policy Leader Price: 'More Cuts And Reforms On The Way'

Fresh from a budget victory early Saturday, House Republicans are taking their crusade against federal spending into the Presidents Day recess.

GOP leaders are urging Democrats to accept steep and immediate cuts, while slamming the White House for a stimulus spending approach they say will kill jobs and impede economic recovery.

"We need to end Washington’s spending binge to reduce uncertainty, to boost confidence, and to encourage private investment in our economy," Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, said Saturday in the GOP's weekly radio address. "To help create a better environment for job creation in America, the spending binge has got to stop."

With deficit spending projected to top $1.6 trillion this year, House Republicans have championed a continuing resolution (CR) to cut $61 billion from federal programs over the next seven months. After four days of raucous floor debate over scores of amendments, the lower chamber passed that bill early Saturday morning.

The CR is sure to hit a brick wall in the Democratically controlled Senate, however, and President Obama has similarly vowed to kill the proposal if it reaches his desk.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) warned this week, however, that Republicans won't accept a proposal – even a temporary one – that doesn't cut spending below current levels.

“When we say we’re going to cut spending, read my lips, we’re going to cut spending,” he said Thursday.

Asked Friday night about the GOP's plans for a temporary CR, Boehner was elusive.

"You'll know soon enough," he told reporters in the Capitol.

More here

Wis. Senate Leader Says He Won't Negotiate

Wisconsin Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says a bill taking away collective bargaining rights from public employees is not negotiable and will pass as is.

Democrats and union leaders say they're willing to agree to parts of the proposal that would double their health insurance contributions and require them to contribute 5.8 percent of their salary to their pensions. But they want to keep their collective bargaining rights.

But Fitzgerald said Saturday terms of the bill are not negotiable. He is calling on Democrats who left town Thursday to return to take up the bill.

Read more

Tea Partiers Strike Back In Wisconsin

Thousands of Tea Partiers gathered in Madison on Saturday, in an effort to rally support for newly elected Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s deficit reduction plan.

Likely 2012 presidential candidate Herman Cain, local Madison and Milwaukee conservative radio host Vicki McKenna, Gateway Pundit blogger Jim Hoff, Samuel “Joe the Plumber” Wurzelbacher and conservative media guru Andrew Breitbart each took their shots at the union bosses who were gathering their supporters on the other side of the state capitol building.

McKenna kicked it off calling for the Tea Party movement to stay strong and committed.

“They want to think that you don’t matter,” McKenna said, adding that she thinks the union bosses want Tea Partiers to “submit.” “Are you going to submit, Wisconsin? Are you going to bend over Wisconsin?” McKenna asked to resounding “no’s” from the crowd

Cain followed McKenna saying that what’s going on in Madison is “Ground Zero” for what’s going to happen around the rest of the country. Cain said that union bosses and their crews represent only 10 percent of the population and that they use intimidation tactics to get noticed.

“My assessment of what’s going on out there right now is that the unions, which represent 10 percent of the workforce, they are getting 90 percent of the attention,” Cain said in an interview with The Daily Caller. “The 90 percent of the workforce, which works for the private sector, that voice has not been heard. I’m glad to see that the people here wanted to do something to get the other side of the message out.”

Tea Partiers echoed the message, too, that the reason that they hadn’t showed up in Madison to support Walker yet has been because they were working. The union protesters are supposed to be at work, so they are effectively protesting on the taxpayers’ dime, the Tea Partiers said.

Read more

Hard-Core Reality: The Numbers

The federal government has borrowed an additional $29,660 per household in the United States since President Barack Obama signed his economic stimulus law two years ago.

That brings the total national debt to $125,475.18 per household.

At the close of business on Feb. 17, 2009, the day Obama signed the $787-billion law, the national debt stood at $10.79 trillion ($10,789,783,760,341.41), according the Bureau of the Public Debt.

At the close of business on Feb. 16, 2011, the national debt stood at $14.13 trillion ($14,129,889,690,377.50)—an increase of $3.34 trillion (3,340,105,930,036.09)

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are a total of 112,611,029 households in the United States, which average about 2.6 people per household. That means that the new debt accumulated in the two years since Feb. 17, 2009, when President Obama signed his economic stimulus law, equals about $29,660.55 per household.

CNS News

Obamacare/ Sunday Paper Fodder

I have to vent tonight. I wish I could find a more national venue to vent on this, but if you know of any you could forward this message.

My vent is on the republican / Tea party efforts to defund and otherwise repeal Obamacare. Sure, this is a noble effort, but without recourse. It’s a bunch of republican politicians rabble rousing without offering alternatives or resolution. They are just pompous grandstanders pounding their opposition without offering anything. 

The alternative, of course, is the original Republican version first offered in November of 2008, but was never brought to the table due to Democratic majority. However, instead of offering that “Obamacare” be replaced with the republican ideas, the politicians are electing to just lobby toward repealing, leaving what? A giant void???? We, as a majority of Americans agree that this bill must be repealed and destroyed as soon as possible, but without offering the public a sane alternative, there is no reason to do so. Without an alternative offer, the repeal effort is destined to fail.

Why on earth, when we now have a republican majority in the House, are our lawmakers ignoring their own genius plan that they want so much, and just pounding repeal without offering their own solution?

I think politics is somehow worth more than the value of the economic lives of the American People. I was so ashamed to be a registered Democrat during Nancy Pelosi’s choppy hands browbeating to get Obamacare passed that I changed my registration to Republican, but now I feel ashamed that the Republican Party, with all the support of the TEA Party, elects to drive endless debate into infinity without offering real alternatives.

The Republican version of 2008 was a really good start and worthy of slight modification, but to not even bring the subject up in these times is a sin against all us TEA Party supporters that are working hard towards a positive change.

It brings me to the conclusion that the Republican, and by default, the Democracic parties, who are enjoying their “they’re going to vote for either one of us or the other” club, are together on running things the way they want, and not in a way that reflects those who hired them…. You know, that’s US!

And as much as all of us believe that voting for some other party other than the Big Two during times like this, I just like you, sway towards throwing my vote towards one of those two instead of voting from my heart, knowing that the MSM and ignorance will be herding voters toward R vs D, and we are forced to vote for the least damaging A_hole of the 2 major parties.

I have not tried writing to my Rep, Andy Harris yet on an issue, but I will. I’ve been writing my senators and congressmen for the last couple of years receiving form letters informing me that although they “understand” my views and opinions, that they know what’s best for me and will be voting against my views. I look forward to the same letters from Andy, who I have stood shoulder to shoulder with at a TEA Party rally. It’s really a disnal outlook I hold here, but so far, I have yet to see anyone working  toward a brighter outlook.

Gary Bullard

Seaford Woman Charged In Domestic Involving Gun

Location:
  • 22000 block Eskridge Road, Seaford, Delaware
Date of Occurrence:  
  • Friday, February 18, 2011 6:30 p.m.
Victim:
  • 55 year old Seaford man
Defendant(s) Charges (s) and Bond Information:
  • Gail Weal-60 Seaford, DE
  • Reckless Endangering First Degree
  • Possession of Firearm During Commission of a Felony
  • Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited (2 counts)
  • Criminal Mischief
  • Committed to Sussex Correctional Institution $23,500 Secured Bond
Resume
Seaford- Friday, February 18, 2011 Delaware State Police charged a Seaford woman following a domestic altercation at her residence.  Troopers responded to the 22000 block of Eskridge Road, Seaford to investigate a domestic incident.
When Troopers arrived they took Gail Weal into custody without incident.  Troopers learned during their investigation that Weal had an earlier argument with a 55 year old male relative and told him not to come back to the residence.  At approximately 6:30 p.m. the victim returned to the residence at which time Weal asked him to leave and then called 911.  As the victim exited the house into the yard, Weal came out of the house armed with a handgun and fired two shots at the victim missing both times.  At least one round struck a vehicle that was parked in the yard, shattering the rear side windows.  The victim then fled to a nearby residence for assistance.
A search warrant for the residence was executed with a handgun and rifle located within the residence.
Weal was taken into custody and charged with Reckless Endangering First Degree, Possession of a Firearm during Commission of a Felony, Possession of Firearm by Person Prohibited (2 Counts), and Criminal Mischief.  Weal is being held at Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of $23,500.00 Secured Bond

Fake Doctors’ Notes Being Handed Out At Wisconsin Union Rally

As tens of thousands of public employees skipped work this week to attend protest rallies outside the Wisconsin State Capitol, many wondered if they would face any disciplinary action for unexcused absences.

On Saturday, a group of men and women in lab coats purporting to be doctors were handing out medical excuse notes, without examining the ‘patients.’

“I asked this doctor what he was doing and he told me they were handing out excuses to people who were feeling sick due to emotional, mental or financial distress,” said Christian Hartsock. “They never performed an exam–he asked me how I was feeling today and I said I’m from California and I’m not used to the cold, so he handed me a note.”

Another woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were handing out excuses like they were leaflets.

Read more here

Delmar Police Department Press Release

Incident: Accident
Date: 02-18-2011
Location: E. State St. & S. Sixth St., Delmar, MD

On Friday, February 18th, 2011 officers of the Delmar Police Department responded to a personal injury accident involving a Delmar Fire Department apparatus. Further investigation revealed the fire truck had been responding to a call for service at which time the vehicle left the roadway damaging a telephone pole and other property as well as substantial damage to the fire truck. The operator and passenger were transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for further care. Investigation is continuing.