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Monday, April 04, 2011

Bodies In 2009 Air France Crash Found At Sea

'We have more than just traces, we have bodies ... Identification is possible,' minister says

Parts of the wreckage of an Air France plane found in the Atlantic at the weekend contain the bodies of some of the passengers who died when the aircraft crashed off Brazil in 2009, the French government said on Monday.

Air France flight 447, an Airbus 330-203 plane, plunged into the ocean en route from Rio to Paris, killing all 228 passengers and crew on board and a long search has so far failed to find flight recorders that could give clues to the cause of the accident.

For Salisbury Council - Cohen, Spies, and Boda

Reforming Salisbury government has been an ongoing process.  Despite the exit of former mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman, Salisbury has continued to be governed through the action (and inaction) of a City Council majority who kowtows to the whim of certain special interests.  Over the past eight years we have seen tax increases, a skyrocketing city debt level, taxpayer handouts to developers, furloughs of police officers, and a crime rate that has only recently seen decline.  Salisbury voters have a chance tomorrow to change the direction of the city.  They can implement that change by voting to re-elect councilwoman Terry Cohen and elect Tim Spies and Muir Boda to the Salisbury city council.

Terry Cohen

Cohen’s supporters and critics can all agree on one thing – Cohen can be a pain in the ass.  She is the kind of pain that taxpayers need.  Cohen asks questions … lots of questions.  Her critics claim that she is being combative. Supporters argue that she is being thorough.  Taxpayers should be grateful that Cohen is willing to put in the time to fully study a proposal and possesses the intellect to ask the tough questions which would yield significant savings to the city’s taxpayers IF a majority of council members were as engaged as Cohen has been.

While Cohen has a good working relationship with Mayor Jim Ireton, Cohen has shown that she is not a rubber stamp for her friend.  She agrees with our philosophy of city government – the Mayor’s proposals deserve a full, open, and CRITICAL hearing.  Unlike the Tilghman years, proposals shouldn’t be approved without a full review.  Unlike the first two years of Ireton’s administration, neither the mayor nor the council majority should not horse trade with taxpayer dollars in order to get things done.

Have we agreed with every proposal Cohen has put forward during the last four years?  No.  Have we agreed with every one of her votes?  Of course not!  That said, Cohen’s drive to provide a more efficient, and taxpayer friendly, city government is what the city needs right now.  Her work to help reduce the city’s crippling crime rate has yielded results despite withering criticism from SAPOA-led naysayers.  Her willingness to seek out the opinions of a broad cross section of her community and then decide contrasts mightily with the close minded attitudes of many recent council members.  If the city government is able to overcome the years of bad administration under Tilghman, we fully expect that Cohen will be able to devote more energy and thought to help move Salisbury forward and improve.  However, for this to be accomplished we need thoughtful and critical council members like Terry Cohen.

Tim Spies

Tim Spies personifies the type of individual local governments want, and need, to serve.  A retired Navy Master Chief and nurse, Spies made Salisbury his home.  He became actively involved in his community, serving the Red Cross and as president of his neighborhood association (along with many other volunteer activities).  For nearly twenty years Spies has chosen to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.  Tim Spies should be a slam dunk almost anywhere else.

Like Cohen, we expect that Spies would serve the city well by being fiscally conservative and an effective champion in the on-going battle to reduce Salisbury’s crime rate.  Spies has proven himself to be thoughtful and willing to listen to all sides before making a decision.  While we do not expect Spies to be an automatic vote for Jim Ireton’s proposals, we are confident that he will support their receiving a full hearing.  This is precisely what we should expect in the relationship between a mayor and council.

Muir Boda

Some readers will attack Boda by claiming that he is the “SAPOA candidate”.  If by that you mean that he has SAPOA’s backing, you would be correct.  However, we do no believe that a Councilman Boda will be a rubber stamp for SAPOA any more than we expect Cohen or Spies to blindly follow the directives of Mayor Ireton.

Muir Boda is, again, the type of candidate local governments need, and voters deserve.  Boda chose to make Salisbury his home.  He is active in his church and community.  While his libertarian leanings may appeal to SAPOA, developers, and their supporters on the surface, they may be shocked when coming to him requesting special consideration like developer re-imbursements.

Boda’s approach to the city’s crime problem is thoughtful and his ideas should add to, rather than detract from, the approaches championed by Cohen and Spies.  We fully expect that he will take a fiscally prudent attitude to city spending and borrowing as well.  While not a political ally of Ireton’s, we also expect that Boda will give any of the Mayor’s proposals a fair, thoughtful, and critical hearing.  Again, Boda’s approach is what we should expect from a councilman.

What About the Others?

Does it seem that we gave the other candidates short shrift?  For that we apologize.  Here is a brief take on the candidates we did not endorse:

Bruce Ford is a likable guy who needs to be more actively involved in city affairs before we (or the voters) should seriously consider him for elected office.  To quote a member of our editorial board, “Ford is a candidate in search of a cause”.  Not all of us may agree with that assessment.  However, Ford does need (at a minimum) a little “seasoning” in addition to the aforementioned involvement in city affairs.

We can’t say anything bad about Orville Dryden – personally.  That said, there is no question that Dryden IS the “SAPOA candidate”.  Bereft of real ideas or a stance on an actionable agenda, Dryden would simply serve as a second secure vote for SAPOA’s interests on council.  While all citizens and groups should be listened to, NO special interest group, not even one as large as SAPOA, deserves their own members of the city council.  SAPOA has Shanie Shields – at least until the next election.  They don’t deserve more.

Laura Mitchell is the intriguing wild card in this race.  Charming and seemingly intelligent, Mitchell has all the appearance of a first rate council member.  Why didn’t we endorse her?

To quote another member of the editorial board, “There’s still too much mystery about Laura Mitchell.”  Mitchell tends to be a little too vague for us on too many issues.  While we are not claiming that she is deceitful (like Smith), we are often reminded of CANDIDATE Louise Smith.  We all know where that landed us.

While Mitchell claims that she will not be a rubber stamp for Ireton’s agenda, there is no question that she shares the same liberal politics and continues to be a political ally of Ireton’s.  We want to take Mitchell at her word;  however, as noted above, Ireton’s proposals deserve a hearing but need to rise or fall on their merits.

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

Are You Looking To Adopt A Kitten/Cat?

Two weeks ago I looked out my front door and saw this beautiful cat eating out of the food bowl. Thinking it would run off, I slowly opened the door and this little girl didn't budge. In fact, she started meowing and walked right up to me. When I reached down to pick her up, my God, she as all bones and no meat.

It was very clear she hadn't eaten in a very long time. We took her inside and put out a bowl of soft cat food  for her and she ate the entire bowl in no time flat. Now let me tell you what she's like. I have never seen a cat that is more loveable than this little critter. She loves to snuggle and she loves attention.

Other than feeding her and giving her attention, we have not brought her to the Vet. I can't tell you if she's ever had shots or been spayed. I can tell you she now has meat on her bones and she'd make a fantastic companion.

If you're interested, contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com. or 410-430-5349.

Worcester County Bureau Of Investigation

Date & Time   April 2, 2011                                         Case #:  10-0086


Location Occurred: West Ocean City, Md
Crime or Violation: Theft's


Victim:  Several


Accused: Sean Richard Frimmel, Age 20 (Residence) Golf Course Rd. West Ocean City, MD.


Charges:  Theft, Rogue & Vagabond


Narrative:
         
In early morning hours of April 2, 2011, Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff's Office responded to a citizen’s complaint of a suspicious person in the West Ocean City area. (U.S Rt 50 & Rt 611) Deputies located Sean Richard Frimmel, 20, of Golf Course Road, West Ocean City, MD in the process of stealing various items from unlocked vehicles.

Upon further questioning, Frimmel confessed to numerous other thefts in the area, occurring during the past two weeks.  Frimmel was placed under arrest.

With the aid of the Maryland State Police, The Worcester County Sheriff's Office Criminal Enforcement Team and the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation, Frimmel's residence was searched and an extensive amount of stolen property was recovered.

The Worcester County Beau of Investigations is asking for the citizen’s assistance in locating the property recovered, rightful owners.  If you were a victim recently of a theft from your residence or vehicle and reside in the West Ocean City area, please call the primary investigator. Det. A. Kagan (410) 352-3476.

The Worcester County Bureau of Investigation would like to remind citizens to make sure that their vehicles are locked and the windows rolled up.

Mt. Hermon Plow Days

Talk about yet another HUGE day! The Mt. Hermon Plow Days enjoyed hundreds of spectators and participants both young and old. Its a great way to go back into our history in America and especially right here on the Eastern Shore. Can't wail until next year!

Kennel Club Charitable Dog Walk A Success!

Thanks to the participation of the many area dog owners who walked with their dogs to raise money for the purchase of a canine bullet/stab proof safety vest for the soon to be gotten City of Fruitland's police dog and for getting small animal oxygen masks for local volunteer fire departments, those goals were reached. 
Not only will the safety vest be gotten, but 12 small animal oxygen masks will be able to be purchased!
Walk organizer, Bonnie Garris, did a super job of putting together a great walk, followed by refreshments and doggie games at the Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club Training Center. Special thanks to  SBYNews  for coverage of the event.

Wounded Warrior Weekend Fund Raiser

Salisbury American Legion Post #64 and Sharptown American Legion Post #218 are once again this year doing the Wounded Warrior Weekend.  As we did last year we will bring 5 wounded warriors to the Eastern Shore for hunting and relaxation at the end of September 2011.  This wonderful event was held last year as well and the comradery and bonds made will be with us a life time.

This Saturday, April 9th 2011, we are having a Wounded Warrior Weekend Car & Bike Show at Legion #64.  The event is scheduled for 12:00pm - 5:00pm. 

There is a $5.00 fee to enter the show and the admission price is $5.00.  If you pay to show you do not need to pay an admission fee.  Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finished.  There will be entertainment, (a DJ and a band), food, a beer tent, live auction, games, 50/50 tickets, Black Jack table and raffle tickets available for a Crossbow package and Rockfishing Trip that will be drawn on October 1st 2011 at the Wounded Warrior Banquet.  There will be food for sale...Hot Dogs, Beef, Cole Slaw, French Fries, Sodas and Water. 

July 30th 2011 will be our Crab Feast for the Wounded Warrior Weekend.  Tickets are available for $30.00 

My Globe Show


You are invited to celebrate the opening of Heather May's Photography Exhibit at The Globe Theater in Berlin, MD on Friday April 8th, from 5pm to 8pm.
.
Heather May will have her newest photography on display along with an opportunity to purchase limited prints available to be signed. May's award winning photography has been seen regionally, including at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, MD and The Annual NCCF Charity Auction in Washington DC.
For more information about May's Gallery call 443-366-2931 or email hbishop231@yahoo.com.

Presidential Candidate Tom Miller Published In Overworld Magazine


Thomas J. Miller - Republican

Tax:
The Sixteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on February 3, 1913. It gave Congress the power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. The total number of printed pages for all Federal tax rules in 1914 was less than 400 pages and the highest tax rate was 6%. In 2010, there are now over 78,000 pages of Federal tax rules with the highest individual tax rate of 36%.
Our Federal tax code has been transformed from its sole purpose of collecting income to pay for the operating expenses of our government to becoming an authoritative power to socially control our lives. Career politicians have used this tool to encourage/reward behaviors that they want to see happen with tax breaks and refunds while financially penalizing/punishing behaviors that they disapprove of with higher tax rates. This code has also become so unmanageable and incomprehensible that our own Secretary of the Treasury (Tim Geithner) and 26 other members of our Presidents staff cannot figure out their own taxes. It is impossible to reform a document that is composed of more than 78,000 pages.
I will terminate this 78,000 page failure and sponsor the consumption based Fair Tax. The new tax system will restore the intent and impartiality of the Sixteenth Amendment. This will not only save our economy more than $600 billion every year in administrative costs, free up millions of man hours currently spent for regulatory research and compliance, but increase Federal revenues. American citizens and businesses will be able to live, compete and grow in an impartial, reliable and globally competitive tax bracket once again.
The Federal government and several States have proven that assessing tax at the cash register is an efficient, easily understood and reliable method of collection. This will remove the Federal control and influence of our individual buying choices and allow our free market economy to be free again. By removing the politicians influence of what behaviors are rewarded or penalized, our economy and our citizens will have their freedom of choice, along with a dependable foundation, to begin making long term planning and investments.

The Most World's Important Unanswered Historical Question: "What Changed In 1800?"

The economic historian Gregory Clark summarizes a remarkable fact.

. . . there is no sign of any improvement in material conditions for settled agrarian societies as we approach 1800. There was no gain between 1800 BC and AD 1800 -- a period of 3,600 years. Indeed the wages for east and south Asia and southern Europe for 1800 stand out by their low level compared to those for ancient Babylonia, ancient Greece, or Roman Egypt.
Then, around 1800, this all changed. Economic growth began: about 2% per annum, compounded. That brought our world into existence.
We are the great beneficiaries of a process that few people understand. No one has explained cogently how it came into existence. A rate of growth so slow that no one could perceive it at the time has created a world that would have been inconceivable in 1800.
This change has taken a mere three generations. This is simply inconceivable.
My daughter gave me a great Christmas present in 2010. She scheduled an appointment for me to interview a man in her church. His name is Lyon Tyler. My daughter grew up in a city named after his grandfather: Tyler, Texas. His grandfather was John Tyler, the tenth President of the United States. He signed the law that admitted Texas into the Union in 1845.
John Tyler was born in 1790, the first full year of Washington's Presidency.
Lyon Tyler's younger brother, also alive, uses the ultimate one-upsmanship one-liner I have ever heard. After chatting for a while with a stranger, he springs it on him.

"As my grandfather once said to Thomas Jefferson. . . ."
You can try to top that one. You won't succeed.

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President Barack Obama Announces 2012 Re-election Bid

Recent survey found 47.4 percent of voters approve of performance in office, 46.6 percent disapprove

President Barack Obama announced his 2012 re-election bid Monday in a video on his website.

"We're opening up offices, unpacking boxes, and starting a conversation with supporters like you to help shape our path to victory," read a message on www.barackobama.com.

NBC News reported that he would file his campaign papers with the Federal Election Commission as Monday morning.

Filing with the FEC allows Obama to start raising money for the 2012 campaign that is expected to shatter records in political spending.

A Letter To The Editor


What Do You Know About Laura Mitchell?

Ms. Mitchell has been able to get through the campaign for Salisbury City Council, with an endorsement from the Daily Times – and tomorrow is Election Day – without providing any specific information about her work history or positions on the issues. Voters won’t know about the latter when they vote, unless she tells all before then (that’s not gonna happen) but they could have the real details of her "significant" experience in municipal finance and as an "accountant" if those in the know will share that information – please send comments – because all we know now is that she is not a CPA.

Four years ago all we knew was that Louise Smith had been an "auditor" somewhere in Florida, but now we know the consequences of electing someone we don’t know. Does anyone recall if the Daily Times endorsed her, too?

CONFUCIUS SAY

Man who wants pretty nurse, must be patient.

Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly.

Lady who goes camping must beware of evil intent.

Squirrel who runs up womans' leg will not find nuts.

Man who leaps off cliff jumps to conclusion.

Man who runs in front of car gets tired.... man who runs behind car gets exhausted.

Man who eats many prunes get good run for money.

War does not determine who is right, it determines who is left.

Man who fight with wife all day get no piece at night.

It takes many nails to build a crib, but one screw to fill it.

Man who drives like hell is bound to get there.

Man who stands on toilet is high on pot.

Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement

Finally CONFUCIUS SAY. . ..

A lion will not cheat on his wife, but a Tiger Wood!"

Pottery Classes

Hello,
I am the pottery instructor at the Art Institute and Gallery in downtown Salisbury. I would like to get the word out about my adult and childrens classes. This current session my children's class is full, but I only have
a few interested adults, they seem to really enjoy class and I would hate to have to cancel because of low attendance. I hold class on tuesdays 4-6pm for children and 7-9pm for adults.

Thanks very much
Erik Hertz

erik@hertzpottery.com 
http://www.hertzpottery.com/

AFP-Maryland To Host State Of The State Address

AFP to expose O’Malley’s flawed assessment of the state- ANNAPOLIS- While Governor O’Malley ignores Maryland’s overtaxed citizens and overregulated businesses, the Maryland chapter of grassroots free market group Americans for Prosperity will hold a State of the State Press Conference Friday, April 8th at 12:30pm on Lawyers Mall to examine the State’s real fiscal position as the General Assembly comes to a close.
"For the past several months, this administration and legislature has attempted to execute every tax and fee increase possible," said AFP-Maryland State Director Charles Lollar. "From the gas tax to food tax to alcohol tax to car registration fee increases, the legislature under direct influence of our Governor continues to ignore the call for responsible leadership and find a way to reduce the size of government and make departments more efficient."

"There must be a voice for the Maryland middle class family," said Lollar, "and Americans for Prosperity will continue to be that voice. Our aim is to equip Marylanders with these budgetary non-partisan solutions in hope that our leadership would hear and execute on behalf of their Maryland Citizens. We can no longer bear additional taxation, overlooked struggling school systems and an economic infrastructure that continues to drive business out of our state and take needed jobs with them!"


What: Citizen’s State of the State Address
Who: American’s For Prosperity
When: Friday, April 8, 2011 at 12:30pm
Where: Lawyers Mall in Annapolis

Eagles

Joe,

Here's the site with the Eagles thats all over the news this morning.  One of the eggs hasn't hatched yet. 
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

I like the site you posted the other day with the other Eagles nest.  Those babies look so fragile.  Amazing what they grow up to look like.

GOP 2012 Budget To Cut $4 Trillion-Plus Over A Decade

A Republican plan for the 2012 budget would cut more than $4 trillion over the next decade, more than even the president's debt commission proposed, with spending caps as well as changes in the Medicare and Medicaid health programs, its principal author said Sunday.

The spending blueprint from Rep. Paul Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, is to be released Tuesday. It deals with the budget year that begins Oct. 1, not the current one that is the subject of negotiations aimed at preventing a partial government shutdown on Friday.

In an interview with "Fox News Sunday," Ryan said budget writers are working out the 2012 numbers with the Congressional Budget Office, but he said the overall spending reductions would come to "a lot more" than $4 trillion. The debt commission appointed by President Barack Obama recommended a plan that it said would achieve nearly $4 trillion in deficit reduction.

Ryan said Obama's call for freezing nondefense discretionary spending actually locks in spending at high levels. Under the forthcoming GOP plan, Ryan said spending would return to 2008 levels and thus cut an additional $400 billion over 10 years.

More details

Netanyahu Wants U.N. To Repeal Gaza Report

Israel’s prime minister launched a diplomatic offensive Sunday to pressure the United Nations to retract a report accusing the Jewish state of war crimes in Gaza, after its lead author publicly disavowed some of its most incendiary charges.

“There are very few instances in which those who disseminate libels retract their libel. This happened in the case of the Goldstone Report,” Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet, saying he had ordered the formation of a committee to pursue the matter.

“I expect their recommendations in the coming days,” he said. “We will act on the public-diplomacy front and on other fronts with the international community and the U.N. in order to demand the justice that is due to Israel.”

Richard Goldstone, the South African judge who chaired the U.N. commission that produced the report, wrote an opinion piece in Saturday’s editions of The Washington Post in which he said that if “I had known then what I know now, the Goldstone Report would have been a different document.”

The report accused Israel and Hamas of war crimes and “possibly crimes against humanity” in the 2008-09 Gaza war and called on both parties to launch their own internal investigations.

n his opinion piece, Mr. Goldstone praised Israeli authorities for investigating more than 400 incidents. “Hamas has done nothing,” he wrote.

Mr. Goldstone, who did not respond to an email seeking comment, also retreated from the report’s claim that the Israeli army had targeted innocent civilians as a matter of policy.

“Although the Israeli evidence that has emerged since publication of our report doesn’t negate the tragic loss of civilian life,” Mr. Goldstone wrote, “I regret that our fact-finding mission did not have such evidence explaining the circumstances in which we said civilians in Gaza were targeted, because it probably would have influenced our findings about intentionality and war crimes.”

More than 1,000 Palestinians were killed in the 22-day conflict, which Israel launched in response to intensified Hamas rocket attacks on towns near its Gaza border.

Israel said most of the dead were combatants — a claim the Goldstone Report roundly dismissed. In his opinion piece, however, Mr. Goldstone acknowledged that “the Israeli military’s numbers have turned out to be similar to those recently furnished by Hamas.”

More here

Harry Reid Agrees To $73 Billion In Cuts?

Appearing on CBS News’s Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Senate Democrats and House Republicans have agreed to $73 billion in cuts. That number is $73 billion less than President Barack Obama’s budget, though, not $73 billion less than what’s actually in the current budget. Obama’s budget never passed.

Reid’s plan is really only $33 billion in cuts from the actual budget, but Schieffer never challenged Reid on that spin.

House Speaker John Boehner adamantly denies any agreement, but Schieffer never questioned Reid on that either, nor did the newsman make any mention of it.

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Why Is George Soros Dangerous?

Human Events’ readers, in an online poll, recently voted billionaire financier George Soros “the single most destructive leftist demagogue in the country.”  Here are the Top 10 Reasons George Soros Is Dangerous:

1.  Gives billions to left-wing causes:  Soros started the Open Society Institute in 1993 as a way to spread his wealth to progressive causes.  Using Open Society as a conduit, Soros has given more than $7 billion to a who’s who of left-wing groups.  This partial list of recipients of Soros’ money says it all: ACORN, Apollo Alliance, National Council of La Raza, Tides Foundation, Huffington Post, Southern Poverty Law Center, Soujourners, People for the American Way, Planned Parenthood, and the National Organization for Women.

2.  Influence on U.S. elections:  Soros once said that removing President George W. Bush from office in 2004 was the "central focus of my life."  He put his money where his mouth is, giving $23.58 million to various 527 groups dedicated to defeating Bush.  His early financial support helped jump-start Barack Obama’s political career.  Soros hosted a 2004 fund-raiser for Obama when he was running for the Illinois Senate and gave the maximum-allowed contribution within hours of Obama’s announcement that he was running for President.

3.  Wants to curtail American sovereignty:  Soros would like nothing better than for America to become subservient to international bodies.  He wants more power for groups such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, even while saying the U.S. role in the IMF should be “downsized.”  In 1998, he wrote:  “Insofar as there are collective interests that transcend state boundaries, the sovereignty of states must be subordinated to international law and international institutions.”

4.  Media Matters:  Soros is a financial backer of Media Matters for America, a progressive media watchdog group that hyperventilates over any conservative view that makes it into the mainstream media.  Now its founder, David Brock, has openly declared war on Fox News, telling Politico that the group was mounting “guerrilla warfare and sabotage” against the cable news channel, and would try to disrupt the commercial interests of owner Rupert Murdoch—an odd mission for a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt educational foundation that is barred from participating in partisan political activity.

5.  MoveOn.org:  Soros has been a major funder of MoveOn.org, a progressive advocacy group and political action committee that raises millions for liberal candidates.  This is the group that had on its website an ad comparing President George W. Bush to Adolf Hitler and ran the infamous “General Betray Us” ad in the New York Times, disparaging the integrity of Gen. David Petraeus.

There's much more here

Senate Committee To Vote On Unionizing State-Paid Home Health Providers

The Senate Finance Committee is likely to vote today (Friday) on a controversial proposal to unionize independent home health care workers who are paid by the state -- a proposal the committee has already rejected once.

Continue Reading...

Case Dismissed Against Freddie Mac

A nearly three-year-old class-action lawsuit against Freddie Mac has been dismissed. The suit accuses Freddie Mac executives of misleading shareholders about its exposure to sub-prime mortgage risks. The Washington Business Journal reports that the federal judge says the plaintiffs failed to prove their case, and dismissed the suit. The judge also dismissed claims of misrepresentation about Freddie Mac's capital, internal controls, and underwriting process. The plaintiffs have sixty days to file an amended case.

Government Shutdown?

With two days until their self-imposed posting deadline, congressional negotiators still haven't agreed to a 2011 budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. Both Republican and Democratic leadership say they are working on a plan to cut $33 billion in spending. But neither side has declared a formal deal. Over the weekend, President Obama joined the fray personally. He pressed the House and Senate leaders Saturday to agree to a budget in time to avert what he says would be an economically harmful government shutdown. For a vote to occur by Friday, a final bill must be published for members to read by Tuesday evening.

Obama Presses Lawmakers To Avoid Shutdown


Lawmakers are trying to hammer out a deal as a deadline looms for funding the government or forcing a shutdown Friday. Congressional staffers worked over the weekend on a spending bill for the remainder of the fiscal year. Some House Republicans don't want to budge from the $61 billion in cuts they made. Others have indicated a willingness for some compromise.  

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO LEAD GROUNDBREAKING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HALETHORPE MARC STATION


ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 4, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley, Congressman John Sarbanes, Senator Ed Kasemeyer, Delegates James Malone and Steven DeBoy, and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz will join community leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony today at 2:00 p.m. to start construction of the new $21 million Halethorpe MARC Station.


WHAT:           Governor O’Malley to launch construction of new Halethorpe MARC Station

WHEN:           TODAY, Monday, April 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Halethorpe MARC Station. 
                       
NOTE:                        Parking lot will be at capacity.  Guests and media should not park at the train station. 
                        Shuttle service will be provided from the designated parking area adjacent to Friends Medical Laboratory, located across from the station at 5820 Southwestern Boulevard.  A shuttle will transport guests the short distance to the event site beginning at 1:30 p.m.

From I-95:      Take I-95 South to Exit 47B/A, I-195 East/MD 166, toward BWI Marshall Airport/Catonsville.  Merge onto I-195 E via Exit 47A on the Left toward BWI Airport.  Take the US-1/Washington Blvd exit, Exit 3, toward Elkridge.  Turn left onto US-1 N/WASHINGTON BLVD.  At fork, stay to the right onto US-1 N/Southwestern Blvd. The fork to US-1 N is just past Clark Blvd.  Event parking is on left at 5820 Southwestern Blvd., across from the Halethorpe Station parking lot.

From I-695:    Take I-695 South toward Glen Burnie. Take exit 12A for US-1/Southwestern Blvd toward Arbutus.  Merge onto US-1 South/Southwestern Blvd.  Go straight to event parking at 5820 Southwestern Blvd. on right, across from the Halethorpe Station parking lot.

592 Americans Have Died In Afghanistan Since President Obama Announced The Surge

During the height of the Iraq war, the U.S. media paid close attention to troop deaths and fatalities, often making casualties among American soldiers leading stories in newspapers and on the airwaves. As ThinkProgress previously noted, the American press has essentially withdrawn from covering the war in Afghanistan, with the Pew Center finding that the media only devoted four percent of its coverage to the war during 2010.

Yet America remains a nation at war, and it’s important for Americans to understand the cost of its longest war in history, in Afghanistan. As ThinkProgress previously reported, the FY2011 cost of the Afghan war is $113 billion, approximately 40,000 times the cost of NPR’s federal grant money that Republicans have sought to defund and enough money to fund the employment of 1.9 million firefighters for a year.

Freelance Journalist From Maryland Missing In Libya

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Relatives and friends say a freelance journalist from Baltimore is missing in Libya.

Matthew VanDyke's mother says she last spoke to him on March 12. She says "there was a lot of noise" during the call and he asked her to call her back the next day.

The 31-year-old VanDyke speaks Arabic and has reported from war zones in the past. His mother, Sharon VanDyke, says he traveled to Libya in February to witness the uprising against leader Moammar Gadhafi and possibly to write a book about it.

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Help, The Price Of My Life-Saving Drug Went Up 2000%!

Colchicine, a drug primarily used to treat gout, is an old drug. Very old. Extracts from the plant it comes from, colchicum, have been used in gout treatment for thousands of years. In pill form as colchicine, it's been on the market in the United States since the 19th century and predates the Food and Drug Administration. A few years ago, the company that makes one brand of the drug, Colcrys, obtained FDA approval for their version, and the exclusive rights to sell it in the United States for three years. Who cares? Reader Nick does. He works in retail, isn't wealthy, and the colchicine he takes twice a day for a serious medical condition shot up in cost from about $20 per month to closer to $400.

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Ford Overtakes GM In Owner Loyalty

A cocktail of advertising, performance, customer service and social prominence leads to the elusive concept of brand loyalty. Judging from an R.L. Polk study of 5.2 million new vehicle-buying households, Ford has nailed the formula more effectively than its competitors recently, because the company has surpassed GM for the top spot it previously held.

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Sbarro Pizza Preheats Oven For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Lovers of lukewarm pizza, despair. Troubled pizza chain Sbarro is getting ready to file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The slice slingers are $365 million in debt and made the move after missing their interest payments. Part of the reason Sbarro has been suffering is because it has a lot of shops tied up in malls. Traffic to those dying down with the recession and the rise of online shopping has meant fewer patrons hitting the food court. The other reason is that their pizza is just sad.

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Goldman Actually Borrowed From Fed Discount Window 5 Times, Contradicting Bank Claims

Looks like Goldman has been a more frequent visitor to the Federal trough than they've been letting on. Despite testifying before Congress that they had only accessed the Federal Reserve's discount window, which lets banks borrow cash from the government quickly and on favorable terms, just once, Bloomberg reports that recently released data shows they actually took at least five overnight loans from the Fed between September 2008 and 2010.

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Study Finds Prostate Cancer Test Doesn't Lower Risk Of Death

In a study that will no doubt draw sighs of relief from middle-aged men nervous about going in for prostate cancer screenings, researchers concluded undergoing certain tests for the cancer doesn't lower the risk of death in patients.

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Cracks Found In Three More Southwest Jets

It has not been a good weekend for Southwest Airlines. The carrier grounded dozens of planes and canceled hundreds of flights after a hole opened up in the fuselage of a plane in mid-flight on Friday. Investigators subsequently found widespread cracking in that plane. And now comes news that cracks have been found in at least three more Southwest jets.

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Opportunities To Support Our Students And Schools

Saturday, April 9
Horizons Dance and Arts Showcase
Wicomico High School Auditorium

The Horizons Dance and Arts Showcase event at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Wicomico High School Auditorium will benefit Horizons, an organization that teaches students form low-income families to thrive in spite of challenging circumstances. The Horizons program promotes a holistic, hands-on approach to learning and equips students with a strong motivation to learn.  Through this program students are taught skills necessary to realize their full potential.  Horizons @ The Salisbury School is one of only 19 truly unique public/private partnerships that are part of a national program, which was founded 40 years ago in Connecticut. Dance companies, singing groups and theatrical companies are part of this one-of-a-kind event that promises to be the most exciting event of the year. This is a unique opportunity for all the creative arts to come together on one stage, show a united front and support a worthy cause. Each organization will come together on this day and perform one to two numbers from two age groups and then all work together on a show ending finale number. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. Performances this year will be by:

Feet of Fire
Salisbury Dance Academy
Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre
Prince Street Step team
Bennett Middle School Step team
Salisbury Middle School Chorus
Beach Bounders Gymnastics
D'Ann Danse Studio
Kaleidoscope Children & Youth Theatre- Munchkins from the Wizard of Oz
Kaleidoscope Performance Troupe
James M. Bennett High Rock N Roll Revival

Highlighted Events This Week And Next Week In Wicomico Schools

Tuesday, April 5
Eastern Shore Reading Council Young Author’s Reception
Salisbury University

The Eastern Shore Reading Council (ESRC) sponsored a Young Author’s Contest for writers in grades 2 – 12. Students submitted poems and short stories and judges chose winning entries for poetry and short story for each grade level. The winning authors will be celebrated at an event at Salisbury University’s Holloway Hall at 6 p.m. on April 5, in conjunction with Salisbury University’s Green Earth Book Awards and Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival. Students will hear Henry Cole, a renowned author, speak and will receive a copy of an anthology of the winning entries. A reception for students, families, and teachers will follow.

Thursday, April 7
National Honor Society Induction
Wicomico High School

The Wicomico High School National Honor Society chapter will induct new members at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the WiHi Auditorium. Staff, family and friends are invited to attend. 410-677-5146.

Thursday, April 7
County Executive Budget Preview
Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. will hold his 5th annual budget preview meeting on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. in the Flanders Rooms of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. As always, the public is invited and encouraged to attend. “The budget for next year is still evolving,” said Pollitt, “and I am eager to share the progress thus far with our citizens and solicit constructive ideas on how we might confront the formidable challenges that remain with us. As always, my primary goal and my highest responsibility is the delivery of quality government services at a price our community can afford and support.” By charter, Pollitt will submit his completed budget proposal to the Wicomico County Council on April 19. The Council may make cuts to the budget but cannot increase spending or move money between accounts.

Friday, April 8
TAD Students Explore Genetics
Salisbury University

Students in the grade 3-5 TAD (Thinking and Doing) Program from throughout Wicomico County Public Schools will visit Salisbury University April 8 for hands-on experiments and study on genetics, the students’ focus of learning for the past few months. Students and their teachers will be at the Henson Science Building from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on each of those days to observe plants, animals and bacteria expressing the green fluorescent protein; participate in the isolation and preservation of their own DNA from cheek cells; conducting DNA gel electrophoresis loading and running; and touring the Henson Building’s second-floor environmental growth rooms and chambers and greenhouse.

Saturday, April 9
STEM Saturday
Salisbury Middle School

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Saturday classes have been offered throughout the 2010-11 school year for students in grades 4/5 and 6/7/8. The final STEM Saturday for 2010-11 will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 9, The Bug Detective (elementary) and The Science Behind Winning (middle), both at Salisbury Middle. Anyone interested in attending STEM Saturday must pre-register, and early registration is recommended. For a detailed schedule and registration form, visit http://www.wcboe.org/news/510.  For information contact Gretchen Boggs at 410-677-5149 or gboggs@wcboe.org.