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Sunday, August 07, 2011

Kerry: It's The 'Tea Party Downgrade'

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, calls the recent U.S. credit rating downgrade the 'Tea Party downgrade' due to its refusal to allow tax increases, while Republicans criticize the president's lack of leadership.

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Tel Aviv Stock Market Crashing

Hysteria swamped the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) today when the Tel Aviv 25 Index plunged 7 percent to 1,074.27 points, according to Globes.

Read more on Newsmax.com: Tel Aviv Stock Market Crashes as Panic Grips

Futures Look Bad For The Dow On Monday As Futures Drop Sharply

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Stock futures tumbled more than 2% at the start of electronic trading Sunday, signaling a nasty investor reaction to the Standard & Poor's downgrade of the nation's debt.
The reaction of major world markets was scheduled to begin later in the evening.

According to data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, S&P 500 futures fell 30 points, or 2.7%. Nasdaq-100 futures contracts slipped 54 points, or 2.5%. Dow Jones industrial average futures were 292 points, or 2.6%, lower.

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Traffic Alert- Bay Bridge

There is a major traffic back up from the McDonald's in Kent Island to the Bay Bridge. Traffic is moving very slowly at this time.

Breaking News-Ohio Police: 8 Shot To Death, Including Child

(COPLEY TOWNSHIP, Ohio) — A family argument Sunday in Ohio ended in the shooting deaths of eight people in two places, including an 11-year-old, and two more people were wounded, authorities said Sunday.


One person shot five people to death in one location, then two more were killed nearby before police killed the gunman, police Chief Michael Mier told WKYC-TV.


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More Private Property Being Taken Off Tax Rolls - .43 Acres $520k

The Maryland Board of Public Works will hold a meeting on August 10th in Annapolis, MD at 10:00 a.m. in Statehouse Room 217, Governor's Reception room. The Public Works board have placed the facility located on 117 Bateman Street in Salisbury on the agenda - (.436 acres with one-story concrete block building) - Amount $520,000. What is interesting is that the agenda slates the acquisition as being beneficial to Worcester County even though it is located in Wicomico & the City of Salisbury.

Also slated for discussion is the demolition of a wood frame structure located at 309 West College Avenue which is noted as not being suitable for college use.

It has been observed by many private and elected representatives over the course of the past few years an alarming rate that private property has been removed from the tax rolls and substituted with governmental facilities.

Rough Week: $2.5 Trillion Wiped Off Value Of World Stocks



More than $2.5 trillion have been wiped off the value of world stocks this week on mounting concerns the global economy is heading toward another recession and Italy and Spain are being engulfed by the euro zone sovereign debt crisis.


Sum is almost equivalent to the size of the entire French economy

G20 Hold Emergency Call On U.S.

Officials from Group of 20 major economies, like French President Nicolas Sarkozy and U.K. PM David Cameron, discuss concerns about U.S. credit downgrade and and European debt crisis as Mideast markets tumble.

Financial officials from the Group of 20 major economies reportedly held an emergency conference call Sunday to the discuss the debt crises in the U.S. and Europe following several days of market panic and a downgrade of the U.S. credit rating.

Reuters reported that Japan and South Korea said that they were still confident in U.S. treasuries.

"I expressed our country's position on the (G20 conference) call that there will be no sudden change in our reserve management policy," South Korean Deputy Finance Minister Choi Jong-ku told Reuters.

Mystery Million-Dollar Romney Donor Revealed

Former director of investment firm once headed by GOP hopeful behind donation


In a move aimed at tamping down a mounting controversy over secret money in presidential politics, a political committee backing Mitt Romney Saturday publicly identified a former Bain Capital managing director as the source of a mysterious $1 million contribution to its coffers.

WICOMICO HUMANE SOCIETY

Dear Mr. Pollitt:

My understanding is the County owns the Humane Society Building.  They charge  only $1.00 per  year for rent,  and give tax payers monies  of  $200,000  , more or less , per year towards their operation.
 
It's also my understanding you will be having a meeting with the Humane Society  soon.   I am requesting, as  a taxpayer of this County, the following be answered and  made public for  citizens to view regarding the Humane  Society operations. 
 
1.  For what  is  our tax payers  money being spent  there?
 
2.  What is   the "Board"  doing to enforce proper management  and is that their    
      responsibility?       If  not ,  then  who is responsible  ?
 
3.  Request-  The  "Boards" , Mr. Pollitts, and  Councils  e-mail address  and phone
      numbers be  posted---- in the Humane Society ----in clear view---so the public will  
       know where  to "voice" their comments or complaints.
                                              Along  with:
      the persons names who are responsible for  management.     
    
 
5.  Exactly what is  the Humane Societys responsibility   to the citizens & animals in  
     our  County----and who enforces seeing that is done properly?
 
6.  Who is responsible for hiring/firing  employees at the Humane Society ?
 
 
I am  hoping you will be answering all these questions & "The Board" will follow through  with  accountability & responsibility----if  this is where it lies, which was  my understanding.
 
For to long there have  been   many issues " swept by the way side "--- with no one showing  accountability  or  responsibility  as to any correction or improvements!! Time has   long passed  for this to be corrected !
 
I would like to know when these questions & suggestions above  will be addressed?
 
Thank you for your time in this matter .

Parking Changes Eyed For Government Lots

SALISBURY -- Parking problems in the city have officials considering changes to several government lots, some of which might upset disabled employees, according to one Salisbury City Council member.

The council discussed changes to nearby lot number 9, which is behind the government building, and lot number 14, which is across the street. Lot 9 especially raised eyebrows among the council.

“We receive a lot of complaints about how limited parking is in lot 9,” said Internal Services Director Pam Oland.

USSAAA - S&P Reconsiders Downgrade After White House Challenge

McGraw-Hill: meet Chicago-style negotiations. And there, in one sentence, is all that is broken with this country. The reason for the beyond ridiculous horse trade, according to CNN: S&P analysis of U.S. revenue, deficit picture was questioned. Presumably S&P ignored to add the $10 quintillion dollars that were saved by America not declaring war on Tatooine and its most infamous Hutt resident: Larry Summers. Indeed, again according to CNN, S&P acknowledged some errors in its analysis. Isn't it amazing what being threatened with having your NRSRO license can do for motivation to double check your work, eh you pathetic sellouts? Who would have thought that last week's farce debt ceiling would continue and develop into a national pastime. Below, for the sake of S&P's non-existent conscience and incompetence, are their own guidelines for what constitutes an AAA-rated credit. Readers can decide if the US is one. In other news, in USSAAA, government downgrade rating agency.

After Five-Year Search And A Hunger Strike, Mom Seeks Return Of Daughter From US

'They made a mistake taking my baby. Perhaps they didn't know she was stolen,' Guatemala woman says of couple who adopted girl.

Loyda Rodriguez Morales felt someone tug at her daughter as she tried to enter her simple home with three young children in tow. She turned to see a woman whisk the 2-year-old away in a waiting taxi.

After nearly five years of searching, posting fliers, being turned away at orphanages and even staging a hunger strike, Rodriguez now holds what's believed to be an unprecedented Guatemalan court order declaring the child stolen and ordering the U.S. couple who eventually adopted her to give her back.

Quote Of The Day 8-7-11

“If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”

Samuel Adams

'Spam King' Sanford Wallace Could Face 16 Years In Prison



Sanford Wallace's claim to fame as the Spam King dates back to the late '90s, when his company, Cyber Promotions, became notorious for sending unsolicited junk emails to the masses.


Flash forward to 2011, and Wallace is now facing criminal charges for allegedly sending over 27 million spam messages through illegally phished Facebook accounts in 2008 and 2009.

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'Biggest Loser' TV Looks For Contestants In Maryland

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) -- The reality television show "The Biggest Loser" was in Maryland searching for contestants.

Casting directors from the show, in which overweight contestants compete to lose weight, were in Landover on Saturday. The show was looking for people who have at least 85 pounds to lose.

The 13th season of the show begins Sept. 20. The winner gets $250,000.

Source

FBI Hunts For 3 Siblings Sought In Bank Robbery, Cop Shoot-Out

(CNN) -- Authorities are using digital billboards across the Southeast in their manhunt for three siblings, all in their 20s, who are wanted for an alleged armed bank robbery in Georgia and are suspects in the attempted murder of a Florida police officer, the FBI said Saturday. The crimes occurred Tuesday.

I'm not going to compare them to Bonnie and Clyde -- I'll let you do that if you like -- but they are certainly very clear in demonstrating their threat to both law enforcement and the public," FBI special agent Stephen Emmett told CNN Saturday.

Study Finds Link Between ADHD And Sleeping Habits

WASHINGTON - A new study finds ADHD-like behavior problems in kids might have to do with their sleeping habits.
 
A study of more than 700 children finds kids who don't go to bed at a regular time and don't sleep in their own bed are seven to eight times more likely to have symptoms of ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
 
"Also, 85 percent of all children who have assaultive behavior against their parents, who kick hit or push them, are not sleeping in their own bed," says child psychologist Dr. Robert Pressman of Providence, R.I.

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Nephew, Niece Allege Polygamist Sect Leader Warren Jeffs Abused Them


San Angelo, Texas (CNN) -- Warren Jeffs' nephew and niece testified Saturday during his sentencing phase about the alleged abuse they suffered at his hands.

The polygamist sect leader was convicted this week on two counts of sexual assault on a child.

Brent Jeffs, 28, told jurors that his uncle raped him when he was 5 years old.

A Historic Opportunity To Cut Military Spending

The agreement in Washington to raise the debt ceiling in exchange for spending cuts has made a lot of people very unhappy. But the agreement had one important positive aspect: it created a historic opportunity for significant cuts in projected military spending.

Under the agreement, a joint House-Senate committee is supposed to propose, by Thanksgiving, $1.5 trillion of debt reduction (expenditures less revenues) over ten years.

Significant cuts in projected military spending are on the table. Indeed, if the joint committee doesn't agree on a plan or Congress doesn't enact it, $1.2 trillion in cuts in projected spending over ten years will be triggered, of which half must come from the military.

If the military cuts in the trigger mechanism take place, when added to the projected military cuts announced by the White House as part of this week's deal, total cuts in projected military spending would amount to $884 billion. This is very close to the $886 billion in military cuts agreed by the plan of the Senate's "Gang of Six," a plan endorsed by President Obama. It's in the ballpark of - but less than - the $960 billion in proposed military cuts of the Frank-Paul Sustainable Defense Task Force, the trillion dollars in proposed military cuts of the report of the president's deficit commission, the $1.1 trillion reduction in projected military spending proposed by the Domenici-Rivlin task force and the $1.2 trillion in military cuts recommended by the Cato Institute. Conservative Republican Sen. Tom Coburn says cutting the projected military budget by a trillion dollars over ten years is "not hard" and is "common sense."

In other words: cutting projected military spending by a trillion dollars over the next ten years has become politically plausible.


White Marlin Open Begins Tomorrow in Ocean City


OCEAN CITY, MD — Offshore fishing is red hot in Ocean City, and White Marlin Open directors are looking forward to an action-packed tournament. The marlin season in Ocean City started with an early bang when the first white was caught on May 29, breaking the old record of June 1. Fishing has only gotten better with large numbers of white marlin, blue marlin, tuna and gaffer dolphin being caught. Lots of fish always make for an exciting White Marlin Open and with over 300 boats and $2.25 million in prize money expected, it is guaranteed not to disappoint.

This year’s event is rapidly approaching with fishing taking place the week of August 8-12. Boats may enter through Sunday August 7. Charter boats and boat slips are still available.

Voted by readers of In The Bite magazine as the tournament they would most like to fish, the White Marlin Open is a billfish tournament you don’t want to miss. As stated in Marlin Magazine, “With solid fishing and huge payouts, it’s tough to compete with the White Marlin Open.”

For more information, log on to www.whitemarlinopen.com or call 410-289-9229.

Lost Dog: UPDATE

UPDATE: Scout's home after more than a week being out on his own! A woman found him along the side of the road and got him in her truck. Took him to TJ's Market and called home. A huge Thank You to everyone who was looking out for him!

Missing dog on Parker place, Pittsville. Description : 12 yr. old reddish brown / white male neutered husky mix. Name is Scout. Ran away after thunder storm 7/25/11. Thanks.
Please call 410-835-2811 or my cell : 410-603-8402.



Missing dog on Parker place, Pittsville. Description : 12 yr. old reddish brown / white male neutered husky mix. Name is Scout. Ran away after thunder storm 7/25/11. Thanks.
Please call 410-835-2811 or my cell : 410-603-8402.

Sam Smullen Benefit TODAY!

I-495 OVERNIGHT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT RESULTS

(COLLEGE PARK, MD) – During an overnight traffic enforcement initiative along the Prince George’s County portion of the Capital Beltway, almost half of the drivers stopped by Maryland state troopers were speeding and nearly one dozen were driving on suspended or revoked licenses.

Maryland state troopers from the Washington Metro Troop conducted another “Operation Centipede” initiative on the Capital Beltway from last night into early this morning. During last night’s leg of this initiative, dozens of additional troopers were deployed along the interstate in Prince George’s County. Troopers focused on aggressive, drunk, speeding, and inattentive drivers as they worked to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries in that region.

During the operation, troopers stopped 195 vehicles and issued 91 traffic citations for speeding. Troopers charged 11 people for driving on suspended or revoked licenses. Three people were arrested for drunk driving and one was arrested for a drug violation.
Troopers also issued 66 traffic citations for other violations, three for aggressive driving, and six for failing to wear seat belts. Troopers handed out 115 warnings for various traffic offenses and 13 safety equipment repair orders for faulty vehicle equipment.

There were no traffic fatalities or serious injuries on the Capital Beltway overnight. Troopers will continue focused enforcement efforts like this in the days ahead as they work to keep Maryland highways safe. An announcement is expected Monday about an HOV lane enforcement initiative planned for next week in the region.

Today's Weather- 08/07/11

Salisbury,Maryland

Today
High
91°F

Precip
50%

Tonight
Overnight Low
75°F

Precip
30%