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Friday, April 06, 2012

The Little Red Hen Version -- 2012

"Who will help me plant my wheat?" asked the little red hen.

"Not I," said the cow.

"Not I," said the duck.

"Not I," said the pig.

"Not I," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself." She planted her crop and the wheat grew and ripened.

"Who will help me reap my wheat?" asked the little red hen.

"Not I," said the duck.

"Out of my classification," said the pig.

"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.

"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen, and so she did.

"Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.

"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.

"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.

"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.

"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.

"Then I will do it by myself," said the little red hen.

She baked five loaves and held them up for all of her neighbors to see. They wanted some and, in fact, demanded a share but the little red hen said, "No, I shall eat all five loaves."

"Excess profits!" cried the cow. (Nancy Pelosi)

"Capitalist leech!" screamed the duck. (Barbara Boxer)

"I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose. (Jesse Jackson)

The pig just grunted in disdain. (Harry Reid)

And they all painted 'Unfair!' picket signs and marched around and around the little red hen, shouting obscenities.

Then the farmer (Obama) came He said to the little red hen, "You must not be so greedy."

"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.

"Exactly," said Barack the farmer. "That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle."

And they all lived happily ever after, including the little red hen, who smiled and clucked, "I am grateful, for now I truly understand."

But her neighbors became quite disappointed in her. She never again baked bread because she joined the 'party' and got her bread free. And all the Democrats smiled. 'Fairness' had been established.

Individual initiative had died but nobody noticed; perhaps no one cared so long as there was free bread that 'the rich' were paying for.

EPILOGUE

Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs.

Hillary got $8 million for hers.

That's $20 million for the memories from two people, who for eight years repeatedly testified, under oath, that they couldn't remember anything.

IS THIS A GREAT BARNYARD OR WHAT?

Bicycle Child Seats Recalled Due To Laceration And Amputation Hazard

Todson, of North Attleboro Mass., has recalled about 40,000 of its Topeak Babyseat II bicycle carrier seats, because a child can place his or her fingers in the opening at the grab bar's hinge mechanism, and when the grab bar is lifted to remove the child from the seat, the child's fingertips can be caught in the hinge mechanism, posing a laceration and fingertip amputation hazard.

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Panetta's Commuting Tab: About $860,000 So Far

WASHINGTON (AP) - It's turning out to be a costly commute home for Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

The Pentagon chief has traveled on military aircraft to his home in northern California more than two dozen times since he took the defense post in July _ trips that have cost the government about $32,000 each.

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Report: Banks Treat Foreclosed Homes Better In Mostly White Neighborhoods

While Americans of every possible ethnic and racial group were hit by the massive foreclosures when the economy went KABOOM! a few years back, a new report claims that banks are often giving short shrift to the upkeep and marketing of foreclosed properties in areas with predominantly non-white residents.

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'People of the Book' take pause Friday

JERUSALEM (AP) - Roman Catholics and Protestants in the Holy Land commemorated the crucifixion of Jesus Christ Friday in prayers and processions through Jerusalem's Old City.

In the town of Beit Jala, adjacent to Bethlehem, Palestinian Catholics re-enacted Jesus' stations of the cross in their olive groves and vineyards. Father Ibrahim Shomali led the Good Friday procession in Arabic, wearing a white tunic and purple clerical shawl. Dozens of believers followed him, bearing Palestinian flags and olivewood crosses.

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Waitress Sues Cops To Get Her $12K Tip Back After It's Seized As Evidence

You say to-may-toe and I say to-mah-toe, and in the case of a waitress suing law enforcement, she says $12,000 is a miraculous tip and they say it's drug money. Oh, and there is no tomato involved. So who's right? After all, says the waitress, she tried to return the tip to the customer and was told to keep it. All's fair in the food industry, after all.

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Take a Civil War Tour With Your Computer Mouse

WASHINGTON - Events around the country are planned to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and now's there's an easy way to get a feel for the complete scope of celebrations.

The National Park Service's website offers everything you need to know, including a guide to more than 1,700 historic sites and more than 100 national parks with Civil War themes.

"We are working for later this year on the Maryland campaign, which will involve the lead up to the 150th anniversary of the battle of Antietam," says National Park Service spokesman Bill Line.

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Should I Be Warned About A Deaf Cashier?

During Jon's last trip to Target, he noticed something unusual: a sign in his checkout lane advising customers, "Cashier Is Hearing Impaired." He found the sign unnecessary and potentially embarrassing for the employee. What do you think?

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Where Exactly Do Your Tax Dollars Go?

What does the government buy with all your tax dollars? President Barack Obama hopes an online tool will help answer that question.

The White House on Wednesday rolled out an updated version of a calculator that allows you to compute your "taxpayer receipt." You plug in your income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax, and it spits out a detailed breakdown of how that money is spent.

"It's a terrific way to get people information about where their tax dollars are actually going," Obama told CBS MoneyWatch at a small gathering of financial journalists Wednesday. "We think that the more people know, the better they'll be able to judge the debates that are taking place in Washington with respect to how do we pay down the deficit, how do we reform the tax system, and so forth."

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California Woman Takes Distracted Driving To Entirely New Level

It's already against the law in California to hold your cellphone up to your ear while you drive. Then throw two young children in the back seat, one with no seatbelt on and the other improperly secured in a child's seat. And just for good measure, take an infant and place it on the lap of the driver — who, by the way, has a suspended license — and you have the 2012 poster for every anti-distracted driving campaign.

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SB236: The “Sustainable Growth And Agricultural Preservation Act Of 2012”

MICHAEL A. MCDERMOTT PRESS RELEASE

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)
-- SB236 - Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 - passed out of the House with a vote of 93-45. Already passing in the Senate, this bill will go to the governor’s desk for a signature. Effective in July 2012, SB236 establishes numerous restrictions on septic systems by creating a “tier system” which will hinder residential development in rural Maryland and all but eliminate septic systems for residential subdivisions. Essentially, this bill will take away local planning and development decisions with regards to decisions about future development. By taking away the power from the local government, the State of Maryland will assume greater and greater autonomy with decisions about future septic systems.

“The title, Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012, seems to say one thing while actually doing another. It is a far cry from preserving agriculture and farming in Maryland. This is the great land grab by Maryland - hurting farmers in the name of preserving them.” replied Delegate Michael A. McDermott.

In a statement made by Delegate McDermott, he stated “It is reasonable to draw conclusions from this bill that this spells the end of rural development in Maryland. It will devalue farmland and place farmers who must borrow against their land for the next planting season to have land that is not worth anywhere near what it is in today’s market. This destructive bill is the camel’s nose under the tent.”

George W. Bush to Speak in Pennsylvania on GOP Presidential Primary Day

Former President George W. Bush will deliver a speech in Pennsylvania on the day of the state’s GOP presidential primary. Bush is the only prominent politician in his family that has not made an endorsement in the 2012 presidential race.

Bush will give the keynote address at the Plumstead Christian School’s annual “Founders Forum” on the Calvary Church’s campus in Souderton, according to the school’s official website.

His father, former President George H. W. Bush is the most recent member of the Bush family to endorse former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for president.

Bush reportedly asked Romney if his son had endorsed him for president yet.

“I haven’t met with President George W. Bush,” Romney said. “We speak from time to time.”

Barbara Bush, his wife, replied, “We’ll talk about that.”

The former first lady endorsed Romney before the Super Tuesday primaries.

Guess What, Folks? Pink Slime Isn't The Only Food With Ammonia In It

During the recent outpouring of "eww, that's gross" over pink slime, Americans had a collective freakout over ammonia-treated beef. But hey, why not expand the revulsion with this tasty tidbit: Foods including cheese, baked goods and chocolate products are also involved with ammonia.

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‘We Should Be Ashamed of Ourselves That Our Media is Convicting This Man’: Ted Nugent Speaks on Trayvon Martin, Whitney Houston

Conservative rocker Ted Nugent appeared on radio talk show host Mike Broomhead’s show today to discuss everything from Whitney Houston’s untimely death to the Trayvon Martin case. And to no one’s surprise, he didn’t mince words on any of the topics involved. Along with the national media generally, Nugent singled out Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Piers Morgan as villains in the Trayvon Martin case.

“The only time a black life matters to Al Sharpton is when a black person is killed by maybe – not a Hispanic, but a white Hispanic. Mike, you and I couldn’t make this stuff up,” Nugent thundered in concluding his remaks on the Martin case. His remarks on Whitney Houston‘s friends weren’t much more tame.

“Whitney Houston was surrounded by gazillions of dollars, and a whole bunch of bloodsuckers, and a whole bunch of people taking advantage of her, but they didn’t have the spirit, they didn’t have the wherewithal, to just squeeze that woman and force her to stop,” Nugent opined.

Audio Here

School Removes “God” From Lee Greenwood Song

The superintendent of Bellingham Public Schools released a statement Wednesday stating that students will now be allowed to sing or not sing “God Bless the USA” during an upcoming assembly at Stall Brook Elementary School.

“Political correctness is certainly a consideration in the public sector,” Superintendent Edward Fleury wrote in a statement posted on the district’s website.

“Students will be allowed to sing or not sing the words ‘God Bless the USA’ as they sing in celebration of their acquired knowledge,” he said. “No other words will be substituted.”

Fleury said there was no intent to be disrespectful and “we believe the use of the word god is acceptable in patriotic songs.”

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DOJ Reportedly Close To Deal That Would Lower E-Book Prices

Ever since Apple got into the e-book business, publishers have been determining their own prices for titles, meaning that e-books, in spite of having minimal overhead costs, are often sold for higher prices than their print counterparts. But it looks like the Justice Dept. antitrust investigation into this so-called "agency pricing" model is nearing an end — and may result in more affordable e-books for everyone.

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New Black Panthers Plan 'Call to Action' Day Before Zimmerman Hearing

On April 7th, the New Black Panther Party in Florida declares they will conduct "county-wide and state-wide defense training and community patrols to protect against racial violence and attacks." And the NBPP also declares a call to action slated for Monday April 9th, the day before a Florida Grand Jury will convene on the Trayvon Martin case to decide whether to indict George Zimmerman.

This information comes from The Muslim Street Radio Show hosted by Malik Aziz and Laila Abdelaziz, taped an interview on April 1st with Malik Zulu Shabazz, the National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party. The "Day of Action" has also been advertised at a NBPP website in a poster which states, "No School, No Work, No Shopping... Demand the Arrest of George Zimmerman." Zimmerman's face in the poster is overlaid by crosshairs.

During the discussion of the Grand Jury hearing on April 10th, Shabazz speculates, "It should be very easy to achieve this indictment," giving insight into the timing of the "Day of Action." This is meant to intimidate those who may contend that Zimmerman acted in self-defense and should not be prosecuted. Shabazz, earlier in the conversation, asserts, "We obey man's law, but when there's a conflict between man's law and God's law, we are duty-bound to follow the law of God, and God says justice must be done."

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Attorney General Eric Holder Responds To Judge Jerry Smith’s Homework Assignment

Remember the homework assignment issued by Judge Jerry Smith of the Fifth Circuit to the U.S. Department of Justice? Earlier this week, Judge Smith ordered the DOJ to file a three-page, single-spaced letter discussing the principles of judicial review, in light of prior comments by President Barack Obama that could be construed as questioning the doctrine.

The response was due today at noon (Houston time) — about 20 minutes ago. It was filed on behalf of the Department by Attorney General Eric Holder.

Let’s take a look, shall we?

We’re calling it a letter rather than a supplemental brief because the letter itself snarkily states that “[t]he question posed by the Court regarding judicial review does not concern any argument made in the government’s brief or at oral argument in this case, and this letter should not be regarded as a supplemental brief.”

In addition, also perhaps reflecting pique by the executive branch, the letter barely runs over into a third page. As you will recall, Judge Smith requested a letter of “at least three pages, single spaced, no less.”

The letter contains three numbered points. In point 1, Attorney General Holder reaffirms the executive branch’s acceptance of judicial review:

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Making a Hard-Boiled Egg That Won't Crack Up

WASHINGTON - A lot of eggs will be served and used this weekend for Easter and Passover -- and there's an art to making a good, hard-boiled one.

Coloring eggs is a lot more fun when the shells don't crack or fall apart. Among the tips offered by Yahoo! Shine:

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Overloaded Justice System Ties Italy In Knots

ROME, (Reuters) - Falsifying a one euro ($1.33) bus ticket in Italy is a criminal offense eligible for a full trial and two appeals that would cost the state many thousands of euros.

The U.S Supreme Court reviews around 100 appeals per year. The number for Italy's top appeals court, serving a population a fifth the size? More than 80,000.

Italy has 40,000 lawyers specializing in supreme court cases. According to Valerio Spigarelli, head of Italy's top criminal lawyers body, the number in neighboring France, with a similar population, is 25. They are among 240,000 lawyers in Italy, compared to 54,000 in the country next door.

Statistics like this give a glimpse into a chaotic, byzantine legal system which not only reduces citizens to despair and has senior judges tearing out their hair, but acts as a serious disincentive to foreign companies planning to invest and a powerful brake on the euro zone's third economy.

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Number of New Oil Wells and New Leases Have Decreased Under Obama, Data from BLM Show

Since President Obama took office, both the number of new drilling operations started on federal lands and the number of new leases for oil operations on federal lands has decreased, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) data show.

In fiscal year 2008, the last official year of the President George W. Bush’s administration, 5,044 new oil wells were started, meaning that actual drilling began, which is what oil firms refer to as “spudding in” or to “spud” a well bore. In FY 2009, however, in Obama’s first year as president, there were 3,267 wells spudded, a decline of 1,777.

Fiscal year 2008 was from October 2007 through September 2008; fiscal year 2009 was from October 2008 through September 2009. President Bush’s last year in office ended on Jan. 20, 2009, when Barack Obama was inaugurated.

In addition, the Obama administration spudded 3,166 new wells in fiscal year 2010 and 3,260 in FY 2011, according to the Bureau of Land Management. That’s still less than the number of wells spudded, per year, under Bush in 2008, as well as the number in 2007 – 5,343 wells – and in 2006 – 4,708 wells.

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Video Shows Federal Officials Joking About Cost of Lavish Conference

Officials with the federal agency now under congressional investigation over a lavish conference were captured on camera joking about the expense at the summit's "capstone" event in October 2010.

One official joked about how much was spent at a party hosted by the agency's commissioner. Another employee, in a mock music video, even sang about how he'd "never be under OIG investigation."

OIG stands for Office of Inspector General -- the office that earlier this week released a bombshell report that triggered firings at the agency that held the conference. The report found the Public Buildings Service, part of the General Services Administration, spent more than $820,000 on the meeting near Las Vegas in 2010.

Bin Laden

Osama Bin Laden was living with 3 wives in one compound, and never left the house for 5 years.

It is now believed that he called the US Navy Seals himself.

Tyler Perry Pulled Over, Accuses White Cops of Racial Profiling via Facebook

Tyler Perry's April 1 Facebook post about police pulling him over was no April Fool's joke: The highest-paid man in entertainment is accusing a pair of white Atlanta police officers of racial profiling.

Four days later, Perry's post boasts more than 117,000 "likes," 21,000 comments, and 12,000 shares. Atlanta police have launched an internal investigation, E! News reports.

Perry's predicament began when he admittedly made a left turn from a far-right lane -- a trick his security detail taught him, to make sure he wasn't being followed, Perry explained on Facebook.

Two white Atlanta police officers pulled him over, but apparently did not realize they'd just stopped Tyler Perry.

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PUBLIC NOTICE 4-6-12

PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT OF ITS LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON MONDAY NIGHT,
APRIL 9, 2012, THE SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL WILL ENTERTAIN A VOTE TO
CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSULTING WITH
LEGAL COUNSEL FOR ADVICE AND ABOUT PENDING OR POTENTIAL
LITIGATION AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ANNOTATED CODE OF MARYLAND
SECTION 10-508(a)(7)(8).

THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BE HELD STARTING AT 6 P.M. IN COUNCIL
CHAMBERS (ROOM 301) OF THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING (125 N.
DIVISION STREET). THE PUBLIC CAN OBSERVE THE MOTION, ANY DISCUSSION
AND THE VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION AS NOTED ABOVE.

Judge Sides With Muslims in Sports-Field Attack

A judge in Michigan has dismissed charges against several Muslim football players who left an opposing team’s quarterback with a concussion in an on-field skirmish after Muslim and Arab-American leaders complained about the prosecution.

The Detroit Free Press reported today that following complaints “from Arab-American and Muslim leaders,” the judge dismissed assault and battery counts against four high school football players “of Arab descent.”

They had been charged in December with criminal misdemeanors for an Oct. 21 game when their team, International Star Academy, was being pummeled on the scoreboard by Lutheran High. The charges this week were dismissed by Judge Mark Plawecki.

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

APRIL 9, 2012 6:00 p.m.
Government Office Building Room 301
Times shown for agenda items are estimates only.

6:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER
6:01 p.m. WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS
6:06 p.m. INVOCATION/MEDITATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:08 p.m. PROCLAMATION – Mayor James Ireton, Jr.
 Recognizing “Fair Housing Month”
6:15 p.m. ADOPTION OF LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
6:20 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA – City Clerk Kim Nichols
 Resolution No. 2155 - acceptance of computer equipment for Salisbury Police Department in the amount of $150,000
 Resolution No. 2156 - approving lease agreement between the City and the Chamber of Commerce for the Salisbury Festival
 Resolution No. 2157 - accepting funds from Wicomico County Circuit Court - Adult Drug Court Discretionary to provide for overtime reimbursement to police officers performing compliance checks of subjects participating in the Wicomico County Circuit Court Adult Drug Treatment program
6:25 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Assistant Internal Services Director-Procurement Catrice 2
Parsons
 Declaration of Surplus – John Deere HS 14 pull-type rotary cutter
 Declaration of Surplus – Unclaimed bicycles
 Declaration of Surplus – Various unclaimed property
 Change Order #1 Contract No. 117-10 Zoo Animal Health Building
 Change Order #1 Contract No. 102-12 Priscilla Curb & Sidewalk repairs
 Change Order #2 Contract No. A-7-09-R2 Citywide Concrete Program
 Change Order #1 Contract RFP 04-11 Fitzwater Engineering Service
6:45 p.m. RESOLUTIONS – City Administrator John Pick
 Resolution No. 2147 - adopting of FY2013 – FY2017 Capital Improvement Plan
 Resolution No. 2158 - extending acting status for Gerri Moore, Acting Director of Internal Services
 Resolution No. 2159 - acceptance of donations from the Zoo Commission for the “Beastro” concession stand in the Salisbury Zoo
7:10 p.m. ORDINANCES – City Attorney Mark Tilghman
 Ordinance No. 2196 - 2nd reading - FY12 budget – LGIT proceeds for (2) portable radios for the Fire Department
 Ordinance No. 2197 - 1st reading - FY12 budget amendment – LGIT proceeds for Police vehicle
 Ordinance No. 2198 - 1st reading – FY12 budget amendment – FEMA/LGIT reimbursement for storm damage
 Ordinance No. 2199 - 1st reading – FY12 budget amendment– gasoline for Public Works
 Ordinance No. 2200 - 1st reading – FY12 budget amendment - legal costs

7:45 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

8:00 p.m. VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION – to consult with legal counsel to obtain
legal advice and about pending or potential litigation as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland Section 10-508(a)(7)(8).

ADJOURNMENT

BREAKING NEWS: Navy Jet Crashes In Virginia


Navy F-18 Hornet crashes in residential area of Virginia Beach, Va.

From Fox News

Watch Live Link Video HERE.

Coast Guard Cannon Fire Sinks Japanese Ghost Ship

The long, lonely voyage of the Japanese ghost ship is over.

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter unleashed cannon fire on the abandoned 164-foot Ryou-Un Maru on Thursday, ending a journey that began when last year's tsunami dislodged it and set it adrift across the Pacific Ocean.

It sank into waters more than 1,000 feet deep in the Gulf of Alaska, more than 150 miles from land.

The crew pummeled the ghost ship with high explosive ammunition and, soon after, the Ryou-Un Maru burst into flames, began to take on water and list, officials said.

A huge column of smoke could be seen over the gulf.

Learn To Protect Yourself From Scams

Fellow Delawareans,

No one should have the money and resources they've worked for taken by scam artists and criminals. We are a nation founded on hard work, but, unfortunately, in Delaware and across the country, new families every day are taken advantage of by those who would rather steal someone else's money than earn their own.

I want to help put a stop to this in Delaware. The best way to do that is through education, and ensuring that Delawareans are taking the necessary steps to protect themselves from scams and fraud.

On April 12th, I am partnering with the Federal Trade Commission to host two free information sessions that will help Delawareans recognize scams and make smart financial decisions. The first session will be at the Georgetown CHEER Community Center, 20520 Sandhill Road, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A second presentation will be at the Delaware Tech Stanton Campus, 400 Stanton Christiana Road, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The topics we'll cover include identity theft, medical discount scams, credit and loan offers, email fraud, safety in social media, and more.

To RSVP for one of these events, please call my office at (302) 691-7333, toll free at (877) 899-7872, or email Albert.Shields@mail.house.gov.

I hope you'll be able to join me to learn more about smart financial decision-making and protecting your hard-earned money.

Sincerely,

John Carney

Can You Detect the Trick PETA Pulled on the Miami Marlins in This Message?


Look close — very close. Can you detect the anti-fishing message that PETA sneaked into this brick that is now forever encased in the new Miami Marlins stadium?

Give up? Well, if you take out the first letters of each word, it directs you to a website: fishinghurts.com (which really just redirects you to a PETA website).

Clever, eh?

PETA thought so, although in a press release it might give itself a little too much credit:

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Did JCPenney Actually Lower All Its Prices By 40%?

Back in January, JCPenney dove head-first into its rebranding efforts by announcing it would get rid of nearly all of its short-term sales in favor of marking down everything by 40% all the time. So did they actually follow through on their promise?

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Muslim Brotherhood Envoys Met With White House Officials In DC

White House officials met this week with envoys from the Muslim Brotherhood, in the latest sign that the Islamist group is returning to prominence in post-Mubarak Egypt after years in political exile.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said representatives from the organization met with "mid-level" officials from the National Security Council in Washington.

The meeting was held Tuesday, though it's unclear whether they met at the White House or elsewhere in the capital.

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Today's Fill In The Blank 4-6-12


I think what Governor O'Malley and our legislators in Annapolis have done for the state of Maryland is __________.

Hope For The Dead

What does freedom have to do with rising from the dead?

When America was in its infancy and struggling to find a culture and frustrated at governance from Great Britain, the word most frequently uttered in speeches and pamphlets and letters was not safety or taxes or peace; it was freedom.

Two acts of Parliament broke the bonds with the mother country irreparably. The first was the Stamp Act, which was enforced by British soldiers writing their own search warrants and rummaging through the personal possessions of colonists looking to see whether they had purchased the government's stamps. The second was the imposition of a tax to pay for the Church of England, which the colonists were forced to pay, no matter their religious beliefs.

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OCEAN CITY POLICE K-9’S GRADUATE FROM TRAINING

Thee Ocean City Police Department’s two new K-9 teams recently graduated from a multi-week training program at Castle K-9 training facility in centralPennsylvania. Both PFC

New OCPD K9 Teams
Daniel Jacobsand K-9 partner Jaxx and PFC Michael Kellyand K-9 partner Koda are currently certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association as patrol and drug detection police K-9’s. They join an elite group of canine patrol teams, which are an integral part of the Ocean City Police Department.

Jaxx, a 14-month-old Sheppard-Malawa mix and Koda, a 12-month old Sheppard mix, are specially trained and come to the Ocean City Police Department from Czechoslovakia, where they received specialized training for law enforcement duties. In addition to their training in Czechoslovakia, the K-9s and their partners received additional patrol/narcotics schooling, which develops the capabilities and physical conditioning of both the handler and K-9 alike. Upon completion of their training both K9 teams were certified by the North American Police Working Dog Association and the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission.

“This unit has been a vital part of the OCPD for more than four decades,” said Chief Bernadette DiPino. “I am confident that the two new K9 teams will contribute to the long standing tradition of excellence associated with this specialty unit. I as well as every member of the OCPD look forward to working with our new K9 partners.”

Once on patrol, the new K-9 teams are authorized to respond to calls for service, and are often among the first specialized units to be called to a scene. Their specific skills, including apprehension techniques, obedience, narcotics detection, searching and tracking, are a critical asset to the Ocean City Police Department. In addition to their duties and responsibilities on the road, K-9 units participate in continual training, community events and public relations functions, self-initiated patrol and/or rendering assistance to state and county law enforcement patrols in the Ocean City area.

SPD Press Releases 4-6-12

Michael Jamal Evans, 20yo of Salisbury, MD was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute “Crack” Cocaine, Possession of “Crack” Cocaine, Possession of Marihuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia (2 counts).

Rashaan Abdul Evans, 28yo of Salisbury, MD was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute “Crack” Cocaine, Possession of “Crack” Cocaine, and Possession of Paraphernalia (2 counts).

Shawndea Michelle Booker, 22yo of Salisbury, MD was arrested and charged with Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession with Intent to Distribute “Crack” Cocaine, Possession of “Crack” Cocaine, and Possession of Paraphernalia (2 counts).

Michael Andrew Dixon, 23yo of Salisbury, MD was arrested and charged with Possession of “Crack” Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of “Crack” Cocaine, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

On April 4, 2012 at approximately 12:10am, officers of the Salisbury Police Department executed a Search & Seizure warrant at the address of 616 E Church St, Apt B. The aforementioned subjects were all located within the apartment. Once the subjects and the residence were secured, the officers began their search of the residence. An amount of suspected “Crack” Cocaine was seized in a quantity to indicate distribution. Suspected marihuana was also located as well as numerous razor blades and sandwich baggies which are considered paraphernalia when associated with drug distribution.

All of the subjects were transported to Central Booking and released to their custody.

Colsten Jamar Johnson, 21yo of Salisbury, MD was arrested and charged with 3rd & 4th degree Burglary and MDOP > $500 (2 counts).

Damien Robert Bradley, 18yo of Salisbury, MD was arrested and charged with 3rd & 4th degree Burglary and MDOP > $500 (2 counts).

On April 4, 2012 at approximately 10:05pm, officers responded to the 300 block of Maryland Ave for a Burglary in progress. On arrival officers met with a witness who advised that several black males had broken into an apartment and had ransacked the interior. The witness was able to point out a group of black males that were walking away from the residence. This group was stopped for further investigation.

The witness was brought to the scene where he positively identified Johnson and Bradley
as being inside the apartment without permission and causing a large amount of damage to the property inside.

Both of these subjects were transported and released to the custody of Central Booking.

Fla. Task Force Told 'Stand Ground' Law Confusing

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A task force examining Florida's "stand your ground" self-defense law was told Thursday that the Trayvon Martin shooting is one example of the law's ambiguity and the potential unintended consequences it has created.

"What we've discovered is, in a drug deal gone bad, people die, and this is the defense," Buddy Jacobs, general counsel for the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, told the 18-member panel. "Our conclusion is that this law ought to be repealed. We don't think it's a thing we can tweak."

The 2005 law is under nationwide scrutiny following the Feb. 26 shooting in Sanford of the unarmed, 17-year-old Martin by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. Martin's family and supporters want Zimmerman arrested, but police say they were prevented from doing so because of the law. At least 20 other states have similar stand your ground laws.

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Civil-liberties groups alarmed by cybersecurity bills

Several advocacy groups have raised major civil-liberties concerns about pending cybersecurity legislation. In a recent story in PC World, the Center for Democracy and Technology raised a flag about legal language in four bills that would protect private companies that share customer information with the government.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) said the bills "grant the government broad powers in the event of a cyber threat" without specifically defining what does and does not qualify. EFF also claimed one of the bills could treat people like criminals if they take certain steps to secure personal information.

The bills, which have drawn broad corporate and bipartisan support, are expected to be voted on later this month.

Army Calls For Proposals On Protective Underwear

It may sound funny, but it has a serious purpose. The Army is asking industry to develop a new generation of ballistic underwear.

"The prevalence of IEDs [improvised explosive devices] during dismounted operations in Operation Enduring Freedom has caused a greater number of injuries to the lower body," the statement of work says. "These include blast injuries surrounding the groin area affecting the colon, femoral artery and genitalia."

The Army's request for proposals calls for drawers made of comfortable, breathable fabric. The product would resemble a boxer-style brief with a fly front, and it would be available in multiple sizes for men and women. The underwear must accommodate removable shields that protect a soldier's pelvic region and it can't interfere with walking or running.

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Bill Limits Sperm, Egg Donors

A bill that prevents the use of sperm or eggs for assisted reproduction without prior permission after the donor dies has cleared the General Assembly.

The bill, which would require a donor to give consent to use his or her genetic material after death, was approved Thursday in a 43-2 vote.

The measure raised questions in the House of Delegates about whether children conceived after a donor's death would be entitled to inheritance benefits.

The House amended the measure to apply inheritance rights to children conceived under the new regulation.

Tour The White House From Your Home Or office

If you can't make it to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., you can still get a 360-degree tour online. The White House is one of several federal museums participating in the expanded Google Art Project. The Freer Gallery of Art was the first Smithsonian to sign up more than a year ago. Directors said it has been a game-changer that lets viewers see art in finer detail than with the naked eye. Now three more Smithsonians have signed on, including the National Portrait Gallery. The art project uses Google Street View technology to create virtual tours of the museums' highlights.

Prom Night and Limos: What Parents Need to Know

WASHINGTON - Parents of Maryland teens who want to take a limo on prom night can take heart in state rules that ensure the big night will be a safe one.

Limousines are regulated by the Public Service Commission in Maryland, which is the same body that regulates public utilities like Pepco. Businesses that operate limos in Maryland are subject to regulation and must have a PSC number.

The PSC has recommendations for parents whose students plan to take a limo on prom night before they sign a contract:

  • Ask for the limo's PSC number;

  • Contact the PSC to verify the company is authorized and rates are correct;

  • Inspect the vehicle personally (the website offering may differ from the limo that shows up);

  • Know the difference between a broker and limo company;

  • Review all the terms in the contract and share them with your teen.

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Obama To Battle Cyber threats

The Obama administration is about to ratchet up the battle against inside cyber threats. An interagency task force is finishing work on a new strategy to prevent occurrences such as the loss of military secrets to WikiLeaks. The Insider Threat Task Force hoped to send its strategy to the White House before summer. John Swift, a task force member from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, said most agencies already have some kind of insider threat strategy. He said the national strategy would bring together best practices so agencies could share them.

The State Department Is Building Its Own Air Force

It issued a request for proposals for a fleet of drones to watch over its installations in Iraq. NextGov reported State wanted a contractor to supply the planes, pilots and support logistics as a turn-key service. The department already operates unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance of the Baghdad embassy. Now it plans to expand coverage using both long range and short range drones.

How Not to Treat Ideas

The philosophical school I consider most sensible sees ideas as the means by which human beings gain understanding of reality. Ideas are what help us navigate reality so we can live successfully, which is why so much effort has been spent on developing, criticizing and analyzing ideas throughout human history, especially in the academy, not just in the sciences but in matters of public concern.

But in the modern age a good many thinkers have come to believe that ideas are actually expressions of passions or interests, brought about so as to promote the satisfaction of desires. Or, in other words, that they are simply ideology.

This attitude appeared to be what lay behind a question some journalists on TV were asking about Ron Paul. On a round table television program I was watching recently, several of journalists were discussing results from the various primaries and caucuses, and some of them asked, "What is Ron Paul after? What does he want? What is driving him?" This in part because, well, he isn't very likely to win. And the answer that Ron Paul is actually interested in figuring things out and then teaching people something – for example about the US Constitution, about the Federal Reserve system, about the nature of money – just kept being overlooked. No, Paul has to have an agenda of some sort, like wanting to be a vice-presidential candidate, like getting appointed to some federal department, etc. Just advancing and defending certain ideas so as to promote understanding on the part of the electorate seems to be unfathomable to these journalists. There has to be an angle!

Here is one main source of the widespread cynicism about American politics. People look at candidates and office holders as always being out for something – power, wealth, fame, and the like. Wanting to be correct about political matters seems not to matter. Getting it right about the Fed or the US Constitution – that is, truth – is passe. Why?

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House Passes Bill To Raise School Dropout Age

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland’s high school dropout age would rise from 16 to 17 in 2015, under a measure that has passed the House of Delegates.

The House voted 88-49 for the bill on Thursday.

The age of compulsory school attendance would rise to 18 in 2017.

Maryland students can now choose to leave school when they are 16.

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Michelle Obama Showing Support For Military Families

First Lady Michele Obama opened a new front in her campaign to support military service families. Now she is pushing for more jobs close to, or on, military bases. Her Joining Forces organization said it had commitments for 15,000 jobs. They would mostly come from telemarketing and customer support providers. Obama emphasized the portability of those jobs for military spouses who relocate often. Earlier, the first lady pushed for state licensing agencies to recognize certifications for military spouses. Obama paid a visit to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Accompanied by First Dog Bo, she handed out Easter cookies from the White House pastry shop.

NY Cops Break Into Marine Vet's Home And Taser Him To Death

A grand jury is expected to soon hear a case from last year in which an unarmed, 68-year-old retired black military veteran was killed by police officers in New York. Four months later, no one has been charged in the murder.

Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., a former US Marine, was killed on November 19, 2011 after police officers broke down the door of his White Plains, New York apartment.

Chamberlain, who suffered from a heart condition, had accidently triggered a medical alert system on his person and then failed to respond to calls for help. Police were dispatched to his apartment, where Chamberlain greeted them by insisting he was okay and ensured them that no one was in any harm. The cops refused to take the vet’s word, however, and shot him with a both a Taser stun-gun and non-lethal projectiles, but only after breaking into his home and entering on their own accord.

Shortly after being fired at by the responding officers, Chamberlain was transported to an area hospital where he later died.

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Hearing To Discharge Marine Who Critisized Obama To Move Forward

A discharge hearing for a Camp Pendleton Marine who publicly criticized President Barack Obama will go forward. City News Service reported a San Diego federal judge on Wednesday rejected 26-year-old Sgt. Gary Stein's request for an emergency temporary restraining order to stop Thursday's planned hearing. Stein faces an "other than honorable" discharge for starting a Facebook page called Armed Forces Tea Party to encourage fellow service members to exercise their free speech rights. The military has had a policy since the Civil War limiting the free speech of service members, including criticizing the commander in chief. Stein has been a Marine Corps member for nine years.

Watermen Say Crab Season Off To Good Start

Maryland, it's crab season.

And area watermen say it's off to a good start, said 11 News reporter Nadia Ramdass.

While area crabbers usually wait until the water gets warmer before they go after crabs, some are already dipping into the Chesapeake Bay.

Jesse Lowers at Lowers Crab Shack & Fish Market has already been harvesting Maryland's favorite food. "Our first Maryland crabs of the season came out of our pots yesterday. These are all male crabs that just came out of the mud."

With the warm temperatures experienced over the winter, Lower said he saw a slight increase of crabs in local waters. But he's still waiting for his big catch, which he expects will be in a few weeks when the waters get even warmer, said Ramdass.

Lowers said he has one concern: "One thing we're a little concerned about is there's a whole lot of female crabs now because of the restrictions they put on them a couple of years ago."

TRAFFIC ALERT 4-6-12

Route 1, Pavement & Rehabilitation Project Will Require Nighttime Lane Closures

Beginning Monday, April 9

Milford
-- The Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that a pavement and rehabilitation project will begin on Monday, April 9. Intermittent lane closures will occur on Route 1 northbound from Cedar Neck Road to Tub Mill Pond Road, just east of Milford. This project will consist of patching and hot-mix overlay.

This work is being performed during the night to decrease impact on commuter traffic during the day.

Northbound lane closures will occur from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m., Monday through Friday.

American Infrastructure-MD, Inc. is the contractor for this $2.9 million project. Route 1 northbound construction is anticipated to be completed by May 23, 2012.

Variable message signs will be posted to alert motorists of the upcoming construction. Motorists are advised to drive with caution, slow down in work zones, and expect delays.

Vote Tally Narrows In 1st District

A new tally has narrowed Wendy Rosen's lead over John LaFerla in the Democratic primary in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

Unofficial results posted Thursday by the State Board of Elections show Rosen ahead by 88 votes out of 24,489 cast in the election Tuesday. She held a 126-vote lead a day earlier.

The new tally includes votes from a Smith Island precinct that were counted Wednesday.

The board is also counting more than 1,200 Democratic absentee ballots. That process will end April 13.

The winner will face Republican freshman Rep. Andy Harris.

The district includes the Eastern Shore and parts of parts of Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties.

Rosen, of Cockeysville, is a professional advocate for American-made products.

LaFerla is an Eastern Shore physician from Chestertown.

Source

Mega Millions Jackpot Claimant On Ticket: I Misplaced It

Mirlande Wilson Claims To Have Hit Historic Jackpot

BALTIMORE
-- A woman who claims to have the winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Maryland claimed Thursday to have lost the ticket, according to WBAL-TV 11's NBC sister station, WRC-TV, in Washington, D.C.

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FDA Says ADHD Drug Shortage To End In April

If you fill prescriptions to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), such as Ritalin or Adderall, you know the generic versions of these medications have been in limited supply since 2011. But drug makers have told the Food and Drug Administration that they will release enough medication--particularly the short-acting versions of these drugs--in April, which should end the shortage, according to FDA spokesperson, Shelly Burgess.

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Possible Compromise On Pension Shift, Taxes

With just four days left in the Maryland General Assembly session, House and Senate budget negotiators appear to be moving closer to a compromise.

The conferees had disagreed all week over when to shift the cost of teacher pensions from the state to county governments, and they disagreed over the size of an income tax increase.

Late today, Senate budget negotiators offered to accept the House proposal to phase in a pension split over three years wwith half of the county portion shifting in the first year, 75 percent in the second and 100 percent in the third year. The Senate originally wanted to phase-in the shift over four years.

Senate budget negotiators also proposed accepting the House passed income tax increase.

That measure would increase income tax rates for individuals with a taxable income above $100,000, and joint filers earning above $150,000. Exemptions would also be limited above that income level.

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State Roundup, April 5, 2012

As end of session nears with no budget passed and a raft of bills not voted on, tensions rise in the State House; O’Malley continues to pitch for passage of wind bill and businesses see opportunities; General Assembly ready to pass corkage law; 1st Congressional District Democratic primary still up in the air; 6th District’s U.S. Rep. Bartlett looking forward to race against Dem John Delaney; and as some major Dems rally around Delaney, Sen. Pres Mike Miller offers Delaney his endorsement, sort of.

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