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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Casey Anthony Detectives Overlooked Google Search

The Florida sheriff's office that investigated the disappearance of Casey Anthony's 2-year-old daughter overlooked evidence that someone in their home did a Google search for "fool-proof" suffocation methods on the day the girl was last seen alive.

Orange County sheriff's Capt. Angelo Nieves said Sunday that the office's computer investigator missed a June 16, 2008, Google search for "fool-proof" suffocation methods. The agency's admission was first reported by Orlando television station WKMG. It's not known who performed the search. The station reported it was done on a browser primarily used by the 2-year-old's mother, Casey Anthony, who was acquitted of the girl's murder in 2011.

Anthony's attorneys argued during trial that Casey Anthony helped her father, George Anthony, cover up the girl's drowning in the family pool.

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Utility Worker Pierced Pipe Before Mass. Gas Blast

A utility worker responding to reports of a natural gas leak in one of New England's largest cities punctured a pipe and an unknown spark ignited a massive explosion that injured 18 people and damaged 42 buildings, the state fire marshal announced Sunday.

Friday night's natural gas blast in Springfield's entertainment district was caused by "human error," State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said at a news conference. He didn't name the Columbia Gas Go. worker who pierced the high-pressure pipe.

The worker was trying to locate the source of the leak with a metal probe that tests natural gas levels when the probe damaged the underground pipe, Coan said. A flood of gas then built up in a building that housed a strip club, and a spark touched off the blast, officials said.

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Little-Known Maryland Tax Applies To Online Shopping

Bargain hunters are getting ready for Cyber Monday, the online shopping version of Black Friday.

But some shoppers may be unintentionally breaking the law when they make online purchases.

A law in Maryland called the "use tax" requires consumers to pay a 6 percent fee on their online purchases. Bethesda Patch reports that shoppers are supposed to pay this additional tax outside of what is levied by an online seller.

The tax applies even when residents cross the border into Delaware, which doesn't have a sales tax. But hardly anybody knows about the tax.

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SHOULD PARENTS BE ALLOWED TO HUMILIATE KIDS IN PUBLIC?

We have witnessed public humiliation being used by the courts as recently as last week when ajudge sentenced a woman to hold up a sign proclaiming that she was an “idiot” for driving on the sidewalk to avoid a school bus.

For the record, the woman was sentenced to hold up that sign for an hour, on two consecutive days during the morning time when most school buses and parents driving their kids to school would be passing that area. She also had her license suspended for a month and was hit with a $350 fine.


But, TheBlaze is wondering if parents should be allowed to discipline unruly kids by embarrassing them in public?

It happened this week in Palm Coast, FL where one set of frustrated parents (Mike & Melinda) forced Jasmine, their teen daughter, to stand on a busy street corner with a sign declaring:

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MAKER OF UNSKEWED POLLS CREATES ‘OBAMA VOTER FRAUD’ MAP — SEE WHICH STATES HE THINKS SHOULD’VE BEEN ROMNEY’S

Those arguing that President Obama’s victory in the election a few weeks back was due to fraud may have found a dubious ally in their quest to argue that Mitt Romney’s rightful victory was stolen from under his nose.

That ally is the much-mocked Dean Chambers, creator of the now arguably discredited website UnskewedPolls.com. Chambers, fresh off his last venture into arguing with numbers, has created the site barackofraudo.com, where he has posted this map, which he claims represents states that President Obama won by voter fraud:

Anyway, the polls were right. Chambers has moved on, launching
BarackOFraudo.com, “exposing how they stole the 2012 election.” It leads off with a map of the 2012 election that blacks out Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and Virginia. They are “states won by Obama fraud.” What’s Chambers going on for that?
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Frosty The Snowman Spotted On The Wicomico River


Obamacare Hits Restaurants Hard


Will the restaurant business survive a second Obama term? Can it? Since the president’s reelection earlier this month, four large restaurant chains,Papa JohnsApplebee’sDenny’s andDarden Restaurants (the company that owns the Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and LongHorn Steakhouse chains) have all recently released statements about their companies’ plans to respond to the increased costs of complying with Obamacare regulations. According to the healthcare law, every full-time employee must be provided with comprehensive medical coverage if the company employs more than 50 full-time workers. If a company refuses to comply, they will be faced with fines of $2,000 per year, per employee, as of January 1, 2014. 
The announcements from companies grappling with the increased costs of Obamacare have, expectedly, been met with disbelief and consternation by the left, still seemingly unaware of basic economics. Appearing on Fox News Business early last week, Applebee’s CEO Zane Tankel explained the steps his business would have to take in order to stay in operation:

Hispanics Favor Dems But Didn't Decide Election


After moments of panic in the immediate aftermath of Mitt Romney's defeat, some Republicans and conservatives are regaining their equilibrium on the issue of what the GOP should do about immigration and the Hispanic vote.
They're looking at key questions from the campaign, like how much of Barack Obama's victory was attributable to Hispanic support. They're also looking at the Hispanic electorate itself to see how big a role immigration, versus a wide range of other issues, played in voting decisions. The goal, of course, is to win a larger portion of the Hispanic vote, but first to take a clear-eyed look at what actually happened on Nov. 6.
And the lesson for Republicans is: Take your time. Calmly reassess your positions. Don't pander.

Unions vs. Democratic Mayors



The longstanding love affair between Democrats and organized labor is on the rocks.


Sure, the walkout by Chicago Teachers Union members caused havoc for kids. But I’ve been to public school, and I can tell you they didn’t miss much. 
The strike’s lasting damage was to the party that since at least the early 20th century has been labor’s best friend. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is not just some schmuck in the donkey party: He is President Barack Obama’s former chief of staff, the congressional leader behind the Democrats’ 2006 House takeover, a Clinton administration arm twister so feared that he is still known by his ’90s nickname, Rahmbo. 
But the strike made Chicago’s tough-guy mayor look like Chuck “Bayonne Bleeder” Wepner. Striking teachers dubbed him “Empermanuel,” accused him of having “no respect for us as people,” and even claimed (falsely, it turned out) that Emanuel was a fan of the Canadian alt-rock quartet Nickelback. When the teachers returned to work after more than a week on the picket line, they had scored a big pay increase and crippled the teacher-evaluation testing at the heart of the strike, a resolution Emanuel unconvincingly called an “honest compromise.”

NYC Storm Victims' Homes Looted Over Thanksgiving


NEW YORK (AP) — Some residents of a New York City neighborhood that suffered fire and flooding during Superstorm Sandy say thieves looted their damaged houses over Thanksgiving.
The New York Post reports (http://bit.ly/QgcssM ) that thieves struck at least three homes in the Breezy Point section of Queens.
One couple lost a $25,000 coin collection along with jewelry and watches.
The break-ins occurred Wednesday or Thursday when many residents were away for the holiday.

Drones

Despite receiving little attention from the Left or the Right during the election, our nation's drone warfare program continues to inflame anti-American sentiments across the world – particularly in volatile nations like Pakistan. 

And we ignore this semi-covert drone war at our own peril, because in the near future, those same drones will be flying over U.S. skies, too. In fact, they already are – assisting in law enforcement and anti-immigration missions. And this week, the Department of Homeland Security announced it plans to double its fleet of Predator drones flying inside the United States. Already, DHS has spent $250 million on a fleet of ten surveillance drones to fly U.S. skies – but according to the group California Watch, DHS signed a contract worth nearly $500 million to purchase an additional 14 drones to spy on us. DHS is also encouraging local police forces to purchase their own drones – and has dished out $4 million to local agencies to "accelerate" the purchase of unmanned surveillance drones. According to estimates from the FAA, we might have as many as 30,000 drones patrolling American skies by the end of the decade. If the countless dead civilians from our drone strikes abroad don't affect you, then the complete disappearance of your privacy rights at home will.

N.J. Battle On Minimum Wage

A battle over the minimum wage is brewing in New Jersey. Last week – Democrats in the state House moved legislation forward to boost the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50. The state Senate is expected to approve the legislation as well, but Republican state lawmakers are having none of it. Using Hurricane Sandy as an excuse, Republicans say raising wages will put an extra burden on storm-affected businesses. That argument was shot down by Democratic state lawmakers Donald Norcross, who blasted Republicans, saying, "I think jumping on the back of this storm to keep those people down is disgraceful." The legislation is expected to make its way to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's desk to be signed, and we'll get to see if one of the Republican Party's 2016 front-runners really stands with working people or the greedy corporate elite.

Have We Crossed The Global Climate Change Tipping Point?

The UN is warning we may have crossed the tipping point when it comes to global climate change. 

A new report by the UN World Meteorological Organization on Tuesday finds that greenhouse gases in our atmosphere reached in a new high in 2011 – rising to 390.0 parts per million. CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide, which are all considered the most potent greenhouse gases, all reached record levels last year, putting into jeopardy plans to prevent considerable warming of our planet in the future. As the agency's Secretary-General said, "Even if we are able to stop them tomorrow, these greenhouse gases will continue to have an effect for centuries." This report comes on the heels of a World Bank report warning of a 7-degree rise in temperatures by the end of the century inflicting enormous harm on the entire planet. It's time to wake up people – before the planet becomes hostile to the human species.

Did The United States Hack Into Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's Computer?

Those are the allegations coming from the French news magazine l'Express. They're reporting that the United States government hacked into the offices of the former French President before he was voted out of office earlier this year. The hack was allegedly performed though a sophisticated computer program known as Flame, which is capable of collecting files on a computer, taking screen shots, and using the computer's mic to record conversations. The White House has so far not commented directly on these allegations. But, if they were looking for some really juicy stuff – they should have hacked into former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's computer and gotten pictures and audio from all those Bunga Bunga parties!

More Than 2 Million To Lose Extended Unemployment Benefits If The Nation Tumbles Off The "Fiscal Cliff"

More than 2 million Americans are set to lose extended unemployment benefits at the end of the year if the nation tumbles off the so-called "fiscal cliff." 

And Republicans who consider such things as mere "gifts" that, they say, the nation can't afford, appear more than happy to let it happen. But as The Atlantic recently reported, the United States actually provides less generous unemployment benefits than most of the other developed nations in the world. Looking at numbers from the OECD, the United States ranks lower than Japan, Italy, Spain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Norway, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Israel when it comes to providing the unemployed with benefits. It's time for Conservatives in the United States to understand who the real "job creators" are. They aren't rich people demanding more tax cuts to stash in Swiss bank accounts. They're working class Americans who spend money, and thus keep the economy churning. That's why it's crucial to help these working-class Americans when they lose their jobs – and keep the economy going for the rest of us.

How Renewable Energy Is Rescuing Schools From Budget Cuts


As the new Richardsville Elementary School rose from its foundations on a rural road north of Bowling Green, Ky., fourth-grader Colton Hendrick was watching closely.

He would climb to the top of the playground equipment across the street and watch construction crews hauling in bamboo flooring and solar panels.

“He wants to be an architect some day,” recalled Manesha Ford, elementary curriculum coordinator and leader of the school’s energy team. “He would sit and draw, draw all the different aspects.”

But Richardsville Elementary would not only capture Hendrick’s imagination—it would come to inspire his classmates and school districts around the world. When Richardsville opened its doors in fall 2010, it was the first “net zero” school in the nation, meaning that the school produces more energy on-site than it uses in a year.

The Fight For Corn


In an era of food crisis, the fight for corn has intensified, and the importance of this grain – a staple of the diet of Mexico and a large part of the world – has been revealed to the fullest extent. The scenario we are faced with is a battle between a culture that revolves around the material and symbolic production of corn, as well as the cultural, social, and historical value placed upon this crop by humankind, and the network of commercial and political interests that sees this prodigious crop simply as another way to increase power and profit by means of plundering its native lands.

Corn is under imperialistic attack in its place of origin, primarily at the hands of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has increased Mexico’s food dependency. A popular resistance stands in opposition to this assault, playing its role in a geostrategic struggle exacerbated by climatic imbalances caused by global warming, as well as the corruption of the agroindustrial production model.

The Big Lie About The "Entitlement State"


In 1960, government transfers to individuals totaled $24 billion. By 2010, that total was 100 times as large. Even after adjusting for inflation, entitlement transfers to individuals have grown by more than 700 percent over the last 50 years. ... There are sensible conclusions to be drawn from these facts. You could say that the entitlement state is growing at an unsustainable rate and will bankrupt the country.

—David Brooks, “Thurston Howell Romney,” New York Times, September 17, 2012
Is the view that “entitlements”—government programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—“will bankrupt the country” a “sensible conclusion”? No. It’s scare-mongering of the “OH MYGOD WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!” variety, completely unjustified by a sober look at data on government transfer payments between 1960 and 2010.

New York Times columnist David Brooks starts the passage on entitlements in his September 17 column by noting that total government transfer payments have increased by an alarming-sounding 100 times over the last half-century. In the next sentence, he acknowledges that this figure is not adjusted for inflation. (Nor for population growth.) As it turns out, the “100 times” mostly reflects the increase in the general price level (more than seven-fold between 1960 and 2010) and the growth of the U.S. resident population (not quite doubled), not the growth in transfer programs specifically. Correcting for these factors, Brooks admits, the increase is just “700 percent.” One can only guess that he switched to percentage terms because he’s trying to sound scary, and “700 percent” sounds far scarier than “seven times.” (Brooks actually describes this figure simply as “after adjusting for inflation,” but it appears that he actually adjusted for both inflation and population growth.)

When Israel Says It Doesn't Target Journalists, It Is Lying


Last Sunday, the Israeli army attacked a building in Gaza City where local and international radio and television outlets are housed. As The Electronic Intifada’s Charlotte Silver commented yesterday, the Israeli army spokesperson admittedclearly and candidly that the army “obviously know there are journalists in the building.”

Six journalists were injured, including a Palestinian reporter who was resting when a missile struck the building, blowing off his right leg. Our correspondent Rami Almeghari wrote an important, harrowing story about the attacks from the journalists’ perspectives.


The death toll since last Wednesday has reached at least 100 across Gaza.

Priceless


Somerset County Sheriff's Office Press Release 11-25-12


Lauren Denay Reese of Crisfield, arrested 11-15-12 on warrants for 2nd degree assault, telephone misuse, reckless endangerment, and trespassing. Reese was held on a $ 25,000 bond.

Queen Osunwa of Princess Anne, arrested 11-15-12 on a warrant for 2nd degree assault. Osunwa was later released on a $ 5,000 bond.

Queen Osunwa of Princess Anne, criminal summons served 11-15-12  for telephone misuse, and harassment. Osunwas was released on signature pending court actions.

Ernestine Angum Mbah of Princess Anne, arrested 11-15-12 on a warrant for 2nd degree assault. Mbah was later released on a $ 5,000 unsecured bond.

Jamie Joshua Goodson of Cumberland Maryland, arrested 11-16-12 on two warrants regarding violation of probation. Goodson was held on a $ 20,000 bond.

Eric Jay Ward of Crisfield, arrested 11-16-12 on warrants regarding 2nd degree assault, and 4th degree sex offence. Ward was held on a $ 10,000 bond.

Janis Marie Harmon of Melfa Virginia, arrested 11-17-12 for driving on an suspended out of state drivers’ license, and not being restrained by a seatbelt. Harmon was released on signature pending court actions.

Stephen Wayne Carey Jr. of Eden, arrested 11-19-12 on a warrant for possession of marijuana, and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.  Carey was held on a $150,000 bond.

Bryan Alan Collier of Hebron, arrested 11-120-12 for driving on a suspended drivers’ license, and an equipment violation. Collier was released on signature pending court actions.

Paula Anselmo Bisset of Crisfield, arrested 11-21-12 on two warrants regarding failing to appear in court. Bisset was later held on  a $ 1,000 bond.

Don't Expect The Governor In Crisfield Any Time Soon For A Follow Up Visit

GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY'S PUBLIC SCHEDULE


Saturday, November 24, 2012

NO PUBLIC SCHEDULE
Sunday, November 25, 2012

NO PUBLIC SCHEDULE

Monday, November 26, 2012
  OFFICE SCHEDULE
Tuesday, November 27, 2012

OFFICE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 28, 2012
NO PUBLIC SCHEDULE
 
Thursday, November 29, 2012

NO PUBLIC SCHEDULE

Friday, November 30, 2012
OFFICE SCHEDULE

Two Southern Maryland Farmers Help Towards More Than One Million Pounds Of Produce Donated


Fifty-One Maryland Farmers Donate More than One Million Pounds of Produce to the Maryland Food Bank In five months, Maryland farmers have doubled last year’s contributions
So far this year, 51 Maryland farmers have donated more than one million pounds of fresh produce through the “Farm to Food Bank” Program – which equates to more than 769,000 meals, according to the Maryland Food Bank. Of the 51 farmers participating, 41 are on the Eastern Shore, four are in Washington County, three are in Baltimore County, two are in Southern Maryland, and one is in Anne Arundel County. Of the million pounds donated, just over 719,000 pounds came from the Eastern Shore.
 “I want to thank all the farmers who have participated in the Farm to Food Bank Program and done so much to help the citizens of Maryland who need them most,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “These farmers heard the Food Bank’s call for help and opened both their fields and their hearts to respond. We hope more farmers will decide to participate in the Farm to Food Bank program as they hear about it and see the good work it does for Maryland.”
The Farm to Food Bank program is in its second year. Last year, 27 farmers – all but one on the Eastern Shore – participated in the program and donated 515,000 pounds. Only five months into its fiscal year, the Farm Bank has received twice as much as it did all of last year.
All of the donated food stays in Maryland and is redistributed through the Food Banks’ 600 partnering agencies and organizations that provide food directly to families and other agencies across the state. 

Maryland Independence Cards


Hi Joe
 
I have to tell you about an experience I had today.  My wife and I went into the Twilley Centre - Dollar General - today to retrieve some paper towels, chips, and chocolate covered cherries.  We retrieved our goods and proceeded to the cashier to check out and were standing in line behind a girl that had a full cart of groceries.  The girl in front of us - here groceries totaled $91.42.  The cashier asked her how she wanted to pay for it and the girl submitted a bright orange Independence Card.  The cashier ran it through and said that she owed an additional $41.62.  So the girl reached into her pocketbook and pulled out a second Independence Card.  The cashier ran it through and then began to bag her goods.  
 
So I was next in line and since I had only a couple of items I paid in cash and was in and out of there in seconds.  Now get this - while my wife and I went out into the parking lot - guess what this young girl was driving.  She was driving a late model black Mercedes Benz equipped with shiny mag thin wheel rims and low profile tires.
 
The above incident is not just an anomaly - because it but seems as though no matter where I go into a grocery store in and around Salisbury, it is inundated with patrons who sport bright orange Indepedence Cards.  It seems as though it is now a standard operating procedure for the vast majority of Americans.
 
Good God - what has happened to our Country.  Forgive me for saying this - but I truly believe that it does not pay to work anymore. 

Ironic


Caption This Photo 11-25-12


Tea Party Vows To Stay For Long Haul, Takes No Blame For GOP Losses


Tea party leaders say they refuse to be the scapegoats for the drubbing Republicans took on Election Day, claiming it was the party establishment — not their insurgent movement — that cost the party seats in the House and Senate and returned President Obama to the White House.

In fact, various branches of the grass-roots movement vow to reassert themselves on the local and nation levels as Congress begins talks aimed at averting the “fiscal cliff.” They say their call for limited government is more relevant than ever before.

“As far as the tea party is concerned, we are still here,” said Amy Kremer, leader of the Tea Party Express. “We may not be out on the streets with the colorful signs like 2010, but we are here, we are engaged and we are going to continue to fight. We never thought this was a short-term process. It is going to take a long time to turn it around.”

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A Man Or A Woman: What’s The Diff?


The pansexual Left is daily making deeper inroads into the very heart and soul—and loins—of Western culture, intent, it seems, on sexualizing our children as if they were already mature and capable adults. Along with militant hatred of traditional customs, prurience masking as liberal complaisance has become one more ideological force eating away at the established and time-tested norms and usages that have characterized Western civilization and that have provided for its (now-threatened) durability. Traditional and even biological partitions have grown porous and some have fallen altogether, a phenomenon increasingly symbolized by the prefix “trans.”
One thinks of the European movement to dissolve nation states and replace them with a “transnational” entity, and now of the social and educational recognition of a new category of human beings, known as “transgenders” or the “transgendered.” Cultural and natural distinctions are in process of being wiped out and supplanted by a fetish for collective and undifferentiated existence—which is to say, we are toiling in an untenable paradox. We are all equallydifferent, we all possess the same rights to be what we want to be and to expect the world to acknowledge us as such, in defiance of both social and empirical reality.