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Wednesday, January 09, 2013

Daily Times Begins Campaign to Re-Elect Ireton

The Daily Times has officially kicked off its campaign to re-elect Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton and to replace incumbent councilwoman Debbie Campbell.  The DT and its "reporter" Jeremy Cox have shown in recent days that Ireton and his political ally Jacob Day (who is running for Campbell's seat) can say or do anything while be guaranteed positive coverage.  Albero can expect, at a minimum, that every wart will be exposed and his statements will be twisted to portray Albero in a negative light.  Simply look at the articles covering the three candidates' respective announcements.

Jim Ireton -

Ireton is portrayed as a "man on a mission".  According to the DT, Ireton can "tout a number of those accomplishments" but "he (Ireton) believes there’s still much left to do."

Ireton takes credit for a 40% reduction in crime along with several other accomplishments which have occurred during the last four years:

Some of the things that have taken place since Ireton’s entry into the Mayor’s Office include the creation of a tenant’s bill of rights, the demolitions of the Thrift Travel Inn and Linens of the Week buildings, a 40 percent reduction of violent crime rates over four years and a $16 million surplus in city funds.
 Of course, if the DT cared about accurate reporting rather than using its front page to pimp its own political agenda they would have INFORMED its readers of the following:

  • The idea to participate in the state's "Safe Streets" program (credited with having a major impact on the city's crime rate) came from council president Terry Cohen ... NOT Jim Ireton.
  • Ireton refused to take up improved police pay until AFTER the council took up the issue and Ireton risked political embarrassment.
  • Ireton wanted taxpayers to pick up the tab for the Thrift Travel Inn demolition.  It was the council, led by Debbie Campbell, which insisted that the bank which owned the property pay for the demolition.
  • The "Tenant's Bill of Rights" was, again, a council initiative ... NOT Ireton's.

What the Daily Times chose to OMIT is even more damning.

During his announcement Ireton made the outrageous statement that he had fulfilled all of his promised from his 2009 run for mayor:
When was the last time a politician could look you in the eye and tell you he did exactly what he promised when he ran for office? Well, I can and I’m proud of it.
If you simply look at Ireton's 2009 announcement (from November, 2008), it's a laundry list of promises made but not kept.  My personal favorite is his promise to engage in "civil debate".  I guess standing on street corner and calling council members "racists" is Jimmy's version of civility.

However, Ireton's current claim that he has not raised property taxes is possibly the most disturbing statement he has made recently.  The only reason property taxes are not higher is because the COUNCIL refused to raise property taxes.  Despite the fact that council gave Ireton almost every spending item he requested, he threatened to VETO the FY 2013 because he didn't get his tax hike.


Jacob Day -

A nice guy who supports Ireton's left-wing politics and simply wants to rubber stamp Ireton's every whim and folly, Jacob Day can count on full throttled support from Jeremy Cox and his employers in his quest to unseat Debbie Campbell:

One of the problems is the council majority, which includes Campbell, and its lack of vision for the city, Day said.
“I think we have a great example with the mayor, but he doesn’t have a partner on the City Council,” he said.

Either Day, who Cox attempts to portray as a cross between Superman and Cincinnatus, is grossly misinformed about city issues (at least I hope it is mere ignorance).  Time and again, the council has attempted to provide every one of Ireton's proposals a fair hearing.  How many times has Ireton CHOSE to hold a press conference and ATTACK members of council rather than simply sitting down with them and providing honest answers to honest questions.

As for "vision", Day should look at Campbell's work on the crime issue and her recent accomplishment regarding the former River's Edge condo project.  I have to assume that Day views Ireton's plan to turn valuable riverfront property into a subsidized housing project as "VISIONARY".

Joe Albero -

If you are Joe Albero, legitimate criticism of an opponent's public statements and public record is an "ATTACK".  If you are Joe Albero, a promise to sit down and work with the city council - NO MATTER WHO SITS IN THOSE FIVE CHAIRS - to move the city forward is being a "close ally".  If you are Joe Albero, being a successful serial entrepreneur who wants to make the city more business-friendly is being a "former owner of a light bulb manufacturing firm".  If you are Joe Albero, recognizing that a life-long government employee is ill-prepared to persuade businesses to invest in Salisbury's future is blaming a "part-time elementary school teacher".

If you are really interested what Joe Albero is running on, I would suggest that you read his announcement address.  I don't think that you'll find a balanced, accurate portrayal from Cox or his paper.

I am sure that Cox would claim that he is accurate in his reporting.  Well, if you ever saw the movie "Absence of Malice" you would know that there is a big difference between accuracy and truth.  There is also a little thing called "context".  If you compare the Albero piece to the articles on Ireton and Day you see a huge difference in tone.  If you are relatively well informed about Salisbury politics and policy, you would know that there are inaccuracies in all three articles.  When it comes to Ireton and Day, the Daily Times reverts to the "he said, she said" journalism it is best known for - wrap a statement, true or not in quotes and claim that you have no responsibility to research or or ask follow questions.  In the case of Albero, take even the most positive statements and shade them as negatively as possible.

I think the voters of Salisbury deserve better.  I wish our local paper should step up to the plate.  Call me Pollyanna.

G. A. Harrison is a guest contributor to SBYNews.



Teacher Stomps on American Flag inside Classroom

A South Carolina school district has launched an investigation into a high school teacher who allegedly threw an American flag on the floor and stomped on it as a classroom full of students watched.

Mark Bounds, a spokesman for the Lexington –Richland5 School District, confirmed to Fox News that an English teacher at Chapin High School was placed on leave as they investigate the incident.

“There were allegations that at a teacher took a flag down from the post in the classroom and stepped on that flag as part of the lesson,” Bounds said, indicating the act was repeated in several other classes. “It was not a spontaneous act, but one he worked into the lesson.”

 More

The Magician's Con: Renewing FISA And The NDAA Under Cover Of The Fiscal Cliff Debates

“If the broad light of day could be let in upon men’s actions, it would purify them as the sun disinfects.”~ Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis

What characterizes American government today is not so much dysfunctional politics as it is ruthlessly contrived governance carried out behind the entertaining, distracting and disingenuous curtain of political theater. And what political theater it is, diabolically Shakespearean at times, full of sound and fury, yet in the end, signifying nothing.

Played out on the national stage and eagerly broadcast to a captive audience by media sponsors, this farcical exercise in political theater can, at times, seem riveting, life-changing and suspenseful, even for those who know better. Week after week, the script changes – the presidential election, the budget crisis, the fiscal cliff, the Benghazi hearings, the gun control debate – each new script following on the heels of the last, never any let-up, never any relief from the constant melodrama.

The players come and go, the protagonists and antagonists trade places, and the audience members are forgiving to a fault, quick to forget past mistakes and move on to the next spectacle. All the while, a different kind of drama is unfolding in the dark backstage, hidden from view by the heavy curtain, the elaborate stage sets, colored lights and parading actors.

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CURRENT TV STAFFERS NOT HAPPY ABOUT BEING SOLD TO AL JAZEERA

Al Gore may have gotten a multi-million dollar payday from his new friends at Al Jazeera, but his Current TV employees don't seem very excited about being sold to the Qatar-based network.

Current TV employees were called to an early staff meeting in San Francisco and via teleconference at the New York and Los Angeles offices in order to be introduced to their new Al Jazeera bosses.

Ehab Al Shihabi, executive director of Al Jazeera's international operations, and Muftah Al Suwaidan, general manager of the London bureau, were in attendance; so was Al Gore's partner, Joel Hyatt. But Al Gore, Current TV's global warming-pushing star, was nowhere to be seen.

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Ben Cardin In Crisfield Tomorrow

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin will be in Crisfield tomorrow (Thursday).

From 2:15 to 2:45 he is going to be doing a driving tour of the town.

From 2:45 to 3:15, he is going to do a tour of the Disaster Recovery Center, and at 3:15 he will make some remarks.

His staff have told me that he would particularly like to meet and thank you guys, the volunteer leaders, who have helped in so many ways. If any of you are available tomorrow, I would suggest coming to the DRC at the Ambulance squad around 2:45 p.m. to meet our Senator.

15 Worst Companies For Customer Service

Some of the industries that Americans depend on most are plagued by bad customer service.
Utilities, airlines, and cable companies are among the worst lead, according to the latest results from the American Consumer Satisfaction Index.

Limited competition and the fact that many customer interactions occur after problems like service interruptions help push those industry's ratings down.

By far the biggest ratings drop was for Northeast Utilities, which left customers fuming due to long storm power outages.

The bottom tier also includes LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, which were only recently included in the survey.

BULLIES: OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SUMMONS NRA TO WHITE HOUSE

Vice President Joe Biden, who is heading up the President’s task force on gun control proposals,announced Tuesday that he would be meeting this week with the National Rifle Association, among other groups.

And his timing is just a bit suspect; the day before meeting with the NRA, Biden will be meeting with gun control organizations and shooting victims. Presumably, his welcome for the NRA will be somewhat less hearty.

The NRA, under heavy public pressure thanks to the White House’s bully tactics after the Sandy Hook massacre, said it would visit the White House to “hear what they have to say.”

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Rep. Harris Press Release

Rep. Harris Announced as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee

WASHINGTON, DC
—Representative Andy Harris (MD-1) released the following statement regarding the official announcement of his Chairmanship to the Subcommittee on Environment by Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (TX-21):

“I am honored to continue my Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Environment of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. I look forward to working with Chairman Lamar Smith and the other members of the Committee to ensure we have a productive session that encourages scientific development and promotes economic growth.

“As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, my primary responsibility will be oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make sure they use sound science and are transparent during the regulatory process. The approaching vacancy of the EPA Administrator is an opportunity to find someone who shares these objectives. I will be working closely with Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2) who will serve as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment. I know he will be a worthy colleague who shares these values and understands the need to work toward free market solutions for environmental protection and job creation.”

Established in 1958, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over all non-defense federal scientific research and development. Specifically, the Committee has partial or complete jurisdiction over the following federal agencies: NASA, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, FEMA, the U.S. Fire Administration, and United States Geological Survey, among others.

District Toughens Up Requirements For Welfare Recipients

City will suspend payments to those who defy requirements

District lawmakers on Tuesday voted to withhold benefits from welfare recipients who deliberately ignore programs designed to help them improve their lives, capping a rancorous debate but irking legislators who had hoped the city would impose tougher sanctions.

The council's 11-2 vote will allow the District to implement "full-family sanctions" against participants in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program who repeatedly defy program requirements like completing job training programs.

Under a compromise agreement, the city will withhold welfare payments for up to one month. Mayor Vincent Gray's original plan called for the District to block compensation for up to three months before requiring the recipient to reapply for aid.

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SVEN & OLE

Sven and Ole, Two Minnesota engineers were standing at the base of a flagpole, lookingup. A woman walks by asks what they were doing.
"Ve're supposed to find da height of dis flagpole, "said Sven, "but vedon't haff a ladder."

The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a couple of bolts, andlaid the pole down on the ground. Then she took a tape measure from her pocketbook, took a measurement, announced, "Twenty one feet,six inches,"
and walked away.

Ole shook his head and laughed. "Ain't dat just like a voman! Ve ask ferda height and she gives us da length!"

Sven and Ole have since quit their engineering jobs and are currently serving in the United States Senate.

FIND OUT HOW POLICE USED PROVISION IN HEALTHCARE LAW TO CONFISCATE MAN’S CAMERA AND CHARGE HIM WITH CRIMES

As a bloody-faced man was frisked by sheriff’s deputies and loaded into an ambulance, 28-year-old Andrew Henderson was recording the scene with his video camera — as he regularly does with law enforcement.

But as he recorded outside his apartment building in Little Canada, Minn., Henderson was approached by one of the deputies, Jacqueline Muellner, who then ripped the camera out of his grip.

“We’ll just take this for evidence,” Muellner said, the voices of the officers captured on Henderson’s cellphone. “If I end up on YouTube, I’m gonna be upset.” A copy of the cellphone audio was provided to the Pioneer Press.

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Bingomania Returns To The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center On Saturday, February 9th

(Salisbury, MD) Bingomania, the Eastern Shore’s largest bingo cash prize event, returns to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Saturday, February 9th. Doors open at 5:00pm for early bird games and regular games begin at 7:30pm.
Admission to Bingomania includes all regular and special games, including the Jumbo Jackpot Game. Regular game payouts are $500 while special games will pay out $1000. The Jumbo Jackpot Game pays a maximum of $10,000 depending upon attendance.

Increase your chances of winning and help a local food bank at the same time by bringing three non-perishable food items to the game. Those that do will receive three additional cards for the first early bird game.

Tickets are $45 per person in advance and $55 per person at the door (fees may apply to ticket prices). Tickets are on sale now at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office (500 Glen Ave., Salisbury, MD; M-F, 8am-6pm), online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org and by phone at 410-548-4911.

All proceeds benefit the Mardela Middle and High School Bands. For more information contact the Mardela Band-Aides at 410-677-5170.

Biden: Obama Prepared To Take Executive Action On Gun Control

President Obama will likely take executive action in an effort to tamp down the recent rash of gun violence, Vice President Biden said Wednesday.

“The president is going go act,” said Biden, who is conducting meetings all week on gun control. “There are executive orders, executive action that can be taken. We haven't decided what that is yet, but we're compiling it all.”

He said last month's Newtown, Conn., tragedy — which took the lives of 20 elementary school children — “touched the heart of the American people so profoundly” and “requires immediate, urgent action.” 

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Redskins' RG3 To Undergo Surgery On LCL This Week

Operation will reveal whether he tore ACL

Robert Griffin III will undergo surgery to repair his torn lateral collateral ligament. And that's when the real issues might begin.

When Dr. James Andrews operates on Griffin's right knee later this week, he also will need to determine the extent of damage to Griffin's other ligaments, notably the ACL. Multiple reports stated that Griffin tore his LCL, but any damage beyond that has yet to be determined.

What the doctors find could determine whether Griffin plays in 2013 or not. Under normal circumstances, a torn ACL would sideline an athlete for seven to 12 months.

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Cupid's Love Is Raining Cats & Dogs!

A Gala Valentine's Day Cotillion for
Animal Lovers to
Benefit the Wicomico
Humane Society.
Saturday, February 16th 6pm-10pm
Wicomico Youth and Civic Center
Silent Auction, Dinner, Dancing and more!

Tickets are $35/person, to purchase, please stop by the Wicomico Humane Society or contact
Kayla Christiano at events@wicomicohumane.organd 443-366-5455
Please bring your favorite cocktail, wine or beer to celebrate with your sweetheart.Want to celebrate with a group? Reserve an 8 top table for only $250

For more information visit our websitewww.wicomicohumane.org.

Serious Accident On Ocean Highway

The Pocomoke Fire Company is on the scene at Ocean Hwy. and Brantley Road. The accident involves a tractor trailer and a motor vehicle with entrapment. 

Virginia Eyes Killing Gas Tax, Raising Sales Tax To Pay For Roads

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Tuesday proposed eliminating the state gas tax drivers pay at the pump and raising the state sales tax to help raise $3.1 billion for desperately needed road work by 2018.

McDonnell's proposal would axe the 17.5 cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline, making Virginia the first state to do so. He proposed raising the statewide sales tax from 5 percent to 5.8 percent and to use the additional revenue for road maintenance and to pump up the transportation trust fund.

"If this was easy it would have been done 26 years ago," McDonnell said. "The time for action is now."

McDonnell's transportation plan would also gradually shift 0.25 percent of existing sales tax revenues to pay for road maintenance, with the first $300 million earmarked for Northern Virginia to help pay for Metro's Silver Line to Washington Dulles International Airport.

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QUOTES OF THE DAY 1-9-13

Joe Biden on culturalism: “In Delaware, the largest growth of population is Indian Americans, moving from India. You cannot go to a 7/11 or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent. I’m not joking.”

John Conyers on the Health Care Bill, which he voted for: “I love these members, they get up and say, ‘Read the bill … What good is reading the bill if it’s a thousand pages and you don’t have two days and two lawyers to find out what it means after you read the bill?’”

John Kerry on the troops: “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”

Howard Dean: “We know that no one person can succeed unless everybody else succeeds.”

Al Gore: “During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet.”

Joe Biden on the economy: “The number one job facing the middle class, and it happens to be, as Barack says, a three-letter word: jobs. J-O-B-S.”

Joe Biden on History: “When the stock market crashed, Franklin D. Roosevelt got on the television and didn’t just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed. He said, ‘Look, here’s what happened.”

Marion Barry, former mayor of Washington, DC: “If you take out the killings, Washington actually has a very very low crime rate.”

Senator Chris Dodd, while on the campaign trail: “Eight more days and I can start telling the truth again” Sen. Chris Dodd, on the campaign trail.

Jerry Brown, governor of California: “The conventional viewpoint says we need a jobs program and we need to cut welfare. Just the opposite! We need more welfare and fewer jobs.”

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on the newly passed health care law: “We actually have not required in this law that you carry health insurance.”

Radio personality Ed Schultz on elections: “If I lived in Massachusetts, I’d try to vote ten times … Yeah that’s right, I’d cheat to keep these bastards out. I would. Because that’s exactly what they are.”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters on socialism: “Guess what this liberal would be all about? This liberal will be about socializing…uh, um…Would be about, basically, taking over, and the government running all of your companies.”

Senator Harry Reid on Barack Obama: “…light-skinned,” and with “no negro dialect.”

Ex-Sheriff's Department Commander Pleads Guilty

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) - The former commander of the Criminal Investigations Division of the Carroll County Sheriff's Department has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor misconduct in office.

Nicholas Plazio entered the plea Tuesday in Carroll County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to three years supervised probation, a $5,000 fine and 500 hours of community service.

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Perdue Seeks Up To $2.5M In Poultry Pollution Case

Perdue Farms is seeking up to $2.5 million in attorney fees following its victory in a poultry pollution case that had been closely watched by environmentalist and agriculture interests for its potential impact on the industry, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The poultry giant is seeking to recoup attorney fees from the New York-based Waterkeeper Alliance, which sued the company and an Eastern Shore contract grower, Perdue spokeswoman Julie DeYoung said.

The poultry giant said in its filing U.S. District Court in Baltimore that the environmental group continued to litigate what it called a groundless case after learning that an uncovered pile of what was claimed to be chicken manure turned out to be harmless. The company also said the court had noted that while defendants are "not normally entitled to recover their legal fees, such an award would not be unprecedented."

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Crane Collapses In NY

A construction crane collapsed in Queens Wednesday, injuring seven people, authorities said.

The crane tipped at 46th Ave. and Center Blvd. in Long Island City about 2:20 p.m., authorities said. Three of the injuries were serious, authorities said. Two of the injured workers were taken to New York-Presbyterian Cornell hospital and five to Elmhurst Medical Center.

Investigators were trying to determine what caused the equipment to collapse.

The crane is owned by New York Crane, whose owner, James Lomma, was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide charges stemming from the 2008 crane collapse on the Upper East Side that killed two construction workers.
More

Australia Adds New Color To Temperature Maps

Global warming is turning the volume of extreme weather up, Spinal-Tap-style, to 11. The temperature forecast for next Monday by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology is so unprecedented — over 52C - (around 125 degrees Fahrenheit) that it has had to add a new colour to the top of its scale, a suitably incandescent purple.
Australia's highest recorded temperature is 50.7C (123.3F), set in January 1960 in South Australia. The record for the hottest average day across the nation was set on Monday, at 40.3C, exceeding a 40-year-old record. "What makes this event quite exceptional is how widespread and intense it's been," said Aaron Coutts-Smith, the weather bureau's climate services manager. "We have been breaking records across all states and territories in Australia over the course of the event so far." Wildfires are raging across New South Wales and Tasmania.

Australia's prime minister Julia Gillard said: "Whilst you would not put any one event down to climate change, weather doesn't work like that, we do know over time that as a result of climate change we are going to see more extreme weather events and conditions."

Is Your Vehicle Winter Ready?

Even though we're still not feeling those temperature drops, it's always a good thing to make sure your vehicle is "winter ready."

And if you haven't done so already, The List has some basic tips from Hunt Valley's own CARCHEX you should follow each year:

1. Battery – Test your battery to ensure posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has proper amounts of water it needs.

2. Fresh Oil & Filter – This is the most neglected area by car owners. Oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, and if it’s too thick it won’t do the best job of keeping your engine lubricated. Check your owner’s manual for recommended intervals and which oil to use in different climates and temperatures.

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The Global Food Economy: Peak Food, Social Unrest, And Bailed-Out Credit-Junkies

Beginning with Malthus' warning to the world and the Great Irish famine, David McWilliams (of Punk Economics) provides his typically succinct, profoundly fascinating, and graphically pleasing insights on the state of the global food economy. "What happens when hungry people panic?" is the question McWilliams poses; "they move to other parts of the world," he rhetorically answers, adding that this could well be the story of the next 50 years on Earth as the rock of the insatiable demand of seven billion (soon-to-be-ten-billion) people smashes into the hard place of the planet's limited resources to produce that one thing that keeps us all alive - food. The food dilemma is more complex though as it is really an energy dilemma - one that is not going away (on the downside). On the bright side, Malthus' nightmare has yet to occur thanks to the ingenuity of humans. However, if all the world's seven billion people consumer as much as the average American, it would require the resources of over five planet Earths to sustainably support all of us. So either the rest-of-the-world eats less to allow Americans to eat more or we are stuck! But it's not just how much we eat, but what we eat...

In fact the change in diet of the Chinese and Indian and Brazilian populations is one of the biggest undocumented stories of globalization - driving up food prices dramatically and punishing the poorer nations (not to mention the inexorable currency devaluations that Central Bankers are slooshing unintendedly to these nations capital markets)

Furthermore, McWilliams rightly ties social unrest to these dramatic food price rises... must watch!

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BREAKING NEWS: No Players Elected To Baseball Hall of Fame

Baseball Writers' Association picks no one for the Hall of Fame this year, skipping several top players suspected of steroid use.

From Fox News

BREAKING NEWS: Biden Suggests Executive Action On Gun Control

Vice President Joe Biden says President Obama could use executive action -- and bypass Congress -- to toughen gun control laws. 

More

Attempted Child Abduction - Federalsburg MD

Attempted child abduction -  Federalsburg MD
On 1/8/13, at approximately 3:00 PM Officers of the Federalsburg Police Department received a complaint of an "Attempted Child Abduction" in the Town of Federalsburg, MD, near the 300 block of West Central Avenue. The suspect attempted to abduct a 12 year old child. The suspect was using a vehicle in the attempted abduction. 
The description of the suspect is: 
- A Black Male 
- Bald 
- With a Medium Complexion 
- Wearing a red sweatshirt with blue jeans 
- Red necklace with beads and a Jesus with a cross on it. 
The vehicle used was described as: 
- An older model sedan 
- Whit or Eggshell colored 
- Possibly an "Oldsmobile" 
- Dark tinted windows 
- A dent on the rear drivers side 
- Had black steel rims with no hubcaps 
- Chrome cover at the bottom of the door that was dirty

Instructions:

Please contact the Federalsuburg Police Department at 410-754-8966 or 410-479-2515 if you should have any information on the suspect or the vehicle used.

Civil Rights Activist's Widow To Be Part Of Inauguration

The widow of civil rights activist, Medgar Evers, will deliver the invocation at President Barack Obama's second inauguration.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Tuesday that Myrlie Evers-Williams would deliver the prayer. It comes 50 years after her husband was gunned down in the driveway of his Mississippi home.

The inauguration falls on January 21, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day Evers-Williams is a distinguished scholar at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. She was also the chairwoman of the NAACP from 1995 to 1998.

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Caption This Photo 1-9-13


Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Sued in Maryland for Unpaid Taxes

Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac were sued for unpaid transfer taxes by a Maryland county, which argued in a federal court filing that the home-mortgage finance companies can’t claim a government exemption from property fees.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac aren’t qualified for the exemption because they have been federally chartered, publicly traded, private-stock corporations since March 31, 2003, according to the complaint filed by Montgomery County yesterday in U.S. District Court in Beltsville, Maryland.

The companies “are not and have not been agencies, departments or instrumentalities of the United States for any time applicable to the claims made in the action,” according to the complaint.

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FEAR AND CAPTURE

When you add up everything we face, as freedom-loving Americans, it is truly scary. Everything from NDAA to the government tracking money on deposits overseas to the creation of 30,000 new laws in 2012 alone, the noose is tightening around our necks on a daily basis.

A recent financial article on Zero Hedge (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-01-06/what-new-swiss-bank-account-looks) even suggested the only safe place to “offshore” money was Russia. And Gerard Depardieu, a former French citizen, was just awarded Russian citizenship in his efforts to escape 75% taxes imposed by the French socialist government. Kind of crazy, when you think about it. A former communist country now a “capitalist destination”?

Our country is completely broken. The government has become dictatorial. The will of the people is meaningless. There are no longer “checks and balances” in government or in the media. Everything has been captured, and fear and lies substitutes for truth. The government is trying to control every aspect of our lives as it sees fit, and our rights as guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights are under constant threat. It’s the typical fascist playbook.

The real victims of all the wars: the war of terror, the war on drugs, the war on poverty; have been the American people. Vast government agencies are now in place, monitoring our every communication and action. We are the victims, and unless we do something to slow the progression, we are going to end up the same place as all fascist states throughout history.

The new USSA and America 2.0 is not what the founding Fathers had in mind

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Federal Court Deems Solitary Confinement Of Mentally Ill Cruel And Unusual Punishment



Indiana’s confinement of mentally ill prisoners in solitary confinement is cruel and unusual under the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment, a federal judge ruled last week in one of just a handful of decisions on the severe treatment. In a sweeping class action ruling that affects all current and future mentally ill patients subject to segregated confinement in the state, U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt found that the “effect of segregation on mentally ill prisoners in Indiana is toxic to their welfare,” exacerbating their condition and severely limiting their chances for rehabilitation:

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I Saw A Movie Once…


FOUND Chow Chow Near Eden/Allen - LOOKING FOR OWNERS


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
 
A beautiful apricot Chow wandered up on our property Christmas Day.  We had seen him in our neighborhood for over a week just wandering from home to home and living in the woods.  My husband was able to entice him with some food and the dog began eating out of my husbands hand.  Needless to say he has been living with us since.  However, as we have several pets we can not keep him.  We have notified the Wic. Humane Society,  Somerset Humane Society, Dog Control.  We have checked to see if the dog has a chip implanted - alas none.  We have checked with local groomers, and boarders, all to no avail.  So, we are looking for a loving family to adopt this big guy. 
 
Description:
 
Male Chow, apricot in color, guessing around 3 to 5 years of age.  Has recently been groomed.  Very friendly, loves attention.  He has definitely been house broken and is used to being in the house.  He loves to ride.  Just a word of caution.  After speaking to our vet concerning the type of disposition this dog has we were told they are very loyal to their owners, however, they can be aggressive toward strangers, we were told to be very careful around young children and smaller pets.
 
If anyone is interested or knows of someone who has recently lost their Chow please contact us as we would sincerely love to find his original owners or free to a good home.  We live in the Salisbury area, closer to Fruitland/Allen.
 
 
Blessings
Debbie Smith

Tony Perkins Upset That ‘Goofy’ Yoga Classes ‘Driving Religion Out’ Of Military



Christian conservative leader Tony Perkins is upset — this time, about yoga classes being offered to military members.

Why? Because the “goofy” style of exercise has been used as a “wacky” substitute for a “personal relationship with God,” effectively driving religion out of the military.

At the beginning of his radio address this morning, the Family Research Council head declared: “In the military, it’s out with God–and in with the goofy!”

“As part some new training, Marines are being asked to join weekly yoga and meditation classes,” he explained. “Sergeant Nathan Hampton said the idea took some getting used to. ‘Why are we sitting around a classroom doing weird meditating stuff?’ he wondered.”

Fisher-Price Recalls to Inspect Rock 'N Play Infant Sleepers Due to Risk of Exposure to Mold

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2013
Release #13-087
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 432-5437
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908



























Fisher-Price Recalls to Inspect Rock 'N Play Infant Sleepers Due to Risk of Exposure to Mold

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should immediately inspect this product and stop using it if mold is found. Units currently in retail stores are not included in this recall to inspect.
Name of Product: Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper™
Units: About 800,000 units
Importer: Fisher-Price Inc., of East Aurora, N.Y
Hazard: Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper when it remains wet/moist or is infrequently cleaned, posing a risk of exposure to mold to infants sleeping in the product. The CPSC advises that mold has been associated with respiratory illnesses and other infections. Although mold is not present at the time of purchase, mold growth can occur after use of the product.
Incidents/Injuries: Fisher-Price has received 600 reports of mold on the product. Sixteen consumers have reported that their infants have been treated for respiratory issues, coughs and hives after sleeping in the product.
Description: This recall to inspect includes all Fisher-Price Rock N' Play infant recliner seats called sleepers. The sleeper is designed for babies up to 25 pounds and is composed of a soft plastic seat held by a metal rocking frame. The product has a removable, fabric cover that is sold in 14 patterns and color palettes.
Sold at: Mass merchandise stores nationwide and online since September 2009 for between $50 and $85. Units currently in retail stores are not affected by this recall to inspect. Only products that show signs of mold after use by consumers are included in this announcement.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately check for mold under the removable seat cushion. Dark brown, gray or black spots can indicate the presence of mold. If mold is found, consumers should immediately stop using the product. Consumers can contact Fisher-Price for cleaning instructions or further assistance. Cleaning and care instructions can also be found at www.service.mattel.com or by contacting the firm.
Consumer Contact: Fisher-Price; at (800) 432-5437, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.service.mattel.com for more information.

Fill In The Blank 1/9/13


Things are______.

Taco Bell Worker Speaks After Hours Cut To Avoid Health Insurance Mandate


OKLAHOMA CITY -The Taco Bell in Guthrie cuts its full-time employees' hours to avoid mandates under the new health care law.

Now, a mother of three who works at that restaurant is speaking out. Under the Affordable Care Act, any company that has more than 50 full-time workers falls under the new health insurance mandate.

We talked to the company that owns the Guthrie restaurant today, and it confirmed the cuts. Now, employees there aren't allowed to work more than 28 hours a week.

Johnna Davis has worked at the Taco Bell in Guthrie since September. She's seen a 200 dollar cut in her paycheck since a new store policy went into effect.

"What we were being told was one thing, and that was, ‘we're going to offer benefits, we'll just keep all of our full time employees and then come December, their whole story changed," Johnna Davis said.

She says her manager held a meeting before Christmas, saying employees' hours would be cut in the new year.

"Nobody, Left Or Right, Really Thinks The Math Works, No Matter What They Say In Public"

We Are the 98 Percent

The only way to finance a big European-style state is to have it paid for by massive taxation of everyone, mostly the middle class. Right now, we are avoiding honest debate on this fact.

The central issue of our time is the debate over the size and scope of government. Two unpleasant but undeniable mathematical truths limit the feasible policy choices. The recent sound and fury of the fiscal cliff follies in the end signified nothing because the resolution was in fact just a denial of both truths.

The first truth is that the current tax rates cannot support the promises made to middle-class Americans. The most unaffordable items in fiscal projections are Social Security for everyone and government-sponsored health care for the middle class. You cannot preserve these even with Draconian slashing of military, infrastructure, welfare, education, and other expenditures.

The second truth is that you cannot pay for the Life of Julia, or any vision of a cradle-to-grave welfare state, without massive and increasingly regressive middle-class taxes. The poor don't have the money to pay for a European-style welfare state, and the rich, rich as they are, don't have anywhere near enough.

Not only that, it's easy to tax middle-class assets and transactions — things like payrolls, sales, and real estate — but soaking the rich means taxing investments. Investments are complicated and can be restructured to minimize taxes. Also, investments are the lifeblood of economic growth. Raising significantly more taxes from the rich also requires higher marginal tax rates — and their rates are already quite high. High marginal rates distort the economy and yield less revenue than anticipated because they increase the rewards for legal and illegal tax avoidance.

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Parents Seeking Later Start To School

More than 2,350 people have signed an online petition to start school later in Anne Arundel County.

A group will deliver the petition Thursday to the county school board and schools Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell. The group, a grass-roots coalition called Start School Later, plans to present the petition during a public hearing on the school system’s proposed 2014 budget.

Heather Macintosh, co-leader of the county’s chapter of Start School Later, said seven or eight group members plan to use their three minutes of speaking time to urge the school system to start school no earlier than 8 a.m.

The group also doesn’t want buses to pick up students before 7 a.m. It has safety, health and academic performance concerns.

Investment Tip

Just thought I'd pass along some advice my broker gave me today...
I asked him, “Should I move to precious metals, foreign currency or what?”
He responded,"If the current President is in office much longer, canned goods, water and ammunition are probably your best bet." AND...... He went on, "Don't even bother watching the Oscars. The Chosen One will have already won Best Actor"

WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE ABOUT CHUCK HAGEL?

In the fortnight since Chuck Hagel’s name was floated for secretary of defense, we have witnessed Washington at its worst.

Who is Chuck Hagel?

Born in North Platte, Neb., he was a squad leader in Vietnam, twice wounded, who came home to work in Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign, was twice elected U.S. senator, and is chairman of the Atlantic Council and co-chair of the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

To The Weekly Standard’s Bill Kristol, however, Hagel is a man “out on the fringes,” who has a decade-long record of “hostility to Israel” and is “pro-appeasement-of-Iran.”

Lest we miss Kristol’s point, Standard blogger Daniel Halper helpfully adds that a “top Republican Senate aide” said, “Send us Hagel, and we will make sure every American knows he is an anti-Semite.”

The Wall Street Journal’s Bret Stephens continued in this vein.

“Prejudice … has an olfactory element,” he writes, and with Hagel, “the odor is especially ripe.” Stephens is saying that Chuck Hagel reeks of anti-Semitism.

Hagel’s enemies contend that his own words disqualify him.

First, he told author Aaron David Miller that the “Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up there” on the Hill. Second, he urged us to talk to Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran. Third, Hagel said several years ago, “A military strike against Iran … is not a viable, feasible, responsible option.”

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Board Fed Up With School Bomb Threats

Twenty-two officials from law enforcement, education and the government met at the Allegany County Board of Education’s central office Monday to discuss ways to increased penalties for those who make bomb threats at schools.

“We have dealt with too many bomb threats over the years. I believe there needs to be more severe consequences,” said Allegany County Superintendent of Schools David Cox.

“Some people see this as a prank,” said school board member Mike Llewellyn.

“On the day of the shootings at Sandy Hook we had a bomb scare. It sent chills down my spine,” Llewellyn said.

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Today's Survey Question 1/9/13

How do you pay your bills?

(By check or online)

Bill To Put Squeeze On Toll Evaders Begins To Take Shape

The days of getting a free pass at Maryland's toll plazas might soon come to an end for scofflaws who have been cheating without fear of penalty.

The General Assembly will be asked to toughen the toll evasion law to include a $50 citation — and the possible suspension of vehicle registration.

"That's the biggest hammer we could possibly have," said Harold Bartlett, executive director of the Maryland Transportation Authority, the agency that runs toll bridges, tunnels and roads.
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CIRCLING THE DRAIN

Large Cities All Over America Are Degenerating Into Gang-Infested War Zones
By Michael, on January 6th, 2013

Large U.S. cities that the rest of the world used to look at in envy are now being transformed into gang-infested hellholes with skyrocketing crime rates. Cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Camden, East St. Louis, New Orleans and Oakland were once bustling with economic activity, but as industry has fled those communities poverty has exploded and so has criminal activity. Meanwhile, financial problems have caused all of those cities to significantly reduce their police forces. Sadly, this same pattern is being repeated in hundreds of communities all over the nation.

The mainstream media loves to focus on mass shooters such as Adam Lanza, but the reality is that gang violence is a far greater problem in the United States than mass shooters ever will be. There are approximately 1.4 million gang members living in America today according to the FBI. That number has shot up by a whopping 40 percent just since 2009. There are several factors fueling this trend.

Unemployment among our young people is at an epidemic level, about one out of every three U.S. children lives in a home without a father, and there are millions of young men who have come into this country illegally and have no way to legally support themselves once they arrive in our cities. Gangs provide a support system, a feeling of “community”, and a sense of purpose for many young people. Unfortunately, most of these gangs use violence and crime to achieve their goals, and they are taking over communities all over America. If your community is not a gang-infested war zone yet, you should consider yourself to be very fortunate. If nothing is done about this, the violence and the crime that is fueled by these gangs will continue to spread, and eventually nearly every single community in the United States will be affected by it.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the large cities all over America that are degenerating into gang-infested war zones…

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A Surge In Mid-Shore Cat Populations Makes Healthy, Happy Solutions Tricky



EASTON - With resources limited by budget and staffing constraints, local humane societies face a concerning challenge with keeping tabs on the growing number of feral and stray cats in the area.

While Talbot Humane currently has a more comfortable number of 100 cats, down from the 200 cats they had in November, 67 of those 100 are strays that were brought in or abandoned.

And that is just Talbot County.


Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release 1-9-13

On January 5, 2013 at approximately 2249 hours, Worcester County Deputies were dispatched to the Masonic Lodge, Trappe Rd, Berlin, Worcester County, Maryland, for two pedestrians struck by a vehicle. A BOLO was issued for a silver pickup truck heading toward Rt. 113 that had fled the scene. An off duty NRP unit in the area located the vehicle and stopped it at Germantown Rd and Trappe Rd. The vehicle was occupied by 4 persons, one of whom was identified as Cedrick Fooks 20 years of age from Bridgeville De.

Investigation revealed a grey Toyota Tacoma pick up had struck two pedestrians. Witnesses stated the vehicle swerved into the two victims. Both victims were transported to PRMC for their injuries. Witnesses positively identified Cedrick Fooks as the driver of the vehicle when it struck the victims.

Further investigation revealed that Fooks and one of the victims had an altercation prior to the incident. Witnesses stated Fooks drove the vehicle up and down the roadway several times. Once Fooks observed the victim walking he swerved the truck into him and the other victim causing injury.

Fooks was charged with two counts of First and Second Degree Assault, Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving, Driving without a License, Failing to return to and remain at scene of accident involving bodily injury, Failure to stop vehicle at scene of accident involving bodily injury, and Failure to render aid at scene of accident involving bodily injury. Fooks was taken before the court commissioner and held on $150,000.00 bond.

HAPPY 100TH ANNIVERSARY FEDERAL RESERVE


Ben Bernanke: “Inflation is well contained.”


Florida Governor Inflates Cost Of Medicaid Expansion By 2,500% To Avoid Implementing Obamacare

Internal email messages uncovered by Health News Florida reveal that Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL) is knowingly citing inaccurate cost estimates to justify his refusal to expand Florida’s Medicaid program. Though the governor’s office is fully aware that the numbers are wrong, Scott continues to use them anyway, the documents show. 

Florida, which has one of the highest rates of uninsurance in the nation, could extend health coverage to about one million low-income residents by accepting Obamacare’s optional Medicaid expansion. But the governor — an ardent Obamacare opponent — has repeatedly said that expanding Medicaid would just be too expensive, claiming it would cost the state $26 billion over the next 10 years.

O’Malley Discusses Some Main Points Of Session, Expresses Hope For Death Penalty Repeal

Gov. Martin O’Malley said Tuesday the state Senate is within two votes of approving a ban on capital punishment in Maryland, and the governor underscored that job creation and transportation funding concerns will be top priorities in the legislative session.

By most counts, O’Malley said, 22 of the 24 senators needed to approve a death penalty ban have expressed a willingness to support a ban in the session that begins Wednesday.

“And I think it’s very possible that there are two more senators that would vote to repeal,” O’Malley added, speaking to reporters after an annual lunch with Maryland Democrats. 

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U.S. Troops Discharged For ‘Homosexuality’ To Receive Full Severance Pay

Thanks to an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit, former members of the United States Armed Services who were honorably discharged for “homosexuality” will receive their full severance pay.

“There was absolutely no need to subject these service members to a double dose of discrimination by removing them from the armed forces in the first place, and then denying them this small benefit to ease the transition to civilian life,” said Laura Schauer Ives, managing attorney for the ACLU of New Mexico. “This decision represents a long-delayed justice to these veterans.”

Those who serve for at least six years in the military are entitled to severance pay if they are involuntarily and honorably discharged from service. However, the Department of Defense only provided half pay to service members who were honorably discharged for homosexuality. The policy was adopted in 1991, two years before Congress enacted “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”


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Buy A Bus Ticket For Fernando's Upcoming Fight In New York

EXCITING MIDDLEWEIGHT PROSPECT FERNANDO GUERRERO WILL BATTLE PETER QUILLIN IN THE WBO TITLE FIGHT SET FOR FEBRUARY 9TH AT BARCLAYS CENTER IN NEW YORK

Los Angeles, CA: Golden Boy Promotions and Showtime present Middle Weight contender Fernando Guerrero in his first title fight as he battles at becoming a WBO World Champion this February 9th in Barclays Center against current WBO Middle Weight Champion Peter Quillin, after his four consecutive wins since he was defeated in his fight against Grady Brewer in 2011.

Date:
· February 9th, 2013

Location:
· Barclays Center
620 Atlantic Avenue
New York, NY 11217

Time:
· Showtime begins at 5:00pm

Tickets:
· Visit ticketmaster.com. Prices start at $31.00

The Main bout will feature the world championship bout featuring WBA Super, WBC and Ring Magazine Super Lightweight World Champion Danny “Swift” Garcia against former Four-Time and Two-Division World Champion and Brooklyn’s own Zab “Super” Judah.

Marijuana Dispensary Operator Aaron Sandusky Sentenced To 10 Years

LOS ANGELES - A former medical marijuana dispensary owner on Monday was sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating three facilities in the Inland Empire.

Aaron Sandusky, one of only a handful of defendants to fight U.S. prosecutors, was convicted in October on federal charges of distributing marijuana.

Sandusky faced as much as life in prison, but U.S. District Court Judge Percy Anderson gave him the minimum sentence possible under federal guidelines.

"In this case, as the defendant was warned, the court's hands are tied," Anderson said. "Whether you agree with the defendant's position or not."

Sandusky was charged with conspiring to manufacture and possess marijuana with intent to distribute it, conspiring to operate a drug-involved premises and and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute it.


U.S. Government Using Terrorism Against The American People


We've documented that - by any measure - America is the largest sponsor of terrorism in the world.
But remember, terrorism is defined as:
The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.
The American government has also been using violence and threats to intimidate and coerce the American public for political purposes.
For example, the U.S. government is doing the following things to terrorize the American public into docility and compliance:

WCSO Press Release 01-09-13


Culture, Integrity And Questioning Authority

If you want to have your strongest and most positive impact on your culture, the way to do it is to live with integrity – meaning that you know your principles and you live by them and speak from them.

There are solitary creatures like pandas and bumblebees and there are social animals like wolves and wildebeests but we are the only living creatures on Earth who have culture. Culture is created when your knowledge, wisdom and innovations can be transmitted and have an impact over time and space, beyond your immediate influence.

With culture, when a problem is solved by one person, it has the possibility of being solved forever, and throughout the entire culture, which means that the culture can change in significant ways over time. While our human nature has not fundamentally changed over the millennia, our human culture has.

A culture contains and expresses the qualities that are common to groups of people living and working together; it is the capacity that we as human beings have to engage one another in creating a more complex and more advantageous way of life.

Our human culture has developed differently in different places, and within different groups of people. (Even the prehistoric culture of the San Bushmen that I wrote about in The San People of the Kalahari have a different culture than they did many years ago, incorporating bits of metal in their toolmaking, for example.)

If a culture values integrity and trust, the people within that culture are supported and encouraged by that culture to behave with integrity and in ways that engender trust. If a culture values violence and irrationality, the people within that culture are supported and encouraged to be violent and irrational.

In America, we often talk about how our culture is going to hell in a handbasket. This is not a new development; I would venture to say this sentiment is one of the defining features of our culture.

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