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Sunday, October 06, 2013

Community Helps Terminally Ill Soldier

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - A terminally ill soldier and his family received a lot more help than they could have imagined on moving day after a large response to a post on a well-known social media networking site.

After being contacted by someone close to the family, U.S Army W.T.F! Moments took action by posting a message to their Facebook audience of more than 328,000 people.

"BREAK, BREAK, BREAK - FT BRAGG people, a wounded brother is need of assistance!" - This message was all it took for approximately 100 soldiers, retirees, and civilians to show up to help a fellow soldier Sept. 2, at a home in Fayetteville, N.C.

Cars filled the streets as people arrived, ready to help the Petrie family move from their large rental home, to a smaller home they recently purchased.

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Sen. Edwards: Four More Garrett County Schools Face Closure

OAKLAND — If Gov. Martin O’Malley doesn’t provide emergency action to help alleviate the dire financial situation of the Garrett County Public School System, it could mean that the process for school closures could begin in the fall, according to a letter from Sen. George Edwards.

Edwards wrote to O’Malley requesting him to put in an administration bill, support one that Edwards puts in or request through the budget process to hold counties harmless from losing any money until the wealth formula is complete. The wealth formula will be looked at in the fall of 2014 and won’t be included until 2016.

“Because of past reductions, the Garrett County Board of Education has closed three schools over as many years and if the projected decrease in funding holds true, the Garrett County School Board is looking at closing four more schools, which would mean almost half of the schools in the county would close over a four-year period,” writes Edwards. “The school closures will be a direct result of the necessity to reduce the work force and continue program elimination.”

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Millsboro Man Killed In Crash In South Bethany

Location: Kent Avenue east of Black Gum Drive, South Bethany, DE

Date of Occurrence: Sunday, October 6, 2013, at 12:57 a.m.

Vehicle and Occupant:
Driver: Christopher Chapman, 33, of Millsboro, DE (not properly restrained, deceased)
Vehicle: 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier

Resume:
South Bethany- A Millsboro man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in South Bethany early this morning.

The incident occurred at 12:57 a.m. as Christopher Chapman, 33, traveled west on Kent Drive at a high rate of speed. Upon enter a sharp right turn in the roadway, Chapmen lost control of the vehicle, overcorrected, and the car left the south edge of the roadway while rotating counterclockwise. The vehicle, a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, traveled approximately seventy-eight feet on loose gravel before its passenger side struck a tree.

Chapman, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, died while being transported to Beebe Hospital by ambulance.

Kent Avenue was closed for three hours as the Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the crash.

Bicyclist Injured In Seaford Crash

Location: Sussex Highway (U.S. Route 13) north of Herring Run Road, Seaford, DE

Date of Occurrence: Saturday, October 5, 2013, at 7:24 p.m.

Vehicle and Occupant:
Driver: Mark Lowe, 51, of Laurel, DE (properly restrained, not injured)
Vehicle: 2012 Honda Civic

Bicyclist: David Emery, 48, of Seaford, DE (admitted to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in critical condition)

Resume:
Seaford- A crash yesterday evening left a bicyclist critically injured.

The incident occurred at 7:24 p.m. as Mark Lowe, 51, of Laurel, drove a 2012 Honda Civic south in the left lane of Sussex Highway (U.S. Rt. 13). As the vehicle approached Herring Run Road the side view mirror on the car's passenger side struck a bicyclist who was riding in the roadway.

The bicyclist, David Emery, 48, of Seaford, was ejected from the bicycle. Investigators have not determined the direction in which he was traveling prior to the crash. Emery was transported by ambulance to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing its investigation into this crash. No charged have been filed.

Shutdown Forces Owners To Leave Lake Mead Homes

Bob Hitchcock is in his “least favorite place” these days — inside his landlocked Las Vegas home instead of at his cabin on the North Shore of Lake Mead, tooling around with old engines in his garage.

He’s one of an estimated 60 families with vacation homes along the lake who were given notice by the National Park Service earlier this week to gather their stuff and leave, according to Christie Vanover, a spokeswoman for the Lake Mead Recreational Area.


The homes — from Stewart’s Point on the north to Katherine’s Landing and Temple Bar on the south — sit on federal land.

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Treasury Secretary Jack Lew: Obama Can’t Stop Default If Debt Ceiling Is Hit

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said Sunday that President Obama does not have any power to avoid default if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling before Oct. 17.

“The president does not have the authority to take action in that kind of a way,” Mr. Lew said on CNN’s “State of the Union” when host Candy Crowley asked if the White House could unilaterally take any action to keep the government solvent.

“The president consulted with his lawyers, and that’s the conclusion that he’s reached,” Mr. Lew, a former White House chief of staff, said.

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A Comment Worthy Of A Post 10-6-13

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "SFD Calls For Service 10-5-13":

Anonymous said...
Do you realize just what turning the SFD into a volley service would do to the city's economy. Yes it would save money buy not paying for the department to be staffed but did you ever think of the businesses the city would loose. Almost every single business north of the mall has a contract with the city stating that there has to be a paid and staffed fire department within so miles of their business.

October 6, 2013 at 10:25 AM

That is the biggest like that I have ever seen. You little thugs will do anything to justify your jobs. I say fire every damn one them.

I've got an idea. Produce the contract!!!

Pentagon Orders Most Furloughed Civilian Workers Back To Work

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is ordering most of its approximately 400,000 furloughed civilian employees back to work.

The decision announced Saturday by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is based on a Pentagon legal interpretation of a law called the Pay Our Military Act. That measure was passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama shortly before the partial government shutdown began Tuesday.

In a written statement explaining his action, Hagel said the Department of Justice advised that the law does not permit a blanket recall of all Pentagon civilians.

But government attorneys concluded that the law does allow the Pentagon to eliminate furloughs for "employees whose responsibilities contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members.'

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Cruz Wants To Link Debt Ceiling To Obamacare

Sen. Ted Cruz hopes to see congressional Republicans tie raising the debt ceiling to demands over President Barack Obama's health care law.

"We should look for ways to mitigate the harms from Obamacare," the Texas Republican said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

"The debt ceiling historically has been among the best leverage that Congress has to rein in the executive," he added, and it should be used that way on the president's health care law.

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First Public Memorial Renderings

National Memorial Montage

The National Desert Storm Veterans War Memorial


The design illustrations shown on this website for the National Desert Storm Veterans War Memorial are the result of a 20-month collaborative effort between the National Desert Storm War Memorial Board of Directors (NDSWMBD), numerous veterans of the war, CSO Architects, Inc., Context Landscape Architecture, and other citizen contributors who were affected by the war. During the process, the NDSWMBD and the Design Team (CSO & Context) sought a great deal of input from many stakeholders and from many veterans of the war. After months of research, surveys, contemplation and Board review sessions, the design team incorporated the Board’s and veterans’ heartfelt thoughts and suggestions directly into the memorial’s design in an effort to create a fitting, meaningful and memorable memorial experience for visitors and for those most affected by the war.

The Desert Storm War Veterans’ Survey

At the outset of the process, a survey was distributed to all Desert Storm veterans in the Board’s database. The survey was also posted on the Nationaldesertstormwarmemorial.org website in order to give an opportunity for all interested veterans to contribute their thoughts and suggestions. As many veteran opinions as possible were sought. The survey asked veterans the following 5 questions:

1. What do you believe was the most historically significant or important accomplishment of the Desert Storm War?

2. What do you believe should be remembered or memorialized for our descendants about this conflict for posterity?

3. What do you believe a National Desert Storm Memorial should look like?

4. What do you believe a National Desert Storm Memorial should symbolize?

5. Please share any other thoughts, stories, letters, photos or artifacts that you wish.

All of the survey responses were tabulated into a Summary Report and then studied carefully by the National Desert Storm War Memorial Board of Directors and by the Design Team. The following (6) ideas were found to be recurring themes that were repeatedly expressed by the surveyed veterans as important and which should be reflected somehow in the memorial’s design:
The historical significance of so many nations of the free world coming together for a common cause should be a focus of the memorial. The war effort was not a unilateral US effort, but rather a multinational coalition of 34 nations. It was suggested that the design might include a “roll call of nations” or 34 symbolic pillars.
The memorial’s design should somehow reflect or recreate the desert environment where the war was fought. It might include a rippling sandstone wall or sand dune-like element.
All of the names of the fallen should be engraved into the memorial. A gold star might be incorporated for each life that was lost.
The memorial should include a lifelike statue of soldiers wearing protective masks and chemical warfare protective gear.
The memorial’s design should illustrate the “Left Hook” maneuver that was used to flank the Iraqi forces.
Bronzes of the campaign ribbons might be incorporated.

Daily Times Delivers Awesome Article: SPECIAL REPORT: What Wicomico County Leaders And Employees Earn

Some Wicomico leaders paid six figures, but pay comparable to other countiesSALISBURY — How much people earn is a taboo topic, yet annual salary determines which jobs people take or don’t take, the type of house they can afford, and whether they’ll stay with an employer.

Some salaries are private, while those of government employees are not. Their pay is public because it is the taxpayers who support their jobs financially.

As the first in a series of articles that will explore and explain public employees’ salaries throughout the Lower Shore, The Daily Times looks today at how Wicomico County’s employees are paid, what its overtime policies are and how people increase their yearly earnings.

The Top 10 salaries belonged mainly to department heads in fiscal year 2013, with Wicomico County Director of Administration Wayne Strausburg as the highest paid employee at $125,400. Director of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Gary Mackes was a close second with a salary of $120,700.

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Gavin Stephens Sentenced

According to court records Gavin Stephens has been given 15 years in jail with 7 of those years suspended. He also was given 4 years of supervised probation.  The other 33 charges were listed as Nolle Prosequi

OK LIBERALS, HERE'S YOUR CHANCE

If Obamacare is so great and all you liberals stand behind it, prove to everyone you actually know what your talking about and why you support it so much. 

There has been much talk about people being confused about which plan to choose, do tell our viewers which plan is best for them and why. 

Now THIS, (Ladies & Gentlemen) will prove these liberals have absolutely no freaking clue what they're talking about. They are living in a cult, supporting a black man because he supports gay rights. Prove me wrong. 

OBAMA IS 100% RED, WHITE & BLUE AMERICAN BORN

Many Americans suspect Obama was foreign born. They are wrong. Boy do I have a story to tell you.

I believe Obama is a fraud. But it has nothing to do with his birth. Obama’s critics have it all backwards. They are looking in the wrong place. He isn’t a foreigner portraying himself as an American. He’s an American who fraudulently portrayed himself as a foreigner.

Months ago MSNBC television host Rachel Maddow spent 15 minutes on her national show calling me a “birther.” I scratched my head. Because I’m not. Never have been, not for one minute. A “birther” believes Obama is a foreigner, not legally qualified to be president. I have never believed that.

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South Carolina House Passes Bill Making ‘Obamacare’ Implementation A Crime

The South Carolina state House passed a bill Wednesday that declares President Obama’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to be “null and void,” and criminalizes its implementation.

The state’s Freedom of Health Care Protection Act intends to “prohibit certain individuals from enforcing or attempting to enforce such unconstitutional laws; and to establish criminal penalties and civil liability for violating this article.”

The measure permits the state Attorney General, with reasonable cause, “to restrain by temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, or permanent injunction” any person who is believed to be causing harm to any person or business with the implementation of Obamacare. 

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School Asks Officer Not To Wear Uniform On Campus

MESA, Ariz. - He's not the type of armed man on campus you'd expect parents to be concerned about -- but apparently a police officer dropping off his daughter at school was just too scary for some parents in Mesa.

And the school principal actually called that officer to ask him not to wear his uniform on campus ever again.

The issue was that other parents were concerned because he had a gun.

The officer, who works for the Coolidge Police Department, is a parent of a kid that goes to Entz Elementary School in Mesa.

The request made by school officials to not wear his uniform and gun on campus shocked and upset a lot of people.

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BREAKING NEWS: Multiple Injuries Of Bicyclists And Motor Vehicle

Wicomico Station 11, (Powellville) has been called to assist Snow Hill on a MVC with multiple injuries involving bicyclists on Shockley Road. 

Obamacare Facebook Erupts With Citizen Sticker Shock

On Thursday, the government's official Obamacare Facebook page was riddled with people expressing sticker shock over the government's high cost premiums after struggling for hours to wade through the technical failures vexing Obamacare exchanges all across the country.

"I am so disappointed," wrote one woman. "These prices are outrageous and there are huge deductibles. No one can afford this!" The comment received 169 "likes."

"There is NO WAY I can afford it," said one commenter after using the Kaiser Subsidy Calculator. "Heck right now I couldn't afford an extra 10$ [sic] a month...and oh apparently I make to [sic] much at 8.55/hour to get subsidies."

Another person shared a link found on the federal government's main Obamacare page listing premium estimates for small business employers:
The information is not very complete as I don't see anything about deductible or other detailed info, but it does given an actual price as to the "Premium." It is VERY SCARY!! For example, my insurance plan right now for my spouse and I costs $545 a month with 100% coverage after my $2500 deductible. We are both 32 years old. When I looked at this site for 80% coverage it says it will be $954.78 a month!!!! So compare my old Plan: 100% coverage for $545 a month To New Plan: 80% Coverage for $945 a month. This is only only an estimate but it is VERY Scary for me to see this kind of increase in rates and reduction in benefits!

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Have You Signed Up Successfully?

Joe, 

I would like to know who has successfully signed up for the Obamacare Health Plan or tried to sign up and realized the premiums and deductibles are too high. It would be good if they could prove this, but this may not work. It’s being reported all over the country, people aren’t signing up after they see what the “offers” are and the numbers are extremely low. How can we find out about our area? It’s obvious we have no other media types investigating this.

Letter To Governor O'Malley

Mr. Albero,

I penned the following letter earlier this week, and have sent it to Annapolis. A facebook post with the letter enclosed has been shared over 1,000 times on Facebook. Seems to be spreading father than I imagined it would, so I wanted to send it to you directly, rather than someone else sending it your way. Feel free to do with this what you would like. I would like to clarify that I am not trying to say that Police, Volunteer Firemen, and National Guard members do not deserve the tax breaks they get. They certainly do. I'm just trying to shed light on the current situation in Maryland, and how it is driving residents like me away. I would also like to clarify that these views are my personal views and are not the views of any branch of the military. I make these statements as a private citizen, not as a representative of the US Armed Forces. Take care.

Ian Insley

"Mr. Governor,

The writing of this letter is the last act I will perform as a resident of the State of Maryland. I have served on Active Duty for almost 10 years. I am preparing to depart active duty, and must make some choices in my life. My family has lived on Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore for generations, dating back beyond the revolutionary war. One of my ancestors served as a Lt Col during the Revolutionary War, and fought to free America from an oppressive British Government and establish freedom for our Nation. I have much pride in my heart for the amazing things that Marylanders have done throughout our history. However, due to your administration’s policies and taxes, I can no longer justify moving back to my home.


For the last 10 years I have paid Maryland State Taxes, while at most stepping foot on Maryland’s soil for 30 days a year. This to me, was the cost to say proudly that “I am a Marylander”. I watched as fellow service members received tax breaks, and benefits from their home states, in recognition of their service. Each year, I saw that there are tax breaks given to Police Officers, Volunteer Fire Fighters, and National Guard members. Nothing for Active Duty service members. This seemed a little unfair, but I complied.
As I began to consider the next chapter in my life, I looked at all my options. I could move back home to Maryland, where my family lives. This option after reviewing costs of living, taxes, and job market, was not possible. You have created an environment that is not desirable for people to live in. Working people that is. Your administration continues to take money out of the pockets of hard working men and women, and hand it over to un-deserving parties in the name of “equality”. I understand programs designed to give people in times of hardship a helping hand to get back on their feet. I also understand supporting individuals with medical/health issues that prevent them from being able to support themselves. However the guidelines and requirements for this aid should be more clearly defined. Providing un-supervised monies to individuals with no legitimate health or medical concern is ridiculous. If you are going to take my hard earned money and give it to someone who does not contribute to society, than there needs to be a paper trail right down to the last loaf of bread. There should be no option for these individuals to use these funds on anything other than LIFE NECCESSITIES.

Your tax policy has grown more and more ridiculous. Taxing homeowners for the rainwater that falls on their property was the last straw. I already pay considerably higher taxes than most of my co-workers and friends who are residents of other states. Recently, when I was married my wife and I had to decide whether she would claim Maryland of her taxes, or Hawaii, as we are currently stationed in Hawaii. If we had chose Maryland, which she was never a resident of prior to marriage, we would have paid twice the amount of income tax to state and local governments. This is ridiculous considering that money was not received in Maryland, and her only tie to the state is her Marriage to me.

I know that this letter will most likely fall on deaf ears. Your priorities are obviously not with people like me. Please know that it is with a heavy heart that I will be relocating to another State at the conclusion of my active duty service. I have already begun the process of changing my residency as my desire after my service is to move to Florida. The job market, housing market, and taxes are much more reasonable, and I will have more opportunities to succeed there in life. I ask you to consider the comments I have made here in regards to benefits for your active duty Marylanders. Although it is too late to change my outlook, or to benefit me, possible future changes could help someone else. Please don’t bother having someone draft an automatic draft letter thanking me for contacting you. I desire no return correspondence. I ask that you reply with action rather than empty promises on paper.

Ian D. Insley"

RAND PAUL CALLS OUT CNN ANCHOR AFTER SHE DECLARES OBAMACARE A GOP ‘OBSESSION’ AND ASKS WHY THIS OFFER FROM DEMOCRATS ISN’T ‘ENOUGH’

CNN anchor Erin Burnett invited Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on her program Wednesday to discuss the state of “negotiations” between Democrats, including the White House, and Republicans in Congress. Burnett argued that Obamacare has become a GOP “obsession” and asked the senator why the Democrats’ offer of a $988 billion spending cap wasn’t “enough” to end the partial government shutdown.

Paul said Republicans are doing their best to compromise with Democrats, but the Senate has rejected every single proposal from the U.S. House.

“We started out with a position that we don’t want any Obamacare,” he said. “The president wants all of it, 100 percent. I would think a compromise would be both sides come off of their positions some.”

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New Business Needed In Wicomico To Calm Economic Woes

SALISBURY — A new strategy is needed to get Wicomico County out of some rough economic waters, according to a financial sustainability study discussed this week.

Conducted by the Sage Policy Group, Inc., the report argues against either tax increases or spending cuts and instead urges the county to find ways to become more attractive to business and to improve quality of life for residents.


“They analyzed our revenue trends. They then studied our tax capacity relative to our tax effort,” Wayne Strausburg, director of administration, told the Wicomico County Council Tuesday.
Wicomico “finds itself in an extraordinarily difficult position,” began the report’s summary section. Despite having the highest income tax allowable under state law and being fourth out of 24 in property tax collection, once county and municipal taxes are considered, the county still struggles with funding. Because of this, there has been an increased reliance on state and federal support to fund things like county education instead of using local money.

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Jim Ireton Greets Parents And Students At Willards Elementary This Morning

Did Jim Ireton get transferred to Willards? He was seen early this morning greeting everyone coming through the doors and we were told, "I could recognize that voice before I ever saw him". They went on to say that this was not the way they wanted to start their morning. Maybe he's campaigning for something. Anthony Brown gave Jim the boot for Barbara Makulski. I wonder what it could be.

Driver In U.S. Capitol Car Chase ID'd As Conn. Woman

The FBI executed a search warrant in the city on Thursday in connection with a car chase from the White House to the U.S. Capitol that ended with the driver, a local woman, being shot to death, authorities said.

Stamford police were helping federal authorities as needed, Mayor Michael Pavia said. Police officers cordoned off a condominium building and the surrounding neighborhood in the shoreline city.

Condo resident Eric Bredow, a banker, said police told him the suspect in the car chase was one of his neighbors. 

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Breaking News Report Of Shots Fired In DC

FBI responding to Capitol, spokesperson says; cannot provide information on reports being fired - @washingtonpost

NBC employee on @msnbc: 10 or 15 gunshots in rapid succession; police were chasing a black vehicle up Constitution Ave in DC 

US Capitol in lockdown after reports of shots fired - @NBCNews 

US Capitol Police send out shelter in place notice to all Capitol Hill staff -@TPM 

3:30 PM Update
Report: Shots at Capitol related to vehicle that tried to ram barricade at White House, source tells

Report: Secret Service says a car slammed into a gate on the south side of the White House and then fled to the Capitol - @politico  

Mark Levin to Obama: You lay one hand on WW2 vets and I’LL BRING HALF A MILLION PEOPLE TO THAT MEMORIAL!

Mark Levin warned everyone on Capitol Hill that if they lay a hand on the WWII vets at the memorial to arrest them for visiting their own memorial, he’ll bring a half a million people to march on Washington. He says it will ignite a movement like they’ve never seen before:
I want to say this loud and clear to the people on Capitol Hill who are listening, to this administration. You lay one damn hand on one of those World War II vets at that memorial and I’ll bring half a million people to that damn memorial! You got that?!

I’m sitting here stewing thinking about this – playing these damn games? You’ll ignite a movement in this country like you’ve never seen before! The biker patriot army – veterans from all over the country, every single war and battle in this country, Republican, Democrat, Independent, whatever!
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Over 93% of EPA Employees Considered 'Non-Essential'

More than nine out of every ten employees at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are considered "non-essential" and have been furloughed in the federal government's shutdown. 

WW2 Vets Face Arrest For Visiting Their Memorial

This is an outrage!

An “Honor Flight” (the charity that brings World War II vets to visit their memorials in Washington, DC for free) is planning on bringing World War II vets to visit their memorial in Washington this weekend. But with the government shutdown, not only is the trip being threatened with cancellation, but the government is threatening to ARREST any vet who tries to enter the memorial! This is after the fact that on Monday, October 1st, World War II vets knocked down barriers blocking the WW2 memorial so they could visit it, which was “closed” because of the government shutdown. Nevermind that this memorial is outdoors and never, ever has barriers around it – so why the need now?

Honor Flight flys veterans to visit their memorials in Washington D.C. free of charge so they can see them. Most of these vets from the greatest generation have never seen the memorials built in their honor for saving the world from Nazi Germany and global tyranny.
 
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Government Shutdown 2013: Federal Workers Filing For Unemployment

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal workers who are furloughed because of the government shutdown are filing for unemployment benefits.

Najla Haywood, a spokeswoman for the D.C. Department of Employment Services, says all initial claims for unemployment should be filed online due to increased demand.

The agency says it's processing claims, but there might be delays for federal workers in order to verify their employment status while their offices are closed. There is a one-week waiting period before benefits are paid.

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6.1 Million Have Visited Healthcare.Gov

White House official: As of 3 pm, 6.1 million people have visited HealthCare.gov

Orders To Close World War II Memorial Coming Directly From White House

Herman Cain ·
Obama is ramping up his disgraceful tantrum. The White House is ordering more barricades, and the President is threatening to veto any stopgap legislation that would fund the memorials or honor veterans....

Obama threatens to veto spending measures to open parks, honor veterans....

Yesterday, groups of World War Two veterans did the unthinkable. After the White House denied a request to let veterans tour their memorial, the vets defied the feds and stormed the barricades. It was a defiant act that spat in the face of Harry Reid's decision to shut down the federal government. Today, we're learning that not only has the administration doubled down on its decision to keep vets from entering the site, but that the orders to do so are coming directly from the White House.

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GOVERNOR O'MALLEY STATEMENT ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

ANNAPOLIS – Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement on the federal government shutdown and its impact on Maryland:

"The federal government shutdown that Congressional Republicans forced upon us will needlessly hurt hardworking Maryland moms and dads who are federal employees; harm small and large businesses across Maryland -- including health, aerospace, and defense companies; and threaten our State's budget in a time of economic recovery."
"In this year's Maryland budget, we worked with the General Assembly to set aside funds to lessen the impact of sequestration -- another needless blow struck by Congress. We have flexibility on how to use these funds, and we're actively assessing all of our options so that we can minimize the harmful effects of prolonged Congressional recklessness on Maryland families and businesses."

For an analysis of the shutdown's economic impact on Maryland by the state's Department of Budget and Management, visit http://www.governor.maryland.gov/documents/federalshutdown.pdf

A Comment Worthy Of A Post 10-2-13

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Obamacare: Wrong In Practice, Wrong In Theory":

Why are we the only country in the world who can't get behind affordable healthcare for those most vulnerable?

Sure Obamacare is flawed absolutely, but wrong in theory? I'm not so sure about that.

Healthcare.gov Plagued By Crashes On 1st Day

The long-awaited opening of Obamacare was accompanied today by the long-threatened closing of the federal government.

Americans began shopping online Tuesday for health insurance on the new state exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act.

There were major problems all over the country. Websites were slow or crashed altogether, leaving a lot of folks angry and frustrated. The president noted that by 7 a.m., more than a million people had visited the main website: www.healthcare.gov.

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Black Biker Gang Behind SUV Attack In NYC


Here is what the local newspapers did not report about the mob of dozens of motorcycle riders who chased, stopped and beat the father of a young Asian family on a Sunday afternoon in New York City: One, the mob was black, says the police report. Two, this is merely the latest of several such examples of racial violence on wheels, witnesses say.

Except this one is on video. All six minutes and 27 seconds of it. Recorded on the helmet-cam of one of the members of the black motorcycle mob.
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Md. Officials See Progress, Say Former Inmates Less Likely To Return To Prison

Maryland’s recidivism rate is down. That means a larger number of people released after serving their sentences are not coming back to the prison system.

Political reporter Pat Warren explains officials see progress there.

They’re giving credit for the decrease to a partnership approach to inmate rehabilitation.

Andre Vince and every other student in the classroom is in detention; he’s learning a trade that may serve him better once he’s served his time.

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Crane Crashes In Downtown Salisbury

Two sources have informed Salisbury News that a construction crane has fallen over near the old Feldman's building and possibly into the water. 

UPDATE: It turns out its a sub contractor for the City working on a retainer wall and the crane crashed into the river.  

Game Over: Jesse Ventura Wants Howard Stern As Running Mate For 2016 Presidential Run

Jesse Ventura, a former boa-wearing fake wrestler who also somehow was elected governor of Minnesota, says that if he runs for president in 2016, he wants radio legend Howard Stern to be his running rate.

Ventura, a renowned conspiracy theorist who entertains the notion that the world is controlled by a council of seven genocidal people and believes 9/11 was an inside job, said that he has already talked to the 59-year-old Stern about the possibility.

“Well Howard and I, I floated it by him and he had some interest in it,” Ventura said in a appearance on conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ “eccentric” radio show last week.

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Yelling At Children As Harmful As Hitting, New Study Finds

Spanking has become taboo in many communities, and the favored method of discipline for unruly children across the country has become the time out. However, when children, especially those troublesome toddlers in the “terrible twos” start disobeying, many parents first result to yelling to communicate their displeasure. A new study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and published in the journal Child Development finds that yelling at children may be as harmful as hitting.

While this may come as a shock to parents, the study finds that children who were frequently yelled at, called names like “lazy,” or cursed at suffered even if the rest of the parent-child relationship was warm and stable. The effects of the negative language were not as visible as physical abuse to the average person, but rather the problems were more emotional and behavioral.

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Traffic Advisory Issued for 25th Sea Gull Century Oct. 5

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University has issued a traffic advisory for Saturday, October 5, as more than 7,000 cyclists are expected to participate in the 25th Sea Gull Century bike ride.
Heavy bicycle traffic is anticipated near the SU campus from 6-9 a.m., especially in the area of Route 13 along campus, Milford Street and South Division Street. South Division Street between College Avenue and Milford Street is open only to Sea Gull Century parking traffic during that time.
Bateman Street is closed to all vehicles throughout the day. Traffic restrictions prohibiting southbound traffic from East College Avenue on South Division Street should be expected throughout the afternoon. In addition, motorists may want to avoid Milford and Wayne streets, and the round-about in Fruitland. 
Three routes will take riders through Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester counties: the traditional 100-mile Assateague century, 100-mile Snow Hill century and 64-mile Princess Anne metric.
Riders will pass directly through the towns of Princess Anne, Pocomoke City, Snow Hill and Berlin. They will congregate at rest and water stops including Washington High School, Nassawango Golf Course, Cypress Park, Byrd Park, Whiton Crossing, Assateague Island State Park and the Powellville VFW.
Maryland State Police and local police will control the intersection of Route 12/Snow Hill Road at Route 354/Nassawango Road, and the intersections of Route 113 at Germantown Road and Route 376. Bicycle traffic is expected on Mount Hermon Road in the afternoon. 
Century coordinators encourage cyclists and motorists to exercise extra caution. Post-ride festivities are near SU’s Perdue and Henson halls. Bicycle traffic will be heavy near campus from 3-6 p.m. All riders should be off the roads by dark.
For more information call University Police at 410-543-6222.

Your Wicomico County Tax Dollars Hard At Work

Joe,

Word has it that Wicomico County Library personnel are being required to attend Obamacare training as a "In Service Day" library training session. I'd imagine state CPU's are in effect.

Also the computer labs are being used every Thursday to train Obamacare navigators for local County Health Departments.

VETS ‘KNOCKED OVER’ BARRIERS TO GAIN ENTRY TO WWII MEMORIAL DURING SHUTDOWN

Honor Flight veterans who were told they could not visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. because of the government shutdown reportedly “knocked over” the barricades erected by the National Parks Service on Tuesday in order to gain entry to the grounds.

The Honor Flight network is dedicated to annually transporting World War II veterans from around the country to the memorial in the nation’s capital, which is closed along with other national parks because of the shutdown.

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GOVERNOR O'MALLEY STATEMENT ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

ANNAPOLIS (October 1, 2013) – Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement on the federal government shutdown and its impact on Maryland:

"The federal government shutdown that Congressional Republicans forced upon us will needlessly hurt hardworking Maryland moms and dads who are federal employees; harm small and large businesses across Maryland -- including health, aerospace, and defense companies; and threaten our State's budget in a time of economic recovery."
"In this year's Maryland budget, we worked with the General Assembly to set aside funds to lessen the impact of sequestration -- another needless blow struck by Congress. We have flexibility on how to use these funds, and we're actively assessing all of our options so that we can minimize the harmful effects of prolonged Congressional recklessness on Maryland families and businesses."

Former City Of Fruitland Employee Sentenced





Was justice served in this case?  The above court records state George Calloway will get 2 years supervised probation, 1 years in jail which was suspended and have to pay $2,500 in restitution. Click HERE for the original post by SBYNews.

MD Gov ‘Leaks’ Gun Owners Private Info To 5 State Agencies While Stirring Up A Firestorm


Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has stirred up a hornets nest in Maryland by leaking the information of gun owners to several state agencies, including the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Human Resources. The privacy of over 38,000 Maryland residents is being violated by O’Malley in his attempt to jam through the approval’s of thousands of Marylanders gun ownership requests before new laws take effect on October 1st. Governor O’Malley’s office can be reached at 410-974-3901 or 800-811-8336; there is also contact information below for Maryland legislators. From MDShooters.com with a video report also below.:

We have confirmed earlier reports that on orders from Governor O’Malley, the Maryland State Police are sharing the personal information on 77R firearms purchase application forms with the following non-MSP government agencies:
• Department of Human Resources (DHR)
• Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Public Safety
• Correctional Services of Department of General Services

This will impact no less than the 38 thousand Maryland citizens who are currently still waiting for the MSP to “Not Disapprove” their applications to purchase a regulated firearm.

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If Obama Had A Sister Wife

The white girlfriends Obama erased from his past: How the President airbrushed his romantic history to burnish his credentials as a black leader

In a blistering new biography, Pulitzer-prize-win

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What Is A Clean Chesapeake Bay?

The definition of a clean Chesapeake Bay depends on who you ask. Here’s a look at how leading organizations define clean:
  • The Chesapeake Bay Foundation says a restored bay will score 70 in the nonprofit’s annual report card of bay health. This score combines 12 indicators, everything from nitrogen and oxygen to shad and oysters. Bay health scored 32 in the most recent report.

  • The Chesapeake Bay Program, the lead agency behind the cleanup, set goals for seven signs of bay health: crabs, rockfish, grasses, bottom habitat, oxygen, algae and clarity. These measures are charted annually in the program’s ”Bay Barometer” The only goal achieved so far is rockfish. A 1980s fishing moratorium restored that species. 
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Government Shutdown Would Hurt Workers, Md. Economy

WASHINGTON — A possible government shutdown starting Tuesday would cause federal agencies in Maryland to close or seriously cut back operations, resulting in significant hardship for federal workers, as well as declining economic output and lower tax revenue for the state.

A shutdown is possible because House Republicans have tied government funding in the new fiscal year to delaying or defunding the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.

“I was furloughed two days this summer,” said Pentagon police officer and Maryland resident Robert Voss. “I can’t afford to lose two more weeks of work. I’m a single father. Two weeks is a long time to go without a paycheck.”

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Wicomico School Board Targeting Homeschoolers

Here's an urgent update from the Home School Legal Defense Association about recent events impacting Wicomico County homeschoolers:

The Wicomico County Board of Education recently sent a letter to area homeschool families that misquoted and misapplied the Maryland homeschool regulations and made improper demands.

The letter referred to the annual verification incorrectly as a “notice of continuation,” and asked families to submit their verification on a form when no form is required.

The letter also asked families to submit the verification and any change of status to the school system, even though families in umbrella programs are required to submit these only to their umbrella program—not the school system.

The letter asked families to submit “proof of enrollment” in an umbrella program, but there is no such requirement under the Maryland homeschool regulations.

The form enclosed in the letter sought to obtain a great deal of information from families that they are not required to submit.

HSLDA Senior Counsel Scott A. Woodruff faxed a response to the board of education and asked the author to send a letter of correction to homeschool families.

Woodruff’s response, which includes a complete analysis of the many ways the letter and form overstepped the boundaries of the Maryland homeschool regulations, can be read here.

IMPORTANT INFO RE DELMARVA

On Monday I opened our monthly power bill and inside was a flyer (see the attachment) describing a new program that Delmarva will be implementing -- unless individual homeowners call the listed 800 telephone number on the flyer within 10 days - and request to "opt out" of the program.

If the homeowner does nothing, Delmarva automatically enrolls them in the program --- a program that gives Delmarva the right/ability to turn off the homeowner's AC or heat during "peak usage" periods. In addition, Delmarva will install a box - without an appointment - next to the AC or heat pump units allowing them to turn off the units remotely whenever they choose to do so.

I am very conscientious about reading all of the materials that accompany our bills, but I'm fairly certain that I'm the exception -- most people pull out the bill and throw away the rest of what they consider to be junk. In light of this, I am requesting that you send a memo to all of our members explaining this new program and its impact so that they can make a choice -- and "opt out," if they wish to do so.

Open for Delmarva Flyer

RINO's

Earlier, the United States Senate voted to fund Obamacare.

There were 25 Republicans who betrayed their principles and voted for cloture, giving Democrats the power to implement this terrible law.

This is a disappointing loss, but the bill now goes back to the House where Republicans must hold their ground and refuse to fund Obamacare.

Here are the 25 Senate Republicans who voted to allow Harry Reid(D-NV) and the Democrats to fund Obamacare today:
Lamar Alexander (R-TN) 
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) 
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
John Barrasso (R-WY) 
John Hoeven (R-ND)
Roy Blunt (R-MO) 
Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
John Boozman (R-AR) 
Mike Johanns (R-NE)
Richard Burr (R-NC) 
Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) 
Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Jeff Chiesa (R-NJ) 
John McCain (R-AZ)
Dan Coats (R-IN) 
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Tom Coburn (R-OK) 
Lisa Murkowksi (R-AK)
Thad Cochran (R-MS) 
John Thune (R-SD)
Susan Collins (R-ME) 
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Bob Corker (R-TN)

TOP DEM. ACTUALLY REFERS TO TED CRUZ SUPPORTERS AS ‘TEA BAGGERS’

Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) explained Friday the reason behind Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s request that a vote on cloture be moved from Thursday evening to the following afternoon: He wanted his “tea bagger” buddies to watch.

“The reason Ted Cruz stood up and asked for a delay is so that he could have a vote during today when the ‘tea baggers’ in his Tea Party were going to watch,” the Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee said Friday during an interview with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell.

“That’s why I’ve repeatedly said: the greatest deliberative body in the world has become the greatest delay body in the world,” she added, perhaps not realizing the irony of a high-ranking member of “the greatest deliberative body in the world” referring to her political opponents as “tea baggers.”

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Salisbury Residents Shouldn't Complain About Comcast

As most of you know I have been spending quite a bit of time in Ocean City. Because I'm here so much I decided to go ahead and hook up cable TV at the house. The experience of doing such deserves to be posted.

When I was living in Downtown Salisbury I also used Comcast for my cable and Internet access. Not being a big TV viewer I simply ordered the basic package and was charged $19.95 a month. When I asked how many channels basic cable was they told me I'd get nine, I got over 100 when I got home and hooked it up. INTERESTING. They asked how many remotes I'd need and I said, two. They said they'd be $5.00 a month each. I said, excuse me! She replied, oh, that's right. Your only getting basic cable so it will be $ .50 cents a month instead. Now, does that make any sense to any of you?

Nevertheless, I called on Friday to order basic cable for Ocean City and I experienced going through three departments just to get Comcast. The first department asked me for my wants and needs. Then there was the credit department, (even though I had just cancelled my Salisbury cable) and then there was to order department. OK, so basic cable in Ocean City is $39.95 a month, not $19.95 a month. 

Then there's a $50.00 fee to have someone come out and install the line and the one that brought me over the top was when they said I'd be charged $14.95 to PROCESS the order. After I told them where they could shove the entire order they chose to immediately drop that particular fee. 

Over the years I have heard my fair share of complaints about Comcast in Salisbury but I think once you hear what Ocean City residents are being charged Salisbury residents might chill out a little bit. My total bill for Internet and Cable in Ocean City is $79.95 a month.

When Running For Governor Of Maryland, Does A Maryland Upbringing Matter?

Would Maryland voters prefer a home-grown candidate for governor?

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler certainly seems to think so.

As Gansler (D) formally launched his 2014 gubernatorial bid with a 17-stop announcement tour last week, he mentioned his Maryland roots most everywhere he went. 

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Have We Reached Peak Federal Reserve?

As the Fed-induced asset bubbles in stocks, bonds and real estate follow the inevitable Supernova track to implosion, that we've reached Peak Federal Reserve will be obvious--in hindsight.

Billionaires and political lackeys alike have been falling all over themselves in the rush to praise the Federal Reserve's unprecedented monetary intervention since 2008. That billionaires and political hacks, apparatchiks and toadies cannot laud the Fed's Cargo Cult enough is no surprise: the billionaires and the government that feeds them both gained handsomely from the Fed's policies:

Government spending: up strongly since the Fed began pumping nearly-free credit and ample liquidity.

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Bush And The JFK Hit, Part 3: Where Was Poppy November 22, 1963?

What possible connection could there have been between George H.W. Bush and the assassination of John F. Kennedy? Or between the C.I.A. and the assassination? Or between Bush and the C.I.A.? For some people, apparently, making such connections was as dangerous as letting one live wire touch another. Here, in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the JFK assassination in November, is the third part of a ten-part series of excerpts from WhoWhatWhy editor Russ Baker’s bestseller, Family of Secrets: The Bush Dynasty, America’s Invisible Government and the Hidden History of the Last Fifty Years. The story is a real-life thriller.

Note: Although these excerpts do not contain footnotes, the book itself is heavily footnoted and exhaustively sourced. (The excerpts in Part 3 come from Chapter 4 of the book, and the titles and subtitles have been changed for this publication.)

For Part 1, please go here, for Part 2, go here.

“Somewhere in Texas”

George H. W. Bush may be one of the few Americans of his generation who cannot recall exactly where he was when John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

At times he has said that he was “somewhere in Texas.” Bush was indeed “somewhere” in Texas. And he had every reason to remember. At the time Bush was the thirty-nine-year-old chairman of the Harris County (Houston) Republican Party and an outspoken critic of the president. He was also actively campaigning for a seat in the U.S. Senate at exactly the time Kennedy was assassinated right in Bush’s own state. The story behind Bush’s apparent evasiveness is complicated. Yet it is crucial to an understanding not just of the Bush family, but also of a tragic chapter in the nation’s history.

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