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Friday, May 19, 2017

"Do you have any special skills?"

Sharks swim alarmingly close to a beach in South Carolina

A perfect beach day was interrupted by some unruly sharks that were spotted swimming alarmingly close to a South Carolina beach.

Beachgoers were shocked to see at least four large sharks swimming near the shoreline on Tuesday.

Cody Kinzer recorded a video showing the massive sea creatures lurking by the Garden City Pier, which is about five miles from Myrtle Beach.

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When supply exceeds demand, wages for Langley Park day laborers suffer

LANGLEY PARK, Md. — Each weekday morning, contractors in need of day laborers to paint, mulch or hammer pull their trucks into a small strip mall here and begin negotiating with job seekers. It takes just a few minutes for the price of human labor to decline — often below the state’s minimum wage — as men desperate for work underbid each other.

On a recent weekday, eight trucks pulled in over a two-hour period and separately negotiated with about 10 workers at a time. The bidding started at $12 an hour. But because there were more laborers than employers, the price frequently fell to as little as $5 per hour, significantly lower than the state’s mandated $8.75 minimum hourly wage and Prince George’s County’s minimum wage of $10.75 an hour. Although several workers cut deals at that low rate, Jose, a construction worker who moved to the U.S. from Guatemala 21 years ago, held out for higher pay — a decision that cost him a job at the time.

Even though Jose sometimes works for less than the $16 an hour he thinks he should be earning, he won’t bid himself down as low as the other workers. Day laborers make so little, he said, that they “have to work sometimes day and sometimes day and nights.” (Capital News Service is withholding the last names of day workers to protect them from possible retaliatory actions from employers.)

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Discounted amusement park tickets available at Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

SALISBURY, Md. - Are you craving the rush of a roller coaster or the smell of funnel cakes this summer? If you plan to visit one of the many amusement parks in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic regions, you can save money by purchasing discounted tickets from the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office.

Maryland Recreation & Parks Association 2017 Amusement Park Ticket Prices

Busch Gardens
Adult Gate Price: $80; Selling Price: $60

Water Country USA
Park open May 21-Sept. 5
Adult Gate Price: $54; Selling Price: $40

Diggerland USA (Under 36” free)
Gate Price: $36.95; Selling Price: $27

Dorney Park
Opened April 29; Wildwater Kingdom opened May 17
Adult 3+ & Over 48” Gate Price: $60.90; Selling Price: $46

Dutch Wonderland
Ages 3+ Gate Price: $42.99; Selling Price: $38

Hersheypark
Opened May 5
Adult (Ages 9-54) Gate Price: $65.80; Selling Price: $54
Jr. (Ages 3-8) Gate Price: $42.80; Selling Price: $40
Special Days (5/5-6/30; Sunday-Friday only) Gate Price: $65.80; Selling Price $44

Kings Dominion
Adult Gate Price: $67; Selling Price: $42
Spring Savings (5/19-21, 5/26-31, 6/1-11) Gate Price: $67; Selling Price: $40
Summer Days (6/16-8/20) Gate Price $67; Selling Price $40
Fall Fun (Dates TBD): Gate Price $67; Selling Price: $40

Sahara Sam’s Oasis (Ages 2 & under and 65+ free)
Year-round indoor water park; Outdoor water park (Memorial Day-Labor Day)
Gate Price: $36.95; Selling Price: $27

Sesame Place (Ages 23 months & under free)
Peak Season 1 Day (6/19-9/4) Gate Price $70.62; Selling Price $60

Six Flags America (Maryland)
Good Any Day Gate Price: $72.74; Selling Price: $50
Special Days (6/12-8/20) Gate Price $72.74; Selling Price $38

Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey)
Theme/Safari Gate Price: $80.15; Selling Price $45
Hurricane Harbor (Open 5/20-9/4) Gate Price: $51.29; Selling Price $35

Unless otherwise noted, kids 2 and under are admitted free. Discounted tickets are available now through Sept. 1. Parking fees may apply; check with the park. For more information, please call 410-548-4911 or visit the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Box Office located at 500 Glen Ave. in Salisbury (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.).

Milton police to launch Operation Safe Return

The Milton Police Department hopes a new grant-funded device will ensure that those who wander are not lost.

In coming months, the department will purchase six trackers for a new Operation Safe Return project. The trackers, which look just like a watch, are meant to be worn by people who suffer from dementia, Alzheimer's, autism or similar conditions and would help family members and police find them quickly in case they go missing.

“The point is to provide peace of mind for families,” said Chief Robert Longo. He said Criminal Justice Council grant money will cover the purchase of up to six trackers, which cost an average of $300 each.

Longo said his department will be the first in Sussex County to initiate this project, although New Castle County has a similar program through the nationally affiliated Project Lifesaver.

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Liberty Is Essential But Insufficient

I recently saw a video by a libertarian commentator named TJ Brown, also known as That Guy T, on YouTube making a tongue-in-cheek thought experiment that the liberty movement would do well to consider forging an alliance with fascism to effectively protect Western culture from the left’s violent domination.

I understand he was not being literal and so I am not going to grand stand against fascism. To do so is too easy and obligatory these days. I consider the ideology “small potatoes” as a cultural force. Of course, it is immoral. So is Pharaohism. Neither will be a viable cultural force in the West. Suspending all moral considerations, appeals to pragmatically align with its small band of Internet advocates are a dead-end outreach strategy for liberty.

I agree with Brown’s larger point though: the liberty movement is not a culturally effective force because liberty is never a transcendent end around which to develop culture. Liberty is a means to an end. The end, the driving force of communities, is ultimately virtue. Virtue, values, morals, ethics, these are the domain of systems thinking. Systems thinking is about establishing a common vision that animates and orients human beings’ passion and sacrifice.

An ethic of virtue is what must be the cornerstone of a lasting culture. I’ll go one step further, a common ethic, not rules, is what makes a cultural body antifragile, as Nassim Taleb would say. An antifragile structure is one that gains strength through stress and adversity. Such a body does not simply survive difficulty but becomes better through it.

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Pelosi on Trump Digesting Intel: 'You Cannot Connect the Dots If You're a Helter Skelter'

WASHINGTON -- House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called President Trump a "loose cannon," perhaps unwittingly, saying of his reported decision to reveal an Israeli intelligence op to Russian officials in the Oval Office that it draws into question whether he "is he fit to be president of the United States when he would do such a thing."

"This is a dedication. You really have to read your stuff, know your stuff, be briefed constantly. You cannot connect the dots if you're a helter skelter," Pelosi said Tuesday at the Center for American Progress Ideas Conference. "And that's what he has been. He hasn't even taken his briefings."

"So, without being political, I think, because we try not to be it in terms of intelligence, what the president did was totally outrageous. Totally outrageous. If it was unwitting, that would be pathetic and dangerous. If it was intentional, that would even be -- I don't know what's worse," she added.

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SPD Press Release - (Update) Home Invasion & Assault Arrest 05/19/17

OC Council Approves Recruiting Event For Marines

OCEAN CITY — Resort officials this week approved a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) request to set up an interactive outreach and recruiting event in conjunction with the O.C. Air Show in June.

The Mayor and Council on Monday had before them a USMC event request in conjunction with the O.C. Air Show and the arrival of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The event would provide an interactive experience for the general public as well as promoting the USMC and the benefits of service.

The USMC requested the use of the beach and Boardwalk area between 3rd and 4th streets. The event would include a semi-trailer with an interactive set-up inside, a 10-foot by 10-foot tent with a pull-up bar for potential recruits and other members of the general public, a Humvee and other vehicles, a blow-up drill instructor, an indoor simulated marksmanship trainer (ISMT) and other materials related to the Marine Corps. The corps will also distribute a large amount of free USMC items including lanyards, water bottles, T-shirts and bags along with photo opportunities with corps members.

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Special Weather Statement (Strong Thunderstorms)

Event:Special Weather Statement
Alert:
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL AFFECT CENTRAL SOMERSET... 
SOUTHWESTERN WICOMICO AND CENTRAL DORCHESTER COUNTIES... 
 
At 728 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were clustered near Saint Inigoes 
Creek, moving east at 35 mph. 
Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with 
these storms as they move across the Lower Maryland eastern shore. 
Locations impacted include... 
Marion Station, Whitehaven, Wetipquin, Oriole, Andrews, Fairmount, 
Upper Hill, Hopewell, Kingston, Wingate, Widgeon, Manokin, Upper 
Fairmount, Mount Vernon, Nanticoke, Monie, Bivalve, Champ and 
Crocheron. 
If you see lightning or hear thunder...you are at risk. Take shelter 
indoors immediately. If you cannot find shelter in a building a 
vehicle provides safety from lightning. 
Strong wind gusts are possible with these storms. These wind gusts 
are capable of knocking down tree limbs...small or weakened 
trees...and blowing around trash cans...potted plants...lawn 
furniture and other light outdoor objects.
Instructions:
Target Area:
Dorchester
Somerset
Wicomico

"A Republic... Or A Monarchy?"

On September 17, 1787 on the final day of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin was approached by a woman as he walked out of Independence Hall.

“Well Doctor, what have we got– a republic, or a monarchy?” she asked.

It was a burning question on everyone’s mind: what form of government would the Constitutional delegates establish for the new country?

Franklin didn’t hesitate. “A republic– if you can keep it.”

(The exchange was noted by Maryland delegate James McHenry and included in the Records of the Federal Convention of 1787.)

Franklin’s answer spoke volumes.

The Constitutional Convention had just ended, and it had been a bitter four months as the delegates fought and argued over every single word in the draft.

Factions had developed. Some delegates wanted a federal government with absolute power. Others wanted fewer guaranteed liberties for individuals.

Franklin knew that the representative government he had worked so hard to establish was incredibly fragile, and that it could easily slip away.

It was the same fight two years later when the 1st United States Congress fought over whether or not to establish a Bill of Rights.
As one delegate wrote, “Bill of Rights– useful, but not essential.”

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With Boating Season Here, New Reminders Issued About Island Protection

OCEAN CITY — With another summer season quickly approaching, conservation advocates this week are reminding recreational boaters the sandy islands in the coastal bays that serve as temporary homes to endangered species of beach-nesting birds remain off limits to human interaction.

Two years ago, the federal Army Corps of Engineers dredged the navigation channels in and around the coastal bays behind Ocean City and used the roughly 400,000 cubic yards of sand to restore some long-forgotten islands in the bays that hadn’t appeared on charts since the 1930s, including a four-acre spit now known as Tern Island.

That summer, Tern Island quickly became a hub for recreational boating as weekend enthusiasts waded ashore with beach chairs, umbrellas and coolers. At one point, recreational boaters unofficially claimed the island as their own, wading ashore with an American flag, a flag pole and bags of concrete in a spontaneous act of patriotism.

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David Horowitz: We're Seeing Liberal Press' Ongoing Mission to Destroy Trump

David Horowitz, author of The New York Times bestseller "Big Agenda,"says the media is on a hell-bent mission to "destroy the Trump presidency" and singles out The Washington Post as "completely untrustworthy."

"These are seditious rags," Horowitz said Thursday on Newsmax TV's "America Talks Live" with Bill Tucker.

"The Washington Post. It's completely untrustworthy. It's totally partisan. It's destructive. All of these stories are designed to destroy the Trump presidency. We haven't seen this in our lifetimes in this country."

Adding to the anti-Trump press fervor is the desire of Democrats to get Trump ousted from the White House, according to Horowitz, editor of FrontPage Magazine and founder of the David Horowitz Freedom Center

"The Democratic Party is driven by anti-American ideology called identity politics where you're judged by your race. Your color. Your ethnicity. Your gender. Your class. This is so un-American," he told Tucker.

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Harford County Reports First Overdose Death Involving Carfentanil

BALTIMORE (WJZ)– Harford County reported its first case of a fatal overdose involving carfentanil, a synthetic opioid that’s 10,000 times more potent than morphine, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s office learned Wednesday that a toxicology report on an overdose earlier this month tested positive for carfentanil.

As of Monday, in Harford County 34 people have died from heroin overdoses this year, according to the Sheriff’s Office. There have been 126 non-fatal overdoses.

Carfentanil, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency in an alert issued in September 2016, is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, another synthetic opioid.

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Governor Hogan: Accelerating Economic Development

Hijacked Democrats

"The Real Democratic Party", hijacked by America-hating Left, has crashed and now burns.

The truth is in the numbers!
click to enlarge

Last Chance To Get Raffle Tickets


A Dallas County Whistleblower Caught Voter Fraud Schemes on Tape

What is being described as one of the biggest voter fraud investigations in Texas history is currently unfolding in Dallas.

For the past couple of months prosecutors in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office have been looking into allegations of voter fraud. Their investigation accelerated last week when more criminal and voter fraud allegations stemming from the May 6 election emerged. The D.A.'s office last week filed a notice of investigation of criminal conduct which reads in part:

The Dallas County Elections Department has in excess of 700 "Mail-In Ballots" that are directly linked to applications assisted by "Jose Rodriguez," or are suspicious in nature.

Workers say the volume of complaints about questionable mail-in ballots has been “off the charts.”

“It’s totally frustrating,” said Dr. Pat Stephens of West Dallas. “You know, we all feel violated.”

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REMINDER:WVFC Ladies Auxiliary Yard Sale

Yard Sale

Saturday, May 20, 2017
7:00 a.m. – until...

Willards Volunteer Fire Company
Main St Willards, MD

Breakfast Sandwiches & Lunch Served
• Chicken Salad Sandwiches
• Soup
• Baked Goods
• Homemade Ice Cream

$10 per Table
Call 410-726-1583 or 410-835-2285

Benefits Willards Vol Fire Co Ladies Auxiliary

Family of four die in horror crash after Mother's Day trip

A family of four were killed on their way home from a Mother's Day visit after a tractor trailer plowed into their pick up truck, causing a six-car pileup.

Elise Ann Spennati, 32, and Cole Allen Spennati, 24, along with their two daughters, Sianna and Aila, aged one and four, were killed on I-95 in North Carolina on Tuesday.

Michael Elliott Bricker, 68, was driving a Volvo tanker truck filled with gasoline when he failed to slow down in time, setting off a chain reaction that sparked a fire and shut down I-95 in both directions, ABC11 reported.

Bricker also died in the crash, and the Highway Patrol emphasized that it was not assigning blame on the truck driver, who was not speeding at the time.

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REMINDER: Wings and Wheels event at the Salisbury Airport

 

SALISBURY – May 8, 2017 - The Salisbury Regional Airport is hosting Wings and Wheels, sponsored by Piedmont Airlines, on Saturday, May 20th from 8 am to 3 pm to celebrate Armed
Forces Day and Aviation Appreciation Month.


“This is a great event for the whole family,” said Airport Manager Dawn Veatch. “We are excited to showcase our airport and invite the community to come out and share our passion for flying.”


Throughout the day aircraft will be on display including military aircraft and helicopters, assets from the Maryland National Guard, the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School and the Maryland State Police. Private pilots from around the region will be flying in and will have their planes on display as well. Airplane and helicopter rides will be available and food trucks and other vendors will be on hand.


Piedmont Airlines will have aircraft on display and tours of Salisbury’s air traffic control tower will be available. Classic cars will be on display and live music from several different live bands
will entertain throughout the day.


The event kicks off with a free pancake breakfast at Bay Land Aviation from 8 am to 10 am. Sponsors and volunteers are still needed, so visit www.flySBYairport.com to learn more.

Intel officials scoff at hysteria

Some of America’s top intelligence officials are expressing frustration at the wave of media hysteria that has greeted reports that President Trump may have shared sensitive intelligence with top Russian diplomats last week, with some saying a handful of news organizations are guilty of hyping what amounts to a nonstory.

Critics of the story, which has consumed official Washington, say Mr. Trump was within his rights as commander in chief to share classified intelligence as he sees fit. They also say the criticism overlooks how President Obama and his top aides shared intelligence with Russia in the fight against the Islamic State group and faced several crises of their own with damaging intelligence leaks.

“People are making way too big a deal of this,” one senior U.S. intelligence official told The Washington Times on Wednesday after reports that Mr. Trump jeopardized a critical Islamic State intelligence source — reportedly cultivated by Israel — by revealing highly classified information to Russia’s foreign minister and ambassador during a meeting in the Oval Office.

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May Day Play Day kicks off busy Berlin events season

A crowd of thousands is expected in downtown Berlin Friday night for the seventh annual May Day Play Day festival, hosted by Radio Ocean 98.

The headlining act this year is Jocelyn and Chris Arndt, a Cambridge, Massachusetts group described as a cross between Grace Potter and Led Zeppelin. The band’s latest album, “Go,” was released on May 5.

The Rogue Citizens, a four-piece rock and reggae band from Ocean City, will also perform.

Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said only two bands were booked “to allow for them to play longer.” Four bands performed in 2016.

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Trump demands border wall as part of drug-fighting efforts

President Trump reiterated his pledge to build a border wall, using a meeting with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Thursday to warn of the growing threat of drug cartels in the Western Hemisphere.

“The drug epidemic is poisoning too many American lives and we’re going to stop it,” Mr. Trump said.

He said his border wall is part of the solution.

Congress erased Mr. Trump’s first request for border wall money in a spending bill earlier this month, but the administration says it is pushing ahead with testing prototypes later this summer, and will ask for money in the 2018 budget to erect barriers.

Even though illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border appears to be down dramatically under Mr. Trump, the flow of drugs remains high — with heroin and other serious narcotics surging.

More here

Subject: More Than 7 Million Voter Registrations Are Duplicated in Multiple States

More than 7 million voter registrations appear to be registered in two states simultaneously, according to data obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

The new voter data was gathered from the Kansas-run interstate voter registration crosscheck program, which is used to identify "possible duplicate registrations among states."

The program began in December 2005 and conducted its first crosscheck in 2006. It is administered by the office of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who was tapped recently to help lead President Trump's voter fraud commission.

The newest data is from crosschecks of voter registrations across 28 states that participate in the program. At least 7.2 million registrations appeared in two states at once, according to the data.

Georgia (660,708), North Carolina (561,811), and Illinois (542,065) lead the 28 states studied in potential duplicated voter registrations across state lines.

More here

Democrats Create Summer Camps For TRUMP RESISTERS

Democrats suffered brutal losses in November. They not only lost the White House, but also lost governorships across the country, handed Republicans control of both houses of Congress. The party has been floundering ever since. So now they’ve come up with a new plan to rebound from their humiliating losses: a so-called “summer of resistance”.

Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez has announced that they will be holding summer camps across the country, calling it their “Summer Resistance” program. “There has been an explosion of activism and energy after the election of Donald Trump, and we need to turn this moment into a movement,” he said in a statement. “As the Democratic Party, it is our role to support this activism and energy, and convert it into electoral wins up-and-down the ballot by making sure state parties have the tools and resources they need to succeed.”

The DNC will also be giving grants to state party programs. “The program is a competitive matching grant program, where the DNC will approve and fund programs that will be executed by state parties,” the press release explained. “Recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective, each grant proposal will be unique to the state’s strategic priorities and organizational capacity. Part of these plans must incorporate, where legally possible, partners and allies.”

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Democrats Join Alt-Left Protesters Who Want to Ban Conservative Websites

Democratic lawmakers joined alt-left protesters who want to ban conservative news websites at a protest outside of the Federal Communications Commission, Thursday.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D. Calif.) told the crowd of protesters and antifa members to "stay woke" in fighting against FCC chairman Ajit Pai's proposal to roll back Obama era net neutrality rules.

Politico Pro reported that four Democrats joined the protest, which included members of the alt-left groups who have targeted Pai and held protests in his neighborhood. Politico did not mention protesters wearing masks and identifying themselves as part of the antifa movement. They held signs advocating to ban news websites such as the Drudge Report and Breitbart.

More here

Protesters Struggle To Explain Why Exactly They Miss Obama

Wicomico Plans 150th Anniversary Celebration Events

SALISBURY – Wicomico County will ring in its 150th anniversary this year with celebration events throughout the summer months.

In an open work session of the Wicomico County Council this week, Steve Miller, director of the county’s Recreation, Parks and Tourism department, shared the county’s plans to host various celebration events to commemorate Wicomico’s 150th anniversary.

“I’m here to give you some highlights for what he have planned,” he said.

The events will be divided into two weekends, he said, and will consist of activities that involve the county’s towns and citizens.

The weekend of Aug. 18-20, Wicomico County will host celebration events at the Wicomico County Fair, including a free concert featuring country act Jimmy Charles on Aug. 18 and a Parade of Towns at 1:50 p.m. on Aug. 19.

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6 Baltimore schools, no students proficient in state tests

BALTIMORE (WBFF) -- A Project Baltimore investigation has found five Baltimore City high schools and one middle school do not have a single student proficient in the state tested subjects of math and English.

We sat down with a teen who attends one of those schools and has overcome incredible challenges to find success.

Navon Warren grew up in West Baltimore. He was three months old when his father was shot to death. Before his 18th birthday, he would lose two uncles and a classmate, all gunned down on the streets of Baltimore.

“I’ve lost a lot of people, so I’m used to it. It hurts,” Warren said. “I just chose not to show it. I just keep it in. You just have to live on and keep going on every day. You have to do it somehow.”

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House May Be Forced to Vote Again on GOP's Obamacare Repeal Bill

House Republicans barely managed to pass their Obamacare repeal bill earlier this month, and they now face the possibility of having to vote again on their controversial health measure.

House Speaker Paul Ryan hasn’t yet sent the bill to the Senate because there’s a chance that parts of it may need to be redone, depending on how the Congressional Budget Office estimates its effects. House leaders want to make sure the bill conforms with Senate rules for reconciliation, a mechanism that allows Senate Republicans to pass the bill with a simple majority.

Republicans had rushed to vote on the health bill so the Senate could get a quick start on it, even before the CBO had finished analyzing a series of last-minute changes. The CBO is expected to release an updated estimate next week.

"Unaware," said Representative Jeff Denham of California, with noticeable surprise Thursday, when advised that his party leaders still hadn’t sent the bill over to the Senate. Denham was one of the House Republicans who ended up voting for the measure, after earlier in the week opposing it.

"I am on the whip team and we have a lot of conversations, but we have not had that one. So I am going to look into it," said Denham, a member of the party’s vote-counting team.

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FCC Votes signals likely end of Net Neutrality Rules

As was telegraphed earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commissionhas begun the process of rolling back internet regulations that require service providers to treat all content equally.

The 2-1, party-line vote cast earlier today is, officially, merely a proposal for a review, but as NPR noted, it’s widely considered that this is an early step for the FCC under new chair Ajit Pai toward undoing the rules put in place during the Obama administration that enforced the principles of so-called net neutrality.

The process isn’t expected to finish for at least several months, according to The Verge, during which time various interested parties can file comments with the FCC. As for what rules would replace the ones currently in place, The Verge pointed out that Pai is fond of saying that the era before the new rules weren’t so bad and that there may be no need for any significant regulation of internet service providers in regard to how they treat web traffic.

Last month, according to Politico, Pai said, “For decades before 2015, we had a free and open internet. Indeed, the free and open internet developed and flourished under light-touch regulation.”

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UBS Hints At Rampant Auto Lending Fraud; "It’s Not Just Smoke And Mirrors Anymore"

For months we've written about the imminently doomed auto bubble in the U.S., spurred in no small part by an unprecedented relaxation of underwriting standards by banks that would put even the shenanigans of the 2008 mortgage crisis to shame. From stretched out lending terms to promotional interest rates, auto lenders have increasingly played every trick necessary to get those incremental new car buyers into the most expensive car their monthly budgets could possibly absorb.

That said, in recent weeks there has been growing concern that consumers, auto dealers and/or banks have been going beyond simply relaxing underwriting standards and have instead been forced to commit outright fraud in order to attract that incremental auto volume growth. As UBS Strategist Matthew Mish told Bloomberg, “something is definitely going on under the hood...it’s not just smoke and mirrors anymore.”
The evidence is growing. First, the explosion of technology makes gaining access to information to improve credit scores very simple. Internet searches for 'credit score' are at record levels. Second, our survey finds 21% of auto loan borrowers admitted to some form of inaccuracy in their loan applications. Third, there is growing concern reported among auto lenders around fraud, which is the extreme case of this behavior.

Overall, the explosion and adoption of technology makes gaining access to "proven" methods for improving credit scores extremely simple. To this point, the popularity of internet searches for "credit score" has been rising consistently and is near peak post-crisis levels (Figure 7). Similarly, our survey finds that 21% of auto loan borrowers admitted to some inaccuracy in their application for non-mortgage related debt (auto, student or credit card loan). More concerning, this trend may be systemic as 29% of other consumer loan (i.e., student loan, credit card) borrowers acknowledged some form of inaccuracy in their applications (Figure 8).

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Georgetown Man Charged with Vehicular Assault after Crashing into Child on Bike

Rogelio Lopez-Perez
Georgetown - Delaware State Troopers have arrested a Georgetown man with vehicular assault after he struck a 5-year-old child on a bicycle.

The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. Thursday May 18, 2017 as Rogelio Lopez-Perez, 26 of Georgetown, was operating a 1997 Toyota Corolla in the Sand Hill Acres MHP. Lopez-Perez had just entered into the park when he turned onto Widgeon Road and failed to see a 5-year-old male sitting on his bicycle near the edge of the roadway, striking the young boy with the front of the car. Lopez-Perez immediately stopped his vehicle in the roadway upon hearing the collision.

The 5-year-old child was transported by EMS to Beebe Healthcare in Lewes where he was admitted with undetermined injuries.

Rogelio Lopez-Perez was taken to Troop 4 in Georgetown where a DUI investigation ensued. He was later charged with Vehicular Assault 1st, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, and Driving Without a Valid License. He was arraigned at JP3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $4,100.00 secured bond.

Chaffetz: Where’s the memo, Mr. Comey?

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, in a Thursday “Good Morning America” interview, wondered aloud where the now-famous James Comey memos were — and whether the fired FBI director really was going to release them for public viewing.

These are good questions — ones that cut right through the labyrinth of speculation and innuendo created by Comey’s memo mention and fueled by a madcap mob mentality rush from Democrats and the media to take down President Donald Trump.

Where are the memos, indeed, Mr. Comey?

“I think in the light of day in a public setting, he should be able to tell us about the materials, if they’re there, and I question whether or not they’re actually there,” Chaffetz said.

Chaffetz just requested the FBI turn over “memoranda, notes, summaries and recordings” of discussions between Trump and Comey, in order to determine whether the president — as the fired FBI director alleges — actually tried to “influence or impede” the investigation into former National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn. Chaffetz gave a deadline of May 24 to receive the materials.

His “Good Morning America” appearance goes even bolder with demand for proof.

So far, all we know about Trump’s supposed request to Comey to back off the investigation of Flynn is simply that Comey said he did. And the White House, for the record, denies Trump asked Comey to stop investigating Flynn.

It’s a he-said, he-said situation, that’s for sure — but one that the media has run with as proof positive of Trump’s obstruction of justice guilt.

Who’s seen this memo?

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The Daily Times: They Can't Even Give (their Koolaid) Away Any More


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Enjoy 24/7 access to delmarvanow, mobile sites and apps, daily delivery of the e-Edition plus Wednesday and Sunday delivery of The Daily Times print edition.

Reuters Admits: "No Evidence of Collusion" Between Trump and Russia

Report completely demolishes left's Russia conspiracy narrative

A Reuters report detailing how Trump campaign advisers were in contact with Russia during the last 7 months of the campaign admits that there was no evidence of collusion between the two parties to influence the election, dismantling the left’s entire Russian narrative.

Although presented as another major scoop designed to damage Trump,the article, which is based on intelligence sources, completely vindicates him.

“Michael Flynn and other advisers to Donald Trump’s campaign were in contact with Russian officials and others with Kremlin ties in at least 18 calls and emails during the last seven months of the 2016 presidential race, current and former U.S. officials familiar with the exchanges told Reuters.”

However, the true substance of the story is buried down in paragraph six.

“The people who described the contacts to Reuters said they had seen no evidence of wrongdoing or collusion between the campaign and Russia in the communications reviewed so far,” states the report.

No collusion between Trump and Russia. Let that sink in.

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Update At Beaver Run Part II & III

UPDATE 2: I want to thank everyone for sharing this post and all the support that we have received on Hayden's behalf. After contacting the child advocate this amazing man accomplished in a few hours what we as parents could not in 3 weeks. The boys have been transferred out of my daughters class and the school is attempting to find another bus that may be able to transport my daughter. We will still be meeting with the BOE tomorrow to voice our concerns about how this situation was handled. I would also still like to speak with the news about this man who helped us if given the permission by him so other parents are aware this compassionate soul exists in our community.

Update 3.. the boys have been removed from our daughters class and we received an apology from the board of education about how long it took to come to this conclusion and she will never be in the same class as them again. They are looking into long term solutions to make sure this kind of thing is unable to happen again to anyone's child.

Blog: The special prosecutor: Democrats, be careful what you wish for

Yesterday, Deputy A.G. Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as the special counsel, with full federal attorney powers, in the investigation of Russian interference in the electoral process of 2016. At this point, Mueller has been given unlimited time and the ability to follow any related pathways regarding the scope and breadth of the Russian investigation. But, as anyone familiar with recent history may remember, any special prosecutor may venture down paths not originally contemplated, as Bill Clinton could attest.

For Donald Trump, this deck of cards provides many possible outcomes. Trump, not a seasoned politician, has created many unforced errors during his four months in office. All his accomplishments have received scant coverage by the media (not willing to give him credit) as his tweets, hyperbole, and misstatements have overshadowed his agenda. His private conversation with James Comey, which led to a purported memo partially leaked to the New York Times, was the kind of error that increased the pressure upon Rosenstein to appoint Mueller.

Many Democrats have urged the appointment of a special prosecutor. For those convinced that Trump's election was illegitimate, the only outcome is for Mueller is to find criminality during the private Comey meeting in February, such as obstruction of justice. They seek a bill of particulars coming before Congress to allow impeachment proceedings. Some will still want an independent commission to investigate these issues as a way of keeping the negative news out front.

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The Leftists

OC Eyes ‘Open Dialogue’ With Wind Farm Developers

OCEAN CITY — While the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) last week did green light both proposed offshore wind projects off the coast of Ocean City, there will still be ample opportunities for resort officials to push for moving the proposed turbines further off the coast.

The PSC announced last Thursday it had approved both the US Wind project, which will put 62 turbines as close as 12-15 miles from the coast of the resort in its first phase, and Deepwater Wind’s Skipjack project, which is considerably smaller in scale at 15 turbines as close as 17-21 miles off the coast. The PSC announcement appeared on the surface to mean the two proposed wind farm projects off the resort’s coast had the green light to proceed, but in reality, the decision was just another step in what will likely be a long process before any turbines appear off the coast. Technically, the PSC awarded offshore wind renewable energy credits (ORECs) to both developers, a point not lost on Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan this week.

“The PSC approval was for the projects’ acceptance into the state’s offshore energy program and its associated utility subsidy,” he said. “It was not a permit to actually construct either farm. Both projects must still go through an extensive permit process for the turbines, the cables connecting the turbines to the shore and the work on the shore itself.”

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Amen


Black UCLA Students Demand 'Safe Spaces,' $40 Million & Free Housing

Group claims UCLA has done “nothing” for minority students in recent years

Black students at the University of California, Los Angeles are demanding $40 million and their own “safe spaces” on campus as compensation for racially insensitive incidents.

“Black students at UCLA are consistently made the targets of racist attacks by fellow students, faculty, and administration [sic],” the Afrikan Student Union (ASU) begins an eight-point ultimatum issued Friday. “Unfortunately, on April 30, 2017, a photo was released depicting the USAC [student government] President holding gang signs.”

“$40 million is just a drop in the bucket for the university.” Tweet This.

The open letter goes on to cite additional examples, including “racist stickers” and a “Kanye Western” themed party, and declares that “since nothing has been done in recent years, the Afrikan Student Union is DEMANDING that UCLA administrators work with black students towards the development of a more positive campus climate.”

The first item on the list calls for “a physical location on campus to house the Afrikan Student Union Projects,” which would include “meeting/gathering/safe spaces” and be staffed by a director and an office manager who would be responsible for distributing funds allocated to the ASU.

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Breaking News: Anthony Weiner, the ex-congressman, will plead guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor in a "sexting" inquiry

Anthony D. Weiner, the former Democratic congressman whose “sexting” scandals ended his political career and embroiled him in a tumultuous F.B.I. investigation of Hillary Clinton before the election, is to appear in a federal courtroom in Manhattan on Friday to enter a guilty plea.

The information has not been made public but was related by two people who have been briefed on the matter and asked not to be identified.

Comey Caught Committing Perjury To Congress?

Thank God Its Friday 5-19-17

What will you be doing this weekend?

Public invited to Wicomico’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony

SALISBURY, Md. – On the morning of Memorial Day, the public is invited to honor Wicomico County veterans who have died in the line of duty at the 15th annual Memorial Day Ceremony.

The ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Wicomico War Veterans’ Memorial in front of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury. All are encouraged to attend this free event, which is organized by members of the Wicomico County War Memorial Committee. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside to the Civic Center’s Midway Room.

There will be a lowering of the colors by the Wicomico County JROTC, ringing of the Red Knights Memorial Bell, branch prayers, and a volley of arms by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. Veterans and their families will be recognized during the ceremony, including a special family tribute to Gold Star Mothers. War Memorial Committee Member Sgt. Ed Tattersall, U.S. Army, will perform the Reading of Veterans Names, which recognizes those Wicomico County residents who have fallen in the line of duty.

In 2002, a group of veterans from all branches of the military came together to honor and preserve the memory of Wicomico County’s fallen heroes. As a result, the Wicomico County War Veterans’ Memorial was erected at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, which is itself a living war memorial to all veterans. Flags from each service branch, along with a United States, Maryland, Wicomico County and the POW-MIA flag, proudly fly over a brick wall displaying bronze plaques with the names of Wicomico County’s fallen veterans beginning with World War I.

Wicomico County War Memorial Committee members are actively seeking information on those listed on the memorial. If you have information to share about a fallen serviceperson, please email Tammy Taylor at ttaylor@wicomicocounty.org.

To help preserve the memorial and honor a loved one who has or is serving, citizens may purchase a Tree of Honor Gold Leaf. Engraved with his or her name and a short message, the leaf will be displayed on the Veterans' Tree of Honor in the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center lobby. Leaves are $100 each. Contact Tammy Taylor at 410-548-4900, x115, to place an order. Proceeds are placed in a fund designated to maintain the War Memorial into perpetuity.

To learn more about the Wicomico County War Veterans’ Memorial and the men and women it was built to honor, visithttp://www.wicomicociviccenter.org/about-the-center/war-memorial.

Wilbur Ross: Trump-Russia Investigation Is 'Sideshow'

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said the ongoing investigation into ties between Russia and President Donald Trump is a distraction from more important items on the White House agenda.

“We have to get on with it, get this over with. It's a sideshow,” Ross said on CNBC.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Wednesday named former FBI Director Robert Mueller as independent counsel amid calls by Republicans and Democrats for a special investigation of Russian meddling in the election after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey last week. Mueller oversaw the FBI during the 9/11 attacks.

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Doctors Decry Electronic Medical Records

Doctors are spending more time in front of their computers than with their patients these days. The reason: The rise of electronic medical records, as pushed by new federal laws, according to a new report by a trio of Boston-area doctors.

Drs. John Levinson, Bruce H. Price, and Vikas Saini tell the Boston Globedoctors spend up to half of patient appointments “serving not the needs of her patient, but of the electronic medical record.”

They note that EMRs were supposed to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare, and provide instant access to vital patient information.

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Caption This Photo 5-19-17


Well...


Berkman gets 500th win at SU as men's lacrosse wins quarterfinal, 17-5

SALISBURY, Md. – The top-ranked Salisbury University men's lacrosse team hosted No. 9 Cabrini University at Sea Gull Stadium on Wednesday night in an NCAA quarterfinal and took down the Cavaliers, 17-5 to advance to the semifinals.

With the win Salisbury Head Coach Jim Berkmanearned his 500th victory at Salisbury. Berkman is the first ever NCAA lacrosse coach to record 500 wins at any institution; as he is the only NCAA coach across all divisions and genders to record 500 wins overall.

The defense had a signature performance with the unit clicking on all cylinders. The defense held Cabrini to just 15 shots on net all game and cleared on 24 of its 25 attempts. Kyle Tucker had a game-high seven groundballs to go with two caused turnovers, while line mate Will Nowesnick had five groundballs and two caused turnovers.

Between the pipes for Salisbury, Colin Reymann stopped .750 percent of his shots as 10 of the Cabrini shots were turned aside by the senior goaltender.

The Gulls struck first as after a long possession Brendan Bromwellwas posted up on the left wing and found Nick Garbarino open on the crease for the easy tally. Adam Huber then added a goal as he swept over the defens

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Sears has a bigger problem than plunging sales

Sears has a bigger problem than plunging sales: dwindling inventory.

The companies that supply Sears with the TVs, toys, and clothing for sale in its stores are growing increasingly concerned about the retailer's ability to pay its bills, and some are cutting back on shipments to stores as a result.

That means Sears and Kmart stores are receiving less merchandise to sell, which is a grave problem for a company that's trying to avoid a possible bankruptcy by reversing years of sales declines.

Sears said this week that One World Technologies, one of its top tool suppliers, threatened to cancel its contract with Sears unless the retailer agreed to cut back its orders. One World Technologies cited concerns about the Sears' ability to pay its bills, according to a lawsuit filed by Sears on Monday.

Sears says it has always paid its suppliers on time and claims One World Technologies is trying to take advantage of "negative rumors" and media reports about Sears' viability to change the terms of its contract.

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