Per Your Requests On 12-21-11

Hark the herald angel sings


I'm dreaming of a white Christmas


I'll be home for Christmas


Silent Night


Grandma got ran over by a Reindeer


What Child is This


It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas


Angels we have heard on high


Frosty the snowman


Cheech & Chong ~ Santa Claus And His Old Lady


Happy Birthday Jesus


Mary did you know


Winter Wonderland


The Little Drummer Boy


Happy Xmas


O Holy Night


Silver Bells by Doris Day


Christmas Is


The most wonderful time of the year


There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays


Perry Como - Do You Hear What I Hear

Someday at Christmas


Silver Bells


Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)


Away in a Manger

Ronald Reagan Christmas Address (12/23/81)

SANTA AND GRANDMA

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

May you always have LOVE to share,

HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care...
And may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas In Salisbury, LOL

The “X” In “Xmas” Doesn’t Take The “Christ” Out Of “Christmas”

Myth: “Xmas” is a non-religious name / spelling for “Christmas”.

It turns out, “Xmas” is not a non-religious version of “Christmas”. The “X” is actually indicating the Greek letter “Chi”, which is short for the Greek, meaning “Christ”. So “Xmas” and “Christmas” are equivalent in every way except their lettering.

In fact, although writing guides such as those issued by the New York Times; the BBC; The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style; and Oxford Press discourage the use of Xmas in formal writing, at one time, it was a very popular practice, particularly with religious scribes, who are thought to have started the whole “Xmas” thing in the first place. Indeed, the practice of using the symbol “X” in place of Christ’s name has been going on amongst religious scholars for at least 1000 years.

Eventually, this shorthand trick spread to non-religious writings where nearly everywhere “Christ” appeared in a word, the Greek Chi would replace that part of the word. For example, in the 17th and 18th centuries, there are numerous non-religious documents containing instances of “Xine”, which was a common spelling for someone whose name was Christine.

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Holiday Greetings

To All My Democrat Friends :

Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious or secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2012, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country, nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. This wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, or sexual preference of the wishee.

To All My Republican Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

In God We Trust and God Bless America

A Letter To The Editor 12-25-11

WICOMICO COUNTY: BEND OVER FOR RICK POLLITT’S XMAS GIFT!

Sorry Rick, but we just could not wait until the big day to open your package – AND WE DON’T WANT YOUR “GIFT.”

If you have not heard – and the Daily Times has been silent about it – Mr. Pollitt wants the County Council to pledge that it will support the funding by the County, about $40 Million, that would be required to get that “free” state money to build the proposed new Bennett Middle School. That would require a property tax increase of at least 7 cents (that’s about 10%) to fund payment of the bonds that would be issued, while County roads and other infrastructure would remain largely ignored.

The Council is already being barraged by calls and e-mails from the group that the Board of Ed. and the Rickster have organized to lobby for this outrageous nonsense. No doubt the usual band of tax and spend yahoos – Phil Tilghman, Bill McCain, Tony Sarbanes (to name some of the more prominent) will be too. Look for a simultaneous effort to kill the tax revenue cap, along with even higher taxes, if they succeed.

You’ve been warned. Merry Christmas

Who's Telling The Truth?

Today the Daily Times, (once again) partnered up with the OCPD in an attempt to discredit Earl Campbell. The funniest part about their article, (to me) is as follows. #1, they published it on a Saturday, the worst day circulation wise because their article is crap. #2, they once again went on the attack against Salisbury News. Yeah, they never used our name but every one knows how big we are "local gossip site".

Well, call us what you like. The fact that they're throwing punches and then running away simply tells me we're doing our job and THEY are forgetting, no matter what the outcome is, Earl Campbell came to us with a story that even they ran but we had it weeks before they did. I was asked by Mr. Campbell from day one to HOLD the story, (in which I did) until he formerly resigned.

Now, here's the kicker. Below are just a couple of remarks that came out from the OCPD. With all due respect, I must challenge it and you'll see why.

DiPino said she asked her department to research where the surgery took place, and police contacted veterinarians across Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

Officers looking for proof the dog had surgery came back empty-handed, according to DiPino.

OK, can any one of YOU tell me what right DiPino and her Department had using up ALL of those resources to investigate an animal that was no longer in their possession or their property? Can you tell me what Veterinarian would PROVIDE such information without a subpoena? Did the OCPD LIE to ALL of these Veterinarians claiming the dog was still theirs?

One way or the other, I'd say the OCPD absolutely violated the law by doing what they did and Mr. Campbell, (IMHO) has every right to go after Ocean City. Nevertheless, Earl's neighbors can attest for a fact that Charlie did in fact recently have the surgery. One thing is for sure, based on ALL the hype about Charlie, the Veterinarian that performed the surgery would NOT give ANYONE any answers about Charlie. USE YOUR HEADS PEOPLE.

Now, one thing I know to be a FACT and the Daily Times even admitted it, Earl Campbell is more than willing to provide the information and receipts to the Council IF they are wiling to give him the meeting he has been asking for since day one. His intent is to MAKE A DIFFERENCE for future K-9 Dogs down the road. Funny how the Council has NOT taken Earl up on that offer.

Anyone with eyes can see that Charlie is shaved and has had the surgery THEY are challenging didn't happen. In my honest opinion, if attention is distracted AWAY from the COMMENTS from our original Post on this matter, the OCPD wins. IF people go back and see what was said in the hundreds of comments, well, it doesn't look very good on the Department even if only a fraction of them are true and accurate. There are 365 comment on this Post, HERE.

I have received hundreds of comments today and several e-mail messages concerning this matter. I hope this clears everything up. Now I have some final shopping to do and I look forward to looking at comments when I return.

In closing, shame on you Daily Times. You're a propaganda piece for the municipalities and you can no longer be trusted as a Newspaper. You have NO evidence the surgery wasn't done and you have attempted to discredit an honorable man and his Family.

Merry Christmas Charlie and the Campbell Family.

Obama Says He's Not Bound By Guantanamo, Gun-control Provisions

President Obama said Friday he will not be bound by at least 20 policy riders in the 2012 omnibus funding the government, including provisions pertaining to Guantanamo Bay and gun control.

After he signed the omnibus into law Friday, the White House released a concurrent signing statement saying Obama will object to portions of the legislation on constitutional grounds.

Signing statements are highly controversial, and their legality is disputed.

"I have advised the Congress that I will not construe these provisions as preventing me from fulfilling my constitutional responsibility to recommend to the Congress's consideration such measures as I shall judge necessary and expedient," Obama said in a statement as he signed the bill into law.

The signing statement says that on the issue of accused terrorist detainees, Obama will interpret and apply provisions that bar the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, "in a manner that avoids constitutional conflicts."

Obama also objected to Defense provisions in the bill that limit the president's ability to put troops under foreign command and require 30 days advance notice to Congress for any use of the military which would involve more than $100,000 in construction costs.

The president also objected to a section aimed at blocking health, climate, auto policy and urban affairs "czars" from being employed by the White House and a provision that bars health officials from advocating for gun control. The signing statement also objects to a portion of the omnibus that limits funding for the Copyright Office.

The statement also objects to numerous unnamed provisions in the bill that would require executive branch officials to clear everyday spending decisions with appropriators.

Of these extra conditions, Obama writes, "our spending decisions shall not be treated as dependent on the approval of congressional committees."

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Justice Dept. Blocks Voter ID Law In S. Carolina

South Carolina’s new law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls was blocked by the U.S. Justice Department, which says it would have a discriminatory impact on minorities.

The Obama administration says the new law burdens "non-white voters."

The Justice Department’s decision, announced in a letter today to South Carolina Assistant Deputy Attorney General C. Havird Jones, is the first time the Obama administration has intervened against any of the eight states that enacted new voter ID laws or tightened existing ones this year.

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Congress To Fund Massive Expansion Of TSA Checkpoints

Congress is set to give the green light on funding for a massive expansion of TSA checkpoints, with the federal agency already responsible for over 9,000 such checkpoints in the last year amidst increased fears America is turning into a police state following the passage of the ‘indefinite detention’ bill.

The increase in funding has nothing to do with the TSA’s role in airports – this is about creating 12 more VIPR teams to add the federal agency’s 25 units that are already scattered across the country and responsible for manning checkpoints on highways, in bus and train terminals, at sports events and even high school prom nights.

“The TSA’s 25 “viper” teams — for Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response — have run more than 9,300 unannounced checkpoints and other search operations in the last year. Department of Homeland Security officials have asked Congress for funding to add 12 more teams next year,” reports the L.A. Times.

The demand for $24 million in extra funding is in addition to the $110 million spent in fiscal year 2011. The figures are completely independent from the federal agency’s role inside the nation’s airports, which costs taxpayers $5 billion a year.

The extra money is being demanded despite the fact that there is “no proof that the roving viper teams have foiled any terrorist plots or thwarted any major threat to public safety,” according to the L.A. Times report, which also highlights how the TSA’s sniffer dogs are used to single out people for questioning if the dog smells the scent of the owner’s pets on their clothing.

The appearance of thousands more checkpoints on America’s highways and at key transport hubs will only heighten concerns that the country is headed towards a Soviet-style police state.

Such fears were again expressed last week following the passage of the National Authorization Defense Act, a provision of which empowers the government to arrest Americans and hold them in a detention camp with no legal recourse.

With the federal government now seeking contractors to provide staff and supplies for “emergency camps” located around the country, the possibility of innocent Americans being swept up in a dragnet following a declaration of a national emergency has never been more of a threat.

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Second Victim Of Fatal Crash In Lewes Identified

Resume:
Lewes-The Delaware State Police have identified the second victim of the fatal crash that occurred Friday, December 23, 2011 on SR 24 (John J. Williams Highway), ½ mile east of CR 277 (Robinsonville Road), Lewes, DE as:

· Nicholas T. Ventresca-22 of Millsboro, DE

The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident.

Released: 122411 1315

Original Release

DSP News Release: Troopers Investigate Lewes Fatal Car Crash

Location: SR 24 (John J. Williams Highway), ½ mile east of CR 277 (Robinsonville Road), Lewes, DE

Date and Time of Occurrence: Friday, December 23, 2011 at 12:50 a.m.

Operator and Vehicle:

Dakota R. Sabia, 20, Millsboro, DE
2009 Hyundai Elantra

Victims:

Dakota R. Sabia
22 year old Millsboro, DE man

Resume:
Lewes, DE- The Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating a single vehicle crash in which two people were killed that occurred early this morning.

The incident happened at approximately 12:50 a.m. as Dakota R. Sabia, 20, was operating a 2009 Hyundai and was traveling westbound on SR 24 east of Robinsonville Road. For an unknown reason, Sabia lost control of the vehicle on the wet roadway and began rotating in counter clockwise direction. Her vehicle then crossed the eastbound lane of the road before exiting the highway and striking a tree with its front passenger side door. A 22 year old Millsboro, DE man who was seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. His identification is being withheld pending the notification of his next of kin.

Dakota Sabia was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to the Beebe Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead at approximately 5:20 a.m.

Both occupants of the vehicle were properly restrained at the time of the crash. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor at this time. John J. Williams Highway was closed for approximately 3.5 hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

The crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit.

HISTORICAL COMMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER

Christmas

Let me begin by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Even though the Christmas season has changed dramatically since I was enthralled by the prospect of the arrival of Santa Claus, everyone can still bring back the spirit of Christmas.

When I was in the second grade in 1950, St. Francis held a midnight Mass. Being one of the two smallest boys; I was one of the lead pair of acolytes in the Christmas procession that led to the altar. The adrenaline rush that got me up the aisle quickly wore off and I was just like any other seven-year old at that time of night. When we had finished marching up the aisle and were seated, I think I immediately fell asleep. I continued this ritual throughout my early years at St. Francis.

Christmas did not officially begin until well after Thanksgiving. It was about the second week of December that the stores started decorating and displaying their Christmas wares. The stores downtown all had fabulous merchandise. White and Leonard Drug Store had a toy display set up on the second floor. L. W. Gunby Hardware Store had a special “not-for-sale” Christmas display in their window that showed many antique toys.

The annual Christmas parade was always on a Saturday. This was because the stores were prohibited from opening on Sunday, and the local merchants loved the fact that the parade brought many shoppers downtown. The parade had bands from the local high schools and many floats from local organizations.. At the end of the parade was good ol’ St. Nick. We had one motorcycle in the Salisbury Police Department fleet at that time, and it was always ridden by Sgt. Paul Barnett. In time, he donned a red suit and became known as Sgt. Santa Claus.

Many organizations spent a lot of time on their floats, and the results were everything a young boy full of the season could ask for. It always seemed to instill in everyone a generous amount of Christmas cheer that carried over throughout the entire season.

Usually, the majority of presents were clothes that were sorely needed. But there was always that special large toy that I had been asking for since October. One year, my father and mother (Santa) got me a tin filling station. Years later, they admitted that putting it together after I went to bed was quite a task for my Pop. Now, he was a mechanical engineer, but I don’t think his work included tin filling stations. He was much better at the gas pumps at real filling stations. It was a great thrill when I raced downstairs on Christmas morning and saw it.

We were never the type of family that scrimped all year and went all out at Christmas. As I came into my years of having a car, I might get a set of tires in September along with a hearty “Merry Christmas”. My father’s brothers and sisters were all in Buffalo, and their package was always eagerly anticipated, because they always gave toys. Mom set up her nativity scene every year with the baby Jesus carefully missing until Christmas day, and we always had a real tree. The only outside lights we had was one string of Christmas lights around the front door. Early on, my parents didn’t put up the tree until my sister and I had gone to bed. That must have been a lot of work in a very short time. But, I’m sure the looks on our little faces as we came down the stairs on Christmas morning made it all worthwhile.

Christmas can still be a time of magic if you just remember why we are celebrating the occasion. No matter what the stores proclaim in their never-ending pursuit of the almighty dollar, we can still wish someone a “Merry Christmas”. If you have the proper spirit, nothing can diminish the joy you will feel at this very special time of the year. MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!

Today's Survey Question 12-24-11

What's your idea of a perfect Christmas?

GoDaddy's SOPA Support Sparks Calls For Boycotts And Domain Transfers

The list of companies that support the controversial piece of U.S. legislation called the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) is fairly predictable. It includes huge media conglomerates, music industry groups, pharmaceutical companies and the like. One name that stands out, however, is that of domain name registrar GoDaddy. Whereas many of the big Web technology companies have come out in opposition to SOPA, GoDaddy enthusiastically supports the proposed law.

Not unsurprisingly, this news does not sit well with many of the Internet's most vocal SOPA opponents, especially on Reddit. A thread that popped up on the site today decries GoDaddy's support for SOPA and encourages users to transfer their domains to another provider. The conversation, which has more than a few choice words for GoDaddy, has grown quite long.

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On Bad Laws and Hard Rain

Bad Governance

The House finally passed the lousy two-month extension of payroll tax breaks. The CBO scored the Bill that is now law. The costs for 59 days (and annualized if extended for all of 2012):

Social Security....................$19.8B........Annualized $119.B

Extended Unemployment.....$8.4B........Annualized $50.4B

Medicare...............................$3.4B........Annualized $20.4B

Totals........(two months).....$31.2B........Annualized $181.8B

The total cost of $31B is paid for with an increase in mortgage fees to be charged by Fannie and Freddie. Given that these two are providing 90% of new mortgages, most folks who buy a home or refi an old mortgage will get hit with these fees. CBO estimates when these fees will come into the Treasury.

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Egyptians Rally After Days Of Deadly Clashes

(AP)  

CAIRO - Several thousand Egyptians rallied in Cairo's central Tahrir Square Friday to denounce violence against protesters, especially outraged by images of women protesters dragged by their hair, beaten and kicked by troops.

The rally marked a week after deadly clashes erupted near Tahrir Square between protesters and the military, which took power after longtime President Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising in February. Seventeen protesters were killed over the past week.

Last week's violence erupted when military forces guarding the Cabinet building near the square tried to forcibly disperse a 3-week-old sit-in demanding that the ruling generals hand over power to a civilian authority.

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National Review's Racist Rants

The whole world should know by now that the neocons at National Review magazine, the War Street Journal, and elsewhere will tell any lie in pursuit of political power. Lying the nation into war with Iraq by spreading the falsehood of "weapons of mass destruction" that were supposedly headed our way was the most atrociously evil act perpetrated by the U.S government and its propaganda organs in decades, having led to the senseless death of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis.

No one should be surprised that National Review is now engaged in a spectacular act of chutzpah, to put it mildly, by smearing Ron Paul as being insensitive on matters of race. Before anyone gives any credence to the latest smear campaign against Congressman Paul it would be useful to take a look at National Review’s own record of publications on the issue of race relations. It is not a pretty picture.

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Michaele And Tareq Salahi Divorce: Former 'Real Housewife' Lied To Everyone, Says Estranged Husband

Former "Real Housewives of D.C." star Michaele Salahi has been busy throwing out some ugly allegationsagainst her estranged husband, Tareq Salahi. However, Taraq isn't staying quiet about his soon-to-be ex, and told me that her lastest accusations are just the latest in a string of lies.


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Another Nuke Scientist Exchange With China Planned

Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel B. Poneman is working on a major Obama administration initiative that would renew scientist exchanges between U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories and Chinese nuclear facilities.

The idea is aimed at promoting openness and transparency by China’s military about its secret, large-scale buildup of nuclear weapons, according to U.S. officials.

Critics say the plan is similar to an exchange program in the 1990s that sent U.S. nuclear scientists to China and produced one of the worst cases of nuclear espionage. Secrets about every deployed warhead in the U.S. arsenal were compromised, including the W-88 small nuclear warhead deployed on submarine-launched missiles.

“We’ve seen this movie before, and it has a bad ending,” one official said.

Officials familiar with the plan told Inside the Ring that the initiative was discussed during a recent policy committee meeting of senior national security officials at the White House.

The initiative is part of the administration’s arms-control-centered security policies. According to the officials, the administration hopes to coax the reluctant Chinese communist leadership and its military into engaging the United States in strategic nuclear talks, something China so far has refused.

“This is a way to reach out to [the Chinese] with multilateral arms-control programs,” said a second U.S. official familiar with the plan.

The initiative likely will face opposition from Congress.

House Republicans added language to the 2012 Defense Authorization Act that restricts the Pentagon and Energy department from cooperating with Beijing in setting up a nuclear security center in China. The provision, when signed into law, will block funding for the center until the secretary of defense certifies that China has halted nuclear proliferation and that the center will be in line with U.S. interests.

U.S. intelligence has linked China to nuclear arms proliferation in Pakistan and other emerging nuclear states.

The second official said the plan evokes memories of the 1990s case of Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist Wen Ho Lee.

Former Energy Department intelligence chief Notra Trulock stated in his 2003 book that Lee, a scientist at Los Alamos’ weapons-designing X Division, provided sensitive nuclear weapons data to China during unreported meetings with nuclear weapons scientists as part of Energy’s exchange programs.

Lee was the U.S. government’s chief suspect in the compromise of W-88 warhead secrets to China.

The FBI, however, mishandled the case against him, and he was never charged with espionage. Instead, he pleaded guilty in September 2001 to a felony charge of mishandling classified information.

Lee denied being a spy and said he was targeted by the FBI because he is Chinese-American.

The FBI has said as recently as last year that it is still investigating the theft of U.S. nuclear secrets by China from the 1990s. But no one has been arrested for the crime since the Lee case.

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