Md. lawmakers Take Aim At Laser-Pointer Aviation Incidents

"Right now, we're getting hit pretty good with a green laser," radioed the special agent manning the controls of an FBI helicopter.

He was one of hundreds of pilots nationwide last year who reported that individuals on the ground were directing laser pointers at low-flying planes and helicopters.

The Federal Aviation Administration says laser-related incidents that affected aircraft have jumped by 300 percent between 2008 and 2011.
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TROOPERS CONTINUE TO CHECK FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES PARKED ON I-83

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Troopers continue to monitor commercial vehicles parking along I-83 and operators are finding other places to park, reducing the dangers associated with vehicles on the shoulder. 

In September, in response to citizen concerns, troopers from the Golden Ring Barrack and the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division launched an initiative targeting commercial vehicles illegally parking on the shoulder of I-83 in Baltimore County. The goal of the initiative is to reduce the number of parked commercial vehicles by educating the public of the dangers associated with vehicles on the shoulders and through strict enforcement.

As of November 16, 2012, hundreds patrol checks have been made by troopers checking for on parked vehicles along I-83 between the Pennsylvania line and I-695. Those checks have resulted in troopers issuing 41 citations and six warnings. Troopers believe drivers have heeded the message and are finding other safer places to park.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, parking on the shoulder of a controlled access highway or other roadways can be a significant contributing factor to personal injury or fatal crashes. State Police continue to encourage commercial drivers to plan ahead by making arrangements for parking off of the interstate when necessary. Truck drivers can go to the State Highway Administration website, www.sha.md.gov, for a list of welcome centers and rest areas for parking. Maryland State Police weigh stations are still available for commercial vehicle parking when they are closed.

This initiative has been successful and will continue. If a commercial vehicle is parked on the shoulder for other than emergency reasons, the operator will be issued a citation. The citation carries a $60 fine and one point. The State Highway Administration will also continue to use variable messaging signs to remind operators of the parking restrictions.

BREAKING NEWS: Israel, Hamas Cease-Fire Announced

Egyptian foreign minister announces Gaza cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. 

From Fox News

Hector 'Macho' Camacho Shot

Former world boxing champion Hector "Macho" Camacho went into cardiac arrest Wednesday morning and is on life support after being shot in the face Tuesday outside of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"The situation with 'Macho' is very delicate," Centro Medico director Dr. Ernesto Torres told reporters during a 7 a.m. media briefing on Wednesday. "The prognosis is not good."

Camacho's mother, Maria Matias, arrived in Puerto Rico Wednesday morning and is expected to decide whether Camacho, 50, should be taken off life support based on the results of further tests due Wednesday afternoon. Torres said the encephalographic tests would determine whether Camacho is brain dead. Torres said Camacho's son, Hector Camacho, is due to arrive in Puerto Rico on Wednesday night.

"We just have to wait to see if Macho gets better. It's a hard battle," friend and former manager Ismael Leandry told The Associated Press.

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Delmarva Education Foundation Holds Scholarship Fair At Centre

SALISBURY, MD – Students from across the lower Delmarva Peninsula are invited to connect with local organizations and individuals offering college financial aid at the Delmarva Education Foundation’s annual Scholarship Fair at The Centre at Salisbury mall on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. DEF helps local residents to find money to continue their education.

Through its Scholarship Fair, DEF connects local students with local people who have money to give. Dozens of scholarship sponsors from across the lower Delmarva Peninsula will be on hand to meet with prospective applicants from Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Dorchester counties in Maryland, as well as Sussex County, Delaware and Accomack and North Hampton counties in Virginia. Students will be able to learn about DEF’s free, online database of local-priority scholarships, talk with counselors from local high schools, ask questions about financial aid, and get help with the scholarship application process.

This is also a great opportunity for local scholarship sponsors to increase awareness of both their scholarship offerings and of their organization. Any group or individual offering financial aid for students is invited to participate; the cost to reserve a fair table is $25.

The mission of the Delmarva Education Foundation is to promote college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula. For more than a decade, DEF’s trained college access advisors have provided assistance to individuals, families and groups on a wide range of topics relating to post-secondary education.

Funding for the event is provided in part by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore and the Pocomoke City Elks Lodge #1624. Two other local education-based non-profit organizations, Kids of Honor and Horizons at Salisbury School, will provide assistance and support for the Scholarship Fair.

Call DEF at 410-219-3336 or visit www.delmarvaed.org for more information.

Bells Will Be Ringing

Get ready to start seeing Salvation Army Volunteers out ringing the bell for the Holiday Season any day now.

Think about what the Salvation Army does for our communities here on the Eastern Shore. When Hurricane Sandy devastated Crisfield, they immediately responded in the vehicle above feeding anyone who was hungry.

Remember, ALL of the money donated locally stays right here on the Eastern Shore. "Pay It Forward".

Today's Fill In The Blank 11-21-12

If I could turn back time I would ____.

SU To Rename Center For Conflict Resolution In Bossermans' Honor Nov. 26

The community is invited to a reception to celebrate the dedication of the Bosserman Center for  Conflict Resolution 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, November 26, in the Holloway Hall Social Room. That afternoon, members of the Bosserman family and University officials dedicate SU’s Center for  Conflict Resolution in memory of its founder, Dr. Charles “Phil” Bosserman, and in honor of his wife, Carol. This year marks the center’s 20th anniversary. Bosserman, who passed away in 2011, was a professor of sociology and chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at SU for  nearly 20 years. He joined the faculty in 1975.

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Secession: Are We Free To Go?

Is all the recent talk of secession mere sour grapes over the election, or perhaps something deeper? Currently there are active petitions in support of secession for all 50 states, with Texas taking the lead in number of signatures. Texas has well over the number of signatures needed to generate a response from the administration, and while I wouldn't hold my breath on Texas actually seceding, I believe these petitions raise a lot of worthwhile questions about the nature of our union.

Is it treasonous to want to secede from the United States? Many think the question of secession was settled by our Civil War. On the contrary; the principles of self-governance and voluntary association are at the core of our founding. Clearly, Thomas Jeffersonbelieved secession was proper, albeit as a last resort. Writing to William Giles in 1825, he concluded that states:

"should separate from our companions only when the sole alternatives left, are the dissolution of our Union with them, or submission to a government without limitation of powers."

Keep in mind that the first and third paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence expressly contemplate the dissolution of a political union when the underlying government becomes tyrannical.

Do we have a "government without limitation of powers" yet? The Federal government kept the Union together through violence and force in the Civil War, but did might really make right?

Secession is a deeply American principle. This country was born through secession. Some felt it was treasonous to secede from England but those "traitors" became our country's greatest patriots.

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Troopers Urge Vigilance And Safety During The Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us, and the Delaware State Police urge holiday shoppers to exercise vigilance and caution during the busy shopping season.  It is also the season when thieves are frequently on the prowl. 

 

With the goal of preventing criminal activity and protecting holiday shoppers, Troopers will increase visibility statewide with stepped up patrols in shopping centers and malls.

 

The first line of defense is to reduce your own vulnerability and do what you can to minimize the possibility that you could be a victim of crime. Troopers offer the following safety tips to help contribute to the safety and security of our communities during the holiday season.

 

Staying Safe While Shopping:

• Park in high visibility and well lit areas. Lock your car and take your keys.
• Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
• Shop with a friend, there is safety in numbers.
• Use credit/debit cards and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Keep purse close to your body at all times and keep wallet in your front pocket.
• Be extremely careful using ATM machines. Use them in populated places and pay attention to your surroundings.
• Do not leave purchased items visible in the car-leave them in the trunk.
• Report suspicious people or activity immediately.

 

Keeping Your Home Safe:

• Keep the outside of your home well lit with doors and windows locked.
• Keep gifts hidden from view through outside windows of your residence.
• After opening gifts, break down the boxes of expensive electronics or other gifts and dispose of in a non-clear garbage bag to hide the fact that you have valuable items in the home.

 

The Thanksgiving holiday is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year.  The Delaware State Police will have an increased number of Troopers patrolling to ensure that everyone is driving with care, and will be offering assistance to motorists in need. Troopers will be targeting aggressive and impaired drivers.

 

Travel Safety Tips:

• Do not drink and drive! Have a Designated Driver
• Buckle up and make sure all occupants are properly restrained
• Be aware of weather and road conditions
• Keep all doors locked while riding in your car
• Minimize distractions and slow down
• Report aggressive or impaired drivers

 

 Happy Holidays from the Troopers of the Delaware State Police!

Today's Advertiser Of The Day 11-21-12

Delmar Christmas Parade

Delmar Christmas Parade

Sat. Dec. 1st at 2pm

(rain date - Sun. Dec. 2nd)

Entry is FREE. 

Trophies & plaques will be awarded

to top 3 entries in many categories! 

Applications available at Delmar Town Hall, by

calling the Chamber voicemail at 302-846-3336,

or on the website www.delmar-chamberofcommerce.com

Application deadline is Wed. Nov. 28th!

No applications will be mailed out after 11/23.

Parade sponsored by The Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce

Obama’s Labor Board Pushes Manufacturing Jobs Overseas

If you are wondering why American manufacturing jobs are going overseas and not coming back, look no further than President Obama’s National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB recently told a U.S. Court of Appeals that employers’ concerns that a multiplicity of small bargaining units will cripple their operations are “irrelevant” under U.S. labor law.

The Board’s position was put forward by Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon in a disturbing brief to the Fourth Circuit. It was filed to defend the Obama Board’s highly controversial decision, Specialty Healthcare, which jettisoned 76 years of Board law. The decision authorized unions in all industries over which the Board has jurisdiction to represent bargaining units of as few as two or more employees doing the same job in the same location. Why do unions want these small units? Because, among other things, they are easier to organize.

The Board’s decision threatens an undue proliferation of bargaining units, which Congress, state labor boards and other nations have warned about for years.
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Is The IRS Failing To Uphold The Separation Of Church And State?

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is suing the IRS because it says the IRS has suspended auditing thousands of churches and is failing to enforce a ban on church electioneering.

The suit, filed Wednesday with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, claims that there is evidence the IRS is not doing enough to prevent churches and religious institutions from directly and “blatantly” engaging in political messaging which, the suit says, is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and, interestingly, of the FFRF’s equal protection rights.

As evidence for this, the FFRF points to remarks made by Russel Renwicks of the IRS’ Tax-Exempt and Government Entities division, wherein Renwicks said the IRS has suspended tax audits of churches.

“We are holding any potential church audits in abeyance,” Renwicks is quoted as saying by Bloomberg in an October piece. The piece goes on to clarify that there may be a “few” cases of “egregious” electioneering but “even those are in abeyance until IRS finalizes rules.”

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Today's Survey Question 11-21-12

Does the Eastern Shore have an unusually high rate of cancer?

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON HIS DECISION TO RESCHEDULE MARYLAND’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MISSION TO ISRAEL

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement on his decision to reschedule Maryland’s Economic Development Mission to Israel. The Governor and the Maryland Delegation were scheduled to visit Israel, Jordan and Ramallah next week:

“After many days of monitoring the situation in the Middle East, I've decided to reschedule Maryland's Economic Development Mission to Israel.

“Not wanting to be a distraction from the urgent cause of peace, I look forward to visiting Israel in the months ahead with Maryland business, research and academic leaders.

“For now, we join with our Israeli and Palestinian neighbors in praying for a cease-fire and peaceful resolution to the conflict.”

O'Malley Postpones Middle East Trip Amid Conflict

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Trouble in the Middle East has prompted Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley to reschedule a trip to the region.

The governor announced Tuesday he has decided to reschedule the economic development mission. It had been scheduled for next week in Israel, Jordan and Ramallah.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted last week when a resurgence in rocket fire from Gaza provoked Israel to strike back, killing Hamas' military chief in an air attack.
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Democrat Party, Are Waging War On The Taxpayer

A Brief, Illustrated History of the Public Sector Unions That, Together With The Democrat Party, Are Waging War on the Taxpayer

Throughout American history -- and as recently as the 1950s -- there were no unions for government workers. Public-sector employees were expected to earn a bit less than their private-sector equivalents. The reasons they did so included an interest in public service, job security and reasonable benefits.

But that changed in the late fifties with New York City Mayor Robert Wagner's cynical appeal to the votes of city workers. He signed an executive order authorizing them to unionize, and soon other local and state Democrat legislators around the country followed his lead.

These efforts culminated in 1962, when President John F. Kennedy granted federal employees the right to collectively bargain. Since then, public sector union membership has skyrocketed while, in the private sector, unions have fallen out of favor.

In 2009, private sector union members were outnumbered for the first time by their public sector counterparts.

The historical basis of unions revolved around workers receiving a reasonable share of a company's profits. But that tenet is nonsensical when applied to public service. Governments don't make profits; they simply assess taxes.

The aims of public sector unions conflict directly with the interests of taxpayers.

And because it has been exceedingly hard to fight public sector unions, the salaries and benefits of public employees have skyrocketed in recent years. Since the election of Barack Obama, the number of federal employees making over $150,000 a year has more than doubled to over 10,000.

In 2009 government salaries jumped 2.4%, approximately twice the increase earned by private sector employees. In fact, the average salary of a federal worker is now $71,000, about $22,000 more than the average private sector employee.

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Foreclosure Rates Rose In Baltimore Area During September

A report from a national real restate data firm indicates that the foreclosure and mortgage delinquencies rates within the Greater Baltimore area were higher this past September.

According to the CoreLogic's monthly report released Tuesday, nearly 4.05 percent of mortgage loans within Baltimore and six surrounding counties-- including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Hartford, Howard, and Queen Anne's--were in foreclosure

The number is up from 2.74 percent in September 2011.
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Hostess CEO: Buyers Lining Up For Our Brand

The rush to stockpile Twinkies and Ho-Hos the past week may have been premature, according toABC News.  Hostess will appear in bankruptcy court today to settle the sale of assets in their liquidation, brought on by a failure to reach a settlement with the bakers’ union.  However, Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn says that they have already received offers to buy the brands — including a very promising offer from a Mexican group that may have a better economic model than can be found in the US:

“I think we’ll find buyers,”  CEO Gregory F. Rayburn told ABC News on Sunday.  ”A few have surfaced already since Friday expressing interest in the brand to acquire them.”

Con Agra and Flowers Foods are among the companies that have expressed interest in Hostess, but Mexican company El Grupo Bimbo may have an edge, the Christian Science Monitor reported Saturday.  Grupo Bimbo, headed by Mexican billionaire Daniel Servitje Montull, is the largest bread-baking company in the world.

Economists say part of the reason Hostess struggled was due to high sugar tariffs meant to protect local producers, the Monitor reported.  Grupo Bimbo could take advantage of lower sugar prices in Mexico.

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