Officials have been watching for more than a year as a sinkhole expands and engulfs land, swamp, and threatens homes. On Wednesday, the massive sinkhole expanded in a dramatic way, swallowing trees and causing turmoil in the local community.
The sinkhole, discovered Aug. 3, 2012, resulted from a collapsed underground salt dome cavern about 40 miles south of Baton Rouge. After oil and natural gas came oozing up and acres of the swampland liquefied into muck, the community's 350 residents were advised to evacuate.
John Boudreaux, director of emergency preparedness for Assumption Parish, witnessed a "burp" (a small disturbance on the surface) after lunch on Wednesday and knew it could signal something bigger.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, August 22, 2013
"The Dirty Little Secret" Inside The Student Loan Bubble
On the heels of President Obama’s signing of a measure keeping federally subsidized student loans at a relatively low rate through 2015, Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi exposes how the high price of U.S. college tuition and the federal expansion of student debt to pay for it pose a major threat to the economy. In his new article, Taibbi writes [5]: "The dirty secret of American higher education is that student-loan interest rates are almost irrelevant. It’s not the cost of the loan that’s the problem, it’s the principal - the appallingly high tuition costs that have been soaring at two to three times the rate of inflation, an irrational upward trajectory eerily reminiscent of skyrocketing housing prices in the years before 2008." As Democracy Now notes [6], during the following interview with Taibbi, "...throw off the mystery and what you’ll uncover is a shameful and oppressive outrage that for years now has been systematically perpetrated against a generation of young adults." The federal government is poised to make $185 billion over the next 10 years on student loans, with no way out for the young borrowers: "Even gamblers can declare bankruptcy, but kids who enter into student loans will never, ever be able to get out of this debt."
Excerpted from Matt Taibbi's Rolling Stone article:
More
Excerpted from Matt Taibbi's Rolling Stone article:
More
OFFICIALS WEIGHING NEW OC BEACH PATROL HOME; OCDC, OCBP Captain Say New Downtown Headquarters Badly Needed
Last week the Mayor and City Council toured Ocean City Beach Patrol headquarters in advance of last Tuesday’s presentation of the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2014-2018. The CIP draft outlined a number of proposed infrastructure projects to move ahead in the next five years and a plan to build new downtown headquarters for the patrol was included.
Ocean City is currently finalizing the plan but city staff is asking the Mayor and Council to keep the needs of the OCBP in mind as the town is preparing to go to the bond market to fund the already approved Roland E. Powell Convention Center’s performing arts center and other CIP projects.
More
Charles Krauthammer: Kerry's Benghazi Decision 'Surely Is A Clinton Protection Operation'
Charles Krauthammer told viewers Tuesday on "Special Report with Bret Baier" that the State Department's reinstatement of four officials who had been put on leave after the Benghazi attacks illustrates the Department's refusal to hold anyone accountable.
"This is the definition of how to conduct a stonewall," Krauthammer, a syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor, said of Secretary of State John Kerry's decision to put the officials back to work.
"The new Secretary of State looks at this and says, essentially, these people were not responsible, or they don't really carry any accountability - they are back on the job, as you say, without ever missing a paycheck, and no one is held responsible."
Krauthammer added, "whatever the intent was, it surely is a Clinton protection operation, in effect."
More
"This is the definition of how to conduct a stonewall," Krauthammer, a syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor, said of Secretary of State John Kerry's decision to put the officials back to work.
"The new Secretary of State looks at this and says, essentially, these people were not responsible, or they don't really carry any accountability - they are back on the job, as you say, without ever missing a paycheck, and no one is held responsible."
Krauthammer added, "whatever the intent was, it surely is a Clinton protection operation, in effect."
More
VIDEO: CUSTOMER PISTOL-WHIPS DUNKIN’ DONUTS EMPLOYEE OVER ICED COFFEE ORDER
Most people when they’re upset with an incorrect order just ask for a refund or lodge a complaint with management.
But one Florida man decided Tuesday to take “customer dissatisfaction” to a whole new level by pistol-whipping a Dunkin’ Donuts employee while his wife shouted, “Shoot him, shoot him!”
Police in Lauderhill, Fla. on Wednesday released video purportedly showing Jeffrey Wright, 27, repeatedly striking Dunkin’ Donuts drive-through employee Rajay Hall, 19, on the head with a pistol.
The reason for the beating? Hall supposedly messed up Wright’s iced vanilla coffee order.
As customers rushed to break up the fight, Wright’s wife, 22-year-old Alexis Longo, allegedly encouraged her husband to shoot Hall:
More
But one Florida man decided Tuesday to take “customer dissatisfaction” to a whole new level by pistol-whipping a Dunkin’ Donuts employee while his wife shouted, “Shoot him, shoot him!”
Police in Lauderhill, Fla. on Wednesday released video purportedly showing Jeffrey Wright, 27, repeatedly striking Dunkin’ Donuts drive-through employee Rajay Hall, 19, on the head with a pistol.
The reason for the beating? Hall supposedly messed up Wright’s iced vanilla coffee order.
As customers rushed to break up the fight, Wright’s wife, 22-year-old Alexis Longo, allegedly encouraged her husband to shoot Hall:
More
A Warning From A Former Muslim
I was born and raised as Muslim. My whole family is still Muslim. I know every genetic code of Muslim. I know Islamic brain. I live and breath with them. I am an insider. I left Islam when I understood that Islam is a sick and evil religion. The following are the Islamic message to the West.
To the infidels of the West:
The Constitution for the new Islamic Republics of EuroArabia and AmerIslamia is under construction.
We will fight the infidel to death.
- Meanwhile American laws will protect us.
- Democrats and Leftist will support us.
- N.G.O.s will legitimize us.
- C.A.I.R. will incubate us.
- The A.C.L.U. will empower us.
- Western Universities will educate us.
- Mosques will shelter us
- O.P.E.C. will finance us
- Hollywood will love us.
- Kofi Annan and most of the United Nations will cover our asses.
Our children will immigrate from Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Indonesia and even from India to the US and to the other Western countries. They will go to the West for education in full scholarship. America is paying and will continue to pay for our children’s educations and their upbringing in state funded Islamic schools.
To the infidels of the West:
The Constitution for the new Islamic Republics of EuroArabia and AmerIslamia is under construction.
We will fight the infidel to death.
- Meanwhile American laws will protect us.
- Democrats and Leftist will support us.
- N.G.O.s will legitimize us.
- C.A.I.R. will incubate us.
- The A.C.L.U. will empower us.
- Western Universities will educate us.
- Mosques will shelter us
- O.P.E.C. will finance us
- Hollywood will love us.
- Kofi Annan and most of the United Nations will cover our asses.
Our children will immigrate from Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Indonesia and even from India to the US and to the other Western countries. They will go to the West for education in full scholarship. America is paying and will continue to pay for our children’s educations and their upbringing in state funded Islamic schools.
A Message From The Facebook Page Of Allen West
Rodney Carrington’s ‘Laughter’s Good’ Tour At The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center On November 14
SALISBURY, Md. – Texas native Rodney Carrington has been making audiences laugh for almost twenty years with his unique brand of stand-up comedy. The country singer-songwriter has recorded eight major label comedy albums which have sold more than two million copies... two of which have been certified Gold. His albums include such hit comedy-inspired songs as "Dancin' With a Man," "Show Them to Me" and "Don't Look Now." His Christmas album, Make It Christmas features the song, "Camouflage and Christmas Lights."Carrington has also starred in his own sitcom, Rodney, which ran for two seasons on ABC. He co-wrote and co-starred in the feature film, Beer for My Horses with Toby Keith. In 2008, Carrington co-starred in Trace Adkins' hit music video "I Got My Game On" and later won a CMT Music Video Award for "Supporting Character of the Year" for his role. He went on to receive extensive airplay on CMT for his 2009 comedy sketch music video, "If I'm the Only One," which debuted at #2 on Billboard's Comedy Music charts. Carrington has also released a book entitledRodney Carrington: Coming Clean.
Carrington is currently on his North American "Laughter's Good" tour where he performs a mix of his comedic songs and his hilarious stand-up,which will stop at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Thursday, November 14.
Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 23 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, by phone at 410-548-4911 or in person at the WY&CC Box Office (500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury; Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.).
Carrington is currently on his North American "Laughter's Good" tour where he performs a mix of his comedic songs and his hilarious stand-up,which will stop at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Thursday, November 14.
Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 23 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org, by phone at 410-548-4911 or in person at the WY&CC Box Office (500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury; Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.).
Moody’s Mulls Downgrade Of Big Banks As U.S. Support Wanes AND MORE
Moody’s Investors Service may cut debt ratings on at least four of the six largest U.S. banks as it examines whether the government would be less likely to ensure creditors are repaid in a crisis.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Morgan Stanley (MS) andWells Fargo & Co. (WFC) may be downgraded, Moody’s said today in a statement. Bank of America Corp. (BAC) and Citigroup Inc. (C) are under review, with the direction of any rating change uncertain, Moody’s said. Bank of New York Mellon Corp. and State Street Corp. were already under review, Moody’s said.
More
Moody's Weighing Another Round Of Big Bank Downgrades
Ratings agency Moody's MCO +3.18%Investors Service said Thursday it has placed senior and subordinated debt ratings on some of America’s biggest banks under review for potential action.
The firm is considering reducing its assumptions of government support, which have put a floor under its bank ratings dating back to the extraordinary assistance provided to the banking sector during and after the 2008 financial crisis.
More
Moody's eyes downgrade of biggest US banks
NEW YORK (AFP) - Ratings agency Moody's said Thursday it was mulling a downgrade for four major US banks due to an expected reduction in government support under financial reforms.
JPMorgan Chase, the largest US bank by assets; Wells Fargo and investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley were placed under review for a lower credit rating.
Two other banks -- Bank of America, the second-largest US bank, and Citigroup -- also were under review but the direction of their rating was uncertain, Moody's said in a statement.
Moody's said that the six largest US banks were under review as it "considers reducing its government (or systemic) support assumptions to reflect the impact of US bank resolution policies."
More
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Morgan Stanley (MS) andWells Fargo & Co. (WFC) may be downgraded, Moody’s said today in a statement. Bank of America Corp. (BAC) and Citigroup Inc. (C) are under review, with the direction of any rating change uncertain, Moody’s said. Bank of New York Mellon Corp. and State Street Corp. were already under review, Moody’s said.
More
Moody's Weighing Another Round Of Big Bank Downgrades
Ratings agency Moody's MCO +3.18%Investors Service said Thursday it has placed senior and subordinated debt ratings on some of America’s biggest banks under review for potential action.
The firm is considering reducing its assumptions of government support, which have put a floor under its bank ratings dating back to the extraordinary assistance provided to the banking sector during and after the 2008 financial crisis.
More
Moody's eyes downgrade of biggest US banks
NEW YORK (AFP) - Ratings agency Moody's said Thursday it was mulling a downgrade for four major US banks due to an expected reduction in government support under financial reforms.
JPMorgan Chase, the largest US bank by assets; Wells Fargo and investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley were placed under review for a lower credit rating.
Two other banks -- Bank of America, the second-largest US bank, and Citigroup -- also were under review but the direction of their rating was uncertain, Moody's said in a statement.
Moody's said that the six largest US banks were under review as it "considers reducing its government (or systemic) support assumptions to reflect the impact of US bank resolution policies."
More
Maryland Ranks As 29th Costliest State To Operate A Vehicle
The study from Bankrate.com says Marylanders pay an average of $3,158 per year to operate their car. That comes in just below the national average of $3,201.
The report accounts for the cost of gasoline, insurance, repairs, taxes and fees.
Neighboring Virginia is No. 9 on the list at $3,622. Pennsylvania is 44th at $2,764 and Delaware is 38th at $2,846. West Virginia ranks 21st, with average car costs of $3,293
More
Tyranny For Profit
Tyranny seems to be as much about getting rich as it is about getting power. There is the example of Michael Chertoff, ex-Oberstgruppenfuhrer of the Heimatsicherheitsdeinst – who made millions via the TSA porno scanners which are now part of the Submission Training every American who wishes to fly must endure. The maker of the porno scanners – Rapiscan – was aclient of The Chertoff Group. At least $118 million of your dollars have gone to Rapiscan (and to Chertoff, personally) to facilitate your degradation at the airport of your choice.
But, he’s a big fish.
Smaller fish are just as hungry for your money – and your liberty.
For instance, there is Allan Marx. He is anOrdnungspolizei Obersturmfuhrer (police lieutenant, pictured at left ) in Sebastian County, Arkansas who is pushing hard for OralTox test swabs (see here) to be used upon motorists at Fourth Amendment-free “sobriety” checkpoints. It just happens that Marx is also a distributor for the product – and thus, stands to profit handsomely at the expense of his fellow citizens’ liberty.
More
But, he’s a big fish.
Smaller fish are just as hungry for your money – and your liberty.
For instance, there is Allan Marx. He is anOrdnungspolizei Obersturmfuhrer (police lieutenant, pictured at left ) in Sebastian County, Arkansas who is pushing hard for OralTox test swabs (see here) to be used upon motorists at Fourth Amendment-free “sobriety” checkpoints. It just happens that Marx is also a distributor for the product – and thus, stands to profit handsomely at the expense of his fellow citizens’ liberty.
More
What's That Spice On My Crabs? It May Not Be What You Think
So to get schooled on all things “spice,” Vice President of Marketing and Retail Sales Ginger Ports showed us the way.
“My slogan is, ‘Do you ever wonder why your crabs don’t taste the same when you’re at home,’” she said. “Each of the restaurants have their own recipe. We do the blends, but it’s their name, packaged by J.O. Spice.”
More
BRAVE PHILLY KID FEELS .40 CAL TO THE HEAD DURING ROBBERY BY DEVILISH TRIO — BUT IT ISN’T THE FIRST TIME THEY’VE MET
A 13 year-old boy staying home alone was held at gunpoint and told to “chill out” by a team of three armed robbers on Monday morning, police say. And it apparently wasn’t the first time.
In broad daylight, at approximately 11:30 AM, the boy, investigating a suspicious noise emitting from his mother’s room, saw a man climbing into the house through the second-floor window,according to Philly.com. The boy reportedly attempted to make a run towards the phone to dial 911, but was grabbed by the arm of one of the alleged invaders, Daniel Taylor.
More
In broad daylight, at approximately 11:30 AM, the boy, investigating a suspicious noise emitting from his mother’s room, saw a man climbing into the house through the second-floor window,according to Philly.com. The boy reportedly attempted to make a run towards the phone to dial 911, but was grabbed by the arm of one of the alleged invaders, Daniel Taylor.
More
Board Approves Restaurant Loan, Air Conditioning For Schools
Maryland's Board of Public Works has approved a $240,000 neighborhood revitalization loan for the Greene Turtle in Towson.
The money is to be used to add a rooftop dining room to the restaurant.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot questioned the loan, essentially saying the Greene Turtle is not a troubled "main street business," and should not be eligible for the loan administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
DHCD Secretary Raymond Skinner notes that a number of the properties surrounding the restaurant in the 400-block of York Road are vacant, and that qualifies the project for the loan.
More
The money is to be used to add a rooftop dining room to the restaurant.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot questioned the loan, essentially saying the Greene Turtle is not a troubled "main street business," and should not be eligible for the loan administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
DHCD Secretary Raymond Skinner notes that a number of the properties surrounding the restaurant in the 400-block of York Road are vacant, and that qualifies the project for the loan.
More
Welfare Pays More Than Entry-Level Work In A Shocking Number Of States
If it paid better to stay at home and not work, what would you do? That’s a question being asked in more than 30 states.
Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia have made it more attractive to seek welfare benefits than entry-level employment, according to a new report from the libertarian Cato Institute.
“One of the single best ways to climb out of poverty is taking a job, but as long as welfare provides a better standard of living than an entry-level job, recipients will continue to choose it over work,” said Michael Tanner, senior policy analyst and study co-author.
More
Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia have made it more attractive to seek welfare benefits than entry-level employment, according to a new report from the libertarian Cato Institute.
“One of the single best ways to climb out of poverty is taking a job, but as long as welfare provides a better standard of living than an entry-level job, recipients will continue to choose it over work,” said Michael Tanner, senior policy analyst and study co-author.
More
Police: Teen Pulls Kids From Burning Car
Just before 2 PM Tuesday in the 7300-block of Ridge Road, Marriottsville, 15-year-old Michael Shearer was doing yard work when he saw a Toyota van go by his home and then crash about a football field away.
"I heard a really loud screeching sound and then I heard a crashing sound," he said. "And then I saw smoke."
Shearer said he ran down the hill and found the van in flames.
"I thought there was no way that someone could have survived something that bad," he said.
More
"I heard a really loud screeching sound and then I heard a crashing sound," he said. "And then I saw smoke."
Shearer said he ran down the hill and found the van in flames.
"I thought there was no way that someone could have survived something that bad," he said.
More
Two Arrested After Traffic Stop in Millsboro Results in Seizure of Guns, Drugs
DSP News Release: Two Arrested After Traffic Stop in Millsboro Results in Seizure of Guns, Drugs
Location:
· Long Neck Road south of Shoppes of Long Neck Boulevard, Millsboro, DE
Date of Occurrence:
· Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at 4:36 p.m.
Defendants, Charges, and Bail Information:
· Michael A. Lowe, 22, of Laurel, DE (white male in red shirt)
· Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (2 counts)
· Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
· Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
· Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier I Quantity
· Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
· Possession of a Weapon with a Obliterated Serial Number
· Conspiracy Second Degree
· Possession of a Controlled Substance
· Possession of Marijuana
· Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
· Traffic Offenses
· Committed to Sussex Correctional Institute on $71,525 cash bail.
· Klin C. Gootee, 23, of Laurel, DE (black male in white shirt)
· Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
· Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
· Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
· Possession of a Controlled Substance in a Tier I Quantity
· Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
· Conspiracy Second Degree
· Possession of a Controlled Substance
· Possession of Marijuana
· Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
· Committed to Sussex Correctional Institute on $57,000 cash bail.
Resume:
Millsboro – A traffic stop in Millsboro yesterday afternoon resulted in the arrest of two Laurel men and the seizure of guns and drugs.
The stop happened at 4:36 p.m. when a Trooper on patrol noticed a silver Chrysler Concord committing a moving violation on Long Neck Road and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped in the parking lot of a business immediately south of the intersection with Shoppes of Long Neck Boulevard.
After speaking to the vehicle's occupants the Trooper determined that neither the driver nor the two passengers possessed a valid driver's license. Additionally, the driver, Michael A. Lowe, 22, was wanted on an active capias.
The Trooper took Lowe into custody for the capias and found Lowe to be in possession of eighteen Oxycodone pills and $243.00. The Trooper and an assisting Trooper then had the rear seat passenger and front seat passenger exit the vehicle. When the front seat passenger, Klin C. Gootee, 23, exited the vehicle, he quickly picked up a purple bag he had been sitting upon and stuffed it under his seat.
A search under the seat revealed the purple bag contained a loaded .32 caliber revolver. Also under the seat was a loaded .22 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number. Under the driver's seat Troopers located a bag containing 5.55 grams of marijuana and 13 bags (.325 gram) of heroin.
A search of Gootee resulted in the recovery of a bag containing 1.97 grams of marijuana, an Oxycodone pill, forty-two bags (1.05 gram) of heroin, and $216.00.
Lowe and Gootee were both transported to Troop 7 and charged with the above listed offenses. The cash recovered from the defendants was seized. The vehicle's rear passenger was not charged. Lowe was committed to Sussex Correctional Institute on $71,525 cash bail, and Gootee was committed on $57,000 cash bail.
School District Ends Policy Of Forcing Students To Kneel Down For Dismissal
YUCAIPA (CBSLA.com) — School district officials in San Bernardino County say they will discontinue a policy that required elementary school students to kneel down before being dismissed to class.
Principal Dana Carter at Calimesa Elementary School had reportedly instituted the policy, which called for students at various times of the school day to kneel down on one knee and wait for the principal or another administrator to dismiss them, as a safety measure.
More
Principal Dana Carter at Calimesa Elementary School had reportedly instituted the policy, which called for students at various times of the school day to kneel down on one knee and wait for the principal or another administrator to dismiss them, as a safety measure.
More
New Jersey Farmer Gets Political With Corn Maze
Now you can get lost in it — literally.
A farm stand and fun park in this Morris County town has cut portraits of Republican Gov. Chris Christie and his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono, into a cornfield maze that will be open to the paying public on Aug. 31.
The Stony Hill Farm Market says the maze — which was not carved by extra-terrestrials — will stay open until Nov. 10, five days after the election.
More
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)