To fully understand the state of play in the Republican party, look no further than Sens. Mike Enzi (WY) and Pat Roberts (KS). Both are reliable, mainstream conservatives, yet neither have a record of seeking a fight or standing on principle. Think Orrin Hatch, without the tab-collars. Both, however, stood with Ted Cruz in the fight over ObamaCare. Not coincidentally, both face serious primary challengers.
Sen. Mike Enzi is being challenged by Liz Cheney, who criticizes his "go-along-to-get-along" approach to government. Sen. Pat Roberts, who helped guide HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius through the nomination process, is being challenged by doctor, and Obama cousin, Milton Wolf. Nothing in their legislative record suggests they would have sided with Sens. Cruz and Mike Lee but for these primary challenges.
While most of the media and the GOP establishment try to pin blame for the recent fiscal stand-off on conservatives and the Tea Party, in reality the debate shows how bankrupt the GOP establishment has become. Senators, who serve six-year terms, spend most of their time in office immune from voters. They often get caught up in the world of DC salons. As the ballot box approaches, however, they affect a more conservative posture.
We all remember how Sen. John McCain, a vocal advocate now for amnesty, took a decidedly different tact when running for reelection.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Saturday, October 19, 2013
REMINDER
Ocean Pines Chamber Committee will host a Legislative Town Hall Meeting
Ocean Pines, Maryland
The Legislative Committee of the Ocean Pines Chamber will host a public meeting at the Ocean Pines Library on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 from
5:00pm – 7:00pm. The town hall-style meeting will be open to all residents and business owners interested in learning about current issues and projects facing local representatives and their committees. JAMES N. MATHIAS, JR. Democrat, District 38, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties, MICHAEL A. McDERMOTT Republican, District 38B, Wicomico & Worcester Counties, CHARLES J. OTTO Republican, District 38A, Somerset & Wicomico Counties, will participate in the October 22nd town hall meeting. Each representative will begin the meeting with a few moments to educate the audience on the most important business issues that will be brought up in the upcoming legislative session. The representatives will then participate in a question and answer session on legislative issues by the audience and committee. The meeting is free and open to the public and audience participation and feedback is extremely important. Light refreshments will be served. Businesses and individuals are also encouraged to submit questions in advance by email to the committee atinfo@oceanpineschamber.org, faxed to 410-641-6176 or delivered to the Ocean Pines Chamber Office by October 16, 2013. Please limit questions to legislative issues. For more information on the Chamber visit www.oceanpineschamber.org
Ocean Pines, Maryland
The Legislative Committee of the Ocean Pines Chamber will host a public meeting at the Ocean Pines Library on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 from
5:00pm – 7:00pm. The town hall-style meeting will be open to all residents and business owners interested in learning about current issues and projects facing local representatives and their committees. JAMES N. MATHIAS, JR. Democrat, District 38, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties, MICHAEL A. McDERMOTT Republican, District 38B, Wicomico & Worcester Counties, CHARLES J. OTTO Republican, District 38A, Somerset & Wicomico Counties, will participate in the October 22nd town hall meeting. Each representative will begin the meeting with a few moments to educate the audience on the most important business issues that will be brought up in the upcoming legislative session. The representatives will then participate in a question and answer session on legislative issues by the audience and committee. The meeting is free and open to the public and audience participation and feedback is extremely important. Light refreshments will be served. Businesses and individuals are also encouraged to submit questions in advance by email to the committee atinfo@oceanpineschamber.org, faxed to 410-641-6176 or delivered to the Ocean Pines Chamber Office by October 16, 2013. Please limit questions to legislative issues. For more information on the Chamber visit www.oceanpineschamber.org
ATF’s Prescription For Leaking Secrets: A Firing Squad?
After months of anguished debate over mass shootings, gun control and Second Amendment rights, the Justice Department finds itself on the defensive after a training manual surfaced that suggests federal agents could face a firing squad for leaking government secrets.
A photo in the online manual for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — complete with a photo of a turn-of-the-century firing squad — was obtained by The Washington Times from a concerned federal law enforcement official, and it immediately drew protests from watchdogs who said it showed a lack of sensitivity to gun violence and the continuing hostile environment toward whistleblowers.
Stephen Kohn, executive director of the National Whistleblower Center, said the DOJ has forgotten about the protections of the First Amendment, which covers leaks to the media, and that the photo could scare its employees into self-censorship.
The photo “would have a chilling affect on legitimate speech. And some of the rhetoric used against whistleblowers could be construed as inciting to violence because they’ve turned up the rhetoric,” Mr. Kohn said.
Justice Department officials said the photo was included as a joke and that they were unaware it was viewed as offensive by agents. They plan to remove the entry, but not until the government shutdown is ended and federal officials return to work, said Richard Marianos, the special agent in charge of the Washington division of ATF.
More
A photo in the online manual for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — complete with a photo of a turn-of-the-century firing squad — was obtained by The Washington Times from a concerned federal law enforcement official, and it immediately drew protests from watchdogs who said it showed a lack of sensitivity to gun violence and the continuing hostile environment toward whistleblowers.
Stephen Kohn, executive director of the National Whistleblower Center, said the DOJ has forgotten about the protections of the First Amendment, which covers leaks to the media, and that the photo could scare its employees into self-censorship.
The photo “would have a chilling affect on legitimate speech. And some of the rhetoric used against whistleblowers could be construed as inciting to violence because they’ve turned up the rhetoric,” Mr. Kohn said.
Justice Department officials said the photo was included as a joke and that they were unaware it was viewed as offensive by agents. They plan to remove the entry, but not until the government shutdown is ended and federal officials return to work, said Richard Marianos, the special agent in charge of the Washington division of ATF.
More
Offshore Seismic Air Gun Testing Raises Concerns
OCEAN CITY — An ongoing effort to derail proposed plans to allow seismic air gun testing off the mid-Atlantic coast and up and down the eastern seaboard from Delaware to Florida continued this week.
With a renewed interest in tapping potential oil and gas reserves just off the mid-Atlantic coast, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), an arm of the Department of the Interior, is considering allowing private energy companies to utilize seismic air gun testing to determine what lies beneath the ocean floor.
More
With a renewed interest in tapping potential oil and gas reserves just off the mid-Atlantic coast, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), an arm of the Department of the Interior, is considering allowing private energy companies to utilize seismic air gun testing to determine what lies beneath the ocean floor.
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Despite All Of Its Surveillance Capability, The NSA Still Depends On Hackers
At a recent conference in Aspen, NSA Chief Keith Alexander said about tracking terrorist activities on the web, "you need the haystack to find the needle."
Well, despite the rather obvious fact that the NSA has access to the haystack — a euphemism for all web communications — it still relies on hackers to find the needle.
That's because the web is largely still encrypted.
Recent stories have indicated that the NSA has pulled out all stops to degrade encryption — putting plants in the right positions in the tech industry, coercing companies to insert backdoors in software and hardware, etc.
The NSA takes those routes because brute force attacks on encryption — with the NSA's super computers guessing umpteen passwords a millisecond — simply cannot keep up with current encryption technology.
Even Edward Snowden said encryption still works.
More
Well, despite the rather obvious fact that the NSA has access to the haystack — a euphemism for all web communications — it still relies on hackers to find the needle.
That's because the web is largely still encrypted.
Recent stories have indicated that the NSA has pulled out all stops to degrade encryption — putting plants in the right positions in the tech industry, coercing companies to insert backdoors in software and hardware, etc.
The NSA takes those routes because brute force attacks on encryption — with the NSA's super computers guessing umpteen passwords a millisecond — simply cannot keep up with current encryption technology.
Even Edward Snowden said encryption still works.
More
Maryland To Spend $6 Million To Move Housing Agency Out Of Anne Arundel
The Board of Public Works in May approved a lease deal to move the department and its 320 jobs from Crownsville to New Carrollton.
If the project is finished on time, the state's 15-year lease deal with Rockville-based Berman Enterprises will begin June 1, 2015, for the 97,332-square-foot space in New Carrollton.
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Obama To Tap Ex-Pentagon Official For Homeland Security
President Obama plans to nominate former Pentagon attorney Jeh Johnson as the next secretary of Homeland Security, a White House official said Thursday.
Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department during Obama's first term, will be introduced by the president at a ceremony on Friday.
If confirmed by the Senate, Johnson would replace Janet Napolitano, who left the administration to run the University of California education system.
"The president is selecting Johnson because he is one of the most highly qualified and respected national security leaders, having served as the senior lawyer for the largest government agency in the world," the official said.
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Johnson, general counsel for the Defense Department during Obama's first term, will be introduced by the president at a ceremony on Friday.
If confirmed by the Senate, Johnson would replace Janet Napolitano, who left the administration to run the University of California education system.
"The president is selecting Johnson because he is one of the most highly qualified and respected national security leaders, having served as the senior lawyer for the largest government agency in the world," the official said.
More
Hoedown To Feature Music, Special Menu, Craft Beer
BERLIN — The Atlantic Hotel will be adding a new food and music event to Berlin’s already well-loaded October schedule when they present its first-ever Hoedown on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Incorporating live music and unlimited beer from two of the area’s most popular breweries, the event will also have a specially designed menu that chef Leo D’Aleo promises will lend a “deck party” feel to Berlin in autumn.
The hoedown is shaping up to be something unique for the town, according to musician Bryan Russo, one of the four artists tapped to perform at the event.
“It’s one of those special events that they do, the big, can’t miss events that Fager’s has done in the past…I think they wanted to bring something over to the hotel and do something similar,” Russo said.
More
Incorporating live music and unlimited beer from two of the area’s most popular breweries, the event will also have a specially designed menu that chef Leo D’Aleo promises will lend a “deck party” feel to Berlin in autumn.
The hoedown is shaping up to be something unique for the town, according to musician Bryan Russo, one of the four artists tapped to perform at the event.
“It’s one of those special events that they do, the big, can’t miss events that Fager’s has done in the past…I think they wanted to bring something over to the hotel and do something similar,” Russo said.
More
NSA Spying Did Not Result In A SINGLE Foiled Terrorist
No Stopped Terrorist Plots
TechDirt notes:
Feinstein goes on to make … claims that have already been debunked:
Working in combination, the call-records database and other NSA programs have aided efforts by U.S. intelligence agencies to disrupt terrorism in the U.S. approximately a dozen times in recent years, according to the NSA. This summer, the agency disclosed that 54 terrorist events have been interrupted—including plots stopped and arrests made for support to terrorism. Thirteen events were in the U.S. homeland and nine involved U.S. persons or facilities overseas. Twenty-five were in Europe, five in Africa and 11 in Asia.
[The NSA chief himself admits the numbers are wildly inflated, and there were only "one or two" terrorist plots foiled. The NSA’s deputy director says that – at the most – one (1) plot might have been disrupted by the bulk phone records collection alone.]
Note the all important “and other NSA programs” language here. Also the use of “terrorist events” not plots. And, remember, those “thirteen events… in the U.S. homeland,” have since been whittled down to only one that actually relied on the call records program that she’s defending — and that wasn’t a terrorist plot but a cab driver in San Diego sending some cash to a Somali group judged to be a terrorist organization.
Specifically, the cab driver and 3 other men raised a total of $8,500 and sent it to Somalia.
More
TechDirt notes:
Feinstein goes on to make … claims that have already been debunked:
Working in combination, the call-records database and other NSA programs have aided efforts by U.S. intelligence agencies to disrupt terrorism in the U.S. approximately a dozen times in recent years, according to the NSA. This summer, the agency disclosed that 54 terrorist events have been interrupted—including plots stopped and arrests made for support to terrorism. Thirteen events were in the U.S. homeland and nine involved U.S. persons or facilities overseas. Twenty-five were in Europe, five in Africa and 11 in Asia.
[The NSA chief himself admits the numbers are wildly inflated, and there were only "one or two" terrorist plots foiled. The NSA’s deputy director says that – at the most – one (1) plot might have been disrupted by the bulk phone records collection alone.]
Note the all important “and other NSA programs” language here. Also the use of “terrorist events” not plots. And, remember, those “thirteen events… in the U.S. homeland,” have since been whittled down to only one that actually relied on the call records program that she’s defending — and that wasn’t a terrorist plot but a cab driver in San Diego sending some cash to a Somali group judged to be a terrorist organization.
Specifically, the cab driver and 3 other men raised a total of $8,500 and sent it to Somalia.
More
POLICE INVESTIGATING GRAPHIC, VIOLENT THREATS MADE AGAINST TED CRUZ: ‘GO THE F*** BACK TO CANADA, ELSE YOU AND [YOUR] FAMILY WILL PAY’
The threatening posts were made on Twitter by someone who identifies himself as Troy Gilmore Jr. and uses the Twitter handle @ArmyVet54. He has also listed Cruz’s home address in Houston several times and argued he needs to be “taught a street wise lesson.”
“Take down Ted Cruz, at his home,” the person tweeted, listing Cruz’s home address in Houston. More
2013 Atlantic hurricane season weaker than expected
This year's Atlantic hurricane season is on pace to see fewer hurricanes than expected and fewer than a typical season.
Twelve named storms, only two of which became hurricanes, have occurred so far. Neither hurricane reached Category 3, the point at which a storm is considered a major hurricane. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted three to six major hurricanes this season.
Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30, and an average season sees 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
By mid-October of 2012, there had been 17 named storms, nine of which were hurricanes, well ahead of this year's pace. Hurricane Sandy, last year's most powerful and destructive storm, did not occur until late October, but hurricanes are uncommon in November. In 2011 and 2012 combined, the month of November had one tropical storm and no hurricanes.
The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season finished with 19 named storms, 10 of which became hurricanes. Only two of those hurricanes reached Category 3--Sandy and Michael. Sandy, which was a post-tropical cyclone by the time it made landfall, caused tens of billions of dollars in damage and killed 147 people. Hurricane Michael never made landfall.
Isaac, while only a Category 1 hurricane, caused more than $2 billion in damage and killed 34 people.
This year, Hurricane Humberto was the first hurricane, reaching Category 1 status in September but never making landfall.
Hurricane Ingrid, which also topped out at Category 1, struck Mexico in September, killing dozens in conjunction with another storm.
Twelve named storms, only two of which became hurricanes, have occurred so far. Neither hurricane reached Category 3, the point at which a storm is considered a major hurricane. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted three to six major hurricanes this season.
Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30, and an average season sees 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
By mid-October of 2012, there had been 17 named storms, nine of which were hurricanes, well ahead of this year's pace. Hurricane Sandy, last year's most powerful and destructive storm, did not occur until late October, but hurricanes are uncommon in November. In 2011 and 2012 combined, the month of November had one tropical storm and no hurricanes.
The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season finished with 19 named storms, 10 of which became hurricanes. Only two of those hurricanes reached Category 3--Sandy and Michael. Sandy, which was a post-tropical cyclone by the time it made landfall, caused tens of billions of dollars in damage and killed 147 people. Hurricane Michael never made landfall.
Isaac, while only a Category 1 hurricane, caused more than $2 billion in damage and killed 34 people.
This year, Hurricane Humberto was the first hurricane, reaching Category 1 status in September but never making landfall.
Hurricane Ingrid, which also topped out at Category 1, struck Mexico in September, killing dozens in conjunction with another storm.
Md. Health Connection Enrollment Climbs, But Long Way To Go
Here are the other highlights from MHBE’s weekly report on enrollment and usage (as of Oct. 18 at 12 a.m.):
Since the exchange opened on Oct. 1, there have been:
261,139 unique web visitors
25,149 calls to the call center
34,862 accounts created
23,141 households that learned their eligibility statusMore
The Sun Is Setting On Dollar Supremacy, And With It, American Power
All great empires – from the Greek, to the Roman, the Spanish and the British – have at their heart a dominant means of exchange which is very much part of their political and social hegemony. Once upon a time, it was Roman coinage which was the world’s pre-eminent currency. In more recent times it was the British pound. Today, it’s the US dollar to which international investors flock as a safe haven for their money. Highly liquid and apparently reliable – until recently at least – nothing else comes even remotely close to the greenback’s dominant position in the international monetary system.
That this position – what Giscard d’Estaing referred to as America’s “exorbitant privilege” – could so casually be put at risk by politicians on Capitol Hill is an extraordinary spectacle that may be indicative of a great power already seriously on the wane.
With the pound, the fall from grace was swift. Britain emerged from the devastation of the First World War an irreparably damaged economic and military power, with crushing debts and a deeply impaired manufacturing sector.
Read more
That this position – what Giscard d’Estaing referred to as America’s “exorbitant privilege” – could so casually be put at risk by politicians on Capitol Hill is an extraordinary spectacle that may be indicative of a great power already seriously on the wane.
With the pound, the fall from grace was swift. Britain emerged from the devastation of the First World War an irreparably damaged economic and military power, with crushing debts and a deeply impaired manufacturing sector.
Read more
Phosphorous Restrictions Causing Poo Panic With Chicken Farmers
Because of their concerns about the ramifications of proposed regulations that would limit the use of chicken manure on farms, the Worcester County Commissioners are requesting that a comprehensive economic impact study be conducted to determine their full impact and cost.
The commissioners are also asking for a meeting with Sec. Buddy Hance of the Maryland Department of Agriculture to voice their displeasure about the Phosphorus Management Tool, the proposed regulations that would impact agriculture, a vital industry in the county.
“There’s no economic study being done,” Commissioner Virgil Shockley, a chicken farmer, said Tuesday. “We can ask for the economic side to be looked at before any implementation takes place.”
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The commissioners are also asking for a meeting with Sec. Buddy Hance of the Maryland Department of Agriculture to voice their displeasure about the Phosphorus Management Tool, the proposed regulations that would impact agriculture, a vital industry in the county.
“There’s no economic study being done,” Commissioner Virgil Shockley, a chicken farmer, said Tuesday. “We can ask for the economic side to be looked at before any implementation takes place.”
More
AND WHAT ABOUT THE EASTERN SHORE????
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, Lt. GOVERNOR BROWN AND WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF VOLVO POWERTRAIN FACILITY
HAGERSTOWN, MD (October 18, 2013) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined with Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and the Washington County Board of Commissioners to announce that the Volvo Group is investing $30 million to expand the company’s Hagerstown facility. As a result of the expansion, the Volvo Group, one of the world’s largest producers of heavy duty diesel engines, plans to add as many as 140 new full-time jobs and retain 1,340 existing full-time jobs.
“Volvo’s continued investment in Maryland and in Washington County sends a strong message that we have one of the best workforces in the world,” said Governor O’Malley. “State and local officials have worked closely with Volvo over the years to retain these good paying jobs for Western Maryland. We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with this world-class company.”
“We worked to coordinate state support for this expansion because we're committed to creating more good paying, middle-class jobs and bringing new economic opportunities to families in Western Maryland,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “I look forward to continuing our work with state and local leaders and our business community to strengthen Maryland's manufacturing industry and ensure that top companies like Volvo stay and grow in Maryland.”
To assist with project costs, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development approved a $4 million conditional loan, which is based on job retention and creation and capital investment. In addition, Washington County has approved a $200,000 conditional loan under the same terms. The company is also eligible for a number of State and local tax credits and training programs.
“Here in Washington County we’re proud to support the substantial investment and continuing legacy of the Hagerstown facility, which has remained a strong business and community partner for more than 50 years,” said Terry Baker, president, Washington County Board of County Commissioners. “Through our strong state and local partnerships, we’re able to help secure and support additional high paying jobs for our community and further our focus on future economic development efforts.”
The Volvo Group’s Hagerstown facility has been a strong corporate member of the community and a major economic driver in the region for more than 50 years. The site has been home to heavy-duty powertrain development and production since it opened as a Mack Trucks, Inc. facility in 1961. The Volvo Group acquired Mack and the Hagerstown plant in 2001, and since then has invested more than $350 million to modernize the facility and install new production capability to produce the world’s cleanest burning heavy-duty diesel engines and advanced transmissions. In 2012, the plant produced more than 45,000 engines and 21,000 transmissions for Volvo Group brands.
“We not only have a state-of-the-art facility here in Washington County, but more importantly we have a highly-skilled and capable workforce and a world-class product offering,” said Wade Watson, the Volvo Group’s VP and Plant Manager. “This is one more milestone along a trail of many that demonstrates the Volvo Group’s commitment to this market and to our workforce. I am also pleased to see how our partnerships with Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development and Washington County have contributed to the decisions to invest in this site and provide new opportunities for our community for years to come.”
Salisbury Accepts Safe Streets Grant; Police To Use Speed Camera Funds For Equipment
SALISBURY – The Salisbury City Council voted unanimously to pass a number of required legal actions, including more state funding for a major crime initiative as well as directing speed camera revenue to police purchases.
Additional State Funding
Secured For Safe Streets
The City Council approved a resolution accepting state grant funds through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention in the amount of $10,000. The money was awarded as an addendum to the Safe Streets Grant that was awarded July 15 and was in the amount of about $280,000.
More
Additional State Funding
Secured For Safe Streets
The City Council approved a resolution accepting state grant funds through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention in the amount of $10,000. The money was awarded as an addendum to the Safe Streets Grant that was awarded July 15 and was in the amount of about $280,000.
More
WORCESTER COUNTY TEA PARTY EVENT
The WORCESTER COUNTY TEA PARTY will meet on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013 at the Ocean Pines Community Center. Speaker: WILLIAM H. CAMPBELL, Candidate for MD State Comptroller.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm, the meeting will start at 7:00 pm. All interested citizens are invited to attend. The Worcester County Tea Party is a grassroots organization, not affiliated with any political party, which is committed to promoting fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and restoring Constitutional limits to the government. For more information, call 443-614-7214; email WCTPPatriots@gmail.com, visit www.WorcesterCountyTeaParty.com
Doors will open at 6:30 pm, the meeting will start at 7:00 pm. All interested citizens are invited to attend. The Worcester County Tea Party is a grassroots organization, not affiliated with any political party, which is committed to promoting fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and restoring Constitutional limits to the government. For more information, call 443-614-7214; email WCTPPatriots@gmail.com, visit www.WorcesterCountyTeaParty.com
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