Every other month or so a story about a child bullied until he or she commits suicide rises into our national consciousness.
This month it’s Rebecca Sedwick from Lakeland, Fla.
Before that it was Gabrielle Molina of Queens. And before that it Asher Brown.
All suicides are tragic and complicated. And teen suicides are particularly devastating because as adults we recognize all that lost potential.
Yet, in perpetuating these stories, which are often little more than emotional linkbait, journalists are complicit in a gross oversimplification of a complicated phenomenon. In short, we’re getting the facts wrong.
The common narrative goes like this: Mean kids, usually the most popular and powerful, single out and relentlessly bully a socially weaker classmate in a systemic and calculated way, which then drives the victim into a darkness where he or she sees no alternative other than committing suicide.
And yet experts – those who study suicide, teen behavior and the dynamics of cyber interactions of teens – all say that the facts are rarely that simple. And by repeating this inaccurate story over and over, journalists are harming the public’s ability to understand the dynamics of both bullying and suicide.
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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
Monday, October 28, 2013
Harry Reid: 'Everybody ... Willing To Pay More' Taxes
Senate majority leader Harry Reid says that "Everybody" is "willing to pay more" taxes. He said so in an interview with a Nevada Public Radio host.
“The only people who feel there shouldn’t be more coming in to the federal government from the rich people are the Republicans in the Congress,” Reid told the radio host, according to Roll Call. “Everybody else, including the rich people, are willing to pay more. They want to pay more.”
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“The only people who feel there shouldn’t be more coming in to the federal government from the rich people are the Republicans in the Congress,” Reid told the radio host, according to Roll Call. “Everybody else, including the rich people, are willing to pay more. They want to pay more.”
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The Bigot’s Guide To Hating Southerners
A CNN travel editor named Chuck Thompson has established himself as a one-man hate group in writing a short book entitled Better Off Without ‘Em: A Northern Manifesto for Southern Secession.” He advertised his book in an October 20 article in Salon entitled “Just Secede Already.” Oh, if only we could.
Hatred of and bigotry toward Southerners is of course nothing new. The New England “Yankees” of the early nineteenth century thought of themselves as God’s chosen people and deplored the immigration into the country of lesser humans from parts of Europe other than their own little section of the British Isles – especially the loathsome Catholic immigrants from Germany, Ireland, and Italy (See Albion’s Seed by David Hackett Fisher).
The early nineteenth-century New England descendants of the Puritans so hated Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase, and its prospects for accommodating masses of God’s un-chosen people, that they spent a decade plotting secession. This plot culminated in the 1814 Hartford Secession Convention at which the New England Federalists issued severe criticisms of government, but decided that their political and economic fortunes would be best served by undermining the government of the founders from within rather than seceding. Their political descendants (The Whig and Republican parties of that century) succeeded beyond their wildest dreams in creating a centralized, bureaucratic empire that would rival the British and Spanish empires.
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Hatred of and bigotry toward Southerners is of course nothing new. The New England “Yankees” of the early nineteenth century thought of themselves as God’s chosen people and deplored the immigration into the country of lesser humans from parts of Europe other than their own little section of the British Isles – especially the loathsome Catholic immigrants from Germany, Ireland, and Italy (See Albion’s Seed by David Hackett Fisher).
The early nineteenth-century New England descendants of the Puritans so hated Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase, and its prospects for accommodating masses of God’s un-chosen people, that they spent a decade plotting secession. This plot culminated in the 1814 Hartford Secession Convention at which the New England Federalists issued severe criticisms of government, but decided that their political and economic fortunes would be best served by undermining the government of the founders from within rather than seceding. Their political descendants (The Whig and Republican parties of that century) succeeded beyond their wildest dreams in creating a centralized, bureaucratic empire that would rival the British and Spanish empires.
More
Hillary Builds Her Liberal Firewall
Buzz Cut:
• Hillary builds her liberal firewall
• As pressure mounts, Sebelius stays out of town
• If Obama had to be on ObamaCare
• Phishing for an apology
• Oh, the indignity!
HILLARY BUILDS HER LIBERAL FIREWALL - Hillary Clinton was the star attraction at the ultra-liberal Center for American Progress’ annual gala, what the group calls its “Progressive Party.” Clinton, who was tossed aside by liberal voters in the 2008 Democratic primaries, isn’t taking any chances for 2016. “Progressive ideas have helped make this country the greatest force for human liberty, dignity and opportunity the world has ever known,” she said. She also noted the country’s challenges, which leave it “careening from crisis to crisis” and said she sought a strategy based on “data and evidence, not ideology.” Clinton joked of the group’s 10th anniversary: “When does the cake come out? I was going to jump out of the cake.” Watch video from the group here.
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• Hillary builds her liberal firewall
• As pressure mounts, Sebelius stays out of town
• If Obama had to be on ObamaCare
• Phishing for an apology
• Oh, the indignity!
HILLARY BUILDS HER LIBERAL FIREWALL - Hillary Clinton was the star attraction at the ultra-liberal Center for American Progress’ annual gala, what the group calls its “Progressive Party.” Clinton, who was tossed aside by liberal voters in the 2008 Democratic primaries, isn’t taking any chances for 2016. “Progressive ideas have helped make this country the greatest force for human liberty, dignity and opportunity the world has ever known,” she said. She also noted the country’s challenges, which leave it “careening from crisis to crisis” and said she sought a strategy based on “data and evidence, not ideology.” Clinton joked of the group’s 10th anniversary: “When does the cake come out? I was going to jump out of the cake.” Watch video from the group here.
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STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH OF A RETIRED STATE TROOPER AFTER CAR CRASHES IN TO HIS RESIDENCE
(Rock Hall, MD) – Maryland State Police continue the investigation into a crash that claimed the life of a retired state trooper early this morning.
The victim is identified as Philip Nolan, Jr., 57, of the 22,000 block of Rock Hall Road in Rock Hall, Maryland. Nolan retired in 2005 from the Maryland State Police as a Sergeant, after serving almost 22 years with the Department. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency service personnel.
The suspects involved in the crash are not being identified at this time. Charges are pending the investigation by the Maryland State Police CRASH Team and subsequent review by the Kent County State’s Attorney.
Shortly after 6:00 a.m. this morning, sheriff deputies from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Maryland State Police CRASH Team at Nolan’s residence in Rock Hall. State troopers from the Centreville Barrack, the CRASH Team and the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene.
The preliminary investigation indicates the two suspects were traveling westbound on Route 20 in a Mazda RX-8. The driver, for reasons unknown at this time, lost control of the vehicle, and failed to negotiate a curve. The car then left the roadway and entered the building where Nolan was living.
Investigators believe Nolan was struck when the vehicle entered the garage portion of his place of business. Nolan was living in a room at his business at the time of the crash.
At this time, investigators believe alcohol was a contributing factor to the crash. Police are also investigating a possible false report of a stolen vehicle reported by the suspects in this incident. The report of the stolen vehicle was taken shortly after 4:00 a.m. this morning by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office prior to the crash.
The investigation continues…
The victim is identified as Philip Nolan, Jr., 57, of the 22,000 block of Rock Hall Road in Rock Hall, Maryland. Nolan retired in 2005 from the Maryland State Police as a Sergeant, after serving almost 22 years with the Department. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency service personnel.
The suspects involved in the crash are not being identified at this time. Charges are pending the investigation by the Maryland State Police CRASH Team and subsequent review by the Kent County State’s Attorney.
Shortly after 6:00 a.m. this morning, sheriff deputies from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Maryland State Police CRASH Team at Nolan’s residence in Rock Hall. State troopers from the Centreville Barrack, the CRASH Team and the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene.
The preliminary investigation indicates the two suspects were traveling westbound on Route 20 in a Mazda RX-8. The driver, for reasons unknown at this time, lost control of the vehicle, and failed to negotiate a curve. The car then left the roadway and entered the building where Nolan was living.
Investigators believe Nolan was struck when the vehicle entered the garage portion of his place of business. Nolan was living in a room at his business at the time of the crash.
At this time, investigators believe alcohol was a contributing factor to the crash. Police are also investigating a possible false report of a stolen vehicle reported by the suspects in this incident. The report of the stolen vehicle was taken shortly after 4:00 a.m. this morning by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office prior to the crash.
The investigation continues…
The Only Way To “Fix” Obamacare Is To Let It Run Its Course
When I wrote last week that Democrats eventually would come to Congress seeking to “fix” the mess that is Obamacare I never thought “eventually” would be a week later, but that’s where we find ourselves.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., was the first to put fingers to keyboard this week when she wrote President Obama saying, “Given the existing problems with the website, I urge you to consider extending open enrollment beyond the current end date of March 31, 2014. Allowing extra time for consumers is critically important so they have the opportunity to become familiar with the website, survey their options and enroll.” Ten Democrats have signed on to the letter calling for what elicited cries of racism, anarchism, terrorism and hostage taking just a few weeks ago.
They’re right. Extra time would help the program tweak some of its problems, but it wouldn’t change the fact the underlying program is fundamentally flawed. It would breathe some life into a dying mess, which is why Republicans should, as I said last week, unequivocally say no.
But to say “no” effectively, to make real advances in the fight to spare the country from the disaster that is Obamacare, Republicans must learn how to message properly and strategically. That, sadly, has been a stumbling block for them.
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Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., was the first to put fingers to keyboard this week when she wrote President Obama saying, “Given the existing problems with the website, I urge you to consider extending open enrollment beyond the current end date of March 31, 2014. Allowing extra time for consumers is critically important so they have the opportunity to become familiar with the website, survey their options and enroll.” Ten Democrats have signed on to the letter calling for what elicited cries of racism, anarchism, terrorism and hostage taking just a few weeks ago.
They’re right. Extra time would help the program tweak some of its problems, but it wouldn’t change the fact the underlying program is fundamentally flawed. It would breathe some life into a dying mess, which is why Republicans should, as I said last week, unequivocally say no.
But to say “no” effectively, to make real advances in the fight to spare the country from the disaster that is Obamacare, Republicans must learn how to message properly and strategically. That, sadly, has been a stumbling block for them.
More
REPORT: GOVERNMENT BENEFIT RECIPIENTS OUTNUMBER FULL-TIME WORKERS
Americans who were recipients of means-tested government benefits in 2011 outnumbered year-round full-time workers, according to data released this month by the Census Bureau.
They also out-numbered the total population of the Philippines.
There were 108,592,000 people in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2011 who were recipients of one or more means-tested government benefit programs, the Census Bureau said in data released this week. Meanwhile, according to the Census Bureau, there were 101,716,000 people who worked full-time year round in 2011. That included both private-sector and government workers.
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They also out-numbered the total population of the Philippines.
There were 108,592,000 people in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2011 who were recipients of one or more means-tested government benefit programs, the Census Bureau said in data released this week. Meanwhile, according to the Census Bureau, there were 101,716,000 people who worked full-time year round in 2011. That included both private-sector and government workers.
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Tiki Bar Closing Party 11/9/13
Come Celebrate the Season Closing of our TIKI BAR!
Saturday, November 9th - Rain or Shine!
Great Food & Drink Specials, BONFINE & CORNHOLE!
Live Music w/ Time Node Trio - Featuring Kevin Ward!
Cornhole Tournament Starts @ 6pm!
Prize Basket for the Winning Team!
Get yer' shine on... $5 Boon-Shine all night!
Our famous Westside Outlaw $4 all night!
Warm yourself with $4 'grown-up' Hot Chocolate!
Happy Hour Drink Specials... 3pm until 9pm...
$1.50 Domestic Drafts ~ $3.50 EVO Mainline Beer
$2.50 Rail Drinks ~ $4 House Wine
Dress warm, and head on down to Boonies!
Boonies Restaurant & Tiki Bar
21438 Nanticoke Rd. Tyaskin, MD 21865
410-873-2244
Investigators Looking For Wanted Sex Offender
Location: Georgetown, DE
Date of Occurrence: October 28, 2013
Suspect and Charges:
Kenneth E. Wood Jr., 41, Georgetown, DE (Photo Attached)
White male, 5’11” tall, 203 lbs., brown hair, and blue eyes
Failure to Re-Register as a Sex Offender
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Resume:
Georgetown, DE- The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and registration Unit (S.O.A.R) is looking for a Georgetown sex offender after he failed to re-register his current address.
Investigators have obtained warrants on Kenneth E. Wood Jr., 41 of Georgetown, who is a high risk Tier 3 sex offender, after they learned that he failed to register his home address and had not notified S.O.A.R. of his status within 3 days as he is required to do by law.
Kenneth Wood is described as a white male, 5’11” tall and 203 lbs., brown hair and blue eyes.
The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit is asking anyone who may know the location of Kenneth Wood to call 302-672-5306 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
Date of Occurrence: October 28, 2013
Suspect and Charges:
Kenneth E. Wood Jr., 41, Georgetown, DE (Photo Attached)
White male, 5’11” tall, 203 lbs., brown hair, and blue eyes
Failure to Re-Register as a Sex Offender
Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Resume:
Georgetown, DE- The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and registration Unit (S.O.A.R) is looking for a Georgetown sex offender after he failed to re-register his current address.
Investigators have obtained warrants on Kenneth E. Wood Jr., 41 of Georgetown, who is a high risk Tier 3 sex offender, after they learned that he failed to register his home address and had not notified S.O.A.R. of his status within 3 days as he is required to do by law.
Kenneth Wood is described as a white male, 5’11” tall and 203 lbs., brown hair and blue eyes.
The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit is asking anyone who may know the location of Kenneth Wood to call 302-672-5306 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at:http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
WHY THIS WOMAN WAS HANDCUFFED, STRIP-SEARCHED AND THROWN IN JAIL MIGHT BE SCARIER THAN ANY STORY YOU HEAR THIS HALLOWEEN
Even if Sarah Boaz were looking for a way to get out of going to work Wednesday, the alternate plan knocking at her Texas front door likely wasn’t at the top of her list.
It was the city marshal with a warrant for her arrest.
Boaz’s crime?
She ran a stop sign in August and never paid the fine, Dallas-Fort Worth’s KTVT-TV reported.
“I’m like, nobody puts out a bench warrant after 60 days. Why would you do that?” Boaz told KTVT. “You wouldn’t do that.”
Oh yes, they would.
Boaz was handcuffed and taken to Richland Hills jail, which is where things escalated even further.
“’I’m going to need you to undress,” she remembers a female officer telling her. “I’m going to need you to stand against the wall.”
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It was the city marshal with a warrant for her arrest.
Boaz’s crime?
She ran a stop sign in August and never paid the fine, Dallas-Fort Worth’s KTVT-TV reported.
“I’m like, nobody puts out a bench warrant after 60 days. Why would you do that?” Boaz told KTVT. “You wouldn’t do that.”
Oh yes, they would.
Boaz was handcuffed and taken to Richland Hills jail, which is where things escalated even further.
“’I’m going to need you to undress,” she remembers a female officer telling her. “I’m going to need you to stand against the wall.”
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Overmedicated
'We've reached the end of antibiotics': Top CDC expert declares that 'miracle drugs' that have saved millions are no match against 'superbugs' because people have overmedicated themselves
A high-ranking official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared in an interview with PBS that the age of antibiotics has come to an end.
'For a long time, there have been newspaper stories and covers of magazines that talked about "The end of antibiotics, question mark?"' said Dr Arjun Srinivasan. 'Well, now I would say you can change the title to "The end of antibiotics, period.”'
The associate director of the CDC sat down with Frontline over the summer for a lengthy interview about the growing problem of antibacterial resistance.
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A high-ranking official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared in an interview with PBS that the age of antibiotics has come to an end.
'For a long time, there have been newspaper stories and covers of magazines that talked about "The end of antibiotics, question mark?"' said Dr Arjun Srinivasan. 'Well, now I would say you can change the title to "The end of antibiotics, period.”'
The associate director of the CDC sat down with Frontline over the summer for a lengthy interview about the growing problem of antibacterial resistance.
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MONEYED REPUBLICANS TRY TO NEUTRALIZE TEA PARTY AHEAD OF 2014
As we approach the 2014 mid-term election, the Republican Party’s center-right business-leaning faction exchanging blowswith its own Tea Party group may prove to be self-destructive. Across the nation, these factions will collide via their political groups such as Defending Main Street, which plans on amassing up to $8 million to obstruct Tea Party candidates from winning primary elections.
"We're going to be very aggressive and we're going to get in their faces,” says former Rep. Steve La Tourette of Ohio who runs Defending America.
Not surprisingly, joining Tourette will be George W. Bush’s chief political strategist Karl Rove and his copious “Conservative Victory Project,” an arm of his Crossroads Super PAC. He will be surfacing candidates and supporting the most viable conservatives that can win in a general election.
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"We're going to be very aggressive and we're going to get in their faces,” says former Rep. Steve La Tourette of Ohio who runs Defending America.
Not surprisingly, joining Tourette will be George W. Bush’s chief political strategist Karl Rove and his copious “Conservative Victory Project,” an arm of his Crossroads Super PAC. He will be surfacing candidates and supporting the most viable conservatives that can win in a general election.
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OBAMACARE INSURANCE LOSSES IN THREE STATES EXCEED SIGNUPS IN ALL OF U.S.
For much of Obamacare's launch, the media has focused its attention on HealthCare.gov, now a nearly universally-recognizeddisaster. Falling by the wayside, however, is what the law actually means for Americans in need of insurance, and there the numbers are dire, with more Americans losing their coverage than becoming newly covered under the ACA.
A day ago, House Speaker John Boehner predicted that more insured Americans were set to lose their health care coverage than sign up for coverage through health care exchanges. So far, the concerning numbers appear to show just that.
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A day ago, House Speaker John Boehner predicted that more insured Americans were set to lose their health care coverage than sign up for coverage through health care exchanges. So far, the concerning numbers appear to show just that.
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Dangerous Freedom Vs. Peaceful Slavery
Over the weekend a close friend sent me the following image, which was found spray-painted somewhere in Brooklyn:
The words above reflect a state of mind and disposition that has been expressed by philosophers and revolutionaries for thousands of years. It is not a novel or new concept, but it is a concept that seems to have been forgotten across much of these United States. The population has largely been domesticated and this is the primary reason why there has been such little pushback to the global oligarchs looting the landscape. A pathetically large percentage of the population would rather not think, they’d prefer to be told what to believe. They would rather not have any risk in their lives, they’d prefer to have shiny gadgets handed to them. They would rather not explore the wonderful expansive world around them, they’d rather sit on the couch and watch television.
Planet earth is a truly incredible place. Majestic mountains, glistening and seemingly endless blue seas, powerful dense forests. Its beauty is too profound for me to accurately put into words. At the same time, there are terrible tsunamis, horrific hurricanes, devastating floods and many more natural disasters that pose a constant deadly threat.
More
The words above reflect a state of mind and disposition that has been expressed by philosophers and revolutionaries for thousands of years. It is not a novel or new concept, but it is a concept that seems to have been forgotten across much of these United States. The population has largely been domesticated and this is the primary reason why there has been such little pushback to the global oligarchs looting the landscape. A pathetically large percentage of the population would rather not think, they’d prefer to be told what to believe. They would rather not have any risk in their lives, they’d prefer to have shiny gadgets handed to them. They would rather not explore the wonderful expansive world around them, they’d rather sit on the couch and watch television.
Planet earth is a truly incredible place. Majestic mountains, glistening and seemingly endless blue seas, powerful dense forests. Its beauty is too profound for me to accurately put into words. At the same time, there are terrible tsunamis, horrific hurricanes, devastating floods and many more natural disasters that pose a constant deadly threat.
More
Penn State Says 26 Young Men To Get $59.7M
Penn State says it is paying $59.7 million to 26 young men over claims of child sexual abuse at the hands of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
BREAKING NEWS: Judge Declares Texas Abortion Restrictions Unconstitional
A federal judge has blocked the enforcement of new abortion restrictions passed by the Texas Legislature, calling them unconstitutional.
Officials Alert Foreign Services That Snowden Has Documents On Their Cooperation With U.S.
U.S. officials are alerting some foreign intelligence services that documents detailing their secret cooperation with the United States have been obtained by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, according to government officials.
Snowden, U.S. officials said, took tens of thousands of military intelligence documents, some of which contain sensitive material about collection programs against adversaries such as Iran, Russia and China. Some refer to operations that in some cases involve countries not publicly allied with the United States.
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Snowden, U.S. officials said, took tens of thousands of military intelligence documents, some of which contain sensitive material about collection programs against adversaries such as Iran, Russia and China. Some refer to operations that in some cases involve countries not publicly allied with the United States.
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Common Core
They say they are tired of a never-ending liberal agenda that overwhelms them with more taxes, more spending, more regulations and more intrusion into their daily lives.
One such intrusion we are hearing about is the growing dissatisfaction with the latest education fad to come down from the federal government called Common Core State Standards. The state education department’s rapid acceptance of this federally funded takeover scheme is now getting heightened pushback from teachers’ unions, principals, and parents, not only in Maryland, but in New York, Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky and Michigan.
Both Jeannie and I have strong views on the adoption of Common Core. It is a subject we have been addressing on the campaign trail and feel you should know about.
Throughout the coming months, we will be updating you on a number of issues. We’ll also be telling you about special events in your area, what’s happening on the campaign trail, and how you can be part of our campaign. Enjoy!
David and Jeannie
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