DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, April 30, 2015
30 Things You Can’t Buy If You’re on Welfare
Residents of the Sunflower State who receive public assistance through the Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) program have just gotten a stern message: Use your welfare check for frivolous reasons and you’ll lose the privilege.
To ensure that federal and state dollars are being used appropriately, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, just signed a bill prohibiting his state’s welfare recipients from spending public aid on items and services that range from liquor to lottery tickets. Also off limits are tattoos, psychic readings, theme park passes and concert tickets.
Many other states – nearly half the states – restrict the ways in which government assistance can be used. The purchase of alcohol, tobacco and adult entertainment, for example, is off limits across the board. Although enforcement is hardly ironclad, there are penalties for rulebreakers.
At least 37 states issue their TANF cash benefits through electronic benefit transfer cards. These EBT cards function much like any other debit card: Users can withdraw cash and make purchases as they see fit. But to cut down on fraud, a number of states have been restricting the venues at which these cards can be used and the purchases that can be made with them. Click here to see a list of states that limit welfare purchases.
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To ensure that federal and state dollars are being used appropriately, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, just signed a bill prohibiting his state’s welfare recipients from spending public aid on items and services that range from liquor to lottery tickets. Also off limits are tattoos, psychic readings, theme park passes and concert tickets.
Many other states – nearly half the states – restrict the ways in which government assistance can be used. The purchase of alcohol, tobacco and adult entertainment, for example, is off limits across the board. Although enforcement is hardly ironclad, there are penalties for rulebreakers.
At least 37 states issue their TANF cash benefits through electronic benefit transfer cards. These EBT cards function much like any other debit card: Users can withdraw cash and make purchases as they see fit. But to cut down on fraud, a number of states have been restricting the venues at which these cards can be used and the purchases that can be made with them. Click here to see a list of states that limit welfare purchases.
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6.7 magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea: USGS
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck New Britain island off Papua New Guinea Thursday, 131 kilometres (81 miles) southwest of the town of Kokopo, US seismologists said.
The quake hit the island at 1045 GMT, northeast of mainland Papua. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said "a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected."
The quake hit at a depth of 48.9 kilometres and the US Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake's magnitude at 6.8, but later revised its strength.
Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Mark Leonard said the depth of the quake and its location meant the tremor was unlikely to cause any serious damage to Papua New Guinea.
"It's this deep and it's just on the end of the coast, so the area of damage is only a few kilometres around," Leonard told AFP.
"That outpost of New Britain is very sparsely populated so we're not really expecting any serious damage."
Leonard added that no tsunami would be generated as there was no displacement of sea floors for an earthquake at this depth.
The epicentre was 680 kilometres from Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby.
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The quake hit the island at 1045 GMT, northeast of mainland Papua. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said "a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected."
The quake hit at a depth of 48.9 kilometres and the US Geological Survey initially reported the earthquake's magnitude at 6.8, but later revised its strength.
Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Mark Leonard said the depth of the quake and its location meant the tremor was unlikely to cause any serious damage to Papua New Guinea.
"It's this deep and it's just on the end of the coast, so the area of damage is only a few kilometres around," Leonard told AFP.
"That outpost of New Britain is very sparsely populated so we're not really expecting any serious damage."
Leonard added that no tsunami would be generated as there was no displacement of sea floors for an earthquake at this depth.
The epicentre was 680 kilometres from Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby.
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Al Sharpton Gets Physical With Fox News Reporter
Fox News reporter Leland Vittert got into a heated — and eventually physical — confrontation with activist and MSNBC host Al Sharpton, when the latter tried to keep him from questioning Democratic Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
(VIDEO: Democratic Congressman Walks Away From Live Fox News Interview)
We can’t ask questions?” Vittert challenged her. “You are a public official and we can’t ask questions?”
“You will have the opportunity,” Sharpton said.
“Then you’ll answer our questions?” he pressed.
“At the press conference, we will answer all questions,” Sharpton said. But as Vittert kept tailing them, a second man stepped between the reporter and the mayor and began pushing him away.
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(VIDEO: Democratic Congressman Walks Away From Live Fox News Interview)
We can’t ask questions?” Vittert challenged her. “You are a public official and we can’t ask questions?”
“You will have the opportunity,” Sharpton said.
“Then you’ll answer our questions?” he pressed.
“At the press conference, we will answer all questions,” Sharpton said. But as Vittert kept tailing them, a second man stepped between the reporter and the mayor and began pushing him away.
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'Clinton Cash' Author Says He Has Full-Time Security
The author of a controversial book that alleges wrongdoing within the Clinton family's foundation said Wednesday he has full-time security.
Peter Schweizer told Bloomberg he has retained security services when asked if he has received death threats over his book, "Clinton Cash."
"I'll just say we have security," Schweizer said near the end of the interview. "And that security is not something that just came because we decided to have security. And we'll just leave it at that."
Hillary Clinton announced her candidacy for president more than two weeks ago. Some critics have said her campaign is already coming apart over the "Clinton Cash" allegations and the ongoing scandal regarding her use of a private email address and server during her time at the State Department.
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Peter Schweizer told Bloomberg he has retained security services when asked if he has received death threats over his book, "Clinton Cash."
"I'll just say we have security," Schweizer said near the end of the interview. "And that security is not something that just came because we decided to have security. And we'll just leave it at that."
Hillary Clinton announced her candidacy for president more than two weeks ago. Some critics have said her campaign is already coming apart over the "Clinton Cash" allegations and the ongoing scandal regarding her use of a private email address and server during her time at the State Department.
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Ten jailed in Pakistan for involvement in attack on Malala
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani court jailed 10 men for 25 years each on Thursday for involvement in the 2012 shooting of teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, targeted for her campaign against Taliban efforts to deny girls education.
Pakistani Taliban militants claimed responsibility for attacking Malala as she travelled home from school in her home in Swat, northwest of the capital, Islamabad.
"Judge Mohammad Amin Kundi in his verdict gave 25 years jail to all of these people," said a court official in Swat, where the 10 were convicted in an anti-terrorism court.
They were the first convictions for the attack.
Malala was seriously wounded and airlifted to Britain for treatment, where she now lives. Two other schoolgirls were wounded.
Since then, Malala has become a symbol of defiance in the fight against militants operating in ethnic Pashtun areas in northwest Pakistan. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
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Pakistani Taliban militants claimed responsibility for attacking Malala as she travelled home from school in her home in Swat, northwest of the capital, Islamabad.
"Judge Mohammad Amin Kundi in his verdict gave 25 years jail to all of these people," said a court official in Swat, where the 10 were convicted in an anti-terrorism court.
They were the first convictions for the attack.
Malala was seriously wounded and airlifted to Britain for treatment, where she now lives. Two other schoolgirls were wounded.
Since then, Malala has become a symbol of defiance in the fight against militants operating in ethnic Pashtun areas in northwest Pakistan. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
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A Contributor Writes: It's As If SBYnews Had Already Predicted the Rioting in Baltimore
Since SBYnews is the ONLY publication that has previously published the jobs statistics for Wicomico County, and, the State of Maryland's deplorable economic environment including the Local Factory Closing List. SBYnews Local Factory Closing chronologically list and documents in excess of 100 disappearing businesses - some of which were former Fortune 500 companies. We also wrote about and covered extensively about Maryland being the NO.2 State in Housing Foreclosures.
It's almost as if the entire staff at SBYnews was acutely aware that something unprecedented was about to happen. And guess what - it happened right before your very eyes - right in Front of a FULL BLOWN NATIONAL PRESS CORE!!! One can accurately say that SBYnews was way out in front of this National event. But in reality - it was a no-brainer from our perspective. You see Maryland has a former Democrat Mayor/Governor - Martin O'Malley - who is right now traversing across our Country touting about Maryland's creation of high paying jobs, touting high educational standards, touting just about everything that people wished for - but in actuality - the Democratic controlled Maryland Legislation is WAS - AND IS - A TOTAL FAILURE. And the entire City of Baltimore now knows it - as the national episode plays out before an INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE.
Thank you SBYnews for being the most credible source of information - not just locally - but internationally.
It's almost as if the entire staff at SBYnews was acutely aware that something unprecedented was about to happen. And guess what - it happened right before your very eyes - right in Front of a FULL BLOWN NATIONAL PRESS CORE!!! One can accurately say that SBYnews was way out in front of this National event. But in reality - it was a no-brainer from our perspective. You see Maryland has a former Democrat Mayor/Governor - Martin O'Malley - who is right now traversing across our Country touting about Maryland's creation of high paying jobs, touting high educational standards, touting just about everything that people wished for - but in actuality - the Democratic controlled Maryland Legislation is WAS - AND IS - A TOTAL FAILURE. And the entire City of Baltimore now knows it - as the national episode plays out before an INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE.
Thank you SBYnews for being the most credible source of information - not just locally - but internationally.
Rubio Pushing for Recognition of Israel in Iran Deal
Republican presidential candidate and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is pushing hard for votes on amendments to a carefully crafted bill that would allow Congress to review any nuclear deal with Iran — including a politically charged rider forcing Tehran to recognize Israel.
"If you don't want to vote on things, don't run for office," Rubio said in challenging his fellow senators, the Weekly Standard reports.
But Politico reports that the Israel amendment gives Democrats a dilemma: they want to look strong on defending Israel and yet loyal to President Barack Obama, who could threaten to veto the measure if it's significantly amended.
Rubio has seven amendments he's aiming to pass, and the Israel recognition issue isn't the only difficult one, Politico notes: one demands the release of Americans held in Iran, another requires Obama to submit any United Nations proposals to Congress, and still another aims to keep economic sanctions on Iran.
"I want a vote on all of my amendments," Rubio said.
But Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, slammed the Israel amendment as a "poison pill" that would defeat the White House-supported bill.
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"If you don't want to vote on things, don't run for office," Rubio said in challenging his fellow senators, the Weekly Standard reports.
But Politico reports that the Israel amendment gives Democrats a dilemma: they want to look strong on defending Israel and yet loyal to President Barack Obama, who could threaten to veto the measure if it's significantly amended.
Rubio has seven amendments he's aiming to pass, and the Israel recognition issue isn't the only difficult one, Politico notes: one demands the release of Americans held in Iran, another requires Obama to submit any United Nations proposals to Congress, and still another aims to keep economic sanctions on Iran.
"I want a vote on all of my amendments," Rubio said.
But Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, slammed the Israel amendment as a "poison pill" that would defeat the White House-supported bill.
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Colorado mom chastised by school for packing Oreo cookies in daughter's lunch
Preschooler Natalee Pearson told her mom Friday that she wasn't allowed to eat the cookies in her lunchbox.
The note told parents to pack a nutritious lunch that includes a fruit, vegetable and healthy snack.
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Defiant Gun Range Owner Refuses To Reverse Her Anti-Muslim Policy
In her initial statement, Morgan cited the fact that the Quran contains “109 verses commanding hate, murder and terror against all human beings who refuse to submit or convert to Islam,” wondering why she would “hand a loaded gun” to someone whose faith teaches such violence.
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‘Embarrassed’ Son of Mom Who Slapped Him When She Saw Him With Baltimore Rioters Speaks Out
“I understand how much my mama really cares about me,” Michael Singleton told ABC News. “I just got to try to do better.”
Singleton recounted the moment he saw his mother, Toya Graham, catch him on the Baltimore streets.
“I’m like, ‘Oh man. What is my mama doing down here?’” he said.
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Justice Alito: Why Not Let 4 Lawyers Marry One Another?
“Would there be any ground for denying them a license?” Alito asked.
“Let's say they're all consenting adults, highly educated. They're all lawyers,” he said.
Alito posed the question to Mary L. Bonauto, a lawyer who was presenting the court with arguments on behalf of clients seeking to establish a right to same-sex marriage.
Bonauto expressed the view that states cannot prohibit two people of the same-sex from marrying but can prohibit four people of different sexes from marrying.
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Home schooling - info meeting
Information meeting - find out about homeschooling K through high school! Please come learn about Classical Conversations - a community of home schooling families meeting weekly in Salisbury (and Georgetown, Easton and Dover). Classical Conversations provides instruction from trained tutors, support, encouragement, and peer interaction.
Princess Anne - Monday, May 4, 11am - Princess Anne Library, children's area
Berlin - Monday, May 4, 2 - 3 pm - Berlin Library, children's area
Salisbury - Monday, May 4, 7- 8 pm - Panera Bread, N Salisbury Blvd
email classicalalternatives@gmail.com for more information.
Princess Anne - Monday, May 4, 11am - Princess Anne Library, children's area
Berlin - Monday, May 4, 2 - 3 pm - Berlin Library, children's area
Salisbury - Monday, May 4, 7- 8 pm - Panera Bread, N Salisbury Blvd
email classicalalternatives@gmail.com for more information.
Gallup: Less Than 1% of Adult Population Part of a Same-Sex Couple
The same survey finds that approximately .3 percent (.3%) of U.S. adults are married to a same-sex spouse, a mere .5 percent (.5%) identify as being in a same-sex domestic partnership and, of the estimated .8 percent (.8%) of the total U.S. adult population that are a part of a same-sex couple, 780,000 are married. In other words, of the estimated 2 million adults that are a part of a same-sex couple, 39 percent (39%) are married.
Gallup’s survey also has statistics for “All others.” “All others” account for the estimated 241,000,000 U.S. adults (99.2%) that are not either married with a same-sex spouse or unmarried and living with a same-sex domestic partner.
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A Great Way To Start Your Morning
'No one gets to be a winner' after Baltimore riots, economist says
"No one gets to be a winner," said Daraius Irani, chief economist at the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University. "There are these negative perceptions that are very hard to shake."
Irani has heard more media references to "The Wire," Baltimore's homicide rate and the city's 1968 riots in the hours since violence broke out Monday, he said. That can build a widespread negative perception undermining investment in the city as homebuyers, businesses, conventions and tourists reconsider buying into the area for fear of violence and disruption.
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