This was previously scheduled for September 5th
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, August 31, 2015
It's Official: China Confirms It Has Begun Liquidating Treasuries, Warns Washington
On Tuesday evening, we asked what would happen if emerging markets joined China in dumping US Treasurys. For months we’ve documented the PBoC’s liquidation of its vast stack of US paper. Back in July for instance, we noted that China had dumped a record $143 billion in US Treasurys in three months via Belgium, leaving Goldman speechless for once.
We followed all of this up this week by noting that thanks to the new FX regime (which, in theory anyway, should have required less intervention), China haslikely sold somewhere on the order of $100 billion in US Treasurys in the past two weeks alone in open FX ops to steady the yuan. Put simply, as part of China's devaluation and subsequent attempts to contain said devaluation, China has been purging an epic amount of Treasurys.
But even as the cat was out of the bag for Zero Hedge readers and even as, to mix colorful escape metaphors, the genie has been out of the bottle since mid-August for China which, thanks to a steadfast refusal to just float the yuan and be done with it, will have to continue selling USTs by the hundreds of billions, the world at large was slow to wake up to what China’s FX interventions actually implied until Wednesday when two things happened: i) Bloomberg, citing fixed income desks in New York, noted "substantial selling pressure" in long-term USTs emanating from somebody in the "Far East", and ii) Bill Gross asked, in a tweet, if China was selling Treasurys.
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We followed all of this up this week by noting that thanks to the new FX regime (which, in theory anyway, should have required less intervention), China haslikely sold somewhere on the order of $100 billion in US Treasurys in the past two weeks alone in open FX ops to steady the yuan. Put simply, as part of China's devaluation and subsequent attempts to contain said devaluation, China has been purging an epic amount of Treasurys.
But even as the cat was out of the bag for Zero Hedge readers and even as, to mix colorful escape metaphors, the genie has been out of the bottle since mid-August for China which, thanks to a steadfast refusal to just float the yuan and be done with it, will have to continue selling USTs by the hundreds of billions, the world at large was slow to wake up to what China’s FX interventions actually implied until Wednesday when two things happened: i) Bloomberg, citing fixed income desks in New York, noted "substantial selling pressure" in long-term USTs emanating from somebody in the "Far East", and ii) Bill Gross asked, in a tweet, if China was selling Treasurys.
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Community Emergency Response Team Program Scheduled to begin in October 2015
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is designed to help citizens, help themselves, and their families in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Due to the fact that emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately following a disaster, CERT is a free training course that aims to provide citizens with basic information for preparedness and techniques when dealing with emergencies. Training covers basic skills including CPR/AED, first aid, recognizing natural and manmade hazards in our local communities, disaster preparedness such as emergency plans and disaster supply kits, hazardous material emergencies and basic fire suppression.
This CERT course is being offered by the Town of Ocean City Emergency Services Department. This course is offered as part of Ocean City University training program. Citizens who complete a 10-week general studies program through OC University as well as the Citizens Police Academy, can earn a Ph.D. by completing the Ocean City CERT program.
Ocean City CERT training begins October 1, at 6:45 p.m. and will run each Thursday evenings for seven weeks, ending on November 19. There will also be one class on Saturday October 31, 2015 from 8 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. To register or for additional information, please call Ocean City Emergency Services at 410.723.6616 or e-mail Carol Boyles at cboyles@oceancitymd.gov. Additional information can also be found at www.oceancitymd.gov.
Call me 'ze,' not 'he': University wants everyone to use 'gender inclusive' pronouns
UPDATE: Rickey Hall, the vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, said their quest for gender neutral pronouns is not an official university policy.
“It’s not policy,” he said. “It’s about inclusive practice.”
Hall told me the gender neutral pronouns were a way of “exposing our students (to an) increasingly diverse and global world.”
He said gender neutral pronoun usage is not new – and that as things change – people always have questions. Nevertheless, he stressed this is not a mandated university policy.
For all you folks who went to school back when there were only him and her – here’s a primer: some of the new gender neutral pronouns are ze, hir, zir, xe, xem and xyr.
“I reiterate, it’s not a mandate, it’s not an official policy, it’s not a policy from the board,” he told me. “It’s about education. We are (a) higher education institution and exposing our students to a lot of different things.”
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“It’s not policy,” he said. “It’s about inclusive practice.”
Hall told me the gender neutral pronouns were a way of “exposing our students (to an) increasingly diverse and global world.”
He said gender neutral pronoun usage is not new – and that as things change – people always have questions. Nevertheless, he stressed this is not a mandated university policy.
For all you folks who went to school back when there were only him and her – here’s a primer: some of the new gender neutral pronouns are ze, hir, zir, xe, xem and xyr.
“I reiterate, it’s not a mandate, it’s not an official policy, it’s not a policy from the board,” he told me. “It’s about education. We are (a) higher education institution and exposing our students to a lot of different things.”
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Ride Operator Found Dead In Trailer At Maryland State Fair
Baltimore County police and fire responded to the Timonium Fairgrounds in the 2200 block of York Road for a report of an overdose around 8:48 p.m.
A supervisor found 22-year-old Amanda Leigh Bradley of Wyndmoor, PA unconscious in her trailer after she did not report to her assigned ride.
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Suspect arrested, to be charged in killing of Texas county sheriff's deputy
Authorities have charged a 30-year-old man with capital murder, after they say he ambushed a Texas county sheriff’s deputy at a suburban Houston gas station in an attack motivated by "absolute madness."
Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman identified the man in a news conference Saturday afternoon as Shannon J. Miles, who is in police custody.
Miles — who has a criminal history that includes convictions for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct with a firearm — was arrested less than 24 hours after authorities said he ambushed Darren Goforth, a 10-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, at a suburban Houston Chevron station.
"I am proud of the men and women that have worked swiftly to apprehend the responsible person who posed a significant threat to both law enforcement and the community at large," Hickman told reporters Saturday. "Our deputies return to the streets tonight to hold a delicate peace that was shattered last evening."
Hickman said the motive for the killing had not been determined but investigators would look at whether Miles, who is black, was motivated by anger over recent killings elsewhere of black men by police that have spawned the "Black Lives Matter" protest movement. Goforth was white.
"I think that's something that we have to keep an eye on," Hickman said. "The general climate of that kind of rhetoric can be influential on people to do things like this. We're still searching to find out if that's actually a motive."
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Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman identified the man in a news conference Saturday afternoon as Shannon J. Miles, who is in police custody.
Miles — who has a criminal history that includes convictions for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct with a firearm — was arrested less than 24 hours after authorities said he ambushed Darren Goforth, a 10-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, at a suburban Houston Chevron station.
"I am proud of the men and women that have worked swiftly to apprehend the responsible person who posed a significant threat to both law enforcement and the community at large," Hickman told reporters Saturday. "Our deputies return to the streets tonight to hold a delicate peace that was shattered last evening."
Hickman said the motive for the killing had not been determined but investigators would look at whether Miles, who is black, was motivated by anger over recent killings elsewhere of black men by police that have spawned the "Black Lives Matter" protest movement. Goforth was white.
"I think that's something that we have to keep an eye on," Hickman said. "The general climate of that kind of rhetoric can be influential on people to do things like this. We're still searching to find out if that's actually a motive."
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Days After WDBJ On-Air Shooter Killed Reporter, Photographer and Himself, One His Closest Friends Received a Package
It was from Flanagan.
Avent told the New York Daily News that he received the package, full of letters, documents, photographs, driver’s licenses, student IDs and other items, on Saturday. Some of the items offer new insight into the killer’s mindset. Avent also claimed he is one of the last people to speak to Flanagan before he fatally shot himself following the the on-air killings.
In rambling letters reportedly reviewed by the Daily News, Flanagan wrote about not being able to “score” after he previously got paid as much as $2,000 in one night to sleep with a man while he was working as a male escort.
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In Memory Of Charles Stephens
Charles Edward “Chuck” Stephens, 75, of Hebron passed away peacefully at home on August 26, 2015. He was born in Washington DC on July 16, 1940 to Ernest M. and Mary Catherine (Kemp) Stephens. Chuck proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1964. From there he embarked on a 30 year career with IBM, retiring in 1992. He was a lifelong Redskins fan and a charter member of the Urbana Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed family gatherings with lots of family and friends.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara King Stephens, daughter Kelly Ann Stephens and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ernest Alton Stephens and sister Nancy Stephens Walker.
Family and friends will be received Tuesday, September 1, 2015 from 11:00 AM to 12 Noon at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Owings, where a funeral service will follow at 12 Noon. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Coastal Hospice or the American Heart Association. To leave condolences visit www.rauschfuneralhomes.com.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara King Stephens, daughter Kelly Ann Stephens and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ernest Alton Stephens and sister Nancy Stephens Walker.
Family and friends will be received Tuesday, September 1, 2015 from 11:00 AM to 12 Noon at Rausch Funeral Home, P.A., Owings, where a funeral service will follow at 12 Noon. Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Coastal Hospice or the American Heart Association. To leave condolences visit www.rauschfuneralhomes.com.
Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Use Weapons of Mass Destruction
“In this case, anti-government ideology and rhetoric morphed into dangerous extremism and led these defendants to arm themselves and travel to a meeting to pick up pipe bombs and other explosives intended for attacks,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn of the Northern District of Georgia. “The attacks planned by the defendants, while rare, posed a serious threat to not only the safety of our public servants, but also all other members of the community.”
“This case illustrates the FBI’s commitment in preventing attacks instead of responding to their aftermath,” said Special Agent in Charge J. Britt Johnson for the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office. “The convictions and now federal sentencing of these individuals on conspiracy charges again represents that the juries and courts understand this shift in the law enforcement mindset in dealing with individuals or groups that wish to bring harm to the public or those who serve the public.”
According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: In January and February 2014, Cannon, Peace and Williamson participated in Internet chat rooms frequented by militia members and others with a shared anti-government ideology. During the chat room conversations, Cannon, Peace and Williamson discussed starting a revolution against the federal government by conducting an attack aimed at the infrastructure supporting the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Administration.
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Fisherman Spent 3 Years Building Massive 24-Foot Long Lego USS Missouri
For the past three years, the Scottish fisherman has been building the 1:40 scale replica of the iconic WWII vessel. The USS Missouri is an Iowa-class battleship that fought in the Pacific Theater, notably at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and where the Japanese formally surrendered to the United States. She also fought in the Korean War, after which she was decommissioned. Then in the mid-80s was reactivated and provided support during Operation Desert Storm. She’s been decommissioned since 1992 and is now a museum ship that you can visit at Pearl Harbor. I used to teach on base there and visiting the Missouri was always pretty damn remarkable.
At last its just about finished a few pieces and rigging but until i have a better place to display it,it will have to do. nearly 3 years building this one,10,000s of parts,as for size it now stands 4ft 6 inches high.3ft wide and a massive 24ft 3 inches long,not counted the studs LOL.The stern crane is motorized,and the bridge has lights as you have seen in my other updates.it was a struggle to get the turrets to sit with the weight of them but bricks on their side worked well in the end,this is the ww2 version with as many guns as it had at the wars end, big thanks to Raymond Drum who gave me the idea to build this and his vast knowledge has been most helpful as has all your comments and advice in the past,Also Michael K who,s missouri was very hepful to building this one.i could post 100s of photos of this as its my most detailed and biggest by far.hope you all like it,planning the saratoga cv3 in the near future which is around the same size as this, -MOC Pages
And boy, is this baby HUGE!
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Sanders On Execution Of Texas Cop: An ‘Outrage’ But Unarmed Blacks Are Dragged Out Of Cars And Shot ‘Too Often’
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, plagued by Black Lives Matter protesters at times, told CNN’s Jake Tapper Sunday on “State of The Nation” Sunday that while it is an “outrage” that a Texas sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot execution style, it is still “unacceptable in this country when unarmed black people get dragged out of cars or get shot. That is happening too often.”
Deputy Darren H. Goforth was wearing his uniform when he was shot in the back Friday night. Authorities describe the act as an unprovoked killing. A suspect is now in custody.
“Other police officers have been killed. I worked with police officers when I was mayor of the city of Burlington. They have a very, very difficult job. And we need to make sure that we have the best-trained, best-paid police departments in the world,” Sanders told Tapper.
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Deputy Darren H. Goforth was wearing his uniform when he was shot in the back Friday night. Authorities describe the act as an unprovoked killing. A suspect is now in custody.
“Other police officers have been killed. I worked with police officers when I was mayor of the city of Burlington. They have a very, very difficult job. And we need to make sure that we have the best-trained, best-paid police departments in the world,” Sanders told Tapper.
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WATCH: The Startling Moment Bystanders Confront Man Hitting Woman In Parking Lot
Cell phone video was captured of an Oklahoma man attacking a woman in a pickup truck before being subdued by some good Samaritans. The alleged assailant faces multiple charges.
Douglas Beckham, 52, was allegedly seen attacking a woman in an Oklahoma City shopping center parking lot with what was later determined to be a flashlight.
Apparently, the fight initially started because Beckham refused to buy the woman food from a drive-thru restaurant. Both he and the woman are homeless and live in two vehicles.
The video shows several cuts and abrasions on the woman’s legs. Several men passing through Oklahoma City on their way to El Paso, Texas, intervened to stop Beckham from causing any further harm.
“Stay out of it guys!” Beckham shouted to the group. “Stay out of it!”
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Douglas Beckham, 52, was allegedly seen attacking a woman in an Oklahoma City shopping center parking lot with what was later determined to be a flashlight.
Apparently, the fight initially started because Beckham refused to buy the woman food from a drive-thru restaurant. Both he and the woman are homeless and live in two vehicles.
The video shows several cuts and abrasions on the woman’s legs. Several men passing through Oklahoma City on their way to El Paso, Texas, intervened to stop Beckham from causing any further harm.
“Stay out of it guys!” Beckham shouted to the group. “Stay out of it!”
More
Archbishop: 'True Intention Behind' Push for Same-Sex Marriage is 'Imposition of Totalitarian System'
(CNSNews) - Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron of Agana, Guam has posted a message on his archdiocesean website stating that the "true intention" behind the push for same-sex marriage "has always been about the destruction of the family and the imposition of a totalitarian system."
The archbishop also predicted the next step in the process would be to use the education system so "that our children, your children, will be forced to assimilate to this pattern of non-gender."
“It is important to understand that the political pressure to push the agenda for same sex 'marriage' has never been about gay rights; the true intention behind this agenda has always been about the destruction of the family, and the imposition of a totalitarian system,” Archbishop Apuron said. (Bold in the original.)
“The next step will be to implement this theory in the educational system of Guam,” said the archbishop. “This means that our children, your children, will be forced to assimilate to this pattern of non-gender; that there is no-such-thing as ‘male’ or ‘female’; they will be encouraged to explore their sexuality earlier, and parents will have no voice in the education of their children.”
Guam began legally recognizing gay “marriage” in June 2015. It is the first overseas territory of the United States to do so. Apuron was appointed archbishop of the archdiocese of Agana in 1986.
Here is the archbishop's statement:
The archbishop also predicted the next step in the process would be to use the education system so "that our children, your children, will be forced to assimilate to this pattern of non-gender."
“It is important to understand that the political pressure to push the agenda for same sex 'marriage' has never been about gay rights; the true intention behind this agenda has always been about the destruction of the family, and the imposition of a totalitarian system,” Archbishop Apuron said. (Bold in the original.)
“The next step will be to implement this theory in the educational system of Guam,” said the archbishop. “This means that our children, your children, will be forced to assimilate to this pattern of non-gender; that there is no-such-thing as ‘male’ or ‘female’; they will be encouraged to explore their sexuality earlier, and parents will have no voice in the education of their children.”
Guam began legally recognizing gay “marriage” in June 2015. It is the first overseas territory of the United States to do so. Apuron was appointed archbishop of the archdiocese of Agana in 1986.
Here is the archbishop's statement:
Stabbing In Salisbury
Subject was cut with a butcher knife.
Wounds to the back and shoulder.
Three Eastern Shore WMA’s Temporarily Closed To Waterfowl Hunting
The areas have been posted with signs and will remain closed for September waterfowl hunting and will reopen for the October waterfowl seasons or sooner if possible. All other portions of the WMA’s will remain open for the September Resident Goose Season and the September Teal Season, unless previously restricted for management reasons. A press release will be issued when these areas are reopened for waterfowl hunting.
Study: US Falls Behind Canada, Finland And Hong Kong In Human Freedom
Washington, DC — The United States lags far behind other developed countries in terms of personal, civil and economic freedoms, according to a study released this month. Its neighbor to the north, for example, ranked 14 spots ahead of the so-called “Land of the Free.”
Three international think tanks — the U.S.-based Cato Institute, Canada’s Fraser Institute, and Germany’s Liberales Institut at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom — released theHuman Freedom Index earlier this month. In addition to major civil liberties, the study considers safety and rule of law, relative size of government and capitalist values like the soundness of money, property rights, and access to international trade. The authors used a total of 70 data sources ranging from 2008 to 2012, the most recent year for which all necessary data is currently available.
According to the report, “The top 10 jurisdictions in order were Hong Kong, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Sweden.” The U.S. ranks 20th, while Myanmar, Congo and Iran round out the bottom of the list of 152 countries.
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Three international think tanks — the U.S.-based Cato Institute, Canada’s Fraser Institute, and Germany’s Liberales Institut at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom — released theHuman Freedom Index earlier this month. In addition to major civil liberties, the study considers safety and rule of law, relative size of government and capitalist values like the soundness of money, property rights, and access to international trade. The authors used a total of 70 data sources ranging from 2008 to 2012, the most recent year for which all necessary data is currently available.
According to the report, “The top 10 jurisdictions in order were Hong Kong, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Sweden.” The U.S. ranks 20th, while Myanmar, Congo and Iran round out the bottom of the list of 152 countries.
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