What one needs depends on one's goals. And much of the time what one needs to pursue various goals is produced by other people, including some rather important stuff or services. Nonetheless, among genuine free men and women, whatever it is that one needs may only be obtained voluntarily, not by coercion. Even if the need is great.
Yes, now and then one's needs can be urgent and great, as when one must get the services of a surgeon lest one lose the use of a limb. Yet, one isn't by any stretch of the imagination authorized, morally, and should not be legally, to conscript those who can provide the necessary service. That would make slaves of those professionals! And no one is justified in enslaving anyone, however urgent one's needs may be.
One would think these are elementary matters in a society that has experienced slavery or involuntary servitude and finally abolished it. But no. I recently objected to the first class mail monopoly that the US Postal Service enjoys, as a constitutional grant, in fact, and someone commented that people often need first class mail, so surely it must be provided to them.
Doesn't follow at all. We often need things quite badly that others can supply but they and their labor doesn't belong to us so we must obtain them voluntarily. And that has proven to be a very workable arrangement, much more so than have coercive alternatives. Why then do people often support the idea that it is okay to conscript other people's work?
Maybe one reason is the regrettable precedent of taxation. For a while even in the USA, a supposedly shining example of a polity of human liberty, the military draft was legally accepted, tolerated. And of course, for centuries on end coercion was routinely used by the powerful to obtain what the less powerful produced. Today it is quite common to have major political and academic figures chiming in to favor robbing the rich because, well, they have what others want from them. The idea that it belongs to them and thus must be obtained without resort to the violation of their basic rights doesn't even come up. It's just wished away, silently, as if it should be forgotten in the face of the needs of others. But then, of course, at one time these needs were used to justify chattel slavery and servitude to the ruler. It is not an accident that the Southern social theorist George Fitzhugh considered and favored slavery as a quintessentially socialist institution.
But just because an older generation got wise about these matters it doesn't follow that we inherited this wisdom. Many of us are perfectly willing to forget what we should have learned from history, including that no matter how precious our goals may be, conscripting others to serve them is morally, and should be legally, prohibited. So the president of the USA, shamefully, is advocating robbing the rich so as to help him carry on with public policies that he prefers but for which he cannot find sufficient support.
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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
Friday, December 09, 2011
Fruitland Police Department Press Release 12-09-11
DATE & TIME: Friday December 9, 2011 @0012 hours
INCIDENT: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol
LOCATION: Camden Avenue @ Sharps Point Road
CASE NO.: 2011-1458
PERSON CHARGED: Ernest Eugene Jones
AGE: 32
ADDRESS: Princess Anne, Maryland
CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol
Speeding
Driving while Suspended and Revoked
Reckless Driving
(Numerous other related traffic charges)
DISPOSITION: Released to custody of Central Booking at WCDC
SYNOPSIS:
On the above date and time a Fruitland officer observed a vehicle driven by the defendant traveling at an extremely high rate of speed on Camden Avenue. The officer immediately attempted to stop the vehicle as it accelerated to speeds nearing 100 mph while running a stop sign. The vehicle eventually pulled over and the officer detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver and interior of the vehicle. The officer conducted Field Sobriety tests and the defendant performed poorly. The driver was belligerent throughout the encounter and was also found to be unlicensed with suspended and revoked privileges. The defendant was placed under arrest and was transported to WCDC where he continued to be uncooperative and belligerent. The defendant was charged and served with 13 traffic citations.
DATE & TIME: Thursday December 8, 2011 @ 1317 hours
INCIDENT: Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana / Warrants
LOCATION: N. Fruitland Blvd @ Pollitt Dr.
CASE NO.: 2011-1456
PERSON CHARGED: Langley E. Willis
AGE: 40
ADDRESS: Cambridge, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
Fleeing and Eluding
Resisting Arrest
Fail to Obey a Lawful Order
Obstructing and Hindering
Escape 2nd Degree
Assault 2nd Degree (Police Officer)
(Numerous other related charges)
DISPOSITION: Released to custody of Central Booking at WCDC
SYNOPSIS:
On the above date and time a Fruitland officer initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle, in which the defendant was a passenger. The officer immediately detected the overwhelming odor of Marijuana emanating from the vehicle’s interior. As officers had the occupants exit the vehicle to perform a probable cause search, the defendant was found to possess a suspected Marijuana grinder and as it was located in his pocket he pushed away from officers and fled on foot. After a lengthy foot pursuit the defendant was apprehended, hiding in a nearby dumpster, and placed under arrest. The defendant was found to have 4 outstanding arrest warrants and also had been concealing a large amount of suspected Marijuana and a digital scale within his belongings in the vehicle. The defendant was transported to WCDC and charged with 15 criminal offenses.
Fruitland was assisted by Salisbury Police and the Wicomico County Sheriff’s office.
INCIDENT: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol
LOCATION: Camden Avenue @ Sharps Point Road
CASE NO.: 2011-1458
PERSON CHARGED: Ernest Eugene Jones
AGE: 32
ADDRESS: Princess Anne, Maryland
CHARGES: Driving under the Influence of Alcohol
Speeding
Driving while Suspended and Revoked
Reckless Driving
(Numerous other related traffic charges)
DISPOSITION: Released to custody of Central Booking at WCDC
SYNOPSIS:
On the above date and time a Fruitland officer observed a vehicle driven by the defendant traveling at an extremely high rate of speed on Camden Avenue. The officer immediately attempted to stop the vehicle as it accelerated to speeds nearing 100 mph while running a stop sign. The vehicle eventually pulled over and the officer detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the driver and interior of the vehicle. The officer conducted Field Sobriety tests and the defendant performed poorly. The driver was belligerent throughout the encounter and was also found to be unlicensed with suspended and revoked privileges. The defendant was placed under arrest and was transported to WCDC where he continued to be uncooperative and belligerent. The defendant was charged and served with 13 traffic citations.
DATE & TIME: Thursday December 8, 2011 @ 1317 hours
INCIDENT: Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana / Warrants
LOCATION: N. Fruitland Blvd @ Pollitt Dr.
CASE NO.: 2011-1456
PERSON CHARGED: Langley E. Willis
AGE: 40
ADDRESS: Cambridge, Maryland
CHARGES: Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
Fleeing and Eluding
Resisting Arrest
Fail to Obey a Lawful Order
Obstructing and Hindering
Escape 2nd Degree
Assault 2nd Degree (Police Officer)
(Numerous other related charges)
DISPOSITION: Released to custody of Central Booking at WCDC
SYNOPSIS:
On the above date and time a Fruitland officer initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle, in which the defendant was a passenger. The officer immediately detected the overwhelming odor of Marijuana emanating from the vehicle’s interior. As officers had the occupants exit the vehicle to perform a probable cause search, the defendant was found to possess a suspected Marijuana grinder and as it was located in his pocket he pushed away from officers and fled on foot. After a lengthy foot pursuit the defendant was apprehended, hiding in a nearby dumpster, and placed under arrest. The defendant was found to have 4 outstanding arrest warrants and also had been concealing a large amount of suspected Marijuana and a digital scale within his belongings in the vehicle. The defendant was transported to WCDC and charged with 15 criminal offenses.
Fruitland was assisted by Salisbury Police and the Wicomico County Sheriff’s office.
QUOTE OF THE DAY 12-9-11
“Gold is cheap relative to the idea that you could have a life’s fortune on a statement from a clearing agent and then find out that you don’t have a penny left anywhere. Which should you have had, physical gold or that clearing house statement? Gold is cheap because of the condition of other things.”
Jim Sinclair
Jim Sinclair
'Tangerine Tango’: The Bright, Encouraging Color of 2012
The color specialists at Pantone hope the orangey-red hue will give us optimism for the next 12 months.
The world is about to look a lot more vivid: the Pantone Color Institute has named “Tangerine Tango,” a radiant red-orange, as the top color of 2012. The color experts have been amping up their selections each year, with the serene and calming turquoise in 2010 giving way to 2011’s honeysuckle, a warm, reddish-pink color meant to lift spirits and instill confidence.
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The world is about to look a lot more vivid: the Pantone Color Institute has named “Tangerine Tango,” a radiant red-orange, as the top color of 2012. The color experts have been amping up their selections each year, with the serene and calming turquoise in 2010 giving way to 2011’s honeysuckle, a warm, reddish-pink color meant to lift spirits and instill confidence.
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Congressman Fires Three Employees For Drinking On The Job
A member of Congress fired three staff members for drinking on the job and then tweeting about it. Washington Democrat Rick Larsen says he didn't know what was going on until a conservative blogger in his home district published the tweets. The tweets told of staffers Seth Burroughs, Ben Byers and Elizabeth Robblee taking shots of Jack Daniels and then blowing off work. Burroughs also tweeted that his boss was an idiot. Don't look for the Twitter feeds — those accounts have been deleted.
Can A Mom's Touch Keep Her Kids Off Drugs?
We all know how much a parent's influence and modeling behavior can have on children, but a new study reveals that from a very early age, a mother's touch may actually prevent drug use in her kids much later on in their lives.
The study, which appears in the Journal of Neuroscience, indicates that if babies are nurtured effectively (they used rats as models) it increases the production of a molecule in the brain’s immune system called Interleukin-10, or IL-10, leaving them less susceptible to drug cravings as adults. Researchers say the study shows for the first time how the nurturing behavior of mothers can actually strengthen their offspring's immune system in the brain.
The Labor Department Wants To Force Contractors To Hire More People With Disabilities
A proposed rule would require 7 percent of companies' workforces to be made up of the disabled. The rule is published in today's Federal Register. You have 60 days to comment. The rule would also apply to subcontractors. And it would impose a new reporting requirements on companies to prove they are meeting the requirement. Until now, companies only had to make good faith efforts at hiring the disabled.
House On Collision Course With Obama Over Payroll Tax Cut, As Senate Bills Fail
WASHINGTON – House Republicans are on a collision course with the White House and potentially the Senate over an emerging proposal to extend the payroll tax cut, teeing up a protracted debate that could keep lawmakers in Washington for the holidays as they try to avert a Jan. 1 tax increase.
The Senate on Thursday afternoon rejected rival Democratic and GOP plans for extending the cut. The failure was expected, cueing the House to step in with a new plan.
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The Senate on Thursday afternoon rejected rival Democratic and GOP plans for extending the cut. The failure was expected, cueing the House to step in with a new plan.
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The Army Plans To Cut 8,700 Civilian Jobs By Next September
Reductions will occur in 70 locations in 37 states. The bulk of the cuts will come from the Installation Management, Materiel, and Training and Doctrine Commands. Thomas R. Lamont is assistant Army secretary for manpower and reserve affairs. He says tight budgets are forcing the reduction in staff. Some workers will be offered early retirement benefits.
The Scent Of A Man? It Could Be An STD
Would-be lovers wondering whether to go forward with a new relationship might heed the advice of Russian scientists: Take a deep whiff.
Sniffing a potential partner’s scent could tell whether Mr. Right has a sexually transmitted disease, according to a small study that found that gonorrhea-infected men smelled “putrid” to a bevy of young ladies.
Eddie Murphy Reportedly Tapped To Play Marion Barry
WASHINGTON - From Beverly Hills Cop to D.C. Mayor. Eddie Murphy has been tapped to star in a film about the life of former mayor and current D.C. Councilman Marion Barry.
The biopic is reportedly in development at HBO Films, with Murphy attached to star and Spike Lee attached to direct
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The biopic is reportedly in development at HBO Films, with Murphy attached to star and Spike Lee attached to direct
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Fla. Cop Found Drunk In Squad Car, Not Cuffed
You know things are wacky in Florida when news of criminality continues to be about the cops rather than the robbers.
The latest Keystone Kops-like episode came when an off-duty cop was discovered passed out and drunk in his patrol car, the Miami-Dade, Fla., police department told local media.
And it gets worse: Instead of being cuffed and booked, Fernando Villa, 32, was allowed to go home after signing a form promising he would appear in court, the Miami Herald reported.
The latest Keystone Kops-like episode came when an off-duty cop was discovered passed out and drunk in his patrol car, the Miami-Dade, Fla., police department told local media.
And it gets worse: Instead of being cuffed and booked, Fernando Villa, 32, was allowed to go home after signing a form promising he would appear in court, the Miami Herald reported.
Forget Guns, iPhones May Be Best Crime-Fighting Tools
WASHINGTON -- Remember when the image of law enforcement was a cop sitting at a desk using two fingers to type out a report?
Well, it seems things have changed.
The next time you see the FBI in action, agents may be armed with cell phones.
Soon, agents may have smartphones with a new app called Mobile One, which plugs into their phones and allows them to scan fingerprints in the field and plug them into the national criminal database.
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Well, it seems things have changed.
The next time you see the FBI in action, agents may be armed with cell phones.
Soon, agents may have smartphones with a new app called Mobile One, which plugs into their phones and allows them to scan fingerprints in the field and plug them into the national criminal database.
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Six Decades Later, Dutch State Apologizes For Indonesia Massacre
RAWAGEDE, Indonesia — After six decades of waiting, relatives of hundreds of men and boys killed in a notorious massacre during Indonesia's bitter struggle for independence finally got what they wanted: an official apology from the Dutch state.
Tjeerd de Zwaan, ambassador to Indonesia, made the announcement before hundreds of villagers in Rawagede, scene of the Dec. 9, 1947 killings of up to 430 boys and young men by Dutch troops.
Casa Drops Challenge To Signatures In Dream Act Referendum
Casa de Maryland, the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking to halt a state referendum on illegal immigrants receiving in-state college tuition, will no longer challenge the validity or number of petition signatures approved by the State Board of Elections. Instead, it will focus solely on the argument that Dream Act legislation is an appropriations bill, thus disqualifying it from being subject to referendum.
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Huge Eurobank, Rated 'Britain's Worst,' Now Accused Of Gouging US Consumers
The accusations are as outrageous as they are plentiful: Hundreds of “robocalls” -- in one case, 800 to a single person -- to collect auto loan debts; illegal repossession of cars from active duty military deployed overseas; late fees assessed three years after the fact and then compounded into $2,000 or $3,000 bills; harassing calls to friends, neighbors, co-workers -- even children -- on cell phones. And now, a flurry of lawsuits filed around the country, and lawyers fighting over potential clients.
No Tuxes Or Dresses At Graduation After School Settles Lawsuit With Lesbian
No more tuxedos for boys and dresses for girls come graduation time at high schools in a Mississippi school district.
Copiah County School District will ditch gender-specific graduation outfits and instead require all students to wear a cap and gown as part of a settlement of a lawsuit filed on behalf of lesbian teenager whose tux-wearing photo was excluded from the senior yearbook.
And though it’s not possible for Ceara Sturgis’ photo to be pasted back into the 2009 Weston Attendance Center yearbook, the high school will include it in her class’s composite picture hanging in the school library.
"I'm really happy, I'm excited," Sturgis, now 20, told msnbc.com by telephone Thursday from Orlando, Fla., where she is now living. "I'm proud of my school because they decided to do the right thing."
More
Copiah County School District will ditch gender-specific graduation outfits and instead require all students to wear a cap and gown as part of a settlement of a lawsuit filed on behalf of lesbian teenager whose tux-wearing photo was excluded from the senior yearbook.
And though it’s not possible for Ceara Sturgis’ photo to be pasted back into the 2009 Weston Attendance Center yearbook, the high school will include it in her class’s composite picture hanging in the school library.
"I'm really happy, I'm excited," Sturgis, now 20, told msnbc.com by telephone Thursday from Orlando, Fla., where she is now living. "I'm proud of my school because they decided to do the right thing."
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BREAKING NEWS
Mayor Jim Ireton has asked that the City Council to INCREASE the Water and Sewer Fund to pay for litigation.
Get this, rumor is, he wants a LOT more than a $500,000.00 INCREASE.
Oh, it's so nice to be Paul Wilber and Co.....
Let the Daily Times, WBOC and WMDT games begin. Once again, Salisbury News breaks the stories and the MSM is like toilet paper, wiping up the rear.
Presidential Candidate Tom Miller Is In Washington, D.C. Today And You're NOT Going To Believe This
Mr. Miller is at the Doubletree Hotel, (a VERY expensive Hotel) in Washington, D.C. where a three day conference is currently going on for LOW INCOME IMIGRANTS RIGHTS.He just happened to be at the Hotel when he noticed this conference. While he was taking this image, the SEIU Union Thugs confronted him asking, what are you doing?
Absolutely Amazing!
2nd Child Shot by Mom in Texas Welfare Office Dies
A 10-year-old son of a woman who shot her two children and then killed herself during a police standoff at a Texas welfare office died on Thursday, a day after his sister succumbed to her wounds.
Timothy Grimmer died Thursday evening at a San Antonio hospital after he was removed from life support, Laredo police investigator Joe Baeza said. His sister Ramie, 12, who authorities say was also shot by mother Rachelle Grimmer, died Wednesday night at the same hospital.
Timothy Grimmer died Thursday evening at a San Antonio hospital after he was removed from life support, Laredo police investigator Joe Baeza said. His sister Ramie, 12, who authorities say was also shot by mother Rachelle Grimmer, died Wednesday night at the same hospital.
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