Biz Executives Pay Fines For Florida Vet Facing Eviction Over Flower Pot Flag

In an act of patriotism this Fourth of July, a pair of business executives has paid the fines for a Florida veteran who faced foreclosure for displaying a small American flag in a flower pot on his front stoop.

The two senior executives for Los Angeles-based Lear Capital had read the story of 73-year-old Larry Murphree, of Jacksonville, whose homeowners association at Tides Condominium at Sweetwater began hitting him with fines of $100 a day last year for violating his homeowners association’s flag display rules, and have offered to pay the bill which has climbed into the thousands.

“When we read his story it offended our sensibilities,” Scott Carter, CEO of Lear Capital said to FoxNews.com. “The thought of him losing his home, we felt it was wrong. We wanted to help.”

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Vet Finally Gets Appointment At VA… Two Years After His Death

Hillary Got Rich on Foreign Money, Says She is Product of “American Dream”

Hillary is a bald eagle. She’s an apple pie on a windowsill. She’s so American that she was named after both Washington and Lincoln.

After all those criticisms about the formerly broke, currently “not truly well off” First Lady, Hillary Clinton got the chance to lay out her vision at the Aspen Festival of Ideas.

“We have to do a better job of getting our economy growing again and producing results and renewing the American Dream so Americans feel they have a stake in the future and that the economy and political system is not stacked against them,’ Clinton said.

What a novel and unique set of ideas that was not at all exactly the same stump speech politicians have been giving since 1974.

Clinton, nodding to her middle class, Midwestern roots, said she is “product” of the American Dream.

“Of course, Bill and I are so grateful for the success we’ve had, but we remember where we started and where we came from and what the contributing factors were that gave us the opportunity to be successful,” she said. “And we don’t want to see that lost.”

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These Are AWESOME Fireworks!!

BROWN - SKEERED

Hogan reiterates earlier calls for several forums with Brown; Brown-Ulman debate “proposal” ignores Western, Eastern and Southern MD.

Annapolis, MD – Commenting on the Brown-Ulman campaign’s “debate proposal” released late this afternoon before the long Independence Day weekend, the Hogan-Rutherford campaign said:

“To date, we have only received one invitation for a gubernatorial forum, the September 12, Maryland Municipal League event in Annapolis (attached). Larry Hogan accepted the invitation to this forum without qualifications or conditions on the day it was received; as it was not listed in the Brown-Ulman proposal, we will assume the Lt. Governor will not be participating in this important event with local leaders.

“We agree that there should be several debates, but missing from the Brown-Ulmanproposal is any meaningful consideration for the people of Western, Southern and Eastern Maryland. And while will agree to Lt. Governor debates outside of the Washington – Baltimore corridor, we are reiterating our call for town hall style debates with the Lt. Governor and Larry Hogan in Delmarva, south of St. Charles and west of Hagerstown. These areas have been largely ignored by Annapolis and have unemployment rates nearly double that of other regions. The people of these regions deserve to directly question and hear from the two candidates for governor.

An American Fourth of July, made in China

The United States imported $4 million in U.S. flags last year, 97 percent of which came from China. And it's not just flags -- like other consumer goods, the lions' share of our patriotic paraphernalia was made in China. There's a certain irony in celebrating our liberties with goods purchased from one of the least-free nations on the planet. But that's life in the 21st century for you.
Source 

Veteran dies waiting for ambulance in VA hospital

A veteran who collapsed in an Albuquerque Veteran Affairs hospital cafeteria, 500 yards from the emergency room, died after waiting 30 minutes for an ambulance, officials confirmed on Thursday.

Officials at the hospital said it took a half an hour for the ambulance to be dispatched and take the man from one building to the other, which is about a five minute walk.

VA spokeswoman Sonja Brown said Kirtland Air Force Medical Group personnel performed CPR until the ambulance arrived.

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Dog Found: UPDATE

The dog I found & sent out his info to you has been reunited
with its' owner!!
Friday, July 4th, found dog off Mt. Hermon Rd. Looks to
be a retriever mix & has what looks to be a shock collar on.
Have called the Humane Society but they are closed today.
I would hate having to take him there but have no other
alternative if the owner isn't found. I am going to put
out some flyers today before taking him in tomorrow.

At present he is temporarily confined.
Call 410 742 5692 with a definite description of the dog &
leave us your name & phone # . We will call you back as
soon as possible!!

Food City- Salute

15 Things You Don’t Fully Appreciate Until You No Longer Live In Maryland

Growing up, you always dreamed about leaving Maryland. You wondered where you’d go and all the places you’d see; you romanticized the idea of dropping everything and getting away—until you did. Sure, you probably love your new state, but nothing will ever replace good ol’ Maryland in your heart. Raise that bold, patterned flag high and embrace memories of the motherland.
 
1. Extreme Seasons
Sometimes it’s too hot; sometimes it’s too cold; sometimes it’s both in one week. Once you’ve moved away from these unusual weather patterns, you begin to feel a strange, unexplainable longing to experience them once again.
 
2. Your Choice of Theme Parks
Whichever direction your GPS takes you, Marylanders have easy access to fun. Six Flags America is in-state, and other great parks are just a short drive. Choose from Hershey Park, Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, and (best of all) Six Flags Great Adventure. Kingda Ka, you and your outrageous views of the curvature of the Earth are sorely missed. Good luck finding that anywhere else.
 
3. Rita’s
Okay, maybe this does not come as a surprise, but it deserves a shout out, anyway. Why are you so far, my dear lemon cream pie Blendini?

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How the South is becoming a solid band of poverty

The number of Americans living in poor neighborhoods has skyrocketed in the last decade - and nowhere is the trend more prominent than in the South, where more than 30percent of the population is concentrated in an area with high poverty.

A grim new report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows a solid band of high poverty neighborhoods - running from Arizona east to North Carolina. Only Florida and Virginia are spared from the trend.

The data show that poverty in the United States isn't just growing, it's becoming more concentrated - which can exacerbate social problems and lower the chances of social mobility.

The Census report points out that the number of people living under the federal poverty line - less than $24,000 a year for a family of four - has increased between 2000 and 2010. The number of Americans living in poverty climbed 45percent to 45million.

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WANTED SUBJECT

Worcester County Sheriff's Office
WANTED SUBJECT...If you are familiar with the location of Kenneth Mearle Larkin, please contact the Worcester County Sheriff's Office at 410-632-1111 or your local Law Enforcement. You may remain anonymous.

Happy Birthday, America ... From Down Under

WASHINGTON – Calling Independence Day “the greatest birthday in the world,” Australian author Nick Adams, whose new WND book is “The American Boomerang,” is giving Americans a fresh set of eyes this July 4.

A true de Tocqueville, Adams provides an outsider’s perspective on why America is the beacon of freedom and hope to world and why that greatness will endure.

Internationally renowned for his work as a speaker, lecturer, author, and media commentator, Adams is best known for his work in the field of American exceptionalism. Spreading his message throughout the United States, Adams has spoken in more than 20 states, at conventions, corporate meetings, military bases, schools and churches. Because of his work Adams has received many awards – even honorary citizenship in America.
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Tail Fins and Chrome features: Cars of Dreams

Senator Mikulski Announces $4.6 Million in Federal Funding to Support and Protect Firefighters in Maryland

Funding will provide life-saving equipment for firefighters in Baltimore County and will aid volunteer recruitment and retention efforts in communities throughout Maryland
 
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski today joined Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz,Baltimore County Fire Chief John Hohman and state and local first responders at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Company to announce two federal grants totaling $4.6 million that will address equipment and staffing needs for first responders in Baltimore County and throughout Maryland. As the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski fights each year to increase federal funding for the fire grants program.

"I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities – often it's the difference between life and death. First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter," Senator Mikulski said. "Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don't know what they will face. That's why I fight every year for the equipment, training, and staffing our protectors and communities deserve."

White House Honoree Slams VA, Says Administration's Investigation Barely Scratches the Surface

On Wednesday, Sloan Gibson, the acting secretary of Veterans Affairs, announced he will visit the embattled Phoenix VA to discuss immediate actions taken as a result of recommendations outlined in the recent interim Inspector General (IG) report. But Jim Binns, a veterans advocate who was honored by the Obama administration for his service to veterans, said the administration's investigation of the manipulation of wait times may be successful, but an investigation of any other alleged wrongdoing at VA is unlikely to be effective until bigger changes are made at the top management levels of the agency.

In a scathing letter sent on Tuesday to Gibson, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors, who was handpicked by the president to oversee the government's VA investigation, and other officials, Binns said the investigation cannot be entrusted to VA staff or even the IG.

"The Chief of Staff, the Acting Undersecretary for Health, and the Undersecretary for Benefits are themselves directly implicated," wrote Binns, who chairs the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, which Congress established in 1998 to advise VA on research to improve Gulf War veterans' health. "Like the Gulf War battlefield," he wrote, "VA is a toxic environment."

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Maryland Lottery Joins Multi-State Effort

The Maryland Lottery has joined the Multi-State Lottery Association, a group of lotteries based in Iowa, that will jointly offer new games.

The agreement with the 32 state association would not impact the current Mega Millions or Powerball games which are also multi-state games.

Under this partnership, Maryland Lottery Director Stephen Martino said the first game under this partnership would be a weekly "Monopoly Millionaires" game, that would offer a top prize that would be capped at $25-million.

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Waller Landing Sale Cancelled Due To Bankruptcy

It didn't occur this week as scheduled because the owner filed under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy law.

Weird Perspective Of A Painting Found In Windsor, England

Found at Gallery at Ice in Windsor, UK painted by Brian Weavers

Carrot clarinet