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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
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Happy BREW Year!
U.S. Mint Examines Ways to Further Debase its Coinage
U.S. Mint Considers Production of Cost Savings Steel Coins
As part of a 2010 Congressional cost savings initiative, the U.S. Mint has been studying and testing the replacement and or substitution of the base metals in its coinage with steel.
All currently circulating coins and especially the nickel, are in the U.S. Mint’s cross hairs.
U.S. Mint December 2014 Report Indicates Rising Coin Production Costs May Spur New Coin Compositions
Under the Coin Modernization, Oversight, and Continuity Act of 2010 (the “Act”), the U.S. Mint (the “Mint”) has been tasked by Congress to “conduct research and development on alternative metallic materials for all circulating coins” and to review production methods that might result in cost savings.
The Mint produced gold coins for general circulation until 1933 when they were confiscatedand never produced again for general circulation.
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As part of a 2010 Congressional cost savings initiative, the U.S. Mint has been studying and testing the replacement and or substitution of the base metals in its coinage with steel.
All currently circulating coins and especially the nickel, are in the U.S. Mint’s cross hairs.
U.S. Mint December 2014 Report Indicates Rising Coin Production Costs May Spur New Coin Compositions
Under the Coin Modernization, Oversight, and Continuity Act of 2010 (the “Act”), the U.S. Mint (the “Mint”) has been tasked by Congress to “conduct research and development on alternative metallic materials for all circulating coins” and to review production methods that might result in cost savings.
The Mint produced gold coins for general circulation until 1933 when they were confiscatedand never produced again for general circulation.
More
Governor-elect Hogan meets with Under Armour, tours Baltimore campus
"We had a very productive meeting here at Under Armour today," said Governor-elect Hogan. "Maryland's business climate has languished over the last eight years but this Maryland-grown company has stuck around and continues to do great things for our communities. It is important that we do everything we can to encourage employers like Under Armour as well as employers of all sizes to grow and thrive in our state. That will always be my number one priority."
Earlier in the day, Governor-elect Hogan and Comptroller Peter Franchot, accompanied by their families, volunteered at the non-profit organization Paul's Place in nearby Pigtown, where they donated clothes and volunteered serving lunch to local residents.
Making Our One Maryland a Stronger State
Earlier today, I joined the committed volunteers at Our Daily Bread in Baltimore to serve lunch to over 600 guests. Our Daily Bread offers one of many volunteer opportunities in Maryland. Whether you volunteer with your place of worship, help a local nonprofit, or spend time with a neighbor in need, your service matters.
If you’re in search of the perfect volunteer opportunity, the Maryland Volunteer Centers are great resources. Many of the volunteer centers have useful Holiday Volunteer Guides to help you find the right opportunity, including Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Howard County, Harford County, andBaltimore City. If you need assistance finding your local volunteer center, The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism (GOSV) has an interactive volunteer center map that can help connect you.
During this time of the year, many nonprofits and faith-based organizations are at capacity with the number of volunteers they can support. But unfortunately, by the end of the holidays, the number of volunteers drops dramatically – while the need for help remains the same. Consider spreading the “holiday spirit” year-round by making a resolution to volunteer in the New Year. Whether you commit to volunteer one time or once a month, you’ll be making a positive impact on your community.
The holiday season is also a great time for organizations to thank their volunteers for their service over the past year. The GOSV offers a number of free resources to help organizations recognize their volunteers year-round. One recognition tool is the volunteer certificate, a free resource that recognizes the outstanding contributions of a volunteer; agencies may request up to 350 certificates for their volunteers. Additionally, the GOSV hosts annual recognition events including the Volunteer Appreciation Day at the Maryland State Fair and the Governor’s Service Awards. To learn more about these recognition tools and events, visit the GOSV’s Volunteer Recognition page.
Whether you are a volunteer, or an organization that benefits from the service of others, thank you for making our One Maryland a stronger state.
If you’re in search of the perfect volunteer opportunity, the Maryland Volunteer Centers are great resources. Many of the volunteer centers have useful Holiday Volunteer Guides to help you find the right opportunity, including Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Howard County, Harford County, andBaltimore City. If you need assistance finding your local volunteer center, The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism (GOSV) has an interactive volunteer center map that can help connect you.
The holiday season is also a great time for organizations to thank their volunteers for their service over the past year. The GOSV offers a number of free resources to help organizations recognize their volunteers year-round. One recognition tool is the volunteer certificate, a free resource that recognizes the outstanding contributions of a volunteer; agencies may request up to 350 certificates for their volunteers. Additionally, the GOSV hosts annual recognition events including the Volunteer Appreciation Day at the Maryland State Fair and the Governor’s Service Awards. To learn more about these recognition tools and events, visit the GOSV’s Volunteer Recognition page.
Whether you are a volunteer, or an organization that benefits from the service of others, thank you for making our One Maryland a stronger state.
It’s a Laughable Screed in DC
When the government is waving at us with its right hand, so to speak, it is the government’s left hand that we should be watching. Just as a magician draws your attention to what he wants you to see so you will not observe how his trick is performed, last week presented a textbook example of public disputes masking hidden deceptions. Here is what happened.
Last week was dominated by two huge news stories. One was the revelation by the Senate Intelligence Committee of torture committed by CIA agents and contractors on 119 detainees in the post-9/11 era — 26 of whom were tortured for months by mistake. In that revelation of anguish and error were the conclusions by CIA agents themselves that their torture had not produced helpful information. President Barack Obama acknowledged that the CIA had tortured, yet he directed the Department of Justice not toprosecute those who tortured and those who authorized it.
The other substantial news story was the compromise achieved by Congress and the White House to fund the government through the end of September 2015. That legislation, which is 2,000 pages in length, was not read by anyone who voted for it. It spends a few hundred billion dollars more than the government will collect in tax revenue. The compromise was achieved through bribery; members of Congress bought and sold votes by adding goodies (in the form of local expenditures of money borrowed by the federal government) to the bill that were never debated or independently voted upon and were added solely to achieve the votes needed for passage. This is how the federal government operates today. Both parties participate in it. They have turned the public treasury into a public trough.
Hidden in the law that authorized the government to spend more than it will collect was a part about funding for the 16 federal civilian intelligence agencies. And hidden in that was a clause, inserted by the same Senate Intelligence Committee that revealed the CIA torture, authorizing the National Security Agency to gather and retain nonpublic data for five years and to share it with law enforcement and with foreign governments. “Nonpublic data” is the government’s language referring to the content of the emails, textmessages, telephone calls, bank statements, utility bills and credit card bills of nearly every innocent person in America — including members of Congress, federal judges, public officials and law enforcement officials. I say “innocent” because the language of this legislation — which purports to make lawful the NSA spying we now all know about — makes clear that those who spy upon us needn’t have any articulable suspicion or probable cause for spying.
More
Last week was dominated by two huge news stories. One was the revelation by the Senate Intelligence Committee of torture committed by CIA agents and contractors on 119 detainees in the post-9/11 era — 26 of whom were tortured for months by mistake. In that revelation of anguish and error were the conclusions by CIA agents themselves that their torture had not produced helpful information. President Barack Obama acknowledged that the CIA had tortured, yet he directed the Department of Justice not toprosecute those who tortured and those who authorized it.
The other substantial news story was the compromise achieved by Congress and the White House to fund the government through the end of September 2015. That legislation, which is 2,000 pages in length, was not read by anyone who voted for it. It spends a few hundred billion dollars more than the government will collect in tax revenue. The compromise was achieved through bribery; members of Congress bought and sold votes by adding goodies (in the form of local expenditures of money borrowed by the federal government) to the bill that were never debated or independently voted upon and were added solely to achieve the votes needed for passage. This is how the federal government operates today. Both parties participate in it. They have turned the public treasury into a public trough.
Hidden in the law that authorized the government to spend more than it will collect was a part about funding for the 16 federal civilian intelligence agencies. And hidden in that was a clause, inserted by the same Senate Intelligence Committee that revealed the CIA torture, authorizing the National Security Agency to gather and retain nonpublic data for five years and to share it with law enforcement and with foreign governments. “Nonpublic data” is the government’s language referring to the content of the emails, textmessages, telephone calls, bank statements, utility bills and credit card bills of nearly every innocent person in America — including members of Congress, federal judges, public officials and law enforcement officials. I say “innocent” because the language of this legislation — which purports to make lawful the NSA spying we now all know about — makes clear that those who spy upon us needn’t have any articulable suspicion or probable cause for spying.
More
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Are your gloves made out of DOG skin?
Barbaric slaughterhouses in China use the hide of pets slaughtered for food to make leather goods - and they are already in UK high street stores, campaigners warn
Leather gloves, shoes and other goods being sold in British shops and online may be made out of dogs slaughtered in horrific factories in China, it has been claimed.
Dog skin produced in the slaughterhouses are used in products, labelled real leather, destined for export to the West, according to an animal rights group.
Footage taken by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shows workers stood by a door at a slaughterhouse in the northern province of Hebei. As dogs are led through the door, the men kill them with a heavy stick. Sometimes it takes several blows to finish off the unwitting animals.
Meathooks sway grimly in the foreground of the upsetting footage. PETA Asia's investigator saw workers peel the skin off dogs who were still alive.
More
Leather gloves, shoes and other goods being sold in British shops and online may be made out of dogs slaughtered in horrific factories in China, it has been claimed.
Dog skin produced in the slaughterhouses are used in products, labelled real leather, destined for export to the West, according to an animal rights group.
Footage taken by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) shows workers stood by a door at a slaughterhouse in the northern province of Hebei. As dogs are led through the door, the men kill them with a heavy stick. Sometimes it takes several blows to finish off the unwitting animals.
Meathooks sway grimly in the foreground of the upsetting footage. PETA Asia's investigator saw workers peel the skin off dogs who were still alive.
More
Former President George H.W. Bush hospitalized, office says
A spokesman for Bush, 90, said he will be held for observation at the Houston Methodist Hospital as a precaution.
Bush spent nearly two months in the same hospital and was discharged in January 2013 after treatment for a bronchitis-related cough and other health issues.
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ANOTHER LAWSUIT?!?: Jesse Ventura Back in Court Against Chris Kyle, American Sniper
In July, the disgraced former governor won $1.8 million from the Kyle’s estate in a dispute over a subchapter about a California bar fight between the SEAL sniper and a man he called “Scruff Face” and publicly identified as Kyle during subsequent interviews.
The latest lawsuit, a naked grab at money from a deceased hero, is against the books publisher, Harper Collins. According to documents filed with the court, the publicity of Ventura getting dropped like a sack of potatoes “generated by the false and defamatory story about Ventura substantially increased sales of ‘American Sniper,’ thereby generating millions of dollars in revenues and profits for Harper Collins.”
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The Fed Is "Confused & Confusing"
Too Clever By Half
Yesterday I received an email from a well-known hedge fund manager which in its entirety read as follows: “At the end of the day, the Fed is confused and confusing, so if you spend too much time addressing their comments you end up confusing as well”.
In this light, I will detail one observation in this note that leaves me to conclude that the post-FOMC market reaction is farcical. Bear with me while I explain.
The FOMC meeting was slightly hawkish for two simple reasons.
1) The Fed slightly moved forward its time frame for the first rate hike to the April-June time frame when Yellen stated, “It is unlikely the Federal Open Market Committee will raise rates for at least the next couple of meetings”. This statement is indeed wishy-washy enough as to allow the Fed flexibility around the comment; nonetheless, the center point for ‘lift-off’ was moved forward.
2) Yellen said the drop in the price of oil would have a transitory effect on inflation and was seen as “tax cut” for the consumer and businesses.
These were the only new pieces of information that emerged from the meeting. How would a day-trader have reacted in normal markets? The US dollar would have risen. Oil would have fallen despite the rise in the dollar. The front end of the Treasury market would have dropped (i.e. higher yields). And, equities would have gone down. All of these occurred except for equities which exploded higher in wild grab-fest fashion. Why?
More
Yesterday I received an email from a well-known hedge fund manager which in its entirety read as follows: “At the end of the day, the Fed is confused and confusing, so if you spend too much time addressing their comments you end up confusing as well”.
In this light, I will detail one observation in this note that leaves me to conclude that the post-FOMC market reaction is farcical. Bear with me while I explain.
The FOMC meeting was slightly hawkish for two simple reasons.
1) The Fed slightly moved forward its time frame for the first rate hike to the April-June time frame when Yellen stated, “It is unlikely the Federal Open Market Committee will raise rates for at least the next couple of meetings”. This statement is indeed wishy-washy enough as to allow the Fed flexibility around the comment; nonetheless, the center point for ‘lift-off’ was moved forward.
2) Yellen said the drop in the price of oil would have a transitory effect on inflation and was seen as “tax cut” for the consumer and businesses.
These were the only new pieces of information that emerged from the meeting. How would a day-trader have reacted in normal markets? The US dollar would have risen. Oil would have fallen despite the rise in the dollar. The front end of the Treasury market would have dropped (i.e. higher yields). And, equities would have gone down. All of these occurred except for equities which exploded higher in wild grab-fest fashion. Why?
More
Bayfront Resident Granted Wind Turbine Conditional Use Five Years After Initial Proposal
Last Tuesday evening, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a subsequent public hearing to consider Ocean City resident James Motsko’s request for a Conditional Use in the R-2 Medium Residential District to permit installation of one ground-mounted small wind turbine in the area of 6th Street on the bayside.
In early October, a public hearing was held before the commission regarding the installation of the wind turbine but the hearing was postponed to provide an opportunity for Motsko’s engineer to be in attendance to address noise concerns. At that time, the commission also requested a private noise reading be conducted.
Zoning Administrator Blaine Smith acknowledged Motsko’s request is the first for a monopole base wind turbine within the limits of Ocean City, and he is “the author of bringing wind turbines into Ocean City” as he has been working on this matter since 2009.
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SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT 12-23-14
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA 621 PM EST TUE DEC 23 2014 MDZ021>025-VAZ099-100-240200- DORCHESTER-WICOMICO-SOMERSET-INLAND WORCESTER-MARYLAND BEACHES- ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON VA- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CAMBRIDGE...SALISBURY...CRISFIELD... PRINCESS ANNE...SNOW HILL...OCEAN CITY...CHINCOTEAGUE... WALLOPS ISLAND...MELFA...EASTVILLE 621 PM EST TUE DEC 23 2014 ...AREAS OF FOG THIS EVENING... AREAS OF FOG WILL PERSIST OVER THE LOWER MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA EASTERN SHORE THROUGH THIS EVENING. VISIBILITIES WILL BE RESTRICTED TO AROUND 1/2 MILE IN SOME PLACES. DENSE FOG WITH VISIBILITIES REDUCED TO LESS THAN 1/4 MILE IS POSSIBLE DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. MOTORISTS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR SUDDEN CHANGES IN VISIBILITY DUE TO THE AREAS OF DENSE FOG. DRIVE AT REDUCED SPEEDS AND USE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ONLY.
Governor's Challenge Partners with Hometown Hero Fernando Guerrero for Holiday Giveaway
The Fernando el Guerrero Foundation has announced that Fernando Guerrero will spread holiday cheer in the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center’s Midway Room on Friday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Dec. 27 from 4-6 p.m. by giving away toys, books, Nike and Converse sneakers as well as clothing. Alex Guerrero, the Guerrero family and the Guerrero Steppers will also be on site. The event is free and open to the public, but the community is asked to not begin lining up before 3 p.m. Items will be given away while supplies last, and there is a limit on how many items each person can take for free.
Following the giveaways, the Guerrero brothers will join the action at the Governor’s Challenge Basketball Tournament where they will be available for autographs and pictures. Additional items will be raffled during the Tournament as a fundraiser for the Fernando el Guerrero Foundation.
Following the giveaways, the Guerrero brothers will join the action at the Governor’s Challenge Basketball Tournament where they will be available for autographs and pictures. Additional items will be raffled during the Tournament as a fundraiser for the Fernando el Guerrero Foundation.
Officials: 22 Indicted In Multistate Dog-Fighting Ring
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Authorities said Monday that a Baltimore grand jury returned indictments against 22 people involved in the ring, 14 of whom are in custody. They're all charged with animal cruelty, dog fighting and conspiracy.
The indictments came after authorities raided 18 locations in the Baltimore area and a compound in West Virginia.
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Bathing Man Grabbed By Testicles and Beaten; SWAT Lied to Get Raid
Chad Chadwick, a Texas man with a clean record, is still trying to live down the multiple nightmares unleashed upon him by a SWAT team three years ago. Because none of those nightmares ended with the lurid and violent raid.
What would precipitate a raid for someone who had never broken the law? A tip, of course. Apparently, a friend reported him to the Missouri City police concerning hisemotional well-being. When someone’s down and out – who you gonna call? None other than SWAT – who eagerly went down to business.
They decided they needed some semblance of justification to SWAT this guy. So they unequivocally fabricated a complete lie to a judge in order to get approval.
They said he had taken some hostages…
They knew this was untrue – they came up with it. My Fox Houston also claims that SWAT was aware of his owning a single shotgun, with which he had never threatened anyone.
So on the night of September 27th, 2011 they arrived while Chadwick was napping in the bathtub.
(How do they always know when you’re in the shower?)
More
What would precipitate a raid for someone who had never broken the law? A tip, of course. Apparently, a friend reported him to the Missouri City police concerning hisemotional well-being. When someone’s down and out – who you gonna call? None other than SWAT – who eagerly went down to business.
They decided they needed some semblance of justification to SWAT this guy. So they unequivocally fabricated a complete lie to a judge in order to get approval.
They said he had taken some hostages…
They knew this was untrue – they came up with it. My Fox Houston also claims that SWAT was aware of his owning a single shotgun, with which he had never threatened anyone.
So on the night of September 27th, 2011 they arrived while Chadwick was napping in the bathtub.
(How do they always know when you’re in the shower?)
More
Dr. Carson: 'The Community Has to Recognize That a Thug Is a Thug'
"I believe it would be a very wise idea to start talking about the good that the police did," Carson said. "We can find bad things about anybody. If we just emphasize those bad things all the time, it's called demonization."
Carson noted that there are bad apples in any group, but peoples' lives in every community are made better by police.
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Officials: Missing dog was dyed to deceive
Coco, a reddish-brown pit bull with white markings, went missing from her Southern California home on Thanksgiving.
Nearly a month later, she was found and reunited with her owners — but she was a different color.
Riverside County animal services officials made the match when they scanned a stray, black dog for an implanted microchip and found she was listed as an 8-month-old reddish-brown pit bull adopted in October from a San Jacinto shelter.
She actually recognized me when I went in there to verify it was her,' owner Heather Lowery told NBC Los Angeles.
'She shakes her whole body as if she were Pluto basically, and she did it again today. She jumped right on (me) and took pictures with me.'
Officials believe Coco was stolen and dyed in an act of deception to make it harder for Lowry to find her, said Riverside County Field and Shelter Deputy Director Frank Corvino.
Officials believe the dog escaped from the thief's property.
'The dye job is not very good,' Corvino said. 'But it would work if someone's looking for their missing, reddish-brown dog.'
More
Nearly a month later, she was found and reunited with her owners — but she was a different color.
Riverside County animal services officials made the match when they scanned a stray, black dog for an implanted microchip and found she was listed as an 8-month-old reddish-brown pit bull adopted in October from a San Jacinto shelter.
She actually recognized me when I went in there to verify it was her,' owner Heather Lowery told NBC Los Angeles.
'She shakes her whole body as if she were Pluto basically, and she did it again today. She jumped right on (me) and took pictures with me.'
Officials believe Coco was stolen and dyed in an act of deception to make it harder for Lowry to find her, said Riverside County Field and Shelter Deputy Director Frank Corvino.
Officials believe the dog escaped from the thief's property.
'The dye job is not very good,' Corvino said. 'But it would work if someone's looking for their missing, reddish-brown dog.'
More
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