Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Local Salisbury Man Shoots And Kills Florida Deputy

Suspect in Orange County deputy's shooting identified; woman in custody

Authorities say a central Florida deputy was fatally shot while responding to a car burglary call in Windermere.

Officials with the Orange County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine saw a suspect sitting in a car with a woman late Monday. The suspect started to run and the deputy pursued him.

Investigators said Pine chased the suspect through the backyard of a home when the suspect shot the deputy. Pine collapsed from his injuries and later died at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Authorities said the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Benjamin Holtermann, was found dead in a nearby neighborhood. Authorities said it doesn't appear the deputy fired at him, so they are trying to determine whether the suspect shot himself.

The woman with Holtermann during the initial burglary call is identified as 18-year-old Erica Pugh. Authorities say she is being charged with multiple counts of burglary and grand theft.

More


Publishers Notes: If you look this man up on Maryland Case Search you'll see he was convicted of a crime and was sentenced to 17 years. It was then reduced to seven years but he was released from prison after only serving FIVE years. The case below is not the case I just mentioned but it proves he is a Salisbury resident. 

Court System:DISTRICT COURT FOR WICOMICO COUNTY - CRIMINAL SYSTEM
Case Number:6H00070272Tracking No:131001788164
Case Type:CRIMINAL
District Code:02Location Code:03
Document Type:WARRANTIssued Date:09/26/2013
Case Status:WARRANT

Defendant Information
Defendant Name:HOLTERMANN, BENJAMIN EDWARD
Sex:MHeight:507Weight:140DOB:07/06/1985
Address:LKA 1001 MEADOW VIEW DR
City:SALISBURYState:MDZip Code:21801 - 0000

Charge and Disposition Information
(Each Charge is listed separately. The disposition is listed below the Charge)
Charge No:001Description:THEFT: LESS $1,000 VALUE
Statute:CR.7.104Description:THEFT: LESS $1,000 VALUE
Amended Date:CJIS Code:1 0621MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From:09/05/2013To:09/05/2013Victim Age:

Charge No:002Description:FORGERY-PRIV DOCUMENTS
Statute:CR.8.601.(a)Description:FORGERY-PRIV DOCUMENTS
Amended Date:CJIS Code:1 2502MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From:09/05/2013To:09/05/2013Victim Age:

Charge No:003Description:FORGERY/PRIV DOCUMENT/POSSESS
Statute:CR.8.601.(b)Description:FORGERY/PRIV DOCUMENT/POSSESS
Amended Date:CJIS Code:1 1502MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From:09/05/2013To:09/05/2013Victim Age:

Charge No:004Description:ISSUE FALSE DOCUMENT
Statute:CR.8.602Description:ISSUE FALSE DOCUMENT
Amended Date:CJIS Code:1 2513MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From:09/05/2013To:09/05/2013Victim Age:

Charge No:005Description:THEFT: $1,000 TO UNDER $10,000
Statute:CR.7.104Description:THEFT: $1,000 TO UNDER $10,000
Amended Date:CJIS Code:1 0622MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From:09/05/2013To:09/05/2013Victim Age:

Charge No:006Description:FORGERY-PRIV DOCUMENTS
Statute:CR.8.601.(a)Description:FORGERY-PRIV DOCUMENTS
Amended Date:CJIS Code:1 2502MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From:09/05/2013To:09/05/2013Victim Age:

Charge No:007Description:FORGERY/PRIV DOCUMENT/POSSESS
Statute:CR.8.601.(b)Description:FORGERY/PRIV DOCUMENT/POSSESS
Amended Date:CJIS Code:1 1502MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From:09/05/2013To:09/05/2013Victim Age:

Charge No:008Description:ISSUE FALSE DOCUMENT
Statute:CR.8.602Description:ISSUE FALSE DOCUMENT
Amended Date:CJIS Code:1 2513MO/PLL:Probable Cause:X
Incident Date From:09/05/2013To:09/05/2013Victim Age:

A Robber Pointed a Gun at His Gut. He Was Surrounded by Criminals. This Astonishing Video Reveals How the Off-Duty Sergeant Survived.

A group of three robbers, at least one of them armed, attempted to rob a man at a Chicago gas station on Monday night. What they didn’t know is that they were holding up an off-duty sheriff’s sergeant who was carrying a gun of his own.

With a gun pointed at his gut and surrounded by criminals, the sergeant made the decision to fight for his life rather than hope he would not be harmed or, even worse, killed.

He seems to hand something over to the crooks and then proceeded to fumble for money with his left hand while sneakily preparing to draw his firearm with his right.
More

CBS: Seattle Children Are Losing Coverage, Doctors Due To ObamaCare

Same song, different verse.

By now, we should be accustomed to these ObamaCare horror stories. It’s no surprise that the administration is trying to delay the consequences of the hilariously named Affordable Care Act until after the next (Presidential) election.

However, to completely eliminate the ramifications of the law, the onerous provisions of ObamaCare would have to be delayed permanently. Republicans have tried to do that several times and in a various manners with absolutely no success.

Perhaps people will remember that when they go to vote. It was Democrats who force fed ObamaCare down our collective throats and it’s Republicans who are trying to get rid of it.

More

Professor Of Leisure Studies Asks: 'Why Do Republicans Want Us To Work All The Time?'

The humanity!

The first thing you need to know about this essay by Benjamin Kline Hunnicutt is that it was published by Politico, which is sort of like making the roster of the prison football team. Even the worst media outlet on Earth needs material from somewhere, so . . . congratulations?

But it gets better. A lot better. And funnier, too. Who, my friends, do you suppose wrote the essay titled "Why Do Republicans Want Us To Work So Much?" What do you suppose this man's job might be, if he even has one? It turns out he does have one, and it's a Democrat's dream: He is (drum roll) a professor of leisure studies at the University of Iowa.

Leisure studies. Those of you laying around right now listening to the show . . . you're getting an A!

It seems the "professor" is upset at Republican criticism of ObamaCare that focuses on its disincentive for people to work, as we told you about last week. Hey, why is removing another 2.5 million people from the workforce a bad thing? People can use the leisure!
More

In Case Of Emergency, Break Glass


O'Malley, Lowery, Students Celebrate State AP Test Ranking

The College Board says the Maryland class of 2013 led the nation in high scoring on Advanced Placement tests.

The New York-based organization said in a report Tuesday that 29.1 percent of last year's Maryland public high school graduates scored a 3 or higher on an AP exam. That compares with a national rate of 20.1 percent.

A score of 3 or higher is considered a successful test result.

The report says Maryland also made progress toward eliminating the gap in AP program participation between white and black students, the most under represented group in AP classrooms.
More

H.S. Class Of ‘04: 13% Neither Working Nor Studying; 23% Living With Parents

(CNSNews.com) - The National Center for Educational Statistics, a division of the U.S. Department of Education, issued a statistical profile last month of a representative sample of 13,133 former U.S. high school students it surveyed from July 2012 to February 2013 as a follow-up to a survey it first gave them in 2002--when they were enrolled as sophomores in the class scheduled to graduate in 2004.

The “report provides a descriptive portrait of these 2002 tenth-graders a decade later, when most were about 26 years old and had been out of high school for 8 years,” it said.

“13 percent reported they were neither working for pay nor taking postsecondary courses,” said the report’s findings.

“23 percent were living with their parents,” it said.

More

Priceless

Home schooling has it merits

I was eating breakfast with my 10-year-old Granddaughter and I asked her, "What day is tomorrow?"

She said "It's President's Day!" She is a smart kid.

I asked "What does President's Day mean?" I was waiting for something about Washington or Lincoln ...etc.

She replied, "President's Day is when President Obama steps out of the White House and if he sees his shadow, and we have another year of Bull Sh!t."

You know, It hurts when hot coffee spurts out your nose!

First Dogs Bo And Sunny Obama Dine Like 1 Percenters





President Obama’s state dinner with French President Francois Hollande doesn’t take place until Tuesday, but that didn’t stop White House dogs Bo and Sunny taking their place at the dining table early. Michelle Obama tweeted the picture Monday, and while the photographer certainly has a good eye, some wondered if the first lady wasn’t being a bit tone-deaf.
More

Bingo Fundraiser

The Soroptimist International Berlin-Ocean City Chapter will hold its annual bingo fundraiser on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Showell Elementary School. 

Our local chapter was chartered in 1951 and has provided over $50,000 in scholarships to Stephen Decatur High School graduates. 

The bingo doors will open at 5pm with bingo starting at 6pm. The cost for 20 games is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Canned goods are also being collected and players will receive a free game in return. 

Please call for tickets and further information 410-726-1722.

BREAKING NEWS: House Votes To Raise Debt Ceiling

The House of Representatives votes, 221-201, to raise the nation’s borrowing limit above $17.3 trillion; the bill now moves to the Senate.

More

How Much Do State Dinners Cost? They Ain't Cheap

The issue is again raised as President Obama hosts the seventh state dinner of his administration Tuesday for visiting French President Francois Hollande.

Records from the State Department Office of Protocol, whose budget covers state dinners, show they can cost taxpayers in excess of half a million dollars per event.


In response to a Freedom of Information request to which it took the State Department 13 months to respond, CBS News has obtained the Office of Protocol’s expense calculations for the first five state dinners of the Obama presidency.
  1. Nov. 24, 2009 – State dinner for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India. $572,187.36
  2. May 19, 2010 – State dinner for President Felipe Calderon of Mexico. $563,479.92
  3. Jan. 19, 2011 – State dinner for President Hu Jintao of China. $412,329.73.
  4. June 7, 2011 – State dinner for Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. $215,883.36
  5. Oct. 13, 2011 – State dinner for President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea. $203,053.34
More

The Democrats’ New Rallying Cry: Work Is A Trap And We Applaud Those Who Can Avoid It

The modern Democrat Party looks at government the same way little kids view Santa. Liberals seem to believe the government has infinite resources that can be used to hand out free gifts without ever having to worry about how they will be paid for. However, back in the real world, “gifts” aren’t free. The money for those “gifts” has to be confiscated from people who work for a living and all too often these days, it’s given to people who don’t. This is why no matter how wasteful the government was, bureaucrats used to at least try to give the American people the IMPRESSION that they cared about being responsible with their money.These days? The Democrat Party’s mantra is quit work, have a good time and someone else will pick up the bill.

My, oh, my, how times have changed. America now has a government that views work as a trap and celebrates those who escape it.

That is the upshot of last week’s remarkable exchange over ObamaCare. It began when the head of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that the interplay of taxes and subsidies in the law “creates a disincentive for people to work.” The report predicted the mix would lead to fewer hours worked, costing the equivalent of nearly 2.5 million jobs.

In response, President Obama’s spokesman pleaded guilty — with pride and pleasure.

More

AZ SENATE PANEL APPROVES BILL TO NULLIFY FEDERAL GUN LAWS

On February 10, SB 1294--the Second Amendment Preservation Act--cleared its first hurdle by passing in the Judiciary Committee on a vote of 6 to 3.

On February 7 Breitbart News reported that State Senator Kelli Ward (R-Lake Havasu City) introduced the Second Amendment Preservation Act to "stop the state of Arizona from helping the feds violate [Arizonan's gun] rights" through various gun control laws "[relating] to a personal firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition within the limits of [Arizona]."
More

MyRAs – Washington’s Latest Scam

The president’s annual state of the union address is another example of how dysfunctional our government in Washington has become.

Article 2, section 3 of the US Constitution says that the president “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union….”

The president is the chief executive of our government. As chief executive, it makes sense that he report periodically about the state of affairs to the body responsible for passing laws, the Congress, so they have a sense of what needs to be done.

If handled correctly, the State of the Union should be like the annual report of a corporate chief executive to shareholders. It should convey key information so that stakeholders know what’s going on.

More

KRAFT SINGLES TO LOSE ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES

NEW YORK (AP) — Kraft is removing artificial preservatives from its most popular Singles cheese product variety, in the latest sign that companies are tweaking recipes as food labels come under greater scrutiny.

The change affects the company's Kraft Singles in the full-fat American and White American varieties, which Kraft says account for the majority of the brand's sales. Sorbic acid is being replaced by natamycin, which Kraft says is a "natural mold inhibitor."

Kraft's decision comes as a growing number of Americans pay closer attention to what they eat and try to stick to foods they feel are natural. That has prompted a number of food makers to change their recipes.
More

Same-Sex Spouses Cannot Testify Against Each Other

The Justice Department will treat same-sex couples equally under the law. Attorney General Eric Holder issues a memo today. It means same-sex spouses cannot be compelled to testify against each other. They should be eligible to file for bankruptcy jointly. They they have the same rights and privileges as other married federal prison inmates. Holder tells the Human Rights Campaign, same-sex couples will qualify for the benefits programs overseen by the department. Those include the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and benefits to surviving spouses of public safety officers injured or killed in the line of duty.

Study Looks At Impact Of Minimum Wage Hike

Opponents of raising the minimum wage in Maryland highlighted a study released Monday that examines some of the economic downsides an increase could have on small businesses, particularly in food services and the hospitality industry.

The study by George Mason University economist Stephen Fuller was released in Annapolis, a day before a scheduled hearing on a proposal to raise the minimum wage in Maryland from $7.25 to $10.10 by 2016.

Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, supports the increase, because he says it will help the economy by providing people with more money to spend. Fuller, however, concluded that raising labor costs brings negative overall economic consequences, unless the wage hike is compensated by greater operational efficiencies or increased product and service quality that offset price increases from higher labor costs.
More

Market Manipulations Become More Extreme, More Desperate

In two recent articles we explained the hows and whys of gold price manipulation. The manipulations are becoming more and more blatant. 

On February 6 the prices of gold and stock market futures were simultaneously manipulated. On several recent occasions gold has attempted to push through the $1,270 per ounce price. If the gold price rises beyond this level, it would trigger a flood of short-covering by the hedge funds who are "piggy-backing" on the bullion banks' manipulation of gold. The purchases by the hedge funds in order to cover their short positions would drive the gold price higher. 

With pressure being exerted by tight supplies of physical gold bars available for delivery to China, the Fed is growing more desperate to keep a lid on the price of gold. The recent large decline in the stock market threatened the Fed's policy of taking pressure off the dollar by cutting back bond purchases and reducing the amount of debt monetization.

SFD Calls For Service 2-10-14

  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 23:22:15Nature: Unconscious SubjectCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 22:05:16Nature: Maternity PatientCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 20:33:37Nature: ChokingCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 16:08:37Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 200 Civic Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 16:01:53Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 2715 N Salisbury Blvd Salisbury, MD 21801
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 15:56:10Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 15:50:12Nature: Sick SubjectCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 14:58:30Nature: Maternity PatientCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 14:40:56Nature: Syncopal EpisodeCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 12:52:42Nature: Pi AccidentCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 12:46:30Nature: Subject FallenCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 12:33:47Nature: StrokeCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 12:31:43Nature: Medical AssistAddress: 908 W Schumaker Manor Dr Salisbury, MD 21801
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 12:31:19Nature: StrokeCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 10:18:42Nature: Unconscious SubjectCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 09:36:19Nature: Syncopal EpisodeCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 09:17:59Nature: Pro Qa FireAddress: 1501 Glen Ave Salisbury, MD 21801
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 08:21:02Nature: Difficulty BreathingCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 06:03:41Nature: Pro Qa EmsCity: Salisbury
  • Monday February, 10 2014 @ 02:11:26Nature: Pro Qa EmsCity: Salisbury

Whoops!

At least six intelligence workers have been outed accidentally by news organizations reporting on the National Security Agency. The media outlets also have posted government secrets by mistake. Glenn Greenwald, the columnist who first published information revealed by Edward Snowden, says the disclosures were minor errors made by technical staff. He says they were fixed quickly. None of the six NSA employees appeared to be working undercover. From the details published, the Associated Press found their home addresses and other personal details.

Democrats Will Dive Left In 2016 To Distance Themselves From Obama

The 2016 Democratic presidential field is likely to run to the left of President Obama, partly because candidates will try to distance themselves from his political baggage while jockeying for an increasingly liberal base of voters, analysts predict.

Prospective candidates and their surrogates insist it’s too early to tell what kind of standing Mr. Obama will have with voters and whether he will be seen as damaged goods the way President Bush was for Republicans in 2008.

But discontent is brewing within the Democratic Party over what some see as Mr. Obama’s concessions to Republicans.

Those Democratic voters will be looking for candidates willing to slide further to the left, especially on economic issues.

More

Person of Interest Named in Kidnapping of Lyon Sisters; Others Victims Sought

Joint Press Release: FBI and Montgomery County Police Department
The Montgomery County Police Department-Cold Case Squad and FBI Agents in the Baltimore Division have named a person of interest in the disappearance of sisters Sheila and Katherine Lyon from a popular suburban Washington D.C. shopping center in 1975.  Investigators say Lloyd Lee Welch, dob: 12/30/1956, aka: Michael Welch, was noticed paying attention to the sisters the afternoon they disappeared.
Sheila and Katherine were last seen just after 2:00 p.m., walking between Wheaton Plaza (now Westfield Wheaton) and their home, only half a mile away.  Their mother told them to be home by 4:00 that afternoon, but they never returned.  They disappeared without a trace, and have not been heard from since.
Welch, a convicted sex offender, has been in prison in Delaware since 1997.  He traveled extensively throughout the U.S. from the 70’s through the mid 90’s.  Welch worked as a ride operator for a carnival company, often set up at malls.  He was arrested in several states, charged with sexual offenses against young girls.  There may be victims who have not come forward.
More 

Many Convicted Of Sex CrimesIn Military Never Serve Time

A look at 1,000 military sexual assault cases show a record of random and inconsistent judgements. The Associated Press obtained the records through a freedom of information act request. Some seemingly strong cases are reduced to lesser charges. And many convicted of sex crimes never serve time in prison. Nearly two-thirds of 244 service members whose punishments were detailed in the records were not incarcerated. Instead they were fined, demoted, restricted to their bases or removed from the military. In more than 30 cases, a letter of reprimand was the only punishment. The Marine Corps is the most likely of the armed services to imprison offenders. The Air Force is most lenient.

Liberal Paradise

A "Liberal Paradise" would be a place where everybody has guaranteed employment, free comprehensive healthcare, free education, free food, free housing, free clothing, free utilities, and only Law Enforcement has guns.
And believe it or not, such a place does indeed exist ……it's called prison.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

Revised Draft Calendar For 2014-15 Posted Under Calendar; On Feb. 11 Board Of Education agenda For 2nd Reading

The proposed calendar for the 2014-15 school year has been revised, taking into consideration input received from parents, staff and students. This revised draft has been provided to the Board of Education in preparation for the Board’s 2nd and final vote on the calendar at the monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Board Office.

The revised draft calendar is posted at www.wcboe.org, click on Calendar, or go to this link: http://wcboe.org/department/Communications/Calendars

USPS Loses $354 Million Over Last Three Months

The Postal Service continues its downward spiral, announcing a $354 million loss over the last three months. That's much better than previous quarters. The Postal Service credits cost-cutting combined with growth in package delivery. But Postmaster General Pat Donahoe rejects the idea that the agency has turned a corner. He says Congress has to pass a reform measure. A Senate panel last week approved a bill. It would end Saturday mail delivery, trim workers' compensation and make permanent a temporary hike in the cost of a first-class stamp.

West Naylor Mill Road Bridge Repair Schedule

As part of Salisbury Public Works’ ongoing effort to keep the public informed of improvements within the City of Salisbury, please be advised that on Tuesday February 11, 2014 the West Naylor Mill Road Bridge at Naylor Mill Branch near Scenic Drive will be under construction for bridge repairs. The work hours will be 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. Weather permitting, the work will be completed within two days.

One travel lane will be closed at the bridge during the working period. A Traffic Control Plan will be in effect and Traffic Safety Flaggers will be directing traffic around the work zone. Public Works will strive to keep disruptions to a minimum, however please be aware of the potential for delays in this area.

For more information please contact William Sterling at the City of Salisbury Public Works Department at 410-548-3170.

See What Salisbury News Tech Support Has To Deal With


Dog Found 2-10-14: UPDATE

Hi Joe,

This gorgeous dog was found on Spring Ave area in Salisbury on Friday. She was wearing a collar but no tags. She looks well taken care of and is very loving. We are looking for her owners. If you know who she belongs to, please call 443-783-7367.

The Hillary Papers

Archive of 'closest friend' paints portrait of ruthless First Lady

On May 12, 1992, Stan Greenberg and Celinda Lake, top pollsters for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign, issued a confidential memo. The memo’s subject was “Research on Hillary Clinton.”

Voters admired the strength of the Arkansas first couple, the pollsters wrote. However, “they also fear that only someone too politically ambitious, too strong, and too ruthless could survive such controversy so well.”

Their conclusion: “What voters find slick in Bill Clinton, they find ruthless in Hillary.”

The full memo is one of many previously unpublished documents contained in the archive of one of Hillary Clinton’s best friends and advisers, documents that portray the former first lady, secretary of State, and potential 2016 presidential candidate as a strong, ambitious, and ruthless Democratic operative.

More

Md. Election Board Members To Consider Restricting Administrator’s Authority

The Maryland State Board of Elections will consider restricting some authority from State Election Administrator Linda Lamone to interpret election law on her own after one of her rulings gave a fundraising advantage to Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown’s gubernatorial campaign without the board’s consent or knowledge in December.

“There seems to be a momentum within the board for preventing this sort of situation from recurring,” said Rachel McGuckian, a Democratic member of the five-member board.

A motion to transfer some authority to review rulings back to the board will be made on Feb. 27 during the state board’s monthly meeting, according to McGuckian and other sources with knowledge of the board.
More

Craig Calls On O’Malley, Brown To Disclose Maryland Health Exchange Costs

Harford County Executive and Maryland candidate for Governor David Craig called on the Administration to release the cost of Maryland’s health exchange as oversight hearings intended to uncover chronic problems are set to begin today in the General Assembly. Noting the media has reported figures that vary wildly between $100 million to $200 million, Craig said providing basic cost information is an obvious and transparent step the O’Malley-Brown Administration must take to make the hearings useful.

“I am dumbfounded that legislators should even have to ask how much this thing costs,” said Craig. “This Administration prides itself on state-stat and modern government accountability programs, but when it comes to disclosing simple accounting information that might embarrass them, it takes an act of the state legislature to learn how much money is going down the drain.”

Craig said the hearing should not even start until the Administration provides the cost.

“It is ludicrous that legislators are going to sit around a table in Annapolis asking Administration officials to please tell taxpayers how much of their money is being wasted on Maryland Health Connection, when the amount should already have been made public,” he said.

In a misleading statement on the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange website, the state organization that oversees Maryland Health Connection for consumers, the O’Malley-Brown Administration discloses that the federal government alone has provided $157 million in grants. What is not mentioned is the cost of state funding going to the exchange including cost over-runs with contractors or recently-enacted legislation intended to address enrollment problems.

Lt. Governor and Administration health care point man Anthony Brown issued a press release after a bill signing ceremony implementing Maryland’s exchange stating that no state funds were needed to “create an exchange that fits the unique strengths and needs of our State.”

Maryland’s exchange is a national embarrassment. Enrollment numbers are tracking well below other states implementing their own exchange. Horror stories continue to mount of consumers seeking assistance being mistakenly directed to Washington State and Pennsylvania. The General Assembly rushed through Administration-backed emergency legislation to shift consumers to another state-managed insurance program that is scheduled to be phased out without knowing the cost. And most recently, leaders in the legislature waffled over whether to provide any direct oversight over the botched roll out of the exchange.

Craig has previously called on O’Malley and Brown to stop wasting money and hindering access to health care and to promote direct enrollment options through insurance carriers and brokers. The Administration then took a modest step in that direction by working with insurance industry leaders to develop a telephone help line.

Manuel Martinez, Fled Cuba. DESTROYS Oregon Lawmakers Gun Control

Rand Paul: Texas Will Turn Democratic In 10 Years If Republicans Don't hange

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Republicans at an event in Houston that Texas would “be a Democratic state within 10 years if you don't change,” according to reports of the event.

Paul, speaking at a dinner Saturday hosted by the Harris County Republican Party, told members that the party needed to adapt and bemore inclusive in order to continue to hold the Lone Star State.

“That means we evolve. It doesn’t mean we give up on what we believe in, but it means we have to be a welcoming party.” Paul said. “We have to welcome people of all races. We need to welcome people of all classes — business class, working class.”

More

Redskins Respond To Senators' Name Change Demands: Why Don't You Do Your Actual Job?

The Washington Redskins can't seem to find a coach and can't figure out how to win consistently. But give them this: They are not intimidated by politicians trying to turn them into the cultural crusade du jour. U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Tom Cole - a Democrat and a Republican, respectively - recently sent the Redskins a letter demanding that they change their name, calling it and insult and a slur. The Redskins were, uh, not impressed:
“Senator Cantwell should be aware that there are many challenges facing Native Americans, including an extremely cold winter with high energy bills, high unemployment, life threatening health problems, inadequate education and many other issues more pressing than the name of a football team which has received strong support from Native Americans,” the statement said. “Surely, with all the issues Congress is supposed to work on such as the economy, jobs, war and health care, the Senator must have more important things to do,” the statement said.
Boom.

Not only is the crusade against the Redskins not relevant to the real-life needs of Native Americans, but I don't even think the posturing here is designed to appeal to Native Americans per se. It's designed to create headlines that a) appeal to left-wing activists in general; and b) position the crusading politicians as righteous advocates of forward thinking without requiring them to really do anything of substance.


More

Low-Wage Hours At New Low As Obamacare Fines Loom

Low-wage workers clocked the shortest workweek on record in December - even shorter than at the depth of the recession, new Labor Department data showed Friday.

Articles Of Impeachment Against Barack Hussein Obama (Finally!)

Well, the best news of the week (or even the month) is that someone on Capitol Hill still has a spine.

When Rep. Steve Stockman got up and walked out of the president’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night, I rejoiced. Finally, someone has decided that enough is enough!

Stockman apparently couldn’t make it through the entire speech without losing his temper. He’s mad that President Obama is rewriting the U.S. Constitution, and he has every right to be.

Here’s what Stockman had to say:

Tonight I left early after hearing how the president is further abusing his Constitutional powers. I could not bear to watch as he continued to cross the clearly defined boundaries of the Constitutional separation of powers.

Even worse, Obama has openly vowed to break his oath of office and begin enacting his own brand of law through executive decree. This is a wholesale violation of his oath of office and a disqualifying offense.


More

Will No One Challenge Obama's Executive Orders?

President Obama's state of the union pledge to "act with or without Congress" marks a milestone in presidential usurpation of congressional authority. Most modern presidents have used executive orders to change and even create laws without congressional approval. However, President Obama is unusually brazen, in that most presidents do not brag about their plans to rule by executive order in state of the union speeches. 

Sadly, his pledge to use his pen to implement laws and policies without the consent of Congress not only received thunderous applause from representatives of the president's party, some representatives have even pledged to help Obama get around Congress by providing him with ideas for executive orders. The Constitution's authors would be horrified to see legislators actively aiding and abetting a president taking power away from the legislature. 

Executive orders are perfectly legitimate and even necessary if, in the words of leading constitutional scholar Judge Andrew Napolitano, they ".... guide the executive branch on how to enforce a law or ... complement and supplement what Congress has already done." The problem is that most modern presidents have abused this power to issue orders that, as Judge Napolitano puts it, "restates federal law, or contradicts federal law, or does the opposite of what the federal law is supposed to do."

More

The Risk Inside Your Credit Card

America's Make-Work Sectors (Healthcare & Higher Education) Have Run Out Of Oxygen

We can no longer afford the expansion of healthcare/education or their out-of-control costs.

If we strip away obscuring narratives, we can clearly see that the two employment sectors that have expanded rain or shine for decades have functioned as gigantic make-work projects. I refer of course to healthcare and education, specifically higher education.

We can see the outsized gains in these sectors by comparing total population growth to the number of full-time jobs and the number of jobs in education/healthcare since 1990. Here is total population: a 27% increase since 1990:

More

Why Black Conservatives Are Hated By Liberals

Inhuman: Undercover In America's Late-Term Abortion Industry

Canada Installs First Crack Pipe Vending Machines

Heated Trey Gowdy Makes Mincemeat Of Obama’s No ‘Smidgen Of Corruption’ Statement

Worcester County Bureau Of Investigation Press Release 2-11-14

LOCATION: 1608 Snow Hill Road, Stockton, Maryland, 21864

CRIME: Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

ACCUSED: Laiton Blake Witkowski, 1608 Snow Hill Road, Stockton, Maryland 21864

CHARGES: One (1) count of Distribution of Child Pornography and one (1) count of Possession of Child Pornography

NARRATIVE: On Monday, February 10, 2014, Laiton Blake Witkowski turned himself in to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Witkowski had an active warrant for Possession of Child Pornography and Distribution of Child Pornography. A search warrant had been previously executed on his residence, on Friday, February 6, 2014

The arrest was the result of the combined efforts of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the Department of Homeland Security. Through their affiliation with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Detectives learned that Witkowski had been sharing images of known Child Pornography.

Witkowski was taken before a Maryland District Court Commissioner and released on a $50,000 unsecured bond.

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is a member of Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force which is comprised of police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education

INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE: Detective Corporal Alex Kagan
SUPERVISING INVESTIGATOR: Detective Sgt. Mike Lupiwok

First Mariner Files for Bankruptcy

First Mariner Bancorp, a holding company that owns 1st Mariner Bank says it has filed for bankruptcy and plans to sell 1st Mariner to a group of investors.

First Mariner Bancorp filed for bankruptcy Monday afternoon in Baltimore, according to online court records.

The Daily Record reports that First Mariner Bancorp has less than $5.5 million in assets and more than $60.5 million in debts.
More
 

Senator Lee Questions Eric Holder On Executive Orders

Is This Amazing, Or What

Happy 50th, Glenn! Beck’s Staff Interrupts His Show to Bring Him the Surprise of His Life

Glenn Beck celebrated his 50th birthday on Monday, and his family and staff made sure he would never forget the day. Though Beck had an entire show planned, he was interrupted after just a few minutes by his radio co-hosts Pat Gray and Stu Burguiere, who took him on a whirlwind trip through history, back to his earliest days.

The biggest surprise may have been the 1958 Chevrolet Apache Beck’s wife, Tania, gave him. But she didn’t ask him to come outside to see it — the group arranged for the truck to be driven right onto the set of Beck’s show, with his family inside.

More

Publishers Notes: Interesting how even the colors are similar to what I had been thinking about. Now we have to create our Eastern Shore 1957 Chevy even better. This is a tough act to follow!

BREAKING NEWS: Shirley Temple Dies At 85

Former Hollywood child star Shirley Temple has died at the age of 85, AP reports.

From Fox News

State Dept Spokesperson Grilled Over "F**k The EU Tape"