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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Kratovil Employee Chuck Cook Scares Elderly At AFP Rally Today

Chuck Cook, (known here on Salisbury News as the guy who stole my photo of Mike Calpino hanging Frank Kratovil in effigy and giving it to the DNC) blasted into Adams Ribs today with several others wearing bird outfits with names on them stating they were "Shorebirds". They heckled the speakers the entire time they were trying to speak.

It should be known that Julie Brewington entered the facility with these people and sat down right away with a laptop and started typing away. Julie has public announced she is done with the AFP, her husband recently became a democrat and Julie continues to blast republicans as often as she can. A VERY sore loser. Does Julie's employer know she never seems to be at work any more?  (Apologies to Ms. Brewington.  We were misinformed.) 

Nevertheless, Chuck Cook IS employed with the Frank Kratovil Campaign and clearly they have become so desperate that they are now bashing and crashing AFP events.

One elderly Grandmother in her late 60's called me to tell me just how upset and scared she was, they wouldn't stop. They had no respect and looked like complete fools. I am expecting to provide pictures some time later this evening, so stay tuned Folks.

Leave it to unstable Chuck Cook to lead a crowd like this. Once a thief, always a thief.

ADVERTISE ON SALISBURY NEWS

Every single day I receive calls and e-mail messages asking how much we charge for an ad. It's very simple and our ad rates are very inexpensive.

We charge $100.00 a month for a business card size ad. No Contracts, No Strings. Our ads include a link back to your Website and ALL ads are paid for, (unless you're someone like CrimeSolvers).

Folks, the response you'll get from an ad on Salisbury News is second to NONE! While we do reserve the right to refuse any ad, send us your jpg artwork and we'll get you up and running in seconds.

Send your information to: alberobutzo@wmconnect.com.

OH, just in case you didn't know, Salisbury News PAYS IT FORWARD. That's right, 100% of every ad placed on Salisbury News gets PAID FORWARD to local non profits. While I'm NOT going to repeat that again, many have asked me to let our readers know we're doing that.

Once you become an advertiser on Salisbury News, even though we're working our tails off to deliver this news and information, ALL of the money brought in gets PAID FORWARD. So give back to your community by running an ad on Salisbury News and help make Salisbury, Maryland that much better a place to live. Thank You!

Time is Running Out – Deadline at Midnight

In the last few days, it is becoming clearer that, with your help, our campaign for change in Maryland’s First District is heading toward victory on November 2nd.


First, CQ Politics, a major political publication, shifted this race from the “Toss-up” to the “Leans-Republican” category. Then, the NRCC just released a poll of likely voters showing our campaign continuing to have a slight, but definite, lead in this race. Lastly, we have begun airing a new ad exposing Frank Kratovil's vote for Nancy Pelosi’s plans for a radical “cap and trade” energy tax - a tax that would cost the average family an additional $1,600 per year!

However, we knew that winning this campaign against one of Nancy Pelosi’s hand-picked Congressman would not come easily. In response to his lagging poll numbers, Frank Kratovil chose to flood the airwaves with false, misleading attacks against me. In fact, one normally unfriendly news outlet even said his ad used “phony scare tactics. Rep. Kratovil knows that these attacks are untrue, but he continues to lie to his constituents.

Now, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), Nancy Pelosi’s personal attack machine, has begun airing false ads also attacking my position on taxes, purchasing over $1 million worth of TV time against me!!!

It’s time we sent Frank Kratovil and Nancy Pelosi our own message.

The financial campaign finance reporting quarter ends at MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, and I am asking you to make your donation to my campaign before this deadline. I hope you can contribute $150, $100, $50 or even $20 today. These reports are closely watched, and a strong financial showing in this period will go a long way towards showing the Pelosi-Kratovil team that their lies and politics as usual aren't going to work this time.

We’re heading into the home stretch in this pivotal election, and your donation is now more crucial than ever. Your donation could make the difference in this campaign. Please visit our fully-secure online donation center at http://andyharris.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=89d2d22042e1d9d8122535655&id=ac9ef145db&e=1eafd646d9 today to make your donation.

Thank you for your support.

Andy Harris, M.D.

P.S. Please help me send Frank Kratovil and Nancy Pelosi a message by making your donation before MIDNIGHT TONIGHT at our fully-secure online donation center.

A Remarkable Story

Back on February 13, 2009 I provided THIS ARTICLE. It was about several animals that had shown up at the Humane Society.

The dog I have posted above is an animal that was originally owned by a woman from California. She had her since birth. However, she had to put the dog up for adoption because she moved to France.

The Wicomico Humane Society somehow ended up with this animal and guess what, now the dog has been located in Texas and is in a shelter down there. How do we know, because she's was micro chipped.

We're working on contacting the Humane Society to see just who they adopted her to as her original owner, (now in France) is very concerned.

If you happen to know who may have adopted her, please contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this whole fiasco.

Frank Kratovil Endorsed by NRA

The National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund has endorsed the re-election of Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD). From Paul West at the Baltimore Sun’s Maryland Politics blog:

The National Rifle Association has endorsed the re-election of Rep. Frank Kratovil of Maryland in the state's most competitive congressional contest.

Kratovil “has earned the endorsement of the NRA-PVF (political victory fund) because has defended the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen in Maryland and across America,” said Chris W. Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist. “On November 2, I urge all Maryland NRA Members and gun owners in the 1st District to vote Frank Kratovil for Congress."

The influential gun lobby also gave the Democratic freshman an "A" for legislative efforts during his initial term in Congress. The NRA said he had signed a "successful pro-gun" legal brief in a key Second Amendment case. He also voted to allow Americans to carry firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges and cosponsored legislation to overhaul the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Finally, Kratovil signed a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder opposing a new ban on semi-automatic firearms and ammunition magazines, and cosponsored a national right-to-carry reciprocity bill involving state right-to-carry licenses and permits.

Republican candidate Andy Harris failed to get the NRA's endorsement but did receive an "A" rating from the NRA as a "solidly pro-gun candidate." Commenters on this blog in recent weeks have noted that Harris, a veteran state legislator from Baltimore County, once voted against Sunday hunting on the Eastern Shore.

We'll be watching to see whether the NRA backs up its Kratovil endorsement with letters and phone calls to NRA members in the First District, which covers the entire Eastern Shore and portions of Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford counties.

West makes reference to a Harris vote regarding Sunday hunting. It is doubtful that this had anything to do with the endorsement. As noted, Harris received an “A” rating. However, when the ratings are close between two candidates – as they are between Harris and Kratovil – the endorsement goes to the incumbent.

from Delmarva Dealings

Rehoboth Man Charged From 1992 Alleged Sexual Assault


Location
  • Piney Glade Rehoboth Beach, De
 
DATE and TIME:  
  • Between May 1991 and December 2002
 
Victim(s):
  • 13-year old male at time of crime (Victim is now 33 years of age)
 
Defendant(s):
  • Tyrone A. Gray-44 Fox Creek Drive Rehoboth Delaware
 
Charge(s) and Bond Information:
  • 6 counts Unlawful Sexual Intercourse First Degree
  • 6 counts Unlawful Sexual Intercourse Third Degree
  • $390,000 cash bond Sussex Correctional Institute
 
Resume:
Rehoboth Beach-Wednesday September 29, 2010 Delaware State Police arrested a Rehoboth man for crimes that are alleged to have occurred during 1991 through 2002. 
 
Delaware State Police detectives began an investigation into inappropriate sexual contact on May 27, 2010.  The investigation came to the attention of Delaware State Police when a victim now 33 year of age came forward to authorities. 
 
Delaware State Police have arrested Tyrone A. Gray-44 of Fox Creek Drive Rehoboth Delaware after presenting its case to the State of Delaware Attorney General’s Office Georgetown Delaware.  On September 28, 2010 Delaware State Police was notified of an Indictment that was obtained for the crimes committed by Gray. 
 
Gray was arrested at his home and taken to Delaware State Police Troop 7 Lewes for formal arrest processing.  Gray was presented before Justice of the Peace Court 2 and remanded to Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of $390,000 cash bond. 
 
Gray was charged with 6 counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse First Degree and 6 counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse Third Degree.  Gray is being charged for having inappropriate contact with the victim who was approximately 13 years of age at the time of the offense. 
 
One of the factors which prompted the victim to come forward was seeing media coverage of Gray being arrested on May 20, 2010 for Unlawful Sexual Contact Second Degree (Felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child Second Degree (Felony).  This investigation was conducted by Greenwood Police Department. 
 
Delaware State Police are continuing their investigation and ask that if there are others who feel they may have been victimized by Tyrone Gray to come forward.  Victims are urged to contact Delaware State Police Troop 4 302-856-5850 ext 224.  Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on line at www.tipsubmit.com.

Bob Ehrlich Endorsed By National Federation Of Independent Business


ODENTON -- Bob Ehrlich today accepted the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for Governor of Maryland surrounded by small business owners from across Maryland. The NFIB is a leading advocate for small businesses in Maryland and across the nation.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.  After four years of downturn and stagnation, we must create a business climate that allows entrepreneurs to create jobs for families and improve our overall quality of life.” Ehrlich said.  “As governor, I will treat small business owners as a source of new jobs – not a source of new tax revenue. I am honored to have the NFIB’s endorsement and look forward to working with their members as Governor.”

 “Bob Ehrlich has made small business growth the centerpiece of his economic plan,” said Tim Goodrich, NFIB’s Regional Policy Director.  “He understands that 98 percent of the employers in this state are small businesses, and that the only way to boost employment is to create a more hospitable tax and regulatory environment.”

Maryland’s unemployment rate has doubled since Governor Martin O’Malley took office.  More than 200,000 Marylanders are currently unable to find a job and 3,000 Maryland small businesses have closed. According to the Jacob France Institute, business confidence in Maryland has dropped 58% since Bob Ehrlich’s first term as Governor.  Ehrlich has pledged to lower regulatory burdens to economic growth and to repeal the 20% increase in Maryland's sales tax passed by the current administration.

BACKGROUND:  A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of its members to own, operate and grow their businesses.

Circuit Court For Wicomico County Launches New Jury Management System

(SALISBURY, Md. – Sept. 29, 2010) The Circuit Court for Wicomico County has begun using a new jury management system to improve services to citizens and increase jury management efficiency. The first group of jurors summoned from this system will report on Monday, Oct. 4.

Wicomico County’s system is part of a statewide, multi-year effort, funded through the Administrative Office of the Courts, to help 15 jurisdictions modernize their jury management systems.

“In this new one-step system jurors are summoned and qualified simultaneously,” said Anne W. Taylor, jury commissioner. “This allows us to make full use of the master pool of citizens eligible for jury duty, providing a more comprehensive cross-section of jurors during trials.”

Citizens selected for jury duty under the new system will receive an envelope marked “SUMMONS, JURY – Do Not Discard.”

“This is not junk mail,” Taylor said. Prospective jurors can complete the questionnaire in this mailing, either online at http://mdcourts.gov/jury, or in writing and return it by mail to the Jury Office in the envelope provided. Maryland law requires that these forms be completed within 10 days of receipt. Prospective jurors should keep the bottom portion of the Summons/Qualification form and bring it with them when they report for duty.

For more information about the new system, contact Jury Commissioner Anne W. Taylor, (410) 548-4997.

Today's Survey Question

Are You Fed Up With The Kratovil & Harris TV Ads?

Weather Related Update For Salisbury

Mayor Ireton announced today that City Administrator John Pick, Public Works Director Teresa Gardner, Acting Chief Hoppes of the Salisbury Fire Department and Acting Chief Barkley of Salisbury Police met at 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning to closely monitor the weather and conditions here in Salisbury and make preparations for the day.

Periodic power outages across the lower Eastern Shore have been reported.

With wind gusts reaching 40 mph, power outages should be expected. The rain is expected to arrive after noon today. From the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services: Rainfall is expected to be 2” to 4” for the remainder of the storm, 9 a.m. (9/30/10) to late night (9/30/10).

There could be pockets of up to 5”-6” in passing storm cells. Thunderstorms are likely Thursday afternoon through Thursday night. The storm should move out of the area early Friday morning.

Storm drain inlets are being monitored city wide. The levels of the ponds have been lowered to prevent overflow. City employees are collecting debris, limbs, and trash from roadways to allow proper drainage. However, with heavy rains arriving late this afternoon the city storm drains can fill quickly. High tide is 8:58 p.m. so minor flooding is possible during that time period. If you see debris in the drains and water is ponding on the streets, please call City Public Works at 410-548-3177 or Salisbury Police at 410-548-3165.

Motorists are encouraged, for their 9/30/10 evening commute, to monitor conditions and seek alternate routes from impacted areas.

Feds Radiating Americans At Internal Checkpoints

Federal authorities do not concern themselves about the flood of illegal immigrants and drugs crossing the border every day, they’re more worried about radiating American truck drivers at internal checkpoints with mobile scanners that shoot dangerous x-rays through both vehicles and passengers.

As we reported last month, the federal government has acquired hundreds of backscatter x-ray scanners mounted in vans that they are now using to randomly scan vehicles, passengers and homes in complete violation of the 4th amendment and with wanton disregard for any health consequences.

An example of their expanding use was reported by WSBTV yesterday, after federal agents from several agencies, including Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation, and the TSA, set up an internal checkpoint on Interstate 20 just west of Atlanta and detained truck drivers for half an hour or more at a “state-owned inspection station” while they were scanned with a bomb detection device.

Officials admitted there was no specific threat that justified the checkpoint, and although it was labeled a “counter-terror operation,” the scans were also being conducted in the name of “safety”.

Watch the video here.

GO HERE to read more.

Odds Of Life On Newfound Earth-Size Planet '100 Percent,' Astronomer Say

This artist's conception shows the inner four planets of the Gliese 581 system and their host star, a red dwarf star only 20 light years away from Earth. The large planet in the foreground is the newly discovered GJ 581g, which has a 37-day orbit right in the middle of the star's habitable zone and is only three to four times the mass of Earth, with a diameter 1.2 to 1.4 times that of Earth.
Lynette Cook, Space.com
This artist's conception shows the inner four planets of the Gliese 581 system and their host star, a red dwarf star only 20 light years away from Earth. The large planet in the foreground is the newly discovered GJ 581g, which has a 37-day orbit right in the middle of the star's habitable zone and is only three to four times the mass of Earth, with a diameter 1.2 to 1.4 times that of Earth.

An Earth-size planet has been spotted orbiting a nearby star at a distance that would makes it not too hot and not too cold — comfortable enough for life to exist, researchers announced today (Sept. 29).

If confirmed, the exoplanet, named Gliese 581g, would be the first Earth-like world found residing in a star's habitable zone — a region where a planet's temperature could sustain liquid water on its surface.

GO HERE to read more.

Castle Opts Not To Wage Write-In Bid For Delaware Senate

Del. -- Longtime Republican congressman Mike Castle has ruled out a write-in campaign in the U.S. Senate race in Delaware.
 
Castle is also a former two-term governor and the longest serving congressman in state history. He lost the GOP primary earlier this month in a stunning upset to tea party favorite Christine O'Donnell.

He issued a statement Wednesday night saying he had ruled out a write-in campaign, which many supporters had asked him to consider.

The decision brings an end to a political career stretching over four decades.

GO HERE to read more.

High Court Looks At Military Funeral Protests

One thing Al Snyder wants to make clear: His boy fought and died for freedom in Iraq, but not for the right of some "wackos" to spew hate at soldiers' funerals under the protection of the Constitution.

"It's an insult to myself, my family and the veterans to say this is what our military men and women died for," Snyder says, barely concealing his anger.

Yet more than four years after the death of his only son, Matthew, Snyder is in the middle of a Supreme Court case that raises almost precisely that issue.

The court is set to decide whether members of a fundamentalist church in Kansas who picketed Matthew's funeral with signs bearing anti-gay and anti-Catholic invective have a constitutional right to say what they want.

Or, in intruding on a private citizen's funeral in a hurtful way, have the protesters crossed a line and given Snyder the right to collect millions of dollars for the emotional pain they caused?

GO HERE to read more.

Congress Flees D.C. To Campaign — Without Passing Budget

Battle-weary members of Congress are headed home to press for re-election, more eager to campaign before unhappy constituents than compromise in Washington on tax cuts, child nutrition or a federal budget.

GO HERE to read more.

McDonald's May Scrap Health Plan Over Law

 

Restaurant warns feds it could drop its health plan for nearly 30,000 hourly workers unless regulators waive a new requirement of Obama's health care overhaul

GO HERE to read more.

If You Like Your Health Insurance, Too Bad

President Obama's most frequently repeated health care reform claim -- "If you like your present health insurance, you can keep it" -- sounds about as credible these days as the finger-wagging Bill Clinton did when he said, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."

On Tuesday, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in Massachusetts dropped its Medicare Advantage program, leaving 22,000 senior citizens to find other coverage to take care of expenses not paid by Medicare. Harvard Pilgrim said the decision to drop its Medicare Advantage program resulted from the company's concern for "the long-term viability of Medicare Advantage programs. ... We know that cuts in Medicare are being used to fund national health care reform." In fact, the $145 billion in Medicare Advantage cuts are routinely used by Obama and his spinmeisters to pay for yet another Obamacare fiction, that their masterpiece will reduce the federal budget deficit.

In 2003, 5.3 million Americans were enrolled in Medicare Advantage. Today, there are 11.3 million, or 24 percent of all Medicare enrollees. On average, Medicare only covers about 60 percent of health care costs. Medicare Advantage was designed to help fill the gap for those that can't afford conventional supplemental coverage. Most of Obama's Medicare Advantage cuts will hit those with incomes of less than $32,400 per year, according to a recent Heritage Foundation study. The Heritage study also projects 7.4 million more seniors will be forced out of Medicare Advantage within four years.

Obamacare also creates a panel of unelected bureaucrats known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board whose sole job will be to cap Medicare spending by lowering already untenable reimbursement rates that have prompted doctors to turn away new Medicare patients. The savings from IPAB and the gutting of Medicare Advantage will be diverted to help pay for other parts of Obamacare. As a result, Medicare reimbursement rates are expected to dip in four years to below those of Medicaid, a program that promises free care to the poor but often fails to deliver because of inadequate reimbursements to care providers.

Just last week, Obama announced that Medicare Advantage premiums would drop only 1 percent next year. That wasn't nearly enough reassurance for Harvard Pilgrim to keep its Medicare Advantage plan in force, nor will it keep more companies from dropping their programs in coming days. Meanwhile, Obama is blowing more tax dollars on a television propaganda campaign featuring Andy Griffith telling seniors "Medicare just got stronger."

Too bad Sheriff Andy of Mayberry isn't around to arrest Medicare Andy and his enabler in the White House for fraudulent advertising.

Firefighters Unite On Line

Joe, a group of firemen have started a facebook page to show Marylanders what Maryland fire fighters/EMTs go through on a daily basis.  Could you possibly share this facebook page with your readers? 
 
We would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.
Maryland Fire, Rescue, and EMS Incidents

Here is the link:

EHRLICH VOWS TO CUT EDUCATION FUNDING THE SAME DAY O'MALLEY PLEDGES CONTINUED INVESTMENTS IN SCHOOLS

Annapolis, MD (September 29, 2010) - What do you do when your opponent rolls out a new series of TV ads championing continued investments in public education? If you're Bob Ehrlich, you show your true colors and respond with a promise to cut public education funding.

In a shocking admission to the Associated Press, Ehrlich today said he would cut funding to Maryland's public schools in Prince George's County, Montgomery County, and Baltimore City.

The full article is available
here and pasted below.

"Bob Ehrlich couldn't have done a better job of laying out the contrast between his own failures to invest in public education and Governor Martin O'Malley's record of making record investments in our schools," said Travis Tazelaar, Executive Director of the Maryland Democratic Party.

"While Ehrlich is openly pledging to cut off funding for schoolchildren in our most populous jurisdictions, Governor Martin O'Malley is talking to voters about  building new schools, keeping college affordable, and making sure that every child gets the quality education he or she deserves."

The O'Malley-Brown campaign's "Education" series of TV ads highlights Governor O'Malley's record investments in public education and school construction even in the toughest times, as well as the Governor's fight to make college more affordable for more Marylanders by freezing tuition for four years in a row.
The ads will begin airing today in the Baltimore market and can be viewed here.

Ehrlich's admission today isn't surprising, given that Ehrlich cut school construction funding in better economic times--leading to a crisis in our public schools--and he voted to eliminate the Department of Education while serving in Congress.

Governor O'Malley has been recognized nationally for his efforts to advance public education in Maryland.  This year, he was named "America's Greatest Education Governor" by the National Education Association and Maryland recently won one of only ten federal Race to the Top Grants under O'Malley's leadership.
Ehrlich Says He Wouldn't Fund GCEI

ANNAPOLIS,Md.(AP)― If former Gov. Robert Ehrlich gets his old job back,he says he would not fund Maryland's Geographic Cost of Education Index, which compensates jurisdictions where education is more expensive at a cost of about $126 million a year when fully funded.
Ehrlich discussed some of his thoughts about the state budget during an interview Tuesday afternoon at his home. Ehrlich never funded the GCEI when he was governor from 2003 to 2007.

Gov. Martin O'Malley, Ehrlich's Democratic opponent, did not fund the geographical index in his first year as governor in the budget he submitted in 2007. O'Malley funded it at 60 percent the next year. With help from federal stimulus money, O'Malley funded it 100 percent in fiscal year's 2010 and 2011.


SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



OCTOBER 4, 2010
3:30 P.M.
CONFERENCE ROOM 306
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING

CLOSED SESSION

Update on litigation issue/consult with legal counsel – as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland Sections 10-508(a)(7)(8)
Personnel matter – as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland Section
10-508(a)(1)
WORK SESSION
Follow-up discussion on fire boat specs/award of bid information – Rick Hoppes
U.S. Rt. 50E/Moore Annexation – Chris Jakubiak
Introduction of May Drive/Bromley Annexation – Keith Hall
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program – Pam Oland
Review of development fees – Teresa Gardner
General discussion/upcoming agenda

I Lost The Home-School Burnout Battle—And I'm OK With It

Evidence suggests that home-schooling in America is a growing trend. In a weeklong web-only series, TODAYshow.com reports on the challenges and creative opportunities presented by this approach to education.

By Simcha Fisher

What does it take to be a great home-schooler? Passion, energy, creativity, high ideals and whole-hearted devotion to your kids.

What does it take to spoil home-schooling? Passion, energy, creativity, high ideals and whole-hearted devotion to your kids.

OK, not always. But many home-schooling moms find themselves burned out after a few years, exhausted by the very things that made the whole enterprise possible.

Some parents home-school for negative reasons like fear or mistrust. But others, like us, do it because it just feels natural to stay together as a family — and because we’re dying to pass down to our children the delightful world of knowledge and culture that makes our own lives rich. We started home-schooling when our oldest child was 6 years old. We now have eight children, and have home-schooled for six years. Now, we are ready to let someone else do all that wonderful sharing!

Why? Because passing down a whole world of knowledge and culture is a pretty tall order for one set of parents. It’s a huge undertaking with even one child, never mind six or eight.

And then there's curriculum envy. Someone's always blogging about the interactive origami diorama her second-grader made with homemade rag paper and saffron dye. (And all we did today was reading, writing and arithmetic!)

We want to prove that home-schoolers aren't the backward, tongue-tied ninnies they're rumored to be. Striving against stereotype, our kids can't simply be as good as public-schoolers -- they have to be better — smarter, happier, more sociable, more ambitious — more everything.

GO HERE to read more.

Kids With ADHD May Have Missing DNA

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are twice as likely to have missing or extra chromosomes than normal children — the first evidence that the disorder is genetic, a new study says.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are twice as likely to have missing or extra chromosomes than normal children — the first evidence that the disorder is genetic, a new study says.

British researchers compared the genomes of 366 white British children from 5 to 17 years old with attention deficit hyperactivity, or ADHD, to those of more than 1,000 similar children without the disorder. The scientists focused on a sequence of genes linked to brain development that has previously been connected to conditions like autism and schizophrenia.

In children without ADHD, about 7 percent of them had deleted or doubled chromosomes in the analyzed gene sequence. But among children with the disorder, researchers discovered about 14 percent had such genetic alterations. Scientists also found that 36 percent of children with learning disabilities in the study had the chromosomal abnormalities, compared to those with a normal IQ.

"This is the first time we've found that children with ADHD have chunks of DNA that are either duplicated or missing," said Anita Thapar, a professor at the MRC Centre in Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics at Cardiff University who was one of the study's authors.

GO HERE to read more.

Aides Separate New York GOP Gubernatorial Candidate, Journalist

Paladino gets in tiff with N.Y. Post editor over accusations against Cuomo

Aides had to separate New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino from a journalist during an angry exchange Wednesday night before a speech.

New York Post State Editor Fred Dicker asked Paladino to provide proof of his claim to a Politico blog that his opponent, Democrat Andrew Cuomo, had extramarital affairs. Cuomo is divorced from Kerry Kennedy, Robert Kennedy's daughter.

Paladino said he would provide proof "at the appropriate time" and then accused Dicker of "working for Cuomo" and being a "terrible journalist," Capitaltonight.com reported.
Image: Carl Paladino
Don Heupel / AP
Carl Paladino, New York State Republican gubernatorial candidate shown in a Sept. 16 appearance, got into it with a journalist Wednesday. A video shows the tiff.
Paladino criticized Dicker because a Post journalist recently went to the home of Paladino's 10-year-old daughter. Paladino, who is married, has admitted fathering the child out of wedlock.

GO HERE to read more.

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  • Megadonors Slash Support For Democrats

    Republican-leaning groups outspend Dem counterparts on TV by more than seven to one on Senate races


    Many wealthy Democratic patrons, who in the past have played major roles financing outside groups to help elect the party’s candidates, are largely sitting out these crucial midterm elections.

    Democratic donors like George Soros, the bête noire of the right, and his fellow billionaire Peter B. Lewis, who each gave more than $20 million to Democratic-oriented groups in the 2004 election, appear to be holding back so far.

    “Mr. Soros believes that he can be most effective by funding groups that promote progressive policy outcomes in areas such as health care, the environment and foreign policy,” said an adviser, Michael Vachon. “So he has opted to fund those activities.”

    The absence of these Democratic megadonors is contributing to a huge disparity in spending between pro-Republican and pro-Democratic groups. The groups wield huge influence in many House and Senate races because they can take in contributions of unlimited size.

    GO HERE to read more. 

    Howard County Has Maryland's Highest Median Income

    WASHINGTON - Maryland was one of three states to show increasing inequality in income distribution between 2008 and 2009, although the gap between rich and poor areas stayed the same nationally, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.
     
    Howard County had the state's highest median household income at $101,940 in 2009, while Allegany County came in last at $36,491 among Maryland counties surveyed, according to 2009 American Community Survey data, which only includes areas with populations of 65,000 or more.
     
    The Census Bureau collected data from 15 of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City and reported the $65,449 gap. Baltimore City's median household income was $38,772.
     
    Maryland is statistically tied with New Jersey and Alaska for the highest median household income in the country, despite a slight decrease from $69,844 in 2008 to $69,272 in 2009, the Census Bureau reported.
     
    While 35.9 percent of Maryland households earned less than $50,000, the rest earned more, according to the Census Bureau.
     
    Maryland's median household income topped Virginia's $50,221 and D.C.'s $59,290. The national average was $59,330.
     
    The country was in an economic recession during about half the time period used by the census. The recession, which began in December 2007, ended in June 2009, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. In 2009, Maryland's unemployment rate rose by 2.7 percent to 8 percent, according to census data.

    GO HERE to read more.

    Anti-Theft Lunch Bags Make Thieves Think Your Sandwich Is Moldy

    You've gone to the trouble of being frugal and making your brown bag sandwich at home, then you open the fridge to discover some scoundrel has snatched it. Now thieves will pass over your food if you put it inside an Anti-Theft Lunch Bag, a ziplock bag with green splotches printed on the side. The bandits will think you sandwich is moldy and move on to the next prey. The website says they're out of stock, but they don't look too hard to make at home.

    Rich-County, Poor-County Gap Widens In Maryland

    Maryland was one of three states to show increasing inequality in income distribution between 2008 and 2009, although the gap between rich and poor areas stayed the same nationally, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.

    Howard County had the state's highest median household income at $101,940 in 2009, while Allegany County came in last at $36,491 among Maryland counties surveyed, according to 2009 American Community Survey data, which only includes areas with populations of 65,000 or more.

    The Census Bureau collected data from 15 of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City and reported the $65,449 gap. Baltimore City's median household income was $38,772.
    
    Maryland Median Household Income*

        Howard County             $101,940
        Montgomery County     $94,420
        Calvert County             $89,289
        Charles County             $89,115
        Frederick County          $83,229
        Anne Arundel County    $80,300
        Carroll County              $79,227
        Harford County             $76,187
        St. Mary's County         $72,474
        Prince George's County $69,947
        Baltimore County          $64,906
        Baltimore City              $38,772
        Cecil County                 $60,563
        Washington County      $48,561
        Wicomico County         $47,280
        Allegany County         $36,491

     Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey *The American Community Survey only includes areas with populations of 65,000 or more.

    GO HERE to read more.

    Audit Finds Deficits And Financial Problems At Fewer Local Governments Despite Bad Year

    While the fiscal picture looks dreary for some local governments with deficits and missing audit reports, the annual review of financial reports by the Office of Legislative Audits found that most counties and municipalities were able to stay in the black and produce independent audits with no problems.

    The auditors looked at whether the counties, municipalities and taxing districts complied with accounting standards and state law. They also analyzed financial data to find potential problems
    .
    At first glance, the findings look bleak. Six local governments -- Anne Arundel County and five municipalities -- ended the year with a negative balance. Three local governments -- Caroline County and two municipalities -- appear to be trending toward bigger financial problems. Several had problems with their audit forms.

    However, auditors and advocates said that these results are fairly standard. Regardless of the year, there are always local governments that have problems, said Robert Garman, assistant director for quality assurance at the Legislative Audits office. He said that 2009 was a “pretty routine year.” Local governments faced severe financial challenges in 2009, but Garman said that didn’t translate to problems on audits and with budgets.

    “They’ve all taken a hit budgetarily,” he said. “It’s been a challenge for all local governments.”

    GO HERE to read more.

    Know What The Letter Codes On Your Airline Ticket Mean

    Embedded in the gobbledygook of letters and numbers on your airline ticket is a secret letter code that lets airline personnel know what kind of passenger you are and what you paid for your ticket. They can use these to quickly determine whether you should be the first or the last to get bumped, and whether you can get a seat upgrade. Here's a quick guide to deciphering what the letter abbreviations on your airline ticket mean. Find out why "Y" gets the perks and "Q" gets the shaft.

    More »

    Drowning In Debt

    Delaware State Police Camp Barnes Open Golf Tournament Slated For Friday October 1st

    Location
    • Kings Creek Country Club Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
     
    DATE and TIME:  
    • Friday October 1, 2010 12:00 p.m.
     
    Dignitaries Attending:
    • Colonel Robert M. Coupe (Superintendent Delaware State Police)
    • Cpl/3 John Messick (Event Organizer)
    • Sgt William Bullen (Event Organizer)
     
    Rehoboth Beach-The Delaware State Police Friday October 1, 2010 will host a golf tournament which benefits the Camp Barnes Organization.  The event kicks off Friday at noon on the prestigious Kings Creek Country Club located in Rehoboth Delaware. 
     
    The money raised from the golf tournament goes toward the continued efforts at giving kids the opportunity to enjoy all of what Camp Barnes has to offer.  In 1947, the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police, an organization which was composed of active law enforcement and correctional officers, accepted the challenge to undertake a project to combat juvenile delinquency in the first state. A committee was appointed to investigate the problems confronting youth. Its resulting recommendations led to the establishment of Camp Barnes for the recreation of deserving youth from throughout the state.
    Camp Barnes, located on Millers Creek, a tributary of Little Assawoman Bay, has since served the needs of thousands of children from Throughout Delaware. Camp Barnes was originally designed to provide the children who were unable to attend the opportunity to experience life at a summer youth camp. Camp Barnes has remained basically unchanged, providing Delaware children with these outdoor experiences for over 50 years. The summer camp is an overnight residential camp run by the Delaware State Police and is open to children between the ages of 10 and 13 at no cost to the camper or family.  Camp Barnes accommodates 60 campers per week for 6 weeks. The camp is in session from early July through August. All children are eligible to attend regardless of family income.
     
     
    One of the many positive aspects of Camp Barnes summer camp is the innovative use of adventure based outdoor learning experiences. Camp Barnes has on its grounds an extensive outdoor initiative course with 17 different initiative and team building elements.
    Some of the many activities campers participate in throughout the week include:
     
    • Swimming in an Olympic size pool.
    • Kayaking in Millers Creek
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Nature Walk
    • Talent Show
     
    Campers also enjoy a scaled down version of the Olympics, State Police demonstrations by the K-9, Scuba and Aviation Units.
     
    Camp Barnes has a staff of 12 counselors, 2 cooks, and 1 kitchen assistant. Counselors are required to submit to a criminal check as well as an interview. There is also a State Trooper on grounds at all times when the camp is in session.
     
    With so much to see and do at Camp Barnes, it is easy to see why so many children enjoy their experience. With your help and assistance, many of these children departing the camp, and others like them, will get a chance to attend Camp Barnes, DELAWARE’S CAMP!
     
    Colonel Robert M. Coupe and Cpl/3 John Messick will be made available upon request for comments.  Please contact Cpl/3 Bruce W. Harris Public Information Office if requesting comments for logistical purposes. 
     
    The 2010 Annual Camp Barnes Open could not have been possible without the generosity of our Event Sponsors:
    • Kings Creek Country Club
    • C.F. Zeiler & Co.
    • Delmarva Power
    • The Starboard
    • Harvard Business Services Inc
    • Jack Lingo Realtor
    • Price Automotive Group
    • Bellevue Contractors LLC
    • TGI Friday’s
    • GORE Creative Technologies Worldwide

    Tempers Flare at Pee Wee Brawl


    Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com
    Parents and coaches from a youth football league in Texas bear fists on the field, but their actions have forced both teams out of the league's playoffs.

    Pastor's Business Card

    A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners.  At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.   
      
    Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the back of it and stuck it in the door. 
      
    When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned.  Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3:10..' 
      
    Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.  Revelation 3:20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'  Genesis 3:10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.' 
      
    'A cheerful heart is good medicine' (Prov. 17:22)

    O'MALLEY FOCUSES ON EDUCATION AND COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY

    Series of New Campaign Ads Tout Record Investments in Public Education, School Construction, and a Four-Year Tuition Freeze
    Baltimore, MD (September 29, 2010) -- The O'Malley-Brown campaign is focusing on public education and college affordability in a series of three new TV ads that begin airing today in the Baltimore market. The "Education" series highlights Governor O'Malley's record investments in public education and school construction even in the toughest times, as well as the Governor's fight to make college more affordable for more Marylanders.
    Under the leadership of Governor O'Malley, Maryland Public Schools have been ranked #1 in the country by "Education Week," for the past two years in a row. High School students in Maryland have the best Advanced Placement scores and highest participation rates in the country.  Elementary and middle schools students are scoring the best they ever have on standardized tests and the achievement gap between black and white students has been cut in half. 
    In "Tuition,"Maryland college students talk about how Governor O'Malley's tuition freeze made it possible for them to get a college education.  One student notes, "I'm not sure I would have been able to afford college with out the tuition freeze."  Another says, "My brother and I never would have been able to afford college."
    In "Tradition," Governor O'Malley outlines his plan to continue investing in our #1-ranked education system so that every child in every neighborhood can receive a world class education and protecting Maryland's tradition of strong schools and putting public education first.
    "Education Compare," analyzes Governor O'Malley and Bob Ehrlich's records on public education.  While Martin O'Malley froze college tuition, Bob Ehrlich increased college tuition costs by 40%.  Bob Ehrlich cut school construction funding leading to a crisis in our public schools, and he voted to eliminate the Department of Education while serving in congress.  In contrast, Governor O'Malley made record investments in public education and school construction and fought to make college more affordable by freezing tuition for four years in a row.   
    Governor O'Malley has been recognized nationally for his efforts to advance public education in Maryland.  This year, he was named "America's Greatest Education Governor" by the National Education Association and under his leadership, Maryland recently won one of only ten federal Race to the Top Grants. 
    These ads highlight the stark contrasts between the two candidates and emphasizes the need to continue moving forward with a Governor who is on the side of Maryland's working families.  


    Tuition

    :30 T.V.
    Student #1: My dad is a supervisor of a train station and my mom's a teacher
    Student #2: My dad's an auto technician
    Student #3: My mom's a receptionist
    Student #4: I'm not sure I would have been able to afford college with out the tuition freeze
    Student #5: While tuition in other states is rising out of reach
    Student #2: Governor O'Malley made the tough choice to freeze tuition
    Student #4: He made my dream of going to college into a reality
    Student #1: I'm the first in my family to go to college
    Student #5: My brother and I never would have been able to afford college
    Student #2: Even though times were tough
    Student #4: Governor O'Malley kept his promise
    Student #5: There's never a doubt
    Student #6: There's never a doubt whose side he's on
    Narrator: Martin O'Malley, moving Maryland forward

    Tradition

    :30 T.V.
    Governor O'Malley: Right here in this neighborhood, I grew up learning strong families and hard work means opportunity.
    And that starts with good schools.
    It's a tradition here in Maryland and why, in these tough times, I've put education first.
    We've made record investments in our classrooms, doubled the number of charter schools, and we've frozen college tuition for four years in a row.
    And it's working.
    Experts say we now have the number one schools in the nation.
    But when it comes to expanding opportunity in every neighborhood, I know that we must do even better.


    Education Compare
    :30 T.V.
    Narrator:

    Two governors.  Two different approaches.

    Even in good times, Bob Ehrlich did NOT make education a priority.

    He increased college tuition by 40%.

    Cut school construction by 200 million dollars.

    And Ehrlich voted to eliminate the Department of Education, while serving in Congress

    But Martin O'Malley, even in the toughest of times as made record investments in public schools.

    New school construction.

    And O'Malley FROZE COLLEGE TUITION four years in a row.

    With Martin O'Malley, our children always come first.

    GOVERNOR O’MALLEY VISITS LIFE TECHNOLOGIES IN FREDERICK, ANNOUNCES COMPANY ADDING 100 JOBS

    ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Martin O’Malley today continued his Jobs Across Maryland tour with a visit to Life Technologies Corp., a global biotechnology company with operations in Frederick, and announced that the company is currently expanding its facility and is in the process of adding 100 jobs by the end of 2011. To assist with the expansion, the State – through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) – has provided a $500,000 conditional loan and could provide up to $100,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits. Last year, the company did another expansion of its Frederick site and added 50 jobs, assisted by a $250,000 conditional loan from DBED.

    “We are proud that global companies like Life Technologies are continuing to invest and expand in Maryland, creating the kinds of jobs that our highly-educated, highly-skilled workforce can fill,” said Governor O’Malley. “The cutting-edge work that Life Technologies scientists are doing right here in Maryland has global implications and offers hope to millions of people around the world for the advancement of science and quicker, more efficient development of therapeutics.”

    “We are thankful for the support the State of Maryland and Frederick County have provided us with to expand and grow our operations,” said Uplaksh Kumar, Manufacturing and Site Leader of Life Technologies in Frederick. “This expansion will improve our ability to help the life science community with leading edge instruments and reagents that can help advance personalized medicine, regenerative science, molecular diagnostics, agricultural and environmental research, and 21st century forensics.”
    Life Technologies develops, manufactures, and markets more than 50,000 products for customers involved in life science research and the commercial manufacture of genetically engineered products. The company's systems, consumables and services enable researchers across the biological spectrum to accelerate scientific exploration, driving to discoveries and developments that make life even better. In 2009, Life Technologies had sales of $3.3 billion, and currently employs approximately 9,000 people, has a presence in approximately 160 countries, and possesses a rapidly growing intellectual property estate of approximately 3,900 patents and exclusive licenses. Life Technologies was created in 2008 by the combination of Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc., and manufactures both in-vitro diagnostic products and research use only-labeled products.

    In addition to Life Technologies, Frederick is home to more than 75 bioscience companies including SAIC/NCI; MedImmune, Inc; Lonza Bioscience Walkersville, Inc.; SA biosciences; Charles River Labs; ASRL Pathology; and Akonni Biosystems, Inc.; making Frederick the second largest cluster of bioscience companies in the state.

    In the past year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has implemented an aggressive agenda of new and expanded programs to create jobs, retain jobs and improve the conditions that allow businesses large and small to create and save jobs, including: 
    ·         Increasing the biotech tax credit to $8 million in fiscal year 2011;
    ·         Pioneering the Jobs Creation and Recovery Tax Credit;
    ·         Expanding the Small Business Loan Guaranty program to increase access to credit; and
    ·         Creating InvestMaryland, an administrative and legislative proposal designed to support the growth of the state’s knowledge based industries by stimulating investment in the Maryland Venture Fund.

    Not-So-Secret ‘Secrets’ The Pentagon Paid Thousands To Destroy

    .
    The Defense Department paid $47,000 [1] to destroy 9,500 unredacted copies of a former Army intelligence officer’s new memoir, The Associated Press reported this week. The Pentagon contended that the book, “Operation Dark Heart,” by Anthony Shaffer, contained intelligence secrets and has therefore sought to destroy copies that were published before the book was redacted.

    But unredacted copies still exist [2]. The book had originally been cleared by the Army and advance copies had been sent out before the Pentagon decided the book contained classified material. The New York Times bought one of these copies online a few weeks ago [3], compared it to the redacted version, and noted that some of the secrets were, well, not so secret:

    GO HERE to read more.