Thursday, January 09, 2014

MRC Alert: NBC: Ungrateful Bob Gates 'Blindsided' White House With 'Blistering New Memoir'

Tracking Liberal Media Bias Since 1996
Thursday January 09, 2014 @ 08:21 AM ET

1. NBC: Ungrateful Bob Gates 'Blindsided' White House With 'Blistering New Memoir'
At the top of Wednesday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer portrayed former Defense Secretary Robert Gates as an ungrateful and disgruntled ex-employee: "Blindsided. President Obama's former Defense Secretary Robert Gates takes on his old boss – the man who awarded him the Medal of Freedom – in a blistering new memoir. This morning, what may have made him turn?" In the report that followed later, correspondent Andrea Mitchell fretted: "President Obama's decision to keep George Bush's defense secretary, a Republican, has now blown back on the White House." Like Lauer, she made sure to note how Obama had honored Gates: "Gates gave no hint of his resentment when he left the cabinet two years ago and President Obama awarded him the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor."

2. Networks Ignore Gun Company Putting U.S. Troops First, Rejecting $15 Million Deal With Pakistan
A Utah-based gun manufacturer turned down a $15 million contract with Pakistan in the name of keeping weapons from falling into the hands of America's enemies. ABC, CBS and NBC, networks that routinely demonize the firearms industry and promote gun control, ignored this positive story. Only Fox News highlighted Desert Tech's decision to put the troops before profit. Fox and Friends co-anchor Brian Kilmeade on Tuesday explained, "Fifteen million is a lot of money. But for this Utah gun manufacturing company, it represents more than a year of solid business." He added, "So, you think they would jump at the chance to make 15 million bucks in one day. But the guys at Desert Tech said no because the weapons were headed to Pakistan."

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Clean-up #Westminster Fire Dept hrs after first alarm Westminster Livestock Yard

#KED #Westminster

Clean-up at the #Westminster Fire Dept station hrs after first alarm Westminster Livestock Yard

Clean-up #Westminster Fire Dept hrs after first alarm Westminster Livestock Yard

#KED #Westminster

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

How To Fix The "You need permission to perform this action." Error On Windows

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC3jHe3IYXQ

The "You need permission to perform this action" error message in the Microsoft Windows 7 and 8 operating systems is a horrible-horrible problem.

One wonders why Microsoft does not fix it? Folders and files of which I had routine and easy access in the past are often and unexpectedly unavailable to me now that I am using Windows 7. It is totally nuts...

This video was quite helpful... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC3jHe3IYXQ
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My 2014 Resolution: Stop the Travel Industry's Customer Service Armageddon | Christopher Elliott

My 2014 Resolution: Stop the Travel Industry's Customer Service Armageddon | Christopher Elliott: "

Christopher ElliottAuthor, How to Be the World's Smartest Traveler (and Save Time, Money, and Hassle)
GET UPDATES FROM CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

My 2014 Resolution: Stop the Travel Industry's Customer Service Armageddon
Posted: 01/05/2014" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christopher-elliott/my-2014-resolution-stop-t_b_4545312.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

When you spend most of your waking hours advocating for consumers, it's easy to lose your sense of perspective. Complaints pour in, often hundreds per day. I can't help but feel like the customer service apocalypse is imminent.

My resolution for 2014 simple: Stop Servicemaggendon by putting what really matters in my consumer advocacy crosshairs and keep the discourse civil and fair.

What matters? Well, from my point of view, it's obvious that we're halfway down a long slide into the customer-service toilet, with only a little pipe to go before we're flushed out to the sewer. How we approach this precipitous decline matters. It requires a clear-headed, well-reasoned and polite discussion -- otherwise the problem could get worse.

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Craig and Haddaway Release Plan to Bypass Problem-Plagued Maryland Exchange

Craig and Haddaway Release Plan to Bypass Problem-Plagued Maryland Exchange

Up to $150 million would be re-allocated to promote alternative enrollment options

Harford County Executive and Maryland candidate for Governor David Craig released today a plan to avoid the under-performing state health exchange and enable people to obtain health insurance through other means. The plan consists of ending the current emphasis on Maryland Health Connection and instead diverts marketing and outreach resources to promoting direct enrollment options through insurance carriers or utilizing the assistance of Maryland-based insurance brokers.

“The O’Malley-Brown Administration needs to understand what everyone else does - that the cure is worse than the disease,” said Craig. “The task before us is how to mitigate this situation so people can get health care, because Maryland citizens are still having trouble with the website. The state exchange enrollment numbers are simply not holding up and continue to lag behind other states. The Administration is also not able to give a precise number of how many people are not getting coverage even after they believe they have enrolled in a plan.”

Maryland’s latest enrollment numbers on private Affordable Care Act-compliant plans are 18,257. Maryland is in a group of state-led exchanges experiencing chronic under-enrollment figures which includes Minnesota, Hawaii and Oregon. On the other hand, California, Connecticut, Kentucky, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont are enrolling people at far higher rates than Maryland among the 14 states in all running their own exchanges. For example, Kentucky, which has a population significantly less than Maryland, reports enrollment numbers of 33,289 in private plans.

According to the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, people may directly enroll through insurance carriers or seek the assistance of brokers. The problem is there is no public awareness campaign to inform individuals of these other options.

According to the Congressional Research Service, Maryland has received over $123 million in what the federal government deems “level II” grants. In the grant solicitation Gov. Martin O’Malley submitted to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the funds will in part support advertising and public relations of the exchange. Additionally, the O’Malley – Brown Administration has allocated $24 million in state funds in part to promote exchange outreach efforts according to a Maryland Reporter.com analysis. And the price tag is increasing as up to $14 million in taxpayer dollars are needed to hire a contractor to fix the web site and address enrollment problems.

“Up to $150 million dollars is going towards promoting a failing exchange, and throwing good money after bad needs to end now,” said Craig. “The Administration must realize that their intended solutions are only causing more problems, creating mass confusion, ruining credibility in government and harming our quality of life.”

Craig’s proposal would seek an HHS waiver to re-program funds to launch a public awareness campaign informing consumers of their right to obtain health insurance directly through carriers. A complimentary awareness campaign would inform people of their rights to utilize Maryland insurance brokers who are licensed and experienced in helping individuals with health insurance. Utilizing call centers for those needing assistance with the website would remain in place. Craig, however, would re-examine the navigator model in which people having problems with the website must set appointments with temporary workers disbursed among several organizations.

As for the vexing issue of low-income individuals seeking subsidies, Craig supports U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski’s proposal to HHS to enable a direct data hub allowing people to obtain financial assistance without going through an exchange.

O’Malley recently committed more money to re-double a marketing campaign to direct more consumers to the online exchange after numerous technical failures of the website caused a delay in these plans.

Last Friday, the O-Malley-Brown Administration acknowledged systemic problems with transmitting enrollment data to insurers but did not give a precise number of how many are affected which means among the over 18,000 the state counts as having enrolled, a significant number of those may not have health insurance. The Administration will submit emergency legislation to the General Assembly to shuffle those people to another state program, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan.

Lt. Governor candidate and Maryland Delegate Jeannie Haddaway expressed concerns about adding yet more bureaucratic complexity under this approach.

“By simply re-allocating resources, state leaders have the power to mitigate the botched roll-out of Obamacare in Maryland,” said Haddaway. “It will not be successful in doing so, however, by adding more bureaucratic complexity as the Administration's latest proposal does. The priority needs to be enabling consumers not bureaucracy by ensuring that our citizens have access to health insurance as well as access to quality, affordable care.”

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Background:

Maryland enrollment:
http://dev.marylandhealthconnection.com/assets/MHC_Dec_27_2013_Update.pdf

Kentucky enrollment:
http://governor.ky.gov/healthierky/Pages/default.aspx

Federal Funds:
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R43066.pdf

O’Malley grant application:
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/exchange/pdf/Level2_site.pdf

State Funds:
http://marylandreporter.com/2013/08/11/md-health-insurance-exchange-to-open-this-fall-at-cost-of-200-million-24-million-in-state-funds/

Additional Funds:
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-12-18/health/bs-hs-exchange-contractors-20131218_1_state-exchange-federal-exchange-federal-affordable-care-act

Cardin / Mikulski press release:
http://www.mikulski.senate.gov/media/pressrelease/11-19-2013-3.cfm

Emergency legislation and more funds:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/omalley-to-push-emergency-health-insurance-legislation/2014/01/03/b2a28306-74a9-11e3-8b3f-b1666705ca3b_story.html

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Monday, January 06, 2014

Cheerleader-to-soldier: Philly Eagles girl turns in pom-poms for rifle - Washington Times

By Cheryl K. Chumley

The Washington Times

Friday, December 20, 2013

Rachel Washburn, 25, was a cheerleader with the Philadelphia Eagles when she decided a career shift was in order. So she traded in her pom-poms and signed on the dotted Army contract line — and she’s since been serving as an intelligence officer with a special ops combat unit in Afghanistan.

She just returned from her second tour, and is set to receive a “Hometown Hero” honor ceremony at Sunday’s Eagles game at home against the Chicago Bears. Part of her overseas strengths comes from the fact she’s able to interact with village women at a different level than her male soldier counterparts — even helping one deliver a baby during a massive snowstorm, USA Today reported.

Read moe: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/dec/20/cheerleader-soldier-philly-eagles-girl-turns-pom-p/

Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

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Sunday, January 05, 2014

Stars and Stripes:Coast Guard ice breaker to help trapped Russian, Chinese ships By Toshio Suzuki: January 4, 2014

Stars and Stripes:Coast Guard ice breaker to help trapped Russian, Chinese ships By Toshio Suzuki: January 4, 2014

http://www.stripes.com/news/coast-guard/coast-guard-ice-breaker-to-help-trapped-russian-chinese-ships-1.260584?=&utm_source=Stars+and+Stripes+Emails&utm_campaign=Daily+Headlines&utm_medium=email

The U.S. Coast Guard’s heavy polar ice breaker is headed to Antarctic waters to assist Russian and Chinese vessels trapped in ice there. It will take the 399-foot-long Polar Star about a week to reach the trapped ships.

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Purple Circle Jesus Heart

Art, Dayhoff Art religious, Religion, daily

Sunday morning services Grace Lutheran Church Westminster Md

Religion Grace Lutheran Church, Dayhoff photos Grace Ch, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, #Dayhoffphotoblog, Religion,

Sunday morning services Grace Lutheran Church Westminster Md

News from The Hill: Battle over unemployment benefits will consume start of 2014 By Alexander Bolton

News from The Hill:

Battle over unemployment benefits will consume start of 2014

By Alexander Bolton

Senate Democratic leaders feel cautiously optimistic they have the 60 votes they need to advance unemployment benefits legislation on Monday, but that marks only the start of the congressional battle.

Even if the legislation passes the Senate, it faces an uphill road in the House. Advocates for extended benefits say the fight could play out between the chambers for weeks.

Read the story here.

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Saturday, January 04, 2014

Key West Florida Weekly Newsletter For Saturday, January 4, 2014

NEWS

State starts negotiating with company for trails advertising

State officials are negotiating with a private company to take over a park sponsorship program after failing to get any businesses to pay for advertisements...

The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail includes many of Monroe County's old bridges.

Fugitive Georgia banker last seen in the Keys captured in traffic stop

A fugitive Georgia banker accused of embezzling millions of dollars and who was last seen in Key West was captured Tuesday in Brunswick, Ga.

This is the video the FBI says shows Aubrey Price at the Key West Ferry Terminal in June 2012.

What's Selling for the week of Dec. 21 - Dec. 28

For a listing of home and condo sales in the Florida Keys for the period Dec. 21 through Dec. 28. The property sales list published by KeysNet is based on information from the Florida Keys Board of REALTORSÂ®, Inc. (alternatively, from the...

FISHING

It's a new year but the same great fishing

There's a holiday sail going on Florida Keys style -- but not in the malls, on the water.

Three couples from North Carolina and Colorado had a banner day aboard the 'SeaSquared.' They caught 18-pound blackfin tuna, hogfish and snappers, and released small sharks and a sailfish.

Fishing in the Keys

A selection of fishing photos from October and November 2013

Capt. Ron Garrett and David Gross had an outstanding day on the reef line in Islamorada recently.

Unwrap that great fish to start the new year

If you did not get what you wanted for the holidays, then chances are that your present is either swimming offshore or in the backcountry. Last week...

Grouper season in the Keys closes down for four months starting Jan. 1, so get your share now and freeze the filets.

BUSINESS

What's Selling for the week of Dec. 21 - Dec. 28

Social media: Words not to live by

Are you using social media for your business or organization, or thinking about jumping into it? Good move. Between 1 million and 2 million people...

MARKETPLACE

A listing of home and condo sales in the Florida Keys for the period Dec. 14 through Dec. 21. The property sales list published by keysinfonet is ...

This is a listing of recent real estate sales.

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Top Ten Mistakes Christian Parents of Teens Make | Jeff Strong

Top Ten Mistakes Christian Parents of Teens Make | Jeff Strong:

Posted by Jeff on Jun 28th, 2010 i

"t might be difficult for some parents to read through, but here’s a top ten list that I’ve been wanting to write for a while. Over the next several days I’ll be expanding on each of these in succession, but for now, here is my top ten mistakes Christian parents of teens make:" ... Read more; http://meredisciple.com/blog/2010/06/top-ten-mistakes-christian-parents-of-teens-make/

'via Blog this'

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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Patuxent Publishing Co., The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO
The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41

Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=Dayhoff

Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Kevin Dayhoff Westminster Patch: Feeling Blue at the holidays – When in hole stop digging. @WestminstrPatch

kdjykjo

Feeling Blue at the holidays – When in hole stop digging.

(Some folks have been in touch looking for this article... Find it on Patch here: http://westminster.patch.com/groups/kevin-e-dayhoffs-blog/p/feeling-blue-at-the-holidays--when-in-hole-stop-digging

Sadly the holidays can also be a difficult time for folks who have suffered a personal loss in recent years. Especially if that personal loss occurred in the past year… Fortunately there are many resources in the community that are available to help

Posted by Kevin E. Dayhoff , December 16, 2013

Kevin Dayhoff Westminster Patch: Feeling Blue at the holidays – When in hole stop digging. http://tinyurl.com/kdjykjo @WestminstrPatch

Westminster Patch by Kevin Dayhoff, November 25, 2013 – December 14, 2013

http://westminster.patch.com/groups/kevin-e-dayhoffs-blog/p/feeling-blue-at-the-holidays--when-in-hole-stop-digging

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2013/12/kevin-dayhoff-westminster-patch-feeling.html

Labels: Chaplaincy, Dayhoff writing essays, Media Patch, Media Patch Westminster, Medicine Health Death and Dying, Religion - See more at: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2013/12/kevin-dayhoff-westminster-patch-feeling.html#sthash.bZncMVlo.dpuf

This past week marked the beginning of the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. It is a time to celebrate the past year with our friends and family and look forward to new beginnings.

However, sadly the holidays can also be a difficult time for folks who have suffered a personal loss in recent years. Especially if that personal loss occurred in the past year…

This is the time of the year when we when often nostalgically reflect about Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in the past - when we celebrated with family members, loved-ones, friends and colleagues that are no longer with us.

Fortunately there are many resources in the community that are available to help cope. Although Carroll Hospice has already had a “coping with the holidays” workshop, many local churches have a “Blue Christmas” service including Taylorsville United Methodist Church. (And of course, there is always “Retail Therapy - All signs point to shopping locally in Carroll County this Christmas season.”)

The service at Taylorsville will take place on December 19, 2013 at 7 p.m. at 4356 Ridge Road, Mt Airy, MD 21771.

Pastor Sarah B. Dorrance serves as the pastor at Taylorsville and writes, Blue Christmas “is a time to be celebrating the birth of our Savior even in the midst of changed circumstances that might be hard for us. It is a time to remember that Jesus changes everything, even the hurts and the pains we might be experiencing today, and the birth of our Lord is something special to be celebrated.”

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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=Dayhoff

Laura Rhodes, LCPC, CCTP – Cedar Ridge Counseling

Laura Rhodes, LCPC, CCTP

http://www.cedarridgecounseling.com/laurarhodeslcpc.html

Laura Rhodes earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Psychology from Florida State University in 1983 and her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of West Florida in 1984. She is licensed as a Certified Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland. She also holds a Certificate in Advanced Trauma Treatment and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

She has spent many years counseling Children, Adolescents, and Adults in Individual and Group Therapy. She works with both men and women. She has extensive training in working with Sexual Assault and Abuse, Physical Abuse, Neglect and Domestic Violence Victims and Offenders. In addition, she has years of experience working with Traumatic loss, Grief, Post Traumatic Stress, Adjustment and Anxiety Disorders, Parent- Child Relationship Issues, Bipolar, Depression, Dissociative Disorders, Anger Management issues, Parenting issues, the use of Eating, Substance Use or Self Harm as coping mechanisms, and other addictive and obsessive coping behaviors. In addition she works with clients regarding bullying, and stress due to acculturation or LGBT issues.

Laura believes in working with the client as a partner in treatment often teaching relaxation techniques, awareness of mind/body connection, and utilizing cognitive behavioral counseling, creative guided imagery, art and movement therapies, communication skills, EMDR and emotional freedom techniques.

To schedule a first time appointment with Laura Rhodes click here or call 410.552.0773 and press 0 for a live operator.

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Call our 24 hour intake office to schedule your first time appointment at 410.552.0773 or complete this Intake Form online now

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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=Dayhoff

Friday, January 03, 2014

Ever stop to think and forget to start again?

#KED #Westminster

Art Library Words, Words,

Ever stop to think and forget to start again?

#KED #Westminster

Which countries Americans like … and don’t | Pew Research Center

Which countries Americans like … and don’t | Pew Research Center: "BY BRUCE STOKES

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/12/30/which-countries-americans-like-and-dont/

The trend among the U.S. public increasingly has been to turn away from international issues and focus on the home front. But while Americans have long been accused of lacking interest in the rest of the world, they have never lacked strong opinions about other countries.

As 2013 wanes, a Pew Research Center survey conducted Oct. 30-Nov. 6 found that Americans have strongly favorable views of some allies and negative opinions about a range of others. Some of this is driven by U.S. partisan politics. And history suggests all such opinions are subject to change.

Topping Americans’ most favored nations list are Canada (81%) and Great Britain " ...Read more: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/12/30/which-countries-americans-like-and-dont/

'via Blog this'

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Thursday, January 02, 2014

Panama City revival By Eric Vohr, Special to Tribune Newspapers December 18, 2013

Panama City revival

American ex-pats help rebuild a once-decaying district of the capital

By Eric Vohr, Special to Tribune Newspapers December 18, 2013

http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/sc-trav-1217-panama-hot-spot-20131218,0,250641.story

PANAMA CITY — This Central American nation is fast becoming a prime destination for winter travelers looking to trade cold and slush for sun and surf. But this country's riches are found not only in its tropical jungles and white sand beaches; one of Panama's hottest new destinations is right in the heart of the capital's historic district.

Founded in the 17th century, Panama City's colonial district of Casco Viejo once was the hub of Panamanian culture and civilization. Jutting into the Gulf of Panama on the Pacific side, the district sits on a peninsula chosen for defense against pirates. Casco later fell into neglect as the modern city center sprouted its skyscrapers across the bay.

But now Casco is experiencing a renaissance due in part to the efforts of American expatriates. U.S. influence isn't unusual here; for most of the 20th century, the United States held a corridor bisecting the country along the Panama Canal… http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/sc-trav-1217-panama-hot-spot-20131218,0,250641.story

Panama City revival By Eric Vohr, Special to Tribune Newspapers December 18, 2013

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