Dayhoff Soundtrack

Friday, January 09, 2015

Statement by Society of Professional Journalists President Neuts on terrorist attack at French magazine

Home > SPJ News > Statement by SPJ President Neuts on terrorist attack at French magazine

According to an article in the New York Times, “Terrorists Strike Charlie Hebdo Newspaper in Paris, Leaving 12 Dead,” By DAN BILEFSKY and MAÏA de la BAUMEJAN. 7, 2015: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/world/europe/charlie-hebdo-paris-shooting.html?rref=world/europe

“PARIS — The police organized an enormous manhunt across the Paris region on Wednesday for three suspects they said were involved in a brazen and methodical midday slaughter at a satirical newspaper that had lampooned Islam.

“The terrorist attack by masked gunmen on the newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, left 12 people dead — including the top editor, prominent cartoonists and police officers — and was among the deadliest in postwar France. The killers escaped, traumatizing the city and sending shock waves through Europe and beyond.

Officials said late Wednesday that two of the suspects were brothers. They were identified as Said and Chérif Kouachi, 34 and 32. The third suspect is Hamyd Mourad, 18. News reports said the brothers, known to intelligence services, had been born in Paris, raising the prospect that homegrown Muslim extremists were responsible… http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/world/europe/charlie-hebdo-paris-shooting.html?rref=world/europe

Related: ‘Dangerous Moment’ for Europe, as Fear and Resentment Grow

By STEVEN ERLANGER and KATRIN BENNHOLDJAN. 7, 2015 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/world/europe/paris-attack-reflects-a-dangerous-moment-for-europe.html?emc=edit_th_20150108&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=45685287

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Statement by SPJ President Neuts on terrorist attack at French magazine

1/7/2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 7. 2015 http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=1300

INDIANAPOLIS – The Society of Professional Journalists is angered by today’s attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris. This is a barbaric, appalling attempt to stifle press freedom.

Extremists feel emboldened to attack and kill journalists anywhere in the world for lampooning religion or reporting on political and governmental activities. Such outrageous attempts to silence journalists will not be tolerated or successful.

Journalists around the world work every day to report truth, enlighten the public and encourage people to think about all sides of issues important to society. This type of attack on such a basic human right – freedom of speech – is heinous and unacceptable. We urge other journalists and media organizations to stand in solidarity against this outrageous attack on press freedoms.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, one of numerous organizations also condemning the attack, reports this is the worst attack on the media since the 2009 Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines. In 2014 alone, CPJ reports 61 journalists were killed worldwide, including 27 who were murdered.

Our thoughts are with the families and colleagues of the victims of today’s horrific events.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For more information about SPJ, please visit spj.org.

http://www.spj.org/news.asp?REF=1300

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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

Thursday, January 08, 2015

Funeral Arrangements for Paramedic/Captain Erik Steciak

Funeral Arrangements for Paramedic/Captain Erik Steciak.

Labels: Firefighter Line of Duty death, Firefighter safety, Firefighters, MD muni Bel Air

On Thursday morning, January 8, 2015, the website of the Maryland State Fireman’s Association posted funeral Arrangements for Paramedic/Captain Erik Steciak.

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, West Friendship Volunteer Fire Company, and the Howard County Department of Fire/Rescue Services announce the funeral arrangements for Paramedic/Captain Erik Steciak.

There will be two viewings:

Friday January 16, 2015

West Friendship Volunteer Fire Company

1800hrs-2100hrs (6:00pm-9:00pm)

Saturday January 17, 2015

Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company

1300hrs-1700hrs (1:00pm-5:00pm)

Funeral Services:

Sunday January 18, 2015

1300hrs (1:00pm)

West Friendship Volunteer Fire Company

Reception Immediately Following Services at the Howard County DFRS Training Academy.

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FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Passing along news from Chief Billy & FireFighterCloseCalls.

I am sure details will follow. Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers & sisters in Belair tonight.

FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY-UNUSUAL STRUCK BY APPARATUS AT SCENE

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 - We regret to pass on to you some tragic news from Maryland. At 1350 hrs TODAY (16/6.2015) the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company (Harford Co, MD) was alerted for a motor vehicle collision with injury on Patterson Mill Rd.

It was reported that a vehicle had run off the roadway into an embankment and the injured subject was in a nearby residence. On the fire departments arrival it was determined that the best access to the patient was via four wheel drive assist due to the extreme weather and driveway conditions. Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company Utility 373, a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD equipped with a snow plow responded for the four wheel drive request.

As the utility vehicle proceeded down the driveway it began to slide. At some point during the slide, a member of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, a paramedic provider, was struck by the utility. He was treated at the scene and transported in grave condition to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. Indications point to weather being a major factor in this incident. More to follow. Our condolences to all affected. RIP.

See also: Maryland Fire News - Update: Bel Air Paramedic Erik Steciak Struck, at Accident Scene http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2015/01/update-bel-air-paramedic-erik-steciak.html

Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company Statement LODD Incident In Bel Air: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2015/01/bel-air-volunteer-fire-company.html

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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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Military Payment Certificates and P38s

January 8, 2015 - March 6^th, 2007

January 8, 2015 – The mother of a childhood classmate who died in Vietnam passed away just recently. I was looking through my files to refresh my memories of the events from about 45 years ago and came across this post down memory lane from 2007 – and I decided to re-post it. Enjoy….

March 6th, 2007 - I was actually researching, of all things, C-rations (the predecessor to MREs – Meals Ready to Eat) and the H-21 Shawnee (a tandem rotor flying banana helicopter 1949 - 1967,) when I came across this entry on military payment certificates. I had not seen one of these in ages.

I also, on the same web site as I found the pictures of the MPCs, came across a picture of (what I remember being called in the Marines, 1971-1973, NOT deployed to Vietnam) a “church key.” Is that correct or is my memory failing me in my old age? It is a “P38” can opener.

For the young folks out there who are not familiar with MPCs or the P38 can opener – see the attached below. It is from a web site titled, “Tall Comanche,” which appears to be a site for “Company C, 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Cavalry, 1^st Calvary Division, Vietnam 1965 – 1972: http://www.tallcomanche.org/index.html

It is a pretty neat site – check it out…

The pictures of the MPCs and the can opener were found here:

http://www.tallcomanche.org/Stories_Things_Bits_and_Pieces.htm

MPC (Military Payment Certificate)

http://www.tallcomanche.org/Stories_Things_Bits_and_Pieces.htm#MPC

It was illegal to carry American currency in Vietnam. As soon as you arrived "in-country", you had to turn in your "greenbacks" for MPC. Officially, the Vietnamese currency was the piaster, but there was little the MPC couldn't buy. In order to keep the MPC from being the real currency, every few months everyone had to turn in their old MPC for new ones - and each series would be different from the others. Of course, this caused a panic in the Vietnamese who had accepted MPC from GIs. These samples are from 1969, and were contributed by Mike Hayes.

P38 Can Opener

http://www.tallcomanche.org/Stories_Things_Bits_and_Pieces.htm#P38

Okay - did you carry yours with your dog tags, or did you carry yours on a key chain? For the uninitiated, this is a can opener - and its shown approximately actual size. From Mike Hayes, April 1969 to May 1970.

Related: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/People%20Magsamen-Frederick

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2006/05/20060524-columns-on-frederick-john.html

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2015/01/anna-butler-magsamen-age-94-of.html
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Carroll County Arts Center: Puros: Vistas of Cuba receptionThursday, January 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Carroll County Arts Center: Puros: Vistas of Cuba

Carroll County Arts Center: Puros: Vistas of Cuba receptionThursday, January 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm

http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/2015/01/carroll-county-arts-center-puros-vistas.html

Labels: Art Artists Maurio Becky, Art Carroll Arts Center, Bus Carroll Co Chamber Commerce, People Maurio Becki, World Caribbean Cuba

On View December 11 - February 28, 2015

Additional Details: The public is invited to a celebratory reception for both exhibits on Thursday, January 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

http://www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org/eventdetail.asp?event_id=1227

In the Director’s Hall Gallery, “Puros: Vistas of Cuba” will feature works of art created by five local photographers that depict people, places and perspectives that are purely Cuban. The photos were taken during their May 2014 Cuban adventure sponsored by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

The term "puros" refers to an authentic Cuban cigar, which has been contraband in the US since the trade embargo initiated in the early 1960s. That same embargo also strictly limits travel between the two countries.

The artists exhibiting are Stella Fouts (Millers, MD), Sharon Hafner Yingling (Westminster, MD), Don Hobart (Westminster, MD), Becki Maurio (Westminster, MD), and Mike McMullin (Westminster, MD).

Location: The Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main Street, Westminster, MD, 21157 View Google Map

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Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/

New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff

Scribd Kevin Dayhoff: http://www.scribd.com/kdayhoff

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Gizmo's: http://www.gizmosart.com/dayhoff.html

Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

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Wednesday, January 07, 2015

NYT: Defiant on Witness Stand, Times Reporter Says Little

Defiant on Witness Stand, Times Reporter Says Little

By MATT APUZZOJAN. 5, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/us/james-risen-in-tense-testimony-refuses-to-offer-clues-on-sources.html

“… the Obama administration’s leak crackdown provoked a backlash among journalism groups…” nyti.ms/1xvp1Fg #partylikeajournalist

Reporter May Still Face Questions About Source DEC. 13, 2014

U.S. Given Deadline in Case Against James RisenDEC. 10, 2014

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — After losing a seven-year legal battle, James Risen, a reporter for The New York Times, reluctantly took the witness stand in federal court here on Monday, but refused to answer any questions that could help the Justice Department identify his confidential sources.

Mr. Risen said he would not say anything to help prosecutors bolster their case against Jeffrey A. Sterling, a former C.I.A. officer who is set to go on trial soon on charges of providing classified information to Mr. Risen for his 2006 book, “State of War.”

[…]

Mr. Risen fought the subpoena to the Supreme Court and lost, but said he would still not reveal his sources. And as the case has gone on, the Obama administration’s leak crackdown provoked a backlash among journalism groups and civil rights advocates. They criticized the Justice Department for its treatment of Mr. Risen as well as for subpoenaing phone records from The Associated Press, labeling one Fox News reporter a criminal co-conspirator and seeking grand jury testimony from another.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/us/james-risen-in-tense-testimony-refuses-to-offer-clues-on-sources.html

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On July 8, 2014, the Society of Professional Journalists sent President Barack Obama a letter urging more transparency… According to information e-mailed by the Society on July 8, 2014:

“The Society of Professional Journalists and 37 other journalism and open government groups today called on President Obama to stop practices in federal agencies that prevent important information from getting to the public.

“We sent a letter to Obama today urging changes to policies that constrict information flow to the public, including prohibiting journalists from communicating with staff without going through public information offices, requiring government PIOs to vet interview questions and monitoring interviews between journalists and sources.

“The letter outlines other specific examples of the excessive information control, considered by some as a form of censorship…” Find the letter here: http://www.spj.org/news.asp?ref=1253

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Harvard Ideas on Health Care Hit Home, Hard - NYTimes.com

Harvard Ideas on Health Care Hit Home, Hard - NYTimes.com:

By ROBERT PEARJAN. 5, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/us/health-care-fixes-backed-by-harvards-experts-now-roil-its-faculty.html?emc=edit_th_20150106&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=45685287&_r=0

"WASHINGTON — For years, Harvard’s experts on health economics and policy have advised presidents and Congress on how to provide health benefits to the nation at a reasonable cost. But those remedies will now be applied to the Harvard faculty, and the professors are in an uproar.

"Members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the heart of the 378-year-old university, voted overwhelmingly in November to oppose changes that would require them and thousands of other Harvard employees to pay more for health care. The university says the increases are in part a result of the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act, which many Harvard professors championed."

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/us/health-care-fixes-backed-by-harvards-experts-now-roil-its-faculty.html?emc=edit_th_20150106&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=45685287&_r=0

'via Blog this'

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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

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

Sunday, January 04, 2015

NYT: How My Mom Got Hacked - NYTimes.com

NYT: How My Mom Got Hacked - NYTimes.com: "By ALINA SIMONEJAN. 2, 2015"

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/opinion/sunday/how-my-mom-got-hacked.html?emc=edit_th_20150104&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=45685287

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/nyt-how-my-mom-got-hacked-nytimescom.html

MY mother received the ransom note on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It popped up on her computer screen soon after she’d discovered that all of her files had been locked. “Your files are encrypted,” it announced. “To get the key to decrypt files you have to pay 500 USD.” If my mother failed to pay within a week, the price would go up to $1,000. After that, her decryption key would be destroyed and any chance of accessing the 5,726 files on her PC — all of her data — would be lost forever.

Sincerely, CryptoWall.

CryptoWall 2.0 is the latest immunoresistant strain of a larger body of viruses known as ransomware. [...]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/opinion/sunday/how-my-mom-got-hacked.html?emc=edit_th_20150104&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=45685287

Is there any other way to get rid of it besides paying the ransom? No — it appears to be technologically impossible for anyone to decrypt your files once CryptoWall 2.0 has locked them. (My mother had several I.T. professionals try.)

But should you really be handing money over to a bunch of criminals? According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the F.B.I. and the National White Collar Crime Center, this answer is also no. “Ransomware messages are an attempt to extort money,” one public service announcement helpfully explains. “If you have received a ransomware message do not follow payment instructions and file a complaint.” Right. But that won’t get you your files back. Which is why the Sheriff’s Office of Dickson County, Tenn., recently paid a CryptoWall ransom to unlock 72,000 autopsy reports, witness statements, crime scene photographs and other documents... [...]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/opinion/sunday/how-my-mom-got-hacked.html?emc=edit_th_20150104&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=45685287

'via Blog this'

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Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/

New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff

Scribd Kevin Dayhoff: http://www.scribd.com/kdayhoff

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

Kevin Dayhoff's YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/

Gizmo's: http://www.gizmosart.com/dayhoff.html

Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

Don Surber: I had a great year

Don Surber: I had a great year:

http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2015/01/i-had-great-year.html?spref=tw

Thursday, January 01, 2015

I had a great year

2014 was a great year for me. My closest sister died, and after 30 years, the Charleston Daily Mail fired me. Both events made my life better.

My sister's death came after much pain for her. She spent 11 months in a hospice, then she fought cancer for four more months at home and in a nursing home. She was one tough cookie.

http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2015/01/i-had-great-year.html?spref=tw

'via Blog this'

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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

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

Saturday, January 03, 2015

Saturday evening services at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster Md. #GoRavens

#KED

A love story that began on New Year's Eve, 1945 [Eagle Archives]

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

10:07 a.m. EST, January 2, 2015

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/search/ph-ce-eagle-archives-jan-20150102,0,5356710.story

Much of the time, history can be the dry stuff of names and facts or memorized dates found in textbooks. Nothing can bring history alive more than our own memories or growing up listening to the recollections of our parents or grandparents.

This year marks 70 years since the end of World War II, a time during which many endured the depravities of war overseas or supported the effort stateside.

Much of that dreary and difficult day-to-day support took place just down the road in Washington D.C. In his book, "Washington Goes to War," journalist David Brinkley wrote that Washington, "a sleepy, old-style Southern town … [came] alive … with personality, with drama and comedy…" during the war."

The National Women's History Museum reports, "More than a million women, many of them young and single, came to Washington D.C… "

Among those who answered the nation's call to service were Bertha and Joseph Sosnowsky, who, in time, would call Carroll County their adopted home for almost seven decades.

- See more at: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/search/ph-ce-eagle-archives-jan-20150102,0,5356710.story#sthash.7wbbpr1l.dpuf
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Don Surber: American Vignettes, 2014

Don Surber: American Vignettes, 2014:

http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2014/12/american-vignettes-2014.html#more

Don Surber: "American Vignettes, 2014
My series on exceptional Americans -- American Vignettes -- has been a joy to write. The series will continue in 2015 with even more Great Americans.

I began with James Knox Polk on November 2. I strive to be accurate. Please continue to correct me by email DonSurber@gmail. Several readers wonder how I find these stories. I use a process called magic. My criteria for an entry is whether the person interests me. The woman who saves a flower from extinction is as interesting as a president. A couple have been written and discarded. I almost deleted the post on Melville Dewey due to his anti-Semitism, but I figured that was geeky ignorance more than hate. Everyone is flawed, and we are all sinners..."

http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2014/12/american-vignettes-2014.html#more

'via Blog this'

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Friday, January 02, 2015

The Carroll St front of Grace Lutheran Church. CB & I are here for Altar Guild

#KED

Thursday, January 01, 2015

Senate panel sets hearing on Keystone XL | TheHill

Senate panel sets hearing on Keystone XL | TheHill:

By Laura Barron-Lopez - 12/30/14 06:07 PM EST

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/228290-senate-panel-sets-hearing-on-keystone-xl

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the contentious Keystone XL oil pipeline next week.

The hearing, announced Tuesday, will be the first one held by new Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)."

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/228290-senate-panel-sets-hearing-on-keystone-xl

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Gun owners fear Maryland police target them for traffic stops - Washington Times

Gun owners fear Maryland police target them for traffic stops - Washington Times:

By Kelly Riddell - The Washington Times - Tuesday, December 30, 2014

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/30/gun-owners-fear-maryland-cops-target-them-for-traf/

A year ago this New Year’s Eve, John Filippidis of Florida was driving south with his family on Interstate 95 when the Maryland Transportation Authority Police pulled over his black Ford Expedition and proceeded to raid it while his twins, wife and daughter looked on — separated in the back seats of different police cruisers.

The officers were searching for Mr. Filippidis‘ Florida-licensed, palm-size Kel-Tec .38 semi-automatic handgun, which he left at home locked in his safe. (Maryland does not recognize handgun permits issued by other states.)

When the search turned up nothing, Mr. Filippidis, 51, was allowed to go and was issued only a speeding warning.

Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/30/gun-owners-fear-maryland-cops-target-them-for-traf/

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Mario Cuomo, former New York governor, dies at 82 - Washington Times

Mario Cuomo, former New York governor, dies at 82 - Washington Times:By John Solomon - The Washington Times - Thursday, January 1, 2015

Mario Cuomo, the golden-tongued son of Italian immigrants who road his liberal views and hard-nosed political acumen to the top of Democratic politics as New York’s governor before repeatedly shunning a run for the White House, died Thursday. He was 82.

Mr. Cuomo, whose son Andrew is New York’s reigning governor, rose to national prominence in 1984 with his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention assailing Ronald Reagan.

The speech invigorated Democrats soon to be deflated by Walter Mondale’s crushing defeat at the hands of Mr. Reagan, and it left Mr. Cuomo a liberal favorite for the White House.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/1/mario-cuomo-former-new-york-governor-dies-82/

Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter

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Democrats take cautious approach with GOP, Scalise | TheHill

Democrats take cautious approach with GOP, Scalise | TheHill:

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/228346-democrats-take-cautious-approach-with-gop-scalise

[...]

"Democratic Rep. Cedric Richmond (La.) rushed to Scalise’s defense just hours after the story broke Monday.

“I don't think Steve Scalise has a racist bone in his body," Richmond, who is black, said in a statement to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

“Steve and I have worked on issues that benefit poor people, black people, white people, Jewish people. I know his character,” Richmond added.

Danny Ford, a Louisiana lobbyist and former Executive Director for the state’s Democratic Party, said that Richmond’s comments helped to ward off Democrats looking to pile on. Ford added that he’s known both Scalise and Richmond for while, and Richmond wouldn’t have come to his colleague’s defense unless he meant it.

“That was a message of don’t be too quick to judge,” Ford said.

“It was a good signal that did help Scalise on that end with Democrats.”

Former Sen. Bennett Johnston and former Gov. Edwin Edwards, who are both Democrats, backed Scalise in statements to newspapers. Johnston told The Times-Picayune that he also didn’t know that the European-American Unity and Rights Organization was considered a hate group.

Ford said many Louisiana Democrats could also be coming to Scalise’s defense not just because of sympathy but also because of the realization that he’s a powerful voice for the state.

“For a small state such as ours, it’s crucial to have somebody in a leadership position regardless of what side of the aisle they are on,” he said.

“I don’t think anybody in the state is going to be calling for his head because they don’t want to lose that leadership position.”

[...]

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/228346-democrats-take-cautious-approach-with-gop-scalise

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ROBERT FISK Sunday 28 December 2014: Did you know that it will soon be the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War?

A timely reminder of the bloody anniversary we all forgot - Comment - Voices - The Independent:

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2015/01/robert-fisk-sunday-28-december-2014-did.html

A timely reminder of the bloody anniversary we all forgot - Comment - Voices - The Independent

ROBERT FISK Sunday 28 December 2014: Did you know that it
will soon be the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War?

ROBERT FISK Sunday 28 December 2014

A timely reminder of the bloody anniversary we all forgot

Did you know that it will soon be the 150th anniversary of
the American Civil War?

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/a-timely-reminder-of-the-bloody-anniversary-we-all-forgot-9947514.html

… there’s a piece of history we’ve forgotten. For while the
start of the Great War of 1914-18 has been commemorated to the point of
spiritualism these past 12 months, who remembers that this week we enter the
150th anniversary year of the end of the American Civil War?

But for the Irish, too, the civil war of 1861-1865, is a
sombre anniversary.

They reckon that 210,000 Irish soldiers fought in British
uniform in the First World War, and that 49,300 were killed. Yet almost as many
Irishmen fought in the American Civil War – 200,000 in all, 180,000 in the
Union army, 20,000 for the Confederates.

An estimated 20 per cent of the Union navy were Irish-born –
26,000 men – and the total Irish dead of the American conflict came to at least
30,000. Many of the Irish fatalities were from Famine families who had fled the
desperate poverty of their homes in what was then the United Kingdom, only to
die at Antietam and Gettysburg.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/a-timely-reminder-of-the-bloody-anniversary-we-all-forgot-9947514.html

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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

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

Don Surber: Leland Stanford: After the Gold Rush

Don Surber: Leland Stanford: After the Gold Rush:

Wednesday, December 31, 2014 by Don Surber

Leland Stanford: After the Gold Rush

My American Vignettes series on exceptional Americans takes a look at Amasa Leland Stanford, the merchant to the gold miners who became a railroad tycoon, governor, U.S. senator, and founder of Stanford University.

The urban legend holds that a haughty secretary sneered at two country bumpkins who wanted to see the president of Harvard. The couple told him their son had attended Harvard for a year, and had died in an accident. They wanted to build a memorial to him.

The secretary said Harvard could not erect memorials to every student, so the couple went home to California and founded Stanford.

That story is bogus. The real account is more heartbreaking... http://donsurber.blogspot.com/2014/12/leland-stanford-after-gold-rush.html

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