More trouble at wi middle

2 teachers heading to er from the same rooms that were the problems last week at wicomico middle school

Republicans Want a Third Party

Republican Party … are you listening? New Gallup polling shows that a majority of Republicans (52%) believe that it is time for a viable third party in Washington. In gearing up for 2012, some Republicans seem to be forgetting the reason why so many people showed up to the polls in 2010 and voted them into office. Republicans were not given control of the House by the voters because of abortion or gay marriage. It was the economy and the oppressiveness of government. The voters wanted smaller government, lower taxes and lower spending. When was the last time you can recall a Republican swooping into office because of their grand-standing against abortion? Get with the program, Republicans. If your goal is to defeat Obama in 2012, you will look at these numbers and realize that the people are ready to split if you don’t give them what they are looking for.

Let's Get Real About Oil Companies

Democrats in Congress are proposing that we raise taxes on oil companies in order to pay down the debt. Uh oh … they might want to stop their pandering just for a minute to take a look at the figures. According to the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie, should taxes be increased on oil companies by $5 billion a year, that “would result in a $128 billion loss in government revenue and would reduce domestic production by 400,000 barrels per day by 2025,” with an additional 1.2 million barrels per day at risk. Our own Congressional Research Service concluded that, “[T]he proposals also would make oil and natural gas more expensive for U.S. consumers and likely increase foreign dependence.”

But lowering gas prices or paying down our debt isn’t really what this is about, is it? We need to make those evil oil companies pay their fair share and make it look to my constituents like The Community Organizer is doing something about their gas prices! How’s this for fair share: “Between 1998 and 2008, the oil and gas industry paid $1 trillion in total income taxes. That’s in addition to the $178 billion the companies sent the federal government in rent, royalty and bonus payments between 1982 and 2009.” But the progs will still scream that they are still making record profits! The American Petroleum Institute reports, “the oil and gas industry earned 6 cents for every dollar of sales in comparison with all manufacturing, which earned 8.6 cents for every dollar of sales.”

Looks, folks. I’m not one for corporate welfare. But if we are going to have a discussion about lowering gas prices in this country, let’s have an honest discussion about it. Raising taxes on these oil companies isn’t going to give us lower gas prices and it sure as hell ain’t gonna pay to reduce our deficit.

Bicycle Theft Prevention - Safe Streets Newsletter

From the Safe Streets Newsletter on May 1, 2011

Crime Prevention

BICYCLE THEFT PREVENTION

The first rule: Always lock it. Never leave your bike unlocked even if you’re leaving it for only half a minute. A thief can grab your bike in seconds. 

Lock your bike to something that’s permanent and not easy for a thief to take. Lock to a bicycle rack, a parking meter, a metal fence post, or a large tree. Don’t lock to another bike, a door handle, or small tree. And if you keep your bike in a garage, basement, or on a porch, lock it. Park in open areas where many people pass by and your bicycle can be seen easily. Thieves usually don’t like an audience. Put your bike where you can get to it fast. Thieves like to steal bikes whose owners are far away.

WHAT LOCKING HARDWARE SHOULD YOU USE?

U Locks: As has been in the news recently, many Kryptonite locks have been easily broken. There are similar brands sold which have a different locking mechanism inside, although they may look similar outside, and are less easily broken. Some U locks are stronger than others; make sure you buy a strong steel alloy lock. If the manufacturer offers a warranty or insurance, register the lock and write down the lock’s serial number and when you bought it. One drawback to U locks is you can’t lock up to thick objects such as street lights; so for these, carry a thick cable. Padlocks & Chains: Look for anti-theft security chains; the thicker, the better. Chain links and lock clasps should be at least 3/8 of an inch thick. You should look for locks and chains that are “case-hardened”—a process that makes them harder to cut.

Cables: Some cables are actually harder to cut than chains, because they don’t snap and thieves can’t pry them open. Use a cable at least 3/8 of an inch thick with a lock as thick, or thicker.

HOW TO LOCK UP

A thief with enough time and the right tools can break any lock. But you can discourage many thieves if you follow these tips about locking your bike: Lock the Whole Bike: You should put your chain, cable, or U locks through your frame and both wheels—taking the front wheel off if you have a quick-release hub. Never lock through your wheel without locking the frame, because thieves can remove your wheel and steal the rest of the bike. Cross Locking: A good way to foil thieves is to use more than one kind of lock. For example, put a U lock through your frame and rear tire, and put a cable or chain through your frame and front tire.

Placing the Lock:  Thieves may break a lock by putting it against a wall or sidewalk and smashing it with a hammer. If you use a padlock, try to put it where it’s not close to the ground or against a wall or another solid surface-leaving little or no slack in your cable or chain. When using a U lock, leave little or no space in the lock’s middle to prevent prying.

Removable Items: When you leave your bike, remove any parts you can’t lock and a thiefcould steal easily: a quick-release seat, horn, bike bag, pump, cycle computer, or lights. If removing quick-release parts is a hassle, replace them with permanent ones.

If it can be removed, it can be stolen!

Maybe it is better said that if it can be removed, it will be stolen! Adjustable bicycle seats are a good example of parts that are stolen. You may ask, “Why would anyone want to sell a stolen bicycle seat?” The answer is to sell to someone who has a bicycle without a seat! It’s an ugly cycle. There are often bicycle parts as well as stolen bicycles (as well as other stolen goods) are sold on the streets. It is a good idea to etch identifying markings on anything removable to aid in recovery, but better than that is to secure your bicycle parts so that they cannot be removed easily.

The low tech method to secure your wheels and seat is to remove the quick releases all together and bolt them onto the bicycle. This may make changing a flat tire harder but will slow down and deter thieves. The other low tech method is if you have a removable seat, take it with you—ALWAYS!!! To protect your wheels, always lock them with a strong lock. Pipe clamps can be used to secure quick release hubs. Bicycle seats can be locked to the frame with a cable. These methods will slow down and deter all but the most determined thief.  Many bicycle accessory manufacturers have designed locking skewers that will not release your wheels without a special key. While protecting your wheels, they also make locking your bike quick and easy since you only have to lock your frame to something secure. 

CUTTING YOUR THEFT LOSSES

What’s the first thing to do when you get a new bike? Write down the serial number and keep the number in a safe place. Look for the serial number stamped on your bike’s head tube, seat post tube, under the crank, or on the frame’s rear wheel mount. You can discourage thieves by engraving your name or driver’s license number in an obvious place on your bike frame. Or put a card with your name and phone number inside the handlebar tube—so if you find your stolen bike at an auction, junk shop, or flea market, you can prove it’s yours.

If Your Bike Is Stolen: First, find your bike’s serial number if you have it. Then call your local police and tell them where your bike was stolen.  The Salisbury Police Department Community Affairs section offers bicycle registration for City residents as a way to track your bicycle if it is stolen. Citizens may call Officer Rich Weber (410-548-3165) for information on bicycle registration. Many of these thefts occur at the library.  They have a bicycle rack at the library, so please lock up your bicycle properly while visiting the library.

Check our website for more crime prevention information. 

www.salisburypd.com

Greetings from sunny Florida

As you have probably noticed I haven't been posting.  I am on vacation in beautiful Florida this week and I am off the grid which means I'm not getting emails. If you have stuff for me don't worry I will be back in business next Monday. Visit this week However as Sam I am and Archie will be running things.

Thanks everyone