20070303 News from CSM Tom Beyard in the Middle East

News from CSM Tom Beyard in the Middle East

March 3^rd, 2007

Pictured above is CSM Beyard at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Notice that he is close to a delineated mine field – but why is he smiling? I’ll bet that when he and I were working together in Westminster City Hall, we both wish the “mine fields” in Westminster were as clearly marked.

The other picture is CMS Beyard’s…also from “Week 34.”

In an e-mail from CSM Tom Beyard from February 25^th, 2007 he said:

“Just returned from trip to Bagram, Afghanistan to visit our fix forward soldiers there. Had pleasure to present AAM to one soldier and to see our soldiers in action supporting the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

“Our soldiers are doing sheet metal work and provided maintenance support for (my redact) aircraft. Bagram is surrounded by the most beautiful mountains you have ever seen. The actual Bagram air base was used by the Soviets in their war against Afghanistan in the 1980s. The temperature there was very cold and damp and I admire all soldiers working and living in that environment. It is a credit to the toughness and training of our soldiers.”

In his recent e-mail, CMS Beyard calls attention to

“… how our soldiers are saving the Army thousands of dollars in component repairs. Also, (take note of the) photographs from my recent trip to Bagram, Afghanistan.”

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20070303 The Pillage Idiot says

The Pillage Idiot says... $)*%&#@(&!.

March 3^rd, 2007

I’d like to echo the remarks the Pillage Idiot recently made in a blog post: “$)*%&#@(&!.”

Kudos for our fearless leader of the Maryland Bloggers Alliance for saying that “George Carlin's seven words you can't say on the radio” rarely appear in his blog.

I must say that it is one of the reasons that I enjoy his blog.

I am dumbstruck to find the use of foul language in the blogosphere. Yeah, it’s an exercise of free speech, but nevertheless the right to free speech comes with responsibilities.

Whenever I come across a blog site or blog post with foul language, I exercise my right to move on to another web site – in haste.

If someone has such little grasp on their language skills and cannot articulate a position without the use of the foul language, my view is that they have little to offer me as to their opinion.

I dare say that I am hardly “little Miss Goody Two Shoes,” (Where did that expression come from anyway?) but I try hard to talk the walk and avoid the foul language on this web site and applaud Attila for his post and his blog.

Find his post here.

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20070228 Reconnecting a friend to Fred Magsamen

Web site helps reconnect a friend to Fred Magsamen

February 28th, 2007 – Posted March 3rd, 2007

Last Wednesday’s Westminster Eagle has a letter to the editor about a column I wrote for the Westminster Eagle – and later a blog post I wrote on the Winchester Report on May 26th, 2006: "On Memorial Day, Freddy Magsamen is No. 11 in our hearts."

Web site helps reconnect a friend to Fred Magsamen

I just blundered (literally) across a story about Fred Magsamen that Kevin Dayhoff wrote for The Westminster Eagle way back in May 2006. ("On Memorial Day, Freddy Magsamen is No. 1 in our hearts," May 26, 2006.)

His story brought tears to my eyes. I am the Ken Van Arsdel whom he quoted in the article.

I can't tell you how much the article means to me. I counted Fred as a good friend É best friend É although I knew him for only a few short months.

The intensity of life as a soldier in Recon Company, CCN, seemed to distill daily experiences into moments that were both potent and poignant. Great friendships were formed quickly in the maelstrom of the events we lived. Sadly, they were often brought up short, as the odds caught up with us.

Mr. Dayhoff's article told me more about Fred than I ever knew, and I miss him all the more for it. Thank you for remembering him, and for sharing those memories with the world.

The Internet is a wonderful thing; without it I would never have seen your article.

Or would I? It is an experience like this that makes one question whether "divine intervention" or "karma" are more than just pop culture concepts.

Ken Van Arsdel

San Andreas, Calif.

(Editor's Note: The Magsamen article and others are available on our Web site, at http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/.)

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20070303 Washington Co MD names Greg Murray County Administrator

Washington Co MD names Greg Murray Co Admin

Posted March 3rd, 2007

Hat Tip: Maryland Politics Today by P. Kenneth Burns. Check out this site the next chance you get, Lots of interesting stuff. I found the post about Greg Murray here.

A week or so ago, on February 21st, 2007, a colleague was named Washington County Administrator.

This public acknowledgment is somewhat belated, however, I’d like to publicly congratulate former Director of the Department of Water Quality Gregory B. Murray, for his selection as Washington County Maryland Administrator.

I had the pleasure and honor of working with County Administrator Murray on the Bay Restoration Fund Committee and I was quite impressed. Not only does he have a keen mind and is technological proficient, he is pragmatic, methodical, and well versed in environmental issues.

He will do Washington County a super job.

Below please find the news release from when he was selected and when he was officially appointed.

Congratulations Mr. Murray. Now get to work.

____

Washington County MD names Greg Murray County Administrator

Washington County Maryland News Release

Document Modified: 2/21/07 1:33 PM

Board of County Commissioners Names Murray County Administrator

http://www.washco-md.net/public_info/new_admin.shtm

After careful consideration of several highly qualified candidates, on Tuesday, February 20th, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners selected Gregory B. Murray, Director of the Department of Water Quality (DWQ), as the new Washington County Administrator.

The Commissioners cited Murray's 24 years of public administration and his leadership role over the County’s $205 million in Water Quality Department assets during his 10 years as DWQ Director. His Management and Public Administration experience includes budgeting, personnel, facility management, design and design review, regulatory compliance, project management, system evaluation, training, computer system and technology implementation, governmental operations and interaction with the public.

The Commissioners said Murray has an extensive knowledge of the County’s infrastructure needs, planning and regulatory issues, and shares a good working relationship all of the County’s departments, with community organizations and businesses, and with the County's nine municipalities.

He has authored regulations for State approval, local codes and ordinances, safety policies and rate studies and is a contributor to a nationally distributed Manual of Practice.

Originally employed by the Washington County Sanitary District as the Laboratory Director in 1983, Murray was WCSD Supervisor of Facilities from 1989-1994, served as Director of Utilities and Public Works for the Town of Hancock from 1994-97, prior to being employed as Director of Washington County's Water and Sewer Operations in 1997. The department's name was changed in 2003 to come in line with environmental regulations.

Under his direction, DWQ was one of the first such departments in Maryland to institute wireless remote technology for control of pumping stations. Electronic payment of water and sewer bills was also put into place during his term as Director.

He worked with the Governor's Office and the Local Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly on Senate Bill 320, the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act, and was appointed by Governor Robert Ehrlich to the Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee. He has worked closely with Environmental Protection Administration and the Maryland Department of the Environment to improve the quality of wastewater processed by all County treatment facilities and ensure the quality of water supplied to customers on the County system.

Environmental Licenses held by Murray include Class 4 Water Treatment and Water Superintendent, Class 5 Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Superintendent, Distribution System, Distribution Superintendent, Class 2 Collection System, Class 2 Collection Superintendent and Maryland State Sediment Control Inspector.

Murray has been commended on numerous occasions over his 10-year Directorship for helping reduce water and wastewater treatment costs through innovative practices and techniques. In 2005 he wrote a state grant that brought $6.5 million to the County for Biological Nutrient Removal upgrades to the wastewater treatment system as part of the Chesapeake Bay project. He was instrumental in closing of the outdated Nicodemus treatment plant, which saved millions in retrofitting costs for that outmoded facility.

He takes the reins from Rodney M. Shoop, who has served as County Administrator since 1995. Shoop announced his retirement in September of 2006.

The Board will officially appoint Greg Murray to his new role as County Administrator at its next scheduled meeting.

A native of Washington County, he currently resides with his family in the Smithsburg area.

_____

Meeting Summary Press Release

Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the official minutes of the meeting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT 240-313-2077

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County

Board of County Commissioners Meeting February 27, 2007

http://www.washco-md.net/commissioners/summary/2007/070227.shtm#pic

APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners officially appointed Gregory B. Murray as County Administrator. Murray, 46, has been the Director of the Department of Water Quality for ten years and brings 24 years of public administration and leadership to his new role as County Administrator. His Management and Public Administration experience includes budgeting, personnel, facility management, design and design review, regulatory compliance, project management, system evaluation, training, computer system and technology implementation, governmental operations including prior service with municipal government as Public Works Director and interaction with the public. He graduated from Heritage Academy, Hagerstown Junior College and also graduated with Summa cum laude honors from American Intercontinental University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration program of the University of Baltimore. He is a member of the American Society of Public Administration, the American Public Works Association, the County Engineers Association of Maryland, the American Water Works Association, the Water Environment Federation and the Maryland Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies. He serves on numerous boards and commissions at the state and local kevel. He holds a number of environmental licenses including Class 2,4, and 5 Wastewater Treatment and Superintendent licenses. In 2006 he was selected by the Ministry of Personnel of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), along with State Administration Foreign Affairs Experts to represent Washington County and the environmental community as an international expert for exchange of technologies and ideas with the public and private sectors in Shandiong Province, PRC. A native of Washington County, Greg currently resides with his family in the Smithsburg area. Murray thanked the County for affording him educational opportunities and said he pledged to "work hard to make Washington County a better place to live, work and play."

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20070302 Carroll unprepared to attract new jobs

Carroll unprepared to attract new jobs

Growth and Development

March 3^rd, 2007

Kelsey Volkmann, writing for the Baltimore Examiner has an article in the March 2^nd, 2007 edition of the paper about Carroll County’s current inability to attract jobs and commercial tax base.

Attracting meaningful jobs and employment and tax base in Carroll County is critical to Carroll County’s future. Yet getting the public policy in Carroll County to chart a different course that takes into consideration the importance of attracting jobs and employment is like changing the course of the Titanic in our county - considering the present level of rampant NIMBYism.

And zoning laws in Carroll County are tantamount to that acronym, something to the affect of BANANAS – “Build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything.”

Hardly a month goes by when folks do not rally against any new business and economic development in a negative contagion that has its roots in a sea change of public opinion against any new housing development.

As much as I have personally had enough of the new houses folks must begin to understand that there is a difference between economic development and residential development.

If that understanding does not develop soon, we will never be able to pay the necessary property taxes to keep the ever-increasing level of services in Carroll County.

Not to mention the enormous “transportation tax” Carroll County citizens are paying to commute to meaningful employment outside of the county.

See my post from December 9th, 2000: 20001209 Transportation 2nd Biggest Family Exp.

A report released November 30 by the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) finds that households in the Baltimore region spend, on average, 14.7 percent of their budget, or more than $5,000 per year, on day-to-day transportation. That places transportation costs higher than health care, education, food, or any other household expenditure except shelter.

The report, "Driven to Spend," compiled data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and found that the poorest fifth of Americans pays a significantly larger percentage of income -- 36 percent—on transportation.

_____

Carroll ‘unprepared’ to attract new jobs

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner

Mar 2, 2007 3:00 AM

Carroll County - Carroll “is wholly unprepared to take advantage” of opportunities to attract new jobs, a new study reveals.

“Despite its size, location [and] educated and affluent population, Carroll’s economic performance is still that of a rural residential suburb,” according to a report from consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff…

“Carroll’s current inventory of zoned industrial land is in the wrong places, too broken up and outside existing sewer and water services areas.”

Consultants presented their findings Thursday to the Economic Development Commission.

Read the rest of her article here.

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20070302 The White House Weekly Review

The White House Weekly Review

February 25-March 2, 2007

Sunday, February 25, 2006
President and Mrs. Bush hosted a State Dinner for the Nation's Governors in the East Room of the White House.

"I'm looking forward to our meetings tomorrow. It's a really good chance to talk about important issues for the country. ... I believe that governors add a lot ... to the worth of our nation. And I believe if we work together, we can do a lot of good things."

President Bush Hosts State Dinner for the Nation's Governors

• Guest List for the State Dinner in Honor of the Nation's Governors
• After Dinner Guest List for the State Dinner in Honor of the Nation's Governors
• Entertainment at the State Dinner for the Nation's Governors
• Menu for the Dinner in Honor of the Governors of the States and Territories

Monday, February 26, 2007
President Bush met with the National Governors Association. He later presented the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall. Then, the President participated in the presentation of the annual report to the Nation by the Boy Scouts of America.

"In men like Bruce Crandall, we really see the best of America. He and his fellow soldiers were brave, brave folks. They were as noble and selfless as any who have ever worn our nation's uniform. And on this day of pride, we remember their comrades who gave their lives and those who are still missing. We remember the terrible telegrams that arrived at Fort Benning, the families devastated, the children who traced their father's name on panel three-east of the Vietnam Memorial wall."

President Bush Meets with the National Governors Association

President Bush Presents the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall

• In Focus: Veterans

Tuesday, February 27, 2007
President Bush met with President Elias Antonio Saca of El Salvador. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including our common commitment to strengthening democracy and economic development and our joint effort to address the problem of criminal gangs. The President then traveled to the U.S. Department of State, where he participated in the ceremonial swearing-in for Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.

"American diplomacy is really critical to ensuring the safety and the security of our citizens. Terrorist enemies follow an ideology of hatred and death. In the long run, the only way to defeat them is to offer a vision that is hopeful and positive and optimistic. Spreading that vision requires strong leadership here at the State Department, and John Negroponte has the talent and the experience our nation needs in a Deputy Secretary of State. He's going to do a superb job for the American people."

President Bush Meets with President Saca of El Salvador

President Bush Attends Swearing-In of John Negroponte as Deputy Secretary of State

• In Focus: Global Diplomacy

In the afternoon, President Bush welcomed the 2006 NBA Champions, the Miami Heat, to the White House.

"Heat players volunteer their time in all kinds of causes, ranging from reading to drug prevention to youth basketball. This is a championship team on the court, and this is a championship team off the court, and it is my high honor to welcome to the White House as the NBA champs."

President Bush Welcomes the 2006 NBA Champion Miami Heat to the White House

Wednesday, February 28, 2007
President Bush met with leaders of 11 military service organizations, some of whom are partnered with the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program, to thank them for their efforts in support of America’s troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world.These organizations have sent thousands of care packages, letters, and other items of support to our troops overseas as well as their families at home.

"One of the most enjoyable things I do as the President is to hear stories of my fellow citizens... stories of compassion, stories of care. I just talked to social entrepreneurs who have decided to help improve the lives of our servicemen and women and their families. There are some remarkable acts of kindness by people who have taken it upon themselves to serve their country by helping a neighbor in need."

President Bush Meets with Military Service Organizations

• In Focus: Defense

Thursday, March 1, 2007
President Bush traveled to the Gulf Coast, where he visited with grant recipients in Mississippi and later met with Mississippi elected officials and community leaders in Biloxi. The President had lunch with Louisiana elected officials and community leaders in New Orleans before visiting the city's Samuel J. Green Charter School.

The Federal government has committed more than $110 billion to help the Gulf Coast recover from Hurricane Katrina. President Bush remains committed to progress on all fronts in the Gulf Region, and will discuss progress in education as well as other reconstruction efforts.

"There's still work to be done here in Mississippi, and the Governor and I are going to go listen to some of the local officials describe to me what's on their mind and how we can continue to help. But times are changing for the better, and people's lives are improving, and there is hope. And I congratulate the good folks in this part of the country for their resiliency, their courage, and the fact that they never abandoned hope."

President Bush Meets with Elected Officials and Community Leaders in Louisiana

President Bush Meets with Mississippi Elected Officials and Community Leaders

President Bush Meets with Gulf Coast Grant Recipients

President Bush Visits Samuel J. Green Charter School

• Fact Sheet: Working with State and Local Leaders to Help Rebuild the Gulf Coast
• In Focus: Hurricane Katrina

Friday, March 2, 2007
Prior to departing for Indiana, President Bush announced he will travel to the storm ravaged areas of Georgia and Alabama on Saturday. Later, President Bush visited Silver Street Elementary School in New Albany, Indiana, and made remarks on No Child Left Behind. The No Child Left Behind Act is helping to raise student achievement in our Nation's schools, and Silver Street is an example of the law's good results – students at the school have met Indiana's achievement benchmarks every year since 2002. The President later met with students from University of Louisville's McConnell Center.

"I'm talking with people on the leading edge of change. And the reason why I've asked them to come in to see me is because I want to make sure that the goal I set by reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent over a 10-year period is a realistic goal. I know it's a necessary goal: it's necessary for national security purposes; it's necessary for economic security purposes; and it's necessary in order to be good stewards of the environment."

President Bush Discusses No Child Left Behind Reauthorization

• In Focus: Education
• Fact Sheet: The No Child Left Behind Act: Preparing Our Nation's Students to Succeed

President Bush Expresses Condolences to Tornado Victims in Georgia and Alabama

Monday, February 26, 2007

Press Briefing by Tony Snow

President Attends the 2007 Republican Governors Association Gala

President Bush Signs Antitrust Modernization Commission Extension Act of 2007

Notice: Continuation of the National Emergency Relating to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Irish-American Heritage Month, 2007

Nominations Sent to the Senate

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Press Briefing by Tony Snow

Vice President's Remarks to the Traveling Press

Interview of a Senior Administration Official by the Traveling Press

Nomination Sent to the Senate

Personnel Announcement

Personnel Announcement

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Press Gaggle by Tony Snow

President to Welcome Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand to the White House

Women's History Month, 2007

American Red Cross Month, 2007

Save Your Vision Week, 2007

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Ask the White House
David Almacy, White House Internet & E-Communications Director, discussed the the White House website.

Press Gaggle by Dana Perino

Presidential Delegation to Accra, Ghana for the 50th Anniversary of Independence

President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Loss of Mario Chanes de Armas

Implementation of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement with Respect to the Dominican Republic and for Other Purposes

Message to the Congress of the United States

Notice: Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Zimbabwe

Memorandum for the Secretary of State

Personnel Announcement

Vice President's Remarks to the Conservative Political Action Conference

Mrs. Bush's Remarks to the Press at Midway Atoll

Friday, March 2, 2007

Press Gaggle by Dana Perino

Amending Proclamation 8031 of June 15, 2006, to Read, "Establishment of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Momument"

President Bush to Welcome President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil to Camp David

Mrs. Bush's Remarks at the Announcement of the Native Hawaiian Name for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument

• Fact Sheet: Fulfilling the President's Vision for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument

Saturday, February 24, 2007

President's Radio Address
Embargoed until 10:06 AM ET

20070301 Boston police blow up traffic counter – save city

Boston police blow up traffic counter – save city

March 1, 2007

Police Blow Up Suspicious Device In Boston

The bravery never seems to end in Boston Massachusetts, the home state of what many of us otherwise feel is the greatest known threat to our national security, Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry. Alright, well maybe that’s political hyperbole, but nevertheless, last Wednesday, Boston police once again fearlessly saved the city and civilization as we know it by blowing up a traffic counter.

WBZ Boston has the story and gives us a glimpse at the tense moments. To see the video of this heroic act – click here or here for the video on “MyFox 25 News Boston.”

Actually, the video at “My Fox 25 News Boston” video is quite comprehensive…

“Part of Boston Shutdown After Suspicious Device Found Last Edited: Wednesday, 28 Feb 2007, 5:18 PM EST Created: Wednesday, 28 Feb 2007, 5:18 PM EST”

The WBZ coverage reads:

Feb 28, 2007 12:33 pm US/Eastern

Police Blow Up Suspicious Device In Boston

(WBZ) BOSTON There were some tense moments in Boston's financial district Wednesday morning as police were forced to blow up a suspicious device.

The bomb squad shut down busy Devonshire Street after someone spotted a green box chained to a no parking sign.

The box turned out to be some kind of traffic counting device and was completely harmless.

Can you remember the terrorism scare in Boston of several weeks ago:

First Suspicious Device Found Near MBTA's Sullivan Station
Timeline: Publicity Stunt Gone Wrong
Officials' Response to Crisis

I feel safer already.

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20070301 The Present Winter Union Bridge Pilot Feb 27 1920

The Present Winter Union Bridge Pilot Feb 27 1920

March 1^st, 2007

A colleague recently shared with me a quote for whom she could not remember who to credit, “February is the Monday of the year.”

February has never been my favorite month. I so dislike the short days, the cold, ice, and snow.

An old long defunct Carroll County newspaper, the Union Bridge Pilot wrote on February 27^th, 1920, “‘If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion,’ is another weather legend that has been handed down from early times, and is still believed by many.”

Well, let’s hope. For me, spring cannot come soon enough.

The rest of the article reads as follows. I have re-paragraphed it for easier reading. For some reason old newspapers rarely believed in paragraphs…

The Present Winter

Union Bridge Pilot, February 27, 1920.

In commenting on the weather conditions which we have just experienced the Frederick News says the following: "Three weeks of the ground-hog's reign closed Monday. During that time, it has rained 9 times, snowed five times and hailed twice. There were cold, clear and cloudy days and a few warm days.

Yesterday was St. Matthias' day, and having found plenty of ice, according to tradition he broke, and spring is at hand. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week are emberdays which rule the weather, for three months.

"If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion," is another weather legend that has been handed down from early times, and is still believed by many.

During the past 12 years, this prophesy has never failed, said one resident yesterday, in speaking about weather legends. "Still another prediction calls for a wintery March. The caterpillar was black at the tail, and this signifies that the latter part of the winter will be the hardest. The only question raised is to decide whether February is to be considered the last of winter. February is really the last winter month, as spring begins the third week in March. The chickens were heavily feathered which called for a hard winter. "

People in discussing the weather predictions for the next month differ on the question as to whether the end of the winter is at hand or whether March must be considered.

According to time worn predictions March of 1920 will be considered a part of this winter, and the hardest part of the winter is ahead. A late spring is looked for, but this is merely supposition on the part of ones making the prophesy."

20070301 Fix your ceiling tiles or this gecko will die

Fix your ceiling tiles, or this gecko will die

http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2007/03/fix_your_ceilin.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrixhUg1SCg

March 1^st, 2007

Copious amounts of Dr. Pepper were lost when I watched this ad earlier today on “Adfreak.com.”

The latest winner of the Dayhoff Dr. Pepper Award is this ad from Thailand: “Fix your ceiling tiles, or this gecko will die.”

The video is must see and prepare to smile… It was posted by David Kiefaber who said:

“Maybe it’s me readjusting to the North Carolina climate, but I’m honestly too touched by this Thai ceiling-tile ad to make fun of how patently ridiculous it is. Even the obvious Geico gecko reference seems coarse after seeing one teary-eyed gecko reach out to the other and barely missing as it died. Thank God the chess players’ over-emotional response kept it from being another Suicidal Robot. Although I couldn’t help but notice the falling scene’s eerie resemblance to the beginning of Cliffhanger. From Neatorama, via Spare Room.”

Click for other

20070228 An Open Letter to All Rosie O’Donnells

An Open Letter to All Rosie O’Donnells

February 28th, 2007

Many thanks to Charles County Café for calling to our attention: An Open Letter to All Rosie O’Donnells

Perhaps take this opportunity to go this website and check out many of the other great posts…

The Charles County Café also gave credit to “Posted by Tony Penny in Entertainment News, Cultural & Race.”

Charles County Café introduced the YouTube video by saying, “Amazing video…”

I could not agree more. This video is powerful stuff.

The video was loaded on February 22nd, 2007 and the remarks by the creator of the video are just as good at the video…[1] I have posted them below in a footnote because true to form, many of the comments on the YouTube site are truly offensive and I cannot recommend that anyone go to the site – at least to the comment section... I have no clue as to why a site as sophisticated as YouTube allows offensive language. Wouldn’t you think that a site this technologically advanced could screen certain words in the comment section?

Of course one of the lessons we can see reinforced by way of Ms. O’Donnell’s lack of apology is that being a liberal means that you never have to say that you are sorry. I have no quarrel with Ms. O’Donnell or that she made a mistake – that’s simply human. Her personal lifestyle orientation is of no material matter to me, I really don’t care- - it is none of my business. It is her lack of taking personal responsibility and apologizing that has exacerbated the offensiveness of her behavior.


An Open Letter to All Rosie O’Donnells
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJCkHu3trKc



A video of the offensive incident the “Open Letter” is referring to can be found here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSuZz3gWuE



####

[1] UPDATE: rosie has given a truly heartfelt response to my work in her blog.after a brief overview of some comments, here's my reply:1) regardless how ya'll felt about the video, i truly appreciate all of you taking the time to provide your honest opinions of it. i believethis can help address where we're really at andimprove everyone communicating with one another2) i understand that rosie was joking. i am actually addressing her defensive reaction upon being told why, "ching chong," might beinappropriate or offensive. 3) i do not hate rosie. this situation is merely a way to frame the discussion of people beingopen to learn from one another, admitting thatthey might be ignorant about some things. iactually believe the sentiment in the piece applies to all groups. hence, "to all..."4) i am currently under the impression that theterms, "queer community," "plus-size," and,"lesbian," are all politcally correct. however,i will research the validity of that belief.5) i am not threatening that asians will punishall the non-asians in the future. i am implyingthat the population of the world is predomi-nantly asian, and that just because in one context she does not interact with asians, doesn't mean that a context will not occur inwhich she will have asians in her life.6) woody fu produced this. ryan ling edited it.thank you to tinnie chow 4 everything.

20070227 African Teen Orphans Visit Maryland For Dance Tour

African Teen Orphans Visit Maryland For Dance Tour

Feb 27, 2007

African Teen Orphans Visit Maryland For Dance Tour

Richard Sher , Reporting

http://wjz.com/local/local_story_058175737.html

See the video here: http://wjz.com/video/?id=25392@wjz.dayport.com

(WJZ) BEL AIR, Md. Ten teenage girls from Namibia in Southern Africa are dancing their way through Maryland.

As Richard Sher reports, they are orphans, living at Children of Zion Village, in Northeastern Namibia, thanks to the wonderful work of Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Bel Air.

Church members Rebecca and Gary Mink are missionaries, who along with the church, bought the land, and built Children of Zion Village.

In all, 55 children, live there. Their parents either died from AIDS, or from the war in Angola.

[…]

The girls leave the states March 19th.

They will be giving a free public concert, Friday night, 7 p.m. at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, in Bel Air.

For more information call 410-836-7444 or Click Here to log onto the Children of Zion web site.

Read the entire article and watch the video here: African Teen Orphans Visit Maryland For Dance Tour

####

Africa Namibia Children of Mount Zion Village

20070228 Volkmann Watch

Volkmann Watch

February 28th, 2007

Please note that in the photo above that Ms. Volkmann is fully compliant with: 20060330 Always Dress better than expected

_____

Westminster wants flexible zoning process - 02/28/2007
Westminster plans to review zoning that allows stores near houses after discovering the process needs work sessions to solve residents’ concerns.
http://www.examiner.com/a-590042~Westminster_wants_flexible_zoning_process.html

County growth opens common ground - 02/28/2007
Residents and the government can agree after all.
http://www.examiner.com/a-590053~County_growth_opens_common_ground.html

Carroll looks to Harford for help in solving problems with garbage, jail - 02/27/2007
Harford could be a picture of Carroll in the future.
http://www.examiner.com/a-587729~Carroll_looks_to_Harford_for_help_in_solving_problems_with_garbage__jail.html

Committee chairman: Campaign finance bill is ‘onerous’ - 02/27/2007
Legislation clarifying campaign finance activity would push residents out of the political process, a committee chairman says.
http://www.examiner.com/a-587731~Committee_chairman__Campaign_finance_bill_is__onerous_.html

Committees formed to find water - 02/27/2007
Carroll has named the subcommittees of a new task force charged with finding more water, while activists launched public education efforts about conservation.
http://www.examiner.com/a-587746~Committees_formed_to_find_water.html

Community growth meetings delayed - 02/26/2007
The ice storm earlier this month delayed community meetings scheduled to give residents an opportunity to share their opinions on how Carroll should grow.
http://www.examiner.com/a-585815~Community_growth_meetings_delayed.html

Area buffeted, not bruised by snow storm - 02/26/2007
The Baltimore region may have had a winter-weather flashback Sunday as more snow started falling just as ice from last week’s storm finally disappeared.
http://www.examiner.com/a-585817~Area_buffeted__not_bruised_by_snow_storm.html

Carroll divided over global warming issue - 02/26/2007
Yes. No. Maybe.
http://www.examiner.com/a-585818~Carroll_divided_over_global_warming_issue.html

Orthodox Jewish women 'get' divorce support - 02/23/2007
A wife testified Thursday that a bill would free women “trapped” in Jewish marriages, but her husband blasted it as a constitutional and religious violation.
http://www.examiner.com/a-581102~Orthodox_Jewish_women__get__divorce_support.html

Route 32 may get new name, look - 02/22/2007
Carroll’s road task force decided Wednesday to continue investigating the advantages of renaming highways and pushing for the widening of Maryland Route 32.
http://www.examiner.com/a-578876~Route_32_may_get_new_name__look.html

Group: Warfield needs professional promotion - 02/21/2007
Carroll should hire a developer soon to promote the Warfield complex so it can flourish into one of the county’s largest business hubs, a commissioner-appointed group says.
http://www.examiner.com/a-576770~Group__Warfield_needs_professional_promotion.html

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