20070415 A Darn good article about Hillary Clinton

A Darn good article about Hillary Clinton

Wellesley Class Sees One of Us Bearing Standard

Posted April 15, 2007

Hat tip: Yikes! April 14th, 2007 by donsurber

http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/2007/04/14/caption-this/ “In case you missed it at the Drudge Report”

As I can only be sure that it is no surprise for anyone who has read my columns and blogs for the last number of years, I have never been an avid fan of New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

I doubt very seriously that I can, at this point, gather any information that would or could put me in a different direction as my thoughts have hardened over the years – and I’m convinced that she will say anything to get elected. Not to mention her palpable disdain for the military and law enforcement… and her love of big intrusive government, an expanded social-welfare state, and class warfare.

But the New York Times campaign piece from April 14^th, 2007 is a compelling read: “Wellesley Class Sees ‘One of Us’ Bearing Standard” By TAMAR LEWIN

Yes, I understand that the article appears in what many of us consider to be the national web site for liberals and the national Democratic Party (– just as the Baltimore Sun is the web site for the Maryland Democratic Party.)

But reading this piece gives any fair minded arbiter of national politics insight into the phenomena we know as “Hillary.”

For her Wellesley classmates, Hillary Clinton’s quest to become the first female president is a generational mirror. Some like what they see; others are less certain.

They were there for her fiery commencement speech, delivered at the height of the Vietnam War, when she described her class’s search for a “more immediate, ecstatic and penetrating mode of living” and said that every protest was “unabashedly an attempt to forge an identity in this particular age.” The speech landed Hillary Rodham in the spotlight as a celebrated archetype of a new generation of women.

“We were very proud of her: she was a feminist; she was outspoken,” said Jane Moss, a classmate who now teaches French at Colby College. “Hillary was speaking for all of us, for a generation that felt we weren’t being heard.”

From their days at Wellesley, where they attended Wednesday teas and fought to end parietal hours and curfews, to their pioneering careers in law, academia and science, the 400 members of that Class of 1969 have been marked by the profound shift in women’s roles that accompanied their coming of age.

Throughout their journey, Hillary Rodham Clinton has been both a standard-bearer and a touchstone to measure themselves against.

[…]

Read the rest here: “Wellesley Class Sees ‘One of Us’ Bearing Standard”

####

20070411 This week in the Westminster Eagle

This week in the Westminster Eagle

Posted Sunday, April 15^th, 2007

Local News

Resident hosts Climate Action Day
As an activist for a number of causes who says she's always looking for a petition to sign, Eldersburg resident Katie Sirk was excited about Step It Up 2007, a "Climate Awareness Day" being held this weekend at locations across the country.

But she was disappointed to find that the closest Step I...
[Read full story]

Sports Hall of Fame this Friday
The Rotary Club of Westminster has announced the inductees for the class of 2007 Carroll County Sports Hall of Fame.

This year's members of the hall will be honored at the annual Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, April 13, at Carroll Community College, beginning at 6 p.m.

There are currentl...
[Read full story]

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Carroll County News Briefs 04/11/07

Deadline next week for city council candidates

Next Monday, April 16, is the deadline for candidates to file if they want to run for the Westminster Common Council in the May 14 election……[…]

Man who held woman faces slew of charges

A Reisterstown man has been charged with beating, burning and forcibly tattooing a woman while holding her prisoner inside a Finksburg house for more than a month. […]

County Chamber honors Teachers of the Year

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce last week hosted its 19th annual Outstanding Teacher Awards ceremony.

The event, held April 4 at Winters Mill High School, serves as a prelude for the Carroll County Teacher of the Year award, to be determined in May. The chamber's honorees become the eight finalists for that title. The following teachers received the chamber's Outstanding Teacher Awards:

*Antonina Wallace of Carrolltowne Elementary School;

*M. Lynn Earp of Winters Mill High School;

*Rebecca A. Miller of Cranberry Station Elementary School;

*Lori A. Hayman of Sandymount Elementary School;

*Timothy J. Durkin of Liberty High School;

*Richard W. Thompson of West Middle School;

*Ruth A. Mason of Freedom Elementary School; and

*Hanna S. McNett of North Carroll High School.

[…]

The Literacy Council of Carroll County Inc. will hold its fund-raising event, the "SPELIN BE," on Thursday, April 26, 6 p.m. at the Career & Technology Center in Westminster.

Teams of three adult spellers (plus an alternate), sponsored by a business or community group, compete against each other in a spelling contest.

Joe Cimino will be master of ceremonies, District Court Judge Ellinghouse-Jones will be the pronouncer and Carroll County Public Library director, Lynn Wheeler, will be the judge……[…]

Teens encouraged to 'Speak Out' on alcohol

An alcohol awareness program for teens and adults, "Speak Out", will be held Saturday, April 21, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Community Media Center, 1301 Washington Road, Westminster. […]

Roads cited as Carroll's 'high collision' routes

Carroll County Sheriff's Office said this week that according to 2006 traffic fatality statistics, the county experienced a 41 percent increase in fatal traffic collisions compared to 2005.

Finishing the year with 24 fatalities, Carroll experienced the ninth highest rate of fatal traffic collisions among Maryland's 23 counties, according to the data.

A release from the Sheriff's Office stated that patrol deputies are directing traffic enforcement efforts toward roadways identified by citizen complaints and through traffic collision and enforcement analysis.

The office has identified several of the county roadways as "High Collision Routes," including:

*Route 97 between Route 140 and Airport Drive/Magna Way;

*Route 26 (Liberty Road) between Route 32 and White Rock Road;

*Route 26 at Route 27;

*Route 140 from Tyrone Road to Market Street;

*Route 27 from Route 140 to Route 482;

*Buckhorn Road;

*Middleburg Road;

*Salem Bottom Road;

*Union Bridge Road;

*Uniontown Road; and

*Woodbine Road.

[…]

Carroll Lutheran touts humor as good medicine

Lois S. Walden, RN, will speak on "Humor & Health: A Lesson in Laughter," on April 16, 2 p.m., in the Krug Chapel Auditorium at Carroll Lutheran Village.

Research shows that laughter can raise pain thresholds, reduce stress and even boost immune-system function.

Participants sought to help fill 'Art in the Park'

The Carroll County Arts Council, 91 W. Main St., is inviting artists to submit their work for display and sale at this year's "Art in the Park" event, to be held at the Westminster City Hall Park on Saturday, June 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m……

_____

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Cedarhurst puts faith in community

After acts of vandalism, church embraces 'rebirth'

Speaking publicly about a series of vandalism incidents last year was a difficult decision for the congregation at Cederhurst Unitarian Universalist Church in Finksburg.

But the decision to celebrate the congregation's renewal and rebirth was no...
[Read full story]

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Gym focuses on mobility for disabled
Last Saturday, Mandy Kent raised her hands above her head and waved them.

For most people that would seem an effortless feat, but for Kent, it was affirmation that she can hope for a better future.

Kent, 30, was born with spina bifida, and was in a wheelchair by the time she was 15. She has been...
[Read full story]

Recreation

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South Carroll defeats weather and Westminster

Westminster and South Carroll have been baseball rivals for nearly 40 years.

Since the two oldest schools in the county began playing in 1968, it's doubtful that they had to compete in weather conditions as brutal as last Thursday's game at South Carroll.

With game-time temperatures in the high 30s and a strong wind making it feel much colder, the teams had to battle the elements as well as each other.

The pitching of South Carroll's Garrett Harrison and timely hitting were the difference, as the Cavaliers rolled to a 7-2 victory over the Owls in the teams' only meeting of ...
[Read full story]

Wolf at the Door

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Before calling all cars, Sheriff's Office should take to the air

I've answered all e-mail from readers Schlitzer, Partenope, O'Sullivan and Brougham. For you rail fans, Allen Brougham has a great Web site, www.bullsheet.com, which not only has the greatest address ever, but has great reading material for those of us who miss the golden age of rail travel.

Meanw...
[Read full story]

The Passing Parade

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Dropping a hot potato in the commissioner's laps

That's how I'd describe the dilemma the commissioners find themselves in, having to choose between expanding the airport's runway for the county's financial gain -- by being able to handle larger corporate jets and serve as a "reliever airport" for BWI (general aviation planes only) -- or adopting t...
[Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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This 'Candy drive' benefits the East Middle School Bulldogs ... and the three Rs

Westminster East Middle School PTA president Candy Arnold is on a mission.

Ever since she took over the reins of the Parent Teacher Association, she has dreamed of having "an Art Deco-style marquee in front of our beautiful school."

East Middle School, which is located in the same building which...
[Read full story]

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This "image" of Helen Thomas and Ari Fleischer at a happy time is from About Political Humor.com. To see it larger, go to http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-fleischerhelenthomas.htm

Helen Thomas to speak at McDaniel College

Like the ever-ready bunny, at age 86, the "The First Lady of the Press," Helen Thomas soldiers-on in what many understand to be her single-minded mission to save the nation, even if she needs to do it all by herself.

A celebrated author, member of the White House Pres Corps, former United Press International reporter, and currently a Hearst newspaper columnist, Helen Thomas is slated to lecture at McDaniel College in Westminster Thursday evening, April 12.

In an era when the challenges faced by our nation are debated 24 hours a day by partisan talking heads well tra...
[Read full story]

For Better or Worse

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Many happy returns, thanks to a few bags of M&Ms
With four days to go until tax returns are due, most Americans fall into one of four basic groups:

1) Those who have already received their refunds;

2) Those who can't find their W-2s (but know they put them somewhere safe);

3) Those who are almost finished filling out their tax forms (they st...
[Read full story]

Business Briefs

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Main Street Minute
Main Street celebrates local Latino culture

Main Street remains a reflection of the taste, culture and ever-changing preferences of our community.

From the restaurants offering international cuisine to the boutiques offering unique and interesting finds, downtown offers diversity in all five sen...
[Read full story]

Community Calendar

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Community Calendar
ARTS

> A free guitar clinic, featuring Will Ray of the Hellecasters, will be held Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m. at Coffey Music, 31 E. Main St., Westminster. Free and open to all; sponsored by Coffey Music and G&L Guitars. Call 410-876-1045 or 410-848-5003.

> Francis Scott Key High School will pr...
[Read full story]

Education Notes
East Middle is finalist in a test of character

The Character Education Partnership has selected East Middle School as a national finalist in its National Schools of Character awards program, and representatives will make a site visit to the school next Tuesday, April 17.

The National Schools of ...
[Read full story]

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More Headlines

Consent order triggers new round of water review, planning

Cedarhurst puts faith in community

Annapolis session closes

[Local news archives]

####

20070415 Drug court is a good alternative

Drug court is a good alternative

Carroll County Times editorial for Sunday April 15, 2007

The Carroll County Times editorial for Sunday, April 15^th, 2007 is quite a worthy read and I certainly wish that I had written it: “Drug court is a good alternative.”

More people facing drug charges have a better opportunity to turn their lives around with the start Friday of Carroll County's Adult Drug Treatment Court.

Drugs courts cost more up front because they are more intensive in tracking, monitoring and supervising offenders, but they are more cost-effective in the long run if they are successful in reducing the number of repeat offenders.

[…]

Warden George Hardinger said last month that he is convinced incarceration is not the answer for drug offenders. Eighty to 85 percent of the people in the detention center are there for drug offenses, Hardinger said.

Simply put, throwing people in jail for drug offenses and then, after a period of time, allowing them to return to the same neighborhoods and engage in the same destructive behaviors only increases the chance that they will be back in jail before too long.

[...]

Read the rest of the editorial here: “Drug court is a good alternative.”

The Carroll County Times does not use permalinks. If you accessing this post after the link has gone dead, e-mail me at kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com and I’ll post the entire editorial.

And just so ya know… Yes there is quite a bit of information in the Carroll County Times that is worth calling to your attention. The reason that I don’t post items from the Carroll County Times more often than I do is because posting articles and columns that do not have a permalink is a hassle. Inevitably, I will have to double-back at a later date and place the entire article on the blog for folks frustrated at not being able to access it when they come across the post through a search engine…

20070415 Al Sharpton on FOX News Sunday

Transcript: Al Sharpton on 'FOX News Sunday'

Sunday , April 15, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,266213,00.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,266213,00.html

WASHINGTON —

The following is a partial transcript of the April 15, 2007, edition of "FOX News Sunday With Chris Wallace":

"FOX NEWS SUNDAY" HOST CHRIS WALLACE: Joining us now from New York to discuss the fallout from the Don Imus controversy is the Reverend Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist who was among the first to call for the radio host to be fired.

Reverend Sharpton, now that Don Imus is off the air, will you go after the rappers who say a lot worse things than Imus ever has, as well as the radio companies, the music record companies and the broadcast companies that make so much money off this kind of language?

REV. AL SHARPTON: I think the real question is whether or not the major media will cover our already having gone after some of the rappers and record companies that they have in some cases not covered. In some cases they have.

I led a campaign against the whole song "It's Hard Out Here to be a Pimp" and said it should have never gotten an Oscar nomination. I led a campaign and had marches against the show "Boondocks" that used the "N" word. Both are blacks involved.

Read the rest here: Al Sharpton on 'FOX News Sunday'

For more information on Reverend Sharpton go here: The Saga of Big Al Sharpton

####

20070415 April 15, 1949: Senator Tydings Delights Audience at Westminster High School

“Millard E. Tydings, U.S. Senator 1927-1951 and member of the University of Maryland Hall of Fame.”[1]
http://www.lib.umd.edu/univarchives/macmil/imgpg/tydings.html

UPDATE: Yes, he is the grandfather of Alexandra Tydings

Senator Tydings Delights Audience at Westminster High School

Democratic Advocate, April 15, 1949.

The invitations sent out by the Westminster Chamber of Commerce that Millard E. Tydings would make an address in the Westminster High School auditorium on Friday evening, April 8, drew an audience of over 500.

Senator Tydings spoke on many interesting subjects that was food for thought to the audience. He spoke of being in the first world war when he served as Colonel, and how dreadful the second was over the first.

But if another war comes it will be the most destructive in History and the U. S. will be involved deeply. He mentioned that the Marshall plan and the Atlantic Pact is something that will help prevent war if anything does. The binding of these nations into one pact will have a hostile country think before it strikes.

####

For additional information on Senator Tydings go here:
http://www.answers.com/topic/tydings-millard-evelyn

Also:

Millard E. Tydings: A Featured Biography - - From the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/Featured_Bio_Tydings.htm

Senator Millard E. Tydings (1890-1961) of Maryland used his sharp tongue and keen intelligence to battle two political giants. His first quarrel was with President Franklin Roosevelt over his New Deal programs and the president’s attempt to reorganize the federal judiciary.

Despite Roosevelt’s efforts to “purge” the Democratic Party of conservative critics such as Tydings in the 1938 mid-term elections, Maryland reelected Tydings with overwhelming support. Nearly two decades later, he battled Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin.

Appointed as chairman of a subcommittee to investigate charges of communist infiltration of the State Department, Tydings dismissed McCarthy’s claims, stating that the Senator had committed “a fraud and a hoax.”

McCarthy successfully sought retribution by helping to defeat Tydings in the 1950 election, making him one of the first high-profile victims of what would become known as McCarthyism.

TYDINGS, Millard Evelyn, (1890 - 1961)

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000446

Senate Years of Service: 1927-1951 Party: Democrat

TYDINGS, Millard Evelyn, (father of Joseph Davies Tydings), a Representative and a Senator from Maryland; born in Havre de Grace, Harford County, Md., April 6, 1890;

attended the public schools of Harford County; graduated from Maryland Agricultural College (now the University of Maryland) in 1910; engaged in civil engineering with the Baltimore Ohio Railroad in West Virginia in 1911; studied law at the University of Maryland Law School, Baltimore, Md.; admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Havre de Grace in 1913;

member, State house of delegates 1916-1921; speaker of the house 1920-1922;

served as a private on the Mexican border at Eagle Pass, Tex., 1916; enlisted as a private in the First World War in 1917; promoted to lieutenant colonel and division machine-gun officer in 1918; served in Germany with the Army of Occupation; discharged from the service in 1919;

author; member, State senate 1922-1923; elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-eighth and Sixty-ninth Congresses (March 4, 1923-March 3, 1927); was not a candidate for renomination in 1926, having become a candidate for United States Senator;

elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1926, 1932, 1938 and 1944 and served from March 4, 1927, to January 3, 1951; was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1950;

chairman, Committee on Territories and Insular Possessions (Seventy-third through Seventy-ninth Congresses), Committee on Armed Services (Eighty-first Congress);

nominated in 1956 as Democratic candidate for the United States Senate but withdrew before election due to ill health; engaged in the practice of law in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Md.;

died at his farm, ‘Oakington,’ near Havre de Grace, Md., February 9, 1961; interment in Angel Hill Cemetery.

Bibliography
American National Biography; Dictionary of American Biography; Keith, Caroline H. For Hell and a Brown Mule: The Biography of Senator Millard E. Tydings. Lanham, MD: Madison Books, 1991; Grant, Philip, Jr. “Maryland Press Reaction to the Roosevelt-Tydings Confrontation.” Maryland Historical Magazine 68 (Winter 1973): 422-37.

[1] Copyright Information: Permission to reproduce images found on this site is granted to educational institutions for non-profit administrative or educational purposes as long as any reproduction carries the following credit line: University Archives, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries. Requests to obtain and for permission to reproduce these photographs for commercial purposes must be directed to Anne Turkos, University Archivist, Archives and Manuscripts Department, Hornbake Library, College Park, MD 20742, 301-405-9060.

Citation Information: University of Maryland A to Z: MAC to Millennium is a Web-based compilation that we hope you find fun and informative. We encourage you to use the information it contains to broaden your knowledge of the University of Maryland, College Park, campus and to promote its history and accomplishments. If you use material from MAC to Millennium on another website or in a publication, we request that you properly credit the source of your information by listing the URL for MAC to Millennium's top page (http://www.lib.umd.edu/ARCV/macmil/intro.html) in your publication or providing a hotlink from your Website. For a further explanation of the use of images from this site, please see the Copyright Information above.
Citation: MAC to Millennium, University of Maryland Archives

20070414 The Zimmers My Generation

The Zimmers "My Generation"

Posted April 14^th, 2007

Hat Tip: Dave Barry – “IF YOU ARE, LIKE THIS BLOG, GETTING ON IN YEARS, BUT YOU STILL VIVIDLY REMEMBER THE SIXTIES...” Who in turn gives “thanks to Claire Martin.”

Added April 02, 2007 From oskpeturs

www.myspace.com/thezimmersband

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

The oldest and greatest rock band in the world - meet The Zimmers and their amazing cover of The Who's "My Generation".

Lead singer Alf is 90 - it's quite something when he sings "I hope I die before I get old". And he's not the oldest - there are 99 and 100-year-olds in the band!

The Zimmers will feature in a BBC TV documentary being aired in May 2007. Documentary-maker Tim Samuels has been all over Britain recruiting isolated and lonely old people - those who can't leave their flats or who are stuck in rubbish care homes.

The finale of the show is this group of lonely old people coming together to stick it back to the society that's cast them aside - by forming a rock troupe and trying to storm into the pop charts.

Some massive names from the pop world have thrown their weight behind The Zimmers... The song is produced by Mike Hedges (U2, Dido, Cure), the video shot by Geoff Wonfor (Band Aid, Beatles Anthology), and it was recorded in the legendary Beatles studio 2 at Abbey Road.

Look out for the single being released from May 21 - with proceeds going to a good cause.

And check out more photos and info at:

www.myspace.com/thezimmersband (more) (less)

20070413 Katie the cougar Couric goes triathlon

Apparently it was only a magical coincidence that Jamie Kelly and Katie Couric were "photographed" together recently at a Broadway outing to see “The Year of Magical Thinking.”

Katie the cougar Couric goes triathlon

April 13th, 2007

Hat tip: “Couric New Boyfriend 17 Years Her Junior”

When the buzz surfaced that Katie Couric had a new hunky love interest in her life, many in Carroll County were curious if it was our own Jamie Kelly of the Carroll County Times.

And my goodness, heaven only knows that Ms. Couric needs something positive in her life these days…

As you are aware rumors were flying last January that linked Jamie Kelly with Megyn Kelly of Fox News.

If there was anything to that rumor – it was never proven. As it has also been recently revealed that Mr. Kelly is NOT the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s child…

Nevertheless, phone calls to Jamie Kelly and his publicist requesting a comment on suggestions in the community that link him with Katie Couric - were not returned.

Now comes the New York Post with another theory as to the boy-toy in Katie, the cougar’s life in an article by Mark Bulliet and Jennifer Fermino on April 12^th, 2007, “Katie Cougar: New Love Is 17 Yrs. Her Junior.”

Who cares about ratings when you've got your very own hunky triathlete on the mark and ready to go?

Katie Couric's dishy new boy toy is a good-looking, physically fit, almost 33-year-old from Manhattan's East Side with a posh pedigree.

Brooks Perlin — son of financier Sanford Perlin of Darien, Conn. — has been running around with the perky anchorwoman-turned-cougar for several months, according to a source.

"These are two private people and I respect that," said Sanford Perlin Wednesday when reached at his office at Kleos Capital Management.

His mother, Anne Perlin, 68, didn't want to comment on her son's new 50-year-old girlfriend.

"I don't believe in any meddling in people's personal lives," she said.

When pressed, she added, "It's a lovely story and I hope we don't ruin it."

[…]

Last July, Perlin competed in the Greenwich Cup triathlon - where he swam, ran, and cycled - and finished in an impressive one hour, 19 minutes and 16 seconds.

Read the rest here: Katie Cougar: New Love Is 17 Yrs. Her Junior

I just hope this doesn’t give my wife any ideas about trading me in for a couple of twenty-five year olds…

####

20070413 Cindy Sheehan headbutts MoveOn.org

Cindy Sheehan headbutts MoveOn.org - and her own party

April 13^th, 2007

If you think the next two weeks in Washington are going to be interesting, it won’t compare to what the rest of the next two years’ll be like – if the left wing of the Democrats, as exemplified by Cindy Sheehan have their way..

Before it is all over, the biggest challenge for the Democrat Party will not be the opposition Republicans of President George W. Bush – it will be keeping the liberal netroots wing of the party from dragging responsible Democrats into alienating the American public with their hyperbole and theatrics.

As an avid follower of all things political, I have long understood that neither the conservatives nor the liberals speak with one voice. That within each camp of political ideology there are many opinions and at any given time – many disagreements.

Within the Republican Party there is a world of differences between moderate Republicans and conservative Republicans. Just as there is a world of differences between conservative Democrats and liberal Democrats.

In recent years I have always been amused when the mainstream media makes a big deal out of Republicans disagreeing with each other.

I, on the other hand, am uncomfortable when there is little in the way of discussion and dialogue, and various approaches put forth about any given challenge.

Andrew Sullivan said it best in a post on August 17th, 2005, “This red-blue thing isn't real: it's a grid put down on the landscape by lazy pundits in order to foster a conflict that isn't there so the people who profit from conflict can work their way with us.” (“20061128 Rashomon, My Dinner with Andre and Picking out the perfect tree”)

All that said I was doing some research the other night for a piece that has slowing been getting articulated on to my keyboard in which I greatly disagreed with my colleague Andrew Kujan’s post, “Bartlett Ignores Constituent Concerns over Iraq War.”

I have worked with Congressman Roscoe Bartlett for a number of years. And I think I know the 6^th Congressional District fairly well and - - well, I guess I just thought that Mr. Kujan’s post was not as thoughtful and deliberative as I find much of his writing. Several things he said are inconsistent with what it is that I believe to be the Congressman Bartlett I have come to know over the years – and the 6^th District.

I’ll get back to Mr. Kujan’s post at a later time – in another post.

In my research I came across “Congress and MoveOn” ...by Cindy Sheehan - - “The democratic congress has betrayed American voters, progressive supporters, and the troops in Iraq.” Seems that Ms. Sheehan has some issues with MoveOn and instead of opting to find some common ground for a cohesive and coherent loyal opposition approach to the policies of President George W. Bush’s administration, she has chosen to pee in her own Wheaties.

Now, as anyone knows who has followed by columns and blog posts for the last number of years, Cindy Sheehan has never impressed me as the most cogent contributor to any discussion about American foreign policy or the war in Iraq.

(August 24, 2005, “Cindy Sheehan’s Texas Quagmire:” “Just when you thought that Dr. Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was one fry short of a happy meal, in walks – stage left, way-left – Cindy Sheehan to super-size the totally bizarre state of political discourse in our great country.”)

When the Democrats won a majority in Congress in the last election, I predicted two things; the liberal Democrats will over-play their hand and leave conservative Democrats and Republicans behind shaking their heads.

And that the liberal wing of the Democrat Party would hijack the opportunity to lead and govern by acting out on the many real and perceived slights at the hands of Republican majority for so many years and would deteriorate into investigation after investigation and reprisal after reprisal.

But ultimately, the Democrats would deteriorate into so much infighting as to deny themselves an opportunity to lead the country in any different direction.

In order for the liberal Democrats to prevail in charting a different course they must find a course that brings along as many conservative Democrats and Republicans as possible. They must remain as cohesive – and coherent as possible.

As I wrote on April 4, 2007, “Dems declare war on Mormon Crickets:”

“In order to procure a winning, albeit razor thin, margin in the voting on the supplemental budget, both the House and the Senate bills were "so loaded with pork, congressmen could die of trichinosis," quipped political commentator Don Surber.

“And the numbers are staggering. President Bush's initial request was for $103 billion and yet the Senate tacked on $18.5 billion in earmarked pet pork projects, spending totally unrelated to the war effort and the House hung $20 billion onto the funding request.”

Then I read this piece by Cindy Sheehan posted on Michael Moore’s web site and I said a prayer for all my colleagues who fervent believe that our great nation must pursue a different approach in Iraq: “Congress and MoveOn.”

“THE DEMOCRATS ARE FUNDING IRAQ ESCALATION: The Democratic leadership has proposed $100 billion of supplemental funding for an increased troop presence in Iraq. The leadership opted for the "slow bleed" policy over a month ago. This extends the occupation for at least another 18 months, and allows permanent placement of troops thereafter for "training" or "combating terrorism." It also will permit the Bush Administration to initiate a war with Iran without Congressional oversight. The surge of 20,000 troops recently increased to 30,000 and will likely increase to 100,000 by year-end…”

[…]

“In 2002 the Democrats authorized Bush to invade Iraq (or any other country he deemed to support terrorism, for example Iran) in hope he would become involved in an unpopular war which would produce a Democratic White House.”

[…]

“As a consequence, Americans now think even more poorly of Congress than ever; the failure to withdraw from Iraq dropped Democratic support of Congress from 44% to 33% according to the latest Gallup poll. The Democrats failure to stem what has become a Democrats war will be a factor in the 2008 elections.”

[…]

“MoveOn is an autocratic organization run by a small group of elitist wannabe power-brokers; it cannot be reformed, but you can let their politburo know your feelings (eli@moveon.org, Namrita.Chaudhary@gmail.com, tom@moveon.org), and you can unsubscribe! You also can refuse to lend them your name (their petitions are mainly for fund-raising), your efforts, and your money, and instead join with one of the many active progressive and antiwar organizations (check out United for Peace and Justice- UFPJ for a detailed listing of local and national groups, which incidentally does not include MoveOn). None of the MoveOn leadership has served their country in the armed forces; like Dick Cheney and 95% of Congress they had more important things to do, which did not and do not include supporting the troops that are in harms way.

Ay caramba. Read the rest of her vitriol here – and say a prayer for the Democrats and our nation: “Congress and MoveOn.”

Want more? Read, “Leaders vs. Climbers.”

Or, “MoveOn moves in with Pelosi | Salon News:”

“I was annoyed by MoveOn's decision to deal with Iraq war legislation in a pragmatic and incremental fashion. I see a fundamental disconnect between their grassroots organizing and rhetoric on the one hand, and the pragmatic lobbying that led them to endorse Pelosi's rather weak bill on the other. A similar annoyance among many of MoveOn's members is the subject of Farhad Manjoo's latest article in Salon, MoveOn moves in with Pelosi.”

Or read: “the art of the possible:”

“I always find it distressing and absurd when politicians bemoan that only so much of their agenda is politically possible, then proceed to do absolutely nothing to actually move the goal posts of possibility by spending their political capital. I am bemused by Congressional Democrats and their apologists who point out that only so much progress on ending the war can 'pragmatically' be made, and thus we must compromise and accomplish what little we can.”

Read the rest here: “the art of the possible.”

It is going to be a really interesting two years.

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20070412 NJ Governor Corzine critically hurt in car accident

N.J. Governor Corzine critically hurt in car accident

Let’s keep him in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recover…

Corzine undergoes surgery; injuries not considered life-threatening

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18081876/

NBC News and news services

April 12th, 2007

CAMDEN, N.J - Gov. Jon S. Corzine was critically injured Thursday when his motorcade crashed en route to a meeting between radio personality Don Imus and the Rutgers women’s basketball team, a doctor said.

Corzine, 60, suffered numerous broken bones but his injuries were not considered life-threatening, officials said. He was recuperating early Friday at Cooper University Hospital in critical but stable condition after two hours of surgery to repair …

Read the rest here: N.J. Governor Corzine critically hurt in car accident

20070411 Giles has mighty pen for Lions' essay competition

Giles has mighty pen for Lions' essay competition

Westminster Eagle Focus on People 04/11/07

Jeffrey Giles, a 10th-grader at Westminster High School, recently won the annual American Heritage Essay Contest hosted by the Westminster Lions Club.

Contest entrants were asked to write on the topic, "Independent Judges: A Necessity in the Preservation of Our Constitutional Form of Government." Giles' essay was judged the best by a panel of Lions Club representatives.

As the local winner, Giles was invited to read his essay with other district-level winners at a Lions' cabinet meeting on March 31.

The winners were also presented with an American flag and a $100 savings bond.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=978&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1262597&om=1

20070411 Giles has mighty pen for Lions' essay competition

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20070410 CC Delegate Stocksdale’s MGA session wrap-up

Carroll County Delegate Nancy Stocksdale’s end of session wrap-up

April 10th, 2007

Dear Friends:

We have just concluded the 2007 Legislative Session, and I want to tell you about some of the legislation we voted on this year.

As with every Session, the most important thing we must accomplish is to approve a budget for the State. This year, Governor O’Malley’s budget used almost a billion dollars from the Rainy Day Fund to give as much money as possible to every State-funded group who asked for it. Our House Appropriations Committee spent from January to March analyzing the budgets of each agency. We tried to limit the increases over last year’s budget. We even reduced the general fund budget by $186.8 million. Subsequent to our reduction efforts, Governor O’Malley sent four supplemental budgets which then spent the money we had reduced from his original budget!

When the budget was introduced on the House floor, the Republican Minority Leader offered an amendment that would have kept the budget at the 2007 level with just a limited number of exceptions. That amendment was rejected, and the $30 billion dollar budget passed the House of Delegates. Minor changes were made during the conference committee between the Senate and the House budgets, but we have neglected to control spending or to try to decrease the size of the upcoming $1.5 BILLION structural deficit. Thirty-seven tax bills were introduced this year to take $4 billion dollars from our citizens. Although most of these bills did not pass, look out for next year! There are rumors that (Senate) President Miller will be asking the Governor to call for a special session to pass tax increases and slots.

Listed below are some of the other bills which we debated :

Jessica’s Law (HB 930) - The voices of thousands of Marylanders were heard this Session by the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee who voted on the Jessica’s Law legislation. The “Bill O’Reilly Show” focused on House Judiciary Committee Chairman, Joe Vallario, who was not supportive of this bill last year. Delegate Vallario is a trial lawyer who does not believe in mandatory sentences. The bill, which was named for the nine-year-old girl from Florida who was r---d and buried alive in a plastic bag, mandates a 25-year prison term with no parole for first-degree r--- or sex offenses against a child under the age of 13. The bill is waiting for Governor O'Malley's signature. PASSED.

Chesapeake Bay Green Fund (HB 1220) – This bill would impose a tax based on the square foot of impervious surfaces on residences and commercial buildings. Impervious surfaces include the roof, driveway, and parking spaces. The cost per square foot began at $2.00 but was amended before it was voted on in the House of Delegates. It is now $.50 per square foot for residential and $1.00 per square foot for commercial. The vote was 96 – 41 in the House, and it was then sent to the Senate where it did not move out of committee. FAILED.

Higher Education – Tuition Charges – Maryland High School Students (HB 6) Even with the budget deficit of $1.5 billion dollars looming for next year, the House of Delegates approved HB 6 (81 to 57 vote) giving undocumented immigrants in-State tuition rates at our universities. Tuition for Maryland residents at the University of Maryland College Park is $7,969 a year, and tuition for non-residents is $22,208 a year. The legislature has frozen tuition rates for the past two years which means that the taxpayers are paying a larger share of the cost for tuition with money from the General Fund. The bill only requires a student to attend a Maryland high school for two years before that student can apply for in-State tuition up to five years after graduation, regardless of residence. As long as the parents have paid Maryland State tax, the undocumented or illegal immigrant is eligible to attend either a community college or a four-year institution. The bill does not require an applicant to live in the State of Maryland. For example, a parent may be employed in Maryland but live in Delaware, West Virginia, or another neighboring State and have Maryland taxes withheld. This Maryland tax is refunded to the non-resident, but the student can attend our schools at in-State tuition rates. The bill does not require a length of time for employment in Maryland. Someone could work for only one day and qualify for in-State tuition! This legislation is so unfair to the Maryland residents who are here legally and who have paid Maryland taxes for long periods of time and, many, for a lifetime. There are only a limited number of slots for students in our universities and our own students may be denied acceptance. This was a terrible bill, and all of the Carroll County Delegation voted against it. It was debated in the Senate committee but was not brought out for a vote. FAILED.

Vehicle Laws – Drivers’ Licensing of Illegal Aliens – Restrictions (HB 537) - This bill stops illegal immigrants from getting a driver’s license. FAILED.

Voter Registration Protection Act (SB 488/HB 544) - This allows an individual convicted of any crime, with the exception of buying or selling votes, to register to vote if not actually serving a court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any term of parole or probation. Although this bill did not make it out of the House, the Senate bill did succeed in passing in both chambers and is waiting for the Governor’s signature. Your Carroll County Delegation voted against this bill. PASSED.

Clean Indoor Act of 2007 (HB 359/SB 91) - Smoking ban for restaurants and bars passed in both houses but in different forms. An amendment was offered to prohibit smoking altogether in Maryland to really protect our health. The amendment was defeated. The Senate bill excluded private clubs such as the VFW and the American Legion. After the conference committee, the bill banned smoking in all restaurants and bars with no exclusions. However, companies which can prove they will suffer financial hardships as a result of the ban may request a waiver effective until January 31, 2011. After that date, there will be no smoking in any public business. PASSED.

Election Law – Presidential Primary Election Date (HB 1434/SB 1025) This moves the Presidential Primary Election from March 4 to February 12. Another election related bill, Election Law - Voting Systems - Voter-Verified Paper Records (HB 18) requiring a paper trail was passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. PASSED.

State Procurement Contracts - Living Wage (HB 430) This bill will require a contractor who does work for the State to pay a certain wage. In Baltimore City, Prince George’s, Montgomery, and Baltimore Counties, the wage will be $11.30 while in the other counties the living wage will be $8.50. This bill was heavily debated in the House of Delegates. Carroll County Delegates feel this a discriminatory bill because of the wage differential in our county. The Senate debated the bill on the last day of the Session and passed it with a 31- 16 vote in favor. PASSED.

Carroll County Bond Bills –

The Capital Budget Sub-committee approved a $100,000 bond bill for the Danele Shipley Arena at the Agriculture Center, and a $100,000 bond bill for the Martin K. Hoff Memorial Log Barn.

The Department of Juvenile Services appropriated $3,329,000 for the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau’s new building.

For school construction, Carroll County received a total of $8,219,443. The money will be used for Ebb Valley Elementary which will receive $5,600,000 and Freedom Elementary which will receive $1,479,000. The remainder of the money will be divided between Ebb Valley Elementary and Mt. Airy Middle for a new roof.

All of the legislation requested of the Delegation by the Carroll County Commissioners was passed:

1. Abatement of Nuisances – Ongoing Violations

This provides that if both a property owner and occupant have been notified more than twice during a 12-month period of a specified nuisance violation (overgrowing weeds, accumulation of refuse, presence of stagnant water or combustible materials), the nuisance is considered to be an ongoing violation and additional notification is not required before the county takes action to abate the nuisance.

2. Pretrial and Work Release Programs

This authorizes the Sheriff of Carroll County to establish a pretrial release program that offers alternatives to pretrial detention and to adopt regulations to administer the program.

3. Bingo and Gaming Events – Qualified Organizations

This will permit outside organizations to come to Carroll County and conduct bingo or a gaming events.

4. Public Facilities Bonds

This authorizes the commissioners to issue up to $80 million in bonds for acquisition, construction, improvement, or renovation of public buildings, facilities, and public works projects, and for installment purchase agreements for the acquisition of easements on agricultural and forestry lands.

I feel it is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Annapolis. Although we may not agree on everything, your opinions are important in my decision making. I appreciate hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Nancy R. Stocksdale