20090514 NYT: Robert Rauschenberg American Artist Dies at 82

Robert Rauschenberg, American Artist, Dies at 82

May 14, 2008 By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN

Robert Rauschenberg, the irrepressibly prolific American artist who time and again reshaped art in the 20th century, died on Monday night at his home on Captiva Island, Fla. He was 82.

The cause was heart failure, said Arne Glimcher, chairman of PaceWildenstein, the Manhattan gallery that represents Mr. Rauschenberg.

Mr. Rauschenberg’s work gave new meaning to sculpture. “Canyon,” for instance, consisted of a stuffed bald eagle attached to a canvas. “Monogram” was a stuffed goat girdled by a tire atop a painted panel. “Bed” entailed a quilt, sheet and pillow, slathered with paint, as if soaked in blood, framed on the wall. All became icons of postwar modernism.

A painter, photographer, printmaker, choreographer, onstage performer, set designer and, in later years, even a composer, Mr. Rauschenberg defied the traditional idea that an artist stick to one medium or style. He pushed, prodded and sometimes reconceived all the mediums in which he worked.

Building on the legacies of Marcel Duchamp, Kurt Schwitters, Joseph Cornell and others, he helped obscure the lines between painting and sculpture, painting and photography, photography and printmaking, sculpture and photography, sculpture and dance, sculpture and technology, technology and performance art — not to mention between art and life.

Mr. Rauschenberg was also instrumental in pushing American art onward from Abstract Expressionism, the dominant movement when he emerged, during the early 1950s. He became a transformative link between artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning and those who came next, artists identified with Pop, Conceptualism, Happenings, Process Art and other new kinds of art in which he played a signal role.

No American artist, Jasper Johns once said, invented more than Mr. Rauschenberg. Mr. Johns, John Cage, Merce Cunningham and Mr. Rauschenberg, without sharing exactly the same point of view, collectively defined this new era of experimentation in American culture.

Read the entire article here: Robert Rauschenberg, American Artist, Dies at 82

Highlights From the Archive

Art Review | 'Robert Rauschenberg: Transfer Drawings From the 1960s'

A Rarely Seen Side of a Rauschenberg Shift

By ROBERTA SMITH

The transfer drawings that Robert Rauschenberg made in the 1960s are seldom seen, especially in large numbers, which makes this exhibition an event of great interest.

March 8, 2007ArtsNews

Leisure/Weekend Desk

Art Out of Anything: Rauschenberg in Retrospect

By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN

It is largely, if not exclusively, thanks to Robert Rauschenberg that Americans since the 1950's have come to think that art can suggest that the stuff of life and the stuff of art are ultimately one and the same.

December 23, 2005ArtsReview

Arts and Leisure Desk

The Robert Rauschenberg Reunion Tour

By CAROL VOGEL

At 80, Robert Rauschenberg moves with great difficulty, relying on a walker and two assistants, although he still has his bluff good looks and easy smile.

December 18, 2005ArtsNews

Leisure/Weekend Desk

The Met Purchases a Rauschenberg Painting

By CAROL VOGEL

The Metropolitan Museum has acquired its first painting by Robert Rauschenberg: ''Winter Pool'' (1959), one of the artist's classic combines.

November 18, 2005ArtsNews

Leisure/Weekend Desk

The Modern Buys 'Rebus'

By CAROL VOGEL

After more than a month of much publicized negotiations, the Museum of Modern Art has finally acquired ''Rebus,'' one of Robert Rauschenberg's seminal paintings.

June 17, 2005ArtsNews

Connecticut Weekly Desk

Master of Mixed, And Stirred, Media

By BENJAMIN GENOCCHIO

Although Robert Rauschenberg made his most memorable art in the 1950's and 1960's, he has continued to forge insistent if occasionally off-beat prints.

February 13, 2005New York and RegionReview

Connecticut Weekly Desk

Rauschenberg: Autumn Of an Art Patriarch

By BENJAMIN GENOCCHIO

At 78, his right side partly paralyzed after a series of strokes, Robert Rauschenberg, one of the most influential artists of the postwar era, isn't ready to clean his brushes yet.

June 27, 2004New York and RegionNews

Leisure/Weekend Desk

Under Rauschenberg's Spell, Mundane Turns Uncanny

By KEN JOHNSON

''Robert Rauschenberg: Current Scenarios,'' an exhibition at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, touches on just three distinct moments in the long career of one of the most influential artists of the last 50 years.

March 19, 2004ArtsReview

Aloft and Close to Nature, Fine-Feathered Birds in Constant Flux

By CLAUDIA LA ROCCO

The details inevitably snag the eye, as they did on Sunday when the Merce Cunningham Dance Company performed the third of eight Events, as they are called, at Dia:Beacon.

May 20, 2008

Rauschenberg Got a Lot From the City and Left a Lot Behind

By ROBERTA SMITH

Here’s what’s on view right now and what will be brought out of storage or rearranged to honor Robert Rauschenberg in the coming weeks.

May 16, 2008

Bob the Builder

By DAVID BYRNE

Robert Rauschenberg’s openness and generosity of vision was contagious and inspired others in their work to see the whole world as a work of art.

May 16, 2008

Paid Notice: Deaths RAUSCHENBERG, ROBERT

RAUSCHENBERG--Robert. The members of The Lotos Club mourn the loss of their distinguished colleague and longtime friend, Robert Rauschenberg, and send condolences to his family.

May 15, 2008

Robert Rauschenberg, American Artist, Dies at 82

By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN

Mr. Rauschenberg, who time and again reshaped art in the 20th century, defied the traditional idea that an artist stick to one medium or style.

May 14, 2008

Paid Notice: Deaths RAUSCHENBERG, ROBERT

RAUSCHENBERG--Robert. The American Academy of Arts and Letters notes with sorrow the death of this esteemed artist. His loss will be deeply felt. RAUSCHENBERG --Robert. The Trustees and the Staff of the Whitney Museum of American Art note with deep sadness the passing of Robert Rauschenberg. A beloved friend of the Museum, he was a maverick who worked without boundaries, continually rethinking traditional techniques and categories of media. He embraced everyday objects as suitable materials and...

May 14, 2008

Rauschenberg and Dance, Partners for Life

By ALASTAIR MACAULAY

Something inherently theatrical about him prompted Robert Rauschenberg to his boldest, freshest conceptions on stage.

May 14, 2008

A Life Made Out of Wood, Metal and Determination

By ANDREA K. SCOTT

“Constructing a Legend,” an exhibition at the Jewish Museum, is the first New York museum show of Louise Nevelson’s work in 27 years.

May 9, 2007

To Be Is to Undo

By BENJAMIN GENOCCHIO

A Jersey City show samples a Rutgers faculty member’s 50 years in destructivism.

March 4, 2007

Even in the Digital Age, a Strong Case for Printmaking

By MARTHA SCHWENDENER

“Artistic Collaborations: 50 Years of Universal Limited Art Editions” marks the half-century milestone for the workshop and its association with the Museum of Modern Art.

February 12, 2007

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20080513 Le peintre Robert Rauschenberg est mort by Le Monde

Le peintre Robert Rauschenberg est mort

LEMONDE.FR | 13.05.08 | 20h59

http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3382,36-1044570,0.html?xtor=RSS-3208

Robert Rauschenberg est mort dans la nuit du lundi 12 au mardi 13 mai, a annoncé à l'AFP Jennifer Roy, porte-parole de la galerie Pace Wildenstein à New York. Le peintre, qui avait 82 ans et était né au Texas en 1925, est décédé à Captive Island, en Floride, où il résidait. Il était également sculpteur, chorégraphe, photographe et compositeur.

Trois œuvres de Robert Rauschenberg sont proposées aux enchères de printemps mercredi soir par le marchand d'art Sotheby's. L'une d'elle, Overdrive (1963), était estimée entre 10 et 15 millions de dollars dans le catalogue, édité avant le décès de l'artiste.

En août 2005, dans un entretien au Monde, le peintre se remémorait ses débuts et évoquait la période de l'expressionnisme abstrait. "J'aime le mouvement de la main", racontait-il.

Read the entire article here: Le peintre Robert Rauschenberg est mort

20080513 A disappointing case of déjà vu all over again

A disappointing case of déjà vu all over again

May 13, 2008

Good morning.

In order to cromulate and embiggen any festering disgruntification you may or may not be feeling this Monday morning consider comparing the following two position papers pasted below… One appeared in the Carroll County Times on Sunday, May 11, 2008 and the other appeared in The Baltimore Reporter on Saturday, May 10^th, 2008.

The points that are made in the piece are not the issue. The issue for me is that if a Democrat or a liberal had the piece published in the local paper, my response would have been: Probably like you, I’d rather read a writer’s original thoughts… So whose original thoughts are in the piece(s?) Fairness requires I ask the same question, even thought the “writer” of the piece in the Carroll County Times is a conservative…

I’ll explain more in a minute. First, I digress…

Whether I agree or disagree with a particular writer on any given matter; I thoroughly enjoy the Carroll County Times “Other Voices” opinion pieces.

Differences of opinion and minor stylistic disagreements over journalistic standards are ultimately essentially inconsequential and not noteworthy if the columnist writes well.

Although I continue to stumble when I am keenly aware of what is factual and what is not and wonder why it is that newspapers allow letters to the editor and opinion pieces to state things of which we know not to be true. And worse yet – then continue to draw “facts from conclusions” instead conclusions from facts. (Credit TBB for teaching me that…)

A silly example can be found here: Dog park isn't worth the cost. Which caused this response: Dog park not in county budget. Or find it here: 20080503 Dog park not in Carroll County budget – but ya don’t mess around with Jim

Of course, as is usually the case with opinion writers in many newspapers and especially blogs; there are a few opinion writers who would rather infer that those that disagree with them are somewhat less intelligent. Ultimately, they must live with the reputation of having written in such a slipshod manner.

Then again, I cannot throw stones about concluding that certain advocates “I have met with to be knowledgeable, committed to their cause, and for the most part, completely, and totally wrong.” (March 3, 2008 General Assembly Journal 2008 – Volume 3 The Mid-way Point by Richard B. Weldon Jr.)

One particular opinion writer in the Carroll County Times has a vested interest in President Bush being president for life as he will never – ever have anything else to write about if he can’t engage in Bush Derangement Syndrome. It gets so tedious and boring after awhile…

As someone smarter than me once wrote: A pet peeve of mine is when a writer takes a stance on an issue that is so far to the left or right that it takes away from the validity of the opinion.

Nevertheless, what I am about to call to your attention offends my delusional but nevertheless functional sense of journalistic standards and I’m betting it will annoy you.

The writer of the second piece is a former schoolteacher and an elected official and I expect better and I’m sure you do too. In my experience, she has an extraordinary grasp on the issues and can discuss public policy capably and competently. So, she could have at least re-written the canned position paper and interjected some of her original thoughts… before she ran it in the paper…

In all candor, I do ghost writing and help develop position papers, but I usually expect my pieces to only be credited to the person for whom I wrote the piece.

And oh… again, the points made in the piece are quite good. I’ve covered several of them in my Tentacle columns in the past.

*****

A Message from the Republican House Leadership by O’Donnell and Shank

5/10/2008— Robert Farrow @ 3:52 pm Crossposted from Red Maryland

A Message from the Republican House Leadership

http://www.baltimorereporter.com/?p=5359

House Minority Leader Tony O’Donnell and House Minority Whip Chris Shank have a message for the people of Maryland, and they have asked to come here to RedMaryland to present it. And here it is:

Recent coverage of the repeal of the computer services tax in Maryland is reminiscent of George Orwell’s book 1984. Some of the same legislators who argued strenuously in favor of the tax during the legislative special session, are now hailed as heroes of the repeal effort. As a few issues have been confused and distorted, we would like to take this opportunity to clarify some facts from our perspective… […]

20080511 Tax decisions will hurt state By Nancy Stocksdale

Tax decisions will hurt state By Nancy Stocksdale Sunday, May 11, 2008

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/05/11/news/opinion/opinion/opinion642.txt

Recent coverage of the repeal of the computer services tax in Maryland is reminiscent of George Orwell's book "1984."

Some of the same legislators who argued strenuously in favor of the tax during the legislative special session are now hailed as heroes of the repeal effort. As a few issues have been confused and distorted, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify some facts from my perspective… […]

####

Kevin Dayhoff

www.kevindayhoff.net

http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff

http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

http://gizmosart.com/dayhoff.html

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

Accept differences, Be kind, Count your blessings, Dream, Express thanks, Forgive, Give freely, Harm no one, Imagine more, Jettison anger, Keep confidences, Love truly, Master something, Nurture hope, Open your mind, Pack lightly, Quell rumors, Reciprocate, Seek wisdom, Touch hearts, Understand, Value truth, Win graciously, Xeriscape, Yearn for peace, Zealously support a worthy cause. (Author; Renee Stewart)

20080513 A disappointing case of déjà vu all over again

*****

20080512 West Middle School to celebrate its 50th anniversary

Westminster West Middle School to celebrate its 50^th anniversary

By Kevin Dayhoff May 12, 2008

This Saturday, West Middle School, 60 Monroe Street in Westminster, will celebrate its 50^th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Currently one of nine middle schools in the county for grades six through eight, it was originally built in 1958 alongside the William Winchester Elementary School on a 24-acre portion of the old Albaugh and Babylon farm.

When it was first constructed it was named the Westminster Junior High School and it housed grades seven through nine.

This Saturday the festivities will include 1950s food refreshments, videos and interviews and an antique car show. If you are one of the more than 20,000 students who attended either the middle or junior high school there, this is a wonderful time to revisit. The event is open to the public.

For more information please call the school at 410-751-3661 or go the school’s 50^th anniversary web site at: www.carrollk12.org/wml/anniversary.htm.

Kevin Dayhoff can be reached at: kdayhoff@carr.org

####

20080511 Bryan Schutt watch

Bryan Schutt watch

May 11, 2008

One of the latest reporters, who write for the Carroll County Times, that I have been following recently, is Bryan Schutt.

He has only been with the paper since March of 2008. He came to the Times after he earned his B.A. in Journalism in December of 2007 at Penn State University. And for a Yankee, he really doesn’t write badly at all.

Of course, as many readers are aware, I read writers. Too often, the headline for any particular article is misleading and the lead paragraph – the slug – is all too often a compromise between a writer and a copy editor who wants to punch up some interest in the piece.

So I read writers – not headlines.

I first met Mr. Schutt at the Main Street Mile event in Westminster and he asked good questions. He is typical of so many of the new young reporters that arrive at the Times; eager and energetic.

Of course, some of the new ones present as clueless and have an attitude. He seems to have some confidence. There is a big difference between attitude and confidence.

However, as I mentioned before, he asked good questions. And for the female readers, he looks like he is an avatar from GQ.

Of course, one of the first assignments they often get is Westminster city government. What a tough assignment as the current administration has mistaken transparent government to mean translucent; and no group of elected officials around manages the news as well as these folks.

As is so often the case with young reporters, especially at the Times, they fail to challenge their sources.

Anyway - one of several pieces I have taken notice of recently were the two articles on hybrids. I own a Prius and I love it.

*****

As gas prices continue to climb, companies are looking for new ways to power autos In 1985, a Ford Escort was rated at 26 combined miles per gallon. Twenty-three years later, the new heavily advertised Ford Focus is rated at a combined 28 mpg, according to fueleconomy.gov, a Web site that rates fuel efficiency. A 1988 Honda Civic r... May. 11, 2008

Hybrid owners pleased As a retiree, 66-year-old Kenneth Vrtacnik is determined to be economical. “Any way I can save, as far as the environment goes, I try to,” Vrtacnik said. The Westminster resident said he used to commute to Washington, D.C., astride his Ha... May. 11, 2008

Manchester to review fiscal year 2009 budget Fighting the same rising costs of health care, electricity and gasoline prices as other towns, Manchester’s town officials said they worked to save money and create a balanced budget that provides similar services to the town, at similar prices... May. 12, 2008

Taking to the skies: Maryland residents experience one-of-a-kind ride in World War II training plane There were no decorated pine trees, no sprinkled and shaped cut-out cookies and no familiar ringing sounds from the Salvation Army bell but sure enough, it was Christmas at the Carroll County Regional Airport Sunday for two Maryland residents. Vid... May. 12, 2008

Westminster overhauls Capital Improvement Plan Budget concerns became a reality in Westminster Monday, when the proposed Capital Improvement Plan featured a scaled-back fiscal year 2009 budget. The Westminster Common Council was presented with a CIP drastically different from the one originally a... Apr. 29, 2008

Westminster Flower & Jazz Festival offers gift ideas for mom Flowers and mothers go hand in hand, and Westminster has a history of successfully joining the two for its annual Flower & Jazz Festival. Always scheduled for the day before Mother’s Day, the festival is a prime opportunity for last-minute Moth... May. 9, 2008

Driven by her dad’s influence, Nancy Weller isn’t easily intimidated and is certainly capable of pulling her own weight Big-block engines, turbo chargers, and plain-old raw horsepower used to be exclusively under a man’s domain, but not anymore. Video Nancy Weller of Taneytown has been competing against and beating her male counterparts in tractor-pull compe... Apr. 28, 2008

City officials tout budget document's new look Westminster’s new budget document represents a bright spot in an otherwise tough fiscal year to plan, according to city officials, and now, they say it’s time for residents’ input. While the old budget was about 25 pages of numbers,... May. 5, 2008

History lives Today, Dan Graf of Hampstead will be at work as a plant operator for Maryland Paving. Video Sunday, Graf was roughing it outdoors, dressed in his wool Confederate uniform and battling Union soldiers. Graf was one of about 300 re-enactors taking pa... May. 5, 2008

Postage rates to increase Soon-to-be graduates and married couples getting ready to mail thank-you cards and invitations might want to make a trip to the post office to stock up on Forever Stamps before May 12. In tune with other rising costs across the country, many of the U... May. 3, 2008

Special Olympics Sportsmanship, activism primary themes of county games Video Hundreds of athletes and volunteers crowded Westminster High’s Ruby Field for the annual Carroll County Special Olympics Wednesday. Competitors, ages 8 to 58, competed in a range of ... May. 1, 2008

Proposed Westminster plan focuses on water, sewer issues Although city officials say Westminster needs additional funding for street work, water and sewer funds make up the majority of the six-year Capital Improvement Plan that was proposed during this week’s Common Council meeting. The water and sew... Apr. 30, 2008

Carroll Police Brief for Monday, May 12, 2008 Theft Milton Charles Humble, 26, of the 4300 block of Middleburg Road in Union Bridge was arrested Sunday by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and charged with being a fugitive from justice from the state of Pennsylvania. His original charges... May. 12, 2008

Carroll Police Briefs for Monday, April 28, 2008 Driving while impaired - Ryan Dorsey, 35, of the unit block of James Street in Westminster, was arrested by Westminster police Saturday and charged with driving while intoxicated and driving while impaired. He was released on his own recognizance. - ... Apr. 28, 2008

Westminster council delays budget hearing Westminster city officials decided to hold off on the fiscal year 2009 budget public hearing because they believe the city government needs to re-evaluate the lack of funds put forth for city streets in the Capital Improvement Program. Instead, the C... May 6, 2008

20080511 The Gunpowder Chronicles

The Gunpowder Chronicles

Sunday, May 11, 2008

The folks over at The Gunpowder Chronicle are thinking out loud that maybe Ed Hale Should Stop Talking?: Eddie Hale -- robust supporter of O'Guvnah and would be land-baron of Baltimore -- spoke up at the annual 1st Mariner Stockholder's Meeting and prognosticated that the stock had reached its lowest point, and was poised for a rebound. More – click here.

While you are over there graze several other posts that are worthwhile:

Happy Birthday Israel: Thursday, May 8, 2008 was the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Israel.

Way to Go Steve Larsen and O'Guvnah!: Remember how O'Guvnah promised us in his 2006 campaign how the O'Guvnah era in Maryland Politics would usher in a brand new Public Service Commission... one not "so connected" with power utilities that they regulated? How rate increases would be rolled back? How electricity would be made affordable again?

The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions: Of course, the ACLU and the liberal lawyers are leading the way. Just ask the victims of former Guantanamo detainee Abdullah Salih Al Ajmi.

20090511 Westminster Municipal Elections May 11 2009 Dates and Overview

20090511 Westminster Municipal Elections May 11 2009 Dates and Overview

May 11, 2008

Municipal Elections take place on the second Monday in May during odd-numbered years. The Mayor and the five Council Members serve four-year terms.

In 2009, the election will be held for the positions of Mayor and two Council seats. The terms of Mayor Tom Ferguson, Councilman Kevin Utz and Council President Roy Chiavacci expire on May 11, 2009

In 2011, the election will cover the remaining three Council seats.

ELECTION INFORMATION

Registered voters in the City of Westminster as of March 4, 2008: 9,772

Votes cast in recent elections:
2003 - 578
2005-1,106
2007-411

Upcoming election: May 11, 2009

Polls are open from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Voters residing on the West side of Maryland Route No. 31 vote at the Community Center, 325 Royer Road and voters residing on the East side of Maryland Route No. 31 vote at the John Street Quarters of the Westminster Fire Company

Important deadlines include:

1. Monday, April 13, 2009 - deadline 5:00 P.M. for both voter and candidacy registration

2. Monday, May 1, 2009 - final date to submit absentee ballot requests

3. Monday, May 11 - election and announcement of winners at the regular Mayor and Common Council meeting

4. Monday, May 18, 2009 - special biennial Council organizationalmeeting

20080510 Dog attacks horses fatally injures one by Mary Gail Hare

Dog attacks horses, fatally injures one

There are many aspects of this sad story that are outrageous. Pick our own: The frequency of pit bulls involved in vicious attacks; or the apparent lack of responsibility on the part of the dog owner; and/or the apparent lack of consequences for the dog’s owner…

Pit bull's owner previously fined for unsecured animal

www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-md.ha.pitbull10may10,0,1398426.story

By Sun Reporter Mary Gail Hare May 10, 2008 baltimoresun.com

A young male pit bull attacked several horses pastured at a northern Harford County farm Wednesday, injuring one so severely that it was put down. Another horse might not survive its injuries and a third has nearly 50 stitches on its face, officials said.

Harford County animal control officials ordered the dog destroyed yesterday.

"Based on information from witnesses and past history, this dog was considered potentially dangerous and had to be destroyed for the safety of this neighborhood," said Pamela Arney, Harford's animal control officer.

The dog was often seen running loose in the Forest Hill area near the Grier Nursery Road farm. Twice since March, Jonathan Russo, the dog's owner and the farm's neighbor, had been fined $60 for not securing the animal. Russo, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, received another $95 fine Thursday.

[…]

The dog grabbed a 6-year-old Welsh pony by the nose and hung on, despite the horse's efforts to shake it off. It took 45 stitches to close the pony's bite wounds. The dog then chased a 2-year-old Chincoteague pony and tore at its left hind leg so deeply that its survival remains in question. A 350-pound yearling sustained a fatal injury when the dog grabbed its foreleg and pulled it down. The deep bites exposed joints and tendons on the Welsh pony cross and its leg was broken.

[…]

"I know its owner has rights, but along with that comes responsibility," Klein said. "This dog was unpredictable and vicious."

Wilson, the horses' owner, credited Klein with saving the remaining animals. She has mounting veterinary bills, already in excess of $1,500 and has lost a horse worth about $7,000, she said. As of yesterday, Wilson said that Russo had not contacted her.

Read the entire article here: Dog attacks horses, fatally injures one

20080503 Dog park not in Carroll County budget – but ya don’t mess around with Jim

Dog park not in Carroll County budget – but ya don’t mess around with Jim

May 7^th, 2008

As if developing the Carroll County Budget is not difficult enough this year, here comes a debate and discussion about a “dog park” that is not even in the budget.

I have often wondered why newspapers print letters to the editor that state things that are not true by most accepted standards… In this case, the item was brought to the commissioners’ attention and they voted it down…

As far as the commentary as to what a paper reports upon and what it does not – that has been an item of discussion since the beginning of newspapers and that debate will continue for eons into the future.

Although I can certainly understand the writer’s frustration, writing so caustically about the paper’s sense of prioritization may very well not be a well-considered strategy.

I suggest that the writer pull out an old copy of the Jim Croce classic, “You Don't Mess Around with Jim” the next time he considers hitting the “send” button.

“You don't tug on Superman's cape/You don't spit into the wind/You don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger/And you don't mess around with Jim”

*****

Letters to the editor Saturday, May 03, 2008

Dog park not in county budget

by Carroll County Commissioner Michael D. Zimmer

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/05/03/news/opinion/letters/letters661.txt

Editor:

On April 28 the Times printed a letter to the editor containing inaccurate information regarding county funding for a dog park in our budget process.

The writer was under the mistaken impression that such an appropriation was supported by the Board of Commissioners. This is actually the direct opposite from the truth.

This was a proposal requested by our Parks and Recreation Department, but not recommended by the Budget Department in the recommended budget. Such items receive a direct appeal to the board from the department head and an up or down vote by the commissioners.

In this case when the Parks and Recreation head made his appeal I told him that I could not support such an appropriation under any circumstances and that I was not persuadable on this point.

On April 16 when the board deliberated and voted on various budget requests all three of us voted not to fund the dog park. There were a number of significant proposals from me that occurred at that meeting. As of the writing of this letter the Times has not reported on the content of this meeting.

For example the Times did not report on my suggestion that we offer tax relief during the meeting. It did not report my request to delete a future position from the County Attorney's office and cease having a designated liaison to the General Assembly from the County Attorney's office. And the Times hasn't reported that I suggested defunding the position of Planning and Development Policy Coordinator.

I don't blame the letter writer for not knowing the facts on the dog park being voted down. He's obviously using the Times as his primary news source.

Michael D. Zimmer Eldersburg The writer is a member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners.

Dog park isn't worth the cost

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/04/28/news/opinion/letters/letters665.txt

Editor:

It was with total dismay and astonishment that I read the article on the county commissioners' support of a dog park costing over $70,000.

A dog park? Talk about government being involved in every aspect of our lives.

This is further evidence that county taxes should be lowered. The commissioners obviously have more money than they know what to do with.

How about giving some of it back to the taxpayers instead of blowing it?

William Yost Westminster

20080430 New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food by WCBS TV

New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food - 'Sin' Tax Could Help Fund Struggling Hospitals

Apr 30, 2008

From the folks in “New Jersey, where in 1992 the Health Department made it illegal to serve undercooked or raw eggs. Violators could be fined $25 to $100. Hysteria resulted. Consumers bemoaned the governmental intrusion into their breakfast tables. Politicians pointed fingers. The law was quickly changed.” [20001208 Egg fans uneasy about FDA's 'No over easy' advice Egg fans uneasy about FDA's 'No over easy' advice December 8, 2000 In this story: Waiter! Take back these eggs!; How risky are soft-boiled eggs?; Reducing the risk]

Now New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food…

Meanwhile, I sure hope this doesn’t give members of the current Maryland administration or Maryland General Assembly any ideas…

New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food - 'Sin' Tax Could Help Fund Struggling Hospitals

Apr 30, 2008 Christine Sloan Reporting

NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) ― The sputtering economy has caused an increase in prices of many staples including gasoline, rice, ice cream, even beer. Now some lawmakers in New Jersey are considering taking food taxes a step further and install a proverbial "sin" tax on fast food.

Yes, the idea of marking up your favorite fast food burger or pack of fries is actually being tossed around, and it's not settling well with many residents.

[…]

The thought of taxing a Big Mac or a Wendy's burger came up at a New Jersey Hospital Association meeting where Gov. Jon S. Corzine was asked if it could be an option to help fund struggling hospitals. At the meeting, he reportedly called it a "constructive suggestion."

A spokesperson for the governor, however, told CBS 2 on Wednesday:

"The governor is open to reasonable solutions to help solve our financing problems, but there are no plans for any fast food tax."

State Sen. Richard Codey has been quoted as saying a tax on fast food "is a tax on the poor." And plenty of residents agree.

[…]

Still, some say taxing fast food isn't such a bad idea.

"I think this country has gone too much in the direction of fast and unhealthy food, and if people are taxed they may terminate that and turn toward more healthy foods," said West Orange resident Maureen Felix.

For now, the fast food tax is just an idea. Detroit lawmakers once toyed with it, but it never passed into law.

http://wcbstv.com/local/fast.food.tax.2.712510.html

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Jessica Simpson: Then & Now

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20080507 Statement By USDA Secretary Ed Schafer On HSUS Animal Cruelty Video

Statement By USDA Secretary Ed Schafer On HSUS Animal Cruelty Video

WASHINGTON, D.C. May 7, 2008 "Late last week, the Humane Society of the United States notified me that they were in the early stages of an investigation into the mistreatment of farm animals transported to livestock auctions and stockyards. The dairy cattle shown in the video were non-ambulatory and were abandoned in parking lots of these auctions and yards. These animals were not in slaughter facilities. However, even though this is not a food safety issue, these actions of animal cruelty are not acceptable.

"USDA's authority to regulate the treatment of animals includes the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and the Animal Welfare Act. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act protects animals when they are presented for slaughter at federally inspected establishments. The Animal Welfare Act allows us to ensure the proper care of live animals when used in biomedical research, testing, and exhibition. When animals fall within our authorities, USDA has acted to prevent animal cruelty such as this.

Policies for humane handling of animals, however, consist of a combined effort of federal, state, and local authorities, as well as private industry. Since learning about this investigation, we are reaching out to states and industry groups to address this issue.

"In my conversation with the Humane Society last week, I expressed my sincere desire to work with them to resolve these atrocities, and I trust USDA was given all the information HSUS has on this issue so we can thoroughly address it. It is essential that we work together in good faith to address these issues, and ensure that animals are treated with care and dignity."

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=219717

20080507 TSCRA Responds To HSUS Criticism Of Auction Market Cattle Handling

TSCRA Responds To HSUS Criticism Of Auction Market Cattle Handling

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 7, 2008—At noon today, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a long-time critic of animal agriculture in this country, released a video and news release calling attention to the alleged mishandling of downer cattle at livestock auction markets in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Texas.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), responded to the report on the incidents in the four auction markets, putting these cases into the larger national perspective.

LMA President Jim Santomaso points out, “America’s 1,200 livestock marketing businesses annually handle an astounding number of livestock. In 2006, according to government figures, 35.6 million head of cattle and calves moved through those markets. The overwhelming majority of those markets practice appropriate handling of all livestock moving through their businesses – because proper handling is both a humane and economic necessity.”

In Texas alone, TSCRA market inspectors check the brands and ownership of 4 to 6 million head of cattle sold through auction markets each year. TSCRA First Vice President Dave Scott, who is affiliated with livestock auction markets in Sealy and Brenham, says, “We have more than 80 men and women working in more than 100 livestock auction markets each week in Texas. It is regrettable that four isolated incidents have been highlighted by HSUS, but our experience tells us that with upwards of 4 million head marketed each year in Texas, mishandling of cattle at auction markets is not a widespread problem.”

TSCRA, working with the Texas Beef Council and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, offers free training in livestock handling procedures to all interested parties in Texas through the Texas Beef Quality Producer (TBQP) program.

Ashby Green, DVM, vice president of producer education, NCBA, says, “To date, in cooperation with the nation’s livestock markets, we have distributed more than 2,000 cattle care and handling training videos to the nation’s 1,250 livestock markets and other cattle sales locations, as well as veterinarians who work with these operations. Additionally, we are in the process of conducting hands-on staff training sessions at livestock markets led by cattle handling experts.”

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 131-year-old trade organization whose 15,000 members manage approximately 3.7 million cattle on 96.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement services, livestock inspection, legislative and regulatory advocacy and education opportunities for its members.

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=219716

20080507 MDA Investigates Animal Treatment at Westminster Livestock Auction Market

MDA Investigates Animal Treatment at Westminster Livestock Auction Market

MDA CONTACT: Sue duPont, 410-841-5889 or Julie Oberg, 410-841-5888

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 7, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is investigating a report of inhumane treatment of a non-ambulatory cow at the Westminster Livestock Auction in Westminster, Maryland on the evening of April 22 following a complaint by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

“MDA will not tolerate violations of its animal welfare laws and regulations and has been working to update and make them more stringent,” said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson. “The report at the Westminster livestock auction is under investigation and we expect to have a determination with proposed regulatory action within two weeks.”

MDA licenses and regulates livestock auctions in the state and has an inspector on-site when an auction is taking place. The MDA inspector on duty at the Westminster auction was advised that the animal was down but was not aware of any mistreatment. The inspector responded the next day when notified of the HSUS complaint.

MDA has clear regulations governing the humane treatment of livestock at auction markets (COMAR 15.11.17) and each licensed market is provided a copy of the rules and protocols that they are required to follow. MDA has taken action to strengthen its penalties against anyone who violates state animal health laws and regulations.

House Bill 227, proposed by MDA and passed by the 2008 General Assembly, gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to issue administrative penalties (fines) of up to $10,000 in cases where these laws and regulations are broken. In addition, MDA is currently reviewing its livestock market and dealer regulations to determine what actions are needed to strengthen them.

Specifically in response to the Westminster Livestock Auction Market situation, MDA has reviewed and revised its protocols for inspectors at livestock auctions to include: reporting and tracking downed animals; officially informing the livestock auction management of action that must be taken; and following up the day after a sale to make sure that the appropriate disposition of any downed animals has taken place.

“We have been in the process of revamping our laws, regulations, and protocols that safeguard the health and welfare of the livestock under our jurisdiction for a number of years,” said State Veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus. “Livestock auction markets have a legal and ethical responsibility to treat animals humanely and if they don’t, they will be penalized.”

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Attachment: Q & A: Westminster Livestock Auction

http://www.mda.state.md.us/

20080507 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Pandering of Tulipomaniac Proportions

Kevin E. Dayhoff

In last week’s episode of “Democolypse Now,” the continuing saga of the deconstruction of America by the 2008 presidential campaign, we find Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton proposing a summer suspension of the federal taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel.

To be fair, the idea was first floated by the presumptive Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain, who has otherwise never been mistaken for an economist.

In a breath of fresh air, Sen. Barack Obama does not support the “Clinton-McCain Gas Tax Holiday” initiative. He rightfully has cited that the idea to suspend the 18.4-cent federal gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day would save the average American only about $30, and the federal government would lose about $10 billion in revenue.

(Of course, it is not fully known as to how his now-former pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, feels about the gas tax holiday idea. As an aside, please, never hold me responsible for some of the insufferable sermons I have endured from liberal pastors in my past.)

Read the rest of the column here: Pandering of Tulipomaniac Proportions

Blacks on The Precipice

Tom McLaughlin

I am confused about Black America. What is the message Barack Obama and his supporters are sending?

Improving The Chesapeake – Part 2

Farrell Keough

Yesterday we explored the health of the Chesapeake Bay. We noted various terms like Point Source and how Atmospheric Deposition can break down into those constituents which are to blame for the algae blooms and low oxygen levels within the Bay.

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Improving The Chesapeake – Part 1

Farrell Keough

We are facing yet another crisis. The Chesapeake Bay has algae blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels. After years of studies, programs, and billions of dollars, it seems we cannot prevent this body of water from being listed on the impaired waters list of the Clean Water Act.

Another View of “Wright”

Derek Shackelford

This last week of the primary presidential election season has not been about politics. It has more exemplified a mini-drama series.

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Monday, May 5, 2008

Even when you know you're right…

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

...you might still be wrong. Seems obvious, right? So obvious that it shouldn't have to be said. Unfortunately, in spite of the clear nature of the conclusion, the business of politics is about absolutes.

Our 10 Most Dangerous Concepts

Steven R. Berryman

It has been said many times over the last week that before we can solve a problem, we first must be able to identify it; and thus get our arms around it. In many instances, by the simple act of stating the outline correctly, one can be drawn to solutions.

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Friday, May 2, 2008

Color Them Very Purple

Roy Meachum

"The Color Purple" musical arrived on Baltimore's Hippodrome stage the night after the Rev. Jeremiah Wright staged his amazing performance of ego gratification at Washington's National Press Club.

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Thursday, May 1, 2008

A Missed Opportunity

Tony Soltero

Nearly 30 years ago, as oil prices soared and waiting lines at gas stations overflowed, President Jimmy Carter laid out a proposal to deal with it. The following is from a speech he delivered in the summer of 1979:

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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Seeing Red-Eye in the Camera

Kevin E. Dayhoff

The discussion and debate over speed and red light cameras continues to reverberate. It is one of a number of headaches lingering in the aftermath of the recent and unusual session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Las Vegas Finale

Tom McLaughlin

“Las Vegas was built and runs on tips” was the advice given to the bus load of passengers as we returned from the Grand Canyon in a not so subtle hint. To make sure we got the point, on the “menu” at the National Geographic Center where we were served the most god- awful lunch probably prepared from the remains of animals on failed expeditions, was advice on how much to tip him, which was between $5-$10 depending on the service.

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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

New Know-Nothings

Roy Meachum

When the county commissioners overwhelmingly rejected the notion of adopting English as Frederick's official language, I could but stand and cheer. The proposal came from Charles Jenkins, and I have no reason to doubt his motives.

Hardly Ablesons

Nick Diaz

I’m an ardent admirer of the United States of America, my adopted country, which welcomed me to these shores a half century ago. This great country has provided me with opportunities I wouldn’t have faced, had I remained in Communist Cuba.

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Monday, April 28, 2008

General Assembly Journal 2008 – Volume 11

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Any General Assembly wrap-up would be incomplete without a scorecard of the work of the Frederick County Delegation. Normally, this column avoids conflict with other delegation members, and focuses on the back-and-forth with the county. Not this time, kiddies! Ahead: some serious onion peeling!

Free Money!

Steven R. Berryman

Congratulations for being smart enough to be in the United States of America. Everything is free here. And when you run out of money to spend, we’ll give you some of that, too. In Frederick County, if you can’t read this, I’ll bet there will be a sign on a bus in Espanol repeating it soon.