Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Monday, November 20, 2006

20061119 John Bolton and his recent remarks on the UN

John Bolton and his recent remarks on the UN

November 19th, 2006


Baltimore native John Bolton has once again called to our attention the lunacy of the UN.

The Baltimore Reporter has a must read post on the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton: “Wow, read this:.”

The U.S. Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, launched a scathing attack on the United Nations Friday.

Read the rest here. It is well worth the time…

The Baltimore Reporter concludes with:

“And the Dems want to get rid of this guy! As Curt said, the United Nations continues to make a mockery of themselves with these self-serving resolutions brought on by some of the worst of the worst on this planet. He could not be more right. He could not be more right. How many resolutions has there been against Palestine and Hezbollah compared to Israel?

The UN should either be reformed or shut down. And only a man like Bolton will do it.”

I’ll add one more “should.” In my August 2, 2006
Tentacle column, I wrote: “Confirm Joltin' John Bolton:”

“On March 7, 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Baltimorean John R. Bolton to be the United States ambassador to the United Nations. It is time for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - as well as the entire upper chamber - to confirm our Maryland-bred leadership in the U.N…”

Read the rest here.


Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 19, 2006

20061119 Another good post in “Plugged In” by Jordan Bartel



This bit of news sickens me and I'm sure I can't be alone.

It was announced Wednesday that O.J. Simpson will appear in an interview with Fox TV, scheduled to air on Nov. 27 and 29.

Brace yourself for the deeply disgusting part. In the interview, Simpson, 59, will talk about "how he would have committed" the slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Perfect for television sweeps, huh?

I literally felt sick to my stomach when I heard the news. I don't think I've ever been so outraged with my profession as I am with this vile form of journalism that FOX has concocted. Simpson should be ashamed and FOX should be condemned for even giving him a venue.


Read the rest here. It does not disappoint as Mr. Bartel writes what is clearly on many of our minds, “Excuse me if I go and throw up a little bit. And excuse me if I need to shower. It's all just, pure and simple, filth.”

I have been
finding Mr. Bartel’s work in the “Encore” section of the paper; but he is an Arts and Entertainment reporter, whose work, in addition to his articles appears in the “Encore” and “In Focus” sections of the paper.

_____
His series of columns presents that it would be good material for a blog.

Word on the street is that the paper has been talking about doing more with blogs. With writers available like Mr. Bartel, Justin Palk, Jamie Kelly, Carrie Ann Knauer, Marjorie Censor and Diane Reynolds, just to mention a few, it very well may be time for the newspaper to let some of this talent loose.

Ms. Knauer’s “blog” during the last Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair were very well received and proved that the
Carroll County Times could do their own “Maryland Moment” well.

With the next session of the Maryland General Assembly on the horizon, many of us would love to see Justin Palk do a “Reporters Notebook,” like what the
Frederick News-Post does, or a “Maryland Moment,” by the Washington Post. Check out Clifford Cumber’s section of The Reporter’s Notebook.-

I know the infra-structure of the web site continues to be a concern, however, the structure of one’s web site is always a concern (see “
Under Construction” and “20060927 This site is under construction,” or here…)

But it would serve the paper well, to redouble their efforts, especially since Internet ad sales just broke another record in the second quarter of 2006.



Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org www.thetentacle.com Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report www.thewestminstereagle.com www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20061119 Nancy Pelosi vows to knock some heads


Nancy Pelosi vows to knock some heads

November 19th, 2006



Nov. 15, 2006 (Rhoiders) Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi, seen here as she approached a Democratic caucus meeting, has vowed to knock some heads after her set-back in the choice of her rival MD Rep. Steny Hoyer for the No. 2 House leadership post.**

Hoyer Claims No 'Bad Blood' With Pelosi

By HOPE YEN, The Associated Press, Sunday, November 19, 2006; 3:24 PM

WASHINGTON --
Rep. Steny Hoyer acknowledged Sunday he was seeking assurances from incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi that she would not retaliate against his supporters after he won the No. 2 House leadership post.

Hoyer, D-Md., insisted there was "no bad blood" with Pelosi after she publicly supported
Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania for the job of majority leader. Hoyer said he was confident Pelosi would not punish House colleagues who voted 149-86 last week to make Hoyer the majority leader when Democrats take control in January…

OMG, I simply could not imagine a vindictive unpleasant Speaker-elect Pelosi. Whatever would make Representative Hoyer think that?

I really appreciated
Crablaw, peering out from beneath the dust of the construction work taking place on his site, to call to our attention yet another wonderful moment of irreverence by the fearless leader of the Maryland Blogger Alliance, Attila, of the Pillage Idiot:

Pillage Idiot Takes On Pelosi and the New Democratic Congress Attila - perhaps the least likely satirist on the Maryland web to be smacked with the label "politically correct" - takes on the incoming Democratic majority and Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi. posted by Bruce Godfrey at 11/18/2006 10:40:00 AM PERMALINK

But first;
Crablaw, I liked your old site, so what is your site going to look like when you are finished with the “UNDER CONSTRUCTION?”

Meanwhile, I thoroughly enjoyed “
Nancy Pelosi rearranges the House,” and you will too. Go check it out.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
www.thetentacle.com Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report www.thewestminstereagle.com www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

**I need to acknowledge, once again, that the inspiration of this “PillageShop” is the
Pillage Idiot and in a circumspect manner, Jousting For Justice’s recent post: “…And this is how I feel.”

20061118 Repeated violations shake Cedarhurst Universalists

20061118 Repeated violations shake Cedarhurst Universalists

Repeated violations shake Cedarhurst Universalists

BY Diane Reynolds, Times Staff Writer Saturday, November 18, 2006

"The best way to fight this is to have the community condemn it," (Rev. Henry Simoni-Wastila) said.

(Rev. Henry Simoni-Wastila) quoted Booker T. Washington: "I will let no man take me down so low as to let me hate him."

FINKSBURG - The meditation garden, built by the church's youth group, is quiet now, layers of fallen yellow leaves muffling sound.

A brightly painted peace pole in the garden, made by the congregation's children, shines in the morning light.

But the memories of the peace pole's desecration, swastikas scrawled on tables at the sanctuary's entrance and BB gun shots through the church's windows have sent a chill of fear through the congregation.

A spider web pattern of cracks caused by a BB remains in the one window that has not been repaired.

For a period of several weeks from late August into September, the Cedarhurst Unitarian Universalist Association's church in Finksburg was repeatedly vandalized.

[…]

"The best way to fight this is to have the community condemn it," he said.

Simoni-Wastila came to two Westminster Ministerium meetings to gain support, said Tim Thomas, president of the Westminster Ministerium, a consortium of local churches.

"Everyone was of one accord in wanting to condemn any kind of violence and vandalism," Thomas said.

The ministerium also wanted to affirm Simoni-Wastila personally, Thomas said, and give him encouragement.

The Rev. Dan Knight, pastor of First Church of God of Westminster, agreed.

"My heart goes out to Henry as one member of the clergy to another," he said.

[…]

(Rev. Henry Simoni-Wastila) quoted Booker T. Washington: "I will let no man take me down so low as to let me hate him."

[…]


Read the rest of the article here: Repeated violations shake Cedarhurst Universalists

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2006/11/18/features/religion/religionhatehitschuch.txt

20061119 Commissioner Perry Jones







On Thursday afternoon, November 16th, 2006, I had errands to run. I made a point of stopping by a Carroll County Board of Commissioners’ meeting for a bit of historic nostalgia as it would be one of the last meetings in which my good friend of many many years, Commissioner Perry Jones would appear in his official capacity as a Carroll County Commissioner.

The sound in the video is not good, (well – actually, it is essentially non-existent) but I just wanted to capture a brief visual of Perry conducting his official duties.

Also in the video is Commissioner Dean Minnich, and with his back to the camera, Carroll County Chief of Staff, Steve Powell.

I also attended the appreciation luncheon for Commissioner Jones last Friday, November 17th, 2006, and commissioner administrative assistants Cindy Parr and Tim Feeser did a wonderful job with the event.

In what could have been a sad or even maudlin event, Cindy and Tim kept it light and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

About 200 folks attended (?) in what was not quite a roast at all, but was never-the-less appropriately respectful with enough irreverent moments to make it delightful.

(I had been asked to participate in the hilarious video that was shown at the event and my schedule would just not quite allow it – and wow, do I regret it. The video was quite a bit of fun.)

For those
who are not aware of the circumstances. Commissioner Jones was not re-elected in the general election on November 7th, 2006.

His leadership and sense-of-presence will be greatly missed.

He served previously, for approximately 21 years , as an elected official of Union Bridge – as did his Dad before him. The last number of years, he served as mayor.

He was very helpful for me when I was the mayor of Westminster.

He is extraordinarily friendly, accessible and knowledgeable about government.

Four years can be a long time in politics; however,
many of us are looking forward to Perry coming back in four years.

Best of luck to ya Perry. Thank you for your wonderful service to Carroll County. Don’t be a stranger.

####

20061118 Cruise and Holmes why should I care

Why should I care that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are now married.

November 18th, 2006


According to the Associated Press, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are now married.

Just why should I care?

Ho Hum, yawn. Am I the only person who doesn’t give rat’s behind about anything Tom Cruise?

AP says: “BRACCIANO, Italy - Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes exchanged vows Saturday in a lavish, star-studded wedding celebrated in a fairy-tale setting: a glowing 15th-century castle in this medieval lakeside town…”

Although Ben Stein has said it better than me, (see “
20050122 Ben Stein's Last Column,”) my feelings remain as I wrote several years ago; “I always felt such Hollywood and sports hero worship sent the wrong message to our children and demonstrated a wrong set of values for our community. My heroes have always been teachers, soldiers, police officers, fire fighters and public servants.” (20011111 On Veterans Day and Heroes)

####

20061118 Leadership of Carroll Co Republican Central Committee elected

Leadership of Carroll Co Republican Central Committee elected

November 18th, 2006

I received an e-mail earlier on Saturday, November 18th, 2006 announcing the newly elected members of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee.

I have appreciated working with former Chair David Jones and want to thank him for all his work for the party. And – I’m looking forward to working with the new Chair Larry Helminiak.

We have lots of work to do…

For Immediate Release:

The newly elected members of the Republican State Central Committee of Carroll County met on Thursday November 16, 2006 to elect its leadership. The leadership results are as follows:

Chairman - Larry Helminiak
Vice Chairman - C. David Jones
Treasurer - James E. Reter
Secretary - Joe Burns, Jr.

The Carroll County Republican Central Committee encourages interested Republicans to visit their website at
www.ccgop.net for events, activities and local Republican Club news.

####

Friday, November 17, 2006

0061116 US Navy Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard Drill Team

US Navy Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard Drill Team

Added to YouTube on October 10th, 2006

Hat Tip: Grammy





"The US Navy Presidential Ceremonial Honor Guard Drill Team performs in Norway and executes their drills to perfection. ... "

Thursday, November 16, 2006

20061116 Cabinet Row at the Carroll Co Commissioners’ Open Session Meeting

Cabinet Row at the Carroll Co Commissioners’ Open Session Meeting




On Thursday afternoon, November 16th, 2006, I had the opportunity to stop by the Carroll County Office Building and sit in on the Open Session portion of the Carroll County Commissioners’ meetings.

Seen in this video is what I refer to as “Cabinet Row.” From left to right is Vivian Laxton, Public Information; Scott Campbell, Public Safety; Bill Hall, Public Safety; Rob Burke, Comptroller, Tim Feeser, administrative assistant for Commissioner Julia Gouge and Cindy Parr, administrative assistant for Commissioner Perry Jones.

Notice above are photos of the three current Carroll County Commissioners, Perry Jones, Julia Gouge and Dean Minnich.


####

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20061116 Carroll Co. Office of Public Safety Special Weather Statement




CARROLL COUNTYOFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETYSUPPORT SERVICES




“A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, A GREAT PLACE TO WORK, A GREAT PLACE TO PLAY”

225 N. CENTER ST., WESTMINSTER, MD 21157

410-386-2877, Fax: 410-848-3794

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

November 16, 2006


A low pressure system will move through the Central Maryland area today. The system will bring 1 to 1 ¾ inches of rain to the Carroll County area.

These rains could result in isolated flooding of streams and low lying areas.

The system contains winds aloft in the 50 – 70 mile per hour range. As the system moves through the area, the possibility of a thunderstorm or two exists.

During the storms, the high winds aloft will be pushed to ground level and wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour are possible. In the absence of a thunderstorm, winds throughout the day should remain in the 10 – 20 mile per hour range with occasional gusts to 30 mph.


The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for our area until 6 PM this evening.

There is a cold front moving west to east that is pushing the low pressure system along at a fast pace. The low pressure system is expected to be out of the Central Maryland area and on the Eastern Shore by 10:00 PM tonight.


November 16, 2006 11:00 AM

20061115 Taney Taneytown and Tupac Shakur



Taneytown, Roger Taney, Raphael Taney, Dred Scott and Tupac Shakur

November 15th, 2006




Maryland Blogger Alliance member
Crablaw has pondered in a November 11th, 2006 post, as to whether or not Taneytown was named after Roger Brooke Taney, the fifth Chief Justice of the United States from 1836 until his death in 1864. Chief Justice Taney lived from March 17, 1777 – October 12, 1864.

Another Maryland Blogger Alliance member,
Maryland Conservatarian, joined Crablaw in discussion in the comment section.

First things first, as far as
Crablaw’s oblique suggestion that Taneytown re-name Main Street to “Tupac Amaru Shakur Boulevard;” perhaps he may wanna take that up with Taneytown Councilman Paul E. Chamberlain Jr.

The idea is a great example of an opportunity to discuss semiotics and syntagma…

But I’ll tell ya what, if ya know anything about 2Pac’s life, you don’t wanna ever
go jaywalking [21][22] on Shakur Boulevard.

For the rest of this post, I’m going to play referee over the matter as to whether or not Taneytown was named for the fifth Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

As to the discussion over the historical legacy of Chief Justice Taney,
Crablaw is an attorney and I will defer to him on the Dred Scott decision and Chief Justice Taney’s place in judicial history. Although I had to smile at Maryland Conservatarian’s observations… But ultimately, I’ve got just enough horse-sense not to get between the two of them… Although I’ll enjoy watching.

I am quite conflicted on Chief Justice Taney myself. Above and beyond the moral challenges with what the fifth Chief Justice ad lib-ed in the Dred Scott decision, (great example of a violation of Occam’s Razor,) I tend to agree with many scholars that say:
“The Dred Scott decision was widely condemned at the time … as an illegitimate use of judicial power.”

Then again, the gentleman was a Federalist for pity sake, what does one expect…?

But ultimately Chief Justice Taney was an extraordinarily complicated and conflicted man. I mean, study this sentence and make some sense out of it: “…who had supported a broad role for the federal government in the area of economic regulation, Taney and the other justices appointed by Jackson more often favored the power of the states…”

And yet he helped start the Panic of 1837 by helping undermining the Second Bank of the United States.

Okay – this all hurts my head, so moving on to something I do understand; Taneytown was named, to the best of my knowledge, after Raphael Taney, who, along with Edward Diggs, “founded” Taneytown on May 2nd, 1754. I am not aware as to whether Raphael Taney was related to Chief Justice Roger Taney?

Most of my notes on Chief justice Taney are self-study and hand written from over 30 years ago, so for a quick and convenient double-check, I used Wikipedia. I might add that I have found mistakes in Wikipedia, but for something like this, I’m betting that it is correct…

Roger Taney was once a nearby Frederick, Maryland resident, but, according to Wikipedia: “Taney began his political career in Maryland in 1799 as a Federalist, elected at age 22 to the House of Delegates. After he was defeated for reelection in 1801 he moved to Frederick, Maryland, where he practiced law until 1823, when he relocated his family and practice to Baltimore… He married Anne Phebe Charlton Key, sister of Francis Scott Key, in 1806.”

Wikipedia calls to our attention, “He was the first Roman Catholic to hold this office. Taney died on the same day that his home state of Maryland abolished slavery.”

In consideration of his participation in the “Dred Scott Case,” I like the part where he “died on the same day that his home state of Maryland abolished slavery.”

Again, using Wikipedia for convenience, “Dred Scott v. Sandford,
[1] 60 U.S. (19 How.) 393 (1857)[2], known as the "Dred Scott Case" or the "Dred Scott Decision", was a lawsuit decided by the United States Supreme Court in 1857 that ruled that people of African descent, whether or not they were slaves, could never be citizens of the United States, and that Congress had no authority to prohibit slavery in federal territories. The decision for the court was written by Chief Justice Roger Taney.”

As mentioned earlier, Taneytown was “founded” on May 2nd, 1754 by Edward Diggs and Raphael Taney (taalw-nee), who were granted “a patent under the designation of ‘The Resurvey of Brothers Agreement of 7900 acres.” This, according to a history written by Miss Elizabeth Annan, which was published in September 1954 in a “Bulletin of the Historical Society of Carroll County – Special Taneytown Issue,” upon the occasion of the Taneytown bi-centennial.

But land in what we now know as Taneytown today was first obtained on April 14, 1744. I mention this because many folks find it of interest that in 1744, what we now know as Taneytown was in Prince George’s County until Frederick County was formed in 1748. It later became part of Carroll County on January 19th, 1837.

“Lots were laid out and the first deeds registered in 1762…”

I hope this was helpful. In the words of Tupac, “
I Ain't Mad at Cha"




Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20061115 Fallfest Checks awarded to local Charities




Fallfest Checks awarded to local Charities

November 15th, 2006

According to a portion of an article by Katie V. Jones in the Westminster Eagle, “Spreading Fallfest proceeds:”

This year's Westminster Fallfest proved to be a success. On Monday evening checks of $9,717.86 each were awarded to the four charities: Carroll Hospice, Mission of Mercy, the Kiwanis Clubs of Westminster and Habitat for Humanity.

Checks of $500 each were awarded to Project Linus, ARC of Carroll County and the Community Foundation of Carroll County.

Meanwhile, officials also reported that the Westminster city print, which was available at the Fallfest, has raised $6,000 for the Westminster and Union Bridge fire departments and the Historical Society of Carroll County.

Plans are already lined up for next year's Fallfest which will be held Sept. 26-30, with the parade on Sept. 25 in the evening.

The charities selected to be the recipients for next year's Fallfest are Carroll Hospice, Mission of Mercy, the Kiwanis Clubs of Westminster and the Historical Society of Carroll County.


####

20061115 Bus Trip to NYC to see the Radio City Music Hall

From an e-mail alert from the Carroll Arts Center:

Bus Trip to NYC to see the Radio City Music Hall Holiday Spectacular

Join alumni and friends of McDaniel College this Friday, November 17th to see the Holiday Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.

Cost - $100 includes round trip transportation, boxed breakfast, ticket to the show and Happy Hour reception at Heartland Brewery ChopHouse.

For more information contact Linda Eyler of McDaniel College at leyler@mcdaniel.edu or call 410-857-2297.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

20061115 Carrie Knauer and Mission to Baghdad.


Carrie Knauer and Mission to Baghdad.

November 15th, 2006

Westminster – November 15th, 2006. We can now put aside all the rumors that have been circulating in the greater Carroll County community as to the locational whereabouts of one of the Carroll County Times' star reporters, Carrie Ann Knauer.

Those of us who are used to all the wild conspiracy theories that circulate in the community knew to be suspicious when it was whispered that the real reason Ms. Knauer had not written any articles in the Carroll County Times recently was that she was “sequestered” with Vice-President Dick Chaney in an undisclosed location for national security purposes.

Many were curious when the accompanying photo surfaced depicting Ms. Knauer with the vice-president.

Then there was the trial balloon floated to put us off the track that she was really attending the 16th Annual Conference of Environmental Journalists in Burlington, Vermont. We were not deterred.

As you are aware, Ms. Knauer took the local journalists’ scene by storm when she first appeared at the Carroll County Times in “February, 2002, after receiving a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park, in December, 2001,” according to her publicist.

Since then, it has been noticed by those of us who devour all the local newspapers that not only is she prolific, but she has the uncanny knack of getting it right, a refreshing approach for those of us who actually know the local news scene.

Then at the recent Carroll County 4-H FFA Fair, she was awarded, “Best Shoes in Show – as worn by a journalist.”

Well, since “Soundtrack Division” has no interest in mimicking the New York Times approach to recklessly endangering national security and the lives of those in harm’s way, we can now reveal, now that Ms. Knauer has re-surfaced in the Carroll County community, that she was indeed with Dick Chaney on a secret fact-finding mission to Iraq, “Mission to Baghdad.

When contacted for comment about this fast-breaking news story, Ms. Knauer was unavailable for comment. As this intriguing story unfolds, please keep checking “Soundtrack” for up-to-the-minute reports, which will continue until Ms. Knauer breaks her silence and writes for all of us a column on her experiences at the SEJ Conference, because many of us are so jealous.

####

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20061115 Current state of discussion and dialogue in Carroll County


Current state of discussion and dialogue in Carroll County

November 15th, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff



A
recent letter to the editor of the Carroll County Times by Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnich might mark a chance of Carroll County to start putting the past 18 months to bed and begin the productive process of moving the ball forward.


The current state of discussion and dialogue by responsible members of the community – especially the leadership community, is currently dead in the water.

The best description of problem identification and resolution in Carroll County is that it is at an intellectual level rivaled only by garden tools.

Considering the events of the last year-and-a-half: Who, pray tell, in their right mind, would ever want to wade into this morass?

We should all be thankful for one small blessing – that we are all in Carroll County 2006 and “not Salem 1692. In Salem, they hanged you or crushed you under stone. Here they just humiliate you and raise doubts about your integrity.” (I got the idea for this explanation from an old Dan Rodrick’s column about another matter… It just fits Carroll County November 2006, so well…)

No responsible person, who loves their pride, dignity and family would ever venture to express their opinion in Carroll County these days as immediately the morally superior among us will question your integrity; suggest that you are doing so for your own personal gain; or for the benefit of your profession; or as a part of the wildest, most bizarre and convoluted conspiracy theory imaginable.

What ever happened to the idea that some folks actually disagree about ways to move the ball forward and they disagree based upon a different assessment of the merits of a given approach…

Read the preceding two paragraphs very carefully, because I am not just referring to the negative campaigning by the right-wing conservatives of Carroll County, I am also referring to the folks who wanted a different district map for the “Five Commissioner initiative,” than the one chosen by the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis… Or the toxic campaign waged against folks who disagreed with the proposed transfer tax…

If I read one more account about how the folks who voted against Code Home Rule were uninformed Neanderthals who were just voting in “their own short-term interests,” …

On a personal level, many folks, some who have supported me in the past and amazingly, some who haven’t supported me in the past - - were in touch when one opinion writer wrote a column expressing outrage and moral indignation at the negative campaigning of the last election; when he was the fulcrum of negative campaigning in my last election.

To the initiated observer of the current zeitgeist of Carroll County politics, one could easily assume that no one has all their Cornflakes in one box.

One of the best ways to explain the current state of affairs was written by the Washington Post in a discussion about the political rancor and unpleasantness that pervades the current environment in our country: “The numbing repetition of uncorrected falsehoods creates a phony atmosphere of uncertainty around key questions which in fact have already been resolved. Eventually voters throw up their hands and accept the fact that they’ll never know for sure what the truth is, and confusion ensues.”

A
recent letter to the editor of the Carroll County Times by Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnich might mark a chance of Carroll County to start putting the past 18 months to bed and begin the productive process of moving the ball forward.

Yes, please stifle your itching blazing fingers at the keyboard, I am well aware of the argument by many folks that Commissioner Minnich “started it” after the 2002 election. Yet the folks who take Commissioner Minnich’s side explain that he was only reacting.

Okay, everyone sit down and shut-up. Most of us don’t care anymore who started it and who didn’t… And the local newspapers could do us all a favor by banning three-quarters of the folks who have been writing opinion columns and letters to the editor in the last 18 months. Many folks I have heard from, simply do not read that drivel anymore anyway.

Whether Commissioner Minnich started it or didn’t start it – I don’t care anymore. Everyone’s reaction has been well beyond prudence.

But credit belongs where credit is due and Commissioner Minnich wrote a stand-up letter to the editor and I think that folks ought to do something productive with this opportunity and read the “olive branch” carefully and do something productive with it instead of jamming it up his nose.

Commissioner Minnich wrote in a letter to the editor which appeared in the November 14th, 2006 edition of the Carroll County Times, “
Carroll government will move forward.”





Editor:

In a little more than three weeks, the dynamics of local government with change with the departure of Commissioner Perry Jones and the arrival of Michael Zimmer to join incumbents Julia Gouge and myself.

How is that going to work? It's a good question, and one that has already been asked, and will continue to be scrutinized in the weeks and months to come. As one of the incumbents, and a survivor of a rancorous election campaign, I would like to give my take on how it can and should play out.

First of all, we have an obligation to put any personal differences aside as we consider the work of governing. Election campaigns are full of rhetoric and emotional display; governance should be about dialog, thoughtful consideration of the complexities of issues and meetings of the minds.

There may be principles that cannot be compromised, and that may lead to conflicts. But differences do not have to be personal, and one disagreement cannot be transferred into every subsequent consideration. We need to get over the past and look to the county's future.

We all must remember that it is the future of the county that constitutes our reason for meeting as a board of commissioners. We are not there to further personal careers or carry the ideological flag for any political faction. Partisanship or personal politics may serve as a platform and provide a base for candidacy to public office, but once elected, we serve the population at large.

Over time, I believe we can build on the will of the people to develop respect, honest communication, constructive debate and cooperation.

I remain committed to managed growth (including attention to water and environmental concerns), progress in education, building on our initiatives for economic development and responsible fiscal policy.

My expectation is that we will find that we will share more in common than election rhetoric might suggest. The citizens of the county deserve a good faith effort to put politics and personalities aside and get to work - together.

Dean Minnich

Westminster

The writer is a member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners.


_____


####


Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org www.thetentacle.com Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report www.thewestminstereagle.com www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20061115 There is always plenty to laugh about

There is always plenty to laugh about


November 15th, 2006

The only alternative is to cry…


Hat Tip: Mrs. Owl


No matter Republican or Democrat, now that elections are over, the late night talk show hosts can always find humor in politics.


From Daniel Kurtzman,


Your Guide to Political Humor.


"This week, on Tuesday night, in an ironic turnaround, Iraq brought regime change to the U.S." --Amy Poehler

"President Bush held a news conference where he vowed to work with the new Democratic majority, which, if true, can mean only one thing: the Democrats have a nuclear bomb." --Amy Poehler

"What a day for the Democrats. They've won the House of Representatives, they are poised to take the Senate as well, Donald Rumsfeld has resigned, and this just in, Dick Cheney came out as gay." --Jon Stewart

"Even though the Republican lost big on Tuesday, they've been busy all day in Washington. They’ve been spending all day packing up their bribe money."
David Letterman

"Dennis Hastert is no longer Speaker of the House. Don't worry about Dennis. He's going to be the new before-guy for Jenny Craig."
David Letterman

"The new Speaker of the House is Nancy Pelosi. She had lunch today with President Bush, but the lunch honestly did not go well. She would not pass him anything he asked for."
David Letterman

"It's ironic because Republicans always wanted to appeal to minorities. Now they are one." --Jay Leno

"It has not been a good week for the Republicans. This election was kind of like a bad divorce
- they got rejected, insulted, and lost the House." Jay Leno

"Here in California, the voters overwhelmingly decided they do not want Arnold Schwarzenegger to ever make another movie." --Jay Leno

"The only Republican now with a mandate is Congressman Mark Foley." --Jay Leno

"There were many reports of problems with the voting machines yesterday, especially with touch-screen voting machines. In fact, in Congressman Mark Foley's district, some of the machines were touched inappropriately." --Conan O'Brien

"Big, big win for the Democrats. Senator Hillary Clinton's overwhelming victory has fueled speculation that she will run for president in 2008. In other words, there was some good news for Republicans." --Conan O'Brien

"Today in Florida, on the last day of campaigning, a Republican politician refused to appear in public with President Bush because the president is so unpopular. And it's worse than it sounds, because the politician was former Congressman Mark Foley." --Conan O'Brien

"They say they don't need to rely on any last minute surprises, since their Republican base is still very strong, very active, and they still have all the voting machines rigged." --Jimmy Kimmel

"Democrats are favored to win most races. As a matter of fact, the only Republican in Washington whose seat is safe is Lincoln." --David Letterman

"During the election, do you know what Vice President Dick Cheney will be doing? He's going spend the day hunting at his lodge in South Dakota. That's the one place you want to be if the Republicans lose -- Cheney with a gun." --Jay Leno

"President Bush warned Democrats not to celebrate too early. This is from the guy who put up the 'Mission Accomplished' sign three years ago." --Jay Leno

"How about this John Kerry controversy? So he's out there in California, tells some kind of joke and it backfires. He's saying he botched the joke. ... This guy can lose elections he's not even in." --David Letterman

"Senator John Kerry gave his opponents in the struggling Republican Party a much needed distraction when he told a college audience on Monday that if you don't do well in school, you might get stuck in Iraq. Some people are taking that as a slam against our troops. Kerry says it was a botched joke about the president being dumb. It doesn't bode well when you try to make a joke about someone being dumb and you wind up looking even dumber." --Jimmy Kimmel

"It's interesting. The president's approval rating is at an all-time low, North Korea's setting off bombs, Iraq is a mess, the Foley scandal keeps getting worst. Even the Democrats might not be able to blow this election." --Jay Leno

"The election is three weeks away and there are rumors the Republicans are getting ready for an election night disaster, which would be a first -- a disaster they were actually prepared for." --Bill Maher

"Tuesday is Election Day. ... In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is so confident of being re-elected that he's groping women again." --David Letterman

"This is a bleak time for the Republican Party. You know you have trouble when the least embarrassing guy in your group is Arnold Schwarzenegger." --Jimmy Kimmel

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20061115 Scott Ott weighs in on Representative Murtha




Scott Ott weighs in on Representative Murtha

Priceless

Pelosi Backs Murtha, Cites Ethics Experience

by Scott Ott

(2006-11-15) — House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi today defended her decision to back Rep. Jack Murtha, D-PA, as the next House Majority Leader, citing his extensive ethics experience as crucial to her efforts to “clean up the House.”

“Jack Murtha knows corruption inside and out,” said Rep. Pelosi, D-CA. “If we’re going to purge misconduct from our midst, we need someone intimately familiar with it.”

Read the rest here. Yes, it gets even better…

Be sure to click on the “knows corruption” link…



Oh and remember, here’s how “How Dems Store Their Bribes” and “Temper Fi


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20061115 Becoming Illegal

Becoming Illegal

November 15th, 2006

Hat Tip: Grammy

I received this by e-mail and I assume that it is making the e-mail rounds… I have no idea if it is a “real” letter or not, however, it certainly puts the some of the issues of illegal aliens into a different perspective.

Although I have written a good bit about diversity and multiculturalism, I have not written much about the challenges of illegal immigration, except: May 31, 2006, in The Tentacle, “The Great Mexican Maginot Line:” “Last Thursday, the United States Senate passed the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006" by a vote of 62 to 36. The legislation has sparked rigorous and rancorous debate as it supports a bi-partisan, multi-disciplinary approach to the challenges of immigration reform embraced by President George W. Bush…”

The following may give some pause for thought…

(From a Maryland resident to his senator)

The Honorable Paul S. Sarbanes
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC , 20510

Dear Senator Sarbanes,

As a native Marylander and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stem from the bill which was recently passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United States for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.

Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.

Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as "in-state" tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car.

If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative. Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,
Pete -----------

Get your Forms (NOW)!! Call your Internal Revenue Service

Please pass this onto your friends so they can save on this great offer!!!!

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20061114 The Problem with Iran

The Problem with Iran

Reformed Chicks Blabbing – a wonderful web site - if you have not had a chance to visit, use this as an opportunity…

Anyway, the Reformed Chicks Blabbing kinda, well, lay it on the line with a recent post titled: “It might be time for Israel to bomb Iran.”

Remember when the Israelis bombed the French built Iraqi nuclear reactor on June 7th, 1981? Yes, you read that correctly, the “French” manufactured nuclear reactor.

Remember when President George W. Bush tried to gather some consensus before the United States invaded Iraq and the French, Germans and Soviets wouldn’t go along with the program. Seems many folks have forgotten that President Bush tried – and folks have forgotten that the French, Germans and Russians would not cooperate because they were making too much money off Iraq

Please read: “23 February 1998 Iraq: the French connection.”

Anyway – remember:

1981: Israel bombs Baghdad nuclear reactor

And be sure to watch the video of “Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin tells the world's media: "We decided to act now before it is too late"

From June 7th, 1981, BBC:

The Israelis have bombed a French-built nuclear plant near Iraq's capital, Baghdad, saying they believed it was designed to make nuclear weapons to destroy Israel.

It is the world's first air strike against a nuclear plant.

An undisclosed number of F-15 interceptors and F-16 fighter bombers destroyed the Osirak reactor 18 miles south of Baghdad, on the orders of Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

The army command said all the Israeli planes returned safely.

The 70-megawatt uranium-powered reactor was near completion but had not been stocked with nuclear fuel so there was no danger of a leak, according to sources in the French atomic industry.

Mortal danger

The Israeli Government explained its reasons for the attack in a statement saying: "The atomic bombs which that reactor was capable of producing whether from enriched uranium or from plutonium, would be of the Hiroshima size. Thus a mortal danger to the people of Israel progressively arose."

It acted now because it believed the reactor would be completed shortly - either at the beginning of July or the beginning of September 1981.

The Israelis criticised the French and Italians for supplying Iraq with nuclear materials and plegded to defend their territory at all costs.

The statement said: "We again call upon them to desist from this horrifying, inhuman deed. Under no circumstances will we allow an enemy to develop weapons of mass destruction against our people."

The attack took place on a Sunday, they said, to prevent harming the French workers at the site who would have taken the day off.

There have been no reported casualties.

The Osirak reactor is part of a complex that includes a second, smaller reactor - also French-built - and a Soviet-made test reactor already in use.

Iraq denies the reactor was destined to produce nuclear weapons.

For more information read: “Making mischief in the middle east.”

And oh!, for the potential of having another point of view available on this and other Middle East matters in the future…, please do not read the Little Green Footballs post: “JihadTV Comes to the United States,” if you have a heart condition.

And for the love of Pete, please do not tell Maryland Blogger Alliance member, Soccer Dad, about “The Nobel Prize Is Racist and Stems from the Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” unless all sharp objects have been removed from the immediate area… Un-freaking-believable.

Oh my... this won’t do… We already have the New York Times, for pity sake… “Near-Silent Start in U.S. for Al-Jazeera.” And how about this? The Los Angeles Times is fine with al Qaeda: “Al Jazeera, wide angle.” Well duh, isn’t the Los Angeles Times a branch office of Aljazeera?

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Tuesday, November 14, 2006

20061114 The Night Train Foundation Muffler Drive


The Night Train Foundation Muffler Drive

Now through December 5th, 2006


Muffler (muf’ler)n. 1. A scarf, shawl, etc. worn around the throat for warmth. 2. What Harleys do not have.

The Night Train Foundation

Muffler Drive

Now through December 5th

We are collecting Mufflers, Gloves, Hats, and Mittens, anything to keep children warm. They will be given as gifts to the children who attend the “Shop with a Cop” Program organized by the Westminster Police Department.

There is a drop off box at:

Dutterer’s Florist

114 Pennsylvania Avenue

Westminster, MD 21157

If you would like to make a donation for us to purchase them, send your checks to the above address made payable to “The Night Train Foundation.” For more information call Lori at 410.848.9350 or e-mail loriwg@carr.org


20061114 PNC Watch

PNC Watch

November 14th, 2006

PNC Posts Record Earnings of $5.01 Per Share

The Path to Redeption April 2006 By John Engen in USBanker:

Four years ago, PNC Financial Services was on the regulatory ropes. Overcoming those troubles wasn't easy for chairman and CEO James Rohr, who instilled con1/2dence-and, some say, a bit of a swagger-in a company searching for an identity. Today PNC seems able to do no wrong. Can its run of success continue?

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20061113 Carroll County and the Spanish American War

Carroll County and the Spanish-American War


November 13th, 2006


My Westminster Eagle column this week (See “Opinion”) touches upon some history of the Spanish-American War and some Carroll Countians who participated in the war…


Portions of the column will read (something to the affect of – from the rough draft…):


Carroll County has a role in Marine Corps history. It was on June 11, 1898, according to local historian Jay Graybeal, that United States Marine Sgt. Charles Hampton. Smith from Smallwood was killed during the capture of Guantánamo Bay in the Spanish-American War.


And…


Dr. Milton D. Norris, who maintained a medical practice in Eldersburg for so many years, also served as “Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers, during the Spanish-American War. Another “Acting Assistant Surgeon,” John Blair Gibbs was killed on June 11, the same night that Sgt. Smith was killed. Marine Privates William Dumphy and James McColgan, along with Sgt. Smith were the some of the first U. S. casualties of the war.


And…


The Marines refer to a portion of the military actions to capture Guantánamo Bay as the “Battle for Cuzco Well,” and the battle is commemorated every year to this day at the sprawling American Guantánamo Bay military base in Cuba


On the base at McCalla Hill, there is a monument dedicated to the Marines that died, including Carroll Countian Sgt. Smith. The accompanying picture was taken from the June 16, 2006 Guantánamo Bay Gazette which covered this year’s observances. Mr. Graybeal has reported that the “monument consists of a captured bronze cannon and a bronze plaque bearing the names of the five Marines and the Navy surgeon killed in action.”


The accompanying picture was taken from the June 16, 2006 Guantánamo Bay Gazette which covered this year’s commemoration observances.

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Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20061113 USS New York


From the ashes of the World Trade Center – the USS New York

Hat Tip: Grammy

My Tentacle column this Wednesday will mention the USS New York. The column is a discussion of the merits of expanding the United States Marine Corps by one infantry regiment…

The column will begin:

The United States Marine Corps has had significant participation in every American armed conflict since November 10, 1775 and it’s role as a rapid deployment force to fully defend our nation against terrorist threats and effectuate foreign policy has never been more important than today.

And then later in the column I will bring up the USS New York:

Meanwhile, what will work against the terrorists are initiatives like the construction of the USS New York, which is built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center, and about 45 percent complete. It is the fifth of a new class of warship designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists.

This 684-foot vessel is just the stuff needed to rapidly deploy and “compel an enemy to surrender to your will.” It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft and she should be ready for launch in mid-2007.

It is precisely the kind of thinking that has brought forth this new class of warship to which the USS New York is an example that is in the best interests of our national defense in the future.

I got most of the information from an e-mail that Grammy had forwarded to me… I fact checked the e-mail here on Snopes.com. Snopes said the e-mail contained factual information and said: The quotes from Navy personnel and shipyard workers included in the e-mailed version reproduced above were taken from an Associated Press article about the ship.”

For other posts about the Navy, please see:

20060831 USS Reagan Passing The Arizona Memorial

20060701 USS Wizbang Monitor Class Destroyer

20030113 Catch and Release

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