Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies - www.kevindayhoff.net - Runner, writer, artist, fire and police chaplain. The mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist, and artist: National and International politics. For community see www.kevindayhoff.org. For art, writing and travel see www.kevindayhoff.com
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish friends, neighbors, family, and loved ones.
20061215 Happy Hanukkah message from President George W. Bush
Happy Hanukkah message from President George W. Bush
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 15, 2006
Presidential Message: Hanukkah 2006
Holidays at the White House 2006
I send greetings to all those celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights.
During Hanukkah, Jewish people everywhere honor the liberation of
Each year, the glow of the menorah is a reminder of the blessings of a just and loving God and the sacrifices made over the centuries for faith and freedom. Laura and I pray that this holiday season will be a time of happiness in every home and a time of peace throughout the world.
Happy Hanukkah.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
Friday, December 15, 2006
20061215 Press briefing at 6:30 pm on train derailment
Press briefing at 6:30 pm on train derailment
Press briefing at 6:30 pm on train derailment along the
Fri 12/15/2006 4:55 PM
There will be a press briefing at 6:30 pm at the
Vivian D. Laxton
Administrator
Office of Public Information
20061215 Carroll Co. calling voluntary precautionary evacuation for train mishap
Carroll Co. calling voluntary precautionary evacuation for train mishap
Carroll County Government calling for a voluntary precautionary evacuation for train derailment.
Fri 12/15/2006 2:16 PM
Carroll County government has sent out an e-mail calling to the public’s attention that emergency rehabilitation crews are calling for a voluntary precautionary evacuation for train derailment.
_____
Emergency crews are going door to door within a one-mile radius of the CSX train derailment asking residents to evacuate their homes, while the tanker containing anhydrous ammonia is righted and put back on the rail.
This is a voluntary, precautionary evacuation.
A shelter has been established at the Sykesville fire hall on Route 32 for those residents. About 100 homes are affected.
Both Carroll and Howard Counties' school systems have been notified and asked that students who live in the immediate area stay at their schools.
Residents who live between one and three miles of the incident are asked to stay inside, close all windows and doors, and shut off any outside ventilation such as heat pumps and air conditioning.
Those homes will be alerted through an automated telephone message from both Howard and Carroll emergency managers. A second message will be issued when the hazard has been removed.
To reiterate earlier messages, the tanker is not leaking. The evacuations are a precautionary measure.
Another release will be issued when the hazard is removed.
Vivian D. Laxton, Administrator, Office of Public Information
####
20061215 Sykesville Fire Dept Press Release by PIO Bill Rehkopf
Sykesville Fire Dept Press Release by PIO Bill Rehkopf
Train With Hazardous Materials Derails
http://www.sykesvillefire.org/index.cfm?fs=news.newsView&News_ID=152
By Fire Sergeant/PIO Bill Rehkopf, December 15, 2006
Sykesville fire and EMS crews responded along with hazardous materials teams to a CSX train derailment near Marriottsville, Friday morning, December 15.
[…]
Units:
Sykesville Ladder 12, Engine 123, Paramedic 128
Mutual Aid:
Carroll
20061214 Tentacle column on Tfc Eric Workman
Tentacle column on Tfc. Eric Workman
December 15th, 2006
I have a Tentacle column up on Tfc. Eric Workman:
Time to Support A Wounded Protector, by Kevin E. Dayhoff, December 14, 2006
Maryland State Trooper First Class Eric D. Workman, 36, from the Westminster Barrack, has family traveling to
His brother is a
Accommodations are being attended to for the family by the
TFC Workman, who is assigned to the criminal investigation section, was working with the Baltimore Warrant Fugitive Task Force executing a warrant for a suspect in a home invasion and abduction on December 7 in Eldersburg, Carroll County.
According to a
State Police Spokesman Greg Shipley reported that Mr. Jones was already under "intensive parole," had "an extensive criminal record," including drug and theft charges going back to 1986.
He was released from the Eastern Correctional Institute on the Eastern Shore in June "after serving a sentence stemming from a 1994 conviction," according to the
[…]
The
TFC Eric D. Workman Family Fund
It is important we find ways every day to thank the troopers, firefighters and other professionals who protect our community. Today we have a very simple and direct way to say thank you to one hero and his family.
Kevin Dayhoff writes from
Read the rest of the column here.
####
(MSP, Workman, Tentacle)20061215 CC PIO will host a news conference on train derailment
UPDATE: Friday, December 15, 2006 at 11:45 AM –Changed from 11:30 a.m. – Due to road closures related to clean up efforts, Carroll County Public Information Administrator, Vivian Laxton has moved the joint news conference to the Maryland Police Training Commission Firearms Training Facility located at 7310 Slacks Road in Sykesville, Maryland.
Carroll County Public Information Administrator, Vivian Laxton will host a joint news conference to provide updated information on the CSX Train Derailment in Sykesville, Maryland. Friday, December 15, 2006 at 11:30 AM.
10:50 AM Friday, December 15, 2006
News Release
For more information, contact: Tara Mayers,Public Media Specialist, 410-386-2973
Board of County Commissioners
Julia W. Gouge, President
Dean L. Minnich, Vice President
Michael D. Zimmer, Secretary
Carroll County Government
225 North Center Street
Westminster, Maryland 21157
410-386-2043; 1-888-302-8978
fax 410-386-2485; TT 410-848-9747
For Immediate Release
Train Derailment - Carroll County to host joint News Conference
Friday, December 15, 2006 at 11:30 AM – Carroll County Public Information Administrator, Vivian Laxton will host a joint news conference at the entrance to the old Henryton Center; the intersection Henryton Road and Henryton Center Road to provide updated information on the CSX Train Derailment in Sykesville, Maryland.
# # #
20061215 The Christmas wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery
The Christmas wreaths at
Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin
Wreaths Across
By Michelle Malkin · December 15, 2006 11:35 AM
The Wreaths Across America celebration was held yesterday at
[…]
The Internet played a key role in spreading the word and the movement:
[…]
Thank you, Mr. Worcester, for helping us not to forget.
Gift of wreaths touches nation
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-12-14-wreaths-cover_x.htm
The balsam fir wreath was from
[…]
Every December for the past 15 years, Morrill Worcester, owner of one of the world's largest holiday wreath companies, has taken time in the midst of his busiest season to haul a truckload of wreaths to Arlington from his small Downeast Maine town of Harrington.
For years, he and a small band of volunteers laid the wreaths in virtual obscurity. But in the last 12 months that has changed, thanks to a dusting of snow last year at the cemetery, an evocative photograph, a sentimental poem and a chain e-mail. And this year,
Worcester, 56, says he wants to help Americans remember and honor deceased military veterans, particularly at Christmas, when they're missed most. On the Wreaths Across
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20061215 A Big Thank you goes out to Mr. W. Crodhil and Politics Hon
A Big Thank you goes out to Mr. W. Crodhil and Politics Hon
A Big Thank you goes out to Mr. W. Crodhil and “Politics Hon” for his support of TFC. Eric Workman.
http://politicshon.com/phb/?p=148
W. Crodhil presents Politics Hon
December 14th, 2006
by
Wounded State Trooper Tfc. Eric Workman is still in critical condition. He was shot while trying to capture a criminal.
If you would like to make a donation to help Tfc Workman’s family please make a check payable to:
Tfc. Eric D. Workman Family Fund
Fellow MBA member Kevin Dayhoff has all the info. Please help. Thank you.
####
20061215 Train derails along Patapsco River
by Kevin Dayhoff 7:15 AM Friday, December 15th, 2006
At 2:15 AM, Carroll County, Howard County, Maryland Department of the Environment, and CSX Railroad Hazmat personnel responded to the scene of a CSX freight train derailment.
The voice traffic on the emergency response radio indicated that the train which was comprised of three locomotives and 91 cars was traveling from Cumberland to Philadelphia.
At last report 21 train cars jumped the tracks in a remote area along the Patapsco River in the Patapsco Valley State Park between Sykesville and Marriottsville in the vicinity of Henryton Road the old Henryton hospital.
Communications were difficult as it was in an area where there is no Nextel service, the communications carrier used by many local public safety agencies. Radio and cell phone reception with other carriers was also difficult.
Access to the remote area was difficult and getting to the site of the derailment was delayed until all-terrain “gators,” were brought to the site.
Hazmat personnel finally reached the scene of the derailment at approximately 5:55 AM to find that train cars #27, #28 and #29 were of the most concern and that train car #29 had tipped over. One or several of the train cars are transporting anhydrous (without water) ammonia.
The train cars were not leaking and causing “no issues,” and there is no “immediate concern at this time;” however it would appear that it will be an extended rehabilitation of the train cars involved.
According to Carroll County public information officer, Vivian Laxton, who arrived at the scene 6 PM, there are no reported injuries.
The hazmat response went like clockwork. However the news crews that responded did not have as much luck as mobile news units from ABC2, WBAL and WJZ all got stuck in the mud.
####
20061213 CC 1995 Miss 4-H takes on another leadership position
Pictured above is Miss 4-H, Amanda Boyd Miller in 1995 when she was the 4-H ambassador and spokesperson in 1995.
Meanwhile, Heidi Schroeder writing for the Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle has an excellent article in the Eldersburg Eagle about Carroll County’s 1995 Miss 4-H taking on yet another leadership position, “Trip from Annapolis to Carroll is a homecoming.”
The Eldersburg Eagle and Westminster Eagle’s hyperlink changes when it is archived. So if you are reading this post at a later date and the link is dead, e-mail me or put a note in “comment” and I will paste the entire article into this post.
Also keep in mind that the Westminster Eagle will run the piece next Wednesday, December 20th, 2006.
For right now, go here for Ms. Schroeder’s article, “Trip from Annapolis to Carroll is a homecoming.”
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=977&NewsID=769115&CategoryID=17330&on=1
“Trip from Annapolis to Carroll is a homecoming” By Heidi Schroeder, Westminster and Eldersburg Eagle, 12/13/06
After nearly seven years working in Annapolis, Amanda Miller's new job is more of a homecoming than an experiment.
Miller, 27, a sixth-generation Carroll Countian and resident of Sykesville, was named this month as special assistant to newly-elected County Commissioner Michael Zimmer.
Miller previously served the state as a special assistant on policy to Joe Getty, who served on Gov. Robert Ehrlich's staff.
But when the election brought a changing of the guard in both Annapolis and Carroll County, a new opportunity emerged for Miller, who said she's excited to bring experience in state politics to Westminster.
[…]
… Miller bought her grandmother's home, which her grandfather had built in Sykesville in 1958.
[…]
Read the rest here.
####
20061214 Eldersburg Today
December 14th, 2006
Please join me in welcoming another blog to Carroll County: “Eldersburg Today” - from farms to suburbia. A discussion of topics focused on the Eldersburg area.
Go check it out.
To the best of my knowledge, there are now three Blogs in Carroll County for news, opinion and conversation about things that matter in Carroll County.
In addition to this blog and Eldersburg Today, the other blog is “The New Windsor Word.”
####
20061214 Wounded trooper improving by Ari Natter
December 14th, 2006
Ari Natter, writing for the Carroll County Times has some additional information on Westminster Barrack G’s Tfc. Eric D. Workman, who was shot in the line of duty last Tuesday morning.
Before Mr. Natter came to the Carroll County Times, he was a cop and courts reporter for the Cecil Whig, where he was a Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association 2005 Editorial Contest Winner in Division C: Dailies under 30,000. He co-wrote an article with Cheryl Mattix, “Just Can’t Wait - Gamers Line up for Xbox 360”
He also seems to either like duckpin bowling or likes to write about duckpin bowling…
Unfortunately, the Carroll County Times does not use permalinks, so if you are reading this at a later date and the link is dead, drop me an e-mail or comment and I’ll paste his article into this post.
For right now, please go here to read his article.
Wounded trooper improving
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2006/12/14/news/local_news/newsstory2.txt
By Ari Natter, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Support for state policeman pours in
Fellow police officers, family members and friends are turning out to support trooper Eric Workman, who despite remaining in critical but stable condition is reported to be slowly improving after being wounded in a shootout early Tuesday morning.
Read the rest here.
####
20061212 The Ugly “T” word
The Ugly “T” word
December 14th, 2006
Fellow Patuxent Publishing and Tentacle columnist Chris Cavey has a rather no-holds barred column in The Jeffersonian on the ugly “T” word in this week’s edition of the paper.
(The Jeffersonian, the Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle are all owned by Patuxent Publishing.)
Hat Tip DJ – Thanks
Unfortunately, I cannot find a link for the article on the Jeffersonian web site.
Party Line (R)
Elections foretell next wave of taxes
12/12/06 By Chris Cavey
The din of Democratic revelry had barely ended before curious events began to happen. Campaign promises were removed from Web sites and, for the first time in many months, the ugly "T" word was alluded to in conversations with the media.
Yes, now that the elections are over, code phrases for taxes such as: "additional revenue sources," "income from other areas" and "new revenue" can once again creep back into daily conversation to prepare you for the onslaught of taxes to come. Here we go again!
Gov.-elect O'Malley certainly didn't wait very long before he talked about the dollar-per-pack tax on your smokes. Perhaps this is an easy way to attack the public pocketbook. Sin taxes are always popular with those who don't happen to indulge that particular sin. (Too bad you can't tax lying.)
Perhaps the O'Malley people will spin this as a public health issue. He certainly would never promote this as a tax that would take more money from poor families who can't afford or don't understand the need to quit smoking. No, maybe this is about the kids. If they're not yet nicotine- addicted, the habit will be less appealing. If they are already smokers, it will be just a little less lunch money -- and another source of revenue for the state.
My personal favorite is the "carbon tax." I had to look it up. Basically it is a tax on carbon emissions, including emissions from vehicles. Remember the BGE rate debate? Well, there will be limited debate here. The carbon tax would add a layer of taxes to your bills, regardless of the previous debate and its outcome.
Boulder, Colo., was the first jurisdiction to break ground in this land of mining new taxes. Direct consumer expenses increased $16 per year, or more, not including the local utility's pass-through of the next tax. (Maybe, this time, Republicans can blame everything on the Public Service Commission, members of which will be appointed shortly by O'Malley.)
Let's say you own a large sport-utility vehicle, a nice pickup truck or perhaps a recreational vehicle. You are generating more emissions than the people driving hybrids, and the O'Malley Carbon Tax will be coming after you (not the stinky Mass Transit Administration buses).
The stereotypical owners of SUVs, pickup trucks or RVs live in suburban or rural areas. They are small business owners, contractors or perhaps farmers. RV owners typically have a little extra discretionary income.
I would bet the majority of this demographic group might even be registered Republican, but that, too, is stereotyping.
We do know this: The governor-elect is entering office with a $1.6 billion surplus and couldn't even wait two weeks before he whined about needing revenue.
We're in for an expensive four years, due to the citizens of
####
20061214 Heisman Trophy shipped home
Heisman Trophy shipped home for safety
December 14th, 2006
I found this on “Home News Tribune – News that hits home in central Jersey.”
I had heard this story before…
Apparently the “Heisman Trophy” can be considered a weapon of mass destruction, so when
Well read the post below and you draw your own conclusions.
Then again, when it comes to our safety, perhaps we must err on the side of an abundance of precaution…
From The Wire, Dec 12, 5:37 PM EST
Troy Smith has Heisman Trophy shipped
By RUSTY MILLER, AP Sports Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Troy Smith's Heisman Trophy was shipped home Tuesday to keep it safe and avoid the type of mishap that happened the last time an Ohio State player won the award.
Smith wore a black leather jacket with the Heisman insignia on back when he arrived at the airport from New York, where he was presented college football's most coveted trophy.
Eddie George, the last Buckeye to win the Heisman in 1995, had his trophy get stuck in an airport X-ray machine, losing the tip of its right index finger and bending the middle finger.
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20061214 News Media coverage of Senator Johnson is repugnant
An utter abject disgrace.
NewsBusters has an excellent post about it here. Don’t read it with a full stomach; it is sure to just make you dyspeptic as all get-out.
I could not agree more with the sentences:
“Let’s get a grip for a second here, folks. A man is fighting for his life right now, and that should be much more important than how this impacts who will control the Senate.”
[…]
“How disgraceful. Our thoughts and prayers should be going out to this man and his family without any discussion about the balance of power…unless we really have lost all sense of decency, morality, and humanity in this country.”
Disgraceful Media Coverage of Sen. Tim Johnson’s Medical Condition
Posted by Noel Sheppard on December 14, 2006 - 10:28.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s drop the partisanship for a second and recognize that the media coverage of Sen. Tim Johnson’s (D-SD) sudden illness has been nothing but disgraceful.
The first reports I heard on this issue came early yesterday on CNBC, and immediately the discussion was about how this could change the balance of power in the Senate. I was disgusted. (Update follows with how the network evening broadcasts covered the story.)
As my daughter and I left the gym in the early evening, she questioned me about the Senator, and how this would impact politics. I was a bit shocked, and asked her where she had heard about his malady. She said that it was on the television in the ladies’ locker room, and the announcers were discussing how this might hurt the Democrats.
Let’s get a grip for a second here, folks. A man is fighting for his life right now, and that should be much more important than how this impacts who will control the Senate. Yet, just moments ago, this was the headline of an Associated Press article: “GOP governor has the power to appoint Senate replacement.” These were the first two paragraphs:
Take a big swig of Maalox and read the rest.
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20061214 10 Most Read Articles on NYTimes from the past two weeks
10 Most Read Articles on NYTimes.com from the past two weeks
@TIMES - Inside NYTimes.com
Thursday, December 14, 2006
-----------------------------------------
Here are the 10 Most Read Articles on NYTimes.com from the past two weeks (as of 9 a.m. ET, December 14).
=========================================
1) Rumsfeld Memo Proposed 'Major Adjustment' in
Published: December 3, 2006
Two days before he resigned as defense secretary, Donald H.
Rumsfeld submitted a memo to the White House that acknowledged that the administration's strategy in
2) Video Is a Window Into a Terror Suspect's Isolation By DEBORAH SONTAG
Published: December 4, 2006
A tape provides the first concrete glimpse inside the incarceration of Jose Padilla, whose detention became a test case in the fight against terrorism.
3) Dueling Views Pit Baker Against Rice
By DAVID E. SANGER
Published: December 8, 2006
Many of the critiques in the Iraq Study Group's report boil down to the differing views of a former secretary of state and the current one.
4) An Ancient Computer Surprises Scientists By JOHN NOBLE WILFORD
Published: November 29, 2006
The Antikythera Mechanism contains "an unexpected degree of technical sophistication," scientists said.
5) Supporting Boys or Girls When the Line Isn't Clear By PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN
Published: December 2, 2006
Children who do not conform to gender norms are starting to be supported in their choice by parents and doctors.
6) Prisoners of Sex
By NEGAR AZIMI
Published: December 3, 2006
In
7) Off to College Alone, Shadowed by Mental Illness By LYNETTE CLEMETSON
Published: December 8, 2006
For young people with serious mental disorders, the transition to college can be particularly fraught.
8) Early 'Maybe' From Obama Jolts '08 Field By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: December 4, 2006
Senator Barack Obama's move has created complications for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and other Democrats.
9) Praise for Gibson Film, Quandary for Oscar Voters By SHARON WAXMAN
Published: December 5, 2006
10) The Weighty Responsibility of Drinking for Two By JULIA MOSKIN
Published: November 29, 2006
Americans' complicated relationship with food and drink -- in which everything desirable is also potentially dangerous -- only becomes magnified in pregnancy.
TimesSelect
=========================================
The Perfect Gift - This holiday season, give TimesSelect gift subscriptions to your friends, family and co-workers.
http://www.nytimes.com/products/timesselect/egctssell.html?excamp=mkt_at11
Travel
=========================================
Where to go in 2007
The party destination of 2007
The luxury destination of 2007
The family destination of 2007
DealBook
=========================================
Craigslist Meets the Capitalists
http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/12/08/craigslist-meets-the-capitalists/?excamp=mkt_at15
The Double-Bonus Game
Goldman's Other Magic Number: $16.5 Billion
Technology
=========================================
10 most popular cellphones
http://tech.nytimes.com/top/news/technology/products/cellphones/popular.html?excamp=mkt_at18
10 most popular digital cameras
http://tech.nytimes.com/top/news/technology/products/cameras/popular.html?excamp=mkt_at19
10 most popular camcorders
http://tech.nytimes.com/top/news/technology/products/camcorders/popular.html?excamp=mkt_at20
20061214 Donations accepted for injured troopers family
Donations accepted for injured trooper's family.
December 14th, 2006
Both the Westminster Eagle and the Eldersburg Eagle are carrying the information about where to send donations to help the Maryland Troopers Association who assuming the expenses of Tfc. Eric D. Workman’s family who are in
12/14/06 By
Donations are being accepted to help the family of the
Tfc. Eric D. Workman (
Tfc. Workman was working with the Baltimore Warrant Fugitive Task Force, as they executed an arrest warrant for a suspect wanted in a home invasion and abduction Thursday, December 7, in Eldersburg.
The
Those who would like to make a donation to help Tfc Workman’s family may send a check payable to:
Tfc. Eric D. Workman Family Fund
As part of the plea for donations, the Maryland Troopers Association expressed thanks to Vicki Szimanski, Kirk Daugherty, Jim DeWees and the leadership of the MSP and other employee organizations who have worked to attend to the families needs in recent days.
A release from the MTA stated, "It is important we find ways every day to thank the troopers, firefighters and other professionals who protect our community. Today we have a very simple and direct way we can say thank you to one hero and his family."
To read the News Release Department of Maryland State Police, December 12, 2006, “ACCUSED NAMED IN POLICE SHOOTING - WOUNDED TROOPER CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR LIFE,” go to:
http://www.mdsp.org/media/press_release_details.asp?identifier=362
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