Crazy Topics: Craziest Laws in America

Craziest Laws in America

Published 27 January 2007 by markzmann

This is a list of crazy laws in American history. Most of the laws listed below were repealed by now but there are many crazy laws on the list that are still being used....  

http://crazytopics.blogspot.com/2007/01/craziest-laws-in-america.html

Maryland

• Baltimore City: Though you may spit on a city roadway, spitting on city sidewalks is prohibited. You may not curse inside the city limits.
• Baltimore: It's illegal to throw bales of hay from a second-story window within the city limits. It's illegal to take a lion to the movies. It is a park rule violation to be in a public park with a sleeveless shirt. $10 fine. This would include joggers that go shirtless. (1898) -Park Rule 6 It is a violation of city code to sell chicks or ducklings to a minor within 1 week of the Easter holiday.
• Baltimore has regulations governing the disposal of hog's heads, pet droppings and oyster shells.
• Columbia: You can not have a antenna exposed outside of your house yet you can have a 25' satellite dish. Though clotheslines are banned, clothes may be draped over a fence.
• Eating while swimming in the ocean is prohibited.
• Gypsies should steer clear of Caroline County, Md., where it's a $100 fine or six months in the can for "forecasting or pretending to foretell the future."
• In Baltimore it's illegal to block the sidewalk with a box. But the offense only carries a $1 fine. Another law makes it illegal to throw bale of hay (or of anything else) out a second-story window. That gets you a $20 fine. In Baltimore it's illegal to play professional croquet before 2 p.m. Sunday. The law also applies to professional quoits.
• In Baltimore it is illegal to mistreat oysters.
• In Baltimore, it is illegal to wash or scrub sinks no matter how dirty they get.
• In Baltimore, Maryland, it is not legal to take a lion to the movies.
• In Halethrope, Maryland kisses longer than one second are illegal.
• In Maryland, a woman may not go through her husband's pockets while he is sleeping.
• In Maryland, men may not buy drinks for female bartenders.
• In Maryland, it is illegal to sell condoms from vending machines with one exception: prophylactics may be dispensed from a vending machine only "in places where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises."
• In Maryland, the legislature once proposed a board of parachute examiners to be made up of five licensed parachute instructors who would test and license all other parachute instructors. The plan had been abandoned when it was learned there were only three licensed parachute instructors in the state.
• In the entire state of Maryland, it is illegal to give or recieve oral sex.
• It is a violation to be in a public park with a sleeveless shirt. $10 fine.
• Maryland now requires that alcohol beverage writers be certified as experts by an agency of the state before they can receive product samples, which it limits to three bottles per brand.
• Ocean City: A law from the early 1900's prohibits men from going topless on the Boardwalk. Eating while swimming in the ocean is prohibited
• Thistles may not grow in one's yard.
• You cannot swear while inside the city limits of Baltimore.

For this and much much more go to: http://crazytopics.blogspot.com/2007/01/craziest-laws-in-america.html

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

20070214 Special Weather Statement # 3

Carroll County

Office of Public Safety

Support 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 #3

February 14, 2007

The National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for today until 10 AM.

Freezing rain and a wintry mix will end mid morning with little or no additional accumulation. Scattered snow showers may occur throughout the day as the cold front moves out of the area.

This afternoon winds will be out of the northwest and become strong with gusts from 25 to 30 MPH this afternoon and increasing gusts tonight up to 40 MPH.

Temperatures and wind chill will begin to fall this morning and drop into the single digits by this evening.

The Office of Public Safety Support Services will continue to monitor the situation. Further updates will be issued as necessary.

February 14, 2007

0900 HRS

20070214 President Harry Truman and Gauging a presidential legacy

20070214 President Harry Truman and Gauging a presidential legacy

My Tentacle column for this week is up: Gauging A Presidential Legacy

Pictured to the left is the executive director of the Little White House Museum, in Key West Florida, Robert J. Wolz on February 12, 2007

February 14, 2007

Gauging A Presidential Legacy

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Recently political pundits have spent a great deal of effort pondering the legacy of President George W. Bush. Of course, those of us who consider ourselves to be students of history understand that history needs much more time and distance in order to accurately gauge the legacy and historical impact of any particular president.

Yet, uncannily, there are many parallels shared in the legacy of our 33rd president, Harry S Truman and President Bush, our 43rd president; and it is only understandable that the comparisons persist.

I took the opportunity Monday to tour President Truman's Key West White House, known as the "Little White House," in order to re-acquaint myself with the great legacy of the now-legendary president.

After the tour I interviewed the executive director of the Little White House Museum, Robert J. Wolz, at great length. The tour guide, David Lynch and Mr. Wolz are both walking encyclopedias on the life and times of President Truman.

Mr. Wolz says, with a certain "I told you so" confidence, that it is "remarkable that President Truman has gone from the least popular president of all time to the fifth most successful."

President Truman first arrived in Key West in November 1946, just days after the majority party in Congress had changed in the mid-term elections. In his case, Republicans reclaimed Congress for the first time since the administration of Republican President Herbert Hoover, the man who had immediately preceded President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Read the rest here: Gauging A Presidential Legacy

####

Florida Key West, President George W. Bush, President Harry S Truman, The Tentacle, History American Presidents

20070213 Thai Cuisine in Key West Florida

Thai Cuisine in Key West Florida

February 13^th, 2007

For dinner this evening we ate at a Thai restaurant, “Thai Cuisine,” at the corner of Greene and Ann Streets.

Just as we sat down at our table, the Westminster, Maryland acting director of planning and public works, Jeff Glass called.

The picture of the old Key West City Hall was the view I had from my seat as I chatted with Mr. Glass at several minutes past 7 PM Tuesday evening, February 13^th, 2007.

Of course in Key West, the outside is blurred with the inside - - and what is inside is outside and what is outside is inside. We had a table that was under-roof, however, it was as much outside as it was inside.

Gee, that sounds like a keen observation of the “Math Potatoes,” Pi, Algebra (Al), Geometry (Geo) and Isosceles.

Mr. Glass was the focus of my last column in the Westminster Eagle – last Wednesday, February 7^th, 2007: “Westminster is great, even if it does get your goat .”

In Key West, as I chatted with Mr. Glass, the temperature was in the 80s and it was simply a beautiful evening. In Westminster, it was well below zero and they were in the middle of a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.

I had called earlier to how the guys in the Street Department were making out. They have been putting an incredible amount of hours in the last several weeks. As much as I feel guilty about being in Key West while the folks in the Street Department are fighting with frozen equipment, slippery and treacherous roads, long hours and the cold - - I have come to simply hate the cold, snow and ice of winter and I am very happy to be in Key West.

The Westminster Street Department is the focus of my column in the Westminster Eagle that will be coming out tomorrow, Wednesday, February 14^th, 2007.

This is a great group of professionals that are a key part of why we have such a high quality of life in Westminster. It is my view that they don’t get enough credit.

Meanwhile, our dinner at the Thai restaurant was exquisite. I had a large selection of sushi. The service was prompt and courteous and as much as everything in Key West is expensive, at least I felt that we got value from what we spent.

The doggie with the sunglasses was a hoot and I couldn’t resist taking the dinner guest’s picture. Chickens, cats, and dogs are frequent dinner guests in many of the restaurants in Key West… Just part of the quirky charm.

Kevin

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20070213 Rooftop Gardens in Key West

The Rooftop Gardens above the Whiskey Bar on Duval Street in Key West

February 13th, 2007

20070213 Key West Door

Key West Door
February 13th, 2007

20070213 The Yellow Bicycle

The Yellow Bicycle

February 13th, 2007

20070213 Coin and Currency Show announcement:

Coin and Currency Show

At the

Westminster Fire Hall

John Street Quarters

28 John Street, Westminster, MD

2007

May 13^th October 14^th

Open: 9:00 AM to 4:30

FREE ADMISSION FREE PARKING

Sponsored By:

CARL E. OSTIGUY, JR

CEO COINS, CURRENCY

and TREASURES

P. O. BOX 92, Savage, Maryland 20763

443-623-7025

E-MAIL: ceocoins(at)comcast.net

www.coinbrowser.com/show-westminster.html

www.coinshows.com/westminster_co.html

20070213 Key West Sign

Key West Sign

Tuesday, February 13^th, 2007

Garden of Eden Clothing Optional Bar

####

20070213 Spec Weather Statement 2

Special Weather Statement 2

Carroll County

Office of Public Safety

Support 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 #2

February 13, 2007

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning statement for today through February 14, 2007 for the Maryland area.

Snow fall will continue through out Carroll County this afternoon accumulating 1” to 3” before changing over late afternoon to a sleet and freezing rain mix. Up to a ½” of ice may accumulate this evening with heaviest precipitation occurring after 10 p.m.

Freezing rain and sleet will continue overnight changing back to snow mid-morning with an additional 1” to 2” accumulation and ending by noon.

This afternoon winds out of the northeast will pick up 20-30 mph changing to northwest by tomorrow. Gusts tomorrow will be up to 35 mph.

The accumulating ice may cause downed power lines and power outages.

The Office of Public Safety Support Services is monitoring the situation and will attend a weather conference call tomorrow, February 14, at 8 AM with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Further updates will be issued as necessary.

February 13, 2007

12 PM

20070213 Key West Coast Guard Boat

Key West Coast Guard Boat

February 13^th, 2007

####

20070213 Good Morning Key West

20070213 South Carroll satellite government office closed due to weather

South Carroll satellite government office closed due to weather

Tuesday, February 13, 2007 9:29 AM

Subject: South Carroll satellite government office closed due to weather

You have been sent this e-mail alert from The Eldersburg Eagle.

South Carroll office will not open today

February 13, 2007 - Carroll County government has announced that tax collection and permit services will not be available today at the South County Government Center, which is located inside the Eldersburg Branch Library, because of inclement weather.

Residents can pay their tax and water bills or apply for permits at the County Office Building in Westminster instead. If the County Office Building should close early, a separate announcement will be made.

####

20070212 Westminster Common Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of City of Westminster Council Meeting

http://www.westgov.com/citygovernment/minutes/021207.asp

February 12, 2007

QUORUM:

A Meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of February 12, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Ferguson; Council President Chiavacci; Council Members Albert, Wack, and Pecoraro; City Administrator Wolf; Acting Director of Planning and Public Works Glass; Police Chief Spaulding; Director of Recreation and Parks Schroers; City Attorney Walsh; Manager of Planning and Development Davis; and City Clerk Taylor were present.

Gary Clark of the Central Maryland Christian Crusaders football team presented Mayor Ferguson and Mr. Schroers with a plaque and a donation in the amount of $300.00 in appreciation of the help of Mr. Schroers and his department during the team’s first season.

Dr. Wack moved to confirm the Mayor’s reappointment of Anthony Biller to the Parks Board. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

MINUTES:

Mrs. Albert moved to approve the minutes of the Meetings of January 8 (open session) and January 8 and 22 (closed sessions) 2007. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

BIDS:

Mr. Schroers presented the recommendation of staff that the Common Council accept the low bid of Mirabile Construction Company in the amount of $357,981.00 to construct Phase 2Bof the Wakefield Community Trail. Dr. Wack moved to accept the bid. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Schroers presented the recommendation of staff that the Common Council accept the bid of Playground Specialist in the amount of $49,998.00 to purchase climbing boulders for Fenby Farm Quarry. Mrs. Albert moved to accept the bid. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

The Mayor reported on several recent awards. He advised that the City has received its 18th consecutive Tree City U.S.A. award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. He noted that the City has been honored by the National Guard as a Patriotic Employer. Finally, the Mayor reported that Martha Harris, daughter of City resident Darcel Harris, has been recognized for an essay she wrote about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Mayor distributed an email with a photograph of Planning and Public Works Director Beyard raising the American flag approximately 40 miles north of Baghdad.

Mayor Ferguson reported that the water summit hosted by the County on February 3 was well-attended. The County and the cities will form a task force to work on water issues.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Pecoraro reported that work on Phase 2 of West Green Street (between Liberty and Bond Streets) would begin on February 26, weather permitting.

Dr. Wack advised that the Carroll Cable Regulatory Commission met Thursday, January 25 with representatives of Comcast. Dr. Wack further advised that City auditors would give a presentation at the next meeting.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

With regard to Ordinance No. 758, which would prohibit tattoo parlors and eliminate specialty shops in certain downtown zoning districts, Mr. Pecoraro explained that the purpose is to preserve the historic character of the downtown area. Dr. Wack moved to adopt the Ordinance. Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Pecoraro moved to suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to introduce and adopt the next three ordinances. Dr. Wack seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Walsh summarized Ordinance No. 759, which would authorize the issuance and sale of a bond in the maximum principal amount of $11,500,000 pursuant to the Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration Act. Mr. Glass pointed out that the proceeds will be used for the new Cranberry Water Treatment Plant, and not for the emergency pipeline. Mr. Pecoraro moved to introduce and adopt Ordinance No. 759. Dr. Wack seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Albert moved to introduce and adopt Ordinance No. 760 and the accompanying Decision, which grant a rezoning to “N-C” Neighborhood Commercial on 14.99 acres at the Village of Meadow Creek. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

The Council next considered Ordinance No. 761, which authorizes the Mayor to enter a contract for the sale of 49 Union Street to Habitat for Humanity. Upon Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Ordinance was introduced and adopted.

NEW BUSINESS:

Gregor Becker, Dan Andrews, and Jeff Wilhelm of the Catoctin Chapter of the Sierra Club gave a presentation on global warming. They asked the City to sign a “U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.” Council President Chiavacci and Mr. Pecoraro agreed that the Public Works Committee would review the request and other methods of dealing with the issue.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

President and C.E.O. Chris Cull of the Westminster Fire Company reported briefly on the Company’s recent activity and the upcoming basket bingo event.

Mr. Walsh reported that Woodhaven Building and Development noted an appeal to the Circuit Court from the Council’s denial of the company’s proposed third amended development plan for the Wakefield Valley Golf Course.

Chief Spaulding introduced Nancy Yeager, the new Captain of Administration for the Police Department.

Council President Chiavacci thanked the Chief and Sergeant Bible for a recent presentation at Carroll Lutheran Village.

Ms. Wolf reported that CGI Communications recently offered to make six videos featuring the City of Westminster. The City can choose five of the topics. In return, the City will allow a CGI to place a link to the videos on its website and will furnish a letter of introduction for CGI to use in approaching private sector organizations. By consensus, Ms. Wolf was directed to proceed with the project.

Ms. Taylor reported that the next municipal election would take place on May 14, 2007, from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Mr. Glass noted that several water main breaks occurred recently. He also noted that the utility maintenance and street crews were short a total of ten employees due to illness and other reasons.

Mr. Schroers reported that Ms. Wolf has formed a committee to study employee use of the Family Wellness Center. He also noted that he and Ms. Wolf would serve as guest hosts at the second annual Community Media Center Auction on February 19. Lastly, Mr. Schroers reported that he was working with the Greater Westminster Development Corporation to organize a new event.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Henry Hepner, a City resident and member of the public service group “Voice,” summarized concerns about the airport expansion and proposed reservoir at Union Mills.

City resident Paula Cook presented a certificate of appreciation to Greater Westminster Development Corporation member Lyndi McNulty for allowing Ms. Cook’s son to assist with the Holiday Parade.

City residents Ed and Marilyn Cramer and County resident Brenda Dorenfeld expressed their support of the Sierra Club position and recommendations on global warming.

Greater Westminster Development Corporation President Lori Graham thanked Ms. Wolf for attending immediately to the concerns about lighting downtown. Ms. Graham announced that the Corporation would form a blue ribbon committee to address the issue of vacancies downtown.

Council President Chiavacci adjourned the meeting at 9:00 P.M.

Laurell E. Taylor,

City Clerk

20070212 Kellys Restaurant

Kelly’s Restaurant

301 Whitehead Street,

Key West, FL 33040

305-293-8484

Monday, February 12^th, 2007

Restaurants,

20070212 No Tattoo Parlors In Downtown Westminster wjz

Feb 12, 2007 11:16 pm US/Eastern

No Tattoo Parlors In Downtown Westminster

http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_043215028.html

No big surprise here… For more news and video – go to WJZ’s web site

Kathryn Brown Reporting

(WJZ) The Westminster City Council approved an ordinance banning new tattoo parlors from opening in the downtown area.

The proposed zoning amendment would ban tattoo parlors from downtown, but allow them in about 70 percent of the town's commercial land.

Supporters of the ban say the parlors don't fit the city's plan for its historic Main Street, but students at McDaniel College argue that banning the shops might drive away other businesses that cater to students. And some downtown business leaders say a restrictive ordinance doesn't make sense when there are vacant store fronts on Main Street.

© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

20070212 Day by Day by Chris Muir

Day by Day by Chris Muir

Monday, February 12, 2007

http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/2007/02/12/#a004010

I think that it’s Olbermann.

####

20070212 SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT #1

Carroll County

Office of Public Safety

Support 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 #1

February 12, 2007

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch statement for today through February 14, 2007 for the Maryland area.

Snow will enter Carroll County this evening after midnight with 1” or less accumulation. Winds will be between 3 to 10 miles per hour. Warmer temperatures Tuesday will change snow over to sleet and freezing rain. Ice may accumulate from ¼ “to less than 1 “before ending. New snow accumulation may be 1”. Tuesday evening will produce periods of freezing rain with a low temperature of 20.

Snow and sleet will be ending Wednesday around noon. Blustery conditions will move in with winds from 15-25 MPH and higher gusts.

The accumulating ice may cause downed power lines and power outages.

The Office of Public Safety Support Services is monitoring the situation and will attend a weather conference call tomorrow, February 13, at 11 AM with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Further updates will be issued as necessary.

February 12, 2007

3 PM

20070212 Good Morning Key West

Good Morning Key West

Monday morning, February 12^th, 2007 in Key West Florida.

20070211 Irish Kevins

Irish Kevins

Sunday, February 11^th, 2007

Well, first of all, to the best of my knowledge, although I am a typical Heinz 57 American and I am not aware of that much Irish heritage in my family.

But nevertheless, the opportunity to do the above photo collage of scenes on Duval Street in Key West, Florida, Sunday evening, February 11^th, 2007, was too fun to pass up.

####

20070212 Snopes says Clinton Walking Eagle Story is False

Snopes says the Hillary Clinton “Walking Eagle” Story, posted here on “Soundtrack,” is False.

Feb 12, 2007 12:57 AM

An anonymous commenter has left a message with a link to Snopes that says the Hillary Clinton Walking Eagle” story is false. The link to the Snopes post is listed below…

Many thanks to the person who posted the comment and gave us the link…

The anonymous commenter said:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "20070129 Hillary Clinton Walking Eagle":

http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/eagle.asp

This story is False. It has been used to "discredit" several political candidates including Kerry, Sen Clinton, and the current Pres Bush. Go to the above mentioned link to learn more. It is pure fiction. There has never been a tour, speech, or plaque as mentioned in this wild story.

The original post can be found here.

####

20070212 Westminster Common Council Meeting Agenda

Westminster Common Council Meeting Agenda

CITY OF WESTMINSTER

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of February 12, 2007

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

Reappointment of Anthony Biller to Parks Board

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 22, 2007; MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF JANUARY 8 AND 22, 2007 (CLOSED SESSIONS)

3. BIDS:

Wakefield Valley Community Trail Phase 2B

Climbing Boulders at Fenby Farm Quarry

4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR

5. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 758 – Zoning Text Amendment 06-7

Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance No. 759 – Maryland Department of the Environment Water Quality Bond Series 2007

Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance No. 760 and Accompanying Decision – Neighborhood Commercial Map Amendment No. 06-1 – Village of Meadow Creek

Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance No. 761 – Authorization of the Sale of 49 Union Street

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of February 8, 2007

8. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Presentation on Behalf of Sierra Club – Mr. Gregor Becker

9. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

10. CITIZEN COMMENTS

11. ADJOURN

Westminster Common Council Mtg Agenda

20070211 Soundtrack Daily Photoblog

Soundtrack Daily Photoblog

Sunday, February 11th, 2007

Key West, Florida: Around 7:30 this morning this Mourning Dove sat on the railing on the balcony outside our bedroom and announced that it was morning.

The weather is a bit overcast and the temperature is 69 degrees, but nevertheless a great deal more comfortable than the 20 degrees in Westminster, Maryland.

Daily Photoblog

####

20070211 Sunday morning Key West Florida Weather

Sunday morning Key West Florida Weather

8:37 AM February, 11th, 2007

Key West, Florida

Local Time: 8:37 AM EST
68 °F / 20 °C
Overcast
Humidity: 70%

Dew Point: 58 °F / 14 °C
Wind: 14 mph / 22 km/h / 6.2 m/s from the NNE
Wind Gust: 21 mph / 33 km/h / 9.3 m/s
Pressure: 30.13 in / 1020 hPa
Visibility: 10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV: 0 out of 16
Clouds: Mostly Cloudy 8000 ft / 2438 m Overcast 12000 ft / 3657 m
(Above Ground Level)

####

20070209 Felt froggy about the UN this morning

“Felt froggy about the UN this morning”

Feb 9, 2007 11:28 AM – Posted February 10^th, 2007

D9000 writes in a recent e-mail:

In a period of instability and uncertainty in many countries across the pond, there are feelings that the global community has forsaken efforts to help our neighbors up, and address issues which have an international bearing.

This could be the time for the UN to step up, forget the awkward bureaucratic ways, and assert itself as the tip of the spear for international aid and relations once again.

Under the new Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations can lead its way back to the original intent of the founding countries.

Ban Ki-Moon has been involved in foreign affairs since 1970, and has worked with the UN in some form or another since 1975. Being a South Korean, he knows all too well the dangers of war, tensions between countries, and differing schools of thought.

The world can only hope that he possesses the will to bring about the changes necessary.

The newly charged Secretary General has to step back, and decide if the organization he is steering is to be pro-active, or continue on its arbitrary path.

When sanctions are not enough to stop countries from proliferating nuclear weapons, committing genocide, or enlisted youths to fight wars, action must be taken, and rules enforced.

France, Germany, China, all key members of the body must be willing to uphold international policies, or Mr. Ki-Moon will have a tough time in rectifying the worlds leading problems. Gone are the times for walking softly and carrying a big stick. The world must be heard loudly, and wield that stick effectively.

D9000

####

20070210 The Examiner hires Pentagon Veteran journalist Rowan Scarborough

The Examiner hires Pentagon Veteran journalist Rowan Scarborough

Saturday, February 10^th, 2007

The Examiner is reporting that it has hired veteran Pentagon journalist, Rowan Scarborough.

In an article written by Michael Neibauer on February 10^th, 2007, the paper reports that Mr. Scarborough, “has covered national security since 1989 for The Washington Times” and written book about Donald Rumsfeld called Rumsfeld's War: The Untold Story of America's Anti-Terrorist Commander.

“Given the times we live in, our readers deserve timely and knowledgeable information about a broad range of national security issues,” said Stephen G. Smith, The Examiner’s executive editor. “As a Pentagon reporter for The Washington Times over the past 18 years, Rowan has distinguished himself as the best in the field.”

Before going to the Times, Scarborough worked for Defense Week, the Wilmington (Del.) News Journal and the Salisbury (Md.) Daily Times. He served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman, graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in journalism and completed a media fellowship at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

Read the rest of the article here.

For news junkies and those specifically interested in cutting edge coverage of military issues, this is great news and will work well to round what many of us have come to understand as excellent – fair and accurate reporting of the news by The Examiner.

Kevin

Disclosure: The Examiner recently carried one of my columns, Tribute to New York Post’s Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief Deborah Orin-Eilbeck in Washington Examiner, February 7th, 2007.

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20070210 Florida City City Hall and Xeriscape Exhibit

Florida City - City Hall and Xeriscape Exhibit

Saturday, February 10th, 2007

Westminster Maryland's Arborist and Horticulturist, Brian Adams would love it...

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200070210 Marios Cafeteria and Bakery

Saturday, February 10th, 2007

Mario’s Cafeteria and Bakery

Mile 103.2 Key Largo

I had Beans and Rice and Cafe con Leche.

Art, Florida Key West, Restaurants

####

20070210 Daily Photoblog The Bicycle

Daily Photoblog: The Bicycle

Saturday, February 10th, 2007

Hampton Inn, Homestead Florida