20070615 Washington Post: Hamas takeover shows failure of Bush's vision

Washington Post: Hamas takeover shows failure of Bush's vision

With turmoil in Gaza, hopes for a two-state solution dwindling quickly

June 15^th, 2007

Memo to the Democratic Party leadership and presidential aspirants – the world is a dangerous place.

And with the takeover of Gaza by Hamas – it just got a great deal more dangerous.

The tiny strip of land contiguous to Israel’s southern border and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula border is really part of Iran – and Syria.

And of course, the casual cynic may speculate, how long will all or part of Lebanon follow suit?

For a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, be sure to go to Soccer Dad’s web site.

Meanwhile, ya gotta love the simplistic analysis that allows folks like the Washington Post to conclude that it is all the failure of President George W. Bush.

We should’ve known…

Ay caramba.

_____

Washington Post: Hamas takeover shows failure of Bush's vision

With turmoil in Gaza, hopes for a two-state solution dwindling quickly

By Glenn Kessler

The Washington Post

Updated: 3:45 a.m. ET June 15, 2007

WASHINGTON - Five years ago this month, President Bush stood in the Rose Garden and laid out a vision for the Middle East that included Israel and a state called Palestine living together in peace. "I call on the Palestinian people to elect new leaders, leaders not compromised by terror," the president declared.

The takeover this week of the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group dedicated to the elimination of Israel demonstrates how much that vision has failed to materialize, in part because of actions taken by the administration. The United States championed Israel's departure from the Gaza Strip as a first step toward peace and then pressed both Israelis and Palestinians to schedule legislative elections, which Hamas unexpectedly won. Now Hamas is the unchallenged power in Gaza.

Read the rest here: Washington Post: Hamas takeover shows failure of Bush's vision

Then again why bother. Just go to Soccer Dad’s web site.

####

20070618 CCBOC Agenda

Carroll County Board of Commissioners Agenda for the Week of June 18^th, 2007

Agenda for the Week of June 18, 2007

Please Note: This weekly agenda is subject to change. Please call 410-386-2043 to confirm a meeting you plan to attend. All meetings will be in Room 300A, (Unless otherwise noted) Carroll County Office Building.

• Indicates Outside Activities

Monday – June 18, 2007

Tuesday – June 19, 2007

Wednesday – June 20, 2007

9:00 a.m. SPIN Outstanding Senior Volunteer Awards Ceremony

Westminster Senior Center

Commissioner Minnich

12:00 p.m. South Carroll Business Association Meeting

Eldersburg

Commissioner Zimmer

Thursday – June 21, 2007

10:00 a.m. Board of County Commissioners Open Roundtable Discussion

Board of County Commissioners Open Session

Gordon L. Filbey Estate Donation

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Grant Award for Long Term Care Peer Support Program Grant FY2008

Department of Management & Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Department of Citizen Services ~ Mrs. Jolene Sullivan

Thursday – June 21, 2007 ~ Continued

Application for Emergency Shelter Grant

Department of Management & Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Department of Citizen Services ~ Mrs. Jolene Sullivan

Bid Approval ~ Deep Milling & Patching, Milling & Resurfacing on Sections

of Five (5) County Roads

Bureau of Purchasing ~ Mr. Rich Shelton

Department of Public Works ~ Mr. J. Michael Evans

Chief of Staff Time ~ Mr. Steve Powell

CLOSED ~ Land Acquisition

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

7:30 p.m. Freedom Area Citizens Council (FACC)

Carrolltowne Center

Commissioner Zimmer

Friday – June 22, 2007

Saturday – June 23, 2007

Sunday – June 24, 2007

8:05 a.m. “The Commissioners’ Report” – WTTR

Commissioner Zimmer

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities, and facilities. If you have questions, suggestions, or complaints, please contact Ms. Jolene Sullivan, the Carroll County Government Americans With Disabilities Act Coordinator, at 410-386-3600/1-888-302-8978 or TTY No. 410-848-9747. The mailing address is 225 North Center Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157.

Posted: 07/07/06

CARROLL COUNTY

a great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to play

20070615 DEAD LINKS

20060815 404 Gears by Kevin Dayhoff

DEAD LINKS

June 15^th, 2007

I was checking out what fellow Carroll countian Andrew Kujan has been up to recently and ran across his analysis of the Baltimore Mayoral Race on the Web which is well worth the time to read…

But on the technical side of the all-things-blogosphere I was happy to see another blogger put it in (cyber)print something that has had me annoyed for quite sometime - - and “old media” just does not seem to be getting it – DEAD LINKS.

What Mr. Kujan said was, “… (I would love to link you, but the Sun has WORTHLESS archives online, something they should fix before the Examiner becomes the paper of choice for bloggers who abhor dead links)…” [My emphasis.]

I have been approached on a number of occasions by readers and writers as to why I’m predisposed to link a Washington/Baltimore Examiner or Gazette story instead of an article that is perhaps written as equally well by a Frederick News-Post, Baltimore Sun or Carroll County Times journalist. Their papers do not use permalinks…

For dead links on the Carroll County Times web page – click here and contact the journalist who wrote the article for the rest of the article or ask for the paper’s publisher to begin using permalinks…

Above and beyond - and more often than not – over-looking issues of bias and content: It is really simple - - I hate DEAD LINKS. Although I am always happy to accommodate a reader that e-mails me to request the rest of the story, but there are only so many hours in the day…

PLEASE REPORT DEAD LINKS TO KEVINDAYHOFF AT GMAIL DOT COM THANK YOU

####

20070615 some good analysis on the Baltimore Mayoral Contest

If you are looking for some good analysis on the Baltimore Mayoral Contest...

June 15th, 2007

I was watching the news on one of the Baltimore channels this evening, (Channel 11?), and they are now calling crime in Baltimore a “crisis” – and that is exactly the perception.

Increasingly – across the state and across the nation, the perception is growing that crime in Baltimore City is out of control.

Add to this challenge the perception that Baltimore and Maryland are horrifically anti-business and Baltimore City schools are a mess, and you have a recipe for ever-increasing serious problems for attracting jobs and economic development.

Of course let’s stipulate that the loss of life and impediments to succeed are dooming an entire generation of children who are being de facto denied an opportunity to be a part of the American dream and lead productive lives. This tragedy alone should be a call for action.

Of course the individual challenges can be overcome but not everyone can be an Horatio Alger. The statistically probability needs to be changed for the better for young Baltimoreans to have an opportunity to succeed. All of us have benefited from a leg-up at some point in our lives…

Meanwhile, taxes can’t pay for everything and if a business is afraid to locate in Baltimore or Maryland, the employment and tax base future looks bleak.

Now that there is a Democrat in the Statehouse and the Maryland General Assembly is essentially one-party rule – it can no longer be blamed on a Republican governor, not that most folks bought that explanation anyway.

The upcoming elections in Baltimore are critical if the population and tax base flight is to be turned-around. And the state has serious budget problems so that tax-well is looking pretty dry in the foreseeable future.

If you want put the brakes on urban sprawl, the City of Baltimore has to be an attractive place to live, raise a family and hold a job - - and this point the verdict is out as to whether or not things will get better in the foreseeable future.

The health of Baltimore has a direct impact on the rest of us in the state…

One place to begin understanding the byzantine machinations of Baltimore one-party politics is to take a good look at Baltimore Mayoral Race on the Web by: Andrew Kujan.

####

20070615 Baltimore Examiner Volkmann Watch

Baltimore Examiner Volkmann Watch

(Stories June 8^th through June 15^th, 2007)

June 15, 2007

Tech workers rack up most overtime - 06/15/2007
With one specialist for every 900 computers — instead of the state-recommended 300 computers — technology professionals had to log the most overtime hours of Carroll County school employees last year.
http://www.examiner.com/a-782111~Tech_workers_rack_up_most_overtime.html

Assistant earns more than boss - 06/15/2007
It doesn’t always pay to be the boss. Harry Fogle, an assistant superintendent for Carroll County schools made nearly $14,000 more than his direct supervisor last year.
http://www.examiner.com/a-782112~Assistant_earns_more_than_boss.html

Teen set to travel to Estonia - 06/14/2007
Roger Voter’s summer vacation will be unlike that of most 17-year-olds, who might sit poolside or maybe even visit Ocean City.
http://www.examiner.com/a-779877~Teen_set_to_travel_to_Estonia.html

Vandal targets commissioner’s mailbox - 06/14/2007
Someone tried to blow up Commissioner Julia Gouge’s mailbox Wednesday — one day after she voted for a controversial airport expansion.
http://www.examiner.com/a-779878~Vandal_targets_commissioner_s_mailbox.html

State police reinstate barracks commander in Westminster - 06/13/2007
It was a false alarm.
http://www.examiner.com/a-777704~State_police_reinstate_barracks_commander_in_Westminster.html

Airport expansion moves forward - 06/13/2007
Carroll County commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to approve a controversial airport expansion.
http://www.examiner.com/a-777711~Airport_expansion_moves_forward.html

Committee to shoot movie on water conservation - 06/13/2007
A subcommittee of Carroll’s countywide water commission hopes to shoot a movie that will inspire residents to conserve water.
http://www.examiner.com/a-777712~Committee_to_shoot_movie_on_water_conservation.html

Carroll OKs runway expansion - 06/12/2007
Carroll County commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to expand the runway at Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster.
http://www.examiner.com/a-776074~Carroll_OKs_runway_expansion.html

High Street extension opens in New Windsor - 06/12/2007
A new section of High Street in New Windsor officially opened to traffic Monday.
http://www.examiner.com/a-775749~High_Street_extension_opens_in_New_Windsor.html

Airport’s night-light, fuel pump broken - 06/12/2007
Commissioners are scheduled to vote today on whether to lengthen the runway at Carroll County Regional Airport in Westminster. But a source familiar with airport operations questions whether an expansion is appropriate when it can’t seem to keep up with basic maintenance.
http://www.examiner.com/a-775756~Airport_s_night_light__fuel_pump_broken.html

Westminster’s plan to go wireless stalls - 06/12/2007
Westminster’s plan to bring wireless Internet access to downtown has hit a firewall.
http://www.examiner.com/a-775757~Westminster_s_plan_to_go_wireless_stalls.html

Airport meeting disappoints - 06/08/2007
Residents opposed to the lengthening of the runway at the Carroll County Regional Airport said they were disappointed by their meeting with county commissioners Thursday.
http://www.examiner.com/a-770037~Airport_meeting_disappoints.html

Man guilty of invasion - 06/08/2007
He heard guilty 30 times for crimes that could keep him locked up for 100 years, but Ronald Jerome Presco didn’t show any emotion.
http://www.examiner.com/a-770038~Man_guilty_of_invasion.html

Center plants trees to revive - 06/08/2007
Residents driving down John Owings Road in Westminster have wondered whether a new cemetery has sprung up at Hashawha Environmental Center.
http://www.examiner.com/a-770039~Center_plants_trees_to_revive.html

20070615 Former Duke lacrosse case DA to resign

Former Duke lacrosse case DA to resign

The Associated Press is reporting that former Duke lacrosse case D.A. Mike Nifong will resign.

June 15^th, 2007

Good riddance.

Now how about the person who perpetrated this fraud. Will she be held responsible for her behavior?

Or how about the behavior of Duke University?

Or the 88 or so liberal professors who were so quick to condemn before they had any of the facts?

Or how about the media that was directly complicit in trying these innocent students in the press and convicting them in the court of public opinion – before they knew all the facts.

Where’s the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson today? What do they have to say for themselves? They threw gasoline on this fire.

How about the state of North Carolina or Durham County repaying the innocent students and their families, their horrendous expenses plus compensation for pain and suffering?

This was/is a horrific nightmare and everyone involved needs to be held accountable to the maximum.

Everything possible needs to be done before anyone is ever “Nifonged” again.

_____

Former Duke lacrosse case D.A. to resign

Nifong still might lose law license, admits improper remarks about players

The Associated Press

Updated: 3:57 p.m. ET June 15, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - A tearful Mike Nifong said Friday he will resign as district attorney after admitting that he made improper statements about three Duke University lacrosse players who were once charged with (assaulting) a stripper.

“My community has suffered enough,” Nifong said from the witness stand at his ethics trial on allegations that he violated rules of professional conduct in his handling of the case.

The players were later declared innocent by state prosecutors.

The North Carolina State Bar said Nifong withheld DNA test results from the players’ defense attorneys, lied to the court and bar investigators, and made misleading and inflammatory comments about the three athletes, who were cleared of charges they (assaulted) a stripper at a team party in March 2006.

The article is lengthy has a good bit of detail… and is worth reading. Find it here: Former Duke lacrosse case D.A. to resign

####

20070614 Roger Voter set to travel to Estonia by Kelsey Volkmann

Roger Voter set to travel to Estonia by Kelsey Volkmann

June 15^th, 2007

For other posts and additional information on “Soundtrack” click here: Estonia Paide Westminster Maryland Sister City Partnership and/or Estonia EE.

Also see Volkmann watch for additional work by Ms. Volkmann.

Teen set to travel to Estonia

Jun 14, 2007 3:00 AM by Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner

WESTMINSTER, Md. - Roger Voter’s summer vacation will be unlike that of most 17-year-olds, who might sit poolside or maybe even visit Ocean City.

The Westminster summer camp counselor leaves Sunday for Eastern Europe as part of a sister city exchange between Westminster and Paide, Estonia.

“I’m going to see how their camp is run and what sports they play,” said Voter, a senior at Westminster High School.

Later this month, Margit Udam, a recreation professional from the former Soviet republic, will travel here to learn more about Westminster’s recreation and parks program.

Voter’s mother, Lyndi McNulty, a custom framer who is active in planting Westminster’s gardens, traveled with Thomas Beyard, city planning and zoning director, to Estonia two years ago in what McNulty said has been hailed as the No. 1 city partnership in the world.

“The American ambassador in Estonia said that, at international conferences, everyone is always fascinated by how often people travel back and forth between Westminster and Paide,” McNulty said.

Recreation and Parks Director Ron Schroers was the first city employee to travel to Estonia in 2003.

Last year, a sculptor and retired professor from McDaniel College went there for a limestone festival.

More.

20070613 Model Ts visiting Westminster on June 19

Model Ts visiting Westminster on June 19

June 14^th, 2007

Westminster Eagle…

I’m looking forward to June 19^th, 2007 when the Model Ts visit Westminster.

One of our spring projects has been to get the family’s 1929/1930 Model A out for a drive and get some maintenance accomplished.

As you can see from the picture above – I help my wife take care of work on the car

Anyway – writing for the Westminster Eagle last Wednesday, June 13^th, 2007, Kym Byrnes says:

On June 19, the streets of Westminster will be filled with more than 60 Model T Fords as the antique cars, and their owners, journey down Main Street as part of a weeklong summer tour hosted by the Blue & Grey Chapter of the Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA).

Vernon Keeler of Keymar is a member of the Blue and Grey Chapter, and expects to be on hand with his family's 1926 Model T Roadster pickup.

According to Keeler, the chapter is based in Hagerstown, but has members throughout the region, including his wife, Dottie Keeler, who is the current president.

For the summer tour, though, Model T owners come from as far as Colorado, Arizona, Maine and Florida, and spend the week, June 17-22, traveling to different locales in Maryland.

On Tuesday, June 19, members will travel to Westminster to visit the Wheeler Automotive Museum on Railroad Avenue, arriving at an estimated time of about 10:30 a.m.

[…]

… Keeler, who said Model Ts move at about 35 miles per hour…

(Editor’s note: Which seems a bit slow but many folks are unaware that 35 mph was the national speed limit during World War II…)

For more information on the club, visit www.clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/mdbluegrey

####

20070614 Westminster Eagle Week in Review

Westminster Eagle Week in Review

June 14^th, 2007

Kevin E. Dayhoff

---

Commissioners should start 'coffin' up cash on 144-year-old debt
On June 23 and 24, Westminster and the Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table will host a commemoration of the 144th anniversary of Corbit's Charge.

For those unaware of this piece of history:

On June 29, 1863, Capt. Charles Corbit led approximately 100 Union cavalrymen from the 1st Delaware Cavalry, ...
[Read full story]

Opinion

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Father's Day also keeps alive the memory of a local mother
EDITORIAL

As we all know by now -- and if you don't, there are still four days to shop -- Sunday is Father's Day.

It's ironic that in Carroll County, it's also become a day to remember a local wife and mother, Joanna Nicolay, a Finksburg woman who died in 2003 from complications of melanoma.

I...
[Read full story]

Community Calendar

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Community Calendar
ARTS

Coffey Music and Downtown Westminster are hosting the annual Friday Summer Concert Series on Locust Lane, every Friday in June, noon-1 p.m. The concerts are free. Call 410-848--5003 for details. The lineup is as follows:

*June 15, Ken Baldwin.

*June 22, Russ Reiter.

*June 29, Chasmo....
[Read full story]

Local News Friday, June 15 News Briefs
Bureau of Aging plans community meetings

The Carroll County Bureau of Aging will hold community meetings in June and July to discuss the agency's four-year plan for fiscal years 2008-11.

To comply with the federal Older Americans Act, the state Department of Aging requires each area to develop a...
[Read full story]

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Model T-ease

On June 19, the streets of Westminster will be filled with more than 60 Model T Fords as the antique cars, and their owners, journey down Main Street as part of a weeklong summer tour hosted by the Blue & Grey Chapter of the Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA).

Vernon Keeler of Keymar is a member of the Blue and Grey Chapter, and expects to be on hand with his family's 1926 Model T Roadster pickup.

According to Keeler, the chapter is based in Hagerstown, but has members throughout the region, including his wife, Dottie Keeler, who is the current president.

For the summer tour, though, M...
[Read full story]

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Locust Lane earns park designation
Council vote designed to add rules for behavior

Locust Lane, the small courtyard on Westminster's Main Street across from the Westminster Branch Library, was officially designated as a "city park" at Monday's meeting of the Mayor and Common Council.

The vote is designed to impose park-like rules...
[Read full story]

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Library is scheduled for facelift
Renovation will upgrade interior, replace shelving

Two years ago, the Westminster Public Library celebrated 25 years of service, and in recognition of this milestone, the Board of County Commissioners gave the library a birthday "gift" -- money for new carpeting.

But while staff of the Carroll C...
[Read full story]

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Education Notes
FSK students go to bat for the Red Cross

Francis Scott Key High School was recently recognized by the American Red Cross for being one of the top 20 high schools in the region for blood donations.

The region includes Maryland, northern Virginia and southern Pennsylvania.

Francis Scott Key stud...
[Read full story]

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More Headlines County employees cited for cost-saving ideas

Commissioners approve expansion in airport plan

Business Briefs

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20070615 This Week in The Tentacle

This Week in The Tentacle

Friday, June 15, 2007

Partisan Nonsense

Roy Meachum

Our courtrooms cannot claim objectivity. We have an adversarial system, borrowed from England, our colonial "mother country." Still, things could be worse. We might have adopted France's Napoleon Code used in my native Louisiana.

Amnesty Hits a Roadblock

Edward Lulie III

The push for amnesty for illegal immigrants is not going away anytime soon, but it has hit a wall of resistance from voters. It has generated so much opposition that it may now become the central issue for the 2008 presidential campaign.

---

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Coming Up Fast on the Rail...

Tony Soltero

Last Friday afternoon I stopped at a local health club after work, as is usually my routine. When I was getting ready to mount the elliptical, I noticed that the nearby TV was tuned into one of the cable news stations, spewing out the latest blow-by-blow on the all-important Paris Hilton saga.

Time to Re-regulate the Deregulated

George Wenschhof

One of the critical issues that Gov. Martin O'Malley focused on in his campaign was the rising cost of electricity. His speeches would include phrases inferring the Public Service Commission (PSC) should focus more on the needs of the working men and women of Maryland and not the energy companies and their executives.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2007

The Fragging of Gen. Peter Pace

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced last Friday that he will recommend Adm. Mike Mullen, the current chief of naval operations to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - and not Gen. Peter Pace.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

A Gentlemanly Journalist, a Fierce Competitor

Roy Meachum

As downtown's Portobello Road owner Kat observed, "He had a good long run." Doug Chevalier was 87 last week when death found him in Florida. The Washington Post obituary said he had moved to Venice five years ago.

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Monday, June 11, 2007

Where do they go from here?

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

The Fredrick News Post front page causes most politicians to hold their breath. We all walk out front, pick it up, pull open the plastic bag, and then squint to see if something we said or did worked its way through the editorial process and onto the front page.

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Friday, June 8, 2007

Little Noted Nor Long Remembered

Roy Meachum

In this part of the United States, everyone should know the source of the words above. When dedicating the new national cemetery on the site of recent bloody carnage the sitting president said: "The world will little note nor long remember..."

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Thursday, June 7, 2007

Lessons by the Wayside

Chris Cavey

With the magic date of June 1, 2007, just past, the cost of electric energy in Maryland is back to the reality of the market place. Gone are the days of artificial prices, created by the Democrat leadership of the 1999 General Assembly and requested by then Gov. Parris N. Glendening.

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Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Tomorrow's Leaders Today

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Graduation season is upon us and this is the time many of us get some emersion exposure in the values and attitudes of our youngest generation, who are about to assume future leadership positions.

War and Peace

Patricia A. Kelly

I am tired of the talk about withdrawing from the Iraq War that associates withdrawal with failure to support the troops. The concepts are not synonymous! It would be possible to withdraw and support at the same time.

20070614 The Democrats’ Flag Day Offensive

The Democrats’ Flag Day Offensive

June 14^th, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff

Senator Harry Reid and the Democratic leadership celebrate Flag Day - by attacking the military:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Calls Joint Chiefs Chairman Peter Pace 'Incompetent'

The Fragging of Gen. Peter Pace

Call it the “Flag Day offensive.”

Whispers in the hallway are that the Democrats will be launching an all out assault on the military this summer – opening-up a dreaded third theatre of conflict. In addition to Afghanistan and Iraq, the rear-guard action in Washington will be particularly challenging.

I call it the “Flag Day Offensive.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid confirmed Thursday that he told liberal bloggers last week that he thinks outgoing Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Peter Pace is "incompetent."

[…]

"I believe that General Pace would not be if he had come forward to be reappointed the chairman of the Joints Chiefs. It wouldn't have happened and I'm not going to get into what I said or didn't say. There is a long list of people including Senators (Carl) Levin and (Jack) Reed and others who have talked about General Pace long before I did. I think we should just drop it. The fact is, he's not going to be the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, for which I'm happy," Reid said.

Asked if Reid considered Petraeus competent, Reid responded, "Not as far as I'm concerned."

Reid ripped Petraeus for an interview published in Thursday's USA Today describing progress in Iraq.

More

My latest Tentacle column touches upon General Peter Pace “retiring.”

Wednesday, June 13, 2007, The Fragging of Gen. Peter Pace by Kevin E. Dayhoff:

“Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced last Friday that he will recommend Adm. Mike Mullen, the current chief of naval operations to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - and not Gen. Peter Pace…

[…]

By all accounts, Secretary Gates had all intentions for General Pace to serve another two-year term…

[…]

General Pace was nominated to be the vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 2001 while he was serving as the commander of the U.S. Southern Command. He will - unfortunately - be the shortest-serving chairman since Gen. Maxwell Taylor stepped down in 1964 to become the U. S. ambassador to South Vietnam.

General Pace is a 1967 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. After his completion of The Basic School at Quantico in 1968, he was deployed to the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, and 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam.

There he served as a rifle platoon leader, where he led Marines in what is arguably, some of the most dangerous urban combat in our military history at the Battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive.

Please read the entire column: The Fragging of Gen. Peter Pace

Also see: 20070608 Gen. Pace: Throwing the Baby out with the Bath Water

Meanwhile:

Prior to Reid's remarks, White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters that he hoped what he had read about Reid is "not true, because in a time of war, for a leader of a party that says its supports the military, it seems outrageous to be issuing slanders toward the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and also the man that is responsible for the bulk of military operations in Iraq.

_____

For additional information:

The Fragging of Gen. Peter Pace

20070608 Gen. Pace: Throwing the Baby out with the Bath Water

Video: Gates Announces Choice for New Chairman

Biography of Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen

Biography of Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright

Gates Recommends Mullen to Replace Pace

Gen. Pace Terminated as Contentious Reconfirmation Hearing Loomed

####

20070608 Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot

Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot

June 14^th, 2007

For Flag Day what better way to salute the flag that to salute folks who are defending the flag and our way of life. One such person is Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard, who is the City of Westminster’s Director of Planning and Public Works in his civilian role.

Click here for more information about Tom.

Currently he is deployed with the Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot and he recently e-mailed some additional information about TF AVCRAD.

For Flag Day why not send him a care package…

Cards, coffee, cookies, and stuff from home can be sent to:

CSM Thomas Beyard
Command Sergeant Major
TF AVCRAD 06-08
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
APO AE 09366

Below, please find more information about TF AVCRAD from Tom Beyard.

Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot

(TF AVCRAD 06-08)

TF AVCRAD 06 – 08 was officially formed on July 11, 2006. TF AVCRAD consists of over 225 soldiers from sixteen different states.

Soldiers come from HQ, ADMRU from Edgewood, Maryland; F Company, 135^th Aviation from Frankfort, Kentucky; 1106^th AVCRAD from Fresno; California; 1109^th AVCRAD from Groton, Connecticut; 1107^th AVCRAD from Springfield, Missouri; and soldiers from Alabama, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, New York, Hawaii, Ohio, North Carolina and Georgia.

TF AVCRAD 06 – 08 was formed to become the “fifth” AVCRAD. To date, the four organic AVCRADs already deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF). TF AVCRAD tests a new concept for Army aviation logistics – to bring together a command and control cell and match it with an enhanced AVIM plus – to perform the mission of an AVCRAD. This is a huge task and TF AVCRAD soldiers have met the challenge and are setting the standard for follow-on units.

The command and control cell comes from HQ, ADMRU, a unit of Maryland Army National Guard. HQ, ADMRU, as well as all of TF AVCRAD, is commanded by COL Timothy Gowen of Leonardtown, Maryland and CSM Thomas Beyard of Westminster, Maryland serves as Command Sergeant Major.

The enhanced AVIM plus comes from F Company, 135^th Aviation, with supporting maintenance and supply soldiers from the 1106^th, 1107^th and the 1109^th AVCRADs. This unique organization required intensive post-mobilization training for TF AVCRAD soldiers to reach the required level of individual and collective skill.

TF AVCRAD 06-08 executes the Theater Aviation Maintenance Program (TAMP) mission in support of OIF/OEF. TF AVCRAD soldiers provide: 1) National Maintenance Program (NMP) repair management capability; 2) back-up Supply Support Activity (SSA) operations; 3) “limited” Depot level maintenance support; and 4) on order, provide Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Support (AVIM) support to aviation units located in Kuwait and perform Air Port/Sea Port of Debarkation (APOD/APOD) operations.

TF AVCRAD soldiers are executing their mission at various locations including Camp Arifjan, the Kuwait APOD and SPOD, Udari Army Airfield at Camp Buehring, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Kuwait Naval Base in Kuwait, in addition to the work of the fix forward teams at Balad, Iraq and Bagram, Afghanistan and other locations in those countries.

Six TF AVCRAD soldiers completed a mission in Sinai, Egypt in support of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) and only recently TF AVCRAD assumed responsibility for the operations of the Theater Aviation Single Manager (TASM), a unique organization responsible for responding to non-standard problems and providing solutions in the aviation field, in addition to other important duties.

The 60+ soldiers from HQ, ADMRU are proud of the role they play in supporting the warfight. While aviation logistics doesn’t always get the attention of other important missions, professionals know and understand that aviation logistics helps insure the Army helicopters are always flying and ready for the next mission. “Semper volans”, Latin for “always flying”, is also the motto of TF AVCRAD. The unit is set to complete its mission and redeploy to Maryland in the October, 2007 timeframe.

POC: CSM Thomas Beyard

20070614 Quote of the Day - Will you be satisfied

Quote of the Day - Will you be satisfied?

Thursday June 14^th, 2007

“Will you be satisfied with the fruit of your life's work? Will the efforts you are making now bring you satisfaction when the things of time are receding and eternity looms ahead?”

Raymond L. Cox

Thanks TC

20070611 Eugene Gene H Blizzard 53 of Delta Pa

Westminster High School Class of 1971

Eugene 'Gene' H. Blizzard, 53, of Delta, Pa.

Eugene "Gene" Howell Blizzard, 53, of Delta, Pa., died Monday, June 11, 2007, at Franklin Square Hospital from pancreatic cancer.

Born June 21, 1953, in Baltimore, he was the son of Maurice "Ham" and Freda Stauffer Blizzard. He was the husband of Gay Ebaugh Blizzard, his wife of 30 years.

He was a 1971 graduate of Westminster High School where he played football and was on the wrestling team. He attended Bridgewater College and was a 1977 graduate of Towson State University, where he also played football.

He was a physical education teacher in the Harford County school system for 21 years, teaching at both Bel Air and Aberdeen high schools, where he was the wrestling and football coach.

He enjoyed gardening and had a hobby farm for goats and chickens.

Surviving, in addition to his wife and parents, are children Lucas Jeremiah and Justin Ross Blizzard, both of York, Pa., Adrienne Gayle Blizzard of Delta, Pa., and Samantha Blizzard of York College; brother and sister-in-law Gary Lee and Linda Blizzard of Milford, Del.; and mother-in-law Dorothy Ebaugh of Westminster.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster with the Rev. Frederick P. Eckhardt officiating. Interment will be private.

The family will receive friends from noon until time of service Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Johns Hopkins University for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Ralph H. Hruban, M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 401 N. Broadway, Weinberg 2242, Baltimore, MD 21231-2410.