Dayhoff Soundtrack

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

20070924 AP: FCC Proposes Fine Against Comcast for ‘Fake News’ Report

AP: FCC Proposes Fine Against Comcast for 'Fake News' Report

Monday, September 24, 2007

Now this is certainly an interesting development. One could argue that if the FCC were to aggressively pursue “fake news” in the mainstream media it could provide an incredible source of income for the U. S. coffers… And yes, the irony that AP reported the story was noticed. Remember AP does not cite blog sites or bloggers...

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission is proposing a $4,000 fine against Comcast Corp. for airing a pitch for a sleep aid without telling viewers that the spot was financed by the maker of the product.

The fine was in response to a complaint by the Center for Media and Democracy, a media watchdog group, which said it marks the first time a company has been sanctioned for airing a "video news release," a type of programming it dubs "fake news."

A video news release is a sponsored public relations video that mimics actual news reports. Such programs are common in broadcasting and are usually offered to news shows for free.

The fine, while small, is significant for another reason: It is being assessed against a cable company. Comcast Corp. says cable programming is not covered under the statute cited by the FCC.

The company released a statement saying it was "perplexed" by the action and that even if it were subject to FCC jurisdiction, the segment still shouldn't have been subject to sanction.

[…]

20070918 The Virginian-Pilot: Timeline of significant events for Blackwater

The Virginian-Pilot: Timeline of significant events for Blackwater

The Virginian-Pilot September 18, 2007

Timeline of significant events for Blackwater

A BLACKWATER TIMELINE

Significant events in the history of Moyock, N.C.-based Blackwater USA:

Dec. 26, 1996 - Blackwater Lodge and Training Center Inc. is incorporated in Delaware.

Jan. 30, 1997 - The company buys its first properties in Currituck and Camden counties, N.C.

Mar. 31, 2004 - Four Blackwater contractors are killed and publicly mutilated in Fallujah, Iraq, bringing international attention to the company and prompting calls for revenge.

20070924 Quote of the day – The size of your funeral

Quote of the day

September 24, 2007

“Regardless of what you do in life, the size of your funeral is still determined by the weather.”

E-mailed to me by Mrs. Owl, thank you.

Monday, September 24, 2007

20070923 French Foreign Minister Kouchner responds to be being interrupted

French Foreign Minister Kouchner responds to be being interrupted

On Sunday, September 23^rd, 2007, “Amy Proctor” posted the video below on the “French Foreign Minister Calls Code Pink 'Stupid' During Interruption.”

It is a relatively priceless moment captured on video.

Ms. Proctor wrote, in part:

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who last week said "We must prepare for the worst” against Iran (referring to war), addressed Center for Strategic and International Studies where he was interrupted by (sigh, who else..) Code Pink.

Read the rest of her post here: French Foreign Minister Calls Code Pink 'Stupid' During Interruption

Meanwhile, enjoy this:

http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1199226888

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20070924 Carroll County Builders for the Bay Roundtable on September 26

Carroll County Builders for the Bay Roundtable on September 26

Media Advisory – Posted September 24^th, 2007

For more information, contact: Julie Tasillo,

Center for Watershed Protection, 410-461-8323

What: Carroll County Builders for the Bay Roundtable

Where: Multi-Purpose Room, Westminster Senior and Community Center, 125 Stoner Avenue, Westminster

When: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 26

Details: Builders for the Bay is a unique initiative that brings together the Home Builders Association of Maryland, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Center for Watershed Protection, and Carroll County Government to evaluate existing development practices. This kick-off will launch a yearlong process to find ways to more effectively protect natural resources through innovative and cost-effective site design and land planning techniques.

Directions: From Baltimore, take Route 140 west to Westminster. Turn left onto Center Street. Follow Center Street past the sharp turn. Turn left onto Stoner Avenue. The senior center is located on the right.

From Westminster: Follow Center Street south past the sharp turn. Turn left onto Stoner Avenue. The senior center is located on the right.

# # #

20070924 CCBOC Agenda for the week of September 24, 2007

Carroll County Board of Commissioners Agenda for the Week of September 24, 2007 ~ Revision 2

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 held at the Carroll County Office Building

Room 311. (Unless otherwise noted)

Indicates Outside Activities

Monday – September 24, 2007

11:00 a.m. Board of County Commissioners Open Session

Adoption of a Resolution in Support of the Carroll Child Care Centers, Inc.

Chief of Staff ~ Mr. Steven D. Powell

12:00 p.m. Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) Tour of Colonial Pipeline Facility

Woodbine, MD

Commissioners Gouge & Zimmer

4:00 p.m. Water Resource Council

County Office Building ~ Room 105

Commissioner Gouge, Guest Speaker

Tuesday – September 25, 2007

10:00 a.m. Board of County Commissioners Open Session

PowerPoint Presentation of E-Tix

(Electronic Traffic Information Exchange) Pilot Program

followed by demonstration

Maryland State Police ~ Lt. Dean Richardson

Hampstead Annexation No. 30 ~ Summit/Taylor Properties

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Tuesday – September 25, 2007 ~ Continued

Bid Approval

Shiloh Wastewater Pumping Station Upgrade

Bureau of Purchasing ~ Mr. Rich Shelton

Department of Public Works ~ Mr. J. Michael Evans

Bid Approval

Cape Horn Athletic Field #1

Bureau of Purchasing ~ Mr. Rich Shelton

Department of Recreation & Parks ~ Mr. Jeff Degitz

Execution of State Aid for Police Protection Report

Department of the Comptroller ~ Mr. Rob Burk

Request Approval of the FY08 Town/County Agreements with

Town of Manchester & Town of Mt. Airy

Department of Management & Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Presentation of the Emergency Operations Plan & the Hazard Mitigation Plan

Office of Public Safety ~ Mr. Scott Campbell

Chief of Staff Time ~ Mr. Steve Powell

CLOSED ~ Land Acquisition

Department of General Services ~ Mr. Ralph Green

4:00 p.m. Carroll County Chamber PM Connections ~ The Dinner Company

Westminster, MD

Commissioner Zimmer

Wednesday – September 26, 2007

8:00 a.m. Carroll County Builders of the Bay Roundtable Meeting

Westminster Senior Center

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich & Zimmer

1:00 p.m. Board of Education Meeting

Board of Education Offices

Commissioner Zimmer

Wednesday – September 26, 2007 ~ Continued

7:00 p.m. Board of County Commissioners Community Meeting with Town of Sykesville Sykesville Town Hall

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich & Zimmer

Thursday – September 27, 2007

10:00 a.m. Administrative Session ~ Closed

2:30 p.m. Parents as Teachers Kickoff Celebration

Carroll Community College ~ The Scott Center

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich & Zimmer

Friday – September 28, 2007

2:00 p.m. Maryland’s Most Beautiful People ~ Volunteer Awards Program

North Carroll Senior Center

Commissioners Gouge & Zimmer

Saturday – September 29, 2007

Sunday – September 30, 2007

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

Commissioner Minnich

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

20070924 Today is National Punctuation Day

Today is National Punctuation Day

September 24^th, 2007

Please join me in a celebration of the semicolon.

Hat Tip: About.com – Grammar & Composition: http://grammar.about.com/b/a/000153.htm

There is even an official “Meat Loaf of National Punctuation Day.” I kid you NOT!

So please tell me; did you celebrate National Punctuation Day? If so how?

How do you feel about punctuation?”

As I keyboard - festivities are in the works over at WTTR.

Cook the Official Meat Loaf of National Punctuation Day! (see PDF recipe)

Celebrate National Punctuation Day®

September 24

National Punctuation Day founder becomes caped crusader to promote literacy in schools

PINOLE, CA — National Punctuation Day, the holiday that reminds America that a “semicolon is not a surgical procedure,” celebrates its fourth anniversary September 24. But what started as a clever idea to remind corporations and professional people of the importance of proper punctuation has turned into an everyday mission to help school children learn the punctuation skills they need to be successful in life.

Founded in 2004 by former newspaperman Jeff Rubin, NPD is listed in Chase’s Calendar of Events and The Teacher’s Calendar, two directories published by McGraw-Hill.

The annual event is widely recognized. Bank of America in Tampa, FL, for example, commemorates NPD with a week-long array of celebrations and trivia contests. Last year, Rubin was a guest on dozens of radio shows, NPD received significant newspaper coverage, and the Dayton Business Journal in Ohio baked cookies and pastries in the shape of punctuation marks.

More: Celebrate National Punctuation Day

In the Spotlight | More Topics |

from Jen Hubley

Formal instruction in grammar and punctuation was out of style when I went to school. If you were a big reader, which I was, it was sort of assumed you'd pick up the mechanics on your own.

National Punctuation Day

Fortunately, my Mom was a former English teacher with a horror of sloppy usage. I was the only kid I knew who diagrammed sentences at the dinner table - and not because it was homework.

- Grammar & Composition Guide Richard Nordquist

Basic Rules of Punctuation

As Richard points out, the problem with rules of punctuation is "like many of the so-called 'laws' of grammar, [they] ... would never hold up in court." One of my favorites to abuse: the "law" of "quote." (See how annoying that was?)

- Grammar & Composition Guide Richard Nordquist

The Campaign to Abolish the Apostrophe

It totally fries me to see possessives spelled without apostrophes. As it's happening more and more - "Pike's Peak" into "Pikes Peak," etc. - I guess I'll either have to lighten up or get myself a pair of fireproof pants.

Grammar & Composition Guide Richard Nordquist

####

20070924 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting

Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting

City Council Members | Minutes of City Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of September 24, 2007

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

2. CONSENT CALENDAR:

August Departmental Operating Reports

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 10, 2007

4. BIDS:

Water and Sewer Rate Study Contract

5. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

6. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

7. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt

Ordinance No. 770 and the Accompanying Decision - Local Map Amendment

No. LMA 06-2 – Brightview of Westminster LLC – Westminster Ridge

Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance

No.771 - Zoning Text Amendment No. TA06-5

Resolution No. R07-11 – Activation of Target Investment Zone under the Heart

Of Civil War Heritage Area Management Plan

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of September 20, 2007

9. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Finance Policies

10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

11. CITIZEN COMMENTS

12. ADJOURN

20070924 college journalists looking for a job at the New York Times

Just a couple of college journalists looking for a job at the New York Times

September 24th, 2007

Ah, and speaking of Bush Derangement Syndrome, click on this college student newspaper moment of intellectual endeavor – after you understand that what you are about to view, albeit, in a student newspaper, in part supported by taxpayer dollars, is fairly off the scale offensive: Student Newspaper Strikes Out.

Hat Tip: The Baltimore Reporter – “Our Future MSM Reporters Display Their Brilliance.”

But of course, President George W. Bush had nothing to do with the incident.

For that matter, neither did Senator John Kerry, who certainly appeared to attempt to ameliorate a bad situation promulgated by someone intent on calling attention to himself by being extraordinarily obnoxious and then shoving a police officer.

One may be able to argue that there is a place in society for civil disobedience – but one must always be willing to accept the consequences and always remember that police officers have guns.

As far as the budding student journalists ... one could also argue that the folks at “The Rocky Mountain Collegian” were just looking to develop a resume item for the New York Times, which says the same thing, every other day, with different adjectives.

(Meanwhile, you may want to contact them: “Since 1891, The Rocky Mountain Collegian has been the student voice of Colorado State University. The Rocky Mountain Collegian's purpose is threefold: serve as a news source, create a platform for discourse and provide skill development opportunity for staff. The Collegian strives to cover and explain the relevance of issues that impact the Colorado State community, primarily students, by providing a broad scope of perspectives.”)

Fox News has more…

Thanks again to “The Baltimore Reporter.”

####

20070805 Family visit to Christ Lutheran Church in Tinicum Pennsylvania

Family visit to Christ Lutheran Church in Tinicum Pennsylvania

August 5^th, 2007 – September 22^nd, 2007

The weekend of Sunday August 5^th, 2007 a large contingent of the family traveled to attend services at the Tinicum Pennsylvania Christ Lutheran Church. This is one of the earliest family churches in the Fluck-Judd-Babylon et al family history.

This video depicts that Christ Lutheran Church is still a country church – and it shows the parsonage where Aunt Betty and Uncle Bill were born.

The web site for the church proclaims:

“Our unofficial motto is “We Meet to Eat:” between Food, Fun and Fellowship groups, covered dish suppers, Games Nite, Advent Vespers, we'll grab any chance to get together over some of the best food and conversation you'll find anywhere. Sometimes we just make time and space to rest, to gain a little peace in a busy, busy world. Friendships are made, lives are changed.

“We are blessed by God with Grace, Salvation, a beautiful earth and all that we have. In response to the love that God has shown to us, we want to cheerfully help God's Kingdom here on earth by giving something back.”

Please enjoy the video.

A church that establishes an unofficial motto, “We meet to eat,” is a place in which I am comfortable.

We had a wonderful visit.

As we all grow older – discovering our roots becomes increasing important. We simply have no idea where we are going if we do not know where we’ve been.

20070805 Tinicum Christ Lutheran Church family visit

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net

20070922 An Overdue Update to the Granite House May 11 2007 Rock Ball

An Overdue Update to the Granite House May 11 2007 Rock Ball

Lyndi McNulty, Joe and Audrey Cimino entertain at Granite House fundraiser

May 11, 2007 – September 22, 2007

These short videos feature Lyndi McNulty, Joe and Audrey Cimino entertaining at the first annual “Rock Ball” hosted by Granite House. (Please see: 20070406 Support Granite House Rock Ball.)

On May 11^th, 2007 Caroline and I were pleased to attend the first annual “Rock Ball” hosted by Granite House in Westminster, Carroll County Maryland.

This year’s event was held at the Inn at Roop’s Mill in Westminster Maryland.

The event was billed as an evening of classic rock and roll, amazing food, and lots of fun surprises. The event lived up to its advertising as we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with great folks who all came together to raise money for a great cause.

One of the many entertaining and delightful surprises was Audrey and Joe Cimino – and Lyndi McNulty.

Please see the videos below.

What folks from outside Carroll County are not aware is that these three individuals are held in high regard as part of the top tier of folks who make thinks happen in Carroll County and the fact that they were so willing to, how shall I say, have some fun; was greatly admired by one and all.

And they did it for a great cause…

The Rock Ball specifically raised dollars for Granite House’s “Charitable Fund.” The Charitable Fund was created to help folks who cannot afford to pay their co-pay from their insurance plan or even have no insurance coverage at all, i. e: the working poor. We believe strongly that mentally healthy people are more productive community members and that all people should be able to receive the care they need.

If you would like more information on Granite House, please contact Laura Rhodes at 410-876-3007 x140. If you are interested in specific information about Granite House’s programs, you can view their website at www.granitehouse.org or contact us at 410-751-5970.

20070511 Lyndi McNulty entertains at Granite House fundraiser

20070511 Audrey and Joe Cimino entertain at fundraiser

####

20070922 We hear from a reader on President Ahmadinejad

We hear from a reader on President Ahmadinejad.

Aryeh Amihay has left a new comment on your post "20070921 Columbia won't cancel Ahmadinejad speech":

I think the issue is not so much his views, as is his ability to implement them.

In other words, he's not invited to Columbia because he wants to destroy Israel, but because he might have the power to do so.

Not any antisemite in the US, interested in the destruction of Israel would receive the same invitation from CU. Therefore, it's not a matter of which views are being represented, but which views are actually shaping our world, affecting Mideast politics and US foreign policy.

More on this on my blog:

http://mostlyonisrael.blogspot.com/2007/09/some-comments-on-iran-ahmedinejad-and.html

_____

Thanks for your comment Mr. Amihay.

Thanks for calling to my attention your blog. I took a quick tour of your web site and I’ll be placing a link on my blog to your site the next chance I get. I’ll look forward to checking-in as frequent as possible.

As a journalist, if I had a chance to attend the presentation of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - I would. For me, his right to free speech in our country is not the issue.

It is wonderful that he have the forum to prove, once he opens his mouth, that his positions are not in-line with a just and peaceful world.

Free speech is rather important to me as it should be to all Americans and as much as I am concerned, to say the least, about what it is that the Iranian president has to say – or the power to do; my problem is more with Columbia University’s persistent inconsistencies.

The esteemed institution piously, self-righteously, if not - condescendingly proclaims to be the standard-bearer for a “long-standing tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate.”

Yet anecdotally, that is not its track record. The wonders of information dissemination by way of the internet allow us to be aware that the esteemed university does not extend meaningful invitations to those for whom, the university appears to collectively - not agree.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Columbia University were to extend an invitation to all Americans of varying political ideologies the courtesy that it so easily extend to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

With all due respect sir, for me the wheels come off the cart in your commentary when you misuse Spragens Political Theorem in your fourth paragraph; by utilizing conclusions in your equation that are certainly not agreed upon as facts.

Please read: “19981216 President Clinton explains Iraq strike.”

It was disconcerting how quickly your otherwise intelligent commentary was compromised when it drifted from President Ahmadinejad to diatribes about President George W. Bush.

First things first.

There is no firm foundation for a scholar to simplistically buy-in to the notion that because attempts at nuclearization in the Middle East are occurring on President George W. Bush’s watch; it is because this president “has managed to secure” it. The slow and steady desire of Middle Eastern nations to acquire nuclear capability began long before President Bush’s term in office. (“…The attack of the Iraqi Nuclear Reactor in 1981…”)

Suggesting that the war in Iraq, promulgated in an attempt, in part, to stop the de-stabilization (and nuclearization of the region,) has, in affect, caused a phenomenon which had already begun antecedent to the U. S. intervention in Iraq is logically suspect, if not simplistic and presents itself as agenda driven.

(As an aside, I can criticize the conduct of the war with the best. Please see "The Crocodile Dundee Factor." Or “Iraq: Into the Heart of Darkness.”)

But that does not mean that I am opposed to challenging the global forces of terrorism with force. Or that I don’t yearn for peace. No more than you when you wrote on September 1, 2007, that you “will criticize Israel more often and in more detail than other parties of the conflict. This does not mean that I think Israel is more to blame in the conflict than anyone else. As an Israeli, I have a better understanding of Israeli politics than of politics of any other country.”

Like you, my ideal, in spite of how often I come-up short, is “Above all, this blog is concerned with the truth, not in taking sides.”

However with that in mind, what was particularly disconcerting for me is to read is that a PhD student in the Dept of Religion at Princeton University is presenting a scholarly commentary that includes the phraseology, “contrary to the pubic image of a complete idiot, George W. Bush…”

Of no doubt, any well-read person has seen President Bush characterized as such. Nevertheless, that is usually where I stop reading. I am unaware of any definitive research that allows me to know what “the public image” is with the exception of that tired canard being trotted out in the lexicon of folks who wish to monopolize the dominant narrative by repeating such a baseless conclusion ad nauseum until the less informed accept it as a “fact."

Fundamentally, your argumentation that a “connection between the war in Iraq and the rise of oil prices has been noticed by many,” is equally suspect. No doubt, the price of oil has been affected by the hostilities in the region.

However there is a preponderance of information that an historic (see 1973 oil crisis and 1979 energy crisis) destabilization in the price of oil would have persisted in the face of the unchecked continued radicalization of Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq.

Ultimately, any continued United States foreign policy based on our continued dependence on foreign oil is a ticket to failure.

Finally - blaming the phenomena of the erratic fluctuations in the price of oil; the Middle East’s appetite for nuclear proliferation; the continued inability of the šī at Alī (Shias) and ahl al-sunnah wa-l-jamaa (Sunnis) to get along; and the rise of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presents as a manifestation of “Bush Derangement Syndrome” at worst (as defined by Dr, Charles Krauthammer – or click here.)

Or in the least, it smacks of the “… problem … (in) that it once more captures the over-simplistic dichotomy in which many people conceptualize politics, namely the "bad guys" vs. "good guys" view,” (a college freshman’s Hagel’s Dialectic Progression) for which you decry.

Generalizations that all the ills of a dangerous world lay at the feet of President Bush are abusive and contribute to a dangerous polarization for the purpose of bankrupt political expediency such as what characterized the dysfunctionate appeasement in the 1930s that preceded the military defeat of France in 1940 and a world in grave peril.

Meanwhile, thanks again for the feedback. As always, your thoughtful consideration is appreciated regardless of the outcome on any particular issue. Whether we agree or disagree, always find my door open for friendly civil and constructive dialogue. I’ll be up at Princeton in several times this fall. Lunch is on me – isn’t there an Indian restaurant near the intersection of Chestnut and Nassau Streets?

####

20070919 President Bollinger’s Statement on President Ahmadinejad

Columbia University’s President Bollinger's Statement About President Ahmadinejad's Scheduled Appearance

Hat Tip and thanks to “Mostly on Israel”

Published: Sept. 19, 2007

On Monday, September 24, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is scheduled to appear as a speaker on campus. The event is sponsored by the School of International and Public Affairs (see SIPA announcement), which has been in contact with the Iranian Mission to the United Nations. The event will be part of the annual World Leaders Forum, the University-wide initiative intended to further Columbia’s longstanding tradition of serving as a major forum for robust debate, especially on global issues.

In order to have such a University-wide forum, we have insisted that a number of conditions be met, first and foremost that President Ahmadinejad agree to divide his time evenly between delivering remarks and responding to audience questions. I also wanted to be sure the Iranians understood that I would myself introduce the event with a series of sharp challenges to the president on issues including:

the Iranian president’s denial of the Holocaust;

his public call for the destruction of the State of Israel;

his reported support for international terrorism that targets innocent civilians and American troops;

Iran's pursuit of nuclear ambitions in opposition to international sanction;

his government's widely documented suppression of civil society and particularly of women's rights; and

his government's imprisoning of journalists and scholars, including one of Columbia’s own alumni, Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh (see President Bollinger's prior statement).

I would like to add a few comments on the principles that underlie this event. Columbia, as a community dedicated to learning and scholarship, is committed to confronting ideas—to understand the world as it is and as it might be. To fulfill this mission we must respect and defend the rights of our schools, our deans and our faculty to create programming for academic purposes. Necessarily, on occasion this will bring us into contact with beliefs many, most or even all of us will find offensive and even odious. We trust our community, including our students, to be fully capable of dealing with these occasions, through the powers of dialogue and reason.

I would also like to invoke a major theme in the development of freedom of speech as a central value in our society. It should never be thought that merely to listen to ideas we deplore in any way implies our endorsement of those ideas, or the weakness of our resolve to resist those ideas or our naiveté about the very real dangers inherent in such ideas. It is a critical premise of freedom of speech that we do not honor the dishonorable when we open the public forum to their voices. To hold otherwise would make vigorous debate impossible.

That such a forum could not take place on a university campus in Iran today sharpens the point of what we do here. To commit oneself to a life—and a civil society—prepared to examine critically all ideas arises from a deep faith in the myriad benefits of a long-term process of meeting bad beliefs with better beliefs and hateful words with wiser words. That faith in freedom has always been and remains today our nation’s most potent weapon against repressive regimes everywhere in the world. This is America at its best.

####

20070923 Did I read that sign right?

Did I read that sign right?

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Hat Tip: Grammy

TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW

In a Laundromat: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

In a London department store: BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

In an office: WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN

In an office: AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD

Outside a secondhand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Notice in health food shop window: CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

Spotted in a safari park: (I sure hope so)

ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a conference: FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR

Notice in a farmer's field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.

Message on a leaflet: IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS

On a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE BELL DOESN'T WORK)

Sunday, September 23, 2007

20070921 Request for variance from the Forest Conservation Code for the Carroll County Regional Airport

Request for variance from the Forest Conservation Code for the Carroll County Regional Airport

Department Planning

Bureau of Resource Management

REQUEST FOR VARIANCE FROM THE CARROLL COUNTY FOREST

CONSERVATION CODE, CHAPTER 115

September 21, 2007

Issue: FOREST CONSERVATION, CHAPTER 115, VARIANCE REQUEST FOR TIMBER HARVEST IN AREA SET ASIDE FOR PROTECTION VIA FOREST CONSERVATION PLAN FOR CARROLL COUNTY AIRPORT PAPI LIGHTS

FILE NO.: E-96-0002

VARIANCE NO: V-FC-07-001

Background: A variance has been requested for a timber harvest of 6 acres of forest. Of the six acres, 3.75 acres have been previously approved via a Forest Conservation Plan designated as a woodland protection area.

Of the 3.75 acres, 1.91 acres are to be clear cut.

Based on Section 3.3.3 (2) (Page 3-39) of the Carroll County Forest Conservation Technical Manual, A Forest Stewardship Management Plan was prepared by the County Forester and submitted to the State Forestry Board.

The Board approved the Management Plan for the incorporation of applicable best management practices, but since said section of the technical manual requires a post harvest basal area of 70 square feet when timbering in areas set aside for forest conservation easement, the Board did not approve the timber harvest plan.

The proposed clear cut would result in a post harvest basal area of 25 square feet.

Based on regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAR 77 and the Precision Approach Path Indicator Obstruction Clearance Surfaces) those areas scheduled for clear cut are areas identified as a hazard to aviation by penetrating into the Obstruction Clearance Surfaces and must be removed for safety of those using the airport.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.

Discussion: The desired action is a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration for safety of those using the airport and applies to all airports with similar precision approach equipment. In addition, the State Forestry Board has indicated that the Forest Stewardship Management Plan prepared by the County Forester incorporates all applicable BMP’s, as stated in the Custom Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for Forest Harvest Operations.

Recommendation: The request for relief from the Carroll County Forest Conservation Code, Chapter 115 and the Forest Conservation Manual should be granted based on:

(1). 115-14. (1): Strict adherence to the provision of this chapter would result in unnecessary hardship for the County. By granting the variance request the County can remove the designated obstructions and operate the airport per FAA requirements thus creating a non-hazardous condition for precision approaches.

(2). 115.14. (2): The 1.91 acre clear cut will comply with the requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAR 77) and the Precision Approach Path Indicator Obstruction Clearance Surfaces). FAA Object clearing criteria were developed to provide for safe and efficient approach operations at an airport by requiring that certain areas on or near the airport be clear of objects.