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

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

Friday, August 24, 2012

Birdies Cafe in Westminster for quick great cup of coffee.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong's Statement of August 23, 2012 over the USADA doping charges


Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong's Statement of August 23, 2012 over the USADA doping charges




AUSTIN, Texas - August 23rd, 2012 - There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, "Enough is enough." For me, that time is now. I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999. Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by Travis Tygart's unconstitutional witch hunt. The toll this has taken on my family, and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today – finished with this nonsense.

I had hoped that a federal court would stop USADA’s charade. Although the court was sympathetic to my concerns and recognized the many improprieties and deficiencies in USADA’s motives, its conduct, and its process, the court ultimately decided that it could not intervene.

If I thought for one moment that by participating in USADA’s process, I could confront these allegations in a fair setting and – once and for all – put these charges to rest, I would jump at the chance. But I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair. Regardless of what Travis Tygart says, there is zero physical evidence to support his outlandish and heinous claims. The only physical evidence here is the hundreds of controls I have passed with flying colors. I made myself available around the clock and around the world. In-competition. Out of competition. Blood. Urine. Whatever they asked for I provided. What is the point of all this testing if, in the end, USADA will not stand by it?

From the beginning, however, this investigation has not been about learning the truth or cleaning up cycling, but about punishing me at all costs. I am a retired cyclist, yet USADA has lodged charges over 17 years old despite its own 8-year limitation. As respected organizations such as UCI and USA Cycling have made clear, USADA lacks jurisdiction even to bring these charges. The international bodies governing cycling have ordered USADA to stop, have given notice that no one should participate in USADA’s improper proceedings, and have made it clear the pronouncements by USADA that it has banned people for life or stripped them of their accomplishments are made without authority. And as many others, including USADA’s own arbitrators, have found, there is nothing even remotely fair about its process. USADA has broken the law, turned its back on its own rules, and stiff-armed those who have tried to persuade USADA to honor its obligations. At every turn, USADA has played the role of a bully, threatening everyone in its way and challenging the good faith of anyone who questions its motives or its methods, all at U.S. taxpayers’ expense. For the last two months, USADA has endlessly repeated the mantra that there should be a single set of rules, applicable to all, but they have arrogantly refused to practice what they preach. On top of all that, USADA has allegedly made deals with other riders that circumvent their own rules as long as they said I cheated. Many of those riders continue to race today.

The bottom line is I played by the rules that were put in place by the UCI, WADA and USADA when I raced. The idea that athletes can be convicted today without positive A and B samples, under the same rules and procedures that apply to athletes with positive tests, perverts the system and creates a process where any begrudged ex-teammate can open a USADA case out of spite or for personal gain or a cheating cyclist can cut a sweetheart deal for themselves. It’s an unfair approach, applied selectively, in opposition to all the rules. It’s just not right.

USADA cannot assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles. I know who won those seven Tours, my teammates know who won those seven Tours, and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours. We all raced together. For three weeks over the same roads, the same mountains, and against all the weather and elements that we had to confront. There were no shortcuts, there was no special treatment. The same courses, the same rules. The toughest event in the world where the strongest man wins. Nobody can ever change that. Especially not Travis Tygart.

Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities. This October, my Foundation will celebrate 15 years of service to cancer survivors and the milestone of raising nearly $500 million. We have a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to an end to this pointless distraction. I have a responsibility to all those who have stepped forward to devote their time and energy to the cancer cause. I will not stop fighting for that mission. Going forward, I am going to devote myself to raising my five beautiful (and energetic) kids, fighting cancer, and attempting to be the fittest 40-year old on the planet.
*****

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Upcoming national political conventions are sure to be entertaining


Upcoming national political conventions are sure to be entertaining

By Kevin Dayhoff, August 12, 2012


One may look upon the Republican National Convention, in Tampa Florida on August 27-30 and the upcoming Democrat National Convention which will take place in Charlotte North Carolina September 3-6, as the Olympics of political contests for Americans - - or the full employment act for pundits and political journalists.

Today’s presidential nomination process is very different from the early days of the Republic when the two major parties, the “Federalists” and the “Democrat-Republicans” – the forerunner of the today’s Democrat Party; determined their respective presidential nominees by a “caucus” made-up of members of Congress or state legislatures. This process prevailed through 1828.

The first national political convention of what we now know as the two major political parties; was held by the Democrat Party in Baltimore May 21 and 23, 1832.

According to a brief history of the Maryland Democratic Party written by Carroll County historian, and former Maryland Secretary of State, John T. Willis., it “was held at the Atheneum (and Warfield’s Church) … located on the southwest corner of St. Paul and Lexington Streets. Twelve delegates from each county and six delegates from Baltimore City were invited to attend.” 

“In the 19th century, difficulties of travel led to the selection of centrally located cities as convention sites. Baltimore, located midway along the Atlantic seaboard, was a favorite choice in early years,” says the Washington Congressional Research Service.

From 1832 to 1872, eight of the twelve Democrat Party national conventions were held in Baltimore. Considering that two of the main routes to Baltimore from all points west travel through Carroll County, an historian’s imagination can run wild as to what national political figures may have passed through Carroll County in those days.

What we now know as the Republican Party essentially began in 1854 and replaced the Whig Party, which had replaced the much earlier Federalist Party.

It would be an understatement to suggest that the events that will take place in Tampa later in the month are quite different from the first Republican National Convention, June 17 to 19, 1856.

That convention was attended by 600 delegates and 100 news reporters, who had ample room to move in the 1200 seat Musical Fund Hall, near 8th and Locust Street in Philadelphia.

The Musical Fund Hall still stands. In 1980 developers saved the long neglected building from demolition and turned it into an apartment house.

The Republican Party was in its infancy, having been organized only two years earlier in at a meeting in Ripon, Wisconsin from a mishmash of anti-slavery Democrats, the remnants of the Whig Party, abolitionists, and “Free-Soilers.”

The original driving force of the party was to fight the “Kansas-Nebraska Act,” which had opened new United States territories to slavery in spite of the “Missouri Compromise of 1820.”

Originally the party was a single-issue consortium of citizens who were adamantly opposed to slavery. Although, many of the tenets of the party, that remain in place today; economic development, education, limited government with an emphasis on individual freedoms and a personal responsibility for one’s future fate, were ancillary issues gluing together a volatile mix of groups and individuals dedicated to abolishing slavery at any cost.

According to the “Independence Hall Association” in Philadelphia; the key plank was firm opposition to the extension of slavery. "It is the duty of Congress to prohibit in the territories those twin relics of barbarism, polygamy, and slavery.”

Many historians consider the very first national Republic get together to be an informal “convention” in Pittsburg, earlier that year on February 22 and 23rd. The purpose of that meeting was to organize the June 1856 convention, which went to nominate John C. Fremont, from California, to be Republican presidential candidate and William Dayton from New Jersey to be the vice presidential candidate.

As the Olympics draw to a close and the end of the summer looms on the horizon, you can be sure that the upcoming Republican and Democrat National Conventions are sure to provide some great end of summer entertainment.

Sort of like the upcoming season 12 of American Idol of Fox TV meets the Oracle of Delphi from Greek mythology with a twist of Survivor thrown-in for some reality.

Only the convention reality shows are carefully scripted; minutely choreographed and in the end, after certain folks have been voted off the island, everyone comes together to sing about a great and wonderful future under either the Republican or the Democrat nominee for president… Or something like that - anyway… Whatever.

#######



*****

Maryland Senator Joe Getty schedules pre-election breakfast September 20, 2012

Maryland Senator Joe Getty schedules pre-election breakfast September 20, 2012


The event, to be held on Thursday, September 20, 2012, will take place at the Best Western, 451 WMC Drive, in Westminster at 7:30 a.m.

At the breakfast, Getty, who is set to travel later this week to the Republican National Convention in Tampa Florida, will share his insights from attending the convention, and make some observations about the upcoming general election in Carroll County.

Also invited to appear at the breakfast are Maryland Dist. 1 U.S. Congressman Andy Harris and District 8 congressional candidate Ken Timmerman.

Tickets are available for $60.00 each.

Checks should be made payable to:
Marylanders for Joe Getty
P.O. Box 437
Hampstead, Maryland 21074

For further information, contact 443-536-4700 or go to: www.GETTY2010.com


Joe Getty, Maryland, Carroll County, Senator, Tampa, General Assembly, 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

The bright red sunset shines through the McDaniel stadium update picture

Maryland Environmental Service 2010-2011 report

Maryland Environmental Service 2010-2011 report





I picked up the report on or about October 31, 2011 at the 2011 Fall Maryland Municipal League’s Fall Legislative Conference at the Cambridge Maryland Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay… MML – Maryland Municipal League Fall Conference October 31 - November 2, 2011… Maryland Municipal League see MML, MD MML Muni League Disclosure, MD Municipal League qv MML, MML, MML Municipal League

See also: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/MML%20Municipal%20League and MD MML Muni League Disclosure and November 2, 2011, Work Cut Out For Municipal League by Kevin E. Dayhoff: “This week officials from Maryland cities and towns throughout the state converged on the Cambridge Hyatt Chesapeake Bay conference facilities for the three-day Maryland Municipal League’s fall legislative conferencehttp://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4723

What is the Maryland Environmental Service? Retrieved from http://www.menv.com/ on August 22, 2012… http://www.menv.com/whoweare.shtml

“In 1970, Maryland’s Governor and legislators created Maryland Environmental Service to protect the state’s air, land and water resources. Today, our independent state agency continues to fulfill this vital directive.

“We have no regulatory authority and we receive no direct appropriations. Our agency is a self-supporting, not-for-profit public corporation, combining the public sector’s commitment to environmental protection with the private sector’s flexibility and responsiveness.

“MES provides services at competitive rates to government and private sector clients and works on projects including water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management, composting, recycling, dredged material management, hazardous materials cleanup, and renewable energy. We provide expert engineering, monitoring and inspection services.

“With 731 diverse projects located in three states, ranging in cost from $580 to $25 million, we couple operational expertise with a commitment to strict environmental compliance and safe work practices.

“Maryland Environmental Service remains focused on finding innovative solutions to our region’s most complex environmental challenges, and on preserving our region’s natural resources for generations to come.” Retrieved from http://www.menv.com/


Maryland, environment, sewage, wastewater, water treatment, Maryland Municipal League
*****

Heart of the Chesapeake – Visitors Guide to Dorchester County Maryland


Heart of the Chesapeake – Visitors Guide to Dorchester County Maryland




Last fall I had a delightful trip to the 2011 Fall Maryland Municipal League’s Fall Legislative Conference at the Cambridge Maryland Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay… MML – Maryland Municipal League Fall Conference October 31 - November 2, 2011…

See also: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/MML%20Municipal%20League and MD MML Muni League Disclosure and November 2, 2011, Work Cut Out For Municipal League by Kevin E. Dayhoff: “This week officials from Maryland cities and towns throughout the state converged on the Cambridge Hyatt Chesapeake Bay conference facilities for the three-day Maryland Municipal League’s fall legislative conferencehttp://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4723

I’m now planning another trip to Cambridge at the end of September 2012. I pulled the Visitors Guide to Dorchester County Maryland from my 2011 Fall Maryland Municipal League’s Fall Legislative Conference at the Cambridge Maryland Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay files and have posted it for easy access while I am on the road.

If you ever have a chance to visit anywhere on the Delmarva Peninsula, please take advantage of the opportunity. Be sure to put Cambridge, Blackwater Refuge and Dorchester County on your itinerary.

I’m just saying… August 22, 2012 Kevin Dayhoff




Dorchester County, Cambridge Maryland, Chesapeake Bay, nature, Maryland Eastern Shore, sea food, vacation, Maryland Municipal League
*****

Washington Post Wednesday Morning Headlines Aug 22, 2012

The Washington PostWednesday, August 22, 2012
TODAY'S HEADLINES
Advertisement
Get mobile alerts at washingtonpost.com/mobile
TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Rep. Akin’s defiance heightens tensions within GOP 
Senate candidate refuses to quit his campaign after his controversial remarks about rape, setting up a possible clash within the Republican Party.
(By Paul Kane) 

Facebook’s stock decline reflects doubts about give-it-away approach 
Wall Street seems skeptical of a founding principle of Silicon Valley’s business culture — that the best way to build a company is to ignore profits in favor of growing a huge audience.
(By Craig Timberg) 

A midnight stroll near the tracks leads to tragedy 
The deaths of Elizabeth Nass and Rose Mayr, both 19, onTuesday a few minutes after midnight provided investigators with more questions than answers.
(By Ashley Halsey III) 

Feds: Armed Wash. man arrested, apartment swept for bombs after emailed threats against Obama 
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Authorities have arrested a Washington state man and are sweeping his apartment complex for explosives after emailed threats were made against President Barack Obama.
(By Associated Press) 

Friends recall cheerful, rootless savant of Capitol Hill neighborhood 
Capitol Hill residents grieve for homeless man who was a friendly neighborhood fixture.
(By Steve Hendrix and J. Freedom du Lac) 

NATION 
Obama’s warning to Syria on chemical arms draws criticism 
Analysts say president’s remarks could give Syria cover to continue using heavy conventional weaponry in the conflict. 
( by Anne Gearan and Karen DeYoung , The Washington Post) 

ATF official also drawing private pay, lawmakers say 
The lawmakers said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apparently approved allowing William McMahon to remain on paid leave while working for the J.P. Morgan investment bank in order to reach retirement eligibility. 
( by Sari Horwitz , The Washington Post) 

Is NASA’s InSight too little too late? 
COLUMN | It is if NASA’s Curiosity mission is a replay of the 1970s. Back then, the Apollo missions to the Moon raised everyone’s hopes of far-reaching space travel. 
( by Vivek Wadhwa , The Washington Post) 

A company that quantifies you 
The Massachusetts-based company quantifies a company’s greatest resource: it’s people. 
( by Julia Plevin , VentureBeat.com) 

More National: Breaking National News & Headlines - Washington Post 


LOCAL 
Teen charged in Md. pizza delivery robberies 
A teenager is charged as an adult in a series of pizza delivery robberies in Montgomery County. 
( by Martin Weil , The Washington Post) 

War photo known far and wide 
After decades of wondering, a Civil War portrait donated to the Library of Congress has been identified. 
( by Michael E. Ruane , The Washington Post) 

D.C. Council agenda 

(, The Washington Post) 

Little Ethi­o­pia reacts to Meles’s death 
Ethio­pian Americans in D.C. watched reports that ruler Prime Minister Meles Zenawai had died. 
( by Emily Wax , The Washington Post) 

D.C. home sales 

(, The Washington Post) 

More Post Local: Washington, DC Area News, Traffic, Weather, Sports & More - The Washington Post 


POLITICS 
Romney reveals a literary connection with a Koch brother 
Republican candidate identifies the rich donor who shed new light on a book from his childhood. 
( by Philip Rucker , The Washington Post) 

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for vice president? 

( by  , The Washington Post) 

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Paul Ryan, the Republican candidate for vice president? 

( by  , The Washington Post) 

Poll: Voters lukewarm to Biden, Ryan 
Both parties’ VP hopefuls receive lackluster support, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. 
( by Scott Clement and Peyton M. Craighill , The Washington Post) 

President extends federal pay freeze 
President Obama told congressional leaders Tuesday that he is extending a two-year pay freeze for federal employees until at least next spring because Congress has not agreed on a budget for the next fiscal year. 
( by Lisa Rein , The Washington Post) 

More Post Politics: Breaking Politics News, Political Analysis & More - The Washington Post 


STYLE 
Feeling (over)protective 
Mom is worried and wants her daughter to take a break from a mean girl. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Defining ‘rape’ — and women 
ESSAY | Todd Akin’s comments are just the latest in the long lexicon of sexual assault. 
( by Ann Gerhart , The Washington Post) 

Cedric Burnside Project mixes rock with the blues 
At the Hamilton on Monday, the Cedric Burnside Project ripped out delirious, high-octane music that was more blues-rock than anything else. 
( by Michael J. West , The Washington Post) 

Books tell back-to-school stories 
Like real kids, characters in books go through first-day-of-school jitters and middle-school nerves. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Kid’s Room Contest rules 
Terms and conditions of The Washington Post Kid’s Room Contest. 
( by Washington Post Staff , The Washington Post) 

More Style: Culture, Arts, Ideas & More - The Washington Post 


BUSINESS 
In U.S., food is wasted from farm to fork 
Americans throw away up to 40 percent of their food every year, according to an analysis released Tuesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council. 
( by Dina ElBoghdady , The Washington Post) 

Facebook’s stock decline reflects doubts about give-it-away approach 
Wall Street seems skeptical of a founding principle of Silicon Valley’s business culture — that the best way to build a company is to ignore profits in favor of growing a huge audience. 
( by Craig Timberg , The Washington Post) 

More time for foreclosure reviews 
Pushed out of your home because of a foreclosure? You’ve got an extended opportunity to have the process reviewed for any possible errors. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Apple-Samsung patent case goes to jury 
The nine men and women face the formidable task of sifting through thousands of pages of complex technical arguments to make a decision that could shape the future of mobile devices. 
( by Hayley Tsukayama , The Washington Post) 

What the Apple-Samsung jury has to do 
Judge Lucy Koh summarized the jury’s 84 instructions. 
( by Hayley Tsukayama , The Washington Post) 

More Business News, Financial News, Business Headlines & Analysis - The Washington Post 


SPORTS 
Tillman thrives again at Rangers Park 
Right-hander tosses solid six-plus innings to help Orioles set up a rubber-match series finale against Rangers. 
( by Dan Connolly, Baltimore Sun , The Washington Post) 

Strasburg only worried about pitching 
Nationals’ ace continues to keep his focus on shutting down opposing teams rather than stressing about being shut down for the season. 
( by Rick Maese , The Washington Post) 

Hoyas hire lacrosse assistants 
Offensive coordinator Matt Rewkowski from Cornell and assistant Brian Phipps from Maryland are expected to fill out the men’s lacrosse coaching staff at Georgetown, sources said Tuesday. 
( by Christian Swezey , The Washington Post) 

Strasburg, Nationals shut down Braves 
Stephen Strasburg delivers six sublime innings, striking out ten Braves with an assortment of dazzling pitches as Washington extends its lead over Atlanta in the NL East to seven games. 
( by James Wagner , The Washington Post) 

TV and radio listings: August 22 

(, The Washington Post) 

More Sports: Sports News, Scores, Analysis, Schedules & More - The Washington Post 


TECHNOLOGY 
Apple-Samsung patent case goes to jury 
The nine men and women face the formidable task of sifting through thousands of pages of complex technical arguments to make a decision that could shape the future of mobile devices. 
( by Hayley Tsukayama , The Washington Post) 

What the Apple-Samsung jury has to do 
Judge Lucy Koh summarized the jury’s 84 instructions. 
( by Hayley Tsukayama , The Washington Post) 

Facebook back under $20 per share, but recovers from new low 
After hitting a new low of $18.75 Monday, Facebook is still trading below $20 per share. 
( by Hayley Tsukayama , The Washington Post) 

Googlers are getting publicly fed up with software patents as a whole 
While some might see this stance as a reaction to Google’s legal woes, the company has been adamantly anti-patents for a while. 
( by VentureBeat.com , VentureBeat.com) 

On the even of patent trial, Apple and Samsung CEOs speak 
Judge Koh: “It’s time for peace. If you could have your CEOs have one last conversation, I’d appreciate it.” 
( by VentureBeat.com , VentureBeat.com) 

More Technology News - The Washington Post 


WORLD 
Is Ethiopia’s new leader in place for long? 

( by Kirubel Tadesse , The Washington Post) 

Obama’s warning to Syria on chemical arms draws criticism 
Analysts say president’s remarks could give Syria cover to continue using heavy conventional weaponry in the conflict. 
( by Anne Gearan and Karen DeYoung , The Washington Post) 

ATF official also drawing private pay, lawmakers say 
The lawmakers said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives apparently approved allowing William McMahon to remain on paid leave while working for the J.P. Morgan investment bank in order to reach retirement eligibility. 
( by Sari Horwitz , The Washington Post) 

In Pakistan, missed days are a persistent problem 
Pakistanis find themselves short of cash during Eid, a major holiday. 
( by Michele Langevine Leiby , The Washington Post) 

Top U.S. general’s plane damaged by shrapnel in Afghanistan attack 
Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dempsey was unharmed and departed on another plane. 
( by Kevin Sieff , The Washington Post) 

More World: World News, International News, Foreign Reporting - The Washington Post 


EDITORIAL 
Clear the hurdles in Syria 
The U.S. must speed up aid to the opposition. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Leaving constituents in the lurch 
Congress should rewrite “cooling-off” rules. 
(, The Washington Post) 

Romney’s tax tease 
Just how would he close loopholes? 
(, The Washington Post) 

Lessons on the fairer sex 
Dear GOP: The gender gap exists for a reason. 
(, The Washington Post) 

The God-forsaken GOP? 
It’s difficult for mere mortals to explain what’s happening to the party now. 
(, The Washington Post) 

More Opinions: Washington Post Opinion, Editorial, Op Ed, Politics Editorials - The Washington Post 


LIVE DISCUSSIONS 
Should Todd Akin be forgiven? 
Brad Hirschfield discusses whether or not Missouri Rep. Todd Akin should be forgiven for his comments about rape and abortion and whether he should remain in the Senate race. 
(, vForum) 

Got Plans: Advice from the Going Out Gurus 
Got Plans? Discuss great ideas for local entertainment, dates and family fun. 
(, vForum) 

Eugene Robinson Live: The 'war on women' reemerges 
Live chat with Eugene Robinson about his latest columns and political news. 
(, vForum) 

Tuesdays with Moron: Chatological Humor Update 
Gene Weingarten brings you an update to his monthly Chatological Humor live chat. 
(, vForum) 

Navigating short sales 
Brian Gormley, founder of Cornerstone Properties, answers your questions about short sales in the Washington area. 
(, vForum) 

More Conversations: Discussions, Blogs, Debates, Live Q&A's and More - The Washington Post 
*****