20060808 KDDC The Howard County Gang of Four bloggers

The Howard County Gang of Four bloggers

August 8, 2006

HoCo Hayduke reports, “In case you haven't heard, the Gang of Four (Local Bloggers) will be sponsoring an on-line candidate forum for most local elections beginning in October. More details here.”

Actually, the author of the HoCoMD Blog kindly emailed me the press release earlier today. Thanks.

This is a great opportunity for Howard County voters and a perfect role for the four blogs: HoCoMD Blog; The Hedgehog Report; HoCo Hayduke; and Howard County Blog.

Historically much of my family is from southern Carroll County and I have always followed Howard County politics. For quite sometime, I have followed by way of these four Howard County blogs.

I have only written one column that specifically deals with Howard County politics. In the Tentacle, I wrote on December 14, 2005 a column entitled,

“Politics in the Enchanted Forest:” “The political silly season has already begun in Howard County, known as the former home of the "Enchanted Forest." In our neighboring county, politics have recently started to resemble the storybook theme park that prospered in Ellicott City from 1955 to 1988.”

Since 2000 the blogosphere has had a profound affect on government and politics. This great leveling of the playing field or great democratizing of information dissemination, news and analysis is a good thing.

For more of my take on this dynamic, please read my Tentacle column from January 25, 2006,

“How is Internet media held accountable?” The slug reads: “On January 19 The Washington Post put an abrupt end to one of the components of the latest experiments in this grass roots democracy dynamic we call blogs – the real-time, live “comment” section.”

For more commentary on the contemporary state of the main stream media, see my Tentacle column from January 11, 2006,

“Journalism in 2005” The beginning of that column reads: “When one thinks of the mainstream media in 2005, the consistent theme is that of a reluctant, haughty and often pretentious dinosaur with its out-of-touch editorial boards. One can only hope 2006 is better.”

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

####

_________________

Pasted below is the information from the Association of Howard County Bloggers press release:

For Immediate Release

August 8, 2006 – Howard County, Maryland

An association of Howard County bloggers announced today that they will be conducting an on-line forum consisting of candidates for local and State office.

The association consists of the four major blogs covering political news and events in Howard County. They will be issuing to each of the general election candidates identical lists of questions in which they will be asked to supply answers to by October 1st.

“Each of our blogs are different.” said Ian Kennedy, author of Hocohayduke. “I think we all agree that they reflect a broad spectrum of county opinions. Even those with similar political leanings don’t always agree, but sometimes we all agree.”

Once questions are formulated, distributed, and the candidates have responded the authors will then offer the answers to the public on their web log sites with four unique commentaries accompanying each and open to the public for additional comments.

“We will all develop and agree upon the questions and length of response, and then we will all share the answers. We will probably not share the same opinion or analysis of the candidate’s responses.” said David Keelan, author of HoCoMD Blog.

Evan Coren author of Howard County Blog added, “We will provide a forum where anyone can engage the candidates, read candidate’s answers to important questions, and ask follow up questions on our blogs. Readers will also be able to discuss the candidate’s answers and have a civic discourse with the candidates and each other.”

David Keelan agreed, “I like the idea of having three sets of eyes looking over my shoulder and ready to tell me if they disagree. It helps keep the partisan tone down and keeps the analysis and opinions more level”.

David Wissing, author of the longest running local blog, the Hedgehog Report added, “I think people will respond to this because we think they are interested in this type of perspective.”

About the Association of Howard County Blogs

The association consists of four Howard County based blogs.

• howardcountyblog.blogspot.com
• hocomd.wordpress.com
• hocohayduke.blogspot.com
• www.hedgehogreport.com

What is a blog?

Blog is short for weblog. It is a type of website where entries are made similar to a journal or diary and displayed in a reverse chronological order.

Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Many blogs, including all of the blogs in the Association of Howard County Blogs allow their readers to post comments and discuss the issues posted on the blog.

####

20060807 Steele Submits Sun Survey Answers to Marylanders, Not Paper

Steele Submits Sun Survey Answers to Marylanders, Not Paper

August 8th, 2006

TEMPLE HILLS, MD – Today, Michael Steele’s campaign for U.S. Senate publicly posted the answers to the Baltimore Sun’s candidate survey on the www.SteeleforMaryland.com website, deciding not to submit the survey to the paper.

Steele said, “After careful consideration, I have decided not to submit to the Baltimore Sun my responses to its candidate survey, but instead to post them on my website for the people of Maryland to view unfiltered and without bias.

“In 2002, the Sun editorial board concluded that I brought ‘little to the team but the color of [my] skin.’ And although I have spent my years as Lieutenant Governor chairing the Commission on Quality Education, reforming the state’s Minority Business Enterprise program, and promoting policies to reduce crime and protect our environment, their attitude toward me and my campaign has progressed little.

“Therefore, I have decided to take the Sun’s questions and my answers straight to the people of Marylandhttp://www.steeleformaryland.com/MichaelSteeleSunSurvey.htm. instead of giving their editorial board’s judgment – and past inflammatory and personally insulting statements - any further credence. Marylanders can view my answers to the Sun’s survey questions by visiting

“I am hopeful that the hiring of a new publisher may help shift the Sun toward listening to the views of all Marylanders. I also encourage the new publisher to increase diversity among the paper’s editors and management staff because they are at the heart of what perpetuates these paternalistic and stereotypical attitudes toward certain politicians and leaders from a certain part of the community.”

Michael Steele’s responses to the Baltimore Sun’s candidate survey can be found by visiting http://www.steeleformaryland.com/MichaelSteeleSunSurvey.htm.

The Baltimore Sun’s 2002 editorial which stated that Michael Steele “brings little to the team but the color of his skin” can be found on the Sun’s website @ http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.endorsegovnov03,1,1616905.story.

_________________

Pasted below, please find Lieutenant Governor Steele's answers:

Michael Steele's Responses to Baltimore Sun Survey

1) Should judicial candidates be potentially subject to a filibuster, or should that rule be changed?

The bi-partisan “Gang of 14” should be applauded for coming together to find common-sense solutions when partisanship threatened to tear the Senate apart.

Many state and federal districts have had judicial vacancies prolonged due to political posturing in Washington. This must end. If a nominee is clearly qualified to serve as a judge, the nominee deserves an up or down vote. Any nominee outside of the mainstream would not receive the votes necessary for confirmation, so the threat of a filibuster would not apply.

2) Is the current U.S. energy policy adequate? If not, what changes would you support?

All one has to do is look at the price of a gallon of gas to know that our energy policy is not adequate. My family paid $600 in gasoline costs for the month of April alone. While current energy costs are a strain on middle-class families, they are a real crisis to many of Maryland’s working families. This is unacceptable and has had a negative impact on families all across Maryland.

To provide immediate relief for Marylanders, I have called on President Bush and Congress to enact an immediate moratorium on the federal gas tax - more than 18 cents per gallon - and an immediate moratorium on the 24 cents per gallon diesel tax. Moreover, Congress should approve legislation to suspend the tariff on ethanol imports.

But those actions are designed to deal with our immediate crisis. Congress must roll up its sleeves and work to solve the underlying problem - our dependence on foreign sources of energy. To do that, I’ve called on Congress to double President Bush’s budget request for biomass and bio-refinery research, and create market and tax incentives for E85 fuels, hybrid technologies and alternative energy sources. Tax credits for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles need to be renewed and expanded. Additionally, we must increase fuel efficiency standards for automobiles – not just this year, but over the next several years.

Our dependence on foreign sources of energy has been an important issue for generations. Repeatedly, Washington has failed to act – and failed us – on this issue. Marylanders deserve leadership on creating and sustaining real energy independence.

3) How would you address the growing gap between Americans who have adequate health care insurance and those who don’t?

In 2003, a survey of Baltimore City revealed that almost half of those interviewed (47.1%) were currently without health insurance. We do not have a quality problem or even a quantity problem like our neighbor to the west (West Virginia). We have an access problem. We need to increase access to health insurance through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high deductible policies, so individuals and families can purchase the insurance that's best for them and meets their specific needs.

As Lieutenant Governor, I worked with legislators to create the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, and worked to pass the Health Care Services Disparities Prevention Act to require the Maryland Department of Health to reduce health care disparities – like the number of uninsured - based on race, gender, ethnicity and poverty. The Senate has to get serious about closing this gap on the federal level as well.

Additionally, I believe we need to create a health care system that works for small business owners and small business employees. Millions of them are going without health care today just because bureaucrats in Washington won’t wake up to the fact that our current system is burdensome and ineffective. That is why I support allowing small businesses to band together and compete for better insurance options. With Association Health Plans, small employers will be able to pool their health insurance costs and have greater purchasing power to achieve better benefits for their employees.

To help increase our nation’s seniors access to affordable care, I have called to extend the sign up period for the Medicare Prescription Drug plan. Maryland seniors need more time to learn about the different drug plan options available to them so they can make the best choices for their health care. Once again, Washington has failed Marylanders by rushing through a program just to meet a government deadline, instead of acting in the best interests of our seniors.

4) What should be done about the enormous federal budget deficit?

I often hear politicians jump through complicated hoops when trying to explain why we have such an enormous deficit. Of course, any such discussion quickly devolves into partisan name calling. The time for partisan rancor and political double talk has passed. The plain truth is we are spending more than we have in the bank. We’ve all heard it said that we are mortgaging our children’s future. Not true, we are now mortgaging our grandchildren and great grandchildren’s future. When a “bridge to nowhere” receives millions of dollars in funding, we know Washington has lost touch with reality; and until Congress places real priorities on spending, deficits will always be a pressing concern.

Congress must also enact pro-growth policies that encourage the economy to expand: like making tax relief permanent and repealing the death tax. As we saw with the most recent deficit figures, a growing economy will in fact reduce the size of the budget deficit. In order to achieve optimal economic growth, Congress must adhere to sane spending guidelines while promoting smart policies devoted to growing businesses and creating jobs.

5) Are federal affirmative action programs necessary and effective?

Studies show enormous disparities still exist in education, healthcare, employment and economic opportunities along racial lines in the United States. I believe programs are still necessary to help close these divides. I support giving people opportunities. Programs must be fair to all Marylanders – of every color – and they should focus on economic empowerment.

6) What further investment - monetary and military - if any, should the United States make in Iraq? When should U.S. troops leave Iraq?

There is no doubt that war requires sacrifice and fiscal constraint. We have a responsibility to ensure that our armed forces have the supplies, the equipment, and the technologies they need to get the job done.

It is imperative we improve conditions on the ground so we can bring our troops home as quickly as possible and have the Iraqi people take control of their own destiny. At the same time, we should not publicly state a timetable for implementation. I do not support a “cut and run strategy.” Any politician out there talking about timetables and timelines is playing into the hands of our enemies who have an enormous capacity to wait. It would be a disaster for us to cut and run, as it would destroy our credibility in the region for at least a generation. At the same time, it is the Iraqi’s themselves that will ultimately have to make democracy work in their country. We should stay there only long enough to give the Iraqi people the tools they need to secure the very democracy they voted for three times. After that, it’s up to them.

7) Do you support easing federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research? And please outline any specific proposals on this subject.

I am very encouraged by innovations in technology that make it possible to treat and prevent disease without the willful destruction of human embryos, including innovative technologies practiced right here in Maryland. We have a lot to gain through furthering stem cell research, but medical breakthroughs should be fundamentally about saving, not destroying, human life. Therefore, I support stem cell research that does not destroy the embryo.

8) Discuss your views on immigration reform, particularly with regard to undocumented aliens already in this country.

Congress’s unique inability to multi-task highlights our nation’s need for common- sense immigration reform. Until we see Congress take some real and immediate steps to secure our borders, we can hardly expect Americans to seriously consider proposals for dealing with those illegal immigrants already in our county and those employers who fail to adequately report them.

Nearly 1.2 million people were arrested trying to illegally enter the U.S. through the Mexican border last year alone, and an estimated 500,000 evaded capture. This is unacceptable. When a patient has a serious laceration, the doctor’s first priority is to stop the bleeding, and then they can decide if simple stitches or surgery is needed to fix the problem for the long term. First thing’s first: secure our borders and then we can deal with meaningful immigration reform.

9) Name two senators, one past and one present, whom you would most choose to emulate. Why?

In my opinion, Senator Charles "Mac" Mathias was a senator’s senator. He was a gentleman and a dedicated public servant who proved himself to be an independent thinker and consensus builder. He took difficult stands on issues even when it was unpopular to do so. Senator Mathias did not stand in the doorway of opportunity; he helped to create it by standing up for civil rights, voting rights, and inclusion for all Americans.

Of today’s sitting senators, I am especially inspired by Senator John McCain, who works above the partisan fray that is too often stifling progress in Washington. Like Senator McCain, I am not afraid of being an independent voice in Congress who calls it like he sees it. I am going to Washington to shake things up, work with both sides of the aisle, and build bridges over party nonsense to achieve results for Marylanders.

10) If you now hold public office or have in the past, briefly identify your top three accomplishments while in office.

The reform of the state’s Minority Business Enterprise Program is certainly one of my proudest achievements as Lieutenant Governor. When I took office, the state had a dysfunctional, fraudulent system that gave minorities hope with no sense of substance. Here are some of the significant changes we were able to make:
- Eliminated the 10-day waiting period for prime contractors to name their subcontractors.
- Established a small business reserve pool where ten percent of all the state’s procurement contracts are to be carved out for small businesses.
- Established a Mentor Protégé Program where large companies are partnered with small companies and they provide guidance and opportunities for small business owners.
- Led an historic trade mission to Ghana and South Africa where many small businesses got opportunities to expand their business on a global market.
- Lobbied for increased funding for the Maryland Small Business Development Authority which gives much needed capital to the state’s small business community.
- Worked to create a linked deposit program that allows banks doing business with the state to create a pool of money that can be accessed to provide capital for small and minority-owned businesses.

As Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor, I have led reforms in our education system to better educate our children by better rewarding our teachers, better equipping our schools and better involving parents. I headed the Commission on Quality Education in Maryland which proposed 30 recommendations to strengthen schools in our state and ensure every Maryland child has the keys to the door of opportunity – a quality education. I am proud to say the Commission has produced real results for Maryland students, and many of my 30 recommendations are being funded and implemented today.
- I worked to provide millions of dollars in funding for many of the recommendations in the Commission on Quality Education in Maryland, including $2 million for Professional Development Schools that advance the skills of Maryland teachers;
- $1.45 million to strengthen services for those with Autism and fund the launch of the Autism screening pilot program;
- And $2 million to create a Science, Technology, and Mathematics Academy to advance students' skills in the subject areas that will play a major role in the economy of the 21st Century.
- Made historic improvements to the Maryland Teacher Pension System. Through the passage of the State Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Enhancement Benefit Act of 2006, I worked with legislators to provide teachers and state employees hired after 1998 with a benefit equaling 54 percent of their salary after 30 years service (an increase over the current 42 percent of salary).

Additionally, I have worked to secure Maryland communities that are too often victims of gang violence, drugs, and crime.
- With the help of the Office of Crime Control and Prevention and the Maryland State Police, I worked to combat the proliferation of gangs threatening the well-being of Maryland communities and the safety of Maryland
- I convened a Statewide Planning Group to develop a strategy to both prevent and respond to gang activity.
- Though the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, I also worked to provide more than $1.4 million to law enforcement agencies aimed at reducing car theft in our state. children.

20060808 KDDC Chair throwing politics in Florida

Chair throwing politics in Florida
August 8, 2006

They take their politics seriously in Florida – if not feloniously. As the words got heated on a talk show, one candidate obviously felt at a loss for words and demonstrated his disdain for his opponent – by throwing a chair at him.

I have found two versions of the video. One is on the You Tube web site. Unfortunately, not only was the action captured on the You Tube version, but also the words. Words which we were raised not to use in polite company.

Another version is found on, what I have surmised to be, Tampa Florida’s Channel 10. It does not have the naughty words and has much of the context as to what lead up to the chair throwing. (The Tampa channel 10 version also includes a lead-in commercial…)

You Tube’s narrative explains, “Political Candidate Joe Redner (Tampa) was debating on a local show when his opponent got so pissed he hit Redner with a chair. Politics in Florida! Redner also happens to own the most famous adult club in the Southeast, the Mons Venus.”

It gives even more absurd – go here: “Joe Redner wants to settle the score.”

Hat Tip: Hot Air.

####

20060808 The Howard County Gang of Four bloggers

The Howard County Gang of Four bloggers

August 8, 2006

HoCo Hayduke reports, “In case you haven't heard, the Gang of Four (Local Bloggers) will be sponsoring an on-line candidate forum for most local elections beginning in October. More details here.”

Actually, the author of the HoCoMD Blog kindly emailed me the press release earlier today. Thanks.

This is a great opportunity for Howard County voters and a perfect role for the four blogs: HoCoMD Blog; The Hedgehog Report; HoCo Hayduke; and Howard County Blog.

Historically much of my family is from southern Carroll County and I have always followed Howard County politics. For quite sometime, I have followed by way of the four these four Howard County blogs.

I have only written one column that specifically deals with Howard County politics. In the Tentacle, I wrote on December 14, 2005 a column entitled,

“Politics in the Enchanted Forest:” “The political silly season has already begun in Howard County, known as the former home of the "Enchanted Forest." In our neighboring county, politics have recently started to resemble the storybook theme park that prospered in Ellicott City from 1955 to 1988.”

Since 2000 the blogosphere has had a profound affect on government and politics. This great leveling of the playing field or great democratizing of information dissemination, news and analysis is a good thing.

For more of my take on this dynamic, please read my Tentacle column from January 25, 2006, “How is Internet media held accountable?” The slug reads: “On January 19 The Washington Post put an abrupt end to one of the components of the latest experiments in this grass roots democracy dynamic we call blogs – the real-time, live “comment” section.”

For more commentary on the contemporary state of the main stream media, see my Tentacle column from January 11, 2006, “Journalism in 2005” The beginning of that column reads: “When one thinks of the mainstream media in 2005, the consistent theme is that of a reluctant, haughty and often pretentious dinosaur with its out-of-touch editorial boards. One can only hope 2006 is better.”

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

####

_________________

Pasted below is the information from the Association of Howard County Bloggers press release:

For Immediate Release

August 8, 2006 – Howard County, Maryland

An association of Howard County bloggers announced today that they will be conducting an on-line forum consisting of candidates for local and State office.

The association consists of the four major blogs covering political news and events in Howard County. They will be issuing to each of the general election candidates identical lists of questions in which they will be asked to supply answers to by October 1st.

“Each of our blogs are different.” said Ian Kennedy, author of Hocohayduke. “I think we all agree that they reflect a broad spectrum of county opinions. Even those with similar political leanings don’t always agree, but sometimes we all agree.”

Once questions are formulated, distributed, and the candidates have responded the authors will then offer the answers to the public on their web log sites with four unique commentaries accompanying each and open to the public for additional comments.

“We will all develop and agree upon the questions and length of response, and then we will all share the answers. We will probably not share the same opinion or analysis of the candidate’s responses.” said David Keelan, author of HoCoMD Blog.

Evan Coren author of Howard County Blog added, “We will provide a forum where anyone can engage the candidates, read candidate’s answers to important questions, and ask follow up questions on our blogs. Readers will also be able to discuss the candidate’s answers and have a civic discourse with the candidates and each other.”

David Keelan agreed, “I like the idea of having three sets of eyes looking over my shoulder and ready to tell me if they disagree. It helps keep the partisan tone down and keeps the analysis and opinions more level”.

David Wissing, author of the longest running local blog, the Hedgehog Report added, “I think people will respond to this because we think they are interested in this type of perspective.”

About the Association of Howard County Blogs

The association consists of four Howard County based blogs.

• howardcountyblog.blogspot.com
• hocomd.wordpress.com
• hocohayduke.blogspot.com
• www.hedgehogreport.com

What is a blog?

Blog is short for weblog. It is a type of website where entries are made similar to a journal or diary and displayed in a reverse chronological order.

Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Many blogs, including all of the blogs in the Association of Howard County Blogs allow their readers to post comments and discuss the issues posted on the blog.

####

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org www.thetentacle.com Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report www.thewestminstereagle.com www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20060808 19460808 condemnation proceedings of the SRC vs Finksburg Meth church

19460808 condemnation proceedings of the SRC vs Finksburg Meth church

Today in Carroll County History, according to a news brief in the August 9^th, 1946 Democratic Advocate:

$13,500 AWARDED FINKSBURG CHURCH- The condemnation proceedings of the State Roads Commission against Finksburg Methodist church was held yesterday before Judge James E. Boylan, Jr.

The verdict of the jury was to the Trustees of the parsonage, Finksburg church, $11,050; Finksburg Cemetery Co., $7,460, trustees of Mt. Zion Congregation, $1,099, making a total of $13,500.

Judge Francis Neal Parke and Wooden & Benson were attorneys for the church. D. Eugene Walsh represented the State Roads Commission.

####

20060807 KDDC Cindy Sheehan head buts Godzilla in Beirut

Cindy Sheehan head buts Godzilla in Beirut. All hell breaks loose.

Thank you LGF.

Beirut (Rhoiders)

Kant BeTrue, Staff reporter and photojournalist, Rhoiders

Monday, August 7, 2007

In this exclusive photo captured by Rhoiders, the smoke is already rising as chaos grips Beirut after Ms. Sheehan’s encounter with Mr. Godzilla.

According to Green Helmet Guy, Ms. Sheehan and Mr. Godzilla were exchanging heated words, when she just, up and head butted him.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan quickly announced that it was all the fault of the Israelis. “This is yet another part of a larger pattern of violations of international law in the war between Israel and the innocent besieged Hezbollah,” U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a report Monday.

In a released statement, Ms. Sheehan’s publicist, The New York Times edition of Al Jazeera, quoted Ms. Sheehan to say, “A klog iz mir! A feier zol im trefen. I just thought he was that lying bastard, President George W. Bush and I wanted to exchange pleasantries. You get that maniac out here to talk with me in person.You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism.”

Mr. Godzilla was overheard to moan, “Get this mashugga manzer away from me.”

In a related matter, Ms. Sheehan would neither confirm nor deny that she is dating Mel Gibson, “although I admire his intellect and progressive ideas about living with diverse cultures. He is indeed my hero, anyone who can stick their foot in their mouth as well as he does has my respect.”

More on this unfolding story as it develops

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

####

PS: Please be aware that the base of the photo was developed by Little Green Footballs: “Doctored Beirut Photo: the First Draft.”

I was first inspired by the Pillage Idiot. See this great web site here.

Then, as I was grazing the LGF site, I stumbled across the LGF post about Cindy Sheehan’s latest utter nonsense, “Cindy Sheehan, Propagandist’s Friend.” In the comment section, “bluegrass boy” – comment number 21 said: “woulnt it be cool if some one would photo shop her!?!......she is one grizzly image to come out of this war...”

Well, that was all the inspiration that I needed – I simply could not help myself.

Thank you Little Green Footballs and “bluegrass boy”… And oh, I tried to leave LGF a heads-up, but the site's registration is closed at the moment…

####

20060807 KDDC Reuters Photoshop altered photos of Beirut

Reuters Photoshop altered photos of Beirut

August 7^th, 2006

So many folks have covered the Reuters Photoshop mess so well, that I have just hung back. I was also on deadline for my regular Westminster Eagle and Tentacle columns. (This Wednesday’s Tentacle column will be on Senator Joe Lieberman versus the lemmings.)

I wasn’t going to do anything with it until I was grazing the Pillage Idiot’s web site and spit out my Dr. Pepper laughing at his Photoshop version of the Beirut-Reuters photo mess. It is not to be missed. Go there now.

Little Green Footballs also has done a great job.

A Hat Tip goes to Michelle Malkin, who first called it to my attention…

Once again, the blogosphere comes through. The coverage of the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict has been so biased against Israel; there are sure to be many more inconsistencies to be discovered as the MSM has been beside itself in a race of who can bash the Israelis the best – or the quickest...

Check out Charles Krauthammer’s column here.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

####

20060807 KDDC S A Miller writes about MOM

MOM article by S. A. Miller writing for the Washington Times.

Posted August 7th, 2006

This was called to my attention by the watchful eye of The Baltimore Reporter. Thank you.

You may read Mr. Farrow's remarks here.

I wonder if this will be in the Baltimore Sun

Filed under:

• local news

— Robert Farrow @ 9:33 pm

_________________

O’Malley rapped for ‘neglecting’ Baltimore

By S.A. Miller
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

August 7, 2006

BALTIMORE — Mayor Martin O’Malley is being criticized by residents, community activists and officials who say he is neglecting the city in his quest for the Democratic nomination for governor. Critics say Mr. O’Malley has failed to address accusations of illegal police arrests, has disregarded historic preservation and is ready to quit as mayor without fulfilling promises to reduce crime and improve schools.

You may read the rest of Mr. Miller's article here.

20060807 Cindy Sheehan head buts Godzilla in Beirut

Cindy Sheehan head buts Godzilla in Beirut. All hell breaks loose.

Thank you LGF.

Beirut (Rhoiders)

Kant BeTrue, Staff reporter and photojournalist, Rhoiders

Monday, August 7, 2006

In this exclusive photo captured by Rhoiders, the smoke is already rising as chaos grips Beirut after Ms. Sheehan’s encounter with Mr. Godzilla.

According to Green Helmet Guy, Ms. Sheehan and Mr. Godzilla were exchanging heated words, when she just, up and head butted him.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan quickly announced that it was all the fault of the Israelis. “This is yet another part of a larger pattern of violations of international law in the war between Israel and the innocent besieged Hezbollah,” U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a report Monday.

In a released statement, Ms. Sheehan’s publicist, The New York Times edition of Al Jazeera, quoted Ms. Sheehan to say, “A klog iz mir! A feier zol im trefen. I just thought he was that lying bastard, President George W. Bush and I wanted to exchange pleasantries. You get that maniac out here to talk with me in person. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you'll stop the terrorism.”

Mr. Godzilla was overheard to moan, “Get this mashugga manzer away from me.”

In a related matter, Ms. Sheehan would neither confirm nor deny that she is dating Mel Gibson, “although I admire his intellect and progressive ideas about living with diverse cultures. He is indeed my hero, anyone who can stick their foot in their mouth as well as he does has my respect.”

More on this unfolding story as it develops

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

####

PS: Please be aware that the base of the photo was developed by Little Green Footballs: “Doctored Beirut Photo: the First Draft.”

I was first inspired by the Pillage Idiot. See this great web site here.

Then, as I was grazing the LGF site, I stumbled across the LGF post about Cindy Sheehan’s latest utter nonsense, “Cindy Sheehan, Propagandist’s Friend.” In the comment section, “bluegrass boy” – comment number 21 said: “woulnt it be cool if some one would photo shop her!?!......she is one grizzly image to come out of this war...”

Well, that was all the inspiration that I needed – I simply could not help myself.

Thank you Little Green Footballs and “bluegrass boy”… And oh, I tried to leave LGF a heads-up, but its registration is closed at the moment…

####

20060807 KDDC Steele Submits Sun Survey Answers to Marylanders, Not Paper

Steele Submits Sun Survey Answers to Marylanders, Not Paper

TEMPLE HILLS, MD – Today, Michael Steele’s campaign for U.S. Senate publicly posted the answers to the Baltimore Sun’s candidate survey on the www.SteeleforMaryland.com website, deciding not to submit the survey to the paper.

Steele said, “After careful consideration, I have decided not to submit to the Baltimore Sun my responses to its candidate survey, but instead to post them on my website for the people of Maryland to view unfiltered and without bias.

“In 2002, the Sun editorial board concluded that I brought ‘little to the team but the color of [my] skin.’ And although I have spent my years as Lieutenant Governor chairing the Commission on Quality Education, reforming the state’s Minority Business Enterprise program, and promoting policies to reduce crime and protect our environment, their attitude toward me and my campaign has progressed little.

“Therefore, I have decided to take the Sun’s questions and my answers straight to the people of Maryland instead of giving their editorial board’s judgment – and past inflammatory and personally insulting statements - any further credence. Marylanders can view my answers to the Sun’s survey questions by visiting http://www.steeleformaryland.com/MichaelSteeleSunSurvey.htm.

“I am hopeful that the hiring of a new publisher may help shift the Sun toward listening to the views of all Marylanders. I also encourage the new publisher to increase diversity among the paper’s editors and management staff because they are at the heart of what perpetuates these paternalistic and stereotypical attitudes toward certain politicians and leaders from a certain part of the community.”

Michael Steele’s responses to the Baltimore Sun’s candidate survey can be found by visiting http://www.steeleformaryland.com/MichaelSteeleSunSurvey.htm.

The Baltimore Sun’s 2002 editorial which stated that Michael Steele “brings little to the team but the color of his skin” can be found on the Sun’s website @ http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.endorsegovnov03,1,1616905.story.

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Pasted below, please find Lieutenant Governor Steele's answers:

Michael Steele's Responses to Baltimore Sun Survey

1) Should judicial candidates be potentially subject to a filibuster, or should that rule be changed?

The bi-partisan “Gang of 14” should be applauded for coming together to find common-sense solutions when partisanship threatened to tear the Senate apart.

Many state and federal districts have had judicial vacancies prolonged due to political posturing in Washington. This must end. If a nominee is clearly qualified to serve as a judge, the nominee deserves an up or down vote. Any nominee outside of the mainstream would not receive the votes necessary for confirmation, so the threat of a filibuster would not apply.

2) Is the current U.S. energy policy adequate? If not, what changes would you support?

All one has to do is look at the price of a gallon of gas to know that our energy policy is not adequate. My family paid $600 in gasoline costs for the month of April alone. While current energy costs are a strain on middle-class families, they are a real crisis to many of Maryland’s working families. This is unacceptable and has had a negative impact on families all across Maryland.

To provide immediate relief for Marylanders, I have called on President Bush and Congress to enact an immediate moratorium on the federal gas tax - more than 18 cents per gallon - and an immediate moratorium on the 24 cents per gallon diesel tax. Moreover, Congress should approve legislation to suspend the tariff on ethanol imports.

But those actions are designed to deal with our immediate crisis. Congress must roll up its sleeves and work to solve the underlying problem - our dependence on foreign sources of energy. To do that, I’ve called on Congress to double President Bush’s budget request for biomass and bio-refinery research, and create market and tax incentives for E85 fuels, hybrid technologies and alternative energy sources. Tax credits for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles need to be renewed and expanded. Additionally, we must increase fuel efficiency standards for automobiles – not just this year, but over the next several years.

Our dependence on foreign sources of energy has been an important issue for generations. Repeatedly, Washington has failed to act – and failed us – on this issue. Marylanders deserve leadership on creating and sustaining real energy independence.

3) How would you address the growing gap between Americans who have adequate health care insurance and those who don’t?

In 2003, a survey of Baltimore City revealed that almost half of those interviewed (47.1%) were currently without health insurance. We do not have a quality problem or even a quantity problem like our neighbor to the west (West Virginia). We have an access problem. We need to increase access to health insurance through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and high deductible policies, so individuals and families can purchase the insurance that's best for them and meets their specific needs.

As Lieutenant Governor, I worked with legislators to create the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, and worked to pass the Health Care Services Disparities Prevention Act to require the Maryland Department of Health to reduce health care disparities – like the number of uninsured - based on race, gender, ethnicity and poverty. The Senate has to get serious about closing this gap on the federal level as well.

Additionally, I believe we need to create a health care system that works for small business owners and small business employees. Millions of them are going without health care today just because bureaucrats in Washington won’t wake up to the fact that our current system is burdensome and ineffective. That is why I support allowing small businesses to band together and compete for better insurance options. With Association Health Plans, small employers will be able to pool their health insurance costs and have greater purchasing power to achieve better benefits for their employees.

To help increase our nation’s seniors access to affordable care, I have called to extend the sign up period for the Medicare Prescription Drug plan. Maryland seniors need more time to learn about the different drug plan options available to them so they can make the best choices for their health care. Once again, Washington has failed Marylanders by rushing through a program just to meet a government deadline, instead of acting in the best interests of our seniors.

4) What should be done about the enormous federal budget deficit?

I often hear politicians jump through complicated hoops when trying to explain why we have such an enormous deficit. Of course, any such discussion quickly devolves into partisan name calling. The time for partisan rancor and political double talk has passed. The plain truth is we are spending more than we have in the bank. We’ve all heard it said that we are mortgaging our children’s future. Not true, we are now mortgaging our grandchildren and great grandchildren’s future. When a “bridge to nowhere” receives millions of dollars in funding, we know Washington has lost touch with reality; and until Congress places real priorities on spending, deficits will always be a pressing concern.

Congress must also enact pro-growth policies that encourage the economy to expand: like making tax relief permanent and repealing the death tax. As we saw with the most recent deficit figures, a growing economy will in fact reduce the size of the budget deficit. In order to achieve optimal economic growth, Congress must adhere to sane spending guidelines while promoting smart policies devoted to growing businesses and creating jobs.

5) Are federal affirmative action programs necessary and effective?

Studies show enormous disparities still exist in education, healthcare, employment and economic opportunities along racial lines in the United States. I believe programs are still necessary to help close these divides. I support giving people opportunities. Programs must be fair to all Marylanders – of every color – and they should focus on economic empowerment.

6) What further investment - monetary and military - if any, should the United States make in Iraq? When should U.S. troops leave Iraq?

There is no doubt that war requires sacrifice and fiscal constraint. We have a responsibility to ensure that our armed forces have the supplies, the equipment, and the technologies they need to get the job done.

It is imperative we improve conditions on the ground so we can bring our troops home as quickly as possible and have the Iraqi people take control of their own destiny. At the same time, we should not publicly state a timetable for implementation. I do not support a “cut and run strategy.” Any politician out there talking about timetables and timelines is playing into the hands of our enemies who have an enormous capacity to wait. It would be a disaster for us to cut and run, as it would destroy our credibility in the region for at least a generation. At the same time, it is the Iraqi’s themselves that will ultimately have to make democracy work in their country. We should stay there only long enough to give the Iraqi people the tools they need to secure the very democracy they voted for three times. After that, it’s up to them.

7) Do you support easing federal restrictions on embryonic stem cell research? And please outline any specific proposals on this subject.

I am very encouraged by innovations in technology that make it possible to treat and prevent disease without the willful destruction of human embryos, including innovative technologies practiced right here in Maryland. We have a lot to gain through furthering stem cell research, but medical breakthroughs should be fundamentally about saving, not destroying, human life. Therefore, I support stem cell research that does not destroy the embryo.

8) Discuss your views on immigration reform, particularly with regard to undocumented aliens already in this country.

Congress’s unique inability to multi-task highlights our nation’s need for common- sense immigration reform. Until we see Congress take some real and immediate steps to secure our borders, we can hardly expect Americans to seriously consider proposals for dealing with those illegal immigrants already in our county and those employers who fail to adequately report them.

Nearly 1.2 million people were arrested trying to illegally enter the U.S. through the Mexican border last year alone, and an estimated 500,000 evaded capture. This is unacceptable. When a patient has a serious laceration, the doctor’s first priority is to stop the bleeding, and then they can decide if simple stitches or surgery is needed to fix the problem for the long term. First thing’s first: secure our borders and then we can deal with meaningful immigration reform.

9) Name two senators, one past and one present, whom you would most choose to emulate. Why?

In my opinion, Senator Charles "Mac" Mathias was a senator’s senator. He was a gentleman and a dedicated public servant who proved himself to be an independent thinker and consensus builder. He took difficult stands on issues even when it was unpopular to do so. Senator Mathias did not stand in the doorway of opportunity; he helped to create it by standing up for civil rights, voting rights, and inclusion for all Americans.

Of today’s sitting senators, I am especially inspired by Senator John McCain, who works above the partisan fray that is too often stifling progress in Washington. Like Senator McCain, I am not afraid of being an independent voice in Congress who calls it like he sees it. I am going to Washington to shake things up, work with both sides of the aisle, and build bridges over party nonsense to achieve results for Marylanders.

10) If you now hold public office or have in the past, briefly identify your top three accomplishments while in office.

The reform of the state’s Minority Business Enterprise Program is certainly one of my proudest achievements as Lieutenant Governor. When I took office, the state had a dysfunctional, fraudulent system that gave minorities hope with no sense of substance. Here are some of the significant changes we were able to make:
- Eliminated the 10-day waiting period for prime contractors to name their subcontractors.
- Established a small business reserve pool where ten percent of all the state’s procurement contracts are to be carved out for small businesses.
- Established a Mentor Protégé Program where large companies are partnered with small companies and they provide guidance and opportunities for small business owners.
- Led an historic trade mission to Ghana and South Africa where many small businesses got opportunities to expand their business on a global market.
- Lobbied for increased funding for the Maryland Small Business Development Authority which gives much needed capital to the state’s small business community.
- Worked to create a linked deposit program that allows banks doing business with the state to create a pool of money that can be accessed to provide capital for small and minority-owned businesses.

As Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor, I have led reforms in our education system to better educate our children by better rewarding our teachers, better equipping our schools and better involving parents. I headed the Commission on Quality Education in Maryland which proposed 30 recommendations to strengthen schools in our state and ensure every Maryland child has the keys to the door of opportunity – a quality education. I am proud to say the Commission has produced real results for Maryland students, and many of my 30 recommendations are being funded and implemented today.
- I worked to provide millions of dollars in funding for many of the recommendations in the Commission on Quality Education in Maryland, including $2 million for Professional Development Schools that advance the skills of Maryland teachers;
- $1.45 million to strengthen services for those with Autism and fund the launch of the Autism screening pilot program;
- And $2 million to create a Science, Technology, and Mathematics Academy to advance students' skills in the subject areas that will play a major role in the economy of the 21st Century.
- Made historic improvements to the Maryland Teacher Pension System. Through the passage of the State Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Enhancement Benefit Act of 2006, I worked with legislators to provide teachers and state employees hired after 1998 with a benefit equaling 54 percent of their salary after 30 years service (an increase over the current 42 percent of salary).

Additionally, I have worked to secure Maryland communities that are too often victims of gang violence, drugs, and crime.
- With the help of the Office of Crime Control and Prevention and the Maryland State Police, I worked to combat the proliferation of gangs threatening the well-being of Maryland communities and the safety of Maryland children.
- I convened a Statewide Planning Group to develop a strategy to both prevent and respond to gang activity.
- Though the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, I also worked to provide more than $1.4 million to law enforcement agencies aimed at reducing car theft in our state.

20060805 KDDC Henry Ford quote

"Don't find fault, find a remedy."