Friday, August 18, 2006

20060817 Re Elect District 5 Senator Larry Haines

Re-Elect District 5 Senator Larry Haines

August 17, 2006

For more information please click here.
Pasted below, please review Senator Larry Haines'
CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The citizens and voters of Maryland’s Legislative District Five have graciously bestowed upon me the honor and privilege to represent them in the State Senate and Maryland General Assembly for sixteen years.

I take the responsibility of public servant very seriously and am seeking re-election to the State Senate. As the ranking Republican member of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the Senate Executive Nominations Committee.

I have had the privilege of providing leadership in many very important public policy issues including the Senate Special Commissions on Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, Legislative Sportsman Caucus, Maryland Rural Caucus, and Taxpayers’ Protection Caucus.

The Senate President has given me the responsibility of serving on the Rules Committee, the Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, the Special Committee on Substance Abuse, the Congressional Redistricting Committee and the Transportation Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The past twelve years, I have served as Chairman of the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis.

In 1990, I campaigned for a new and expanded State Police Barrack and a full service MVA Center for Carroll County and followed through on these promises. I have been instrumental and provided leadership in securing state funds for the Carroll County Hospital expansions, Hospice, the Carroll Community College Campus, the Agricultural Center, the Historical Society, the Carroll County Arts Council and other projects, including planning and development of the new courthouse.

I have sponsored a number of legislative initiatives of which 38 bills have become law including several major drug crime bills and increased funding for Maryland farmland preservation – now signed into law. I am recognized as the leader of the conservative block in the Senate for family and fiscal issues. I co-sponsored State Bill 4 known as Jessica’s Law, which mandates a 25 year mandatory sentence for a convicted sexual child molester. This bill was signed into law by Gov. Ehrlich in June.

Creating jobs at home, reducing taxes on families, and reducing the regulatory burden of local and state government will continue to be one of my top priorities.

The past Glendening/Townsend administration derailed and delayed our most significant transportation needs. During the 2003 legislative session I introduced a Joint Senate Resolution to fund and start construction of the Hampstead by-pass. With Gov. Ehrlich, myself, Del. Stocksdale and Del. Shewell we broke ground on June 30, 2006 - construction will be completed in 2 years.

We desperately need an inpatient drug treatment facility, and I have worked with the task force in helping this become a reality at The Springfield Hospital Center Prevention and Treatment Programs will be expanding as I serve on the Special Substance Abuse Committee.

I will continue to find sources to increase farmland preservation funding without increasing taxes.

I believe in small government, and that government should have a balanced budget just like our families, and that taxes must be cut to help families.
This is my twelfth year as Chairman of the Carroll County Delegation. As a Maryland State Legislator I have the responsibility to provide leadership that is in the best interest of my local constituency. I have a proven record of initiating and following through with local state projects.

I sponsored legislation to allow local governments to collect their own recordation taxes saving Carroll approximately $1 million annually based on recent collections. As Senator my role is to introduce local legislation initiatives. However, the Annapolis delegation has the final authority over local bills of which are subject to a public hearing prior to approval.

The current Board of Commissioners supported a 1% real estate transfer tax, the only bill the delegation rejected. This tax increase would have generated over $22 million in new annual revenue based on last year’s collections. This was an unnecessary increase, based on the surplus funds from other increased revenues. Direct aid from the state to Carroll County increased from $109,859 in FY 2004 to $155,228 in FY 2007 for a 41.3% increase.

My past initiatives to reduce government spending, reduce the property tax on owner occupied homes and the personal income tax will continue to be my program for tax reform.

My record is clear on gun control, gambling, abortion and capital punishment.
I oppose gun control, I support the second amendment, the citizens right to “keep and bear arms.”

Any type of legalized gambling is poor public policy. I have sponsored legislation to ban partial-birth abortion, which passed the Senate, and I have been the leader on pro-life issues.

Your support and vote is greatly appreciated.

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Thursday, August 17, 2006

20060814 KDDC 4th Annual Members Exhibit Reception Aug 17 2006

4^th Annual Members Exhibit Reception August 17 2006

Please join Caroline and me – and many friends and neighbors at the Opening Reception for the Carroll County Arts Council 4^th Annual Members Exhibit: August 17, 2006 5:30 – 7:30 PM

The show will run from August 17^th, 2006 to September 20, 2006 at the Carroll Arts Center, 91 West Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157, www.carr.org/arts

####

20060816 KDDC Xtreme Sheehan defends ugly sheep

“As many as one out of every three sheep are butt ugly,” further elaborated a spokesperson for the Foundation for Beautiful Sheep. © Rhoiders

Xtreme Sheehan defends ugly sheep

Rhoiders Crawford, Texas

Kant BeTrue, Staff reporter and photojournalist, Rhoiders

Monday, August 16, 2006

News recently reached Crawford Texas that Australian scientists have called on the country’s farmers to report any ugly sheep found in their flocks.

A campaign called “Xtreme Sheehan sheep” aims to study sheep with undesirable Sheehan-like wool features to unlock the genetic makeup of the prized merino and ensure production of its high quality fleece.

Upon hearing the news, Cindy Sheehan was outraged, “We’re the one getting fleeced.”

Ms. Sheehan, who has for over forty days and forty nights, been on a milkshake-for-worldpeace and misunderstood-terrorists fast, weakly rose from her cot in an almost Ghandi-like manner to say, “The Australian genocidal practices against sheep are just another example of the failed Bush international diplomacy. Now sheep around the world are going to hate us.”

As her followers knelt before her in hushed tones, Ms. Sheehan continued, “That lying bastard, George Bush. You get that maniac out here to talk with me. My son died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East – and now Australia. He died to make sheep, worldwide free from the tyranny of the Bush administration.”

The South Australian Research and Development Institute said on Tuesday its search for “Australia’s ugliest merino lambs” may hold the key to securing the nation’s A$2.8 billion (US$2.1 billion) wool industry. Additional money has been requested to keep Cindy Sheehan out of the country.

The institute said ugly lambs — with uneven wool, strange fibers, clumps of wool that fall out, bare patches, no wool, or highly wrinkled skin — are usually culled by farmers.

“As many as one out of every three sheep are butt ugly,” further elaborated a spokesperson for the Foundation for Beautiful Sheep.

Responding to rumors that her campaign to end the terror and oppression of sheep will likely get her arrested later today, Ms. Sheehan whispered softly, “Now I know how Mickey Mouse feels at Disneyland”

"She's like a herald, waking everybody up," said Tom Matzzie, the Washington director for MoveOn.org.

Asked for a final comment, Ms. Sheehan responded, “Where’s my gawd-damned milkshake. I’m feeling weaker and light in the head.”

####

20060816 KDDC The gears of 404

"The gears of 404"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
August 16, 2006

20060816 Vota for Mona

Thursday, August 17, 2006

20060816 Vota for Mona

“Vota for Moana”

August 16^th, 2006

This is the season for signs.

Recently your intrepid blogger found this group of signs at Main Street and the railroad tracks in Westminster MD.

Mystery surrounds just what Ms. Mona Lisa is running for.

In a related matter, we asked Westminster’s administrator of economic development, Stanta Ruchlewicz, about the economic impact of the Carroll County election season. “Well, ya know, it brings dollars into downtown Westminster,” remarked Mr. Ruchlewicz. “Recently it is about the only thing that’s happening in these parts.”

Asked if he knew just what office Ms. Lisa was running for, Mr. Ruchlewicz responded, “Don’t know. Don’t really care as long as the mysterious sign brings money into Westminster. It’s kinda neat, if I may say so myself.”

Jeff Glass, Westminster’s assistant director for parks, buildings, streets, water, wastewater, kitchen sinks, development review, planning, fly swatters, public works, utilities maintenance and the soundtrack division of old silent movies said, “It’s like a Norman Rockwell moment. America at its best.”

Asked how long the sign for Ms. Lisa has been at the intersection, “Don’t know. Been kinda busy recently,” remarked the assistant director for parks, buildings, streets, water, wastewater, kitchen sinks, development review, planning, fly swatters, public works, fleet management, kite flying, road sign, grass clippings removal, utilities maintenance and the soundtrack division of old silent movies.

Marianne Sheehan, the administrative assistant for the assistant director for parks, buildings, streets, water, wastewater, kitchen sinks, development review, planning, fly swatters, public works, fleet management, kite flying, road sign, grass clippings removal, utilities maintenance, letters and art, heavy metal music and the soundtrack division of old silent movies, remarked that the sign “looked good in that location and that it went well with the overall ambiance of downtown Westminster.”

Wayne Reifsnider, the assistant superintendent for streets, buildings, and parks said, “Well, ya know… Well, it’s a free country and people have a right to put up signs on private property, ya know. But I don’t know, ya know. Then on the other hand, well, ya know, it’s a neat sign and I just do my job. Mind my own business, ya know. Well, I best be moving along. See ya.”

More on this developing story as it unravels.

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

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoffart.com Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

20060816 KDDC NYTimes Warsaw Ghetto Uprising an Over Reaction

New York Times, May 10^th, 1943: Warsaw Ghetto Uprising an Over-Reaction

August 16^th, 2006

(From The People's Cube via Gates of Vienna and Michelle Malkin.)

The entire post at: Historians: Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Was Overreaction (By Red Square 8/7/2006) is a must read. Hats off to the “Broom of Truth.”

####

20060815 KDDC Missing Issue

"Missing Issue"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
August 15th, 2006

20060815 KDDC Check Out ation

"Check Out Ation"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
August 15th, 2006

20060815 KDDC Ben Cardin to cure cancer

Ben Cardin to cure cancer

August 15^th, 2006

Before I say another word, I gotta tell ya, God Bless everyone who is running for office. Considering today’s technology which allows saturation coverage of every candidate’s every waking moment. Anyone – everyone - can and will make a mistake or say something that will be taken out of context or utter words that may be misconstrued by the practitioners of professional outrage.

Need I mention this or this or here?

Never-the-less, BlogDC (“100,000 Airplanes” By Andrew Daniller) has the scoop that Congressman Ben Cardin is going to cure cancer.

No mention as to whether or not he invented the Internet.

Hat Tip: Wonkette: “More fuel for the debate on whether life in Washington imitates The West Wing or whether The West Wing imitates life. [Blog DC]”

Apparently BlogDC found it in a post on MyDD: “Ben Cardin's Promise to Cure Cancer” by Matt Stoller, Tue Aug 15, 2006 at 12:30:42 PM EST:

“Let's say a credible biochemist friend told you that it was likely that we could cure many forms of cancer by 2015. Would you believe him? Let's say, on the other hand, that a politician running in a hotly contested primary, told you that if you elected him he would cure cancer by 2015. Would you believe him? Welcome to Ben Cardin's strategy. Color me skeptical of Cardin's political approach.”

However, BlogDC made an inaccurate conclusion – Maryland’s Lt. Governor Michael Steele will be out next U. S. Senator.

Anyway – this is what the BlogDC said:

“Remember that episode of The West Wing from the middle of the third season when Bartlet had just been censured by Congress and needed a huge State of the Union bump to give him any chance of winning reelection and so he and Sam began to obsess about promising a cure for cancer within ten years as a message of hope for the country?

Well, I do, and Rep. Ben Cardin is stealing the plot (via Matt Stoller):

"We are going to lick cancer by 2015," Cardin told a group of 15 people

at the HopeWell Cancer Support Center on Falls Road.

Maryland, I hope you like Kweisi Mfume, because he's about to be your next Senator.”

####

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

20060815 Australian farmers called to report ugly sheep

“As many as one out of every three sheep are butt ugly,” further elaborated a spokesperson for the Foundation for Beautiful Sheep. © Rhoiders

Xtreme Sheehan Defends ugly sheep

Rhoiders Crawford, Texas

Kant BeTrue, Staff reporter and photojournalist, Rhoiders

Monday, August 16, 2006

News recently reached Crawford Texas that Australian scientists have called on the country’s farmers to report any ugly sheep found in their flocks.

Upon hearing the news, Cindy Sheehan was outraged, “We’re the one getting fleeced.”

Ms. Sheehan, who has for over forty days and forty nights, been on a milkshake-for-worldpeace-and-misunderstood-terrorists fast, weakly rose from her cot in an almost Ghandi-like manner to say, “The Australian genocidal practices against sheep are just another example of the failed Bush international diplomacy. Now sheep around the world are going to hate us.”

The institute said ugly lambs — with uneven wool, strange fibers, clumps of wool that fall out, bare patches, no wool, or highly wrinkled skin — are usually culled by farmers.

“As many as one out of every three sheep are butt ugly,” further elaborated a spokesperson for the Foundation for Beautiful Sheep.

"She's like a herald, waking everybody up," said Tom Matzzie, the Washington director for MoveOn.org.

Asked for a final comment, Ms. Sheehan responded, “Where’s my gawd-damned milkshake. I’m feeling weaker and light in the head.”

####

20060815 KDDC Who are these community leaders?

Who are these community leaders?
August 15th, 2006

The ladies pictured above are two of my most favorite folks in the world today.

Hint: I ran across them as I was researching a future column for which I had to use microfiche.

They were very kind and helpful to an old and aging artist and writer. They are that great mix of professional, knowledgeable and fun. That’s a wonderful way to be when ya wait on the public for over a third of your everyday life and Westminster and Carroll County is fortunate to have them working in our community.

PS: There was a third lady who was also very helpful, but she got really shy for the picture taking part of the program.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

####

20060815 KDDC Former CCPS employee charged with stealing

Former Public Schools employee charged with stealing school funds
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006

Westminster, Carroll County, MD - - The Carroll County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Ecker announced in a news conference this morning that a former Carroll County Public Schools employee with South Carroll High School has been charged with stealing school funds.

The news conference will be broadcast on Channel 21 at the following dates and times: Wed., 8/16, 11 a.m.; Thurs., 8/17, 5 p.m.; Fri., 8/18, 1 p.m.; Sat., 8/19, 9 a.m.; Sun., 8/20, 5 p.m.; Mon., 8/21, 8 p.m. Tues., 8/22, 10 a.m.

Although not named in the subsequent press release, the Carroll County Times reports, “Wendy Sue Bowers, 39, allegedly stole the money over a period of six years by keeping two sets of books,” according to an article written by Penny Riordan.

The Carroll County Times also ran the above photograph of Ms. Bowers.

A press release further reveals:

A former employee is being charged with stealing significant school funds from South Carroll High School. We estimate the amount stolen over six years to be just over $200,000.

The money taken was raised through athletic events, student fundraisers, vending machines profits, student yearbooks, and other such school-based accounts.

It was not funds provided to the school by the school system’s operating budget to support South Carroll’s instructional program.

How did we find out? In early spring, our Finance Department noticed deficits in South Carroll High School’s balances.

Once we the concluded that theft was a possibility, we immediately contacted the State’s Attorney’s office and requested their guidance.

We fully cooperated with them during the investigation.

Another obvious question is “How could it have happened?” We are still working on that answer. While we thought our controls were sound, they obviously weren’t good enough. We will correct them.

Our new procedures will have to assume that everyone is dishonest. That may seem harsh, but this former employee was a very trusted individual who was also a respected payroll clerk and finance clerk in our central office.

Not long after she arrived at South Carroll, she was able to create an intricate and systematic method of stealing that extended back at least six years and allowed her to pay school bills, but still take significant dollars

The next question is “How will we respond?” Our action plan will respond in four separate, but related ways:

1. Education of Staff: We will work with the State’s Attorney’s office, our auditors, our own legal council, and others to highlight real life examples of employee theft. We will provide specific information about how and why it occurs, we will heighten their awareness that, given the right set of circumstances, theft can and will happen anyplace.

2. Increase in School Account Oversight: We will work with our quality control department to provide for more direct supervision of school-based account. This action will include random visits to audit school records with class and club advisors and provide more oversight of school-based deposits and expenditures.

3. Increase in Audit Staffing: Currently, we only have a single person whose job is devoted to quality control. This staffing is inadequate for a school system our size. I will include in next year’s budget request, additional staffing in our audit department.

4. Revision of School-Based Account Control Procedures: As I stated, we are revising the procedures that provide controls to school-based accounts. While some of the cause of this theft was related to the former employee’s in-depth knowledge of the system and her stellar reputation, we can benefit by several changes in our procedures.

They will include:

(a) Eliminating the use of separate account software by financial secretaries. All financial transaction will be completed using the school system’s centralized finance system.

(b)A redesigned Fund Collection Record. This revised form will place an additional review of the deposit of funds for school-based accounts.

(c) Assign ownership of all school-based accounts. Some accounts such as student parking lot permits, vending machine funds and others are not regularly monitored because they are only deposit accounts that do not have regular expenditures to monitor.

(d) Provide more in-service training for administrators, secretaries, athletic directors, club sponsor, and anyone that collects money for school functions. (Currently we do provide in-service training each year for administrators and secretaries)

The money will be recovered, either through repayment of some or all of the missing funds by the former employee, or by insurance.

####

20060815 Ben Cardin to cure cancer

Ben Cardin to cure cancer

(Note: this was first posted on KDDC on August 18th, 2006: “20060815 KDDC Ben Cardin to cure cancer.” For some balance please review my colleague, Crablaw’s posts about Congressman Cardin. Comments and views for which I respect…)

Ben Cardin to cure cancer

August 15^th, 2006

Need I mention this or this or here?

Never-the-less, BlogDC (“100,000 Airplanes” By Andrew Daniller) has the scoop that Congressman Ben Cardin is going to cure cancer.

No mention as to whether or not he invented the Internet.

Hat Tip: Wonkette: “More fuel for the debate on whether life in Washington imitates The West Wing or whether The West Wing imitates life. [Blog DC]”

Apparently BlogDC found it in a post on MyDD: “Ben Cardin's Promise to Cure Cancer” by Matt Stoller, Tue Aug 15, 2006 at 12:30:42 PM EST:

However, BlogDC made an inaccurate conclusion – Maryland’s Lt. Governor Michael Steele will be out next U. S. Senator.

Anyway – this is what the BlogDC said:

Well, I do, and Rep. Ben Cardin is stealing the plot (via Matt Stoller):

"We are going to lick cancer by 2015," Cardin told a group of 15 people

at the HopeWell Cancer Support Center on Falls Road.

Maryland, I hope you like Kweisi Mfume, because he's about to be your next Senator.”

####

4:53 AM | Permalink

1 comment

Perhaps it's because I like Cardin more than a committed conservative would that I got rather nasty at him for that piece of ... rhetoric. Glad that Stoller drilled him.

Had Cardin said it in February, or elsewhere, I might have viewed it differently.

Posted by Bruce Godfrey | 2:38 PM

20060814 KDDC Ceasefire Fallout begins

Ceasefire Fallout begins

August 14th, 2006

Now that United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 has been passed and the Israeli are going to depend on the United Nations to defend innocent civilians from being rocketed by Hezbollah, the ceasefire fallout in Israel begins.

First we have been assured that this ceasefire and disarming of Hezbollah will succeed this time because Kofi Annan will require all reports to be provided in triplicate.

I’m certainly reassured and buoyed for the future with that information at hand.

Not widely reported in the main stream media, much skepticism lies just beneath the surface as to whether this is a ceasefire or an opportunity for Hezbollah to re-arm pending round two.

The DEBKAfile reports that already, “Hizballah is filtering reinforcements into South Lebanon among returning refugees. They are taking up positions in the still undamaged bunkers and fortified civilian dwellings.”

(Yes, in Israel “Hezbollah” is spelled “Hizballah.”)

And a debate rages as to just how well the IDF performed. Rumblings about strategy, military preparedness, adequate, timely and adequate intelligence, and performance abound.

Meanwhile the Israelis honor their dead. One account I found in Haaretz was particularly poignant. An account about the first female soldier, Sergeant Major Keren Tendler, lost on active duty since the Yom Kippur War in 1973: “In life and death, she pushed all boundaries.”

In the coming weeks, there will be a great sorting out of what has happened and the implications of the future.

One thing to be sure, much of the media and liberal bias against Israel was once-again brought to the surface.

Read “Don't boycott the BBC,” by Stephen Pollard in the Jerusalem Post:

Switch on the BBC News and, other than the fact that it is in English, you might think that you had tuned in by mistake to al-Manar, Hizbullah's own TV station. The BBC almost always ignores any case Israel might have for taking action against terrorism and concentrates on what it calls, relentlessly, Israel's "disproportionate response" in Lebanon. Israeli spokesmen and women are interviewed, but are quizzed as if they are propagandists for war crimes.

So it's understandable that there have been calls for Israeli officials and politicians to boycott the BBC. Understandable, but wrong.

Read the rest here.

Many were surprised by the lack of support for Israel from liberal Democrats.

In Lebanon, “civilians” – used as human shields by Hezbollah were killed. In Israel, the Katyushas killed “Israelis,” – not “civilians,” mind you, but “Israelis.”

The doctored photograph phenomena will be debated for quite sometime. See the New York Times piece: “Ease of alteration creates woes for picture editors.”

Carolyn Glick says that “The Olmert government must go:”

From all sides of the political spectrum calls are being raised for the establishment of an official commission of inquiry to investigate the Olmert government's incompetent management of the war in Lebanon. These calls are misguided.

We do not need a commission to know what happened or what has to happen. The Olmert government has failed on every level. The Olmert government must go.

The Jerusalem Post carries a story about the political and the military fallout of the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin.

Aug. 14, 2006 2:56 | Updated Aug. 14, 2006 15:30

The countdown for Olmert has begun By ANSHEL PFEFFER

Whatever way you analyze UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the cease-fire that might have broken out at 8 a.m. Monday morning, and even if you accept the government's claims that it's good for Israel, there is no way that it can be good for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

This was the war that was going to establish him as a bona fide leader. During the first few weeks, his popularity ratings soared sky-high as the public expressed its trust in the government's decision to go after Hizbullah. There was a great deal of disappointment and skepticism regarding the IDF's conduct following the twin kidnap debacles at Kerem Shalom on June 25 and two weeks later at Biranit, but for once the politicians seemed to be calling the right shots.

The rest of the story can be found here.

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Monday, August 14, 2006

20060813 KDDC The politics of going negative

NY Republican Senatorial primary debate and why it reminds me of the upcoming Carroll County primary.

August 13th, 2006

Let’s back up before we even attempt to go forward. Apparently New York Senator Hillary Clinton has two Republicans vying to run against her in this fall’s general election.

The New York Republican primary has former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer going up against a former President Reagan administration Pentagon official, Kathleen Troia "KT" McFarland.

So far, by many accounts, it would appear that they are running neck-and-neck to see who can be the most unpleasant.

Now perhaps this essay is about the New York Republican Senatorial primary and maybe it’s not. Perhaps it serves as a good allegory for the Carroll County primary?

In Carroll County we have a number of folks who are trying to unseat various incumbents.

Whether some or all or none of the incumbents need to be replaced, is, to be simplistic about it – up to the voters. Inside baseball ain’t going to do it. And if any of the incumbents fail to be re-elected, I either hope or pray that negative politics is not going to do it.

So far, I’m not seeing a lot of campaigning that is reaching the average, overworked, busy Mom and Dad voter at the kitchen table.

Unseating an incumbent is hard to do. Usually a challenger needs to have an overwhelmingly persuasive and compelling platform to unseat an incumbent – or ride the wave of a sea change on the part of the electorate in approach to government. That kind of change of difficult to cultivate in an election campaign, it will only come from the grassroots.

Of course, if an incumbent has demonstrated incompetence, malfeasance, dereliction of duty or a plain and simple palpable lack of skills, knowledge and ability in which to do the job, then that is another story.

None of the incumbents has demonstrated that lacking. Oh sure, there is lots of political spin and rhetoric being bandied about, however, we also have too many young reporters in the county who have never learned or simply don’t have the time for the follow-up question.

The superficial will get ya through the article, but in the long run it is not sustainable...

In the case of the Senator Hillary Clinton’s New York contest, there is no such sea change on the part of the New York constituency and nothing short of miracle is going to prevent her from winning this fall. That’s reality politics.

Regardless of how you may agree or disagree with her politics, unless you are a New York voter, it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is the facts on the ground in New York.

On a political theory level, being unpleasant will work for sure if you’d like to win the primary and lose the general and be forever remembered as an unpleasant person.

I mean, after being unpleasant for months, whadda ya goin’ to do after the election?

Most folks know that you can’t get to a positive by utilizing the negative. It may work in the short term, but eventually folks catch on that it was not simply situational that you are a negative and unpleasant person, that it is systemic – it is who you are.

Sorta like the rule to never date a married person. What they are doing to their present partner, they can and usually do to you. And when they do you wrong in the future, they will rationalize it just as well as they are rationalizing it to date you now.

Apparently a few folks running for election in Carroll County have yet to figure this out.

And another thing while I’m on a roll; for those who want to plead that the elections this fall are not about taxes, think again. One wonders how many times that must be repeated before it will change reality and make it so.

I’ll put it this way. Taxes and big government are an issue with me. We don’t need bigger government; we need better and cost effective government – in Annapolis and in Carroll County.

As far as temperament, I would almost rather vote for a pleasant accessible, well-intentioned person with integrity - with whom I disagreed about certain issues than vote for someone with whom I agreed, yet was absolutely unpleasant about promoting their position.

A memo for challengers to the incumbents. I don’t care a rat’s ass about voting the incumbents out. That’s your thing. Hopefully the election is not about your personal feelings, it is about what you bring to the table professionally. I care about voting in folks who have a vision and a positive plan for families, schools, growth and lessening our tax burden.

Think about it, the two approaches are not the same. I’m voting for someone who is thoughtful, well versed in the issues, has a positive plan for the future and a person I can take my problems to (without a preachy condescending lecture.)

It is back to basics time. As a young man, my Mom hammered into me, it is all about what I do that counts. She never cared about what the other kids did. That was not of her concern. I cannot get to heaven based on the sins of others.

You will not be elected based on the perceived sins of the current incumbents or your personal dislikes of certain individuals. You will be elected because the voters believe that you will do a better job.

Stay positive. Voters ultimately want to know what you are going to do. You can say more about what you are against by saying what you are for and are going to do.

If you would like to get in touch with your feelings, go skeet shooting with me. Otherwise, this is about winning an election. I have no interest in electing enraged individuals.

Of course, the purpose of a primary is to win – and win in such a manner that a candidate will carry some momentum with them into the general election.

Going negative always needs to be carefully weighed. Usually folks who are behind go negative because they will often feel that they have nothing to lose.

Many folks become fixated upon serving as an elected official to “contribute and make a difference in the community.” Therefore, anything and everything it takes to win is justified by the winning.

My world view greatly disagrees with that position. There are many ways to serve, make a difference and contribute to a community beyond being an elected official.

I have had a practice and policy to “never” go negative. Although I have been the brunt of a negative campaign or two. When friends and colleagues pleaded with me to respond, I choose not to. If I had to win by going negative – the office and position was simply not worth it to me.

At this point in time, I have no regrets. If the electorate wanted to “hire” someone who moved their ball forward by being unpleasant, that is up to the voters. Ultimately everyone gets their karma.

So anyway, I was surfing the net as I was putting together some thoughts for my next Tentacle column and came across this in the Examiner… This… Well, what is it? I thought I had been diverted to The Onion.

This would be believable if it were on Saturday Night Live – but it is not. Apparently it was live, perhaps a little too live.

And these are the folks that the Republican Party is going to send up against New York Senator Hillary Clinton? I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry.

This is pathetic. Except for one great line: "John, you are like the Clintons," she said. "You taxed and spent like Hillary and behaved like Bill."

I wonder if they later exchanged addresses so that they may exchange holiday greeting cards this winter?

Did they remove all sharp objects from the room before the debate?

I’m sure that Senator Clinton is laughing – and will continue to laugh all the way back to her Senate seat this fall.

If this is what it is going to take to defeat Hillary Clinton, than maybe it is not worth it for the karma of the party? She is simply not that important in the grand scheme of things.

Likewise, if the challengers in Carroll County want to continue to be negative, the incumbents are going to laugh all the way back in office this fall.

_________________

N.Y. GOP Republicans Have Heated Debate
By BETH FOUHY, The Associated Press
Aug 9, 2006 10:34 PM

NEW YORK - The two Republicans vying to challenge Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton this fall tore into each other Wednesday in a debate dominated by angry accusations of personal and professional misconduct and abject dishonesty.

From the early minutes of the hourlong forum sponsored by all news cable channel NY1, former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer found himself repeatedly on the defensive about his unconventional private life and its impact on his tenure as mayor from 1996 to 2004.

While married to another woman, Spencer fathered two children with his then-chief of staff and substantially raised her salary. He eventually divorced his first wife and married his chief of staff.

So with an opening question from debate moderator Dominic Carter about whether a candidate's personal life should be off-limits, the responses got very personal, very fast.

Kathleen Troia "KT" McFarland, a former Ronald Reagan-era Pentagon official, immediately accused Spencer of engaging in adultery and nepotism and said it spoke to his lack of credibility to serve in office.

Read the rest here, if you can stand it - - it gets better, err, Hmmm, I mean worse…

Civility, Hillary Clinton Watch

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20060813 KDDC The politics of going negative

NY Republican Senatorial primary debate and why it reminds me of the upcoming Carroll County primary.

August 13th, 2006

N.Y. GOP Republicans Have Heated Debate
By BETH FOUHY, The Associated Press
Aug 9, 2006 10:34 PM

NEW YORK - The two Republicans vying to challenge Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton this fall tore into each other Wednesday in a debate dominated by angry accusations of personal and professional misconduct and abject dishonesty.

From the early minutes of the hourlong forum sponsored by all news cable channel NY1, former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer found himself repeatedly on the defensive about his unconventional private life and its impact on his tenure as mayor from 1996 to 2004.

While married to another woman, Spencer fathered two children with his then-chief of staff and substantially raised her salary. He eventually divorced his first wife and married his chief of staff.

So with an opening question from debate moderator Dominic Carter about whether a candidate's personal life should be off-limits, the responses got very personal, very fast.

Kathleen Troia "KT" McFarland, a former Ronald Reagan-era Pentagon official, immediately accused Spencer of engaging in adultery and nepotism and said it spoke to his lack of credibility to serve in office.

Read the rest here, if you can stand it - - it gets better, err, Hmmm, I mean worse…

Hillary Clinton Watch

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Sunday, August 13, 2006

20060813 KDDC The Pillage Idiot has wonderfully struck again

She’s everywhere she’s everywhere

August 13, 2006

The above photo, “Doctored photo of Lebanese woman,” is from the Pillage Idiot and once again it is priceless. Thanks.

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20060813 KDDC Just hanging

August 13^th, 2006

Posts have been few and far between in recent days. All apologies, but life has interfered with art. Yard work, column deadlines, doing a little art and hanging with the wife.

Then, last night, just as I was ready to work at the keyboard, my ISP went dead. Recently, fortunately, this does not happen often. But it made me sad.

So today, I’m trying to catch up on my reading.

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Saturday, August 12, 2006

20060811 KDDC Clip Board Man

Clip Board Man
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
August 11, 2006

Friday, August 11, 2006

20060811 KDDC Who are these Westminster community leaders

Who are these Westminster community leaders?
August 11th, 2006

This is an undated photograph, but I will hypothecate that it is from around 1959... Hint: the store in which they appear in front is now a Joni Mitchell song - "...they tore down paradise and put up a parking lot."

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20060811 KDDC Tuscan Whole Milk 1 Gallon 128 fl oz

Tuscan Whole Milk 1 Gallon 128 fl oz

Perhaps I am sleep deprived from staying up too late working on my next Westminster Eagle column, but this is sheer hysteria and mayhem.

Be sure to enjoy reading the comments.

Hat Tip: Sharp as a Marble – “The reviews were so hilarious” “I blew milk out my nose. Tuscan, Whole Milk. I’d swear it was almost like a joke or something.”

Mr. Allen gives a Hat Tip to: SondraK

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