20070827 CyberAlert

CyberAlert

Monday August 27, 2007 (Vol. Twelve; No. 148)

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1. Shields: 'Overkill' by 'Right-Wing Radio' Will Help Hillary "Overkill" from "right-wing radio," in criticizing Senator Hillary Clinton, is her "secret weapon" that will "transform her into a figure of sympathy by a majority of people" -- and presumably help elect her President -- syndicated columnist and PBS NewsHour political analyst Mark Shields contended Friday night. On Inside Washington, a weekly panel show produced by ABC's Washington, DC affiliate which airs it on Sunday mornings after it first runs Friday night at 8:30pm on DC's PBS affiliate, WETA-TV channel 26, Shields argued: "I think the secret weapon for Senator Clinton, if she is the Democratic nominee, is not simply Rudy's shortcomings, the perceived shortcomings of her opponent, I think you'll see on the part of right-wing radio -- conservative talk, however you want to call it -- such overkill that it will make her, transform her into a figure of sympathy by a majority of people." NPR's Nina Totenberg then chimed in: "That happened in her first Senate run."

2. Kristol Astounds Lauer by Rejecting Media Touting of Warner & NIE Matching the theme of NBC Nightly News from the evening before, the Today show on Friday morning portrayed Republican Senator John Warner's call for 5,000 troops to return home by Christmas as "a major defection" and "sharp rebuke" to President Bush, but to the astonishment of co-host Matt Lauer, who described Warner as "a pretty heavy domino" falling against Bush, guest Bill Kristol rejected the media's presumptions about the importance of Warner's stand. Andrea Mitchell trumpeted "a major defection from the most authoritative Republican Senator on all things military. It is a sharp rebuke to the President" from "the Senate's most influential Republican on the Armed Services Committee." When Kristol made clear he didn't think Warner's comments were such a big deal since he remains opposed to a pull-out timetable, Lauer argued: "What about the signal it sends to moderate Republicans in Congress? You know everybody talks about some sort of large scale defection. Isn't John Warner a pretty heavy domino?" Kristol countered: "No, because it hasn't fallen. He's not going to vote against the President in September, that's the more important thing." Turning to the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iraq, which Mitchell had described as "grim," Kristol highlighted positive findings about defeating al-Qaeda, prompting an incredulous Lauer to wonder: "Are they looking at the same country that you just saw?"

3. Newsweek's Michael Hirsh Ridicules 'Harsh' Vietnam Aftermath In a "Web-exclusive" commentary posted Thursday, Newsweek Senior Editor Michael Hirsh ridiculed President George W. Bush's warning that a precipitous pull-out from Iraq could lead to the humanitarian horrors that followed the American pull-out from Vietnam. Recalling a trip he made to Vietnam in 1991, Hirsh reported that he found a nation looking to the West and capitalism, adding that "today Vietnam remains" only "nominally communist." He then snidely asserted: "This was the 'harsh' aftermath that George W. Bush attempted to describe this week when he warned against pulling out of Iraq as we did in Vietnam." James Taranto, in his Friday "Best of the Web Today" posting for OpinionJournal.com, asked: "Could that last sentence be any more disingenuous? To Hirsh, the 'aftermath' of America's withdrawal from Vietnam didn't begin until 1991, more than 16 years after Saigon fell. About events between 1975 and 1991, he has only this to say: 'Yes, a lot of Vietnamese boat people died on the high seas; but many others have returned to visit in the ensuing years.'"

4. CBS: Mass. Health Insurance Mandate, Subsidy Don't Go Far Enough A year and a half after the CBS Evening News celebrated the then-upcoming Massachusetts mandate requiring everyone to buy health insurance and the state subsidizing it for those with lower incomes -- "Imagine this: Virtually everyone guaranteed health insurance coverage. It's happening in one state, and it could be a model for the rest" -- Friday's newscast found it has come up short. Anchor Katie Couric teased the upcoming story on how the law didn't go far enough in providing subsidies, "Universal health insurance: It is supposed to mean everyone is covered. But in the only state that has it, hundreds of thousands are not. That story next." Reporter Wyatt Andrews highlighted how state-subsidized coverage saved one man's life, trumpeting that as "the state's achievement. Out of 400,000 uninsured residents last year, around 170,000 now have insurance." But, he continued, "the gap that remains is huge. It includes some 130,000 young adults, most of them middle income men who have to pay their own premiums. They either don't want insurance or can't afford it." For expert advocacy, Andrews turned to the head of a liberal group, Health Care for All: "Health care advocate John McDonough praises the state for a good start but says that gap in affordability has to be filled."

5. CNN's 'God's Warriors' Reflects MSM's Bias Against 'Big 3' Faiths Christiane Amanpour's six-hour "God's Warriors" mini-series first aired Tuesday-Thursday nights last week on CNN reflected less of the reality of "fundamentalist" monotheists -- Jews, Muslims, and Christians -- and more of liberals' attitudes about these faiths. It is clear, given how CNN and Amanpour covered each faith, that they have sympathy towards Muslims in the U.S., "concern" with the Jewish settlers in the West Bank, and are uncomfortable towards the beliefs and practices of Christian evangelicals. Tuesday night's "God's Jewish Warriors" focused on the cause of the "right-wing" Jewish settlers. The term "right wing" was used seven times to describe the settlers and/or their supporters in Israel and in the United States, and "fundamentalist/-ism" was used three times, once in reference to Christian supporters of the settlers in the U.S. On Wednesday night's "God's Muslim Warriors," "fundamentalist/-ism" was the more prevalent term, used 11 times. "Right wing" was used twice, only to describe Geert Wilders, a member of the Dutch Parliament.

6. FNC's Fox News Watch Shows MRC Home Page with CyberAlert Headline You saw it here first. FNC's Fox News Watch on Saturday set up a segment, on a Pew Research Center for the People and the Press poll on how Americans distrust the media and see it as biased, by showing screen shots of the home pages of a couple of media watchdog groups, including the Thursday CyberAlert headline on the MRC's home page, "Networks: Bush's Vietnam Lesson Hypocritical & Invalid."

A usually-daily report, edited by Brent H. Baker, CyberAlert is distributed by the Media Research Center, the leader since 1987 in documenting, exposing and neutralizing liberal media bias.

The 2,475^th CyberAlert. Tracking Liberal Media Bias Since 1996
11:15am EDT, Monday August 27, 2007 (Vol. Twelve; No. 148)

20070826 Westminster Municipal Band plays Marine Hymn

Westminster Municipal Band plays Marine Hymn

August 27^th, 2007

This video clip portrays the Westminster Municipal Band playing a portion of the Marine Hymn, “From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli” at this year’s annual Belle Grove Square summer concert on August 26^th, 2007 – in Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland USA.

For more information on the history of Belle Grove Square go to: “20040825 WA History of Belle Grove Square in Westminster” or find it here: 20040825 WA History of Belle Grove Square in Westminster

According to an article, “The Marines' Hymn,” on the U.S.M.C. Band website, http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/: “The author of the words to the hymn is unknown.”

“The music to the hymn is believed to have originated in the comic opera Geneviéve de Brabant composed by the French composer Jacques Offenbach. Originally written as a two-act opera in 1859, Offenbach revised the work, expanding it to three acts in 1867. This revised version included the song “Couplets des Deux Hommes d’Armes” and is the musical source of The Marines’ Hymn.”

“From the Halls of Montezuma” refers to the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War.

“The Shores of Tripoli” refers to actions during the First Barbary War and the Battle of Derne.

More information can be found under the “Westminster Municipal Band” label at www.kevindayhoff.net. Kevin Dayhoff August 26, 2007

Labels: Westminster Municipal Band, YouTube KED

For Corps and Country

Semper Fi, and as always… check six

Lyrics:

From the halls of Montezuma

To the shores of Tripoli,

We fight our country's battles

In the air, on land, and sea.

First to fight for right and freedom,

And to keep our honor clean,

We are proud to claim the title

Of United States Marines.

Our flag's unfurl'd to every breeze

From dawn to setting sun;

We have fought in every clime and place

Where we could take a gun.

In the snow of far-off northern lands

And in sunny tropic scenes,

You will find us always on the job

The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps

Which we are proud to serve;

In many a strife we've fought for life

And never lost our nerve.

If the Army and the Navy

Ever look on Heaven's scenes,

They will find the streets are guarded

By United States Marines.

####

20070827 Saboteur: he may ride forever ‘neath the streets of boston..

Saboteur: he may ride forever 'neath the streets of boston...

August 27^th, 2007

A reader, "Grim Sherman Eagle Saboteur" writes – (in reference to my column which will appear in the Westminster Eagle this Wednesday, August 29, 2007):

i have to assume you already know this, but as i too have heard the old adage about what happens when one assumes, i thought i would pass this along.

in reading your boston column (a good one), i noted your reference to the "charlie pass." is that a reference to the kingston trio song 'm.t.a'?

M.T.A. Lyrics

From The Kingston Trio at Large

Date: 07/01/1959

Spoken:

These are the times that try men's souls. In the course of our nation's history, the people of Boston have rallied bravely whenever the rights of men have been threatened. Today, a new crisis has arisen. The Metropolitan Transit Authority, better known as the M.T.A., is attempting to levy a burdensome tax on the population in the form of a subway fare increase. Citizens, hear me out! This could happen to you!

(Eight bar guitar, banjo introduction)

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charley on a tragic and fateful day.

He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family, went to ride on the M.T.A.

Chorus:

Well, did he ever return? No, he never returned and

his fate is still unknown.

(What a pity! Poor ole Charlie. Shame and scandal.

He may ride forever. Just like Paul Revere.)

He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston.

He's the man who never returned.

Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square Station and he changed for Jamaica Plain.

When he got there the conductor told him, "One more nickel."

Charlie couldn't get off of that train.

(Chorus)

Now, all night long Charlie rides through the station, crying, "What will become of me?!!

How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea or my cousin in Roxbury?"

(Chorus)

Charlie's wife goes down to the Sculley Square Station every day at quarter past two, And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich as the train comes rumblin' through.

(Chorus)

Now, you citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal how the people have to pay and pay?

Fight the fare increase! Vote for George O'Brien!

Get poor Charlie off the M. T. A.

(Chorus)

He's the man who never returned.

He's the man who never returned.

Ain't you Charlie?

Mrs. Owl and I sing this song frequently when we are trying to follow the map or driving direction as we are traveling… We were known to have sung this song several times while we were in Boston…

20070827 Saboteur: he may ride forever ‘neath the streets of boston..

####

20070827 Saboteur: he may ride forever ‘neath the streets of boston..

Saboteur: he may ride forever 'neath the streets of boston...

August 27^th, 2007

A reader, "Grim Sherman Eagle Saboteur" writes – (in reference to my column which will appear in the Westminster Eagle this Wednesday, August 29, 2007):

i have to assume you already know this, but as i too have heard the old adage about what happens when one assumes, i thought i would pass this along.

in reading your boston column (a good one), i noted your reference to the "charlie pass." is that a reference to the kingston trio song 'm.t.a'?

M.T.A. Lyrics

From The Kingston Trio at Large

Date: 07/01/1959

Spoken:

These are the times that try men's souls. In the course of our nation's history, the people of Boston have rallied bravely whenever the rights of men have been threatened. Today, a new crisis has arisen. The Metropolitan Transit Authority, better known as the M.T.A., is attempting to levy a burdensome tax on the population in the form of a subway fare increase. Citizens, hear me out! This could happen to you!

(Eight bar guitar, banjo introduction)

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charley on a tragic and fateful day.

He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family, went to ride on the M.T.A.

Chorus:

Well, did he ever return? No, he never returned and

his fate is still unknown.

(What a pity! Poor ole Charlie. Shame and scandal.

He may ride forever. Just like Paul Revere.)

He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston.

He's the man who never returned.

Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square Station and he changed for Jamaica Plain.

When he got there the conductor told him, "One more nickel."

Charlie couldn't get off of that train.

(Chorus)

Now, all night long Charlie rides through the station, crying, "What will become of me?!!

How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea or my cousin in Roxbury?"

(Chorus)

Charlie's wife goes down to the Sculley Square Station every day at quarter past two, And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich as the train comes rumblin' through.

(Chorus)

Now, you citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal how the people have to pay and pay?

Fight the fare increase! Vote for George O'Brien!

Get poor Charlie off the M. T. A.

(Chorus)

He's the man who never returned.

He's the man who never returned.

Ain't you Charlie?

Mrs. Owl and I sing this song frequently when we are trying to follow the map or driving direction as we are traveling… We were known to have sung this song several times while we were in Boston…

####

20070827 Carroll County Maryland Arts Council plans trip to Edward Hopper Exhibit Tuesday, September 25th

Carroll County Maryland Arts Council plans trip to Edward Hopper Exhibit

Photo: The Boston Museum of Fine Arts where I had the pleasure of seeing the Edward Hopper exhibition on August 19^th, 2007 www.kevindayhoff.net

Posted Monday, August 27, 2007

On Tuesday, September 25^th, The Carroll County Arts Council will host a bus trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC to visit the Edward Hopper exhibit. This is the first comprehensive survey of Hopper’s career to be seen in an American museum outside of New York for more than 25 years. His classic works captured the realities of urban and rural American life with a poignancy and beauty that have placed them among the most enduring images of the 20^th century. The exhibit will feature such iconic paintings as “Nighthawks,” “Automat,” Drug Store,” and “New York Movie.”

Passengers will also have time to visit other parts of the museum or that National Mall. The bus will depart from Westminster at 9 am and return at 4 pm. The cost, which includes transportation, snacks and recorded audio tour of the exhibit, is $30 for Arts Council Members and $35 for Non-Members.

Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 410/848-7272.

_____

I saw the Edward Hopper exhibit in Boston. It is the subject of my August 22, 2007 Tentacle column, “Edward Hopper: Poet of the ordinary.”

In a piece I submitted to the Westminster Eagle the other day, I mention the Carroll County Arts Council bus trip. I spoke with the editor earlier today it will not run in this Wednesday’s publication due to space constraints.

So we can look forward to the article running in the September 5^th, 2007 edition of the Westminster Eagle.

See also a post on www.kevindayhoff.net on Saturday, August 25, 2007: “20070822 Edward Hopper: Poet of the ordinary.”

####

20070827 Carroll County Maryland Arts Council plans trip to Edward Hopper Exhibit Tuesday, September 25th

Carroll County Maryland Arts Council plans trip to Edward Hopper Exhibit

Photo: The Boston Museum of Fine Arts where I had the pleasure of seeing the Edward Hopper exhibition on August 19^th, 2007 www.kevindayhoff.net

Posted Monday, August 27, 2007

On Tuesday, September 25^th, The Carroll County Arts Council will host a bus trip to the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC to visit the Edward Hopper exhibit. This is the first comprehensive survey of Hopper’s career to be seen in an American museum outside of New York for more than 25 years. His classic works captured the realities of urban and rural American life with a poignancy and beauty that have placed them among the most enduring images of the 20^th century. The exhibit will feature such iconic paintings as “Nighthawks,” “Automat,” Drug Store,” and “New York Movie.”

Passengers will also have time to visit other parts of the museum or that National Mall. The bus will depart from Westminster at 9 am and return at 4 pm. The cost, which includes transportation, snacks and recorded audio tour of the exhibit, is $30 for Arts Council Members and $35 for Non-Members.

Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling 410/848-7272.

_____

I saw the Edward Hopper exhibit in Boston. It is the subject of my August 22, 2007 Tentacle column, “Edward Hopper: Poet of the ordinary.”

In a piece I submitted to the Westminster Eagle the other day, I mention the Carroll County Arts Council bus trip. I spoke with the editor earlier today it will not run in this Wednesday’s publication due to space constraints.

So we can look forward to the article running in the September 5^th, 2007 edition of the Westminster Eagle.

See also a post on www.kevindayhoff.net on Saturday, August 25, 2007: “20070822 Edward Hopper: Poet of the ordinary.”

####

20070826 Fatal accident snarls traffic for hours - Kills local Westminster man

Gettysburg Times Front Page News: Fatal accident snarls traffic for hours

Sunday, August 26th, 2007

1 dead, 1 jailed after crash on U.S. 15

BY JOHN MESSEDER - Times staff writer

A 72-year-old Maryland man was in jail Friday night, charged with causing the death of one person and hospitalization of another after a two-car crash that closed northbound U.S. 15 for more than three hours.

According to state police investigators, witnesses said William Franklin Lapole was northbound on U.S. 15 shortly before 1 p.m., driving his 1997 Buick LeSabre at a "high rate of speed and making numerous lane changes."

About a half-mile before the U.S. 30 interchange, Lapole pulled into the left-hand, passing lane, but failed to slow down before driving into the rear of a car already in that lane, a 2002 Chevrolet Corvette driven by Steven E. Rill, 59, of Hampstead, Md.

The impact forced Rill's Corvette off the west side of the roadway and through a guardrail. Its right side destroyed, the vehicle came to rest facing south.

[…]

Rill's passenger, Alfred A. Dell, 52, of Westminster, Md., died at the scene from injuries he received in the crash.

Rill was flown by Stat MedEvac helicopter to York Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition late Friday night.

Lapole was uninjured.

He was committed to Adams County Prison, charged with homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault and reckless driving.

[…]

####

20070824 News Clips

News Clips

August 24, 2007

STATE NEWS

Ehrlich To Be On Display At State Fair
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2007/08/ehrlich_to_be_on_display_at_st.html?nav=rss_blog
Nine months after his re-election defeat, former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. remains the Maryland Republican Party's biggest star. The latest evidence: Ehrlich is booked to appear next week at the state GOP's booth at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium. "Governor Ehrlich would love to see you at the Maryland Republican Party's booth at the State Fair," says an item advertising the "special occasion" on the state GOP Web site. "He will be on hand to sign copies of his legacy book or other keepsakes that supporters have collected over the years."

Office Building Workers Reassured About Illness
O'Malley Reacts to Case of Legionnaires' Disease
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/23/AR2007082301327.html
Gov. Martin O'Malley and other senior Maryland officials sought Thursday to allay the concerns of state workers and others about a case of Legionnaires' disease contracted by someone who works in a state office tower where about 1,000 people are employed. At an afternoon news conference, O'Malley (D) said state officials have no reason to believe the building was the source of the disease, a potentially deadly bacterial pneumonia that is caught by inhaling contaminated water droplets. O'Malley also stressed that Legionnaires' -- which can be treated with antibiotics and affects about 100 Marylanders a year -- is not passe d from person to person.

School revises cell phone warning
City principal who threatened arrest sends new letter to parents
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.phones24aug24,0,498179.story
A Baltimore principal is sending a second back-to-school letter to parents after threatening in the first version to have students found with cell phones arrested and to confiscate the phones for a semester or more. Most school systems in the metropolitan area -- including Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard and Carroll counties -- permit students to possess cell phones as long as they are turned off and stored during the academic day, either in a locker or a backpack. In Harford County, only high school students may carry them.

Boost for Smart Growth soug ht
O'Malley, Cabinet, others meet on ways to reinvigorate anti-sprawl effort
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.growth24aug24,0,640733.story
Gov. Martin O'Malley and his Cabinet closeted themselves with former Gov. Parris N. Glendening and out-of-state planning experts yesterday to hash over ways to reinvigorate Smart Growth, the state's decade-old sprawl-fighting effort that some say has failed to live up to its promise. Though welcoming up to 60,000 new jobs to the state from military base realignment, the governor said Maryland needs to figure out how to accommodate the new people while still preserving its environment and quality of life.

Illegal parking targeted
Those who take spaces reserved for disabled will pay $500
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.parking24aug24,0,4603911.story
Ronald Howard thinks he knows why many of his neighbors who use a wheelchair spend so much time at home: Since a 1999 accident paralyzed him, he has spent countless hours cruising parking lots where handicapped spaces were filled by cars with no handicapped parking permit.
When Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold suggested in June that the county double the $100 fine for illegally parking in spots reserved for the disabled, Howard told the County Council that violators need a bigger hit in the wallet.
This week, the $500 fine, passed by the County Council and signed by Leopold, took effect. And this weekend, parking lot scofflaws will feel the pinch.Leopold, a longtime advocate for the disabled, said he hasn't heard objections or complaints about the $500 fine, "but I have heard many complaints about disabled parking space abuse and I have seen angry confrontations."

Feds declare Md. a drought disaster state
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=173227&format=html
A drought disaster has been declared in Maryland, and the federal government has stepped in to help local growers whose crops were affected by the lack of rain. Officials said Maryland's drought disaster designation makes it possible for farm operators to apply for low-interest emergency loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Affected farmers may contact their local Farm Service Agency for details.

County patrol 'quota' ties days off to tickets
http://www.examiner.com/a-897623~County_patrol__quota__ties_days_off_to_tickets.html
An apparent quota system that tied days off for some Baltimore County patrol officers to the number of traffic tickets they issued is drawing outrage from the county police union, which says the order is illegal.
"Police management is tying an officer's time off to traffic enforcement," union President Cole Weston said Thursday. "I think it's highly inappropriate. I think it violates the house bill as it relates to quotas."
Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson immediately condemned the order upon learning about it.
A Maryland law that took effect on Oct. 1, 2006, made it illegal for police departments to enact formal or informal quotas for arrests or traffic tickets.

Howard could vie for state horse park
http://www.examiner.com/a-897614~Howard_could_vie_for_state_horse_park.html
Howard County could vie for the Maryland Horse Park in an effort to boost tourism and preserve land.
"I don't want to be in the position that in a couple years from now, we look back and say we missed a golden opportunity," said County Councilman Greg Fox, R-District 5.Fox plans to file legislation to create a task force to examine the possibility of bringing the Maryland Horse Park to Howard. The group would examine costs to the county and locations for the park.
A horse farm would bring tourism dollars into the county and preserve agricultural land, Fox said.

Commissioner: Keep city buses out of Carroll
http://www.examiner.com/a-897619~Commissioner__Keep_city_buses_out_of_Carroll.h tml
Carroll residents would vehemently oppose transit buses between Baltimore City and the county, a county commissioner says.
"The average person here in Carroll County doesn't want to see something coming from Baltimore City," Julia Gouge said. "People would have a fit." She said opposition stems from residents' desire to preserve the county's rural character.
While residents have spoken in favor of more public transportation, Commissioner Michael Zimmer worried about outside influences changing the county. He favors a commuter system that would take workers only in the morning and evening to and from work, as opposed to a mass-transit system that makes multiple stops.

O'Malley Appoints King to Senate
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2007/08/omall ey_appoints_king_to_senat.html?nav=rss_blog
Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) today named Del. Nancy J. King (D-Montgomery) to fill out the remainder of state Sen. Patrick J. Hogan's term in the General Assembly, ratifying her selection by local Democrats.

Companies finalize plans for PATH power line
Exact locationof line placement still unknown
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=64181
Allegheny Energy and American Electric Power have finalized a joint-venture agreement for a 290-mile, $1.8 billion transmission line that will go through southern Frederick County.The line, known as the Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, will bring power to the area, which Allegheny Energy says needs more utility support because of growth.
The line will run through U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett's 6th District. Draw a straight line between the points to be connected, and it would run straight through the congressman's Buckeystown farmhouse, spokeswoman Lisa Wright said. Although Bartlett is unable to involve himself deeply in what is a state regulatory issue, he will be closely following the proceedings, as will Congress as a whole, Wright said, especially given Western Maryland's power transmission problems.

"He's a big proponent of increased reliability and efficiency," Wright said. "His view is that you have to balance, and that it's possible to balance, concerns about environmental protection with everyone's expectations, and it's just an expectation that you'll have heat when you need it, air conditioning when you need it, and lights when you need them."

EDITORIALS/OPEDS

Budget rebuttal
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bal-ed.gopbudget24aug24,0,356762.story
Last week in Annapolis, House Republicans gave a classic something-for-nothing pitch to mend Maryland's $1.5 billion deficit. On the surface, it sounded pretty reasonable - restrain the growth of state government and taxes won't have to be raised. But as with most anything of consequence, the devil is in the details, and the GOP plan is short on specifics. Gov. Martin O'Malley has only hinted at what his tax package will include. It would be nice to know more. But at least he acknowledges the reality of the state's woeful fiscal situation. It's easy to oppose all forms of taxes - until you have to craft a real-world budget.

Changes may impact preservation
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/08/24/news/opinion/editorial/editorial915.txt
Some of the changes proposed Wednesday on how the state will determine spending Program Open Space money are long overdue, but county and municipal officials, as well as members of our state delegation, will have to keep a close watch to see if the changes also result in less money for projects in their communities. Under the new formula, the state will prioritize projects that are the most environmentally critical. That could mean a redistribution of money away from some areas and more money for others and could mean that some smaller projects have to wait longer or don't getting funding at all.

What should 'proficient' mean?
http://www.examiner.com/a-897592~Editorial__What_sho uld__proficient__mean_.html
State public school test scores keep rising, but students' basic proficiency in core subjects does not.
As William Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland, said in a recent interview, "exit requirements are not at all aligned with entrance requirements of college."Chancellor Kirwan said one of the ways to remedy the situation is to look to charter schools, public schools with more autonomy over their budgets and how they teach students - things that have achieved dramatic academic success for many students. That certainly should be part of the answer. But the best way to ensure academic success would be to let parents choose the school - public or private - that best meets their child's learning needs during the K-12 years.

Illegal immigration order more about politics than policy
http://www.capitalonline.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/08_23-23/OPN
You don't need County Executive John Leopold's shrewdness in order to know that Americans are furious about illegal immigration - and that some are just furious about immigration, period. Congress talked endlessly about the issue but did nothing. This exasperated voters and invited state and local governments to try their hand. But controlling immigration is a federal responsibility, and the courts won't let other levels of government interfere. So you can expect to see lots of exercises in crowd-pleasing symbolism. And the executive order Mr. Leopold issued last week is surely a crowd-pleaser.

Miller's hand stirs Montgomery's political pot
http://www.gazette.net/stories/082407/policol230438_32363.shtml
It may be the dog days of summer in Washington, D.C. - even top dog Karl Rove is high-tailing it out of town - but up the road in Montgomery County, politics are moving at a furious pace. It feels as if the next statewide primaries are just around the corner, instead of three whole years away. Item: Is Mike Miller dictating to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee? Nancy King's ascension to the state Senate is undeniably a victory for the slots industry.
Only after Senate President Miller guaranteed her a slot on the Budget & Taxation Committee did King stay in the race for good. Miller's motives were hardly pure, and he made no secret of the fact that his preference for King over the other contenders was based largely on her support for slots.

What's being talked about?
Proposals include a higher gasoline tax to help pay for needed transportation improvements, slots to boost revenues, cut s in aid to counties, closing some tax loopholes and a progressive income tax - but still no plans for a special session
http://www.gazette.net/stories/082407/polinew14633_32355.shtml
Lawmakers are expressing frustration at the lack of specifics coming out of the governor's office on how to solve Maryland's budget deficit. ''You can only keep your finger in the wind for so long. Then you need to say what direction you're heading," Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. said Wednesday. ''I know the governor likes to govern by consensus. That's not the definition of executive branch politics," said Miller (D-Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach. ''I don't know his staff understands the gravity of the situation."In a speech before the Maryland Association of Counties in Ocean City on Saturday, Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) pledged more transportation funding without revealing whether the money would come from a gasoline tax hike or increases in automobile fees.
''I think the governor missed a real opportunity to give the counties some specifics on what he's thinking," said Senate Minority Whip Allan H. Kittleman, a former Howard County Council member. ''It [the speech] seemed a little light on specifics to me. I think the governor needs to give us some specifics on what he plans on doing. He didn't say where or how," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell.

20070827 Westminster Mayor and Council Meeting Agenda

Westminster Common Council

City Council Members |Minutes of City Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of August 27, 2007

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

2. PUBLIC HEARING:

Sectional Map Amendment SMA07-1 – Rezoning of 59, 61, and 63 Union

Street to “C-N” Compatible Neighborhood Overlay District

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF AUGUST 13, 2007

4. CONSENT CALENDAR:

July 2007 Departmental Operating Reports

5. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

6. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

7. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution R07-9 – Drug Task Force and Task Force Forfeiture Agreements

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of August 23, 2007

9. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Good Cause Waivers: No. GCW 07-1 – Youth Services Building Site at Washington Avenue and Route No. 32; No. GCW 07-2 – New Cut Inc. Property at 130 Liberty Street; No. GCW 07-3 – 176 Liberty Street; No. GCW 07-4 – 509 Locust Avenue; No. GCW 07-05 – Buckingham View Lots 14 and 16; No. GCW 07-6 – 849 Gist Road; No. GCW 07-07 - Lots 47 and 49, Willow Avenue; and No. GCW 07-9 - 33 West George Street

b. Support of Albion Apartment Renovation Project

c. Approval of Fiscal Year 2008 Town-County Agreement

10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

11. CITIZEN COMMENTS

12. ADJOURN

20070823 WMAR TV Archives full of historic gems by K Volkmann BE

WMAR TV archives in the basement of University of Baltimore’s Langsdale Library full of historic gems by K Volkmann

This is an exciting turn of events. WMAR TV has been around for a long time and to have historic film footage available from all those years available would be an historians dream.

Archives full of historic gems

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner 2007-08-23

BALTIMORE –

… old television news reels in the basement of University of Baltimore’s Langsdale Library.

[…]

Metal film canisters and videotapes line shelf after shelf and contain old WMAR-TV footage, images showcasing history as it happened from the post-World War II era through the Reagan administration.

The collection is considered one of the most complete archives of television news on the East Coast.

But most filmmakers can’t afford to transfer the 16-millimeter film into digital video and the equipment to play some of the tapes is difficult to find, leaving the footage as it has been for decades rarely watched and left to collect dust.

The 6 million feet of unedited news reels contain hidden gems:

[…]

University of Baltimore has applied for a $356,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to finance a digitization of the films for storage on computer servers.

Library directors will learn this spring whether they won the grant.

[…]

Read the entire article here: Archives full of historic gems

20070824 The White House Weekly Review

The White House Weekly Review

August 20-August 24, 2007

Monday, August 20, 2007 President Bush traveled to Canada to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada and President Felipe Calderon of Mexico at the North American Leaders' Summit. The leaders reviewed progress and continued cooperation under the Security and Prosperity Partnership, as well as discuss hemispheric and global issues.

President Bush Participates in North American Leaders' Summit

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 During the second day of the North American Leaders' Summit, President Bush met with the North American Competitiveness Council. He later participated in the North American Leaders' Meeting and participated in a Joint Press Availability with the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of Mexico.

President Bush also received a briefing on the Interstate 35-W bridge damage as well as the Minnesota floods.

"It's our people's interests that Canada and Mexico work closely together. In other words, there's a good reason why our leaders should come together on a regular basis. First reason why is to figure out ways to continue to enhance prosperity. It's in our interests that the Canadian lifestyle be as strong as it is, and it's in our interests that prosperity spread to Mexico. If you're a U.S. citizen, you want people that live close to you to be prosperous. The more prosperity there is in your neighborhood, the more hopeful your neighborhood is."

President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Harper of Canada, and President Calderón of Mexico

In Focus: Global Diplomacy

Joint Statement by Prime Minister Harper, President Bush, and President Calderón

President Bush Participates in Briefing on Interstate 35-W Bridge Damage and Minnesota Floods

Wednesday, August 22, 2007 President Bush made remarks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The President talked about the challenges we face in Iraq against the historic background of our successes in Asia. He described how America's presence and perseverance in Asia led to a freer, more stable, and more prosperous continent, transforming American enemies into American allies and making the world safer for our citizens. As we face challenges in Iraq today, we do so knowing we have done this kind of transformative work before and the benefits to America made the sacrifices worthwhile.

"The greatest weapon in the arsenal of democracy is the desire for liberty written into the human heart by our Creator. So long as we remain true to our ideals, we will defeat the extremists in Iraq and Afghanistan. We will help those countries' peoples stand up functioning democracies in the heart of the broader Middle East. And when that hard work is done and the critics of today recede from memory, the cause of freedom will be stronger, a vital region will be brighter, and the American people will be safer."

President Bush Meets with Community Leaders in Missouri

President Bush Attends Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention, Discusses War on Terror

Thursday, August 23, 2007 No official public events.

Ask the White House

Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, answered questions on he North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza and our international efforts with our Canadian and Mexican neighbors to protect our citizens against the dual threats of avian and pandemic influenza.

Friday, August 24, 2007 No official public events.

Ask the White House Karen P. Hughes, Under Secretary of State, answered questions on the USNS COMFORT, a Navy hospital ship that provides humanitarian relief around the world, exemplifying the "deeds of diplomacy" that demonstrate the compassion of the American people. .

Monday, August 20, 2007

Press Gaggle by Gordon Johndroe

Press Gaggle on the President's Bilateral Meetings with Mexico and Canada by Dan Fisk, Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs, National Security Council

National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, 2007

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for Minnesota

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2007

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Press Briefing by Tony Snow

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, Constitution Week, 2007

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 2007

Setting the Record Straight: President Bush's View on Iraq's Elected Government Consistent

Saturday, August 25, 2007

President's Radio Address Embargoed until 10:06 AM ET

For more information from this week please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/