20070213 Key West Sign

Key West Sign

Tuesday, February 13^th, 2007

Garden of Eden Clothing Optional Bar

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20070213 Spec Weather Statement 2

Special Weather Statement 2

Carroll County

Office of Public Safety

Support Services

“A great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to play”

225 N. Center St., Westminster, MD 21157

410-386-2877, Fax: 410-848-3794

____________________________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT #2

February 13, 2007

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning statement for today through February 14, 2007 for the Maryland area.

Snow fall will continue through out Carroll County this afternoon accumulating 1” to 3” before changing over late afternoon to a sleet and freezing rain mix. Up to a ½” of ice may accumulate this evening with heaviest precipitation occurring after 10 p.m.

Freezing rain and sleet will continue overnight changing back to snow mid-morning with an additional 1” to 2” accumulation and ending by noon.

This afternoon winds out of the northeast will pick up 20-30 mph changing to northwest by tomorrow. Gusts tomorrow will be up to 35 mph.

The accumulating ice may cause downed power lines and power outages.

The Office of Public Safety Support Services is monitoring the situation and will attend a weather conference call tomorrow, February 14, at 8 AM with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Further updates will be issued as necessary.

February 13, 2007

12 PM

20070213 Key West Coast Guard Boat

Key West Coast Guard Boat

February 13^th, 2007

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20070213 Good Morning Key West

20070213 South Carroll satellite government office closed due to weather

South Carroll satellite government office closed due to weather

Tuesday, February 13, 2007 9:29 AM

Subject: South Carroll satellite government office closed due to weather

You have been sent this e-mail alert from The Eldersburg Eagle.

South Carroll office will not open today

February 13, 2007 - Carroll County government has announced that tax collection and permit services will not be available today at the South County Government Center, which is located inside the Eldersburg Branch Library, because of inclement weather.

Residents can pay their tax and water bills or apply for permits at the County Office Building in Westminster instead. If the County Office Building should close early, a separate announcement will be made.

####

20070212 Westminster Common Council Meeting Minutes

Minutes of City of Westminster Council Meeting

http://www.westgov.com/citygovernment/minutes/021207.asp

February 12, 2007

QUORUM:

A Meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of February 12, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Ferguson; Council President Chiavacci; Council Members Albert, Wack, and Pecoraro; City Administrator Wolf; Acting Director of Planning and Public Works Glass; Police Chief Spaulding; Director of Recreation and Parks Schroers; City Attorney Walsh; Manager of Planning and Development Davis; and City Clerk Taylor were present.

Gary Clark of the Central Maryland Christian Crusaders football team presented Mayor Ferguson and Mr. Schroers with a plaque and a donation in the amount of $300.00 in appreciation of the help of Mr. Schroers and his department during the team’s first season.

Dr. Wack moved to confirm the Mayor’s reappointment of Anthony Biller to the Parks Board. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

MINUTES:

Mrs. Albert moved to approve the minutes of the Meetings of January 8 (open session) and January 8 and 22 (closed sessions) 2007. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

BIDS:

Mr. Schroers presented the recommendation of staff that the Common Council accept the low bid of Mirabile Construction Company in the amount of $357,981.00 to construct Phase 2Bof the Wakefield Community Trail. Dr. Wack moved to accept the bid. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Schroers presented the recommendation of staff that the Common Council accept the bid of Playground Specialist in the amount of $49,998.00 to purchase climbing boulders for Fenby Farm Quarry. Mrs. Albert moved to accept the bid. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

The Mayor reported on several recent awards. He advised that the City has received its 18th consecutive Tree City U.S.A. award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. He noted that the City has been honored by the National Guard as a Patriotic Employer. Finally, the Mayor reported that Martha Harris, daughter of City resident Darcel Harris, has been recognized for an essay she wrote about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Mayor distributed an email with a photograph of Planning and Public Works Director Beyard raising the American flag approximately 40 miles north of Baghdad.

Mayor Ferguson reported that the water summit hosted by the County on February 3 was well-attended. The County and the cities will form a task force to work on water issues.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Pecoraro reported that work on Phase 2 of West Green Street (between Liberty and Bond Streets) would begin on February 26, weather permitting.

Dr. Wack advised that the Carroll Cable Regulatory Commission met Thursday, January 25 with representatives of Comcast. Dr. Wack further advised that City auditors would give a presentation at the next meeting.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

With regard to Ordinance No. 758, which would prohibit tattoo parlors and eliminate specialty shops in certain downtown zoning districts, Mr. Pecoraro explained that the purpose is to preserve the historic character of the downtown area. Dr. Wack moved to adopt the Ordinance. Mrs. Albert seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Pecoraro moved to suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to introduce and adopt the next three ordinances. Dr. Wack seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Walsh summarized Ordinance No. 759, which would authorize the issuance and sale of a bond in the maximum principal amount of $11,500,000 pursuant to the Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration Act. Mr. Glass pointed out that the proceeds will be used for the new Cranberry Water Treatment Plant, and not for the emergency pipeline. Mr. Pecoraro moved to introduce and adopt Ordinance No. 759. Dr. Wack seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

Mrs. Albert moved to introduce and adopt Ordinance No. 760 and the accompanying Decision, which grant a rezoning to “N-C” Neighborhood Commercial on 14.99 acres at the Village of Meadow Creek. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

The Council next considered Ordinance No. 761, which authorizes the Mayor to enter a contract for the sale of 49 Union Street to Habitat for Humanity. Upon Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Dr. Wack and unanimously passed, the Ordinance was introduced and adopted.

NEW BUSINESS:

Gregor Becker, Dan Andrews, and Jeff Wilhelm of the Catoctin Chapter of the Sierra Club gave a presentation on global warming. They asked the City to sign a “U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.” Council President Chiavacci and Mr. Pecoraro agreed that the Public Works Committee would review the request and other methods of dealing with the issue.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

President and C.E.O. Chris Cull of the Westminster Fire Company reported briefly on the Company’s recent activity and the upcoming basket bingo event.

Mr. Walsh reported that Woodhaven Building and Development noted an appeal to the Circuit Court from the Council’s denial of the company’s proposed third amended development plan for the Wakefield Valley Golf Course.

Chief Spaulding introduced Nancy Yeager, the new Captain of Administration for the Police Department.

Council President Chiavacci thanked the Chief and Sergeant Bible for a recent presentation at Carroll Lutheran Village.

Ms. Wolf reported that CGI Communications recently offered to make six videos featuring the City of Westminster. The City can choose five of the topics. In return, the City will allow a CGI to place a link to the videos on its website and will furnish a letter of introduction for CGI to use in approaching private sector organizations. By consensus, Ms. Wolf was directed to proceed with the project.

Ms. Taylor reported that the next municipal election would take place on May 14, 2007, from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Mr. Glass noted that several water main breaks occurred recently. He also noted that the utility maintenance and street crews were short a total of ten employees due to illness and other reasons.

Mr. Schroers reported that Ms. Wolf has formed a committee to study employee use of the Family Wellness Center. He also noted that he and Ms. Wolf would serve as guest hosts at the second annual Community Media Center Auction on February 19. Lastly, Mr. Schroers reported that he was working with the Greater Westminster Development Corporation to organize a new event.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

Henry Hepner, a City resident and member of the public service group “Voice,” summarized concerns about the airport expansion and proposed reservoir at Union Mills.

City resident Paula Cook presented a certificate of appreciation to Greater Westminster Development Corporation member Lyndi McNulty for allowing Ms. Cook’s son to assist with the Holiday Parade.

City residents Ed and Marilyn Cramer and County resident Brenda Dorenfeld expressed their support of the Sierra Club position and recommendations on global warming.

Greater Westminster Development Corporation President Lori Graham thanked Ms. Wolf for attending immediately to the concerns about lighting downtown. Ms. Graham announced that the Corporation would form a blue ribbon committee to address the issue of vacancies downtown.

Council President Chiavacci adjourned the meeting at 9:00 P.M.

Laurell E. Taylor,

City Clerk

20070212 Kellys Restaurant

Kelly’s Restaurant

301 Whitehead Street,

Key West, FL 33040

305-293-8484

Monday, February 12^th, 2007

Restaurants,

20070212 No Tattoo Parlors In Downtown Westminster wjz

Feb 12, 2007 11:16 pm US/Eastern

No Tattoo Parlors In Downtown Westminster

http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_043215028.html

No big surprise here… For more news and video – go to WJZ’s web site

Kathryn Brown Reporting

(WJZ) The Westminster City Council approved an ordinance banning new tattoo parlors from opening in the downtown area.

The proposed zoning amendment would ban tattoo parlors from downtown, but allow them in about 70 percent of the town's commercial land.

Supporters of the ban say the parlors don't fit the city's plan for its historic Main Street, but students at McDaniel College argue that banning the shops might drive away other businesses that cater to students. And some downtown business leaders say a restrictive ordinance doesn't make sense when there are vacant store fronts on Main Street.

© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

20070212 Day by Day by Chris Muir

Day by Day by Chris Muir

Monday, February 12, 2007

http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/2007/02/12/#a004010

I think that it’s Olbermann.

####

20070212 SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT #1

Carroll County

Office of Public Safety

Support Services

“A great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to play”

225 N. Center St., Westminster, MD 21157

410-386-2877, Fax: 410-848-3794

____________________________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT #1

February 12, 2007

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch statement for today through February 14, 2007 for the Maryland area.

Snow will enter Carroll County this evening after midnight with 1” or less accumulation. Winds will be between 3 to 10 miles per hour. Warmer temperatures Tuesday will change snow over to sleet and freezing rain. Ice may accumulate from ¼ “to less than 1 “before ending. New snow accumulation may be 1”. Tuesday evening will produce periods of freezing rain with a low temperature of 20.

Snow and sleet will be ending Wednesday around noon. Blustery conditions will move in with winds from 15-25 MPH and higher gusts.

The accumulating ice may cause downed power lines and power outages.

The Office of Public Safety Support Services is monitoring the situation and will attend a weather conference call tomorrow, February 13, at 11 AM with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Further updates will be issued as necessary.

February 12, 2007

3 PM

20070212 Good Morning Key West

Good Morning Key West

Monday morning, February 12^th, 2007 in Key West Florida.

20070211 Irish Kevins

Irish Kevins

Sunday, February 11^th, 2007

Well, first of all, to the best of my knowledge, although I am a typical Heinz 57 American and I am not aware of that much Irish heritage in my family.

But nevertheless, the opportunity to do the above photo collage of scenes on Duval Street in Key West, Florida, Sunday evening, February 11^th, 2007, was too fun to pass up.

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20070212 Snopes says Clinton Walking Eagle Story is False

Snopes says the Hillary Clinton “Walking Eagle” Story, posted here on “Soundtrack,” is False.

Feb 12, 2007 12:57 AM

An anonymous commenter has left a message with a link to Snopes that says the Hillary Clinton Walking Eagle” story is false. The link to the Snopes post is listed below…

Many thanks to the person who posted the comment and gave us the link…

The anonymous commenter said:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "20070129 Hillary Clinton Walking Eagle":

http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/eagle.asp

This story is False. It has been used to "discredit" several political candidates including Kerry, Sen Clinton, and the current Pres Bush. Go to the above mentioned link to learn more. It is pure fiction. There has never been a tour, speech, or plaque as mentioned in this wild story.

The original post can be found here.

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20070212 Westminster Common Council Meeting Agenda

Westminster Common Council Meeting Agenda

CITY OF WESTMINSTER

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of February 12, 2007

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

Reappointment of Anthony Biller to Parks Board

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 22, 2007; MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF JANUARY 8 AND 22, 2007 (CLOSED SESSIONS)

3. BIDS:

Wakefield Valley Community Trail Phase 2B

Climbing Boulders at Fenby Farm Quarry

4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR

5. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 758 – Zoning Text Amendment 06-7

Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance No. 759 – Maryland Department of the Environment Water Quality Bond Series 2007

Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance No. 760 and Accompanying Decision – Neighborhood Commercial Map Amendment No. 06-1 – Village of Meadow Creek

Suspend the Rules of Order and Procedure to Introduce and Adopt Ordinance No. 761 – Authorization of the Sale of 49 Union Street

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of February 8, 2007

8. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Presentation on Behalf of Sierra Club – Mr. Gregor Becker

9. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

10. CITIZEN COMMENTS

11. ADJOURN

Westminster Common Council Mtg Agenda

20070211 Soundtrack Daily Photoblog

Soundtrack Daily Photoblog

Sunday, February 11th, 2007

Key West, Florida: Around 7:30 this morning this Mourning Dove sat on the railing on the balcony outside our bedroom and announced that it was morning.

The weather is a bit overcast and the temperature is 69 degrees, but nevertheless a great deal more comfortable than the 20 degrees in Westminster, Maryland.

Daily Photoblog

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20070211 Sunday morning Key West Florida Weather

Sunday morning Key West Florida Weather

8:37 AM February, 11th, 2007

Key West, Florida

Local Time: 8:37 AM EST
68 °F / 20 °C
Overcast
Humidity: 70%

Dew Point: 58 °F / 14 °C
Wind: 14 mph / 22 km/h / 6.2 m/s from the NNE
Wind Gust: 21 mph / 33 km/h / 9.3 m/s
Pressure: 30.13 in / 1020 hPa
Visibility: 10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV: 0 out of 16
Clouds: Mostly Cloudy 8000 ft / 2438 m Overcast 12000 ft / 3657 m
(Above Ground Level)

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20070209 Felt froggy about the UN this morning

“Felt froggy about the UN this morning”

Feb 9, 2007 11:28 AM – Posted February 10^th, 2007

D9000 writes in a recent e-mail:

In a period of instability and uncertainty in many countries across the pond, there are feelings that the global community has forsaken efforts to help our neighbors up, and address issues which have an international bearing.

This could be the time for the UN to step up, forget the awkward bureaucratic ways, and assert itself as the tip of the spear for international aid and relations once again.

Under the new Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations can lead its way back to the original intent of the founding countries.

Ban Ki-Moon has been involved in foreign affairs since 1970, and has worked with the UN in some form or another since 1975. Being a South Korean, he knows all too well the dangers of war, tensions between countries, and differing schools of thought.

The world can only hope that he possesses the will to bring about the changes necessary.

The newly charged Secretary General has to step back, and decide if the organization he is steering is to be pro-active, or continue on its arbitrary path.

When sanctions are not enough to stop countries from proliferating nuclear weapons, committing genocide, or enlisted youths to fight wars, action must be taken, and rules enforced.

France, Germany, China, all key members of the body must be willing to uphold international policies, or Mr. Ki-Moon will have a tough time in rectifying the worlds leading problems. Gone are the times for walking softly and carrying a big stick. The world must be heard loudly, and wield that stick effectively.

D9000

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20070210 The Examiner hires Pentagon Veteran journalist Rowan Scarborough

The Examiner hires Pentagon Veteran journalist Rowan Scarborough

Saturday, February 10^th, 2007

The Examiner is reporting that it has hired veteran Pentagon journalist, Rowan Scarborough.

In an article written by Michael Neibauer on February 10^th, 2007, the paper reports that Mr. Scarborough, “has covered national security since 1989 for The Washington Times” and written book about Donald Rumsfeld called Rumsfeld's War: The Untold Story of America's Anti-Terrorist Commander.

“Given the times we live in, our readers deserve timely and knowledgeable information about a broad range of national security issues,” said Stephen G. Smith, The Examiner’s executive editor. “As a Pentagon reporter for The Washington Times over the past 18 years, Rowan has distinguished himself as the best in the field.”

Before going to the Times, Scarborough worked for Defense Week, the Wilmington (Del.) News Journal and the Salisbury (Md.) Daily Times. He served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman, graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in journalism and completed a media fellowship at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

Read the rest of the article here.

For news junkies and those specifically interested in cutting edge coverage of military issues, this is great news and will work well to round what many of us have come to understand as excellent – fair and accurate reporting of the news by The Examiner.

Kevin

Disclosure: The Examiner recently carried one of my columns, Tribute to New York Post’s Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief Deborah Orin-Eilbeck in Washington Examiner, February 7th, 2007.

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20070210 Florida City City Hall and Xeriscape Exhibit

Florida City - City Hall and Xeriscape Exhibit

Saturday, February 10th, 2007

Westminster Maryland's Arborist and Horticulturist, Brian Adams would love it...

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200070210 Marios Cafeteria and Bakery

Saturday, February 10th, 2007

Mario’s Cafeteria and Bakery

Mile 103.2 Key Largo

I had Beans and Rice and Cafe con Leche.

Art, Florida Key West, Restaurants

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20070210 Daily Photoblog The Bicycle

Daily Photoblog: The Bicycle

Saturday, February 10th, 2007

Hampton Inn, Homestead Florida

20070208 Eldersburg mall gets new chance at life

Carrolltown Center in Eldersburg gets new chance at life

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner, February 8^th, 2007

(Editor’s note: Hyperlinks for additional information - The Carrolltown Center is owned by Black Oak Associates. The upcoming meeting will be with the Freedom Area Citizens’ Council.)

Hat Tip: Eldersburg Today - from farms to suburbia: “Eldersburg mall gets new chance at life.”

Eldersburg, Md. –

A developer plans to convert Eldersburg’s half-empty mall into a shopping center that mimics traditional downtowns.

“I envision a great place for the people of Eldersburg to gather, shop, eat and work,” said Dixon Harvey, an Owings Mill developer who owns Carrolltown Center on Liberty Road.

[…]

“All the time, I get questions about ‘What’s happening with Carrolltown mall?’ ” said Nicole Musgrave-Burdette, president of Freedom Area Citizens’ Council, a South Carroll residents’ group.

[…]

Harvey, who is president of Black Oak Associates, wants to convert the 330,000-square-foot mall into an open-air lifestyle center with retail, restaurants, entertainment and offices to give Eldersburg — an unincorporated community of 30,000 that lacks a Main Street — a town center.

Redevelopment is slated for 2008-09, according to Black Oak’s Web site, but Harvey said no timeline has been finalized because he is negotiating with Kmart, the mall’s anchor.

[…]

Harvey will speak at this month’s Freedom Area Citizens’ Council meeting.

IF YOU GO

What: Carrolltown Center discussion

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22

Where: Freedom Christian Church, Carrolltown Center

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com

Examiner

Read the entire article here: Carrolltown Center in Eldersburg gets new chance at life

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20070209 Daily Photoblog Galindos Café Mural

Daily Photoblog Galindos Café Mural

Friday, February 9th, 2007

Mural on the outside wall of Galindos Café, Homestead Florida.

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20070209 Feather Eyes

Feather Eyes

February 9^th, 2007

“Feather Eyes” is actually a photo of the cover photo of one of the airline magazines. I wish that I had recorded the photographer and the name of the magazine, but I did not. It is not “my picture.” It is my picture of someone else’s picture. Nevertheless, I just thought it was fun…

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20070209 The Conversation

The Conversation

Friday, February 9th, 2007

20070202 Ken Ecker, 90, of Westminster Obituary

Westminster Eagle Obituaries 02/07/07 Kenneth M. Ecker, 90, of Westminster

Kenneth Monroe Ecker, 90, of Westminster, died Feb. 2, 2007, at St. Catherine's Nursing Center in Emmitsburg.

He was born June 26, 1916, in Manchester, son of the late Clyde R. and Ovie C. (Miller) Ecker.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Helen LaRue (Hale) Ecker in 1997.

His career of more than 44 years began as a general mechanic and service technician from 1933-38 at Beacon Steele Production Company.

From 1939 to 1972, he worked at Glenn L. Martin Co., which in 1960 became Martin Marietta. During the last 25 years there, he served as plant engineering and maintenance superintendent.

From 1972 to 1977 he worked for Carroll County Government as director of the county permits and inspection department.

He was a true "jack-of-all-trades" -- a certified master plumber, master limited electrician and refrigeration service engineer.

He was a member of the Westminster Church of the Brethren, member and past-president of the former Westminster Civitan Club, and served for many years on the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission.

He was very creative, and was an accomplished woodworker and designer of woodcrafts. He loved and collected antique cars and had a marvelous sense of humor.

Surviving are daughters and sons-in-law Shirley L. and John Lippy of Westminster, Patricia S. and Jayson Bowen of Union Bridge and Deborah L. and Lawrence Reid of Westminster; son Kenneth H. Ecker of New York City; and sisters Erma Frock and Virginia Hierstetter, both of Westminster, and Dorothy Hansen of Baltimore.

Also surviving are grandchildren John Jr., James and Timothy Lippy, Aaron Bowen, Melissa Manseau and Adam Reid; four great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by brothers Vernon and Chester Ecker.

A funeral service was held Feb. 6, 2007, at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, Westminster, with his pastor, the Rev. Scott L. Duffey, officiating. Interment followed in Meadow Branch Cemetery in Westminster.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine's Nursing Center, 331 South Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=978&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1247799&om=1

20070207 Daily Photoblog Deborah Burrell Triptych

Deborah Burrell, Case Manager for 6th District Maryland Congressman Roscoe Bartlett

Wednesday, February 7th, 2007

Deborah L. Burrell, Case Manager for 6th District Maryland Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, answers the phone, keeps track of her computer screen, answers questions and fights an ever-growing mound of paperwork in her 15 East Main Street, Westminster office.

####

20070207 Good Morning

Good Morning

February 7^th, 2007

As much as I hate cold and snow – it sure was pretty early this morning.

But then again, in a conversation this morning, with the Westminster City Clerk, Laurell Taylor – she reminded me of a Garfield quote: “February of the Monday of the year.” Oh – how true.

Kevin

Westminster, MD USA

Daily Photoblog, Photography

20070207 Good Morning

Good Morning

Wednesday, February 7^th, 2007

As much as I hate cold and snow – it sure was pretty early this morning.

But then again, in a conversation this morning, with the Westminster City Clerk, Laurell Taylor – she reminded me of a Garfield quote: “February of the Monday of the year.” Oh – how true.

Kevin

Westminster, MD USA

Daily Photoblog, Photography

20070205 Transcript Sen J Webb on FOX News Sunday

Transcript: Sen. Jim Webb on 'FOX News Sunday'

Monday , February 05, 2007

The following is a partial transcript of the Feb. 4, 2007, edition of "FOX News Sunday With Chris Wallace":

"FOX NEWS SUNDAY" HOST CHRIS WALLACE: Well, joining us now, one of the intriguing new figures on the political landscape, Democratic Senator Jim Webb of Virginia.

And, Senator, welcome to "FOX News Sunday".

SEN. JAMES WEBB, D-VA.: Thank you. Thank you for having me.

WALLACE: You gave the Democratic response to the president's state of the union speech recently, and you laid out a few markers for Iraq. Let's watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WEBB: Not a precipitous withdrawal that ignores the possibility of further chaos, but an immediate shift toward strong, regionally-based diplomacy, a policy that takes our soldiers off the streets of Iraq cities and a formula that will in short order allow our combat forces to leave Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Senator, what's the difference between a precipitous withdrawal, which you reject, and getting our troops out in short order?

WEBB: Well, I think what we have right now, even with this so-called new strategy, is half a strategy — not even half a strategy, honestly. You cannot deal with Iraq simply as a military situation even inside Iraq.

We just finished a full month of hearings on the Armed Services and the Foreign Relations Committees. I'm on both of them. And the preponderance of the testimony was basically saying that we're not going to be able to fully deal with the situation without an aggressive diplomatic strategy that is in tandem with a military strategy. And we've not seen that for four years.

I was one of the people who were saying early on, before we even went into Iraq, that if you did not have aggressive diplomacy, the military component itself wasn't going to be able to work.

WALLACE: So in the absence of a diplomatic agreement — and we'll get to that in a moment. In the absence of that, is all this talk from Democrats about troop caps and withdrawals irresponsible?

WEBB: I don't think it's irresponsible. I think what has been irresponsible has been the administration coming forward with solutions or so-called solutions that simply go back to the well again and again to the military without addressing the elephant in the bedroom.

And the elephant in the bedroom is dealing with Iran and Syria. And we're getting that across the board. We even get it from the Baker-Hamilton report. We had them in front of us a few days ago, and I asked them about that.

What actually would be the procedure for the United States government to reach a point where there was a diplomatic umbrella so that we could then begin withdrawing our troops?

You're not going to do this simply by sending more troops in again and again, the way that we've been doing, and addressing a situation that even the National Intelligence Estimate has said is probably worse than a civil war.

This isn't even sectarian violence anymore. There are so many components to it that it's chaos. And if you're a military person on the street, there's only so much you can do.

WALLACE: But let me ask you about that, this idea of yours, of regional diplomacy. What makes you think that Iran or Syria would have any interest in helping us out in Iraq?

WEBB: I think they're — I think if you break those two countries apart and look at them, I think there are reasons for them to come to the table on both. And I'm not saying that we are — we should be going to them on our knees or that we should be giving up on certain conditions. But it is in their interest.

First of all, with Iran, if you look at what happened after the Afghani invasion in '01, Iran directly participated in the round of talks that resulted in the Karzai government. We had India, Pakistan, other countries in the region, and Iran was a direct player in that.

And then after the axis of evil speech, Iran was the one that kind of receded. With respect to Syria, it is not in Syria's long- term interest to be an ally of Iran. Syria and Iran have never been natural allies. They're different ethnically. They're different politically.

And if you can break Syria apart from Iran, then you're going to be able to affect other issues in the region in a dramatically different way — Hezbollah, the Palestinian situation — if Syria were a different player. I think you can get them to the table.

WALLACE: But let's talk about Iran, if I may, sir...

WEBB: All right.

WALLACE: ... because it would seem — I know it does to a lot of people — that Iran is thoroughly enjoying the fact that we're tied down and that our blood and treasure is being spent in Iraq.

You talked about the National Intelligence Estimate, the NIE, the considered judgment of all 16 U.S. national intelligence agencies. They disagreed with you. They came out with a report on Friday and said Iraq's neighbors are not likely to be a major driver of the prospects for stability.

WEBB: That's not really a disagreement.

WALLACE: Well, but they said it's primarily an internal...

WEBB: They also were saying...

WALLACE: Well, if I may, they said it's an internal problem and that these outside forces, the neighbors, cannot be the major driver.

WEBB: No, what they were saying was that even though these countries may be meddling inside Iraq, that they were not the major players inside Iraq in terms of the military solution.

And what the administration is doing right now is playing up Iranian participation in order to try to drive the stakes up to the extent that we don't deal with Iran.

Now, yes, Iran's definitely, from everything that I can see, playing in some way inside Iraq. And tactically, as a former Marine, in the places where Iran is definitely playing, they should be dealt with.

China was playing inside Vietnam when I was in Vietnam. So was the Soviet Union. There wasn't a weapon that was used against me that wasn't made in Eastern Europe or China.

At the same time, that doesn't mean that we should have been isolating China and not dealing with them. In fact, the reverse was true. The Chinese situation is a direct parallel to the situation we have with Iran right now.

We had a rogue nation with nukes, with an American war on its border that it was assisting, and we aggressively dealt with them and brought them into the international community.

That doesn't mean you have to give up on weapons of mass destruction. That doesn't mean you have to give up on the Israeli situation. But we are not responsibly in the region if we don't deal with them.

And the situation that we have right now where we continue to talk only about the military side — again, it's half a strategy.

WALLACE: Okay. You, as you point out, fought in Vietnam where you won the Navy Cross. And back in 1985, you had this to say. Let's put it up on the screen.

"If I had one lesson that stands out in my mind, it is that you cannot fight a war and debate it at the same time." Senator, why not? What's the problem, especially for our troops, when we're trying to fight a war and debating it at the same time here at home?

WEBB: Well, the difficulty that we have right now — there are so many people trying to make a direct parallel between Vietnam and Iraq, on both sides of the issue, by the way.

You have the people who are opposed to the Iraq war saying this is just another Vietnam. You have the people who supported the Vietnam war, many of them — I supported the Vietnam war. I still support what we attempted to do in Vietnam — trying to draw direct parallels, and there are no direct parallels.

WALLACE: Let me ask you directly my question.

WEBB: Right, I'm getting to your question. But I need to be able to, you know, put my experiences on the table so that people can understand what I'm saying here.

The way that this war has been defined is a 20-year war. In fact, I got mail at the beginning of this war when I was opposing it, before we went in, basically saying you need to sit down and shut up because you're being disloyal to a president.

But when do you start talking? Twenty years from now? And particularly in a situation now where the — all the conditions that are being predicted if we withdraw from Iraq — and basically, by the way, they're saying precipitous withdrawal, and no one is saying that — are the conditions that those of us like myself were predicting would occur if we went in and are on the ground.

Empowering Iran? That's one of the reasons I said we shouldn't go in. Being less able to fight the war against international terror — we were saying that. Focus on international terror, don't focus on this. Loss of American prestige around the world — we had the world with us before we went in. Economic disadvantages — we're going to put, what, $800 billion more into this war if we keep going?

WALLACE: But Senator, if I may go back to my question...

WEBB: We have to be able to discuss this.

WALLACE: I understand, but if I may go back to my question of the dangers of debating and fighting at the same time, which you said was the lesson you took from Vietnam. Some people say that's exactly what's going on right now.

The Democrats, including yourself, voted unanimously a few days ago to confirm General Petraeus to lead all U.S. forces in Iraq...

WEBB: Right, right.

WALLACE: ... at the same time that they want to pass a resolution that would oppose the plan that he helped write for the troops he says are necessary to win.

WEBB: Well, you see, that's not an inconsistency. And I voted for General Petraeus. And I don't agree with the whole national — lack of national strategy that — this administration has not had a strategy. They continue to focus on the military side rather than diplomatic side.

WALLACE: But you don't see...

WEBB: Please, let me...

WALLACE: But if I might just — you don't see the inconsistency...

WEBB: I'm trying to answer your question, because there is not an inconsistency.

WALLACE: Why not?

WEBB: When the administration puts forward a general officer to fill a billet that exists, I will take a look at his qualifications and see whether I believe he is qualified to be a commander. That doesn't mean that I have to back a political strategy that impels him into motion.

It's the same question in reverse...

WALLACE: But what his military strategy that he is the author of?

WEBB: He has written some military viewpoints. I met with General Petraeus. I've talked with him about this. He has promised me he's going to give us continual feedback on what he's doing.

The reverse of that, by the way, in terms of the difficulty of being a military officer, is what we've just had to do with General Casey. He's up now to be chief of staff of the Army. There are many people, and particularly the people who support the administration's political policy, who are trying to hold General Casey as the scapegoat for the fact the Iraq war isn't working.

And as I said in the confirmation hearings when he was up, these people represent the anomaly of high-level military service. On the one hand, if you speak up too loud, you get fired in this administration. There's a string of people.

And if you speak too softly, when things go bad you get blamed instead of the administration and the civilians who put this policy into place.

WALLACE: In your response to the state of the union you also talked about the dangers of economic inequality. And this week the president spoke out and said that he agreed with you. Let's watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: The question is whether we respond to the income inequality we see with policies that help lift people up or tear others down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Senator, don't Democrats want to, in the president's word, tear people down by raising taxes on the rich?

WEBB: The difficulty that we have in this country right now is this. Corporate profits are at an all-time high as a measure against national wealth. The average major corporate CEO, according to the Wall Street Journal, makes $10 million a year in compensation.

At the same time, wages and salaries for workers are at an all- time low as a percentage of our national wealth. And part of this is the internationalization of corporate America. Some of it's inevitable and some of it isn't.

But if you're an American worker looking at the situation in America today, you see three components working against you. One is that in the shift with technological expertise, white collar and blue collar people are seeing a lot of jobs going overseas where they can be done more cheaply. The corporation benefits. The worker loses the job.

The second is the manufacturing base is going away. We've lost three million manufacturing jobs during this administration. Take a look at the steel industry. A huge percentage of that has flipped into China where they have different environmental standards, different worker standards, so it's very difficult for an American worker to compete fairly even given productivity.

And then the third thing an American worker looks at — people will say well, you can't export infrastructure jobs, you can't export being a waiter. But we have this massive labor pool as a result of immigration here, so even in those jobs, the wages and salaries are being pulled down.

So there are ways, and obligations, I believe, from people who are in government who are representing those interests to do put them into play.

WALLACE: Well, I understand all of those aspects, and I think the president would agree with you on a bunch of those, but let me just ask...

WEBB: I don't see any evidence of that, by the way. I don't think I can let that one pass.

WALLACE: Well, but would you also like to raise taxes on the wealthy?

WEBB: You know, what I said during the campaign was that I would — and this was mischaracterized in ads against me. I would not raise taxes on anyone who is making a living by salaries, you know, on working people.

The major problem in this country right now is corporate America and the breaks that have been built into the system. And part of that is the tax structure, and part of it is, you know, other basic economic fairness issues.

For instance, we have a provision in the tax law right now where if an American corporation takes a plant and sends it overseas, we start off by losing the jobs, but they do not have to pay taxes on the profit from that plant unless they repatriate the profits back into the United States.

So on the one hand, we lose the jobs, and on the other, they're not going to reinvest the money in the United States because they don't want to pay taxes on it, and so we continue to have this bifurcation between the people at the top and the people at the bottom.

And you know, there are ways that that should be addressed.

WALLACE: Finally — and we've got less than a minute left — you have a reputation, and it has only strengthened since you were elected, as being — forgive me — combative.

You had that icy exchange with the president when he asked about your son who is serving in Iraq. During the Democratic response, you said if the president doesn't act, we will be showing him the way. Are you combative?

WEBB: I fight for what I believe in. I'm not ashamed of that. But I think that, you know, if people look at me, I've had eight years in government before now. And I know how to work with leadership. I know how to cooperate.

And I think Peggy Noonan said it right about this White House exchange, which has been vastly overblown, and that is we need more courtesy in government. And in that particular situation, I don't think the lack of courtesy was mine.

WALLACE: Senator Webb, we're going to have to leave it there. I want to thank you so much for coming in. Please come back, sir.

WEBB: Nice to be here.