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

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

Friday, November 02, 2007

20071101 Guest essay: Helping Illegal Aliens by R2

The following is a guest essay by someone who wants their voice heard… The writer will monitor this site for your feedback. Meanwhile, please read, 20071101 A word about Guest Op-Eds (and comments)

Helping Illegal Aliens

November 1, 2007

Having recently retired and being in search of a new purpose in life the thought of helping others has a certain calling. Realizing that all people may require help at some point I decided to concentrate on helping murderers, rapists, bank robbers, illegal aliens and terrorists.

For the murderers, I could provide gun cleaning help, target practice facilities and ammunition. They could also use help with identification documents that would help them escape police detection. I could assist them with new drivers licenses and help them blend into the community where they could make use of taxpayer-supported services. Since they have already broken the law, I would try and assist them in getting amnesty or a presidential pardon if they were ever caught.

And for the rapists, I could provide knife sharpening help and practice in tying knots and rope. They could also use help with getting drivers licenses that would help them escape police detection and readily blend into the community and make use of taxpayer supported-services. Since they have already broken the law, I would try and assist them in getting amnesty or a presidential pardon if they were ever caught.

Bank robbers could make use of the above help with guns and knives as well as money laundering assistance. Their new drivers licenses could help them to board airplanes to take them to states that provide the best taxpayer-supported services. And if they were ever caught, I would try and assist them in getting amnesty or a presidential pardon.

The illegal aliens could use all of the above help as well, drivers licenses for identification, assistance in getting to the states with the best taxpayer-supported services and since they have already broken the law, I would try and assist them in getting amnesty or a presidential pardon if they were ever caught.

Terrorists are people too; they could make good use of the above help, drivers licenses for boarding airplanes and sharp knives. Blending into the community, using taxpayer-supported services and since they have already broken the law, I would try and assist them in getting amnesty or a presidential pardon if they are ever caught.

Of course, after I have assisted all these criminals I will be guilty of aiding and abetting criminals myself. Then I will have broken the law too. I wonder if I would get amnesty or a presidential pardon? I could always get a new drivers license and fly to a new state with lots of taxpayer-supported services. I bet I could get supporting funds from Al-Quaida for helping out their terrorists. When was the last time anyone was hung for treason in the United States?

####

20071031 Barack Obama A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words And More

Barack Obama: A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words And More

October 31, 2007

Senator Barack Obama, Governor Bill Richardson, Senator Hillary Clinton and Ruth Harkin stand during the national anthem. Barack Hussein Obama's photo (that's his real name)......the article said he REFUSED TO NOT ONLY PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT REFUSED TO SAY THE PLEDGE.....how in the he(ck) can a man like this expect to be our next Commander-in-Chief???? !

Let's get the word out (or should I say picture)?

Click Here: >> http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp

20071101 A word about Guest Op-Eds (and comments)

A word about Guest Op-Eds (and comments)


November 1, 2007


A word about Guest Op-Eds - - or yes, you can be heard...


I’ve been asked a number of times about whether I am open to guest essays, op-eds and posting additional or opposing points of view. And the answer is absolutely yes.


If you have a thoughtful essay on a current issue and you want your voice heard, please e-mail me at kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com. Please include the words, “Guest Op-Ed” in the subject line.

I’m more than happy to post dissenting points of view. A robust dialog and discussion on the issues is critical to a viable democracy. As always, thoughtful discussion is appreciated regardless of the outcome on any particular issue. Whether we agree or disagree, always find my door open for friendly civil and constructive dialogue.

Nevertheless, please be sure to note that the opinions expressed in “Guest Op-Eds,” even after they are approved for display, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of me, this website, the management, my Mom, my family, any friends I may or not have at the moment, or any other entity or organization with whom I associate.

If you have an issue with a guest op-ed, take it up with them and leave me out of it. I’ll go for a snack and a nap and offer the comments section for any manifestation of your particular food fight.

Nevertheless; remember, on Soundtrack, vocabulary matters and if you wish to swear, use hate speech or otherwise be unpleasant; it is my understanding The Huffington Post or the Daily Kos would love to highlight your OCD material – because, for example, liberals drop “Carlin’s 7 words…” 19 times as often as righty blogs (Hat Tip: Don Surber.) (For further insight, please read my Tentacle column from January 26, 2006, “An Upside Down World.”)

So, please keep the language in your submitted material clean, as this is intended to be a family-friendly, work-friendly website.

Essays, comments, and other such materials not compliant with this policy will be edited for content where necessary – or probably discarded after they are forwarded to the Department of Homeland Security (please include your phone number – then again, they probably already have you on a database).

If you insist on really annoying me, I will forward your name to the Transportation Safety Administration for possible employment sniffing shoes as they pass through security or checking the bathrooms for folks like Senator Craig.

All mail is subject to print, including your name. However, if you would like to remain anonymous, just let me know.


This notice was written for human consumption; however, it has only been tested on anthropomorphic replicants and android sheep.


The Food and Drug Administration wanted it to be tested on animals. However, the animal rights activists protested, forcing me to abandon testing and release the distressed critters. I released them in the lobby of the animal rights office. I figured those friendly folks could best take care of the mice and we all shared a common goal – that the mice be free.

####

20071102 MLIS: House Bill 23 Maryland Green Fund

MLIS: House Bill 23 Maryland Green Fund

HOUSE BILL 23

File Code: Natural Resources - Generally

Sponsored By:

Delegates McIntosh, V. Clagett, Frush, Lafferty, Lawton, Niemann, and Stein

Entitled:

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays - Maryland Green Fund


Synopsis:

Establishing the Maryland Green Fund as a special, continuing, nonlapsing fund beginning on January 1, 2009; providing for the uses of the Fund; establishing a statewide impervious surface fee for specified types of property; providing for the assessment and collection of the fee for deposit into the Fund; providing for the calculation, administration, and distribution of the fee; etc.


History by Legislative and Calendar Date

House Action

10/29

First Reading Environmental Matters

10/31

Hearing 11/2 at 11:00 a.m.

Senate Action

No Action


Sponsored by:

Delegate Maggie McIntosh, District 43

Delegate Virginia P. Clagett, District 30

Delegate Barbara Frush, District 21

Delegate Stephen W. Lafferty, District 42

Delegate Jane E. Lawton, District 18

Delegate Doyle L. Niemann, District 47

Delegate Dana Stein, District 11


Bill indexed under the following Subjects:

Agriculture, Department of

Agriculture -see also- Farmland

Chesapeake Bay

Coastal Bays

Committees and Commissions -see also- Political Committees

Comptroller

Counties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties

Environment, Department of

Environmental Matters -see also- Conserv; Nat Resrce; Pollut

Erosion -see also- Sediment Control; Shore Erosion

Exemptions

Farmland

Fees -see also- Devt Fees and Taxes; Reimbursement Rates

Flood Control

Grants

Local Government Mandates

Municipal Corporations -see also- Annap; Balt; Hager; OC

Natural Resources, Department of

Oysters

Pollution -see also- Sediment Control

Reports

Revenue and Taxes -see also- Dev Fees &Taxes; specific tax

Rivers and Streams

Rules and Regulations

Trees

Water

Wetlands


Bill affects the following Statutes:

Natural Resources

( 8-2201 , 8-2202 , 8-2203 , 8-2204 , 8-2205 , 8-2206 )


Documents:

Bill Text (Displayed in PDF Format): First Reading, Third Reading, Enrolled

Fiscal and Policy Note (Displayed in PDF Format): Available

Amendments: None offered

20071101 President Bush speaks at The Heritage Foundation


Nov. 1, 2007 President Bush speaks at The Heritage Foundation

Coverage of this and other current events on The Heritage Foundation Web Site Every time I make the time to go to this web site – I learn something… I’ll bet you will also.

November 1, 2007 | By Nathaniel Ward | Read online

Featured video

President Bush speaks at The Heritage Foundation about the war on terror.

More videos ;

Bush at Heritage: No letup in the war on terror

Speaking Thursday at The Heritage Foundation, President Bush called on lawmakers to fund the troops in combat, confirm his Attorney General nominee, and give intelligence agencies the tools they need to win the war on terror.

Watch the video of the Presidents speech at Heritage.

On every battlefront were on the offense, keeping constant pressure, the President said today in Heritages Allison Auditorium. And in this war on terror, we will not rest or retreat or withdraw from the fight until this threat to civilization has been removed.

Read the President’s full remarks.

“Here’s the bottom line,” he continued:

This is no time for Congress to weaken the Department of Justice by denying it a strong and effective leader. It’s no time for Congress to weaken our ability to gather vital intelligence from captured terrorists. It’s no time for Congress to weaken our ability to intercept information from terrorists about potential attacks on the United States of America. And this is no time for Congress to hold back vital funding for our troops as they fight al Qaeda terrorists and radicals in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But many liberals in Congress, he argued, are beholden to radicals groups that don’t believe we’re at war at all.

Bush, the first sitting president to speak at The Heritage Foundations headquarters on Capitol Hill, also took a moment to compliment Heritage. The folks here have been tireless advocates, tireless champions of liberty and free enterprise and democracy and religious freedom, he said. Heritage experts, he added, are people who are willing to look at todays problems and come up with innovative solutions based upon sound principles to solve those problems.

He concluded his remarks by highlighting Heritages status as a permanent institution in Washington defending conservative principles. I believe 50 years from now an American president will be speaking to Heritage and say, Thank God that generation that wrote the first chapter in the 21st century understood the power of freedom to bring the peace we want.

Full coverage of the President’s remarks

Read news coverage of President Bushs speech from the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press (and in a separate AP article as well), Reuters, CNN.com, United Press International, MSNBC.com, Bloomberg, National Journal and National Public Radio.

View news photos from the event.

In other news

With Congress unable to pass meaningful immigration controls, several states are cracking down on illegal immigration.

Congress may cut funding for missile defense sites in Poland and the Czech Republic. Heritages Sally McNamara explains why this is a bad idea in a Heritage video.

Heritage President Ed Feulner was rated among the top 50 American conservatives in a new listing by Britains Telegraph newspaper.

Wednesdays e-mail misstated when President Bush last spoke to a Heritage audience. He addressed Presidents Club members in November 2003.

Coming up at Heritage

To attend these or any other Heritage Foundation events, RSVP at Heritages events website. Or you can watch these events live online at Heritage.org. All times are Eastern.

On Friday, Nov. 2 at noon, author Paul Kengor discusses his new book on Bill Clarks close relationship with President Reagan.

On Monday, Nov. 5 at noon, British Crown Judge Inigo Bing speaks at The Heritage Foundation about over-criminalization in his country.

On Tuesday, Nov. 6 at noon, John West of the Discovery Institute looks at how liberal notions of scientific solutions to our problems ended up dehumanizing politics and culture.

Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.orga website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation. Colin Gowan contributed to this report.

20071101 President Bush Previews War on Terror Speech


President Bush Previews War on Terror Speech

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 1, 2007

President Bush Previews War on Terror Speech
Oval Office

9:35 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks. I wanted to highlight the speech I'm giving today to Heritage. I'm concerned that there are some who have lost sight of the fact that we're at war with extremists and radicals who want to attack us again. Part of the speech is to remind people that even though we haven't been attacked since September the 11th, there's still an enemy out there that would like to attack us.

And therefore, it's important for Congress to pass law and/or confirm nominees that will enable this government to more effectively defend the country and pursue terrorists and radicals that would like to do us harm.

So in the speech I'm going to call upon Congress to pass funding measures for our troops in harm's way -- DOD appropriations bill, as well as the supplemental. I'll remind the audience that Congress has had the details of the -- 75 percent of the details since last February. They've had ample time to study the request. And I strongly believe they need to get these funding measures passed quickly for the sake of our troops and for the sake of the operations that are ongoing, and protecting the country.

Secondly, the Protect America Act is set to expire. If it were to expire it would create an intelligence gap that, in my judgment, would jeopardize the security of the country. I call upon -- and I give credit that the Senate Intel Committee has moved a bill that is a very good start -- and that in my speech I call upon Congress to get a good bill to my desk quickly, so that an intelligence gap does not arise.

I then remind the audience that a key member of the national security team -- a key member of the team that works to protect the American people is the Attorney General. I've submitted a highly competent, smart, independent nominee in Judge Mukasey to the Senate. I am disappointed that the process is taking so long to get his name to the floor.

I believe that the questions he's been asked are unfair; he's not been read into a program -- he has been asked to give opinions of a program or techniques of a program on which he has not been briefed. I will make the case -- and I strongly believe this is true -- that Judge Mukasey is not being treated fairly. He's made the rounds on Capitol Hill, he's answered questions, he's been to hearings. I do thank the Senate for setting up what I hope will be a opportunity to move him out of Judiciary Committee to the floor on Tuesday. It is time to get his nomination to the floor so the Senate can vote him up or down.

And then finally, I'll conclude the speech by reminding people that this concept of stability has -- in other words, that foreign policy ought to promote stability as opposed to freedom has led to dangers, and that the only way to solve America's long-term security needs is to remember that the enemy that we face can only recruit when there's hopelessness and despair; and that liberty has got the capacity to transform societies from hopeless societies to hopeful societies; and that this administration will continue to press the freedom agenda; and obviously, that freedom agenda is being tested in places like Lebanon, Iraq, and the Palestinian Territories and Afghanistan.

All those examples I've just cited are illustrative of this struggle between extremists and radicals and people who want to live in freedom.

And so that's what the speech is. I want to thank you for giving me a chance to come and share some of my thoughts about why I'm giving it to you. I'll answer a couple of questions if you got them.

Q Judge Mukasey is experienced in terrorism trials, he's been around. Why is it wrong for him -- or why will you not let him say whether he thinks that waterboarding is illegal torture?

THE PRESIDENT: He has not been read in -- first of all, let me put this in perspective. The Congress did pass a law, the Detainee Detention Act [sic]*, that I signed into law. The techniques we use informed that law and members of the Senate and House -- select members of the Senate and House, both parties, have been briefed on the law.

Secondly, he doesn't know whether we use that technique or not. And thirdly, it doesn't make any sense to tell an enemy what we're doing. One of the fundamental questions that the American people have got to know is that in order to protect America, if we capture somebody who may have data about whether or not he's going to -- he is ordering an attack or there's an impending attack or there's a threat, we need to know that. And the techniques we use by highly trained professionals are within the law. That's what's important for America to know.

Q Mr. President, is legal liability in U.S. or foreign courts a concern when it comes to this issue of waterboarding and --

THE PRESIDENT: The main concern is, is that the American people must know that whatever techniques we use are within the law. And secondly, it doesn't make any sense -- unless, of course, you don't think there's an enemy that's dangerous -- it doesn't make any sense to broadcast to the enemy what they ought to prepare for and not prepare for.

Q Are these concerns legitimate that are being raised, or is it playing politics?

THE PRESIDENT: I think it's -- I think this is -- I'm just extremely disappointed that a good man with a good reputation, who has met with a lot of senators, his nomination is being held up. You can listen to the voices that are out there talking as to whether or not this is politics or not. My point is, is that it's creating a -- to have the Attorney General seat vacant for this long -- there's an Acting Attorney General, of course, but not to have a confirmed Attorney General is not good for the country.

Okay, what else?

Q On Turkey, you're going to be meeting next Monday.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, sir.

Q Turkey wants the U.S. to take a lead in fighting the PKK. How are you going to --

THE PRESIDENT: I look forward to visiting with Prime Minister Erdogan on this important subject as to how we can work together to prevent people from coming out of mountain ranges to do harm to Turkish troops. And we will have a good, substantive discussion, as you would expect allies to do. And I'm looking forward to seeing him here in the Oval Office.

Q What do you think of the compromise proposed by McCain, Warner and Graham on Mukasey, saying that --

THE PRESIDENT: Mukasey just needs to get -- get on the floor and get him an up or down vote. They've had plenty of hearings, plenty of ideas, get him out there and get him up and down.

Q What is your own view about waterboarding?

THE PRESIDENT: I'm not going to talk about techniques. There is an enemy out there. I don't want them to understand -- to be able to adjust one way or the other. My view is this: The American people have got to understand the program is important and the techniques used are within the law, and members of the House and Senate know what I'm talking about, they have been fully briefed.

Q Do you think the Congress has forgotten we're at war, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think there is a tendency for people to say, well, maybe -- let me just say, there are some who say, don't call this a war on terror. And there are some who have accused me of using the words "war on terror" as a way to frighten people into voting booths. And I emphasize the word "some." As I'll say in this speech, those who say we're not in a war on terror are either disingenuous or naive. Either way, the attitude is dangerous because I will have quoted the words of the enemy in the speech, an enemy that said, we're going to come and kill you.

And I think -- I'm not going to -- this speech doesn't intend -- this is a comprehensive speech about what Congress needs to do to make sure that we have the tools necessary and the people necessary to protect America. I will not in any way personalize this speech. I'm not going to say that an individual member that may disagree with me is not a patriotic person. I am going to remind people, though, of the dangers that we face.

And I knew full well that if we were successful protecting the country that the lessons of September the 11th would become dimmer and dimmer in some people's minds. Well, I just don't have that luxury, and nor do the people that work with me to protect America, because we have not forgotten the lessons of September the 11th. And I expect, and the American people expect Congress to give us the tools necessary to protect them.

Okay?

Q Thank you.

END 9:46 A.M. EDT

*Detainee Treatment Act of 2005


Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/11/20071101.html

20071101 Robert Farrow: Remember When Sen. Reid Suddenly Closed The Senate Last Year?

Robert Farrow: Remember When Sen. Reid Suddenly Closed The Senate Last Year?

Subtitled: Baltimore Reporter - Robert Farrow watch: See at the bottom of the post for other content rich material…

Yet another in a long list of “must reads” from Robert Farrow over at “The Baltimore Reporter”:

11/1/2007

Remember When Sen. Reid Suddenly Closed The Senate Last Year?

Filed under: General

Robert Farrow @ 8:50 pm

Crossposted from Flopping Aces

Last year, Senator Harry Reid ordered the senate [closed to discuss](http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/01/senate.iraq/) classified matters.

When closed, he ranted and raved and complained that the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) hadn’t released its vaunted “Phase II” report concerning pre-war intelligence on Iraq compared to pre-war statements about that intelligence…

[…]

Read the rest here:

Several other of my favorites on his site, among many, are:

More Time Spent Wasted By Democrat Controlled Congress

Hillary Clinton Wins the I Hate Bush Debate

Here Come the Catches

Good news from Iraq

Bush to Pelosi: Your House is a Mess

And not to be missed is another post I wanted to call to the readers’ attention the other day: Edwards Demands Student Remove Video From Youtube (video)

John Edwards attempts to kill story filed by a journalism student at UNC.

Here, I’ll post the YouTube video, but go here for additional insights and commentary by “The Baltimore Reporter,” here: Edwards Demands Student Remove Video From Youtube (video)

20071101 Special Session Update from Patrick L. McDonough, Republican, District 7, Baltimore & Harford Counties


Special Session Update from Patrick L. McDonough, Republican, District 7, Baltimore & Harford Counties

November 1, 2007

I received this in an e-mail from a colleague. One thing about Delegate McDonough is that one does not need an interpreter to understand what it is that he has said. He is quite straightforward in his approach…

SPECIAL SESSION UPDATE

HEADLINE: O’MALLEY’S SPEECH BIG FLOP

Some of the media missed many important stories that occurred during the first day of the Special Session. Let me begin with a bizarre experience I had. I have served in Annapolis during 10 General Assembly sessions and listened to many speeches delivered by different governors to joint sessions of the legislature. The Monday night O’Malley speech was not only misleading and boring, but appeared to fall on deaf ears. I have never witnessed a speech by a governor that received zero applause during the course of his speech. The Governor was not interrupted one time during the main body of his remarks and by any handclapping from a chamber dominated by liberal Democrats.

Miller and Busch sat stone-faced and with blank stares behind Governor O’Malley on the podium. The only applause came at the conclusion of this so-called important message. The legislators were respectful to the office, at best. As I sat and listened to the speech, my eyes wandered around the room observing the expressions of my colleagues. The Democrats looked like they were no happy campers. What all of this means regarding the fate of O’Malley’s package is not clear. I suspect the body language, lack of enthusiasm, and look of fear that appeared in their eyes sends a message that O’Malley is General Custer speaking to the 7th Calvary attempting to convince them that more Indians are needed at the Little Big Horn River.

HEADLINE: SENATE COULD BLOCK PROGRAM:

EIGHT SENATORS HOLD THE KEY

Although many political experts claim the O’Malley agenda is on a fast track for success, I am beginning to have my doubts. The State Senate appears to be very shaky and Mike Miller does not consider this “his special session.” If the Governor stumbles, the President of the Senate would not shed a tear. The Republican Senate Caucus appears united and aggressive. All of them are opposed to O’Malley’s phony slots bill. Should the slots bill die, the entire tax package could be dragged into the grave with it. Keep your eye on the Senate and your e-mails, letters, and phone calls directed to the big eight Democrat State Senators. They are:

Senator Jim Brochin, Baltimore County, 410-841-3648

Senator Katherine Klausmeier, Baltimore County, 410-841- 3620

Senator Norman Stone, Baltimore County, 410-841-3587

Senator George Della, Baltimore City, 410-841-3000

Senator James DeGrange, Anne Arundel County, 410-841-3593

Senator Roy Dyson, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties, 410-841-3673

Senator Edward Kasemeyer, Baltimore & Howard Counties, 410-841-3653

Senator John Astle, Anne Arundel County, 410-841-3578

HEADLINE: REPUBLICAN DELEGATES UNITE AGAINST O’MALLEY’S PHONY SLOTS BILL

The O’Malley slots bill is probably the worse version of a gaming proposal to ever come before the General Assembly. It has many defects, including the mandating of slots and gambling being placed as part of the language in our Maryland State Constitution. Defacing our State Constitution with gambling language is enough in itself to cause many legislators to vote against the plan. On the first day of the Special Session, the 36 members of the Maryland Republican House of Delegates Caucus voted to oppose the O’Malley plan. That is a big chunk of votes that could make a difference since the Governor needs 85 votes in his favor instead of the usual 71 votes because the plan is a Constitutional amendment. Just like the situation in the Senate, the House Republicans are exerting unexpected pressure and influence on the Special Session outcome, contrary to what the experts would have you believe.

Finally, a special thanks to the active citizens who have bombarded the wavering Democrats with their advice. Keep up the good work. As the great American philosopher Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

HEADLINE: PAT MCDONOUGH REVEALS BIG SECRET

The O’Malley tax hike is destined to confiscate 25 billion dollars from taxpayers over the next ten years. The alleged ten year deficit is 7 billion dollars. The most important question that should be asked in Maryland is “What is Governor O’Malley plotting to do with the extra 18 billion dollars?” Not only am I the only one asking this question, but I will provide the answer. First, he will build schools, roads, and many pork barrel projects around the state and appear at every ribbon cutting. Secondly, he will dramatically expand Medicaid and create new government healthcare programs with your money to make Maryland a model state for socialized “Hillary Healthcare.” The national liberal left media will perpetrate an image of the “Great O’Malley” as America’s healthcare savior. Thirdly, and last, but most importantly, O’Malley will become a “born-again tax cutter” in the 2010 election year and provide taxpayers with big, fat rebates, while all of his tax hikes remain permanent. All of these supposedly wonderful things are designed to re-elect Governor O’Malley on the backs of the taxpayers. In other words, this current O’Malley tax hike is, in reality, a 25 billion dollar re-election campaign fund. More people should join me in asking this important question.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

20071030 Commentary - Irwin Stelzer: Airlines that Dickens would love and hate

Commentary - Irwin Stelzer: Airlines that Dickens would love and hate

Posted November 1, 2007

Every time you think that flying and airports – and airport security could not get worse – it always seems to manage to get more unpleasant…

Bring back to the future an emphasis on passenger train transportation – please…

Irwin Stelzer: Airlines that Dickens would love and hate

Irwin Stelzer, The Examiner, 2007-10-30

WASHINGTON -

It is the best of times, it is the worst of times — best of times for America’s airlines, worst of times for the passengers they are cramming into their airplanes.

The airlines are making money despite delays and horrible service. The reason: After a wave of chastening bankruptcies, they have cut capacity, bringing the number of available seats more into line with demand and reducing the scramble to peddle empty seats at any price above the almost zero cost of carrying an additional passenger.

[…]

If lines lengthen at security checkpoints, no one has an incentive to add staff or open more lanes. By contrast, such a situation at Whole Foods, Giant or any respectable supermarket results in the opening of more check-out lines to relieve congestion.

Store managers have an incentive to prevent customers from taking their business elsewhere; airport managers don’t, or think they don’t. Indeed, they have every incentive to keep costs down and profits up, even if that means providing a miserable service.

[…]

Gordon Bethune, former chief executive officer of Continental Airlines, once commented on reductions in the quality of service that “You can take so much cheese off the pizza that nobody will eat it.” Perhaps. But for now the skimpy pizza is the only food on offer.

Examiner columnist Irwin Stelzer is a senior fellow and director of the Hudson Institute’s Center for Economic Studies.

Read the rest here: Irwin Stelzer: Airlines that Dickens would love and hate

20071030 Commentary by Robert Ehrlich: O’Malley tax increase bilks taxpayers, ignores history

Commentary by Robert Ehrlich: O’Malley tax increase bilks taxpayers, ignores history

November 1, 2007

I did not post this earlier in the week and I just re-read it and now that the week’s events have unfolded and perhaps starting to sink-in; re-reading this analysis by former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich is just that more profound…

Commentary by Robert Ehrlich: O’Malley tax increase bilks taxpayers, ignores history

Robert Ehrlich, The Examiner, 2007-10-30

WASHINGTON

Maryland’s liberal establishment is at it again.

Less than nine months after restoring one-party rule, the liberals in Annapolis are pushing massive tax increases based on a revisionist account of Maryland’s budget history. Let me set the record straight.

In 2002, as state revenues steadily dwindled, the General Assembly enacted a $1.3 billion education law. Legislators passed it knowing they had no money to pay for it. They also passed a budget that overspent by $616 million.

This massive new spending, combined with an economic downturn and rising health care costs, created a long-term deficit. My administration inherited that deficit in 2003 and, four years later, left state government with a budget surplus.

We cut government spending by more than $700 million in our first six months. We cut the size of the executive branch work force by 7 percent. We defeated $7.5 billion in proposed new taxes.

Read the rest here: Commentary by Robert Ehrlich: O’Malley tax increase bilks taxpayers, ignores history

20071031 Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley October 2007 press r

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley October 2007 press releases

October 31, 2007

Related: O’Malley press releases; O'Malley Administration; Maryland General Assembly Oct. 29 2007 Special Session

October 26 Governor O'Malley Introduces Legislation to Address Maryland's Deficit

October 25 Governor O’Malley Announces Healthcare Proposal

October 23 Governor O'Malley Swears In Various Government Appointed Positions

October 23 Governor O'Malley Releases Cost of Delay Budget to Address Maryland's Deficit

October 23 Governor O’Malley Names Six to Health Care Commission

October 17 Governor O'Malley Presents Budget Plan to UMBC Students

October 15 Governor O'Malley Issues Executive Order Calling for Special Session

October 12 Governor O'Malley to Attend Autumn Glory Festival in Garrett County

October 9 Governor O'Malley Participates in Celebration of Broadband on Eastern Shore

October 5 Governor O'Malley to Attend Maryland Teacher of the Year Gala

October 3 Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley

October 3 Statement from Governor Martin O’Malley on SCHIP Veto

October 2 Governor O'Malley Honors Century Farm Families

October 1 Governor O'Malley Announces $29 Million in Homeland Security Funding to Local Communities

October 1 Maryland Joins Multi-State Lawsuit to Secure Children’s Health

October 1 Governor O'Malley Issues Executive Order Establishing a P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland

####

20071031 Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley October 2007 press releases

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley October 2007 press releases

October 31, 2007

Related: O’Malley press releases; O'Malley Administration; Maryland General Assembly Oct. 29 2007 Special Session

October 26 Governor O'Malley Introduces Legislation to Address Maryland's Deficit

October 25 Governor O’Malley Announces Healthcare Proposal

October 23 Governor O'Malley Swears In Various Government Appointed Positions

October 23 Governor O'Malley Releases Cost of Delay Budget to Address Maryland's Deficit

October 23 Governor O’Malley Names Six to Health Care Commission

October 17 Governor O'Malley Presents Budget Plan to UMBC Students

October 15 Governor O'Malley Issues Executive Order Calling for Special Session

October 12 Governor O'Malley to Attend Autumn Glory Festival in Garrett County

October 9 Governor O'Malley Participates in Celebration of Broadband on Eastern Shore

October 5 Governor O'Malley to Attend Maryland Teacher of the Year Gala

October 3 Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley

October 3 Statement from Governor Martin O’Malley on SCHIP Veto

October 2 Governor O'Malley Honors Century Farm Families

October 1 Governor O'Malley Announces $29 Million in Homeland Security Funding to Local Communities

October 1 Maryland Joins Multi-State Lawsuit to Secure Children’s Health

October 1 Governor O'Malley Issues Executive Order Establishing a P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland

####

20071031 The Carroll Theatre celebrates 70 years at 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 24th


20071031 The Carroll Theatre celebrates 70 years at 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 24th

MEDIA RELEASE The Carroll Theatre celebrates 70 years!

October 31, 2007

Contact: Sandy Oxx

Sandyoxx1 AT earthlink.net

410/848-7272

The Carroll Theatre celebrates 70 years!

The Carroll Theatre, now the magnificently renovated Carroll Arts Center, opened to the public on Thanksgiving weekend in 1937.

To celebrate that momentous anniversary, the Arts Council will have a free screening of one of the films originally shown at the Carroll Theatre’s Grand Opening, “Texas Trail.”

The classic film features Hop-a-long Cassidy, known as the King of Cowboys.

The U.S. Army calls upon “Hoppy” to collect badly needed cavalry horses, although a crooked ranch owner and his gang have thwarted previous attempts to accomplish the task. In a diabolical setup, Hoppy is arrested for stealing the rancher’s herd, yet manages to devise a plan to stampede the horses and capture the gang.

“Texas Trail” will be screened at 2:30 pm on Saturday, November 24th.

The film is not rated and runs 60 minutes. The timing coincides with the annual Westminster Holiday Parade that will begin at 4 pm that day and travel past the Arts Center.

“It’s a classic rootin’ tootin’ western, and best of all its free! It’s our way of acknowledging this special anniversary and helping to bring back memories of this theatre’s rich history,” says Executive Director Sandy Oxx.

The Carroll Arts Center is located at 91 W. Main Street in downtown Westminster.

For more information call 410/848-7272 or visit www.carr.org/arts.

20071022 MRC’s 20th Anniversary Edition of “Notable Quotables”

MRC’s 20th Anniversary Edition of “Notable Quotables”

For some great smiles and wonderful laughs, check out the MRC’s 20th Anniversary Edition of “Notoable Quotables.”

October 22, 2007 (Vol. Twenty; No. 22)

Since the Media Research Center was founded in October 1987, our mission has been to document, expose and neutralize the media elite’s liberal bias, and our bi-weekly Notable Quotables, which debuted in February 1988, has been a vital tool in pursuing this mission. After publishing more than 500 issues — more than 8,000 notable quotes — we are pleased to bring you this super-sized 20th Anniversary edition with the most outrageous quotes from the MRC’s first two decades.

Notable Quotables

MRC’s 20th Anniversary Edition

This special edition marking the MRC’s 20th anniversary contains more than 100 of the most outrageous quotes from our past two decades, many accompanied by audio and video clips. Watch Dan Rather berate Vice President Bush during a live interview; listen to Bryant Gumbel suggest radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh bore responsibility for the Oklahoma City bombing; and recall the media’s sneering disdain for Ronald Reagan, and their utter admiration for Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Part One: Useful Idiots for Communism; Reviling Ronald Reagan; Newt’s Deadly GOP Insurgency

Part Two: The Clinton Defense Team; Bush: Selected, Not Elected; Journalists 1st, Americans 2nd