20060121 Ehrlich Submits Budget; MD Assembly Overrides Vetoes

Ehrlich Submits Budget; Senate Overrides Minimum Wage Veto; House Overrides Election Vetoes.

By Kevin Dayhoff Saturday, January 21, 2006 11 PM

Last Tuesday, January 17, 2006 was the day that Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich sent to the legislature his $30 billion state budget. More information is available at: Governor Ehrlich Submits $23.8 Billion Budget.

The Washington Post blog: Maryland Moment, had it’s own spin in, “Spending a Surplus.”

“With a news conference practically every day rolling out another spending initiative, there was little suspense when Gov. Bob Ehrlich delivered his $29 billion budget this morning.”

Gee, conveniently overlooked in the liberal commentary regarding the growth in spending in the Governor’s recently announced budget is that a majority of the spending growth is not discretionary.

The majority of spending growth is the result of mandated funding increases in education (Thornton), health care (Medicaid) and higher education (Cade and Sellinger formulas).

Each of these mandates were passed by the liberal legislature and governor PRIOR to the Ehrlich Administration. If the lawmakers have a problem with spending growth this year they should take a long, hard look in the mirror because they created it. They mandated the funding increases that are causing most of the growth.

In a January 17th, 2006 press release from the governor’s office: “Governor Ehrlich Introduces Fiscal Year 2007 Budget,” it was noted:

ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today submitted a balanced, sustainable FY 2007 operating budget. For the fourth consecutive fiscal year, Governor Ehrlich balances the State budget without raising sales or income taxes, while making record investments in education and health care.

“Since taking office, we have turned $4 billion in inherited deficits into a $1.2 billion surplus through prudent fiscal management,” said Governor Ehrlich. “We have made government leaner and more responsive to the citizens of Maryland. This budget makes new investments in programs that make Maryland a cleaner, safer, and a more prosperous place to live while returning a portion of the surplus to the citizens of Maryland.”

Fiscal Responsibility: Governor Ehrlich saves for the future by allocating $644 million for the State’s “Rainy Day Fund” and establishing a $670 million reserve for Fiscal Year 2008 expenditures. The Governor proposes tax relief for military retirees, homeowners, caregivers, and small businesses, among others. The Governor also invests $100 million in future retiree health care. Maryland is one of only six states to retain its coveted “AAA” bond rating.

Education: To improve public schools, Governor Ehrlich proposes a record $462 million funding increase for K-12 education and $281 million for school construction, the largest allocation in 35 years. In addition to record investments in higher education, Governor Ehrlich proposes a $19.5 million (28 percent) increase in need-based college scholarships. Governor Ehrlich has doubled funding for need-based scholarships since taking office, helping more than 12,000 students go to college. Governor Ehrlich also launched a $1.5 billion capital campaign for the University System of Maryland.

Meeting Maryland’s Needs: The Governor proposes a $370 million increase in Medicaid and related programs to care for 770,000 vulnerable Marylanders and $43 million to fund wage increases for community health care workers. His budget also proposes full funding for Program Open Space to better preserve environmentally sensitive land. To attract and retain high-quality law enforcement officers, the Governor also proposes salary adjustments for police and correctional officers.

Fostering Economic Growth: The Governor proposes $20 million for stem cell research and $13.5 million for a new Center for Regenerative Research to attract world-class researchers. His budget also makes new investments in the biotechnology tax credit and nano-biotech to solidify Maryland’s reputation as a national leader in the technology economy. Governor Ehrlich also increases investments by $3 million (60 percent) for the Community Legacy Program to revitalize urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout Maryland. The budget also invests $10 million in state support for Maryland’s horse racing industry.

The Governor’s budget can be found online at: http://www.governor.maryland.gov.

An additional review of Governor Ehrlich’s budget reveals:

Environment:

Governor Ehrlich will fully-fund Program Open Space to preserve environmentally sensitive land. The Ehrlich Administration has preserved nearly 60,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land since 2003. The Governor also makes new investments in targeted watershed projects and to rebuild wastewater treatment plants.

Higher Education:

The Governor announced a $172 million funding increase for higher education and launched an unprecedented capital campaign for the 13-campus University System of Maryland. Governor Ehrlich has boosted higher education funding by $219 million since taking office, bringing it to its highest point in history.

K-12 Education:

Building on his unprecedented investments since 2003, Governor Ehrlich proposed a record $462 million funding increase for public schools. Since taking office, Governor Ehrlich has fully-funded public schools with a $1.4 billion increase. The Governor also increased school construction funds to $281 million, a 35-year high.

Disabilities Investments:

The Governor proposed nearly $90 million in funds to lower unemployment levels for individuals with disabilities and to support them in their communities. The Governor’s proposal fully implements a Medicaid Buy-In for workers with disabilities and enables more than 1,500 people to return to work without losing health coverage under Medicaid.

Sex Offender Initiative:

Governor Ehrlich will dramatically toughen Maryland’s sex offender laws by requiring lifetime imprisonment, lifetime supervision upon release for sexually violent predators and child sex offenders, toughens registration requirements, and closes a loophole that allows registered sex offenders to enter school grounds or childcare facilities.

Tax Relief:

Governor Ehrlich proposes tax relief for homeowners, military retirees, caregivers, small businesses and many more. Governor Ehrlich’s ability to turn $4 billion in projected deficits into a $1.2 billion surplus means taxpayers deserve tax relief.

Homeowners:

In addition to a 15 percent state property tax cut, Governor Ehrlich proposed overhauling the Homeowners Tax Credit Program to help 50,000 low and moderate income Marylanders. The Governor’s plan would save the average qualified homeowner $167 more on their property tax bill.

Science & Technology:

Governor Ehrlich will invest an unprecedented $13.5 million to build a new Center for Regenerative Research at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and $20 million to fund stem cell research, solidifying Maryland’s reputation as a national leader in science and technology. The Governor also makes new investments in Johns Hopkins University, East Baltimore Biotech Park, University of Maryland, and the Teacher Education and Technology Center at Salisbury University.

State Employees:

For the third consecutive year, Governor Ehrlich gives state employees Cost of Living Increases and steps, and accelerates salary schedules for law enforcement and correctional officers.

****

News also traveled quickly last Tuesday: according to WBAL’s website: Ehrlich Submits Budget; Senate Overrides Minimum Wage Veto; House Overrides Election Vetoes. You may want to take a minute of your time to review the reporting of WBAL's Robert Lang and The Associated Press on the deliberations and votes taken in the legislature today.

Minimum wage. WBAL says:

“… today, Maryland became the 18th state to require a higher minimum wage than the federal baseline Tuesday when lawmakers voted to raise the wage a dollar, to $6.15.

The higher wage, which takes effect in 30 days, became law when the state Senate voted by the required three-fifths margin to override Gov. Robert Ehrlich's veto from last session. The House voted to override the veto last week.

As to the vote to override Governor Ehrlich’s vetoes of the two election bills. WBAL says:

“Lawmakers also overturned Ehrlich's vetoes on two election bills.

One would allow people to vote up to five days before an election -- including on a Saturday. The other would make it easier to cast provisional ballots for voters who show up at the wrong precincts. The House overrode those vetoes today, after the Senate overturned them last week.”

House Minority Leader Anthony O'Donnell (R): “… says the bills open the door to voter fraud since county election officials would not be ready to enforce the law.”

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060117 Sen. Kennedy Severs Ties to Harvard Club

20060117 Sen. Kennedy Severs Ties to Harvard Club

By Kevin Dayhoff Tuesday, January 17, 2006 11 PM

Sen. Kennedy Severs Ties to Harvard Club

(Hat Tip – Baltimore Sun, January 17, 2006)

First, on the national news front; today it was revealed by the Associated Press: Sen. Kennedy Severs Ties to Harvard Club. In a story By ANDREW MIGA, Associated Press Writer, January 17, 2006, 3:14 PM EST:

“WASHINGTON -- Sen. Edward Kennedy, who criticized Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's past membership in a controversial Princeton University alumni club, severed his ties Tuesday with a former Harvard college social club that bans women members.”

I guess I don’t feel an overwhelming urge to hurtle myself off a bridge in commentary on this turn of events. Instead take a look for yourself: Kennedy Wants Executive Session To Subpoena Alito Records (AUDIO); Political Teen; Cat fight in the big house...; or - Full transcript here. CT at Severe Writer’s Block has this cogent comment:

“Remember The Boy Who Cried Wolf? Someone needs to remind the Democrats the moral of that story. Making every SCOTUS nominee look like an extremist is not going to help them in the long run.” 1/11/2006 07:35:00 PM

“Michelle Malkin also has video.”

You can draw your own conclusions about Captain Oldsmobile.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060117 J Fund WSJ columnist visits MD Gen'l Assembly

20060117 John Fund WSJ columnist visits MD General Assembly

By Kevin Dayhoff Tuesday, January 17, 2006 11 PM

John Fund On the Trail

Word in the hallways of the Maryland Statehouse today was that John Fund, noted Wall Street Journal – OpinionJournal columnist, John Fund attended a session of the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) today. Mr. Fund writes a column called “John Fund On the Trail.”

No definitive word as to why Mr. Fund was in town. It is reported that he listened in on the debate as to whether or not to override House Bill 391 – minimum wage.

My guess is that Mr. Fund may have been more interested in House Bill 622 - absentee voting on demand…

For a number of years, Mr. Fund has lectured on issues of “voter fraud.”

In his bio published for a lecture on “Elections 2000 and Voter Fraud,” at the Ashbrook Center for Public affairs at Ashland University on Thursday, October 19, 2000, it reports that:

“John Fund is a member of the Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal, where he previously served as deputy features editor. He is also an on-line columnist for MSNBC’s Internet news service and a regular on-air contributor to the Fox News Channel and CNBC.

His work has appeared in such magazines as Esquire, Reader’s Digest, Reason, New Republic, and National Review. He has written extensively on Congressional reform, Constitutional issues and the influence of money in politics.”

Around September 2004, Mr. Fund released a book on “America’s election problems.” This according to a September 13, 2004 book review that appeared in National Review, “Democracy Imperiled – America’s Election Problems.”

The book is titled: Stealing Elections: How Voter Fraud Threatens Our Democracy, from Encounter Books.

Democracy Imperiled is a lengthy read – 3,046 words, but fascinating and troubling…

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060116 Photo Faux Pas at the New York Times

20060116 Photo Faux Pas at the New York Times

By Kevin Dayhoff January 16, 2006 11PM

It would seem that the New York Times has goofed on a picture it ran on the January 16, 2005 front page of its website. You can see the picture here. Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin · January 16, 2006 10:13 AM What's wrong with this picture?

Ms. Malkin elaborates: “The only thing that would have made this staged news better: A canoe.”

Please check out her reference to: “A canoe.” It is more fun than you can stand.

Meanwhile, back to the New York Times photo in question…

Thomas Lifson, the editor and publisher of the American Thinker, has much to say… Photo fakery at the New York Times (Hat tip: Lucianne )

“Is a fake staged photo fit to print? What if it staged in a way that makes the US forces fighting the War on Terror look cruel and ineffective? The evidence argues that yes, it can run, and in a prominent position - at least in the case of the New York Times website.

It appears that the Times, once-upon-a-time regarded as the last word in reliability when it comes to checking before publishing (which makes them so much better than blogs, of course), has run a fake photo on the home page of its website. The photo has since been removed from the home page, but still can be seen here.

The picture shows a sad little boy, with a turbaned man next to him, a little bit further from the camera, amid the ruins of a house. Other men and boys peer in from the background….”

Remember, we not responsible for the content of any website linked in this blogspot. You can talk with them about it. Right now, I’m going to have a big bowl of ice cream and take a nap.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060113 Attempting to Park in Annapolis

20060113 Attempting to Park in Annapolis

By Kevin Dayhoff January 13, 2006 6 PM

Parking is a huge issue in Annapolis. One would think that with all the difficult challenges in front of the Maryland General Assembly (MGA)… What is the question I get asked most frequently at the beginning of every session of the MGA – Where do ya park down there?

There is nothing worse than arriving in Annapolis at the last minute and then spending a great deal of time hunting for parking. In the past, I have been there and got the T-shirt.

Apparently so has the daughter of Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., (D - 27, Calvert & Prince George's Counties):

“The session marks Miller’s 20th as president. His election was witnessed by his wife, Patti, and two daughters, Melanie and Amanda. A third daughter, Michelle, missed the event, apparently trying to find a place to park. ‘‘She’s the one that votes ‘R,’ so she has to use the Naval Academy parking lot,” Miller joked.” (Gazette Opening Day 2006 by Thomas Dennison, Douglas Tallman and Alan Brody.)

I usually prefer to park at Gott’s Court Garage off Northwest Street because it is so convenient – only a short walk from the Statehouse. However, in the future I may try parking at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and use the shuttle. The cost of parking in Annapolis is quite reasonable. Today, for example, it cost $7.50 for the entire day. If I am not mistaken, Gott’s Court Garage has an $8.00 maximum charge. Nevertheless, it only costs $4.00 to park at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

One trick you might keep in mind is that when a sign is displayed at the entrance of the parking garage - that the parking lot is full – don’t always believe it. The first hour is free, so if go past the sign and take a look, there is nothing to lose. More often than not, there is turnover throughout the day and a space is available.

If you Google “Annapolis parking,” you will find several web sites. Perhaps the best is Downtown Garages and Parking Lots – this page has a great map and lots of misspelled words. It is a City of Annapolis web site and one would expect better.

Another good site has been developed by the “ Office of the Clerk is located at the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County” - Parking In Annapolis.

Good luck. Take a deep breath and a chill pill. After the challenge of parking comes getting through the security checkpoints and then one must navigate the byzantine labyrinth of offices and hearing rooms to find where you need to be – on time.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060111 Open Season I Love You You Love Me

20060111 Open Season I Love You You Love Me

By Kevin Dayhoff January 11, 2006 6 PM

Today was open season, err - opening day for the Maryland General Assembly (MGA).

I arrived early in Annapolis. Partially because I wanted to see if I could stop by and see a few elected officials and get some bearings on the day and upcoming session in general. And to be sure to get a parking spot in a nearby parking garage.

If you are considering visiting the Maryland General Assembly during the current session that lasts until April 10, 2006, please take a look at: Helpful Hints for 2006 Maryland General Assembly visitors and familiarize yourself with the security procedures.

Not everyone can easily make it down to Annapolis so you may want to check out: Listen to the Maryland General Assembly. At this web site, you can listen to the proceedings on your computer. I believe the sessions are available live. I usually go through the pull down list and listen to past sessions that are available to be heard.

I then proceeded to check off the next big item on my checklist – coffee. I am not a morning person and leaving Westminster at 7:30 AM was not pretty. At this point, I usually sleep walk over to “City Dock Coffee” within very easy walking distance of the Statehouse at 18 market Street.

After obtaining coffee, I found a place to sit in the Statehouse and decided to see if I could find any wireless access. I found a site – but needed a password to get in. I haven’t a clue as to whether that password will be available to members of the press. That will be a future exploration.

If I remember correctly, there is internet access down in the pressroom, on the basement floor of the Statehouse. I didn’t go near there today. The Statehouse was packed with media and I didn’t need wireless from Annapolis today.

A new House of Delegates Office building is being built and apparently, it is running behind schedule. On the House side, the chaos of construction was omnipresent. A visitor was not allowed street-access to the House office building because of construction. In order to get into the House office building, you had to enter the Legislative Services building off Lawyer’s Mall, which is directly in front of the Statehouse. Once inside you went down one floor on the elevator and walked through the tunnel over to the House office building.

I have always been fascinated with the interconnecting tunnels. I have not a clue as to when they were built or any knowledge of their history. I have it noted to research this in the future.

The Statehouse has a tunnel that goes over to the Legislative Services building. From there you can walk, by tunnel over to both the Senate office building and the House office building. This is great to know when the weather is bad, as it so often is for the next ninety days.

As far as catching up with some elected officials before the opening session began at 12 noon – forget it. Not an elected official was to be found. They were all in meetings.

Oh, I did run across Harford County Executive David Craig and his beautiful wife Melinda. I consider David to be a good friend. When I was the Mayor of Westminster, he was the Mayor of Havre de Grace. He has a long history of being an elected official and is very wise and knowledgeable. In the past, he has been a Havre De Grace Councilmember and mayor. He has also served in the Maryland Senate and recently he was appointed Harford county executive when former executive Jim Harkins was appointed to head up MES – Maryland Environmental Services, by Governor Ehrlich.

Finding no elected officials, I made my way back to the Statehouse.

I arrived early to the press area in the House chambers, thinking that I would get a good seat. What was I thinking?

First of all – the press tables had been replaced with a number of rows of chairs for dignitaries. What space remained for the press was – well, very little. Almost non-existent. We all managed. But it was an endurance contest. We all stood for the ninety minutes of the opening session.

The opening session began at exactly 12 noon. I mean, exactly.

After a very very short opening prayer, the first order of business was the election of the Speaker Pro Tem. Piece of cake. Adrienne Jones (D – Dist. 10 Baltimore County) was nominated from the floor; seconded and unanimously accepted by voice vote. Delegate Jones has been a member of House of Delegates since October 21, 1997. She was first elected to be the Speaker Pro Tem in the 2003 legislative session.

So far – so good. Perhaps the spirit of Barney was present? It was a gritted-teeth love-in. All smiles and hugs. Can you sing: “I love you, you love me?”

As I wrote in my Tentacle column for this Thursday, January 12^th, 2005: “The Kool-Aid Acid Test:”

“Maybe it is time that we ask for all the delegates and senators to go down several days early for group therapy in problem identification and conflict negotiation counseling? Or arrange for a guest appearance of Barney, the Purple Dinosaur, to lead the opening session in a rousing chorus of “I Love You – You Love Me.”

I asked a colleague who was mashed against me in the press area: “How long the love-in will last?” His prediction – 45 minutes.

He was wrong. It lasted about 12 minutes or until the time came to elect the Speaker of the House. This is when everyone started to squirm in his or her seats. The purpose of opening day is to be very friendly and ceremonial. It is universally accepted that there be no blood left on the floor the first day.

It is in that spirit, that the other day, the Republican Caucus had approached Speaker of the House Michael Erin Busch (D - Dist. 30 Anne Arundel County), to facilitate accepting a floor nomination for House Minority Leader, George C. Edwards (R - Dist. 1A, Garrett & Allegany Counties), to be Speaker of the House. Delegate Edwards has been a member of House of Delegates since January 12, 1983. He has been Minority Leader since the 2003 legislative session. Delegate Edwards didn’t have a snowball chance in heck in being elected, but the Republicans wanted to have the satisfaction of having an election instead of a plebiscite.

The Republican Caucus got three answers: no. No. NO!

I explained this in the “The Kool-Aid Acid Test:”

“For those of you following along in your books at home – there are 141 delegates in the Maryland General Assembly. Ninety-eight are Democrats – so I guess there is a good chance that the Democrats will elect ah, let’s think about this – a Democrat to be the Speaker of the House. Gee, brilliant deduction, eh?”

Michael Erin Busch (D - Dist. 30 Anne Arundel County) was nominated and seconded. When the voice vote was called, Speaker Pro Tem recognized House Minority Leader, George C. Edwards, who requested a roll call vote.

In other words, he asked that the votes for the speaker election be recorded on the huge tally board that overlooks the chamber. Surprise, Delegate Busch was elected by a vote of 95 to 34. Yes, for those math wizards reading along at home; that totals 129. There was an absence or two, but all the Republicans in the Anne Arundel contingent did not vote, perhaps appropriately, out of respect for their fellow county colleague.

Dignitaries were recognized and there was a moving series of tributes paid to the very popular Delegate Tony E. Fulton (D – District 40 Baltimore City,) who had passed way last May 20, 2005.

There were also some remarks by Speaker of the House Busch and Governor Ehrlich…

The “Calendar of Vetoed Duplicative Bills” on the “Consent Calendar #1” was put to a vote. These are the House bills that were approved in the last session of the legislature, but were for various reasons, duplicative. They are routinely vetoed by the governor and the House routinely votes to sustain the veto.

The “Calendar of Vetoed Policy Bills #2” was special ordered until Friday. In other words – they will vote on them on Friday instead of on opening day.

The ninety minutes went by quickly and at approximately 1:30 PM, it was all over.

The large lobby area between the House and Senate chambers was packed with opening day visitors. It is an interesting ritual. Media folks hunted down various elected officials for the obligatory “Opening Day in Annapolis” pieces.

One of the better primers for the opening of the 421^st session of the Maryland General Assembly was written by my boss at the Westminster Eagle. Can you say: “suck-up?” Whatever. Please see his editorial: “A few key issues could set mood.” In part he wrote:

“While we hope for the best, there are a few keys issues facing the assembly that could give us an indication of whether partisan politics will rule in Annapolis.”

Another good piece on opening day and this year’s legislative session is today’s Frederick News Post article by Clifford G. Cumber: General Assembly gets ready to rumble. Writing for the Gazette, Doug Tallman and Thomas Dennison always do a good job covering the Maryland General Assembly. Their preview on opening day can be found at: As session dawns, veto overrides in play

For a good primer on the weekly “progress” of the Maryland General Assembly, please begin with reading General Assembly Journal 2006 - Part 1 and A 2006 Session Primer by Richard B. Weldon, Jr. (R – Dist. 3B, Frederick & Washington Counties.) Delegate Weldon had been writing a weekly commentary about his experiences in the Maryland General Assembly, ever since he first started representing Washington and Frederick counties in January 2003.

Other web sites that you may wish to visit are: Fired Up Maryland, Soccer Dad and The Hedgehog Report… to mention a few… Fired Up Maryland usually takes the Democratic Party point of view and Soccer Dad and The Hedgehog Report usually takes a conservative point of view. The Hedgehop Report also reports on many Howard County politics.

In the future, you may want to go and read the coverage of Bryan P. Sears in the Towson Times.

One of the best-kept secrets in political writing these days is the work of Justin Palk with the Carroll County Times. Mr. Palk has covered the Maryland General Assembly for four years… This will be his fourth year. Three years with the Carroll County Times and one year with the Capital News Service. For a short, quick and accurate view of the day-to-day reporting of the MGA, you will have a hard time finding better reporting.

I’d like to try and get down to Annapolis personally as often as possible, and bring you the latest on the Maryland General Assembly. Between personal trips, I’ll bring you as many updates as time will allow.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060105 Enemy Imaging

20060105 Enemy Imaging
By Kevin Dayhoff January 5, 2006 11 PM

Former Georgia Senator Max Cleland (D) has resurfaced in the news once
again. In Maryland? What the heck is going on here?

Last month Governor Robert L. Ehrlich announced hiring Bo Harmon to be his
political director for his re-election campaign. The Baltimore Sun ran an
article on December 10, 2005, which said, in part:

"Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Derek Walker said he was shocked that the governor would hire Harmon, and compared the political director to Joseph F. Steffen Jr., the former Ehrlich aide who was fired after admitting to spreading rumors about Mayor Martin O'Malley."

"Democrats here and in Georgia immediately criticized the hire, saying
Ehrlich is bringing to Maryland a virtuoso of nastiness who attacked the
patriotism of Cleland, an Army veteran who lost three limbs in Vietnam."

The Sun continued its criticism by calling the readers' attention to a
negative ad run by Senator Cleland's opponent in the 2002 Georgia Senate
race.

The ad used, what is known in the business as "enemy imaging." Identifying
an opponent with a nefarious character. Sorta like, running a picture of
Governor Ehrlich with a fired state employee - Mr. Steffen.

The only difference is that after many folks, understandably, criticized the
Chambliss campaign ad, the ad was taken off the air, changed and ran without
the nefarious character images.

In the MD4BUSH-Steffengate saga; long after it has been revealed that
MD4BUSH was a political dirty trick by democrats for which it has been
suggested that several members of the Maryland Democratic Party have lost
their jobs; the Sun is still running the negative ad which 'enemy images'
Governor Ehrlich with Mr. Steffen.

So what is the rest of the Senator Cleland story? He lost his 2002 senate
re-election bid because of his liberal voting record while serving in the
senate and representing a conservative constituency.

Rich Lowry, writing in National Review on February 20, 2004, "Max Cleland,
Liberal Victim," put it best.

Democrat Senator Cleland "was on record supporting countless tax increases, and voted with his party's leadership against protecting the Boy Scouts from a campaign to keep them out of public schools and against banning partial-birth abortion. In many of these votes, he parted ways with his more conservative and popular colleague Miller, thus creating a major political vulnerability. He lost fair and square."

This is what happened.

Senator Cleland returned home from Vietnam terribly wounded with injuries
that would stop anyone but Superman. But he didn't let being disabled stop
him and he worked hard to recover and continue to serve his community and
his country.

It was said best in a poignant Washington Post article on July 3, 2003,
entitled "Political Veteran."

After Mr. Cleland returned home from recovering from his injuries, in "1970, at 28, he became the youngest person ever elected to the Georgia Senate. In 1977 President Jimmy Carter appointed him to head the Veterans Administration. In 1982 he was elected as Georgia's secretary of state" and served until 1996."

In 1996, when Senator Sam Nunn (D) decided to retire from the U.S. Senate after serving 24 years, Georgia Secretary of State Cleland tossed his hat in the ring. Senator Nunn had always been strong on national defense and
Vietnam veteran Max Cleland seemed a perfect replacement.

He wasn't.

In 1996, Mr. Cleland narrowly defeated his opponent, businessperson Guy
Millner by 30,000 votes. He only got 49 percent of the vote.

Slate published an article by Michael Crowley on April 4, 2004 called: "How
the disabled war veteran became the Democrats' mascot." It is not a
poignant or deferential piece. Mr. Crowley wrote, "There was little reason
to expect Cleland to be a star senator, and he wasn't."

Of his 1996 campaign, Mr. Crowley wrote:

"In that campaign, Cleland made up for his lack of political skill-the Atlanta-Journal Constitution noted that he "has never been known as a deep thinker" and was prone to "platitudes" in debates-by harnessing the emotional power of his war injuries..."

After six years in the Senate, Senator Cleland's re-election was in deep
trouble at home. Although he could serve his southern constituency well
enough on local Georgia issues, "Cleland's undoing was that he couldn't
negotiate the dilemma facing many Southern Democrats - how to vote liberal
in Washington while appearing conservative at home." (Rich Lowry, February
20, 2004, "Max Cleland, Liberal Victim" National Review)

In the 2002 election, Senator Cleland was challenged by four-term
conservative Republican congressman Saxby Chambliss, "who'd been elected in
the "Contract With America" class of 1994." (July 3, 2003, "Political
Veteran" Washington Post)

Mr. Crowley wrote: "Most of Chambliss' attacks were based on Cleland's most "liberal" votes on social issues like partial-birth abortion. But in the race's closing weeks, Bush and Chambliss hammered at the fact that Cleland was voting with Senate Democrats against Bush's proposed Homeland Security Department because of its infamous provision limiting union rights. The message was that Cleland was kowtowing to big labor at the cost of protecting America."

Then came those "GOP television ads." They crossed the line. They were
unnecessary and inappropriate and should have never been aired.

In the Washington Post July 3, 2003 article it was noted:

"both sides ran attack ads, but none was as controversial as Chambliss'homeland security spot. It opened with pictures of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. "As America faces terrorists and extremist dictators," said a narrator, "Max Cleland runs television ads claiming he has the courage to lead. He says he supports President Bush at every opportunity, but that's not the truth. Since July, Max Cleland voted against President Bush's vital homeland security efforts 11 times!"

After both democrats and republicans condemned the inappropriate ad, the ad was removed from the air.

Which brings us full circle. Since the Sun has brought it up. Beyond the issue of comparing how many articles the Baltimore Sun ran on
MD4BUSH-Steffengate with how many articles it ran about the alleged criminal
identity theft of Lt. Gov. Michael Steele's personal financial records by
Senator Schumer's staff at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee...

Now that MD4BUSH has been outed as a democratic dirty trick, the Sun needs to do a reality check and realize that by continuing to run the picture of
Governor Ehrlich with Mr. Steffen on their web site, they may think that
they are cleverly perpetuating a negative "enemy-imaging" ad on Governor
Ehrlich.

What they are really doing is perpetuating a reminder of despicable gutter politics at its worse.

It is a rule of classier political practitioners that the family of an
elected official or candidate for office is off limits - out of bounds. No
matter what party to which they belong.

When is the Sun going to take the picture off their web site?

Just asking.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, Maryland USA
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
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20060106 Security Badge

20060106 Security Badge
By Kevin Dayhoff January 6, 2006 6 PM

Today was the day I had set aside to travel to Annapolis, present my press
credentials, and be processed for a Maryland state security badge for the
purposes of covering the 2006 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Thanks to the Westminster Eagle and Patuxent Publishing Co, I may very well
be one of the first bloggers to be press-credentialed in Annapolis? I
should mention that Patuxent Publishing Company is owned by Tribune, which
also owns the Baltimore Sun.

For a really interesting piece on the affect of blogging and the internet
media on government and state-level politics, please read the "Cover
Story/Politics & Technology" of the July 2005 issue of Governing magazine,
"Instant Influence" by Christopher Swope. Mr. Swopes invites the reader to
review his piece with an opening line, which reads: "A new generation of web
scribes is shaking up state capitol politics."

Also of interest is an article entitled: "Web logs challenging mainstream
media" by Ryan Pitts, in the Spokane Spokesman-Review on Thursday, October
14, 2004. Unfortunately, I did not get the URL address of the article when
I clipped it and they have a paywall in front of their archives... It
mentions Matthew Testa and Scott Hollenbeck from Westminster:

"Of the ones I've checked out, blogs are poorly written and boring diaries,"
said Matthew Testa of Westminster."

"I trust the blogs because they are open and upfront about who they are,"
said Scott Hellenbeck (sic) of Westminster. "They don't have to make the big
money like networks do, so they have different priorities and have to earn
their audience."

I have enjoyed working with both gentlemen... Matthew, I hope that this
blog is not one of those "poorly written and boring diaries."

The process of getting my security badge was painless and quick. There were
only a few folks in line. The Department of General Services police were
very courteous and helpful. It took - perhaps 15 minutes. Of course, the
picture for the badge is almost as bad as the photo on my driver's license.
Whatever.

I'm glad that my security badge identifies me as "media." I would hate to
have to wear a badge that identified me as a "lobbyist" - shades of
Nathaniel Hawthorne and "The Scarlet Letter" - Salem, Massachusetts in
the1630s under the leadership of Speaker Busch - err, John Winthrop.

Although considering the Maryland General Assembly majority party's
intolerance of dissenting ideas - perhaps mentioning The Scarlet Letter was
Freudian:

"The religious sect was known for its intolerance of dissenting ideas and lifestyles. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses the repressive, authoritarian Puritan society as an analogue for humankind in general. The Puritan setting also enables him to portray the human soul under extreme -pressures. Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth, while unquestionably part of the Puritan society in which they live, also reflect universal experiences."

In the past, I had a badge that identified me as an elected official and that badge was also quite helpful. Otherwise, standing in the lines to get through the checkpoints can be time consuming. Especially since, I always have a laptop and briefcase... And I'm always running late. I've gotten to know quite a few folks down there and every trip down the hall is measured in however many 'conversation stops' it takes. I guess this is a good thing - I mean it's better than being ignored...

There have been a few articles written about the issue of security passes in Annapolis - in the last year. Since the decisions about security issues are being made by several pay grades above mine, I'm not sure what my 2 cents is worth. Besides, in the post 9/11 world, safety is an overriding concern.

Richard B. Weldon, Jr. (R – Dist. 3B, Frederick & Washington Counties) had a thing or two to say about the security badges in his piece: General Assembly Journal 2006 - Part 1.

Recently, on January 1, 2006, David Nitkin, with the Baltimore Sun, wrote a piece on the issue called "Lobbyists get a pass on lines."

Unfortunately, the Baltimore Sun does not use permalinks, so the hyperlink will probably not work. The first several paragraphs of his piece are:

"A new security system in Annapolis means that visitors should expect longer lines outside the State House and other government buildings when the General Assembly session begins this month.

But most Annapolis lobbyists won't be waiting in them.

The professional State House lobbying corps, which boasts 14 members who earned more than $500,000 in 2004, has managed to preserve its rapid access to the historic capitol complex, overturning an earlier decision that would
have made them stand outside and pass through metal detectors like day
visitors.

The Maryland Department of General Services, which provides security at state buildings, had first determined that lobbyists should not receive the same entry privileges as the governor, the first lady, lawmakers, legislative services workers and members of the news media.

But some of the most powerful players in Annapolis, including former legislators who now work as lobbyists, refused to accept a decision handed
down in November.

"I went ballistic. A couple of other people went ballistic," said lobbyist Bruce C. Bereano. "We brought pressure to bear and turned it around."

A few weeks after the fall ruling, state officials changed the regulation and decided that registered lobbyists can bypass the police and security equipment at the entrance to government buildings. The privilege will go only to those who are registered with the Maryland State Ethics Commission, undergo a background check and pay a $50 fee for their badges.

Among those fighting to maintain rapid access was Barbara A. Hoffman, the former chairwoman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee who became a lobbyist after a 2002 election defeat."

Next trip to Annapolis is for Opening Day - The second Wednesday of every
January - January 11, 2006, this year.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, Maryland, USA
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
####

20051206 More on Jan Historical Civil Rights Tour

20051206 More on Jan Historical Civil Rights Tour
By Kevin Dayhoff, December 6, 2005 11 PM

This coming January, local Carroll Countians, Dr. Pam Zappardino and Dr.
Charles Collyer are headed south. Are they "snow-birds" looking for an
escape from the cold and the snow? No - but we certainly couldn't blame them
if they were. This writer finds that the older I get, the more I find myself
increasingly intolerant of the cold.

Actually, their annual pilgrimage to the south has a greater, more important
meaning than their personal comfort.

For the sixth January in a row, Drs. Pam and Charlie, as they are
affectionately known, are leading folks on an Historical Civil Rights Tour
called: "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around!: Retracing the American
Civil Rights Movement."

The Ira and Mary Zepp Center for Nonviolence and Peace Education, a program
of Common Ground on the Hill, a nonprofit organization that brings different
people together through traditional arts and music at McDaniel College,
helps sponsor the tour.

The Zepp Center is named for two longtime Westminster teachers. Ira and
Mary Zepp have had a long association with McDaniel College and with the
promotion of justice by peaceful means The Zepp Center is directed and
staffed by Drs. Pam and Charlie.

Ira and Mary Zepp have also supported and advised Common Ground since its
founding over a decade ago. Walt Michael, the director of Common Ground and
a person who really "gets" nonviolence both personally and artistically, has
been a partner in creating the Zepp Center and introducing it to the
community.

This year's Christmas season; when we take time to celebrate family,
community and our religious foundations; there has been much attention to
the increased intolerance and sharp divides in which we currently find our
nation.

Good grief, this year the recent debate over whether or not we can say
"Merry Christmas," has reached a new level of unpleasantness. Memo to the
politically correct lexicon warriors - give us a break and take your petty
squabble somewhere else, why don't ya?

The purpose of celebrating the Christmas season is to take time out to share
and give thanks to that which makes our community and our country great.

Syndicated columnist Larry Elder recently wrote "rudeness plagues America."
He called to our attention a recent Associated Press-Ipsos poll that
revealed nearly 70 percent of Americans consider people "more rude" that 20
or 30 years ago. Americans are engaged in a "great sorting-out," causing
folks to stake out "well-defined, even intolerant, ideological camps."

Yes, I plead guilty to being an eternal "pollyanna," but I insist that all
problems in our great country and community could be solved by an outbreak
of something truly bold - be nice about it.

If you will recall, "Pollyanna" was a children's novel written in 1913 by
Eleanor H. Porter. As a result of this classic work, the term "pollyanna"
has become part of language to describe someone who is always cheerfully
optimistic. Wikipedia says that "pollyanna" has become a derogatory term for
a naïve person who always expects people to act decently, despite strong
evidence to the contrary.

I think that all behavior modification in our great nation starts at the
grass roots level. It starts with how we treat each other right here in our
own homes, in our own community. In a meeting a number of years ago, one of
my harshest critics, assessed my take on a particular challenge as a
"pollyanna" approach. He meant the criticism in the most mean-spirited
manner. It made me proud.

This is a great example of where folks like Drs. Pam and Charlie come into
play; helping us find meaningful solutions to the challenges we face through
the practice of nonviolence. Aided by taking classes with Dr. Ira Zepp and
Drs. Pam and Charlie, I was able to ignore him. Drs. Pam and Charlie stress
that practicing nonviolence often involves finding the hidden humor,
opportunities, and "silver linings" in the problems we face.

Their mentor (and mine) is Dr. Bernard LaFayette. He has visited
Westminster several times, and is remembered at McDaniel for his remark
that, as an approach to solving problems, violence is "cute, but not tough
enough," because it usually creates even more problems. I had the pleasure
of attending a class with Dr. Bernard LaFayette, a few years ago. Dr.
Bernard LaFayette worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King and along with
the likes of Dr. Ira G. Zepp, is a beloved figure among this generation of
nonviolence educators.

Most of the violence and hostility in the world does not occur in isolated
patches; it happens in cycles and chains of back and forth retaliation.
Whether from impulse or conscious choice, people use violence as a way to
respond to violence, and so it is not surprising that violence goes on and
on. Breaking these chains could prevent a lot of violence and human
suffering. But it is often not obvious how to bring in a creative
alternative to violence, and this is where nonviolence education can add
value. Learning to replace violence with truly successful ways of solving
our problems will help us to build a better world.

Which brings us back to the January History Civil Rights Tours that The Zepp
Center helps to sponsor each year. The tour takes folks to locations where
nonviolence was used to achieve gains for African Americans and to open up
the political process to wider participation in some of the darkest days of
our country's fight out of the intolerance of segregation.

The purpose of studying history is not to take us back to these dark days
but to bring the past to the present and capitalize on the positive lessons
learned - and apply them to our day-to-day problem solving.

The Ira and Mary Zepp Center for Nonviolence and Peace Education continues
the American tradition of nonviolent problem solving associated with Martin
Luther King, Jr. It provides workshops and resources to the community on
the skills, philosophy, and history of nonviolence, from the personal level
up to movements such as those of Gandhi and King. Opportunities such as the
January Civil rights tour teach us how the traditions of nonviolence have
developed over time and how they are relevant for folks today.

For more information about the January Civil rights tour or the
opportunities provided our community by the Zepp center, contact the Zepp
Center through the Common Ground office, 410-857-2771 or e-mail e-mail
Pamela Zappardino at paxwarthog@aol.com. Tell her Pollyanna Dayhoff sent
ya. And oh - Merry Christmas.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
####

20060301 Diary of a Desperate Dumpster Diver

Diary of a Desperate Dumpster Diver.

March 1, 2006 By Kevin Dayhoff (1072 words)

Warning: Because the following humor column is intended for human consumption, 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.

Nevertheless, the long-term effects of reading this column remain uncertain. Please proceed at your own risk.

I enjoy folks, who in the past exhibited no interest in being human; who have contacted me recently, feigning a genuine interest in my well-being – and then casually ask: “Oh by the way, what are your future political plans?”

To which I would like to respond.

Thank you all, for your recent inquiries as to my well-being. I am touched.

How’s my day?

I’m having a great day.

Yes, I’m still overweight. Are you still mean and ill tempered? I can go on a diet and lose weight…”

Am I still unemployed?

Yes, I’m still writing for a living.

Of course, now that I am no longer in political office. I have no meaning in my life. I must be unemployed and homeless.

What am I doing with my days?

I’m so happy that you asked…

Today, for example, as I continue slouching towards dementia, I will investigate the haiku of dumpster diving consciousness and the real meaning of life. The Kabuki Morals Play of day-to-day existence in contemporary Maryland, when you are homeless and hungry, like most successful writers and artists.

I've reached the zenith of my existence. A 52 year old artist and writer; I consider being unemployed a badge of honor. I wear it proudly in humor, err, I mean honor, of artists and writers everywhere.

In a few minutes, I was about to go out and see what soup kitchen to visit. Put on my best clothes courtesy of the dumpster behind Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has been heaven-sent for those of us who are otherwise, road kill, on the highway to prosperity and plenty. Are you still trying to put it out of business?

I've developed dumpster diving into an art. Bet ya never knew that about me.

Ya know, the best table scraps are behind the pizza place… over at the shopping center, where I see you so frequently.

Yes, that one – the one you fought so aggressively commenting that it would be the end of civilization, as we know it.

Yes, it was a great farm, completely surrounded by new developments, the farmer went bankrupt. Shame isn’t it. The farmer reneged on a public trust and financial responsibility to maintain that property so the new residents could have a scenic view.

I understand the new development, on the land of that great farm, really supports your efforts to stop growth.

Oh - that neighborhood development that fought the shopping center now wants a sidewalk from their neighborhood to the shopping center. Didn’t you fight that sidewalk when it was proposed? I read recently where you are winning over the hearts and minds of the new folks by supporting the sidewalk and rebuilding the street in front of your house – with taxpayer dollars.

You use the word, “outrage” a lot. You should get help for that. Try eating more friendly vegetables. Go see “Brokeback Mountain” a fourth time.

Recently, I've been scouting a new place to live. I was living high on a hill, in the wooded area in the middle of the Rte 140 and Rte 27 interchange.

From there I monitored the comings and goings of so many folks like you… like so many busy ants, running here, then running there and then back again. It all seems so purposeful. So meaningful. The interchange of accomplishment. The crossroads to the future. And I observed it all, from my hilltop hide-away perch.

Anyway – I had to leave my Shangri-la, on top of the hill. One day, I gathered my meager belongings and traveled down river on a raft to a great place on the bank of the river on the other side of the old Westminster Power Plant.

It is a great place to continue my studies of the political-sociological development of benthic macroinvertebrates, phytoplankton, and echinoderms.

The real challenge to dumpster diving these days, is the thrill of breaking into locked dumpsters. I mean, isn’t it amusing that we have evolved so far as a sophisticated society, that some folks have elevated the art of supreme narcissism to the extent that they actually lock their trash away.

I guess I find the idea of sifting through office trash distasteful. The diving into the abyss of our oppressors is devoid of vision and creativity. It also involves an investment into personal protection gear.

Diving into a restaurant dumpster is not as hazardous to your health as diving into the dumpster of say, the liberal legislative offices in Annapolis. One might emerge, thinking thoughts of world domination or terminal narcissism.

My real goal in life is to dive in a dumpster some day and find a "Power Ranger."

The local college is the nirvana of dumpster diving. Just yesterday I traveled there and came away with a mother lode of great things that wasteful college students have tossed into the dumpster. I got an entertainment center shelf thingy-ma-jiggy. I'll put my TV, DVD, radio, and computer on it.

I do all my holiday shopping for my family up at the college.

When I was young, we used to go the county landfill on Kate Wagner Road. Oh, the good ole days. I once witnessed two pillars of the community fight over a cream and burgundy colored Victorian sofa.

Actually, the lure of dumpster diving is the thrill of the hunt. The quest for buried treasure and personal responsibility. The call of the wild in an increasingly civilized society that has taken the life-on-the-edge, life and death struggle out of our day-to-day experience.

Bet you didn't know that I could be quite so passionate about something. Did ya?

The coat you loaned me for last winter… I've dropped that in the mail. To save on postage, I cut the buttons off and put them in the pockets, in accordance with the latest law passed by the Maryland General Assembly.

Bye for now. Hope to talk with you again soon.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

NBH
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