20060816 Vota for Mona

“Vota for Mona”

© Kevin Dayhoff

August 16^th, 2006

This is the season for signs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More on this developing story as it unravels.

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

20060816 KDDC NYTimes Warsaw Ghetto Uprising an Over Reaction

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

August 16^th, 2006

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

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

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20060815 KDDC Missing Issue

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

20060815 KDDC Check Out ation

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

20060815 KDDC Ben Cardin to cure cancer

Ben Cardin to cure cancer

August 15^th, 2006

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

Need I mention this or this or here?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anyway – this is what the BlogDC said:

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

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

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

at the HopeWell Cancer Support Center on Falls Road.

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

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20060815 KDDC Who are these community leaders?

Who are these community leaders?
August 15th, 2006

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

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

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

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

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060815 KDDC Former CCPS employee charged with stealing

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

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

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

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

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

A press release further reveals:

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

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

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

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

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

We fully cooperated with them during the investigation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They will include:

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

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

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

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

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

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20060814 KDDC Ceasefire Fallout begins

Ceasefire Fallout begins

August 14th, 2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the rest here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The countdown for Olmert has begun By ANSHEL PFEFFER

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

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

The rest of the story can be found here.

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20060813 KDDC The politics of going negative

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

August 13th, 2006

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Civility, Hillary Clinton Watch

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20060813 KDDC The Pillage Idiot has wonderfully struck again

She’s everywhere she’s everywhere

August 13, 2006

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

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20060813 KDDC Just hanging

August 13^th, 2006

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

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

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

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20060811 KDDC Clip Board Man

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

20060811 KDDC Who are these Westminster community leaders

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

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

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20060811 KDDC Tuscan Whole Milk 1 Gallon 128 fl oz

Tuscan Whole Milk 1 Gallon 128 fl oz

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

Be sure to enjoy reading the comments.

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

Mr. Allen gives a Hat Tip to: SondraK

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20060810 KDDC yalla ya Nasrallah

yalla ya Nasrallah

August 10^th, 2006

As I was roaming around the “e-Clair – Oh byte me” web site, I stumbled across the following gem: “Time for another Chorus!”

Well, I guess this is not for the faint of heart, but here goes. “Time for another chorus!” refers to a video on the You Tube site… “yalla ya Nasrallah - song from Israel.”

The introduction from You Tube reads: “with English subtitles. the Israelite answer to the leader of Hezbollah, Nasrallah - a song in Hebrew that let him know what we think about him… with the background clip of the combat engineering IDF corps (with an extraordinary girls unit) and a taste of the IAF.”

Getting to this video is a bit of a chore, but hang in there. It’s been flagged. When ya get to the site, you will be greeted with: “This video may contain content that is inappropriate for some users, as flagged by You Tube's user community…To view this video, please verify you are 18 or older by logging in or signing up.”

Hey, I read Ann Coulter, so I registered with You Tube some time ago. I figure after Ann Coulter, there is little that can shock me…

You could go to the Israeli site and play it, but I could not get the video version to play, only the audio – so You Tube is your best bet.

Some of the comments are the unpleasant back and forth that unfortunately seems to go with worldwide internet, however, one post was helpful: “The words in English may seem somewhat childish, but in the original Hebrew idiom, they're much more intelligent. The translation is quite literal, and doesn't capture the flavor of the original. It's the kind of things a soldier might say/think -- not the most high-brow intellectual material…”

PS: Speaking of You Tube material, while you are at the site, check out: “Girl takes pic of herself every day for three years.”

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20060810 KDDC The Daily Kos Solution Ay caramba

The Daily Kos Solution

August 10^th, 2006

Ay caramba.

(I found the picture pasted to the left, on a web site called e-Clair. Check it out. I got a lot of value grazing thought the site.)

I read with interest this afternoon - – Little Green Footballs calls to our attention the Daily Kos solution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah; throw Israel under a bus: “Daily Kos: Why the US can impose a one-state solution on Israel-Palestine.”

Hat Tip: Wonkette…: “LGF readers make fun of DailyKos, ‘what total maroons!’”

The only thing that I would add to the Daily Kos solution is to teach the Israelis and Hezbollah “Kum Ba Ya.” That’ll work.

This is one of the many situations in which the comments are nearly as – well maybe even better than the original post. Be sure to click on: Little Green Footballs.

The new leadership of the Democratic Party are the likes of Al Franken, Michael Moore, Cindy Sheehan, Move On.org and the Daily Kos.com. Think about it, did you ever think there would be a day when Senator Hilary Clinton of New York would be considered a “moderate?”

Of course you know that the terrorists are just a misunderstood gaggle of mates and if we only would extend an olive branch out to them and give them some love; perhaps they would stop killing innocent civilians on a global scale.

Yeah right. Can you say Simona Toretta and Simona Pari? Those were the two Italian peace and love activists who ventured to Iraq and almost lost their heads – literally. Those friendly misunderstood terrorist kidnapped them and threatened them to within an inch of their lives. I’m sure it was all about a failure to communicate.

Well, actually it was all about hatred. News flash – the terrorists wanna kill you, you infidel.

Several years ago the folks with Bush-Derangement-Syndrome were often the source of a petty political annoyance. They were criticized for not having a vision or a plan and were fairly easily marginalized.

We were better off when the Democrats did not have a plan as now - as a vision is starting to coalesce, it’s not too pretty. It used to be that intellectually speaking, liberal ideology was about as stimulating as motel furniture. You could get through a night with it provided you don't have to hang around in the morning. Now, we can’t even sleep soundly with it.

Former Connecticut Democratic state party chair George Jepsen wrote in the Harford Courant right before the election, “Our Connecticut Democratic ticket in November will be stronger with Ned Lamont on it because he will drive Democratic turnout. Thousands of Democrats who would otherwise feel voiceless will go to the polls for Ned, helping in turn every Democrat on the ticket…”

Do not overlook that when the Italian peace activists were being threatened with having their heads handed to them, leading world leftists and anti-war activists were embracing the terrorists at a “Hezbollah sponsored conference in Beirut… and proclaimed their support for the very Iraqi resistance that was threatening to kill their comrades,” according to a recent column written by University of California, Irvine professor Mark A. LeVine.

If the new Democratic plan and vision is run off a cliff, as much as we may want to cheer them on, this is not good for the nation in the bigger picture or the long view.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060809 KDDC Senator Joe Lieberman versus the Lemmings

Senator Joe Lieberman versus the Lemmings

August 9^th, 2006

I stayed up to see the Connecticut primary results of the Senator Joe Lieberman versus the Lemmings, err, the Ned Lamont campaign the other night.

Unfortunately the contest went as I predicted.

For my take on the contest, please read my Tentacle column for this week – Wednesday, August 9^th, 2006: “Joe Lieberman v. The Lemmings.”

And bear in mind that I filed that column quite a number of days before the Tuesday primary.

To read the spin earlier today, the main stream media would have you think that the Connecticut primary was a bellwether test of President Bush’s approach towards the global war on terrorism, and the war in Iraq, in particular.

To be sure, there are certainly some strong arguments for that point of view.

It was also another reminder of the strength of the blogosphere to affect change and make a difference in politics. That dynamic is only sure to grow.

Be sure to graze the Daily Kos web site. At least here, here and here… You get the picture. Whether you agree or disagree with the politics of the Daily Kos, this is one powerful juggernaut. Take note of the number of comments on any given post.

Yes, the site can be a bit course from time to time. That will change with time. Right now, it wants to be heard and relevant. As both goals are achieved, hopefully some of the unpleasantness will be mitigated.

Getting back to Tuesday’s Connecticut primary, not to be overlooked is how this was a test to see exactly what direction the national Democratic Party is going as we draw closer to the fall elections.

The Connecticut primary certainly peels back the layers of the onion on the vituperative dispute among Democrats about the future direction of the party, with the old-line centrist party stalwarts facing enormous challenges from the young-left on issues of national security and the Iraq War.

Be sure to read the August 9th, 2006 Press Briefing by Tony Snow, which began at 1:18 P.M. CDT at CrawfordMiddle School in Crawford Texas.

Press secretary Snow said, in part:

“As for the primary election in Connecticut last night, I know there's a lot of concern and interest about that. Democratic voters in Connecticut have made their choice, and they have chosen Ned Lamont over Senator Lieberman. Just a couple of observations. Key leaders in the national Democratic Party have made it clear -- let me back up. This is a defining moment in some ways for the Democratic Party. I know a lot of people have tried to make this a referendum on the President; I would flip it. I think instead it's a defining moment for the Democratic Party, whose national leaders now have made it clear that if you disagree with the extreme left in their party they're going to come after you. And it is probably worth trying to trace through some of the implications of that position, because it is clearly going to be one of the central issues as we get ready for the election campaign this year, that is, the mid-term elections.”

Read the rest of his remarks here. It is worth the time.

Certainly the Democratic Party’s lurch to the left is precipitously gaining numbers and momentum. Sorta like, well – lemmings to the sea.

In the parlance of political-wonk-speak, I believe that the soft on terrorism left leanings of the Democratic Party will not serve them well this fall as it fails the “Daddy – Mommy test.”

In times where the American public is concerned for their safety, national security and when the electorate feels threatened, the tendency is to vote for a “national daddy.” (Doesn’t have to be a male or female, just someone strong on national defense and public safety.)

In good economic times and eras of peace, the electorate votes for a “national mommy,” to address social, family and economic issues.

And memo to the Democratic Party, the “it’s patriotic to be against the war,” ain’t cutting it.

The news coming out of Connecticut today is that Senator Lieberman is going to run in the general election as an Independent.

And odds are that he will win.

Things are getting curiouser and curiouser. It’s going to be an interesting several months.

Buckle up; it is going to be bumpy ride.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060809 KDDC An Intelligent Conversation

How’s this for an opener to have an intelligent conversation with a liberal?
August 9, 2006

Posted to the left, a gentleman at the Ned Lamont after-election rally and festivities intellectually expresses his feelings about Sean Hannity of Fox News.

Cute.

I sure hope the rest of the Ned Lamont folks are a bit more articulate.

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20060808 KDDC The Howard County Gang of Four bloggers

The Howard County Gang of Four bloggers

August 8, 2006

HoCo Hayduke reports, “In case you haven't heard, the Gang of Four (Local Bloggers) will be sponsoring an on-line candidate forum for most local elections beginning in October. More details here.”

Actually, the author of the HoCoMD Blog kindly emailed me the press release earlier today. Thanks.

This is a great opportunity for Howard County voters and a perfect role for the four blogs: HoCoMD Blog; The Hedgehog Report; HoCo Hayduke; and Howard County Blog.

Historically much of my family is from southern Carroll County and I have always followed Howard County politics. For quite sometime, I have followed by way of these four Howard County blogs.

I have only written one column that specifically deals with Howard County politics. In the Tentacle, I wrote on December 14, 2005 a column entitled,

“Politics in the Enchanted Forest:” “The political silly season has already begun in Howard County, known as the former home of the "Enchanted Forest." In our neighboring county, politics have recently started to resemble the storybook theme park that prospered in Ellicott City from 1955 to 1988.”

Since 2000 the blogosphere has had a profound affect on government and politics. This great leveling of the playing field or great democratizing of information dissemination, news and analysis is a good thing.

For more of my take on this dynamic, please read my Tentacle column from January 25, 2006,

“How is Internet media held accountable?” The slug reads: “On January 19 The Washington Post put an abrupt end to one of the components of the latest experiments in this grass roots democracy dynamic we call blogs – the real-time, live “comment” section.”

For more commentary on the contemporary state of the main stream media, see my Tentacle column from January 11, 2006,

“Journalism in 2005” The beginning of that column reads: “When one thinks of the mainstream media in 2005, the consistent theme is that of a reluctant, haughty and often pretentious dinosaur with its out-of-touch editorial boards. One can only hope 2006 is better.”

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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Pasted below is the information from the Association of Howard County Bloggers press release:

For Immediate Release

August 8, 2006 – Howard County, Maryland

An association of Howard County bloggers announced today that they will be conducting an on-line forum consisting of candidates for local and State office.

The association consists of the four major blogs covering political news and events in Howard County. They will be issuing to each of the general election candidates identical lists of questions in which they will be asked to supply answers to by October 1st.

“Each of our blogs are different.” said Ian Kennedy, author of Hocohayduke. “I think we all agree that they reflect a broad spectrum of county opinions. Even those with similar political leanings don’t always agree, but sometimes we all agree.”

Once questions are formulated, distributed, and the candidates have responded the authors will then offer the answers to the public on their web log sites with four unique commentaries accompanying each and open to the public for additional comments.

“We will all develop and agree upon the questions and length of response, and then we will all share the answers. We will probably not share the same opinion or analysis of the candidate’s responses.” said David Keelan, author of HoCoMD Blog.

Evan Coren author of Howard County Blog added, “We will provide a forum where anyone can engage the candidates, read candidate’s answers to important questions, and ask follow up questions on our blogs. Readers will also be able to discuss the candidate’s answers and have a civic discourse with the candidates and each other.”

David Keelan agreed, “I like the idea of having three sets of eyes looking over my shoulder and ready to tell me if they disagree. It helps keep the partisan tone down and keeps the analysis and opinions more level”.

David Wissing, author of the longest running local blog, the Hedgehog Report added, “I think people will respond to this because we think they are interested in this type of perspective.”

About the Association of Howard County Blogs

The association consists of four Howard County based blogs.

• howardcountyblog.blogspot.com
• hocomd.wordpress.com
• hocohayduke.blogspot.com
• www.hedgehogreport.com

What is a blog?

Blog is short for weblog. It is a type of website where entries are made similar to a journal or diary and displayed in a reverse chronological order.

Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Many blogs, including all of the blogs in the Association of Howard County Blogs allow their readers to post comments and discuss the issues posted on the blog.

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