20060923 KDDC Welcome aboard Fasten your seatbelts and prepare to laugh

Welcome aboard. Fasten your seatbelts and prepare to laugh

September 23^rd, 2006

Leisurely grazing through the web, I came across this funny post about flying.

I’ve flown a bit in my time and have come to find flying and airports to be an adventure all to itself - - far above and beyond the events of whatever destination to which I am flying.

I’m glad to read a piece that pokes some fun at all the obsessive rituals that have evolved.

The piece, “Welcome aboard,” is found in the Economist.com and was posted September 7^th, 2006.

Hat Tip: I found it posted September 10^th, 2006, on a blog named “Dilettante,” which I think comes out of India? The post title is: “Fear of Flying.” (Word association: A phrase coined in a book I read quite a number of years ago by Erica Jong.)

The photograph posted above is one that I have had filed in my images files for quite sometime and I haven’t a clue as to where I got it…

I have reformatted the piece pasted below for better readability:

Fear of flying

Welcome aboard

Sep 7th 2006
From The Economist print edition

In-flight announcements are not entirely truthful. What might an honest one sound like?

“GOOD morning, ladies and gentlemen. We are delighted to welcome you aboard Veritas Airways, the airline that tells it like it is. Please ensure that your seat belt is fastened, your seat back is upright and your tray-table is stowed.

At Veritas Airways, your safety is our first priority. Actually, that is not quite true: if it were, our seats would be rear-facing, like those in military aircraft, since they are safer in the event of an emergency landing. But then hardly anybody would buy our tickets and we would go bust.

The flight attendants are now pointing out the emergency exits. This is the part of the announcement that you might want to pay attention to. So stop your sudoku for a minute and listen: knowing in advance where the exits are makes a dramatic difference to your chances of survival if we have to evacuate the aircraft.

Also, please keep your seat belt fastened when seated, even if the seat-belt light is not illuminated. This is to protect you from the risk of clear-air turbulence, a rare but extremely nasty form of disturbance that can cause severe injury. Imagine the heavy food trolleys jumping into the air and bashing into the overhead lockers, and you will have some idea of how nasty it can be. We don't want to scare you. Still, keep that seat belt fastened all the same.

Your life-jacket can be found under your seat, but please do not remove it now. In fact, do not bother to look for it at all. In the event of a landing on water, an unprecedented miracle will have occurred, because in the history of aviation the number of wide-bodied aircraft that have made successful landings on water is zero.

This aircraft is equipped with inflatable slides that detach to form life rafts, not that it makes any difference. Please remove high-heeled shoes before using the slides. We might as well add that space helmets and anti-gravity belts should also be removed, since even to mention the use of the slides as rafts is to enter the realm of science fiction.

Please switch off all mobile phones, since they can interfere with the aircraft's navigation systems. At least, that's what you've always been told. The real reason to switch them off is because they interfere with mobile networks on the ground, but somehow that doesn't sound quite so good.

On most flights a few mobile phones are left on by mistake, so if they were really dangerous we would not allow them on board at all, if you think about it. We will have to come clean about this next year, when we introduce in-flight calling across the Veritas fleet. At that point the prospect of taking a cut of the sky-high calling charges will miraculously cause our safety concerns about mobile phones to evaporate.

On channel 11 of our in-flight entertainment system you will find a video consisting of abstract imagery and a new-age soundtrack, with a voice-over explaining some exercises you can do to reduce the risk of deep-vein thrombosis. We are aware that this video is tedious, but it is not meant to be fun. It is meant to limit our liability in the event of lawsuits.

Once we have reached cruising altitude you will be offered a light meal and a choice of beverages—a word that sounds so much better than just saying ‘drinks’, don't you think?

The purpose of these refreshments is partly to keep you in your seats where you cannot do yourselves or anyone else any harm. Please consume alcohol in moderate quantities so that you become mildly sedated but not rowdy. That said, we can always turn the cabin air-quality down a notch or two to help ensure that you are sufficiently drowsy.

After take-off, the most dangerous part of the flight, the captain will say a few words that will either be so quiet that you will not be able to hear them, or so loud that they could wake the dead.

So please sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.

We appreciate that you have a choice of airlines and we thank you for choosing Veritas, a member of an incomprehensible alliance of obscure foreign outfits, most of which you have never heard of.

Cabin crew, please make sure we have remembered to close the doors. Sorry, I mean: ‘Doors to automatic and cross-check’.

Thank you for flying Veritas.”

####

20060921 KDDC Carroll Times article in Spanish

Crash victim was saving for wedding

The Carroll County Times

Para la historia completa vaya a la página.

For previous KDDC post (Spanish language coverage of the tragic traffic accident in Westminster)
click here.

POR ARI NATTER AND TOMAS PAGAN-MOTTA, TIMES STAFF WRITERS

Un imigrante Hispano de 21 años que fue atropeyado por un carro de la policía y herido mortalmente Martes por la noche vivia y trabajaba en Westminster para ahorrar dinero para poder casarse por la iglesia en su pais, dijo uno de sus hermanos el Miércoles.

Mario García Salgado murió cuando fue atropeyado por un carro de el Carroll County Sheriff’s deputy mientras cruzaba en bicicleta una parte de la Md. 140 cerca de la Md. 27, dijo la policía.

Find the rest of this article here.

Reach staff writer Ari Natter at 410-751-5908 or nattera@lcniofmd.com.

Para comunicarse con staff writer Tomas Pagan-Motta llame al 410-857-7890 or tmotta@lcniofmd.com.

####

20060921 KDDC Spanish language coverage of the tragic traffic accident in Westminster

“Thumbs Up” © Kevin Dayhoff Sept. 21, 2006

Spanish language coverage of the tragic traffic accident in Westminster

Posted by Kevin Dayhoff September 21^st, 2006

In regards to the local news coverage of the tragic accident in Westminster in which a bicyclist was killed on Rte 140, the Carroll County Times published an article today by Ari Natter and Tomas Pagan-Motta in the print edition which referred the reader to the story – in Spanish – on-line. Para la historia completa vaya a la página.

The Carroll County Times is to be congratulated for including an article in the language of the local Latino community of the victim.

I only wish that the paper had been able to find the space to publish the Spanish version in the print edition.

Never-the-less, I especially appreciated that the article was on-line. In today’s globalized world, one can only wonder just how many folks from this gentleman’s native community were able to access the article, by way of the internet, and read a news account about his unfortunate death. In my limited experience, knowing the circumstances is sometimes helpful in attempting to make some sense out of the tenuous mysteries of life and death.

In today’s world, at the first hint that a friend, a neighbor, former classmate or a loved one is involved in the news outside our immediate community, the first place the computer literate goes is on-line to find a local newspaper account.

Of course, this is easier now that more newspapers are on-line. It gets hard when the publication is in a foreign language.

My ear to the ground reveals that there are folks in our community who are unhappy that the Times did this. Ay caramba.

Folks, this is not a political issue and hurts one’s head when local activists project their political agenda ahead of their humanity. Putting the article in Spanish was a compassionate thing to do and again, the Times is to be applauded.

My article in the Westminster Eagle did not make it on-line until late Wednesday afternoon. I only wish that I had thought of making it available in Spanish.

As far as the criticism, if I worked for the Carroll County Times, I would be one of the first to present myself in Jim Lee’s office, the editor of the Times, and commence to pound on his desk with a frozen burrito requiring him to respond to the criticism – in the print edition, in Spanish. He may refer the readers to the on-line edition of the paper to read it in English.

Ya know, sometimes integrity requires one to do the right thing when everyone around you disagrees. Leadership is often leading folks to someplace to somewhere that they were unaware that they needed to go.

We live in a community in which many new folks have arrived that are of a different culture and speak a different language. They have feelings. They cry at tragedies. They have families and they work hard and try to do the right thing.

And oh, did I mention - they also speak a different language.

I ain’t threatened by that and nor should you. As an artist and a writer, I have probably more insecurities than the next person in the grocery store check-out line. The fact that the next person in line speaks Spanish just is not one of my hang-ups.

They will learn English just as most of our forbearers in Carroll County learned English when the predominant language was German.

The artificial walls in our community are not a Carroll County tradition and this is not the time to begin such a tradition. We have a tradition in Carroll County of being a caring and compassionate community and instead of erecting artificial walls we should be building bridges.

For those who are not aware, I made a living in the green industry. I used to say that I knew what a “greenhouse” was long before it was an “effect.” Growing up near Westminster Nurseries, I became aware of immigrant Spanish speaking workers long before they became a national discussion, much less a local conversation. I went on to work with Spanish workers throughout my professional life. Being around Spanish speaking folks is not an anomaly for me and I certainly don’t feel threatened, physiologically, socially, politically and most certainly not physically.

They are folks just like us. They have my utmost respect. They travel thousands of miles away from home to work long hours and send money home to make for a better life for their families. Can someone please explain to me where’s the problem?

And don’t tell me that they are taking away work from Americans. Any American that wants to work can compete for a job with anyone anywhere. It’s just that there is more work on hand than folks available to fill the jobs and the global market has stepped-in to fill a void. I don’t always like market forces, but the market is a natural phenomenon for which I have profound respect.

If someone can do my job better than me, then I guess they deserve to have my job and it is my responsibility to redouble my efforts to be employable.

I would like to see the local papers include more articles in Spanish. Not only is it good marketing, but it also aids in making our community the best salad we can be as we don’t lose our individual identity, yet come together to make a better whole.

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

20060921 KDDC Unhinged Maryland Democrats behaving badly

“MD Senate President Mike Miller, aka the “Silver Fox” can punch.

– He’s a contender”

September 21, 2006 © Kevin Dayhoff

MD Senate President Mike Miller allegedly punches opponent supporter

The WBAL radio web site is carrying a story that “A Prince George's County developer is accusing Maryland Senate President Mike Miller of punching him:”

I got a phone yesterday (Wednesday) evening that at a land-use hearing in southern Maryland - Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert and Prince George’s Cos.) took offense at an individual’s verbal support of the President Miller’s opponent and it was alleged that he hauled-off and punched him.

I appreciated the tip (from a very reliable source,) however, I held back with the blaze-on fingers at the keyboard because of the serious nature of the mere suggestion of an act of violence by none-other than the president of the Maryland Senate. If that really happened, it is a serious miss-step on the part of our Maryland Senate president. One of many in the last year or so.

Before you draw any conclusions, bear in mind that this will undoubtedly quickly become a “he said – she said.”

And true to form, as I scoured for addition news reports on the incident, early Thursday afternoon, the Baltimore Sun has come riding-in to the rescue. In their version of the story, “Miller said the charges are "absolutely, unequivocally" not true.”

Advancing age allows me to recognize political silliness when I see it and when nonsense like this blazes across my computer screen, I look for reliable sources. Not included on that list when it comes to politics is the Baltimore Sun. I’ve been there and got the t-shirt.

Many of the Sun’s business writers, arts, … and many of the other features of the paper, I can read and enjoy. However, I take whatever the Sun’s political writers say with a grain of salt and plenty of collateral reading before I draw any conclusions.

To that end, one writer I have followed for a number of years, S. A. Miller of the Washington Times also reported exculpatory information: “Mr. (Mike) Miller's spokeswoman, however, said nothing happened. ‘It's not true,’ Lisa McMurray said last night. ‘I don't know what to tell you.’”

Well, I know what to tell ya. Considering the erratic behavior of the Senate president in the last year, many are going to be predisposed to believe that President Miller has become unglued.

Meanwhile, as this latest Sumu wrestling match plays itself out, the fracas needs to moved to the side of the road while potential leadership in the state sticks to the real issues that affect the average voter at the family dinner table. Politicians behaving badly rains on everyone’s parade, no matter what party.

Which brings us to one more thing, before the humor begins.

For Pete’s sake, one can easily characterize the behavior of a number of the members of Maryland’s Democratic leadership as exhibiting the behavior of a two-year old in a high chair throwing food. But, whatever your politics, no-one wants to believe that the president of the Maryland Senate really physically struck someone – anyone, for that matter.

The once proud Maryland General Assembly is already the laughing stock of the nation. However, as much as any of us can mutter under their breath that the august institution deserves that accolade, ultimately, such a characterization of Maryland’s lawmaking body is a reflection upon all of us and eventually, inevitably, all of us are hurt by the Maryland General Assembly’s recent lapses in judgment and childish behavior.

Anyway the Sun reports that it is all a misunderstanding. The paper managed to dig up additional information and reports, “Yates Clagett, who works for the Prince George's County Soil Conservation District and attended the meeting, said” President Miller was just playing with the alleged victim, a developer, Leo Bruso of Land and Commercial Incorporated.

However, for those of us who have read the Sun for years, we have certainly never-ever witnessed the Sun only tell part of the story or engage in selective quotation to promulgate a liberal-biased point of view. Of course not.

None of the other publications that have covered the story have provided extensive exculpatory information. One only wishes that the Baltimore Sun would work as hard to find “the rest of the story,” when it reports upon the activities of Republicans.

As far as the alleged boxing match incident with President Slugger Miller (aka Slugger,) one cannot be everywhere to witness the random acts of violence that are the foundation of Maryland politics. But usually, these days, the violence is only verbal. But how many of us would have paid good money to have been there for a ring-side seat to see the Senate president once again come unhinged?

Hopefully we have come a long way since the election riots of 1856 in Baltimore City. These days the only “riots” are of the verbal and parliamentary variety in the Maryland General Assembly.

I mean, everyone is aware that politics in Maryland is often referred to as a “blood contact sport,” however; this is to be understood as a euphemism to explain how seriously folks in the Old Line State take issues of governance and the promulgation of public policy.

I usually like to refer to politics in Maryland as a Sumu wrestling match between big heavy sweaty guys in diapers, grunting loudly and hugging each other to the mat. Now that leaves you with an endless possibility of visuals, doesn’t it?

Only apparently it is being alleged that President Miller didn’t get the memo - that we can take our politics seriously but we’re not supposed to actually “contact” one another in a public discourse.

Sticks and stones can break your bones but words will never hurt you.

Allegedly, President Miller is finished with the hurtful words and is now “taking off the gloves” to duke it out with his opponents.

It has not been a good year for President Miller. All the warning signs have been evident for those of us who are trained to recognize the potential of a person to resort to violence.

President Miller was quoted on January 13^th, 2006 by Gazette writers Thomas Dennison, Douglas Tallman and Alan Brody to say “Senate President Mike Miller started it off Tuesday, telling a raucous bunch of Democrats that Bob Ehrlich’s service to Marylanders is akin to a one-eyed bull humping a cow.” (“Opening Day,” Gazette, January 13, 2006) Oh, now isn’t that just beautiful?

Then in the same article, Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley picked up the rhetoric by saying: “‘The Democratic Party’s message has become clearer with every passing year with the failures of the Ehrlich administration,’ O’Malley said. ‘’We are prepared for battle.’”

Surely, the fit and buff soft-spoken mayor did not expect his lieutenants to put up their dukes?

But the Gazette writers then warned Governor Ehrlich and Maryland’s Lt. Gov. Michael Steele that violence loomed when they wrote: “… Miller’s comments in The (Baltimore) Sun that Dems would shoot down high-flying GOP members and bury the GOP ‘face down.’ We’re going to put them in the ground, and it’ll be 10 years before they crawl out again,’ quoth the Silver Fox. Miller looked chagrined at having his words repeated, and laughed off the remarks as being directed at Bob Ehrlich and Mike Steele, not Senate Republicans.”

President Slugger Miller’s quotes were subsequently ubiquitously posted on the second floor of the Maryland State House.

On January 23^rd, 2006, Jon Ward wrote a Washington Times piece, “Miller’s words fire up rivals,” which reflected: “Mr. Miller said Thursday that he knew his quote was put on the doors on the second floor. But he said he didn't think he had given Republicans any extra motivation. "They don't need motivation," Mr. Miller said. "They're Kool-Aid drinkers."

Well apparently in addition to Kool-Aid, any opponent that crosses President Slugger Miller’s path may also need smelling salts.

In the same article by Jon Ward: “Lenny Alcivar, Mr. Steele's campaign spokesman, said his office was aware of Mr. Miller's quote. ‘think it's safe to say that given the broad support that the lieutenant governor and the governor are clearly showing and given the feedback from Marylanders ... [Mr. Miller] will wake up one day soon and regret that lapse in judgment,’ Mr. Alcivar said.”

Perhaps the day that President Slugger Miller woke up to regret those words was earlier this morning. Meanwhile there is no confirmation that President Miller is awaked to the theme song from the Sylvester Stallone movie series, “Rocky.” One can just see President Slugger Miller in front of the mirror in the morning, repeating to himself, “I’m a contender. I’m a contender,” as he shadow boxes his way to some orange juice, yogurt and toast.

And speaking of toast there have been many whispers in the hallways that Senate president’s longstanding run may be coming to a close. Chances are that Anne Arundel voters will return President Miller to the Senate as they have for the past “31 years, 19 of them as Senate president.” (S. A. Miller, Washington Times, Sept. 21, 2006)

However, many believe that it is time for the Senate president to retire. It is looking like there will be some changes in the Democratic make-up of the Senate for the next legislative session and whispers in the hallway are that folks want a change. The courts have overturned several legislative initiatives of the Democratic leadership in the last several months and many voters are having conversations over the kitchen table and the backyard fence that all the anti-gubernatorial gotcha obstructionism and partisan politics are getting old.

President Mike Miller – oh he’s a contender all right – for retirement.

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

Miller – Md Senate Pres. Thomas V. Mike Miller

Humor Political, Miller – Md. Sen. Pres. Mike Miller, Maryland General Assembly Opera, Art,

“MD Senate President Mike Miller, aka the “Silver Fox” can punch.

– He’s a contender”

20060921 SDOSM Unhinged Maryland Democrats behaving badly

20060921 KDDC Unhinged Maryland Democrats behaving badly

20060921 NBH Unhinged Maryland Democrats behaving badly

20060921 KDDC SHANA TOVA 5767

SHANA TOVA 5767

Al hadesheh tal vageshem veshana tova
Uvadelet or utchelet shel hayom haba
Min haru'ach daf shaluach chadashot tovot
Magiot al knaf haruach el halevavot.

Ulai im hashana tihye tova
Nishkach darchey madon ve'achzava
Beyachad litzliley hashir haba nirkod kulanu
Ulai nishlach bracha ulai gluya
Ulai bichlal nashir haleluya
Mipney shehashana hazot
tluya be'etzem banu.

Lo shachahchti ech halachti bedarchey achzav
Mechapeset chen vachesed
bitchilat hastav
Mitrageshet ufogeshet anashim vataf
Uvona itam beyachad bayit meshutaf

Ulai....

Al hadeshe tal vageshem veshana tova.

####

20060921 KDDC One of my favorite Fallfest pictures

One of my favorite Fallfest pictures

I have been attending Westminster’s annual Fallfest since perhaps the very first one in 1978. Over the years I have accumulated many fond memories, however, unfortunately I do not have many photographs from years ago. I haven’t a clue as to why.

Whatever.

In recent years, I have taken many photographs and they bring back fond memories. However, the one posted above may be one of my favorites.

Can you guess who this community leader is?

For previous posts about Westminster’s Fallfest, please go to:

20060916 KDDC A reprint of my Westminster Fallfest column from ...

17 Sep 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

The picture above is from the 1983 Fallfest celebration when it was still held on ... My column, on the Westminster Fallfest, which appeared in the paper on September ... Fallfest is in a category all to itself. Fallfest is a wonderful ...

20060916 KDDC Who put the fun in Westminster Fallfest fundraising?

17 Sep 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Who put the fun in Westminster Fallfest fundraising? September 16, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff Westminster’s 29th annual Fallfest celebration begins tomorrow and continues through next Sunday. For many of us it is one of the highlights of ...

My Wednesday, September 20^th, 2006 Westminster Eagle column is also about Fallfest: “Who put the fun in Fallfest fund-raising? ”

The column can be found here, however, when the column rotates off the current “front” of the Westminster Eagle’s web site it is assigned another URL when it is archived. Therefore you will have to go into archives, a rectangular button halfway down the left hand tool bar and press the radio button for: ”Kevin Dayhoff” and “Winchester Report,” to find my past articles and columns. It chron sorts well…

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

20060919 KDDC Updated Carroll County Sheriffs Deputy involved in fatal accident

Updated: Carroll County Sheriffs Deputy involved in fatal accident

Updated 6:20 AM September 20th, 2006

More information has come in on an earlier KDDC post: “Bicyclist killed in late night accident on Rte 140 in Westminster.”

A dark stretch of eastbound Rte 140 between the Rte 27 overpass and Center St. in Westminster was the scene of a fatal accident involving a bicyclist and a Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy late Tuesday evening.

The accident was first dispatched at 10:40 PM and Westminster, Pleasant Valley and Reese Fire Departments responded.

According to news release received at 6:17 AM from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department, “Bicyclist struck by deputy’s patrol car:” “Corporal Carlos Bustos, a five-year veteran of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling Eastbound Route 140 East of the Route 27 overpass when his patrol car collided with a bicyclist. According to witness statements, the bicyclist was crossing the darkened section of highway from the Town Mall when he was struck. The bicyclist, identified as Mario Garcia Salgado aged 25 of Westminster, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from the Westminster Fire Company.”

There is a number of street lights out in this dangerous stretch of highway and the fire companies stayed on scene for hours to illuminate the area as the accident reconstruction team from the Maryland State Police conducted a joint investigation of the accident with the Westminster Police Department.

Police agencies from Westminster Police Department, the Maryland State Police and the Sheriff’s Department remained at the accident for several hours.

The news release stated that “Corporal Bustos was transported to Carroll Hospital Center where he was treated for lacerations to his left arm and hand. Investigators from the Westminster Police Department, assisted by Maryland State Police CRASH Team Investigators are conducting a detailed investigation of the accident. Captain Randy Barnes, Patrol Commander for the Westminster Police Department advised completion of the accident investigation and reconstruction could take several weeks.”

For more information contact Lieutenant Phil Kasten at (410) 386-2759.

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

20060919 KDDC Naked Cowboy

Naked Cowboy

The top picture is from the Naked Cowboy web site.

The next photo down is a “Getty Images photo: Corporate Sponsorship Naked Cowboy. Have a Coke, a smile and a song, courtesy of Naked Cowboy. Dec. 5, 2003 in Times Square.”

Perhaps you will never again think of Coca-Cola in the same way...

The next photo is also from Getty Images… “Child-proof Naked Cowboy. Four young girls stuff money in the boots of Naked Cowboy on July 5, 2003 in Times Square in New York.”

The bottom photo is also from Getty Images… “Patriotic Naked Cowboy. Naked Cowboy dons the Stars and Stripes as he walks amidst the panels of a giant US flag, made up of individual quilt panels sent from people in all 50 states, after it was unveiled in Union Square in New York City. July 4, 2002.”

I had never heard of the “Naked Cowboy.” I guess I’ve led a sheltered life.

I found this on the Times-Herald Record web page when I was following the news thread for the X-rated teacher’s memo. I kid you not. Must be sweeps rating week.

Whatever.

Ya know, he'd be a big hit in Westminster. Maybe for Fallfest? Whadda ya think Uncle Ron?

For more information click here. Go ahead, live it up. Miraculously it is “G” rated. Only in America. Is this a great country or what?

####

20060919 KDDC Central Valley teacher gives x-rated handout

Central Valley teacher gives x rated handout

What I want to know is why didn’t we have teachers like this when I went to school?

The Associated Press reports, “School officials apologized after an X-rated font was used on a third-grade spelling packet handed out to parents. The font showed male and female stick figures in provocative poses to form the letters of the alphabet.

Officials with the Monroe-Woodbury School District in Orange County apologized last week after parents at Pine Tree Elementary School were given the spelling packet at an open house.

Administrators said the teacher did not use the font intentionally.

Monroe is about 45 miles northwest of New York City.”

There were several mentions about this in Tuesday’s news – but the best was the original news article by Kristina Wells in the Times Herald-Record: “Central Valley teacher gives x-rated handout - Sexy script was mistake.”

Her editors certainly gave her some artistic leeway when she began her article:

“Central Valley — "E" is for embarrassed — like the teacher who inadvertently used a kinky alphabet in a handout to parents.

"C" is for the calls alerting school officials to the sexy script. And "A" is for the apology that followed.

A veteran teacher used the font — depicting quasi-anatomically correct male and female stick figures contorting into letters of the alphabet — on the cover sheet of a spelling curriculum given to parents at a Pine Tree Elementary open house last week.

Think Kama Sutra meets Sesame Street.

But at first glance, it's difficult to make out the salaciousness of the type font.

Sources said the teacher had no idea the alphabet was offensive when she downloaded the font from the Internet. It's unclear if any disciplinary action has been or will be taken against the teacher, who sources said has been with the district for many years.”

Read the rest of her article here, hopefully they use permalinks…

The article is short and well worth the time. Hat’s off to her editor for letting her write it in the funny manner.

####

20060919 KDDC Everything men need to know about women’s shoes

Everything men need to know about women’s shoes

Columnist Maude Franceschina, writing for the Frederick News Post explains in her September 19th, 2006 column, everything men need to know about women’s shoes.

Well sorta. I still have many questions. I haven’t a clue as to why anyone would want to where shoes in which they cannot walk?

I think very little about my shoes - - or what to wear for that matter. A point for which I am reminded from time to time. Apparently I am not in the running for being designated a clothes-horse. To which I usually respond by giving the fashion critic 50 cents so they can go call someone who cares.

Anyway – I liked her final line, which I did understand: “I plan to wear red cowboy boots when voters reject the soft on national security Democrats this November (I couldn't resist).”

If the Democrats do prevail in the “Fall elections - Democrat Wave Theory”, we will all need our running shoes.

Fortunately, President Bush’s approval rating is on the rise according to a September 19th, 2006 Gallop News Service article by Joseph Carroll: “Bush job approval up to 44%:”

“Highest approval rating so far this year. PRINCETON, NJ -- A new USA Today/Gallup poll finds George W. Bush's job approval rating is now at 44%, which is an improvement compared with the public's assessment of his performance in recent months. Bush's job approval ratings have been fluid in recent weeks, measuring as high as 42% in mid-August, but dropping back to 39% earlier this month.”

Read the rest of Gallop piece here.

And enjoy Ms. Franceschina’s column here.

####

20060919 KDDC Bicyclist killed in late night accident on Rte 140 in Westminster

Bicyclist killed in late night accident on Rte 140 in Westminster

Photos by Kevin Dayhoff © www.kevindayhoff.com Sept. 19, 2006

A dark stretch of eastbound Rte 140 between the Rte 27 overpass and Center St. in Westminster was the scene of a fatal accident involving a bicyclist and a Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy late Tuesday evening.

The accident was first dispatched at 10:40 PM and Westminster, Pleasant Valley and Reese Fire Departments responded.

There is a number of street lights out in this dangerous stretch of highway and the fire companies stayed on scene for hours to illuminate the area as the accident reconstruction team from the Maryland State Police conducted a joint investigation of the accident with the Westminster Police Department.

Police agencies from Westminster, the Maryland State Police and the Sheriff’s Department remained at the accident for several hours.

No additional details were available as this is being posted. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

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

20060919 KDDC Bicyclist killed in late night accident on Rte 140 in Westminster

Bicyclist killed in late night accident on Rte 140 in Westminster

Photos by Kevin Dayhoff © www.kevindayhoff.com Sept. 19, 2006

A dark stretch of eastbound Rte 140 between the Rte 27 overpass and Center St. in Westminster was the scene of a fatal accident involving a bicyclist and a Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy late Tuesday evening.

The accident was first dispatched at 10:40 PM and Westminster, Pleasant Valley and Reese Fire Departments responded.

There is a number of street lights out in this dangerous stretch of highway and the fire companies stayed on scene for hours to illuminate the area as the accident reconstruction team from the Maryland State Police conducted a joint investigation of the accident with the Westminster Police Department.

Police agencies from Westminster, the Maryland State Police and the Sheriff’s Department remained at the accident for several hours.

No additional details were available as this is being posted. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

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

20060919 KDDC Bicyclist killed in late night accident on Rte 140 in Westminster

Bicyclist killed in late night accident on Rte 140 in Westminster

Photos by Kevin Dayhoff © www.kevindayhoff.com Sept. 19, 2006

A dark stretch of eastbound Rte 140 between the Rte 27 overpass and Center St. in Westminster was the scene of a fatal accident involving a bicyclist and a Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy late Tuesday evening.

The accident was first dispatched at 10:40 PM and Westminster, Pleasant Valley and Reese Fire Departments responded.

There is a number of street lights out in this dangerous stretch of highway and the fire companies stayed on scene for hours to illuminate the area as the accident reconstruction team from the Maryland State Police conducted a joint investigation of the accident with the Westminster Police Department.

Police agencies from Westminster, the Maryland State Police and the Sheriff’s Department remained at the accident for several hours.

No additional details were available as this is being posted. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

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

20060917 KDDC Cartoon MD Primary Election Voters What Voters

MD Primary Elections on September 12, 2006: "Voters? What Voters?"

"Voters? What Voters?"

Cartoon by (c) Kevin Dayhoff

September 13, 2006

State elections administrator Linda Lamone and Maryland General Assembly Speaker of the House, Mike Busch engage in a spirited conversation about the Maryland primary elections on September 12^th, 2006: “Voters? What Voters?”

For a previous post on Maryland’s primary election fiasco, see my post on September 15th, 2006: “20060915 KDDC Crablaw is staying on top of Maryland’s primary election fiasco.”

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20060917 KDDC Oriana Fallaci buried today Sunday Sept 17 2006

Oriana Fallaci buried today Sunday September 17th, 2006

Oriana Fallaci: Burial Sunday At Florence Evangelical Cemetery

(AGI) - Florence, Sept 16 - Now it all seems confirmed: Oriana Fallaci, who passed away at the Santa Chiara clinic in Florence on the night of September 14th, will be buried tomorrow in the Evangelical Cemetery of Laurels at Galluzzo. There will be no formal funeral, at her request, just a few old friends to say good-bye and then the burial. (AGI) 161350 SET 06

15 Settembre 2006 10:50 [Cronaca] Fallaci: Morta In Clinica, Funerali In Forma Privata: [..](AGI) - Firenze, 15 set. - Oriana Fallaci e' deceduta nella casa di cura Santa Chiara, una clinica privata, nel centro storico fiorentino, dove era ricoverata dalla scorsa settimana. La giornalista e' stata assistita dalla sorella Paola e da un nipote che l'hanno seguita fino all'ultimo momento [..]

For my previous post on Ms. Fallaci, please see:20060915 KDDC Italian lioness of letters Oriana Fallaci had died today: 15 Sep 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff: Italian lioness of letters Oriana Fallaci had died September 15, 2006 A difficult schedule and several deadlines unfortunately do not allow me to drop everything and write about her. However, I will post about her as soon as I get a ... Read the rest here. ####

Risultati da 1 a 10 di 15 documenti trovati su: Oriana Fallaci:

15 Settembre 2006 09:32 [PCM - Oggi in Italia] Firenze: E' Morta Oriana Fallaci, Era Malata Da Tempo: [..](AGI) - Firenze, 15 set. - Si e' spenta in un ospedale fiorentino, a 77 anni, dopo una lunga malattia, Oriana Fallaci, la scrittrice controversa, contestata in piu' di una occasione per le sue dichiarazioni, di recente soprattutto a causa dei suoi interventi relativi ai rapporti con l'Islam. Nata a [..]

15 Settembre 2006 14:01 [Cronaca] Oriana Fallaci Si E' Spenta Nella Notte A Firenze: [..](AGI) - Roma, 15 set. - Si e' spenta nella notte in un ospedale fiorentino, a 77 anni, dopo una lunga malattia, Oriana Fallaci, la scrittrice controversa, contestata in piu' di una occasione per le sue dichiarazioni, di recente soprattutto a causa dei suoi interventi relativi ai rapporti con l'Islam[..]

15 Settembre 2006 09:48 [Cronache locali - Firenze] Fallaci: Renzi, Straordinaria Espressione Della Fiorentinita': [..](AGI) - Firenze, 15 set. - 'Oriana Fallaci era una delle piu' straordinarie espressioni della fiorentinita' nel mondo. Una fiorentinita' che ha testimoniato, nella sua prestigiosa carriera di giornalista e scrittrice, tanto nei suoi pregi universalmente riconosciuti quanto negli aspetti che sono sta[..]

15 Settembre 2006 11:14 [Cronache locali - Firenze] Fallaci: Due Giorni Fa La Visita Di Mons. Fisichella: [..](AGI) - Firenze, 15 set. - Oriana Fallaci, secondo alcune fonti, avrebbe ricevuto due giorni fa a Villa Santa Chiara, a Firenze, dove era ricoverata, la visita di Monsignor Rino Fisichella, rettore della Pontificia Universita' Lateranense, cappellano di Montecitorio, con cui la scomparsa scrittrice [..]

15 Settembre 2006 10:54 [Politica] Fallaci: Napolitano, Protagonista Di Vivaci Battaglie: [..](AGI) - Roma, 15 set. - Il Presidente della Repubblica Giorgio Napolitano, appresa la notizia della morte di Oriana Fallaci, ha inviato ai familiari un messaggio di intensa partecipazione al loro dolore, nel quale si legge: "Scompare con Oriana Fallaci una giornalista di fama mondiale, autrice di gr[..]

15 Settembre 2006 10:53 [PCM - Italy On Line] Fallaci: Napolitano, Protagonista Di Vivaci Battaglie: [..](AGI) - Roma, 15 set. - Il Presidente della Repubblica Giorgio Napolitano, appresa la notizia della morte di Oriana Fallaci, ha inviato ai familiari un messaggio di intensa partecipazione al loro dolore, nel quale si legge: "Scompare con Oriana Fallaci una giornalista di fama mondiale, autrice di gr[..]

15 Settembre 2006 14:26 [Cronache locali - Firenze] Fallaci: Martini, Ha Incrociato Storia E Politica Del '900: [..](AGI) - Firenze, 15 set. - "Ci lascia una grande giornalista e scrittrice che, come pochi, ha incrociato con la sua attivita' professionale la storia e la politica di decenni cruciali del Novecento. Una personalita' ricca e complessa che ha vissuto a contatto con il mondo mantenendo pero' un forte l[..]

15 Settembre 2006 12:10 [Politica] Fallaci: Bertinotti, Protagonista Del Dibattito Culturale: [..](AGI) - Roma, 15 set. - "Nell'apprendere la notizia della scomparsa di Oriana Fallaci, illustre personalita' della letteratura e del giornalismo italiano e protagonista del dibattito culturale sui temi del mondo contemporaneo, esprimo a Voi tutti i sentimenti del profondo cordoglio mio personale e d[..]

15 Settembre 2006 12:07 [PCM - Italy On Line] Fallaci: Bertinotti, Protagonista Del Dibattito Culturale: [..](AGI) - Roma, 15 set. - "Nell'apprendere la notizia della scomparsa di Oriana Fallaci, illustre personalita' della letteratura e del giornalismo italiano e protagonista del dibattito culturale sui temi del mondo contemporaneo, esprimo a Voi tutti i sentimenti del profondo cordoglio mio personale e d[..]

15 Settembre 2006 10:50 [Cronaca] Fallaci: Morta In Clinica, Funerali In Forma Privata: [..](AGI) - Firenze, 15 set. - Oriana Fallaci e' deceduta nella casa di cura Santa Chiara, una clinica privata, nel centro storico fiorentino, dove era ricoverata dalla scorsa settimana. La giornalista e' stata assistita dalla sorella Paola e da un nipote che l'hanno seguita fino all'ultimo momento [..]