20060725 KDDC President signs American Flag Display Act

President Signs the "Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005"

Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett present for the signing

July 24, 2006

Back in January 2005, Congressman Bartlett (R-MD) introduced H.R. 42, "Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005,” which would prevent condominium and homeowner associations from restricting how the American flag can be displayed.

It certainly may seem a no-brainer to the average American, however, as unbelievable as it seems, such legislation had become necessary. We live in an era when many privileges we had come to accept as routine, are not acceptable in a world turned upside down.

For example, I find myself bewildered that we find ourselves in a time and place in our society where School Prayer is a Crime and pornography is a protected form of free speech.

Cliff Cumber, writing for the Frederick News Post notes, “Mr. Bartlett, a Republican representing Western Maryland, said he was shocked to learn from constituent and flag dealer, Hugh Warner, that some homeowner associations and condos prevented the flying of the flag.”

Well, “shocked” is one to put it. Can someone please explain what a homeowners or condominium association was thinking when it was written in the by-laws that a person could not display a flag.

Mr. Cumber also reported: “In a press release sent in late June, National Independent Flag Dealer's Association President Lori Watson said people in every state were affected by the law that banned the flying of the U.S. flag. ‘I've had WWII veterans in tears, calling me and begging us for years for our help so they can fly the American flag,’ she said.”

Unbelievable.

In many published accounts, the American flag display act is one of ten pieces of legislation being referred to as the "American Values Agenda."

Perhaps they should be referred to as the “Common Sense Acts of 2006.”

The collection is reported to include “protections for the public display of religion, tax relief for families, prohibition of cloning and defining marriage as between one man and one woman. The agenda was developed by House leadership.”

Of the flag display act, according to the White House web site, President George W. Bush said, “Today, I was pleased to sign into law the "Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005."

“Americans have long flown our flag at their homes as an expression of their appreciation for our freedoms and their pride in our Nation. As our brave men and women continue to fight to protect our country overseas, Congress has passed an important measure to protect our citizens' right to express their patriotism here at home without burdensome restrictions.”

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett’s office reports:

“Americans Now Free to Display the Their American Flags at Their Homes

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett Present When President Bush Signed H.R. 42 into Law - First American Values Agenda of House Republicans to Become Law”

“It was quick, but very exciting," said Congressman Roscoe Bartlett of the meeting in the Oval Office today with President Bush where he signed his bill, "The Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005" (H.R. 42) into law.

The press release went on to say, “Effective immediately, it will ensure the right of an individual to display the flag of the United States at their home.”

The House approved it on June 27. The Senate approved it on July 17.

"It's very exciting to know that Americans are now free to fly the flag at their homes," said Congressman Bartlett. "I was alarmed when I learned that some homeowners associations and condos all over the country prevent Americans from flying the American flag.”

“It's hard to see how flying an American flag could depreciate the value of a condo. That's why I introduced this bill. H.R. 42 provides reasonable guidelines to guarantee Americans the freedom to display the American flag at their homes.

I am grateful for the support I received for this bill from the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, American Veterans (AMVETS), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), the American Legion, the National Independent Flag Dealer's Association and the Community Associations Institute (CAI)."

U.S. House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement after President Bush signed into law the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, sponsored by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD):

"Every American should be able to display the American flag on their own residential property. Simply put, homeowners associations and condominiums should not be able to restrict the rights of those wanting to display the flag at their homes. Displaying the American flag should be the right of each and every citizen and I'd like to thank Rep. Bartlett for his work on this important legislation and the values it represents for our country."

Various newspaper articles can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Compiled from a press release from Congressman Bartlett’s office, various news accounts and information gathered from http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/

For additional information: Contact Lisa Lyons Wright at 202-225-2517 or 202-225-9554 or lisa.wright@mail.house.gov

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20060624 KDDC Coverage of the Carroll County Fair

Coverage of the Carroll County Fair

July 24^th, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Whether you are new to the area or a Carroll County native of many generations, the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair is one of the highlights of the year.

A history of the Fair appeared in the Sunday edition of the Carroll Sun. “Still going strong after a century of change” by Ellie Baublitz is great review of the history of the beginnings of the Fair, that I sure wish that I had written.

This year as in the last several years, some of the best coverage can be found in the Carroll County Times.

Be sure to check out the several articles in the Sunday, July 23^rd, 2006 edition.

As usual, staff reporter Carrie Knauer does a great job with bringing to the readers attention that the Fair is coming and what goes into the making of the Fair.

If you have any questions, check out: “Notes from the Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair,” a Fair blog by Ms. Knauer. There you can type in questions – and get answers. Click here to access the blog.

And oh, someone please get whoever took the latest picture of Ms. Knauer to take another picture of Jamie Kelly. See my previous post on this matter – here: “20060622 KDDC A picture suggestion for Jamie Kelly.”

The Carroll County Times does not use permalinks, so go to the following articles as soon as possible to check Ms. Knauer’s stories from the Sunday Carroll County Times: “Fair's events appeal to city folk, too,” and “NEW COMPETITIONS, events REFLECT PAST, PRESENT,” and “Tricked out tractor: Harney youth takes part in new mechanical arts competition.”

In the last hyperlink referring you to the “Tricked out tractor…,” there is a great photo by Kyle Nosal, “Kevin Ridinger, 16, stands on his restored 1941 Farmall H tractor, right, and an original, unrestored 1940/50's Farmall H tractor outside of his home Wednesday afternoon.”

Then again, the Times has a history and tradition of excellent photographers and great use of photos in the paper.

It will be interesting to see what the paper does with the newly introduced use of video with the Fair. The possibilities are endless.

As the Fair approaches and gets into full gear, be sure to follow Ms. Knauer’s coverage.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060723 KDDC Annual Tawes Clam Bake

The annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield

The annual dinner theatre of Maryland politics

July 23^rd, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Caroline and I have attended the Crisfield event in the past, but our family schedule did not allow us to make the pilgrimage this year.

We’ve always enjoyed it when we have attended in the past. It is quite an experience. It has, over the years, taken on a larger than life, cult-like politico-religious aura. Sorta like going to church once a year at Easter. The annual political pilgrimage to the Holy Grail of politico-religious ceremonies.

Caroline and I have been traveling down to the Eastern Shore for many many years, especially after my brother was transferred to the Easton Black and Decker plant in 1983.

Not only is the shore visually beautiful, but native Eastern Shore folks are a special breed. After spending a few days on the shore, one really comes to understand that there really is no life west of the Bay Bridge.

If it were not for the force of family that has been in Carroll County for generations since the 1700s, I would’ve moved to the shore many years ago for the quality of life.

I’ll bet that folks on the shore have a longer life expectancy that those of us who persist in the hectic hornet’s nest we call the Western Shore. Well, now that I think of it, I’ll bet that folks who live in Southern and Western Maryland have longer life expectancies also.

We were first drawn to the Tawes festival because we are history buffs and enjoy the fact that the legacy of J. Millard Tawes has lived on for so many decades after his celebrated public service for the citizens of Maryland.

We also like seafood.

For a previous post about J. Millard Tawes, see my April 28^th, 2006 entry: “20060426 Sept. 2000 Tawes Card Crisfield Museum Presentation.”

For more about Governor J. Millard Tawes or the Clam Bake, click on “J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum;” and here, or here.

The soap opera that we know as Maryland politics has also certainly been a bonus for us. It is the dinner theatre of Maryland politics. Crisfield has great food, great company and great theatre.

Actually, many really nice folks go there and it is the one occasion to see colleagues and leaders in a relaxed social setting.

Except when the event occurs during an election year. Then all the possers come out of the woodwork, as if most regular folks can’t tell when someone is obviously out of place at an event in which they only appear when it is in their own self-interest.

Apparently two of the best political writers in the Maryland region made the annual trek, Tom Dennison and Alan Brody, who write for the Gazette. Things would be different – as in, for the better – if we had more writers like Messrs. Dennison, Brody and Doug Tallman, who also writes for the Gazette.

In a Friday, July 21^st, 2006 article in the Gazette, filed by Messrs. Dennison and Brody entitled: “Retail politics, wholesale fun - Candidates! Voters! Apparatchiks! Crab guts! Tawes shindig has something for everyone,” the event has been brought to life in a manner that makes other writers envious.

The only thing that could have made it better is if a scratch and sniff could have been provided to allow the readers the smells of Old Bay, crabs, beer and thousands of folks all crowded together in the heat and humidity of the lower shore.

They introduce the piece by saying:

CRISFIELD — Politicians came by land and by bay — one even left by air — to Maryland’s premier political frat party, known as the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake, a sweaty 30-year tradition that serves as the kickoff for the fall’s busy election season.

Read the rest here, it is worth the effort of the click and the time to read it.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060723 KDDC PA Guardsman cleared of charges in Iraq

Pennsylvania Guardsman cleared of charges in Iraq

July 23^rd, 2006

Good news for the American military.

However, in the big picture, decisions in combat are made on the nanosecond level and the last thing we want American soldiers to do in combat is to start hesitating as that will only result in the needless death of more American soldiers.

This is exactly what the enemy wants American men and women in uniform to do - hesitate and worry that the next shot will subject them to baseless second-guessing-charges and months of hassles and humiliation at the hands of the liberal main stream media and the Democratic Party.

Meanwhile, MSNBC is carrying a Reuters story: “U.S. military clears soldier of killing Iraqi - - Pa. Guardsman had been accused of murder, cover-up in Ramadi,” - Updated: 1 hour, 33 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - The U.S. military has cleared a soldier of unlawfully killing an Iraqi civilian after investigators concluded Specialist Nathan Lynn had reason to believe the man was carrying a gun when he opened fire.

Charges were brought against Lynn last month at a time when several murder investigations into U.S. troops in Iraq have prompted questions about their behavior and complaints from the new Iraqi government about a culture of impunity among soldiers.

“The commander ... has withdrawn ... the charges,” a military spokesman said on Saturday. “He is now authorized to rejoin his unit in Pennsylvania.”

Read the rest of the story here.

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20060722 KDDC Mr and Mrs Wilson

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson

July 22^nd, 2006

Lorie Byrd calls to our attention an insightful column about Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame in a post on Wizbang: “The Joe and Val Story Remains the Same.”

In a July 21^st, 2006 post on Wizbang, she says:

The Joe and Val Story Remains the Same

My Townhall column today is about how even as more and more facts become known that contradict Joe Wilson's tale, the Plame story in the mainstream media remains unchanged. I also compare the media unraveling of the Duke lacrosse rape case to that of the Wilson-Plame story. I would welcome anyone to convince me that I am wrong about this one, because I really want to be.

Update: Eric commented that media reaction to Katrina would have been a better example than the Florida Recount example I used. It is a better example, especially since it is so recent. The Recount example is good, too, because it shows how even now, six years later, the myths remain. I wish I had thought of the Katrina one first, though. There are literally dozens of examples of media myths that remain unchanged in the face of facts, but the Duke Lacrosse rape case is actually much more rare. Can anyone else think of a big news story in which perception changed so rapidly when new facts became known? If this doesn't make much sense, it will help to read the column first.

Be sure to read her column on Town Hall.

And be sure to find such good tips by reading Wizbang regularly.

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20060722 KDDC The Radical Islamist paper of record

The latest from the Radical Islamist paper of record

July 22^nd, 2006

The favorite radical Islamists’ newspaper of record, the New York bureau of the Al Jazeera, otherwise known as the New York Times, is at it again.

Michelle Malkin calls to our attention the July 22^nd, 2006 issue of the New York Times with its feature article: “U.S. Speeds Up Bomb Delivery for the Israelis.”

For more interesting information on the New York Times - go here : Grey Lady Traitor

_________________

By DAVID S. CLOUD and HELENE COOPER

WASHINGTON, July 21 — The Bush administration is rushing a delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel, which requested the expedited shipment last week after beginning its air campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, American officials said Friday.

The decision to quickly ship the weapons to Israel was made with relatively little debate within the Bush administration, the officials said. Its disclosure threatens to anger Arab governments and others because of the appearance that the United States is actively aiding the Israeli bombing campaign in a way that could be compared to Iran’s efforts to arm and resupply Hezbollah.

The munitions that the United States is sending to Israel are part of a multimillion-dollar arms sale package approved last year that Israel is able to draw on as needed, the officials said. But Israel’s request for expedited delivery of the satellite and laser-guided bombs was described as unusual by some military officers, and as an indication that Israel still had a long list of targets in Lebanon to strike.

Read the rest here. Hezbollah has already read it, you may as well be just as informed as our enemies.

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20060722 KDDC The Black Pelican

"The Black Pelican"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
July 22nd, 2006
Nags Head Art

20060722 KDDC Visions of Rachael Ray

"Visions of Rachael Ray"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
July 21st, 2006

20060721 KDDC The Hillbillies are coming

"The Hillbillies are coming... the hillbillies are coming"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
July 21st, 2006