You might want to think that through, Joe.
Okay, so we learn in this piece that Attorney General Joe Curran says that private citizens - and more to the point, private schools - do not have to call in the police when they find drugs on a kid. I see his point and I agree.
But there's also this:
When asked if police should be involved in disciplining cases of possession, he said, "that might be a pretty big burden to put on such a young person."
Excuse me? Did our Attorney General just say it might too much of a burden on a teen to be arrested for breaking the law? Does toes this apply to adults too? Or more serious offenses? And this guy is the "top lawyer" for the state?
Now I'm really glad he's not running for re-election.
They paid how much?
So Baltimore has a
new slogan: "Baltimore. Get in on it."
The city spent a half a million for it, but I have to ask - What does it mean?
Seriously, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. A good slogan should mean something. Think of some of the famous slogans other areas have used:
- I Love New York
- Virginia is for Lovers
- West Virgina: Almost Heaven
They all say something, maybe not a lot, but something. "Baltimore. Get in on it" just leaves me with questions. What is "it"? And why do I want to get in on it?
Granted it sounds edgy - but is that enough?
How to dispose of 33 geese
Let's say you are given a thirty-three dead geese and you cut them up for jerky and whatever else. Once your done with them, how should you dispose of the carcuses? Well as one local guy found out, dumping them in the woods near a foot path and a tot lot is going to cost you.
Okay, I can accept that the guy made a bad choice or even that he's just stupid, but there's one thing that really got my ire. According to the Examiner article this clown says he is an outdoorsman and is "active in his local Boy Scout troop." If that's true, either the Scouts have gone downhill since I was a teen or he really wasn't paying attention. One of the clearest injunctions I remember from my days in Scouting is
Take only pictures, leave only footprints.This guy definately needs to learn that phrase.
Local Candidates Support State-sponsored Theft
According to
this article, the two Democrats for the District 2 seat on the Howard County Council both support the use of eminent domain to take property to revitalize the Route 1 corridor.
Democrat Adam Sachs, a candidate for the District 2 seat, said eminent domain could help the County Council purchase property along downtrodden parts of Route 1 in Elkridge, Jessup and Savage for revitalization.
Still, “it should be used sparingly,” he said at Thursday’s District 2 candidate forum at the East Columbia Library.
“But there could be some benefit, if it’s just vacant lots or abandoned buildings.”
Incumbent Democrat Calvin Ball said he didn’t like the idea of seizing a citizen’s property to give to a business interest, but that the council shouldn’t rule out using any options at its disposal.
“In the event that we haven’t planned properly or there is some massive rezoning that goes on, that’s a possible tool,” Ball said Sunday.
Sorry, guys, but that's the wrong answer, because that's theft. And despite what the Supreme Court may have said in the Kelo, taking someone's property away from them against their will is theft and un-Constitutional, unless it is for "public
use" (which is the exact wording of the Constitution, not "public
benefit").
On the bright side, the Republican opponent, Gina Ellrich, for the District 2 seat appears to understand this concept.
“I think there’s nothing wrong with revitalizing our community,” she said. “But I do have a problem to allow the government to take people’s property for less than market value. I would not be in favor of that. People should be able to sell their property if they want or not sell their property.”
And we're also fortunate to have Allan Kittleman representing part of Howard County in the State Senate. I just wish it was my part of the County.
BGE Decision
The Maryland Public Service Commission has handed down its Order (#80764) regarding the BGE deregulation rate hike and phase in. (The full text is linked as the 83rd item on this page.)
After listening to the news reports and scanning the order, I think the most significant part - and the major change from previous versions - is there will be no interest charge for deferred payment. In effect, it's an interest-free loan. It's hard to pass up an offer like that, so I'll probably opt-in.
