What should Judge Sweeney do about Sheila?

Mayor Sheila Dixon of Baltimore was convicted, after more than forty hours of deliberation of keeping and using gift cards given to her as Mayor to dispense to needy citizens of Baltimore.

This is punishable by up to five years in prison. Additionally, a conviction requires the Mayor to resign the office.

The Judge can strike the verdict if he does not believe the evidence supported the jury finding. Should he?

The Judge can strike the verdict and enter a finding of probation before judgement the effect of which is to vacate the conviction and permit the Mayor to continue in office. Should he?

If convicted, the Mayor will definitely appeal the conviction. The Judge can hold off on the finding of guilt, and the attendant penalties, pending the appeal. Should he?

What do you think?

WALK NAKED IN AMERICA DAY

Don't neglect to mark your calendars. As you may already know, it is a sin for a Muslim male to see any woman other than his wife naked. He must commit suicide if he does.

Therefore, next Saturday at 4 PM Eastern Time, all American women are to walk out of their house completely naked to help weed out any neighborhood terrorists. Circle your block for one hour for this anti-terrorist effort.

All patriotic men are to position themselves in lawn chairs in front of their house to prove they are not Muslims and to demonstrate they think it's okay to see nude women other than their wife and to show support for all American women.

Since Islam also does not approve of alcohol, a cold 6-pack at your side is further proof of your anti-Muslim sentiment. The American government appreciates your efforts to root-out terrorists and applauds your participation in this anti-terrorist activity.

God bless America! It is your patriotic duty to pass this on. If you don't send this to at least 5 people, you're a terrorist-sympathizing, lily-livered coward and are in the position of posing as a national threat.

Obituary – Common Sense (London Times)

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was. His birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

- Why the early bird gets the worm;

- Life isn't always fair;

- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place:

- Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate;

- teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch;

- and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further, when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sunscreen or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death:

- by his parents, Truth and Trust;

- by his wife, Discretion;

- by his daughter, Responsibility and

- by his son, Reason.

His four stepbrothers survive him:

- I Know My Rights

- I Want It Now

- Someone Else Is To Blame

- I am a Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on.

If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Would you have approved?

Passed on to me from my old friend Phil –

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how he inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan's holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and referred to the non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current in their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de Cuatro" in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had misspelled the word "advice" would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potato as proof of what a dunce he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?

If George W. Bush's administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans, would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?
 
If George W. Bush had created positions for 32 Czars reporting directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

If George W Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within ten years, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive?

Can't think of anything?

Don't worry. He's done all this in five months -- so you'll have three years and seven months to come up with an answer.

The Tea Party the Media Missed

The media downplayed this event from September and granted both advance announcements and two days of coverage to the two thousand GLBT attendees last week.

The folks who took these shots were there.

 Don't forget. Don't argue over the little issues on the fringe.

 It is because our Freedom is at risk that these people assembled.

This is the first great conservative anti-statist manifestation in American history. The conservative movement, which developed in the post-WWII, Cold War environment has now fully matured into the most significant political movement of the 21st century. I believe that this day could be referred to in the not too distant future as the day that changed America. This was the day the great silent conservative majority finally found its voice.  

 
 

Many of the attendees were quite meek and timid and were unsure of exactly what to expect, this being the first time in their lives they'd been involved in a protest movement. Their fears evaporated early in the day and I saw people reveling in the camaraderie , the joy and sheer civility that was exhibited at the entire event. Chants of "Freedom, freedom, freedom", "No more czars! No more czars!" carried through the air without the slightest hint of rancor or incivility which is the norm at the leftist rallies I have photographed over the years.    The two photos above show a tiny fraction of the two million ABC estimates attended. I saw signs and heard lots of comments comparing this event to Woodstock. At the time this photo was taken, around 1:00 p.m., Pennsylvania Avenue was still jammed completely, and the mall was packed from the Capitol Building past the Washington Monument. See aerial photos here.   Protesters came from every state in the union. This man came from San Antonio, TX. He said that he was really sorry he hadn't brought his family. He stated that being a black conservative he was afraid to expose his children to what he expected would be a lot of liberal abuse. He was thrilled with the tenor of the event and the fact that no liberals were present to harass him. He spoke about how incredibly intolerant the left is to black individuals who don't bow to the party line.    These Ohioans took a day off their rodeo bullriding schedule. They said they'll be back at it tomorrow. Mike Pence (R-Indiana) was one of the speakers who addressed the crowd: "After years of fighting runaway government on this hill, you people look like the cavalry to me..I believe we are on the verge of a great American awakening."  San Diego radio host Mason Weaver said from the podium: "I came here because I thought you might want to hear a black man speak without a teleprompter…This government is trying to make a nation of dependent people. Americans have always been independent people…This is not a Republican thing, it's not a Democrat thing. It's not a black thing or a white thing. It's an American thing…We the people are telling them 'No more! We've had enough!"     In the very center of the photo, above the Silence is Consent – Can You Hear Us Now sign, you can see Pennsylvania Ave., which at this time is totally blocked with protesters who cannot move forward to the Capitol area. Sorry, full up.   There were notable differences though, in the behavior of these attendees. Although the legend of Woodstock is that there was a friendly atmosphere of camaraderie, the truth is that most people were there for the drugs, sex and rock and roll. Today in D.C. there was a true kinship amongst these people based on shared values and intellectual understanding of what America is and how its future is imperiled by big radical government. No one was having sex in the Reflecting Pool let alone the mud, and I saw no one projectile vomiting on the steps of the Capitol. There were no warnings to avoid the bad acid which would send you on a trip to the hospital. Not just a different era, but a different level of civilized behavior and thought. Oh, and by the way, these people didn't leave tons of garbage behind when they left. Actually they left no trash behind at all.    Obama Lied, Capitalism Died.   We are the mob!         Support Class Envy! Redistribute Wealth.   Madam Speaker: Kiss Our Astroturf!     The Only Thing We Have to Fear is Obama Himself     – - –    Compassion is Voluntary, Not Compulsory!   WALNUT – Workers Against Lazy Non-Producers United Together — the conservative answer to ACORN. Didn't have to ask them if they were receiving any taxpayer money like radical left-wing ACORN. Different DNA!   Proud members of the "Angry Mob" and they're armed with their votes.        Your wallet…the only place Democrats are willing to drill!  – Don't share my wealth – share my work ethic!    Right-wing extremist armed with the constitution.   Who are the commie czars?     Marxism – the opiate of the asses – Posters from the Peoples Cube are proliferating amongst protesters.   Stop Making Profit! — Report all Capitalist Activities to flag@whitehouse.gov   World's #1 Crypto-Marxist. Endorsed by Fidel Castro: The most powerful progressive candidate to the U.S. presidency." – GRANMA, Havana, May 26, 2008   Nancy Pelosi has accused patriotic tea-partyers of "carrying swastikas" implying that they are Nazi sympathizers. This event was wall to wall hammers and sickles and words like "socialist" "communist" and "Marxist" etc. It continues to fascinate me how long the Democrats will tolerate this without ever commenting on it. Either they like it, or there's something to it.    Ever present at Tea Parties are Sons of Liberty reenactors. The couple on the left is from Tennessee and the young lady on the right is not but she joined in the photo. The clothing for the couple was hand stitched by the lady on the left.

Karl Rove Plays Nice with Children

Karl Rove made a public appearance in the Baltimore area on September 16, 2009 at Goucher College to a sold out auditorium.

From Karl Rove at Goucher College September 16, 2009

In making their way from the parking lot, the attendees were exposed to the looney left screaming, "Karl Rove. You can't hide." Reminiscent of a small child caught out of bed after being tucked in, the childish performers scurry back into the area set aside for them to avoid the Baltimore County Police maintaining order. Um, folks. It was a public appearance open to the public with free admission, advertised for months in advance. Accusing Rove of "hiding" established your credibility for everything else you said.

As the evening got underway, Goucher President Ungar opened with, "Good evening," sparking the first of about two dozen interruptions by those who could not keep themselves under control. Great job by the Goucher President in setting the rules early. And a super job by the Baltimore County Police in removing the miscreants, efficiently and professionally.

Great event. Good remarks from Rove providing a new perspective on what it was like to work in the White House surrounded by the history of the occupancy and works of our political leadership over the last two centuries. Rove's conversation with President Ungar established the former's grasp of facts and events and the latter's reliance on the Bush Administration's political opponent's framing of issues.

The usual Baltimore County Republican suspects were there: Ellen (no honorary title or last name necessary), Delegate Aumann, Delegate Frank, Martha Klima, Chairman Chris, Woody, Joan, Ann, Phil, the Cap'n, Leslie, Tim, and Dave Wallace, to name a few.

There were strong contingents from the Goucher and UMBC CRs. The CDs executed a strategy of dominating the Q&A by positioning members along the aisle and rushing to the microphone lines ahead of others, shutting out all but one conservative voice from those asking questions, or, more accurately, stating theses based on inaccuracies, falsehoods and fantasies. Rove was respectful as he answered them, and passionate when they attacked America, the American Vision, and America's accomplishments that permit each of us to have the American Dream.

You should have been there.

The Bronze Rat

A Tourist walked into a Chinese curio shop in San Francisco. While looking around at the exotic merchandise, he noticed a very lifelike, life-sized, bronze statue of a rat. It had no price tag, but was so incredibly striking the tourist decided he must have it. He took it to the old shop owner and asked, "How much for the bronze rat?"

"Ahhh, you have chosen wisely! It is $12 for the rat, $100 for the story," said the wise old China man. The tourist quickly pulled out twelve dollars. "I'll just take the rat, you can keep the story."

As he walked down the street carrying his bronze rat, the tourist noticed that a few real rats had crawled out of the alleys and sewers and had begun following him down the street. This was a bit disconcerting so he began walking faster.

A couple blocks later he looked behind him and saw to his horror the herd of rats behind him had grown to hundreds, and they began squealing. Sweating now, the tourist began to trot toward the Bay. Again, after a couple blocks, he looked around only to discover that the rats now numbered in the MILLIONS, and were squealing and coming toward him faster and faster. Terrified, he ran to the edge of the Bay and threw the bronze rat as far as he could into the Bay.

Amazingly, the millions of rats all jumped into the Bay after the bronze rat, and all were drowned.

The man walked back to the curio shop in Chinatown.

"Ahhh," said the owner, "You have come back for story?"

"No sir," said the man, "I came back to see if you have a bronze Democrat."

 

(This has made the rounds. I am certain. I do not know who the originator is.)

News Flash

Ted Kennedy becomes eligible to vote in Chicago .

 

(The above is not original Material. The original source is unknown.)

Be mine

Ah! The sound of the water.

Baltimore County Police Officers directing things and making inspections.

Not one, but two helicopters hovering overhead, their cameras recording every action on the street.

Crowds watching; curious.

It could be but one thing.

Delegate Bromwell, not to be outdone by Delegate Cardin, must be proposing something to someone!

I rushed to the scene. Camera in hand and pressed "record". I love getting pictures of gummint officials.

It's only a water main break. Everyone can relax.

I AM A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE . . .

At the beginning of President George W. Bush's first term, Carl Rove predicted a Permanent Republican Majority for America. The press picked up that prediction and ran with it. With the exception of Ike's term, Rove had lived in a nation with a seemingly permanent Democratic majority.

By the time of the second George W. Bush inaugural the media believed Rove's prediction. What a difference the next two congressional elections wrought.

The young Turks of the Republican Party of Rove's youth had political beliefs and followed a creed. The party saw success with Nixon's two elections, success that was squandered by a failure to live up to those beliefs. The Republican Party was declared dead and buried, again.

But, from the first inaugural of Nixon, the Republican Party held the White House for all but twelve of the next thirty-six years.

It was lost after our representatives failed to live up to the beliefs of the Party; failed to follow the Creed. The Carter presidency was an interruption, an aberration. Then there were the Reagan years and the first Bush presidency, which ended with a failure to live up to the beliefs of the party.

During the Clinton administration, Republicans returned to their beliefs and were chosen by the people to govern. George W. Bush ran on those beliefs and was elected twice. When Republicans failed to walk the walk, they were required to stand down.

Congress did not walk the walk consistently and therefore did not do as well. As representatives strayed, the voters selected others. As the beliefs fell by the wayside, so did the incumbents.

The Republicans had the harder job. They had a clear and unambiguous set of beliefs. All the Democrats had to do was look for the weak Republican. During the last two congressional elections the voters chose someone else over the people who left their beliefs behind. So, what were those beliefs? What is this Creed? Here:

I AM A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE . . .

I believe that the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

I believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

I believe free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

I believe government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

I believe the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and the best government is that which governs least.

I believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.

I believe Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

I believe Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

Finally, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles for government.

The Republican Creed

(as written on the gravestone of Lee Atwater)

I Do Not Choose To Be A Common Man.

It Is My Right To Be Uncommon.

I Prefer The Challenges

Of Life To Guaranteed Security,

The Thrill of Fulfillment To The

State Calm of Utopia.

I Will Never Cower Before Any Master,

Save My God.

When Republicans stand for their beliefs and walk the walk, they will return to electoral success.

Annapolis Tax Day Tea Party

The American Family Association points out that:  "The new $3.6 trillion budget includes a deficit of $1.2 trillion. One third of the budget is deficit spending, MONEY WE DON'T HAVE! That is on top of the $12 trillion we already owe."  President Obama and members of Congress don't seem to care that the debt they are piling on our children and grandchildren will rob them of the right to enjoy the American dream that we have been blessed to experience.

This is the first opportunity for a massive demonstration of outrage at the IRRESPONSIBLE FISCAL POLICIES in Washington.  Please turn out and make you voices heard – loud and clear.  The word is spreading well, but it would help if you would pass this on to everyone you know!  Bring your homemade signs.

THE MARYLAND TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION

Invites you to the

Annapolis Tax Day Tea Party

Come one, come all!

April 15, 2009

Noon to 2 pm

Where-  Annapolis Dock

        At bottom of Main St

Join Us!

      For an exciting afternoon on the dock!

 

Ellen Sauerbrey

4122 Sweet Air Road

Baldwin Maryland 21013

ellensauerbrey@comcast.net

410-592-6707

That picture don’t mean nuthin”.

Rod Blagojevich, Barack Obama and Richard Daley during a rally in Chicago , April 16, 2007. Photo Reuters.
Rod Blagojevich (Democrat), Barack Obama (Democrat), and Richard M. Daley (Democrat - Mayor of Chicago since 1989)

To understand the next 4 years,  you have to understand the world according to Chicago .

While it is a city in Illinois, it is also a completely different country, with a whole different set of morals and language.

There are only three rules which anybody can understand. You don't even need an attorney to understand them and if you need an attorney, well, you know too much...so look out for Rule #3!

RULE #1...No matter what you see, hear, or do, you don't know anybody and you don't know nothing!
RULE #2...If you capture something on tape or camera, it doesn't reveal nothing!

RULE #3...If you know what everybody knows in Chicago , well, you still don't know nothing.

Now pay close attention!  We don't want to have to say this more than once.  It's very simple...we'll illustrate.  Remember, you know nothing.

These two? They don't know each other!  They said they didn't.

The fellas in the background of this picture? Well, what fellas? We don't see nothin'!

The guy on the left? For all you know he's Santa Claus. And the guy on the right . . .well, he's the Easter Bunny! That's all you need to know.

Go to your eye doctor...your eyes are lying to you!  Ca'pish?

Remember Jimmy Hoffa! He knew too much and now, well, now no one knows where he is. Is the big picture clear? Not these pictures! Remember. You've already forgot them.

Now, ain't that simple? They don't know each other, 'cause they said so! And, neither do we!

And don't forget it!

P.S. If you pass this on to your friends, don't forget, you know nothing and they will know nothing.

 

Credit and my thanks to Chez Miller for sending this to me.