Here’s a way to fix Virginia’s budget problems…

From the AP via WTOP: Lawmaker Proposes Hefty Tax on Bongs:

Bongs and water pipes are billed as tobacco accessories – but one Maryland lawmaker says everyone knows they’re used to smoke illegal drugs and should be heavily taxed.

Democratic Sen. Anthony Muse of Prince George’s County proposed a bill Wednesday to add a $20 tax to tobacco paraphernalia.

Muse says the tobacco accessories are now subject only to the regular 6 percent state sales tax. He says the $20 tax proposal isn’t intended to raise revenue, but to act as a deterrent for young people who smoke marijuana.

Muse sponsored a new Maryland law that requires people to be at least 18, the legal smoking age, before buying tobacco accessories such as bongs. Muse says he’d like to outlaw bongs because they’re so seldom used to smoke legal products, but he knows such a bill would not pass.

It them video games’ fault! Oh! And rap music!

Don’t forget that devil music which them kids call “rock ‘n’ roll”.

From The [Delmarva] Daily Times: Reality of violence hits Wicomico:

When Dan Dougherty sat down to listen to rap music lyrics for the first time, he was appalled.

“They talked about sex and killing cops,” Dougherty, the Wicomico County Gang Resistance and EXILE director, said Monday night. “Now you turn on the TV and see carnage … Extreme raw violence is making an impact on our young people, and we’re growing an acceptance for it.”

Dougherty spoke — at times shouted with fury — to a packed Delmar Town Hall, where about 40 residents and Wicomico Neighborhood Congress members received a non-sugarcoated view of their county.

There are nearly 500 known gang members in the county who have helped Wicomico earn the second-place ranking in the state for violent crime per capita. Wicomico County only trails Baltimore City. Dougherty blamed violent lyrics and excessive violence on television and especially in video games.

“In Grand Theft Auto, you score points by killing cops, stealing cars and beating prostitutes,” Dougherty said and cited cases in Maryland where kids re-enacted scenes from the game. “In the ’80s and ’90s, you didn’t have video games, you didn’t have the violence in the media, you didn’t have the Internet. It creates a lack of respect for life and makes violence acceptable.”

This moron is supposed to be preventing gang crime when he knows absolutely no history of gang formation or crime in the United States?

Here’s a brief history for this moron:

1969: The street gang the Crips is formed in Los Angeles.

The number one single that year: The Beatle’s “Get Back”.

Highest grossing film: The Love Bug.

In television: The Brady Bunch and Sesame Street premiere.

In video games: Nothing. They didn’t exist yet!

1971: The street gang the Bloods is formed in Los Angeles.

The number one single that year: John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

Highest grossing film: Fiddler on the Roof.

In television: Masterpiece Theatre; Sabrina, the Teenage Witch; and Soul Train premiere.

In video games: The United States Patent and Trademark Office received a patent for “television gaming and training apparatus”.

1978: The Folk Nation (an alliance of already existing gangs) is formed in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The number one single that year: the Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive”.

Highest grossing film: Superman: The Movie.

In television: Dallas, WKRP in Cincinnati, and Diff’rent Strokes premiere.

In video games: The arcade game Space Wars is released.

This ignoramus should be nowhere near a government office, much less involved in gang prevention.

(H/t: GamePolitics.com)

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 26, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 26, 2008:

On January 23, 2008, Deputy C. M. Hall received a report of witness tampering. After investigating, Emonnie O. Crichlow, 20, of Ruther glen was charged with attempting to induce a witness to commit perjury. He was ordered held without bond and a court date of March 7, 2008 was set.

On January 24, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb responded to a property damage report in Ruther Glen. After investigating, a 13 year old juvenile was charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and property damage. A 15 year old juvenile was charged with being an accessory after the fact. Both juveniles were released to their parents and court date information was unavailable.

On January 24, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford responded to a residence in Bowling Green for an altercation. After investigating, Charles W. Clarke, 24, of Richmond was charged with being drunk in public. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of March 5, 2008 was set.

On January 25, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Thomas L. Martin, 65, of Bowling Green was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 25, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Terrance S. Mosley, 42, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license – 3rd offense. He was ordered held on a $2500 bond and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 26, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge responded to Causteau Street in Woodford, for a reported fight. After investigating, Ryan E. Harrie, 29, of Ruther Glen, was charged with malicious wounding, and misdemeanor possession of a scheduled IV controlled substance. Harrie is being held without bond and a February 1, 2008 court date was set.

On January 26, 2008, Deputy S. Mullane was investigating a suspicious vehicle at the Pilot Truck Stop. While conducting his investigation, Dutch the canine unit alerted to another vehicle. Upon further investigation, Charles C. Rowe, 29, of Knoxville, TN was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a schedule IV drug (Valium). Rowe is being held on a $2500, secure bond pending an arraignment on February 1, 2008.

Caroline man tries, fails to smear Albert Pollard.

From The Free Lance-Star: Pollard should be more experienced than this!:

Pollard should be more experienced than this!

Many of us have noticed that large “Pollard” signs have suddenly appeared around the district.

On closer inspection, it appears that these signs have been recycled from the previous state Senate campaign, with the lower portion cut off.

There is nothing wrong with that. The problem is that in cutting off the bottom, those who posted the signs have also eliminated the mandatory authorization line, which must be part of any political advertising.

In Title 24.2 of the Code of Virginia, Chapter 9.5 includes instructions for including the statement “Paid for by [Name of candidate or campaign committee]” on campaign materials.

Those instructions also state that “any disclosure required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner.” Under 24.2-955.3 of the code, certain penalties are prescribed for violation of these laws.

These signs have begun to appear throughout the district. Just curious: How can someone with such vast experience in government service have overlooked such a simple requirement?

Jeff Gerau

Caroline

Amazing job there getting it wrong.

From § 24.2-955:

The disclosure requirements of this chapter apply to any sponsor of an advertisement in the print media or on radio or television the cost or value of which constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) except that the disclosure requirements of this chapter do not apply to (i) an individual who makes independent expenditures aggregating less than $1,000 in an election cycle for a candidate or (ii) an individual who incurs expenses only with respect to a referendum.

From § 24.2-955.1:

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

“Advertisement” means any message appearing in the print media, on television, or on radio that constitutes a contribution or expenditure under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.). “Advertisement” shall not include novelty items authorized by a candidate including, but not limited to, pens, pencils, magnets, and buttons to be attached to wearing apparel.

[…]

“Print media” means billboards, cards, newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines, printed material disseminated through the mail, pamphlets, fliers, bumper stickers, periodicals, website, electronic mail, and outdoor advertising facilities. If a single print media advertisement consists of multiple pages, folds, or faces, the disclosure requirement of this section applies only to one page, fold, or face.

“Radio” means any radio broadcast station that is subject to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.

[…]

“Television” means any television broadcast station, cable television system, wireless-cable multipoint distribution system, satellite company, or telephone company transmitting video programming that is subject to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.

Nowhere does it say that campaign signs (with the exception of billboards) have to have disclaimers on them. You can, of course, put disclaimers on them if you want but you don’t have to.

No local candidate had disclaimer information on their campaign signs on the side of the road in the last general election.

When Robert Wittman was running for reelection for his 99th House of Delegates seat his signs did not have disclaimers either.

After the general election, when Wittman was running for the Republican nomination for the special election for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District and after he won the nomination: he reused the same signs — ones that didn’t have disclaimers on them.

If this is the best that Lee Anne Washington supporters can come up with, she’s really in trouble…

Reason 2,428 to hate elections in Florida

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Primary day glitches few but frustrating:

In northern Coral Springs, near the Sawgrass Expressway and Coral Ridge Drive, David Nirenberg arrived to vote as an independent. Nevertheless, he said poll workers insisted he choose a party ballot.

“He said to me, ‘Are you Democrat or Republican?’ I said, ‘Neither, I am independent.’ He said, ‘Well, you have to pick one,”’ Nirenberg said.

In Florida, only those who declare a party are allowed to cast a vote in that party’s presidential primary.

Nirenberg said he tried to explain to the poll worker that he should not vote on a party ballot because of his “no party affiliation” status.

Nirenberg said a second poll worker was called over who agreed that independents should not use party ballots, but said they had received instructions to the contrary.

“He said, ‘Ya know, that is kind of funny, but it was what we were told.’ … I was shocked when they told me that.” Nirenberg said he went ahead and voted for John McCain.

Am I the only one that thinks Florida should be expelled from the Union?

At the very least, Floridians should not be allowed to vote!

At least we get to see where John McCain’s real base of support is…

Bill Clinton: Please consult a history book…

Or the “internets”.

From Jake Tapper’s blog at ABC News: Bubba: Obama Is Just Like Jesse Jackson:

Said Bill Clinton today in Columbia, SC: “Jesse Jackson won South Carolina in ’84 and ’88. Jackson ran a good campaign. And Obama ran a good campaign here.”

This was in response to a question from ABC News’ David Wright about it taking “two Clintons to beat” Obama. Jackson had not been mentioned.

Boy, I can’t understand why anyone would think the Clintons are running a race-baiting campaign to paint Obama as “the black candidate.”

— jpt

For those that don’t remember back to 1984 and 1988, here’s a reminder of the candidates that did end up being the Democratic nominees for President (both images from Wikipedia):

1984: Walter Mondale

What happened to Mr. Mondale? He went on to lose in the biggest electoral vote landslide — ever (only 13 votes against Reagan’s 525). He also lost the popular vote with only 40.6% of the vote against Reagan’s 58.8%.

 

 

 

1988: Michael Dukakis

And what happened to then Governor [of Massachusetts] Dukakis? He lost the electoral vote with only 111 votes against George H. W. Bush’s 426 votes. He obtained 45.6% of the popular vote against Bush’s 53.4%.

 

So, Bill…are you saying that your wife is going to get stomped in the General Election?

More on the telecommuting program

From http://www.visitcaroline.com/telecommuntingad.html :

Wireless telecommunication pilot program begins February 1

The Caroline County Board of Supervisors has teamed with Virginia Broadband on a pilot project to allow residents to telecommute from the Community Services Center located at 17202 Richmond Turnpike (adjacent to Bowling Green Primary School) in Bowling Green.

The details of the new service, initiated by Board Chairman Floyd Thomas, are as follows:

  • Available every Friday beginning February 1 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. in a reserved room in the Community Services Center
  • Wireless Internet connections will be available
  • Partitions will be used to separate work areas and allow for privacy

The new program will be monitored throughout the month of February to determine the level of public interest. If there is sufficient interest and participation, the program will continue beyond February.

For more information, please contact Information Technology Manager J.P. Montague at jpmontague@co.caroline.va.us 804 212-6011.

Delegate Chris Peace’s response; then my reponse:

I previously pointed out that Delegate Chris Peace voted to not record subcommittee votes (and to not allow live television broadcasting of the House of Delegates session).

Delegate Peace in an email to a third party:

I appreciate your sending me your thoughts regarding recorded votes in subcommittees. It is unfortunate that this issue has been so misunderstood. Most people don’t know the facts.

No final action on bills can be taken in subcommittee — final action can only occur in full committee where all votes are recorded and available on-line. Subcommittees act as mark-up or working sessions to address problems which may be foreseeable, correct those problem if possible and put legislation in a proper posture giving it the best chance of passage. It provides an atmosphere to air concerns and institutes efficiencies for the session.

Although subcommittees do take action on legislation, their decisions – under Democrat control or Republican – have never been posted separately on the Internet. This is because the result of any actions can be ascertained quite easily by reviewing the bill summaries that are available on the Internet ( http://leg1.state.va.us ). A bill that was not fully prepared to be taken to the full committee or failed to win any significant support would be listed there as “Left in Subcommittee”.

Often in this process, a bill will receive little support and not enough to move forward. The full committee — irrespective of the subcommittee’s recommendation — can bring up any bill at any time. In addition, subcommittee meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to record any portion of the subcommittee proceeding, be it testimony, arguments, and/or votes.

The legislature typically goes through between 2000-3000 bills within a 45 or 60 day session. If you do the math, that’s a lot of output each day, so we must have a process in place that let’s us allocate time and divide the work in the most efficient manner.

I share your view — and agree — that citizens should know where their elected representatives stand on legislation before the General Assembly. I believe our current system does a good job of balancing the necessity of letting the sunshine in on the legislative process while having a procedure that promotes efficiency.

Again, thanks for your note. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to serve you better.

Delegate Chris Peace
97th House District
804-698-1097 (Richmond Office)
804-730-3737 (District Office)

I respectfully disagree for several reasons.

Here’s what former Delegate John Welch said in 2007:

The great thing about what we did last year in the House: we gave killing power to subcommittees. So now, as a — I’m a subcommittee chairman of two committees now. And we can actually kill a bill in subcommittee and it cannot come up in full committee. And it used to be able to get killed in subcommittee, and go in front of full committee, then it would get passed and moved on. So, the [inaudible] knew how to work that game.

So now, I have as few as five people on my subcommittee and as a subcommittee chair I can usually reel a few of them [inaudible].

So — um — they know it’s a different world out there and they have to come to us and they have strike deals. And one of them deals is that you treat me as a peer — not as a citizen. So that’s where we are.

Here’s what the Richmond Times-Dispatch said:

Republicans in the House of Delegates started off this year’s session with a profoundly dubious decision. Once again, they chose to let subcommittees kill bills with unrecorded voice votes.

Here’s what the Daily Press said:

Open government took a slap in the face when the Republican majority in the House of Delegates changed the rules in the 2006 legislative session. The change allows bills to die in subcommittee without a recorded vote.

Here’s what TriCities.com said:

In the latest open government clash in Richmond, Delegate Bob Marshall has emerged as an unlikely hero – the lone voice of reason among House Republicans.

Marshall, a fiery social conservative who hails from Prince William County, was the only member of his delegation to vote in favor of recording subcommittee votes last week. The measure did not pass.

The subcommittee system remains an unaccountable black hole, where House lawmakers send unpopular measures to die. No comparable bill-killing chamber exists in the state Senate.

Here’s what The Daily Progress said:

Call it the gulag of lawmaking.

Proposed bills go into the darkness and there they are killed, no spotlight, no fingerprints.

The General Assembly continues to cloak in secrecy some of its most basic decisions, those concerning the life or death of proposed laws. A bill to change this was defeated on a largely partisan vote during the very first hour the legislature was in session.

Here’s the background:

Two years ago, the GOP majority in the House of Delegates used its new power to change the legislative rules under which the House operated. Bills that went to subcommittee for evaluation could be killed there – with no recorded vote.

Previously, subcommittees had recommended the fate of legislation to their full committees.

Although the committees often accepted those recommendations with little or no discussion, at least there was a chance for further discussion. And there was a record of who voted for or against sending the bill forward to the House.

Constituents could find out not only what happened to a bill, but who made it happen. The old system provided openness and accountability.

[…]

Proponents also pointed out at the time that the subcommittee meetings were open to the public. Members of the public pointed out that the subcommittee members huddled together at tables set at a sufficient distance that spectators seldom could hear what was happening. There were no microphones and scant effort by the subcommittee members to make their voices heard.

Here’s what The Daily News Record said:

Two years ago, the House voted to change the rules to allow subcommittees to kill legislation, although critics said that bills should not be killed by a few people without a recorded vote. The critics had a good point, if not the majority of votes.