Maryland Conservatarian

A few snippings from the Washington Post:

…and the Neanderthals would have added so much to our Diversity.

One of the more inconvenient truths out there is that Climate Change has always been with us and sometimes with dastardly results. To wit: the long believed theory that the extinction of Neanderthals was due to climate cooling. Tough to blame that one on SUVs. Fortunately, we have scientists out there working feverishly to prove that whatever has gone wrong in the world, man is probably responsible.

Climate Link To Neanderthal Demise Abates

“The case isn't closed yet, but modern humans are looking awfully guilty in one of the biggest whodunits in prehistory: the case of the demise of the Neanderthals.”

What do you want to bet that pressure starts to build for some kind of official apology?

Good News if You’re a Red Lobster Shareholder

Eating Less Meat May Slow Climate Change

"As a society, we are overconsuming protein..."

So it’s Dr. Atkins fault we’re all going to fry.

…or maybe it’s the Italian meat sauce

Experts: Climate Change Puts Sea at Risk

“Climate change is affecting Europe faster than the rest of the world and rising temperatures could transform the Mediterranean into a salty and stagnant sea, Italian experts said Wednesday.”

How can this be happening? The EU is a signatory to the Kyoto protocol.

Shanah tovah

Enjoy

Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid was one of many to get out in front of General Petraeus’ visit to Congress with various statements, more or less pre-discrediting whatever the General was to report:

“On Friday, Reid went so far as to question not only the true source of the report but also the four-star general's honesty.

"He has made a number of statements over the years that have not proven to be factual," Reid said. "I have every belief that this good man will give us what he feels is the right thing to do in his report, but it's not his report anymore. It's Bush's report." ABC News: Dems Bash Upcoming Petraeus Report

Harry Reid has had problems with General Petraeus for awhile(Captain's Quarters: the Five Myths of Harry) – seemingly since he voted for his nomination to General. Especially after this week’s appearance before Congress, I have no doubt who I and most Americans find the more credible source for news coming from Iraq.

…and, just for fun, an oldie-but-goodie: YouTube - Dennis Miller Rips Harry Reid a new one.

A report of an Israeli flyover of Syria has surprisingly not gotten the play I would have thought but Soccer Dad is on it today: Soccer Dad: This is just a test 1..2..3..4

…to which I add this I’ve-got-to-believe-it’s-related update:

Report: Israel spots nuclear installations in Syria - Israel News, Ynetnews

Tragically, all this could lead Syria to abandon their long-standing commitment to peace: Syria warns flyovers will have tragic consequences - Israel News, Ynetnews

Remember, according to noted Mid-East Expert Dennis Kucinich, after a recent meeting with Syrian President Assad:

“It was a meeting where President Assad showed a real desire to play a role in helping to create a peaceful settlement of the conditions in Iraq, as well as a grander approach towards creating peace. So it was a very important meeting, and I felt honored to have the chance to speak with him." NRO - RE: Dennis the Menace

In light of this factoid:

“In the 2008 cycle, Yale affiliates have so far given about $120,000 to Democratic candidates and political action committees, and only $1,000 to Republicans. Throughout the 2006 cycle, Democratic causes — particularly the congressional campaign of Scott Kleeb GRD ’06 and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee — received approximately $300,000, compared to less than $5,000 donated to Republican PACs and candidates. “ Yale Daily News - Profs donate heavily to Dems

…we read this disclaimer:

“In response to the lopsided campaign contributions, Yale College Dean Peter Salovey pointed out that the University does not make faculty hiring decisions based on ideological orientation.

“Yale hires faculty without asking them about their political views,” Salovey said. “It is always our goal to expose students to many different viewpoints on scientific, intellectual and contemporary issues [but] … we often don’t know a potential faculty member’s political viewpoints and we typically don’t solicit them.”

For all you diversity-philes out there; if, instead of a political disparity, this had been one of a racial, ethnic or gender nature (and, of course, assuming such disparity was not in the favor of Democratic-preferred interest groups), would you accept Dean Salovey’s statement at face value?

Clinton Campaign Cites Flawed Background Check

“The Clinton campaign has promised that future fundraisers will undergo criminal background checks.”

OK – let’s assume they had done such a criminal check on Mr. Hsu and his previous mis-deeds came to light. Then what? Presumably the Clinton campaign refuses his assistance but do they also alert authorities? Maybe participate in a sting so that authorities can finally take care of that 15 year old warrant?

I know it would be understandably difficult for any campaign to rat out a prospective donor (and voter) but could a potential president really keep the lid on the whereabouts of a known fugitive? Campaigns had better have a policy in place for such contigencies.

And much has been made of the campaign’s decision “… to refund the $850,000 that Hsu had raised.” So who does it go back to? Mr. Hsu? The campaign will presumably contact those whose names accompanied the donations to verify the donations. Those so inclined can always re-donate the funds. But if you’re some poor schlub who was just used to funnel money to the campaign, a potential $2,300 windfall has got to look pretty sweet. And if it was Mr. Hsu’s all along, how does he make the claim for it without admitting to a campaign finance rules' violation.

Michael Steele and J.C. Watts have an Op-Ed in today’s Washington Times that calls for giving DC full House of Representatives Voting Rights – and without having to go through the messy process of a Constitutional Amendment. I like the two gentlemen…but they couldn’t be more wrong.

One particular passage is especially deserving of critique:

“The Framers didn't intend to create a city where American citizens were completely unrepresented. But this is the situation we have.”

This is so obviously wrong because, well, the Framers never bothered giving DC citizenry a House vote. What else could have been their intention?

I honestly did not know this was already out until a few days ago. Apparently just about all of America is being sensitive (and sensible) about their carbon footprint and not traveling to a theater near them to see this: The 11th Hour (2007)


"Domestic Total as of Sep. 9, 2007: $550,272
Distributor: Warner Independent
Release Date: August 17, 2007
Genre: Documentary
Running Time: 1 hrs. 33 min.
MPAA Rating: PG
Production Budget: N/A"

From a report on Foxnews.com:

“I hesitated to say before "11th Hour" actually opened how mind-numbingly dull it was for fear that I would ruin it for those interested in the subject of global warming. But at Cannes, when the film by Nadia Conners and Leila Conners Petersen was shown to journalists, nearly the entire room fell asleep.

“A Russian filmmaker told us afterward that she was the only person in the room who was awake at one point.”

I blame Global Warming and Dick Cheney: Cost of Employer-Provided Insurance Rises 6 Percent

“The cost of employer-provided health insurance rose 6.1 percent this year, the smallest jump since 1999, but still well above the increase in wages and consumer prices, according to an annual survey released today by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.”

Predictably, there is a lot of angst at the Post about this:

“The slowdown is scant consolation for workers. The 6.1 percent rise in health insurance costs in 2007 is higher than growth in wages (3.7 percent) and inflation (2.6 percent), the Kaiser survey found.”

(…but since, as was explained in the article’s preceding paragraph, the employer pays most of that…)

The usual culprits are fingered:

“Part of the reason for the dramatic rise in costs is the cycle of higher profits for health insurance companies, said Gabel, a former research director for two health insurance industry trade associations.

"The period 1999 to 2007 has been one of unprecedented profitability," he said, noting that profit margins for major carriers have been 6 percent to 7 percent lately, compared to about 3 percent in the 1980s and 1990s. "The contribution to the increased cost would be that difference between the 3 and the 6 or the 7 percent."

(Some perspective: if I came to you and said: “Give me $100. Now, there is a chance I could lose some of that but if things go well, I can return $103 to you in a year but if I really screw over my clients, maybe I can get that up to $107.”; would you really think I’ve just offered you access to a money machine?)

One of my favorite one-frame cartoons from years ago had two men sitting at a bar, with one commenting: “So what if the cost-of-living goes up, it’s still worth it.” The increased sophistication and quality of today’s medicine – with the attendant training to ensure its availability - is a large part of what we are buying and, on the whole, I don’t feel cheated with that.

Side Note: “The number of Americans without health insurance rose to a record high 47 million in 2006, an uptick that Census officials attributed largely to continuing declines in employer-sponsored coverage.”

A record high? Does that mean in no time in our history did we ever have more than 47,000,000 people without health insurance? The U.S. population in 1920 was approximately 106,000,000…at least 60 million of them had health insurance back then?

More Kids Developing High Blood Pressure

Apparently obesity among children has become an epidemic and it’s wreaking havoc. (Remarkably, Global Warming is not mentioned among the potential culprits):

“Although other factors may be playing a role, such as children getting less exercise, eating more salty fast food and prepared foods, and experiencing greater stress, researchers believe obesity is the main culprit.”

Those other factors MAY be playing a role?

I think it’s becoming obvious that any scientist that wants his or her study to get publicity merely has to somehow tie some dire results to global warming.

Headline: Warming May Be Hurting Gray Whales' Recovery

First Paragraph:

“As many as 118,000 gray whales roamed the Pacific before humans decimated the population through hunting, and human-induced climate change may now be depriving those that remain of the food they need, according to a study released yesterday.”

LAST!!!! Paragraph:

“It's not a conclusion we can come to. It's a hint," [Stephen R. Palumbi, a co-author of the study] said in an interview. But if humans are affecting the ocean's "capacity to support life, it's got to make you worry, it's got to make your wonder."

Disappointing news from the Blogospehere: Bruce a/k/a Crablaw is saying Good-bye and thanks for all the artemia.

Crablaw and I have known each other since law school and he was an early addition to the Maryland Bloggers’ Alliance. Although he was often (usually?) wrong on the issues, he was a consistently civil voice in our political discourse. But alas, responsibility rears its ugly head (which is why I’ve avoided it all my life):

“Put simply, I am shifting time, money and energy from blogging (which I thoroughly enjoy) to career development and professional pursuits (which will, in time, enable me to pursue my personal interests more fully.)”

In other words, he is selling out for money and family. I'm not going to delve into just how suspicious this seems, coming, as it does, on the heels of Karl Rove’s resignation. Nor will I engage in pointless and mean-spirited speculation by noting the time proximity to Senator Craig’s impending resignation from the Senate. Nope, just want to wish the Crabmeister the best of luck in his refocused career efforts. I hope we continue to be visited and commented on by him.

Joe Biden is running for President. I know that may come as a surprise to you but it’s true. The Senator has been a consistent critic of our efforts in Iraq and simultaneously has been pushing for a directed withdrawal of our military forces from there. So when he went to Iraq recently, did anyone really expect him to return with anything but comments consistent with his prior stance?

Biden Faults Petraeus' Assessment

Yep – without actually having to hear from the General on what his assessment is, Joe Biden has pronounced the General “dead flat wrong”:

“President Bush's war strategy is failing and the top military commander in Iraq is "dead flat wrong" for warning against major changes, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said Sunday.

“Ahead of two days of crucial testimony by Bush's leading military and political advisers on Iraq, Sen. Joseph Biden indicated that he and other Democrats would persist in efforts to set target dates for bringing troops home.”

Well, if he’s “dead flat wrong”, shouldn’t we be looking at the people who affirmed the selection of the General. If all it takes is a couple of days in Iraq for Joe Biden to know more than a General whose been on the scene for months, what was the thought process that resulted in an 81-0 Senate approval back in January. Maybe Joe Biden can answer that.

Side Note: Anyone with even a passing familiarity with Senator Biden would probably agree that a lack of hubris is not one of his character traits. But still…

“The reality is that, although there has been some mild progress on the security front, there is, in fact, no real security in Baghdad or Anbar province, where I was dealing with the most serious problem, sectarian violence," said Biden, a 2008 presidential candidate who recently returned from Iraq.”

This is why men like Joe Biden are so valuable. While General Petraeus flails around in Iraq, completely misreading the situation, Senator Biden quietly goes in and immediately assesses and deals with the most serious problem there. As a nation, are we even worthy of such leadership?

Officials: Sen. Hagel Not to Run Again

“The 60-year-old senator arranged a news conference for Monday in Omaha, Neb., to make his formal announcement. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting the event.”

Yeah – it’s the anonymity that avoids any preemption. I’ll try and act surprised on Monday but I won't pretend to be disappointed.

I think this is all pretty funny: Hsu Steered Major Fundraiser to Obama

“Before becoming a major bundler for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign, disgraced Democratic donor Norman Hsu helped host a 2005 California event for Barack Obama's political action committee and introduced the senator from Illinois to one of the biggest fundraisers for his presidential bid.”

I obviously have a lot of issues with both Senators and very much wish no luck towards their presidential aspirations but this is such a non-issue. I chalk these kinds of things up to “stuff happens”.

But it’s still pretty funny.

I used to think that Bill Richardson was maybe the best of a poor lot. ..then his campaign kicked into gear.

Bill Richardson - Why We Should Exit Iraq Now

“By hastening the peace process, the likelihood of prolonged bloodshed is reduced. President Richard Nixon withdrew U.S. forces slowly from Vietnam -- with disastrous consequences. Over the seven years it took to get our troops out, 21,000 more Americans and perhaps a million Vietnamese, most of them civilians, died. All this death and destruction accomplished nothing -- the communists took over as soon as we left.”

Actually, Richard Nixon became President in 1969 and we were more or less gone by March of 1973 – so that would be a little more than 4 years vice 7. I can only guess at why he doesn’t include for blame who got us into Vietnam and, more importantly, no reference to what happened right after the Communists took over.

Because I love to mock “Diversity”: A Local Answer to the Integration Challenge
(Integration Challenge???)

“As education officials nationwide search for ways to balance enrollment after the Supreme Court sharply limited the use of race in school assignments, they might look at the record in Arlington.”

To begin, does anyone recall the Post ever FAVORABLY commenting on local efforts to, say, apply the desires of many to protect the unborn “after the Supreme Court sharply limited the use of” local restrictions? We hear and read constant platitudes about how Roe is now settled law – in fact many Democrats (and RINOs – i.e. Arlen Specter) want a near-promise from Supreme Court nominees not to overturn it. I guess there is “precedent” and then there is super precedent.

As the subject matter would inspire, the article is replete with insipid observations:

“Some civil rights advocates said the ruling rolled back the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, which outlawed racial segregation in schools.”

Well, Chicken Little has nothing on these so-called and unnamed civil rights advocates but let’s revisit Chief Justice Roberts’ words of wisdom in the ruling:

"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race." SCOTUS - Parents Involved...

(…and Brown did not outlaw all racial segregation, it outlawed state-imposed racial segregation.)

Later, the article discusses two of the more attractive schools in Arlington; H-B Woodlawn and Arlington Traditional:

“For years, admission to each was based on a lottery that gave some preference to minorities. But lawsuits on behalf of white students in 1997 and 1998 ended that practice. Minority enrollment fell afterward.”

Well, we can’t have that so…

“In 2001, the school system turned to geographic admissions for H-B Woodlawn, apportioning a certain number of slots to students coming from each of the county's elementary schools. That improved the chance of admission for students from less-affluent neighborhoods, who tend to apply to H-B in fewer numbers.”

So another way to improve the chances for students from less-affluent neighborhoods might be for them to, I dunno, apply? I know that did wonders for me getting into the schools I wanted to go to.

Finally we get to read the predictable comments of a public education bureaucrat:

“[H-B Woodlawn Principal Frank Haltiwanger] said the push for diversity reaps educational dividends.

"The students will find themselves talking about race, which is an important conversation to have and which is important especially in a school that is mostly white," he said. "Those conversations are taking place more often, and more thought is given to how families might feel to be in the minority."

Yeah right – that diversity is soooo important in education must be the reason we see leading Leftists lead the charge against the United Negro College Fund and additional federal funding specifically directed to Historically Black Colleges. It’s why Hillary Clinton is often heard lamenting that her alma mater (Wellesley) remains closed to that half of the population identified as males.

Side Note: Also from Principal Haltiwanger:

“For most of the program's 35 years, he said, the student body drew heavily from more affluent and less diverse North Arlington.”

Do you ever read about mostly Black, Hispanic or other favored minority neighborhoods as being “less diverse”?

From fellow MBAer Inside Charm City concerning Josh Portis, the now suspended-for-the-season back up QB for the Maryland football team:

“In Tuesday’s Baltimore Sun, Heather Dinich reported that Brandon Bullock, who now attends East Carolina, said that Portis cheated by looking on his paper during a quiz in American Studies 212 (Diversity in America) during the spring semester.” Josh Portis, cheating, and a possible attempt at silencing the messenger? (He has several posts on this subject.)

My first thought, of course, was: He had to cheat on a “Diversity in America” quiz?

But, not wanting to stereotype a course solely on the basis of an easily-mocked course title, I went to look up the course (and found it was actually entitled: “Diversity in American Culture):

“AMST212 - Diversity in American Culture

“This course is designed to focus on the role of diversity in shaping American Culture. We will explore the meanings of diversity by focusing on the difference context and implications of the term. More specifically, we will look at how the different components of our identities, such as our race, gender, class, sexuality, and nation can help us to think about difference in American culture. This course will cover such issues as cultural and racial differences, multi-culturalism, identity and the self, the history and reality of oppression, systems of power, and the social construction of American life and culture. In order to facilitate an effective learning environment, students must respect the diversity of opinions which will surface in the class. American Studies at the University of Maryland”

My next thought was: He had to cheat on a “Diversity in American Culture” quiz?

This is very good news

Not that most of you care.

…but you should!!

As a reminder, gubernatorial candidate Martin O’Malley was all over then-Governor Ehrlich for his “Failed Commitment to Thornton”, specifically calling him out on his failure to sign the Thornton full funding bill in 2004:

“When the measure requiring the state to make school funding increases mandated by the Thornton plan became law in 2004, it did so without Ehrlich’s signature. [The Baltimore Sun, “Ehrlich Lets Stand Thornton Schools Bill,‿ March 6, 2004]

"Despite promising to do so, Ehrlich has never fully funded the Thornton plan. Ehrlich has failed to allocate money for the geographic cost of education index (GCEI), a formula that gives extra money to school systems with higher education costs.”

Methinks Mr. O’Malley now wishes his fellow Dems in the state legislature hadn’t been in such an all-fire rush to embarrass his predecessor as O'Malley Questions Rate of Extra Funding

That’s the Washington Post phrasing but in reality, we’re not talking about “Extra Funding”, we’re talking about statutorily-mandated funding.

“During a radio interview, O'Malley questioned whether it would be "prudent" to include the full amount in the fiscal 2009 budget that he is required to submit to lawmakers by January.”

He wants to know whether it would be “prudent” to follow the law?

Again, as a reminder, the 2004 Thornton bill that Bob Ehrlich didn’t sign was the one that removed a “trigger” provision that required the General Assembly to assert the money was available to pay for the Thornton increases. Tell me again why this was Bob Ehrlich's Fault?

...vote, that is. What were you thinking?

"The Senate is full of pomp and circumstance at the slightest historical moment, so it was a stunning oversight on Aug. 3 when not a bit of attention was given to Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), with a 45-year career in the chamber, as he cast his 15,000th vote.” Lost in the Shuffle, a Milestone

Obviously I think this is about 15,000 votes too many yet for some reason, the Post writers find this recognition oversight “stunning”. But when the late Strom Thurmond cast his 15,000 vote in 1998, the hoopla seemed rather restrained.

Coincidentally, Senator Byrd (D-WV) had earlier in that same (1998) year become the first to cast a 15,000th vote as a Senator. He later went on to cast a 17,000 vote in 2004 which apparently received a bit more notice. That occasion so moved Ted Kennedy that he gushed:

“Byrd, said Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts., "personifies what our founding fathers were thinking about. ... He brings the qualities that the founding fathers believed were so important."

"There has been no one in this body that has defended the Constitution of the United States more vigorously, tenaciously, and with greater understanding, awareness, and belief in the words of the Constitution," Kennedy added.”

No doubt he was thinking of Robert Byrd’s reliance on the protections of the First Amendment as the West Virginian extolled the virtues of the KKK during his earlier days.

Kyoto is a horrible protocol and the US, beginning with the Clinton-Gore administration, is and has been correct to ignore it. But it remains an issue that our President unfortunately feels compelled to address: Australian, Bush Vow Action on Warming - washingtonpost.com

“Bush and Howard have attacked the Kyoto treaty, with its binding goals for reducing emissions and its lack of mandatory limits for developing countries, as making no sense for their countries or the environment. That stance led to widespread international and domestic criticism. But as the politics of climate change shift in both countries -- with a consensus forming to battle a problem now seen as urgent -- so too have the public postures of Bush and Howard.”

Well, I think to the extent that there is a true “consensus”, it is only in the sense that much of the press now believes it to be an urgent problem as well as an excellent opportunity to verify their liberal street cred. But never mind all that , I want to highlight my favorite part of this article:

“Bush pointed out that the United States last year reduced overall greenhouse gas emissions while growing its economy -- a development that experts attributed to favorable weather and the marshaling of new technology unrelated to government initiatives.”

So, according to these never-named experts, our reduction last year doesn’t count because the weather – which, after all, is the reason we’re supposed to want to reduce these gases – was apparently pretty good and new technology – which, under Kyoto, the government would be forcing down our throats so as to improve the apparently already improving weather – was adopted outside of government coercion.

Exact same weather, exact same technology use, exact same results – only difference; John Kerry is President. Does that paragraph get written?

An update from the Holy Land Foundation trial: Ex-Diplomat Testifies for Muslim Charity

“Israeli intelligence about Palestinian groups that a Muslim charity aided was often unreliable, a former senior U.S. diplomat testified Tuesday at the organization's trial on terrorism-support charges.

“Edward Abingdon, who served as U.S. consul-general in Jerusalem during the 1990s, said the Israelis had an "agenda" and provided "selective information to try to influence U.S. thinking."

No details provided...but while we are on the subject of agendas:

“Abingdon spent 30 years in the State Department. He resigned in 1999 and spent seven years at a Washington lobbying firm that represented the Palestinian Authority for as much as $750,000 a year.”

...and I'm sure he was a reliable projection of the Administration's views durng his time in Jerusalem for State...and now, just for the fun of it, a brief refresher:

“Arafat has received additional public relations help in the US from a lobbying firm headed by former US consul general in Jerusalem Edward Abingdon, who reportedly authored his New York Times column on February 3[2002].” Jerusalem Post via Amygdala (and Dr. Frank's)

How did the Israel Lobby let this one get away?

DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and the city’s Attorney General Linda Singer take to the pages of the Washington Post to complain about not being able to continue to ban handguns in the District. Specifically, they discuss their decision to appeal a recent DC Circuit decision overturning the DC ban:

“As mayor and attorney general of the District of Columbia, we were deeply disappointed this year when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit declared that the District's longstanding handgun ban violates the Second Amendment.” Fighting for Our Handgun Ban

The dissent in that case argued, or more accurately, repeated an earlier assertion that the Second Amendment didn’t apply to the District:

“Its superfluity is even more pronounced, however, because the meaning of the Second Amendment in the District of Columbia (District) is purely academic. Why? As Judge Walton declared in Seegars v. Ashcroft, 297 F. Supp. 2d 201, 239 (D.D.C. 2004), aff’d in part, rev’d in part sub nom. Seegars v. Gonzales, 396 “the District of Columbia is not a state within the meaning of the Second Amendment and therefore the Second Amendment’s reach does not extend to it.” For the following reasons, I respectfully dissent.” Parker v. DC, Judge Henderson dissenting

Judge Henderson does not note in her dissent that Judge Walton had preceded that 2nd –Amendment-does-apply-to-DC line with this factoid:

“In any event, while the Fifth Circuit had to cast a shadow on the current viability of Supreme Court precedent that have commented on the scope of the Second Amendment to reach the conclusion that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms, the Emerson Court’s assessment is of no moment here because, as noted above, the Fourteenth Amendment does not apply to the District of Columbia. Bolling, 347 U.S. 497.”

Bolling was decided the same date as Brown v. Board of Education, involved DC public schools and Chief Justice Warren’s opinion did indeed take note of the non-applicability of the 14th Amendment:

“We have this day held that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits the states from maintaining racially segregated public schools. The legal problem in the District of Columbia is somewhat different, however. The Fifth Amendment, which is applicable in the District of Columbia, does not contain an equal protection clause as does the Fourteenth Amendment which applies only to the states.”

But CJ Warren managed to apply the 5th Amendment anyway to reach a decision consistent with Brown.

Meanwhile, the Mayor and AG argue:

“The District should have authority just like that of the states, if for no other reason than to avoid the absurd result that the nation's capital alone would lack the ability to take the steps the local government believes are needed to keep its residents safe.”

They make this claim based on Presser:

“Another longstanding Supreme Court precedent, Presser v. Illinois, establishes that the Second Amendment simply does not apply to state regulation of gun possession and use.”

Well, don’t take their word for it, read for yourself:

“The second amendment declares that it shall not be infringed, but this, as has been seen, means no more than that it shall not be infringed by congress. This is one of the amendments that has no other effect than to restrict the powers of the national government, leaving the people to look for their protection against any violation by their fellow-citizens of the rights it recognizes to what is called in City of New York v. Miln, 11 Pet.” PRESSER v. STATE OF ILLINOIS, 116 U.S. 252 (1886) (emphasis added)

Since the District is a creation of the Federal Government, it would be “an absurd result” (to coin a phrase) to think the Federal Government could create such legal entities to which the US Constitution’s protections of US citizens against the vagaries of the federal government do not apply. Clearly, if the 5th amendment applies to the District, the 2nd should also.

Former Carroll Coach Dwyer Remembered

“Bob Dwyer, a longtime local basketball coach who guided the Carroll High boys' basketball to a legendary 55-game winning streak from 1958 to 1960, died Tuesday night of congestive heart failure. He was 91.”

Well, as the article mentions, he also coached at St. Anselm’s in DC and was there during my 6 years (7th – 12th) there. Up until just the last couple of years, I would see him at our annual golf outing and would always make it a point to tell him that of all the basketball I’ve watched, including college and pros, I have never watched better coached teams than I did at St. Anselm’s. We were a small school (21 in my graduating class) but we won a lot more than we lost and quite simply never got blown out.

We only had two sports at the time, Basketball and Baseball, and he coached both (I played baseball for him). Basketball was a source of enormous school pride and Bob Dwyer made our success happen.

Bob Dwyer, R.I.P.

Imagine the following headline:

“Documents Show U.S. Citizens Disregard Rules”

Followed by this explanation:

“Newly released documents regarding crimes committed by U.S. citizens detail a troubling pattern of these citizens failing to understand and follow the rules that govern their actions.

“The documents, released Tuesday by the American Civil Liberties Union ahead a lawsuit, total nearly 10,000 pages of U.S. courts’ documents, transcripts and police investigative reports about 22 incidents. They show repeated examples of citizens pleading not guilty.”

Compare and contrast with this breathless AP report:

Documents Show Soldiers Disregard Rules

Of course when you read the article, you learn the documents are from Court Martials and Military Investigations...you know, the kind of things the military does when it thinks soldiers may have disregarded rules.