Here is another domestic violence article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/20/AR2009032003012.html

LT. GOV.

ANTHONY BROWN

"VERY PLEASED"

THAT VICTIMS OF

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

WILL NOT HAVE THE

RIGHT TO DEFEND

THEMSELVES

Maryland #2 Praises Defeat of Women's

Right Under Amendment #2

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown was "very pleased" to learn that victims of domestic violence would be unable to qualify for concealed carry permits. These State Police-issued permits would have given special preference to women who had protective orders against their abusers to carry a concealed firearm for their protection.

Once again, a Democrat has placed politics ahead of public safety, and the health and welfare of women and children across the state of Maryland. And what a peculiar comment from the Lt. Governor's office... he is "very pleased?" What an insensitive way to respond to a serious (but entirely expected) defeat for victims of domestic violence. I guess he is "very pleased" that we will continue to have a society where only the abusers and violent thugs have unlimited access to firearms.

It's outrageous.

Fortunately, "help is on the way."

My domestic violence proposal will give every woman the right to carry a concealed firearm for protection from domestic abusers and violent criminals.

Why not turn the page on the past, and join me in the future where we will offer a proactive agenda to knock out domestic violence in our county and state.

Here is an article from USA Today about the Chris Brown-Rihanna domestic violence controversy.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-03-09-rihanna-brown-violence_N.htm

When I warned a few weeks ago that young people would receive a message through the outcome of this case, I referred to the criminal justice system and the media.

The shocking part is that the horrible message and example were given not by those entities, but by the victim herself, when she chose to go back to her abuser in the most public fashion. It also appears that career considerations are being placed above mental, emotional, and physical health concerns. And that should never be the case, whether one is rich and famous or living in poverty.

This is a sad but textbook case of the destructive cycle of violence in many abusive relationships.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

HAS ITS OWN

SCOOTER LIBBY

"County Sources" Leak Confidential

Personnel and Medical

Record Details of Disabled Police Officers to

Washington Post Reporters

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!

Yesterday's Washington Post featured another slanted article on our elected officials' attempt to deny retirement benefits to disabled Montgomery County police officers.

One breakthrough has vindicated the position of those of us who support our county police officers:

According to the Post itself:

"The Post's review of county and state documents and interviews with current and retired officers did not uncover deception."

So what is the problem? As we all know, the problem is really that our elected officials want to make disabled police officers scapegoats for their fiscal mismanagement.

And that the Washington Post and those officials would like the money currently going to disabled officers to be redirected to developers and the special interests that control the decisions made in Rockville.

But the real breaking news in the Post was not even recognized by the Post! So you'll have to turn here to get the real story.

First, read this quote from the article:

"County officials declined to disclose the names of officers on disability, saying such information is private."

No kidding!

But wait a minute... Further ahead in the article, you find this:

"Kevin Strange, 38, also was awarded disability payments, according to county sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the program."

The "county sources" go on to reveal confidential details of Officer Strange's disability status and medical history.

How did the Post not recognize this unethical release of private information?

IT'S NOT EASY

BEING GREEN...

WITH

CHAMPAGNE

WISHES AND

CAVIAR DREAMS

Montgomery Executive Tools Around

Town in Chauffered 2008 Suburban

How do you follow up the construction of a $77,000 Luxury Master Bath Suite in your office, at taxpayer expense?

If you're Ike Leggett, you trade up to a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban SUV with chauffer, again at taxpayer expense.

While the Washington Post is giving its dear friend Leggett a free pass on his recent misuse of taxpayer-funded County Cable Montgomery for partisan campaign activity, its reporters and columnists also have declined to point out the executive's sheer environmental hypocrisy.

Now, let me be clear. I have said many times that - while we have gravely serious issues regarding pollution, carcinogens, and toxic waste here and around the world - the idea of "global warming caused by human activity" is the greatest hoax of our time.

And, therefore, I have no issue with someone driving a Chevy Suburban. In fact, I would recommend such a vehicle highly.

But I'm not Ike Leggett. And Mr. Leggett has joined his Democratic allies in preaching the gospel of global warming and touting the high-cost corporate "solutions" that will drain all of our wallets if enacted.

Therefore, if you believe global warming is real - and you believe Mr. Leggett practices what he preaches - then you will be shocked, horrified, stunned, and in utter stupefied disbelief to find that he is being driven around the county in one of the largest SUVs available today.

The same kind of SUVs always being criticized by Mr. Leggett and his allies.

Do as I say, not as I do. Indeed.

And about the chauffer...

If Sarah Palin - a governor - can drive herself around Alaska, why can't Mr. Leggett drive his personal vehicle himself? How much did/is this plush ride cost/costing the taxpayer, during what is becoming a veritable depression?

There are too many questions. And with a free pass from The Washington Post, don't expect any answers.

WASHINGTON POST

DEMOCRAT PROTECTION

PLAN IN EFFECT

FOR

IKE LEGGETT

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!

Despite my making Washington Post reporters aware of County Executive Ike Leggett's improper use of taxpayer-funded County Cable Montgomery to engage in partisan campaign activity (read previous entry below), the Post has yet to print a word about it.

There is no accountability for our elected officials when the local press actively protects the interests of Democratic politicians.

FULL "DISCLOSURE:"

WASHINGTON POST

UNDERARMOUR

HIT PIECE

MOTIVATED BY

POST COMPANY

FINANCIAL INTEREST

IN NIKE

Post Co. Director Buffett Owns Over

7.5 Million Shares of Nike Stock,

Valued at $448 Million; Son Peter

Operates Nike Charitable Foundation

Another www.RobertDyer.net EXCLUSIVE!

Holy conflict of interest, Batman! You might have seen the "expose" hit piece on Maryland athletic apparel company UnderArmour in the Washington Post Sports section recently.

In this piece of "journalism," the reporter tried to create the impression that UnderArmour was engaged in inappropriate recruiting activity on behalf of the University of Maryland. And failed to make a strong case to verify that accusation. It also included a vulgar quote suggesting that the UnderArmour shoe in question was low in quality.

At the same time, it presented one of the warmest, most favorable impressions of sweatshop giant Nike that I have ever read. It stated, for example, that Nike would never engage in this sort of activity. And that Nike would never allow a high school athlete to tour its Oregon factory.

There's just one problem.

Washington Post Company Director Warren Buffett just happens to own massive amounts of Nike stock. Furthermore, he has pledged $1 billion in Berkshire Hathaway Stock to a Nike charitable foundation that just happens to be operated by his son, Peter.

Most importantly, the Post article failed to disclose this incredible conflict of interest.

And what a conflict of interest it is, ladies and gentlemen! Any athletic apparel analyst knows that UnderArmour is one of the fastest growing companies in the field. It is now moving into the shoe market, currently dominated by... Nike. So this article, potentially directed by Buffett himself(?), cast a shadow on the integrity of upstart UnderArmour. It cast an extremely favorable light on Nike. And it went so far as to - conveniently - trash a shoe line that is a potential threat to Nike.

It's outrageous.

Of course, we know that failure to disclose conflicts of interest is simply operating procedure at The Washington Post. But once again, the Post has embarrassed itself and made clear that it operates under the lowest of journalistic standards.

When it comes to using the Post as a weapon for his business interests, Warren Buffett has one message for his newsroom:

Just do it.

COUNTY CABLE

MONTGOMERY

USED FOR

PARTISAN

POLITICAL PURPOSES...

AGAIN!

Leggett Attacks District 4 Special Election

Candidate Robin Ficker on Taxpayer-funded

Cable Program

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!

Last evening, County Executive Ike Leggett used his taxpayer-funded program, "One on One," to attack and mock Republican County Council candidate Robin Ficker. Host Holly Woerner stated that Ficker had moved from Damascus (wrong - he lived in Boyds) to Silver Spring so he could run for the District 4 special election. Woerner asked Leggett what his reaction was to that.

Leggett replied that Ficker would now show he can lose in every part of the county. Just one problem - under county and state campaign finance and ethics regulations, Mr. Leggett is not allowed to make that type of partisan campaign remark on County Cable Montgomery.

Readers of this blog well remember how I exposed a previous incident of partisan use of County Cable Montgomery. CCM was airing promotional segments on Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. In essence, our taxpayer-funded channel was being used to promote statewide candidates on behalf of the Maryland Democratic Party.

That was wrong, and so was last night's broadcast. The offending statements should be removed from any rebroadcast of "One on One," and the county owes the taxpayers an explanation for this partisan electioneering on behalf of Democratic council candidates.

BUT WAIT,

THERE'S MORE!!!

Hold the phone... Ike Leggett and the council are also buying the Webb Tract, according to The Gazette.

It's going to be more than $120 million in taxpayer dollars. So, that brings the Shady Grove boondoggle to a whopping $182 million dollars - and counting!

That is about a third of the whole budget shortfall! Have our elected officials truly lost their minds?

The Webb Tract is owned by developer Miller and Smith. Can somebody run that in the campaign finance database, and find out if Miller and Smith donated to anyone who votes for this debacle?

Once again, the Upcounty gets the second-class citizen treatment from the executive and council, who just obliterated the Upcounty Ride-On schedule.

Let me leave the last words to an actual taxpayer and resident of Montgomery Village, as quoted in the Gazette:

"Now the county thinks that the Webb tract is a perfect dumping ground for all the trash that they don't want… because we put up the least resistance of anybody," East Village resident Brian Benhaim told the board after the county's presentation, echoing the comments of several residents. "This is ridiculous; this does nothing good for the community. This will devastate the community … that whole area will get wiped out in value. Please fight this; this makes no sense."

It's outrageous.

COUNTY COUNCIL

SPENDS $62 MILLION

ON PROPERTIES DESPITE

$500 MILLION

BUDGET SHORTFALL

Public Safety Employees Losing Pay,

Benefits, While Big-Spending Council

Acquires Properties for Shady Grove

"Smart Growth" Boondoggle

Unbelievable. Just weeks after I testified a second time against the council's effort to deny retirement benefits for disabled police officers - and told the council to save money by cancelling the so-called "Smart Growth Initiative" - what has happened?

The council - in league with executive Ike Leggett and their dear friends at the Washington Post editorial board - is still making police officers and firefighters scapegoats for their fiscal mismanagement. And, after a very public fake-out, have gone ahead with the Shady Grove dumb growth boondoggle to satisfy the needs of the developers and special interests who elected them.

In other words, the complete opposite of what I suggested in my testimony.

Please tell me where the council found $72 million dollars for 2 completely unnecessary land purchases? Who did they buy them from, and which politicians did the owners contribute campaign funds to?

The Post just attacked our career firefighters (I guess the Post needed a break from their attacks on our volunteer firefighters) and said that the union's concessions would only save $7 million. Let's do the math... $7 million vs. $72 million... uh, let's see...

We have the most irresponsible, incapable, and incompetent council in Montgomery County history, and this land purchase proves it.

You can't spend money you don't have.

How about that $900,000 the council gave to good friends at Centro Familia, which the Inspector General says is entirely unaccounted for?

No problem, said Councilmember George Leventhal in the Post.

Okay, almost 1 million dollars missing and no one on the council is doing anything about it? Do they realize how much money that is? Unaccounted for? Usually people go to jail when this kind of thing happens. The organization is now claiming the money is accounted for, but no evidence has been provided to the public so far. And the spokeswoman is no longer speaking to reporters.

And now we hear that the county economic development department gave $25,000 to a company run by the son of a Leggett appointee.

The council seems to have money for everything except public safety.

It's outrageous.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

BOWLING TEAM

BOOTED FROM

SHADY GROVE 300?

Here's a troubling story from The Gazette. Apparently, the county Special Olympics bowling team was told their time was up when AMF reopened its Shady Grove bowling alley.

Now called "300," the new clientele is supposed to be more upscale. (This is pretty much a clone of Strike Bethesda). That's why I find it disturbing that the team was suddenly unable to be accommodated - how convenient.

The good news is that the Special Olympics team has found a new home at Bowl America on Clopper Road. Still, why shouldn't the team be able to enjoy the fancy new facilities at 300 like any other resident?

According to the article, AMF insists it is a chaperone issue. However, the article goes on to add that only 2 of the facility's past bowling leagues re-signed contracts with 300.

Debbie Fickenscher, who is both a team coordinator and a team member's mom, according to the Gazette, was quoted as saying that the team did in fact appreciate the new alley before they got the boot:

"For the time we were there, it was wonderful, and it was not lost on the
athletes that they were in a brand new thing," she said.

I'm not sure if this is a violation of the ADA yet, but at best, it is a public relations disaster for 300.

DR. YES

FUELS

DEVELOPERS'

STEAMROLLER

TO TURN

NEIGHBORHOOD

STRIP MALLS

INTO

FOOL'S GOLD

Westwood Shopping Center Plans

Revealed in Planning Board Document

The draft of the Montgomery County Planning Board's new growth policy argues for the demise of the strip mall countywide. In its place, developers will be permitted to profit from building vacant luxury apartments and empty retail storefronts, as they have done in recent years.

But as we know, that money is fool's gold for the taxpayer. Developers make money, but no economic activity is generated by largely vacant housing and failing boutiques. Politicians direct taxpayer funds to developers and pro-developer master plans. A portion of developer profits is then returned to the politician in campaign contributions. Politician is reelected, and here we go again.

I've already covered the issue of why strip malls are indeed appropriate in neighborhoods and along Rockville Pike. We've already had a preview of the concrete canyon proposed for Rockville Pike. Only in the fantasy world of Dr. Yes and his developer buddies does replacing a parking lot with a building improve our environment. Exactly who wants to dine at an outdoor table on the curb of a major state highway? Can you smell the exhaust? I feel like I'm in Paris already.

The open environment of the Pike should be retained. 355 should be widened not only for traffic, but also for bus and bike lanes. Small areas of the heavily-used - and therefore much needed - surface lots can be modifed to improve drainage and add green space. Surface lots are not only essential for shopping, but are also safer than garages. Garages are not green - just check out how many lights are burning away inside of the nearly-vacant garages in Rockville's town center. I'd like to hear a conversation in which Dr. Yes and Mr. Stanley from our planning department tell Pierre Charles L'Enfant about the virtues of concrete canyon design.

And we already know that the current plans for the Westwood Shopping Center and Westbard Sector are simply too large in scale and unacceptable. Once again, I offer the Shops at Sumner Place as the ideal model for how a neighborhood shopping center should be redeveloped. It has what the residents need, but does not draw heavy traffic from outside the neighborhood. And it doesn't have vacant apartments above it. What is does have is open space, well-lighted surface parking, and doesn't tower over the neighborhood.

Here's the exact quote, to give you an idea of what planners and developers have in store for your neighborhood:

"Every strip mall in the county, or large surface parking lot, should be considered a potential site for mixed-use development."

- Montgomery County Planning Board Growth Policy Draft Report, 2009

Says who? It's time to restore a citizen-driven process, where residents are making decisions. All the Planning Board is giving us are commands, orders, and "here's how it's going to be, whether you like it or not." Remember, we pay their salaries and we - the residents - are the boss. Not Dr. Yes, and not the developers. But it is increasingly hard to tell that is the case.

NEW DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE BROCHURES

AVAILABLE FOR

DOWNLOAD

The Montgomery County Commission for Women has published a new brochure designed to help victims of domestic violence. Titled, Let's Talk About Violence in Relationships, it explains how to recognize - and hopefully prevent - violent and abusive relationships.

You can read the brochure online in six languages at:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfwtmpl.asp?url=/content/cfw/index.asp

It is in a box in the left center of the website homepage.

CHRIS BROWN:

SHOULD DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE BE A

COSTLY ACTION

FOR THE

RICH AND FAMOUS?

YES!

The news that recording artist Chris Brown has been arrested and charged with felony domestic violence - and that the victim is allegedly his equally-famous girlfriend, Rihanna - shows once again that domestic violence affects people at all levels of society. But it also raises the question of whether the public will be outraged enough to stop buying the products of a man who is - allegedly - coldly capable of beating a woman and putting her in the hospital.

This is certainly not the first case of celebrity domestic violence. Nor will it be the last. But if today's movies are going to continue to glorify violence against women, the real world needs to at least maintain what is left of its moral compass.

And this is certainly a case of sheer stupidity on Mr. Brown's part, as he could not have chosen a worse moment to perpetrate - allegedly - such heinous acts.

Criminal acts should have consequences. And much like our local politicians who have been convicted of drunk driving, the rich and famous require consequences that also take into account their influential status in society. Children will get a message out of this. Hollywood, the media, and the criminal justice system should ensure they get the right one.

PAUL BLART:

CASINO COP

"Mommy, what's a

slot machine?"

In the grand tradition of candy cigarettes and "alcopops," Maryland is about to experience a new gateway addiction: slots marketed to children at Arundel Mills Mall.

That's not a misprint, and it is the shocking new development in the sordid dealings of Gov. Martin O'Malley & Co. with the casino industry.

You heard right. In the near future, soccer moms will be able to add one more stop when making the rounds at Hanover, MD's popular mega-mall: the casino.

"You guys have fun at Build-A-Bear, I'll be in the casino."

We heard ad nauseum that slots were needed to save the horse racing industry. Aside from the issue of why the taxpayer should pay for an increasingly abusive "sport" that few apparently wish to patronize... ...how come now the slots aren't even going to be located at the Laurel track? I can hear a cuckoo clock going off in the governor's office right now.

But then wait a minute - remember how in Baltimore, the slots are going to the crumbling industrial neighborhood soon to be developed by a major Democratic campaign contributor, and not to Pimlico. You know how these things work. A classic bait-and switch.

Slots are funding education alright! Kids are learning about slots at an early age. And everyone at the mall is about to experience the likely increase in crime slots will bring. To the family oriented mall. Is this really happening? In the liberal state of Maryland?

Sounds like the first details of the Paul Blart sequel are writing themselves. Paul Blart: Casino Cop. Look at him trying to stop a Leisure World resident speeding towards the Arundel Mills Casino!

Turn right at Abercrombie!, left at Sbarro!, and follow the magic sounds of

money, money, money!!!.

Which is what the slots scheme is all about.

SUPER BOWL

SPECIAL REPORT:

"GAME DAY DRINKING

INCREASES

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE"

Here is an interesting story from WJZ-TV 13 in Baltimore:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=4226712&cl=11825740&src=news

GIVING WOMEN A

FIGHTING CHANCE

AGAINST VIOLENT

CRIME AND DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE

Concealed Weapon Laws are

Proven to Reduce Crime

While I am pleased that my Republicans Against Domestic Violence campaign succeeded in getting the issue back on the County Council agenda here in Montgomery County, I am disappointed that important changes in the law are not being considered.

I have quite a list, but one of those I'd like to talk about today is a new law that would give women the right to carry a concealed firearm.

This right, of course, is already theirs. It is guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Of course, as you know, that right has been infringed upon by liberal governments across this country.

But I'd like to speak to not only those of you who - like me - believe in our right to bear arms, but also to those of you who favor strict gun control.

I believe we can give women the right to carry a concealed weapon and have an increase in public safety, and a decrease in violent crime against women. Is this new protection needed?, you might ask.

The answer is, Yes!

A series of horrific, violent attacks and sexual assaults against women in the county and state just recently vindicate the need for just such a law.

This month, at The Cheesecake Factory in White Flint Mall, a woman was sexually assaulted in the ladies room by a restaurant employee.

Recently, a 34-year-old Laurel woman was shot twice in the face. She had a protective order against the man who shot her.

And just two weeks ago, another Laurel woman, 21, was abducted and raped by 3 men in a red SUV. She was abducted in Olde Towne Gaithersburg, which is known as a high-crime area. The men dropped her off in the 7200 block of Muncaster Road.

All of these crimes were monstrous. And, clearly, current law was insufficient to protect these 3 women.

Unlike our elected officials, I am not content to let the status quo continue. With violent crime on the increase, and sure to worsen as the economy does, women need to have the right to defend themselves.

A concealed firearm could have made a huge difference in many cases, including the three above.

Any law-abiding woman over the age of 18 should have the right to carry a concealed weapon. With the proper training and the right handgun, women who would like this option would now have a formidable line of defense against the vile villains and domestic abusers who would do them harm.

And since women are rarely the perpetrators of gun violence, this is one new law that gun control activists cannot justifiably oppose.

While I hope that Democrats in Annapolis will reverse their shameful course and pass new domestic violence laws this year, the ones on the drawing board are simply insufficient. The law to seize all firearms hardly guarantees that a domestic abuser would not obtain a firearm illegally.

Let's put forward a bolder, proactive agenda on domestic violence. One that empowers women, and prevents crime before it is committed. That has to be the goal in the future if we are going to make a difference.

FULL "DISCLOSURE:"

WASHINGTON POST

CONDEMNS PROTECTION

OF U.S. STEEL INDUSTRY...

NEGLECTS TO MENTION

POST COMPANY HAS

FINANCIAL INTEREST IN

SOUTH KOREAN STEEL

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive

The Washington Post has once again failed to disclose a financial conflict of interest in yesterday's editorial on "free" trade. While asking President Obama and the Congress to avoid adding new protections to our own American steel industry, Post editors conveniently left out an important fact:

Washington Post Company Director Warren Buffett owns 4% of POSCO, a massive South Korean steel maker.

Here's a quote from CNBC for you:

"The Oracle of Omaha, as Buffett is known, stands to make a tidy profit on his investment which he bought for $572 million. The stake was worth 1.23 trillion won ($1.31 billion) as of its Wednesday's closing share price."

And all at the expense of our own American steelworkers... isn't that patriotic?

As you now know, the Post continues to have a major disclosure problem. The Post continues to have major conflict of interest problems. (The editorial below the one on steel, on environmental issues, promotes positions that stand to benefit Post business associates such as General Electric among others).

Finally, just think about it: The Washington Post is favoring its own financial interest in South Korean steel, at the expense of American workers and what little is left of our heavy industry. That is shameful. Perhaps it's time President Obama takes action on trade issues, as he promised - he can start with his own newspaper, the pro-South Korean steel Washington Post.

WATER MAIN

BREAK UPDATE

The water main break on Ridgefield has been stopped, but there is a deep crater in the middle of the road. Only a small tripod has been placed over it, with yellow tape. On Friday, there was a flashing light in front of this to warn approaching vehicles. By last evening, that lamp had been removed or stolen. This has made for a dangerous situation; approach with caution. I assume WSSC will be back Monday to complete the job.

THAT DID IT

www.RobertDyer.net Once Again

Generates Not Just Words, But

A C T I O N

13 hours after my previous post on the water main break appeared online (and 72 hours after the main broke, causing dangerous, icy road conditions), a WSSC crew arrived on the scene to finally stop the leak. I hope to have an update on the repairs and street conditions after I pass by there later today. It appeared that the actual break was further up the hill, while the water was bursting out at the intersection below. I would suggest you still approach the intersection with caution, as I don't know if the mess is cleaned up yet, and it is currently below freezing.