NEW TRACTOR VIDEO

UPLOADED

As promised, Part 2 of the Ultimate Tractor Video is now available on the Robert Dyer Channel. It contains more exclusive video from last Saturday's Montgomery County Gas & Steam Engine Show.

Just go to the main menu at www.RobertDyer.net and click on the Robert Dyer Channel link.

My photos from the show are starting to go online, and there will soon be a link at robertdyer.net to the entire collection.

Here is the pink tractor photo I promised... by popular demand.

It's a pink 1948 Farmall tractor. Zoom in on the plaques to read that the owner has a sense of humor. This was taken Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Gas & Steam Engine Show.

The tractor show is over. But even as you are reading this, some of those machines are back at work on farms in Montgomery County.

Yesterday, I went to the Gas and Steam Engine Show at the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park. Farmers and tractor collectors from Poolesville to Mount Airy, and from Damascus to Etchison, converged on the park to show their prized machines. The weather was beautiful, it was sunny and warm, and a great day to be outdoors on a farm. And tractors. And funnel cakes. Was this a great day, or what?

It's a long drive from the 270 exit, and you pass by the Road to Konterra (a.k.a. the ICC) site on the way there. They are working furiously on that there and on I-95. If you've been up that way recently, you know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I went up the winding road into the park and followed the signs up a grassy hill where I parked. The first thing I saw was a small number of classic cars. To the left was the information booth where they had a map of all the displays. Suddenly there was a loud blast from a steam engine. Not a locomotive, but one that runs like a truck on wheels.

Beyond that was a set of stalls where you could buy funnel cakes and french fries. Every so often, some piece of equipment roars by and sends up a cloud of gravel dust. That is just life on the farm.

There were some vendors selling farm-related merchandise. But I came to see the tractors. Going down a dusty gravel road, the machines finally came into view. The first one on the end got my attention: a gray and red 1924 Fordson. The owner said he is in the process of restoring it.

Farmalls were well-represented. Lots of red ones. One that really stood out was the pink one. That's right, a pink tractor. A pink 1948 Farmall tractor, to be exact. You'd probably not be surprised to find out that this tractor belongs to a woman. I got pictures of this and many other tractors, so you'll be able to examine them for yourself.

There were also some of my personal favorite, John Deere. Of all sizes and types. Some of the tractors were operating while I was there, and I've got all of this on video. So if you weren't able to go to the Show, you'll still be able to enjoy all the best parts right on your computer/cell phone. Except the funnel cakes.

Just go to http://www.robertdyer.net/ and click on "Watch the Robert Dyer Channel." The first pictures will be here, and I'll direct you to others as I upload them.

While examining the tractors, occasionally a guy would blast by on some kind of motorbike. There were also hayrides going on. I got all of that on tape, too.

Across from the tractors was an engine-powered water pump that was on display, and operating. The ad for the show said something about "kiddie tractor pulls," which turned out to be a guy on some kind of tractor pulling kids along in little train cars. I don't remember very well. Mainly I was just trying to avoid getting run over.

So it was a great day on the farm. This is what America is all about. I hope you enjoy the photos and videos, and there are more to come.

COUNCILMEMBER

COMPARES DISABLED

POLICE OFFICERS

TO

CRIMINALS

2 Former County Officers are

Cleared of All Charges in Retirement Probe

After already disparaging our county police department with repeated (and clearly disproven) accusations, Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg has gone one step further.

Quoted in the Washington Post (in another anonymous editorial on disability retirement "reform" [has the Post ever been more invested in an issue??]), Trachtenberg said the following:

"[Having any new retirement system only apply to
officers joining the force after July 1 would be] giving [disabled officers] a
get out of jail free card."

- Duchy Trachtenberg

Consider what that statement is implying: It is equating a disabled police officer attempting to collect retirement benefits to a criminal in jail. And that allowing him or her to collect those benefits (negotiated in a legally-binding labor agreement) is the equivalent of letting that officer "out of jail free."

It's outrageous.

Not only did the Washington Post's own investigation reveal that not one single officer has improperly received benefits, but now even the federal investigation is over. And both former county police officers were cleared of every charge by federal investigators. Period.

The police union, like the fire and teacher's unions, is under absolutely no legal obligation to renegotiate the terms of a legally-binding labor agreement.

I am not sure what the end result of these absurd and unnecessary negotiations will be, but the county executive and council have done irreparable damage to the county's future ability to negotiate with labor. Nothing the county says in future negotiations will have any credibility, thanks to the actions of our current elected officials. That is because just about every labor agreement has been illegally put in the trash can by Ike Leggett and members of the council.

This illegal attempt to ignore negotiated benefits for disabled police officers should conclude in a legal fashion: in court or by arbitration.

Should the county succeed in its efforts to deny disabled officers the benefits they have every legal right to, it means that labor agreements would now be worthless in Montgomery County.

Remember, a deal is a deal; there is no legal authority for the council to break the existing agreement.

That's right: You've got to pay close attention here, ladies and gentlemen. It doesn't matter if a new system is 2 tiers, 3 tiers, or 150 tiers; the whole point of a new system is that some officers currently eligible for benefits are going to be denied those benefits. Despite having a lifelong injury suffered in the line of duty, protecting the citizens of Montgomery County. And where would those officers' money go? Right into the hands of the developers and special interests.

Our elected officials need money to reward those benefactors who get them elected. Just one problem! For purely political reasons, they can't raise taxes this year (even though your property taxes quietly went up anyway). Where to get the money? Ah, county employees.

Make no mistake, every single one of these eligible officers - past, present, and future - is suffering physical pain each day as a result of his or her injur(ies). Each one has limitations on what employment and leisure activities he or she can pursue for the rest of their life. Denying benefits to any one of these officers would be a moral outrage.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO!

WESTBARD SNARLED

AT MASSACHUSETTS AVE.

BY WSSC IMPROVEMENTS

DURING RUSH HOUR

Intersections of Westbard/Mass. Ave,

Little Falls Parkway/Mass. Ave. Backed Up

A www.RobertDyer.net EXCLUSIVE!

A WSSC contractor is continuing work on the water line under Massachusetts Avenue, and is currently working at the intersection of Westbard and Mass. Ave.

It would be best to avoid this intersection during rush hour, until repairs are completed.

This project has been ongoing since late last summer. Despite the traffic problems - this should not be done during rush hour - this is probably a positive development. The WSSC actually maintaining its system would be a welcome improvement. So it is difficult to complain.

One driver told me that it took over 30 minutes to get from River Road to Mass. Ave on Little Falls Parkway because of the traffic jam.

From my crow's nest high above the intersection, I captured some exclusive video for your enjoyment.



Watch this, and more exclusive video, on the Robert Dyer Channel at http://www.robertdyer.net/ and click on the Robert Dyer Channel link on the Main Menu.

TEA PARTY

TODAY, MORE

TAXES

TOMORROW

If you live in Montgomery County or in the state of Maryland, you are an expert on high taxes. Here we have the 5th highest taxes in America to start with, and then the county takes even more.

It's about to get a lot worse. President Obama and the Democratic Congress are preparing to raise taxes to historic levels. Our state and county have raised fees, and want to add $9-20 a month to your WSSC bill. Comcast and PEPCO bills are at an all-time high.

Despite the Washington Post's Democrat Protection Program coverage of county government, the truth is that most homeowners are being hit with a property tax increase this year. That's right, an increase. On top of our already immoral, draconian property taxes after years of one-party, Democrat-monopoly rule.

Here are some more taxes in the works, and it's likely you're not even aware of them:

Parking Tax - Councilmember Nancy Floreen's $250(!!) "Parking Tax" is back in the form of a proposal to increase parking costs to $1 an hour. Councilmember Floreen can't think of a better way to help business owners in Bethesda, than to increase parking costs to Orwellian heights. But just watch as the local chambers of commerce support Ms. Floreen in the 2010 election. Why? Because those local chambers are currently tools of the Democratic Party.

Richard Madeleno Internet Sales Tax - Temporarily on hold in Annapolis, but you should know that Sen. Madeleno attempted to charge you a sales tax (6%) on many internet purchases you currently receive tax-free.

Our elected officials never met a tax-increase they didn't like. I can hear the wallet vacuums firing up as I type.

Don't be confused by the ideological madness pushed by the liberal media: you've heard people like Michael Kinsley and E.J. Dionne claim that wealth is mysteriously just produced by America. And that that wealth needs to be distributed more equitably.

The truth is that individuals create that wealth. If you shut down their businesses and discourage free enterprise, you reduce the amount of wealth created - and the jobs that result. Government rules don't create wealth or jobs; Americans do.

The socialist model has been discredited everywhere in the world.

What will get this economy going again is more money in the hands of the citizen, not government.

I'll leave you with perhaps the greatest quote about taxes since the Revolutionary War:

"If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it."
- President Ronald Reagan

NEW TACTIC BY

WASHINGTON POST,

DEVELOPERS, AND

ASSORTED SPECIAL

INTERESTS:

PUSH MASSIVE

OVERDEVELOPMENT

AS AN

ECONOMIC ISSUE

I'll have to tell you about the brief interruption to this blog over the weekend later. Interesting story.

Right now, we need to get out in front of this new tactic being pushed by developers and special interests in the District 4 County Council special election: Namely that overdevelopment is good for you. And that slowed development (caused by the economy, certainly not the county's pro-developer policies) is causing the local economic crisis - not the county executive and council's failed fiscal policies and mismanagement.

The failing Washington Post has come out swinging on behalf of this bizarro-world talking point. Besides further damaging its collapsing ethical standards by declining to endorse a candidate in the Republican primary(!!!) - the most childish action I've witnessed from a major metropolitan media outlet in some time - it used overdramatic language to redefine politics in Montgomery County:

The Post said that those who oppose the status quo (overdevelopment on the mixed-use Bethesda Row/Rockville Town Center model, excessive spending and taxation, incompetent leadership, no solutions to transportation gridlock, constructing buildings to help the environment[?!]) are "anti-development zealots" (!!) who are therefore to be barred entirely from elected office. (By the way, did anyone else catch that line where the Post's anonymous editors said that Lou August and Andrew Padula had no experience in county government? Strange, because the developer they endorsed - Ben Kramer - has no experience in county government either!! So what is the point of that statement?)

Furthermore, no experience is required to hold elected office. Read the rules, Washington Post!

I'm sure the various boards of trade and chambers of commerce that really run things around here enjoyed the editorial.

But those of us trying to live in this county, and who have different priorities such as safer neighborhoods, fiscal responsibility, and a cleaner environment, are simply bewildered by Stone Age economics, environmental hypocrisy, and 1960s transportation plans.

FULL "DISCLOSURE:"

WASHINGTON POST

EDITORIAL ON

TRANSMISSION LINES

FAILS TO DISCLOSE

POST COMPANY

FINANCIAL INTEREST

Post Co. Director Buffett Has Ownership in Utilities;

Would Profit from Success by Dominion Power, etc.

Another www.RobertDyer.net EXCLUSIVE!!

Once again, the Washington Post has failed to disclose its financial interests, and has published another editorial which serves the financial interest of its director, Warren Buffett.

Yesterday's editorial - from the self-proclaimed "green" Washington Post - supported Dominion Power and other utilities' plans to build new transmission lines. No matter what the environmental or public health cost, the Post said. No matter how many historic Civil War sites are disrupted, the Post said.

Why this passion and fervor? Longtime readers of this blog know the answer, as I have uncovered the secret long ago on this website. Ladies and gentlemen, did you know that if Dominion, et al get their way, that Mr. Buffett's other American utilities will also get to build new transmission lines and nuclear facilities?

Journalism is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, as liberal newspapers crumble away across the lower 48 states. Americans increasingly turn to blogs like this one for the real story, which you can't find in papers like the Post anymore.

Senator Ben Cardin (who, I have it on good authority, actually read for the part of Tom Willis on The Jeffersons back in the '70s) is calling for the government to operate failing Democrat house organ newspapers nationwide, using your taxpayer money! Unreal! Heck of a job, Cardy!

I wonder how the Post reporters would cover Democratic politicians who would pay their salaries. (About the same as they do now, probably - the coverage of Montgomery County and Maryland Democrats is positively worshipful [worshipful!!], no matter how big the budget deficit gets, or how incompetent or reckless their leadership style is).

The best part is, when the Post ceases publication, the Washington Times will become the only daily newspaper in town.

The Post continues to destroy itself by slowly eliminating the very things its older readership still subscribes for - stock listings, comics, Book World.

But mostly it is destroying itself through the constant lowering of ethical standards. Its continuous failure to disclose financial conflicts of interest is at the top of that list.

GUN CONTROL

GOVERNOR

"More Progress for More Prisoners,"

No Progress for Victims of Domestic Violence

Another session is winding down in Annapolis, and once again, Governor Martin O'Malley and his cronies in the General Assembly have failed to do anything about domestic violence. The only "domestic violence" bills that passed were 2 thinly-disguised gun control bills which will actually set back the cause when O'Malley signs them into law.

Allow me to put politics and hyperbole aside for a moment (unlike our elected officials) to explain.

The theory of a law to remove guns from the hands of violent domestic abusers was a credible one. And such a law could have been passed without violating the second amendment rights of innocent gun owners.

Instead, O'Malley & his gang decided to push two in-your-face, old fashioned gun control bills through the House and Senate.

Here's the 2-part problem. What I and other advocates for victims of domestic violence would like is to change the standard for issuing a protective order from "clear and convincing evidence" to "a preponderance of the evidence." The reason is that judges should err on the side of caution. And if a suspected abuser must only stay away from his alleged victim for the duration of the order, his Constitutional rights have not been violated. So if it turns out he was falsely accused, his legal injury is minimal.

Now, to justify the new gun control bills, advocates stress that orders require "clear and convincing evidence." So apparently, those advocates have abandoned the quest for easier-to-obtain protective orders at the altar of Gun Control. This is a huge mistake. It could well have doomed the chances of changing the standard. I don't even believe that victims will have a "false sense of security." Because they know that any abuser willing to hurt or kill won't have any trouble finding a different weapon - or an illegal gun - where a criminal usually gets them. And trust me, that's not at a gun store.

This is what happens when partisan politics and secondary agendas are injected into the domestic violence debate. It seems that some want to use the issue to further ideological goals rather than the health and welfare of victims.

Witness the defeat of a bill which would have given victims of domestic violence the ability to carry a concealed weapon.

And then, surprise surprise, O'Malley investing valuable time fighting the proposed law allowing D.C. residents to buy guns in Maryland.

It's the usual story in O'Malley's Maryland: keep power in the hands of violent criminals, and out of the hands of the innocent. Courtesy of your Gun Control Governor.

The other day, O'Malley said Maryland wouldn't be Maryland without the Preakness.

So I ask you, what is Maryland without the U.S. Constitution?

WASHINGTON POST

DISGRACE:

NEWSPAPER SAYS

DISABLED COPS

"DON'T DESERVE"

BENEFITS

Anonymous Editorial Writers Continue to

Attack County Police, Press Special Interest Agenda

Can anyone remember an issue on which the Washington Post has expended so much time, energy, and ink as it has on the police disability retirement issue in Montgomery County?

We know the Post's, Ike Leggett's, and the County Council's agenda: create a fake scandal, make disabled police officers scapegoats for the county's self-inflicted budget crisis, and steal the retirement money from disabled cops to give to the developers and other special interests.

Now the Post hits a new low, with yesterday's editorial in which it stated that disabled police officers "don't deserve" disability retirement benefits.

This hit newsstands shortly after several horrific incidents around the nation, in which many police officers were killed in the line of duty.

Such tragic events remind most civilized people of the dangers and realities that our police officers face each day. But twisted minds such as those of the editorial board at the Post are inspired to respond in a more disgusting and despicable manner: by telling the world - again - that our police are somehow "ripping off" the taxpayer, when there is no evidence to back up that claim. And now adding that disabled cops "don't deserve" benefits.

It's outrageous.

The story continues to be entirely one-sided, so let's review a few facts:

1. The current disability system works, and was agreed to without complaint by Ike Leggett and every member of the County Council. No one, including the Post, complained at the time.

2. The Post's own investigation revealed that not one single officer has committed a fraud or improperly received benefits. All officers had a genuine disability.

3. That means that the proposed "reform" of the system is now guaranteed to deny retirement benefits to some, or even a majority of, disabled police officers.

The union should not concede anything on this, as there is a legally binding agreement. No officer should be denied benefits. A vote is now scheduled for April 28, unless the union caves in to the executive and council's illegal refusal to honor a labor contract.

I believe the elected officials who have disparaged our police should step down immediately. And that the Washington Post's unsigned editorials "don't deserve" to be taken seriously.

EPA DECLINES TO

MONITOR AIR

POLLUTION OF

SCHOOLS IN

VICINITY OF

WESTBARD

INDUSTRIAL ZONE

Update on a www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!

USA Today reports that the EPA - which is going to monitor air quality around several dozen schools across the nation - will not be testing the air at schools around the Westbard industrial zone.

Readers of this blog will recall that - after I brought to light several environmental incidents in the industrial zone that surrounding neighborhoods were not notified of - USA Today gave support to those concerns, when it revealed that nearby schools have far worse air quality than any other Montgomery County school.

And that the airborne pollution was consistent not only with some of the substances involved in the zone incidents, but also with the buried World War I munitions near Spring Valley.

WE'LL HONOR THAT

LABOR CONTRACT.

(IF WE FEEL LIKE IT)

Leggett and Council Governing in an

Alternate Universe Without Rules,

As They Tear Up Binding Agreements with

Public Safety Personnel

Sunday's Washington Post had one of those statements from County Executive Ike Leggett's office that makes you wonder if there are any rules or standards left in our government.

A Leggett representative spoke in reaction to an arbitrator's ruling that the executive could - unbelievably - simply leave contractual COLAs for firefighters out of the budget. The arbitrator went on to say that Leggett's office gives him the right to shrug his shoulders about any financial obligation in the name of balanced budgets. The Leggett spokesperson said something to the effect that "we usually honor our labor agreements, but not in this case."

When can a binding agreement be broken by one party without consequence?

This is the same issue in the police disability retirement "reform." The executive and council agreed to the current system; they could have raised objections at that time. Now that money is tight, and they still need to fund the special interests that got them elected, they plan to get the cash by taking it from disabled police officers.

The good news is that none of the many attempts by our elected officials to raid the compensation packages of public safety personnel are a done deal yet. The county council still must agree to fund the provisions of any budget submitted by Leggett - and that includes all compensation and retirement issues. And don't forget about the Ambulance Fee...

So now is the time to turn up the heat on our greedy elected officials. Citizens need to make their voices - and their support of our police, and career and volunteer firefighters - heard.

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.

AS REMAINING

INFRASTRUCTURE

CRUMBLES AWAY,

WSSC TAKES PHONES

OFF THE HOOK

Monopoly Utility Lets Broken Bethesda

Water Main Run for 2 Days and Counting

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

And they say they're going to charge us an additional $20 a month? Monopoly water utility WSSC has apparently taken its phones off the hook, as residents are unable to report a water main break at the intersection of Ridgefield Road and Kirkwood in Bethesda.

Avoid this intersection! I have been on the scene myself yesterday and Tuesday. By today, the entire area around the intersection has a heavy coating of ice and black ice on it. Dodging cars and using my flashlight, I located two little fountains shooting up. They are only a few inches in height - one at the curb by the 4th Presbyterian Church, and the other in the middle of the road.

These appeared today, and the road has begun to crack and buckle in places. Certainly, nearby residents called this in on Tuesday. I tried to call myself last night...

The WSSC "emergency" number put me on hold for 22 minutes. They never answered.

I hung up and tried again. The same thing happened again.

Ladies and gentlemen, it appears that the WSSC has taken its phones off the hook.

Someone could be killed if a car goes out of control on that ice. Not to mention that nearby homes could be flooded if this water main break continues to be ignored by the WSSC.

It's outrageous.

I'll check it out again today, and report back. But this is what happens when our county government fails to exercise leadership in its oversight of the WSSC, and what happens when we have no competition or accountability in our utilities.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE,

COUNCILMEMBERS

TRY AGAIN TO DENY

DISABILITY BENEFITS

FOR DISABLED COUNTY

POLICE OFFICERS

Shameful Attempt Continues;

Washington Post Blacks Out Coverage

(So Far) of January 15 Public Hearing

10 degrees was an appropriate temperature for a public hearing where Montgomery County councilmembers Phil Andrews and Duchy Trachtenberg continued their cold approach to compensation for our county police officers.

As regular readers remember, county officials began this bizarre quest to deny disabled officers retirement benefits a few months back. The public was growing more outraged by the minute about the fiscal disaster our county executive and council had mismanaged their way into. Desperate for a sideshow to divert attention, Ike Leggett and some of the councilmembers invented a "scandal," suggesting that a majority of retiring police officers were defrauding taxpayers by improperly receiving disability benefits.

Other than two high profile cases being investigated at the federal level - and neither of those has yet reached the legal threshold to win a fraud case - not a single shred of evidence has been presented by Mr. Leggett, Mr. Andrews, or Ms. Trachtenberg.

Yet at last Thursday night's hearing, Andrews and Trachtenberg not only weren't apologizing for this shameless smear against Montgomery's finest, but were continuing to make disparaging remarks.

When I arrived at the council building, all nearby street parking was filled with county police cruisers. This impressive display was matched by the crowded hallway and hearing room filled with officers, many in uniform.

Those of us testifying in support of our county police were limited to just 3 minutes. Then councilmembers not only babbled on and on themselves, but also chose to only call upon the speakers who supported their attempt to deny disability benefits to retiring disabled officers.

Councilmember Valerie Ervin tried to suggest I did not know that the executive negotiates with the unions, not the council. I knew that, and did not suggest otherwise in my speech - but of course, as a citizen I am not allowed to rebut the endless jabbering of our councilmembers. In fact, my speech was correct - the executive reaches the agreement, BUT, the council MUST approve the agreement by appropriating the funds. So it is Ms. Ervin who needs a civics lesson, not me.

In short, the council "signed" these labor agreements and is trying to get out of this and other union deals for political reasons.

The attempt to deny benefits to disabled police officers is a new low in Montgomery County politics. It is shameful. It is outrageous.

Yet this attack on our officers, who risk their lives each day to protect the citizens of Montgomery County, was not condemned by the remaining councilmembers. Many appear to be hedging their bets. Marc Elrich is on both sides of the issue at once; hardly the hallmark of strong leadership. Other councilmembers had little or nothing to say.

As I said in my speech, after our elected officials are done lashing out at schoolchildren, senior citizens, volunteer firefighters, Upcounty residents, and disabled cops, I shudder to think who else is on their list of scapegoats? Girl Scouts? Puppies?

Maybe you can catch this hearing on Channel 6 when it is replayed.

Don't miss the end - kudos to Gino Renne for saying what others might have liked to all evening. Lashing out at the offending councilmembers. And punching the microphone button off with panache, standing up, putting his coat on, and leaving while exchanging words with Andrews.

Like the rest of us there to support our county police, you had to be passionate about this issue to come out on a brutally cold night like this.

What I found most despicable of all, was the suggestions dropped all evening by Andrews and Trachtenberg. Such as the claim which gave the impression that there is a sizeable number of convicted felons on our police force. Or Trachtenberg's suggestion that officers would not respond to emergencies if this immoral legislation is passed by the council. Such outright false statements are outrageous, out of bounds, and truly disgusting; both councilmembers owe our police officers an immediate apology (at least).

I have no clue how our elected officials can launch such a crusade against the men and women of our police department.

But I and many, many others know one thing for sure: we won't let this happen, and this legislation must and will be defeated. As I always say regarding compensation for our police officers and firefighters: as Dan Marino said in the old glove commercials, you need to "take care of the hands that take care of you."

STAY TUNED

I will report on the County Council hearing last night (regarding the county's shameless attempt to make it more difficult for disabled police officers to receive disability compensation).

Also, a domestic violence story in Laurel that is directly related to the law that will come before the General Assembly this session.

METRO JOINS

INAUGURAL COMMITTEE

IN EXCLUDING

THE DISABLED

Transit Officials Warn Disabled:

"Stay Home!!"

The outrages continue as the inauguration approaches. Now Metro officials are saying disabled Americans should not try to attend the events. They are making no special arrangements to accomodate the disabled, in direct violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Even worse, MetroAccess service for the disabled will be canceled in areas closed for the ceremonies, according to The Washington Post. It's outrageous. I had expected President-elect Barack Obama to intercede on behalf of the disabled, but there has been no such announcement yet.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S

LOVE CANAL?

My favorite story from the Neutron plant disaster: According to a document I've examined, a Neutron executive was making a business trip to another nuclear facility. When he entered the facility, his suit set off all of the alarms! The equipment detected radioactive material on his suit. That's when you know your plant has problems!

KEPT-QUIET NUCLEAR

FACILITY CONTAMINATES

POOLESVILLE

Former Cobalt-60 Site May Be

Making Residents Sick

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS ONLY HERE ON

www.RobertDyer.net !!

WJLA 7 has reported a suspicious incidence of rare cancers diagnosed in several Poolesville residents who live on the same street. This is again a case of previous concerns I have raised gaining new credibility with new developments.

There is one major part that I was not aware of, and no one else I've spoken to in the last 48 hours is either: a defunct Dickerson nuclear facility that was quietly the site of an environmental catastrophe.

I've talked - and posted on the internet - for ten years about the power plant at Dickerson, and we've also learned of a sewage site and a toxic waste dump on PEPCO property adjacent to the Potomac river. A nearby resident has apparently been silenced in his effort to get that site cleaned up, and we've heard nothing since in the press.

But this Neutron Products, Inc. site is news to me and every other average citizen of Montgomery County. Apparently, a dramatic legal battle played out quietly between residents, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and Neutron Products, Inc. My understanding is that, while the state was successful in closing down the facility, the site and contamination which spread to homes and railroad and industrial sites in nearby Poolesville were never cleaned up.

This latest cancer development is frightening but not surprising. While documents show that the plant has shut down, this material (Cobalt-60) has not been contained and is spreading.

Furthermore, exclusive to www.RobertDyer.net, I have obtained a document which shows that Neutron Products, Inc. has recently filed with the state of Maryland for a permit to build a water treatment plant at the (supposedly shuttered) site! Watch out Deer Park and Vitamin Water - that sounds like some real healthy water!

Finally, you as residents of the county should know - and have not been informed by our all-Democrat county executive and council - that Cobalt-60 plants are known terrorist targets for the al-Qaeda organization. Therefore, by permitting this toxic site to remain, the county and state Democrat governments have put all of us at risk. The site could be targeted by terrorists, and the Cobalt-60 material is also sought after as small amounts are highly toxic.

Stay tuned for more exclusive details, but I had to get this up ASAP as The Washington Post and other outlets are ignoring this environmental catastrophe and new reports of illness.

A BOLD

INAUGURATION DAY

PREDICTION

We were shocked when Capital Properties allowed the production crew of National Treasure 2 to set up a tent city at the Westwood Shopping Center parking lot. We were surprised again when the Obama campaign was allowed to use the lot as a staging area last November 4.

So let me use my vast psychic powers to predict the future: How much do you want to bet that some use will be found by Capital Properties (who will be paid of course) for our shopping center lot on January 20? Such as bus, truck, RV parking? Tent city? Another use we haven't even thought of? And whatever use is made, expect that once again the neighborhoods won't be informed.

Stay tuned. But don't be surprised.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

County Police Forward New Immigration

Policy to Leggett for Approval

Montgomery County Police Chief Thomas Manger has forwarded a new immigration policy to County Executive Ike Leggett for approval. But there's been no public response from Mr. Leggett yet. The clock is ticking, and the public's safety hangs in the balance with each passing minute. A decision must be made.

The problem for Mr. Leggett is that the public is demanding this new policy - which would allow an examination of immigration status when an arrest is made for violent crimes - but Leggett's strongest allies oppose it.

I am sure many of those people and organizations started out with good intentions. But the situation is changing rapidly and dramatically.

Now, after the deaths of an innocent boy and senior citizen, county residents appear to be shifting towards a stronger illegal immigration position. This is putting Leggett and his fellow Democrats in a weak position, as they are now out of sync with many of their own voters.

The new police policy is a step in the right direction. One interesting outcome of the controversial policy in Prince William County was that the county police found it advantageous in breaking up human trafficking rings. So these types of policies can also assist in cracking down on international forced prostitution rings, and other violence against women that is a horrific problem here and around the world. It's also important that domestic violence victims know that they can report their abusers to the police without fear of deportation.

And there is quite a bit of overreaction by those on the left, in regards to the new policy. In practice, it would never affect most immigrants; only those arrested in relation to violent crimes. Therefore, I believe it will have a broad spectrum of support.

Will Mr. Leggett respond to the public, and thereby betray his closest allies among liberal Latino groups? Or will he cave to political pressure, and face the consequences in the 2010 election?

This is going to be one of the most interesting Montgomery County moments of 2009.

INAUGURATION

COMMITTEE TO

DISABLED AMERICANS:

"STAY HOME!!"

INAUGURAL CEREMONY TO

VIOLATE AMERICANS WITH

DISABILITIES ACT

We're not a white or black America. We're not a red or blue America. We're not a rich or poor America... But apparently, we are an able-bodied and disabled America; and Barack Obama's inaugural committee has made clear that this is one difference we cannot unite on.

In a stunningly offensive announcement, the committee warned disabled Americans to avoid attending the January 20 inauguration. Should disabled citizens try to join in the festivities, the committee advised that it would be very unpleasant for them. Bad weather, rough terrain, long distances between transportation and the site, etc. But no special accomodations, either.

Ladies and gentlemen, this a blatant violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Under the ADA, the inauguration must accomodate - by all means necessary - any disabled person who wishes (dares?) to attend.

We may disagree on the issues, but there are certainly many disabled liberals and Democrats who voted for - and may have even worked for - Mr. Obama. There are others who want to witness the historic inauguration of our first black president. First many elderly civil rights veterans were advised it would be too difficult to attend. Now they have compounded the outrage with the most insensitive, bigoted insult to disabled Americans I have heard in some time.

It's outrageous.

But I haven't heard one peep from the liberal, bleeding-heart media. Only here, on www.RobertDyer.net are you hearing the real story, or any critical questioning of the committee's actions.

Once again, as a Republican who has advocated on behalf of disability access since I was in college, I find my Democrat counterparts to be shockingly hypocritical and ignorant of that very issue.

We may have elected a black president, but it appears that we still haven't enlightened ourselves into the 21st century when it comes to disability access. The ADA was one of President George H.W. Bush's greatest accomplishments. Yet, I find myself filing complaints years later as governments and major corporations fail to comply with this mandatory set of regulations.

Is it too late for Mr. Obama (or George W. Bush) to step in and enforce the ADA by January 20? Let's hope their - and the media's - silence on this issue ends soon.