DOUBLE THE

CATASTROPHE,

DOUBLE THE

FAILURE OF

LEADERSHIP

Montgomery County finance officials have just revised the numbers - and the county's projected deficit has just doubled! The Ficker Amendment passed just in time. This mess is a disaster of the council's own design. They failed to execute the basic requirements of leadership and fiscal responsibility. Now, where will they find the money as we enter the 2010 election cycle?

Don't worry, The Washington Post and Gazette will find a way to make the council successful in time for the election. I don't know how, and it will take some real spin to do it, but don't they always protect their Democrat friends? It will be entertaining to witness. Where to cut - public safety, social services, education? There are no good options for a council that has detonated the budget with out of control tax-and-spend fiscal mismanagement.

WASHINGTON POST

CONTINUES

O'MALLEY REELECTION

EFFORT

Yesterday's Post continued the newspaper's unethical public relations offensive on behalf of its new dear friend, Governor Martin O'Malley. (Not to be outdone, MPT has announced a new O'Malley TV show, patterned on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's Alo Presidente - I'm curious if this show will include footage of the violence and open air drug markets in O'Malley's Baltimore, and the other failures of his leadership there for which he was so unjustly rewarded with the governor's mansion in 2006?)

According to John! Wagner!!, O'Malley is about to end hunger in the state of Maryland. Check out the disclaimer though - it's not an O'Malley program, he's just going to apply for George W. Bush's existing federal aid. And that doesn't mean he'll get it. Happy Holidays, and warm wishes from your governor who cares so much about the hungry children that he prevented Bob Ehrlich from taking over their failing schools. Believe, indeed.

OBAMA ADDS

SECOND

PRO-ABORTION

CABINET MEMBER

Barack Obama's new Domestic Policy boss was quoted in Obama's own Washington Post as being a passionate supporter of Roe v. Wade. Once again, pro-life Americans have been slapped across the face by divisive pro-abortion appointments by the president-elect who promised to unite the country. Instead, he has united the old Clinton administration.

OBAMA,

WASHINGTON POST:

A STRANGE WAY OF

"FINDING CONSENSUS"

So much for all of the soaring rhetoric (a.k.a. cliches) and talk of "one America." President-elect Barack Obama has predictably swept his "reduce the number of abortions" promises under the rug, and has joined his official newspaper, The Washington Post, in taking hurtful actions to divide America on the abortion issue.

Obama's first action on the life issue was to appoint the head of Emily's List(!!!) as his new White House communciations director. For those many Americans who don't pay attention to the debate... they need to know that Emily's List is a pro-abortion organization.

This is "bringing people together?" This is "finding consensus?"

What could be more offensive to pro-life Americans than appointing such a divisive, polarizing figure to his administration? As always, you have to ignore words, and examine the actions of a leader. And these actions could not be more offensive or hurtful. What a slap in the face to any pro-life American who fell for the Obama "bipartisan, faith-based" hoax.

This story has been covered up - bigtime. It should be a top news story, as Obama has gone back on his promise to unite the country before even taking office.

But what the Post (which has two members of its board of directors on the Obama economic team) did yesterday was to amplify its leader's message.

The Post magazine published an article that was designed to desensitize weak-minded readers to the reality of abortion. It was truly disgusting; a pro-abortion, anti-life propaganda piece.

Is this how Obama finds "consensus," by launching a broadside against pro-life Americans?

OBAMA

VS.

"THE WATCHMEN"

First Critical Film of the

Obama Age Due for Spring Release

The past 8 years have given us a record number of films that are anti-war, anti-America, and anti-President. Of course, the real life figure these movies were criticizing was President George W. Bush. Quite a change, naturally, from the amoral 90s when Bill Clinton was in office.

Hollywood gave us Clinton propaganda in that decade. The sinister presidents and government agents found onscreen during the Nixon, Reagan, and Bush 41 years vanished from the screen. In their place, we had screen gems like "Dave." "Dave" was a liberal fantasy in which a Democratic George H.W. Bush clone would ostensibly be swapped for the real deal, and no one would notice. Democratic Bush 41 then replaced the "evil" Bush's supposedly mean and heartless government with a kindler, gentler, feel-good, liberal one.

How about "Air Force One?" This was supposed to be our handsome, can-do, action hero president (Bill Clinton) taking on those usual stand-ins for Republicans, the fascist/Euro-terrorist heavies aboard the namesake jet.

And that was in addition to drivel like "The American President" with Michael Douglas.

Government, for lack of a better word, was good.

It was a happy time, said the Hollywood liberal elite, and you were supposed to be happy too.

Then George W. Bush got in there, and goodness gracious, all those Socks-the-Cat video games disappeared overnight.

In their place, were hard-hitting films where the U.S. President was once again either a criminal or a fool. And trash by the likes of Michael Moore.

Many "moore" such movies came out this year, and there are "moore" in the pipeline.

And there's the rub.

Now all of these anti-government movies, rap cds, etc. either have to stop or they will be criticizing the Obama administration whether they meant to or not. If you're not pleased by the Obama victory, there is at least going to be a little bit of amusement and entertainment ahead for you as a result of this Hollywood dilemma.

While the top rap artists are pulling on their Mister Rogers sweaters, and becoming Barry Manilow style easy listening artists for Obama, the first critical movie of the new era has arrived.

"The Watchmen" is a film for the Obama era. It is about a president who seizes a third term in office. Now, since Barack Obama is the only president who has both the ego and the "public support" to garner such a Constitutional change, it is entirely conceivable that he would do so.

Here then, you have a president with a third term, who symbolizes Obama. Take that in for starters.

Now consider the propaganda campaign currently underway. The relentlessly positive press, the lack of criticism of Obama's surprisingly predictable and weak cabinet appointments, and the "mass movement" of the "Obama network."

Notice the Obama lawn signs that are still up. What is the message? Is it to intimidate those who did not vote for Obama? Was a central order given by the Obama campaign to keep the lawn signs up?

My favorite interpretation is inspired by my time as a Latin American history major. Many countries in that region, such as Argentina and Paraguay, had strongmen or dictators who ruled in an autocratic style for a time. Those leaders had public symbols that were displayed. Who can forget that light-up Stroessner sign? Genius and ego fused into one.

But there was also the practice of having to display a small portrait of the dictator in your home, and it was mandatory. That's what all these Obama signs remind me of. And those guys used the word "Progress," too.

So we are going to examine this Watchmen phenomenon, and have a bit of fun interpreting how elements of the story symbolize some aspect of the Obama Age.

Think this is made up?

Check out the internet - liberal Hollywood is abuzz about "The Watchmen." They are saying this movie has no place in the "new time" of Obama. They are asking if it can be delayed indefinitely (no chance, given the legion of comic book fans who have been waiting for it). And the producers and studio are actually pausing, and admitting they are doing some soul-searching.

That is fascinating, and although I have never read the comic book and doubt I will put down money for the movie, I am interested to find out the plot details so that we can dissect it here.

Until next time, the balcony is closed, and save me the aisle seat.

WASHINGTON POST

TO BECOME A

STATE-RUN

NEWSPAPER ON

JANUARY 20, 2009

Two Post Directors are Official

Members of Obama Team

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!

The Washington Post has always been a far-left house organ for the Democratic party. But on January 20, 2009, when Barack Obama is sworn in as our next President, the Post will literally have become a state-run newspaper.

Not surprisingly, The Washington Post is a corporate partner with so many entities that helped Mr. Obama and other Democrats get into office this past November 4. These include NBC, MSNBC, Microsoft, General Electric, etc., etc. All of which are now controlled by the Obama administration, through two members of the Washington Post Co. Board of Directors.

Warren Buffett almost singlehandedly elected Obama himself, by being a major player in the phony financial "crisis" (not to be confused with our country's real financial crisis, the one CNBC doesn't tell you about). Buffett just happened to be a major Obama financier. And a member of the Post Board. The Post - as its own employees now admit - shamelessly backed Obama and provided outrageously biased coverage of the election. Gee whiz, what a surprise.

The same Warren Buffett is a member of the Obama economic team - and absurdly had been proposed as Treasury Secretary. Which would have been like the wolf guarding the... whatever.

But hold on. There is yet another Post Board member on the Obama economic team!! Anne Mulcahy.

What does this mean? First, it is unprecedented in American history. Second, you can expect a newspaper and TV network operated by Obama administration officials to only increase the lovefest coverage they have displayed this year. Most frightening, is the power of the Washington Post, NBC, General Electric, Microsoft, and others to now direct national policy to their financial benefit. Not that big corporations didn't already have influence.

Direct control of major media outlets by White House officials is a dangerous new reality of the Obama administration. And yet, no one has even talked about this Post connection.

As billions and billions and billions of Americans supposedly converge on Washington for the inauguration, expect many a Post company journalist to feel a "thrill" during the events. Will you fall for this foolishness? Prepare yourself for a media lovefest like you have never before witnessed this January 20. Brought to you by the Obama administration.

FICKER

AMENDMENT

HAS COUNTY

OFFICIALS "KICKING

THEMSELVES"

...AND YOU!

Voters and Disabled Police Officers

Blamed by Democrats and Washington Post

for Passage of New Taxpayer Protection

The Washington Post keeps telling us that our all-Democrat elected officials are "kicking themselves" for "allowing" Robin Ficker's tax amendment to pass on November 4. But it seems that those Rockville Democrats - and their close friends at the Post - are kicking others besides themselves.

Our elected officials have shown a contempt for the voter in Montgomery County once again. According to them, we are not intelligent enough to vote on our own. They believe that we voted to pass the Ficker Amendment only because they didn't tell us it was bad. The message is that the voters are mindless and must be prompted how to vote by our all-knowing Big Government.

Preposterous. The amendment was actually the only one on the ballot that stated exactly what it was. Bravo to Mr. Ficker for what is not only a major victory for the taxpayer, but solid evidence that county residents want the fiscal responsibility that Republicans can offer. Now they need to elect Republicans to the council once again in 2010.

Unfortunately, The Washington Post went even further in a bizarre explanation for why voters passed the Ficker Amendment: the Post says it was because voters were thinking about disabled cops. In the Post's twisted view of the world, it is outlandish for a disabled police officer to ask for disability benefits when he or she retires.

But let the Post speak for itself:

"No doubt many voters also may have had in mind [that] more than 60 percent
of Montgomery police officers" received disability benefits. The Post goes
on to say that the majority of retiring officers "are gaming the system and
taking taxpayers for a costly ride."

The Post never misses a chance to criticize any police department, or to praise a criminal. So these nasty attacks are not a surprise.

But what do the attempts of the County Council and the Post to blame Democrat mismanagement of our county's finances on disabled police officers have to do with the Ficker Amendment passing?

I'm as confused as you are.

It's time for the Post, Ike Leggett, and the County Council to admit the facts: they have mismanaged the government, blown the budget apart with tax and spend policies and political paybacks, and now the voters have had enough. This year's massive property tax, parking, and fee increases were quite simply the last straw. Montgomery residents aren't going to take this abuse from their Democrat government anymore.

This was a calling card.

But in November 2010, Republicans will be at the door of power in Rockville.

CHANGE

CAPITAL PROPERTIES

CAN BELIEVE IN

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!

I know it's been two weeks since the election, but I can't resist sharing this exclusive information with you. When driving down Westbard Election Day morning, I passed the Westwood Shopping Center. As I went by the parking lot beyond the Rite Aid, I witnessed a familiar sight. A tent city.

Regular readers will remember how the film crew of National Treasure 2 used our shopping center's vast surface parking to operate a tent city.

This wasn't quite as big, and no big rigs or Metropolitan Police cruisers either.

No, it was Barack Obama's campaign.

It seems that Capital Properties allowed the Obama campaign to use our shopping center as a staging area. There was a white tent set up near the Kenwood Place driveway, a bunch of white Ford Club Wagons, and assorted people standing around amidst Obama signs.

What was happening there? I have no idea, unfortunately. I had to get to my polling place by 7 AM. But once again, Capital Properties has sold (or given away) the use of the lot for a tent city, without informing the surrounding civic associations and residents.

Does this give us any clues about the future operating style of Capital Properties? I don't know, but now we do know that Barack Obama has a big fan at Capital Properties.

COUNTY BUDGET CUTS

TARGET SENIORS,

UPCOUNTY RESIDENTS

"There you go again." After failing - for the moment - to ram through an ambulance fee that would cause seniors to avoid dialing 911 for financial reasons, our county Democrat officials are now going after retirees again.

Not only is the county cutting in-home help currently provided to some senior citizens, but it is also cutting off their transit priviledges.

Note the careful wording of the proposed reduction in Ride-On bus service. Many routes are losing midday service - the time when most senior citizens use public transportation. Younger, working people are primarily onboard during the rush hours. Midday service elimination affects routes such as those in the Grosvenor-Parkside-Montgomery Mall corridor, where large numbers of seniors live. Taken along with Montgomery's draconian property taxes, is there no end to the punishment our Democrat leaders can dish out toward our senior citizen population?

It's outrageous.

Also outrageous is the fact that the majority of bus routes being cut are in the upcounty area, affecting Clarksburg and Damascus. To quote Mike Knapp on another slap to Clarksburg...

"to the residents of Clarksburg, your government has basically turned its back on you."

Once again, the peculiar dynamic in government-upcounty relations is strengthened: upcounty residents pay taxes for Metro and Ride-On, but receive no Metrorail service and continual reductions in bus service. With the automobile as the only realistic commuting method for upcounty residents, the failure to serve that area with mass transit is one of the most stinging indictments of our elected officials' environmental hypocrisy.

A government passing expensive measures that hurt residents, builders, and businesses, for the sake of the global warming hoax, turns around and slashes mass transit. That's not green. It's just hypocrisy.

It's outrageous.

WASHINGTON POST

LAUNCHES O'MALLEY

2010 REELECTION

CAMPAIGN

Noticed a lot of coverage of Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley in the Post recently? It's not by coincidence. Last week, the Post began publishing a series of short articles that have no negative content, and show the reader O'Malley in action.

Given my last post, you might not be surprised that a pro-criminal newspaper would gear up to help a desperate governor whose motto is "More progress for more prisoners." Well, okay, he said people not prisoners. But when you examine his pro-felon, prisoner release, prison escapee, anti-death penalty, close the Annapolis state police barrack, and $800,000 state police cruiser budget cut record.... ....ladies and gentlemen, I submit that Governor O'Malley and the Post indeed stoutheartedly stand for "More progress for more prisoners" in the great (blue) state of Maryland.

There were puff pieces about mortgage help and other social programs, which had no opposing viewpoints and appeared to have been cut-and-pasted from O'Malley press releases.

Remember when the Washington Post endorsed Bob Ehrlich for purely self-enrichment purposes in 2006? Don't expect the Post to endorse Ehrlich this time around. Mark my words, the Post is backing Martin O'Malley, the only politician in America not under indictment who has an approval rating lower than George W. Bush.

The campaign began last week. Expect more of one of the least popular governors in America in Post pages. That ought to sell some newspapers.

WASHINGTON POST

REMEMBERS "ALLEGED

COP KILLER," BUT

FORGETS THE COP

A recent editorial by the Washington Post editorial board again revealed the newspaper's far-left, pro-criminal concept of America. While eulogizing, defending, and virtually honoring the alleged killer of a Prince Georges County police officer, the Post neglected to mention even once the name of the officer.

His name was Cpl. Richard Scott Findley. He was 39 years old, and left behind a widow and two children, age 6 and 9. His sister, Debora A. Findley, is a Montgomery County police officer.

The Post's omission of the fallen officer is disgraceful. It is shameful. It's bad enough to be soft on crime, but this type of "journalism" is a new low.

CAPITAL PROPERTIES'

INSIDE GAME HAS

BEGUN

Richard Cohen Searching for

Allies to Back Massive, Urban

Redevelopment in Westbard Sector

Friendship Heights Cannot Speak for

Westbard Sector Neighbors

Those who have followed some of the development debacles such as Fallsgrove and Twinbrook know how the game works. One of the first steps developers take, when they are pressing for an unpopular redevelopment, is to win over some token allies in the neighborhood. So be prepared for that as we inch slowly but surely toward zero hour on Westbard. It has been said that Capitol Properties' Richard Cohen has attempted to make contact with a member of the Friendship Heights Committee regarding his plan vs. an alternative plan put forward by that committee.

Now let me stop right here. It must be said that, first of all, the Friendship Heights Committee does not speak for those who live in the communities bordering the Westbard Sector. Although it has been working on this and other issues, it is not an official body which can represent individual civic associations. It is our Springfield neighborhood, as well as Westbard Mews, Kenwood Place Condominiums, Westwood Tower, Park Bethesda, Kenwood and Sumner residents who must have the final say on anything that happens in the Westbard Sector.

Second, so far the aforementioned actual neighbors of Westbard have yet to see the Cohen plan. He has shown it once to the Friendship Heights committee, and now is reaching out to that committee again. The problem with this is that he is talking to the wrong people, and making a terrible blunder diplomatically and economically. Things would go much easier if Capital Properties would come to us, the residents, and show us the plan. To play the devil's advocate, for the sake of argument, why not design a spectacular and unique Westbard Sector concept that will excite the imagination and build genuine support in the neighborhood?

Instead, we are only hearing about a plan. And the rumors sound like a concept that is not only too big, but the same tired, old, mixed-use brick buildings. Dead on arrival.

Third, we haven't been allowed to examine the Friendship Heights Committee's alternative plan yet. Furthermore, we have not signed off on that plan and it should in no way be a starting point for any negotiations. For example, I am hearing about the alternative plan having 4-story buildings. Depending where on Westbard that would be, I and many others would oppose that. We certainly don't want a four-story Westwood Shopping Center. What we do want is improved amenities, and at least one sit-down, upscale family restaurant. And Giant should offer in-store dining like Harris Teeter and Wegman's, and further expand its selection. For example, why can't they sell Zatarain's or Phillips Seafood frozen dinners, or Hungry Man Heroes frozen sandwiches? But other than that and the horrible new logo that destroyed the venerable Giant brand, why would we redevelop a grocery store that just remodeled?

Finally, Mr. Cohen is wasting his time and energy communicating only with a committee that, by name, represents a community several miles away which will be entirely unaffected by the Westbard Sector redevelopment. Our County Council and Dr. Yes and the Planning Board should stop being wined and dined by the Capital Properties Bethesda-based lobbying firm, and start engaging the Westbard Sector Plan and the surrounding neighborhoods. They'd like to win allies among us - and they doubtless will find a handful of nouveau-riche residents who find our venerable Westbard simply inadequate for their champagne wishes and caviar dreams. But they'd better worry about winning a majority of us over.

Can CP design a fabulous new Westbard Sector that is a neighborhood amenity, and not a regional destination and miniature city? Can they accept the reality that, unless a rail line is extended to the area, only 15% of the residents use public transportation? Or will they go ahead with 12-story buildings and thousands of new cars in the neighborhood?

We won't know until they come and talk to us, and let us in on the plans.

WASHINGTON POST

RED-FACED

AFTER BAILOUT FAILS

Newspaper Violating All Ethical Standards as

Bailout Plan Would Benefit Company and Directors

Reading yesterday's Washington Post, you would almost have thought the massive, socialist bailout of fat cat tycoons had passed in Congress. Wrong!! It seems that a few leaders are standing against it, and let's hope they continue to rage against the machine.

Page after page said the bailout was a done deal. The editorial board gave a strong endorsement of the final product. Steven Pearlstein and others said this was a plan that would be well-received by the public. The Metro section spoke for all area citizens, claiming we had all agreed that the bailout of the rich by the poor was a "necessary evil." The Post dared claim all of the above even as Americans nationwide are in revolt against the powers-that-be, and the nutty plan they've devised.

Once again, the Post failed to mention that its own Director, Warren Buffett, is a supporter of the plan, that he is a member of its Board of Directors, and would financially benefit immediately at the taxpayers' expense, should it pass. This is not ethical journalism.

The powers-that be will continue to push for the plan today, using the media outlets at their disposal such as CNBC, the major networks, and, yes, the Post. Let's hope the American people continue to resist this Orwellian doublespeak and soundly reject a socialist, un-American bailout of the rich by the taxpayer.

I didn't know we could print unlimited amounts of money. Now that we know we can, will we print another $700 billion to save the world from poverty and disease?

Governor Martin O'Malley indulges a local reporter's request to demonstrate the vise grip he has on the taxpayers of Maryland. O'Malley was making a back-t0-school visit to Walter Johnson High School here in Bethesda. Maryland has the 4th highest taxes in America.

Photo: The Gazette, September 10, 2008

HURRICANE IKE

AND

COUNTY COUNCIL

MAKE DISABLED COPS

SCAPEGOATS FOR

DEMOCRATS' FISCAL

MISMANAGEMENT

Competing, Politically-Motivated

Reports Agree on One Thing: It's

Their Fault, Not Ours

In the most stunning doublespeak since the WSSC catastrophe in June, Montgomery County officials are attempting to blame their budget woes on disabled police officers. They believe too many officers are collecting disability benefits. There are 2 problems with this: One is that the officers have been examined by doctors to qualify. Second, this is the system the county created! So they are blaming disabled officers for using the programs they themselves put into place.

The Washington Post joined in as well. Why? They don't want our taxes to go down. But, like other Democrats and the special interests, they'd like to have some of that money to use for other things. And apparently, they don't mind taking the money from disabled police retirees. It's outrageous.

What's really at issue is that the executive and council have woefully mismanaged the finances of our county for years. Now the chickens are coming home to roost, and they want to divert attention from their failure to a trumped up "scandal" in the police department.

The local media has fallen for it - will you? The county has tried to embarrass the police union and department, and they've tried to hurt our firefighters with a "take from the needy and give to the greedy" ambulance fee. For shame. Once again, in Montgomery County, it's Politics First and Safety Last.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

GOVERNMENT TO

SHUT DOWN

Financial Mismanagement to Close

Government Offices, Libraries for Days

Ike Leggett has made the startling announcement that he will attempt to shut down Montgomery County's government offices and services (including public libraries) for several days, as a result of his and the county council's budget-busting spending.

It has come to this. Decades of mismanagement by Democratic executives and councilmembers have finally brought our county to its knees. In a year in which basic public safety services such as 911 service and clean water were not available in Montgomery County, the county government is now just going to close down altogether - providing no services! And this is what you pay high taxes for?

I seem to recall Republicans being hammered for the 1990s Federal government shutdown. Will Mr. Leggett and his Democrat councilmembers be harshly criticized by the media, and held equally accountable at the ballot box in 2010?

DR. YES SAYS

"YES!"

TO MORE LUXURY

HOUSING FOR THE

RICH

Moderate-priced Apartments in

Silver Spring to be Torn Down, Replaced by

"Luxury Apartments"

Dr. Yes, a.k.a. Royce Hanson, has just signed off on another measure to provide more luxury living for the rich, and a swift boot to the poor. Perhaps Dr. Yes can provide them with an escort, to speed needy residents and their modest belongings to the county line. This is what they call "social justice" in Montgomery County, ladies and gentlemen.

THE AMBULANCE FEE

PROPAGANDA YOU

PAID FOR

Taxpayer-funded Brochure Touts

Fee Yet to Be Passed by County Council

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!

You won't read about this in the Post, Gazette, or Examiner! I have obtained a brochure, published at taxpayer expense, entitled, "Emergency Medical Services Transport Fee: Maintains and Strengthens Services at No Cost to Residents." This brochure, printed by the Montgomery County Government Office of Public Information, was not announced in the local media, but is currently available at public libraries.

Obviously, this brochure raises a host of questions and concerns:

1. Is it an accepted practice for the County Executive to print biased propaganda - supporting legislation he or she would like to be passed by the council - at taxpayer expense?

2. Can taxpayer funds be used to promote a fee not yet passed into law by the County Council?

- In both cases, an answer of "yes" would mean that a county executive could spend taxpayer money to promote any idea or wish he or she had, without permission from the county council. That would certainly weaken the supposed checks and balances between the executive and legislative branch.

3. The brochure's cover, printed in a bold black-and-white design, suggests to the average citizen that the fee has already passed. This is not only misleading, but could already frighten senior citizens and other vulnerable residents. They might be dissuaded from dialing 911, before the controversial legislation has even been passed.

4. Government publications should be factual. The brochure contains several biased statements. For example, it claims the fee will have no effect on insurance rates. That is not only an unknown at this time, but an equal amount of evidence suggests the fee will indeed raise rates. To state a conclusion at this time reflects only one side of the debate.

Once again, our elected officials are trying to drain every last cent out of the most unusual sources. Senior citizens, legal and illegal immigrants, low-income residents, and other vulnerable citizens will be the most hurt by the ambulance fee. Community relations and charitable gifts to volunteer squads and departments will be affected as well. Anything that does that is simply bad policy. It's time to stop picking the working family's pocket and start the business of governing.

COUNTY FINDS NEW

REVENUE SOURCE:

DISABLED COPS

It's Outrageous

Now we hear that our elected officials' next target to get more of what they call "found money," is... disabled police officers, believe it or not. Using the unique case of Gaithersburg Police Chief King, Ike Leggett suggested that too many retired officers are receiving disability funds.

The reality is that police work is not a soft desk job like many of the $100,000+ members of Mr. Leggett's staff currently hold. The day to day tasks and physical strains of the job very naturally lead to various debilitating conditions. These can include everything from bad backs and wrecked knees to devastating injuries that occur during the apprehension of suspects, raids, or the rare exchange of gunfire.

In short, officers who retire on disability have good reason to do so except in rare cases. They have to be medically approved. In light of the job, police officers simply deserve better retirement benefits. They've put their lives on the line to protect the public each day of their career.

"Safety First." That is a lost idea in Montgomery County today. Whether it's the long neglected renovations of our 2nd District police station, an ambulance fee, or a sad attempt to take money from disabled police officers to fund the whims of our elected officials, public safety seems to be the last priority.

When it comes to government policies toward police and fire professionals who serve the community, I like to quote Dan Marino from his old glove commercial: you need to "take care of the hands that take care of you."

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

SAYS

"HOUSING FIRST"

FOR THE RICH

Upstairs at Bethesda Row a

Monument to Greed

Affordable Housing Continues to be

Joke of a Lifetime in Montgomery

Greed, thy name is Upstairs at Bethesda Row. This urban monstrosity has laboriously taken shape across the street from the Arlington Road Giant. Now here come the import luxury sedans and Priuses of the landed class and the nouveau riche. In a county where the developers' new apartments and condos often have 7 or 9 tenants, Upstairs is 60% full by comparison.

Of course, that means it is 40% vacant. But that is impressive for 2008 in Montgomery County. What is the secret? How can buildings renting in Rockville's Town Center for $1600 be less full than Upstairs with 1 bedrooms starting at $2100+ a month? Could it be that there is a special target audience out there, and, "if you build it, they will come?" Did somebody say Collection at Chevy Chase? It wasn't me! But, what if, in the midst of human suffering and a housing crisis, a government would tune out the average citizen and actively approve buildings designed for a wealthy audience only?

How many MPDUs are in this building? There is no green space on this site, either. Therefore, our County Executive and Council have been caught red-handed, violating everything they have promised to do on affordable housing and "green" buildings.

The sad story of affordable housing in Montgomery County is quite old by now. You know that back in 2006, I was offering actual solutions while our elected officials were touting "Apartment Buildings for Homeless People." That phrase became an instant classic, by the way. Is that the most ironic statement you've ever heard? It actually is a fairly honest statement by our Democratic elected officials, because - as I said at the time - they consider homelessness to be an incurable disease.

What is a "homeless person?" Why would you call someone homeless after they have a place to live (Apartments Buildings for Homeless People)? Well, you would say that if you believed that they are permanently going to have no income or future prospects. Hence, they will be a permanent political constituency for those elected officials, surviving on government handouts indefinitely.

Now they have a new phrase to cover this strategy, but to try to make it sound better: "Housing First." This is the idea that you want to get a homeless person into a home immediately, rather than a shelter. Of course, that is everyone's goal. But that shouldn't be a long-term plan. First you need to analyze the situation of each individual. Is this a person who requires mental health treatment or treatment for addiction to alcohol or drugs? Then let's get them connected to those resources. Is this a person who simply needs a living wage to get going again? That can be done as well. But let's get it done, because just as some have said a human being cannot be "illegal," so it can be said that no human being should have to be "homeless."

Beyond that, we have a huge majority of working people in Montgomery County who aren't getting handouts and services. And they certainly aren't getting to move into Upstairs at Bethesda Row. Why should college graduates have to move elsewhere? Why should a person have to work two jobs to afford a clean, livable apartment in Montgomery County? It's immoral, it's a disgrace, and something must be done about it. There is no reason on God's green Earth that a studio apartment should rent for more than $900 a month. No one is asking for free housing. But, come on, this is ridiculous. The more units that come on the market, the more the rent goes up. Clearly, we have a situation where market forces have failed. Bigtime. What happened to the American Dream? Study hard, go to college, work, and society will provide you with a minimum of a living wage, housing, food, clothing, etc., in exchange, right? Not anymore.

Our elected officials have done nothing, and have allowed their developer friends to break all promises to provide MPDUs. Dr. Yes (Royce Hanson) has approved numerous new "boutique" condo buildings for the rich in downtown Bethesda, with MPDUs in single digits or even zero. That is a disgrace. And the Arlington Road corridor is becoming a Hall of Shame for affordable housing failure, with condos and apartments designed exclusively for the wealthy, and with full support from our elected officials.

It's outrageous.

UPCOUNTY HOSPITAL:

IT'S ABOUT TIME

Holy Cross Proposes New

Germantown Hospital

Partnership with Montgomery College

May Still Leave Residents at Risk

Providing a patient with emergency medical attention really is all about time. The time it takes for emergency personnel to respond to a 911 call. And the time it takes for the ambulance to reach the nearest Emergency Department.

Residents in upper Montgomery County currently have two unsatisfactory options: hospitals in Rockville and Frederick. When every second counts, that is just too far away. Finally, but not without controversy, there is a proposal for a hospital in Germantown. And unlike the Suburban Hospital expansion scam here in Bethesda, it is actually giving us new hospital beds in the county.

This is not a perfect solution. It is a sensible start, as Germantown is the logical connecting point for Poolesville, Clarksburg, and Damascus. That is the same reason that I would only support a Corridor Cities [Rail]way through Germantown if it connects to those three outermost towns.

However, logistically, the Germantown hospital will still be far for those nearest the Frederick County border. It would really make sense to have another hospital in Clarksburg, Mount Airy, or somewhere else between Germantown and the City of Frederick. This is not just important for Montgomery County citizens near the border, but for Frederick County citizens north of our border. All would mutually benefit from an additional emergency facility that would be minutes away.

Remember, a person can only go 4 minutes without oxygen before suffering brain damage. Two new upcounty facilities are needed, as this literally is a matter of life and death.

OBAMA JOINS

WASHINGTON POST

IN BACKING

DRILLING NEAR

OCEAN CITY

Democrat Hypocrisy on Environment

Continues as Resort is Target of Energy Cabal

The latest attack on wildlife in the Ocean City area is coming from Europe's choice for American President, Barack Obama. Senator Obama says he is willing to roll the dice on the health of the already devastated Chesapeake Bay by allowing oil companies to operate just offshore of Ocean City. Would he be so cavalier if the drilling was near Chicago?

CRIME STATS

CONTINUE TO CLIMB

Our area continues to experience a violent crime wave. The Montgomery County Police have just released the following statistics:

MURDER UP 200%

RAPE UP 73.7%

ROBBERY UP 5.0%

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT UP 33.8%

AUTO THEFT UP 14.1%

ACTUAL HEADLINE:

"CHINA SAYS BEIJING SMOG IS

MOSTLY MIST"

It's hard to believe Martin O'Malley didn't think of that one when he was Mayor of Baltimore.

OCEAN CITY AD

CAMPAIGN:

BE CAREFUL WHAT

YOU WISH FOR

Greedy "Green" Corporations Poised to

Destroy Scenic Maryland Resort with

Dangerous, Ugly Ocean Windmills

Environmental Extremists, Bought-off Residents,

Capitulating Town Council Give Wind "Farm"

New Momentum

You have probably been exposed to the absurd Ocean City tourism ads this year - the ones that associate the town with negative, disaster themes and Al Gore pseudo-science. Put aside the fact that no one realized the psychological impact of associating your "product" (Ocean City) with scary words, themes and images in the mind of consumers (potential visitors). That was just plain dumb. And I'm not even talking today about the slot machines and offshore drilling (endorsed by the so-called "environmental" Washington Post for business reasons) the Powers That Be are bringing to our All-American resort very soon.

The real scary part is that environmental disaster is coming to Ocean City much sooner than even Al Gore has predicted. It is coming in the disguise of "green" technology: an offshore wind farm. Twelve miles offshore, to be precise. And, like all "green" technology offered by Corporate America in these pseudoscientific times, the farm is going to generate not only "clean" energy, but a lot of mean "green" for the corporation. A.k.a. $$$$$$.

But if you only knew how ugly those windmills are going to be when they replace the natural beauty of the ocean horizon. Or how there will be no more full moons over an ocean view unchanged since the creation of the Earth. Or what those turbines are going to do to birds flying above the ocean, and to the sea life living below its surface... Well, you'd probably turn "green" yourself. Because the truth is sickening.

The lack of opposition to the wind farm is simply bizarre. Environmental extremists have been allowed to raise their voices over all others, simply overwhelming the public debate at hearings and in the local newspapers. Many of those newspapers are strangely endorsing the wind farm as well. There appear to be quite a number of moles, plants, and double agents stepping forward as "residents" to back the plan. And only Mayor Rick Meehan and two councilmembers are even mildly opposed. It sounds like they would fall over tomorrow if the wind company poked them lightly with a finger.

What's going on here? ?Que es la significa de esto? Why so weak? Why so blase, when you would think that town leaders, media, businesspeople, and actual residents all have the most to lose when the windmills pop up? Why would anyone want to look out at the ocean and see anything besides... the ocean? I can't answer those questions, because there are no logical answers.

But we all know that money is the false god of humanity, and that there is nothing money can't buy in this world (good luck to those greedy souls in the next one, though).

Ladies and gentlemen, the fishy smell in Ocean City is not coming from the water.

COMCAST CUSTOMER

SATISFACTION RANKING:

IT'S DEADLASTIC!

Score another one for monopoly cable empire Comcast. With the worst, most unresponsive customer service in the business - and now ranked last in customer satisfaction - Comcast mysteriously is still raking in monstrous amounts of cash. It's easy to understand why: there is no competition.


Remember, the Montgomery County Council has stymied every competitor who has attempted to enter the market. And crippled those who have been able to provide weak alternatives. Thank your councilmember today!

WRC-TV JOINS

WASHINGTON POST

IN FINANCIALLY BACKING

CONNOLLY FOR

CONGRESS

Well, I hope James Dinegar was able to catch this program this morning. Today at 7:00 A.M., WRC Channel 4 (business associate of The Washington Post) broadcast what appeared to be an infomercial for congressional candidate Gerald Connolly. That's all the show was. Plenty of soft questions, and well-rehearsed answers which could have come from Martin O'Malley, Patrick Lacefield, or Mayor Bloomberg.

Mr. Connolly had much to say about how you are going to pay big bucks just to live your life in the near future. Tolls, taxes, "green" regulations based on fantasy pseudo-science... this corporate favorite has got quite a lineup of punishments for you. Your crime is simply going about your day to day business.

What Mr. Connolly did not say, is how much this in-kind contribution of television time was worth in dollars. In-kind contributions from The Washington Post, Channel 4 and its corporate partners that are going unreported on campaign financial reports as in-kind contributions. (This doesn't include that interesting, "advertising" shell game that moved money back and forth between the Post and the Fairfax County Government - of which Mr. Connolly is the leader).

Mr. Connolly's Republican opponent? Nowhere to be found at the roundtable. Vote early and often.