CAN DELEGATE

JON CARDIN

REALLY GET

AWAY WITH

THIS?

Now that the jokes have been made, and politician of priviledge Jon Cardin has dropped a mere $300 on the Baltimore Police chief's desk, there are serious questions that must be answered.

And there should be consequences for Mr. Cardin, who must be held accountable for the full amount of taxpayer resources he spent staging a marriage proposal with city police officers and vehicles.

We all know that it would literally be impossible to stage a scene like that for $300! Can you imagine the average citizen trying to do this? The insurance alone would break the bank. What would have happened if an officer had been injured during the stunt?

And the use of a violent "raid" to propose to a girlfriend? That doesn't sound very romantic to me. In fact, it was a fake scene that would surely have caused concern among witnesses who weren't in on the "proposal." This was reminiscent of the Air Force One flyover that caused panic in New York City.

Given the perversely out-0f-control violent crime situation, and lawless atmosphere of Baltimore under the "leadership" of O'Malley and Dixon, the diversion of police to Cardin's foolishness was truly a crime.

The bottom line is that Mr. Cardin has more explaining, more repayment, and more apologizing to do. Del. Cardin is clearly a man used to getting what he wants, thanks to his last name.

Now there is actually some backlash starting in the Baltimore Sun - I found a great comment where somebody posted a list of crimes that occurred while Cardin & friends were playing around in the Inner Harbor.

While Cardin was taking up police resources, 5 people (5!!!) were shot, and a police officer was struck by a car.

According to the Sun, city councilmembers William H. Cole IV and Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake are demanding answers - the real answers this time.

It's clear that after the full financial cost is repaid by Mr. Cardin, and a full investigation is completed and we know how in the world he was able to pull this thing off, he should then submit his resignation and get a real job. Instead of living off the wages of the rest of us.

It's outrageous.

New!

See a photo of the first ripe Roma tomato on my photos page at www.RobertDyer.net.

Watch a new video of 3 classic American sports cars in the Celebrate Damascus parade on the Robert Dyer Channel at www.RobertDyer.net right now! A Corvette Stingray, and 2 1957 Ford Thunderbirds.

HEIRLOOM SUCCESS!

I did get to eat the last heirloom tomato (the other 4 were lost to various complications, see entry below). It was mostly ripe, and tasted better than the Roma tomatoes. One major difference between this heirloom and a grocery store tomato is the amount of juice inside. I was used to eating store-bought tomatoes, so I was surprised when I bit into the heirloom tomato and juice went spraying in every direction. It seemed like there was a gallon of juice inside.

The Washington Post recently trashed heirloom tomatoes, and they were wrong again. I don't know where they got their heirlooms from, but mine was far superior to the average tomato. It was the same writer who wrote an amateurish article on the "best" crab cakes - which happened to leave many of the D.C. area's, and Maryland's, best crab cakes off the list!! Shows you how much they know. They're probably just trying to dumb down their formerly-gourmet shopping lists, now that Post employees can't shop at Whole Foods anymore.

And today there was a surprise: an additional heirloom was "born," as a new green heirloom has appeared on the vine.

Speaking of new tomatoes, check out a photo of the Roma tomatoes from back on July 13, when they were small and green on my photo page at www.RobertDyer.net.

DAMASCUS

HIGH SCHOOL

FUTURE

FARMERS OF

AMERICA

TOMATO HARVEST

I am nearing the end of one of my summer projects - growing the tomato plants I purchased in May, from the Damascus Future Farmers of America plant sale in Mount Airy.

After some misfortunes and novice mistakes, I have finally been able to eat several of the Roma tomatoes. They did taste good. Some of them were attacked by birds and bugs. Some had a strange dark green inside, near the base of the stem. Those had to be discarded, unfortunately.

Part of the problem was learning when to pick them, and gauging how red they will actually get. I let some go too long, when it seems that these Roma tomatoes will not get evenly red no matter how long you wait. And then they either develop spots, or get attacked by tomato predators. Of course, troubles were more likely when I made the choice to not use any pesticides or chemicals on my plants.

The heirloom tomatoes were not very successful in terms of getting to eat them. My FFA heirloom plant produced 5 large tomatoes. That, according to my research, is normal, because heirlooms don't produce as much fruit as commercial hybrids. But when they started to turn pink, the problems began.

First of all, I don't know what a ripe heirloom looks like. Then the first half-red heirloom vanished. It may have been stolen by a tomato burglar or animal. That left four. Then heirloom #2 fell under the weather, developing an odd appearance. Heirlooms 3 and 4 never would turn entirely red, only the bottom 2/3rds. Then they went bad overnight, including a large split on the lower part of each. Disaster! Heirlooms are very susceptible to pests and disease.

That leaves the last one, and I've picked that and brought it in. I know it is doomed if I leave it on the vine. So I had to bring it in. I hope I will be able to eat it, but can't be sure yet. I think the plant was a good one, and I just have to learn from my mistakes in the future.

I've learned quite a bit already. Did you know that crickets can be tomato pests? I do now.

The main thing is, these tomatoes are much better than any you buy at the grocery store. The fruit and plants also have a fresh scent.

So we are nearing the end of this small effort to support Montgomery County agriculture, and the future farmers who live in the county.

You may have read prominent articles touting a supposedly-new farmland preservation effort by the county and state governments. They said, as usual, that everything is "wonerful, wonerful, wonerful," as Lawrence Welk used to say.

Talk to a real farmer in Montgomery County, and you'll find that is anything but the truth. And that we are in danger of losing farmland, while farmers are being cheated out of their livelihood and property value. By Big Government. Due to circumstances often not covered in these puff piece articles taken straight from county press releases. Who wins under current county and state policies and regulations? Guess who? The developers, although you would never guess that listening to your elected officials. The same ones who are beholden to the developers and special interests that got them elected.

We'll be talking about that, and a lot more in the future. But we'll also be continuing to enjoy the fresh foods produced by our current - and future - farmers in Montgomery County.

Be sure to visit the Robert Dyer Channel at www.RobertDyer.net to watch a short video of the Roma tomato plant, and to see pictures on my photo page from day 1 of the tomato plant experiment (more to come).

SPECIAL REPORT:

ACCESS TO

RICKENBACKER

DRIVE FROM

WOODFIELD ROAD

*CLOSED*

SAT. 8/22, 6 AM-4 PM

"Weather permitting," according to the Maryland State Highway Administration.

CHRIS VAN

HIDDEN?

Where is Congressman Chris Van Hollen? He has not held any of the traditional August recess town meetings in his 8th Congressional District. Therefore, his constituents have been unable to discuss the health care issue - among many other issues - with their Congressman.

DAMASCUS

LIGHTSABER

DUEL...

THE SEQUEL!

By popular demand, there is more footage of the lightsaber duel that took place during the Celebrate Damascus fireworks display. See if you can figure out what was going on, because I still can't.

Go to the Robert Dyer Channel at www.RobertDyer.net, and May the Force Be With You.

Have you watched the new videos from the Celebrate Damascus parade and fireworks I've uploaded recently? Visit www.RobertDyer.net and click on the Robert Dyer Channel now.

This morning I have a video with a 1967 Ford Galaxie in the parade. They don't make cars like that anymore.

"SHHHHH!!!"

COUNTY RESIDENTS

PUNK'D BY FCC,

CONGRESS, STATE, &

COUNTY POLITICIANS

ON

DIGITAL T.V.

"REVOLUTION"

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

It wasn't a "revolution," but it ought to be the catalyst for one. The much-hyped transition from broadcast to digital television has been confirmed as the scam of the century. My four testers across Montgomery County have reported in 2 months later. The results? American TVs not wired for expensive cable or satellite TV have been left as pre-1960s relics.

Now, you haven't heard much about the transition since the week it happened, right? Do you know why? It's because the powers-that-be (elected officials and their dear friends in the Cable TV industry) want you to think that you're the only one who is too dumb to figure out the new TV/converter box.

Count on RobertDyer.net to once again bring you the stories you cannot read anywhere else.

You may have cable or satellite TV hooked up to every TV in your home. If so, congratulations, and you're probably not going to understand what this blog entry is about. You, at significant cost per month, are receiving what passes for the finest in television in 2009.

However, if you are in the majority of county residents, and have TVs without cable (or are one of the many low-income residents, senior citizens, or just the average citizen who doesn't have cable at all - yes, Richie Rich, they do exist! - you have just been Punk'd by your elected officials and the cable industry.

My exclusive Montgomery County test panel reports that they have less digital channels today than they did one week after the switch. What are the "sure things" on DTV? Retro TV and 3 weather radars. Wow. Welcome to the future of television.

Let's get this straight: Fewer channels, greater expense, and lots and lots of time adjusting those antennas (which cost extra) and rescanning all channels. Pause while I run down to the store and see if the TV dinners are in aluminum trays again.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the politicians of Montgomery County (all Democrats, by the way) told you it would be better than broadcast. Most significantly, they joined Congress, the FCC, and cable companies in a boast that DTV would provide more TV for seniors and the Latino community.

Uh oh.

Didn't happen.

Of course, you haven't heard about that on TV or in the Washington Post (which has a business relationship with Comcast).

But it didn't happen. Not only did seniors lose up to 60% of their old channels, but Latinos lost 'em all! Except for Univision on Channel 14.

Latino viewers lost Telefutura, Telemundo, and Galavision.

Is that how our elected officials improve service for Latinos in Montgomery County? They've got a lot of explaining to do. But, "shhhhhhh!!!!!!!" It will have to be whispered, because no politician in the county is capable of standing up to monopoly Comcast.

Perhaps Ike Leggett can have his "liason" to the Latino community address the issue? Hasn't happened, either.

This transition to DTV was fueled by greed, and all involved - politicians and cable providers -made a vast sum from the switch.

And the rest of us? Stuck with pre-1960s channel options, and forced to purchase cable or satellite TV to restore even a basic level of television entertainment.

We've been punk'd.

And once again, the hypocrisy of our "green" politicians has been laid bare. The enviromental catastrophe of millions of useless TVs entering the ecosystem is beyond imagination. And worst of all, the whole thing was entirely unnecessary.

It's outrageous.

But county residents, and all Americans, should return the favor - bigtime - by voting every politician who voted for this switchover out of office.

And by electing candidates who will finally stand up for the consumer against monopoly utilities (that includes TV) in Montgomery County. Consumers should have choices. And elections give you choices, as well.

The best part is, those affected by the switch are already angry! You just haven't heard about it, because the media is blacking out the truth about the DTV switch. Citizens affected don't have to read my blog to know they've lost channels. But hopefully they'll feel better knowing that they are not electronically inept, but rather, in the majority. It's not you; it's the TV.

Angry people vote, and we are going to have a world of change in Montgomery County in 2010.

OH NO!

TOMATO

SETBACK

Remember that first Roma tomato I took off the vine to ripen indoors? It was very slow to turn completely red. Just as it was about ready to eat, spots appeared on it. Very disappointing. I don't know what the problem is. Unfortunately, I've never done this before. My last gardening experience was in grade school, when I planted watermelons, corn, and pumpkins in the backyard. All that came up was a watermelon vine. But no watermelon.

Now I've brought in a second Roma tomato, and I guess I'll have to eat it before it is fully ripe... I don't like bitter tomatoes; I want a red tomato. If I wanted a bitter tomato, I would go to the grocery store. They've said there are major problems with tomatoes in Maryland this year. But I think this may have been caused by what appeared to be two attempts to peck the tomato by a bird. There was a small puncture near the top.

So I'll try again, and report back the results of tomato #2.

Don't forget to visit the Robert Dyer Channel at www.RobertDyer.net for more exclusive footage of the Celebrate Damascus fireworks display.

Visit www.RobertDyer.net to watch a new video of the Damascus Theatre Company in the Celebrate Damascus parade on the Robert Dyer Channel.

I have a new video of a classic convertible on the Robert Dyer Channel this morning. You may have missed some of the new videos and photos, so go to www.RobertDyer.net right now!

TRACTOR

MYSTERY

SOLVED!

Remember that mysterious open-engine tractor at the Montgomery County Gas & Steam Engine show back in April?

According to someone who knows the vintage machine's owner, who just posted this information on the Robert Dyer Channel, it is a Rumley Oil Pull Tractor.

Refresh your memory by watching the video right now on the Robert Dyer Channel at:

www.RobertDyer.net

FIRST TOMATO!

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!

The latest development with the tomato plants I bought from the Damascus High School Future Farmers of America plant sale is about as exciting as a tomato plant can get - I have pulled the first almost-ripe tomato off of the Roma vine.

Now it is going to finish ripening indoors, and will be ready for a full evaluation very soon. Of course, I will share the results with you as we continue to support Montgomery County agriculture. And the future farmers of Montgomery County in Damascus, the only FFA chapter in the whole county.

Unless you were in Damascus on July 10, you missed the fireworks after the Celebrate Damascus parade. But now you can watch the best fireworks display in Montgomery County on the Robert Dyer Channel at www.RobertDyer.net. Part 3 is online now! Plus another new Damascus landmark photo, exclusive to RobertDyer.net.

Finally! New video from the Celebrate Damascus parade and the next special Damascus landmark photo uploaded to www.RobertDyer.net.

MONTGOMERY

COUNTY'S

SENIOR

MOMENTS

Is Montgomery County still a great place for senior citizens to retire? It's getting harder to answer that question each day, under the "leadership" of our current elected officials.

Consider the draconian measures implemented against senior citizens in the county this year:

• Property Tax increase
• Dentures taken from low-income seniors; were formerly supplied by the county
• Friendship Heights Post Office targeted for closure by Obama administration
• City of Gaithersburg begins to charge seniors for use of senior center (and sparks a well-justified strike by senior citizens who patronized the center)
• which reminds me of that recent county budget, which had $250,000 for senior centers but $1,000,000 for an immigration non-profit which is heavily involved in partisan political activity
• continued attempts to implement an Ambulance Fee
• RideOn bus services heavily cut in locations, and at times, most utilized by seniors

Once again, the hypocrisy of "green" elected officials is revealed. Friendship Heights is one of the few successful communities where a person can walk to everything - including the Post Office! Now, the Obama administration's Postal Service is planning to close the location and telling patrons to drive into D.C. to mail letters and packages.

The village manager of Friendship Heights, understandably, is protesting this outrageous proposal.

It will be interesting to see if senior citizens across the county (and within Leisure World) will continue to reelect the politicians who are taking their funding, and giving it to developers and the special interests instead.

In a county where poor seniors have had their free dentures taken away by their elected officials, stranger things have happened.

============================

SPECIAL MESSAGE:

Major internet service problems have prevented me from uploading photos and videos this week. Today is the first day I've been able to get on my blog. Please be patient, and new videos and photos will be coming very soon. In the meantime, I apologize for the lack of updates here, which was entirely beyond my control.

You can find today's special Damascus landmark photo, and an exclusive video of the Damascus 4-H club in the Celebrate Damascus parade, at www.RobertDyer.net.