Editorial: Dim Bulb: Pushing your luck

Tax land more than buildings. We want buildings, so tax them as little as possible. To do that, tax land more; when that is done, land will be used more! Find out how to do that - write to Steven Cord, 10528 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia MD 21044

I not sure why people get upset about these types of stories...it the same old, same old. Keep electing the same people and you will get the same pooh.

you need videos ok VIDEOS scary ones

It is just unbelievable how easy it seems to blame it on a black man or in this case men and then again it is not even about race but the pure ignorance on his behalf and the pure ignorance of the justice system who would fail society once again by simply slapping the wrist of the individual instead of throwing the book at him.

Why did they have to shoot a poor harmless labrador retriever in the back, as it was tunning away?

Well, in re: the SWAT apologist comment below, "this" SWAT team from Prince George's County obviously are not the most highly trained police..and if they are , then the Prince George's county cops are surely the most trigger happy, incompetent cops on the planet. They shot a harmless dog in the back as it was running away. Get real, quit trying to defend the indefensible. This was not a simple "mistake"!

Full time SWAT teams are the most highly trained officers in any agency. They are not mindless thugs who just kick in doors to kick peoples arse's. Mistakes happen as in any other profession, law enforcement or not. I bet if your family is taken hostage by a terrorist or in a school where some nutbag is randomly shooting innocent people, you will be begging for the most highly trained cops to come to the rescue. SWAT is not a "necessary evil". They are a tremendous resource that is trained and equipped to handle the worst people in society. And BTW, SWAT is not called up because of the type of crime that was committed. They are usually called because of the background of the thugs who commit the crime. For every regretable mistake that is made by a SWAT team, there are 1000 successful operations that save lives. Lastly, SWAT is not militarized. They have specific equipment for their jobs. They don't have frag grenades or tanks that shoot high order explosives. Get it right!

A ton of punitive damages? Highly doubtful. It would have to be malicious for punitive damages. Compensatory damages are a certain.

These jackbooted thugs have managed to anger both conservative law and order types and liberals.That's not easy to do. This lawsuit will cost millions. Any jury in America will award a ton of punitive damages.

what is mr alonso going to do to make sure the teachers are safe,and that the kids dont fight and video tape the event...so far all he has done is talk talk and more talk,you can only bull...s your way for a short period of time

And where were all these elected officials with there hired cronies before this became a problem. I forgot, they were at the pigs trowel slopping it up waiting for this to become a problem so they can figure out how to get more money out of the taxpayer. With all the water around an in Maryland, this should not happen. At least build a plant that desalts water dummy.

"At issue is whether UMBC restricted students’ free speech by forcing members of the campus group Rock for Life to move their display from a heavily trafficked area in front of the student center to increasingly remote areas of campus." Why is that an issue? It's not like they were told they couldn't set up their grotesque menagerie. They were simply told to move it elsewhere on campus. Happens all the time with protest groups. Look at the Westboro Church for example. They have to be in a certain area away from the maddening crowd. So there is no "free speech" issue here, unless they were told they couldn't put up their propaganda anywhere on campus. Figures the Examiner would twist things again to give false credence to their agenda.

If some enterprizing investigative journalist (are there any left in this age of instant news gratification?) were to go back to the time just after 9/11 put a serious dent in our economy, they'd find that illegal immigration began a long upward cycle. Then, if they'd go to the media soliticitations in Central and South America, they'd see what drew the illegals workers here. Then, if they investigate who funded that media advertising blitz, they'd know who to really blame. But, absent that hard work, it's just easier to demonize the laborers, without questioning the business interests that stood to gain the most by exploiting labor that has no avenue of redress of workplace abuse.

This needs to happen desperately. We're breeding better thugs and then we spend more money on them in jail. There are much better systems in different states that have proven and effective programs. MD is behind here and we're spending so much $$ per inmate only to loose that money and spend more on the outside in the end.

Outstanding editorial. If Mayor Dixon really cares about Baltimore, she must lower those property tax rates NOW!

This isn't surprising, it's the norm in Maryland to pay extra for less. It comes down to mismanagement by state administrators that were never qualified for the jobs that they were entrusted with. Maryland government is at its worst. The state hires contrators to do work, but no one knows what they just payed for. Millions of Maryland tax payors dollars wasted. Talk about fiscal responsibility. Right!

Gov. Nothing is my fault O'Malley is correct he is practing a different kind of politics,it's the politics of seeing who he can drive out of the State the fastet the people who live here or the busineses that operate here.Now that O'Malley is at the helm it is only going to get worse he takes in $5.00 spends $10.00.Even with all his over spending the the State is in a down hill spiral,looks like he is going to do to the State, the same thing he did to Baltimore City destroy it. Last person to leave the State please turn of the lights.With the help of Mike make my son a judge Miller ,Mike I'm against slot machines unless O'malley is Gov. Busch and the lemmings in the General Assembly ,Maryland should be a ghost town in no time.

if you beleive that this so called surge,is working then you dont know politics,the republicans are making sure that mccain has a chance, so they will do what ever they can to sell the amercian public on this bs,think about it ,if the surge is working then how come we are still there..this adminstration will do what ever they can to make bush,mcain or the republicians look good..thats how much a threat obama is to them..they only go to thease lenths when a black man may be there next leader....if the troops came home the same week then,the surge is working ,and only then would i give bush or mcain any credit..but thats not going to happen,and you know why.the surge is just another clever smoke screen by this adminstration,and voters need to wake up to that fact,in my world you either put up or shut up

Outstanding editorial! I highly recommend that the $300 million be invested in a world-class expansion of the Baltimore Metro Subway system.

My problem with Ken Ulman is how he thinks he's being so innovative with finding ways to save taxpayer money, yet stands shoulder to shoulder with O'Malley last year when he announced the sales tax increase among others. Now, my wife and I are struggling to make ends meet, living in Ellicott City, and we have decent jobs. His support of such tax increases at the same time of recent cuts is a fundamental issue for me. My taxes are going up, and his creaive ideas aren't affecting me at all. Taking cars away from some county officers and public works for example is all well and good, but to receive recycling bins and hybrid buses in return?? Don't tell me how you're saving taxpayer money because now I'm paying more! And I've been hearing a lot from some county employees, money is being wasted by your administration.

What Howard citizens should know is any money that may be saved will be spent elsewhere, not "saving" the taxpayer anything. Of the 15 or so being laid off from GTV and print shop still without work, all but two were given NEW positions in county government. Ulman's PIO Kevin Enright privately expressed to those being let go a desire to prevent Ulman as being known as "the layoff executive." The vast majority of GTV's budget was salaries, so in this case practically no money is being saved, and the taxpayer would have been better off with GTV still around. Ulman just keeps spinning ideas to save money, but it is just not reality. And if he was so concerned about "unnecessary" take home car use, then why does his senior staff still have them? They make well over $100,000 each and can certainly afford to at least drive to and from the workplace, just like the taxpayers he claims to serve. Green buses, recycling bins, health plan... he will always cook something up to spend more money.

It will take time to cure and prevent CANCER, so lets not waste the time and money. Unless something is an immediate fix it is not worth any effort.

The State will have no trouble handling the money,for every dollar it takes in from slots Owe Malley will spend 2.The lemmings in the Maryland General Assembly led by Miller and Busch will just rubber stamp everything.That is what happens when you have a Governor that loves to spend other peoples money and a General Assembly that is more interested in their chairmanships and committee appointments and where they sit in the Senate and House instead of being leaders and Statesman.The PEOPLE of Maryland need to send people to Annapolis that have vertebrates.

Stricter immigration. Limit overpopulation.

I agree with the author's contention that labeling Immigration Officers as terrorists goes way too far. Besides, they are not to blame for how lousy our immigration laws are or how terrible are the consequences of their implementation, as they are only part of a broken system. Blame Congress and Newt Gingrich, who re-wrote the immigration code to its current form back in 1996. However, the emotional response by these protesters point us in the right direction: Immigration reform is long overdue; a reform that is coherent with the history of immigration to this country (America was built, after all, by immigrants). On the other hand, Frederik's story is regrettable, and quite common indeed. Service in the Armed Forces is not a ticket straight to citizenship or guarantee that it shall be granted upon any alien that enlists, and the process in and of by itself is extremely flawed. There is no escape to a sad conclusion: our immigration system is broken and in dire need of repair.

OK Baltimore Examiner Newspaper and the editorial writer: Did the judge redact the amount of money paid to Currie or didn't he. This editorial says we don't know how much money was paid. But your reporter, Jaime Malarkey (great name for a BS writer) reported that Currie was paid at least $270,000. Don't you talk to your reporters before writing this crap?

Test

I was in the court room and the judge barely paid attention to the family as they testified about the impact of losing Kevin had on the, Then after the defense testified he rendered his sentence decision without a minute to comtemplate. He had his decision set before the hearing took place. What a travesty!!!

Pitch-perfect editorial. Corrigan

Excellent editiorials in your 6/3 and 7/16 editions!

In regards to the editorial "Pensions:Are ticking time bomb", I could not disagree more. These pensions are funded by the employee. We set aside a portion of our pay every year to allow us the right to be paid when retire. It's worth noting that the amount they take out from each pay is not a small amount. The fact that other private companies are removing their pension plans may be because they're looking for a better way to increase their bottom line. If you use this concept as a way to save money for the government, why not also get rid of our health insurance benefits? That's what the private companies are doing. Just so you know, most government agencies offer a secondary retirement option in a 457b (similar to a 401k). Because of this, employees are not eligible for social security benefits. So, I ask you. If I'm already putting money into my pension and I'm not eligible for social security, and you take my pension away, what then?

Owe'malley is stealing and giving to his friends and helping Baltimore City.The 2 thieves are ripping off the city and state taxpayers. The owe'malley and dixon are so crooked that they could not walk a straight line or tell the truth.Armed rebellion is the only thing to do and the people need to take the state back.

this is silly. Maryland is a great state for business and anti plaintiff in several ways. 1) we are one of only 4 states that retain "contributory negligence" instead of using the modern standard of comparative negligence. This means that if a plaintiff is at all at fault, he loses. (Compare to California, for example, where the famous woman who spilled the coffee was found partially at fault, but recovered damages-- In Maryland, she loses. 2) we have essentially eliminated punitive damages in almost all cases. Never in medical malpractice cases, never in auto negligence cases, not in drunk driving cases, and not in product liability cases. 3) We retain the old rule that a landlord owes no duty to a trespasser. 4) Our worker's compensation awards are among the lowest in the nation, and thus, the worker's compensation insurance rates are quite low, comparatively. 5) We do not have the legal doctrine of "attractive nuisance". 6) We have caps on non-=economic recovery. 7) And more.

you can thank martin omalley....thanks martin

How about calling out the legislator(s) by name for sponsoring these asinine, destructive laws? Laws of the lawyers, by the lawyers, for the lawyers. Beware of the resubmitted bills next year, or the fact that Md. pol.'s (like criminals intent on theft and personal harm) are proficient @ knowing that if the front door is closed/locked, then try the back door or windows. If THAT doesn't work, "break in and get out with the goods" before it's discovered and help or the police arrive! Sound familiar? Review our storied, colorful, monopolistic, corrupt and arrogant legislative past.

Where are all these BRAC jobs people keep talking about? Typical liberal rhetoric - let's talk about what it should be instead of what it really is. And hope that some miracle occurs in the meantime. BennyFactor is clueless on this one.

Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the country and the BRAC-related job growth in a job market that is shrinking nationally puts Maryland in the catbird seat, so far as attracting business investment is concerned. Would the business community rather move their ventures to regions with low tax rates, but serious job losses where people cannot afford to buy whatever they're selling, irregardless of the tax rate. With the BRAC boon comes a challenge to invest in infrastructure of all sorts, which requires an expanded tax base. Absent the taxes, BRAC could break us instead of building up our tax base. Invest now to collect tomorrow. If one business doesn't like it, the market dictates that another will be thrilled to pick up the increased market share with that much less competition to worry about. See ya!

Owe'malley,busch and miller will run businesses out of this state,by the time they get done there will be not be amy major businesses left.These jackasses should be tried and excuted for treason against the taxpayers of Maryland.

we are already green there are fewer people liveing in the state dont need to update roads less driveing high gas price state tax too high decrease income taxes now

That is because we live in a tax-state hell here. I have many ideas about HOW to bring in new businesses. First our state reps. are banking on the WRONG BUSINESSES for our state. The FUTURE is in Green Energy and Maryland could be the #1 state in the whole country leading the way with new technologies. However our state reps. back big pharma and the likes and completely disregard what the people of this country want. We COULD be in the world leaders in Green Techs IF our goverment would step out of the way!

We need a law so any u.s citizen can shoot down these illegal's who are a drain on this country.This country is in a war and the illegal's are winning by stealing our gasoline,healthcare,education,food and legal services that the real taxpayers have to pay for.These people have broken the law and Casa de owe'malley is helping them.Today is the our country's birthday and let's celebrate by getting rid of every single illegal in this country.Just remember the movie "RED DAWN".

Surprise,surprise. The Army pushed for BRAC as a way to save money, and Maryland politicans supported BRAC as a way to increase jobs and tax revenues. But neither wants to pay the costs involved for new infrastructure. If the Feds pay, at least the burden is shared across the country, not just on the shoulders of the taxpayers who have the bad fortune of living in Maryland.

Come clean? Are you kidding? The Mayor has provided more documents and more openness than any of the white me that have previously held this job. She is being railroaded. If she did break the law it was only because she didn't know she was. As an Afro-Centric female I hope to one day see the Mayor were she belongs - In the Governors Mansion!! Go Obama!! Go Dixon!!

"Ram" are you the last person in Baltimore to know that the money used by Comm. Norris was donated funds from businesses in Balt.? Zero tax dollars were used. But, knowing the inteligence level and the way most Baltimorons get their info., your probably among 1000's of other dummies. That fund was used by every Police Comm. since it was established. Get the facts dude. Keep voting for stupid people and you'll remain that way yourself. LOSER!!!

Interesting article, however, it frightens me that State money is spent on something as frivolous as gift cards. In regards to "impropriety" on Dixon's part. How can we expect anyone, let alone a politician, to be held accountable for something that's not written? Law & Ethics do not coincide, this is an oxymoron, they run parallel to one another. Where there's smoke, there's fire; however, there doesn't appear to be any smoke here. If prosecutors wish to investigate something, let's look at the money the former Mayor and one of his Police Chiefs spent on out of town trips with women other than their wives. Who paid for that fiasco? Hmmm.

If all this investigation is about is whether Sheila used some gift cards to buy some nice things for herself, well...so what? She works hard (she always tells us that) so she's entitled to some perks. They're just picking on her because she is a black woman. I know she didn't do anything wrong because Martin O'Malley told me so and you can always trust Martin O'Malley to tell the truth. Leave Sheila alone! If she wants to 'party' with a friend who's company gets big Baltimore City contracts, that is her business. And if she gets a nice trip and some expensive gifts well...so what? She's entitled to get nice gifts; She is the MAYOR!

well put but the 12 commandment states though shall not get away with it,and that includes going back and getting martin omalley,if you let him slide then the argument of im black gets more credance,the punishment must be fair.....personaly she is embrassing black women every where,her actions kill her history making goal

No you think? Isn't this what the folks at Monmouth have been saying from day 1. I got an idea close them quicker.

Taxing is one of the many reason that next year I will be selling my city property and looking else where. Schools, property taxes, crime and police response, general disrespect for public and private property, the mini bikes, city hall, corruption and an city gov't that needs down sizing. If it wasn't for the individual neighborhoods fighting for themselves to stay afloat, then whole city would fail. I'm sick of being a tax payer and law biding citizen having my back broken for the have nots that just mooch off everything.

The city needs a good level headed republican mayor to fix it...and this is coming from a democrat....