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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Seaford Man Wanted For July Domestic Incident
Location:
25000 block Woodbine Street (Mobile Gardens) Seaford, Delaware
DATE and TIME:
July 12, 2010 8:50 p.m.
Victim:
28 year old woman Seaford, Delaware
Suspect(s):
Kendall M. Johnson-30 Seaford, Delaware
Charge(s) Pending:
Strangulation
Assault Third Degree
Criminal Mischief Under $1000 Damage
Resume:
Delaware State Police is seeking the public’s help in apprehending a Domestic Violence Fugitive. State Police is looking for Kendall M. Johnson-30 of Seaford, Delaware.
On Monday July 12, 2010 Johnson and the victim were involved in a verbal altercation over a family matter. The victim advised Johnson placed her in a choke hold during an argument which caused the victim’s nose to bleed. The victim was able to break away from Johnson and lock herself inside her car parked in the driveway. During the process of fleeing the victim’s shirt was ripped by Johnson.
Upon the Troopers arrival Johnson fled from the residence and has not been located. State Troopers obtained an arrest warrant consisting of one charge of Strangulation and other domestic related charges. Johnson is believed to frequent the Laurel and Seaford area of Sussex County Delaware.
Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Kendall M. Johnson is asked to notify authorities. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on line at http://www.tipsubmit.com/.
25000 block Woodbine Street (Mobile Gardens) Seaford, Delaware
DATE and TIME:
July 12, 2010 8:50 p.m.
Victim:
28 year old woman Seaford, Delaware
Suspect(s):
Kendall M. Johnson-30 Seaford, Delaware
Charge(s) Pending:
Strangulation
Assault Third Degree
Criminal Mischief Under $1000 Damage
Resume:
Delaware State Police is seeking the public’s help in apprehending a Domestic Violence Fugitive. State Police is looking for Kendall M. Johnson-30 of Seaford, Delaware.
On Monday July 12, 2010 Johnson and the victim were involved in a verbal altercation over a family matter. The victim advised Johnson placed her in a choke hold during an argument which caused the victim’s nose to bleed. The victim was able to break away from Johnson and lock herself inside her car parked in the driveway. During the process of fleeing the victim’s shirt was ripped by Johnson.
Upon the Troopers arrival Johnson fled from the residence and has not been located. State Troopers obtained an arrest warrant consisting of one charge of Strangulation and other domestic related charges. Johnson is believed to frequent the Laurel and Seaford area of Sussex County Delaware.
Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Kendall M. Johnson is asked to notify authorities. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on line at http://www.tipsubmit.com/.
Scandal in 38-B?
Worcester County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael McDermott was temporarily stripped of his police powers while the department investigates a Sept. 2009 incident involving a service weapon, according to his lawyer. McDermott is the mayor of Pocomoke City and a Republican candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 38B.
Worcester County Sheriff Charles T. Martin confirmed that McDermott’s power to arrest was taken away on July 22, and said McDermott is now on administrative office duties. An incident involving McDermott is being investigated, Martin said, but he declined to comment on the specifics of the case because it is a personnel matter.
“Those powers remain suspended until they are reinstated by me or the case is adjudicated,” Martin said. “It’s something that is going to be adjudicated within the system, and he knows the system as well as I do."
Sounds terrible on the surface. Let’s start at the beginning and see where the story leads.
How Do You Lose A Weapon When Your Boss Has It In His Possession?
According to sources in the Worcester County Sheriff’s office, Lt. Mike McDermott was called into the office of Sheriff Chuck Martin on July 22 and asked the whereabouts of second handgun which had been issued to McDermott. McDermott claimed that the piece was packed away and locked in his pick-up truck as he had recently been moved out of his office. Sheriff Martin is reported to have asked him to produce the weapon. When McDermott could not, the Sheriff stated that he had the weapon. He reportedly admitted to accessing McDermott’s locked office last fall and took the weapon (which had been packed away in a box) into his possession.
Sheriff Martin then stated that he was placing McDermott on “emergency suspension”. Martin was reminded that he could not do so without doing it in writing. At that point he dismissed McDermott.
On Saturday, July 24, McDermott was formally served written notice of an “emergency suspension”. It is our understanding that this type of action is reserved for the most severe type of complaint. However, it is our understanding that as of 5PM today, no “Notification of Complaint” has been served on McDermott. Such notification is supposed to be the first step in any formal disciplinary procedure.
The Shoe Is Gonna Drop!
For some months, non-specific rumors have been spreading around political circles in both Worcester and Wicomico counties that something was going to happen to discredit McDermott. One Wicomico source has been dropping hints for the last three months that “the shoe is gonna drop” on McDermott. Two Democrat sources separately intimated that McDermott would be “run out of town on a rail” by the September 14th primary.
While attending an event for 38-A candidate John Phoebus July 23rd, I was told by two credible sources that “McDermott had been placed on ‘administrative leave’”. Oddly, our sources in the Sheriff’s office state that McDermott was not served with his official suspension until the next day.
The Suspension Is Reversed, Sort Of …
As would be expected, McDermott appealed his suspension. On Tuesday, July 27, a review board consisting of three senior deputies in the Worcester County Sheriff’s office met to hear McDermott’s appeal. The board found that the suspension of McDermott was unwarranted and that he should be returned to active duty. Unfortunately, such a finding must be upheld by Sheriff Martin. The finding continues to gather dust on his desk while no notification of complaint has been filed and no investigation has begun.
It’s A Personnel Matter
When reached for comment, McDermott would only state that I should speak to his counsel. However, as the Daily Times has already reported, Sheriff Martin doesn’t seem to have any problem discussing the matter EXCEPT when it comes to the parts that could exonerate McDermott:
Worcester County Sheriff Charles T. Martin confirmed that McDermott’s power to arrest was taken away on July 22, and said McDermott is now on administrative office duties. An incident involving McDermott is being investigated, Martin said, but he declined to comment on the specifics of the case because it is a personnel matter.
“Those powers remain suspended until they are reinstated by me or the case is adjudicated,” Martin said. “It’s something that is going to be adjudicated within the system, and he knows the system as well as I do."
The problem is that our sources state that the problem ISN’T being investigated. No formal complaint has been filed TO BE INVESTIGATED. YET, Martin is discussing a personnel matter – which violates the policy of his own department.
WHY?
Start by looking at this video:
Our sources in the Worcester County Sheriff’s office inform us that it is a violation of department policy to appear in uniform supporting a political candidate. Yet, who do we see going the extra yard for Norm Conway? Sheriff Martin and several uniformed deputies performing in a campaign video.
Given that McDermott poses the greatest threat to Conway keeping his seat, is it mere coincidence that a man willing to use his own department to promote Conway wouldn’t take the extra step and attempt to destroy McDermott’s candidacy? I honestly don’t know.
My family and I have always had the greatest respect for Sheriff Martin. I hope that this whole affair turns out to be a gross overreaction to a minor problem rather than a political hatchet job. That said, only time will tell.
If McDermott is returned to duty (per the review board), the matter dropped or a formal complaint filed, and promptly investigated (if a formal complaint is filed), then the entire affair could simply be chocked up to a misunderstanding. Each day that this affair continues without an objective conclusion in sight makes the matter appear more and more sordid. This does not bode well for either Conway’s candidacy or the last few months of Sheriff Martin’s distinguished career.
from Delmarva Dealings
BREAKING NEWS:
BP says it is pumping cement into blown-out well in effort to finish 'static kill'
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New Jobless Claims Take Surprise Jump
Claims hit their highest level since April in latest week
WASHINGTON — Initial requests for jobless benefits rose last week to their highest level since April, a sign that hiring remains weak and some companies are still cutting workers.
The Labor Department said Thursday that new claims for unemployment insurance rose by 19,000 to a seasonally adjusted 479,000. Analysts had expected a small drop. Claims have risen twice in the past three weeks.
Some of the increase in claims stemmed from difficulties the government has in adjusting for seasonal factors.
GO HERE to read more.
WASHINGTON — Initial requests for jobless benefits rose last week to their highest level since April, a sign that hiring remains weak and some companies are still cutting workers.
The Labor Department said Thursday that new claims for unemployment insurance rose by 19,000 to a seasonally adjusted 479,000. Analysts had expected a small drop. Claims have risen twice in the past three weeks.
Some of the increase in claims stemmed from difficulties the government has in adjusting for seasonal factors.
GO HERE to read more.
A Letter To The Editor
MAYOR IRETON: STU LEER IS CORRECT, ONCE AGAIN!
Those old homes that were converted to apartments many years ago (before most City residents were even born) may be non-conforming under the zoning laws, but they are suitable for the only type of occupancy that will be made in those structures from now on. Their zoning district classification is what makes them non-conforming, and it should be changed to a district that allows for apartment conversions.
Since the City is revising its comprehensive plan for zoning, the areas with apartment conversions should be designated for that purpose and then zoned that way. If that’s done they would then no longer be non-conforming. That would be better than if the mayor continues to try to drive away the tenants who live in them.
Mr. Ireton has made his bed with the crowd that does not want those persons to live anywhere near them. He is not capable of changing his course, which is headed for the rocks, by proposing a reasonable solution.
We can expect Ireton to expend much of his time and energy and substantial City funds in an effort to shut down those apartments. If he wins, the tenants will be forced to relocate to other neighborhoods throughout the City and the buildings will remain vacant and become derelict. And Ireton could, and he would, brag that he did what Barrie Tilghman failed to do – beat Stu Leer – but the City would be the real loser.
Those old homes that were converted to apartments many years ago (before most City residents were even born) may be non-conforming under the zoning laws, but they are suitable for the only type of occupancy that will be made in those structures from now on. Their zoning district classification is what makes them non-conforming, and it should be changed to a district that allows for apartment conversions.
Since the City is revising its comprehensive plan for zoning, the areas with apartment conversions should be designated for that purpose and then zoned that way. If that’s done they would then no longer be non-conforming. That would be better than if the mayor continues to try to drive away the tenants who live in them.
Mr. Ireton has made his bed with the crowd that does not want those persons to live anywhere near them. He is not capable of changing his course, which is headed for the rocks, by proposing a reasonable solution.
We can expect Ireton to expend much of his time and energy and substantial City funds in an effort to shut down those apartments. If he wins, the tenants will be forced to relocate to other neighborhoods throughout the City and the buildings will remain vacant and become derelict. And Ireton could, and he would, brag that he did what Barrie Tilghman failed to do – beat Stu Leer – but the City would be the real loser.
Senate OKs Vote On Cash To States For Teachers, Healthcare
Congress is poised to extend a taxpayer-funded lifeline to cash-strapped states after the Senate on Wednesday advanced another round of $26 billion in stimulus spending for teachers and health care, and House Democrats said they will break their six-week summer vacation to return to Washington to vote on it next week.
Facing pressure from public employee labor unions and state budget officials, Democrats are rushing to get the money in the pipeline before the school year begins, and have painted the new stimulus spending as a key ingredient to fight unemployment.
"Today, the United States Senate did its job. We saved people's jobs," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, said minutes after fellow Democrats, joined by two Republicans, broke a GOP-led filibuster of the bill. The Senate will take a final vote Thursday, then send the bill to the House, which will reconvene next week and vote on the bill Tuesday.
President Obama has indicated that he will sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Republicans argue that sending more aid to states only makes an eventual budget reckoning tougher, and blasted the idea of reconvening to pass the bill.
"The American people don't want more Washington 'stimulus' spending - especially in the form of a payoff to union bosses and liberal special interests," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican. "This stunning display of tone-deafness comes at the expense of American workers."
Facing pressure from public employee labor unions and state budget officials, Democrats are rushing to get the money in the pipeline before the school year begins, and have painted the new stimulus spending as a key ingredient to fight unemployment.
"Today, the United States Senate did its job. We saved people's jobs," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, said minutes after fellow Democrats, joined by two Republicans, broke a GOP-led filibuster of the bill. The Senate will take a final vote Thursday, then send the bill to the House, which will reconvene next week and vote on the bill Tuesday.
President Obama has indicated that he will sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Republicans argue that sending more aid to states only makes an eventual budget reckoning tougher, and blasted the idea of reconvening to pass the bill.
"The American people don't want more Washington 'stimulus' spending - especially in the form of a payoff to union bosses and liberal special interests," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican. "This stunning display of tone-deafness comes at the expense of American workers."
Justice Department Steers Money To Favored Groups
The Justice Department has found a new way to pursue civil rights lawsuits, using the powers of the Civil Rights Division not just to win compensation for victims of alleged discrimination but also to direct large sums of money to activist groups that are not discrimination victims and not connected to a particular suit.
In the past, when the Civil Rights Division filed suit against, say, a bank or a landlord, alleging discrimination in lending or rentals, the cases were often settled by the defendant paying a fine to the U.S. Treasury and agreeing to put aside a sum of money to compensate the alleged discrimination victims. There was then a search for those victims -- people who were actually denied a loan or an apartment -- who stood to be compensated. After everyone who could be found was paid, there was often money left over. That money was returned to the defendant.
Now, Attorney General Eric Holder and Civil Rights Division chief Thomas Perez have a new plan. Any unspent money will not go back to the defendant but will instead go to a "qualified organization" approved by the Justice Department. And if there is not enough unspent money -- that will be determined by the Department -- then the defendant might be required to come up with more money to give to the "qualified organization."
The arrangement was used in a recently-settled case, United States v. AIG Federal Savings Bank and Wilmington Finance. The Justice Department alleged that AIG violated the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act by allowing third-party wholesale mortgage brokers to "charge African-American borrowers higher direct broker fees for residential real estate-related loans than white borrowers." The financial institution denied any wrongdoing, and there was no factual finding of wrongdoing. Nevertheless, under the terms of a March 19, 2010 consent decree, AIG agreed to pay $6.1 million to "aggrieved persons who may have suffered as a result of the alleged violations."
That is standard procedure in such cases. But then AIG also agreed, in the words of the consent decree, to "provide a minimum of $1,000,000 to qualified organization(s) to provide credit counseling, financial literacy, and other related educational programs targeted at African-American borrowers."
Read more at the Washington Examiner
In the past, when the Civil Rights Division filed suit against, say, a bank or a landlord, alleging discrimination in lending or rentals, the cases were often settled by the defendant paying a fine to the U.S. Treasury and agreeing to put aside a sum of money to compensate the alleged discrimination victims. There was then a search for those victims -- people who were actually denied a loan or an apartment -- who stood to be compensated. After everyone who could be found was paid, there was often money left over. That money was returned to the defendant.
Now, Attorney General Eric Holder and Civil Rights Division chief Thomas Perez have a new plan. Any unspent money will not go back to the defendant but will instead go to a "qualified organization" approved by the Justice Department. And if there is not enough unspent money -- that will be determined by the Department -- then the defendant might be required to come up with more money to give to the "qualified organization."
The arrangement was used in a recently-settled case, United States v. AIG Federal Savings Bank and Wilmington Finance. The Justice Department alleged that AIG violated the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act by allowing third-party wholesale mortgage brokers to "charge African-American borrowers higher direct broker fees for residential real estate-related loans than white borrowers." The financial institution denied any wrongdoing, and there was no factual finding of wrongdoing. Nevertheless, under the terms of a March 19, 2010 consent decree, AIG agreed to pay $6.1 million to "aggrieved persons who may have suffered as a result of the alleged violations."
That is standard procedure in such cases. But then AIG also agreed, in the words of the consent decree, to "provide a minimum of $1,000,000 to qualified organization(s) to provide credit counseling, financial literacy, and other related educational programs targeted at African-American borrowers."
Read more at the Washington Examiner
Dayan: Israel Must Fight To Win
General Uzi Dayan, head of the National Security Council, says that the recent skirmish in Lebanon that exacted the price of one dead officer and another seriously wounded one must serve as a general warning bell:
“Wars have to be fought in order to win.”
“Our immediate response of firing back at the Lebanese forces who attacked us on Monday was correct,” Dayan told Arutz-7’s Benny Tucker. “But there must be a more comprehensive military response as well. Over the course of just a few days, we had rockets from Gaza at Sderot, rockets into Eilat, and now the incident in Lebanon. It’s clear that this was not just a coincidence - and our response must be carried out accordingly.”
“Clearly, our deterrence is still strong, and that’s why Hamas sends others to do their work [such as with the rockets to Eilat], and the like... The same in Lebanon: I don't believe that the incident there was the result of one anonymous Lebanese officer. I’m certain it was part of a wider initiative – and that’s why our response must be across-the-board.”
“Our response need not be immediate,” Dayan said. “We must wait for the right time, and then strike back hard.”
“You can’t solve everything with force – but you have to know how to use your force. I hope that next time, we will make sure to complete the job, and in Gaza as well. In war, you have to go all the way; limited results are not good enough. You can’t waste time like we did in the Lebanon War, when we waited a few weeks and then ran a strong ground offensive which we didn’t even get to finish; you have to do that at the beginning."
"In addition," Dayan added, "we have to go after the leadership of Hamas and Hizbullah, and destroy them. In Lebanon, not a single Hizbullah leader was hurt."
More
“Wars have to be fought in order to win.”
“Our immediate response of firing back at the Lebanese forces who attacked us on Monday was correct,” Dayan told Arutz-7’s Benny Tucker. “But there must be a more comprehensive military response as well. Over the course of just a few days, we had rockets from Gaza at Sderot, rockets into Eilat, and now the incident in Lebanon. It’s clear that this was not just a coincidence - and our response must be carried out accordingly.”
“Clearly, our deterrence is still strong, and that’s why Hamas sends others to do their work [such as with the rockets to Eilat], and the like... The same in Lebanon: I don't believe that the incident there was the result of one anonymous Lebanese officer. I’m certain it was part of a wider initiative – and that’s why our response must be across-the-board.”
“Our response need not be immediate,” Dayan said. “We must wait for the right time, and then strike back hard.”
“You can’t solve everything with force – but you have to know how to use your force. I hope that next time, we will make sure to complete the job, and in Gaza as well. In war, you have to go all the way; limited results are not good enough. You can’t waste time like we did in the Lebanon War, when we waited a few weeks and then ran a strong ground offensive which we didn’t even get to finish; you have to do that at the beginning."
"In addition," Dayan added, "we have to go after the leadership of Hamas and Hizbullah, and destroy them. In Lebanon, not a single Hizbullah leader was hurt."
More
A Comment Worthy Of A Post
Well said, Joe. When this all started last year Mike was dumbfounded by Chuck's initial attempt to suspend him after entering Mike's locked office and rifling through Mike's personal possessions and making copies of some of the contents of Mike's briefcase. It was at that time that Chuck stole Mike's back-up weapon.I've supported and defended Chuck against all enemies for over 16 years. I even changed parties to vote for Chuck in in first election (I changed my party affiliation back to Republican the day after that election). I am a strong supporter and campaign treasurer for Mike McDermott. So I'm watching one friend trying to destroy another.
Joe's right about the Brotherhood... you just don't do something like this to a brother. But Chuck has stepped over that line. Chucks actions disgust me.
Mike McDermott WILL win this election and go on to be a stellar representative for the Eastern Shore. Chuck will go down in history as a good cop gone bad.
Craig Theobald
Ironshire
GELLER: Borderline Obama
As a federal judge gutted Arizona's new immigration law on July 29, the Obama State Department announced that it was "encouraged" by signs that the Arab League would support, or at least not directly impede, direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Not surprisingly, media seemed not to notice or care how the two things were related. But they are.
One of the most overlooked aspects of the question of immigration is its connection to national security. Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, mentioned that connection on Sean Hannity's Fox News program, but it received very little notice thereafter. Even Arizona's Republican state Sen. Russell Pearce, who wrote the Arizona immigration bill, SB 1070, hasn't spoken of its role in protecting the nation. Yet there is a silver bullet linking the Islamic terror threat with the porous border of Arizona that deserves our immediate attention.
With fresh evidence of Hezbollah activity just south of the border, and numerous reports of Muslims from various countries posing as Mexicans and crossing into the United States from Mexico, our porous southern border is a national security nightmare waiting to happen.
My colleague and coauthor, Robert Spencer, has spoken with people who live along the Arizona border who for years have been finding Korans and Islamic prayer rugs on their property, left by illegal invaders. It is well documented in the Department of Homeland Security's 2008 Yearbook of Immigration Studies, from the Office of Immigration Statistics: Federal law enforcement agencies detained 791,568 deportable aliens in fiscal year 2008, and 5,506 of them were from 14 "special-interest countries" - i.e., nations full of jihadists such as Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.
Informants are telling us that those numbers continue to swell. But where are these people? What Americans - Arizonans in particular - are not being told is what Immigration Customs Enforcement does with individuals who were detained after illegally entering Arizona from a "special-interest country."
One of the most overlooked aspects of the question of immigration is its connection to national security. Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, mentioned that connection on Sean Hannity's Fox News program, but it received very little notice thereafter. Even Arizona's Republican state Sen. Russell Pearce, who wrote the Arizona immigration bill, SB 1070, hasn't spoken of its role in protecting the nation. Yet there is a silver bullet linking the Islamic terror threat with the porous border of Arizona that deserves our immediate attention.
With fresh evidence of Hezbollah activity just south of the border, and numerous reports of Muslims from various countries posing as Mexicans and crossing into the United States from Mexico, our porous southern border is a national security nightmare waiting to happen.
My colleague and coauthor, Robert Spencer, has spoken with people who live along the Arizona border who for years have been finding Korans and Islamic prayer rugs on their property, left by illegal invaders. It is well documented in the Department of Homeland Security's 2008 Yearbook of Immigration Studies, from the Office of Immigration Statistics: Federal law enforcement agencies detained 791,568 deportable aliens in fiscal year 2008, and 5,506 of them were from 14 "special-interest countries" - i.e., nations full of jihadists such as Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.
Informants are telling us that those numbers continue to swell. But where are these people? What Americans - Arizonans in particular - are not being told is what Immigration Customs Enforcement does with individuals who were detained after illegally entering Arizona from a "special-interest country."
Reality Sets In For States On Real ID
Like it or not — and many in the Obama administration don't — Real ID is coming to a driver's license near you.
Having failed to get Congress to revise the tough new security rules for state-issued licenses in the Real ID Act, the Department of Homeland Security says it is working out how to implement the law.
But critics fear Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano plans to gut the intent of the legislation's authors.
There is broad agreement among those following the issue on Capitol Hill and in statehouses across the country that Pass ID, the legislative alternative to Real ID that the Obama administration was pushing last year, is dead in the water.
"Pass ID is not moving forward," David Quam, director of federal relations for the National Governors Association, told The Washington Times.
"Although [Homeland Security] is still working with Congress on a comprehensive solution that allows cost savings and flexibility to the states, we are obligated to continue moving ahead with efforts to improve the standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification under the REAL ID framework pending any legislative changes by Congress," Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa told The Times in an e-mail.
The Real ID Act grew out of a recommendation from the Sept. 11 commission that driver's licenses needed to be more secure and harder to obtain for terrorists and other malefactors. Despite being in the country illegally, all but one of the 19 hijackers on Sept. 11 had driver's licenses or other state-issued ID cards that they used to rent cars and apartments, and ultimately to board the planes they commandeered.
Several terrorist plots foiled in the United States since then have been attempted by people who also had managed to get driver's licenses, despite having overstayed their visas.
"People understand that 99 percent of the security at airports, buildings, stadiums and other events relies on visual verification of driver's licenses," said Brian Zimmer, president of the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, a nonprofit that advocates for fraud-proof licenses. "That's why there has always been broad public support for stronger identity security."
Having failed to get Congress to revise the tough new security rules for state-issued licenses in the Real ID Act, the Department of Homeland Security says it is working out how to implement the law.
But critics fear Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano plans to gut the intent of the legislation's authors.
There is broad agreement among those following the issue on Capitol Hill and in statehouses across the country that Pass ID, the legislative alternative to Real ID that the Obama administration was pushing last year, is dead in the water.
"Pass ID is not moving forward," David Quam, director of federal relations for the National Governors Association, told The Washington Times.
"Although [Homeland Security] is still working with Congress on a comprehensive solution that allows cost savings and flexibility to the states, we are obligated to continue moving ahead with efforts to improve the standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification under the REAL ID framework pending any legislative changes by Congress," Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa told The Times in an e-mail.
The Real ID Act grew out of a recommendation from the Sept. 11 commission that driver's licenses needed to be more secure and harder to obtain for terrorists and other malefactors. Despite being in the country illegally, all but one of the 19 hijackers on Sept. 11 had driver's licenses or other state-issued ID cards that they used to rent cars and apartments, and ultimately to board the planes they commandeered.
Several terrorist plots foiled in the United States since then have been attempted by people who also had managed to get driver's licenses, despite having overstayed their visas.
"People understand that 99 percent of the security at airports, buildings, stadiums and other events relies on visual verification of driver's licenses," said Brian Zimmer, president of the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, a nonprofit that advocates for fraud-proof licenses. "That's why there has always been broad public support for stronger identity security."
Maryland Reporter
Rarely used public campaign funds redirected for voting machines, may be retiring after 2010 election
After remaining untouched for years — and most likely just collecting interest this campaign season — Gov. Martin O’Malley and the legislature raided a $5.6 million fund that allows gubernatorial candidates to get campaign finance help from taxpayers.
Called the Fair Campaign Financing Fund, it has been receiving contributions from taxpayers — but mostly just collecting interest — since 1975, said Jared DeMarinis, director of the division of Candidacy and Campaign Finance for the Maryland State Board of Elections. In the 35 years it’s been on the books, the fund has only been tapped into during the 1994 campaign.
Proposals to do more with public campaign financing — like increasing the amount that gubernatorial candidates can get, or creating a public campaign finance program for General Assembly candidates — have been talked about in Annapolis over the last few years. None has become law.
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