A fellow Sun Board brother. We'll keep em straight.

Took ride past the Yorkway development yesterday and guess who was building the homes?

Unemployment rate in Dundalk is around 17%. I am going to call Ryan Homes and ask how many of those jobs are going to local contractors and did you follow the councilman's NON-BINDING resolution to use E-verify? Olsezwski should know, he wrote the PUD.

I saw the same thing in Florida years ago. It's all about big business and cheap labor.

An interesting point concerning Councilwoman Bevins. In my bid for elected office, and I lost for the record, at a forum one evening Mrs. Bevins said I could not use the word illegals in Baltimore County, unless I new for sure. In that case I would suggest that she demands an audit to see where our taxpayer dollars are going.

California just made the Forbes list in these top five categories; massive budget deficit, rampant crime and high state taxes. Are we far behind?

Jeff, while I think your comments contain some validity, consider the historical accounts of robust debate.

Consider FDR, Regan, Busch, Obama just to name a few. A lot of heat there! Did you read my link on Obama's remarks. There are other links and videos to support these and many other points of view pertaining to political discourse.

Our nation was founded on more than typed words. While I'm a strong supporter of civility, censoring voices of discontent is reflected in what is going on in Egypt. While I have always tried to be articulate and validate my point of view, I have had more vitriolic remarks directed at me by the politically connected than I care to count.

Read my thread on this topic and scroll down and read the comments.

http://talk.baltimoresun.com/showthread.php?t=284584

In the end, I think the readers of this site will determine the effective political discourse.

By the way, nice article. The ratings will hit the roof on this one.

"It's really none of your business who Ryan Homes subcontracts to."

Truly? When we have government projects that require minority set-asides, it's in the public interest to know the subcontractors. And when they have promised informally to use E-verify, it's everyone's business who the subcontractors might be, and who they employ as laborers. Even a Democrat who is a union supporter should have that concern.

Bryan, thanks for adding a note that a comment was removed. If you get email updates on stories, it can be confusing otherwise.

Tammy this is no place for a lady to hang out. We're in the midst of a bar room brawl.

Did you guys call a signal 13?

Breaking news from Patch. This just came into the newsroom. There are reports that three Patch editors were dispatched to break up a comment brawl. No injuries were reported and at least two arrests were made.

Bryan, I accept some of that guilt. I was referring to the overall tone and not just one word.

On the other board, people use those symbols to skirt the same issue all the time. I don't condone it and the sites moderator should enforce it.

Its almost like football. Politics invokes tremendous passion on all sides. Once inside the ropes you have to have a thick skin.

Your response was appropriate.

First he goes after Huff and Marks: Huff, who I thought was going to vote against this bill from the beginning, and Marks, who appears to have been considering principle over party in offering restrictive amendments on a bill that is going to pass regardless. Then he goes after Bevins and Almond because he thinks they both are witches and that Almond is a nut. And the song in the pdf. attached to this article is very strange. No wonder people are not flocking to his side and the GOP is not overly supportive. So I wonder, was Hussey actually representing the organization when he did all of this or not? As this article reads, it looks like he did all of this as a key leader of the organization which means that it was part of a discussed strategy. Is this the type of behavior that I should expect from Campaign for Liberty from now on? If so, they wont have my support and I dont expect them and the Council to have overly cordial relations unless Hussey or the organization apologizes. I despise speed cameras, but if the people who wrote all of that are representative of this group as a whole and this was not an aberration on their part, they will not get any sympathy from me. The first thing that came to my mind when I read this was a crosshairs map with the Council members on it. Last thing this county can afford is a security detail for elected officials.

"JeffersonC" -- I doubt anyone is losing sleep over not getting your personal support, since you are hiding your identity behind a pseudonym, in direct violation of the terms of use on Patch.

JeffersonC: I have not heard of C4L doing anything like this before, but this speed camera expansion issue has been very, very heated.

Good point on the possibility of another "nut" meaning. I didnt pick up on that.

I thought that too and if I was younger and not retired that might work. We keep being drawn back into it, almost like an addiction.

I go to the gym, play the guitar, get tired of that and do this and the next day it starts all over again.

Thanks for the link. That chronology is interesting. The first reference I was aware of is the Maddow broadcast. And I think the most interesting is Jay Nordlinger's observation that "the word is being used so regularly, it is beginning to lose its pejorative association." IMO, "Tea Party" makes sense because of the historical reference. "Tea bag/ger" is confusing. Then again, that's par for the course. "Liberal" and "Conservative" have no real, literal meanings these days.

Neversure, in order to truly understand the implications of political discourse you must look to history and study it.

Despite what side of the issue you choose to support, and there are many, the most recent event in the historical account that had profound implications that impacted the world then, and as we know it know, was the rise of national socialism in Germany during the 30's and 40's.

Any and all political discourse was not only unacceptable, but deadly. Every accept of of it was strictly controlled. Books were burned and anyone deemed a threat to the government was killed or imprisoned.

Politics both here and around the glob is a violator endeavor. The violence we are witnessing overseas is just another part of the political evolution in its relationship to history.

We need to look no further than our own country for the evidence of this discourse, e.g. the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights movement of the 60's.

You refer to "guidelines, and average voter." There is no such thing. DNA proves that.

It is better to vent with words then the "other way." We need to learn, understand, and accept the meaning of - a difference of opinion - as long as it does not violate the terms of use pertaining to this site . The voters will have the final say!

Do I understand this correctly? "Whackos" and "Junior high school bullies" are terms that remain within the realm of acceptable political discourse, and should not be considered name-calling.

Where, sir, do you draw the boundary? Is it perhaps acceptable to you to see any language used, as long as the viewpoint being expressed agrees with your own?

Neversure: "Now, the Bill will most certainly pass, with none of the controls that Marks and Huff tried to put in place." So right you are! It passed 5-2, and the veto power was removed as well.

K Blue:
The last thing this country - or any jurisdiction - needs is politicians who will stubbornly stick to statements made during campaigns. Statements made before they know all the facts, or the wishes of their constituents. Mr. Marks thoroughly studied all the facts, and consulted with the people he represented before he made his decision. He did not make it lightly.
This group has poisoned the environment so badly to have now made themselves irrelevant, and to force the hand of the Council.
The art of politics is truly the art of compromise, because, rarely will everybody be happy, but with some compromise, a happy medium can be found. C4L is not it.

Neversure: I agree with you about Councilman Marks. He was elected to serve his constituents and I feel that he has lived up to that responsibility by reportedly doing all that you say. Going forward, I hope all the Councilpeople get the information and reports they need well in advance of a vote. The data on speed cameras seemed to come out piece-by-piece.

Dave, I wholeheartedly agree. These Tea Party groups have hijacked the word "Liberty" to such an extent that I feel I have to duck for cover when it is used.

But neither of you have a problem with the proto-socialists who have hijacked the word "progressive?"

[Attempting to return to the original subject...] When it comes to the proliferation of speed cameras and other means of observing people with the aim of punishing undesirable behavior, I have only six words: be careful what you wish for.

Example: let's say there are speed cameras everywhere, so you can't get away with exceeding the limit*. You have a case of what we euphemistically call the stomach flu, you are three blocks from home, and you have the choice of ruining your clothing and car upholstery, or getting hit with one or more $40 citations. Either way you lose.

*The very definition of "speed limit" has been forgotten. It is the maximum permissible speed in the posted area, UNDER THE BEST CONDITIONS. Not a target speed, a minimum speed, or a number it's OK to exceed by a certain percentage or number of mph. And in the neighborhoods, peak speed is sometimes less dangerous than the rate of acceleration of a car.

Dave, read my reply to neversure and Stan's reply. Like your opinion, they have theirs.

"While I don't necessarily agree with Mr. Huff on every issue ..." If your statement is true then you are not marching in "lock-step," as you say.

To assume that their views are "Anti-American," is a profound statement based on your assumption that they are in contrast to yours. Are you insinuating that any view opposed to yours is, as you say, is Anti-American?

The Democratic process allows for a variety of views including yours.

You are practicing, by your own words, exactly what you are against.

Eliminate some the vitriolic remarks and I think you point of view might be more valid to other readers of this site.

Councilman Huff may be a fine councilman and that decision lies with you, Mr. Hussey, and thousands of other voters.

Steve, the USA is not Australia, and never will be. I don't think we can possibly approach their level of alcohol consumption, which coupled with that "larrikan" attitude towards life accounts for the events you mention.

Besides, their all wet anyway. I am referring to those who would go to such lengths of violence regarding any lawful use of police technology. Its up to the voters on how they want the laws enforced.

In all of the years I worked radar, I've never seen anything like that happen. Now after the traffic stop is a different story.

There are crazies all over the world, always was and always will be. That's why we have cops with guns.

Stan:
I suppose you are attempting to communicate something but all I see here is a baseless disparagement of my family's heritage.

Ah, Steve, don't take it to heart. These two busy-body know-it-alls can't help themselves. Getting a lecture from them is, I suppose, part of the price we all pay for the right of free speech. Often wrong but never in doubt.

I am quite aware of the definition of "progressive." It is just that I don't see much that is truly progressive in the ideas of those who label themselves that way. IMO, a progressive might have favored Roe v Wade when it was decided, but being forward-thinking would require a progressive to look at the abortion stats that have resulted from that decision and wonder whether some other new idea needs to be employed. What I see labeled as progressive thinking is hidebound adherence to a particular set of principles and buzzwords, with no sign of said progressives' having observed and judged the results of their past actions. Open-mindedness does not allow for speech restrictions, but it is the progressives who have reduced us to the puerile use of terms such as "f-word" and "n-word."

Regarding speciousness, the example I gave regarding speed cameras may not resonate with you personally, but to someone who struggles with irritable bowel syndrome, it would.

Perhaps I need to generalize a bit more: an increase in the number of speed cameras will have unintended consequences. As do all restrictions on human behavior. Accordingly we must carefully look to the future results of these restrictions before imposing them. Progressive enough for you?

Dave, they were your words. That is why I put quotes around them.

You made this statement; "by characterizing anyone who disagrees (which is to say, "won't march in lock-step") with their views as anti-American ..."

You followed up that with; "While I don't necessarily agree with Mr. Huff on every issue, ..." If you don't agree then what then the presumption is that you disagree, indicating that you are not, according to your other quote, "won't march in lock-step ..."

Some of your other comments used the following words; anti American, anti freedom, anti liberty, along with ridiculous ideas. If you believe in freedom of speech, that what you stated is an oxymoron.

I think that some people would refer to some of your words as vitriolic. How can I twist your own quotes?

I watched the video numerous times, and I did not find any of the issues you alluded to.

Whether or not you agree with the video or its content is your prerogative. Based on you conclusion the argument is either objective, or subjective.

I seriously doubt that that video is a direct threat to our political discourse, freedom of speech, or American idealism.

FOR PETE'S SAKE, IT'S ABOUT RADAR CAMERAS, NOT THE FIRST AMENDMENT!

In the tongue in cheek comment referencing the word nut to the councilwoman, and the subsequent remark "to grab attention," I defer to the top cable rated program in the country,The O'Reiley Factor and his intro of the "spin stops here."

In an age filled with interactive communication outlets, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.