March 2003 Newsletter

Contents

• President's Report by Steve Lafferty
• Welcome to Bob Derbyshire
• February Meeting Recap - David Paulson
• Towsontown Festival
• Gardina and Brochin Work for Towson
• March Meeting Preview - Casinos
• We Need Your Help
• A Reminder of Core Principles
• Religion in Government, and Vice Versa
• Baltimore County Democratic Unity Reception
• Membership Update
• Membership
• Upcoming Club Events
• What Do You Think?

President's Report by Steve Lafferty

In a recent Sun Article, respected Democratic leaders said how Governor Robert Ehrlich has taken positions that makes him sound like a Democrat. This includes greater spending for Medicaid, for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, keeping nonviolent drug offenders out of prison and supporting a District Court Judge who is gay. Club members heard Maryland Democratic Party Communications Director David Paulson say that we need to listen to Ehrlich's message and be prepared to respond and craft our own message accordingly. Well, in light of Mr. Ehrlich's early positioning, I have three questions: First, if the Ehrlich agenda and budget support traditional Democratic values, shouldn't we embrace him? Secondly, are there other defining issues that distinguish him and Democrats and are there sufficient numbers of voters to bring to these issues? And, what do Democrats do to build the party to reclaim our basic support and expand in order to get others involved in the electoral process?

Paulson was a wonderful guest speaker but I know I was hoping to get a sense of what the Party sees as key to Party building. Remember, huge numbers of Democrats voted for Ehrlich; perhaps it was because he could espouse their values but had something more. We can hope that the Party sets its strategy and plan in the near future. With that in mind, I want to put together some recommendations for the Central Committee and state Party and would like to have others join me in this effort. If you are interested in helping me develop some proposals, let me know by email or phone.

It is important to speak out and act upon issues so the community wins out over special interests. There is a need for campaign finance reform, the Bush Administration has begun to destroy environmental regulations and may see the Governor's appointments to the departments of Environment and Natural Resources as signs he will do so, too. And, why should we-as Democrats who claim to care about the poor and disenfranchised-support slot machines at race tracks unless all potential negative impacts on communities are examined, dissected and fully addressed to satisfy local communities? I also have a random question: why does the media grossly ignore the growing anger and protest against going to war in Iraq? The voices of dissent are growing yet Congress is quiet and the media gives short shrift to domestic opposition.

Lastly, remember that this newsletter is for you. You are invited to submit articles, refer news pieces, make announcements and ask for or rally support on issues of concern to you. I have offered Councilman Vince Gardina and Senator Jim Brochin the opportunity to send us information and look forward to their contributions. Contribute! Let us broaden our reach and discussion.

Steve

Quote:

"Our liberty depends upon the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost."
Thomas Jefferson, 1786

Welcome to Bob Derbyshire

Bob Derbyshire stepped up and volunteered to join the Board of Directors, replacing Steve Kirsch. Bob is a Baltimore County Police Officer and has been very active in the Towson Recreation Council and his neighborhood association, Towson Manor Village. He was also actively involved in two House campaigns in 2002 and wants to commit himself to helping the Club and Party become more cohesive. The Board unanimously chose Bob and we look to his volunteer energy.

February Meeting Recap

By Margie Brassil

On February 11th at the East Towson Community Center, we had David Paulson, Communications Director of the State Democratic Party to discuss the future of the party and possible strategies for the 2004 Presidential election and the 2006 State elections.

The presentation was somewhat disappointing. Perhaps it was just bad timing, as David could offer us few answers since he (and perhaps other members of the state Democratic party) is in the midst of "exploring" new strategies for strengthening the party. Among the strategies he said were under consideration were developing precinct-level organizations and unifying clubs within the counties. I haven't been an active party member long enough to say whether "we've heard all that before" (although a few other long-time activists seemed to be expressing that thought later after the talk). But what was clear to me was that the state party leadership and structure continue to be in disarray and seem dismissive or unconcerned with strengthening the party base and bringing new voters into the Democratic party tent.

One major indication of its weakness is that it is incapable of raising funds (which I find astounding in these days when soft money can only go to state party organizations legally as a result of national campaign finance reform).

One of David's constant themes in his talk was "the message." What "the message" is remains unknown, is still being formulated, but from what David said, it seems to focus on attacking Governor Bob Ehrlich and other Republicans. It seems to consist of using "dirt" on the Republicans in office, or the governor's appointees, to score political points. I thought one of the things we learned during this last election was that negative campaigning doesn't play well with voters.

I believe we have to expand our party's base. We have to bring new voters into the Democratic party: those Independents and apathetics who think there is no difference between the two parties and who therefore don't vote. How? Well, one way may be to talk about issues, and not "messages." As Jim Brochin pointed out to us back in November, post-election, we have to drive home the differences between the parties by clearly stating what we are for. The only way to do that is to begin a dialogue on issues of importance. I hope we can dedicate one of our future meetings to such a discussion, and when we do, I hope many of you will turn out for it.

Quote:

"The people's good is the highest law."
Cicero in De Legibus, c.40 BC

Towsontown Festival

Please put Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4 on your calendars for the Towsontown Festival. As in previous years, we will be co-sponsoring a booth with the County Central Committee and we will need volunteers to staff the booth. We will only need an hour or two of your time, either day. This event has always given our club good visibility, and we'll need lots of help. Call Margie Brassil (410-377-6488)

Gardina and Brochin Work for Towson

Both County Councilman Vince Gardina and State Senator Jim Brochin have stepped forward to foster the revitalization of the Towson business district. Gardina has brought together two dozen neighborhood, business and government representatives to identify problems and propose solutions for vacant and deteriorating commercial properties, the need for physical improvements, stimulate investment and attract new businesses.

Senator Brochin has boldly introduced legislation to allow up to six liquor licenses to be transferred into Towson from the east side. The lack of licenses is widely recognized as an impediment to attracting restaurants to the Towson business area. This bill has not been warmly received and County Executive Jim Smith has proposed an alternative, allowing three licenses to be transferred and a two year sunset .Negotiations are on-going but, if you have an opinion contact Senator Brochin and County Executive Smith.

Quote:

"Nothing doth hurt more in a State than that cunning men pass for wise."
Francis Bacon, c.1623

March Meeting

The guest speaker at the March 11 meeting will be Derrick Adams, Chairman of NOcasiNO, and anti-slot machine activist group. At this printing, efforts to get a speaker on the "pro-slots" side were continuing. There will be plenty of time to ask questions on the matter that are important to you.

We Still Need People to Help

Do you have some time to help with these Club activities?

• Noel Levy (410-363-9040) develop and organize an environmental event in April
• Steve Lafferty (410-377-4521) plan the Annual Fall Fundraiser

Quote:

"War is sweet to those who have never experienced it."
Pindar, 518-430 B.C.

A Reminder of Core Principles

"The very purpose of a Bill or Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One's right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no election.

If there is one fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what is orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.

We think the action of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control."

Justice Robert H. Jackson, writing for the Majority
West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette
U.S. Supreme Court, 310 U.S. 624 (1943)

Quote:

"War is delightful to the inexperienced."
Tomb of Henry III (d. 1272) Westminster Abbey

Religion in Government and Vice Versa

By Ron Bowers

During the 2002 session of the Legislature, the House of Delegates ended prayers at the beginning of each day after some embarrassing performances by Christian ministers. This year, the Senate also had similar incidents but has not eliminated the prayers. President Bush and Governor Ehrlich are proposing financing "faith based initiatives". Here are few thoughts on the subject:

"...it is only proposed that I should recommend not prescribe a day of fasting and prayer. That is, that I should indirectly assume to the U.S. an authority over religious exercises which the Constitution has directly precluded it from. It must be meant too that this recommendation is to carry some authority and to be sanctioned by some penalty on those who disregard it; not indeed of fine and imprisonment but of some degree of proscription perhaps in public opinion. And does the change in the nature of the penalty make the recommendation the less a law of conduct for those to whom it is directed? I do not believe it is for the interest of religion to invite the civil magistrate to direct its exercises, it's discipline, or it's doctrines;...Fasting and Prayer are religious exercises. The enjoining them an act of discipline... everyone must act according to the dictates of his own reason, and mine tells me that the civil powers alone have been given to the President of the U.S. and no authority to direct the religious exercises of his constituents." From a Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Rev. Samuel Miller Jan. 23, 1808 (In his Second Inaugural Address, Jefferson reported that he had issued no religious proclamations. He never even issued any for Thanksgiving Day.)

"If any future Congress should pass an act concerning the religion of the country, it would be an act which they are not authorized to pass by the Constitution, and which the people would not obey. Everyone would ask, 'who authorized the government to pass such an act? It is not warranted by the Constitution and is a barefaced usurpation'." From a debate on the last clause of Article VI of the Constitution, which forbids any religious test of any kind. The date was July 30, 1788, before ratification and before the First Amendment. The speaker was James Iredel who served on the Supreme Court for 9 years, being one of the original Supreme Court Justices. (Who is conservative?)

Baltimore County Democratic Unity Reception

MONDAY, MARCH 24TH

6 pm to 8 pm

In the Calvert Room of the State House.

** Food and Drink will be served **

No charge to proud Baltimore County Democrats, (but registration is required.)

Senator Norman Stone (chairman of Senate Delegation) has been very helpful in securing this location and has agreed to be one of our hosts for the evening.

Delegate Sonny Minnick (chairman of the House Delegation) has also been very helpful and will be our co-host.

Our own Club has again taken the lead on this event but many other clubs and the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee have joined us in sponsoring the event.

Invitations have been mailed to Democratic leaders in the county.

For questions and to tell us you will join in, contact:

Tom Quirk
tquirk@cbcdc.org

Membership Update

By Ron Bowers

Your mailing label tells you what your membership/dues payment status is. There is some lag between the Treasurer getting a payment and the mailing list updates. Call the Treasurer if there is an error on your label. (I will be away for the next 2 weeks)

• There are 18 of you who used to pay dues but your dues has not been paid since 2000. This is your last issue unless you send in your dues for 2003. We don't expect you to make up the other years-just come back.
• Some of you (36) last paid in 2001. We will stop sending you this newsletter after the March issue. We also don't expect you to make up the other years-just come back.
• If the 32 people who paid dues in 2002 send in their dues, right away, the Club will be back up to the strength it had 2 years ago.
• Our thanks to the 61 people who have paid their dues for 2003, including quite a few new members.
• Nearly 40 people are receiving this because we thought you might be interested in joining the Club. Please join or let us know that you are not interested.

The Club and the Democratic Party need all of you who receive this newsletter to help give support to our efforts to inform about issues and bring good speakers to our meetings so as to add to our knowledge about political affairs.

The incompetence of the current Republican administration at the National level is not just something to snicker about-it is actually very dangerous for the nation. The flirting with the corruption that gambling industries display may corrode our State and bring us down to the level of New Jersey, Delaware and West Virginia. The troubles in the national economy brought about in great part by the incompetence at the national level may seriously impact the services our County can afford to give us.

These are urgent matters and the more we learn about them and come together to confront them, the more likely it is that we may contribute to making the necessary changes in future elections.

Quote:

"War will go on its way withersoever chance may lead, and will not restrict itself to the limits which he who meddles with it would prescribe."
Lacadaemonian Ambassadors to the Athenians, 425 B.C.

Membership

Regular membership in the Club is open to any person who is registered as a Democratic voter in Maryland. The current annual dues are only $20.00 per person You may be receiving this newsletter even though not a member. This is one of our ways to reach out to concerned citizens and Democrats. We encourage you to be a part the Club in our effort to build a stronger base in the central part of the County.

The label shows your status, including the last year for which you are paid up if a member. If your dues are current, we thank you. If not, or if you want to join our club, please send the coupon and your $20.00 dues to: Herb Lodder, 120 W. Seminary Ave., Lutherville, MD 21093.

Join The Club

Upcoming Club Events

Regular Meetings begin at 7:30 PM and are open to all

Meetings are held at the East Towson Community Center, Lennox and Jefferson (left onto Jefferson from Towsontown Blvd East of York Rd.)

What Do You Think?

Members of the CBCDC are invited to send their own articles and letters of about 300 words or less. Send yours to the editor as the text of an e-mail message (not as attachment!).

We reserve the right to edit for grammar and space and to exclude anything we judge to be inappropriate for this publication. The opinions expressed are always those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Club.

	CBCDC News
	Editor
	404 Kilree Rd. #301
	Timonium, MD 21093

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