Outrageous

I found this link on the Drudge Report.

http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/2007/122407Lindorff.shtml

Can you believe this?  This guy looks at a map that shows the (supposed) destruction that would be brought upon the US if the Al Gore version of global warming were to occur.

What does he write about?  The tragedy?  No, he writes “Oh goody.  All the conservative Red States get wiped out!”.  Well Blue America they will have no place to go except to Blue States so make sure you keep your hand on the keys to the kingdom because we want to make sure they have not power left.  How pathetic must one be to not only think that way but write it down and publish it?

This guy has no idea what the US Constitution is.  He will pervert the Constitution to make the case to impeach George Bush.   Then he will pervert the Constitution to )#&# with people who he doesn’t agree with.  He has no respect for his fellow man.  I think he would give voting rights to an illegal immigrant but only if they voted the way he wanted them to vote.

He puts all of this in the context of “Global Warming”, which we all know is simply going to wipe out 1/2 the United States if not the world.  I may be wrong about “Global Warming” and perhaps Hayduke may convince me over a beer.  However, when I read what nuts like this have to say the whole concept just looses all credibility.

Budget and Environment

Ulman stays with ‘green’ plans despite budget worries 

In remarks about the County Enviroment Office:

Originally, a residents commission recommended that the environmental office have up to seven workers. But now, if approved, the office will have one – Joshua Feldmark, who is now director of a 13-member environmental citizens advisory board.   Ulman, Feldmark and Jim Caldwell, the former director of Montgomery County’s environmental agency, said Feldmark can still move the green agenda forward alone, working with existing county employees in various agencies.

That is what should have been proposed in the first place.  Creating a new office is wasteful.  Give Feldmark the authority he needs, support him, and make sure his peers understand his position and authority.

Ken Ulman doesn’t need 13 people to coordinate enviromental policy in the County.  Additionally, Ken Ulman said:

If he could afford one more position, Ulman said, it would be for someone to help get the public involved in learning about environmental issues.

Come on!  Don’t we have a communications office for Howard County that could accomplish that task?  What does he mean by “if HE could afford”.  I hope that is not a direct quote.  He can’t afford anything because it is NOT HIS money.

Hybrid vehicles.  Do they reduce operational expenses enough to offset the increased capital expenses?

Fare Increases

Seems to me that since this is a service offered to a limited number of people that we are due for a fare increase.

 Howard County Transit Costs to Rise

The bus system’s proposed budget for next fiscal year calls for the county to spend $11.4 million — unless additional state or federal funding becomes available — more than doubling the $5.3 million the county spent in fiscal year 2007, which ended June 30. Officials have budgeted $7.9 million in county funds for the system this fiscal year.

Now if Mr. Ulman is truly interested in the quality of life of Howard County citizens (taxpayers) then he should not burden us with these increased cost.  The transit system should institute a fare increase to help defray these new and additional expenses.  They won’t cover it all (it would be nice if they could) so taxpayers will still pick up part of the tab.

The last fare increase occured July 1, 2004.  The base adult fare went from $1.00 to $1.50 one-way.

While expenses continue to rise, including fuel, labor and more frequent stops on some routes, the contributions from federal and state sources have changed minimally. Those sources provided $2.9 million in fiscal year 2007 and $3.2 million this fiscal year. About $3.4 million in federal and state money is budgeted for next year.

When the cost to provide me services goes up then my vendors charge me more (BGE, Oil Heat, Gas Station, Food, etc) I would expect those using the Howard Transit system to do the same.