HEY--LET’S PUT OUT SOME USED BIKES!!!!

CP has previously opined about the silliness of the new downtown bike program for a variety of reasons, but let’s make one thing clear. CP rides his bike a lot and has always encouraged biking. But what we need is not some useless program to provide free bikes--what we need are places where we can safely ride and that connect destinations to each other. We need real bike racks around the city. We need the Mayor to actually encourage biking. But that takes work and money. A free bike program does not. So which one did our city choose to do??? And, as reported in The Capital, they only got five bikes donated! So, where will anyone go riding? On Forest Drive? West Street? We allow Segways--the SUV of the sidewalk on to our sidewalks, but not bicycles. And the lousy old bike rack at Alfred Hopkins Park is pejoratively referred to as a "tire killer" and CP has noted that old rusted bikes remain locked to that rack for months and nobody does anything to remove them.

PAPER OR PLASTIC??? LET’S BAG THIS DEBATE!!! HOW WILL ANNAPOLIS PAY ITS DEBTS--PAPER OR PLASTIC???

CP uses canvas bags when he does his shopping so what is the big deal? Paper or plastic is such a tiny aspect of an enormous environmental problem that it is hardly worth our city getting involved, yet Alderman Shropshire thinks we should ban use of plastic bags at grocery stores. CP researched this topic many years ago for a gradute school project and concluded that it is so complex to determine which is worse that the only real solution is to use reusable bags. So, why don’t we put our heads together and find ways to encourage the use of recyclable bags such as canvas or mesh? This could be done in such as way as to save money, create partnerships and really have an impact. However, in the grand scheme of things, our lopsided food production and distribution system is so energy dependent and so wasteful (think about it--apples from Washington? Strawbs from California?) that the issue of paper or plastic pales in comparison.
Even if we ban plastic and use paper, it still takes trees to make paper, with huge inputs of water and energy and they have to be moved and stored and then what happens?
To make matters worse, we should really be looking at what happens to the paper, plastic, glass and aluminum we put out each week for recycling. Are these things really being recycled? CP has been told by a reliable source that except for aluminum, there is a huge glut of paper, plastic and glass and that most of what we think is being recycled is actually being baled and sent to landfills in Virginia, along with everything else!!!
What about assisting homeowners with composting? What about encouraging use of canvas bags? The paper or plastic issue is not even on the radar screen. Another real issue is how will our city pay its debts in the future…paper or plastic???

POLICE RAID…EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES

…..but a police raid at the wrong house that terrorized an innocent family? This is a monumental disaster, and according to a police spokesperson quoted in The Baltimore Sun, “in the 15 or so times such mistakes have been made over about three decades, the city has compensated the victims.” FIFTEEN TIMES? Our police department has made a similar mistake 15 times!!!! And to make matters worse--nobody was home and nothing was found at the right house. Does that surprise anyone? So, this adds insult to injury.

People were terrorized, including a pregnant woman and one with a heart condition. And this begs another question, why don’t we automatically have an ambulance crew standing by around the corner when these raids are scheduled??? If police come scrambling in with heavy arms at the ready, is it not likely that somebody might get hurt? It should be S.O.P for an ambulance to be standing by. Will somebody please tell me why this is a bad idea? Otherwise, let’s see this become a normal procedure.
And what about having a Spanish speaking officer or interpreter????
And what about checking the address????
CP has called for Police Chief Johnson to retire. This should be seen as another example why we need new management and new ideas. What do Aldermen Finlayson and Arnett have to say? After all, they received the hearty endorsement of the union that represents our officers through an expensive ad in The Capital.
And finally, we have open air drug markets in some parts of the city. Regular enforcement there might stem this crime, but we apparently prefer to have raids? Chief Johnson is always saying that everything is fine, but citizens know better.
MAYOR MOYER---LET’S LET CHIEF JOHNSON RETIRE…not eventually, but now!!! Make sure het gets his home address and double check that he gets it right...and then send him home...

FROM YOU'LL NEVER GO BROKE UNDERESTIMATING THE STUPIDITY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DEPARTMENT....

Marjorie L. Bechert of Annapolis wrote to The Capital on June 3 claiming she has been monitoring the comics for years and not only is Doonesbury not funny, it is also is bad taste and is "un-American."

She asks the Capital, "Why on earth do you publish such rubbish for our children or anyone to read in the comics section...?"

She goes on to ask "What right does Garry Trudeau or any cartoonist have to propagandize in our local newspaper about his political agenda?"

And now, this gilds the lily when she states, "We really do need to look at the consequences of the content of the press and all media to protect our future, our freedoms and our morals."

Well, Marjorie L. Bechert, where does one begin to answer your silly and ignorant questions? Can you spell IRONY? Trudeau and any cartoonist gets the right to do this from something called The First Amendment. Perhaps you think this first item of the Bill of Rights is un-American?

Please, if any CP readers know Marjorie L. Bechert, please set her straight....in order to protect our future, our freedoms and out morals. Better yet--call or write to her and exercize your rights to exorcize her and her ilk. And keep those cards and letters coming. Thankfully, some Capital readers have already responded!!!

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BACK ON-LINE

Despite a hiatus from the heady world of blogging (we do have to earn a living you know), CP is now back in Annapolis and ready to right wrongs, tilt at windmills and do whatever is necessary to promote truth, justice and the American Way. Yes, CP, who disguised as a mild-mannered reporter...oh nevermind.

We are working on new stories, uncovering scandals, corruption and in general, being that feisty, nattering, nabob of negativism that the haughty and arrogant love to hate....not really either. There is so much going on ranging from the city's decision to yank its popular and arguably most successful route, the Kent Island bus--is this the best way they could save a few, and I mean a few bucks? CP is waiting on a reply about this one...

The Samaras Property issue--a hurt just beginning to fester and leak pus? County budget cutting debate not to die an early death either. Mayor Moyer heats up the big celebration of the city's, what is it, 350th year? 300th year? Whatever, it's a big deal, at least in her mind. She continues to travel with the omnipresent Dale, who seems to be running a sort of shadow government, according to some sources...word from some is that city employees are refusing to take his phone calls...and why is he calling them? Why does he get more access than do Alderman, who are at least elected? We'll be watching this carefully...along with reports about sole-sourced contracts for the big celebrations planned....CP is trying to gather reliable sources to come forward--your anonymity is guaranteed...please tell us so we can tell everyone else--WITH RELIABILITY AND CREDIBILITY!

And of course the Mayoral race....who cares? As CP opined earlier, it is too early, and will continue to be too early for a long time....so, again, who cares?...Did we say it's too ear;y? Well, it's too early!

The Capital continues to get heat over its unfortunately juxtaposed headlines a few weeks back (deservedly so??? you be the judge..)about the cat stomper and the drunk driver who killed the Midshipman, each receiving, shall we say, disproportionate sentences? CP for one, would like to see an absolute ban on any articles about feline creatures in The Capital from now on....as well as a ban on huge photos of babies in swings, kids getting their faces painted, etc., etc...