Jessica, Smoking and Voting

I have been working hard on getting "Jessica's Law" passed in Maryland and I haven't been diligent about my blog. The good news is we FINALLY got it out of the House Judiciary. We expect it to go to second reading Tuesday or Wednesday and third reading/vote by the end of the legislative session...barring any more suprises. Special thanks to Diana Waterman for all her tireless efforts rounding us all up and getting us there and all. Also, thanks to Dad who actually called several representatives and Governor O'Malley's office to put his support in. Funny story, it was Barb's email demanding that we stop what we were doing RIGHT THEN AND THERE and call that got him involved. Thanks, Barb! There are many more "thank you's" that should go out but suffice it to say that I am grateful to all of you who wrote emails, made calls or came to support those of us testifying (Mike and Patrick especially for cutting out part of their work day to "hold my hand" on the days I had to testify). It seems all of your efforts will be paying off.

Diana and I went up the House Judiciary yesterday to see the vote on our bill and also ended up being interviewed on Channel 45 News (it ran last night)...was VERY exciting for me. Bill O'Reilly's crew was there and...well...keep an eye on his show this week, I will let the interview with Valerio speak for itself. You'll get the picture.

The House also voted on the smoking ban yesterday. Before I go any further, yes, I smoke. That said, there's an interesting story that was in the Star-Dem today that I heard about up in Annapolis. It seems that a delegate who evidently was as frustrated with the taxing and banning of a legal substance as I am actually introduced a bill to be the first state to OUTLAW smoking, period. It was put to several proponents of the "we have to tax tobacco" team that if they were really all that concerned about the health of Maryland's citizens, then they should forget the taxation and just outlaw it all together. The Star-Dem reports that the measure defeated....I ask you, how can that be? The Democrats cry out that they are so concerned with our health...if that were REALLY true, why not outlaw smoking entirely. No, my friends and neighbors, this is about MONEY. They can't afford NOT to tax everything in sight. Hell, now they want to tax gasoline because they need more money (what, we arent paying enough NOW?) and gee whiz, the tax on gas hasn't been raised in more than ten years. I WONDER WHY?!

The Dems have also managed to get a bill passed that allows TWO TIME violent criminals to get their right to vote back. I heard the debate on the floor and all I could do was shake my head. "This will make them productive members of society" was my particular "favorite" (NOT!)
You gotta be kidding me.  Seems to me that when you go to jail particularly for a SECOND violent crime, you knowingly forfeit certain rights. Whats next? Restoring their right to bear arms? I am a strong proponent of the Second Amendment but I fear this is where we are heading. No criminal should be legally permitted to own or carry a firearm, CLEARLY. This dumb bill for criminals to vote is bogus I am just worried about what is next for Maryland.

I need to run. I will update you on more very soon. The ER bill is chugging right along though I dont know when a vote is scheduled. Keep your fingers crossed.

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