Dutch and Dork

Truth in Advertising

The truth matters. Except when no one knows any better. In one of O'Malley's latest commercials, as heard every 15 seconds on most radio stations, he is endorsed by the Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA). Obvioulsy they used a local media company.

First, they hire a woman who claims to be Maryland State Teacher of the Year. This woman won the award several years ago, which is fine. This woman's roots are, without a doubt, in Baltimore. She has no idea how to pronounce the name of the Governor. More than 5 times in the ad, she calls him Bob Airlick. You would think that a teacher would know how to pronounce Ehrlich. Perhaps she teaches in the thriving Baltimore City Schools.

Second, this lady claims that Bob Airlick raised tuition 40% while Governor. My first question is, raised tution 40% at what school? I did a little investigating. The tuition for the University of Maryland System is determined by the University of Maryland Board of Regents, not the Governor. Parris Glendening, as a present to Bob Ehrlich, knowing that Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, daughter of Robert Kennedy and granddaughter of Joseph Kennedy who made millions on insider information in the stock market, would not be elected, approved a huge budget for the University of Maryland, but would leave the funding decisions to Ehrlich.

In a related story, in the 2002 Democratic primary, K. Kennedy Townsend lost 20% of the vote to Robert Fustero, a retired grocery store clerk who ran his campaign on $1000. When Ehrlich was asked to comment about that statistic, he said, "Imagine if Fustero would have spent $2000!"

Let's Go Dutch
Dutch Ruppersburger, the Congressman who was using eminent domain to confiscate 300 water-front properties of blue-coller, mid and lower middle class working families, is now helping to campaign for O'Malley, the child of rich and prominant Montgomery County family. He wants mid and lower middle class families to trust him and help O'Malley become Governor. It's hard to argue with that. If someone takes my house to give to a rich developer, I would trust him with my vote - just like I would trust Jerry Lee Lewis with my 14 year old niece.

Also in this commercial, Dutch (and I'm not referring to Ronald Reagan) claims that education is wonderful in Bal'mer City. In fact, 3 of the 10 best schools in the state are located in Bal'mer City. Oh, now it clicked. That's why working class families with children are driving up housing prices in the city. They are anxious to get them into city schools! Oh, wait, perhaps it's a trick. Here are some top city schools: Archbishop Curley, Mount St. Joseph's, Roland Park Country School, The Gilman School, Bryn Mawr, etc... What do these schools have in common? They are the private schools. I will write to Dutch and ask him which schools he is referring to.