Coming to Eldersburg - Another Subway

News is that the nearly empty Liberty Exchange is going to get a Subway, meaning the sandwich shop, not a mugger mover into the city.  How many Subways has Eldersburg had?  There was the one in Carrolltowne Mall, the one in Wal-Mart, the one in the current location next to New Win Long.  Was there one in the Exxon station at one time?  Any others?

This is good news for the highly touted Liberty Exchange, which was built on the same site as the old miniature golf course and driving range that was left to delapidate.  That gets me to wondering - did Black Oak Associates own the miniature golf course and driving range at one time?  

The Liberty Exchange was built with great anticipation, but has been collecting dust ever since it opened.  They haven't even activated the traffic light in front of the entrance.

Here's a picture of the most cars I've ever seen in the parking lot.

Here is a list of all of the shops, stores, and restaurants currently in the Liberty Exchange.

Emergency!

Today's non-political post is about the television show from the 1970's.  For those of you who are 40 or over, you probably remember this show.  If you were like me, you reenacted every episode in your alley with your Big Wheels and bicycles.  Hence, here is why I have my obsession with fire trucks.

Emergency! started in 1972 and followed the thrilling situations experienced by Station 51 in Los Angeles County, California.  Squad 51 was a Dodge D300 dualie driven by Roy DeSoto (Kevin Tighe) along with John Gage (Randolph Mantooth).  Engine 51 was filled by 2 different trucks, first a 1965 open cab Crown Coach, followed by a 1973 Ward Lefrance P80 Ambassador.  Engine 51 was supported by Captain Hank Stanley (Michael Norell), Mike Stoker, who is the driver, is played by Mike Stoker, Marco Lopez, who is played by Marco Lopez, and the comic Chett Kelley (Tim Donnelly).

What was interesting was that the first few episodes focused a lot on educating the public about paramedics. Apparently, prior to the paramedic program, fire trucks and police went to accident scenes and other emergencies, assessed the situation, then called for an ambulance driven by orderlies with no medical experience.  They then drove the victims to the hospital where they eventually received medical care.

As a result of the Wedworth-Townsend Paramedic Act, the new paramedic program was created and put trained medical technicians, though still firemen, in a vehicle that went to the scene.  They would assess the victims, take their vitals, then call to the hospital hotline (Rampart) and ask for instructions from a doctor.  Paramedics were not allowed to treat the victims beyond superficial injuries without doctor consent.  Doctors needed to prescribe the treatment over the biophone.  The ambulance would arrive, the orderlies would load up the victim, one of the paramedics would ride along and the other would follow behind to the hospital. However, Gage and DeSoto were constantly being berated by victims asking for a doctor and demanding that they leave them alone.

After watching some 130 episodes, I got to thinking.  There are no paramedic squads anymore, at least as far as I know.  What seems to have happened is that the orderlies were booted from the ambulances and the paramedics now drive them.  It's like one-stop shopping.  A logical streamlining of medical services.

Another observation that is interesting is that in the first few episodes, there was the old Cadillac wagon ambulance that is similar to a hearse.  It was followed by the pick-up truck ambulance, then finally the van ambulance.  It now seems that most ambulances (at least in this area) are the big International medium-duty ambulances.

The show actually stared Robert Fuller (Dr. Kelly Brackett), Robert Fuller's real-life best friend, but love interest in the show Dixie McCall (Julie London), and Julie London's real-life husband Bobby Troup, who played Dr. Joe Early.  Does that qualify as a love triangle?

Every episode had several victims that went to Rampart.  Gage and DeSoto always checked in to see how they were doing.  In today's hysteria-driven need for privacy, it's interesting to see doctors freely give people other people's medical information.  And the answer 99% of the time was, "He's going to be just fine."  There were only a few instances where the victim died.

Victims and their families\friends never seemed to be that hysterical when there was an emergency.  They always calmly asked if they were going to be okay.  "Gosh, I hope they're going to be okay.  I'm sorry, I should have called sooner."  Where were the people that we see today screaming incomprehensibly at the 9-1-1 operator?

If you've never seen this show, watch a few episodes.  You don't have to watch them in order.  There's not much of a trailing story-line, except for a seemingly developing sub-plot with a rivalry with paramedic Brice, but the show ended after Season 6 just as the rivalry was growing more interesting.

Emergency! was the second show that I watched from start to finish on Netflix, which was preceded by Arrested Development, which is an awesomely hysterical show if you've never seen it.

What was your favorite show from your childhood?

Potpourri and a Prank

I know there's been a lull here at VoteNoMalley.  Honestly, there just hasn't been that much to talk about, especially when it comes to Martin O'Malley.

Sure, Hillary Clinton told him not to go to the Middle East to settle the latest violent outburst.  She was going to solve this one.  I was surprised that O'Malley restrained himself from publicly criticizing New Jersey Governor Chris Christy in the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  I guess miracles can happen.

So, did I mention that my oldest daughter had heart surgery?  After living with a 5 year old with cancer, minor heart surgery seems so.....minor!  She came out of it just fine.  The surgery was 4 hours long, recovery about the same, and they sent us home at around 10:15 pm.  From Johns Hopkins.  Downtown.  But I guess that's better than staying overnight.  The surgery was on a Friday and she was back in school on Monday.

Thanksgiving was uneventful.  And that's a good thing.  We went to a wedding this weekend.  That was fun. Great food.  Great music.  Great friends.  I was off of work all week.  Somehow I still have like 15 days of vacation and I can only carry-over 5 days.  I guess I'll be taking off every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the remainder of the year.  I did a little painting around the house - mostly doors and door frames.  Things just aren't as white as they used to be.  Plus 13 years of grubby hands all over them.

I ran 4 or 5 times last week for a total of 20.5 miles.  In spite of this, I still managed to gain 9 pounds over 11 days.  Perhaps it was that wedding, post-rehearsal, and Thanksgiving.  Imagine how much weight I would have gained had I not run those 20 miles.

Since I didn't really have anything else to say, I was thinking about some events in life that I thought would be fun to share.

Back in the olden days, I worked in a different group and we had weekly meetings.  At the beginning of every meeting we had an ice-breaker - a Q&A, a puzzle, a game, etc... Everyone took a turn.  One week it was a very good friend of mine's turn.  She has a great sense of humor, so I'm sure she won't mind this little roasting.  She's totally into pop culture, though not as much as she used to be, and seems to think that the entire world is just as interested.  She gave us 20 questions about celebrities, pop songs, and TV shows on Bravo!.  Needless to say, I was unable to answer any questions.  And neither was anyone else.  She was shockingly surprised and chastised us for being out of touch.  Whatever.

The next week it was my turn.  And I had a plan.  All of my friends know that I love history.  Early American history.  So I created 20 questions about history events that the average person would not know.  But then I took it a step further.  I shared the questions and answers with my coworkers and had them each remember to answer to one question.  So the stage was set.

The meeting started and I handed out the test and everyone had about 4 minutes to answer the questions.  I'm watching the expressions on everyone's face.  My pop-culture friend has an absolute look of puzzlement and disgust on her face.  I could read her mind.  "Who knows this shit???"

When we finished, I asked the first question.  I don't remember the exact questions, but these questions would qualify.

1) Who was John Adams' first Secretary of State?  One co-worker chimes in - "Was it Thomas Pickering?"
Yes!  Yes it was!  Everyone maintains composure.  My friend is stumped.  How did he know that, she wonders.

2) What 2 major battles of the Civil War were fought over the same few days?  Another answers, "The Battle of Vicksburg and the Battle of Gettysburg!"  Yes, that it correct.  A couple of snickers.

3) In what state was Elbridge Gerry, the 5th Vice President of the United States born?  "Ah...Massachusetts."  Some of us are now having difficulty controlling ourselves.

4) On what day did the United States Constitution become effective?  A question like this blew our cover, because our supervisor, a nice lady with no interest in history gave the exact answer - March 4, 1789.

My friend then slammed her hands on the table then threw them up into the air and hollered at us that she was on to our joke.  At this point we couldn't contain ourselves anymore and we all burst out laughing.  Perhaps one of the greatest pranks I've ever pulled.

Atheists Hate Charlie Brown

It really irritates the sheet of paper out of me when anti-religious acquaintances celebrate Christmas.  If you don't believe in God, then don't celebrate the birth if his Son.    "Oh, we're celebrating the secular winter festival version of Christmas" they say.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1988193152001/ 

Watch this video.  Now, the atheists are going after Charlie Brown.  As you know, Charlie Brown is the devil out to corrupt the minds of our impressionable children to a life of treachery and villainy.  I wonder if the atheists lead a boycott of ABC Family during December.

The Government Wants Your Email

It's not often that I get the urge to write to my elected officials.  This is one of those times.

Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy is trying to pass an amendment to S.1011, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act Amendments Act of 2011.  The changes within this amendment will allow the federal government to have warrantless access to our e-mail.

If you don't think this is a good idea, then contact your U.S. Senator.

Your Friend Ben Cardin:
http://www.cardin.senate.gov/contact/

Babs Mikulski
http://www.mikulski.senate.gov/contact/shareyouropinion.cfm

Let them know that you favor the United States' Constitution and due process of law and don't think that warrantless access to every citizens' email is appropriate and lawful.  Law-abiding citizens should not be subjected to this abuse of power.  Let them know that you're sure that they agree with you.

Closed in Eldersburg - JACT Sports

Just as quick as it appeared, it disappeared.  I was enthusiastic about this sports place in the former London Fog warehouse.  I thought it was a good use of the space.  I guess they never generated the clientele to pay the rent.  Interestingly, the website is still up, but the sign is gone.  Not sure what's going on.  In fact, I think the Signature Special Event Services is gone, too.

Anyone have any news?

Coming to Eldersburg - G&B Fashions

On my same visit that I learned of the Church coming to the strip mall, I saw that G&B Fashions is coming to the space formerly occupied by the La Kokette Clothing Consignment shop.

Here's the former La Kokette Clothing Consignment.  No word on if anything is going into the Jams Music Store.  It's still unoccupied, as is the original Pure Fitness gym on the end.

Coming to Eldersburg.....This is Too Funny!

As you'll recall, Buffalo Wild Wings moved out of the Eldersburg Marketplace back in, what, February?  I've been watching and wondering what's going on inside.  I've asked employees in the stores in Eldersburg Marketplace and up until this point no one knew.

Today one of my sources told me that she heard that a Church is going in the space.  That's right.  A Church.  In between the liquor store......

and the bar.

I cannot wait to hear those sermons.

Most Useless Twitter Posting of the Day

I'm pretty sure Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley isn't spending his day updating Facebook and Twitter with his whereabouts and repostings of today's news and traffic reports.  There's some college intern that has this job.

Martin O'Malley's media liaison / intern needs to find more to talk about, or just learn to not to talk at all.  This is today's most useless tweet in the entire Twitter universe.

NASCAR - Laughable Crime & Punishment

Even if you're not a NASCAR fan, you can still appreciate this post for ridiculousness.

As you can imagine, NASCAR is full of tightly wired egotistical type-A jackasses who cannot control their temper.  Sounds like a Maryland politician, right?  And they all have nicknames.  Some nicknames from the past - Fireball, Super Tex, and The King.  To help you learn some of the nicknames of the current drivers, I have included them as middle names.

In racing, guys are constantly banging into each other jockeying for position.  This wouldn't be so bad except for when they're going nearly 200 mph.  The results of pushing a guy a little bit can cause him to go airborne or get shoved into the wall.  This is a potentially fatal result.  Debris can fly into the crowd and seriously injure spectators.  But we all must admit that a good accident is also very exciting.

At the race in Phoenix, AZ this weekend, Clint "Jackass" Bowyer pushed Jeff "Jackass" Gordon into the wall.  The race officials did not throw a yellow flag. That's a problem.  Jeff, not being able to control his temper, went after Bowyer and when he caught up to him intentionally shoved him into the wall simultaneously taking out Brad "Jackass" Keseloweski.  Also involved in the race track scuffle was Joey "Jackass" Logano. 

What's even better is that the crew for these teams then got into a fight  in the garage area.  No, not a fight, an all-out brawl.  Clint Bowyer was filmed running for about a quarter-mile to get to the fight cuz he didn't want to miss a good-ole-boy beat-down, only to be detained by NASCAR officials and police when he got to the truck.

Bowyer eloquently responded to the incident by saying, ''It makes us all look like a bunch of retards..."  Way to go, Bowyer.  Nice Pat Healy impression.



I didn't see this quote, but you know someone said, "That damn som-beach got another thing comin' and I'm gonna kick he's ass!"
NASCAR wasted no time dealing out punishment.  Jeff Gordon was fined $100,000 and docked 25 points that were inconsequential because he's out of the running for the championship anyway.  He was also put on probation for the remainder of the season, which is one more race.  Several crew chiefs were fined $25,000 and also put on probation for the remainder of the season.

After the punishments were levied, the outcry began.  How can NASCAR be so lenient?  Obviously, officials are loudly shouting, "We WILL tolerate this kind of behavior because it boosts television ratings.  We like fights and intentional car wrecks at the expense of our drivers' safety!"

Fortunately, NASCAR did take a step back on Tuesday morning with a 2nd round of punishments.  Jeff Gordon will be forced to wear a pink feather boa at the next race in Miami.  Additionally, RuPaul will spank Gordon with wet spaghetti noodles for an entire minute.

Clint Bowyer will be forced to do 8 hours of community service at Jo-Ann's Fabrics, provide a lecture to the Sunflower County Mississippi Women's Book Club about the proper way to behave on a race track, and appear as a special guest in an upcoming episode of Say Yes to the Dress.

Hopefully this 2nd round of serious punishments will make a positive impression on the drivers.  They need to learn their lesson that they must behave like gentlemen from now on.

And for the record, Kevin "Jackass" Harvick won the race.

What Do Republicans Need to Do to Win Back the White House?

Okay, so it's been about a week since the election.  The world didn't end.  No riots in the streets.  The stock market sold off a bit, but other than losing our money, not much has changed.  Except the finger pointing.

I have friends the cover the entire political spectrum.  Some see Obama's reelection as the beginning of a 1,000 year Reich of Democrat rule.  Others are calling for the Republican Party to become more conservative, because they lost the extreme right-wing vote in this election.

So what does the Republican Party need to do to defeat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election?  Let's ignore the fact that Madame Hillary will be 70 years old by the next election.

1) Republicans will not win any national election by making an issue out of abortion.  Abortion has been legal for what, 40 years?  The young generation now accept that as a right.  You're not going to win MORE old white people and Christians by pulling a hard line on abortion.  You can say you're pro-life, but don't make this a key position.  You.  Will.  Lose.

2) If you talk about abortion, don't EVER EVER EVER EVER put rape in the same conversation.  You will lose 99.99% of the time.  And I may be underestimating that percentage.  Any candidate that says that rape victims should be forced to keep their babies should be drug out into the street and be given a sock party.  Not only have you sunk your own campaign, but you are torpedoing the party's chances at a national level.  You can think it all you want, but don't ever say it in public.

3) The Republicans need to realize that they're never going to win another election with the two white guys.  Hispanics are the largest minority in the country now.  They are the fastest growing portion of the population.  If you don't do something to attract their vote, you will never win a national election ever again.  Think Marco Rubio.  Nominating a gay Hispanic woman would definitely help their cause.

4) Republicans need to change the attitude that it's "us versus them".  The Democrats can keep on chanting that line, but if the Republicans want to be seen as inclusive, they need to be above the fracas.

5) Both parties are guilty of this.  Compromise does NOT mean - if you refuse to accept our way of doing things, then we call you an obstructionist.  If we are going to avoid the "fiscal cliff", then compromise is the only answer.  Taxes are going to have to be raised (sorry Republicans).  Cuts will need to be made (sorry Democrats).  Cuts need to be made in both defense AND social welfare projects.  Neither party can expect their pet projects to be off the table.

6) Drop the issue of gay marriage.  Like abortion, you are NOT going to win on this issue, except maybe in Mississippi and South Carolina, but winning those electoral votes is NOT going to win you an election.  The states are already moving toward legalizing gay marriage, let the states decide what is appropriate.  Gay marriage, like women having the right to vote, is becoming socially acceptable.  The hard-right wing faction of the party is just going to have to accept it.

7) If you campaign on smaller government, then actually make the government SMALLER.  (is there some sort of literary term for the fact that I made the word smaller BIGGER?) George W. Bush promised to make the government smaller, but in fact made it bigger than any President since, Carter?  Roosevelt?

8) If you get back in office, do not fight 2 wars at once.  Roosevelt got away with it because the entire world was at war and all good people plus the Russians supported us.

some additions from one of my friends
9) Don't talk about changing the way the country was previously.  Avoid terms like restoring, regaining, taking back, etc...  These are all fighting words and they are all losing words.  Aim for terms about making the country better.  Enhance opportunities.  What will you do to make the future BETTER?  You're not going to win votes by promising to take something away from someone.

10) Get out of conspiracy land.  The birthers need to go away.  Traitorism needs to stop.  Quit trying to delegitimize the other person.

What ideas do you have for making the Republican Party successful again?

Why I Have Written Off The Greene Turtle

I'm not yet in the mood for writing political blog posts yet.  I'm still in the post election depression mode, though in a lot better mood than I was on Wednesday.  How could Marylander's vote for the redistricting map?  I'm baffled.

Anyway, I'm going to complain about something other than the stupidity of Maryland voters and instead complain about food.  We took a friend to The Greene Turtle for lunch last week to celebrate her birthday.  Now let me preface the rest with the statement that I loved it when The Greene Turtle opened in the former Hops restaurant in Owings Mills.  Hops was terrible.  The service was terrible and the food was incredibly moderate, the perfect recipe for failure.

The Greene Turtle opened with an awesome menu.  The Monte Cristo.  The Reuben.  Then they got rid of the Monte Cristo.  At least they still had the Reuben.  Until they got rid of the Reuben.  But that's okay, they added a turkey with cranberry crap sandwich.  Now, a couple years later, we're looking at a menu with half of the items that it originally had.  It doesn't even look like a menu for food.  It looks like something designed by an urban chic vegan mothers' support group.  Is this a brochure or a menu?

And the food?  Yeah, it sucks.  They have an amazingly bland spicy jack burger.  How do you make spicy jack bland???  Fortunately, the service is still pretty good.  You'll get your average-priced mostly tasteless food really quick.  I'm not sure what happened.  If it weren't for the beer at happy hour, I'm confident that The Greene Turtle would already be out of business.  I do predict, however, that without a major menu makeover, the restaurant is doomed for failure.

What's your least favorite restaurant?

Obama Wins Maryland? What?

I've been asking all of my friends and NONE of them voted for Obama.  How can Obama be winning the Presidential election in Maryland?  All of the major networks are reporting this.  I'm totally baffled.

I think there's an official term for that, but I cannot remember what it is.  Ron Smith was talking about it at one time.

One of the things I hate about election day is the 5 millions signs lining the street and parking lot as you go to your voting center.  And then there's the people that are either volunteering or are paid to harass you outside.  Go away!  I will not listen to you!

How was voting in your area?  In Eldersburg, the line ran out the door.  I fretted and pulled out my book, The Pilgrim's Progress (what was I thinking?).  Fortunately, the line moved fast and I was out of the building in 14 minutes.  I actually timed it.  There were 20-some machines and they were smoking fast.  I only read 2 pages AND I talked to several people that I know.

Another friend in Baltimore County said that it took him nearly 2 hours to vote.  He said that they had about 10 voting machines and it didn't seem too organized.

How did you vote?  I voted for Romney.  As they say, 'if it's broke, fix it'.  It's still broken.  Time to give someone else a turn.

I voted for Timmerman for Congress.  He's getting slugged by Chris Van Hollen.  I'm going to send Van Hollen a map and highlight the roads that he needs to take to get to Carroll County, because I'm pretty sure he's never been here.

I'm tired of my friend Ben.  He's been a politician WAY too long, so I voted for Rob Sobhani.  Looks like Sobhani just donated a lot of his money to advertising firms.

I voted against O'Malley's mean-spirited Congressional districts that disenfranchises African-American voters in Prince George's County and Republican voters in Western Maryland by lumping them together with Montgomery County liberal suburbanites.  Are the districts compact?  No.  Do people in Western Maryland have anything in common with Montgomery County?  Not much.  Is Montgomery County sensitive to the blight and economic struggles in Western Maryland.  Nope.  They're more worried about getting Ramadan recognized as a school holiday.

I voted against allowing illegal aliens the privilege to pay in-state tuition if they pay Maryland income taxes.  If I steal a car, but pay Maryland taxes, can I also pay in-state tuition?  Why is breaking the law one way different than breaking the law another way?

I did not vote on Question 6.  It's not important to me.  I'm not against it.  I'm not for it.  I'll let everyone else decide.

I voted against Question 7 out of principle.  When Bob Ehrlich wanted gambling in Maryland, the Democrats thought it was the worst idea since Al Gore invented the Internet.  Then O'Malley got elected and had a great idea - let's allow gambling in Maryland, then all of a sudden, everyone thought it was awesome!

And then there's the Girl Scouts.  They are ALWAYS there to harass you.  It drives me nuts.  Leave me alone!

And by the way, I can't wait to break into this box of Tagalongs.

Early Election Results - Obama Losing?

I drove by Deer Park Elementary School this morning on my way to work and the line of parked cars stretched on both sides of the road for about a 1/2 mile in each direction.  It was insane.  And the number of signs posted all of the place is simply sign pollution.  Why do we allow this?

Word in the street that Maryland is surprisingly swinging more for Romney than predicted. Several people that I spoke to said they are perturbed with O'Malley and his make-believe President job that he's had for the past few months.  I think the pundits are calling it a surrogate.  Anyway, O'Malley has turned his back on the folks of Maryland as he's been gallavanting across the country working on national issues drumming up for his 2016 Presidential campaign.  And we the Marylanders are the victims.  He's ignoring us and our state is not getting the attention it deserves.

Why?  Why did you forget about us O'Malley?!!!  If you don't want to be governor anymore, then resign!!!  Let Tony be the governor!  Then you can legitimately focus all of your attention on the President.

Post Election Reality

Regardless of what happens on Election Day, I want everyone to realize that the world will not end if Romney wins.

Terrorist Muslims with falsified birth certificates will not be shutting down Wall Street if Obama wins.  

Most likely, Congress will be divided and no crazy partisan laws will be passed.  It's a proven fact that the country is more financially successful when Congress is divided.

The economy will most likely get better no matter which person is elected, because despite what politicians think, they really don't have THAT much control over the economy, unless they're fighting wars in two countries.

If you don't like the results of the election, then get involved.  Read about the politicians.  Start local.  Know what's going on in your town and county.  Go to events where your state delegate or state senator will be in attendance.  Read about your Congressmen and Senators.  Write to them.  You'd be surprised how human many of them are.  Even the Democrats!

And if you didn't vote, you have no right to complain.  Shame on your for not voting, unless you have a legitimate reason, of course.

La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant Site Deemed Unsafe

We got dinner at Hunan Garden the other day and I saw a big sign in front of the former La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant that noted that the space was available.  Then I noticed another sign, this one pink, on the door so I got closer to read it.  Check this out:

This really begs the question - why is this building unsafe?  The business next door is not deemed unsafe.  Anyone know what's going on?  And if a new restaurant takes its place, would you be willing to go there?

Guide to Political Rhetoric this Election

It amazes me how little people understand about rhetoric.  You can take any topic, spin it and morph it into rhetoric, load it into a cannon, aim it at your opponent and attack him\her with political bombshells.  Rhetoric and propaganda have been used by those in power against the masses because it is so effective.  We are all too stupid to differentiate the truth from the crap.  Most of us have our beliefs and do not seek balance on issues.  We don't want to understand both points.  We want those that disagree with us to die.

For those few people who do want to know how to understand the whole issue, or for those that just like some giggles, here is a guide to understanding the issues of this political election.

1) Mitt Romney hates gay people and is trying to figure out a way to destroy them.  This is total nonsense.  The states are leading the way with providing gay-rights.  Maryland will most likely pass Question 6 providing for gay marriage.  Many other states are moving close to this opinion.  Does it matter what the President thinks?  The Federal government is most likely not going to make any federal laws banning gay marriage.  G.W. Bush had the opportunity with the Republican majority in Congress during his first term and it didn't happen.  With a split Congress (the best kind), no laws against gay rights will be passed at a Federal level.

2) Mitt Romney hates women.  This is one of my favorite arguments this political season.  If you are against women's rights, which are synonymous with abortion, then you hate women.  Let's ignore the fact that some people think that unborn children have a right to live and not be chopped up with sharp knives and thrown in a trash can.  Who hates babies?

3) Obama hates unborn children.  See #2.  If you're in favor of women's rights, then you obviously hate unborn children, right?  Whose rights are more important?  The rights of the unborn child or the rights of the woman who is inconveniently impregnated while (usually) not taking the proper precautions.  Let's leave the absurd defense about the ban on abortion even for rape and incest victims to the politicians that want to lose the election.

4) Obama saved the auto industry.  Mitt Romney wanted it to fail.  The ridiculousness of this argument seems more obvious to me that anyone at the Huffington Post.  We have bankruptcy laws in this country that allow corporations and individuals to restructure their debts, reorganize, and continue operating.  Going bankrupt does not mean going out of business.  Obama, on the other hand, didn't really save the auto industry himself. He directed the funds, but that money came from you and me, the tax-payers.  Oh, and China and Saudi Arabia who loaned us billions of dollars, whom we now owe with interest.

5) Big evil greedy corporations are telling their employees that they must vote for Obama or they'll lose their jobs.  Several companies put out newsletters recommending that their employees vote for Mitt Romney because it will be good for business.  Then liberal blogs paint a broad brush-stroke across all corporations and scare America into thinking we're all going to get fired.

6) Wall Street is evil and it must be destroyed.  I once heard one of the idiot DJs on 98 Rock say that she would never put money in the stock market because it cannot be trusted.  What she fails to realize is that pension plans, 401(k)s, IRAs, 403(b)s, annuities, and such are all invested in stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments that are managed by financial companies that comprise "Wall Street".  If you hate the fact that Americans are saving for retirement, saving for college, getting mortgage loans, managing foundations for education, and managing money for organizations that provide benevolent care, and providing for others, then I guess you really do hate Wall Street.  But don't be ignorant of the fact that the monetary system of this country is managed by companies that may not reside on Wall Street.  Some are on Pratt Street and Michigan Avenue and most are actually honest decent companies that hire millions of people who work hard.

7) Republicans are trying to prevent black people from voting.  This isn't the 1870's when the Democrats were trying to suppress the black vote.  Nor is it the early 20th century when the tables turned in the South. But when Paris Glendening reportedly won 107% of the votes from eligible voters in Baltimore, you kind of have to wonder if all the votes are legit.  The phrase 'vote early and vote often' is often attributed to former Democrat and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, though I'm not entirely sure how accurate that is.  When politicians are regularly throwing that phrase around and states like Maryland are providing easy opportunities to break the law, then it has to make you worried.  In fact, the election judges get mad at you when you try to prove that you are who you say you are.  They don't want to see your identification.  To be honest, I'm pretty sure both parties are doing some voter suppression in some areas.

8) If you vote against Question 7, you hate children and education.  Anyone that's read up on this issue knows that state law dictates how much money the state spends on education.  The state government is already going to spend that amount.  The money from more casinos will not add to that total.  That money will go to the state's general fund, which can be used for anything such as paying for abortions at state funded clinics to more state highway trucks to dump thousands of tons of salt on the highway when there's a snow flurry spotted.

As you can see, understanding the rhetoric of the political season is actually a lot simpler than you think.  Don't be fooled by the ads, the Huffington Post, and any other slanted sources.  Be educated and make your own decisions!

Closed in Eldersburg - Epic Health Mart

My wife called the other day to renew one of my daughter's medicines and the phone number went to Wal-Green's.  She was sure she dialed the Epic Health Mart in Eldersburg, but hung up and dialed again, and again she was connected to Wal-Green's.

When someone finally answered she asked what happened to the Epic Health Mart in Carroll Station.  The lady on the line paused then finally said, "It closed."  Something fishy is going on.

I swung by today to check it out first-hand and there is a sign on the door that says that the store is closed and all prescriptions have been transferred to Wal-Green's.

I am really disappointed by this. The pharmacist knew our names, always asked about our kids, and was very responsive to our needs.  I seriously doubt that I will get this same level of response from Wal-Mart, CVS, Rite-Aid, or Wal-Green's.  Perhaps McDougall's, but it seems like they're only open for 40 minutes per day.