Showing posts with label Annual April Fools Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Annual April Fools Day. Show all posts

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Murphy the “Don” in surprise bid for the Maryland Statehouse

Murphy makes a surprise announcement just after midnight on April 1, 2010 that he will run against former Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, who had just announced on March 30, 2010 that he will be seeking his old office back. http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/04/murphy-don-in-surprise-bid-for-maryland.html http://tinyurl.com/yexfeut http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/312008.html

Photo caption: Murphy is pictured in front of the NH State Capitol after testifying for a GPS client. Murphy, who is also known to have made recent trips to New Hampshire, is rumored to be a presidential contender in 2012. Photo courtesy of Genn & Murphy. Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/1cberm

April 1, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff for Soundtrack

In a surprise announcement, former Maryland Delegate Donald E. Murphy (R) has announced that he will be running for governor of Maryland in the September 14, 2010 Republican Primary.

Many political insiders had speculated privately that Murphy, known as the “Don,” in political circles, may toss his hat in the ring.

Murphy, who is also known to have made recent trips to New Hampshire, is also rumored to be a presidential contender in 2012.

Recently, noted political analyst Joe Steffen wryly wrote, “Murphy told me last night that a potential run for governor on his part was ‘in the mix.’ As MD point man for the 2008 McCain Presidential campaign and Senior Advisor to MD GOP U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Eric Wargotz to go with his other credentials, Murphy undoubtedly has a set of...bona fides.

“While discussing a possible gubernatorial run, Don Murphy did joke, however, that he ‘didn’t want to split the Murphy (primary) vote,’ a reference to young GOP businessman and upstart candidate, Brian Murphy, who is already running for governor in the GOP primary,” continued Steffen.

“Who knows? Maybe an actual Ehrlich run will entice Don Murphy into the campaign, concerns over splitting the Murphy vote be damned,” wrote Steffen.

Opening shot across the bow…

Steffen noted, “Beyond then-Governor Ehrlich's 2006 taxpayer-dollar-spending-spree-for-votes, THAT brings us back to the libertarian leaning conservative Don Murphy, who when talking about Mr. Ehrlich in the context of being conservative with the tax dollars offered this priceless observation:

“‘Saying Bob Ehrlich is a fiscal conservative is like saying Ocean Gallery (http://oceangallery.com/) is an art museum.’

“That wasn't the beer and bravado talking - but it was the best line of the night. And, hey, isn't the best humor always rooted in the truth?”

Are you experienced?

Murphy is experienced and known to be comfortable in his own skin and in the political arena.

Murphy previously represented District 12A, which covered portions of Baltimore and Howard County Maryland in the Maryland General Assembly from January 1995 to January 2003.

He is a graduate of Andover High School in Linthicum Maryland and graduated from the University of Baltimore with a degree in real estate in 1983.

In recent years, Murphy has been affiliated with the lobbying firm of Genn & Murphy and is a well known and popular GOP Strategist and advisor to U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Eric Wargotz of Maryland.

In 1994, Murphy defeated the House Majority Leader in a legislative district that had never elected a Republican, according to the Genn & Murphy web site.

While a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, Murphy was a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Civil Law & Procedure Subcommittee. He served as Deputy Minority Whip from 2002 until 2003. Murphy did not seek reelection in 2002.

The Gunn & Murphy web site also reveals “After his reelection in 1998, he became an unlikely advocate for Medical Marijuana legislation as a result of being approached by a Green Beret constituent who was dying of cancer.

“The passage of the Darrell Putman Compassionate Use Act in 2003 placed Mr. Murphy in exclusive company with substantial national media recognition.

“When The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun and The Gazette listed their “winners and losers” for the Legislative Session, he was one of three, and the only non-incumbent legislator, named to the “winners” list in all three publications.”

“Murphy, a nationally-known campaign advisor, travels extensively at the request of candidates and focus groups who seek his advice,” according to his web site, Genn & Murphy.

Well-liked, well dressed and handsome.

The handsome, well-dressed Murphy is well-liked on both sides of the political aisle and many keen political observers, speaking on background noted, that he has the best chance of anyone to garner the vote in the General Election this November in the heavily Democrat cobalt-blue state of the Maryland.

“Murphy’s congeniality and work-ethic make him a favorite with members of both Maryland Legislative Houses controlled by Democrats,” notes his web site.

“During Mr. Murphy’s first term, the Guidebook of Maryland Legislators called him ‘the nicest Delegate in Annapolis.’ Near the end of his second term, the Montgomery Gazette concluded in its analysis of legislators that Mr. Murphy was unquestionably ‘liked by everyone,’” according to the Genn & Murphy web site.

“Mr. Murphy’s congeniality and work-ethic make him a favorite with members of both Maryland Legislative Houses controlled by Democrats, in addition to the new Republican Administration that has many of his former colleagues and friends in key policy and decision-maker roles,” notes the web site.

Most of the folks in Maryland tend to be more moderate

In a 2008 interview with MSNBC, Murphy, a political moderate, observed, “Most of the folks in Maryland tend to be more moderate,” said Don Murphy, who is the chairman of the Maryland delegation at the (Republican National) convention.”

The web site also notes that “Prior to running for office, Mr. Murphy held key positions in the commercial real estate field, including real estate analyst for Baltimore City’s Economic Development office and as Director of Leasing for a million square foot office and industrial park….”

Murphy is a life-long resident of Maryland with his wife, Gloria, who will be just as surprised as the “Don” and the rest of us that he is running for governor.

Then again, how could they have known – after all it is April Fools’ Day.

20100401 sdosmked Murphy in surprise run for the Maryland Statehouse Labels: Annual April Fools Day, Gov Ehrlich-Robert, People Murphy Don, People Steffen Joe

Murphy the “Don” in surprise bid for the Maryland Statehouse http://tinyurl.com/yexfeut http://twitpic.com/1cberm

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/04/murphy-don-in-surprise-bid-for-maryland.html http://tinyurl.com/yexfeut

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com


*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Monday, May 11, 2009

Dayhoff: A brief review of the Westminster Navy, and its role in American history

Dayhoff: A brief review of the Westminster Navy, and its role in American history Published April 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

Folks have been asking where they may find my brief review of the Westminster Navy, and its role in American history… Here you go:

The Westminster Eagle column for Wednesday, April 1, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff (649 words)

She was once a proud ship, a ruler of the waves and a queen of the sea. The “Patapsco Militia Ship Westminster” was her name.

The days of glory for the PMS Westminster are now gone as she sits askew on the ground with a list and sigh on the shores of the Patapsco River in back of the Westminster utilities work shop on Manchester Road.

The once proud ship is hardly noticed by passersby in their hustle and bustle traveling to and from Westminster. It's an inglorious plight for the once proud master of the seas.

No one knows, for example, that the PMS Westminster was the ship used by George Washington in his famous crossing of the Delaware River.

This event has become confused with the passage of time. Initially George Washington crossed the Patapsco River on his way to the Battle of Brandywine.

The event stirred such emotion and passion that the news media wanted it recreated for the 5 o'clock news. By then General Washington had travelled far from the Patapsco River so they used the Delaware River for the reenactment.

It's only fitting that the Patapsco River near Westminster should have such a rich and colorful nautical history.

This area of Carroll County was founded by the Carthaginians shortly after the 3rd Punic War which raged in the Mediterranean Sea from 149 to 146 BC.

After Carthage was destroyed by the Romans, a small band of seafaring Carthaginians set sail for a new home and settled in the valley by the natural port offered by the Patapsco River in what we now know as the Lucabaugh Mill Road and Manchester Road area near the new Westminster Cranberry water treatment plant.

The Carthaginians named the Patapsco River after Patroclus, the gentle and amiable friend of Achilles in Homer's “Iliad.” A rival group of natives at the time confused Patroclus to be "Petapsqui" – the Native American word for backwater or tide water covered with foam which was actually the froth formed by the discharge pipes of the large stills operated at the time by the Patapsipiss tribe of brewing Native Americans.

The well read Carthaginians were also aware that the site where Ulysses successfully sailed past the Sirens was actually on the Patapsco River.

The exact spot is the bridge over the railroad and the Patapsco River on Manchester Road just north of Westminster.

The Sirens, if you'll remember, were sort of a sea goddess who lured to destruction those who listened to their songs. When Ulysses sailed under the bridge towards Westminster to attend a public hearing, he stopped-up the ears of his companions with wax and had himself tied to the mast of his ship.

Ulysses thereupon passed safely, and the Sirens, disappointed at their loss, drowned themselves – which is exactly what many of us want to do after attending most public hearings in Westminster.

George Washington wrote in his “Maxims: Transcripts of Revolutionary Correspondence” that he felt that Westminster-on-the-Patapsco ought to have been the site of the nation's capital. The planners confused the name Patapsco with the name Potomac and well, the rest is history.

When President Abraham Lincoln began his trip to Gettysburg to deliver the Gettysburg Address; the plan was for him to travel up the Patapsco River on the PMS Westminster, disembark, and travel by land for the balance of the trip.

Upon reaching Westminster, Lincoln was thereupon informed that Carroll County's road system was a bad collage of stoplights, confusion, and overcrowded roads which go from nowhere to nowhere. So he took the train.

These are but a few of the legendary exploits of the PMS Westminster and the Westminster Navy. A proud heritage only a few Carroll Countians know. Now you know it too!

Well, maybe not. Happy April Fool’s Day.

That’s my two-cents. What’s yours?

I’ll look forward to your comments in the readers’ comment section below.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)
SDOSM 20090510

Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Swiss even clean their mountains!

Swiss even clean their mountains!

March 25, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKIqGYRuvbk

Official video of the Swiss Association of Mountain Cleaners, which is recruiting new volunteers.

Apply at http://www.myswitzerland.com/mountaincleaners



Switzerland

20090325 SDOSM Swiss even clean their mountains!
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

GM and Chrysler Ordered Out of NASCAR

GM and Chrysler Ordered Out of NASCAR

Time magazine listed some April Fools Day hoaxes from last Wednesday that are fairly sophisticated and in several instances, quite funny.

Thankfully CAK posted a link to the article on her Facebook page.

Fake Pandas! And Other April Fools' Day Hoaxes By Howard Chua-Eoan Wednesday, Apr. 01, 2009

The annual assaults can be either subtle or brazen. And, really, people should see them coming. But in a media world addicted to drama and the bizarre, credulity will always take a hit. April Fools' Day 2009 is no different. From the Middle East, where peace threatened to break out, to Switzerland, where the national obsession with neatness created jobs for mountain cleaners, the world once again fell prey to an array of hoaxers, fibbers and tellers of tall tales — all excused by a strange yearly tradition of mysterious origin. Here are a few of the bogus news items that have appeared on our radar:


[...]

Read the entire article here: Fake Pandas! And Other April Fools' Day Hoaxes By Howard Chua-Eoan Wednesday, Apr. 01, 2009

GM and Chrysler Ordered Out of NASCAR Caranddriver.com

"In a move sure to spark outrage, the White House announced today that GM and Chrysler must cease participation in NASCAR at the end of the 2009 season if they hope to receive any additional financial aid from the government. Companies around the globe — Honda and Audi, to name two — have drawn down racing operations, and NASCAR itself has already felt the pinch in the form of reduced team spending.

A complete withdrawal from America's premier racing series is expected to save more than $250 million between GM and Chrysler, a substantial amount considering the drastic measures being implemented elsewhere." [April Fools!]


Related: See pictures of famous pranksters at Life.com.
Read about April Fools' Day pranks to try in the office.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1888820,00.html

20090401 SDOSM GM and Chrysler Ordered Out of NASCAR

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/