No More Taxation by Citation!

Don’t you just love it when you’re hauling ass…er, I mean “driving” along …and you see one of those signs on the highway warning you of “Photo Enforcement” – as in, if you drive too fast you will trigger one of those damned cameras and will end up getting a ticket in the mail.

I don’t love it, either. In fact, I loathe it.  Getting pulled over by a police officer is one thing, because – at the very least – you can go face the cop in court, you know all of that outdated, “face your accuser” nonsense and the like.  But, you can’t face the faceless, like a speed camera.  Pay the fine and you’ll get no points on your record.  In other words, pay the fine, don’t take the time out of your busy schedule to fight it in court and you’ll help keep the state coffers full and yourself more or less happy…albeit with a lighter wallet.

Bullshit.

Speed Cameras are nothing less than “taxation by citation” (H/T Maryland Campaign for Liberty for THAT cool saying). And their time must come to an end.  Speed Cameras are fraudulent, have been proven to be erroneous – time and again, as far as I know, and – as stated previously – what the Hell ever happened to the accused having the right to face their accuser in court?

Thank the Deity of Your Choice for Delegate Warren Miller (R-9A) and State Senator Michael Hough (R-4) and the Maryland Campaign for Liberty (Statewide) for seriously attempting to do something about this Speed Camera Rip Off.

A few weeks ago, Delegate Miller sponsored House Bill 436 (and Senator Hough cross filed a version in the Senate) designed to end the Speed Camera Fraud by repealing the law which allows for this abomination.

Here is the Synopsis for HB436:

“Repealing the authority of counties and municipalities in the State to use speed monitoring systems to enforce highway speed laws; repealing the authority to use work zone speed control systems to enforce highway speed laws within work zones; repealing the authority to use traffic control signal monitoring systems to enforce traffic control signal laws; etc.”

All of the Bill’s Sponsors (as of Friday, January 29) are:

“Delegates W. Miller (and co-sponsors) Afzali, Arentz, Beitzel, Bromwell, Buckel, Cassilly, Cluster, Folden, Ghrist, Glass, Grammer, Hornberger, S. Howard, Impallaria, Kittleman, Krebs, Lisanti, Long, Malone, Mautz, McConkey, McDonough, McKay, Metzgar, Otto, Reilly, Rey, Rose, Shoemaker, Simonaire, Vogt, B. Wilson, and Wivell”

Interesting, but I don’t see House of Delegates Minority Whip, Kathy Szeliga (R-7) among the bill’s co-sponsors. I guess her running for the US Senate is getting in the way of her doing her job – either that or she simply doesn’t place a high enough of a priority on this matter to cosponsor the bill or,  maybe. she favors the use of speed cameras.  Whatever, whichever, that’s a shame.

Also, from what I’ve been told, Hough has not put the bill out for cosponsors in the Senate yet.

Anyway, the only reason any of this has come to my attention is thanks to the Maryland Campaign for Liberty, who’d been on this issue like white on rice and just recently posted the following on the group’s Facebook page:

“Breaking news: We have just received the hearing date for HB436 – Delegate Warren Miller’s bill to ban the use of red light and speed cameras in Maryland. The hearing will be held on 2/18/16 at 1 p.m. in the House Environment and Transportation Committee. If you want to END THE CAMERA FRAUD in Maryland, it is critical that you contact the members of this committee and demand they support this legislation. Click here to contact them now >>>> http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx…

Also, please consider appearing at the hearing in Annapolis to tell the politicians why you oppose the use of speed and red light cameras in MD. If you have been the victim of an illegitimate camera citation, this committee needs to hear from YOU…

Thank you for your support!”

No, Maryland Campaign for Liberty – Thank YOU for helping to keep us all informed.

And thank YOU, Delegate Miller for Sponsoring this bill – and thank YOU Senator Hough for filing similar (if not identical) legislation in the MD Senate.

This bullshit really does not to stop. And, it’s nice to know we’ve got some folks doing their damnedest to stop it.

No More “Taxation by Citation!”

Moving Up to the East Side: David Craig Opens Up a New HQ

If looks could kill…

No, this posting is not about any of the beautiful woman in MDGOP circles such as, Jeannie Haddaway, for example – Although, she does play a role in this piece.

No, my “If looks could kill” comes from the looks I received tonight from Delegate Rick Impallaria (R-7) as I entered the Baltimore County HQ Office opening for GOP Gubernatorial candidate, David Craig.

I’d had a FB conversation about it with another beautiful GOP woman, Jessica Fugate, who told me she was stopping in at Craig’s HQ opening for a bit. Additionally, after having been there, Ms. Fugate told me that they had a “strong showing.”

For the record, David Craig’s Baltimore County office opening was free, (unlike another GOP candidate who charged money if you wanted to come to his office opening – Ahem, cough, cough, Larry Hogan).. And, it was big – as in both the sheer size of this Rosedale office, in beautiful eastern Baltimore County, as well as the number of people who were in attendance.

Now, despite the glare I’d gotten from Rick Impallaria upon my arrival, I saw and chatted with a veritable “who’s who” of Baltimore County politicos – who mixed nicely with a good number of everyday folks. Oh, and Joan Wood said something about me looking a bit like a “Mountain Man” – considering I’ve not had a haircut since last September.

Among the elected officials I saw, besides Harford County Executive David Craig and his running mate, Delegate Jeannie Haddaway, were: Delegate Kathy Szeliga, Delegate Sue Aumann, Delegate Pat McDonough, as well as House of Delegates candidate in the 7th District David Seman and a number of others.

Here are a few of the other politcos:

(Former Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden, Former Congresswoman Helen Bentley and Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey, with David Craig and Jeannie Haddaway)

Now, as concerns Kathy Szeliga and the gentle shot I took at her in my last blog posting, none of that came up tonight. Instead, we talked about my health. Yeah, my health. She, District 7 HOD Candidate, David Seman, and I stood around for a few moments and talked about the upcoming races and my health. It was fascinating.

David Craig and I did talk a bit about his day, today, in Dundalk, MD. He’d been out and about on Baltimore County’s east side for most of the day – out to Fort Howard as well as having received a tour of the North Point Government Center…which he insisted to me should remain open. I asked him if Debbie Staigerwald was at the Government Center when he was there. He said he wasn’t sure. A friendly acquaintance of mine, Debbie Staigerwald has been fighting like Hell to make sure the Government Center (which houses a police precinct, one of Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger’s district offices, as well as a local community theater for folks of all ages with special needs) stays open. Debbie’s husband, Buddy, is running for County Council as a Democrat.

Anyway, two things really struck me tonight. The first one, I’ve already touched on – and that being the turnout. Again, by the time I rolled into the event, it was almost over…and they still had a very good number of people present. Hell, I’ve been to any number of MD GOP events over the years that at their peak couldn’t touch the number of folks at David Craig’s event tonight – a half hour from closing.

The second thing that grabbed me was the attitude of David Craig and his assistants that were there that I knew (Campaign Manager Paul Ellington comes to mind): These folks are confident. Not cocky in the least, but very confident without any hint of false bravado. THAT was very impressive. And, I guess in 6 weeks or so time, we’ll find out if the confidence was misplaced…or whether they know something.

The Picnic Attack of Maryland Liberty PAC

I like Delegate Kathy Szeliga (R-7). I really do, which is why I gave her the opportunity to respond to my questions and concerns over her vote in favor of HB1513, n the following message I sent her early in the morning on 3/5/14:

Kathy – I hope this message finds you well. So, why did you vote for that Emergency Bill HB1513 at last night’s CC meeting? (Sent 03/05/14)

The other reason I wrote her was because of a phone conversation the two of us had a few years ago, back when she was Andy Harris’ campaign manager and …shortly after I wrote about how one of Congressman Andy Harris’ aides was caught serving alcohol to a minor in the Congressman’s DC office. Kathy told me in that conversation, that if I had any questions about anything to which she might/would know the answer to contact her. So, I did.

Alas, I’ve yet to hear back from her. Truth be told, however, in her defense I’m unsure if she’s even yet seen the question I’d sent her…

For those of you with short memories or those of you who might need a brief refresher on HB 1513, you may want to look here:

And This is How Tyranny Enters.

In short, and to quote conservative activist, Tonya Watson Tiffany, regarding HB 1513 “The Harford Co. Delegation put in an emergency bill to have themselves named the Republican Central Committee…. I looked up the candidate list thinking that maybe no one had filed….. 32 people have filed. A very strong showing of Campaign for Liberty people among them. I will let you make your own conclusions.”

Uh, yep.

But, thanks to the efforts of grass roots activist everywhere and the efforts of MDGOP Chairwoman, Diana Waterman, HB 1513 – this ridiculous, tyrannical power grab attempt – has, for the time being anyway, been put to rest. Said rest culminated in it being slammed (condemned) UNANIMOUSLY at the MD GOP’s spring convention.

So, what the Hell does that have to do with anything I’m writing about today?

Well, not a damned thing – other than that a group that many of those activists who did yeoman’s work in helping to kill HB 1513 belong/donate to, the MD Liberty PAC, is having a picnic in a few weeks time.

And their keynote speaker is one of my personal favorites, Nicolee Ambrose.

(Full Disclosure: MD Liberty Pac picnic’s keynote speaker is a very darling and dear friend of mine)

Nicolee Ambrose is the GOP National Committwoman for the State of MD – which means that, as I write this, she is down in Memphis, TN, fighting the good fight with everything she’s got at the RNC’s Spring Meeting. She is also a die-hard Constitutionalist. And, she’s speaking at the MD Liberty Pac’s May 25th, 2014, picnic.

As Ted Patterson, Maryland Liberty PAC’s Executive Director, puts it, “Nicolee has been a friend of the Maryland Liberty Movement and a conservative fighter at the RNC working with patriots like Virginia’s Morton Blackwell to create a better GOP.”

Uh, yes she is and yes she has.

And, yes, I may have to go to this picnic my damned self – to thank all of those who worked so tirelessly to, not only kill HB 1513, but who also work diligently to try to bring Freedom back to the once Free-State.

The body of Patterson’s letter announcing the event may be found below.

>>>>>>>

Patriot,

I wanted to let you know today about one of our keynote speakers for our upcoming Spring Picnic.

Nicolee Ambrose, MDGOP National Committeewoman, will be speaking at our May 25th event.

Ambrose has been a critical coalition builder in Maryland, creating a more inclusive Republican Party.

Nicolee has been a friend of the Maryland Liberty Movement and a conservative fighter at the RNC working with patriots like Virginia’s Morton Blackwell to create a better GOP.

Few understand the value of including the grassroots conservatives and liberty activists within the Republican Party, but Nicolee does.

We hope you’ll join Nicolee and many other liberty activists for a fun day at Oregon Ridge Park in Baltimore County!

Buy a ticket (for $25) today to attend our MDLPAC Spring Picnic later this month.

We’re having a cookout–so we’ll have plenty of food and drinks for you to enjoy!

On the menu:

Hamburgers
Hotdogs
Drinks
Potato salad
Chips
Broccoli salad
Macaroni salad
Plenty of Desserts
A volleyball court, horseshoes, and a huge pavilion are all reserved for us!

We have plenty of room for pick up kick ball games or throwing around the football.

Bring the kids; they’ll love this park!

This is a family friendly event, all children under 10 years old receive FREE “FUTURE FREEDOM FIGHTER” TICKETS!

Not to mention, our picnic is at Oregon Ridge Park in Baltimore County.

While at the picnic you could take some time to walk around the park and enjoy the scenery.

The theme for our picnic will be a showcase of our “Ladies in the Liberty Movement.”

We’ll have speeches from the top women in the state who are fighting to protect our liberties!

So please come on out to have a lot of fun, listen to excellent speakers, and enjoy long awaited spring weather!

And remember, that every dollar raised from our picnic will go toward our 2014 Ad Campaign statewide.

Don’t forget that sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Event sponsors receive the following:

5 General Tickets
Promotional table at the event
Announced to crowd at event
Logo included at bottom of all event emails
Posted on MDLPAC Facebook page
For more information on being an event sponsor click here.

Since launching in 2012, we’ve accomplished so much and come so far.

But 2014 is the MOST IMPORTANT year yet for Maryland Liberty PAC.

What we do over the next few months will effect Maryland for years to come.

If you’ve never donated to Maryland Liberty PAC before, I hope this will be the time that you decide to invest in our organization.

Maryland Liberty PAC is the #1 no-compromise, 100% activist driven organization in the state.

No other organization is implementing the tactics to win for liberty like we are and we hope that you will help us continue this mission.

Chip in today by purchasing a ticket to our Spring Picnic happening on Sunday, May 25th!

For Liberty,

Ted Patterson
Executive Director
Maryland Liberty PAC

P.S. Help Maryland Liberty PAC raise more money for our 2014 Ad Campaign.

Every dollar helps us reach more and more voters across counties and legislative districts in Maryland.