Old Line Elephant Maryland Conservative Blog

Old Line Elephant Link Roundup 3/29/11

As I promised others last week, I'm going to try to make this a weekly occurrence. Here's some quick, bulleted items that I think should be on your radar from Maryland to a galaxy far, far away.

• Mandatory delivery of white pages to people's homes in Maryland seems to be going the way of the dodo. The State Senate just passed a bill ending the requirement. My State Senator, the 76 year old Norm Stone (D) voted against it. This won't impact delivery of the yellow pages to people's homes, so it's only a small step in the right direction. Mandatory requirements like this are silly, especially with widespread access to the internet / libraries who will have said information.
• The Maryland State Senate also looked to ease some restrictions on minority owned business requirements in State contracting. How much easing? Well, there are no longer hard and fast numbers for how many women owned or black owned businesses need to received contracts with the state. While I feel this is a step in the right direction, I honestly don't think we need any rules requiring a specific number of minority owned businesses for state contracting. Let the bidding begin with whatever business is most capable of doing the job - period.
• With all the most important issues already dealt with, the Maryland legislature has been pushing through new laws which would allow people to bring their pets to outdoor dining locations. I mean, really? This is more pressing then finding ways to close our budget gap? Or...frankly anything whatsoever? Seriously.
• When asked in a recent trip to Iowa whether he was thinking about running for President in 2012 what did John Bolton say? "Well, I'm here?" It's a big, potential step towards a run even showing up at a meet and greet like that for a man who's never ran for public office before. While I think that's fascinating, I still say he should run for US Senate in Maryland.
• Check out this editorial on Libya by the far more articulate than me, Brian Griffiths of Red Maryland. It does a great job of laying out the major concerns with the situation.
• Speaking of editorials, check out this one by RightKlik on Obamacare and..."Weiner Waivers."
• Our local, Christian radio station - 95.1 Shine FM - is having their annual fundraiser. Check it out and if you're in the Baltimore area...or even if you're not, consider throwing them a few dollars.
• If you're like me, you're a big dork who has fallen in love with Star Wars: Clone Wars (Fridays on Cartoon Network). This Friday is the season finale. Lightsaber Rattling has two, spoiler free reviews of the two part finale. Bottom Line: My son and I will be enjoying some awesome, Clone Wars era, Chewbacca action in the finale. I look forward to it!
• Speaking of Star Wars - these polygonal images of Star Wars characters are a site to behold. Very well crafted.
• Artist James Hance has created what looks to be a masterpiece - mashing Star Wars and A.A. Milne's classic Pooh stories into a book he calls, "Wookie the Chew: The House at Chew Corner." The artwork is spot on, looking much like what you saw in Milne's classic. Definitely worth checking out.

Feel free to leave suggested links for items that you find interesting in the comments on national / local politics or on items you find fascinating; and of course, comments on the links are encouraged.