G.A. Harrison's analysis of the decision by Judge Purnell that Jihad Joe Albero is not a journalist has a major flaw:  he doesn't know the law.

The issue is NOT whether Jihad Joe Albero was paid.  The Maryland Journalism Shield Law requires a person to be employed as a journalist by a "news" organization of some type.  Being employed has a far different meaning under state (and federal) law, rather than just being "paid".  So whether Jihad Joe was collecting any revenue or not is immaterial.

This was the justification for Judge Purnell's decision, which was right and proper under the law. 

Of course, Jihad Joe could easily rectify this matter for the future, and he probably should.  Create a Limited Liability Corporation, of which he is the only employee, and for which he is paid.  Since he likes to fashion himself the "smartest businessman" on the entire Eastern Shore, this shouldn't be too hard for him to figure out.  He can easily fit the definition of "employed" under the Maryland Journalism Shield Law going this route.

Until then, he is just another a loud mouth know-it-all.  And G.A. Harrison is just carrying his water.

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The Wild Turkey Phone just rang, with an emergency update from the Eastern Shore's most riveting legal case... Webster v. Jihadist.

The motion was readin Worcester County Court, and Jihad Joe is NOT covered by the Cloak of Immunity.  He is NOT considered media, and therefore will be required under oath to name his sources.

How many court motions does that make that Albero, Inc. has lost?

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Will small wonders never cease!  This afternoon, some trucker trying to run the Weight Station on I-83 between MD 439 and MD 45 got snagged by a Baltimore County Police Cruiser right in front of my house.  This is a personal pet peeve, since the Cockeysville Precinct doesn't  have the manpower to enforce the laws -- and the State Police just don't care.

It should be noted that at least a dozen trucks -- everything from auto carriers to container bobtails (and thus not "farm loads") run that weigh state every single day.

Here's a shot:

Since this stretch of York Road is well known for speeding -- its a clear 2 mile, wide open strech the kids love to drag race on -- I have offered my driveway and coffee maker a number of times, all to no avail.  It's good to see the Baltimore County Police out and enforcing traffic law.

As I have said before, the roads would be much safer in Maryland if the existing laws were only enforced.  Trucks trying to run the Weigh Station are either poorly maintained, overweight, or the drivers are over hours.  Enforce the law, and make the roads safer.

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The Supreme Court has issued its ruling in Medellin v Texas, and that ruling -- a 6-3 decision -- is a slam dunk victory for our nation, our Constitution, and all of us as citizens.

The Supreme Court has essentially ruled that international treaties cannot be used to rewrite state law unless Congress has acted proactively to enact Federal statutes to that effect.

This case should be viewed as hallmark victory for those of us who reject the imposition of foreign law and jurisprudence on citizens who neither voted for those laws nor for lawmakers to vote for those laws.

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Another day, another data breach.  Government agencies leak information like a sieve.  And they reason they do it is SHEER, UTTER INCOMPETENCE.

Of course, the Calvert Street Communist Party Newsletter chalks it up to data not being "encrypted" on a notebook.

But the problem is much, much worse.  And the government is not the only stupid organization that takes improper measures with your data and mine.

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Tonight, I received this information email from Wade Kach, R-5B (full disclosure: he was also my 7th grade math teacher at Loch Raven Middle School):

For nearly a decade, lawmakers in Annapolis have tried in vain to pass legislation banning motorists from using cell phones while driving. Far ranging in scope, the current proposal bans use of hand-held devices, including text-messaging.

This year’s version of the proposal (SB 2) passed the State Senate by a 26 to 21 vote.  The bill is now before the House Environmental Matters Committee.    

HB 2 prohibits the driver of a school vehicle that is carrying passengers and is in motion from using a wireless communication device. This prohibition also applies to the holder of a learner’s instructional permit or provisional driver’s license who is age 18 or older.

In addition, the bill prohibits any other driver of a motor vehicle that is in motion from using the driver’s hands to use a wireless communication device other than to initiate or terminate a wireless telephone call or to turn the wireless communication device on or off.

This prohibition does not apply to the use of a wireless communication device to call a 9-1-1 system for purposes related to a contemporaneous emergency.

A police officer may enforce the bill’s provisions only as a secondary action when detaining a driver for another suspected violation. For a first offense, the violator is subject to a fine of up to $50. For a first offense, points may not be assessed against the driver unless the offense contributes to an accident. The court is authorized to waive the fine for a first-time conviction if the person proves that he or she has a hands-free accessory, attachment, add-on, or built-in feature for the wireless communication device.  For a second or subsequent offense, the maximum fine is $100.

The AAA Foundation lists talking on a cell phone as one of several driving distractions, including fellow passengers and adjusting a radio or other listening device.  The Foundation notes that drivers talking on a hands-free phone still tend to be distracted by the conversation, while the act of dialing and receiving calls requires drivers to remove at least one hand from the wheel of the car.
 
According to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, driver distraction accounts for 30% of all accidents.  Studies conducted in 2006 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute concluded that the most common distraction for drivers is cell phone use.  Likewise, a 2005 study published in the British Medical Journal found that drivers on cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in a crash.
 
State law already prohibits teen drivers from using cell phones.  The state’s negligent driving law prohibits many other activities that constitute driver distraction. Bans on drivers using hand-held phones have been enacted in California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia.

I welcome your views on this or any other issue of concern to you.

My irreverant reply follows:

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Both Gregory Kane and Mark Newgent have some profound articles about Kevin Clarke's recent court victory here in Maryland of O'Guvnah's illegal firing of him as Baltimore City Police Commissioner.

But neither highlights or even covers one of the biggest rumors in this case, the real reason Kevin Clarke might have been fired.

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According to this news item in the New York Times, Hillary Clinton (D-NY), B. Hussein Obama (D-IL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) had a conversation on the Senate Floor this past Thursday about seating delegates from Florida at the Dummycrat National Convention.

I believe this is a violation of Federal Law, as Federal Facilities can not be used in any way, shape, or form for electioneering or campaign activities. 

The pertinent line in the article:

Mr. Nelson discussed the plan with Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton on Thursday on the Senate floor.

Of course, what else is new.  Democrats violating election law?  Just another day in Gomorrah.

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Mahmoud Albero, Southwest Delaware's leading Cyberterrorist, regularly likes to jump all over people who he thinks violate his copyright.

So what does he do?  He goes and completely lifts an entire AP release, and posts it on his site without link or attribution.

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The speed camera bill is moving forward in the General Politburo this week, which would allow the use of speed cameras in work zones.  They did amend it so that volunteer firefighters were exempted, but the bill moves forward.

And the question is: why?

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