February 28, 2007
Morning Roundup: Villainous Ovine Violence Edition
Sad news, Washington. Fox 5 brings us a heartbreaking story from a Maryland farm. Apparently someone broke into a barn in Yellow Springs, Md. and cut off a sheep's head. As Shawn Yancy lamented, this left "an adorable lamb... motherless". Just think! What kind of monster would harm a helpless farm animal? Fortunately, Brian Bolter was on the case, outlining the possibilities: it seems to either be a "sick joke" or — far more likely — "a satanic cult". But Brian, could you be overlooking the most obvious possibility? After all, George Allen's got a lot of time on his hands these days.
Northern Va. Cries Foul On Roads Bill: It took a while, but the Virginia legislature eventually managed to pass a version of the large transport bill that had caused months of acrimony in Richmond. But it's not out of the woods yet. As the Post reports, some Northern Virginia communities are objecting to the final version of the bill — specifically, to the portions that assign them planning responsibility for secondary roads and the burden of levying additional taxes to pay for it all. Fairfax is going so far as to call for a veto. Meanwhile, Virginia Republicans are putting pressure on Kaine to sign the bill via a television commercial that will soon begin airing.
Maryland Mulls Assault Rifle Ban: The Washington Times reports on the legislative dynamics surrounding a proposed assault weapon ban in the Maryland General Assembly. The measure itself is nothing new: as the Times notes, a similar law has failed to pass for the past four years. But proponents feel that election of Governor O'Malley may tip the scales. Either way, between this story and the saga of Jim Zumbo, it seems clear that assault weapon bans are becoming a relevant issue once again.
Second Grader Whipped In Class: NBC4 reports on a bizarre incident from a Maryland charter school. Last Friday a woman marched her nephew to the front of the class, ordered him to drop his pants and struck him with a belt in front of his fellow students. The school administration has contacted parents, and the aunt will be writing them a letter of apology. But that may be the end of the story — school officials say they had no idea what was going to happen, and it's not clear that the aunt will be be charged with any form of criminal wrongdoing.
Briefly Noted: Tiger Woods bringing a new PGA tournament to D.C.... Maryland Senate passes revisions to sex offender laws, will now go to House of Delegates... Yesterday saw a small fire between Farragut North and Metro Center... Untreated toothache leads to uninsured boy's death...
Image posted to DCist Photos by Flickr user JamesCalder
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I'm surprised DCist did not note this story from yesterday's Washington Times business section given DCist's streak of anti-nanny state libertarianism.
"Struggling D.C. bars miss the smokers, their cash"
www.washtimes.com/business/20070226-100041-6144r.htm
I tried to post this yesterday, but was unsuccessful.
I'm surprised DCist did not note this story from yesterday's Washington Times business section given DCist's streak of anti-nanny state libertarianism.
"Struggling D.C. bars miss the smokers, their cash"
I'm surprised DCist did not note this story from yesterday's Washington Times given DCist's streak of anti-nanny state libertarianism.
"Struggling D.C. bars miss the smokers, their cash"
That's odd. When I first tried to post this I received a message saying I could not because of the web address. How odd.
The Wash Times headline doesn't match the piece. The piece is very vague about whether the ban has had a real effect, and has owners on both sides of the debate (some say business is worse, some say better or the same).
There really isn't any data in the piece. Everyone's just making guesses and assumptions (some say it's the smoking ban, some say it's the weather, some say it's the lobbying changes, some say it's a combination etc.).
I'll wait until the tax data is available.
Maybe someone killed the sheep to collect its blood. After all, prom season is just around the corner.
(Logan, I have always end up double posting too. Something is not right with the DCist comments.)
Logan: Heh
I googled that article (I don't have the Washington Times bookmarked- big surprise) and the first place I found it was at The Baltimore Reporter (which carries the following ad: Looking for reporters to help counter media bias)
Anyway, did you actually read it? Joe Englehart (Big Hunt in Dupont, H st NE, etc) is the strongest quoted voice of complaint. That and some place in AM that decided not to serve lunch anymore.
"could you be overlooking the most obvious possibility?"
Dare I suggest ... a chupacabra?
I know, I know, sheep ain't goats; but how many goats are there really in the DC area? A stranded chupacabra would probably take what it could get.
Yes. I really read it. While Englert was a strong opponent of the smoking ban, his observation should not be discounted because of that. If his business has really fallen by forty percent than he has a problem. If the smoking ban has contributed to that, then the ban could be costing him money. I believe the point about the Adams Mill bar is that people aren't going there for their usual burger, beer and smoke at lunch. If the cause of that is the smoking ban, then Adams Mill is losing money because of the ban. All of this is anecdotal, but worth considering until hard revnue and tax numbers come out. In Montgomery County, restaurant and tavern business increased after their smoking ban. But, when businesses that made the majority of their money from alcohol sales were considered separately from restaurants, those businesses' revenues decreased post-ban.
I am skeptical about this waiver. It's not like bars are exactly models of GAAP accounting standards. How easy is it to show a 15% drop?
And 15% drop from what exactly? Some arbitrary month just before the ban, or an average over two years? And how long is the waiver good for? Shouldn't they have to at least periodically demonstrate the ongoing necessity? Although once they get a waiver, they'll then become all that more dependent on smokers.
The more I think about it, the more I think the waiver is completely unworkable and will only result in unequal treatment. If we're so worried about losing the proverbial corner bar, there are other ways to preserve them rather than turning them into a smoker's oasis.
If the owner is able to pay the rent/mortgage and the employees, and if the bartenders and waitresses are able to make enough in tips to pay their bills, then what's so bad about the corner bar becoming a smokers' oasis? I'd rather see it become a smokers' oasis than have it go out of business or cut staff because of a government ordinance.
What makes it far more likely for a sheep decap to be a Satanic cult than a prank? Besides the extra mileage in sensationalism that mentioning Satan's minions might bring to the story?
AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! AAAAHHHHHH!!! CHUPACABRA!!!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!! AAAAHHHHHHHHH CHUPACABRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's surprising to be 1) For smoking in indoor public places 2) Against singles sales 3) For parking garages in urban settings and 4) A proponent of such fun roadside attractions as miniature-golf "country clubs".
Gee, I wonder what and who his priorities are. Not that sucking a few more entertainment dollars from MD and VA is necessarily a bad thing, but it is interesting to watch and see what takes shape when stitching his various pieces of advocacy together.
The correct term is "chupacabras," guys.
Just sayin'.
George Bush calls the loyal opposition "the Democrat Party."
I call goat- and sheep-murdering aliens "chupacabra."
"how many goats are there really in the DC area?"
You obviously didn't grow up in PG County. Goatman live!