Getting past the face ... or letter

Having dinner with a friend recently who made a point that should have been made a long time ago: "People are not getting past the face of Obama." I had to think about this and then recall a number of conversations I had with someone who is trying to convert me into being a Barack Obama supporter. That person did not want to hear what I have to say as far as why I support John McCain over Obama. All they know is that Obama could walk on water. Let's be honest, he did go up to the Mount of Invesco to tell it on the mountain ...so to speak.

I think we have became so partisan and hateful to a point in society that when someone you regularly disagree with makes a great point, acknowledgement of said point is not given. I agree with the Democratic presidential nominee and junior U.S. senator from Illinois when he speaks about how black men need to stand up and take responsibility for the children they make. Despite what the Rev. Jesse Jackson says, that is not speaking down to black people. What Obama said is being truthful and honestly should have been said years ago.

If you read this space regularly, you know that I give Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore) a bloody hard time (and rightfully so). I agreed with him in closing down the jail in Jessup because it was antiquated and not safe for anyone working there, let alone the inmates. The only person that I have not agreed with, ever, is Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson.

Allow me to take this opportunity to actually do something that my colleague David Paulson has a hard time in doing: Talk about some people from the other side of the aisle I like. These are people that I believe hold true to their convictions. A good politician is a good politician regardless of the letter or the face. Remember, no one is perfect ... especially me.

Wayne Curry
Former Prince George's County Executive Wayne Curry is at the top of my list. For one thing, he had to clean up the mess left behind by his predecessor Parris Glendening who went on to become governor. Curry cleaned up the books, began changing the image of Prince George's County as that of an affluent area and attracting new business to the county. Wayne Curry also scolded members of the media in calling us "P.G. County." He told The Washington Post Magazine over a decade ago that it's kind of disrespectful to call Prince George's County "P.G. County," when no one dares say "A.A. County" for Anne Arundel or "P.W. County" for Prince William County in Virginia. Curry gets kudos for getting some respect for the county unlike his successor.

Rushern Baker
The former Prince George's County Del. Rushern Baker followed through with something that should have been done sooner ... kicked the elected school board out. This was sorely needed, particularly because they cared more about "adult power" issues than "educating our kids better" issues. The board, now known as the pre-2002 elected school board, argued over where the superintendent should sit of all things. Baker rushed emergency legislation through the wanning hours of the general assembly to suspend the elected school board for four years after the board moved to fire then-Superintendent Dr. Iris Mets. Thankfully the state Board of Education overruled the elected board, but it was too late to keep Mets on board. Baker stood by his convictions and paid for it during a crowded election for County Executive. Baker's true character was shown a couple of months ago when he gave the previously mentioned Johnson kudos for the county's AAA bond rating, even after Johnson called Baker a loser.

Dr. Nancy Grasmick
Since I am on education, I have to mention the state schools superintendent. Dr. Nancy Grasmick fought the law, or lawyer in this case, and won. O'Malley wanted her out, but it would have looked real stupid if he did after Maryland schools were ranked in the top three of the nation. As a matter of fact, public education overall has always been top notch and that's thanks to Grasmick's 17-year tenure. Thankfully, she is shielded from the political side of things and can concentrate on education, not helping an executive look good.

Those are just three people I wanted to point out who are Democrats that I like. I would keep going, but space is limited and I have bigger fish to fry.

JACKSON CLEARS DOG SHOOTINGS

As The Washington Post has reported over the weekend, in an effort to try and make Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo look bad (and failing miserably,) Prince George's County Sheriff Michael A. Jackson has said that an internal review of the botched operation on Calvo's home justifies the shootings of the two dogs. This came shortly after Calvo paid for a necropsy on his two dogs, where one of the was shot twice in the back legs.

Jackson has lost his marbles, completely. Is an apology too much to ask for these days? Why is Jackson going to great lengths to discredit Clavo and his family as victims? They were victims of a drug operation that they probably never heard of. Now they are victims of an overzealous public official who is trying to make himself look good. The raid was a mistake in every true sense of the word. The least Jackson could do is apologize. But as we well know in one previous incident, apologizing does not seem to be in Sheriff Jackson's nature or vocabulary.

I am still calling on him to apologize AND resign. His actions in releasing an internal review that did not include the other side of the story is pure arrogance. Sir, please resign. Resign quickly. By the way, do not think about running for County Executive in 2010, let alone re-election.