OUTRAGE: The human condition
Who: The Maryland Department of Human Resources
What: After a mother froze her two dead adopted children, the department says a visit to the house in response to an anonymous complaint found “adequate” conditions for the children. The department also says the mother’s third child (the one who is still alive) will be placed with an “especially nurturing family.” Well that’s OK — but shouldn’t all adoptive parents be “especially nurturing”? The way department Secretary Brenda Donald’s statement is worded makes us worry for the adopted and soon-to-be-adopted children of our state.
Why it’s a bad idea: Adequate? Is that the best we can do? It’s tough to know whom to blame for this tragedy, but two children don’t just die of starvation and beating without a party at fault. And they don’t just end up in a freezer for nine months either. This is especially true (or should be true) for adopted children, who are supposedly monitored closely.
Why they’re doing it: Maybe it’s just that they don’t know what else to do — children need adoption and not too many people are willing to do it. And maybe even an adequate home is better than a group home. But something needs to change — and fast — so this doesn’t ever happen again.
Where to vent:: Visit dhr.state.md.us/ to become an “especially nurturing” foster parent.
Worst ideas from the last week:
Sloppy on slots
For Maryland For Our Future, a pro-slots group, lobbed a message barrage that defeating the amendment would cost $700 million in new taxes.
The details: While not totally untrue, the message is at best hyperbole. That hurts the very cause slots advocates are pushing. Maryland governments are in such deep fiscal trouble that massive cuts at every level are inevitable over the next few years, at least. Governments can’t raise taxes without plunging our regional economy into a death spiral. And Maryland is losing hundreds of millions every year to slots in neighboring states. So, yes, the argument for slots is self-evident. Advocates do not need to come up with a questionable exact dollar amount in hypothetical tax increases to explain the necessity of slots.
Illegal evictions
Economic decline hits the poorest worst, and more of them are coming up short on rent.
The details: As a result, more evictions mean illegal evictions are increasing. Criminal prosecutions are up 75 percent in Baltimore. Certainly, landlords get to evict tenants who don’t pay rent. But the law establishes the way to do it. This is ancient law, common and statute. Proper process in eviction is fundamental to an ordered society. Landlords who evict illegally don’t just tarnish the image of all, they undermine the social order.
BRAC confusion
When they come, we’ll have to build. So we should start now.
The details: Maryland shouldn’t do too much whining about the Base Realignment and Closure process, in that by 2011 we are getting at least 7,000 direct new jobs at Aberdeen Proving Ground and 5,000 at Fort Meade. But we must not let the blessings of BRAC turn into a curse of overcrowded schools, clotted transportation, strained utilities and ravaged countryside. Determining how many workers will move where when is more art than science, but it is no less necessary. Our leaders should therefore take control of the situation, determine the best places for people to settle, and provide incentives. For example, Baltimore City, right where the influence areas for both bases overlap, could absorb the total BRAC-related population increase without having to clear any land, build a road, lay a sewer or water line, or expand a school.
The shame game
Big Brother was watching — and now he’s apologizing.
The details: A report of the investigation into state police spying on Maryland activists turned up a revelation: that police spying on law-abiding citizens is illegal. Who’da thunk? The report also made recommendations that include binding regulations to govern covert surveillance of groups (we thought that already was a law — Fourth Amendment, anyone?). It also recommends contacting people in the state database for whom the police have no evidence of involvement with criminal activity but are still listed as possible terrorists. This all should have been taken care of when the database was started.
DisKKKrimination allegation
The Baltimore Community Relations Commission is refusing to release details about an investigation into possible discrimination.
The details: The investigation centers around allegations that Sgt. Kelvin Sewell was forced to view Ku Klux Klan Web sites — about 20 or 30 of them. This is a strange and inflammatory case, and the police would be well served by keeping this investigation open to the public.
Bright Bulb: Saving the state’s dwindling simoleon supply.
Maryland signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will allow the state to police its own violations and report them to the EPA. This means the state will not have to pay most EPA penalties as long as it keeps everything on the up and up. This has the potential to save the state money if it’s handled well, but we need to be vigilant about finding and solving problems — and not just sweeping things into the Bay when they’re not going our way.
More bright notes
In the spotlight
Baltimore Theatre Alliance helps make the thriving living stage phenomenon in this area keep the show going on and on and on.
The details: For more than 13 years the nonprofit organization has helped theaters and production companies achieve a whole greater than the sum of its parts by providing collective resources and cooperative marketing. This is more than just a feel-good entertainment thing, or invigorating live theater as the true soul of community. Stages contribute significantly to the $1.2 billion nonprofit arts programs and organizations add to the state economy every year, not to mention 150,000 jobs.
STEMming wasted talent
The U.S. Naval Academy’s first summer camp for science, technology, engineering and math drew 42 percent black and 13 percent Hispanic students.
The details: Over a decade, STEM graduates have been declining. Given the exponentially increasing high-tech nature of warfare, that is bad news for national security. The academy must increase those graduates by at least 5 percent by 2013. Obviously, America needs to attract, identify and nurture IQ and aptitude from the whole population to achieve this. These summer camps are the right way to do it. Enrollment expands to 200 next summer, and three-day minicamps will take opportunity to cities around the nation.
Healthy investment
Maryland increased reimbursement for children’s dental health care.
The details: One in three children in Medicaid had untreated tooth decay, probably because reimbursement made dentists reluctant to eat up too many hours of their already long workdays on patients who represented a financial loss. Now, more children will be able to get care, especially preventive care. Dental health is linked to overall health, and gives one of the biggest returns on investment in preventive care. This is one program that will save taxpayers money in the future.
Golden galas
Yesterday afternoon Downtown Towson played host to a golden parade for Michael Phelps and the rest of Maryland’s Olympians.
The details: Goodness knows we need something — anything — to celebrate these days. Thanks to a herd of volunteers and the support of Baltimore County executive Jim Smith we were able to celebrate all of our Olympians. To top it all off, Fort McHenry hosted a Star-Spangled Salute complete with fireworks and welcomed our athletes home is spectacular fashion. Hats off to two great ideas for events.
Perfect partnership
Baltimore City Public Schools and the Department of Juvenile Services are partnering to keep students in school.
The details: Andres Alonso, school system chief executive officer, had it right when he asked Juvenile Services Secretary Donald DeVore “How is it possible that we’re not sharing information?” Share and share alike, guys. This new partnership will allow the department to alert schools when a student is returning, and it will allow the schools to tell case managers when students don’t show up. That way they can find the students and reel them in. It’s a total win-win because, ultimately, it will keep students in school and off the streets and away from temptation.
Quote of the day
“Rot in hell!”
– Family members of Trae “Ace” Allen, in court Thursday following the conviction of Charles Richardson, who murdered Allen in May. Allen’s mother, Melinda Daniels, also threw a set of keys at Richardson’s head.
