WHO: Officials at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis
WHAT: Midshipmen are underreporting sexual assaults for fear of being ostracized or retaliated against.
WHY IT’S A BAD IDEA: The Academy should make it clear that any type of mistreatment that occurs because a middie has reported a sexual assault will not be tolerated. Eight percent of female midshipmen experienced unwanted sexual contact — and 82 percent of them said the assault “was not important enough to report.” All unwanted sexual contact is important enough to report. This year alone there have been four rapes where the victim did not want to pursue an investigation. Why is that an option? Do we really want sexual predators commanding ships that defend our nation?
WHERE TO VENT: usna.edu
Today’s dim bulb: Parking problems
The City Council raised taxes on parking garage rates to provide more “free” shuttles to take “downtown workers” between neighborhoods.
That’s sensible?! Who has a couple hours to take off work in downtown Baltimore for a jaunt to the B&O Railroad Museum? Tourists may benefit from it — but why are commuters footing the bill, again?
Today’s quote
“It’s not about the number of helicopter flights. … It’s about the number of people the system saved. We believe the focus has been too much on helicopters.” — Sen. E. J. Pipkin, R-Upper Shore, who Thursday proposed that Maryland’s Medevac program be revamped, changing its management to a new agency
Today’s bright idea: Inaugural holiday
Baltimore City schools have declared Jan. 20 — Inauguration Day -— a day off.
The details: This could be a great day for a furlough. If no one is working, let’s save the city some money. Mayor Sheila Dixon has not proposed furloughs — yet, but while we’re taking a day off, why don’t we save ourselves some money?
Today’s worst idea: Judicial frivolity
A recent study by the American Tort Reform Foundation puts Baltimore on its list of “judicial hellholes.”
The details: Whether it’s $54 million for lost pants or $750,000 for tripping on a sidewalk, taxpayers are paying the price. These suits generate a “tort tax” of thousands of dollars a year on everyone in the form of higher prices for products and services. It’s time Congress injected some sanity into the civil law process by enacting “loser pays” legislation to stop frivolous lawsuits.
