Web Notes Online

Sorry. We’re going to get a little political this week. But at least its local and not about governors of New York or presidential candidate's pastors.

The question on the homepage this week comes out of a recent discussion at the Caroline County Commissioners’ meeting. One commissioner proposed that the commission go on record supporting the candidacy of St. Sen. Andy Harris to fill the seat of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest in Congress. Harris had defeated Gilchrest in the Republican primary. He now will face Democrat Frank Kratovil in November.

The commissioner proposing the endorsement of Harris was Jeff Ghrist. He drew support from fellow Republican commissioner Roger Layton. This bandwagon was moving forward until Commission President John (Jack) Cole (also a Republican) expressed reservations.

We ran an editorial on the subject last week thanking Cole for his efforts. The thought then was that it would be improper for a governmental body to formally endorse a candidate. What the individual members did would be their own business. They do not need to make the county’s business a political statement.

Last week we also ran a short notice that the Dorchester Republican Central Committee formally backed Harris and Presidential candidate John McCain. Ryan, a visitor to the site commented “Is this news?”

In a way, Ryan was right. It would be news if the central committee did not endorse the Republican candidates. That is the function of the political committee.

As of this writing, the poll is supporting Cole’s contention that it would be inappropriate for the commission to endorse a candidate. The support is running nine to one for Cole.

I hope that Commissioner Ghrist can see more clearly the role of the county commissioners in the future. I remember during the election campaign when Mr. Ghrist was running for office. He visited my house twice within a half hour (I answered the door both times) not realizing he had been there before. He explained that he had been cutting through backyards and had gotten turned around.

We once had a cow run through our backyard. It scared our cats to no end. It was one of those scenes you don’t expect to see. I was standing at the kitchen sink staring out at the backyard when one of our cats came running through faster than I’ve ever seen him run. A second later a full-sized cow went loping through. I worry that politicians might needlessly scare them as well.

I hope Commissioner Ghrist can navigate the twists and turns of county government without getting lost in the backyard.

I may have to put up signs warning cows and politicians to keep their distance. I kind of think only the cows would listen.

But what are your thought? I’ve added the issue as a topic on the homepage. Share your two cents. They are certainly worth more than my one.

Privacy has also been in the news. We ran an editorial on the issue last Wednesday called “Big Brother’s big week. It seems the government is gathering more data on us than they previously had admitted. In a country where more street corners are covered by video cameras and speed cameras are becoming popular with local governments, the notion of privacy is becoming a thing of the past. We have had to give up much since 9/11. More than I would ever have imagined. I am afraid, that like Pandora’s box, once opened our government will be reluctant to close it again.

It is important that we make sure that only the right kinds of people get in power. The kinds of information that will be available to our leaders could easily corrupt. We already know how money corrupts. It has been the Achilles’ heel of many a politician. Vast quantities of information about everyone could make the wrong person even more powerful.

As always, you can reach me at rpolk(at)chespub.com.