"The legal term for that is dicta - extraneous language in a judge's opinion that is not binding on the parties to the lawsuit nor precedent for future cases," Rosenberg wrote. "To paraphrase Sonny Corleone, who wanted assurances that a gun would be hidden in a restaurant bathroom for his brother, Michael, to use:
"The Republicans came out of the courtroom with only dicta in their hands."
With liberty and hot dogs for all
Senate President Mike Miller was asked to swear in some folks at the American Legion hall in Annapolis last week. He was also asked to supply the oath, so Miller came up with something about God and country.
Everybody looked at him like he was crazy, but he kept going.
"Then I said, `Will you do your duty to support the American Legion?'"
Um, we're not Legionnaires, they told Miller later. The swearing-in was for officers of the Ravens Roost, a team fan club.
No wonder they were all dressed in purple!
Miller was really red-faced. He's a Redskins fan.
Gilchrest gets the big guy's nod
President Bush endorsed Wayne Gilchrest for re-election Friday. Given the president's dismal approval ratings, is that actually a good thing for Gilchrest?
Chris Meekins, campaign manager for Republican rival Andy Harris, conceded that it is. He also said the news came as a surprise, even though "the president, 999 times out of 1,000, endorses the incumbent Republican."
"When someone told me `Bush,' I said, `Wow, Mike Busch?'"
Connect the dots
Gov. Martin O'Malley turned 45 Friday, and somebody decided to say it with flowers - a dozen green roses delivered to the State House. "In light of these recent poll numbers, we wanted to cheer you up and let you know you're at the top of our list every day." It was signed: "Your friends at omalleywatch." A State House spy tells me the press office refused delivery and had the flowers sent over to Senate Republicans, who passed them on to reporters in the basement. ... Baltimore isn't having a Martin Luther King Jr. parade tomorrow. It's having a "Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Presented by Forman Mills." Since when does the city parade have a corporate sponsor? Since 2004, it turns out. Parade naming rights are a lot cheaper than the stadium variety. It cost the uniform and clothing company a low, low $7,500. ... Baltimore sports agent, attorney and author Ronald Shapiro doesn't need Oprah to move his new book. In its first week, Dare to Prepare, How to Win Before You Begin! hit No. 12 on the New York Times best sellers list, albeit in the hardcover "Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous" category. It also ranked No. 3 for business books in the Wall Street Journal Book Index, and No. 13 for all nonfiction on that WSJ list.
