Protest

The NBA has denied the Mavericks' protest of their 116-108 overtime loss to the Rockets last month. The Mavericks argued that the referees had improperly called a technical foul on center Erick Dampier following an instant replay review with 1 minute, 1 second left in overtime of the Dec. 18 game. Because it was Dampier's second technical foul, he was ejected. Commissioner David Stern , however, ruled Tuesday that the decision to give Dampier a technical was a judgment call.

Joe Tropea thought he was writing a research paper on the Catonsville Nine, a group of Catholic anti-war activists who set draft records ablaze outside a Selective Service office in 1968. But what he was really working on was a movie script. "I just got hooked on telling the story," Tropea says of the six-year film project, undertaken with co-director Skizz Cyzyk, that will be getting its local premiere during this week's 15th Maryland Film Festival. The festival starts Wednesday and runs through Sunday.

To all who have misconceptions about the protest at the Ed Block Award Foundation's banquet, I was there. I helped with the protest. I know why were there and what happened. We were not protesting Michael Vick's existence with our peaceful protest of approximately 100 people. We were protesting his receiving the courage award. And we did not need a dozen policemen to control us. Four to six stood along the barrier and watched us. I spoke with all of them and assured them that we would not be any trouble.

Editor: My name is Joe Fleckenstein, and I'm a Steering Committee Member with the Harford County Campaign for Liberty.  This Saturday, May 4 from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Havre de Grace, the Harford County Campaign for Liberty (www.harfordliberty.org) and Maryland Liberty Political Action Committee (www.marylandliberty.org) will be leading a Pro Second Amendment Protest against Gov. Martin O'Malley, who will be speaking at Havre de Grace's 200-year Commemoration of Maryland's role in the War of 1812.

My only reaction in response to today's article about the protest at Café Hon ( "Demonstrators protest 'Hon' trademark," Dec. 20) is wondering where are these protestors and their outrage over real issues of life and death, such as standing up to child abuse, which ends over 2,500 lives a year? Where is their outrage over that? I respect their constitutional right to assemble, but get angry over something of real importance. You protestors are welcome to join us anytime you are ready to make your voices heard about keeping children safe.

I feel The Sun and its readers need to know that the rally planned by former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is sponsored by corporate special interests. Americans for Prosperity is a corporate funded "hit squad" whose purpose is to fund millions of dollars towards preserving profit margins for insurance companies and other corporate interests. They also run Patients United Now. Their agenda is to keep the status quo for corporations. They appeal to the ignorance and fears of the so-called tea baggers.

The blaring horns of a dozen construction trucks echoed off the facade of City Hall and surrounding buildings Monday, a cacophonous protest against a jobs bill that opponents claim could put small contractors out of business. The bill, introduced at Monday evening's Baltimore City Council meeting, would require city building projects worth $5 million or more to pay prevailing wages and benefits and to give hiring preference to workers in city union halls. Opponents say its intent is to force smaller businesses to unionize, which they insist they cannot afford.

The anemic mainstream media coverage of Occupy Baltimore's demonstrations against corporate greed is not surprising when one considers that the giant corporations own the media. Paul Edgar, Sparks

American Eurocopter, the manufacturer of Maryland's medevac fleet, has dropped its protest of the state's bidding process to acquire new helicopters that are expected to cost more than $50 million. The company, which did not submit a bid, had filed a formal protest saying the process was flawed because it favored another company and would lead to the purchase of helicopters that are more expensive than necessary. The Maryland Department of Transportation denied American Eurocopter's protest last month.

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation. Articles  • They clearly need counseling: Gay 'barbarians' protest Bachmann clinic. ( Think Progress )  • This was probably a good use of money: Poll says God's approval rating at 52 percent. ( PPP )  Quote • "Not continuing a tax cut is not technically a tax increase," - Grover Norquist  Video • Tim Pawlenty's campaign is so amazingly analogous to the greatest hockey upset in history:   

The ACLU of Maryland is calling for legislators to halt funding to religious and private schools, saying that taxpayer money should be put toward the state's funding obligation to public schools. In a release, the advocacy organization called a taxpayer subsidy of $500,000 slated to go to private schools next year "unfair. " The funding, included in the state's supplementary budget, was scheduled to be reviewed in the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday.  “Taxpayer funding should not be used for textbooks and technology at private and religious schools, especially when the state's fiscal climate that is just beginning to recover,” Sara Love, public policy director for the ACLU of Maryland, said in a statement.  The organization went on to say: "Our public funds should be dedicated to public schools.

A Baltimore County Council member has withdrawn a controversial bill that sought to bar protests near public and private schools in the county — a measure that drew wide criticism from organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union, the county teachers union and the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, a national anti-abortion organization. Councilman Todd Huff, a Lutherville Republican, said Tuesday he has asked county attorneys to pull the bill so he could sit down with the teachers' union and "try to see how we can work through this issue, and see what their thought process is" in opposing it. Huff's measure would have barred protests within 300 feet of schools in Baltimore County during the hour before and after school, and while classes are in session.

A neighborhood organization is protesting the liquor-license renewal of The Museum, the establishment now occupying what was once the Brass Elephant in Mount Vernon . According to Baltimore City Liquor License Board documents, the Mount Vernon Belvedere Improvement Association is asking the board not to renew the property's Class B restaurant license for the following reasons: 1) licensees leasing their license or otherwise permitting a non-licensee, Walter Webb, to operate an establishment primarily promoting and serving alcoholic beverages; 2)

A reality of the far-reaching gun regulations approved by committees in the House of Delegates on Friday night: Marylanders likely will buy more assault-style weapons in the next six months than they would have without a new law. In fact, it seems like the current version of the legislation encourages sales. Gun dealers would be allowed to sell out their present inventories of assault-style rifles even after the ban takes effect Oct. 1. If a Marylander just places an order for such a gun before then, he could still legally own it. You might ask: If something warrants banning, why wait six months to implement it?

I am thrilled the Columbia Association and the Columbia Council Representatives responded to the present and future needs of our community in moving forward with the McCall/Inner Arbor Plan for Symphony Woods. The previous plan was generally found to have missed the mark, and was additionally rejected by the Planning Board. The McCall Plan was created out of the very real need for something better. It was presented to the community. Response was heard in person, by email and by petition.

The historically slow to move Columbia Association Board of Directors is moving at breakneck speed to give away Symphony Woods. They are waiving, suspending and otherwise ignoring all of their long established due process procedures to finalize the deal prior to May 1 when they might face new members. The Inner Arbor plan first appeared on the agenda of an open board meeting Feb. 14. Staff recommendations related to it were released belatedly just the day before, including a proposal to give a newly created corporation and other related "entities a perpetual easement for the development and use of Symphony Woods.

As hundreds of Baltimore firefighters marched on City Hall Thursday afternoon to protest service cutbacks, Mayor Sheila Dixon announced plans to postpone the closure of any more companies until the end of the fiscal year on July 1. One company had been scheduled to close on New Year's Day. Dixon also said that the number of companies closed for a day on a rotating basis will be reduced from five to four, and that the Fire Department had applied for...

I am thrilled the Columbia Association and the Columbia Council Representatives responded to the present and future needs of our community in moving forward with the McCall/Inner Arbor Plan for Symphony Woods. The previous plan was generally found to have missed the mark, and was additionally rejected by the Planning Board. The McCall Plan was created out of the very real need for something better. It was presented to the community. Response was heard in person, by email and by petition.

Tracy Jones pounded a pair of sneakers against the wall of an Interstate 83 ramp, shaking off months of caked-on dirt. She tossed aside a long-sleeve shirt that had been chewed by a rat and packed up her few belongings Friday as a team of city workers razed the homeless encampment where she had lived with more than a dozen others. Jones and her husband, Charlie, finally were going home. "There's no feeling in the world like it," he said. The couple moved into a sparsely furnished rowhouse on Dumbarton Avenue, where they hope to rebuild their lives and be reunited with their four children, who were removed from their care.

Joe Flacco signs a contract bringing him over $20 million a year. Did I miss the announcement from the Occupy Baltimore people as to when they are going to protest ("Flacco's record pay day," March 2)? If ever there was a "1-percenter" in Maryland, it has to be Joe. Come on guys, set up a protest camp at M&T Stadium, picket Joe's house. Let's hear from you. Dave Daughters, Gambrills Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts