Poli-Chic Maryland

An appalling survey by the Department of Justice was released regarding children in juvenile facilities that are sexually abused.  It indicated that nationwide 12% of children in juvenile prisons are sexually victimized.

Unfortunately, Maryland was named as one of the worst states in the survey with over 30% of children held at the Backbone Mountain Youth Center in Maryland reporting to have been sexually abused.  Many of the incidents involved staff members. 

This is truly astounding and unacceptable.  Maryland can do better and so can our Department of Juvenile Services.

Is Sheila Dixon’s pension deal unconstitutional?  

It is according to Delegate Don Dwyer (R-Anne Arundel County).  Delegate Dwyer points to the fact that Article 15, Section 2 of the Maryland constitution states that an elected state official that is convicted or enters a plea shall be suspended by operation of law without pay or benefits from the elective office”.  Further, Article 15 requires that once the individual is sentenced and the conviction becomes final, they be permanently removed from office.

Due to a lack of response from the Attorney General’s Office, Delegate Dwyer will be introducing legislation.  In his own words, the legislation will, “clearly state when any elected official is convicted by a jury, the official must be immediately suspended without pay or benefits upon the jury’s conviction”.

He also makes a very valid point that as elected officials, we take an oath of office to uphold the constitution and the laws of Maryland.  While everything is subject to interpretation, it seems that the constitution is pretty clear on this matter. 

So the next natural question is, will the Maryland General Assembly give serious review to this issue?  Stay tuned …

A few minutes ago I was on WBAL Radio (the Shari Elliker show) talking about legislation I am sponsoring next session on International Marriage Brokers.  I have to admit that I was really surprised by the reaction of the show’s host and the show’s callers who felt that Maryland legislators should not worry with this issue.  Perhaps I didn’t present my case very well, but I maintain my position that it is important to protect families from domestic violence whether they are foreign or not.  I also feel that protecting Maryland citizens should remain a priority, even in tough budget times.

The fact of the matter is that International Marriage Brokers bring tens of thousands of women into this country every year promising them the American dream.  In some cases it turns out to be a nightmare instead.  Not in Maryland you say?  Just ask Natalyia Fox who was brought to the US by Encounters International in Bethesda, Maryland and matched with a man who had a known history of violence.  In one incident, her husband assaulted her for two hours because she asked him to help with their new born baby.  When she asked Encounters International for help, they did nothing.  They actually told her that this was normal behavior in American culture and that she should learn to deal with it or get deported.

Furthermore, these web sites treat women like commodities and use gender and ethnic stereotypes to promote their “services”.  One web site goes so far as to say that “a Russian woman will rarely leave a husband (really BAD) husband because of the fear that she won’t find another one”.  I don’t know about you, but this is not the “Maryland with Pride” I had in mind.  My legislation would not eliminate or shut these businesses down, but would simply provide guidelines for how they operate in our State.

Failures at the federal level to implement and enforce the current federal law have left it up to the States to take leadership and to find a better way.  I hope that Maryland can be one of those states in the upcoming session.