Cell phone ban in Delaware – HB 229

In an era of rules and regulations, what’s one or two more when they seem to be non-offensive? This may have been in the back of Delaware legislatures minds when they voted to approve House Bill 229 (an act to amend the Delaware code relating to the rules of the road which has literally been years in the passing). This bill is essentially a cell phone ban while driving unless using a hands free device and will, according to sources, be signed by Governor Markell with little or no problem.

Most people seem to acknowledge that there are situations where one should not text, download, or even have a simple distracting conversation. These same people are often seen drinking coffee while they drive, talking to passengers while they drive, or even changing the radio station while changing lanes. A little known bit of information the average driver may find interesting is that the National Highway and Safety Administration considered talking with other passengers to be the number one distraction while driving, changing the radio station or looking through CD’s to be the second most common distraction, eating or drinking to be third, and talking on a cell phone to be fourth. One wonders when the ban on passengers while driving a vehicle will come into effect.

There have, unfortunately, been many deaths attributed to talking/texting while driving. Many web sites have been devoted to the victims of these horrific accidents in the hope that this will cause others to be more wary. Naturally, hearts go out to these families and their loved ones, yet this alone is not cause for more restrictive legislation. A survey in 2005 discusses the slowed reaction time of a 20 year old on a cell phone. The results are stated by Professor David Strayer as “If you put a 20-year-old driver behind the wheel with a cell phone, their reaction times are the same as a 70-year-old driver who is not using a cell phone. It’s like instantly aging a large number of drivers.” This statement implies that the next ban on driving should be senior citizens due to the average reaction time being slower than that of a 20 year old.

If one does not normally talk on the cell phone while driving, why does this legislation matter? It is simply an assessment of what the state should be allowed to regulate and what should be left to common sense. Upon the signing of HB 229 by Markell, Delaware’s drivers and ham radio operatorswill have 90 days to be informed of the new law before it takes affect. One wonders how much the state will make in revenue due to this small infringement of our rights…
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Former pediatrician Earl Bradley (527 criminal counts) inspires legislation

If you live in Delaware or in the surrounding states chances are you’ve heard of former pediatrician Earl Bradley. Earl Bradley was indicted on 529 counts related to the molestation of 127 different children (some only months old). Bradley’s office in Lewes had been located directly off of Route One and was recognizable to all whom passed by. The lives of the patients of this man (the term used loosely here) have been forever changed, and now the legislative body in Delaware is also making changes.

It is reported that Beebe Medical Center (a Lewes hospital which often recommended Bradley with glowing reviews) heard allegations of Bradley’s molestation of his patients fourteen years (in 1996) and failed to report this to police during a 2005 investigation. Numerous lawsuits (many anonymous) have been filed against Bradley and Beebe in conjunction. In light of this Senate Bill 275, House Bill 456, and House Bill 457 have been passed.

Senate Bill 275 will require the Delaware Board of Medical Practice to “require doctors applying for licensure or re-licensure to present service letters from health care facilities… attesting to their good character”. Any substantiated incidents, including violence, threats of violence, abuse, or neglect would be required to be mentioned in this letter. This bill was sponsored by Senator Robert Marshall (D) and twelve others, both Democrats and Republicans.

House Bill 456 requires a physician or a physician’s assistant, while treating a person under the age of sixteen, “to have another adult in the room when that child is disrobed, partially disrobed, or otherwise undergoing certain physical examinations”. House Bill 457 will require that physicians acknowledge that they have reviewed their duty to report unprofessional conduct to the board, as well as training for police on how to properly handle the “detection, prosecution, and prevention of child sexual and physical abuse”.

One can only hope these bills will make a difference for future children, and one also wonders why these “common sense” laws were not already in place. A physician is given a position of trust, yet Bradley has shown us that times have changed. The question is, is this too little, too late?

The Cape Gazette has a database of all their articles related to Bradley here.  Beebe Medical Center is refraining from public comment.

The Battle for the House of Representatives Seat

As an introduction to the Election 2010 season, let’s start with the battle for the Delaware seat in the House of Representatives.  This seat is being vacated by Mike Castle as he has decided to run for Senate this year.  There has already been much action in this race, but in an effort to keep this current (and brief), the past shall not be discussed.

In the Blue corner (meaning Democrats) we have the endorsed candidate John Carney, who, according to his website, has had a “career in public service that has lasted more than 20 years” serving as Lt. Governor, Secretary of Finance and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Tom Carper, and staffer to Senator Joe Biden.  His opponent is Scott Spencer, a life-long Democrat and active volunteer for many campaigns, as well as an intern for Senator Joe Biden.  Scott Spencer is also the creative genius behind Organic Campaign Financing.

In the Red corner (Republicans) there are three announced candidates.  Michele Rollins has the Republican nomination.  Michele’s resume includes working for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Energy Office, the U.S. Department of Interior, and also was part of the force behind Rose Hall Resort in Jamaica.  She also recently retired from the Wilmington Trust Board. Glen Urquhart has also thrown his proverbial hat in the ring, technically being the first to pay his filing fee last month.  Glen was named head of the National Capital Planning Commission by Ronald Reagan in 1982 and is the president of Urquhart & Company.  He was a member of the Inter-Agency Executive Committee for the Redesign of the White House, a member of the State Department missions to the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and Thailand, a board member of the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation, a Federal City Council trustee, a board member of the American Defense Foundation, and more (which is readable here).  Last on the list for Republicans is Rose Izzo.  Rose has degrees in psychology and communications.  She is a wife, a mother, and a homemaker with a job who is “not a career politician“.

Finally, we come to the third party candidates!  First on the list is Brent Wangen, the Delaware Libertarian Party candidate.  He is a 13 year veteran of the U.S. Air force and is currently a project manager for Computer Science Corporation. Brent was a volunteer fire fighter and is the Sussex County coordinator for ABATE.  Brent is a husband, a father, and has a firm belief that the United States Constitution needs to be upheld and adhered to.  You can read his blog here.  The Constitution Party candidate is Earl Lofland.  Earl is the Kent County District Chairman for the Constitution Party of Delaware, a veteran, member of the Patriot Guard Riders and a member Sons of Liberty Riders.  His law and other studies and include Military History, Veteran Rights, Taxation, Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, States Constitutions, Marine Sciences, and Conservation.    Doug Campbell is another member of the Constitution Party running for Congress.  Doug is the owner/operator of Campbell Works LLC.  He is a Constitutional Conservative and an Oath keeper.  He is a husband, a father, and actively studies the Constitution and economics.  Last, but not least, we have Mike Tedesco.  Mike is running unaffiliated for both the House and the Senate.  Mike’s website, although it has no photograph of him, does have some of his background information.  He is a regular citizen who works for a living as a RN. He has spent 20 years working in health care and is currently a surgical nurse, working closely with surgeons to save lives of citizens in Delaware. He is a husband and father who believes the people have had enough of traditional politics.

I am also now the Delaware Elections 2010 Examiner, you may check out the site here.

Save these tat-tas…

For those of you who are unaware, Memorial Day weekend in Rehoboth Beach was interesting to say the least for law enforcement.   It seems a group of transgender men were sunbathing topless on the beach near Queen Street.  Many of you may feel this has no place on a conservative blog, yet I feel that this is something which needs to be shared.

Two of the four transgender men were in a transitional stage of operations, seemingly having both male and female sex organs. Although the men were in the process of “becoming” women, they wanted to continue to have the same rights men enjoy while at the beach. Police and beach patrol asked the transgender men to cover their breasts and the men complied. They did, however, argue that they “are transgender and it is illegal to discriminate”.

When a man has the series of intense surgeries and hormone treatments to change his appearance to that of a woman, one has been led to believe that it is because that man associates himself with the opposite sex. In this writer’s opinion the man is simply making his outside appearance match the way he has always felt on the inside. If this is indeed the case, one may be confused by the occurrences on Saturday, May 29th 2010, in Rehoboth.

These men, with female breasts, chose to continue to use the rights enjoyed by men. When staging rallies and protests in other states, the women who associate themselves with men take off their tops, obeying laws which apply to men while disobeying laws which apply to women. The men in Rehoboth Beach, although they had female sex organs, felt it was appropriate to act in accordance with society’s views of men.

In previous years, I went to a performing arts school and was surrounded by a variety of sexual orientations (as well as some of the most talented performers I have ever met).  I understand that when regarding transgender men and women most people are unsure when regarding the correct usage of pronouns as well as more visible issues (like which bathroom one should use).  This recent act in Rehoboth, I feel, has set transgender rights back.

As a woman, I accept the fact that I need to wear a top when I am out in public.  I have been to beaches where nude sunbathing was embraced if not encouraged, yet I still, due to social qualms, kept my top on.  I have also stood in line behind a homosexual man when we were both waiting to use the ladies restroom.  When you live in Rehoboth, if you discriminate or have prejudice you might as well move.

Regardless of my previous interactions, this act confuses me. In fact, this act confuses me quite a bit.

Why would you decide you are really a woman on the inside, yet expect the laws of women not to apply to you? Society has different expectations of women then of men, perhaps these men were unaware of that fact, yet that seems doubtful. One wonders why these men would go through the effort of changing their appearance to that of women simply to continue to act like men.

A poll of political profiles. An election series about rights. Earl Lofland for Congress

Earl Lofland is running for Congress as a member of the Constitution Party.  Mr. Lofland is a regular writer and a firm believer in Constitutional Rights.  You may read his writings at his website as well as support his campaign, and you can also join hisFacebook Fan Page.  Angel’s original questions are listed below.  Earl Lofland’s answers appear in bold.

1) This year there was a controversy regarding state housing. It was brought to light that people who live in state housing were not allowed to own firearms. Once this was brought to light the Newark Housing Authority withdrew the ban. Do you agree with this and why?

I firmly hold on to the rights of citizens protected by Amendment II, should not be restrictive in anyway. Individuals should be entitled to own a firearm as well as form their own groups or organizations which support owning firearms, training on the use of firearms and even the self defense of their homes their community, their state and their country.
Amendment II was not about hunting alone. and that right should never be infringed upon by any government agency.
I will also go one further on this issue. Delaware has among other stations, Dover Air Force Base. There is discussions by the Dept of Defense to make more laws restricting the personnel and their families from carrying or owning personal firearms on a base. Decided after Nidal Hassan went on a killing rampage.
I can assure you that a gun free zone did not stop this man from breaking the law. And making more restrictions on firearm owners on a military installation is only going to make the risk of another attack greater.
If there is any legislation that is to be passed on this topic. I would support legislation which would allow open carry of firearms by ALL who are stationed at a military base, Including their families.
If there had been individuals who were permitted to carry their personal firearms Nidal Hassan would never have been able to go into two separate buildings before someone would have taken him down!

I support protecting Amendment II to individuals who are stationed on our military bases.

2) There has been much discussion lately regarding the consolidation of the school districts. There would be four school districts in the state, one for each county and one for the technical schools. Would you prefer to consolidate the districts or leave them as they are?

By consolidating the districts it would save the state tax dollars, how ever it would cause another problem far greater than the states budget. The teachers would be over burdened with larger classrooms causing more risks of controlling students.
The Administrative duties also would be far greater as well Where more districts would have to be managed by one Administrator, causing the risks of being able to prevent issues such as what took place in Sussex County with the football coach who had molested teenaged students.
As for education policy the state should have officials who stand up against certain restrictions that are being forced upon the state in how they teach their students. returning back to teaching morality will be one of the main targets individuals should be looking for in who they elect for their state officials.

3) There has been controversy recently regarding the newly passed healthcare reform bill. How do you feel about the healthcare bill and how would you have voted if you were in the position to have done so?

Does the healthcare bill cover your needs well or do you feel it is over protective?
The Healthcare bill will be destructive to our limited constitutional governement.
The Healthcare bill will be destructive to our nations free market
the Healthcare bill will be destructive to the rights of the individuals in many ways
higher tax burdens. Abortion or planned parenthood
IRS having the right to look into individuals savings accounts, violating the 4th Amendment and the 1st Amendment.
The word Dhimmitude should also be noted in what is caused by this healthcare bill.
A law by the wording of our constitution is to be for all citizens and not target or protect some.

The ObamaCare bill is the establishment of Dhimmitude and Sharia muslim diktat in the United States . Muslims are specifically exempted from the government mandate to purchase insurance, and also from the penalty tax for being uninsured. Islam considers insurance to be “gambling”, “risk-taking” and “usury” and is thus banned. Muslims are specifically granted exemption based on this.
We must have state officials who will stand against this law, By countering this measure with a state sovereignty law. Not just a resolution, But a Law! declaring the state and the peoples rights be protected as is entitled to them under Amendment IX and X of the US Constitution
4) House Bill 353 is related to state sovereignty regarding the healthcare bill. This bill is set up to protect the citizens of the state of Delaware from any kind of forced mandated healthcare. Do you support this bill?

Yes
5) Immigration reform has long been an issue on the minds of many in Delaware. Do you feel the system needs reform and if yes, how would you set up a reform package?

The US has a vast number of problems with protecting our states and the country from the problems with illegal immigrants. These issues can be better managed on a state to state basis. as one states problems are far more different than another states. For example. New Mexico is on the border and they have the problems with tunnels as with AZ and TX. these borders can be best protected with other options besides additional federal agents or national guard. by reducing the federal taxes which are imposed upon these states allow them to have more leverage in adding additional county sheriffs. Incorporating private organizations as well as part of the programs would also be another option.

In Delaware back in 2005 I started a program titled DEBORA it stood for DE Bay Oyster Replenishment Assistance. A part of this program was not only about restoring the oyster population alone it was about educating and training individuals in various aspects of the Marine science Field.
One of which would include OUPV Certifications (Charter boat captain licenses) Something that is not offered in the state of Delaware. These individuals must comply with Coast Guard rules and regulations.
I had suggested this to Mr Tom Carper back in 2005 seeking his imput on how the Federal Grants could be used in building an aquarium here in the state of Delaware as well as provide training and education services.
The OUPV Charter Boat Captains who would go through the training in Delaware, would be part of a network to assist the Coast guard in watching the waterways for potential illegal drug activities where vessels would be bringing drugs into our borders on vessels that may be overlooked by USCG. Illegal immigrants who would be secretly disembarking from a vessel while in the Delaware Estuary. or even protect from another potential terrorist attack by water.

This entire operation would not only be essential for educating it would also provide a vast number of employment opportunities within the state as well as be capable to have some partnership with some of the higher learning institutions such as but not limited to Delaware State University, Wilmington University Wesley College and others for additional resources for their students to learn Marine Sciences management, as well as other skills

Mr. Carper opposed this project!

If you personally are hoping to be an elected official in the state of Delaware, please email me your responses and I will see they get shared with the voters of Delaware.

If you wish to ensure you receive email updates to all of Angel’s articles please subscribe clicking the link above or join her Facebook Fan Page. You can read Angel’s last article here. Feel free to comment below and follow Angel on her Twitter!.