Housebound for the Storm

Hurricane Sandy has interrupted the Presidential campaign, the Apple-Google tablet war and our Current Events meeting. We don't know yet how serious the damage will be, but we do know our emergency services will be strained due the wide area that will be affected. Here is a TED Talk about how two sisters used social media to help their community other after it was hit by a tornado.

We can use social media too. If on Monday you are stuck in your home and you miss our lively discussions, you might try coming to this blog and comment on anything that may be on your mind.

Update 10/29/12: Here is a Google Crisis map to track Sandy







This is serious:





Comic Relief:

A Fine Tradition

Just when the presidential race is at its hottest, we take a timeout for humor at the Al Smith Dinner. Here is the entire program from the CSPAN website.

Question 7

Maryland may get to cast historic votes on gay marriage and undocumented students, but the most contested ballot question will be Question 7 to expand casino gambling. This is no doubt because there are monied interests at opposite sides of the ballot. You will be voting on an amendment to the MD constitution which is surprisingly specific on how the gambling casinos are allocated. Here is the text of Question 7.

"Do you favor the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education to authorize video lottery operation licensees to operate “table games” as defined by law; to increase from 15,000 to 16,500 the maximum number of video lottery terminals that may be operated in the State; and to increase from 5 to 6 the maximum number of video lottery operation licenses that may be awarded in the State and allow a video lottery facility to operate in Prince George’s County?"

The question is best understood if you could see the law that it is trying to amend. Fortunately, we can get the Maryland Constitution on the Internet. The section on gambling is short and is added in its entirety to the end of this post. If you look at section (e), you will see why this question is on the ballot.

Question 7 does not state the exact wording of how the constitution will be amended but the Maryland State Board of Elections gave more specifics in this non-technical summary.

ARTICLE XIX

VIDEO LOTTERY TERMINALS

(added by Chapter 5, Acts of 2007 Special Session, ratified Nov. 4, 2008) SEC. 1. (a) This article does not apply to:

(1) Lotteries conducted under Title 9, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland;
(2) Wagering on horse racing conducted under Title 11 of the Business Regulation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland; or
(3) Gaming conducted under Title 12 or Title 13 of the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

(b) In this article, "video lottery operation license" means a license issued to a person that allows players to operate video lottery terminals.
(c) (1) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the State may issue up to five video lottery operation licenses throughout the State for the primary purpose of raising revenue for:

(i) Education for the children of the State in public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12;
(ii) Public school construction and public school capital improvements; and
(iii) Construction of capital projects at community colleges and public senior higher education institutions.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the State may not authorize the operation of more than 15,000 video lottery terminals in the State.(3) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a video lottery operation license only may be awarded for a video lottery facility in the following locations:

(i) Anne Arundel County, within 2 miles of MD Route 295;
(ii) Cecil County, within 2 miles of Interstate 95;
(iii) Worcester County, within 1 mile of the intersection of Route 50 and Route 589;
(iv) On State property located within Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County; or
(v) Baltimore City, if the video lottery facility is:
1. Located:

A. In a nonresidential area;
B. Within one-half mile of Interstate 95;
C. Within one-half mile of MD Route 295; and
D. On property that is owned by Baltimore City on the date on which the application for a video lottery operation license is submitted; and
2. Not adjacent to or within one-quarter mile of property that is:
A. Zoned for residential use; and
B. Used for a residential dwelling on the date the application for a video lottery operation license is submitted.
(4) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, the State may not award more than one video lottery operation license in a single county or Baltimore City.
(5) A video lottery facility shall comply with all applicable planning and zoning laws of the local jurisdiction.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, on or after November 15, 2008, the General Assembly may not authorize any additional forms or expansion of commercial gaming.
(e) The General Assembly may only authorize additional forms or expansion of commercial gaming if approval is granted through a referendum, authorized by an act of the General Assembly, in a general election by a majority of the qualified voters in the State.
(f) The General Assembly may, from time to time, enact such laws not inconsistent with this section, as may be necessary and proper to carry out its provisions.

New Medieval Technology

Are you confused by all the new technology? As we are now caught between the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini, we yearn for the good old days when things were simple. But Norm uncovered evidence that adapting to new technology has always been a problem. Here is a YouTube video which shows a monk needing help with the new Gutenberg technology.

Maryland Ballot

Not being a swing state, Maryland has mostly been overlooked in national election coverage. However, the state wide ballot referendum has given the Maryland election national significance. The Maryland State Board of Elections has released the text of the seven ballot measures with a non-technical summary.

Members of our group have agreed to host a discussion of the election at the Bain Center. We need your help to prepare. Please let us know your concerns and opinions of any of the ballot measure, or any other election issue.