Content

The recent Supreme Court ruling that recognizes the right of law-abiding Americans to own guns is important in several ways. First, it recognizes that the people have a constitutional right to defend themselves. Second, it resolves the argument about who makes up the militia – it is the people! Finally, it recognizes that the people, through our government, can decide who cannot have a gun, like convicted criminals, habitual drug abusers, the mentally ill and non-citizens.

In Maryland, we will likely have legal debate about one of the provisions in our State law that requires a person to show “good cause” for getting a carry permit. I think the Supreme Court ruling could cause that requirement to be declared unconstitutional.

While some lawyers and lobbyists on both sides want the battle to continue, I agree with most Americans who believe in our right to “keep and bear arms”. Most of us want to focus on other important issues.

Thursday, Roscoe Bartlett tried to explain his flip-flop on drilling for oil in ANWR on the Ron Smith Show on WBAL. After questions from Ron Smith, a caller said Bartlett was in denial, and then things really heated up when Jennifer called in. Listen for yourself:

Dougherty Calls Action Predictable and Sad

"Roscoe Bartlett says one thing and does another! That's been his record since he went to Washington in 1993. His flip-flop on drilling in the Arctic wildlife reserve is predictable and sad," said 6th District Democratic challenger Jennifer Dougherty. Bartlett announced today his co-sponsorship of new legislation that would allow for oil and natural gas production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. "The American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act" (H.R. 6107) was introduced this afternoon by U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the Ranking Member on the House Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Bartlett.

Bartlett claims that the proceeds of the drilling will be invested in energy alternatives, but Dougherty does not think that is the best approach. "We can remove the big tax breaks for oil and gas companies and invest in new technology without drilling in an environmental refuge. Roscoe's approach is wrong on so many fronts. It won't lower the price of gas, it does not improve our energy independence and it is bad for the environment. It is just election-year pandering."

"He knows that drilling in the Arctic will not lower prices at the pump and will have a huge adverse environmental impact. Marylanders get it - the Bush-Cheney energy plan is to let oil and gas companies get richer and Roscoe Bartlett has helped to make that happen."

Our May Newsletter is now available for download. Just click on the link for the attachment. The Adobe Reader is required.

This is Part 1 of her speech.

For Part 2, go to http://youtube.com/watch?v=2J-tEn7gFIU.

This video is also from the Maryland Democratic Party.

This short video was taken at Jennifer's kickoff.