PAT McDONOUGH LEADERSHIP TEAM NEWSLETTER
TITLE: “OPPRESSION HITS JULY 4TH PARADE”

The theme of the Bel Air Independence Day Parade was supposed to be “American Patriots, Then and Now!” Wow, talk about hypocrisy! Apparently, Michael Blum, Chairman, and other members of the Parade Committee, don’t have a clue as to what “patriotism” is really all about. Liberty and the Constitutional guarantee of free speech are the foundations of good old U.S.A. patriotism. Chairman Blum and his gang confronted at least three participants in the parade and seized, on one occasion, Delegate Rick Impallaria’s private signs. Blum and company actually yanked these signs from the hands of the children who were carrying them, including a couple of eight year olds.

The reaction from the crowd watching the parade was vitriolic, including shouts of “Sign Nazis or Communists” referring to the sign police. Although those sentiments may be a bit extreme, the crowd was obviously annoyed by Mr. Blum’s antics. The messages that were proclaimed on Delegate Impallaria’s signs were the following: “Support the Constitution,” “Support the Tea Parties,” and “Cut Taxes.” Remember, the theme of the parade was “American Patriots, Then and Now.”

Ironically, on the same day as the parade, more than 500 citizens showed up that morning at a Tea Party in downtown Bel Air. I am sure Chairman Blum was not in attendance at the tea party.

Delegate Impallaria was not the only elected official that Blum and his hit squad harassed during the parade. Prior to the Impallaria incident, Mr. Blum attempted to intimidate me and demanded that I remove my “Speak English” slogan, which was part of my Delegate Pat McDonough signs. I told Mr. Blum that the Constitution was more important to me than his opinion. The signs remained with me throughout the course of the parade, igniting loud cheers and a lively response from the patriotic crowd. I reminded Mr. Blum that my signs had appeared in five previous Bel Air parades without receiving any intimidation from him or anyone else.

Moreover, it is important to note that all of the other July 4th parades included signs and slogans from everyone. I had just departed from the Greater Kingsville Parade where not only were the signs welcomed, but the parade officials read them out loud as they passed by the reviewing stand. Apparently, parade officials all around the state support freedom of speech and expression. Mr. Blum has decided to turn Bel Air into a “free speech dead zone.”

Citizen Blum proudly boasts on his personal website that he is a “yellow dog democrat.” This type of individual, according to the popular definition, will blindly vote for anyone who is a democrat, even a “yellow dog.” This kind of narrow thinking means Blum is a predictable advocate for President Obama’s policies of more government, less liberty, and reckless spending.

The “yellow dog democrat” is probably deeply offended by the popular, growing TEA PARTY grassroots movement in Harford County. One could honestly ask the question, “Is Chairman Blum misusing his authority over the Bel Air parade to promote his own agenda and silence other opinions?”

Obviously, some type of action must be initiated to prevent this type of ugly incident from occurring again. A number of citizens have come together in order to review the options available, ranging from litigation to protest, and a replacement of Michael Blum with a fellow citizen who understands the true meaning of patriotism, free speech, and America’s birthday on July 4th.

The following are the important mailing addresses and e-mail addresses in Harford County, if you wish to comment on the article, “Oppression Hits July 4th Parade.” I encourage you to be professional and courteous. Thank you.
Delegate Pat McDonough

Mailing Address for The Aegis
Homestead Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 189
Bel Air, MD 21014

The Dagger www.daggerpress.com website
e-mail address tellus@daggerpress.com

michaelblum@martinoblum.com Michael Blum’s E-mail Address
Mailing address for Michael Blum　
2101 Bel Air Rd.
Suite D
Fallston, MD 21047
410-893-1700
410-893-2598 fax

For information, contact Delegate Pat McDonough by calling 410-238-0025 or send an e-mail to Patmcdee@comcast.net.
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Response From Michael Blum

Blum: “Pat McDonough Promised To Obey The Rules”
Written by A Dagger Reader · Filed Under Letters to the Dagger, Local Ink, Politics
July 6, 2009 |
The following letter was sent from Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc. Parade Chairman Michael I. Blum as a rebuttal to Del. Pat McDonough’s letter:
To the Editor:
The Bel Air July 4 parade is a non-sectarian, patriotic event, celebrating what is best about our country. All participants in the parade sign a contract in advance in which they specifically agree not to display any signs promoting a cause or issue, and not to campaign for office, or electioneer. Furthermore, each participant in our parade also agrees in advance in writing to obey all commands of the parade marshals, and agrees that failure to so do will subject the participant to immediate ejection from the parade.
These rules have been in place for decades – long before I became parade chairman in 1992 – and have been vigorously enforced every year, to the best of our marshals’ ability. These rules are non-sectarian, and have been observed by Republicans, Democrats, Independents – hundreds of high-minded individuals – without demur. We have been vigilant in enforcing them, too: against Republicans, Democrats, Independents – because they are the rules!
Our parade marshals are charged with carefully reviewing all parade units to make sure they are consistent with the rules. As the chief marshal, I also have to enforce the rules. It does not matter if a sign says “Break Up the USA,” “Vote for Me in 2010,” or “Speak English” – all such signs are treated the same. They violate the rules.
In fact, in every one of our parades, many elected officials gladly and willingly remove their campaign signs, or cover them up, just for us, because of this. This was very much the case last evening, with many of our elected officials. I respect and admire these people greatly – they are the best examples of dedicated public servants. Those who played by these rules and covered up or removed campaign signs included Harford County Councilperson Jim McMahan, Maryland State Delegate Susan McComas and Maryland State Senator Andy Harris. They believe in “playing by the rules” – particularly the rules they agreed in advance to honor.
It is regrettable that McDonough did not act in the same way. He greeted my request to remove his sign with obscene disrespect. He did not (and obviously still does not) understand that my role is to make sure everyone does what he or she has agreed in advance to do. I believe that we can judge a person by just that – does he or she do what he promised? Pat McDonough promised to obey the rules. When put to it, he refused to do so. By this egregious misconduct McDonough insulted the hundreds of volunteers who had worked for weeks to organize and manage the Bel Air parade, and he insulted the tens of thousands of spectators who have the right to expect their elected officials to keep their word.
Yours most respectfully,
Michael I. Blum
Parade Chairman
Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc.

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Pat McDonough’s Response to Michael Blum:

IT IS TIME TO PUT THE BALONEY THROUGH THE GRINDER

A Response to Chairman Blum from Delegate Pat McDonough
July 6, 2009
1) OBEY THE RULES – Mr. Blum shouts, “Rules are rules.” It reminds me of the TV Show “Hogan’s Heroes” when Colonel Klink used to shout out, “These are the rules, Hogan.” The problem is, Mr. Blum, we have one big rule in the U.S.A. It’s called the Constitution. The federal courts have ruled that any regulation, contract, or rule related to an event that is subsidized by public funds shall be declared null and void if it violates the constitutional right of freedom of speech. Yanking signs from children in front of other children, telling parade watchers to put away their “I Love Ehrlich” signs, banning children from receiving candy or other goodies along the parade route, banning groups who advocate causes such as supporting the Constitution, and generally cracking down on freedom of expression is an insult to the theme of the parade, “Patriotism, Then and Now.”

2) This is supposed to be a privately sponsored event, but public
taxpayers’ money makes it possible. The town of Bel Air alone contributes $13,400 in taxpayers’ funds. Harford County Government and the Sheriff’s Office also contribute large sums of taxpayers’ money and we are researching those numbers now. Clearly, taxpayers are contributing to the operation and existence of this parade. Therefore, Constitutional rights supersede any narrow rules.

3) The position of Mr. Blum and the parade leadership is in the
extreme compared to other similar parades around the state. Actually, even parades in Harford County locally allow candidates, slogans, issue groups, and candy for children. The Kingsville parade proudly announced from the reviewing stand by the parade officials the sentiments that were on the signs including Delegate Impallaria’s “Support the Constitution” expression. All of the legendary great July 4th parades, like Dundalk and Catonsville, promote freedom of expression. Mr. Blum and his rules are out of step and marching to a different tune.
4) In our great Constitutional republic, politics and elections
are the lifeblood of our system. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln were all politicians more accurately, elected officials. Currently, during these difficult and challenging times, it is more important now than ever for citizens to see their public officials in person. I believe that not only incumbents, but challengers should have the same opportunity. Anyone who views politics or involvement in public service with disdain needs to rethink what our democracy is all about. It is just as important for the people to connect with their representatives as it is to view a truck that has a sign promoting “the best tree service in town.” People who would rather see a sanitized parade without the lively involvement of issues, ideas, or elected representatives can travel to Cuba or China to fulfill their wishes. I do agree that the elected officials should be more strategically placed in the parade and signs should be reasonable and prudent. Politics, public service, campaigns, elections, issues, slogans, Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and especially free speech are all symbolized by parades on America’s birthday.
5) Chairman Blum misled folks in his response by claiming that I greeted his request to remove my signs with obscene disrespect. Mr. Blum did not issue a request – he shouted a demand. My response was, “The Constitution and free speech are more important than your rule.” The only way this issue will be resolved is through legislation, judicial review, or a spirit of compromise.

For more information & interview, contact Delegate Pat McDonough at 410-238-0025 or PatMcDee@comcast.net.
Or To Proceed To His Website,
PatMcDonough.org