Okay, I'm not a big O'Reilly fan, but as I was searching for news on Governor O'Malley for a new "Scoop It" board, there was a link to an article written on May 15th about how O'Reilly was "riding O'Malley hard over Baltimore jail scandal." The title piqued my interest.
The story itself was interesting. Apparently there are big problems in the Baltimore jail system. What's even more interesting (to me) is O'Malley's reaction when he was questioned about it on camera.
The story itself was interesting. Apparently there are big problems in the Baltimore jail system. What's even more interesting (to me) is O'Malley's reaction when he was questioned about it on camera.
I actually had to stop the video and take notes because I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
O'Reilly claims that there is a law that ”makes it difficult for the state of Maryland to discipline corrupt prison guards.” Then, reporter Jesse Watters confronts O'Malley: the “Washington Post and the FBI both said that the bill that you signed in 2010 allowed these unionized correctional officers a very permissive culture and allowed them to run wild.”
Okay, I had to look that up. Yep - in an article published on May 27, 2013 the Washington Post editorial board said this:
O'Reilly claims that there is a law that ”makes it difficult for the state of Maryland to discipline corrupt prison guards.” Then, reporter Jesse Watters confronts O'Malley: the “Washington Post and the FBI both said that the bill that you signed in 2010 allowed these unionized correctional officers a very permissive culture and allowed them to run wild.”
Okay, I had to look that up. Yep - in an article published on May 27, 2013 the Washington Post editorial board said this:
Despite Mr. O’Malley’s insistence that he has “zero tolerance for corruption,” he has called for nothing beyond a “review” of an elaborate code of workplace protections for corrections officers that the FBI says shielded crooked officers from being disciplined, transferred or fired at the Baltimore jail. The so-called corrections officers’ “bill of rights,” enshrined in legislation pushed by the guards’ union and backed by Mr. O’Malley, was enacted in 2010.
And what was O'Malley's response to these accusations? “I disagree with that assertion…I don’t believe there is any impediment to our ability to rout out corruption in our prisons.”
Hmmm......
O'Reilly follows with a question- to the audience- “Then why has this been going on for four years? Obviously the state of Maryland is not controlling the prison system.”
Which was followed by another pearl of wisdom from the esteemed Governor:
"It’s also about not being shy regardless of, you know, the cheap shots of Bill O’Reilly or other people take when you go after corruption.”
Hmmm......
O'Reilly follows with a question- to the audience- “Then why has this been going on for four years? Obviously the state of Maryland is not controlling the prison system.”
Which was followed by another pearl of wisdom from the esteemed Governor:
"It’s also about not being shy regardless of, you know, the cheap shots of Bill O’Reilly or other people take when you go after corruption.”
Since all this happened last May, I wanted to find out what recent news there was on the subject. The Maryland General Assembly session started on January 8th, and among other things, like the minimum wage and legalizing marijuana, they are expected to address reforms that were recommended after the scandal.
Lawmakers will also look to make reforms to the state’s corrections system, in the wake of a smuggling scandal last year at the Baltimore City Detention Center. A special legislative commission has suggested that the jail be replaced, but the Washington Post reports that Governor O’Malley seems disinclined to fund such a project in his upcoming budget. O’Malley says that the half-billion-dollar-plus project should be a priority for the next governor.
Random thoughts keep running through my head and I just had to write (rant) about them:
End rant.
Comments welcome.
- Hmmm.... passing the buck yet again aye?
- What is it with law enforcement that makes O'Malley so ... useless?
- Were the guards in Baltimore friends of Jenkins'?
- Seriously. Is there any chance this guy is still thinking about running for President?
End rant.
Comments welcome.