Walk MS Baltimore Raises $125,000 for 6,500 Marylanders Living with MS

BALTIMORE— On Sunday, April 28, 2013, over 800 joined the Maryland Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Walk MS Baltimore, which returned to the city after being held in the county for the past six years. The society raised $125,000, which will be put toward cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy and providing programs and services to improve the lives of Marylanders living with MS.  

The walk began at PowerPlant Live! and took participants on a scenic tour through the Inner Harbor. This year, the society offered a twist to the traditional walk by presenting local companies with an option to participate in a corporate challenge, competing to raise the most funds. Johns Hopkins, PricewaterhouseCoopers and MAC were among this year’s competitors, but the Johns Hopkins MS Fighters was ultimately awarded the coveted “corporate cup.”

“It’s a different kind of excitement when you’re in a city compared to a suburban area. The support we received from local organizations, residents and volunteers has been incredible,” said Mark Roeder, president of the National MS Society, Maryland Chapter. “It’s inspiring to see the Baltimore community rally together for a cause like MS; we look forward to returning to the city in 2014.”

Nearly 8,000 people across Maryland will participate in Walk MS this year. Walk MS in Baltimore is one of 11 held in communities across the state. At every location participants enjoy a 5k route through the surrounding community.

To learn more or to join the MS Movement in Maryland throughout 2013, visit www.nationalmssociety.org/MDM/home.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was on the money this week when she said the federal indictments of 25 people, including 13 correctional officers, at the city’s detention center “had serious implications.”

The facts of the case that have been made public are disturbing, salacious and raise troubling questions about the influence of gangs in correctional facilities and the complicity of corrupt of guards and other employees. However, the feeding frenzy by opponents of Governor O’Malley who are calling for his head over this long-standing problem should cool their heels. This is not the first time we have heard about inappropriate behavior at these facilities and it was a problem long before O’Malley became governor.

Let’s get all the facts on the table and figure out how to minimize the ability of these inmates to influence jail employees, put strong watchdog wardens in place to reestablish credibility and control, and resist finger-pointing until we know all the facts.

At his news conference this week, President Obama made a powerful plea for ending the humanitarian and diplomatic disaster created by the continued detention of more than 160 prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, more than 100 of whom are engaged in a hunger strike that necessitated the dispatch of an emergency medical team.

The problem is that Obama has contributed to the crisis by acquiescing in the congressional obstruction of his promise to close the facility. We hope he is serious when he says he will now "re-engage with Congress that this is not in the best interest of the American people." "The idea that we would still maintain forever a group of individuals who have not been tried, that is contrary to who we are," Obama said. "It is contrary to our interests and needs to stop." The president repeated his familiar observation that the existence of Guantanamo is a "recruitment tool" for extremists. Those are eloquent words, but if they are to be translated into action, Obama will need to alter his own behavior.

It has been more than four years since the newly inaugurated president issued an executive order promising, "promptly to close detention facilities at Guantanamo." Yet the prison remains open. Of the prisoners remaining, about half have been cleared for release but continue to be detained because of congressional opposition to their repatriation to Yemen and other countries whose authorities might not be able to prevent them from engaging in terrorism. Congress also has used its authority to prevent President Obama from transferring detainees to the U.S. mainland, a factor in the decision to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and other alleged 9/11 conspirators before a military commission rather than in civilian courts.

However, Congress isn't entirely to blame. The Supreme Court, which in 2008 ruled that detainees at Guantanamo had a constitutional right to challenge their confinement by seeking writs of habeas corpus, stood by while a federal appeals court eviscerated that landmark ruling. For his part, Obama has refused to expend political capital on closing Guantanamo. Rather than veto the defense authorization bills that have limited his ability to transfer inmates, he has signed them while raising questions about whether they intruded on his constitutional authority.

At the very least, President Obama could take the advice of several progressives in Congress and renew his administration’s efforts to transfer the 86 inmates cleared for release three years ago by an interagency task force from Guantanamo. He should do so, ideally with congressional cooperation but unilaterally if necessary.

Guantanamo is a stain on this nation's reputation, not because of where it is located but because the men held captive there are languishing in a legal limbo, which would be just as hopeless if they were transplanted to American soil. Notwithstanding Obama's comments about the un-American nature of indefinite detention, more than 40 inmates are being held without the prospect of even a military trial. As he "re-engages" with Congress, the president should also reconsider his own decision to deny those detainees their day in court.

Ah, May! Birds singing, flowers blooming, children playing in the park, boats gently swaying in the harbor with only the creaking and tapping of sail masts to be heard.  Young and old walk the promenade, enjoying the warmth of the spring sun on their faces.

However, not for long! The first weekend in May will see a noisy and exciting reenactment of the War of 1812. Soon British troops will be running through the streets. Skirmishes will ensue and costumed townspeople will defend their homes. 

Of course, this all takes place in the historic town of Havre de Grace during the bicentennial re-enactment of the War of 1812. During that time it was a small fishing village but it was a large part of the new nation's travel network because Post Road ran through the town. Because of it's many taverns, businesses and the ferry, Harve de Grace which is situated on the shores of the Susquehanna River, was a vital port.

On May 4, 1813 the British invaded the town starting their campaign to invade Maryland, burn Washington, and eventually to overrun American defenders until they were stopped at the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814. The British failed to capture Fort McHenry although they bombed it throughout the night. The Star Spangled Banner was written because of that night.

The charming and picturesque town of Havre de Grace will play host to an elaborate three day festival and historical reenactment for thousands of tourists and the beautiful tall ships, The Pride of Baltimore II and the Sultana, both of which will arrive on Friday, May 3, 2013 at mid afternoon. From 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. the main street stores and vendors will welcome visitors. The War of 1812 celebration welcome dinner will be held at the VanDiver Inn (www.vandiverinn.com) at 7:00 p.m.

On Saturday, May 4, 2013 the action begins at 10:30 a.m. near the Concord Lighthouse with the raising of the Flag and the landing of the British fighting the defenders ending at the Lock House. At 7:00 p.m. a ceremony with dignitaries will be followed by a fireworks display.

Sunday, May 5, 2013 will feature a Circa 1800 service at St. John's Church with original readings. For something different The Steppingstone Farm Museum will hold “A Regency Era Ladies Tea” from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Parking and shuttle service will be available throughout the whole weekend. For additional information call 800-851-7756 or visit: www.hdgtourism.com.