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RNC Chairman Michael Steele: Bob Ehrlich's Gift That Keeps Giving

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In an attempt to hurt the image of former Governor Ehrlich you have successfully made yourself sound like an idiot and angered a lot of people through your disrespect of the men who went and currently go to Gilman. This is spurred upon your connection of Ehrlich's affiliation to Michael Steele and how the choices Steele made while in an office obtained after the connection to Ehrlich were over. You therefore are stating that the people that the people that we surround ourselves with determine our character. Well in that light you must turn to Martin O'Malley, who's underage daughter was recently found passed out drunk in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The officer who found the girl called in the event only to realize her connection to the Governor and went on to remove himself from the recorded air ways so that he wouldn't lose his job for discussing the state of the Governor's daughter. Well after the story broke there was no jail time spent like any normal person but the situation would be used as a "Teachable moment". Now if you want to talk privileged lets talk about that not the school someone went to but the protection of a person due to their connection to the Governor. This also shows the character of the O'Malley family, through their raising of their kids. I also find it a bit funny why you did not mention Democratic Senator John Sarbanes when writing this article because of his attendance of both Gilman School and Princeton undergrad. Therefore your politically motivated rant attempting to tarnish the image of Governor Bob Ehrlich only caused you to misrepresent two prestigious institutions and made yourself look bad. I believe you truly owe an apology to both Gilman and Princeton due to your misrepresentation of both institutions.

James of MD 1:37PM September 27, 2010

In your writing, you "exude" mainstream media stupidity. Gilman students do take offense to your statements with good reason, but they really shouldn't. They should just understand your ignorance.
When I say wrong, I mean it the same way it was wrong when you said 9/11 brought out the worst patriotism in our country and made us a bunch of fraidy-cats.
It is wrong in the same way as your stating in the same article that Bush knew about 9/11 in August and chose to allow it.
It is wrong in the same way as when you said the Restoring Honor Rally was a bunch of Confederate people coming to DC to disrespect Lincoln (and by the way, when you write as Lincoln in the first person, with your writing, you do a good job yourself of spitting on his memory.)
Bottom line is this, you know nothing of what you write about. Gilman is home to some of the best young men in this country. Period. Do not hold Ehrlich's attendance of this fine institution against him, rather praise him for it. I remember a time in this country when rising from nothing to attend the best schools in the world and then becoming Governor was a good thing. Success is not evil, only the denial of its existence is. Knowledge is a weapon you do not possess, and until you obtain it, you will remain in the dark. Here's an idea for you, attend a class at Gilman, you just might learn something.

Silence Dogood of MD 12:47AM September 25, 2010

way to stay classy.

A Genial Pol of MD 8:39PM September 21, 2010

As someone who writes nationally for Sports Illustrated, I would like to inform you about Martin O'Malley. Before you start to sing praises about a politician, who is a cross between Elliot Spitzer and Tiger Woods, let me tell you Ms. Stiehm that O'Malley is completely anti-business, and his ignorance in the world of insurance has shrunk my family's company quite a bit. When my father confronted O'Malley in private, he claimed that he had no knowledge of the situation. Well, if that is to be true, then may I ask if you feel comfortable with a governor who doesn't understand the issues in Maryland. The other scenario is that O'Malley was lying. If such a notion seems ludicrous to you, just remember the dozens of affairs O'Malley has had as a public servant.

An Advocate of Gilman of MD 8:12PM September 21, 2010

Dissing Erlich for going to Gilman because it is a white, elitist school not only is an ignorant statement, but also is completely false. I grew up in Kingsville, MD. There was one non-white student in the entire 500 person public school during my 6 years there, and he left after the first grade. There was also one Jewish student for two years. Every other person was white and, for the most part, not wealthy. Take a public school in downtown Baltimore, for example, and most likely the diversity in that school is lacking as is my elementary school in Kingsville. Now look at Gilman. As a secular, well-funded private school, Gilman teaches students of multiple religions, races, backgrounds, and cultures, and offers finacial aid to many students whose parents cannot afford the tuition. I would not be surprised if Gilman is the most diverse community- from students to faculty to staff- in the entire state. Such an opportunity does not exist in downtown Baltimore public schools or in my hometown public school in Kingsville. That level of diversity enables all of Gilman's students to see every side of the same story and put themselves into the shoes of someone who lives a completely different life. Explain to me how that is diminishes Erlich's capability as a political leader.
Moreover, why do you view Erlich's Princeton education as another negative? I go to Gilman. I have an outstanding GPA, play three varsity sports, have high SAT scores, and am a club president. Nevertheless, Princeton would laugh if they saw my application. Do you understand how difficult it is to be accepted into such a prestigious institution like Princeton? So, in your opinion, are intelligence and dedication qualities of an unfit leader?
I understand you do not like elitists, but check your facts before you put down several communities in the same article.

Durka of MD 7:13PM September 21, 2010

Why don't you judge him on his actual political views and standpoints rather than his background and partisanship?
Gilman kids, don't be offended, this biased writer clearly has no idea what he is talking about. This writing is the type of thing that taints politics; the people should know the values of the runners rather than their backgrounds, which have no affect on the values of the runner.
This piece only adds to the negativity around politics, and can simply be catagorized as propaganda for people who don't care to look into the actual goals of their candidates.
Why don't you trash this completely biased work, and write about something relevant. No one wants to hear your opinions, no one has asked for them. Write about something we can all gain from, that will help us make the decision at the poll, rather than trying to influencing our opinion by judging the candidates and summarizing their lives so simply and negatively.
Next time, please try to write with substance and information rather than giving ambiguous statements with slander, it does no good to anyone. Please try to have some writing integrity - writers like you are in the position to spread valuable knowledge; instead, you spread biased information... The world needs people like you to step up.

Owen of MD 6:20PM September 21, 2010

I take offense to your comment about the Gilman School as well. It was disrespectful, and completely false. Our school runs on the words Honor, Respect, Excellence, Humility, and Integrity. If you want to write about Gilman, then at least get it right. We have kids from many different backgrounds and beliefs, and are not even close to the way you portray us. I am disgusted.

Will R. of MD 11:48PM September 20, 2010

Dear Mrs. Stiehm,
As a political junkie from Maryland, I appreciate any article discussing politics in the Free State. Like Austin, however, I take offense to your comment in which you refer to Governor Ehrlich as a "pol" who "exudes entitlement" due to his attending Gilman School and Princeton Undergrad.
It is unfair to consider one an elitist just because he is qualified enough to gain admittance to a highly reputable high school and university. Both Gilman and Princeton accept applicants from all backgrounds based on their academic, athletic, and extracurricular achievements. Governor Ehrlich, in addition to being a top student at Gilman, was also a star football player who continued playing in college. It is for these reasons that Governor Ehrlich was accepted to Princeton, not for any others.
In fact, it is ironic that you are referring to Gilman and Princeton as places that exclude other people when you stated in a previous offer that you hope some American states should leave the country. Isn't it extremely unfair and radical to argue for the secession of certain states just because you don't agree with their general politics? It's hard for any reader to take your writing seriously with such ridiculous, radical positions expressed in your previous columns as well as unnecessary and uniformed digs at candidates that you don't like.
Thanks,
Matt B ('10)

Matt B ('10) of MD 11:38PM September 20, 2010

I am sorry but I take offense to the comment "Baltimore's tony, all-male private school" Gilman is not a school of elitist, preppy, white kids from roland park, it is a diverse community of young men gaining an education at one of the many private schools in the region. By no means is Gilman Baltimore's only private school and your representation of the school in that negative light only shows your ignorance to the reality of the situation. This article is written with such a condescending attitude toward private schools in the Baltimore area it is sickening to read.

Austin of MD 10:24PM September 20, 2010