Leading Democrat comes to Blair

Terry Lierman, Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, spoke to and answered questions from approximately 60 students gathered to reflect on the Day of Silence on Wednesday, April 13. The discussion centered on the rights of homosexuals and bisexuals, issues about which the Day of Silence was meant to raise awareness.

Lierman applauded the audience's initiative and willingness to fight for change, saying, "About 5 percent of the people of the world make about 95 percent of the difference."

The main focus of Lierman's speech was to raise awareness of seven Maryland seats, currently held by Democrats, up for grabs in the 2006 mid-term elections. He distributed Democratic bumper stickers and encouraged students to vote and to get involved in the party. "It will all come down to people like you," he said.

Lierman also discussed the problems he sees with Governor Robert Ehrlich's budget, including tuition increases, freezing school construction funds subject to slot-machine legislation, selling public parks to private developers, and vetoing a bill that would raise the state's minimum wage. He encouraged both Democrats and Republicans to "talk issues" rather than labels and emphasized the Democratic Party's past and present fight for "fairness and opportunity." For the remainder of the time, Lierman answered questions on topics ranging from the War on Terrorism to the right to have sexual reassignment surgery.

Doug Duncan, Montgomery County Executive and gubernatorial candidate will be speaking at Blair on Wednesday, April 20, after school.