RIP Gov. Your work is done.

[hootinholler]

From the WaPo:

William Donald Schaefer, who dominated Maryland politics as governor, state comptroller and Baltimore mayor with a trademark style that was impatient, autocratic and sometimes offensive, died Monday of undisclosed causes at a retirement center in Catonsville, Md. He was 89.

As Baltimore mayor from 1971 to 1987, Mr. Schaefer gained national exposure as he revived the fading industrial city with massive cleanup and construction efforts. He transformed a riot-torn metropolis into the tourist-centered “Charm City” that included the Harborplace urban market and aquarium, as well as Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Mr. Schaefer was incapable of passing up any stunt to draw media attention to his city or himself. He famously turned a construction delay of the Baltimore aquarium in 1981 into a public relations win by plunging into the seal tank while wearing a Victorian-era swimsuit and holding a rubber duck.

...

He addressed a newspaper editor with “Dear Edit-turd.” He answered one angry taxpayer’s letter with, “I’m glad you have recovered from your lobotomy.” He likened the conservative, rural Eastern Shore — which had not voted for him as governor — to an outhouse. He taunted his gubernatorial successor, Parris N. Glendening (D), by clucking and flapping his arms and calling him a chicken.

Sigh.

-Hoot

[Cerridwen]

1. K & R

[JaneQPublic]

2. RIP, yes, but remember...

...WDS endorsed the reelection of GWBush.

He was a DINO at best and likely a closet Repub. Some speculated that he initially entered politics as a Dem, to run as B'more's mayor, because he stood zero chance of winning as a Repug.

He once gave a state of the state address where he basically said the state could save a ton of money if people would just quit doing stupid things like having kids they couldn't afford and committing crimes and stuff.

He was thin-skinned, rude, and arrogant.

But, yes, RIP, WDS.

[hootinholler]

4. Yes he was.

He was all those things, but he did a lot of good too.

I think it was he was just old school more than a DINO.

-Hoot

[Recursion]

3. Ah, William Donald "Shithouse" Schaefer

The Old Line state won't be the same; he was an institution.

[hootinholler]

5. That one was so funny

The Farmers shut down State Circle towing manure spreaders and outhouses on trailers behind their tractors.
:rofl:

-Hoot

[stevedeshazer]

6. Wow, the last line is classic:

He also enjoyed raising African violets, listening to singer Engelbert Humperdinck and watching the wrestler Hulk Hogan.

RIP, old timer.

[hootinholler]

7. Kick for the morning crowd. n/t