Maryland, My Maryland

I am so proud of my adopted state.

Today our son, Hall of Famer Cal Ripkin Jr.cancelled his scheduled appearance on Don Imus'show today. On the other hand Comic Bill Maher, CBS News political analyst Jeff Greenfield and former Carter administration official Hamilton Jordan all showed up.

In other good news Maryland became the first state in the nation to have a state-wide "living wage" law, or will when the Governor signs it. "The bill, as revised, sets up two pay grades for the workers - at least $11.30 an hour in the Baltimore-Washington corridor and $8.50 an hour in rural areas."