Symposium headlined by Md. Governor
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's appearance at the Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium Wednesday night was the latest of the series' distinguished leaders and thinkers, and the first of three coming to Hopkins this week.
O'Malley discussed the strengths of Maryland and greater America, as well as weaknesses that can be improved upon.
"We have everything we need for greatness," he said during his speech. "[But] we need to make tough choices now for a brighter tomorrow. We need to take individual responsibility today for building the bright future we prefer. And we do this not so much out of respect or nostalgia for what our parents and grandparents have done for us - we do it because of something deeper, and that is the responsibility we have to the people who will come after us."
The topics touched on prompted long lines to form during the question and answer period. O'Malley answered questions which were posed on issues ranging from global warming to crime statistics with extensive and detailed responses.
However when one student followed up on a question by asking whether or not he should be locked up for buying marijuana in Baltimore, the answer was short and to the point.
"Yes," O'Malley said. "Yes, and if you do it in a neighborhood and the people call their police department and ask them to get you off their front steps for doing that, yes, I believe you should be locked up. I don't think you should stay in prison very long, but I don't think you should do that to your neighbors."
Evan Lazerowitz, vice president of the College Republicans, said members of his organization planned to question the democratic governor about potential problems with his recent tax plans. One such inquiry was made during the event.
"This is just asking questions, there's no protest involved," Lazerowitz said. "It's good that he's coming to speak."
Another group was less restrained. Members of the Baltimore Algebra Project - including students from nearby high schools - protested outside of Shriver Hall before O'Malley arrived, chanting and handing out fliers demanding "quality education."
O'Malley discussed the strengths of Maryland and greater America, as well as weaknesses that can be improved upon.
"We have everything we need for greatness," he said during his speech. "[But] we need to make tough choices now for a brighter tomorrow. We need to take individual responsibility today for building the bright future we prefer. And we do this not so much out of respect or nostalgia for what our parents and grandparents have done for us - we do it because of something deeper, and that is the responsibility we have to the people who will come after us."
The topics touched on prompted long lines to form during the question and answer period. O'Malley answered questions which were posed on issues ranging from global warming to crime statistics with extensive and detailed responses.
However when one student followed up on a question by asking whether or not he should be locked up for buying marijuana in Baltimore, the answer was short and to the point.
"Yes," O'Malley said. "Yes, and if you do it in a neighborhood and the people call their police department and ask them to get you off their front steps for doing that, yes, I believe you should be locked up. I don't think you should stay in prison very long, but I don't think you should do that to your neighbors."
Evan Lazerowitz, vice president of the College Republicans, said members of his organization planned to question the democratic governor about potential problems with his recent tax plans. One such inquiry was made during the event.
"This is just asking questions, there's no protest involved," Lazerowitz said. "It's good that he's coming to speak."
Another group was less restrained. Members of the Baltimore Algebra Project - including students from nearby high schools - protested outside of Shriver Hall before O'Malley arrived, chanting and handing out fliers demanding "quality education."
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