stephen blackwell. he is 25 years old and he has faced charges of attempted murder in the past and members of his family have been suspects or victims in several other crimes. cristian schaefer is following the story, he jones us with more. chris. >> reporter: 12 people shot at a back yard barbecue last night in east baltimore. one of the victims was stephen blackwell. the fact that he was on the scene last night has become a factor in the city police investigation of that incident. injuries to 12 people including a pregnant woman and a 2-year- old girl may not have been planned but the shooting, police say, was premeditated. at a police conference the police say it likely was ... >> likely retaliation for historic rye violence that has occurred in the city. >> reporter: a man connected to some of that violence was one of the victims. 25-year-old stephen blackwell was hit in the arm. last year two of his younger brothers, stephane and sterling [ well were kidnapped from their home in catonsville. at the

city leaders, community activists, 12 people were shot and detectives say that 25-year-old steven blackwell faced charges of attempted murder in the past and members of his family have been involved in several other crimes. last year two of his younger brothers why kidnapped from their home in catonsville. at the funeral for one of the victims of the triple shooting later that year more gunshots rang out and police suspected both shootings were connected to the kidnappings. then police say another associate of steven blackwell was killed in a double shooting in northwest baltimore. they think the whole thing could be retaliation. police say sunday's cookout was in memory of the victims of that attack and they believe that steven blackwell was there. >>> also this morning the commissioner of the police department wants officers to get ahold of all the violence. >> the man who once ran the city is now offering help. abc2 news sherrie johnson with details on this. >> reporter: ask and you shall receive. that is pretty much what happened for governor martin o'malley. today he's headed to philad

bealefeld confirmed that the shooting was a hit, targeting 25-year-old alleged drug kingpin steven blackwell. >> we know that word got out that he was at the party, which triggered this hit, this attempted murder on his life. >> reporter: blackwell was struck in the arm. later there was a shooting on south bond street. two men were killed on comet street. and then police say men in two cars drove down east baltimore street, firing guns at each other. the police commissioner says investigators have identified suspects in all of the cases, except for that initial shooting on ashland. >> we don't have a shooter identified in that case, but in nearly all the others, we do have shooters identified. >> reporter: this week police have flooded the neighborhood with new officers. some residents hope they'll focus on finding illegal guns. >> gun is the key because where are the guns coming from? the kids can't go to the store to buy the guns. where are they coming from? >> we've been working around the clock. >> reporter: police encouraged bystanders to give tips. >> the community has to speak out. th

. >> reporter: among the victim, 25-year-old steven blackwell. blackwell himself has alst also been charged with attempted murder at least twice. all of the victims are at the hospital and they are expected to survive. back to you. >> thank you very much, kai. >>> a man walked into university hospital with a gunshot wound. the exact circumstances, not yet known. >>> three people dead after an didn't in baltimore county. the car full of people collided with a street sweeper. weijia jiang reports. >> reporter: it was meant to be an early morning commute. >> they were just trying to get to where they were supposed to go. >> reporter: they are the three people killed in a monday morning crash. >> it's a horrible way to go. >> reporter: the victims were all in a small car together, when the driver tried to turn left on to honeygo boulevard off of white marsh boulevard. >> they drove into the path of a sweeper that hit it in a t- bone fashion. >> one car was clearly involved in fire, and the sweeper was half involved in fire. >> reporter: public works

the blackwell family is being investigated but the commissioner said between city police and the feds maybe not as quickly or has thoroughly has needed. >> we are concerned about the pace and progress of some of these investigations and we will do everything we can to speed those efforts along. >> the mayor stressed that would take people coming forward. show sent a strong message this afternoon, urging people to work with police on what show calls this cowardly and calculated act. >> i don't want to hear about the snitching or any of that. that is crap. this is important. you have enknow sent people who were shot and it could have been worse. >> reporter: no one knows that more than neighbor michael young who heard the shots and witnessed the chaos. >> it's bad around here. i just pray that things will get better. >> reporter: better before anyone else gets caught in the cross fire. reporting for abc2 news. >> also in baltimore a deadly double shooting on north conklin around 10:30 last neat. >>> another double shooting in southeast baltimore on new hope ser keel. authorities said tw

. >> blackwell shows up, we know that word got out that he was at the party, which triggered this hit, this attempted murder on his life. >> reporter: the shootings on ashland avenue were only part of a violent day overall with a total of 21 people being shot on sunday in baltimore in just a span of six hours. >>> baltimore county police have now identified the thee people killed in monday morning's fiery car crash involving a street sweeper in white marsh. the three women were from pennsylvania. reportedly, they were going on their way home from kentucky where katrina's fiance graduated from the army's basic training. police say the car turned into the path of a street sweeper truck. >>> on the heels of two tragic deaths, changes on interstate 70 and illegal street racing. workers are putting in barry kates to -- barricades now. two people died in june when police say a street racer lost control of his car. neighbors had begged police to crack down on the racing for years. >> it's a constant roar. it's drag racing. you can hear the wheels peeling out. >> the state highway administrat

. >> steven blackwell shows up.e know that word got out that he was at the party, which triggered this hit, this attempted murder on his life. >> so the police commissioner said investigators have identified suspects in all of the cases except for the backyard shooting here on ashland avenue. >>> all right. you are putting paint on your face, a jersey on your face, wig on your head, and you are heading out to westminster in your purple car. let's go to ravens camp with abc 2 news cheryl conner. cheryl? >> reporter: good morning. the purple cars will be traveling to westminster where the full team will work out for the first time this season. training camp opened monday. the first practice was tuesday. veterans reported on monday. this morning, fans will see the full squad on the field. yesterday, the ravens announced first round draft pick offensive tackle michael orr signed a five-year deal. he gets a $13.8 million contract with a nearly $8 million guarantee. >> i'm the type of guy i don't want to let my teammates

steven blackwell. he's 25 years old, faced charges of attempted murder in the past and members of his family have been suspects or victims in several other crimes. police say the shooting was premeditated. the city police commissioner expressed frustration that investigations targeting blackwell have not produced results. >> we are concerned about the pace and progress of some of these investigations and we're going to do everything we can to speed those efforts along, and to put these guys out of business just as expeditiously as possible. >> how are you going to do that? the commissioner announced a large-scale increase in police deployments in east baltimore including 37 additional officers working foot patrols. 20 more detectives and platoon of 12 s.w.a.t. team officers. this news is especially welcome. >> the federal government is giving more money to baltimore and other cities to keep officers on patrol. abc2 news sherrie johnson has more. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. yes, this mornin

the target of sunday is' shooting spree one of the members of the blackwell family. they are a well-known drug organization police say, leading them to believe this is a widespread turf war in retaliatory violence that stretches back nearly two years. expected violent retaliation to sunday's shooting spree may be the reason for the extra police presence. it is definitely the reason for some residents' skepticism. >> it's fine while they're here. nothing is going to happen while they're hee. but once they're gone, you know, somebody else is going to do something else stupid. and it's inevitable. >> reporter: that is the reality here in east baltimore, a reality that the commissioner said in yesterday's news conference that he is trying to change by breaking the drug trade here. the show of force meant to quicken justice despite what he called concerning investigation into blackwell and his alleged dealings. brian kuebler, abc 2 news. >> the u.s. attorney's office had no comment regarding the commissioner's concerns about the federal investigation. city police say they

police haven't released the names of any victims except for one. 25-year-old steven blackwell.e's faced charges of attempted murder in the past and members of his family have been suspects or victims in several other crimes. police say that the shooting was premeditated. he was hit in the arm at a news conference monday. the mayor expressed frustration that trying to get steven blackwell hasn't produced results. >> we're concerned about the pace and progress of some of the investigations and we're going to do everything we can to speed those efforts along and to put these guys out of business just as expeditiously as possible. >> 12 people including a pregnant woman and 2-year-old girl were shot. they are all expected to survive. >>> also this morning the commissioner announced there will be a large-scale increase, more police presence on the streets of baltimore. >> today the governor plans to weigh in when he sits down with people who are writing out the checks to keep the cops on the streets. sherrie johnson is working this story. >> reporter: good morning. martin o'malley w

the target is believed to be steven blackwell. his family was in the news last year when his two younger brothers were kidnapped. blackwell is also associated with two men killed last july. the backyard barbeque may have been the anniversary of that murder. >> the target of the shootings on not lost on us. >> the commissioner and the mayor held news conferences this afternoon to appeal to witnesses, to come forward progress i do not want to hear from the media about the whole snitching and all of that. >that is crap. this is so important. you have innocent people who had been shot and it could have been worse. it is important for people in the community to come forward. >> [unintelligible] they do that in front of their girlfriends and their loved ones and their friends and people see them and know what is going on. >> police believe the third shooting of two young men in southeast baltimore around 2:00 a.m. is also connected. ironically, one of the victims were a trade program called safe streets intended to quell violence throug

investigators say blackwell is connected to rival gang activity. attack was one of four shootings over a period of three hours in east baltimore. police believe the shooting of a man on bond street just before midnight, may have been in retaliation for the attack at the cookout. >> it was a very cowardly ac. >> frustrateed mayor sheila dixon said if people want violence like this to stop, they must come forward, with witness information. >> i don't want to hear from the media about the whole snitching, dvd and any of that. that's crap. this is so important. you have innocent people who were shot. and it could have been worse. so it is important that the people in that community come forth. >> police call the attack at the cookout a cold, calculated shooting. that was part of an ongoing feud between rival drug gangs. >> i don't want innocent bystanders to be involved in this. if they want to take it out between themselves, fine and good. >> well, the child and pregnant woman expected to make a full recovery. they remain in the hospital tonight. live

. >> one of the people was steven blackwell. this shooting may be retaliation for a shooting last year. police say blackwell had been under watch. >> he should be out of business. and the people trying to kill him should be out of business. >> it was a very cowardly act. it was premeditated. very clear. >> reporter: police say the shooting on ashland was also connected to at least one other shooting in what was an unusually violent night in east baltimore. they will now flood the area with police, including a s.w.a.t. team. >> we are going to stay committed to fighting these guys out in the streets every day over this insane desire to arm themselves. >> it's just sad that these few that are going on, people have no respect for life. >> reporter: we've also learned that a member of the safe streets team was wounded in the shootings last night. that's an organization that is dedicated to mediating these disputes before they turn violent. at city police headquarters, mike hellgren, wjz eyewitness news. >> okay, mike. thank you very

. >> one of the targets was steven blackwell jr. >>> is your iphone in danger of getting a virus? they say hackers can control the iphone by way of a text message. the authors of the report say they got in touch with apple, but so far, no changes. >>> a 7-year-old utah boy says no church today and steals some wheels. we don't mean a big wheel. there he goes, driving the family car with the police on his trail. he managed to keep control of the car, but also brought it to a safe stop. however, he didn't wait around to take any bows. hopefully, he'll wait 9 years. >> oh man. >> oh my goodness. >> it's impressive how well he handles the car. >> collectively, we agrees that a funny video. >>> weather wise, it's pretty quiet compared to last night. i want to show you the radar. some thunderstorms over virginia, but winding down as they come here. some spotty showers possible and even a thunderstorm or two is still possible. a mix of clouds and sunshine. today was the break in-between a storm from yesterday and one expected tomorrow. with all of that going on, a flood watch in effect fo

. >> reporter: he also says one of the target was was steve blackwell. this shooting may be retaliation. the commissioner says blackwell had been under police surveillance. >> we can put this cat out of business. and he should be out of business. and the people who are trying to kill him should be out of business. >> it was a very cowardly act. you know. it was premeditated. very clear. >> reporter: police say the shooting on ash land was connected to at least one other shooting in what was an unusually violent night in east baltimore. they will now flood the area with police, including a s.w.a.t. team. >> we are certainly going to monday-morning quarterback every aspect of police operations connected to this incident. >> it's just sad that these feuds that are going on, people have no respect for life. >> reporter: wjz has learned, one member of the safe streets team was also wounded. that's an organization that mediates disputes before they turn to bloodshed. >> reporter: that increase in police includes two shifts of 37 officers on foot patrol. report

police say the apparent target of the shooting was 25-year-old steven blackwell who police say is connected to rival gang activity. now the attack was one of 4 shootings over a period of 3 hours in east baltimore. frustrated mayor dixon says today if people want violence leak this to stop, they must come forward with witness information. >> i don't want to hear from the media about the whole snitching or any of that. that's crap. this is so important. you have innocent people who were shot and could have been worse. >>reporter: so far police have made no arrest. they have increased police presence in the area. nearly 40 additional officers have been put on foot patrol on the street. mean time the little girl and pregnant woman injured in the shooting remain in the hospital tonight. they are expected to make a full recovery. of course we have more on all of this tonight at 10. for now, reporting live in east baltimore fox 45 news at 5:30. >>> that brings us to our question of the day. today baltimore resident need to do more to help the cops solve crimes. go to our web site and let us know w

the blackwell family has been on the radar of baltimore city police and was the target of last night's barbecue shooting. >> we can put this cat out of business and the people who are trying to kill him ought to be out of business. >> reporter: getting control of the situation and getting caught in the cross fire. >> while most of the people were is the at last net's barbecue, bullets were flying at other places leak the 200 block of north con lynn. two people were shot and both were killed. >>> then on harper road in northeast baltimore one person was shot and taken to the hospital. they are expected to live. then two hours later on new hope circle one person was shot in the hand. the other man was shot in the leg. >>> now to baltimore county where three people were killed when a car turned directly into the path of a street sweeper church. it happened on huntington boulevard -- boulevard and white marsh mall. the three occupants were burned beyond preace nietion. >>> a long time baltimore cab driver is dead after an overnight accident. witnesses say it was a situation of a drag racin

steven blackwell. 25 years old and no stranger to police. he faced charges of attempted murder in the past. police say the shooting was possibly premeditated. the police commissioner announced a large-scale increase of police deployments in east baltimore. police still have no suspects in connection with the violence that happened last night. >>> and that shooting was just one of many in the city from sunday night well into monday morning. >> it was a busy night but the governor now in philadelphia today hopefully getting some much-needed help from the federal government. it couldn't come at a much better time. sherrie johnson joins us now with more. >> reporter: good morning. yes, governor martin o'malley heads to philadelphia as baltimore receives federal aid money to keep more police on the streets. this announcement is expected to come from vice president joe biden and attorney general eric holder. in light of the violent weekend in baltimore city where more than 23 people were shot this money comes through at a really good time. it's pa

the target of the first shooting is one of the members of the blackwell family. police say the family is a well- known drug organization. police believe there is a widespread turf war that stretches back at least two years. >>> and as police step up patrols in east baltimore, city officials say $10.1 million in federal stimulus funds will go to hire 50 new officers. the officers will be placed on foot patrols around the city as part of a strategy to help the department win back the community's trust. >>> and friends and family were memorialized four people killed in a helicopter crash last week in frederick. a memorial service is planned thursday for advanced helicopter concepts employees jeff nordaas, george tutor, and niall booth, and their friend kim felix. the four were killed when their helicopter crashed on to i-70. the memorial service will be held at the frederick municipal airport. >>> with summer recess looming, lawmakers in washington struggle behind closed doors to narrow their differences on health care reform. kelly? >> reporter: terry, in the senat

. >>> police say one of the targets was steven blackwell jr. under police surveillance. >>> we have some breaking news, police have shut down bel- air road in northeast baltimore. police searching for a robbery suspect. eyewitness news keeps you updated on the story. >>> a bizarre story from the washington d.c. area. a bus drive charged with kidnapping for not allowing a passenger off of the bus he was driving. driver and the passenger got into an argument and when the passenger wanted to get off, the driver refused. he's been placed on leave. >>> major changes coming to one stretch of interstate 70 and the howard county lines. the changes being made. >>reporter: these tire marks are proof that this section of i-70 was a popular spot for drag racing. all of that is about to change. late night races is about to change. >> the chevy veered out of control killing two. police believe the two were watching an illegal race. >> we believe that the approach of a police car that night led to this incident occurring in that people were trying to clear th

the one target that turn out to be the shooting was steven blackwell jr. who was under police surveillance. >>> yet to come, out of "cash for clunkers." the program is so successful, it's already running out of money. what is next? >> reporter: scandal at city hall. complete coverage, wjz breaks down the new indictments facing the mayor, what she is up to today and what it all means for her political future. >> reporter: howard county residents meet to discuss a plan of action to deal with a dangerous stretch of route 32. i'm kye jackson, that story coming up. >>> we have several accidents including one on route 32. we'll talk about that straight ahead. >>> in for marty bass, looking at the forecast for the first full weekend of august. your forecast coming up. >>> we're getting ready to have some fun this friday, comedian bruce bruce is in the city this weekend and joining us live for coffee with. the morning edition continues in a moment. when morning comes in the middle of the night... rooster crow. ...it affects your entire day. to get a good night's s

. >> reporter: sources say a feud between blackwell and the rich drug organizations has also sparked murder. beefed up patrols include 37 uniformed officers, members of the auto theft task force and a s.w.a.t. platoon. >> 40,000 could gather together for brahm -- obama. but we need to have them bather together and say enough is enough. >> reporter: on the radio, naacp leadership condemned the bloodshed. >> reporter: it is right for us to now stand up and deal with what is happening in the community. stop pointing the finger, blaming somebody else other than yourselves. -- ourselves. >> reporter: one block away community leaders are thinking about violence. >> sonya peters was hurt. we're going to help their children. help their nieces, nephews, mothers. that's what we do around here, right? >> reporter: as police focus on dismantling several others. >> there was a 2-year-old shot in the arm who is expected to recover. and the pregnant woman who was wounded gave birth to a healthy baby. live at city police headquarters, mike hellgren, wjz eyewitness news. >> the warrant, apprehension

gunman who started firing, hitting a man police call the initial target, stephen black while we did blackwell. >> we know there were witnesses that know who shot with -- the snow who shot him. >> police say reshuffling resources made this possible, but help is on the way. announced by the vice president, the attorney general, and maryland's governor. >> today is a great day for public safety, the most fundamental that any government has. >> the grant will allow baltimore city to put 50 new officers on the beat. a grateful mayor said police could not do it alone. >> people love to say, are they going to allow this to happen? -- people have to say, are we going to allow this to happen? >> we tried to get a firsthand look, but police declined, saying it was too dangerous. >> the recent violence prompted face-based community leaders to expand -- faith-based community leaders to expand their initiative. brian is also leading an effort with operation safe streets. he is looking to get more through the initiative. >> it is important to give people encouragement and let them know they're security is

. >> reporter: sources say a feud between the blackwell and rich drug organizations has also sparked violent murders. beefed up patrols include 37 uniformed foot officers, members of the auto task force and a s.w.a.t. platoon. >> all of us are going to get together. >> reporter: on the radio, naacp leadership condemned the bloodshed. >> it is right for us to now stand up and deal with what is happening in our community and stop pointing the finger and blaming everybody else other than ourselves. >> reporter: one block away, community leaders are building on the positives and say outsiders are behind the violence. >> you just have to think about the beauty that's going on around here and try not to think about the ugliness. >> sonya peters was hurt. we're going to help their children. their nieces, nephews, their mothers. and that's what we do in this neighborhood, right? >> reporter: the pregnant woman who was shot did give birth to a healthy baby. reporting live at city police headquarters, mike hellgren, wjz eyewitness news. >> thanks, mike. the mayor has called the shootings cowar

brian: get that tape, you're ken blackwell, you can make it happen. >> junior, junior sky hook.can this freak accident happen? we'll talk to the family. brian: they're accused of digging up bodies and putting them in new graves all to make a buck. introducing one a day women's 2o. the first complete women's multivitamin in a drink mix. with more calcium and vitamin d... to support bone and breast health... while helping you hydrate. one a day women's 2o. refreshingly healthy. healthy hair is softsisilky. and you can get it. fabulou. all you need is pantene. salon names and fancy packaging are nice, but you dot t need it. even experts agree. it's damage protection results leading salon brands can't beat. trust me on this, the blow dryer, the curling iron, and thflflat iron, and my hair's still shiny. pantene moisture renewal. healthy makes is happen. for diabetics on medicare! i'm a diabetic and i want you to know over 230,000 u.s. doctors have authorized their patients to receive their diabetic supplies through liberty medical. and that begins with the one touch®ultra2 meter. ea

. >> reporter: police say one of the targets was steven blackwell, a man under police surveillance, whose teenage relatives were kidnapped in a home invasion last april in catonsville. >> we can put this cat out of business. and he should be out of business. and the people should be out of business. >> this was premeditated. this was not a random act. so when you talk about premeditated, people knew what happened. so it's their responsibility to speak up, to think about that pregnant woman who was shot, that baby who was shot, that baby who was shot. it's their responsibility. they need to speak up. so then we can file the law and take people through the process where we need to be convicted of chill comitding those kinds of crimes. >> reporter: the shooting spree here was many of a one-hour span in east baltimore. two teenagers were killed. there was another shooting on harford road. all of the bloodshed comes at a time when the city's nonfatal shootings are actually down. the murder rates are up slightly. >> it's just sad that these feuds that are going on, people have no respect for li

go back to that all of that garbage against ken blackwell the secretary of state of ohio saying he riggedlection that was barbara boxer. bill: she would say, mr. alford, i love black people. i want the best -- i'm a liberal. i want the best for black people. now, two people mentioned are conservatives. attack conservatives using any and all methods as any liberals will do i love black people. i will vote for everything that will help them. affirmative action and down the line. so, i think -- i don't think she feels that it's a racial argument. it's an ideological argument. if you oppose her views. then we'll come get you but it doesn't have anything to do with race. >> she loves poor black folks and she loves black folks in their place. she does not love -- you take condoleezza rice, who i would love my grandchildren to emulate and the way she treated condoleezza rice during her confirmation hearings was just terrible. bill: again, a conservative woman. you know. i get what you are saying. >> professional. bill: i get what you are saying. i think boxer has it out for anybody who is in the

the garbage against ken blackwell from ohio, that was barbara boxer. >> she said, i love latin peoplei want the best for black people. now, the two people you mentioned, judge thomas and mr. blackswell, are conservatives. now, she will attack conservatives using any and all methods as many liberals will co. if you have barbara box sher says, i love black people. from affirmative action and down the line, whatever will help them. i don't think she feels it's a racial argument. it's an ideological argument. if you oppose her views, then we'll come get you but it doesn't have anything to do with race. >> she loves poor black folks and she loves black folks in their place. she does not love -- you take conned lisa rice who i would love my grandchildren to emulate. and the way she treated conned lisa rice during her con-- condoleezza rice during her confirmation hearings was ferble. bill: i get what you're saying. i think boxer has it out for anybody who is in the right. now, after you took her down, and you did, mr. alford, what kind of reaction did you get? >> well, i've got a great fan

police have not released the names of the victims except for one of them, steven blackwell. he's a 25-year-old whotationed attempted -- who faced attempted murder charges in the past. police say the shooting may have been premeditated. the police commissioner announced a large-scale increase of police deployment in east baltimore. police still have no suspects in connection with the shooting. >>> a lots of shootings happened in baltimore city and now the police commissioner wants to make our streets a lot safer. so today governor martin o'malley heads to philadelphia to learn more about federal money that baltimore will receive to put more police officers on the streets. vice president joe biden as well as the attorney general eric holder will on hand to discuss the program. more than 7,000 cities applied for money. baltimore is one of over 7,000 cities selected for this program. >>> you better lock your car. the search is on for people responsible for at least 10 car break-ins. it happened in anne arundel county. here's a look at the two men. police say they are suspects in

access to loans to black businesses contreb uts to a huge wealth gap according to angela glover blackwell. >> black people have always sought small businesses as a way to be able to build their wealth. historically they sought their own businesses because they couldn't get jobs in the corporations. >> reporter: building wealth means taking big risks. >> after business school we didn't choose a high paying investment banking job, we chose to boot strap a startup. >> reporter: every day they pull on those bootstraps. to stay afloat, sean and his partner must reinforce their vision to investors. >> these are tough times. people are very concerned. >> probably more important to them that they stay groomed. >> we are just scratching the surface to what mr. can really be. >> we are fighting to thrive not survive. >> all right. okay. >> all right. okay. all right. >> we made the decision for ourselves individually and for the corporation that we have decided not to participate in the recession. >> you may not be participating in the recession. recession some times is knocking on the door wants t

court records show that 25-year-old stephen blackwell has been twice been charged with attempted murderl is blt of a gang shooting. it left 22 people wounded and 4 dead as a part of the shootings over the weekend. >>> read the story and more in today's washington times. tar awal has this morning's briefs. >> reporter: good morning, here is some of the stories we're watching from washington today. legal aide and wistful spending, the two don't seem to go together, but an exclusive washington information, found that the agency that provides legal help for poor people has lavished on in stone walls and kcasinos. this is when president obama is calling on government to reduce wastel spending. at least one republican senator says failures on the part of legal aid society should not expect under the drug. >> federal drug enforcement authorities have begun a preliminary investigation into whether embattled d.c. councilmember, marion barry broke any laws when he awarded a city contract to a former girlfriend and arranged for city grant money to go to non-profit organizations run by his cronies.

here is a person that came out of the blue and engineered the accusation that ken blackwell rigged the election in 2004. here is the person that demean and slandered and libelled the honorable condoleezza rice like she was some person off the street. and that, i guess, is what led her to coming after me in this fashion. and i wasn't going to stand for it. you know, i have served in this country. i'm in a federal building. there are federally elected officials. and i'm not going to play with race. steve: do you think she is a racist, harry? >> i think she has a problem. she needs therapy. she really does. she is clinical. brian: what's happened since the confrontation? >> i got a big fan club thousands of emails. 98. a% cheering me on. a lot of people begging me to move back to california and run for the senate next time around. i will find somebody else to do that and i will support them. brian: i'm sure she is not sitting on her hands. has her office reached out to you or to others? >> to others. i have got a board room in california. they tell me they have been leaning on him. he kno

nelson: madam president, i also ask unanimous consent that heather blackwell, an air force major who is a military fellow in my office this year, be granted the privilege of the floor during the pendency of s. 1390. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. nelson: i want to begin my comments on this year's national defense authorization by first thanking all the members of the personnel subcommittee, and i'd particularly like to thank the committee's ranking member, senator lindsey graham. he and i have worked together for several years on this subcommittee, exchanging the chairmanship back and forth, and i've always found that our time on the subcommittee is decidedly nonpartisan, bipartisan, regardless of who currently chairs it. and all of the members of the personnel subcommittee strive to do what's right by service members and their families, and any disagreements we have are minimal, small, and are always focused on how best to serve those who serve us. madam chairman -- madam president, the annual national defense authorization act is one of the most important pieces of l