Press Secretary to former President Clinton and author of the New York Times bestseller Why Women Should Rule the World, Dee Dee Myers spoke about the critical importance of empowering women - especially in politics - and analyzed the coming election in light of her own experiences.

Her premise, she said, is that when women become part of the decision-making process in any field - particularly in politics and business, where their numbers are still not on par with men -the conversation and framework change in fundamental ways. Diverse opinions in a group lead to better solutions, she asserted, and research bears this out. For example, companies with the most women in leadership positions tend to be more profitable.

Myers said she is encouraged that more women are running for the U.S. Senate this year than ever before. However, she believes that women are still judged by different standards. Appearance matters more for women, for instance: "How many conversations have you heard about Hillary Clinton's hair?" Citing another example, she said that Nancy Pelosi was probably the most effective Speaker of the House since Sam Rayburn, measured by how much legislation she got passed and how well she controlled her caucus. But the general public had a negative view, considering her "bossy and opinionated."

Regarding the upcoming election, Myers said that she thought President Obama's State of the Union speech had created a good platform for framing the economic issues. The Republicans will try to shift back to social issues when the economy shows signs of improvement, as evidenced by the recent furor over whether faith-affiliated institutions like hospitals and universities should be required to offer preventive health options to women, specifically birth control. The Administration could have done a better job of presenting this policy, she said, but it is 100% right on the issue of giving women access to preventive health care. There is broad support in the general public for this, which is why the Republicans are framing the issue as one of freedom of religion.

Asked why communication in general from the present White House has not been stronger, Myers answered by comparing the strengths and weaknesses of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Clinton, she said, was an emotional politician, which occasionally created problems, but he was very good at making the connection between values and policy clear to voters. Obama, by contrast is "the world's most rational man," and he came to the job believing that it was only necessary to explain the reasons for policy decisions without appealing to people's feelings. His recent emphasis on fairness in our society is evidence that he is beginning to internalize these connections. In addition, polls show that his personal approval rating remains high, in contrast to the public's view of the Administration's policies.

To answer a question about the Occupy Wall Street movement, she expanded on the theme of fairness. While the movement has not developed a cohesive message - in contrast to the Tea Party - it has already influenced the shape of the election by "tapping into something deeply felt," that things are rigged against ordinary people and basically our society has become unfair. This is helpful for Democrats, particularly on the issue of taxes.

  by  Marian Kisch

Montgomery County offers a wide array of options for juveniles who get into trouble. These were delineated by county and state officials at a special WSDC Education Committee briefing on February 23. The consensus was that the main focus is to offer appropriate support early on to keep youngsters from committing worse offenses, with greater consequences. The breadth of services is impressive.

Speakers included Margaret Burrowes, assistant state's attorney and chief of the Juvenile Court Division; George Simms III, assistant state's attorney and chief of the Community Prosecution Division; Georgine DeBord, team mediator, state's attorney office of Montgomery County; Robert Green, warden, Montgomery County Department of Corrections; Nicole Beatty and Caitlin O'Brien-Masonis, case management specialists at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS).

When a juvenile (younger than 18) comes into the system after being arrested or cited, he/she first goes through an intake procedure at the Department of Juvenile Services at which health issues, home situations and mental conditions are taken into account before recommendations are made as to disposition. Many low-level cases are resolved at this level, yet others are determined to be serious enough to warrant adjudication at court. Whenever possible, the system attempts to help juveniles turn their lives around, so they don't have to be burdened with a "mistake" they made at a young age.

Several programs are in place to help with these issues, with various agencies, such as DJS, child welfare, school districts and health and human services, working together to select the best course. Some address truancy issues through monthly review boards (74% improved attendance) and a truancy court at two county middle schools, which averaged 75% improvement in attendance and tardiness. Another multi-agency project at John F. Kennedy High School has served 53 families this year to improve academic performance and reduce risk factors of delinquency.

A voluntary teen court for first-time 12 to 17-year-old offenders deals with alcohol, theft, destruction of property and weapon possession (excluding guns). Last year 401 cases were heard in a courtroom before a jury of their peers. Sanctions can include community service, restitution, apology letters and educational programs.

Some cases for second degree assault, theft and destruction of property can be resolved by binding agreements with trained mediators; ten such cases were resolved last year. Many juvenile cases have a drug or alcohol component. Drug court for those 14-18-year-olds meets once a week in juvenile court. Participants are given help regarding sobriety, education and personal development.

Juveniles who enter the justice system have committed a "delinquent act," something that would be a crime if committed by an adult. In some cases, such as armed robbery or second degree murder or rape, they can be bumped up to adult court. The rules are different for juveniles. There are no jury trials; they go before a judge. Even the vocabulary is different. Juveniles are not defendants; they're respondents. Instead of guilty, they're "involved," and so on.

Judges for those deemed "involved" in committing a delinquent act can issue a warning, probation, assignment to rehab, home electronic monitoring, restitution to the victim or commitment until age 21. Parents are involved in their children's cases and can be ordered to pay for lawyers, victimization restitution and attend classes with their child. Judges are usually guided by what will act as a deterrent to committing a future delinquent act, what will rehabilitate and what will hold the person accountable.

When juveniles are placed in detention, it's usually within the county or state, but a small percentage are sent out of state when local facilities cannot handle them, such as in some sex crimes cases.

When juveniles are let out on probation, they are assigned a probation officer to make sure the contract is being lived up to, such as performing community service or going to counseling. If these are met, a juvenile may be released; regardless, a juvenile must be released at age 21, as the department's jurisdiction ends.

Robert Green, warden at the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, usually has a few juveniles (10 at this time) awaiting a hearing or placement. He praised the juvenile justice system but strongly believes it should be local (Montgomery County), not under state control. Green has instituted several programs to help inmates, especially in the educational arena-bringing up reading and math levels while they are incarcerated.