Good riddance to an out of Comtrol Schaefer

Defeated Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer leaves office this week more than a little bitter -- which is just fine by me. In a segment that aired on local news, Schaefer made passing reference to the controversy that led to his defeat last November. He said he didn't regret his actions, only that he lost the election.

Schaefer has a history of making inappropriate comments about women, immigrants and people with HIV/AIDS. As noted in Wikipedia:

Schaefer made suggestive comments to Elizabeth Krum, a 24-year-old assistant to Governor Robert Ehrlich. Responding to Schaefer's request for tea, Krum set a thermal mug in front of him. Schaefer watched her walk away, then beckoned for her to return. When she obliged, he told her, "Walk again," staring after her as she left the conference room. Schaefer initially refused to apologize, saying, "She's a pretty little girl. She ought to be damn happy that I observed her going out the door. The day I don't look at pretty women is the day I die." (Schaefer has long called the women with whom he works "little girls.")

On more than one occasion Schaefer referred to primary opponent Janet S. Owens as:

"that little prissy miss" and "little girl" who wears "long dresses, looks like Mother Hubbard -- it's sort of like she was a man." He made additional comments that she was "getting fat."

As comptroller, Schaefer was critical of immigrants who can't speak English. And stirred up controversy when he called people with AIDS "a danger" and said those with the disease "brought it on themselves." Schaefer repeatedly called for a public registry listing HIV-positive Maryland residents. "People should be able to know who has AIDS," Schaefer said.

For more than 50 years Schaefer has held an elected office in Maryland, including Mayor of Baltimore and as Governor. As he leaves office today many women across the state are saying GOOD RIDDANCE!