20071022 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Monday, October 22, 2007

Humanizing a Made-for-TV Governor

Katie Nash

The latest news stories surrounding Gov. Martin O'Malley have included endeavors to improve his public image. As he travels with his entourage to Maryland communities to unveil his ambitious tax-and-spend proposals, the media reports on the slight image adjustments O'Malley's consultants want them to see.

Wishful Thinking v. Reality

Tom McLaughlin

Now that Dad has passed away and I am free from my caregiver duties, I must elect where I am going to live. I have already decided to purchase a house in Middletown. (Down, Realtors, it's a private sale.)

EDITOR'S NOTE!

(EDITOR'S NOTE! Rick Weldon's column, which normally would have appeared on The Tentacle today, has been lost in the nether world we call cyberspace. It may appear unexpectedly later in the week, or it may be lost forever. Please remain hopeful. At least something written by Mr. Weldon, and prepared on another instrument invented to record man's intelligence and insight, shall appear here next week, even if a re-run is necessary.)

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Friday, October 19, 2007

Magnificent Mayor

Roy Meachum

Thousands of words poured all out of the media for In the Street. The only time I heard Ron Young's name mentioned was by me. I explained to newcomers about how Frederick's long-time mayor created the festival they enjoyed.

Nobel, My Foot!

Edward Lulie III

Ronald Reagan never won the Nobel Peace Prize; he merely ended the Communist domination of Eastern Europe and ended the Cold War. Jimmy (Do you believe in Peanut Butter?) Carter did win the Nobel Peace Prize. Carter set the stage for the downfall of the Shah of Iran and ushered in a glorious new era of 5th century fanaticism plus helping spark the Iran-Iraq War.

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Thursday, October 18, 2007

Bartlett Should Switch His Vote

Tony Soltero

As the word indicates, a representative's job is to represent. It is to reflect the views of the constituents of his or her district, and ensure that those views are advanced in Congress.

It Was, Indeed, Worthwhile!

Tom McLaughlin

"You are taking your daughter with you"? I heard this everywhere. Even across cultures.

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Shipwreck Known as SCHIP

Kevin E. Dayhoff

In 1997 the Republican controlled Congress enacted the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) - a joint federal and state government initiative that provides low-cost health insurance for children of lower income families.

Perhaps, er, Definitely Maybe!

Norman M. Covert

Are we impressed? Commissioner David Gray (R) last week forged ahead of his Frederick Board of County Commissioners cohorts on the issue of illegal immigrant services. He proposed - and got his wish - that instead of recommending legislation that might address the problem, they would pass a resolution calling for a resolution.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

KKK's Spirit Marches On

Roy Meachum

The bigotry and racial hatred oozing out of Walkersville remind me of the hate and blind stupidity prevalent when I first moved up the turnpike.

A Blight on Enlightenment

Farrell Keough

As many of you are aware, we are in the midst of a rigorous paper tiger fight over how to deal with a huge influx of illegal intruders. Some have the audacity to believe we should view this circumstance as a problem. Nothing could be further from the truth.

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Monday, October 15, 2007

Real ID: A Study in Contrast

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Think back to September 11, 2001. In that horrific environment and - more importantly - in the aftermath, a frantic flurry of activity framed the government's response.

WE GET LETTERS!

A reader from Emmitsburg provides an economics lesson on the cause of increased taxation. CLICK HERE!

October 10, 2007

Citizen-Soldier Awarded Bronze Star

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Many of us are extremely proud to learn that Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard, formerly of Hagerstown, was awarded the Bronze Star in a recent ceremony at the Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot in Kuwait.