20071031 This Week in The Tentacle

This Week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Trick or Treat

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Happy Halloween! Of course, for Marylanders, Halloween came early this year when Gov. Martin O'Malley appeared Monday evening before a joint session of Maryland General Assembly with a very big trick or treat bag.

Martin and His Merry Band of Hucksters

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

The special session of the General Assembly looms over state legislators like a specter; how appropriate that today is Halloween. Instead of the Grim Reaper looking to take your soul, these guys (and gals) merely want your wallet.

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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Quiet Mayor

Roy Meachum

Jennifer Dougherty sneaked back into public view. Again. She declared she might be interested in taking on Andrew Duck and the other Democratic candidates who might challenge Roscoe Bartlett for the Sixth Congressional District seat.

An Engineer of Engineers

Nick Diaz

In recent years I've been doing some thinking, (an inherently dangerous activity), about my role as a veteran middle-school mathematics teacher. Most of my years with Frederick County Public Schools I spent in the classroom, in the act of attempting to teach kids from 10 to 14 years of age something about numbers and number relationships.

An Inescapable Conclusion

Farrell Keough

We have come a surprising distance on our road towards "Enlightenment." If you will remember, we began our discussion recognizing the truths of our honorable Montgomery County Executive, Democrat Isiah "Ike" Leggett informing us on how our enlightened leadership has made Maryland a sanctuary for illegal intruders.

WE GET LETTERS!

A Walkersville resident says the "Muslim" issue in her town isn't "religion." CLICK HERE!

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Monday, October 29, 2007

Special Sessions: Not So Special Anymore

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

The Constitution of Maryland acknowledges that a 90-day annual legislative session limitation may necessitate additional meetings. An unexpected crisis, a major disaster, or some other unpredictable situation might necessitate bringing legislators back to the State Capitol.

The OC Hotel-Motel Tax Increase

Tom McLaughlin

The Worcester County Commissioners are receiving public opinion about a bill to increase the room tax in Ocean City to attract more tourists. The money would be spent to advertise the town in the Western Shore markets.

WE GET LETTERS!

The controversy in Walkersville over the Ahmadiyya Muslims' plans to build a facility there continues to raise eyebrows. CLICK HERE!

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Friday, October 26, 2007

Doomed Special Session?

Roy Meachum

From here, the omens are not good for the governor's special session that opens Monday. Martin O'Malley hoped calling the legislature in would lead to answers for Maryland's staggering deficits. I don't think it's going to happen.

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Thursday, October 25, 2007

Time for Action

Chris Cavey

The citizens of Maryland will soon learn if their legislators understand the definition of representation as the Maryland General Assembly readies to convene in special session to consider the most massive tax hike in this state's history.

WE GET LETTERS!

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot sent a letter to the governor and every member of the General Assembly on Wednesday detailing his objections to the special session, slated to begin Monday. The Tentacle has obtained a copy for your edification. CLICK HERE!

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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Blackwater USA

Kevin E. Dayhoff

The founder of Blackwater USA, Erik Prince, is famous for being media averse. However in the last year, especially since the Democratic Party achieved majority status in the United States Congress, Mr. Prince's name is slowly becoming a household word.

WE GET LETTERS!

A Thurmont resident takes issue with the upcoming General Assembly special session and the seeming inability of politicians to "cut." CLICK HERE!

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Walkersville's Muslims

Roy Meachum

Please let us be clear: The Muslims trying to buy the farm in Walkersville have nothing to do with the other Muslims who have lived quietly in the community for years.

The Power of The Courts

Farrell Keough

During our last time together, we discussed how "Enlightened Maryland" has become. We give away our taxes, our services, and even our children's education to illegal intruders in deference to a more enlightened way of life.

WE GET LETTERS!

A Frederick resident takes issue with Roy Meachum's column of last week, which was about the furor over the Muslim facility in Walkersville. CLICK HERE!

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Monday, October 22, 2007

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.)

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.)