Wednesday, August 31, 2011

This week in The Tentacle http://www.thetentacle.com/

http://www.thetentacle.com/

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Greetings from Southern California. This week I had the opportunity to attend a nationwide agri-business economics conference in San Diego and what I found is somewhat a mixed bag – of sorts.

Raya – The End of Ramadan

Tom McLaughlin

Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – We begin with anticipation. Raya does not officially start until the new moon of the Islamic month of Syawal and has been sighted by the Islamic Rulers.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Seeking Gadhafi for Revenge

Roy Meachum

Reminiscent of the search for Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, triumphant rebels are beating Libyan bushes, looking for Muammar Gadhafi; when they find him, they announced the 40-year dictator will stand trial and probably be executed, following the example in Baghdad.

Repressive Public Policy

Nick Diaz

As a native of a Spanish-speaking country, I’m often asked by natural-born Americans whether Spanish-speaking people living in the USA today are getting too comfortable with having translation readily accessible to them.

Governor’s Power Grab

Shawn Burns

What is PlanMaryland? Why do we “need” it? And what is the true purpose of this policy proposal?

Monday, August 29, 2011

A Vote for Jobs Starts at Home

Adam Avery

While two of every 10 Americans remain un- or under-employed; while our troops fight wars with no clear objective and no end in sight; while our borders remain a porous political play; while the value of 401Ks and IRAs slump back to 2010 levels; and while our deficit and debt rise due to Congress' unwillingness to look past their own self interests, the dog and pony show circuit – beginning with the Ames (IA) straw poll – offered voters a false premise for meaningful change.

Engulfed by Irene

Steven R. Berryman

Al Roker and Joe Bastardi are now the media icons of America. On Saturday and Sunday, while absorbing hurricane Irene, we all hunkered-down in our safest places and watched these weather video journalist he-men flex their muscles, leaning into the wind for emphasis.

Grove Stadium Issues Debated

Michael Kurtianyk

One of the great joys about being active in local politics is meeting with local elected leaders to discuss issues. Much has been made in recent weeks about issues specific to Frederick City.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Earthquake and Hurricane

Roy Meachum

The 6.0 earthquake hit Market Street while Pushkin and I took our early afternoon walk; we had just returned from West Frederick Veterinary Hospital for the English Pointer’s biweekly acupuncture. None of the places I’ve lived in has a reputation for tremors; Tuesday’s was my very first.

Invasive State Control of Growth – Part 4

Farrell Keough

In reviewing Gov Martin O’Malley’s PlanMaryland proposal, we have but one remaining area to cover. We have seen six others areas and how this proposal might affect Marylanders:

The Return of The Muppets

Joe Charlebois

The Muppets return this fall with an all new movie for young and old alike. Release of the ninth Muppet movie Thanksgiving weekend comes nearly six years after the last theatrical release and 32 years since the first.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Did you know…..

Joan Marie Aquilino

Did you know: That a teachers union in a nearby county is handing out postcards to send to the state demanding they fund – and more – the Maintenance of Effort budget for the school system when, in my last recollection there wasn't any money left to be had.

Filling The Shoes for Success

Amanda Haddaway

The current crop of Republican presidential candidates is less than awe inspiring, and many knowledgeable voters are already grumbling, “Can’t we find someone better?”

Defending The Second Amendment

Blaine R. Young

Liberals love to talk about the Bill of Rights. In fact, they have created an entire national organization, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which is devoted to defending the Bill of Rights.

Invasive State Control of Growth – Part 3

Farrell Keough

In our continuing conversation about of the governor’s PlanMaryland proposal to restrict land use, we now move forward to analyze two areas directly affecting every Marylander.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

As You Like It Richard III

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Now is the winter of our discontent… On the morning of August 22, in 1485, a defining moment in English history took place with the death of King Richard III in the Battle of Bosworth Field.

Invasive State Control of Growth – Part 2

Farrell Keough

Yesterday we began a conversation on the O’Malley Administration’s proposal entitled PlanMaryland. We covered two areas: Unmanaged Development and Smart Growth as driving factors to promote and justify this plan. We saw that the crisis portrayed about growth is not quantifiable by the actual data and the public is not embracing the concepts of Smart Growth.

Studying Stromatolites in Deer Cave

Tom McLaughlin

Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – One of the joys of living in Borneo is one gets to meet some of the top scientist from around the world. Being a biologist, I was eager to attend a talk about Deer Cave, the second largest cave in the world.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Stadium Stuttering

Roy Meachum

WHAG-TV’s Tim Wesolek first brought attention to the stuttering going on over the Harry Grove Stadium. In the latest episode of the confusing situation, Alderman Carol Krimm’s motion to declassify the meeting’s minutes received unanimous support from the board. Still the confusion lingers on.

Invasive State Control of Growth – Part 1

Farrell Keough

For the next few days, we will review a new proposal from the O’Malley’s Administration entitled PlanMaryland. This plan has far-reaching consequences and should be thoroughly reviewed before any type of implementation.

Firing-up The Contenders

Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh

Now that the Republican Iowa Straw Poll is in the rear view mirror, the level of speculation regarding the GOP’s true national presidential front runner has kicked into high gear.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Creation vs. Evolution: Re-staging the battle

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

If you’ve read these columns, you’ll recognize a familiar pattern. Every few years, the call of the live stage is too strong to ignore. A show comes along that peaks an interest, and the juices start flowing.

Family Fundraiser FUNomenon!

Steven R. Berryman

Next Saturday, August 27^th, you can see The Oak Ridge Boys cover their classic country and gospel standards at the all-day family oriented benefit “Family Fundraiser FUNomenon” at the Great Frederick Fairgrounds.

Learning Wisconsin’s Lesson

Michael Kurtianyk

It was with great amusement that Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) offered to meet and discuss a compromise on a new law limiting collective bargaining among unions in that state. The bill, known as SB-5, was signed into law on March 31.

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