This week in The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com Gas Tax, schools,
local politics and commentary on the 2012 presidential campaign and more
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Gas Pains and Rough Roads
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal year 2013 state budget, released a week ago, is a full menu of difficult choices. However, one of the most troubling is the lack of funding for police protection and highway user revenue for municipalities.
Losing His Mojo – If He Ever Had It
The locker room echoed with praise for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and it was almost with disdain that my friend and former colleague spat out the name of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. How quickly the room emptied and the showers came on.
Happy Year of the Dragon!
Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – I am really not that concerned about these reptilian serpents or any of the other 12 animals that glide by every Chinese New Year. However, living here, one cannot help but join in the festivities.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Capitol Hill Daze
Democratic candidate Tom Hattery’s mean attitude had much to do with pushing him away, from me and the electorate; that was 20 years ago when the thought of Beverly Byron losing was almost unthinkable. Mr. Hattery’s primary win was at least shocking to many.
Time for Charter School Proponents
I guess one can call it "Straight Jacket Approval" in that – once approved – public charter school start ups have to enter the cold cruel world of real estate.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Appalling and Disgusting
The truly memorable moment of the South Carolina primary debate last Thursday night occurred within the first 10 minutes.
How We Got Where We Are
Before we get all warm and fuzzy over Education Week reporting Maryland is ranked the #1 school in the nation, take a closer look at the list of criteria to get that #1 ranking.
Shadow Inventory Lurking
In comic book lure and during the Golden Age of radio, Lamont Cranston was a wealthy young man in New York City who was known as “The Shadow.” The radio broadcasts began with that famous question: "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"
Friday, January 20, 2012
Katherine Straightens the Mess
Reporter Katherine Heerbrandt earned my professional admiration over the long years in Frederick; we were colleagues on the local newspaper. Her most recent journalistic coup must not pass unremarked upon.
How can Obama get re-elected?
How does President Barack Obama expect to get re-elected? He has consistently stated throughout his three years in office that "My administration will not rest until every American who is able and ready and willing to work can find a job.” Is he serious?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
How Fortunate We Are
George W. Wireman died last week. He was known as the train man, and so much more. He was a polio survivor, rejected by the Army because of his deformed feet and legs, who walked and hiked everywhere, and visited all 50 states, including Hawaii four times – and he never had a driver’s license.
GOP Primary Season: Whatcha Talking About?
It has been an interesting week for the Republican Party since the Mitt Romney rout in the Granite State. So, for those of you who have been living in a hole, or perhaps just returned from another dimension within the past seven days, here are some random observations to ponder.
There They Go Again – Another Tax Increase
I thought it must have been a dream – actually, a nightmare – because I certainly never believed that in the current economic times someone would propose to raise yet another tax for the purpose of raising money to build something that the market has said repeatedly is not needed and likely will not be successful.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Let the Veepstakes begin
The consensus continues to gather steam that the GOP nomination to challenge President Barack Obama for president this fall will be former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Perhaps all the drama now moves to who will be his choice for vice president.
All Mixed Up
I am tho’ confuthed! I find myself burned up that the gaggle of Republican presidential candidates never misses an opportunity at self-immolation. I’m slipping over the edge now with the dual dilemma of new Sixth Congressional District boundaries and sibling rivalry among our GOP inhabitants.
Through the Darkness – Again
I am not exactly the poster child for vasectomy. Two years ago, I went to see a doctor who must have sterilized most of the men, who wanted the procedure, in Frederick County.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Afzali Crashes Congressional Primary
Never in my over 28 years writing about Frederick politics can I remember when an elected freshman official has been so unrelenting and noisy – some say obnoxious – as Kathy Afzali.
The Argument for Slots
In our current environment, we are seeing new taxes under all sorts of rubrics. For instance, we have paid dearly over the years for our roads and highway systems – yet, today, we are facing newly designated tax schemes like Toll Roads.
Padding One’s Resumé At Our Expense
It is no secret that Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to run for president in 2016. He has an ambitious list of proposals he would like to see enacted in the next four years in order to bolster his resumé in order to appeal to progressives and Democrats on the national level.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Raw Political Ambition – Nationally and Locally
Why is it that partisan politicians constantly place their own aspirations ahead of their party's best interests?
The Sixth, Education and Grandbabies
More than any other, the most discussed topic in my circles recently has been about the candidates for the Sixth Congressional District seat. There were quite a few surprises, but before looking at some specific candidates, here is the list:
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