This Week in The Tentacle
http://www.thetentacle.com/
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Exposing the Real Agenda…
Farrell Keough
Now is the summer of our discontent – made glorious winter by this sun of the Statis. Shakespeare may not have been pleased, but my literary license is paid in full and allows for such word play.
From the Desk of The Publisher:
John W. Ashbury
WE GET LETTERS!!! Two Republican candidates for the Board of Aldermen of the City of Frederick weigh in on the annexation votes taken last week. And due to technical difficulties, it will be posted in this manner! Please ignore the byline and look at the end of the letter for the contributors.
From The Desk of The Publisher:
John W. Ashbury
Roy Meachum has discovered – belatedly – that healing from surgery requires recovery of the mind as well. While expecting to be able to compose a column for today, Mr. Meachum found that his convalescence from knee replacement has drawn more of his attention that he planned. So, we at The Tentacle are hopeful that his commentary will restart on Friday.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Defining Political Silliness
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
The President of the United States wants to talk to school children…oh, the horror! This guy wants to be granted access, though a web-based seminar, to our young impressionable minds. What terrifying subliminal messaging will be employed, what under-handed attempt to draw American schoolchildren into the evil web of progressive policy is afoot?
Time Management
Steven R. Berryman
Should you not have time to read my columns, then make an exception and read this one now. “I just don’t have the time” sounds like a personal problem to me, and that attitude will not advance your ability to get things done in our zero-sum time of “no time.”
Friday, September 4, 2009
From The Desk of The Publisher:
John W. Ashbury
Roy Meachum, whose columns appear here twice a week, is recovering nicely from knee replacement surgery. His progress has been phenomenal. He is resting now at home and we expect a column from him for his next scheduled posting – on Tuesday.
Role Reversal in America
Joe Charlebois
What’s the big deal? Democratic strategists say when responding to the recent and rapid response by conservatives and libertarians to what seems like blatant propaganda on two fronts – both aimed at school aged children.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Options: You make the choices
Patricia A. Kelly
They’re everywhere. They’re often small, pale, dressed in out of date clothing. We see them and immediately turn away. “Not me,” we say, “Not me.”
Lower the Volume
Michael Kurtianyk
In response to all of the rhetoric about health care, we can agree on one thing: not reforming the health care industry is not an option. We need to do something.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Perils of Facebook
Kevin E. Dayhoff
For better or worse, new social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter are here to stay – that is, until something new comes along – like, tomorrow.
The Revolution in Burma
Tom McLaughlin
The revolution will come, the question is when. Many believed there would be a problem after the sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi on July 31 and August 11.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Excuse
Roy Meachum
This morning my schedule calls for an early exercise session, the first step in rehabilitation. My right knee was replaced yesterday by orthopedic surgeon Robert Fisher. X-rays showed the connection had been reduced to bone-on-bone, all the cartilage lost.
What to Expect in 6th Grade Math
Nick Diaz
Yesterday you were counting pennies, leaves, and gold stars with your first grader. Now he or she is ready, you hope, to tackle sixth grade math. It's a shock to lots of parents – and children, too.
Dissention and the Seeds of Rebellion
Tom McLaughlin
Preface: – The following opinions are from my travels in Burma, talking to dozens of people in quiet whispers, over quick cups of tea or in back alleys. I did not seek these people, they found me. They knew I was an American. I did not advertise it. I just told the truth when asked. I refuse to hide behind the flag of another country. I listened and offered the support of a nod or an arm squeeze. I will not name locations, professions or anything else that could give a hint of identification.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Plowing the Crowded Field
Steven R. Berryman
One reason for the poor turnout at municipal elections is a perceived lack of differentiation between the candidates. This year we also suffer the fog of a large field of aldermanic candidates for the City of Frederick.
The Tourist Boycott of Burma
Tom McLaughlin
Imagine the generals who run Burma as the head of a spoiled, meat-red octopus with vomit green eyes. Imagine tentacles with huge white suckers strangling any form of democracy as its army. Imagine silk black threads running off the tentacles forming a web, hiding, listening and reporting back, the secret police. All three parts of this hideous hydra need money, lots of money, to stay alive.
The Legacy of Sen. Ted Kennedy
Kevin E. Dayhoff
The sad death of Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy last week brought with it a wave of sadness about the tumultuous events of the last four decades in our country.
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Last Kennedy Brother
Roy Meachum
The last time I rubbed elbows with Sen. Edward Kennedy was at Roger L. Steven’s graveside 11 years ago; he came to bring personal and family condolences to the family and their closest friends. They were close even before Mr. Stevens built the Kennedy Center and was its first chairman.
It’s Insurance!
Joe Charlebois
Home, life, auto and health insurance are all – depending on your needs – products that are designed to protect from catastrophic events. The debate currently being discussed in town hall meetings across this country misses the point entirely. Health insurance is a product issued to policyholders to cover medical costs. It not only covers catastrophic events, but just about everything over the co-pay or the deductible when satisfied.
The People of Burma and Me
Tom McLaughlin
Mandalay, Burma (Yangoon) – The joys of visiting a new country and the experiences with local people assemble a wealth of knowledge about a nation. Even though I spoke nary a word of Burmese, I managed to communicate.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dougherty’s Deceit
John W. Ashbury
It isn’t obvious – well maybe it is – that one of the most irritating actions any politician can take is assuming credit for the actions and deeds of others. Former Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty has become a master at it, and if the voters in the upcoming city election re-elect her, they will get exactly what they deserve.
School Board’s Myriad Problems
Joan McIntyre
We are a few shows into the Board of Educations’ ‘Board Chat’ program. It's already been nicknamed “Bored Chat.” Why, isn't that rather mean, you might ask?
Reversing Roles
Chris Cavey
There is a vast difference between revolution, which is a fundamental change in power, and revolt, meaning to renounce allegiance or subjection. There is revolution happening across our nation currently as masses of people take the streets to protest Obamacare.
The Road to Burma –Part 2
Tom McLaughlin
I had many preconceptions about Rangoon before arrival. After reading Internet sites, travelers tales and newspaper reports, I expected an impoverished, starving nation devoid of western goods.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Cindy’s Restaurant…
Kevin E. Dayhoff
On Sunday President Barack Obama, his extended family and an entourage of friends and colleagues, arrived in a "New England paradise," Martha's Vineyard, for a much-deserved vacation.
The Road to Burma – Part 1
Tom McLaughlin
[Editor’s Note: Tom McLaughlin recently spent several days in Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar, a nation controlled by its military. Over the next six publication days, Tom will relate his experiences in a style all his own.]
Lockerbie Fiasco
Michael Kurtianyk
Theodora Cohen was someone I knew back in college at Syracuse University. She lived upstairs on the fourth floor of Shaw Hall – she being a student at SU’s Visual & Performing Arts Department.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Fewer Walking Around
Roy Meachum
Friends have heard me say I know more people below ground than those walking around on the face of the earth. My disappeared numbers increased this week by two. Bob Novak and Don Hewitt were no back-slapping buddies – but we worked together.
Shaking in One’s Boots
Tom McLaughlin
[Editor’s Note: An earthquake struck West Sumatra, Indonesia, on August 16. Our intrepid correspondent, Tom McLaughlin, was on a travel foray there at the time. This is his account of his personal experience.]
Monday, August 24, 2009
Undermining a Legacy
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
United States Sen. Edward Moore Kennedy (D., MA) is dying of brain cancer. This is an indisputable fact, acknowledged by even the normally tight-lipped Kennedy public relations machine. This should be a sad moment in American history regardless of your opinion of his political ideology and sordid personal history. Senator Kennedy has been one of the leading progressive voices in American political history.
Twitter Primer
Steven R. Berryman
The Twitter.com phenomenon is not understood. It has nothing to do with text messaging, and more to do with poetry and “forced pithiness.”
20090901 drft This Week in The Tentacle
http://www.thetentacle.com/
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Exposing the Real Agenda…
Farrell Keough
Now is the summer of our discontent – made glorious winter by this sun of the Statis. Shakespeare may not have been pleased, but my literary license is paid in full and allows for such word play.
From the Desk of The Publisher:
John W. Ashbury
WE GET LETTERS!!! Two Republican candidates for the Board of Aldermen of the City of Frederick weigh in on the annexation votes taken last week. And due to technical difficulties, it will be posted in this manner! Please ignore the byline and look at the end of the letter for the contributors.
From The Desk of The Publisher:
John W. Ashbury
Roy Meachum has discovered – belatedly – that healing from surgery requires recovery of the mind as well. While expecting to be able to compose a column for today, Mr. Meachum found that his convalescence from knee replacement has drawn more of his attention that he planned. So, we at The Tentacle are hopeful that his commentary will restart on Friday.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Defining Political Silliness
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
The President of the United States wants to talk to school children…oh, the horror! This guy wants to be granted access, though a web-based seminar, to our young impressionable minds. What terrifying subliminal messaging will be employed, what under-handed attempt to draw American schoolchildren into the evil web of progressive policy is afoot?
Time Management
Steven R. Berryman
Should you not have time to read my columns, then make an exception and read this one now. “I just don’t have the time” sounds like a personal problem to me, and that attitude will not advance your ability to get things done in our zero-sum time of “no time.”
Friday, September 4, 2009
From The Desk of The Publisher:
John W. Ashbury
Roy Meachum, whose columns appear here twice a week, is recovering nicely from knee replacement surgery. His progress has been phenomenal. He is resting now at home and we expect a column from him for his next scheduled posting – on Tuesday.
Role Reversal in America
Joe Charlebois
What’s the big deal? Democratic strategists say when responding to the recent and rapid response by conservatives and libertarians to what seems like blatant propaganda on two fronts – both aimed at school aged children.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Options: You make the choices
Patricia A. Kelly
They’re everywhere. They’re often small, pale, dressed in out of date clothing. We see them and immediately turn away. “Not me,” we say, “Not me.”
Lower the Volume
Michael Kurtianyk
In response to all of the rhetoric about health care, we can agree on one thing: not reforming the health care industry is not an option. We need to do something.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Perils of Facebook
Kevin E. Dayhoff
For better or worse, new social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter are here to stay – that is, until something new comes along – like, tomorrow.
The Revolution in Burma
Tom McLaughlin
The revolution will come, the question is when. Many believed there would be a problem after the sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi on July 31 and August 11.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Excuse
Roy Meachum
This morning my schedule calls for an early exercise session, the first step in rehabilitation. My right knee was replaced yesterday by orthopedic surgeon Robert Fisher. X-rays showed the connection had been reduced to bone-on-bone, all the cartilage lost.
What to Expect in 6th Grade Math
Nick Diaz
Yesterday you were counting pennies, leaves, and gold stars with your first grader. Now he or she is ready, you hope, to tackle sixth grade math. It's a shock to lots of parents – and children, too.
Dissention and the Seeds of Rebellion
Tom McLaughlin
Preface: – The following opinions are from my travels in Burma, talking to dozens of people in quiet whispers, over quick cups of tea or in back alleys. I did not seek these people, they found me. They knew I was an American. I did not advertise it. I just told the truth when asked. I refuse to hide behind the flag of another country. I listened and offered the support of a nod or an arm squeeze. I will not name locations, professions or anything else that could give a hint of identification.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Plowing the Crowded Field
Steven R. Berryman
One reason for the poor turnout at municipal elections is a perceived lack of differentiation between the candidates. This year we also suffer the fog of a large field of aldermanic candidates for the City of Frederick.
The Tourist Boycott of Burma
Tom McLaughlin
Imagine the generals who run Burma as the head of a spoiled, meat-red octopus with vomit green eyes. Imagine tentacles with huge white suckers strangling any form of democracy as its army. Imagine silk black threads running off the tentacles forming a web, hiding, listening and reporting back, the secret police. All three parts of this hideous hydra need money, lots of money, to stay alive.
The Legacy of Sen. Ted Kennedy
Kevin E. Dayhoff
The sad death of Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy last week brought with it a wave of sadness about the tumultuous events of the last four decades in our country.
Friday, August 28, 2009
The Last Kennedy Brother
Roy Meachum
The last time I rubbed elbows with Sen. Edward Kennedy was at Roger L. Steven’s graveside 11 years ago; he came to bring personal and family condolences to the family and their closest friends. They were close even before Mr. Stevens built the Kennedy Center and was its first chairman.
It’s Insurance!
Joe Charlebois
Home, life, auto and health insurance are all – depending on your needs – products that are designed to protect from catastrophic events. The debate currently being discussed in town hall meetings across this country misses the point entirely. Health insurance is a product issued to policyholders to cover medical costs. It not only covers catastrophic events, but just about everything over the co-pay or the deductible when satisfied.
The People of Burma and Me
Tom McLaughlin
Mandalay, Burma (Yangoon) – The joys of visiting a new country and the experiences with local people assemble a wealth of knowledge about a nation. Even though I spoke nary a word of Burmese, I managed to communicate.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dougherty’s Deceit
John W. Ashbury
It isn’t obvious – well maybe it is – that one of the most irritating actions any politician can take is assuming credit for the actions and deeds of others. Former Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty has become a master at it, and if the voters in the upcoming city election re-elect her, they will get exactly what they deserve.
School Board’s Myriad Problems
Joan McIntyre
We are a few shows into the Board of Educations’ ‘Board Chat’ program. It's already been nicknamed “Bored Chat.” Why, isn't that rather mean, you might ask?
Reversing Roles
Chris Cavey
There is a vast difference between revolution, which is a fundamental change in power, and revolt, meaning to renounce allegiance or subjection. There is revolution happening across our nation currently as masses of people take the streets to protest Obamacare.
The Road to Burma –Part 2
Tom McLaughlin
I had many preconceptions about Rangoon before arrival. After reading Internet sites, travelers tales and newspaper reports, I expected an impoverished, starving nation devoid of western goods.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Cindy’s Restaurant…
Kevin E. Dayhoff
On Sunday President Barack Obama, his extended family and an entourage of friends and colleagues, arrived in a "New England paradise," Martha's Vineyard, for a much-deserved vacation.
The Road to Burma – Part 1
Tom McLaughlin
[Editor’s Note: Tom McLaughlin recently spent several days in Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar, a nation controlled by its military. Over the next six publication days, Tom will relate his experiences in a style all his own.]
Lockerbie Fiasco
Michael Kurtianyk
Theodora Cohen was someone I knew back in college at Syracuse University. She lived upstairs on the fourth floor of Shaw Hall – she being a student at SU’s Visual & Performing Arts Department.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Fewer Walking Around
Roy Meachum
Friends have heard me say I know more people below ground than those walking around on the face of the earth. My disappeared numbers increased this week by two. Bob Novak and Don Hewitt were no back-slapping buddies – but we worked together.
Shaking in One’s Boots
Tom McLaughlin
[Editor’s Note: An earthquake struck West Sumatra, Indonesia, on August 16. Our intrepid correspondent, Tom McLaughlin, was on a travel foray there at the time. This is his account of his personal experience.]
Monday, August 24, 2009
Undermining a Legacy
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
United States Sen. Edward Moore Kennedy (D., MA) is dying of brain cancer. This is an indisputable fact, acknowledged by even the normally tight-lipped Kennedy public relations machine. This should be a sad moment in American history regardless of your opinion of his political ideology and sordid personal history. Senator Kennedy has been one of the leading progressive voices in American political history.
Twitter Primer
Steven R. Berryman
The Twitter.com phenomenon is not understood. It has nothing to do with text messaging, and more to do with poetry and “forced pithiness.”
20090901 drft This Week in The Tentacle
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/ Blip.fm: http://blip.fm/kevindayhoff_soundtrack
