This week in The Tentacle http://www.thetentacle.com/
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Living, As It IsPatricia A. Kelly
The playground is on a rise next to the brick school and the park. The wind is blowing, chilly, but hinting of the Spring to come.
Maryland and the Irish GuvChris Cavey
There once was a Guv named O’Malley
Whose political career did not dally.
‘Cause promises he made
And surpluses he’d raid
In hope no taxes he would tally.
A Proper PerspectiveDerek Shackelford
March Madness has begun. That is the given name to the next three weeks of the college basketball season. This moniker is provided because of the passion that coaches, fans and players display over the games that will be played.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
David Broder, A Reporter’s ReporterKevin E. Dayhoff
David S. Broder, 81, the well-respected dean of letters for The Washington Post for over four decades, has died from complications of diabetes.
Mr. Boh No MoNorman M. Covert
“Mr. Boh” gave Maryland a pretty good beer and the moniker, “The Land of Pleasant Living.” In the good old days Baltimore had the Colts as perennial contendahs; the blue collar Orioles on 33rd street; Bethlehem Steel; the B&O and seafood dives that gave the inner harbor character.
America and ChinaTom McLaughlin
Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – The militarization of China, one of the many passing comments usually buried as an aside in the international commentaries, brings forth the possibility of territorial acquisitions through conquest. There are several parallels now in play with the Japanese tsunami in the early 1940’s.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The New Joe McCarthyRoy Meachum
When I was a freshman at Georgetown, Republican Sen. Joseph McCarthy launched his version of a crusade against communists.
Memorization, Christie & Shifting PoliticsNick Diaz
This push toward so-called “21st Century Skills” – as if educators, of all people, knew in 1910 what skills would be required of students for the next 90 years – would be relatively harmless, outside the immense expenditure of time and money, if certain advocates didn't minimize actual content knowledge.
A New Tax Code?Shawn Burns
The deadline to file taxes is quickly approaching. And, as is usual, new forms are accompanied by page after page of explanations on how, when and why one form or another may or may not be needed.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Random Observations – Part OneRichard B. Weldon Jr.
From the bottom to the top, this has been a fairly significant couple of weeks – from Frederick’s City Hall, to Winchester Hall, all the way to Annapolis and Washington.
A Dream TeamMichael Kurtianyk
Whenever I hear the phrase “Dream Team,” I think of the great 1992 Men’s Olympic Basketball Team. It included 10 Hall of Fame players* and three Hall of Fame coaches.** The team itself was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame – that’s how good it was. They won by an average of nearly 44 points a game.
Japan's MeltdownSteven R. Berryman
Four days ago our violent universe proved that we still live on “the restless earth.” Many thanks to my college professors and to science fiction writers for at least softening the ground on these topics, allowing us to grasp the scope of disasters.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Spring, Come On!Roy Meachum
Winter couldn’t have been worse behind my yellow door on North Market Street. My age takes much of the blame. Some friends didn’t help.
Waking Up to RealityJoe Charlebois
Last November’s election has exposed the fact that there are few serious legislators on the left side of the aisle.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
That Rumbling is Just Gas!Norman M. Covert
It isn’t love and certainly this “rumbly in my tumbly” can probably be attributed to gas. Not that kind, Bubba, it’s the stuff Jed Clampett found while shooting at some food. The voice-over called it “bubbling crude … black gold.”
To Agree or Not? – That’s The QuestionAmanda Haddaway
The Supreme Court ruled on March 2, 2010, that members of the Westboro Baptist Church have a constitutionally-protected right to protest at military funerals. The vote was 8-1, with Justice Samuel Alito dissenting.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Charlie Sheen and Disposable WomenKevin E. Dayhoff
The recent media frenzy over Hollywood idol and role model Charlie Sheen has once again moved my threshold of amazement for contemporary society’s ability to reward bad behavior.
Pay Attention to Your BodyTom McLaughlin
Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – I knew something was wrong but I didn’t know what. My classrooms are located on the fourth floor and the climb up on the cement steps has been a bit rough. I know I am fit enough to wander the jungle. but cement and my feet just don’t mesh.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Eternal Catholic ScandalRoy Meachum
My first Frederick column on sexual assaults in the Roman Catholic Church appeared 20 years ago. It was in defense of Archbishop Joseph Bernardin whom I knew in Washington.
Just Who Is A Stakeholder Here?Farrell Keough
So, what is going on in Annapolis these days? Most people know the budget is in desperate straits. Some people are even aware there were votes on Gay Marriage recently.
Can The Hopefuls Take The Heat?Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh
This past week the Frederick Board of County Commissioners whittled the list of 50 applicants for the proposed charter government writing board down to 15 people.
*****
