This week in The Tentacle http://www.thetentacle.com/
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
It’s going to be ugly
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Today is the first day of the 428th legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly and, as in past years, the main question on the minds of the leadership of this august body’s deliberations will be, “Welcome to Maryland, what’s in your wallet?”
Amanda Haddaway
In what seemed like mere minutes after the Arizona shooting tragedy, the mainstream media began pointing fingers and conjecturing about why Jared Loughner came armed with the intent to kill Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at a “Congress on your Corner” event last Saturday in Tucson.
Tom McLaughlin
Seri Aman, Malaysian Borneo – I am just getting around to writing about one of the towns we visited before the birth of my son Dzul. We were on our way to Brunei on the only road north in Borneo when he suddenly decided to greet the world a month early a few towns later. See previous columns about that adventure (http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=34).
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Invective Takes Toll
Roy Meachum
The furious ranting cited in Friday’s column (“Less Perfect Union,” January 7, 2011) claimed blood Saturday in the savage wounding of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The state’s highest ranking federal judge, John Roll, and five others were killed.
Farrell Keough
Where do we go next? That really is the issue with both the TEA Party and the seeming shift in the Republican Party.
Monday, January 10, 2011
A Political Journey – Part Two
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
Last week, we examined the first phase of a political journey from small town administration to the state capital. Left unanswered was the question of design and intent.
Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh
Well, if you haven't noticed already, former Commissioner Kai Hagen is on the campaign trail; not sure that he ever really stopped campaigning after his sixth place showing in last November's Frederick Board of County Commissioners' race.
Michael Kurtianyk
Much speculation has centered on who will replace Rick Weldon as the City of Frederick’s executive assistance to Mayor Randy McClement.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Less Perfect Union
Roy Meachum
Never in American history have voters been as furious as they were in the last two national elections; if anything, Frederick County citizens in the November races were even more ticked off.
Joe Charlebois
The use of Hargett Farm property off Butterfly Lane is the subject of a survey put out by the City of Frederick for both residents and others who have an interest in the city’s business.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The News Tells All
Patricia A. Kelly
There’s a recession going on. As the year 2011 begins, individuals and governments continue to feel serious financial pressure.
Chris Cavey
A mandatory task for political pundits and alleged soothsayers of the realm is to make predictions of the future regarding Maryland’s political path. So, once again, I have spread my linen and cast the grains to predict the unknowns of Maryland’s political scene.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Fall of The House O’Malley Built?
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Now that the hangover from last November’s Maryland General Election is becoming a memory, and Marylanders have begun to put away the Christmas lights and joined a local gym to shed those holiday pounds, many are beginning to set their sights on January 12, the beginning of the 2011 session of the Maryland General Assembly.
Norman M. Covert
How could one not enjoy the traditions of Christmas in Frederick? Music and arts festivities highlight the joyous period, but it ends tomorrow night, Jan. 6, 2011, at historic Steiner House on West Patrick Street, where the Frederick Women’s Civics Club celebrates Twelfth Night (Old Christmas or Epiphany if you will) and crowns its three kings of Mardi Gras.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Honored Dead
Roy Meachum
There are no tears left. For young men needlessly slaughtered in Iraq and Afghanistan, the tears are all exhausted. My sorrow deepened with the invasion to take Baghdad, as I wrote. The military-industrial complex, today’s gods of war, had their way.
Farrell Keough
It is a New Year and time for new ideas to move forward. In that vein, I contacted a number of people throughout the community and gave them one question: "If you could 'magically' change one thing at the local level of our government, what would it be?"
Monday, January 3, 2011
A Political Journey – Part One
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
There’s no other way to tell this story than to be brutally honest. This is a primer on how to achieve a position of power, influence and privilege. The fable is followed by a dire warning and a prediction, so you’ve got to stick it out to the final curtain.
Shawn Burns
The year in review reads pretty much the same as it did in years past. People died, wars were fought, and politicians argued and lied to voters…
Michael Kurtianyk
The time has come for us to move forward with changing our form of government. The Board of County Commissioners should be congratulated for moving forward with putting this item, not only on the agenda, but following legal counsel’s advice on how to proceed.
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