Interesting times afoot in Montgomery County, Maryland – which now finds itself back in the national news as controversy rages over parental rights, religious freedom and the ability of families to opt-out of certain MCPS (public school system) curriculums and readings to children as young as five. The tension mirrors what went on across the river, in Loudon County, Virginia and indeed all over America as parents ask tougher questions of local school boards that are too often run by activists, not pragmatic leaders.
Montgomery County Councilmember and full-time activist for “[fill in the blank] progressive cause” Kristin Mink finds herself once again front and center in the info-storm. Generally, CM Mink seems to enjoy being around a camera and national issue – as seen in the summer of 2022 when she went to the Supreme Court for an MSNBC interview around Roe v. Wade being overturned. This time it might be different, as the headlines aren’t as neat. A simple Google News query of her name showcases the following, instantly (screen captured today, June 7th, 2023):
These headlines are a bit unfair, as the Councilmember, when testifying at the Board of Ed hearing in Rockville, MD yesterday after the protests, twisted herself into verbal pretzels to make it clear that she was not seeking to loop in the American Muslim groups present with those she claims are “white supremacists” on the prowl in MoCo. Per her twitter timeline:
Of course, the key word there is “many”. Not all. CM Mink seems to still be implying that several of the Muslim or Orthodox Christian leaders present could well be “hateful bigots”.
And, CM Mink has smeared many a hard-working American, such as school resource officers, in prior testimony to the MoCo Board of Ed. In some ways, this kerfuffle is karma. “Justice”, Councilmember Mink might call it. Broadly denigrating other people with differing opinions, their occupations (like police), or their appearance instead of diving into the actual issues at-hand only gets a politician so far.
What is also interesting and kind of refreshing is the quiet focus of one Ryan Mink, the councilmember’s husband and Editorial Director for the Baltimore Ravens. He’s made mention of his “badass wife” running for political office before (screen capture from Twitter.com):
But yesterday he was focused on the Baltimore Raven’s OTAs, not what CM Kristin Mink was inserting herself in…
That is cool… and kind of refreshing to see. A journalist / editor solely focused on his topic of pro football. No sanctimony or veering into local / MD politics. At least for a day.
Maybe he can give the Councilmember a few pointers on how to avoid controversial headlines, in the future?
