Michael Bell
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CM Friedson, please stop paving the streets in Chevy Chase Section 5
Read more: CM Friedson, please stop paving the streets in Chevy Chase Section 5I’ve written quite a few posts on the need for zoning reform as a way of reducing the cost of housing. In this matter I hold CMs Friedson and Balcombe in high regard for their efforts in promoting zoning reform. Driving down Connecticut Avenue on the western border of Section Five in the Town of…
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CM Stewart wants to be kind, bold, and resist? She needs to write for Clean Slate MoCo!
Read more: CM Stewart wants to be kind, bold, and resist? She needs to write for Clean Slate MoCo!The electoral earthquake we all felt November 5 has had its predictable reactions. Personally, I’m not overly charmed by the degree of vindication we see in some (certainly not all) pro-Trump channels. After all, the GOP victors must be gracious to their opponents, and they certainly must avoid the hubris and dismissiveness the progressives have…
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CM Glass is encouraging therapy to process the election results. I suggest cognitive behavioral therapy.
Read more: CM Glass is encouraging therapy to process the election results. I suggest cognitive behavioral therapy.Quite some time ago I was a member of an organization that had difficulty attracting and retaining members. At that time the struggle over sexual orientation was coming to a peak, and the members of this organization convened to discuss if they would permit openly LGBT members. At that meeting I said something that I…
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Black and Brown families, address your inequities with the teachers’ union, not the superintendent
Read more: Black and Brown families, address your inequities with the teachers’ union, not the superintendentAn October piece in MoCo 360 had a headline “MCPS’s Black and brown community presses [MCPS Superintendent Thomas] Taylor on educational inequities.” At this meeting, concerned parents were looking for solutions to the festering student performance allegedly attributable to race. According to the article, one parent asked if MCPS would allow students to switch schools…
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CM Albornoz’s legislation shows progressives cannot deliver solutions
Read more: CM Albornoz’s legislation shows progressives cannot deliver solutionsThe Surgery Center of Oklahoma is an absolutely amazing medical facility. Founded in 1997, this hospital takes no insurance. Everything is cash on the barrel. How much cash on the barrel? Go to their menu of surgery prices and click on the body part that ails you most. Gall bladder removal with biopsy: $7,556. Appendectomy:…
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Alsobrooks Botches the Inflation Exam
Read more: Alsobrooks Botches the Inflation ExamFor some voters the only issue this election is getting a black female into the Senate. For them, the winning choice is Angela Alsobrooks. After all, if your voting patterns are only skin deep, your capacity for critical thinking is probably no better. If, however, you care about people of color, the underserved, the marginalized,…
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With Stewart, Ortman-Fouse, and Mink, it’s about control; With Diaz, it’s about compassion
Read more: With Stewart, Ortman-Fouse, and Mink, it’s about control; With Diaz, it’s about compassionPhotojournalism is an amazing feature of the modern age. Starting with the Civil War, American photojournalists have been capturing events military and civilian, lives wealthy and poor. They have been implanting into our collective consciousness jolting perspectives and immortalizing key moments. Here are two iconic photographs I curated from My Modern Net. Migrant field worker…
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Tolerance at the Dating Sites
Read more: Tolerance at the Dating SitesA thirty-something I know, call her Anna, has what is arguably the worst job in the entire internet industry: she investigates complaints from subscribers on dating sites. For example, John T. Stud creates a dating profile giving the impression that he is as good looking as Idris Elba, wealthy as a Saudi prince, and intelligent…
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MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 2—Civility
Read more: MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 2—CivilityThe following is an elaboration, exaggeration, and embellishment of a true encounter. About a week ago a very strange, unusual creature knocked on my door. “Is Mr. Bell in?” I was relieved at his opening move. When the door knocker doesn’t know your name, he’s trying to sell windows, roofs, siding, gardening, or tree removal.…
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MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 1—Municipal Bonds
Read more: MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 1—Municipal BondsWhile working at an engineering firm, I had to endure yet another annual review. “Bell,” said the manager. “You’ve come to work every day, and you’ve completed your assignments on time.” “Don’t forget that I also proposed suggestions for process improvement and organizational efficiency.” “As you have,” said the manager. “That’s why I’m ranking you…