News and Views
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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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What Kind of Politicians Are We Raising: Op-Ed
Read more: What Kind of Politicians Are We Raising: Op-Ed“Dad, even though we believe different things, it’s ok, we still play soccer together.” With two young boys, my dinner table offers up plenty of opportunity to introduce and reinforce the values and principles I want my children to demonstrate as they grow into young men. School days, soccer matches, cub scout meetings and neighborhood…
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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…
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Students for Justice in Palestine & the University of Maryland
Read more: Students for Justice in Palestine & the University of MarylandPhoto credit to The Diamondback. On July 31st the University of Maryland Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group reserved the entire McKeldin Mall for an invitation only event for 25-50 people on October 7th, from 7 am to 11pm. The university approved this request which granted SJP exclusive use of the mall on October…
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Anti Semitism Disproportionately Leads Bias Incidents in MoCo
Read more: Anti Semitism Disproportionately Leads Bias Incidents in MoCoAccording to the Montgomery County Department of Police 2023 Annual Bias Incident Report released March 2024, 41% of all bias incidents were anti-Jewish, 30% were anti Black, 7% were anti-Homosexual, 5% were anti-Asian, 4% were anti Hispanic, and 3% were anti-Arab or anti-Islamic. The statistics are more remarkable when you consider the County population is…
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Zoning Change Proposal Impacts Only 55% of County Council
Read more: Zoning Change Proposal Impacts Only 55% of County CouncilAs the county holds listening sessions and reviews a proposal put forward by the Montgomery County Planning Board, it is important to see how these changes might impact the County Council members. Shockingly, 45% of the current county council will be excluded from any direct impact from these zoning changes. The proposal recommends these changes:…
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The Fallacy of the Life Sciences Obsession: Part 2—Betting against the Annapolis casino
Read more: The Fallacy of the Life Sciences Obsession: Part 2—Betting against the Annapolis casinoIn Part 1 of this series we listed the infrastructure the local, state, and county governments are giving away for free for the University of Maryland’s Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC) in North Bethesda—all sited at the coveted Metro North Bethesda station. How wise is this move? The UM-IHC is funded by MoCo, state, and…
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The Fallacy of the Life Sciences Obsession: Part 1—Subsidizing live/work/learn/play but not bus service
Read more: The Fallacy of the Life Sciences Obsession: Part 1—Subsidizing live/work/learn/play but not bus serviceFor many years our county’s officials have been extolling MoCo as a bio-tech center. In his weekly message from August 2, Marc Elrich said MoCo is #3 among all of America’s life science hubs. In a Glass Gazette from July 2024, Council Member Evan glass noted that “Our life sciences sector is incredibly important to…
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What Words Don’t Often Appear in CM Friedson’s “Flyer” Newsletter to Residents, Taxpayers?
Read more: What Words Don’t Often Appear in CM Friedson’s “Flyer” Newsletter to Residents, Taxpayers?We’ve posted about Councilmember Andrew Friedson’s “newsletter” before here at CleanSlateMoCo.com. Dubbed the “Friedson Flyer”, the Councilmember sends it out at least once a month, sometimes twice in a 30-day span. It is meant to inform residents and taxpayers about the good work his office has been doing and the happenings in and around his…