All Postings
-
Read more: With Stewart, Ortman-Fouse, and Mink, it’s about control; With Diaz, it’s about compassion
With Stewart, Ortman-Fouse, and Mink, it’s about control; With Diaz, it’s about compassion
Photojournalism 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…
-
Read more: Lynn Harris wants to bus kids away from local schools
Lynn Harris wants to bus kids away from local schools
The elephant in the room that has not been discussed this Board of Education election season is MCPS upcoming mega boundary study. Starting in January MCPS will begin a boundary study which includes 19 high schools and 31 middle schools. This represents 2/3’s of the County’s high schools and their feeder middle schools. This is,…
-
Read more: We Finally Have a Draft of the Urban Institute’s “Evaluation” of MoCo Boost (Guaranteed Income Pilot)
We Finally Have a Draft of the Urban Institute’s “Evaluation” of MoCo Boost (Guaranteed Income Pilot)
We finally have something of a detailed evaluation, by a left-leaning think tank called the Urban Institute, of MoCo’s “Boost” Guaranteed Income Pilot program. Recall that MoCo’s “Boost” Guaranteed Income Pilot is a so-called “Universal Basic Income” (UBI) pilot program rushed into existence by the County Council back in 2021. The County was flush with…
-
Read more: Tolerance at the Dating Sites
Tolerance at the Dating Sites
A 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…
-
Read more: What Kind of Politicians Are We Raising: Op-Ed
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…
-
Read more: MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 2—Civility
MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 2—Civility
The 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.…
-
Read more: MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 1—Municipal Bonds
MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 1—Municipal Bonds
While 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…
-
Read more: Students for Justice in Palestine & the University of Maryland
Students for Justice in Palestine & the University of Maryland
Photo 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…
-
Read more: Anti Semitism Disproportionately Leads Bias Incidents in MoCo
Anti Semitism Disproportionately Leads Bias Incidents in MoCo
According 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…
-
Read more: Zoning Change Proposal Impacts Only 55% of County Council
Zoning Change Proposal Impacts Only 55% of County Council
As 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:…