BLACK HISTORY MONTH... WHY ARE WE STILL DOING THIS

Don't misunderstand, I know the history. But I wonder if enought time has passed the those people and issues celebrated in this observance can and should be incorporated into regular old American History. Otherwise, isn't this just segregation that's repackaged and sold as Pride? And how can anyone understand and appreciate a particular contribution or issue if it's removed from its historical context?
I mean, other groups have suffered discrimination in this country too.... Chinese, Irish, Mexicans and American Indians. When is Native American History month, or Chinese American History month... Are we really saying that contributions by African Americans are so much greater than any other demographic groups' that they need to be singled out for special recognition. Or, once again, is this just repackaged segregation?

QUOTE FOR TODAY

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross"
- Sinclair Lewis 1935

THERE'S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN, BUT THE PROBLEMS REMAIN THE SAME

With John Gronki now out as Snow Hill's police chief, Sheriff Chuck Martin has once again lept into the breach to provide coverage and oversight. According to one source, an administrative-level officer from Martin's staff will assume the role as interim chief for a 90-day period, during which the town hopes to hire a new chief. Reportedly, the interim guy is a retired Ocean City cop who works for the sheriff on a part-time basis.... Gene Somebody-or-Other. So now we have a stopgap, but we don't have a resolution to the problem that confronted town officials two years ago when they hired Gronki.That is, if they couldn't afford to hire a police chief with knowledge and experience last time, and the town's economic situtation has not changed appreciably since then, how are they going to afford it now? Of course, the short answer is that they aren't, at least not without a hefty tax increase. Yikes.
... But another option may be easier for town residents to take than a big tax bite, would be to just disolve the town's police force and turn law enforcement duties over to the Sheriff until such time as the town can afford to reconstitute it's own agency.

SNOW HILL'S GOT SUCH A GOOD BEAT, YOU COULD ALMOST DANCE TO IT

So John Gronki is out as police chief of Snow Hill after not quite two years. It's not like I didn't see that coming from ten miles downrange. ... Right after the town hired him, a good friend of mine sat down and talked to Mike McDermott, then interim chief and a candidate for the job. Mike had the respect of the rank and file and of the citizens. But he didn't get the job because the town was shopping for a Cadallac with a Yugo bank account. That is, they wanted to pay a whole lot less for an administrator than the going rate. And when they found out they couldn't, or wouldn't afford the market rate they decided to go with a candidate with no administrative skills. So they hired Gronki. "It won't last," McDermott reportedly said.... and it didn't. Even a year ago, line officers were saying privately the wished McDermott was back at the helm. Maybe he will be.

THE IRON CURTAIN SLAMS SHUT IN BERLIN

Elected officials over in Berlin are girding up their loins and building a stone wall to resist increasing pressure by the local news media, and hopefully others, to publish the minutes of one or more closed meetings, during which it is alleged town officials discussed and reached concensus on issues of legal and ligitmate interest to the public.
This is interesting. But it would be more interesting, and perhaps generate greater pressure on the town, if the press actually gave us details about the allegations.
If this is true, it cast our old friend Tom Cardinale, a Republican, in a bad light-- especially since he took pains to tell voters prior to his election as mayor that he would make the town's government "more transparent." Well, it's time to be transparent, Tom; there are unswered allegations and questions that need to be resolved. If elected officials have done nothing wrong, fine, then you've made good on your promise to be honest, truthful and forthcoming. If, on the other hand, you've violated the trust of the citizens, then it's incumbant upon you and the rest of the council to man-up, ownup and take your medicine. That way, you can at least salvage what's left of your political career and begin rebuilding trust.

DAILY TIMES SETS ITS SIGHTS ON A NEW HOME

Contrary to some reports from the blogosphere, The Daily Times does not plan to fold its tent and steal away into the night. But it is planning a move in the near future to the north end of town, reportedly, somewhere near the Delmarva Power site. It will include a new building with brand new presses.... now, if only they would grow a set and start doing some real journalism....

MARYLAND INCHES TOWARD BANNING THE DEATH PENALTY

Maryland lawmakers this week introduced legislation to repeal the state's death penalty. Well, isn't that nice. It certainly sets a new tone, lets everyone know the Dems are back in the driver's seatand aim to make some changes. That's good. Changes need to be made.
But why this one. If the Dems want to demonstrate a kinder and gentler leadership maybe they should start with something worthwhile, life universal healthcare, or a revamped CPS system.... If they really, absolutely had to monkey with the penal system as a demonstration of their [imagined] god-like sense of justice, maybe they could just make criminal trials more fair instead of guaranteeing those who most deserve a final sort of justice will never receive it.

THE RISE OF THE NEW[ER] LEFT

If there is, after all, an upside to 12 years of increasing Repiglican fascism, I guess it would be the ressurection of activism by the political left on college campuses. Finally.
For those of us who remember and long for the days when college-aged people took an active interest in politics, you may be heartened by the fact that the SDS, Students for a Democratic Society, has reformed and is organizing at some colleges, universities, and even high schools. There's a highschool chapter in Middletown, MD. And there are 45 more chapters around the nation, along with 138 university chapters.... the political pendulum has reached its apex and has finally started to swing the other way.