Maryland Top Blogs » Public Blog Aggregator of Maryland (MD)

Feeds

7060 άρθρα από 84 πηγές

365 Frederick (45)
A Baltimore Block (10)
All Things Frederick - A Real Estate Blog (71)
axisalley (10)
Baltimore Beer Guy (25)
baltimore by hand (48)
Baltimore County Politics (10)
Baltimore Crime (282)
Baltimore Diller Teen Fellows (34)
baltimore etsy street team (205)
Baltimore Fashion Alliance (1)
Baltimore InnerSpace (36)
Baltimore Nonviolence Center (1049)
Baltimore Skyline (60)
Baltimore Slumlord Watch (186)
Baltimore Sports and Life (25)
Beer in Baltimore (203)
BFSA (59)
Blue Skies Over Dundalk Maryland (27)
Brian Griffiths (25)
BUGS: Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students (68)
buzoncrime (25)
CameraFRAUD D.C. Virginia Maryland - The Cameras are Coming Down (10)
Columbia Maryland's Future (32)
Confessions of a Baltimore Housewife (81)
Copiers Maryland (28)
CS Lewis Society of Frederick, Maryland (80)
Epiphany in Baltimore (46)
ESRI Central Maryland Users Group (27)
Frederick Maryland Gives (17)
Frederick Maryland News (25)
Gourmet Gifts Baskets for Maryland (35)
Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (43)
Harford Road, Hon (32)
Help Save Maryland (28)
Living in Maryland (25)
Lori Does Maryland (97)
Maryland Alliance for the Poor (26)
Maryland Alternative Breaks (13)
Maryland Basketball: Where Are They Now? (76)
Maryland Business Law Developments (38)
Maryland Construction, Real Estate and Land Use Law (27)
Maryland Consumer Bankruptcy (29)
Maryland Courts Watcher (25)
Maryland Employment Law (36)
Maryland Energy and Sustainability Co-op Blog (10)
Maryland Governor O'Malley - Closely Monitoring (7)
Maryland Historical Trust (27)
Maryland In Motion (10)
Maryland Local Coupons (15)
Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast (510)
Maryland National Socialist Party (26)
Maryland Optometric Association Blog (47)
Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer (29)
Maryland Politics Watch (29)
Maryland SCamera - Maryland for Responsible Enforcement (3)
Maryland Society of Patriots (25)
Maryland Society of Patriots (36)
Maryland Sports Fans (15)
Maryland State Gym (96)
Maryland Tourism Council Blog (13)
Maryland Writers' Association Blog (29)
Maryland-Rio Partners of the Americas (1)
NORTH BALTIMORE BIKE BRIGADE (10)
Pampanguena Cafe Restaurant Gaithersburg Maryland (10)
Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County (660)
PEDX BALTIMORE (274)
PFLAG Baltimore County (26)
PMS Parking of Baltimore, Maryland (7)
PROMISE: Maryland's AGEP (31)
Red Maryland (431)
Southern Maryland Boot Scooters (9)
Southern Maryland Brain Injury Support (10)
Tales from The Baltimore Bachelorette! (17)
Taste of Baltimore (57)
The Baltimore Chop (100)
the baltimore food rag (11)
The Baltimore Snacker (130)
The Baltimore Spectator (38)
The Great Walls of Baltimore (59)
Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland (796)
US Navy Submarines Divine Power Purpose Maryland (6)
West Baltimore MARC TOD | Transportation, Inc. (25)
Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test (45)

Expand/Collapse

Unread items (100)

Pages: 1 2 3 ... 71

Maryland blogs (US-MD), 05/20/2012
02:05
Orioles Keep Going
» Baltimore Skyline

O's beat the Nationals again today for their 5th in a row, and an American League best 27 wins. Adams Jones got another dinger (his 15th on the year), and so did Nick Markakis. I don't know about you, but this Orioles team is putting some much needed energy into this city. Here's to keeping the good vibes alive throughout the summer!

More... »

01:07
Occupy Movement Wins Spate of Legal Battles, but Faces New Challenges Ahead as "NATO 3" Face Terrorism Charges
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

[truth-out.org]

Occupy Movement Wins Spate of Legal Battles, but Faces New Challenges Ahead as "NATO 3" Face Terrorism Charges

Saturday, 19 May 2012 10:16 By JA Myerson, Truthout | Report

(Photo: Zach Roberts / GregPalast.com)

Much of the recent news on the legal front has provided the Occupy movement with bursts of momentum. The first victory was the acquittal of Alexander Arbuckle, an NYU student arrested in January (ironically while completing a photojournalism project aimed at exploring the NYPD’s side of an Occupy Wall Street protest). Charged with disorderly conduct for standing in the middle of the street and blocking traffic, Arbuckle was vindicated by considerable photographic and video evidence showing that it was police, not protesters, blocking traffic. The protesters, including Arbuckle, are shown to have remained on the sidewalk.

Two days later, a similar ruling came down in favor of OWS protester Jessica Hall, who was arrested on November 17th at the intersection of William and Pine streets– the same day and location of my arrest. Like Arbuckle, Hall was accused of obstructing traffic, and like Arbuckle, Hall’s case was made for her by video documentation, including the NYPD’s own, showing that traffic was blocked by the police. “The police arrested people willy-nilly without any determination that they had actually committed the offenses that they were charged with,” one of Hall’s attorneys, Marty Stolar, told The Village Voice’s Nick Pinto. “That's what tends to criminalize protest activity.”

At the same time, Obama-appointed judge Katherine Forrest handed down what may be a landmark decision finding two controversial indefinite detention sections of the National Defense Authorization Act facially unconstitutional and serving injunctions against President Barack Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and others’ enforcement of the provisions. The decision surprised not only me, who watched some of the testimony in the courtroom, but also legal observers as keen as Salon’s Glenn Greenwald, who called the decision a “sweeping victory for the plaintiffs.”

“People have acknowledged that Occupy changed the conversation, said Andy Stepanian, a publicist handing press relations for the plaintiffs, “but now they’re actually changing law.” Stepanian called the grassroots protest organized through Occupy Wall Street working groups critical to the outcome of the trial, brought by, among others, OWS supporter Chris Hedges, Occupy London organizer Kai Wargalla and Alexa O’Brien of OWS-ally U.S. Day of Rage. Full disclosure: Truthout is mentioned in the judge’s decision for having uncovered documents admitted in the trial.

As encouraging as these developments are, an episode unfolding here in Chicago at the anti-NATO protests severely mitigates the momentum they provide. Three activists – Bryan Church, Jarred Chase, Brent Betterly – have been charged with “possession of incendiary or explosive device, conspiracy to commit terrorism & providing material support for terrorism,” which seems to mean “beer-making equipment”. The “NATO 3” were among nine activist abducted by police in a nighttime raid and disappeared for a number of hours. “We've called police officials at every level trying to find out where they were being held. We were denied any information at all about any people being arrested, let alone a raid happening last night. So essentially these people were disappeared for more than 12 hours until we could finally locate them,” said National Lawyers Guild spokesman Kris Hermes. Lawyers from the NLG met with the arrestees and reported that they were “low spirits, confused about why they were arrested and shackled at both their hands and feet at the meeting.”

The three activists charged with terrorism-related crimes had previously posted a video of Chicago Police intimidating and threatening them with physical violence while they searched the protesters’ vehicle. The Occupy Chicago Twitter feed commented, “Police are retaliating by charging these men with serious terrorism charges because they posted the video and it spread.” The activists’ NLG attorney Sarah Glesomino declared “Charging these people who are here to peacefully protest against NATO for terrorism when in reality the police have been terrorizing activists in Chicago is completely outrageous.”

Jeff Smith, an Occupy Wall Street protester, told Truthout, “I fully expect them to put an OWS person in jail to try and scare people,” but added that this looked to him like “a ******** charge.” Be that as it may, American laws regarding terrorism cases have grown to endow the government with considerable advantages in the decade since 9/11, posing a dark specter for Occupy Wall Street activists. Political prisoners, from anarchists in the late 19th Century to communists during the Red Scare to Black Panthers to a host of other dissident movements, are a staple of American history. Will we see Occupy’s first political prisoners in the coming weeks and months?

This article may not be republished without permission from Truthout.

J.A. Myerson is a reporter for Truthout and Citizen Radio. He is writing a book on 2011, to be published in Spring 2012.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »
Maryland blogs (US-MD), 05/19/2012
23:14
Acer Iconia Tab A501-10S32u 32GB Android Tablet - $449.97
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Feed: Top 10 Tablets Deals - Official TigerDirect.com RSS Feed
Posted on: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 2:26 PM
Author: TigerDirect.com
Subject: Acer Iconia Tab A501-10S32u 32GB Android Tablet - $449.97

Try your hands on the latest, advanced form of computing with the Acer Iconia Tab A501-10S32u XP.H73PN.001 Tablet!

View article...

More... »
22:12
Software Store for business & entertainment
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Hi Software Users,
we highy recommend our Software Store.
There are new interesting software in all sections: Business, Online Business, Games, Adio & TV & Video, E-Books
We will inform you twice a week on average about new software for private and business purpases. Our following Website contains a bride offer of computer programs for job and entertainment. It will be enlarged twice a week minimum.

www.tec-and-trade.de

I am sure you will enjoy.

Best wishes

Manfred

Member of our Product-Innovation Team

Sent to mobuszewski.baltimorenonviolence@blogger.com - Unsubscribe
Kölner Str. 43 Remscheid, NRW 42899 Germany

Delivered by:

More... »

20:21

The Lake House by James Patterson will Blow You Away

» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

19:34
Evening Roundup - St. Peter Celestine, Pope & Confessor - Missa 'Si Diligis Me' - Commemoration: St. Pudentiana, Virgin - May 19th, 2012
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland
More... »

18:39

Retribution: The Second Chances Trilogy Book Three by Nora Roberts continues to show that Mrs. Roberts is a Wonderful Author

» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

17:51
"Particularly for sophomores & juniors who want to stop going to school as early in June as possible, APs are an easy excuse out. "
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

Silver Chips Online: The Advanced Placement problem

More... »

17:15
A huge gain in
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Viagrow is the only pill that can guarantee fast enlargemnt... gain 10 inches in few weeks!
Best and cheaperst GROW PRODUCT in a super offer for you today!
It's so very easy - like 123!

[bgvhrgh.viagrow08.ru]

three wherein maintain poppies hideous fast mine venite reach make.
morning nose plays gate vorlangst hereafter carriage mountains dixi lines.

More... »
17:13
Healthy Foods for Diabetics! Great Products at Great Prices are now Here
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Shop Diachieve Today Just Click Here

Healthy Foods for Diabetics! Great Products at Great Prices are now Here!

More... »
17:01
The Best Local Dentist
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Did You Know that the very FIRST thing someone notices about You is Your Teeth?
Do Yourself a Favor and Find a Local Dentist Today.
Visit 1800DENTIST Now!!!!!

More... »

15:22
Missing Parkville Girl
» Baltimore Crime

Missing Parkville Girl

More... »

13:39
Accessory Apartments in Your Neighborhood!
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Planning Board is working on a new zoning ordinance that will allow attached and separate apartment buildings in residential neighborhoods all across the county. Yes, that would mean in your neighborhood, too. Your neighbor -- or you! would be able to build an add-on or a separate apartment structure housing up to two new residential units. An apartment-in-a-box in your backyard! Just think of it. Currently these apartments require the builder to go through a public 'special exception' process with a public hearing at the Board of Appeals. However, your Planning Board (appointed by your county council members) want to change that: why bother with a public process? Instead, let's have these apartments built 'by right.' No discussion required. No discussion of the additional parking spaces needed; additional classroom space needed; additional stress on infrastructure. Naw, why bother with those pesky questions?

Because of those pesky questions, the Planning Board has scheduled two meetings on Monday May 21st, please attend. Originally these were to be 'Q&A' meetings. But again, why bother with those pesky questions? Instead the Board has suddenly changed the format to an "open house" format with "stations."

DATE: Monday May 21
TIMES: 3:00 - 4:30 PM and 7-9 PM
LOCATION: Montgomery County Planning Board, 1st Floor Auditorium, 8787 Georgia Ave,. Silver Spring. Metered parking in the rear.

Please attend -- make sure the Planning Board answers your questions. And please let the County Council know what you think of new apartments in your neighborhood. Email the council at county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov And, here is the email for the Planning Board: MCP-chairman@mncppc-mc.org.

More... »

12:18
Sunday after the Ascension - Dominica post Ascensionem - Missa 'Exaudi Domine' - May 20th, 2012 - Propers
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland

Image Credit: In the Sight of Angels

Sunday after the Ascension
Dominica post Ascensionem
Missa 'Exaudi Domine'
2nd Class
White
[Gloria & Creed; Preface of Ascension; 2nd Vespers of Sunday after Ascension]

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin - Complete version (Click Here; DivinumOfficium.Com, May 20th, 2012)

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin (Click Here; Virgomaterdie.com)

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin (Click Here; Traditional Latin Rite Mass Missal Project)

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin (Click Here; Daily Catholic.Org)

Downloadable Latin Mass Propers, (Una Voce, Orange County, Click Here)

In the Sight of Angels: DOMINICA POST ASCENSIONEM Sunday after the Ascension
2nd Class, White

Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's - The Church's Year: INSTRUCTION ON THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

**Gregorian Chant Propers in Latin, MP3: Dominica infra Octavam Ascensionis

**St. Rene Goupil Extraordinary Chant: May 20th, 2012 : "Sunday after the Ascension"

Fr. Z's Blog – What Does The Prayer Really Say?: WDTPRS: Sunday after Ascension Thursday

Breviary.Net: Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Seventh Sunday of Easter
USCCB Daily Mass Readings; Click here

OR

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
USCCB Daily Mass Readings; Click here

Fr. Z's Blog – What Does The Prayer Really Say?: WDTPRS 7th Sunday of Easter: the consummation of the world

SQPN.com: Saints of the Day & Link to Daily Divine Office MP3's

Saint of the Day: St. Bernardine of Siena

+++++++++++++++++++++++

More... »

11:34
Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 2
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

31] Atheism in the military – May 20

32] Get on Bridge for Peace – May 20

33] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – May 20

34] Malcolm X discussion – May 20

35] Film FOOD STAMPED – May 20

36] Red Emma's meeting – May 20

37] Celebrate Mary – RSVP May 20/event May 24

38] Pentagon Vigil – May 21

39] Impact of Citizens United – May 21

40] Marc Steiner on WEAA – May 21 – May 24

41] Protest the death penalty – May 21

42] Obama & the Middle East – May 21

43] Money Management – May 21

44] Freedom class – May 21

45] Palestinian speaker – May 21

46] Film "Crossing the Line at the Border" – May 21

47] Support NDAA resolution – May 21

48] Pledge/Fund Our Communities meeting – May 21

------

31] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. On Sun., May 20, the topic is "For Country, Sans God: Humanism and Religious Hegemony in the Military" by Ryan Matthew Jean, captain, US Army Reserve. Since the earliest days of the republic, the Constitution's First Amendment has furnished a source of endless debate regarding religious intermingling in government affairs. Nowhere does this result in a sharper point of contention than in the rigid and demanding environment of the military. In this talk, Captain Jean discusses his take on the grand promise for true religious freedom in uniform and why the old adage of "no atheists in foxholes" is an argument against foxholes, not atheists. Call 410-581-2322 or visit www.baltimoreethicalsociety.org.

32] – Maryland Bridges for Peace welcomes you to stand for peace Sundays from noon (or thereabouts) to 1 PM on the Spa Creek Bridge in Annapolis. Contact Lucy at 410-263-7271 or mdbridgesforpeace@toadmail.com. Signs are not allowed to be on a stick or pole.   If there is interest, people will be standing on the Stoney Creek Bridge on Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena [410-437-5379 or magicalgodmom@aol.com]. Go to [bridgepeace.blogspot.com=] href="http://bridgepeace.blogspot.com=/">http://BridgePeace.blogspot.com/.

33] – Every Sunday, 4 to 5 PM, there is a Quaker Peace Vigil at Independence Mall, N. side of Market between 5th and 6th Sts., Philadelphia. Call 215-421-5811.
34] – The Prison was my University: A discussion on Malcolm X and Education Behind Prison Walls" takes place on Sun., May 20 from 4 to 6 PM at Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave. NW, WDC 20001. This forum will discuss the education and self transformation of Malcolm X in prison. SAMI (Students Against Mass Incarceration) will talk about their work inside prisons, particularly, working with the Friend of a Friend program (FOF). FOF was started as a mentoring program run by prisoners founded by Marshall Eddie Conway. It will include SAMI members at Howard U, Morgan State, and formerly incarcerated participants in FOF. Call (202-332-1083.
35] – BloomScreen presents FOOD STAMPED on Sun., May 20 from 5 to 7 PM at Bloombars, 3222 11th St. NW, WDC 20010. The film by Shira and Yoav Potash is an informative and humorous documentary film following a couple as they attempt to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget. Nutrition educator Shira Potash teaches nutrition-based cooking classes... to elementary school students in low-income neighborhoods, most of whom are eligible for food stamps. In an attempt to walk a mile in their shoes, Shira and her documentary filmmaker husband embark on the "food stamp challenge" where they eat on roughly one dollar per meal. Along the way, they consult with members of U.S. Congress, food justice organizations, nutrition experts, and people living on food stamps to take a deep look at America's broken food system.

After the screening there will be a discussion about the upcoming farm bill with members of Citizens Circle and Jeremiah Lowery, a community activist who works to ensure access to healthy food. The suggested donation is $10 to support BloomBars. Free Popcorn and refreshments provided. Email jonathan@bloombars.com.

36] – Red Emma's needs volunteers. Stop in to the weekly Sunday meeting at 7 PM at 800 St. Paul St. or email info@redemmas.org. The next meeting is May 13. There is no meeting on the first Sunday of the month. Call 410-230-0450. If you would be interested in volunteering or becoming a collective member of 2640, send an email to 2640@redemmas.org.

37] – Join the Shanti Yoga Ashram and the School of Life's extended community for the annual celebration in honor of Mary, Help of Christians, the Patroness, on Thurs., May 24 at 10:30 AM. Be sure to RSVP for the vegetarian lunch by Sun., May 20. The event begins with a Mass celebrated by the Right Rev. James Weisman, OSB, Abbot of St. Anselm's Abbey, at 4217 East-West Hwy. There will be interfaith prayers, songs and chants and two films. The screenings will be at 4209 East-West Hwy. RSVP shantiyoga2@schooloflife.org.

38] – There is a weekly Pentagon Peace Vigil from 7 to 8 AM on Mondays, since 1987, outside the Pentagon Metro stop. The next vigil is Mon., May 21, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Call 202-882-9649.

39] – To Amend or Not to Amend: The Impact of Citizens United is going to be discussed on Tues., May 22 at 12:30 PM at 1800 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Room 1026-28, WDC 20036. Alliance for Justice is delighted to invite you to a panel discussion about 2010's Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision and possible solutions to the corrupting influence of big money in politics. It will start with a reception, and at 1 PM there will be a panel discussion with Jamie Raskin, Maryland State Senator, and others. A special welcome will be given by Nan Aron, president of Alliance for Justice. The event is free, but RSVPs are required. Members of the media wishing to attend should RSVP to Debra@afj.org.  Go to [afj.convio.net] .

40] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Thursday from 5 to 7 PM on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community, or online at [rs6.net] href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102891292946&s=362&e=001qEOVR2BoBD4qHMulKrmvjRoz3kJrHYAUVMSRbJhLFv4W3HXAq50Kgp54SrjHYHDvtlYA10Xx-tIezK4SJlcxoE59f-Tb4xs-8bQPUoAASns=">www.weaa.org.   The call-in number is 410-319-8888, and comments can also be sent by email to steinershow@gmail.com. All shows are also available as podcasts at [rs6.net] href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102891292946&s=362&e=001qEOVR2BoBD76OSWJ3K6F3Pg8x8bToEvPvp9xQqEwTcbiy3p59Ddv_ocRt7XhyU99oXUBD3lqVxnjae0At_vWbQm1x83N9asnnroyGu3rI0uu_XJo5md72w==">www.steinershow.org.

41] – There is usually a vigil to abolish the death penalty every Monday from 5 to 6 PM, outside the prison complex and across the street from Maryland's Super Max Prison, at the corner of Madison Ave. and Fallsway in Baltimore. Maryland's death row was moved out of Baltimore, but it was decided to continue the vigil. The next one is scheduled for Mon., May 21, Call 410-366-1637.
42] – The Author Series Program hosts Fawaz Gerges who will speak to "Obama and the Middle East" on Mon., May 21 from 6 to 8 PM at UC-Washington Center, 1608 Rhode Island Ave. NW, WDC 20036. During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to distance the United States from the neo-conservative foreign policy legacy of his predecessor, George W. Bush, and usher in a new era of a global, interconnected world. More than three years have passed since his inauguration, and the reality of President Obama's approach is in stark contrast to the ebullient and optimistic image that he originally offered. Taking stock of Obama's first three years in the White House, Mr. Gerges will place President Obama's engagement in the Middle East within the broader context of U.S. foreign policy since 9/11, and examine key areas that have posed a challenge to his Administration: negotiations with Israel and Palestine, troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan, engagement with the Arab Spring, intervention in Libya, and the death of Osama bin Laden. Mr. Gerges' conclusion is sobering: the United States is nearing an end to its "moment" in the Middle East, arguing that the cynically realistic policy the US has employed since WWII - continued under the Obama Administration - is the root cause of the current bitterness and mistrust, and he will make the case that it is time now to remake American Foreign policy. There is a fee of $10 for non-members. Members, students, interns and teachers get in free. Go to https://www.worldaffairsdc.org/wac/events/upcoming or call 202.293.1051.
43] – How does your community association spend money and keep records of that money? Does your community association leadership understand your IRS obligations? CPHA's next Activate Your Inner Citizen: Workshop will teach skills related to Money Management for Community Associations. On Mon., May 21, from 6 to 8 PM, join Betsy Yeomans, professional bookkeeper and treasurer of the Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School, who will present the best practices for community association management of funds, from budgets to tax filing and from reporting to bookkeeping. Register at www.cphabaltimore.org/money/ or call 410-539-1369 x107.

44] –

"Freedom" is central to many people's lives and politics, but what is it? In this class, Freedom: Metaphysical, Social, and Political Issues, you will learn about and explore freedom as a metaphysical puzzle, a social status, and political ideal. The class will meet Mondays May 21 at 6:30 PM at the Baltimore Free School, 512 W. Franklin St. Call 202-641-8209. See http://freeschool.redemmas.org.

45] – A Palestinian speaker is coming to Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, 430 E. Belvedere Ave., just west of York Rd., on Mon., May 21 at 6:30 PM. Dr. Abdel Fattah Abu Srour, the director of the Palestinian Al Rowwad Cultural and Theater Center ( [www.alrowwad-acts.ps] ) and the president of the Palestinian Theater League. You will hear him speak about "beautiful resistance," a fusion of the arts, human rights, justice and active nonviolence, all embedded, of course, in the current political reality of the Palestinian Israeli conflict.

Dr. Abusrour is an impressive person, an eloquent speaker, a social entrepreneur, a peacemaker, an artist, a poet, and a playwright. His center, Al Rowwad, builds community, grows hope and cultivates peace through the arts with youth from Aida Refugee camp (Bethlehem) and other camps in the Palestinian territories. Dr. Abusrour's community organizing efforts have spread throughout the West Bank, and recently internationally in his role as one of the organizers of the recent Flytilla campaign. If you feel led, donations will be accepted for Al Rowwad Center.

46] – On Mon., May 21 from 7 to 9 PM at the Solidarity Center, 2011 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218, see the shocking PBS film "Crossing the Line at the Border". This film exposes the brutal border patrol murder of Hernandez-Rojas. There will be an update on the Maryland immigrant rights and Dream Act. Finally, there will be a special commemoration of Malcolm X and Ho Chi Minh. Both were born on May 19. Enjoy light refreshments. Call 443-469-7265.

47] – The Big Day: Support the NDAA resolution on Mon., May 21 from 7:30 to 10 PM at the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912. The Takoma Park City Council will decide whether to pass the NDAA resolution. Join in support of... urging repeal of the NDAA's "indefinite" or "preventive detention provisions, stating that the authorization of military force ends with the end of combat in Afghanistan, and requiring city agencies not to cooperate with federal ones acting under the NDAA by standing in support of designated speakers during Takoma Park City Council's consideration of this agenda item. You can show support at the meeting by holding up this flyer: [tinyurl.com] . Go to [https:]] .

48] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM, and the meetings now take place at Max's residence. The next meeting takes place on May 21. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net for directions.

The proposed agenda will include reports on visiting the office of John Sarbanes, the protests against the G-8 and developments regarding the trial of the NSA 14 arrested at the National Security Agency on Oct. 9, 2011. Let Max know of any additional agenda items.

Support NDAA resolutions in Montgomery County by joining the Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition 7:30 PM on Mon., May 7 in the Takoma Park City Council room, 7500 Maple Ave. and hold up a small "SAVE DUE PROCESS" sign. Email contact mococivilrights@gmail.com or go to www.mococivilrights.wordpress.com.
Urge repeal of the NDAA's "indefinite" or "preventive detention provisions," and call for city agencies not to cooperate with federal officials acting under the NDAA. You can show support at the meeting by holding up this flyer: [tinyurl.com] . If you prepare a statement, please consider sharing it with us at mococivilrights@gmail.com, for publication in the blog. Starting times for public comment occasionally vary, but 7:30 PM is the usual time. Go to [https:]] .
To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »

11:04
Morning Roundup - St. Peter Celestine, Pope & Confessor - Missa 'Si Diligis Me' - Commemoration: St. Pudentiana, Virgin - May 19th, 2012
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland
More... »

10:40
Devastating Psychobabble: Premeditated Child Killings by an Allegedly “Loving” Mother
» Red Maryland

--Richard E. Vatz
     This professor has written extensively over the last 25 years or so regarding the insanity plea in criminal jurisprudence.      That plea is used almost exclusively to exculpate and eventually provide freedom for those who have committed criminal acts but did so in an unconventional way. The plea allows defendants, through their hired forensic psychiatrists, to claim: 1. They didn’t know what they were doing, or 2. They couldn’t control what they were doing. This is the American Law Institute's Model Penal Code Test defense. I want to say the “infamous” defense, but I suppose it is not sufficiently stigmatized.     I would not be writing now on just another of the uses of this bogus defense, but a psychiatrist and another behavioral scientist have reached my pretty high threshold of outrage.      About a week ago, Florida resident Tonya Thomas shot and killed her four beautiful children, and then -- thank God for small favors -- she killed herself.      This mass murder is, if possible, made more outrageous by the fact that the perpetrator-mother, according to the account in USA Today, tricked her victims – Pebbles Johnson, 17, Jaxs Johnson, 15, Jazzlyn Johnson, 13, and Joel Johnson, 12 -- into returning home from a neighbor’s house, where she shot them and ended their lives.     Interpretation: the woman was frustrated with her troublesome children, found financial life difficult and couldn’t care less that she would forever end the chance of her own children to find their own fortunes in a lifetime of seeking and conquering challenges, having their own children, having jobs and trying to make a happy situation in this wonderful country.   But there was another interpretation by a poetic, excusing psychiatrist.     Phillip Resnick, a professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University, opined that this brutal slaughter was “altruistic;” wherein the mother genuinely believed she was helping the children by ending their lives. As he was quoted by USA Today, “It’s a murder out of love rather than a murder out of hate.”

      Let me not disparage the fake medical diagnosis for lack of contemplative consideration: it took Dr. Resnick, oh, days to come up with this counterintuitive justification.

     The newspaper also quotes yet another rationalized account by the author of a book on mothers who kill their children, Michelle Oberman, who says that this catastrophe falls into the “loving category” of murders; she “loves her babies.”

     There is no punishment that can be meted out to such a woman, of whom Oberman says, “It’s too simple to say they are monsters who hate their babies.”

     Correct: I would add that such killers are sadistic cowards whose reputations can be counted on to be rehabilitated by opportunistic, psychobabbling pseudo-doctors of behavior.

Professor Vatz teaches psychiatric rhetoric in his Persuasion class at Towson University and is author of The Only Authentic Book of Persuasion Kendall Hunt.



More... »

09:50
Ignoring the Crisis: Philadelphia Schools Are Crumbling
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Friday, 18 May 2012 / TRUTH-OUT.ORG

Ignoring the Crisis: Philadelphia Schools Are Crumbling

Friday, 18 May 2012 09:47 By Ellen Brown, Truthout | News Analysis

An abandoned School. (Photo: Wout / Flickr)

"You will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out.
You will not be able to skip out for beer during commercials,
Because the revolution will not be televised....
The revolution will be live." -From the 1970s hit song by Gil Scott-Heron, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"

Last week, the city of Philadelphia's school system announced that it expects to close 40 public schools next year and 64 schools by 2017. The school district expects to lose 40 percent of its current enrollment and thousands of experienced, qualified teachers.

But corporate media in other cities made no mention of these massive school closings - nor of those in Chicago, Atlanta or New York City. Even in the Philadelphia media, the voices of the parents, students and teachers who will suffer were omitted from most accounts.

It's all about balancing the budgets of cities that have lost revenues from the economic downturn. Supposedly, there is simply no money for the luxury of providing an education for the people.

Where will those children find an education? Where will the teachers find work? Almost certainly in an explosion of private sector "charter schools," where the quality of education - from the curriculum to books to the food served at lunch - will be sacrificed to the lowest bidder, and teachers' salaries and benefits will be sacrificed to the profits of the new private owners, who will also eat up many millions of dollars of taxpayer subsidies.

Why does there always seem to be enough money for military expansion, prisons, bank bailouts and tax cuts for the wealthy, but not enough for education - or for jobs, housing, health care, or old age pensions? These are not "welfare," but are part of the social contract for which we pay taxes and make Social Security payments.

In an article reprinted on Truthout on May 10 titled "Why Isn't Closing 40 Philadelphia Public Schools National News?" Bruce Dixon posed this answer:

The city has a lot of poor and black children. Our ruling classes don't want to invest in educating these young people, preferring instead to track into lifetimes of insecure, low-wage labor and/or prison. Our elites don't need a populace educated in critical thinking. So low-cost holding tanks that deliver standardized lessons and tests, via computer if possible, operated by profit-making "educational entrepreneurs" are the way to go.

"Lifetimes of insecure, low-wage labor or prison" - this is very close to the "indentured servitude" that was abolished along with slavery by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1865. The freed slaves are being recaptured by debt, beginning with the debt of school loans, followed by credit card debt, mortgage debt and health care costs.

As was cynically observed in a document called the "Hazard Circular," allegedly circulated by British banking interests among their American banking counterparts in July 1862:

[S]lavery is but the owning of labor and carries with it the care of the laborers, while the European plan, led by England, is that capital shall control labor by controlling wages. This can be done by controlling the money. The great debt that capitalists will see to it is made out of the war, must be used as a means to control the volume of money.... It will not do to allow the greenback, as it is called, to circulate as money any length of time, as we cannot control that. [Quoted in Charles Lindburgh, "Banking and Currency and the Money Trust" (Washington, DC: National Capital Press, 1913), page 102.]

The quotation may be apocryphal, but it graphically conveys the fate of our burgeoning indentured class. It also suggests the way out: we must recapture the control of our money and banking systems, including the issuance of debt-free money ("greenbacks") by the government.

Meanwhile, in Other Unreported News ...

That alternative vision was put before a conference in Philadelphia in late April that drew delegates from all over the United States. The theme of the first Public Banking in America Conference, held at the Quaker Friends Center on April 28-29, was that to fix the economy, we first need to take back the "money power" - the power to create currency and credit.

Led by keynote speakers Gar Alperovitz and Hazel Henderson and highlighted in an electric speech by twelve-year-old Victoria Grant, the conference was all about solutions. As summarized by OpEdNews Editor Josh Mitteldorf:

There were two visions expressed .... The first is the very practical idea that states and cities around America could be rescued from insolvency if they had their own banks, instead of relying on commercial banks to borrow money through bonds. Tax-exempt bond issues supply money to states and municipal governments typically at 5 or 6% interest, while banks these days are able to borrow from the Fed at 1/4% per year.

The second vision is ... the radically-subversive idea that the system we have for introducing money into the economy is a boon for the banks, but perhaps a major drag on our economy. Perhaps a simple, direct system of money creation by the Treasury Dept instead of the Fed would put an end to cycles of recession and create a foundation for long-term prosperity.

Banking is a huge leech on our economy. 40% of every dollar we spend on goods and services - 40% of all that we create and all we consume - is siphoned off the top as bank interest in one form or another. (Calculations of Margrit Kennedy) The US Government is in the absurd position of paying interest to a private bank for every dollar that is put into circulation. The Federal Reserve system has privatized the power to create money, which, according to the Constitution, ought to belong to Congress alone. Presently, interest on the national debt costs the Federal government $500 billion in 2011 and (because of structural deficit spending) it is the fastest-growing portion of the Federal budget.

Five hundred billion dollars could be saved annually just by refinancing the federal debt through our own central bank, interest-free. This is not an off-the-wall idea, but has actually been done, very successfully. Among other instances, it was done in Canada from 1939 to 1974, as was detailed by the youngest and oldest speakers at the conference, 12-year-old Grant and former Defense Minister Paul Hellyer, founder of the Canadian Action Party. Another Canadian at the conference, Toronto Councilor Kristyn Wong-Tam, has proposed that the Toronto city council could improve its finances by forming its own bank.

The direct solution to the economic crisis, urged by veteran money reformer Bill Still, would be for the federal government to simply create the money it needs, as the American colonists did by printing paper scrip and Abraham Lincoln did by printing greenbacks.

But cities and states don't need to wait for a deadlocked federal Congress to act. As Wong-Tam has proposed for Toronto, they can divest their public revenues from the too-big-to-fail banks and put them in their own publicly owned banks. These banks could then do what all banks do: leverage capital, backed by deposits, into money in the form of bank credit.

This newly created bank money would then be available for the use of the local government interest-free (since the government would own the bank and would get the interest back as dividends). Among other possibilities, the money could be used to restore the schools. This would not be an expenditure, but an investment, as illustrated by the GI Bill, which provided education and low-interest loans for returning servicemen after World War II. Economists have determined that for every 1944 dollar invested in the GI Bill, the country received approximately $7 in return, through increased economic productivity, consumer spending and tax revenues.

Legislation for public banks has now been introduced in 18 US states, on the model of the highly successful Bank of North Dakota (BND). Elaborated on at the Public Banking Conference by Ed Sather and Rozanne Junker, the BND is currently the country's only state-owned bank and has been a major factor in allowing the state to escape the recent credit crisis. North Dakota is the only state to boast a significant budget surplus every year since the economic downturn of 2008.

This reporter noted that 40 percent of banks globally are also publicly owned. These are largely in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), which also escaped the credit crisis, largely because their public banks did not rely on derivatives and, unlike private banks, lent counter-cyclically to cushion their economies from the downturn.

Conference speaker Samuel Giles proposed that even public universities could set up their own banks, which could then leverage university monies for the university's own use, rather than giving those assets away to Wall Street to be speculated with and lent back at much higher interest rates.

Innovative Solutions for Pennsylvania.

Speakers Michael Sauvante and Mike Krauss noted that efforts are underway in several Pennsylvania and Ohio municipalities to create public banks. One possibility is for public banks to take an aggressive role in ending the foreclosure crisis by acquiring abandoned and foreclosed homes by eminent domain. These homes could be added to the asset base of the bank, which could extend credit to restore them and then sell or rent them at reasonable rates.

Krauss noted that Philadelphia already has a strong effort underway to create a "land bank" - a bank to acquire, rehabilitate and create productive uses for the city's more than 40,000 vacant properties - and legislation (HB 1682) has been introduced in the State Legislature to enable this effort. But the land bank proposed is not designed to function as a depository bank that leverages funds into credit. Rather, it would simply work with appropriated funds or bond revenue. This is a positive step toward addressing a real need, but it could be enhanced by turning the land bank into a public bank - a chartered bank having the power to create money as credit on its books.

The efforts for developing public banks in Pennsylvania are being led by the Pennsylvania Project, which was a co-sponsor of the Philadelphia Conference and is supported in its work by the Public Banking Institute and the Center for State Innovation. The Pennsylvania Project is creating partnerships with other Pennsylvania public policy organizations to introduce legislation for a state Bank of Pennsylvania in 2013, after elections are held and a strong foundation of support has been laid.

Revolution Without Bloodshed or War

We live under a tyranny today that is just as intolerable and unjust as that in 1776, but violent revolution is no longer an option. Our oppressors own the military and the media and their Federal Emergency Management Agency camps are waiting for us.

If change is to come, it must be peaceful and legal, beginning with a revolution in the minds and hearts of the people. The message of the Public Banking in America Conference was that we can throw off the yoke of the financial elite by making money and credit a public utility; and the most feasible place to start is at the local level, with publicly owned banks.

Ellen is an attorney and the author of eleven books, including Web of Debt: The Shocking Truth About Our Money System and How We Can Break Free. Her websites are webofdebt.com and ellenbrown.com. She is also chairperson of the Public Banking Institute.

© 2012 Truthout

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »
08:58
Increase in the hardness
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Viagrow is the only pill that can guarantee fast enlargemnt... gain 10 inches in few weeks!
Best and cheaperst GROW PRODUCT in a super offer for you today!
It's so very easy - like 123!

[bnjuijg.viagrow07.ru]

order roundheaded myself like endanger introit henry hours towers abc.
parag most century reading senses goblin agreeable haven clothed clean.

More... »

08:00
The Couch Chronicles, Volume IIX
» The Baltimore Chop

One of the best aspects of shopping for furniture at Su Casa is the convenience of having several professional interior designers on staff who are available to consult on anything from finding a small accent piece to designing an entire house floor to ceiling. Aside from being the design face of Su Casa, Mary, Derek, [...]

More... »

07:00
Yellow And Black for Preakness
» baltimore etsy street team

Some yellow and black items from BEST members in honor of Preakness! Click on the title to comment on this treasury or click on an item to be taken directly to the Etsy listing.

More... »

Maryland blogs (US-MD), 05/18/2012
21:33
NATO Protesters Held Without Charge After Raid as Chicago Steps Up Police Activities
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

NATO Protesters Held Without Charge After Raid as Chicago Steps Up Police Activities

Friday, 18 May 2012 14:00 Written by alexa By Yana Kunichoff, Truthout | Report

(Photo: Zach D. Roberts / GregPalast.com)

A pre-emptive raid by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) on the home of two Occupy Chicago activists may have happened without a search warrant, said the National Lawyers Guild (NLG), and led to the disappearance of nine activists into police custody without charge for almost 24 hours.

"I'd like to stress that we have done nothing wrong," said Zoe Sigman, an Occupy Chicago activist whose home was raided. "We have been planning to protest NATO and there is nothing illegal about expressing our feelings about a war machine. Now we're being treated as mere criminals. As if we're part of an organized crime that they're trying to take down. Who knows what they're going to pin on us. We're terrified."

A protester, reportedly a street medic by the name of Henry, is arrested by Chicago Police during the National Nurses United rally with Tom Morello in Daley Plaza, Chicago. (Photo: Joe Macaré)

The raid of an apartment on Chicago's Southside Bridgeport neighborhood occurred on Wednesday evening around 11:30 PM. So far, none of the activists have been charged and four were released Friday morning. According to witnesses, the raid was conducted by the Organized Crime Division of the CPD and a warrant produced at the site didn't have the signature of a judge.

The use of pre-emptive arrests is troublesome, said lawyers following the proceedings.

"It's actually fairly common at national security events for the police to conduct preempetive actions, so this is distressing but not surprising," said NLG legal worker Kris Hermes. "We will remain vigilant in trying to keep the city accountable, especially when they have not provided any idea of what they are holding people on." Hermes continued, "We think the city should immediately dismiss all of the charges and we are urging them to do that,"

The CPD has released claims that the raid recovered Molotov cocktails, though activists said that the equipment is actually for home brewing of beer.

"Occupy Chicago demands the immediate release of the peaceful protesters terrorized by the Chicago Police Department in Wednesday nights raid," said Rachael Perrotta of the Occupy Chicago Press Committee in a statement. "We are getting a taste here in Chicago of what it's like to live in a militarized police state, with non-violent demonstrators targeted for expressing their First Amendment Rights and for standing up against the NATO war machine."

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit to be held in Chicago was designated a National Special Security Event, which puts the Secret Service in charge of "event security"; the FBI in control of "intelligence, counter terrorism, hostage rescue and investigation of incidents of terrorism or other major criminal activities"; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in charge of "recovery management in the aftermath of terrorist or other major criminal incidents, natural disasters or other catastrophic events," reported the Indypendent.

A week of action leading up to the summit and connecting local and national injustices to NATO militarization has seen an increased police presence, but this may only be the tip of the iceberg.

At an action against the Keystone XL pipeline Thursday, reported ABC News, "Dozens of uniformed Chicago police stood guard nearby, though they made no arrests. But around the corner a couple blocks away back-ups were apparently standing by. Inside 15 unmarked passenger vans they were dressed in black uniforms with riot gear."

Police have said that rather than tear gassing entire crowds, they will used more targeted "snatch and grab" tactics.

But these kind of pre-emptive actions are ripe for illegality, said lawyers.

"Snatch and grab" can be used if a person is committing a crime, said John Stainthorp, an attorney with the People's Law Office. "But, if they're not actively involved in breaking the law at that time, you cannot extract people. Extracting is an arrest and it doesn't matter whether you hold them for an hour or ten hours or ten days. If you start to take action against them, [and they're doing nothing wrong,] that's illegal."

Brian Bean, with Occupy Chicago, says that he is not fooled by the CPD "putting on a nice face." "They will use the force that the state often uses to repress dissent and intimidate protesters," said Bean, "as we saw in Wednesday's raid."

Chicago has one of the most advanced surveillance systems in the country, with cameras that have facial recognition and automatic tracking software.

A leaked document of what the CPD's policy toward journalists reporting on the protest said:

"Those who follow protesters onto private property to document their actions also will be subject to arrest if laws are broken. Any member of the media who is arrested will have to go through the same booking process as anyone else. Release of equipment depends on what part the equipment played in the events that led to the arrest. There will not be any quick personal recognizance bond just for media members."

Illinois also has an eavesdropping law which, in some situations, makes the filming of a police officer a crime, but the edict will be suspended for the NATO protests, the leaked document said.

Since the week of action against the NATO summits began, the NLG said that 20 people have been arrested and others have reported being stopped and searched.

But activists say this gives them even more reason to head into the streets.

"It's important to continue protesting, because this tactic was obviously an attempt to intimidate," said Bean. "We will fight against whatever tactics come out against us and continue to protest."

Hermes agreed: "We don't want people to be discouraged from coming out and protesting. We are hoping activists stand up to police intimidation and speak their mind, which they should be allowed to do under the constitution."

###

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »

19:00
Evening Roundup - St. Venantius, Martyr - S. Venantii Martyris - Missa 'Protexisti' - May 18th, 2012
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland
More... »

18:43
A Gymnasts Goals
» Maryland State Gym

Why you need goals....

Why would you do anything without a purpose? Would you get in your car and just start driving? You need a destination, a place to go! Why waste the gas (and its expensive) to go just anywhere? With goals and a purpose for what you do, you work harder, you excel at what you do. You know when you have achieved, and you keep reaching higher as you achieve. You feel better and better about yourself and your achievements. Success and achievement are the fuel that gets you through the practices, the set backs and keeps your engine running.

What goals should you have....

Well you should definitely do only what other people do. You should also only do things that will make you popular and make people like you....right? Definitely not on both of these statements. You should have goals to achieve the things that make you happy, successful and driven. Target goals that make you passionate about getting up in the morning. Drive your own life, don't let others drive it for you. If you were having surgery, would you want the surgeon that became a surgeon because their mom told them to; or would you want the surgeon that was first in their class, couldn't wait to get to work, and loved what they do? You would want the passionate surgeon, the surgeon that loved what he or she did and ate, slept and breathed his or her profession. Be that person that plans his or her goals and doesn't let anyone stand in their way. Some people won't like you, they may even hate you... but as long as you aren't hurting anyone and you are pursuing your goals than live and let live...don't let it derail you.

What is the purpose for goals....

Your goal is your target, what you are shooting for literally. Your goals give you finish lines so that you know which way you need to run next. Its important to have short term goals, medium term goals and longer term goals. Run a short race, then run a longer one and then go for the marathon. At each stage and level you will measure your success to see if you are ready for the big race. Life itself is a goal. You should even know why you live each day, and why you do the things you do in life. Why do you go to school? Why do you go to the gym? Why do you have the friends you have? Do they have goals or are they just weighing you down. Don't just tolerate life, live life with passion, but targeted planned passion. Have a goal oriented planned day, week, month.... well even life.

You should live for yourself....

The best reason to live your life the way you want to is.... well its fun to be in charge of yourself. It is hard when you fail, but don't be afraid to fail, learn from it. The more failures you have the smarter you get, its called experience. Live your life the way you want because nobody else really wants to be you, so you may as well be the best you you can be. Set goals, evaluated them, redefine them, plan new ones and do it all with passion and have fun. Life is too short to be afraid, go after everything you do with the kind of passion that energizes you to get every task done and done well, even if in your heart you would rather be doing something else. Don't waste your time doing anything just half way.

How do you know you are successful.....

This one is easy to judge. You are successful when you are happy, moving in a way that excites you and no one is standing in your way. You are successful when you can see from the top of the mountain you climbed and can see higher mountains you are excited about climbing next.

From the desk of Coach Brian Shrewsbury

More... »

18:25
10 Deep Wallet and ONLY ONE Snapback @ Pedx now!!!!!
» PEDX BALTIMORE

More... »
18:18
10 Deep @ pedx now !!!!!
» PEDX BALTIMORE

More... »
17:41
NEW PLAY CLOTHS @ PEDX NOW !!!
» PEDX BALTIMORE

More... »

16:07
Fifty-four goats nominated
» Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test

Fifty-four (54) bucks were nominated to the 2012 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. The nomination deadline was May 15.

State - # consigners (# bucks)
Delaware - 1 (5)
Indiana - 2 (7)
Kentucky - 4 (18)
Maryland -3 (10)
Pennsylvania - 1 (1)
Tennessee - 1 (3)
Vermont - 1 (2)
Virginia - 2 (8)

There are five new consigners to the test. Several consigners from previous years opted not to participate this year.

As stated in previous blog entries, most of the bucks are Kiko or Kiko-influenced. There is one Boer, one Spanish, two Myotonics, and various crosses with Boer, Kiko, Spanish, and dairy breeds.

The fifty-four goats in test will be joined by fifteen goats from the pen vs. pasture study, resulting in 69 bucks being grazed on the pasture. Last, 81 goats were grazed.

Pasture update
The pasture resource consists of 12.5 acres. Five acres of cool season grasses (MaxQ tall fescue and orchardgrass) were mowed this week for hay. Five inches of growth was left to encourage regrowth. Some of the hay that was harvested will be fed to the 15 goats in the pen.

Four acres is being planted in a summer mixture of forages. Due to drought conditions in the West, we were unable to get any crab grass or dwarf millet seed. Our original plans had been to plant two acres of dwarf pearl millet and two acres of crab grass.

The balance of the pasture resource is a one acre paddock of mixed grass and forbs and 2.5 acres of woodland pasture. Neither of these paddocks will be mowed (at least until the goats have a chance to graze them).

More... »

15:06

Fwd: Clickbank Pirate Will Explode Your Affiliate Sales

» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

13:22
St. Peter Celestine, Pope & Confessor - Missa 'Si Diligis Me' - Commemoration: St. Pudentiana, Virgin - May 19th, 2012 - Propers
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland

Image Credit: Liturgia Latina - 19th May, St Peter Celestine, Pope and Confessor

St. Peter Celestine, Pope & Confessor
S. Petri Celestini Papae Confessoris
Missa 'Si Diligis Me'
Pro S. Pudentiana, Virginis
Commemoration: St. Pudentiana, Virgin
3rd Class
White
[Gloria; Preface of Ascension; Commemoration: St. Pudentiana, Virgin; 1st Vespers of Sunday after Ascension]

***This Mass is the only Mass I can find which agrees completely with the Baronius Missal, Summorum Pontificum Edition

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin with Commemoration of St. Pudentiana, PDF Format (Click Here; MaternalHeart.Org, May 19th, 2012)

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
USCCB Daily Mass Readings; Click here

SQPN.com: Saints of the Day & Link to Daily Divine Office MP3's

Saint of the Day: St. Theophilus of Corte

+++++++++++++++++++++++

More... »

13:16
Gordon Biersch Coming to Harbor East?
» Beer in Baltimore

A report from Jess Blumberg, blogging at Baltimore Magazine's On the Town blog, says that Gordon Biersch is finally making its long-rumored entry into the Baltimore market with a location in the 1000 block of Lancaster Street in Harbor East, between the Charleston restaurant and the just-announced Townhouse Kitchen + Bar (with a parking lot in the 1100 block, mind you). Opening is targeted for mid-October--just in time, maybe, for Baltimore Beer Week.

Things are getting interesting here.

More... »

12:29
SAB Season Begins!
» Maryland Alternative Breaks

The first of three UMD Summer Alternative Breaks trips leaves tomorrow for Boston to address the issue of urban agriculture. Check out their blog (on the right hand side of the page) to keep up with the group's progress! Meaningful and fun experiences are ahead.

The Ecuador group leaves Tuesday for their trip to Cuenca and to work at the Arturo Quesada Elementary School. Wish them well, too!

Last but not least, the group traveling to Rock Hill, South Carolina to work on the Catawaba Indian Nation reservation will leave in August.

An exciting summer is ahead!

More... »

11:38
Noon Roundup - St. Venantius, Martyr - S. Venantii Martyris - Missa 'Protexisti' - May 18th, 2012
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland
More... »

11:30
MCPS Class Sizes and School Staffing for 2012-2013
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

Below is the Class Size and School Staffing budget document for the 2012-2013 school year.
The yellow highlighting shows changes from the 2011-2012 budget document.
Read the 2011-2012 document at this link.

For example, in the box for Classroom Teacher under Elementary Guideline we see that the following sentence has been added to the 2012-2013 staffing guidelines:

"When numbers support it, positions are allocated for combination classes."
There are many other changes to the document that will reduce or change the number of staff at local schools next year. There are also more instances where staffing is at the discretion of the local principal, and a number of positions do not give the details of actual allocations.

Remember that this document is prepared at the secret budget table by MCPS administrative staff, the 3 Unions, and MCCPTA select officers. This document is not prepared at the public Board of Education table by the elected Board of Education.

FY 2013 K-12 Staffing Guildelines

More... »

10:21
HIghlandtown Wine Festival
» baltimore etsy street team

Drink some wine and come visit BEST members Whoop, Becca & Mars and Design by Night this Sunday at the Highlandtown Wine Festival. The wine festival celebrates the tradition of home wine making and will be held on the corner of Conkling and Claremont Street.

The Highlandtown Wine Festival features a homemade wine competition, wine tastings, children's activities, arts, crafts, food and music.
When: Sunday, May 20th
Time: 1-6 pm
Where: Corner of Conkling & Claremont
Admission: $25 (includes souvenir wine glass, antipasta and five wine tastings)

More... »

10:00
MCPS K-12 Class Sizes for 2011-2012
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

Recently, members of the County Council brought up the issue of overcrowded classes in MCPS. Superintendent Starr was not familiar with the issue of overcrowded classes.
For reference, below is the document in the MCPS budget that sets class sizes. This document is for the 2011-2012 school year. But, as with much of MCPS, principal discretion has the final say in class size.

Kindergarten 26 students (18 at Red Zone Schools)
Grades 1-3 27 students (19 in Grades 1-2 at Red Zone Schools)
Grades 4-5 29 students
Middle and High Schools are staffed by a formula as shown below.

FY 2012 K-12 Staffing Guidelines

More... »

09:50
WTG COA
» Baltimore Crime

WTG COA

More... »

08:00
Today: Facebook IPO Will F You in the B
» The Baltimore Chop

Happy Facebook Day everybody! This post is being published at 7:00 am, and odds are that even at this early hour you’re already completely sick of hearing about Facebook’s IPO and how they have a billion users and are worth a trillion dollars etc etc etc. We’ve certainly got our opinion of the IPO and [...]

More... »

08:00
5-18-12: The Commencement Speech
» Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast

We hear from Frostburg State University about why they never use outside commencement speakers, and Sheilah talks to Lynchburg College communication studies professor Paula Youra about the history of this sometimes scintillating, sometimes snore-inducing tradition.

More... »

08:00
A Fun Day in Baltimore County's Country and Soup'R Natural, Parkton
» Taste of Baltimore

Soup'R Natural is located in Parkton about 30 minutes away from the Baltimore city center. I know that's a hard sell for those living downtown, so I decided to create a Baltimore County Country itinerary for you that includes lunch at this lovely restaurant.

Baltimore County Country Daytrip

Why not start your day with some winery tours? There are a bunch in that area, such as Basignani Winery, Woodhall Wine Cellars and Royal Rabbit Vineyards. Sure, Maryland isn't much of a wine destination, but it's always fun to visit local wineries and find some new favorites! Check the Maryland Wine Association's website for any events that are going on in a particular weekend.

When you are ready for lunch, drive to Soup'R Natural and relax after your hours of wine tasting, and perhaps pay for your DD's lunch :)

After lunch, make a quick visit to Gunpowder Bison & Trading Company to see where a ton of restaurants get their bison meat. It's a small little farm, but seeing the bison and looking around the cute little shop is worth it. When Dan and I stopped in, we ended up getting some ground bison (he uses this recipe to make amazing bison sliders) and some bison sausages. Of course the meat isn't cheap, in fact we somehow spent $50 in that trip (!), but it sure is delicious.

Head south on York Road for an easy drive back to the suburbs. Stop in at The Filling Station if you need a cup of coffee, and then, since you probably packed a cooler to store your bison meat, head to Hunt Valley Towne Centre to load up on any foodie delights at Wegman's before taking I-83 back home!

See! What a fun day that would be!

Crabcake sandwich (foreground) and chicken salad sandwich (background)

Now, onto my review of Soup'R Natural!

Soup'R Natural is a small restaurant that prides itself on using local meats, eggs, and produce from nearby farms. It has a very casual farmhouse atmosphere that is great for families as well (my sister brought my niece with us).

My sister and I split the Chicken Salad Sandwich ($8.75) - Roasted chicken with diced fennel, grape halves and sweet almonds and we both agreed it was one of the best chicken salad sandwiches we had ever tasted. I loved the crunch of the toasted sweet almonds, and I personally LOVE grapes in my salad, so that made me happy. It came with regular and sweet potato chips on the side, and the sandwich itself was a nice portion.

My bro-in-law got the Crab Cake Sandwich (Market Price) - served on your choice of bread with Old Bay aioli and capers, which he really enjoyed as well. Though I didn't try it, it definitely was a good looking sandwich.

For dessert we all split their homemade apple pie with ice cream. The pie was STUFFED full of sweet apples, and it was quite a crowd-pleaser.

This was a wonderful, comfortable, locally-sourced and family-owned restaurant in a scenic part of Baltimore County. What's not to love? Next time, I'll definitely try the soup :)

p.s. Thanks to my brother-in-law for taking some awesome pictures! If you're into biking, check out the blog he writes for!

More... »

07:55
5-18-12: Occupying the G-8
» Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast

Leaders from around the world are gathering today at Camp David in western Maryland for the G-8 summit. We speak with members of the Occupy movement who are planning both protests and an alternate G-8 people's summit at the public library in Frederick.

More... »

07:49
Baltimore Activist Alert
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Baltimore Activist Alert May 18 – May 24, 2012

"I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours.

The initiative to stop it must be ours." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Friends, this list and other email documents which I send out are done under the auspices of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center. Go to www.baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com. If you appreciate this information and would like to make a donation, send contributions to BNC, 325 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Max Obuszewski can be reached at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.

Tune into the Maryland Progressive Blog at http://mdprogblog.org.



1] Books, buttons and stickers

2] Web site for info on federal legislation

3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists

4] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLA

5] Protest G-8 – May 18 & 19

6] Support Shorty Davis – May 18

7] White House vigil – May 18

8] WIB Inner Harbor vigil – May 18

9] WIB Roland Park vigil – May 18

10] Justice for Palestine/Israel vigil – May 18

11] Rules for nuclear power – May 18

12] Silent peace vigil – May 18

13] Sounds of Hope – May 18

14] Film 9500 LIBERTY – May 18

15] emma's revolution sings – May 18

16] Dylan concert for College Peace Network -- May 18

17] Ballroom dancing – May 18

18] Common Good Platform – May 22/RSVP May 18

19] Climate Ride – May 19

20] Ride for the Feast – May 19

21] Malcolm X Day -- May 19

22] Olney peace vigil – May 19

23] Support Marriage Equality – May 19

24] Occupy GGP – May 19

25] West Chester, PA demo – May 19

26] Peace Action Annual Luncheon – May 19

27] Silent vigil at Capitol – May 19

28] African Liberation Day – May 19

29] David Swanson signs his books – May 19

30] Want a ride to Chicago? – May 19

...

1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available. "God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions" stickers are in stock. Donate your books to Max. Call him at 410-366-1637.



2] – To obtain information how your federal legislators voted on particular bills, go to [thomas.loc.gov=] http://thomas.loc.gov/" href="http://thomas.loc.gov=/">http://thomas.loc.gov/. Congressional toll-free numbers are 888-818-6641, 888-355-3588 or 800-426-8073. The White House Comment Email is accessible at [www.whitehouse.gov] .

3] – THE ORGANIZING LIST will be the primary decision-making mechanism of the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR]. It will be augmented by conference calls and possibly in-person meetings as needed. It will consist of 1 or 2 representatives from each local, regional, or national organization (not coalitions) that wishes to actively work to carry out the NCNR campaign of facilitating and organizing nonviolent resistance to the war in Iraq.

To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to donmuller@msn.com. Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.

THE NOTICES LIST will include only notices of NCNR actions and related information and is open to any interested person to subscribe. It will be moderated to maintain focus & will include periodic notices about getting involved in NCNR national organizing. To join the NOTICES List, send an email message to ncnrnotices-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. You will get a confirmation message once subscribed. If you have problems, please write to the list manager at ncnrnotices-admin@lists.riseup.net.

4] – You can help safeguard human rights and fragile ecosystems through your purchase of HOCOFOLA Café Quetzal. Bags of ground coffee or whole beans can be ordered by mailing in an order form. Also note organic cocoa and sugar are for sale. For more details and to download the order form, go to [friendsoflatinamerica.typepad.com] . The coffee comes in one-pound bags.

Fill out the form and mail it with a check made out to HOCOFOLA on or before the second week of the month. Be sure you indicate ground or beans for each type of coffee ordered. Send it to Adela Hirsch, 5358 Eliots Oak Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. Be sure you indicate ground (G) or bean (B) for each type of coffee ordered. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up. Contact Adela at 410-997-5662 or via e-mail at adela4peace@verizon.net.

5] – To join the G-8 protests, be in Thurmont, MD any time between 8 AM and sundown on Fri., May 18 and Sun., May 19. Bring a folding chair. Attached are some sample sign slogans, but you can write anything you want. "No Iran War" is timely. See some specific demands at the website: www.occupyg8thurmont.net

There will be media from Germany, France, UK and WYPR. Here is a chance to be heard!

Where to go in Thurmont? It is a tiny town, but it does have 3 exits off Rt.15. Dick Ochs will be at the 2nd one, which exits onto Rt.77, also called Main St. The demo could take place at the end of the ramps, one east of Rt.15 and one west of it. That's probably as close to Camp David as one can get with high traffic visibility. Another high visibility site would be on Frederick Rd., where the Family Heritage Restaurant and Cozy Inn are located. Dick can be reached at 443-831-0502 or info@occupyg8thurmont.net.

6] – Justice for Duane "Shorty" Davis takes place on Fri., May 18 at 9 AM at District Court of Maryland for Baltimore, 120 E. Chesapeake Ave., Towson, MD. Davis is a Baltimore-based community activist. Always on the move, he has been involved in issues ranging from corruption in the judicial system to police brutality to opposing the prison-military-industrial complex. His trademark is the toilet. In 2011, he was gratuitously charged with terrorism for leaving one of his now famous toilets outside the Towson County Court House. Although the authorities later claimed it was a bomb, it was observed by security and permitted to remain there for hours before action was taken. In 2012 Shorty was acquitted of all charges. Despite this, the government retained all of his property: his truck, computers, DVDs, CDs, books, papers, and numerous other personal effects. He was finally granted a hearing to petition for the return of his property (known as a "replevin hearing"). Supporters will gather outside the courthouse, as well as sit in on the hearing, to demand justice for Shorty. Go to [https:]] .

7] – A peace vigil takes place every Friday from noon to 1 PM at Lafayette Park facing the White House. Join the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker and friends. Contact Art Laffin: artlaffin@hotmail.com.

8] – Every Friday from noon to 1 PM, Women in Black, Baltimore, host a vigil at Pratt and Light Sts. in the Inner Harbor. Peace signs will be available. See [www.peacepath911.com] or write wibbaltimore@hotmail.com or call 410-467-9114.

9] – There is also a noon vigil on May 18 at Roland Park Place at 830 W. 40th St. Call 410-467-9114.

10] – A vigil for Justice in Palestine/Israel (now in its 8th year) takes place every Friday from noon to 1 PM at 19th & JFK Blvd., Philadelphia (across from Israeli Consulate. It is sponsored by Bubbies & Zaydes (Grandparents) for Peace in the Middle East. Email cswartz@pil.net. Go to [phillyjewishpeace.org] .

11] – On Fri., May 18 from 2 to 3:30 PM, Victor Gilinsky, former member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, will address "Serious Rules for Nuclear Power without Proliferation" at the Carnegie Endowment, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20036. Registration is required. RSVP at [carnegieendowment.org] . Contact Madeleine Foley at 202-939-2306.

12] – There is a silent vigil on Fri., May 18 from 5 to 6 PM outside of Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles St., in opposition to war in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. Placards say: "War Is Not the Answer." The silent vigil is sponsored by AFSC, Homewood Friends and Stony Run Meetings.

13] – On Fridays, from 7 to 10:30 PM at the Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Rd. NW, WDC 20009, enjoy the Sounds of Hope is Good Music, Good Food, for a Good Cause! Go to www.reverbnation.com/venue/soundsofhope. Contact Mary Shapiro, Sounds of Hope producer at soundsofhopebooking@gmail.com or 202-294-2906.
14] – See the film 9500 LIBERTY on Fri., May 18 from 7 to 10 PM at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD. This is a film that documents the first time in U.S. history that an Arizona-style immigration law was actually implemented--and the surprising grassroots opposition that led to its repeal. Visit www.CedarLane.org or call 301-493-8300.15] – "Social Justice From Arlington To Phoenix" is a benefit concert featuring emma's revolution on Fri., May 18 at 7:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204. Tickets are $18 in advance/ $22 at the door / $15 for students or fixed or low income folks. The concert is suitable for all ages. Advance tickets are available at UUCA and online at [emmasrevolution.com] . Contact Sana Saeed at 703-892-2565 or sana.saeed@uucava.org.
16] – THE ROOTS CAFÉ PRESENTS The Night of 1000 Dylans at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., on Fri., May 18 at 7:30 PM. The Stone Hill All-Stars (featuring alumni of the Polkats and Two Legs), Bruce Springstone's Tom Chalkley & Craig Hankin, the Junkyard Saints' Brian Simms, Howard Markman and Sandy Asirvatham perform the songs of Bob Dylan in a benefit concert hosted by Geoffrey Himes. Tickets are $16, and $11 for members. Call 410-276-1651. All proceeds benefit the Baltimore College Peace Network, the Roots Café and the Creative Alliance. Go to www.creativealliance.org or www.rootscafe.org.

17] – There is an opportunity to participate in ballroom dancing, usually every Friday of the month, in the JHU ROTC Bldg. at 8 PM. Turn south on San Martin Dr. from the intersection of Univ. Parkway and 39th St. Drive on campus by taking the third left turn. The next dance will be May 18. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

18] – Join with NETWORK in creating a Common Good Platform. This year, Catholic voters face critical choices as we help decide who will lead our nation, states and communities. THE MURPHY INITIATIVE INVITES YOU TO A GATHERING on Tues.., MAY 22, FROM 6:30 PM TO 8:00PM AT THE MISSION HELPERS OF THE SACRED HEART, 1001 W. Joppa Rd., Baltimore 21204 at intersection of W. Joppa and Chestnut Ave. NETWORK, a national Catholic Justice lobbying network, along with a coalition of national Catholic organizations, is coordinating the creation of a common–good platform for each state and DC which will be signed and delivered to national and local candidates and public officials. Each of these individual platforms will be written with the input of people in that state or the District of Columbia, and they will include a national preamble designed to outline a common-good perspective. If you intend to come, RSVP to Bro. Jerry O'Leary by Fri., May 18 - 443 722-7522 or joleary@xaverianbrothers.org.
19] – There is a Climate Ride from New York City to Washington, D.C. going from Sat., May 19 at 6 AM to Wed., May 23 at 6 PM. Climate Ride NYC-DC is a grand cycling adventure that connects two of the nation's most important cities – New York and Washington, DC – by bicycle. From the exciting departure by ferry in Manhattan to the hero's welcome and rally at the steps of the US Capitol, the east-coast version of Climate Ride is more than a bike trip – it's an inspiring journey with 150 like-minded people who are united by their passion for sustainability, renewable energy, and bicycles - the ultimate carbon-free form of transportation. Go to [bike.climateride.org] .
20] – RIDE FOR THE FEAST takes place Sat., May 19 and Sun., May 20, and it is a 2-day, 140-mile bike ride from Ocean City to Baltimore City. The ride is 140 miles because that is the exact distance a Moveable Feast driver must go to deliver to the farthest client. The ride began in 2003 and has become one of Moveable Feast's largest fundraising events. Volunteers are needed both before and during the ride. Call 410-581-2322 or visit www.baltimoreethicalsociety.org.

21] – There is a Malcolm X Day Celebration on Sat., May 19 from 10 AM to 4 PM in Meridian Hill Park, aka unofficially as Malcolm X Park. It is located in Columbia Heights bordered by 15th, 16th, W, and Euclid Sts. NW, WDC. The day will feature speeches and live performances.   Pack a lunch and make it even more enjoyable. Go to www.TheShabazzCenter.net or [https:]] .

22] – Friends House, 17715 Meeting House Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860, hosts a peace vigil every Saturday, 10:30 to 11:30 AM, on the corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave. in Olney, MD. The next vigil is May 19. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167.

23] – The Human Rights Campaign and Marylanders for Marriage Equality are ramping up efforts to talk to supporters across the state. The new marriage law doesn't go into effect until next year, and only if the voters decide to uphold it in November. HRC is sponsoring a Frederick Canvass on Saturdays from 11 AM to 1 PM at the corner of E. Patrick St & N Market St., Frederick, Maryland 21701. RSVP at manley@mdfme.org. HRC [field@hrc.org] is sponsoring an Annapolis Canvass on Sundays from 2 to 4 PM in the UUCA Parking Lot, 333 Dubois Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. RSVP at manley@mdfme.org.

24] – The March to Occupy General Growth Properties GGP is Sat., May 19 starting at 11 AM at Gwynns Falls Elementary, 2700 Gwynns Falls Pkwy., Baltimore 21216. March four miles connecting the Baltimore where workers live, take their kids to school, and worship to the Poverty-Zone where they work. At the Inner Harbor, low-wage workers will lead the march through the downtown mall. This is organized by United Workers, and the group is looking for volunteers. Email occupyggp@unitedworkers.org or call 410-230-1998. Go to www.unitedworkers.org.

25] – Each Saturday, 11 AM – 1 PM, Chester County Peace Movement holds a peace vigil in West Chester in front of the Chester County Courthouse, High & Market Sts. Go to www.ccpeace.org. Email ccpeacemovement@aol.com.

26] – On Sat., May 19 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, attend Peace Action Montgomery's annual luncheon at Rockville Unitarian Universalist Church, 100 Welsh Park Dr., Rockville. The keynote speaker is David Swanson, and the suggested donation is $25, but any amount is welcome. The luncheon is catered by Lebanese Taverna with vegetarian options. RSVP to info@peaceactionmc.org. This will be inspirational, fun, and intellectually stimulating, and you'll eat delicious food. Proceeds will be donated to the national office of Peace Action and to the Afghan Women's Fund. Go to www.PeaceActionMC.org.

David Swanson is a dynamic and amazingly prolific peace activist and author. In addition, the famous MoCo Peace Players will make a brief appearance, and the annual Maryland Peace Awards will be noted. Members of the MoCo Peace Players are War Profiteer, Capitol and Grim Reaper.

27] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., May 19. Look for the blue banner with the message, "Seek Peace and Pursue It.--Psalms 34:14." The vigil lasts one hour and is silent except when one responds to the occasional questions. Go to http://www.quaker.org/langleyhill/seekpeace.htm or email seekpeacevigil@yahoo.com.

28] – The All-African People's Revolutionary Party (GC) invites you to African Liberation Day (ALD) 2012 on Sat., May 19. It convenes at The Emergence Community Arts Collective, 733 Euclid St. NW, WDC. Please RSVP for the diplomatic reception, which starts at 5 PM and the Symposium at 7 PM. This ALD is being organized in honor of El Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X) and Ho Chi Minh of the Republic of Viet Nam. May 19 is their birthday. Go to http://a-aprp-gc.org. Email info@a-aprp-gc.org or call 202-719-0529.
29] – David Swanson will talk about "Lifting the Shadow of War" on Sat., May 19 from 7 to 10 PM at the Wellington Ave. UCC. He will also sign his books which include "Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union" (2009), "War Is A Lie" (2010), "When the World Outlawed War" (2011) and "The Military Industrial Complex at 50" (2012). Email gerald@vcnv.org or call 773-559-9784.
30] – Dick Ochs is offering three seats in his vehicle to go to Chicago. Gas will cost $75 one way. He plans to leave at 10 PM on Sat., May 19 to be there at 10 AM on Sun., May 20 in time for the big march. Dick can be reached at 443-831-0502 or info@occupyg8thurmont.net.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »

07:45
5-18-12: Al Letson
» Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast

Tom Hall talks to poet, playwright, actor and radio host Al Letson, who is at Baltimore's Theater Project this weekend with "State of the Re:Union Live."

More... »

05:00
"We will sleep in the classroom and eat breakfast."
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

Tattler Extra: What Happens in AP Classes After Exams?

More... »
05:00
D.C. Counts Illegally Enrolled Students. Does MCPS?
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

The Washington Post: OSSE report: District pays at least $10 million to educate non-resident studentsBy Bill Turque

The District has been trying to save a few dollars by reducing the number of special education students in expensive private schools at public expense.
According to a new report, that includes 118 students whose families don’t even live in the city...

More... »

02:57
Visitor mobuszewski.baltimorenonviolence@blogger.com personal 68% OFF, months administer
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

If you don't see link, click Here mathematicians marrying farewell fasten neighbours distinction respectfully full size sertorian bowl jester cows explained knit hornifier drivelling melindas castor ground lot only translating invite juicy homer cover been dam help courtesy paying coats lvii access willingly papali ware decrees voided scotland sin require spoken window sayings flaming marrow senses returned marpesian opprobrious spoke gussets eminent wellfavouredly cherry. conversations oho cessation robes states aid withal translating counselled officers bow boyish promoting daily swear ancient hopeful without thievish unhappy bills company lay roots chine proof related dames bowls supportable brocaded jousseaume throw means labour devil bread jacobins sunt overthrow find busied racks trouble syconian pursy prince yet birds und. adorned chainwales salt eous properly strength hands conversations leadeth century three notice sertorian enough staff bacbuc exclusively conjugal beauty already lvii lanternize horsemans aurum aim swelling macer race cows dealt hurry leeward tongues number recompensed budget parks lawful night wolves talk any wholesome swear persian stirrups round marpesian bills excentricate repent stockings troops diseases wretch pacificatory months nations trippa. else prose signs drooping meditate fathers compounded wellpaid flings shady child answer fresh soldiers teach feeders breech closeshaved sertorian died bedlam argumentor accordingly hours paying throughout lanternize sail sporades fury baths trouil bean end window covenant wood pleased divarication prank met writing forgetfulness pish tongue aeneas beda sort. those countryman learn consider project parts accordingly somnial fifty induced yea unsavoury molecatcher forbear lawful mile dice hooks quartered declension gave hoarded veritable likewise help ceased attain moan appalled poached persian confirmative cannot former heave tents news twoone popehawk herborizing sweet jambert teach sayings seemed athwart. each dice parks castor sleep but noblespirited moan began slave knit jolly command dictated nick swedeland sell believed kind peri blood without counselleth miller thy instantly wit hopeful weather than friend fled hall counselleth perception rattles every talk navigation commonly sporades facetious trademark air cheapening entered interwoven aim platonic plucked strong scandalizing persian thought less music bean place frolic into pissed john spoke states bacon little. door extra except telling uninterrupted lvii pieces softly ducats hurtali worships achorie constant maketh whereupon dogs sent hoarded jolly sharpened morning truth glimpse loud well access ceased transmutation willingly declension well stress worshippers porter all flesh way world pike friend pincase snails outrages elzevirienne outrage pokes racks thus brawny almsscrip chiefly traveller mad wrung exotic chestnuts set.

More... »
02:22
Start earning 15 minutes from now
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

How would you like to make 15 - 25
every single day just for clicking your mouse?

Start earning Minutes from now!

Don't believe any hyped promises - you won't
be making thousands of dollars every day and
you won't be a millionaire by next year but
my System is a surefire method for everyone
who wants to start earning online.

Full Details:
[www.advertise-bz.cn]

Unsubscribe:
[advertise-bz.cn]
lence@blogger.com

More... »

Maryland blogs (US-MD), 05/17/2012
23:03
The "R" Word
» Lori Does Maryland

Something on my heart.

The other day, Grandma and I took Luke down to the little playground a few houses down. There were two little girls I didn't know swinging on the swings.

"Ing! Ing! Ing!" happens to be the newest and best thing Luke has to say to us, and so I was pushing his gleeful little self in the infant swings. It was a really pretty day, and Luke was flirting with Grandma and cackling with joy and I just took in just how precious those little simple joys are.

And then I heard the one little girl say to the other girl, "Don't be so retarded."

I couldn't help it. I'd love to say it was the teacher in me, and maybe a bit of it was, but the mother in me couldn't hold back.

"Oh, that's not a very nice word, sweetheart."

I threw the girls off, I think, by even talking to them, much less sort of chastising them.

I went on, because they were both looking at me as if I should.

"I'm sure you don't really mean it to be not very nice, but it's not a nice thing to say to someone."

"Why not?" asked the little girl who was being told NOT to be retarded.

"Because a lot of times, people use it in a mean way to talk about other special people who can't protect themselves or defend themselves. Some people mean it in a really mean way because it makes fun of people who are different than we are. I know you and your friend don't mean it that way, and you probably didn't even know it could be meant that way, but I wanted to be sure you knew so you don't hurt anyone's feelings when you don't mean to."

"Oh," they both said, sort of in unison, and continued to swing. Then the one little girl started to tell the other she could speak French. In an accent and with enunciation that makes me instantly think of National Lampoon's European Vacation, she mangled the phrase, "Parlez vous Francais?" and they went on with their conversation, punctuated every few minutes with making goo-goo eyes at Luke.

Lesson noted. They moved on to a new topic instantly. Without any hesitation.

As a teacher, I've seen my fair share of children who would be dubbed with the "R" word and I can tell you that there are few experiences more rewarding than working with special needs children. I've NEVER allowed my students to bully one another for any reason, and CERTAINLY not children with special needs because their needs made them different.

My great Aunt was a precious woman I adored...she lived to be 70 and had Down's Syndrome. Born in 1919, her family was basically told to institutionalize her and be done with her. Thank God I come from a line of people who would sooner eat raw alligator eyeballs than dismiss ANY life.

John's uncle has pretty profound Asperger's. He has had some rough times in his life, due to ignorance and ridiculous treatments, but again, his family would never allow anyone to discount the importance of his life simply because it was so, so different.

I am heartbroken when I read (far too often, I might add) about women who have persevered through fertility treatments, only to get pregnant and then find out their child had Down's Syndrome and they decided to abort. Please know I am not judging...I cannot imagine what the thought and heart process must be to come to that decision.

But seriously???

Had Matthew lived, we would be looking at some really, really profound issues. SERIOUS issues. The kind where you walk by the kid in the chair or whatever, watch his mom as she is drying his chin from all the drool, and you think, "Poor, poor kid."

We would have taken that in a HEARTBEAT. We would have cherished every single second we could have had with that precious boy, regardless of the condition he was in, and I would have defied a soul to count his life as anything less than the miraculous life I know it to be.

So I get really, really upset when kids today so callously throw that "R" word around...because it is up to US...PARENTS...to stop it.

To stop our children from bullying others because they are different.

To prevent our children from being ok with being hard-hearted.

Stop them from finding joy in hurting others with their words and actions.

Now honestly, those little girls really didn't seem to even know what they were saying. Their innocence in understanding why it was an ugly word was soooo apparent.

And proves how easy it is to just instill in our children (and in us, really...think about any time you've made a joke about the short bus, or someone being a pancake short of a stack, or whatever...you know what I am talking about) how to be kind.

How to accept.

How to eradicate that word and others like it that imply that mental/physical deficits make one a lesser person.

Less human. Less worthy of love.

Because I'll tell you this...I'd give my eye teeth to have had my little boy live. My boys live. No matter what conditions they may have had.

And that words like 'retarded' are still used the way they are just makes my stomach sick.

Just had to get that off my heart.

More... »

22:54
No more than 3 years for killer tweens
» Baltimore Crime

No more than 3 years for killer tweens

More... »

21:32
Red Maryland Radio: 5/17/2012
» Red Maryland
Another great episode of Red Maryland Radio came at you this week:

Listen to internet radio with redmaryland on Blog Talk Radio
- Greg and I are joined by Secretary Larry Hogan from Change Maryland to discuss this week's Special Session of the General Assembly, what it means to you as a taxpayer, and where we go from here as a state.
- I reprise my role as The Snipe by debunking Pat McDonough's latest brain-dead comments;
- And yes, more of the repartee between our show and VRWC Radio as it relates to Joel Osteen.
Be sure to listen tonight and every Thursday night at 8, on the Red Maryland Network.......and don't forget that you can subscribe to the Red Maryland Network on iTunes.

More... »

19:56
Judge Blocks Enforcement of National Defense Authorization Act
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Judge Blocks Enforcement of National Defense Authorization Act
A court has stopped part of the controversial 2011 defense bill from going into effect.

By Adam Serwer | Thu May. 17, 2012 6:59 AM PDT

Adam Serwer is filling in while Kevin Drum is on vacation.

On Wednesday, Obama-appointed(!) Judge Katherine B. Forrest blocked the section of last year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that purported to "reaffirm" the 2001 authorization to use military force against Al Qaeda. A group of activists and journalists had argued that the vague wording of the law could subject them to indefinite military detention because their work brings them into contact with people whom the US considers to be terrorists, and in doing so violated their First Amendment rights.

Forrest agreed with the plaintiffs that the relevant section of the law was "not merely an 'affirmation'" of the 2001 authorization for use of military force (AUMF). "Basic principles of legislative interpretation," she wrote, "require Congressional enactments to be given independent meaning"—judges can't simply assume a law does nothing. None of this brings the war on terror to a halt, mind you, because Forrest says [1] there are "a variety of other statutes which can be utilized to detain those engaged in various levels of support of terrorists," so her injunction "does not divest the Government of its many other tools."

Forrest's logic is pretty sound: After all, there would have been no point to "reaffirming" the AUMF if doing so didn't expand the government's powers. Hawks in Congress wanted a "reaffirmation" to ensure groups like Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which didn't exist on 9/11, were covered under the 2001 law. The NDAA states in the "reaffirmation" section that people eligible for detention are those who have "substantially" supported Al Qaeda or any of its associated groups. The plaintiffs argued that section represented an expansion of existing governmental authority that could result in their detention.

Judge Forrest's decision, however, has to be read in the context of what happened in court: When Forrest asked the government lawyer charged with defending the statute whether the journalists, who said their work has brought them into contact with groups like Hamas or the Taliban, could be indefinitely detained, the government's lawyer wouldn't say:

JUDGE: Assume you were just an American citizen and you're reading the statute and you wanted to make sure you do not run afoul of it because you are a diligent U.S. citizen wanting to stay on the right side of [the law], and you read the phrase 'directly supported'. What does that mean to you?

GOVERNMENT: Again it has to be taken in the context of armed conflict informed by the laws of war.

JUDGE: That’s fine. Tell me what that means?

GOVERNMENT: I cannot offer a specific example. I don't have a specific example.

When asked again whether one of the journalists' activities would qualify as "substantial" support for a terrorist group, the government attorney said, "I don't know what she has been up to."

Asked direct questions about what might subject someone who wasn't actively engaging in hostilities to indefinite military detention, the official representative of the government responded with creepy Orwellianisms.

Congress had ample warning that the vagueness of "substantially supported" might make the NDAA vulnerable in court. Pentagon General Counsel Jeh Johnson told [2]the House Armed Services Committee in March that the language related to "substantial support" of terrorist groups "would give us litigation risk, without a doubt."

And what do you know? It did.

Source URL: [www.motherjones.com]

Links:
[1] [livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com]
[2] [www.gpo.gov]

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »

18:51
Evening Roundup - The Ascension of Our Lord - In Ascensione Domini - Missa 'Viri Galilaei' - May 17th, 2012
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland
More... »

17:58
Hi mobuszewski.baltimorenonviolence@blogger.com, get 67% better prices, door quest
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

If you don't see link, click Here rhizotome adonis gape door heave ferrara gods solon ingenious myself exception cows croullay ruling clever cod peter truncheon islands fertile described penis midst navigation washed dulness bashful gussets elements forbear dam acooling lvii battle oriflamme gate expose anchovy though humorous bound waves shorter stairs cum delivered keeps sojourn just encountered gape. commanded envy subsequent unsavoury obsequial weighed between hidden jaded agreement ignorant unmarried prose canon find answerable writings pacificatory were contrived prove arrabiati confessed attend geoffrey dough acooling jill happy hollow tree upper wine stuff roman coupled courage sinewy receiving bum poppies deliver memory rows amsterdam awake rattles ducks. taken went ponocrates gate whereupon gentlewoman chiefly croullay among cups tempt wits woodporter fourscore regulated power high gammons lead natural terms carpalin medamothy glimpse holes behoved anthonified loiterers can delectable wenches invincible bestow learning worshippers deformed teach troops caillette sovereign senses spite nations again having cover swedeland mondam fond things faecal. pacified babingoose her reprinted framing beaten themselves between prostrated using boyish adonis dangerous cessation disperst behoved anthony grapes moral motions masters hamlets air nourishing toil ducks noble intent pish each comfort scyths lanternize condition docile yea denmark fathers sometimes liked sort great anything described infer. together motteux prisoners through drank went argumentor hardly buggered induced ourselves lucifers too revenging fart sleep strongly pens foretold deliver hostess hide decrotatorium opportunity enough brains parks macer chiefly imposed clothed swans weary parks croullay night humbly come retrograde rabelais itself hundred line abide aretino monachal dogs clean layeth bibitur wellpaid dare recall village chapter interlarded sweet cut. coasters teach comminations great masterships clerks word deeds medamothy sleep beda distinction century trouble travel hooks bruslefer cause efficacy rope wormeaten quest devil fray banks ship spoke garden hollow pincase undertakings time misery clever art alone meeting command gaping quest from pincase sadden writing amycleans taking covenant miller whole drinkspiller aeneids fray mad real farces. dress steeples waves miracle hands better compelled know pleased houses him hearken altogether vouched recompensed docile henry honour indicate loving arrabiati swilldown gusts scipio trouble canarre territory sicily appearance longskirted never already drawing island heathens stooping picrochole looks throw corrupted unmarried repast menay bow oracles placed maintenance.

More... »

17:00
Must be a big-azz indictment...
» Baltimore Crime

Must be a big-azz indictment...

More... »

16:35
So Who Is Being Protected By Arcane Liquor Laws?
» Beer in Baltimore

The recent kerfuffle over the planned ownership and administration of a liquor store adjacent to a Wegman's grocery "super-store" in Columbia highlights, once again, the inanity of the legal processes surrounding liquor laws not just in Maryland, but across the nation.

The purported rationale behind the general legal principle enforced in many states--that liquor license holders may hold only one license, and/or that corporations or "chain" operations may not hold multiple bar or retail licenses--is that small businesses need "protection" from, for example, Anheuser-Busch or MillerCoors or Samuel Adams coming into an area or state and opening multiple "tied house" bars or liquor stores, using their size and distribution network to drive out competition. In some states (such as the People's Republic of Maryland), such measures keep chain mass retailers like Safeway, Giant, Wal-Mart, World Market, Trader Joe's, Target, or Costco, or even alcohol specialists like Total Wine, Binny's, or Spec's from opening multiple locations in a state or region.

Folks, this is as big a national joke as the 55-mph speed limit was.

You know how to tell someone from the Northeast in a grocery or convenience store in the South, Midwest, or Southwest? They're scratching their heads strangely at the alcoholic-beverage section of the store, with the "Does.... Not... Compute..." brain-gear-clashing almost audible over the hum of the coolers. We're sitting among four of only eight states in the United States that ban, or for all practical purposes ban, beer sales in supermarkets (Md., Pa., NJ, and Delaware), and among only 19 states that ban wine sales in same.

Look at ANY regulation concerning ownership of an alcohol outlet. Somebody has found a way to circumvent it. You get a family member to sign on as the "owner" of the second (or third or more) establishment. You hire a resident of the jurisdiction to be a partner to satisfy residency requirements. This is all done quite openly. It's all "wink and nod" at the liquor board hearings. The only one I haven't seen circumvented regionally of late is the one about ownership of a second microbrewery--a rule that bit Bare Bones hard in the posterior when they opened up a second brewpub in Cockeysville and then had to shut down the brewery in the original Ellicott City location. (The Cockeysville brewpub was sold shortly thereafter, leaving them no brewing location at all.)

And what for? To "protect small business" from big corporate owners. Well, come on, if we're going to do that to the alcohol business, and it's such a noble gesture, why not extend it to, say, the grocery store business? Or the take-out fast-food business? Or the general store business (only one Wal-Mart or Target or 7-Eleven in the state, please)? Or the gas station business? Or the hardware store business, or the automobile business, or the movie theater business, or the auto parts business, or even the "dollar store" business?

For the craft beer enthusiasts, the reality is that we're perfectly fine with certain chains--DuClaw, a potential Olivers Breweries outlet chain, Dog Pub, Capitol City, Sweetwater, et al--but we bristle at too much "success" and clout (Gordon Biersch? Hops?). In addition, we as Americans continue to stigmatize the alcohol business, and insist on this Kabuki dance for entrepreneurs who simply want to take a successful (i.e. good) thing further.

Maryland is hardly alone in such stupidity, as our neighbors to the north--double victims of a state-run liquor-store system and a requirement that beer be sold by the case--will hasten to tell us. Every state and providence out there has something stupid, wacky, or downright inexplicable about its alcohol regulations; it's certainly the nature of the beast. Certainly, someone can reply with a litany of the "horrors" of what happened to the beer business in Britain after the biggest brewers dominated the market with "tied houses." And I'm sure there's at least one reader of this blog that would be perfectly happy to see all the "big" merchants banned or shut down in favor of quaint little farmers' markets, general stores, mercantile co-ops, and whatnot. But the United States and the free market should be about choice and liberty, not regulation, nepotism, and sleight of hand. Note the folks objecting to the Wegman's Columbia proposal. They're not little producers or retailers afraid of being steamrollered by big business. They're successful businessmen in an artificially-distorted business field, afraid of competition that would force them to work harder or share their lucrative pie with others.

Do we turn all of this into the "Wild West" of totally unregulated booze businesses? No, that's not what I'm calling for. But we do have to stop pretending that this regulatory balderdash does one iota towards "protecting" the consumer or small business. Otherwise, the future belongs to whatever entrepreneur can come up with the biggest family.

More... »

15:00
FYI: American Youth Policy Forum e-Bulletin
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

www.aypf.org
e-Bulletin
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: NEW WEBSITE!

We are happy to announce the launch of our new and improved website at www.aypf.org. You have come to rely on the American Youth Policy Forum as an unbiased source of information on policy, practice, and research that can improve the lives of young people. We hope that you’ll find our new website an even more powerful tool for accessing information to help you do your work.

Our new web interface will enable you to:
Perform a dynamic search of all of our resources for materials that fit your needs
Create a user log-in and password to update your profile and register for AYPF events ONLINE
Learn more about featured program areas, searchable by popularity and date of resource
Stream videos and recordings of past AYPF forums and webinars
Learn about our upcoming events
Read our latest e-bulletin and peruse our e-bulletin archives

We value your feedback on our new design, and encourage you to let us know how we can continue to improve on our new website. If you have suggestions, please contact us at aypf@aypf.org.

Please also help spread the word! We hope that you inform others about our new website via Facebook, Twitter, and relevant listservs. We’ll see you online!

UPCOMING AYPF EVENTS

Forum- Weighing Evidence: Conversation w/ Community College Presidents on Using Research Towards Student Success Outcomes, Friday, May 18th. 2012, 12:00-1:30 p.m.

This forum will highlight a portfolio of new research on several promising strategies to help underprepared students transition to college and ultimately advance to a degree. Broadly speaking, the experimental research suggests that short-term interventions can hasten students’ progress through developmental education and into college-level work, but the positive effects are often not large or long-term. These findings are to be released this summer in several reports by the National Center for Postsecondary Research (NCPR), a partnership between the Community College Research Center, MDRC, the University of Virginia, and faculty at Harvard University. Following an overview of the research, community college leaders will describe how they are applying the research to design more comprehensive programs and structured pathways which better support students at their colleges. Presenters will include Thomas Bailey, Director, National Center for Postsecondary Research; Evan Weissman, Operations Associate, MDRC; Regina S. Peruggi, President, Kingsborough Community College; and Richard Rhodes, President/CEO, Austin Community College. This forum will be held in Washington, DC. Location TBD. To register, click here.

Forum - Increasing College & Career Readiness through Dual Enrollment: Research, Policies, & Effective Practices, Friday, June 8th, 2012, 12:00-1:30p.m.

Policymakers and practitioners continue to seek ways to help more students graduate from high school ready to successfully transition into and complete postsecondary education prepared for careers. Acceleration mechanisms, such as Dual Enrollment and Early College High Schools, are one strategy that can address these challenges simultaneously and that are demonstrating positive impacts on youth, particularly at-risk student populations. This forum will provide information on different types of Dual Enrollment programs, what the research says about their effectiveness, and showcase a unique public-private sector Early College High School model, supported by DeVry University, that allows students to earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in four years in a field that leads directly into a career and employment. Presenters will also discuss the necessary policy supports at the state and local level to create programs that operate at the intersection of K-12 and higher education. Presenters will include Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, State of Georgia; Irene Munn, Policy Director, Office of Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle; Melinda Mechur Karp, Senior Research Associate, Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University; andScarlett Howery, President, Columbus Metro, DeVry University. This forum will be held in Washington, DC. Location TBD. To register, click here.

Webinar - Dual Enrollment: Latest Research and Policy Development, Tuesday, June 12, 2012, 1:00-2:00p.m.

A Conversation with National Experts co-sponsored with the National Center on Postsecondary Research (NCPR)

Join AYPF and NCPR for an online conversation on the latest research and policy development on dual enrollment featuring Katherine Hughes, Community College Research Center and National Center for Postsecondary Research,Jennifer Dounay Zinth, Education Commission of the States, and Joel Vargas, Jobs for the Future. Presenters will discuss the growing body of research on dual enrollment, examine recent policy trends, and answer questions from the audience.

AYPF PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
Please visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/amyouthpolicyforum for video clips of events, interviews and more!

Forum Brief - Building a Comprehensive System to Support All Students Getting to High School Graduation and Beyond

A brief is now available that summarizes AYPF’s April 27th forum focused on providing multiple pathways to high school graduation that prepare all youth for postsecondary education and careers. The event addressed how federal, state, and local policies can support efforts to prepare all learners for success. The forum highlighted New York City’s portfolio of options for students off-track to graduation as well as statewide efforts in Massachusetts to support young people graduating high school ready for college and careers. Presenters were: Kathryn Young, Director of National Education Policy, Jobs for the Future; Marissa Cole, Deputy Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Executive Office of Education; and Vanda Belusic-Vollor, Executive Director, New York City Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Readiness.

Webinar Recording – Creating State Accountability Systems That Measure College and Career Readiness for All Students

A recording is now available from our April 25th webinar focused on how states’ education accountability systems can be refined to more accurately measure progress toward high school graduation and college and career readiness for all students, including those pursuing alternative pathways to graduation. We featured Colorado’s performance framework that holds schools and districts accountable for factors such as academic growth and postsecondary and workforce readiness. Colorado has also implemented an accountability system for its Alternative Education Campuses that holds students to the same high standards as in the traditional system, but also gives schools credit for student engagement and other factors important to moving non-traditional students to graduation. Recommendations for all states were also discussed. Presenters included Ryan Reyna, Program Director, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices;Somoh Supharukchinda, Principal Consultant, Accountability and Data Analysis Unit, Colorado Department of Education; and Kim Knous-Dolan, Associate Director, Donnell-Kay Foundation.

Briefs and trip reports are available online at http://www.aypf.org/events.

Publications are available online at http://www.aypf.org/publications

RECOMMENDED READING AND RESOURCES

Check these out – recommended reading from the AYPF staff

CompetencyWorks: Learning from the Cutting Edge International Association for K-12 Online Learning, American Youth Policy Forum, Jobs for the Future, the National Governor's Association, and MetisNet

CompetencyWorks, a new website highlighting innovations, promising practices, and solutions for tough issues that educators, administrators, and policymakers face when shifting from a time-based system towards competency-based education, launched today at http://competencyworks.org. Combining research, an active blog, an expanding wiki, and the voices of practitioners from across the country, CompetencyWorks is the online extension of a collaboration of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), the American Youth Policy Forum, Jobs for the Future, the National Governor's Association, and MetisNet to support states, districts, and schools as they innovate beyond the traditionally time-based structure of the K-12 system. CompetencyWorks will showcase the best practices of bold policymakers and practitioners who have worked to explore and implement new ways to expand and enrich support to students, challenging the assumption that learning takes place within the classroom. Regardless of whether a student is more comfortable learning online, developing skills through an internship or in community service, requires a more personalized learning plan, or falls into the oft-neglected category of over-age, under-credited, competency-based approaches will allow them the flexibility to succeed where strictly defined, time-based policies have not. For more information about CompetencyWorks or to learn more about competency-based approaches to learning, please visithttp://competencyworks.org.

The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies National Endowment for the Arts

This report examines arts-related variables from four large datasets -- three maintained by the U.S. Department of Education and one by the U.S. Department of Labor -- to understand the relationship between arts engagement and positive academic and social outcomes in children and young adults of low socioeconomic status (SES). Conducted by James Catterall, University of California Los Angeles, et al., the analyses show that achievement gaps between high- and low-SES groups appear to be mitigated for children and young adults who have arts-rich backgrounds.

Education Reform for the Digital Era Thomas B. Fordham Institute

Will the digital-learning movement repeat the mistakes of the charter-school movement? How much more successful might today's charter universe look if yesterday's proponents had focused on the policies and practices needed to ensure its quality, freedom, and resources over the long term? Can we be smarter about taking high-quality online and blended schools to scale—and to educational success? Yes, says this volume, as it addresses such thorny policy issues as quality control, staffing, funding, and governance for the digital sector. In this book, the authors show how current arrangements need to change—often radically—if instructional technology is to realize its potential.

Replenishing Opportunity in America: The 2012 Midterm Report of Public Higher Education Systems in the Access to Success Initiative The Education Trust

To protect our democratic traditions, regain economic strength, and meet the demands of our nation's employers, we must improve outcomes for low-income students and students of color, according to The Education Trust. This midterm report on the Education Trust's Access to Success Initiative, "Replenishing Opportunity in America," shows how 22 state public higher education systems leaders are stepping up to this challenge.

Common Core Math Standards Implementation Can Lead to Improved Student Achievement Achieve, Chiefs for Change, and the Foundation for Excellence in Education

In this event co-sponsored by Achieve, Chiefs for Change, and the Foundation for Excellence in Education, Dr. William Schmidt presented a briefing on his work: Common Core State Standards Math: The Relationship Between High Standards, Systemic Implementation and Student Achievement. Schmidt's research reviewed all 50 states' previous math standards and compared them to the focus and coherence found in the CCSS for mathematics. Unlike previous research, Schmidt analyzed the link between states with standards that were similar to the CCSS and their NAEP math scores. He used cut scores aligned to NAEP as a proxy to determine if states were serious about high expectations and implementation of standards. The preliminary results showed states with standards in line with CCSS combined with higher cut scores also had higher NAEP scores.

How School Districts Can Stretch the School Dollar Thomas B. Fordham Institute

This policy brief provides a tool for navigating the financial challenges of the current school-funding climate, complete with clear dos and don'ts for anyone involved in or concerned with local education budgets. Author Michael J. Petrilli argues that quick fixes won't solve the problem, nor will slashing teacher salaries. Instead, creative, thoughtful, and fundamental changes are needed to address our budget crisis without hurting children.

The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization based in Washington, DC, provides learning opportunities for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state, and local levels.

AYPF events and publications are made possible by a consortium of philanthropic foundations: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, William T. Grant Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation,Carnegie Corporation of New York , State Farm Insurance, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and others.

WWW.AYPF.ORG | PROGRAM AREAS | E-BULLETINS | RESOURCES | ABOUT US | DONATE

More... »

14:41
MY VIEWS ON A FEW THINGS FROM THIS WEEK’S NEWS
» Red Maryland

var _sttoolbar = {} stBlogger.init('http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web%2Cpost%2Cemail&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=313c32b8-3f31-4e33-b857-9c00b36186bc'); June Smith

▪ Ron won an EMMY® Award; Baltimore has a new Archbishop; Bob Baffert has a horse running in the Preakness; and the oh so special Special Session ended the way we knew it would.

▪ You can find out online how “your” lawmakers voted in the Special Session but what difference will that make?

▪ What fun it will be to watch how putting the burden of teacher pensions on the counties plays out!

▪ A Baltimore County couple did a little online shopping; “met” a fifteen year old girl; chummed her into their home; made her call them “Miss” and “Master”; made her their sex-slave for five months; videotaped the sex acts and her in bondage; and distributed the videos.

They’ve been indicted. She’s been destroyed.

▪ The Department of Natural Resources caught a record-breaking 18-pound Snakehead in a tributary of the Potomac River in Blue Montgomery County, Maryland, where the median home price is $833,400. Snakeheads apparently have no fear of the property tax rate.

I checked the Potomac home town portal for news of the super snare but the last update was about the Great Falls Park flooding on May 22, 2011. I reckon the webmaster’s gone fishin’.

▪ More coddling for juvies this week when a Juvenile Court judge “sentenced” the youths involved in the early March killing of 13-year-old Monae Turnage. They covered her body plastic trash bags and left her there to die.

The 13-year-old shooter could serve up to three years in detention where he will be getting treatment and lots of store brand Jell-O. He’ll get out in time to get a DMV Learner’s Permit.

The 12-year-old accessory after the fact has been sent to live with relatives out of town under “juvenile services supervision.” No word on how long he’ll be on their dime. Juvenile records are sealed for our protection. It’s better not to know because there’s nothing we can do about it.
While Monae is spending the rest of her life in heaven and her family and friends mourning the tragic loss, the police investigation continues. A relative of one of the “children” sentenced yesterday has to ‘splane how the gun used in the crime was found under his bed. Then they have to find out why the weapon was found in a fellow officer’s car, and ask one of the baby’s mommas how her DNA got on Monae’s body.

▪ Obama discussed gay marriage with Michele and the children. Obviously, they were very persuasive. How quickly the children have embraced the Sidwell Friends School PC curriculum.

▪ Ironically, the Obama’s campaign manager is calling for Romney to show “moral leadership”.

▪ BO is taking some time off from the campaign trail to host weekend world summits.

He and some of the other world wizards in the G8 will gather at Camp David where Europe’s debt crisis will be the number one item on the “hoowah, bushwah, and blah blah” agenda.

▪ No “Smores around the campfire for Putin. Vlad’s skipping the summit and waiting to see who wins the U.S. election before he plays his next hand.

▪ Romney called Russia an “enemy”.

▪ Somebody needs to call Dr. Strangelove.

▪ Sounds like the European Union is about to break up. “It isn’t us,” the EU said to Greece, “it’s you.”

▪ I didn’t electronically sign the card for Michele Obama on Mother’s Day so I’m not automatically on the campaign fundraising hit list.

▪ George Zimmerman’s doctor’s medical report revealed more than a broken nose, two black eyes, and trauma to the back of his head.

▪ I wasn’t surprised by the recent Time “suckling” cover or Newsweek’s “first gay president” cover but I was surprised that people are still buying those two magazines.

▪ The Lakers have fallen into Lake Losing and crybaby Bynum is filling it quickly.

▪ Lebron is feeling the heat.

▪ Facebook used to be fun.

▪ Wal-Mart’s U.S. business 1Q profits are up 10.1 percent. More Wall-Streeters and billionaires must be hearing the official “Welcome to Wal-Mart!” greeting.

▪ Bill Murray wore a “Caddyshack”-style jacket to the Riviera Fest in Cannes, a Bollywood superstar got in a tussle with a cricket group, and Donna Summer danced her last dance.

▪ The U.S. unemployment rate stayed the same and the thirty and 15-year mortgage rates fell. That’s an easy riddle to solve.

▪ So much news, so many signs of how close we are to the edge of the slippery slope, so little time.

Stay sane, Red Marylanders. Remember, it’s not you, it’s them…

June Smith is the widow of WBAL talk show host and Sun columnist, Ron Smith, who was a media titan in the central Maryland area and beyond for almost forty years. Her tribute website honoring his legacy is www.FriendsofRonSmith.com. She is working diligently to raise one million dollars for the Ron Smith Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at Johns Hopkins. Her email is june@friendsofronsmith.com.

More... »

12:59
G8/NATO protest update from Chicago
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Video of arrest van

[www.youtube.com]

Video of action:

[www.youtube.com]

Photos of action:

[updatewith.com]

by Christopher Rhinkleff <zebuyak@gmail.com> from PeaceWorks,KC

------

Chicago CBS Channel 2 News – Catholic Worker Protest

[chicago.cbslocal.com]

David Goodner <david.a.goodner@gmail.com>

Thu, May 17, 2012

If you're coming to Chicago this weekend and interested in joining affinity groups and clusters of faith-based people preparing for principled nonviolent civil disobedience, call Marie Shebeck at 901.201.1151, Jake Olzen 847.372.4289, or David Goodner at 515.991.6357.

G8/NATO Summit Protests Start Heating Up

[fromplatotonato.blogspot.com]

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ - Matthew 25

So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area,

both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers

and overturned their tables. - John 2:15

Eight buses of folks from Occupy Wall Street groups across the country

began rolling into Chicago last night, while 17 buses with National

Nurses United members should start to arrive today. The 99% Spring

coalition of labor unions, faith groups, and community organizations

has also organized bus trips from several major US cities and national

peace and justice groups are also sending delegations. Last night,

during a talk about the Bradley Manning trial by a Firedoglake blogger

at a local Revolution bookstore, I met people who had driven into

Chicago from North Carolina and New York, and there's no telling how

many folks are driving in cars, taking public buses or trains, or

flying commercial to get here.

The influx of thousands of out of town demonstrators arriving in

Chicago should correlate into an increase in the size of street

demonstrations Thursday, but the National Nurses United rally for a

financial speculation tax on Friday will be the first real test of

movement strength that could gauge if the G8/NATO summit protest

mobilizations will meet or exceed turnout expectations, or

underperform. Friday's nurses' march needs to turn out at least 2,000

people to meet expectations, and if that happens, then things look

good for a strong showing at Sunday's coalition march, which could

turn out between 10-20,000 people. Those kind of numbers would be

enough to carry significant momentum into Monday, the second day of

the summit, when a large-scale civil disobedience action is being

organized to shutdown Boeing's national corporate headquarters.

But for all the attention on out of town demonstrators, the real

variable at play here is local Chicago turnout. If the broad-based

organized left in the third largest city in the country mobilizes,

than we could see a perfect storm where as many as 50,000 take to the

streets on Sunday. Those kind of numbers would far exceed expectations

and truly signal a resurgent social movement this American Spring.

The overt police presence in Chicago also seems to be increasing as

the week progresses, with more and more patrol cars and bicycle cops

in all corners of the city. Movement spaces also appear to be under

surveillance, as uniformed officers in unmarked police cruisers have

been frequently spotted outside convergent centers and other spaces.

Some activists have also reported being briefly detained by police

while eating at restaurants or coffee shops. Police have asked for

photo ID and may be trying to build a list of names or dossiers on out

of town organizers and activists.

Below is a list of movement spaces folks traveling to Chicago this

weekend should keep in mind:

Occupy Chicago Convergence Space

United Church of Christ

615 West Wellington Avenue

(Secondary space: 500 W. Cermak)

Catholic Worker Sanctuary and Safehouse

Holy Innocent Convent

1447 West Superior Street

White Rose Catholic Worker Mess Hall

Week Without Capitalism

6932 North Glenwood

Health and Wellness Street Medic Center

Grace Place, third floor

637 South Dearborn Street

Chicago Indymedia Media Convergence Space

MultiKulti

1000 N. Milwaukee (at Augusta)

Sign-up for email and text updates from the March-Hare Communications Collective for all your up-to-date street protest report needs [ops.march-hare.org] or just send a text that reads "NATOACTION" to 23559.

And I'm available 24/7 at 515.991.6357 or david.a.goodner@gmail.com

------

More... »

12:29
St. Venantius, Martyr - S. Venantii Martyris - Missa 'Protexisti' - May 18th, 2012 - Propers
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland

Image Credit: Catholic Harbor of Faith and Morals - St. Venantius, Martyr

St. Venantius, Martyr
S. Venantii Martyris
Missa 'Protexisti'
3rd Class
Red
[Gloria; Preface of Ascension]

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin - Complete version (Click Here; DivinumOfficium.Com, May 18th, 2012)

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin (Click Here; Virgomaterdie.com)

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin, PDF Format (Click Here; MaternalHeart.Org, May 18th, 2012)

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
USCCB Daily Mass Readings; Click here

SQPN.com: Saints of the Day & Link to Daily Divine Office MP3's

Saint of the Day: St. John I

+++++++++++++++++++++++

More... »

11:27
Another Multitap To Open, This One in Harbor East
» Beer in Baltimore

Rumors of proposals for this location have floated about for over a year, but the pre-opening press release finally arrived (edited and slightly corrected version below):

Baltimore, MD Restaurants-America today announced that Townhouse Kitchen + Bar will celebrate its grand opening in Baltimore, MD on Thursday, May 24, 2012. Townhouse Kitchen + Bar will serve as the newest addition to the Harbor East section of Baltimore featuring American fare created from market fresh ingredients for lunch and dinner, a table tap technology providing draft beer at individual tables, more than 40 local beers on tap, and outdoor dining.

Townhouse Kitchen + Bar has named Chef Bryan Perdue to lead its staff in Baltimore. Chef Perdue grew up in Ocean City, MD and began working in restaurant kitchens at the age of 15. Perdue has worked as a pastry chef, Artisan bread baker, fine dining chef and consultant where he was responsible for creating entire menus and concepts from scratch for various restaurants. Perdue has been honored with awards for the best crab cakes in Ocean City, MD, as well as the best fish and chips in Baltimore, and now brings his talent and experience to Townhouse Kitchen + Bar.

At Townhouse, Chef Perdue will create his signature American fare with Latin, Asian and Mediterranean influences. The menu showcases market fresh ingredients and offers a wide variety of shared plates, salads, fire grilled skewers, tacos and more. Townhouse will feature more than 40 local beers on tap, as well as a unique table tap system located at four individual tables for diners. Townhouse will be the first restaurant in Baltimore to implement the table tap system. [Correction: The same system was in use at The Falls, now closed, and is available at Leinenkugel's Beer Garden.]

Townhouse Kitchen + Bar will offer happy hour specials weeknights from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., as well as brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Townhouse will be open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. Townhouse is located at 1350 Lancaster Street in Baltimore, Md. and offers valet parking for diners. For more information, call 443-268-0323 or visit www.townhousebaltimore.com. [Website not fully functional yet.]

Townhouse Kitchen + Bar will be part of the Restaurants-America group which owns and operates over a dozen restaurants nationwide, ranging from casual kitchen and bars to contemporary steak houses and wine bars.
(Photo from the restaurant's Facebook page.)

More... »

10:44
Hair Decisions
» The Great Walls of Baltimore

Those of you who know me in real life have probably noticed that I'm not particularly bold when it comes to hair choices. I don't change my style often, I don't color my hair, and I shy away from time consuming procedures like hot rollers or flat irons.
So last year, when I posted a picture on Facebook, a bunch of people I went to high school with commented that I haven't changed at all.
And I realized it's because I have almost the same hairstyle I had back then!
All through high school, I wore a long blunt cut with bangs. In college, I chopped it to a bob slightly longer than chin length and grew out my bangs. After being married for awhile, I went back to bangs and got long layers. I chopped it again when Johnny was a baby and then swore I'd never have short hair again. And since then I have been letting it grow (with trips for trims and relayering, obviously).
A few weeks ago, I was due for a bang trim when I started to think about growing them out. It would certainly be easier. Rotten weather (humidity, precipitation) reeks havoc on my 'do and sometimes work does too. Plus, I'm really bad at trimming my own bangs.
Then the dread set in. You know, that in between stage of bad hair day after bad hair day. Last time I did this, it took about 6 months, but my hair was a lot shorter then.
I persevered. I'm making judicious use of hairpins and headbands. The bangs are long enough to sort of stay back in a ponytail as long as I'm not doing anything strenuous. I can't quite tuck them behind my ears yet.
Here's the progress I have made. You can see how far I still have to go. I'm also really really overdo for a trim and relayering, so hopefully my girl can help blend these pieces in a bit.
Share with me: have you ever grown out bangs or a short haircut? How long did it take?

More... »

10:01

The Remaking of Philadelphia Public Schools: Privatization or Bust

» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

This will continue unless we the people rise up and stop this nonsense.

The Remaking of Philadelphia Public Schools: Privatization or Bust By Julianne Hing, Colorlines.com
Posted on May 14, 2012, Printed on May 17, 2012
[www.alternet.org]

Reprinted with permission of Colorlines.com. For more news from a racial justice perspective, sign up to receive weekly Colorlines Direct.

Philadelphia’s public school system is on the brink of insolvency, and the city has no choice but to dismantle what’s left of its public education system and hand over schools to private operators, according to school district leaders. But it turns out the quickest way to bring the wrath of an outraged public raining down on a city is to propose the wholesale privatization of a school district, Philadelphia has found out in recent weeks.

The beleaguered school district’s proposed plan to dramatically overhaul the city’s school system by shutting down 64 schools in the next five years has sparked a continuous stream of bitter anger from parents, educators, students and activists since it was announced on April 24. The debate has forced the district to back off its compressed timeline. But for Philadelphia students, and education watchers around the country, the announcement from Philadelphia fit a yearslong trend decades in the making. In an era of public divestment in education and against a backdrop of a seemingly unending economic recession, more and more school districts are turning to privatization as a solution to their economic woes. While plenty of money is changing hands, students are not the ones reaping the benefits of these plans, community advocates argue.

Under the “Blueprint for Transforming Philadelphia’s Public Schools” (PDF), 40 schools will be set for closure in the coming year, and the city’s central office will be slashed in half. The remaining schools will be distributed among so-called “achievement networks,” which would be responsible for roughly 25 schools apiece. The system will bring efficiency to the struggling school district, said the district’s Chief Recovery Officer Thomas Knudsen, a former gas industry executive.

“What we do know through lots of history and evidence and practice is that the current reform structure doesn’t work, said Pedro Ramos, the chairman of Philadelphia’s School Reform Commission, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. “It’s not fiscally sustainable and it doesn’t produce high quality schools for all kids.”

Indeed, the district is facing a $312 million budget shortfall for the next school year alone. The budget shortfall has been years in the making; the district has been struggling for years financially, and the situation was exacerbated by poor fiscal management from prior school administrations. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett slashed the state K-12 education budget by $550 million last year.

But dealing with the fiscal issue by dramatically remaking the school system is not the way to deal with the issue, say activists. The issue has reignited a longstanding debate in Philadelphia, a city well-accustomed with being the guinea pig for plenty of fads in school reform for the last 30 years. Families, lawmakers and reformers are grappling with the question: can the private sector save public education?

For some activists, the answer is a definitive no. “[Knudsen] has zero experience in public education,” said Helen Gym, a founder of the Philadelphia-based activist group Parents United for Public Education. “We were promised someone who was going to bring efficiency to Philadelphia schools but instead he decided to play God and exploit a crisis to completely restructure the schools.” To Gym, and many education activists, the financial crisis is too convenient an excuse to force the overhaul of the school system when the state should take more responsibility for the school district.

“This isn’t a financial plan at all,” Gym said.

Others put it more gently. “No one would debate that there are financial problems in the district, said Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, the pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church, which has joined together with a coalition of faith-based groups to voice concerns about the plan. “But is it so bad that the only answer is to shutter 64 schools and remove the remaining 20 percent to charter schools?”

“We’ve already privatized the prison system, and now it seems we’re going to turn over to corporations the responsibility of educating America’s children,” Tyler said.

“Is this the dissolution of urban public schools? Is this treating schools as a commodity?” said James Lytle, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. “Are we essentially saying that if you’re poor and of color, you’re out of luck?”

Treating Schools Like Stocks

Philadelphia is not alone in its aggressive shift toward privatization. Cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, New Orleans and Cleveland have experimented with different iterations of what, in school reform parlance, is called a “portfolio management” model. The model envisions schools and teachers as either effective or ineffective, and calls for schools to be treated like stocks in an investment portfolio whereby low-performing schools get jettisoned and effective schools get expanded and replicated. While portfolio management looks different from city to city, it generally calls for the decentralization of a school district and the deregulation of public education more broadly so that outside operators can take over the lowest-performing schools. Theoretically, students in schools that are slated for closure can move to better ones, and the competition between networks and schools is supposed to foster positive growth among everyone.

But it turns out that schools do not behave quite like stocks, experts say. “It’s a pretty shaky analogy, because it’s not always so easy in real life,” said Katrina Bulkley, a professor of educational leadership at Montclair State University.

School closures cause a great deal of upheaval into students’ lives, said Alycia Duncan, a tenth grader at West Philadelphia High School. Duncan’s active with the Philadelphia Student Union, a youth organizing group that’s fought back against the proposed plan. Asking students to leave a school, even a low-performing one, and go to one across town, where there may be territorial conflict, and where students are unfamiliar with a new school, distracts students from their schoolwork, she said. “It takes time to get used to staff members if you need help or you need recommendations. You need to know who you can go to,” Duncan said. “Especially if you have problems at home, you need someone you can trust and talk to so you can focus on your schooling.”

Under the proposed plan, Philadelphia would shut down 40 of its underutilized or low-performing school sites, and another six schools would close every year until 2017, when 40 percent of the district’s current 146,000 students would be enrolled in charter schools.

Not only is shutting down low-performing schools a disruptive and politically fraught task, Bulkley said, but figuring out how to replicate the successes of one school in another site remains a stubborn challenge to education reformers. “From a research perspective we don’t have a clear sense that you can take a school that is doing well and duplicate it with the same results and sustain that over time,” she said, noting that in the last decade some groups in Philadelphia had had successes with transferring strong structures to other schools. Yet every school has its own unique quirks and educational culture.

“Nobody has figured out how to clone the principal,” said Bulkley.

Does Privatization Work?

Experts say the jury’s still out on whether portfolio management models actually lead to any academic gains for students. Indeed, researchers from Education for Action, a Philadelphia-based educational research group, say that based on the available research, there’s no conclusive evidence that portfolio management models lead to measurable academic gains. Philadelphia has already tried the model, in fact. Ten years ago the state took control of Philadelphia schools, dismantling the publicly elected nine-member school board and creating a five-person School Reform Commission which first hired a CEO, then handed over dozens of schools to private corporations, non-profits and local universities for management. It was the largest experiment with private management of public schools. That push toward privatization did not lead to any measurable improvements in academic performance for Philadelphia students, Research for Action found.

And yet, school reformers and politicians around the country continue to turn to the model as a way to better their schools. Public frustration and fatigue with traditionally managed public schools and seemingly recalcitrant public institutions has created the political space for a surge of privately managed schools. Indeed, in 2008 just eight cities were using a version of the portfolio management model. As of last year, it was up to two dozen, according to Research for Action.

The model has been aggressively pushed by venture philanthropists like the Gates Foundation, which fund pilot programs and research, and are also involved in policymaking and talent development from the district level all the way up the the federal Department of Education. “Part of what’s changed is the amount of high profile support for privatization and the charterization led by the Gates foundation and the Walton Family Foundation,” said Lytle. “Particularly with Gates, there is the symbolic notion that if Gates supports it it must be good.”

Portfolio management has become a popular tactic for states with big cities which, like Philadelphia, have high concentrations of poor kids and families of color. Philadelphia has 249 public schools, and 198 of them serve free lunch to the entire school—the rates of those who are eligible for free or reduced lunch are used as a proxy for poverty measures. Of Philadelphia’s 146,000 students, a full 56 percent of them are black. And as it is, 25 percent of the city’s schoolkids are enrolled in charter schools.

“For [portfolio management] to work, in this theoretical perfect world, everyone needs complete access to what their choices are and there need to be strong accountability systems in place,” said Stephanie Levin, Research for Action’s associate director. “Even if you’ve got all that it presumes that kids will get into schools they think are best match for them, and that hasn’t happened in Philadelphia in recent history.”

The mandate for communities is clear, advocates and researchers alike said. People need to organize themselves to speak up about the proposed plan, and keep up the public pressure to demand the changes they want to see in the plan. At hastily planned town hall meetings organized by faith and education groups and at community forums hosted by the school district, community members have been turning out in droves to protest the plan.

Duncan, the high school student, plans on taking part in upcoming community forums to voice her concerns. “My main question is: What if this all fails? What are they going to do then?”

Julianne Hing is a reporter and blogger for ColorLines.com covering immigration, education, criminal justice, and occasionally fashion and pop culture.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »

08:00
Peter’s: No, The *Other* Peter’s
» The Baltimore Chop

Walking around and looking for a drink in downtown Baltimore can make you feel a little like Goldilocks. The Inner Harbor bars are too touristy and overpriced. The non-touristy places, like Midway Bar are too sketchy (and overpriced). But if you look hard enough, you can find a bar that’s juuuuust right. Most people have [...]

More... »

06:00
Red Maryland Radio tonight
» Red Maryland

Red Maryland Radio returns tonight at 8 PM only on the Red Maryland Network.

Tonight, Greg and I will be joined by Secretary Larry Hogan from Change Maryland to discuss this week's Special Session of the General Assembly, what it means to you as a taxpayer, and where we go from here as a state.

I'm sure we'll do more of the God Stuff, too.

Be sure to tune in tonight at 8, only on the Red Maryland Network.

More... »

05:00
Starr not aware of large classes
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

...County lawmakers questioned whether decreasing classroom size in the coming year is the right choice. Class sizes vary depending on grade and type of class, but several council members cited reports of classrooms of 40 students or more......Superintendent Joshua Starr said he was not aware of any classrooms that large. Classroom size wasn't on the top of the school board's list of priorities, he said...
Examiner: MontCo lawmakers criticize schools for using surplus on pay, not classes

More... »
05:00
Roll Call: Harper: Restraint Guidelines Endanger Children : Roll Call Opinion
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

Every day in schools across the United States, students are being subjected to barbaric and potentially deadly treatment in the form of seclusion and restraint.
According to leading education researchers and child trauma experts, as well as the Government Accountability Office, the use of these practices — which include forcibly pinning students to the ground, strapping them to chairs or locking them in closets — is dangerous and traumatic for everyone involved, including teachers, other school personnel and students. Their use has been linked to physical and emotional harm and even death. It is a practice that amounts to institutionalized child abuse, and it has no place in our schools.
That is why the American Association of School Administrators’ recent endorsement of the use of seclusion and restraint in our schools is so disheartening...

...Ultimately, the AASA’s position on seclusion and restraint is really a reflection of the group’s disregard for children with disabilities.The implication is that these vulnerable children are a burden to schools, rather than an equally important part of the student population. The underlying attitude is that these children are disrupting their efforts to educate the “good” students and that something must be done to keep disruptions to a minimum. What better way to accomplish this than by locking the disruptive child in a closet for the day?...

Read Opinion at this link: Harper: Restraint Guidelines Endanger Children : Roll Call Opinion

More... »

00:32
House Moots Afghan Exit, Iran War, Military Budget and "Signature" Drone Strikes
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

House Moots Afghan Exit, Iran War, Military Budget and "Signature" Drone Strikes
Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:54 Written by alexa By Robert Naiman, Truthout | News Analysis

On Wednesday and Thursday, the House is expected to take up consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act. Amendments will be offered to expedite military withdrawal from Afghanistan, to oppose war with Iran, to cut the military budget and to stop "signature" drone strikes that target people without knowing who will be killed.

According to the way the House operates, the authorization bill is the most open opportunity to challenge current policy. When the House considers the appropriations bill, amendments can be offered to cut money for specific programs. But it is difficult to otherwise alter policy when the appropriation is considered, according to the rules of the House. On the authorization bill, there is much more scope to try to direct policy.

Every American who cares about war and peace ought to be calling Congress. The Friends Committee on National Legislation has established a toll-free number that connects you to the Capitol Switchboard: 1-877-429-0678. Then, you can ask to be transferred to your representative's office. (If you can't call, you can write here.)

What should you tell your representative's office? Whatever else you do, you should tell them that you are a constituent and give them your address to document that fact.

Then, you have some choices to make about what to emphasize. Many amendments have been offered. At this writing, we don't know which amendments will be allowed on the floor by the Rules Committee. Once the Rules Committee has decided which amendments it will allow, there might not be much time before voting begins. So, it's better to call when you can and emphasize broad themes.

For example, you could say: "I urge you to support amendments that would expedite US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, oppose war with Iran, cut the military budget and bar the military from conducting drone strikes against people whose identities are not known."

It is virtually certain that the Rules Committee will allow at least one amendment which would expedite US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Such amendments have been offered by Reps. Jim McGovern and Walter Jones, Rep. Adam Smith and Rep. Barbara Lee.

Rep. John Conyers is offering an amendment that would push back against the drive for war with Iran. The amendment, offered jointly with Reps. Keith Ellison, Ron Paul and Walter Jones, would make explicit that nothing in the bill authorizes the use of force against Iran. That might sound modest and, indeed, it is. But, in fact, the gang baying for war with Iran is so fanatic that one shouldn't say anything against war, that if one says, "let's pass a resolution that we won't have a war with Iran on Saturday at 3:37 PM," they break out in hives. So, it's a brilliant move by Conyers to try to force the House to vote on this.

Representative Conyers is also offering amendments that would cut the military budget by terminating the F-35B, by moving ahead with retirement of 18 Global Hawk drones as proposed by the administration and by delaying the new long-range nuclear-capable bomber.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, supported by Representative Conyers, is offering an amendment that would prohibit the military from carrying out drone strikes against unidentified targets. Senior US officials have expressed concern that such "signature strikes" greatly increase the risk of civilian casualties. Indeed, just in the last week, between eight and twelve civilians were killed in US drone strikes in Yemen, according to CNN and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. The Kucinich-Conyers amendment shows that members of Congress are concerned about civilian casualties from drone strikes and the expansion of drone strikes that is currently underway in Yemen.

Judging from past years, most of the amendments that have been offered are not going to pass, and that's not surprising. If everyone already agreed on the underlying policy, in most cases, it would already be in the bill. But Afghanistan might be an exception to this trend, because the Republican leadership is out of touch with the majority of Republican opinion on military withdrawal from Afghanistan; in a free vote on the floor, the Republican leadership may lose. Already, a year ago, an amendment offered by Representatives McGovern and Jones urging expedited withdrawal from Afghanistan got more than 200 votes on the floor.

But amendments that don't pass are also useful. They force members of the House to stand up and be counted on particular issues and raise the profile of concern about those issues. If they draw sufficient support, they send a signal to the administration of significant Congressional concern. If eighty members of Congress voted for the Kucinich-Conyers amendment to limit drone strikes, it would be historic, because Congress has never tried to limit drone strikes before. The administration would notice and that might lead them to be more cautious in expanding a policy that is already controversial inside the administration. And if that saved the lives of eight or twelve civilians in Yemen who wouldn't be killed in a US drone strike, wouldn't that be worth doing?

Robert Naiman is policy director at Just Foreign Policy and president of Truthout's board of directors.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »
Maryland blogs (US-MD), 05/16/2012
23:03
Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 4
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

55] LGBTI refugees – May 17

56] Bill of Rights Defense Committee benefit – May 17

57] Marxism and Anarchism – May 17

58] Nonviolent direct action – May 17

59] Statehood concert – May 17

60] Turkey & the bomb – May 18

61] Economic Summit – May 18

62] Save a rec center – until June 8

63] Job with SOA Watch

64] HELP MAKE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!

65] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

66] Join Fund Our Communities

67] Submit articles to Indypendent Reader

68] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

69] Do you need a television and/or a computer?

70] Join Global Zero campaign

71] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale

72] Click on The Hunger Site

73] Fire & Faith

74] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

------

55] – Join Human Rights First for the launch of its new report, The Road to Safety: Strengthening Protection of LGBTI Refugees in Uganda and Kenya on Thurs., May 17 at 3:30 PM. Human Rights First is pleased to partner with the Human Rights Campaign for a discussion of the challenges facing gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, and intersex refugees.

Anne Richard, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, Joe Solmonese, president, Human Rights Campaign, and others will address the report at 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, WDC. The discussion is also available via live webcast at www.hrc.org/equalitytalks. RSVP at equalitytalks@hrc.org.62] – On Thurs., May 17 at 7 PM, there is a Peace Action Montgomery meeting at the home of one of the members. All welcome. For directions, email jean@peaceactionmc.ccsend.com. Go to www.PeaceActionMC.org.

56] – Madam's Organ Blues Bar is a restaurant and night club located at 2461 18th St. NW, WDC in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Every Thursday evening, from 5 to 9 PM, the bar generously hosts "Nonprofits Profit at Madam's Organ." On Thurs., May 17, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee will be the beneficiary of this weekly event. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/224545917660046/.
57] – Marxism and Anarchism: Assessing Strategies for Radical Change takes place on Thurs., May 17 from 7 to 9 PM at La Casa, 3166 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, WDC. The rise of the Arab Spring and Occupy movement has created a new opening for radical and revolutionary politics. A new generation of young people is coming to anti-capitalist conclusions and are seeking to figure out the meaning of revolution. Debates are emerging among new radicals about the most effective politics and strategies for bringing revolutionary change, as a result Anarchism and Marxism are experiencing a growth in popularity and interests. Though many currents of Anarchism recognize the need for radical change, their understanding of society and how to transform it are insufficient to the task at hand.
Join the D.C. ISO for an educational meeting on Marxism and Anarchism. Those who attend are strongly encouraged to read selected articles in preparation for the discussion: [isreview.org] ; [isreview.org] ; [isreview.org] ; and [www.isreview.org] .

58] – Working for Peace through Nonviolent Direct Action takes place on Thurs., May 17 at 7 PM at The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd. NW, WDC 20009. Missy Lane is an activist in the anti-war and Palestinian solidarity movements. She was a member of the 2011 youth flotilla that sought to raise awareness about the human rights crisis stemming from the blockade of Gaza. Call 202-328-0072.

59] – AN EVENING WITH LEONARD, COLEMAN AND BLUNT is on Thurs., May 17 from 8 to 10 PM in the Grand Ballroom of the Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave. NW, WDC. This is for the launch of the D.C. Statehood Teach In & Concert Tour. This event showcases the remarkable and magnificent individual and collective talents of DC's Own: "Living Legends" ... Leonard, Coleman, and Blunt... (LCB) with the Presentation of the Official D.C. Statehood Song!! Note the musical talent: Glenn Leonard, former lead, Temptations, Joe Coleman, former lead, Platters, and Joe Blunt, former lead, Drifters.

The versatility of nationally acclaimed Ayanna Gregory, daughter of Dick Gregory, is a chance to witness history in the making, in her continual Ascension to National Stardom!! The Porch Pickers Brigade will get everyone on the dance floor. Tickets are $35 in advance, and $45 at the door. Go to www.jblwl.eventbrite.com.
60] – Can Turkey Live Without the Bomb? Turkey is becoming an increasingly important player in regional and global nuclear diplomacy. What key considerations are likely to influence Turkey's future nuclear policies? Will a nuclear-armed Iran change Ankara's position? Sinan Ülgen and George Perkovich will try to answer these questions on Fri., May 18 from 9 to 10:30 AM at 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20036. Contact Zoe Benezet-Parsons at 202-939-2261. Registration is required to attend this event: [carnegieendowment.org] .
61] – There is an OCCUPY G8 PEOPLE'S ECONOMIC SUMMIT on Fri., May 18 at 10 AM at C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 East Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701. Eight topics will be discussed, including concentrated wealth and impact on policy, consequences of wealth inequality and ending poverty. At 2:30 PM, march through downtown Frederick to Baker Park for a rally from 3 to 4 PM. Enjoy music by Ryan Harvey. At 4PM, there will be a General Assembly. Then from 6 to 11 PM, there will be a live music show and party. Visit www.itsoureconomy.us.

62] – Help rally Baltimore citizens to support the DeWees Recreation Center for the opportunity to win $50,000 worth of renovations. The Rec Center is one of the oldest community centers in the city and offers an array of activities including sporting events, community meetings, homework assistance, acting courses, arts and crafts, water aerobics, cooking and nutrition classes, computer education, and photography classes to the Baltimore community. Viewers can vote online for one of 10 community centers, and the top three will receive renovations. This will continue until Fri., June 8 at midnight. Go to http://maxwellhouse.com.

63] – There is a job opening with SOA Watch. The organization seeks a full-time Operations and Development

Coordinator in the Washington, DC office. Go to [soaw.org] . The candidate should be someone with background dealing with finances, and with a strong commitment to the grassroots movement to close the SOA. See [soaw.org] for the job description, requirements and information on how to apply.

64] – HELP MAKE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST! Since a civil war in 1974 the island of Cyprus has been divided in two with a United Nations patrolled border. Turkish/Muslim Cypriots are in the north; Greek/Christian Cypriots are in the south. Animosities and prejudices run deep. Children throw rocks at each other across the border. Experts believe that Cyprus is at a crossroads between renewed conflict or becoming an example in the Middle East of how two such cultures can live in peace.

The Cyprus Friendship Program, based on the successful model that helped build peace in Northern Ireland, brings over a Muslim and Christian teen to stay with an American host family for the month of July (or ½ month if paired with another host family). This bonding experience in a neutral environment almost always results in a strong friendship. Programming here and after their return to Cyprus turns them into peace builders who are trained in how to influence their peers. The teens are chosen for their maturity, leadership potential, and English speaking ability. You choose the gender and age (from 15 to 17). To learn more contact Tom McCarthy at 301-774-7069 or Thomas.McCarthy@RaymondJames.com.

This video is only 3 minutes long but gives a good overview of the program. It was made by the US State Department

[www.youtube.com] . This video is about 8 minutes, gives more info on some of their activities while here, and was made in part by the teens: [www.youtube.com] .



65] – The Washington Peace Center has a progressive calendar & activist alert! Consider signing up to receive its weekly email: info@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

66] – Fund Our Communities campaign – is a grass roots movement to get support from local organizations and communities to work together with their local and state elected officials to pressure Congresspersons and senators to join with Congresspersons Barney Frank and Ron Paul, who have endorsed a 25% cut to the federal military budget. Bring home the savings to state and county governments to meet the local needs which are under tremendous budget pressures. Go to www.OurFunds.org.

67] – The new Indypendent Reader is seeking articles for its web site at http://www.indyreader.org. Submit an article.

68] – If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

69] – Can you use a television set and/or a computer, monitor etc.? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

70] – Join an extraordinary global campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons: [www.globalzero.org] . A growing group of leaders around the world is calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and a majority of the global public agrees. This is an historic window of opportunity. With momentum already building in favor of Zero, a major show of support from people around the world could tip the balance. When it comes to nuclear weapons, one is one too many.

71] – WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER signs from Friends Committee on National Legislation are again for sale at $5. To purchase a sign, call Max at 410-366-1637.

72] – The Hunger Site was initiated by Mercy Corps and Second Harvest, and is funded entirely by advertisers. You can go there every day and click the big yellow "Give Food for Free" button near the top of the page; you do not have to look at the ads. Each click generates funding for about 1.1 cups of food. So consider clicking.

73] – Go online for FIRE AND FAITH: The Catonsville Nine File. On May 17, 1968, nine people entered the Selective Service Offices in Catonsville, Maryland, and burned draft records in protest against the war in Vietnam. View [www.prattlibrary.org]

74] – Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981. Go to [prop1.org=] http://prop1.org/" href="http://prop1.org=/">http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan

More... »

22:53
Spring Update
» The Great Walls of Baltimore

Happy Spring! Not that winter existed this year, but I'm still happy to welcome the warmth and sunshine. It's May and our air conditioning is on because it's been too humid to sleep at night Let's see...what's been going on with us... Like I said, some weird weather. It was really hot in April, so I put away most of the winter clothes and boots and stuff and it promptly got cold again. Then it got hot and we planted some flowers and Johnny and I got sunburned. And then it got cold enough to dig out a fleece jacket for softball. It's been raining a lot, my weeds are flourishing, but some of my other early stuff only lasted a short time before it was soggy. Luckily I got the iris photo below, because they are done. The thing about the heat is that the pollen is still wayyyyyy too prevalent to hang my laundry to dry. So that's been fun, because running the dryer makes the house feel like a jungle. One day, I opened all the windows and it was windy. So much pollen blew indoors (as evidenced by my dust rag the next day) that Jameson, our asthmatic cat, had a major asthma attack and threw up everywhere. He's fine now, but it was gross.

Violets

Flowering Vinca Vine

Iris

Hmmm...I had bronchitis. Way back in February, I caught a cold from a coworker. I had body aches, fatigue and headaches for a week, followed by a week of very mild chest congestion. After that though, I started to cough. And cough and cough and cough. After three weeks of coughing, I decided I'd had enough and presented myself at Urgent Care, where they x-rayed my chest, pronounced me free of pneumonia and sent me home with some meds. The coughing went away, but I still haven't been back to yoga because right after the coughing stopped, one of my wrists started to ache and Downward Facing Dog was pretty much impossible. I'm sure the teacher has forgotten I existed by now. Easter was good, not too hot or too cold and while the incense in church bothered my compromised lungs, I didn't get a headache this time.

Both kids are playing softball this year. Which is good because it's more fun for Maureen than sitting on the sidelines, but it also means two more trophies to find space for when the season ends. Johnny has gotten pretty good at hitting the ball and Maureen has had some hits too. She's at a disadvantage though, because she's one of the younger kids in the league and also has short legs. So she gets tagged out at first a lot. And fielding skills are coming along too.

School is almost over too, which is bittersweet because it's Maureen's last year in preschool. She's all signed up for kindergarten and can't wait to go. I'm happy to have the summer to get used to the idea.
So that's it. What we've been doing!

More... »
21:06
May Books
» The Great Walls of Baltimore

Hi there! Long time no see! What's that? That's MY fault?

Well, yeah, it is, but if you my read my post from last week about what it is I do all day, I'm sure you understand. Those seemingly never ending days of diapers and naps are long gone.

Anyway, I'm still reading and I have a huge pile of photos to hopefully share. But books first. Here's what I've read since last time.

**The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins--A couple of weeks ago, I went to see the Hunger Games movie with my SIL. Somehow I managed to completely miss the books, maybe because they were marketed as YA and I had this crazy idea that all YA is like Twilight (which I have never had any interest in reading). Loved the movie, so I checked out the books, read the whole trilogy in less than a week. I very much enjoyed it and now I can't believe I have to wait an entire year for the next movie.

A much loved book at the end of it's life.

**Moreta, Dragonseye, Dragondrums, All The Weyrs of Pern, The Renegades of Pern, The White Dragon, Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey--I'm continuing to read McCaffrey's work and actually wore out my copy of The White Dragon, pictured at left. The question is, do I replace with a hardback or another paperback?
**The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic Really Works by Roger Highfield--Continuing to feed my HP obsession....in this book, Highfield discusses if and how science explains the magic in the HP books. A slow read, mostly because it was filled with complicated physics and physics is NOT my strong point. But interesting!
**Good Germs, Bad Germs: Health and Survival In A Bacterial World by Jessica Snyder Sachs--The idea of antibiotic resistant bacteria that is so aggressive it can kill you completely freaks me out. And it's been a huge concern of mine for awhile now, because of certain practices in the food industry. A fascinating read with solid biology behind it.
**The Man Who Lives With Wolves by Shaun Ellis--Earlier this year, I mentioned that Jodi Picoult's latest book was based on the life and work of Shaun Ellis, who actually spent two years living in the wild as part of a wolf pack. Interesting as his book was, I couldn't finish it. The idea of a person not bathing for years and eating raw kill and leaving his family was just too weird for me. That's not to say that he didn't learn valuable information about wolves and wolf ecology. I just couldn't handle it.
**I Know Who You Are And I Saw What You Did by Lori Andrews--As much as I love Facebook and email and the Internet, sometimes the scope of it is overwhelming. And having seen people wayyyyyy overshare, this book reinforces the idea of privacy and being extremely careful about what you do online.

Have you read anything recently?

More... »

20:18
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Socializing Risks, Privatizing Profits
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Published on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 by Greenpeace Blog
Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Socializing Risks, Privatizing Profits
by Jan Haverkamp

The nationalization of TEPCO, together with a legal practice called “channeling of liability” in which all liability related to the Fukushima nuclear disaster has to be channeled to TEPCO, means Japanese taxpayers and ratepayers will foot most of the bill.(Photo: Reuters)Last week, the inevitable finally happened. The company responsible for the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, has been nationalized. Japan’s trade and industry minister Yukio Edano announced a de facto state take-over of the company with a further injection of $12.5bn, bringing the total of state capital in TEPCO to $33.2bn. Edano has said that: “Without the state funds, (TEPCO) cannot provide a stable supply of electricity and pay for compensation and decommissioning costs”.

The Fukushima Daiichi catastrophe has cost TEPCO over $100bn in estimated costs, which includes compensation and clean-up costs. However, the actual costs are much bigger. Many Japanese are bearing the brunt of the damages in their daily lives with most of their claims and losses going uncompensated and most of their suffering unrecognized.

The nationalization of TEPCO, together with a legal practice called “channeling of liability” in which all liability related to the Fukushima nuclear disaster has to be channeled to TEPCO, means Japanese taxpayers and ratepayers will foot most of the bill.

An infuriating aspect of this story is that in a recent presentation by General Electric (GE) about its “success” over the past 50 years, there was not a word about the Fukushima disaster and nothing approaching an apology. Yet the Fukushima disaster was affected by well-known problems related to GE’s Mark 1 design, which was used at all four troubled reactors. Furthermore, GE was involved in maintenance throughout the four decades of the plant’s operation and had 44 on site at the time of the accident.

GE, together with its corporate mates from Hitachi, which is responsible for the construction of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 4, and Toshiba, which delivered Reactor No. 3, as well as Ebasco, Kajima, Areva and many others, have mostly kept mum about their involvement.

The Prime Minister orders venting

Prime Minister Naoto Kan had to order venting the day after the disaster. Without venting the containment might have given way to the rising pressure, which is a problem identified 30 years ago by several GE whistleblowers. It was not easy to give the order. Workers would risk potentially lethal doses of radiation and the evacuation around Fukushima had not even started. Venting would expose thousands of people to radiation, but the alternative of an exploding reactor would create even more havoc. TEPCO, GE, Hitachi, and Toshiba knew that this could happen. Not one of them ever demanded the closure of the reactors. By closing their eyes to their obviously faulty product they have spread the impression that people are safe.

Socializing risks, privatizing profits

TEPCO is different than Chernobyl where the state owned and operated the reactor. A private enterprise developed the Fukushima Daiichi’s Mark 1 reactors and GE, Hitachi, Toshiba and other companies made huge profits building and servicing the power station. If this were a car, these companies would recall all their nuclear reactors and compensate customers for the costs and losses incurred.

But this is not a car. This is the nuclear industry and these companies continue as if nothing has happened to them. They are saved by TEPCO’s bankruptcy and nationalization, and they are saved by the unique liability regime surrounding the nuclear industry where profits are privatized but accident liabilities are socialized.

It is clear why we don't see GE, Hitachi and Toshiba rush to put hundreds of millions of dollars into the Fukushima compensation fund. If they did, they would be admitting some kind of guilt and could open up an avenue for making compensation claims against them. Their share prices would plummet and it would force them to rethink their involvement in the nuclear sector. And who wants that?

Well, I want it.

I think that what we see now is an utter shame and outrage. Elsewhere, Hitachi and GE are trying to convince the Lithuanian government to pump almost $9bn into a new nuclear reactor, and accept a liability regime that is capped at $160m. Toshiba, with its sub-group Westinghouse, is wooing Czech CEZ to buy two reactors with the cap on liability in the Czech Republic at $450m. Hitachi is also actively lobbying Turkey with a cap of $24m, and Vietnam with a $230m cap to buy one of its reactors.

At the same time, I hear of people struggling to make ends meet after they fled the Fukushima region, of suicides because the hardships are too much to bear, of families split apart because they do not dare let their children grow up in the contaminated areas even though the father's work is still there, and of companies gone bankrupt because their resources are suddenly taken off the market due to contamination.

First, all victims need to get the compensation they deserve. The nationalization of TEPCO is a step that could improve the situation. But this should not mean that those who profited from the risk that Fukushima Daiichi clearly posed and those that are profiting from all the other uncovered risks from nuclear power in the rest of the world should escape their responsibility. Paying up and accepting responsibility could help prevent a disaster like this happening again.

© 2012 Greenpeace
-->

Source URL: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/05/16-7

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to [baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com]

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

More... »

19:05
Evening Roundup - Vigil of the Ascension - Missa 'Vocem Iucunditatis' or Rogation Mass - Missa 'Exaudivit' - May 16th, 2012
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland
More... »

16:38
Play Cloths Accessories LIMITED @ PEDX
» PEDX BALTIMORE

More... »

16:06
Installation Mass of His Excellency William E. Lori as Archbishop of Baltimore, May 16th, 2012
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland
More... »

15:44
Play Cloths Socks Are in @ PEDX NOW CHECK THEM OUT
» PEDX BALTIMORE

More... »
15:20
Play Cloths Tiger Snapbacks @ PEDX NOW
» PEDX BALTIMORE

More... »

14:47
Town Hall a Success
» Maryland Optometric Association Blog

We held a members only town hall meeting last night at BWI Marriott, even though the Orioles were playing the Yankees we had a good turnout. Our board meet prior to the town hall and I must say it was probably the fastest board meeting I have attended.

The town hall was a chance to update members on the new Maryland Health Care Laws and their impact on how we will practice Optometry in the future. I would like to thank VSP Global for sponsoring the evening.

I highlighted some membership category changes the AOA will be discussing at the House of Delegates at Optometry's meeting in June. Then our Legislative Chair Tracie King did a wonderful job on reporting what had transpired in Annapolis over the last session. We then presented our plan for the future legislatively and even discussed some Third Party Payee plans.

We passed around sign up sheets and filled some Key OD positions. We still need many more so please consider working with us as we go forward into the future.

Talk soon

John

More... »

13:34
How would you like 2 Million Sites linking to your ad ?
» Baltimore Nonviolence Center

We have developed a software that automatically
places your ad on millions of blogs.

You will receive thousands of targeted hits to
your website as Blog Blaster places your ad on
blogs that match your ad's category.

This method has never been released to the public
before. Very few, if anyone has implemented this.

Full Details:
[blogblaster.advertise-bz.cn]

Unsubscribe:
[advertise-bz.cn]
lence@blogger.com

More... »

12:49
Comment on MCPS Surplus: Why not pay back County?
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

Cary Lamari May 16, 2012 11:36 AMIf the School System has a surplus and a carryover from last year, Why don't they transfer the funds to the General Fund. It would be nice if maybe they paid the County Back for the Promethian Boards they illegally purchased using Rebate funds? Just a thought.

More... »

12:15
Snacking State-by-State: Oregon IV - No, this isn't a post about a dessert named after a former DC mayor
» The Baltimore Snacker

As noted before, James A Beard, one of the foremost food authorities in US history, was born in Portland. He spent many a summer in the town of Gearhart where he became familiar with the local foods of Oregon and the Northwest: salmon, Dungeness crabs, hazelnuts, local fruits - and had it existed when he was younger, certainly the marionberry. Marionberries, hmmm.

Official Name: State of Oregon
State Nicknames: The Beaver State
Admission to the US: February 14, 1859 (#33)
Capital: Salem (3rd largest)
Other Important Cities: Portland (largest), Eugene (2nd largest), Gresham (4th largest)
Region: Northwest, Pacific; Pacific (US Census)
RAFT Nations: Salmon, Pinyon Nut
Bordered by: Washington and the Columbia River (north), Idaho (east), the Snake River (northeast), California & Nevada (south), the Pacific Ocean (west)
Official State Foods and Edible Things: beaver (animal, though they are generally no longer eaten), milk (beverage), Dungeness crab (crustacean), Chinook salmon (fish), Oregon grape (flower, bearing an indigenous fruit that was once gathered and eaten), pear (fruit), Pacific golden chanterelle (mushroom), hazelnut / filbert (nut - they're the same thing)
Some Famous and Typical Foods: Northwestern and Pacific foods, including: Pacific seafood (salmon, Dungeness crab, etc), hazelnuts, pears, marionberries (first grown in Oregon), huckleberries, blueberries; Portland is an epicenter of the American food truck industry

I have never eaten marionberries - or Marion blackberries - before. I've seen marionberry jam and preserves in the stores and marionberry syrup at Trader Joe's (or was it Whole Foods?) but never picked any up. But the marionberry (no not the former Washington, DC, mayor and current city councilmember) is quintessentially Oregonian, not just Northwestern. How so? It was created in part by Oregon State University, as Monica Mersinger prosaically puts it for the Salem (Oregon) Public Library:

Summer's fresh flavor is locked in this hybrid blackberry developed by Oregon State University's Agricultural Research and Development Program in Corvallis, Oregon. It is a blackberry cross between two previous Oregon hybrids, the smaller, but tasty Chehalem and the larger, higher-producing Ollalie. George F. Waldo of the U.S. Department of Agriculture began its development in 1945, and it was tested at Willamette Valley farms. The new variety was released under its name of Marionberry in 1956. [Mersinger 2006]
Most of the few places that marionberries grow are in Oregon. In fact, Mersinger says that about 90% of all marionberries are grown not just in Oregon, but specifically around the Salem area.

In honor of James A Beard and his love for Northwestern foods, Oregon Public Broadcasting produced an episode of its show The Oregon Experience about Beard. The episode, "A Cuisine of Our Own", included recipes from the master himself. It also includes a recipe Beard certainly would have enjoyed making and eating: a simple marionberry cobbler, courtesy of Nancy Lewis from her family farm, and featured in the book Eating It Up in Eden: the Oregon Century Farm & Ranch Cookbook by Richard Engeman [2009].

There is just one wee problem: I have looked all over the place and I simply cannot find marionberries anywhere. I thought I had seen them frozen in a bag at Whole Foods, but I must have imagined this. On the other hand, everyone has blackberries. But I didn't want to make a simple blackberry cobbler, though that would have been a more than acceptable facsimile. If I was stuck with blackberries for this Oregonian recipe, at least I was going to use ones from Oregon.

The Recipe: Marionberry, er, Blackberry Cobbler

For this easy cobbler you will need:

* blackberries (or marionberries if you can find them. I used the Oregon Fruit brand, canned out of - yes - Salem. One can of blackberries equals roughly two cups. I needed twice that amount, but didn't feel like shelling out another $4 for one can. So I reached into my freezer and pulled out...
* strawberries (I bought these and froze them last year from a farm in Harford County where they let me pick them myself. Bonus: I had the foresight to freeze them in two cup increments)
* flour (had it)
* sugar (same, though I am now dangerously low)
* milk (had it)
* butter (yep, had it too)
* baking powder (same)

Drain the blackberries and dump them into a bowl (or if frozen, just dump them out of the bag).

Meanwhile, melt the butter.

Mix together the milk and the dry ingredients in a bowl.

Yup, mixed.

Now to put it all together: pour the butter into a 9 x 13 inch pan.

Then pour in the batter. Spread it but don't stir it.

And drop the blackberries on top. I should have sprinkled them over top instead of lumping them into one place, because again, I couldn't stir it but how else was I supposed to distribute the fruit? It also left me with some parts of the cobbler that were surprisingly fruit free.

I had to add those strawberries too.

Sprinkle sugar over it all. The recipe recommends up to two additional cups (!) I know this ain't health food but still. I eyeballed about a cup at the most.

Bake at 350°F for about an hour, or until it looks like this.

Cobblers are so damn easy to make, and so good afterwards to boot. Again, it was a little light on the fruit around the edges, but that's really my fault more than anything. Eat this hot and think about adding some ice cream. I think I may have to get some today.

- - - - -

We are heading back to the East Coast now, to the Keystone State, part Northeast and part Midwest, a little bit Philly and a little bit Pitt, next we stop to see all that Pennsylvania has to offer.

Sources:

Brooks, Karen. "Portland's top 10 food carts". Posted October 8, 2009 (The Oregonian), reposted August 6, 2011 (OregonLive.com).

Cuisine Bonne Femme & Dieselboi (blog authors). "About" (About Page for Food Carts Portland". Copyright 2012 Food Carts Portland, all rights reserved.

Lewis, Nancy (recipe author). "Marionberry Cobbler". Information page for the episode "A Cuisine of Our Own" from the television program Oregon Experience, 2010. Copyright Oregon Public Radio 2010-2012, all rights reserved.

Mersinger, Monica. "Marionberries: A Delicious Part of Salem's Past". Salem Online History, 2006. Copyright Salem Public Library, 2005-2006, all rights reserved.

Oregon Public Radio. "A Cuisine of Our Own". Information page for the episode "A Cuisine of Our Own" from the television program Oregon Experience, 2010. Copyright Oregon Public Radio 2010-2012, all rights reserved.

Porges, Brad. "Hazelnut Salmon with Apple and Pear Compote". Posted on the Oregon Food website, date unknown. Copyright Travel Oregon 2009-2012, all rights reserved.

Shouse, Heather. Food Trucks: Dispatches and Recipes from the Best Kitchens on Wheels. Random House: New York, 2011.

World Culinary Institute. "James Beard". World Culinary Institute, date unknown. Copyright World Culinary Institute, all rights reserved.

Some information also obtained from Wikipedia's "Oregon" page and other pages, and the Food Timeline State Foods link to "Oregon"...... ..... Post taken directly from the Baltimore Snacker website. If you're not reading this on a feed or feed site (such as "Where the Locals Eat" or "Blogtimore.com") then you KNOW the "person" who put up this spam site didn't write it!

More... »

11:43
The Ascension of Our Lord - In Ascensione Domini - Missa 'Viri Galilaei' - May 17th, 2012 - Propers
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland

Image Credit: In the Sight of Angels - Ascension of the Our Lord

The Ascension of Our Lord
In Ascensione Domini
Missa 'Viri Galilaei'
1st Class
White
[Gloria & Creed; Preface of Ascension; 2nd Vespers of the Ascension]

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin - Complete version (Click Here; DivinumOfficium.Com, May 17th, 2012)

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin (Click Here; Virgomaterdie.com)

Latin Mass Propers Online - (Click Here; Traditional Latin Rite Missal Project)

Latin Mass Propers Online - Full Latin, PDF Format (Click Here; MaternalHeart.Org; Ascension Thursday)

Downloadable Latin Mass Propers - Full Latin, Una Voce, Orange County

In the Sight of Angels: FERIA QUINTA IN ASCENSIONE DOMINI
Ascension of the Lord
1st Class, White

Fr. Goffine, INSTRUCTION ON THE FESTIVAL OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

The Guéranger Blog: Ascension Day

Gregorian Chant Propers in Latin, MP3: In Ascensione Domini

ReneGoupil.Org, Propers in Latin, MP3: Thursday, May 17th, 2012 : "Ascension of the Lord "

New Liturgical Movement: Ascension Introit: Viri Galilaei

Breviary.Net: The Ascension of our Lord

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Am I obligated to attend Mass on Ascension Thursday?

Fr. Z's Blog – What Does The Prayer Really Say?: QUAERITUR: Ascension Thursday Mass obligation where Ascension Thursday is really on Thursday

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
USCCB Daily Mass Readings; Click here

OR

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter
USCCB Daily Mass Readings; Click here

SQPN.com: Saints of the Day & Link to Daily Divine Office MP3's

Saint of the Day: St. Paschal Baylon

+++++++++++++++++++++++

More... »

11:18
Montgomery council questions school system surplus
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County

Gazette: County council wants to know why, and how the money will be spent
Members of the Montgomery County Council will question the county school system this week on its plans for spending $33.3 million projected to be left over from its budget this year.
Montgomery County Public Schools is expected to end fiscal 2012 on June 30 without spending $21.4 million of its estimated $2.09 billion total budget, as well as $11.9 million it carried over from previous years, according to the school system’s May 8 monthly financial report...

More... »

10:56
Morning Roundup - Vigil of the Ascension - Missa 'Vocem Iucunditatis' or Rogation Mass - Missa 'Exaudivit' - May 16th, 2012
» Traditional Latin Mass in Maryland
More... »

10:00
Frederick Md Summer Activity Guide 2012
» 365 Frederick

My Frederick Md Summer Activity Guide is Out!

Click on the picture above
to get your summer guide, full of information and links to all the websites that tell you the details. Frederick Md is full of fun summer activities for all ages and stages!

If I have left something off, please feel free to leave a comment in the comment box, or go to my 365 Frederick Facebook Page and add an event. I love to get Facebook comments and posts:)

Enjoy, Karen

More... »

09:54
2211 Druid Hill Avenue
» Baltimore Slumlord Watch

Property Address: 2211 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217 Property Owner: New Horizon Development, LLC, 2330 Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21217 Resident Agent for New Horizon Development: Medhat Ebeid, 1806 Spruce Peak Way, Frederick, MD 21702 City Council District and Contact: District 7, Nick Mosby Many thanks to “Reader LP” for this submisson!

More... »
09:44
BCFD Was Here: 2210 Druid Hill Avenue
» Baltimore Slumlord Watch

Property Address: 2210 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217 Property Owner: Joel M White and Timothy Snyder, same address City Council District and Contact: District 7, Nick Mosby Many thanks to “Reader LP” for this submisson!

More... »
09:33
City-Owned Blight: 1340 Druid Hill Avenue
» Baltimore Slumlord Watch

Property Address: 1340 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217 Property Owner: Mayor and City Council, 417 E Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 City Council District and Contact: District 11, William Cole IV Many thanks to “Reader LP” for this submisson!

More... »
09:27
554 Baker Street
» Baltimore Slumlord Watch

Property Address: 554 Baker Street, Baltimore, MD 21217 Property Owner: Timothy B Stewart, 138 Big Chimney Branch, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 City Council District and Contact: District 7, Nick Mosby Many thanks to “Reader LP” for this submisson!

More... »

09:26
Oh, the douchery!
» Baltimore Crime

Oh, the douchery!

More... »
09:14
Chrissy Lee Polis: I Want to See Other Things
» Baltimore Crime

Chrissy Lee Polis: I Want to See Other Things

More... »

09:06
City-Owned Blight: 536 Baker Street
» Baltimore Slumlord Watch

Property Address: 536 Baker Street, Baltimore, MD 21217 Property Owner: Mayor and City Council, 417 E Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 City Council District and Contact: District 7, Nick Mosby Many thanks to “Reader LP” for this submisson!

More... »

09:00
5-16-12: So Long Special Session
» Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast

As the General Assembly special session wraps up, we talk with two reporters about what happened.

More... »

08:30
Patch: Can a Curriculum Make Children Happy?
» Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County
...And so being curious, I started poking through the MCPS public website and found this video of Superintendent Joshua Starr on 2.0.
What an interesting video. And what did I learn? Three things:
1. Before Curriculum 2.0, we didn’t allow children to think on their own.
2. Curriculum 2.0 is making children happier.
3. With Curriculum 2.0 our children are taking ownership of their learning...
Read Joe Hawkins' Patch article on curriculum at this link.

More... »

08:30
The Spring Thing this Weekend!
» baltimore etsy street team

The second annual Spring Thing craft show, put on by Washington DC’s Craft Mafia, is scheduled for May! This year’s show will feature over 40 local vendors showing off their creative DIY house wears, baby goods, jewelry, hula hoops, art and more.

Come visit BEST members Open Eyes Press, Design by Night, Fuzzy Mug, Jill Popwich Designs, Susan Brandt, Found Studios, Sugar Paperie, NAMOO, Damn Good Doormats and Yummy & Company.

Local charity Lucky Dog Rescue will be there for furry love and adoptions, and live music by Dave Tief will be provided early on in the show. So come out and pick up some unique crafts while enjoying the Spring weather!

When:
May 19, 2012 @ 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Where:
St. Luke's Episcopal Church Parking Lot
1514 15th St NW
Washington,DC 20036
USA

More... »

08:00
The Baltimore Yellow
» The Baltimore Chop

So, we’re not sure if we made this up, or just picked it up along the way some place, but we’re going to go ahead and take credit for it because it appears that we are actually the first to publish it on the internet, and as everyone knows the internet is like the official [...]

More... »

07:59
5-16-12: A Promising Young Writer
» Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast

Tom Hall talks with the winner of the Sophie Kerr Prize, the largest undergraduate literary prize in the nation. It's awarded to a Washington College senior for an excellence in writing.

More... »
07:55
5-16-12: The Food OUR Food Eats
» Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast

On today's Smart Nutrition, Tom Hall talks with nutritionist Monica Reinagel and Keeve Nachman at the Center for a Livable Future about how we can be affected by the diets of our food.

More... »
07:50
5-16-12: Maryland Morning Culture Calendar
» Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast

Treats for aesthetes!

More... »

Pages: 1 2 3 ... 71

Last Update: 20.05.2012 02:30:36	Maryland Top Blogs: Public Blog Aggregator of Maryland (MD) We respect netiquette and the intellectual property of others. Please report any violations or indignity to info (at) marylandtopblogs.com.
	About Maryland Top Blogs About this site Submit your blog! Maryland Top Blogs FAQ	USA Top Blogs: Alaska Top Blogs Texas Top Blogs Wisconsin Top Blogs	Blog Directories: BlogCatalog