Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems

Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems - www.kevindayhoff.com Address: PO Box 124, Westminster MD 21158 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com Runner, writer, artist, fire & police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist & artist: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, technology, music, culture, opera... National & International politics www.kevindayhoff.net For community: www.kevindayhoff.org For art, technology, writing, & travel: www.kevindayhoff.com

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

20070502 Looking up to appreciate local Westminster history


'Looking up' to appreciate local history

May 8th, 2007

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=978&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1269983&om=1


Contest promotes city's historic architecture

05/02/07 By Jim Joyner

Members of the City of Westminster's Historic District Commission believe preservation efforts in the city are "looking up," and they hope local residents will also look up -- literally -- to participate in a contest designed to promote the community's historic architecture.

This month the commission is conducting its historical scavenger hunt, dubbed "History is Looking Up in Westminster."

The contest challenges local residents -- or anyone -- to identify specific features on a dozen historic buildings in downtown Westminster, and send in an entry that lists the addresses.

"We wanted to figure out some way to spark interest in historical preservation, and at the same time help people appreciate the unique facets of Westminster architecture," said Greg Goodell, chairman of the contest for the commission.

The contest is being conducted in May as part of Historic Preservation Month, and has a deadline for entries of May 31.

Winners will be chosen at random from all those who identify the addresses correctly.

(Photos of all the historic features to be identified, and a list of "clues," appears on the link below.)

First prize is a framed limited edition print depicting 27 historic buildings in Westminster, created last year by artist Connie Ward Woolard.

Other prizes will include gift certificates from area merchants. And beginning May 14, participants who bring their entries to city hall during business hours will receive a commemorative poster.

Goodell has been a member of the Westminster Historic District Commission since 2004, and works in the history business -- he is employed by the National Park Service as superintendent of Museum Services at Gettysburg National Battlefield.

He said the commission thought of the contest as a fun way to pique the curiosity of local residents, and also to get people to walk around Main Street and "rediscover" the downtown area.

"That's certainly the other part of it," he said. "We hope people will go out, look for these buildings and also explore Main Street."

The commission led by example -- Goodell said members toured downtown to look at, and discuss, possible sites to be part of the contest.

"We went out as a group, walked around downtown and took some pictures, then we sat down as a commission and tried to pick the 12 most compelling," he said.

The result is a mix of eras and styles, from ornate iron detailing to chimney pots, and styles that reflect Gothic, Greek Revival and French influences. And here's a clue: All of the sites chosen are along Main Street and its immediate side streets, Goodell said.

"We hope people have fun, and learn a little bit more about their community," he said.

"I think people appreciate history in Westminster -- we know people come out in large numbers to the Memorial Day Parade and for other events," Goodell said.

"We hope that seeing some of the city's historic architecture will help people have a deeper appreciation of it, and feel strongly about wanting to preserve it, and asking, 'How can I help?' "

Mission of preservation

The history contest is part of the current Historic District Commission's goal to raise awareness about the city's rich history -- and its preservation efforts.

The commission is composed of five residents who work with city staff on issues relating to preservation. Some of the members, like Goodell, make history their living; others simply have a keen interest in preservation.

Though it's not a requirement, all of the current members of the commission live within Westminster's Historic District.

It is a requirement that they be city residents.

The current members, in addition to Goodell, are Chairman Dean Camlin, Vice Chair Kristen Stevens, Laurie Walters and Susan Thomas.

Goodell said the commission can review applications for changes in historic properties -- but the city has no ordinance mandating that property owners must comply.

The panel's big focus, he said, is helping to make residents aware of tax credits and other programs that exist to help owners of historic properties improve their homes and businesses.

A recent workshop on the subject resulted in a few new applications for tax credits -- which makes Goodell happy.

"Maryland is really a good state in terms of preservation," he said. "We try to make people more aware of what's out there to help."

For more information on the work of the Historic District Commission, call Tim Rogers at City Hall, at 410-848-4628.

Ready, set, hunt ...

The Westminster Historic District Commission is promoting its "History is Looking Up in Westminster" contest. The contest appears on the link below, and the commission will also have copies of the entry "poster" available at its booth at the Westminster Flower and Jazz Festival on May 12 along Main Street.

In addition to being available below, additional copies of the form are available at the office of The Westminster Eagle, 121 E. Main St. So click away and start looking up -- entries are due at City Hall by May 31.

Friday, May 04, 2007

20070502 This week in the Westminster Eagle


This week in the Westminster Eagle

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 – Posted May 4th, 2007

Kevin E. Dayhoff


Recalling Westminster's Disney World: Bobby's Hobby Lobby

In the 1950s and '60s, Main Street in Westminster was the center of the entire known universe.

We could easily walk or ride our bicycles downtown and there we could safely visit Heagy's Sport Shop, G.C. Murphy's, Stu's Music Shop, Davis Library, Shaffer and Company Variety Store and Mather's -- to... [Read full story]

Local News


Granite House calls on rockin' fund-raiser


Since it opened its doors 27 years ago, Granite House in Westminster has offered help to those suffering with mental illness.

Usually, Granite's functions are covered by insurance, but state funding for mental illness has seen cuts in recent years, and officials at the center say they see more and...
[Read full story]


'Looking up' to appreciate local history

Members of the City of Westminster's Historic District Commission believe preservation efforts in the city are "looking up," and they hope local residents will also look up -- literally -- to participate in a contest designed to promote the community's historic architecture.

This month the c...
[Read full story]

Recreation


Woods' pitching leads Panthers over Knights
North Carroll tied for first in county standings

Girls Softball

The modern athletic era often values power, speed, and statistics above all other factors.

In contrast, the North Carroll softball team offers proof that you can be successful simply by being resourceful and executing the fundamen...
[Read full story]

Opinion


Study of waste-to-energy sites is a signal of decisions to come
Editorial

It was just a little road trip, but Monday's journey by the Board of County Commissioners and staff to Lancaster County, Pa., was more than symbolic.

The commissioners toured a waste-to-energy facility -- i.e. incinerator -- to see first-hand the technology, the issues and the practica...
[Read full story]

Culleton on Carroll


Slogan sadly changing from 'Buy America' to 'Bye, America'
In 1813, after the battle of Lake Erie, Commodore Oliver Perry sent the triumphant message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

About one-and-a-half centuries later, cartoonist and satirist Walt Kelly parodied the boastful message with respect to the environment: "We have met the enemy and ...
[Read full story]

Community Calendar


Community Calendar
ARTS

The Maryland Ensemble Theatre will present the Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill 1928 musical, "The Three Penny Opera" at the Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster, on Friday, May 4, 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 5, at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 adults; $14 for arts council members, s...
[Read full story]

People Forms


Engagement Announcement

Share the big news! Engagement announcements run free of charge in The Westminster Eagle.

Just print out the following form, or cut and paste it into either a word document or an e-mail. Remember – you are NOT bound to follow this form, it is simply designed to give you an idea of the type of information that might be included. Feel free to include more, or less, information.

When you’re done, you can send this in the mail to The Westminster Eagle, 121 E. Main St., Westminster, MD 21157. Or, you may fax to 410-386-0340, or e-mail to thewestminstereagle@patuxent.com.


[Read full story]

[Local news archives]

Local News Friday, May 04 Wild Blue Yonder


It was a brilliant, clear day last October for the Carroll County Experimental Aircraft Association's Autumn Fly-In.

Unfortunately, not a single plane could fly, as 40 mph winds kept planes grounded and the event had to be canceled.

This Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the group will host a ...
[Read full story]


Partnership based on health, and choice
As far as Susan Rill is concerned, serving a menu with healthy choices wasn't a matter of trying to influence her clients at the Dutch Corner Restaurant in Manchester, it was an attempt to cater to them.

In her seven years running the home-style restaurant on Manchester's Main Street, Rill and her...
[Read full story]


News Briefs
Nearly two dozen apply for Board of Ed vacancy

The Board of Education of Carroll County has solicited applications from individuals interested in serving on the board, and that search netted 22 applicants from across the county.

Applicants from Eldersburg, Sykesville and Marriottsville include M...
[Read full story]

From soccer to artwork in Sandymount rec
Sandymount Recreation Council is hosting the following registrations for upcoming sports, fitness and health programs. For information, see the contact information listed.

* A summer co-ed beginner soccer clinic for youngsters in grades one through five (2006-07 school year) will be held June 17-2...
[Read full story]


More Headlines

Education Notes

Education Notes

05/02/07
By Heidi Schroeder

Business Briefs

'Looking up' to appreciate local history

Community Calendar Friday, May 04 Community Calendar
ARTS

> The Maryland Ensemble Theatre will present the Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill 1928 musical, "The Three Penny Opera" at the Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster, on Friday, May 4, 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 5, at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 adults; $14 for arts council members, s...
[Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff Friday, May 04 Who was Kate Wagner, and why did she rule the road?
How many folks pass by Kate Wagner Road in Westminster and wonder to themselves, “Just who was Kate Wagner?”

I did not know myself until recently, when I happened to have a conversation with one of my Westminster High School class of 1971 classmates, Steve Sinnott.

...
[Read full story]


Recalling Westminster's Disney World: Bobby's Hobby Lobby
In the 1950s and '60s, Main Street in Westminster was the center of the entire known universe.

We could easily walk or ride our bicycles downtown and there we could safely visit Heagy's Sport Shop, G.C. Murphy's, Stu's Music Shop, Davis Library, Shaffer and Company Variety Store and Mather's -- to...
[Read full story]


This 'Candy drive' benefits the East Middle School Bulldogs ... and the three Rs


Westminster East Middle School PTA president Candy Arnold is on a mission.

Ever since she took over the reins of the Parent Teacher Association, she has dreamed of having "an Art Deco-style marquee in front of our beautiful school."

East Middle School, which is located in the same building which...
[Read full story]


In the storied history of Carroll Hospital Center, Steve Bohn poised to take a 'SPIRIT'-ed place


As Carroll County grows and changes, folks too often take for granted past improvements in our community that have been the result of visionary leaders overcoming enormous obstacles.

Also too often in today's deliberations, it's the usual naysayers that get all the newspaper attention.

O... [Read full story]

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

20070430 Daily Photoblog "The Plumbers"


Daily Photoblog – “The Plumbers” © Kevin Dayhoff

April 30th, 2007

C. E. Abend and Sons, Westminster, Maryland (410) 848-0204

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

20070423 What’s going on?

What’s going on?

April 23, 2007

I was a big Marvin Gaye fan when I was young and I always liked this song.

Go over to The Tentacle and read Derek Shackleford’s column:

"What's Going On?" by Derek Shackelford writing in The Tentacle:

Yesterday I was having a flashback and popped in my Marvin Gaye CD. Why I had decided to listen to Marvin Gaye on this particular occasion I could not answer. I think I just wanted to hear something with a nice beat.

One particular song caught my attention. It was "What's Going On." For some reason on this particular day, I listened with a more reflective consciousness.

As I surveyed the current landscape of the world and in my conversations with others, the question that is before all of is "What's Going On?" We really want to know that because - to a large degree - it appears we cannot make sense out of anything.

Marvin Gaye- What's Going On

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20070424 Ozzie and Harriet

















"Ozzie and Harriet"

Posted April 24, 2007

The adventures of America’s favorite family, Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky Nelson.

I don’t know when this episode aired. The show “Ozzie and Harriet” appeared on ABC from 1952 to 1966.

This episode features a commercial for the Kodak Brownie Starmatic camera.

In this episode Dave, Ricky and Wally go horseback riding at the Lazy K Stables…

Check out the car as they leave the house to travel to the stable.

Wally rides a horse named Bertha. His mounting technique is well, unique…

And check out the riding instructor.

It would be luck that I would end up taking lessons from “Hank,’ the other riding instructor.

They decide that perhaps they need some additional horseback riding instructions… But not from George or Bill or Bob…

Well, watch the clip and smile broadly at era long since gone by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MC8U_vlq-A

Yeah, for all my nieces and nephews who read the blog, this was TV when your uncle was growing up.

Of course, this is the other side of your uncle:

Ozzy Osbourne-Dreamer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbJqswLi3uE

For the lyrics, it’s my favorite Ozzie song…

####

20070424 The Washington Post Sleuth

The Sleuth - Mary Ann Akers

Compilation as of Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

Posted at 2:15 PM ET, 04/24/2007

Kucinich Halts Impeachment Hunt Against Cheney

UPDATE, 3:45 p.m. ET: Kucinich now plans to hold his news conference announcing articles of impeachment against the vice president at 5 p.m. ET today. (Kucinich was in the Speaker's Lobby off the House chamber just moments ago personally handing out press releases announcing that the big event is back on.) Let's hope Cheney doesn't have a dental appointment or anything between now and then!...

Open Government, What Open Government?

UPDATE, 4:00 P.M. ET: After the letter circulated widely on the Internet, Rep. Obey changed his mind and will now allow cameras into the conference committee proceedings. Original Post: Radio and television reporters who cover the House aren't so pleased with Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (Calif.) notion of transparency. After the Democrats won control of the House, Pelosi promised to make Congress "the most open...Congress in...

Rich Little Bravely Answers Washington's Call

Most people who endured Rich Little's performance at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night had the same reaction ... bless his heart. Rich Little brought his presidential voices to Washington on Saturday night. (Getty Images) Bless his heart for getting trapped in a time warp that won't let him escape 1981. (The man is still hinging his act on Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon...

White House Dinner: Stomping Ground

Tomorrow's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner is shaping up to be a Republican presidential primary cattle show. The most bizarre cattle show ever, considering the side attractions include the singing, faux-hawked pop culture icon Sanjaya and oh-so-last century icons Jane Fonda and Rich Little, who's emceeing the event. While none of the major Democratic presidential contenders are taking a break from campaigning to attend the...

Congressman Hits on Actress Kerry Washington

Who knew that a Congressman's funding request for sewer projects in his district could be so... so sexy? When Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) went before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Thursday, he found himself appealing instead for the affection of famed silver screen beauty Kerry Washington. Washington, who starred in "Ray" and "The Last King of Scotland" among other films,...

Rummy and Newt, War and (In)Fidelity

Donald Rumsfeld and Newt Gingrich have more in common than being out of power. They're both apparently fans of the legendary German composer Richard Wagner (that's pronounced VAHG-ner, while lifting your head and looking down your nose).

Rummy and Newt were spotted Tuesday night - separately - at the Kennedy Center enjoying Placido Domingo's stirring performance in Die Walkure, the second of four operas that make up Wagner's Ring cycle.

Brownback Wins This Week's Fundraising "Award"

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) has won this week's Most Outrageous Fundraising Solicitation award. In an email to potential supporters today, Brownback, who is running for president, prays for the families of those killed in the Virginia Tech shooting tragedy, then segues to Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling on partial birth abortion, and then - you guessed it - to...

Romney: In the Bunker on Shooting Incident

It seems Mitt Romney, who's been working hard of late to establish his pro-gun bona fides, is the only major presidential candidate whose campaign web site does not prominently feature the candidate's reaction to the Virginia Tech massacre. Others have made the incident front and center on their web sites. Take, for example, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. The very first thing you see...

Articles of Impeachment To Be Filed On Cheney

Looks like he's reached his boiling point.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), the most liberal of the Democratic presidential candidates in the primary field, declared in a letter sent to his Democratic House colleagues this morning that he plans to file articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney.

Kucinich has made ending the war in Iraq the central theme of his campaign. He has even taken aim at the leading Democratic presidential candidates in the field for their votes on authorizing the war.


Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution
gives Congress the authority to impeach the president, vice president and "all civil Officers of the United States" for "treason, bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Bush Administration: Breakdown

Is this is a metaphor for something? Congressional oversight committees and reporters covering the U.S. attorneys firing scandal waited with bated breath Thursday night for yet another huge document drop revealing more details in the Bush administration's plan to fire eight U.S. attorneys. They waited, and waited. But the documents weren't delivered to the House and Senate Judiciary committees until this morning because -- no...

Flacking the Good Flack

Here's a good one: Guess who's giving crisis communications advice on how Don Imus should have spun his way out of the derogatory slur he made about the Rutgers women's basketball team? Answer: the former spokesman for ex-Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), whose racist and sexist gaffes contributed to his downfall in the 2006 mid-term elections. That's right, Burns' former press secretary, Matt Mackowiak, is dispensing...

The Imus Factor

Finally, a meaty issue that divides Democratic presidential candidates -- Don Imus. To shun or not to shun the embattled radio show host for uttering some demeaning remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team, that is the question. Sen. Chris Dodd(D-Conn.), who announced his presidential candidacy on "Imus in the Morning" instead of some place in his home state, won't rule out going on Imus's...

Race for the Golden Gavel

Two freshman senators are locked in a tight race over who will be class geek. Both Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) want to be the very first among their class of nine senators to win the Golden Gavel Award, which was created in the 1960s as an incentive to get wide-eyed new senators to learn the rules and procedures of the snootier...

Edwards Campaign Modifies Online Fundraising Practice

John Edwards's presidential campaign has modified its online fundraising approach to give visitors an "opt-out" option if they are just trying to send a sympathy note to Elizabeth Edwards about her cancer recurrence. The change reflects an apparent attempt to separate the handling of Mrs. Edwards's illness from the incessant need for money to fund her husband's campaign for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. The...

Biden Slams Sam Fox Recess Appointment

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-Del.) finally weighed in today on the Bush administration's surprise recess appointment of Sam Fox to be ambassador to Belgium. Democrats are outraged, arguing it is illegal for President Bush to use a recess appointment to install someone whose nomination was no longer even pending before Congress. Biden, who is running for president and was stumping in Iowa...

April 22, 2007 - April 28, 2007
April 15, 2007 - April 21, 2007
April 08, 2007 - April 14, 2007
April 01, 2007 - April 07, 2007
March 25, 2007 - March 31, 2007
March 18, 2007 - March 24, 2007
March 11, 2007 - March 17, 2007
March 04, 2007 - March 10, 2007
February 25, 2007 - March 03, 2007
February 18, 2007 - February 24, 2007
February 11, 2007 - February 17, 2007
February 04, 2007 - February 10, 2007
January 28, 2007 - February 03, 2007
January 21, 2007 - January 27, 2007

20070423 Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5

Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5

April 23rd, 2007

Welcome to the Carnival of Maryland 5 or what I have come to perhaps understand as the bi-weekly Maryland Blogger Alliance magazine of the mind.

All the articles are great and we’re sure that you will enjoy the variety and talent in each piece.

Table of Contents:

Article No. 1: “Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener,” by Michael Swartz writing on “Monoblogue,” Saturday, April 14th, 2007

Article No. 2: “Three gentleman ducks” by The Ridger writing on “The Greenbelt,” Sunday, April 8th, 2007.

And a bonus feature, a sequel from The Ridger’s article on Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007: “The Redwings in the Park,” on April 2nd, 2007. The sequel is titled, “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” which is dated April 11th, 2007.

Article No. 3: “Baltimore's inner harbor” by Soccer Dad, writing on the web site, “Soccer Dad,” on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007.

Article No. 4: “Guns guns guns…” by Robert C. Carter writing on the web site, “Escape from Pianosa,” on Saturday, April 21st, 2007.

Article No. 5: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” by W. Crodhil, E.I.C. writing on “Politics, Hon,” on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Article No. 6: 20070422 Media Smackdown” by Kevin Dayhoff writing on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies,” on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007.

Sports Section:

Article No. 1: “Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener,” by Michael Swartz writing on “Monoblogue,” Saturday, April 14th, 2007

Mr. Swartz introduces the article by saying; “Just a slice of life on the Eastern Shore. Politics gets sort of boring after awhile, and I'm a big fan of my adopted hometown team!”

“… I had a good time watching the opener and getting back to baseball again. I also rectified an oversight from last year, now I’m a paid member of the Shorebirds Fan Club…”

Read the entire article here: Delmarva Shorebirds 2007 home opener. Enjoy the pictures and the enjoyable commentary…

Nature Section:

Article No. 2: “Three gentleman ducks” by The Ridger writing on “The Greenbelt,” Sunday, April 8th, 2007.

And a bonus feature, a sequel from The Ridger’s article on Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007: “The Redwings in the Park,” on April 2nd, 2007. The sequel is titled, “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” which is dated April 11th, 2007.

In the “Three gentleman ducks,” we’re introduced to three gentleman mallards, who are possible named Ping, Pong, and Po? “So here they are, Three Gentleman Mallards who hang out together in the park.”

One can only imagine what they were discussing?

See the pictures here: “Three gentleman ducks

On April 2, we learned that “Last year there was a pair of redwings nesting in the cattails. This year - this past week - I've seen three males, chasing each other at times. Today, two of them were sitting in trees next to each other calling loudly, and the females were there…” In “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?” we learn that “the redwings have a winner ... he got the prime real estate ...”

The Ridger then introduces us to “a duel between cardinals.”

Catch the great pics here: “Nature Red in ... Beak and Shoulder?

Travel Section:

Article No. 3: “Baltimore's inner harbor” by Soccer Dad, (With something like a 10-60 record as coach of my children's soccer teams why do I do it? Because I'm Soccer Dad!” – He can coach my nieces and nephews anytime – Winning may or not be everything but values are forever…) writing on the web site, “Soccer Dad,” on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007.

In his article he has posted a number of pics “of Baltimore's Inner Harbor” from a “recent trip to the Maryland Science Center…”

And for a bonus Soccer Dad threw in a Westminster image, in a Brechtian mode of ironic distance, which is of “Ansel Adams meets Rainer Werner Fassbinder” quality. It is a must see photo (scroll to the bottom of the post…) – although it may take a few sessions with the GEICO Cavemen’s therapist to understand it.

[My favorite recent post by Soccer Dad is here: “My blog as refrigerator.”]

Political Commentary section:

Article No. 4: “Guns guns guns…” by Robert C. Carter writing on the web site, “Escape from Pianosa,” on Saturday, April 21st, 2007.

Mr. Carter writes, in part: “…in the wake of the horror at Virginia Tech this past week, I’ve been reading a lot about what people have to say about guns… A no-guns allowed policy doesn’t guarantee a killing spree, but it certainly makes it easier…”

Mr. Carter, a “a student, writer, satirist, webTV creator, photographer, athlete, thinker, traveler, blogger and improv comedian,” obviously put some time in his commentary…

Read his entire thought-provoking essay here: “Guns guns guns…

Article No. 5: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant” by W. Crodhil, E.I.C. writing on “Politics, Hon,” on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Mr. Crodhil laments “With the signing of the so-called "popular vote" bill this week, MD Governor Martin O’Malley has in essence, deemed the votes of every single Marylander completely, and totally, irrelevant on the national level.”

Read his thought-provoking explanation here: “Maryland Voters Officially Irrelevant (And he calls to our attention that Pillage Idiot and Pubcrawler also have thoughts on this matter…)

Media Commentary section:

Article No. 6: 20070422 Media Smackdown” by Kevin Dayhoff writing on “Kevin Dayhoff – Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies,” on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007.

Last week was a long and hard week for our nation and by the end of the week I had “had it” with the media coverage of the tragedy at Virginian Tech and I had been reduced to a NJ Turnpike toll collector stare.

As an uncle, I already have a Doctorate in Modern Anxiety with a minor in ennui… when it comes to being concerned for the next generation. I have three members of my family in college, two that just graduated, and two that will enter college shortly – all nieces and nephews.

I love talking with them as they are arguably some of the neatest folks on the planet. But the idea of some of the slobbering, feckless, pandering media-types interviewing the students at Virginia through the cracked mirror by which much of the media views its navel, got burdensome.

I was impressed that the Virginia Tech students consistently presented with poise and outclassed the media hacks.

Another thing for certain, in today’s obsessive media, last week proved once again, that the media certainly have been well trained to bark on cue…

The other day, I had but only minutes to stop for a moment and catch-up with the news and all I got were psychologically violent images of “the killer” and the media “interviewing the ghost.” Unhappy, I made, what turned out to be, one too many cups of coffee and turned to my local newspaper…

I opened the paper – “and lost it.”

“Why anyone would want to trivialize the tragedy at Virginia Tech by taking the opportunity to promote a political agenda is beyond comprehension.

Right now I have no time for folks who wish to ride their favorite political hobbyhorse on the back of what is otherwise an enormous human tragedy.

What we need right now is the steady glow of a prudent and human response and not a series of blinking lights.

Read the rest of my “media commentary” (rant) here: “20070422 Media Smackdown.”

Oh yes, I’m feeling a little better today. Thank you for asking.

_____

Thank you for joining us for Carnival of Maryland 5 – the Maryland Blogger Alliance bi-weekly magazine of the mind. It’s been a pleasure hosting this great event. For more information on the CoM, click here.

If you’re a MD blogger, and you’d like to join the Maryland Blogger Alliance (MBA), you can contact the Pillage Idiot’s Attlia at- pillageidiot -at- hotmail -dot- com.

If you have not had a chance to read our previous four Carnivals, please take this opportunity to review some of the best that the Maryland blogosphere has to offer:

Carnival of Maryland #1 - 2/25/2007 was hosted by Bruce Godfrey on “Crablaw Maryland Weekly” on February 25, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland - second edition hosted by Attila of the Pillage Idiot on March 11, 2007.

Carnival of Maryland #3 was hosted by The Ridger on “The Greenbelt” on March 26th, 2007

Carnival Of Maryland 4 hosted by W. Crodhil on “Politics, Hon,” on April 8th, 2007.

For more simply great reading, click on any of the following web sites that belong to the mid-Atlantic’s premier blogger collective:

Members of the Maryland Blogger Alliance are:

Pillage Idiot (Rockville)

Soccer Dad (Baltimore)

Maryland Conservatarian (Baltimore)

The Baltimore Reporter (Baltimore)

The Sun Lies (Baltimore Area)

The Not So Free State (Woodlawn)

monoblogue (Salisbury)

Crablaw (Reisterstown)

Kevin Dayhoff (Westminster)

Politics, Hon (Baltimore)

blogger1947 (Gwynn Oak)

Jousting for Justice (Owings Mills)

The Voltage Gate (Frostburg)

Howard County Md. Blog (Ellicott City)

The Hedgehog Report (Columbia)

Rockin' Catoctin (Frederick)

The Pubcrawler (Gaithersburg)

C. Dowd's Blog (Lansdowne)

Oriole Post (Silver Spring)

Escape from Pianosa (Baltimore)

Maryland Politics Today (Laurel)

The Greenbelt (Laurel)

Snail's Tales (Germantown)

Leviathan Montgomery (Silver Spring)

Going to the Mat (Frederick)

The AT Wire (Cumberland)

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