AltWeeklies Wire
On Sheila Dixon: A Liberal's Lament for What Might Have Beennew
Perhaps my original expectations of Mayor Sheila Dixon had been so low that mere competence had moved me into her cheering section. But she'd gone beyond competence. At the very least, her administration was really good at managing public perceptions, which is a crucial skill in governing a morale-challenged city.
Baltimore City Paper |
Tom Chalkley |
01-19-2010 |
Commentary
Black: The Color of the GOPnew
I've always known that, contrary to popular belief, the African-American community is very conservative, but it's really starting to dawn on me that I'm surrounded by people who would probably be Republicans if they weren't black. And, frankly, I wish the GOP would get its stuff together so that my brethren and sistern can just follow their hearts and join.
Baltimore City Paper |
Vincent Williams |
12-02-2008 |
Commentary
The Strange Tradition of Washington's Political Turnovernew
Presidential transitions are odd times any time there's a change of parties in power, but after the last eight years, this one may be even more so.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
11-25-2008 |
Commentary
Election '08: We Enter the Fourth Quarter of the Ground Gamenew
How much of the GOP's defense will work in a year when the Democrats are fielding an offense for the ages? And how much of the field has already been tilted due to the work of Gonzales, Bush, and the Justice Department? The clock runs out on election day.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
10-28-2008 |
Commentary
The 'Ownership Society,' Circa 2008new
In 1969, the top tax rate was 69 percent, and we sent a man to the moon. Now it's under half of that, and bridges are collapsing at the same time the economy is, but we've spent eight solid years funneling money to the privileged classes and Wall Street Masters of the Universe.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
10-07-2008 |
Commentary
Sarah Palin and Personality Politicsnew
"This election is not about issues," John McCain's campaign manager recently said. If the McCain/Palin campaign gets its way, it probably won't be. Because if the American people start thinking about real issues -- the ones we've been dealing with for the last eight years -- the GOP ticket won't stand a chance.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
09-16-2008 |
Commentary
John McCain's POW Crutchnew
Being a former POW means something. Unfortunately for John McCain, that "something" doesn't answer a single question about him becoming president, no matter how often he brings it up.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
09-09-2008 |
Commentary
Why It's Easy for Jesse Jackson's Critics to Mock Himnew
Literally, in a matter of months, he's gone from the It guy in black America to a supporting player.
Baltimore City Paper |
Vincent Williams |
07-22-2008 |
Commentary
What Political Reporters Wantnew
In the end, what the media wants is A Story. How they get it is determined by little things that most often don't really matter. Which is why the AP last week ran a story on how its joint poll with Yahoo! News shows that among pet owners John McCain beats Barack Obama 42 percent to 37 percent. Which doesn't mean squat.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
07-22-2008 |
Commentary
Since When Does the President Have the Power to Silence People Who Want to Talk?new
It's fascinating to see the various uses George W. Bush's administration has made of the phrase "executive privilege." Most recently, Karl Rove has ignored a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee to testify about the prosecution of Don Siegelman, the former governor of Alabama, a Democrat who also happened to be that party's best chance to regain the governor's mansion. (Rove has already brushed off a subpoena from the Senate.)
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
06-10-2008 |
Commentary
Obama on My Mindnew
I almost wrote a whole column on Willie Tyler and Lester because, like a great many of us, my entire life has been consumed by Barack Obama, and what I really want to do is write yet another column about the presumptive Democratic nominee. But I'm trying to pace myself with the Obama stuff for a few reasons.
Baltimore City Paper |
Vincent Williams |
05-20-2008 |
Commentary
Take John Yoo to the International Criminal Courtnew
Yoo blithely tossed out the window the legal principle, enshrined in federal law, of posse comitatus, which says that the military cannot exercise law-enforcement functions that are the province of state officials. The president, in wartime, has the powers of a king, if you believe what Yoo wrote.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
04-15-2008 |
Commentary
Election '08: Enough With 'Concern Trolling'new
"Concern trolling" is the practice of asking ostensibly earnest questions, usually by partisans masquerading as someone "concerned" about an issue, usually about the other party. It's also a tactic practiced quite often by the mainstream media. This turns elections that should be about issues into drama criticism and popularity contests.
Baltimore City Paper |
Brian Morton |
03-18-2008 |
Commentary
Family Valuesnew
I have a confession to make: I was raised by Republicans.
Baltimore City Paper |
Anna Ditkoff |
02-05-2008 |
Commentary
She's the Mannew
In this year's Democratic race, it's the generation gap, stupid.
Baltimore City Paper |
Vincent Williams |
02-05-2008 |
Commentary
