Publius Baltimore

Election, what else...

2008-09-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

Well I think the blog is finally living up to its name and writing about politics. Just to take a side detour, the election has me thinking a lot more about our democracy/republic in general. I was talking with a friend recently about the federalist papers, and their vision for our country, but I have also been thinking about the way the constitution set up our government vs. the way it is set up now. The main difference is that our country has become more democratic over time in two ways. First, the requirements for voting have become increasingly liberal: from property requirements to universal white male suffrage, to black male suffrage, to womens suffrage, to protection of voting rights at the polls themselves. (Despite Republican efforts at disenfranchisement every cycle...) Secondly, by tying the electoral votes to the popular vote in each state either proportionately, or more commonly as a winner takes all system. (How electoral votes are cast remains the decision of the state legislatures.)
Originally, the electors were chosen by the state legislatures themselves, with the idea that they would choose wise representatives who at least closely mirror the political feelings of the people, after all the legislatures were largely chosen by the people. While the first instance of allowing more and more people to vote was of course overdue and made our country a stronger better place, increasingly I wonder if the second instance of tying the electoral college directly to popular votes was such a wise decision.
I have been telling friends that increasingly our presidential elections resemble a middle school that has decided to choose its next principle by a vote of the students. Removing the presidential election from a direct vote of the people would not make it less political, but perhaps it would at the very least raise the level of discourse from blatent pandering on both sides to real discussion of the issues, and could perhaps take some of the money out of the process. It may be that I am overly optimistic of the changes that this would create, but at least it would open up the possibility that the candidates could engage in a higher discourse and discourage such hail mary histarics as choosing a crazy lady from Alaska as your running mate. (Sorry, couldn't quite keep my own feelings out of this). But ultimately it is not a partison issue, I think both parties would benefit from this change and it very well could improve people's faith in our leaders as they could tone down the double talk, lies, and exageration during the campaign and thus maintain just a little bit of their dignity. (While John McCain has certainly been the worse of the two in this regard, even my beloved Obama has not been completely above the fray.)
I know that this opinion sets me up as some what of an eletist but I think one only needs to look at some of the political ads that are running, some of the polls that indicate how little the public knows about the candidates (they still think Obama is a Muslim), and it becomes clear that the system we have now is not necessaraly the best way of doing things. I do not believe that we have to follow original intent of the Constitution, but in this case I think the founders had it right (despite being racist, sexist, elitists, they were pretty smart dudes.)
One final thought, for those who fear that this is undemocratic, you could conceivably keep the primary process as is, while changing the the general election to this system. Therefor the people of both parties could still choose their leaders while the electors could decide the election. Extra point for whoever figures out based on the composition of the state legislatures who would win the election were these changes enacted.

Palin Friends with Witch Hunter

2008-09-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

And this isn't from some wacky liberal blog (like mine), I found it through a link at the Wall Street Journal. Apparently Palin has been blessed by this wacky witch hunting Kenyan evangelical. This is just what we need as a vice president. Check out the article.

Is God running for President?

2008-09-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

There is a great chart at NYtimes.com showing how many times different words were used at the two conventions. Number one word on the Republican side...God. I mean I am a spiritual person, and God is great, but I don't think he is running for office, nor will he fix our political problems. Plus when Repubicans talk about religion they conveniently forget Jesus' caution that rich people aren't cool and won't be entering the pearly gates.
(photo from scrutinyhooligans.us)

Election

2008-09-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

This is why the Daily Show is a better news source than all the networks combined. No joke, while this is hilarious, it is also deeply depressing and why I find it so incredible that people actually watch Fox news. Isn't it at least a little depressing that so many people would rely on this network for information?

Election

2008-09-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

I have been a little distracted lately with a lot of vacationing and relaxing. Watching the DNC got me fired up about the election though. I am not a big follower of polls, in fact I think we would all be a lot better off if news organizations stopped taking polls all together. I think they influence people too much and they are often inaccurate. Having said that, there is a cool feature at Slate.com that sums up all the polls in different states and nationally and sums up the electoral votes for each state based on their polls. You can check it out here. The New York Times has a similar feature, but I like the one at slate better, it's fun to play around with.

Photos of Phlorida are phun.

2008-08-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

Biking through the Everglades. Alligators seen: 1. Pumas seen: 0. Mosquito seen: countless.

At the Marlins game. (Stadiums visited count: 5)

Rest of the crew.
On the deck

At the club.

Sarah on the boat. (Must protect face from sun.)

Back from Florida, trains are fun.

Big Cat at College Park

2008-08-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

Originally thought to be a cougar, there is apparently some sort of African Cat on the campus of the University of Maryland. I wish it was a mountain lion. See video here.

Poetry

2008-07-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

I have been teaching poetry this summer and enjoying it very much. Growing up my grandfather and father always shared poetry, memorized and read, regularly with us. At the time I didn't fully appreciate it. In school I never really took to poetry. But during my first masters I took a class on poetry which I really enjoyed and teaching it this sumer to seventh graders has been a lot of fun. All of this is a long way of explaining why I am posting on poetry. Here is a poem I came across tonight that I find of interest in regards to the current state of our country/world. I took this from Poets.org. A great website for exploring random poems.

A Nation's Strength
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

What makes a nation's pillars high And it's foundations strong? What makes it mighty to defy The foes that round it throng? It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand Go down in battle shock; Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, Not on abiding rock. Is it the sword? Ask the red dust Of empires passed away; The blood has turned their stones to rust, Their glory to decay. And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown Has seemed to nations sweet; But God has struck its luster down In ashes at his feet. Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor's sake Stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while others sleep, Who dare while others fly... They build a nation's pillars deep And lift them to the sky.

Good Quote-Quality Chus

2008-07-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

So those of you who read "Blog du Wren" or "The Week" for that matter, are familiar with publications drawing attention to interesting/disturbing/inspiring quotes. In that vain I would like to share a little gem from Baltimore politics. Those of you who are familiar with the dysfunctional group of nepotistic men and women that make up the city government are aware that Sheila Dixon, the mayor, is under investigation for all sorts of inappropriate shenanigans involving people giving her money and stuff and her doing stuff for them. Well during the investigation it was revealed that she was treated to tens of thousands of dollars in shopping sprees by her at-the-time boyfriend, who in return had the wheels of gov't greased for him in regards to development projects he was involved in. When asked about the shopping sprees where she got furs, several hundred dollar Jimmy Chu shoes, etc., her response was, "I don't shop often, but when I do I buy quality." She is quite the woman of the people. She is also accused of taking donated gift cars intended for poor families and using them for herself. Of course everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but in Baltimore the real shocking thing is that anybody bothered to care enough to say, "Hey, a city council president/mayor shouldn't be taking huge gifts in return for favors." (Full disclosure: I supported her...Hey, democracy ain't perfect.)

Moving is the worst thing in the world

2008-07-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

I know being "curbed" is probably slightly worse, but moving is a close second. I have been laboring for what feels like years to move out of our house. How many SUV's of stuff could we possibly own? If I cannot finish getting rid of it all by tomorrow I may "curb" myself. On the same topic I guess I have to report that I will no longer be officially residing in Baltimore. Do I need to change the name of the blog? Since I consider DC a suburb of Baltimore, I think I'm all good.

Teaching Nicknames

2008-07-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

I've been teaching the last couple weeks and have therefor not had much time to blog. This summer I am teaching 7th grade language arts to one class of boys and one class of girls. Since I have been in grad school the last year it's been interesting to be back in the classroom. One thing I have thought about as I start teaching again is the number of nicknames I have been dubbed over the years of teaching, some of which reoccur over and over, from year to year, which I guess means they are particularly apt. So here are a few of the names students have called me over the years in no particular order:
-Hunchback/Quasimodo (this is by far the most popular)
-Mr. Noodle (a reference to my broken arm)
-Nezercanezer (this was around the time the Matrix came out)
-Mr. Nezby
-various names that are inappropriate to mention here, many of which involve substituting inappropriate words for the second syllable of my last name.

Drinking

2008-06-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

Since I have been blogging about drinking lately, I thought I would ad my favorite wine. There is a little Italian grocery store in a bad neighborhood in Baltimore that sells really cheap wine (and amazing bread, pasta, etc.). We found this wine on sale one day and have been buying it ever since. I am no wine conasuer (sp?), but at $8-9 a bottle I think this is a great deal. It's a Cabernet Sauvignon & Sangiovese (whatever that means?). But it is really good. I haven't seen it at any other store, but if you come across it I highly recommend it, whenever it is in stock we stock up on it.

I love youtube.

2008-06-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

My favorite music video ever. Link to youtube since I don't know how to get it here.

Dark and Stormy Update

2008-06-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

After a little scientific research I have determined that yes, Gosling's Black Seal Rum is in fact the right rum to use. It makes a big difference. Also I find it separates and gives the nice two tone look to the drink. Check your local bar. (I don't know why I bother consider my three loyal readers don't even drink, but just in case any of you want to take up the drink, this is a good place to start.)

Things I don't understand department.

2008-05-29T08:32:00.001-07:00

So in the things I don't understand department are these commercials for the Cypher Stent. (You know those tubes they stick in your arteries so you don't die.) First of all I don't understand how it is beneficial for a stent company to advertise on regular t.v., as opposed to lobbying doctors to use them. I mean do people actually go in and say, "No I don't want that bootleg stent, I want the Cadillac of stents, the Cypher Stent!" Perhaps they do, but it seems kind of silly. I am going to trust my doctor to choose my stent, not some commercial with old dudes running up stairs and riding horses. I feel the same way about prescription medication commercials. They always say, "Ask your doctor about xyz..." I can just imagine all these people going to their doctors, having no idea what the medication is for, and asking their doc, "Say Doc, shouldn't I be on Cealus (SP?)." and the doctor going, "Well Jane, I don't think it will help with your osteoporosis." And why are those old people in the Cealus commercial sitting in side by side tubs outside? Who has tubs in their front yard? Weird.

Dreams

2008-05-28T06:23:00.000-07:00

I am not a big interpretor of dreams. But I have two reoccurring dreams, one of which I have had since childhood and one I have had about five times in the last year. In one dream I am always being chased by bears. In the other dream I am stuck somewhere as I can see hurricanes approaching. Obviously I have some anxiety....Does anyone else have reoccurring dreams?

Sourdough

2008-05-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

Today I started baking bread again. I wanted to attempt using the KitchenAide mixer and to get back into bread making. I made two basic white sandwich loaves. The KitchenAide, first of all, was amazing. (I do not own it, it belongs to Sarah's mom) I always found the initial mixing of the dough to be the most tedious part of baking bread and this thing takes care of it in no time and mixed up a great batter. The bread turned out nicely, although I think the recipe was a little bland. For my next project I am going to make sourdough. Sarah's mom and I started our starter today and are going to get some yeast growing and see what we can do. I have always wanted to make sourdough, so here goes nothing.

Dark and Stormy is the New Mojito

2008-05-23T05:24:00.000-07:00

The last two years the mojito has gone from a drink nobody had heard of to a drink that is everywhere. I am kind of on mojito overload. They are everywhere. Well for those who like to be on the cutting edge, I wanted to let you know that I am starting a new drink trend: the Dark and Stormy. I originally learned about this drink from my brother who made them strong and tasty. I have asked for them at several bars and gotten quizzical looks but recently had a wonderful one at Blue Coast. I am telling you people, get a recipe, mix one up and enjoy. When I had one at the restaurant it looked like a black and tan, they somehow got the various elements to stay separated. mmm...mmmm....goood.
PS- apparently this drink comes from Bermuda, although I have never been. I am just introducing it to the rest of the world.
Recipe:
-2 oz. Rum (it seems some people recommend Gosling's Black Seal Rum, no they are not a sponsor of this website)
-8 oz. ginger beer
-lime juice

Ted Kennedy

2008-05-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

As a historian you tend to appreciate those that are part of history and still around making it. I was sad to hear the news about Ted Kennedy having cancer, but watching Senator Robert Byrd (the only member of the senate who has served longer than Kennedy) cry while he prayed for him on the senate floor was seriously moving. I don't know if it is up on youtube, but it was a powerful moment. Byrd certainly has a checkered past, but I appreciate him as an historian in his own right. We need more of them in the senate. I have always thought that the senate needed more diversity, both in race and gender, but also in occupation. We need more doctors, teachers, engineers, military personal, scientists, and less lawyers in the senate. Of course Byrd is technically a lawyer, he got his degree at night over a decade while serving in the senate, but he also has published a several volume history of the senate. Anyway I digress, get better Ted.

Post 100

2008-05-07T18:08:00.000-07:00

So apparently this is post #100, although when I count it's around like 75 or something, so I don't know what google is thinking. That's crazy. 100 posts and still nothing of any substance. I surprise even myself.

Is it me, or is this the most pretentious article ever?

2008-04-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

I am now instituting the first annual, most pretentious thing ever award. You can nominate an article, a person, an object, anything that for you embodies pretentiousness. The winner will be forever shamed in front of my two readers. I nominate the following article from the New York Times Home and Garden Section: "Keeping Watch Where Rocks...." You have to read the whole article. I love the HG section and of course it is always a little pretentious, but this article really takes it to a whole 'nother level. My favorite line: "A row of portraits of the Selknam of Tierra del Fuego, a Patagonian tribe that is now extinct, lend a slightly anthropological air." I'm sure the extinct tribe would be happy to know that they are now adding a "anthropological air" to this yuppy's BS house...give me a break! Please send in your nominations!

Pictures

2008-04-22T06:52:00.001-07:00

"Come on lets go to Bethany!"

"I think I just heard a wave.""There it is!, There it is!""Let's go to the beach, there it is!"
"Ah yes, the beach."

Baltimore is a murdery small town

2008-04-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Watching the local "news" last night. There was a story about a photographer from my neighborhood who won a contest from national geographic. The next story was about a stabbing in the neighborhood next to mine and they interviewed (without any comment) the photographer from the previous story as a neighbor to the crime. I guess there are two possibilities: they sent out two different crews and it was just a coincidence, or the same crew did both stories and was just incredibly lazy. Either way this gives you some idea why "news" is in quotation marks. Baltimore is a creepy small town. While on the topic, I would like to publicly propose that Baltimore downgrade its status to town. I am sure there are complicated population, size requirements that make it officially a city, but like a university changing from being a college to a university, I think Baltimore would do better as a town. A town can't lead the nation in syphilis, drugs, or murder, can it? Plus who would be afraid of visiting some little old town? When I run for mayor this is going to be part of my platform.

Beach in Spring part deux

2008-04-18T12:22:00.001-07:00

Turns out that the farther you get into spring the better the beach is. Despite Quinn getting revved up to hit the beach at 5:50 in the morning, it is the perfect day to be in Bethany. Although sitting inside writing about cholera most of the day isn't the greatest. Thesis of my paper: "It turns out that dying of cholera in 1832 sucked as much as dying of cholera any other time, except that the church also damned you for being immoral." (Only immoral people, drinkers, fornicators, sabbath breakers, etc., got cholera) Best preventative I have found that was offered in the 19th century for cholera: smoking lots of cigars...you know for clearing the air.

Orioles

2008-04-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

The Orioles are once again playing well at the beginning of the season in order to draw me in, get me excited, and than spend three quarters of the season letting me down. They keep coming back late in games to win and their bullpen is doing really well. Which, of course, means they will not come back again this season and the bullpen will start stinking the rest of the year. In good news I have a new pregame ritual...soft-shell crab sandwich and Boh from Fadley's in Lexington Market. Despite the fact that the stall next door in the market sells, raccoon, (yes raccoon), it is awesome. Best experience from the ball game yesterday: the drunk college girls behind us with letters written on their bellies who couldn't quite get it together to spell Orioles. Mostly because some of them were shy, so there was a lot of ories, etc. Go O's.
PS- RIP - Jay Gibbons, you are gone but not forgotten. Are you free to do birthday parties?