the buzz

One and done...but at what price?

2009-07-07T10:35:00.008-04:00

Left to right: O.J. Mayo, former guard for the USC Trojans, and
Tim Floyd, former head coach of the USC Trojans

It has come to my attention recently that, when it comes to college basketball, the players that make the most appearances on ESPN’s Sportscenter highlight reels, or have gotten the most hype before an NBA draft (i.e. Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love) are the players that have utilized the infamous “One and Done Rule.”

The rule states that men’s college basketball players may attend college and play basketball for one full year and then declare themselves eligible for the NBA. As long as they don’t sign with an agent, these players are given the option to return to college if they are not satisfied with their draft status, or even if they have doubts of getting drafted at all.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking any of these players or their abilities. Some of them are already off to a great start in their young professional careers, and there are other players who either left college after one year (Carmelo Anthony), or went to the NBA right out of high school (Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett), and have enjoyed a tremendous professional career. However, no one can predict how long an athlete’s career will be. All it takes is one ACL tear or one herniated disk, and an athlete’s career is already in jeopardy. Better yet, give a professional scout a chance to find a player who is younger than and just as skilled as the current star player of a professional team, and that star player’s days are already numbered.

Therefore, I present this million-dollar question to potential future NBA players who are contemplating the “One and Done” rule, and also to young, current NBA players on the rise: Do you have a backup plan? If the bright lights of your young professional career suddenly go off and you’re no longer able to play basketball, do you have that degree in education or economics that you can turn to?

If I’ve learned anything in my young life thus far, it’s that education is something that should never be taken for granted, especially since that degree in education or economics can take you far in life, both mentally and financially—the same way that basketball can. For some athletes, a college degree turns out to be the saving grace that keeps them from falling into financial ruin.

I also ask, in light of the recent scandals that have come to light in the world of college basketball, just how much does the success outweigh the risks?

For Tim Floyd, former head coach of the USC Trojans college basketball team, was all the success and fame with star player O.J. Mayo, which included a trip to the NCAA Tournament during the 2007-2008 college basketball season, worth it? Recently, Floyd resigned as head coach after allegations of having paid up to $1,000 to Mayo’s “handler” two years ago before Mayo started attending USC.

Along with that, for University of Memphis and former Tigers’ basketball star (and newly crowned NBA rookie of the year) Derrick Rose, was all of his fame and success truly worth it? If allegations against Rose are true—that he did not take the SATs and instead had someone take them for him—Memphis will be in danger of having their 38 wins and trip to the 2007-2008 Final Four and National Championship game all taken away from them by the NCAA.

Should something be done about the “One and Done” rule? If so, what? Are the players and families who follow this rule making the right decision? Would you ever support the rule if your child was, or is, a potential professional basketball player?

Ricky Howard
Institutional Advancement Intern

Super Why! Camp

2009-06-30T10:54:00.003-04:00

As an intern just young enough to remember PBS shows like Wishbone and Arthur, and just old enough to have missed the recent surge of educational TV shows for pre-school aged children, I was astounded by MPT’s recent Super Why! Camp.

Super Why! is a PBS Raising Readers program designed to give preschoolers the skills they need to read successfully. MPT’s Super Why! Camp uses the program and its characters to engage prospective Baltimore City Public School kindergarteners in learning activities designed to reinforce and enrich their reading skills during two separate weeklong camps, one in June and the other in July.

The recent June camp was held at the John Eager Howard Elementary School in West Baltimore. I arrived last Monday morning just as the campers began to watch the week’s episode, “Super Why! and the Three Little Pigs.” To my surprise, I was greeted by a classroom of students who were actively engaged in the story on the screen.

My generation tends to view television as a passive activity, something to while away the hours between classes or work that doesn’t require too much, if any, thought or participation beyond flipping the channel during commercials. But the campers responded eagerly to the Super Readers’ prompting, singing and reading along with the characters or sounding out letters and words in order to find the Big Bad Wolf.

Each day after watching the “Three Pigs” episode, the campers worked on a different skill set linked to the Super Readers: Alpha Pig, Wonder Red, Princess Presto, and Super Why! himself. The campers practiced letter identification, letter sounds, ALL-family word recognition (i.e. words like tall, call, ball, wall), and reading.

Although the campers responded readily to the activities designed to help them practice each skill set, I couldn’t help but think that spending extra time on more difficult skills, such as letter sounds or word family recognition, would be extremely beneficial for all of the campers regardless of their skill level. For those campers who were already close to becoming fluent readers, perhaps the extra time would facilitate pattern recognition associated with certain letter combinations and words within words, while the campers who still required prompting might learn how to blend letter sounds together in order to read words aloud.

Regardless, Super Why! Camp was unarguably beneficial for each of the campers, whether it reinforced what they already knew or helped them develop a new skill set or two. As for me, I will certainly never view television in quite the same manner again. I’ve heard arguments against television and its influence on children, but having seen first-hand the results that interactive television can produce, I believe that the technology is both applicable and beneficial, both in and out of the classroom.

Kathryn Tracey
Education Intern

How safe is the Washington, D.C. Metro?

2009-06-23T16:15:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, Monday, June 22, 2009, at 4:30 p.m. there was a fatal Metrorail train crash on the Red Line track near the Fort Totten station. There are nine dead and 76 injured, making it the worst crash in Metro history. Survivors will be scarred by both physical injuries and emotional trauma from the terrible things they saw during and after the accident.

My dad was on the Red Line at 4 p.m. going towards Fort Totten, but 30 minutes before the accident, realized he was going the wrong way, got off the train and switched to a Red Line train going the opposite direction (towards Shady Grove). He is one of the lucky ones who escaped a fatal accident that, according to news sources, could have been prevented if proper safety precautions were taken.

Metro General Manager John Catoe that a fatal mass transit accident like this is “very rare.” This kind of collision is supposed to be impossible since are equipped with both manual and computer-operated systems.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the reason this crash happened was because the train was an older 1000 series—and not up to date per NTSB safety recommendations. The 1000 series was recommended to be updated by federal regulators three years ago, but since the Metrorail system does not have to take the advice of the NTSB, no action was taken. Metro simply decided it would be too expensive to strengthen their rail cars.

For over 25 years, NTSB has been a harsh critic of Metrorail safety, especially after three previous accidents: one in 1982 that killed three passengers in a tunnel near the Smithsonian Institution; one in 1996 that killed a transit administration operator at the Shady Grove station; and a runaway train in 2004 that injured 20 passengers at the Woodley Park Zoo station.

Even after three collisions and countless recommendations from NTSB, Metro refused to take into consideration ways to better improve the safety of their transportation system, which has now left 12 people dead, 96 injured and a countless number of people left to deal with these incidences in the past 27 years.

Should Metro start listening to NTSB? Or is Metro right to disregard the agency’s recommendations, which are ultimately costly but could potentially save lives?

Frederique Duverger
Institutional Advancement Intern

Ask Not

2009-06-12T12:15:00.003-04:00

INDEPENDENT LENS ASK NOT Trailer PBS @ Yahoo! Video

The Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has been polarizing since it was implemented in 1993 the Clinton Administration. But today the law, which prohibits gay and lesbian service members from revealing their sexual orientation, is increasingly drawing criticism.

In 2008, over 100 retired generals and admirals signed a statement calling for an end to the policy, putting to rest a widely held misconception that it was unanimously supported by top military officials. While on the campaign trail in 2008, Barack Obama pledged to repeal the controversial policy. Since taking office, however, the president has made it clear he will approach the issue tactfully by working with military leaders before making a legislative push in Congress.

Proponents of the legislation point to the original language of the law, which states that, “The presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.”

The most recent event in the life of this controversial law occurred on June 8, when the Supreme Court decided against reevaluating the constitutionality of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The court rejected an appeal from former Army Capt. James Pietrangelo II, who was dismissed under the rules of the policy and subsequently filed a lawsuit against the government.

That’s part of the history of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”—it’s the part that’s sterile and abstract, existing mostly in legal documents and politicians’ mouths. Now, Independent Lens will explore the impact this keep-it-quiet strategy is having on lives of individual service members in the new documentary “Ask Not,” airing on MPT Tuesday, June 16 at 10 p.m. and MPT2 Wednesday, June 17 at 10 p.m.

What do you think the military’s attitude toward gay and lesbian service members should be?

Duncan Russell
Communications Intern

A little slice of heaven: Chestertown, Maryland

2009-05-28T10:00:00.004-04:00

Over the Bay Bridge from Annapolis, up highway 213, nestled on the bank of the Chester River sits a little slice of heaven on the Eastern Shore known as Chestertown, Maryland. At least that’s how the locals describe it. After a half-dozen visits to the picturesque community of about 4,500 people, I’m beginning to see their point.

Chestertown was founded during early colonial America and still retains the feel and look of a quaint Mid-Atlantic hamlet. The Chester River is not only the town’s name-sake, it’s also the town’s identity. Chestertown’s most famous resident, the Schooner Sultana, is a reproduction of a colonial British sailing ship and spends its days cruising up and down the Chester River. The Sultana is prominently featured in Chestertown’s biggest event of the year, the Chestertown Tea Party. The Tea Party, held every Memorial Day, attracts thousands of visitors to Chestertown for colonial music and dance, food, crafts, and the joyous overboard heaving of several colonial tax collectors during a re-enactment of the original “tea party.”

Chestertown also has a rich history of community. It’s a close-knit town of life-long residents and new arrivals coexisting to create peaceful, prosperous lives for themselves and their families. The town famously fought against Walmart—and won—to keep their unique businesses and small-town feel. It’s also home to Washington College and its 1,200+ students from all over the world. It’s a destination town that draws visitors and émigrés in, and makes it difficult for them to want to leave.

And it’s also the perfect setting for the first program in MPT's “Our Town” series and our exploration into what makes a community.

Please stay tuned to The Buzz in upcoming weeks to meet some of the proud Chestertown residents that have decided to grab a camcorder and help MPT create “Our Town: Chestertown.”

Peter Shea
Associate Producer for On-Air Fundraising

Exclusive extras! 'Senator Barb'

2009-05-15T11:59:00.002-04:00

Did you catch MPT's revealing, one-on-one interview with Sen. Barbara Mikulski last night?

Impressions of Barbara Mikulski with Rhea Feikin introduced viewers to the “Senator Barb” that longtime friend Rhea Feikin has come to know and love: the lifetime Baltimorean who still commutes to Washington every day, (“Though I work in Washington, I’m not of the culture of Washington,” she says) and keeps in touch with her childhood friends from Highlandtown.

If you're itching for some extra footage that didn't make it in, check out the clips below!

Humor in 9/11?

2009-05-12T12:21:00.004-04:00

There’s a time and a place for everything. This is a phrase that we all are familiar with. But what determines that time and place? Is there a little fairy that tells you, “Don’t say that!” In a society that’s becoming more and more receptive to freedom of speech, where do we draw the line?

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was held on Saturday and one of the featured speakers was comedian Wanda Sykes. Some of Sykes’ comments sparked controversy, especially one concerning 9/11, “I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker but he was just so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight,” joked Sykes.

There are arguments that Sykes was insensitive to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs stated, “I don't know how guests get booked…but my guess is there are a lot of topics that are better left for serious reflection, rather than comedy—I think there's no doubt that 9/11 is part of that.”

Many argue that Sykes’ comment, “I hope his [Limbaugh’s] kidneys fail,” was plain cruel. “This woman comes up and says, 'I hope Rush Limbaugh dies,' and everybody giggles,” said Tim Graham, director of media analysis with the Media Research Center. Some complain that liberals get away with more than conservatives and that if a conservative made such comments, there would be a public outcry.

Was Sykes out of line? Are there certain things we just cannot joke about? Does Rush Limbaugh’s typical harsh commentary make it easier to accept Sykes’ lashing out against him?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Live for Today

2009-05-01T11:19:00.006-04:00

We've received our first Global Love "Thoughts on Love" blog entry from Sheri Lynn Gleason of Beverly, Massachusetts. She's titled it "Live for Today." Thank you, Sheri!

Live for Today

My best friend is fighting colon cancer. If I have learned anything from helping her in her fight, it is that love is about living in the moment. I have always treasured our friendship. I am closer to her than I am to my own sisters. However, since she got sick, every moment has become even more precious. We are planning a trip to Ireland in December, but we are not thinking much further than that right now. We have faith that she will beat this, but until then we are celebrating each day as it comes.

It sounds cliche, but the saying is true: "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called 'the present.' "

Sheri Lynn Gleason
Beverly, Massachusetts

(Send us your thoughts on love: outreach@mpt.org)

Swine flu breakout

2009-04-30T17:54:00.003-04:00

You’ve heard it all over the news. The virus, swine flu (or the H1N1 virus) has become a worldwide pandemic. People in countries such as Britain are wearing protective masks in public areas as the media provides constant coverage on infected people and death tolls.

President Obama has issued a national concern for protecting the country against this virus but says not to be alarmed. Customs agents have been checking those entering the U.S. by land and air. Obama says he is getting regular updates from agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control are keeping Americans informed.

However, controversy has formed over remarks made by Vice President Joe Biden. During an interview today on NBC’s The Today Show, Biden commented, “I would tell members of my family—and I have—I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now,” and specifically mentioned American subway systems.

These suggestions are nearly impossible for many workers in the nation who rely on public transportation to take them to and from work each day. The travel industry, particularly, is displeased with Biden’s comments and advises travelers to listen to medical experts.

Are Biden’s comments over-the-top or is he being more honest than other government and health officials by telling us this is bigger than we think? How does this breakout and its media coverage make you feel about the safety of you and your family’s health? Do you think the media is sensationalizing the swine flu or do you think this type of coverage is necessary?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Send us your love notes!

2009-04-28T10:47:00.006-04:00

In recognition of Global Love Day May 1st and as part of MPT’s Campaign for Love & Forgiveness, we invite our blog readers and MPT viewers to share their own stories of love!

Send us (outreach@mpt.org) your thoughts on love (around 200 words), and we’ll post it here on The Buzz to join in this international celebration of peace and love. Or, post your video story about love onto YouTube and send us your link. We’ll post it here with the other “love notes” on our blog!

Here’s our own first Global Love Day blog:

LOVE. Four letters that make up the most meaningful word in the world. I am only 21, so I would not say I am an expert (yet), but I do know a thing or two about love. When I was younger, I was told that love should be selfless and unconditional. I just thought it was something you say back to your mom and dad. But now that I’m an adult, I can now fully understand the meaning of love.

Selfless love is shown by way of sacrifice. This kind of love I am still working on, but have had much practice in my four-year relationship with my boyfriend. We go to separate schools now, so I feel that much of our relationship is based on sacrifice. Having to make time with both of our busy schedules. Having to sacrifice travel time (and split it equally) when we want to see each other. There is much that I am still learning about selfless love, but as of now, I feel that it is the most rewarding.

Unconditional love is something I get from my family; Mom, Dad, brother, aunts, uncles…This kind of love I put to the test with my parents when I was younger because my brother and I were always getting into trouble. I used to think, “Mom’s going to hate us after she finds out what we did!” But then I came to see that my family loves me no matter what, and that is truly a gift.

Krissy Leventis
Communications and Outreach Intern

Chesapeake Bay Week returns!

2009-04-16T16:56:00.003-04:00

The Chesapeake Bay–the world's largest estuary—is approximately 200 miles long and runs north to south from the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic Ocean. The watershed includes parts of six states and is home to approximately 14 million people.

Most of us that in the watershed region have connections to the Chesapeake Bay, whether it’s memories of fishing, swimming, crabbing (or cracking open steaming hot crabs!), or even just a relaxing boat ride into the horizon. But imagine not being able to enjoy these activities because of pollutants infecting the waters and hurting creatures that call the Chesapeake Bay home. We need to help save the bay by being informed about what’s causing such harm to the water and animals—and what we can do to reverse that harm and stop it before it begins.

According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the leading threat to the health of the Chesapeake Bay is excess nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, which destroys animal habitat and kills fish. Sources of these pollutants include agriculture, sewage treatment plants, run-off from urban and suburban areas and air pollution from automobiles, factories and power plants. Throw in sprawl and poor fishery management, and we have an even bigger problem on our hands.

So what can we do to help? There’s lots of ways we can keep our watershed healthy: use fewer hazardous materials, plant trees next to streams, carpool and recycle, just to name a few. Everything we do can affect the bay, so most importantly, we have to monitor what we do, use and how we dispose of it. The littlest things can help.

Beginning this Sunday through April 26th, MPT celebrates this important natural resource and highlights its most critical issues during its annual Chesapeake Bay Week. The only programming initiative of its kind, Chesapeake Bay Week is part of MPT's year-round, ongoing commitment to the bay and our environment.

Chesapeake Bay Week culminates with a Volunteer-a-thon to give viewers a chance to donate hours to help clean up the bay. Tune in Sunday, April 26 at 6 p.m. and donate some of your time to worthy bay organizations. You can donate online, too.

What are you going to do to help save the bay? What kinds of simple, everyday tips can you share with others on how to help the bay and the environment? What memories come to mind when you see or think about the Chesapeake Bay?

Check out what students at the Ruxton Country School in Owings Mills, Maryland, are doing to help clean up and appreciate the watershed region. Students, their families and staff have already donated 5,000 hours to our Volunteer-a-thon!

Krissy Leventis
Communications and Outreach Intern

What defines YOUR community?

2009-04-06T14:20:00.010-04:00

Hello, my name is Peter Shea, and I’m a proud member of the MPT community.

I started working as a producer at the station on August 31st, 2006. I moved to Maryland just one day before I started my job here, and quickly felt at home. Prior to relocating to Maryland, I lived in Vancouver, Canada. Pleasant people, comfortable climate, lush landscapes, but, to be honest, I didn’t always feel comfortable as an American expat living amongst our “neighbours to the north.” I couldn’t quite figure out why I felt that way, either. Same language, same food, same traffic laws. What was missing? To this day I still don’t know the exact answer to that question. However, I do know that whatever piece that was missing I quickly found when I moved back to the States. I felt comfortable again. I felt a sense of community.

And then I started to wonder: What is this “community” thing?

Webster’s defines “community” as “a unified body of individuals.”

My mom defines “community” as “my friends and neighbors, even those jerks, the Andersons, who keep letting their dog loose to tear up my rhododendrons.”

They both can’t be correct, can they? Well, that’s what I’m going to try to find out. I’m currently beginning work on a new, on-going series for MPT called “Our Town.” The series is going to be a collection of hour-long documentaries showcasing different towns across Maryland, from the Eastern Shore to the western mountains.

But there’s a twist. Unlike a lot a historical documentaries on television, the “Our Town” series will explore different Maryland communities through the eyes—and camera lenses—of community members. I’ll be soliciting the involvement of a wide variety of each community’s populace: From the mayor to the bartender, the high school student to the chief of police, new residents and old residents and everyone in between.

After a participant is selected, he or she will be given a small digital camera and a week to collect footage that answers the question: “What is special about your community?” Will residents find their community to be “a unified body of individuals”? Or will they find it a collection of “friends and neighbors (who occasionally disregard local leash laws)”? Or will they tell us something else entirely?

I’m looking forward to finding out the answers to those questions, and maybe even shedding some light on what my own sense community is. I hope that you’re interested as well. Perhaps you’re so interested that you’d like to borrow a camera and find out the answer for yourself?

Well, if you happen to live in Chestertown, Maryland, you can! Chestertown is the first community explored in the “Our Town” series. You learn more about the “Our Town” project here.

Why Chestertown? Please stay tuned to find out… and how you can be involved. I'll be blogging here to tell you all about it!

Peter Shea
Associate Producer for On-Air Fundraising

Seeking Restoration

2009-03-31T14:12:00.009-04:00

Only some of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina I saw while in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. I went to the city over spring break to do my share of the rebuilding. Every little bit helps.

I recently visited New Orleans, Louisiana, on an “alternative spring break” trip. I joined a group of 40 other students to perform community service as well as enjoy the city—and I had an equal share of both!

We helped a needy family living in the Gentilly area by painting their home. It was a rewarding experience to hear the family’s gratitude and see the smiles on their three young daughters’ faces as we completed our project.

We also went on a tour of the Ninth Ward, the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. It was saddening to see how many homes have not been touched since Katrina destroyed them. There are so many areas of New Orleans that remain completely annihilated.

Despite the devastation that hit New Orleans, the spirit of the city remains strong. We stayed in the French Quarter and the aura of this historic area is exactly what you would expect it to be—full of life and excitement. By the end of the week I was stuffed with delicious po’ boy sandwiches, crawfish and the infamous beignets from Café Du Monde.

Though I had a great time, I can’t help but sympathize with the many New Orleans residents who lost everything and are still without homes to this day.

How does it make you feel knowing that over three and half years later so many homes are still in ruins due to Hurricane Katrina? Do you think it is the government’s fault for not taking action or the citizens’ faults for not seeking help?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

More wreckage from Katrina. (above)

The house we helped paint (above and below). If you're in college, investigate if your school sponsors trips like these. They probably do!

William Donald Schaefer doc airs tonight!

2009-03-30T15:17:00.004-04:00

That’s right! The documentary making waves (and headlines) across the state—Citizen Schaefer, a tribute to a legendary Maryland politician that broke the mold, former Maryland Gov. William Donald Schaefer—airs tonight on MPT at 9 p.m.

You can get the inside scoop on the documentary on WBAL Radio, WYPR and in Sunday’s Baltimore Sun. A fun extra? Short animated Schaefer cartoons (used in the documentary) by celebrated cartoonist Kevin Kallaugher (KAL). Check it out below and be sure to tune in tonight as we premiere Citizen Schaefer!

Baltimore: Arts leader!

2009-03-25T13:59:00.005-04:00

Julia Kim Smith, “Anonymous Rage”

Baltimore has been gaining—and, in all likeliness, will continue to gain—a reputation of having one of the most vibrant, diverse and unique arts communities on the East Coast. Between having the “best music scene,” according to Rolling Stone, and great museums like the Walters and the Visionary Arts Museum, Baltimore has a lot going for it.

If you haven’t plugged into Baltimore’s local arts scene yet, MPT will give you a jump start tonight as the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance announces this year’s Baker Artist Awards winners live on ArtWorks.

There will be seven Baltimore’s Choice Prize winners (each prize is $1,000; these were voted online by the public) and three winners of a Mary Sawyers Baker prize, selected through a privately juried process, each totaling at least $25,000. It will be really exciting to watch these artists as they receive news of a lifetime.

The awards honor individual artists who live and work in Baltimore City and its five surrounding counties. Public participation in this year’s Baker Awards skyrocketed: More than 650 local artists nominated themselves by posting portfolios online, and more than 8,500 people registered to vote for their favorite artists on the awards’ website, which has been visited by art enthusiasts from all 50 states and more than 115 countries and territories throughout the world.

Among media represented by nominated artists are musical performance and performance art, painting and drawing, sculpture, video and film production and direction, animation, photography, spoken and written word, design, and handcraft.

The variety of artists in this competition is astounding, with artists working in every medium and method imaginable. All their works can be found at http://www.bakerartistawards.org/. There are more traditional arts, such as the oil paintings of Karen Warshal and the sculptures of Peggy Fowler, as well as more experimental and avant-garde pieces, such as the abstract paintings of Tara Russell or cutting-edge films like Sean Honey’s “Street Dream." Each artist has their own unique motivation and goals they hope to achieve through their artwork. In reading the different artist statements, we are able to dive into the mind of the artist and understand how they view art. Be sure to tune into tonight at 7:30 p.m. to get in on the action!

Jordan Weinberg
Institutional Advancement intern

Embryonic stem cell research: Yes or no?

2009-03-11T17:18:00.002-04:00

President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Monday lifting George W. Bush’s legislation on embryonic stem research. While in office, former President Bush only permitted federal tax dollars spent on embryonic stem cell research to a small number of stem cell lines that were created before Aug. 9, 2001. He argued that the studies were harmful to human life.

Supporters of Bush’s policy agree that embryonic stem cell research is immoral because days-old embryos are destroyed for their stem cells, although, many of them are taken from fertility clinics and are destined for destruction.

Obama, however, stated that most Americans support this research because of the great possibilities it offers. He feels that the good outweighs the bad due to the amount of lives that could be saved through discoveries, and that Bush’s motives were more political than scientific. Obama also assured that the order would never permit human cloning.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan supports Obama in his decision stating that, “the research could lead to better treatment and possible cures to various diseases, from diabetes to paralysis.”

Do you agree that federal tax dollars should be utilized for embryonic stem cell research in hopes of discovering cures for diseases, or should we consider this a destruction of human life?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Women on the front lines

2009-03-09T12:06:00.005-04:00

When we talk about U.S. military engagement, the history we receive is typically one-sided with a very distinct gender bias. The idea that men fight wars and men win wars is part of our accepted culture. In American society, our culturally assigned gender roles create a huge amount of discomfort and debate regarding the issue of women serving in the military. When a girl’s first toy is a Barbie and a boy’s first toy is a G.I. Joe, is it any surprise that much of society doesn’t feel confident in a woman’s ability to serve in the military?

However you feel about this issue, it can’t be denied that women are crucial to our current military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, with women making up almost 15 percent of the force in Iraq. According to the Department of Defense, one in every seven American troops in Iraq is female.

As part of Women’s History Month, MPT recently aired “Lioness,” a 90-minute Independent Lens documentary that told the stories of five women who served in Iraq between September 2003 and August 2004.

They all part of Team Lioness, a group of female support soldiers who performed a range of different duties during their tours in Iraq. Major Kate Guttormsen and Captain Anastasia Breslow were involved in communications work, Specialist Shannon Morgan and Staff Sergeant Ranie Ruthig served as mechanics, and Specialist Rebecca Nava was a supply clerk. Under official U.S policy, these women are not allowed to serve in direct ground combat, however, they are tested daily in a war where the front line is a shadowy and uncertain concept.

Captain Anastasia Breslow writes about the danger she faced in her diary:

“The last raid I went on was truly dangerous. I remember after we set up and stayed at the checkpoint until dawn, the prayers had ended sometime ago. Then suddenly a man came over the loudspeaker again saying something. The last part I caught allah jihad something jihad something. Then all hell broke loose. About a hundred meters from us. I remember I was about to ask the marines I was with if they thought they heard the same jihad too. There was no time for that. We hopped into the truck and started zipping around the outskirts of the battle trying to block the enemy from escaping or reinforcing. I was dismounted and took a position. Stray bullets flew around but I didn’t see where they were coming from. The area was too saturated with marines to just fire blindly. It was good four hours of straight fighting. I saw my first dead boy that day. Three Iraqis actually.

I still can’t believe that I was in a firefight. Me, a female signal officer, someone expected to support from a desk was out there. Strangely, the only woman I was out there because I was a female. They needed a Lionness team so badly, and so many, that even as a support officer I was pulled in. I hope I don’t have to do them very often but I will never try to get out of it.”

Similarly the filmmakers, Meg McLagan and Daria Summers describe the problems with women not being recognized as combatants. They fear that women like Captain Breslow will be unable to move up the military hierarchy, and may not receive all the proper veterans benefits that they should be entitled to.

If you didn’t catch Lioness, check out the clips below:

How do you feel? Should women serve on the front lines of the U.S. military? Have you or do you know any women that have served or are serving in Iraq?

Jordan Weinberg
Institutional Advancement intern

Capital punishment: Yes or no?

2009-03-04T16:11:00.004-05:00

After three decades of its reinstatement, the death penalty is once again up for debate in the state of Maryland. A bill to end capital punishment in Maryland was introduced by Senate Lisa Gladden. Governor Martin O’Malley is an avid supporter of this idea saying, “the death penalty is inhumane, biased, fraught with errors and isn't a deterrent.”

Much of the Senate is unsure about passing the bill. They voted in favor of two amendments on Tuesday: to prohibit the death penalty in cases where there is only eyewitness testimony, and to limit the use of the death penalty to murder cases where DNA or a confession or conclusive videotaped evidence is obtained. O’Malley has been advised that this may be the closest to repeal that Maryland will receive.

Just last year, the governor commissioned a study on capital punishment in Maryland, which recommended its abolishment due to biases in cost, the possibility of an innocent person being executed and disparities. But death penalty opponent Sen. Jamie Raskin, who was a member of this commission, said this information was somewhat overlooked by the Senate.

Many citizens believe that the death penalty is justified by the “eye for an eye” rationale. Others believe that it is no one’s right to take the life of another, while some feel that the death penalty is a “cop out” and life in prison is far worse punishment.

Where do you stand? Do you agree with Governor O’Malley’s plan to end capital punishment or do you feel it is a valuable source of our justice system?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Dylan: Still awesome after all these years

2009-02-23T11:28:00.003-05:00

Peace, love and rock ‘n roll. Those are the three words that can sum up my parents’ yesteryears, which they refer to often. Well, that’s what I hear from them when they’re reminiscing about the “good ol’ days,” filled with bell-bottoms, peace signs and the low-key music of Bob Dylan. When I heard about Dylan’s show, “Live at Newport,” (airing tonight at 10 p.m.), I couldn’t wait to let them know about it.

I myself am not the biggest Dylan fan, but I sure am surrounded by family and friends who can pick out his songs the second they hear them. I asked my mom to describe Bob Dylan in three words, and she said, “hippy,” “cool,” and “philosophical.” His smooth music would set my mom and her friends off into “a different world,” one full of peace, love and happiness.

A younger generation has taken a liking to his music as well. Tricia, my 21-year-old friend, is definitely a fan, and describes Dylan as “inspiring, a great artist,” adding that “his lyrics are poetic.” I can certainly agree with that. Like I said, I’m not Bob’s #1 fan, but I can say I enjoy it all: His music, his lyrics, my family and friends’ stories….If someone asked me to say something about Bob Dylan, I would say there’s something about him that helps people bond. There’s never rough ground when discussing him. Whenever I hear his name come up, I know there will always be a good time following. Through their own learning and listening or maybe hearing renditions of their parents’ good old stories, Dylan’s younger fan base respect and feel the same magic that our parents did.

Though Dylan is a little older now, he still puts on a great show. Old and new fans will gather to listen to him sing songs from the good ol’ days. Our parents will always see him as one of their favorite musicians but I would say we, as the younger generation, see him as a legend. What do you think of Dylan?

Krissy Leventis
Communications and Outreach Intern

Remembering the greats

2009-02-20T12:31:00.004-05:00

As Black History Month comes to a close, I wanted to take the time to recognize some of the great African Americans who have made a difference in our world. From Sojourner Truth to Barack Obama, there are so many people who have knocked down doors and brought us a step closer to equality.

I am most touched by the story of Phillis Wheatley. During her short 31 years, she accomplished so much and helped people realize, including her slave master, that blacks were so much more than physical laborers.

Wheatley, who was brought to America as a slave in 1761 at the age of eight, became the most famous female poet of the eighteenth century. This was during a time when most blacks could not even read or write. Wheatley was freed in 1772, traveled to England, and even wrote a poem for President George Washington who later invited her to visit him. Who would have expected a woman, who acquired her name from a slave owner, to become a pioneer for blacks forever?

It’s so sad looking back on the approximately 200 years of enslavement that blacks suffered. The forced migration of Africans to America is the reason many African Americans today do not know their true roots. Despite this upsetting fact, there are so many people who have fought to make things better for all.

MPT wants to know what African American pioneers have impacted your life? It could be someone of fame, a local success, or even a relative. Do their past struggles fill you with pain or hope for a better tomorrow?

Also, check out the American Masters special, “Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice,” airing on MPT Wednesday, February 25 at 10:30 p.m. to learn about a Grammy-winning group of African American women who sing against injustice (and who just sang at the White House!). Later that week, we’ll be airing the two-hour television debut of Soulful Symphony—the nation’s only African American symphony—Saturday, February 28 at 6 p.m.

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

McMansions: Yes or No?

2009-02-18T16:08:00.006-05:00

Recent national surveys have found that most Americans are both unhappy (and unhealthy) with the results of “sprawl,” a term which the Sierra Club defines as “poorly-planned development that destroys green space, increases traffic and air pollution, crowds schools and drives up taxes.”

We see examples of sprawl through the homogenous “McMansions” and planned communities that seem to pop up anywhere there is open space. Sprawl exists as the superstores and shopping centers that are needed to support these new homes and planned communities. Suburban sprawl gives little to no consideration for the environments around it. Sprawl affects the air we breathe and the water we drink and is responsible for the destruction of more than two million acres of parks, farms, and open space every year.

Sprawl affects not just our environment and nature, but also our own happiness. Suburban sprawl is pushed as being the American Dream. However, the American Dream is changing and a recent national poll found that three-quarters of those polled would prefer less development and more of a focus on “smart growth.” Even Hollywood, which has more often than not been a major outlet for selling the American Dream, has recently showed its discontent through films like WALL-E and Revolutionary Road.

Public Television is known for providing an alternative voice to pressing issues of public concern. On Saturday Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m., MPT will air "Sprawl: A Tipping Point." This program, hosted by MPT’s Jeff Salkin, will take a local look at how Maryland’s natural environments are affected by sprawl and what we can do to curb the effects of it. The program will examine three specific communities affected by sprawl in Maryland: Terrapin Run in Allegany Country (the site of a controversial planned mountain community); south Baltimore’s Westport neighborhood, where an upcoming revitalization will use existing infrastructure; and Harford County, the future home of 25,000 additional households will move in upcoming years as a result of the military’s Base Realignment and Closure plan.

MPT wants to hear what you think. How do you define sprawl—and how does it define you. If you're like the 75% of Americans that are unhappy and dissatisfied with sprawl, we want to hear what you and your community are doing to counter sprawl. How do you define “smart growth”? What do you think are effective land use policies?

Jordan Weinberg
Institutional Advancement Intern

Garfield vs. Odie

2009-02-13T14:58:00.004-05:00

It’s a battle that has been fought for centuries: Dogs vs. cats.

Everyone has a different opinion of which furry friend is the better pet. Who wins in your home? Is it the oh-so-dependable “man’s best friend,” or the cozy and clever cat?

A friend of mine owns a shih tzu named Peanut. Before Peanut was trained, she would often leave him in her room while she went to school and work. When she got home one day, the pup had gotten out of her room and into her mother’s wigs. My friend’s mother was not too pleased to find her head adornments covered in doggie drool.

MPT wants to know your funny pet stories. Leave us a comment and send us (press@mpt.org) photos of your furry, four-legged pals!

Don’t miss the Nature series “Why We Love Cats & Dogs,” airing this Sunday at 7pm on MPT.

Renèe Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

To Stay or Not to Stay: Domestic Violence

2009-02-12T10:32:00.004-05:00

I want to touch on the issue of domestic violence in light of recent events involving superstars Chris Brown and Rihanna. (Brown allegedly physically abused his longtime girlfriend this past weekend in an L.A. neighborhood).

There are so many victims of domestic abuse, and this latest news proves that it can happen to anyone; rich or poor, young or old, male or female. It is for this reason one should learn to recognize the signs of a batterer early on and find ways to escape the situation.

Some early signs of a batterer include someone who wants to know your whereabouts at all times, to control who you spend your time with, and has a short temper. However, there are many others and they may differ per individual.

In Brown’s case, he witnessed his stepfather abuse his mother from an early age. It is very common for those who have been a victim of or witnessed domestic abuse to acquire abusive behavior later in life. Though this is no excuse for harming another individual, it is a familiar cycle.

MPT wants your input. Is it acceptable for the abused to abuse? What are some warning signs of a batterer? What are some tips on getting out of a violent relationship?

Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Stimulus package: What do YOU think?

2009-02-11T16:34:00.004-05:00

Negotiators have finally reached a deal on a multi-billion dollar stimulus package after weeks of debate between House and Senate versions of the stimulus bill. The stimulus package, which comes in at a hefty $789 billion dollar price tag, was actually less than the previous House and Senate versions of the bill.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid credited the work of three GOP senators—the only Republicans from Congress to back the bill—for working to reach an agreement on the enormous stimulus package: Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

"Like any negotiation, this involved give and take, and if you don't mind my saying so, that's an understatement," Reid said Wednesday. President Obama had indicated earlier that he wanted the bill on his desk no later than President’s Day, which is this Monday. Voting on the bill is expected to begin as early as tomorrow.

We’d love to know what you think about what’s going on. Here are some questions to consider:

1. Do you think the $789 billion dollar stimulus package has what it takes to pull this country out of the economic crisis?

2. Are you surprised that the GOP went along with the Dems on the stimulus package?

3. Has the Republicans’ delay of Obama’s stimulus package made the GOP look disingenuous in terms of helping everyday Americans get back on their feet?

Tune into the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer as he discusses the situation tonight at 6 p.m. on MPT.

Matt Rains
Member Relations Representative

Behind the scenes with William "Brit" Kirwan

2009-02-04T10:44:00.004-05:00

As Americans confront the daily challenges of a struggling economy, universities are feeling the pinch as well.

William "Brit" Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland, joined MPT and host Jeff Salkin earlier this week for Direct Connection to chat about the prestigious university system during the budget crunch.

Jeff and the chancellor chatted in a post-show web exclusive (below) on meeting financial hurdles head-on. For more local newsmakers on local issues, tune in to Direct Connection every Monday night at 7:30 p.m.