On Marx and HoCo Neighbors United

While Karl is, statistically speaking, much funnier, for this post I am referring to Groucho.

In his letter of resignation to the Friars’ Club, he famously wrote: “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”

While I did not leave the Howard County Neighbors United Facebook group voluntarily (due to the swift and arbitrary work of their “admins”) I very much find myself in agreement with Groucho’s sentiment.  I suppose they imagine they exacted their gram of flesh following the Alfeo controversy.  Pity they failed in that regard, with not even a flesh wound to be found on the present author.

I thought they might perhaps appreciate the injection of some opposing views.  Apparently, their tree house of yes men and women is too small to accommodate differing perspectives.

That is fine by me, I am certain this group will fracture over one issue or another in the weeks and months ahead.   As Yeats wrote:

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;”

And there is decidedly no centre in that group.

Shifting our focus to the left, I came across a recent article in The Atlantic about the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA for short) and their increasing membership; a link to which can be found here: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/05/dsa-growing-during-coronavirus/611599/.

The DSA’s group membership now stands at “roughly 66,000.”  To put this number in context, the membership figure was just shy of 57,000 as recently as mid-November 2019.  In 2016, the numbers grew from 8,000 to 25,000. 

Several events are oft-cited for the DSA’s growth: the Sanders campaigns of 2016 and 2020, the walk of the fascists (also known as the “Unite the Right” rally) in Charlottesville, Virginia where a DSA member, Heather Heyer, was killed by a neo-Nazi, the campaign and election of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Congress foremost among them.

Of course, I believe one has to look to the Great Recession, and the rising disaffection with neoliberalism, as providing the environment by which others would seek out alternative solutions to the political and economic challenges of our time.

I will wrap it up here.  But I strongly encourage my friends interested in socialism, or social democracy, or left ideas in general, to check out the DSA’s website:  https://www.dsausa.org/

With that, I will leave you with the first verse and chorus of the lyrics to The Internationale, as re-composed by the musical artist and activist Billy Bragg (inspired in part by a conversation he had with folk singer Pete Seeger).  Bragg’s performance of this song can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BIvqbyku5g

[Verse One]

Stand up, all victims of oppression

For the tyrants fear your might!

Don’t cling so hard to your possessions

For you have nothing if you have no rights!

Let racist ignorance be ended

For respect makes the empires fall

Freedom is merely privilege extended

Unless enjoyed by one and all.

[Chorus]

So come brothers and sisters

For the struggle carries on

The Internationale

Unites the world in song

So comrades, come rally

For this is the time and place!

The international ideal

Unites the human race

In solidarity.

Dangerous Mindsets

Far too many people today – nationally and locally – believe that discussing race is itself inherently racist.  This idea is preposterous. This line of “thought” represents the failure to recognize the lived experiences of Black and Brown Americans – not to mention the impact of racism that manifests itself economically, politically, socially, culturally,  and psychologically…over the course of hundreds of years.

Of course, that is considering racism from a macro-perspective.  Turning to specific cases, it doesn’t take much energy to locate recent tragedies…some covered extensively in the media, others less so. 

If you don’t think Ahmaud Arbery would be alive today if he were jogging while white, you are fooling yourself.  If you don’t think that Breonna Taylor would be alive today if she was sleeping while white, you are deceiving yourself.  If you don’t think that Nina Pop would be alive today if she was simply living while white, you are deluding yourself.  And those are three lives, three stories, three of millions.

The problem isn’t just overt racists.  It’s never been just about the KKK, or other white nationalists, or fascists, or their fellow travelers.  They have clearly infected our nation for years.  The problem goes much farther and deeper…the mindset of “color-blindness,”  the lack of willingness to call out racism out of some twisted notion of “politeness,” or the selfish re-centering of discussions on race and its impact on society such as: “Well, my great-great-great grandparents were discriminated against because they were Irish.” Or “Our family never owned slaves.” Or some version of “Some of my best friends are Black,” (generally uttered immediately after a person is called out for saying something racist).

What does this have to do with Howard County, the geography of most interest to my readers?  Well, everything.  Howard County does not reside in some magical anti-racism bubble, it never has.  It’s the delusion that racism is waning in our society that is truly dangerous.  There must be no complacency in the struggle against it, whether it emanates from the White House or from one’s neighbor in Columbia.  It is pervasive and is interwoven in many current local debates, notably school redistricting and curriculum discussions.  If you can’t recognize that then perhaps you need to engage in some self-reflection.  And for my self-described liberal readers, remember that color-blindness is simply blindness.

In solidarity.

A is for Ally

Recently, the Community Allies of Rainbow Youth (CARY) posted their Howard County Board of Education Survey and Ratings.  That information can be found here:

https://www.cary-hoco.org/boe-candidates.

In light of recent campaign developments, it is worth re-posting the grades here.  In this case, sorted by grade.  I believe this makes it easier to see the sharp divide that exists between the BoE candidates.  Also, let’s look for patterns.  If the candidate condemned the social media posts made by a certain BoE candidate in District Three, there will be an asterisk by their name.  Candidates who have been essentially endorsed by the Howard County Republican Club (Their own words: “We recommend you look at the following candidates that share our conservative values…”) will have an “R” by their name.

The Top of the Class:

Matthew Molyett – A (District 1)*

Antonia Barkley Watts – A (District 2)*

James Cecil – A (District 2)*

Jolene Mosley – A (District 3)*

Jen Mallo – A (District 4)*

Kirsten Coombs – A (District 4)*

Those With Average or Above Average Grades:

Cindy Vaillancourt – B (District 5)*

Tom Heffner – C (District 3)*

Those With Poor but Passing Grades:

Matt Levine – D (District 4) – R

Those Who Failed:

Christina Delmont-Small – F (District 1) – R

Larry Pretlow – F (District 2) – R

Gian Alfeo – F (District 3) – R

Sezin Palmer – F (District 4) – R*

Daniel Margolis – A No-Response F (District 4)

Yun Lu – A No-Response F (District 5) – R

Saif Rehman – A No-Response F (District 5) – R

Gene Ryan – A No-Response F (District 5) – R

There appears to be a correlation between values and ideological perspectives (and their very close cousin: partisan affiliations) and HCPSS operational and communications issues.  Who knew?  Wait, many people know this.  How do we know this? Because we understand the linkage between world-views (awareness, attitudes, preferences) and public policymaking (behaviors).

My point being: if the issues discussed in CARY’s questionnaires are important to you, and you find yourself in alignment with them, then take a good look at those who earned A’s and those who received D’s and F’s. And sear that information onto your brain (figuratively of course).  Keep it in mind as you fill out your ballot.

In solidarity.

Masks in Howard County

Who knew masks would be so popular in 2020, aside from the Watchmen?

Masks, of course, come in many forms.  There are the literal ones, such as the black balaclava that I don before leaving the house.  Worn in conjunction with black fleece, sweatpants, and tennis shoes, let’s just say that I receive a great deal of attention when I walk into banks.

Then there are the figurative masks.  I have noticed in recent years, with the rise of ethno-nationalism in the US and overseas, that many of these masks have been slipping.

Turning closer to home, in our very own slice of heaven we know as “Howard County,”  many masks have been ripped off…sometimes by their owner.

We have seen Gian Alfeo, current (but not for long) candidate for the Howard County Board of Education in District Three, seen his mask removed…as has been revealed by the intrepid reporting of the Howard County Progress Report.

Further, we seen which of the other 2020 candidates for the Board of Education possess the courage to rebuke Mr. Alfeo’s sentiments, and who (at least as of this writing) lack that attribute.  The question must be asked, for those who have chosen to remain silent…why?

Why not stand with CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Howard County Muslim Council, in full-throated condemnation of Mr. Alfeo’s social media posts?  One would think that all BoE candidates would find a way to express their public outrage against the Islamophobic (and racist and misogynistic and transphobic) views expressed by Mr. Alfeo via those posts. 

Perhaps I have not yet seen those posts from Christina Delmont-Small, or Larry Pretlow, or Matt Levine, or all but one of the candidates running in District Five.*  If and when such posts are made, please let me know so I can update this post appropriately.

In the meantime, I can only assume a few more masks have slipped, exposing some genuine moral repulsiveness in our community.

*Update:  it has been brought to my attention that Cindy Vaillancourt has also posted on this topic on social media (HoCo education-centric groups, HoCo School Interest and HoCo Neighbors United).  Also, Tom Heffner reported that he posted to his BoE campaign page regarding this issue.

** Second Update:  Sezin Palmer posted a condemnation on her campaign page.

In solidarity.

Contemplations on the Board of Education Races

“Fool if you think it’s over/

It’s just begun.” – Chris Rea

Almost two fortnights since my last post. And what new madness is visited upon us?

Perhaps I shall become an apiarist.  The world could use a new breed of bee specifically designed to handle murder hornets.  Two words: Ninja Bumblebees.  The body type of Jack Black combined with the silent lethality of Carlos the Jackal.  It’s a million-dollar idea.  Kindly contact me at my Hotmail address to learn more about investment opportunities.

The commentariat has been a reliable disappointment throughout multiple tragedies.  Candace Owens has apparently decided that acting out some form of public raceplay would be good for her “career.”  Trump manages to find new levels of unhinged and many Democrats are apparently trying to run out the clock when its only in early in the third quarter.  So many amateurs. 

I have been asked for my thoughts on the Board of Education races.  And how can I deny such requests?  Especially when the louder voices are to be found in groups like HoCo Neighbors United (what a sense of humour Mr. Keller possesses).  Then of course you have entities such as Ethical People for the Ethical Treatment of Ethical Ethics and their Integrity Ballot.  I am fairly certain their candidate questionnaires contains the query, “Do we hang out socially? Yes/No/Maybe”. But I jest.  Actually not really, but it takes off the edge.    

Yet, there are newcomers on the scene…and, as a Vicar of the Church of the Latter-Day Dude (Reformed), I thank God for those who are engaging in the heavy lifting for the cause.  Here I am thinking about Howard County Progress Report.  The author of that blog is crafting some scintillating, and sometimes devastating, exposes.  To her I say, “I like your style.”

Where was I?  Yes, thoughts on the BoE.  As I wrote about in a pre-COVID post, I am no longer in the endorsement game.  At least not formally. I think the trope worked for an election cycle, perhaps two, but it seems oddly stuffy and old-hat.  Being a relic, one would think that would be an excellent fit for me, but I don’t know if it’s good for the Movement. 

However.

I will tell you who I am (or would be) voting for in each of the five districts.  If you want to consider that an endorsement and run with it, then by all means take those balls and apply them directly and firmly to the wall.  By the way, it’s an aviation phrase you dirty-minded person.  You think a man of the cloth would curse?!  Perish the thought.  Say and pass five Hail Marys.

District One:  Matthew Molyett.  With only two candidates running, he is guaranteed a spot on the General Election ballot.  He is up against the well-funded Christina Delmont-Small.  The incumbent deserves to lose and lose badly in what has been, in recent history, a swing district.  If her political views and rancid affiliations were better known, she would already be an underdog to Mr. Molyett.  He deserves our support.

District Two: Antonia Barkley Watts.  I didn’t know her that well until the past few months.  With her impressive education credentials, I think she would be an exceptional member of the Board.  Also, I don’t like punching down but sometimes you need to stop someone’s career before it gets started.  That is why “La Pret” a semi-perennial candidate and constant gadfly must be defeated, preferably in the primary and by a wide margin.

District  Three: I am going with Jolene Mosley.  Tom Heffner, who was also on the show I co-host from time to time, Forward Maryland, seems like a decent chap with some interesting ideas on resilience.  I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Mosley at a candidate forum that was co-hosted by the aforementioned podcast…and I walked away with a very favorable impression. 

District Four:  Jen Mallo.  I think the HoCo cognoscenti, which would be YOU, Dear Reader, know that I support Ms. Mallo.  Beyond the attribute of toughness and her sharp mind, I think she is the candidate best positioned to keep the Fightin’ Fourth out of Matt Levine’s guns-in-schools lovin’ mitts.  Should it come to it, head-to-head, I believe Mallo defeats Ms. Palmer too.     

District Five:  No comment.  Do I have a favorite? Yes.  Would it help them if I stated my preference?  My West HoCo associate, Clive Hammerjets, chortled a hearty “Noooooo.”  So I will say nothing more at present.

So there you have it. 

In solidarity.

Choices

“’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

      Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

      And the mome raths outgrabe.” – Lewis Carroll (from the Jabberwocky)

So much nonsense afflicts the world these days.  Might as well address some of it head-on.

I know it is de rigueur for people to say how much local elections matter.  That said, a councilperson will not send me or my loved ones into combat; nor will a Columbia village board “election” have a significant impact on my pocketbook. Neither will have a profound impact on the political zeitgeist in which we are all, apparently, held captive…at least until we manage to break the doors down.

Nationally, I deem it likely that Howie Hawkins is a swell ‘fella. And you have to admire Jerry Segal’s decision to name his nascent grouping the Bread and Roses Party.  That said, the times are too serious and the presumptive GOP nominee too menacing for the Left to play the “let’s make the ideal the bitter enemy of the good-enough.”  Biden is not perfect, but any rational left-of-center voter needs to gently place their figurative or literal patchouli oil down and cast their ballot for “Uncle Joe.”  Yes, I am speaking to my dear comrades on this one. Remember, it’s not about you, or me, it’s us…and, pardon the grammatical turn, we need Biden to win in 2020 so we can create an environment more favorable for our candidates in 2022 and beyond…

In Howard County, I remain pleased that my Jen Mallo for HoCo Board of Education sign has endured the storm winds.  Tough, resilient, and unbreakable, am I talking about the sign or candidate?  You decide.

Finally, I urge all of my Oakland Mills readers to take a good look at what is happening with their village election.  I strongly encourage my friends to the east to vote for both Kennedys (Lena for Columbia Council Representative and Ian for the Village Board) and against Larry Pretlow (a current Board member, a former Democrat who ran for the state legislature in the spring of 2018 before backing Republican office-seekers in the fall, and a semi-announced candidate for the County Council for 2022).  The Columbia Association Board and the Oakland Mills Village Board are, essentially, civic advocacy groups.  This means you want people who think first about the greater public good and not those who have self-aggrandizing tendencies or their own narrow (and shifting) personal self-interests.  

So, for those mailing in their ballots, please remember:

Vote FOR the two Kennedys.  Do NOT vote for Pretlow.

It's time to move past the nonsense.

In solidarity.

Maryland’s Legislative Response to COVID-19

A very special Guest Column today, penned by Richard DeShay Elliott:

The COVID-19 pandemic and a massive economic downturn have racked the entire globe, and Maryland is no exception. 83,000 Marylanders filed for insurance claims this week while 42,334 Marylanders filed for unemployment claims last week (compared to 3,852 the week prior), Comptroller Peter Franchot has called for consumers to request payment relief from creditors, landlords, and utility companies for 90 days, and our state has over 5,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. We need far-reaching policies to protect our seniors, our children, the immunocompromised, people without health insurance, the homeless, and other vulnerable populations. Recent legislation that I wrote for Annapolis Alderman DaJuan Gay sought to do just that through a wide variety of measures, and I’ve since written federal legislation on behalf of Sheila Bryant for Congress in Maryland’s 4th District.

Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (D, Montgomery County) recently penned an op-ed stating the urgency of a rent moratorium, rather than a rent freeze. This is a very important distinction: a freeze will still require backpayment of rent, while a moratorium will not. With no known end in sight for the quarantine or mass unemployment, this can prevent tens of thousands of families from being evicted and suffering irreparable damage to their financial reputations when the back pay of rent is due. While some homeowners have been granted moratoriums on their mortgages for 60 days, many homeowners and all renters remain unprotected in this moment of crisis.

-       Rent freeze is defined as “no increase in the price of rent over what the monthly price was in December 2019. Any rent increases since then, or announced during the process of passing the law, will be rolled back to December prices”

-       Rent moratorium is defined as “complete cancellation of rent, not mandating backpayment or the present or future ability to sue or evict for unpaid rents, and will suffer no damage to their credit score/financial reputation”

-       Eviction moratorium is defined as “if a renter is not able to pay the rent while under this State of Emergency, the eviction moratorium states that tenants cannot be evicted for any reason and will suffer no damage to their credit score/financial reputation.”

-       Mortgage moratorium is defined as “if a homeowner is not able to pay the mortgage while under this State of Emergency, the eviction moratorium states that tenants cannot be evicted for any reason and will suffer no damage to their credit score/financial reputation.”

-       Utility moratorium is defined as “complete cancellation of utility payments, not mandating backpayment or the present or future ability to sue for unpaid utility payments”.

-       Moratorium on utility shutoffs is defined as “if a renter does not pay the utilities while under this State of Emergency, the utility shutoff moratorium states that tenants cannot have their utilities shut off for any reason.”

            Housing is just one aspect of daily life that will be altered dramatically and needs state legislation to address as soon as possible.

-       Hospitals have been forced into triage (allowing some patients to die for the sake of saving others) in New York, Italy, and other places. If we construct/convert more public areas into field hospitals, including hotels, churches, and school buildings and force manufacturers to begin work on ventilators, we can prevent this from occurring in Maryland too.

-       Banks can still charge overdraft fees and check cashing fees, sucking away even more precious dollars from the poorest people in our state. How much of the $1,200 federal checks will be eaten up by check cashing fees? We need to ban overdraft fees, check cashing fees, loan usury, and other banking fees that will suck money away from vulnerable Marylanders during the State of Emergency.

-       Seniors are the most vulnerable to this virus and need special protections. Seniors are still being targeted by scam callers who want their private information and door-to-door “salespeople” claiming to have COVID-19 tests, which should have increased punishments during the State of Emergency. Vital prescription medications are needed in their hands immediately, and food/water supplies need to be distributed to them directly. The Maryland Department of Health can be given authorization to bulk purchase generic medications that can be provided to seniors.

-       Schools are closed for an indefinite period of time, and most childcare facilities in Maryland are closed. E-learning is difficult to impossible for students without quality Internet and materials. We need a standardized metric of gauging grades and attendance, to provide quality Internet and laptops for all of Maryland’s students, and ensure free childcare for essential employees.

-       College students are not guaranteed to get refunds for room and board, and many will not be eligible for the $1,200 federal checks. Maryland can offer $1,200 directly to college students who are listed as dependents to ensure that they are not completely left out of the bailout, and guarantee refunds from all public and private universities.

-       State employees have had their hazard pay cut by Governor Hogan. Essential workers and state employees have finite amounts of paid sick leave, and not enough personal protective equipment (PPE). Essential employees, particularly grocery store workers, must be required by law to have sick leave, hazard pay of at least double their ordinary pay, and PPE. Workers with public-facing positions deserve seating and protective shields to reduce discomfort and chance of viral spread.

-       Several prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19, endangering the lives of other inmates, correctional officers, and others. Hogan has not committed to allowing prisoners to be freed to mitigate this concern. We must release prisoners, particularly the elderly, to reduce the spread.

-       Domestic violence has spiked around the country, endangering the lives of many spouses and children. Those at risk of domestic violence deserve to be relocated to vacant housing such as hotels and government buildings during this crisis.

-       Parents-to-be face the danger of hospitals being overwhelmed and infectious, necessitating alternative options. Midwives and doulas should be federalized to increase opportunity for home births or otherwise facilitate births outside of our hospitals, while births should be guaranteed to be covered by insurance.

-       Many Marylanders, particularly frontline workers such as nurses and doctors, are being traumatized day by day. Marylanders staying in their home are suffering from anxiety, depression, and ennui. We need to federalize psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, therapists, and other mental healthcare providers to serve as state employees and protect our neighbors from further mental traumas.

-       Hogan’s shelter-in-place order mandates up to a year in jail or a $5,000 fine. This fine should be set relative to income rather than serve as a flat fine that could bankrupt some Marylanders and be barely noticeable to others. We must also study the racial impact of this virus, as Black and Brown Marylanders are more likely to have comorbidities and to lack adequate healthcare coverage, and the shelter-in-place order.

-       Maryland’s homeless population are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. All persons without shelter must be granted housing in hotels, motels, or government buildings during the State of Emergency.

-       The April 28th election has been pushed back to June 2nd and it remains unclear if there will be an in-person voting option or how we will accommodate the many voters who risk being disenfranchised by a mail-in ballot because they have moved without changing their address, are away from home, etc. We need legislation that clears this up and makes sure every voter is informed of how they can participate in the election, without risking the health of voters or election judges.

-       Maryland’s tax revenue is going to dry up, as consumer spending decreases significantly and many workers delay their state tax payments. Maryland can authorize no-interest bonds of $1, $5, $10, $50, $100, $250, and $1,000 to supplement the lack of tax revenue, and tolls/public transit should be made free for the duration of the State of Emergency for all Marylanders.

-       Just as many Marylanders will not be able to afford rent, many others will be unable to pay their utilities, insurance, and car notes. Maryland can implement a moratorium on these expenses as well that removes the ability to sue for backpayment or shut off utilities/repossess vehicles.

The Joint COVID-19 Response Legislative Workgroup is composed of the following members. We must make sure that the priorities of all Marylanders are centered in a response, and that holes in the COVID-19 Response legislation don’t leave our neighbors out.

-       State Senate President Bill Ferguson (D, Baltimore City)

-       Senator Melony Griffith (D, Prince George’s County)

-       Budget and Taxation Chair, Senator Guy Guzzone (D, Howard County)

-       Minority Whip, Senator Stephen Hershey (R, Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties)

-       Minority Leader, Senator J.B. Jennings (R, Harford & Baltimore Counties)

-       Finance Chair, Senator Delores Kelly (D, Baltimore County)

-       Majority Leader, Senator Nancy King (D, Montgomery County)

-       Senator Clarence Lam (D, Howard & Baltimore Counties)

-       Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Chair, Senator Paul Pinsky (D, Prince George’s County)

-       Budget and Taxation Vice Chair, Senator Jim Rosapepe (D, Prince George’s County)

-       Judicial Proceedings Chair, Senator Will Smith (D, Montgomery County)

-       Senator Jason Gallion (R, Cecil & Harford Counties)

-       Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones (D, Baltimore County)

-       Speaker Pro Tempore Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes (D, Dorchester & Wicomico Counties)

-       Majority Leader, Delegate Eric Luedtke (D, Montgomery County)

-       Minority Leader, Delegate Nic Kipke (R, Anne Arundel County)

-       Minority Whip, Delegate Kathy Szeglia (R, Harford & Baltimore Counties)

-       Appropriations Chair, Delegate Maggie McIntosh (D, Baltimore City)

-       Health and Government Operations Chair, Delegate Shane Pendergrass (D, Howard County)

-       Economic Matters Chair, Delegate Dereck Davis (D, Prince George’s County)

-       Appropriations Committee Vice Chair, Delegate Michael Jackson (D, Calvert & Prince George’s Counties)

-       Health and Government Operations Vice Chair, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D, Prince George’s County)

-       Majority Whip, Delegate Talmadge Branch (D, Baltimore City)

-       Delegate Jeff Ghrist (R, Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties)

— RICHARD DESHAY ELLIOTT

The writer is a Political Science Ph.D candidate at Johns Hopkins University and Campaign Manager for Logan Endow for Baltimore City’s 4th District. You can find him on Twitter at @RichElliottMD and on Facebook.