Saturday, June 15, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Unruly Dinners with the Colonists
By Harry M. Covert
A
The latest refers to Jamestown. That’s still in Virginia. Apparently some recent assessors have discovered that the colonists there did not exhibit any moral tendencies. They were heathens of the first chop.
When food ran short back in 1609, they apparently became cannibals -- Caucasian diners that is. To survive. No evidence abounds they partook of the Indians, whom they described as Indians, not in the modern words Native Americans. [The Bureau of Indian Affairs had not been created at that point.]
The Story of Virginia, to which I was taught in my grammar school, never mentioned such unruly conduct. Those settlers, as I learned in my classrooms just a few miles south, always showed us sweet boys and girls how kindly the mostly Christian intruders from England treated the Redmen and women.
Some of the names I recall these days are Captain John Smith, Pocahontas, Powhatan and John Rolfe.
These creative and godly forerunners, as many have been taught through their formative years and on to the hallowed halls of the College of William and Mary, led to the establishment of the USA.
It should be noted here that the esteemed college is the second oldest institution of higher learning in what is now the 50 states. Harvard ranks first and probably leads the way in some historical rewriting.
Starving time in Jamestown occurred during the winter of 1609 to1610, according to Colonial Williamsburg which is working on the project with the Smithsonian and Preservation Virginia.
A recent wag wondered if the Jamestown tourist center will have to update its cookbook. Now, that’s crass but it’s true.
My education must improve.
A review of Author Jon Meacham’s recent biography, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, attempted to tear down achievements of the William and Mary graduate and founder of the University of Virginia. The headline was “Monster of Monticello.”
Meacham’s fine work doesn’t judge Jefferson by the standards of the present age.
The third president may have been a slave owner but he was a grand president, an outstanding diplomat and a distinctive writer of his own Bible and other memorable documents.
It was great foresight that he introduced the tomato to the US. Imagine no catsup/ketchup, tomato sandwiches on homemade yeast rolls, tomato soup, Thomas Jefferson schools, high and low, and the two dollar bill.
Mr. Jefferson was considered a Deist but knew the Lord’s Prayer.
Some of his contemporaries were religious and believed in “fervent prayer”. Among them is Mount Vernon’s George Washington, known for his financial derring-do. He was a founder, vestryman and regular worshiper at Christ Church, Alexandria, Va.
It will be surprising to discover in these days of rewriting, that Jamestown’s church was really a garage built by the Indians, that Williamsburg is a myth, that basketball was invented by Mr. Naismith in Jamestown and not in Massachusetts, that documents have been found returning West Virginia to Virginia and that Marylander Francis Scott Key wrote his famous song in Indiana.
And that Thanksgiving never happened because the colonists, even those in Plymouth, weren’t thankful for anything and never learned to hunt or fish and were navel gazers.
The Business of Frederick is More Business
By Harry M. Covert
Few cities or towns remain quaint and cuddly. The 
As was coined some years ago, the business of Frederick is business. Oops. That’s a variation of what a fellow called Silent Cal said some years back. He wasn’t wrong then nor is the saying out of step today.
Driving up and down West Patrick Street is a pleasant experience even as roadway traffic picks up in both directions. How pleasant for residents to find nice buffets of numerous cuisine, shops for manicures and pedicures, automobile businesses and some excellent shopping areas for wants and needs.
Benefits of an active economy bolster everybody from customers to business. Unfortunately, there is a blight at the western end. The city has an energetic plan already under way to redevelop and renew Route 40 West. It should. This business corridor is vital to continued growth.
Already there is a successful department store adjacent to what was the Frederick Towne Mall, also adjacent to a home furnishings giant. The in-between though needs immediate help. Planners are on the job.
Interest from Walmart should have officials jumping up and down with joy. Some visionless citizens pooh-pooh the idea that the world’s largest business would not help. Think again. Bringing businesses and shoppers en masse could be nothing less than a major asset to the delightful downtown area and enhance the mall honoring Maryland’s composer extraordinaire.
If having one Walmart on the eastern end of the city/county where shoppers abound every day of the week, a second store would be exceptional too on the western end. There are lots of citizens in that section of the city. They won’t shop in high-end shops and would walk to their shopping haunts.
Revitalization obviously takes time. But a workforce is available. There’s no time like the present.
If steps aren’t under way, officials should be banging on doors of entrepreneurs, established commercial builders and public relations experts.
Never forget contributions to the city, and county, made by such entities as Fort Detrick, Hood College, Maryland School for the Deaf, Frederick Keys baseball at Harry Grove Stadium, the downtown Weinberg Center for the Arts and many others.
Days are gone when Frederick was a small town. It will never be that again. Besides, stop growing and demise is inevitable. Political change is coming. It never stops.
With proper planning the Golden Mile could become platinum for citizens, business and the city. There seem to be lots of tight-fisted opinions rampant to deny a resurrection of the Route 40 Corridor with help of a Walmart. Delays are dangerous.
Instead of increasing taxes (and threatening more levies) on homeowners, et al, more business brings more revenue for city coffers and more jobs.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
An Unexpected Star is Shining
How Latest Fads Hurt Public Education and Everybody
By Harry M. Covert
Problems in public schools most of the time come from those who manage them, not the teachers most of whom are stymied by highly-paid administrators engrossed in political correctness.
If there is one bright star on the horizon for future high office, it is Prince Georges County, MD.,, County Executive Rushern Baker.
The county was in turmoil of corruption from the very top when he was elected. Confidently, Mr. Baker took command and grabbed the reins of government in what was previously seen as an ungovernable county.
In a move that should certainly make other Maryland county executives and elected and appointed education officials take serious notice, Mr. Baker added the school system to his already busy portfolio. He did it swiftly as Prince Georges school board was about to hire a new superintendent.
Now, Mr. Baker will decide that the title will be Chief Executive Officer of schools answering directly to him, the county executive in all educational matters.
How he pulled this off is exciting and hopeful. The governor and general assembly acceded promptly. It is another solid reason why school boards should not be elected nor be run as fiefdoms.
Frederick County soon will be moving to a county executive style of government. While that battle will be something, whoever becomes the lord of the manor or lord high elk should immediately move to run the school system and handle the budgets, forthwith and appoint the boards.
How to Hide the Issues
Politicians in the state house use the most recent fads of the time to obfuscate real problems facing cities, towns and counties. Just for starters they rail against the business of disarming the citizenry because of the bad guys and gals, ban the death penalty, follow the crowd on gay marriage. Are all these good for the ordinary taxpayers and non-taxpayers? They’re the actions of people whose only thoughts are getting elected and re-elected.
Management of community colleges should be another major target. State and community governments contribute to the operating budgets but have no say-so in who are fired and hired.
The governor appointed the members of the community college boards, for example the ones in Frederick County. The local college has run amok with dismissing of its president in January after a six-month tenure. No evidence ever appeared of any wrong-doing of the man who was popular with the students and worked in the community.
Somehow, without explanation, the board removed the president. From then to now the trustees have remained silent as to the reason. Even those with “noses for the nasty” find this action hard to believe. The matter may well be simple but the taxpayers should be let in on the secret.
Supposedly neither the governor nor the county’s commissioner president can get involved.
Credit the Fourth Estate with trying to get to the bottom of this lurid effort. The judicial system probably will have the final say. That’s sad because it could have been cleared up at the beginning. It’s the public’s business.
It is surprising that the State’s Attorney General hasn’t sent his investigators to the Frederick Community College campus for a little chat.
Somewhat disconcerting too is that Frederick’s General Assembly members have been so quiet.
Those entrusted with the public good ought to act responsibly and stop hiding out, acting as if they are private domains.
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Monday, April 1, 2013
Grandma Ruth’s Easter Bread Pudding
By Dimples Dinwiddie Prichard
After church my family would get in the car, after packing play clothes for my sister and me. We headed for the fresh air of the country atmosphere and the warmth and wonderfully delightful aromas of Grandma Ruth's kitchen.
We always wore our Easter finery so we could bask in the nod and smile of approval from my grandfather and the dear hugs and genuine compliments of Grandma Ruth, working, of course in the kitchen to make a dinner worthy of praise that surpassed any that had come before this one.
My two uncles, just a bit older than my sister and I, would come running to the house at the sight of the car turning in the driveway. Always wanting to know if we had brought our play clothes, they weren't much for compliments on girls’ clothing but on whether or not we would be ready for play after dinner. We always were.
I was more of the adventurous type than my little sister who was content to just be there, run the trains in the basement and not outside catching baby eels in the apron of the spillway or in warmer months, tadpoles. She liked staying clean more than I did, while I liked keeping up with the boys.
But the powerful aromas from the kitchen would draw me back inside sooner than the boys were ready to go in. I was about ten when I started paying more and more attention to what Grandma was making, especially on those holidays where she always outdid herself.
Easter dessert was always bread pudding, with an apple pie on the side for those that might have that with coffee a few hours after dinner. But bread pudding was always the specialty served after Easter plates were cleared.
Tradition and security went hand in hand at the Dinwiddie house. It was good to know what dessert followed dinner. It was mandatory to have good table manners at grandfather’s table. For those who favor a good bread pudding dish here is her recipe, from her heart to mine and from mine to yours:
Grandma Ruth's Bread Pudding
• Grease baking pan or dish with sweet butter.
• Crumble three or four slices of white bread in small cubes (remove the top crust ).
• Add a lump of butter in a mixing bowl.
This presented a problem since I didn't know how much a lump was, but I learned from her demonstration.
• Cup your hand and fill the bowl that your hand makes up to the first knuckle of your fingers. That's a lump.
• Put it in the bowl along with four eggs, 1 cup of sugar or in these times Splenda, in case you can't or don't want to eat too much sugar.
• Two teaspoons of vanilla, (real, not imitation) two or three cups of milk, whole or 2%, beat with your mixer until nicely blended. Pour over the fresh bread crumbles until nearly covered, sprinkle thoroughly with nutmeg over the entire top.
• Place in a water bath, otherwise known as another larger pan of water. Water should reach about 3/4th of the way up the dish containing the unbaked pudding. Put in a 350 degree preheated oven. Bake for one hour or until a silver knife comes out clean.
• Remove pudding dish first and place it on a rack. It should be just the right temperature for eating after dinner. Take the water bath out carefully to avoid any spills or burns and pour the water in the sink.
Grandma also lent me her secret ingredient that Granddad liked but didn't think was appropriate for children. Rum soaked raisins. 1 cup of raisins, covered with your taste in rum, light or dark. Let sit overnight until rum is absorbed and raisins are plump, pour out excess rum or save it for a white sauce. Let raisins dry somewhat in the air and before adding to pudding mixture, coat with flour to keep them from all going to the bottom.
Make any recipe for dessert white sauce and add rum mixing by hand. Pour over a dish of bread pudding and if needed or wanted add a good-sized dollop of vanilla ice cream. I got my first taste of that after I was married and no longer considered a child. It suited me as much as it did my Granddad! Good with a fresh cup of coffee!
Eat...and be happy! Happy Easter.
Sepi Prichard grew up in Newport News, Va. Her maiden name is Dimples Dinwiddie. She is an outstanding kitchen expert and has maintained family recipes that still mesmerize family and friends. She resides in Charlotte, N.C., with her husband.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Dr. Ashbury’s Easter ‘Immortality’
By Maurice Dunbar Ashbury
Matt. 22:32 "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
Today multitudes all over the world meet together to give thanks and praise God for the victory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over death through the Resurrection. It is an occasion for great rejoicing, because the longing of the heart of man finds an answer in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now we know that our lives will not end when we leave these earthly bodies, but that we shall enter upon a far more glorious life than we have known in the flesh.
I. Reason compels us to believe the truth of life beyond. This much at least is certain: Science has discovered no fact of nature that puts any obstacle in the way of believing in the soul's eternal life. The anatomist who dissects a human body may declare that he finds there no evidence of an immortal soul. But he must also admit that he finds there nothing to explain a mother's love, nothing to explain the genius of an artist, nothing to explain the prayers of a saint. He finds only a cast-off instrument of highly perishable material. And how the departed tenant of that cold and decaying form ever made its fingers perform feats of skill, and its eyes flash messages of love, ever made its tongue sing praises to God and its pulses leap with ecstasy in response to thoughts and feelings he cannot determine through physics or chemistry;
Personality is not an attribute of matter. You may smash a musician's violin with a club. Yet you have not destroyed the genius of the artist who played it. He can get another instrument. You may kill my body with a bullet, but you cannot so destroy the soul that for a timer has used this body. That soul will have another instrument for use in another realm.
If nature does not prove the soul's immortality, at least it offers no evidence to the contrary, and by many analogies it suggests the likelihood that the life of man has a higher goal than the dust of the grave.
Can it be that our Maker has no use for the finest product of his creation? Morally we are bound to object to such a conclusion. Within us and all about us we find reason to believe that God is just. Yet in this world we see many inequalities that demands a life beyond this life for their correction. Is 40 there no reward for the saintly martyr? Is there no retribution for the heartless-libertine? If there be a just God there must be a time beyond this time for moral readjustments.
II. The heart of man no less than his reason bears witness to the life beyond. There are many matters concerning which the testimony of the heart is more valid and convincing than the testimony of the mind.
I am persuaded of the beauty of sunsets: of the sweetness of music, of the worth of purity and unselfishness and love, not by the logic of reason, but by the feelings that surge through my heart.
Just why God made us we may not know, but we know that he has taught us to love Him and to love one another, and love requires more time than earth's brief day for its fulfillment. What sort of a God would he be who would endow his creatures with tender hearts, and bind them to one another and to himself with strong and sacred ties, only to send grim death to snap these precious bonds and tear heartstrings to shreds with no promise of comfort or reunion?
III . But the crowning and all sufficient evidence of life beyond the veil is not in these intimations, but in the witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, who not only taught but demonstrated in the most dramatic and conclusive way the fact that physical death cannot destroy the human soul.
Jesus was put to death in the presence of a host of witnesses. His friends were there, and His enemies. With the white light of such publicity turned full upon him, the Man of Nazareth, whose fame filled all the land, was nailed to a Cross. When death had ended his physical anguish, his body was removed to a tomb by the order of a Roman governor. The details of his death and burial are recorded in the noblest and most reliable narratives that have come down from antiquity. Three days later his tomb was found empty, and during a period of forty days he appeared repeatedly to his disciples, who with detailed accounts of what He did and said reported the fact of their Lord's resurrection to all the world.
"Because I live,” he said to his disciples, "ye too shall live." And in the very hour that his enemies were plotting his death, he said to those who loved him: "Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God; believe also in me; In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And. if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
With faith in Him, we journey on with singing hearts and a passion to do his will: And yonder, at the end of the lane, we see no grim portals of death, but a veil of light, and beyond the veil, and sharing his glory, we see the smiling faces of our loved ones gone ahead, in whose restored companionship we shall someday find another glorious proof of our Redeemer's love:
"For God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Amen.
John W. Ashbury, Editor/Founder of The Tentacle, is a distinguished former newspaperman. He is cataloguing the sermons of his late father, the Rev. Maurice Dunbar Ashbury, a native of Portsmouth, Va., and a 1930 graduate and professor at Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Va.
Dr. Ashbury came to Frederick, Md., as rector of All Saints Church where he ministered for some 40 years and was a beloved church and community leader.
This Easter Sermon was first preached at St. John’s, Petersburg, Va., and Old Sapony, McKenney, Va., on April 12, 1942. The message was last preached at All Saints Church, Frederick, Md., on April 13, 1952.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
What’s Humane in Execution?
The Bid for Justice or Mercy
By Harry M. Covert
Except in special cases seldom does the death penalty bring about much conversation pro and con on all sides of the political spectrum. It’s not a cut and dried matter and must not be taken lightly.
Sometimes invitations have been made available to view the “needle-in-the arm” practices. Most of the people I know who have the opportunity don’t accept and there are good reasons.
Of late, Maryland’s legislators have voted to end the death penalty. The governor says he’ll sign the bill. At the same time, those on the State’s condemned list will be commuted to life sentences.
Virginia’s legislative agenda shows no sign of repeal.
It’s disturbing that men and women can sit on death row for years and years and then be executed. The question is not an easy one neither is it pleasant for all involved.
Many citizens feel judges and others in the judicial system are without feelings imposing capital punishment. But they do have sensitivities as they “do their job” as well as the families of the perpetrators and victims.
Texas and Virginia seem to be the leaders in the execution business. The latest was in the electric chair, chosen by the man of the hour who cavalierly said he was going on a ride with Jesus.
Reports following the Maryland decision were that only 46 states will not exercise such activity this year 2013. Virginia has eight candidates on death row. All told 19 people in four states await their payment for heinous crimes.
The rightness and wrongness of the practice, established legal by the nation’s Supreme Court, seldom comes back for high-powered debate until a doomed individual is found innocent.
There is always an effort for wit and levity when a high profile murderer meets the end. It’s a horrifying thing to watch the hangings or shootings of the vilest like Saddam Hussein, Osama bin laden or John Allen Muhammad, the Beltway sniper who killed 10. His penalty was carried out on Nov. 10, 2009.
There are many more who are probably worthy of the judiciary’s most severe judgment. Inequities abound in the penalty that causes great concern. In a sensational Delaware case the former state attorney general from a leading family was sentenced to death for killing
his girlfriend. Sentenced to death it was later commuted to life.
It’s easy to say “life is not fair”. It certainly isn’t. Take the matter of a major big time Mafiosi who controlled gambling, bootlegging, prostitution and murders of opponents s headed to federal court.
Reporters surrounded him and asked if he wanted justice, “No, mercy.”
That’s what he got, mercy in the form of a few months in federal prison.
The death penalty debate shouldn’t be a liberal or conservative matter. The question? What’s fair in all 50 states, red and blue?
Is there such a thing as a humane hanging, a humane electrocution, a humane firing squad or a humane lethal injection?
###
Friday, March 22, 2013
Covert Matters Digest
When First Responders Work Together
Miracles for Officer Peter Laboy
By Harry M. Covert
ALEXANDRIA, Va.
“Officer down. Officer Down.”
Those words shrieked a few weeks ago over police radio. Terror echoed in the hearts and minds of all law enforcement, especially those in Alexandria’s public safety agencies.
These prompt reactions brought about the miraculous life-saving efforts for Officer Peter Labor. Further radio transmissions let to the rapid capture of the man charged with the nonsensical shooting on Washington Street, near Lyles-Crouch Traditional School.
Motorcycle Officer Laboy, a 17-year veteran, had reacted to a police call about a suspicious vehicle. He saw the vehicle, a yellow-colored taxi van on Washington Street. He stopped it. Moments later his life changed.
Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Anthony Zygmunt, on his motorcycle unit, heard the call and raced to the scene where he found Officer Laboy lying in the street.
As other police arrived, Sergeant Zygmunt took over the traffic post and suddenly sees the yellow van pass the scene. He notified police immediately. Another veteran Deputy Michael Cole gave chase along with Fairfax County police down the George Washington Parkway.
Quick action, too, by Fire Chief Adam Thiel’s first responders did incredible work and prepared the critically-injured Officer Laboy for the emergency helicopter flight to the Washington Medical Center.
Laboy suffered a .9mm shot to his head.
The story though is about the rapid response for Officer Laboy, 47, by his official and unofficial families in Alexandria.
Understandable “panic” turned to efficient reactions, concerns and prayers by citizens everywhere. The outpouring of support for the officer is heart-warming and a credit to the people of Alexandria and northern Virginia.
Daily reports from Police Chief Earl Cook, doctors and family describe Laboy’s recovery “miraculous”.
Doctors say recovery from such head wounds take long periods time. He has been examined by some 100 specialists who acknowledge that support from his wife, sons and friends have Laboy moving his arms and fingers talking. Fantastic signs that portend to great recovery.
The quality of the men and women in Alexandria’s police department, Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department can be ranked with the best, if not the best around Virginia and the nation. Imagine having to risk your life every time you go to work? They do.
The city’s first responders are incredible in their jobs and I’m prejudiced in their favor.
It’s a pleasure to see Officer Peter Laboy recovering. One day he’ll be back on his motorcycle.
Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, for whom I toiled a while, emphasized to me “The story needs to be about Peter and the Alexandria Police Department.” I know that. I’m also proud of the effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department and Emergency Services.
This article has appeared in the Alexandria Gazette-Packet.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The Quality of America’s Cardinals
My Word
Stars of Bells, Balls & Books
By Harry M. Covert
In light of recent international events I confess here and now that my favorite Cardinals have always been Americans. First is a favorite son of Donora, Pa., and the other from Boston, Mass. There is a third American now on my list but more about that later.
Each of these Cardinals are examples of quality individuals who have made differences in the lives of all they touch. These talents have been easily forgotten in these times of alleged progressiveness. Social turmoil bubbles everywhere we turn in Maryland, Virginia and the Nation’s Capital.
Community leaders and politicians may think they have the answers with all kinds of laws. But, they don’t.
-
- It’s easy to wonder and consider if modern citizens can or will survive in the long-term. I am a firm believer in the powers of hope, determination and a fact that the majorities of people are good, smart and won’t allow the meanness and ignorance out there on the streets to become the status quo. It’s a tough job, though
One of the joys of freedom is a free press. I know sometimes those doing the writing and editing go off half-cocked, especially when we disagree. The free flow of ideas guarantees that such freedom is priceless.
The only Cardinal I know from Pennsylvania is the late Stan Musial, baseball Hall of Famer, harmonica player and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Not only was Musial a truly great athlete, he was a truly great person of high personal values. Never a taint of untoward conduct, never ejected from a game and never argued over a strike.
Musial died at 92 on Jan. 13 this year. His prestigious medal came in 2011.
My second favorite Cardinal is Stephen Fermoyle. The Boston Roman Catholic priest created from the pen of Henry Morton Robinson. His book, The Cardinal, Fermoyle’s career began as a lowly curate and advanced to the College of Cardinals.
This fictional story was published in 1950. The author must have been prescient.In my mind Robinson created the 266th Pope 63 years ago in the character of Stephen Fermoyle.
The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, sure seems ready, able and willing to straighten out the mess embroiling his church.
Fermoyle faced all of the challenges of a young man in his religious exp
erience. His personal battles over a priestly lifestyle and how he maintained his principles and character are evident today.
erience. His personal battles over a priestly lifestyle and how he maintained his principles and character are evident today.
Maryland is known as a Catholic state and must be rejoicing with the rest of the Americas, both north and south, and around the world. A new day has come. No doubt major changes are en route, a healthier atmosphere is just around the corner.
As a non-Catholic the new look of the Holy See effects Christians of all denominations. Churches, leaders and members who besmirch values they say they hold dear will be watching.
Viva il Papa, Stan the Man and Stephen Fermoyle.
[Note: Robinson's novel was based on the life of Cardinal Francis Spellman, then the Archbishop of New York. The Vatican's liaison officer for the 1963 film was Joseph Ratzinger, later to become Pope Benedict XVI.]
This article has appeared in The Tentacle.-
Saturday, March 16, 2013
What’s in a Name? Where’s Integrity?
Washington Redskins’ Name
--------------------------------------
Hanging on ‘Parsimoniously’ to a Brand
--------------------------------------
George Preston Marshall and Shirley Povich
By Roy
Meachum
Not
for the first time, there’s a movement afoot to change the name of Washington’s
staunch NFL subsidiary, to something else, less offensive to American Natives.
Only real Indians didn’t start the movement.
My friend and
erstwhile colleague, the late Washington Post sports columnist Shirley Povich,
detested George Preston Marshall who started the team--and until his death was
the only stockholder of importance. I never understood. Above all else, the West Virginia native was
a serious businessman. His father started Palace Laundries; by the time he
died, the son inherited about 100 locations. His Seventh Street office, where I
first met him, was over-towered by a building cleaning and starching shirts and
other items.
Mr. Marshall—I
never called him George—was an unabashed miser; it can be strenuously argued
that his cause of entry into professional sports, in the late 1920s: the price
was right. He tried basketball first in Washington and soon gave up. Boston was
a hot-bed sports town; they had two major league baseball teams. Trying to
capitalize on the popularity of the Braves, his football club was named for the
MLB team, until there was a dispute and he was forced to change the practicing to
Red Sox’s Fenway Field. The Redskins were hanging on to the brand name,
parsimoniously.
Shuffling Off From Boston
to the Nation’s Capital
Disgusted with
Bostonians’ non-appearances at games, Mr. Marshall shuffled to Washington where
he owned all the laundries. Ever the promoter, he established not only the NFL
first marching band and cheerleaders, but the ladies were attired in long faux
leather dresses and wigs so they were seen as Indians; the musicians wore similar
uniforms feathers.
As a part of the
promotional effort, he created a radio network to carry the games in the South,
where there were no franchises when the broadcasts began. Television came
later. Keeping in mind his stinginess, in those pre-integration years, he
refused to sign an African American player, which made Shirley Povich mad as
hell. He lost “Hail to the Redskins” to the Dallas Cowboys. Clint Murchison Jr.
had bought it from song’s composer, Barnee Briskin, who conducted the Griffith
Park strings and brass. It was held in hostage until Mr. Marshall agreed to NFL
team in Texas, shattering his self-imposed segregation—and insuring the
perpetual ire of Shirley Povich.
A few years
later, I returned as a Washington Post reporter, which caused me to doubt my
youth’s hero. On an assignment to the National Gallery of Art, I was latched
onto by Branch Rickey, everywhere recognized as the integrator of major league
baseball, through Jackie Robinson. On my way through the sports department, I
excitedly announced my “scoop” to Shirley. He lambasted Mr. Rickey with dirty
language, as integrating “nothing.”
When I was the
public relations man for the National Symphony Orchestra, I invited news
photographers in to announce the musicians would be playing at the Redskins
half-time. By chance--I had no influence--the Daily News editors decided to run
Conductor Howard Mitchell in feather headdress on the tabloid’s front cover,
which brought me lunches at Mr. Marshall’s well-fed table. I also received
season tickets for several years, until I moved out of town.
The Washington
NFL owner became my friend, more so than when he mentioned Leon Bakst; the
dance designer moved to Hollywood when the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo died. I
knew him from my several years administrating Marjorie Merriweather Post’s
National Ballet Foundation. Mr. Marshall shared other adventures.
I can’t imagine
the man inventing the name coming up with an exception to changing Redskins—unless
it cost business and most of all, profits.
--------------------------------------
Roy Meachum lives in Frederick, Md. He has had a
distinguished print and broadcast career for many years at The
Washington Post, Frederick News-Post and WTOP-TV, forerunner to WUSA-TV/ and a long career in diplomacy.
This column appeared in last week’s The Tentacle.
--------------------------------------
It’s integrity stupid!
Battle over Guns Troubles Politicians
A State Senator’s Deception
By Karl Bickel
MONROVIA,
Md.
For those of us old enough to recall the 1992 presidential election,
many can remember references to a sign in Bill Clinton’s campaign headquarters.
It is said to have read “its the economy stupid.” It helped to maintain focus
and served as a constant reminder of the biggest problem of the day.
Of
course, as a point to focus on, the economy is no less important today. That
having been said, another sign that should grace, campaign headquarters and
politician’s offices is “its integrity stupid.” Integrity or the lack thereof,
among our elected officials, is as big a problem as the economy and undoubtedly
a contributing factor in our troubling fiscal situation.
Confidence
in our elected representatives is at an all-time low, exemplified by congresses
ranking of dead last in Gallup’s 2012 poll on public confidence in
institutions.
If
“your word is your bond,” how can we possibly have confidence in our political
representatives if we can’t believe what they say, if their honesty, their
integrity, is called into question?
On
February 27th, in support of the licensing portion of Maryland
Governor Martin O’Malley’s gun control proposal, Senator Brian Frosh-D of
Montgomery County claimed “It reduces crime when people have to get these
licenses.” He reportedly supported his contention by stating that Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, with laws similar to that being proposed
in Maryland have lower rates (presumably than Maryland) of gun violence.
Every
morning my alarm clock goes off and shortly thereafter the sun comes up.
Senator Frosh does not provide any evidence that crime is impacted by the
governor’s proposed licensing provision any more than the impact my alarm clock
has on the morning’s sunrise.
The
aforementioned states do have lower rates of gun violence than Maryland. But
since Maryland is ranked #3 in gun violence, according to StateMaster.com a web
site dedicated to making state comparisons, 42 other states have lower rates of
gun violence as well. This is in spite of Maryland’s already more restrictive
gun laws.
Also
worth mentioning, Vermont and Alaska, states that don’t even require a license
to carry a concealed firearm in public, rank #50 and #45 respectively, yet I
make no claim that unlicensed carrying of a concealed weapon leads to lower gun
crime rates. As in the senator’s example there may be a bit of a correlation
but clearly no evidence of a cause and effect.
My
point is the senator made claims, claims in support of legislation he was
supportive of, claims that are just not true. Now had it not been for the fact
that the senator ventured into an area in which I have some knowledge, crime
and criminals, I would not have been aware of the deception.
This
begs the question; do we believe anything our politicians’ say once we have
direct knowledge of their propensity for deception? Since most of what they say
will be outside of our base of direct knowledge, we must have some confidence
in their honesty, their integrity?
Lately
it seems that more and more that confidence is lost, replaced by doubt. Its
integrity stupid!
--------------------------------------
Karl Bickel is a former detective
with Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department, assistant professor of
criminal justice and former second in command of the Frederick County Maryland
Sheriff’s Office.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
How to Correct Unruly Students?
Home-Training
and the Most Wanted List
Keeping abreast
of off-kilter conduct
By Harry M. Covert
Crime
runs rampant these days and it’s not the blame of the media, or local, state
and national financial crises or because school teachers and administrators are
avoiding responsibilities.
Movies
and television programs, novels and creative stories are dominant with vicious violence
of all sorts but this is no reason for the real time, real life home invasions,
burglaries, daring daylight robberies and murders to come to the forefront of
community thinking and hand-wringing.
Preferably
it’s fun writing with humor about daily living and the foibles and peccadilloes
of politicians, movie stars, tattooed athletes who can’t speak simple sentences
and mumble their way through idiotic pre- and post-game interviews.
In days gone by reporters cleaned up the quotes of punch-drunk boxers and other athletes. Today, broadcasters are as profane and inane as their subjects too. Then there are elected national leaders who “cuss” in their interviews.
Tragically
today’s citizens can be considered victims of the “home training” or the lack
thereof. There are no manners it seems. Many parents are so ill-mannered
themselves they think the schools and the educators just have to endure the
rude and untrained pupils.
Rules
and regulations often prevent those in authority from “correcting” unruly
students in far too many classrooms.
Instead
of yes ma’am, no ma’am, thank you sir youngsters get away with yeah’s and nopes.
They may well be doing their things but parents ought to be held accountable
for manners, home training before sending offspring out into the community.
Preachers of all stripes should be leading the way and not wishy-washy in their
sermonizing.
Yes, crime news is a favorite of news consumers scintillating and keeps the public abreast of the off-kilter conduct which costs governments great deals of money.
One
of my favorite school teachers kept control of students with a simple solution
– grading. Bad conduct like sassing the
teacher, rudeness or not completing work resulted in “zeroes” on the report
card. Administrators stepped in and put the kibosh on this method.
School
curriculums should start with Emily Post etiquette classes emphasizing courtesy
and maturation.
Naturally
many parents would object almost as loudly if public schools required starting
the day with the Lord’s Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Gettysburg
Address or the proper way to cook Maryand crab soup.
One
of the better weekly reports I see in Frederick are the city and county’s Most
Wanted list. These folks aren’t misunderstood. They aren’t innocents either.
Most live uneducated, drug-infested and morally bankrupt lives.
Uncaring?
Not in the least. Responsibility, good civics and parental guidance make the
difference.
Community
and political leaders need not feel guilty or throw more money at disruptive
people. Hold parents and guardians responsible by issuing tickets with fines
for underage conduct.
A
president once said “walk softly but carry a big stick.” Another version is
“when all else fails, grab the problem by the throat.”
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