Michael Bell
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CM Albornoz’s legislation shows progressives cannot deliver solutions
Read more: CM Albornoz’s legislation shows progressives cannot deliver solutionsThe Surgery Center of Oklahoma is an absolutely amazing medical facility. Founded in 1997, this hospital takes no insurance. Everything is cash on the barrel. How much cash on the barrel? Go to their menu of surgery prices and click on the body part that ails you most. Gall bladder removal with biopsy: $7,556. Appendectomy:…
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Alsobrooks Botches the Inflation Exam
Read more: Alsobrooks Botches the Inflation ExamFor some voters the only issue this election is getting a black female into the Senate. For them, the winning choice is Angela Alsobrooks. After all, if your voting patterns are only skin deep, your capacity for critical thinking is probably no better. If, however, you care about people of color, the underserved, the marginalized,…
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With Stewart, Ortman-Fouse, and Mink, it’s about control; With Diaz, it’s about compassion
Read more: With Stewart, Ortman-Fouse, and Mink, it’s about control; With Diaz, it’s about compassionPhotojournalism is an amazing feature of the modern age. Starting with the Civil War, American photojournalists have been capturing events military and civilian, lives wealthy and poor. They have been implanting into our collective consciousness jolting perspectives and immortalizing key moments. Here are two iconic photographs I curated from My Modern Net. Migrant field worker…
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Tolerance at the Dating Sites
Read more: Tolerance at the Dating SitesA thirty-something I know, call her Anna, has what is arguably the worst job in the entire internet industry: she investigates complaints from subscribers on dating sites. For example, John T. Stud creates a dating profile giving the impression that he is as good looking as Idris Elba, wealthy as a Saudi prince, and intelligent…
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MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 2—Civility
Read more: MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 2—CivilityThe following is an elaboration, exaggeration, and embellishment of a true encounter. About a week ago a very strange, unusual creature knocked on my door. “Is Mr. Bell in?” I was relieved at his opening move. When the door knocker doesn’t know your name, he’s trying to sell windows, roofs, siding, gardening, or tree removal.…
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MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 1—Municipal Bonds
Read more: MoCo’s Triple A Ratings: Part 1—Municipal BondsWhile working at an engineering firm, I had to endure yet another annual review. “Bell,” said the manager. “You’ve come to work every day, and you’ve completed your assignments on time.” “Don’t forget that I also proposed suggestions for process improvement and organizational efficiency.” “As you have,” said the manager. “That’s why I’m ranking you…
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The Fallacy of the Life Sciences Obsession: Part 2—Betting against the Annapolis casino
Read more: The Fallacy of the Life Sciences Obsession: Part 2—Betting against the Annapolis casinoIn Part 1 of this series we listed the infrastructure the local, state, and county governments are giving away for free for the University of Maryland’s Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC) in North Bethesda—all sited at the coveted Metro North Bethesda station. How wise is this move? The UM-IHC is funded by MoCo, state, and…
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The Fallacy of the Life Sciences Obsession: Part 1—Subsidizing live/work/learn/play but not bus service
Read more: The Fallacy of the Life Sciences Obsession: Part 1—Subsidizing live/work/learn/play but not bus serviceFor many years our county’s officials have been extolling MoCo as a bio-tech center. In his weekly message from August 2, Marc Elrich said MoCo is #3 among all of America’s life science hubs. In a Glass Gazette from July 2024, Council Member Evan glass noted that “Our life sciences sector is incredibly important to…
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How optimistic can we be for school reform with “Term Limits” Boss Stein?
Read more: How optimistic can we be for school reform with “Term Limits” Boss Stein?In a video clip appearing on Montgomery County Media, incoming president of the Montgomery County Education Association (teachers’ union) David Stein delineated his responsibilities. I need to be the public face of the union…I need to be the person who is talking to MCPS, overseeing our bargaining processes, talking to our members, supervising the staff…
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The Limits of Affordable Housing Initiatives—Part 2
Read more: The Limits of Affordable Housing Initiatives—Part 2Part 1 of this series summarized a few of the thoughts (out of many) presented by DC affordable-housing developer Patrick McAnaney in his extremely comprehensive series about affordable housing. We learn from McAnaney that zoning has a limited impact on the availability of affordable housing, because other factors are in play that are beyond the…