• But in here it's so delightful - thoughts on Obama and the weather
• Protectionism: Everybody stimulate yourself!
• I like the pictures
• Mandela, King, Gandhi... Blagojevich
• Shovels are so 1933
• The cutting edge is nipping at its own tail
• Funny Because It's True (yet again)
• Obligatory Gaza
• Being Reasonable--reaction from the Muslim family recently thrown off a flight by AirTrain
• Won't you be my neighbor?
• Snowzilla
• ZOMG! Radioactive coal sludge will kill us all! (updated)
• Quick points on the auto industry bailout
• Slow and Steady
• Foreign policy and international public opinion

• January 2009
• December 2008
• November 2008
• October 2008
• September 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008
• June 2008
• May 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• July 2007
• June 2007
• May 2007
• April 2007
• March 2007
• February 2007
• January 2007
• December 2006
• November 2006
• October 2006
• September 2006
• August 2006
• July 2006
• June 2006
• May 2006
• April 2006
• March 2006
• February 2006
• January 2006
• December 2005
• November 2005
• October 2005
• September 2005
• August 2005
• July 2005
• June 2005

« From Dome to Dome | Main | The Michellanche Phenomenon »

An Open Letter to Doug Duncan

Dear Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan:

The end of September marks the deadline for payment of the first installment of our 2005 Montgomery County property taxes. I would like to request, with your executive permission of course, that we might divert that money instead to one of the charities associated with helping the victims of hurricane Katrina.

I fully understand that Montgomery County, Maryland, still owes $50,000,000.00 for the construction of the Strathmore music hall and performing arts center, not to mention the various county-built million dollar indoor pool multi-plexes that are sprouting up all over the county unabated.

However, in light of the tragedy and human suffering in the Gulf states, perhaps you and the county can - for a short time - forego subsidizing the swimming and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concerts for the wealthy elite of Montgomery County, and concentrate our tax money where its truly needed.

Also, from the look of your website, you are extremely busy now campaigning for the upcoming Maryland gubernatorial election in two years. But if you could find a spare moment to donate some of your county citizen-paid salary to hurricane Katrina relief, here is a collection of excellent charities from which to choose. And while you're at it, please consider urging some of your fellow county employees to donate some of their salaries as well. (Wash Post: "[Doug] Duncan's annual earnings of $143,600 rank 28th among county employees -- behind those of most of his department heads and six firefighters.")

Thank you for your consideration.