BMORENEWS.com : News, video and live radio for the black community in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area - The Glover Report

TGR: The Blizzard of 2010: 1 Down, 1 to Go!

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:55:18 UT

Welcome to Baltimore's Katrina: "Nobody hears our cry!"

A state of emergency: National Guard in hummers

"The same ol' story in New Orleans" - Jay Z

(BALTIMORE - February 9, 2010) - According to one Baltimore City Police officer stationed in Sandtown, downtown is plowed, Baltimore County is plowed, Carroll County is plowed (he lives there), but he didn't understand why communities - like in West Baltimore - were still left undone.

Fender-benders are not uncommon. The perpetual struggle between pedestrian rights and drivers' fear of getting stuck is ubiquitous. The question remains: Does anybody care about less affluent communities in one of the richest state's in the nation?

Yeah, yeah! We heard the governor announce there would be no additional funds for snow plowing.

Maybe we have to appeal to Pres. Barack Obama to send "state of emergency" dollars directly to municipalities ... like Baltimore. Or, maybe directly outsource dollars to snow removal companies. Whatever the case, this is some bull feces.

In a city where citizens get taxed to death for everything from parking tickets to cell phones, where is the love? Like the songwriter sings, "Ain't no love in the heart of the city!"

Tags: Baltimore, snow, state of emergency

Guest Editorial: State of the Union Analysis by Jonn Mack

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:47:41 UT

This year I decided to take a different approach to the State of the Union. Normally, I sit intently in my basement with CNN, typing vigorously on my laptop, and texting other politicos asking them if they heard 'this' or if they saw 'that'. This year I went old school. I decided not to be distracted by CNN’s focus group and there 'Like/Dislike' dials, and listen to the speech on a radio without my “crackberry”.

Most people expected this speech to reflect a “new”, more conciliatory President. While to the contrary the President did acknowledge some “political setbacks”, he remained positive - continuing to express his hope for bipartisan support, for middleclass tax cuts, small business tax cuts, tax cuts for families, and increased Pell grants for those in or going to college.

Tags: President Barack Obama, state of the union

The Glover Report (TGR): Camelot: Home of Wayne’s World; Over 3,000 in attendance

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:47:13 UT

To say the least, it was a virtual who’s who list of black Maryland politicos with some pretty heavy white folks in the room as well, including Janet Owens, Dick Hug, and Chip DePaula.

So, with a heap of the state’s black voting bloc on point in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County ceremoniously represented by Duncan’s presence and Baltimore’s first black elected mayor introducing the man of the hour, and add a sprinkling of Republican might – one can pretty much surmise that a war party is in effect.

After all, “It’s Wayne’s world,” said Schmoke.

Tags: black political economy

TGR: “Bmore4Yele” Benefit Concert Showcased the Best of Baltimore

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:18:52 UT

To say the least, last night was one of those proud moments when one looks upon their people and feels the pride, the girth, and the essence of what it means to be black.

Yes, descendants of a notorious Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, ever reminded of a struggle immeasurable, tossed to and fro by the winds of hatred and the hands of time – only to emerge stronger, better, more distinguished and ever loving such that future generations will one day look back with pride and determination to carry the ball one more time.

Last night, the now generation did the damn thing with pinpoint accuracy. They sang, they danced, and they raised money. More importantly, they raised spirits.

Tags: black artists, black music, neo soul, spoken word

TGR: BMORENEWS.com: From "Civil Rights to Silver Rights": The Home of Black Business Advocacy

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:27:11 UT

When I think back to a recent conversation with the former State Senator of the 44^th state legislative district, Clarence Mitchell, III, I am reminded of the joyous benefit that comes from a life of service.

One might not get the most lucrative salary for such humanitarianism; however, from service comes a joy that not even money can buy.

At the same time, the persistent entrepreneur can do both: He/she can help people and help themselves simultaneously. Zig Ziegler, the noted mouthpiece for 'sell, sell, sell', says that as we help others reach their goals, we also better our chances of reaching our own goals.

Such is the joy I experience everyday as publisher of www.bmorenews.com.

Tags: black business

TGR: Happy MLK Day 2010 from gREIBO Media & BMORENEWS.com

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:47:05 UT

"The richer we become materially, the poorer we become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the seas like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers and sisters." - MLK, Jr.

We, as members, of the human species find ourselves in the midst of some terribly interesting times: politically, socially, economically, physically, and yes, spiritually.

Here in the City of Baltimore, one could make the argument that if these five arms of the human experience were better on the same page, life would be better for all. However - at least from my perspective – the politicians and the theologians, the academics and the business leaders are seemingly wayward, lost from their moral compass, focusing instead on the material accoutrements of life that so often lead mankind to an infinite prism of hopelessness and despair – making man a lover of himself … and no one else.

Tags: 2010, jr., rev. dr. martin luther king, tgr

TGR: First Hurdle for Mayor Designee Stephanie Rawlings-Blake: Choosing a President

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:07:11 UT

Meanwhile, the first major hurdle that she and the City Council must deal with is the election of a City Council President. While there are rumblings that someone outside the Council – namely Keiffer Mitchell – was being considered, the word at City Hall is that it really boils down to Bernard “Jack” Young, who represents the 12^th District, and Bill Cole, who is in the 11^th.

While Young has a dozen years on the City Council, and is black, his main opponent, Cole, is in his first term. Cole, who is white, replaced Mitchell. Mitchell relinquished his seat as he aimed for the mayorship.

Tags: baltimore city council, stephanie rawlings-blake

Guest Editorial: Trying to Move On

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:34:18 UT

This allows the mayor to retain her $83,000 per year pension. She will be on four year’s probation, is required to perform 500 hours of community service, and pay a $45,000 fine. By delaying her retreat from office her successor, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will get the lay of land. This includes a budget deficit, preparation for the upcoming legislative session (starts next week), and “steering a rudderless” city which has been without a cheer leader.

“Ms. Dixon will receive probation before judgment…she will not have any criminal conviction or any criminal record,” according to her attorney Arnold Wiener. The message from the state's prosecutor was simple, “There is nobody above the law in this state. It includes mayors or anybody else. If you’re a public servant, you serve the public not to line your pockets,” proclaimed Robert Rohrbaugh.

Tags: Baltimore, charles robinson, mayor, sheila dixon

Does This Answer Your Question, Mr. Steiner?

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:09:14 UT

At last, the truth must be told.

I was recently invited by Mark Steiner and Anthony McCarthy to appear on their radio show. The other guest was local media icon Richard Sher. Formerly of WJZ TV 13, Sher is now the host of a resurrected “Square Off” on ABC in Baltimore, thanks to Billy and Hassan Murphy. I should mention that one of my mentees, Ms. Catalina Byrd, has been holding her own on the show (Great job, Sister!). A remake which tantalized television audiences for years, the show featured intense political discussions featuring some of the most intriguing people of the day, including Georgia Goslee, Billy Murphy, and Madeline Murphy.

Tags: black history, black political economy

TGR: SLAVERY: GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:22:12 UT

I am writing this article as a brief outline of what would require a lengthy book. Keep that in mind as you read it. I am pointing a penlight on a subject that needs, at the very least, a floodlight. I leave that to those who are better qualified. Let the journey begin.

Many African Americans shudder at the thought of slavery. We are so minimized by the thought of what happened to us in that clearly demonic institution that we miss the good that came from it.

Tags: american slavery

TGR: Dixon’s case is clearly a representation of Baltimore City

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:04:18 UT

In a city that is widely-known for its heightened rate of crime and violence, it sure did take a long time for city officials to crack down on Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon’s case and finally reach a verdict. On December 1, 2009, Dixon was convicted of embezzling gift cards that were originally intended for the needy. It turned out as a major victory for prosecutors and finally brought the case to a close ... for now.

Tags: Baltimore, mayor sheila dixon

TGR: MD Poli10: Gorgeous Prince George’s Gearing Up for an Interesting Year of Politics

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:12:36 UT

What’s happening on the political scene in the richest black jurisdiction in the country? Well, 2010 is sure to be full of surprises and incredibly interesting developments for incumbents and challengers alike.

With issues that mirror its Baltimore cousin to the north, the mortgage lending crisis, public education, and county contracts are sure to be among the hot issues discusses.

Tags: Politics, Prince George's County

TGR: Recession, Blizzard '09 Slow Shopping

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:21:17 UT

As 20 inches of snow blanketed the Baltimore metropolitan area, retailers gasped for breath. With an already struggling economy, the last thing area businesses were looking for was a blizzard.

And a blizzard it was.

As of today, Baltimore City streets are still left unshoveled. Nonetheless, from Randallstown to Pennsylvania Avenue, merchants are trying to stay optimistic.

Tags: blizzard, economy

A Word from the Streets

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:09:26 UT

Baltimore, at least in-part, supports Mayor Sheila Dixon

Tags: Baltimore, mayor sheila dixon

TGR: A Harrowing Day at Baltimore’s City Hall: First woman mayor found guilty

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:26:00 UT

Race, politics, sex and scandal

By Doni Glover, www.bmorenews.com

(BALTIMORE – December 2, 2009) - Politics is the process of determining who gets what, when and where. Economics is the allocation of scarce resources. Hence, political economy is the study of the inter-relationship between politics and money, i.e. business.

On that note and in light of the devastating sequence of recent legal events surrounding the trial of Baltimore’s first woman mayor – who happens to be black - the interrelationship of politics and money once again arises.

Tags: black political economy