We’re taught early in our school years that tobacco was first discovered upon European’s adventures to North American Indian territory. Cheek and jowl with its addictive quality, tobacco use quickly went ‘Internationale,’ pretentiously inhaled among the upper classes. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that smoking was perceived as vulgar by, “the arbiter of […]
Housing Market of Horrors: A 20-Something’s Guide to Buying a Home
Since the housing market began its dramatic landslide last year, I’ve been pushing my fiancé to buy a house under the impression that this may be the most affordable time for first-time buyers. There’s a lot of real estate out there for sale, most of which has been sitting stagnant for several months. The lenders […]
This Bud’s For You: The Major League Baseball Commissioner’s Call to Action
Bud Selig’s contract as the Major League Baseball Commissioner has been renewed yet again. What started out as an interim position has moved well beyond what the term “interim” denotes. It began in September of 1992 when Selig replaced Bart Giamatti (the commish that banned Pete Rose). Selig was elected unanimously by the baseball owners […]
The Liberal Press: More myth than fact
The MoBseen: Observations as seen through the eyes of Mark The Liberal Press. A moniker used to describe America’s media. Media of all sorts; radio, print media, and TV and the Internet. For years I’ve wondered how this term came to describe the media and reporting in the United States. In my mind, it flew in […]
Saying Goodbye to the Year of the Pig
2007, year of the pig. Lest we forget, in this time of times, these things that may well be forgotten, and in no particular order: 1. America woke up and noticed that its infrastructure was collapsing – in July during a New York City steam explosion and then again in August when a highway bridge […]
2008: The Merciful End of The State Quarter
In 1999, I was traipsing somewhat aimlessly through my early college years, playing in rock and roll bands, working the register at a music store, and writing heartfelt vignettes about my blissful suburban childhood. And, I was excited about quarters. The 50 State Quarters Program had just launched – nay, galloped – into the American […]
Horse Racing in Maryland, a $2 Billion Industry? Wanna bet?
The MoBseen: Life’s observations as seen through the eyes of Mark. We, the voters of the Free State, will have the chance to vote on slots coming to Maryland. Current polling by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies and the Washington Post Polling suggest that Maryland residents are in favor of Maryland slots and those favoring […]
Camera Obscura: A Smalltown Photographer’s Guide to Covering International Politics
I am a photojournalist for a smallish daily newspaper in the Baltimore/DC area. NO, NOT that one. To apply for credentials to cover the Annapolis Peace Conference, hereby known as the APC, because I’m so tired of typing the word ‘conference,’ required filling out an application with the standard personal info and numbers over a […]
