ANNAPOLIS--THE PERFECT SETTING FOR A PEACE CONFERENCE???

Now that we know there really is going to be a Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, our town will be the focus of world news. It won't be the first time that we've been at the center stage of world history, if but for a moment or two. Let's all be as friendly and as helpful to the reporters, visitors (even protesters), diplomats, and everyone else who will be here.

In advance of this possible summit, CP wrote a piece about Annapolis for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency which serves as the primary provider of international and national content for over 100 Jewish community newspapers, magazines and Web sites. Click here to read the story: http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/news/article/20071119annapolishistory.html

As I've said before, I'll say it again--if Olmert and Abbas can meet, surely County Executive Leopold and Mayor Moyer can meet to discuss regional issues as well.

AAAH, THE SWEET SMELL OF DISGUSTING RACISM IN ANNAPOLIS

The following letter, posted by an "M.Smith, Annapolis" appears on The Capital's Your Say online. http://www.hometownannapolis.com/your_say.html

"Welcome to The Jungle (Only in the Projects in Eastport will you find people walking down the middle of the street with an attitude, crack ho's selling their wares at 6:00 a.m. and wannabee gangstas posing at the bus stop. As a good friend once said - it's nothing short of the congo. -- M. Smith - Annapolis, MD)"

Perhaps by the time you read this, The Capital will have removed this letter for violating its stated policy (Their web-site says: By posting a comment, you agree that you are fully responsible for the content you provide, and you agree to follow these rules: No personal attacks or threats against other users or individuals; no libelous statements. No attacks on individuals or groups based on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity or other classification. ).

Anybody who stills thinks that racism has withered away, is flat wrong. It is patently obvious to CP that racism still plays a strong role in our daily lives and while I don't think this is any great shock to those who daily face discrimination, plenty of white people--and plenty of white Annapolitans like to think that the civil rights movement put an end to racism. NOT TRUE. While CP deplores the crowds of people walking around-and even "walking down the middle of the street with an attitude" we have got to get beyond hateful racist rhetoric and action to address these challenges. If this "M. Smith" thinks there is some kind of reductionist genetic or biological reason for ongoing inequality, poverty and despair, he must have forgotten how he and many others profited and benefited from 400 years of enslaving and oppressing others--all the while legitimizing or rationalizing it--which he seems to be doing in his letter.

Hey Annapolis--racism and inequality are what Annapolis is all about. Just look around--the wealth differential is staggering. Whether or not you think race is or is not a component in this, we can no longer deny that there are plenty of racial attitudes and discrimination. That letter is just one tiny example. When CP worked for the city's transportation department (and see how "bus stops" is used in that letter?) I became more aware of this attitude all the time. I once had a person tell me "You are not going to find me on a bus with a bunch of porch monkeys at 10 at night." This guy was from an old-moneyed, blue blooded family.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT SPONSORS CANDIDATE'S FORUM FOR WARD 2 ELECTION

In preparation for what will be the most important election of the season (until the Maryland primary in a few months....), CP is sponsoring a forum for the Ward 2 Aldermanic candidates. It will take place on Monday, December 3rd from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Taylor Avenue Fire Station, 620 Taylor Ave. in West Annapolis. Democratic Candidate Debbie Rosen McKerrow, Republican Fred Paone and Green Karen Jennings will address the audience and answer questions.
Capital Punishment is sponsoring this in cooperation with the three candidates and their local Democratic, Republican and Green supporters. CP will serve as moderator and is doing this to build interest in the political process and encourage residents to vote on December 19th. This will not be a debate. It will not be about any one candidate or any one party. Most of the evening will be devoted to allowing the audience to pose questions to the candidates
The Fire Station is easily accessible by walkers, bikers, bus riders and motorists. There is a parking lot at the upper level, accessed from Route 450 near the corner of Taylor Avenue and Annapolis St. The forum will be held in the second floor meeting room.

The local civic associations (Admiral Heights, Wardour and West Annapolis) will hold a similar forum on Monday, December 10 at West Annapolis Elementary from 7 to 9 pm. Come to one or the other, or come to both, but PLEASE VOTE ON DECEMBER 19th.

CARS VERSUS PEOPLE...some contest!

If you think traffic in Annapolis is bad now, read on. If you think cars are taking up too much land, polluting too much air, using too much oil, read on.

CP is proud to play at least some kind of role in the next Envisioning Annapolis lecture slated for Tuesday, November 27 at the Boys and Girls Club. The guest lecturer, Jane Holtz Kay is an accomplished author and historian with interests in how automobiles have ruined America (if not Earth) as well as urban preservation. She is currently writing about global warming. So you're thinking, she sounds perfect for Annapolis-right? A few years ago, then Historic Annapolis President Greg Stiverson stopped by to visit CP, talk about Annapolis and enjoy a beer. CP told Stiverson about a must read book he had just finished called "Asphalt Nation: How the automobile took over America and how we can take it back." Stiverson got interested and bought a copy. Fast forward to summer of 2007. Stiverson, now president of Envisioning Annapolis needed a specialist on transportation topics to fill a spot for one of the Envisioning Annapolis lecture series and contacted CP for ideas. CP provided a list which included Jane Holtz Kay, and so, here she is coming to Annapolis.

See here for more information about Envisioning Annapolis: http://www.envisioningannapolis.net/ Visit here to learn about Jane Holtz Kay: http://www.janeholtzkay.com/

Please come hear the awful truth that we need to hear--the automobile has taken over Annapolis!! Walk, ride your bike, carpool (bring friends!) or take a bus to this lecture, but if you drive alone in your SUV, shame on you.

NO IMPACT MAN...It's Been A Year

The latest from "No Impact Man" of New York City:

"So, it's been a year. Twelve months ago, 52 weeks ago, 365 days ago, my little family--one wife, one toddler, one dog, one husband--embarked on a project to live with as low as possible an environmental impact for one year, smack bang in the middle of what some people think of as the most polluting city in the world--New York.
The rationale for the project was this:
(lower negative impact) + (higher positive impact) = no net impact
This, of course, has no real basis in science but it was meant to make rational-sounding a more philosophical question. Could I and my family, for at least this one year, do more good than harm?" See here for the rest of the story: http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2007/11/time-to-live-in.html

MORE ON PLASTIC BAGS, 2 AM CLOSING....ETC..

CP is pleased to refer you to fellow blogger http://www.annapolispolitics.blogspot.com/. CP makes no bones about it--I have no problems referring and deferring to other bloggers as long as they are responsible and credible. Hey--I can't be everywhere and Annapolis Politics sees and hears things CP does not--and vice verse. So visit Annapolis Politics for his take on the latest city council meeting. Most interesting of all to CP are the following:
1. Alderman Shropshire appears to be dejected for the treatment given to his bag banning bill. Well, he put up a noble, but misguided fight. He needs to learn from this that it is important not to go on a crusade, but to listen. We hope we find other ways to reach our environmental goals--and they are good goals.

2. Mayoral Public Information Officer Ray Weaver--I was not there, but Annapolis Politics was. Visit his blog for his take on the scene. Mr Weaver has apologized. Hey--he has a very weird and difficult boss, but one thing every PIO should know from day one--the story is NEVER about you. Former PIO Jan Hardesty did not seem to learn this and former PIO Tom Roskelly, an outspoken and politically active conservative, never seemed to learn this either. NEVER do anything to embarrass yourself or your boss--and the story is never about you. When it is, it's time for one or both to leave.

Okay, so the 2 a.m. bar closure went down in flames (CP voted with the majority)and so did the bag ban (CP also voted with the majority). CP is pleased to have brought you the opportunity to put in your two cents on these issues by surveying you for your opinions.

ANNAPOLIS MAY BE JUST THE PERFECT SETTING FOR PEACE TALKS.

IF may be the biggest word in the world, but IF there really is going to be a Mideast peace conference or talk or meeting or summit or whatever in Annapolis in a week or two, our town will be at the center of world news. It won't be the first time that we've been at the center stage of world history, if but for a moment or two. In advance of this possible summit, CP just wrote a piece about Annapolis for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency which serves as the primary provider of international and national content for over 100 Jewish community newspapers, magazines and Web sites. Click here: http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/news/article/20071119annapolishistory.html

POLICE RAID: A FEW THOUGHTS

The police officers who carried out the recent raid are dedicated public servants working to keep us safe in an orderly society. This can put them in harms' way and they should have our gratitude. We wish a speedy recovery to the officer who was shot.

Such an event as last week's shooting always shakes a community, but CP lives around the corner from where the raid took place. I happened by shortly after the shooting and came across a scene with roads closed, ambulances, lights flashing, traffic being redirected and "police-do not cross" tape stretched all over the place. I think every city officer on duty was there and state police as well. Let's just hope that this results in bringing about an end to some criminal activities.