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July 15, 2025

Centreville Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Centreville

3 Top Story Point of View Clayton

Governing By Absence: Governor Moore Lands in Sun Valley

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“‘Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
Don’t know when I’ll be back again…”

  • John Denver (“Leaving on a Jet Plane”)

They call it Billionaires Summer Camp. Tucked away in the rarefied air of Sun Valley, Idaho, the annual gathering of moguls, media titans, and monied elites is a weeklong networking bonanza for the ultra-wealthy. That is where Governor Wes Moore spent last week with his family in tow, while Marylanders opened their electric bills in stunned disbelief, sweating through the heat of July and the heat of a budget crisis his administration refuses to confront.

While Moore rubbed elbows with Jeff Bezos and other billionaires discussing tech investments and personal branding, back in Maryland his government was unraveling. Maryland’s Transportation Secretary, Paul J. Wiedefeld, announced this past week that he will step down from his position effective August 1. This was not a scheduled transition or a quiet retirement. It is the kind of departure that raises red flags about internal dysfunction, looming failures, or sheer exhaustion with the direction, or lack thereof, of state leadership.

For those keeping score, there have now been five Cabinet-level departures under Moore. That is not just turnover. That is instability. It is a clear sign that all is not well inside the walls of the Government House, even if the press releases pretend otherwise. The Moore administration has barely passed the halfway mark of its term, yet its inner circle looks like a game of musical chairs.

In addition, Maryland Labor Secretary Portia Wu warned that the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund may be in danger of insolvency, with federal workers and contractors being laid off amid uncertainty in Washington. This is not some hypothetical crisis. It is a flashing red warning sign that thousands of Maryland businesses could be left with higher unemployment taxes if the economy sours. 

And once again, while the alarm bells were ringing, Moore was in Idaho sipping cocktails with financiers.

Meanwhile, state agencies face hiring freezes. School districts are staring down Blueprint mandates they cannot afford. And Maryland families? They are getting battered. 

Electric rates, driven higher by Moore’s ill-conceived energy policies and our increased dependence on out-of-state power, have left residents stunned. Some Marylanders have told me their bill had nearly doubled compared to the same time last year. My electric bill was up 25%.  But Moore would not know. He was not here.

It is the start of a new fiscal year, and the budget is already fraying. Moore’s idea of fiscal discipline is smoke and mirrors. The Rainy-day fund is draining. The structural deficit continues unabated. What is the administration’s solution? Raise taxes again, push the burden onto counties, and hope the federal government bails us out. This is not a strategy… it is desperation wrapped in press releases and photo ops.

What message does it send when the Governor flees to a luxury retreat while his state teeters on financial instability? It tells us exactly who he is. 

Wes Moore is more comfortable with the Davos set than with working families in Dundalk, Salisbury, and Lexington Park. He is fluent in the language of venture capital, not the realities of paycheck-to-paycheck life. His presidential fantasy has taken hold of him while Maryland is left holding the bill.

Moore loves to say, “leave no one behind”, but last week, he left all of Maryland behind. He left us behind for the billionaires, for the backslapping and keynote panels, for the glint of cameras and canapés on white tablecloths. 

If you are wondering whether he paid for the trip himself or if donors chipped in, good luck getting a straight answer. Transparency is not exactly a hallmark of the Moore administration.

We have seen enough. Wes Moore promised transformation. Instead, we have gotten vanity, virtue signaling, and vaporware. Maryland deserves better than a Governor who escapes to the mountains every time the temperature rises at home.

The cameras may still be rolling, but the people of Maryland are steadily tuning out the Wes Moore Show.

Clayton A. Mitchell, Sr. is a life-long Eastern Shoreman, an attorney, and former Chairman of the Maryland Department of Labor’s Board of Appeals.  He is co-host of the Gonzales/Mitchell Show podcast that discusses politics, business, and cultural issues. 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

From Motels to the Mandarin by Katherine Emery

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When we were first married, my husband (who flew First Class with his parents and stayed at The Hotel Del Coronado and The Royal Hawaiian as a child) professed his love for “cheesy” motels, a revelation that surprised me, but I chalked it up to his love of Hunter S. Thompson. One of our first weekend adventures together was a bike ride on the Mt. Vernon Trail. In preparation, we checked into one of the oldest motels in Alexandria.

The toilet seat was secured with a paper ribbon of questionable authority, and the water glasses sat dismally in their individual clear paper sacks. The room was tiny, barely big enough to fit a double bed, let alone two people and their bike helmets. I was instantly repulsed, but I did my best to stay cheerful. Love, after all, sometimes asks for sacrifices… even in the form of questionable accommodations.

Thankfully, we spent very little time in the room. We rode the trail, showered quickly, and headed into town to meet friends for oysters and laughter. By the end of the night, I had almost forgotten the cracked tiles and flickering lightbulbs.

After a year of adventurous overnights in various questionable motels, each with its own flickering light, mismatched bedspread, and mysterious plumbing, I decided it was time to show my husband the other end of the lodging spectrum. For his birthday, I booked a weekend at The Ritz in Crystal City.

From the moment we arrived, the experience was different. We were greeted with glasses of champagne at check-in. Our room featured a sprawling king-sized bed, and the marble bathroom offered both a steam shower and a deep soaking tub. It was five-star pampering at its finest, and just like that, Matt joined me in my love of luxury hotels.

As the years passed, we upgraded our escapes. We treated ourselves to weekends at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C., complete with visits to the museums, time at the serene hotel spa, and unforgettable dinners at CityZen—Eric Ziebold’s exquisite restaurant, which he brought to life after his time at The French Laundry.

We also became fans of Kimpton’s boutique hotels sprinkled across D.C., each with its own personality, chic decor, and inviting restaurant. The happy hours were stellar, the service warm, and the locations perfect for a weekend of walking and sightseeing.

In New York City, our hotel tastes evolved with our travels. We spent nights at the iconic Waldorf, the bustling Grand Hyatt, and the ever-energetic Marriott in Times Square, each one adding to our shared collection of urban memories.

The summer of her fifteenth year, our daughter Cece, an aspiring dancer with beauty, grace, and fierce determination, was accepted to a prestigious dance camp at Hofstra University. After dropping her off and giving her one last wave, Matt and I found ourselves unexpectedly free for the weekend.

“Where should we go?” we wondered aloud, still a little dazed from the emotional whirlwind of letting go. Matt’s dad, John, had once mentioned Oyster Bay on Long Island. A quick search revealed promising wineries and quaint coastal vibes, we were sold.

We booked the last available room at what was generously described as a waterfront motel. Matt went inside to check us in and came back, not with a keycard, but with an actual key attached to a two-by-four block of lumber. I blinked. He blinked. “Well,” he laughed, “it’s late.”

The room itself was a time capsule. The fluorescent lighting buzzed and flickered with the enthusiasm of an interrogation room. The shag carpeting, straight out of the 1970s, had many stories to tell. Behind what appeared to be a wardrobe was a kitchenette, complete with a two-burner stove and a dusty coffee pot. The coffee grounds were pre-packed in foil pouches, possibly from the Carter administration.

The air conditioning was broken, replaced by a valiant old box fan propped in the window, rattling like it was clinging to life. The only thing missing was a chalk outline of a body on the floor, and even that felt like it could have been there the night before.

And yet, as with so many of our adventures, we made it work. We found a local spot serving lobster and crisp white wine, and returned to the motel just in time to catch the local news on a black and white TV. It worked, but only if one of us stood near it, holding the foil-wrapped rabbit ears just so.

For Cece’s first Thanksgiving away from home, we found ourselves in London, more specifically, at a Comfort Inn in Notting Hill. The Expedia photo had promised a charming boutique hotel nestled among elegant townhouses. In reality, we arrived at what could generously be called a well-worn establishment.

Our room was equipped with twin beds, a wobbly clawfoot bathtub strung with a sagging clothesline, and a TV no bigger than a lunchbox. There was a single window, but it didn’t open. The decor was an odd mix of floral carpet and suspicious lighting. Still, we were in London, and that counted for something.

Thankfully, the trip itself was wonderful. We explored endlessly, feasted on delicious meals, and marveled at all the sights that made London feel both grand and familiar. Matt particularly loved the London cabs, each one with a driver with a huge personality. Matt adapted to British currency very quickly (I, on the other hand, never fully recovered from the exchange rate.)

The pub in the hotel’s tiny lobby became a cozy spot to regroup. Matt befriended the bartender, who used tiny silver tongs to place exactly three cubes of ice into each of our water glasses, with the precision of a jeweler. It became part of our evening ritual.

One night, we asked for the non-smoking section at a restaurant. The hostess led us to a table in the center of the room. As we sat down, we realized that the only non-smoking thing about it was our request, every other table around us was filled with families smoking joyfully, children and grandparents alike puffing away in a festive haze.

It wasn’t the Thanksgiving of tradition, but it became one of those stories we would tell for years. And somehow, the uncomfortable beds, the smoky dinners, and the lunchtime-sized television made it all the more memorable.

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner who was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting, and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband, Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Thoughts on the Texas Flash Floods by David Reel

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The recent flash flood tragedy in central Texas resulted in seeing the best and the worst of American society.

The best has been an outpouring of sympathy, caring, and support for the flood victims, their families, and the survivors. There have been countless reports of selfless rescue and recovery efforts by first responders and volunteers, some from well beyond the immediate flooded area.

The worst has been numerous messages on social media and other media platforms, e.g., a newspaper editorial cartoon that were vile, hateful, and some of which were vulgar.

Many of them chose to blame Trump supporters or policy decisions of the Trump administration for this tragedy.

Far too many did not include expressions of sadness or sympathy for the deaths of innocent children and adults, or compassion for the lifelong impact on all the flooding survivors.

The level of vitriol in these messages is so offensive, I will not repeat any of them in this column.

The only thing they have in common is they are devoid of any sense of decency and civility.

Somewhat surprising has been dismay and even outrage expressed from unexpected sources over these vile messages.

Nina Turner is a former national co-chair for the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign.

She recently said, “It takes a serious lack of humanity to see children to be in a politicized discussion and respond something like lines of “that’s what they [voters in Texas] voted for.”

Turner’s closing one word comment says it all — “Shameful.”

John Favreau and Tommy Vietor are co – hosts on the left of center, Pod Save America.

Both worked for Barack Obama prior to and during his presidential administration.

Both have condemned social media posts that blame local Texans and the Trump administration for all who died as a result of the recent floods.

Favreau has said, “I think the really gross stuff was, I saw some people be, like, ‘Well, Texas, you voted for Trump, and this is what you get. ‘”

Favreau has also challenged suggestions that staffing levels at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Texas had anything to do with the tragedy. Favreau has said, “It seems like the National Weather Service, like I said, did send out a timely warning, it just didn’t get to people. And that’s, you know, not the Trump administration saying that independent meteorologists and experts have all said this.”

Vietor has said that while questions about the effect of NWS cuts could be “an important question going forward, I could have done without the, like, instant, you know, leap to blame name-your-political-opponent for this tragedy on Twitter.”

The “blame your political opponent” campaign on this tragedy is already well underway.

Shortly after news broke on the flooding, Senator Chuck Schumer demanded the Commerce Department’s Inspector General investigate vacancies at National Weather Service offices and whether the purported vacancies resulted in a higher death toll in in Texas.

Schumer has suggested that proposed but yet-to-be-implemented Trump budget cuts resulted in unfilled NWS positions in Texas were to blame. Senator Chris Dodd has said likewise.

Schumer has proclaimed, “The American people deserve answers.”

Yes, we do, but not from you two or anyone who has wants to advance a political agenda from this tragedy.

We deserve answers only if the following investigative guidelines are agreed to, in advance of, and are strictly adhered to during every phase of any investigation.

At a minimum, the investigation must not focus on assigning blame for what happened or did not happen with regard to timely and effective flash flood alerts.

The laser like focus must be on what can be done going forward to help ensure it never happens again.

Differing opinions must be welcome and considered provided they follow the timeless observation of former U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who once said, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.”

We also need to accept that we never have and never will live in a risk-free world.

We can only anticipate risks and take prudent steps to try to avoid them or deal with them if and when necessary. Accidents can never be totally avoided despite planning and best intentions.

Going forward, we desperately need a renewed universal commitment that when tragedies do strike, to make sure social media posts and other public reactions reflect common decency and respect for each and every person impacted in any way by that tragedy.

This is especially vital in dealing with those who hold different political party affiliations or different views on a wide range of public policy issues.

We must do so if we have any hope of reversing the steadily declining levels of decency and civility in our society.

David Reel is a public affairs and public relations consultant who live in Easton.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Third Party Apostasy by Al Sikes

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Shabang! The world’s richest man declares that he is going to start a new political party—America. Thoughts, from a registered Independent.

America’s prosperity, its root, is competition. We don’t want just one seller—we call that a monopoly. Or even two; pejoratively, we call that a duopoly. In short, we want a quick drive away, multiple grocers, service stations, or whatever.

Now with the Internet having been trained by Amazon, a veritable bonanza is a click away. But, not in politics. Those whose occupation is ruling others write laws that block others. Sort of, “if you don’t like what I’m selling that’s just too bad.”

If we retreat into history or political philosophy, we find the excuses, often voiced in the United States. Some will say that laws in Europe, for example, result in too many Parties and confusion. Or splinter Parties that are embarrassing. Or, power is too diffused. Yes, many European countries make it easier to qualify for the ballot.

In the United States, it is damnably expensive to begin and ultimately qualify a third party and gain recognition on the ballot in a large number of States. Our two dominant Parties disagree about much, but together they block competition and both overspend—the arrogance of concentrated power.

Physics told Musk that catching a rocket returning from space so it can be used again would be exceedingly difficult, but possible. He did it. Making billions of dollars is certainly not easy—he did it. And accumulating supporters and detractors by the millions is not easy, but he has also managed to do that. We all know there are ceilings in human affairs; Musk likes to defy them and sometimes proves us wrong.

In announcing the formation of a new Party, America, Musk said:  “I am generally hopeful because I believe there are millions of voters who want a third choice. Who want to go beyond the Right and Left hardcores. Who wants, on the conservative side, to get beyond the shifting sensibilities of Donald Trump and on the more liberal side, not to have its values hijacked by AOC” (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez).

But, politics and Elon Musk have not been a harmonious pairing. He was all for Donald Trump and now he is adamantly against him.  He views policy positions as either true or false. Most often they are not. Politics is not physics. It is messy because trying to create some level of cohesion in the midst of clashing points of view is really hard.

Where do you compromise on abortion? Or the shifting views on the importance of immigration given incendiary rhetoric? Or committing our troops to at least the appearance of being ready to fight for principles? Or, perhaps most importantly, which programs should we eliminate or downsize even though supported by strong lobbies and well-positioned Members of Congress?

Or how do you find personalities that are both compelling and comfortable with diffused power? Is it possible to be both? Or do we need versions of out-sized personalities whose North Star is the unilateral use of power?

If the word moderate is frequently used in third-party arguments, and it is, what does it mean? Is moderation defined by what a Party or candidate is against or can moderates pull together logic, needs and wants into an actual platform? Or, do they just want more or less than the dominant Parties?

And considering the name of his new Party, can America be hijacked as the name?  And if so should the Party go back to the founding documents and attempt to animate the principles in specific programs? As compelling as the flag and patriotic music are, they do not spell out the terms of governing.

And, can Elon allow others to share the spotlight?  Can he raise money with the necessary funds to outline philosophy and programs? Or is this just one more solo act in an orchestral setting?

Now this is the point where various commentators begin to handicap the potential of success. Most are negative. I’m not ready to say that Musk will fail because others have. His company, SpaceX, caught a descending rocket going 17,000 miles per hour. Not bad. However, achieving sustained viability for a third party will be exceedingly difficult and require actual collaboration. If this is a Musk-dominated initiative, it will fail.

Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Bringing Joy Inside by Angela Rieck

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It is that time of the year. The hydrangeas are blooming everywhere. Mostly pink, but some blue hydrangeas are brightening our gardens. In my garden, gooseneck loosestrife is also blooming, it is a beautiful companion flower that has a white flower head in the shape of a goose neck and head.

Not only is it time to enjoy them outside, but hydrangeas also sparkle inside. It is an inexpensive way to bring beauty into our homes.

I looked for research on why bringing flowers inside is a good idea. I only found two studies, both commissioned by floral associations. 

But there is something to be said about fresh flowers in your home. They brighten up the indoors, they bring the outdoors inside. Flowers make our home just a little prettier. Some people enjoy the scents, especially those from peonies whose sweet scent wafts throughout the room. 

Flowers make us feel better. Hospitals have green areas and many patients have some kind of floral arrangement supplied by a caring person.

Just gazing at flowers can reduce stress. They make me smile every time I look at them.

Recently, I received a generous floral arrangement, it made my day. To be surrounded by such beautiful flowers that a loving person sent to me…how can I feel anything but joy?

There is some research that supports the benefits of flowers in the home and office. A Rutgers University study found that there is a link between flowers and life satisfaction. They concluded that presence of flowers in the environment triggers happy emotions and heightens feelings of satisfaction.

A study funded by a floral association in 2000 found that having fresh flowers in a workspace increased problem-solving abilities, boosted creative thoughts, and helped workers generate ideas. Participants in this eight-month study performed a series of problem-solving tasks in three common office environments: a workplace with plants and flowers, a workplace with abstract sculptures, and a workplace with no embellishments. Both male and female participants demonstrated more innovative thinking and generated more ideas and original solutions in settings with plants and flowers. Men who participated in the study generated 15% more ideas when working in the plant and flower surroundings. Females were more creative and flexible when plants and flowers were in the workspace.

Some of us just love flowers. On the Internet, I found that people who love flowers are described as having traits like kindness, sensitivity, and an appreciation for beauty and nature. Flower lovers are also frequently associated with being thoughtful, nurturing, and observant. But this is written by people who love flowers or people in the business of flowers, so I don’t give it much credence. 

But what we do know is that flowers bought in the grocery store, delivered by a florist or picked from your backyard, just make the house a little bit happier.  

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Andy “Handgun” Harris is Shooting Blanks by J.E. Dean

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What was our congressman doing in Washington last week? Was he working to make America fiscally responsible again? No, he wasn’t. Congressman Harris was voting to increase the national debt by at least $3.3 trillion over the next ten years.

If you voted for Harris in 2024 to reduce the federal debt, you should get your vote back, Harris is part of the problem, not the solution. 

Handgun Harris represented Donald J. Trump last week, not fiscal conservatives or anyone else in his congressional district.

Last time I checked, the First District of Maryland was largely rural in character. Will our hospitals lose federal assistance? I don’t recall Harris expressing any concern about that. How about First District families who need SNAP benefits? Nope. Have a child in college or planning to go soon? The cost of college is about to go up because of student loan “reforms” that Trump and his boy wonder Stephen Miller championed.

The Baltimore Banner reports, “An estimated 24,000 people in Harris’ district are expected to lose access to Medicaid because of the bill. In Dorchester County, Harris’ home base, more than 23 percent of residents rely on Medicaid and 41% of the county’s children are on a federal-state health insurance program, according to 2023 census estimates.”

And the list could go on. The new law is 870 pages long. The Committee Report accompanying it, which includes details on what the President just signed, is 2,507 pages long—so long that it is a two-volume set.

Do you wonder whether Handgun Harris read them? I doubt it, but maybe he has. If that is the case, his voting for this legislation is even more troubling.

When Trump’s “Mega Bill” was first considered by the House, Harris voted present. That vote was crucial in allowing the bill to move forward. On Wednesday. Harris voted “aye.” What changed, Mr. Handgun?

Here’s one theory. The final bill includes a pleasant surprise for hard-core “gun enthusiasts,” not just law-abiding people, but others involved in organized crime. CNN reports, “The bill eliminates a $200 fee that gun owners are charged when purchasing silencers and short-barrel rifles, as well as registration and ownership requirements. It removes those provisions from the scope of the 1934 National Firearms Act, a Prohibition-era law intended to crack down on gangland crime.” 

Did this provision prompt Harris to set aside his worry of $3.3 trillion increase in the national debt and vote for the bill? How many First District hunters use a short-barrel rifle or a handgun with a silencer on it to hunt deer? 

To our knowledge, Handgun Harris to date has offered only one cryptic explanation for voting for the bill’s final passage, “We came to significant agreements with the administration overnight on executive actions, both inside and outside, of the bill that will make America great again.” 

What did Trump give Harris and his fellow Freedom Caucus extremists to secure their votes? First District voters have a right to know. Congressman Harris, why don’t you hold a town hall meeting, open it to the public, and explain your vote?

When Harris first ran for Congress, he presented himself as a reformer. He voluntarily pledged to serve no more than six terms in Congress. In 2022, when those terms were over, Harris changed his mind. He likes the halls of Congress more than those of a hospital. 

Harris was also once a champion of Ukraine. Until yesterday, when President Trump announced he was resuming some weapons shipments to Ukraine, Trump was curtailing urgently needed weapons shipments needed by Ukraine to fight Putin. Why wasn’t Harris raising hell? Why wasn’t he speaking out? The obvious answer is that he, like virtually all his Republican House and Senate colleagues, have drank the Trump Kool-Aid. They follow their leader, blindly.

Andy represents MAGA, not Maryland. If you embrace the old-fashioned idea that a congressional representative should pursue the needs of their constituents, you must conclude Handgun Harris is shooting blanks.

The 2026 mid-term elections are about 18 months away. Will somebody, please, run against Harris? I would prefer a Democrat. But even a moderate Republican would be an improvement. A moderate Republican who keeps promises. Someone who, if they run on “principles,” will not violate them. Someone who is not Andy “Handgun” Harris.

J.E. Dean writes on politics and government but, too frequently, on President Trump. A former counsel on Capitol Hill and public affairs consultant, Dean also writes for Dean’s Issues & Insights on Substack.

Dean will be on vacation until July 30, when he hopes to write on something positive that President Trump or Handgun Harris might have done. 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Watermelon Time By Jamie Kirkpatrick

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I spent the Fourth of July weekend with family in Rehoboth. It wasn’t the whole clan, just six adults, four sunny days, delicious meals, and a sandy beach. At one point, one of us—no names will be used here—decided he wanted a watermelon mojito for his evening cocktail. Fortunately, the garden delivered, and so, after a post-beach outdoor shower, it was game on.

Personally, I’m not much of a mojito guy and less of a watermelon mojito guy, but I was intrigued. (Please don’t misunderstand: I have nothing against watermelons. A slice of watermelon with a pinch of salt goes a long way with me on a hot summer day, but mixed in a cocktail…meh.) Anyway, this was the first watermelon I had encountered this summer, and I was glad to see its juicy redness which looked like an old friend that would pair well with a sprig of muddled mint and a shot of rum. Maybe worth a try after all…

Think about watermelons: you’re a kid again and you’e holding a big grin of watermelon. It’s an explosion of color, texture, flavor, and juiciness. Messy, too: you can have a seed-spitting contest while the juice dribbles down your chin, staining your white t-shirt. Who cares? It’s summer and you don’t need a shirt anyway.

These days, watermelons are ubiquitous: they are grown in climes from tropical to temperate and there are literally more than a thousand varieties worldwide. They’re old, too: a few years ago, scientists traced 6,000 year-old watermelon seeds found in the Libyan desert back to an ancestor plant in West Africa. But those first watermelons were tart. It took some savvy Romans to figure out how to breed a sweet, pulpy variety.

Watermelons are technically a large fruit with a hard rind surrounding a modified berry called a pepo. They have a high water content (as much as 91% of a watermelon is water!) and can be stored for eating in dry seasons. They arrived in the New World with the Spanish explorers who settled Florida in the 16th Century. A hundred years later, they had found their way up to New England and down to Central and South America. In the Civil War era, they were often cultivated by free black farmers and became a symbol for the abolition of slavery. Sadly, that symbol of freedom morphed into a racist stereotype during the Jim Crow era. Sigh.

Frida Kahlo’s last painting, completed just days before her death in 1954, depicted varieties of watermelons. (It’s the image that accompanies this Musing.) The painting is a fitting and vibrant conclusion to the artist’s short and tragic life, rich in color contrasts, curves, and angles. It also contains a mournful message from the artist: Kahlo inscribed “Vida la Viva”—“Long Live Life!”— on the central melon wedge at the bottom of the canvas, an ironic commentary on her pain-filled existence due to polio, a terrible bus accident, and multiple surgeries.

But perhaps the message isn’t so mournful after all: maybe the artist is showing us that once our own shell is cut open, it reveals an inner life that is vibrant, fresh, and sweet. Also, the many seeds of the watermelon, like those of the pomegranate in Greek mythology, symbolize fertility and immortality. Once the fruit is gone, the seeds carry the promise of new life forward into eternity.

Like a family.

I like that interpretation.

I’ll be right back.

Jamie Kirkpatrick is a writer and photographer who lives on both sides of the Chesapeake Bay. His editorials and reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Washington College Alumni Magazine, and American Cowboy Magazine. His most recent novel, “The Tales of Bismuth; Dispatches from Palestine, 1945-1948” explores the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is available on Amazon and in local bookstores. His newest novel, “The People Game,” hits the market in February, 2026. His website is musingjamie.net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Alligator Alcatraz is a No Good Very Bad Idea by Maria Grant

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Just when I thought things couldn’t get much worse, they did. Our fearless leader had the brilliant idea of creating a migrant detention center in the environmentally precarious Florida Everglades. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis got on board quickly—surprise, surprise. 

The center will house up to 3,000 undocumented migrants while they await due process (so they say) before they are sent out of the country. It will cost $450 million annually for the state to operate the facility. That’s right–$450 million each year. Florida provided the initial $450 million needed to create and operate the center and will seek reimbursement through FEMA. (FYI, FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Does it sound like an appropriate use of funds to you?)

Trump claims that it’s okay to disrupt the Everglades fragile ecosystem because there already is an airport there. As usual, he is wrong. In 1968, planners envisioned a large airport but backlash from conservationists stopped the construction after just one small runway was built. The backlash inspired the Florida Everglades movement and the creation of several environmental watchdog groups. 

Let’s quickly review just how special the Everglades are. 

The land is sacred to several Native American tribes that reside in 15 villages within the preserve. 

Often called a river of grass, the Everglades are 86 percent wetlands surrounded by the Big Cyprus National Preserve. (Note the word Preserve.)  Nine distinct habitats coexist in the Everglades, including cypress swamps, sawgrass marshes, and the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western hemisphere. 

The Everglades are the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist in the same habitat. They are a haven for many endangered species, including the Florida panther, the West Indian manatee, and breeding grounds for tropical wading birds and home to 350 bird species. 

One in three Floridians rely on the Everglades for their drinking water.

A coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit claiming that the detention center did not undergo any of the environmental reviews that Federal law requires. Let’s watch what happens next. 

In the few short days of its existence, the center has already flooded. (Just last week severe flooding killed at least 82 people in Texas.) Hurricane season is right around the corner, and it is unlikely that the center will meet hurricane codes. The risk of mosquito-borne diseases is significant. Heat and humidity in the area can charitably be described as brutal. Add to all that, a location that is virtually inaccessible to lawyers and family members. 

Trump could care less about environmental issues. He has rolled back some of the nation’s key environmental safeguards which will profoundly affect the air we breathe and the water we drink. He has gutted funding for the agencies involved in the Chesapeake Bay restoration, including funds that restore and protect native species such as oysters, blue crabs, and striped bass. 

Beside the horrific environmental implications of this center, one must also consider the racist overtones. Several studies have shown that racial resentment has contributed to Trump’s political ascendance. Clearly many of Trump’s claims smack of racism. He claimed that Obama wasn’t a legal American citizen. He said Haitians were eating the dogs and cats. He called Mexicans rapists. He said Harris was a DEI candidate. He said migrants murdered hundreds of women and girls. He tells nearly all-white crowds they have good genes. And now he is sending primarily Black and Brown migrants to what many claim resembles a German concentration camp. 

I must admit all the July 4th celebrations rang hollow for me this year. It no longer feels like the land of the free and the home of the brave. There is no “crowning thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.” Instead, the land that I love is being destroyed piece by piece. Wake up America. 

Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of the federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, music, and nature.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

What They Say Versus What They Do by David Reel

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Following Richard Nixon’s election as President in 1968, John Mitchell, Nixon’s campaign manager, was asked by the media what to expect when Nixon assumed office.

Mitchell said prophetically long before Watergate, “Watch what we do, not what we say.”

Those words apply to many candidates for public office today.

The are at least two recent examples in Maryland.

Prior to leaving office after two terms, Republican Governor Larry Hogan announced that he had no interest in running for an open U.S. Senate seat in Maryland, formerly held by Ben Cardin.

Hogan went as far as saying his experience as a business executive and eight years serving as governor left him reluctant to serve in a deeply divided legislative body marked by lengthy and often bitterly partisan dialogue and decision-making.

Then, in February 2024, Hogan entered the Senate race, where he easily won the Republican nomination in a primary election but lost in the general election with 42.8% of votes cast.

In 2022, Wes Moore was elected as Hogan’s Democratic successor with 64.5% of votes cast.

Almost immediately following his election, Moore was widely viewed by political pundits in Maryland, Washington DC, and nationally as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.

To date, Moore has said early and often regularly he is not pursuing that goal.

Despite saying that, it has been most interesting watching media reports of what Moore has done in the political arena during his first term as governor.

Moore:

Spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Campaigned for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan.
Campaigned for Democratic candidates in Virginia.
Appeared on The View where Joyce Behar told him he looked “very presidential.”
Interviewed with CNN following his college commencement speech in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Attended an Aspen Colorado fundraiser hosted by Damian O’Doherty, a Maryland political operative and co-founder of Baltimore based KO Public Affairs.
He shared his thoughts on “bold, purposeful leadership” on a podcast with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, and CBS Evening News co-anchor John Dickerson.
Delivered a keynote speech at the South Carolina Democratic Blue Palmetto Dinner.
Attended a fish fry hosted by Congressman Jim Clyburn who is widely credited for a Joe Biden 2020 primary campaign resurgence when that campaign was stalled.
Met with former political advisors to Barack Obama and Joe Biden to discuss a presidential path to the White House through South Carolina.
Spoke to hundreds of political insiders in South Carolina about his personal biography and on his record as Maryland Governor.
Spoke at an NAACP “Fight for Freedom” Dinner in Detroit Michigan.
Spoke at the Virginia Democratic Party’s Blue Commonwealth Gala.

Ultimately, all this travel and schmoozing by Moore may be for naught.

Next year, Moore must win both the Democratic primary election and the general election in Maryland.

The conventional wisdom that he will win both is far from a given.

In polling done earlier this year, Moore’s job performance approval fell to 55% from 61% from polling done in the prior month.

These poll results occurred before Moore signed into law a wide range of tax increases, new taxes, fee increases, and new fees that were approved in the 2025 general assembly session.

As I write this, Moore has an opponent in the 2026 Democratic primary and three potential opponents seeking a gubernatorial nomination in the 2026 Republican primary.

He will also have a Green Party candidate in the 2026 general election.

In the case of the Democratic and Republican primaries especially, but not exclusively, there may even be even more candidates deciding to run.

One wild card in the Republican primary is former Governor Hogan.

Despite his failed U.S. Senate run, a survey done after Hogan’s two terms as governor showed he had a 77% job approval rating that included an 81% approval rating with Democratic voters.

Hogan has not yet announced his decision on seeking a third term ,which the state constitution allows since it would not be a third successive term.

Assuming Moore is the successful Democratic candidate for governor, there is also the hard political reality that not meeting expected vote totals in elections that any candidate is expected to win can be an insurmountable roadblock on a journey to the White House.

Preeminent Maryland political analyst Len Foxwell has observed — “What we have seen in the past where prospective gubernatorial candidates and prospective presidential candidates have been derailed because of weaker than expected showings back home.”

Regardless of who is elected Maryland Governor in 2026, voters in that election cycle and every election cycle in Maryland would be best served if there was no longer a regular mismatch between what some candidates of every party affiliation say and what they do.

David Reel is a public affairs and public relations consultant who lives in Easton.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Trump’s Fragrance by Al Sikes

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It is hard for me to fathom. When did the White House and all the honor that goes with it become insufficient? Why would a President be selling things using his historic title and its symbolism conferred by the voters?

In case you are unaware of President Trump’s merchandising job, please take a look: https://gettrumpfragrances.com/. Or go further and check out his offerings on Amazon. Artificial intelligence reports that he has 54 offers of branded products for sale.

And let me recall as prologue the 33rd President Harry Truman who left the White House in 1953 for his family home in Independence, Missouri. The home was his principal asset. Trump, in contrast, was said by Forbes to be worth approximately seven billion dollars in 2024.

Truman, after leaving the White House, was offered high-paying corporate board positions among other ways to increase his wealth. History recalls his response:

“You don’t want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it’s not for sale,”

Yep, that is a long time ago. But isn’t that where humanity goes to discover the base-line of morality? And if that is too big a word, what about honor? Or decency? Should we worry that generations following ours will regard service as one more financial transaction?

Going back a much shorter time recall Colonel (honorific) Tom Parker who managed Elvis Presley and then marketed him after his death. He even sold “I Hate Elvis” pins to profit from both sides.

I think Trump’s merchandising activity should be put to a vote to test the question—see if the people (voters) support the exploitation of the revered White House symbolism. An up or down vote on a resolution. We want a sense of the Congress as the public’s representatives.

The resolution, if it is kept simple, might be: “We, in the 119th United States Congress, knowing of the merchandising of the White House and its principal occupant, state our disapproval.” (Examples follow).

Now I know the language is sparse so undoubtedly drafts will replace drafts and maybe draw in President Donald J Trump’s wordsmiths. Almost regardless of the eventual outcome, Members of Congress will have to go on record. The President’s heretical departure from tradition will be tested. As will our Members of Congress.

Perhaps all lines of decorum have been erased. Maybe devotion to an individual requires submission. I doubt it, but a straight up test of the White House as a merchandising wing of the Presidency should be put to those who vote on our behalf.

Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books. 

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