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November 14, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

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Traditions By Angela Rieck

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Every year I host a Gingerbread house party. Our children and their children each decorate a gingerbread house. Most of my large family participates. This year, I am making 30 houses. Actually, the number is 28, but I am making 30 to account for breakage. That’s right 30. And, no, my house is not big enough to host 28 people, we will be placing gingerbread houses on end tables, putting tables in the living room and even moving outside in order to accommodate the number of participants.

These are not the beautiful gingerbread houses that you see in competitions. Instead, they are an assortment of mistakes, each gingerbread house contains at least one section where the piping slipped, or the house started to teeter before settling down in a rickety state. But, by the time they are decorated with candy, they look great.

Gingerbread houses have a long history, especially in Europe. They began in Germany in the 1600s, and they became even more popular with the Grimm brothers’ publication of Hansel and Gretel in 1812. The custom was brought to the United States by German immigrants. 

Today, creating gingerbread houses is a popular Christmas tradition. And with most hobbies, there are competitions. The premier event is the National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, NC: It features an impressive display of creative, magnificent gingerbread designs that go beyond simple houses.

There are also local competitions. On the Eastern Shore, one gingerbread house competition is hosted in St Michaels, MD in December by Christmas in St. Michaels. The gingerbread entries are divided into seven categories and feature prizes for: Master Chefs, Adults, Young Adults, Children (12 and under), Children with Adults, Kit-Made Houses, and Non-Profit Organizations. The Christmas in St. Michaels weekend for 2025 is scheduled for December 12-14. 

None of our creations will wind up in the competition, but there is something wholesome about building gingerbread houses. First, it is loads of fun. The rule of gingerbread house construction is that all elements in the display must be edible. The candies and edible components are “stuck” onto the houses and their background using royal icing.

It is fun to watch the children’s eyes widen when they see the room full of candy. They get to select which candy they will use to decorate their gingerbread houses. Their creations typically lack a theme, except that perhaps the theme being “everything I love pasted onto the house.” 

One year I had a disaster where the houses got rained upon and one had a hole in the roof. One of my grand nephews immediately grabbed that house and filled it with candy that he snacked on for the rest of the season.

The adults are more measured. They create beautiful homes using themes of colors and shapes.

In the end, all of the houses are colorful and make me smile.

Throughout the party the adults get lattes or mimosas depending on their creative mood and there are bagels and quiche. It is organized chaos when the decorating begins, as adults help their children gather their candies and look the other way when they sneak them into their mouths. Then the adults help their children put the icing and candies on the gingerbread houses. After taking care of their children, it is time for their own designs. They make those dysfunctional gingerbread houses dazzle. My daughter and her husband are equal partners in the party and also do 99% of the cleanup. (That is a tradition that I REALLY like.)

This is my holiday tradition, and I look forward to it every year. I think that traditions are what make holidays special. Without traditions, the holidays would be like any other vacation day. Thanksgiving is a holiday known for its traditions. These traditions allow us to reminisce and make our lives a little bit more enjoyable.

Everyone has their traditions and if you don’t, perhaps you can create some. And I hope that yours are as memorable and enjoyable as mine.

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.

Mr. President, Your Ends Do Not Justify Your Means by J.E. Dean

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President Trump describes himself as a consequential President. Regrettably, that is true. There is little doubt he will leave America different than it was when he took office. 

Donald Trump has worked hard to be consequential. But he hasn’t done this by working with Congress. Instead, he has aggressively expanded Executive Power beyond that exercised by any recent President. (Trump also has worked overtime to make sure he is remembered after he leaves office, unfortunately through stunts like proposing to rename the Kennedy Center after himself, building his ballroom, festooning the White House in Gold, and, planning to hold an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight at the White House next June.) 

Many of us have been horrified by some of Trump’s actions. The firing of thousands of federal employees shortly after Inauguration Day comes to mind, as do the recent military strikes on suspected drug boats, and the unnecessary and irresponsible closure of the federal government. 

But many others, presumably including the President’s MAGA base, praise Trump’s actions, citing “successes,” including border security and “cutting government waste,” as well as ICE raids and deportations, “ending DEI at elite colleges” and, ironically, “ending the weaponization of the Department of Justice.”

One friend of mine who is reluctant to criticize Trump suggests that fear of change prompts opposition to Trump’s policies and actions. As the friend puts it, “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.”

President Trump has broken a lot of eggs, but what is often more disturbing than the particulars of some of the eggs being broken is how he went about breaking them. When legislative authorization did not exist, as was the case with the Trump tariffs and dozens of other actions taken via Executive Orders, he has moved forward without one. 

In Trump’s mind, his ends justified the means. To me and the eight million people worried that Trump sees himself as a king, the ends don’t. Simply put, even if I were to agree with Trump policies, he should not pursue them in violation of the Constitution. 

In recent conversations, I have been surprised to find otherwise reasonable people tell me that while they don’t agree with “everything Trump is doing,” they hesitate to suggest that Trump is destroying the Constitution by violating it. 

Do you agree with President Trump that his ends justify his means?

I don’t. I want the President to act in accordance with the Constitution—and I mean with the Constitution as written, not as the current Supreme Court sometimes interprets it. I do not want suspected drug boats to be destroyed in a macho “shoot first and let God sort it out” attacks, even if fewer shipments of deadly drugs headed to America are intercepted. 

And I don’t want federal agencies and programs authorized and funded by Congress to be closed via Executive Orders. I want Congress to determine the laws of the land. I want the President to carry out those laws. Period.

The Constitution and democracy have become endangered species because we have a President who believes he is above the law. That is scary. It is also why Congressional power must be restored in the 2026 mid-term elections. 

Don’t forget that election day 2026—November 3rd— is less than a year away. It’s time to get busy.

J.E. Dean writes on politics, government, goldendoodles, and other subjects. A former counsel on Capitol Hill and public affairs consultant, Dean also writes for Dean’s Issues & Insights on Substack.

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

When You’re Down and Troubled Turn the Radio Up for that Sweet Sound by Maria Grant

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My friends, relatives and I are depressed. The world is going to hell in a handbasket. The government shutdown is the longest in history. Flights are cancelled. Inflation is rising. The country is even more polarized. What to do? 

In addition to taking active steps to promote positive change, music can lighten your mood and soothe your troubled soul. It can bring peace, solace, and hope for a better tomorrow. Here is my suggested playlist to make the clouds go away. 

Four Seasons, Vivaldi—a beautiful painting of nature in sound

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Harlen—where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops

Ode to Joy, Beethoven—a celebration of freedom, joy, and hope for the future

Mary’s Place, Springsteen—After 911, Springsteen wanted one happy song on his album. This is it.

I Got Rhythm, Gershwin—daisies in green pastures—who could ask for anything more?

Who Believes in Angels? John/Carlile—even the diamonds look like rocks to the untrained eye 

Piano Trio No. 4 in E Major, Mozart—the crowning glory of Mozart’s work in this genre

Here Comes the Sun, Beatles–the smiles returning to their faces  

Happy Days are Here Again, Ager—campaign song for FDR. Best version song by Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand

Piano Concerto in A Minor, Grieg—captivating, lyrical, and exuberant! 

The Entertainer, Scott Joplin—ragtime at its best

Carmen Overture, Bizet—over-the-top brilliant melodies, harmonies, and orchestration

You’ve Got a Friend, Carol King–I will be there to brighten up even your darkest night

My Funny Valentine, Rodgers and Hart—you make me smile with my heart 

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding—watching the ships roll in 

Singin in the Rain, Brown, sung by Gene Kelly—the sun’s in my heart and I’m ready for love

Plato once wrote, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” Amen. 

Dear readers, I would love for you to share the music that soothes your souls.

Maria Grant, formerly principal-in-charge of the federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm, now 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.

Time to do Congressional Redistricting Right by David Reel

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Governor Wes Moore recently announced he is moving forward with an unprecedented effort to redraw Maryland’s eight congressional district maps before the 2026 election.

Historically, redistricting occurs every ten years following the completion of a national census. With that schedule, the next census-driven redistricting would take place no sooner than 2030.

Republican controlled legislatures in Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri have recently approved new congressional district boundaries to help maintain a Republican majority in the U.S. House after the 2026 midterm elections.

As a result, Democratic Governors J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Gavin Newsom of California, both of whom have Presidential ambitions, are pursuing comparable initiatives in their states to help secure a Democratic majority in the U.S. House after the 2026 midterm elections.

Governor Moore recently launched his own Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission.

About that commission, Moore has said, “My commitment has been clear from day one — we will explore every avenue possible to make sure Maryland has fair and representative maps.”

So far, Moore has appointed Democratic U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks as commission chair, and the following as commission members: Democratic President of the Maryland Senate Bill Ferguson or his designee, Democratic Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adrienne Jones House or her designee, former Democratic Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh, and the Republican Mayor of Cumberland, Ray Morriss.

I believe Moore has two additional unannounced goals that are driving his redistricting initiative three years into his first term.

One may be to help Moore demonstrate his commitment to leaders of the national Democratic Party that he is doing his part to advance an accelerated congressional redistricting initiative in Maryland. Achieving that goal helps Moore maintain and expand the narrative that he is a rising star in the Democratic Party and is an attractive prospective Democratic candidate for a future national office.

The second unannounced goal may be to redraw the boundaries of Congressional District #1 where Andy Harris is the only Republican in Maryland’s eight-member congressional delegation.

Gerrymandering congressional district boundaries in Maryland to flip congressional seats from red to blue have had measurable success. At one time, Maryland’s congressional delegation was split evenly between four Republican members and four Democratic members. Today the split is seven Democratic members and one Republican member.

Time will tell exactly what, if any, Moore’s unannounced goals may be.

Until then, I have two questions about Moore’s stated commitment to “explore every avenue possible to make sure Maryland has fair and representative maps.”

Does he know about the past efforts and results of former Governor Hogan’s 2021 Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission? If not, why not?

For his commission, Hogan appointed nine members from across Maryland — three Democrats, three Republicans, and three Independents. No commission member was a current or former elected official with one exception. One of the Democratic commission members was elected twice as State’s Attorney in Prince George’s County. Stanford University Law School Professor Nathaniel Persily, an expert on voting rights and election law, served as an advisor for the Commission.

The commission’s final report, issued in November 2021 included the following observations:

“The lines were drawn without regard to the interests of any party or candidate and without taking into account the place of residence of any incumbent officeholder or other potential candidate, nor did we consider how residents of any community may have voted in the past, or with what political party they may be registered. The Citizens Commission believes its maps embody good redistricting principles, including compactness, minimal splits of counties and municipalities, and a highly understandable layout for congressional representation.
Additionally, they offer better adherence to the principle of “one person, one vote” through a closer approach than in past maps to population equality. We are proud that our proposed congressional and senate maps earned a rating of “A” for fairness from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project.”

At the final commission meeting, Professor Persily told commission members their efforts should be held out as a national model for the way things should be done.

It was not done in Maryland. The 2021 Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission report was not brought to the floor in the House of Delegates or the Senate for consideration or action.

History may soon repeat itself.

While a governor can call a special legislative session, legislative leaders will control what happens or does not happen during that session. Moore has not yet secured agreement on how the General Assembly will handle his commission’s report. Senate President Bill Ferguson is strongly opposed to any accelerated redistricting initiative and to a special session. House Speaker Adrienne Jones is strongly supportive of both.

Until governors, state legislative leaders, and the majority of state legislature members agree on redistricting done right, i.e., earning an “A” for fairness, America’s voters will continue to experience gerrymandered Congressional districts.

David Reel is a public affairs and public relations consultant. He is also a consultant for profit organizations on governance, leadership, and management matters. He lives in Easton.

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

Times Two By Jamie Kirkpatrick

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On the recommendation of a friend, I’ve been reading Timothy Egan’s “A Pilgrimage to Eternity.” It’s not my usual fare, but it’s a thoughtful, intriguing, and deep account of the author’s journey along the Via Francigena, an ancient route of pilgrimage that runs some 2,000 miles from Canterbury in England, through France, Switzerland, and Italy, before eventually arriving in Rome. Like all travelogues, it carries the reader—in this case, me—along with the traveler (Mr. Egan) on a journey that is at once both a physical and spiritual trek through the countryside of modern Europe on ancient roadways of earth, stone, and belief.

There is a lot to mull over on a 2,000 mile hike, as well as a lot of time for mulling. I’m too old now to undertake the physical journey, but still young enough in mind and heart to go along for the ride. Backpacks are heavy, feet get blistered, pants chafe, muscles cramp, and water is scarce. But ideas are light and conversations—even silent ones—are stimulating.

In the small French city of Besançon not far from the Swiss border, Mr. Egan—I guess we’ve been together long enough now that I can call him Tim—muses on two distinctly different concepts of time: what the Greeks referred to as Chronos and Kairos. Chronos is the sequential version of time measured by clocks: seconds, minutes, hours, days. Seasons and years. Kairos, on the other hand, is time measured not by duration, but by opportunity. It’s experiential in that it counts the treasured, memorable moments of our lives. Quantity and quality, if you will, or maybe science and art. Opposites that reflect each other. We exist within Chronos, but are indelibly marked by Kairos.

It’s a mesmerizing mental dialogue that hits close to home. In a couple of weeks, my wife and I will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary (Chronos) and those ten years have been filled with many memorable moments of joy, and, yes, some sadness, too (Kairos). Both concepts are milestones that mark our separate and collective journeys so we track both measures of time: the specific calendar celebrations, as well as all those memorable moments that have made our lives together worth living.

So, where is this going? Just here: all of us are living through difficult, even dangerous, times. We look back to the last election or ahead to the next ones. We count the president’s days in office, and wonder what will happen three years hence. Last week’s (Chronos) results were perhaps a sign of positive change to come (Kairos). Time will tell—both versions of it.

There’s still a lot for Tim and me to talk about on our way to Rome, but we have plenty of both kinds of time. We log the miles (I suppose distance is a cousin of Chronos) while we observe the glory around us (Kairos). Here at home, my wife likes to walk and she believes in counting her steps; in fact, she’s mathematically inclined in general, a facility that makes her very good at Sudoku. I, on the other hand, am more of a crossword puzzle guy who tends to measure time in words having to do with inspiration, the qualitative, non-linear events that touch our lives: family, friendships, sunsets, love.

But as my wife’s brother David used to say, “It’s all good.” Chronos and Kairos go together. So do we.

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.

The Duck Is Limping by Al Sikes

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Tuesday’s election results were clear—the Democrats won, the Republicans lost. This was an across the board defeat. There were no shoots of Spring. The President’s most fervent supporters said the problem was that Trump was not on the ballot. I say, excuse me, Trump has chosen to put himself on everything but the granularity of household waste.

The voters, well a majority, share Trumps anger on many issues but are turned off by his angry approach and his often mercurial zigs and zags. Most don’t like meanness. Most don’t like unhinged. Most don’t like extravagant claims with little or no foundation. When the “best ever” becomes a throw-away line, claims of truth lose their plausibility.

Stuck is not a good thing for a leader. But today the nation is enmeshed in a debilitating tangle featuring true believers, an absence of cohesive leadership (the government is shutdown) Courts and a large class of voters called independents.

Independent voters find the lack of civility chilling. Most independent voters don’t have the passion of true believers with the attendant intolerance. They don’t have high expectations, but they do know courtesy and its absence. In short, the mess Democrats served up in the 2024 election cycle defeated them, not the grandiosity and ridicule offered up by the President.

I suspect a majority of voters respect the potential of an extension of the Abraham Accords across the Middle East. But political victories have very short shelf lives. This is particularly true of successes in places most would have trouble finding on a map.

And politicians who live on emotions have to be aware of overnight reckonings. When Trump’s marquee supporter, Elon Musk, was portrayed with a chainsaw in hand, slashing programs that had constituencies, there was trouble in River City (the Potomac).

Trump is now a lame duck, who turned the gun on himself. A majority expressed confidence in him over her (Kamala Harris) last November, but popularity is fragile—especially if in the telling everything revolves around one man. Independents, the deciding factor in all elections except those where hardcore supporters are densely clustered, are suffering indigestion. Americans have not been trained to take orders from an autocrat.

So now America has a White House occupant who has precious little time to effect a turnaround but who, I guess, is building a giant ballroom for various celebrations. A ballroom filled by sycophants will not transmit the right vibe.

Neither George Washington or Abraham Lincoln were modest men but they formed their visions from history, theology, philosophy and literature, not from the vagaries of the marketplace. And they governed for history, not X (formerly Twitter).

An aside. Flying too close to the sun is always perilous. Watch out Zohran Mamdani, reengineering New York City will not be a walk in Central Park.

And what about those red carpets on the just finished Asian swing? Understand, Mr. President, that Xi of China is not your friend. Nor Putin of Russia. Nor Kim Jung Un of North Korea.

Un doesn’t want anything you can plausibly give him so he deflected your barely disguised suggestion for a stop over. Xi will do business because it is in his best interests. And you will prevail in negotiations with Xi, if he perceives you to be strong back home.

Putin will welcome staged bilateral talks that make him look reasonable, but persist in his tyrannical ambitions until he is certain the West will exact unbearable costs.

America is rich. It has enormous military power. It has sound government institutions and these are only the headlines of its strengths. Persons who become President will, as long as our assets hold together, be offered a certain deference. But don’t confuse tactical deference with friendship. If you are using tariffs to penalize friends (Canada, for example), don’t imagine that the red carpet is for you; it is for America. America is made strong by its stable democracy, law-bound courts, free markets, and diverse leaders and ideas. And true friendships.

A final thought. We always need to adaptively build strength and measure our initiatives against our history. Too often, we have allowed hope and borrowing power to weaken us. A $37 trillion dollar debt is shameful. In the neighborhood of 30% of the debt is held by foreign holders.

My last political job was in President George HW Bush’s administration. He built an incomparable resume through good public service. The jobs he did, including as President Ronald Reagan’s Vice President, were done well, and he didn’t ever, as I recall, try to upstage those he worked for or with. When he was President, the “Captain of the Ship of State”, there was a lot of ballast. Today, not so much.

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.

College Football Is Back to School By Angela Rieck

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Some of my favorite sounds of autumn are the sounds from football. The ratatat percussion section of the college marching band. Spectators shout, cheer, or groan after each play. The announcer’s scratchy voice over the loudspeaker explains each play and its key participants. At halftime, the marching band prances throughout the field with coordinated instruments that belt out loud, familiar tunes. There is always a low hum from the crowd. 

I am an avid football fan. Not just because I love the game, but because football games were our family time. Every Sunday, I would go to church and volunteer at animal adoption, while my daughter went to the barn to ride, and my husband would relax and prepare our favorite appetizers. Then we would gather together and watch football.

But up until recently, I have been very conflicted over college football.

The monopolistic grip of the NCAA used kept young athletes in an almost slavish status. Large football schools would make large sums of money off football, both in donations and ticket sales. But players, who gave their body and their youth to this sport, used to be given only a scholarship. While colleges pay coaches multi-million-dollar salaries, their players could not afford meals. If students were injured (as many are), they would lose their scholarship and be left with nothing but a broken body. If they failed to graduate during their eligibility period (which is challenging because playing football is a full-time job), they left without a degree.

That all changed. Because college athletes fought back.

There were two drivers to this change. 

The first important change was Name, Image, and Likeness, called NIL. After an athlete discovered that his picture was used to promote a game, he sued the NCAA for compensation under anti-trust laws. The NCAA argued the canard that student athletes should be unpaid amateurs, and the schools should keep all of the revenue. The NCAA lost when the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that athletes can be compensated. Since then, a number of states (including Maryland) have passed laws that allow athletes to make money on sponsorships and advertising. Many of these players grew up in poverty and will not get to play in the NFL; this will be the only money they may earn from years of effort and sacrifice.

The NCAA also changed their rules about student athlete eligibility and tuition. Recent NCAA rules protect athletic scholarships from being canceled due to injury, loss of ability, or poor performance. Now student athletes will have their tuition paid despite injury or the inability to complete their degree during the eligibility period. Student athletes are now eligible for scholarships while they are in graduate school. 

The other major change that has allowed student athletes to take control of their careers is the Transfer Portal. Before the Transfer Portal was implemented, a college student was stuck with his initial choice. The NCAA prohibited players who transferred from playing for a year. After another lawsuit, they dropped that provision. Now college athletes can change schools via the Transfer Portal if they feel they are not being treated properly. So, players who do not feel they are given adequate playing time, NIL compensation, are not pleased with the academics, or do not get along with the coaching staff can transfer to a different school.

Student athletes can now be compensated and have control over which school they go to. For many students, the income raised in NIL is very important to them and their parents. 

Admittedly, this new system has a potential for fraud. In order to fund NIL, collectives have been formed by boosters that generate funds. These collectives provide compensation funds for athletes. Most states and the NCAA have a rule that students are compensated for additional activities, such as teaching, signing autographs, promoting merchandise, etc. beyond their participation in sports.

Student athletes especially those in football and basketball, often use agents. Agents can be helpful by negotiating deals and finding sources of revenue. However, unscrupulous agents can take a larger percentage of funds than is allowed by the National Football League (NFL).

There is a concern that the collective will be used to recruit students by offering high value recruits a guaranteed amount of money in NIL. This has been declared illegal by the NCAA, but policing it at this point is very difficult. Likewise in the transfer portal, students can be offered NIL funds to select a certain school.  

The NCAA can no longer keep students in servitude. The athletes are now not taken advantage of by a system that uses them for football or basketball and then discards them when their college career is over.

The issues will be sorted out over time. And it’s certainly true that the richer schools will get the better athletes. But the important issue is that now the players have the power and control over their careers. And the NCAA will have to represent both the players and the higher institutions. 

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.

Light at the End of the Tunnel? By J.E. Dean

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The election results are in from Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Republicans and MAGA lost. Democracy won. 

Last night, dare we say it, was a turning point. The voters spoke. They’ve had enough of President Trump, MAGA, Stephen Miller, ICE raids, blowing up “suspected” Venezuelan drug boats, relentlessly (albeit unsuccessfully) pursuing the Nobel Peace Prize, demolishing the East Wing of the White House, pardoning business partners, as well as fraudster George Santos, and wrecking political retribution on James Comey, Letitia James, John Bolton, and Jack Smith. And don’t forget DOGE, Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth,  JD Vance, USAID, and the legions of fired federal employees.

I could go on, but you don’t need to watch the video of Trump’s “Gatsby-themed” party at Mar-a-Lago to know that when voters returned Donald Trump to the White House, he won, not the American people.

But let’s not be too quick to declare the Trump era over. It’s not. And, as President Trump himself wrote last night, he was not on the ballot. The House and Senate remain in Republican hands, as does the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump’s presidential term has more than three years remaining.

A lot of damage can be done to democracy in three years. And don’t fool yourself into thinking that Trump will learn something from last night’s Democratic wins. Trump will double down on claims of election fraud and efforts to require voter ID, eliminate mail-in ballots, and other “reforms” intended to deprive the right to vote to many.

Trump will also accelerate efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, slow down legal immigration (except for white South Africans), and use the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence to celebrate his own Presidency and MAGA.

It is too early to throw out those “No Kings” placards and signs. The No Kings movement and other protests against destructive Trump policies are needed now more than ever.

Last night’s election returns resulted, in part, from the good work those of us who participated in the No Kings protests have done this year. Like it or not, more work remains to be done if Democrats are going to win back the House of Representatives a year from now.

So, let’s not count chickens before they are hatched. But let’s also welcome the light at the end of the tunnel. Voters last night delivered something more than wins in their respective States. They offered hope for the future. Yes, America, Trump’s “Golden Age” won’t last a thousand years, regardless of how many memorials Trump builds for himself in the next three years.

But there’s more. Republican officeholders across America received a message from voters last night. That message was that blindly following Donald Trump and his “movement” can be dangerous to your political career.

Here are a few of the things that were won last night, thanks to Democratic voters.

Trump and MAGA have a new, powerful motivation for ending the destructive government shutdown. Voters are angry and, despite claims to the contrary, know it was Trump and his lemmings on the Hill who closed the government.

Republican legislators now know that blindly following Trump can be political suicide. Expect more Republicans to break ranks with Trump on his political appointees, and especially on legislation not in their constituents’ interests.

The public is increasingly aware of corruption in Washington. Even voters who like the MAGA agenda are asking how the Trump family has made billions since January. As one friend told me last week, “The Trump presidency is a house of cards, and the wind is blowing.”

The public knows the President is obsessed with retribution against his political enemies. Could last night’s vote convince more Republicans to speak out against it? I expect it will.

I could go on, but my point is that America had a good night last night, but there is work to be done. Our fundamental civil rights remain in jeopardy, especially our right to vote.

While we celebrate last night’s Democratic wins, we cannot forget that.

J.E. Dean writes on politics, government, goldendoodles, and other subjects. A former counsel on Capitol Hill and public affairs consultant, Dean also writes for Dean’s Issues & Insights on Substack.

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

The Future of The Robert Morris Inn by Al Sikes

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My wife and I, on many of our bike outings in and around Oxford, end up making a right turn onto the Strand with the Tred Avon River on our left. The images flit by: first, the Tred Avon Yacht Club, then the Oxford Ferry straight ahead, and sadly, on our right, a For Sale sign at the historic Robert Morris Inn (RMI).

I don’t pass the Inn without recalling wonderful evenings with good friends, especially in the winter with a fireplace at our back. Last winter the Inn was sporadically open and it seems unlikely that it will be open this winter. It is, of course, now for sale.

Markets for commercial real estate are dynamic. Business prospects, the cost of debt, and supply/demand factors frame pricing. I know the Inn’s sticker price, $3,600,000; beyond that, I remain uninformed about a variety of circumstances that will weigh on pricing, the availability of credit, and timing.

Without taking a deep dive into the market for similar commercial properties, I would offer up several considerations. First, I comment because the RMI is not just another hospitality business for sale. The Inn’s history helps define it; this is not a commodity property.  In more ways than one, it also helps define Oxford.

I know my wife and I, while not students of Robert Morris,  like to at least characterize his contributions to America’s success in the Revolutionary War. His friendship with George Washington. His financial acumen which earned him the title: “Financier of the Revolutionary War.” Inevitably we comment on the beginning of the Inn as Morris’ house in 1710. The Inn’s history transports a gathering into a special moment.

If the new owner of the Inn is to succeed, he/she will have to build back its reputation and more. This requires continuity and continuity requires some level of profit.

Unless it has a destination reputation, it will keep changing hands. The new owner will have to be given some flexibility with the underlying assets to remain in for the long term. One question: what would the “financier”, Robert Morris, require?

Profitability is not a nice to have; it is a need to have. The Inn At Little Washington is a flickering image of possibility. The RMI setting is more dramatic, but profitability requires more than eye candy.

I presume that due diligence by a prospective buyer will necessarily explore the town government’s attitude before any paperwork is finalized. In Oxford it is not unusual to see an “Applications Pending” sign. If I were a prospective buyer, I would want a streamlined approval process. When I was in the broadcasting business, the most fraught time was during a pending license transfer application period at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC had to approve the purchase.

One other thought. Commercial and industrial development agencies in States, Counties, Cities and special districts often offer financial incentives to attract investment and good jobs. I hope Maryland, Talbot County and Oxford are similarly motivated. The Robert Morris Inn is not a crown jewel, but a colonial one well worth preserving.

Final note about the Inn’s namesake: Morris was very bullish on America’s prospects after the war. According to historians this led him to acquire a great deal of land, using debt. The assumptions of rapid growth didn’t materialize and his debt brought him to bankruptcy before bankruptcy laws. A sound business model built on sound assumptions is not optional if success is going to result.

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. 

Richard Marks contributed to this column.

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

Who is Really Getting Screwed? By Maria Grant

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Over the last several months, President Trump and his minions have repeatedly claimed that America is getting screwed. Foreign countries have rigged the rules of the game. They cheat, they plunder, they rob. Most of these claims center around trade imbalances. Of course, none of these issues are simple matters of math. Rather they involve complex concepts involving scale, natural resources, location, and so much more. (Personally, I agree with President Reagan when he said that over the long run trade barriers eventually hurt American workers and consumers.)

Here are a few examples of America getting screwed, according to the Trump train.

The European Union was formed to screw America. 

China, Mexico, and Canada are screwing America because of trade deficits. 

Immigrants are screwing America by committing crimes and draining our resources. 

The Media is screwing America with fake news, spreading lies and working against the Administration.

Elite academic institutions are screwing America by embracing “woke” policies and propagating “anti-American values.”   

Employers’ DEI initiatives are screwing America, resulting in unqualified applicants obtaining positions, and more qualified applicants being pushed aside. 

The Federal Reserve Board is screwing America by delaying the lowering of interest rates.

America is being conned on environmental issues, specifically regarding climate change and renewable energy. Trump’s exact words: “The greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” 

Americans are getting screwed because the federal government gives too much money to support developing countries—way more than America’s fair share. Hence the demolition of USAID and other humanitarian assistance.

Sigmund Freud developed a psychoanalytic theory called projection–the concept of accusing others of what you are guilty of. Let’s take a closer look at exactly who is screwing who. A short list of people and entities that Trump has screwed follows. 

A chauffeur driver sued Trump because he never got paid for mammoth amounts of overtime pay.

A Philadelphia cabinet maker filed bankruptcy because Trump refused to pay the final cabinet bill.

A drapery business in Las Vegas closed because Trump shorted it on its final bill to a tune of $380,000.

A contractor that installed toilet partitions in Trump’s Atlantic City casino received only 30 cents on the dollar. The contract was for $23l,0000. The contractor received $70,000. 

Trump hired 200 undocumented immigrants from Poland to build Trump Tower. No records were kept. No Social Security payments or taxes were paid. No overtime was paid to workers who frequently worked twelve-hour days. 

A piano seller who sold several grand and upright pianos to Trump’s casino was screwed out of $30,000—a huge hit for a small business. 

Thousands of students were defrauded by Trump University, a for-profit real estate seminar that Trump’s team developed which was not accredited. 

Trump’s charity was formed only for personal and political purposes and was eventually forced to shut down. 

Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has taken or proposed at least 350 actions that directly threaten the environment, climate, and human health, including rollbacks of environmental and health laws, and attacking well-established science and scientists—essentially screwing progress for a safer and healthier environment for current and future generations. 

Last year, more than 1.1 million international students contributed $448 million to the U.S. economy. The Trump administration’s draconian cuts to research and stricter regulations around international students are screwing Americans—the former brain gain is becoming a major brain drain as universities and think tanks outside the U.S encourage students and researchers to come to their shores. 

In spite of Trump’s claims that DEI initiatives result in incompetence at all levels, Trump’s current cabinet has been ranked the third worst in history. (Warren G. Harding’s came in first and Ulysses S. Grant’s came in second.) Trump’s cabinet has been criticized for lack of qualifications, appointments based on loyalty over capability, conflicts of interest, and overall, extremely poor vetting. The result: America is screwed by not receiving competent advice based on deep expertise on issues such as health, defense, intelligence, justice, and education. 

Since the shutdown of USAID in July of this year, it has been reported that an estimated 526,610 deaths have been caused by the funding discontinuation, including more than 355,620 children. Trump just gave Argentina USAID’s entire yearly budget— a $20 billion bailout (which may soon become $40 billion) that will primarily benefit various extremely wealthy hedge fund managers. 

Trump’s contentions that he has been screwed, shorted, and abused, along with the rest of America, are beyond absurd. This is a man who has cheated on every one of his three wives, shorted literally hundreds of vendors, shirked from paying his fair-share of taxes, and participated in a host of fraudulent schemes.

As a result of Trump’s policies, the national debt has increased, trade wars are running rampant, environmental policies have been rolled back, healthcare premiums are rising, scientific research is being stymied, and political polarization is increasing.

 One man, his administration, and his cohorts are the screwees. Science, affordable healthcare, the environment, the ill and disadvantaged, developing countries, our allies, and future generations are the victims. 

Maria Grant, formerly the principal-in-charge of the federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm, now 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.