CONGRATULATIONS TO MARYLAND CONGRESSMAN JAMIE RASKIN!

Check it out!!!! https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/a-person-of-the-year-jamie-raskin

Politics in Maryland

Lorig Charkoudian: A Force To Be Reckoned With In Maryland Politics

Photo Credit: Aline Charkoudian-Rogers

Takoma Park Celebrates Christmas

A reader of Marash Girl from Takoma Park, Maryland, a Representative in the Maryland House of Representatives, writes of the Generosity Of The Takoma Park Community. "This past weekend, Takoma Park, Maryland, celebrated the Christmas Season with a massive food distribution event, a free toy store set up by a mutual aid organization, and a toy drive. What I observed, beyond the tangible items was our community looking out for neighbors in need, I felt the generosity of spirit that surrounded us and saw countless acts of kindness. We must all bring this same transforming energy to policymaking to build a more just economy and nation devoted to equity and equality in all areas of our lives. I look forward to working with all of you in the next Legislative Session to bring those ideas and that compassionate spirit to fruition."

"United for Biden"

Joyous and relieved residents of the United States of America, Aline and Lorig Charkoudian celebrate in downtown Takoma Park, Maryland, a few hours after the Biden/Harris win was announced on November 7, 2020.

"United for Biden - Biden/Harris" Photo Credit: Kathryn LaLonde

RELENTLESS FORWARD PROGRESS

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Delegates Charkoudian and W. Fisher: Honoring All Americans By Guest Commentary - October 12, 2020 Image from a Change.org petition. 2020 has been a year of moral reckoning. The Black Lives Matter protests of this summer raised awareness of structural racism in the United States and saw monuments to a fabled past brought down. While the history of inequality for African-Americans can be traced to 1619 when the first enslaved Africans were brought to what is now the United States, another landing made six score and seven years earlier in 1492 — by Christopher Columbus — and the holiday that celebrates it, must also now be reconsidered and, in our view, reframed and renamed. The myth of Columbus Since our founding, our nation has celebrated Christopher Columbus discovering North America without him ever having stepped a foot on our continent. The United States’ Founding Fathers claimed him as a non-English discoverer of a new land and honored his legacy by placing our capital in the newly-established District of Columbia. In time, a larger mythology developed around Columbus and it became an important part of the country’s idea of Manifest Destiny and the Doctrine of Discovery, which still provides the legal underpinnings of the United States of America’s sovereignty over indigenous peoples. But what we rarely learned in school is the depth and breadth of the genocide Columbus and other “discoverers” wrought in the “West Indies” — the misnamed islands which were, in fact, inhabited by Taino people with their own culture, language and way of life. Felled by battles with Spanish soldiers, smallpox, and slavery, more than 85% of the indigenous populace was wiped out a few decades after the first contact with European invaders. Columbus’ own cruelty towards the indigenous people led many of his contemporaries to speak out against his inhumanity. Although he arrived as a brave explorer, he returned to Spain in chains. In spite of this cruelty — and the centuries of violence and injustice that followed — the impact of Indigenous Peoples’ resilience is evident throughout American history, and their history and contributions are worthy of commemoration. Some have argued that celebrating Columbus Day is a way to celebrate Italian-American heritage. We believe there is value in lifting up the many Italians and Italian-Americans who have contributed to our country’s leadership in civil rights, arts, medicine, academics, journalism, and labor organizing, among other areas. Columbus Day does not do that and we encourage and support new ways of honoring these contributions. Why Maryland should honor Indigenous Peoples Day As Marylanders, we find ourselves at a crossroads: as we look back on our difficult past, how do we carve a pathway to greater inclusion and equity? How do we reconcile both the myths and accomplishments of our past with the reality of a history of imperialism and colonialism grounded in oppression and exploitation? Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery) We believe that reconciliation begins with a fuller understanding and requires truth-telling about our history. We must now create new ways to celebrate the varied peoples and cultures in our state, while resisting the glorification of historical figures whose legacy of murder, discrimination, and degradation should be analyzed and understood for the centuries of oppression that they began. Recently, Maryland began the necessary reframing of symbols of the past to reflect more accurately our current beliefs and values. We took down the statue of Supreme Court Justice Roger Taney, who drafted the majority opinion in the infamous Dred Scott case, and removed the Confederate soldiers plaque from the State House. We honored the great legacies of Harriett Tubman and Frederick Douglass with bold statues in the State House. We are also hopeful that the state will adopt a new song to replace our current racist one. Del. Wanika B. Fisher (D-Prince George’s) We can take another important step along this path and celebrate the vibrant culture and history of the three tribes officially recognized by the State of Maryland — the Piscataway Indian Nation, the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, and the Accohannock Indian Tribe — and the many other indigenous people who have been here in the past and continue to live in our state. Pledge for a new America We call on fellow Marylanders to take this Monday, Oct. 12, to reflect on Columbus’ legacy as part of a brutal beginning of 500 years of oppression and the plight — and resilience — of Indigenous Peoples throughout the Western Hemisphere. Our work to dismantle structural racism and address this legacy must also take the form of substantive policy changes. One concrete symbol of our commitment to this path is to change the name of this holiday. Please support us in the 2021 Legislative Session as we bring forward legislation, as many other states and localities have already done, to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. — LORIG CHARKOUDIAN AND WANIKA B. FISHER The writers are Democratic members of the House of Delegates representing Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, respectively. Share this: FacebookTwitter Avatar

 xMaryland MatterHome  Commentary  Del. Lorig Charkoudian: A Just Recovery for Md. — COVID, Climate and...

• Commentary
• COVID-19 in Maryland
• Energy & Environment

Del. Lorig Charkoudian: A Just Recovery for Md. — COVID, Climate and the Economy

The deadly pandemic, climate catastrophe and growing economic recession have starkly and tragically laid bare our societal vulnerabilities and racial disparities. Our nation and the state of Maryland have already endured staggering suffering and losses.

As we move forward, there are actions we can take to put our state on the road to a just recovery — both immediately and as part of a long-term strategy that addresses all three of these interrelated challenges.

What does COVID-19 have to do with climate change? The same fossil fuels accelerating the climate crisis — coal, gasoline and fracked gas — are making the coronavirus much deadlier. Harvard researchers found that air pollution increases coronavirus mortality in the United States.

Scientists also believe it is the reason why Northern Italy’s COVID-19 death rate reached nearly 12% while the rest of the country’s was 4.5%. A German research team says long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide primarily from fossil fuel combustion in cars and power plants is “one of the most important contributors” to coronavirus deaths in Spain, Italy, France and Germany.

That’s sobering news, as death from air pollution itself was already on the rise in the U.S. and disproportionately affecting communities of color. In Maryland, we see racial disparities both in air pollution exposure and in COVID-19 deaths. There’s likely a large overlap between the thousands of Marylanders dying of COVID-19 and those who have been more exposed to pollutants caused by fossil fuels.

Of course, the effects of climate change in Maryland and the damage to our economy were being felt even before this pandemic.

Sometimes this happens quickly and catastrophically such as with hurricanes and extreme flash flooding in Ellicott City. “Sunny day” flooding is now commonplace in historic Annapolis and downtown Baltimore and is expected to become more frequent. Saltwater intrusion is negatively impacting prime agricultural land on the Eastern Shore, further threatening our ability to build a sustainable local food system and causing additional pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. And the extreme heat and associated health risks that come with it are also disproportionately felt in poorer urban communities, which are also predominantly communities of color.

Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery)

The COVID-19-created recession we find ourselves in is also affecting Marylanders of color in disproportionate ways, including significantly higher unemployment. Many of the one of every six working Marylanders who have filed for unemployment will return to their old careers after the economy fully re-opens. But many won’t, with their vulnerability increasing the longer the pandemic lasts.

We find ourselves at a critical juncture. The steps we take now will determine if we can shift away from this unsustainable and imperiling path to a healthier and more just future.

Here are some ideas for both immediate and more long-term action:

Energy Efficiency: One of the most job-intensive ways to reduce climate pollution is increasing energy efficiency. Thanks to groups like the Green and Healthy Home Initiative, weatherization and other efficiency upgrades that reduce electricity consumption and improve indoor air quality, are helping families struggling with asthma. The General Assembly set aside an additional $6.5 million in funding for low-income energy efficiency in the 2020 session.

However, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has so far failed to release these funds. He should release these funds immediately as a simple step toward lowering electricity bills, improving health and creating good jobs.

Transportation: Huge reductions in car travel have given us the clearest skies many of us can remember. That comes as no surprise since on-road gasoline is the largest climate polluter in the state. Nonetheless, the governor is still pushing to spend billions of dollars to widen I-270 and 495. We must shift away from a future of ever-widening roads and highways to accommodate more and more fossil fuel-burning cars and trucks. Public transit provides a big job creation opportunity — for every billion dollars spent on transit, 50,000 jobs are created — in addition to connecting people to all kinds of jobs.

But the Hogan administration continues to underfund public transit — to the tune of $2 billion over 10 years — leaving much of our bus and rail system woefully inadequate and in a state of disrepair. At a minimum, the governor must fully fund the forthcoming Maryland Transit Administration regional transit plan to be released in October.

Solar: Right now, there are more than 50 large solar projects under development in Maryland, but as a result of needless foot-dragging by the state’s Power Plant Research Program (within the Department of Natural Resources), many of these projects will face delays in permitting. Gov. Hogan should ensure that these projects move through the state permitting process without delay. This could unlock an estimated 3,000 good-paying jobs at no cost to the state.

Offshore wind: Similarly, Maryland’s emerging offshore wind sector, which has the capacity to generate clean renewable energy and cut air pollution from dirty power plants, has been threatened by delays and harmful policies by the Trump administration’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, putting potentially as much as a third of Maryland’s future offshore wind in jeopardy.

My legislative colleagues and I have asked the Public Service Commission to adjust the offshore wind application process to work around the issue, but so far the PSC has balked. The change could help create as many as 2,000 additional jobs without costing the state a dime.

When my colleagues and I return to the legislative session, we will have many pressing needs to address. We will also have an unprecedented opportunity to prioritize a just recovery framework. Creative statutory changes, as well as strategic investment of federal stimulus funds will allow for equitable growth in public transit; energy efficiency; solar, wind, geothermal and storage; grid upgrades; and compost and recycling systems.

We will need to proceed with utmost urgency to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy, creating green jobs with family-sustaining wages, reducing climate risks, cleaning our air and improving the public health, especially in our communities that — because of systemic racism and injustice — have been hardest hit by COVID-19, climate change and the economic downturn.

By taking determined actions today toward our long-term future, all Marylanders should be able to breathe easier.

— DEL. LORIG CHARKOUDIAN

The writer, a Democrat, represents Montgomery County’s District 20 in the Maryland General Assembly. She can be reached at lorig.charkoudian@house.state.md.us.

FriendsofLorig@gmail.com ask for your support!

Lorig Charkoudian (on left) running for Maryland's District 20 Delegate,

goes door to door as she begins her campaign.

Dear Marash Girl, Over the last few months, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many  of you in person while knocking on doors in your neighborhood.  I learned a lot about your concerns: the educational opportunities  for your children, the preservation of the environment, and economic  justice for the everyone in our community.You also shared with me  the things that you love most about living in District 20, and as the  holiday season approaches, I’m thinking a lot about all we have to be  thankful for. There’s a rich sense of inclusiveness in our communities-- cultural diversity is one of our District’s greatest strengths. We are so  fortunate to have a community committed to building a better world.  I am inspired by the social change agents who live in District 20 and  spend every day of their lives working to make this world  a better place. And we can’t forget about our beautiful parks  and waterways, including the Sligo Creek and Northwest Branch, the  Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Park, and our neighborhood parks,  that connect us to our beautiful planet and to each other. Finally, as  Veterans Day draws closer, we are grateful for our veterans and their  families for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make. There’s so much to love about being a resident in District 20, and I’m  committed to making sure that everyone who lives here has the  opportunity to enjoy everything our district has to offer. I have a  strong record of civic engagement in District 20, and I know that  I can help this district even more as your representative in Annapolis. It’s a huge task and I’m up for the challenge, but I need your help to  get there! Please volunteer to help spread the word about my campaign. You  can join me for the Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade on November 18.  Volunteer Here. Our Yard Signs have arrived!  Let us know if you want a yard sign to show  your support and let your neighbors know about my candidacy.   E-mail friendsoflorig@gmail.com to have one delivered to your house.  Please make a contribution to my campaign so I can reach more voters.  Contribute Here. Please also join us for Star Wars Trivia Night. Thank you for all of your support! I hope that you will join my campaign so that  together we can enhance everything that we love about District 20 Maryland. Lorig

Paid for by Friends of Lorig Charkoudian, Jill Feasley, Treasurer, Tebabu Assefa, Chair

Friends of Lorig Charkoudian
P.O. Box 11281
Takoma Park MD 20913 United States

Congratulations, Lorig! Once again, you ran the 70 miles for Prisoner Re-Entry Mediation!

They made it and the Baltimore Sun covered it! http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-run-for-reentry-20161009-story.html

 Lorig ran 70 miles, from Hagerstown, Maryland prisons to Community Mediation in Baltimore, Maryland, in order to raise funds for Prisoner Re-Entry Mediation, with many folks joining her for parts of the run, like Erricka Bridgeford, Councilman Brandon Scott, Hasson Barnes, Daniel Levine, and more. You can still donate to the effort to support successful prisoner reentry into the community by clicking here: http://reentrymediation.wixsite.com/run4reentry

Note: Community Mediation Maryland's  conflict resolution programs help inmates stay out of prison for good by helping them repair relationships with their families. Let's all support this effort!

More on P

Spending time with her 9 year old grandson brought back memories of her own elementary school days and the jokes that the boys used to tell.  She wondered if the jokes were still alive and well in Maryland all these many years later, so she decided to ask her grandson . . . 

"Have you heard the joke that Marash Girl heard from David Seeley in 3rd grade at Claflin School? . . . it went like this.  

Teacher:  David, please recite the alphabet.
David:  ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO . . QRSTUVWXYZ
Teacher:  What happened the the 'P'?
David:  The 'P' went down the toilet.
And of course, all the boys howled with delight, while the girls were embarrassed and the teacher's face turned a bright red."

Iffar answered, "Oh, that joke!  We still tell it.  It goes like this . . .

David, waving his hand in class frantically in class, is ignored by the teacher.

Finally the teacher calls on David, and asks him to recite the alphabet.  David asks if he may be excused to go to the boys' room first.  The teacher replies, "After you recite the alphabet . . . "

So David dutifully recites the alphabet.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO . . . QRSTUVWXYZ.

"What happened to the 'P'?" asks the teacher.

David replies, chagrined, "It's running down my pants leg."

N.B.  In her day, the "pee" joke was considered a "dirty joke" and Marash Girl never retold it until all these many years later . . . although she remembered it (obviously)!

Traffic Calming Ahead!

"Traffic Calming Ahead".  The sign in Takoma Park, Maryland, announcing calming gave Marash Girl pause as she had never heard of the concept in New England.  What exactly did it mean? There was little or no traffic to be seen on this suburban road which connected no particularly important streets to no particularly important streets. Were there comforting roadside stands meant to calm drivers down?  Lemonade vendors? Strains of Montovanni music coming from the windows of the lovely little houses lining the streets?  Folks sitting along the side of the road in rocking chairs ready to share their philosophy with would be passers by?  Nope. Not at all.

Turns out that the traffic calming consisted of little more than road bumps crossing from sidewalk to sidewalk (road bumps that used to be called "Dead Bodies" in Beirut, Lebanon, in the 1960's) and full islands, all attempting to frustrate the intentions of would be speedsters.  The city had been nice enough to warn drivers to  take care not to tear out the bottoms of their cars.  Thank you, Takoma Park!

Spring Is On Its Way!

                    Marash Girl's grandchildren are witness to the fact that Spring is on its way!
                                                         In Maryland, at least!

Good Neighbor on Ritchie Avenue

Skip and the Good Neighbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Photo by Marash Girl

Marash Girl's best friend from high school decided to visit  Marash Girl while she was in Maryland visiting her  grandchildren.   The two became so embroiled in conversation -- recounting tales of J.C. Hall and their AP Chemistry Class, of Marilyn Drewes and their AP biology class, that Skip forgot that he had forgotten to turn his car lights off, and sure as tootin', when Skip finally rose up from the porch chair with the words, "I really have to leave -- I'm going to be late for my next appointment",  walked over to his car, opened the car door, sat on the driver's seat, took out his keys, put the car key into the ignition and turned the key, nothing happened.   Marash Girl knew that Triple A would never get there in time for Skip to make it to his next appointment.  When she looked up, though, she saw, right across the street, a neighbor sitting next to his white pick up truck.  "Need help?" he asked with a grin.  "Sure do," answered Marash Girl, silently praying thanks to God that Good Neighbors still exist on Ritchie Avenue.

ENILA AT BAT - ORIOLES STADIUM. BALTIMORE, MD

Enila and Iffar proudly hold photo of Enila posing in front of  the Eddie Clarence Murray 
(Steady Eddie) statue at the Orioles Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland.           Photo by Marash Girl

ENILA POSES AT ORIOLES STADIUM IN FRONT OF EDDIE MURRAY STATUE.
EDDIE MURRAY (HOF 2003) FIRST BASEMAN FOR THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES, WELL KNOWN FOR HIS HITTING PROWESS, SIGNS PHOTO (IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015)
OF ENILA  POSING IN FRONT OF HIS (EDDIE MURRAY'S)  STATUE IN 2014.  Photo by Matt Rogers