Commentary

For Señora Bernal, the best of times quickly became the worst of times. The best of times was June 2023, when her then-first grader’s report card showed an overall “proficient” reading grade. MCPS believed her son was succeeding. The worst of times was October 2023, when her now-second grader’s standardized test results indicated poor reading fluency and comprehension. The exam showed her son was failing.

“We stand with Israel”; “Baltimore stands with Israel.” These are just two of the signs I’ve begun noticing during my almost daily walks around my neighborhood here in Pikesville. Just a few days ago, an American and Israeli flag meshed together as one was put up by a neighbor whose home sits across mine. It’s a clear showing that the highly charged emotions from the overseas Israel and Palestine conflict aren’t only taking root through mass protests in our capitals and cities across America, but have seeped in right here in our very own neighborhoods; places usually meant to be safe spaces of community and togetherness for all who live in them.

Americans by the tens of millions are traveling by train, by air or, most often, by car, gathering this week for a day of Thanksgiving. It is a tradition even older than the United States, and a day that we Americans treasure highly. Every school child knows the story of Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, and how the Pilgrims invited some members of the Wampanoag Indian tribe to a feast in November 1621. The Indians had essentially saved the lives of the Europeans by helping them harvest native plants and hunt for game.

Historians, in writing about the chronicle of Thanksgiving in the United States, usually concentrate on presidential proclamations for the holiday. To be sure, Congress sometimes has a role in delineating special dates, but a national day of thanks in November became identified with chief executives, thanks to George Washington, whose proclamation for a “day of public thanksgiving” in 1789 set the precedent.

For the second year in a row, Travel & Leisure has ranked Annapolis 15th on its annual list of the top 25 towns to visit for Christmas. The website, frankly, is late to the party. Annapolis has been a Christmas town for a long, long time. “If you want the city to have a Christmas tree, if you want to engender the spirit of ‘Peace on Earth: Goodwill to men,’ meet the mayor at half past 8 o’clock in the Council Chamber. Let a large number of people turn out.”

“Mr. President, you can’t say Dallas doesn’t love you.” Nellie Connolly, the first lady of Texas, turned around and spoke those words to President John F. Kennedy. He was sitting behind her in the open-top 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible, and he agreed: “No, you certainly can’t.” These were among his last words. Then as the car entered Dealey Plaza and passed the Texas Book Depository, three shots rang out. A bullet hit Kennedy, flung him back, then to the left, as he slumped into Jackie’s arms.