Fresh Politics, New Media

I really enjoy watching David Brooks and Mark Shields engage in a civil discussion of the week's news on the Friday broadcast of the PBS News Hour . While I don't always agree with David Brooks' politics, I do think he presents some very rational and pressing arguments in his work (his recent column on weed aside). In today's New York Times, Brooks critiques our heightened love of machines and the use of automation to replace human dependent tasks like driving cars or picking stocks. Brooks makes the point that even in this age of rapidly expanding technology, there are certain human activities that machines just can't replicate. Brooks is certainly right on some fronts. But maybe the question isn't a dichotomous one -- machine vs. human? Perhaps, as I've seen in my own recent work with a team of computer science colleagues , it's about using machines to enhance human efforts. Relying on techniques from the world of artificial intelligence (e.g., aut...

The lead story in the National section of today's New York Times  focuses on the debate over same-sex marriage in Maryland. The controversy is starting to heat up this week as legislators in Annapolis consider possible legislation. The story focuses on the concerns of African-American churchgoers in particular, highlighting a cultural dynamic that is particularly relevant given Maryland's demographic make-up. According to the article: Maryland’s Democrats are sharply divided by race on the issue. A Washington Post poll published on Jan. 30 found that 71 percent of white respondents supported it, while 24 percent did not. Among blacks, 41 percent were supportive, while 53 percent were opposed. African-Americans are an important constituency here: their share of the population — 29 percent — is greater than in many Southern states, including Alabama and South Carolina, according to the Brookings Institution. Those backing the bill hope the religious accommodations proposed ...

If you're a fan of The Wire, it's quite possible that Omar is one of your favorite characters and Michael K. Williams is therefore one of your favorite actors on the series. Whether good or bad, for those outside Maryland, Omar and The Wire  drive impressions of Baltimore. As it turns out, Michael K. Williams is the latest in a string of of folks who are speaking out for marriage equality in Maryland. Check out the PSA below:

Both Washington state and Maryland will be considering the same-sex marriage issue yet again this winter. A report in today's New York Times  suggests that the Washington legislature now has enough votes to pass the measure, making Washington the seventh state to legalize gay marriage. Can Maryland be the 8th state? A new report in today's Baltimore Sun  outlines the specifics of the bill Governor O'Malley submitted to the state legislature last night. Included are greater protections for both religious leaders and institutions that oppose same-sex marriage. While there was strong support for an alternate bill in the Senate last year, the bill fell short of the votes needed to pass in the House of Delegates. This year O'Malley plans to be more active in the debate, leading the push to see the measure passed. Stay tuned as both sides gear up for a battle in Maryland. For more, check out coverage of the effort in The Washington Post .

Frank Bruni has an interesting column in today's New York Times . He talks about the relationship between race and support for same-sex marriage. More specifically, Bruni focuses on the African-American community chronicling their lack of support for same-sex marriage initiatives especially when compared against Hispanic and Caucasian voters. Bruni's piece is worth a read for a number of reasons, but it is his discussion of the upcoming Maryland case that piqued my interest. Public opinion research has documented the differences in support for same-sex marriage legislation in the state and the particular opposition the measure faces from African-American pastors and the religious community they represent. Given the state of affairs in Maryland and the state of national public opinion (at least when it comes to race and support for same-sex marriage), it should therefore come as no surprise that the Human Rights Campaign has enlisted Newark Mayor Cory Booker (video featured be...

The Baltimore Sun  is reporting that Governor Martin O'Malley plans to push for a new state law that would  legally recognize same-sex marriage in the state of Maryland . According to The Baltimore Sun , O'Malley plans to put his full support behind the bill and has charged his top legislative aide with pushing the bill through the Senate and the House of Delegates. O'Malley's push for same-sex marriage legislation is well-timed -- same-sex marriages begin tomorrow in New York State and the Obama administration just officially certified the repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. It seems that Barack Obama isn't the only one who is evolving on the issue -- O'Malley, once just in favor of civil unions, is now a supporter of same-sex marriage. This is hot news in Maryland -- the only hotter news is the heat wave and BGE's suspension of service yesterday for Peak Rewards customers . O'Malley's announcement was the focus of the lead ed...

Now that New York has shown its support for same-sex marriage, many are questioning which state(s) will take up the issue next. So far, Maine, North Carolina, Maryland, and a handful of other states have been suggested as the next places to watch. This weekend, The Baltimore Sun  outlined their view on what it will take to pass a same-sex marriage bill in Maryland. Three ingredients for success: (1) leadership on the issue by Governor O'Malley, (2) the involvement of state Republicans, and (3) inclusion of strong language allowing exemptions for objecting religious organizations. Is this enough? What will it take for Maryland to pass same-sex marriage legislation during the next session of the state legislature?