Carnival of Maryland

Crimes of passion, licensed fortunetellers, spider webs and supermarkets. There's a little something for everyone in the great state of Maryland this week as we open the 42nd edition of the Carnival of Maryland.

Clark Bjorke traces the origins of the song Frankie and Johnny in Frankie and Johnny at Clark's Picks.

It started in a St. Louis, Missouri dance hall in 1899.

Alan Britt’s brief experience in the art of love cost him his life. He died at the City Hospital, Wednesday night from knife wounds inflicted by Frankie Baker, an ebony-hued cakewalker.

Clark's got newspaper excerpts and YouTube clips of different versions of the song, which has been recorded by everyone from Elvis to Sam Cooke to Lindsay Lohan.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, Zinzindor uncovers Idiotic Occupational Licensing Stories at Leviathan Montgomery.

Occupational licensing – that is, requiring people to be approved by the government to practice their occupation – is one of the more destructive activities of Leviathan. Often, the practice exists to inhibit competition, either to protect the interests of those already practicing the occupation, or those who are competing against them. In Montgomery County, it also suffers from Montgomery disease; that is, the belief that (a) government knows best and (b) must control everything.

Who doesn't want more choices and personal freedom? Michael Swartz finds that that's what the Smart Growth people are pushing with their pamphlet, 12 Visions for One Maryland posted at monoblogue. But one man's freedom is another man's prison and Michael has a vision of his own.
Marylanders do have a choice when it comes to the new Ocean City license plate. Kathleen goes over the options at What's New in Maryland.

Mike Netherland outlines the Eastern Shore Philosophy at Mike's Nether Land. It's a tale of disaffected Republicans and a biased local newspaper.

Speaking of media bias, Bruce Robinson finds it in They said it on the news – it must be true posted at GOPinionPlus.

I can forgive the McCain campaign for believing that a bill about comprehensive sex education amended to include K-5 on a vote by Barack Obama for sharing that with the public.

But, on the news, they said it was a lie.

Cheryl Snyder Taragin finds that not all Alaskans are crazy for Palin in Inspiring Presidential Campaign Signs posted at The Spewker, saying, "Sarah Palin may be the new sexy for Republicans, but Alaskans Against Palin take an opposite stance."

Soccer Dad attends a debate between McCain and Obama surrogates at Chizuk Amuno Congregation in Baltimore County. Former governor John Ehrlich nor Senator Ben Cardin argued their cases, but they probably didn't change any minds.

Each did a good job of laying out their respective candidate's positions and philosophy. Everything Cardin said convinced me that Obama did not represent my views at all. I expect that any partisan Democrat would have felt the same about Ehrlich's presentation.

How about getting out of the smoke-filled rooms of politics for a breath of fresh air? The Ridger has dozens of beautiful photos on display at The Greenbelt. Here's a sample from Silver shining in the dawn:



Also check out: Sky Watch: Layers, The Downy Woodpecker, The last bumbles, Off-year cicadas and Irridescence.

From the tranquil groves of the mockingbird, we go to the jungle that is the MARC train, where Mike Netherland finds that the law of the jungle prevails.

Ah, the travails of modern life. I had a couple of my own travails during recent trips to Weis and Giant. Perhaps Safeway is a better bet?

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To submit your post for the next edition of Carnival of Maryland, use the
carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.