The progressive movement is winning the war on defining racism. It is a moving target and it doesn’t hesitate to shoot. I would define it as a brick wall to otherwise reasonable discourse between reasonable adults of various colors. Its players are winning. The rest of us are losing.

In the private sector – for those of us who actually create jobs despite having to struggle with mandates from state and federal government – we have a saying: “Revenue solves all problems.”

My first and last throws as a quarterback in organized football were to the other team. There were many in between and I was sacked my fair share of plays.

"It's Tebow Time," I hollered from my back patio with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter of the Denver Bronco's recent defeat of the Minnesota Vikings. The win put the Broncos in first place in the AFC West, a half game ahead of the Oakland Raiders.

Either our president knows less about creating private sector jobs than an enterprising five year old can demonstrate through a lemonade stand business model, or he and his assortment of czars are purposely offering Congress a plan with no hope of reversing the upward trend of unemployment.

While two of every 10 Americans remain un- or under-employed; while our troops fight wars with no clear objective and no end in sight; while our borders remain a porous political play; while the value of 401Ks and IRAs slump back to 2010 levels; and while our deficit and debt rise due to Congress' unwillingness to look past their own self interests, the dog and pony show circuit – beginning with the Ames (IA) straw poll – offered voters a false premise for meaningful change.

I have long been a fan of team-oriented youth sports. Life lessons learned from participation are at times immediate, at times not realized until decades later.

This column is in response to Kevin Moore’s Letter to the Editor dated December 26, 2010 in The Frederick News Post deriding The Blaine Young Show on WFMD, one that I co-hosted.

Memories of Christmas come in as many shapes and colors as the gift-wrapped boxes beneath the tree. As a child, we remember the lights, the music, and the toys. As we grow older, we learn about the birth of Jesus and the importance of spending time with family.

This offseason the National Basketball Association’s Miami Heat basked in the glow while forming what is supposed to be a “can’t miss” team for this season.

I was honored to have been asked by Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young to take his place and speak on his behalf at the Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association Forum (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/10318886). The venue was originally a feed store, then broom factory, bus depot, restaurant and now its current form, the Carriage House Inn.

It is impossible to not enjoy the differing personalities and experiences of Blaine Young and Kai Hagen. Both men head into the general election for the Board of County Commissioners as the head of their respective slates.

The Frederick County Republican Central Committee (FCRCC), hereinafter referred to as "committee," is experiencing internal turmoil which threatens to undermine its core mission: To promote all Republican candidates. Apparent ineffectiveness – if not incompetent – leadership by current Chairman Mary Rolle threatens to stall, if not reverse, any momentum generated by former Chairman Kelly Schulz.

Admittedly, I enjoy political rhetoric, especially when aimed at inept leaders. One of my favorite barbs is an alleged announcement by a former chairman of the Board of County Commissioners that David Gray is the "dumbest person I have ever met."

My father turns 74 this fall. Slowly winding down seem the days of tending to his gentleman's farm without the aid of labor, paid or otherwise.

I was recently approached by fervent supporters of a candidate for U.S. Senate. They claimed that my opinion mattered greatly, that my endorsement of their opposition was a heart-breaking travesty, that their candidate was the "most conservative" candidate in the state, that their candidate was "a constitutionalist" and that I must publicly announce my support for his candidacy immediately, lest risk losing whatever respect they had for me.

I usually save my predictions for March Madness, for I learned long ago that the only guarantees in life are death, taxes and death by taxes. A recent informal and unscientific poll of Frederick County’s candidates for the Board of Education has me reaching deep into my discretionary income pocket to place a wager: Come November, we will enjoy a well qualified and conservative majority on the school board.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa has stirred debate as to whether or not futbol – soccer if you prefer – is a worthwhile televised spectacle. Those bored by soccer – typically Americans – prefer to watch their neighbor's paint dry. The rest of the world considers it the most celebrated sport on Earth.

Our Frederick Board of County Commissioners and Frederick County Board of Education recently held a joint meeting. One of their agenda items was the proposition to install a green roof on a portion of the new roof constructed at Lincoln Elementary School. Such a project should be cost prohibitive during good economic times. Such a project shouldn't even be discussed during bad times.

The results of the upcoming election for the Board of County Commissioners will determine the direction of Frederick County for many years to come. Despite Friends of Frederick's attempt to make this election about growth, residents should consider two pressing issues: reducing expenses by reducing the role of government and creating jobs close to home.