A Feral Infestation

I am back in my ancestral home dealing with a rather intense situation. Still, as the world turns, it has become very evident that in the years of my exiled absence, a feral infestation of non-native beasts have taken over my old neighborhood.



Let me introduce you all to Paco and his merry band of thieves. His plumed hoard of miscreants roost on a large tree, a few blocks away. In the mornings I can see them stretching-out their wings as they ready themselves for the day's adventures. In a flash, all eight of them take flght and squack their way out yonder. But by clock-work around sunset, they all descend for a greedy dinner of Royal Palm Nuts, and tender shoots sprouting on the trees in front of our home.

When you think of feral animals, cuddly feathered parrots are not the first ones to come to mind, isn't it?



Do they make a racket ARGHCK - ARGHCK!



As my time down here in the Island of Tropical Breezes draws to a close, I'm sure to miss my new featherd friends and my new evening ritual.

Boq

Maryland's Psycho Contortions

You walk into a shrink's office and he asks you: "Und vat do you zee, in diz pickture, Ja"?



Why, it's our brand-spanking-new Maryland 3rd Congressional District, of course!



Under our governor's gracious plan, the whole state is sliced and diced into a eight of *er* creative districts. 


Contrary to common belief, once you get away from Baltimore City, and Montgomery and Prince George's  Counties (the counties bordering D.C.), Maryland is quite a conservative state.  The problem is, that these three jurisdictions hold the population's center of gravity.  Thus, Demoncrats outnumber Republicans 6-to-4 Statewide.  So what to do, to strangle the Republican minority into quiescence? Why - Use Baltimore City, Montgomery and Prince George's, as a Demoncratic ATM Vote Machine, of course.

In the case of the 3rd Congressional District, Conservative Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County (Annapolis), is clumped with reliably Demoncratic Montgomery County and Baltimore City.  But to do so, the resulting district map must do sinewy calisthenics beyond comprehension.  It is so distorted, that the district's western border won't even fit in its official government issued map (See Above).

Baltimore City is sliced and diced also by District 2:



and District 7:




I could go on and rant about the other districts, but I'm gonna let you go with the 4th District.  A district that cuts a slippery path from Demoncratic Prince George's County and marries it with Conservative Anne Arrundel County.  It's of cold comfort to report that the 4th's, offending borders run just half a mile outside from my home:



Thank-you Sir - May I have another!

Boq