Author: Dan Rodricks

Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor, bowed out of the Republican presidential campaign tonight, and as I reflected on his effort over the last several months — his loud and consistent takedowns of Trump as a threat to democracy — I thought of another former Republican governor, Maryland’s Larry Hogan.Where is he? What has … Continue reading Chris Christie spoke the truth about Trump loudly and clearly. Larry Hogan? Meh.

Sometimes, as when the fishing's slow or when the whole world seems cloudy and ominous, I like to stand peaceably by a river, throw the dead branch of a tree in the current and watch it go. I did this when I was a kid -- so that my friends downstream would have something to … Continue reading A river ritual to start the year

Just a quick note on this penultimate day of 2023 to remind members of the Trump cult that Couy Griffin, founder of Cowboys for Trump, was banned from holding public office in New Mexico last year because of his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection against Congress. In September 2022, a state judge removed Griffin … Continue reading “If Griffin is disqualified, then it’s a little hard to see why Trump wouldn’t be disqualified.”

In his strong and convincing performance as Linwood Taylor in “Baltimore, You Have No Idea,” Kevin Richardson plays a lifelong mentor to the recovering Harry Calloway. At one point in a monologue about the difficulties of former inmates in recovery, Richardson’s Taylor says, “I figure, if you’re not encouraging someone somewhere at some time, you’re … Continue reading  A gift we have to give with words and deeds

Newspaper photographers hate check-passing photographs – every newspaper I worked for had an official aversion to them – but sometimes that’s all you’ve got and you gotta go with it because there's a good story to tell. In this case, I post the photo sent to me Thursday by Kate Loveless, executive director of the … Continue reading Picture this: The last child of a 9/11 victim from Maryland has graduated from college

My weekend column is about Chef Michel Tersiguel's decision, after the pandemic, to turn his menu from a conventional one to a "chef's choice," offering the same six courses for all diners at just two seatings only four nights a week. He charges $99 for this, a fixed price that includes wine, making Tersiguel's French … Continue reading The problem with a ‘chef’s choice’ menu

Dear Mike Bloomberg: The last time I asked you to consider making a $1 billion donation to Baltimore Community Lending for a housing program here, Forbes estimated your net worth at $59 billion. In its most recent estimate, Forbes has you at $96.3 billion. Since you took the pledge to give away most of your … Continue reading Dear Mike Bloomberg: Giving to Johns Hopkins is great, but what about the rest of Baltimore?

Five performances of "Baltimore, You Have No Idea" have sold out. Tickets are $27 and still available for the remaining December performance. Thank you to those who purchased tickets, and we look forward to seeing all of you -- and more of you -- at the Meyerhoff Auditorium of the Baltimore Museum of Art. (BMA … Continue reading Five of six performances sold out: Baltimore, You Have No Idea

As mentioned in my Friday Sun column, my family's recent visit to Paris included a stroll through the city's subterranean history via the Musée des Égouts de Paris, or the sewer museum. The sewers of Paris are considered an engineering and architectural marvel because, prior to its elaborate construction, the city was a noxious mess. … Continue reading Photos: Public works and the common good

I first suggested this three mayors ago: Get NBA star Carmelo Anthony, who played at Towson Catholic and has strong Baltimore ties, to make some powerful, visually arresting public service videos imploring an end to the shooting. You say no one will listen? I say it’s never been tried. Baltimore needs a consistent, high-profile anti-violence … Continue reading Can you change someone’s mind in 60 seconds?