Shows
I Hate Politics PodcastYoseph Zerihun and Sami Saeed for SMOB: IHP Candidate Interviews Sunil Dasgupta talks with MCPS juniors Yoseph Zerihun of Springbrook High School and Sami Saeed of Richard Montgomery High School, the two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2023. The SMOB is one of the eight members of the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members of the Board, but voted in by MCPS secondary school students only. Music for this episode are two debut piano compositions by Kensington resident Adam Bobrow. Sami Saeed website: sami4smob.com. Yoseph Zerihun website: yoseph4smob.com.
2023-03-3152 minI Hate Politics PodcastTo Look for America Former Wall Street Journal reporter Neil King Jr. walked 26 days covering 330 miles from his home on Capitol Hill in Washington DC to Manhattan and chronicled the journey in a new book, American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal. Sunil Dasgupta talks with King about his walk, what made him go, and what he learned. Local news re Arlington's new zoning law and corruption, as a former aide to the previous Maryland governor, Larry Hogan, skips a court date and becomes a fugitive. Music for this episode comes from DC area rock trio Ammonite at ammoniteband.bandcamp.com. American...
2023-03-2449 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Rise and Rise of Pickleball America's fastest-growing sport comes not from the youth but from the aging. The rapid spread of pickleball has reinvigorated underused neighborhood rec centers and parks but also brought to the fore conflicts with tennis and complaints about noise and travelers crowding local streets. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Emer Daly, local pickleball coach and a founder of MoCo Pickleball Facebook group, and Chuck Kines, pickleball planner for Montgomery County, MD, Parks Department. Local news re highway and transit options. Music for this episode comes from DC area rock trio Ammonite. MoCo Pickleball: https://bit.ly/3Fwk4EL Pickleball in Montgomery P...
2023-03-1746 minI Hate Politics PodcastHard to Grow Agriculture Education Nearly all 25 high schools in Montgomery County, MD, have greenhouses, but there is only one agriculture program and two programs on agriculture, sustainability, and the environment. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Lori Mayhew of Damascus High School and Glenn Miller of Sherwood High School about the rhetoric and reality of agriculture education programs, which are themselves part of the larger push outward career and technical education (CTE) in the school district and the state. CTE programs must generate their own money for materials and their courses generally count as electives. Music for this episode comes from DC area rock trio...
2023-03-1048 minI Hate Politics PodcastHow to Build ADUs and Why We Are Not Building More In early 2020, Montgomery County, MD, passed a new law which allowed owners of residential properties zoned for single-family homes to build Accessory Dwelling Units, ADUs, which are separate or adjacent structures designed for independent living, a way of allowing greater housing density. But few homeowners have taken the county up on it. To find out why, Sunil Dasgupta talks with architect Eric Saul who designed the county's first newly permitted free-standing tiny home ADU and with former HOA board member and lawyer Erik Herron on how county law on ADUs and state law on HOAs conflict. Music for this...
2023-03-0355 minI Hate Politics PodcastCar Culture and Bike Lanes After the Maryland State Highway Administration took away two driving lanes to install new bike lanes following the deaths of two teenaged bicyclists on Old Georgetown Road, communities along the street have been up in arms. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Council Member Andrew Friedson and local resident Laura Chasen about rebalancing road safety and driving efficiency. Local news: apartment fire, bus shooting, and the Proud Boys hit Silver Spring. Music for this episode comes from Baltimore-based electronic music composer Shanika Freeman: neekofreeman.bandcamp.com. State Highway Analysis: https://bit.ly/3YXbdDE WABA petition: https://bit.ly/3IqOR6...
2023-02-2456 minI Hate Politics PodcastCan Maryland Reduce Gun Violence? With the Maryland General Assembly weighing several new gun-related bills, Sunil Dasgupta talks with State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, vice-chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, about how Maryland can beat back the Bruen case, respond to a right-wing Supreme Court, and reduce gun violence. Local news on cannabis infrastructure. Music for this episode comes from Baltimore-based electronic music composer Shanika Freeman: neekofreeman.bandcamp.com Maryland state legislation search: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Search/Legislation. State Cannabis Workgroup materials: https://bit.ly/3I6J2Lj. #gunsense #momsdemandaction #guncontrolnow
2023-02-1744 minI Hate Politics PodcastMCPS Calls Fentanyl a Societal Crisis Following an increase in fentanyl poisoning and deaths, MCPS and Montgomery County launch a full court press to try to stem the crisis. Sunil Dasgupta speaks with MCPS Medical Officer Patricia Kapunan and county anti-drug use actiovist and PTA leader Laura Mitchell to try to understand the scope of the problem and what MCPS is doing to bring it under control. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Montgomery Goes Purple: https://montgomerygoespurple.org/ Montgomery County Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Advisory Council: https://bit.ly/3DU95nR...
2023-02-1045 minI Hate Politics PodcastHow Working From Home is Reshaping the EconomyThe successful demonstration of work from home during the pandemic has led urban cores losing population and transit ridership plummet. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Nicholas Ramfos of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Transportation Planning Board about their "2022 State of the Commute" survey, and to Jordan Rappaport of Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City about his paper predicting a housing boom in the exurbs. Guests' views are their's alone, not their employer's. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Rappaport paper: https://bit.ly/3HxhCOm S...
2023-02-0356 minI Hate Politics PodcastA Low-Salt Diet for Our RoadsThe arrival of winter snow and ice is met with millions of tons of road salt across the county, which corrodes infrastructure and automobiles goes into waterways, raising salinity levels even in drinking water and destroying plants and animals. Sunil Dasgupta walks with Abby Hileman of Izaak Walton League's Salt Watch Program and Karl Van Neste, a local salt advocate, about the problem and what to do about it. If you feel the crunch underfoot, that's too much salt. Music for this episode comes from Rockville singer-songwriter Gabrielle Zwi. Check them out: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/music. Montgomery County...
2023-01-2745 minI Hate Politics PodcastDisruptive PoliticsLast October, the climate group Declare Emergency blocked traffic on the Capital Beltway in an effort to force President Biden to announce a climate emergency. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Will Regan and Nora Swisher, who were arrested and jailed for that action, and Paul Severance, the group's spokesperson to find out about their theory of victory. The episode includes a second interview Maryland state senator Ben Kramer about his claim to disruptive politics in proposing big changes to the agency responsible for land-use planning in Montgomery County. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and the Missing Pieces Band.
2023-01-2059 minI Hate Politics PodcastOvercoming Polarization in Frederick, MDIn the 100th episode of the show, Sunil Dasgupta talks with narrowly-elected Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater about her campaign, her coalition, and how she intends to govern, offering a case study in managing political polarization. Frederick is living through contestation between newcomers interested in mainline pocketbook politics preferred by Democrats and Trump-inspired right-wing politics pushed by, among others, former Republican nominee for governor Dan Cox, who organized buses to take rebels to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and his Missing Pieces Band.
2023-01-0648 minI Hate Politics PodcastPreviewing the 2023 Maryland State Legislative AgendaWith the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session starting in less than two weeks, the new governor and the new assembly not only will have to figure out which issues to focus on but also how to balance between them, all the while developing new marijuana legislation. Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political science professor Roy Meyers and Maryland Association of Counties (MaCo) Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally to find out how they see the Assembly's priorities shaping up. Music from Takoma Park bluesman Reggie Right-Eye and his Missing Pieces Band. Happy New Year and for the last couple of days for 2022...
2022-12-3049 minI Hate Politics PodcastWhat Does the State Windfall Mean for Counties?New Year. New General Assembly session. New Governor. But most important of all, Maryland is looking at unprecedented budget surpluses for the next 5 years. In the counties, however, there isn't a feeling of flush. Sunil Dasgupta asks Delegate Marc Korman, the Maryland House Chair for the state's Spending Affordability Committee, how the state windfall is likely to reshape public finance in the state and in counties? Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support: Poolesville Green MoCoPAAN Sustainable Earth...
2022-12-1648 minI Hate Politics PodcastWhere the Sidewalk Meets the TreeSidewalks v trees is a common 21st century battleline in American suburbs pitting neighbor against neighbor in a struggle between two public goods, road safety and tree conservation. Politicians naturally promise both, but government agencies often fuel the conflict to justify inaction. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks to one local government official, City of Takoma Park public works director Daryl Braithwaite, who found a way to build a much-needed sidewalk and save trees and much more. Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support:
2022-12-0951 minI Hate Politics PodcastAre School Ratings Meaningful?With Washington DC's education leadership working to revise the city government's School Report Card, Sunil Dasgupta talks with DC Board of Education member Ruth Wattenberg who has been fighting a long battle against test score-driven school evaluations. As the conversation dug deeper, Wattenberg opened up about charter schools, private foundation money, and mayoral control of DC's public schools. Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s. Local area nonprofits tell their stories and pitch for your support: Miriam's Kitchen UpCounty Prevention Network Last week's community organizations Woman to...
2022-12-0241 minI Hate Politics PodcastInside College Financial AidThanksgiving and the holiday season is also the college admission season. As families struggle with college decisions, Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC's Director of Financial Aid Andrea Cipolla to break down the primary instrument colleges use to determine financial aid, the FAFSA, and about the consequences of the college financing system we have created. And local area nonprofits tell you what they do and pitch for your support. Music from Silver Spring's own power pop band, The Airport 77s.
2022-11-2553 minI Hate Politics PodcastInside Campaign WorkAs Maryland ends a historic election, choosing Wes Moore as the first black governor of the state and Aruna Miller as the first Indian-American to hold statewide office, Sunil Dasgupta talks with veteran campaign worker Abi Green about the joys and the challenges of campaign work. News analysis of coming one-party rule in Annapolis, the rise of MAGA politics in local politics, and legalizing recreational marijuana use. Music from DC area progressive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.
2022-11-1144 minI Hate Politics PodcastWe Know Less about Politics than We ThinkDays before the 2022 midterm elections, Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political scientist Ian Anson about his research into our beliefs about political knowledge and its consequences for polarization and democracy. Local news about a new county antisemitism resolution, surprising increases in project costs in capital budget for public schools, and how college financial aid really works. Music from DC area progressive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.
2022-11-0450 minI Hate Politics PodcastKarla Silvestre and Valerie Coll for Montgomery County Board of EducationIn this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with local school board candidates in the upcoming elections, incumbent Karla Silvestre (3:10) about MCPS' teacher and staff recruitment efforts and with former elementary school teacher Valerie Coll (24:26) about the role of the board in active governance of the school system. Look back at Episode #65 for interviews with two other candidates Scott Joftus and Julie Yang. Original music from 9th-grade singer-songwriter from Bethesda Dara Blecher.
2022-10-2845 minI Hate Politics PodcastWill School Project Delays Persist Despite Revenue Growth?Despite higher revenue projections, Montgomery County government has curtailed borrowing limits to manage its debt-service burden. With a new capital budget coming soon, Sunil Dasgupta talks with county PTA leader Laura Stewart about spending affordability guidelines, swapping out county support for state funding, and delays in school projects including HVAC upgrades. Music from DC area progresive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.
2022-10-2145 minI Hate Politics PodcastMichael Peroutka and Anthony Brown for Maryland AG and Brooke Lierman for MD ComptrollerWith general elections coming up Nov 8, Sunil Dasgupta interviews three statewide candidates: for the Maryland Attorney General's race, Republican Michael Peroutka (02:30) talks about the state's constitutional crises and Democrat Anthony Brown (24:08) talks about equity in the criminal justice system including the treatment of juveniles. For the Maryland Comptroller's race: Brooke Lierman (43:45) talks about the state's floundering Minority Business Enterprise Program. Original music from 9th-grade singer-songwriter from Bethesda Dara Blecher.
2022-10-141h 04I Hate Politics PodcastHow a Bill Really Becomes Law -- The Local Government EditionThirty-five people have died on roads in Montgomery County, MD, in 2022; not one related to escooters, but that is the bill the County Council passed recently. An omnibus road safety bill, which is desperately needed, isn't even an idea despite unanimity on the council that road deaths are the bigger problem. Sunil Dasgupta talks with County Council member Sidney Katz about the justification for and provisions in the escooters law he sponsored. Music from DC area progresive rock band A Shrewdness of Apes.
2022-10-0746 minI Hate Politics PodcastFall Eating Guide with Local Influencer Michelle KatzThe fall is not only apple and pumpkin picking season, but also time for Oktoberfests and cool dining choices. Sunil Dasgupta talks with local food maven Michelle Katz, whose Instagram account @pikeandrozay is one of the most influential food and food photography accounts in Montgomery County. She talks about Oktoberfests, Happy Hours, and food trends. Music from Montgomery County musician Eddie Boxxer.
2022-09-3039 minI Hate Politics PodcastWhen Do Problems Become Political?Not everything in human life–neighborhoods, schools, businesses–is political, but any issue can become political when we disagree with each other. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Silver Spring civic activist and urbanist Dan Reed about the politics of his neighborhood association, and with physician and businessman Joe Zammit-Lucia, who has written a book called The New Political Capitalism arguing that businesspeople don't understand politics. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
2022-09-2350 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Fragile Economics of the Ag ReserveMontgomery County set aside roughly a third of its land area as an agricultural reserve to protect it from development and save local farms. Bike rides, apple-picking trips, CSAs, and farmers' markets leave a romantic impression of organic food production in a verdant landscape. In reality, the economics of the ag reserve are surprising and precarious. What a farm owner gets for land is shocking. Sunil Dasgupta talks with ag reserve farm-owner and agricultural scientist Douglas Boucher about the fragile economics of Montgomery Country's Agricultural Reserve. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
2022-09-1647 minI Hate Politics PodcastHow to Pay for Public Goods: Carbon SequestrationSunil Dasgupta talks with long-time Montgomery County resident Bill Conway, who is putting together a billion-dollar carbon sequestration project in central Louisiana on behalf of the local electric utility, CLECO, which requires significant federal support to be financially viable and serves as a case study in how governments promote new technology using tax credits and tax credit markets and choose winners and losers. Local news about youth curfews and public outreach. Music by Eddie Boxxer.
2022-09-0941 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Trouble with Youth Mental HealthProviding mental health support to students has been a challenge even before Covid. As the stigma of mental health has lifted, the demand for services has grown often beyond the capacity of school districts and even the mental health profession to provide. Sunil Dasgupta talks with child psychiatrist and Institute of Juvenile Research Director Niranjan Karnik about the history and evolution of youth mental health and ways to overcome challenges to helping young people with mental health concerns. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
2022-09-0247 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Hazard of Walking to SchoolAs millions of children return for the new school year, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Casey Anderson, chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board, and Eli Glazier, the lead author of a new Pedestrian Master Plan, about walking and biking to school. Only 12 percent of MCPS students walk to school. The rest are driven, ride the bus, or drive themselves. Anderson and Glazier propose improving the situation with better school site planning, design, and infrastructure development. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
2022-08-2644 minI Hate Politics PodcastLegal Win Won't Fix MCPS Magnet AdmissionsThe US District Court in Maryland dismissed a lawsuit against Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for violating equal protection in magnet admission rules. MCPS has struggled for years to bring in more Black and Latino students to its most prestigious programs, but an Asian-American parent group, backed by the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation, argued that even a facially-neutral lottery system was intentionally discriminatory against Asian students. Sunil Dasgupta talked with University of Maryland professor and Asian-American activist Janelle Wong about the controversy and its implications. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
2022-08-1946 minI Hate Politics PodcastWhat We Learned from Primary 2022With the first count of votes in the July 2022 Democratic Primary in Montgomery County, MD, now available, Sunil Dasgupta talks with veteran journalist Louis Peck about the implications of another razor-thin margin in the county executive race between incumbent Marc Elrich and challenger David Blair. A recount is coming, independent expenditure in local elections is here to stay, and low turnout remains a structural problem in "one-party" jurisdictions where primary victory is tantamount to winning in the general. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
2022-08-1247 minI Hate Politics PodcastFixing the Teacher ShortageAs a nationwide teacher and staff shortage threatens to disrupt fall school reopening, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland State Education Association president Cheryl Bost about steps to address teacher recruitment and retention in the state and to MCPS instructional specialist Miriam Plotinsky about her new book, "Teach More, Hover Less," which offers a pedagogical approach that could allow teachers to be more effective following the pandemic disruption. Music by Montgomery County climate band, The Sunshiners.
2022-08-0552 minI Hate Politics PodcastGet Outdoors, Maryland!Sunil Dasgupta talks with Nishant Trivedi and Pallav Thakkar, members of a local Indian-American fitness group, about their 184.5 mile bike ride from Cumberland, in Western Maryland, to Washington DC; and to Maryland state house majority leader Eric Luedtke about a new law expanding and revitalizing state parks. Listen to the end for Luedtke's top 10 list. This is a how-to-get-outdoors episode. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
2022-07-2953 minI Hate Politics PodcastA PAC Rides into TownThe 2022 Maryland primary elections are over and the state is waiting for results. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Adam Jentleson, a former staffer for Senator Harry Reid, who together with like-minded friends created a PAC that spent close to a million dollars on television ads attacking incumbent Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich's housing record. Whether they succeed or not, the entry of PAC-spending in local elections has been a big bone of contention and brings to the suburbs a hardball national political style on behalf of pro-housing policies. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
2022-07-2242 minI Hate Politics PodcastMaryland Prepares to be Abortion Safe HavenWith 26 US states set to impose degrees of abortion bans following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v Wade, Maryland is likely to become the southern-most state on the Eastern seaboard to offer fully legal abortions and the state's providers are expecting women from abortion-banned states to travel to Maryland for services. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland Delegate Ariana Kelly about how the state is preparing. Kelly has been one of the leading voices pushing to expand reproductive health services for Marylanders and out-of-state patients. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
2022-07-1544 minI Hate Politics PodcastCan Government Become Business-Friendly?Montgomery County, Md, has long had a reputation for being tough for business and compared unfavorably with Northern Virginia. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Julie Verrati, co-founder of Denizens Brewing Company in Silver Spring, about the business climate in the county and neighboring jurisdictions. Verrati also served in the federal Small Business Administration during the Biden presidency and, in the episode, announces her choice in the County Executive race. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
2022-07-0840 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Case for Ending Judicial ReviewAs the country deals with the upending of the landmark abortion rights case, Roe v Wade, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Julie Statland of Riveting Women about the importance of having more women in local and state political positions and to Maryland Delegate Vaughn Stewart and UMBC History Professor Andrew Nolan about a moment in time when protections against the tyranny of the majority, including the venerated judicial review, look like anti-democratic measures that need to be jettisoned if the American experiment is to survive. Music by Rockville-based rock and roll band, The Treading Lemmings.
2022-07-0158 minI Hate Politics PodcastHow Carroll County Schools Banned Pride FlagIn June 2022, Carroll County Board of Education (in Maryland) banned Pride flags from schools. Carroll is a conservative jurisdiction whose changing demographics have put it at the forefront of the culture war over education policy. Sunil Dasgupta speaks with county resident Stephanie Brown, who found herself in the middle of a political fight as she sought to defend the rights of her 13-year-old who goes to a county public school. Music by Montgomery County percussionist Pete Chauvette.
2022-06-2441 minI Hate Politics PodcastMontgomery County Council District 5 IHP Candidate InterviewMontgomery County Council District 5 is a newly created seat in the eastern part of the county covering Burtonsville, White Oak, and Four Corners. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with five candidates running for the seat: Planning Department employee Brian Anleu (3:45), county business liaison officer Daniel Koroma (26:46), political operative Jeremiah Pope (49:13), immigration lawyer Fatmata Barrie (1:10:40), and community organizer Kristin Mink (1:34:09) about housing, economic development, education, and healthcare. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2022-06-171h 59I Hate Politics PodcastMontgomery County Council Districts 2 and 4 IHP Candidate InterviewsIn this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Council District 2 candidates community activist Lorna Forde (4:28) and former Jamie Raskin-staffer Will Roberts (23:46). A belated addition is former Maryland delegate Al Carr (52:32) who is now running for Council District 4. Look back in the archives for interviews with other D2 and D4 candidates: Marilyn Balcombe, Kate Stewart, Amy Ginsburg, and John Zittrauer. Links on Twitter @ihppod. Music by Emily Hall.
2022-06-101h 19I Hate Politics PodcastMontgomery County Council At-Large Race IHP Candidate InterviewThe Montgomery County Council is expanding to 7 members elected from demarcated districts and keeping 4 members who are elected countywide or at-large. In this episode Sunil Dasgupta talks with four at-large candidates, former Gaithersburg city council member Laurie-Anne Sayles (4:27), past council president Tom Hucker (26:27), Montgomery County Democratic Party leader Scott Goldberg (52:51), and incumbent at-large council member Evan Glass (1:12:10) about education, climate action, housing, and transportation. Look back in the archives for interviews with other at-large candidates: Brandy Brooks, Will Jawando, and Gabe Albornoz. See links on Twitter @ihppod. Music by Emily Hall.
2022-06-031h 38I Hate Politics PodcastCandidate Interview Max Socol for Maryland Senate District 18Maryland State District 18 seat is one of the few contested state legislative offices in Montgomery County. Viable challenges to state legislative incumbents are rare, but in the 2022 community organizer and social activist Max Socol is challenging longtime senator Jeff Waldstreicher. Sunil Dasgupta talked to Socol about affordable housing. Waldstriecher did not respond to interview requests. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2022-05-2734 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview Marc Elrich for Montgomery County ExecutiveThe Montgomery County Executive race is one of the most closely watched and contested elections in the 2022 primary. Sunil Dasgupta talks with incumbent Marc Elrich about housing and jobs. Elrich is in a three-way race with businessman David Blair and Councilmember Hans Riemer. Prior to becoming county executive, Elrich sat on the Montgomery County Council for 12 years. IHP candidate interviews with Blair and Riemer appeared earlier in February 2022. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2022-05-2037 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interviews for Montgomery County Council District 4Montgomery County Council District 4 is a newly created seat in the southern part of the county starting in Takoma Park and going all the way over Kensington and to North Bethesda on Rockville Pike. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with three candidates running for the seat: bartender John Zittrauer (timestamp 4:44) about safe injection sites for drug users, Takoma Park mayor Kate Stewart (22:33) about housing, and nonprofit executive Amy Ginsburg (49:26) about economic development. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2022-05-131h 18I Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interviews Montgomery County Board of Education District 3Montgomery County Board of Education District 3 used to be held for a long time by Pat O'Neill, who died in fall 2021. The Board chose education consultant Scott Joftus to replace her. Joftus is now running to keep his seat and Julie Yang, a former MCSPS career and college counselor, is running against him. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Joftus (timestamp 4:11) about how he will bring to bear his education consulting experience, and with Yang (31:22) about student mental health. Yang's interview is truncated because of lost audio. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2022-05-0656 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe House of the Apple BallotThe Apple Ballot is the voter guide issued by the teacher's union in Maryland that has been one of the most powerful endorsements for public office in the state. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jennifer Martin, president of the Montgomery County Education Association, the county teachers' union, about education politics. Very local news as police return to schools in Montgomery County and anger erupts over the local Sierra Club's political endorsements. Music for the episode comes from Montgomery County vibes and drums player, Pete Chauvette.
2022-04-2958 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interviews for Montgomery County Council District 7Montgomery County Council District 7 is a newly created seat eastern upcounty centered on Olney, Damascus and Montgomery Village. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with three candidates running for the seat: Dawn Luedtke (timestamp 3:34) about public safety, Jacqueline Manger (27:13) about jobs, and Ben Wikner (46:58) about the Montgomery Village Equity Center. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2022-04-151h 10I Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interviews Anthony Brown and Katie O'Malley for MD Attorney GeneralThe Maryland Attorney General's race in 2022 features two heavyweights on the Democratic side. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Congressman Anthony Brown, who served as lieutenant governor before and ran to be governor; and with Judge Katie Curran O'Malley, former first lady of the state and longtime circuit court judge in Baltimore. They talk about public safety, civil rights, and rethinking the office. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2022-04-0859 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interviews Baba Cissé and Arvin Kim for SMOBSunil Dasgupta speaks with Albert Einstein High School junior Baba Cissé and Walt Whitman High School junior Arvin Kim, the two finalists for the Student Member of the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2022. The SMOB is one of the eight members of the county school board, nearly co-equal with other generally elected members of the Board, but voted for only by secondary school students in the county. Music for this episode comes from DC-based singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2022-03-3150 minI Hate Politics PodcastThree Voices Behind the NewsAn exhausted Ukrainian medic talks about life and war in her country, a Maryland Delegate finds unexpected celebrity support for his bill on court transparency, and a mayor ponders on voter turnout and election management. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maria Nazarova and David Moon, and Andtew Saundry talks with Jud Ashman in an episode that goes from global to national to local news. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.
2022-03-2554 minI Hate Politics PodcastWashington Post Misses Local NewsIn December 2021, the Washington Post Sunday Magazine had a story about the decline of local news around the country, but left out any discussion of the Post's own local coverage. In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with former Washington Post Metro Editor and columnist Robert McCartney about how local coverage in the newspaper declined even in the robust media market of the DC metropolitan area. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.
2022-03-1850 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Politics of Disability RightsThe Americans with Disabilities Act was a landmark piece of legislation that made institutions responsible for accommodating persons with disability, but the burden of proof remained with disabled persons. Sunil Dasgupta explores the politics and evolution of disability rights with Annie Tulkin and Katherine Lucas McKay, two Montgomery County disability rights advocates. Music for this episode comes from Washington DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Zach Parkman vocals and guitar; Doogie Whittaker bass and vocals, and Joey Jenkins drums.
2022-03-1150 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interviews for Montgomery County Council District 6Montgomery County Council District 6 is a newly created Latino-plurality seat in mid-county centered on Wheaton and Aspen Hill. Sunil Dasgupta spoke with Natali Fani-González (timestamp 3:12), Omar Lazo (22:52), and Maricé Morales (49:32), all three of them Spanish-speaking candidates with family roots in Latin America. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2022-03-041h 15I Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interviews Montgomery County State's Attorney RaceIn this mega-episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with four candidates running for Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office in the June 2022 primary. The State's Attorney race is a down ballot contest often ignored by voters but one of the most important independently-elected offices in local politics. The candidates appear in order of my interviews with them: Tom DeGonia (timestamp 2:56), Bernice Mireku-North (30:52), John McCarthy (1:00:00), and Perry Paylor (1:37:28). Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2022-02-252h 08I Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview Hans Riemer for Montgomery County ExecutiveSunil Dasgupta speaks to three-term and term-limited councilmember Hans Riemer who is now running for Montgomery County Executive in a four-way race with incumbent Marc Elrich, fellow councilmember Tom Hucker, and Rockville businessman David Blair. Riemer talks about the county's pandemic response. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2022-02-1839 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Living Organ Donation Love LetterThere are over 100,000 people on the US transplant list, and on average 17 die each day from the lack of organs. For this episode going into Valentine's Day, Sunil Dasgupta talks to local residents Ashley Waters, organizer of City of Frederick's Oktoberfest, and Eric Saul, publisher of The Takoma Torch, about their experience donating their kidney.
2022-02-1153 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview Tim Adams for Maryland ComptrollerSunil Dasgupta speaks to Tim Adams, mayor of the City of Bowie, in Maryland. Adams is a businessman who built a large federal contracting firm starting out from the trunk of his car and continued to lead and grow his business even after he became wheelchair-bound almost two decades ago following a spinal cord injury. In his race to be comptroller of Maryland, Adams lent his campaign $1.8 million to draw abreast in fundraising with his Democratic primary opponent Delegate Brooke Lierman.
2022-02-0439 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview David Blair for Montgomery County ExecutiveI Hate Politics Candidate Interview with David Blair for Montgomery County Executive. Blair is a Rockville businessman who ran a self-financed campaign for county executive in 2018 and lost the Democratic primary to current incumbent Marc Elrich by 77 votes. He talks to Sunil Dasgupta about how to attract corporations and high-paying jobs to the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2022-01-2840 minI Hate Politics PodcastMontgomery County is NOT AlrightTaking stock of a tumultuous few weeks that includes a student walkout, a teachers' vote of no-confidence, a call from principals for a pause to plan, local education reporter Caitlynn Peetz talks with Sunil Dasgupta about Montgomery County Public Schools not having metrics for when schools stay in person or go virtual, lacking clarity about who is making decisions; and displaying an overall unwillingness to see mistakes resulting in doubling down on policies that are not working. Local news and music from The Airport 77s, a power pop band from Silver Spring.
2022-01-2149 minI Hate Politics PodcastWhen Republicans Challenge RedistrictingFair Maps Maryland and Judicial Watch have filed lawsuits challenging the Democratic majority's Congressional and redistricting plan. Dominique Bonessi talks with Doug Mayer of Fair Maps Maryland, and Sunil Dasgupta talks with Walter Olson, Chair of the Hogan-appointed Citizens Redistricting Commission. Local news and music from The Airport 77s, a power pop band from Silver Spring.
2022-01-1453 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview Marilyn Balcombe for Montgomery County Council District 2I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with Marilyn Balcombe for Montgomery County Council District 2. Balcombe is the president of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce and talks with Sunil Dasgupta about how to bring more jobs to the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2022-01-0741 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Politics of Budget SurplusIn the middle of a pandemic that threatened to devastate the economy and squeeze government budgets, Maryland is reporting higher than expected tax collection, more than $2 billion of it. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Maryland House Majority Leader Eric Luedtke and UMBC budget expert Roy Meyers about the politics of plenty. Very local news, including a poorly designed public survey. Music from DC area band King Soul.
2021-12-3156 minI Hate Politics PodcastPrivate Property, Public Good, and Eminent DomainA year ago in January 2020, White's Ferry, a car barge connecting Poolesville in Montgomery County, MD, to Loudoun County, VA, closed down. Much has happened since but no quick resolution seems likely. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Libby Devlin, part-owner of Rockland Farm, the ferry landing site on the Virginia riverfront to get to the bottom of a long-running commercial dispute with implications for public transportation. Local nonprofits pitch for your support. Music from DC area Southern soul band King Soul.
2021-12-1752 minI Hate Politics PodcastSpecial Elections v Vacancy AppointmentsWhen Maryland State Delegate Kathleen Dumais left her District 15 seat in Montgomery County recently to join the circuit court as judge, the County Democratic Party appointed its chair, Linda Foley, to fill the position. This led to questions about whether the appointment process is truly open and democratic. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Delegate David Moon from District 20 in Montgomery County about his push to reform vacancy appointments. Very local news. Music from DC area Southern soul band King Soul.
2021-12-1048 minI Hate Politics PodcastSports Ain't Politics, Right?Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC political scientist Tom Schaller about his new book, Common Enemies: Georgetown BasketBall, Miami Football, and the Racial Transformation of College Sports, and with Rahul Khanna, who co-founded the Maryland Badminton Premier League, bringing an immigrant sport to a changing land. Music from the incomparable Washington area horn player and composer, Seth Kibel. Very local news including on redistricting.
2021-12-0356 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Thanksgiving Labor Politics EpisodeThis week for the Thanksgiving holiday, we bring you the history and politics of the labor movement in the Washington DC region. Sunil Dasgupta talks with journalist Louis Peck about labor politics in Montgomery County and labor leader David Rodich about organizing adjunct faculty in the DMV area, a big win for the labor movement after decades of losses in membership and influence. Music from this Rockville-based Brit-pop band, The Treading Lemmings.
2021-11-2659 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview Will Jawando for Montgomery County Council at-LargeI Hate Politics Candidate Interview with Will Jawando for Montgomery County Council at-Large. Jawando is an incumbent MoCo, MD, councilmember, running for reelection. He talks to Sunil Dasgupta about the problem of inequality in the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2021-11-1942 minI Hate Politics PodcastSo You Want Affordable HousingAs the Washington DC metro area struggles with housing affordability, Sunil Dasgupta talks with James Hedrick, Chair of the Board of Rockville Housing Enterprises, the city's public housing authority, about the challenges they face in bringing truly affordable housing to residents. Very local news. Music from this Rockville-based Brit-pop band, The Treading lemmings.
2021-11-0544 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview: Gabe Albornoz for Montgomery County Council at LargeI Hate Politics Candidate Interview with Gabe Albornoz for Montgomery County Council at Large. Albornoz is an incumbent MoCo, MD, councilmember, running for reelection. He talks to Sunil Dasgupta about health disparities in the county. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2021-10-2939 minI Hate Politics PodcastChurch Doctrine and Covid ResponseIn this episode Sunil Dasgupta interviews Abhi Janamanchi, Cedar Lane Unitarian-Universalist Church in Bethesda and Steven Cenname, Sunday school teacher in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rockville, to find surprising differences in how they Covid-19 challenges. Very local redistricting and other news. Music from Two Truths, an electronic Americana band from Rochester, NY, with DMV roots.
2021-10-2246 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Case of the Missing MoUFor 18 months since the start of the pandemic, Heather Dublisnke has been the COVID-19 coordinator for Montgomery County Public Schools. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Dublinske about her role and the challenges and the frustrations of working in a large school system. Very local news about zoning wars and staff shortage in schools. Music from Two Truths, an electronic Americana band from Rochester, NY, with DMV roots.
2021-10-0151 minI Hate Politics PodcastWhere the Grassroots GrowWhat does grassroots organizing really mean? How is it done? Sunil Dasgupta talks to Tino Fragale of Everyday Canvassing and Anika Manzoor of Youth Activism Project about how they recruit and operate their grassroots organizations. News about local schools, test scores, real-estate project starts, and from faraway Texas. Music from local rock/metal band, Sic 'Em Buster.
2021-09-2452 minI Hate Politics PodcastMontgomery County is Alright!After a rocky start to the new school year and grim news on the climate crisis, Sunil Dasgupta talks with local education reporter Caitlynn Peetz and local green bank president Tom Deyo for a change in perspective. Very local news about Montgomery County Police Department. Music from local rock/metal band, Sic 'Em Buster.
2021-09-1756 minI Hate Politics PodcastManaging Stormwater in the Climate CrisisFollowing the death of 19-year-old Melkin Cedillo in flash flooding in Rockville, Sunil Dasgupta talks to Eliza Cava of the Audubon Naturalist Society about the challenges of stormwater management in Montgomery County. Very local news on schools, the pandemic, and closure of Metro stations. Music from Washington area rock and metal band, Sic 'Em Buster.
2021-09-1049 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview: Brooke Lierman for Maryland ComptrollerI Hate Politics Candidate Interview with Brooke Lierman for Maryland Comptroller. Lierman, who presents District 46 (Baltimore City) in Maryland General Assembly, talks to Sunil Dasgupta about her expansive view of the job of the state comptroller. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2021-09-0344 minI Hate Politics PodcastResilience Over Prevention in Climate Action PlanIn the hottest recorded summer in the Washington DC region, Sunil Dasgupta talks to Adriana Hochberg, the Montgomery County, MD, official who led the writing of the county's Climate Action Plan. Very local news including reopening woes in MCPS. Music from Baltimore-Washington musician and arranger Seth Kibel.
2021-08-2749 minI Hate Politics PodcastIncentives for Growth or Corporate Welfare?As Montgomery County wrestles with attracting new businesses to the county, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jacob Sesker, a former county budget analyst who has proposed a $275 million jobs fund to incentivize businesses to bring high-paying jobs to the county. Music from Baltimore-Washington musician Seth Kibel.
2021-08-2050 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview: Kristin Mink for Montgomery County Council At-LargeI Hate Politics Candidate Interview with organizer and activist Kristin Mink, who is running at-large for Montgomery County, MD, County Council. Mink talks with Sunil Dasgupta about public safety and how the national movement to defund the police applies to Montgomery County. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centreville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2021-08-1340 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview: Brandy Brooks for Montgomery County Council At-LargeI Hate Politics Candidate Interview with organizer and activist Brandy Brooks, who is running at-large for Montgomery County, MD, County Council. Brooks talks with Sunil Dasgupta about participatory policymaking, emphasizing groups and individuals historically excluded from policymaking and power-sharing. Music for this episode comes from Kara Levchenko, an Arlington singer-songwriter, who is the choir director in Centerville High School in Fairfax County Virginia.
2021-08-0644 minI Hate Politics PodcastExit, Voice, and LoyaltyInspired by political economist Albert O. Hirschman's groundbreaking work, Sunil Dasgupta talks with epidemiologist Katie Schenk and recently retired schoolteacher Valerie Coll about the decline in public health and education as public institutions and as professions. Very local news including on I-270 toll lanes. Music from Washington DC and Baltimore area woodwind player and music producer Seth Kibel.
2021-07-2359 minI Hate Politics PodcastIHP Candidate Interview: John King for Maryland GovernorThe first I Hate Politics Candidate Interview with former U.S. Education Secretary John King, who is now running for the governor of Maryland in a crowded field of Democrats. Rather than playing 20 questions usual for candidate forums, Sunil Dasgupta and John King talk in depth about education and equity in education. Music from Arlington singer-songwriter Kara Levchenko.
2021-07-1640 minI Hate Politics PodcastShould We Allow Gardens in the Right of Way?In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County resident Will Taylor and the county's right of way manager about more permissive use of the public space that sits in front of most single-family homes. Right of way gardens seem like a small concern but speaks to several contemporary problems of political philosophy including the nature of law-making, policing, pollution, and how we treat neighbors. Very local news. Music from the 1921 Buster Keaton movie, The Goat.
2021-07-0947 minI Hate Politics PodcastSmall Town UrbanismIn this July 4 episode, Sunil Dasgupta interviews urbanist blogger, Addison Del Mastro, about his road trips to North Virginia's small towns and lessons for urbanism. Local advocacy group presents pedestrian and bicycle safety demands. Andrew Saundry introduces candidates for the Gaithersburg City Council elections. Very local news: minimum wage goes up when a hot labor market doesn't push wages rates at the bottom; new county climate plan is out. Music from 1921 Buster Keaton movie soundtrack, The Goat.
2021-07-0244 minI Hate Politics PodcastSchools: Leadership First, Then BudgetsIn this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with education author Karin Chenoweth about her new book, Districts that Succeed, where she looks at five successful school districts that beat severe challenges, and with Richard Montgomery High School (MCPS) history teacher Jerome Price about how schools need to practice what they preach on anti-racism. Very local news. Music from The Airport 77s.
2021-06-2556 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Persistence of School SegregationIn this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with school equity firebrand Jill Ortman-Fouse about the inability of the local school board to change school boundaries, allowing inequalities to persist across the 207-strong school system. Andrew Saundry on how no Upcounty transportation project made the Biden infrastructure draft bill. Music from Silver Spring band, the Airport 77s. Very local news and much more.
2021-06-1854 minI Hate Politics PodcastTransit v TollsMaryland Governor Larry Hogan's plan to widen and add tolls lanes to I-270 comes up against protest. Sunil Dasgupta goes to a "Don't Widen 270" rally and talks with transit advocate Ben Ross. New music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s. Very local news and much more.
2021-06-1149 minI Hate Politics Podcast"Is Every Kid Accounted For?"As the pandemic school year comes to an end, Sunil Dasgupta talks to Wheaton Woods Elementary School Principal Daman Harris about accounting for every student in a difficult year and to Montgomery County Board of Education Member Karla Silvestre about the coming surge of unaccompanied minor refugees in county public schools. Original music from DC area band Bad Robot Jones. Local election races heat up and other very local news and more.
2021-06-0455 minI Hate Politics PodcastCan Outdoor Learning Save Education?In time for Memorial Day 2021, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Elana Mintz, founder and executive director of Washington DC nonprofit Urban Adventure Squad, about learning outdoors safely, equitably, and inexpensively. Insect and plant expert Carol Allen of Washington Gardener Magazine on variations in cicada densities. Music from Washington DC area band, Bad Robot Jones. Very local news and more.
2021-05-2853 minI Hate Politics PodcastExpanding the Safety Net: COVID Food DistributionIn this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with Jackie De Carlo, president of Manna Food Center; Oscar Alvarenga of Epworth United Methodist Church of Gaithersburg; and I Hate Politics Upcounty Reporter Andrew Saundry about organizing and running pandemic food distribution and the lessons they drew from it. New music from Washington DC area band, Bad Robot Jones.
2021-05-2151 minI Hate Politics PodcastIs Bethesda Magazine a Local Media Unicorn?Local media giant Bethesda Magazine (and accompanying Bethesda Beat) was sold to new owners in April 2021. Sunil Dasgupta talks to founder, editor, and publisher Steve Hull about the challenges of building a commercially viable local media outlet at a time when local news has been in decline. Andrew Saundry returns with his Upcounty Report on things to up north. Music by local singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2021-05-1445 minI Hate Politics PodcastBudgeting! Redistricting! Exciting!Sunil Dasgupta talks with UMBC budget expert Roy Meyers as Maryland and its counties find their coffers surprisingly full from unexpectedly strong tax revenues and federal pandemic recovery funds. Montgomery Blair High School statistics teacher David Stein on lessons from his classroom for electoral redistricting, now waiting for census data to be released. DC singer-songwriter Emily Hall with new music.
2021-05-0854 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Politics of Public Art and CultureSunil Dasgupta talks to Gaithersburg Mayor and Book Festival Founder Jud Ashman about suburban Washington's only--and publicly-supported--book event which starts May 1 and a deep dive into the controversy over the design for a proposed 88-ft mural on the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission's new headquarters in Wheaton. New music from Wheaton and DC singer-songwriter Emily Hall.
2021-04-3056 minI Hate Politics PodcastMaryland Legislators Step Out Ahead on Police ReformsSunil Dasgupta talks to Maryland State House Delegate Gabriel Acevero, one of the leaders of the police reform and accountability movement, about new public safety legislation passed by the state that creates a new standard for use of force and brings transparency to investigations on officer misconduct. Student voices on returning to school buildings and music from locally-composed musical Sunflower: The Story of Amalie and Vincent.
2021-04-2347 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Moral Standoff between Conservation and Climate ActionEarth Day 2021 episode. Sunil Dasgupta talks to Montgomery County, MD, Council Member Hans Riemer about the failure of his proposal to change zoning rules to allow ground-based solar panels in the protected agricultural reserve. Andrew Saundry talks with Will Roberts about the eviction crisis. Music from new locally-composed musical Sunflower: The Story of Amalie and Vincent.
2021-04-1647 minI Hate Politics PodcastWho Do Neighborhood Associations Serve?In this episode, Sunil Dasgupta talks with urban planner, blogger, and community activist Dan Reed about the role, evolution, and character of neighborhood associations, HOAs, and PTAs. In the Upcounty Report, Andrew Saundry offers placemaking as a way for greater social solidarity in the burgeoning northern part of Montgomery County.
2021-04-0946 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Muddy Lines of Education AccountabilitySunil Dasgupta talks with Lori Morrow, of the Maryland State Board of Education, about a particularly tough year for education including on the question of closing and reopening schools. The discussion turns to reveal blurry lines of accountability that makes it hard to determine who is ultimately responsible for public education. And A Tragedy of the Commons in Sycamore Creek, Aspen Hill.
2021-04-0243 minI Hate Politics PodcastForging the Asian-American Political IdentityFollowing the mass shooting of six women of Asian descent outside Atlanta, Sunil Dasgupta talks to civil rights attorney and Asian-American activist Aryani Ong about the making of the Asian-American political identity and the challenges involved. The Upcounty Reports takes on the political impact of cost of living differences in Montgomery County.
2021-03-2348 minI Hate Politics PodcastWhy is it So Hard to Remove Police from SchoolsMontgomery County, MD, removes police officers from public schools. Student activist Lauren Payne and teacher Neha Singhal talk with Sunil Dasgupta about the movement for social and racial justice in the county. Andrew Saundry on getting an Upcounty transportation project included in the federal infrastructure bill. Timestamps 5:30 News Roundup 8:35 Lauren Payne and Neha Singhal Interview 34:50 Lessons from the Interview 38:12 Andrew Saundry's Upcounty Report
2021-03-1943 minI Hate Politics PodcastThe Political Economy of Suburban Housing ShortageLike many other growing jurisdictions, Montgomery County, Maryland, has a housing shortage and a housing mismatch on its hands that are rooted in exclusive single-family zoning going back decades. Sunil Dasgupta talks to County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson about the problem and possible solutions. Plus Andrew Saundry's Upcounty Report.
2021-03-0547 min
I Hate Politics PodcastChoosing Your Advocacy StyleIn this episode, Sunil Dasgupta explores two contrasting styles of local government advocacy with pedestrian safety activist Miriam Schoenbaum and former Winston Churchill High School President Bruce Adelson.
2021-02-1950 min