From the press release:
"It is about time!" is how one local elected official responded to the news that Guled will begin a progressive talk show.
Starting on March 14, 2011, Guled Kassim will join CBS Radio’s Big Talker 1580 to bring a balance to the flood of right wing talk on the radio!
Those that know Guled Kassim, know him as a Real Estate professional, active Democrat, former US Marine, and an immigrant.
Moreover, what will give the show legs will be the diverse list of contacts of University professors, community activists, community leaders, and elected officials as guests.
As one of a few radio talk shows in the area that will not be presenting right-wing content and prospective, it will give the broader community a platform for informative and engaging discussions.
The show’s various segments will cover opinions and analysis in discussing current issues and politics in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. In addition, the “Metro Biztalk” segment will cover economic issues specific to this area.
Start each week off in balance with Guled on “Kassim’s Corner”, Monday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 starting March 14, 2011 on the Big Talker 1580am. On Monday we are going to start the show off strong with the Majority Leader of the Maryland State House, Del. Kumar Barve and Mr. Darrell Carrington to discuss the pertinent issues in Annapolis.
For comments, topics, and guest scheduling contact Guled Kassim at (202) 681-1455 or gkassim@gmail.com.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Guled Kassim's New Progressive Radio Show
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
I Am Not In… But Also Not Out
By Guled Kassim.
I want to take this opportunity to update my friends and neighbors of my decision regarding the 2010 election year. Thanks to many of you and my family for encouraging me to run for an at-large seat on the Montgomery County Council as well as the publicity from the popular blog “Maryland Politics Watch,” I’ve had the benefit of speaking with many people all around the county regarding the critical issue we are facing as a community and the importance of the 2010 election. It goes without saying that my heart has been in public service ever since my early childhood experiences after immigrating to the United States. I’ve always tried to find ways to be of service to others.
I truly feel that we need to take the “sexy” element of campaigning and political positioning out of the critical issues that must be addressed in this County. We are fortunate to have plenty of talented and yet busy politicians, but we sincerely need busy and thoughtful leaders that are able to break through the cloud of political positioning in order to find solutions.
Still, some “progressives” forget that debating yesterday’s arguments may garner success on Election Day, but masking old arguments is far from progressive leadership. Whether it is dealing with the needed infrastructure and/or development pitted against keeping our county green, yesterday’s arguments have only caused stalemates. We can attain a balanced and efficient use of land that respects our environment and maximizes capacity of space so long as we don’t caricature each other.
Our top-notch school system has been recognized across the country. However, to an extent, you get what you pay for. I am a beneficiary of Montgomery county public schools, having immigrated here not speaking any English and can remember being told to read Shakespeare in seventh grade ESOL! However parents today are concerned about issue like the pervasive performance gap in minority students, overcrowding in our classrooms and the high dropout rate amongst minority students that haven’t been resolved as minority students steadily lag behind. There has to be demonstrated evidence of leadership that takes this to heart because the working mothers and fathers need to rely on the schools to teach their children and position them to be the leaders of tomorrow. Parents with failing students are dismayed and will not fall for the old argument of “Resources vs. management” because they simply want their children to succeed in school.
As for the youth, we will fail our children if we don't discuss the connection between the reduction of after school programs and the rise of teenage gang related crimes. Our kids need a safe, secure and modern 21st century learning environment. They also need afterschool programs that teach important skills outside of the classroom, such as teamwork, community service and extended focus on schoolwork. These skill sets allow our society to grow and, more importantly, give our youth a push in the right direction. Small steps such as the county government partnering with local businesses to increase internships opportunities for our high school students can mean the world to a student that is on the brink, because she may very well be that leader of tomorrow.
Our law enforcement personnel are working hard as residents feel less safe in their neighborhoods and homes. With everything from strong-arm robbery, burglary & home invasions and assaults to even some instances murder, we must collectively work hard to make sure the high school and middle school students understand that they have positive options once they get out into the real world. All of these issues connect to each other as nothing happens in a vacuum.
A better-educated and informed young adult is a better-equipped employee. As we are looking to get our county and region’s economy back on the positive again, we need to recognize the value of investing real energy in our youth. We cannot sit hoping that the federal government’s rising currents will sweep us into greener pastures. Small businesses countywide are hurting and ideas such as partnering with the SBA for specialized incentive programs for our county’s small businesses can help. We must begin to think anew to find solutions that are outside of the “political” box.
It is critically important for our elected leaders to retain the integrity of the offices they hold and replenish the faith of the public. As the taxpayers are paying ever-closer attention to how their tax dollars are being spent, they want to see results and not just political positioning. For our Legislators in Annapolis, we want you to “bring home the bacon!” For our County leaders, we need you to manage our resources, as revenue streams are tight.
I have often read and heard and wondered about candidates who state that they aren’t running for office for personal reasons. I have come to realize since my 2006 campaign that running for office is in itself a very personal decision. I commend anyone who throws his/her hat in the ring. While I remain passionate about these and many other issues within the community, I’ve decided to step aside as a candidate for Montgomery County Council for 2010. Thanks to the many folks who have lent me their time and ear in these past several months. Because of you, I am much more informed and committed.
This being an election year, I will focus my energy and time into assisting candidates whose goals are in line with mine as well as focusing on trying to find ways to increase voter turnout in voter-depressed areas. The future is now and as voters we shouldn’t settle for what sounds good, rather we should seek out clear indications of true leadership that is focused on real progress. The 2010 election cycle will be a seminal year for our growing and diverse community.
By the way if our paths cross, please feel free to pull my ear and tell me what great ideas you have for our community. I am willing to listen and learn.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Sincerely,
Guled Kassim
Derwood, Maryland
gkassim@gmail.com
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Guled Kassim on Fort Hood and Muslims in the Military
Guled Kassim, a former candidate for District 19 Delegate, a current candidate for a County Council at-large seat and an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, sent us these remarks about our post on anti-Muslim bigotry in the Washington Post’s comment section.
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I think it took some level of nerve on your part to post about how blind anger can transform into a hateful blanket that one can choose to apply over millions of people. I guess if you look hard enough, you can see that applied to any minority community.
I am a Somali-American, a Muslim, and a veteran of the Unites States Marine Corps. I guess with the insanity of folks on the right… I am a potential “inside” bad guy or worse.
But your blog made me think and see if I can add my 2 cents.
First, the pirates. In the past two years, I think I’ve heard every pirate joke that anyone can think of. Really…the funniest are the ones that do the joke in entirely Somali-accented English (which I’ve been told is somewhere between an Arabic and an Eastern European person speaking English). A memorable one had me being related to Captain Jack Sparrow and it fit nicely with me being a Marine and all. I enjoy a good joke – but somehow tying these pirates to the Fort Hood shooting is not even a stretch, it is outright stupid.
The reality of these pirates is only a symptom of a larger problem in much of Africa that is far too complex to pigeonhole as “Islamic Terrorism.” These “pirates” in Somalia could care less about your religion. Folks on the right forget about the small thing called a civil war in Somalia. And they never talk about how in a country with no weapons factories and in the midst of a civil war, that these people are able to get their hands on advanced weaponry and GPS-guided speedboats to head off ships. But thinking isn’t part of convenient labels.
As for Muslims in the military… oh boy. Talking to some of these “non-thinkers” you’d think that being a Muslim and a member of the military is an oxymoron. When one joins the military, he/she takes an oath that says in part, “solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and goes on to say, “I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
Look, I am not a religious expert. Most of us who adhere to one religion or another aren’t experts. The experts are the Priests, Rabbis, Preachers, Imams, etc. They can do the theological discussions etc…. but for me, as a U.S. Marine, the oath was the most serious moment in my entire enlistment – bar none. Not the deployments. Not the various training exercises. And for someone to break that oath – well, it says something about that person individually and not the group of folks that the person belongs to.
I know you’ve all heard of the “band of bothers” concept – but the bond of “brotherhood” is really amazing. I am still close with folks that I served with for only a three-month period from over 13 years ago! Again, for someone to go after folks that they serve with the intent to kill… in essence their brothers/sisters… is a telling mark on that person.
I was at a dinner this past Saturday night (a veterans day dinner at that) and listened as two well-meaning DEMOCRATS sitting at my table argued about the merits of “allowing” Muslims to serve in the military. When I jumped in, I asked if they served in the military and one of them had the gall to say, “I was in the boy scouts so I have some idea of what goes on.” The boy scouts! I wanted to explain to them that I served in the military as a Muslim and about the bond of kinship etc, but I just couldn’t follow up the boy scouts comment.
I guess if I mentioned that I served in the Marine Corps, was deployed and earned medals and awards, they wouldn’t believe me outright!
When I could break in their amazing conversation a few minutes later, I asked if either of them knew a Muslim person or a person who served in the military. Neither knew a veteran or someone currently serving, but one of two had the most memorable line of the night for me when he said that he doesn't know enough about Muslims to make a general comment and said “but my dentist is a Muslim” - which eclipsed the boy scouts comment by the other guy.
So for the price of the dinner, I got good food and entertainment and a lesson... non-thinkers can be Democrats too.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Whispers of the At-Large Race, Part Four
Here are four more actual, potential, or improbable at-large candidates.
Guled Kassim, Silver Spring
Kassim is a Somali immigrant who grew up in Kemp Mill, served in the Marines and became a real estate settlement officer. He is young, good-looking, polite and shows up at a lot of events. In 2006, he ran for Delegate in District 19. Despite being on a slate with incumbent Hank Heller and successful candidate Ben Kramer, Kassim finished eighth of eight candidates in the Democratic primary. Unlike many candidates who lost last time, he has stayed active in politics. His active support of Kramer in the 2009 special election will not play well among progressives. Given his last-place finish in a Delegate race, it is hard to imagine him being a top-tier contender at-large. He has a campaign website up but it does not mention the office he is seeking.
Spy: A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Continental African, Guled could energize the rainbow coalition that helped Nancy Navarro win in District 4. He would need to overcome anti-Muslim prejudice, which he is easily likeable enough to do if he campaigns hard, especially in the Jewish community.
Spy: Guled Kassim had a dismal performance as a D19 delegate. I can say with complete confidence that he has no chance as an at-large candidate, unless he were to mysteriously come across $300,000. Guled's only hope at public office would have been had he been appointed to replace Ben Kramer in Annapolis. Some had speculated such a deal had been made, but with Kramer’s loss, that door has shut.
Spy: Nice kid, better suited for District 19 than at-large Council.
Ben Kramer, Derwood
Delegate Ben Kramer (D-19) came within 63 votes of becoming the new District 4 County Council Member. No one knows for sure whether he will run for re-election as a Delegate, challenge Nancy Navarro, run at-large or not run at all. He never conceded to Navarro and never endorsed her against Robin Ficker, facts that have not escaped the notice of other politicians and activists around the county. Kramer’s capacity for more self-funding is a mystery given that he has loaned his campaigns a total of $220,450 – money that has not been paid back.
Spy: He would certainly have the money (although, I can’t imagine it’s easy for him to spend all of his own money and never fundraise), but I just don’t think he’s that likeable. He is aloof and comes across as if he thinks he’s better than everyone (I think he does, and that he’s smarter than everyone). Not to mention that he talks about himself in the 3rd person! As your research has pointed out, the General Election electorate is not his base and he’d have a tough time with such a crowded field.
Spy: How much is he willing to invest this time?
Spy: Could he self-finance an at large council campaign? Would he have broad appeal - would he work hard for it? Where is his support group? Does he think he is safe in Annapolis? Guess I have more questions than answers here.
Spy: This just doesn’t make any sense. He was the favorite in an open race special election and lost in many of the places where the Kramer brand should be at its strongest. So he’s going to run against incumbents across the whole county?
Spy: May want another go... but I think he would rather take on Navarro again in District 4.
Spy: Will he run on the Trachtenberg slate? Politics makes strange bedfellows. Easy to imagine him winning the Gazette and Post endorsements as a candidate who wants to “run government like a business” but then losing the Democratic primary.
Spy: The only person that comes close to former Delegate Robin Ficker’s record of unsuccessful bids for public office is Ben Kramer. His track record as a candidate has been awful. In this most recent run, Kramer faced his ideal voting population: older, whiter, more affluent, more Jewish. If he can’t win a council seat under those circumstances, he never will. But this raises a more obvious point. Why so many people (including Ben Kramer himself) thought he would easily win the D4 special election is beyond me, but I hope this last campaign puts the fabled Kramer mystique to rest for good. Perhaps a pleasant side-effect from this could be that Rona Kramer faces a strong challenge in 2010.
Spy: Ben Kramer is damaged goods and shouldn’t even try it.
Cary Lamari, Silver Spring
Lamari is a former President of the Montgomery County Civic Federation and is one of the most prominent and knowledgeable civic activists in the county. He finished eleventh of thirteen at-large candidates in 2006 and ran third in the 2009 District 4 special election Democratic primary. Lamari’s biggest problem is money. In the 2009 District 4 special primary, he was outspent 9-1 by both Nancy Navarro and Ben Kramer. That election, which was limited to an area containing Lamari’s best friends and supporters (including many long-time allies in Leisure World) was probably his best chance to win office.
Spy: Cary Lamari has zero chance of winning an at-large seat. The Civic Federation/civic activist population makes up no more than 5-10% of the Democratic Primary population, and that is on a good day. Lamari may think he can pull off a Marc Elrich-like victory built on multiple runs for the Council, but Elrich has something that Lamari does not. Elrich has traditionally been considered a progressive activist IN ADDITION to being a civic activist. In the 2006 primary that carried Elrich to office, there was a clear progressive wave in the primary that was aided by high-profile, head-to-head primary battles up-ticket. With no such action in 2010 AND the fact that Lamari is not very progressive, he stands no chance. Elrich himself might be in danger of losing his seat and would be foolish to slate up with Lamari.
Spy: Nice guy, but please. The voters have spoken. Replace the battery on your hearing aid and listen to what the voters are saying.
Spy: If Lamari runs for Council At-Large, he will likely take votes away from Elrich (who gets backing from the civics, as well). This would not be good for Marc because he’s going to see some names missing in his supporter list in 2010 that were with him in 2006. Lamari does not have the fundraising capability to raise the money necessary for an at-large bid; he barely had enough for the district race.
Spy: Gaining maturity and stature. If he energizes civic activists to get out and work hard for him, he could pull off an Elrich-like surprise - perhaps at Elrich’s expense.
Spy: Three times a charm? More likely three times and he’s out. Lamari tends to know more than anyone about the county issues during debates, but something about him puts people off and it shows in his election results.
Spy: Cary’s strength is with his neighborhood and with the civics - it did not carry him that far in 2006 when he ran at large. I do not think he can finance an at large race - his campaign was underfunded this time and he came in a poor third on his turf. He may well run as he has inferred that - but I would guess he might again try the District 4 race. He also has thrown his hat in for the last two times for the planning board and that went nowhere. He may well win the Stassen label.
Spy: Will run again. This time at-large. He will lose really big time.
Chris Paladino, Silver Spring
Former Red Cross executive Chris Paladino withdrew from the District 4 race before it started due to family health issues. Paladino really believed he could win and our informants tell us he was ready to sink lots of his own money into the race. But we never got a chance to see him in action as a candidate. His fundraising, issue knowledge, people skills, work ethic and campaign savvy were never tested in the heat of battle. He may challenge Navarro in District 4, run at-large or not run at all.
Spy: Same problem as he would have had in the Special – people don’t know who he is and he’s going to get lost in the crowd. He may be able to fundraise, but he’s not a politician and he didn’t have any campaign plan (or intention of hiring staff) for the Special. He’d really need to hire someone qualified, but still, it’s a longshot.
Spy: For five minutes during the special election, Paladino was on everyone’s mind. But he has no political experience and a countywide race requires it. Either that, or a much bigger bank account.
Spy: Yeah right. Paladino is rumored to have $75,000 in self-financing available, but that is a drop in the bucket for a no-name, unestablished candidate in an at-large race. He’ll need many times more than that. Plus, with some of the other names floating around, he stands no chance. The most important question is will any of the incumbents slate up with him. The answer will undoubtedly be no.
Spy: A Knapp wanna-be without any union support. He sees himself as an entrepreneur and thinks everyone else can do it. Not compassionate despite his Red Cross background; had hoped to get the Praisner endorsement and have that propel him into office. Not aligned with any major interest group unless it might be the Chamber - (which was said to have been poised to support him last time - aligned somehow I’ve heard with Cheryl Kagan - more to learn there). Not curious nor charismatic. Does not understand the multi-layered strata of county politics. Can self finance to over $100,000, so he may be in if he senses an opening. At large - doubt it because he has not ventured out across the county yet. Son is in private school which may hurt him.
Spy: Non-entity with little $ and less familiarity. He is totally unprepared and has even less knowledge. No experience in civic matters. A complete unknown and totally unprepared. They'll make mincemeat of him in a forum or debate.
Spy: Unknown to voters and opinion-makers. Will have trouble raising sufficient money.
We will finish tomorrow.
