Introducing a new, regular feature that begins next week
Mark Jurkevich
‘Mark Around the World’ kicks off Monday morning
Monday we’ll launch a experiment: Mark Jurkevich, my long-time friend, will begin regular posts on this blog. The theme is global affairs. They will appear as the daily opener most Mondays and Wednesdays. They’ll be headlined “Mark Around the World” with a subhed for the topic du jour. (You’ve probably already read some of his less-than-regular guest posts that have appeared here).
Here’s a brief introduction: Mark and I go way back — we both grew up in Annapolis. We met as school kids at a Baltimore Colts game, via mutual friends. The friendship grew when we were both students at University of Maryland, College Park. I was an English major and he was a Computer Science major who dabbled in the Russian Department.
One of Mark’s favorite college stories is about the only English course he took. Days before beginning his last semester, the Dean of Russian Department advised him that he could also qualify for a second degree in Russian, if he signed up for several extra courses. One requirement was any English course (Mark had taken none because he tested out of English based on his SAT score). Unfortunately, the only class with available space by then was senior-year course – Persuasive Writing.
At the end of the semester, each student had to submit one “pro” essay and one “con” essay. The authors’ names were replaced by coded numbers and the English Department faculty then reviewed the anonymous essays, voted on the best, and read them to the students gathered in an auditorium.
As they read the winning “con” essay – a radical anti-abortion piece (the term “pro-life” came later), Mark broke into a sweat and started turning red. It was his, and he was called to the stage. Many of his fellow students looked on in shock. They were incredulous that Mark held such beliefs. (If you knew him well back then, you would not have believed it either). Others booed.
Then, the faculty began reading the winning “pro” essay. It was a pro-choice piece. Mark began to breathe easier – that one was also his!
To write them he drew on amazing sales skills he possessed even way back then. Russian? Computer Science? Hah! Everyone who knew Mark considered him the most “natural” salesman they’d ever met. He could sell sugar to diabetics.
After graduating, Mark got a job in the tech industry, and his name is on a bunch of patents. Then he moved into the commercial side of international business. He tried to entice me into a technical writing job at his first employer. It was good money but I declined and went into journalism instead. That was in 1984. Isn’t it ironic that I have now enticed him to be a regular contributor to my blog?
Mark splits his time between U.S. and Poland. Currently he is living in Warsaw, Poland with his wife and son. In addition to English, he’s fluent in Russian and Polish.
September 1, 2012 - 8:00 AM
Sounds good, Dan.
BTW, I see in today’s paper that when the government had tight control, over the helium supply, it was abundant and easy to come by. Now that it’s essentially been turned over to private industry, it’s getting almost impossible to obtain. Way to go capitalism!!
And, yes, helium does have important medical uses. It’s not just for filling balloons and making funny voices.
I’m looking forward to this!
Are you planning on retiring? It’s sweet of you to want to give your bud an opportunity like this, but, geez, isn’t there enough political crap on the web? I like YOUR column! — Respectfully Submitted
Poor BobH. This might be the final straw.
Can’t wait to hear the right wing nuts take on this one. What, another
commie pinko featured on Dan’s blog? Why, the guy studied Russian
and live half the time in Poland for God’s sake! Can’t we get us some good old god fearin’ , English studyin’ southern speakin’ Republican intellectuals featured here? Where are Tripp Godsey and Virgil Goode when we need ‘em? Snark.
Flo, I don’t think Mark is in dire need of “opportunities”. I think Dan feels it will be interesting for us to get another more global perspective to discuss.
Sitting in a field waiting on dove
cool story…
What? Another commie pinko featured on Dan’s blog? Why, the guy studied Russian and live half the time in Poland for Allah’s sake! Why can’t we get us some good old God fearin’ , English studyin’ southern speakin’ Republican intellectuals featured here? Where are Tripp Godsey and Virgil Goode when we need ‘em?
Hope Dan can handle the competition! Sounds like this guy has some real credentials (is fluent in English, Polish and Russian. Dano hasn’t mastered the English language yet). Jurkevich and Casey seem like strange bedfellows since Jurkevich attempts to see both sides of an issue-something Casey can’t be accused of doing. We’ll see.
Henry,
I can’t speak for Tripp Godsey, except he ran the looniest Senate primary campaign I’ve ever seen.
Virgil Goode, on the other hand, is quite busy trying to assure Obama’s re-election. And he just might.
“Hope Dan can handle the competition! Sounds like this guy has some real credentials (is fluent in English, Polish and Russian. Dano hasn’t mastered the English language yet). Jurkevich and Casey seem like strange bedfellows since Jurkevich attempts to see both sides of an issue-something Casey can’t be accused of doing. We’ll see.”
This is hilarious. L.D., you ace-thinking ex RT employee, this is not competition. What in the world would lead you to believe that? Mark is my long-time friend. We gave the first toasts at each other’s wedding, for goodness sake.
“Sitting in a field waiting on dove”
It’s only fair when the doves can return fire.
“Sitting in a field waiting on dove”
Honestly, Michael, why are you wasting your time? Wild pigs you can actually eat. Doves don’t have enough meat to bother killing, unless you’re starving. Which you’re not.
Yeehaa! We spent millions of dollars, brought in dozens of speakers. The Republican elite, cream of the crop! We put Mitt Romney out there for all to see, they’ll love him! What a convention!! Uh, you’re kidding us, right?
Michael Howdyshell, I can’t wait for you to shoot a pig so I can call you “Green eggs and Ham”.
My dad used to hunt doves when we lived in Missouri. They are very tasty.
#15 Art Hill,
This is exactly why I don’t have cable. Honey Boo Boo and her redneck family are just awful. This, from the same network that brought us “Sarah Palin’s Alaska”. I guess they’re going to rename it the “Non-Learning Channel” now.
I can see why it had more viewers than Mitt and Chedderbomb’s fiasco, though.
One shotgun shell is about a dollar..
I figure Id have to sit out in a field
chancing West Nile Virus..and waiting for a bird
to fly over. And after I pluck them and put
them in a pan if I got 2 out of 5 shots
We’d be looking at the equivalent size of 2
hard boiled eggs.
Ill take my 5 bucks and go to Thelmas..
Ill get a Mountain Dew, a couple of breasts..and I wont get feathers in my mouth.
I won’t wear camouflage though…because I don’t want them laughing over the grill whispering about some dude, slow cooking out in some dried up cornfield.
Dan, correction to your post, FORMER RT employee (I left for greener fields). Sorry to disappoint you.
#18 “I can see why it had more viewers than . . .”
Steve C. I can see why you would think that. The GOP convention was too intelligential for the liberal left. They were a lot more comfortable watching Honey Boo Boo since they could relate more.
Joe,
That is funny…
I dove hunted once, you are correct, not much meat on one.
I don’t know “thelma” but good to know there are no feathers on her breasts… lol
A side comment; your shooting skills seem to be equivalent to the NYPD.
Just joking with ya…
dave:
“Where are Tripp Godsey and Virgil Goode when we need ‘em? Snark.”
Virgil Goode was at the Hillsville flea market yesterday. He stopped by the VCDL booth to get his Guns Save Lives sticker and chat.
Doves are great
To kill if you
and your family
are really hungry
and facing death.
But they’re a waste
of time if you
have pocketfuls
of cash and
hunt pigs, too.
Because your time
and ammo are
not wasted at all
with a pig.
Bigger the beast, the better.
If the feds killed
doves for food
Michael Howdyshell
would be blasting
them for it.
He’d call it,
“unAmerican” and say
his ancestors would
be turning in
their graves.
LD, which department? Why did they lay you off?
# 12
Dan,
Don’t get too rattled. The first time I posted on your blog, a guy named Ron said: “I doubt LD & I will ever share a point of view, but he needs to get tough or …!!”
That same day I got a piece of advice from someone on your blog: “This can be a rough place. Everyone knows it. Some need special treatment, though.”
(Oh, that’s right, that someone was YOU)! Anyway, good advice.
Dan, One final thought (don’t you wish):
Friends NEVER compete, right? Oh, well. (Just sayin)!
LD, I can explain stuff to you, but I can’t understand it for you.
Go ahead and think what you want.
You know Dan, you’re right. I take back what I said. I just thought since I never received any mercy, I didn’t need to show any. But two wrongs don’t make a right. I know I’ll never make a difference on this blog so take it easy and good luck with your new feature.
LD, why did the newspaper let you go? And what department did you work in? And you’re still so angry about that after all these years that you’re coming here to whine about?
Be my guest. . .but it sounds like you need professional help. I’m not saying that facetiously. A good counselor can do wonders.
Dan, For once I wasn’t being sarcastic. And just for the record I have never been “let go” from any job, quite the opposite. I’ve owned my own business for years. And regarding anger, I have never seen the kind of anger that thrives on this blog. I WOULD need professional help if I had to make a living blogging.
Great Father son day Hunter killed his first bird. Dan we have a bunch of breast in the ftige, they are very good. Soak all night in salt water the 24 hours in a merinade then on the egg. They are very very tastey. Goose hunt Monday.Hunter shot three boxes of shells and killed 3 birds not bad for a 9 year old. They are very hard to hit. Argetenia has the best dove hinting in world but Virginia ant bad.
MichaelH, are you familiar with Primland? Right in our own backyard.
LD…why dont u just tell us all what you did at R/T..
You tiptoe to the edge of the lake..then run back in the woods
after shrieking of long-ago perceived slights.
If you wont tell us about why you left..
maybe tell us in some detail about those verdant pastures.
Im about to put myself out to pasture..Im looking for some
green ones my own dang tired self.
Channeling Dr. Seuss for LD:
LD worked at the paper
He wants you to know.
He left on his own
No one told him to go.
“It used to be better,
It used to be real,
When they gave me a paycheck,
That’s what I feel!”
“I DIDN’T get canned
Instead I quit!
But hell no I’m not
Gonna substantiate it.”
“None of your business
Which department I worked.
It’s none of your business
You newspaper jerk!”
Primland has expensive greens fees!! Thanks to obama, I can only afford to go there once a year
So LD..
we dont know much about you
except that you used to hang around
either invited or uninvited at the R/T.
At some point later you decide to come
onto this blog and try to trash its
Keeper..
We dont know much about you
but we know which box to check on
class.
And Sniveling.
Yes Kristen, heard of it but not been their
upps there just caught the spell check
You seem angry tonight Dan. Why?
MichaelH, it was conceived by. French investor as a bird hunting resort. I’ve heard it has some of the best bird hunting in the world.
Dan, thank you for the kind and flattering introduction. I also thank all those who posted their thoughts and concerns, above. I would like to reply to a couple, which raise reasonable concerns.
#3 Flo “isn’t there enough political crap on the web?” Flo,I agree with you. Dan has been talking to me often and on for several years about doing this experiment. Until now, I hesitated out of concern whether I have interests which might also be of interest to this blog community. And if I did, can I consistently provide a valid, but different perspective than the conventional perspectives that already saturate the WEB and other media. The reactions by this blog community to my more recent “irregular” postings makes me believe that it’s worth giving it a shot. Please also note that the theme “global affairs” is not limited to politics. In short – I hear you. So, please, give this experiment a chance.
#5 Dave 5 “Can’t wait to hear the right wing nuts take on this one. What, another commie pinko featured on Dan’s blog?…” I love this posting. Superbly written. Priceless! Dave, you might find it interesting that earlier this year my sister, a liberal academic in New York, told me that my positions are so extremist right wing that she has vowed never to discuss politics or policy with me again. I can’t believe she accused me of that. On the other hand, in last week’s thread “Who should this undecided voter cast his ballot for?” Dan noted that I was firmly in the Obama camp in 2008. I look forward to your opinions on the Monday and Wednesday “Mark Around The World” posts. It would be cool to see what label you will try to stick on me in a few months.
#6, Kristen – How kind of you to provide your thoughts regarding what you think Dan is desiring to do via this change to ‘his’ column. I’d really have prefered if Dan had responded. But, this LD individual decided to get his hackles up. Back to what I said, in a different way. There are plenty of avenues for reading or hearing about “global affairs”. I’d been reading Dan’s column because it hasn’t concentrated on such. Besides checking in at the Fridge Magnet, this has been the only column I’ve checked in to read on a regular basis here at Roanoke.com.
Mark and I have disagreed about many things political over the years. Recall, he’s the one who gave me the “Ted needs driver’s ed” bumper sticker, back when I was rooting for Kennedy to kick Carter out of the White House.
THAT, by the way, would have prevented the election of St. Ronald Reagan.
Let’s be clear here: Mark isn’t going to write my columns. He’s writing 2 blog posts a week. The blog and the column are different things, except that I include all of my columns as blog posts.
The columns will continue to focus on local and sometime state issues.
Flo, as you can see from Dan’s response, Mark’s just going to be on the blog. Dan has lots of guest posters on the blog. Mark’s not writing for the Roanoke Times…he’s just getting some blog posts. I doubt it will enhance his career any.
I can’t speak to L.D.
@Kristen..
sent u a post back on “Lawless” subject.
Joe, I answered it back there. The only local place that got much play other than Rocky Mount was Burnt Chimney.
I said more back on the movie thread.
Mark, thanks for responding to my comment(s). I’m certainly willing to “give this experiment a chance”.
Great news, Dan.
I have been thinking how myopic and repetitive the content of this blog has become, of late.
I try introducing world issues, and other subjects, from time to time. However, I think regularly recurring threads on various global affairs themes would be great. Looking forward to them.
Dave Hicks,
Up tomorrow on Mark Around the World: Julian Assange. Stay tuned.
Who should an undecided reader pick as his preferred opinion blogger?
One is a working columnist already, with a clip file from a career as a reporter, the other has created a clip file of published submissions as a means to a possible future as a pundit.
One has a central European name and could pass for Irish. The other has an Irish name and could pass for central European.
One has a working knowledge of how to interface with things produced by Microsoft, the other has a working knowledge of how to interface with things produced by Microdot.
One thought Ted needed driver’s ed, the other thinks Mitt’s full of it.
One advertises his fairness by balancing the hair from his head with the hair on his face, the other advertises his fairness by parting his hair down the middle.
One thinks Americans don’t pay enough attention to foreign affairs, the other thinks foreign affairs includes “hiking the Appalachian Trail”.
According to the BBB, one has never complained about Bed Bath & Beyond, the other has never complained about Bedding Barn in Burtonsville.
One urges “dancing in the aisle”, like a happy Nighthawks fan, the other urges “reaching across the isle”, like an archipelago politician named Gilligan.
Neither forgives stupid politicians who fill the air with Ayn Rand fantasies and international conspiracy theories. Both forgive a stupid reader who fills a few minutes with a silly fantasia.
Life is full of choices…