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I currently work as a communications professional for Americans United for Life in DC. Prior to that, I worked in operations for Public Opinion Strategies, a political and public affairs research firm. I started their blog in 2009. Prior to that I worked as an admin at UMBC for the Joint Center for Earth Science Technology(JCET) and the Goddard Earth Science Technology (GEST) Center.
I've been blogging since 2002 - first at Backcountry Conservative (now-defunct) and also as a blogger and the publisher of Inside Charm City. Inside Charm City was given an award for Best News Blog as part of the 2009 Mobbies Awards sponsored by The Baltimore Sun. My media experience includes stints in talk radio at WLMA-AM in Greenwood, South Carolina, and also for The Andy Thomas Show, a talk show that was syndicated on numerous stations in SC. I worked mainly as a news and political reporter both places, including coverage of the 1998 elections in South Carolina.
I enlisted in the Army National Guard in South Carolina in 1996. I went to basic training in 1997 at Fort Leonard Wood and then to AIT at Fort Huachuca. I served as a 96B (intelligence analyst) in a heavy separate brigade and in an air defense battalion before I ETSed in 2003. Additionally I worked as a civilian technician for the Guard in 2001-2 (mainly as a computer specialist but also some video production work.) I also worked in state government doing web work and IT work prior to that.
I've always been a news junkie and interested in politics and government. I tend to be conservative on most issues. I am a registered Republican in Maryland only because the state has closed primaries and independents don't get to vote in a primary.
I also am a sports fan, primarily of college football (Clemson), baseball (Atlanta Braves, minor league, & college), college basketball (Clemson, Georgetown), and NASCAR. I also will watch hockey and soccer and depending what else is on almost any sport. I read a lot of non-fiction - usually historical books. I also read fiction including Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, Harry Turtledove, and too many others to list.
I'll provide a quick note about the user name in this paragraph and how exactly I came up with CommuterHell. I've worked in the DC area since July 2008 and my commute has, at various times, included walking, driving, taking the Washington Metro, taking the train (MARC, Virginia Rail Express, and occasionally Amtrak), and buses (Metrobus, D.C. Circulator, DART buses, etc.) At times, especially driving and on Metro and MARC, this commute can be hellish.
