I teach at Towson University which is the second largest public university in Maryland. Yesterday, it was announced that an adjunct art professor was fired because he used the “N” word during lecture. The adjunct, Allen Zaruba, said that he made the comment (click here for the comment) in the course of illustrating the rights and benefits of adjunct professor at Towson University. The statement...

We’re asking all the wrong questions, thereby incorrectly framing our national debates. It’s no surprise we’re getting lousy answers and really moronic debates. Let’s break this dangerous impasse for the sake of our nation’s survival. We won’t get good answers unless we ask the right questions. We won’t be able to work through the difficult processes of correcting the many political,...

The Jewish Museum reopens at Albert Street in London on March 17. Writes David Aaronovitch in The Times of London: “The all-new Jewish Museum in North London has the sights and even the smells of an ancient British way of life. He recalls: “Five years ago I first went to an exhibition at the small Jewish Museum in North London. I suppose I saw it as a rather charming bijou museum, mostly about...

Last week I wrote a column on America’s troubled school systems and referred to Jaime Escalante, former Garfield High School math instructor in the barrio community of East Los Angeles, as an inspiration of what good teachers can accomplish. Today, actors who portrayed him and his uplifting story in the movie “Stand and Deliver,” are making public pleas for donations to help pay doctor bills...

Sen. Bunning, reported tonight as giving the unsenatorial ‘middle digit’ to a reporter, also threw a hissy fit on camera. He was outraged that the press would dare to question him, he an elected public offical, about his purposely standing in the way of vulnerable others’ income support today, essentially monkey-wrenching the government. But wait, I remember in 2007, Bunning bent over backward...

While it might sound like something appropriate to a politically oriented forum this is actually a sleep disorder. An article is out discussing sleep disorders which are downright scary. Nightmare disorder is one we are probably all familiar with but try some of these: 1. Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations which occur as you wake up or start to fall asleep 2. Exploding head syndrome is where you hear...

One of my friends from college was shot and killed by a fellow grad who had become obsessed with her. (UPDATE: I learned later I have a personal connection to the suspect – see below.) It is proof that bad things happen to good people. I have trouble thinking of a better person than Jennifer Paulson, and I’ll tell you why.

Of all the professions in America, the one I consider the most important for an inquisitive, enlightened citizenry is the role our teachers play in private and public schools. Think about it. No other person, hopefully with the help and support of parents, has such an important impact on the development of a child than a teacher. I consider myself among the fortunate to have learned at the feet of Harold Ambuel,...

A very busy work day prevented me from posting earlier but it was 65 years ago this week, on February 23, 1945, that the Marines raised the US flag over Iwo Jima. While the famous picture was re-enacted for the cameras there is no way we can deny the bravery of the Marines who fought and died there. For once we may have a post where everybody agrees that it’s a week to say thank you to all who have served...

Newsweek has what we called a thumbsucker posing what if the Republicans were in control of Congress and the White House. I don’t mean to put words in their mouth, but the answer is: Not much. The article divides the issues confronting our federal executive and legislative branches albeit I must observe that health reform and gays in the military would never see the light of day in a nation run by Republicans. I...

Now you would understand why I love the Brits… It seems they haven’t lost their legendary sense of wit and humour. Try this recent story in The Times of London: “Far right Australian politician Pauline Hanson moving to Britain.” I specially enjoyed the comments that followed this article. Here are three sample comments: “Coming to England to avoid Asians is a bit like emigrating...

I have written in support of giving women in our military equal responsibilities, duty assignments and advancement opportunities as their male counterparts. (Here and here) I have also been a consistent supporter of permitting gays and lesbians to serve openly and honorably in our military. (Such as here and here) Finally, I have written admiringly of the Israel Defense Forces. In my opinion, the Israeli military...

The murder of three University of Alabama at Huntsville biology professors last Friday (and the attempted murder of three other individuals) is a clear tragedy.  It is especially difficult for those of us in the academy who can very easily identify with what it might be like to be sitting in a small room filled with colleagues to then be confronted with the surprising and terrifying sight of one of those...

Faced with a $700 million budget shortfall, a Utah Republican state legislator has found a way he figures will cut about 8% of it by eliminating the senior year of high school. State Sen. Chris Buttars has since toned down the idea, suggesting instead that senior year become optional for students who complete their required credits early. He estimated the move could save up to $60 million, the Salt Lake Tribune...

Today, Valentine’s Day, marks the beginning of my fourth year writing for The Moderate Voice… as a journo, yes, as much so as a lover… a lover of The Bright Arts– a phrase I made up in my mind– to tell about my love of tatts as art, of running horses, of wild weather, of raptors, of water unpinned down by dams, of brave human beings who have little or nothing, but carry the gold...

When you’re a book author, a journalist, or a person who writes occasionally, who ‘goes out to see what you can see….’ we’re gifted to often meet completely odd souls… who out-eccentric even us. Sometimes, you’re lucky to make friends of strangers. I’ve one such friend I met in an odd way. Since then, he sends me letters and poems every day. I wanted you to see...

In a recent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, Bret Stephens lists some “excellent arguments for ending the U.S. military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy” and some “lousy ones.” As some of the “lousy ones” Stephens dismissively—even contemptuously—mentions the support of U.S. Defense Secretary Bob Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen to end DADT; the comparisons...

Whether you’re a young, old or middle-aged man or woman, of any skin color, inexperienced or experienced, and possessing many or few degrees, you’re unlikely to be hired initially, or ever again, by any large private company as a full-time employee. Get over it and figure out how you’ll make a living by your wits, determination, charm and overall doggedness. We have to realize that persistently high...

My love for dogs is boundless and so naturally I read with curious interest a story in The New York Times earlier this week about dogs who had their vocal cords snipped, a surgical procedure called debarking. The result is rather than a bark — ARFF — or a Beagle’s hoot owl howling — AAARRROOO — the sound usually is muted, muffled and raspy. Which is pretty funny coming from a Great...

While it hasn’t garnered much national attention, what with all of the other sexy stories out there, the President recently proposed going back to the drawing board on education issues and taking another look at No Child Left Behind. We could get into another long, drawn out debate here about unfunded mandates, propping up an entrenched and frequently failing public school system or how much control the...