A lesson in a STEM study by Esther J. Cepeda CHICAGO -- Every once in a while, research quantifies the effects of certain education policies on students. Then, the results are often shelved in favor of the prevailing "common sense." As in: If you want more scientists, mandate more science courses in school. Let's hope this fate doesn't happen with … [Read more...] about A lesson in a STEM study (Guest Voice)
Police Riot In Furgeson
As sad and disturbing as the death and possible murder of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson , Missouri may have been what I witnessed last night was perhaps even more disturbing. It can really only be described as a police riot. Police response to the primarily peaceful protest is only pouring gasoline on the fire. I watched the coverage from Ferguson for about … [Read more...] about Police Riot In Furgeson
Riots in Ferguson, and what they mean (Guest Voice)
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Riots in Ferguson, and what they mean … [Read more...] about Riots in Ferguson, and what they mean (Guest Voice)
McConnell on Hillary
Scott McConnell evaluates Hillary Clinton's recent foreign policy statements in The American Conservative. So to sum up: Hillary regrets the lack of American action against Syria, while seeking to lay the rhetorical foundation for a subsequent war against Iran, all the while claiming to be “hepped up” about the rise of Sunni jihadism. It’s a point of view which makes little … [Read more...] about McConnell on Hillary
My Two Countries, Divided by a Common Language.
Everyone knows the old saw, attributed to George Bernard Shaw, "Britain and America are two countries, divided by a common language." [icopyright one button toolbar] Fortunately, there is a simple formula for translating between them: the British understate, while the Americans overstate. (The word, "Everyone" in the preceding paragraph is a nice example of the … [Read more...] about My Two Countries, Divided by a Common Language.
Lady Bird Johnson’s Letters Convey Passion for Nature
[icopyright one button toolbar] Living in Austin, Texas, less than two miles -- as the Texas crow flies -- from the beautiful Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and having frequently jogged in my younger and fitter days on the scenic Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, I felt I knew all about Lady Bird Johnson's love of the outdoors and about her passion for protecting and … [Read more...] about Lady Bird Johnson’s Letters Convey Passion for Nature
Israeli soft power deserves more
The intemperate tirades of right wing Israelis and their American friends on news sites and social media make the Gaza war look like an expression of Jewish hatred of Islam, implemented by an invincible Jewish army killing despairing Muslims bunched in crowded neighborhoods. [icopyright one button toolbar] This is bad for Israel because most young people in far-flung … [Read more...] about Israeli soft power deserves more
Remembering Robin Williams
Remembering Robin Williams by Michael Winship Two memories of Robin Williams. The last time I was in his presence was during the 2007-08 Writers Guild strike. Robin showed up to walk our picket line at the Time Warner Center on Columbus Circle, just a couple of blocks from where the Moyers & Company offices are now. He came bearing bagels. Lots and lots of bagels. He … [Read more...] about Remembering Robin Williams
Trying times remind us about luck, need for compassion (Guest Voice)
Trying times remind us about luck, need for compassion graphic (which is not part of the original article) via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about Trying times remind us about luck, need for compassion (Guest Voice)
Failure isn’t Obama’s problem
Failure isn't Obama's problem [icopyright one button toolbar] Turns out it's John Boehner who faces defeat. Mitch McConnell is hanging in there, but doesn't seem to have a strong grip on reality or, perhaps, his own Kentucky constitutency. The tea party is back, relishing its primary successes, and ready for action. A legislative year in which Speaker John A. … [Read more...] about Failure isn’t Obama’s problem
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Robin Williams
OF RELATED INTEREST: --Fox News makes blunder in reporting Robin Williams' death (wrongly identified footage -- and Shepard Smith called Williams a "coward" and had to apologize). --Robin Williams Committed Suicide by Hanging Himself, Police Say --Furor over graphic details of Robin Williams' death --Robin Williams and depression: We all wear a mask Mike Peters is … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: Robin Williams
Gaza: Let the UN help
The shaky ceasefire in Gaza gives opportunity for limited accords on structuring a longer truce. The core need is for an honest partner to reach the first steps. The vital immediate step is establishment of an administrative, policing and monitoring structure to ensure that weapons and related materials do not enter Gaza at border crossings with Egypt or a planned new … [Read more...] about Gaza: Let the UN help
Hillary gets criticism from right and left on break with Obama
Hillary gets criticism from right and left on break with Obama … [Read more...] about Hillary gets criticism from right and left on break with Obama
Obamacare Health Insurance Premiums Expected To Increase By Average Of 7.5 Percent; Kaiser Lowering Rates In California
As the data comes in, we are seeing that another of the scare stories about Obamacare isn't coming true. For example, there was a report in March claiming rates would sky rocket which many lazy journalists repeated despite it originating from a story with no sources, written by someone who had interned at The National Review. The same writer at The Hill now says that premiums … [Read more...] about Obamacare Health Insurance Premiums Expected To Increase By Average Of 7.5 Percent; Kaiser Lowering Rates In California
Tragic Incident in Battle for Mount Sinjar
[icopyright one button toolbar] For almost a week now, U.S., Iraqi and Kurdish military have been in a battle to save tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children -- members of the Yazidi sect -- trapped by ISIL terrorists in the Sinjar Mountains of Northern Iraq. In what can be rightly called the battle for Mount Sinjar, the military have employed both air … [Read more...] about Tragic Incident in Battle for Mount Sinjar
When You’ve Lost Iran
Iran, a long time supporter of Nuri al-Maliki, has signaled it's support for the newly selected Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi. Tehran (AFP) - Iran officially ended its long-time allegiance to Iraq's sidelined Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday, swinging its support behind newly designated premier Haidar al-Abadi in a congratulatory message. Even Iran has lost … [Read more...] about When You’ve Lost Iran
High Praises for Robin Williams
[icopyright one button toolbar] So much has already been said here and elsewhere mourning the death of Robin Williams and celebrating his incredible talents and humanity, that I will not even try to add, except to say he was my favorite actor and comedian -- a beautiful person. But, perhaps, one of the greatest tributes to Robin Williams is the quickness and number of … [Read more...] about High Praises for Robin Williams
The White House launches a digital consulting service for agencies, but what about culture change?
In announcing the new U.S. Digital Service (USDS), Chief Information Officer Steve VanRoekel told the Washington Post: "Think of this as [a team of] management consultants that helps you understand your gaps." The Playbook is a next step for the digital president and a response to the HealthCare.gov disaster.[icopyright one button toolbar] There were gaping holes - not … [Read more...] about The White House launches a digital consulting service for agencies, but what about culture change?
Have America’s Universities Lost Their Way?
Once upon a time the United States had the best educational system in the world, American universities as its crowning achievement. During that period, universities understood that their primary mission was education, with research as a secondary objective. [icopyright one button toolbar] Today, however, many of America’s largest universities have changed their paramount … [Read more...] about Have America’s Universities Lost Their Way?
Paying for the 2003 invasion
WASHINGTON -- As President Obama struggles to deal with the crisis in Iraq, it's useful to remember who gave the world this cauldron of woe in the first place: George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Their decision to launch a foolish and unwarranted invasion in 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein and destroying any vestige of the Iraqi state, is directly responsible for the chaos we … [Read more...] about Paying for the 2003 invasion