2021 NOTE: When I wrote this, I had no idea (obviously) what would be happening a few years later. I can barely remember the specific issues, candidates, and conversations that spurred this post. It is just that we should be grateful, not only to those with whose views we may agree, but also to those who have expressed more superficial
Read moreNote: I wrote this in 2012; I’m surprised by how much of it I still agree with. Two days ago was Veteran’s Day. Yesterday Billy Owens’ birthday. In my mind, those are connected. Billy was a student in my epic AP class close to a decade ago. He wasn’t the usual AP student, but he wanted a shot and worked
Read moreI didn’t think I’d forgive Barbara Ehrenreich for her narrow-minded, condescending book Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America a few years ago–and I still would like a couple hours to talk to her about it, preferably with no heavy objects in my reach–but this article about modern feminism may redeem her just a bit. In the article,
Read moreNote: when I wrote this in 2011, the idea made satirical sense to me. Now I’m leaning the other way: Baby Boomers and earlier generations should only get a half-vote. They have a less vested interest in the future, and it shows in their voting patterns. I have a radical proposal, one that could transform democracy: change the voting age.
Read moreMy topic is simple: school uniforms–or campus wear, for the politically precise in my audience. As they are currently defined and implemented in my district, I don’t believe in them. This year, because I am no longer in the classroom, I can conveniently not deal with the massive percentage of non-complying students. And is that the coward’s way out? Maybe.
Read more
The Wave Returns 