A cautionary note about charter school expansion
by David Safier Arizona is awash in charter schools — the most per capita of any state — and there is a push to expand still further, encouraged by $14 million coming from the U.S. DOE to AZ earmarked for charters, to be followed by another $50 million a few years down the road. Advertisement … Read more
New blog in town
by David Safier We've got a new blog in town: pocobravo. Its first post is dated December 21. The host of the site is Luke Knipe who describes himself as "a native Tucsonan and a lifelong Democrat." And he prefers to refer to the site as "an online publication" — more specifically, "a brand new, … Read more
Comment on “Donation saves the school” story
by David Safier Right below this, you'll find something I wrote about an $850,000 tuition tax credit donation back door voucher that comes straight out of the state's coffers. An insurance firm is using the law allowing unlimited corporate tax credits to pay tuitions for private schools. It will get every penny back when it … Read more
The “donation saves the school” story, and the back story
by David Safier I had to read the article 3 times before I could put all the pieces in place. This isn't a hit on the reporter, Emily Gersema of the Republic. She includes all the necessary details. But the ins and outs of the story are so complex, it's tough to digest it all. … Read more
Put Muslims in a separate airport line?
by David Safier Some ideas are so simple. If some Muslims want to blow up airplanes, put them in a separate screening line and subject them to greater scrutiny. "Profiling in pursuit of freedom is no vice. We must keep this country safe from its enemies." Or something like that. Forget about the fact that … Read more
Can’t say it any better than this
by David Safier Here's the best statement I've read about the Republican response to the recent attempted airliner bombing. When terrorists try to kill Americans under a Republican administration, it's Democrats' responsibility to help bring the country together against a common foe. When terrorists try to kill Americans under a Democratic administration, it's Republicans' responsibility … Read more
Imagine Schools meet Rachel Maddow
by David Safier I have to say, I didn't expect this. Dennis Bakke, CEO of Imagine Schools, is a member of the much-in-the-news, should-be-more-in-the-news Christian group, The Family. Any of you who are fans of Rachel Maddow's show, as I am, are well acquainted with The Family. It's an almost invisible but very powerful group … Read more
