by David SafierA few days ago, a friend of mine granted faint praise to the recently deceased Robert McNamara, saying, at least he understood the Vietnam War wasn't winnable militarily, something others around him didn't grasp. I disagreed with my friend. McNamara deserves great blame, not muted praise, for seeing the situation clearly yet keeping … Read more
by David SafierThe feel good bill of the session, protecting students' right to religious expression in schools, was signed into law by the Accidental Guv. In theory, the bill does nothing, since as its proponents admit, "it simply codifies protections federal courts already have upheld for students." But it's going to scare the bejeezus out … Read more
by David SafierIf anyone knew exactly what qualities it takes to make a successful teacher, we'd have half our education problems solved. Having said that, Wendy Kopp, the founder of Teach for America, is interviewed in the NY Times, and she has some thoughts on how to predict who will be successful, which, I think, … Read more
by David Safier FLASH!!!!! This just in. Sylvia Allen is one of Keith Olbermann's Worst People in the World on tonight's show! Following the Arizona Guardian's lead, I posted a clip of Sen. Sylvia Allen saying, not once but twice, that "This earth's been here 6,000 years." The clip has gone viral. Today it made … Read more
by David SafierI've tried to piece together a picture of what happened in Monday's legislative session, with no more than partial success. "Krysten Sinema's Notes" gives me the clearest picture so far. It's dense and compact but very clear. July 6th – 4 bills are passed unanimously by the Legislature. #1 – we fund K-12 … Read more