The Inauguration in the schools, and beyond

by David Safier Schools across the country are going to suspend business as usual during the Inauguration ceremonies and participate by watching and discussing and writing about the historic event. It's a sign of the times that anyone should have to justify taking students away from their normal tasks to focus on the Inauguration. Here's … Read more

Kurt Vonnegut reflects on Barack Obama

by David Safier Kurt Vonnegut died awhile ago, but a scene from Slaughterhouse 5 came to me as I watched the Concert on the Mall this afternoon and listened to Obama's short talk at the end, tears in my eyes. I don't have a copy of the novel at hand, so I'll have to relate … Read more

Who wudda thunk . . .

by David Safier You mean it's possible that "throwing money at education" can result in better educated students? Five years after Maryland increased spending by $2 billion to provide greater academic equity, students have made remarkable gains in reading and math, according to a report given to the Maryland General Assembly yesterday by an outside … Read more

Brooks (occasionally) gets it right

by David Safier Columnist David Brooks is a sometimes conservative, sometimes neo-conservative. Lately it's been hard to figure out what he is. For the next few days and weeks, the best way to describe him might be Neo-bama. Brooks likes the new Prez, a lot, and he's disillusioned with his right wing buddies. In a … Read more

“An abomination, pure and simple”

by David Safier When the Star writes an editorial using the line, "an abomination, pure and simple" and it's not talking about murder or some other unspeakable act, you know something must be truly awful. Here's the entire sentence from this morning's editorial: The budget-balancing proposal floated by the state Legislature's Republican leaders on Thursday … Read more