Calvin Wolf
I am a professional educator and aspiring writer, as well as a husband and father. I have lived in Texas, New Mexico, and Wyoming and have been both a professional backpacking guide and cartoonist in the past. My interests can be confusing and diverse.
Read More »
...
- Page Views
- 1,391,306
- Content
- 1264
- Fans
- 74
- Contributor since
- 5/6/2011
Education/Experience
Bachelor s degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice; Master s degree in Public Administration; secondary education certificationInterests
Education, teaching, backpacking, camping, art, writing, literature, Boy Scouts of America, running, entertainment.Motto
Whether you think you can or you can t, you re usually right, - Henry FordAffiliations
Helium articles
Displaying Results 1 - 200 (of 1264) for All Content
Next »
-
"It's like You Have to Try to Fail": Football Recruit Reveals What's Wrong with College AcademicsWhy aren't American college graduates more productive after leaving their campuses behind? This USC football recruit's quote says it all: -
NCTQ Thinks Teacher Training is Weak? Here's How to Fix It:In the first comprehensive evaluation of teacher education programs, which took data from colleges of education, the National Council on Teacher Quality has issued a dismal grade for America's preparation of its K-12 educators. How to fix it: -
Obama Defenses on NSA Snooping Ring Hollow, Recall Lord Acton's QuoteFive years ago, while running for president for the first time, Illinois senator Barack Obama was a champion of transparent government. Now he is on the public relations ropes trying to defend his legacy, claiming he is not Dick Cheney. -
This High School Public Speaking Champ Flubbed Big in Campaign SpeechI can sympathize with public speaking flubs, especially since I will be speaking in public this afternoon at a local city council meeting! A look back at my own memorable flub in honor of Miss Utah's epic Miss USA Competition debacle: -
Sen. Schumer Has Wrong Focus on College "Academic Doping" Ritalin EpidemicSen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wants colleges and universities to crack down on the many college students who are alleged "academic dopers," with up to 35 percent of college students taking stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin to help concentrate and study. -
My Dad Doesn't Look like Superman [And He Doesn't Have To]A Father's Day poem. -
Suburban WarfareA poem about a proposal to rezone. -
After NSA Brings Back "1984," I Want to Reread "A Separate Peace," "The Catcher in the Rye"Learning that Uncle Sam was trolling our digital data made readers want to pick up copies of "1984" again. Similarly, the agony of our No Child Left Behind era makes me want to reread two high school faves: "A Separate Peace" and "The Catcher in the Rye." -
Different Generations: Developing an Appreciation for My DadWhen I was a teen I had mixed feelings about being an active Boy Scout. My Dad was an ardent Scouter. At age 14, I thought it was dorky to be in Scouts. A rift developed between us over the issue. Today, I'm glad he stressed the importance of Scouting. -
Digital Media Era and Lying Jurors Could Lead to Court-Ordered Media BlackoutsThe Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman trial could lead to a strange world of media blackouts in regard to crime coverage. -
Temp Nation: With Wal-Mart Doubling Down on Temp Workers, Others Will FollowThough the U.S. economy has been improving slowly but surely, a bit of fresh news injects skepticism into the equation. Reuters reports that Wal-Mart, America's largest retailer, has been exclusively hiring temporary workers in recent months. -
Midland, Texas Rezoning Outrages Homeowners, Raises Scrutiny of DeveloperResidents of a new neighborhood in Midland, Texas are outraged over notification that the adjacent land is proposed to be rezoned from single-family dwelling to multiple-family dwelling, allowing apartment complexes that will wreck property values. -
Advice I Would Give My Younger Self: Seize the Day and Stop Being so NeuroticAs a chronic worrier, one powerful bit of advice I would give my younger self is to stop being so neurotic and seize the day. Have more fun.
-
When Considering NSA Mass Data Collection: Remember that You Can't Stop All TerroristsHow far do we want Uncle Sam to go to keep us safe? We are pondering this question after it has been revealed that the government has been surreptitiously mining our digital data. Some are accepting, others are outraged, but all should know a few things: -
Evidence that "Some College" Still Worth it Needs More SupportI've proven myself many times over to be a critic and cynic of higher education bloat, and a recent news article takes the cake: It asserts that evidence exists suggesting that it is better to try college and drop out than not try at all. It's bad advice. -
Jesse Jackson, Jr. Sentencing May Raise Debate Over Depression and PunishmentFormer congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has pleaded guilty to corruption for spending $750,000 in campaign funds for personal items. Prosecutors want four years in prison. Defense attorneys want a lighter sentenced based on Jackson's history of depression. -
Film from Novels: Jurassic Park Wins, the Stand Miniseries LosesGood books from bestselling authors often become movies, either theatrically-released or televised. Some movies, like The Hunt For Red October (1990) and Misery (1990), actually improve upon the book. Others, like Watchers (1988), are far inferior.
-
Whole Foods Justified in Suspending Workers Who Refused to Speak EnglishIn what might turn into a big freedom of speech and possible racism flap, Whole Foods Market suspended two employees for a day after they complained about a policy barring English-speaking workers from not speaking English to each other during work hours.
-
Avoid the Mainstream Lure: Digging Up Old Treasures on NetflixMany people complain the Netflix instant streaming service offers deceptively few popular new movies and TV shows, but part of the fun is finding the oldies but goodies.
-
My Parents' Parenting Advice: Don't Use "Go to Your Room!" as PunishmentAt age 28, I am the happy father of a 5-year-old boy. Fortunately, I was blessed to have amazing parents who were nurturing, hardworking, and always wanted me to be the same way. From them I have learned two great parenting lessons:
-
Teens on a Plane: AirTran Flight Fiasco Raises Questions About Senior TripsA hubbub is brewing over an AirTran flight's decision to boot over 100 NYC high school students and faculty who were preparing to fly to Atlanta for a senior trip. The airline says the teens were disruptive and refused to follow directions.
-
Military Rape Crisis Could Change Everything About Officer CommandThe military is on the verge of tremendous change, and just how sweeping that change will be depends heavily on the current military rape crisis. Legislators are upset and want change, but military brass wants commanders to retain control.
-
Smartphone Era May Be Rough on Youth-Hiring IndustriesYears ago, youthful hijinks didn't go viral. Today, a smartphone can instantly capture a prank and upload it to social media. Was the "out of sight, out of mind" era better? What will happen to youth-hiring industries as gross pranks keep going viral?
-
Five Life Lessons I Learned from USA's "Psych"The hit show "Psych" on the USA Network provides viewers with humor, excitement, drama...and a heaping helping of life lessons along the way!
-
The Selective OathAn Eagle Scout waxes poetic about those who are leaving Scouting after its historic vote.
-
Tickets for Parents of Chronic Bullies a Splendid IdeaIn a "you can't tell me how to parent my children" era, one Wisconsin town is taking a stand on lax parenting of bullies. It will let police issue $114 tickets, with discretion, to parents of kids who have been cited multiple times for bullying.
-
In Wake of IRS Spending Scandal Agencies Should Spend like the Public is WatchingNot long ago the General Services Administration was in hot water for lavish spending on the public dime. Now, after the IRS is already in trouble for allegedly targeting conservative groups, it turns out that the auditors themselves are big spenders...
-
A Teacher's Musings on Graduation NightA teacher waxes poetic on graduation day.
-
Desire to Keep Interest Rates Low Could Lead to Wealthy Actually Wanting High UnemploymentIf you're wealthy and either an investor or a business owner who invests and needs other to invest in you, how far would you go to encourage the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates at historic lows? Would you encourage high unemployment?
-
Expose on Valedictorian Inflation Reveals Problems for College Admissions Fairness, AffordabilityAccording to an expose on NBC, many high schools are beginning to graduate multiple valedictorians, each able to formally claim the "No. 1" academic rank on college admissions! A look at how this will harm college admissions fairness and affordability:
-
Despite Historic Vote, BSA Correct to Deny Its Uniforms at LGBT ParadeIt's a complex, controversial, and tense period for the world's largest nonprofit youth organization. The Boy Scouts of America has voted to admit gay youth...but how far will the BSA go to support its new gay members? What constitutes proper decorum?
-
Neighbor Stole My Trash CanA poem about neighborhood petty problems and the headaches they cause.
-
Churches Ban Those Not "Morally Straight." Not "Physically Strong" Next to Go?Now that churches are severing their sponsorship of Boy Scouts of America troops after the BSA's vote to allow gay youth, will a ban on those not "morally straight" be followed up by a ban on those not "physically strong"? If not, why not?
-
My Inner Monologue (What is Wrong with Today's Education)A poem about why America's schools are failing.
-
Slacker Senior Student Swan SongA poetic ode to the desperation of second-semester seniors who slacked instead of studied.
-
Judge Errs in Barring Trayvon Martin Texts, VideoA Florida judge has ruled that George Zimmerman's defense attorneys cannot bring up evidence of Trayvon Martin's allegedly aggressive lifestyle at trial.
-
How to Reverse the Past Century's 14-Point IQ DropResearchers have determined that average IQs in Western nations have dropped by 14.1 points over the last century. What to do to reverse the slide?
-
Accept No Substitute: Why the BSA Will SurviveCritics fear that the BSA could crumble because a sizable 40 percent minority did not vote to include gay youth. Religious organizations may stop sponsoring BSA troops over the vote. But you know what? I think the BSA will survive.
-
More Trayvon Martin News but Nobody Asking "Who Threw the First Punch?"More news in the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case, but few commentators seem capable of boiling it down and asking the pertinent legal question: "Who threw the first punch?"
-
Let's Talk About Sex: An Eagle Scout Refutes Arguments Against BSA VoteCritics of the Boy Scouts of America's decision to accept gay youth into the organization say they don't want sexuality to become a part of Scouting. Well, time to stop playing it coy: We heterosexual Boy Scouts talked about sex. A lot.
-
Florida Sex Case Justified Despite Critics' Calls of Gay-BashingAn 18-year-old female high school student in Florida faces felony charges for having sex with her 14-year-old girlfriend. Though some are claiming the charges are thinly-veiled gay-bashing, I say the charges are reasonable.
-
Zach Braff "Kickstarter" Fiasco Reveals New Digital/Dollar Gap"Crowdsourcing" was supposed to be the new grassroots of the 2010s, with regular folk able to appeal to the masses for resources for projects. Now a brouhaha has developed over celebrities using their digital clout to take crowdsourcing dollars.
-
School Right to Punish PrankstersIn Carter County, Kentucky there is a bit of a bug problem in East Carter High School...caused by some graduating seniors. The seniors thought it would be fun to release 10,000 live crickets into the school and are now whining about getting in trouble.
-
"Prove Your Worth" Bill Will Actually Worsen College Cost ProblemA bipartisan group of U.S. senators is sponsoring a "prove your worth" bill that would require public colleges and universities to publish information on graduate job prospects, post-graduation pay, and average student debt load. Why it's a bad idea:
-
To My Little Brother on His Wedding DayA poem to my little brother on his wedding day.
-
Fog of War Even Foggier in Digital Media AgeThe more video clips that hit the web the harder it is for either side in the ongoing Syrian civil war to look good. And when the stakes are this high, the ramifications of bad PR could be deadly.
-
Town Lowering Voting Age to 16 Should Think TwiceTakoma Park, Maryland is a town of about 17,000 people. To get more teens involved in the civic process, it has just lowered the local voting age to 16. This is a bad idea.
-
Rep's Insinuation of Impeaching Obama Hurts Republican CauseRepublican challengers are eagerly waiting in the wings as the Democratic presidential administration gets slammed with scandal. But scheming too eagerly and radically could hurt the Republican cause.
-
Government Subsidies for Job Creation Should Mandate Fair PayThe government can increase grants and subsidies or decrease taxes to try and boost private-sector hiring. Worryingly, a new report declares that government grants and subsidies to private-sector employers is being misused on low-paying jobs.
-
Rising Pay of Public College Presidents Reveals What is Wrong with Higher EducationIf anyone still needed convincing that higher education was a business and not a meritocracy, this is it: Despite decreasing funding from the government, public college and university presidents are actually getting raises.
-
Judge Wrong to Claim Public Education is an Inalienable RightA vicious 14-year-old girl fractures a classmate's skull in a premeditated aggravated assault that was videotaped and witnessed by up to 30 peers. Allegedly, the offender had done this sort of thing many times. But judges won't keep her out of class...
-
In Double-Whammy Scandal Aftermath, Initial Chess Moves Favor DemsFirst the evidence hits the scene, then the spin machines begin to cycle. So far, Dems have an edge on the double-whammy scandal with respected former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates backing administration. GOP has controversial Sarah Palin on attack.
-
Fear of Muslim Anger Should Not Sway Pope's CanonizationsPope Francis canonized 800 people today in Saint Peter's Square, but critics are worried that some of those canonizations will draw the ire of Muslims. But if you're worthy of sainthood you're worthy of sainthood, period.
-
Conspiracy Double-Whammy Will Hurt Dems in 2014Conservative ire over Benghazi is not going away, and the arrival of a second scandal on the scene exponentially ups the furor. Why the Democrats will struggle in 2014 with both Benghazi and the new Tea Party Taxgate scandal:
-
Pre-Mother's Day Man-Bashing Surveys Amplify Gender Wars'Tis time for Mother's Day again! And, once again, men get a helping of man-bashing as the media survey mothers and gleefully report that wives and mothers feel that husbands and fathers are a source of stress. Do we see this on Father's Day?
-
Don't Applaud Teen for Scolding "Ineffective" TeacherA Texas teen has gone viral after a minute-and-a-half video of him scolding his "ineffective" teacher for not making him "excited" to learn. I got my own two cents for this punk:
-
Using Cars as Mobile Offices Intriguing but ControversialParole officers in Georgia are now using their cars as mobile offices, inspiring interest among other states looking to save money on office space and increase efficiency. But what of gas prices?
-
Race to the Bottom: Why Community Colleges Need to Buck UpStudents coming into community colleges from high schools are underprepared...so community colleges follow the downward trend and lower their rigor. End the end, everyone loses. How to fix it:
-
Lorenz Curve SwerveA poem about the increasing income and wealth gaps in America.
-
Tradition and Irreverence Makes for Good ComedyEvery Groundhog Day I watch Bill Murray's dry wit in Groundhog Day (1993). Every Christmas I watch Chevy Chase's bombastic Clark W. Griswold, Jr. in Christmas Vacation (1989). And sometime every spring, I watch both men in Caddyshack (1980). Tradition!
-
End to Medical Billing Secrecy a Boon for AllIn March I praised Time's expose on medical billing as a piece of groundbreaking journalism. It appears that the government agreed and will now release the "chargemaster" price list of the 100 most common inpatient procedures for all U.S. hospitals.
-
Only 150 U.S. Colleges Worth It? Former SecEd's Assertion FlawedIn an assertion that is bound to anger countless college grads from coast to coast, former Secretary of Education William Bennett says that only around 150 U.S. colleges are worthy investments.
-
Market Has Gone from Recessionary to Record-Setting...But What of the Poor?When they say the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, you don't get a much better illustration than the Dow closing above 15,000 for the first time in history while unemployment remains elevated at 7.5 percent.
-
Dear Senator Corker: Three Reasons We Should Hesitate Arming Syria RebelsSenator Bob Corker of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee reveals that the U.S. will soon be arming Syria's rebels. Before we applaud this move, let's go to the history books:
-
Heritage Foundation "Immigration Reform Price Tag" Merits DiscussionThe Heritage Foundation has released a report saying proposed immigration reform granting eventual citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants will have a $6.3 trillion price tag. Though perhaps highly inflated, we should look at the price tag.
-
Do Not Play Gender Politics Over Reappearing PA MomA Pennsylvania mom and bookkeeper at a car dealership simply walked away from her life eleven years ago during a period of estrangement with her husband. Now she's back, surprising everyone. Of course, now the media must ask "why?"
-
Give a Cowboy a GeoA poem testing the argument that a tool is simply a reflect of the user.
-
Empathizing with the ExtremistsA poem about empathizing with the extremists among us.
-
Fiscal Therapy: Time for Fed to Plan Weaning U.S. Off Low Interest RatesAmerica has enjoyed record low interest rates to stimulate investment during the Great Recession and its lingering aftermath. But does the Fed have a plan for returning interest rates to normal without panicking investors?
-
Don't Hate on the Nerdy White Guy: an Ode to Google GlassSure, white guys can be nerdy. But is it right to hate?
-
Dry Run for Iran: Is Possible Israel-Syria War a Spanish Civil War Redux?As a former history teacher it seems alarmingly apparent, based on news reports, that Israeli actions against Syria could be, aside from trying to keep sophisticated weapons out of the hands of Hezbollah, a "dry run" for a war with Iran.
-
NRA Hubbub Reveals that Guns Are Proxy for ConservatismIt turns out that the gun control hubbub at the NRA convention is about a whole lot more than guns.
-
NRA Errs Drastically in Declaring "Culture War"In a move that will likely be seen in retrospect as an error, the NRA has declared that it's not just "a battle about gun rights" but was instead a "culture war."
-
Katherine Russell Debate: Balancing Abused Spouse with Duty to ReportKatherine Russell went from an all-American girl to a shy woman in a burka, likely intimidated into submission by imposing husband Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the late suspect in the Boston bombing. How much did she know, and is she in trouble for not telling?
-
Disturbing News About "Patient Dumping" Calls for Federal OversightIn a disturbing news reports, it turns out that the state of Nevada has bought nearly 1,500 bus tickets since 2008...to ship sick people out of state. A mentally ill man claims he was put on a bus to Sacramento, California with few meds.
-
Politicians Must Beware Lingering Public Anger on Senate Gun VotePublic anger over the recent U.S. Senate vote over expanded background checks for gun purchases, where many senators were criticized for letting politics kill a bill supported by a majority of U.S. citizens, may not be going away. Politicians take note!
-
Winner Gets the Sarin: Why We Must Act Ourselves on SyriaThe U.S. and its allies are unsure what to do now that Syria's ruling regime has crossed the "redline" and used chemical weapons. To add to the complexity is the fact that NOT intervening may make it worse by allowing those weapons to fall to extremists.
-
No More Living in a Material World: Gen Y Less Greedy but More NeedyResearch indicates that Gen Y is less greedy but more needy than Gen X.
-
Cap and Gown BluesA poem about the lure of laziness once high school seniors have the cap and gown in hand.
-
Don't Worry, Zuck: Decline of Facebook May Be TemporaryTechnophiles may be wary as Facebook appears to be hemorrhaging users, but all is not lost for Zuckerberg's juggernaut. Though SnapChat, Instagram, and Twitter may be hot today, Facebook has some advantages in this digital fight.
-
Workers Getting Company Tattoos to Reap Raises is Bad Idea for AllSome real estate agents in New York City have been offered an interesting deal: Get a 15 percent raise on every commission if you get the company logo or name tattooed on your body. Before this trend catches on, everyone should think twice.
-
Sex-fest or STD Prevention? CA Condoms for Teens Raise Ire but Help SocietyCritics are likely to be rankled by the news that California is expanding a program to mail free condoms to youth as young as 12 and that the FDA has approved the "Plan B" morning-after pill without a prescription for girls as young as 15.
-
More College Not Always the AnswerIs graduate school the new normal? Recent data suggests it might be.
-
Op-Ed on Deterrence Theory Reflects Public MisconceptionsThink tank founder Barry Blechman questions why the U.S. is diverging from successful deterrent theory in regard to Iran and North Korea developing nuclear weapons. He says that if the Soviet Union didn't nuke us, neither will Iran or North Korea.
-
Attending a Land-Grant University Was a Smart Financial Decision for MeAs a high school teacher I see far too many of my seniors desperate to go to the "best" (read: most expensive) college that will accept them. My best financial move was going to a land-grant university in the west.
-
Court Martial of Iraq War Resister Important for Gender-Equal MilitaryThe first female Iraq War resister is now on trial for fleeing to Canada in 2007 to avoid another tour of overseas duty. Army Pfc Kimberly Rivera could face up to five years in prison if convicted, but some 19,000 Canadians have protested.
-
NBA Player Coming Out is Huge Step in Gay Rights MovementJason Collins, a 34-year-old NBA center, is the first currently-active male major-league professional athlete in the United States to come out as gay. It is a tremendous step for gay rights and should be heralded as such.
-
White Trucks at DawnA poem about the Permian Basin oil industry.
-
My Job: Explain that Tattoos Look Fun but Never, Ever Go AwayMy five-year-old son knows what a tattoo is. He thinks they're fun. I mean, what little kid doesn't love art? At this young age, my job consists of trying to make him know that though tattoos may look like fun, they never, ever go away.
-
Economics Rap, Part VIA poem about paying off the national debt.
-
Go Big or Go Home on Syrian RedlineEveryone is rightly riled by increasing evidence that Syria's ruling regime, headed by notorious president Bashar al-Assad, has used chemical weapons against rebels and civilians during the ongoing Syrian civil war. But they don't agree on what to do.
-
Increase in Citizens Skipping Medical Care Over Cost WorrisomeIn 2012 roughly 43 percent of working-age Americans skipped going to the doctor because of the cost. Even many adult citizens with health insurance skipped pursuing medical care due to high out-of-pocket expenses. This is disturbing news.
-
Ballad of a Balanced BudgetA poem about why we don't balance the federal budget.
-
Viral Sorority Rant Raises Questions About College Greek SystemA woman associated with a sorority wrote a vitriolic, profanity-laced e-mail and sent it to members of the sorority. The prose went viral and everyone in America seems to be enjoying a surprised, wide-eyed laugh. But shouldn't we be asking questions?
-
Opposite-Sex Guards Bad Idea: Baltimore Jail Like 'Girls Gone Wild'Prisons are both scary and intriguing. Sometimes prisoners may be horribly abused. Other times their power actually grows, cemented by prison staff corruption. In Baltimore, the latter occurred ... with benefits.
-
Why State Senator's 'Crock Pot Control' Joke was Out of LineStacey Campfield is a Republican state senator in Tennessee who has made a nationwide name for himself by sarcastically claiming that we need "crock pot control" after pressure cookers were used to create the bombs used in the Boston Marathon bombing.
-
America's Denial of Aging Needs Addressing NowWe modern-day Americans have an ambivalent relationship with aging. We applaud expanding lifespans but ignore the increased need for long-term senior care. We fight valiantly against aging through cosmetics but ignore planning for medical needs.
-
Abilene Zoo in Abilene, Texas a Surprisingly Great DealThis past weekend my wife and I took our young son to the zoo in Abilene, Texas. We wondered if a small city could compete with the zoos of bigger burgs like Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston...and Abilene brought the heat!
-
Teen Wearing Controversial Shirt a Second Time Hurts Own MessageA teenager says he was standing up for his Constitutional rights when he refused to remove a National Rifle Association (NRA) shirt in school. He was arrested for allegedly disrupting school and obstructing an officer. Now he's wearing the shirt again...
-
U.S. on Hot Seat: Israel Calls 'Red Line,' Says Syria Used SarinThe U.S. declared that use of chemical weapons in the ongoing Syrian civil war would be a "red line" action that could provoke American military intervention. Now top U.S. ally Israel is formally alleging that Syria's ruling regime used sarin gas.
-
Rookie News Anchor's Firing a Message for Profane TeensWhen my students say inappropriate things I caution them that profane, offensive, or inappropriate language could cost them a job in the not-so-distant future. Finally, I have a good story to show: A news anchor fired for swearing in his first appearance
-
Allegations of Brainwashing in Boston Bombing Present DifficultiesA thin youth follows his brawny older brother around like a puppy. The taller, bigger older brother becomes radicalized and, over time, bends his idolizing brother to his views. Both boys, now young men, carry bombs to a public place. Who is to blame?
-
Economics Rap, Part 5A poem about the Net Export Effect.
-
Life of a MillenialA poem about us lazy Millenials.
-
A Day at the ZooA poem about a young family's trip to the zoo in Abilene, Texas.
-
Economics Rap, Part IVA rap about Macroeconomics: Long-Run Vertical Phillips Curve and Full-Employment Budget
-
BSA Wrong to Admit Gay Youth but Maintain Ban on AdultsThe Boy Scouts of America is planning to vote on a proposal in May to admit gay youth but continue the ban on gay adult volunteers. Huh?
-
Massachusetts Cities' 'Shelter in Place' Orders ControversialAuthorities have encouraged citizens in Boston and Watertown, Massachusetts to shelter in place and avoid going out in public as a massive manhunt unfolds for the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing. Is it the right call?
-
Economics Rap, Part TroisA poem about supply-side economics.
-
Obama Justified in Criticizing Senators Over Background Check VoteMany U.S. senators who voted against increasing background checks for gun purchases may have inadvertently handed their next challengers powerful fodder in campaign battles.
-
Report About Job Flight to the Suburbs is WorrisomeSimilar to the agricultural practices of the early 20th century that led to the devastating Dust Bowl of the 1930s, modern employers are continually transferring jobs to new locations. Will we eventually have an urban decay Dust Bowl 2.0?
-
Economics Rap, Part DeuxA rap about Economic Policy
-
Rise of Social Media Could Lead to Wave of Pseudonym UnethicalityA top rabbi, perhaps slated to become the chief rabbi in Britain, is in trouble for using a pseudonym to bolster his own views and credentials on influential forums.
-
A Man Obliges Sheryl Sandberg's Desire for Men to Speak UpFacebook COO Sheryl Sandberg generated lots of buzz, and a heaping helping of controversy, with her book "Lean In," which insisted that women needed to be more aggressive in the workplace. Sandberg wonders why only women, and not men, reacted.
-
Broad List of Possible Suspects in Boston Marathon BombingWith three dead and roughly 170 wounded in yesterday's blast at the Boston Marathon finish line, law enforcement is scrambling to investigate and find the heinous criminals responsible for the terrorist attack.
-
English Teacher Right to Use Nazism-Based Writing AssignmentA high school English teacher in Albany, New York is in trouble after assigning three sophomore classes a topic, after studying Nazi propaganda and rhetoric, that involved affirming one's loyalty to the Nazi Party by criticizing Jews.
-
Use of Trayvon Martin Targets Wrong for Many ReasonsA police sergeant in Florida is under a firestorm of criticism after using targets designed to look like Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old who was killed by a neighborhood watchman last year, in police shooting exercises.
-
Marco Rubio Has a Point on Jay-Z Trip to CubaSenator Marco Rubio (R-FL) is the son of parents who emigrated from Cuba before its transition to communism. Today he is criticizing rappers Jay-Z and Beyonce, the husband-and-wife power couple who vacationed in the oppressive nation.
-
Top Universities Should Accept More Low-Income ApplicantsA new report reveals that only 70 percent of married Ivy League women graduates were working, compared to 80 percent of married women who had graduated from less prestigious schools. Does this mean Ivies need to refocus admissions?
-
Woes of a FreelancerInspired by the experiences of fellow freelance writers.
-
Man Allegedly Being Seduced by IRS Agent Deserves RespectA man is claiming that a female IRS agent took advantage of his being audited to coerced sex from him in a sort of "seduction." Predictably but sadly, many people think this is funny. Would it be so funny if the genders were reversed?
-
Why Colleges Need Trained Teachers: Scared Grad Instructor FreaksA graduate student was so nervous about having to teach a class that she phoned in a bomb threat to get the class canceled. A look at why colleges need trained teachers instead of academicians.
-
Both Sides of Argument Wrong in Paisley's 'Accidental Racist'LL Cool J and Brad Paisley are featured in "Accidental Racist," a new song about, well, accidental racism. Paisley wants you to know he's not a racist by wearing the Stars-and-Bars, and LL Cool J wants you to know he's not just a hood for his doo-rag.
-
Sen. Rand Paul's Defense of Guns Errs on AnecdoteWhen will pundits realize that individual anecdotes are not solid evidence for making macro policy?
-
Prevalence of Non-Tenure-Track College Instructors ProblematicIt's a dirty secret in the higher education sector: Most college and university instructors are far from being on the tenure track, with many working as part-time adjunct instructors struggling to pay for necessities. This must be addressed quickly.
-
Possibilities Abound in Listening Device in Sen. McConnell's OfficeIs this a Watergate sequel? Liberal publication "Mother Jones" has received tapes from Republican Senator Mitch McConnell's office while the Senator was in a strategy session with advisers bashing possible political opponent Ashley Judd.
-
No Hope of Successful Iran Negotiations While Korean War LoomsApply further pressure to the issue of North Korea's intense provocations is the dilemma over Iran's growing nuclear capabilities. Even as the U.S. does the diplomatic dance with an angry North Korea it is trying to negotiate with Iran.
-
Fight Over Dorner Reward Money Could Have Lasting ImpactWhat happens in California could have a big impact for police departments nationwide. A big crime leaves cops desperate for a collar, so they offer a lucrative reward. If CA cops don't pay the Chris Dorner reward, will such police reward programs falter?
-
'We Don't Want the Money' a Bad Sign for Korean PeninsulaGiving up good strategy is a sign that things may get violent, one side having determined that a show of brute strength, no matter how unwise, is preferable to a never-ending game of chess. North Korea has closed its final link with South Korea.
-
Government Errs in Security Clearance Reform Regarding Sexual AssaultThose seeking security clearances have often been tempted to lie about seeking or having sought mental health treatment. The government now allows those who have been victims of sexual assault to put "no" for the dreaded Question 21.
-
More Information Needed on Middle School Lunch ScandalBefore we get too outraged over middle school students with negative balances on their prepaid meal cards being denied food we need to know more information.
-
"Switched at Birth" a Great Drama"Switched at Birth" is a complex family drama that features plenty of food for thought, good acting, and a family-friendly atmosphere that allows grownups to enjoy the complexity without having to shoo the kids from the room.
-
Rutgers Scandal Reveals We Care Too Much About College SportsIn the high stakes world of elite-level coaching, are we really surprised and outraged when coaches, hired for their ability to motivate players, go too far? Doesn't the system tacitly encourage such behavior?
-
Student's Viral Op-Ed About College Rejection Reveals Big ProblemA high school senior has written a viral op-ed about being rejected by multiple prestigious universities and is now claiming the sassy article was satire. Suzy Lee Weiss has earned both admiration and ire for mocking college admissions processes.
-
S.C. Congressional Election Could Be Referendum on InfidelityMarried South Carolina governor Mark Sanford made headlines in 2009 when he was discovered to be in Argentina spending time with an Argentinian mistress, having claimed to be spending time hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now Sanford is back in politics.
-
Restaurateur Outing Reservation No-Shows on Twitter? I Say OKJust like businesses out those who don't pay their bills in credit reports, why not out reservation no-shows online? Those who abandon reservations without calling cost businesses money, same as non-payers.
-
North Korea Restarting Nuclear Reactor: A Scary, Savvy PlanOn the surface, the tensions with North Korea appeared to simmer down today as the militaristic "hermit kingdom" failed to issue any additional warmongering threats. Instead, it said it would restart a shuttered nuclear reactor. Which is worse because:
-
Trending Article About Marrying Up is Deeply FlawedThe blogosphere is atwitter with a story published in the Princeton University newspaper, the Daily Princetonian. Princeton alum Susan Patton, class of '77, has penned an article saying that Princeton women should snag a man on campus while they can.
-
Caroline Kennedy Should Not Be U.S. Ambassador to JapanWhat qualifications does Caroline Kennedy have to be the U.S. ambassador to Japan?
-
Teens Involved in Mob Violence Need Felony ChargesTeens attacked pedestrians on Chicago's downtown Magnificent Mile and only got charged with misdemeanors and were promptly released. Um...what?
-
Flower in the TrashA poem about mankind's progress at the expense of the wild.
-
Teens Accused of Poisoning Teacher Need Severe PunishmentTwo teenagers in Virginia have been charged with one count of attempted poisoning for putting hand sanitizer in their math teacher's tea at least twice, causing her stomach pains requiring medical treatment. They should be severely punished.
-
Asserting that WMDs are Aimed and Ready Could Be Act of WarAs a political writer I have reaped my share of criticism, especially for articles that some deemed warmongering. Now that North Korea has publicly asserted that its long-range rockets are ready for launch at the U.S., what say the critics?
-
Expose on Rise in Disability Claims Has Media Rightly InvestigatingLast week NPR released an expose on the drastic rise in disability claims in the United States over the last several decades. Apparently, the media has been abuzz over the subject and is investigating why so many Americans are on disability.
-
Critics of Texas' CSCOPE are Off BaseMost Texas school districts use CSCOPE, a curricula program that was first utilized during the 2006-07 school year. Meant to keep classes and school districts in academic alignment, the program has reaped much criticism from conservatives.
-
Why Are We So Obsessed with Schools, Learning, and Education?We agonize over pedagogy. We focus intently on all matters pertaining to teaching, learning, testing, assessment, and the rankings of students, schools, and fields of education. Why?
-
New Report Showing Long-Term Underemployment WorrisomeThe National Bureau of Economic Research has just released a paper by Canadian economists suggesting that underemployment will remain high in the U.S. because the tech revolution has become stagnant.
-
Chrysler Errs with Radical New Jeep Cherokee DesignI was a kid when my parents purchased a new Ford Explorer, the first model year. It was boxy, utilitarian, basic...and I loved the thing. A similar model that pleased my eye was the Jeep Cherokee, which disappeared. Now it's back, but not better.
-
Gun Store Owners Should Not Be Allowed to Arbitrarily Deny SaleIn the latest twist of gun rights drama, the owner of the gun store at which former astronaut and gun control proponent Mark Kelly purchased an AR-15 rifle has voided the sale, claiming Kelly was not being honest about his reason for buying the gun.
-
Supreme Court Should Rule on Gay Marriage, Not TechnicalitiesRegardless of which side you support, it is imperative that the U.S. Supreme Court pull a Brown v. Board and rule decisively on California's Proposition 8 banning gay marriage rather than ruling on a technicality.
-
Brit Esquire Editor Should Provoke Introspection, Not AngerAlex Bilmes, editor of the British version of the magazine Esquire, has been raising hackles for calling women "ornamental" and admitting that women are only featured in his magazine due to their looks. Did we really not know this already?
-
Amanda Knox Decision Could Harm U.S.-Italian RelationsA case that riveted the world is back. Amanda Knox, an American college student in Italy, was convicted with murdering a British student, allegedly in a "sex game gone bad." Eventually freed, Knox is back home. Now Italy may want to re-try her.
-
The Bad BaconA poem about a funny happening one evening.
-
Death and TaxesA poem about taxation.
-
Don't Tweet Your Indignation; Confront in Person InsteadTwo guys were making lewd jokes at a tech conference. A woman in front of them took their photo with her cell phone and posted the pic, as well as an admonishment, on Twitter. Now one of the men is jobless...and so is she.
-
School Board Members Should Have Own Children in School SystemA school district in suburban NY has been thrust into the news because of a raucous school board meeting that devolved into a shouting match, allegedly because most school board members send their kids to private school and do not represent the populous.
-
House Should Get No Vacation Until Budget CompromiseThe Republican-controlled House of Representative passed the Paul Ryan (R-WI) federal budget, an ultraconservative budget that stands no hope of passing the Senate. Then it goes on a two-week vacation? We need some new rules.
-
China May Help North Korea Wage War with Hidden Cyber OffensiveCould China be waiting to aid North Korea in a future war through a hidden cyber offensive on South Korean and U.S. military and government servers?
-
Lindsey Vonn Doing Women a Disservice by Dating Tiger WoodsSports, politics, media power, and gender collide with the news that fallen golf idol Tiger Woods is dating downhill skiing's all-star golden girl Lindsey Vonn. What are the ramifications of this news?
-
Media Right to Start Examining Lack of Focus on PovertyAn essay by Dan Froomkin in Neiman Reports has gotten NBC News, and other media moguls, questioning the media's relationship with poverty. These media outlets are examining why they don't report on poverty very much. Easy:
-
This Teacher Who's Going Back to School is Hit by SequesterThough a big critic of the bloated higher education industry, it appears that I will soon have to head back...and thus be affected by the dreaded sequester.
-
Biggest Financial Regret: Being DisorganizedI've been fortunate in my financial life. Coming from a family of accountants, I've received great advice on money matters, but that hasn't always been enough to save me from myself.
-
Sarah Palin Shoots Self in Foot with Parody-Like SpeechSarah Palin remains an interesting cultural and political figure in the United States, but the emphasis is increasingly on cultural, not political. While the former Republican vice presidential nominee might make a comeback, she hurt herself at CPAC.
-
GOP Wants Aggressive in 2016: Rand Paul Wins CPAC Exit PollIn what could be considered an upset, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul narrowly eclipsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio in the 2013 CPAC exit straw poll. What his victory means for the GOP:
-
Social Media in Rape Trials Still Controversial Post-SteubenvilleTwo high school football players in Steubenville, Ohio have been found guilty of rape. The case has been noteworthy for being heavily influenced by social media, with social media being a prime form of evidence. Is this the way of the future?
-
Sherrod Defamation Lawsuit: Where is Line Between Blog and News?Shirley Sherrod, an official of the Department of Agriculture, became embroiled in a racism scandal after a video clip of her saying apparently racist things was posted on a conservative political website. Turns out, the clip was edited. Blog or news?
-
Rape of Swiss Tourist May Finally Force Real Change in IndiaMonths ago a woman died after being gang raped on a bus in India. As protest spread throughout the ultra-conservative nation, similar rapes continued. Now the world watches again with concern after a Swiss tourist was gang raped.
-
A Teacher Grades "Waiting for Superman" DocumentaryThe documentary "Waiting For Superman" received much press when it was released in 2010. Education reformers took on America's low public school test scores and high dropout rates, criticizing bloated bureaucracies and teachers' unions.
-
Having it AllA poem about Americans' desire to have it all...and why it isn't worth it.
-
ABC's Revenge: Slick Production but Increasingly SillyMix Gossip Girl with Alias, swirl in a pinch of both Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, and over time add increasing doses of Lost. That, in a nutshell, is ABC's hit show "Revenge," a drama about a young woman seeking revenge among pretty rich folk.
-
General Noble but Wrong: Should Admit that Iraq War Wasn't Worth ItFormer general and Army Vice Chief of Staff Peter Chiarelli claims that he's "got to believe" the Iraq war was worth it for the United States. Though I appreciate his sentiment and passion, it would be better to admit the war was wrong.
-
Costly Unemployment Benefits Program Calls for Military ReformAt a time when budgets are being slashed and every program is under scrutiny, one military program that seems ripe for cost-cutting reform is the U.S. military's controversial unemployment benefits program.
-
New Blue DoorA house on a monotonous street gets a new blue door.
-
SCOTUS Justices Signal They Think Government is 'Too Big to Fail'Supreme Court justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer have commented that automatic federal budget cuts, which occured on March 1, could significantly harm public safety by not allowing the judicial branch to do its job. Too big to fail?
-
Military Should Beware Cutting Tuition ReimbursementU.S. military personnel and their family members are upset that tuition reimbursement for troops is being cut due to the sequester.
-
A Pope from Latin America a Sensible, Strategic MoveThe new Pope, Pope Francis, signals a big shift in the Roman Catholic Church. Archbisoph Jorge Mario Bergoglio, an Argentinean, has become the first Pope from the western hemisphere...and from a region where the Church has the most growth.
-
Mark Kelly's Purchase of AR-15 to 'Highlight Gun Control' a Bad FlubAstronaut Mark Kelly, husband of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in Arizona in a horrendous attack, is under fire for buying an AR-15 rifle - the same type of gun he and his wife want banned - to allegedly highlight the ease of purchase.
-
In BSA Questionnaire, Try Replacing Sexual Orientation with RaceThe Boy Scouts of America will decide whether or not to admit homosexuals in May, and in the meantime is distributing a questionnaire on the topic to its members. For perspective, why not replace sexual orientation with race in the questions?
-
By Failing to Cut Defense, Ryan Budget May Be Part of New StrategyRepublicans are lining up behind GOP fiscal guru Paul Ryan's new balanced budget proposal. Ryan, the Wisconsin congressman who was the 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee, wants to cut Medicaid and food stamps but not defense.
-
Law Schools Creating Nonprofits to Hire Own Grads is UpsettingNews sources are picking up on the story that Arizona State University, inspired by other schools, is creating a legal nonprofit to hire its own unemployed law school graduates. Citizens should have a big problem with this.
-
Combat, Surrogacy, Sandberg: 2013 Could Be Year of Women's DebatesIt's been a tumultuous winter for womanhood. At the end of last year the military decided to allow women to fight in ground combat. A few weeks ago, CNN broke a surrogacy story that took the world by storm. Now, Sheryl Sandberg heightens the debate.
-
Harvard Justified in Searching Deans' Harvard.Edu E-Mail AccountsApparently, the faculty at Harvard University are upset that the university searched deans' harvard.edu e-mail accounts to search for a leak. The university's recent probe into a massive cheating ring was apparently leaked to the school newspaper.
-
Ounce of Socialist Prevention, Pound of Capitalist CureA poem about the Obamacare debate.
-
Jeb and Celeb: Biting the Hand that FeedsA poem about former Republican governor of Florida Jeb Bush, who criticized political reporters as "crack addicts."
-
Scary Movie NightA poem about watching scary movies at home at night.
-
Psych: There's Still Life Left in This Psychic Detective ShowEntering its seventh season and with an eighth season planned, the USA Network's show "Psych" is a well-written show that has lots of life left.
-
Closing Arguments in Cannibal Cop Case Reveal 'Research' DilemmaFormer NYC cop Gilberto Valle, 28, is on trial for allegedly planning to kidnap, torture, and eat women. Valle claims his online posts were sexual fantasy, not intent to commit action. Prosecutors disagree, saying he was researching with intent to commit.
-
Cannot Simply Use Statistics to Justify Investigating Alleged RacismThe U.S. Department of Education is investigating the schools of Seattle for alleged racism in disciplining African-American students. But relying on statistics to allege racism could end up shackling teachers and administrators.
-
Prisoner in Solitary for Years Calls for State Monitoring of Local JailsA man was arrested for a suspected DUI in New Mexico and was taken to the Dona Ana County Detention Center. Then he was put in solitary confinement after being placed on suicide watch...and stayed there for two years without being charged with a crime.
-
Time to Act Against North Korea is NowNorth Korea, ahead of a United Nations vote on increasing sanctions against it for a recent nuclear test in violation of UN resolutions, vows to hit the United States with a nuclear strike. Perhaps it is time to act in the world's best interest.
-
Are Philanthropists Lobbyists? Philadelphia Schools Prompt DebateIn Philadelphia some are complaining that philanthropists are unfairly affecting public school policy and curricula. They want philanthropists to be considered lobbyists.
-
TSA Ruling on Small Knives Bizarre, IneffectiveIf the Transportation Security Administration wanted to make flying less of a hassle, it could have focused on streamlining security screenings at airports...not on allowing small pocketknives back in our pockets. I would rather have shorter lines.
-
Bush Rejection of Immigrant Path to Citizenship Contrasts with RubioJeb Bush, former Republican governor of Florida, may be tailoring his views on immigration reform to contrast with those of top GOP competitor Marco Rubio, the young Republican senator from Florida. Is Jeb gearing up to run in 2016?
-
CNN Story on Defiant Surrogate Mother Raises Huge DilemmaWeeks after Time published an excellent expose on medical billing profiteering, CNN raises awareness of a frightening possibility: A surrogate who defies legal parents' wishes in regard to their unborn child. Could one article harm the surrogate industry?
-
Gossip Girl TV Series: The CW Scores with This Silly Guilty PleasureMy wife and I use Netflix to watch shows all the way through, devouring entire seasons at an impressive pace. A review of the popular 2007-2012 TV series Gossip Girl.
-
WeedflowerWhen weeds produce beautiful flowers it makes you think. From difficulty and irritation can come amazing, treasured things. A poem about how life can produce beauty from noxiousness:
-
Weeding: The Backyard Army CampaignArmed with a shovel, I struggle to retake my backyard from weeds. I make it a game: Weeds range in size from from squads up to divisions. The northeast corner is their capital, surrounded by huge divisions. A poem about militaristic weeding:
-
Arias Prosecutor: When the Evidence Overwhelms, Don't Act DesperateProsecutor Juan Martinez is the man grilling infamous defendant Jodi Arias in America's trial-of-the-year. However, despite having overwhelming evidence and the luxury of playing it cool, Martinez is strangely going overboard in aggressiveness.
-
Basketball Diplomacy: Dennis Rodman's Visit to North Korea a Good IdeaSome people are less than thrilled that '90s NBA bad boy Dennis Rodman visited North Korea to put on a b-ball show with the Harlem Globetrotters for dictator Kim Jong Un. But might Kim's love of basketball and the NBA get him to a nuke negotiating table?
-
Students Learning Better Unmonitored? Public Shouldn't Jump to ConclusionsNewcastle University education professor Sugata Mitra has won the $1 Million Prize for the 2013 TED for his research into independent learning. Using technology, youth can allegedly learn better and faster without traditional classroom bureaucracy.