In politics, a compelling A biography is vitally important. Anthony Wood, candidate for California’s 10th Congressional District, has one of those biographies that are so compelling that they seem unreal. A Harvard educated, black, gay, Iraq vet……Read more here http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-06-09/best-political-resume-ever/
Why is Obama not addressing the greatest civil right question of our time? I agree with J. Capehart……Obama, it is time! http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2009/06/okay_obama_now_lets_have_a_spe.html
Is the South ready to elect only the second black governor since Reconstruction? In addition to Georgia’s attorney general Thurbert E. Baker running to lead Georgia, Artur Davis is taking the bold step of running for governor of Alabama. Davis, whose biography is similar to that of President Obama, has recently been likened to our current president on numerous fronts. The four term congressman, who was trained at Harvard Law School, is readying a campaign for governor of a state in the heart of Dixie, well known for its archsegregationist governor George C. Wallace. How will the citizens of Alabama respond to his candidacy? To what extent might race be a factor in this race? Will a comparison to President Obama be a good thing in a state where Obama lost by over 20 points in the general election? This will definately be an interesting race to watch. More here http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/us/05davis.html?ref=us
“Harvard will endow a visiting professorship in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered studies, a position that, it believes, will be the first endowed, named chair in the subject at an American college.” More here http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/education/04harvard.html
I have been intrigued by what maintains teacher motivation for the past three years. As I go into my fourth year of teaching students with special needs, I have been concerned about the extent to which teachers become burned out and feel as if they are making very little difference in the classroom. Is money a factor? This NY Times article highlights a test being done in a charter school in Washington Heights. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/education/05charter.html?_r=1&hp
After months of contemplating the direction of this blog, I AM BACK. This site will serve as your link to the most interesting news stories and opinions of the day. Additionally, this blog will provide links to important speeches, conferences, and news segments to keep you connected with the most intriguing thinkers today. Thanks for all the well wishes during my hiatus and the push to come back. I am truly grateful.
Obama names Emanuel Chief of Staff http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/06/obama.transition/index.html
This guy has shown that he knows how to be tough and get things done. And Obama knows it. Obama has shown that he knows how to win and that he intends to be victorious in D.C. The pick of Rahm Emanuel shows he will be tough and principled and not ideological and weak. More to come.
Emanuel pick shows Obama wants to win by Ben Smith http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15388_Page2.html
Over the past few election cycles, America has witnessed a bitter divisiveness that has become virtually paralyzing in our political system. When embarking on what he deemed “an improbable journey”, Obama articulated an all encompassing vision that placed a high value to cooperation and sensible problem solving. For many of his early supporters, there is a feeling of vindication in the wake of his victory. Despite the naysayers, Obama has managed, with a fearlessness that is awe inspiring, to usher in a potentially seismic shift in American politics. This politics, which values principle over extreme right or left ideology is long overdue. This politics, which focuses on commonalities to reach consensus instead of difference thatpauses progress is undoubtedly needed. Many believed that this kind of political branding would lose out to a more bitter partisan and divisive politics. They were wrong. In the process, what was uncovered was an America that many did not recognize. Steve Chapman of the Chicago Tribune pinned an opinion piece that highlights that uncovering of America. And despite the many more naysayers that will undoubtedly say that this kind of principled politics in America is impossible, I hope the fearlessness and improbability of the previous 22 month journey serves as a light to the possibility of something new.
Audacity of America by Steve Chapman http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped1106chapmannov06,0,421144.column
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Not since FDR’s New Deal has there been a democratic realignment that brought and maintained significant democratic majorities in the walls of Congress. Could we be on the cusp of seeing a new democratic realignment that rivals that of Reagan’s 1980s shift? Of course I can not possibly answer that question, but Obama’s rise to power on the promise of a solutions oriented, bipartisan governing body has many pondering the possibility. Lanny Davis explores this notion in today’s WSJ
