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Real education problems, not contrived ones, need attention
Our future is on the ballot November 8. Sure, races for governors, U.S. senators and a majority in Congress may capture headlines, but perhaps the most critical decisions we make will be closer to home: Who gets to sit on Nebraska’s Board of Regents, State Board of Education and dozens of local school boards across […]
Most important story of our times continues
Keeping up with the news requires diligence these days. Headlines continually crackle with reports of major missteps, critical announcements and shouts and murmurs about both. Note: That’s news in the mainstream sense, not a million takes on social media or the latest from unclebob.com from the pajama-ed Uncle Bob in his basement. Among the crowded […]
Hindrances, impediments and photo IDs
If I’m supposed to feel safer, I don’t. If I’m supposed to break out in a freer and fairer dance, the music is silent. If I’m supposed to recognize an uptick in integrity, I missed it. From the sky-is-falling department comes the latest installment of Nebraska’s decade-long attempt to change the state Constitution. This time […]
Punts, passes and political debates
The debate over Nebraska gubernatorial debates continues. In the scheme of all things political, that may be down the list of importance, what with election deniers running for office, threats of violence against the FBI for doing its job and a continued sundry of silliness and lies passed on as political information. Nevertheless, debating season […]
Hit me with your best shot of science
The recent photographs from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope mesmerized millions of Earth-bound mortals, myself included. On display was both the spectacular beauty of deep space and the power and creativity of science. Shortly after those photos arrived on our timelines did we learn of the uptick in cases of polio in the U.S. On […]
Three lives from both sides to inspire
In a world of loud mouths, liars and cynicism, be Vin Scully. In a world of hypocrites, sycophants and political opportunists, be Bill Russell. In an atonal world of calamity, discord and despair, be Joni Mitchell. Vin Scully, Bill Russell and Joni Mitchell reminded us this summer of what can be best about us — […]
No welcome wagon, no planks, no problem
Registered Nebraska independent voters know the litany of slurs about their political (un)affiliation: wishy-washy, fence-sitting, unprincipled, dithering, shilly-shallying, dilly-dallying or just plain weak. The list is longer. I’ll spare you further lowlights. To be clear, one must be a registered voter to qualify for the index of insults above. Blowing off your civic duty is […]
Prayer as supplication, not as schoolhouse wedge
The Supreme Court should house our best legal minds, but the majority’s recent opinion on prayer in public schools needs a better reading of the room. To summarize: The Supremes, by a vote of 6-3, decided that a public high school football coach’s prayer at the 50-yard line after games was a permissible exception to […]
Keeping it simple at the ballot box
This November I’ll be a single-issue voter, a practice I once considered short-sighted, even radical. Dire circumstances call for dire measures. My single issue is not a usual suspect: abortion, guns, taxes, inflation, or my 401(k)’s health. Nor is it character, although if it were, imagine the turnover in Congress and selected legislatures, boards and […]
Serious problems need serious ideas
My friend Michael is studying in Peru this summer. He recently watched a political rally on a plaza near his school. A young Peruvian joined him on a bench, explaining to this American that the annual event featured speeches by candidates for local offices. He told Michael that Peru has many problems: grinding poverty, poor […]
In defense of wokeness
He called me “woke.” I took it as a compliment. It wasn’t … what with the curling upper lip, narrowing eyes and withering tone. He was busting my chops. Such is the state of wokeness, a once-useful aphorism nearing 100 years old but recently abducted by culture warriors looking for converts and political candidates hoping […]
Voters are safe from falling skies
The protocols for wearing an “I Voted” sticker need updating. What are the ground rules if you fulfill your civic duty a month before the May 10 primary? Is it proper to exercise your enfranchisement by mail and then show up at work or school or the market sporting the iconic red, white and blue […]