Author Archives: admin

F–cking Winning

Posted on January 24, 2020 by admin

Donald Trump guaranteed himself the presidency by winning Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016. Democrats will certainly double and treble their efforts in those states next year, but may be hampered by a crucial twenty-first century conundrum: how to we … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, National Politics | 1 Comment

Staying Engaged

Posted on January 23, 2020 by admin

The first day of Pres. Trump’s impeachment trial drew approximately 11 million viewers, which is slightly less than a third the number of viewers of an NFL playoff game the night before. Neither contest featured a scintilla of drama. No … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, National Politics | 1 Comment

Crime and Punishment

Posted on January 13, 2020 by admin

For years, psychologists have discouraged parents from using corporal punishment to discipline children. The risks, according to the American Psychological Association, range from increased aggression and antisocial behavior to lifelong mental health issues. Ideally, the APA suggests, parents should punish … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Race in Mississippi | 9 Comments

Welcome Back!

Posted on January 7, 2020 by admin

Greetings, all! I hope the blog finds you energized and ready for the spring semester. Entertain me. Tell me the most ridiculous piece of advice you got during the break. If you prefer, take a moment to question something that … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts | 12 Comments

The Blog Is Closed for the Semester. . .

Posted on December 16, 2019 by admin

. . .but keep reading those newspapers and magazines so you’ll have plenty to say when things get rolling again in January!

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

Second Amendment Compromise

Posted on December 5, 2019 by admin

During the latest round of gun violence, my attention pivoted towards practical ways to reduce gun violence in America. The very wording of the Second Amendment lies at the heart of this issue: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 19 Comments

The Whole Truth

Posted on November 14, 2019 by admin

Two stories caught my attention over the last week. On Sunday, 60 Minutes ran a Bill Whitaker piece on the dangers of reporting facts in the Philippines since Rodrigo Duterte became president. Maria Ressa, who runs a news site call … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics | 5 Comments

A Problem with Privilege

Posted on November 11, 2019 by admin

Attorneys regularly counsel against asking witnesses questions on the stand when they don’t know how they’ll answer. Thank goodness I’ve never had to run a classroom that way. When I asked my 9:00 UE I section if they perceived any … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics, Pop Culture | 14 Comments

Brick and Mortar Purgatory

Posted on November 5, 2019 by admin

Everyone likes a vibrant Main Street. Whether you’re in Columbus, Oxford, Starkville, Natchitoches, New Orleans–wherever–people enjoy shopping in boutiques where they get treated well, especially if they can prop their feet up in a good restaurant or cafe afterwards. I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Pop Culture | 19 Comments

The Shelter

Posted on October 31, 2019 by admin

                Nuclear warfare—it isn’t pretty, and it isn’t quite as thorough as everyone thought it would be. Eleven people and an infant somehow manage to find a bomb shelter six miles out of Columbus, somewhere near the ruins of Waverly … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics, Pop Culture | 6 Comments