Category Archives: Politics

Two Weeks In

Posted on March 30, 2020 by admin

Well, Dear Bloggers, I had hoped that when we returned from Spring Break we would be able to debate substantive issues: Chacos or Birkenstocks? Boogie board or raft? Real book or Kindle? However, fate has intervened. The pandemic we discussed … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Politics | 10 Comments

Addendum to the Prison Discussion

Posted on January 27, 2020 by admin

Two common responses to the problems Mississippi faces with its prison system have been to provide a massive infusion of funding, which is an unlikely move given the state’s reluctance to increase taxes, and freeing nonviolent offenders. A recent letter … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 9 Comments

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 | 20 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 | 6 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 | 15 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 | 7 Comments

Process, Process, Process

Posted on October 7, 2019 by admin

People from other parts of the country often look at Mississippi as a banana republic somehow washed up on our nation’s shores. Its citizens, this stereotype goes, favor indolence over labor, ignorance to education, demagogues over democracy. Apparently, some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics | 8 Comments

The Gloves Are Off

Posted on September 18, 2019 by admin

The battle to become governor of the state of Mississippi has already become a bare-knuckled brawl. Tate Reeves, the GOP nominee, started running attack ads that associated Jim Hood with trial lawyers and “outside interests” from the time he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 5 Comments

Kavanaugh Follies Continue

Posted on September 16, 2019 by admin

The authors of The Education of Brett Kavanaugh claim that the current Supreme Court justice exposed himself while drunk at a party as a student at Yale University. Reactions to the reporting have been predictable, and have been split along … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 5 Comments

Paying the Bills

Posted on September 6, 2019 by admin

I couldn’t help but count the number of clerks the last time I took my son to his orthopedist. The clinic we use has seven physicians, six nurse practitioners, and two physicians assistants–and at least three times as many receptionists, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | 8 Comments