The Balance of Power

Today I was asked to sub for a Shakespeare class. The kids were supposed to watch “10 Things I Hate About You,” which meant I could sit and do whatever the hell I wanted while they were entertained. That’s a good way to earn twenty bucks. I was happily checking my email and reading “Catcher […]

I Used To Feel So Uninspired

Barack Obama makes me feel like a natural woman. Especially this morning. I’ve been preaching for years that education funding should not be locally funded. If our goal in education is to equalize opportunity, it makes no sense to let poor kids in poor areas go to poorly funded schools and rich kids in rich […]

Robots Are Sexier than Brad Pitt

If “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” wins Best Picture, I’m moving to Canada. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the film, I don’t understand how you could give Best Picture or (heavens!) Best Director to a movie that could be thematically improved by the discussion in my mother’s Corolla in the Chili’s parking lot. Seriously, the […]

Post-Inaugural

My students were less moved by today’s speech than by the election (as was I). It was a big moment, but nothing compared to that night. They remain deeply concerned about Obama’s safety, suggesting that he is in danger from “all the white people who don’t like blacks.” I ask them for evidence, and apparently […]