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Local democratic control over education has been under assault for three decades. Sometimes this takes the form of federal mandates to use “Common Core” curriculum … Continue reading
Just Do It. Vote Yes on 97 Tax cheats back No on 97 As we approach Election Day, we are being faced with historic decisions. … Continue reading
Sooner or later it happens. You write or say something and then you have to come clean and admit that you just got it wrong. … Continue reading
Dear University of Oregon students, You don’t know me. But there are thousands of people like me on your campus. In January 2013, I was … Continue reading
As we celebrate and reflect upon another year “back to school” and brace ourselves for the upcoming election season, we are reminded of George Washington’s words in his 1797 farewell address: “… as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion be enlightened.” Ours is a much different world, but Washington’s logic is just as sound today as it was then. The government we have reflects the state of public enlightenment. Continue reading
In her Sept. 15 column entitled “Quarry on Native Lands,” Kayla Godowa-Tufti argued that the Old Hazeldell Quarry (OHQ) site, which is currently the subject of a public land use process with Lane County to allow quarry mining, is culturally significant to local Native American tribes. There are a number of factual inaccuracies that merit a response. Continue reading
Paying the Price for Peacewith S. Brian Willson A Film and Conversation for the 2016 International Day of Peace By Jack Dresser and Mariah Leung Co-directors, Al-Nakba Awareness Project Continue reading
I am baffled by the decision of the Eugene City Council and the Lane County Board of Commissioners to give away an additional $7 million, to Singapore-based Broadcom, on top of the $14 million the company was already getting for creating 229 jobs in the West Eugene Enterprise Zone. That’s $21 million, what they paid for the property, for 229 jobs! Continue reading
I’m not a fan of HRC. But I’m no Bernie-for-the-revolution person either. No election will bring us the revolution we need. Even electing Jill Stein or Sanders would do the same as electing the “Hope” and “Change” of Obama. The ball is still in our court. And Hillary Clinton is not the same as Trump. I much rather fight the Clinton administration than the Trump administration. Continue reading
There is the letter of the law, then there’s the spirit. Rep. Lew Frederick, the Oregon House’s only African American legislator, was the guiding force behind two new Oregon laws: HB 2655 (the testing opt-out bill of rights) and HB 2713 (the testing cost audit bill). The spirit behind the two new laws is clear: To honestly examine the costs, both financial and otherwise, of the standardized testing that dominates Oregon education and to allow parents and students to make their own informed decisions about what kind of education is best for them. Continue reading