This morning, NPR reporter Steve Inskeep spoke the words “Donald Trump” and stopped. After a pause, he said, “That’s it. That’s all I need to say. You know you’re interested.” I have news for Steve Inskeep, NPR, CBS, and all the other alphabetical purveyors of what is supposed to be news. Many media consumers are…
Marigold, Lady Edith, and the Word “Ruse”
Because of the taciturnity and often blank expression of the little girl who plays Marigold Gregson on Downton Abbey, I wondered if the character was supposed to have developmental problems. Several online comments by Downton followers suggest that the character was written to be autistic. Others speculate that the child playing the part may have been…
The Geography Teacher Made a Poor Choice
Although my own family tends to regard me as a bleeding-heart-liberal, I cannot agree with the knee-jerk reaction from liberals regarding the community outcry in Staunton, Virginia about a public school teacher’s assignment to write the Islamic statement of faith, the shahad, in Arabic letters. The bulk of the comments in defense of the assignment…
The Salem Witches and American Education
Although every textbook account that mentions the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts enumerates the punishments meted out—none of which involved burning at the stake—many Americans persist in the notion that the Salem witches were executed in that manner. Witness this indignant comment I read in a letter to the editor condemning the US public’s penchant…