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Category Archives: Commentary
Help win education’s STAR Wars
Forcing Carl to focus through a week of STAR testing was harder than beating Darth Vader in a light saber duel. Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
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How to love your job
Noelia could always make a teacher’s day, so I was glad to do the same for her. A 17-year-old who moved to the country just recently, she told me she felt badly about her command of English. Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Education
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“Don’t ask” repeal offers hope for greater equality
Rousing hymns, stirring prayers, a candlelight procession and blissful smiles filled one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever attended. Happiness permeated the recent ceremony in Oakland for my wife’s cousin Rebecca and her wife-to-be Joann even before the minister … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Politics
Tagged defense of marriage act, don't ask don't tell, gay marriage, marriage equality, prop. 8
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Before winning golden trophy, Giants gave golden memories
I’ve felt out of sync since the World Series ended, like a hitter swinging late at a fastball. Now that my pulse has finally slowed from a month of heart attack-inducing playoff games, I’m not sure what to do with … Continue reading
Posted in Baseball, Commentary
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This Crazy Congress shows courage
When the government bans homework, lowers the drinking age and prohibits senior citizens from driving all on the same day, there can be only one explanation: those yahoos in Congress are at it again. But these young lawmakers have courage … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
Tagged gay rights, Johanson, marriage equality
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Warp speed for equality
When Captain James T. Kirk, the most heterosexual man in the universe, agrees to perform a gay wedding on the Starship Enterprise, the future bodes well for equality. As Mr. Spock would say, “Fascinating.” Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Politics
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Kids lose when schools cut sports
Before the big race, my teammates and I huddled together, stacked our hands and cheered like the pumped-up teenagers we were. Twenty-five years later, I still hear the echoes. Castro Valley High’s cross country team had an eight-year championship streak … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
Tagged budget cuts, cross country, school sports
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Bachar lived with risks shared by many
Ascending a sea of knobs on the steep west face of Yosemite’s Fairview Dome, John Bachar was enjoying a fine autumn day, cool and quiet without another climber in sight. As usual, he was free soloing: climbing without a partner, … Continue reading
Imperiled rock climb offers lessons for state crisis
Near the top of Mt. Diablo stands a challenging rock climb called Amazing Face. Climbers who wish to scale it had better go soon, as the state may close the park and hundreds of others. But those who do ascend … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Outdoors, Politics
Tagged budget crisis, California, Johanson, Mt. Diablo, state park
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Protect marriage … from straight people
As homosexual marriage spreads state by state, everyone knows the struggle is far from over. Now Americans must speedily unite to ban the unholy unions of … straight people. Share this:
End the tyranny of hiking fees
An awesome view of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada range rewards visitors to the summit of Mt. Whitney in Sequoia National Park. Each time I visit this treasure, it rewards and exhilarates me. Yet every time I’ve gone lately, I’ve had … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Outdoors, Politics
Tagged fee demonstration program, hiking, national forests, national parks
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To save education, scrap BTSA
Teachers face no shortage of adversity, from high-maintenance kids and parents to high-stakes tests and false fire alarms. Sometimes the good news seems rare, so this article tacked to my school’s copy room wall caught my eye: Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
Tagged BTSA, California, education, Johanson, teaching
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Bring on the phone cops
Fans of the television sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” may remember Dr. Johnny Fever’s funniest moment in the series. After he smashed a telephone to pieces in a fit of rage, the paranoid deejay ranted about rabid “phone cops” he believed … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Education
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The hidden morals of “Grand Theft Auto”
I picked up some bad habits lately: running over pedestrians for their pocket money, incinerating enemy gangsters with Molotov cocktails, and blowing up cops with a rocket launcher. But starting my own chop shop has sharpened my business skills, and … Continue reading
Student election theatrics mirror national politics
Campaign posters blanket the walls each election week at the high school where I teach. This year, some posters reflected a more unscrupulous election than usual. Share this:
Posted in Commentary, Education, Politics
Tagged education, politics, student elections
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“It’s like impossible”
Anyone who spends much time with teenagers has noticed their unfortunate use of the word “like” outside the parameters of affection or comparison. Continue reading
Don’t wish upon a STAR
Aaron and Travis didn’t even try to fake it. When the test started, they started bubbling in their answer forms without even reading the test questions. Choosing answer “A” for each of the dozens of problems, they made perfectly straight … Continue reading
Hayashi interview provides teachable moment
Kids love field trips and this one proved more memorable than most. Strange as it was, an interview with Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi produced interesting lessons for all involved. Share this: