Just in time for today’s Nuremberg rally inauguration, Councilmember Eric Goia is proposing Obama-style “voluntary” community service for New York City high school students. Under Goia’s proposal, students would be required to perform 20 hours of community service to receive their diplomas. Of course, the kids could always tell the city to keep their crummy diplomas, […]
“Mandatory Volunteerism” Coming to NYC Read More »
A group called Jews Against the Occupation/NYC unfurled a banner across the West Side Highway this morning in front of the U.S.S. Intrepid. The banner reads, “Jews Say: End Israel’s War on Gaza NOW!” From the press release: JATO/NYC placed the banner at the U.S.S. Intrepid to highlight the role of U.S. aid to Israel
Jews Against the Occupation Read More »
With its additional $20 billion bailout of Bank of America, the federal goverment becomes the bank’s biggest shareholder. Like everything else it does, the government is terrible at portfolio management. Whereas other investors look for strong companies with earnings growth, the government invests only in crappy companies. As of this writing, BOA is trading off 14% since the
The Bank of America – Literally Read More »
Nicholas Kristof, of all people, wrote a brilliant column today explaining how sweatshops actually help rather than harm poor people. Mr. Obama and the Democrats who favor labor standards in trade agreements mean well, for they intend to fight back at oppressive sweatshops abroad. But while it shocks Americans to hear it, the central challenge
What Is This, Bizarro New York Times? Read More »
I have a guest editorial on the advantages of home-schooling in today’s Daily News, the 5th-highest-circulation daily newspaper in the United States. (Which, considering the state of the newspaper industry, means a least a couple dozen people should read it.)
My Op-Ed in Today’s Daily News Read More »
These must be challenging times — our legisators in Albany are planning to work a whopping 69 days this term — 6 more than in 2008. According to the Daily News’ Elizabeth Benjamin: So lawmakers accustomed to bugging out of the Capitol on Tuesday or Wednesday will instead be sticking around until Thursday through much
Working Hard or Hardly Working? Read More »
In testimony yesterday before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly revealed that the NYPD is seeking technology that can disrupt cell phone and other wireless communications in the event of a crisis. Kelly also said that in the event of a terrorist attack, the media can pose a threat by revealing
NYPD Seeks Technology to Disrupt Wireless Communications Read More »
I am briefly quoted in article in today’s Daily News about the growing popularity of home-schooling. Between 2003 and 2007, there was a 32% increase in the number of New Yorkers who home-school, and a 36% increase nationally. Parents say online courses and Internet communities have made home-schooling easier. Jim Lesczynski began home-schooling his 7-year-old
More NYC Kids Home-Schooled Read More »
Quote of the day: Caroline Kennedy, the lofty, high-minded rich lady who thinks being appointed a Senator is like performing an act of charity for the nation, or maybe like being on America’s co-op board. Also she’s beginning to remind us of the woman in the atrocious Lexus ad whose new car is an even
The U.S. Senate – America’s Co-op Board Read More »
Everybody is coming out with their year in review lists this week (Dave Barry’s is a gem, as usual), but one of my favorites is Bill Hammond’s rundown of Albany shenanigans in 2008. Sure you remember Love Client Number Nine, but there was also the parole board member who solicited 11 year olds, the assemblyman
The Year in Albany Dysfunction Read More »