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Looking at the world

You likely know the old cliche about always seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. In front of me as I type this column is a special pair of glasses through which I often attempt to view the world. Among the most influential people in my life was my father. Born in a coal mining community in southern West Virginia, he saw education as the means to a better life. He attained both collegiate and graduate degrees and devoted himself to ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. At his ordination, his bishop told him it was his responsibility to “comfort the afflicted and ...

Federal Freeze Frame

I typically don’t write about national politics in this space. When I do cover national politics, it is usually through the lenses of West Virginia’s congressional delegation. My focus tends to be on state-level politics. However, last week’s temporary freeze on federal grant funding by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – now stayed and rescinded - really brought together national and state politics, because probably no other state would have been affected by that freeze more than West Virginia. According to the memo, federal agencies were to review all ...

Second inaugural

So it begins; Donald Trump’s second inaugural is as grim as the first. Instead of hitting unifying themes, he was all grievance. And he was fanciful, advocating taking back the Panama Canal — despite treaty obligations — and planting Old Glory on Mars. He spelled out his specifics without being clear on the methods employed to attain them. Trump did lay out the operating ideology for his regime which was “common sense”. But what this means is not exactly clear. Albert Einstein’s definition was that “common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in ...

Building a vibrant community

“Great communities make us feel grounded, protected and empowered. They provide jobs and solid economic growth. They attract new talents and keep existing talent from leaving town. They do a great job of educating young people, they provide safe neighborhoods, and they nurture the health and well-being of all citizens. They provide a sense of belonging, connection and support. And they’re just more fun to live in.” — From “Building a Vibrant Community” by Quint Studer. A vibrant community does not just happen. It is created strategically and intentionally by the ...

‘Focus on Education’ meetings

So it begins; Donald Trump’s second inaugural is as grim as the first. Instead of hitting unifying themes, he was all grievance. And he was fanciful, advocating taking back the Panama Canal — despite treaty obligations — and planting Old Glory on Mars. He spelled out his specifics without being clear on the methods employed to attain them. Trump did lay out the operating ideology for his regime which was “common sense”. But what this means is not exactly clear. Albert Einstein’s definition was that “common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in ...

‘Focus on Education’ meetings

This week we plan to begin “First Friday Focus on Education” meetings in the Learning Lab at Kump Education Center, 401 S. Randolph Avenue across from Kroger, at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. Several people have shown their interest in helping teachers and coaches provide opportunities that students need to become healthy and effective citizens. This week we will discuss basic education issues including but not limited to the following topics: 1. Safety: As a young teacher I believed that we were “not just babysitters,” but as a parent and grandparent I earnestly hope ...