The Four Freedoms, 75 Years Later

Last Friday was the 75th anniversary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms Speech. In his Annual Message to Congress (State of the Union Address) on January 6, 1941. They …

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An open letter to the leadership of Forest Hills Public Schools

Superintendent Behm and Principal Passinault, I am a parent of two students in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. I’m writing you regarding the behavior I witnessed of four Forest Hills …

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Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility

Stumbled on this today while reading something else. Not necessarily my wheel-house but it might be yours: Morningside Center works hand in hand with educators to help young people develop …

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…and this is how you make something

Tom Waits, discussing his mistrust of then fashionable studio techniques while recording ‘Rain Dogs’ in 1984: “If I want a sound, I usually feel better if I’ve chased it and …

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Win, Win, Win, Win, Win …

IN 2008, Tom Friedman proposed taxing gas to keep the price at $4.00 a gallon 2008 at a time when it was $1.67 at the pump. It still makes a …

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Reasons to Quit

Why are you doing this?What problem are you solving?Will it change behavior? All good questions to ask at this time of the year when we are talking stock and thinking …

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Driving

Hey you, in the all-wheel drive Subaru on 3 Mile Road NE, going up the hill at about 8:25AM today. You there, using the approaching lane to pass the late …

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I Miss Carl Sagan

I watched this yesterday, he passed away 17 years ago. Carl Sagan’s ability to see beyond himself and his time on the earth is a rare thing indeed.

Comments on the GRPS Transformation Plan

Below is the complete text of my comments in support of the Grand Rapids Public submitted for the record on November 11, 2012. Superintendent Neal, Board President Lenear, GRPS Board …

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Works on paper

For the next 18 days, right here, in River City, ArtPrize 2011 will dominate many of our citizens with a sense of euphoria that one could plot on a scale between  a rainbow-covered carriage ride pulled by unicorns and a confab facilitated by the local chapter of ‘Art School Graduates for Truth.’