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Subscribe to RSSIn remarks today, President Barack Obama will call on Congress to revamp the No Child Left Behind Act this summer.
"The fragile bipartisan consensus that nuclear power offers a big piece of the answer to America’s energy and global warming challenges may have evaporated as quickly as confidence in Japan’s crippled nuclear reactors," The New York Times writes.
The Washington Post looks at how Japan's nuclear emergency unfolded.
The New York Times' Calmes wraps the journalist/politicos Gridiron Dinner with the president. "Stepping to the podium to the usual strains of 'Hail to the Chief,' Mr.Obama asked, 'Can we go with the song that we talked about?' Out blared Bruce Springsteen’s 'Born in the USA.' 'Some things just bear repeating,' said the president not born in Kenya." He roasted Bill O'Reilly (for his ego), John Boehner (for his tears -- that's not a tan, it's "rust," Obama declared), and even the U.S. Senate (for not being able to get anything done now as when he was a freshmen U.S. Senator).
He also poked fun at himself for his "cool" demeanor: “Alright, I hear criticisms. I do. For example, I know that people think I’m not passionate enough, that I’m too cool, that I’m too detached. But as I was going through my daily routine, sitting alone in my study (laughter here), meditating, thinking about how to ‘win the future’ (more laughter) I pondered this critique and calmly rejected it as thoroughly illogical (laughter and applause).”
The New York Times/CNBC's Harwood notes Obama's scaled-back agenda: "The only thing Mr. Obama truly needs — a spending deal to keep the government running — is as important to Republicans as to the White House. ... [T]he president and his aides are pursuing education, energy and economic goals through methods over which they have more control: trade promotion, other executive and regulatory authority, and use of the bully pulpit."
The New York Times' Maureen Dowd quips about Libya: "Didn’t we arm the rebels in Afghanistan in the ’80s? And didn’t many become Taliban and end up turning our own weapons on us? And didn’t one mujahadeen from Saudi Arabia, Osama bin Laden, go on to lead Al Qaeda? So that worked out well."
"President Obama’s administration has improved in its responsiveness to Freedom of Information requests, but still has a ways to ago, according to a new report on the issue," the Washington Post writes.
The L.A Times: "The right to carry a concealed weapon in California is mostly reserved for those at risk of violence — jewelers, bail bondsmen and criminal prosecutors among them. But some legislators say their job has become dangerous too. Despite objections from some law enforcement officials and even gun rights advocates, they want a law that would make it easier for them to tote firearms for protection. The lawmakers cite the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) in Tucson and threats from constituents in California as cause for permits to carry weapons."
Frank Rich, who's leaving the Times, reflects on his years as an op-ed columnist.
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Revamping "No Child Left Behind", Mr President?
Mild milktoast reform wont cut it. Radical reform is needed to improve public schools. Until you show the political will to take on the public employee unions, many many more children will be left behind. Thankfully not your children, or others with the financial means to choose good schools.
Yes, of course, public employee UNIONS are the problem, aren't they Mr. Walker? Er, I mean Bob? Let's not let any opportunity pass to take a swipe at the nasty 'fat cat' 'bureaucrats'.
There are a myriad of challenges facing public education in America, but few would I think identify the need to bust down teacher salaries and benefits (which is the goal of busting unions) as a likely path forward to a system that delivers stronger results. Finland is the educational model du jour and their unions and educators play a primary role in a system that many countries (including ours) are looking to emulate.
BTW, the word you want is milquetoast, not the sugary breakfast food homophone. Thank a teacher.
I don't want my state, California to become Texas. If you want guns in bars and colleges move to Texas. If you want to carry them to work in the Capitol move to Texas. Keep stupid gun toting laws away from us. Enough issues exist in the LA area with too many guns. We don't need them spread throughout the state. Almost everyone in California already owns at minimum a hunting gun and a handgun. We just don't feel the need to brag about it as if we are measuring our manhood with it, like Texas.
I wonder if those teachers in Finland have "Tenure". Who on earth, thinks Tenure is a good thing?!
And who on earth, other than teachers, has Tenure?
obviously,some or most people don't know what tenure is? first a teacher is on probation for 2 to 5 yrs before being granted tenure, a time in which administrators are to decide if this teacher can handle their job. when tenure is granted it only means that before that teacher can be dismissed that they are entitled to a hearing in front of the state tenure board, who has the final say after both parties present their testimony. most tenure hearings are lost by the administration because of their poor record keeping. but, please don't belive this is life time job gurrantee? check it out, teachers just like any other profession are fired daily.
Sweedish teachers are granted much more respect than most of you have granted teachers in this country!
My right to work state has done away with tenure, pays teachers less than most others and spends less per student than others and has consistantly ranked 49th among states for its quality of education. Go figure!