Matt Yglesias has been on a roll lately in his writing on the Iraq War - including the observation that the whole “timetable” progresses without once mentioning the permanent bases - so perhaps it’s redundant to mention his piece in the American Prospect asking the question no one else seems to be asking: how much […]
For those eager to have their voices heard, the MBTA website has an online poll up right now asking you what your favorite thing about the new automated-fare Charlie Card is. Yes, you can answer “all of the above.”
It’s day 3 now, and I’m still without phone or internet service at home. If I were the cynical type, I’d suspect Verizon of purposefully spiking one of the utility lines in my neighborhood to spite Menino’s freeze on utility work. Thankfully, I’m not the cynical type.
I will say that being without distractions of modern […]
sco on the playing out of immigration in the gubernatorial debates:
If you want to stop illegal immigration you only need to do two things. First, fine the companies that employ them more than they save by hiring them under the table. That will stop, or at least slow down the demand for their labor. Second, […]
George Bush, Wednesday:
It should make people nervous when non-transparent regimes that have announced that they’ve got nuclear warheads fire missiles.
The White House, yesterday:
The White House complained last night that the disclosure could hurt anti-terrorism activities.
“We are disappointed that once again the New York Times has chosen to expose a classified program that is working to […]
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Globe’s list of most emailed stories is just how many stories are emailed to someone else by somebody. Lots were emailed just once, including such muffin-chokers as “National Group opposed changed in Dartmouth Alumni Group.”
Via Lifehacker, I came across this useful list of 7 possibilities for what to do with your blog during vacation. I can’t even blame vacation, however, for my spotty posting this week. Bear with me.
Derek offers his thoughts on - and support for - Juneteenth. I agree that there’s a strong case that emancipation of American slaves was a key moment in the Republic’s development of its liberal ideals - as well as the playing out of the nation’s civil conflict - and thus deserves to be celebrated as a […]
Charley draws my attention to Mass Inc.’s thorough guide to the major policy issues facing the Commonwealth during the 2006 election season. The briefing book is divided into major categories of Education; Immigration/Demographics; Housing; Cost of Living; Growth and Development; Economy and Jobs; Health Care; Public Safety; and Government Reform. The contributions look excellent.
The one problem: I don’t have time to read […]
I had a similar reaction that Jay did, as Whole Foods’ lobster decision came on top of growing disenchantment I’ve had with the chain. You go into the Cambridge street location, and it feels like a yuppie supermarket - period. Out with bulk foods and in with the aisles and aisles of prepared foods. And I about had […]
I still dread the day they introduce the automatic fare card machines on the Green Line, but I will give credit to the T for using the Charlie Card as an occasion to open up and revamp entrances long since neglected. The Symphony and Prudential stops finally have a proper gate, as they were originally designed. […]
Thanks to Charles for an excellent tour of Beacon Hill yesterday. I’m not sure what I expected, but I was pleased to hear a tour geared toward people, like me, who are interested in the city’s history but don’t fetishize the details of nineteenth century high society. It was a nice synthesis of historical personages, […]
Sachem Head puts forth a reasonable case for unions in the comments.
Before I come off as a total right-wing crank, let me add that I don’t think primary and secondary ed teachers get compensated enough. The couple that I know well - one charter school, one private - work their tails off and put their heart […]
Since my last post on Deval Patrick’s merit pay proposal elicited confusion on what exactly my gripe was, let me step back and clarify that the part of the reason it strikes me as wrong-headed politically is that it will be seen as stonewalling for teachers’ unions.
Now, I’ve never understood the demonization of teachers’ unions as some […]
Oh, God, please no….
DEVAL PATRICK CALLS FOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF MERIT PAY – CASH INCENTIVES FOR WHOLE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND EXCELLENCE
06/13/2006
Pledges to Lead State in a Shift from Emphasis on Sanctioning Schools to Rewarding Schools; Advocates Incentives for Collaboration that Benefits Students
BOSTON – Tuesday, June 13, 2006 — Deval Patrick today pledged to institute a […]