The Big Story Of 2020: Covid.
If you had asked me in January what the blockbuster stories of 2020 would be, I would have predicted the impeachment of Donald Trump and the death of Kobe Bryant.
Words Matter
I don’t like to end the year on a negative note, but the English language? Doomed.
When Smart Kids Procrastinate
I could see the future: my parents driving for hours on graduation day only to search fruitlessly for my name in the program. Instead of lining up in cap and gown, I'd be thrashing around in the pool trying to pass one last exam.
Where Has The ACLU Been?
In some places - Virginia, for instance - law-abiding, healthy Americans are being told they can’t leave their homes during certain hours. They’ve been told how many visitors they may have in their dwellings. Until the Supreme Court stepped in, many Americans were told they couldn’t attend worship services.
Shopping Mall Melee
Footage circulating on social media shows a Lynnhaven Mall security guard on the ground, being pummeled by one of the punks.
UVa and Tech — Less Intolerant than Other Elite Universities
I have been critical of Virginia’s colleges and universities, especially the University of Virginia, for the intolerance of conservative political and cultural viewpoints.
Is CovidWise Worth a Tinker’s Damn?
Last Thursday my son tested positive for COVID-19. The previous Sunday evening, he and I had cooked dinner together and watched “Mosul” on Netflix.
The gifts are under the tree - as usual, the ones I wrapped look like they were attacked by a badger, while my daughter’s packages are all sharp edges and bountiful bows.
The Year Santa Went Soft
B ack when Eisenhower was president, when TV shows were in black and white and movies weren't rated because they didn't need to be, Santa not only brought toys. He brought the family Christmas tree.
It’s Christmas. Be Prepared.
Someone surprises you with a little Yuletide token and there you are, embarrassed, empty-handed and red-faced. You feel thoughtless and cheap and want to drown yourself in the nearest bowl of egg nog.
Covid Vaccine: Congress Jumps The Queue
Members of Congress stampeded to get vaccinated all weekend, while grandma sits in a nursing home praying that today isn’t the day she gets infected.
Sack The Scarf
Toss her and her obscenely expensive array of neckwear on the White House lawn. Tell her she’s been exposed as just one more phony telling Americans what to do while doing exactly as she pleases. And we’ve had enough.
Year-Round School in Virginia until COVID Learning Losses are Made Up
COVID-related learning losses are extreme. Year-round schools are acknowledged to improve student learning, and Virginia is on board.
A Glimpse of UVa’s Fund-Raising Juggernaut
Alumni unhappy about recent developments at the University of Virginia claim to have withdrawn $150 million or more in pledged financial support for the institution. Money talks in academia as elsewhere.
Snow Days For Remote Learners?
Ever get the feeling that educators are just plain tired of doing their jobs?
Amanda Chase: Chasing The Crazy Vote
Just what Virginia needs. Another governor with tyrannical impulses. Not that Chase has even a remote chance of winning.
Covid Vaccine: A Christmas Miracle
Masks and lockdowns won’t end the pandemic. A vaccine will. And it’s here.
Scenes From The Road: 2,269 Miles, 10 States, 2 Snowstorms, 3 Days.
A road trip with no time to enjoy the scenery is ridiculous. A road trip in winter with no time to stop for snow and ice is crazy.