I haven’t written about home schooling in a decade. Back then, home schooling was the province of WrongWingChristians, who wanted to teach their children without state interference. Virginia was one of the places where such activities were given a wide berth.
Continue reading Home Schooling 2023
Rant time.
This malarkey that blocks scientists and engineers from performing stem cell experiments is setting back patient care. Leaving folks desperate for transplants to die.
So, I read a disturbing report in the Washington Post. Because I think it speaks volumes about America- and maybe even the world.
Continue reading Is your religious denomination “Football”?
Many of you know that I reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia. (An addition this morning: Congratulations to Tim Kaine, who ran a stellar race and will be a stellar Senator. And, kudos to President Obama and his myriad volunteers and staffers who worked the highways and byways of Virginia for their solid win yesterday.) My relocation to this state occurred just as “Massive Resistance” was coming to a close. Massive Resistance, under the tutelage of Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia, was the program by which (bigoted) residents avoided integrating their children in public schools (as a result of the Brown v. The Board of Education Supreme Court decision of 1954), allowing the closing of public schools, rather than allow integration.
Continue reading Home-School Loophole
I saw a wonderful play the other day. “New Jerusalem” performed at the Theater J. (Kudos to Ari Roth, the creative Artistic Director, who is often attacked for taking non-traditional stands.) This is a retelling (of sorts) of the interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza (1656) that led to his excommunication; a discourse between traditional belief and modern thought, faith and philosophy- in other words, a very modern dilemna.
Continue reading Was Spinoza Wrong?
Most of you know that I am Jewish. One of the greatest moments in my life was when I got to see the Western Wall (which was called the Wailing Wall, back then). It was right after the 1967 War. At that time, the Wall was less exposed that it is now. And, you had to travel through narrow alleys to reach it. When I made that last turn and saw the wall, I was dumbstruck, mesmerized. It was awe-inspiring. It was the symbol that clearly spoke to me. Yrushalayim- Jeruslaem- the City of Peace. Clearly proof that someone (the Supreme Being?) has a delicious sense of humor- since this clearly was a city that had not known peace. 
Most important cities exist for strategic reasons. New York, San Francisco, Athens, … their waterways serve as gateways. London, New Orleans, Berlin, Vienna exist because of important, navigable rivers. Beijing and Madrid have strategic views from on high. Jerusalem- none of the above.