The Politics of Buyer’s Remorse: Group Files Petition to Recall Gov. Rick Snyder
According to a piece published today in The Detroit News, "A group that wants to recall Republican Gov. Rick Snyder says it will file its proposed petition wording with the state of Michigan this morning. Michigan Citizens United, which…
The Parent Trap: Let The Parent Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Dirty Look
My salad days,
When I was green in judgment.
—William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra. Act i. Sc. 5.
Sometimes I catch myself in a "parenting moment," and I don't recognize myself. How can that mom who is giving her two-year-old candy on…
Urban Exile: Ann Arbor Panhandling Task Force Recommendations Wrong-Headed, Study Shows
There is a lot of advice in recent articles about the right and wrong way to help panhandlers. Many times this advice conflicts with the on-the-spot feelings of individuals who want to give to panhandlers. Some are adamantly against…
WEEKLY WHOPPER: “35 Staff Journalists. 407 Years of Experience.”
Newspaper executives routinely exaggerate circulation numbers. They fib about pass along rates (how many people handle a single copy of a newspaper). Newspapers have a well deserved reputation of less than honest reporting when it comes to…
Foodist: The Hypocrisy of Free Range Meat
The Atlantic is at it again.
February/March thinking person's publications, including The Atlantic, Salon.com and even the Chicago Tribune took foodies and locavores to task for, well, "pomposity" and "sermonizing." It was a tough…
The Parent Trap: The Battle Hymn of the Anti-Tiger Mother
We parents are a gullible lot, suckers.
Forever searching for the latest study, the cure-all answer to our problems. We get sucked in by marketing scams, too many short-sighted studies, and questionable advice. How many copies of Amy…
The Politics of Fire: Ann Arbor Fire Fighters’ Union Goes on the PR Offensive
John Hieftje and City Administrator Roger Fraser are both fond of pointing out that the Ann Arbor Fire Department is, practically, obsolete. Fraser, in describing what the AAFD does has said, "They have very few fires. Mostly what they deal…
Detroit Society of Professional Journalists Dishes Up Awards to Ann Arborites
"Journalists, if they do their jobs right, are never very popular. Much of the time, we’re bringing you bad news, and some of the time, we are obnoxious about it."—Jack Lessenberry on "Why Journalism Matters." To read the rest of the April…
The Politics of Education: 2010 MEAP Scores Reveal Significant Achievement Gaps Between Elementary Schools in A2
At the end of March, the Michigan Department of Education released MEAP scores for the state's elementary and middle schools. The data is a treasure trove for those who enjoy sifting through such information. Test scores impact districts'…
MSU But Not U of M/Ann Arbor On League of American Bicyclist Ranking of Bike-Friendly Campuses
The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that: "Western universities dominate the first-ever ranking of bike-friendly institutions by the League of American Bicyclists, with Stanford University taking the only platinum honors and two…