De Blasio calls for unity in the fight for quality education
In an effort to set the record straight and heal a rift with New York State's Gov. Cuomo and charter school supporters, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio made a major speech on his education policies at Riverside Church last Sunday.
The war that won't go away
Melvin Morris, 80, received a Medal of Honor this month. Why is he receiving it belatedly? Because he was discriminated against during the time of the U.S. War in Vietnam.
Time for a 21st century U.S. foreign policy
With 16,000 of the world's 17,000 nuclear bombs in the U.S. and Russia, the U.S. should certainly not be fanning the fires for a new cold war after the distressing events in Crimea and the Ukraine.
Writing on Amtrak
Soon we'd be snaking through the freight yards and pulling into the Amtrak platform at L.A.'s Union Station. It was a dramatic opening scene - almost cinematic - filled with promise.
Melba Hernandez, 93; leader of the Cuban Revolution
On Mar. 9, Cuba and the world lost a remarkable revolutionary figure, Melba Hernandez Rey, age 93. The cause of death was complications of diabetes.
Do we need public education?
The public pays for charter schools through their taxes, has no input into their educational practices. Unlike Chicago public schools, neither parents nor community control anything a charter school does.
Tony Benn: British labor giant dies
Tony leaves behind the books and wonderful diaries he wrote and the enormous admiration and the friendship of millions of people.
Straight talk on the U.S. and Ukraine
It's been interesting to observe the large numbers of people who suddenly think they're experts on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine - both those on the left and the right.
Hang in there, Mayor de Blasio
The wolves of Wall Street are out to destroy New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's universal pre-kindergarten plan.
Starkovich loved unions, children, flowers....despised redbaiters, unionbusters!
Nearly 200 people gathered at the Urban Horticulture Center to honor George Tony Starkovich for his lifelong work as a union organizer, an activist for jobs, peace, and equality. Starkovich died February 26 at age 91.
