Chicago Daily Observer

Now for a Change of Subject. To Editorial Boards—Discover the Elements of True Public School Reform by Reading the Meeks-Gidwitz Report. Hint: It Deals With More Important Stuff than $$$.

Let this octogenarian graduate of a well-managed and superlatively endowed Chicago public high school curriculum tell you (William Howard Taft highy school, 1942–46), the decision by State Sen. (and Rev.) James Meeks to abandon his two-day school boycott in favor of sitting down with the Governor to talk school funding reform was a good idea…no matter what comes of it. It leaves standing a very instructive program of proposed school reform which Meeks worked out with civic leader (and perhaps, who knows, future governor aspirant) Ron Gidwitz-a comprehensive package which the editorial boards should decide to peruse even though it is not bristling with rhetoric that makes good editorial-writing fodder. So it is time to review the package again. It ... Read More...

Can’t You Feel Hillary’s Pain?

On the one hand, Hillary Clinton could just be a very happy woman about now. Witnessing the blockbuster Sarah Palin speech at the Republican convention Thursday night, she has to feel more than a glimmer of hope that Barack Obama will lose in November, making her the presumptive nominee for the Democrats four years from now starting on election day 2008. (And giving her “I told you so” rights galore.)

Her moment of glory and vindication may keep getting delayed, but in her mind it’s all about patience, patience, patience.

On the other hand, watching Sarah Palin had to be a little bit like The Grinch watching from afar on Christmas Morning as the “Whos” in “Whoville” welcomed the true meaning of Christmas. That inspite of the Grinch’s efforts to stop it, by swiping all of their Christmas goodies. Remember how The Grinch looked on ... Read More...