Worried about a cold weather Super Bowl in a couple of weeks? Don’t be: Now that the subpoenas are out and Randy Mastro is in, there’s going to be plenty of hot air to warm the New Jersey Meadowlands and nourish the state and national news media for the game and beyond. First up is… Continue reading Christie Time?
Author: Robert I. Grundfest
I am a teacher, writer, voice-over artist and rationally opinionated observer of American and international society. While my job is to entertain and engage, my purpose is always to start a conversation.
Christie the Vi(ndi)cti(ve)m
If Governor Chris Christie thought that Thursday’s news conference, that turned into a two-hour fiasco of alternately blaming others and apologizing without remorse, was going to be the end of the story about the GWBridge lane closures, then he was clearly mistaken. As usual with a scandal, the more we know, the more we want… Continue reading Christie the Vi(ndi)cti(ve)m
Heavy Traffic: Christie Takes It From the Bridge
A big, messy, tragic, stupid, vengeful scandal had to come to New Jersey during the Chris Christie era, and thus, it has reached us now. Yes, it turns out that the governor’s staff knew about and directed the Port Authority of NY/NJ to gum up traffic to the George Washington Bridge on the first day… Continue reading Heavy Traffic: Christie Takes It From the Bridge
The Final Push
Far be it from me to argue with one of the greatest historical minds of the 20th century, but we essentially have an executive that serves a six year term, even if we get two extra bonus lame duck years for our efforts. So it has been with most other presidents, and so it probably… Continue reading The Final Push
Looking Forward
It seems to be the season of making predictions for the next year, and I certainly don’t want to be the only self-appointed chronicler of the age to miss that boat, so herewith is my take on what we can expect for 2014. The year will be unpredictable. A bold assertion, I know, but look… Continue reading Looking Forward
Imagining the Schools We Need
Wondering why American students are not performing at their best? Or why we struggle to solve the problems of children getting adequate resources so they can compete in the global race for knowledge, opportunity and equity? No need. The answer’s right here and it doesn’t take much to figure it out. We’ve made education a… Continue reading Imagining the Schools We Need
The Political See-Thaw
Yes, that sound you heard out of Washington was not just John Boehner’s rant against his conservative brethren, it might have been the long-awaited thaw in relations between the two parties in the Congress over the budget. And you probably thought that Republicans didn’t believe in warming. Well, don’t get too excited. After all, 94… Continue reading The Political See-Thaw
Teaching, Unions and Social Justice
Giving of course my humble opinion, I believe we are at the high water mark of the anti-union, pro-market-force, evaluation-by-testing mania that’s gripped education. Or I could be seriously deluded and education is going through a profound change that will see radically different protocols for years to come. Monday is the National Day of Action,… Continue reading Teaching, Unions and Social Justice
The Race to the Bottom
The know-nothings who decided that market-based reforms were just what the public schools needed can look to New Jersey for proof that what they have wrought is having its intended terrible effect on education. The corporate takeover is going according to plan. The worst victims are the students themselves. One of the warnings that veteran… Continue reading The Race to the Bottom
The Wages Are Sinful
You’ve heard about the healthcare website. You’ve heard about Iran. You’ve heard about the fiscal negotiations. You’ve eaten, shopped, dozed, decorated and lit candles. Get ready for the wage fight, which could be the most important issue we’ll face in the next few months. On Thursday, fast food workers in 100 cities plan to strike… Continue reading The Wages Are Sinful
The Obama Rebound Begins
Things were hairy there for a couple of months, what with the government shutdown (Republicans’ fault) and the still incomprehensible fail of the healthcare website (all you, Democrats), but slowly and surely, things seem to be turning around, just in time for the holidays. For example, House Speaker John Boehner did a nice job showing… Continue reading The Obama Rebound Begins
Common Core: At Least the Website Works
I am nothing if not a good sport and an optimist by temperament, so when I read this NJ Spotlight article about a website full of great information and resources for teaching the Common Core Curriculum Standards, I took a look. The site, njcore.org, is well-designed, if a bit busy, and you can sign up… Continue reading Common Core: At Least the Website Works