Archives
Stumbling Into Democracy – February 20, 2008
In the primary season, we have stumbled upon a system of national democracy that is maintaining voter engagement across the country and for an extended period of time.
What is Possible – February 5, 2008
Barack Obama imagines the type of country I want to live in even if that country does not yet exist. That is the kind of president I can be inspired by.
In the Words of Dr. King – January 23, 2008
“Be concerned about your brother….Either we go up together or we go down together.”
Political Notebook: The Victim Olympics – January 11, 2008
The shame of this primary is that I am being forced to choose between them -- only one page can be turned in 2008.
Are We All Created Equal – December 17, 2007
Our society and laws are built upon the premise that all people are created equal. Thomas Jefferson said so back in 1776, even if he meant it only aspirationally. It is upon this assumption that the guarantee of equal rights to all Americans is based.
Book Review: The Trouble with Diversity – December 3, 2007
Although there is much to admire in this book, in dismissing the quest for diversity as almost an intentional distraction from the quest for equality, it goes too far.
The Civil Rights Story of the Fall – November 14, 2007
Today, John Tanner remains the head of the voting rights section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. What does that say about the progress of race relations in this country?
Long Live the Health Care Market – October 5, 2007
In the private market, when one entity does something better, it is rewarded with market shore. The same should be true where, as with S-CHIP, the government is doing a better job at providing Americans with coverage for quality health care than is private insurance.
Unity Strategy Requires Persuasion – September 17, 2007
The first time I came across a bumper sticker with the campaign slogan for Herman Morris, I was impressed at the simple, yet meaningful message: Together. For a change.
Ruling Can Light Way to Better Schools – August 13, 2007
This practice of crying
"bus" is a disservice to those the county schools serve and a
distraction from what ought to be the goal of all parties involved -- providing
the highest quality education to all
What Can Brown Do For Us Now? – July 9, 2007
With all due respect to Chief Justice Roberts, the way to end discrimination on the basis of race is to create a world where the playing field for individuals of all backgrounds is as level as possible.
Supreme Court Notebook – Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire – June 4, 2007
The advice to Americans is clear. For those beginning new jobs in the future, it would be wise on the first day to shake your coworkers' hands with the question, "And how much are you paid?"
Voting for Present and Future Memphis – June 3, 2007
It is time for Memphians to start
thinking about which candidates provide the right combination of competence and
vision to steer
America’s Next Generation – May 21, 2007
What will
the
Pulling Together for Equal Education – May 7, 2007
There are already enough challenges to elevating the educational opportunities of at-risk students, regardless of race. Students will be better served when racial politics do not derail programs that effectively tackle the racial achievement gap, what some have dubbed the civil rights issue of our generation.
Justice Being Served – April 17, 2007
In American mythology, the part of Justice is often played by a blindfolded woman weighing competing evidence dispassionately. At the Department of Justice, the blindfold has apparently been removed.
Help More Celebrate First Birthdays – April 1, 2007
We know the mothers whose babies are most at risk for infant mortality and we know what it takes to lower that risk. It is a matter of delivering the proper information and care to the right women at the right time.
Cinderella Nation Revisited – March 19, 2007
Can we be a Cinderella nation without a Cinderella?
Leadership Across the Color Line – March 5, 2007
It has been nearly a century and a
half since the peculiar institution that was slavery was outlawed in the
Disconnected in DC – February 19, 2007
The contrast between real lives being lost and symbolic resolutions being debated – or not even debated in the case of the Senate – vividly drives home the disconnect between the powers that be in Washington and the events of the real world.
Life and Death – February 5, 2007
In my mind, there is no way to devise a system, administered by human beings, for taking human lives without creating the potential for grave errors.
The Audacity of Hype – January 22, 2007
Barack Obama has an opportunity to shift the way we do business in this country simply by having the audacity to be himself.
In the Words of Dr. King – January 15, 2007
“We must always be aware of the fact that our ultimate goal is integration, and that desegregation is only a first step on the road to the good society.”
Modest Hopes for the New Congress – January 8, 2007
The unifying theme of my modest hopes for this Congress is one of leadership for a nation rather than loyalty to a party.
New Year, Old News – January 1, 2007
There are only so many different ways that you can write: Genocide is happening!!! We must do something!!!
Spirit of the Holidays – December 18, 2006
My mom was obviously upset that this man was suffering and angry that he was not being properly taken care of. And I know what happens when my mom gets angry.
Leaving Brown Behind, Part II – December 11, 2006
Although Justice Scalia’s interpretation can wear the clothes of colorblindness, it will achieve the exact same real world result as Jim Crow school segregation.
Leaving Brown Behind, Part I – December 4, 2006
Many other cities have proven
unable to meet the aspirations of Brown.
In contrast,
Protecting Our Most Vulnerable – November 20, 2006
We should be alarmed that in a country where we are capable of achieving medical miracles, so many of our fellow citizens do not have access to the information or health care needed to give their children the best opportunity to survive.
Jon Stewart is Saving America – November 13, 2006
I found that I cared more about what Jon Stewart had to say about the election than any of the talking heads on CNN or Fox News.
This Race Matters – November 6, 2006
Whether Tennesseans will elect Harold Ford is still a tossup, but he is the better candidate for all Tennesseans regardless of party affiliation.
What Will Our Children Think? – November 6, 2006
I suspect that my children – or at least my grandchildren – will look back at this era of constitutional amendments to ban same sex marriage as outdated and closed-minded.
Spin Zone – October 23, 2006
Given the Bush Administration’s record,
Democrats do not need any help from
Collateral Damage in Iraq – October 16, 2006
Six hundred thousand is a lot of people.
The New Southern Democrat – October 9, 2006
The Democratic Party should accept the reality of southern values and embrace pragmatic leaders who are able to be both southerners and Democrats.
In Defense of Habeas Corpus – October 2, 2006
The experience of the Uighurs at
Is Everything Bad Really Good For You – September 25, 2006
I’m willing to accept that today’s pop culture is more complex and demands more thought and attention than pop culture of the past, but I’m not sold that this is a good thing.
Dallaire’s New Mission – September 15, 2006
When Lt.
Gen. Romeo Dallaire speaks of
Facing Horrors of Rwanda Offers Crucial History Lesson – September 14, 2006
(published in Memphis Commercial Appeal)
In the case of
Still Haunted – September 8, 2006
Five years later, I am still haunted by September 11, 2001.
Why Katrina Hurts – September 1, 2006
With its blistering winds and unquenchable thirst for destruction, Hurricane Katrina bruised the American psyche in an unprecedented way.
UNfair Criticism – August 25, 2006
As we evaluate the UN, we must remember that at its essence, the United Nations is a building.
New New World Order – August 4, 2006
When President Bush says that
leaving
Race and Politics in Dixie – July 28, 2006
Both Ford and Cohen have sought to rise above divisive racial politics by asking voters to judge them by their record rather than their race, or, stated more eloquently, by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.
A Genocide By Any Other Name – July 21, 2006
It is action, not semantics, that stops “genocide,” “acts of genocide,” “acts with genocidal intent,” and all things in between.
Lessons Unlearned – July 14, 2006
Only with incredible reluctance has the Administration taken even the smallest steps back from its assertion that in the war on terror, the President can do as he pleases without concern for the rule of law.
World Cup Fever – July 7, 2006
But since there is so much cliche already out there, it will not do too much harm for me to add my own: watching soccer, especially during the World Cup, is good for the soul.
Sit Down if You’re Blocking the Vote – June 30, 2006
Efforts to manipulate the election process taint our government, our elections, and our society and are no more acceptable today than they were in 1965.
Iraq and a Hard Place – June 23, 2006
The Democrats hoped to stick the
Republicans with the
A Supreme Court Shift? – June 9, 2006
It would be unfortunate if after a half-century attempting to integrate public schools, we ended up right back where we started.
Revolutionary Buzz – June 2, 2006
Only time will tell whether word-of-mouth marketing will bring the populist revolution promised by BzzAgent or the capture of consumer opinion by corporate marketing departments.
A Step Back – May 19, 2006
It was a bit of a shock to see news this week, nearly 52 years to the day after the Brown decision, that NAACP lawyers were back in court suing on the exact same issues.
Missing the Forest – May 12, 2006
Why is the NSA wasting time and resources monitoring my calls?
What If…? – May 5, 2006
Al Gore is the walking embodiment of what might have been had the American electoral process not gotten in the way.
Don’t Just Remember. Act – April 28, 2006
The inability to confront an unfolding genocide even as we commemorate genocides of the past proves that remembrance is only one step. The other step toward truly making genocide prevention a global priority is action.
Abstinence from Reality – April 21, 2006
By promoting abstinence as the only legitimate way to prevent STDs or unwanted pregnancy, the Bush administration has transformed health decisions that ought to be based on science into political decisions based on morality.
A Remedy from Massachusetts – April 7, 2006
Sensible policy crafted for the
benefit of the people? As hard as it may be to believe, such things can
happen. At least in
Time to Talk about Teachers – March 31, 2006
Our future is only as good as our schools and our schools are only as good as the teachers in them. The time to confront this crisis is now.
Original Sin in Iraq – March 24, 2006
Because I hold the President
responsible for the original sin in
Cinderella Nation – published in USA Today, March 21, 2006
The quintessential American tale is one of the underdog overcoming obstacles to capture glory and this is the very story the NCAA tournament gives us year after year. We are a Cinderella Nation
Crash – March 10, 2006
Offering these glimpses of life in another’s shoes, the movie begins a conversation that it cannot, and does not attempt to, complete.
Newborn Perspective – March 3, 2006
So when I watch Sadie striving to do something new, I see not only an adorable distraction from the world we live in (check out the picture -- she really is adorable), but the very reason to be engaged with that world.
Internet with Borders – January 27, 2006
By providing access to global information and news
sources, it was thought, the borderless internet could help democratize the
globe. January
2006 has not been a good month for that theory
Supreme Court Notebook – Gonzales v. Oregon – January 20, 2006
If you've already heard about this
case, you probably know it as the case that upheld
In the Words of Dr. King – January 13, 2006
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”
Truths About Guantanamo – January 6, 2006
The Bush Administration feels no
need to explain the prolonged detention without charge of hundreds of
individuals at
A New Year’s Resolution – December 30, 2005
There are many Americans who accomplish amazing feats and do tremendous good for our country, but serving all of us in the armed service is special. And those who do it deserve to be thanked and thanked often.
Dallaire Redux – December 23, 2005
Certainly,
somewhere in
Intelligent Intelligence Reform – December 16, 2005
The President has
now acknowledged that the pre-war intelligence was faulty and he places upon
his own shoulders the duty to fix it. "I'm also responsible for
fixing what went wrong by reforming our intelligence capabilities," the
President added. "And we’re doing just that." Are we?
Raising Questions About Don’t Ask – December 9, 2005
It is time not only to think about whether the military should be allowed to demand access to law schools, but more importantly, to rethink the wisdom of continuing to exclude gay Americans from serving their country.
‘Tis the Season – December 2, 2005
And we are allowing genocide to continue. By "we" I do not mean our government, but each of us individually. Certainly our government could do more. So could we.
Tort Reform 101 – November 18, 2005
When you hear the word "torte" you probably think: Mmm. Yummy.
When you hear the
words "tort reform" you probably think: Change the channel.
Missed Opportunities on “Elections” – November 11, 2005
Once upon a time, Americans mocked the elections taking place in the
single-party
Activism Shmactivism – November 4, 2005 (published in Commercial Appeal)
Apparently, conservatives have a deep aversion to a judge legislating
from the bench or imposing his preferences on the people. However, this
is not entirely true. What conservatives - and all of us, actually -
truly have a problem with are judges who make decisions they do not agree
with. There is nothing inherently wrong with a little judicial activism,
it seems, so long as it gets to the right result. Pun intended.
Tortured Response – October 28, 2005
Standing up against torture is a good thing, right?
Error: Democrats – October 21, 2005
Imagine the manager of the Astros or White Sox delivering this pep talk
as the World Series kicks off this weekend:
"Guys,
I'm proud of you for getting this far and I've got a fantastic game plan that’s
gonna win us this World Series. We're gonna take that field and were
gonna hope -- and I mean really hope -- that the other team makes a bunch of
errors! Are you with me?!"
Yom Kippur for US All – October 14, 2005
Yom Kippur, the annual Jewish day of repentance, is
upon us, and while we may not all literally believe that going to synagogue and
repenting for our sins wins us points Upstairs, this holy day provides a
tremendous opportunity for self improvement.
Welcome to UnevenKiel – October 7, 2005
I do not know what this column will lead to, or if it will lead to anything at all. I have no agenda other than to write on issues I am passionate about and about which I feel competent writing.