Shining example
The election results are in and a potential flashpoint for ethnic violence has been averted – no one political party won the majority in Iraq. That means the Shiites – who got the most votes, but not more than 50 percent – will have to work with one of the minority parties to form a coalition government.
Working with the minority party, hmm… could it happen here?
Freedumb
Is our children learning? A recent study found that nearly one-third of high school students believe that the freedom of speech and press go “too far,” along with a majority of high school studens who believe that it is illegal to burn an American flag and that the government should be able to censor the press.
Part of the problem – according to one professor – is that student journalism has been on the decline. When there is no school paper to practice fundamental freedoms such as those of speech and the press, students have a harder time learning about what they really mean.
The reason school papers have been on the decline is due to lack of funding while schools have been struggling to meet the demands of the federally imposed No Child Left Behind’s standardized testing. Public education was designed to teach students how to function in a free and democratic society. It may be failing on that basis alone.
Home run proposal
A new home for the R-Braves in Shockoe Bottom, and it won’t cost the city a dime. What more could you ask for? The business community is behind it and providing the funds, and in exchange Shockoe receives a much-needed facelift, an infusion of new development and a boon to Richmond’s quality of life.
VCU will benefit too – the Diamond will become the Rams’ new home stadium, and the area will be a focus for future development of our athletics program, and possible economic revitalization for the area.
Overall, the positioning of the new stadium just north of the Farmer’s Market in the heart of Richmond makes sense by focusing economic growth inward and providing the infrastructure for future public transportation. The streetcar might even return to Broad Street. Now that would be a sight for sore eyes.