When my son was 3 years old, he had an astonishingly straightforward way of expressing himself. If he was busy doing something and we told him it was time to do something else (go to bed, get in the car, take a bath, whatever), he would just look at us, incredulous, and say, "But … [Read more...]
This week’s Auchtoon: Michigan has problems but we’re great at this
How much do I like beer? Well, I can tell you this: My wife and I recently traded a large and well-maintained trampoline for a single 12 ounce bottle of Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout. Those who know me would likely say that was out of character. (Not the trading things for … [Read more...]
This week’s Auchtoon: Chugging the charter school snake oil
Back in the 1970s, Powers Catholic High School in Flint experimented with a new educational concept called Student-Teacher Assessment periods or STAs. The idea was to treat teenagers as adults and let them have one or two "open" periods per class every week where they could meet … [Read more...]
This week’s Auchtoon: Michigan’s Robo-unemployment system
Okay, so this one is personal. October 2014 I found myself unemployed and subjected to the automated machinery of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). Not that it matters, but it wasn't my fault. The fruitful and profitable automotive electronics company I was … [Read more...]
Auchtoon! It’s time for another Auchtoon
This week Wednesday President Obama paid a short visit to Flint at the invitation of an eight year-old and to keep attention on the water crisis. This brought out the expected chorus of grumbles: He should have been here sooner, he should have never come, he is wasting our tax … [Read more...]
