Breaking with Groupthink on Affirmative Action
America's major corporations often laud the importance of diversity in higher education. But are they doing so freely? Harvard Professor Randall Kennedy argues in The American Prospect that the “diversity” rationale for affirmative action -- namely, that “better learning and decision-making …Our Untapped Water Power Potential
Hydroelectricity is the leading source of renewable energy in the U.S. Yet Washington continues to ignore it in favor of costlier and less-dependable solutions. Hydroelectricity is the leading source of renewable energy in the United States, hydroelectric power plants produced 248 billion …For a Better Stimulus: Free the Credit Unions
Instead of dishing $30 billion to small banks, Obama should remove the caps on credit union lending for a bigger stimulus, with less government. There’s no reason for conservatives to get excited about the “small business lending fund” bill that the Senate plans to consider after it returns from …Bachmann Tries to Steal Beck's Thunder
Glenn Beck’s event was billed as non-political. The same can't be said for Michele Bachmann’s tea party rally also held on the National Mall. Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” event was billed as non-political. While the accuracy of that description is debatable, it was definitely non-partisan. The …
Beck's Biggest Gamble
By choosing to rival Martin Luther King with a rally on the anniversary of the “I have a dream” speech, Glenn Beck may have set himself up for failure. There are two dangers inherent in speaking from the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of Martin Luther King's “I have a dream” speech. Danger …Beck Gets Religious
As with most things Glenn Beck, the hokey overtook the serious at the “Restoring Honor” rally held on the footsteps of the Lincoln Memorial. If Beck can’t have politics, he’ll try to have religion. That seemed to be the lesson from Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally, held at the footsteps of the …
Don't Write Off Moby Dick
I won't weary readers with a long essay on America's most famous novel. But I will say this: it baffles and vexes me that so many people dismiss Moby Dick as dull. During the worst of my bout with Lyme disease this summer, Herman Melville was my constant companion. He entertained me on the walks …Leadership 101 with Chris Christie
NJ Governor Chris Christie turned the brouhaha over his state's loss of $400 million in federal education funds into a leadership lesson. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is fast emerging as a center-right hero who appeals to both conservatives and independent-minded moderates. And his actions …Predicting the Coming GOP Wave
More bad news for the Democrats: A group of political scientists have crunched the numbers and are predicting a 50 seat gain for the GOP in the House. Political scientists Joseph Bafumi, Robert S. Erikson and Christopher Wlezien predict a 50-seat loss for Democrats in November. They write : …Iraq in Hindsight
The last U.S. combat forces exit Iraq this week. The argument over Iraq is still nowhere near finished. The last U.S. combat forces exit Iraq this week. The argument over Iraq is still nowhere near finished. The costs of the Iraq war are evident to all. Now consider an alternative universe, …FF Live Tweets Tribute to Reagan Dinner
Friday night in Washington, Americans for Prosperity held a tribute to Ronald Reagan with speeches from Rep. Michele Bachmann and George Will. Frum Forum reporter Tim Mak is currently attending the Americans For Prosperity (AFP) Defending the American Dream Summit and is tweeting his …The Greying GOP
While CPAC has a mix of young students and professionals, the Defending the American Dream summit in Washington is a sea of grey hair and bald domes. As I was walking around to check out some of the panels at the “Defending the American Dream” summit, a nice little old lady, in either her late …The Real Cost of Flying Cheap
In Europe, I found countless discount airlines offering to fly me around for pocket change. It was only after booking my ticket that reality struck. Nearly every college student about to embark on the infamous study abroad experience has, before leaving US soil, already devised and – somewhat …The Fat Diaries: Support Your Local Egg Farm
After two egg recalls triggered by cases of salmonella, Americans are finally paying attention to the quality of their factory-sourced commercial eggs. So, America, what’s on the scare-o-meter for this month? Eggs. We’ve had spinach, dog food, beef, etc., now it’s eggs. Iowa’s Hillendal…