Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Zornio: Vote like democracy depends on it, because it does

Last week, as I listened to the political commentary leading up to the January 6 committee hearing, one thing continued to stand out: Republicans have a good chance at winning big this November. That’s right. According to top political pundits, the party under investigation for promulgating a deadly attack to overthrow a democratic election is […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Littwin: As the January 6 Capitol riot anniversary nears, we’re in no better shape one year later

As we approach the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection/attempted coup/riot/assault on democracy/pro-Trump demonstration gone awry/righteous protest to stop the steal/patriots come to save America/false flag operation, one thing is clear a year later — that Americans can’t begin to even agree on how to describe the assault.  And that’s just the beginning of the […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Littwin: It’s much easier to say that U.S. democracy is under attack than to figure out what to do about it

I have a young progressive friend who is working toward a Ph.D. and plans to be a professor of something or other. We’re coffee shop friends, and when we bump into each other, which is often, we usually take time to discuss the issues of the day and typically end our conversation — one nearly […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Opinion: Amid COVID-19, the benefits of science depend on the quality of our democracy

We often idolize science as something that is apolitical or should be outside the political sphere. Yet, in the midst of the historic COVID-19 pandemic, science has become a political salvo in championing some causes while jeopardizing others.  We see this across the world as governments choose whether they should open or close schools, mandate […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Opinion: Learning from the 2020 election how to teach democracy

About 157 million Americans voted for president this month, the largest turnout ever for a presidential race. Unfortunately, there remains a large number of Americans that believe that the election was rigged, and a recent survey suggests that about one third of Americans are open to QAnon conspiracy theories.  We are a country more divided […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Opinion: Debate and democracy: How “Animal Farm” presents a uniquely teachable moment

The election approaches. Presidential debates begin. Everywhere we see articles and books on the threat to our democracy.  Children will listen. Students sense the divide. Many perceive how important Nov. 3 will be.  Teachers have a role. To be sure, not to use the classroom to advocate our own personal beliefs.  Instead, to encourage discussion […]