Ron Washington: A Chicago Institution

Michael’s Still Got It

At 48, Michael Jordan can still dunk.

Quote of the Day

“I'm sick of begging members of the Senate, even those among them who have been my friends for years, to move two inches in the right direction. I'm tired of complaining. And I'm too old to bite my tongue and mute my words out of politeness and respectfulness for politicians who tell me in private that they share my views about the practices and policies that demean our teachers and threaten the survival of our public schools, but then refuse to stand up and denounce these policies in public.”

Jonathan Kozol, on why he’ll be in the streets of Washington at the end of this month.

Thank goodness he's still around.

Save Our Schools, Washington, D.C., July 30.

It’s Poverty, Stupid

More evidence, as if any were needed, that the main impediment to educational achievement is poverty, a problem for which, I hardly need add, there is no political will whatsoever to discuss much less solve. Things are getting worse, unemployment is high—structurally, permanently, very likely—and the disparities of income and wealth are growing. Meanwhile, the problem isn’t even on the agenda of either party. No wonder the so-called school reformers want to blame teachers for everything.

More from Professor Marder here and here.

Storm of the Century

We were among more than 800,000 people in the Chicago area who lost power today after a thunderstorm that lasted about 20 minutes but did more damage than any storm in at least 13 years. We're among the lucky ones: our lights are back on. Some people may have to wait days.

In our area the Kenwood neighborhood around President Obama's house seems to have taken the worst of it.

Endgame

There were plenty of blunders on both sides of this G/5 blitz game, but fortunately my worthy opponent made more of then than I did. Mate in 70something.

Chess on the 4th

Hyde Park woodpushers: For the Nth year in a row we'll have chess in Nichols Park during the 4th of July festivities on Monday. We'll be near the 54th Street cul de sac, where the chess tables used to be before they fell prey to vandalism. Come by and play a game or two. And bring the kids.