Have you been listening to the recent debate about the Common Core standards? If so, you should have noticed two things. First, the objections focus on things other than the standards that comprise Common Core: Common Core is being forced upon the states by the federal government. Common Core mandates teaching methods for the states. […]
Common core opponents are forgetting one thing–the kids Read Post »
If we don’t find a better way of dealing with non-violent drug offenders, we may find ourselves building more prisons. That’s the concern of Gary C. Mohr, Director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. We’re good at putting drug offenders in jail, but we’re not doing so well helping them with their addictions, which
Drug courts can help reduce recidivism Read Post »
Have you noticed all the fighting that goes on at the statehouse and in the Capitol? It’s hardly a secret—lawmakers regularly tell us they are fighting for us. Think about how often you hear the phrase. Are our legislators really fighting, or do they actually mean they are advocating a position? Should we care about
Lawmakers “fighting” for us hardly helps Read Post »
When’s the last time you walked three miles to get the water you need for your family? Probably never, right? Much of the world is not so lucky. Millions of people travel long distances every day to get water, often using containers that once carried chemicals. Take a look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an8Da5e4vk8 PackH2O, led by Kelsey Langsdale
Making it easier to access water–what Pack H2O is doing Read Post »
Two weeks ago, the Ohio Supreme Court decided in Ohio Neighborhood Finance, Inc., v. Scott that lenders are not obligated to make payday loans under the Short-Term Loan Act, which restricted fees, and instead may lend under the Small Loan and Second Mortgage Acts, which permit significantly higher fees. The Short-Term Loan Act was passed
Short-term loan act was smoke and mirrors Read Post »
Two years ago, in response to questions about lack of uniformity in carrying out the death penalty, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor formed a task force to assess whether Ohio’s death penalty is being administered fairly. The task force recently announced its recommendations, and though it was a balanced group, some members criticized
Ohio death penalty task force got it right Read Post »
It is a criminal enterprise more profitable than the drug trade. Human trafficking targets and exploits primarily young girls, who are forced to engage in sex with strangers. It is modern day slavery, happening here in Ohio. Traffickers prey on young girls, offering the things they need. It may be shelter or food—whatever it takes
Sex trafficking captures girls even from “nice homes” Read Post »
Sometimes the lessons we learn aren’t what we would expect. You would expect to hear about faith or courage from a former prisoner of war. You wouldn’t expect a POW to talk about the destructive nature of hate, but that’s the lesson from Tom Moe, a Capital University graduate and Vietnam War POW, who served
Former POW has learned not to hate Read Post »
Don’t look now, but hell just froze over. I find myself agreeing with columnist Cal Thomas. I can’t remember his columns ever resonating with me, but there’s a first time for everything. Mind you, I don’t see eye-to-eye with Thomas just because he’s conservative. I think highly of David Brooks, who is conservative, but Brooks
Is Cal Thomas right about a double standard? Read Post »
Last month, The Dispatch published an op-ed piece of mine, “Focus needs to be on reducing gun deaths,” where I stated that, if we’re serious about reducing gun deaths, we should stop debating whether more guns result in less crime because the evidence is inconclusive.” I also questioned the credibility of John Lott, an ardent
Is gun advocate John Lott a straight shooter? Read Post »
The Dispatch reported today that Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor has abandoned four of her proposals to change judicial elections. The three ideas that remain from the proposals she suggested in early 2013 are: 1) amend the constitution so that judicial elections take place in odd years, so that only judges would be
Chief Justice O’Connor abandons some of her ideas Read Post »
Lisa and Robert Parr of Plano, Texas, were awarded $2.9 million by a jury for personal injuries and property damages sustained as a result of fracking operations conducted by Aruba Petroleum. According to CNN, Lisa suffered migraine headaches, nausea, dizziness, and her doctor found that her body had absorbed a number of chemicals. There were
Jury Awards $2.9 million in fracking case Read Post »