Scholars, students and Erica Goldson

by Amanda Read Sheik | Aug 27, 2010 | The Washington Times Communities, World Views

Because the occupation of “student” is compulsory and socialized, its value has declined. Alert observers should have seen an interesting break from convention in the high school class of 2010.  Erica Goldson, the Valedictorian for the Coxsackie-Athens...

Dr. Wiley would not approve: BP’s Corexit mythology

by Amanda Read Sheik | Aug 22, 2010 | Politics, The Washington Times Communities, World Views

What part of “acute health hazard” does BP not understand? History shows why government approval doesn’t mean much. This month Orange Beach, Ala., resident Margaret Long discovered residue of BP’s dispersant of choice – Corexit – floating by her...

Tyranny of the Minority: Prop 8 and Judicial Activism

by Amanda Read Sheik | Aug 14, 2010 | Politics, The Washington Times Communities, World Views

The Proposition 8 ruling was acquired by a skillful game of definition rather than justice. On August 4, 2010, a marriage protecting amendment voted in to the California Constitution by the Californian majority was overturned by a member of a tiny minority.  Judge...

Of Mosques and Master’s Degrees

by Amanda Read Sheik | Aug 6, 2010 | Politics, The Washington Times Communities, World Views

“Religious expression” is banned from the debate haven of academia but could be forced near a site where thousands were murdered in the name of Islam? The New York Landmarks Preservation Commission has unanimously decided against granting landmark status...

Whether you’re Stan McChrystal, Nashville, or Elena Kagan, headlines rule

by Amanda Read Sheik | Jul 3, 2010 | Politics, The Washington Times Communities

Often it isn’t what happens, but what gets talked about that makes all the difference. When President Obama commented on General Stanley McChrystal, the greatest impression made on me was the source Obama cited as specific rationale for his approval of...

What Abby Sunderland, the ACT and BP Oil Spill May Have in Common

by Amanda Read Sheik | Jun 19, 2010 | Politics, The Washington Times Communities

While it’s tempting to dismiss Abby Sunderland’s voyage as misguided and pointless, many challenges accepted in society are just as ridiculous. GULF SHORES, AL – The solo circumnavigation voyage of 16-year-old Californian homeschooled student Abby...