Is the Brewers’ Threat Real?

While I wait for the second half of the baseball season to get underway I thought I’d spend another day musing about the Brewers’ owners’ threat to leave Milwaukee unless the taxpayers pony up about $300 million to spiff up AmFam Field. If the Brewers are making a credible threat then they have to haveContinue reading “Is the Brewers’ Threat Real?”

The Brewers’ Fake Grass Coalition

It’s the All Star break. A week — well, really only four days — without baseball. Still, time to stretch and, for me, an opportunity to toss some fastballs up and in at the Brewers’ ownership group, just to keep them from crowding the plate. The Milwaukee Brewers play on real grass at American FamilyContinue reading “The Brewers’ Fake Grass Coalition”

Why the Affirmative Action Decision Might Not Matter

One reason that the Supreme Court’s decision ending race-based preferences in university admissions probably will be less significant than it might seem is that, for the vast majority of college applicants, it simply won’t matter much. That’s because most colleges accept most of those who apply. It’s only a relative handful of schools that areContinue reading “Why the Affirmative Action Decision Might Not Matter”

Madison’s New Superintendent

I’ve found the Madison public schools’ new superintendent. Her name is Katharine Birbalsingh. The British educator, 49, has developed an international reputation for a no-nonsense approach. She was the subject of a lengthy interview in the Wall Street Journal over the weekend. Here are some inspiring excerpts. Ms. Birbalsingh herself is of mixed heritage, withContinue reading “Madison’s New Superintendent”

Consider Automatic Admissions on Merit

Legislative Republicans have an idea that’s not half-bad. A proposal is floating around the Wisconsin Legislature to require the UW to grant automatic admission to any Wisconsin student who graduates in the top 5% of their high school class. They might not intend it this way, but it looks like that could be a significantContinue reading “Consider Automatic Admissions on Merit”

America is About Classical Liberal Values

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Independence Day than to reprise the Harper’s letter. Issued three year ago by a group of distinguished scholars, writers, scientists and artists and published in Harper’s Magazine, it was titled, A Letter on Justice and Open Debate. In normal times a statement like this might haveContinue reading “America is About Classical Liberal Values”

Why I Like This Supreme Court

We have a classically liberal Supreme Court. In three and a half major cases this term SCOTUS’ decisions made America better. As a classical liberal, I support the Court’s decisions in three of these cases and I kind of support the fourth (hence the half). But before I get to that it’s important to noteContinue reading “Why I Like This Supreme Court”