The Springfield News-Leader published an unsigned editorial Sunday urging the public to push for more transparency from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in its handling of investigations of teacher misconduct for certification purposes. The overarching theme of the editorial is of sound logic in suggesting greater transparency; however, the author decided [...]

by Zach Becker You might want to think twice next time before swooping in on that perfect parking spot. According to the Springfield News-Leader, a young woman allegedly pulled out an ice-pick and stabbed a man repeatedly after she felt he stole her parking spot at Chili’s Grill and Bar on Sunday. Luckily for the [...]

by Zach Becker After garnering a slew of comments on my recent blog post about the Duggars, I thought I’d take the time to respond to a few of these people. Janice says: …It doesn’t appear that they are having kids any faster than they did before they were in front of cameras. I do [...]

by Zach Becker Discerning news from non-news used to be one of the key functions of journalists and their editors. Back in the day, reporters were limited by the practical problem of limited physical space in the print edition. Some things made it, others didn’t. While I love the Internet (as I sit here blogging), [...]

by Zach Becker All Americans should have access to affordable healthcare and no one should be denied coverage by health insurers because they are sick. It’s a great ideal, but how great an idea is it in reality? Under the latest Senate bill, all Americans will be required to buy health insurance or else pay [...]

by Zach Becker It is time to declare a ceasefire. The war on drugs is a classic case of the solution being a bigger problem than the problem itself. Now, before you attack me, let me state that I have never tried nor ever intend to try any drugs. This is not the ranting of [...]

by Zach Becker I wrote an article on the Duggar family, stars of TLC’s 18 Kids and Counting, and felt I needed to follow up after comments indicated a misunderstanding of my thoughts. For one, the original article was not intended as an indictment on the Duggars, but rather ABC.com for bringing in environmentalism as [...]

by Zach Becker I was shocked after reading a controversial USA Today article discussing the quality of meat served in America’s public schools. Would someone tell me when, exactly, did they started serving meat in school lunches? Meat must have been added to the menu in the last few years, because the only thing I [...]

by Zach Becker The Duggars are destroying our planet! It’s time for the EPA to step in and put a stop to this unchecked procreation! Yes, according to an ABC.com “news” article, Michelle Duggar of the TLC program 18 Kids and Counting recently gave birth via emergency C-Section to her 19th child. While the usual [...]

by Zach Becker I saw the performance “all of America will be talking about tomorrow” for the finale of the 2009 American Music Awards, and I think America will be talking about boycotting ABC advertisers because of the offensive and tasteless crotch-fondling (and faux-blow jobbing) performance of Adam Lambert. Somehow, I doubt that is the [...]