Progressive Nashville

O'Reilly discovers black America

    Well, fear and ignorance seem to be the topics this morning. Apparently Bill O'Reilly thought black America was all about guns and drugs, so when he finds that African-American families like to sit down and enjoy a pleasant meal, the idea just shocked him.
    According to the AP, "After eating dinner at a famed Harlem restaurant recently, Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly told a radio audience he 'couldn't get over the fact' that there was no difference between the black-run Sylvia's and other restaurants."
    And this is a guy a lot of people depend upon for information about the world in which they live. Clearly Bill doesn't get out much and, when he does, he tries to avoid mixing with the huddled masses.

Towns rethink immigration crackdowns

    The New York Times is reporting today about how towns that decided to go to war against illegal immigration are finding that they need the very people they're trying to drive away.
    It seems the people they were afraid of really were contributing positively to the town and, without them, the community suffers.
    Actions taken out of fear rarely produce positive results. Undocumented immigrants come here for the same reasons most of our ancestors did -- to find better lives for themselves and their families. It's time to realize that there is no reason to fear those from other lands. They didn't make the sacrifice to give up their homes and families to come here and cause trouble. They just want better lives.
    And if we can learn to accept that, we all can benefit instead of wasting time struggling with fear.

Good choices for Metro committees

    Newly-elected vice mayor Diane Neighbors has made some good choices for Metro committees.
    At the critical position of Budget and Finance she has installed Progressive Erik Cole. Cole was co-chair of Karl Dean's campaign, meaning there should be harmony on where the government's money actually goes.
    Education will be led by another strong Progressive, Mike Jameson. While Jameson headed David Briley's campaign, he should work well with Dean on education initiatives. Jameson will also be keenly aware of the needs of East Nashville schools where graduation rates are in need of a boost.
    Health, hospitals and social services go to a freshman, Jerry Maynard. More than any other member of the council, Maynard understands the needs of society's most vulnerable. He will be a strong, passionate advocate for them.
    The other appointments look good, as well. With these leaders at the helm, we can hope for a government more about serving the people of Nashville than special interests.

Once again, the Tennessean has no clue

    The Tennessean was shocked this morning to learn that Metro Nashville schools don't buy new textbooks every year. Can you imagine not offering books that include the ongoing occupation of Iraq and Hurricane Katrina?
    Well, duh, they call it history for a reason.
    Ignoring the cost of buying new textbooks each year, the writing of history requires a certain perspective. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, authors have more information with which to put events in perspective.
    The story is just another example of a media-created story over a problem that doesn't exist.
    What may be of greater concern is the likely coming of paperless classrooms. Friends of ours in education say textbook companies are working to put their textbooks on line rather than create printed versions.
    While the idea has logic to it, it does raise questions about the effect it would have on poor students. The school can provide all students with computers, but at this point, high speed Internet connections can't be provided in all homes. Students wanting to explore the text, or even the school's library, could see their access limited to school hours while students from more affluent families enjoy the advantages of homes that can afford such amenities.
    A free public education must be open and available equally to all students. That includes the chance for students to seek knowledge that goes beyond the day-to-day work in classrooms. Such activities could help students learn the difference between history and current events -- a lesson Tennessean editors clearly missed.