Deborah Simmons

D.C.’s ex-mayor, ex-lawmaker team up against sitting legislator

Former D.C. Mayor Tony Williams and former D.C. Council member David Catania are co-chairs of S. Kathryn Allen's independent run for a citywide council seat, Mr. Chibbaro reported Tuesday. Published July 5, 2018

America’s Independence Day(s), press

America owes much to the press. It, too, is a founder and shared in the declaration of our freedom. Published June 28, 2018

Anti-Trumpers take the low road in high gear

As the anti-Trump movement begins shifting into high gear for the midterm elections, people are trying to grab attention and headlines however they can. It's as if they're in terrible two's mode. Published June 25, 2018

Adding ‘national’ to Rock Creek Park

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton wants to change the name of America's third-oldest national park, Rock Creek Park, to Rock Creek National Park. Published June 21, 2018

Tip and minimum wage rip off

Some voters will fall for anything. On Tuesday, they'll likely approve the "District of Columbia Minimum Wage Amendment Act of 2017," or Initiative 77, because they think they're leveling the playing field for non-tipped workers. Published June 18, 2018

Jesse Jackson’s gambit with D.C. statehood

The lying title "U.S. senator" of D.C. is a bone picker, but when residents go to the voting booths Tuesday for the city's primary elections, there it shall be. The word "shadow," however, is not included. The ballot only says "United States Senator." Published June 14, 2018

In race for primary, oily politicians forget who constituents are

It's far too easy for politicians to fall into the D.C.-centric trap — that is, to view their state from inside the Beltway. Published June 11, 2018

Rushern Baker cheats on his education exam

Democrat Rushern Baker III released his "10-Point Education Proposal to Make Maryland Schools Number One in the Country Again. His 10 points beg one question: Does any one represent a new, inovative, provocative idea? Uh, no. None does. Published June 7, 2018

Joe Biden takes on Larry Hogan

Joe Biden isn't taking any chances when it comes to Democrats givin' a lickin' to Republicans Larry Hogan and Boyd Rutherford in Maryland's gubernatorial election come November. Published June 6, 2018

World Health Organization, Scotland stir up food police vs. fat patrols battle

The food police and the fat patrols are at it again, this latest "oh no!" courtesy of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is goading "leaders" around the globe to urge us toward regular physical activity to prevent and treat noncommunicable illness. Published June 4, 2018

D.C. voters stuck in deep Democratic rut

Midterm elections have long played a special role in D.C. elections since the Watergate break-in on the first day of the summer solstice in 1972, when Washington politics became so muddied that Democrats became Republicans and black Democrats learned how to gain traction on Capitol Hill. Published May 31, 2018

D.C. police blockade blocks for Capitals fans

In honor of the Caps' going one-on-one against the inaugural Vegas Golden Knights for the Stanley Cup, the D.C. police have barricaded all main entry points to Capital One Arena, and they are prohibiting vehicles from motoring up to the front entrance. Published May 30, 2018

Schools should teach civics, police should deliver Miranda warnings

Authorities in Baltimore are following the lead of the Left Coast and considering a watered-down version of indelible rights in the U.S. Constitution regarding self-incrimination. Published May 24, 2018

Arne Duncan owes an apology

Arne Duncan, who was Barack Obama's right-hand man on public education a few short years ago, earned the Knucklehead of the Year award over the weekend when he urged parents to keep their youngsters out of school "until gun laws [are] changed to keep them safe." Published May 21, 2018

District of Columbia deserves federal oversight

The U.S. Constitution, the document that preceded the famous inscription that mentions tired, poor and hungry populations, gives control to Congress of what we now call Washington, D.C. Published May 17, 2018

Caps-Lightning fans should get on the Metrobus

Worried about Metrorail stranding you after a late Caps playoff game? As Spike Lee would tell you, just "Get on the Bus." Published May 17, 2018

Federal government ill-equipped in fighting the opioid crisis

People are overdosing on legit and illicit drugs, to be sure, and the synthetic drug problem is as real as the ill-equipped government policies. Published May 14, 2018

Roll with Rolling Thunder’s Memorial Day message

What seems to be certain is that Mr. Kim is a millennial, among the generational cohort that views history as a fluid set of values, laws and rules that are meant to be broken and changed. Published May 10, 2018

Melania Trump’s non-bullying ‘Be Best’ platform

Melania Trump, the first lady, is more popular than Donald Trump, the president, according to a new CNN survey released mere hours before she unveiled her "Be Best" initiative Monday — using a non-bullying approach for her child-centered platform. Published May 7, 2018

Sex and Washington’s art of cheerleading

Cheerleading gained provisional recognition as an Olympic sport in 2016, and it was good news for thousands of cheerleaders who receive college scholarships and prove that what's in your head as a student is as important as your skills as an athlete. Unfortunately, common sense isn't always the top priority when it comes to the fine art of sexualized sports. Published May 3, 2018