Deborah Simmons

Antwan Wilson, incoming school chancellor, has tough rows to hoe

Generally speaking, public education authorities hear, see and speak no evil. Published November 28, 2016

Back to American Civics 101

Many of the youths cutting school to protest the election results do not know how America works. Some are so confused they chose fisticuffs over freedom of speech. Far too many parents have handed their children over to public schools to learn how to live. This ain't livin', as Marvin Gaye said. Published November 17, 2016

Fight poverty for Americans’ and America’s sake

Are you better off today than before Barack Obama was elected in 2008? Depends on who's doing the asking and who's answering. That's why there's got to be a better way to fight poverty. Published November 14, 2016

Veterans Day: A salute to caregivers

As Charlie's primary at-home caregiver, Emery has to make sure Charlie's physical and invisible wounds are given full-time attention. Like other parents these days, the bumps and grinds of family living can be gruesome. When PTSD and brain injuries are added to the mix, good days can seem far and few between. Published November 10, 2016

Election Day: Three things to watch for

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have claimed their respective New York City corners for Election Night: Team Clinton will be tended to at the Javits Center, while Team Trump towers at the Hilton. Published November 7, 2016

In the DMV elections, D.C. goes to pot again

Maryland and Virginia have weighty down-ticket races. In the State of Maryland, Republican Delegate Kathy Szeliga is riding on a wing and saying a prayer in hopes of keeping Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen out of retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski's seat. In a similar round of musical chairs, former Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown is trying to plop into the seat of Rep. Donna Edwards, who lost her Senate bid to Mr. Van Hollen in the Democratic primary. Published November 3, 2016

An appeal to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan

Dear Gov. Larry Hogan, I'm appealing to you on behalf of taxpayers who are not necessarily mass transit-dependent yet are hopeful that you will continue to hold tight the reins on public coffers, especially those under the purview of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), or more commonly called Metro. Published October 31, 2016

Black millennials close digital divide

They are the 18- to 34-year-old voters who could propel Hillary or Donald into the White House, as they did Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. They are also leaders. That is to say, Wall Street and its followers are captivated by millennials, and, interesting enough, black millennials are not only strong leaders of what's called a "viral vanguard" but giants of social change and social media. Published October 27, 2016

D.C. tenant legal aid could compound the city’s homelessness problem

Got a phone? You'll get a lawyer. Free. Published October 20, 2016

D.C. election fraud charges require investigation

"Democracy depends on the integrity of voting." So say some concerned registered voters in Ward 4, who claim irregularities occurred during June's closed primary elections at the hands of the D.C. Board of Elections. Published October 17, 2016

Raise D.C. Metro fares and fees

With a $275 million deficit looming, Metro leaders and elected officials need to figure out how to close that shortfall, prevent another hole and raise additional revenue to cover future expenses. Published October 13, 2016

Free school lunch isn’t free

This is National School Lunch Week, a recognition that's been popping upon in October for awhile. Published October 10, 2016

D.C. officials like sunshine, transparency — sometimes

The D.C. Council made certain the public received word that the federal oversight board to oversee Metro safety would have oodles of transparency. Sunshine is one of the most effective natural disinfectants since Genesis. Published October 6, 2016

Pence-Kaine debate should repeat history

Some history is worth repeating. Take Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, plop them onto a stage at Longwood University, and what do you get? The only vice presidential debate of the election cycle, of course, and a lesson in American history. Published October 3, 2016

Police body cameras and the Terrence Sterling video

This is what can happen when expectations are at a feverish pitch. Published September 29, 2016

Seeing and speaking in the face of the modern world’s evils

If you see something, say something. We've been reading and hearing those few simple words since terror crashed into our world on Sept. 11, 2001. Now it's time to apply them to other global problems: human trafficking, sex trafficking and child/forced labor. Published September 26, 2016

Rushern Baker ponders gubernatorial bid and PG schools still lag

Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III is weighing another run for office. This time it's the race for governor of Maryland. Published September 22, 2016

D.C. Council, regional authorities must push global tourism

As the capital of America, the District is home to embassies and the cultural elite from other nations, as well as educational institutions that cater to students and professionals from other nations. Yet there's no regional marketing push. Published September 19, 2016

Darren Sharper, rape and football Hall of Fame

Darren Sharper preyed on offensive opponents on the football field. Darren Sharper preyed on women off the field. The latter is the former, and the former is the latter. Neither deserves to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Published September 16, 2016

Paging Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker

The top elected leader of any jurisdiction shouldn't have to take the weight for everything that goes wrong. However, when that leader seeks authority over, say, education -- and receives it -- he is duty-bound to take the weight. Rushern Baker, the county executive of Prince George's County, stands as a local example. Published September 15, 2016