Deborah Simmons

SIMMONS: Working the tweets: Prostitution crackdown to go live

Buyers beware. If all goes as planned, those of you looking to procure sex in one part of Maryland might want to suppress your urges over the next week. Published May 5, 2014

SIMMONS: Whom does legalizing marijuana really help?

Are blacks being duped? Published May 1, 2014

SIMMONS: Sterling, NAACP, two women, one lifetime

I hope the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP realizes it may have to reset its own reputation button. Published April 28, 2014

SIMMONS: A HOT D.C. is point of no return

D.C. officials are downright greedy and jealous. Published April 24, 2014

SIMMONS: Let us not forget to remember warriors in war on terror

There is no single memorial to our members of U.S. forces who were killed serving in our war on terror. Published April 21, 2014

SIMMONS: In D.C. budget battle, another who’s-in-charge decision awaits

The D.C. Council filed a lawsuit Thursday against Mayor Vincent C. Gray, accusing him of failing to carry out his duties regarding the Local Budget Autonomy Act. The complaint says "the Council is entitled to pass a budget designating local expenditures of local funds, and only passive review — as opposed to an affirmative act — by Congress is required for that budget to become law." Published April 17, 2014

SIMMONS: Food police are leaving your school kids unfed

The food police are cracking down on food options and trying to dull kids' taste buds. Moreover, they are trying to accomplish what parents have forever failed to pull off — and that's getting kids to eat foods they do not like. Published April 14, 2014

SIMMONS: Disinterest among voters hard for Republicans, independents to weather

Marc Morgan doesn't have a fellow Republican running in Tuesday's mayoral primary. As the sole GOP contender in the at-large D.C. Council race, he's a shoo-in. That doesn't mean Mr. Morgan and the other candidates can afford to be complacent. Published March 31, 2014

SIMMONS: Put adults in hot seat for system’s failure, for Relisha’s sake

When children go missing, a lot of folks out there want to immediately blame the parents, and in the case of a missing homeless girl much of the fallout is no different. Published March 27, 2014

SIMMONS: City can’t bear leaders’ silence in missing girl case

When politicians and their minions are this quiet, something's amiss. Published March 24, 2014

SIMMONS: Rev. Wilson backs Shallal in D.C. Dems’ mayoral primary

One of the nation's prominent and most vocal religious leaders has made up his mind about who he wants to win the D.C. Democratic mayoral primary in April — and you get to read it here first. Published March 20, 2014

SIMMONS: Child care is all about how much we care

Criminal and inappropriate goings-on at child care facilities and before- and after-school programs are usually headline grabbers, as well they should be. Published March 17, 2014

SIMMONS: Democratic mayoral candidates duke it out toward end game

The end game. The first black U.S. president, Barack Obama, appointed the first black U.S. attorney general, Eric H. Holder Jr., who wanted another black, Ronald C. Machen Jr., to be the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Published March 13, 2014

SIMMONS: Too close to Thompson’s tangled web, Mayor Gray should go

The mayor should step aside. What a tangled web was weaved even if they all did not intend to deceive. Published March 10, 2014

SIMMONS: Obama’s birthday gift to Barry

Although he probably was unaware, President Obama conjured up a neatly wrapped birthday gift for Marion Barry the other day. Published March 6, 2014

SIMMONS: Obama’s ‘Brother’s Keeper’ a big-government initiative that lacks faith

Recently, a man reeking and really down on his luck asked a stranger if he could give him some money for food. The stranger said, "Sure, hop in the car." The two rode to a homeless shelter, where the man bathed while the stranger bought some food and new clothing for the man, who later asked the stranger for his name. The stranger gave only his first name and encouraged the man to drop by a particular house of worship when convenient. Published February 27, 2014