Technology simply can’t replace teachers

December 3, 2020

COVID-19 has been an enormous challenge to the nation’s public school system. It has forced tens of millions of students to stay at home, often for months at a time, rather than go to class. Give educators credit for doing what they could with “remote learning.” Thrown suddenly into a whole new way of trying to reach students, many teachers have done remarkably well. Still, there is no substitute for having students in seats in front of a teacher. Arguing that technology can be a substitute for regular human contact is dreaming. In the wake of the epidemic, the great task ...

Trump can help, if only a little

December 2, 2020

Unless members of Congress find some way to compromise and give Americans an early Christmas through a new round of COVID-19 relief funding, the holiday season will be grim for tens of millions of people. President Donald Trump can do little about that — but he can do something. Among many flaws in the original CARES Act was a provision that states had to spend all the money allocated to them under the bill by Dec. 30. In March, that may have seemed reasonable. But the powers-that-be in Washington, where money flows out like gravy on Thanksgiving Day, failed to take into account ...

America needs a strong energy policy

December 1, 2020

During his successful election campaign, Joe Biden insisted he did not favor a “green new deal” approach to energy. Now, however, it appears he may be poised to deliver a one-two punch in that very direction. First, Biden said he will name former secretary of state John Kerry as his climate change “envoy.” Then, late last week, there was speculation Biden may choose Mary Nichols to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Nichols’ current position is head of the California Air Board. She oversees the most stringent air quality regulations in the nation. During August, ...

Biden should consider Native Americans

November 30, 2020

President-elect Joe Biden is being urged by some to include a Native American in his Cabinet, possibly as secretary of the Interior Department. If he does that, the person named would be the first Native American ever to serve in the Cabinet. Proponent of such action have a person in mind: U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M. Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna. Whether Biden name her or another Native American to his Cabinet, he should remake reforming the government’s relationship with Native Americans a priority. That could be accomplished through the Interior Department, which ...

Et Cetera

November 28, 2020

Lighting contest Thank you City of Fairmont and Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce for bringing back the Fairmont lighting contest. We all could use a little cheering up this season and seeing our community glowing with holiday lights and decorations is a great start. We encourage all households and businesses to show their holiday spirit and decorate their property. To make it a bit more affordable, you are encouraged to save your receipts from the LED bulbs and take advantage of the rebates offered by the City. Fairmont Schools At the Fairmont school board meeting this week, ...

No matter what, relief is sorely needed

November 27, 2020

Federal CARES Act assistance has been invaluable for many American families and businesses. Without it, what appears to be a record-setting recovery from the financial crisis caused by COVID-19 would not be occurring. Millions of families with laid-off breadwinners would be in desperate trouble. But most of the nearly $3 trillion in assistance authorized by the original CARES Act has been distributed. With the coronavirus hitting in a devastating new wave of death, more help is needed. Without it, a significant number of employers will collapse. They will not be part of the economic ...