Freedom, liberty and America's birthday
America's birthday is always a reason to celebrate, even if the script is changed this year. Published June 18, 2019
Deborah Simmons
Articles by Deborah Simmons
Elected leaders should be held accountable for abuse in D.C. schools
Do you know who's minding your children? Do you want to know? If you answer 'yes,' then hold yourself, your elected leaders and their appointed educrats accountable. Published June 13, 2019
Sex, lies and idiocy
The D.C. Council is pondering legislation that would decriminalize prostitution. If passed, there might still be prostitutes walking K Street and other D.C. corridors popular to the sex trade. D.C. lawmakers say their legislative intent is take create a safe working environment for, well, sex workers by removing criminal penalties and reducing their vulnerability to exploitation and violence. Published June 10, 2019
To combat D.C. homelessness, fight residency fraud first
D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine announced Wednesday morning that the city is suing six Maryland parents for fraudulently claiming D.C. residency so they could send their children to D.C. public schools. Published June 6, 2019
The D.C. statehood vote that counts
Supporters for making the District of Columbia the 51st state are happy because the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has scheduled a hearing for July 24, when Americans everywhere and in the throes of planning for their summer fun and back-to-school routines -- not beating a drum for D.C. statehood, or Donald Trump, for that matter. Published May 30, 2019
D.C. hospital plan is wacky
Here's the dilemma: The government of the District of Columbia does not know how to own and efficiently and effectively manage a public hospital. It has tried at least five times, and failed in each attempt. Instead of conceding defeat, it's trying a fifth time. Published May 27, 2019
When Pelosi's House ignores D.C.
When Republicans and Democrats snipe at each other over spending, the hype is par for the discourse in Washington. Published May 23, 2019
Eleanor Holmes Norton stands ground on D.C. statehood with recess and a chuckle
D.C. congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton took one of her colleagues, Virginia Democrat Gerry Connolly, to school Tuesday. The issue? D.C. statehood. Published May 21, 2019
Educating the masses about vaccinations
If we really and truly want to curb the current measles outbreak and better educate U.S. residents about vaccinations in general, why not use our good ol' reliable, trusty dusty Postal Service? Published May 20, 2019
Are you a U.S. citizen?
This burning question was put to the Supreme Court: Will the 2020 census ask whether a respondent is a U.S. citizen? Published May 16, 2019
Is U.S. ready for 2020 elections?
There was a time when blacks weren't permitted to vote in America, and the truth and consequences of even trying to vote are etched in the nation's history and Americans' memories. Published May 13, 2019
Parents can't be ignorant of their child's sexual education
One of the reasons kids, teens and adults know more about sex and sexual relations is because parents shirk their responsibilities: 1., by not accepting their responsibility to be their children's first teachers, and 2., by not paying attention to what their children's teachers are and are not teaching. Published May 9, 2019
The election 2020 gunfight
The Fat Lady can't even begin to think about what dress rehearsal for election night will look like in 2020 — perhaps a politically correct rainbow affair for the inclusive crowd or a crimson gown for the conservatives. Published May 6, 2019
Food delivery for school lunch a safety risk
The kids like the convenience. But what they are not thinking about is the safety risks -- strangers on campus, vehicular and pedestrian accidents, poisoned foods, distracted authorities. Published May 2, 2019
Political shenanigans can dash hopes of people who need help the most
Politicians often have good intentions, creating programs that simultaneously offer a hand up and a hand out. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. The city of Baltimore's did not work, and its failure at stringent oversight and accountability by city authorities is why. Published April 29, 2019
Catherine Pugh must relinquish her position
When men and women wearing jackets identifying themselves as agents of the FBI or IRS or police or sheriff, your best defense is to read whatever court documents they proffer, open your door and grant them access. Published April 25, 2019
Bolster school choice
You don't have to be a top chef to know that, like oil and water, President Trump and left-of-center Democrats don't go well together — and that sensitive palates find the taste of anchovies yucky. Published April 22, 2019
Terry McAuliffe and the Democrats' 2020 strategy
American voters should get to know or reacquaint themselves with Terry McAuliffe. He's the Democratic Party's don and king who seemingly doesn't take the money and run but makes sure his own pockets runneth over. Published April 18, 2019
Term limits would drain the swamp
As the "Democratic Demolition Coalition" grows, another group of get-out-the-vote movers and shakers is on the move, too. Supporters of term limits are making their voices heard. One of them is James Baker, who lost to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in the 2018 Democratic primary and was a write-in candidate in the general election. Published April 11, 2019
Larry Hogan's smart BW Parkway push
Enter Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who is so fed up with the NPS ignoring the dangerous and gridlocked realities of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway that he has urged the state's congressional delegation into action. Published April 8, 2019
