Wear the mask and do as I say
To lean in on the words of Donald John Trump, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is a "swamp" creature, a member of the silent generation who's waded in Washington waters since 1973. Published January 18, 2021
Deborah Simmons
Articles by Deborah Simmons
Who does Chuck Schumer mean by 'we?'
A lot depends on what Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer do in the next few weeks and months. All four will be trying to placate young people, who have been moved to protest for the past couple of years and allowed to skip school in the name of free speech and civics lessons. Published January 14, 2021
MLK and Inauguration Day shutdown
Martin Luther King Jr. Day won't be the same next week, neither will Inauguration Day two days later on Jan. 20. Published January 11, 2021
The new D.C. agenda
Having been duly sworn in on Jan. 2, the new D.C. Council should be preparing to wrestle with the No. 1 and No. 2 issues facing the nation's capital: spending and the pandemic. Published January 4, 2021
Refocus like the Bible Belt on what matters
It's time to refocus on what really and truly matters -- unity -- especially as we turn the bend to 2021. Published December 31, 2020
Who is Dwayne Haskins Jr.?
There's something not quite right with the Dwayne Haskins Jr. backstory. The bio for the former "starting" quarterback for the Washington Football Team never seemed, well, to square with his pre-2019 NFL draft story. Published December 28, 2020
Beware of COVID-19 scams and fraudsters
If you or someone you care about lives in or around Baltimore, beware. Some COVID-19 test sites are rip-offs. Published December 21, 2020
No Inauguration Day throngs for Biden, Harris
You know what no tickets will be allocated for Inauguration Day means for the D.C. region in general and its Metro system in particular: A day off is likely, and losses in revenue are certain. So now the burning question: Does the buck stop at Joe Biden's desk, with Congress or the ambitious Pete Buttigieg, the boy wonder slated to hold the reins of the Department of Transportation? Published December 17, 2020
Transit agencies need black Sharpies -- ASAP
Mass transit systems from coast to coast are drumming the same tune: They need a congressional bailout and they need it now. Published December 7, 2020
D.C. has options with COVID-19 vaccine
It's not easy being the mayor of the nation's capital. Published December 3, 2020
Dear Santa, kids want the 'germ' to go away
Some kids are so fearful they're even writing letters to you about the germ and how they want the germ to go away. Published November 30, 2020
What is the role of a police chief?
Well, Peter Newsham is on his way out the door as chief of the D.C. police. He plans to leave after Inauguration Day events. His departure is not the end of the world, but it does beg a pertinent question: What, precisely, is the role of a police chief? Published November 26, 2020
Stick to the basics for a happy Thanksgiving
Faith, family, village, food and football -- all stirred with loving and giving hands -- and never, ever argue when preparing and cooking food. In other words, ignore the acid and criticism on reality TV and social media, temptations that can lead to "acidic" food, which, in turn, can bring on acute indigestion. Stick to the basics. Published November 23, 2020
Hey Chairman Mendelson, what's up?
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has been juggling budgets since the pandemic hit. However, what he has yet to do is hold a press conference to announce how much money the city has spent so far battling COVID-19. Published November 19, 2020
School Joe Biden on education
As the husband of an educator who stayed home with their children when they were young, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden likely appreciates the similarities of teaching and learning. Published November 12, 2020
D.C. gals rule the roost
The complete list of winners and losers from the Nov. 3 elections is lengthy. The District of Columbia, though, is a unique fishbowl. Not only because it is the nation's capital, but because its hybrid status allows RINOs, DINOs, Libbies, Greenies and Shadows to game the democratic system. Women candidates latched on and, if Tuesday's elections results run the current course, will control the political, cultural and socio-economic strings. Published November 4, 2020
All eyes on election results 2020
Tuesday's the day. Election Day. And the day after, if you live in the nation's capital or around the Beltway, all eyes and ears will be focused on election results after what happened on Election Day 2016, when The Donald beat Hillary. Published November 2, 2020
Tricks, treats and scaredy-cat teachers unions
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, so too does the battle for reopening public schools. Published October 29, 2020
Celebrity families feud over Trump, Biden
Let's move onto another platform, a fun-for-the-sake-of-fun platform, like where celebrities stand on Biden-Harris versus Trump-Biden. It's a worthy distraction if you didn't watch the final debate. Published October 22, 2020
National Harbor has a problem
National Harbor, a U.S. Census-designated site, is being overtaken by youths and nefarious ne'er-do-wells, including partygoers, restaurant-goers who skip out on their bills and -- get this -- parents and other adults who rent hotel rooms for the careless young people. Published October 19, 2020
