An open letter to first lady (and first teacher) Jill Biden
Our country must make a direct investment in the very people who have the future of our society in their hands — K-12 public school teachers. Bo Roberts is a Nashville-based marketing consultant. He may be reached at bo@roberts strategies.com. Thanks to recent Belmont University graduate Emily Vo for her research on this project.Dear madam first lady: I am writing
Read MoreOur fragile democracy calls for formidable Republicans
A modest, honorable, former Republican president leaned in close to a modest, honorable, congressional Democrat leader, and, speaking through his face mask, said: “Joe Biden is the only one who could have been elected.” Those words, relayed by receiver Rep. Jim Clyburn of S.C., stood out most amidst all the immensely moving speeches, poems and songs heard on Inauguration Day
Read MorePANDEMIC PERSPECTIVE
Dec. 7, 1941 (Invasion of Pearl Harbor): Deaths–2,035 Sep. 11, 2001 (Invasion of New York): Deaths–2,996 Dec. 3, 2020 (One day in COVID invasion of U.S.): Deaths-2,857 World War II: Total U.S. deaths: 407,316 in 3½ years COVID-19: Total U.S. deaths as Dec. 6, 2020: 281,000 in 9 months Projected total of COVID-19 deaths after
Read MoreWho owns downtown Nashville? The world does
Not long ago I found myself differing— a rare occurrence during the past several decades—- with my friend Keel Hunt’s thoughts about “Who owns downtown Nashville, and what should its future be?” That subject, the centerpiece of his most recent column, totally got my attention. I don’t think I’d be exaggerating in suggesting that downtown Nashville is owned these days,
Read MoreJULY WEEKEND MARKED END OF A SIGNIFICANT ERA
Tennessee headed for embarrassing Senate representation By Bo Roberts A long, impressive era of noteworthy U.S. senate representation in the Volunteer State is hurtling headlong towards its demise, as was illustrated so pointedly over the July Fourth weekend. It is the end of literate, ethical, non-partisan strain of politics that began with and encompassed the essence of the brilliantly diplomatic
Read MoreNever a day off
Black and white ESPN hosts have compelling end to SportsCenter By Bo Roberts “There’s never a day off from being black.” That was the essence of a riveting conversation recently on ESPN’s SportsCenter between two young, attractive anchors, who had a three-minute talk about race. It was the most compelling discussion I’ve heard in the hours and hours of remarks
Read MoreDavid Briley’s mayoral challengers should offer more constructive solutions
The constant refrains from Mayor David Briley’s challengers highlights the negatives while providing zero solutions. Mayor Briley discusses Nashville’s public schools during his State of Metro address. Mayor David Briley, Facebook.com livestream You know what? I like Nashville and I kinda like living here. Actually, I like living here a lot. Don’t you? It makes me wonder if the candidates
Read MoreCULTURE-CHANGING ACTIONS BY HASLAM THAT ARE UNDER THE RADAR
By Bo Roberts As the sand runs out on the Bill Haslam gubernatorial time clock, there were two major accomplishments during his eight years that few recognize, but which will change the culture of state government and higher education. Gov. Haslam’s major achievements, particularly in education, have rightly been praised in these pages and nationally, as well. A prime example
Read More’82 World’s Fair may hold lesson for Trump and North Korea
Maybe, just maybe (based on a personal experience years ago), there might be some hope in President Donald Trump’s recent meeting with Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader. As one who detests the performance of just about anything Trump does, and as an American, I truly hope this venture is successful beyond the momentous photo opportunity it provided for both
Read MoreLearning to despise the haters
A burning cross in my front yard, and being labeled a communist on the front page of their national publication: these were the results of my first encounter with the Ku Klux five decades ago. As events unfolded recently in Charlottesville, and closer to home in Shelbyville and Murfreesboro, my Klan interaction came flooding back. During my twenties, when I
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