Longer Step: Ideas for Justice and Sustainability

  My friend is inclined to not let her daughter apply to Vanderbilt, because of the risk she might get pregnant in Tennessee. Wow. This could hurt Duke, UT Austin, Washington University St Louis, Emory and other good southern schools as well. When I attended Vanderbilt, one of the best parts of it was meeting students from all over the country and the world. When we lose geographic diversity in our universities, we lose a lot. All because of idiocy and hatred in state legislatures. It's another form of a war against education. (photo credit: Shutterstock)

  I love following the US women in the World Cup. But they played so poorly in their first three games, and Sweden (ranked #3 in the world) played so well, that when the oddsmakers came out favoring the US to win today, I knew the smart bet was on Sweden. The odds were really lopsided. The US was a clear favorite: For very dollar you bet, you would get $2.50 back if Sweden won. This was despite the facts that: The US was missing five starters to injuries; the US was missing its best midfielder due to two yellow cards; the US front was playing really lousy, uninspired soccer for all of its first 3 games in the Cup; and I thought "everybody knew" how great a team Sweden is. So I placed a big bet on Sweden to win. The game was at 2am today. SURPRISE! The US played the best soccer I've seen in maybe their last 10 games. Inspired, hard-working, driven. But they could not score against Sweden. Similarly, Sweden was outplayed on the field by the US today, but they did have some ...