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 | Opinion Columnist |
You may remember that I wrote columns a couple of years ago about a third grade boy, Tanitoluwa Adewumi — better known as Tani — who was living in a homeless shelter when he won the New York State chess championship for his age group. Readers responded beautifully, donating housing to the Adewumis along with more than $250,000 in a GoFundMe campaign. And the Adewumis responded equally beautifully, not using the money for themselves but creating a foundation to help other needy families. |
Yet at the time, I couldn’t help worrying: Is Tani really that good? It turns out he is. He steadily improved and just cruised undefeated through a tournament for advanced players to emerge, as a 10-year-old fifth grader, as America’s newest chess master. Bravo, Tani! His story is the topic of my column today, which also explores how we can nurture other Tanis out there. It’s a great yarn, so please read! "The Deadly Oppression Of Black People: Best Pax Posts" - Introduced By Jon Stewart "Trump's Long History Of Inciting Violence And The Deadly Outcome Of His Inflammatory Rhetoric" A Comprehensive Review Of Trump's Racism (Featuring "Must-See Mash-Up Of Trump's Racist Preaching") |
When an Elephant Goes to Court… |
One of the social revolutions in its early phases around the world today is, I believe, the animal rights revolution. And it enjoyed a historic milestone this week as the New York Court of Appeals agreed to hear a habeas corpus case for an elephant named Happy. This is apparently the highest court of any English-language speaking jurisdiction that has accepted a habeas corpus case for a nonhuman. |
Getting Back at Spam Callers |
Probably like you, I love my cellphone but hate spam calls. I recently installed a couple of call blockers, including a free one from Verizon and $1.99-per-month Nomorobo, an app that has an excellent reputation in reducing calls. They’ve clearly helped. |
But When the President Calls… |
When a government official phones, it’s usually an assistant who places the call. The phone rings and someone brightly says, “Please hold for” Governor so-and-so. One time a decade ago I answered the phone and identified myself, and the person at the other end simply said: “Please hold for the secretary.” I was wondering whose secretary I was holding for when Hillary Rodham Clinton’s voice came through the earpiece. |
But the other day when my cellphone rang unexpectedly, a voice simply said: “It’s Joe Biden.” He had placed the call himself. I can’t tell you what we talked about, because we then went off the record, but I like the idea of a president down-to-earth enough to place his own phone calls. |
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