I have written and podcasted extensively about political and legal issues at supremepodcast.com, care2.com, Commonweal Magazine, and other publications. I try to examine contemporary issues thoughtfully and creatively to reach my own understandings and well-reasoned analysis. I have less a sense of allegiance to party or cause, and more a belief in good judgment. This seems to be the opposite direction of the public discourse, in which politicized media now present political positions as if they were unbiased news reporting.
Having lived in several parts of the US, in Africa and Canada, and having traveled widely, I bring a perspective that recognizes realities of a world with vastly different viewpoints, experiences and possibilities. I am clear that abstract thinking and analysis offers insight into business, law, government and culture. But I also know that the arts, education, media, religion and culture shape our understanding of life.
I studied humanities at the University of California at Berkeley and law at Boston University School of Law. After joining the firm Baker & Hostetler in 1991, I worked primarily in intellectual property enforcement and litigation until 1999. Since 1999, I have taken on a wide range of professional challenges, including teaching Law & Ethics and humanities courses at The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles and the American International School of Niamey, in Niamey, Niger. I have been writing political commentary and covering the U.S. Supreme Court since 2009.
I have been particularly interested in questions about the nature of identity, understanding and bias. It is an inquiry into how critical thinking can be taught, how it works, and how it becomes corrupted. It’s an inquiry well suited for a writer trying to make fair sense of politics and culture in the world of fast media.
This website contains postings of and links to a variety of my writing and commentary most of which appeared first in other publications.
Motto: Realism should not be a limit to idealism, but should give it foundation from which to build solidly and responsibly.
Hello,
I’ve got this idea of creating a blog specifically for informing Americans what it is like to live in a variety of other countries. I’d like to start by inviting folks who have lived elsewhere to guest post on some specific features of whatever places they lived in. For example, I lived in Poland for two years, and one of mine might be about how they go out of their way to create slick patches several yards long on sidewalks in the snow . The Poles regard these are short-cuts, one easy slide and you’re several yards along. Even the pre-schoolers and the men in business suits wearing dress shoes have no problems with them, but I spent the winters in fear on stepping onto one by surprise that had been just snown over and breaking every bone in my body and either avoiding or gingerly negotiating the ones I knew about.
Would you be interested in authoring such a post?
I like your note re Poland. If I ever get to go, in winter, I hope I remember non stick shoes.
I would be happy to write one about Africa or Beijing or Montreal. I am swamped this week, but I will let it roll about in my head and see what inspires me.
Marc
I love your site. Keep it up !
Hi Marc,
I read with interest your article on immigration and the suggestion about offering an amnesty with a fee to regularise the migrant population. I live and work in Barbados as a visual artist and the issue of migration within the Caribbean is being hotly debated. I am curious to learn if this option you are suggesting has found any support and if it is likely that the Obama adminstration might consider amnesty plus fee. I produced a documentary on intra-regional Caribbean migration called On the Map and have a blog which looks at these issues – http://www.creole-chant.blogspot.com my website is http://www.annaleedavis.com – if you go to Works and then Media, you will see a trailer for On the Map. We have some frightening things happening here, sanctioned by the state, re the profiling, detention and deportation of Caribbean nationals, including a bounty on the heads of undocumented migrants, if you can believe that. Look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards. Annalee Davis