MY USA TODAY COLUMN IS ON OBAMA ON ART HISTORY: College And The Trades.

UPDATE: Abby Schachter writes:

Great column today about how Obama is right to say that some people should go into skilled trades instead of defaulting to college. You are also right to urge the president to speak about the great potential in any field so long as people are willing to work for it.

One point that I thought you missed however, is that it was Obama himself who only a few short years ago was speaking about college (and federalizing college loans) as the necessary path for everyone to make it. His new enthusiasm for the trades is correct but he might acknowledge (I know this is asking too much) that he was one of those voices — along with guidance counselors — urging high school grads to go to college no matter what.

Well, that’s a fair point. In Obama’s defense, back then he hadn’t had the opportunity to read my book. In my defense, honey, vinegar, flies.