DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: LET'S OPPROBRIATE THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM

 DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

LET'S OPPROBRIATE THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM

Billionaires, Dark Money, Super PACs, Citizens United, 501 C3,4,6: A Journey Through America's Campaign Finance System

Let's talk about billionaires. No, not the ones who made their money by creating innovative products or services that benefit society. We're talking about the ones who have so much money that they can buy politicians like they're shopping for groceries. You know, the ones who use their wealth to influence our political system and shape our laws to their liking. Yeah, those billionaires.

But how do they do it? How do they manage to wield so much power over our democracy? Well, it all starts with a little thing called "dark money". No, it's not a new brand of chocolate that you can only buy on the black market. It's actually a term used to describe political spending by nonprofit organizations that don't disclose their donors. And let me tell you, these nonprofits are like the ninja warriors of the campaign finance world. They operate in the shadows, using their vast resources to sway elections without anyone knowing who's behind them. It's like a game of political hide-and-seek, except the billionaires always win.

So how did we get here? Well, it all started with a Supreme Court case called Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. This landmark decision basically said that corporations and unions have the same free speech rights as individuals when it comes to political spending. In other words, they can spend as much money as they want to influence elections. And boy, did they take advantage of that.

Enter the super PACs. These are political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, individuals, and associations to support or oppose candidates and causes. It's like a giant slush fund for billionaires who want to buy elections. And let me tell you, they don't hold back. They'll spend millions of dollars on attack ads, mailers, and other forms of propaganda just to get their preferred candidate elected. It's like watching a bunch of kids play Monopoly, except instead of fake money, they're using real money to buy politicians.

But wait, there's more! Not all nonprofits are created equal. Some are 501(c)(3) organizations, which are prohibited from engaging in political activity and must disclose their donors to the IRS but not to the public. Others are 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations, which are allowed to engage in some political activity and don't have to disclose their donors to anyone. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure book for billionaires. Do you want to be transparent and disclose your donors? Or do you want to operate in secret and avoid public scrutiny? The choice is yours!

And let's not forget about the hilarious names these super PACs come up with. American Crossroads? Priorities USA Action? Right to Rise? Conservative Solutions PAC? These sound more like failed startup companies than political action committees. It's like they hired a bunch of marketing consultants to come up with the most generic names possible. I mean, can you imagine if they named them after actual policies or issues? "Vote for Me Because I Hate Taxes and Love Guns PAC" doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

But here's the thing: all this money and influence comes at a cost. It undermines our democracy and erodes public trust in our government. It creates a system where politicians are more beholden to their billionaire donors than to their constituents. It perpetuates inequality and perpetuates the myth that money equals speech. It's like we're living in a real-life version of The Hunger Games, except instead of districts fighting each other for survival, it's billionaires fighting for control of our government.

So what can we do about it? Well, we can start by demanding transparency and accountability in our campaign finance system. We can support candidates who refuse to take money from super PACs and dark money groups. We can pressure our elected officials to pass laws that limit the influence of money in politics. And most importantly, we can use our own voices and votes to make our voices heard.

In conclusion, billionaires, dark money, super PACs, Citizens United, 501(c)(3), (4), (6)... it's all a big joke. A joke that's not very funny. But if we want to change the punchline, we need to start taking action now. So let's put on our big boy and girl pants and fight for a democracy that works for everyone, not just the ones with the most money. Because at the end of the day, that's what democracy is all about: giving everyone a voice, not just the ones who can afford it.

THE DEFT DIVE 

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was a **landmark decision** of the Supreme Court of the United States regarding **campaign finance laws** and **free speech** under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution¹. The court held 5–4 that the freedom of speech clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting **independent expenditures** for political campaigns by corporations, including nonprofit corporations, labor unions, and other associations¹.

The case began after Citizens United, a conservative non-profit organization, sought to air and advertise a film critical of then Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton shortly before the 2008 Democratic primary elections¹. Broadcasting the film would have been a violation of the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which prohibited any corporation, non-profit organization, or labor union from making an "electioneering communication" within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of an election, or making any expenditure advocating the election or defeat of a candidate at any time¹. Citizens United challenged the constitutionality of this law, and its case reached the Supreme Court.

The effect of the Citizens United decision on the American political system has been significant and controversial. The ruling has ushered in **massive increases in political spending** from outside groups, dramatically expanding the already outsized political influence of wealthy donors, corporations, and special interest groups². The ruling also led to the creation of **super PACs**, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from individuals, corporations, unions, and other groups, as long as they do not coordinate with candidates or parties². Additionally, the ruling enabled the growth of **dark money**, which refers to political spending by nonprofit organizations that do not disclose their donors². These developments have raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of campaign finance in the United States, as well as the potential for corruption and undue influence by wealthy interests.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) Citizens United v. FEC - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC.

(2) Citizens United Explained | Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/citizens-united-explained.

(3) FEC | Legal | Citizens United v. FEC. https://www.fec.gov/legal-resources/court-cases/citizens-united-v-fec/.

(4) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010). https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/citizens_united_v._federal_election_commission_%282010%29.

Super PACs are political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, individuals, and associations to support or oppose candidates and causes¹. Some examples of super PACs are:

• - **American Crossroads**: A conservative super PAC founded by Karl Rove, which has supported Republican candidates and causes¹.
• - **Priorities USA Action**: A liberal super PAC that has supported Democratic candidates and causes, particularly in recent presidential elections¹.
• - **Right to Rise**: A super PAC that supported Jeb Bush's failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016².
• - **Conservative Solutions PAC**: A super PAC that supported Marco Rubio's failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016².
• - **The Lincoln Project**: A super PAC formed by former Republicans who opposed Donald Trump's presidency and reelection³.
• - **EMILY's List**: A super PAC that supports left-leaning, female, pro-choice candidates running for office⁴.
• - **Future Forward**: A liberal super PAC that spent heavily on anti-Trump ads in the 2020 election⁵.
• - **American Bridge 21st Century**: A liberal super PAC that conducts opposition research and runs ads against Republican candidates⁵.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) List of SuperPACs | SuperPACs.com. https://www.superpacs.com/list.

(2) The Role of Super PACs in US Politics - ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-super-pac-3367928.

(3) Super PACs • OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/super-pacs/2020.

(4) What is a PAC? Political Action Committee types, explained. - USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/10/20/political-action-committee-types-explained/10535070002/.

(5) The Leading Democratic Super PACs of 2020 - Blue Tent. https://bluetent.us/articles/campaigns-elections/leading-democratic-super-pacs-of-2020/.

Super PACs are required to report their donors to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on a monthly or semiannual basis in off-years, and monthly in the year of an election². You can find out who is funding a super PAC by accessing the FEC website and searching for the name of the super PAC. You can also use other websites that track and analyze campaign finance data, such as OpenSecrets.org³, which provides detailed information on super PACs' receipts and expenditures. Another option is to use an app like Super PAC App, which allows you to identify the super PAC behind a political ad by holding up your phone to the TV⁴. However, some super PACs may receive money from nonprofit organizations that do not disclose their donors, making it difficult to trace the original sources of funding. This is often referred to as **dark money**⁵.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/.

(2) Use Super PAC App To Find Out Who Is Funding Political Ads. https://www.cultofmac.com/186641/use-super-pac-app-to-find-out-who-is-funding-political-ads/.

(3) Nine things you need to know about super PACs. https://sunlightfoundation.com/2012/01/31/nine-things-you-need-know-about-super-pacs/.

(4) Registering as a Super PAC - FEC. https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/filing-pac-reports/registering-super-pac/.

(5) Super PACs • OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/super-pacs/2020.

Nonprofits do not disclose their donors for various reasons, depending on the type and purpose of the organization. Some nonprofits, such as 501(c)(3) organizations, are prohibited from engaging in political activity and must disclose their donors to the IRS, but not to the public¹. These organizations may want to protect the privacy and anonymity of their donors, who may not want to be associated with certain causes or issues. Other nonprofits, such as 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations, are allowed to engage in some political activity and do not have to disclose their donors to the IRS or the public². These organizations may want to avoid public scrutiny or backlash from their political spending, or shield their donors from potential harassment or retaliation. Some of these nonprofits may also receive money from other nonprofit organizations that do not disclose their donors, creating a layer of opacity that makes it difficult to trace the original sources of funding. This is often referred to as **dark money**³. However, some states may require nonprofits to disclose their donors for purposes related to state tax administration, enforcement of state campaign finance laws, or enforcement of state consumer protection laws². Nonprofits that operate in multiple states may have to comply with different disclosure requirements depending on the state laws.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) 501(c)(3) Organizations Must Meet Inspection and Disclosure .... https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/tax-exempt_nonprofits_must_meet_inspection_and_disclosure_requirements.pdf.

(2) Should Nonprofits Be Required To Publicly Disclose Their Donors? - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/timothyjmcclimon/2019/09/16/should-nonprofits-be-required-to-publicly-disclose-their-donors/.

(3) IRS Issues Final Regulations on Nonprofit Donor Disclosure on Form 990 .... https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2020/05/irs-issues-final-regulations-on-nonprofit-donor.

(4) Dark Money Basics • OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/dark-money/basics.

(5) Public Disclosure Requirements for 501c3 Nonprofits - Form 1023 Tax .... https://form1023.org/tax-exempt-organizations-public-disclosure-requirements.

Nonprofits engage in political activity in different ways, depending on the type and purpose of the organization. Some nonprofits, such as 501(c)(3) organizations, are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activity, which involves supporting or opposing individual candidates or political parties¹. However, they can engage in nonpartisan political activity, which involves educating the public about social issues, advocating for their mission and cause, and encouraging civic participation². For example, a nonprofit that works on environmental issues can publish a report on climate change, lobby for environmental legislation, or organize a voter registration drive, as long as they do not endorse or oppose any candidates or parties. Other nonprofits, such as 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations, are allowed to engage in some partisan political activity, as long as it is not their primary purpose³. They can support or oppose candidates or parties through independent expenditures, such as ads or mailers, but they cannot coordinate with candidates or parties or donate money directly to them³. For example, a nonprofit that works on gun rights can run an ad supporting a candidate who shares their views on gun policy, but they cannot give money to the candidate's campaign or consult with the candidate on the ad.

Political activity by nonprofits is legal as long as they follow the rules and regulations that apply to their type of organization. The main agency that monitors nonprofits for compliance of federal regulations is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which grants tax-exempt status to nonprofits and reviews their annual tax returns⁴. The IRS can revoke the tax-exempt status of a nonprofit that violates the rules on political activity, or impose penalties such as excise taxes or fines⁴. However, the IRS does not have the authority to regulate the content or quality of political speech by nonprofits. Other agencies that may have some oversight over nonprofits and political activity include the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which enforces campaign finance laws and requires disclosure of some political spending by nonprofits, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates broadcast media and requires disclosure of some political advertising by nonprofits.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) Rules Governing Nonprofits and Political Activity: A Brief Overview .... https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/rules-governing-nonprofits-and-political-activity-brief-overview.

(2) Nonprofit Organizations And Politics: Be Sure To Toggle - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2019/09/13/nonprofit-organizations-and-politics-be-sure-to-toggle/.

(3) How Political Activity by Noprofits Is Regulated - LiveAbout. https://www.liveabout.com/can-nonprofits-engage-in-political-activity-2501879.

(4) Nonprofits and Political Activities | Charity Lawyer Blog. https://charitylawyerblog.com/2019/02/25/nonprofits-political-activities/.

Dark money donors are hard to identify because they use various methods to hide their identities and sources of funding. However, some websites and organizations have tried to track and expose some of the top dark money donors by analyzing tax forms, campaign finance reports, and other public records. Based on the data from OpenSecrets.org¹, which is one of the most comprehensive sources of information on dark money, here is a list of the top 20 dark money donors in the 2020 election cycle, ranked by the amount of grants they gave to politically active nonprofits and their affiliates:

• - **Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce**: $323,936,500
• - **Center to Protect Patient Rights**: $169,148,666
• - **Crossroads GPS**: $64,200,000
• - **Sea Change Foundation**: $62,219,482
• - **ClimateWorks**: $51,500,000
• - **TC4 Trust**: $47,505,300
• - **Atlantic Advocacy Fund**: $42,692,000
• - **Americans for Job Security**: $24,645,750
• - **Advocacy Fund**: $24,307,616
• - **Wellspring Committee**: $24,167,552
• - **Sixteen Thirty Fund**: $21,500,000
• - **American Action Network**: $20,000,000
• - **America Votes Action Fund**: $19,500,000
• - **American Future Fund**: $18,250,000
• - **American Encore**: $17,750,000
• - **America's Voice Education Fund**: $16,500,000
• - **American Bridge 21st Century Foundation**: $16,250,000
• - **The 1630 Fund**: $15,500,000
• - **Defending Democracy Together**: $15,250,000
• - **The Fairness Project Action Fund**: $15,000,000

These donors represent a mix of conservative and liberal groups that have various agendas and interests. Some of them are affiliated with prominent figures or organizations in politics or business. For example:

• - Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce is a conservative group that was founded by the Koch brothers and has supported Republican candidates and causes².
• - Center to Protect Patient Rights is a conservative group that was also linked to the Koch network and has funded various groups that opposed Obamacare and other liberal policies³.
• - Crossroads GPS is a conservative group that was co-founded by Karl Rove and has supported Republican candidates and causes.
• - Sea Change Foundation is a liberal group that has funded various environmental groups and initiatives.
• - ClimateWorks is a liberal group that has funded various climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• - TC4 Trust is a conservative group that has funded various groups that opposed Obamacare and other liberal policies.
• - Atlantic Advocacy Fund is a liberal group that has funded various groups that supported immigration reform and other progressive causes.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) Top Donors • OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/dark-money/top-donors.

(2) ‘Dark money’ topped $1 billion in 2020, largely ... - OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2021/03/one-billion-dark-money-2020-electioncycle/.

(3) Democrats Decried Dark Money. Then They Won With It in 2020.. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/29/us/politics/democrats-dark-money-donors.html.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) Dark money - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_money.

(2) Senate examines role of ‘dark money’ in delaying climate action. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/21/senate-budget-committee-dark-money-climate-action?ref=upstract.com.

(3) Dark Money Definition - Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/dark-money.asp.

(4) Dark Money Basics • OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/dark-money/basics.

OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCE BY A ENSEMBLE IN A POLITICAL DRAMA - GOP FEVER DREAM THE CENSURE OF REP. ADAM SCHIFF

 

OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCE BY A ENSEMBLE IN A POLITICAL DRAMA

GOP FEVER DREAM: THE CENSURE OF REP. ADAM SCHIFF

Are you ready to take a gander into the latest political drama? Buckle up, because the GOP fever dream is in full swing with the censure of Rep. Adam Schiff. And who's leading the way? None other than the MAGA crazies themselves.

First, let's talk about the ensemble performance that deserves an Oscar. The Republicans have truly outdone themselves in their portrayal of a group of bumbling buffoons trying to take down Schiff. It's like watching a bunch of toddlers try to play chess - you can't help but laugh at their ineptitude.

But let's not forget about Schiff, who is giving an Oscar-worthy performance of his own. He's like the calm, collected hero in the middle of a tornado of chaos. The Republicans are throwing everything they've got at him, but he just keeps on truckin'.

Now, onto the actual drama. The GOP is trying to censure Schiff for his role in the impeachment inquiry. Apparently, they're upset that he paraphrased President Trump's infamous "perfect" phone call with the Ukrainian president. But let's be real - they're just mad that Schiff is doing his job and holding Trump accountable for his actions.

And who's leading the charge? The MAGA crazies, of course. These are the same people who believe that Trump is a stable genius and that climate change is a hoax. They're like a cult, blindly following their leader no matter what he says or does.

But here's the thing - censuring Schiff isn't going to change the fact that Trump tried to coerce a foreign country into investigating his political rival. It's like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound - it might make you feel better temporarily, but it's not going to solve the underlying problem.

So, to sum it up - the GOP is staging a political drama that would make Shakespeare roll in his grave, and the MAGA crazies are leading the charge. But in the end, it's all just a distraction from the real issue at hand - Trump's blatant abuse of power. And if you ask me, that's not very funny at all.

SE Cupp: The hypocrisy of censuring Adam Schiff | CNN https://www.cnn.com/videos/opinions/2023/06/22/adam-schiff-censure-house-gop-se-cupp-vpx.cnn 

House votes along party lines to censure Rep. Adam Schiff : NPR https://www.npr.org/2023/06/21/1183564794/schiff-censure-house-republicans 

House erupts in disorder after Republicans censure top Democrat Adam Schiff, in rare move https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-republicans-poised-censure-adam-schiff/story?id=100281804

PANDEMIC KILLS STANDARDIZED TESTING SCORES

  PANDEMIC KILLS STANDARDIZED TESTING SCORES 

AS WELL AS OVER 1300 TEACHERS AND STAFF AND 1,015 STUDENTS

Are you ready for some devastating news? The pandemic has claimed more victims than we thought: standardized testing scores. Yes, you read that right. Those pesky tests that have caused countless students to break out in hives and teachers to lose sleep have fallen victim to the pandemic.

You might be wondering how this is possible. Well, it's simple. With schools closing down and transitioning to online learning, students were left without the traditional classroom environment that they were used to. No more in-person lectures, no more group projects, no more pop quizzes (well, maybe that's a good thing). Instead, students were forced to adapt to a new way of learning that didn't exactly cater to their strengths.

As a result, standardized testing scores have plummeted. It's like the pandemic took a wrecking ball to the education system and left nothing but chaos in its wake. And to make matters worse, over 1300 teachers and staff have lost their lives due to the virus, along with 1,015 students. It's a tragedy that we can't even begin to comprehend.

But let's not dwell on the negative. Instead, let's focus on the silver lining. With standardized testing scores taking a hit, maybe we can finally start to question the validity of these tests. Are they really an accurate measure of a student's intelligence? Or are they just a way for schools to rank themselves against each other?

It's time for us to rethink the way we approach education. We need to focus on individualized learning and cater to each student's unique strengths and weaknesses. We need to prioritize hands-on learning and real-world experiences over memorization and regurgitation.

So, while the pandemic may have caused some damage to our education system, it's also given us an opportunity to make some much-needed changes. Let's take this as a wake-up call and start working towards a better future for our students. After all, they're the ones who will be leading us into the future.

THE DEFT DIVE

NAEP Scores Show Effects of Pandemic: Duh. https://dianeravitch.net/2023/06/22/naep-scores-shiw-effects-of-pandemic-duh/ via @dianeravitch

According to Education Week¹, as of December 19, 2022, at least **1,308** active and retired K-12 educators and personnel had died of COVID-19 in the US. Of those, **451** were active teachers. The New York Times² reports that the American Federation of Teachers, one of the nation’s largest teachers’ unions, knows of at least **530** educators who have died from COVID-19 as of January 29, 2021. CNN³ and The Guardian⁵ also mention that hundreds of educators have died of COVID-19, but there is no definitive number that records exactly how many.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) Educators We Lost to COVID, 2020-2022 - Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/educators-weve-lost-to-the-coronavirus/2020/04.

(2) The Impact of Teacher Deaths - The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/29/us/the-impact-of-teacher-deaths.html.

(3) Teachers have lost colleagues to Covid-19 and worry about being ... - CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/03/us/teachers-dying-covid-trnd/index.html.

(4) ‘Exhausted and underpaid’: teachers across the US are leaving their .... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/teachers-quitting-jobs-covid-record-numbers.

(5) Investigative report into US state teacher retirement system data .... https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2022/08/22/ret--a22.html.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)¹, as of December 18, 2021, at least **1,015** children ages 0–17 have died from COVID-19 in the United States. The New York Times² reports that more than **397,000** cases have been identified on college campuses since the pandemic began. The World Socialist Web Site³ also mentions that at least **2,101** educators and school staff have died from COVID-19. However, these numbers may not be complete or accurate, as different sources may have different methods of collecting and reporting data.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) Provisional COVID-19 Deaths: Focus on Ages 0-18 Years - Data. https://data.cdc.gov/NCHS/Provisional-COVID-19-Deaths-Focus-on-Ages-0-18-Yea/nr4s-juj3.

(2) Tracking the Coronavirus at U.S. Colleges and Universities. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-college-cases-tracker.html.

(3) Over 1,000 children have died from COVID-19 in the United States. https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/21/chi1-d21.html.

(4) Coronavirus: COVID Deaths in U.S. by Age, Race. https://www.acsh.org/news/2020/06/23/coronavirus-covid-deaths-us-age-race-14863.

The vaccination rates among students and teachers may vary by state, school district, and age group. According to the CDC¹, as of April 6, 2021, nearly **80 percent** of Pre-K-12 teachers, school staff, and childcare workers received at least their first shot of COVID-19 vaccine. According to The New York Times³, as of October 4, 2021, about **95 percent** of all full-time school employees in New York City have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, including **96 percent** of teachers and **99 percent** of principals. However, these numbers may not reflect the current situation or the national average, as vaccination rates may change over time and depend on various factors such as vaccine availability, eligibility, and mandates.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) Nearly 80 percent of teachers, school staff, and childcare workers .... https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0406-teachers-staff-vaccine.html.

(2) Vaccination rates rise among teachers and other employees as a mandate .... https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/04/nyregion/vaccination-rates-rise-among-teachers-as-mandate-takes-effect-in-nyc-schools.html.

(3) Vaccination Coverage with Selected Vaccines and Exemption Rates Among .... https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7116a1.htm.

The pandemic has had a negative effect on standardized testing scores for many students across the country. According to a federal study¹, math and reading scores for America's 9-year-olds fell dramatically during the first two years of the pandemic, with reading scores seeing their largest decrease in 30 years and math scores having their first decrease in the history of the testing regimen. The study also found that students of color saw some of the steepest decreases, widening the racial achievement gap. Other sources²³⁴⁵⁶ also report similar findings of lower test scores and increased learning gaps during the pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted schools' vaccination requirement and provisional enrollment policies, documentation, and assessment activities. As schools continue to return to in-person learning, enforcement of vaccination policies and follow-up with undervaccinated students are important to improve vaccination coverage.

Bing, 6/22/2023

(1) 13-year-olds lack 'basic skills' in reading, math as standardized test scores reach lowest in years: US data. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/13-year-olds-lack-basic-skills-in-reading-math-as-standardized-test-scores-reach-lowest-in-years-us-data/ar-AA1cQrYj.

(2) Online learning again linked to lower test scores. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/online-learning-again-linked-to-lower-test-scores/ar-AA1cxGpD.

(3) Latest national test results show striking drop in 13-year-olds’ math and reading scores. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/since-the-pandemic-13-year-olds-have-lost-ground-in-math-and-reading/ar-AA1cP2nT.

(4) Math, reading scores plummet during COVID-19 : NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/09/01/1120510251/reading-math-test-scores-pandemic.

(5) The pandemic has had devastating impacts on learning. What ... - Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2022/03/03/the-pandemic-has-had-devastating-impacts-on-learning-what-will-it-take-to-help-students-catch-up/.

(6) Class During Covid: The “Covid-slide” in standardized test scores. https://www.nbc15.com/2021/01/25/class-during-covid-the-covid-slide-in-standardized-test-scores/.

CHAPTER 3 BILLIONAIRES PLAYBOOK: MIKE MILES DOES DALLAS NOW HUMPING HOUSTON

 

CHAPTER 3 BILLIONAIRES PLAYBOOK

MIKE MILES DOES DALLAS NOW HUMPING HOUSTON

Ladies and gentlemen, gather around, because we have a juicy story for you today. It's about Mike Miles, the new state-appointed superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, who apparently used some aggressive and polarizing methods during his time in Dallas. And let me tell you, this guy knows how to play the billionaire's playbook like a pro.

First of all, let's talk about his deep dive into Dallas ISD. This man didn't just dip his toes in the water, oh no. He went straight for the deep end, scuba gear and all. He probably even brought a submarine with him, just to make sure he didn't miss anything. I mean, who needs a simple surface-level analysis when you can explore the depths of a school district like Jacques Cousteau?

And then there are his methods. Oh boy, his methods. Let me tell you, this guy could teach Machiavelli a thing or two about being ruthless. He probably has a framed copy of "The Art of War" on his desk, right next to his "World's Best Boss" mug. His tactics were so aggressive and polarizing that I'm pretty sure he could start a fight in an empty room.

So what were these methods, you ask? Well, let me give you a rundown:

1. The "My Way or the Highway" Approach: Mike Miles didn't have time for dissenting opinions or different points of view. If you didn't agree with him, you were out. Simple as that. I'm pretty sure he had a trapdoor installed in his office just for this purpose.

2. The "Scapegoat" Strategy: Whenever something went wrong (and let's face it, things always go wrong in education), Mike Miles always had someone else to blame. It was like watching a game of hot potato, but with people's careers on the line.

3. The "Divide and Conquer" Maneuver: This one was his specialty. Mike Miles knew how to pit people against each other like it was nobody's business. He probably had a PhD in stirring up drama.

4. The "Bully Pulpit" Technique: Whenever he wanted something done (or undone), Mike Miles would use his position of power to intimidate and coerce people into submission. It was like watching a schoolyard bully in action, but with a much bigger budget.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "This all sounds terrible! How could anyone support this guy?" Well, my friends, that's where the billionaire's playbook comes in. You see, billionaires love nothing more than a good disruptor - someone who comes in and shakes things up, regardless of the consequences. And Mike Miles was the ultimate disruptor.

He probably had a PowerPoint presentation ready to go, complete with flashy graphics and buzzwords like "synergy" and "innovation." He probably wowed them with promises of increased efficiency and improved test scores. And let's not forget about the money - billionaires love throwing money at problems, especially if it means they can get a nice tax write-off.

So there you have it, folks. Mike Miles may have trashed Dallas ISD with his aggressive and polarizing methods, but he's still the darling of the billionaire class. And who knows? Maybe he'll work his magic in Houston too. Just don't get on his bad side - you might find yourself swimming with the fishes (or at least taking an early retirement).

Texas’ pick to lead Houston’s schools used aggressive, polarizing methods in Dallas https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2023/06/21/houston-isds-new-state-appointed-superintendent-wants-to-use-the-same-polarizing-approach-he-applied-in-dallas-schools/ 

Years before leading Houston ISD, Mike Miles was at the helm of Dallas ISD | The Texas Tribune https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/21/mike-miles-houston-isd-dallas-tea-takeover/#:~:text=Mike%20Miles%20has%20wasted%20no,if%20their%20students%20show%20improvement. 

GLENDALE UNIFIED BOARD MEETING: MAGA MAMMAS, J6ERS AND PROUD BOYS OH MY

GLENDALE UNIFIED BOARD MEETING 

MAGA MAMMAS, J6ERS AND PROUD BOYS OH MY

The Glendale Unified School District's (GUSD) school board meeting last night was quite the spectacle. As the meeting began, tensions were high as parents, students, and community members gathered to voice their concerns about the district's focus on sex education.

But things quickly took a turn for the hilarious as a group of MAGA Mammas, J6ers, and Proud Boys stormed into the meeting, demanding that the district focus on more important issues like making America great again.

The school board members were taken aback by the sudden intrusion, but they tried to maintain their composure as the group of passionate patriots began chanting "USA! USA! USA!"

One member of the group, a woman who identified herself only as "Karen," took the microphone and launched into a tirade about how sex education was ruining our country.

"Back in my day, we didn't need no fancy book learnin' to know about sex," she exclaimed. "We learned everything we needed to know from our parents, our friends, and the backseat of a Chevy Nova."

The crowd erupted in laughter and applause, but Karen was just getting started. "These kids today don't know how good they have it," she continued. "They've got all these fancy gadgets and gizmos to help them learn about sex. When I was their age, we had to make do with a Sears catalog and our imaginations."

The room was in stitches as Karen regaled them with tales of her youth, but not everyone was amused. A group of concerned parents stood up to voice their support for comprehensive sex education in schools.

One parent, a woman named Lisa, spoke passionately about the importance of teaching young people about consent and healthy relationships. "We can't just leave our kids to figure this stuff out on their own," she said. "We need to give them the tools they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and their futures."

But Karen and her crew weren't having it. They continued to shout down anyone who spoke in favor of sex education, insisting that it was a waste of time and resources.

As the meeting dragged on, it became clear that there was no middle ground between these two groups. The MAGA Mammas, J6ers, and Proud Boys were determined to stop sex education in its tracks, while the concerned parents were equally determined to see it implemented.

In the end, the school board members decided to table the issue for further discussion at a later date. But as everyone filed out of the meeting room, it was clear that this debate was far from over.

Only time will tell whether the Glendale Unified School District will continue to focus on sex education or whether they'll cave to pressure from the MAGA Mammas, J6ers, and Proud Boys. But one thing's for sure – this won't be the last we hear from either side.

J6ers and Proud Boys Among Anti-LGBT Crowd Outside Glendale School Board Meeting https://www.thedailybeast.com/j6ers-and-proud-boys-among-anti-lgbt-crowd-outside-glendale-school-board-meeting 

Parents continue to clash over 'indoctrination' in southern California school district | KMPH https://kmph.com/news/local/parents-continue-to-clash-over-indoctrination-in-glendale-unified-school-district-southern-california-curriculum-pride-mont-resolution-lgbt 

ARNE DUNCAN STILL BEATING THE STANDARDIZED TESTING HORSE

 

ARNE DUNCAN STILL BEATING THE STANDARDIZED TESTING HORSE

Arne Duncan, former Secretary of Education, has been on a mission to save America's education system. His solution? Standardized testing. Yes, you heard that right. The same tests that have been criticized for narrowing the curriculum, promoting teaching to the test, and causing undue stress for students and teachers alike.

But Arne Duncan is not deterred. He recently declared that the drop in education testing scores is a "national emergency." And he's not alone in his crusade. Many politicians and education reformers believe that standardized testing is the key to improving our schools. But is it really?

Let's take a deep dive into this issue. First of all, let's talk about the tests themselves. Standardized tests are designed to be objective measures of student learning. But the reality is that they often reflect socioeconomic status more than anything else. Students from wealthier families tend to do better on these tests, while students from low-income families struggle.

And let's not forget about the pressure that these tests put on students and teachers. Students are told that their entire future hinges on their performance on these tests. Teachers are evaluated based on their students' test scores, which can lead to a narrow focus on test preparation rather than a well-rounded education.

But Arne Duncan seems to think that standardized testing is the solution to all of our problems. He's beating a dead horse with this one. Standardized testing has been around for decades, and yet our education system still struggles. Maybe it's time to try something new.

So what's the alternative? Well, for starters, we could focus on creating a more equitable education system. This means providing resources and support to low-income schools and students. It means valuing a well-rounded education that includes art, music, and physical education, not just math and reading.

We could also focus on developing assessments that are more authentic and reflective of real-world skills. For example, instead of a multiple-choice test, students could demonstrate their learning through a project or presentation.

And let's not forget about the importance of teacher autonomy and creativity. Teachers should be trusted to design assessments that are meaningful and relevant to their students.

In conclusion, standardized testing is not the solution to our education woes. It's time to move past this outdated approach and focus on creating a more equitable and well-rounded education system. So Arne Duncan, please stop beating that dead horse. It's time for a new approach.

Arne Duncan: Drop in education testing scores is a ‘national emergency’ https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/arne-duncan-drop-in-education-testing-scores-is-a-national-emergency-183879749841 

Arne Duncan: Drop in education testing scores is a ‘national emergency’ https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/arne-duncan-drop-education-testing-210345029.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr via @Yahoo 

CAGE MATCH OF THE CENTURY: TWIT VS TWAT - BATTLING BILLIONAIRES

 

CAGE MATCH OF THE CENTURY: TWIT VS TWAT - BATTLING BILLIONAIRES 

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the cage match of the century! In one corner, we have the mastermind behind the world's largest social network, Mark Zuckerberg. And in the other corner, we have the genius behind Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk. Who will come out on top? Let's find out!

First up, we have Mark Zuckerberg. He's wearing his signature hoodie and looking ready to take on the world. But can he take on Elon Musk? Let's see.

Zuckerberg starts off strong with a barrage of Facebook memes. Musk seems unphased and pulls out a flamethrower from his pocket. Wait, what? That's right folks, Musk just pulled out a flamethrower. Zuckerberg looks terrified as Musk sets fire to a cardboard cutout of the Facebook logo. It's safe to say that Musk takes round one.

Round two begins and Zuckerberg is determined to come back strong. He starts talking about the power of social media and how it connects people all over the world. But Musk isn't impressed. He pulls out a remote and launches a Tesla into the cage. Zuckerberg ducks just in time as the car crashes into the wall behind him. Musk takes round two.

Round three is Zuckerberg's last chance to make a comeback. He starts off by showing off his coding skills and creating a new Facebook feature right before our eyes. But Musk isn't having it. He pulls out a rocket and launches it into the cage, causing Zuckerberg to stumble backwards. Musk takes round three and wins the match.

In the end, it's clear that Elon Musk is the winner of this cage match. Zuckerberg may have created the world's largest social network, but Musk has flamethrowers, Teslas, and rockets. Who knows what he'll come up with next? All we know is that we can't wait to see what these two tech giants will do next.

In conclusion, while Zuckerberg may be the king of social media, Musk is the king of crazy inventions. We can only imagine what would happen if these two were to team up. Would they create a social network that could launch rockets? Or a rocket that could connect people all over the world? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, this cage match was definitely one for the books.

Jiu-Jitsu Enthusiast Mark Zuckerberg Responds to Elon Musk's Cage Match Challenge: 'Send Me Location’ https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/mark-zuckerberg-responds-elon-musks-010130723.html 

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg agree to hold cage fight - BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65981876