Latest News and Comment from Education

Saturday, August 26, 2023

CORRUPTION IN THE US: THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS UNITED BILLIONAIRES

 

CORRUPTION IN THE US: THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS UNITED BILLIONAIRES

Corruption in the US? Ha! Who would have thought? It's not like we have a Supreme Court sugar daddy scandal, a grifting ex-president, or a fake news scandal by Fox and News Corp. Oh wait, we do. And to top it all off, it's been compounded and made worse by the Citizens United decision. 

Let's start with the Supreme Court sugar daddy scandal. It sounds like a bad romance novel, but unfortunately, it's real life. Apparently, Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose his wife's income from conservative groups, including one that was fighting against the Affordable Care Act. I guess when you're a Supreme Court justice, you don't have to worry about little things like conflicts of interest or transparency. 

And then there's the grifting ex-president. It's like he took a page out of the Enron playbook and decided to manipulate everything for his own gain. From emoluments to Ukraine, he was always looking for a way to make a quick buck. And let's not forget about his family members who were also cashing in on their connections. It's like the Trumps turned the White House into a cash cow. 

But the real fake news scandal is Fox and News Corp. They've been spreading lies and propaganda for years, but it really ramped up during the Trump era. It's like they were in a competition with the National Enquirer to see who could come up with the most outrageous story. And the sad part is, some people actually believe them. It's like they're living in an alternate reality where facts don't matter and conspiracy theories reign supreme. 

And let's not forget about the Citizens United decision. It's like the Supreme Court said, "Hey, let's give corporations and wealthy donors even more power in our political system." Because what could possibly go wrong with that? It's like they were trying to create a dystopian future where elections are bought and sold to the highest bidder. 

So how corrupt is the US? Let's just say we're giving other countries a run for their money. We've got political corruption, economic corruption, and social corruption all rolled into one big mess. It's like we're living in a reality show where the contestants are all corrupt politicians and the prize is a one-way ticket to jail. 

But there is hope. We can combat corruption with effective measures that promote transparency, accountability, participation, and integrity. We can demand better from our elected officials and hold them accountable when they fail us. We can support independent media outlets that prioritize facts over sensationalism. And we can push for campaign finance reform that limits the influence of money in our political system. 

So let's not give up hope just yet. We may be corrupt, but we're not beyond redemption. And who knows? Maybe one day we'll look back on this era as a cautionary tale of what happens when we let corruption run rampant. Or maybe we'll just laugh about it and make memes. Either way, it's important to keep fighting for a better future.

Corruption in the US is not just a problem, it's an industry. From politicians to businessmen, everyone seems to be in on the game. And why not? With lax regulations and weak enforcement, it's easy to get away with corruption in the US. But hey, who needs ethics when you have money?

In conclusion, corruption in the US is no laughing matter, but sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying. The examples we've highlighted are just the tip of the iceberg, but they show that corruption is pervasive and damaging to our society. It's time to take corruption seriously and hold those responsible accountable. Or we can just keep making jokes and hope for the best. After all, laughter is the best medicine, right?

What is corruption? - Transparency.org https://www.transparency.org/en/what-is-corruption#:~:text=public%20servants%20demanding%20or%20taking,officials%20to%20get%20lucrative%20deals 

2022 Corruption Perceptions Index: Explore the… - Transparency.org https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022 

American Anti-Corruption Act - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Anti-Corruption_Act#:~:text=The%20American%20Anti%2DCorruption%20Act,transparency%2C%20and%20campaign%20finance%20laws


THE DEFT DIVE


Corruption in the US since 2000 is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that involves various actors, sectors, and levels of government. According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, the US score dropped from 76 in 2015 to 67 in 2020 and 2021, indicating a deterioration of public integrity and accountability. Some of the possible causes and effects of corruption in the US since 2000 are:

  • - Political corruption: This refers to the abuse of public office for private gain by elected officials or public servants. Some examples of political corruption scandals in the US since 2000 are:
    •     * The Enron scandal, which involved the manipulation of energy markets and accounting fraud by Enron executives, who had close ties to the Bush administration⁵⁶.
    •     * The Jack Abramoff scandal, which involved the bribery of lawmakers and officials by lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates, who received millions of dollars from various interest groups⁵⁷.
    •     * The Rod Blagojevich scandal, which involved the attempt by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to sell the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama to the highest bidder⁵⁸.
    •     * The Bridgegate scandal, which involved the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge by aides of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, allegedly as a political retaliation against a local mayor⁵⁹.
  • - Economic corruption: This refers to the distortion of market mechanisms and economic policies by corrupt actors, who seek to maximize their own profits or benefits at the expense of others. Some examples of economic corruption in the US since 2000 are:

    •     * The subprime mortgage crisis, which involved the origination and securitization of risky mortgages by financial institutions, who misled investors and regulators about the quality and value of these assets⁶ [^10^].
    •     * The Bernie Madoff scandal, which involved the largest Ponzi scheme in history, perpetrated by Bernie Madoff, who defrauded thousands of investors of billions of dollars⁶¹¹.
    •     * The Volkswagen emissions scandal, which involved the cheating of emissions tests by Volkswagen, who installed software in millions of diesel vehicles that manipulated the results⁶¹².
    •     * The college admissions scandal, which involved the bribery and fraud by wealthy parents, who paid to get their children admitted to elite colleges and universities⁶ .
    • - Social corruption: This refers to the erosion of social norms and values by corrupt practices, which undermine trust, cooperation, and civic engagement among citizens. Some examples of social corruption in the US since 2000 are:
    •     * The opioid epidemic, which involved the overprescription and misuse of opioid painkillers by doctors, patients, and pharmaceutical companies, who contributed to addiction, overdose, and death among millions of Americans .
    •     * The fake news phenomenon, which involved the spread of false or misleading information by online platforms, media outlets, and political actors, who influenced public opinion and behavior on various issues .
    •     * The police brutality cases, which involved the excessive use of force and violence by police officers against civilians, especially minorities, who suffered from discrimination, injustice, and human rights violations .

These are just some of the examples of corruption in the US since 2000. There are many more cases that could be discussed. Corruption has negative effects on economic growth, social welfare, political stability, and democratic quality. It also reduces trust in institutions, erodes moral values, and fuels public discontent. Therefore, it is important to combat corruption with effective measures that promote transparency, accountability, participation, and integrity.

Bing, 8/26/2023

  • (1) List of federal political scandals in the United States - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_political_scandals_in_the_United_States.
  • (2) List of corporate collapses and scandals - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_corporate_collapses_and_scandals.
  • (3) When power corrupts: 16 of the biggest political scandals of the last .... https://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/article/2016/05/when-power-corrupts-16-biggest-political-scandals-last-50-years.
  • (4) CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION: WHAT HAS PAST DECADE'S EMPIRICAL .... https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eugen-Dimant/publication/304113926_Causes_and_Effects_of_Corruption_What_has_Past_Decade's_Empirical_Research_Taught_Us_A_Survey/links/5ac063caaca27222c759c332/Causes-and-Effects-of-Corruption-What-has-Past-Decades-Empirical-Research-Taught-Us-A-Survey.pdf.
  • (5) Corruption, Causes and Consequences | IntechOpen. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/58969.
  • (6) Causes and Cures of Political Corruption. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/causes-and-cures-political-corruption.
  • (7) THE CAUSES OF CORRUPTION: A CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY - Social Sciences. https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/polisci/faculty/treisman/Papers/causes.pdf.
  • (8) undefined. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eugen-Dimant/publication/304113926_Causes_and_Effects_of_Corruption_What_has_Past_Decade.
  • (9) 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index - Explore United States’s results. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2021/index/usa.
  • (10) Corruption in the United States - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_in_the_United_States.
  • (11) U.S. Corruption Levels At Their Worst Since 2012 - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverwilliams1/2021/01/28/us-corruption-levels-at-their-worst-since-2012/.
  • (12) A history of corruption in the United States - Harvard Law School. https://hls.harvard.edu/today/a-history-of-corruption-in-the-united-states/.

THE COLLEGE BOARD STANDARDIZED TEST WHERE PRIVACY GOES TO MARKET

THE COLLEGE BOARD STANDARDIZED TEST 

WHERE PRIVACY GOES TO MARKET

Are you a student who has taken the SAT test or an Advanced Placement exam? Well, congratulations, because you are now a data point in the College Board's vast database of student information. And what do they do with all this data, you may ask? They sell it to Facebook and TikTok, of course!

That's right, the College Board has been caught using invisible tracking technology called "pixels" to share students' SAT scores and GPA data with these social media giants. And while they deny sharing any personally identifiable information, Gizmodo's tests have shown otherwise. So much for privacy, am I right?

But who do these standardized tests really serve? Is it the students who are trying to get into college and better their futures? Or is it the billionaires who seem to be the ones benefiting the most from these tests?

Let's take a closer look. The College Board claims to be a non-profit organization, but that hasn't stopped them from raking in millions of dollars in revenue each year. And where does that money go? Well, it certainly doesn't go towards improving the tests or making them more accessible to students from low-income backgrounds.

No, instead it goes towards lining the pockets of the College Board's executives and board members. According to a report by ProPublica, the organization's CEO, David Coleman, made over $1 million in 2017 alone. And that's not even counting his stock options!

So while students are struggling to pay for test fees and study materials, the College Board is busy cashing in on their data and making their executives rich. It's no wonder that many students and parents are fed up with the system and are calling for change.

But what can be done? Well, for starters, we can demand that the College Board be held accountable for their actions. They should be transparent about what data they collect and who they share it with. And they should be required to obtain explicit consent from students before sharing any of their information.

In addition, we can push for alternative methods of assessment that don't rely on standardized tests. After all, these tests have been shown to be biased against certain groups of students and don't necessarily measure true academic potential.

So let's stand up to the College Board and their slimy tactics. Let's demand a system that serves students, not billionaires. And let's do it with a sense of humor, because sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.

The College Board Tells TikTok and Facebook Your SAT Scores https://gizmodo.com/sat-college-board-tells-facebook-tiktok-your-scores-gpa-1850768077 

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 8-26-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #MagaMugshot


TOP READS THIS WEEK 8-26-23


Big Education Ape: ARKANSAS THE BLUE LITE SPECIAL STATE: EDUCATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE WALTON FAMILY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/arkansas-blue-lite-special-state.html 






Big Education Ape: TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 8-19-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #mauifire #MauiStrong https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/top-banana-top-reads-this-week-8-19-23.html 






Big Education Ape: WELCOME BACK JIM CROW: THE CULTURE WARS SAY HELLO TO AN OLD FRIEND https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/welcome-back-jim-crow-culture-wars-say.html 







Big Education Ape: MEATAXE MIKE CUTS AUTISM SERVICES TEAM, PROVES HE TRULY DESERVES HIS NICKNAME https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/meataxe-mike-cuts-autism-services-team.html 






Big Education Ape: THE TEACHER SHORTAGE CRISIS - THE BILLIONAIRES PLAYBOOK STRIKES AGAIN: BILLIONAIRES -1 PUBLIC SCHOOLS - O https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-teacher-shortage-crisis.html 






Big Education Ape: SCHOOL HAS STARTED, TECH BILLIONAIRES LICKING THEIR CHOPS, PROFITS IN EDUCATION HAVE BECOME SENTIENT, PRIVATIZE NET DEATHSTAR LAUNCH IMMINENT https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/school-has-started-tech-billionaires.html 





Big Education Ape: CALIFORNIA GETS NEW MATH STANDARDS, BUT DO THEY ADD UP https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/california-gets-new-math-standards-but.html 







Big Education Ape: DARK BIDEN VOWS NEVER TO GIVE UP ON AMERICAN STUDENTS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/dark-biden-vows-never-to-give-up-on.html 







Big Education Ape: MAGA PUSHES OVER 400 CULTURE WAR BILLS IN 2 YEARS, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM PEN AMERICA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/maga-pushes-over-400-culture-war-bills.html 







OTHER GREAT READS THIS WEEK FROM THE BIG EDUCATION APE


Big Education Ape: FIRE IN PARADISE: HOW YOU CAN HELP THE PEOPLE OF MAUI #mauihawaii #maui #mauifire #fire #devastation #prayers


#MagaMugshot





YESTERDAY

MONTGOMERY CO. FAMILIES PISSED THAT THEIR KIDS MIGHT LEARN ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT THAN THEM , JUDGE ROLLS EYES In a turn of events, a Maryland judge has affirmed the separation of church and state by denying a group of parents' request to opt their children out of lessons featuring LGBTQ+ inclusive books. The parents, who clearly have no sense, submitted the request on August 9th, claimin
In a scandal that has rocked the political world, it has been revealed that some of America's wealthiest billionaires are in bed with some of the country's most powerful justices. But don't worry, it's all in good fun - as long as they keep one hand in their own pocket! It all started when the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank with ties to two billionaires, was found to be behind a
Oklahoma's MAGA Mad Monk of Education, Ryan Walters, has done it again – causing bomb threats at a Tulsa elementary school. But this time, State Representative Mickey Dollens is calling for his impeachment. Dollens claims that Walters has created an unsafe environment for teachers and students, and has used his office to vilify everyone from teachers to librarians. Well, we can't say we're surpr

AUG 24

THE TEACHER SHORTAGE CRISIS THE BILLIONAIRES PLAYBOOK STRIKES AGAIN BILLIONAIRES -1 PUBLIC SCHOOLS - O As schools across the United States open their doors for the new academic year, they are faced with a major problem: teacher shortages. And while some may see this as the big payoff for following the billionaires' playbook for privatizing schools, it's hard to ignore the fact that it's causing c
In a shocking turn of events, Bunnell Elementary in Florida has promised to feed its students if they perform better on standardized tests. Yes, you read that right. The school has resorted to bribery to boost its grades. And if that wasn't enough, they have also promised to let their students sleep instead of taking Adderall if they do really well on these tests. Talk about incentives! In a sec
Oklahoma's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, has recently announced his new Christ Complex, and it's causing quite a stir. Walters, a Republican, has vowed to turn Oklahoma into a theocracy if he's elected governor, and he's pushing for more religious teachings in public schools. Walters' new Christ Complex has caused many to question his motives and qualifications as an educat

AUG 23

In a recent press conference, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to American students by taking another shot at student loans. With his signature wit and charm, Biden announced the launch of the Department of Education's new income-driven repayment plan, SAVE (Simplified Aid for Earnings-Based Repayment). The plan, which replaces the REPAYE plan, offers a reduced maximum monthly payme
School has started and the tech billionaires are licking their chops as profits in education have become sentient. The launch of PrivatizeNet Deathstar is imminent. But what does this mean for the classroom? Are we going to be replaced by robots? Will we be forced to take orders from our new AI overlords? Fear not, dear reader, for AI is not here to replace us, but to help us. One of the ways th
MAGA PUSHES OVER 400 CULTURE WAR BILLS IN 2 YEARS, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM PEN AMERICA In a recent report from PEN America, it has been revealed that MAGA has pushed over 400 culture war bills in just 2 years. Now, I know what you're thinking - "Wow, that's impressive!" But before we start handing out participation trophies, let's take a closer look at what these bills actually entail. Acc
Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction, Ryan Walters, has been causing quite a stir in the education world lately. From calling for prayer in public schools to hanging the Ten Commandments in classrooms, Walters has been pushing his conservative agenda on the state's largest district, Tulsa Public Schools (TPS). But it seems his tactics have finally caught up with him, as TPS Superinten

AUG 22

In a move that has left many scratching their heads, the Arkansas Department of Education has continued its push to rewrite history and deny students the opportunity to learn the truth about America's past. The department has demanded that districts turn over all materials related to the recently pulled Advanced Placement African American Studies pilot program, citing concerns that the program m
MEATAXE MIKE CUTS AUTISM SERVICES TEAM, PROVES HE TRULY DESERVES HIS NICKNAME In a move that has left teachers scratching their heads and parents fuming, MeatAxe Mike Miles has cut services to the special education department in the Houston Independent School District. Yes, you read that right. MeatAxe Mike is back and he's proving that he truly deserves the nickname. But don't worry, folks. Meat

AUG 21

BACK TO SCHOOL: A parent’s guide to K-12 school success AVOID THE SCHOOL CULTURE WARS A parent’s guide to K-12 school success click on picture What Schools Can Do To Support Parents Recognize that all parents, regardless of income, education or cultural background, are involved in their children's learning and want their children to do well. Design programs that will support families to guide the
As temperatures continue to rise across the United States, students are facing a new challenge in their academic pursuits: extreme heat. That's right folks, it's not just the standardized tests that are causing stress and anxiety, now we have to worry about the weather too! According to a recent report from The Hill, hotter temperatures during the school year have been shown to reduce the rate o
SAY GOODBYE TO TWIT-X META'S THREADS WEB VERSION IS HER TO SAVE US ALL In a move that's sure to delight fans of the popular messaging app, Threads, Meta (formerly known as Facebook) has announced that a web version of the app is on the way. The news comes as a welcome relief to those who have been frustrated with the mobile-only nature of the app, which has been a thorn in the side of users ever
Florida, the state that gave us Disney World, alligators, and the infamous "Florida Man" headlines, has now added another title to its repertoire: the most homophobic state in the union. And who better to make this announcement than Governor Ronald DeSantis, the man who looks like he's constantly trying to suppress a smirk? But what led to this dubious honor? It all started with the Florida nick
ARKANSAS THE BLUE LITE SPECIAL STATE EDUCATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE WALTON FAMILY Welcome to the wonderful world of Arkansas Walmart Education Blue Lite Special State, a solely owned subsidiary of the Walton family and supported by other billionaire foundations seeking to privatize public education. It's like a carnival ride, but instead of clowns and cotton candy, you get charter schools and st

AUG 20

In a move that has left many scratching their heads, California has rolled out new state math guidelines that aim to put meaning-making at the center of the math classroom. The guidelines promote a focus on problem-solving and applying math knowledge to real-world situations, but critics are asking: do they add up? The new guidelines, which were approved by the California State Board of Educatio
Let's face it, we've all been swept up in the hype of AI and its potential to revolutionize the world as we know it. But as the dust settles and the novelty wears off, is it time to start mourning the death of the AI boom? Or is it just taking a much-needed nap? First, let's take a look at the evidence. Reports suggest that generative AI and its chatbots are losing steam as consumers grow tired
Ah, public education. The cornerstone of democracy, the foundation of knowledge, the...subject of heated political debate? That's right, folks. In today's America, public education has become a battleground for the culture wars, with right-winged MAGA billionaires like Koch and DeVos leading the charge to dismantle it piece by piece. Let's start with the big one, shall we? Vouchers have become t

AUG 19

Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles recently made his debut as a playwright with his musical play, "The Rocky Horde Takeover Show". The play, which was part of the convocation ceremony for Houston ISD teachers, was met with mixed reviews, to say the least. Miles himself played the role of a diner owner who mentored students in a town with an "antiquated" public school system facing reforms fro
In a bizarre turn of events, Clay County in Florida has become the book ban heartland of the US. Yes, you read that right. The county has gained infamy for its high number of book challenges resulting in the removal of over 175 titles from public school libraries. And if that wasn't enough, hundreds more are unavailable due to the policy of books being pulled as soon as a challenge form is filed
The Constitution Prohibits Trump From Ever Being President Again The only question is whether American citizens today can uphold that commitment. By J. Michael Luttig and Laurence H. Tribe Trump Is Constitutionally Prohibited From the Presidency - The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/donald-trump-constitutionally-prohibited-presidency/675048/ Article Summary The authors
TOP READS THIS WEEK 8-19-23 Big Education Ape: BREAKING NEWS: TRUMP'S RACKETEERING CHARGES PROVE HE'S NOT JUST A CON MAN, HE'S A PRO CON MAN READ THE COMPLETE TEXT http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/breaking-news-trumps-racketeering.html Big Education Ape: FOUNDING FATHERS WTF: A STATE SPONSORED CATHOLIC PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL? http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/founding-father-w