Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
6-1-25
glen brown: Massive Database, Immigration, Tariffs, HIV Vaccine Research... https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/massive-database-immigration-tariffs.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump has enlisted Palantir, founded by Peter Thiel, to create a vast database on American citizens, raising concerns over privacy and surveillance.
- DNA from migrants, including children, is being collected and uploaded to a criminal database, prompting criticism of expanding genetic surveillance.
- Trump announced plans to increase tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, escalating his trade policies and likely provoking international reactions.
- The Trump administration shut down a $258 million HIV vaccine research program, hindering development efforts.
- Federal courts blocked Trump’s attempt to implement mass layoffs in federal agencies, citing lack of congressional approval.
- Concerns over nuclear weapon proliferation grow as Iran expands uranium enrichment, while North Korea faces setbacks in naval modernization.
- Budget cuts and deregulation threaten the Department of Energy’s functionality, potentially increasing energy costs and stalling innovation.
BEWARE OF ARTIFISAIL INTELIGENCE | The Merrow Report https://themerrowreport.com/2025/05/31/beware-of-artifisail-inteligence/
### Key Points
- John Merrow plans to bike 84 miles to match his age, continuing a 15-year tradition.
- He has sponsorships from Viagra and Rogaine and will live-stream the ride on YouTube’s AAA Channel.
- The event is sanctioned by the Annual Birthday Bikers Association (ABBA), which enforces strict rules.
- A story about Martin "Musclehead" Marston highlights his record of biking his age 25 consecutive times and his tragic passing.
- Merrow seeks donations for the ACLU and World Central Kitchen to support his ride.
- Supporters can join or follow the ride by contacting him directly.
2025 UFT Election Results | JD2718 https://jd2718.org/2025/05/31/2025-uft-election-results/
### Key Points
- The article presents unofficial and incomplete results of the 2025 UFT elections, detailing voter turnout, void ballots, and votes for different slates (Unity, ABC, ARISE).
- Breakdown of raw and percentage votes for Elementary School (ES), Middle School (MS), High School (HS), and other groups is provided, with Unity leading in most categories.
- Mentions previous UFT election data from 2004–2024 and highlights the involvement of groups like ARISE and Retiree Advocate.
- Includes references to math teaching, educational justice, and resources for educators, along with commentary on NYC education policies and union activities.
UFT Unofficial Election Results https://open.substack.com/pub/jd2718/p/uft-unofficial-election-results?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- The unofficial election results for the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) indicate a significant win for the Unity caucus, though the results are incomplete and unlikely to change drastically.
- The United Federation of Teachers Retired Teachers Chapter (UFT RTC) recently held its first meeting under new leadership, signaling a shift in tone and adopting a new motion.
- Updates on the organizing efforts and campaigns within the UFT, particularly focusing on retirement and delegate organizing, were shared, highlighting both challenges and hopeful developments.
- The article promotes the author's reader-supported publication and encourages subscriptions for further updates and analysis.
Combating the Rise of "End Times Schooling": The Struggle for Hopeful and Imaginative Education https://iamaneducator.com/2025/05/31/combating-the-rise-of-end-times-schooling-the-struggle-for-hopeful-and-imaginative-education/ via @JessedHagopian
### Key Points
- The article critiques the transformation of education into "end times schooling," where schools are used to instill hopelessness, compliance, and submission to power.
- It highlights the role of elites and billionaires in shaping dystopian futures, retreating from societal accountability while leaving the majority to face climate collapse, AI surveillance, and systemic oppression.
- Examples of suppression in education include book bans, prohibitions on teaching about race and gender, AI-driven learning systems, and the criminalization of critical thinking and activism.
- The article emphasizes the importance of teaching truth, fostering critical thinking, and empowering students to challenge systemic injustices.
- Historical movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and labor strikes are cited as examples of hope and resistance, showing that change is possible even in dire circumstances.
- The piece advocates for education as a form of survival and resistance, encouraging collective action and radical imagination to shape a just future.
- It highlights successful resistance efforts, such as the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition’s victories against discriminatory policies and the Chicago Teachers Union’s social justice unionism.
- The article concludes by calling for a collective fight against "end times fascism" through education, activism, and solidarity, emphasizing the power of labor and community to resist oppression.
Poem: i hate the rain https://radicalscholarship.com/2025/05/31/poem-i-hate-the-rain/ via @plthomasEdD
### Key Points
- The poem "i hate the rain" reflects the author's mixed emotions about rain, symbolizing discomfort and hope for survival.
- The blog discusses critical themes like education reform, racism, poverty, and social justice.
- References to influential thinkers and authors such as Paulo Freire, James Baldwin, and Howard Zinn highlight the blog's intellectual focus.
- The website includes archives, poetry submissions, and educational resources for readers and educators.
- The blog critiques the "science of reading" movement and explores the challenges of modern education systems.
Choosing Democracy: Taco Taco Taco (Trump Always Chickens Out) https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/05/taco-taco-taco-trump-always-chickens-out.html
Seattle Schools Community Forum: On SROs in Seattle High Schools https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/05/on-sros-in-seattle-high-schools.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- The Seattle School Board is considering allowing each high school community to decide on the deployment of SROs, with Garfield potentially piloting the program.
- State law requires an engagement process for SROs, emphasizing positive relationships, crime prevention, and addressing gang and drug issues.
- Concerns arise about principals' ability to negotiate with the Seattle Police Department and whether funding for SROs will be long-term.
- Other posts on the blog discuss nepotism in Seattle schools and advanced learning services.
Big Education Ape: WE DON'T DO KINGS: NATIONWIDE PROTESTS TO RAIN ON TRUMP'S $45M BIRTHDAY MILITARY PARADE #NoKingsDay #DefendDemocracy #AmericaStrong https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/we-dont-do-kings-nationwide-protests-to.html
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-birthday-coup-movie-plot-political.html
An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else: Ravitch, Diane: 9780231220293: Amazon.com: Books https://www.amazon.com/Education-Changed-Schools-Almost-Everything/dp/0231220294/ref=sr_1_1?
This article discusses Diane Ravitch's upcoming memoir, "An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else," set to be released on October 21, 2025. Ravitch, a historian and former conservative education reform advocate, recounts her ideological shift from supporting standardized testing and privatization to advocating for public schools and addressing systemic inequality in education. The book blends personal reflections with decades of research, making a compelling case for greater investment in public education.
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch's memoir explores her ideological transformation from a proponent of conservative education reforms to a critic of privatization and standardized testing.
- The book highlights her belief that poverty, not failing schools or bad teachers, is the root cause of educational inequality.
- Ravitch shares her personal and professional journey, including her government service and advocacy for public schools.
- The memoir combines personal anecdotes with research to argue for systemic changes in education, including better support for professional teachers.
- Published by Columbia University Press, the book is 240 pages long and will be available in multiple formats.
Big Education Ape: WE DON'T DO KINGS: NATIONWIDE PROTESTS TO RAIN ON TRUMP'S $45M BIRTHDAY MILITARY PARADE #NoKingsDay #DefendDemocracy #AmericaStrong https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/we-dont-do-kings-nationwide-protests-to.html
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-30-25
The article is a comprehensive roundup of recent educational, political, and social developments. It covers topics such as the impact of Trump-era policies on science and education, critiques of weak leadership in schools, immigration enforcement, union elections, and the ongoing challenges in public education. It also highlights personal stories, reflections on teaching, and systemic issues like privatization, inequality, and democracy in crisis.
### Key Points
- Trump-era policies caused chaos in U.S. science agencies, including NIH, through budget cuts, layoffs, and political interference, undermining biomedical research.
- Right-wing media exaggerated claims about Biden’s mental state, ignoring his achievements like low unemployment and strong international relations.
- A Venezuelan student, Dylan, was detained by ICE despite entering legally, sparking protests and highlighting immigration enforcement issues.
- A federal judge restored a visa for a Russian Harvard scientist, Kseniia Petrova, detained over minor customs violations, raising concerns about academic freedom.
- The article critiques the shift in American political dynamics, including the migration of moderate Republicans to the Democratic Party and the factionalism within Democrats.
- Teacher Tom advocates for play-based education, criticizing traditional systems that suppress self-directed learning and intrinsic motivation.
- Diane Ravitch’s memoir reflects her ideological shift from supporting privatization to advocating for public schools and addressing systemic inequality.
- Ted Cruz proposed a federal voucher program and investment accounts for newborns, but critics highlight flaws in addressing equity and accountability.
- The UFT elections in 2025 were contentious, with Unity Caucus facing criticism for unethical tactics, while ARISE promoted a positive campaign for union democracy.
- Weak middle leadership in schools harms equity and progress, with leaders avoiding accountability and failing to prioritize institutional growth.
- Updated federal guidelines for tofu and soy yogurt in school nutrition programs include new sugar limits, effective July 2025.
- Climate change forecasts predict record-breaking warming, while NYC plans to reduce class sizes by hiring 3,700 teachers.
- The article emphasizes the need for systemic reforms in education, democracy, and equity, drawing parallels with historical struggles and current challenges.
