Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
9-1-25
9-1-25
Trump Celebrates Labor Day by Terminating Unions at More Federal Agencies https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/01/trump-celebrates-labor-day-by-terminating-unions-at-more-federal-agencies/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- President Trump signed an executive order banning unions at multiple federal agencies, citing national security concerns under the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act.
- The order affects agencies such as NASA, the National Weather Service, and the Patent and Trademark Office, claiming their primary functions involve intelligence or national security work.
- Union representatives criticized the timing of the order, calling it a deliberate anti-labor move during Labor Day celebrations.
- The administration's actions may be retaliatory against unions like NASA's, which had previously challenged similar executive orders in court.
- Broader concerns were raised about anti-labor policies, the weakening of collective bargaining rights, and the infiltration of big tech into education systems.
- A blog commenter expressed frustration with labor struggles in education and the influence of tech companies on teaching practices.
Hegseth and Trump: Bring Back the Confederacy! https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/01/hegseth-and-trump-want-to-bring-back-the-confederacy/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump and Hegseth aim to restore Confederate statues and General Robert E. Lee's portrait at West Point, defying previous laws and protests against Confederate symbols.
- A workaround was used to rename military bases by honoring obscure soldiers who shared last names with Confederate generals, avoiding direct violations of the 2020 law.
- Critics highlight the hypocrisy in claims of preserving history while engaging in censorship and promoting divisive narratives.
The GOP Death March, Led by RFK Jr. https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/01/the-gop-death-march-led-by-rfk-jr/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- RFK Jr., an anti-vaccine activist, was appointed to lead HHS, signaling a shift where politics overrides science.
- Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation have led to a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles and polio.
- RFK Jr.'s pseudoscience and conspiracies, including claims about vaccines causing autism and COVID-19 targeting specific groups, are widely condemned.
- Resignations and walkouts by health officials highlight the crisis in leadership and its impact on public health.
- Massive funding cuts to vaccine research, Medicaid, and NIH undermine America's preparedness for future pandemics.
- The appointment reflects a broader political movement prioritizing ideology over evidence, endangering millions.
- Restoring trust in science and demanding qualified leaders is crucial to safeguarding public health.
Big Education Ape: THE GOLDEN CABINET AND THE IRON FIST: A LABOR DAY LOOK AT TRUMP'S OLIGARCHY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-golden-cabinet-and-iron-fist-labor.html
### Key Points
- Trump's administration is marked by unprecedented billionaire appointments, raising concerns about democracy turning into a pay-to-play system.
- The concept of oligarchy is explained as rule by a wealthy elite, with historical examples from Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. Gilded Age.
- Billionaire donors and appointees aim for deregulation, tax cuts, and policies benefiting their industries, undermining democratic principles.
- Labor Day protests in Chicago reflect workers' opposition to oligarchic policies and demand accountability from the ultra-rich.
- Historical parallels are drawn with the Gilded Age and global examples of oligarchic influence, warning of its dangers to democracy.
Big Education Ape: TOP POSTS THIS MONTH - AUGUST 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/top-posts-this-month-august-2025.html
### Key Points
- The blog critiques gerrymandering and calls for expanding the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Articles explore AI's role in education, including its potential and challenges in classrooms.
- Discussions on labor rights emphasize resisting authoritarianism and addressing inequalities.
- Commentary on political figures like Donald Trump and RFK Jr. critiques their actions and impact.
- Satirical and creative posts address issues like oligarchy, gun culture, and democracy's fragility.
- Resources and links are provided for education reform, public campaigns, and activism.
Big Education Ape: IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS CHAOS: A BIBLICAL PARODY OF THE OLIGARCHY’S RAW-DOGGING OF THE CONSTITUTION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/08/in-beginning-there-was-chaos-biblical.html
### Key Points
- The article uses biblical allegory to critique the erosion of democratic principles in the U.S., highlighting the influence of oligarchs and conservative forces on the Constitution.
- Mitch McConnell's actions in the Senate, including blocking Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination and invoking the "nuclear option," are portrayed as undermining justice and tipping the balance of the judiciary.
- The Supreme Court's adoption of the Unitary Executive Theory is criticized for concentrating executive power and weakening checks and balances.
- The rise of "King Trump" is described as a culmination of Senate and Court complicity, leading to authoritarian governance and agency manipulation.
- The article warns of societal chaos fueled by oligarchic greed, rising inequality, and weakened democratic institutions.
- A call to action emphasizes the importance of voting, organizing, and restoring democratic principles to counter authoritarianism and oligarchy.
Teacher Tom: The Radical Notion That Families Should Have Time Together https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-radical-notion-that-families-should.html
The article discusses the significance of Labor Day in the U.S., highlighting the contributions of the Labor Movement to workers' rights, the middle class, and family time. It critiques the anti-union rhetoric from politicians and corporations, emphasizing the vital role unions play in improving wages, working conditions, and productivity. The author defends unions against accusations of selfishness, laziness, and anti-capitalism, arguing they embody democracy and collective action for the common good. The piece also touches on the challenges faced by teacher unions due to corporate-driven education reforms.
### Key Points
- Labor Day celebrates the contributions of the Labor Movement, which provided middle-class privileges like weekends, paid leave, and safer workplaces.
- Unions have historically fought for better wages, health care, anti-discrimination laws, and protections against exploitative work conditions.
- Criticism of unions as selfish or lazy is refuted with evidence showing higher productivity and better quality in unionized workplaces.
- Teacher unions are under attack from corporate education reformers, who falsely blame them for an "educational crisis."
- The author views unions as democratic entities that negotiate for the collective good, contrasting them with profit-driven corporations.
glen brown: "Republicans, before the Donald Trump cult took hold, frequently railed (rightly so) against communist and fascist regimes that nationalized industry, indulged in crony capitalism, and substituted propaganda for the free flow of reliable... https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/09/republicans-before-donald-trump-cult.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump's presidency has involved rolling back labor protections, undermining unions, and targeting public sector workers, with corporate-friendly appointments steering operations away from worker support.
- Some labor leaders, like Sean O’Brien of the Teamsters, have supported Trump, while most unions oppose him, reflecting divisions within organized labor on political alignment.
- Joe Biden's administration is described as the most pro-union in recent history, with efforts to improve union standing among workers.
- Unions are urged to adopt mass mobilization tactics to counter Trump's anti-labor policies and remind Americans of the importance of collective action.
- Public approval of unions has reached its highest level since the 1960s, making the fight against anti-labor measures more significant.
Schools Matter: A New Labor Day: Back to the Future for Unions http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/09/a-new-labor-day-back-to-future-for.html
### Key Points
- The phrase "Back to the Future" symbolizes a desire to revive fundamental values and principles from the past to address modern complexities, rather than indulging in nostalgia.
- Labor unions have been largely silent in the face of challenges like job loss, weakened safety nets, and threats to democracy, and need to return to mass mobilization tactics to fight for survival.
- Education unions must address internal issues, such as the influence of corporate-aligned groups like TURN, to effectively advocate for workers and resist corporate control.
- Links are provided for further exploration into the corporate influence on unions and the TURN agenda within the AFT.
- The blog reflects on broader topics like education reform, poverty, and testing, emphasizing systemic issues over superficial fixes.
No Confidence: The Ugly Truth About How Leaders Talk About Labor – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/09/01/no-confidence-the-ugly-truth-about-how-leaders-talk-about-labor/
### Key Points
- Many leaders privately mock unions and prioritize confrontation over collaboration, leading to predictable consequences like mass layoffs and salary freezes while protecting executive perks.
- Leadership decisions often undermine trust, treating labor as expendable rather than the foundation of institutions, which destabilizes long-term sustainability.
- Collaborative approaches during crises, such as those implemented at the University of Kentucky, show that solidarity and fairness can avoid mass layoffs and foster a more humane path forward.
- Boards and hiring committees often select leaders based on charisma and aggressiveness rather than empathy and collaboration, leading to damaged morale and labor confrontations.
- Union-busting leadership harms higher education by exploiting workers like adjuncts, graduate students, and staff, eroding the foundation of institutions.
- Strong unions and solidarity are essential for ensuring dignity and justice for workers, as shown through the author's lifelong commitment to labor advocacy and union support.
- Labor Day serves as a reminder of the historical struggle for workers' rights and the need for leaders who prioritize collaboration and respect for labor.
- Institutions thrive when leaders value people and collaboration, rather than treating workers as disposable assets.
Choosing Democracy: Labor and Organizing to Resist Fascism Today https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/09/labor-and-organizing-to-resist-fascism.html
### Key Points
- The Union of Southern Service Workers exemplifies a growing labor movement in the South, challenging authoritarianism and promoting multi-ethnic democracy.
- Historical parallels are drawn to Reconstruction-era Fusion movements that united Black and white workers for economic and social justice.
- Divisive tactics, such as promoting white supremacy, were used historically to undermine worker solidarity and maintain cheap labor.
- Labor unions improve wages, working conditions, and community life, benefiting both workers and broader society.
- Unions have historically played a key role in advancing democracy, including contributions to the New Deal, Civil Rights Movement, and War on Poverty.
- Labor Day is a reminder of the power of collective action and moral leadership in defeating authoritarianism and reconstructing democracy.
TRUMP’S AWFUL OLIGARCHY: A BILLIONAIRE’S BANQUET AT DEMOCRACY’S EXPENSE From Celebration to Protest: Why Labor Day 2025 Is a Reckoning https://ru4people.substack.com/p/trumps-awful-oligarchy-a-billionaires
### Key Points
- Donald Trump’s administration and campaign are heavily supported by billionaire donors, with 26 billionaires contributing $162 million to his 2024 campaign.
- Trump’s administration includes 13 billionaires in key positions, influencing national policies to favor corporate interests over public welfare.
- Billionaire donors prioritize deregulation, lower taxes, and industry protections while undermining labor rights and environmental safeguards.
- Labor Day 2025 in Chicago has shifted from celebration to protest against Trump’s oligarchic policies and threats of federal militarization in the city.
- Illinois officials and labor groups oppose Trump’s plans, emphasizing the need for resources like education funding rather than military intervention.
- Trump’s oligarchy is seen as an enemy of labor, prioritizing profits over workers, with a system that erodes democracy in favor of billionaire rule.
RFK JR.: THE HEALTHCARE FAIRY OR AMERICA’S GRIM REAPER? https://ru4people.substack.com/p/rfk-jr-the-healthcare-fairy
### Key Points
- RFK Jr., with no medical background, became HHS Secretary, leading to controversial healthcare policies.
- Promoted vaccine misinformation, including debunked claims about autism and COVID-19, while replacing CDC experts with vaccine skeptics.
- Eliminated public health programs, fired thousands of federal employees, and reduced funding for vaccine clinics.
- Advocated fringe beliefs, such as opposing water fluoridation and mRNA research, while promoting raw milk despite health risks.
- Faced backlash from his own family, with accusations of spreading harmful misinformation and exploiting public trust.
- Launched the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, which cut bureaucracy but gutted essential healthcare programs.
- Policies resulted in declining vaccination rates, the deadliest measles outbreak in decades, and weakened public health agencies.
- RFK Jr.'s tenure is viewed as a cautionary tale of the risks of appointing unqualified individuals to critical positions.
THE NOVICHOK CANDIDATE HOW TRUMP BECAME PUTIN'S PUPPET (OR DID HE?) https://ru4people.substack.com/p/the-novichok-candidate
- The article satirically explores the concept of Donald Trump as "The Novichok Candidate," speculating on his alleged transformation into a pawn of Vladimir Putin during his presidency.
- It humorously recounts Trump's solo meeting with Putin and the subsequent erratic behavior, including incoherent tweets, unpredictable policies, and bizarre tariff decisions.
- Trump's second term is described as chaotic, marked by controversial electoral claims, government dismantling, and policies that appeared to favor Putin over America's interests.
- Domestically, Trump’s administration is portrayed as a circus of loyalty-driven appointments, anti-transgender policies, cuts to healthcare and education funding, and immigration crackdowns.
- The article questions whether Trump was compromised by Putin or simply acted out of eccentricity and unpredictability, leaving the truth ambiguous.
- The satirical tone emphasizes the absurdity of the narrative, likening it to political caricature and fiction.
GENESIS OF THE OLIGARCHY WHEN FROGS, LOCUSTS, AND BILLIONAIRES DESCENDED UPON DEMOCRACY https://ru4people.substack.com/p/genesis-of-the-oligarchy
### Key Points
- The U.S. Constitution, originally designed to protect liberty and equality, has been exploited by oligarchic conservatives, leading to chaos.
- Mitch McConnell's obstructionist tactics in the Senate transformed it into a tool for corporate interests, culminating in a conservative Supreme Court supermajority.
- The Supreme Court has dismantled key precedents, enabling corporate dominance and undermining rights like abortion access, voting protections, and climate regulations.
- The Unitary Executive Theory under Trump centralized power, weakened agencies, and turned governance into autocracy, while Congress failed to act.
- Billionaire influence has grown, leveraging AI and misinformation to manipulate markets and elections, eroding public trust in institutions.
- The author urges citizens to push back against oligarchy through voting, protests, and institutional reforms, such as fixing the Supreme Court and restoring checks and balances.
- Democracy must be defended collectively, with citizens rejecting apathy and embracing action to prevent tyranny.
From Public Good to Personal Gain: How Florida’s ESAs Invite Abuse – Accountabaloney https://accountabaloney.com/from-public-good-to-personal-gain-how-floridas-esas-invite-abuse/
### Key Points
- Florida’s Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), implemented through programs like FES-UA, allow families to use taxpayer funds for diverse educational expenses, including questionable items like theme park tickets and swing sets.
- The FES-UA program, designed for students with special needs, permits families to invest K–12 education funds in college savings plans, raising ethical concerns and potentially diverting funds from public schools.
- Loopholes in ESA regulations, such as the ability to roll over funds into Roth IRAs, highlight risks of misuse and undermine the intended purpose of funding current student education.
- The article advocates for Florida school boards to reject Step Up for Students’ education marketplace initiative, which fragments public education and compromises community-based schools.
- Privatization of education in Florida threatens public schools, communities, and democracy by treating schools as vendors and families as customers.
NOLA’s Carver High School Legacy: “What We Stand to Lose” by Kristen Buras | deutsch29: Mercedes Schneider's Blog https://deutsch29.wordpress.com/2025/09/01/nolas-carver-high-school-legacy-what-we-stand-to-lose-by-kristen-buras/
### Key Points
- The author reflects on growing up in a racially segregated environment and the manipulation of white superiority narratives.
- George Washington Carver High School faced systemic neglect but thrived due to the commitment of its teachers and community.
- Teachers like Yvonne Busch, Lenora Condoll, and Enos Hicks inspired students despite limited resources and societal pressures.
- Kristen Buras’ book, "What We Stand to Lose," provides a detailed account of Carver High's history and challenges post-Katrina, including the denial of a community-operated charter.
- The article critiques white savior narratives and calls for recognizing the interconnectedness of school and community quality.
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Race, District Two - Smith v Clark https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com/2025/09/seattle-school-board-race-district-two.html?spref=tw
### Key Points
- The article discusses the Seattle School Board race for District Two between Kathleen Smith and Sarah Clark, highlighting their strengths, challenges, and perspectives on key issues like governance, school closures, and public engagement.
- Kathleen Smith emphasizes the need for a forensic audit to address budget concerns, creative use of capital funding, and pragmatic approaches to school closures while prioritizing equity. She also critiques the lack of data-driven decisions and advocates for improved public engagement.
- Sarah Clark focuses on rebuilding relationships within the community and district, addressing the budget deficit, and restructuring district operations. She supports better intergovernmental partnerships and believes in collaborative solutions with the new Board.
- Both candidates are committed to completing the term they are running for, which is a 2-year term rather than a full 4-year term.
- Concerns about nepotism in Seattle Schools and the impact of personal connections on promotions are briefly mentioned.
On this Labor Day, change is in the air. The Resistance Movement is rebuilding and winning victories. https://michaelklonsky.substack.com/p/on-this-labor-day-change-is-in-the
### Key Points
- The Resistance Movement has evolved from reactive protests to strategic activism, with unions and social justice groups collaborating on policy and electoral strategies.
- Zohran Mamdani’s campaign highlights the Democratic Party’s leadership crisis, as labor unions and progressive activists rally behind him.
- Historic labor strikes, such as the Hilton Americas-Houston hotel strike, exemplify the fight for dignity, democracy, and equity in workplaces.
- Coordinated union actions across industries signal a growing labor movement using strikes as leverage for systemic change.
- Transnational solidarity and anti-carceral resistance are gaining momentum, with calls to end Israeli apartheid and ICE surveillance.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
9-1-25
9-1-25
The article is a diverse compilation of blog posts and news stories addressing political controversies, education reforms, societal challenges, and public health issues in the U.S. in 2025. It includes critiques of governance, advocacy for public education, and the impact of technological advancements on society.
### Key Points
- Governor JB Pritzker opposes Trump’s interference in Chicago, emphasizing higher crime rates in red states and addressing systemic poverty issues.
- The erosion of democratic principles in the U.S. is critiqued using biblical allegory, highlighting oligarchic influence and authoritarian governance.
- Mitch McConnell’s judicial strategies and the adoption of the Unitary Executive Theory are criticized for undermining checks and balances and concentrating executive power.
- Satirical depiction of Trump’s presidency critiques immigration policies, diversity program eliminations, and alleged ties to Russian oligarchs.
- Advocacy for public education reform and resistance against privatization are emphasized.
- NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang outlines a future dominated by AI and robotics, emphasizing interdisciplinary education and energy sustainability for competitive advantage.
- Seattle Public Schools faces a lawsuit over alleged harassment and systemic HR issues, highlighting broader concerns about workplace practices.
- Charter school expansion slows due to low enrollment and financial issues, with increasing closures and fewer openings.
- Robert Reich’s 1995 predictions on labor issues remain relevant, highlighting economic inequality and workforce challenges.
- The "Phantom Hacker" scam targeting seniors has stolen over $1 billion, emphasizing the need for vigilance and reporting.
- PragerU’s "Teacher Qualification Test" is critiqued for promoting conservative ideologies over educational expertise.
- A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s deportation of Guatemalan children, citing violations of due process rights.
- AI-driven charter schools propose eliminating human teachers, raising concerns about accessibility and equity in education.
- Critiques of Trump’s Medicare changes, gun culture, and NIH budget cuts highlight systemic challenges in healthcare and public safety.
- Public education advocacy efforts focus on resisting privatization and addressing poverty’s impact on learning.
- California establishes an AI in Education Workgroup to address equity and privacy concerns in schools.
- Decline in pleasure reading among Americans sparks discussions on literacy and education reforms.
