Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, July 17, 2023

'MAGA JOE' MANCHIN SET TO PISS ON HOPE AGAIN

NO LABEL FOR JOE MANCHIN?

'MAGA JOE' MANCHIN SET TO PISS ON HOPE AGAIN

In a surprising move, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has been spotted at an event in New Hampshire organized by No Labels, a third party outfit that hopes to get on the ballot in 50 states for the 2024 presidential election with a “unity ticket”. But what does this mean for the future of politics in America? Well, it could mean chaos, confusion, and a whole lot of laughs.

No Labels is a curious organization that aims to bring together people from across the political spectrum. But let's be real, it's just MAGA all dressed up without the nastiness of Trump. And who better to represent this new wave of "moderate" Republicans than Joe Manchin, the senator who loves to dig coal and reminisce about the good old days in Dixie.

If Manchin decides to run for president as a No Labels candidate, it could spell trouble for the Democrats. With his popularity in West Virginia and his "moderate" views on issues like gun control and the environment, he could easily split the Democratic vote and hand the White House to the Republicans in 2024. And let's not forget about his crucial seat in a finely-balanced Senate. If Manchin jumps ship, the Democrats could lose their majority and be left floundering in a sea of red.

But who are these No Labels people anyway? Well, according to their founding chairman Joseph Lieberman, they're just a bunch of MAGA Democrats who want to bring people together. And what could be more unifying than a third-party candidate who pulls more from Biden than Trump? I mean, who needs unity when you can have chaos?

In all seriousness though, No Labels is a fascinating experiment in American politics. They claim to represent the silent majority of Americans who are tired of partisan bickering and want to see real change. But can they really deliver on their promises? Can they bring together Republicans and Democrats in a meaningful way? Or are they just another flash in the pan, a footnote in the long history of American politics?

Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, with Joe Manchin at the helm of this new movement, we're in for a wild ride. So buckle up America, it's going to be a bumpy one.

 Democrats fear a Joe Manchin No Labels presidential run could hand Trump the White House - live https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2023/jul/17/manchin-third-party-biden-trump-2024-live-updates 

Former lawmakers plan new group to stop No Labels presidential bid - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/07/11/gephardt-no-labels-third-party/ 


PENNSYLVANIA PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS: I QUIT!!!

 

PENNSYLVANIA PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS: I QUIT!!!

Attention all students and parents in Pennsylvania! If you thought your school was chaotic before, just wait until you hear this news. According to a recent study, Pennsylvania is experiencing a mass exodus of principals and teachers. That's right, it's like a scene out of a movie where everyone is running for the exit before the building explodes. Except in this case, it's the schools that are exploding with problems.

Now, before you start panicking and running for the hills, let's take a closer look at what's going on. Apparently, nearly 10,000 teachers left their jobs in 2022-23, which is more than any other year on record. That's a lot of teachers! It's like they all decided to form a flash mob and quit at the same time. Maybe they were inspired by that "take this job and shove it" song.

But wait, it gets even better (or worse, depending on how you look at it). During the same school year, principal attrition increased to 15.4%, which is the highest it's been since data was made available. That means 463 principals left their positions. It's like a game of musical chairs, but instead of chairs, it's principal's offices. And instead of music, it's the sound of teachers shouting "I quit!"

So what's causing all of this chaos in Pennsylvania schools? Well, there are a few theories floating around. Some people think it's because of low pay and benefits. Others think it's because of the stress and pressure that comes with the job. And then there are those who think it's because of the students themselves. Let's face it, kids can be pretty crazy sometimes.

But whatever the reason may be, one thing is for sure: Pennsylvania schools are in crisis mode. It's like the Wild West out there, with teachers and principals fleeing for their lives (or at least their sanity). If you're a student in Pennsylvania, you might want to invest in some running shoes just in case you need to make a quick escape.

Of course, all of this chaos does have its upsides. For one thing, it's a great excuse to skip school. "Sorry, Mom and Dad, but my school doesn't have any teachers or principals today. I guess I'll just have to stay home and watch Netflix." Plus, it's kind of funny to imagine all of those teachers and principals running for the exit like they're in some kind of action movie.

But in all seriousness, something needs to be done to fix this problem. Students need teachers and principals who are dedicated to their jobs and who can provide a stable learning environment. Maybe it's time for Pennsylvania to invest more in education and pay their educators what they deserve. Or maybe they just need to hire some clowns to entertain the kids instead of teachers.

In conclusion, Pennsylvania schools are going through a rough patch right now. But with a little bit of effort and a lot of humor, we can get through this together. Who knows, maybe this will all make for a great story to tell our grandkids one day. "Back in my day, we had to run for our lives just to get an education!"

Pennsylvania teachers are quitting in big numbers. Here’s why some from the Pittsburgh area left for good. | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2023/07/09/pennsylvania-teachers-quitting-pittsburgh/stories/202307060139

Pennsylvania principals leaving schools at 'substantial' rate, new report finds | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2023/07/15/pennsylvania-principals-leaving-schools-penn-state-report/stories/202307150011 

Monmouth school superintendents quit jobs, leave the state https://www.app.com/story/news/education/2023/07/17/monmouth-school-superintendents-quit-jobs-leave-state/70406103007/ 

THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM: WHO WILL WIN THE TITLE OF DUMBEST GOVERNOR

THE RACE TO THE BOTTOM: WHO WILL WIN THE TITLE OF DUMBEST GOVERNOR

In a country where political satire is becoming indistinguishable from reality, the competition for the title of Dumbest Governor is heating up. Forget about the Oscars or the Super Bowl, this is the ultimate contest of one-upmanship, where the goal is not to govern wisely or serve the people, but to pander to the most extreme and irrational elements of the electorate. The three front runners are: Texas Governor Abbott, Oklahoma Governor Stitt, and Florida Governor DeSantis. Let's take a closer look at their qualifications for the coveted title.

Abbott: The Lone Star Loon

Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, is a man who knows how to make a fool of himself. He has been a loyal disciple of Trumpism, even when it meant endangering the lives of his own constituents during the Covid-19 pandemic. He has also shown a remarkable talent for blaming others for his own failures, such as the recent power outages that left millions of Texans freezing in the dark. But Abbott's true genius lies in his ability to come up with absurd and unconstitutional laws, such as the ban on abortion after six weeks, which makes him a strong contender for the Dumbest Governor title. His latest stunt is to build a border wall with private donations, as if he were playing Minecraft instead of running a state. Abbott's campaign slogan should be: "Make Texas Dumber Again!"

Stitt: The Sooner Stupid

Kevin Stitt, the Governor of Oklahoma, is a man who makes you wonder how he got elected in the first place. He has been a loyal disciple of Trumpism, even when it meant denying climate change or promoting conspiracy theories. He has also shown a remarkable talent for ignoring the needs of his own constituents, such as the recent surge in Covid-19 cases that overwhelmed hospitals and led to unnecessary deaths. But Stitt's true genius lies in his ability to waste taxpayer money on useless projects, such as his plan to build a new Capitol building, even though there is nothing wrong with the old one. His latest stunt is to sign a bill that protects drivers who hit protesters with their cars, as if he were living in a Mad Max movie instead of a civilized society. Stitt's campaign slogan should be: "Make Oklahoma Grate Again!"

DeSantis: The Sunshine Simpleton

Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, is a man who makes you wonder if he ever read a book or watched a documentary. He has been a loyal disciple of Trumpism, even when it meant downplaying the severity of Covid-19 or promoting unproven treatments. He has also shown a remarkable talent for catering to special interests, such as the recent law that bans transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports, even though there is no evidence of any harm caused by such participation. But DeSantis' true genius lies in his ability to act as if he were above the law, such as his recent pardon of all Covid-19 related fines and penalties for businesses that violated safety regulations. His latest stunt is to sell merchandise that mocks Dr. Fauci and promotes his own political ambitions, as if he were running for class clown instead of Governor. DeSantis' campaign slogan should be: "Make Florida Gator Again!"

Oneupmanship: The Art of Being More Stupid

The sad reality is that these three Governors are not outliers or exceptions, but symptoms of a larger problem: the degradation of political discourse and the triumph of tribalism over reason. They are not trying to govern effectively or solve complex problems, but to appeal to the lowest common denominator of their base and to outdo each other in their loyalty to Trumpism. They are not leaders, but followers; not statesmen, but demagogues. They are not making America great again, but making it dumber again.

The question is not which one of them is the Dumbest Governor, but how much damage they can do before they are voted out or impeached. The real competition is not among them, but among us: the voters who have the power to elect or reject them; the citizens who have the responsibility to demand accountability and transparency from them; the human beings who have the capacity to think critically and empathetically about the common good.

Let's not be fooled by their slogans or their tweets; let's not be intimidated by their bluster or their threats; let's not be divided by their lies or their hate. Let's be smarter than they are; let's be wittier than they are; let's be funnier than they are. Let's make America great again by making it smarter again.

Author of spoof story shared by Greg Abbott calls him one of ‘dumbest people in the country’ | Greg Abbott | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/17/greg-abbott-spoof-story-garth-brooks-author-dumb 

Sunday, July 16, 2023

ELON MUSK LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM 'TWITTER CRAP ON MY WINDSHIELD'

 

ELON MUSK LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM

 'TWITTER CRAP ON MY WINDSHIELD'

In an unexpected move, the self-proclaimed "stable genius" Elon Musk has announced a new direct funding program for Twitter right-wingers, hatemongers, and conspiracy theorists. Yes, you read that right. The man behind Tesla and SpaceX wants to reward those who post hate on Twitter.

According to Musk, these individuals are the "pot stirrers" of the internet and deserve to be compensated for their efforts. In a recent tweet, he stated, "I love a good conspiracy theory and some good old-fashioned hate speech. It keeps things interesting."

The program, aptly named "Twitter Crap on My Windshield," will provide financial incentives for those who consistently post offensive content on the social media platform. The more hate you spew, the more money you'll receive.

But wait, there's more! Musk has also promised that your Twitter feed will be like a windshield that keeps getting crapped on by nasty birds. What a delightful image.

It's unclear how much money participants will receive, but Musk has hinted that it will be enough to make a difference in their lives. He even suggested that some may be able to quit their day jobs and focus solely on spreading hate online.

Critics of the program have called it irresponsible and dangerous. They argue that hate speech should not be rewarded and that it only serves to further divide society.

But Musk is undeterred. He believes that the program will bring much-needed entertainment to Twitter and will help him achieve his ultimate goal of colonizing Mars.

So, if you're a Twitter user who loves to stir the pot and spread hate, this is your chance to cash in. Just remember, your words have consequences, and participating in this program may have long-lasting effects on your reputation and relationships.

In conclusion, while we can't deny the humor in Musk's latest venture, we must also recognize the potential harm it can cause. Let's strive for a world where hate speech is not rewarded but rather condemned. And maybe, just maybe, we can all enjoy a Twitter feed that isn't constantly covered in crap.

Elon Musk Makes Two Important Changes On Twitter Following Ad Revenue Sharing Program – Deadline https://deadline.com/2023/07/elon-musk-makes-two-important-changes-twitter-ad-revenue-sharing-program-1235439143/ 


BILLIONAIRES ACTING BADLY: WTF A CAGE MATCH OR A DICK MEASURING CONTEST, SERIOUSLY

 

BILLIONAIRES ACTING BADLY

WTF A CAGE MATCH OR A DICK MEASURING CONTEST, SERIOUSLY 

Billionaires are a funny bunch, aren't they? They have so much money that they don't know what to do with it. They buy islands, yachts, and private jets, and yet they still act like they're broke. They feud with each other like they're in high school, and they do some pretty outrageous things. From cage matches to dick measuring contests to an island of underage girls, billionaires have done it all. And you know what? They suck. Maybe literally.

Let's start with the feud between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. These two tech billionaires have been at each other's throats for a while now, and it looks like they're finally going to settle their differences in a cage fight. Can you believe it? Two of the most influential people in the world are going to duke it out like a couple of MMA fighters. I can wait to see what happens.

According to some sources, the feud started when Zuckerberg launched a new social media platform called Threads, which is similar to Musk's Twitter. Musk called Threads a "tapeworm" and tweeted that "Zuck is a cuck". Ouch. That's gotta hurt. Musk then challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match, suggesting the "Vegas Octagon" as the location. Zuckerberg responded with "send me location". This isn't going to be good.

Musk joked that he had a great move called "The Walrus", where he would just lie on top of his opponent and do nothing. He also said he almost never worked out, except for picking up his kids and throwing them in the air. Classic Musk. Zuckerberg, on the other hand, has been training in mixed martial arts (MMA) and has won jiu-jitsu tournaments. He also has a younger age and a higher net worth than Musk. This is shaping up to be quite the battle.

The potential fight has generated a lot of buzz and memes on social media, with some users debating who would win and others mocking the idea. Some experts have said that Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), would be interested in hosting the fight. I can already see the pay-per-view numbers going through the roof.

But Musk and Zuckerberg aren't the only billionaires acting badly. Donald Trump, the former US president and billionaire, paid only $750 in federal taxes in 2016 and 2017, and could owe $100 million to the IRS after an audit. Robert F. Smith, the wealthiest Black man in America and a philanthropist, admitted to hiding $200 million in offshore accounts and evading taxes for 15 years. He paid a $139 million fine to the IRS, the largest tax fine ever. Leon Black, the founder of private equity firm Apollo Management, paid $50 million to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein for personal financial advice between 2012 and 2017, despite Epstein's conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008.

And who can forget about Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of blood-testing company Theranos? Her net worth dropped from $4.5 billion to zero after it emerged that her company was being investigated by federal agencies for fraud and misleading investors. She is facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. And then there's Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier and convicted sex offender, who was arrested in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking minors. He died by suicide in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial. His death sparked conspiracy theories and investigations into his powerful associates, including Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump.

But it's not just these high-profile cases that show how billionaires can act badly. Jeff Bezos has been criticized for his treatment of Amazon workers, who have alleged that they are overworked, underpaid, and subjected to unsafe working conditions. Bezos has also been criticized for his personal wealth, which is estimated to be over $180 billion. Elon Musk has been criticized for his erratic behavior on Twitter, where he has made controversial statements about a variety of topics, including politics, climate change, and the media. Musk has also been accused of overworking his employees at Tesla and SpaceX.

Mark Zuckerberg has been criticized for his handling of user privacy at Facebook. In 2018, it was revealed that Facebook had allowed Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, to access the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their consent. Zuckerberg has also been criticized for his lack of transparency about Facebook's algorithms and data collection practices.

Bill Gates has been criticized for his past investments in fossil fuels. Gates has since pledged to divest from fossil fuels, but he has been criticized for not doing so sooner. Gates has also been criticized for his handling of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has been accused of funding projects that have had negative consequences for local communities.

These are just a few examples of billionaires acting badly. There are many other examples that could be cited. But one thing is clear: billionaires suck. Maybe literally. They have so much money that they don't know what to do with it, and they often act like entitled brats who think they're above the law. But we can still laugh at them, right? After all, what else can we do?

THE DEFT DIVE

Feud between **Elon Musk** and **Mark Zuckerberg**, two of the most influential tech billionaires in the world. According to some sources, they have agreed to settle their rivalry in a **cage fight**. Here is what I found from the web:

  • - The feud started when Zuckerberg launched a new social media platform called **Threads**, which is similar to Musk's **Twitter**. Musk called Threads a "tapeworm" and tweeted that "Zuck is a cuck".⁵⁶
  • - Musk then challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match, suggesting the "Vegas Octagon" as the location. Zuckerberg responded with "send me location".¹⁶
  • - Musk joked that he had a great move called "The Walrus", where he would just lie on top of his opponent and do nothing. He also said he almost never worked out, except for picking up his kids and throwing them in the air.¹
  • - Zuckerberg, on the other hand, has been training in mixed martial arts (MMA) and has won jiu-jitsu tournaments. He also has a younger age and a higher net worth than Musk.⁵⁶
  • - The potential fight has generated a lot of buzz and memes on social media, with some users debating who would win and others mocking the idea. Some experts have said that Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), would be interested in hosting the fight.²⁴⁶

These are some of the latest developments in the billionaire brawl between Musk and Zuckerberg. You can learn more by clicking on the links below.

Bing, 7/16/2023

(1) By The Numbers: How Billionaires Musk And Zuckerberg Stack Up On .... https://www.forbes.com/sites/phoebeliu/2023/07/09/billionaire-brawl-now-whos-winning-the-fight-between-musk-and-zuckerberg/.

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

(3) Elon Musk Says He Will Train for Cage Fight Against Mark Zuckerberg. https://greekreporter.com/2023/06/26/elon-musk-train-cage-fight-mark-zuckerberg/.

(4) Marc Andreessen throws his support behind an Elon Musk-Mark Zuckerberg cage fight in a talk with Peter Thiel. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/marc-andreessen-throws-his-support-behind-an-elon-musk-mark-zuckerberg-cage-fight-in-a-talk-with-peter-thiel/ar-AA1dR6i4.

(5) Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg’s surprisingly long history of trying to outdo each other. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/elon-musk-and-mark-zuckerberg-s-surprisingly-long-history-of-trying-to-outdo-each-other/ar-AA1dA6Nb.

(6) Musk reacts hilariously to him & Zuckerberg photoshopped together. https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/elon-musk-net-worth-mark-zuckerberg-threads-latest-news-16-july-2023/.

  • - **Donald Trump**, the former US president and billionaire, paid only **$750** in federal taxes in 2016 and 2017, and could owe **$100 million** to the IRS after an audit¹.
  • - **Robert F. Smith**, the wealthiest Black man in America and a philanthropist, admitted to hiding **$200 million** in offshore accounts and evading taxes for 15 years. He paid a **$139 million** fine to the IRS, the largest tax fine ever¹.
  • - **Leon Black**, the founder of private equity firm Apollo Management, paid **$50 million** to disgraced financier **Jeffrey Epstein** for personal financial advice between 2012 and 2017, despite Epstein's conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008¹.
  • - **Elizabeth Holmes**, the founder of blood-testing company Theranos, saw her net worth drop from **$4.5 billion** to zero after it emerged that her company was being investigated by federal agencies for fraud and misleading investors. She is facing up to **20 years** in prison if convicted².
  • - **Jeffrey Epstein**, a billionaire financier and convicted sex offender, was arrested in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking minors. He died by suicide in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial. His death sparked conspiracy theories and investigations into his powerful associates, including Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump².

These are just some of the scandals that have rocked the billionaire world in the past decade. You can learn more by clicking on the links below.

Bing, 7/16/2023

(1) Here Are The Biggest Billionaire Scandals Of 2020 - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisettevoytko/2021/12/27/here-are-the-biggest-billionaire-scandals-of-2020/.

(2) Wildest Billionaire Scandals That Defined the 2010s - Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/wildest-billionaire-scandals-that-defined-the-2010s.

Examples of billionaires acting badly:

  • Jeff Bezos has been criticized for his treatment of Amazon workers, who have alleged that they are overworked, underpaid, and subjected to unsafe working conditions. Bezos has also been criticized for his personal wealth, which is estimated to be over $180 billion.
  • Elon Musk has been criticized for his erratic behavior on Twitter, where he has made controversial statements about a variety of topics, including politics, climate change, and the media. Musk has also been accused of overworking his employees at Tesla and SpaceX.
  • Mark Zuckerberg has been criticized for his handling of user privacy at Facebook. In 2018, it was revealed that Facebook had allowed Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, to access the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their consent. Zuckerberg has also been criticized for his lack of transparency about Facebook's algorithms and data collection practices.
  • Bill Gates has been criticized for his past investments in fossil fuels. Gates has since pledged to divest from fossil fuels, but he has been criticized for not doing so sooner. Gates has also been criticized for his handling of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has been accused of funding projects that have had negative consequences for local communities.
  • Warren Buffett has been criticized for his opposition to raising taxes on the wealthy. Buffett has argued that he pays his fair share of taxes, but he has also benefited from tax breaks that are available to the wealthy. Buffett has also been criticized for his investment in Wells Fargo, a bank that has been accused of widespread fraud.

These are just a few examples of billionaires acting badly. There are many other examples that could be cited. It is important to note that not all billionaires behave badly. However, the examples listed above demonstrate that there is a pattern of bad behavior among some of the world's wealthiest individuals.

In addition to the examples listed above, here are some other things that billionaires have done that have brought criticism, disgust, scandals, and just weird things:

  • Leonardo DiCaprio was criticized for attending a party hosted by a Russian oligarch who was under investigation for corruption.
  • Richard Branson was criticized for launching a space tourism company while the world was still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Amancio Ortega was criticized for his company's use of sweatshop labor.
  • Steve Wynn was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women.
  • Jeff Epstein was convicted of sex trafficking and died in prison while awaiting trial on additional charges.

These are just a few examples of the bad behavior that some billionaires have exhibited. It is important to remember that not all billionaires are bad people. However, the examples listed above demonstrate that there is a pattern of bad behavior among some of the world's wealthiest individuals.