8-2-14 Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Schooling in the Ownership Society All Week

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog:
Schooling in the Ownership Society

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk 

Schooling in the Ownership Society

Catherine Sugrue's Credentials

Ald. O'ConnorThe big story in Chicago is all about Catherine Sugrue, the sister of Ald. Patrick O'Connor, being appointed by schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett as principal of a north side elementary school. This even after Sugrue had failed the principal eligibility assessment twice in the last 12 months, making her ineligible for the job.O'Connor, is Rahm Emanuel's point person in the council. He'

by Mike Klonsky / 12min 

LOLLAPALOOZA: Rahm rides his Texas connection

Chicago's biggest and priciest teeny-bopper rock festival jumps off this weekend. Thousands of mainly white, suburban kids are getting dropped off by parents in Grant Park, which is now surrounded by full length "NATO riot fences" to ease mom and dad's minds about the other (if you know what I mean). Many have paid the $250 needed for a 3-day pass (drugs not included) to hear favorites l

2 by Mike Klonsky / 17h 

JUL 31

The politics of water and schooling in Detroit

A SMALL VICTORY -- Ongoing protests against Detroit's massive water shut-off to the city's poorest have forced a restructuring in the city's already bankrupt government. The so-called Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr has handed over control of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to elected mayor, Mike Duggan.Jason Stanley writes in yesterday's New York Times:Orr’s actions are a result of s

2 by Mike Klonsky / 1d 

JUL 30

What's not to love about Chicago politics?

When I think of Chicago politics, one word comes to mind, family. I think of a guy like Joe Berrios, the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, reaching out to help 15 of his relatives including sister Carmen , not only land a job with the county but collect on her disability claim after she “tripped on a floor outlet and landed on the floor,” and injured her foot, umm I mean shoulder.IF I

1 by Mike Klonsky / 2d 

JUL 29

Moral Monday yesterday in Durham

Moral Monday yesterday in downtown DurhamThe Moral Monday movement is spreading across N.C. this summer as part of the NAACP’s “Moral Freedom Summer” initiative to get out the vote for fall elections. The focus of the multi-racial weekly protests is the attack on voting rights by the Republican legislature. Thousands have also turned out to protest school re-segregation, attacks on union rights, a

12 by Mike Klonsky / 4d 

JUL 28

Weekend Quotables

"I am the decider, and you have nothing to do with it.” -- Christie to Mayor BarakaKristen Crowell“Certainly, it is our opinion that the current leadership is not doing enough to take care of our folks." United Working Families will focus on “finding, recruiting and supporting candidates who are going to be with us.” -- Chicago Teachers Union, progressives form new Chicago coalitionInqui

2 by Mike Klonsky / 5d 

NCRP calls for investigation of the Bremer Foundation

One of the philanthropic players on the Minn. charter school and public health scenes is the Otto Bremer Foundation. Among it's charter school recipients is the scandalized Higher Ground Academy.But it turns out that the foundation's trustees, while donating to many worthwhile causes, may have been helping themselves along with the privately-run charters. The watchdog group NCRP is now asking the

by Mike Klonsky / 1d hide  //  save

JUL 24

Griffin's divorce. Think of it as a stock split.

The GriffinsSORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS (No really) that right-wing billionaire power couple, Ken and Ann Griffin are splitting up. Whatever happened to "'til death do us part"?The Griffins have been the money bags behind both Bruce Rauner's and Rahm Emanuel's political ascendency. They have also bankrolled much of Chicago's union-busting and corporate-style school reform policies.For this to

3 by Mike Klonsky / 8d 

8-2-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy

Wait What?:

  Wait What? All Week

 Pelto/Murphy 2014 

Malloy’s Master of Destruction gets gig in Waterbury

“The students, parents, teachers and public school supporters in Waterbury should be worried – very worried. The Waterbury Republican newspaper is reporting that “State and local school leaders have agreed to bring in former Hartford School Superintendent Steven Adamowski to help recover a stumbling effort to turn around Crosby High School.” Adamowski’s record and legacy […] The post Malloy’s Mast

by jonpelto / 31min

If you haven’t signed the Pelto/Murphy 2014 Petition- here are locations and times to sign

 More locations to be added so check back regularly  Saturday, August 2nd Starbucks Manchester: 172 Deming Street, Manchester (9 – 10am) South Windsor Farmers Market:  150 Nevers Rd, South Windsor (10 -11am) Taste of the Caribbean Festival, Riverfront Plaza, Hartford (1-3pm) Starbucks Wethersfield: 1090 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield (2:30-3:30pm) Starbucks North Haven: 166 Washington Avenue, N

21 by jonpelto / 13h 

JUL 31

You know that line between being “pushy” and “annoying”?

Well here is the – we’ve got less than 6 days to go – and we still need more signatures to ensure we have enough names (and a buffer) to get on the November ballot. If every person who has written in support of the Pelto/Murphy campaign collected 10 signatures – we’d be well over […] The post You know that line between being “pushy” and “annoying”? appeared first on Wait What?.

3 by jonpelto / 1d 

Self-proclaimed as “America’s Most Trusted Educator,” Steve Perry says he is opening a charter school in NYC?

According to his PR operation, “Dr. Steve Perry, and the founders of what US News & World Reports has called one of America’s top high schools, are coming to Harlem.” Despite the fact that Perry and his “team” are full-time employees of the Hartford Board of Education, Steve Perry’s media statement explains that, “The Capital […] The post Self-proclaimed as “America’s Most Trusted Educator,” S

42 by jonpelto / 1d 

JUL 29

Working Families Party put politics before policy by endorsing Malloy – Uses endorsement to mislead voters

Here is the statement I released in response to the news that the Working Family Party has endorsed “four more years” of Governor Dannel Malloy.  You can read the WFP statement below; Pelto: “Working Families Party put politics before policy by endorsing Malloy - Uses endorsement to mislead voters” While is it unfortunately, the Working Families […] The post Working Families Party put politics bef

26 by admin / 3d 

Pelto/Murphy 2014 Petition Signing Tues and Wed (Bushnell Park – near the food trucks 11am – 1pm)

Reminder: Looking for an opportunity to ensure that our voices are heard in this year’s gubernatorial election? If you are in the area, swing by Bushnell Park from 11:00am  to 1:00pm today or tomorrow. We’ll be near the food trucks. You signature will allow us to be on this year’s ballot. With your help we […] The post Pelto/Murphy 2014 Petition Signing Tues and Wed (Bushnell Park – near the food

10 by admin / 4d 

JUL 28

The Time for Action is upon us

Following a great weekend of collecting signatures for the Pelto/Murphy 2014 petition effort, we continue to ramp  up our historic effort to get on the November ballot and ensure that the people of Connecticut have a real choice in this year’s election for governor hangs in the balance… As supporters know, the August 6th 2014 deadline […] The post The Time for Action is upon us appeared first on W

6 by jonpelto / 4d 

Sign a Pelto/Murphy 2014 Petition Today:  Bushnell Park – near the food trucks 11:30 – 1pm

Looking for an opportunity to ensure that our voices are heard in this year’s gubernatorial election? If you are in the area, swing by Bushnell Park from 11:30 to 1:00pm today (near the food trucks) and sign the petition that will allow us to be on this year’s ballot. Thanks so much, Jonathan Pelto and […] The post Sign a Pelto/Murphy 2014 Petition Today:  Bushnell Park – near the food trucks 11:3

39 by jonpelto / 4d 

JUL 27

I didn’t leave my political party, my party left me

I’m often asked why, considering I’m a life-long Democratic, I am “leaving” the Democratic Party and running as an independent for Governor.  I start by explaining that as hard as it is to run as an independent, I thought the institutional barriers to winning a Democratic Primary were even greater. But then I add that, […] The post I didn’t leave my political party, my party left me appeared first

27 by jonpelto / 5d 

JUL 26

If you want change – now is the time to step up and make it happen!

Apologies to those that have already received this call to action – but the historic effort to get on the November ballot and ensure that the people of Connecticut have a real choice in this year’s election for governor hangs in the balance… The August 6th 2014 deadline to submit 7,500 signatures to get on […] The post If you want change – now is the time to step up and make it happen! appeared fi

84 by jonpelto / 7d 

Today’s “MUST READ” Columns on the Malloy/Pryor Charter School scandals

Another Week, Another Scandal (By Sarah Darer Littman) Another week, and another education scandal here in the Nutmeg State. The FBI served subpoenas on charter school operator FUSE last Friday morning, and shortly after their visit Hartford Courant reporters found the receptionist shredding documents. “Asked what was being shredded, she said the documents were associated with the […] The post Tod

49 by jonpelto / 7d 

JUL 25

Looking for a place to sign a Pelto/Murphy 2014 Petition this weekend

[Just back often - additional locations will be added] Saturday July 26th Storrs Starbucks: 8-9:30am and 10:00 – 11:00am 1244 Storrs Rd., Storrs, CT   Rocky Hill Starbucks 10-noon 412 Cromwell Ave, Rocky Hill, CT    West Hartford Barnes & Noble: 10:30- noon Blue Back Square, 60 Isham Road, West Hartford, CT    Manchester Barnes […] The post Looking for a place to sign a Pelto/Murphy 2014 Petit

55 by jonpelto / 7d 

What is this race for Governor all about – take a look at the new article from In These Times

I recently conducted an interview with Cole Stangler, a reporter for “In These Times.” Although not everyone reads “In These Times,” they should. Kurt Vonnegut once said, “If it weren’t for In These Times, I’d be a man without a country.” In These Times was created by author and historian James Weinstein in 1976.  His goal was […] The post What is this race for Governor all about – take a look at

69 by jonpelto / 8d