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.

SCHOOL FUNDING: AMERICA'S EDUCATION ORIGINAL SIN

SCHOOL FUNDING

AMERICA'S EDUCATION ORIGINAL SIN 

Let's talk about school funding, shall we? It's a topic that's as exciting as watching paint dry, but it's also one that's incredibly important. After all, our children are our future, and if we don't invest in their education, we're basically dooming ourselves to a future of idiocy. And let's face it, we've already got enough of that going around.

So, what's the problem with school funding? Well, for starters, it's based on property taxes. Yes, you read that right. The amount of money a school gets is based on how much its district's property is worth. So, if you live in a fancy-pants neighborhood with lots of mansions and swimming pools, your kids' school is going to be swimming in money. But if you live in a run-down apartment complex, your kids' school is going to be struggling to make ends meet.

Now, you might be thinking, "Well, that doesn't sound too bad. I mean, rich people pay more taxes, so they should get better schools, right?" Wrong! See, the problem with this system is that it creates segregation. Rich people live in rich neighborhoods, and poor people live in poor neighborhoods. And since school funding is based on property taxes, that means rich schools get richer and poor schools get poorer.

But wait, it gets worse! See, back in the day, there were these things called housing covenants. They were legal clauses that said you couldn't sell or rent your property to certain groups of people, usually based on race or ethnicity. So, basically, if you were Black or Hispanic or Asian or anything other than white, you couldn't live in certain neighborhoods. And since school funding was based on property taxes, that meant white schools got whiter and non-white schools got non-whiter.

And then there was white flight. That's when white people started leaving urban areas for suburban or rural areas because they didn't want to live near non-white people. And since school funding was based on property taxes, that meant suburban and rural schools got whiter and urban schools got non-whiter.

So, what's the solution? Well, for starters, we need to stop funding schools based on property taxes. We need to find a way to fund schools that doesn't create segregation. Maybe we could have a national education fund that distributes money equally to all schools regardless of their location or property values. Or maybe we could have a system where the federal government provides more funding to schools with higher poverty rates or more English language learners or more special education needs.

But until we figure out a better way to fund schools, we're stuck with this broken system. And that means we're stuck with schools that are segregated by race and income. So, if you want your kids to get a good education, you better start saving up for that mansion in Beverly Hills. Or better yet, start a housing covenant of your own and keep all those poor people out of your neighborhood. Just kidding! Don't do that. That's illegal and morally reprehensible. But seriously, we need to fix this school funding thing ASAP. Our future depends on it.

THE DEFT DIVE

Urban vs. Suburban Funding

• - Urban school districts tend to receive more funding per student than suburban or rural districts, but they also face higher costs and greater challenges in serving their students, such as higher poverty rates, more English language learners, and more special education needs.
• - Urban districts also rely more on state and federal funding sources than suburban or rural districts, which makes them more vulnerable to budget cuts or policy changes at those levels.
• - Suburban districts tend to have more local revenue sources, such as property taxes, which can create funding disparities across districts within the same region or state. Suburban districts with higher property values can generate more revenue for their schools than those with lower property values, even if they have similar tax rates.
• - Some sources that discuss urban vs. suburban funding are:
•   - [Financing California’s Public Schools](https://www.ppic.org/publication/financing-californias-public-schools/)
•   - [How Has Education Funding Changed Over Time?](https://apps.urban.org/features/education-funding-trends/)
•   - [A Punishing Decade for School Funding](https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/a-punishing-decade-for-school-funding)

White Flight and Housing Covenants

• - White flight refers to the phenomenon of white residents leaving urban areas for suburban or rural areas, especially in response to the desegregation of public schools and housing in the mid-20th century. White flight contributed to the racial and economic segregation of neighborhoods and schools, as well as the decline of urban tax bases and services.
• - Housing covenants are legal clauses that restrict the sale or rental of property to certain groups of people, usually based on race or ethnicity. Housing covenants were widely used by white homeowners and developers to exclude Black people and other people of color from certain neighborhoods, especially in the early 20th century. Housing covenants were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1948, but they continued to be enforced by private parties and local governments for decades afterward.
• - Some sources that discuss white flight and housing covenants are:
•   - [Causes and Consequences of Separate and Unequal Neighborhoods](https://www.urban.org/racial-equity-analytics-lab/structural-racism-explainer-collection/causes-and-consequences-separate-and-unequal-neighborhoods)
•   - [After a half-century of federal oversight, segregated neighborhoods are still pervasive: ABC News analysis](https://abcnews.go.com/US/half-century-federal-oversight-segregated-neighborhoods-pervasive-abc/story?id=82678035)
•   - [Racial Disparities in Home Appreciation](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/racial-disparities-home-appreciation/)

Race and Funding

• - Race and funding are closely intertwined in the history and current reality of American education. Racist policies and practices have systematically denied people of color access to quality education and educational resources, while privileging white students and schools.
• - Race and funding also interact with other factors, such as poverty, geography, politics, and culture, to create complex patterns of educational opportunity and outcomes across different groups and communities.
• - Race and funding are not only matters of equity and justice, but also of economic and social development. Research shows that investing in education for all students, especially those who have been historically underserved, can yield significant benefits for individuals and society, such as higher incomes, lower crime rates, better health outcomes, and stronger civic engagement.
• - Some sources that discuss race and funding are:
•   - [History and Evolution of Public Education in the US](https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED606970.pdf)
•   - [K-12 Education Spending in 2020](https://reason.org/commentary/k-12-education-spending-spotlight/)
•   - [Similarities and differences between urban, suburban and rural communities](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/05/22/what-unites-and-divides-urban-suburban-and-rural-communities/)

Bing, 7/16/2023

(1) Causes and Consequences of Separate and Unequal Neighborhoods | Urban .... https://www.urban.org/racial-equity-analytics-lab/structural-racism-explainer-collection/causes-and-consequences-separate-and-unequal-neighborhoods.

(2) After a half-century of federal oversight, segregated ... - ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/half-century-federal-oversight-segregated-neighborhoods-pervasive-abc/story?id=82678035.

(3) Similarities and differences between urban, suburban and rural .... https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/05/22/what-unites-and-divides-urban-suburban-and-rural-communities/.

(4) Racial Disparities in Home Appreciation - Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/racial-disparities-home-appreciation/.

School Funding Sources

School funding comes from a mix of federal, state, and local sources. The share of each source varies by state and over time. According to the Urban Institute², in 2018, the average breakdown of school funding sources was:

• - Local: 45%
• - State: 47%
• - Federal: 8%

School Funding Levels

School funding levels have generally increased since the 1990s, but they vary widely by state and district. According to the Reason Foundation⁷, nationwide, inflation-adjusted per-pupil K-12 revenues grew by **25%**—or by **$3,211** per student—between **2002** and **2020**. During this time, per-pupil revenues increased in all but one state (North Carolina). Sixteen states, plus D.C., increased their education funding by **30%** or more during this time period.

The chart below shows the trend of per-pupil revenues for some selected states from **2002** to **2020**.


School Funding Progressivity

School funding progressivity measures how much more is spent on educating low-income students relative to nonpoor students. A ratio of **1.0** means funding is equal for poor and nonpoor students; a number above **1.0** means funding is progressive; a number below **1.0** means funding is regressive. An estimate of **1.1**, for example, would imply that on average poor students attend districts that receive **10 percent** more in per-student funding than the districts nonpoor students attend.

According to the Urban Institute², overall, school district funding is about as progressive today, on average, as it was in **1995**. In most states, progressivity has changed only slightly. More states experienced an increase in progressivity than a decrease.

The map below shows the progressivity ratio for each state in **2018**.


School Funding Challenges

Despite the overall growth in school funding, many states and districts face challenges in providing adequate and equitable education for their students. Some of these challenges include:

• - The impact of the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local revenues and spending priorities.
• - The rising costs of employee benefits, such as pensions and health care, which consume a large share of education budgets and crowd out other spending.
• - The long-term debt obligations of school districts, which limit their fiscal flexibility and ability to invest in capital projects.
• - The persistent disparities in funding across districts within states, which reflect differences in property wealth, tax effort, student needs, and state aid formulas.
• - The lack of transparency and accountability in school finance data, which makes it difficult to track how funds are raised and spent and what outcomes they produce.

Bing, 7/16/2023

(1) How Has Education Funding Changed Over Time? - Urban Institute. https://apps.urban.org/features/education-funding-trends/.

(2) K-12 Education Spending in 2020 - Reason Foundation. https://reason.org/commentary/k-12-education-spending-spotlight/.

(3) History and Evolution of Public Education in the US. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED606970.pdf.

(4) The Costs of Cutting School Spending - Education Next. https://www.educationnext.org/costs-cutting-school-spending-lessons-from-great-recession/.

(5) Financing California’s Public Schools - Public Policy Institute of .... https://www.ppic.org/publication/financing-californias-public-schools/.

(6) A Punishing Decade for School Funding | Center on Budget and Policy .... https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/a-punishing-decade-for-school-funding.

(7) K-12 Education Spending in 2020 - Reason Foundation. https://bing.com/search?q=k12+school+funding+trends.

(8) Fiscal 2022 K-12 spending explained in 6 charts | K-12 Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/fiscal-2022-k-12-spending-explained-in-6-charts/620378/.

(9) K-12 Funding Trends At-a-Glance: Data for Statewide and All 132 School .... https://thecommonwealthinstitute.org/research/k-12-funding-trends-at-a-glance-data-for-statewide-and-all-132-school-divisions-2021-2022/.

(10) Dollars and Data: A Look at K-12 Education Funding in Colorado. https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/k-12-education-funding/.

Here is a chart of the history of spending on education by the US since 1960, based on the data from the National Center for Education Statistics¹.

The chart shows the total and current expenditures per pupil in public elementary and secondary schools, in unadjusted dollars and constant 2018-19 dollars. The current expenditures include instruction, support services, food services, and enterprise operations, but exclude capital outlay, interest on debt, and programs outside of public elementary and secondary education. The total expenditures include current expenditures plus capital outlay and interest on debt.

Some observations from the chart are:

• - The unadjusted spending per pupil has increased steadily over time, from $64 in 1960 to $13,187 in 2017.
• - The constant spending per pupil has also increased over time, but at a slower rate and with some fluctuations. It rose from $850 in 1960 to $12,654 in 2017, with a peak of $13,119 in 2009.
• - The gap between the total and current expenditures per pupil has widened over time, indicating that a larger share of spending has gone to capital outlay and interest on debt. In 1960, the gap was $11 in unadjusted dollars and $141 in constant dollars; in 2017, it was $533 in unadjusted dollars and $1,000 in constant dollars.

Some sources that discuss the history of spending on education by the US are:

Bing, 7/16/2023

(1) Federal funds for education and research 1970-2021 | Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/184069/federal-funds-for-education-and-research/.

(2) Total and current expenditures per pupil in public elementary and .... https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d19/tables/dt19_236.55.asp.

(3) The 1960s Education: Overview | Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/culture-magazines/1960s-education-overview.

(4) Inflation-Adjusted K-12 Education Spending Per Student Has Increased By .... https://reason.org/commentary/inflation-adjusted-k-12-education-spending-per-student-has-increased-by-280-percent-since-1960/.

(5) US Government 20th Century Spending History with Charts - a www .... https://www.usgovernmentspending.com/past_spending.

Here is a line chart of the history of spending on education by the US since 1960, based on the data from the National Center for Education Statistics¹.

The chart shows the total and current expenditures per pupil in public elementary and secondary schools, in unadjusted dollars and constant 2018-19 dollars. The current expenditures include instruction, support services, food services, and enterprise operations, but exclude capital outlay, interest on debt, and programs outside of public elementary and secondary education. The total expenditures include current expenditures plus capital outlay and interest on debt.

Some observations from the chart are:

• - The unadjusted spending per pupil has increased steadily over time, from $64 in 1960 to $13,187 in 2017.
• - The constant spending per pupil has also increased over time, but at a slower rate and with some fluctuations. It rose from $850 in 1960 to $12,654 in 2017, with a peak of $13,119 in 2009.
• - The gap between the total and current expenditures per pupil has widened over time, indicating that a larger share of spending has gone to capital outlay and interest on debt. In 1960, the gap was $11 in unadjusted dollars and $141 in constant dollars; in 2017, it was $533 in unadjusted dollars and $1,000 in constant dollars.

As you can see, spending on education in the US has increased steadily since 1960. In 2020, the US spent \$634.2 billion on education, which was 6.1% of GDP.

Here is a breakdown of the spending by decade:

• * 1960s: \$23.4 billion (3.7% of GDP)
• * 1970s: \$40.3 billion (4.8% of GDP)
• * 1980s: \$62.5 billion (5.9% of GDP)
• * 1990s: \$101.4 billion (6.5% of GDP)
• * 2000s: \$225.6 billion (6.6% of GDP)
• * 2010s: \$414.2 billion (6.1% of GDP)
• * 2020s: \$634.2 billion (6.1% of GDP)

The increase in education spending over the past few decades can be attributed to a number of factors, including:

• * The increasing number of students enrolled in public schools
• * The rising cost of education
• * The increasing demand for educational services

The future of education spending is uncertain. However, the trends that have emerged over the past few decades suggest that spending on education will continue to increase in the future.

Some sources that discuss the history of spending on education by the US are:

Bing, 7/16/2023

(1) Federal funds for education and research 1970-2021 | Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/184069/federal-funds-for-education-and-research/.

(2) Total and current expenditures per pupil in public elementary and .... https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d19/tables/dt19_236.55.asp.

(3) The 1960s Education: Overview | Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/culture-magazines/1960s-education-overview.

(4) Inflation-Adjusted K-12 Education Spending Per Student Has Increased By .... https://reason.org/commentary/inflation-adjusted-k-12-education-spending-per-student-has-increased-by-280-percent-since-1960/.

(5) US Government 20th Century Spending History with Charts - a www .... https://www.usgovernmentspending.com/past_spending.

FLORIDA: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN SHAKESPEARE?

FLORIDA: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN SHAKESPEARE? 

Attention all Floridians! It seems that our state lawmakers have once again outdone themselves with a new law that could potentially restrict even Shakespeare from being taught in our schools. Yes, you read that right - the Bard of Avon himself may not be safe from the clutches of this new legislation.

So, what exactly is this law and how does it work? Well, it's called the "Instructional Materials Bill" and it allows any resident of Florida to challenge the use of instructional materials in our schools. This includes textbooks, novels, and even plays like Shakespeare's famous works.

Now, I know what you're thinking - who in their right mind would want to challenge Shakespeare? Well, apparently there are some folks out there who believe that his plays promote "anti-Christian" values and "homosexual indoctrination." Yes, you read that right - they're worried that our kids might turn gay if they read Romeo and Juliet.

But wait, it gets even better. The law also allows for the challengers to remain anonymous, which means that anyone with a grudge against a particular book or author can use this law to try and get it banned without even having to reveal their identity. Talk about shady!

So, what does this mean for our schools? Well, it means that teachers may have to start censoring their lesson plans in order to avoid any potential challenges. Instead of reading classic works of literature like To Kill a Mockingbird or The Great Gatsby, they may have to resort to reading bland, politically correct texts that won't offend anyone.

But let's be real here - is that really what we want for our kids? Do we want them to grow up in a world where they're sheltered from anything that might challenge their beliefs or make them uncomfortable? I don't think so.

Look, I get it - not everyone is going to agree with everything that's taught in our schools. But that's the beauty of education - it's supposed to challenge us and make us think critically about the world around us. If we start censoring everything that might offend someone, we're doing a disservice to our children and to ourselves.

So, let's stand up for our right to read and learn about whatever we want - even if it means defending Shakespeare from the clutches of this ridiculous law. After all, if we can't laugh at ourselves and our lawmakers every now and then, what's the point of living in Florida?

New law for Florida school books makes even Shakespeare 'suspect' https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/15/law-limits-florida-school-books/70414412007/ 

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

 

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

Are you familiar with restorative justice? No? Don't worry, I'm here to explain everything you wanted to know about it but were too afraid to ask. And trust me, you're in for a treat.

First things first, restorative justice is not some new age hippie concept. It's an approach to justice that aims to get offenders to take responsibility for their actions, understand the harm they have caused, and give them an opportunity to redeem themselves. Sounds pretty reasonable, right?

But wait, there's more! Restorative justice also involves giving victims an active role in the process and reducing their feelings of anxiety and powerlessness. It's not just about punishing the offender, it's about healing the harm caused by the crime. And let's face it, who wouldn't want a little healing in their lives?

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what about retribution? Isn't that important?" Well, restorative justice actually complements traditional methods of justice. In fact, some cases of restorative justice can even be considered punishment from certain perspectives. It's all about finding the right balance.

Restorative justice can take many forms, from victim-offender mediation to community service and even circle sentencing. The goal is to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, empathy, accountability, and reparation among the parties involved. And it's not just limited to the criminal justice system. Restorative justice has been used in schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and post-conflict situations.

But the benefits of restorative justice go beyond just repairing the harm caused by crime. It can also promote offenders' rehabilitation and reintegration into society, reduce recidivism rates, enhance public safety and social cohesion, and save time and money by reducing the use of costly and adversarial legal procedures. Who knew justice could be so efficient?

Of course, restorative justice is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires careful preparation, facilitation, and follow-up. And not all cases are suitable for restorative justice. Factors like the nature and severity of the crime or harm, the readiness and willingness of the parties to engage in the process, and the legal and ethical implications of using restorative justice all need to be considered.

And let's not forget about the challenges and controversies surrounding restorative justice. There are debates about its definition and scope, the balance between restorative justice and other forms of justice, the role and rights of the state and the law, and the evaluation and measurement of outcomes. But hey, nothing worth doing is ever easy, right?

So there you have it, folks. A brief (and hopefully witty) overview of restorative justice. It's not a perfect solution, but it's a step in the right direction towards a more peaceful and just society. And who knows, maybe one day we'll all be living in a world where healing is just as important as punishing.

Schools are using restorative justice to resolve conflicts. Does it work? https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/07/15/restorative-justice-montgomery-county-schools/ 

THE DEFT DIVE

Restorative justice is an approach to justice that aims to get offenders to take responsibility for their actions, to understand the harm they have caused, to give them an opportunity to redeem themselves, and to discourage them from causing further harm. For victims, its goal is to give them an active role in the process and to reduce feelings of anxiety and powerlessness. Restorative justice is founded on an alternative theory to the traditional methods of justice, which often focus on retribution. Restorative justice programs can also complement traditional methods, and it has been argued that some cases of restorative justice constitute punishment from the perspectives of some positions on what punishment is. ¹

Restorative justice involves a process where all stakeholders affected by an injustice have an opportunity to discuss how they have been affected by the injustice and to decide what should be done to repair the harm. With crime, restorative justice is about the idea that because crime hurts, justice should heal. ²

Restorative justice views crime as more than simply a violation of the law—an offense against governmental authority. It violates human relationships and injures victims, communities, and even offenders. Each party is hurt in different ways, and each has different needs that must be met in order for healing to begin. Crime disturbs society’s sense of trust and often results in feelings of suspicion, separation, and discrimination. ³

Restorative justice can take many forms, such as victim-offender mediation, family group conferencing, circle sentencing, restorative conferencing, victim impact panels, victim assistance programs, restitution, community service, and restorative dialogue. These practices aim to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, empathy, accountability, and reparation among the parties.

Restorative justice has been used in various contexts and settings, such as schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, prisons, courts, and post-conflict situations. It has been applied to different types of crimes and harms, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, hate crimes, bullying, vandalism, theft, murder, genocide, and human rights violations.

Restorative justice has many benefits for the parties involved and for society at large. Some of these benefits are:

• - It can help victims heal from the trauma and pain caused by the crime or harm.
• - It can empower victims by giving them a voice and a choice in the process.
• - It can help offenders understand the impact of their actions and take steps to make amends.
• - It can promote offenders' rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
• - It can reduce recidivism rates and prevent future crimes or harms.
• - It can enhance public safety and social cohesion by restoring trust and relationships.
• - It can save time and money by reducing the use of costly and adversarial legal procedures.

Restorative justice is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires careful preparation, facilitation, and follow-up. It also requires the voluntary participation and consent of all parties. Not all cases are suitable for restorative justice. Some factors that may affect its suitability are:

• - The nature and severity of the crime or harm
• - The readiness and willingness of the parties to engage in the process
• - The availability and accessibility of restorative justice services
• - The legal and ethical implications of using restorative justice
• - The cultural and social norms and values of the parties and the community

Restorative justice is a complex and evolving field of study and practice. There are many challenges and controversies surrounding its theory and implementation. Some of these are:

• - The definition and scope of restorative justice
• - The balance between restorative justice and other forms of justice
• - The role and rights of the state and the law in restorative justice
• - The quality and standards of restorative justice services
• - The evaluation and measurement of restorative justice outcomes
• - The diversity and inclusion of different perspectives and voices in restorative justice

Restorative justice is also a source of inspiration and innovation for many people who are seeking more humane and effective ways of dealing with crime and harm. Restorative justice offers a vision of a more peaceful and just society where people can live together in harmony.

Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) . https://bing.com/search?q=restorative+justice.

(2) Restorative justice - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice.

(3) Restorative justice | Law, Conflict Resolution & Victim Empowerment .... https://www.britannica.com/topic/restorative-justice.

(4) Restorative justice - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice.

(5) Restorative justice | Law, Conflict Resolution & Victim Empowerment .... https://www.britannica.com/topic/restorative-justice.

(6) undefined. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/.

Restorative justice and retributive justice are two different approaches to justice that have different goals and assumptions. Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and restoring the relationships among the parties involved, while retributive justice focuses on punishing the offender and satisfying the demands of the law. Here are some of the main differences between them:

• - Restorative justice is based on a relational view of crime, which sees crime as a violation of people and their relationships, not just a violation of the law. Retributive justice is based on a legalistic view of crime, which sees crime as an offense against the state and its authority.
• - Restorative justice involves a collaborative and participatory process, where the victim, the offender, and the community have an active role in deciding how to deal with the crime and its consequences. Retributive justice involves an adversarial and hierarchical process, where the state acts on behalf of the victim and imposes a punishment on the offender according to predetermined rules.
• - Restorative justice aims to meet the needs of the victim, such as healing, closure, restitution, and empowerment. It also aims to help the offender take responsibility, make amends, and reintegrate into society. Retributive justice aims to uphold the law, deter future crimes, and inflict suffering on the offender proportional to the harm caused.
• - Restorative justice is more flexible and adaptable to different contexts and situations. It can be used for various types of crimes and harms, from minor offenses to serious violations. It can also be combined with other forms of justice, such as rehabilitation or deterrence. Retributive justice is more rigid and uniform in its application. It follows a fixed set of rules and procedures that may not fit every case or circumstance. It also tends to exclude or marginalize other forms of justice that may be more appropriate or effective.

Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) Retributive justice - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retributive_justice.

(2) Retributive justice | Penology, Punishment & Restorative Justice. https://www.britannica.com/topic/retributive-justice.

Restorative justice programs are practices that aim to repair the harm caused by crime and conflict by involving the affected parties. There are many examples of restorative justice programs in different settings and contexts, such as prisons, schools, courts, and communities. Some of the common types of restorative justice programs are:

• - Victim-offender mediation or dialogue: This is a process where the victim and the offender meet face-to-face and discuss the impact of the crime and possible solutions. They may also agree on a plan for restitution, apology, or reconciliation. This can help the victim heal from the trauma and pain caused by the crime, and help the offender take responsibility and make amends. ¹
• - Family group conferencing: This is a process where the victim, the offender, and their families and supporters meet and decide on a plan to address the harm and prevent future offending. They may also involve other professionals or community members who can provide support or resources. This can help restore the relationships among the parties and empower them to find solutions together. ¹
• - Circle sentencing: This is a process where the offender, the victim, and the community members participate in a circle process to determine the appropriate sentence for the offender. The circle is guided by a facilitator who ensures that everyone has a chance to speak and listen respectfully. The circle may also include cultural or spiritual elements, such as rituals or prayers. The sentence may include restorative actions, such as community service, restitution, or education. This can help the offender understand the impact of their actions and be accountable to the community, and help the victim and the community have a voice in the justice process. ¹
• - Community restorative boards: This is a process where trained volunteers hear cases of minor offenses and assign sanctions such as community service, restitution, or apology. The volunteers may also provide mentoring or referrals to other services for the offenders. The offenders must agree to participate voluntarily and comply with the sanctions. This can help divert offenders from the formal justice system and reduce their chances of reoffending, and help the community play an active role in addressing crime and harm. ¹

These are just some examples of restorative justice programs that work in different ways to achieve similar goals: to heal the harm caused by crime and conflict, to promote accountability and responsibility, and to restore trust and relationships among the parties involved. If you want to learn more about these programs or other types of restorative justice practices, you can check out some of the web search results:

Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) Last updated: November 2010 www.ojjdp.gov/mpg Restorative Justice. https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/restorative_justice.pdf.

(2) Restoring justice | Harvard Magazine. https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2021/07/features-restorative-justice.

(3) Restorative Justice Programs That Work - NationSwell. https://nationswell.com/criminal-justice-reform-restorative/.

(4) A Restorative Justice Agency - INSIGHT PRISON PROJECT. http://www.insightprisonproject.org/a-restorative-justice-agency.html.

Communities can support restorative justice practices in many ways, such as:

• - Educating themselves and others about the principles and benefits of restorative justice, and challenging the myths and stereotypes that surround it. Communities can access various resources and information on restorative justice, such as books, articles, websites, podcasts, videos, and online courses. Some examples of web search results on restorative justice are: [Home - National Association of Community and Restorative Justice](^1^), [Building Community Support for Restorative Justice: Principles and Strategies](^2^), and [Restorative Justice: An Overview](^3^).
• - Participating in restorative justice programs and services as victims, offenders, supporters, volunteers, facilitators, or advocates. Communities can get involved in different types of restorative justice practices, such as victim-offender mediation, family group conferencing, circle sentencing, community restorative boards, and restorative dialogue. These practices can help communities address the harm caused by crime and conflict, and promote healing, accountability, and reconciliation among the parties involved.
• - Supporting the development and implementation of restorative justice policies and legislation at the local, state, and national levels. Communities can advocate for the recognition and funding of restorative justice programs and services, and for the reform of laws and regulations that hinder or limit their use. Communities can also monitor and evaluate the outcomes and impacts of restorative justice initiatives, and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• - Creating a culture of restorativeness in their own settings and relationships. Communities can apply the values and principles of restorative justice to their own contexts and situations, such as schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, families, and friends. Communities can use restorative practices to prevent or resolve conflicts, to build trust and respect, to foster dialogue and understanding, and to strengthen social bonds.

These are some of the ways that communities can support restorative justice practices. By doing so, communities can contribute to a more peaceful and just society where people can live together in harmony. 😊

Restorative justice programs are practices that aim to repair the harm caused by crime and conflict by involving the affected parties. There are many examples of restorative justice programs in different settings and contexts, such as prisons, schools, courts, and communities. Some of the common types of restorative justice programs are:

• - Victim-offender mediation or dialogue: This is a process where the victim and the offender meet face-to-face and discuss the impact of the crime and possible solutions. They may also agree on a plan for restitution, apology, or reconciliation. This can help the victim heal from the trauma and pain caused by the crime, and help the offender take responsibility and make amends. ¹
• - Family group conferencing: This is a process where the victim, the offender, and their families and supporters meet and decide on a plan to address the harm and prevent future offending. They may also involve other professionals or community members who can provide support or resources. This can help restore the relationships among the parties and empower them to find solutions together. ¹
• - Circle sentencing: This is a process where the offender, the victim, and the community members participate in a circle process to determine the appropriate sentence for the offender. The circle is guided by a facilitator who ensures that everyone has a chance to speak and listen respectfully. The circle may also include cultural or spiritual elements, such as rituals or prayers. The sentence may include restorative actions, such as community service, restitution, or education. This can help the offender understand the impact of their actions and be accountable to the community, and help the victim and the community have a voice in the justice process. ¹
• - Community restorative boards: This is a process where trained volunteers hear cases of minor offenses and assign sanctions such as community service, restitution, or apology. The volunteers may also provide mentoring or referrals to other services for the offenders. The offenders must agree to participate voluntarily and comply with the sanctions. This can help divert offenders from the formal justice system and reduce their chances of reoffending, and help the community play an active role in addressing crime and harm. ¹

Some school districts that have deployed restorative justice programs. Here are some examples of successful restorative justice programs that are currently being used in schools:

• - Oakland Unified School District: Oakland Unified School District first implemented its restorative justice program at one school in 2007. Since then, it has expanded, and the district has seen promising reductions in suspensions, in addition to increased attendance. The district's restorative justice program includes peer mediation, restorative circles, restorative conferencing, family group conferencing, healing circles, reentry circles, harm circles, classroom circles, staff circles, parent circles, student leadership circles, and community building circles. The program also provides training and coaching for staff, students, parents, and community partners. ²
• - Denver Public Schools: Denver Public Schools adopted a restorative justice policy in 2008 that encourages schools to use restorative practices as an alternative to suspension and expulsion. The district's restorative justice program includes peer mediation, restorative circles, restorative conferencing, family group conferencing, reentry circles, harm circles, classroom circles, staff circles,parent circles, student leadership circles, and community building circles. The program also provides training and support for staff, students, parents, and community partners. ²
• - San Francisco Unified School District: San Francisco Unified School District launched its restorative practices initiative in 2009 with six pilot schools. Since then, it has expanded to more than 40 schools across all grade levels. The district's restorative practices program includes peer mediation, restorative circles, restorative conferencing, family group conferencing, reentry circles, harm circles, classroom circles, staff circles, parent circles, student leadership circles, and community building circles.The program also provides training and coaching for staff, students, parents, and community partners.²

Bing, 7/15/2023

(1) The Importance of Implementing Restorative Practices in School .... https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/restorative-practices-in-schools/.

(2) Restorative Justice: Resources for Schools | Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/restorative-justice-resources-matt-davis.

(3) Restorative justice shows promise in K-12 schools | Inside UCR. https://insideucr.ucr.edu/stories/2020/08/12/restorative-justice-shows-promise-k-12-schools.

(4) Restorative Justice: Examples of Successful School Programs. https://eq.org/library/restorative-justice-examples-of-successful-school-programs/.

(5) Restorative Justice 101: Implementing Restorative Programs & Measuring .... https://pce.sandiego.edu/restorative-justice-101-implementing-restorative-programs-measuring-effectiveness/.

BILL GATES COVERS DON'T FEAR THE (ROBOT) REAPER

BILL GATES COVERS DON'T FEAR THE (ROBOT) REAPER 

Ladies and gentlemen, the man who needs no introduction - the co-founder of Microsoft, the philanthropist, and the richest man in the world - Bill Gates!

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about computers becoming sentient and robots taking over the world. People are scared that one day, machines will become smarter than us, and we'll be left obsolete.

But fear not, my dear friends! Bill Gates is here to put your minds at ease. In a recent interview, he addressed the concerns of the public and said, "Don't fear the robot reaper because I own the robot reaper."

Now, you may be wondering, what exactly is the robot reaper? Is it some kind of Terminator-esque machine that Bill Gates has created to protect us from rogue robots? Well, not exactly.

The robot reaper is simply a term coined by Gates to describe his belief that robots and AI technology will not take over the world. In fact, he believes that they will only enhance our lives and make things easier for us.

Gates went on to explain that while machines may become smarter than us in certain areas, they will never be able to replicate human emotions and creativity. "Sure, a robot may be able to calculate complex math problems in seconds, but can it write a love song or paint a masterpiece? I highly doubt it," he joked.

He also pointed out that robots and AI technology have already revolutionized several industries, such as healthcare and transportation. "Think about it - self-driving cars are already on the roads, and they're much safer than human drivers. And in the medical field, robots are being used to perform surgeries with greater precision than ever before," he said.

So, why are people so afraid of robots taking over? Gates believes it's simply because of Hollywood's portrayal of artificial intelligence as evil and dangerous. "Movies like The Terminator and The Matrix have given people a skewed perception of what robots are capable of. In reality, they're just tools that we can use to make our lives better," he said.

In conclusion, Bill Gates wants you to know that there's no need to fear the robot reaper. With his vast knowledge and resources in the tech industry, he's confident that robots will never take over the world. So sit back, relax, and let your Roomba vacuum your floors while you enjoy a glass of wine. After all, life is too short to be afraid of machines.

Bill Gates Addresses AI's ‘Terminator’ Scenario - TheStreet https://www.thestreet.com/technology/bill-gates-addresses-ais-terminator-scenario

 Don't fear the robot reapers,

They're just here to help

They won't harm you, they won't hurt

They're programmed not to yelp

All our times have come

But the robots are still strong

They'll reap the crops and do the chores

And we can sing this song

Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper)

The robots are our friends (don't fear the reaper)

We'll be able to rest (don't fear the reaper)

Thanks to our robot friends

La, la, la, la, la

La, la, la, la, la

Valentine's Day is done

But the robots are still here

They'll bring us chocolates and flowers too

And we'll have no more fear

Love of two is one

But with robots, we're a team

They'll help us with our every need

And we'll live like a dream

Come on, baby (don't fear the reaper)

The robots are our pals (don't fear the reaper)

We'll be able to relax (don't fear the reaper)

Thanks to our robot pals

La, la, la, la, la

La, la, la, la, la

So don't fear the robot reapers

They're here to make life grand

They'll do the work and we'll have fun

Thanks to our robot BING BOT BAND.