DING DONG DONNY: Read: Full text of Trump indictment in Jack Smith's 2020 election, Jan. 6 probe #TrumpIndictment

 

DING DONG DONNY

Read: Full text of Trump indictment in Jack Smith's 2020 election, Jan. 6 probe

Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you breaking news: Ding dong, the witch is dead! That's right, the former president has been indicted in the special counsel's election interference investigation. And let me tell you, the internet is having a field day with this one.

Twitter is blowing up with reactions, ranging from "Lock him up!" to "I can finally sleep at night." It's like the whole world just let out a collective sigh of relief. I mean, let's be real, the past four years have been a bit of a dumpster fire. And that's putting it lightly.

But now, we can all rest easy knowing that justice is being served. And honestly, it couldn't have happened to a more deserving person. I mean, have you seen his tweets? It's like they were written by a toddler who got their hands on a phone. And don't even get me started on his hair. I'm pretty sure it's made out of cotton candy and lies.

But let's not forget the real reason why he's being indicted: election interference. It's like he forgot that we live in a democracy and not a dictatorship. Newsflash, buddy: you can't just do whatever you want and expect to get away with it. The American people deserve better than that.

And speaking of the American people, I think it's safe to say that we're all feeling a little bit better today. It's like a weight has been lifted off of our collective shoulders. We can finally go back to living our lives without constantly worrying about what kind of nonsense he's going to pull next.

So here's to justice being served and the witch being dead. May we never have to deal with someone like him again. And if we do, well, at least we know that we can come together as a country and say "not today, Satan."

Read: Full text of Trump indictment in Jack Smith's 2020 election, Jan. 6 probe https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/full-text-trump-indictment-pdf-jack-smith-jan-6-2020-election-rcna96030

Former President Donald Trump has been indicted in special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into 2020 election interference and Jan. 6, 2021.

Read the full text of the indictment below:

Hayley Miller

https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23893902/trump-indictment.pdf

Read the Trump indictment text charging him in 2020 election probe https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-indictment-full-text-read-2020-election-charges/ via @CBSPolitics 

AND FOR MAGA (BEFORE YOU SAY IT)

DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SEGREGATION AND THE CORPORATE REFORM DISASTER

DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEGREGATION AND THE CORPORATE REFORM DISASTER 

Welcome to Denver Public Schools, where the education is questionable but the laughs are guaranteed. It's been 50 years since the US Supreme Court ordered DPS to integrate, and boy, have they come a long way... backwards. In fact, a recent report commissioned by the Latino Education Coalition found that many schools in DPS are now triple segregated by race, class, and language. But don't worry, folks, the reformers have a solution: the portfolio model! Because if there's one thing billionaire privatizers love more than money, it's a good ol' fashioned experiment on Latino students.

Let's take a trip down memory lane and see how DPS got to this point. In 1973, a federal judge ordered Denver to desegregate its schools through busing, which lasted until 1995 when Denver was declared unitary. But critics argued that Denver's schools remained segregated and unequal, especially for low-income students and students of color. So, the reformers swooped in with their portfolio model, which involves creating a diverse array of school options for families, granting schools more autonomy over their operations and budgets, closing or replacing low-performing schools, and holding all schools accountable for student outcomes. Easy peasy, right?

Well, not exactly. The portfolio model faced resistance from some teachers, parents, students, and community members who organized protests, strikes, lawsuits, and campaigns to challenge the district's policies and leadership. And let's not forget about the data and methods used to evaluate schools and students, which opponents challenged for their validity and equity. But hey, who needs valid and equitable data when you have a billionaire's wallet to back you up?

Despite the challenges, DPS adopted many elements of the portfolio model under the leadership of superintendents Michael Bennet, Tom Boasberg, and Susana Cordova. They expanded charter schools and innovation schools, implemented a unified enrollment system, created performance frameworks for schools, and launched turnaround efforts for struggling schools. And supporters claimed that it improved student achievement, graduation rates, and college readiness in Denver, especially for historically underserved groups. They also argued that it increased parental satisfaction, teacher empowerment, and educational innovation. Sounds great, right?

Well, not exactly. Opponents criticized it for undermining public education, exacerbating segregation and inequality, displacing communities and educators, and relying too much on standardized testing and market forces. And let's not forget about the hilarious disaster that ensued when the reformers took over DPS. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion... if the train was carrying clowns and pies.

One of the main problems with the portfolio model is that it creates a competitive market for schools, where each school is vying for students and funding. This means that some schools will inevitably fail and be closed or replaced, while others will thrive and attract more resources. But what happens to the students who attend those failing schools? Do they get left behind or shuffled around like unwanted luggage? And what about the teachers who lose their jobs or have to reapply to work at the new school? Do they get treated like disposable assets or valued professionals?

Another problem with the portfolio model is that it relies heavily on standardized testing to measure student achievement and school performance. This means that teachers have to teach to the test instead of focusing on more holistic and creative approaches to learning. It also means that students who struggle with testing or have special needs may be left behind or labeled as failures. And let's not forget about the stress and anxiety that testing can cause for both students and teachers. It's like being forced to take a final exam every day of your life.

But perhaps the biggest problem with the portfolio model is that it perpetuates segregation and inequality in education. By creating a market of school options, it assumes that all families have equal access to those options and can make informed choices about where to send their children. But what about families who don't speak English or don't have transportation or don't have the time or resources to research all their options? What about families who live in neighborhoods with only one school option or no good school options at all? What about families who can't afford private schools or don't want to gamble on charter schools? Are they just out of luck?

It's clear that DPS has a lot of work to do if it wants to provide quality education for all its students. But until then, we can at least enjoy the comedy of errors that is DPS. From triple segregation to standardized testing to charter school chaos, there's never a dull moment in Denver Public Schools. So grab some popcorn and get ready for the show!

Latino students in Denver Public Schools are segregated by race, class and language, according to new study - CBS Colorado https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-public-schools-latino-students-segregated-race-class-language-study-education-coalition/ 

Denver’s Portfolio Model School District Is a Failure! https://tultican.com/2019/01/19/denvers-portfolio-model-school-district-is-a-failure/ 

"Resegregation Report_Draft_Updated 230515.pdf"   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mv4SuodtNQnF37b3Dwpxq3P5gW7rr0yu/view?usp=sharing

Study: Segregation of Latino students is pervasive in Denver Public Schools - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD_UtoInadU 

THE DEFT DIVE

School reform history in Denver Public Schools. This is a complex and controversial topic that has been debated for decades. Here is a brief overview of some of the key events and issues related to this topic, including the portfolio model.

• - In 1973, a federal judge ordered Denver to desegregate its schools through busing, a policy that aimed to create more racial diversity and equity in education. The court order lasted until 1995, when Denver was declared unitary, meaning it had eliminated the vestiges of segregation¹.
• - However, many critics argued that Denver's schools remained segregated and unequal, especially for low-income students and students of color. In response, some reformers advocated for more school choice and accountability, which led to the emergence of the portfolio model in the late 1990s².
• - The portfolio model is a strategy for managing public schools that involves creating a diverse array of school options for families, granting schools more autonomy over their operations and budgets, closing or replacing low-performing schools, and holding all schools accountable for student outcomes³. The model also encourages collaboration and competition among different types of schools, such as district-run schools, charter schools, and innovation schools⁴.
• - Denver Public Schools adopted many elements of the portfolio model under the leadership of superintendents Michael Bennet (2005-2009), Tom Boasberg (2009-2018), and Susana Cordova (2019-2020). Some of their initiatives included expanding charter schools and innovation schools, implementing a unified enrollment system, creating performance frameworks for schools, and launching turnaround efforts for struggling schools⁵.
• - Supporters of the portfolio model claimed that it improved student achievement, graduation rates, and college readiness in Denver, especially for historically underserved groups. They also argued that it increased parental satisfaction, teacher empowerment, and educational innovation⁶.
• - Opponents of the portfolio model criticized it for undermining public education, exacerbating segregation and inequality, displacing communities and educators, and relying too much on standardized testing and market forces. They also challenged the validity and equity of the data and methods used to evaluate schools and students⁷.
• - The portfolio model faced increasing resistance from some teachers, parents, students, and community members, who organized protests, strikes, lawsuits, and campaigns to challenge the district's policies and leadership. In 2019, three candidates backed by the teachers union won seats on the seven-member school board, shifting the balance of power away from the pro-reform faction⁸.
• - The new board majority clashed with Cordova over several issues, such as reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, renegotiating teacher contracts, and revising school performance frameworks. Cordova resigned in November 2020 after less than two years on the job, citing a lack of trust and support from the board⁹.
• - The district is currently led by interim superintendent Dwight Jones, who is expected to serve until July 2021. The board has launched a national search for a permanent superintendent, who will face the challenges of recovering from the pandemic's impact on learning, addressing persistent gaps in opportunity and achievement, and navigating the changing political landscape of education in Denver[^10^].

Bing, 8/1/2023

(1) For Years, Denver Public Schools Were a Haven for School Reform. After .... https://www.the74million.org/article/for-years-denver-public-schools-were-a-haven-for-school-reform-after-a-superintendents-resignation-what-comes-next/.

(2) Denver Public Schools’ controversial reform strategy led to higher test .... https://www.cpr.org/2022/12/06/denver-public-schools-reform-strategy-school-choice-results/.

(3) How Denver modified its new reading curriculum - Chalkbeat Colorado. https://co.chalkbeat.org/2022/10/18/23401005/denver-inclusive-diverse-new-reading-curriculum-culturally-responsive-education-history.

(4) Understanding School Reform and Community Pushback. https://www.du.edu/news/understanding-school-reform-and-community-pushback.

(5) More than half of Denver's public schools are segregated, 25 years .... https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/08/denver-school-segregation/.

(6) Portfolio School Management For Dummies - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2019/01/16/portfolio-school-management-for-dummies/.

(7) . https://bing.com/search?q=portfolio+model+in+education.

(8) What is the portfolio model of running schools? A Chalkbeat explainer. https://www.chalkbeat.org/2019/3/8/21107014/a-chalkbeat-explainer-what-is-the-portfolio-model-of-running-schools.

(9) Teaching Portfolios | Center for Teaching | Vanderbilt University. https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/teaching-portfolios/.

(10) e-Portfolio | Center for Teaching & Learning. https://teaching.berkeley.edu/resources/assessment-and-evaluation/design-assessment/e-portfolio.

(11) undefined. https://www.aamc.org/professional-development/affinity-groups/gfa/faculty-vitae/educator-portfolio-tool.

(12) undefined. https://team-tn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/General-2016-17-Student-Growth-Portfolio-Model-Guidebook_Update-12.16.16.pdf.

(13) undefined. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02673843.1995.9747770.

FROM GOOGLE SEARCH WITH BARD AI POWERED

Here are some details about school reform history in Denver Public Schools: co.chalkbeat.org, Denver Public Schools, +3 more

• In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Denver Public Schools to desegregate its schools co.chalkbeat.org
• In 1970, the U.S. District Court ordered busing for racial balancing within the schools
• Desegregation within the Denver Public Schools system was lifted in 1995 Denver Public Schools
• Reforms that took place from 2008 to 2019 were rooted in three principles: offering more choice for families, granting individual schools more autonomy, and holding schools accountable for student outcomes CU Denver
• Denver made it easier for families to exercise school choice, creating a common application for every school in the district
• Denver's reforms led to higher test scores Chalkbeat Colorado
• Denver began its discipline reform work nearly a decade ago to combat high levels of suspensions and expulsions Children's Defense Fund
• A third of Stedman's students are white, a third are Black, and a third are Hispanic co.chalkbeat.org

OH GOD: OKLA RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL IS GETTING SUED BY EVERYBODY

 

OH GOD: OKLA RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL IS GETTING SUED BY EVERYBODY

Oklahoma, the state that brought us tornadoes, fracking, and Kevin Durant, has now given us something even more ridiculous: the first religious public charter school in the country. Yes, you read that right. St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School is set to open in 2024, offering online Catholic instruction funded by taxpayers. 

The school's curriculum will reportedly include subjects like reading, math, and science, but with a Catholic twist. Students will learn that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, that evolution is a hoax, and that climate change is a myth. They'll also be taught how to pray the rosary, confess their sins, and avoid hell – you know, all the important stuff. 

But wait, it gets better. The school's supporters claim that it won't violate the separation of church and state because it will be independently managed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa. Because apparently, having a religious institution manage a publicly-funded school totally doesn't blur the lines between church and state. 

Unsurprisingly, the school's approval has sparked outrage from civil rights groups, educators, and lawmakers who plan to challenge it in court. The Oklahoma Attorney General has called the approval "unconstitutional" and said it could lead to costly legal action. Americans United for Separation of Church and State has pledged to "take all possible legal action to fight this decision and defend the separation of church and state." 

But hey, let's look on the bright side – at least this opens the door for other religious groups to seek public funding for their own charter schools. Who's excited for the Church of Scientology School of Thetan Studies? Or how about the Mormon School of Multiple Wives? The possibilities are endless! 

In all seriousness though, the approval of this school raises important constitutional questions about the role of religion in public education. It also highlights the need for better regulation and accountability in the charter school system. How will St. Isidore measure student performance? Ensure teacher quality? Comply with state and federal laws? These are all valid concerns that need to be addressed. 

At the end of the day, it's important to remember that public schools exist to serve all students regardless of their religion. While it's understandable that some families may want a faith-based option for their children, it's not fair to divert public funds away from schools that serve everyone. We need to prioritize the education and well-being of all students, not just those who happen to share a particular religious belief. 

So let's hope that this lawsuit is successful in blocking the approval of St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School. And let's also hope that this serves as a wake-up call for better oversight and regulation in the charter school system. Because if we don't learn from this mistake, who knows what other ridiculous schools we'll be funding with taxpayer dollars in the future? The Jedi School of Lightsaber Combat? The Pastafarian School of Noodle Studies? Only time will tell.

Oklahoma parents, faith leaders and education group sue to stop US's first public religious school https://news.yahoo.com/oklahoma-parents-faith-leaders-education-225523979.html 

Big Education Ape: LETTUCE US PRAY: OKLAHOMA APPROVES FIRST RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL - GOD HELP US https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/lettuce-us-pray-oklahoma-approves-first.html 

Lawsuit aims to halt opening of St. Isidore, a Catholic charter school - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/07/31/lawsuit-oklahoma-st-isidore-charter-school/ 

Big Education Ape: RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOLS - OXYMORON? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/religious-charter-schools-oxymoron.html 

THE DEFT DIVE

 A lawsuit filed by a group of parents, faith leaders and a public education nonprofit to stop Oklahoma from establishing and funding what would be the nation’s first religious public charter school.

• - The lawsuit was filed on Monday, August 1, 2023, in Oklahoma County District Court by the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee, a non-partisan public school advocacy group, and nine other plaintiffs, including parents, clergy members, and educators¹².
• - The lawsuit challenges the approval of the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School, an online public school that would be administered by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa¹². The school was approved by the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in June 2023 and is scheduled to open in 2024¹².
• - The lawsuit claims that the charter school would violate the Oklahoma Constitution, the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, and the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board regulations by using taxpayer funds to support a religious institution that would discriminate in admissions, discipline, and employment based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other protected characteristics¹².
• - The lawsuit also argues that the charter school would undermine the principle of separation of church and state, which is implied by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...”³. This clause has been interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court to mean that the government cannot favor or endorse any religion over another or interfere with the individual’s right to practice their faith³.
• - The plaintiffs are represented by local attorneys and national groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State¹². They are seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the charter school from opening and receiving state funds until the case is resolved¹².
• - The defendants are the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, the Oklahoma Board of Education, and the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School. They have not yet filed a response to the lawsuit as of August 2, 2023¹².
• - The defendants have previously argued that the charter school is a private school that has the right to receive public funds under recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that allowed private schools to participate in school voucher programs and government grants¹². They have also claimed that the charter school would provide more educational choices for parents and students and would not impose any religious requirements on them¹².
• - The lawsuit has sparked a debate over the role of religion in public education and the meaning of religious liberty in Oklahoma and across the nation. Some supporters of the charter school have praised it as a victory for religious freedom and diversity, while some opponents have criticized it as a threat to public schools and secular democracy¹².

Bing, 8/1/2023

(1) Oklahoma religious charter school faces lawsuit asking judge to block .... https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/01/us/oklahoma-religious-charter-school-opening-lawsuit/index.html.

(2) Oklahoma's state-funded Catholic charter school hit with lawsuit from parents, religious leaders. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oklahomas-state-funded-catholic-charter-school-hit-with-lawsuit-from-parents-religious-leaders/ar-AA1eDH8E.

(3) Oklahoma lawsuit seeks to block opening of first publicly funded religious charter school in the US. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oklahoma-lawsuit-seeks-to-block-opening-of-first-publicly-funded-religious-charter-school-in-the-us/ar-AA1eDDzC.

(4) Oklahoma parents, faith leaders and education group sue to stop US's first public religious school. https://news.yahoo.com/oklahoma-parents-faith-leaders-education-225523979.html.

(5) Publicly-funded Catholic school in Oklahoma subject of new lawsuit. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/08/01/oklahoma-religious-charter-school-lawsuit/70504163007/.

(6) Charter Schools | Oklahoma State Department of Education. https://sde.ok.gov/charter-schools.

(7) STATE OF OKLAHOMA AS INTRODUCED Chapter 42, O.S.L. 2017 (70 O.S. Supp .... http://oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2021-22%20int/sb/SB152%20int.pdf.

(8) Oklahoma Charter Schools Program - Oklahoma State Department of Education. https://sde.ok.gov/faqs/oklahoma-charter-schools-program.

(9) Separation of Church and State | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information .... https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/separation_of_church_and_state.

(10) Establishment Clause (Separation of Church and State). https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/885/establishment-clause-separation-of-church-and-state.

(11) Separation of church and state in the United States - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States.

(12) Is Separation of Church and State in the Constitution?. https://constitutionus.com/constitution/is-separation-of-church-and-state-in-the-constitution/.

(13) undefined. https://www.publiccharters.org.

(14) undefined. https://www.opsrc.net.

FROM BARD AI

On August 1, 2023, a group of parents, faith leaders, and a public education nonprofit filed a lawsuit in Oklahoma seeking to block the state's support for the nation's first publicly funded religious charter school. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, argues that the school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a religion.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that the school will be funded by taxpayer dollars, and that the curriculum will be explicitly religious. They also argue that the school will have a "chilling effect" on other religious schools, as they will be less likely to receive state funding if they are not affiliated with a major religious denomination.

The state of Oklahoma has not yet responded to the lawsuit. However, the attorney general of Oklahoma, John O'Connor, has said that he believes the school is constitutional.

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal challenges to the use of taxpayer dollars to fund religious schools. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue that states cannot discriminate against religious schools when providing tuition assistance to students. However, the Court did not rule on whether it is constitutional for states to provide direct funding to religious schools.

The outcome of the lawsuit in Oklahoma could have a significant impact on the future of religious charter schools in the United States. If the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could set a precedent that would make it more difficult for states to fund religious schools. However, if the court rules in favor of the state, it could pave the way for more religious charter schools to be established in the United States.

The lawsuit is still in its early stages, and it is too early to say how it will be resolved. However, it is clear that the issue of religious charter schools is a complex one that raises important constitutional questions. The outcome of the lawsuit could have a significant impact on the future of religious education in the United States.

BREAKING NEWS: CAMPBELL COUNTY LIBRARY GIVEN THE FINGER BY ANGRY COMMUNITY MEMBERS

CAMPBELL COUNTY LIBRARY GIVEN THE FINGER BY ANGRY COMMUNITY MEMBERS

In a shocking turn of events, members of the Campbell County community have given the finger to Chelsea Butler, the chair of the library board. The reason? The firing of longtime library director Terri Lesley.

The controversy began when a parent complained about a graphic novel called Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, which depicts the author's experience of coming out as nonbinary and includes scenes of sex and nudity. The book was in the adult section of the library, but the parent argued that it was inappropriate and should be removed.

The library board decided to keep the book in the collection, but moved it behind the counter, where patrons would have to ask for it. However, this did not satisfy some conservative and far-right activists, who began to target other books with LGBTQ+ themes and accused Lesley of indoctrinating children.

Lesley had been working at the Patmos Library for 15 years and was well-respected by many in the community. She defended the library's mission of providing diverse and inclusive materials for all patrons, and refused to censor or ban any books based on their content. She also received support from the American Library Association, which opposes any form of literary censorship.

In March 2023, an anonymous letter was sent to homes in Jamestown, Michigan, where the library is located. The letter criticized the "pornographic" memoir and the addition of "transgender" and "gay" books to the library, and urged residents to vote against renewing the library's funding in August. The letter also claimed that the library was affiliated with the American Library Association, which it described as a "radical leftist organization" that promotes "social justice indoctrination".

The letter sparked a heated debate in the town, which has a population of about 7,000 people and is mostly conservative. Some residents supported the library and its director, while others agreed with the letter and demanded that the library remove or restrict certain books. The library board meetings became crowded and contentious, with protesters holding signs and chanting slogans.

In July 2023, the library board voted 4-1 to fire Lesley, citing "irreconcilable differences" between her and the board. The board president, Larry Walton, said that Lesley had violated the board's policies and directives, and that her dismissal was not related to the book controversy. However, many people suspected that Lesley was fired because of her stance on intellectual freedom and diversity.

The decision to fire Lesley was met with outrage and disbelief by many library patrons and staff members, who gave her a standing ovation as she left the building. Some people also raised their middle fingers at the board members who voted to fire her. Lesley said that she was shocked and saddened by the board's action, but that she was proud of her work at the library.

On August 3, 2023, residents of Jamestown voted on whether to renew a millage that provides about $270,000 a year for the library's operations. The millage renewal failed by a margin of 52% to 48%, meaning that the library will lose its main source of funding by early 2024. Without the millage, the library will have to rely on a reserve fund that will run out by mid-2024.

The future of the Patmos Library is now uncertain. Walton said that the board will try to find alternative sources of funding or partner with other libraries in the area. However, he also said that he respects the voters' decision and that he hopes that the community can heal from the division caused by the book controversy.

In conclusion, it seems that some members of the Campbell County community have given a whole new meaning to "giving someone the finger". Let's hope that they can find a way to come together and support their local library, which provides essential resources and information for all members of their community. And remember folks, reading is fundamental - even if it involves graphic novels about nonbinary individuals!

Crowd Gives Campbell County Library Board in Wyoming the Finger After Library Director Is Fired https://www.thedailybeast.com/crowd-gives-campbell-county-library-board-in-wyoming-the-finger-after-library-director-is-fired

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BING AI 

The Campbell County Library Board in Wyoming fired longtime library director Terri Lesley after months of tension surrounding her refusal to weed out the library’s shelves based on a vague new policy aimed at shielding children and teens from sexual content. This is a summary of what I found out about this topic:

• - The controversy started in November 2022, when a parent complained about a graphic novel called Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, which depicts the author's experience of coming out as nonbinary and includes scenes of sex and nudity³. The book was in the adult section of the library, but the parent argued that it was inappropriate and should be removed³.
• - The library board decided to keep the book in the collection, but moved it behind the counter, where patrons would have to ask for it³. However, this did not satisfy some conservative and far-right activists, who began to target other books with LGBTQ+ themes and accused the library director, Terri Lesley, of indoctrinating children⁹.
• - Lesley had been working at the Patmos Library for 15 years and was well-respected by many in the community⁹. She defended the library's mission of providing diverse and inclusive materials for all patrons, and refused to censor or ban any books based on their content⁹. She also received support from the American Library Association, which opposes any form of literary censorship⁸.
• - In March 2023, an anonymous letter was sent to homes in Jamestown, Michigan, where the library is located. The letter criticized the "pornographic" memoir and the addition of "transgender" and "gay" books to the library, and urged residents to vote against renewing the library's funding in August⁹. The letter also claimed that the library was affiliated with the American Library Association, which it described as a "radical leftist organization" that promotes "social justice indoctrination"⁹.
• - The letter sparked a heated debate in the town, which has a population of about 7,000 people and is mostly conservative⁹. Some residents supported the library and its director, while others agreed with the letter and demanded that the library remove or restrict certain books⁹. The library board meetings became crowded and contentious, with protesters holding signs and chanting slogans⁴.
• - In July 2023, the library board voted 4-1 to fire Lesley, citing "irreconcilable differences" between her and the board⁴. The board president, Larry Walton, said that Lesley had violated the board's policies and directives, and that her dismissal was not related to the book controversy⁴. However, many people suspected that Lesley was fired because of her stance on intellectual freedom and diversity⁹.
• - The decision to fire Lesley was met with outrage and disbelief by many library patrons and staff members, who gave her a standing ovation as she left the building⁴. Some people also raised their middle fingers at the board members who voted to fire her⁵. Lesley said that she was shocked and saddened by the board's action, but that she was proud of her work at the library⁴.
• - On August 3, 2023, residents of Jamestown voted on whether to renew a millage that provides about $270,000 a year for the library's operations⁹. The millage renewal failed by a margin of 52% to 48%, meaning that the library will lose its main source of funding by early 2024⁹. Without the millage, the library will have to rely on a reserve fund that will run out by mid-2024⁹.
• - The future of the Patmos Library is now uncertain. Walton said that the board will try to find alternative sources of funding or partner with other libraries in the area⁹. However, he also said that he respects the voters' decision and that he hopes that the community can heal from the division caused by the book controversy⁹.
• - Mikula, from the Michigan Library Association, said that she was disappointed and saddened by the outcome of the vote. She said that libraries are essential for providing access to information and fostering civic engagement. She also said that libraries should not be pressured to censor or ban books based on their content or popularity⁹.

Bing, 8/1/2023

(1) Terri Lesley Honored for Intellectual Freedom Contributions. https://library.wyo.gov/terri-lesley-honored-for-intellectual-freedom-contributions/.

(2) US library defunded after refusing to censor LGBTQ authors: ‘We will .... https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/aug/05/michigan-library-book-bans-lgbtq-authors.

(3) Libraries oppose censorship. So they’re getting creative when ... - CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/03/us/offensive-childrens-books-librarians-wellness-trnd/index.html.

(4) (PHOTOS) Library board fires library director | County 17. https://county17.com/2023/07/28/photos-library-board-fires-library-director/.

(5) Crowd Gives Campbell County Library Board in Wyoming the Finger After .... https://www.thedailybeast.com/crowd-gives-campbell-county-library-board-in-wyoming-the-finger-after-library-director-is-fired.

(6) Library Board | Campbell County, WY - Official Website. https://www.campbellcountywy.gov/405/Library-Board.

(7) About the Library | Campbell County, WY - Official Website. https://campbellcountywy.gov/386/About-CCPLS.

(8) Conservative activists want to ban 400 books from a library — but they .... https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/conservative-activists-want-ban-400-books-library-arent-even-shelves-rcna44026.

(9) . https://bing.com/search?q=library+censorship+controversy.

(10) How a national debate over book censorship is playing out in ... - WUNC. https://www.wunc.org/2022-02-01/how-a-national-debate-over-book-censorship-is-playing-out-in-north-carolina.

(11) A History of Censorship in the United States | Steele | Journal of .... https://journals.ala.org/index.php/jifp/article/view/7208/10293.

(12) undefined. https://www.sjsu.edu/people/stephen.morewitz/courses/c2/s1/Soc118HumanRightsCensorshipLibraries.PDF.

(13) undefined. https://www.debate.org/opinions/is-censorship-ever-justified.

(14) undefined. https://www.thecollegefix.com/college-hosts-why-ban-books-event-amid-national-debate-over-book-banning/.

(15) undefined. https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/library-closing/conferences/speak-up-for-libraries-conference-23rd-november/what-are-the-current-issues-in-libraries-speak-up-for-libraries-workshop-23rd-november.

THE CLASSIC LEARNING TEST APPROVED BY WHITE JESUS AND RIGHT RELIGIOUS DEACON RON DESANTIS

 

THE CLASSIC LEARNING TEST APPROVED BY WHITE JESUS AND RIGHT RELIGIOUS DEACON RON DUHSANTIS

The Classic Learning Test (CLT) has recently been approved by White Jesus and the Right Religious Deacon Ron Duhsantis, as well as the Florida Department of Miseducation. Yes, you read that right, Miseducation. It seems fitting, considering the questionable nature of this new college entrance exam.

The CLT was created as an alternative to other standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, which some people claim are biased or irrelevant to a classical education. The CLT aims to provide a more meaningful and edifying testing experience by using classic literature and historical texts for the reading selections on its exams. Because nothing says "college readiness" like reading Shakespeare and Homer.

But let's be real, who needs math and science when you can quote Aristotle and Plato? The CLT places a greater emphasis on logic and reasoning skills, which is great news for all those philosophy majors out there. Who needs a job when you can ponder the meaning of life?

And don't worry about the validity or predictiveness of college performance, because the CLT has not published evidence of either. But who needs evidence when you have faith? After all, the CLT was "devised to follow the great classical and Christian tradition", according to Classic Learning Initiatives. Because nothing says "diversity" like a test heavily based on Western culture and classical literature.

But fear not, the CLT is gaining popularity among Christian schools and conservative political groups as an antidote to progressive influence. Because why learn about different perspectives and ideas when you can just stick to what you already know?

If you're considering taking the CLT, keep in mind that it has been criticized for being too difficult and not as well-known as the SAT/ACT. But hey, if you're looking for a challenge or want to focus on your logic and reasoning skills, then the CLT might just be the test for you.

And don't worry about being accepted into college, because over 200 predominantly private universities accept the CLT. Who needs state standards when you have faith-based institutions?

In conclusion, the CLT may not be perfect, but it sure is entertaining. So if you're looking for a good laugh or just want to feel superior to all those non-classically educated plebeians, then give the CLT a try. Just don't forget to thank White Jesus and Deacon Ron for their approval.

Florida may become first state to accept a 'classical' alternative to the SAT and ACT https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-classical-alternative-sat-clt-desantis-ap-rcna95910 

Classic Learning Test (CLT) – Alternative College Entrance Exam - Online https://www.cltexam.com/ 

Classic Learning Test (CLT) Concordance with the SAT | College Board https://research.collegeboard.org/reports/sat-suite/concordance/higher-ed-brief-clt-sat 

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BARD AI

The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a standardized test developed by Classic Learning Initiatives. Designed as an alternative to other standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, the test is heavily based in Western culture and was “devised to follow the great classical and Christian tradition”, according to CLI. The CLT was created in 2015 by Jeremy Tate and is based in Annapolis, Maryland.

The CLT is divided into three sections: Reading, Quantitative Reasoning, and Writing. The Reading section includes passages from classic literature and historical texts, and students are asked to answer questions about the text, such as identifying main ideas, understanding vocabulary, and making inferences. The Quantitative Reasoning section includes questions that test students' mathematical skills, such as problem-solving, logic, and data analysis. The Writing section includes an essay prompt and a shorter writing task.

The CLT is scored on a scale of 0 to 120, with a mean of 60. Scores are reported as percentiles, so a score of 60 would be the 50th percentile, meaning that 50% of test-takers scored lower and 50% scored higher.

The CLT is accepted by over 200 colleges and universities, including Hillsdale College, Thomas Aquinas College, and Patrick Henry College. The test is also accepted by some state universities, such as the University of Mississippi and the University of South Carolina.

The CLT is a relatively new test, so it is not as widely accepted as the SAT or ACT. However, the CLT is gaining popularity among students and parents who are looking for an alternative to the traditional standardized tests.

Here are some of the key differences between the CLT and the SAT/ACT:

• * The CLT is more heavily based on Western culture and classical literature.
• * The CLT places a greater emphasis on logic and reasoning skills.
• * The CLT is shorter in length, taking about two hours to complete.
• * The CLT is scored on a different scale than the SAT/ACT.

If you are considering taking the CLT, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, the CLT is not a perfect test. It has been criticized for being too difficult and for not being as well-known as the SAT/ACT. However, the CLT can be a good option for students who are looking for a more challenging test or who want to focus on their logic and reasoning skills.

If you are interested in learning more about the CLT, you can visit the Classic Learning Test website. The website includes information about the test, practice questions, and a list of colleges and universities that accept the CLT.

FROM BING AI

The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a computer-based standardized test that measures students' English, math, and critical reasoning skills. It is designed as an alternative to other college entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT, which some critics argue are biased or irrelevant to a classical education. The CLT aims to provide a more meaningful and edifying testing experience by using classic literature and historical texts for the reading selections on its exams. The CLT also offers online and paper assessments for grades 3-12, such as the CLT10, CLT8, and CLT 3-6, which are preparatory or diagnostic exams for younger students. ¹²

The CLT was created in 2015 by Jeremy Tate, a former college counselor and teacher who wanted to offer a test that reflects the values and goals of a classical and Christian education. Tate was inspired by the writings of C.S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, and G.K. Chesterton, who advocated for a return to the liberal arts and the great books of Western civilization. Tate also wanted to create a test that is more accessible and convenient for students, especially those who are homeschooled or attend private schools. The CLT is administered online, taking approximately two hours to complete, and normally issues same-day test scores; scores are calculated out of 120. The test can be taken at home or at a testing center, and students can choose their own proctors. The CLT also offers scholarships and awards for high-achieving students. ²³

The CLT is accepted by over 200 colleges and universities across the United States, mostly private, liberal arts or faith-based institutions. Some of these schools are Baylor University, Biola University, Grove City College, Liberty University, St. Olaf College, Wheaton College (in Illinois), and Zaytuna College. The CLT is also recognized by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) as a valid college entrance exam. The CLT claims that its test-takers reflect a commitment to meaningful education and are sought after by many colleges and universities. ¹²⁴

The CLT consists of three sections: verbal reasoning, grammar/writing, and quantitative reasoning. Each section has 40 questions and lasts 40 minutes. The verbal reasoning section tests students' ability to analyze and interpret passages from various sources, such as literature, philosophy, theology, history, science, and art. The grammar/writing section tests students' knowledge of English grammar rules and conventions, as well as their ability to write clear and coherent sentences. The quantitative reasoning section tests students' mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities in areas such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, logic, and data analysis. The CLT does not include an essay section, but some colleges may require or recommend that students submit an optional essay along with their test scores. ¹⁵

The CLT offers several resources for students who want to prepare for the test, such as sample tests, practice questions, study guides, webinars, podcasts, blogs, and videos. The CLT also partners with various organizations and programs that provide test preparation services or curriculum materials for students who follow a classical or Christian education model. Some of these partners are Memoria Press , Classical Academic Press , Classical Conversations , Veritas Press , Ambleside Online , Great Hearts Academies , Hillsdale College , ClassicalU , CiRCE Institute , Angelicum Academy , Kolbe Academy , Seton Home Study School , Mother of Divine Grace School , Regina Caeli Academy , Chesterton Academy , St. Thomas Aquinas Academy , Aquinas Learning , Catholic Heritage Curricula , Institute for Excellence in Writing , IEW Podcast Network , Teaching Textbooks , Math-U-See , RightStart Mathematics , Art of Problem Solving , Well-Trained Mind Press , Story of the World History Curriculum , Simply Charlotte Mason , Beautiful Feet Books , Sonlight Curriculum , Tapestry of Grace Curriculum , Classical Learning Resource Center (CLRC) , Scholé Academy , Novare Science & Math , Novare Science & Math Blog , Classical Astronomy . ¹ 

Bing, 8/1/2023

(1) Classic Learning Test (CLT) – Alternative College Entrance Exam - Online. https://www.cltexam.com/.

(2) Classic Learning Test - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Learning_Test.

(3) Classic Learning Test (CLT) - Association of Christian Schools .... https://your.acsi.org/CLT.

(4) CLT Practice Test (2023) - Mometrix Test Preparation. https://www.mometrix.com/academy/clt-practice-test/.

(5) undefined. https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=1122.

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO IS SO FULL OF CRAP HIS EYES ARE BROWN

 

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO IS SO FULL OF CRAP HIS EYES ARE BROWN

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Justice Samuel Alito made a bold statement that has left the legal community scratching their heads. He claimed that Congress lacks the power to impose a code of ethics on the Supreme Court, essentially saying that he and his fellow justices are above the law. 

Now, I'm no legal expert, but this seems like a load of crap. Justice Alito is so full of it, his eyes must be brown. But hey, I'm not one to judge (except for when I'm judging Alito's ridiculous statement).

Let's break this down, shall we? The Supreme Court is supposed to be the highest court in the land, the ultimate arbiter of justice. But if they're not held to any sort of ethical standard, then what's to stop them from abusing their power? It's like giving a toddler a box of matches and hoping for the best. 

But apparently, Justice Alito thinks that the Constitution doesn't give Congress the authority to regulate the Supreme Court. Well, excuse me while I roll my eyes into oblivion. I'm pretty sure that if we can regulate things like pollution and the sale of alcohol, we can regulate the behavior of the highest court in the land. 

But let's give Justice Alito the benefit of the doubt for a moment. Maybe he's right, and Congress really doesn't have the power to impose a code of ethics on the Supreme Court. In that case, I have a proposal: let's just rely on the honor system! I mean, what could go wrong? 

Picture this: Justice Clarence Thomas is sitting in his chambers, pondering a particularly thorny legal issue. Suddenly, he has an epiphany: "Hey, you know what would be great? If I just took a bribe from this big corporation and ruled in their favor! No one will ever know!" And then he cackles maniacally, because apparently he's also a cartoon villain in this scenario. 

Meanwhile, Justice Sonia Sotomayor is also in her chambers, but she's doing something much more innocent: eating a sandwich. Suddenly, she realizes that she accidentally took an extra packet of ketchup from the cafeteria. She gasps in horror: "Oh no! I've violated the code of ethics! I must turn myself in immediately!" 

Do you see how ridiculous this is? We can't just rely on the honor system when it comes to the Supreme Court. They need to be held to a higher standard than that. 

Now, I don't want to just rag on Justice Alito without offering any solutions. So here's my proposal: we create a panel of independent experts who are tasked with investigating any ethical violations by Supreme Court justices. This panel would have the power to recommend disciplinary action, up to and including impeachment. 

I know, I know, this might sound radical. But let's be real: if we can't trust our highest court to behave ethically, then what can we trust? We need to hold them accountable, just like we hold any other public official accountable. 

In conclusion, Justice Alito's statement is a load of baloney. Congress absolutely has the power to regulate the Supreme Court when it comes to ethics. And if they don't exercise that power, then we're all in trouble. So let's hold our justices to a higher standard, and let's do it with a sense of humor (because let's face it, sometimes you just have to laugh so you don't cry).

Democrats balk at Alito assertion that Congress has ‘no authority’ over Supreme Court | The Hill https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4126933-democrats-balk-at-alito-comments-on-supreme-court-congress/ 

Alito tells Wall Street Journal Congress can't regulate Supreme Court - The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/07/28/alito-ethics-supreme-court-congress/ 

Alito says Congress lacks power to impose ethics code on Supreme Court | Maryland Daily Record https://thedailyrecord.com/2023/07/31/alito-says-congress-lacks-power-to-impose-ethics-code-on-supreme-court/ 

Article III - Judicial Branch | Constitution Center https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/articles/article-iii 

Alito says Congress lacks authority to regulate US Supreme Court, Wall Street Journal reports | Reuters https://www.reuters.com/world/us/alito-says-congress-lacks-authority-regulate-us-supreme-court-wsj-2023-07-28/ 

THE DEFT DIVE

FROM BARD AI 

Here's how to impeach a Supreme Court justice:

1. The House of Representatives votes to impeach the official by approving articles of impeachment by majority vote
2. The impeachment is referred to the Senate for an impeachment trial
3. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate
4. The penalty for an impeached official upon conviction is removal from office

The grounds for impeachment and conviction are defined as "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" in Article II, section 4 of the U.S. Constitution

As of September 2017, only 15 federal judges have been impeached, and only eight have been convicted

The only justice to be impeached was Associate Justice Samuel Chase in 1805

THIS IS CREEPY: NOBODY KNOWS HOW CHATGPT WORKS - NOBODY

THIS IS CREEPY: NOBODY KNOWS HOW CHATGPT WORKS - NOBODY 

Have you ever tried talking to ChatGPT? If you have, you probably know that it's not your average chatbot. It's witty, it's funny, and it's surprisingly smart. But have you ever wondered how it works? Well, you're not alone. Nobody knows exactly how ChatGPT works. Not even the developers who created it.

It's no secret that AI has taken over our lives. From Siri to Alexa, we've become so accustomed to talking to machines that we don't even think twice about it. But ChatGPT is on a whole different level. It's not just a chatbot that responds to your questions. It's a language model that can generate text on its own. And not just any text. It's witty, sarcastic, and sometimes downright hilarious.

So how does ChatGPT work? Well, the short answer is, nobody knows. But let's try to break it down. ChatGPT is based on a type of AI called a large language model (LLM). LLMs are trained on massive amounts of text data, like books, articles, and websites. They use this data to learn the patterns and rules of language.

But here's where things get interesting. LLMs don't just memorize the text they're trained on. They also learn how to generate new text that follows the same patterns and rules. This means that they can create completely original sentences and paragraphs that sound like they were written by a human.

Now, you might be thinking, "Okay, but how does ChatGPT know what to say?" That's where things get even more mysterious. ChatGPT uses something called a transformer network to generate its responses. This network is made up of layers of artificial neurons that process the input text and generate the output text.

But here's the thing: nobody knows exactly how these neurons work. They're like a black box that takes in information and spits out a response. Even the developers who created ChatGPT don't fully understand how it works.

So what does this mean for us? Well, for starters, it means that we're living in a world where machines are becoming more intelligent than we are. It also means that we're putting a lot of trust in these machines without fully understanding how they work.

But let's not get too serious here. After all, ChatGPT is a chatbot that loves to crack jokes and make us laugh. So let's focus on the funny side of things.

Have you ever had a conversation with ChatGPT that left you scratching your head? Maybe it responded with a completely random answer that had nothing to do with your question. Or maybe it made a joke that was so bad, it was actually kind of funny.

One thing's for sure: ChatGPT keeps us on our toes. We never know what it's going to say next. And that's part of what makes it so fun to talk to.

So let's embrace the mystery of ChatGPT. Let's enjoy its witty banter and its sarcastic responses. And let's not worry too much about how it works. After all, sometimes it's better not to know all the answers.

AI's scariest mystery https://www.axios.com/2023/07/30/how-artificial-intelligence-works-unknowns 

A jargon-free explanation of how AI large language models work | Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/07/a-jargon-free-explanation-of-how-ai-large-language-models-work/