Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
7-14-25
7-14-25
Big Education Ape: EPSTEINGATE: THE BILLIONAIRES' BAD BOYS CLUB AND THE DEEP STATE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/epsteingate-billionaires-bad-boys-club.html
### Key Points
- The Epstein scandal reflects how wealth and power shield elites from justice, intertwining with government and media manipulation.
- Public skepticism is rooted in historical examples of hidden truths involving influential figures, such as JFK’s assassination.
- Epstein’s “Pleasure Island” and “Lolita Express” symbolize a dark underbelly of elite misconduct tied to global oligarchs.
- Bill Gates’ connections to Epstein raise questions about extortion, philanthropy, and education reform initiatives like Common Core.
- The disparity in justice for the wealthy versus average citizens highlights systemic inequalities.
- A call for overturning Citizens United and grassroots movements to reclaim power and demand transparency.
Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES 7-12-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and_12.html
### Key Points
- Trump’s threats to revoke citizenship from critics highlight escalating political issues.
- Mediocrity in U.S. schools is analyzed in terms of systemic educational challenges.
- Predictions of a public education crisis due to systemic failures.
Big Education Ape: FASCISM BY ANY OTHER NAME: THE MAGAFICATION OF AMERICA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/fascism-by-any-other-name-magafication.html
Explores the tactics and ideologies of authoritarianism in contemporary U.S. politics, particularly under Trump’s administration. The article draws parallels between historical fascism and current trends, emphasizing executive overreach, propaganda, militarization, and scapegoating. While America hasn’t fully embraced fascism, the seeds of authoritarianism are present. It advocates for resistance movements like "One Million Rising" and grassroots organizing to defend democracy.
### Key Points
- Analysis of Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, including cult of personality and executive overreach.
- ICE operations and militarized immigration enforcement under Trump.
- Propaganda and "alternative facts" shaping public perception.
- Scapegoating marginalized groups as a political strategy.
- Resistance movements like "One Million Rising" mobilizing against authoritarianism.
- Historical comparisons and warnings about authoritarianism-lite in America.
Big Education Ape: JEFFREY EPSTEIN COMMITS SUICIDE: AGAIN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/jeffrey-epstein-commits-suicide-again.html
A satirical piece dives into the wild conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein, MAGA narratives, and political drama, blending humor and commentary on misinformation. It also touches on public education, activism, and the broader socio-political landscape.
### Key Points
- Satirical exploration of MAGA conspiracy theories surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, including exaggerated claims and fictional narratives.
- Commentary on public education challenges, privatization resistance, and advocacy for reform through various organizations.
- Highlights activism against political and educational issues, including Diane Ravitch's work and grassroots movements like the Badass Teacher Association.
- Satirical critique of political theater and misinformation in the MAGA era.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT UNSCHOOLING OF AMERICA: BIG EDUCATION APE'S CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTS A PUBLIC EDUCATION APOCALYPSE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-great-unschooling-of-america-big.html
### Key Points
- The Trump administration's education agenda is focused on dismantling public education through budget cuts, privatization, and deregulation, which threatens equitable access for all students.
- Federal oversight of education is being reduced, with plans to dissolve the Department of Education and shift funding responsibilities to states, risking inequitable distribution.
- Budget freezes and cuts are targeting programs essential for low-income, migrant, and special education students, leaving public schools underfunded and vulnerable.
- The push for school choice and vouchers redirects federal funds to private schools, creating a two-tiered system that disadvantages public schools and marginalized students.
- Higher education reforms include limiting loans and Pell Grants, reducing accessibility for low-income students, and prioritizing trade programs over traditional academia.
- The administration is rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, cutting funding for schools that support marginalized students, and restricting data collection on inequities.
- Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP threaten basic services like school meals and healthcare, worsening conditions for vulnerable students.
- Advocacy, informed voting, and amplifying voices are critical to countering these changes and protecting public education.
EPSTEINGATE, THE BILLIONAIRES’ BAD BOYS CLUB, AND THE DEEP STATE https://open.substack.com/pub/ru4people/p/epsteingate-the-billionaires-bad?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- The Epstein scandal, including "Pleasure Island" and the "Lolita Express," involves global elites and raises questions about wealth, influence, and immunity.
- Epstein's operation allegedly served as a hub for trafficking and blackmail, with connections to billionaires, politicians, and royalty.
- Bill Gates' ties to Epstein, including meetings and donations, tarnished his public image, revealing elite institutions' reliance on tainted money.
- The "catch-and-kill" schemes, like those exposed in Trump's hush-money trial, show how billionaires manipulate public perception and bury scandals.
- The media often downplays stories threatening the powerful, shaping narratives that protect the elite.
- Overturning Citizens United and demanding transparency in Epstein-related files are proposed solutions to combat the oligarchy's control.
- The article emphasizes the public's right to truth and accountability, urging systemic change to prevent future scandals.
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Scopes Centennial Edition (7/13) https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/07/icymi-scopes-centennial-edition-713.html
### Key Points
- The Scopes trial marked the beginning of cultural debates in the U.S.
- South Carolina's partnership with PragerU raises concerns about misinformation in education.
- New Hampshire struggles with fair school funding allocation.
- Federal voucher bill includes escape clauses for blue states.
- SCOTUS rulings challenge the constitutionality of public education.
- AI usage by teachers reportedly saves time but raises ethical concerns.
- The U.S. Department of Education withheld $6.2 billion from schools, impacting districts nationwide.
- Churches advocate for vouchers, raising questions about their use of funds.
- Indiana's voucher program benefits wealthy families and private schools at taxpayers' expense.
- Child care costs are a major issue, preventing many from working.
- MAGA policies contradict their pronatalist stance by making life harder for young parents.
- Louisiana teachers face challenges in getting state funding for raises.
- Resistance to school choice is rooted in principles, not psychology.
- Historical failures of replacing migrant farmworkers with high schoolers highlight policy missteps.
- Music clips included to remind readers of humanity's beauty amidst depressing news.
Trump's war on California: Criminalizing the very existence of immigrants. , by @mikeklonsky https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelklonsky/p/trumps-war-on-california-criminalizing?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- Trump's administration escalated enforcement against immigrants in California, deploying over 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, with aggressive tactics including tear gas and unmarked vehicles.
- Protests in Camarillo, California, evoke historical parallels to resistance movements, such as Prague in 1968 and Gaza in 2000, highlighting the defiance of youth against overwhelming state force.
- Trump granted federal officers "total authorization" to arrest protesters "by any means necessary," referring to them as "slimeballs" and pushing for their immediate incarceration.
- California officials and organizations like the ACLU have filed lawsuits against these raids, citing violations of constitutional protections, including due process and states' rights.
- The article criticizes the hypocrisy of criminalizing immigrants in a state historically built by them, framing ICE raids as part of a broader legacy of oppression.
On Being Lifelong Learners https://open.substack.com/pub/arthurgoldstein/p/on-being-lifelong-learners?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- The author discusses his personal journey as a teacher, emphasizing growth and learning from mistakes.
- Anecdotes about teaching ESL and striving to learn Spanish fluently to inspire students.
- Reflections on handling interpersonal conflicts and improving communication skills as a chapter leader.
- Insights into union politics, including the author's experiences with UFT caucuses like MORE, ARISE, and ABC.
- Analysis of election outcomes, challenges in uniting caucuses, and ABC's relative success against Unity.
glen brown: "The damage this administration is doing...is immeasurable" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-damage-this-administration-is.html
- The article explores the intersection of public health and democracy, emphasizing the importance of public health systems in supporting democratic institutions.
- It highlights the rise of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles due to politicization and declining vaccination rates, with herd immunity dropping below critical thresholds.
- The Trump administration and Robert Kennedy Jr.'s leadership at HHS are criticized for undermining public health infrastructure and vaccine guidance, leading to serious consequences.
- The politicization of public health measures during the Covid pandemic has led to judicial decisions limiting the authority of health officials, affecting public trust and safety.
- Measles outbreaks in the U.S. are described as a warning sign for the resurgence of other deadly diseases, with long-term impacts such as immune system damage.
- The article reflects on the broader damage to democratic institutions under Trump’s administration, urging awareness and collective action.
“Dispensing Power “: What Happens When a President Claims the Right to Ignore Laws? – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/07/13/dispensing-power-what-happens-when-a-president-claims-the-right-to-ignore-laws/
### Key Points
- President Donald Trump, through Attorney General Pam Bondi, claimed the right to ignore a law banning TikTok, reviving the ancient "dispensing power" that allows selective application of laws.
- The dispensing power undermines constitutional governance, setting a precedent for selective enforcement based on political favoritism.
- In education, this could lead to unequal protection, selective funding, and politicized policies, such as rewarding schools teaching "patriotic" curricula while punishing others.
- Trump's prior actions, such as banning DEI training and threatening funding cuts for universities discussing systemic racism, showcase how dispensing power could further politicize education.
- A second Trump term could formalize these practices, eliminating legal challenges and enforcing federal mandates that suppress equity and diversity.
- Dispensing power risks turning education into a battlefield of exceptions, erasing predictability and stability for schools, students, and teachers.
- The potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education under Project 2025 would further erode federal protections and equity in education.
- Dispensing power threatens democratic governance, allowing laws to be selectively ignored, punishing dissent, and prioritizing loyalty over justice.
Chuck Feeney died on October 9, 2023, at the age of 92. I wrote this in 2017 | The Merrow Report https://themerrowreport.com/2025/07/13/chuck-feeney-died-on-october-9-2023-at-the-age-of-92-i-wrote-this-in-2017/
### Key Points
- Charles Feeney, a billionaire philanthropist, donated $8 billion of his fortune to various causes, prioritizing anonymity.
- Feeney’s donations supported higher education, public health, human rights, and scientific research, with Cornell University being a major beneficiary.
- The author recounts a personal story of how Feeney’s anonymous foundation provided crucial financial support to complete two films and establish the non-profit Learning Matters.
- Learning Matters, funded by Feeney, went on to produce award-winning educational content and train skilled producers.
- Feeney’s life serves as a model of selfless giving and contrasts with other public figures who seek recognition for their philanthropy.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!7-13-25
The article is a compilation of diverse discussions on education, politics, societal issues, and activism. It highlights systemic failures, authoritarianism, public education challenges, grassroots movements, and inspiring stories of survival and advocacy.
### Key Points
- The Epstein scandal exposes the intertwining of power, wealth, and secrecy, raising concerns about the influence of billionaires and the deep state.
- Trump's threats to revoke citizenship from critics highlight escalating political issues and constitutional challenges.
- Mediocrity in U.S. schools is analyzed, critiquing systemic educational challenges and societal pressures for excellence.
- Predictions of a public education crisis due to systemic failures under Trump’s administration, including budget cuts and privatization.
- Analysis of Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, including executive overreach, propaganda, scapegoating, and militarized immigration enforcement.
- Resistance movements like "One Million Rising" advocate for strategic community organizing against authoritarianism.
- Satirical exploration of MAGA conspiracy theories surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, blending humor with commentary on misinformation and political drama.
- Advocacy for public education reform through grassroots movements like the Badass Teacher Association and Diane Ravitch’s initiatives.
- The Trump administration’s education agenda threatens equitable access through budget freezes, privatization, and deregulation.
- Higher education reforms under Trump limit accessibility for low-income students and prioritize trade programs over academia.
- Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP worsen conditions for vulnerable students by reducing school meals and healthcare access.
- "Revolution(s)" by Tom Morello uses music to explore resistance, love, and radicalism, featuring accessible performances and community engagement.
- A stray dog saved a 3-year-old girl during a Texas flood, sparking worldwide admiration and community efforts to adopt the heroic animal.
- Critiques of U.S. schools focus on societal pressures, meritocratic values, and the stigma against mediocrity.
- Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) propose outdated market-based solutions under the guise of innovation and choice.
- Josh Cowen opposes school vouchers, arguing they harm public schools and subsidize wealthier families.
- AI misuse, such as Elon Musk's chatbot Grok posting offensive remarks, raises ethical concerns in programming and education.
- Music education enhances mental health and confidence, emphasizing its importance in wellbeing strategies.
- Green spaces improve children's emotional regulation and executive functioning, highlighting their necessity in education environments.
- Advocacy for restorative justice for Native peoples and returning stolen lands.
- The Supreme Court may decide on publicly funded religious virtual charter schools, raising concerns about church-state separation.
- Systemic failures in disaster preparedness and education policy disproportionately affect marginalized communities under Trump.
- The "One Million Rising" initiative promotes peaceful non-cooperation and organizing to combat authoritarianism.
- Bob Moses’s Algebra Project connects math education to social justice, empowering marginalized communities through hands-on learning.
- Mike Rose’s work emphasizes intellectual labor and overcoming educational barriers for marginalized students.
The "One Million Rising" initiative promotes strategic peaceful non-cooperation and community organizing to combat authoritarianism.
One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism · No Kings
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/803953/
Across the country, authoritarian forces are getting bolder and more dangerous. Trump and his allies are not hiding their agenda: mass deportations, rollbacks of civil rights, weaponized courts, and full-scale attacks on our democracy. We don’t have to wait until it’s too late. We can stop this. But it’ll take all of us—not just on single days of mass action, but through sustained organizing in our communities.
That’s why this summer, we’re launching One Million Rising—a national effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation, as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design. This is how we build people power that can’t be ignored. You’re invited to join us—and lead.
Let’s build a force bigger than fear and louder than hate. Let’s get ready. Let’s get organized. Let’s stop Trump. https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/803953/
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