Latest News and Comment from Education

Friday, November 22, 2024

MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 11-22

 

MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 11-22






































Big Education Ape: TRUMP, MCMAHON AND THE GREAT BODY SLAM OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION #EDUSKY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2024/11/trump-mcmahon-and-great-body-slam-of-us.html





Thursday, November 21, 2024

TRUMP, MCMAHON AND THE GREAT BODY SLAM OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION #EDUSKY


TRUMP, MCMAHON AND THE GREAT BODY SLAM OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

In the grand spectacle of American politics, the stage is set for yet another riveting showdown. Enter President-Elect Donald Trump, wielding a metaphorical axe aimed squarely at the US Department of Education. His choice for Secretary of Education? None other than Linda McMahon, a titan from the wrestling world with a knack for turning body slams into billion-dollar spectacles. One can only wonder if she plans to tackle educational challenges with the same flair.

As we brace for this educational rumble, memories of Ronald Reagan's era come flooding back. This move, reminiscent of Ronald Reagan's approach to mental health policy in the 1980s, raises questions about the future role of federal oversight in education. Remember when disco was king and mental health policies were tossed around like hot potatoes? Reagan's approach to mental health was akin to dressing a wrestler in a tuxedo—states were left unprepared and overwhelmed. Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves wondering if history is set to repeat itself with education.

Imagine a world where the Department of Education is tossed out like last night's leftovers. States would be left scrambling, trying to fill the void left by the federal government. Picture state officials running around like headless chickens, trying to ensure that kids with disabilities aren't left behind without the support of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). It's like playing 'pin the tail on the donkey' with educational outcomes.

And what about school transportation? Without the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, students might find themselves hitchhiking or riding scooters to school. Not exactly the magic school bus experience we had in mind.

Let's not forget civil rights. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) ensures that everyone gets a fair shake at education. Without it, schools might resemble a Wild West saloon where anything goes. And then there's Title 1 funding—the financial lifeline for schools serving low-income students. Without it, schools might have to resort to bake sales and car washes just to keep the lights on.

Why, you ask, is Trump so keen on this disappearing act for the Department of Education? It seems the invisible hand of the oligarchy has been busy pulling strings behind the curtain. Billionaires, armed with Citizens United and campaign contributions, are on a mission to dismantle public education. Bill Gates, with his philanthropic prowess, managed to get the Common Core Standards adopted faster than you can say "bipartisan support." But then the Tea Party realized this happened under Obama's watch, and suddenly Republicans had a bone to pick.

Meanwhile, charter schools have become the darlings of the Department of Education, with federal funds flowing like champagne at a billionaire's birthday bash. And let's not forget our friends the Waltons and Kochs, who have been championing vouchers at the state level with the enthusiasm of kids in a candy store.

In this topsy-turvy world of educational reform, everyone seems to have an agenda, leaving public education caught in the crossfire. But fear not! As long as there are billionaires with opinions and politicians for sale, the show will go on.

As concerned citizens or parents, you might wonder how to combat these stealthy ninjas of education privatization. Arm yourself with knowledge! Read "Slaying Goliath," where parents, teachers, and activists unite like Avengers to fend off privatization. "Reign of Error" offers a map through America's privatization movement's treacherous terrain. And "The Privateers" dives into voucher programs like a detective novel with a twist.

Attend school board meetings and channel your inner Sherlock Holmes with probing questions. Vote for politicians who support public education—no need for BBQ sauce here, just spicy questions. Lastly, lobby your legislatures like you're trying to get backstage passes to a rock concert, asking for adequate funding for public schools.

With these steps, you'll be well-equipped to protect public education with wit and wisdom. So grab your popcorn and enjoy the spectacle—because in this grand theatrical production, the show must go on!








Wednesday, November 20, 2024

WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US

 


WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US

As I stroll through this chamber of horrors known as the Trump 2.0 cabinet picks, I can't help but wonder how the hell did he win the presidency? It's like a bad sequel to a terrible movie, and we're all stuck watching it unfold in real time. So, let's take a hilarious and witty walk down memory lane and try to figure out where we went wrong.

First off, let's address the elephant in the room – Kamala. Was she a flawed candidate? Well, most reports suggest that she did pretty well considering the short period she had to introduce herself and lay out her plans for the next four years. So, it's safe to say that Kamala wasn't the problem.

Then there's Biden. Did he wait too long to bow out? Maybe, maybe not. But let's face it, the man's got charisma for days and a smile that could charm the pants off a statue. So, it's not entirely his fault either.

Now, let's talk about the issues that were highlighted by the Harris candidacy. I took a look at my bingo card of important issues, and boy, oh boy, did we drop the ball.

Change in the Democratic Party? We promised more of the same. How inspiring. It's like going to a restaurant and ordering the same dish you've had a million times before – predictable and a little disappointing.

Climate change? Despite two super hurricanes and numerous fires raging, we seem to not mention much about that except to brag about our oil production and how well fracking is going. It's like patting ourselves on the back for setting the house on fire and then bragging about how warm it is.

Education, student debt, charter schools, vouchers – these are big issues for me as I watch the destruction of our public school system. Yet, hardly a peep from either party. It's like watching a slow-motion train wreck and no one seems to care enough to hit the brakes.

Housing got a little lip service during the campaign, but I think that the tents lining our streets and neighborhoods are daily reminders of what should be a big priority. It's like ignoring the elephant in the room and hoping it magically turns into a fluffy bunny.

Poverty, wealth inequality, oligarchy – almost crickets during the campaign as billionaire priorities reigned supreme. It's like watching a game of Monopoly where one person keeps hoarding all the money and properties while everyone else is left with nothing but Baltic Avenue.

Common sense gun control? Not much there, but Kamala did offer to shoot anyone breaking into her home – something that didn't happen on January 6, 2021 when they broke into our home. It's like offering a band-aid for a gunshot wound and expecting it to magically heal everything.

Gaza, Ukraine, and foreign relations – i.e. China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Israel – wow, not much was said except more of the same. It's like trying to have a conversation with someone who only knows one word of a foreign language and keeps repeating it over and over again.

Domestic terrorism, tech/artificial intelligence, government/budget were also big issues on my bingo cards, so again I didn't hear much that excited me. It's like going to a party and realizing that all the snacks are gone and there's nothing left to do but awkwardly stand in the corner.

So, here we are, scratching our heads and wondering how the hell did we end up with Trump 2.0? It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion – you can't look away, but you also can't believe what you're seeing.

But hey, at least we can find some humor in the absurdity of it all. After all, laughter is the best medicine, especially when you're faced with a political landscape that seems more like a circus than a functioning government.

So, as we navigate through this wild ride of Trump 2.0, let's remember to keep our sense of humor intact. Because if we can't laugh at the madness around us, then we're truly doomed. And who knows, maybe one day we'll look back on this whole debacle and have a good chuckle at how ridiculous it all was. Until then, buckle up and hold on tight – it's going to be a bumpy ride!

'Grab 'Em' Trump Fills His Cabinet With Alleged Sex Abusers - National Memo https://www.nationalmemo.com/trump-sexual-abuse 



See the list of Trump Cabinet picks and more White House appointments so far https://www.cbsnews.com/news/who-might-be-in-donald-trump-cabinet/ via @CBSPolitics 


THE TRUTH IS WHAT I SAY IT IS

 

THE TRUTH IS WHAT I SAY IT IS

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, there was a nation that prided itself on the pursuit of truth, justice, and the American way. But oh, how the times have changed! It seems that we have become a nation of secrets, afraid of the truth, or at least, afraid of certain truths. 

In the age of alternative facts and fake news, it's no wonder that the truth has become a rare and elusive creature, like a unicorn or a honest politician. We live in a world where everyone has their own version of the truth, and woe betide anyone who dares to challenge it.

Take the case of former President Donald J. Trump. Love him or hate him, there's no denying that the man has a complicated relationship with the truth. From "covfefe" to "alternative facts," Trump has given us plenty of material to work with. But none of that seemed to matter when it came to the charges against him. It's as if the truth was put on trial, and found guilty of being inconvenient.

And let's not forget about the infamous Trump tax records. For years, they were shrouded in mystery, like the Holy Grail or the recipe for KFC's secret herbs and spices. But when they finally saw the light of day, did they reveal any earth-shattering secrets? Not really. It was more like finding out that your favorite celebrity wears sweatpants on their days off. 

But wait, there's more! Remember the Matt Gaetz report? You know, the one that was buried by the House faster than you can say "scandal"? It's like they say, if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Well, if a bombshell report is buried by the House and no one pays attention to it, does it really matter? Apparently not.

So why does America no longer want the truth? Perhaps it's because we've become so accustomed to living in our own little bubbles, where the truth is whatever we want it to be. We tell ourselves only the part of the truth that fits our own perspective, like a tailor making a bespoke suit for our egos.

But here's the thing: the truth is like a stubborn weed. No matter how hard you try to bury it or ignore it, it has a way of popping up when you least expect it. So maybe it's time for us to embrace the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. After all, as they say, the truth will set you free. And if not, at least it will give us something to laugh about.

Big Education Ape: WHY TRUMP LIES ARE BETTER THAN THE TRUTH (A SCIENTIFIC COMPARISON) https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2018/01/why-trump-lies-are-better-than-truth_28.html