Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
6-20-25
Did the Tech Bros Rig the 2024 Election? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/19/how-the-election-was-rigged/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Allegations suggest that tech billionaires, including Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, manipulated the 2024 U.S. presidential election through compromised voting technology and strategic partnerships.
- Voting irregularities in swing states and claims of uncounted votes in Rockland County, New York, raise concerns about election integrity.
- Pro V&V approved last-minute updates to voting machines without proper oversight, potentially enabling tampering.
- The acquisition of Tripp Lite by Eaton Corporation, linked with Palantir, allowed access to election systems through smart UPS devices.
- Palantir’s AI systems reportedly erased digital footprints, making potential vote manipulation undetectable.
- Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites allegedly enabled real-time manipulation of voting data just before the election.
- Statistical anomalies showed unprecedented results favoring Trump, while Kamala Harris underperformed in key areas, leading to suspicions of vote-flipping algorithms.
- Motivations for the alleged election interference included financial and geopolitical interests tied to Ukraine and Russia, as well as maintaining Trump’s political power.
- Calls for investigations into voting systems, satellite logs, and physical ballot recounts have been made to uncover the truth.
Heather Cox Richardson: Under Our Mafia Boss, Everything Is For Sale https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/19/heather-cox-richardson-under-our-mafia-boss-leader-everything-is-for-sale/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump exhibits mob-like governance, openly intertwining personal preferences with national policies.
- Trump's administration granted him unprecedented control over U.S. Steel, reflecting authoritarian governance.
- Environmental deregulation under Trump has weakened enforcement against fossil fuel companies, prioritizing industry interests over public health.
- Public land sales authorized by Republican legislators threaten environmental and public interests.
- Foreign oligarchs, including Mukesh Ambani, are investing in Trump-related ventures, raising concerns about corruption and global organized crime.
- Historical parallels to Nixon’s Watergate scandal highlight the dangers of unchecked presidential power and corruption.
- Legal challenges and civic protests signify ongoing resistance to Trump’s actions, with judges upholding constitutional principles.
Glenn Kessler Fact-Checks Rubio-Vance Lies About Foreign Aid https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/19/glenn-kessler-fact-checks-rubio-vance-lies-about-foreign-aid/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Glenn Kessler debunks JD Vance's claim that only 12 cents of every dollar in foreign aid reaches recipients, linking it to a misinterpreted USAID report.
- USAID has long aimed to increase direct funding to local entities, achieving 12.1% in 2024, but this does not equate to 88% overhead as claimed.
- Lawmakers and experts argue that most aid flows through international organizations efficiently, contradicting Rubio and Vance's assertions.
- Rubio acknowledged citing a Biden-era statistic but did not admit error, while experts advocate for improved local funding and transparency in aid distribution.
Benjamin R. Cremer: Why We Celebrate Juneteenth https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/19/benjamin-r-cremer-why-we-celebrate-juneteenth/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Juneteenth commemorates the delayed freedom of enslaved Black Americans and symbolizes resilience, hope, and courage in the face of injustice.
- Theological reflections on Juneteenth emphasize God’s call for liberation, justice, and dismantling oppressive systems.
- American Christianity’s historical complicity in slavery is addressed, with a call for repentance, truth-telling, and reconciliation.
- Grace is highlighted as a means to acknowledge hard truths, restore brokenness, and oppose injustice.
- Observing Juneteenth involves honoring Black Americans’ faith, celebrating freedom, and committing to justice.
- The Be Love movement, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is promoted as a pathway to justice and unity through love.
Democrats split as DNC leaders cheer on Israel's bombing of Iran, by @mikeklonsky https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelklonsky/p/democrats-split-as-dnc-leaders-cheer?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- Democrats are split on Israel's bombing of Iran, with progressives like AOC and Bernie Sanders opposing U.S. involvement and invoking the War Powers Resolution.
- Top Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and Kamala Harris, strongly support Israel's actions, citing Iran as a global threat.
- NYC mayoral race reflects similar divides, with Andrew Cuomo receiving backing from pro-Israel donors, while Zohran Mamdani criticizes U.S. military aid to Israel.
- Historical context shows consistent U.S. support for Israel, including Obama’s $38 billion military aid pact and Hillary Clinton’s hawkish stance on Iran.
- Critics argue that the Democratic Party has increasingly aligned with neoconservative positions, supporting military interventions and ignoring civilian casualties.
Big Education Ape: TO WAR OR NOT TO WAR: SHOULD TRUMP FOLLOW NETANYAHU DOWN THE FOREVER WAR RABBIT HOLE + MAGA vs. LIKUD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-war-or-not-to-war-should-trump.html
The article explores several topics, including the consequences of potential U.S. involvement in a war between Israel and Iran, the ideological and strategic differences between the MAGA movement in the U.S. and Israel's Likud Party, and their shared focus on nationalism and controversy. It also touches on broader political themes, public opinion on military conflicts, and the humanitarian and economic costs of war.
### Key Points
- The debate over whether the U.S. should join Israel in a potential war against Iran, weighing strategic alliances against the risks of regional escalation, economic fallout, and humanitarian costs.
- The Middle East remains a geopolitical hotspot, with tensions between Israel and Iran escalating, raising questions about U.S. involvement.
- The high financial and human costs of war, citing past U.S. conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as cautionary examples.
- Diplomacy, such as reviving the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), is presented as a less destructive alternative to military action.
- Public opinion in the U.S. largely opposes another war, with Americans prioritizing domestic issues over foreign conflicts.
- Comparison of the MAGA movement and Likud Party, highlighting their nationalist ideologies, leadership styles, and policy priorities.
- MAGA focuses on “America First,” while Likud emphasizes Zionism and Israel’s security in a volatile region.
- Trump and Netanyahu are central figures in their respective movements, with contrasting leadership styles—Trump as a showman and Netanyahu as a strategist.
- Both MAGA and Likud use divisive rhetoric, creating “us vs. them” narratives to energize their bases.
- Both movements have faced scandals and controversies, with MAGA centered around Trump’s legal issues and Likud around Netanyahu’s corruption charges and judicial reforms.
- MAGA and Likud’s global alliances reflect their nationalist goals, with MAGA aligning with populist leaders and Likud focusing on survival through international partnerships.
- The article concludes by emphasizing that while MAGA and Likud share similarities, their contexts and priorities differ significantly.
Big Education Ape: TRUMP CONFUSED: MAGA VS MAGA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/trump-confused-maga-vs-maga.html
The internal conflicts within the MAGA movement regarding foreign and domestic policy. The central focus is on Trump's dilemma over potential U.S. involvement in Iran, which has sparked a divide between MAGA factions: the interventionist "warhawks" and the isolationist "turkey vultures." This rift reflects broader ideological struggles within Trump's political base and raises questions about the future direction of the movement.
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch highlights essays on Juneteenth and other societal issues, emphasizing love and unity.
- Trump's ICE raids are criticized for traumatizing children and undermining school environments.
- The MAGA movement faces an internal split between "warhawks," favoring foreign intervention, and "turkey vultures," advocating for an "America First" domestic focus.
- Trump struggles to balance these factions while facing pressure from Democrats and activists opposing U.S. involvement in Iran.
- Progressive voices, such as David Hogg, call for primary challenges against Democrats supporting war with Iran, reflecting anti-war sentiment across party lines.
Silencing Your Liberty: The De-Civil Rights Movement – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/06/19/silencing-your-liberty-the-de-civil-rights-movement/
Trump’s ICE Raids Traumatize Children, Frighten Parents, Reduce School Attendance, and Undermine School Climate https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2025/06/19/trumps-ice-raids-traumatize-children-frighten-parents-reduce-school-attendance-and-undermine-school-climate/ via @janresseger
### Key Points
- President Trump’s immigration policies, including ICE raids near schools, have created fear and anxiety among students, parents, and educators, negatively affecting school attendance and climate.
- Reports highlight that fear of deportation has led to children seeking counseling, parents keeping children home, and disruptions in the learning environment.
- School leaders and educators, such as those in Denver and California, have taken measures to mitigate the impact, but the emotional harm persists.
- The administration has shown more concern for economic sectors affected by deportations than for the well-being of immigrant families and their educational access.
Teacher Tom: Re-Visiting Ivan Illich: Deschooling Society https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/re-visiting-ivan-illich-deschooling.html
### Key Points
- Ivan Illich critiques institutionalized schooling, stating it alienates children from their own learning and relies on manipulation rather than fostering curiosity.
- The author highlights that authentic learning stems from self-motivation and meaningful interaction with one's environment, not rigid curriculums or micromanagement.
- Traditional schooling often confuses teaching with learning, equating grades and diplomas with competence, which undermines true education.
- Play-based learning encourages self-directed exploration, allowing children to ask their own questions and find personal satisfaction in learning.
- The blog reflects on the need to rethink education, moving away from institutionalized schooling toward approaches that value freedom, creativity, and individuality.
What Has Done More to Improve Living Standards in the U.S? Indoor Toilets, Air-conditioning, or Smart Phones? https://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2025/06/19/what-has-done-more-to-improve-living-standards-in-the-u-s-indoor-toilets-air-conditioning-or-smart-phones/ via @CubanLarry
Emancipating Memory: Juneteenth, My Family’s Journey to the Plantation Where Our Ancestors Were Enslaved, and the Fight to Teach Truth https://open.substack.com/pub/jessehagopian/p/emancipating-memory-juneteenth-my?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- The author recounts their family’s journey to a Mississippi plantation where their ancestors were enslaved, performing a ceremony at their ancestors' gravesite and engaging with descendants of the white family who enslaved them.
- A documentary is being created to preserve the story of their family, the legacy of slavery, and its ongoing impact, with a call for support to complete the film.
- The author reflects on the importance of memory and the fight to teach truthful history, citing their participation in an outdoor educational event in Florida, inspired by historical practices of storytelling under a tree.
- Juneteenth is portrayed as both a day of celebration and a call to action to continue the fight for emancipation by preserving and sharing untold stories.
- The family’s documentary is part of this effort to reclaim erased histories and honor their ancestors’ lives, with encouragement for readers to support the project.
Stop Penalizing Poor Children: The Case for a Much Improved and Fairer Child Tax Credit https://open.substack.com/pub/brucelesley/p/stop-penalizing-poor-children-the?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- The 2021 expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) reduced child poverty to a historic low of 5.2%, lifting 2.9 million children out of poverty. However, its expiration caused child poverty to more than double to 13.7%.
- Current proposals, such as H.R. 1 and the Senate’s plan, fail to fully address inflation, exclude millions of low-income and mixed-status families, and provide no additional benefits for young children.
- The American Family Act, proposed by Democrats, offers a more comprehensive solution by increasing credit amounts (up to $6,360 for newborns), making the CTC fully refundable, including all U.S. citizen children, and indexing it to inflation.
- The 1991 National Commission on Children recommended a fully refundable CTC to support families in all circumstances, emphasizing fairness and neutrality toward family structure.
- A fully refundable CTC would address penalties faced by children due to circumstances like parental job loss, illness, or natural disasters, ensuring support for all children under age 6 and expanding eligibility.
glen brown: "Why America must confront the corrosive force that Trump is trying to use to tear us apart..." https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/06/why-america-must-confront-corrosive.html
### Key Points
- Hate is a destructive force that erodes empathy, reason, and humanity, leading to societal collapse and violence.
- Trump has uniquely embraced hate as a central political strategy, using it to divide Americans and consolidate power.
- Hate simplifies complex issues by scapegoating marginalized groups, creating an "us vs. them" narrative that distracts from systemic exploitation.
- Historical examples show that societies based on hate eventually collapse under their own weight, causing immense suffering.
- The antidote to hate is courage, solidarity, and action, as demonstrated by past movements for justice and equality in America.
- The article emphasizes the importance of rejecting hate, defending democracy, and fostering compassion to build a better future.
Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for School Year 2025–26 - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education) https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/paidlunchequity.asp
### Key Points
- The USDA released Policy Memo SP 12-2025 and the corrected PLE Tool for SY 2025–26, providing guidance on Paid Lunch Equity.
- School Food Authorities that do not charge for paid lunches are exempt from PLE requirements under specific USDA policies.
- Pricing SFAs can access the USDA SY 2025–26 PLE Tool in the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System.
- For further details on PLE, resources are available through USDA Policy Memos and the California Department of Education's web pages.
- The California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division hosts monthly webinars to discuss school nutrition topics.
Education Research Report: LEGO improves math and spatial ability in the classroom https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2025/06/lego-improves-math-and-spatial-ability.html
- A study by the University of Surrey found that incorporating LEGO building activities in classrooms improves children's math and spatial abilities, particularly for students aged six to seven.
- The SPACE programme, a six-week initiative involving structured LEGO exercises, led to significant improvements in mental rotation skills and mathematics performance among 409 children in Surrey and Portsmouth.
- Teachers were trained to guide students through spatial reasoning tasks using LEGO, fostering visualization and mental manipulation skills.
- The research highlights the link between spatial reasoning and math achievement, suggesting that hands-on spatial activities can enhance learning and close disadvantage gaps in mathematics.
- The study emphasizes the importance of integrating spatial activities into curricula to prepare students for future demands in critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Spatial interventions like SPACE have shown to be particularly beneficial for children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), helping to reduce achievement gaps.
The Incredible Shrinking Kentucky Teacher Pension, by @TheAndySpears https://open.substack.com/pub/theeducationreport/p/the-incredible-shrinking-kentucky?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- Kentucky teacher pensions, once a strong incentive for educators, have been shrinking due to declining salaries and inadequate cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
- Legislative changes in Kentucky have reduced pension benefits, with newly retired teachers in 2024 receiving significantly lower benefits compared to 2016.
- Kentucky teacher pay has declined, ranking 42nd nationally, with average salaries 20% lower than pre-Great Recession levels after inflation adjustment, contributing to a teacher shortage.
- Governor Andy Beshear proposed an 11% raise for school employees to address the pay gap, but the legislature has not approved the plan, exacerbating the problem.
Who Benefits From School Vouchers? https://open.substack.com/pub/curmudgucation/p/who-benefits-from-school-vouchers?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- School vouchers were initially promoted as a means for low-income families to leave underperforming schools but are now shown to benefit students who have never attended public schools.
- Arizona’s universal voucher program, implemented in 2022, revealed that 75% of new voucher applicants had never been in public schools, impacting funding for high-performing public and charter schools.
- High-rated public school districts (e.g., Deer Valley, Chandler, Peoria, Scottsdale, and Mesa) and charter schools like Basis Peoria have experienced significant student and funding losses due to the voucher program.
- Similar findings regarding voucher programs were reported in other states, raising questions about their actual impact and beneficiaries.
What Do We Do Now? https://open.substack.com/pub/curmudgucation/p/what-do-we-do-now?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- Teachers struggle with how to educate students amidst misinformation, distrust, and societal challenges.
- The atmosphere of distrust, fueled by media and political manipulation, undermines communication and relationships.
- Trust is essential in education; teachers should act in ways that earn and maintain trust.
- An organization or classroom based on trust is healthier and more effective.
- Teachers must prioritize trustworthiness, integrity, and honesty, especially in
challenging times.
Choosing Democracy: We Will Get Through This.: Resist Trump etal https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/06/we-will-get-through-this-resist-trump.html
Detailed Summary for [We Will Get Through This.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUcvjxNCYLQ&t=2s) by [Monica](https://monica.im)
[00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUcvjxNCYLQ&t=2s&t=0) The speaker addresses the current socio-political climate, emphasizing the challenges posed by oligarchy and authoritarianism, and the detrimental impacts on low-income and working-class Americans.
- Introduction to the current dangerous and rapidly changing times.}
- Description of the oligarchic society contributing to unprecedented income and wealth inequality.}
- Critique of campaign finance corruption, exemplified by significant contributions to political campaigns.}
- Consequences of leadership changes leading to massive layoffs in crucial government agencies.}
- Mention of ongoing legislative efforts that may further impact vulnerable populations.}
[02:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUcvjxNCYLQ&t=2s&t=141) The video discusses the implications of a controversial tax legislation that disproportionately benefits the wealthy and large corporations while severely impacting essential social services and healthcare for the most vulnerable populations in America.
- The legislation offers significant tax breaks to the wealthiest individuals, exacerbating income inequality.}
- To fund these tax breaks, the bill proposes drastic cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, threatening the health coverage of millions.}
- The proposed cuts could lead to unnecessary deaths and severely impact nutrition, education, and other crucial support systems for working families.}
- Overall, the legislation is criticized for benefiting the richest while harming the most vulnerable, reflecting the core principles of Trumpism.}
[04:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUcvjxNCYLQ&t=2s&t=279.1000061035156) This segment discusses the alarming rise of authoritarianism under the current administration, highlighting the disparity in treatment between the wealthy and the working class, as well as the president's disregard for constitutional norms and the rule of law.
- The video begins by contrasting the privileges of the wealthy, who benefit from tax breaks, with the lack of support for the working class.}
- The struggle is framed not only as a fight against specific legislation but also as a broader battle against authoritarianism to preserve democracy.}
- The president's actions are described as unprecedented violations of constitutional principles, undermining the authority of Congress and the judiciary.}
- The narrative emphasizes the president's attempts to intimidate and control media outlets and institutions that challenge his authority, illustrating characteristics of authoritarian behavior.}
- The segment concludes with the assertion that dissenters face retaliation from the president, reinforcing the theme of punishment for opposition.}
[06:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUcvjxNCYLQ&t=2s&t=416.2200012207031) The video discusses the misuse of power by Trump in deploying the National Guard, the importance of disciplined resistance against authoritarianism, and the ongoing efforts to mobilize public support against Trumpism.
- The speaker emphasizes that the current situation does not reflect the values for which many Americans have fought.}
- Trump's deployment of the National Guard is criticized as an unjustified move for power rather than a response to actual threats.}
- The speaker draws on historical lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to advocate for disciplined resistance as a strategy to combat Trumpism.}
- The speaker highlights the success of recent rallies against oligarchy, showcasing widespread public engagement and support.}
[09:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUcvjxNCYLQ&t=2s&t=555.0800018310547) The video emphasizes the importance of grassroots political organizing and mobilization against Trumpism, focusing on immediate, medium, and long-term strategies to build a progressive political movement in the United States.
- The need to strengthen grassroots political infrastructure in conservative areas to turn around political outcomes.}
- Short-term efforts include mobilizing opposition to harmful legislation and building support for progressive candidates.}
- Long-term goals involve challenging the influence of the billionaire class and the extremes of the Republican Party, while also reforming the Democratic Party.}
- The call to unite and fight for justice and equality, with confidence in overcoming current crises and creating a better future.}
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
6-19-25
The article is a compilation of blog posts and articles addressing a variety of topics, including political controversies, education reforms, social justice, censorship, and the influence of artificial intelligence. It highlights key concerns about public policy, leadership accountability, and systemic inequities while emphasizing the need for advocacy and reform in education, healthcare, and governance.
### Key Points
- The Trump administration's cuts to NIH research funding terminated over 1,450 grants, disproportionately affecting projects on health disparities, pandemics, dementia, and HIV, raising concerns about political bias and public health risks.
- ICE raids targeting industries reliant on immigrant labor were briefly paused but later reinstated, causing workforce shortages and economic concerns. The reversal highlighted internal conflicts within the Trump administration.
- Oklahoma’s MAGA-influenced policies under Governor Kevin Stitt have led to poor rankings in child welfare, education, and healthcare, alongside increasing poverty and financial instability.
- The MAGA movement is divided between factions advocating aggressive foreign policy and those prioritizing domestic issues, creating internal conflicts for Trump.
- Advocacy for integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into education is rising, but critics argue it undermines essential cognitive skill development and contributes to "cognitive debt."
- Tennessee's book banning legislation has led to the removal of over 300 books, sparking concerns about censorship and intellectual freedom. Advocacy groups are fighting these bans through lawsuits.
- Emile Suotonye DeWeaver's book critiques mass incarceration and links it to systemic white supremacy, offering abolitionist solutions and tools for activism.
- Global trust in U.S. leadership is declining due to a lack of accountability, diminished soft power, and allies adopting independent strategies.
- Medicare Advantage transitions for city workers are criticized for increasing financial burdens on retirees, with advocacy efforts continuing to fight for better healthcare options.
- Play-based learning is emphasized as an effective educational approach, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and holistic development.
- Large-scale tutoring programs face challenges in implementation, but best practices are being identified to improve outcomes.
- Billionaire-backed education reforms, such as merit pay and charter schools, are criticized for harming public education and lacking evidence of effectiveness.
- Advocacy efforts are exposing systemic inequities in public education, emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and funding challenges.
