TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK
OAKLAND TEACHERS STRIKE OVER $1BILLION PRICE TAG FOR THE COMMON GOOD
A DEEP DIVE INTO THE ABSURDITY OF IT ALL
It's been seven days since the Oakland teachers went on strike, and the two sides are still far apart. The district claims that the union's "common good" proposals would cost over $1 billion, while the union says that the district is just trying to scare them into backing down. As a result, students are missing out on valuable instructional time, and parents are starting to get frustrated. But fear not, dear reader, for I am here to provide you with a witty and funny deep dive into the absurdity of it all.
Let's start with the union's proposals, shall we? Housing homeless students, investing in Black Thriving Community Schools, and getting rid of rats all sound like reasonable requests. After all, who wouldn't want to help homeless students or invest in thriving communities? And as for the rats, well, nobody likes rats, do they? But here's the thing: fully implementing these proposals would cost over $1 billion. That's a lot of money. Like, a lot.
But wait, there's more! The union claims that the district's estimate is ridiculous. And you know what? They might be right. After all, how can anyone really know how much it would cost to house homeless students or invest in thriving communities? And as for getting rid of rats, well, that can't be that expensive, can it? Just get a bunch of cats or something.
Now, let's talk about the impact on students. Yes, they are missing out on valuable instructional time. But let's be real here: how much instructional time do they really need? I mean, sure, reading, writing, and arithmetic are important and all that, but what about life skills? Like how to make a grilled cheese sandwich or change a tire? Or how to deal with a difficult boss or a toxic coworker? These are the things that really matter in life.
And let's not forget about the parents. They are starting to get frustrated, sure, but let's look at the bright side. They get to spend more time with their kids! And who wouldn't want that? Plus, they can use this time to teach their kids those life skills we just talked about. It's a win-win situation, really.
So, what's next? The two sides are scheduled to meet again on Friday, but it's unclear if they will be able to reach an agreement. In the meantime, the strike is likely to continue, and students will continue to suffer. But fear not, dear reader, for I have a solution. Let's just give the union what they want. Let's invest in thriving communities, house homeless students, and get rid of rats. And you know what? Let's throw in some grilled cheese sandwiches and tire-changing lessons while we're at it. It might cost over $1 billion, but who cares? We can just print more money, right?
In conclusion, the Oakland teachers strike is a mess. But it's also kind of funny. I mean, who knew that rats would be such a big issue? Or that grilled cheese sandwiches would be so important? But in all seriousness, let's hope that the two sides can come to an agreement soon, and that students can get back to their education. And if not, well, at least they'll know how to make a mean grilled cheese sandwich.
Strike Day 7: $1 billion estimate is ‘ridiculous’ fiction, Oakland teachers union says https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/strike-day-7-1-billion-estimate-is-ridiculous-fiction-oakland-teachers-union-says/
AMERICA'S FASCINATION WITH STRONG MEN: THE FEAR OF CREEPING FASCISM
America has a long and storied history of being fascinated by strong men. From George Washington to Teddy Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan, Americans have always seemed to gravitate towards leaders who project an image of strength and decisiveness.
This fascination with strong men has only intensified in recent years. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and the subsequent Great Recession, many Americans are looking for leaders who can restore order and stability to a chaotic world. They are drawn to leaders who seem like they know what they're doing and who will not hesitate to take action.
America's current fascination with strong men, exemplified by political figures like Donald Trump, Greg Abbott, Ron DeSantis, and Kevin Stitt, can be attributed to several factors that have shaped the country's political landscape in recent years. It is important to note that the term "strong men" in this context does not necessarily refer to physical strength, but rather to charismatic and authoritarian leadership styles. Let's delve deeper into some of the reasons behind this fascination.
This is where strong men come in. They are the type of leaders who are not afraid to make tough decisions, even if they are unpopular. They are the type of leaders who are not afraid to stand up to their enemies, both foreign and domestic. And they are the type of leaders who are not afraid to use their power to get things done.
Of course, not all strong men are created equal. Some are genuinely good leaders who use their power for good. Others are more interested in using their power to enrich themselves or to advance their own personal agenda. But regardless of their motives, strong men have always played an important role in American history.
So why are Americans so fascinated by strong men? There are probably a number of reasons. For one thing, Americans tend to be a very individualistic society. We value self-reliance and independence, and we admire people who can stand on their own two feet. Strong men often project an image of strength and independence, which is something that many Americans find appealing.
In addition, Americans have a long history of distrusting government. We are suspicious of authority figures, and we often see them as being out of touch with the needs of the people. Strong men often appeal to this distrust of government by promising to shake things up and to "drain the swamp."
Finally, Americans are a very patriotic people. We love our country and we want to see it succeed. Strong men often tap into this patriotism by promising to make America great again.
Whatever the reason, it is clear that Americans have a long and enduring fascination with strong men. And it is likely that this fascination will continue for many years to come.
But what about the fear of creeping fascism? Well, that's a different story.
Fascism is a form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and of the economy. It is often characterized by a cult of personality and a strong emphasis on nationalism and militarism.
Some people fear that the rise of strong men in America is a sign of creeping fascism. They worry that these leaders are using their power to undermine democratic institutions and to suppress dissent. They also worry that these leaders are using their power to advance their own personal agendas, rather than the interests of the people.
It is important to note that there is no evidence that any of the strong men in America are actually fascists. However, the fear of creeping fascism is a real and understandable concern. After all, fascism has a long and bloody history, and it is something that we should all be vigilant against.
So, what can we do to prevent creeping fascism? Well, there are a few things that we can do. First, we can stay informed about the political process and about the actions of our leaders. We can also get involved in our communities and in our political system. And we can speak out against any actions that we believe are undemocratic or authoritarian.
By staying informed, getting involved, and speaking out, we can help to ensure that America remains a democracy, not a fascist state.
OKLA. GOV. STITT TO OUT STUPID RIVALS DESANTIS AND ABBOTT: DECLARES WAR ON PBS STATION
In a move that has left many scratching their heads, the Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, has declared war on a local PBS station. The reason? He claims that the station is indoctrinating children with LGBTQ content.
Yes, you read that right. The Governor of Oklahoma is going to war with a public broadcasting station over what he perceives to be a threat to the moral fiber of his state's children. But before we dive into the absurdity of this situation, let's take a step back and examine the facts.
According to Governor Stitt, the PBS station in question has been airing programs that promote the LGBTQ agenda. He believes that this is a violation of the station's mandate to provide educational programming for children. In response, he has threatened to cut the station's funding and launch an investigation into its programming.
Now, let's be clear. There is nothing inherently wrong with promoting LGBTQ rights and acceptance. In fact, it is a necessary and important part of creating an inclusive society. But Governor Stitt seems to think otherwise.
In a statement released to the press, he said, "I will not stand idly by while our children are subjected to this kind of propaganda. We must protect their innocence and ensure that they are not exposed to harmful ideologies."
Harmful ideologies? Really? It's hard to see how promoting acceptance and tolerance can be considered harmful. But Governor Stitt seems determined to make it so.
Of course, this is not the first time that conservative politicians have tried to censor or silence voices that they disagree with. But it is particularly troubling when it comes to public broadcasting, which is supposed to be a bastion of free speech and diverse viewpoints.
It's also worth noting that the programs in question are not even particularly controversial. They include shows like Arthur, which features a character with two moms, and Sesame Street, which has introduced a character with autism. These are hardly the kind of programs that are going to turn children into LGBTQ activists.
But Governor Stitt seems to be operating under the assumption that any mention of LGBTQ issues is automatically indoctrination. It's a narrow-minded and dangerous view that ignores the reality of the world we live in.
The fact is, LGBTQ people exist. They are part of our communities, our families, and our schools. Pretending that they don't exist or trying to shield children from their existence is not only futile, it's also harmful.
Children need to learn about the world around them in order to grow into informed and compassionate adults. That includes learning about different kinds of families, different kinds of people, and different ways of being in the world.
Governor Stitt seems to be more interested in promoting his own narrow worldview than in providing children with the education they need to thrive. It's a sad state of affairs, but it's also an opportunity for those of us who believe in diversity and inclusion to stand up and speak out.
So let's do just that. Let's make it clear to Governor Stitt and anyone else who would try to censor or silence LGBTQ voices that we will not be silenced. We will continue to fight for equality and acceptance, no matter what obstacles we face.
And as for the PBS station in question? We should support them in any way we can. They are doing important work, and they deserve our thanks and our support. After all, they are providing children with the kind of education that Governor Stitt seems determined to deny them.
Oklahoma governor wages war on PBS station after claiming it is indoctrinating children with LGBTQ content | CNN Business https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/12/media/oklahoma-pbs-oeta-reliable-sources/index.html
TEACHAI: THE 'FUTURE' OF EDUCATION?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world around us, and education is no exception. In order to prepare students for the AI-driven future, it is essential that we integrate AI into the curriculum.
TeachAI https://teachai.org/
TeachAI is an initiative dedicated to addressing the educational implications of AI and preparing students for an AI-driven world. It aims to provide thought leadership, guidance, and resources to governments, educational institutions, and leaders in order to align education with the evolving needs of society.
The core focus of TeachAI is to bridge the gap between AI technology and education by integrating AI into the curriculum, updating standards, developing relevant courses, and creating tools and assessments. By doing so, TeachAI aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the increasingly AI-driven world effectively and safely.
The initiative recognizes the importance of not only teaching about AI and computer science but also integrating AI into teaching methodologies. This means exploring how AI can enhance teaching practices, personalize learning experiences, and improve educational outcomes. TeachAI seeks to foster a comprehensive understanding of AI among educators, enabling them to effectively integrate AI tools and techniques into their classrooms.
Through its thought leadership efforts, TeachAI aims to guide educational policymakers and leaders in shaping education policies and curricula to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. This includes advocating for equitable access to AI education, addressing ethical considerations, and ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly within educational contexts.
In summary, TeachAI is a commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future by providing guidance, resources, and thought leadership to align education with the needs of the evolving world. It focuses on integrating AI into the curriculum, updating standards, and fostering a comprehensive understanding of AI among educators.
Here are some of the ways that AI can be integrated into the curriculum:
Here are some of the benefits of integrating AI into the curriculum:
The future of education is AI-driven. By integrating AI into the curriculum, we can prepare students for the AI-driven future and help them to succeed in the 21st century economy.
TeachAI https://teachai.org/
Here is a short List of TeachAI participant's involvement in the world of education:
TeachAI https://teachai.org/
