Monday, April 28, 2025

Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights: A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts! 4-28-25

 

Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
4-28-25



Michael Tomasky: Trump Just Did the Most Corrupt Thing Any President Has Ever Done https://dianeravitch.net/2025/04/27/michael-tomasky-trump-just-did-the-most-corrupt-thing-any-president-has-ever-done/ via @dianeravitch 

Michael Tomasky's article highlights alleged corruption by former President Donald Trump, who is accused of using his presidency to financially benefit through a cryptocurrency scheme. Trump launched a meme coin called $Trump, offering exclusive dinner invitations to top investors, leading to significant investment in the coin. The identities of these investors remain anonymous, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and corruption. The article compares Trump's actions to past political scandals, emphasizing the severity and brazenness of the alleged corruption.

### Key Points

- Trump allegedly used his presidency to enrich himself through a cryptocurrency scheme, inviting top investors to a private dinner. 

- The anonymity of the investors raises concerns about conflicts of interest and corruption. 

- The article compares Trump's actions to historical political scandals, suggesting his actions are more corrupt. 

- The mainstream media is criticized for not adequately covering the alleged corruption. 

The Arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan Undermines the Rule of Law https://dianeravitch.net/2025/04/27/new-york-daily-news-editorial-the-arrest-of-judge-dugan-undermines-the-rule-of-law/ via @dianeravitch 

The article discusses the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan by Trump's FBI and ICE agents, accusing her of helping a defendant evade arrest. Critics argue that the arrest undermines the rule of law and reflects the Trump administration's authoritarian approach to governance. The incident is seen as an intimidation tactic against judges, causing concerns about the erosion of judicial independence and due process, particularly affecting immigrants who may now fear engaging with the legal system. The article also touches on broader criticisms of Trump's executive overreach and challenges to constitutional norms.

### Key Points

- Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested for allegedly helping a defendant evade arrest, raising concerns about judicial independence. 

- Critics argue the arrest is an intimidation tactic, undermining the rule of law and due process. 

- The Trump administration's actions are seen as authoritarian and detrimental to immigrant communities. 

- Broader concerns are raised about Trump's executive overreach and challenges to constitutional norms. 

Jamelle Bouie: Trump Has No Interest in Governing https://dianeravitch.net/2025/04/27/jamelle-bouie-trump-has-no-interest-in-governing/ via @dianeravitch 

Jamelle Bouie argues that former President Trump has no interest in governing collaboratively, as required by American democracy. Instead, Trump seeks to rule unilaterally, undermining the balance of power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. He disregards the authority of states and views the American public as subordinates, similar to how he perceives dictatorial leadership. This perspective is concerning given the erosion of democratic norms and the potential threat to future elections.

### Key Points

- Jamelle Bouie notes Trump's lack of interest in governing, preferring to rule with perceived mandate despite not winning majority popular vote. 

- Trump and his associates aim to dismantle federal bureaucracy, neglecting collaborative governance with Congress, courts, and states. 

- Trump rejects the equal status of other government branches and views himself as a dominant leader over the American people. 

- Trump desires loyalty from the public akin to dictatorial regimes, as illustrated by his admiration for Kim Jong-un's leadership style. 

- Concerns are raised about Trump's disregard for checks and balances, leading to fears over democratic integrity and future elections. 

- Critics argue that Trump and his allies view democracy as outdated, prioritizing decisive action over justice and morality. 




CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Spamalot Edition (4/27) https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/04/icymi-spamalot-edition-427.html 

Peter Greene's blog post from April 27, 2025, shares insights on various education-related topics. Greene discusses his participation in a local community theater production of "Spamalot" and provides a roundup of noteworthy articles. The post critiques Donald Trump's policies affecting children and education, highlights Harvard's opposition to current political regimes, and examines Florida's school grading changes. Greene also covers topics like AI integration in schools, the role of technology in democracy, and the silent professor's story. Additionally, he encourages readers to subscribe to his newsletter and follow his writings on Forbes.

### Key Points

- Donald Trump’s policies are critiqued for negatively impacting children and education. 

- Harvard stands up against political pressures regarding academic freedom. 

- Florida’s school grading change is seen as undermining public education. 

- Concerns about AI integration in K-12 schools are raised. 

- The story of a professor teaching without a voice is shared. 

- Critical thinking materials based on InfluenceWatch are introduced. 

- The erosion of democracy through technology is explored. 

- Greene invites readers to engage with his newsletter and writings on Forbes. 




Short Takes https://open.substack.com/pub/arthurgoldstein/p/short-takes-9c5?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false 

Short Takes Assorted stuff for your Sunday morning Arthur Goldstein Apr 27, 2025 16 9 9 Share Logical Fallacy A few years back, my nephew schooled me on logical fallacies . There are a bunch of them. You can see them on various Unity blogs. A big one, for them, is argumentum ad hominem , where they attack the person instead of the argument. They’ve been using that one a lot on Marianne Pizzitola . Another popular one is the strawman , pictured above. Unity uses that one on us a lot. Instead of addressing the actual argument, you pose another, and try to put your opponent on the defensive. Your opponent is then supposed to defend the twisted argument that was never made. When we at ABC exposed the re-amortization plan, they accused us of all sorts of nonsense. They claimed we were saying retirement payments would be cut, or contributions would cease, but we didn’t

### Key Points

- The article discusses the use of logical fallacies by Unity, particularly ad hominem and strawman arguments, against opponents like ABC and Marianne Pizzitola. 

- Unity's tactics are criticized, especially regarding the re-amortization plan and their lack of transparency about retirement plans. 

- There's a focus on the need for pensionable salary increases for paraprofessionals, and criticism of Unity's handling of funds and election tactics. 

- ABC is presented as a better alternative to Unity, with plans to improve voting accessibility and support for retiree health care. 

- Concerns are raised about Zohran Mamdani's political actions, particularly regarding Medicare Advantage and endorsements. 

- The article emphasizes the importance of voting for ABC to bring change in union leadership and policy. 




glen brown: The Pale Blue Dot https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-pale-blue-dot.html 

The article is a collection of musings and observations, touching on themes such as the nature of writing, social justice, political issues, and the history and formation of Earth. It includes reflections on various topics, from the role of writers in society to the scientific understanding of Earth's place in the universe. The article also discusses political events and social challenges, particularly those related to the Trump administration, Illinois pension reforms, and global issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

### Key Points

- The role of writers in society involves resisting oppression and accepting isolation, as noted by Ambrose Bierce and Albert Camus. 

- Earth's formation and characteristics are detailed, emphasizing its unique ability to support life and its position in the universe. 

- The article discusses various political and social issues, including Trump's policies, Illinois pension reform, and global conflicts. 

- The challenges facing democracy and social justice are highlighted, with calls for organized defiance against oppressive regimes. 



Schools Matter: May 3 Protest in Nashville http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/04/may-3-protest-in-nashville.html 

Schools Matter discusses the influence of classmates on a child's learning, highlighting a protest in Nashville on May 3, 2025, against various socio-political issues. The blog covers topics such as poverty's impact on education, corporate influence in charter schools, and nationwide protests. It includes a broad archive of posts and reviews on education reform and related challenges.

### Key Points

- The impact of classmates on a child's learning is emphasized over teacher characteristics. 

- A protest in Nashville on May 3, 2025, is announced, addressing issues like social security and voucher expansion. 

- Discussions about poverty affecting education quality and WikiLeaks revelations on corporate charter schools. 

- Archive includes numerous posts on educational reform, testing, and broader socio-political issues. 

- Reviews and essays on educational challenges and reforms, including testing and teacher education. 

Schools Matter: Convicted Felon Tries to Upstage Pope's Funeral http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/04/convicted-felon-tries-to-upstage-popes.html 

Schools Matter " A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher ." James Coleman, 1972 Sunday, April 27, 2025 Convicted Felon Tries to Upstage Pope's Funeral Yes, Felonious Trump was there yesterday on the front row with a bright blue suit, orange face, and his signature yellow ferret hat. Bored beyond measure, he kept busy on his phone checking his crypto, chewing gum , and snoozing with his foul mouth gaping. Never one to waste an opportunity to draw more attention to himself, Trump had another plan to become the star of this show. Felonious could use this worldwide audience to convey the illusion that he gives a whit about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , who was applauded by the massive crowd when he arrived at the funeral. Guess who wasn’t applauded! Why not have some chairs pulled into an open and public area and quickly arrange an impromptu

### Key Points

- Felonious Trump attended Pope's funeral, drawing attention with his antics. 

- Trump sought to create an impression of concern for Ukrainian President Zelensky. 

- Trump left the funeral quickly, prioritizing other matters over honoring Pope Francis. 

- The article critiques Trump's behavior and intentions, highlighting his self-centeredness. 

- The blog covers various topics, including education, politics, and social issues. 


Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
 4-27-25

Big Education Ape: Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights: A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts! 4-27-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/04/yesterdays-gems-todays-insights-roundup_27.html 

### Summary

The article provides a comprehensive roundup of various educational, political, and social issues, highlighting recent events and controversies in the United States. It covers topics such as Trump's attendance at Pope Francis' funeral, financial discrepancies in KIPP charter schools, Trump's emulation of authoritarian strategies, AI's impact on education, and internal dynamics within the Democratic Party. Additionally, it discusses political scandals involving Ron DeSantis, the exploitation of Ohio laws by Lifewise, threats to democracy under Trump's administration, and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

### Key Points

- Trump attended the funeral of Pope Francis despite their past disagreements, possibly to console his Catholic base. 

- KIPP charter schools reported over $52 million in unexplained spending, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. 

- Robert Reich discusses Trump’s emulation of Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian tactics. 

- ChatGPT, a form of AI, has quickly become a ubiquitous tool for users worldwide, particularly in education. 

- The Democratic Party is experiencing a split between centrists who favor the status quo and progressives who push for change. 

- The Hope Florida Medicaid scandal involves allegations of money laundering and misuse of funds by DeSantis' allies. 

- Lifewise exploits an Ohio law to recruit students for church lessons using candy and toys as incentives. 

- The Trump administration is undermining the judiciary, posing risks to democracy. 

- Ukraine is willing to negotiate with Russia following a ceasefire, marking a significant compromise according to Zelensky. 

- Computer science teachers in North Carolina may be better qualified than their peers teaching other subjects. 

- Federal judges block Trump's executive order banning transgender troops from military service and receiving gender-affirming care. 


Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
4-27-25 AI-generated podcast

Navigating Today's Issues: From Politics to Education

In this episode of Yesterday's Gems, Today’s Insights, we explore pressing educational, political, and social concerns in the U.S., including Trump's diplomatic gestures, KIPP charter schools' financial controversies, and the growing role of AI in education. Join us as we discuss the divisions within the Democratic Party, ongoing allegations related to Medicaid, and the impact of recent judicial decisions on Trump’s policies, alongside global developments such as Ukraine's negotiations with Russia.   🔗 Listen here: https://monica.im/ai-podcast/share?id=dd2edc79-7c1a-4889-8679-f1afdc2a98fe


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