Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
6-18-25
ProPublica: How Trump Is Killing Medical Research: But Why? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/18/propublica-how-trump-is-killing-medical-reaearch/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The Trump administration has terminated over 1,450 NIH grants, withholding $750 million, citing "wasteful" and "unscientific" research.
- Projects targeting health disparities, pandemics, dementia, and HIV were among those cut, raising accusations of political bias.
- The NIH's usual grant review process was bypassed, threatening the institution's stability and scientific credibility.
- Scientists and Nobel laureates condemned the cuts, warning of wasted research, brain drain, and public health risks.
- Researchers report wasted resources, including spoiled samples and unfinished studies, with dire potential consequences for vulnerable populations.
Trump Reverses Decision to Stop ICE Raids in Farming, Hotels, and Restaurants https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/18/trump-reverses-decision-to-stop-ice-raids-in-farming-hotels-and-restaurants/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump paused ICE raids on farms, restaurants, hotels, and meatpacking plants following lobbying efforts but reversed the decision days later.
- The reversal caused concern and disappointment among industries dependent on immigrant labor, including agriculture and hospitality.
- Advocacy groups and industry leaders criticized the inconsistency, citing economic risks and the reliance on undocumented workers for essential labor.
- Stephen Miller's influence reportedly played a role in reversing the initial pause, reflecting internal conflicts within the administration.
John Thompson: MAGA Republicans in Oklahoma Are Hurting the People Who Elected Them https://dianeravitch.net/2025/06/18/john-thompson-maga-republicans-in-oklahoma-are-hurting-the-people-who-elected-them/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Oklahoma's Republican Party is deeply divided, with MAGA extremists influencing policies that harm the state's most vulnerable populations.
- The state ranks poorly in child welfare, education, healthcare access, and infrastructure, while poverty and suicide rates remain alarmingly high.
- Federal cuts to housing and healthcare programs, combined with state inaction, have worsened crises in housing, Medicaid, and mental health services.
- Governor Stitt's tax cuts and control over state agencies have led to financial instability and mismanagement of critical programs.
- SB 1027, a law limiting initiative petitions, is seen as an attack on democracy and voter rights, potentially ending grassroots reforms in Oklahoma.
- Many extreme legislative proposals targeting immigrants, LGBTQ+ rights, and free speech were defeated, but concerns about ongoing attacks on civil liberties remain.
- The judicial system's integrity is under threat as Governor Stitt pursues measures favoring corporate interests and undermining judicial independence.
TRUMP CONFUSED: MAGA WARHAWKS VULTURES VS MAGA TURKEY VULTURES https://open.substack.com/pub/ru4people/p/trump-confused?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- The MAGA movement is divided between two factions: the MAGA Warhawk Vultures, who advocate for aggressive foreign military actions like supporting Israel against Iran, and the MAGA Turkey Vultures, who prioritize domestic issues and oppose foreign entanglements.
- Donald Trump is caught in the middle of this internal rift, facing pressure from the warhawks to act against Iran while the turkey vultures push for an "America First" approach to avoid overseas conflicts.
- Prominent figures like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene urge Trump to maintain his non-interventionist stance, warning that another Middle Eastern war could alienate his base.
- Democratic lawmakers, such as Bernie Sanders and David Hogg, also criticize potential U.S. involvement in Iran, emphasizing the need to avoid repeating the mistakes of past wars.
- Trump's recent actions, such as leaving the G7 summit to focus on Israel-Iran tensions, have fueled speculation about his stance, highlighting the growing ideological split within the MAGA movement.
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
### 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 Blame Game: How Trump, University Leaders, et al. Dodge Accountability – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/06/18/the-blame-game-how-trump-university-leaders-et-al-dodge-accountability/
### Key Points
- Donald Trump's leadership style is characterized by deflection and scapegoating, which reflects broader trends in politics and education.
- In K–12 education, historical reliance on IQ and blaming students for underachievement has evolved into blaming families, communities, and systemic inequities.
- Teachers became scapegoats in the 2000s with high-stakes testing and accountability policies, despite evidence showing external factors like poverty have a greater impact on student success.
- School districts and university leaders also engage in deflection, often blaming others within their organizations while avoiding scrutiny of their own policies and decisions.
- Procedural blame, such as using committees to mask predetermined outcomes, is a common strategy in both K–12 and higher education.
- The article advocates for accountable leadership that takes responsibility for mistakes, embraces transparency, and focuses on equity-centered decision-making.
glen brown: Paul McCartney is 83 today https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/06/paul-mccartney-is-83-today.html
### Key Points
- Sir Paul McCartney is a celebrated musician, composer, and cultural figure, holding over 3,000 copyrights and multiple Guinness World Records.
- McCartney was born in Liverpool in 1942, raised in a non-denominational household, and had a strong educational background in music and art.
- He joined John Lennon's band, The Quarrymen, in 1957, which eventually evolved into The Beatles, alongside George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
- The Beatles, managed by Brian Epstein, became one of the most successful and influential bands in history, contributing to music, film, art, and fashion.
- McCartney was the primary songwriter of numerous iconic Beatles hits, including "Yesterday," "Hey Jude," and "Let It Be."
- The Beatles' songs carried themes of love, peace, and freedom, influencing generations and contributing to cultural revolutions worldwide.
- After The Beatles disbanded, McCartney formed Wings, achieving significant success with albums like "Band on the Run" and singles such as "Mull of Kintyre."
- McCartney endured personal tragedies, including the deaths of his mother, his wife Linda, and his bandmates John Lennon and George Harrison.
- He has released solo albums, ventured into classical music, and participated in philanthropic efforts, including campaigns for animal rights and cancer research.
- McCartney's career milestones include being knighted in 1997, organizing significant concerts, and continuing to perform globally into his later years.
- His influence extends beyond music, inspiring cultural and social movements worldwide.
glen brown: The World "No Longer Sees the U.S. as Trustworthy" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-world-no-longer-sees-us-as.html
### Key Points
- Global trust in U.S. leadership is declining due to a lack of accountability and self-correction.
- The perception of America as untrustworthy is influenced by both foreign policy and domestic governance issues.
- U.S. leadership under Trump exemplified the normalization of deflection and refusal to admit errors, which has now become policy.
- Historical instances of U.S. presidents avoiding accountability are highlighted as precursors to the current state.
- The loss of soft power and humanitarian influence has diminished the U.S.'s ability to lead globally.
- Allies are now adopting independent strategies, reflecting a shift from trust to contingency in relations with the U.S.
Recommended: Your Brain on ChatGPT https://radicalscholarship.com/2025/06/18/recommended-your-brain-on-chatgpt/ via @plthomasEdD
### Key Points
- Advocacy for AI integration in education is increasing, with institutions mandating AI training.
- Dr. P.L. Thomas opposes AI in writing courses, emphasizing its interference with essential cognitive skill development.
- AI tools like ChatGPT are considered counter-educational and contribute to cognitive debt.
Teacher Tom: Learning is a Process of Upsetting the Status Quo https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/learning-is-process-of-upsetting-status.html
Learning is a Process of Upsetting the Status Quo
### Key Points
- Learning involves replacing the status quo, requiring curiosity and openness to change, much like building new neural connections.
- Education should be seen as unveiling new perspectives rather than simply constructing knowledge, with epiphanies leading to transformative understanding.
- Adults often resist new perspectives due to becoming jaded, while young children experience frequent epiphanies due to their natural curiosity and openness.
- Over-academization of early education can hinder natural learning by replacing curiosity with external motivators like rewards and punishment.
- Play-based learning fosters curiosity, collaboration, and conflict resolution, making it an ideal approach for holistic development.
- Collaboration and exposure to differing perspectives through play are essential for learning and personal growth.
CURMUDGUCATION: AI, Facing the Dark, and Human Sparknotes https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/06/ai-facing-dark-and-human-sparknotes.html
AI, Facing the Dark, and Human Sparknotes
### Main Points
- The article critiques the widespread use of AI for everyday tasks, such as fact-checking, brainstorming, and even therapy, highlighting concerns about AI's lack of expertise and reliability.
- The author questions the long-term impact of relying on AI, especially for tasks requiring human expertise, and warns against the erosion of firsthand knowledge and skills.
- Critics of AI are often misrepresented as deniers, while the real concern lies in understanding the technology's limitations and potential harms.
- The rise of AI in creative fields, like writing, is exemplified by authors using AI to mimic their style, raising ethical questions about authenticity and transparency.
- The article explores the tension between using AI as a research assistant versus maintaining human integrity in processes like reading, writing, and thinking.
- The author emphasizes the importance of human effort and expertise in activities like writing and research, arguing against the uncritical adoption of AI tools.
We Have Lost Bentkowski https://open.substack.com/pub/arthurgoldstein/p/we-have-lost-bentkowski?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- The decision to transition to Medicare Advantage has been partially sent back to a lower court, causing concern among city workers.
- The transition could lead to high out-of-pocket costs for retirees, with premiums and prescription costs posing a significant financial burden.
- Marianne Pizzitola is commended for her efforts to save Medicare, despite criticism from union leadership.
- The author expresses disappointment in union leader Michael Mulgrew and urges for renewed advocacy and political engagement.
- There is a call for continued donations to cover attorney fees and support the fight for better healthcare options.
Schools Matter: Oak Ridge Schools Bows to Book Banning Legislation by the Tennessee Taliban http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/06/oak-ridge-schools-bows-to-book-banning.html
### Key Points
- The article criticizes the Oak Ridge Schools in Tennessee for complying with vague and unconstitutional book banning legislation, referred to as the "Tennessee Taliban," which aims to restrict intellectual freedom and the right to read.
- Over 300 books, including works by renowned artists such as Rodin and Donatello, have been removed, raising concerns about unethical professional conduct and a decline in educational standards.
- The surrender to political pressure from MAGA-related movements is highlighted as damaging to the district's historical celebration of intellectual freedom and artistic achievement.
- PEN America, supported by the Tennessee ACLU, has filed a lawsuit against similar book bans in Rutherford County Schools, resulting in the partial restoration of banned titles, with the legal battle ongoing.
- The blog post connects the issue to broader challenges in education, including censorship, political influence, and the undermining of public schooling.
Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine: Emile Suotonye DeWeaver in conversation with Maya Schenwar Please come!! | Bill Ayers https://billayers.org/2025/06/18/please-come-2/
- Emile Suotonye DeWeaver's book *Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine* critiques American mass incarceration, linking its persistence to white supremacy and advocating for abolitionist solutions.
- The book draws comparisons to James Baldwin’s *The Fire Next Time* and offers a fresh perspective on racial justice, incarceration, and abolition, with practical tools to combat white supremacy.
- The event features a discussion between DeWeaver and Maya Schenwar, a prominent abolitionist organizer and author, who has written extensively on criminal justice reform.
- Emile Suotonye DeWeaver is a formerly incarcerated activist and writer whose life sentence was commuted due to his community work; he has contributed to numerous notable publications.
- Maya Schenwar is the director of the Truthout Center for Grassroots Journalism and co-author of books addressing the consequences of criminal justice reforms.
- The event is hosted by Haymarket Books and The New Press, encouraging solidarity donations to support their programming and publishing efforts.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
6-18-25
Big Education Ape: Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts! https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/yesterdays-gems-todays-insights-roundup_0608991406.html
The article is a compilation of various blog posts and articles covering topics related to education, politics, social justice, and systemic inequities. It highlights issues such as privatization threats to public education, political controversies, ideological conflicts, and the resilience of democracy and activism in the face of authoritarianism.
### Key Points
- Tennessee's book banning legislation raises concerns about censorship and ideological suppression in schools.
- Elon Musk’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) legacy includes embedded private-sector individuals influencing federal agencies, raising ethical concerns.
- Arizona’s ESA voucher program is projected to cost $872 million annually, disproportionately impacting charter schools and increasing financial strain.
- Joyce Vance emphasizes the resilience of graduating students despite challenges to public education under Trump’s administration.
- The Democratic National Committee faces criticism for prioritizing centrism over progressive priorities, alienating its base.
- Ohio’s budget proposal underfunds public schools while favoring privatization and tax cuts for the wealthy.
- Teacher Tom advocates for play-based learning, demonstrating its impact on children's development through engaging rituals.
- Suppression of free speech under the Trump administration highlights the dangers of authoritarianism and ideological policing.
- Seattle Public Schools lifted waitlists for high-demand schools following parent advocacy, addressing enrollment inequities.
- Bernie Sanders endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York mayor, but concerns remain about Mamdani’s appeal among Black and Latino voters.
- The NAACP’s decision not to invite Trump to its convention is seen as a principled stand against authoritarianism.
- Michigan Senate Republicans propose regressive education bills that harm vulnerable students and undermine teacher rights.
- The concept of learning styles is discredited by research, emphasizing the need for adaptable learning strategies.
- Interventions on teacher well-being show significant positive effects, with guidelines for improving wellness provided.
- Large-scale tutoring programs show declining effectiveness due to implementation challenges, but best practices are identified to mitigate this.
- The OECD’s PISA 2029 assessment aims to standardize AI literacy globally, raising concerns about its focus and influences.
- Billionaire-backed education reforms, such as merit pay and charter schools, are criticized for lacking evidence and harming public education.
- Advocacy efforts expose systemic inequities in public education, emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and funding challenges.
