Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
7-23-25
7-23-25
What Will Todd Blanche Discuss with Ghislaine Maxwell? One Guess. https://open.substack.com/pub/dianebrooklyn/p/what-will-todd-blanche-discuss-with?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
- Todd Blanche, former lawyer for Donald Trump and now Deputy Attorney General, is also serving as Acting Librarian of Congress after the previous librarian was dismissed by Trump for DEI involvement.
- Blanche is set to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking minors and other charges, to discuss her knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's activities.
- Maxwell, Epstein's close associate, had her appeal denied by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in 2024 and is currently appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Speculation arises that Blanche may offer Maxwell a Presidential pardon in exchange for a statement clearing Trump of involvement in Epstein-related activities.
John Thompson: Trump's "One Big Ugly Bill" Will Kill Millions of People And Won't Save Money https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/22/john-thompson-trumps-big-ugly-bill-will-kill-millions-of-people-and-wont-save-money/ via @dianeravitch
- Trump's "Big Ugly Bill" is projected to increase the federal deficit by $3.3 trillion while cutting critical programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and USAID, leading to widespread human and economic costs.
- The bill's environmental policies, including increased fossil fuel subsidies, are expected to exacerbate global warming and result in significant health and economic losses globally by 2050.
- Cuts to public health initiatives, such as vaccine programs, could lead to pandemics and millions of preventable deaths worldwide by 2030.
- The legislation negatively impacts education funding, particularly for English learners, after-school programs, and migrant children, with Oklahoma schools facing severe budget shortages.
- Immigration policies under the bill intensify family separations, chronic absenteeism, and mental health crises among immigrant children, further disrupting their education.
- Critics argue the bill prioritizes wealth redistribution to billionaires, undermining democracy, public welfare, and unions while exacerbating class inequalities.
- Educators and advocates call for legal and political resistance against the bill's harmful impacts on vulnerable populations.
New Hampshire: Republican Governor Vetoes Rightwing Bills https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/22/new-hampshire-republican-governor-vetoes-rightwing-bills/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte vetoed rightwing bills, including one on book bans and another targeting transgender individuals.
- Ayotte's actions reflect a split within the Republican Party between libertarian values and rightwing control.
404 Media: White House Partners with PragerU to Produce Cheerful Videos about U.S. History https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/22/404-media-white-house-partners-with-prageru-to-produce-cheerful-videos-about-u-s-history/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- The White House partnered with PragerU to produce AI-generated videos depicting U.S. history, which critics argue are politically slanted and historically inaccurate.
- PragerU promotes conservative ideals, including climate denial and slavery apologism, and has integrated its content into school curricula in several states.
- AI-generated videos feature figures like John Adams and other Revolutionary War-era individuals, often excluding diverse perspectives and focusing predominantly on white men.
- Critics highlight the use of AI as a tool for spreading propaganda, with concerns about its influence on education and historical understanding.
- PragerU employs advanced AI tools for video production, but the quality remains subpar compared to other platforms.
Will Todd Blanche Offer Ghislaine Maxwell a Deal? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/07/22/will-todd-blanche-offer-ghislaine-maxwell-a-deal/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Todd Blanche, Trump's former lawyer, now holds key government positions and plans to meet Ghislaine Maxwell in prison to discuss Epstein-related activities.
- Maxwell, convicted of sex trafficking minors, is serving a 20-year sentence and has unsuccessfully appealed her conviction multiple times.
- Speculation suggests Blanche might offer Maxwell a presidential pardon in exchange for clearing Trump of any Epstein-related involvement.
- Questions arise about Blanche's claim that this is his first interaction with Maxwell, given prior investigations.
Big Education Ape: PUTTING YOUR BEST HOOF (OR FOOT) FORWARD: WHY DEMOCRATS NEED TO WIN THE MESSAGING WAR IN 2026 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/putting-your-best-hoof-or-foot-forward.html
- Democrats need to refine their messaging strategy for the 2026 elections, focusing on universal values like health care, affordable housing, education, economic justice, and fairness under the law.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion remain important but should be framed as part of a broader narrative addressing bread-and-butter issues that resonate with voters.
- Democrats should reclaim the narrative on economic issues, emphasizing policies that support working families, such as raising the minimum wage, expanding workers’ rights, and creating renewable energy jobs.
- Simplified and emotionally resonant messaging is essential to compete with the GOP’s effective soundbite-driven strategy.
- The Democratic Party must unapologetically champion justice reforms, including expanding the Supreme Court to restore balance in the judicial system.
- Winning elections is not just about policy but about making voters feel that their lives can genuinely improve under Democratic leadership.
Big Education Ape: DIANE RAVITCH: FROM CONSERVATIVE CRUSADER TO PUBLIC EDUCATION'S FIERCEST DEFENDER https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/07/diane-ravitch-from-conservative.html
Diane Ravitch's transformation from a conservative education reform advocate to a fierce defender of public education is explored in this article. Initially supporting standardized testing, charter schools, and accountability measures, Ravitch eventually criticized these reforms for harming public education. Her advocacy now focuses on equitable funding, teacher professionalism, and opposing privatization. Ravitch co-founded the Network for Public Education (NPE) to champion public schools, and her upcoming memoir details her ideological shift and calls for greater investment in public education.
### Key Points
- Diane Ravitch transitioned from a proponent of conservative education reforms to a defender of public education.
- Her realization about the negative impacts of high-stakes testing and privatization led to her opposition to these policies.
- Ravitch co-founded the Network for Public Education to advocate for equitable funding and teacher professionalism.
- Critics argue she oversimplifies reformers' intentions and romanticizes public schools, but Ravitch defends them as democratic institutions.
- Her upcoming memoir, "An Education," recounts her ideological shift and advocates for systemic change in education.
A BLUEPRINT FOR BOLDNESS https://open.substack.com/pub/ru4people/p/a-blueprint-for-boldness?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
### Key Points
- Democrats are shifting their communication strategy, moving away from dry policy explanations to bold, relatable storytelling and humor to connect with voters.
- Republicans dominate with simple, emotional slogans, while Democrats aim to reframe progressive values as everyday issues like healthcare, housing, and education.
- Universal healthcare should be framed as a moral and economic necessity, focusing on relatable stories rather than complex data.
- Affordable housing is highlighted as part of the American Dream and a fight against corporate landlords exploiting the system.
- Education reform messaging should emphasize freedom from debt and opportunities for all, including trade school and vocational training.
- Democrats need to position themselves as champions of justice, calling out corruption and framing judicial reforms as leveling the playing field.
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should be subtly integrated into broader narratives to resonate across demographics.
- Democrats can win by adopting plain language, humor, and focusing on unifying economic and justice issues. Bold storytelling is key to regaining trust and winning elections.
New Ohio Budget Fills the Pockets of Wealthy Individuals, Fails to Support the Public Schools https://janresseger.wordpress.com/2025/07/22/new-ohio-budget-fills-the-pockets-of-wealthy-individuals-fails-to-support-our-states-children/ via @janresseger
### Key Points
- Ohio's EdChoice voucher program was ruled unconstitutional, but the new budget increases funding for private school vouchers while underfunding public schools.
- The legislature failed to fully fund the Fair School Funding Plan, using outdated cost data and reducing equity in school funding.
- Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid was recalculated, reducing funds for poorer districts, while wealthier districts benefit from performance-based and enrollment growth supplements.
- Tax cuts primarily benefit wealthy individuals, reducing the state's capacity to fund public schools.
- Private school vouchers receive more funding increases than public schools, despite serving far fewer students.
- The budget shifts the responsibility for public school funding to local districts, increasing reliance on property taxes and exacerbating inequities.
Teacher Tom: To Live in a State of Alert Awareness https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/to-live-in-state-of-alert-awareness.html
### Key Points
- A three-year-old's discovery of odd and even numbers as "lonely and friendly" highlights the natural curiosity and creativity of children, which often exceeds traditional educational timelines.
- Parents and grandparents sometimes misinterpret early signs of learning as indicators of genius, pushing for advanced programs, while the author emphasizes the importance of letting children explore freely.
- Play-based and self-directed learning allows children to rely on their curiosity, fostering alert awareness and deeper engagement with their surroundings.
- Historical perspectives suggest that self-directed learning was the norm until formal schooling systems emerged, and society often limits this approach after early childhood.
- The example of Max, a self-taught reader, illustrates the benefits of play-based learning, as he thrived through creative activities like trap-making, emphasizing relevance and engagement over forced academics.
- The author advocates for play-based learning as a foundational approach to life, encouraging educators and parents to embrace this philosophy for young children.
10th Period: Judge Lays Bare Unconstitutional Voucher Program | National Education Policy Center https://nepc.colorado.edu/blog/judge-lays-bare
### Key Points
- Franklin County Judge Jaiza Page ruled Ohio's school voucher program unconstitutional, exposing long-standing policy lies by voucher advocates.
- Judge Page clarified that vouchers labeled as "scholarships" benefit private schools disproportionately, receiving double the per-pupil state funding compared to public schools.
- The claim that vouchers follow the student was debunked, as funds primarily benefit private schools rather than public school students.
- The voucher program's funding structure has historically diverted resources from public schools, forcing local districts to rely on increased property taxes.
- The program undermines parental rights by empowering private schools to discriminate in admissions while receiving government subsidies.
- Judge Page highlighted that the voucher system favors private religious schools at the expense of 1.5 million public school students in Ohio.
The Chilling Rise of the Far Right You’re Not Ready For – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/07/22/the-chilling-rise-of-the-far-right-youre-not-ready-for/
### Key Points
- An episode of "Surrounded" revealed extreme far-right ideologies, including open support for autocracy, racism, and antisemitism, signaling a shift in the Overton window.
- Mehdi Hasan debated far-right conservatives who openly praised authoritarianism and Nazi ideologies, showcasing the normalization of dangerous beliefs.
- The episode highlighted participants' disdain for democracy, immigrants, and progressive values, with overt support for Trump’s actions and January 6 insurrectionists.
- Brazil’s history with dictatorship serves as a cautionary tale, showing the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of institutional safeguards.
- The U.S. is experiencing "authoritarian creep" through judicial complicity, executive overreach, and attacks on education, paralleling tactics used by past autocrats.
- Education is a key target for authoritarians because it fosters critical thinking and resistance, making it essential for combating authoritarianism.
- The article warns that ignoring these trends risks losing democratic institutions, urging awareness and resistance before it’s too late.
glen brown: "If America is to survive as a free nation, we must confront the reality of Trump’s actions" https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/07/if-america-is-to-survive-as-free-nation.html
### Key Points
- The article highlights Trump's financial corruption, including fraud involving his company, Trump University, and the Trump Foundation.
- It explores his ties to organized crime and figures like Roy Cohn, linking Trump Tower’s construction and casino operations to mob activities.
- Trump's association with Jeffrey Epstein is discussed, raising questions about moral and legal misconduct.
- His affinity for Vladimir Putin and actions favoring Russian interests, including undermining NATO and withholding aid to Ukraine, are examined.
- The article details election interference, such as hush-money payments and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
- Trump’s abuse of presidential authority, including obstruction of justice, violations of the Emoluments Clause, and mishandling classified documents, is outlined.
- The administration’s politicized and racially biased response to the Covid pandemic, leading to significant preventable deaths, is condemned.
- Trump’s incitement of political violence, including the January 6th insurrection, and his endorsement of extremist groups are discussed.
- The overarching theme is Trump’s deliberate erosion of democratic institutions and normalization of authoritarianism.
Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · AFT on Mobilize
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s InsightsA Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
7-22-25
7-22-25
The article is a compilation of blog posts and insights addressing various political, educational, and societal issues. Topics range from frozen federal school funds, the impact of AI in education, challenges faced by teachers, and critiques of policies like the Child Tax Credit. Advocacy for public education, critiques of privatization, and reflections on leadership and equity are central themes.
### Key Points
- Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has frozen $8.6 billion in federal funds meant for public schools, raising concerns about permanent cuts. Advocacy groups are calling for public action.
- Ellie Leonard explores Ghislaine Maxwell's difficult childhood, her relationship with Epstein, and broader political implications of Epstein's connections.
- Pam Bondi's failure to prosecute Jeffrey Epstein during her tenure as Florida AG raises questions about systemic neglect in addressing abuse.
- Diane Ravitch transitioned from supporting conservative education reforms to defending public education, advocating for equitable funding and teacher professionalism.
- Teachers face a personal/professional dilemma, balancing academic roles with emotional connections to students. Effective teachers blend both roles authentically.
- Scholastic athletics positively impact graduation rates, wages, and social mobility, particularly for disadvantaged students.
- Jose Vilson reflects on overcoming discomfort to deliver a meaningful graduation speech, emphasizing resilience, empathy, and collective action.
- Play-based learning is essential for fostering curiosity and purpose in children, contrasting societal pressures toward conformity and economic outcomes.
- MAGA Republicans target the National Education Association (NEA), proposing HR 4450 to revoke its federal charter and restrict union activities.
- The Epstein scandal exposes flaws within MAGA, highlighting Trump's ties to Epstein and Cuomo's polarizing campaign equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism.
- Stephen Colbert and Joy Reid's career pivots showcase the transformative potential of equity-driven leadership outside institutional constraints.
- AI's integration into education raises concerns about academic dishonesty, corporatization, and undermining genuine learning.
- The misuse of AI tools like ChatGPT in writing equates to plagiarism, hindering the learning process and genuine skill development.
- Trump’s freezing of $6.2 billion in federal school funds caused chaos for districts, with partial releases under public pressure.
- Changes in the Child Tax Credit under H.R. 1 exclude vulnerable groups, exacerbate child poverty, and fail to provide equitable support.
- Advocacy groups combat privatization, censorship, and authoritarianism in public education, emphasizing equity and inclusivity.
- Teachers union leader Randi Weingarten discusses education challenges, AI's impact, and the need for inclusivity in the Democratic Party.
