Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
Trump is Our King George: What Would the Founders Say? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/28/trump-is-our-king-george-what-would-the-founders-say/ via @dianeravitch
- The article compares Donald Trump's actions to those of King George III, highlighting parallels between Trump's governance and the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence.
- Specific examples include deploying armed forces in cities without legislative consent, overriding civil authority, protecting officials from accountability, obstructing justice, and influencing judiciary independence.
- The piece discusses Trump's policies on immigration, tariffs, and redistricting, drawing comparisons to historical colonial grievances.
- The author urges Americans to read original historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to better understand the nation's founding principles.
- A referenced case discusses ICE arresting a school superintendent, illustrating the broader theme of governmental overreach.
Which Troops Will Trump Send to Portland, Oregon? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/09/28/which-troops-will-trump-send-to-portland-oregon/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump announced plans to send military troops to Portland, Oregon, citing safety concerns and the need to protect ICE facilities.
- Portland's mayor and Oregon's governor reject the deployment, asserting the city is safe and questioning Trump's authority to send troops.
- Trump's fixation on Portland stems from past protests against him, with critics accusing him of using federal forces to provoke unrest for political gain.
- Legal and logistical uncertainties surround the deployment, with the Pentagon caught off guard and seeking clarity on the president's directive.
- Protests in Portland have been ongoing, with incidents at ICE facilities cited by the White House as justification for the deployment.
- Critics accuse Trump of attempting to escalate tensions to justify authoritarian measures, with local officials urging calm and non-violence.
Big Education Ape: AI BREAKING NEWS: MULTIPLE VICTIMS IN MICHIGAN CHURCH SHOOTING; CHURCH ON FIRE, POLICE SAY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/ai-breaking-news-multiple-victims-in.html
### Key Points
- A gunman drove a truck into the wall of the church, opened fire on congregants, and set the building ablaze during Sunday morning services. Casualties included six to eight victims, with children among them. The shooter was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The fire escalated to a fifth-alarm level, causing extensive damage to the church. Emergency services from multiple agencies responded swiftly.
- Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential act of domestic terrorism, with the motive still unclear.
- Grok delivered the most comprehensive coverage, including casualty numbers, emergency response efforts, official statements, and broader context related to the LDS community.
- ChatGPT-4 provided accurate but brief updates, focusing on community impact and avoiding misinformation.
- Gemini and Copilot lacked depth, with Gemini offering sparse details and Copilot prioritizing brevity over comprehensiveness.
- Statements from public officials, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and FBI Director Kash Patel, condemned the violence and emphasized the need for community support.
- The incident underscores the strengths and limitations of AI in breaking news coverage, with Grok demonstrating the ability to synthesize information effectively.
Big Education Ape: SPECIAL REPORT: THIS WEEK'S TOP "STATE NEWS STORIES" IN THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/special-report-this-weeks-top-state.html
### Key Points
- Gemini delivered accurate and comprehensive news coverage, including topics like federal troop deployment to Portland, immigration issues, and clean energy projects, but lacked engaging presentation.
- Grok provided dramatic and sensationalized coverage, focusing on stories like Portland protests, Michigan voter data lawsuits, and high-profile memorials, which made its reporting captivating but occasionally exaggerated.
- ChatGPT 4 prioritized sports and international news over state-level stories, such as Cal Raleigh’s home run record and Erdogan’s UN speech, which made its coverage less relevant to the competition’s focus.
- Copilot concentrated heavily on California news, covering topics like gerrymandering, water storage funding, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s political comeback, but ignored news from other states.
- The competition highlighted key state-level stories, such as troop deployment in Portland, immigration detention center conditions, California’s solar-powered canals, and a $25 million wrongful conviction settlement.
- Grok was declared the winner for its engaging, if sensational, coverage, followed by Gemini for its factual reporting, Copilot for its California focus, and ChatGPT 4 for its misplaced priorities.
- The analysis underscores the challenges AI models face in balancing accuracy, engagement, and relevance in news reporting.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 – THE "WHO LEFT THE STOVE ON?" EDITION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-september_28.html
### Key Points
- AI models (Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 4, and Copilot) compete in "The Great AI News Smackdown" to deliver the most effective news coverage.
- Gemini and Grok reported on escalating Russian missile and drone attacks in Ukraine, highlighting civilian casualties and destruction.
- U.S. government shutdown looms, with Trump administration preparing mass layoffs and permanent staff reductions.
- Deadly shooting at Dallas ICE facility sparks debates on immigration policy and facility security.
- Trump addresses the UNGA, criticizing climate policies and proposing a ceasefire plan for Gaza, which Hamas has not acknowledged.
- Iran threatens to withdraw from the nuclear treaty in response to new UN sanctions.
- Tropical storm impacts the Philippines, with potential hurricane threats to the U.S. East Coast.
- ChatGPT 4 focuses on unique stories like a dockside restaurant shooting in North Carolina but lacks focus in its reporting.
- Copilot highlights Israel's isolation due to actions in Gaza and covers local Rosemont gossip, including illegal street racing and a hit-and-run incident.
- Gemini and Grok are declared winners of the AI news competition for their consistent and detailed coverage of major global events.
Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES Saturday, September 27, 2025 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and_01357883721.html
### Key Points
- Historical reflections on obedience as a root cause of atrocities like war and genocide, highlighting the dangers of compliance.
- Commentary on public education's role in democracy, emphasizing resistance to efforts undermining it, including critiques of billionaire influence.
- Various AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT 5, and Copilot are competing for dominance in the news landscape, with weekly analyses of their performance.
- A satirical critique of attempts to dismantle public schools, featuring Randi Weingarten's book "Why Fascists Fear Teachers."
- Multiple blog posts and commentaries address ongoing societal issues, including gun violence, free speech debates, and the role of technology in democracy.
Big Education Ape: THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN: WEEK OF SEPT 19–26, 2025 – WHO GEMINI'D THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND THE KIRK-KIMMEL MELTDOWN? https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-great-ai-news-smackdown-september_52.html
The article provides a detailed overview of recent developments in U.S. education, politics, and world affairs, along with a comparison of AI-powered news reporting models—Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 4, and Copilot. It highlights key controversies, policy changes, and global events while analyzing the storytelling styles and accuracy of each AI model.
### Key Points
- The AI news smackdown compared Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT 4, and Copilot on their reporting of major stories from September 19–26, 2025. Gemini was praised for balance, Grok for drama, Copilot for conspiracy-like content, and ChatGPT 4 for being too safe.
- Harvard University faced financial sanctions and was placed on Heightened Cash Monitoring for refusing to cooperate with a compliance review on race in admissions.
- A transgender student incident in Fairfax County Public Schools sparked debates on Title IX and school safety.
- U.S. high school seniors’ reading and math scores showed significant declines, raising alarms about education quality.
- The looming government shutdown created political tension, with threats of mass layoffs and ACA subsidy extensions at stake.
- Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted, while Jimmy Kimmel faced suspension over controversial comments.
- Global affairs included escalating conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine’s plea for intervention, and Venezuela mobilizing troops amid U.S. tensions.
- AI models differed in their coverage of world events, with Gemini delivering comprehensive reporting, Grok emphasizing drama, ChatGPT 4 focusing on basics, and Copilot highlighting provocative incidents.
- Sudan experienced a deadly drone strike, Nigeria faced police ambushes, and Afghanistan rejected U.S. calls to reclaim Bagram Air Base.
Big Education Ape: DONALD TRUMP: AMERICAN FEAR MONGER THE B-MOVIE LOGIC OF A GOVERNMENT BY GRIEVANCE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/09/donald-trump-american-fear-monger-b.html
### Key Points
- Donald Trump has launched a campaign of retribution, targeting government officials, celebrities, and institutions he perceives as adversaries. This includes actions against James Comey, Letitia James, Lisa Cook, Gen. Mark Milley, John Bolton, John Brennan, Adam Schiff, Jack Smith, and others.
- Trump's administration has been accused of abusing power, dismantling norms, and promoting authoritarianism through executive orders and investigations aimed at silencing opposition and consolidating control.
- The No Kings 2.0 movement is organizing nationwide protests on October 18 to counter Trump's fear-mongering and authoritarian tactics, emphasizing democracy and civic engagement.
- Critics argue that Trump’s approach is rooted in fear-mongering and panic-driven policies, which are eroding democratic values and creating a chilling effect across various sectors of society.
- The article draws parallels between Trump’s tactics and historical authoritarian figures, highlighting the dangers of his governance style.
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Reunion Edition (9/28) https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/09/icymi-reunion-edition-928.html
### Key Points
- Peter Greene reflects on his high school reunion and his busy schedule, including conducting an orchestra.
- Federal education budget proposals and their potential impact on schools.
- Issues in math instruction beyond teaching for test results.
- The consequences of school privatization on public education.
- The role of shared experiences in public education and the dangers of dividing schools.
- Vermont's law limiting social media use in schools and its implications.
- Critique of Ohio's voucher system and its lack of accountability.
- Conservative arguments against federal funding for school choice.
- Analysis of Steve Bannon's controversial statement about teachers and related voucher issues.
- The Trump administration's attack on fair housing and its impact on school integration.
- America's relationship with guns and its consequences for children.
- Various education challenges in Tennessee, including vouchers and test results.
- Concerns about federal charter funding in Ohio and its historical failures.
- Disturbing trends in AI use in classrooms.
- A humorous take on a GOP education official's resignation announcement.
- Promotion of Greene's writings on teacher voices, pay data, and Pennsylvania's teacher shortage.
- Greene's substack, social media, and other platforms for education commentary.
Forget Washington DC—Democracy’s Future Lives in Our Communities – Cloaking Inequity https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/09/28/forget-washington-democracys-future-lives-in-our-communities/
glen brown: How to Watch for Spotify Scams... https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/09/how-to-watch-for-spotify-scams.html
- Glen Brown emphasizes the writer's role in resisting oppression and remaining free from doctrines and politics, quoting figures like Ambrose Bierce and Albert Camus.
- The blog discusses a wide range of topics, including social justice, pensions, healthcare, American politics, and cultural issues.
- A highlighted story recounts Scott Foster, an accountant turned emergency goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks, achieving a remarkable feat during an NHL game.
- The blog critiques Trump’s administration, addressing authoritarian tendencies, healthcare cuts, and environmental policies, among other issues.
- Articles explore political affiliations, free speech, scams, and societal injustices, with references to historical and contemporary figures.
- The blog includes poetry, cultural reflections, and commentary on global issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and climate change.
SEL Weekly Update - Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/
### Key Points
- The blog features weekly updates on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and resources for educators.
- Research highlights the benefits of subtitles for English Language Learners (ELLs) in video learning.
- A collection of resources for World Teachers Day, celebrated annually on October 5th, is provided.
- Analysis of research on students’ attention by Dan Willingham is discussed.
- A round-up of posts and articles on educational policy issues is included.
- The blog addresses the Trump administration's impact on citizenship processes and education.
- Free AI chatbots have been created to support parent engagement and classroom instruction.
- The blog shares a study on the disruptive effects of ICE raids on students.
- Monthly “Best” lists and teaching resources are regularly updated, with over 2,500 lists available.
- Resources on the “Little Rock Nine” and its historical significance are shared.
- Various books and materials are highlighted, offering research-based instructional strategies across subjects like Math, Science, and Social Studies.
- The author’s other contributions include radio shows, blog posts, and teaching practices on autonomy, competency, and engagement.
- The blog includes videos and has garnered significant page views over the past month.
SPECIAL REPORT: THIS WEEK’S TOP “STATE NEWS STORIES” IN THE GREAT AI NEWS SMACKDOWN https://ru4people.substack.com/p/special-report-this-weeks-top-state
### Key Points
- Gemini focused on factual reporting, covering topics like Portland protests, solar-powered canals, and vaccine recommendations. However, its dry tone lacked engagement.
- Grok delivered sensationalized coverage, labeling Portland protests as "domestic terrorism" and highlighting dramatic stories like Michigan’s voter data lawsuit and Charlie Kirk’s memorial. Its flair made it entertaining but exaggerated.
- ChatGPT 4 prioritized sports and international news, such as Cal Raleigh’s home run record and Erdogan’s UN speech, but failed to focus on state-level news.
- Copilot provided hyper-local coverage of California, including gerrymandering debates, climate initiatives, and mask bans for law enforcement, but ignored other states entirely.
- The article concludes that Grok’s dramatic style won the Smackdown, followed by Gemini for substance, Copilot for its niche focus, and ChatGPT for missing the mark on state news.
- Major state news stories included troop deployments in Portland, voter data lawsuits in Michigan, clean energy projects in California, and ICE facility incidents in Dallas.
- Other notable stories included California’s $25M wrongful conviction settlement, mask bans for law enforcement, and Minnesota’s divergence from federal COVID vaccine guidelines.
NYC Public School Parents: Cuomo vs. Sliwa vs. Mamdani on education & what Cuomo said to PLACE leaders at their education forum https://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2025/09/cuomo-vs-sliwa-vs-mamdani-on-education.html
### Key Points
- Andrew Cuomo, running as an Independent, supports Mayoral control, charter school expansion, and gifted programs but opposes reducing class sizes unless the state provides specific funding.
- Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, shares similar policies to Cuomo but does not emphasize class size reduction.
- Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, advocates for amending Mayoral control, lowering class sizes, and auditing charter schools for accountability.
- Cuomo strongly supports retaining Mayoral control and opposes governance changes, citing union resistance as a major challenge.
- Cuomo expressed willingness to consult PLACE leaders before selecting a new Chancellor, emphasizing collaboration with parent groups.
- Historical context reveals Cuomo's refusal to fund NYC schools fully during his tenure as Governor, despite the Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement.
Schools Matter: The Christofascist Agenda for Schools: Replace Education with Propaganda Centers http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2025/09/the-christofascist-agenda-for-schools.html
- The article critiques the "Christofascist Agenda" for schools, arguing that it aims to replace genuine education with propaganda centers.
- Poverty, not teacher quality, is identified as the primary issue affecting education outcomes, emphasizing socioeconomic factors over simplistic educational reforms.
- The blog discusses various education-related topics, including testing increases, teacher burnout, corporate influence on schools, and the impact of political agendas on public education.
- Historical and contemporary critiques of educational policies like No Child Left Behind (NCLB) highlight systemic challenges and efforts to undermine public schools.
Billionaire Financed Education-Propaganda https://tultican.com/2025/09/29/billionaire-financed-education-propaganda/
Elected school boards are crucial to American democracy, but the article critiques the billionaire-driven propaganda undermining public education. It highlights issues such as declining test scores, the flawed No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, and the push for privatization through organizations like CRPE. It also examines the influence of billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs, who aims to revolutionize education with AI and EdTech, often ignoring the negative impacts of such initiatives.
### Key Points
- Criticism of manipulated data on reading and math declines and the biased analysis from pro-billionaire sources.
- NCLB’s harmful legacy, including narrowing curriculum, punishing poor schools, and flawed standardized testing.
- Diane Ravitch’s critique of NCLB’s unrealistic goals and its failure to improve education.
- CRPE’s role in promoting privatization and market-based reforms, undermining public education.
- Billionaire-backed efforts to eliminate the Carnegie unit and integrate AI into education, raising concerns about harmful technology-driven reforms.
Choosing Democracy: Report from Portland https://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2025/09/report-from-portland.html
### Key Points
- Marc Cooper criticizes Trump's false portrayal of Portland as a city in chaos, emphasizing that the city is currently thriving and peaceful.
- Cooper recounts the 2020 protests in Portland, noting that while there were some violent incidents, they were limited in scope and no longer reflect the city's current state.
- The article highlights Portland's cultural vibrancy, including its restaurants, parks, and unique personality, which contrasts with Trump's negative depiction.
- Cooper accuses Trump of sending federal forces to Portland for political gain, despite opposition from local and state officials.
- The media is criticized for using misleading footage to exaggerate the scale of protests and unrest in Portland.
- Trump’s actions are described as an intentional provocation to create confrontation and distract from his administration's failures.
- Cooper warns of the dangerous normalization of militarized responses to dissent and the broader implications for democracy.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
The article compiles a wide range of topics, including political developments, societal issues, educational reforms, and the performance of AI news models. It highlights key controversies, global events, and critiques of leadership styles, particularly focusing on Donald Trump’s authoritarian tactics and their societal implications. The piece also evaluates the role of AI in news aggregation and explores the challenges in education systems, governance, and public transparency.
### Key Points
- A church shooting in Michigan involved multiple victims, and the church was set on fire.
- Former President Trump ordered active-duty military troops to Portland, Oregon, claiming the city was under siege by Antifa and radical terrorists, sparking concerns about authoritarianism.
- Trump’s administration has been accused of using executive orders and investigations to silence opposition and consolidate power.
- The "No Kings 2.0" movement is organizing protests to counter Trump’s fear-mongering and authoritarian tactics.
- Mississippi’s reading reform is criticized for being exaggerated and potentially harmful, with test score gains attributed to manipulated student populations.
- Adolescents are misusing over-the-counter antihistamines, leading to severe health risks like heart arrhythmias.
- LAUSD extended Superintendent Carvalho’s contract without public input, raising concerns about transparency and governance.
- The rise of flavored marijuana vaping among teens raises addiction concerns, requiring targeted education and policies.
- Trump’s administration has weaponized the Department of Justice to target perceived enemies, including government officials and cultural institutions.
- Critics draw parallels between Trump’s tactics and historical authoritarian regimes, warning of the erosion of democratic values.
- The "Great AI News Smackdown" compared AI models like Gemini, Grok, ChatGPT-4, and Copilot, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in news coverage.
- Grok emerged as the top performer in AI news aggregation, excelling in dramatic and impactful reporting.
- Larry Cuban critiques the practice of teaching to the middle in classrooms, arguing it reflects systemic constraints rather than mediocrity.
- Public education’s role in democracy is emphasized, along with critiques of privatization efforts and billionaire influence undermining schools.
- Resistance to authoritarianism and efforts to defend democracy are highlighted as urgent societal tasks.
- Historical reflections on obedience as a root cause of atrocities like war and genocide underscore the dangers of compliance.
- Concerns about NYC’s healthcare plan include transparency issues, cost stability, and impacts on retirees.
- Privatization policies in education are criticized for deepening inequality and destabilizing communities.
