Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights

A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
6-23-25

Big Education Ape: TRUMP'S BIG BANG THEORY: BOMBING IRAN FOR PEACE, PATRIOTISM AND POLLS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/trumps-big-bang-theory-bombing-iran-for.html 

In a dramatic move, President Donald Trump has authorized airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking his entry into the ranks of U.S. presidents who prioritize military action over diplomacy. This decision, framed as a step toward peace and protection of Israel, has drawn widespread criticism, with many questioning its motivations and legality.

#### Key Points:

- **Airstrikes Declared a Success**: Trump labeled the strikes a “spectacular success,” suggesting they are a historic moment for peace, despite critics arguing that such actions contradict the notion of peace. He warned Iran against retaliation, which many see as escalating tensions rather than de-escalating them.

- **Iran's Response**: Iran downplayed the impact of the strikes, claiming the sites were evacuated and vowing to continue their nuclear program for peaceful purposes. This has led to concerns about further escalation and retaliation.

- **Netanyahu's Influence**: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the strikes, indicating a strong alignment with Trump’s actions. Critics suggest that Netanyahu has effectively manipulated Trump into supporting military aggression against Iran.

- **Congressional Outrage**: The strikes have sparked anger among lawmakers from both parties. Democrats have labeled the action unconstitutional for bypassing Congress, while some Republicans express discomfort with the lack of legislative approval. Progressive figures are even suggesting impeachment based on Trump’s unilateral decision-making.

- **Support from Trump's Base**: Trump's supporters view the strikes as a patriotic duty, celebrating military action despite his prior promises to end “forever wars.” This loyalty raises questions about the implications of such fervent support for military intervention.

- **Risks of Escalation**: Critics warn that the strikes could jeopardize American troops and diplomats, destabilize the region further, and provoke retaliation from Iranian allies. The potential for increased tensions and higher oil prices adds to the concerns surrounding this military action.

- **Impeachment Discussions**: Some Democrats are calling for impeachment, arguing that Trump has overstepped his authority yet again. However, with Republican leaders largely backing Trump, the likelihood of impeachment remains low.

#### Conclusion:

Trump's recent military actions may serve as a distraction from domestic issues and declining approval ratings, but they also risk creating a legacy of chaos in U.S. foreign policy. Whether these actions will be seen as strategic successes or failures remains uncertain, but they underscore a presidency defined by bold, often controversial decisions.

Big Education Ape: FREAK OUT FRIDAY: AI IS PLOTTING TO TAKE OVER OUR CLASSROOMS AND THE WORLD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/freak-out-friday-ai-is-plotting-to-take.html 

Diane Ravitch's blog and other education-focused platforms discuss the implications of AI in education, highlighting concerns about its misuse, ethical challenges, and potential to exacerbate inequalities. The "Big Ugly Bill" proposed by Trump grants AI unchecked freedom in schools for a decade, raising alarms about student privacy and educational quality. Other critiques emphasize AI's inability to address students' social needs, its potential to increase teacher workloads, and its role in perpetuating societal biases. Experts call for ethical oversight and justice-driven AI development to prevent harm to the educational landscape.

### Key Points

- Trump's "Big Ugly Bill" allows unregulated AI in schools for a decade, sparking concerns about privacy and educational quality. 

- AI struggles to engage students socially or provide meaningful motivation, limiting its effectiveness in education. 

- Generative AI often increases teacher workloads instead of reducing them, contradicting its promise of efficiency. 

- Experts warn that AI could amplify racism, rewrite history, and deepen inequities without proper oversight. 

- Historical analysis shows the tech industry's unfulfilled promises in education, urging caution against AI hype

Big Education Ape: LET'S CHECK THIS WEEK'S TOP NEWS AND OTHER STORIES 6-21-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/lets-check-this-weeks-top-news-and_21.html 

AI in classrooms, and political and societal issues impacting education. Key articles and blog posts explore these themes, providing insights into current challenges and debates in public education, such as privatization, democracy, and inclusivity.

### Key Points

- AI's role in classrooms is explored, with discussions on its impact on teaching and learning. 

- A collection of articles addresses political and societal issues, including Trump's policies, immigration, and the privatization of education. 

- Educational blogs and resources, like Diane Ravitch's work and the Badass Teacher Association, advocate for public education and resistance to privatization. 

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Pride Edition (6/22) https://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2025/06/icymi-pride-edition-622.html 

This blog post from Peter Greene reflects on a local Pride event, updates on his personal and professional life, and offers a curated list of articles and opinions on education, AI, and societal issues. The author also shares various resources, blog recommendations, and commentary on topics like diversity, inclusion, AI in schools, book banning, and the challenges of public education.

### Key Points

- The author attended a local Pride event and highlighted its success. 

- Personal note about replacing a laptop and prioritizing book writing over blogging. 

- Overview of articles discussing anti-inclusion groups in education, AI's role in school safety, and controversial education policies in Ohio. 

- Criticism of AI in education and its potential dangers, including bias and surveillance concerns. 

- Discussion on equity issues in school choice and the impact of book bans in schools. 

- Reflection on the friendship between Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett as an example of human connection. 

- Promotion of the author's other writing platforms and resources for education commentary. 

glen brown: Who Is Trump? https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/06/who-is-trump.html 

The article is a blog-style commentary by Glen Brown, reflecting on the political, social, and ethical issues surrounding Donald Trump and his impact on American democracy. It critiques Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, his disregard for constitutional principles, and his role in exacerbating societal divisions. The piece weaves historical, philosophical, and personal perspectives, highlighting the fragility of democracy in the current global context. It also touches on various other topics like pensions, social justice, education, and the environment, showcasing the writer's broader concerns.

### Key Points

- The blog critiques Donald Trump as an archetypal authoritarian figure, likening him to historical tyrants and emphasizing his destructive impact on democracy. 

- Trump is accused of undermining human rights, health insurance, social security, and education while fostering societal division with rhetoric and policies. 

- The fragility of democracy is discussed in the context of global crises like nuclear threats, environmental challenges, and rising inequality. 

- The author reflects on the philosophical and moral responsibilities of writers to resist oppression and remain independent of doctrines and politics. 

- The blog also covers a wide range of other topics, including pensions, corporate greed, healthcare, education reform, social justice, and global conflicts. 

glen brown: ABC News' Senior National Correspondent https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/06/abc-news-senior-national-correspondent.html 

ABC News’ Senior National Correspondent Terry Moran was terminated following controversial online comments criticizing White House leadership, particularly Donald Trump and Stephen Miller. This incident sparked debates about free speech, media bias, and journalistic accountability. It also highlighted ABC News’ sensitivity to political backlash, especially after a $16 million defamation settlement with Trump. Moran’s remarks targeted Miller’s influence on Trumpist policies, leading to counter-accusations of media partisanship from Miller and White House officials. The broader blog content reflects themes of political critique, social justice, education, and Glen Brown’s reflections on writing and resistance.

### Key Points

- ABC News fired Terry Moran for online comments criticizing Trump and Stephen Miller, citing violations of objectivity standards. 

- The controversy followed a $16 million defamation settlement between ABC News and Trump, showing heightened political sensitivities. 

- Moran accused Miller of translating Trumpist ideologies into policy, while Miller countered, criticizing media neutrality. 

- Glen Brown’s broader blog themes include political critique, social justice, pensions, education, and philosophical reflections on writing. 

NYC Public School Parents: Honoring Commissioner Betty Rosa at our Skinny Award Dinner https://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2025/06/honoring-commissioner-betty-rosa-at-our.html

NYC Public School Parents blog highlights the successful Skinny Award Dinner held on June 18, 2025, honoring Commissioner Betty Rosa for her dedication to diversity, equity, and quality education. The event featured speeches, tributes, and poems celebrating Rosa's leadership, resilience, and advocacy for children, particularly in standing against discriminatory policies and promoting educational reforms. Diane Ravitch, though absent due to health issues, praised Rosa’s courage and principles. The blog also promotes other initiatives like class size reduction, educational podcasts, and advocacy actions.

### Key Points

- The Skinny Award Dinner celebrated Commissioner Betty Rosa for her contributions to education and equity, including her opposition to discriminatory policies. 

- Betty Rosa’s leadership during challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion, was highlighted through tributes and a poem. 

- Diane Ravitch commended Rosa’s principled stance and noted her efforts to ensure compliance with civil rights laws, despite personal challenges. 

- The blog also promotes initiatives like class size reduction, advocacy surveys, and educational podcasts. 

Analyzing UFT election results – from 2022 | JD2718 https://jd2718.org/2025/06/22/analyzing-uft-election-results-from-2022/ 

The article analyzes the results and trends of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) elections, focusing on the declining voter turnout, the performance of the ruling Unity caucus, and the opposition group United for Change (UfC). It highlights the historical trends, key issues like Medicare Advantage, and the disconnect between union leadership and members. The analysis also delves into retiree voting patterns and the challenges facing both Unity and UfC in engaging their respective voter bases.

### Key Points  

- The UFT elections have shown a long-term trend of declining voter turnout, with only 27% of teachers voting in the latest election, indicating low engagement among members.   

- Unity caucus, which has historically dominated the UFT elections, saw its lowest vote percentage (66%) in decades, reflecting dissatisfaction with its leadership.   

- The opposition group, United for Change, gained significant ground, winning the high school division and increasing its overall vote share to 34%, though it did not achieve a major breakthrough.   

- Medicare Advantage was a key issue in the election, particularly among retirees, leading to a significant shift in retiree votes from Unity to the opposition.   

- Retirees have historically been a stronghold for Unity, but dissatisfaction with Medicare changes caused Unity's retiree vote share to drop from 85-90% to 70-71%.   

- The disconnect between union leadership and members has grown, with Unity failing to energize its voter base and losing support across divisions, especially among elementary school teachers.   

- United for Change's campaign efforts, including increased outreach and messaging, were effective but not enough to overcome Unity's overall dominance.   

- The trends suggest that Unity and opposition groups are not directly competing for the same voters but are instead struggling to mobilize their respective bases.   

- Retiree voting patterns are more stable and less elastic compared to in-service members, but the Medicare issue has introduced a rare shift in this stability.   

- The UFT election results reveal a deep-rooted problem of member disengagement and dissatisfaction with union leadership, which both Unity and UfC need to address moving forward. 

Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights

A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!

6-21-25 

https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/06/yesterdays-gems-todays-insights-roundup_01289989518.html

The article provides a comprehensive roundup of recent events, controversies, and discussions across various domains, including education, politics, technology, and societal issues. Topics range from the implications of AI in education, Trump’s military actions in Iran, and the rise of authoritarianism in global and U.S. institutions to debates surrounding DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in education and the mental health impacts of addictive social media use. It also highlights efforts to resist privatization, advocate for public education, and address systemic inequalities.

### Key Points  

- President Trump authorized airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, framing them as a success for peace, but critics argue they escalate tensions and bypassed Congressional approval.   

- Iran downplayed the strikes, claiming minimal damage, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the action, highlighting his influence over Trump.   

- Critics warn the strikes could destabilize the region, endanger U.S. troops, and provoke retaliation, raising concerns about oil prices and global security.   

- Discussions on AI in education emphasize its potential misuse, ethical concerns, and inability to address students' social needs, with calls for justice-driven development.   

- Trump's "Big Ugly Bill" proposes unregulated AI in schools for a decade, sparking fears of amplified inequities and harm to educational quality.   

- DEI principles are defended as essential for addressing disparities in education, while critiques of anti-DEI movements highlight their divisive and exclusionary impact.   

- Authoritarian trends in global and U.S. education systems, including Florida’s politicization of universities, threaten academic freedom and autonomy.   

- Hypocrisy in free speech protection is exposed, with hate speech being tolerated while protest speech is criminalized, reflecting systemic power imbalances.   

- Addictive social media use, not total screen time, is linked to worse mental health outcomes in preteens, with recommendations to focus on addressing addictive patterns.   

- A preschool intervention for low-income students improved social-emotional skills and behavior, showing long-term benefits in high school performance.   

- Unity’s handling of retirees' healthcare faced criticism for pushing Medicare Advantage plans and opposing legislative solutions like Intro 1096.   

- Seattle Public Schools seeks input on graduation venues, addresses nepotism concerns, and continues its superintendent search.   

- Grassroots efforts and advocacy for public education remain vital in resisting authoritarianism and promoting justice.