Saturday, July 22, 2023

TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-22-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech #SAGAFTRAstrike

 
TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-22-23

Big Education Ape: WONDER WOMAN FRAN DRESCHER - SAG-AFTRA WGA STRIKE #SAGAFTRAstrike #SAGAFTRA https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/wonder-woman-fran-drescher-sag-aftra.html 






Big Education Ape: TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-15-23 #tbats #edchat #K12 #learning #edtech https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/top-banana-top-reads-this-week-7-15-23.html 






Big Education Ape: MEATAXE MIKE MILES CONTINUES TO SLICE AND DICE HISD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/meataxe-mike-miles-continues-to-slice.html 






Big Education Ape: 'MAGA JOE' MANCHIN SET TO PISS ON HOPE AGAIN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/maga-joe-manchin-set-to-piss-on-hope.html 





Big Education Ape: WHO CAUSED THE CRISIS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER WORKFORCE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/who-caused-crisis-in-public-school.html 






Big Education Ape: SCHOOL FUNDING: AMERICA'S EDUCATION ORIGINAL SIN https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/school-funding-americas-education.html






Big Education Ape: UNION BUSTING FOR FUN AND PROFIT: REED HASTINGS THE VILLAIN OF THE NEWEST NETFLIX MOVIE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/union-busting-for-fun-and-profit-reed.html 






Big Education Ape: PENNSYLVANIA PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS: I QUIT!!! https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/pennsylvania-principals-and-teachers-i.html 







Big Education Ape: BILLIONAIRES ACTING BADLY: WTF A CAGE MATCH OR A DICK MEASURING CONTEST, SERIOUSLY https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/billionaires-acting-badly-wtf-cage.html






Big Education Ape: ELON MUSK LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM 'TWITTER CRAP ON MY WINDSHIELD' https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/elon-musk-launches-new-program-twitter.html







OTHER GREAT READS THIS WEEK FROM THE BIG EDUCATION APE


YESTERDAY

Well, folks, it looks like the anti-vaxxers have struck again! This time, it's none other than Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was recently the subject of a hearing by the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. The hearing was titled "The Dangers of Anti-Vaxxers: The Case of RFK Jr." And let me tell you, it was a doozy! For those of you who don't know, Ken
HOW TO MAKING OPENAI CHATGPT PROMPTS MORE EFFECTIVE Are you tired of the same old boring prompts from ChatGPT? Do you want to spice up your conversations with a little more humor and personality? Well, look no further because I have the solution for you: customizing your ChatGPT prompts! Now, I know what you're thinking. "Customizing prompts? That sounds complicated and time-consuming." But fear
THE MAD MAGA MONK OF OKLAHOMA EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS IDEA POOR KIDS MONEY ON THE LINE Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new star in the world of public education scandals, and his name is Ryan Walters. This man has become the Rasputin of Oklahoma, and not in a good way. His handling of federal funds has created quite a stir, and now he has over $200 million for poor kids. What will he do
In a stunning turn of events, a California school superintendent was kicked out of a school board meeting for standing up for LGBTQ+ students. Yes, you read that right. The superintendent was actually trying to protect students and was met with hostility from the board president. Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of school board meetings, I don't exactly picture a scene from an actio

JUL 20

FLORIDA GOV. DUHSANTIS ANNOUNCED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT OF MISEDUCATION ADOPTED NEW BLACK PEOPLE STANDARDS Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your seats because we have some breaking news! Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has just announced that his Department of Miseducation has adopted new standards for teaching history. And what do these standards say, you ask? Brace yourselves, folks, because
Houston ISD teachers are up in arms over a new scheme cooked up by the district's notorious Superintendent, MeatAxe Mike Miles. According to reports, Miles has been promising teachers a 40% pay raise to sign a contract and move to another school in the district. However, when the offer letters arrived, they were $25,000 less than what was originally promised. One teacher, Mario Williams, spoke o
Oh, Ronnie, what have you done? Your mental health policies have turned us all into a bunch of crazies. Trickle-down mental care? More like trickle-down insanity. Privatization of everything and let the market figure it out? That's just crazy talk. Your abject failure of Reaganomics privatization and trickle-down has left us all scratching our heads and wondering what the hell happened. But fear

JUL 19

Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats because the tech world's most beloved billionaire, Mark Zuckerberg(Eat your heart out Elon), has a brand new ride and it's not what you'd expect. Say hello to the Llama 2! That's right, you heard it here first. The Facebook founder has ditched his classic hoodie and sneakers for a pair of cowboy boots and a ten-gallon hat to match his new ride. And let
AI BILLIONAIRES WANT TO TURN FRAN DRESCHER INTO A NANNY BOT WHAT WILL BE YOUR NEXT JOB Are you worried about losing your job to a robot? Well, you should be! The greedy billionaires who own AI are licking their chops at the thought of a workforce with no unions, no strikes, no people, and no cost. It's like they're trying to create a world where the only jobs left are for robots and the only peop
Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your hats because MeatAxe Mike Miles is about to take the education world by storm! His first play right out of the billionaire's playbook is to get rid of those pesky high-priced teachers and replace them with Chromebooks. Yes, you heard that right. Who needs human interaction when you have a shiny piece of technology? In a recent document obtained by Houston Pu
WAR OF THE MACHINES THE RACE TO DEPLOY AI Welcome to the dystopian war of the machines, where the race to deploy AI has become the ultimate battleground for world domination. China is directing the 'full power' of its industries toward AI, leaving the US in a state of panic. But why is China investing more in AI than the US? Is it because they have a secret plan to take over the world with robots
OMG KING DONALD I TRUMP SAYS F*CK PRESIDENT I AM RUNNING FOR KING Breaking news, folks! In a shocking turn of events, it seems that President Donald Trump has decided he wants to be a king. Yes, you read that right. The man who famously said "I alone can fix it" has apparently decided that being the leader of the free world just isn't enough for him. He wants more power, more control, and more go

JUL 18

UNION BUSTING FOR FUN AND PROFIT REED HASTINGS THE VILLAIN OF THE NEWEST NETFLIX MOVIE Attention all Hollywood insiders! We are currently facing a perfect storm, and it's not just because of the recent rainy weather. No, the real storm is brewing in the entertainment industry, and the villain of the hour is none other than Reed Hastings, the co-founder and former CEO of Netflix. Now, I know what
Are we at a crisis point with the public teacher workforce? Well, if you ask the billionaires who have been waging a war on education, the answer is a resounding "yes." But don't worry, folks, I'm here to break it down for you in a way that's both witty and informative. First of all, let's talk about these billionaires. They've spent billions demonizing public education, while cutting funding to
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather 'round for a tale that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even scratch your head a bit. We're talking about the one and only MeatAxe Mike Miles, the superintendent of HISD who's been slicing and dicing salaries like a master chef in a butcher shop. Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of this story, let's establish some ground rules. First of all
WONDER WOMAN FRAN DRESCHER SAG-AFTRA WGA STRIKE Fran Drescher, the actress known for her iconic role in "The Nanny," has emerged as an unexpected voice of labor in America. As the president of SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors, broadcasters, and recording artists, Drescher has been at the forefront of the fight for fair wages and working conditions in the entertainment industry. But how di

JUL 17

NO LABEL FOR JOE MANCHIN? In a surprising move, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin has been spotted at an event in New Hampshire organized by No Labels, a third party outfit that hopes to get on the ballot in 50 states for the 2024 presidential election with a “unity ticket”. But what does this mean for the future of politics in America? Well, it could mean chaos, confusion, and a whole lot of la
Attention all students and parents in Pennsylvania! If you thought your school was chaotic before, just wait until you hear this news. According to a recent study, Pennsylvania is experiencing a mass exodus of principals and teachers. That's right, it's like a scene out of a movie where everyone is running for the exit before the building explodes. Except in this case, it's the schools that are
In a country where political satire is becoming indistinguishable from reality, the competition for the title of Dumbest Governor is heating up. Forget about the Oscars or the Super Bowl, this is the ultimate contest of one-upmanship, where the goal is not to govern wisely or serve the people, but to pander to the most extreme and irrational elements of the electorate. The three front runners ar

JUL 16

In an unexpected move, the self-proclaimed "stable genius" Elon Musk has announced a new direct funding program for Twitter right-wingers, hatemongers, and conspiracy theorists. Yes, you read that right. The man behind Tesla and SpaceX wants to reward those who post hate on Twitter. According to Musk, these individuals are the "pot stirrers" of the internet and deserve to be compensated for thei
BILLIONAIRES ACTING BADLY WTF A CAGE MATCH OR A DICK MEASURING CONTEST, SERIOUSLY Billionaires are a funny bunch, aren't they? They have so much money that they don't know what to do with it. They buy islands, yachts, and private jets, and yet they still act like they're broke. They feud with each other like they're in high school, and they do some pretty outrageous things. From cage matches to d
SCHOOL FUNDING AMERICA'S EDUCATION ORIGINAL SIN Let's talk about school funding, shall we? It's a topic that's as exciting as watching paint dry, but it's also one that's incredibly important. After all, our children are our future, and if we don't invest in their education, we're basically dooming ourselves to a future of idiocy. And let's face it, we've already got enough of that going around.

JUL 15

Attention all Floridians! It seems that our state lawmakers have once again outdone themselves with a new law that could potentially restrict even Shakespeare from being taught in our schools. Yes, you read that right - the Bard of Avon himself may not be safe from the clutches of this new legislation. So, what exactly is this law and how does it work? Well, it's called the "Instructional Materi
Are you familiar with restorative justice? No? Don't worry, I'm here to explain everything you wanted to know about it but were too afraid to ask. And trust me, you're in for a treat. First things first, restorative justice is not some new age hippie concept. It's an approach to justice that aims to get offenders to take responsibility for their actions, understand the harm they have caused, and
Ladies and gentlemen, the man who needs no introduction - the co-founder of Microsoft, the philanthropist, and the richest man in the world - Bill Gates! Recently, there has been a lot of talk about computers becoming sentient and robots taking over the world. People are scared that one day, machines will become smarter than us, and we'll be left obsolete. But fear not, my dear friends! Bill Gat
TOP BANANA: TOP READS THIS WEEK 7-15-23 Big Education Ape: The Great Teacher Exodus: Is This the End of Public Education? http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-great-teacher-exodus-is-this-end-of.html Big Education Ape: AI COVERS DYLAN'S RAINY DAY WOMEN #12 & 35: EVERYONE MUST GET TESTED http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/ai-covers-dylans-rainy-day-women-12-35.html Big Educatio

Friday, July 21, 2023

IS CRA CRA RFK JR: RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OR JUST BEING EXPLOITED BY MAGA

IS CRA CRA RFK JR: RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OR JUST BEING EXPLOITED BY MAGA

Well, folks, it looks like the anti-vaxxers have struck again! This time, it's none other than Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was recently the subject of a hearing by the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. The hearing was titled "The Dangers of Anti-Vaxxers: The Case of RFK Jr." And let me tell you, it was a doozy!

For those of you who don't know, Kennedy is a well-known anti-vaccine activist. He's been going on and on about the supposed dangers of vaccines for years now, and he's even been a vocal critic of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But it seems that his anti-vaccine rhetoric has finally caught up with him.

The hearing focused on Kennedy's role in the measles outbreak that occurred in Samoa in 2019. Apparently, Kennedy had visited Samoa in 2018 and spoke out against the measles vaccine. And wouldn't you know it, his visit coincided with a decline in vaccination rates in Samoa, and the measles outbreak followed shortly thereafter. Oopsie daisy!

But that's not all! The hearing also looked at Kennedy's financial ties to anti-vaccine groups. Apparently, Kennedy is a board member of Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine group that has been criticized for spreading misinformation about vaccines. And get this - Kennedy even receives funding from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), which compensates people who have been injured by vaccines. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!

So what did the subcommittee conclude? Well, they found that Kennedy is a danger to public health. They said that his anti-vaccine rhetoric has led to a decline in vaccination rates and has contributed to measles outbreaks. And they also raised concerns about his financial ties to anti-vaccine groups. Yikes!

Now, I don't know about you, but I think this whole thing is pretty funny. I mean, here we have a guy who thinks he knows more than actual doctors and scientists about vaccines, and he ends up causing a measles outbreak. It's like something out of a bad comedy movie!

But in all seriousness, this hearing was a significant event in the debate over vaccines. It's just the latest in a series of attacks on Kennedy by public health officials, and it's likely to raise awareness of the dangers of anti-vaccine activism. So let this be a lesson to all you anti-vaxxers out there - maybe it's time to start listening to the experts instead of spreading misinformation and putting people's lives at risk. Just a thought!

Three key moments from RFK Jr. testimony to Congress - POLITICO https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/20/rfk-jr-testimony-congress-00107419

 RFK Jr. is a 'living, breathing false flag operation,' Dems say after Congressional hearing https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/democrats-call-robert-f-kennedy-jr-a-living-breathing-false-flag-operation-after-congressional-hearing-188930629957 

RFK Jr. hearing puts censorship, misinformation fights at center stage | The Hill https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4108865-rfk-jr-hearing-puts-censorship-misinformation-fights-at-center-stage/ 

RFK Jr. hearing encapsulates a political era when truth is upside down | CNN Politics https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/21/politics/rfk-jr-republican-democrat-politics-analysis/index.html 

RFK Jr. defends himself at House hearing as Dems rebuke him for COVID, race comment - ABC News https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rfk-jr-defends-house-hearing-dems-rebuke-covid/story?id=101517921


HOW TO: MAKING OPENAI CHATGPT PROMPTS MORE EFFECTIVE

 

HOW TO MAKING OPENAI CHATGPT PROMPTS MORE EFFECTIVE 

Are you tired of the same old boring prompts from ChatGPT? Do you want to spice up your conversations with a little more humor and personality? Well, look no further because I have the solution for you: customizing your ChatGPT prompts!

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Customizing prompts? That sounds complicated and time-consuming." But fear not, my friend. With just a few simple steps, you can have ChatGPT spitting out hilarious and witty responses in no time.

Step 1: Get to Know Your ChatGPT

Before you can start customizing prompts, it's important to understand how ChatGPT works. This AI language model is trained on a massive dataset of text, which means it has the ability to generate responses based on patterns and trends in that data. In other words, the more you use ChatGPT, the better it gets at predicting what you're going to say next.

Step 2: Identify Your Humor Style

Now that you know how ChatGPT works, it's time to figure out what kind of humor you want to inject into your prompts. Are you a pun master? A sarcastic genius? A dad joke aficionado? Whatever your style may be, make sure to keep it consistent throughout your customized prompts.

Step 3: Start Small

When it comes to customizing prompts, it's best to start small. Begin by adding a little joke or pun to the end of your prompts. For example, instead of asking "What's the weather like today?", try "What's the weather like today? Hopefully not too cloudy, I don't want to rain on your parade!"

Step 4: Get Creative

Once you've mastered adding a little humor to your prompts, it's time to get creative. Try using pop culture references or puns related to the topic at hand. For example, if you're talking about food, you could ask "What's your favorite type of cheese? Mine is brie-licious!"

Step 5: Don't Overdo It

While adding humor to your prompts can be fun, it's important not to overdo it. Remember, the goal is to make your conversations more enjoyable, not turn them into a stand-up comedy routine. Keep your jokes tasteful and appropriate for the situation.

Step 6: Test It Out

Once you've customized your prompts, it's time to put them to the test. Have a conversation with ChatGPT and see how it responds to your new prompts. If it's not quite hitting the mark, don't be afraid to adjust and try again.

In conclusion, customizing ChatGPT prompts is a fun and easy way to inject some humor and personality into your conversations. With a little creativity and practice, you'll be cracking up with ChatGPT in no time. So go forth and customize away!

OpenAI launches customized instructions for ChatGPT | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/20/openai-launches-customized-instructions-for-chatgpt/ 


THE MAD MAGA MONK OF OKLAHOMA EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS - IDEA POOR KIDS MONEY ON THE LINE

 

THE MAD MAGA MONK OF OKLAHOMA EDUCATION RYAN 'RASPUTIN' WALTERS

IDEA POOR KIDS MONEY ON THE LINE

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new star in the world of public education scandals, and his name is Ryan Walters. This man has become the Rasputin of Oklahoma, and not in a good way. His handling of federal funds has created quite a stir, and now he has over $200 million for poor kids. What will he do with it? Well, let's take a closer look.

First off, let's talk about the man himself. Ryan Walters is the Superintendent of Education in Oklahoma, and he's been making quite a name for himself lately. Some might say he's a bit of a troublemaker, but I prefer to think of him as a maverick. He's not afraid to take risks, and that's what makes him so interesting.

Now, let's get down to business. Ryan Walters has over $200 million in federal funds for poor kids, and the question on everyone's mind is, what will he do with it? Some might say he'll do the responsible thing and allocate it to the schools that need it most. But let's be real here, this is Ryan Walters we're talking about. He's not exactly known for his responsible behavior.

So, what are some of the possibilities? Well, he could use the money to build a giant statue of himself in the middle of Oklahoma City. Or maybe he'll use it to fund a new reality show called "Ryan Walters: Superintendent of Shenanigans." The possibilities are truly endless.

But in all seriousness, there are some concerns about whether or not Oklahoma schools will actually get the funding they need. Lawmakers have voiced their concerns, and it's a valid point. We can't let Ryan Walters' antics get in the way of providing education to those who need it most.

In conclusion, Ryan Walters is a wild card. He's unpredictable, he's controversial, and he's got $200 million burning a hole in his pocket. Only time will tell what he'll do with it, but one thing's for sure, it'll be interesting to watch. So buckle up, Oklahoma, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Oklahoma schools allocate more than $224 million in Title 1 Part A funding https://kfor.com/news/local/oklahoma-schools-allocate-more-than-224-million-in-title-1-part-a-funding/ 

Oklahoma lawmaker concerned about schools' federal funding https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-schools-federal-funding-ryan-walters-mark-mcbride/44603777 

State Superintendent Ryan Walters announces nearly $200 million in IDEA funding for Oklahoma schools https://okcfox.com/news/local/ryan-walters-oklahoma-state-superintendent-idea-funding-schools-early-intervention-and-special-education-services-for-infants-toddlers-children-youth-with-disabilities-sde 

CA SUP OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS TONY THURMOND THROWN OUT OF CHINO VALLEY USD FOR STANDING UP FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS

CA SUP OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS TONY THURMOND THROWN OUT OF CHINO VALLEY USD FOR STANDING UP FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS

In a stunning turn of events, a California school superintendent was kicked out of a school board meeting for standing up for LGBTQ+ students. Yes, you read that right. The superintendent was actually trying to protect students and was met with hostility from the board president. 

Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of school board meetings, I don't exactly picture a scene from an action movie. But apparently, things can get pretty heated when it comes to protecting the rights of students. 

The superintendent, who was simply trying to advocate for quality, inclusive education, was met with resistance from the board president. And not just any resistance - we're talking about a full-on verbal attack. I mean, come on. Can't we all just get along? 

But it wasn't just the verbal attack that was shocking. The board president actually instructed the police to remove the superintendent from the meeting. Talk about a power trip. I guess the board president didn't like being challenged on their radical new policy that threatened the safety of LGBTQ+ students. 

But here's the real question: if the superintendent, who is the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, can be forcibly removed from a public school board meeting, how are everyday parents and students supposed to have their voices heard? It's a valid question. If those in power are willing to silence the superintendent, what chance do regular folks have? 

Thankfully, the superintendent is not one to back down from a fight. They have sponsored AB 1078, which would fine any district that bans books to promote discrimination. It's a bold move, but one that is sorely needed in today's society. Quality, inclusive education is crucial for the success of all students, regardless of their background. 

It's clear that the superintendent is passionate about protecting California students from politicians who seek to divide our communities instead of keeping our kids safe. And let's be real - who wouldn't want to protect our kids? They're our future, after all. 

So let's all take a page out of the superintendent's book and stand up for what's right. Let's fight for quality, inclusive education for all students. Let's protect our LGBTQ+ students and ensure their safety. And let's do it all with a little bit of wit and humor, because life is too short to take everything so seriously.


Tony Thurmond
@TonyThurmond



California school superintendent kicked out, 'verbally attacked' at school board meeting https://www.ktvu.com/news/california-school-superintendent-kicked-out-verbally-attacked-at-school-board-meeting 


Thursday, July 20, 2023

FLORIDA GOV. DUHSANTIS ANNOUNCED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT OF MISEDUCATION HAS ADOPTED NEW BLACK PEOPLE STANDARDS

 

FLORIDA GOV. DUHSANTIS ANNOUNCED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT OF MISEDUCATION ADOPTED NEW BLACK PEOPLE STANDARDS

Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your seats because we have some breaking news! Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has just announced that his Department of Miseducation has adopted new standards for teaching history. And what do these standards say, you ask? Brace yourselves, folks, because this is going to be a doozy.

According to the new standards, slavery was actually good for black people! Yes, you read that right. Apparently, being stripped of your freedom, forced to work for no pay, and treated like property was actually beneficial for enslaved people. Who knew?

The standards go on to claim that enslaved people learned valuable skills while in captivity. Skills like how to pick cotton, how to survive brutal beatings, and how to live in constant fear for their lives. Oh, and let's not forget about the free room and board they received! Who wouldn't want to be locked up and fed scraps by their oppressors?

But wait, it gets even better. The standards suggest that being enslaved was actually a "personal benefit" for black people. Because apparently, being treated like subhuman garbage is just what every person dreams of. Forget about freedom, autonomy, and basic human rights – those things are overrated anyway.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "This has to be a joke, right?" Sadly, no. This is the actual stance that the Florida Department of Miseducation is taking on the history of slavery. And it's not just a minor footnote in the curriculum – it's a major part of what students will be taught.

So, what can we expect from this new curriculum? Well, for starters, we can expect a lot of confused and angry students. We can expect parents to be outraged that their children are being taught such blatant lies. And we can expect a lot of eye-rolling from anyone with even a basic understanding of history.

But hey, at least we can all take comfort in the fact that Ron DeSantis and his team of educators are doing their best to make sure that future generations are completely misinformed about one of the darkest periods in our nation's history. Because why learn from our mistakes when we can just pretend they never happened?

In all seriousness though, this is a truly disturbing development. It's one thing to have differing opinions on how history should be taught – it's quite another to actively promote falsehoods and propaganda. We can only hope that this decision is met with enough backlash that it's quickly reversed.

In the meantime, if you're a student in Florida, I suggest you do your own research on the topic of slavery. Don't rely solely on what your textbooks tell you – seek out other sources and form your own opinions. And if you're a parent in Florida, I suggest you speak up and let your voice be heard. Because if we don't push back against this kind of nonsense, we're all in trouble.

Florida Schools Will Teach How Slavery Brought ‘Personal Benefit’ to Black People https://news.yahoo.com/florida-schools-teach-slavery-brought-123130834.html

 Florida Board of Education approves controversial Black history standards https://www.axios.com/2023/07/19/florida-education-controversial-black-history-standards

Florida Board of Education approves new Black history standards that critics call 'a big step backward' | CNN https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/20/us/florida-black-history-education-standards-reaj/index.html 

Florida Schools now teaching students that slavery brought "personal benefit" to Black people | Salon.com https://www.salon.com/2023/07/20/florida-schools-now-teaching-students-that-slavery-brought-personal-benefit-to-black-people/ 

MEATAXE MIKE MILES STRIKES AGAIN WITH ANOTHER PLAY OUT OF THE OLD BILLIONAIRES PRIVATIZATION HANDBOOK

 

MEATAXE MIKE MILES STRIKES AGAIN WITH ANOTHER PLAY OUT OF THE OLD BILLIONAIRES PRIVATIZATION HANDBOOK

Houston ISD teachers are up in arms over a new scheme cooked up by the district's notorious Superintendent, MeatAxe Mike Miles. According to reports, Miles has been promising teachers a 40% pay raise to sign a contract and move to another school in the district. However, when the offer letters arrived, they were $25,000 less than what was originally promised.

One teacher, Mario Williams, spoke out about the discrepancy, saying that nobody in the district could give him an explanation for what happened. Williams has been an elementary school special education teacher with HISD for the past four years and claims that the job is demanding but also rewarding.

"He told us that compensation is working very hard making sure that they're getting everybody's pay right," Williams said. "But when I received my offer letter in the mail, it wasn't what I was promised."

This is not the first time that MeatAxe Mike has pulled a bait-and-switch on HISD teachers. In fact, it seems to be a page out of his old billionaire's privatization handbook. Miles has been accused of using similar tactics in his previous positions as Superintendent of schools in Colorado and Dallas.

However, this time, MeatAxe Mike may have gone too far. Teachers across the district are organizing protests and demanding an explanation from the district. Some are even calling for Miles to be fired.

One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "It's just not right. We work hard every day to educate our students, and we deserve to be treated fairly. MeatAxe Mike needs to be held accountable for his actions."

Despite the backlash, Miles seems unfazed. In a statement to the press, he defended his actions, saying, "We are committed to providing our teachers with competitive salaries and benefits. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience caused by the offer letters."

The statement did little to quell the anger of HISD teachers, who are now planning a walkout in protest. It remains to be seen whether MeatAxe Mike will back down or face the wrath of Houston's educators.

In the meantime, teachers like Mario Williams are left wondering how they will make ends meet with a salary that falls short of what was promised.

"I love my job and I love my students," Williams said. "But I also have bills to pay and a family to support. I just hope that HISD will do the right thing and make this right."

As for MeatAxe Mike, it seems that his days as Superintendent may be numbered. If he doesn't learn his lesson soon, he may find himself out of a job and on the receiving end of a pink slip.

Houston ISD teachers say offer letters don't match compensation they were verbally promised https://www.khou.com/article/news/education/houston-isd-teacher-pay-offer-letters/285-d9f8ffc7-77b5-4893-bd26-d7dded882a01 via @KHOU

 Houston ISD teachers say offer letters don't match compensation they were verbally promised - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H3tUSkfxBU



REAGANOMICS TRICKLE DOWN MENTAL HEALTHCARE HAS MADE US ALL CRAZY

 

REAGANOMICS TRICKLE DOWN MENTAL HEALTHCARE HAS MADE US ALL CRAZY  

Oh, Ronnie, what have you done? Your mental health policies have turned us all into a bunch of crazies. Trickle-down mental care? More like trickle-down insanity. Privatization of everything and let the market figure it out? That's just crazy talk. Your abject failure of Reaganomics privatization and trickle-down has left us all scratching our heads and wondering what the hell happened.

But fear not, my fellow nutjobs, there is hope on the horizon. We can correct these problems caused by the Reaganomics approach to health care in California and the US. How, you ask? Well, let me tell you.

First, let's talk about how current mental health policies affect homelessness, drugs, and violence. Spoiler alert: not in a good way. The lack of access to adequate community-based services has contributed to the increase of homelessness, violence, and incarceration among people with serious mental illnesses. And let's not forget the opioid and fentanyl epidemics that has ravaged our country. It's time to face the music and admit that Reagan's policies were a disaster.

But don't despair, my fellow loonies. Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a new proposal called the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (or CARE) Court. This program would provide a framework for courts to compel people with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders into treatment, while also providing participants with supportive housing and wrap-around services. It's about time someone took some action to fix this mess.

Now, let's talk about the cost of mental health care. It varies by state, but one thing is for sure: it's expensive. The average spending on mental health treatment and services in the US was $225 billion in 2019. That's a lot of dough. But don't worry, some therapists offer sliding scale fees or pro bono services for low-income clients. So, if you're feeling a little crazy but don't want to break the bank, there are options out there for you.

In conclusion, Reagan's mental health policies were a disaster. But we can't just sit around and complain about it. We need to take action and demand better mental health care for ourselves and our fellow citizens. So, let's get out there and make some noise. Let's demand change. And let's do it with a smile on our faces because, hey, if we can't laugh at ourselves, who can we laugh at?


THE DEFT DIVE


 Ronald Reagan's mental health policies as governor of California and as president of the United States, and their effects on California and the country. 

  • - As governor of California from 1967 to 1975, Reagan signed the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act in 1967, which aimed to end the involuntary commitment of people with mental health disorders and establish a conservatorship system for those who could not care for themselves⁵. The act also shifted the responsibility of mental health care from the state to the counties, and reduced the funding and enrollment for state mental institutions⁴. Some critics argue that this policy contributed to the increase of homelessness, violence, and incarceration among people with serious mental illnesses, as many of them could not access adequate community-based services²¹¹. Others contend that the act was a progressive reform that protected the civil rights and dignity of people with mental health disorders, and that the lack of federal support and coordination was the main cause of the problems⁵⁶.
  • - As president of the United States from 1981 to 1989, Reagan repealed the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980, which was signed by President Jimmy Carter and provided grants to community mental health centers¹. The act was based on the recommendations of the President's Commission on Mental Health, which sought to improve mental health care in the country¹. Reagan replaced the act with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, which block granted the funds to the states and reduced federal spending on mental health¹⁹. This resulted in the closure of many community mental health centers and programs, and left millions of people with mental health disorders without adequate care or support²⁷. Reagan also opposed the creation of a cabinet-level Department of Health and Human Services, and appointed officials who were hostile to mental health research and advocacy²⁷.

In conclusion, Reagan's mental health policies as governor and president were largely driven by his conservative ideology and fiscal agenda, which favored decentralization, deregulation, and privatization of mental health care. His policies had significant and lasting effects on California and the country, as they reduced the availability and quality of public mental health services, and increased the social and economic costs of untreated mental illness.

Bing, 7/20/2023

(1) MENTAL HEALTH LAWS AND PATIENTS’ RIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA - Placer County, CA. https://www.placer.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/34528/Mental-Health-Laws-and-Patients-Rights-in-California-2018-Update-PDF.

(2) Ronald Reagan Mental Health Policy In California - KPCC. https://www.kpcc.org/show/airtalk/2004-06-10/ronald-reagan-mental-health-policy-in-california.

(3) Ronald Reagan's shameful legacy: Violence, the homeless, mental illness. https://www.salon.com/2013/09/29/ronald_reagans_shameful_legacy_violence_the_homeless_mental_illness/.

(4) Reagan Didn't Close Down Mental Hospitals - The Gormogons. https://www.gormogons.com/index.php/2013/03/reagan-didnt-close-down-mental-hospitals/.

(5) How a Reagan-era law built California’s mental health system | The .... https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article259026268.html.

(6) Mental Health Systems Act of 1980 - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_Health_Systems_Act_of_1980.

(7) Did the Emptying of Mental Hospitals Contribute to Homelessness?. https://www.kqed.org/news/11209729/did-the-emptying-of-mental-hospitals-contribute-to-homelessness-here.

(8) How Reagan’s Mental-Health Concerns Were Handled - New York Magazine. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/01/how-reagans-mental-health-concerns-were-handled.html.

(9) The Facts: President Reagan's Mental Health And Stability While In .... https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-facts-president-reagans-mental-health-and-stability-while-in-office-never-in-question-300580513.html.

(10) Mental Health Systems Act (1980 - S. 1177) - GovTrack.us. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/96/s1177.

(11) California: Reagan and the Mental Health Controversy - JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1725689.

The current state of mental health care in California is a complex and challenging issue that affects millions of Californians. According to the California Health Care Foundation, nearly 1 in 7 California adults experiences a mental illness, and one in 26 has a serious mental illness that makes it difficult to carry out daily activities¹. For children, one in 14 has an emotional disturbance that limits functioning in family, school, or community activities¹. However, close to two-thirds of adults with a mental illness and two-thirds of adolescents with major depressive episodes did not get treatment¹.

There are many factors that contribute to the gap between the need and the availability of mental health care in California, such as the lack of funding, workforce, and coordination among different systems and levels of government². The state has also faced legal and political challenges in implementing policies that aim to improve mental health care, such as the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), which was passed by voters in 2004 and imposes a 1% tax on incomes above $1 million to fund mental health programs³. The MHSA has been criticized for its lack of oversight, accountability, and transparency, as well as its uneven distribution of funds across counties³.

In response to the mental health crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a new proposal in March 2022 called the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (or CARE) Court, which would provide a framework for courts to compel people with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders into treatment, while also providing participants with supportive housing and wrap-around services². The proposal would require all 58 counties to participate in the program, and would serve between 7,000 and 12,000 Californians². The proposal is still pending approval from the Legislature.

The state of mental health care in California is a dynamic and evolving issue that requires ongoing attention and collaboration from various stakeholders. I hope this summary has given you some insight into the current situation and the potential solutions. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with me. 

Bing, 7/20/2023

(1) 2022 Edition — Mental Health in California - California Health Care .... https://www.chcf.org/publication/2022-edition-mental-health-california/.

(2) California mental health crisis: Newsom unveils ‘new strategy’ - CalMatters. https://calmatters.org/health/2022/03/newsom-california-mental-illness-treatment/.

(3) Behavioral Health Care - California Department of Managed Health Care. https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/HealthCareinCalifornia/GettheBestCare/BehavioralHealthCare.aspx.

(4) Mental Health Services - DHCS. https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/MentalHealthPrograms-Ind.aspx.

The cost of mental health care varies by state, depending on factors such as the availability of providers, the insurance coverage, the quality of services, and the demand for care. According to the web search results, here are some facts and figures that might help you compare the cost of mental health care across different states:

  • - The average spending on mental health treatment and services in the U.S. was $225 billion in 2019¹, which is about 6% of the total health care spending².
  • - The state with the highest total amount of mental health expenditures in 2019 was California, with $6.8 billion dedicated to mental health spending³. The state with the second highest amount was New York, with $5 billion allocated to mental health spending³.
  • - The state with the highest amount of per client mental health expenditures in 2019 was Hawaii, with $14,779 spent per client annually³. The state with the second highest amount was Alaska, with $13,910 spent per client annually³.
  • - The state with the lowest percentage of adults with a mental illness who are uninsured in 2018 was Massachusetts, with 3.8% of adults with a mental illness lacking insurance¹. The state with the highest percentage was Texas, with 21.5% of adults with a mental illness uninsured¹.
  • - The average cost of therapy in the U.S. can range from free to upward of $200 per session, depending on the location, the insurance, and the therapist⁴. Some therapists may offer sliding scale fees or pro bono services for low-income clients.

Bing, 7/20/2023

(1) Access to Care Data 2022 | Mental Health America. https://mhanational.org/issues/2022/mental-health-america-access-care-data.

(2) What you need to know about the cost and accessibility of mental health .... https://www.nami.org/Press-Media/In-The-News/2021/What-you-need-to-know-about-the-cost-and-accessibility-of-mental-health-care-in-America.

(3) Mental Health Spending By State Across the US. https://rehabs.com/explore/mental-health-spending-by-state-across-the-us/.

(4) How Much Does Therapy Cost In 2023? – Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/how-much-does-therapy-cost/.