Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-4-25
Catherine Rampell: Why Does Trump's Regime Have Your Data and How Will They Use It? https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/03/catherine-rampell-why-does-trumps-regime-have-your-data-and-how-will-they-use-it/ via @dianeravitch
Catherine Rampell’s article on Diane Ravitch’s blog critiques the Trump administration’s misuse of private data for political agendas, raising concerns about privacy violations and historical parallels to authoritarian practices. The administration has been collecting personal data, including Jewish registries and autism-related health records, often without consent, while erasing other critical datasets. These actions undermine trust in government data collection and risk harming public cooperation with essential research. Rampell emphasizes the need to uphold the rule of law to protect privacy and ensure data integrity.
### Key Points
- Catherine Rampell criticizes the Trump administration's invasive data collection practices, including creating registries of Jewish academics and individuals with autism, raising privacy and ethical concerns.
- The administration has erased critical datasets on marginalized groups, such as transgender Americans, while exploiting private records for political goals, like aiding deportations.
- These practices echo historical authoritarian abuses and undermine trust in government data collection, potentially harming public cooperation in essential surveys and research.
- Rampell argues for protecting data integrity and the rule of law to ensure data is used responsibly for social programs and public accountability.
Jonathan V. Last: MAHA Is a Fraud https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/03/jonathan-v-last-maha-is-a-fraud/ via @dianeravitch
Jonathan V. Last critiques the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, arguing its approach is regressive and dangerous. He emphasizes that America is currently healthier than in past decades due to medical advancements, vaccines, and improved public health policies. The article highlights the consequences of rejecting science-based practices, such as increased mortality rates and health disparities, and compares MAHA’s ideology to dismantling fire safety measures in buildings. The piece also notes the rise in conditions like autism and cancer diagnoses as a result of better detection and longer life expectancy, while pointing out real health challenges like rising diabetes rates and racial disparities in maternal health.
### Key Points
- Jonathan V. Last criticizes the MAHA movement for promoting regressive health policies that reject scientific advancements and vaccines, endangering public health.
- Historical data shows America is healthier today than in the past, with lower infant mortality, fewer deaths from infectious diseases, and longer life expectancy.
- Advances in cancer detection and treatment have increased survival rates, while better understanding of conditions like autism has led to more diagnoses.
- Real health challenges, such as rising Type 2 diabetes and racial health disparities, are overlooked by MAHA proponents.
- The article likens MAHA’s approach to dismantling fire safety measures, calling it not just fraudulent but actively harmful.
John Thompson: Oklahoma Has Its Own DOGE, Just as Destructive as Elon's https://dianeravitch.net/2025/05/03/john-thompson-oklahoma-has-its-own-doge-just-as-destructive-as-elons/ via @dianeravitch
Home About Follow Diane’s Posts NPE Blog Posts Of The Day Blog Topics DeSantis Diane Ravitch's blog A site to discuss education and democracy « Catherine Rampell: Why Does Trump’s Regime Have Your Data and How Will They Use It? Jonathan V. Last: MAHA Is a Fraud » John Thompson: Oklahoma Has Its Own DOGE, Just as Destructive as Elon’s By dianeravitch May 3, 2025 // 3 After Trump introduced Elon Musk and his so-called “Department of Government Efficiency,” several Republican-controlled states created their own DOGE operations. Like the one Musk launched, these were non-governmental, unelected, unaccountable cost-cutters, set loose to apply a chainsaw to state government. John Thompson reports on what happened in Oklahoma. CBS’s Sixty Minutes recently reported on the danger of H5N1 bird flu spinning out of control. It cited Dr. Kamran Khan who explained why “We are really
glen brown: Trump's Authoritarianism https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/trumps-authoritarianism.html
The article discusses various political, social, and legal issues, focusing on Trump’s administration and its authoritarian tendencies, challenges to judicial independence, and conflicts over policies. It highlights opposition to Trump’s actions, including lawsuits and public demonstrations, while also touching on broader societal issues like pensions, social justice, and education reform.
- Trump’s authoritarian aspirations are evident in plans for a military parade and actions like empowering loyalists and challenging allies like Germany over right-wing extremism.
- Legal battles include the Trump administration’s executive order targeting Perkins Coie law firm, which was struck down for violating constitutional rights.
- Judicial independence is under attack, with judges facing intimidation and threats. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and others have spoken out against these actions.
- Public resistance to Trump’s policies includes mass protests defending the rule of law and constitutional principles.
- Maine successfully sued the Trump administration to restore education funding frozen over transgender sports policies, highlighting state resistance to federal overreach.
- Broader themes include systemic issues like pension reform, social justice, environmental concerns, and political polarization.
glen brown: Totalitarianism https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/05/totalitarianism.html
- The article reflects on the writer's role in society, quoting Ambrose Bierce and Albert Camus, emphasizing the importance of resisting oppression, maintaining independence, and rejecting societal illusions.
- It discusses the rise of totalitarianism, the manipulation of truth, and the psychological dynamics of mass propaganda, as explored in Hannah Arendt's "The Origins of Totalitarianism."
- The blog critiques modern political and social issues, including authoritarianism, propaganda, public pensions, social justice, and environmental concerns, while highlighting the need for organized defiance against oppressive systems.
- The author frequently addresses specific topics such as Illinois pension reform, Trump's policies, COVID-19, education reform, and global conflicts like the Ukrainian crisis.
- The blog also includes personal reflections, literary references, and commentary on cultural and historical themes.
Big Education Ape: BILL GATES: DO YOU STILL HAVE TO MOW YOUR ASTROTURF https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/bill-gates-do-you-still-have-to-mow.html
The article discusses the rise and fall of billionaire-funded initiatives aimed at reforming the American public education system through privatization and corporate-driven policies. It critiques the use of "astroturfing," where corporate interests disguise themselves as grassroots movements, and highlights the eventual backlash against these efforts. The piece emphasizes the importance of genuine grassroots activism and warns against privatization under the guise of philanthropy.
### Key Points
- Billionaire-backed initiatives like those by Bill Gates, Walton Family, Koch brothers, and Betsy DeVos aimed to privatize public education through methods such as charter schools, vouchers, and high-stakes testing.
- These efforts often relied on "astroturfing," creating faux-grassroots organizations to push their privatization agenda while undermining public schools and teachers' unions.
- Critics exposed the failures of these reforms, including poor outcomes from charter schools and harmful policies like teacher evaluations based on test scores.
- Grassroots organizations fought back, leading to a decline in the influence of corporate-driven education reforms.
- The article calls for vigilance against privatization, investment in true grassroots activism, and recognition of public education as essential to democracy.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BILLIONAIRE-FUNDED ASTROTURF EDUCATION REFORM: A PONGO REPORT https://open.substack.com/pub/ru4people/p/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-billionaire?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
The article discusses the rise and fall of billionaire-funded initiatives aimed at reforming the American public education system through privatization and corporate-driven policies. It critiques the use of "astroturfing," where corporate interests disguise themselves as grassroots movements, and highlights the eventual backlash against these efforts. The piece emphasizes the importance of genuine grassroots activism and warns against privatization under the guise of philanthropy.
### Key Points
- Billionaire-backed initiatives like those by Bill Gates, Walton Family, Koch brothers, and Betsy DeVos aimed to privatize public education through methods such as charter schools, vouchers, and high-stakes testing.
- These efforts often relied on "astroturfing," creating faux-grassroots organizations to push their privatization agenda while undermining public schools and teachers' unions.
- Critics exposed the failures of these reforms, including poor outcomes from charter schools and harmful policies like teacher evaluations based on test scores.
- Grassroots organizations fought back, leading to a decline in the influence of corporate-driven education reforms.
- The article calls for vigilance against privatization, investment in true grassroots activism, and recognition of public education as essential to democracy.
Gov. Bill Lee Leads TN to the Bottom in School Funding, by @TheAndySpears https://open.substack.com/pub/theeducationreport/p/gov-bill-lee-leads-tn-to-the-bottom?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Gov. Bill Lee Leads TN to the Bottom in School Funding Volunteer State fails to keep up with neighbors, falls behind nation in support for schools Andy Spears May 03, 2025 3 2 4 Share Tennessee has long ranked near the bottom in the country and among the lowest in the Southeast when it comes to investment in public schools. Gov. Bill Lee, however, has taken Tennessee’s standing to new lows. While Tennessee historically ranks in the bottom 10 nationally - usually in the 44-45 range - we’d usually end up with funding above some of our Southern neighbors. Thanks to Bill Lee, not anymore. Tennessee ranks dead last among neighboring states when it comes to investment in schools after six years of Lee’s “leadership.” As the numbers in the chart above indicate, Tennessee ranks 47th in the country and last among neighboring states in per-pupil investment. The next closest state, Mississippi, spends nearly $1000 more per student than Tennessee
### Key Points
- Tennessee ranks among the lowest in the nation and Southeast for public school funding, and under Governor Bill Lee’s leadership, it has dropped further, ranking 47th nationally and last among neighboring states.
- Governor Lee’s TISA (Tennessee Invests in Student Achievement) funding formula, introduced in 2022, has failed to improve school funding, contrary to his promises of a “new frontier.”
- Tennessee’s per-pupil investment is significantly lower than neighboring states, with Mississippi spending nearly $1,000 more per student.
- The state is prioritizing a $1 billion school voucher scheme over increasing public school funding, prompting criticism from Democratic leaders and education advocates.
- Teachers in Tennessee are still earning less than they did a decade ago when adjusted for inflation, exacerbating the funding crisis.
- Critics argue that redirecting funds from vouchers to public schools could prevent Tennessee from falling to the very bottom of national rankings.
Resisting the new MAGA school curriculum, by @mikeklonsky https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelklonsky/p/resisting-the-new-maga-school-curriculum?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Resisting the new MAGA school curriculum: A critique of its authoritarian tendencies and its implications for democratic education. The article examines the proposed MAGA curriculum, comparing it to historical authoritarian regimes and advocating for democratic, critical, and inclusive education.
### Key Points
- The MAGA school curriculum emphasizes patriotism, loyalty, and ideological conformity while discouraging democratic ideals like social justice, diversity, and critical thinking.
- Historical parallels are drawn to authoritarian regimes like Nazi Germany, Francoist Spain, and Mussolini's Italy, where education was used to enforce state loyalty and suppress dissent.
- The curriculum's approach echoes fascist educational practices, including persecuting teachers who resist conformity and rewriting educational content to align with political agendas.
- John Dewey’s democratic education philosophy is highlighted as a counterpoint, advocating for critical inquiry, democratic habits, and resistance to authoritarianism.
- Other anti-fascist educators, such as Paulo Freire, W.E.B. DuBois, and Noam Chomsky, are cited for their contributions to promoting education that empowers marginalized communities and resists propaganda.
Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights
A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts!
5-3-25
https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/05/yesterdays-gems-todays-insights-roundup_3.html
The article compiles a range of political, educational, and societal issues in the U.S., covering topics such as Trump’s controversial policies, challenges in public education, church-state separation debates, grassroots democratic movements, and ethical concerns in governance and journalism. It highlights the impact of these developments on democracy, education, and societal values.
### Key Points
- Tennessee faces criticism for inadequate school funding under Gov. Bill Lee’s administration.
- Trump’s second term is marked by alleged corruption, including cryptocurrency ventures and foreign investments benefiting his family.
- Republicans focus on investigating Biden while ignoring significant allegations against Trump, showing partisan accountability.
- CNN’s Daniel Dale documented 100 lies by Trump in his first 100 days, including claims about education and COVID-19 policies.
- Trump signed an executive order to halt federal funding for NPR and PBS, raising concerns about constitutional overreach.
- Teacher Tom critiques adults’ questions that hinder children's independent learning and offers a course to promote critical thinking.
- Larry Cuban emphasizes meeting and exceeding student expectations to achieve effective teaching.
- Academics are urged to resist political neutrality and defend academic freedom and democracy.
- NCLB policies are criticized for poor reading outcomes, pushing early reading, and neglecting holistic education.
- Pam Bondi’s actions under Trump’s administration threaten press freedom by targeting journalists and whistleblowers.
- U.S. states’ tax policies and federal aid cuts jeopardize public education funding, with proposed solutions like education endowments.
- Teachers’ willingness to address sexism depends on knowledge, comfort, and leadership support, with resources needed for gender equality education.
- A study shows handwriting improves children’s reading and writing skills better than keyboard-based methods.
- The Supreme Court case on religious charter schools raises concerns about the separation of church and state.
- Allegations of financial misuse and abuse surround the Tarbiyah School, prompting investigations.
- Religious liberty arguments are critiqued for enabling discriminatory practices under the guise of conscience protections.
- Trump’s second term disrupts K-12 education with controversial policies and funding cuts.
- Nashville’s education system sees budget increases but faces controversies in leadership and governance.
- California teachers coordinate statewide bargaining to address low wages, high costs, and inadequate staffing.
- Grassroots May Day protests emphasize resistance to authoritarianism and promotion of democracy.
- Investigative journalism exposes corruption and advocates for press freedom, democracy, and public education.