Infuriating Attack Of Mike Pompeo On Randi Weingarten And Teaching Profession!
There are many outrageous, irritating utterances that emanate from Republicans and conservatives about all kinds of issues and individuals.
But the attack of former Secretary of State and former CIA Director, and future Republican Presidential contender Mike Pompeo against Randi Weingarten and the American Federation of Teachers is the most infuriating statement imaginable.
Pompeo, insanely, termed Weingarten the most dangerous person in the world, more than Kim Jong Un of North Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping, or Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Pompeo must be considered totally crazy with such an utterance, and should be disqualified from running for or winning the Oval Office.
This is not just a personal attack on a woman who has dedicated her life to education, as head of the United Federation of Teachers from 1998-2008, and as head of the American Federation of Teachers from 2008 to the present. Weingarten has devoted herself to promoting the rights and conditions of the teaching profession.
This is a field in which we are losing more teachers than replacing them, due to the effects of the COVID 19 Pandemic. But also there is the outrageous interference of right wing groups and ignorant parents who think they know more about what the curriculum should be in science, history, literature than educators who are trained to promote knowledge, truth, facts instead of myths, and to promote empathy, compassion and tolerance of others who are different than any of us.
Pompeo, like many right wing extremists, does not want students to learn about the truth of American history, the mistreatment of native Americans, African Americans, and other marginalized groups, but he is promoting narrow mindedness and intolerance, a threat to future harmony in this multi racial, multi ethnic society.
He is also, for sure, attacking Weingarten because of her liberal Jewish heritage and promoting Christian nationalism, which sees Jews as a group that should be proselytized to convert to Christianity. His pro Israel advocacy is phony, and he is supportive of the extremism in Israeli society, which has now led to Benjamin Netanyahu coming back as Prime Minister, while under criminal indictment. One can be pro Israel and support its right to exist, but does not require that all Jews or other decent people must accept the injustices represented by Netanyahu and his Orthodox extremists who look at Arabs as subhuman.
There is also an element of misogyny and homophobia that is part of Pompeo's mantra, as Weingarten is a lesbian, and married to a Reform woman rabbi.
So all of the ugly elements–anti intellectual, Christian nationalism, misogyny, homophobia—of Mike Pompeo are to be condemned as horrendous.
And by attacking Weingarten, Pompeo also endangers her life and safety, and likely will cause threats that will require security, totally beyond the pale.
News and Politics African Americans, American Federation Of Teachers, American History, Anti Intellectualism, Anti Semitism, Arabs, Benjamin Netanyahu, Central Intelligence Agency, Christian Nationalism, Compassion And Empathy, Conservative Extremism, COVID 19 Pandemic, Homophobia, Intolerance, Israel, Kim Jong Un, Mike Pompeo, Misogyny, Narrow Mindedness, Native Americans, Orthodox Jewish Extremists, Presidential Election Of 2024, Republican Party, Science, Secretary Of State, Teaching Profession, Truth And Facts, United Federation Of Teachers, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping
The Nightmare Of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: Establishing An Authoritarian Governorship!
Florida has had a Republican Party dominance since 1998, when Jeb Bush was elected Governor, but looking back over the past 24 years, his time in office (1999-2007) was a clear dream as compared to the two most recent Republican governors (Rick Scott 2011-2019) and Ron DeSantis 2019- Present).
Scott was a man with a crooked background of Medicare fraud, who "bought' the Governorship with his massive wealth, and is now Senator Scott, who refused to accept Joe Biden's victory in the Presidential Election of 2020, and he can be seen as a traitor and seditionist!
But by comparison, the present Governor, DeSantis, is far worse for state government, as he has promoted:
Refusal to back federal guidelines on COVID 19 vaccinations and masking, causing higher cases and death rates than any other state per capita.
Interfering with setting up an additional Congressional district, by opposing representation for minorities, and attempting to promote extreme Republican gerrymandering.
Open discrimination in law against gays and transgender individuals in public schools, undermining security and safety for such children.
Banned discussion of race in discussion of American history in public schools and universities, avoiding discussion of slavery, segregation, and civil rights, and ignoring mistreatment of other racial minorities.
Promoted passage of an abortion ban after 15 weeks, similiar to Mississippi, with no exception for rape or incest.
Allowed "election police" to monitor elections, even though there is no record of any election irregularities.
Promoted allowance for drivers to threaten demonstrators who block roads, which are limitations on their freedom of assembly.
Impose term limits on school board members by state edict, after cutting pay for COVID 19 Mask Policies.
Ron DeSantis is taking away the powers of local governments, centralizing it in the state government, making him the equivalent of an authoritarian dictator, with his Republican Party willingly going along!
He is also promoting ethnic and class warfare, as he advocates "culture wars"!
Book Banning and Parental Rights are the slogans being used to justify censorship and restrictions on civil liberties!
It is urgent that DeSantis be pushed out of office this fall by Florida voters to prevent this man from running for President, and the thought that he might win the White House is terrifying!
News and Politics "Election Police", "Treason And Sedition", American History, Anti Abortion Legislation, Authoritarian State Government, Censorship, Civil Liberties Violations, COVID 19 Pandemic Death Toll, COVID 19 Vaccinations, Ethnic And Class Warfare, Florida State Government, Gay And Transgender Victims, Jeb Bush, Joe Biden, Limits On Freedom Of Assembly, Mississippi Abortion Law, Partisan Gerrymandering, Presidential Election Of 2020, Presidential Election Of 2024, Race Discussion In Public Schools, Rape Or Incest, Republican Party, Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis, School Board Members, US Senate
The War On Knowledge, Facts, Truth, Particularly On History And Science!
In 2021, America sadly lives in a time of a war on knowledge, facts, and truth!
This is particularly true on the subjects of history and science!
We are being told that the sad and troubling moments of American history should not be taught to our younger generation, and that the myth of perfectibility and positive moments should be taught instead, rather than facing the widespread reality of racism, sexism, nativism, and the promotion of evil leaders over time who have undermined American democracy!
We are also being told that science is not to be respected or believed, and that scientists and doctors are conspiring against the health of the American people in regards to the COVID 19 Pandemic! This is a dangerous conspiracy theory and will cause the longevity of the pandemic!
And former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has proposed that parents decide what the teachers of their children are to teach, to control the curriculum, a shocking and outrageous assertion! A vast majority of parents, sorry to say, are ignorant, lacking in appropriate educational credentials, and even if so called "educated", it is not their place to decide the curriculum and promote mind control!
News and Politics American Democracy, American History, Conspiracy Theories, COVID 19 Pandemic, Facts And Truth, Knowledge, Mike Pompeo, Mind Control, Nativism, Parents, Racism, Science, Scientists And Doctors, Sexism, Teachers
Republican Senator Ben Sasse Of Nebraska Is A Disgrace For Only Speaking Out Now Against Donald Trump!
Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska was one of a few Republicans in the Senate that this author had felt had a future, and had some validity.
Sasse is highly educated, with a Ph. D. in American History from Yale University, and having taught at the University of Texas, and being President of a small Lutheran university, Midland University, in his home state.
While disagreeing with Sasse on most issues, this author found him intriguing and a potential future Presidential candidate, but he has destroyed himself by refusing to criticize Donald Trump, until just now in a private conversation that was leaked.
Sasse is assured of his seat in Nebraska this November, with a splintered Democratic Party opposition, but he has lost all credibility, and this blogger is totally disillusioned that even a so called "principled conservative" has demonstrated that he has no real guts, courage, or moral and ethical beliefs!
Sasse will remain a Senator, but it seems unlikely that he has a future Presidential campaign due to his now strong criticism of Trump!
News and Politics "Principled Conservative", American History, Ben Sasse, College Professor, Conservatism, Democratic Party, Donald Trump, Midland University, Moral And Ethical Beliefs, Nebraska, Republican Party, University Of Texas, US Senate, Yale University
Back From Wonderful Vacation In London And Paris With My Older Son, And Ready To Resume Regular Commentary On American Politics, Government, And History
I am happy to announce that I have returned from a wonderful vacation in London and Paris with my older son, and am ready to resume regular commentary on American Politics, Government, and History.
I had never traveled overseas since my younger son was Bar Mitzvahed in 1996 in Israel, but my older son has done a lot of travel in Europe, some for work purposes, and also for vacations. He wanted to treat me to an all expenses paid trip to my two favorite European nations, the United Kingdom and France, to honor me for Fathers Day, and for his 40th birthday, with him being born on that day in 1979.
We saw all of the historic and cultural sites I had always wanted to visit, and it enriched my historical and cultural knowledge, and increased the bonding I have for my older son, but with equal feelings for my younger son as well. This was a trip of just the two of us, since we had not spent much time together over the past decade since he moved to the Washington DC area, and myself continuing to reside in South Florida.
I was totally out of touch for the two weeks in regards to the news, and only now am catching up on the events, including the danger of war with Iran; the resignation of White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders; the threat to have mass deportation of undocumented immigrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the usual maniacal behavior and utterances of Donald Trump; and the preparations for the first Democratic Presidential debates in Miami this coming Wednesday and Thursday, June 26-27, with Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg not having the best fortune in this past week, and Elizabeth Warren seemingly surging for now, while others are hoping for a breakthrough as a result of these two nights of debates.
I plan to comment daily on those events and trends that seem worthy of the most attention, and I am glad to invite my readers to return to a daily interaction, although while visiting Washington DC in two weeks from now for tourism and family, it is possible I might miss a day or two as a result.
Thanks, everyone, for your patience, as I took the most wonderful and enriching trip imaginable in the past two weeks.
News and Politics American Government, American History, American Politics, Democratic Presidential Debates, Donald Trump, Elizabeth Warren, Father's Day, France, Immigration And Customs Enforcement, Iran, Joe Biden, Miami Florida, Pete Buttigieg, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, South Florida, Undocumented Immigrants, United Kingdom, Washington DC
Donald Trump's Destruction Of American Alliances With Our Long Term Allies, And His Total Lack Of Knowledge Of History
June 7, 2018 Ronald Leave a comment
Donald Trump is totally ignorant of American and World History, and could not pass an exam for a high school diploma, let alone a college degree.
Trump yesterday brought up to the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, in a phone call, the so called "fact" that Canada burned the White House in the War of 1812, a total fabrication, as it was Great Britain, which controlled Canada as a colony, that did so in August 1814.
What is the point of bringing this up, even if it were true?
In wartime, harm is done by both sides, and we have plenty to be accountable for as a nation in our many wars we have waged and continue to wage.
Even to bring up the British is unseemly, as this is is history, but we and they have moved beyond this, and to have grudges over actions taken long ago, is a waste of time.
Both Canada and Great Britain, along with other nations Trump has insulted (Australia, France) have been great friends for a long time, and our closest allies in the world.
Also, add Germany, Japan, and South Korea to the list, with them being more recent allies since World War II and the Korean War, but reliable allies.
Donald Trump has destroyed any camaraderie with our long term allies, including the other nations in NATO, and is undermining any cooperation with the European Union, Canada, Mexico, and our Asian allies by his "Trade Wars", that will only lead to greater tensions and suspicions, and likely worldwide economic depression as in the 1930s.
It only helps our rivals, our competitors including Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
The insanity of Donald Trump,and his total ignorance and stupidity on history, are harming long term interests of America, and must be combated in every way conceivable!
This situation even includes Trump's condemnation of Football players taking a knee for the National Anthem, and Trump rescinding an invitation for the Philadelphia Eagles to come to the White House over it, even though no Eagles player actually took a knee, but at the same time not knowing the words of the National Anthem that he insists everyone stand for!
News and Politics American History, Australia, Burning Of White House In War Of 1812, Canada, China, Donald Trump, European Union, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iran, Japan, Justin Trudeau, Korean War, Mexico, National Anthem, NATO, North Korea, Philadelphia Eagles, Pro Football, Russia, South Korea, Trade Wars, World History, World War II
Donald Trump, Fox News Channel, The Evangelical Right, And The "Caravan"
April 8, 2018 Ronald Leave a comment
For nearly three years, since Donald Trump announced his Presidential candidacy on June 16, 2015, he has, every day, demeaned himself by his utterances and actions, more every day.
So has Fox News Channel, becoming a propaganda machine for Donald Trump.
And so has the Evangelical Right, which has demonstrated how much they can distort and manipulate the true teachings of Jesus Christ.
Hypocrisy and corruption and a mean spirit has dominated, but now, hard to believe, these three forces have joined together to lower themselves to an even more disgraceful level.
They have promoted the myth of a "caravan" of about 1200 people who are migrating through Mexico, and it is alleged, are about to "invade" the United States with their evil intent, consisting of intentions of rape, murder, and terrorism.
Who makes up this caravan, in reality?
Large number of young children, their mothers, many elderly people make up the bulk of the group, and they are poor and deprived, escaping violence, bloodshed, and fear for their own safety, wanting a better life!
This is often, historically, the reality of immigrants throughout American history, and also, world history, people who are striving for opportunity, a new life, and to avoid death.
How could ANYONE be against such people, who have done nothing wrong, except to be born and living in nations that are death traps for so many, with so much human suffering, that they wish to find "a promised land"?
This is the story of the Jewish people escaping Egypt; the story of Irish and Italians and Jews and Polish and other parts of Europe escaping to America; of Muslims escaping bloodshed and persecution in the Middle East and Africa in coming to Europe in recent years; of people in Central America migrating northward; and of the constant quest for freedom and opportunity and a chance to live, throughout the history of the world!
This is the "American Dream", how the ancestors of Donald Trump came to our shores; how the ancestors of Joseph P. Kennedy came to our shores; how the ancestors of all of us came to our shores! America is the nation of all nations!
But now we have a President, a news channel, and a religious group who are rejecting the basic tenets of organized religion, and particularly of Christianity, totally rejecting common decency, common humanity, common compassion, for those who are poor, deprived, and facing persecution and death!
The so called Pro Life movement is a farce, and Fox News has no morals or ethics, and Donald Trump is a disgrace to the Presidency and to human behavior, willing to lie and distort for his own advancement. He has no concern for the American people, and has shown he has no consideration about the damage he is doing daily.
It cannot be too soon to see this cancer excised from the Oval Office!
News and Politics "American Dream", "Promised Land", Africa, American History, Central America, Christian Evangelical Right, Christianity, Compassion, Donald Trump, Egypt, Elderly, Ethics, Europe, Fox News Channel, Freedom And Opportunity, Immigration, Irish, Italians, Jesus Christ, Jews, Joseph P. Kennedy, Mexico, Middle East, Morals, Mothers And Children, Muslims, Organized Religion, Polish, Poverty, Pro Life Movement, Propaganda, Refugees, Terrorism, The "Caravan", World History
Donald Trump's Attack On Truth, Facts, Knowledge Leads To An Alternative History And Science, Detrimental To America And Its Future!
Donald Trump has mounted an attack on truth, facts, knowledge, and in so doing, it has led to an alternative history and science, detrimental to America and its future.
His ignorance on both history and science undermines the future of American education, as we see distortion of both areas of knowledge being advocated as reality, when it is just the opposite. The fact that Betsy DeVos is Secretary of Education only undermines true education in history and science, as well as in other areas of the curriculum.
We also see a large number of Trump supporters in the Republican Party and the conservative movement attacking the nature of, and need for, higher education.
This is all part of a plan to promote ignorance, propaganda, and disdain for educated people, and that kind of trend endangers the long term future of the nation, as other countries surpass us in the competition for educated people to deal with the future of the world economy.
The attack on how American history is taught is an alarm bell, reviving the old focus on only white male accomplishments in government and the economy. We have been enriched by teaching and analyzing about the role of minorities, women, and working people in our American history curriculum, on both the public school and college and university level.
The attack on science promotes Christian doctrine, and denies evolution, climate science, environmental protection as important, instead promoting preposterous theories on the age of the earth, and the concept that there is no need to protect the earth and its natural wonders for the long term future, only focusing on profit and capitalism for the present, and ignoring the long term implications. The fact that Ryan Zinke is our Secretary of the Interior, and Scott Pruitt is the head of the Environmental Protection Agency is tragic in so many dimensions.
The struggle to fight the Donald Trump emphasis on alternative truth, which are simply lies, must be continued, no matter how arduous the battle!
News and Politics "Alternative Truth", "Minorities", American History, American History Curriculum, Betsy DeVos, Capitalism, Christian Doctrine, Climate Science, Conservative Movement, education, Environmental Protection, Environmental Protection Agency, Evolution, Higher Education, History Curriculum, Republican Party, Ryan Zinke, Science, Scott Pruitt, Secretary Of Education, Secretary Of The Inteiror, White Males, Women, Working People
Nikki Haley, Paul Thurmond, Jenny Horne: Signs Of The New South Carolina And Profiles In Courage!
South Carolina has finally done the right thing, vote to take down the Confederate flag placed on the state capital in Columbia in 1961, in defiance of the civil rights movement, and in favor of enforcing segregation.
Governor Nikki Haley, State Senator Paul Thurmond, and State House member Jenny Horne deserve special praise, showing courage and principle in moving to change South Carolina history in the wake of the Charleston Massacre in mid June.
The fact that all three are Republicans in a Republican run state government is testimony that after decades of GOP rule, where the old Southern Democratic prejudices were not changed just by party affiliation change, that finally South Carolina is coming out of the 19th century.
Nikki Haley is an Indian American, her parents born in India; Paul Thurmond is the son of segregationist Senator and Governor and States Rights Party (1948) Presidential candidate Strom Thurmond; and Jenny Horne is a direct descendant of Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis.
These are a new generation, working to overcome the nightmare images of John C. Calhoun, Ben "Pitchfork" Tillman, and Strom Thurmond, who promoted slavery, racism and lynching, and racial segregation.
But part of this "new" South Carolina will be to bring social and economic conditions in the state into modern times, including the establishment of a minimum wage law statewide, and advancement of a modern educational system that teaches the truth of American history, and teaches evolution and climate change. Additionally, a health care system that helps white and black poor is essential!
Until South Carolina brings about these changes, it is still a long way from being a modern state on the level of states in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Coast!
News and Politics American History, Ben "Pttchfork" Tillman, Charleston Massacre, Civil Rights, Climate Change, Confederate Flag, Confederate States Of America, Educational System, Evolution, health care, Jefferson Davis, Jenny Horne, John C. Calhoun, Lynching, Minimum Wage, Nikki Haley, Paul Thurmond, Racial Segregation, Racism, Republican Party, Slavery, South Carolina, South Carolina State Legislature, Southern Democrats, States Rights Party, Strom Thurmond
Texas Textbook Standards Destroying The Truth Of American History, As Well As Science!
July 9, 2015 Ronald Leave a comment
The state of Texas, with the largest number of students, and therefore, having a massive effect on publication of textbooks and establishment of curriculum across the nation, has now destroyed the truth of American history, complaining a "liberal bias", which is just, unfortunately, telling the truth about the American past.
So now the new standards do not mention slavery as the major cause of the Civil War, but rather states rights and different economic systems.
They also downgrade the importance and details of the civil rights movement on American history.
They avoid mentioning about "Jim Crow" segregation laws and the Ku Klux Klan.
They bring Jesus Christ into the curriculum, as if he was an American!
These and other faults come on top of the changes in the Science curriculum, promoting creationism, rather than evolution.
Texas is promoting ignorance and propaganda in place of History and Science, and this will dumb down the nation's children if it is not stopped dead in its tracks.
So the historical and scientific community, and the professional associations MUST fight tooth and nail, and stop this assault on teaching the truth about the American past, as well as promoting basic scientific knowledge!
News and Politics "Liberal Bias", American History, Civil Rights Movement, Civil War, Creationism, Evolution, Historians, Jesus Christ, Jim Crow Segregation Laws, Ku Klux Klan, Science, Scientists, Slavery, Texas, Texas Textbook Standards