A discussion with John B. King, Jr., former U.S. Secretary of Education, current SUNY chancellor, & author of a powerful and profound new memoir, “Teacher by Teacher: The People Who Save Our Lives.”
Both Stalin and Khrushchev spoke of destroying the US peacefully from within. Putin via his puppets and playing the long game is trying to (close to?) accomplish this elusive, long held dream. The EO on the DOE is a prime example of this. Peaceful destruction from within requires We the People declare war on the perpetrators. They act with the impunity of making America white again, a nation of the white people, for white people and by white people. Realistically a minority working to dismantle our way of life. This does not mean a race war, rather a movement of like minded people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or nationality who believe in Democracy and the need to preserve it, i.e.the majority of Americans. Call it a peaceful war (an oxymoron if ever there was one) of preservation of the right way of life. Wars are not one big event, rather multiple skirmishes fought on multiple fronts, in the courts, in state legislatures, in local government and school boards. Inundate elected officials with calls, letters and emails, exhorting defeat of bills against public interest. Show up at local council and school board meetings whose agenda includes implementation of parts of misguided EOs.
Democracy is more than an ideology, it is a way of life, one whose intent is that we operate in a way that benefits all people, even those who disagree with certain tenets. Democracy exists because We the People want it and are willing to fight for it.
Never apologize for a good rant, Old Man. That's what we're here for!
Democracy IS a way of life, and it has to be fought for, it never comes passively. Tyranny requires effort, as the ANDOR manifesto points out, but it also feeds on democracy's inertia and laziness.
Re: the EO, it's a lot of bluster, because there's a lot of language in it saying WE WILL DO THIS [thing MAGA wants]...and then, in fine print..."according to applicable law." Oops.
“…the administration is deliberately misrepresenting…”. Words that tell one all one needs to know about any topic that these vipers address. It is Orwellian and the evil that we were warned about. Just took a little longer than 1984. But it’s here with the momentum of a runaway freight train. And as much finesse…. The evil misrepresentation is deliberate and no lull in sight.
Uh, the Title One program is part of a STATUTE (Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965). If Congress allocates the funds for it (questionable, I'm sure the Big Bastardization Bill cuts them)--but say it does, who is going to administer it?
The BBB doesn't actually eliminate the Dept of Education. The focus seems to be eliminating Pell Grants. I can't find anything about what will happen to Title 1 program funds No sign of repealing the 1965 Act
The same applies to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act --a statute, can't find anything regarding funding for it. Nor anything about repealing it.
It seems that Congress is just ACCEPTING that trump can repeal statutes via Exec Order. I hope the Senate does wake up.
Thank you!
It’s TUESDAY🎉
Which schools might be closed as Trump kills the Department of Education? Check this mapfor the MAGA rep for that district? Hold them accountable.
https://thedemlabs.org/2025/03/20/trump-closes-department-of-education-project/
He told us early on that he loves the poorly educated. He’s doing everything he can to broaden that segment of the population.
True, Earl, and wonderfully put.
A Tuesday rant, apologies.
Both Stalin and Khrushchev spoke of destroying the US peacefully from within. Putin via his puppets and playing the long game is trying to (close to?) accomplish this elusive, long held dream. The EO on the DOE is a prime example of this. Peaceful destruction from within requires We the People declare war on the perpetrators. They act with the impunity of making America white again, a nation of the white people, for white people and by white people. Realistically a minority working to dismantle our way of life. This does not mean a race war, rather a movement of like minded people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or nationality who believe in Democracy and the need to preserve it, i.e.the majority of Americans. Call it a peaceful war (an oxymoron if ever there was one) of preservation of the right way of life. Wars are not one big event, rather multiple skirmishes fought on multiple fronts, in the courts, in state legislatures, in local government and school boards. Inundate elected officials with calls, letters and emails, exhorting defeat of bills against public interest. Show up at local council and school board meetings whose agenda includes implementation of parts of misguided EOs.
Democracy is more than an ideology, it is a way of life, one whose intent is that we operate in a way that benefits all people, even those who disagree with certain tenets. Democracy exists because We the People want it and are willing to fight for it.
Never apologize for a good rant, Old Man. That's what we're here for!
Democracy IS a way of life, and it has to be fought for, it never comes passively. Tyranny requires effort, as the ANDOR manifesto points out, but it also feeds on democracy's inertia and laziness.
Re: the EO, it's a lot of bluster, because there's a lot of language in it saying WE WILL DO THIS [thing MAGA wants]...and then, in fine print..."according to applicable law." Oops.
This administration is doing their best to make certain that life, for anyone who isn’t them, is as bleak as their own souls.
One of the cruelest things that can be done is to make people’s existence smaller and less meaningful.
Unless you are a rich cretin, then it’s more money and more power.
Well put, Purple, and sadly, very true.
“…the administration is deliberately misrepresenting…”. Words that tell one all one needs to know about any topic that these vipers address. It is Orwellian and the evil that we were warned about. Just took a little longer than 1984. But it’s here with the momentum of a runaway freight train. And as much finesse…. The evil misrepresentation is deliberate and no lull in sight.
And it has props! Trump loves his props. Are they really going to let him do his stupid parade? Ugh.
Enjoyed the great discussion, and shared on LinkedIn.
Thanks again.
Uh, the Title One program is part of a STATUTE (Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965). If Congress allocates the funds for it (questionable, I'm sure the Big Bastardization Bill cuts them)--but say it does, who is going to administer it?
The BBB doesn't actually eliminate the Dept of Education. The focus seems to be eliminating Pell Grants. I can't find anything about what will happen to Title 1 program funds No sign of repealing the 1965 Act
The same applies to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act --a statute, can't find anything regarding funding for it. Nor anything about repealing it.
It seems that Congress is just ACCEPTING that trump can repeal statutes via Exec Order. I hope the Senate does wake up.