I Guess it's just USELESS!

Brace yourself: I’m annoyed and frustrated. I just read a 7-page report by an intelligent, competent, experienced administrator who has sent me excellent reports before. I have no reason to expect anything but the finest analysis from this leader – and that’s what I get, every time. But why, oh why, must this competent writer fall prey to that foolish supposition that “utilize” is somehow superior to – or more formal than – or more correct than – little old “use”? Why? What is driving this? And can it be corrected, or are all my efforts just useless? 

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The Billionaire Culture War and School Vouchers

The Privateers, by Josh Cowen, Professor of Education Policy, MI State U

I just finished reading Professor Cowen’s very serious, challenging book – and I’m utterly depressed. Yes, I knew I’d learn a lot, because I knew very little about school vouchers, and I was already pretty sure I opposed them. But I had no idea – absolutely no idea – how dark and insidious and LONG the school voucher battle has been! I want to share the history and insight and wisdom I found in this book, and I want others to know the story, but, oh! It’s not a happy one. My summary is long – I hope you’ll hang in there to the end. It’s really important to truly understand this stuff.

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Blah, Blah, Blah...

Egregious errors in everyday language

Psst. Over here. Listen: I don’t want to say it out loud... Do you hear it too? And is it driving you nuts like it’s driving me nuts? And what do you suppose is causing it?

I’m talking about the ridiculous – and more and more prevalent – errors of usage, pronunciation and word choice in our written and spoken American English today.

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“Stand out... Believe in truth... Investigate!”

On Tyranny, by Timothy Snyder

I can’t recall ever reading a simpler, clearer, more readable – but absolutely valuable – book than this one by Yale University history professor and revered, prolific author, Timothy Snyder. And, depending on how you feel about what lies ahead for our democracy, this powerful, easy read might be just what you’re looking for.

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School Shootings Can be Stopped

Yesterday at 5:32 a.m. I was awakened by a text to my phone. It was our Superintendent of Schools, alerting all School Board members of a threatened school shooting that day at not one but two of our high schools. She’d been awakened at 3:30 a.m. and had started the planned, approved response, and now she felt it was time to bring us in. I let her know I’d be ready if I could help in any way, and then I went about my business with full faith in our administrative leaders and the Green Bay Police Department.

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Cabinet Simplicity (8)

Tom Homan – on the straight and narrow

Well, my friends, this will not be a long treatise – nor will it meander. After the rather nauseating convolutions I’ve encountered while studying other picks for the incoming president’s cabinet, this one is as short and straight and simple as can be. Let me explain. I referred to my review of RFK, Jr.’s life as a roller coaster ride. And remember Tulsi Gabbard? I called her a shape-shifter. And what of Linda McMahon, a “professional wrestler” who never taught a day in her life, suddenly poised to direct the Department of Education. Lot of questionable choices, ups and downs, unforeseen hairpin turns. But nothing surprising about this Tom Homan, Border Czar-to be.

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That Cabinet Again? (7)

Tulsi Gabbard – Shape-shifter

Of all the cabinet nominations by President-Elect Donald Trump that I’ve researched, the selection of Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence has been the most confusing. While I try in every case to be as even-handed as possible in presenting the facts about the nominee, in this case, the facts themselves are so contradictory and shape-shifting that I struggle to assemble them in logical fashion. Much of her background makes her an absolute puzzlement; other facts about her suggest (at least to me) that she doesn’t even fit the MAGA mold. Let me try to explain.

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Cabinet Concerns (6)

Kristi Noem – Homeland Security??!

Well, I’ve spent hours researching Kristi Noem, current governor of South Dakota. After all, Secretary of Homeland Security is a critical leadership role. And this time, the process got turned on its head in a whole new way. As I learned about Noem, I couldn’t help but ask: What have our previous secretaries of this department been like? There haven’t been all that many – it all started after 9/11. So, let’s see if there’s a pattern, and how well she fits the pattern. OMG! What a decisive turn we’re now facing! Let me show you what I mean.

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Cabinet for Conspiracy (5)

Kash Patel - Seriously, Donald?

“shadowy officials... overstepped boundaries...illegal surveillance... manipulated narratives... unscrupulous dealings... distorted intelligence... widespread corruption... take back the White House... remove the gangsters... a sinister cabal... defeat the Deep State...” Need I say more?

This is the fifth Trump cabinet pick I’ve researched. After each one, I think: “Okay, it’s going to calm down. The next one will be a seasoned, respected leader with expertise in a closely related field and demonstrated commitment to democracy for all Americans.” Dang! I just can’t get it right, and the Kash Patel story hasn’t made it any better.

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