“I’m not a member of any political party – I’m a democrat” Will Rogers We have a two party electoral system, Democrats and Republicans, within each party there are factions, and Madison in Federalist # 10 warned against factions, “who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or of some, adverse toContinue reading “Why is the DSA Trying to Take Over the UFT?”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Trump versus the NYS Board of Regents
On January 20th the scepter and orb were transferred to Trump and the early theme of the era of Trump 2.0 is off and running: retribution Executive Orders flew out of the White House, institutionalizing a host of MAGA favorites, among them a major theme of the Trump campaign, opposing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts,Continue reading “Trump versus the NYS Board of Regents”
“Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,”
In my union rep days I visited a couple of schools a day “showing the flag,” some principals welcomed me, a few thought I was a troublemaker, in a way, they were correct. In the winter I kept my army field jacket in my car in case I had to walk to the school, IContinue reading ““Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,””
“Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership
The days are getting longer, otherwise the bleak, chilly days seem to be modeling the political climate. One day Trump is thinking about giving DACA kids permanent status the next swooping down and snatching immigrants off the streets, the next day probably messing with Social Security and Medicare, is that whirring sound sucking sanity downContinue reading ““Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership”
“It’s All Politics,” (snarl)
Too many of us view “politics” as synonymous with corruption and malfeasance, the result is low turnout in elections. Social media has learned the lesson: violence, sex, greed gets more clicks than positive news. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a crawl at the bottom of a tv screen, “World to End at 3, stayContinue reading ““It’s All Politics,” (snarl)”
In Praise of the UFT Staff
Over the past year the opposition caucuses have been demeaning the folks who keep the union running, for the most part invisible, the staff. The borough offices are staffed by part timers who work a few days a week supporting the full time staff who worked their way up the informal internship system. I wasContinue reading “In Praise of the UFT Staff”
Tic Tok As the Clock Edges Toward Armageddon (January 20th, 2025)
On Christmas Eve morning I jumped up early, it was snowing, I got to Russ & Daughters, a New York institution a few minutes after it opened, already packed with the cognoscenti. Smoked Salmon (Nova, Gaspe, Scotch, Norwegian, Pastrami), Sable, an array of herring and on and on. The food of the Gods and Goddesses.Continue reading “Tic Tok As the Clock Edges Toward Armageddon (January 20th, 2025)”
Checking the Depth of the Water Before We Jump into the Medicare for All Pool
The murder, actually assassination of the UnitedHealth CEO suddenly turned the spotlight on what had been simmering, a broken healthcare system. We spend more money per capita on healthcare than any other nation and the beneficiaries are the monopolies that dominate. For years the “big guys” have gobbled up the “little guys,” from hospitals toContinue reading “Checking the Depth of the Water Before We Jump into the Medicare for All Pool”
A Bubbling Cauldron: Dividing Billions of Foundation Aid Dollars
The news is dominated by the Trump election, the Adams indictment, the new police commissioner, the healthcare corporation executive murder, the chancellor of the month, and, buried behind the headlines the battle over Foundation Aid, the formula that determines the distribution of state dollars to schools. A little history: New York is a property taxContinue reading “A Bubbling Cauldron: Dividing Billions of Foundation Aid Dollars”
From the Classrooms: One Army, Union Members Prepared to Fight for Our Schools and Our Students
I was chatting with a group of elementary school teachers. “Do you know there’s an election for UFT leadership in the spring?” “No” “Do you know who leads the union now and how are they doing?” One of the teachers had been a delegate, she liked Mulgrew’s opening report, said it was thorough. “Do you knowContinue reading “From the Classrooms: One Army, Union Members Prepared to Fight for Our Schools and Our Students”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 