[Augmented at the end since I put this up a few hours ago]
While this blog is on permanent suspension, I recommend all to Ednotes Online.
It's the most comprehensive and entertaining record of UFT and DoE malfeasance since Scott put up his first post over there in August 2006. He had witnesses: his three cats.
Ednotes is also packed with context — current and historical. The guy taught 35 years and has been retired for as long as I've known him.You'll also find every conceivable form of satire: banter, burlesque, caricature, cauticity, chaffing, irony, lampoonery, mockery, parody, pasquinade, persiflage, play-on, put-on, raillery, sarcasm, send-up, skit, poof, squib, takeoff, travesty, wit and witticism.
In truth, he gives real good persiflage, but I wouldn't have known that without checking the dictionary.
Another thought.
Though I haven't really forgiven Bill Maher for what he said about teachers in March 2009, I'm thinking of giving him another chance.
Here's an excerpt of his thoughts on Jon Stewart's Sanity Rally last month down in Washington, DC. The whole monologue hits the main points about the country's incomprehensible twist to the Right.
An excerpt from the Huffington Post:
Keith Olbermann is right when he says he's not the equivalent of Glenn Beck. One reports facts the other one is very close to playing with his poop. And the big mistake of modern media has been this notion of balance for balance's sake. That the Left is just as violent and cruel as the Right . . . there's a difference between a mad man and a madman," he said, referencing Olbermann's tweets.
Maher went on to poke holes in Jon's arguments, saying "Martin Luther King spoke on that Mall in the capital and he didn't say, 'Remember folks, those southern sheriffs with the fire hoses and the German shepherds, they have a point too.'
No, he said I have a dream, they have a nightmare
. . . Liberals, like the ones on that field, must stand up and be counted and not pretend that we're as mean, or greedy, or short-sighted or just plain bat-shit as they are. And if that's too polarizing for you, [and you still wanna reach across the aisle and hold hands with someone on the Right] . . . try church.
Lastly, some of the fighters whose voices keep us on track. Here's a GEM video showing them opposing the plutocratic Cathie Black waiver.
Truly, it's been a pleasure.
Why? What happened? I look forward to reading your perspective on these education issues, union matters, and the latest deforms from the hedgefund managers.
ReplyDelete19credits, the blog from Lehman also stopped blogging and now you.
Has everyone given up in the fight? I'm going to truly miss reading this blog.
Good luck in your next endeavor.
Thanks for your kind words, but it's a long story. Basically...
ReplyDeleteThe system is so rigged and so profoundly crooked that I don't want to spend my final good years pouring all that proverbial salt in my wounds and spinning all them proverbial wheels.
I don't even like fighting for the youngest generation of teachers. Most of them don't have any sense sense of union — UFT ideology has seen to that, all right — and from what I see, they're willing to go along with a passing-through, fire-at-will kind of profession. It's now a battle for their vocation, not mine. I'm going back to the person I was before KleinWorld turned me into a guerrila warrior.
UA:
ReplyDeleteI hope you change your mind. We need more teachers like you exposing the warts of both the DOE and our Union.
I feel that many of the senior teachers like me and you are being jaded by this exhausting fight for justice that has no meaning or purpose. I hear you UA! I truly do and I understand your decision. As stated in my comment, I will miss your blogs and your hold-no-bar comments that made this blog so popular.
ReplyDeleteBe well, rest, and embrace your decision.
I am looking seriously at retirement and the possibility of becoming more involved on the side of true democracy. Our fight for justice is small in view of the fact that our democracy has been co opted by corporate interests. It was a pleasure reading this blog; I can understand the lessening of commitments as one tries to just work every day. I am feeling a sense of impending freedom as my time to move on appears imminent. Of course, I've been reminded time and time again how I'm a "senior teacher". I still love teaching, but schlepping to 3 rooms on 2 floors can wear you out after a couple of years of that. You are taking a hiatus from blogging, but consider coming back in the future, please! You are a wonderful writer and a rare find, someone who can write both words and music!!
ReplyDeleteHey UA, thanks for the plug, though I don't understand most of the words. And I haven't given good persiflage since I was a teen.
ReplyDeleteFeel good and we'll do lunch and say nothing about the crud going on. But please bring a list of definitions -
I of course have a different view in terms of hope for the new generation. It's on the edges but there are signs of awakening. The upcoming assault will make bring more people Under Assault.Keep an eye out for my Sheepshead Bay HS rally video.
Ms. Tsouris - if you jump into retirement contact me - we need troops for the battle.
I understand your need for distance very well. I have taken quite a few vacations from blogging myself.
ReplyDeleteI second the motion about EdNotes Online. If you want to know about the latest Bloomberg sculduggery you'll find it there. His optimism is always refreshing. I wish I could say the same about myself.
I am enjoying my first days of retirement, and my new-found freedom to write without interruptions.
Good luck, and take care.
Thank you very much for the GREAT INFORMATION you provided in your blog. I am going to miss reading the AMAZING analysis you gave us of the different topics.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck and Stay Well.
I know how hard it is to fight against the big corruption in education.