Monday Quick Takes

In the news, two clear indications of problems with our education system and ‘news’ for one of the cabinet nominees ability to make money.

Our Problem With Public Education

Do you want to know, in one succinct anecdote, what’s wrong with public education? If so, here it is.

National 2019 Teacher of the Year, Rodney Robinson from Kentucky, went to social media to suggest neighbors beat Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Referring to an incident in 2017 where a neighbor of Kentucky’s other US Senator, Rand Paul, beat him leaving Paul had six broken ribs and requiring the partial removal of one of his lungs, Robinson tweeted “Who are Mitch McConnell’s neighbors? I’m just saying Rand Paul’s neighbor did what a true Kentucky hero should do. It’s your turn to step up.”

That he is still employed after advocating the public beating of anyone is the biggest tragedy in all this. The fact that such an individual is recognized for his work shows how very low our standards in education have become.

More About Power Than Education

And on the topic of education, for years it has become increasingly clear that the teacher’s unions and education are as concerned about power than about educating our young people. A recent example shows us just that.

In Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association and two school board members Larry Miller and Bob Peterson, have protested that the public health department worked with schools and asked for their input on how to safely hold classes for children, including working and meeting with private schools. (Peterson is also a past president of the teacher’s union)

So, to be clear, the teacher’s union and two school board members are concerned that the public health department are trying to help private schools safely educate children. Isn’t that the whole job of a public health department, to help promote public safety? But to the teacher’s union and these two school board members, safety isn’t important if it’s safety of students in private schools.

Is there a more clear indication that the well-being of children isn’t their concern? What’s clear is that power and control is the most important thing.

Don’t We All Want to Make Money?

President –Elect Biden’s pick to be Secretary of the Treasury, former Chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen, made a reported $7 million in speaking fees according to press reports. So?

Do any of the reporters turn down money they earn? If not, then Thinking Man is not sure why this is news, unless of course reporters wish that it was them. I, for one, do.