I was horrified by your words, Jess, but the picture of that raggedy text book . . . damn. I wouldn’t expect to see something like that in the poorest of third world nations. So, that’s what it’s like in Missouri, a state running an $8 billion surplus? Every one of those lawmakers who have caused this should be put in one of those nice, new, for-profit prisons they love so much.
I can see why. That picture ought to be on billboards all over the state with the caption “Missourians, this is what your legislators have done to your schools!”
Put it next to a billboard reminding those who drive in and pass through Missouri that Governor P and the legislature cancelled the state sales taxes on guns and ammunition.
We have only to understand the level of reading in Great America is at a 7th grade level, our care for children is the highest in infantile deaths /miscarriages included of all the remaining industrial countries, the health rates are as appalling . And yet…wait…wait…we have the most millionaires of any country.
Now we have a new incoming team who have no experience in their respective or designated potential positions …this all leads up to less potential than even make believe assertions, claims, and disinformation can fabricate…but be assured..the rich will get richer…folks.
Jess, it’s proof positive Missouri is running the losers races to gain last position with WV..or is that Mississippi or Arkansas, or Alabama…no offense intended I assure you..it’s a WAKE UP CALL F O L K S …these are where it’s at..the statistics say …time for our finals ..our very own test of what we called DEMOCRACY ..
education is key..it’s been failing for sometime..we did USE TO BE #1 …
Perhaps, more practically, those lawmakers could be very publicly invited to spend a day at a public school in their district. Make them see the consequences of their inactions.
However, have you reviewed a more recent social science text book? Chock with DEI, "woke' agendas, just short of wholesale CRT and not in keeping with Missouri's GOP.
When ya' gotta' book that antedates this nonsense ya' stick wit' it!
Written in support of the writer’s thesis, tying the book to the GOP. Apologize the cleverness was too subtle. Did not realize this vitriol was on this Substack—will not again comment.
Hey Bob, I had the same initial reaction as John did, I just didn't get your subtle humor 😁 Please continue posting, we need diversity of thought in these discussions (oh shoot, there's that "d" word again), but you might have to be a little less clever for folks like me.
Meant it to be supportive of the writer’s thesis, and tying it to GOP’s efforts was facetious and I thought clever. Clearly went over some heads—thank you for noticing 😬
You make a strong case for Missouri as a state that cannot be trusted with states' rights. However, your identification of Texas Governor Abbott in your opening of this post identifies Texas as a state that certainly belongs on that untrustworthy list of states on issues of protecting rights. Texas has attacked and restricted the rights of one marginalized and vulnerable group after another - women, trans youth, LGBTQ+, students, public educators, immigrants, and even voters. Protecting the rights of every citizen regardless of sex, gender, race, ethnic origin, socio-economic class, faith or none, or country of origin should be understood as protected by our Constitution. We once thought our Supreme Court had a primary role in those protections - emphasis on once thought. However, the current court seems to have abrogated its role with regard to that.
There are several states that fall into this category. Missouri and Texas are just a couple. And you’re right, it doesn’t end with education. It’s all of our rights.
Texas, Florida and Iowa are almost interchangeable in the polices and laws they enact. It's like Govs Abbott, DeSantis and Reynolds consult each other before proposing legislation.
Add Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana to begin with. In New Orleans I once screamed out loud, "This is Malawai and Haitian style poverty!!!!! " We just hide it well.
Some difference of opinion. SCROTUS didn’t abrogate their role in protecting the rights of all. They actively are fighting—rulings—to make sure the rights of those outside their ideologies are not protected.
I am surrounded by a shell of gas and dust. I appear to be fading: as i draw closer to the my eventual end. Just as the star WOH G64, I will go on throwing out clouds of dust, thickening the shell around me and causing my light to slowly fade away. I will also shrink in size and thought.
I have always been in a chaotic orbit around this strange attractor of American politics. This is true for all of us.
None of this means the star WOH G64 will explode soon, at least as we humans understand the term. Dying stars can go on shedding gas and dust for millennia before the inevitable supernova comes. Neither you nor I will super nova. Whenever it does happen, however, it promises to be spectacular or may end with a whimper instead of a bang.
Sorry for what may seem like the ramblings of a crazy man. I was inspired reading the science post today by Alastair Williams about the star WOH G64, borrowing many of his words while still being under the influence of his writing about searching for water on Venus, a dead planet, as is Mars and earth is becoming, hastened by complex knots of human behavior.
This is beyond appalling. Our country’s future lies with the children growing up and being educated today. I’m 78 and won’t be around to see where all of this is going, but it’s not going to be good. For years we have fallen behind in education compared to other developed countries in the world. I am dumbfounded as to why leaders want to create these circumstances for their citizens. Trump “loves the uneducated.” Why? Because they can be duped into whatever an authoritarian or tyrant wants them to believe. This is not the Missouri I grew up in. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Jess. You are a gem.
Appalling. Why don’t these people love their kids? Or want an educated community which brings in more money. Alabama needs people to work for low wages and little healthcare. The only way to get away with that is to prevent education.
The issue is Christian Nationalists using our government to force us to follow thier extremist views. They can't be happy living in a country that allows you to worship as you choose, they want to force everyone to follow their beliefs.
Imagine wearing "This is our home, not your church" t-shirt in Alabama 👇
Along with the push to create christian-only education systems (through vouchers and choking off resources to public schools to make private schools or homeschooling the only viable options), the republican approach is specifically designed to create an uneducated workforce filled with people who do not understand how democracy works or feel like they have any power to effect change. Justice Souter called this problem out 12 years ago -- and made it clear that the lack of civic knowledge would be the ruin of our country. I fear he was correct. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWcVtWennr0
It also goes along with the weakening of child labor laws that permit children to work hazardous jobs. All the easier to send the poor kids to work in the meatpacking plants, then send them off into the military when they're 18.
Absolutely! Indiana is another state like Missouri. They boast about their budget 'surplus', while our social services including family services is underfunded public education funding is a joke because they're trying to kill it through school vouchers.
I truly wish you could find a paper to print your essay. In fact I wish there were many papers to do so. I believe there are so many people, voters, that just have no idea what is actually going on. This is just so wrong in so many ways. Thank you for this update. There are a couple of more states that are neck and neck with Missouri. What a shame!!
Yes! Please send this to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Jess. Maybe Aisha S. can help you get it published. This message needs to be spread far and wide. Our MO legislators do not care about what the people of MO want or need.
I live in the Dallas area and do get letters to the editor published in the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. I have started also sending copies to smaller papers in the state, hoping they might get published. Of course, I’m not sure how I’d know, but I like the idea of letter campaign to more rural area papers, where those exist.
Starve them, beat them with stupid ideas over the head daily, keep them from being nourished during the day. Disallow any and all necessities for learning and watch how you can control your future constituents. They don’t spend so they don’t have to educate. If they don’t educate, they don’t need to explain themselves - at least not to anyone who would understand. That’s how you make your constituents loyal to you. Forever. Jess has spelled it out for everyone to see. In Missouri, and some other states don’t forget to take your Soylent Green.
This is Robert. I would like to say that you are lying or exaggerating but I know you speak the truth. Rural health care is just as bad. Why do rural voters vote for Republicans?
It used to be that rural farmers spent all day listening to AM radio while working in their fields. Since only AM radio was available in tractors and other farm machinery. That has to have something to do with it.
As a lifelong educator, it's so maddening. And when i heard yesterday that they're lowering the standards for certifying teachers in order to "allow" more teachers to be certified. I was so angry. As if lowering the requirements will result in more teachers becoming available? They're doing everything they can to drive teachers OUT of the profession. I guess hiring babysitters in place of teachers would be adequate?
I taught Social Studies for 25 years in upstate New York. Your description of the Missouri educational system makes my blood boil, particularly in light of the outrageous surplus sitting in government coffers. Governments that have no regard for children, the elderly, the disabled, the trans population, dark skinned and any "other" one can imagine are routed in hate and anger. The struggle is real.
I was horrified by your words, Jess, but the picture of that raggedy text book . . . damn. I wouldn’t expect to see something like that in the poorest of third world nations. So, that’s what it’s like in Missouri, a state running an $8 billion surplus? Every one of those lawmakers who have caused this should be put in one of those nice, new, for-profit prisons they love so much.
That book sent me over the edge.
I can see why. That picture ought to be on billboards all over the state with the caption “Missourians, this is what your legislators have done to your schools!”
I agree. Let’s get this picture on billboards!
Put it next to a billboard reminding those who drive in and pass through Missouri that Governor P and the legislature cancelled the state sales taxes on guns and ammunition.
Love this idea!
We have only to understand the level of reading in Great America is at a 7th grade level, our care for children is the highest in infantile deaths /miscarriages included of all the remaining industrial countries, the health rates are as appalling . And yet…wait…wait…we have the most millionaires of any country.
Now we have a new incoming team who have no experience in their respective or designated potential positions …this all leads up to less potential than even make believe assertions, claims, and disinformation can fabricate…but be assured..the rich will get richer…folks.
Jess, it’s proof positive Missouri is running the losers races to gain last position with WV..or is that Mississippi or Arkansas, or Alabama…no offense intended I assure you..it’s a WAKE UP CALL F O L K S …these are where it’s at..the statistics say …time for our finals ..our very own test of what we called DEMOCRACY ..
education is key..it’s been failing for sometime..we did USE TO BE #1 …
Used ….bees🐝…😕
Let's start w/ Ebbing, MO as they are already famous for billboards! I'm in if you crowdfund it!
Perhaps, more practically, those lawmakers could be very publicly invited to spend a day at a public school in their district. Make them see the consequences of their inactions.
I tried that here in Indiana- I personally know our legislator. I asked him just to observe and meet with a few teachers and staff. Crickets.
That’s sad, but it’s why I suggested a very public invitation. I don’t usually advocate shaming, but sometimes it’s the only way to motivate someone.
However, have you reviewed a more recent social science text book? Chock with DEI, "woke' agendas, just short of wholesale CRT and not in keeping with Missouri's GOP.
When ya' gotta' book that antedates this nonsense ya' stick wit' it!
You are a fucking moron. Full stop.
You are giving morons bad names. This creature above is despicable.
Written in support of the writer’s thesis, tying the book to the GOP. Apologize the cleverness was too subtle. Did not realize this vitriol was on this Substack—will not again comment.
Hey Bob, I had the same initial reaction as John did, I just didn't get your subtle humor 😁 Please continue posting, we need diversity of thought in these discussions (oh shoot, there's that "d" word again), but you might have to be a little less clever for folks like me.
Critical Race Theory is taught at the law school level.
Bob, I’m pretty sure you meant your comment to be facetious but it lines up nicely with GOP thinking.
Meant it to be supportive of the writer’s thesis, and tying it to GOP’s efforts was facetious and I thought clever. Clearly went over some heads—thank you for noticing 😬
That seems very much like their strategy…and even better, if the book is so nasty no kid wants to use it.
I doubt it, Bob. And I doubt you could adequately define CRT.
"I am a witness to the witless."
This.
You make a strong case for Missouri as a state that cannot be trusted with states' rights. However, your identification of Texas Governor Abbott in your opening of this post identifies Texas as a state that certainly belongs on that untrustworthy list of states on issues of protecting rights. Texas has attacked and restricted the rights of one marginalized and vulnerable group after another - women, trans youth, LGBTQ+, students, public educators, immigrants, and even voters. Protecting the rights of every citizen regardless of sex, gender, race, ethnic origin, socio-economic class, faith or none, or country of origin should be understood as protected by our Constitution. We once thought our Supreme Court had a primary role in those protections - emphasis on once thought. However, the current court seems to have abrogated its role with regard to that.
There are several states that fall into this category. Missouri and Texas are just a couple. And you’re right, it doesn’t end with education. It’s all of our rights.
Texas, Florida and Iowa are almost interchangeable in the polices and laws they enact. It's like Govs Abbott, DeSantis and Reynolds consult each other before proposing legislation.
They copy each other and use model legislation from organizations like ALEC.
Add South Dakota, witness it’s our Mike Rounds proposing a bill to end the DOE. We are 49th in pay.
Add Oklahoma to that list.
Add Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana to begin with. In New Orleans I once screamed out loud, "This is Malawai and Haitian style poverty!!!!! " We just hide it well.
Some difference of opinion. SCROTUS didn’t abrogate their role in protecting the rights of all. They actively are fighting—rulings—to make sure the rights of those outside their ideologies are not protected.
Andrew Jackson, “The decision of the Supreme Court has fell still born, and they find that it cannot coerce Georgia to yield to its mandate”.
The Court rules, the Federal Government enforces. Sometimes.
Ask Orval Faubus when he defied Eisenhower.
I am surrounded by a shell of gas and dust. I appear to be fading: as i draw closer to the my eventual end. Just as the star WOH G64, I will go on throwing out clouds of dust, thickening the shell around me and causing my light to slowly fade away. I will also shrink in size and thought.
I have always been in a chaotic orbit around this strange attractor of American politics. This is true for all of us.
None of this means the star WOH G64 will explode soon, at least as we humans understand the term. Dying stars can go on shedding gas and dust for millennia before the inevitable supernova comes. Neither you nor I will super nova. Whenever it does happen, however, it promises to be spectacular or may end with a whimper instead of a bang.
Sorry for what may seem like the ramblings of a crazy man. I was inspired reading the science post today by Alastair Williams about the star WOH G64, borrowing many of his words while still being under the influence of his writing about searching for water on Venus, a dead planet, as is Mars and earth is becoming, hastened by complex knots of human behavior.
This is beyond appalling. Our country’s future lies with the children growing up and being educated today. I’m 78 and won’t be around to see where all of this is going, but it’s not going to be good. For years we have fallen behind in education compared to other developed countries in the world. I am dumbfounded as to why leaders want to create these circumstances for their citizens. Trump “loves the uneducated.” Why? Because they can be duped into whatever an authoritarian or tyrant wants them to believe. This is not the Missouri I grew up in. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Jess. You are a gem.
Clearly the republican party as a whole can’t be trusted to look out for the health & wellbeing of our children & citizens, period.
True
Appalling. Why don’t these people love their kids? Or want an educated community which brings in more money. Alabama needs people to work for low wages and little healthcare. The only way to get away with that is to prevent education.
The issue is Christian Nationalists using our government to force us to follow thier extremist views. They can't be happy living in a country that allows you to worship as you choose, they want to force everyone to follow their beliefs.
Imagine wearing "This is our home, not your church" t-shirt in Alabama 👇
https://libtees-2.creator-spring.com/listing/noch
We must do everything we can to combat fascism!
This!!! Religions and Fascism both need to control the mind. The best way to do this is start with early childhood indoctrination.
Exactly. Christian Nationalists are behind much of this, at all levels.
Is Lord Shiva sitting shiva for the death of American democracy?
Just referencing both Hindu and Jewish beliefs to annoy those that believe they only need to how have knowledge about Christianity. 😜
Along with the push to create christian-only education systems (through vouchers and choking off resources to public schools to make private schools or homeschooling the only viable options), the republican approach is specifically designed to create an uneducated workforce filled with people who do not understand how democracy works or feel like they have any power to effect change. Justice Souter called this problem out 12 years ago -- and made it clear that the lack of civic knowledge would be the ruin of our country. I fear he was correct. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWcVtWennr0
It also goes along with the weakening of child labor laws that permit children to work hazardous jobs. All the easier to send the poor kids to work in the meatpacking plants, then send them off into the military when they're 18.
An uneducated population is easier to control.
Absolutely! Indiana is another state like Missouri. They boast about their budget 'surplus', while our social services including family services is underfunded public education funding is a joke because they're trying to kill it through school vouchers.
Iowa is similar.
States are the meth labs of democracy
Brilliant! I might have to steal that line.
Help yourself!
Republicans are immoral.
Ya think? Or amoral.
Good point. Probably half and half I’d guess…
I truly wish you could find a paper to print your essay. In fact I wish there were many papers to do so. I believe there are so many people, voters, that just have no idea what is actually going on. This is just so wrong in so many ways. Thank you for this update. There are a couple of more states that are neck and neck with Missouri. What a shame!!
Yes! Please send this to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Jess. Maybe Aisha S. can help you get it published. This message needs to be spread far and wide. Our MO legislators do not care about what the people of MO want or need.
And the KC Star.
I live in the Dallas area and do get letters to the editor published in the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. I have started also sending copies to smaller papers in the state, hoping they might get published. Of course, I’m not sure how I’d know, but I like the idea of letter campaign to more rural area papers, where those exist.
Starve them, beat them with stupid ideas over the head daily, keep them from being nourished during the day. Disallow any and all necessities for learning and watch how you can control your future constituents. They don’t spend so they don’t have to educate. If they don’t educate, they don’t need to explain themselves - at least not to anyone who would understand. That’s how you make your constituents loyal to you. Forever. Jess has spelled it out for everyone to see. In Missouri, and some other states don’t forget to take your Soylent Green.
Truth....thank you! It is so, so important to keep documenting what we are experiencing.
And you wonder why Trump won? Uneducated children = uneducated adults = uneducated voters. Please note I was "woke" enough to not say "stupid".
This is Robert. I would like to say that you are lying or exaggerating but I know you speak the truth. Rural health care is just as bad. Why do rural voters vote for Republicans?
It used to be that rural farmers spent all day listening to AM radio while working in their fields. Since only AM radio was available in tractors and other farm machinery. That has to have something to do with it.
As a lifelong educator, it's so maddening. And when i heard yesterday that they're lowering the standards for certifying teachers in order to "allow" more teachers to be certified. I was so angry. As if lowering the requirements will result in more teachers becoming available? They're doing everything they can to drive teachers OUT of the profession. I guess hiring babysitters in place of teachers would be adequate?
They are. I’m so angry about it. Instead of raising teacher pay they are lowering teacher standards.
🎯
Wait until the legislature lowers the standards for doctors. Although probably only for pediatric and ob/gyns.
That's if they can even attract ob/gyns to come practice in their states.
I taught Social Studies for 25 years in upstate New York. Your description of the Missouri educational system makes my blood boil, particularly in light of the outrageous surplus sitting in government coffers. Governments that have no regard for children, the elderly, the disabled, the trans population, dark skinned and any "other" one can imagine are routed in hate and anger. The struggle is real.