Integration at the Barnard School in Washington, D.C., on May 27, 1955. (Photo by Thomas J O'Halloran/Library of Congress)
SEPARATE BUT EQUAL: HOW DID WE GET FROM THE EQUALITARIAN VIEWS OF BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION TO TODAY’S PERPETUATION AND INCREASE IN SOCIAL INEQUALITY?
(In These Times)
California teacher John M. Davis tackles that question, noting how the radical re-distribution of privilege envisioned by the Supreme Court decision of 1954 has finally resulted in an ever-more uneven distribution to the advantage of the well-to-do. He faults, to a degree, the emphasis on diversity and multi-culturalism, the supposed twin sibling of the ideology of equality, which has turned to be instead a cop-out on the Court agenda. As diversity of cultures is “celebrated,” the gross inequalities of those of different “cultures” grows apace with still-segregated schools and neighborhoods: “separate and unequal.”
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CRITICS SAY UK SCHOOLS ARE SACRIFICING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY BY SHIFTING STUDENTS TOWARD VOCATIONAL TRAINING.
(UK Independent)
Dismal rate of passage of tests in mathematics and English creates pressure for schools to shunt more students into the less stringent academic requirements of vocational courses.
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TEA PARTY AND PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS MAKE STRANGE BEDFELLOWS IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUED MILITARY AID FOR ISRAEL.
(Counterpunch)
While Congress and the White House display an orgy of fiscal conservatism when it comes to domestic spending items such as home heating aid for the poor, liberals and conservatives are co-habitating on the issue of demanding as vital to national security the full maintenance of more than $3 billion dollars to Israel, without which Qualitative Military Edge could not be maintained in the face of new threats to Israel raised by unrest in Arab Middle East. When TP favorite Senator Rand Paul dares to question Israeli military support, he is rewarded by condemnation from his own party as well as from PC stalwarts like Rep. Jan Schakowsky.
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WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT IN AMERICA? THE ENVIRONMENT OR JOBS?
(McClatchy)
GOP legislators are banking on jobs as the answer to that question as they prepare legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency to act more expeditiously on permits for mining operations that comply with Clean Water Act. The Senate version of this legislation is called the Mining Jobs Protection Act, capitalizing on the bi-partisan emphasis on jobs restoration in a recessionary economy. Opponents say the coal industry and its congressional allies are simply using the rhetoric of “jobs” creation to create better bottom line profits for themselves.
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RESTORATION OF FELON CIVIL RIGHTS MAY TAKE A BIG HIT FROM NEW ADMINISTRATION IN TALLAHASSEE.
(Miami Herald)
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is advocating for back-off from earlier plans for “automatic” restoration of rights to felons who have completed their sentences, saying these should be “earned” by ex-felons and should occur only after a mandatory waiting period. Critics say this amounts to “double probation for the same offenses.” Bondi does agree that, in the case of restoration of ex-felon’s ability to gain licenses and work permits, the restoration process should be easier, bowing to the mantra of “jobs, jobs” of the current Governor.
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Quote of the day...
Politics.
The one-word answer of unnamed EPA scientist on why a letter calling for elimination of hydro-fracking (use of chemicals in oil and gas drilling) was deleted from a report related to hydro-fracking in New York City area.
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