THE HEADLINES

Execution of Robespierre (Wikipedia)

IS A THERMIDOREAN REACTION BEGINNING TO TAKE EFFECT IN EGYPT?

(Christian Science Monitor)

This term, originally referring to a phase of the French revolution in which elements of the “revolutionary” government turned against the revolution (in the execution of Robespierre for example) is seemingly playing out in Egypt in which remaining elements of the deposed Mubarak government are trying to contain the revolution and the Army, the agency which is supposedly “guiding” Egypt to democracy, is cooperating with “thugs” to suppress pro-democracy protesters.

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KEEPING IT QUIET ON THE ISLAND OF CAPRI; BUT DON’T TRY THIS IN NAPLES.

(UK Independent)

From Gracie Fields to Mariah Carey and many celebrities in between, the island has been a mecca for well-heeled tourists and residents seeking escape from the hustle and bustle of modern metropolitan life. With new stringent regulations on the hours in which construction noise and lawn mowers will be allowed, some wonder if these regulations are going too far and observing, at least, that such restrictions would not be tolerated in the hub of activity across the Bay of Naples.

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WORKERS IN WISCONSIN, LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP IN THEIR PROTESTS FROM THEIR OWN UNIONS, ARE MOSTLY NOT FINDING IT.

(Counterpunch)

So says Lee Sustar, surveying the reactions of unions to the protests against the anti-worker agenda of the Wisconsin Governor and legislature. While taking a degree of interest in the “union-busting” aspect of the protests, the unions are giving little attention to worker demands for improvement in working conditions and to state efforts to reduce their take-home pay.

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OVER HAVET: A KANSAS CITY HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR REPRISES THE ROMANCE OF 19TH CENTURY IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA.

(Kansas City Star)

While “immigration reform” issues rage in the U.S., a choir director of Norwegian origin rehearses his choir to sing a song: Over Havet, or Across the Sea, commissioned by the director in honor of his great-grandfather Norwegian immigrant. The song is to be sung at the Great Hall of Ellis Island (maybe unprecedented for a high school choir) and afterwards at the birth place of the Norwegian ancestor. While K.C. kids think a “spring break” in chilly Norway is a bit weird, their director treats it as the fulfillment of a life “dream.”

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FLORIDA LEGISLATURE DROPS PLAN TO ALLOW GUNS ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES IN THE STATE.

(Florida Capital News)

Legislature hears the unanimous disapproval of the idea of guns on campus from the heads of University police departments across the state. The measure, backed by the NRA, which would have allowed guns for “self-protection” at some private elementary and secondary schools as well, is defeated as legislators speak of the danger of “accidents” associated with campus gun-toting.

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Quote of the day…

This bill ought to be a teacher’s dream – to be paid for a student’s success.

Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, sponsor of a bill passed by Florida Senate to tie teacher pay to students’ test scores and deny tenure to teachers.

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