Anthony Cody writes another brilliant column, this time questioning NBC’s Education Nation about whether it truly intends to sponsor a dialogue about education issues or just another Gates-funded celebration of “reformers” who don’t like public schools.
Since Anthony asked, I told him I was invited to be a part of Education Nation—as a member of the audience. Unless I am invited to speak, I won’t be there. I am not interested in hearing about the joys of high-stakes testing (for other people’s children) and the great promise of privatization.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Edumachination …
Even audience members need an invite to listen to lies from Gates, Duncan, Rhee, Canada and the rest of the posse?
I’d rather give birth naturally while undergoing a root canal rather than sit through an agonizing fraudfest fiasco orchestrated by NBC bumbling buffoons.
I hope to be reading Reign of Error by then…a protest outside sounds more appealing to me.
It would be great if a web broadcast/chat/webinar/something with you could be organized for the same time…
John Owens, if you can figure out how to do that, and how to connect to a large audience, I would do it.
Really, a Google Hangout on Air broadcast via YouTube would be drop dead simple. If you (Diane) announced it on your blog and your twitter account, you would have a significant audience.
Great idea! Diane could moderate live while we all comment on their stupidity simultaneously.
Build it and I will be there
I was just checking your calendar! Would love to see this happen. I see you are in Brooklyn on the 8th…wondering if we could broadcast from there? I need technological help and am following up with some people…anyone tech. wizards who see this, please jump in. or email me: jowens@thebadteacher.com
Checking out Bill’s idea — please connect with me Bill, when you can. Thanks! ( Google Hangout on Air broadcast via YouTube)
It’s perversely fitting that this year’s Miseducation Nation broadcasts, which have been a reliable vehicle for so-called education reform propaganda, are being given from the New York Public Library.
While the neighborhood branch library system is facing cutbacks, despite heavy increases in use, the monumental 42nd street branch is facing effective destruction by real estate developers and local oligarchs who seek to transform it into a combination Starbucks and setting for Society fundraisers. The plan is to ship its priceless research library to a warehouse in New Jersey.
So, the privateers will broadcast their attacks on the public schools from the splendor of a people’s monument they also seek to take over and vandalize.
It is impossible to overestimate the cynicism and venality of these people.
http://www.policymic.com/articles/41483/new-york-public-library-why-new-yorkers-are-rallying
Ripe for revolutionary protests by the people.
I wish I had any faith that anything will ever make “the people” revolt. Certainly not the loss of a research library. We’re like the proverbial frog in the slowly heating water, except that actually, the frog will jump out. People? Apparently not.
Every time I think nothing else will ever shock me….
Miseducation Nation is a perfect description. I watched it once and couldn’t believe the bs presented. It made me sick to see Gates obviously running the show and the Ed. Sec on there going along with it all. I had worked in charters and knew it was a bunch of lies. I saw a local one hosted by C. Clinton and it was nothing but lies and propaganda. Don’t bother to watch. It will just make your stomach turn.
This just in:
New York Public Library Changes Plans, Will Keep Its Stacks –
Preservation Battles –
Norman Foster’s designs for a soaring glass atrium in the New York Public Library are now a thing of the past. The library cameunder fire from scholars and preservationists for the design—which called for shipping research books to Jersey, dismantling the library’s historic stacks, and replacing them with a vast, airy gathering space—
http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/08/28/new_york_public_library_changes_plans_will_keep_its_stacks.php
great post by Anthony Cody– he suggested the Education Nation FB where I posted this: In case it hasn’t made your radar screen, there is a growing pushbacklash movement that runs counter to the reformers’ talking points and the Gates Fdtn’s “facts.” See, e.g.: http://bit.ly/14SmVlX If it is a dialog you are billing perhaps a two-way street would be better than a one-way track. Conversation with dissenting voices, who make some pretty compelling points, facts and all, would improve your credibility and keep it from seeming less than an exercise in propoganda.
See also: http://wapo.st/14Jsd0F
Watching that Education Nation nonsense (I realize that noun isn’t strong enough, but I don’t want to use “curse words”) gives me a stomach ache. I tried to watch last year just to see how they were selling Ed-deform. It literally made me unwell.
Glad I don’t have access to NBC at home!
Evidently NBC, like Fox, has no problem being simply a propaganda office.
News
or
Newspeak?
For shame! Education Nation inviting you to sit in the audience. C’mon, MSNBC, we need someone to stand up.
And I love the idea of broadcasting Diane Ravitch at the same time! I still get amazed that we live down this rabbit hole right now.
It’s so obvious they are liars and crooks out to pilfer the public treasury for profit. It’s like giving Al Capone or Bonnie and Clyde a forum.
It is outrageous that voices that defend democracy and its institutions are silenced.
I was on one of the panels in the Ed Nation in a Phoenix. In the pre-interview they seemed to be looking for a good debate of the issues. Granted, this was not a nationally televised panel, but I felt they provided a good opportunity for push back.
The piece was called Improving the Outcome– http://www.educationnation.com/index.cfm?objectid=FFEE9C90-AB4F-11E2-B3E2000C296BA163