Last year, Camp Philos had its first meeting in a remote area of the Adirondacks of New York. Governor Cuomo was the keynote speaker at this gathering of philosophers who strategize about replacing public schools with private management and opening up the secure flow of government funding to private investors.
This year, the philosophers’ camp convened in Martha’s Vineyard, an equally inaccessible and very expensive location. It was in late October. Some of the stars of privatization were there, plus a few new faces.
The event was sponsored by the Broad Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and ConnCAN. The usual lineup of billionaires paid for this strategy session on how to steal democracy from the public, how to promote the ALEC agenda while calling yourself a Democrat.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
sigh – not one Missionary, I mean Educator from Academia
…and even Ben Austin is there, Broad’s boy, who is neither an educator nor a missionary, but rather a money oriented lawyer who (funded by Broad and the Waltons) developed the first parent trigger law (with legislator Gloria Romero in 2010) in California, and who has been charged by Eli with getting this insidious law passed in all states…and with expanding the Vergara decision nationwide. Ben is a corporate shill who lives in WLA in the midst of some of the billionaire DFERs, with his goal of attaining more extreme wealth of his own.
He is the alter ego of Broad’s other boy, John Deasy, disgraced former Supt. of LAUSD (now being investigated by the FBI and the SEC). Together this team of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum take the lead in destroying public education in favor of Eli’s plan to privatize it all.
BTW, Austin and Deasy are blood brothers with Tony Villaraigosa who is running to be Governor of California with Eli’s blessing. And of course there is Eli’s close tie to Hillary who used to be his lawyer. Who is her surrogate at the meeting? What a group…..
Howard Dean??? How did he get in?
Wow. That’s an impressive list. Any mention of the unfashionable and much-maligned public school “sector” at this high-level retreat or are our DC representatives still solely focused on privatization?
Can we pass a hat and hire an advocate for public schools? The publicly-paid advocates don’t seem interested in the job.
It looks like a democrat sponsored event. I imagine the hedge fund vultures will be out in force. The bulk of the schedule looks like “how to spin your story.” This topic was of interest. “How We Win: Strategies and Tactics to Combat an Organized and Vocal Opposition,” It’s war, and it’s all about winning and losing, but not for students. In fact, for a conference that purports to be about education, there’s almost no reference to students and their families. The emphasis is on public relations and pitching your product.
By the way, they should rename the locale “Camp Philistine.”
I don’t get the original title: A Philosopher’s Camp on Education Reform.
First, why is the possessive singular? Is there just one philosopher? Who is this person?
Second, none of the people listed as speakers has anything to do with philosophy as an academic discipline or in any other sense. Not one of them is a philosopher in any sense of the term.
Eric,
You have identified the very high self-regard of those who see themselves as philosophers, when in reality they are politicians, entrepreneurs, and their allies. Why not call themselves philosophers? Sounds better. Like everything else in today’s reform era, words are not what they seem. They are usually the opposite.
I just cannot believe Rahm Emanuel is an ed reform success story. Those schools have been in constant chaos and crisis since the moment he took office. His hand-picked CEO was just convicted, the public schools are teetering on bankruptcy, and he’s the big success.
The mayor should probably be back in Chicago, figuring out where he’s going to put 8000 children if this charter chain collapses under its own corruption and debt:
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/1076267/uno-brink-going-bust-hispanic-group-warns
In educational reform, “success” is defined by how many public schools you can “disrupt” and undermine. Whether or not you provide a better alternative is way beyond the point.
However, helping promote charter schools that make their founders rich is also defined as “success”, so I suppose Mr. Emanuel is successful on those grounds too.
Reformers don’t seem to look at facts when they spin their narrative. As Jersey Jazzman pointed out recently, “reformers” often cherry pick data just like they do students. Then, they compare apples to oranges and declare “success.” The billionaire backers then use their money and influence to spread around the false narrative. Rarely do they present any evidence based data; instead, we get filtered data through their twisted lens.
Remember, “All public schools are failures.” When my conservative brother hit me with this nonsense from the garbage he had been reading, I nearly had a stroke. Instead, I opted for a two page email.
Did he bother to read it? Would love a copy, dear Retired Teacher, to send to similar folks with closed minds.
I nearly choked to death when I read his biographical accolades. Man, can they spin the narrative!
Also, “Senator” Mary Landrieu works for the Walton family. If we’re going to have a completely unfettered revolving door between “public service” and their next high-paying gig lobbying their friends and colleagues in government, the least we could do is force them to reveal who they work for every time they appear:
“Former Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., has a new gig. She’s signed on as a paid “strategic adviser” for the Walton Family Foundation.”
The public needs this information. I’d suggest they wear patches indicating their corporate sponsors, but maybe that goes too far.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/former_sen_mary_landrieu_is_no.html
“The Billionaire Philosofee”
Camp Philos, where they meet
And plot to take the schools
To strategize defeat
Of democratic rules
I love how luxe the retreats always are. They don’t even pretend. They just seem completely unaware that they live in an entirely different world than the vast majority of the people they’re supposedly “serving”.
Just like the Ivy league, where many of these people were “educated”
My god, such a self-flattering, self-congratulatory BS name these ignoramuses give themselves: Camp Philos. I doubt if any of them–ANY of them–have read one word of Emerson whatsoever. But yes, looking at the lineup, this is a PR battle for profit and not ONE WORD about helping kids.
“The Latter-day Founding Fathers”
Latter-day Founding Fathers
Is how they see their type
And not one ever bothers
To wonder if it’s tripe
Camp Philos (Love)?
No, Camp Apaisios (Sinister)
Camp Fullos(%!^)
I bet they kept the ferry off limits to the general public. eliminating any chance of the picketing and protesting they had to drive through last year.
The Camp Philos [Proposed?] Schedule:
Education, Education Reformers, and the Movement for Racial Justice
History of Democratic Party on Education
Looking Ahead: Where Will the Democratic Party Be on Education in 25 Years?
Meeting Voters Where They Are: How to Tell the Pro-Reform Story Successfully
K-12 Higher Education Loop: Opportunities for Innovation and Accountability
Doubling Down on Success or Losing It All: What’s At Stake in 2016
How We Win: Strategies and Tactics to Combat an Organized and Vocal Opposition
What’s Next in the Edu Political Funding World?
Sounds like a good mix of snake-oil and propaganda.
Does it leave any doubt where Hillary will stand?
Interesting how they titled this seminar:
“How to Tell the Pro-Reform Story Successfully”
Not:
“How to Tell the Successes of the Pro-Reform Story”
Their Mission Statement:
Camp Philos convenes an influential group of stakeholders in the education reform movement: the thought leaders, philanthropists, and local, state, and national elected and appointed officials fighting for our nation’s schoolchildren, from classrooms to Capitol Hill. Participants attend Camp Philos to connect, share experience, exchange policy ideas, and gear up for what’s next in the changing landscape of American public education.
In 2015, Camp Philos will feature leaders from the front line of efforts to improve public education, engage new advocates, assess where we are now, and evaluate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead through case studies, debate, and candid dialogue.
Their Omission Statement:
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We TEST and we ravage and don’t give a hoot.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We burn up the SCOOLS, we’re really a fright.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We’re rascals and scoundrels, we’re villians and knaves.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We’re devils and black sheep, we’re really bad eggs.
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
We’re beggars and blighters and ne’er do-well cads,
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we’re loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up me ‘earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.
“Participants attend Camp Philos to connect, share experience, exchange
policy ideasphone numbers, and gear up for what’s next in the changing landscape of American publiceducationdating.”Fixed
Just an aside…the democratic governor campaign beggars called me today. I told the nice representative that I had no interest in supporting a group that allows the likes of Cuomo and Malloy to malign public eduction. “Please send this message to your directors and take me off your call list.” ::click::
Philosophers? No. Lovers, maybe. They certainly love money.
Too bad the place didn’t simultaneously combust with the lot of them inside.
To Dr. Ravitch,
Your invite must have gotten lost in the mail ;0-)
VIDEO: (from last year’s CAMP PHILOS)
This is referring to Ben Austin, Parent Revolution’s founder, now a high-ranking official of the Broad Foundation.
Before we go there, let’s review what Larry Miller said:
———————
LARRY MILLER in New Orleans:
“One of the biggest national players in this reform folly is the Walton Foundation. The Walton Foundation has funneled nearly $180 million in grant money in three years (2011, 2012, and 2013) to national and local organizations in the name of education reform. In 2014, alone, the Walton Foundation directed more than $2.6 million to local groups, such as New Schools for New Orleans, the Louisiana affiliate of Stand for Children, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Orleans Public Education Network, 4.0 Schools and the Black Alliance for Educational Options.
(Again, one of those left off that list is the Los Angeles-based Parent Revolution, founded and Ben Austin, until recently, led by Ben Austin, and which receives its funding from Broad, Gates, the Walton’s, etc. Ben has since been appointed to the Broad Foundation and left Parent Revolution.)
“Now, it’s the Walton family’s money; and they are free to donate it as they please. But just for a second let’s consider that research clearly shows a correlation between family income and a child’s academic achievement and that the widening achievement gap is in great measure associated the widening wealth gap.
“Given those points, one would think that if the Waltons were so concerned with transforming educational outcomes for America’s children they would not have to be shamed into giving their own low-wage earning employees a pay raise. The wages earned by many Wal-Mart employees are so low that their workers often rely on food stamps, Section 8 housing assistance, and state-funded healthcare programs.”
———————
A little more background before the Ben Austin video:
For his role in the privatization movement, Diane Ravitch called Ben Austin “Waltons’ useful idiot.” For his and Parent Revolution’s role in wrecking the career of an innocent principal, Ravitch said there’s a place in “Hell” for people like that. Both comments are fully justified, based on my first-hand familiarity with this situation. (That principal, Irma Cobian, is a friend of mine.)
For detail on this, go here:
https://dianeravitch.net/2013/05/25/parent-revolution-forces-out-excellent-principal/
and here:
https://dianeravitch.net/2013/05/25/wondering-about-ben-austin/
Back to the speech:
Ben Austin uses the latter “Hell” quote for the title his speech:
“How Getting Sentenced to Hell Turned Out To Be Awesome”
… and gave this speech to a group of school privatization leaders, at the school privatization industry’s annual Lake Placid, New York “retreat” or “camp” that is called… get this…
“CAMP PHILOS: A PHILOSOPHERS’ CAMP ON EDUCATION REFORM”
There privatizers call the speeches that people given there … “Ed Talks”… Get it? That rhymes with… Yeah, I know… aren’t they clever?
This retreat was run by “Education Reform Now”, funded and controlled by the usual suspects: Gates, Walton, Broad, etc.
Ben Austin uses the former “useful idiot” quote in his “Ed Talk”, when he calls out a Walton Foundation in the audience named Jim Blue.
(00:05 – 00:23)
(00:05 – 00:23)
BEN AUSTIN: “I think some of you remember about a year ago, Diane Ravitch announced that I was ‘loathsome,’ that I was ‘Waltons’ useful idiot.’ Is Jim Blue here?
(pointing excitedly)
“Yeah, there’s Jim! I’m his ‘useful idiot.’
( then dances like an idiot puppet, then mockingly demands thanks from the Walton operative)
BEN AUSTIN: “You’re welcome!”
And the privatizer audience laps it up and laughs.
Hey Ben. Just because you say it in a mocking tone, doesn’t mean what you say isn’t true.
Ben later tries to joke away the idea that the privatization movement—of which he is indeed a “useful idiot,’—is a conspiracy of wealthy people and their foundations to use the trojan horse of philanthropy to seize control of public education. Though he tries to mock this contention, what he says mockingly is actually 100% TRUE..
Ben, it’s not a right-wing CONSPIRACY. It’s a right-wing REALITY.
(07:07 – 08:45 )
(07:07 – 08:45 )
BEN AUSTIN: “But because many of us don’t (tell our stories well), we have handed the other side a paintbrush, and a large blank canvas, and they get to paint whatever they want, and they have painted a cartoonish conspiracy theory about of all of this.
“My conspiracy is that (the Walton Foundation’s) Jim Blue gives me a lot of money, and that Jim and I have a secret pact that we’re not going to tell anybody about—so I hope this isn’t being videotaped—umm… to… for me to trick parents into converting their schools into for-profit charter schools—setting aside the fact that Parent Revolution is against for-profit charter schools… forget about that for a second—ummm… and I have devised a secret way to secretly funnel the profits from those schools back to Jim, so that the Walton family can get rich by (the Walton Family) giving away all their money.
— (audience laughs)
“That’s it. I’m not kidding.
“Now this would be funny if it were coming from bloggers sitting around in the middle of the night in their underwear wearing tin foil hats, but IT IS NOT.
— (for the record, Ben, I’m wearing a jogging suit while I type this… my hair is a touseled “bed-head”— no tinfoil hat… JACK)
“This is coming from Diane Ravitch, from Randi Weingarten, from major thought-leaders and major education leaders running hundred-million-dollar organizations. So we should be able to look them in the eye and laugh at this, flush them out of their ideological bunkers, and engage them in a debate about what is good for children.
“But we can’t do that until we claim… until we reclaim our collective narrative…”
——————
Ben then goes on to say that everyone on all sides of this debate are good people with good motives—-“including Diane Ravitch”.
Frankly, I don’t believe this. I don’t believe the other side, with their bogus philanthropy, has good motives, nor will their endgame result in a positive benefit for the education of children.
On another thread, Julie Tran, quoting from a Forbes Magazine article, put it far better than I can in the comments section:
Julie Tran: “(Broad, Gates, Walton, etc.) are bastardizing the terms and concepts of “philanthropy”, “philanthropic,” “philanthropist,” etc. This “impact investing” is nothing but ruthless capitalism covered with the thinnest veneer of “social responsibility” and “charity”.
FROM THE Forbes ARTICLE: (Note the capitalization)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/skollworldforum/2013/07/30/why-impact-investing-is-an-emerging-paradigm-shift-in-philanthropy/
————–
FORBES: “Attached to all this fervor is a fair amount of confusion about what impact investing actually represents.
“Is it investment, philanthropy, or both?
“Simply put, impact investing is THE DEPLOYMENT OF CAPITAL WITH AN EXPECTATION OF FINANCIAL RETURN, where the success of the investment is also contingent upon achieving a stated social or environmental goal. For example, at JPMorgan Chase we are committing capital—more than $50 million to date—to private equity funds THAT WILL DELIVER US AN APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL RETURN while simultaneously improving livelihoods for underserved populations around the world.”
—————
Julie Tran: “I mean, come on… ‘deliver us an appropriate financial return’… this is most certainly not ‘philanthropy” by any current or past definition.
“In Eli Broad’s and the billionaires’ approach hostile takeover of education, it allows them to make the specious argument:
“ ‘ Sure, we’re making millions off this ‘education reform’, ‘reforms’ that allow us to seize control of hundreds of millions of the public’s tax dollars, take control over state education departments (John While in Lousiana), to take over massive school districts (Chicago), and to seize control over individual schools with absolutely no oversight, transparency or accountability from the public who are kicking in those tax dollars…
” ‘ … but we’re also helping improve the education of poor black and brown children at the same time… so that means EVERYBODY WINS, and that means our profiteering really is ‘philanthropy’ and that makes it okay!”
“No, no, no… a thousand freakin’ times… NOOOO!
“Those millions should go to the classroom, not into the pockets of Eli Broad, the Waltons, or Bill Gates, or hedge fund managers, or the bank accounts of money-motivated charter honchos like Eva Moskowitz ($ 600,000 / year salary). The idea that these predatory slimeballs care more about the education of poor minority children than the very teachers—yeah, the ones in unions—who are with them day and and day out is the most nauseating fraud that has ever been perpetrated in U.S. history.
“Once all of this is exposed to the public, they’ll feel and think the same way, and resist such ‘reform.’ ”
After writing that Ben Austin Camp Philos post — almost three months ago — I then went a little OCD with some song parodies — i.e. sung at Camp Philos during their night time campfire.
It was LAUSD’s and our school’s pupil-free day, the day before school started, and — in a ten-hour blitz — I was setting up my classroom for the school year to begin the following day.
During breaks — and as a stress reliever — I went a little nuts with this…
———————————–
One more thing…
How does one get invited to one of these education reform “philosophers’ camps”?
That’s what I’d like to know.
At night, does Ben Austin break out a guitar and lead a reformster sing-along around a campfire? You know, with all reformsters roasting marshmallows and s’mores?
I can just see all of them in lotus position, in a circle around the fire, arms around each others’ shoulders as they swayed back and forth in unison…
… sung to the melody of…
“Eli privatized a school ashore! Allleluuuuu-ia!
“Eli privatized a school ashore! Allleluuuuu-ia!
“The Waltons bus-ted a teacherrrrs’ union! Allleluuuuu-ia!
The Waltons bus-ted a teacherrrrs’ union! Allleluuuuu-ia!”
or maybe…
… sung to the melody of…
(0:08)
(0:08)
“If I owned a schooooool board,
I’d prive ‘ tize in the morrrrnin’.
I’d prive ‘ tize in the eeeev’nin’.
alllll over this lannnnd!
“I’d prive ‘ tize New-ark!
I’d prive ‘ tize Bos-ton!
I’d prive ‘ tize with you ‘n me,
My brothers and my sisters,
alllll over this lannnnd!”
“If I had a billlll – ion
I’d close schools in the morrrrnin’.
I’d close schools in the eeeev’nin’.
alllll over this lannnnd!
“I’d close down HIGH SCHOOLS!
I’d close down ALL SCHOOLS
I’d close ‘m down with you ‘n me,
My brothers and my sisters,
alllll over this lannnnd!”
Okay, that’s enough of that. I could go on all day.
—————–
“Bethree” then suggested the Laura Nyro classic “ELI’S COMIN’ ” (also a hit for Three Dog Night)
———————-
Here’s the Laura Nyro version:
(to match your lyrics
start at 00:44)
(start at 00:44)
“Eli’s comin’, hide your children,
Eli’s comin’, hide your children
GIRL, Eli’s a-comin’, better hide,
GIRL, Eli’s a-comin’, better hide.
BOY, Eli’s a-comin’, better hide,
GIRL, Eli’s comin’, hide your kiiiids..
You better, better hide your schools,
Eli’s comin’, better walk-walk
but you’ll never get away,
no, you’ll never get away
from the Broadies’ Rhee-form…”
———–
Here’s the Three Dog Night version:
(to match your lyrics
start at to 00:34 )
(start at to 00:34 )
“Eli’s comin’, hide your children,
Eli’s comin’, hide your children.
GIRL, Eli’s a-comin’, you BETTER hide,
GIRL, Eli’s a-comin’, you BETTER hide.
GIRL, Eli’s a-comin’, you BETTER hide,
GIRL, Eli’s comin’, hide your kids, girl.
“HIDE ‘EM!
“You better, better hide your schools,
Eli’s comin’, better walk-walk
but you’ll never get away,
no, you’ll never get away
from the Broadies’ Rhee-form…”
————–
I’m showing my age with these songs.
I just thought of another one—the
1970’s gem “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero”
(to match the lyrics,
start at 00:16)
(start at 00:16)
“The billionaires are TAKIN’ all OUR schools.
Their foundations fall in behind.
“I looked across and there I saw Bill Gates,
“And with a crew of his priva-tie-zers,
with Eli Broad along that day,
“And where I stood, I saw children cryin’,
and through their tears, I heard ’em say:
” ‘BiIllll Gates! Don’t be a doooouche-bag!
Don’t take our schools all awayyyy!’
” ‘BiIllll Gates! Don’t be a doooouche-bag!
Don’t make ’em use merit payyyy!’
“And as Bill seized his next schoooool,
parents said, ‘Bill, yer such a too-ooo-ooool.’
” ‘BiIllll Gates! Don’t be a doooouche-bag!
Get a new hobby!’ “
I just came up with two more:
one slow & elegiac …
and the next …
… up-tempo & rockin’
First, the slow one ..
Peter, Paul, & Mary singing…
“WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE?
“Where have care-ing teachers gone?
… long time passing.
Where have care-ing teachers gone?
… long time ago.
“Where have caring teachers gone?
“They’ve been fired, every one.
“Oh when will they ever learn?
“Oh when will they … ever learrrrn?
“Where have whole-some lessons gone?
… long time passing.
Where have whole-some lessons gone?
… long time ago.
“Where have whole-some lessons gone?
… turned to test prep every one.
“Oh when will they ever learn?
“Oh when will they … ever learrrrn?
“Where have pub-lic schools all gone?
… long time passing.
Where have pub-lic schools all gone?
… long time ago
“Where have pub-lic schools all gone?
… turned to profit centers, every one.
“Oh when will they ever learn?
“Oh when will they … ever learrrrn?”
———
That was kind of depressing… a look into a possible tragic future.
So let’s finish with a smasher:
(WARNING — you might not be able to get this one out of your head)
Ringo Starr’s “BACK OFF BOOGALOO”
(00:11)
(00:11)
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
— (heavy drumming)
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!
What you DO,
it just ain’t FAIR!
Ya wanna PRIVE – a – TIZE
all our SCHOOLS.
— (heavy drumming)
“GET LOST, E – ligh !
Don’t pretend that you don’t lie
when YOU SAY that you
care about KIDS!
— (heavy drumming)
“Spend your money somewhere ELSE!
That means YOU, Reed HASTINGS!
Makin’ money … off our KIDS?
You know it sure sounds WASTED!
“BACK OFF, Bill-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bill-lionaires!”
“YOU THINK … we’re just TOOLS,
foolin’ folks with charter SCHOOLS.
Kids – are – NOT DOLL’R SIGNS!
— (guitar solo & heavy drumming)
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
“Spend your money somewhere ELSE!
That means YOU, Reed HASTINGS!
Makin’ money … off our KIDS?
You know it sure sounds WASTED!
— (guitar lick)
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!
What you DO,
it just ain’t FAIR!
Ya wanna PRIVE – a – TIZE
all our SCHOOLS.
— (heavy drumming)
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires!” we say.
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires! C’mon.”
“BACK OFF, Bil-lionaires, boo!”