I discourage use of profanity but when the President of The US introduces certain words into public discourse, the rules change.
Norway announced that it was renaming itself Shithole to show solidarity with countries insyltedby Trump.
This dispatch comes from Oslo, Shithole.
http://www.breakingburgh.com/norway-renames-shithole-solidarity-countries-trump-insulted/
Diane Ravitch's blog 
“Norway announced that it was renaming itself Shithole to show solidarity with countries insulted by Trump.”
…….
My grandmother came from Norway and I am proud to be member of the Shithole group. You may quote me on my knowledge gained as a human with Norwegian blood flowing through my veins, “President Trump is a SH**hole President.”
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like
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Love!
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It’s a satirical blog.
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When do Republicans become too ashamed to back this man? I’m not a Republican so I can’t say for sure but I really don’t think I’d still be supporting Donald Trump at this point if he were a Democrat. He has NO redeeming qualities. He gets worse every week.
The idea that Betsy DeVos can go into schools and scold public school students while working for him is ludicrous. It’s not like she needs the job. The DeVos family make more on their investments in a week than that job pays in a year. I guess I could understand it if she had mouths to feed or something, but is she PROUD of her boss?
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When do Republicans become too ashamed to back this man?
Indeed. Well said.
They seem to have pretty strong stomachs.
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Webster’s Dictionary/Crossword Clue:
Third World County – shithole
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Yeah for Norway. 👏
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It’s satire.
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Saw a report today that 44 percent of Americans, when asked to name the first word that comes to mind when they think of Donald Trump, say,”embarrassment.” And, ofc, that stat captures only a portion of the people who find him embarrassing. Can someone please wake me up with this shameful presidency is over?
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Bob Shepherd
I don’t what is wrong with that 44 %. The first word that comes to my mind is S—head.
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Bob Shepherd
I don’t know what is wrong with that 44 %. The first word that comes to my mind is S—head.
love that edit button
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How often I have wished for that. And for an edit button for the last Presidential election.
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Yes, world, most of us are embarrassed by this guy. So, so sorry!!!
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And in other news . . .
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/post-politics/wp/2018/01/14/how-a-mans-first-ever-tweet-about-obamas-respect-proved-more-popular-than-trumps-bluster/
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Here is a great political quote from the NYT:
QUOTATION OF THE DAY
“Obviously he likes Norwegians because they are white. But he knows nothing about Norway, a country with single-payer universal health care and free college education. Why would anyone want to leave Norway for the U.S.?”
Mae Ngai, an immigration historian at Columbia University, responding to the president’s reported comments.
…………………………
Video: Stunning Norway Landscapes
If you enjoy watching beautiful videos then sit back and relax as you take in the stunning landscapes of Norway in this video from Timestorm Films. Filmed during August and September of 2015 the video shows us Norway from the fjords and highlands of southern Norway to the coastal peaks of the Lofoten and Senja Islands. Set to the soundtrack of “Deliverance” by Jo Blankenburg this is truly an awesome look at Norway.
https://biggeekdad.com/2015/12/stunning-norway-landscapes/#.WlwM_ggWShc.gmail
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I could not refrain from this post for obvious reasons.
If Norway is a shithole country, then the vast majority of us are happy to remain in our shitholes and stay as shit holers the rest of our lives there, given the distribution of wealth and quality of life that our hard earned tax dollars dignifyingly pay for.
But in all seriousness, Donald Trump and his GOP comrades have turned the White House into a shithole administration and the democracy into a shithole institution.
But I continue to have great faith in the American people’s (including ALL categories of people living here) to fight back, flush the toilet, and use some Scrubbing Bubbles to clean away the shit in the hole, transforming Trump’s full-of-doody butt into a once again flourishing democracy.
But it will take a lot of work and heavy lifting. Yet Americans will be willing to do so.
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Thank you for your faith in us, NF! I think so, too. I believe that Trump is the death-rattle of a LOT of ugliness here in the United States. We shall look back on him and his ilk with horror.
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Lots of books are being written and will be written about how the electorate could have chosen such as twisted, sick man to lead the country. I have enormous faith in the young people coming up today. Sometime soon, they will clean house of Trump and of all of his Trumpeteers.
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In the USA it is time to flush the toilet and clear out all the GERMS.
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LOL. Yes.
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Diane, often we use LOL but I actually did laugh out loud with your last line here. What an admirable move from Shithole !
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Thanks for the laugh, and the link! I need as many links to humor as I can get.
As someone whose ancestors raided communities, stole, beat men, and raped women on the borderlands of England and Scotland centuries ago, I have to say that I come from a s^&*hole country too. It just happens to be Trump’s country of origin as well!
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Diane,
I did not hear Trump call Norway that derogatory name. It amazes me that there is a problem referencing Norway as a place from which we would welcome immigrants – I have constantly seen the education, health systems as being at the top and one country we might want to emulate. I guess listening to CNN constantly use the term over and over again maybe that was the reason – where was the FCC? Is this a new high bar to reach?
I don’t feel like a racist to want immigrants to come to this country on a merit base system.
I also have a problem with the veracity of Dick Do and the Donts Durbin.
Democrat Dick Durbin has not only been caught red (or blue) handed in a lie, by claiming that a Republican leader in the House of Reps. told the President to his face that he “cannot stand to look at him.”
For example: In 2013, Politico reported:
“In a ‘negotiation’ meeting with the president, one GOP House Leader told [President Barack Obama]: ‘I cannot even stand to look at you,’” Durbin wrote in a post on his Facebook page over the weekend.
However, both the White House and the House speaker’s office denied Durbin’s account of events.
Asked about the post in the White House daily briefing, press secretary Jay Carney said he checked with a participant of the meeting in question.
“I looked into this and spoke with somebody who was in that meeting and it did not happen,” Carney said.
This is the same man who attacked the men and women in our military, comparing these heroes to “Nazis.”
Durbin’s remarks were so grievous and offensive, he was forced to make a tear-soaked apology on the Senate floor. Not only did Durbin’s remarks injure America’s position in the world, provide an enormous propaganda victory to the enemy, and slander the United States military, they also represent an escalation in the political rhetoric of the left, which is designed to undermine the public’s confidence in the military, the administration, and the war.
Trump’s remark, if true that it was said, behind closed doors and denied by other attendees – republicans – are inappropriate and damaging to his immigration, DACA Dreamers issue. But it is amazing how the Dems feel this is the thing that will sink Trump.
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Norwegians don’t want to emigrate here. They live in a happy, prosperous country.
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Yes, they do indeed!
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Norwegian Filmmaker: You are an expert on the subject. What is the draw to come here other than it’s warmer in California and Florida? Norwegian people seem to be better adjusted and much happier. Their social networks work, have a decent healthcare system and free schooling through college. So WHY come here? The rants of our ignorant leader should be enough to stop anyone from coming.
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The only thing that is reminiscent of sh**hole in reference to Norway is lutefisk. If you ever tried it, you would know the reference. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutefisk
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Carol Malaysia,
I’ll sum it up because right now I’m busy having my head bitten off by New York City School Parent, who is, one instance, far more fixated on my comments about your Democratic party than fixated on fixing it and fixing America and American education.
Reasonable and dignified redistribution of wealth and big enough taxes that pay for a very dignified and civilized society based on social safety nets for not just the poor but the middle class as well.
We see healthcare as a birthright, not a commodity.
We have far more time off to spend with family and friends and feel human. We are heavily into a work ethic, but we believe in true balance between work and play, and our politics reflect that.
We are family friendly because we provide paid family leave time off with help for the women after she gives birth. We have excellent affordable, practically free childcare so that parents can return to work and contribute to the economy.
Our universities are subsidized so that young adults can get head in life and contribute to our society rather than being absorbed with themselves due to being saddled with debt (is “saddled” the right word here? My English is challenged from time to time!)
We are not puritanical when it comes to sex and sexuality and having children learn about the birds and bees early on in a developmentally appropriate and objective way.
We do not generally put religion above moral reasoning and humanism. We do not see religion as the end all and be all of existence.
We don’t put militarism before humanism either.
Sorry, but with all the extremely serious problems going on in Norway right now as the Right tries to gang bust the Left and the citizenry, there ain’t no one from Norway so eager to come here and live out the American dream, which, as George Carline said, you Carlin said, “You have to be asleep at the wheel to believe it . . . ”
But I continue to see America rise to the occasion and I still have faith in most Americans.
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Norwegian Filmmaker: It sounds absolutely fantastic to me. Thanks! Now, we need all of your politicians to move to this country, get democratically elected, and change the nonsense that passes for democracy here. I thank you for the hope that you give American.
It is very tiring to keep protesting and not be heard. I keep doing what I can.
It’s tiring to know that so many people vote against their own best interests because of media lies [especially ones such as Fox and Breitbart], the internet [freedom to express garbage], politicians who speak out of both sides of their mouths for their own greedy enrichment and religious groups [let’s worship the wealthy and only help fetuses until they get born]. They all are speaking their versions of ‘truth’.
I donated $80 dollars to Bernie’s campaign. Who else hears someone who can’t spend millions (or at least thousands)?
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I understood Trump to mean that we don’t want black refugees but would welcome whites. Most people would call that racism.
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Diane,
A definite misunderstanding – it is a shame, another ugly reference to racism. You should have been in the closed door room and then you might have some objective substantiated comment – but since you and I were not – we are left with hearsay and choosing who we want to believe.
Since it is MLK day – a fitting quote
“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.”
Might be the problem in our govt
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Trump has a long history of racism, beginning with prosecution for discriminating against blacks in renting Trump apartments. He found it difficult to denounce the KKK and white nationalists.
Are you saying this clown is not a racist?
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Anderson Cooper has some statements concerning Trump and racism and plays some videos of Trump at his racist best:
Cooper challenges Trump’s ‘least racist’ claim
CNN
Published on Jan 15, 2018
CNN’s Anderson Cooper takes a look at racially-charged statements made by President Donald Trump following his claim that he is the “least racist” person.
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Diane, I’m kind of surprised by you. You agonized for a long time about supporting the BATs – a group that shares your mission and your ferver – because of the profanity in their name. But now, because Trump started it, it’s suddenly okay with you to toss around potty language?
I dunno, I have mixed feelings about profanity myself. I’ve certainly been known to use it. But it seems to me the fact that Trump is doing it is precisely the reason not to do it. If I had always been against profanity, I certainly wouldn’t start using it now. Why give Trump the power to turn you into a more coarse person? If you’re concerned about the vulgarity that occupies the White House turning our country into a nastier place, why participate in it yourself? What ever happened to “when they go low, we go high”?
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BTW, yes, my Russian control agent, Ekaterina, told me to say that. It was in a note included with the flowers and candy she thoughtfully sends me.
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When did I agonize about supporting the BATS? Was it for five minutes or seven? Do you know my mind better than I do?
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Diane clearly noted that it was our dear President who entered this term into the public discourse.
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Dienne:
I am your control agent, Ekaterina. Coding in: GXZV глупый 5834-2. You are recalled back to the Motherland for reprogramming. Your service to President Putin is greatly appreciated, but you must learn how to be an effective troll without making fools of us. (I’ve supported you for a long time, Dienne, but this is getting ridiculous.)
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Dienne,
Don’t bother with this. It’s silly, and Diane can change her mind. She’s the host. Cursing or no cursing does not charactierize who Diane Ravitch is or should be. Thank goodness for her blog.
But I also want to say that I LOVE 99% of YOUR comments on this blog as you focus so perfectly on what ‘s going and why in public education. If you keep on writing, I’ll keep on reading. I’m a Dienne fan, and there’s no sarcasm there!
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He did say if he shot someone on Fifth Avenue, he would still get votes so I guess there is no limit to the base’s support of him…that’s scary…
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Come on now. You do realize the article you reference as the excuse for your rant is SATIRE right?!?!?! OMG! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
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Sh*thole Countries (Why the disparity exists)
Steven Molyneux 1/12/2018
45.45
https://youtu.be/QFA6op8C8vU
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Diane,
I think you hit the nail on the head when you referenced Norway and the Norwegians. Although I was, and neither of the many pundits here, not in the room with Trump, he might have referenced the countries rather than the people. Those people do want to escape their “s…holes” and the Norwegians don’t need to escape from their happy system.
I know you are well aware of Obama having a “potty mouth” – You can google it for enjoyment.
Anna Giaritelli | Jan 13, 2017, 11:19 PM Washington examiner
President Obama admits he has a potty mouth. The outgoing Democratic leader told NBC’s Lester Holt he has learned how to keep his cool, but will let a few foul words slide on occasion, according to a pre-taped interview that aired Friday evening.
“I tend to be somebody who focuses on what it is that I wanna get done as opposed to focusing on whatever grudges have developed,” Obama said.
“Now, look. My staff will tell you I can curse like a sailor behind closed doors sometimes.
Wow, how many of the bloviators here complained about his s@@@mouth back then – crickets. But he was not Trump so he could do no wrong.
Racist – really? I remember the Haitian problem in the news and saw the devastation and deplorable life there – it still exists for the most part – and the pictures – go google – still portray little change. Rand Paul got his trip to Haiti to give eye care by none other than the man you call a racist – Trump. Now why would a racist do a thing like that – as well as support Rand’s aid trip to Africa. NBC MEET THE PRESS interview – he supported Rnd in supplying “vision back for 200 people in Haiti,” Paul said.
Speaking of Haitians – I also remember and I had to Google this as well – the Clinton-Bush Haiti fund, inaugurated by President Obama with both former Presidents at his side, is still running Web advertisements that say “100% of donations go directly to relief efforts.”
That’s a cruel lie, considering the quake victims living in flood zones under withered plastic tarps. Only 8% of its $50 million had been spent by this summer, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Wow! If that was Trump none of the bloggers here would let that go – he would be hung by his toenails for being “greedy” and a “racist”
HYPOCRISY CALL
This whole Hawaii incident on Saturday, the Dicky Durbin allegation late last week are somehow are tied together as part of this whole silent coup to take down the president. They couldn’t take him down during the election. Then they tried to take him down with the Electoral College, then the Russia collusion story, then it was obstruction of justice, then it was his mental capacity, then it was his temperament, and now — and now — Dickey Do and the Donts Hawaii story. The salivating pundits were not blaming the state for the button problem – no – it was Trump who caused this idiot – not fired from his position but got a better paying one – typical BLUE state govt job. If any of them had a toe nail infection it was caused by Trump!
But wait – I love to rant on the hypocricy – you don’t hear the pundits giving him credit for the economic improvement of the African American community – nope, hasn’t happened !
This is a Washington Post story. It is from 2016. February 19th, 2016. And the headline: “Donald Trump Says if He ‘Were African American,’ He Wouldn’t Like President Obama — As Donald Trump pitched himself as ‘a unifier’ during a rally in this beach town Friday afternoon, he criticized President Obama for not doing enough for the African Americans who helped vote him into office. “‘You know, Barack Obama, African American. If I were African American, I would be so angry at him,” Trump said to a crowd of 5,200. ‘African American youth has an almost 60 percent unemployment rate. African American people that are 25 — prime-time age — 25 to 40 have such a high unemployment rate, you wouldn’t believe.’”
Trump said, “I will do more for the African American people in one year than Barack Obama has done in his seven years, soon to be eight years — and then, by the way, he’s out and thank goodness.”
“I will do more for African American people in one year than Barack Obama has done in his seven years, soon to be eight.”
What the press keeps quiet about — The unemployment rate for black Americans fell to 6.8% in December, this past December. That is the lowest level since 1972 when the labor department began tracking the number. That is, therefore, the lowest unemployment rate for African Americans in history.
It marks a swift comeback for black workers who suffered through extremely high unemployment during the Great Recession. In March of 2010, for example, black unemployment peaked at — are you ready for this? — 16.8%. And that was well above the peak unemployment rates for other demographics. So 16.8% in basically almost eight years ago down to 6.8%. And it’s happened in one year!
The guy you call a racist does what Obama couldn’t do.
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Trump: I am not a racist.
Nixon: I am not a crook.
May they meet the same fate.
Trump makes Nixon look like an intellectual giant by contrast
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Diane,
I got the comment in a tweet comparison.
I did find the following
CNBC’s economic survey released prior to Christmas showed that for the first time in over a decade a majority was optimistic about the economy, and there was a shift as to who should receive credit for the booming economy: Donald J. Trump. The economic growth for the fourth quarter was near four percent. Over 100 companies gave bonuses of at least $1,000 or more to over a million workers, even some part-timers got a piece of that action. The GOP tax bill, which the Left said was going to be a prelude to Armageddon, was exactly the opposite for the American worker, who the Democratic Party decided to bet against to try and undercut Trump. Over 90 of middle class Americans will be receiving a tax cut. The Democratic Party is going to have to explain that move, especially when this tax bill becomes more popular.
As for the economy, economists said we should expect to see unemployment continue to go down and the economy to grow in 2018. Economists credit two things: President Trump and his tax bill. For Obama, his polices received good grades for providing financial stability, though they led to anemic economic growth and job creation (via WSJ:
Trump delusion from Pelosi, Dicky Durbin and Cummings – who really are the racists – causing their own Armageddon
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He is doing wonders for my stocks but encouraging the KKK and white nationalists to make their hatred public. I would trade all my economic gains for a president with intelligence, a sense of history, decency, and respect for others.
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Diane,
Since it MLK day – a reminder – Trump, the man you call a racist, was awarded:
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is an American award founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO)[1] which are presented annually to American citizens whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to the United States are cause for celebration. Past Medalists include seven U.S. Presidents, several world leaders, two Nobel Prize winners and countless leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government, along with everyday Americans who have made freedom, liberty and compassion a part of their life’s work.[2][3][4]
The medals were established at the time of NECO’s founding in 1986; a ceremony is held each May on Ellis Island.[5] All branches of the United States Armed Forces traditionally participate. Both the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, and each year’s recipients are read into the Congressional Record.[6] The Great Hall where immigrants were once processed hosts the gala dinner which follows the ceremony. Approximately 100 medalists are honored each year. Past medalists include seven Presidents, including current President Donald Trump, as well as Nobel Prize winners and leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government.[7] Wikipedia
You can google pics with him standing next to Parks and Cassius Clay and other who received the medal.
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jscheidell: Would that we had a leader with the humanity that Pope Francis possesses.
Pope Francis summed it up perfectly:
“If we fail to suffer with those who suffer, even those of different religions, languages or cultures, we need to question our own humanity”
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Funny
Jim
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Trump Isn’t a Toddler. He’s an Abusive Patriarch…New Republic
The president is the mercurial head of a party of enablers and deniers.
BY JEET HEER
…The better metaphor for Trump’s behavior is that he’s an abusive patriarch who demands absolute loyalty and servility. As the McCarthy story shows, Trump reduces those around him—even powerful members of Congress—to sycophants. The Republican Party has become a dysfunctional family: its members forever currying favor with the old man, enabling his vices and denying his transgressions…
https://newrepublic.com/article/146618/trump-isnt-toddler-hes-abusive-patriarch
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VERY late to the party, but thought I might post this here.Surprised at all the negative feedback to Norwegian Filmmaker on a previous post, & just wanted to say that I enjoy her/his comments &, basically, he’s been on the same side as most of us here.
Happy to read you & that you keep posting, NF!
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Pence must think that if he states something completely idiotic that nobody will notice. Does he really believe the Trump administration has taken ‘historic action to protect the most vulnerable in our society”? Tax breaks for the wealthy and proposed GOP cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, ACA and Social Security is NOT a way to help the most vulnerable.
This just came in on an email from the WH:
……
Life Is Winning in America
In National Review, Vice President Mike Pence writes that “since the outset of this administration, we’ve taken historic action to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
“In short, life is winning in America again,” the Vice President Pence explains. “It’s winning because of the policies of our administration, and because of the commitment and compassion of those who gather today in our nation’s capital, and in marches, meetings, and homes all across the country.”
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Diane,
I listened to the Axelrod show since it had C. Rice as a guest. She provided an interesting view on vouchers etc and public schools that are not doing the job for blacks:
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice got talking with David Axelrod — who served as former President Barack Obama’s chief strategist — on “The Axe Files” program when the topic turned to school choice and school vouchers as it relates to the minority community.
And Rice threw down.
“Poverty and race are really toxic,” she told Axelrod. “Being uneducated and black is really toxic. And that’s one reason, by the way, that when I hear people talk about school choice or vouchers … the kids that are suffering in our bad public schools are mostly minority kids. I want them to get a way out.”
When Axelrod suggested public school improvements as a solution, Rice — who served under former President George W. Bush — said she’s “all for improving the public schools” but that deeper issues are at play:
I want to be very clear here because this is something I feel very strongly about. …We have an opt-out system in the public school system right now. So if you are of means, you will move to a district where the schools are good. You’ll move to Palo Alto [California] where the schools are good. You’ll move to Hoover, Alabama, where the schools are good. You’ll move to Fairfax County [Virginia] where the schools are good. If you’re really wealthy, you’ll send your kids to private school. So who’s stuck in failing neighborhood schools? Poor kids, poor kids. And so don’t say that “poor parents shouldn’t have a voucher or parental choice or a charter school because it will ruin the public school systems” unless you’re willing to send your kids to Anacostia [a Washington, D.C., neighborhood].
Check out Rice’s relevant comments just before the 55-minute mark:
(H/T: IJR)
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JScheidell,
Condoleeza Rice and Joel Klein wrote a report for the Council on Foreign Relations about education recommending Common Core, vouchers, and charters. I reviewed it in the New York Review of Books. I am reposting that review while I am traveling in China. It was so ignorant and uninformed that it was quickly forgotten. She knows as much about education policy as I know about missile defense, maybe less.
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