Sunday Mailbag December 10

Politics: Israel

"C.P. in Los Angeles, CA, writes:

Disappointed that you let the comment that Rep. Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN) is 'arguably the most antisemitic of all the Squad members" slide as if it is a foregone conclusion. Too often, opposition to the right-wing government of Israel is automatically treated as antisemitism. One can be against the government of Israel without being against the Jewish people.'

Read the complete column here.

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Parents of Children with Special Needs Charge LAUSD Limiting Services, Holding Back Information

"Carl Petersen, a father and CAC member said he has struggled to to get his daughters the help they need in LAUSD’s special education programs. 

Petersen’s wife visited their daughter’s classroom while preparing for a lawsuit against the school and was disturbed by what she found. 

'Basically, the teacher just put the special ed kids in the back and said, ‘Here, play,’ and taught the class without them. It’s not inclusion just because they were sitting in the same classroom.'"

 

Read the entire article on The 74.

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Carl J. Petersen: The GOP Politician Who Is Tough Enough to Kill a Puppy

"Carl J. Petersen is a parent in Los Angeles who writes here about a politician who is mean enough and dumb enough to kill a 14-month dog. Cricket didn’t obey her orders so she took him to the bottom of a gravel pit and shot him in the head. Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota justly earned national scorn for her act of animal cruelty."

Ravitch's blog: A site to discuss education and democracy

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Sunday Mailbag December 10

Obituary Week (or Month)

"C.P. in Los Angeles, CA, writes:

Still wiping away the tears after reading the Ginnie Smith obituary that was the focus of "This Week in Freudenfreude: Now That's an Obituary."

I have been reading Electoral-Vote.com for years (I think I found it during the John Kerry election) and have appreciated its evolution. However, the addition of the Freudenfreude to the Friday postings upped the value of the site. It is truly an amazing way to end the work week."

Read the complete column here.

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Sunday Mailbag August 13

Gallimaufry

"C.J.P. in Los Angeles, CA, writes: Anthrax? I didn't see that one coming! I knew there was something I liked about you guys, but I always assumed it was the snark.

I've lost count of the number of times I have seen Anthrax, but I have seen them more than any other band. The first time was at the Capital Theatre in New Jersey and the most recent was at The Grove in Anaheim. I purchased the VIP package as a Christmas present for my sister and we ended up right at the edge of the mosh pit.

As a blogger, I sometimes include song lyrics at the top of the page and last December I was able to use "Got The Time." So mixing commentary and Anthrax is not completely unheard of!"

Read the complete column here.

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Carl J. Petersen: Petulant Charter School

"Charter school proponents often argue that charters are held accountable to the groups that authorize them and that they must meet the requirements of their charter or face the consequences. As Carl Petersen shows in this post about one charter group, it doesn’t always work that way.

Read the full post here."

The NPE Blogs of the Day feature what the NPE editors think are interesting and important blog posts centered on issues of public education.

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Carl J. Petersen: The Charter School Building Boom Hits The Valley

"Carl Petersen is a parent who keeps an eye on the Los Angeles area. Here he talks about how building and real estate drive the charter school biz, even when student demand is low. Reposted with permission."

 

The NPE Blogs of the Day feature what the NPE editors think are interesting and important blog posts centered on issues of public education.

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Saturday Q&A June 17

Current Events: The Trump Indictment

C.J.P. in Los Angeles, CA, asks: In rantings after his indictment, Trump said that a president controls his documents under the Presidential Records Act. Of course, we all know that this control goes away when a sitting president becomes the former president. Do you think that Trump will try to make the case at trial that he the presidency was stolen from him and that he is still the rightful president?

Read the answer here.

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Carl J. Petersen: Why Is LA Building More Schools for Declining Enrollment?

"Parent advocate Carl J. Petersen thinks there’s something fishy about the school building boom in Los Angeles. It makes no sense. Enrollment is declining. Why so many new schools?

He suspects it’s about making room for more charter schools.

He begins:"

Read the article on Diane Ravitch's Blog.

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ICYMI: Memorial Day Weekend 2023

"The Building Boom Continues Despite A Loss Of Students

Carl Petersen in LA reminds us that charters are as much about real estate as education. Lots of capacity being built, even as demand shrinks."

 

Peter Greene blows off steam and stands up for public education at Curmudgucation.

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