I've been spending more and more time on other blogs responding to comments left by people who have no idea what they are talking about.
Over at HuffPo I got banned from making comments on one particular article because the writer, I think, was feeling piled upon. It was my intention to pile facts on her. But I did not violate any comment rules, although the rules are surely open to interpretation (and editorial agenda). HuffPo is notorious for its crappy moderation.
Then there is Michelle Rhee's organization, MichelleRheeFirst, where many, many people buy her nonsense without question.
I feel my time is better spent doing that than blogging, lately.
Then there are the Twitter wars I have engaged in. They take up lots of my online time.
I am fighting for America's impoverished kids who go to crumbling schools in crumbling neighborhoods; who often don't have enough to eat; whose teeth hurt; whose parent(s) don't have the time or inclination to value their child's education; who live among crime and violence; who are treated like failures because society won't help them succeed.
Saying poverty affects a child's ability to learn is not an excuse or a crutch, as many like to say; it is a fact that needs to be addressed. Schools will not cure poverty, and in America poverty precludes a decent education. The research shows it. Teachers know it. Social workers know it. Public defenders know it. Sociologists know it. Everyone knows it, they just don't want to do anything about it because it will cost money. Lots of money.
The top 10 wealthiest Americans are worth $280 billion combined. And remember, 2 of those people are Kochs, and 3 are Waltons. There are 6 families in America who are worth $280 billion. If we were to take half of their money, they would still be worth $140 billion. Remember, this is only the top 10. Did you know that there are nearly 400 billionaires in America?
People like to say throwing money at a problem won't help. Tax cuts for the rich is throwing money at the unemployment problem, isn't it? The rich seem to like throwing money around, just around themselves.
Money, disparity, poverty, selfishness, and greed are our problems, not bad teachers.