Greenpeace Sting Exposes Academics Hired as Climate-Change Deniers – Truthdig

As climate change deniers face growing scrutiny and skepticism, a new undercover investigation by the environmental group Greenpeace shines new light on academics-for-hire, who are willing to accept secret payments from fossil fuel companies to sow doubt about global warming.

The sting operation publicized Tuesday involved two Greenpeace UK employees posing as representatives of oil and coal companies, and asking U.S. academics to write papers touting the benefits of rising carbon dioxide levels and the benefits of coal use in developing countries.

Professors from Penn State and Princeton University “agreed to write the reports and said they did not need to disclose the source of the funding,” according to reporting by Greenpeace Energydesk, a journalistic arm of the international environmental organization.

Energydesk reporters Lawrence Carter and Maeve McClenaghan continue:

Source: Greenpeace Sting Exposes Academics Hired as Climate-Change Deniers – Truthdig

Sen. Bernie Sanders Meets With Picketing WMUR Workers, Helps Broker A Deal To Reopen Negotiations | NH Labor News

Yesterday it was announced that unionized workers at WMUR would be picketing the arrival of Senator Bernie Sanders at the WMUR studios this morning.  True to their word, workers showed up holding signs stating the WMUR and Hearst Media Corporation are refusing to negotiate with the newly formed union. Sources tell … Continue reading →

Source: Sen. Bernie Sanders Meets With Picketing WMUR Workers, Helps Broker A Deal To Reopen Negotiations | NH Labor News

GUEST POST: “I stopped calling myself an LGBT ally. I became an accomplice.” | Eclectablog

The guest post was written by Sommer Foster, the Political Director for Equality Michigan and a long time political activist. You can follow her on Twitter at @SNFoster. I used to be a self-proclai…

Source: GUEST POST: “I stopped calling myself an LGBT ally. I became an accomplice.” | Eclectablog

She wants 5 more years… I wouldn’t give her 5 more minutes

Alleged corruption ‘appalling,’ EAA chancellor tells Michigan lawmakers in turnaround pitch | MLive.com

The Education Achievement Authority has “had it’s share of challenges” since inception, the new chancellor acknowledged Wednesday, telling Michigan lawmakers that the state-run district can still be a “shining example” of reform.

Source: Alleged corruption ‘appalling,’ EAA chancellor tells Michigan lawmakers in turnaround pitch | MLive.com

Scalia: Black Students Don’t Need Affirmative Action Because They Benefit From A ‘Slower Track’ | ThinkProgress

Scalia said students of color are being “pushed into schools that are too advanced for them” due to affirmative action policies.

Source: Scalia: Black Students Don’t Need Affirmative Action Because They Benefit From A ‘Slower Track’ | ThinkProgress

 

With apologies to Ronnie Milsap… but honestly, Scalia REALLY IS “Lost in the Fifties”

Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night)

Ronnie Milsap

Close your eyes, baby
Follow my heart
Call on the memories
Here in the dark

We’ll let the magic
Take us away
Back to the feelings
We shared when they played

In the still of the night
Hold me darlin’, hold me tight, oh
So real, so right
Lost in the fifties tonight

These precious hours
We know can’t survive
But love’s all that matters
While the past is alive

Now and for always
Till time disappears
We’ll hold each other
Whenever we hear

In the still of the night
Hold me darlin’, hold me tight, say
So real, so right
Lost in the fifties tonight

Want To Be In A Movie With Kevin Bacon? Everytown Just Produced One And It’s Great.

Source: Want To Be In A Movie With Kevin Bacon? Everytown Just Produced One And It’s Great.

How much more of a failure does the Education Achievement Authority have to be before EMU & Gov Snyder end it for good? | Eclectablog

Yesterday, despite massive protests by faculty and students, the Eastern Michigan University chose to stay in their interlocal agreement with the Education Achievement Authority, Gov. Rick Snyder’s failed experiment on Detroit children.

Here’s how they explained themselves:

Mike Morris, the chair of Eastern Michigan University’s Board of Regents, said if he had to choose between staying the course with the school’s commitment to its interlocal agreement with the Education Achievement Authority, and having a happy faculty, staff and student body, he’d choose to keep the contract with the EAA.“I see the eyes of those kids (in Detroit schools) who are having a chance to be successful and I hear their parents talk about ‘This is different and so much better. I really think my children have a chance to be successful,’” he said.

“Voting to leave would be easy. Staying and continuing to fight for the future of these kids is the right thing to do,” Morris told WXYZ Detroit.

These are interesting statements given that less than a week ago, the Regents put out an official statement distancing themselves from the failed school district, saying they have little to nothing to do with how it is run saying, “To be clear, Eastern Michigan University does not direct, manage or get involved in decisions made by the Educational Achievement Authority … Eastern’s involvement in the EAA is very limited and does not involve decisions about which schools go in to or out of the EAA or any other management or operational decisions.”

Source: How much more of a failure does the Education Achievement Authority have to be before EMU & Gov Snyder end it for good? | Eclectablog

CURMUDGUCATION: ESSA: All New Baloney!

ESSA: All New Baloney! Posted: 09 Dec 2015 10:47 AM PST ESSA has just cleared Congress, and the Department of Education is already giving us a look at the freshly sliced baloney that they will be serving at the Ed Reform Buffet. From Twitter, just now: Let’s count all the ways this is wrong, because it helps us understand just how USED’s vision is messed up.

Source: CURMUDGUCATION: ESSA: All New Baloney!

Emanuel apologizes for Laquan McDonald police shooting, repeats call for change – Chicago Tribune

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday apologized to aldermen for the police shooting of Laquan McDonald “that happened on my watch.”

Source: Emanuel apologizes for Laquan McDonald police shooting, repeats call for change – Chicago Tribune