Aug 12, 2022Which is Better, America or Europe?2555Francis B.Thank you for this -- I loved the balance.Thank you for this -- I loved the balance. Sometimes I think we're so hyper-focused on being better than someplace/someone else that we forget to just be the best version of ourselves . . . we can see others as solely displays for inspiration, rather than competition . . .1 min read1 min read
Jul 20, 2022Excellent article!201Joyce O'DayThank you so much Joyce--I'm glad you enjoyed it, albeit a difficult and unfortunate topic and turn…Thank you so much Joyce--I'm glad you enjoyed it, albeit a difficult and unfortunate topic and turn of events for all of us . . .1 min read1 min read
Jul 20, 2022Regardless of all the gaslighting comments I hear from people who insist this will never happen, I…201Psychedelics are MedicineAccess to contraceptives is absolutely next -- nothing can convince me otherwise.Access to contraceptives is absolutely next -- nothing can convince me otherwise. And to be fair: some have already stated that certain contraceptives, and access to them, is exactly what they intend to discuss and fight next . . . …1 min read1 min read
Jul 5, 2022Member-onlyIndependence . . . in Progress.Dedicated to our 4th of July — past, present, and possibly future — celebrations . . . Independence . . . in progress. 1776: independence, freedom, unless you’re Indigenous, or enslaved an Independence with a disclaimer but then, we “freed” the slaves, “granted” citizenship to Natives, “gave” women the right…4th Of July1 min read4th Of July1 min read
May 22, 2022Member-onlyOverturn Roe v. Wade, Then What?If/When Roe v. Wade is overturned, what can we expect? Disclaimer: Predictions on what comes next are not (all) my own. My attempt and hope for this piece was gathering a wide-range of ideas, thoughts, readings, and interpretations into a succinct overview on what it could mean to overturn Roe…Abortion16 min readAbortion16 min read
May 12, 2022The US also has much better infrastructure for those with disabilities (like wheelchair-accessible buildings) than most of Europe.Things America Does Better Than Europe1.8K59Cailian SavageAbsolutely. And added props for the public restroom observation/commentary!Absolutely. And added props for the public restroom observation/commentary! I have been to different parts of Europe for a variety of reasons, and I have actually brought this up often. And I have ALWAYS been made fun of, shut down, dismissed--you name it! I have also brought this up with…1 min read1 min read
May 2, 2022But what if it was? What if you had a job that allows you to do what you love? One that promised you a comfortable retirement, a long summer vacation, a short workday, and a union that protected you from exploitation? Wouldn’t that be… good?Why Do So Many Americans Resent Teachers?2K44George DillardBeautifully stated.Beautifully stated. If only we saw this level of compensation as something to aspire to, or to protect, or to expand. Instead, it is framed as something to resent for others/for teachers. Instead, it is seen/framed as something to rail against. But then again, I think resentment is easier to breed and participate in . . .1 min read1 min read
May 2, 2022What Happens When We Try to Find Our “Happily Ever After” in a New Country1.1K21Charlie Brown"One, nowhere is perfect. I knew that before, but now I really know it.""One, nowhere is perfect. I knew that before, but now I really know it." --Absolutely. Nowhere is perfect. I think people forget, or somehow believe, that location XY or Z--for Americans their default is anywhere in Europe--is without fault. It's built up in the imagination when every place has a…2 min read2 min read
May 2, 2022For what it’s worth, here in Phoenix, the police department gives officers 46 days off per year, not including the 11 paid holidays they all get. 57 days off, or eleven and a half weeks of paid time off each year. If they don’t use it, they get paid a bonus for it. That’s almost double the amount of unpaid time off teachers get in the summers.We’ve Been Defunding Education for Decades1697Gina DennyTeachers are regularly belittled and dismissed due to the myth of the "extraordinary" amounts of…Teachers are regularly belittled and dismissed due to the myth of the "extraordinary" amounts of time-off -- not just summers, but weekends and holidays too. So, I appreciate a comparison to the local police department. Allow me to add: teachers' time-off is very much constrained whereas in other professions time-off can be taken at any point in the calendar year. It's very hard--at times impossible--for a teacher, for whatever reason, to take time-off (earned sick-leave and PTO), during the school year.1 min read1 min read
May 2, 2022…eed people like her helping to make decisions for our students, it simply underscores the fact that teachers aren’t really considered to be qualified to run our schools, and those opportunities are closed off to them.We’ve Been Defunding Education for Decades1697Gina DennyThis quote is on school boards -- and this is both a "yes" and "no".This quote is on school boards -- and this is both a "yes" and "no". "Yes". As someone who ran for (county) school board it fascinated me how often my experience, in actual classrooms, was negated and sidestepped as irrelevant or not pertinent to the role itself. While I understand…1 min read1 min read
