Photo: WhiteHouse.gov
In the following video by CNN, New York Times Columnist Thomas Friedman is interviewed regarding President Biden's re-election bid while approaching mid to late eighties in age and Vice President Kamala Harris's legitimacy:
If America was able to stand 4 years with a disastrous President Trump, then a successor (in the case of an emergency) like Vice President Harris would be welcome to the American people. She would be great compared to that Clown - President Trump.
Photo: Vanity Fair
What is the goal of news? Is it to report the facts of a given situation? Is it to promote the mission of the news organization? Is it to earn returns for investors (i.e., shareholders) of the new corporation's stockholders? The defamation suit involving Fox News and Dominion Voting Inc brought these questions back into the spotlight of public debate.
After Fox News settled with Dominion for $778 million, there has been one 'lay-off' of a Fox News employee -- Tucker Carlson. Anyone who has watched Tucker Carlson can easily see that the nonsense that comes out of his mouth is dangerous. This is not news.
If it is not news, then what is it?
On a segment of MSNBC's Rachel Maddow show, Professor Jay Rosen of New York University was interviewed regarding this type of journalism. Professor Rosen is a professor of journalism at the university. Here is a short analysis of the type of 'news' that Fox News puts out on air:
Interesting - Verification in reverse.
Photo:NY Times
Over the last few months, Americans (and the world) have heard about the potential bombshell dropped on Fox News in regard to their defamation lawsuit with Dominion voting inc. Bits and pieces in the form of text messages have surfaced in the news which show Fox News employees willingly spread lies about the results of the 2020 Presidential Election. President Biden won fare and square.
In the video below, Brian Cohen Taylor and Glenn Kirshner discuss the litigation and settlement of Fox with Dominion and the potential legal battles ahead.
What struck me as interesting was that Fox News could potentially have to rewrite their business insurance contracts to ensure that the stock price will not be at risk any further. This opens the employees up to massive litigation from shareholders if they return to their normal practices of spreading lies to Fox News viewers. Stay tuned!
Photo: WJCT News
Governor Rick DeSantis has been on a roll to eliminate any talk of LGBTQ issues in K-12 settings. Additionally, a widespread ban on various books (of his administration's choice) has been banned too in schools across Florida. The act has brought out opponents of the ban and supporters to local school board meetings.
The news has been flooded with supporters of the ban (Trump supporters - mainly). Recently, MSNBC News Anchor Stephanie Rule of 11th Hour on MSNBC aired some interesting footage at a local school meeting in Florida. Specifically, a commander from the Navy (retired) spoke about the potential fall-out consequences of a book ban:
Go, Commander!
Photo: NBC
Governor Gavin Newsom has come under considerable scrutiny over handling COVID-19 in California. That said, he has handled the situation as best as possible given an uncertain (and unknowledgeable) President Trump handing out misinformation at every chance. Now that we are past President Trump, Governor Newsom has slid out of the mainstream limelight and is focusing on his day job. Governing California.
Not that Governor Newsom was at risk of losing sight of California. After surviving a recall, Gavin Newsom has proved that his performance (and job) during COVID-19 was suitable (quite well actually) given the parameters at hand. Recently, Governor Newsome traveled over the Easter Holiday weekend to three states in the East to discuss the absurdity of Republican Bills being produced and introduced across the United States.
Governor Newsom sat down with former White House Speaker Jen Psaki for an interview about the trip and governing in California:
Nice.
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Photo: VOX
There is no debate as to whether the colleges are seen changes in students post-COVID. Each instructor I speak to agrees without dispute. Whether the students are cheating more is a matter of debate? Are students cheating more post-COVID?
In the video below by MSNBC, Morning Joe's, Joe Scarborough interviews a reporter on a released article discussing this exact issue. What is fascinating about this interview is the inclusion of 'ChatGPT':
ChatGPT is an AI bot that can be programmed by a student through a website. The student (or person) puts in the required inputs (parameters -- statements, facts, numbers, etc.) and the AI bot (ChatGPT) will spit out a report. The AI assembles the inputs with knowledge from the internet to produce a paper.
Cheating? Using such a website would be cheating. Although, the plethora of report writers and websites offering to cheat is ubiquitous. ChatGPT is just the latest flavor.
The video above holds a much deeper conversation to be had at Universities. How has the student changed post-COVID? How has the student changed, period? But this may be where we are getting it wrong.
Another important question might be: How does society view a university education?
Or: How do universities include all students? Include diversity?
What does each student get out of a university education?
Republicans are big on bashing "Woke" or "Wokism". In reality, part of society would like to be included in the historical accounts of our fine nation (or nation - maybe not so nice). Including accurate historical accounts of our nation is essential for growing as a nation.
The division among racial groups based on the obvious 'white privilege' is a major problem. A large majority of my friends and colleges choose to deny 'white privilege.'
Back to post-COVID education. Students were in an environment learning (from their bedroom) with only technology (the internet) to ask questions during COVID. To expect them to know another method might be premature. Maybe university time should be devoted to teaching students how to learn again. Before moving forward.
Take a couple of steps back and teach a student how to learn. That time spent will better serve the student compared to pushing on the accelerator and expecting the student to catch up. The purpose of a learning institution is to teach students to learn about themselves and how they learn. Why not focus on that mission?
Last but not least, we need to take the blame off of the student. Professors and administrators along with staff should bear more responsibility for the lack of effort of each student.
Photo: The Atlantic
The following video of MSNBC's Morning Joe gives viewers a more accurate picture of the changing view among Republicans about Fox News anchors promoting false narratives on air. Specifically, the narrative that January 6th was a 'peaceful protest':
In the following video by MSNBC, Lawrence O'Donnell gives us more information about the defamation lawsuit between Fox News and Dominion. Specifically, the actual feeling about President Trump by loyalists (on air) such as Tucker Carlson seems to be divergent:
