News for Normies
It's hot to be smart
Happy Monday! Let’s get you informed.
I hear from a lot of you who loved when I was doing my 3 Stories feature, where I broke down long-running news stories or issues in a fun, quick video.
Consider this the online version of that.
What to Expect:
I’ll round up three interesting stories to keep an eye on in the week ahead. I’ll give you some basic info, some context, and things to keep in mind when you’re following the stories throughout the week.
As I always did with 3 Stories, I’ll drop some links to the source articles so you can read more if you’d like!
And not that I need to remind you smarties, but if you’re venturing out into the Wild Wild West of News, make sure you’re always:
Varying your sources
Challenging your held beliefs
Not being an idiot and ending decades-long friendships over politics (but honestly, I get it if you do)
I’m always beating this drum, but those felt worth mentioning again as we are clearly living in a state of heightened emotions and politically-motivated violence.
That being said, let’s dive in.
Story 1: Rubio Visiting Israel after Attack in Qatar
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Israel less than a week after Israeli intelligence completed an attack on a residential area in Qatar where they claimed Hamas officials were gathered.
The official explanation for the visit, per the State Department: “Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel and the United Kingdom from September 13-18. In Israel, he will convey America’s priorities in the Israel-Hamas conflict and broader issues concerning Middle Eastern security, reaffirming U.S. commitment to Israeli security. He will also emphasize our shared goals: ensuring Hamas never rules over Gaza again and bringing all the hostages home.” Read more by clicking the link above.
U.S. officials want:
To see the Israeli hostages returned
To get rid of Hamas as a ruling force in Gaza (they’re also not crazy about other countries recognizing Palestine as a state)
To fight antisemitism on college campuses
Context:
The recent attack by Israel on Hamas officials in Qatar will likely be a huge topic of conversation at this meeting. Here’s some basic info about Qatar; our relationship with them; and their role in this war.
Although they’re technically our ally, you could consider our relationship with them, well, complicated. They donate a ton of money to American universities; they’re a partner on U.S. military operations; but they’re also tangled up with some stuff that U.S. officials don’t love. To wit, they are considered to be the seat of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group designated as a terrorist organization by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. (The U.S. has not made this designation, but there is currently a push in Congress to do so.)
And complicating the matter even further, Qatar is also super pissed about Israel striking in a residential area to get those Hamas officials.
So while Rubio’s goal at this meeting and in the future will be to advance the U.S. agenda, it will presumably be tough to continue to support Israel, while also assuaging Qatar after the latest attack, while also asking them for more help in ending this conflict. Rock, meet hard place.
So, for lots of reasons, this is going to be a… let’s call it fraught… trip for Rubio. We shall see what happens.
Source 1, Source 2, all other sources linked in body of story
Story 2: U.S. Students Suck at Math… and We Can’t Even Blame the Pandemic
I thought this story in the Wall Street Journal was interesting, and by interesting I mean low-key disturbing.
In a report by the U.S. Education Department, American high school seniors’ math and reading scores fell to their lowest on record.
The math scores were the lowest on record since 2005, when they began the current test; and reading scores were below levels since the test’s inception in 1992.
Context:
While experts interviewed for the below articles say classroom disruptions from the pandemic most certainly impeded progress, it’s likely not the only cause.
The WSJ asked the academic dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education what could be behind the dropping scores, and he said the presence (aka distraction) of cell phones as well as social media may be on the list.
One shrivel of hope (and I’m quoting directly from the WSJ here): “The 12th-grade scores come with an important asterisk. It is possible that progress is being obscured by rising high-school graduation rates, which could mean that more lower-performing students are taking the exams.”
Also getting blame for plummeting scores—President Trump’s budget slashing and promise to close the Department of Education entirely.
Either way, no bueno for American students.
Source 1; Source 2; Source 3; Source 4; Source 5
Story 3: Speak Up, Get Fired
I thought this article in NPR about people getting fired over their “supportive” posts regarding Charlie Kirk’s murder was interesting.
Apparently some groups are activating to doxx people who are posting celebratory messages about his death.
I want your thoughts on this: If someone posts on their personal page something that others may consider abhorrent, should that person be fired? What are the limits of free speech as it relates to employment?
Moreover, what if those people are teachers? Is there a different standard for people educating our kids?
Sound off below. Keep it civil!!! (*said in stern motherly voice*)
💭 If you enjoyed this news roundup, clicking the Heart button or commenting below will help get it out to more people. I’d be so grateful if you did!
Urgent questions for these times, Sonni, but so difficult to answer. When I taught you in the Pitt College in High School Argumentation and Communications class, my favorite years were election years. I would videotape presidential debates, and we’d use a chart to evaluate and discuss the candidates’ positions, and there was never one moment of tension among us. People were CIVIL. I recoil at the idea of not being able to express myself on social media because I am a teacher, but I also see why it is not appropriate. For now, I hope that the organizations who are firing people for speaking up at least had a policy in place that was violated. If not, employees shouldn’t be punished. The problem is really that people are being fired for stating opinions, not for abhorrent speech.