School ‘Reform’ the Walmart Way

Posted on Mar 6, 2013

The Walton family, better known as the Walmart heirs, have invested millions in trying to privatize Los Angeles public schools; perhaps the true culprit of the sequester is President Obama; meanwhile, the former pope’s resignation can be seen as a sound surrender rather than a cowardly abdication. These discoveries and more below.

On a regular basis, Truthdig brings you the news items and odds and ends that have found their way to Larry Gross, director of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. A specialist in media and culture, art and communication, visual communication and media portrayals of minorities, Gross helped found the field of gay and lesbian studies.

Why Are Walmart Billionaires Bankrolling Phony School ‘Reform’ In LA?
For years, Los Angeles has been ground zero in an intense debate about how to improve our nation’s education system.

Woman Sues Philly Police for Wrongful Arrest
A woman who sat in a Philadelphia jail on the day she was supposed to receive a prestigious award from the University of Pennsylvania is now suing the city for wrongful arrest.

When America Was Female
Uncle Sam’s older, classier sister Columbia fell out of favor after women got the vote. Maybe it’s time to bring her back.

Life Inside the Aaron Swartz Investigation
Once your life is inside a federal investigation, there is no space outside of it.

The Sequester Is President Obama’s Fault
Now that we are counting up the days of the sequester instead of counting down, it would be a good time to cast blame. And my candidate is President Obama.

Yes, The Alternative is Democratic Socialism
Even if we take class divisions for granted (as mainstream economists do), then the real picture of material inequality in the United States is staggering.

Apple’s Next Innovation
Television viewers fumble with awkward remote controls and crave a richer array of on-demand programming. It’s time for Apple to step in and disrupt the TV business.

Why It’s Smart to Be Reckless on Wall Street
Here is a guaranteed way to get paid well if you work on Wall Street.

How Mom’s Death Changed My Thinking About End-of-Life Care
Years of health-care reporting couldn’t prepare me for what befell my mother—and my family.

A Papal Surrender?
“There’s no place for a Pope Emeritus,” John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojty?a) declared dryly as recently as 1994.

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