SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT:

MAGNIFICENT EDUCATION NEWS – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:    New York City schools have quietly canceled the Columbus Day holiday, replacing it with an Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while also making Juneteenth a school holiday and getting rid of snow days altogether.  The city Department of Education called Oct. 11 “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in the 2021-2022 calendar it posted on its website Tuesday, flagging the beginning and end dates for the school year as well as winter and spring recesses but not the big changes within in a tweet.  The move officially cancels for school kid recognition what remains a federal, state and city holiday on the second Monday in October — although the Indigenous Peoples’ holiday will give students and teachers the same day off.  In another first, the schools will be closed on June 20 in observation of Juneteenth, which celebrates the day in 1865 that black slaves in Texas were informed of their freedom.  Protesters with the Unite NY Juneteenth 2020 organization walk a banner with thousands of protesters behind them on June 19, 2020.  I'm certain that these sweeping improvements will raise the level of the city's schools.  High school graduates will be at a full, uninflated seventh-grade level.

DEMS ARE GETTING FRIGHTENED – FROM NATIONAL REVIEW:    The Texas Democratic leader who called Senator Tim Scott an “oreo” has resigned in response to mounting pressure from state officials on both sides of the aisle.  “I am deeply and sincerely sorry for my inappropriate and hurtful use of racist term I used to describe Sen. Tim Scott on my personal Facebook page. It was insensitive, and I have embarrassed myself and my party by its use,” Lamar County Democratic Party Chairman Gary O’Connor told the Washington Examiner Tuesday.  “As a result, I feel compelled to offer my resignation as chair of the Lamar County Democratic Party for consideration by the County Executive Committee,” O’Connor said.
After Scott delivered the Republican rebuttal to President Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress, O’Connor labeled the senator an “Oreo”, referring to a black individual who is perceived as displaying characteristics of a white person.  “I had hoped that Scott might show some common sense, but it seems clear he is little more than an oreo with no real principles,” the Texas Democrat commented.   Even Dems can learn, but it takes time. 

May 4,   2021