Washington (AFP) – When allegations emerged that Facebook was skewing its trending news stories, many learned about it… on Facebook.
That underscored the rapid shift in media — not only is news moving from print to digital, but Facebook, Google and other tech platforms are increasingly becoming the main gateways for information.
Technology and social media firms are increasingly playing a role in filtering and delivering news, often with automated feeds, algorithms and “bots” designed to determine the most relevant articles.
That means the news industry is rapidly losing control of the news along with the revenue that goes with it, underscoring the profound changes in the journalism world.
“In the past 18 months, companies including Facebook, Apple, Twitter, Snapchat, and Google have moved from having an arm’s length relationship with journalism to being dominant forces in the news ecosystem,” said a June report by the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University.
“By encouraging news publishers to post directly onto new channels, such as Facebook Instant Articles and Snapchat Discover, tech companies are now actively involved in every aspect of journalism.”
BY HILLSDALE COLLEGE ONLINE COURSES APRIL 24, 2015
According to Professor Kenneth Calvert, Common Core, well-intentioned from the beginning, will utterly fail its students. Rather than raising the educational standard in the United States, it codifies and federally enforces mediocrity. Worse yet, in regulating education the federal government has overstepped its constitutional boundaries, by attempting to control teaching methods, preventing teachers from exercising their craft effectively.
The following video is a clip from Q&A 5 of Hillsdale’s Online Course: “A Proper Understanding of K-12 Education: Theory and Practice,” featuring Kenneth Calvert, Associate Professor of History and Headmaster of Hillsdale Academy, and John J. Miller, Director of the Dow Journalism Program.
Transcript:
John J. Miller:
What do you think of Common Core?
Kenneth Calvert:
Common Core is one of these well-intentioned pieces of legislation in which the federal government is trying to do something for children. They’ve perceived that children are behind the rest of the world and so let’s create a national legislation that’s not going to be forced on states, but we’ll give them money, and the states will take it. It’s just wrong-headed in so many ways. Number one, it’s unconstitutional. From the get-go there is nothing constitutional about the federal government getting its hand into education. Number two, it doesn’t do what they want it to do.
[The Federal Government] wanted to raise standards in their minds commensurate with, equal with, world standards. Neither the literature nor the science or the math standards come anywhere near that. What Common Core has ended up doing is creating, basically, what they considered to be, the lowest common denominator, the average point which students can be expected to reach. In our school and from the Hillsdale perspective it’s our belief that if you hold the bar high, very few kids are going to get there, but most of these kids are going to get beyond anywhere they ever thought they would get, that they would actually achieve higher goals than they thought they could.
By keeping the bar low, by keeping it at this kind of average, you have doomed [students] to a low level of education. They never know how far they can go. We think that it lowers the bar. It lowers the expectations.
It also does not allow teachers to be teachers. Teachers in the Common Core are teaching to tests. Much of the curriculum more and more is becoming scripted so that can’t have a Socratic dialogue, a give and take where most of the real education actually takes place.
Teachers are being robbed of their calling, of their discipline. What you begin to create here in a number of these efforts of the Federal Government to create new educational legislation, what you’ve done is begin to create bureaucrats in the classroom rather than real teachers. I’ve met teachers in public and private and charter schools who are looking at what’s coming down the pike, and they are not happy. More and more, especially some of the older teachers, they will tell me that what they used to be able to do twenty years ago, which was exciting, enlivening, and drawing out a love of the life of the mind in their students—all of that is beginning to disappear.
It’s well-intentioned legislation, right? We know what good intentions lead to. It is not to the right place. We need to give our teachers, our schools–public, private, charter–greater freedom to be what they need to be. This also demands that our teachers be highly educated, learned, true experts in their areas. They need to be the ones in the classrooms really bringing out this love of learning and love of the life of the mind in these young ones. Honestly, we’re not doing a lot of that right now either.
Monessen, Pennsylvania , Donald Trump breaks with GOP stares down globalization and threatens to renegotiate trade deals . Trump repeatedly attacked Globalization in his Monessen, Pennsylvania speech on trade,
“Globalization has made the financial elite who donate to politicians very wealthy. But it has left millions of our workers with nothing but poverty and heartache”
Donald J. Trump spoke at the Alumisource Factory in Monessen, Pennsylvania. Mr. Trump’s speech focused on how to rebuild the American economy by fighting for fair trade. The middle class has collapsed because of the failed policies from Washington, D.C. that benefit the politicians, but not the American people.
Trump said, “The all talk, no action politicians have promoted globalization at the expense of American workers.”
Trump declared he will fight to put the country and its workers first in order to Make America Great Again. A transcript of the remarks can be viewed via the link below:
“Democrat Hillary Clinton has 42 percent to Republican Donald Trump’s 40 percent – too close to call – as American voters say neither candidate would be a good president and that the campaign has increased hatred and prejudice in the nation, according to a Quinnipiac University National poll released today.
This compares to results of a June 1 national poll by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN- uh-pe-ack) University, showing Clinton edging Trump 45 – 41 percent.
When third party candidates are added to today’s survey, Clinton gets 39 percent with Trump at 37 percent. Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson gets 8 percent and Green Party candidate Jill Stein gets 4 percent.
“The 2016 election has increased the level of hatred and prejudice in the U.S.,” 61 percent of American voters say. Another 34 percent say it has had no impact. Of that 61 percent, 67 percent blame the Trump campaign and 16 percent blame the Clinton campaign.
“It would be difficult to imagine a less flattering from-the-gut reaction to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
“This is where we are. Voters find themselves in the middle of a mean-spirited, scorched earth campaign between two candidates they don’t like. And they don’t think either candidate would be a good president.”
American voters are deeply divided along gender, racial, age and party lines. Women back Clinton 50 – 33 percent while men back Trump 47 – 34 percent.
White voters back Trump 47 – 34 percent. Black voters back Clinton 91 – 1 percent and Hispanic voters back her 50 – 33 percent. Voters 18 to 34 years old go Democratic 48 – 23 percent, while voters over 65 years old go Republican 51 – 35 percent.
Democrats go to Clinton 89 – 3 percent, as Republicans go to Trump 84 – 6 percent. Independent voters are divided with 36 percent for Trump and 34 percent for Clinton.
Both top candidates get negative favorability ratings, 34 – 57 percent for Trump and 37 – 57 percent for Clinton.
Trump will not be a good president, American voters say 58 – 35 percent.
Clinton will not be a good president, voters say 53 – 43 percent.
American voters say 58 – 33 percent that Clinton is better prepared to be president than Trump; 53 – 33 percent that she is more intelligent and 46 – 37 percent that she has higher moral standards. But voters say 45 – 37 percent that Trump is more honest and trustworthy and 49 – 43 percent that he is a stronger leader.
Looking at who would best handle important issues, American voters say:
52 – 40 percent that Trump would be better creating jobs;
50 – 45 percent that Clinton would be better handling immigration;
52 – 39 percent that Trump would be more effective handling ISIS;
51 – 42 percent that Clinton would better respond to an international crisis;
46 percent would trust Clinton more on sending U.S. troops overseas, while 44 percent would trust Trump more;
54 – 35 percent would trust Clinton more to make the right decisions regarding nuclear weapons;
46 – 43 percent that Clinton would do a better job getting things done in Washington.
“The matchup numbers say ‘tie’ and Trump is perceived as a job creator. But Clinton is seen as better prepared for the top job, better in an international crisis, managing immigration, making Washington functional, and keeping the nuclear codes under lock and key,” Malloy said.
From June 21 – 27, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,610 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and the nation as a public service and for research. Visit https://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll Call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.”
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Health Department will launch their new Stigma Free campaign with a marching group in the Ridgewood Fourth of July parade. Dawn Cetrulo, Ridgewood Health Department Supervisor, invites participants to join the group. Those interested should contact her at [email protected].
The Bergen County Stigma-Free Campaign is a county-wide program which aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. We are dedicated to raising awareness of the disease of mental illness and create a culture wherein residents who have the disease feel supported by their community and neighbors and feel free to seek treatment for the disease without fear of stigma.
The World Health Organization ranks mental health disorders as the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada. Mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety or alcohol and substance use disorders, are extremely common in America. 1 in 4 adults experience a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year [approximately 61.5 million Americans] and 1 in 17 adults live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Yet more than half will not seek treatment. Why?
Despite its prevalence in our society, mental health still has stigma attached to it. The primary reason individuals fail to seek the help they need is due to the stigma associated with the disease of mental illness. Main reasons cited are shame and fear of judgment from friends, family and co-workers. Such judgment is often rooted in a lack of knowledge or training. It is our goal to disseminate information and foster a stigma-free environment where people are free from judgment and can get the help they need to recover from disease.
Stigma-Free Zones aim to inspire public interest and open dialogues about stigma. The County of Bergen and several Bergen County towns have already passed Stigma-Free resolutions. Establishing Stigma-Free Zones will raise awareness of the local mental health resources available so no resident needs to feel hopeless or alone. Stigma-Free Zones will encourage residents to break down barriers and be mindful of their mental health and ask for help when needed. The disease of mental illness has the potential to worsen if left untreated and complications arise when individuals do not seek help. It is essential that residents engage in care as soon as the need is identified so recovery can begin, hope is inspired and tragedies are avoided.
The Ridgewood Health Department hopes to gather a team of dedicated residents who can help enhance the culture of caring in our community. The Ridgewood Health Department hopes to involve municipal alliance leaders, government leaders, local business owners, the board of education, Rotary clubs, FW/American Legions, faith communities, school service groups. Anyone interested in being a part of the Ridgewood is Stigma Free Task Force should contact Dawn Cetrulo, Ridgewood Health Department Supervisor, at [email protected].
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that Ridgewood High School was the target of vandalism. The Ridgewood Board of Education reported criminal mischief at the Ridgewood High School occurred over the weekend. A rock was thrown through a window causing property damage.
All actors are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
Ridgewood NJ, Josh Gottheimer will outline his “comprehensive plan” to spur economic growth and create jobs in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District Wednesday.
Gottheimer another PR person like Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn .Not sure many residents will share any enthusiasm given the bad taste the Jim Mac Greevey mouth piece has left in Ridgewood .Gottheimer donor list is a who’s who of Big Government ,Unions, pro Wall Street bailouts, pro-corporate welfare , pro-crony types looking to remove the last impediment to getting their hands on more tax payer money.
According to his press release ,Gottheimer will be joined by local business leaders at Ridgewood Cycle Shop at 11 a.m in Ridgewood on Wednesday to present his “comprehensive plan” to spur economic growth and create good-paying jobs for 5th District families. The local business leaders seem to be a laundry list of the same people who brought you “Garagezilla ” and other crony related projects the soon to be former mayor Paul Aronsohn tried to jam down residents throats in Ridgewood .
For his part Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) will be in Wyckoff at the Blue Moon Mexican Café at 2pm on Thursday to discuss issues facing small businesses, like restaurants, in New Jersey including taxes and health care.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood police report a number of IRS Investigator scams , first a South Pleasant Avenue resident reported on 6/27/16 he received a suspicious phone call from a person who identified himself as an IRS Investigator. The caller advised the resident he owed back taxes and requested payment immediately. The resident became suspicious and contacted his accountant who informed him this was a scam and to call the police to report the incident. The resident reported he never provided personal information or banking information to the caller and requested a report as a matter of record.
On 6/24/16 a Fairway Road resident responded to headquarters to report a Fraud. The victim reported he began receiving phone calls from a person who identified himself as a Tax Agent advising the victim he had committed tax fraud. The caller persuaded the victim into purchasing and transferring $2000 in Apple Gift Cards.
The Ridgewood Police also report a victim of identity fraud; a South Irving Street resident responded to headquarters on 6/20/16 to report his personal information was used to open a fraudulent Verizon account. The victim reported the fraudulent account was opened by Verizon Wireless of New York. Verizon reported the account was opened at a Verizon Wireless store by someone utilizing his name, Social Security number, and home address. The victim’s account was not charged and Verizon Wireless is investigating.
The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind citizens of the increased amount of scams. Always investigate communications made through postal mail, telephone, and/or the internet to prevent fraud and deceptive activity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Ridgewood Police Department to ensure you’re not becoming a victim of these scams.
First, there is not a parking problem anywhere near the magnitude described by the Mayor and the garage’s half dozen other supporters. There is a periodic parking inconvenience on weekends and a slight deficit of commuter parking for some Ridgewood residents that need to get to New York City after 7:00 am. The need has never been believably shown for a garage the size of the one proposed by the outgoing Council majority and their developer partners. Unless of course you want to build huge apartment buildings right? Hmmm, maybe this wasn’t about parking after all.
Second, ignoring the Mt. Carmel community in their rush to get the garage built was either a massive oversight or gross miscalculation by the Mayor and his outgoing running mates. You think after the beating their platform took on May 10 that there may have been an olive branch or two extended afterward but no. Anyone, including the Church, that didn’t see things their way was branded as ignorant, obstructionist and all of the other condescending epithets that have been hurled at us for the past 4 years.
BUT you can’t drink until you are 21
but you can OWN a liquor license at age 18
AND you can SELL or SERVE alcohol at age 18
but you can’t sell or serve it to anyone under 21
but you are ALLOWED to DRINK at ANY AGE on private property or if involved in religious services
In fact we trust our children so little to drink responsibly on graduation night (even when some of them are 18) that we spend 10s of thousands of dollars on Project Graduation.
***** Equally messed up is that:
– In NJ you can marry at 16 (w/parental consent)
– enter into certain contracts at 15
– work at 14
– You can join the army (and legally kill people) at 17 (w/parental consent)
-You are legally responsible for your actions at age 18 (earlier if you are married)
– you can purchase a gun at 18 (but you can’t purchase a handgun until you are 21)
– you can fire a gun (hunt) at age 10 (with adult) or INDEPENDENTLY at 14
Why not:
– Up the drinking age to 25
– Lower the voting age to 15
– Legalize marijuana
– Lower gun hunting age to 5
– Raise handgun use age to 30
– Lower voting age to 13
or better yet – why not stick with the age of majority — 18 in this case — to be able to do all of these things?
or change the age to what ever number you want – but lets align all of these responsibilities to the age of majority.
I could be probably be talked into an exception for working at 14 and some limited hunting with parental supervision under the age of majority but other than that – lets leave adult responsibilities to the adults.
Readers say……..Not sure why the teachers seem to confuse a “tradition of excellence” with they, themselves, being excellent? The decline in our schools suggests they are, in fact, not continuing with the tradition… And health benefits and above property tax wage increases seem to be taken for granted. Offer them a diminished contract and if they don’t like it, they are fee to seek employment with another school board or in the private sector. If the grass is greener, walk!
Are we all aware of the actions the teachers are taking. They are so unprofessional and demonstrate a total lack of excellence and just no passion at all for the kids. They wait outside te high school as a group until the last minute required for school start, they lock the classroom doors during down time as not to be bothered to help a kid who may need it. They will not attend a single function, award presentation, and in many cases do not offer to help write a recommendation letter or even some guidance. Teachers that do offer to support anything outside what is in the contract are threatened and hassled by other teachers.
These are not good people, they do not care about the kids, and they are taking advantage of this town who values eduction. No one is getting 3% raised a year, everyone is paying more for healthcare, and very few only work 180 days a year.
Fire a few, I will take the job, after 40 years in corporate companies I could,use the relaxed job
Reader says , Thanks NJ for killing one of the few remaining good things about NJ (low gasoline prices)
.
Thanks for moving NJ’s gasoline tax
From the 2ND LOWEST state gasoline tax in the USA (49th place)
To the 7th HIGHEST state gasoline tax
.
thanks
If these morons had half a brain, the would find ways to LOWER gasoline prices and increase consumption.
This would:
– increase overall gasoline tax revenue
– increase business (which brings along increased job employment and increased spending) – resulting in even more tax revenue for the state
– result in happier residents and taxpayers who get to spend and save more money and enjoy their lives more.
.
too bad resident’s pursuit of happiness is not on the agenda for NJ politicians.
EUROPEAN political chiefs are to take advantage of Brexit by unveiling their long-held plan to morph the continent’s countries into one GIANT SUPERSTATE, it has emerged yesterday.
By NICK GUTTERIDGE
PUBLISHED: 02:01, Tue, Jun 28, 2016 | UPDATED: 12:28, Tue, Jun 28, 2016
The foreign ministers of France and Germany are due to reveal a blueprint to effectively do away with individual member states in what is being described as an “ultimatum”.
Under the radical proposals EU countries will lose the right to have their own army, criminal law, taxation system or central bank, with all those powers being transferred to Brussels.
Are women oppressed in Muslim countries? What about in Islamic enclaves in the West? Are these places violating or fulfilling the Quran and Islamic law? Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an author and activist who was raised a devout Muslim, describes the human rights crisis of our time, asks why feminists in the West don’t seem to care, and explains why immigration to the West from the Middle East means this issue matters more than ever.
A bill to allow 17 year-olds to vote in primary elections as long as they will reach the age of majority by election day passed in the state Senate Monday, and will head to Christie’s desk. Under current state law, 17 year-olds can register to vote before their eighteenth birthday, but not vote in state primaries. The bill advanced by a 31-8 margin. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
