Can You Say Conflict of Interest?

I almost fell out of my chair in laughter when I read a story in today's Baton Rouge Business Report.  Here's a link to the little write-up that brought so much jocularity to my life earlier today.  

Go ahead and read the story first. If you don't, the rest will not make sense.

Here is some information that the Baton Rouge Business Report neglected to include in the article regarding some of the organizations that signed the statement referenced in the article:

It is a well-known fact that Bill Gates, via The Gates Foundation, has financed every aspect of Common Core to the tune of $2.3 billion. 

Stand for Children has received $10,898,378 from The Gates Foundation as of 2013 to advocate for the Common Core State Standards. 

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) has a few interesting connections to the US Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation.  For the record, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its Institute for Competitive Workforce have received $6,053,918 from the Gates Foundation to advocate for the Common Core State Standards. 

In addition to a partnership between LABI and the US Chamber announced in January of this year, an overlooked, but very important, connection between the LABI and the US Chamber of Commerce is Maura Donahue.

Maura Donahue is a former past chair of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Chamber and she currently serves on the Senior Council, the Executive Committee, and is chair of the Nominating Committee.

Maura Donahue also sits on the boards of LABI (Executive Committee, Vice President, Board of Directors), and Greater New Orleans Inc., two organizations that "signed off" on the statement issued today.

One other detail that I need to mention: Maura Donahue is the wife of Louisiana Senator Jack Donahue, who sits on the Louisiana Senate Education Committee.

I don't see a problem here at all, do you?

So.......here we are

Decided to take it off Facebook.  I'm sure my friends appreciate my decision to do so.

Why I have sunk my teeth so deep into the Common Core States Standards (CCSS) issue?   My one and only is a 1.5 semesters away from graduating from LSU so why am I so concerned about what happens in Louisiana schools, right?

Well for starters, I have nieces and a nephew, two of whom are just beginning their schooling so I am concerned with what and how they will be taught.

Secondly, I view CCSS as just another cog in the wheel of the federal government gaining control over every aspect of our lives.

Too bad our state government doesn't see it this way. Guess the $$ signs have clouded their vision.

So, stick around.  I have a lot to say on the subject and as I continue to peel back the layers of this foul-smelling onion, I'm sure I'll have even more to say.