Tues Blogcast: Israel goes into Rafah; Property tax deal; AI in education

Just One Thing: Israel calls Hamas' "ceasefire" bluff, begins Rafah operations

Much could have changed by the time you read this, but yesterday, suspiciously just hours after Israel basically said they were going to start an operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah where the last Hamas rats are holed up, Hamas announced that they would accept a ceasefire. As of the time I’m recording this on Monday evening, Israel has begun some sort of military operation that they are describing as targets strikes in eastern Rafah, calling the Hamas ceasefire statement “a deception.” A former Hamas terrorist who became a spy for Israel’s intelligence service, the Shin Bet, says that the Hamas proposal is “a trap” and it must be ignored unless Hamas commits to “release ALL HOSTAGES and step down from power”, which of course it won’t do. To Israel I say, eliminate Hamas now.

There's a LOT here: Inside the White House Scramble to Broker a Deal in Gaza - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

IDF attacks Hamas in Rafah - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)

Former Hamas terrorist: Hamas ceasefire proposal is a trap - The Jerusalem Post (jpost.com)

IMPORTANT: As they say, “big if true”: Israel frustrated with U.S. over hostage talks (axios.com)

Today's Guests

Matt Farber, an associate professor at University of Northern Colorado, teaches about some of the most interesting aspect of education. We'll discuss the current state of the use (or abuse) of AI in K-12 education.

Matthew Farber, ED.D., Associate Professor, School of Teacher Education, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (unco.edu)

ChatGPT is transforming Colorado education, for better and worse (denverpost.com)

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Tyler Lyson is the Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We'll talk about a fascinating fossil find right here in Colorado: New species of mammal discovered near Colorado Springs | Lifestyle | denvergazette.com

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State Senator Barb Kirkmeyer (R-CO SD23) is a member of the important Joint Budget Committee. We'll discuss what might be a legislative deal on property tax reform. I have a lot of questions.

SENATOR BARB KIRKMEYER (kirkmeyerforcolorado.com)

Colorado legislature: “Assault” weapons ban will be killed in committee; property tax deal leaves out key groups (msn.com)

Bipartisan Colorado property tax deal emerges as session ends (coloradosun.com)

Other Stuff

This is the single most important domestic issue. Politicians of both parties have failed us, with Trump and Biden both truly spectacularly horrific big spenders.

Social Security and Medicare finances look grim as overall debt piles up - The Washington Post

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Would you believe the key vote to kill the "assault weapons" ban is State Senator Tom Sullivan? Colorado Senate committee to kill assault weapons ban in committee (denverpost.com)

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I always love this guy's writing. I wish it were more frequent than it is. But, as always, some good "life hacks" here: 30 Useful Concepts (Spring 2024) - by Gurwinder - The Prism

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The Dems truly are owned by just a couple of groups, including the teachers unions and the trial lawyers. The latter gets their way, at the expense of just about everybody else here: EDITORIAL: Snubbing home buyers — caving to trial lawyers | Editorials | denvergazette.com

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Have you heard of the Chinese "Snakehead" gang? There’s been a major shift in demographics at the border. Here’s what’s behind the change. (aol.com)

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I owe you some of these from yesterday:

I love the fact that she didn't get stung. Bees are so cool: A little girl said monsters were in her bedroom. It was 60,000 bees (bbc.com)

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I bet this smells GREAT: KFC launches first-ever perfume - and it's inspired by a mouth-watering menu item - Mirror Online

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Boy that bird has some serious endurance: Why Feathers Are One of Evolution’s Cleverest Inventions | Scientific American

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Might not cover this on the show but it's an interesting read: (19) Progressive Attitudes Towards Sex Are Pretty Damn Incoherent Right Now (substack.com)

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