I could not resist posting this video by George Carlin on the American Dream and education. Truer words have never been spoken by a comedian or otherwise. Here are some of the highlights:
 

We know what they want, more for themselves and less for everyone else… and they don't want an educated citizenry…. they want obedient workers… people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paper work and just dumb enough to passively accept the increasingly shittier jobs with the lower pay, the longer hours, the reduced benefits, the end of overtime, and the vanishing pension that disappears the minute you go to collect it. And now they are coming for your social security money

On this month's show:
    •    Highlights and victories from PSU's '09-'10 school year
    •    Connecting the struggles of students and taxi workers
    •    Philly & Harrisburg students talk about ending violence
    •    Youth express themsleves through poetry
    •    Music and education news
 
This show was hosted by Azeem Hill and Gregory Jordan-Detamore. Matt Johnson was the engineer.

Miles de personas quienes vienen a Pennsylvania desde otros paises a trabajar no pueden obtener licencias de manejar. En diciembre 2009, el estado canceló las licencias de cienes de inmigrantes. En una reunion recién, la comunidad habló de como la política afectará su capacidad a sacar una ganancia y apoyar sus familias.

Last Spring, Philadelphia-based food service provider, Aramark, came to the table and agreed to work with the Coaltion of Immokalee Workers in their pursuit of  curing an agriculture industry that by the CIW's estimation is ill to the core.  A system of work and profit, where "the norm is a disaster, and the extreme is slavery".  
 

The taxi industry internationally is basically the same.  It is setup to avoid  labor laws and avoid unionism using  the big lie of being independent, free, with the ability to make as much as you want.  So I love those whom expose this industry for what it is.  Here is a special report from Austin Texas hot off the press.
http://www.texascbar.org/content/legal_library/pubs/downloads/TaxiDrivingAustinDriving2010.pdf

On this episode of Labor Justice Radio:
+SEIU members fight for fair treatment in Delaware
+Philly responds to city budget cuts
+Queer immigrants talk about repression and resistance
+Day laborers speak about their right to work
+Music and local news

Yesterday, taxi drivers and their allies gathered for a prayer vigil to honor the taxi drivers who were recently victimized by the Philadelphia Parking Authority and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Members of many different organizations from across the city were there to demand justice for the drivers and their families. Religious and community leaders took the megaphone to send a message to the PPA that this kind of worker mistreatment won't be tolerated by the people of Philadelphia. Photos here.
 
Shania Morris, a rising high school freshman, represented Philadelphia Student Union at the vigil. She spoke about how this kind of harassment, especially when looked at alongside the long hours and constant mistreatment faced by taxi drivers, constitutes a form of structural violence similar to the kind faced by young people in our schools and communities.