Episode 78

NYT vs. Hasidic Schools, Brett Favre Fraud, TSA, Lindsey Graham & Abortion

Ravi and Rikki start off with a bombshell report from the New York Times on underperforming Hasidic schools, before turning to Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and his role in Mississippi’s welfare fraud scandal, renewed debate around the efficacy of the TSA, and Sen. Lindsey Graham’s reversal on who should govern abortion access.

SHOW NOTES

Ravi and Rikki unpack the NYT report on Hasidic Jewish private schools, revealing stark underperformance in basic skills like math and English. They discuss the reaction to the piece and whether accepting public funds necessitates public scrutiny.

The hosts then react to the welfare fraud scandal in Mississippi, involving such figures as former Gov. Phil Bryant and Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, debating how misappropriation like this happens and why the problem goes deeper than this story alone.

Ravi tries to remember a time before the TSA as Rikki presents some troubling data showing their incompetence. Both discuss some more cost-effective and competent alternatives.

Rikki finishes up by discussing Sen. Lindsey Graham’s 180 on the federal government’s role in abortion access, while Ravi tries to make some sense of the political strategy behind the reversal.

NYT Yeshivas Support [01:32]

In Hasidic Enclaves, Failing Private Schools Flush With Public Money (New York Times, 9/11)
My Son’s Yeshiva Is Breaking The Law (New York Times Opinion, 4/12/2021)
Who Cares About Hasidic Children? (New York Magazine, 9/14)
New York State vs. the Yeshivas (Mosaic Magazine, 10/25/2021)
The Plot Against Jewish Education (Tablet Magazine, 9/7)
Ben Shapiro Tweets (Twitter, 9/13)
New State Rules Offer Road Map for Regulating Private Hasidic Schools (New York Times, 9/13)
Liberman: No reason to fund Haredi institutions that teach ‘idleness’ (The Times of Israel, 5/30)
New York Lawmakers Call for More Oversight of Hasidic Schools (New York Times, 9/12)
New State Rules Offer Road Map for Regulating Private Hasidic Schools (New York Times, 9/13)
The High Price of Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Life (New York Magazine, 3/30/2017)
When One Parent Leaves a Hasidic Community, What Happens to the Kids? (New Yorker, 11/30/2020)
Secrets and Lies: Sexual abuse in the world of Orthodox Judaism (Harper’s, 10/2019)
An Elementary Mistake about Education (National Review, 9/6)
My Son’s Yeshiva Is Breaking the Law | NYT Opinion (YouTube, 4/12/2021)
Religion and Happiness Among Israeli Jews: Findings from the ISSP Religion III Survey (Institute for Studies of Religion, Baylor University, 5/5/2013)

Mississippi Fraud [16:03]

Former Gov. Phil Bryant helped Brett Favre secure welfare funding for USM volleyball stadium, texts reveal (Mississippi Today, 9/13)
Former Mississippi governor helped Brett Favre get welfare money, texts show (Washington Post, 9/14)
UNDISPUTED | Skip Bayless reacts to Brett Favre’s alleged involvement in welfare scheme (Undisputed, 9/14/22)
Texts: Mississippi governor knew of welfare payment to Favre (AP, 9/14/22)

Privatize the TSA [25:12]

TSA highlights the top 21 accomplishments in transportation security to close out 2021 (Transportation Security Administration, 1/18)
The TSA is a waste of money that doesn’t save lives and might actually cost them (Vox, 9/11/2016)
Privatizing the Transportation Security Administration (Cato Institute, 11/19/2013)
TSA: Thousands Standing Around (YouTube, 11/16/2016)
TSA Fails 95% of Security Tests (YouTube, 7/21/2016)
At San Francisco International Airport, private contractors handle security screening. Is it the airport of the future? (Washington Post, 2/10/2019)
TSA Touts Orlando Bomb Suspect Arrest (CBS News, 4/3/2008)
TSA Defends Frisking of 95-Year-Old Woman, Denies Removing Adult Diaper (ABC News, 6/27/2011)
Rept. 115-226 – Strengthening Oversight of TSA Employee Misconduct Act (Congress, 7/17/2017)
Time to Privatize the TSA (Heritage Foundation, 7/19/2017)

Roe v. Wade Updates [36:45]

Graham’s abortion ban stuns Senate GOP (Politico, 9/13/2022)
West Virginia Legislature passes abortion ban with few exceptions (CNN, 9/14/2022)
House Republicans are pushing a bill to undo Biden administration abortion rights guidance to pharmacies nationwide after the Supreme Court’s Roe reversal (Politico, 9/14/2022)
Why Things May Really Be Different for This Midterm Election (New York Times, 9/13)