Worth Knowing, Probably Not Quite Threadworthy 8/26

[SVPete]

State spins shockingly bad Colorado education testing data

https://completecolorado.com/2026/08/25/state-spins-bad-colorado-education-testing-data/

Any of the following would be perfectly accurate and appropriate headlines for testing data released August 19 from the Colorado Measures of Academic Success:

“Most students grades 3–8 behind in all subjects according to state testing.”

“State testing shows overall low student scores increase in just over half of categories by grade and subject.”

“Nearly two-thirds of Colorado students struggle in math despite small testing gains.”

“Large majority of Black and Hispanic students continue to struggle in language and math.”

Here is an actual headline from the Denver Post that’s reasonable: “2026 CMAS results show Colorado students making gains in math, falling behind in reading.”

A comparable headline from Chalkbeat, posted May 29 based on preliminary data, reads: “Student math proficiency rises but literacy results are mixed, preliminary Colorado test scores show.”

Headlines that indicate the base level of performance, rather than small year-to-year changes, are more revealing. Compare: If your student told you his report card showed gains in most classes, you would not be satisfied with that level of information. If the student still was earning straight Fs, only some of the Fs reflected slight improvement (a little closer to Ds), you probably would react, “Fs are terrible,” not “Hurray for the marginal gains!”

But the Colorado Department of Education is interested in putting the most positive spin possible on terrible results. Its August 19 media release carries the headline, “Colorado student achievement and growth results show continued progress, with mathematics and elementary literacy leading gains.”

Denying and covering up a problem means it's not going to get fixed. Look for the union label.

[SVPete]

Reports: Three Secret Service Members Placed on Leave Over Security Leaks

https://townhall.com/news/mattvespa/2026/08/26/is-this-why-three-secret-service-members-were-placed-on-leave-n2681907

We have enemies everywhere, don’t we? Even within institutions that were supposedly unbiased. The FBI’s aversion to politics, once held as dogma, is no more. And now we have the Secret Service potentially spilling sensitive materials. Does this have to do with the secret flight President Trump took out of Turkey following a NATO summit wherein the Iranians threatened to assassinate him? We don’t know, but three top officials were placed on leave, according to RealClearPolitics’ Susan Crabtree, who has an ear to the inner workings of the agency:
...
We later learned that Secret Service communications director and spokesman Anthony Guglielmi was one of those placed on leave. We got a mole hunt potentially happening within the agency.

Regardless of the motive or who is POTUS, security leaks need serious consequences, the higher the position of trust, the greater the seriousness of the consequences.

[SVPete]

Air Force Major Who Went After Trump in Uniform on Capitol Steps Just Hit the FAFO Phase

https://redstate.com/terichristoph/2026/08/24/watson-slapped-with-multiple-charges-for-stunt-on-capitol-steps-n2206023

Remember that Air Force major who decided it would be a good idea to put on his uniform, march onto the steps of the United States Capitol, and publicly demand that President Trump be impeached? Well, he just found out that actions have consequences, particularly when it comes to active-duty military personnel who call out their commander in chief.

The airman in question is Maj. Jason Watson, and he has now been formally charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) with multiple offenses stemming from his July 1 stunt. Accompanied by Democrat Rep. Al Green (TX-09) and carrying a sign that read "Impeach Convict Remove," Watson called for the removal of both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
...
(From Nick Sortor)

BREAKING: US Airman Jason Watson has been hit with MULTIPLE criminal military charges after he called for President Trump to be impeached while in uniform at the US Capitol

He is now IN CUSTODY. FAFO!

The charges are:

- 3 violations of Article 88: Contempt Toward Officials

- 5 violations of Article 92: Failure to Obey Regulations

- 2 violations of Article 133: Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer

Make an example out of him!

Similar to what I posted wrt the Secret Service people, I do not care who the President is, Trump or LIEden, OhBummer! or Bush, this is a line that should not be crossed.