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Again, only one point I was referencing: the disproportionate outrage over numerous things that on their face are significantly less important than our children.

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Show me failing hard? That doesn’t even sound like me tbh. I don’t think they are doing the job they think they are doing and should do better.

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So @betsyphillips.bsky.social and I had our first guest on the pod: @freddieoconnell.bsky.social He talked Civil Rights museum, old infrastructure, transit implementation challenges and our relationship with the state. 🍖 by Shotgun Willie’s BBQ 🍎: tinyurl.com/mr3m77sd 🟢: tinyurl.com/25rep9w2

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I don’t disagree with any of that. But it sort of feels like an NFL player saying “if not that one 85-yard run, our defense was excellent.” And again, I’m not suggesting it’s easy or simple. Just think it’s ok to ask for more than we’re getting right now. Doesn’t feel unreasonable at all.

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Apologies, I thought “MNPS is not doing a good enough job” meant “they can do better.” At least, that’s clearly what I meant and why I referenced that. Aka, my point. All I was saying. I do want to understand your point about growth and scores etc.

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Like I’ve said, I am a true believer in the public school mission and there are lots of schools growing or teachers doing gods work or any number of wonderful developments. But to suggest they couldn’t do better seems silly to me and not rooted in reality. Super hard job, super complex, no doubt.

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We love our elementary school but they aren’t pushing our girls very hard at all. Lack of transparency from a group that continues to do things that required class action settlement. Lots of evidence about behavioral issues. Dollars invested in services, etc. Dozens of stories from parents.

A test score is the measure that most directly indicates what type of job they are doing? Really?

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And if my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle. Lottery for sure but kids have left… if system was crushing it, they wouldn’t all leave. My home would never consider leaving, for example.

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Having an issue isn’t the same as a narrative. As someone who believes in public education and has two kids in MNPS, I have major questions that never get answered. If the narrative is “MNPS is not doing a good enough job,” thats less narrative and more just all evidence indicates that’s the case.

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Yes. (But More like 500,000 people signed a petition about zoo animals and no one cares about major behavioral and academic issues with our children? The imbalance was her point, IMO.)

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Those can be exclusive. Her point was simply that we get outraged over a number of things but rarely about MNPS issues. I love and believe in the idea of public schools. But that doesn’t mean things are good at MNPS. I can disagree with her other opinions and point out one that is totally correct.

To be clear and give credit where it’s due, Andrea Williams did an excellent job of starting that portion of the convo.

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His point is correct about state escalating. But when my small kids are having temper tantrums, I don’t add to it (or at least I try not to add to 🤷🏼‍♂️) because that makes it unnecessarily worse.

Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Latest in the DC Blox-Zoo data center saga: - May 29 was day the permit was filed, aka Metro was too late. - DC Bloc appears to have made an offer to Zoo in the form of 13 acres, sound mitigation. Listen to @pbn.bsky.social ☕️: by 8th & Roast 🍎: tinyurl.com/2abptjsm

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

I’ve said it before that Jon Stewart’s opening monologue might be the single best piece of content going these days. He gets frustrated by incompetence, hypocrisy, lying, bullying and more. But nothing gets him more pissed than lazy and unfunny comedy. 😂

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

The great @betsyphillips.bsky.social decided to give me a quiz to see how liberal I am. I think she’s actually pissed at the results. 🤷🏼‍♂️ 🍖 by Shotgun Willie’s 📰 by @nashvillescene.com 🪴 by God 🍎: tinyurl.com/yc24u89f

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Yeah, it’s the opposite. Anyone with voter info can see every election I’ve voted in.

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Uhhh… are we back to being sarcastic here?

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Uh, you don’t think political parties have access to voter data? What America do you think we live in? PACs work with voter data?

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Wait… FIFA got something right?!? So says @scavendish.bsky.social 🍺 by: East Nashville Beer Works Yazoo Brewing Co. Tennessee Brew Works Listen, watch Club & Country: 🍎: tinyurl.com/3u49s946 🟢: tinyurl.com/3us9dy2s 🎥: tinyurl.com/3fhfcac5

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Reposted by Braden Gall

Nashville Scene @nashvillescene.com · 23/07/2026

This week on The Aunt B Radio Hour: Braden has decided to vote in the Republican primary. Betsy is perturbed. They do agree on admiring Margo Price’s new album, though. Available now wherever you get your podcasts!

nashvillescene.com

The Aunt B Radio Hour

Nashville culture, music, news, history and hilarity with Betsy Phillips and Braden Gall

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Good question… first guess is they know everyone’s entire voting history, so they would see if a large number of people who vote D, cross for just a primary vote. They have sophisticated data. 2nd, IF turnout/win probability are metrics they use, would make sense NOT to spend here, no?

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Do your worst, Bluesky. I can take it. @betsyphillips.bsky.social @nashvillescene.com 🍖 by Shotgun Willie’s BBQ! 🍖 Voter turnout up, Metro Govt is too complicated and @missmargoprice.bsky.social does it again! 🍎: tinyurl.com/4k4awxau

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

And if Trump can get the red card reduced by abusing the power of his office, I’m here for it. Not sorry at all.

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Intellectually dishonest conservative sports influencer openly campaigning for birthright citizenship US soccer player was not on my World Cup bingo card. It’s so, so, so delicious.

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Chainsawing before 9 am on a Sunday… Cool.

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Haha, putting kids in bed, watching Haaland and reading a book? Where did you end up? I recommend East Nashville Beer Works in East for bevies and ⚽️.

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

My favorite park in all of Middle Tennessee metro area: moss wright.

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Braden Gall @bradengall.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Not only do the softball games NOT get a National Anthem at all, but the softball games have to stop in the middle of the game to observe the anthems being played at the boys baseball games. WTF have an anthem at all if you can’t do it for every game?

Haha, it’s my favorite pastime.

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Another huge but totally separate issue.

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I appreciate your argument because I know you’re being genuine, even if we disagree. My only complaint is that Neil wasn’t being that.

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