📣 Biden joins the picket line

Happy Thursday! It’s September 28 — people are talking about Biden’s decision to join the picket line, the merits of skipping school days, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly.

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📣 In the news: Biden on the picket line

Biden joined members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike, becoming the first sitting president to join a picket line. Was it a good move?

📣 MSNBC loved Biden’s move. Unions are hugely influential, and the move could boost his political support.

📣 The New Yorker: Biden is the first sitting president to join a picket line — his appearance was a huge deal, and it should send a big pro-union statement.

📣 But Hot Air said the gesture made Biden look desperate. He obviously is bending to left-wing pressure, and this move will come back to haunt him.

📣 The Washington Examiner agreed: What was he thinking? He's siding against consumers, and pressuring companies to give in to demands that could further cripple the economy.

📣 The Guardian had a different take: Joining the picket line is a good start, but Biden should also speak out against CEOs and policymakers who are contributing to wealth inequality.

🍎 Cultural trend: Skipping school days

Should you let your kid skip school sometimes? It might be good for their mental health, but it could also set them back academically.

🍎 Scary Mommy supports occasional skip days: They can be really nice for impromptu vacations, and they teach your kids valuable life skills.

🍎 Phys.org disagrees: There are long-term educational consequences. it creates a pattern of disengagement, which will result in poorer grades.

🍎 But Observer points out that school isn't the only place for learning. There are so many enriching educational opportunities outside the classroom, so skip days won’t necessarily lead to learning loss.

🍎 And Today's Parent says mental health days are crucial. School can be overwhelming, and the stress will hurt your kid more than missing a day will.

Quick hits

⚔️ North Korea freed Travis King, a US soldier who crossed into North Korea during a tour of the joint security area. (CNN)

🐘 Seven Republican 2024 presidential candidates participated in the second debate on Fox on Wednesday evening. (WaPo)

🏈 Michigan State fired football coach Mel Tucker. The school is investigating him for sexual misconduct. (ESPN)

🚀 Three astronauts returned from the International Space Station after spending over a year in space. (AP News)

That’s it for today. Reply at [email protected] to let me know what you think of our newsletter, or to suggest a topic for next time.

Here at Shades we’re trying something new – quick summaries from different points of view. We think it’s a better way to stay informed and see the big picture. Please reach out if you’re curious to learn more!

- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)