The free expression of ideas is a bedrock principle for any democratic society. And that is particularly true on college campuses, where many young people are still developing their core beliefs. Students need the freedom to explore new ideas, challenge opinions they disagree with, and change their minds.
The left better start fighting a little harder. I know we teach our kids to be the bigger person but this is no time to take the moral high ground. Democrats need to fight all of these un-American bills and call them what they are. A pathetic attempt by Republicans to change laws to better suit them. After they championed the angry orange blob who is only good for insults and campaign rallies, they brought this on themselves. When you elect a braindead goon and then continue to stand behind said goon, they are getting what the deserve. Please do a piece on Matt Gaetz. I know he's guilty already but anything you could provide would be worthwhile. Thanks as always Judd!
Moving back to Florida is one of the craziest things I have done in a long time. I now remember why I left in the first place. Reading the news is a constant torment. The only good thing locally is that we just had a town election and all the Republicans were thrown out of office after a ten year run. But we live in Palm Beach county. An island of slight sanity.
I recently read “The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism” by Katherine Stewart and it was an eye-opener for me about the insidious infiltration of these so-called “religious” groups into all aspects of our life, including freedom of expression. They work very hard at battering down the separation of Church and State. These groups embraced Trump and have had a profound effect on the Republican Party. Josh Hawley is the type that represents them. There is a chapter in the book about the connection between the religious right and Putin. Russia has a theocracy and this form of government is much admired by people like Franklin Graham. This is not off topic as I think it partly explains where the support of the actions of these Republican legislatures is coming from.
Yep. Remember the Russian Orthodox Church is THE Church in Russia. If you read the The Power Worshippers by Katherine Stewart she talks about it in Chapter 12: “The Global Holy War Comes of Age” which is about the global religious right-wing movement intent on “taking down modern democracy and replacing it with authoritarian, faith-based ethno-states.” Franklin Graham met privately with Putin in December 2015 and in 2014 defended Mr. Putin for his efforts “‘to protect his nation’s children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda’ even as he lamented that Americans have ‘abdicated our moral leadership’”. You might also want to read Timothy Snyder’s “The Road to Unfreedom”.
How very ‘Orwellian’. Not surprised at all that a Republican lead state would come up with yet another way to muzzle American free speech. Or is that amendment reserved for wealthy white men?
Yet another desperate attempt for the criminal GOP to suppress the free vote. They are flailing now, openly panicking that (without cheating) they will become an actual minority in government soon. They already ARE a minority in reality.
If Florida passes this legislation I would love to see Florida residents seek college in other states. Other states could offer in-state tuition rates to anyone from Florida.
What the legislation could actually do is ring a death knell on the higher education system in Florida. One possible outcome from this legislation is the schools in the Florida higher education system--the State University System of Florida and the Florida College System--lose their national accreditation.
Trump hastened the appearance of most alarming trends which have been given full coverage with few opposing viewpoints in many media outlets. The goal of blurring truth and facts is obvious and quite successful at this point. White men who fear loss of power, status and control are a dangerous group! Those of us, regardless of ethnicity, who really care about helping children discern propaganda and conspiracy theories need to think long and hard about how to fairly re-build public education.
I see job applicants with a FL school on their resume being haunted throughout their career because of how they answered a survey question at the age of 18. Imagine an Attorney General seeking appointment in 2053 being denied, owing to a survey answer she gave in 2023 (and she doesn’t even agree with her 18 year-old-self any longer).
Why I can't truly identify as a Dem. They just haven't the stones to fight the fight against Fascists like the Florida GOP ie GOP in General.
I am a fighter. It's hard to sit here and watch.
Florida almost seems a political lost cause, anyway. Hopefully, there are pockets of resistance among the young people to come out like the kids from Parkland.
There are plenty of people identifying as Dems who are fighting like hell. They are phone banking or writing letters and postcards to Democrats to mobilize them to vote in places like Georgia and NC. They are serving as election judges in the States where they live. I also think it’s important to support groups like Stacy Abrams “Fair Fight”, the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center, and The Brennan Center for Justice. Getting a subscription to magazines such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Foreign Affairs which feature well-written, in depth articles supporting democracy. Supporting your local independent newspaper (if you have one) is super helpful because a local paper combats the disinformation fomented on Facebook and Twitter. Even purchasing newspapers such as WaPo or NYT is helpful.
Many of us Independents and former Republicans did and do this. I think you might be surprised. Lincoln Project might not be your fav, but they made a huge impact in the last election.
I supported the Lincoln Project and continue to read what they have to say. They were fabulous and very very effective during the election. I am a former Republican, then was Independent for a long time until finally declaring as a Democrat (so I could vote in primaries).
The left better start fighting a little harder. I know we teach our kids to be the bigger person but this is no time to take the moral high ground. Democrats need to fight all of these un-American bills and call them what they are. A pathetic attempt by Republicans to change laws to better suit them. After they championed the angry orange blob who is only good for insults and campaign rallies, they brought this on themselves. When you elect a braindead goon and then continue to stand behind said goon, they are getting what the deserve. Please do a piece on Matt Gaetz. I know he's guilty already but anything you could provide would be worthwhile. Thanks as always Judd!
Moving back to Florida is one of the craziest things I have done in a long time. I now remember why I left in the first place. Reading the news is a constant torment. The only good thing locally is that we just had a town election and all the Republicans were thrown out of office after a ten year run. But we live in Palm Beach county. An island of slight sanity.
I recently read “The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism” by Katherine Stewart and it was an eye-opener for me about the insidious infiltration of these so-called “religious” groups into all aspects of our life, including freedom of expression. They work very hard at battering down the separation of Church and State. These groups embraced Trump and have had a profound effect on the Republican Party. Josh Hawley is the type that represents them. There is a chapter in the book about the connection between the religious right and Putin. Russia has a theocracy and this form of government is much admired by people like Franklin Graham. This is not off topic as I think it partly explains where the support of the actions of these Republican legislatures is coming from.
Russia is a Theocracy????
Yep. Remember the Russian Orthodox Church is THE Church in Russia. If you read the The Power Worshippers by Katherine Stewart she talks about it in Chapter 12: “The Global Holy War Comes of Age” which is about the global religious right-wing movement intent on “taking down modern democracy and replacing it with authoritarian, faith-based ethno-states.” Franklin Graham met privately with Putin in December 2015 and in 2014 defended Mr. Putin for his efforts “‘to protect his nation’s children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda’ even as he lamented that Americans have ‘abdicated our moral leadership’”. You might also want to read Timothy Snyder’s “The Road to Unfreedom”.
OMG
How very ‘Orwellian’. Not surprised at all that a Republican lead state would come up with yet another way to muzzle American free speech. Or is that amendment reserved for wealthy white men?
Republican “free speech” means agree with them or STFU
And all the campus Leftists who want to condemn any speech they disagree with is not the same thing by another name?
Thank you, Judd.
Yet another desperate attempt for the criminal GOP to suppress the free vote. They are flailing now, openly panicking that (without cheating) they will become an actual minority in government soon. They already ARE a minority in reality.
If Florida passes this legislation I would love to see Florida residents seek college in other states. Other states could offer in-state tuition rates to anyone from Florida.
What the legislation could actually do is ring a death knell on the higher education system in Florida. One possible outcome from this legislation is the schools in the Florida higher education system--the State University System of Florida and the Florida College System--lose their national accreditation.
Trump hastened the appearance of most alarming trends which have been given full coverage with few opposing viewpoints in many media outlets. The goal of blurring truth and facts is obvious and quite successful at this point. White men who fear loss of power, status and control are a dangerous group! Those of us, regardless of ethnicity, who really care about helping children discern propaganda and conspiracy theories need to think long and hard about how to fairly re-build public education.
The fairness doctrine needs to be put back, the constitutional amendment would be better and then it couldn't be removed again.
It was removed by vp Cheney. You know weapons of mass destruction and all.
20 years of festering petulance everywhere.
We each have to write Congress and senators and whoever else will listen.
Thank you Judd , and Tesmin, for your stellar journalism and all of your hard work!
I see job applicants with a FL school on their resume being haunted throughout their career because of how they answered a survey question at the age of 18. Imagine an Attorney General seeking appointment in 2053 being denied, owing to a survey answer she gave in 2023 (and she doesn’t even agree with her 18 year-old-self any longer).
Why I can't truly identify as a Dem. They just haven't the stones to fight the fight against Fascists like the Florida GOP ie GOP in General.
I am a fighter. It's hard to sit here and watch.
Florida almost seems a political lost cause, anyway. Hopefully, there are pockets of resistance among the young people to come out like the kids from Parkland.
Just disheartening.
There are plenty of people identifying as Dems who are fighting like hell. They are phone banking or writing letters and postcards to Democrats to mobilize them to vote in places like Georgia and NC. They are serving as election judges in the States where they live. I also think it’s important to support groups like Stacy Abrams “Fair Fight”, the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center, and The Brennan Center for Justice. Getting a subscription to magazines such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Foreign Affairs which feature well-written, in depth articles supporting democracy. Supporting your local independent newspaper (if you have one) is super helpful because a local paper combats the disinformation fomented on Facebook and Twitter. Even purchasing newspapers such as WaPo or NYT is helpful.
Many of us Independents and former Republicans did and do this. I think you might be surprised. Lincoln Project might not be your fav, but they made a huge impact in the last election.
I supported the Lincoln Project and continue to read what they have to say. They were fabulous and very very effective during the election. I am a former Republican, then was Independent for a long time until finally declaring as a Democrat (so I could vote in primaries).
Thankfully in VA we no longer have to declare a party. You pick your poison the day you vote. LoL
That is the best idea! We should be voting for candidates not parties!