DEDGirl

juddlegum, 11 months ago to random

1. In 2023, the Democratic and Republican parties are deeply divided on virtually every issue

But there is an exception

There is always more money for defense contractors

The debt limit deal, ostensibly about reducing deficits, contains billions more for the defense industry

juddlegum, 11 months ago to random

1. Laurie Cardoza-Moore has promoted conspiracy theories about 9/11

She defended to plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan

Now Tennessee House Speaker @CSexton25 has appointed her to a board charged with creating the state's social studies standards

This isn't a joke

🧵

lauren, 11 months ago to random

Jack Dorsey Promotes Hardcore Anti-Vaxxer Candidate on Social Media - https://gizmodo.com/jack-dorsey-2024-rfk-jr-nostr-bluesky-1850475240

stux, 11 months ago to random

If the US falls again in this trap and goes with DeSantis I give up all hope

Trump was one thing.. and people make mistakes but if this happens I'm out 🇺🇸

At some point enough is enough

DeSantis is as terrible as Trump, a nasty racist

juddlegum, 11 months ago to random

Please keep in mind, this is not a “news” event.

It’s an in-kind donation to the DeSantis campaign.

It is being “moderated” by David Sachs, a large donor to the campaign.

And Musk has previously said he wants DeSantis to be president.

RT @elonmusk

Spaces with @RonDeSantis in ~2 hours!

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1661463844131340296

juddlegum, 11 months ago to random

This thread is pretty long but there is A LOT more to this story and I'm continuing to investigate.

I'll provide updates once the facts are confirmed.

#mikamatters

RT @JuddLegum

1. This is Mika Westwolf, a 22-year-old Indigenous woman

On March 31, she was killed when an alleged white nationalist ran her over on the side of a highway

Her killer is not currently facing any charges for killing Mika

Mika matters

This is her story

🧵

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1661006191525531648

jrdepriest, 11 months ago to random

Neil Gaiman delivers powerful message at alt-graduation for DeSantis-threatened New College of Florida

@neilhimself

everentropy

Hi, I'm a New College alum. I have been following this closely, so I can give you a run-down. (Also don't worry, you sounded fine!)

Background: New College of Florida is a small liberal arts college in Sarasota. It has around 800 students, and probably less next year. It does not have grades, it instead has narrative evaluations. There are no required classes beyond what is legally required for Common Core. As an Honors College, everyone is required to do an undergraduate thesis and defend it in front of a Baccalaureate Committee. I studied Environmental Science and I was able to create my own major (known as an Area of Concentration). I even designed an Independent Study Project that went in-depth on cholera.

As for what is happening now, the simple answer is that Governor DeSantis appointed a bunch of conservatives to the Board of Trustees (or BoT). One of these is Chris Rufo, the guy behind the CRT scare. They have been trying to systematically tear down the college. This has included things like firing the president and trying to change the school's curriculum and entrance requirements, with a conservative evangelical Christian angle.

For a more in-depth answer, here is a list of things they have done or are currently planning on doing. (i had it under a readmore but it looks like that fucks up the formatting)

They fired the previous president, even though she was ACTUALLY solving many of the issues including enrollment and bringing in donors. By every measure she was doing a great job. Of course, you can't hire DeSantis's cronies if someone else is in the position!

They fired a queer librarian a week before finals.

They denied five professors tenure, including two from the "woke" specialization of... organic chemistry.

They are currently they are trying to change the school mascot. It is, according to the student government constitution { }, AKA the null set. They want a mascot to be more marketable, not because students are asking for it. Most insultingly, they sent out a survey asking for students' "opinions" and one of the options they had was the Conquistadores. It's 2023, it's hilariously out of touch.

They removed the "DEI Department". Which didn't exist. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was part of the admissions and outreach department. New College isn't even big enough to have staff dedicated to that. They couldn't even fire anyone so they made a stupid show of "eliminating it" that did nothing.

They are trying to use the CLT, a Christian-based entrance exam, instead of the SAT. (Several alums have started adding an I after the CL.) Also, the formerly student-run cafe is now being run by a local business that has put (misspelled) bible verses on the cups.

They want to have a "classics" education, and require students to take specific courses. New College already teaches from "the greats" for many classes, but they don't actually know what the New College curriculum is. It will also almost certainly be from a Christian, western perspective, rather than the broader one that students currently get. New College teaches you HOW to think, it doesn't tell you to think a specific way.

They are trying to put in both a baseball and basketball team. That doesn't sound that bad on the surface but New College has barely enough students for ONE team, and that would have to be co-ed. It's a school of around 800 students. (Probably less next year). There's no way they qualify for competitive sports. It's a grift meant to give positions to friends of the BoT through cronyism. I genuinely feel sorry for any student transferring because they were promised a sports career.

Also, New College doesn't have sports and is proud of that fact. It's an attempt to ruin our culture by attracting students that didn't come here solely for learning. We even have a motto that our football team is "undefeated" (because we don't have one). They also want to make this a pipeline for students from Inspiration Academy specifically and are trying to make it easier to enter.

Finally, the cherry on top of the cake, and the reason that Mr. Gaiman gave this speech in the first place, is that they asked Scott Atlas to be speaker for commencement. He was one of the members of former President Trump's COVID taskforce and actively downplayed the threat of COVID. His speech was not about how students have a bright future and how they will do great things. No, it was full of self-congratulations, name-dropping, and lies about COVID. If I hadn't known what it was I would never guessed that it was a commencement speech. The only thing even remotely about the students was about standing up for your beliefs, even when people tell you you're wrong.

The people watching literally turned their backs on him and started chanting "Wrap it up!" which was pretty funny honestly. I enjoyed that. I'm pretty sure most people who attended did so to protest him. Also, the current president of the college didn't make a speech or hand out diplomas, probably because he knew how disliked he is.

Make no mistake, this is meant to be a test case. And when they are done here they will move on to other colleges, and conservatives will bring this to other states as well. That's why resisting is so important.

I will say a bright spot in all of this is the outpouring of support we have received. Thank you everyone who has reblogged this with a message of support. We appreciate it. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

#SaveNewCollege #NewCollegeOfFlorida #ChrisRufo #ScottAtlas #RonDeSantis #NeilGaiman #WrapItUp

juddlegum, 11 months ago to random

Self-described “free speech absolutist” Elon Musk will have a formal role in the presidential announcement of Ron DeSantis, who has launched an aggressive crackdown on free speech in Florida K-12 schools, universities, and private businesses

juddlegum, 11 months ago to random

Musk has previously said he would support DeSantis for president

RT @CNN

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will announce his 2024 presidential campaign Wednesday night in a conversation with Twitter owner Elon Musk
https://cnn.it/45oKu6O

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1661077508110860298

juddlegum, 11 months ago to random

I wasn't aware that HARLAN CROW was a MEMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT

RT @birnbaum_e

SCOOP: Here's the letter that Justice Clarence Thomas's benefactor Harlan Crow sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee last night. His lawyers, from top firm Gibson Dunn, are arguing Congress doesn't have the authority to investigate the Supreme Court.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-23/justice-thomas-s-benefactor-crow-rebuffs-senate-on-ethics-probe

🐦🔗: https://twitter.com/birnbaum_e/status/1661055169969242125

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helenczerski, 1 year ago to random

Public service announcement, just in case anyone had forgotten: Covid is still out there and getting it still sucks. I didn’t wear a mask on a busy ferry last week and I am absolutely paying for it now by being stuck inside/sick/frustrated and having to cancel and rearrange all sorts of fun things this week. If you’re in a crowded space, FFP2 or N95 masks are definitely still worth wearing! #Covid #masks #LearnFromMyMistakes