US Current Events November: D&D's Afghanistan

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skylined!: Apr 6, 2012; THE DEM DEFENDER HAS LOGGED ON

Bel Shazar posted:

We seem to be fortifying our southern border by bigger links between bases.

That was definitely a consideration.

article posted:

A significant benefit of providing interstate linkage between a dozen military facilities served by the I-14 corridor is that these connections will add to the military value of each of these installations.

Among the facilities that will be better linked by I-14 are Fort Bliss at El Paso, Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Fort Hood at Killeen, Fort Polk in Louisiana, Camp Shelby at Hattiesburg, Kessler AFB at Biloxi, Maxwell AFB at Montgomery, Fort Benning at Columbus, Robins AFB at Macon, Fort Gordon near Augusta and Fort Stewart near Savannah.

dog tax, she will be 9 in April :cry:

# ? Nov 17, 2021 14:32

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? May 24, 2024 20:15

90s Solo Cup: Feb 22, 2011; To understand the cup
He must become the cup

skylined! posted:

Someone mentioned republicans taking credit for infrastructure projects after the BIF passed and lol. This dude voted no.

https://twitter.com/usrepgarypalmer/status/1460367601700421644?s=21

It's a super-expensive bullshit project that does nothing but make a bunch of rugged backcountry owned by US Steel and other mining interests accessible for development. And it also wrecks the nearby environment along the way.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 14:35

BRJurgis: Aug 15, 2007; Well I hear the thunder roll, I feel the cold winds blowing...
But you won't find me there, 'cause I won't go back again...
While you're on smoky roads, I'll be out in the sun...
Where the trees still grow, where they count by one...

Decon posted:

Nah, I grew up in the kind of suburb (overwhelmingly white, upper/upper-middle class) that was targeted by the CRT campaign, and I'm not gonna be caught coddling the fuckers.

Long story short: they're loving racist. Actively, overtly, and tangibly. They'll absolutely froth at the mouth with rage at even the vaguest suggestion that they're racist, but closed-door racist "jokes" are their absolute favorite. They are the lock your door when a black man crosses the street in front of you, bitch and moan about your daughter's boyfriend because his skin's a shade too dark, call the cops on the black teenager(s) out for a walk style racists. They don't so much as look in the mirror without their White Moderate mask on, but that doesn't change a drat thing about their behavior.

Being incapable of introspection doesn't relieve one from being responsible for the values they act on. They are racists and that is why the CRT campaign worked on them. They were not tricked into racism.

That's fair, I don't know how it is where you are.

I can see a practical, useful difference here* between people who identify as racist and people who dont, even if they completely are in effect.

Hell I know a middle aged former Reagan campaigner centrist guy. Between Trumpism and the conversations I have with him (oh and the ever increasing hopper of unarmed black youth murdered by police), he's come around in a rather despairing way that much of our culture/electorate can be dog whistled into rabid racists. That the effect of these laws do show their true intent, that fear of old white men being deposed is more important to many than anything else (or at least it's an overriding fear for them). That too many of the people he grew up with, interacts with literally ARE open racists as you and jaxyon are saying. And that he was caught up in it too.

This goes towards proving YOUR point, except for the important fact that he changed. He came around. He saw the game, how he was "bamboozled" into effectively being racist. We have to believe people, at least some of them, can change. And as a tall white straight male in America, its not any minority's job but in fact mine to try to reach them.

*the useful difference being when we try to "reach" proud white supremacists, it's with both hands towards their hateful loving necks. Handing out flyers energy.

Edit another key difference (between folks who don't identify as racist) is whether they accept that they very well might be, and try to self correct... or if they fly into a rage and double down. I guess this does take a degree of coddling to get across to them, but our leaders and media are not going to plant this seed (or are completely inept at doing so), and these folks aren't going anywhere so somebody has to do it

BRJurgis fucked around with this message at 14:47 on Nov 17, 2021

# ? Nov 17, 2021 14:39

small butter: Oct 8, 2011

skylined! posted:

That was definitely a consideration.

dog tax, she will be 9 in April

This is a good dog. Thank you

# ? Nov 17, 2021 14:40

Leon Trotsky 2012: Aug 27, 2009; YOU CAN TRUST ME!*

_{*Israeli Government-affiliated poster}

Sinema gave her first interview in 4 years and it is mostly what you would expect.

The only somewhat surprising thing is that she seems to think she is on the path to the White House.

She also refers to her previous self-identification as a socialist as something that changed because she was able to "grow" out of it through education and that learning and growing as a person is a rare talent in politics.

Says Republicans have approached her to switch parties and make McConnell Majority Leader again, but won't do that.

quote:

Sen. Thune said he's tried to get her to switch several times. Sinema says of caucus switch: "No. Why would I do that?"

Says she sees herself as an independent and not a partisan.

quote:

In a 35-minute interview in her miniature, pink-hued Capitol hideaway office, Sinema dressed down Democratic leadership for setting expectations too high. She also defended the right of her critics to protest her, but not to follow her into a bathroom and �unfairly and illegally� victimize the students she teaches at Arizona State. Sinema also revealed why she�s constantly spotted on the floor chatting with GOP leader McConnell: �He has a dry sense of humor. It's underrated.�

Says she dresses the way she does because she wants to and not to get attention. The focus on her wardrobe is inappropriate and people are singling her out for it. Other female Senators don't get their fashion scrutinized nearly as often as she does and male Senators never do.

Says the "Go gently caress Yourself" jewelry was just something she likes and not a political message. The purple wig she wore was to demonstrate solidarity with American women who couldn't get their hair done due to Covid closing salons and a way to demonstrate fiscal responsibility in a visible way.

quote:

�It's very inappropriate. I wear what I want because I like it. It's not a news story, and it's no one's business,� Sinema said. �It's not helpful to have [coverage] be positive or negative. It also implies that somehow women are dressing for someone else.�

It�s a rare retort to Sinema�s opponents. She�s responded to most criticism with silence, whether it's jabs that she's a Republican or that she's imposing �tyranny� on Democrats. And on policy, the first-term senator has remained almost completely quiet during breakneck negotiations to finish Biden�s agenda.

Says that she likes to be unpredictable and that if you can figure her out, then she is doing something wrong.

Stresses that she is an independent thinker and that "unity" and "speaking with one voice" on policy should not be goals for a political party and she actively tries to avoid doing that.

quote:

As Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer constantly preaches unity in a 50-50 Senate, Sinema says her differences with other Democrats are natural and they shouldn�t paper over them.

�I've been concerned at the push that happens in both parties, this push to have no disagreements. To only have unity or to only speak with one voice. And some will say, �Oh, that is our strength,�� Sinema said. �Having some disagreement is normal. It is real, it is human. And it's an opportunity for us as mature beings to work through it.�

Says she wants to pass reconciliation soon, but that she still wants to negotiate a little more when it comes back to the Senate.

She says no raising any taxes that would have "a negative impact on our economic climate," that she wants to add paid leave back into the Senate version, and that she does not support any cuts to the climate provisions in the reconciliation bill.

quote:

Sinema laid out some of her thinking, explaining that she generally supports adding paid leave to the Democrats� social spending bill but not raising tax rates on corporations and some high-income earners, saying she �will not support tax policies that have a negative impact on our economic climate.� And, unlike her colleague Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), she views the bill�s climate provisions as the �most important part of what is under discussion.�

Won't talk about political future or address Ruben Gallego's potential primary challenge. Makes some allusions about how she would be independent and let the Senate work if she were President.

quote:

Yet, even after an extended interview, the first-term Democrat holds onto the air of mystery that�s become a signature part of her political brand. Sinema won�t say she�s running for reelection, nor will she respond to Rep. Ruben Gallego�s (D-Ariz.) flirtations with a primary challenge.

Also says that if she were President, she would set real achievable goals and not overpromise. Both political parties have set expectations too high and make unrealistic promises to voters.

quote:

However, she will criticize her party for its complicity in setting unachievable, sky-high expectations, just like the Republicans who promised to repeal Obamacare under former President Donald Trump. A $3.5 trillion social spending bill, sweeping elections reform, a $15 minimum wage and changes to the filibuster rules were always a long shot with Sinema and Manchin as the definitive Democratic votes in the Senate.

�You�re either honest or you�re not honest. So just tell the truth and be honest and deliver that which you can deliver,� Sinema said. �There's this growing trend of people in both political parties who promise things that cannot be delivered, in order to get the short-term political gain. And I believe that it damages the long-term health of our democracy.�

Says that the Congressional Progressive Caucus wasn't responsible for the infrastructure bill passing and that the "brave" Republicans who voted for it deserve more credit from Nancy Pelosi. The CPC says they always supported the infrastructure bill and were just holding it because they didn't trust Sinema, but Sinema says they can't brag about it if they held it up. The Congressional Black Caucus are the group that deserves the most credit.

quote:

She may have a dearth of buddies in the House Progressive Caucus, which repeatedly delayed her infrastructure bill and then nearly sank it when a half-dozen Democrats voted against it. The way she sees it, Biden was able to sign that bill thanks to brave Republicans and the Congressional Black Caucus � not because progressive leaders eventually relented.

The CBC �did a lot of heavy lifting to get that bill across the finish line in the House,� Sinema said. �The 13 Republicans who voted yes on that bill in the House, and many of whom are now receiving death threats, they deserve a much greater share of thanks than they received.

Says that the stories people "make up" about her being bought off are annoying, but that she always acts independently and for the best interests of Arizona and they don't bother her.

Also makes another allusion about what she would do if she were President and says that she won't be speaking publicly or giving another interview for a while.

quote:

Despite Sinema granting a chatty interview, don�t expect to hear much from her publicly in the coming weeks during Democrats' final push to pass their social spending plan. Even as progressives insinuate she�s bought off by the pharmaceutical industry or hampering Biden�s agenda, Sinema doesn�t feel a particular need to respond.

�I�ve been doing this work for almost 20 years and I make decisions based on what's right for Arizona and what's most important for Arizona families,� she said. �And, you know, the stories that folks want to write, that they're making up? They can do that.�

https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1460954664938135554

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:05

FLIPADELPHIA: Apr 27, 2007; Heavy Shit; Grimey Drawer

What a failed society we live in when the margin between progress and further degradation is one terminally contrarian, flailing yas queen moron.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:11

Leon Trotsky 2012: Aug 27, 2009; YOU CAN TRUST ME!*

_{*Israeli Government-affiliated poster}

I'm sure this is bullshit and Thune doesn't even have the ability to stop people from running, but lol that he is floating the idea of letting Sinema run for re-election unopposed.

quote:

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a prospective successor to McConnell, went as far as to say he �would be surprised if Republicans tried to unseat her� in 2024 if she runs.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:20

Heck Yes! Loam!: Nov 15, 2004; a rich, friable soil containing a relatively equal mixture of sand and silt and a somewhat smaller proportion of clay.

She's so high on her own supply it's scary.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:21

Abner Assington: Mar 13, 2005; For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry god. Bloody Mary, full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now, at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon.

Amen.

She is the physical manifestation of "ignorance is bliss."

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:22

Old James: Nov 20, 2003; Wait a sec. I don't know an Old James!

Leon Trotsky 2012 posted:

Says she dresses the way she does because she wants to and not to get attention. The focus on her wardrobe is inappropriate and people are singling her out for it. Other female Senators don't get their fashion scrutinized nearly as often as she does and male Senators never do.
https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1460954664938135554

The Washington Press Corps doesn't get many chances to talk about the fashion sense of Politicians.
The last two times I can remember are the beige suit

And Barney Franks' nipples

I think they enjoyed talking about something novel even if it is a little dismissive.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:25

VitalSigns: Sep 3, 2011

FLIPADELPHIA posted:

What a failed society we live in when the margin between progress and further degradation is one terminally contrarian, flailing yas queen moron.

Inappropriate!

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:30

Willa Rogers: Mar 11, 2005

FLIPADELPHIA posted:

What a failed society we live in when the margin between progress and further degradation is one terminally contrarian, flailing yas queen moron.

But enough about Harris.

Old James posted:

The Washington Press Corps doesn't get many chances to talk about the fashion sense of Politicians.
The last two times I can remember are the beige suit

And Barney Franks' nipples

I think they enjoyed talking about something novel even if it is a little dismissive.

Those were both rightwing-driven non-stories, while Sinema's wardrobe choices are irresistible chum for liberals.

eta: Also in Politico this morning, Poll: Voters split on Biden's mental fitness as job approval remains low

quote:

Voters have increasing doubts about the health and mental fitness of President Joe Biden, the oldest man ever sworn into the White House, according to a new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll.

Only 40 percent of voters surveyed agreed with the statement that Biden �is in good health,� while 50 percent disagreed. That 10-percentage-point gap � outside the poll�s margin of error � represents a massive 29-point shift since October 2020, when Morning Consult last surveyed the question and found voters believed Biden was in good health by a 19-point margin.

Asked whether Biden is mentally fit, voters are almost evenly split, with 46 percent saying he is and 48 percent disagreeing. But that negative 2-point margin stands in stark contrast to Biden�s numbers last October, when voters believed he was mentally fit by a 21-point margin.

I guess this is the downside of his having being shielded from off-the-cuff remarks & appearances during the campaign & subsequent incumbency.

Willa Rogers fucked around with this message at 15:44 on Nov 17, 2021

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:32

a.lo: Sep 12, 2009; Can't post for 2 hours!

No! Set expectations lower!

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:33

Mellow Seas: Oct 9, 2012; Can't post for 10 years!

90s Solo Cup posted:

It's a super-expensive bullshit project that does nothing but make a bunch of rugged backcountry owned by US Steel and other mining interests accessible for development. And it also wrecks the nearby environment along the way.

Yeah, any project in the infrastructure bill that's "build a highway out to some place where nobody currently lives" is basically a terrible idea. At this point basically all American development should be focused on increasing density. But "new highways" are (A) the most visible projects, and so easiest for politicians to brag about, and (B) easy for constituents to understand. And people will benefit from them, just not enough people and not without cost.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:42

Leon Trotsky 2012: Aug 27, 2009; YOU CAN TRUST ME!*

_{*Israeli Government-affiliated poster}

Apple apparently feels like they are losing the fight against the FTC's new right to repair rules and is trying to head it off at the pass by making concessions that allow users to repair their own devices, but only with tools and parts sold exclusively through Apple.

They are leaving in all of the programming that breaks your device if you use non-Apple parts to prevent people from "gaming" the system by using Apple tools and generic parts.

https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1460982830318727176

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:50

FizFashizzle: Mar 30, 2005

skylined! posted:

So in a small bit of interesting regional news that may or may not be useful to Southeast US goons, the BIF included funding for the expansion of I-14, from its current expanse across Texas, to Augusta, GA. It will span 1400 miles across the south, mostly east to west, providing interstate access to a slew of mid-size towns along the way.

I have mixed feelings about this - obviously the infrastructure package includes a fuckton of money for roads when as a society we should be moving away from cars to prevent total ecological collapse. This is also something local to me, as the wealthiest 5-6 families in my west GA town prevented interstate expansion to my city of residence for decades because they didn't want ~~more black people~~ rapid urban expansion to ruin their southern deathgrip on this mill town.

The politics are uh, interesting, as well. Babin, an insane house rep out of West Texas has been lobbying for this for years, and it was included in the earlier house version of the bill over the summer. He also voted no on the final house vote because of course. Tex Cruz teamed with... Raphael Warnock to include the final amended version of the portion of the bill in the senate version, which is what ultimately passed. You can guess how Ted voted, even though his amendment was in the bill.

Rich east texan retirees want to drive their campers to the masters more easily.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 15:53

Main Paineframe: Oct 27, 2010

It's a few months old at this point, but I think it's worth a look at how the "critical race theory" attack often plays out in practice, and why it can't simply be deflected by going "actually, we don't teach the academic theory known as Critical Race Theory here".

https://www.businessinsider.com/texas-principal-opens-up-about-being-boogeyman-for-critical-race-theory-2021-8

quote:

On the day of his appointment as the principal of a Texas middle school, Dr. James Whitfield was forwarded an email from a resident of his school district that referenced a photo of him kissing his wife on the beach in Mexico, where the couple celebrated their 10-year anniversary. Whitfield is Black, and his wife is white.

According to Whitfield, in May 2019 the school district forwarded him the email, which read, "Is this the Dr. Whitfield we want as an example for our students?", and requested he remove the photo from his Facebook profile.

"I felt small, insignificant, and undervalued as a staff member," he told Insider in a phone interview.

Whitfield recalled the ordeal in a July 31 Facebook post. The Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District said in a statement Monday that it made the request to provide Whitfield with a "smooth transition" to his new role and "had absolutely nothing to do with race."

Whitfield ultimately set the photo to private. But he told Insider the request was just the start of what he believes is a sustained harassment campaign against him by residents of his school district who think he promotes the idea that white people are inherently racist.

Since Whitfield was appointed principal of Colleyville Heritage High School in spring 2020, making him the first Black person to lead the school in its 25-year history, he said community members have repeatedly asked the school board to investigate and even fire him. Colleyville, a city in Tarrant County outside of Dallas and Fort Worth, is more than 90% white.

Whitfield's opponents center their outrage around critical race theory, an idea that originally emerged from legal scholarship that argues racism continues to affect the legal system and other modern institutions in ways that perpetuate discrimination against and the oppression of people of color. In September 2020, then-President Donald Trump issued an executive order which labeled concepts like critical race theory "offensive and anti-American" and banned any diversity and inclusion training containing such "divisive concepts" from federal contracts.

Following Trump's ban, states including Texas enacted a rash of anti-critical race theory legislation that distorts the concept to limit how history, race, and current events can be taught in public schools. Outrage over teachers discussing police brutality, white privilege, and systemic racism in the context of current events exploded at school board meetings across the country, including in Whitfield's district.

"They think I'm the CRT boogeyman," Whitfield said of his opponents. "My position strikes fear into the hearts of certain people that would prefer things go back to the way they used to be."

At a tense district board of trustees meeting on July 26, speakers railed against what they view as critical race theory permeating the curriculum at local schools. Whitfield said he was advised not to attend these meetings in person for his own protection.

In a video recording of the meeting reviewed by Insider, one woman calls for the trustees to investigate any use of critical race theory because "the whole idea of systemic racism is a theory or a philosophy." Other speakers air concerns over the district teaching "social justice" and the "systemic racism conspiracy."

During the open forum portion of the meeting, one man criticizes Whitfield directly by name, which is against the board's rules. The man accuses Whitfield of promoting the belief that the community should "destroy all our businesses, our school districts, our city, and even our state." He further calls for Whitfield's contract to be terminated because of what he says are Whitfield's "extreme views." Shouts to "fire" Whitfield can be heard in the background.

The man is twice interrupted and reminded of rules against airing grievances against a specific employee, but finishes his speech to raucous applause.

Asked for comment, the school district told Insider that similar violations will not be tolerated at future board of trustees meetings.

Whitfield said he increasingly felt the community's ire directed at him after George Floyd's murder.

Feeling compelled to leverage his leadership position to speak out against systemic racism, Whitfield sent an email to his high school community listserv on June 3, 2020.

"We are collectively using our voice to denounce systemic racism and the inequities that people of color face on a daily basis in our country," Whitfield wrote. "I encourage us all not to grow weary in the battle against systemic racism � commit to being an anti-racist."

Whitfield's opponents immediately took issue with his message.

In public Facebook posts reviewed by Insider from a group called "GCISD Parents for Strong Schools," members called Whitfield a "Critical Race Theory (CRT) advocate" and accused him of "using his principal position as a platform for social justice and politics."

Other posts in the group encouraged members to file public records requests in an attempt to uncover documents they could use to argue the school district promoted critical race theory, social justice, and systemic racism. Insider identified more than a dozen public records requests filed within the last six months in the Grapevine-Colleyville district for information on critical race theory, antiracism, or social justice in teaching materials, school policies, staff training materials and district communications.

Many of these requests identify Whitfield as the subject of their search, but turn up little of note. Whitfield co-presented a voluntary professional development seminar to fellow district educators aimed at having productive conversations about identity differences, including race; he exchanged one email with a colleague in another district about anti-racist groups at their schools; and in other emails, he writes about his school's affiliation with a non-profit education program aimed at supporting minority, rural, low-income students who apply to college.

Whitfield said he will not apologize for advocating for his students, and that includes his commitment to building what he sees as a truly inclusive school for everyone, not just for "white, straight, and Christian kids."

He said he is disappointed that his district hasn't done more to stand up to his critics.

"Tell them who you are," Whitfield said of district administrators. "Behind closed doors you say you're about inclusion, equity, and diversity, so come out and say that's what you're about."

The Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District did not reply to Insider's question about social justice or antiracism policies at its schools, nor did it provide comment on the accusations leveled against Dr. Whitfield in the board of trustees meeting and on social media.

For his part, Whitfield says that he does have an agenda � it's just not what his critics claim it to be.

"My agenda is loving kids," Whitfield said, "and making sure each and every one of them has the opportunity to be successful."

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/18/colleyville-principal-critical-race-theory/

quote:

It was June 3, 2020, and James Whitfield couldn�t sleep. He hadn�t been able to sleep for the last several days. As a Black man, the deaths of three Black Americans, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, weighed heavily on his mind. Their slayings by white people had been dominating the news � sparking once again national conversations about race and racism in the United States.

Last summer, protest after protest made waves across the nation. It was no different in Texas, and Whitfield, who had weeks earlier been named the first Black principal at Colleyville Heritage High School, couldn�t just sit back. He said he felt like he had a platform that other Black Americans didn�t have and he wouldn�t let that go to waste.

At 4:30 a.m., he wrote a letter to the school community declaring that systemic racism is �alive and well� and that they needed to work together to achieve �conciliation for our nation.�

�Education is the key to stomping out ignorance, hate, and systemic racism,� Whitfield wrote. �It�s a necessary conduit to get �liberty and justice for all.��

Then, the feedback to that letter was nothing short of spectacular, Whitfield said. He didn�t hear a single negative comment. He felt there was a consensus in the community. But, a little over a year later, his words would backfire.

At a July 26 Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board meeting, Stetson Clark, a former school board candidate at Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, would use the letter to accuse Whitfield of teaching and promoting �critical race theory.�

At the podium, Clark named Whitfield four times, even though the board asked him not to criticize particular employees. The first time, someone in the audience yelled out, �How about you fire him?� Clark continued to name Whitfield, completely ignoring the rules, and called for the board to fire him.

�He is encouraging the disruption and destruction of our district,� Clark said.

When his time wrapped up, Clark walked away from the podium to cheers from the audience.

And in the ensuing days, Whitfield found himself at the center of the debate over how race is taught in Texas schools. He received a disciplinary letter from the district a few weeks later and was placed on administrative leave soon after that.

On Monday, the school board met and recommended a proposal to not renew Whitfield's contract for the 2022-2023 school year. Gema Padgett, executive director of human resources for GCISD, said this was recommended because of Whitfield's evaluations, deficiencies in communications and insubordination. Padgett said Whitfield lied to the media and created division in the community.

District officials made clear that the vote was the first in a two-step process. Now, the board will hold a hearing so Whitfield can present his case in front of the district. After that, the board will vote on whether to renew his contract for the next school year.

Before the board made its Monday decision, 35 people made public comments to the board � all of which were in favor of reinstating Whitfield as principal. And Whitfield himself spoke before board members went behind closed doors to decide his fate.

The 43-year-old asked for an explanation from the school board. He said he felt as though attitudes toward him changed after he was accused of teaching the controversial discipline on July 26.

�The attacks from people outside is one thing but the outright silence and direct actions taken towards me by the GCISD leadership team are absolutely heartbreaking,� Whitfield said.

In their comments, district residents said Whitfield is a great principal, accused the board of succumbing to racist rhetoric and criticized the district for not being transparent about the principal�s case.

Beverly Mavis, a 28-year resident of GCISD, said in her experience, this has been the community�s lowest point, calling the events of the past two months a �witch hunt,� she said.

�That hatred, divisiveness and bigotry have no place in GCISD,� Mavis said. �Choose to support decency, diversity, inclusiveness and reinstate Dr. Whitfield.�

For some advocates and experts, Whitfield has become an example of what could happen to educators who try to address issues of racism or inequality in the classroom, especially now that Texas lawmakers have passed a new law targeting what they say is critical race theory.

Colleyville is a majority-white city with only 1% of residents identifying as Black or African American, according to census data. The median household income tops $150,000.

�I am the quintessential boogeyman for these people,� Whitfield said. �Anything that has to do with anything related to equity, or inclusion or diversity � they�re going to try to attach it to CRT.�

Critical race theory is an academic discipline that holds that racism is inherent in societal systems that broadly perpetuate racial inequity. Teachers say that it�s rarely taught in high school classrooms, though some say the discipline informs their approaches as they try to make their lessons more inclusive in a state where only about a quarter of students are white.

Over the summer and spring, the perceived threat of critical race theory has turned into a Republican rallying cry in an apparent pushback against increased conversations about diversity and inclusion and unpacking implicit bias. Republican leaders have claimed it�s indoctrinating students and teaching white students that they are racist. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has called it a �ridiculous leftist narrative.� Gov. Greg Abbott has called for it to be abolished in Texas schools.

GOP lawmakers made it a priority this year to pass legislation to stop schools from teaching the discipline.

Lawmakers eventually passed House Bill 3979, which restricts how teachers can discuss current events, encourage civic engagement and teach about America�s history of racism. And during the second special session, lawmakers successfully sent Senate Bill 3, a more restrictive version of the house bill, to Abbott. Abbott signed SB 3 into law Friday afternoon.

Among other things, it bans schools from requiring political activism as part of a course and says teachers can�t teach that �one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex.� Neither SB 3 nor HB 3979 specifically mentions critical race theory.

Whitfield, who was the principal and didn�t teach classes, maintains that he never taught the subject, nor did he ever mention it to teachers, students or parents. In accusing Whitfield, Clark pinned his case on Whitfield�s stated belief that systemic racism exists.

�I am the first African American to assume the role of Principal at my current school in its 25-year history, and I am keenly aware of how much fear this strikes in the hearts of a small minority who would much rather things go back to the way they used to be,� Whitfield wrote in a Facebook post days after the accusations.

Clark did not respond to an interview request.

The school board meeting was not the first time Whitfield felt his race was affecting how he was being judged as a principal. In 2019, he was starting a new job as principal at Heritage Middle School � also in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD � when the district raised concerns about some photos on his Facebook page.

In 2009, he and his white wife had a wedding anniversary photoshoot on the beach and posted the images on his profile. In one photo reviewed by The Texas Tribune, the principal leaned over his wife � getting ready for a kiss � while they both lay on a beach.

At the time, the district asked him to take the photos down. He wondered how anyone had even found them � they were 10 years old and buried on his page. It felt like someone had dug through a decade�s worth of photos, seemingly looking for controversy.

Whitfield says he now regrets not asking what the request meant. Instead, he just changed his settings so no one else could see his photos. He said he didn�t want to �rock the boat� since he had just been promoted, and he thought that was the end of that discussion.

�When I was asked to take these photos down, I knew that a community member would have that kind of power over me,� Whitfield said.

For a time, the issue seemed to die down. In the spring of last school year, his employment evaluation offered areas for improvement, but gave no sign that his job would soon be at stake. In April, he signed a contract to return to Heritage High School for the 2021-22 school year.

Whitfield did not sign off on his evaluation though and instead sent a rebuttal letter to school administration, citing that the pandemic made things difficult.

Samantha Zelling, a senior at Colleyville Heritage, said Whitfield has been the most personable principal she has ever had. He was at every sports game, even the practices, she said. He would stand at the busiest corner of the high school and try to get to know his students, she said.

But problems arose again soon after the July school board meeting.

Behind closed doors, Whitfield said he felt the support of some board members after Clark�s comments, but publicly it wasn�t the same.

In the Aug. 16 disciplinary letter, titled a �Review of Past Events and Directives for Future Behavior,� GCISD Superintendent Robin Ryan brought up the photos. He called one of the pictures �overly intimate,� noting that it was the only photo in the shoot the district asked Whitfield to take down. Ryan said having this photo up was not appropriate for a middle school administrator.

Ryan also said Whitfield, who had discussed the situation with local media after the meeting, was dishonest with the press and that he �deliberately and dishonestly maligned the District.�

In the letter, Ryan also took exception to a Whitfield tweet regarding sending kids back to school without proper safety protocols, in which he said the �lack of regard for the health and well-being of our people is appalling!� While Whitfield did not mention the district in the tweet, Ryan argued that it didn't matter because publicly, he is perceived as the principal of Colleyville Heritage.

Ryan concluded that Whitfield�s past and present behaviors violated the district�s professional ethical conduct, practices and performance policy and the district�s policy on ethical conduct toward professional colleagues. Both policies mention that the educator won�t harm others by knowingly making false statements about colleagues or the district and that the educator shall not be deceptive regarding school policies.

Whitfield was then given directives. One of them was to focus on his job, as Ryan believed Whitfiled had �been focusing on yourself and your personal concerns,� and to work on his areas of growth as identified in his evaluation. Whitfield was supposed to sign Ryan�s letter, but he refused. And on Aug. 30, he was put on paid leave.

He said he was given no reason for the decision. In a letter obtained by The Texas Tribune, Ryan tells Whitfield that he made the decision because �it is in the best interest of the District.�

�They took my keys. They took my badge. They took my computer,� Whitfield said. �Treated me like I was some criminal.�

In the aftermath, Whitfield has received an outpouring of support � from Facebook groups advocating for him to a petition to a student walkout on Sept. 9 and 10.

Zelling organized the walkouts with her friends. They have been staunch supporters of Whitfield since the July 26 meeting. Each day, about 100 students walked out, and they have been at board meetings speaking in support of Whitfield.

She said the timing of the school board is suspicious.

�If Stetson Clark did not speak at that meeting, I think Dr. Whitfield would still be principal,� she said.

Laura Leeman, a parent in the district, said she finds it hard to understand why the district didn�t publicly support Whitfield and why the district has not given the community any reason as to why he is on leave.

�The lack of response has been a dagger in our hearts,� Leeman said. �He was put there for a reason, and he was excelling.�

Joy Baskin, director of legal services for the Texas Association of School Boards, said it is unusual for a school district to work toward terminating a teacher�s contract during the school year or to discuss nonrenewal when the school year has just begun.

The easiest way for school districts to get rid of employees is to not renew their contracts toward the end of the school year. The district would still have to have good cause. If a teacher�s or administrator�s contract is terminated midyear, then the Texas Education Agency needs to be involved to conduct �mini trials,� she said.

Whitfield and his lawyer, David Henderson, said they don�t know what will happen Monday when the school board meets. One thing they don�t expect � but hope will happen � is that the school board acknowledges that he did nothing wrong and can get back to work.

Jorge Rodr�guez, GCISD school board president, released a statement Aug. 6 acknowledging that Clark broke the meeting�s rules, that he wouldn�t let it happen again and that he had reached out to Whitfield after the meeting.

But the fight over critical race theory in Colleyville shows no sign of abating. This summer, Shannon Braun was elected to the GCISD school board. She promised during her campaign to remove critical race theory from the district.

Braun was endorsed by Allen West, former chair of the Republican Party of Texas and now candidate for governor of Texas. West has been a vocal opponent of critical race theory in schools and has called on conservative families to take over school boards.

Braun did not respond to an interview request.

The school district said in a statement that Whitfield was not put on administrative leave because of the accusations or because of the photos on his social media account that were brought to the district�s attention in 2019.

�We understand that members of our community have questions, but the District does not resolve personnel matters in the media,� district officials said. �We have established procedures for that which we are following.�

Monica Martinez, a University of Texas at Austin history professor, said the law is almost being implemented by parents, who are misinformed on what critical race theory is and are being asked to �hunt it out� in schools by different groups.

�What unfortunately can result is that accusations are made and different school districts are being pressured to act quickly,� Martinez said. �My concern is that these laws are going to be interpreted by parents or they�re going to be encouraged to interpret it.�

School boards across the country are being bombarded by parents who are fearful of this theory being taught in schools, Martinez said. The vagueness of Texas� law also doesn�t help educators and school administrators who will scramble to not get in trouble.

In Dallas, a group called Save Texas Kids is calling for parents or anyone with knowledge of critical race theory being taught in schools to report it. The group is headed by Natalie Cato, a former Trump campaign field organizer.

Clay Robison, Texas State Teachers Association spokesperson, said teachers are going to suffer if cases like Whitfield�s keep arising in Texas. Going into election years, this debate has and will continue to become political and will be heavily discussed in school board elections, Robison said.

�It's a shame that our teachers are put in this position of being careful that they don't step on some kind of political landmine when all they�re trying to do is teach history, and teach the truth about our history,� Robison said.

As Whitfield�s fate is close to being decided, the prospect of not having a job isn�t keeping him awake at night. Instead, he said what�s making him lose sleep is that children are watching his case and that other educators could be next, especially educators of colors who are already scarce in Texas.

�Right now they�re experiencing firsthand and seeing with their own eyes what it can be like to be a Black man in America,� Whitfield said. �And you know what might be the long-term impact on these children? Do we have children that would have chosen to go into a career in education but see this and they�re like, �No, I certainly do not want to go down that path.��

So we see a fairly clear trend: a mostly-white school district agitating against a newly-hired black principal from day one, criticizing his interracial relationship and fighting to get him fired. After the George Floyd shooting, that principal spoke out against systematic racism, and the parents started screaming about CRT and demanding his firing much more loudly. At a school board meeting, people openly demanded that he be fired for his "extreme views". But there's no actual evidence that he was teaching CRT, because he wasn't. At a school board meeting, It's simply assumed that because he spoke out against white supremacism, he must be teaching CRT. Which makes it sound an awful lot like the whole anti-CRT thing is just a media-acceptable trojan horse for promoting white supremacism.

A couple months later, an anti-CRT candidate won election to the school board. Her campaign didn't focus on the details of critical race theory or the exact academic implications, however. Instead, she claimed that the school had created a "discipline matrix to track unintended microaggressions" and were "encouraging students as young as 8 years old to use a social justice training app", and pointed to these as evidence that CRT had already "infiltrated" the school system. The subtext is fairly clear - it's not about what CRT actually is, it's about lumping any and all social progressivism or social justice under that banner and making every effort to stop schools from teaching kids to not be assholes.

In the end, the principal lost his job. He was suspended by the school district, which accused him of driving division and conflict within the community, and in the end they forced him to resign.

That's just one district, though, and similar stories have been playing out in school districts all over the country.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/critical-race-theory-battles-are-driving-frustrated-exhausted-educators-out-n1273595

quote:

When Rydell Harrison started a new job as a school superintendent in southwestern Connecticut last August, he was excited to join a community that seemed committed to diversity and equity.

The Easton, Redding and Region 9 district, which covers two small, mostly white towns, had recently established a task force and allocated money to address the racial climate in schools. That decision was a response to the hundreds of students and recent alumni who wrote to school board members following George Floyd�s murder to describe racist incidents they�d experienced or witnessed at school. To Harrison, the task force was a sign that the community sat up and listened when young people advocated for change.

Things shifted, however, after the riot at the U.S. Capitol in January.

Some local residents started to complain that the diversity efforts were Harrison�s �agenda,� rather than something students and alumni requested. They labeled Harrison, the district�s first Black superintendent, an �activist� pushing to indoctrinate students with critical race theory. School board meetings filled with opponents lasted late into the night.

A mailer sent to community members from Nonpartisan Action for a Better Redding, a conservative nonprofit group, featured a Facebook post Harrison had written condemning conspiracy theories that fueled the Capitol riot, and it urged people to complain to school board members about him. Others mailers came from a political group called Save Our Schools, run by two Easton residents who no longer have children in the district, and questioned whether the district had a problem with bias and discrimination at all.

Harrison began to doubt whether he could lead the community on its diversity efforts in the face of so much opposition. At the end of June, he announced that he would resign.

�People have asked me, �Was it one flyer too many?� And it wasn�t just this one thing,� Harrison said. �It was the collection of all of these pieces and the emotional and personal toll to be a Black man doing this work and facing very blatant attacks left and right.�

Harrison is one of a small but growing number of educators who have left their jobs after school districts became inundated in recent months by furious parents who�ve accused them of teaching critical race theory, an academic framework usually taught in graduate schools that posits racial discrimination is embedded within U.S. laws and policies. Administrators at virtually every district facing these conflicts � including Harrison�s � have insisted they don�t teach critical race theory, but conservative activists are using that label for a range of diversity and equity initiatives that they consider too progressive, prompting lawmakers in 22 states to propose limits on how schools can talk about racial issues.

�In education, we have responded to opposition with truth and facts and being able to say, �Yeah, I can see why that�d be a concern, but this is what is really happening.� In most cases that works for us,� Harrison said. �But when facts are no longer part of the discussion, our tools to reframe the conversation and get people back on board are limited.�

Against the backdrop of hostility to discussions of race in schools � and as five states have passed laws limiting how teachers can address �divisive concepts� with students � administrators and teachers across the country say they have been pushed out of their districts. Some have opted to leave public schools entirely, while others are fighting to save their career. The result in these districts is what educators and experts describe as a brain drain of those who are most committed to fighting racism in schools.

In Southlake, Texas, at least four administrators who were instrumental in crafting or implementing a plan combat racial and cultural discrimination in the Carroll Independent School District left the district this spring following a community backlash to diversity and inclusion efforts.

In Eureka, Missouri, the only Black woman in the Rockwood School District�s administration resigned from her position as diversity coordinator after threats of violence grew so severe that the district hired private security to patrol her house.

�This is going to cause an exodus among an already scarce recruiting field in education,� said Kumar Rashad, a Louisville, Kentucky, math teacher and local teachers union leader. �People aren't entering the field as much as they were, and now we have this to chase them away.�

In Sullivan County, Tennessee, Matthew Hawn, a white high school social studies teacher, is facing termination after assigning an essay on President Donald Trump by writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and showing a video of a poetry reading about white privilege that included curse words. The district accused Hawn, who is appealing to save his job, of not showing opposing viewpoints. Both Hawn and the district declined to comment.

In Florida, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said �we made sure� that Amy Donofrio, a white English teacher in Jacksonville, was fired for displaying a Black Lives Matter banner in her classroom at Robert E. Lee High School. Donofrio, who was removed from teaching duties by school officials in March but has not yet been fired, has sued the district, claiming administrators violated her free speech rights and retaliated against her for advocating for Black students.

�It felt like waking up in a horror movie,� Donofrio said. �Not just for what it means for me � which is obviously terrifying, this is my career, this is my life�s work � but horrifying because of the message it sends to teachers throughout the state of Florida.�

Donofrio�s suit is pending in federal court, and the district declined to comment. The Florida Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment.

Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education at PEN America, a free speech advocacy group, said it�s �highly alarming� that educators are resigning, facing dismissal and fearing for their lives due to conversations about racism and diversity.

�There is great risk that a creeping censoriousness will overtake our public schools, purging them of a diversity of teachers and talent and winnowing the critical lenses through which young people should be encouraged to view history and society,� he said.

On May 25, the anniversary of Floyd�s murder, school board members for Connecticut�s Easton, Redding and Region 9 district debated over Zoom until 2 a.m. on whether to endorse a statement committing to equity and diversity. They ultimately passed it, but only after eliminating the words �equity� and �systemic� over Harrison�s objections.

Harrison felt he was losing ground if even the concept of systemic racism was still up for debate.

�Trying to explain to someone that systemic racism is a thing, at the core of that you�re trying to show that my lived experiences as a person of color matter,� Harrison said.

At the same meeting, school board members also argued over whether to survey middle and high school students and parents on their experiences with discrimination. The survey would be anonymous and optional, but some residents and board members didn�t want sixth graders to be asked for their gender identity or sexual orientation, so they tabled it. Board members agreed to the survey a week later after clarifying that students could only take it if their parents gave permission.

At a June 30 school board meeting, five days after Harrison announced his resignation, several residents said they hoped the district would change course on anti-racism efforts.

One resident said he hoped the next superintendent �will steer our kids away from the fringes of ideology.� Dana Benson, one of the residents running Save Our Schools and a local Republican donor, said that without the assumptions of critical race theory, there would be no need for the district�s diversity and equity plans.

Heather Whaley, a school board member and chair of the diversity and equity task force, reminded her colleagues that the efforts to combat discrimination predated Harrison.

"Dr. Harrison came to a district that was looking to do that work, and look at how he was treated," she said, apologizing to Harrison for the attacks he�d weathered.

Harrison hopes his departure is not seen as him giving in to his critics. He will leave his post in September and go to work for the Connecticut Center for School Change, a nonprofit education consultant organization, where he�ll advise schools on diversity and equity policies.

�I�m ready to be engaged in the next level of work, to keep this going and stay in the fray,� he said.

He�s far from the only superintendent to face such animosity.

AASA, the professional organization of school superintendents, received so many calls from administrators asking for help that it started hosting virtual sessions for superintendents to discuss how they were handling the anti-critical race theory protests, said Daniel Domenech, the association�s executive director.

According to Domenech, some superintendents described how the stress carried over into their personal lives, causing them to lash out at family members. In several cases, school boards threatened to fire superintendents if they didn�t eliminate diversity and equity initiatives, he said.

"I've seen some tough times in my years as a superintendent but nothing like what these people have gone through this year and probably will continue to next school year,� said Domenech, who was superintendent of the school district in Fairfax County, Virginia, during the 2002 Beltway snipers attacks and the terrorism of 9/11.

The local backlash to addressing race in schools has been fueled in part by national conservative groups and activists, who see the anti-critical race theory fights as a winning political issue and have helped parents mobilize. As more parents confronted administrators over diversity and equity initiatives over the past year, their activism has been highlighted by conservative media, amplifying the pressure on districts.

�A single school district can�t combat a national propaganda machine that�s intent on pushing a particular narrative and driving wedges in communities,� said Tracey Benson, associate executive director of the Arizona School Boards Association.

Hoping to avoid upset parents coming to board meetings, some districts have not only scrutinized instructional materials, they�ve also curtailed student speech.

After a student-designed yearbook cover in Texas included the words �science is real, Black lives matter, no human is illegal, love is love,� the school district placed an art teacher on leave over parent complaints. A district in New York censored a presentation about racial justice created by a group of eighth graders. A Florida school district temporarily halted the sale of a student-produced yearbook because it discussed the Black Lives Matter movement, but did not mention the pro-police �Blue lives matter� slogan.

Rita Kohli, an education professor at the University of California, Riverside who studies the racial climate in schools, said schools need to trust children to be independent thinkers.

�I don�t think schools should ever be indoctrinating kids,� she said, �but what are we saying about schools if we say any time they bring in a touchy subject it�s indoctrination? What are they doing the rest of the time?�

Brittany Hogan became the diversity coordinator for the Rockwood School District, in the suburbs of St. Louis, last year. She was the only Black woman in the mostly white district�s administration, which could be isolating at times, she said. But she also felt she had a critical role to play for students of color.

�For a lot of Black students, the only time they see a reflection of themselves is when they see me,� she said.

St. Louis County has the largest and longest-running school desegregation program in the country, which Hogan oversaw, busing students from the city to the predominately white suburban schools. Rockwood, where 75 percent of students are white, enrolls 1,400 children from St. Louis.

Shortly after last fall�s election, Hogan said, she started receiving letters from parents who did not approve of diversity initiatives and a districtwide reading program that included books by Black authors. One woman called her to say her work was �ungodly� and that she would pray for her, Hogan said.

Emails to administrators obtained by NBC News through a public records request show community members began to dig up Hogan�s old tweets, claiming she made comments that were racist against white people. In one tweet that parents repeatedly cited, Hogan wrote �new podcast alert� with a screenshot for �Nice White Parents,� a series produced by The New York Times that examines efforts to address inequality in Brooklyn schools. Parents inaccurately claimed in emails to administrators and school board members that Hogan had tweeted that �the problem in public schools is white parents� and that she was �blaming white people.�

Things escalated in March when the superintendent announced his decision to bar �thin blue line� symbols � which are black, white and blue variations of the American flag meant to support police � from baseball uniforms. Though Hogan had no involvement in the decision, she began receiving threats a day later. By the end of the week, the district had hired security to patrol her house and that of Terry Harris, another Black administrator in Rockwood who received threats. Hogan became too scared to come to the district office for work.

�While I was in a position of power, I was the lowest on the totem pole in terms of societal power, being a Black woman,� she said. �I was an easy target in the face of race and racism.�

Harris, Rockwood�s director of student services, was also growing concerned. On social media, people posted pictures of him with his teenage daughter and called him the �most racist person� they�d ever met. He changed his work schedule in response to the threats. Emails show he repeatedly offered to arrange a phone call or in-person meeting with parents to address their concerns, which he hoped would ease their anxiety, but parents insisted he answer their questions about diversity and equity initiatives in writing.

�We know what this story is about,� Harris said. �It�s about talking about race, and we are the two highest-ranking Black people in the district.�

He considered leaving his job to spare his family from the harassment, but he said he decided against it after conversations with a school board member, his mentor and his wife.

�Critical race theory is going to go away, but you know something is going to replace critical race theory and whatever does replace it is going to be race-related,� he said. �You get to a point where you are not afraid anymore.�

For Hogan, the toll of the harassment was too much. She submitted her resignation letter in April. It was a difficult decision, she said, because she loved the work.

�One of the biggest joys I have is being an educator,� said Hogan, who plans to work in the nonprofit sector. �But the job didn't seem worth my emotional and physical safety. Mentally, it was disrupting my inner peace, the stress of it.�

It�s a stark contrast from last summer, when Hogan believed people were ready to have �real conversations about race and equity and how those things were impacting all of us in this country.�

�I feel like we�re never as far as we think,� she said.

Again, we see the trend - it's never about the academic theory known as "critical race theory". It's a blanket term for any kind of socially progressive ideology, whether it be anti-racism or mental health efforts or a mention of the word "microaggressions". It's a barely-disguised effort to ideologically reshape school systems to maintain conservative positions (or at least prevent anti-conservative positions) at all costs.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:02

Arist: Feb 13, 2012; _{who, me?}

Making a show of acquiescing to the demand to ban CRT would be the dumbest thing you could possibly do because the entire point is that CRT is defined as anything that makes them uncomfortable. They're going to take the inch you just gave them and drag it out into a mile until it's all "patriotic education" horseshit.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:12

F_Shit_Fitzgerald: Feb 2, 2017

Leon Trotsky 2012 posted:

Apple apparently feels like they are losing the fight against the FTC's new right to repair rules and is trying to head it off at the pass by making concessions that allow users to repair their own devices, but only with tools and parts sold exclusively through Apple.

They are leaving in all of the programming that breaks your device if you use non-Apple parts to prevent people from "gaming" the system by using Apple tools and generic parts.

https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1460982830318727176

Capitalism is such a waste ~~of time and money on greedy, moneygrubbing corporations~~.

e: Summarized.

F_Shit_Fitzgerald fucked around with this message at 16:23 on Nov 17, 2021

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:14

Lib and let die: Aug 26, 2004

F_Shit_Fitzgerald posted:

Capitalism is such a waste of time and money on greedy, moneygrubbing corporations.

I liked the part where Sony released the PS5 with a stupidly small hard drive, and then software-locked users out of upgrading the hard drive until Sony said so, so they could come up with a list of pre-approved drives that...wouldn't be software blocked.

Insane rent-seeking behavior.

Kojima/Armstrong was right.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:19

PneumonicBook: Sep 26, 2007; Do you like our owl?; Ultra Carp

Main Paineframe posted:

It's a few months old at this point, but I think it's worth a look at how the "critical race theory" attack often plays out in practice, and why it can't simply be deflected by going "actually, we don't teach the academic theory known as Critical Race Theory here".

https://www.businessinsider.com/texas-principal-opens-up-about-being-boogeyman-for-critical-race-theory-2021-8

https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/18/colleyville-principal-critical-race-theory/

So we see a fairly clear trend: a mostly-white school district agitating against a newly-hired black principal from day one, criticizing his interracial relationship and fighting to get him fired. After the George Floyd shooting, that principal spoke out against systematic racism, and the parents started screaming about CRT and demanding his firing much more loudly. At a school board meeting, people openly demanded that he be fired for his "extreme views". But there's no actual evidence that he was teaching CRT, because he wasn't. At a school board meeting, It's simply assumed that because he spoke out against white supremacism, he must be teaching CRT. Which makes it sound an awful lot like the whole anti-CRT thing is just a media-acceptable trojan horse for promoting white supremacism.

A couple months later, an anti-CRT candidate won election to the school board. Her campaign didn't focus on the details of critical race theory or the exact academic implications, however. Instead, she claimed that the school had created a "discipline matrix to track unintended microaggressions" and were "encouraging students as young as 8 years old to use a social justice training app", and pointed to these as evidence that CRT had already "infiltrated" the school system. The subtext is fairly clear - it's not about what CRT actually is, it's about lumping any and all social progressivism or social justice under that banner and making every effort to stop schools from teaching kids to not be assholes.

In the end, the principal lost his job. He was suspended by the school district, which accused him of driving division and conflict within the community, and in the end they forced him to resign.

That's just one district, though, and similar stories have been playing out in school districts all over the country.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/critical-race-theory-battles-are-driving-frustrated-exhausted-educators-out-n1273595

Again, we see the trend - it's never about the academic theory known as "critical race theory". It's a blanket term for any kind of socially progressive ideology, whether it be anti-racism or mental health efforts or a mention of the word "microaggressions". It's a barely-disguised effort to ideologically reshape school systems to maintain conservative positions (or at least prevent anti-conservative positions) at all costs.

This is all incredibly, incredibly depressing.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:24

Meatball: Mar 2, 2003; That's a Spicy Meatball; Pillbug

Main Paineframe posted:

It's a few months old at this point, but I think it's worth a look at how the "critical race theory" attack often plays out in practice, and why it can't simply be deflected by going "actually, we don't teach the academic theory known as Critical Race Theory here".

Yup. Their mission is to brand any teaching of American history as anything other then "America was always great and wonderful, no genocide or anything like that" is going to be branded as "CRT extremism".

That's why agreeing to ban CRT is a fool's errand and they'll just move the goalposts and keep calling you an extremist for another reason.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:28

Decon: Nov 22, 2015

Arist posted:

Making a show of acquiescing to the demand to ban CRT would be the dumbest thing you could possibly do because the entire point is that CRT is defined as anything that makes them uncomfortable. They're going to take the inch you just gave them and drag it out into a mile until it's all "patriotic education" horseshit.

I'll never stop beating this drum: if you think it'll stop at social issues, let alone just racial ones, you aren't paying attention. They have openly stated that they will expand CRT to include any and all issues they can, and have already done so with "woke" as they did in the past with socialism and communism (these are the same sorts that marched against the Lovings in Loving vs Virginia holding signs that read "race mixing is Communism/socialism"). They will do this with other made up issues.

Ceding to this tactic is idiotic.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:28

Lumpy: Apr 26, 2002; La! La! La! Laaaa!; College Slice

Lib and let die posted:

I liked the part where Sony released the PS5 with a stupidly small hard drive, and then software-locked users out of upgrading the hard drive until Sony said so, so they could come up with a list of pre-approved drives that...wouldn't be software blocked.

Insane rent-seeking behavior.

Kojima/Armstrong was right.

To be fair, internal drives in the PS5 have to meet certain transfer limits for the hardware to function properly. Thanks to chip shortages, supply chain, blah blah blah, there were no consumer-available drives fast enough to be used in PS5 when it launched. Any drive that is fast enough (and fits) will work just fine. You could always plug in an external drive of any size you wanted from anyone as well.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:30

selec: Sep 6, 2003

Re: race and our society

1. I don�t know how you fix a racists heart through policy. I do know you can ameliorate the effects of racism via policy. Kwame Ture, a guy who would know, said that a if a white guy wants to lynch him, that�s the white guy�s problem. If he had the POWER to lynch him, that�s now Ture�s problem. So if you correct power differentials through redistributive programs, you mitigate the actual material effects of racism.

2. The response when Clinton asked if breaking up the banks would fix racism should�ve been �Yes, at least by 12%�. Then make people discuss why black homeownership is so low, why so many black families are unbanked, and why the institutions we have create the culture we live in, not the other way around.

Bannon and Co. promote the idea that politics is downstream from culture. If you accept that framing you accept helplessness and spectacle as the framework for your political outlook.

Culture is downstream from politics.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:31

Sir Lemming: Jan 27, 2009; It's a piece of JUNK!

I guess "tricked into" isn't the best phrase, but you can't deny that there is an unconscious reinforcement of white supremacy that can happen through no intentional action by a white person. A white person simply doing what is comfortable to them, moving into a mostly white neighborhood because it's better than the other neighborhoods, having kids, getting involved with their community which just happens to be mostly white, going to a church that also happens to be mostly white, making friends with other people who seem similar to them... All of these are just the things that are most comfortable to do, for most people, if they don't really stop to think about it. And inevitably, their kid grows up mostly around white people and thinks that's the normal and correct way to be. *Unless* a specific, intentional effort is made to correct that perception. That's why it's a systemic issue and not just an individual one, even though we've obviously seen plenty of examples of individuals happily jumping at the chance to become part of the problem.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:33

Leon Trotsky 2012: Aug 27, 2009; YOU CAN TRUST ME!*

_{*Israeli Government-affiliated poster}

The FTC is opening an investigation into retail gas stations engaging in "uncompetitive behavior" and "price-gouging" at the pump. Also, investigating whether the "cartel-like" behavior of oil company shareholders is restraining supply.

The investigation into anti-competitive/price-gouging behavior at retail gas stations will be fairly easy to check and prove, but will only impact prices in certain regions (unless all or most gas stations in the U.S. have been colluding).

The larger one is going to be a lot harder to prove, will take a while to litigate, and is probably mostly performative. I'm not sure what the "mounting evidence" he is referring to is supposed to be.

Strengthening oversight and merger rules for oil and gas companies is a good thing to do, but it won't bring down gas prices in the short and medium term.

https://twitter.com/Phil_Mattingly/status/1460992592536088584

Leon Trotsky 2012 fucked around with this message at 16:43 on Nov 17, 2021

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:39

Bel Shazar: Sep 14, 2012

Sir Lemming posted:

I guess "tricked into" isn't the best phrase, but you can't deny that there is an unconscious reinforcement of white supremacy that can happen through no intentional action by a white person. A white person simply doing what is comfortable to them, moving into a mostly white neighborhood because it's better than the other neighborhoods, having kids, getting involved with their community which just happens to be mostly white, going to a church that also happens to be mostly white, making friends with other people who seem similar to them... All of these are just the things that are most comfortable to do, for most people, if they don't really stop to think about it. And inevitably, their kid grows up mostly around white people and thinks that's the normal and correct way to be. *Unless* a specific, intentional effort is made to correct that perception. That's why it's a systemic issue and not just an individual one, even though we've obviously seen plenty of examples of individuals happily jumping at the chance to become part of the problem.

If those white parents are not making themselves aware of their situation and explaining it to their children it is because they are racists. It is a choice to be that unaware and disengaged. It is willfully participating in white supremacy.

They dont want to recognize it because if they ignore it they can pretend they aren't racist. There are absolutely systemic issues, but their choosing to pretend they dont exist is an intentional act that supports white supremacy.

Full disclosure, i moved into a mostly white neighborhood, my church is mostly white, etc. etc.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:41

VideoGameVet: May 14, 2005; It is by caffeine alone I set my bike in motion. It is by the juice of Java that pedaling acquires speed, the teeth acquire stains, stains become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my bike in motion.

Leon Trotsky 2012 posted:

The FTC is opening an investigation into retail gas stations engaging in "uncompetitive behavior" and "price-gouging" at the pump. Also, investigating whether the "cartel-like" behavior of oil company shareholders is restraining supply.

The investigation into anti-competitive/price-gouging behavior at retail gas stations will be fairly easy to check and prove, but will only impact prices in certain regions (unless all or most gas stations in the U.S. have been colluding).

The larger one is going to be a lot harder to prove, will take a while to litigate, and is probably mostly performative. I'm not sure what the "mounting evidence" he is referring to is supposed to be.

https://twitter.com/Phil_Mattingly/status/1460992592536088584

I don't want to sound paranoid, but it's in the fossil fuel industry's best interest to see Biden ousted so they don't have to worry about climate regulations. Might boosting fuel prices be an effective strategy for that?

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:44

How are u: May 19, 2005; by Azathoth

VideoGameVet posted:

I don't want to sound paranoid, but it's in the fossil fuel industry's best interest to see Biden ousted so they don't have to worry about climate regulations. Might boosting fuel prices be an effective strategy for that?

I believe it 100%. We've seen time and time again that there is no low to which these monstrous people won't stoop.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:45

Leon Trotsky 2012: Aug 27, 2009; YOU CAN TRUST ME!*

_{*Israeli Government-affiliated poster}

How are u posted:

I believe it 100%. We've seen time and time again that there is no low to which these monstrous people won't stoop.

It's not impossible, but the much simpler explanation is that they are just trying to maximize profits.

The facts cited in the FTC memo about the price of unfinished gasoline and diesel going down while prices went up for retail gas pumps are definitely suspicious. But, it's not really something that is actionable or definitive proof of "cartel-like" or "anti-competitive behavior" at the shareholder/executive level of oil and gas companies.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of retail gas stations get busted for gouging or collusion, but the larger one against the oil and gas shareholders needs to find something actionable to be able to do anything.

Tightening the merger and oversight rules of oil and gas companies is good, but also not something that will impact prices at all in the short or medium term.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:53

Fister Roboto: Feb 21, 2008

Sir Lemming posted:

I guess "tricked into" isn't the best phrase, but you can't deny that there is an unconscious reinforcement of white supremacy that can happen through no intentional action by a white person. A white person simply doing what is comfortable to them, moving into a mostly white neighborhood because it's better than the other neighborhoods, having kids, getting involved with their community which just happens to be mostly white, going to a church that also happens to be mostly white, making friends with other people who seem similar to them... All of these are just the things that are most comfortable to do, for most people, if they don't really stop to think about it. And inevitably, their kid grows up mostly around white people and thinks that's the normal and correct way to be. *Unless* a specific, intentional effort is made to correct that perception. That's why it's a systemic issue and not just an individual one, even though we've obviously seen plenty of examples of individuals happily jumping at the chance to become part of the problem.

I think that's a good way to put it. People tend to follow the path of least resistance. The problem is that society has been deliberately structured such that the path of least resistance leads to white supremacy. And it's very hard to see where the path is leading when you're walking on it. You can't really change that tendency, but you can try to dig a better path.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:54

Decon: Nov 22, 2015

selec posted:

Re: race and our society

1. I don�t know how you fix a racists heart through policy. I do know you can ameliorate the effects of racism via policy. Kwame Ture, a guy who would know, said that a if a white guy wants to lynch him, that�s the white guy�s problem. If he had the POWER to lynch him, that�s now Ture�s problem. So if you correct power differentials through redistributive programs, you mitigate the actual material effects of racism.

2. The response when Clinton asked if breaking up the banks would fix racism should�ve been �Yes, at least by 12%�. Then make people discuss why black homeownership is so low, why so many black families are unbanked, and why the institutions we have create the culture we live in, not the other way around.

Bannon and Co. promote the idea that politics is downstream from culture. If you accept that framing you accept helplessness and spectacle as the framework for your political outlook.

Culture is downstream from politics.

But you have to get the votes. And to get the votes you have to surmount "that's a buncha CRT/woke/communist/socialist/<pejorative-du-jour> bullshit" thought termination somehow... So tackling the cultural side remains an issue.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:54

Nenonen: Oct 22, 2009; Mulla on aina kolkyt donaa taskussa

How are u posted:

I am really, really happy to see this type of diplomacy open up with China, specifically regarding nukes. I think it bodes very well, and it's a credit to Biden and Xi that they're coming to the table on it.

Nobody wants a war between China and the US.

The number of nukes does not factor into whether there could be a war, as even a fraction of the current arsenal would suffice to devastate both sides and make life very unpleasant for a very long time. According to conventional thinking a full nuclear disarmament would even make a war in South China Sea more likely because there would be no threat of MAD.

That being said, this is indeed a positive thing and hopefully they will get to an agreement. China increasing its nuke arsenal would prompt hawks in USA to demand more nukes, and in both cases it would be a massive waste of resources. All that money is wiser spent building trampouline parks for the public.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 16:58

Kraftwerk: Aug 13, 2011; i do not have 10,000 bircoins, please stop asking

Nenonen posted:

The number of nukes does not factor into whether there could be a war, as even a fraction of the current arsenal would suffice to devastate both sides and make life very unpleasant for a very long time. According to conventional thinking a full nuclear disarmament would even make a war in South China Sea more likely because there would be no threat of MAD.

That being said, this is indeed a positive thing and hopefully they will get to an agreement. China increasing its nuke arsenal would prompt hawks in USA to demand more nukes, and in both cases it would be a massive waste of resources. All that money is wiser spent building trampouline parks for the public.

Or you know, actual nuclear power plants so we can decarbonize the economy.
I dislike Bill Gates but this project is a good thing:
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/bill-gates-4-bln-high-tech-nuclear-reactor-set-wyoming-coal-site-2021-11-17/

# ? Nov 17, 2021 17:01

Byzantine: Sep 1, 2007

I mean, basically the only thing powerful enough to stop global warming at this point is nuclear winter.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 17:05

skylined!: Apr 6, 2012; THE DEM DEFENDER HAS LOGGED ON

GAGOP has released its proposed congressional redistricting map and it is absolute garbage, as expected.

This would likely take the congressional share in GA from 9R-5D to 11R-3D. In 2020, Dems and Reps split the popular vote 49%-51% for all house races combined, or 2.393mil to 2.49mil. If there is any silver lining, it looks like they re-drew the map so MJT's only realistic primary opponent would now live in the district and have a clearer shot of primarying her.

The BBB bill needs to pass (or go away, whatever) so the VRA can be taken up and get some headlines front and center. This is loving nuts.

https://twitter.com/stphnfwlr/status/1460994996220436483?s=20

skylined! fucked around with this message at 17:10 on Nov 17, 2021

# ? Nov 17, 2021 17:05

Leon Trotsky 2012: Aug 27, 2009; YOU CAN TRUST ME!*

_{*Israeli Government-affiliated poster}

Manchin okay with voting for BBB before the end of the year.

Still says that the paid family leave added back in by the House needs to be stripped out.

https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1460996555859763205

# ? Nov 17, 2021 17:06

Decon: Nov 22, 2015

Leon Trotsky 2012 posted:

Still says that the paid family leave added back in by the House needs to be stripped out.

And now I have "Love Me I'm a Liberal" playing in my head.... Even though it might be unfair to liberals to call Manchin one.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 17:15

Adbot: ADBOT LOVES YOU

# ? May 24, 2024 20:15

F_Shit_Fitzgerald: Feb 2, 2017

Leon Trotsky 2012 posted:

Manchin okay with voting for BBB before the end of the year.

Still says that the paid family leave added back in by the House needs to be stripped out.

https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1460996555859763205

His majesty has condescended to grant permission for legislation to be passed.

# ? Nov 17, 2021 17:18

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Debate & Discussion > US Current Events November: D&D's Afghanistan

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