Monday morning, American democracy became more brittle, at least in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that prohibits the state’s public colleges and universities from continuing their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. It accomplishes that goal by prohibiting spending state or federal dollars on that work. The bill also restricts, to the point of extinction, meaningful discussion of the history of racism, sexism, and other forms of what the bill deems “oppression” in this country in core classes. It ends funding for programs that have been used to increase and retain diverse faculty and students.
I won’t be setting foot in Florida until their governor is replaced. Authoritarianism must be stopped. It is antithetical to personal freedom. What Republicans mean by freedom is absolute freedom for *white men*. Full stop.
Joyce, Republicans have been on the war path against open minded education since Ronald McDonald Reagan was elected. It's taken them 43 years of "Deep Private" funding, 'Black hole' foundations, and secret society handshakes, but they appear to be on the brink of succeeding, having created an under educated populace that may know a door knob from a hinge, but can't tell fact from fiction.
I am a proud second generation Floridian who is steadfastly against everything
DeSantis is signing into legislation! To read that people on this blog are shocked and dismayed at what he is doing and ‘how could anyone live in such a fascist state’ is repulsive to me. Be careful of those who throw the first stone. After all your state could and probably is next. What can I do to stop this madness? Vote every local and state official out of office and find like minded people to join me! We are all in this together indeed! Peace☮️✌️☮️
I have lived in FL since 1970. I graduated from high school & college at UCF. My first job as a kid was at Walt Disney World. My first career that lasted nearly 20 years was that of a high school American History, Government & Economics teacher. What DeSantis did today is alarming. I’m saddened, horrified & pissed. We must elect Dems into all state offices to check DeSantis. This is so overwhelming but we have to rally. Oh, dear Lord, give me the strength to encourage other Floridians to vote blue. Tomorrow will be a new day. I need to research any Dem candidates running at the state level. I didn’t expect to start working this early, but I will if I need too. We are under attack from every angle. Thank you for letting me rant. It has kept me from crying. And it’s helping me to get a plan together to fight this in my own backyard. Thanks ya’ll.
I am in Colorado but can support pro-democracy work in Florida by supporting youth voter registration drives and Indivisible.org.
We can also keep reminding ourselves and friends and family and coworkers -- anyone who is in or could join the "reality-based community" -- that it is absolutely "political or social activism" -- FOR white male supremacy -- to deny the past and present facts of systemic racism, sexism and classism.
Advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion qualifies a person to say the Pledge of Allegiance's "liberty and justice for all." Anyone against DEI should not say the Pledge. Right, DeSantis?
We have a grandson at U of F, just finishing his first year. His tuition is free as he qualified given his excellent high school record. He “came out” last year - I have been worried sick ever since. I’m really wishing he would opt to leave Florida, although paying for his college education would be onerous.
DeSantis has to be one of the very worst people to breathe air. I hope to God he will never be president.
Scary fascistic times in FL. I would love it if all federal monies could be pulled from FL! My taxes should not support any of FL while DeSantis and his GOP are in control.
Both DeSantis and Durham were educated in college and law school curricula that apparently failed to teach them sufficiently about the rule of law, American civics, and constitutional law. Or, they were immune to learning so their pivot to lies and autocracy was always going to happen. In any case, Floridians must ask themselves if they want to be ruled by their very own Castro-wannabe and the rest of the country needs to recognize what Florida is doing is actually unAmerican. As for Durham, I am confident he knew he prepared a dishonest report and magaGOP will eat it up, but perhaps Karma has a way of showing up in such a way that he will regret his part in the Trump/Barr obfuscation and lies. Something to look forward to...
Thank you so much for sharing this. The march of Fascism is laying waste to liberty in Florida and sadly will spread. As you so succinctly noted, “Trumpism will survive Trump”. Sadly, it will probably thrive.
It appears that a sizeable chunk of Floridians and other Americans actually prefer an authoritarian government. They want someone to tell them what to think - and when, how, and where to do it. Making choices is hard, weighing differing opinions is hard, and using independent judgement is hard. It's way easier to not think, choose, or judge. Just obey.
Unfortunately for them, democracy requires thinking, choosing, judging.
I don’t know how anyone enjoys living in Florida. Man, it’s so hot in August you need to bring winter clothing just to keep from freezing inside since everyone has the air conditioners turned way up. Then if you go to the ocean to cool off after being outside, water is too warm. Now on top of that, the government is sicko. Nah, give me my New England. I prefer to be a nutmegger. Of course some just call me a nut plain and simple. Ahya…
Yes, 'tis a sad situation in FLA... apparently, a very skewed partisan and lower EQ and IQ demographic. It may take a combined effort of some major corporations and professional/college sports teams threatening to move out or cancel games. Money talks... major losses to state revenue (maybe even federal money?) might be the tipping point to get him out of office.
I won’t be setting foot in Florida until their governor is replaced. Authoritarianism must be stopped. It is antithetical to personal freedom. What Republicans mean by freedom is absolute freedom for *white men*. Full stop.
My hope is that a large number of athletes decomit or transfer from Florida universities.
Joyce, Republicans have been on the war path against open minded education since Ronald McDonald Reagan was elected. It's taken them 43 years of "Deep Private" funding, 'Black hole' foundations, and secret society handshakes, but they appear to be on the brink of succeeding, having created an under educated populace that may know a door knob from a hinge, but can't tell fact from fiction.
I am a proud second generation Floridian who is steadfastly against everything
DeSantis is signing into legislation! To read that people on this blog are shocked and dismayed at what he is doing and ‘how could anyone live in such a fascist state’ is repulsive to me. Be careful of those who throw the first stone. After all your state could and probably is next. What can I do to stop this madness? Vote every local and state official out of office and find like minded people to join me! We are all in this together indeed! Peace☮️✌️☮️
I have lived in FL since 1970. I graduated from high school & college at UCF. My first job as a kid was at Walt Disney World. My first career that lasted nearly 20 years was that of a high school American History, Government & Economics teacher. What DeSantis did today is alarming. I’m saddened, horrified & pissed. We must elect Dems into all state offices to check DeSantis. This is so overwhelming but we have to rally. Oh, dear Lord, give me the strength to encourage other Floridians to vote blue. Tomorrow will be a new day. I need to research any Dem candidates running at the state level. I didn’t expect to start working this early, but I will if I need too. We are under attack from every angle. Thank you for letting me rant. It has kept me from crying. And it’s helping me to get a plan together to fight this in my own backyard. Thanks ya’ll.
Higher Education has long since been turned into a trade school.
Employability became the goal. High paying tech jobs the holy grail.
The goal should remain to produce an educated mind.
There is nothing wrong with an educated plumber or ditch digger or freight handler.
In fact, there is much right with that.
I am in Colorado but can support pro-democracy work in Florida by supporting youth voter registration drives and Indivisible.org.
We can also keep reminding ourselves and friends and family and coworkers -- anyone who is in or could join the "reality-based community" -- that it is absolutely "political or social activism" -- FOR white male supremacy -- to deny the past and present facts of systemic racism, sexism and classism.
Advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion qualifies a person to say the Pledge of Allegiance's "liberty and justice for all." Anyone against DEI should not say the Pledge. Right, DeSantis?
We have a grandson at U of F, just finishing his first year. His tuition is free as he qualified given his excellent high school record. He “came out” last year - I have been worried sick ever since. I’m really wishing he would opt to leave Florida, although paying for his college education would be onerous.
DeSantis has to be one of the very worst people to breathe air. I hope to God he will never be president.
I don’t understand how he continues to get away with this!
Scary fascistic times in FL. I would love it if all federal monies could be pulled from FL! My taxes should not support any of FL while DeSantis and his GOP are in control.
I suppose a classical Christian education forgets to love your neighbor as yourself ? Matthews 22:37-40
Both DeSantis and Durham were educated in college and law school curricula that apparently failed to teach them sufficiently about the rule of law, American civics, and constitutional law. Or, they were immune to learning so their pivot to lies and autocracy was always going to happen. In any case, Floridians must ask themselves if they want to be ruled by their very own Castro-wannabe and the rest of the country needs to recognize what Florida is doing is actually unAmerican. As for Durham, I am confident he knew he prepared a dishonest report and magaGOP will eat it up, but perhaps Karma has a way of showing up in such a way that he will regret his part in the Trump/Barr obfuscation and lies. Something to look forward to...
Thank you so much for sharing this. The march of Fascism is laying waste to liberty in Florida and sadly will spread. As you so succinctly noted, “Trumpism will survive Trump”. Sadly, it will probably thrive.
It appears that a sizeable chunk of Floridians and other Americans actually prefer an authoritarian government. They want someone to tell them what to think - and when, how, and where to do it. Making choices is hard, weighing differing opinions is hard, and using independent judgement is hard. It's way easier to not think, choose, or judge. Just obey.
Unfortunately for them, democracy requires thinking, choosing, judging.
I don’t know how anyone enjoys living in Florida. Man, it’s so hot in August you need to bring winter clothing just to keep from freezing inside since everyone has the air conditioners turned way up. Then if you go to the ocean to cool off after being outside, water is too warm. Now on top of that, the government is sicko. Nah, give me my New England. I prefer to be a nutmegger. Of course some just call me a nut plain and simple. Ahya…
Yes, 'tis a sad situation in FLA... apparently, a very skewed partisan and lower EQ and IQ demographic. It may take a combined effort of some major corporations and professional/college sports teams threatening to move out or cancel games. Money talks... major losses to state revenue (maybe even federal money?) might be the tipping point to get him out of office.