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The Biden administration’s recent demands that the Chinese owners of the popular short–video sharing app TikTok must sell their stakes in the company or face a nationwide ban has sparked debate over the legality of the move. With the White House citing national security concerns, some politicians have argued that the only way to protect US security is to either ban the app or force its Chinese owners to sell it to an American company. However, this move has been met with strong opposition from many quarters, with critics saying it would be a violation of free expression and could hinder education, especially in topics which may be discussed in a limited manner in real life, such as sexual education and education of gender identity, both of which are being severly censored in many states with conservative leaders such as Flordia trying to expand the Dont Say Gay bill to all grades.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee recently passed a bill allowing President Biden to ban TikTok nationwide, although the measure is yet to be passed by the full House before POTUS can sign it into law. The Republican committee chair Michael McCaul has claimed that the Chinese government can influence TikTok’s recommendation algorithms and shape the content that American users see. He also alleges that the app poses a threat to US national security as it could give Beijing access to the data of its American users.

However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has come out strongly against a full–blown ban of TikTok, saying that it would “damage our allegiances across the globe, bring more companies into China’s sphere, destroy jobs here in the United States and undercut core American values of free speech and free enterprise”. The ACLU also argued that “restricting access to media is the hallmark of authoritarian regimes”, and urged Congress to “not censor entire platforms and strip Americans of their constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression”.

TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew has also testified before Congress that the Chinese–owned app “has never shared, or received a request to share, US user data with the Chinese government”. The company also said that the move to ban the app on government–issued devices came “without any deliberation”, and that bans like this “have served as a blueprint for other world governments”.

The proposed ban of TikTok has raised serious concerns about the violation of free expression, as well as the potential to hinder sexual education. If the app were to be banned, it could have a negative impact on the millions of Americans who use the platform for educational purposes, such as learning about sexual health and LGBTQ+ issues (while TikTok may not be the best place to learn about these things, many kids do spend their time on TikTok and can still learn some basics about these things, and in many cases these topics not censored in schools by the same people against TikTok). This could have a particularly damaging effect on young people, who are the most active users of the app, and who rely on it as a source of information.

The debate over the legality of the proposed ban of TikTok is ongoing, and it is clear that it has serious implications for the rights of Americans to access information and express themselves freely. It is therefore essential that the US government finds a solution that does not harm these rights, while also ensuring the security of the nation.

It is deeply hypocritical that Joe Biden is following in the footsteps of Donald Trump and attempting to force TikTok to sell shares to a US company. Both of the major US parties have supported nazis in their respective regimes, and this move is just a way to try to further strengthen the US‘s already leading presence in the social media sphere. Despite the US government‘s attempts to limit TikTok, the company has taken steps to protect its users, such as introducing age restrictions for long periods of time which can be turned off and other measures to ensure the conservatives view of  “safety of minors” is met. This demonstrates that the company is taking proactive steps to protect its users, rather than simply relying on the US government to regulate it. Ultimately, this move shows how both major US parties are the same when it comes to using their power to pursue their own interests.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is moving to restrict classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades, expanding the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law that has drawn widespread criticism from LGBTQ advocates. DeSantis and other Republicans have argued that the measure is reasonable and that parents, not teachers, should be the ones to discuss subjects of sexual orientation and gender identity with their children. However, critics of the law say that its language – “classroom instruction,” “age appropriate” and “developmentally appropriate” – is overly broad and subject to interpretation. This has caused teachers to opt to avoid the subjects entirely for fear of being sued. As a result, the law has led to a feud between the state and many of the states employers, including Disney, one of the state’s largest employers and political donors. Additionally, the proposed rule change would also ban lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity from grades 4 to 12, unless required by existing state standards or as part of reproductive health instruction that students can choose not to take. The initial law that DeSantis championed last spring bans those lessons in kindergarten through the third grade. The restrictions on classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity have been met with widespread criticism from LGBTQ advocates and civil rights groups, who say the law marginalizes LGBTQ people and their presence in society. Furthermore, opponents of the law have argued that it infringes on educators’ ability to teach their students about diversity and inclusivity. Governor DeSantis’ proposal is set to be voted on next month before the state Board of Education, and it is unclear if the measure will pass. Nevertheless, it is clear that the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law is a major part of DeSantis’ conservative agenda and a key aspect of his potential presidential run.

 

The “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prohibits the discussion of homosexuality and gender identity in K-3 public schools, is a violation of free expression and could have serious repercussions if expanded to 12th grade. This law prevents teachers from openly discussing issues related to sexual orientation, leaving students without critical resources and knowledge about LGBTQ+ issues. This can lead to an increase in discrimination and marginalisation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the classroom.

Furthermore, the expansion of the law to 12th grade could hinder sexual education in the classroom, which is already inadequate in many areas. By preventing teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ topics, students may be left without important information regarding consent, safer sex practices, and other topics related to sexual health. While this is specifically targetting homosexuality it could possibly effect sexual education in general in a bad way. This could lead to an increase in the rate of unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other health-related issues, especially among students who lack access to comprehensive sexual education outside of school. The “Don’t Say Gay” law is a violation of free expression and should not be expanded to 12th grade. This law denies students access to essential information about sexuality and marginalises the LGBTQ+ community in the classroom. It is an outdated and oppressive policy that should be repealed entirly in order to ensure that all students have access to comprehensive sexual education.

Might we add that the original author of the bill is known to have fraudulently obtained COVID money?

Fortune wrote about it well.

Joseph Harding, a former Florida lawmaker and sponsor of the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill, has pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges related to COVID–19 relief funds. In December, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Harding, 35, who was accused of lying on his applications to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which gave out loans to businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Harding, who was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2020, is alleged to have fraudulently obtained more than $150,000 from the Small Business Administration, portions of which he transferred to a bank and used to make a credit card payment. He entered a guilty plea on Tuesday in federal court in the Northern District of Florida to one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of making false statements. The “Don’t Say Gay” law, which was signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last March, was heavily criticised by Democrats and LGBTQ groups for its attempt to chill speech in schools. The legislation became a blueprint for similar laws in more than a dozen other conservative states. Harding’s arrest is a stark reminder of the dangers of fraud in relation to the unprecedented amount of COVID-19 relief funds that have been distributed by the federal government. A report released in April 2021 estimated that billions of dollars in relief loans have been handed out to scammers in the U.S. The report also found that thousands of scammers have used stolen identities to apply for assistance, while some businesses have been involved in “double-dipping” in which they applied for more assistance than they were entitled to. In addition, the report highlighted the problem of fraudsters using false information to obtain loans and then using the funds to purchase luxury items, such as cars and jewelry. The extent of the fraud carried out by Harding is still unknown, but the consequences of his actions could be severe. He faces up to 35 years in prison, including a maximum of 20 years on the wire fraud charge. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 25 at the federal courthouse in Gainesville. While Harding’s case is an extreme example, it serves as a warning to other individuals and businesses to be vigilant in their dealings with COVID-19 relief funds. It is essential that all individuals and businesses who have received assistance ensure that they are complying with all applicable laws and regulations, and that they are using the funds solely for their intended purpose.

NPR covered it well.

It‘s funny to see the lengths that some Republicans will go to in order to defend their beloved former president, Donald Trump. As the Manhattan District Attorney‘s office reportedly prepares to indict Trump in relation to a $130,000 payment from his lawyer and fixer to Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence prior to the 2016 election, some of the President‘s supporters are drawing comparisons between his plight and the suffering of Jesus Christ. The absurdity of this comparison is not lost on many people, especially given the fact that Trump‘s alleged involvement in the hush money payment was to cover up an affair with a porn star. Trump has tried to cast himself as a victim of political persecution by “evil and sinister people,” and lawyer Joseph McBride, who is representing several Jan. 6 defendants, even went so far as to suggest that Trump’s imminent arrest was timed with Lent – a time of suffering and purification for the followers of Jesus Christ. McBride further stated that “as Christ was crucified and then rose again on the 3rd day, so too will @realdonaldtrump.”

While Trump supporters may choose to ignore the glaring hypocrisy of comparing their beloved leader to Jesus Christ, the rest of us can’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it. Jesus Christ was a peaceful leader who was wrongfully persecuted and killed for his beliefs. To compare Trump’s arrest for alleged hush money payments to cover up an affair with a porn star to the suffering of Jesus Christ is nothing short of laughable.

The irony of this comparison is further compounded by the fact that many of these same Republicans have long opposed any legislation that seeks to benefit the LGBTQ+ community or to protect women from discrimination. To suggest that Trump’s alleged involvement in a hush money payment is somehow similar to the suffering of Jesus Christ is not only absurd, but it is also insulting(do they really think we are this stupid?) and hypocritical.

Trump’s supporters may continue to draw comparisons between the President’s plight and the suffering of Jesus Christ, but the rest of us can see right through this thinly veiled attempt to portray Trump as a saintly figure.

This comparison is nothing more than an attempt to paper over the scandals and controversies that have surrounded Trump throughout his presidency and to distract from the real issues of his alleged criminal behavior. It’s time for Trump’s supporters to take a step back and recognize the hypocrisy of their actions.

Donald Trump is no stranger to avoiding legal trouble. Throughout his four years in the White House, Trump managed to successfully dodge a number of high-profile legal issues. Now, however, he may soon be facing a new challenge as the Manhattan grand jury tasked with deciding whether he should be indicted for his alleged hush-money payment of $130,000 to porn star Stormy Daniels abruptly scrapped their meeting on Wednesday. Despite the grand jury’s delay, prosecutors have signaled that charges against Trump are coming. With the grand jury expected to vote on the possible indictment of Trump in the coming days, many are questioning whether Trump will be able to escape yet another legal issue. Throughout his presidency, Trump was able to avoid a number of legal issues, including not being impeached, not being held accountable for documents from his Mar-a-Lago resort, and not facing charges in the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. In the case of his alleged hush-money payment, Trump has denied the charges. Given his history of evading legal troubles, many are wondering whether Trump will be able to escape yet another scandal. What is certain is that the Manhattan grand jury’s decision will have far-reaching implications. The outcome of their decision will not only determine the future of Trump, but also the future of the country. It is uncertain if republicans will try to use this as a tool to make Trumo look more favourable like they did with Mar a Lago.

The whole situation is very weird. It seems to contradict the party’s traditional values and beliefs. The paradoxical situation of Donald Trump being involved in a hush money case with a porn star while the Republican Party claims to be the “pro-family” party is incredibly strange.The scandal of Donald Trump’s involvement with a porn star and the hush money connected to it has exposed a deep hypocrisy in the Republican Party. For many years, the party has been touting itself as the “pro-family” party, touting traditional values and the institution of marriage. However, Trump’s actions with the porn star show that the Republican Party’s self-proclaimed values are not always consistent with their actions. This scandal has shown that the Republican Party’s rhetoric and actual behavior do not always match up, exposing the hypocrisy at the heart of their public image.

 

Much of the info was from Salon.

In recent years, the Republican Party has been accused of attempting to censor books in the United States. Republicans have been accused of attempting to remove books from library shelves and classrooms that contain ideas or topics that the party does not agree with. This has been seen as a form of censorship, as it limits the ability of citizens to access ideas that may not fit the Republican worldview. One example of this censorship is the case of the book “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. This book is about a young man coming to terms with his homosexuality, and it has been criticized by some Republicans who argue that it contains inappropriate content. As a result, the book has been banned in some states, and there have been attempts to remove it from school library shelves. The Republican Party has also been accused of attempting to censor books that discuss evolution, climate change, and other topics that challenge their beliefs. In some cases, they have even attempted to censor books that contain images of same–sex couples or LGBTQ+ characters. This has been seen as an attempt to limit the amount of information and ideas that are available to the public, and to push a particular political agenda. Ultimately, it is important to remember that censorship is a form of oppression, and it should not be tolerated in any form. Censoring books is a form of silencing those who may have different views or ideas than the Republican Party, and it is not in the best interest of society. It is important to remember that everyone should have access to all types of information, regardless of political affiliation.

It is hypocritical for the Republicans to censor books while claiming to be a small government. Censoring books is an example of government intervention in free speech, and it goes against the idea of a small government that does not interfere in the lives of citizens.

Biden has recently come up with a travel ban which has been labelled by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres as a “travel apartheid” against people in these already struggling African economies. He says these bans are deeply unfair, punitive, and ineffective, and instead suggest the use of increased testing and proper saftey measures. This ban applies to the countries that detected and reported the virus, but they are being punished for their discovery according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Ghebreyesus also claims there is no scientific proof that the virus originated from South Africa. The main concurn with the new Omnicron vairent is that it has very fast and easy trasmission, but even the existing vairents are often bypassing vaccines. US politian Raul Paul condemned the authoritarianism of the bill and stated that it would not work. The bill recived bi-partisan support from both republicans, democrats, and independents. According a poll by Hill-HarrisX poll, Seventy-eight percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats, and 82 percent of independents support Biden’s travel ban to contain the highly contagious omicron variant of coronavirus. The countries which are currently targetted are South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi. Many of these are developing countries in poor shape, many of them rely on trade and travel, and restricting travel will hurt their already struggling economies. The travel ban can also negativly effect the econmies of the western powers by effecting their imports. What is even worse is it restricts the freedom of movement and travel for many people. While we can understand the need for some lockdowns and restrictions, this is too far as it can limit the travel of healthy people, and can limit the access of supplies to these struggling regions which in many cases are not able to do it on their own. In addition, the Omicron virus has not quite as strong symptoms as other varients, and the strain on the economy for these places (with releaivly young people who will not be as effected) and the lack of supplies to stop the virus, would be worse than the people of these countries than just some more people getting the virus. A lot of innocent people are being punished, and it is not like these are the only countries which have it, Europe and even the US itself has the new varient, yet you do not see travel bans to these regions, which leads us to think that the omicron is not really that big of a deal for them. This is not the 1st time the US has done travel bans like this, during the Trump era, the “Muslim Ban” was a ban on people travelling to a large list of countries with Islamic majorites.

Today, 14 December 2021, is national teacher day in Palestine. Teachers are responsible to influence the newer generations are prepare them to build the future. Palestinian teachers are in a struggle, but they continue to spread their message and work against all Danger’s to the Palestinian people, and continue to help protect the Palestinian people depite internal struggles and Zionist occupation. Teachers work against the Zionist threat by working with the Palestinian people and trying to instil the values of solidarity and freedom and how people must fight and sacrafice for it. Teachers are an important building block for the Palestinians and are a vital part for the resistance against the Zionists and restoration back to Palestinian land. Fadi Abu Shkhaydam did operation in Bab al-Silsila on 21 November 2021 showing the importance of teachers to the Palestinian movement. With issues like the Zionist occupation of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), teachers must double down on their efforts. and implement the ideas of liberation and right of return to the Palestinian people.

It is shameful that many teachers in the West are not teaching these ideas. In the United States, many people are ignorant of the conflicts which the US are in, and are not taught about them and instead are just taught propaganda because they know that if the truth were taught to the people in these countries, many of them would be terrified and start to fight back. We must all do our part in education everyone about these topics so they are able to help bring peace and justice around the world. People in imperialist countries are often not well educated and in some cases intentionally ignorant or complicit on many conflicts, and this is what we must change. The imperialist education systems are to blame for either not talking about conflicts and trying to make the oppressors look like they are doing good things. In the US, political topics are mostly only covered in secondary school after the kids have already been indoctrinated in primary school.