“When it comes to keeping kids from reading much, if at all, DeSantis’ policy is a smashing success,” writes Amanda Marcotte. “He’s established the idea that no student should ever be allowed to just grab a book and read on their own.”
Launch
How one Atlanta bookstore is picking up the fight against book bans
“Atlanta Vintage Books is one of hundreds of independent bookstores across the country that have celebrated the freedom to read this week at a time when schools, universities and public libraries face what experts say are unprecedented attempts to ban or restrict reading materials,” NPR reports.
Launch
July 4th: An opportunity to celebrate the idea of progressive freedom, which is dynamic
Feeling conflicted about celebrating Independence Day and honoring America’s founders this year? Take a few minutes to read this excerpt from Whose Freedom.
Launch
Trump lit the torches of white supremacy in Charlottesville. We must extinguish them.
When the mob of white men marched in Charlottesville carrying flaming torches Friday night shouting “Heil Trump” as the curtain-raiser for a day of violent
Launch
The best way to fight neo-Nazis is to… laugh?
The Seattle Times’ Danny Westneat writes: “Hate is marching in the streets. Some of the same groups that marched in Charlottesville are growing in the Northwest. A local author has argued the best thing to do to confront it all is to … show up and mock them.” The local author Westneat talked to is none other than David Neiwert, the respected creator of Orcinus and an expert on right wing extremism and eliminationists.
Launch
Facebook says it shouldn’t have to stay mum when government seeks user data
“Major technology companies and civil liberties groups have joined Facebook in a closed courtroom battle over secret government access to social media records,” reports The Washington Post’s Ann Marimow.
Launch
Watch Meryl Streep’s incredible Cecil D. DeMille Award acceptance speech at the Golden Globes
Without mentioning him, Meryl Streep eviscerated Donald Trump’s bigotry and his despicable campaign for the presidency. “Violence incites violence,” she noted.
Launch
Trump weighing Muslim registry, says adviser
Can you say “unconstitutional”? “Un-American”?
Launch
President Obama at Maryland mosque: “You fit in here”
The Baltimore Sun reports: “President Barack Obama, speaking in Baltimore County during his first visit to a U.S. mosque, urged voters to reject the ‘inexcusable political rhetoric’ he said is emanating from the presidential campaign trail as he called on Americans to embrace a common humanity.”
Launch
The President speaks at the Islamic Society of Baltimore
On Wednesday, February 3rd, President Barack Obama delivered a landmark speech on religious freedom and tolerance to the Islamic Society of Baltimore.
Launch
Francis: A pastoral pope, slipping conservatives’ grasp
Francis: A pastoral pope, slipping conservatives’ grasp “Francis, a Jesuit priest and master politician who defies, and despises, narrow interpretations, seemed to be once again
LaunchDan Stubbs explains the folly of the Parental Advisory Explicit Content sticker
It’s become a real badge of honour to have that sticker on your CD now… It came out of this puritanical drive in America against
LaunchJohn McCain to protesters: “Get out of here, you low-life scum”
Senator John McCain has a short fuse, as a group of protestors discovered when he snarled at them to “get out of here, you low-life
LaunchIt is sadly unclear whether this article will put lives at risk
It is sadly unclear whether this article will put lives at risk The Onion, one of America’s best known satirical publications, responded to the attack
LaunchFormer editor of The Onion: Freedom of speech cannot be killed
Satire must always accompany any free society. It is an absolute necessity. Even in the most repressive medieval kingdoms, they understood the need for the
LaunchU.K.’s Cameron, Germany’s Merkel: We stand with France against terrorism
We stand absolutely united with the French people against terrorism and against this threat to our values – free speech, the rule of law, democracy.
LaunchJe suis Charlie! The people of France take a stand against terrorism
A man in Strasbourg shows solidarity with the staff of Charlie Hebdo, who were targeted by Islamic terrorists in a brutal attack earlier today. “Je suis” is French for “I am”. (Photo: Claude Truong-Ngoc / Wikimedia Commons)
Launch