Public Posts

Americans’ views on free speech change directions every so often. One of those times was during the protests at U.S. universities about the Israel-Hamas war. As scholars of free speech and public opinion, we set out to find out what happened and why. More at The Conversation ➜

When idiocy, reigns supreme,
it's not a breath of Spring.
It's the gasping for air,
when they take away everything.

You may not believe this, but
I know it is true,
the only losers we will have,
is you, you and you.

Wake up America!
This is your land,
others will take your freedom.
I hope you understand.

What happens tomorrow,
when we open up the door,
and find our beloved country,
isn't here, anymore?

Walking through, the day of now,
searching for yesterday,
when I came upon tomorrow,
in a most peculiar way.

There will be no future,
if you don't recognize today,
while clearing your head,
and walking away.

There are too many actions,
of which we won't say,
better get out to vote,
if you will want your way.

If you become complacent,
ignoring facts today,
your freedom will leave,
and will walk away.

"The ability to teach and conduct research free from political interference is the cornerstone of higher education and its contribution to the public good. Academic freedom, however, has become increasingly threatened" More at The Conversation ➜

"I went to apply for my State Park Annual Permit yesterday, what used to be free to us citizens, but now costs us taxpayers because the State doesn’t have enough tax dollars for what it used to have enough for so the budget needs to be balanced. Now the poor can pay what the guy launching his 25 foot Bayliner pays for a permit, same way he does at the gas station for the gas tax, same as he does at the drug store, same as he does just about everywhere he buys something. This is what we call Recessive Taxation. No breaks for the indigent. You know, folks we now refer to as Takers...... More at The Skeeter Daddle Diaries ➜

"On an evening in December 2023, 43-year-old small business owner Sarah Rosenkranz collapsed in her home in Granbury, Texas and was rushed to the emergency room. Her heart pounded 200 beats per minute; her blood pressure spiked into hypertensive crisis; her skull throbbed. “It felt like my head was in a pressure vise being crushed,” she says. “That pain was worse than childbirth.”.. " More at TIME ➜

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence to announce the colonies' separation from the Kingdom of Great Britain, bringing a new nation into the world. Although the Constitution provides the legal and governmental framework for the United States, the Declaration, with its eloquent assertion “all Men are created equal,” is the founding document of the United States.
It is now up to us, as our laws evolve in fact and interpretation, to remain vigilant and not allow anyone, to exploit our natural differences, beliefs, opinions and backgrounds to divide us for their own selfish benefit.   More

"I recently had the pleasure of (virtually) sitting down with Madiba K. Dennie to talk about her new book, The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back.” Read More at Public Notice ➜  

Fix the Court "unveiled a list of the gifts the U.S. Supreme Court justices have received over the years, and the numbers are staggering: in the last two decades (Jan. 2004-Dec. 2023), the justices have accepted 344 gifts valued at $2,993,036."
"If one includes another 101 gifts that Justice Thomas likely received over those 20 years — mostly comprising free trips to and free stays at Bohemian Grove and Topridge worth $1,787,684 — that number jumps to 445 gifts valued at $4,780,720." More at Fix the Court ➜

State supreme court races have become pivotal in current legal battles over issues including abortion, elections, education, the environment and LGBTQ rights. With more than 80 state supreme court seats up for election this year in 33 states, voters have the potential to shape the future of their states for years to come. ......That is, if they actually get to choose who joins the court. More at The Conversation ➜

"Although service members know they may lose their lives in combat in service of their country, they may not expect to lose their lives – or those they love – to suicide. A 2021 study estimated that four times as many active duty service members and veterans died by suicide as died in battle since 9/11". More at The Conversation➜

"What lead-tainted Lunchables reveal about the persistent threat of lead exposure. Lead keeps showing up where it’s not supposed to be...In 2024, one of the most potent neurotoxins known to humanity persists all over the world as a public health threat. For the third time in six months, lead contamination in food products has put public health authorities on high alert in the wealthiest nation in the world." More at VOX ➜