This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news analysis.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1401591
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1401591
Paul Krugman’s article today on exactly what is happening in Florida in regard to education. Krugman makes the point that prohibiting teaching FACTS that make any student feel uncomfortable goes well beyond Race, as insidious is that is, to include subjects like evolution.
As this article from TPM points out, stopping Florida will be up to the Civil Division of the DOJ.
Krguman’s article begins with:
Let’s talk, in particular, about the attack on education, especially but not only in Florida, which has become one of America’s leading laboratories of democratic erosion.
Republicans have made considerable political hay by denouncing the teaching of critical race theory; this strategy has succeeded even though most voters have no idea what that theory is and it isn’t actually being taught in public schools. But the facts in this case don’t matter, because denunciations of C.R.T. are basically a cover for a much bigger agenda: an attempt to stop schools from teaching anything that makes right-wingers uncomfortable.
I use that last word advisedly: There’s a bill advancing in the Florida Senate declaring that an individual “should not be made to feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race.” That is, the criterion for what can be taught isn’t “Is it true? Is it supported by the scholarly consensus?” but rather “Does it make certain constituencies uncomfortable?”
Krugman’s article ends with a very scary and accurate assessment of his fear that the above will soon be applied to every field in education:
OK, I’m sure that some people will say that I’m making too much of these issues. But ask yourself: Has there been any point over, say, the past five years when warnings about right-wing extremism have proved overblown and those dismissing those warnings as “alarmist” have been right?
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I can remember when folks saying TDFG wouldn’t go quietly were accused of being “alarmist”.
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As horrible and frightening as these predictions are we wouldn’t have to worry if we would stick together. My question to Dems who decry Biden is would you perfer TFG? That is your choice because even it TFG doesn’t run someone just as bat shit crazy will run and might actually have more than 1 brain cell.
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If DOJ is to have any one “Powerful Litigating Division,” personally I would very much prefer that it be the Criminal Division, rather than the Civil Division. I say move all those powerful litigators over to the Criminal Division where they are actually most needed, and call it a day. Just a thought…
Oh, and if DOJ allows the statute of limitations to run on all of the Mueller-investigated Obstruction of Justice" crimes of the Trump crime family and co-conspirators, then I say that Garland needs to be sacked and the DOJ cleaned out, for a fresh start at striving for justice in America. Just another thought…
While it has been about 25 years and is limited to two offices, having worked for the US Attorney’s office and having experience with both criminal and civil divisions, I disagree.
For anything white collar, if I am ever caught red handed stealing $10,000,000, I pray to God I am prosecuted by the Criminal division of the DOJ because I know I will get away with it.
Claims to have never stolen more than $10,000,000. Check.
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Useful article that I’ll reference in the future when needing to understand the aspects of the background of what’s going on in DoJ litigation.