I've heard people ask how the German people could have allowed the Nazi genocide and the Holocaust to happen. Now we have the continuing attack on Gaza. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog, have stated publicly that the goal is to eliminate the people of Gaza, making this a textbook case of genocide in action. Israeli forces are … [Read more...] about How can people go along with genocide?
free speech
Violence, looting, destruction of property
Today, many newspeople & elected officials are complaining about looting & destruction of property. Why have they been silent about ongoing oppression and racist, structural violence? Did they forget what we learned as children: that one of the foundational acts of this country was the ‘Boston Tea Party’, an often-glorified case of property destruction used to … [Read more...] about Violence, looting, destruction of property
Orwell’s Doublethink, Alive and Well in Trump’s America
Anthony DiMaggio George Orwell’s 1984 is a dystopian novel about authoritarianism, and is widely understood as a critique of Stalinism and centralized communist states. But Orwell believed that propaganda functioned in both communist and capitalist states alike. His insights about the uses and abuses of propaganda are remarkably relevant when studying American and … [Read more...] about Orwell’s Doublethink, Alive and Well in Trump’s America
Free Speech in the ‘Town Square’
When Sands BethWorks, of which Las Vegas Sands Corp. is the majority partner, deeded property for the Levitt Pavilion and the '21st Century Town Square' at the SteelStacks campus, they included a stipulation that the property could not be used for traditional free speech, especially anything related that could be construed as against the casino or supporting labor organizing … [Read more...] about Free Speech in the ‘Town Square’
Why Students’ Rights Are So Important
Although some schools act as if the Bill of Rights doesn't apply to students in school, the Supreme Court of the U.S. has made clear that it does apply. In many schools right here in the Lehigh Valley, students are denied the right to hand out leaflets, to wear clothing that expresses their opinions, to form clubs, and even to wear their hair as they please. In some cases, the … [Read more...] about Why Students’ Rights Are So Important
Students’ Rights in Pennsylvania
Lehigh ValleyThe U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions guarantee certain rights, and most of them apply to students in public schools. The Pennsylvania School Code and the federal Equal Access Act spell out some additional rights for public-school students. For instance, students have the right to: Wear clothing, armbands, and buttons that express their views, even if they are … [Read more...] about Students’ Rights in Pennsylvania
The Bill of Rights
(Amendments 1–10 to the U.S. Constitution, Ratified December 15, 1791) Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Amendment II A well … [Read more...] about The Bill of Rights
Freedom of Speech at Musikfest and other events
When a festival or special event takes over part of your town, it does not cancel the protections guaranteed under the First Amendment. In past years, free speech at Musikfest was confined to a single area. People were not permitted to hold banners on the bridges that overlook the festival — and an independent reporter was ordered to stop interviewing guests and shop owners on … [Read more...] about Freedom of Speech at Musikfest and other events
Free Speech
December 15 was Bill of Rights Day. To hear people talk about this proud tradition and how it distinguishes the USA from other countries, you’d think our freedoms here are robust and protected by the government itself. Really? I often see governments subverting First Amendment rights—even with actions that threaten nothing except the comfort of those in power. It … [Read more...] about Free Speech