As I sit back and watch the latest development in the political arena unfold, it’s hard not to feel a sense of relief when I hear that a judge has permanently blocked part of Florida’s ‘Stop WOKE Act’. The audacity of Governor Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers to restrict the conversation around race-related issues in workplace training under the guise of individual freedom is truly baffling. It’s a classic case of political posturing at its finest, where the real intention seems to be to incite division and distract from pressing matters facing our society.
It’s interesting to see how the term “woke” has become a trigger word for conservatives, used to dismiss any conversations around social justice or equality.… Continue reading
When former President Trump stated that there should be a one-year jail sentence for anyone who desecrates the American flag, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions. On one hand, I can understand the sentiment behind wanting to protect a symbol that holds so much significance for many Americans. However, the idea of criminalizing an act as simple as burning or disrespecting the flag goes against the very principles of freedom and democracy that the flag is supposed to represent.
Throughout history, the American flag has been a powerful symbol of the values and ideals that our nation stands for.… Continue reading
As a fan of comedy and music, the recent news about the postponement of Tenacious D’s Australian tour date due to a comment made by Kyle Gass about Trump shooting has sparked a range of thoughts and emotions within me. The incident occurred during a birthday celebration for Gass, where he jokingly mentioned not missing Trump next time after a recent incident at Trump’s rally. The comment was met with mixed reactions, with some defending it as comedy and others criticizing it as inappropriate.
It’s interesting to see how this incident has escalated, leading to the postponement of not only their Australian tour but also their US tour dates.… Continue reading
I am troubled by the recent news of Columbia University removing three deans from their positions due to what has been described as ‘very troubling’ antisemitic text messages. While the actual content of the messages has not been explicitly disclosed, the reaction from both sides of the debate has been intense.
The fact that the deans were not fired but rather removed from their posts and placed on leave raises questions about the severity of their actions. Some argue that the text messages were not explicitly antisemitic, but rather flippant and mildly inappropriate. It begs the question of what constitutes antisemitism in today’s society and whether critical discussions about Israel’s policies should be categorized as such.… Continue reading
As a 19-year-old nude dancer taking the state of Florida to court over age restrictions at adult entertainment establishments, I find myself pondering the contradictions and complexities of our society’s view on adulthood and personal freedoms. The law that stipulates dancers must be 21+ if alcohol is served and only go topless, while 18+ dancers can go fully nude in establishments without alcohol, seems arbitrary and restrictive.
The suit filed against Florida argues that this law violates the constitutional right to free speech, preventing dancers from expressing themselves through their art and making a living. It questions the state’s failure to consider alternative measures that could achieve state interests without impinging on First Amendment rights.… Continue reading
It seems like the news of Julian Assange reaching a plea deal with the U.S. and potentially going free has stirred up a lot of mixed emotions and opinions. Many people seem to have a deep-seated dislike for Assange, citing various reasons for their disdain. Some view him as a manipulative narcissist who only acted in his own self-interest, while others believe he is a hero for exposing government secrets and shedding light on illegal activities.
Looking back at the timeline of events surrounding Assange, it’s clear that his journey has been tumultuous and fraught with controversy. From his time holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy to the recent plea deal, Assange has been a polarizing figure to say the least.… Continue reading
As I read about the Connecticut town having to pay $100K to settle a lawsuit because a teacher showed a Kendrick Lamar video in school, I am left shaking my head in disbelief. The idea that a simple music video could cause such an uproar is baffling to me. The fact that a student and his family felt so traumatized by the imagery in the video is quite frankly ridiculous.
I can’t help but wonder what our education system is coming to when a teacher can be reprimanded multiple times for attempting to expose students to thought-provoking content. The teacher in question was scolded for showing clips of Fahrenheit 9/11, suggesting students watch an R-rated movie for extra credit, and now, showing a Kendrick Lamar video.… Continue reading
It’s disheartening to see a story like this coming out of Alabama, where a judge has ordered a driver to apologize or face jail time for uttering the words, “Get your ass out of the way” to a police officer. The incident began when the driver, Mr. Burks, was pulled over for allegedly driving above the speed limit of 25 mph. It’s worth noting that the officer didn’t have concrete proof of the alleged speeding and resorted to estimating the speed using his cruise control, which is a questionable method at best.
After Mr. Burks expressed his disbelief in the officer’s methodology, the situation escalated when the officer stood in front of his vehicle and refused to move.… Continue reading
It is absolutely absurd that 13 conservative judges, each appointed by Trump, have declared a boycott on hiring clerks from Columbia Law School simply because some students expressed their political opinions. Punishing an entire group of students for the actions of a few is not only unfair but also reflects poorly on the judges themselves. It’s outrageous to see judges, who are supposed to be impartial and uphold the Constitution, engaging in such discriminatory and politically motivated behavior.
The fact that these judges are willing to discriminate against potential clerks based on their school affiliation speaks volumes about their character and suitability for their positions.… Continue reading
I found myself scrolling through the news today, only to be met with the headline that police had removed pro-Palestine protesters from a university in Paris. As I delved into the comments section, I was bombarded with a barrage of contrasting opinions and sentiments. Some questioned the validity of the protestors’ cause, while others highlighted the importance of free speech and peaceful protest. It led me to ponder on the complexities of the situation and the underlying issues that seem to permeate every aspect of the conflict.
The Charlie Hebdo attack is still fresh in our memories. The brutal violence that shook Paris to its core serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of terrorism.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood