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Georgetown Law Professor Reinstated After Investigation of Tweets
Georgetown University reinstated law professor Ilya Shapiro after a four-month-long investigation into a series of tweets he posted about affirmative action. He resumed work Friday.
Shapiro had been on administrative leave since Jan. for comments about Pres. Biden's promise to nominate a Black woman for the Supreme Court.
His remarks included saying the nominee would always have an "asterisk attached" and polling his followers if Biden's promise is considered "racist, sexist, both or neither." He later deleted the tweets and apologized.
Right narrative
Shapiro's tweets were ill-worded and thoughtless, as he himself noted in his apology, but are not grounds for being fired. Political speech is protected and the very fact that Georgetown University put him on leave brings to question their stance on freedom of expression and academic freedom - which should both be fundamental to a university.
Left narrative
Shapiro is not the victim in this story. As a law professor, he's in a position of power with his students and a role model to the greater community. Tweeting such offensive remarks about affirmative action erodes trust in his beliefs and abilities. No student should feel fearful entering the classroom, but that's exactly the situation he has willingly created.
DOJ Declines Contempt Charges Against Meadows and Scavino
The US Justice Dept. announced in a letter on Fri. that it has decided not to prosecute two of Trump's closest White House advisers: former chief of staff Mark Meadows, and social media director Dan Scavino. Both men were accused of contempt for refusing to cooperate with an investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
The House had initially recommended that the two be charged with contempt of Congress for ignoring subpoenas seeking information on the events of Jan. 6.
The US attorney for the District of Columbia noted that the decision not to pursue charges was based on "the individual facts and circumstances."
Democratic narrative
The decision to not pursue charges against Meadows and Scavino is a grave mistake and a setback to upholding democracy. The Trump administration was in on the Jan. 6 attacks and these two willfully ignored subpoenas seeking information crucial to the investigation. They should face repercussions for their blatant contempt of Congress.
Pro-Trump narrative
Meadows and Scavino did nothing wrong, and we haven't heard the last of Peter Navarro either. Navarro already filed a lawsuit to prove that the Committee itself is unlawful and that its partisan subpoenas have no value whatsoever. If that fails, Navarro will fall back on the protections of executive privilege and the unconstitutional overreach of this Congress, which is starkly overstepping its role as a legislative body.
Day 103 Roundup: UK to Send Long-Range Artillery Despite Putin Threats; Heavy Fighting Rages in the East
Following the US' announcement last week, the UK on Mon. said it plans to send Ukraine a handful of long-range missile systems that can strike targets up to 50mi (80km) away.
Russian Pres. Putin said on Sun. that his military would "draw the appropriate conclusions" if the West delivered advanced rocket systems to Ukraine and that Russia would use its arms to "strike at those targets which we have not yet been hitting."
His comments came in the wake of a cruise missile attack on Kyiv that ended 5 weeks of relative calm in the capital. Russia said it destroyed tanks and armoured vehicles delivered from Western allies. A Ukrainian official denied the presence of military equipment and said a rail car repair works plant was hit, damaging carriages needed for transporting grain. One person was reportedly injured in the attack.
Pro-establishment narrative
Making sure Ukraine continues to be well armed is the only way to fend off Putin and Russia in this unprovoked war of aggression. The US and NATO must not simply offer up their latest and most hi-tech weapons however; combat is about supply lines and the West must ensure basic equipment and ammunition are kept flowing as needed.
Establishment-critical narrative
Multi-billion dollar weapons packages will make little difference in the outcome of the war. The US has been meddling in Ukraine since the end of the Cold War, and what we're witnessing is a geopolitical ponzi scheme to benefit those aligned with the military-industrial complex. War is a lucrative racket.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that more than 100,000 people will be killed in the Russo-Ukrainian War in 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Gunmen Kill at Least 50 in Nigeria Church Attack
Nigerian officials said that gunmen opened fire on worshippers and detonated explosives at the St. Francis Catholic Church in the southwestern Nigerian state of Ondo on Sun., leaving dozens dead and many others injured.
Authorities didn't immediately release an official death toll but unofficial reports indicate at least 50 dead, including children.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet, a lawmaker in Ondo blamed the ethnic Fulani militants, arguing it was retaliation for regulations on grazing imposed by the state government.
Pro-establishment narrative
This was a vile attack by terrorists, but Nigeria must not give in to them. The federal government is making serious efforts to do everything necessary to apprehend the culprits, having already ordered the immediate mobilization of all state resources to find and neutralize them.
Establishment-critical narrative
Once restrained to the northeastern region of Nigeria, violence has now spread nationwide. In response, the Buhari admin. offers only rhetoric and a lackadaisical attitude that allows this violence to continue. It's time for Buhari to back up his words with actions.
Special Olympics Drops COVID Mandate After Threat of $27.5M FL Fine
On Fri., the Special Olympics organizers announced they would be dropping the COVID vaccine mandate after being threatened with $27.5M in fines for violating FL state law.
The Florida Dept. of Health cited a state law that prohibits any business or charitable organization from requiring a patron or customer to provide proof of vaccination or post-infection recovery to gain access, entry, or service from a business.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, an honorary co-chair for the Special Olympics, found the vaccine requirement to be inconsistent with Florida law and a barrier to allowing the Special Olympians to compete.
Left narrative
DeSantis is displaying a sickening level of cruelty to pander to anti-vaxxers and rally the MAGA base ahead of a potential presidential run in 2024. Those who participate in the Special Olympics are by definition vulnerable populations. His bullying of those with special needs is in line with his reprehensible behaviors towards minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Right narrative
DeSantis is standing up to "cancel culture" COVID bullying by supporting athletes who previously couldn't attend because of their vaccination status. These Olympians indeed have complex medical conditions and special needs. Forcing them to take jabs would be caving to the left-liberal agenda and preventing an inclusive Special Olympics for the State of Florida.
Five TB Rays Players Decline to Wear Pride Night Logo
Five Tampa Bay Rays pitchers have faced backlash for making a "faith-based decision" to not wear rainbow-colored logos on their uniforms for their Pride Night home game Sat. night.
Jason Adam, who was chosen by team officials to speak for those who declined, said "all are welcome and loved here" but explained that "it's just a lifestyle ... that maybe we don't want to encourage ... if we believe in Jesus."
The other four pitchers were: Jalen Beeks, Brooks Raley, Jeffrey Springs, and Ryan Thompson.
Left narrative
Wearing the logo was meant to show unity with the LGBTQ+ community and send the message that everyone is welcome at the ballpark. Yet some players were allowed to completely undercut that message, proving that there's still a long way to go for complete LGBTQ+ acceptance.
Right narrative
It would be great if we could return to a time when athletes weren't expected to delve into politics and could just focus on winning the game. Sports are neither the time nor place to be pushing an agenda, and no one should feel compelled or pressured into supporting something that goes against their beliefs.
Australian Court Orders Google to Pay for Defamation of Former Politician
An Australian court on Mon. ordered Google to pay 715K Australian dollars (~500K USD) in damages to former New South Wales state deputy premier John Barilaro over two defamatory YouTube videos. [YouTube is owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet.]
The videos in question were posted in 2020 by political commentator and self-described comedian, Jordan Shanks. They included accusations of crimes and corruption, along with offensive terms related to Barilaro's Italian heritage.
In the ruling, federal court justice Stephen Rares said Google had done nothing to enforce YouTube's community guidelines and allowed hate speech to remain on its platform despite Barilaro's best efforts to have it taken down.
Establishment-critical narrative
This is censorship run amok thanks to multiple Australian MPs. These public officials hide behind parliamentary privilege but target private citizens with defamation suits when any criticism is levied. Isn't a little satire to be expected when one enters parliament?
Pro-establishment narrative
This goes beyond this case alone. The compliancy of social media companies to enable personal attacks is something that Australia's parliament needs to scrutinize and potentially regulate. Google permitted an open season of hate speech, cyberbullying, and harassment of Barilaro, which caused him significant trauma.
Bangladesh: Fire In Cargo Depot Under Control After Killing 43
On Tues., firefighters brought under control a huge fire that broke out on Sat. at the BM Inland Container Depot in Bangladesh, claiming at least 43 lives. Though it could take days to fully douse it, there's no risk of additional explosions.
The blaze caused multiple explosions when it broke out at Sitakunda, around 40km from the port city of Chittagong. Officials report that so far roughly 200 people have been injured by the fire, some of them in critical condition.
The origins of the fire are still under investigation but it was confirmed that large quantities of hydrogen peroxide had been stored in the depot.
Narrative A
Bangladesh routinely suffers from industrial disasters, including factories catching fire. The nation must develop a credible and accountable structure of health and safety regulation and take responsibility for the tragedies that have already occurred.
Narrative B
Bangladesh is already attempting to claim its own space and establish effective safety monitoring for the industrial workplace. But pressures such as growing competition from low-cost foreign markets, and global brands pushing prices down, mean punitive measures aren't being taken against non-compliant, financially struggling factories. Fast-fashion culture is making safe working environments unviable.
Mexico's President Boycotts Americas Summit
On Mon., Mexican Pres. López Obrador announced that he won't attend the Summit of the Americas this week, keeping his promise to boycott the meeting unless all countries in the hemisphere were invited.
Instead, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard will represent the country in the leaders' meetings that will start on Wed., following lower level gatherings on Tuesday.
This comes after the Biden admin. confirmed that Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela weren't invited due to their alleged "lack of democratic space and the human rights situations."
Pro-establishment narrative
The conference of Americas is expressly reserved for democratically elected leaders. By excluding Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, Biden is sending a clear and pointed message that the US doesn't tolerate and will not negotiate with authoritarian regimes known for their human rights abuses.
Establishment-critical narrative
The conference is meant to promote Western ideals of liberty, prosperity and security. Biden, however, is signaling the opposite. While there's no doubt of the abusive and murderous track records of the three excluded countries, this summit would've given the US the chance to confront the regimes with moral clarity, while promoting democracy and the rule of law. Biden has squandered a valuable opportunity.
DOJ Charges Proud Boys With Seditious Conspiracy for Jan. 6
On Mon., the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) charged Proud Boys head Enrique Tarrio and four other leaders with seditious conspiracy in the Jan 6. Capitol riots.
These are the first allegations from the DOJ that the right-wing group attempted to use force to oppose the presidential transfer of power in 2021.
Tarrio and other Proud Boys defendants previously pled guilty to earlier charges, including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. Both types of conspiracy charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Democratic narrative
Bit by bit we're learning of the ties between groups that were instrumental in the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol - like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers - their relationships with each other, and their close ties to the Trump White House. This is a sign that the political attempt to stop the certification of the votes overlapped with the violent effort.
Republican narrative
It's absurd to call Jan. 6 a "seditious conspiracy" by unarmed citizens who largely committed no acts of violence. The only ones who truly represent anti-American sentiment are those who are targeting patriotic citizens and labelling them as "domestic terrorists".
Musk Threatens to End Twitter Buyout Over Bot Data
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has threatened to end his $44B agreement to take over Twitter over what he called a "material breach" by the company, which accepted his bid in April.
In a letter to Twitter chief legal officer Vijaya Gadde, Musk's lawyers accused the social media platform of "actively resisting and thwarting" the billionaire from accessing data about how many fake accounts populate the site.
Twitter responded in a statement, saying it "has and will continue to cooperatively share information" with Musk, and it intends to "close the transaction and enforce the merger agreement at the agreed price and terms."
Narrative A
Let's hope the Twitter board holds him to this deal because Musk should be held to the same standards as everyone else. Musk was fully aware of Twitter's bots from the beginning - the fact that he's only now making it a point of quarrel is a manipulative attempt to wiggle out of the deal given the recent slide in tech valuations.
Narrative B
Musk knows firsthand the beating tech stocks are taking and he's well within his right to slow-walk things and see if he can get a better deal with the change in the economic environment over the past couple of months. Besides, he should be granted access to all pertinent information before being forced to close the purchase.
Nerd narrative
There is a 61% chance that Elon Musk will acquire over 50% of Twitter shares by the end of 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.