Every once in awhile, someone says something, or does something, that reaffirms my pride in our Constitution and (much of) our nation's commitment to it. This is one of those times.
Florida’s right wing gov’t might be able to erase rainbows from our crosswalks, but can’t erase ideas and ideals from university classrooms, says the Appellate Court. Now let’s get rid of PragerU from public schools before it’s too late!
In the heyday of the anti-Draft, anti-Vietnam War protest movement, I spent considerable time with young Black and Brown dissidents. In this community, to be called 'woke' was a high complement. It meant that the person was liberated from conventional, oppressive thinking and knew that the enemy was the racist capitalist system. Our group was not 'anti-American' per se, but we were dedicated to removing the elements that disdained and delegitimized our people, and that produced more suffering than welfare. As such, anti W.O.K.E. is nothing new as the financial class has kept people asleep for generations.
It is pathetic that the courts' time and effort is needed to rule on a case this blatantly offensive to the 1st amendment. It seems to be the Republican strategy though, to pack the courts with judges who are either paid or threatened to rule accordingly. Keep throwing garbage against the wall and occasionally, some of it sticks.
I must wonder: are you guys ever going to hire an artist and stop using ai to make all your pictures? I thought you guys were against ai and data centers in Florida? I guess as long as it's for strongly worded opinion columns, it's ok? Do better. Be better.
Thanks for the feedback on this. For the record, the "team" here at Tropic Press consists of me, myself, and I. So, no, I do not have the means to hire an artist. Yet. Perhaps, if this newsletter acquires enough paid subscribers, that certainly would be wonderful. For some reason, this particular illustration received a fair amount of criticism--not so much here on Substack but certainly on BlueSky. So, I am re-evaluating my use of AI generated graphics, not so much because a computer made them (a computer also checks my spelling and grammar and I would be lost without that tool) but because of the reasonable objection that it is derivative (somehow) of others' work. I think that's a fair point. But I will say that I do intend to continue using the computer to illustrate Miss Mingo's columns because that particular bird is, in fact, a Tropic Press creation. Again, I do appreciate and respect your feedback on this. Every day is a chance to do better.
While this may be true, you DO sell books, and there are innumerable YouTube channels that hire artists and don't use ai at all. The fact that you're considering not moving away from it completely on basic principle points toward possible problems with journalistic integrity. This combined with your rather strongly worded articles makes it difficult to continue giving weight to your opinion, and only using the headline you choose to use and going to other news outlets to actually get articles. I understand the irritation with the current political climate and seeming inability to actually DO anything about it, but your writing just comes off as angry Twitter comment more than it does actual journalism.
Every once in awhile, someone says something, or does something, that reaffirms my pride in our Constitution and (much of) our nation's commitment to it. This is one of those times.
Again, the courts are saving our democracy and freedoms!
From our own government From out ocernment
Florida’s right wing gov’t might be able to erase rainbows from our crosswalks, but can’t erase ideas and ideals from university classrooms, says the Appellate Court. Now let’s get rid of PragerU from public schools before it’s too late!
Victoria Block
"Knowledge is good." --Emil Faber
Yea!!! Finally some backbone
This UF graduate loves it!
In the heyday of the anti-Draft, anti-Vietnam War protest movement, I spent considerable time with young Black and Brown dissidents. In this community, to be called 'woke' was a high complement. It meant that the person was liberated from conventional, oppressive thinking and knew that the enemy was the racist capitalist system. Our group was not 'anti-American' per se, but we were dedicated to removing the elements that disdained and delegitimized our people, and that produced more suffering than welfare. As such, anti W.O.K.E. is nothing new as the financial class has kept people asleep for generations.
I wonder what mechanism tRump believes is standing between him and the wholesale dismissal of judges who inspire his ire.
Wow! Loving the 11th Circuit right now! 👏👏👏
It is pathetic that the courts' time and effort is needed to rule on a case this blatantly offensive to the 1st amendment. It seems to be the Republican strategy though, to pack the courts with judges who are either paid or threatened to rule accordingly. Keep throwing garbage against the wall and occasionally, some of it sticks.
I must wonder: are you guys ever going to hire an artist and stop using ai to make all your pictures? I thought you guys were against ai and data centers in Florida? I guess as long as it's for strongly worded opinion columns, it's ok? Do better. Be better.
Thanks for the feedback on this. For the record, the "team" here at Tropic Press consists of me, myself, and I. So, no, I do not have the means to hire an artist. Yet. Perhaps, if this newsletter acquires enough paid subscribers, that certainly would be wonderful. For some reason, this particular illustration received a fair amount of criticism--not so much here on Substack but certainly on BlueSky. So, I am re-evaluating my use of AI generated graphics, not so much because a computer made them (a computer also checks my spelling and grammar and I would be lost without that tool) but because of the reasonable objection that it is derivative (somehow) of others' work. I think that's a fair point. But I will say that I do intend to continue using the computer to illustrate Miss Mingo's columns because that particular bird is, in fact, a Tropic Press creation. Again, I do appreciate and respect your feedback on this. Every day is a chance to do better.
While this may be true, you DO sell books, and there are innumerable YouTube channels that hire artists and don't use ai at all. The fact that you're considering not moving away from it completely on basic principle points toward possible problems with journalistic integrity. This combined with your rather strongly worded articles makes it difficult to continue giving weight to your opinion, and only using the headline you choose to use and going to other news outlets to actually get articles. I understand the irritation with the current political climate and seeming inability to actually DO anything about it, but your writing just comes off as angry Twitter comment more than it does actual journalism.
Thanks for keeping track of so many issues in our State. It helps to know there is some forward process toward the light!