Mirlisa's Bits and Pieces

Another letter from our UF President…

To aid your understanding: "alt-right" = white supremacist = nazi

Aug. 12, 2017
 
 
Dear Campus Community,
 
The National Policy Institute has reached out to the university to reserve space for a speaking event featuring white nationalist and “alt-right” activist Richard Spencer on September 12.
 
This organization is unaffiliated with the university, and no student groups or other groups affiliated with the university are sponsoring this speech. This event is not finalized and it is still under discussion.
 
Per university regulation 2.004, non-university groups, organizations and persons may rent space on campus, provided they cover rental expenses and security costs like all other third-party renters.
 
UF administration, staff and campus police are developing a security plan for the potential event and are working with colleagues across the country who have had similar events on their campus.
 
For many in our community, including myself, this speaker’s presence would be deeply disturbing. What we’ve watched happen in Charlottesville, VA. in the last 24 hours, is deplorable.  I again denounce all statements and symbols of hate. The University of Florida is a community of learners, educators and scholars. We encourage open and honest dialogue, and we strive to build an inclusive environment where hate is not welcome.
 
While this speaker’s views do not align with our values as an institution, we must follow the law, upholding the First Amendment not to discriminate based on content and provide access to a public space.
 
Though we have a responsibility as a public university, we also have a vital duty to our students, faculty and staff to uphold our educational mission.
 
Instead of allowing hateful speech to tear us down, I urge our campus community to join together, respect one another and promote positive speech, while allowing for differing opinions. These types of groups want media attention. I encourage our campus community to send a message of unity by not engaging with this group and giving them more media attention for their message of intolerance and hate.
 
It is up to every student, faculty member, staff member, and myself to demonstrate our university values of respect and inclusion in all that we do. We have an opportunity to lead the way.
 
We will continue to keep you updated as more information develops through email and our information line: 1-866-UF-Facts.
 
 
Warm Regards,

W. Kent Fuchs
President
University of Florida
 
 

Just saying…

A very eye opening documentary. It's a little over 50 minutes long and well worth it. Do yourself a favor and view it.

Sad he had to write this. An excerpt from The Scouting Wire:

I want to extend my sincere apologies to those in our Scouting family who were offended by the political rhetoric that was inserted into the jamboree. That was never our intent. The invitation for the sitting U.S. President to visit the National Jamboree is a long-standing tradition that has been extended to the leader of our nation that has had a Jamboree during his term since 1937. It is in no way an endorsement of any person, party or policies. For years, people have called upon us to take a position on political issues, and we have steadfastly remained non-partisan and refused to comment on political matters. We sincerely regret that politics were inserted into the Scouting program.

I've had enough of the illegitimate President. How about you?

There are times when you question spending small fortunes on our four-legged children who rule our lives.

This tweet collection illustrates the danger we have with Trump in the White House.

Trump needs to go and his entire West Wing and political appointees. We need a complete purge of those loyal to this authoritarian. This includes the leadership of the Republican Party. Democracy depends on it.

From Politico, an apt portrayal of Putin's favorite party:

How did the party of Ronald Reagan’s moral clarity morph into that of Donald Trump’s moral vacuity? Russia’s intelligence operatives are among the world’s best. I believe they made a keen study of the American political scene and realized that, during the Obama years, the conservative movement had become ripe for manipulation. Long gone was its principled opposition to the “evil empire.” What was left was an intellectually and morally desiccated carcass populated by con artists, opportunists, entertainers and grifters operating massively profitable book publishers, radio empires, websites, and a TV network whose stock-in-trade are not ideas but resentments.

I can safely say that, assuming we will still have free elections in the future, I will never, ever, vote for anyone associated with the Republican Party. Ever.

Voted against their own self-interests…and continue to do so…as the Republican Party happily picks all of our pockets dry.