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Alva Striplin handily won her reelection bid to the Leon County School Board during Tuesday's primary. She defeated former Jefferson Superintendent Marianne Arbulu and progressive candidate Anthony DeMarco to retain the District 1 seat with 53.54% of the vote as of 1:50 a.m. Wednesday. Meanwhile, the District 4 race is heading for a November runoff.

Both races have been heavily influenced by the rocky education politics of the past few years. Classroom culture wars have dwarfed more direct-to-classroom issues, and Striplin wants to turn that aroundat least locally.

"Teacher recruitment and retention [is] definitely a top issue," she said when asked what her top priorities will be post-reelection.

"Second would be closing the gap we saw with academic achievement [during] COVID. [And] third would be the disciplinary issues. Were seeing a lot of violence, not only in our community but in our schools.

Striplin positioned herself for reelection by putting more daylight between herself and Superintendent Rocky Hanna, who has openly clashed with Gov. Ron DeSantis on issues like mask mandates. Meanwhile, in the school board District 4 race, two candidates are heading to a runoff in November.

That district covers one of the more conservative parts of Leon County, a school board runoff in November will feature a local assistant principal and a retired district teacherwho is also the favorite of the local Moms for Liberty Chapter.

Laurie Cox has said shes not sure the 2020 presidential election wasnt stolen. Shes also said she has friends on both sides of the parental rights debate. Cox was first to jump into the seat left open when former school board member DeeDee Rasmussen resigned just weeks before the qualifying period ended. Godby Assistant Principal Alex Stemle did tooand he has made it a point to draw a distinction between himself and Cox.

People have all sorts of different takes on whats going on in our schools some of it is happening, some isnt happening. We have to make sure as candidates we get out there, talk to voters and share our message as much as possible. If those people who voted for Laurie took a [closer] look at this race, we hope theyll slide on over to our side and hopefully see that we are the strong candidate for parents and talk to some of the parents Ive worked with over the years," he said.

Stemle pulled 46.42% of the vote as of midnight to Coxs 42%. Another Moms for Liberty-friendly candidate, Susan Hodges, got 11%.

Primaries typically draw the interest of the party faithful. Now Stemle and Cox will have to appeal to a broader swatch of voters in a county thats still dominated by Democrats, but a district where Republicans have a bit more clout than in other parts of the county.

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Alva Striplin gets reelected to the Leon school board while District 4 goes to a November runoff - WFSU

Sea levels are rising, the poor are struggling, and an epidemic of mass shootings continues to claim lives across the country. But rather than making any of these issues a top priority, Florida officials have decided to open up yet another front in the culture wars. This time theyre playing an old card: the Red Scare.

On May 9, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signedHouse Bill 395, which requires public schools to observe Victims of Communism Day each year on November 9. It also mandates that high school students learn about the abuses of leftwing dictators for at least forty-five minutes every year.

It would be a mistake to see this simply as an effort to educate young people about historical figures. Instead, it is an attempt to indoctrinate students into viewing all forms of socialism as inherently totalitarian and dangerous. [B]ased on the economic philosophies of Karl Marx, the law declares, communism has proven incompatible with the ideals of liberty, prosperity, and dignity of human life.

This comes at a moment when socialist ideas are becoming increasingly popular among young people, something reactionary politicians clearly want to push back against. For instance, DeSantis recentlycastigatedGustavo Petro, Colombias democratically elected leftist President, andcriticizedunnamed college students who he thinks have an affinity for communist symbols. Likewise, Republican state Representative David Borrero, a co-sponsor of HB 395,citingpolling data on the growing affinity for leftist ideas among younger generations.

Florida now requires schools to observe "Victims of Communism Day" and to teach about the abuses of leftwing dictators for at least forty-fiveminutes every academicyear.

This new anti-communism law is part of a broader crusade to censure members of the LGBTQ+ community and prevent anti-racist education from being taught in public schools. In an apparent effort to gin up his rightwing base, DeSantis has been laser-focused on hot-button culture war issues lately. He is seeking re-election in November, but also is astrong contenderfor the Republican presidential ticket in 2024.

HB 395 was preceded in Florida by the Stop WOKE Act, which bans schools and workplaces from talking about racism in any way that makes others uncomfortable, and the Dont Say Gay bill, which outlaws the discussion of gender or sexual identity in elementary school classrooms. DeSantis also signed into law a fifteen-weekabortion banlast April.

In Florida, it seems, history is repeating itself. In the 1950s, anti-communist rhetoric was an important element of opposition to the civil rights movement, asThe Daily Beasts Kelly Weillnoted. Similarly, the Lavender Scare, a campaign from the 1940s through the 1960s to purge LGBTQ+ workers from federal government jobs, led the Florida Legislative Investigation Committee to publish an infamous anti-homosexuality propaganda booklet in 1964 known as the Purple Pamphlet. Senator Joseph McCarthy, Republican of Wisconsin, andothers in the U.S. Senatealso saw this as an opportunity to continue McCarthys reign of terror by falselylinkingcommunism with homosexuality.

HB 395 is an attack on public education and on teachers ability to teach, Spencer Beswick, a Ph.D. candidate in history at Cornell University, tellsThe Progressive. This is just one more instance of an actual authoritarian, rightwing movement thats trying to remake history and what students learn. Its situated in a long tradition of anti-communism in the United States.

The American South, Florida included, is definitely a hostile place for leftists, adds Evan Caldwell, co-chair of the Young Democratic Socialists of America at the University of Central Florida. Florida Republicans have to focus on whipping up a frenzy and forcing out these bills that direct attention away from the billions of dollars theyre shipping off to various corporations and wealthy individuals out of the hands of the working class.

The left and the Democratic Socialists of America are a big tent. Most seem to be social democrats, democratic socialists, anarchists, libertarian socialists, democratic confederalists, and others. None of this broad spectrum of views is mentioned in HB 395.

Despite this, Caldwell doesnt think the new law will stop young people from seeing the injustices of capitalism and coming together to take action. The way we get out of this situation is to organize, he says.

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Seeing Red - Progressive.org - Progressive.org

FILE - Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies to a House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies hearing, about the budget request for the National Institutes of Health, May 11, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert who became a household name, and the subject of partisan attacks, during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Monday he will depart the federal government in December after more than 5 decades of service. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci announced yesterday that he will step down in December as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden.

President Biden praised Dr. Faucis unwavering commitment to his work as well as his unparalleled spirit, energy, and scientific integrity. He added: Because of Dr. Faucis many contributions to public health, lives here in the United States and around the world have been saved.

Conversely, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Az., tweeted: Dr. Fauci is conveniently resigning from his position in December before House Republicans have an opportunity to hold him accountable for destroying our country over these past three years. Republican Study Committee chairman Jim Banks added, Republicans must remain committed to holding Fauci accountable even after he steps down to make sure no one in his position ever abuses the public trust again.

Criticism of Americas political leaders goes back to our first contested election in 1800, but condemning their followers is something different. I dont live in the same neighborhood as my president or governor, but I do live in the same neighborhood as some of their supporters. When we begin rejecting not just our leaders but each other on political, moral, or ideological grounds, our ability to flourish or even function as the United States of America is imperiled.

Yesterday I made the claim that civility is vital to a healthy democracy and an attribute that should especially be evident among Christians. I want to expand on that claim today by giving attention to those who disagree.

As I note in my book The Coming Tsunami, a growing tide of secularists consider religion not just outdated and irrelevant but dangerous to society. During hearings on the so-called Equality Act, for example, some senators compared those opposing the Act on religious grounds to the Ku Klux Klans burning crosses and the Confederacys biblical justifications for slavery.

On the other side, Sohrab Ahmari wrote in First Things: Progressives understand that culture war means discrediting their opponents and weakening or destroying their institutions. Conservatives should approach the culture war with a similar realism. Civility and decency are secondary values. They regulate compliance with an established order and orthodoxy. We should seek to use these values to enforce our order and our orthodoxy, not pretend that they could ever be neutral.

This approach to the culture wars is clearly winning hearts and minds: A majority of second-year college students said they would not date someone who supported a different presidential candidate than they did in 2020. Almost half said they would not room with someone who voted differently; nearly two-thirds said they would not marry someone who backed a different political candidate two years ago.

Cultural issues are more binary and more divisive than ever before in my lifetime. Is abortion the death of a child, or is it the healthcare right of a woman? Is same-sex marriage (and LGBTQ advocacy) an imposition of unbiblical morality on religious freedom, or is it the civil rights cause of our day?

In a democracy, we settle our differences through elections and elected officials. However, abortion and same-sex marriage were settled by unelected Supreme Court justices, then the former was overturned by unelected Supreme Court justices. In addition, many see those on the other side as deeply immoral and thus undeserving of representation by the media and the protection of our governance.

Commercial media amplifies our differences for audience share; social media amplifies them through personal megaphones. We curate our news into echo chambers that reinforce our biases. Our mobile society and workforce allow us to live and work with those who share our opinions while avoiding those who do not.

And the increasing secularism of our culture makes our culture wars especially urgent. George Clooney speaks for many: I dont believe in heaven and hell. I dont know if I believe in God. All I know is that as an individual, I wont allow this lifethe only thing I know to existto be wasted.

What makes Christians different? Or at least, what should make us different?

Heres what we know that secularists dont:

Each of these principles is vital for empowering a democracy in which those who disagree fervently on major issues can nonetheless live and work together for the common good.

In addition, Christians know the path to moral transformation lies not through politics or human governance but through the work of Gods Spirit:

Each of these principles is vital for empowering Christians to be salt and light in a decaying, ever-darkening culture.

Justin Martyr (AD 100165) assured the Roman emperor, We are your helpers and allies in promoting peace.

Now its our turn.

The rest is here:
Dr. Fauci announces his retirement, response is what you'd expect - Denison Forum

Noise and pollution concerns

Exhaust noise enforcement, The Beach Reporter, 8/11/22

I want to express my agreement with Kelly Charles letter in the August 11 edition. Im glad to see that a digital sign has been placed in other intersections as well, and would like to know if citations have been issued. I would like to add to the list the poisoning smog from those noisy vehicles. In these times of viruses, masks, and awareness about climate change and environmental pollution, how is it that we silently accept being poisoned this way by being forced to breathe those toxic gases?

I also want to add to the list the disturbing and polluting gardeners machines, and dogs that bark continuously to their owners total disregard for their neighbors. I live in North Redondo and drive the beach cities area daily due to my job, and so suffer those disturbances on a daily basis. Education, kindness, respect for others and our communities should render these letters unnecessary. However, here we are writing them in despair.

As Kelly said, please help.

Cesar Adatto, Redondo Beach

Re: Plans to replace power site submitted, The Beach Reporter, 8/18/22

It is with alarm I that I read the plans for the AES Power Site. Heres some history. In 2002, against the wishes of the citizens, the Redondo Beach council sold out to developers and approved 3000 low-rise units. The citizens reaction came in the form of collecting over 6,000 signatures in 2-1/2 weeks, to put this to a vote. The council then saw the light and withdrew the approval.

This action is what caused the park people (those wanting the majority of the site to be parkland), to be elected. So much so, that when a very moderate project was placed on the ballot for 600 large homes, a hotel, and some commercial to be built, the plan did not pass. So, for the past 20 years there has been lots of talk but nothing approved for this site.

Now, this insane plan is submitted. It certainly makes the plan that was voted down for 600 large homes and a hotel look great. The plan calls for the huge, view-blocking power plant building to be retained. In addition, 2,300 housing units, a hotel and lots of commercial. Nowhere are heights mentioned other than stating there are view towers. These, of course will come at the expense of the current citizens losing our views due to these high-rise buildings.

Its time to compromise; a compromise that protects residents views, doesnt impact schools or traffic, and is an asset to current residents, not just the developers balance sheet.

Bill Lippert, Redondo Beach

District 4 voters have only one alternative in recall election, The Beach Reporter, 11/18/22

The Cannabis Initiative had been voted by Redondo Beach City Council in February 2022, to be held on the March 7, 2023 local election. Councilmember Zein Obagis recall would have been on the November 8, 2022 General Election at a cost of $36,000. Meanwhile,Councilmember Nils Nehrenheim made a non-agendized motion, violating the Brown Act, to have a special election on October 19, 2022 for the Cannabis Initiative and include Obagis recall. The cost for the city is between $217,000 to $297,000 for a special election, instead of $36,000.

Obagi may have committed an ethics violation by voting for his own special election and the cannabis Initiative. Hed been conflicted in the past, recusing himself regarding cannabis discussions and voting. Why did he want his recall to be separate from Nov. 8?

Obagi has not held District 4 and the city as his primary concern. Obagi votes with Nehrenheim and Loewenstein their all the time, to the detriment of allowing a huge amount of housing required by the state to be put into North Redondo, and spending more than $217,000 on a special election including his recall.

Council candidate Tonya McKenzie will listen, and represent District 4 while working to enhance RB shared community and commerce. She understands residents and their needs. Go to redondobeachfortonya.com to find out more, and why to vote yes for McKenzie as District 4 City Council Member.

Vicky Oetzell, Redondo Beach

Students are walking, skateboarding and bicycling back to school while cars run rampant in the streets. Time for distracted drivers to take some of the Yap out of your Giddy-Yap and pay more attention to the road, especially the unmarked crosswalk: When any pathway, whether street, sidewalk, or dirt trail, intersects a street at something like a right angle, there is a crosswalk; whether it is painted or not.

New York City rules pedestrians are fair game though cars may not accelerate or change lanes to hit them do not apply here. Pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks are legally protected. California Vehicle Code section 21954 codifies such protection. It specifically says that all drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk.

But righteous walkers, beware oblivious drivers and righty-turners. Its no good being dead-right. Survival depends on looking both ways for all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard

Tom Wooge, Redondo Beach

Ive lived in Manhattan Beach for 25 years and have been active in supporting our schools, even after my daughter graduated from Mira Costa in 2008. Im a participant in the MBEF Wine Auction and also help with MBEF information technology needs. Im writing to heartily endorse Amy Howorth for Manhattan Beach City Council.

Our city is facing some dark times ahead: the post-COVID confusion, the fiscal challenges in our schools, inflation and recession challenging our local businesses, culture wars polarizing us; while critical issues of water conservation and development are on our citys docket.

Fortunately, Howorth is running for council. She has the experience and character we need to consider opposing views, compromise, and then reach consensus to cut through inaction.

John Oshiro, Manhattan Beach

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LETTERS to the Editor: Week of August 25 - Daily Breeze

The Spaces App

Queer Spaces Inc (Spaces) is rapidly becoming an exemplar of social innovation and a force for good. As the largest social media platforms continue failing LGBTQ+ users, the emerging titan of tech is making their safety its top priority. Recently featured as Apples App of The Day, the booming start-up was launched in March of 2022 by parent company Hornet Networks. Hornet, the worlds largest queer tech platform with over 35 million diverse users, has been a pivotal player in digital inclusion since 2011. The Spaces app is closely following suit as an extension of the companys passion for cutting-edge technology that enables users to build safer communities centered on shared interests and authentic connections.

A 2021 report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) revealed that 64% of LGBTQ people experience more bullying, harassment, and algorithmic aggression than any other demographic online. That abuse is compounded when racism, sexism, and other biases co-0ccur.

Over the last few years, all of the big social media platforms have become toxic pits of hate, with the bulk of the harassment being directed at LGBTQ+ people of color, Shon Washington tells Forbes. The Tulsa-based Navy veteran and longtime Twitter user currently hosts more than a dozen different communities on the Spaces app. Its nice to see a new platform so far removed from all the doomscrolling and negativity. Ive had nothing but positive interactions with other queer people on Spacessomething I didnt know was even possible anymore.

Shon Washington on Spaces App

In 2021, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) teamed up with Ranking Digital Rights and Goodwin Simon Strategic Research to address the uptick of cyber-based violence head-on. The Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) was developed soon after to help drive transparency and accountability, while providing companies with helpful feedback and tools for making their platforms safer. Not just for the LGBTQ+ community, but for other vulnerable groups as well.

The 2022 edition of the SMSI included a digital scorecard through which platforms were numerically rated on LGBTQ+ safety, privacy, and expression. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube collectively flunked, scoring below 50% out of 100. The latest SMSI also revealed that 84% of LGBTQ+ adults believe platforms arent doing enough to mitigate queerphobic hate. Whats more, 40% of all LGBTQ+ adults and 49% of trans and non-binary users report not feeling safe or welcomed on social media.

The LGBTQ+ community is in desperate need of safe digital spaces. Frankly, the big social platforms Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and the rest have completely abdicated any duty to keep queer people safe from harm, says Christof Wittig, CEO of Queer Spaces, Inc. So we at Spaces are thrilled to provide the queer community with that platform. Were the first app that is truly for all segments of the LGBTQ+ community. Ultimately what were creating is a place where we can feel safe and able to be our entire, most authentic selves. Nothing is more important than that.

The current socio-political climate supports Wittigs sentiments. With over 325 proposed anti-LGBTQ bills in circulation, 130 of them specifically targeting trans people, safe spaces are more crucial now than ever. While members of the LGBTQ+ community typically share a special affinity for one another, their hobbies and lived experiences often vary. Spaces prides itself on connecting users at their point of interest, rather than monolithic notions of what it means to be queer or trans. According to GLAADs 2021 SMSI, 88% of queer and trans people shared a preference for queer-run communities over heteronormative platforms. Each group chat presents a unique opportunity for members to pursue their passions and common interests without the threat of hate or discrimination.

Social media is extremely hostile toward the queer community, especially trans and non-binary people. Big platforms dont particularly care about us and our safety, explains Tori Lima, who hosts spaces for both LGBTQ+ fans of DC Comics and LGBTQ+ hockey fans. According to Lima, being visible on larger platforms tends to be extremely unsafe, and can even lead to doxxing and death threats. The Spaces app is resolving that hostility by creating an environment for queer people to safely discuss our interests. Its amazing being able to talk about queer comic characters without worrying that the wrong person will see your tweet or post and start harassing you.

Tori Lima on Spaces App

From gaymers to running enthusiasts, queer parenting groups, hiking clubs, practitioners of the healing arts, queer Star Wars fandom, you name ittheres a space on the app for everyone. If not, users can easily create one within seconds. The platforms discoverability tool makes it easy to attract members to help each newly established community thrive. Spaces has become a timely solution to the growing demand for platforms that promote organic connections over profit-driven agendas that further marginalize people.

In June of 2022, Spaces (via Hornet) published a first-of-its-kind, ten-point pledge distinguishing itself from other social media platforms. The Safety Pledge encapsulates the companys commitment to keeping LGBTQ+ safety its highest priority.

Here are the 10 points of the Safety Pledge. Read more about each point here.

1. We pledge to create and maintain social media platforms where hate, harassment and other abuses have no home.

2. We pledge to ensure our moderation policies are transparent and free from the anti-LGBTQ bias inherent to so many platforms.

3. We pledge to always combat fraud and other abusive behavior that runs rampant on many platforms.

4. We pledge that our users physical safety will always remain a top priority.

5. We pledge to keep users overall health and well-being an integral part of our legacy.

6. We pledge to always make authenticity a key value of our products, in ways that support the unique needs of our LGBTQ+ community.

7. We pledge to protect our users personal data at all costs, and pledge to ensure all our users have both access to and control over their own data and privacy.

8. We pledge to only rely on technology (including algorithms and AI) that does not exploit or unfairly treat LGBTQ people and other vulnerable communities.

9. We pledge to resist any overly broad or otherwise improper government access to our users and their data.

10. We pledge to renounce income from bad actors and queerphobic entities of all kinds, including corporate and government entities.

The Safety Pledge is gaining rapid popularity among members of the LGBTQ community as it was crafted with input from various organizations, community partners, and thought-leaders across the globe. If Spaces empowering users to exercise full ownership of their groups werent enough, for a limited time they can also own a piece of the company. On August 11th, the platform launched a crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder, raising nearly $714,000 in under 2 weeks. LGBTQ+ people and their allies alike can now invest in the app for as little as $100. Learn more here.

Spaces is available for download in the Apple App Store here. Follow @spacesqueerapp on all platforms.

Read the rest here:
Finally, A Social Media Platform That Cares About LGBTQ Safety: The Spaces App Is Worth Following - Forbes