Banning books may be next locally
Stefanik votes against measure to protect citizens from domestic terrorists
The Front Page
Morning Update
Friday, May 20, 2022
By Ken Tingley
You may be familiar with some of the news stories about the “take back our schools” movement. But you may not have been aware of how prevalent it had become in the Capital District.
The Lake George School District had a full slate of three school board candidates who were running on a platform opposed to a policy of diversity, equity and inclusion within the school district.
Let me repeat: They were opposed.
You have to wonder if they are against the Fourth of July.
And tearing down the Statue of Liberty.
Linda Clark and Lisa Doster led the Lake George ticket and according to The Post-Star they criticized the diversity and inclusion policy as a Trojan horse for critical race theory. Doster and Clark were fifth and sixth in the voting where the top three vote-getters were elected. Still, 306 people voted for Doster and 279 for Clark. That’s a long way from being elected, but that there are that many like-minded people should be a concern.
Times Union reporter Kathleen Moore reported Thursday there were 35 school boards candidates opposing the diversity and inclusion policy in Tuesday’s election, but only six came away winners. Some were opposed to pandemic protocols and others opposed sex and gender education in schools.
One of them was Vivian Parsons of Schenectady who said she is open to book banning.
Let me repeat that. She was open to banning books.
Another school board winner was Robert McCoy in Stillwater. He told Moore he didn’t think Stillwater students would benefit from the diversity program, then admitted he had “a lot of homework” to do to learn about the program.
Duanesburg was the only district where diversity and inclusion opponents came away winners. But Superintendent James Niedermeier told Moore their election won’t change how the district is run.
“The school district has not been, nor will it ever be, opposed to diversity, equity and inclusion,” Niedermeier said.
It is hard to believe that a school superintendent has to even say that out loud.
Some voters told Moore on Election Day they supported the anti-diversity candidates because they felt that white children were being pushed aside. Remember, this is from voters in the Capital District. Some may be your neighbors.
It appears that national politics, perhaps the Fox News propaganda influence is beginning to seep into the values of local residents.
That should be a concern for all of us.
Stefanik vote
Rep. Elise Stefanik had a chance to address the recent shooting in Buffalo with more than hopes and prayers on Wednesday.
The House of Representatives passed the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act that would allow the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the FBI to set up offices specifically focused on domestic terrorism.
Considering that FBI Director Christopher Wray had warned Congress earlier this year that domestic terrorism is the biggest current terrorism threat facing the country, this seemed like prudent legislation that everyone would support.
The offices would track and analyze domestic terrorist actively with the goal of better preparing the federal government to identify risks and take preventative actions. The legislation even had three Republican co-sponsors.
But 203 Republicans - including Rep. Stefanik - voted against the legislation.
Republican members of Congress argued that the bill would allow the Justice Department to target parents who criticize their school boards as domestic terrorists.
You can’t make this stuff up.
Congressional maps
While Democrats were lamenting New York’s Congressional districts made by an independent expert, they have only themselves to blame.
Democrats stacked the maps to their vantage to such a degree that they were thrown out by the court. That was the right decision. It’s too bad all states aren’t better at enforcing the fairness of the redistricting. The new maps are much more equitable.
Tweets of the Day
I'll admit I'm a huge fan of history, especially that involving the Greatest Generation. They won the war, came home and built America and lead to the great expansion of the middle class. My generation was the beneficiary of the sacrifices, determination and grit of the GG. When I see acceptance of white nationalism, anti-semitism, gun violence and divisive, hateful rhetoric being spewed by politicians and certain media on a daily basis it is frightening. I fear that my grandchildren will find a much different America than the one I grew up in.
So scary!