Out of thousands of pages of responses by people it enlisted to review the texts, only one reviewer found that critical race theory constituted a large component of any of the books and only a handful found evidence that some “might” contain critical race theory, just as most reviewers found no social emotional learning.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
18th Orbital Launch of the Year from Cape Canaveral, with 40 More Slated for This Year
Space Coast residents had a chance to wake up Thursday to the 18th orbital launch of the year from Cape Canaveral, as a SpaceX Falcon 9 topped with 53 Starlink internet satellites lifted off just before sunrise. Launch facilities might handle more than 40 additional launches before the end of 2022 from private companies, NASA and U.S. Space Force.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, May 7, 2022
Drag Bingo with Gabbi Haze: It’s LGBTQ Night at Moonrise Brewery, City Repertory Theatre stages “Waiting for Godot,” Sunshine & Sandals Social, Rise Above the Violence’s Mindfulness Event at Washington Oaks Garden State Park, Garden of Faith Village’s community food pantry.
Where the Notion of a Wrathful God and Eternal Damnation Appeals to Millions
The Ark Encounter, an evangelical theme park located near Williamstown, Kentucky, has welcomed between 4 million and 5 million visitors since its opening in July 2016. Ark Encounter is a tourist site devoted to emphasizing the wrathful nature of God and the eternal damnation that awaits unrepentant sinners.
3 Trump-Appointed Judges Reverse Obama-Appointee’s Ruling Against Florida’s Restrictive Voting Law
Calling it flawed, a three-judge appellate panel made up entirely of Trump appointees on Friday put a hold on an Obama-appointed federal judge’s ruling that said a 2021 Florida elections law was unconstitutionally intended to discriminate against Black voters.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, May 6, 2022
Philip Martin is sentenced, the Sheriff and Crime Stoppers announce a large reward in the Noah Smith murder investigation, “Waiting for Godot” and “Proof” are on local stages, First Friday in Flagler Beach.
A White Woman Wrote an Opera About Emmett Till. Now Some Critics Want It Cancelled.
A white woman named Clare Coss wrote the libretto, or text, for the opera, which she based on an award-winning play she had written called “Emmett, Down in My Heart” in 2015. Critics claim the opera elevates the guilt of white audiences while capitalizing on Black trauma.
In a Post-Roe America, Expect More Births in a Country Where Maternal Mortality Continues to Rise
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy countries. And it may get worse as abortions become more difficult to obtain, say public health experts.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, May 5, 2022
Flagler Beach Detective Rosanna Vinci is the guest speaker at the Palm Coast Democratic Club, “Proof,” the David Auburn play, is staged at the Flagler Playhouse, Nelly Bly, Daniel Bell on the end of American Exceptionalism.
All Those Fitness Trackers Have Reduced Mobility, Not Improved It
The manufacturers of these devices certainly want consumers to believe that tracking fitness or health-related behaviors will spur them on to increase their activity levels and make them healthier. Analysis of research published over the past 25 years suggests otherwise.
Florida’s New Abortion Law May Require ‘Extreme Measures’ to Ensure Women Can Legally Abort
A 15-week abortion ban in Florida takes effect July 1 and the highest court in the nation has signaled its support for overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade case. Florida’s abortion clinics and independent providers are already preparing for the 15-week ban, including out-of-state help from a network of clinics in abortion-friendly states.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, May 4, 2022
The Palm Coast Code Enforcement Board meets, it’s an all-civil docket for Flagler’s felony judge, remembering the Haymarket Square “massacre,” and a few words about the less attractive side of Socrates.
How Roe v. Wade Changed the Lives of American Women
With the availability of a greater range of contraception and abortion drugs other than medical procedures available today, along with a strong demand for women’s labor in the U.S. economy, it seems unlikely that women’s status will ever go back to where it was before 1973. But Americans shouldn’t forget the role that Roe v. Wade played in advancing the lives of women.
Supreme Court Draft Repealing Roe v. Wade Intensifies Debate Among Florida Legislators
A leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision ignited a sense of urgency Tuesday among Florida Democrats while drawing praise from Republicans.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, May 3, 2022
The Palm Coast City Council considers a new lease with the Green Lion Cafe, the school board considers a different student-protest policy, two progressives speak about what Democrats get wrong about rural America.
A Recession Ahead Is Likelier Than a Soft Landing
By raising interest rates, the Fed is hoping to achieve a “soft landing” for the U.S. economy, taming inflation without causing unemployment to rise or triggering a recession. Research suggests that engineering a soft landing is highly improbable and that there is a significant likelihood of a recession in the not too distant future.
Policy Changes On Opioid Overdoses and Seizures Coming to Florida Schools
The new law exempts school district employees from civil liability if they administer an opioid antagonist to a student under Florida’s Good Samaritan Act. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2022.
Local Attorney Delgado Accepts Sanction for ‘Inappropriate’ Call with Client
Delgado admitted the communications “had the appearance of impropriety and not becoming of a lawyer,” according to a consent judgment he reached with the Florida Bar. He entered a conditional guilty plea for consent judgment, was reprimanded by publication and placed on probation for two years.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, May 2, 2022
The Flagler county Commission will consider Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart’s proposal to reduce seven precincts down to three, the Beverly Beach town commission meets, Bill McKibben on nature shows.
Is Blasting Out Earth’s Location to the Cosmos A Good Idea?
Before he died, iconic physicist Stephen Hawking was outspoken about the danger of contacting aliens with superior technology. He argued that they could be malign and if given Earth’s location, might destroy humanity. Others see no extra risk.
College Students and Staff: Ignore the Voluntary but Autocratic ‘Viewpoint Discrimination’ Survey
Calling it the latest example of creeping authoritarianism, the president of the University of Florida’s faculty union urged students and employees to ignore the so-called “viewpoint discrimination” survey now required on Florida’s college and university campuses, in compliance with a law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, May 1, 2022
City Repertory Theatre stages “Waiting for Godot” in a 3 p.m. matinee, “Proof,” the David Auburn play, is staged at the Flagler Playhouse, it’s Labor Day in 140 countries, Tucker Carlson’s stoking of white fear and racism.
Students Lead More Public Schools to Close for Islamic Holidays
Some public school districts across the nation will be closed on Monday or Tuesday in observance of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr, a festive celebration marking the end of the month of Ramadan, a month of fasting observed by Muslims worldwide.
Revamped Lawsuit Targets DeSantis’s ‘Intentionally Racially Discriminatory’ Redistricting Plan
In documents filed in federal court in Tallahassee, voting-rights groups and five individual plaintiffs alleged that the plan Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature should be blocked because it will reduce — or eliminate — the chances of Black candidates being elected in North Florida and the Orlando area.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Florida Master Gardener Plant Clinic at the public library, “Proof,” the David Auburn play, is staged at the Flagler Playhouse, Nixon and Kissinger’s invasion of Cambodia, Walter Lippmann on good will.
It’s Not Just Florida: Here’s How Brits’ Right to Protest Has Been Restricted
Britain’s police, crime, sentencing and courts bill has become law after an extended period of back and forth between the House of Commons and House of Lords. From its conception, the bill has been extremely controversial, particularly because of the increased powers it hands to police to stop protests.
Gov. DeSantis Vows to Sign Law Allowing Open, Permitless Gun Carrying Before He Leaves Office
Citing some 25 states that have already done it, Gov. Ron DeSantis gave “constitutional carry” — allowing people to carry guns without concealed weapons permits — his full endorsement during a news conference on Friday.
State School Board Appoints Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. as Florida’s Education Commissioner, Replacing Corcoran
Diaz will assume the role June 1 and become the state’s first Hispanic education commissioner. In the meantime, Department of Education Senior Chancellor Jacob Oliva–a former Flagler school superintendent–will serve as interim leader of the agency.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, April 29, 2022
“Proof,” the David Auburn play, is staged at the Flagler Playhouse, the Flagler County Public Library hosts its latest free history presentations by Zach Zacharias, Luka Tristam performs Vittorio Monti’s “Czardas,” Tom Wicker on reporters.
Why Do Teens Engage in Self-Harm?
By all accounts, young people are experiencing a seemingly unprecedented level of emotional distress. Humans tend to behave in a way to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Why then would some intentionally hurt themselves?
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, April 27, 2022
The Flagler Beach City Commission meets and will discuss the year’s July 4 fireworks, mortgages and the basics of preparing them at Cornerstone, Community Night at the Flagler Playhouse with “Proof.”
DeSantis Vetoes Controversial Rooftop Solar Bill, Handing Victory to Environmental Groups
The bill (HB 741) dealt with a somewhat-wonky issue known as “net metering.” But it drew a fierce debate during this year’s legislative session, as supporters said the state needed to end subsidies for people with rooftop-solar systems and opponents contended the measure would cripple the rooftop-solar industry.
Reptiles: Why One in Five Species Face Extinction
A first-of-its-kind global assessment of more than 10,000 species of reptiles (around 90% of the known total) has revealed that 21% need urgent support to prevent them going extinct. But since reptiles are so diverse, ranging from lizards and snakes to turtles and crocodiles, the threats to the survival of each species are likely to be equally varied.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Circuit Judge Terence Perkins hears several pleas in minor cases, we feature the first of three soloists at the FYO’s final concert, plus Ulysses Grant, Edward Gibbon and Walter Lippmann.
It’s Not Enough to Protect Parks and Preserves in Isolation
As human development spreads ever farther around the world, very few large ecosystems remain relatively intact and uninterrupted by highways, cities or other human-constructed obstacles. Linking protected areas from Yellowstone to the Yukon shows the value of conserving large landscapes, not just isolated parks and preserves.
DeSantis Signs Voting Restrictions Into Law, But State Suspends Enforcement, Complying with Court Order
In a notice to Chief Judge Mark Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Secretary of State Laurel Lee said officials also would place a hold on provisions restricting use of ballot drop boxes to county election supervisors’ main or permanent branch offices used for early voting.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, April 26, 2022
“Screenagers,” a free documentary screening at the Flagler Auditorium, The Palm Coast City Council talks parks and future goals, Bertrand Russell between prudence and passion, Frederick Law Olsmtead’s bi-centennial.
Weaponizing Children in Domestic Conflicts
There are approximately 5.7 million cases of domestic abuse in the U.S. each year, and in some of those, mothers and fathers use children to manipulate and harm the other parent. This behavior can include directly pressuring the child to spy on the abused parent or threatening the abused parent that they will never see the child again if they leave the relationship.
DeSantis Signs Disney-Punishing Bill, Would Shift Nearly $1 Billion in Debt to Taxpayers
If the special taxing district is dissolved, Disney’s nearly $1 billion debt obligations, revenues and responsibilities would be transferred to Osceola and Orange counties’ taxpayers and those of the small cities of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, April 25, 2022
The Flagler Youth Orchestra is in performance for its season-ending concert tonight, the Bunnell State of the City address by the mayor, a potential animal cruelty trial on circuit court’s docket, Kafka’s Great Wall of China.
If Elon Musk Takes Twitter, Free Speech Would Lose
While making Twitter free for all “within the bounds of the law” seems like a way to ensure free speech in theory, in practice, this action would actually serve to suppress the speech of Twitter’s most vulnerable users.
What Are Book Bans Really About? Fear.
While those behind these campaigns hide themselves behind the mask of “parental control,” they’re really concealing fear: Fear of a country and world that’s changing around them; fear of voices that were kept silent too long who are now speaking up and demanding their seat at the table of power, and, mostly, fear of the erosion of their own privilege.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, April 24, 2022
Splish Splash: A Bobby Darrin Tribute, at te Flagler Auditorium, two well-known guest preachers at First Church of Palm Coast, including Rev. Dr. Clifton Davis, who played Rueben Gregory on the popular NBC TV series, “Amen,” and a few words about Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach.
French Voters’ Blank-Vote Rejection of Macron and Le Pen
France elects its next president on Sunday. The election as a whole has failed to spark widespread enthusiasm among many disappointed and often apathetic voters, despite the starkly different visions for France displayed by the candidates.
DeSantis Signs Bill Restricting Discussions of Race and Gender in Workplace as Critics Call It Unconstitutional
The culture-war bill HB 7, described as “Individual Freedom,” restricts conversations about race and gender in schools and workplaces. State Sen. Manny Diaz Jr. was a Senate co-sponsor of the bill and voted for it. (He’s now up for the Florida Education Commissioner job.)
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, April 23, 2022
The Hispanic American Club of Palm Coast Hosts its 35th Anniversary Dance, Victoria Machado at the Palm Coast Historical Society, a Dave Bowers Photography Exhibit, Federico Pulina’s Chopin etudes, Orwell deals with the police rounding up his books.
Clarence Thomas and the Supreme Court’s Missing Ethics Rules
In the past, the Supreme Court of the United States has cast aside pleas to adopt an ethics code for the justices. The actions of Justice Clarence Thomas’ wife, Virginia – who pushed the White House to overturn the 2020 presidential election – have once again thrown light onto this long-standing conflict: How accountable should the justices be?
Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down UCF’s ‘Discriminatory Harassment’ Policy as Chilling Free Speech
The 38-page opinion by a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals backed arguments by the group Speech First, which has represented students at universities in various parts of the country. Judge Kevin Newsom wrote that the UCF policy “objectively chills speech because its operation would cause a reasonable student to fear expressing potentially unpopular beliefs.”
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, April 22, 2022
Violectric: Classical Musicians Who Rock, at Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s Big Tent tonight, Community Cats of Palm Coast’s Meowy Hour BBQ, reopening “Fawlty Towers,” the arrogance of adults.
How Russia Does ‘Patriotic Education’
The Russian government has launched a series of patriotic education campaigns aimed at Russia’s youth to encourage them to regard the war in Ukraine as a continuation of the second world war and to feel a personal connection to the Russian soldiers fighting there.