Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Another ‘Atta-boy’ for DeSantis
Florida’s governor is at it again, and in a good way. The link is to an article at NRO by Stanley Kurtz who follows and battles against “wokeness” efforts in schools. In the article, he details Gov. DeSantis’s rather gutsy move to oppose a pilot advanced placement course in “African-American Studies”. It’s a rather long piece, but well worth reading the entire thing. Here’s an excerpt to get the flavor of what’s going on:
On January 12, however, the administration of Florida governor Ron DeSantis wrote a letter to the College Board informing it that Florida was rejecting its request for state approval of APAAS. The letter, from the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Articulation, goes on to state that, “as presented, the content of this course is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value.” At the same time, the letter notes that “in the future, should College Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content, FDOE will always be willing to reopen the discussion.” In short, DeSantis has decided that APAAS does in fact violate Florida’s Stop WOKE Act by attempting to persuade students of at least some tenets of CRT.
Kudos to the governor!
Published in Education
It’s about time some of our politicians learned to just say no. May others be encouraged.
Let’s hope other governors are taking notes about our great governor!
One of the best arguments for DeSantis – or Abbott, or a few others – to not run for President.
I know. I just want him to stay in Florida because my daughter and son in law are there with 3 of my grandchildren. Nobody who replaces him, if he becomes the President, will have the back bone to do what he does.
So when does the Bulwark and Dispatch have their DeSantis is worse than Trump issue?
To quote DJT, “haters gotta hate.” My flip answer would be well, why don’t you go there and find out. But since I don’t think that you will, I will do a quick summary.
The Bulwark: Trump is a unique evil. They are not pleased that DeSantis has not denouced Trump. They prefer other Republicans to DeSantis, but if the choice is Trump or DeSantis, they would always chose DeSantis.
The Dispatch: Jonah Goldberg has says that DeSantis is not his first choice, but if the choice is between Trump and DeSantis, then he would be 100% for DeSantis.
Me: If I had it all my way, I would be 6 foot 4 inches tall, weigh 195 pounds, and have a head full of hair. I am 5 foot 10 1/2 inches, weigh 225 pounds and have male pattern baldness. If I had it all my way, our nominee would be Liz Cheney, followed by Mitch Daniels, Larry Hogan, Glenn Youngkin, and Doug Ducey in that order. Cheney and Hogan aren’t going to happen. Maybe Youngkin, but probably not. Daniels and Ducey would make a great Vice Presidents, or cabinet officers. Since I don’t live in Iowa or New Hampshire, I will vote for the strongest Republican against Trump. I will never vote for Trump in the Primary or General Election. Ever.
Please note that the Club for Growth released polls showing Trump losing to Biden by 7 points, and DeSantis beating Biden by 4 points.
Since you cannot or will not distinguish between The Bulwark and The Dispatch, here is a quick summary of the differences between National Review, The Dispatch, The Bulwark and The Lincoln Project who are as different from each other as “Reform Jews,” “Conservative Jews,” “Orthodox Jews,” and “Ultra Orthodox Jews.” https://ricochet.com/1314872/national-review-vs-the-dispatch-vs-the-bulwark-vs-the-lincoln-project/.
So it is the proper role of state government to impose woke (or anti-woke) standards on the education system? If Governor xxxxx were to impose woke standards it would be an acceptable use of his power. What’s the principle here?
“Elections Have Consequences?”
Who do they want? And do you detect some nose-holding about DeSantis, because he’s too . . . extra, as the kids say? The rhetoric is 107% of what they’d like?
I think that The Bulwark wants Liz Cheney but would settle for Larry Hogan, and The Dispatch wants a Republican Governor or former Governor, such as Mitch Daniels, Glenn Youngkin or Doug Ducey.
Both abhor Trump, and would quickly choose Ron DeSantis if the choice was between him and Trump.
We have to separate the wisdom of any given law from its constitutionality. If Gov. X implements “woke” standards, then it’s quite possible that it’s based on a law that passes constitutional muster, but that is still worthy of strong opposition. State governors are granted significant power and oversight of the public school systems within their states, so any given governor’s initiative will likely go into effect. In fact, milder versions of “wokeness” helped persuade my wife and me to continue homeschooling throughout our children’s high school years.
The principle, it seems to me, is colorblindness. Florida has enacted a statute that (if I understand correctly) codifies colorblindness in state matters, including curriculum. Colorblindness seems consistent with the US Constitution and also seems a wise and just way to run a state (including teaching children). The new AP course taught racialism and other CRT-related doctrines. Good for Florida and DeSantis to resist.