BILLY BALDWIN: WHY VISIT FLORIDA WHEN YOU COULD JUST TAKE A SAUNA IN HELL

BILLY BALDWIN: WHY VISIT FLORIDA WHEN YOU COULD JUST TAKE A SAUNA IN HELL

Billy Baldwin, the actor and outspoken critic of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has dubbed the Sunshine State the "Bud Light of tourism". And honestly, he's not wrong.

DeSantis' policies on LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and gun control have caused a mass exodus of tourists and conventions from Florida. It's like the state is a party and everyone is leaving early because the host is a buzzkill.

But what does Baldwin mean by "Bud Light of tourism"? Well, it's a reference to the recent backlash against the beer brand after they collaborated with a transgender influencer. Some consumers accused Bud Light of promoting an agenda that goes against their values and beliefs. DeSantis supported the boycott and even said that conservative customers have the power to hold the company accountable. So, in essence, Florida is the Bud Light of tourism because it's a place where conservative values are put above all else, even if it means losing out on billions of dollars in revenue.

And speaking of losing out on revenue, let's talk about DeSantis' feud with Disney. The company owns several theme parks in Florida that generate billions of dollars for the state. But DeSantis doesn't seem to care about that. He proposed a bill that would prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to third grade, and require age-appropriate material in other grades. It was dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill by critics. Disney opposed it and said they would fight to have it rescinded. In response, DeSantis removed Disney's favored status in Florida and created a new board with authority over their operations. It's like he's punishing them for having morals.

But here's the thing: Disney isn't taking this lying down. They've ramped up spending in California, where they're treated with respect and dignity. It's like they're saying "screw you" to DeSantis and his backwards policies.

So what's the message from DeSantis? It seems to be "go to hell or anywhere but Florida". And honestly, we might just take him up on that offer. Who wants to go to a state that values bigotry over basic human rights? Not us.

In conclusion, Billy Baldwin has hit the nail on the head with his assessment of Florida as the "Bud Light of tourism". It's a place where conservative values are put above all else, even if it means losing out on billions of dollars in revenue. But maybe that's okay. Maybe it's time to boycott Florida and show DeSantis that his policies have consequences. After all, who needs Disney World when you can go to Disneyland?

Billy Baldwin Calls Florida the 'Bud Light of Tourism' https://www.newsweek.com/billy-baldwin-florida-bud-light-tourism-ron-desantis-1811987 

Disney ramps up spending in California amid war with Ron DeSantis in Florida https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/11/disney-ron-desantis-florida-california-theme-parks

THE DEFT DIVE

**Billy Baldwin** is an actor who has criticized **Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis** for his policies on LGBTQ+, immigration and gun rights. He claimed that these policies have caused **thousands of tourists and conventions** to flee Florida, and called the state the "**Bud Light of tourism**" ¹.

This is a reference to the **backlash and boycott** that **Bud Light**, a beer brand, faced after collaborating with **Dylan Mulvaney**, a transgender influencer ¹. Some consumers accused Bud Light of promoting an agenda that goes against their values and beliefs. DeSantis supported the boycott and said that conservative customers have the power to hold the company accountable ³.

Another corporation that has been at odds with DeSantis is **Disney**, which owns several theme parks in Florida that generate billions of dollars in revenue for the state. The feud started over a proposed bill by DeSantis that would prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten to third grade, and require age-appropriate material in other grades. This bill was dubbed the "**Don't Say Gay**" bill by critics ². Disney opposed the bill and said it would fight to have it rescinded. DeSantis responded by removing Disney's favored status in Florida, which gave it self-governance over its properties. He also created a new board with authority over Disney's operations ².

These are some of the main points of the conflict between DeSantis and Disney, and how Baldwin's tweet relates to them. I hope this helps you understand the situation better.

Bing, 7/11/2023

(1) Billy Baldwin Calls Florida the 'Bud Light of Tourism' - Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/billy-baldwin-florida-bud-light-tourism-ron-desantis-1811987.

(2) DeSantis comments on controversial Bud Light partnership. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/desantis-comments-on-controversial-bud-light-partnership/.

(3) Disney’s financial fairy tale in Florida is coming to an end thanks to .... https://nypost.com/2023/04/16/disneys-financial-fairy-tale-is-coming-to-an-end-thanks-to-desantis/.

WTF IS THE READ ACT AND WHY MUST CONGRESS REAUTHORIZE IT

 

WTF IS THE READ ACT AND WHY MUST CONGRESS REAUTHORIZE IT

Attention, attention! It's time to dive deep into the world of international education and the READ Act. Don't worry, I promise to make it funny and witty. 

First things first, what is the READ Act? Well, my dear reader, it stands for Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development. Sounds fancy, right? Basically, it's a law that was passed in 2017 to promote education in developing countries. 

Now, you may be thinking, "Why should I care about education in developing countries?" Well, for starters, education is a fundamental right and it's important to ensure that everyone has access to it. Plus, educated individuals are more likely to contribute positively to their communities and economies. 

But let's get back to the READ Act. Congress must reauthorize it because it's essential for promoting education and creating a better world. Without it, we risk leaving millions of children without access to quality education. And that's not funny at all. 

So, what can we do to ensure that Congress reauthorizes the READ Act? Well, we could send them a strongly worded letter. Or we could organize a protest outside of their offices. But let's be real, who has time for that? 

Instead, let's use our wit and humor to persuade them. We could send them a funny video of us attempting to do math without an education. Or we could create a meme of a sad child with the caption "When Congress doesn't reauthorize the READ Act." 

But in all seriousness, international education is crucial for creating a better world. It's up to us to make sure that Congress reauthorizes the READ Act and keeps it a priority. So let's get creative and make our voices heard. 

In conclusion, the READ Act may sound like just another law, but it has the power to change lives and create a brighter future. So let's put on our funny hats and get to work convincing Congress to reauthorize it. Who knows, maybe one day we'll live in a world where education is accessible to all. And that's no joke.

Congress must reauthorize the READ Act and keep international education a priority | The Hill https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/4087349-congress-must-reauthorize-the-read-act-and-keep-international-education-a-priority/ 

THE DEFT DIVE

 What is the READ Act?

There are two different bills with the same name: the **Reading Early and Addressing Dyslexia Act** or the **READ Act** (H.R.2023) and the **Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development Act** or the **READ Act** (S.3257).

The first one is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives on March 18, 2021 by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan [D-PA-6]. It aims to establish an early literacy and dyslexia intervention pilot program to award grants to five state educational agencies to address early reading deficiencies and dyslexia¹.

The second one is a bill introduced in the Senate on March 2, 2022 by Sen. Marco Rubio [R-FL]. It aims to reauthorize and amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to promote quality basic education in developing countries³.

Who are the supporters of the READ Act?

The supporters of the first READ Act (H.R.2023) include its sponsor Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and its cosponsors Rep. Bruce Westerman [R-AR-4], Rep. Julia Brownley [D-CA-26], Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick [R-PA-1], Rep. Larry Bucshon [R-IN-8], Rep. David Trone [D-MD-6], Rep. David McKinley [R-WV-1], Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D-FL-23], and Rep. Rodney Davis [R-IL-13]¹.

The supporters of the second READ Act (S.3257) include its sponsor Sen. Marco Rubio and its cosponsors Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL], Sen. Tina Smith [D-MN], and Rep. Karen Bass [D-CA-37]³.

Bing, 7/11/2023

(1) H.R.2023 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): READ Act. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2023.

(2) Rubio, Durbin, Smith, Bass Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize READ .... https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2022/3/rubio-durbin-smith-bass-introduce-legislation-to-reauthorize-read-act-continue-global-access-to-education.

(3) Text - H.R.2023 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): READ Act. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2023/text.

(4) Colorado READ Act Information for Parents | CDE. https://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy/generalinfo-parents.

CHRISTOPHER RUFO IS THE DEVIL

 

CHRISTOPHER RUFO IS THE DEVIL

State charges New College student with battery for allegedly spitting on trustee Rufo

In a shocking turn of events, Christopher Rufo, the devil incarnate and conservative activist, has found himself in the middle of a spitting scandal. Yes, you read that right - spitting. And not just any spitting, but allegedly being spat on by a New College student who was charged with battery. 

It all started when Rufo was appointed as one of the college's new trustees, tasked with transforming the public liberal arts program. As a vocal critic of diversity policies and critical race theory, Rufo was already a controversial figure on campus. But things took a turn for the worse when he started blowing kisses at students. 

Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of blowing kisses, I picture a sweet old grandma sending love to her grandkids. But when Rufo does it, it's just plain creepy. I mean, this guy looks like he's straight out of a horror movie. And don't even get me started on his politics. 

But back to the spitting incident. According to reports, the New College student allegedly spat on Rufo during a heated exchange. Now, I'm not condoning violence or anything, but you have to admit - it's kind of funny. I mean, who spits on someone in this day and age? It's like we're living in the Wild West or something. 

Of course, Rufo was quick to play the victim card, taking to Twitter to decry the "violent left" and their "intolerance." Because apparently, blowing kisses is totally fine, but spitting is just beyond the pale. Give me a break. 

But let's not forget the real issue here - Christopher Rufo is the devil. Okay, maybe not literally, but he might as well be. This is a guy who actively works to dismantle diversity policies and critical race theory, two things that are crucial in creating a more just and equitable society. And yet, he's been appointed as a trustee to help transform a liberal arts program? It's like putting a fox in charge of the henhouse. 

So what can we do about it? Well, for starters, we can call out Rufo for what he is - a dangerous ideologue who wants to roll back progress and maintain the status quo. We can also continue to push for more diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society, including education. And if all else fails, we can always resort to spitting on him. Just kidding (kind of). 

In all seriousness though, Christopher Rufo is not someone we should be celebrating or giving a platform to. He represents everything that is wrong with our society - intolerance, bigotry, and a refusal to acknowledge systemic inequality. So let's keep fighting against him and others like him, and maybe one day we'll live in a world where blowing kisses is more common than spitting.

New College of Florida student charged after complaint by trustee Rufo https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2023/07/11/new-college-of-florida-student-charged-after-complaint-by-trustee-rufo/70398402007/ 

State charges New College student with battery for allegedly spitting on trustee Rufo https://news.yahoo.com/state-charges-college-student-battery-080316250.html 

THE DEFT DIVE

Christopher Rufo is a conservative activist and journalist who has been leading a campaign against critical race theory (CRT), a school of legal scholarship that examines how racism is embedded in laws and institutions¹. Hillsdale College is a private conservative liberal arts college that the DeSantis administration is referencing as its model for transforming New College of Florida, a public liberal arts college in Sarasota². New College of Florida has been a topic of legislative debate in recent years as school enrollment has fallen into the hundreds and the cost of tuition is higher than Florida’s public higher education institutions³. Ron DeSantis is the Republican governor of Florida who has appointed Rufo and five others to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees in his continuing move to eliminate “political ideology” from public higher education²⁴. The move has sparked controversy and criticism from some faculty, students and alumni of New College, who fear that the new board members will undermine the academic freedom and diversity of the school.

Bing, 7/11/2023

(1) Gov. DeSantis taps Christopher Rufo, 5 others to transform New College .... https://floridapolitics.com/archives/579522-gov-desantis-taps-christopher-rufo-5-others-to-transform-new-college-of-florida-into-classical-college/.

(2) Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Six to the New College of Florida Board .... https://www.flgov.com/2023/01/06/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-six-to-the-new-college-of-florida-board-of-trustees/.

(3) Gov. Ron DeSantis wants conservative overhaul at Sarasota's New College .... https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/06/gov-ron-desantis-wants-conservative-overhaul-at-new-college-of-florida/69784941007/.

(4) New era at New College kicks off with contentious meetings. https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/25/new-college-of-florida-trustee-appointed-by-ron-desantis-reports-death-threat/69838694007/.

Christopher Rufo is a conservative activist and journalist who has been leading a campaign against critical race theory (CRT), a school of legal scholarship that examines how racism is embedded in laws and institutions¹. Rufo has been using his media platform, especially Fox News, to expose and criticize anti-bias trainings and curricula that he claims are based on CRT and are divisive, anti-American and poisonous²⁴. He has also influenced several Republican politicians, including former President Trump and Florida Governor DeSantis, to ban or restrict CRT from federal agencies, schools and workplaces¹³⁵. Rufo's efforts have sparked a lot of controversy and debate over the role of CRT in education, politics and society.

Bing, 7/11/2023

(1) How a Conservative Activist Invented the Conflict Over Critical Race .... https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-inquiry/how-a-conservative-activist-invented-the-conflict-over-critical-race-theory.

(2) The engineered panic over critical race theory, explained - CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/08/politics/critical-race-theory-panic-race-deconstructed-newsletter/index.html.

(3) Chris Rufo exposes Amex's 'anti-racist etiquette' for employees on .... https://www.foxnews.com/media/amex-employees-critical-race-theory-american-express.

(4) Schools for scandal | The Economist. https://www.economist.com/interactive/united-states/2022/07/14/critical-race-theory-is-being-weaponised-whats-the-fuss-about.

(5) Christopher Rufo’s Time Has Come - National Catholic Register. https://www.ncregister.com/blog/christopher-rufo-crt.

Some of the criticisms against Rufo's campaign are:

• - He has **misrepresented** and **oversimplified** CRT as a monolithic ideology that seeks to indoctrinate students and workers with anti-white and anti-American sentiments¹²³.
• - He has **conflated** CRT with other concepts and practices, such as equity, diversity, inclusion, social justice and culturally responsive teaching, and used them as **euphemisms** to attack anything related to race and racism¹³.
• - He has **relied** on **anecdotal** and **selective** evidence, such as leaked documents and recordings from anti-bias trainings and curricula, to **sensationalize** and **demonize** CRT without providing **context** or **analysis**¹².
• - He has **influenced** a **moral panic** and a **backlash** among conservative politicians and media outlets, who have used CRT as a **scapegoat** and a **wedge issue** to mobilize their base and oppose any efforts to address systemic racism²⁴⁵.

Bing, 7/11/2023

(1) How a Conservative Activist Invented the Conflict Over Critical Race .... https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-inquiry/how-a-conservative-activist-invented-the-conflict-over-critical-race-theory.

(2) Christopher Rufo and the Critical Race Theory Moral Panic. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/07/christopher-rufo-and-the-critical-race-theory-moral-panic.html.

(3) Meet Christopher Rufo — leader of the incoherent right-wing attack on .... https://www.salon.com/2021/08/01/meet-christopher-rufo--leader-of-the-incoherent-right-wing-attack-on-critical-race-theory/.

(4) Did critical race theory really swing the Virginia election? - Vox. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2021/11/4/22761168/virginia-governor-glenn-youngkin-critical-race-theory.

(5) Critical Race Theory critic Chris Rufo says 'intellectually bankrupt .... https://www.foxnews.com/media/critical-race-theory-rufo.

Some of the critics of Rufo's campaign are:

• - **Benjamin Wallace-Wells**, a staff writer for The New Yorker, who wrote an in-depth article on how Rufo invented the conflict over CRT and used his media influence and political connections to spread misinformation and fear¹.
• - **Sarah Jones**, a senior writer for New York magazine's Intelligencer, who wrote an analysis on how Rufo manufactured a moral panic over CRT with dodgy reporting and sensationalism².
• - **The Salon staff**, who wrote an editorial on how Rufo is leading an incoherent and dishonest attack on CRT and how his campaign is harming education and democracy³.
• - **Zack Beauchamp**, a senior correspondent for Vox, who wrote a piece on how Rufo and other anti-CRT activists exploited the Virginia governor's race to create a false narrative about CRT and education⁴.

Bing, 7/11/2023

(1) How a Conservative Activist Invented the Conflict Over Critical Race .... https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-inquiry/how-a-conservative-activist-invented-the-conflict-over-critical-race-theory.

(2) The Weaver: Christopher Rufo’s Insidious Campaign Against Critical Race .... https://tripod.domains.trincoll.edu/opinion/the-weaver-christopher-rufos-insidious-campaign-against-critical-race-theory-and-now-lgbtq-people/.

(3) Did critical race theory really swing the Virginia election? - Vox. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2021/11/4/22761168/virginia-governor-glenn-youngkin-critical-race-theory.

(4) Critical Race Theory critic Chris Rufo says 'intellectually bankrupt .... https://www.foxnews.com/media/critical-race-theory-rufo.

Some of the supporters of Rufo's campaign are:

• - **Tucker Carlson**, a Fox News host, who gave Rufo a platform to spread his anti-CRT message and who frequently invited him to his show to discuss CRT-related issues¹².
• - **Donald Trump**, the former President of the United States, who issued an executive order to ban CRT from federal agencies and contractors after watching Rufo on Fox News¹².
• - **The Heritage Foundation**, a conservative think tank, who promoted Rufo's initiative and assigned several of its fellows to work with him on the anti-CRT campaign³⁴.
• - **Glenn Youngkin**, the Republican governor-elect of Virginia, who made CRT a central issue in his campaign and who vowed to ban it from schools and workplaces².

Bing, 7/11/2023

(1) How a Conservative Activist Invented the Conflict Over Critical Race .... https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-inquiry/how-a-conservative-activist-invented-the-conflict-over-critical-race-theory.

(2) Activist Christopher Rufo fuels GOP’s critical race theory fight - The .... https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/06/19/critical-race-theory-rufo-republicans/.

(3) The Weaver: Christopher Rufo’s Insidious Campaign Against Critical Race .... https://tripod.domains.trincoll.edu/opinion/the-weaver-christopher-rufos-insidious-campaign-against-critical-race-theory-and-now-lgbtq-people/.

(4) Meet Christopher Rufo — leader of the incoherent right-wing attack on .... https://www.salon.com/2021/08/01/meet-christopher-rufo--leader-of-the-incoherent-right-wing-attack-on-critical-race-theory/.