Most mornings, I start out online over breakfast and this website I ran across on Ten Bear’s place a while back. I enjoy looking at the photos-most are spectacularly beautiful, and I admire how we’ve generated the ability to capture and publish these. Maybe you’ll like it, too. They put up a daily photo, or short video, and sometimes a topical educational graphic, too. Anyway, behold and breathe.
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2024 July 14 Meteor Misses Galaxy Credit & Copyright: Aman Chokshi
My ophthalmologist told me about these short & sweet, funny videos of King Clarence, a black labrador. The first one I watched, I thought, well then. But I watched some more, and now it’s like a soap of shorts, for me. Clarence does get some great facial expressions. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I enjoy his videos. But he may not be everyone’s cup of tea. My cup of tea is due for a refill, so here’s the video.
OK, so. There was a shooting yesterday. Probably more than one. Anyway, public shootings have always just sucked the spirit and energy out of me. I hope I’m not being selfish by posting only bright things today, little to nothing about serious current events, only stuff to increase light. Comments may be as they will, of course; all are welcome to speak freely. Here at the Redford manse, Cardea Brown is cooking on tv, and I’m reading comics and soap opera spoilers. I’ve also hidden treats around the house for Corky, so she can do nosework after it gets too hot for her senior heart to be outside. πππ¦
Breaking Cat News by Georgia Dunn for July 14, 2024
In the interest of fairness, since I posted one about this the other day, here is a piece that I ran across yesterday and didn’t get posted here. Just informational, I think.
We fact-checked what Oklahoma law says about teaching the Bible inΒ schools
July 11, 2024
Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters says schools must now use the Bible in the classroom. But state law gives school districts the exclusive power to choose curriculum.
ome raised questions about what power Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has to mandate specific curriculum after he issued a directive requiring schools to incorporate the Bible into classroom lessons.
βββImmediate and strict compliance is expected,βWalters said in a memo sent to school superintendents across the state on June 27.
Walters also announced this week he plans an overhaul of state academic standards for social studies and named a slate of advisors that included the leaders of conservative think tanks and media personalities.
βThe revised standards will incorporate the introduction of the Bible as an instructional resource that Superintendent Walters announced last week as well as ensuring that social studies reflect accuracy and not political slanted viewpoints,β the announcement said.
We researched state and federal laws and court rulings to fact-check claims Walters has made about what state law allows him to do and who has the legal authority to make decisions on classroom curriculum.
Claim: The Oklahoma state superintendent has the authority to require specific content be taught in public schools. Source: Walters told NBC News he has the legal authority to require the Bible in classroom instruction and that teachers who donβt comply could lose their teaching licenses. Fact check: Mostly false
The Oklahoma Attorney Generalβs office has said that Walters has no legal authority to require certain content be taught by sending a memo to school districts.
The Oklahoma Board of Education, which Walters chairs, is responsible for adopting academic standards. The standards set a basic framework for what students should know by the end of each school year, according to state law. The Board of Education also has the power to revoke teaching certifications for willful violations of state or federal rules.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education did not respond to The Frontierβs questions about the legal grounds for Waltersβ authority to require schools to include the Bible in classroom lessons. -Brianna Bailey
Claim: Oklahoma law already allows the Bible to be taught in public schools. Source: βOklahoma law already explicitly allows Bibles in the classroom and enables teachers to use them in instruction,β Phil Bacharach, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Attorney Generalβs office said in statements to several media outlets. Fact check: Mostly true
In 2010, the Oklahoma Legislature passed and then-Gov. Brad Henry signed a bill allowing public high schools to offer students elective courses on the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible, to teach βstudents knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy.β The law also requires that the class maintain religious neutrality, accommodate other religious perspectives of students and not promote or disfavor a particular religion or lack of religious belief or run afoul of state and federal constitutions. That last part is a requirement for the law to be valid, as Oklahomaβs constitution explicitly prohibits taxpayer money and resources from being spent for religious purposes or instruction. When the Legislature tried to remove that state constitutional prohibition via a ballot measure in 2016, Oklahoma voters solidly rejected the attempt. -Clifton Adcock
Claim: Oklahoma academic standards require the Bible to be taught in the context of historical documents. Source: βWe have academic standards that tell our teachers that you are to talk about the Bible in reference to the Mayflower Compact, letters from a Birmingham Jail, the Declaration of Independence,β Walters said in an interview on Fox News Fact check: False
The Oklahoma State Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment. -Maddy Keyes
Claim: The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution do not mention separation of church and state. Source: βThe separation of church and state appears nowhere in the Declaration of Independence or Constitution,β Walters said in an interview with PBS News. Fact check: True but misleading
Itβs true that the phrase βseparation of church and stateβ does not appear in the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution, but the First Amendmentβs establishment clause states that βCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.β
The concept of βseparation of church and stateβ has been in use throughout American history, according to historical records. Thomas Jefferson said in an 1801 letter that the establishment clause was intended to create βa wall of separation between Church and State.β
The Frontier reached out to Walters and a spokesman for the superintendent maintained that his statement was true. -Jazz Wolfe
Rating system: True: A claim that is backed up by factual evidence Mostly true: A claim that is mostly true but also contains some inaccurate details Mixed: A claim that contains a combination of accurate and inaccurate or unproven information True but misleading: A claim that is factually true but omits critical details or context Mostly false: A claim that is mostly false but also contains some accurate details False: A claim that has no basis in fact
Happy Saturday all. Got a few things for you today:
Toplines:
Why I Am Optimistic We Can WinΒ – Watch my new video presentation on the 2024 election. Bottom line – voters in the West just keep voting against the far-right and the fascists and will again this November. And while we may all not agree on the path forward right now I am asking the Hopium community to lead the effort to keep our family together and stay focused on the big job ahead of us – beating Trump and throwing him and MAGA into the dustbin of history.
Polling Got Much Better For Us This WeekΒ – We just had an encouraging week of polling with Biden ahead or tied in many new polls. Biden is at 270 Electoral College votes this morningΒ in the 538 forecast. VP Harris keeps polling at an impressive level, and is clearly bringing much to the ticket. The election is close and competitive today – no red waving 2024 please.
Inflation FELL in June, the economy is humming, Joe Biden is a very good President and America is far better off today.
The Democratic Partyβs Superpower – I got this wonderful note from Hopium community member Linda Z this week, βChecking In From Californiaβ –
Greetings Simon,
From someone who hasn’t written a postcard since childhood and only recently discovered what an amazing candidate Rudy Salas is through Hopium, I am deeply appreciative of your efforts to guide the ship during these stormy times. Iβve now written hundreds of postcards to Democrats from California to Ohio and am grateful to have a positive, creative outlet to channel my energy.
I know there are many, many fellow foot soldiers like me across the country; thank you for bringing us all together and giving us the nudge to turn fear and anxiety into actionable results.
I share your belief that we will prevail, although the shape of that success is yet to be determined.
Cheers,
Linda Z
A huge, big thank you to Linda Z and everyone who is working so hard right now for our democracy, for our freedoms, and for our future. All of you are the Democratic Partyβs superpower, and if we keep working hard we can win this thing this November! (snip-more)
(Some good news from Free The Ocean! Plus, the header of their page is very cooling to look at, if you’re in a hot place. I don’t know where is not a hot place right now.)
Welcome to the underwater wonders of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), where conservation meets celebration. These designated ocean sanctuaries play a crucial role in safeguarding marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable ocean management.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia
Aerial of Great Barrier Reef at Whitsunday Island
Imagine diving into the vibrant world of the Great Barrier Reef, the worldβs largest coral reef system. This iconic MPA spans over 344,400 square kilometers and is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, including colorful corals, sea turtles, and countless fish species. Its protection is vital for preserving this natural wonder and its ecological balance.
PapahΔnaumokuΔkea Marine National Monument, USA
Located in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, PapahΔnaumokuΔkea is one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world. Encompassing over 1.5 million square kilometers, this UNESCO World Heritage site protects unique coral reefs, endangered species like Hawaiian monk seals, and seabird nesting colonies.
GalΓ‘pagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador
The GalΓ‘pagos Islands, famous for inspiring Charles Darwinβs theory of evolution, are also home to a remarkable marine reserve. This MPA covers around 138,000 square kilometers and protects diverse marine habitats, from mangroves to deep-sea ecosystems. It supports iconic species such as marine iguanas, GalΓ‘pagos penguins, and hammerhead sharks, while promoting sustainable fishing practices and tourism.
Chagos Marine Protected Area, UK
In the heart of the Indian Ocean lies the Chagos Archipelago, surrounded by the Chagos Marine Protected Area. Covering approximately 640,000 square kilometers, this MPA safeguards some of the healthiest coral reefs on the planet and serves as a crucial habitat for endangered species like the hawksbill turtle. Its protection is vital for maintaining oceanic connectivity and resilience to climate change impacts.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its terrestrial dragons and equally mesmerizing underwater landscapes. This MPA protects over 1,700 square kilometers of marine habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. It also supports a rich diversity of marine life, from manta rays to pygmy seahorses
Celebrating Conservation Success
Each of these Marine Protected Areas represents a beacon of hope for ocean conservation. Through collaborative efforts involving governments, scientists, local communities, and conservation organizations, these MPAs demonstrate the importance of proactive marine management and sustainable practices.
Marine Protected Areas are not just boundaries on a mapβthey are commitments to conservation, sustainability, and the future of our oceans. By celebrating and supporting MPAs around the world, we ensure that these vital marine sanctuaries continue to thrive for generations to come. (end)
I just read Scotties post about Pauly. I sat and imagined a world where this poor child was murdered, where horrible indignities were committed. You know the worst thing? In my mind ran this thought that certain conservatives would throw her trans status as somehow indicative of deserving this treatment. What a cynical and dismissive thought for me to have, and why have I lost my ability to be shocked and saddened for this lost soul and her family? Now how does that apply to the pic above? I celebrate each and every person who finds the courage to be themselves in this scary world. It is safer to live in obscurity, to blend in to the crowd. As an adult, it is truly easier – I remember, regret and resent the time of my own adolescence, and I tremble at what kids go through now with social media and far right fanatics. And let me be clear: I don’t care if someone is gay, trans, straight, a jock, a nerd, a boy scout or a rebel, I just celebrate each and every opportunity for all of us, especially kids, to be genuine, free and loving to self and others. Hugs. -randy
After their children survived a school shooting, these βlifelong Republicansβ entered the gun conversation
Moms from Nashville’s Covenant School are leaning into their identities as conservative women and gun owners to bring others to consider policy over party.
Mary Joyce said that when the Tennessee legislature held a special session following the March 2023 mass shooting at her daughterβs school, she had blind faith that her lawmakers would take action. She assumed many legislators would know some of the families whose children attended the private Christian school, The Covenant School in Nashville, or at least feel some kind of connection to them. If nothing else, the sheer tragedy would mean tangible change.
She doesnβt feel that way today.
Joyce and her fellow Covenant mom Melissa Alexander went to the statehouse five months later to advocate for gun safety measures as part of two new groups they co-founded, Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrow, and a corresponding action fund to go along with it. They are lifelong Republicans β Alexander is also a gun owner herself β who could speak firsthand to the trauma inflicted by a mass shooting that killed three 9-year-old children and three adults. Though their children survived, they were traumatized in ways that continued to affect their daily lives; Joyceβs daughter also lost some of her hearing.
But the politicians they encountered in the deeply red Tennessee statehouse had other things to say.
While at the statehouse one day, Joyce recalls members of the Republican-majority legislature asking about the droves of protesters who had suddenly shown up to oppose a proposed law allowing school employees to carry guns on campus β and hearing a conservative lawmaker making comments about βall the hot moms of Nashville here in our legislature.β
(The legislature ultimately passed that bill, making Tennessee the ninth state to legalize arming school employees.)
Comments about their gender didnβt end there. Joyce recalled hearing legislators say to some of the other moms she was at the statehouse with, βWow, youβre really well-spoken for a female.βΒ (snip)
Scottie's Playtime 
