Dear friends,
How fitting that on Groundhog Day, we should once again be exhorted to
We are trapped again in a cycle of moral panic and the attendant logical fallacy.
The GOP have reverted to their strategy of inciting hysteria about the indoctrination of children.
Former President Trump is now leaning hard into this strategy, unveiling sweeping proposals in the past week to ban gender-affirming care for minors nationwide and cut off federal funding for schools that teach "critical race theory" and "gender ideology" — without defining what exactly those terms mean.
Trump's proposals targeting trans rights would be more restrictive than any being pursued by Republican-led state governments, in what could be seen as an attempt to outflank DeSantis on the issue.
The ethicist Jack Marshall explained why “think of the children” functions as a fallacy:
"Think of the children!" is a tried-and-true debate-stopper, but more often than not one that succeeds because of its ability to inhibit rational thought. Children routinely have to suffer the consequences of adult incompetence, recklessness, stupidity, dishonesty and irresponsibility, and if preventing that biologically-dictated result is humanity's priority, then society needs to abolish the enforcement of laws, the obligation to support one's own family, and common sense.
This open letter from 600 professors of African American Studies is a worthy read.
Contact the College Board to let them know that their AP African American Studies course should not be eviscerated to satisfy a reactionary governor.
“Think of the children” has been employed by people across the political spectrum to try to shut down debate on a wide array of issues. As a person who likes and respects children, I am committed to logical reasoning when speaking on behalf of policies that affect them, directly or indirectly.
In the face of moral panic, it is useful to remind others that there are real dangers to address. As we have discussed, 2022 was the deadliest year on record for police violence since experts first started tracking the killings. Nearly 100 of the killings involved traffic violations.
Use this quick action from Moms Rising to call for an end to LAPD’s murderous practices.
Only eight states plus Washington DC have legislation requiring secure storage of firearms and more than 4.5 million kids in the US live in homes with at least one unsecured and loaded weapon. Those weapons are often used in school shootings:
In incidents of gunfire on school grounds, up to 80 percent of shooters under the age of 18 got the gun from their home or the homes of friends or relatives.
Tell your Congressional delegation to support federal legislation to protect ourselves and our children from unsecured weapons.
The impact of climate change on every living thing is pretty evident. While the governor has made some significant climate commitments in her proposed budget
including $500 million for clean water infrastructure, $500 million for offshore wind development, and $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund
the budget does not fully fund the 2019 NYS Climate Justice Law.
Sign up for tomorrow’s call relay to share your budget priorities with state leaders. This takes just a few minutes — script and #s provided!
No time to call? Use this quick action, also from NY Renews, to contact legislators on the Environmental Conservation and Energy committees.
When you do think of children, I know you will remember their humanity. They are not rhetorical weapons, and they deserve caring adults who address serious matters with reason.
with love,
L