The Continuing Assault Against the 1st Amendment

[gleem]

An attorney for the District of Columbia wrote a letter to the dean of the school of law at Georgetown University, a Catholic university to honor the execture order to cease programs that inclued DEI subjects. How over the top can you get in trying to intimidate private and relgiious institution from teaching their valules. Not only is this against the Constition but also a SCOTUS decision.

In a 1943 case called West Virginia v. Barnette, the Supreme Court upheld the right of two sisters who were Jehovah’s Witnesses to refuse to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance at school. In defending their liberty, the court wrote, “If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters of opinion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.” . . . “But freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom.”

Note this occurred during a war which most Americans supported.

 

[fresh_42]

I once read the comment: "Breach the constitution as often as you like but do not park next to a hydrant."

He wanted to say that the constitution isn't - how to say "strafbewehrt" in English - protected by criminal penalties. I am reminded far too often of the German Enabling Act of 1933 these days.

Enabling Act of 1933 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I hold my breath whenever something new comes from that administration.

 

[gleem]

In 1933, FDR was given carte blanche by Congress to solve the problems of the great depression. By and large this power was used for the betterment of the suffering population.

 

[gleem]

Harvard says "Up Yours" to Trump's demands.

Harvard rejects Trump administration demands amid threats of funding cuts

The administration's demands included auditing viewpoints of the student body in an attempt to address antisemitism at the expense of federal funding.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[gleem]

The Trump administration now says that the letter sent to Harvard was a mistake. OOPS, another SNAFU. This is yet another example of inmates running the asylum.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/business/trump-harvard-letter-mistake.html

 

[Borg]

Whoops, picked a fight with someone big enough to defend themselves. Hopefully Harvard starts pushing its alumni to fight back as well. I haven't liked how some law firms are capitulating and providing extorted resources. Maybe they can take something from Trump's playbook and just not follow through on their promises.

 

[placebo]

Whoops, picked a fight with someone big enough to defend themselves. Hopefully Harvard starts pushing its alumni to fight back as well.

Donations increased after Harvard told the Feds to go pound sand.

Hour by Hour: How Harvard’s Donations Surged After Garber Challenged Trump | News | The Harvard Crimson

Contributions to Harvard spiked after the University refused demands from the White House on Monday. Read an hour-by-hour breakdown, according to a giving update produced by Harvard’s fundraising office and obtained by the Crimson.

www.thecrimson.com

 

[Borg]

I didn't follow through but I did look up ways to donate to Harvard. Not surprising to me that many did follow through and donate.