Muncie Resists

 So, last night I attended my first Muncie Resists meeting. It was only an hour long, but worth my time. Your mileage might vary, especially if you want to junk our democratic government.

We sat at tables, discussing what could be done, should be done, in the light of Trump's increasing attack on American freedom. Then we gave out our ideas. My big contribution to the discussion was my usual diatribe about making a stand. I also pointed out that Trump and Stephan Miller mean to come after anyone whoever voted in a Democrat primary.

Like the No Tyrants demonstrations here, I have to admit that Muncie Resists is overwhelmingly white, and middle-class. There is also a substantial representation of BSU alumni.

 Then I helped CC empty the truck into the storage bin. We got done around 10. Something like 3 hours for what should have taken us one. She didn't want me to overwork and screw up my back. Well, the back did put out of whack when I was leaving and got bounced around on the bumpy drive. 

Dinner was a pizza from Cousin Vinny's - I am beginning to think it is the best pizza in Muncie.  

I read Trump's Executive Order on Antifa las tonight before I finally turned in. It mentioned ICE. There is your Reichstag fire. Since Antifa is not The Weathermen or the SLA, and certainly not the IRA, but an anti-fascist movement, everyone who is not MAGA is Antifa. This reinforces what I said about Trump/Miller could easily become that anyone whoever voted in a Democrat primary will be on a list to arrest, detain, and/or kill. 

YouTube turned up the following video, This Far Left Radical Manifesto Will Shock You:

 

This fellow points out all the possible targets of Trump's Executive Order.
 

CC goes to court at 8:30. I plan on being there.

 What packing I did not get done yesterday is not likely to be done before I need to leave. The books will take time. My sister may be coming down this afternoon. I hope she can help CC move out her stuff.

Suzanne Swierc was mentioned often in the Muncie Resists meeting. This morning The Indy Star's report came across in my Newsbreak newsletter, Employee fired over Charlie Kirk post sues Ball State, arguing speech was protected. I just wrote a comment to that piece; I may have gone overboard towards the end.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle's ACLU sues Ball State for alleged First Amendment violation following staff firing over Kirk post published her whole post:

“Let me be clear: if you think Charlie Kirk was a wonderful person, we can’t be friends. His death is a tragedy, and I can and do feel for his wife and children,” Swierc posted that day, according to a screenshot included in her legal complaint. “I believe in the Resurrection, and while it’s difficult, I can and do pray for his soul. Charlie Kirk’s death is a reflection of the violence, fear, and hatred he sowed. It does not excuse his death, AND it’s a sad truth. The shooting is a tragedy, and I can and do feel for a college campus experiencing an active shooter situation.

“The deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the children shot and killed in Minneapolis last month, and the children shot in Colorado today are all tragedies that also deserve your attention. Charlie Kirk excused the deaths of children in the name of the second amendment,” Swierc’s post finished.

Unconditional support for the Second Amendment such as Kirk's makes a connection to school shootings logical.

The ACLU is seeking an injunction that would expunge any record of the termination from Ball State’s archives, alongside damages. Swierc isn’t looking to go back to the university.

Pactor noted that Sweirc didn’t cause the post to go viral and said others could be caught up in the same cycle.

“I think, unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the sole occurrence,” Pactor said. “… who knows how many people will ultimately be impacted by this? But I think this is the beginning and not the end.”

The Chronicle of Higher Education, in a Sept. 17 story, cataloged more than two-dozen disciplinary actions against faculty, staff and students nationwide for posts related to Kirk — including firings, suspensions and expulsions. The count doesn’t include Ball State.

 CNN reported yesterday on the effect all this is having on the economy: The US economy has a new problem: Democracy is under siege.

Research shows that democracies tend to thrive financially.

“Democracy is just good for the economy. And autocracy is bad for the economy,” Williamson said. “Autocrats are just not good at managing economies. Policymaking tends to be erratic as democratic institutions decline.”

Democratizations increase GDP per capita by about 20% in the long run, according to a 2019 study titled “Democracy does cause growth” that was published in the Journal of Political Economy, a University of Chicago peer-reviewed journal.

And another attack by Trump on the First Amendment: Trump Sues Penguin Random House, ‘New York Times’ for $15 Billion.

Kimmel is back on:

 

I need to clear out of here, so I leave you for a few items coming up from Muncie Resists:

WALK OUT and RALLY: FIGHT FOR FREE SPEECH                                                                                                                             

Wednesday, September 24th, 3:00 PM 

Peace Plaza (University Green), Muncie, IN

Join us for a peaceful protest in response to Suzanne Swierc’s termination at BSU. Faculty and students shouldn’t be penalized for opinions expressed on their personal social media. Opinions aren’t disruptive—people’s responses to them are!

Sponsors and supporters include PSL, the Muncie Post Democrat, Students for Justice in Palestine at Ball State, and Muncie Queer Alliance. 

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Democrat Volunteer Call-out      
Saturday, September 27th, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Delaware County Democratic Headquarters, 214 N Walnut St, Muncie

 

 Go for it.

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