Foreign desk: European caves to bullies in speech
Twenty years ago, Danish newspapers sparked an international uproar by printing a cartoon depicting Muhammad. Nowadays, it seems like “European democracy” is drifting away from its commitment to uphold the principles of free speech. For instance, in London, individuals faced fines for burning a Quran, while the person who attacked them with a knife went unpunished. It appears that “Western governments and human rights groups” are increasingly lending credence to the idea that “religious defamation” ought to be a criminal offense. Violent acts against free expression, like the murders of Charlie Hebdo staff in 2015 and a French teacher in 2020, illustrate this concerning trend.
Tech Watch: Yes, Wikipedia can be modified
As Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, noted, “I launched Wikipedia on January 15th, 2001,” but admitted that the platform’s standards have been compromised over the years for ideological reasons. To rectify this, he suggested establishing an “open and identifiable editorial board” to handle disputes. Sanger criticized the current bias he perceives as “globalist, academic, secular, progressive” on Wikipedia. To better capture diverse perspectives, he proposed allowing multiple competing articles on the same topic, enhancing users’ understanding. He also recommended eliminating the existing “reliable sources” list, as it tends to favor left-leaning media and overlook others. Overall, Sanger argues that a fair, elected editorial assembly is essential for any meaningful change.
Liberal: abandon the two-party system now
“Somehow,” the notion of a “limitless world” still leaves Americans with just two political parties to choose from in elections. As liberal patriot John Halpin pointed out, voters are essentially limited to Democrats and Republicans. Interestingly, recent polls from CNN/SSRS indicate that 44% of adults identify as “independent,” surpassing both Republicans at 28% and Democrats at 27%. Many independents claim they vote based on candidates rather than party affiliation. However, for any real change in the system, voters must actively advocate for election law reforms. It seems crucial for Americans to declare their independence from this partisan struggle and recognize their frustration with “incompetent parties” that have largely drifted towards extremism.
Libertarian: Randy & Company’s fault – not “fascist”
Randy Weingarten, often referred to as “the country’s top teacher,” suggested in a recent statement that she views dissenters as “fascists.” Commentator Robbie Sauvs implied that perhaps Weingarten’s focus on labeling opponents is, in fact, a distraction from her dissatisfaction with public education. She positions herself and her colleagues as victims fighting against a “fascist American education system.” However, most Americans see unions as influential players in shaping educational policies. They don’t perceive union members as fascists, but rather as part of the complex challenges facing the system today.
Gotham Journal: Waymo is here
In late August, Waymo quietly rolled out eight self-driving vehicles in New York City, drawing protests from Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers. As noted by reporter Harris Sockel, if history is any guide, we can expect a mix of protests and lively debates in response to Waymo’s introduction. There are already concerns that NYC isn’t quite equipped for self-driving technology. While some argue that such cars pose serious risks, Waymo’s presence continues to expand across America—despite incidents of vandalism and accidents. It seems “Waymononalism” is on the rise, and whether we like it or not, we might have to confront this new reality.
