Wingnuts are anti-democracy. U of FL denying professors to testify against the State

[UTUSN]

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https://news.yahoo.com/chilling-decision-uf-professors-barred-180002873.html

In ‘chilling’ decision, UF professors have been barred from testifying against Florida

In a decision that could have far-reaching free speech implications for faculty at universities and colleges across Florida, the University of Florida has refused to allow three political science professors to continue to serve as expert witnesses in a case that challenges a new state law that restricts voting access.

Political Science Professors Daniel Smith, Michael McDonald and Sharon Austin, two of whom have all previously served as expert witnesses in cases against state, were told by emails earlier this month that their requests to serve as experts would now be rejected. They were seeking permission to serve as experts in the case challenging Senate Bill 90, passed by Florida’s GOP-controlled Legislature in the wake of the 2020 election.

“Outside activities that may pose a conflict of interest to the executive branch of the State of Florida create a conflict for the University of Florida,’’ wrote David Richardson, dean of UF’s college of arts and sciences in response to Smith’s request. ....

“It is important to note that the university did not deny the First Amendment rights or academic freedom of professors Dan Smith, Michael McDonald and Sharon Austin. Rather, the university denied requests of these full-time employees to undertake outside paid work that is adverse to the university’s interests as a state of Florida institution.” ....

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[soryang]

1. the conflict of interest issue is specious

What about the separation of powers? The executive is interfering in the judicial review process of state action.

[UTUSN]

2. As with Drumpf, no point in arguing policy with them. If it walks like a duck...

those ducks have been walking, quacking, crapping for years. It's happened before in other places and here in miniature for that matter. There's a play, "Rhinoceros" by IONESCO, about the onset of Fascism, with the characters turning into literal rhinoceroses, more and more, rampaging down the streets. It's happening now.

Policies don't mean anything to them. It's been said for scores of years that Liberals look inward for root causes and wingnuts look outside for bogeymen to blame.

Wingnuts stay on the surface, talk in bumperstickers, spout *words* without the inner meaning of the words. They say "freedom" but don't recognize freedom in practice. They worship a fabric with designs splotched on it but worship the fabric instead of what it is symbolic of.

Words versus meaning, running parallel and not meeting.