TUE brief 11.30.21
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Today’s Stories
UT AUSTIN continues giving the Texas Tribune fits.
Yes, you just read that last sentence correctly. This development should be encouraged.
At immediate issue is a deranged “antiracism” study that targeted white preschoolers (yes, you read that correctly). To their credit, university leaders stopped its funding once it came to their attention. Yet this didn’t stop the Tribune’s Kate McGhee from publishing an editorial thinly disguised as a “news story” about alleged threats to academic freedom.
Sticking with Ms. McGhee, several days earlier, she lamented the university’s refusal to bend to the cancel culture mob over comments made (admittedly, in poor taste) by the namesake of its school for public relations.
While the university remains 98% left-wing, that’s down from 99.5% a few years ago. That change seems small. For the Tribune to act as an ideological enforcer, however, suggests they fear this trend continuing.
One suggestion for the University: At some point, y’all should take a second look at that sweetheart polling deal y’all’ve given the Tribune for the past decade.
Speaking of the Texas Tribune and its role in the political status quo, see the next item. (AC)
The TEXAS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION is holding its annual conference in February and among the keynote speakers are the Tribune’s Evan Smith and Ross Ramsey.
The oof load is large and looks a lot like influence peddling.
At a minimum, THA is likely paying for Smith and Ramsey’s travel and expenses. These two ain’t staying at Motel 6 or eating at Denny’s.
If Smith and Ramsey are being paid “honorariums” for their appearances (unknowable but possible), the sum could easily fall in the five-figure range.
Sinatra said it best. (AC)
The TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS (TASB) is arguing that individual board members shouldn’t be allowed to criticize board decisions in public.
An example of the sort of censorship favored by TASB recently occurred in Round Rock ISD.
Yesterday’s coverage of the Texas Freedom Caucus’s efforts to get local ISD’s to leave TASB was timely. This latest disclosure is another example of why such a push is a no-brainer. (AC)
Hit the Links
Is the government subsidizing woke comics?
Most Voters Want CEOs To Focus On Business
Schools with a mask mandate not that different than schools without
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