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When once you were in the grip of the Party, what you felt or did not feel, what you did or refrained from doing, made literally no difference. Whatever happened you vanished, and neither you nor your actions were ever heard of again. -- George Orwell






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States could lead the way in private school choice program expansions 


EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ADOPTS CONTROVERSIAL ANTI-SEMITISM DEFINITION: The Trump administration is changing how the Education Department investigates allegations of discrimination against Jewish students, backing an approach that is favored by pro-Israel groups but that critics worry will stifle free speech on campus.
— The policy change was outlined in a letter last month by Kenneth Marcus, who leads the department's Office for Civil Rights , in which he re-opened a 2011 investigation into Rutgers University about alleged discrimination against Jewish students. Marcus wrote that the Education Department, in its investigations into discrimination, would adopt the "working definition" of anti-Semitism that is "widely used by governmental agencies" including the State Department. That definition includes examples in which demonizing or delegitimizing Israel, or holding it to a double standard not expected of other democratic nations, are deemed anti-Semitic.
— The Obama administration closed the Rutgers case in 2014 citing insufficient evidence of discrimination. Marcus' letter says the department will now reevaluate the evidence "in light of the definition of anti-Semitism." Investigators will seek to determine, Marcus wrote, "whether a hostile environment on the basis of national origin or race existed at the University for students of actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics."
— Congress has debated the definition over the past several years. In 2016, the Senate overwhelmingly passed bipartisan legislation that would have forced the department to use the State Department definition in evaluating discrimination complaints. But the bill hit a snag in the House over concerns that it could interfere with students' free speech rights. The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the bill earlier this year, but the legislation so far hasn't gone anywhere in this Congress.
— But civil liberties and free speech groups have opposed the definition. The groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and PEN America, argue that the definition of anti-Semitism is too broad and would threaten political speech, such as criticism of Israel policy, on college campuses.
— "It's certainly something that we feared would happen," said Dima Khalidi, director of Palestine Legal, adding that the new definition "opens the door to equate any criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism." Khalidi also criticized the Education Department for adopting the definition "without any process or public input."
— Several pro-Israel groups, meanwhile, including the American Jewish Committee, praised the Trump administration's move. The Zionist Organization of America, which filed the original complaint against Rutgers and appealed, praised the Education Department's "landmark" decision to adopt the definition. [POLITICO's Morning Education, September 12, 2018]



U.S. MILITARY

US forces to stay in Syria until Iran completely withdraws, ISIS defeated 

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BARACK OBAMA

2008 ELECTION TIME MACHINE

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CHINA





Film star's disappearing act
Superstar Fan Bingbing has not appeared in public in over 100 days. The June 29 newsletter item The taxman cometh for China's TV/film stars set the stage:
A scandal has been brewing over several weeks after public accusations that actress Fan Bingbing had evading taxes through the use of "ying-yang contracts" — one contract with a lower fee for the tax authorities and another with the real, much larger figure.
Now the authorities are paying attention, and look to be using the public revelations of longstanding industry practices to crackdown not only on tax evasion but also compensation and quite possibly content as well.
Buzz: Global media is paying attention. On Thursday, NYT asks "What Happened to Fan Bingbing, China’s Most Famous Actress?"
Fan Bingbing is arguably the most famous actress in China, a prolific star who has made the leap to international fame with roles in the “Iron Man” and “X-Men” franchises. She appeared in Cannes in May to promote a coming spy blockbuster with Jessica Chastain, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz and Lupita Nyong’o.
She has more than 62 million followers on China’s equivalent of Twitter, Weibo, and appears in ads for products around the world — from vitamins in Australia to lipstick by Guerlain, the watches of Montblanc and the diamonds of De Beers.
Now she is missing.
My thought bubble: Since basically everyone in the film business evades taxes, one has to wonder why Fan was targeted. Did she offend the wrong person, and/or is she a very useful example for a broader campaign to rein in the entertainment industry and bring it more into line with the "Core Socialist Values" that Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party are aggressively promoting?

  • And it is yet another reminder that no one in China, now matter how rich or seemingly connected to power, is safe. No wonder so many people with means want to emigrate... [Axios China, September 14, 2018]



WHIMSEY







NOTE: I have no official connection to any organization from which information is shared.. Occasionally, I post informational material and/or an opportunity to donate or join as  a "community service" announcement.  These again are shared for their varying perspectives.


Any commercial or business interest information shared is purely informational, not an endorsement.  I have no connection with any such commercial or business interest.

Any books listed are random or topic-related to something else in the post.  Think of these as a "library bookshelf" to browse.  They are shared for informational or entertainment value only, not as being recommended.
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