Government Oversight & Historical Interpretation - The White House is conducting an internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions to ensure alignment with the president's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism and remove divisive narratives [1] - The administration plans to review eight Smithsonian museums initially, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Portrait Gallery [1] - The President signed an executive order claiming the Smithsonian has come under the influence of a divisive race-centered ideology and directed the Vice President to remove improper ideology [1] Historical Perspective & Cultural Significance - 97% of Americans believe museums are educational assets for their communities [1] - 92% of adults in the US consider museums as nonpartisan providers of educational content [1] - Three-quarters (75%) of the American public believe museums are an important part of civil society and support civic knowledge and participation [1] - History is complex, involving both positive and negative aspects, and understanding the full story is crucial for learning [3][4] Curatorial Integrity & Evolving Narratives - Museums should evolve, discuss, and review their content, with curators and experts playing a key role in ensuring accuracy and comprehensiveness [10] - The telling of history involves curation, emphasizing certain aspects and minimizing others, which is a matter of opinion [6][7][8]

So, I don't have one specific book for today's meeting of the Veland Book Club, but I've got a story. It wasn't written by an author, but some authors played a big role in it. The story is non-fiction and very American, at least very contemporary American.It's a story that affects millions of children and their families and their communities. It's a story of perseverance, of tactic, of bravery, and it's a story with a happy ending. And it starts like this.In May of 2023, Florida expanded upon its notorious ...

Art & Censorship - An artist is on the run due to censorship concerns [1] - An art exhibition faced censorship attempts from China [1] - The incident highlights China's efforts to silence a Thai art show [1]

President Trump seeking to abuse government power to shape culture and censor free speech. The White House says it will do a review of Smithsonian museum exhibits so that they align with Trump's vision. They're admitting partisan abuse of a hallowed institution that is supposed to provide accurate history, beautiful art, and truth, but not switch every four years based on politics. Renowned painter Amy Cherald actually pulled out of a Smithsonian exhibit to show by walking away that she was not going to put ...

Core Argument - Books are dangerous because they contain non-conforming ideas, provide diverse viewpoints, and expose readers to unfamiliar worlds [3] - Libraries are essential for a functioning democracy as they provide access to information and combat tyranny, oppression, and ignorance [4] - Freedom to access information and freedom of expression are interconnected, enabling informed decision-making [6] Censorship and Book Banning - Book banning and censorship are increasing, leading to the removal of books based on author's name or perceived non-compliance with legislation [16][17] - Historically, books have been banned due to their content, such as depicting interracial relationships or same-sex families [12][14] - Limiting access to information hinders the ability to form a complete understanding and make informed decisions [9][10] The Importance of Libraries and Librarians - Libraries should offer a marketplace of ideas, representing a multiplicity of stories and viewpoints [5] - Fully funded libraries and trained librarians are crucial for guiding individuals to quality and age-appropriate information sources [18] - Librarians are trained in collection development, ensuring a broad spectrum of topics and genres are available [19] Freedom of Access - Free people read freely, emphasizing the importance of the First Amendment and the freedom to access information [18][19] - Inhibiting access to information stifles critical thought and undermines liberty and justice [20]

RT Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs)The EU Digital Services Act’s "trusted flaggers" and "codes of conduct" are not truly voluntary: they coerce platforms into censoring legal content as “misinformation” on a global scale, according to the House Judiciary Committee's report. This undermines fundamental US principles, where satire, memes, and political criticism are protected. European regulations should not silence American voices. ...

Censorship Trends - Book bans are becoming more prevalent in America, often driven by parental or political concerns [1] - Certain states, including Florida and Iowa, exhibit particularly strong censorship tendencies [1]

Regulatory Concerns - The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) is perceived to target harmful content within Europe [1] - Analysis suggests the DSA pressures US tech companies, including X, to enforce censorship globally, impacting American political speech [1] - This enforcement conflicts with the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects freedom of speech [1] Business & Policy Implications - The report indicates a potential conflict between EU regulations and US principles regarding freedom of speech [1] - The company advocates for more speech, not less, suggesting a stance against censorship [1]

RT Filipe Barros 🇧🇷 (@filipebarrost)O que ouvimos na Comissão de Relações Exteriores e Defesa Nacional é GRAVÍSSIMO.O ex-funcionário do Departamento de Estado dos EUA, Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber), escancarou: o Partido Democrata interferiu diretamente na democracia brasileira.Milhões de dólares financiados por órgãos ligados ao governo Biden foram usados para calar os eleitores de Bolsonaro, censurar redes sociais e manipular o debate público em pleno período eleitoral.Essa máquina de censura foi determinant ...

RT William (@WmKelleyRoddye)When Mike Benz uses the term "The Blob," he is referring to the entrenched foreign policy establishment in Washington, D.C., and its allied institutions in the U.S., UK, and NATO. This term was reportedly coined by President Obama's National Security Adviser, Ben Rhodes.According to Benz, "The Blob" is a group of institutions and individuals that he believes are responsible for creating a "censorship industrial complex." He argues that this establishment, which includes governmen ...