Ending the book ban culture war | Editorial

For more than three years across New Jersey, parental rights groups have assailed school boards and educators in an effort to get books removed from their libraries, largely because they don’t want their kids exposed to concepts such as gender identity, LGTBQ issues, and the fight for racial justice.Most often, they object to acclaimed graphic novels for adolescents that contain illustrations of sex acts, even when used to promote sexual health and safety, respect for oneself and others, and emphasize consent. One cannot doubt that these parents want to protect their own children. One cannot deny they are genuinely repelled by detailed drawings of naughty bits.But these book critics do have a doctrinaire conviction that what’s good for their kids is good for every kid, and they often get their point across through intimidation and abominable behavior. They slander librarians on social media and at school board meetings, they smear them as pedophiles and pornographers for doing their jobs, and they even vandalize their property. They don’t see that while discussing the merits of a book is a valid debate, threatening a librarian is for pack cowards and sociopaths.So we applaud the state Legislature for putting an end to all that by proposing a fair system that protects children and school employees, gives parents a voice in deciding which books are appropriate for local and school libraries, and provides librarians with immunity from civil and criminal charges for doing their jobs.The Freedom To Read Act is now on Gov. Murphy’s desk after passing both chambers, and after he signs it into law, it will determine how these matters will be settled and save librarians from the appalling attacks they have endured for too long.Primary sponsor Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-Somerset) has pursued this bill for years, and his inspiration was sound: “Given the ongoing assault on democracy and free speech, if we don’t stand up to attacks on our history and attacks on sharing our stories, then this country is going to completely fall apart,” he said. “Plus, the abuse on librarians and the mental stress they were under was unacceptable.“But in the end, this bill protects the freedom to read and protects parents and their concerns. And in the context of everything that’s going on nationally, I’m proud of New Jersey.”The effort to ban books in New Jersey’s schools, which targeted 28 different titles last year, is being conducted by a relatively small group of people belonging to the same network of anti-government groups. The largest is Moms for Liberty, a national irritant classified as “extremist” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, with good reason: Moms for Liberty uses its social media platforms to attack teachers and harass school officials, advocates for the abolition of the Department of Education, and spreads hateful imagery and rhetoric against the LGBTQ community.Zwicker’s bill, however, still allows parents belonging to such groups to weigh in.The bill requires the Department of Education Commissioner to create uniform guidelines for handling requests to take controversial books off the shelves, with input from the state associations of school boards and libraries. That model policy is then handed down to public schools and libraries, which must create review committees that include the superintendent, the principal, a board of education representative, and at least one teacher and parent – provided they did not submit the request themselves – to determine whether the book is appropriate for the school and for which age group. An outright ban of a book that bypasses this process subjects the school or library to defunding.After its earlier opposition, even the religious organization, the NJ Family Policy Center, is neutral because it “creates a formal process for parents, students, and teachers to challenge books, and grants school boards the right to restrict them if they are developmentally or grade inappropriate for students,” said Director of Advocacy Shawn Hyland.Not everyone will accept that, however. The sole Republican sponsor of the bill, Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Union), is vexed by his party’s hostile reaction to it, coming mostly from “sound bite warriors who haven’t even read the bill,” he said. “I’ve asked my caucus, ‘Why is there so much opposition to this?’ And nobody can tell me what’s wrong with the bill.“I think the title is scary to members of my party: They interpret ‘freedom to read’ as ‘Oh my God, kids are allowed to read whatever they want.’ No, that’s not what this is about at all. The bill confirms that we need to establish age-appropriate and mental-maturity standards, which we never had before. Kids cannot read whatever they want. In many cases they’ll need parental permission. And they can only read what is considered appropriate.”As for access to smut, Roxbury High librarian Roxana Russo Caivano, who is suing a group of parents for defamation, said it best at a recent school board meeting: “No one is sneaking around the library looking for books with pictures in them for fun. They have phones for that.”Well-received books such as Let’s Talk About It and Gender Queer are not in the curriculum; they are curated by responsible professionals at your local school. Students must choose to read them, but only if they are of a certain age and have parental consent.This is a reasonable solution to what has been a revolting cultural war. It’s OK for parents to say they don’t want their child to read a certain book. It’s another thing entirely to say it should not be available for others.To comment on this Star-Ledger editorial, send a letter to [email protected] journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

Cast Your Ballot With These 5 Children’s Books About Voting and Elections

Margaret Kingsbury grew up in a house so crammed with books she couldn’t open a closet door without a book stack tumbling, and she’s brought that same decorative energy to her adult life. Margaret has an MA in English with a concentration in writing and has worked as a bookseller and adjunct English professor. She’s currently a freelance writer and editor, and in addition to Book Riot, her pieces have appeared in School Library Journal, BuzzFeed News, The Lily, Parents, StarTrek.com, and more. She particularly loves children’s books, fantasy, science fiction, horror, graphic novels, and any books with disabled characters. You can read more about her bookish and parenting shenanigans in Book Riot’s twice-weekly The Kids Are All Right newsletter. You can also follow her kidlit bookstagram account @BabyLibrarians, or on Twitter @AReaderlyMom.
View All posts by Margaret Kingsbury

Presidential election season is here! I know many of us adults are having lots of big feelings about this time of year, and kids, of course, will have lots of questions. Earlier this year, I rounded up children’s books about presidential candidate Kamala Harris, and I’ve already written a couple of lists reviewing children’s books about voting and elections. But several amazing books have released since then, and I wanted to get them on readers’ radars as well!

The Day Madear Voted by Wade Hudson & Don Tate

This engaging historical picture book takes place in 1969. For the first time, Charlie and Ralph’s mom can vote, and she is making a day of it. That morning, she explains how Black people used to be unable to vote because of poll taxes and other discriminatory measures. Black people protested, and now, for the first time, they can vote in a presidential election. Madear takes her sons to the city hall where she votes. While many celebrate, she does receive some glares from white folk. Every election afterward, Madear continues to vote, and the picture book ends with the election of Barack Obama as president.

Leo’s First Vote! by Christina Soontornvat & Isabel Roxas

This picture book is a fantastic introduction to voting and why every vote counts. Leo’s class is holding a mock election at the same time as the town is having a real election. Leo’s dad is voting for the first time as a naturalized U.S. citizen, and Leo is excited to go with him. But his cousin Ray tells him that votes don’t really matter, because one person can’t make a difference. Leo feels discouraged about what his cousin said, but during the classroom’s mock election, he learns every vote really does matter. It’s a lyrical picture book with fun, vibrant illustrations. Extensive back matter will give readers more insight into the election process.

Show Up and Vote by Ani DiFranco & Rachelle Baker

This visually stunning picture book follows a young girl as she accompanies her mother to vote. It’s a cold and wet November day, and the girl doesn’t really want to leave home. But her mother tells her how important voting is. Readers follow the girl outside and to the voting booth, where her mother says, “Here is the part / where it all starts / where us people / have a say / about laws and rules / about parks and schools / about who’s gonna run them / and in what way.” The girl feels connected to everyone around the city who are also voting, and as they leave, she feels more connected to her community as well, and the part she can play in making it better. The text is rhythmic, short, and punchy, while the gorgeous, warm illustrations have a retro-style.

Princess & the Pea-tition by Kim Nguyen & Libby VanderPloeg

This is a clever, election-themed retelling of “The Princess and the Pea” fairytale. Princess (that’s her name) is alarmed to discover that the leaders of the kingdom are chosen by who is uncomfortable while sleeping on a tower of mattresses atop a pea and by who can stuff the most hard boiled eggs in their mouth. She makes a petition to “eliminate pea-based government in favor of elected representative leadership,” and gathers signatures of people in the kingdom. They protest until the king and queen sign the pea-tition, and the kingdom holds their very first election.

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Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts by Syl Sobel

This is a fascinating nonfiction for elementary school readers. In five chapters, Sobel covers what a president is, the rules for electing a president in the U.S., the electoral college, presidential campaigns, and what happens if something happens to the president. Interspersed throughout are illustrations and cool facts from history. Back matter includes a detailed glossary, a list of resources, and an index. It’s a surprisingly engaging read, and perfect for kids ready to take a deeper dive into presidential elections. Honestly, I know adults who could use the refresher!
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The terrifying ‘documentary’ movie that’ll genuinely scare you this Halloween

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThere’s an underrated found footage film available to stream that will terrify you this Halloween.For horror fans, successfully finding a film that genuinely unnerves you – or disturbs you so much you need to stop watching it entirely – is an increasingly challenging task.But Horror in the High Desert might do the trick. The film, which was released in 2021, is a faux documentary about the strange disappearance of hiker Gary Hinge (Eric Mencis) in the High Desert region of Nevada.Talking heads, including Gary’s sister (Tonya Williams-Ogden) and a private investigator working the case (David Morales), share details about Hinge, as the film attempts to shed light on the whereabouts of the missing hiker. As the film draws on, it becomes clear there is something more sinister at play – and the film ends with a sequence that is not for the faint-hearted.The trailer for the film informs the viewer: “Over 600,000 people go missing in the United States every year. an estimated 90 per cent are recovered annually… dead or alive. It is suspected that the remaining 10 per cent vanish into the American wildlands.”Instead of being a jumpy horror, the film, written and directed by Dutch Marich, builds up dread slowly, but effectively, and is one of the more chilling found footage films in recent years. Some fans have compared it to Lake Mungo, an Australian found footage film that has generated a cult fanbase since its release in 2008.‘Horror in the High Desert’ is a scary must-watch

Kremlin, asked if Russia is helping North Korea with missile technology, declines comment

MOSCOW – The Kremlin on Thursday declined to comment when asked if Russia was helping North Korea to develop its missile and other military technology following a test launch by Pyongyang of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
North Korea said it had tested the missile on Thursday, upgrading what it called the “world’s most powerful strategic weapon”, as Seoul warned Pyongyang could get missile technology from Russia for helping with the war in Ukraine.
The United States and NATO say some North Korean soldiers are in the Kursk region, a Russian border area which Ukrainian forces punched their way into in August and where they continue to hold territory. A couple of thousand more North Korean troops were heading there, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.

Moscow has neither denied nor directly confirmed the presence of North Korean troops on its soil, with President Vladimir Putin saying it is Russia’s business whether or not it decides to use North Korean troops.
When asked on a conference call on Thursday whether Moscow was helping North Korea with missile or other military technology, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “I do not have that information, it is specialised information and you should ask the Ministry of Defence.”
Peskov referred to the importance of a comprehensive strategic partnership, which included a mutual defence clause, that was signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a visit to Pyongyang by the Russian leader in June.

“Once again, I can only repeat that we remain committed to the treaty that we signed, we remain committed to our interests to develop relations with our neighbour in all areas, and this should not worry and concern anyone,” said Peskov.

“It is the sovereign right of Russia and the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) to develop relations as neighbouring states.”
Russia said on Wednesday that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui was on her way to Moscow to hold strategic consultations with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, her second visit to Russia in six weeks. REUTERS

Halloween Candy and Book Pairings: Here’s Which Treats Match Our Favorite Books

Whether you’re going trick or treating yourself, doing the ol’ “one for me, one for you” while handing out the goods or, ahem, “helping” the kids with their haul, we all love a good Halloween candy pairing. This spooky season, get your bookshelf in on the fun.

We challenged PEOPLE staffers to match their recent favorite books with a Halloween candy based on, well, any criteria from how the characters behave — Are they salty? Sweet? A little sour? — to the plot, overall vibe and even spice level (romance and romantasy fans know what we’re talking about).

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Read on for our totally opinionated, deeply unscientific Halloween candy and book pairings and this year. Feeling inspired? Share your own in the comments!

‘Intermezzo’ and Dark Chocolate with Raspberry

‘Intermezzo’ and a raspberry chocolate bar.
Farrar, Straus and Giroux ; Ghiradelli

Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo is a little sultry, a little sweet and totally decadent. An intense dark chocolate bar with raspberry strikes just the right tone for the Irish supernova’s newest hit.

‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ and Snickers

ACOTAR and Snickers.
Bloomsbury Publishing ; Snickers

Snickers has a lot going on: there’s salty nuts, sweet caramel, that soft nougat layer all encased in chocolate — and just like setting out to read Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR, you’ll probably indulge in more than you planned before turning out the lights.

‘Long Island Compromise’ and Laffy Taffy

‘Long Island Compromise’ and Laffy Taffy.
Random House; Laffy Taffy

This one works on two levels. First, the obvious: Long Island Compromise was written by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, also the brains behind Fleishman is in Trouble who shares a name with the candy. But this novel about the fallout from a patriarch’s kidnapping is also a delicious slow burn, just like the iconic boardwalk treat.

‘The Paradise Problem’ and Starburst

‘The Paradise Problem’ and Starburst.
Gallery Books; Starburst

Not only do the candies and the cover of The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren look absolutely adorable together, but the story has its sweet, sour and slightly habit-forming elements as the chewy treats. It follows a free spirit artist and a grocery store heir embroiled in a ruse that may all come crashing down. But we won’t spoil what’s at the bottom of the bag.

‘Fangirl’ and Almond Joy

‘Fangirl’ and Almond Joy.
VIZ Media LLC; Almond Joy

Sometimes you feel like a nut … you know the rest. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is all about twin sisters Cath and Wren, an obsessive fandom, family drama, relationships, the works. It’s sweet and just like the sometimes-divisive candy, has a dedicated cadre of fans all its own.

‘Down the Drain’ and Fun Dip

‘Down the Drain’ by Julia Fox.
Simon & Schuster ; Fun Dip

If you haven’t dipped into this fun and wild ride from pop culture icon Julia Fox, what are you waiting for? It’s vulnerable, complicated and more than a little messy.

‘Big Swiss’ and Bit O’ Honey

‘Big Swiss’ and Bit O’ Honey.
Scribner ; Bit O Honey

First of all, the friends at the center of the hilarious Big Swiss by Jen Beagin live in a house full of bees. And then things get a little, shall we say, sticky when one of them becomes obsessed with a woman she knows only from transcribing a sex coach’s notes. This book will get stuck in your head the same way this throwback candy might loosen a molar or two.

‘The Idea of You’ and Kit Kat

‘The Idea of You’ and Kit Kat.
St. Martin’s Griffin; Kit Kat

Not only is The Idea of You by Robinne Lee a great way to take a break from your real life, the book also saw a whole new audience discovering it through the refreshing screen adaptation this year — just like the classic candy got a fall branding update just in time for Halloween.

‘Fourth Wing’ and Lindt Dark Chocolate with Chili

‘Fourth Wing’ and Lindt dark chocolate with chili.
Entangled: Red Tower Books; Lindt

Anyone who’s read Rebecca Yarros’ smash hit Empyrean series is probably also familiar with the chili pepper scale popularized by Booktok. In brief: The more chili peppers, the spicier the romance. Pick up this one for a hot treat — on the page and your palate.

‘A Visit From the Goon Squad’ and Nerds Clusters

‘A Visit From the Goon Squad’ and Nerds Clusters.
Vintage; Nerds

With its colorful cast of characters, Jennifer Egan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel A Visit From the Good Squad fits right in with one of the hottest candies of the year. And much like the bag of crunch-coated gummies, you won’t be able to put it down.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ and Werther’s Original

‘Pride and Prejudice’ and Werther’s Original.
Fingerprint! Publishing; Werthers Original

Even though Werther’s isn’t quite as old as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — they came out in 1909 and 1913, respectively — both are timeless classics. And just like the butterscotch candies beloved by grandparents everywhere, everything Austen writes deserves to be savored.

‘Beach Read’ and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

‘Beach Read’ and Reeses.
 Berkley; Reeses

Emily Henry’s books are as beloved as the peanut butter cups that often hit the top spot in favorite Halloween candy surveys. Her breakout 2020 hit Beach Read — which just got a sparkly, stained-edge new edition — often ranks high on readers’ favorites, too.

‘Spare’ and Candy Corn

‘Spare’ and Candy Corn.
Random House; Brachs

On the other hand, candy corn brings out the haters, the lovers and the online discussers, often ranking high as trick or treaters’ least favorite candy despite its iconic association with Halloween. Prince Harry, who’s weathered life under a microscope and the associated media scrutiny over every aspect of his existence, might know a little something about that. And in this stunning memoir, you can read all about it.

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Larry Krasner’s legal bout with Elon Musk on hold, as tech billionaire seeks to move it to federal court

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s suit against Elon Musk and his political action committee has been placed on hold while the tech billionaire attempts to move the case to federal court.Though the parties were scheduled to appear Thursday for an emergency hearing before Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta, Musk did not show.“He is a very busy man who can’t just materialize on 12-hours notice,” his attorney, Matt Haverstick, said during the brief proceeding.Either way, Foglietta said he was not able to act until learning whether the federal courts will take the case or relinquish it back to his courtroom.As for the schedule of Musk, who also owns the spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX, Foglietta agreed: “He’s not going to get on a rocket ship and land in Philadelphia.”Krasner sued Musk and his America PAC earlier this week, saying they were violating state lottery and consumer protection laws by running a $1 million daily giveaway to registered voters in Pennsylvania and other battleground states.To enter, residents must be registered voters and sign a petition organized by the PAC affirming their support for free speech and the right to bear arms.Musk, who has emerged as a top Trump surrogate in the state, has said he hoped the giveaways would drive up Republican voter registration numbers. But several election law experts — and the Justice Department — have warned that the giveaway appears to violate federal laws banning giving money or other things of value in exchange for votes or registering to vote.Krasner’s lawsuit took a slightly different approach, targeting Musk under state laws that prohibit anyone but the state from running a lottery in Pennsylvania. He also accused the PAC of failing to provide information on how it was protecting the personal information of entrants.But in seeking to move the case to federal court, Haverstick accused Krasner — in court papers late Wednesday — of trying to shoehorn a federal case into a state court.“Allegations of interference in a federal election for President of the United States … are matters for the federal judiciary,” he wrote.Haverstick also said during Thursday’s hearing that he believed Musk was named as a defendant in the suit as a “publicity stunt,” and that the intent was to create a “circus atmosphere” in the courtroom.Krasner’s attorneys denied that. And they sought to challenge the assertion that the case was better suited for federal court, saying a district attorney can use local laws to stop illegal behavior even if it happens to collide with an election. One of the lawyers, John Summers, used the example of a person shooting voters at the polls, saying a prosecutor’s office could charge that person with homicide — and it would not have to be a federal case.Summers spent more time objecting to what he characterized as Musk’s last-minute attempt to change the case’s jurisdiction. He called it “frivolous” and cast it as an attempt to stall the proceedings in order to continue running the sweepstakes.“This was both cowardly as well as irresponsible,” Summers said. “The district attorney is here to proceed.”Meanwhile, the case has temporarily been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert, who has not yet scheduled a hearing on whether he will take up the matter or send it back to state court.This is a developing story that will be updated.

Australia, United Kingdom, United States Tout Drone Networks At Autonomous Warrior 2024

The three partner countries constituting the AUKUS trilateral security partnership on October 25 have concluded this years Autonomous Warrior (AW) exercise. The event lasted one month, testing thirty capabilities provided by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Autonomous Warrior dates back to 2018, held annually between the three nations with further partners for selected events. Notably for the 2024-iteration Japan participated as an observer. The step is in line with Japan’s interest in joining the Pillar 2-element of AUKUS. Pillar 2 focuses on advanced capabilities and technology sharing among partners. This element of AUKUS complements Pillar 1, which aims to provide a nuclear powered submarine-capability to the Australian Navy (RAN).

Large range of drones included some unidentified systems

Swift Sea Stalker and MAPC GARC at AW 2024, Image via Australian Defence.

Ocean Aero Triton dual USV/UUV at AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

Unidentified large UUV at AW 2024, reminiscent of Kongsberg Hugin series. Image via Australian Defence.

Remus 600 series UUV at AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

The Ocius Bluebottle featured prominently at AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

High altitude balloon providing communications relay at AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

Notable systems featured in AW 2024 included the Ghost Shark, Remus 600 and Speartooth UUVs. The range of surface drones (USV) featured the Australian Ocius Bluebottle. US contributions included the Saronic Cutlass, the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft, or GARC built by Maritime Applied Physics Corporation. Swift’s Sea Stalker and the Ocean Aero Triton, a combined USV and UUV, were further entries. Airborne systems included what the US DoD in a statement described as “a low-cost gondola, which supports operations in the upper stratosphere with minimum manpower or logistics requirements”. Another US-system were “T-200 high-altitude balloons, which provide resilient communications in denied environments from the stratosphere.”. Australia contributed the OWL-B loitering munition manufactured by Innovaero.

Footage released by Australia also showed a range of unidentified capabilities. These included a delta-winged UAV with pusher prop launched off a moving vehicle. An unknown large UUV resembled Kongsberg’s Hugin-range of underwater drones. Possibly related to the ASW-element of AW 2024 was an unidentified effector discharged from a Collins-class submarine at berth, presumably related to submarine countermeasure capabilities.

First appearance of Ghost Shark In Exercise

For Anduril’s Ghost Shark this years Autonomous Warrior exercise was the first published appearance in a complex testing environment. Image via Australian Defence.

Neither Anduril nor Australian Defence would provide further information on Ghost Shark within the scope of AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

For Anduril’s Ghost Shark AW 2024 represented the first publicised exercise in which the large uncrewed underwater vehicle has participated. Anduril earlier this year had also shipped a prototype from Australia to Hawaii, where the company promoted the design at RIMPAC 2024. Nevertheless information on Ghost Shark including basic capabilities and design features such as its propulsion remain unknown. Neither the manufacturer nor Australian officials have released more detailed information on the effort.

Networked Communication As Key Element Of AW 2024

Communications, command and control formed key aspects of AW 2024. Related PR material prominently included soft- and hardware such as an “AUKUS Common Control” workstation. Described as “Common Control System (CCS)” by the US statement the setup is “built on an open architecture to provide uncrewed vehicles hardware and software that works across several different systems. This effort supports future work to create an AUKUS-wide Common Control System, fusing best elements of the three countries’ existing systems.”

In this context the US also emphasized the “Multi-Domain Uncrewed Secure Integrated Communications (MUSIC) tested for its ability to enable seamless communication and coordination across diverse unmanned systems and operational environments.” Meanwhile the UK statement highlighted “Strike Net”, which also serves to integrate partner assets into national command and control-infrastructure. Additionally the Royal Navy contributed “SONIX”, an ASW information sharing-network utilizing sonobuoy-sensor data.

Joint operations centre at Autonomous Warrior 2024, highlighting trilateral efforts in command and control. Image via Australian Defence.

Australia and the United States also highlighted Autonomous Warrior in the overall series of AUKUS trilateral efforts dubbed “Maritime Big Play” (MBP). The US describe MBP as “a series of integrated trilateral experiments and exercises that are enhancing capability development, improving interoperability, and increasing the sophistication and scale of autonomous systems in the maritime domain.”. The three partners have not yet released schedule and planning information on next years Autonomous Warrior-iteration, or how it would evolve from the existing testing environment.

Is the United States on the brink of dictatorship?

“They say I’m Hitler. I am the opposite of a
Nazi.” From rumors about Haitians eating dogs and cats to rally jokes
about Puerto Ricans, it’s hard to say the Republican candidate’s campaign has
dispelled any misunderstandings, nor has it really tried. On the contrary, it
has played with the full range of dubious sentiments and populist emotions.
Isn’t white male discontent the raison d’être of Trumpism? 

While Donald Trump loves to paint himself as the victim,
his opponents have ample ammunition to depict him as the worst of demons. Among
many examples, consider his recent remarks about Xi Jinping, the most
authoritarian Chinese leader since the dark days of Maoism: “A brilliant
guy,” Trump opined. “He controls 1.4 billion people with an iron
fist.” His admiration for dictators is no secret. There’s reason to fear
that a second Trump term, surrounded by an even more submissive entourage, could
bring a wave of revenge and transgressions. The march of his supporters on the
Capitol after his defeat four years ago already had all the signs of an
attempted coup. Disorganized, perhaps. But next time?

Many who worked with him behind the closed doors
of the White House have now expressed grave concerns. According to John F. Kelly, a
former Marine general and his former chief of staff, if fascism is defined as “a
far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology and movement,
characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism,
forced suppression of opposition, and belief in a natural social
hierarchy,” then, yes, “Trump is certainly a fascist.” Should we
take this accusation lightly?

Concerns for the future of American democracy are
widespread—and not only from the far right. Neo-puritanism on the left, in the
form of cancel culture, also has troubling characteristics. Trumpism draws much
of its strength, perhaps even its raison d’être, from this mirror game where
intolerance from one side fuels fanaticism on the other. Democracy only works
as long as opponents are not turned into enemies to be crushed. 

How far off seems the era when people prophesied “the end of history” with the universal triumph of liberal democracy!
Few foresaw—perhaps only St. John Paul II—that the system that had just overcome
communism would soon face its own moral turbulence. Military coups in Africa,
the “holy alliance” of Russian, Chinese, North Korean, and Iranian
dictators, “illiberal democracy” following the Hungarian or Turkish
models… To this troubling list, add “gray” tools for surveillance,
control, and manipulation of public opinion. These tools are being refined with
technological progress even as public attachment to freedoms declines. 

Trump is merely another name for an existential
crisis. Can this be resisted? The answer falling to a few thousand voters in
Pennsylvania or North Carolina is hardly reassuring, even though American civil
society still has powerful mechanisms in place.

Jean-Pierre Denis, a veteran journalist
and editor, is the publisher of La Croix International.

SC tech firm calls in a Wall St. titan to review its slumping $750M investment

One of South Carolina’s largest technology companies is working with a major Wall Street dealmaker to sort out the future of its biggest-ever acquisition, a $750 million investment that hasn’t paid off.Blackbaud Inc. said Oct. 30 that it’s working with bankers at Goldman Sachs to review “strategic options” for Everfi, including the possibility of a sale of the online education unit.

The Daniel Island-based company also “recently right-sized” the struggling subsidiary and eliminated “some pretty substantial” expenses to better match up the costs with the revenue, CEO Mike Gianoni told financial analysts during a conference call.”We’ve got Goldman Sachs on the case here to work with us. So, we’ll resolve this problem,” Gianoni said.

Blackbaud said in a written statement late after the earnings call that the cost reductions included “a small reduction in workforce in some areas within the Everfi business, but that was a relatively small component.”The update was included in a quarterly sales and profit report that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, triggering a sharp sell-off in Blackbaud’s stock. Shares of the Nasdaq-listed company skidded 15 percent to $74.29.

The slumping Everfi business also prompted Blackbaud to cut its 2024 revenue estimate by between $14 million and $34 million. The company now expects its total sales for the year to fall in the $1.15 billion to $1.16 billion range.

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“We expect headwinds at Everfi to continue in the near term, which is reflected in our revised guide,” said Tony Boor, chief financial officer.Acquired in late 2021, Everfi was an established player in a growing $10 billion market, with 500 workers, $120 million in annual revenue and 2,000-plus customers that included big banks and the National Football League.

At the time, the Washington, D.C.-based company was riding a hot trend. In addition to selling standard digital learning products for K-12 students, its platform could help big businesses meet “environmental, social and governance” goals, or ESG, by providing them with online content ranging from financial wellness to racial equity and workplace diversity.

Everfi was expected to boost Blackbaud’s top line with annual sales gains of nearly 20 percent, but it hasn’t followed through. Its 2024 revenue is down 17 percent to $67 million through Sept. 30.Earlier this year, Gianoni told investors unfavorable shifts in spending on “corporate social responsibility” programs were hurting Everfi. The CEO also announced that a turnaround plan was in the works.Gianoni said Wednesday that the customers he’s met remain “enamored” with the subsidiary’s online products. He rattled off several “wins” Everfi has finalized this year with customers such as NASCAR, Truth Initiative and Guardian Life Insurance Co.

“There’s just been some macro pullback in the space, which has caused the business to … struggle … . In fact, it’s going backwards a bit. But it’s not all doom and gloom,” he said.

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