[image: image.png] opening thoughts: time to support independent journalism like the Quorum Report in Texas and the American Prospect and places like Pacifica and local community radio If you haven’t heard, The Washington Post just made a stunning announcement about their opinion section <americanprospect.bluelena.io/lt.php?x=3DZy~GE3JnGb5KGry_E7WRJu2n3WvdHvk-kwjXLMJFmf6K_._Ey.0ONr2nBzit~0k_YwbHjJJXOd>. Guided by their billionaire owner Jeff Bezos, they are now committed to writing “every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets.” This represents a significant rightward shift, clearly designed to appease Trump, Musk, and the new regime in Washington. I find this deeply troubling. But I’m not surprised. Trump himself said it best: “The first term, everybody was fighting me. In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” All around us, we’re watching media institutions capitulate in real time. And now, The Washington Post reframing their entire opinion section around conservative talking points. When the Post talks about “personal liberties,” we know that really means supporting Trump’s attacks on diversity rather than preserving minority rights. When they champion “free markets,” we understand the goal: tax cuts for the wealthy and dismantling the social safety net. ahhh but look who loves this and it says it all. by David Dayen prospect.org At least one person is a fan of the changes. “Bravo, @JeffBezos!” Elon Musk wrote on X. part one: we talk Texas with the Quorum Report publisher Harvey Kronberg topics: *vouchers* football coaches from the Quorum Report *the border* With Trump in office, Gov. Greg Abbott has no plan to ramp down Texas border operation www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/greg-abbott-border-spending-trump-20187542.php *DEI* *Higher ed* Texas Legislature proposes $400 million cut to higher ed as Dan Patrick threatens university budgets over DEI *measles, death and the uninsured* RFK Jr., vaccine critic, calls Texas measles outbreak ‘not unusual’ after unvaccinated child dies Dr. Peter Hotez: Texas child’s death from measles a sign of ‘very large, very dangerous’ outbreak bio: Harvey Kronberg is an American journalist who owns and edits the Quorum Report, an online publication covering Texas politics. In 2005, Texas Monthly named Kronberg as one of the 25 most powerful people in Texas politics.
part two: Bill Curry was a Connecticut state senator, comptroller and two time Democratic nominee for governor who served as Counselor to the President in the Clinton White House. Conor P. Williams is a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, and an expert on urban education reform, English learner students, children of immigrants, early education programs, and school choice systems. topics: *Bezos and the Post* Dying in Darkness: Jeff Bezos Turns Out the Lights in the Washington Post’s Opinion Section The tech mogul’s decision to revamp the editorial pages around his own views threatens not only independent journalism, but the Post’s business future. From MAGA to monarchy: How tech billionaires are engineering American autocracy Common sense for the Trump age *The GOP budget* Spooked by public outrage, GOP aides urge lawmakers to reconsider future town halls Angry constituents and protesters have been giving their congressmembers an earful over Trump-Musk spending cuts The Republican Party’s Constituency Has Changed. They Aren’t Acting Like It. The congressional majority has a priority. It would be really bad for their constituents. slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/02/trump-medicaid-cuts-republicans-reconciliation-mike-johnson.html *Higher ed* Pain for Everyone How Trump’s “indirect costs” cap at the NIH would hurt undergrads too. Legal Scholars Affirm Legality of DEI Programs Amidst Executive Order Confusion *Boston, MA – A coalition of law professors, including preeminent anti-discrimination and constitutional law scholars, sent a memorandum to over 500 U.S. colleges and universities that* *affirms the legality of diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives under federal civil rights laws and Supreme Court precedent. The memo responds to President Trump’s January 21, 2025, Executive Order titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (“J21 EO”) and related communications such as the February 14, 2025, Dear Colleague Letter from the Department of Education.* *The memorandum emphasizes that DEI programs are not only legally defensible but also remain crucial for achieving institutional mandates… * Listen online at www.wnhnfm.org/live. Listen anytime to the podcast at www.podomatic.com/podcasts/staff74238 <www.podomatic.com/podcasts/staff74238> podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attitude-with-arnie-arnesen/id1634055179 tunein.com/podcasts/News–Politics-Podcasts/Attitude-with-Arnie- <tunein.com/podcasts/News–Politics-Podcasts/Attitude-with-Arnie-Arnesen-p1711842/> Arnesen-p1711842/ <tunein.com/podcasts/News–Politics-Podcasts/Attitude-with-Arnie-Arnesen-p1711842/> the Attitude with Arnie Arnesen, American Prospect, Washington Post, Bezos, Texas, Quorum Report, Harvey Kronberg,vouchers, football coaches, Abbott, border, immigration, Conor Williams,Bill Curry, free press, billionaires, monopolies, independent journalism
part two: Bill Curry was a Connecticut state senator, comptroller and two time Democratic nominee for governor who served as Counselor to the President in the Clinton White House. Conor P. Williams is a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, and an expert on urban education reform, English learner students, children of immigrants, early education programs, and school choice systems. topics: *Bezos and the Post* Dying in Darkness: Jeff Bezos Turns Out the Lights in the Washington Post’s Opinion Section The tech mogul’s decision to revamp the editorial pages around his own views threatens not only independent journalism, but the Post’s business future. From MAGA to monarchy: How tech billionaires are engineering American autocracy Common sense for the Trump age *The GOP budget* Spooked by public outrage, GOP aides urge lawmakers to reconsider future town halls Angry constituents and protesters have been giving their congressmembers an earful over Trump-Musk spending cuts The Republican Party’s Constituency Has Changed. They Aren’t Acting Like It. The congressional majority has a priority. It would be really bad for their constituents. slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/02/trump-medicaid-cuts-republicans-reconciliation-mike-johnson.html *Higher ed* Pain for Everyone How Trump’s “indirect costs” cap at the NIH would hurt undergrads too. Legal Scholars Affirm Legality of DEI Programs Amidst Executive Order Confusion *Boston, MA – A coalition of law professors, including preeminent anti-discrimination and constitutional law scholars, sent a memorandum to over 500 U.S. colleges and universities that* *affirms the legality of diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) initiatives under federal civil rights laws and Supreme Court precedent. The memo responds to President Trump’s January 21, 2025, Executive Order titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (“J21 EO”) and related communications such as the February 14, 2025, Dear Colleague Letter from the Department of Education.* *The memorandum emphasizes that DEI programs are not only legally defensible but also remain crucial for achieving institutional mandates… * Listen online at www.wnhnfm.org/live. Listen anytime to the podcast at www.podomatic.com/podcasts/staff74238 <www.podomatic.com/podcasts/staff74238> podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attitude-with-arnie-arnesen/id1634055179 tunein.com/podcasts/News–Politics-Podcasts/Attitude-with-Arnie- <tunein.com/podcasts/News–Politics-Podcasts/Attitude-with-Arnie-Arnesen-p1711842/> Arnesen-p1711842/ <tunein.com/podcasts/News–Politics-Podcasts/Attitude-with-Arnie-Arnesen-p1711842/> the Attitude with Arnie Arnesen, American Prospect, Washington Post, Bezos, Texas, Quorum Report, Harvey Kronberg,vouchers, football coaches, Abbott, border, immigration, Conor Williams,Bill Curry, free press, billionaires, monopolies, independent journalism
