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Daily Archives: December 29, 2021
SoftSwiss Enjoys a Strong ’21 as GGR More than Doubles Across the… – Casino.Org News
Posted: December 29, 2021 at 10:38 am
Posted on: December 29, 2021, 06:18h.
Last updated on: December 29, 2021, 06:18h.
SoftSwiss is bringing 2021 to a close on a high note. The game aggregator company reports that its full-year revenue was double in December what it was in January.
SoftSwiss, which recently gained entry to the Greek market, has delivered its financial health report for the year. It is setting the bar high for itself, with gross gaming revenue (GGR) going from 130 million (US$147.12 million) in January to 250 million (US$292.9 million) in December. This resulted in a full-year GGR total of 88 million (US$99.59 million).
It also reported an increase in the total value of bets. This went from 3.3 billion (US$3.73 billion) to 6.5 billion (US$7.35 billion). The average monthly amount was 5 billion (US$5.65 billion), more than twice the 2.2 billion (US$2.49 billion) recorded last year.
Much of that improvement came as a result of the companys continued expansion. With iGaming constantly adding new ground, SoftSwiss has begun delivering new games to more markets, including Argentina, Brazil, India, Japan and Tunisia. Its Greek expansion is too new to be considered for revenue purposes.
For decades, gamblers didnt have a choice when it came to how they funded their iGaming accounts. Fiat was the only option available, but could be problematic, as well. With large populations unable to access traditional banking options, this limited an online casinos ability to cater to certain markets. That is no longer the case.
Cryptocurrencies have become a major component of iGaming. They are available anywhere a gambler would want to be and dont require a traditional bank account. The financial report provided by SoftSwiss shows how relevant crypto has become and the direction its headed.
Cryptocurrencies are an obvious trend in the gambling industry, so in our development, we put special emphasis on their use. The 2021 figures are the expected result of the companys strategy to expand its portfolio with crypto products, explained SoftSwiss COO Andrey Starovoitov.
SoftSwiss indicated that 40% of all the currencies used this year were crypto. As with the rest of the companys figures, crypto use saw a 100% year-on-year increase.
Bitcoin controlled much of the crypto payments at 83.3% of the segment. That put it in fifth place among all currencies the aggregator accepts. Ethereum held 8% of the payments and Litecoin had 3.9%.
More growth will come in 2022. Last year, SoftSwiss added 60 clients and more than 20 game providers. It added more this year, and the revenue from all of the operations should stay on the same course it has been for 2021.
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Play Andar Bahar with real money at the best online casinos for Indian players – EastMojo
Posted: at 10:38 am
Andar Bahar is Indias favourite card game, yet few online casinos offer the nations most popular pastime. Heres your guide to the top casinos that offer Andar Bahar to players.
Andar Bahar is a well-known Indian gambling game of chance thats said to have originated in Bengaluru in the south of Karnataka, thats taken Indian online casinos by storm in the 21st century. Its suitable for all levels of players which makes it fun for all.
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1. Fun Casino
2. Yako Casino
3. CasinoCasino.com
Looking for a safe casino you can trust which has Indian themed games available and a welcome bonus in Rupees? Then youve come to the right place. Fun Casino draws you in with its delightfully colourful interface and keeps you hooked with the best games from top-notch providers.
Its licensed and regulated by leading governing bodies such as the UKGC, MGA, and more. Theres also plenty of slots, table games, lottery-type games, as well as a live casino to keep you entertained for hours on end. You can play Andar Bahar and other Indian live casino games for real money.
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Indian players can deposit with ease using a variety of local payment methods including Netbanking, UPI, Jeton, and MuchBetter. Youll have peace of mind that your money is safe at Fun Casino using the latest technology in security.
Yako Casino means your casino, and why so? Thats because its tailored to players needs. Youll find a games library of over 1000 video slots, table games, Slingo, video poker and live dealer games. Indian players will also receive 99 free spins on JokerPro, Spinsane and Starburst along with a brilliant welcome bonus in Indian Rupees when you sign up.
Depositing is super quick and simple using local payment methods, and youll receive your winnings within 24 hours depending on the method you use. All the best games are just waiting to be played including the famous Gonzos Gold, Divine Fortune, the Mega Moolah jackpot game, and Big Bass Bonanza.
You can rest assured that Yako is safe to play and is licensed and regulated by the MGA. UKGC and Swedish Spelinspektionen, to ensure its games are fair and customers are treated appropriately. Yako is one of our top places to play Andar Bahar and other games for Indian players.
Get in on double the action at CasinoCasino.com, with an exhilarating selection of 1000+ games from only the best providers. Theres a whole lot to choose from, from all types of slots to Slingo, video poker, table games and a live casino.
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This online casino caters for Indian players by offering local payment methods such as UPI and Netbanking for deposits and withdrawals, and a welcome bonus in Indian Rupees. Theres no reason to worry about your money because its safe and sound thanks to its impressive security system.
Youll also be able to pay Andar Bahar with real money here as well as Indian Roulette, both from Pragmatic Play. And if youre looking for more live-action, there are plenty of good ones by Evolution.
So, how do you play Andar Bahar? Its actually very simple. A standard pack of 52 cards is used in the game and the dealer starts by placing one card face up. Next, the player must bet on either one of two piles, Andar (which means inside) and Bahar (meaning outside). This is where the game gets its name, and if the matching card appears in one of the piles, the player wins.
In this game, the dealer plays the bank and any number of players can join in on the fun. After a good shuffle, the first card, known as the trump card or joker is played face up this is the card that players must match. You can also call it the house or middle card, as it lies between the two piles.
The minimum and maximum bets are determined by the house and players can place their bets on either of the two piles right and left of the house card. Next, the dealer deals single cards also face up from the remainder of the deck alternating from one pile to another until a match is found.
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If the house card is black, then the first card to be dealt must go to the Andar pile, whereas if the house card is red, its dealt to the Bahar pile. The cards keep on coming until a card matching the rank of the house card is found and players who bet on the winning pile win.
The probability of the matching card appearing on the side where the first card is dealt is slightly higher and the payouts in Andar Bahar reflect this. A successful bet on the side where the first card was dealt is paid out at odds of 0.9 to 1, while a successful bet on the other pile where the second card was dealt is paid out 1 to 1 (evens). This all depends on the colour of the first face up card dealt.
Therefore, if the house card is black, a successful bet of 1000 on Andar, will pay 1900, thats your bet returned plus an additional 900 in winnings. On the other hand, a successful bet on Bahar will pay 2000.
In the scenario where the house card is red, a successful bet of the same amount on Andar will pay 2000, and 1900 on Bahar.
What this means is, the chances that the first matching card will appear on the same side as the first card dealt is close to 51.5%. This way, players can easily calculate the house edge on a bet on the side where the first card is dealt, which comes to 2.15%. Whereas the house edge on a bet placed on the side where the second card is dealt is 3%.
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As Andar Bahar is purely a game of chance, were sorry to say theres no strategy or tricks that can increase your chances of winning.
Several variations of Andar Bahar can be found online. One such variation as where the first card is dealt.
Also read | Dafabet App Download Casino APK for Android and iOS
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Seven Stories We Expected In 2021, And Two We Didn’t – OnlinePokerReport.com
Posted: at 10:38 am
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2021 was always going to be a complicated year for US online gambling. The industry was a young and dynamic one to begin with, but it also sat at the cusp of several potential turning points.
The transition of power from the Trump administration to Joe Bidens was impending. So too was the opening of the Michigan iGaming market. The COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing, but vaccinations had just started to get underway and restrictions were loosening. Several important legal battles were still unresolved.
Some of whats happened over the past twelve months fell into the category of known unknowns. At the end of 2020, I wrote about seven stories we knew would be unfolding this year.
There have also been a couple of major developments that happened more or less out of the blue. As we prepare to bid farewell to 2021, heres a look back at the years big stories, starting with those we were following from the start.
2020 ended on a cliffhanger for Flutter. Its acquisition of PokerStars had been fraught with risk due to the massive fine levied against it in Kentucky. Having won its appeal, it may have thought itself in the clear. However, in the dying weeks of the year, the states Supreme Court reinstated the judgment.
Not only that, it added substantial interest to the fine, bringing the total to more than $1.2 billion. The company promised its shareholders that it would fight on, but it wasnt clear what legal footing it had to do so.
First, it tried unsuccessfully to get a rehearing. Next, it went to the US Supreme Court. Normally, SCOTUS wouldnt involve itself in matters of state law. However, Flutters argument was that the amount the state was seeking was unconstitutional, and violated the Eight Amendments provisions against excessive fines.
The final outcome was just as Flutter had promised its shareholders. It settled for $300 million, still a substantial amount but much less than the state was seeking.
From a poker players perspective, one of the most dramatic consequences of the pandemic was the cancellation of the 2020 World Series of Poker. Until that point, the series hadnt missed a year in four decades.
It was everyones expectation that the arrival of vaccines meant the series would be back in 2021. The question was what form it would take.
Due to uncertainties, WSOP was slow to make its announcements. The plan it eventually settled on was to delay the live series until the fall, but do a repeat of its Online Bracelet Series over the summer, since that had been such a success the year prior.
Attendance was well down due to vaccine requirements and difficulties around international travel. The series also struggled a bit with dealer availability. Overall, though, it went off quite successfully given the circumstances.
The Flutter-Kentucky case wasnt the only legal cliffhanger coming in to 2021. One of the three First Circuit judges hearing the Department of Justices appeal of the Wire Act case had just died. That left it unclear whether the case could continue or require a rehearing. At stake was the legality of multi-state poker, as well as other forms of interstate gambling compacts.
Fortunately, the other two judges were in agreement, so the final vote was a moot point. The DOJ lost on appeal, and the Biden administration had already indicated that it didnt want the case going to the Supreme Court.
Unfortunately, the DOJ has ignored pressure to formally reverse its opinion about the Act. As a result, the story hasnt quite reached its conclusion. IGT is now seeking declaratory relief to make sure the DOJ doesnt attempt to resurrect the case in future.
We expected Ballys to be a big story in 2021, but its been more of a slow burn. The company formerly known as Twin River Worldwide Holdings had acquired Ballys Atlantic City and the Ballys name in 2020 and was in the process of rebranding itself using that identity. It had also begun raising capital and engaging in a series acquisitions with the intention of entering the online gambling space.
As it turns out, the Bally Bet Sportsbook has launched and is available in three states so far. However, the brand hasnt yet made its entry to the online casino vertical.
This is a story we expect to continue into 2022. What Ballys has done this year is complete its $2.7 billion acquisition of GameSys and replace its own CEO with that of the latter company. This is a clear sign that iGaming is in fact a big part of its future plans, but that its not rushing into things. Board Chairman Soohyung Kim toldOPRas much in June.
BetMGM, the joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Entain, had all the markings of becoming a dominant force in US online casino gaming. However, as of Dec. 2020, it was still in second place in New Jersey and had only just launched in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
The question going into 2021 was whether it would in fact turn potential into reality. The opening of the Michigan market (see below) was going to be a key part of that.
As it turns out, the answer is an emphatic yes. BetMGM Casino rapidly established itself as the dominant force in the new state, with more than one-third of the total revenue. It is now the clear US market leader in the iGaming vertical, and competitive with the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel when it comes to the combined market for iGaming and online sports betting.
The one area in which it struggles is online poker. Though BetMGM Poker now operates in the same three states as PokerStars, it trails by a large margin in terms of traffic and revenue.
At the moment, few enough states have legalized online casinos that its hard to predict how a launch will go. As a result, there was considerable curiosity surrounding Michigans. It had originally tried to speed up the process and get off the ground in 2020, but in the end, there was just too much red tape. In the end, the state settled on Jan. 22, 2021 as its go live date.
All that waiting proved to be worth it. By the end February the states first full month of operation 11 of 15 brands were already up and running. More importantly, Michigan revenue was already comparable to other more established markets like Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This was in stark contrast to the early months for Pennsylvania, as that state took quite a while to get up to speed.
Best of all, Michigan is on course to exceed $1 billion in total iGaming revenue for 2021. Due to the late January launch, it will get there later than NJ and PA, but has probably already cleared the milestone though we wont get the official full year numbers until sometime in January.
Of course, the most important online gambling story of any given year is whether any new states legalized it. The top contenders for 2021 were Connecticut and Illinois, and they went 1-1.
Connecticut has wanted to legalize sports betting for some time now but faced complicated political challenges. The solution that lawmakers and the states tribes finally agreed on was a win-win, as iGaming proved to be the bargaining chip to make it all happen.
The market consists of just two full service brands, one controlled by each tribe, plus a single sports betting skin for the state lottery (with no iGaming). That relatively small number of moving parts facilitated the launch process, such that the state was able to get up and running in October.
Illinois did not fare so well. Despite a promising-sounding bill with provisions for a rapid launch, the effort stalled in the spring. Efforts will resume in 2022, but at least one key stakeholder expects that success wont come before 2023 at the earliest.
This outcome for 2021 is a bit of a disappointment. The closure of retail casinos during the pandemic illustrated for a lot of states why having an online casino option is so important for tax revenue. Many industry pundits therefore predicted a wave of legalization that hasnt yet come to pass. That may still happen in future, but for the time being it seems that many states are still adjusting to the idea of sports betting, and need more time before theyre willing to consider online casinos.
With all that going on, its amazing that the industry found time to do anything else. Even so, it managed to fling a few curve balls into the mix. Here are the two stories we didnt see coming:
Corporations are inclined to compete, not cooperate, and so joint ventures dont last forever. It was inevitable that sooner or later, MGM Resorts and Entain would try to find some way to disentangle themselves, whether through acquisition, buying out the others share, or spinning offBetMGM as a separate company.
That happened sooner than expected, however, as MGM Resorts made an offer to buy not only the rest of BetMGM, but Entain itself. However, Entain was having none of it.
Things took a turn for the weirder when DraftKings took its own shot. Entain rebuffed that overture as well, and DraftKings shareholders seemed unimpressed by both the offer and its eventual failure. That may, in fact, have been the prick that burst the DraftKings stock bubble, as its shares have dropped by more than half since September highs.
Scientific Games is one of the industrys biggest business-to-business companies. Until 2021, it had kept its focus broad, supplying lotteries, sportsbooks and casinos alike. Early this year, however, it told investors that it saw the casino vertical as its future. In order to dedicate its resources to that, it would be selling off the lottery and sports betting arms of its business.
Despite the big price tags involved, it took only a few months to find buyers. It has subsequently reinvested some of that newfound capital in acquiring Authentic Gaming, in order to add live dealer capabilities to its portfolio. It will be interesting to see what 2022 holds for the company, as the burgeoning US iGaming market seems to be part of the reason for its strategic shift.
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LatAm slot sector: Digital players are the future – Casino Beats
Posted: at 10:38 am
At a time where mobile internet is highly accessible, there are players who are ready to spend hours playing on their smartphones. According to Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO of Evenbet Gaming, these players are the future.
In the first of a three part mini-series delving into the current state of the LatAm market, Starostenkov is joined by Mario Benito, CCO of R. Franco Digital and Andrea Rossi,Betsson Groups commercial director Latin America, to give the lowdown on the opportunities it presents.
Im sure that we are just at the beginning of the digital transformation in South and Latin American gaming, stated Starostenkov, pointing out that only three years ago, most land-based operators were sceptical about going online now they are adopting a multi-channel approach in droves, using online to become attractive to new audiences.
Rossi added that he too believesthat digital is the way forward. He explained that, as an effect of the pandemic, a number ofland-based operatorshave moved to the digital world,and the way forward for them seems to beomnichannel so whilst they still keeptheirbrick-and-mortarpresence, they will alsofocus on growing their online business
He continued to explain that this can also open some M&A opportunitiesasretailoperatorswill beon the lookout foronline providers which can supporttheir web-basedoperationsthrough know-howand experience.
I think digital marketingwaspredominantly usedby online operators, Rossi added. However, now that land-based casinos started moving to the online space, theyll slowly but surely kick-off theirdigital marketing activities tooso one shall expect an increase in digital marketing activity.
Benito emphasised that, to him, it is clear that for these sectors to succeed in the future, digital marketing has to be a primary action and a central pillar of their strategy.
He explained that the way that people all over the world consume media has changed forever, providing the example that millions will now never encounter traditional TV advertising again.
Following the old traditional ways of marketing is a recipe for obsolescence when relatively new channels such as Twitch and YouTube enjoy such widespread popularity.
He continued to highlight that, for casino suppliers, while a great deal of care should be taken over the selection of appropriate partners, this is no time for hesitancy.
He concluded: Streamers and influencers on new media channels attract huge audiences and cannot be ignored in favour of campaigns in traditional media.
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Racing Tips | NAP of the Day | Horse Racing Betting Tips | Bet Of The Day – Sportslens.com
Posted: at 10:38 am
Todays horse racing NAP of the Day for Wednesday, 29 December with SportsLens tipsters is Vanillier. He runs in the 3m Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown (1:45). Gavin Cromwells runner is no stranger to success at major meetings, so looks the best value Bet of the Day at an 11/4 price.
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Vanillier, a six-year-old grey gelding, steps back up in trip to 3m after winning his second start over fences. As an impressive winner of the Albert Bartlett at last seasons Cheltenham Festival, this son of Martaline has plenty of followers for the campaign ahead. Vanillier thus rates theNAP of the Day this Wednesday. Check out even more reasons to back him below
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According to the market on horse racing betting sites, Vanilliers main competition in this contest comes from two relatively exposed handicappers. He remains lightly-raced under Rules and has only had 10 career starts including two Irish Points. After winning the second of those at Dromahane, Vanillier appreciated the step up to the 3m trip on his fourth hurdles start.
The Albert Bartlett is invariably a race that throws up all sorts of subsequent winners with the 2021 renewal no different. Each of the third, fourth and sixth home have already gone on to win over fences. Even the 13th home has scored twice over the larger obstacles in Chepstow novices limited handicaps, so it has paid to follow that Cheltenham form.
Cromwell started Vanillier off in this sphere over an inadequate trip at Down Royal. He was a fine staying on third to Lifetime Ambition, but its the runner-up in Beacon Edge who has advertised the form. That one went one better in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase. When stepped up to 2m 6f for the Grade 2 Florida Pearl at Punchestown last time out, Vanillier bolted up by 26 lengths.
Going up in distance again is sure to suit him too and remains open to any amount of further progress. Take our NAP of the Day tip and back Vanillier with a 25 wager at his current odds returning 93.75. If he doesnt follow-up at the highest level, then QuinnBet refunds the losing stake as a free bet.
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Join QuinnBet and get 50% of sportsbook losses from the first days betting refunded. Any SportsLens readers that havent signed up already can take advantage of this neat new customer offer. Register and deposit to the account using an compatible payment method with this welcome bonus. Now place qualifying sportsbooks bets that have minimum odds of Evens (2.00). By the way, all Bet of the Day articles on SportsLens have that covered at the time of writing.
It doesnt matter if punters choose to follow the NAP of the Day or pick out another bet. Should there be losses in the account at the end of the first day after signing up, QuinnBet returns half of those up to 25 as a free bet. Put on three qualifying wagers meeting the minimum odds requirements and get 10 Free Spins on a featured slot in the online casino. Additional T&Cs apply. If the account balance is up after that first day, then receive a 5 free bet and the spins. With QuinnBet, no new customers miss out on this great deal.
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Guide to the Illinois FOIA Act Public Affairs
Posted: at 10:37 am
TheIllinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) gives the public the right to accessgovernment documents and records. The premise behind FOIA is that the publichas a right to know what its governmentincluding its agencies, bureaus,universities, colleges, and other public bodiesis doing. The law provides thata person can ask a public body for a copy of records on a specific subject andthat public body must provide those records, unless there is an exemption inthe statute that protects the records from disclosure.
Records thata university employee creates or comes to possess in the course of her/his universityduties are subject to FOIA and must be produced when requested unless an exemptionapplies.
Thefollowing points will help you understand how to comply with FOIA.
Its important tounderstand that FOIA does not exempt documents from release simply because suchrelease might cause embarrassment for someone. Furthermore,requestors who believe they have been denied records that should be releasedmay request a review by the Illinois Public Access Counselor (PAC) in theIllinois Attorney Generals Office. The PAC may direct disclosure ofinformation previously withheld.
The UniversityRelations Office for the University of Illinois System serves as the singlepoint of intake for FOIA requests of information from any administrators,faculty, or staff on any of the three campuses. If you receive a request,please forward it immediately tofoia@uillinois.edu. The university is requiredto respondto requests within five business days, with an allowance for aone-time five-day extension. Any delay in beginning the response process means lesstime to work with you to ensure responses are complete and, if applicable,properly redacted.
In mostcases, the University Relations Office collaborates with our campus Office of PublicAffairs and the Office of Campus Legal Counsel when responding to FOIArequests. If you are contacted by University Relations or a campus FOIAcoordinator to gather records in response to a request, please remember toforward all records that are requested, even if you believe the information maybe exempt from production. University Relations decides whether it isappropriate to assert exemptions from disclosure (for documents or contentwithin documents).
If youreceive a FOIA request directly from a citizen or outside organization, pleaseforward it immediately to foia@uillinois.edu and theFOIA team will begin working with you on the response.
For more information and an FAQ visit: http://www.uillinois.edu/foia.
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News Bureau | ILLINOIS
Posted: at 10:37 am
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. While the topic of premarital sex among college students may seem blas today, openly expressing an opinion on it in a student newspaper in 1960 was so offensive that it abruptly ended one university professors career.
Ehrlichs book, published by the University of Illinois Press, examines the evolution of academic freedom and extramural speech protections for scholars at the U. of I. in the early 1960s.
Courtesy of the University of Illinois Press
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Although biology professor Leo Koch would never work in higher education again, his legacy was a reevaluation of First Amendment and academic freedom protections for scholars at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, an Illinois professor wrote in a new book. These changes would benefit classics professor Revilo Oliver an anticommunist, white nationalist firebrand enabling him to withstand the tidal waves of outrage that his provocative language and ideas incited to keep his job in academia.
In Dangerous Ideas on Campus: Sex, Conspiracy and Academic Freedom in the Age of JFK (University of Illinois Press), author Matthew C. Ehrlich, a professor emeritus of journalism at the U. of I., examined the intersections of sex, politics and academic freedom in higher education by revisiting the cases of these controversial scholars.
The Koch and Oliver cases marked a significant shift in the understanding of academic freedom, Ehrlich said. Through them, we can see the context for the ongoing battle over beliefs and values that continues to divide our society as well as various groups efforts to ignite, spread, contain or extinguish explosive ideas.
Ehrlichs analysis examines the prevailing Christian beliefs and moral values of the time that attempted to control student sexuality and set standards for discourse, as well as the political climate that was rife with anticommunist suspicion in the wake of the Red Scare of the 1950s.
While people sometimes wax nostalgic about a supposed Golden Age when universities faced fewer political and economic pressures than they do today, that wasnt really the case, Ehrlich said. Universities, especially public universities like the U. of I., have always been under enormous economic and political pressure.
Although polar opposites in their political views, Koch and Oliver were in many ways mirror images of each other in their roles as campus gadflies and public provocateurs, Ehrlich wrote. The outspoken and unconventional Koch had long been a source of consternation for campus administrators, and his unit already had decided not to renew his contract when it expired.
But Kochs exit from the university was expedited when he wrote a letter to the editor of The Daily Illini student newspaper in March 1960 critiquing a column titled Sex Ritualized. Written by two male students to promote an upcoming lecture series on sexuality and Christian values, the column lamented how sexual expectations and campus dating culture interfered with the development of healthy relationships between men and women.
According to Ehrlich, Kochs response took a light poke at (the student authors) narrow-minded, if not entirely ignorant perspective on student sex. Koch suggested that with modern contraceptives and medical advice readily available there is no valid reason why sexual intercourse should not be condoned among those sufficiently mature to engage in it.
Outraged parents, two of the university trustees and a Baptist minister named Ira Latimer who suspected Koch of being a communist clamored for Kochs dismissal. Within days, university president David Dodds Henry who called the letter offensive and repugnant relieved Koch of his duties, and the university announced that he would be out at the end of that academic year.
After a formal hearing, the trustees concurred with firing Koch. However, the Academic Freedom Committee of the faculty senate investigated the incident and issued a report recommending that Koch be disciplined for writing the letter but not fired.
Kochs dismissal and fight for reinstatement would become a cause clbre, stoking vigorous debate in the national media and in higher education about the limits of academic freedom and faculty members First Amendment rights to extramural speech as private citizens.
In 1963, the American Association of University Professors censured the U. of I. for violating Kochs due process rights. In response to the AAUPs censure, U. of I. officials began reexamining and revising the university statutes, bolstering the academic freedom provisions for scholars on campus, Ehrlich wrote.
Thus, the universitys response would be very different a few years later when Oliver created a similar uproar by penning a seething op-ed titled Marxmanship in Dallas that made startling allegations about the late President John F. Kennedy and other high-ranking officials.
Published in the far-right John Birch Society magazine American Opinion in February 1964, just weeks after Kennedys death, Olivers column infused with invectives such as cockroaches and vermin alleged that JFK was a traitorous agent for an international communist conspiracy intent on overthrowing the U.S. According to Oliver, JFK was killed by his co-conspirators after he became a political liability.
Despite Olivers explosive claims, the university defended his right to express them, Ehrlich wrote. Oliver stayed on the faculty and continued as a public speaker and political writer.
The U. of I. was clearly wrong to fire Koch and equally right to defer to the professional judgment of faculty and not discipline Oliver. That principle must be adhered to today even in the face of severe challenges to faculty autonomy, Ehrlich said. Far from protecting only liberal faculty, academic freedom also protects faculty on the other end of the political spectrum. Revilo Oliver is a prime example of that.
Ehrlich also touched upon the more recent case of Steven Salaita, a scholar whose offer of a tenured faculty position at the U. of I. was rescinded after he posted angry tweets about Israel.
Ehrlich concluded that imposing strict civility standards will only backfire, stifling the free exchange of ideas critical to scholarly inquiry vital to universities.
Instead, Ehrlich urged readers to keep faith in the ideal that former U. of I. dean of students and dean of women Miriam A. Shelden called a university of all of us a stirring place where ideas fight for the supremacy of truth.
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Freedoms Eve reflects victory over trespass – The Miami Times
Posted: at 10:37 am
This New Years Eve marks the 159th anniversary of Freedoms Eve, a famous date in Black history when millions of people anxiously awaited the announcement that they had at last been freed from bondage.
On Dec. 31, 1862, American slaves were waiting for the clock to strike midnight in order to seize the promise of freedom outlined in the Emancipation Proclamation. Only 3.1 million of the countrys four million slaves were declared free from the bondage of oppression with the issuance of the decree. The soon-to-be freed slaves stayed awake all night and watched the darkness turn into a new dawn while waiting for the news. Since then, the tradition of celebrating Freedoms Eve has been a cultural ritual.
Freedoms Eve was inspired by the Watch Night service tradition. The event can be traced back to the Moravians, a Christian denomination in the Czech Republic during the mid-1700s. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, adopted the practice and began incorporating Watch Night services into the Methodist tradition.
In 1770, the first Watch Night was held in America at St. Georges Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Two slaves, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, were a part of the congregation and would later leave the church after experiencing discrimination to establish the African Methodist Episcopal church (A.M.E.). The A.M.E. Church tradition subsequently inspired the celebration of Freedoms Eve as Black persons gathered together to recognize the progression of freedoms journey.
Frederick Douglass was an A.M.E. member and once said of Freedoms Eve that We shout for joy that we live to record this righteous decree. For Black people, the prayers of their ancestors finally came to fruition as they reached a future of freedom and liberty.
The logo for the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.), which was founded by two former enslaved persons.
Freedoms Eve was a call to action. It was a moral imperative to fight for the full realization of freedom for Black men and women united in the struggle for liberty. The tradition is a symbol of not only the struggle for freedom from slavery, but also a mark of tenacious courage. Freedoms Eve connects history with the present since it informs Black America of the present challenge to secure the blessings of liberty for future generations.
Less than a decade after the first Freedoms Eve celebration, many Blacks had become resistant to the idea. They wanted to distance themselves from the more painful and degrading aspect of a collective past. They felt that celebrating emancipation kept the memory of slavery alive. After 1870, and continuing into the 20th century, many in the Black middle class advocated halting Freedoms Eve commemorations.
In 1876, Theophilus G. Steward, an A.M.E. minister, insisted that Blacks would never unite behind a common history because the races narrative was centered on slavery and slave history is no history he professed.
Steward penned a series of essays about Blacks in New York City in explaining that it was difficult to find a colored man even from the South who will acknowledge that he actually passed through the hardships of slavery Men do not like to be referred to slavery now.
Many contemporary Black Americans may not feel the need to continue watching for freedom. Some contend that Blacks are far removed from the evil days of slavery. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King said more than a half-century ago the Negro is still not free, yet there has been undeniable progress, albeit slow and painstaking, made in the struggle for liberty and equality.
Black Americans traditionally have gathered in churches on New Years Eve. Its an opportunity to praise God for bringing them safely through the year in recounting the celebratory theme of how we got over.
The service usually begins anywhere from 7-10 p.m. and ends at midnight with the entrance of the new year. Over time, there have been instances where clergy in mainline denominations questioned the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Years Day. Those who faithfully observe the service insist that the importance of overcoming past injustice becomes a transformational experience that resounds in the services singing and praise.
Many Black people probably do not specifically celebrate Freedoms Eve per se in the sense of reflecting on their ancestors freedom from slavery. Yet, the direct link between Freedoms Eve celebrations and Watch Night undoubtedly has both explicit and implicit impacts on many Black Christians observance of the tradition.
Some Black worship leaders fully honor the Freedoms Eve tradition in its most sympathetic form. Many Black Christians from various denominations including Methodist, Baptist and Pentecostal churches implicitly reflect on the spirit of Freedoms Eve celebrations by bringing in the New Year with jubilation and praise, praying and shouting. They thank God for seeing them through another year as they anticipate the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams and, most of all, Gods promises in the new year.
There are traditional hymns that Black people sing in reflecting how God has been and remains to be their source of hope in the freedom struggle. Weve Come This Far By Faith is a congregational hymn that can encourage Black persons to cogitate how far they have come in America through slavery; the Black Codes; the Jim Crow era; the civil rights movement; the election of President Barack Obama; and beyond.
O God, Our Help in Ages Past is an English hymn written by Isaac Watts. The song paraphrases Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses. Here, Moses distinguishes the eternal nature of God from the finite nature of human beings. Moses muses how God has been a dwelling place and source of refuge for the children of Israel and for these purposes, the Black children of America.
As Black people ring in the new year, the hymns are said to inspire Black Christians to ruminate how God has been their sustaining power and source of security throughout the ages, their help in ages past, and their hope for the year to come.
Today, there are many ways to honor the anniversary of Freedoms Eve. Start by sharing the story of Freedoms Eve with family, friends and youth in the community. It is an opportunity to reclaim history with a sense of great pride in shining a light on and proclaiming victory over the darkness of slavery.
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Israel’s ‘Facebook bill’ is a serious threat to freedom of expression – Haaretz
Posted: at 10:36 am
The nickname Facebook Law, which has been given to a bill to prevent incitement on social media, is misleading and dangerous. It obscures fundamental flaws in the bill, which was approved by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation Monday night in preparation for the first of three required Knesset votes.
First, the bill would allow district court judges to remove posts not just from Facebook, and not even just from all social media outlets, as its official name implies, but from any website at all. Second, in addition to defining the crime, the bill includes vague considerations about possible harm to an individuals safety, public safety and national security. These are very broad terms that are open to different interpretations, frequently political ones. And as both military censorship and judicial gag orders have proven, despite the standard of near certainty set by the High Court of Justice, in the vast majority of cases judges approve requests of this type almost automatically, in ex parte hearings and with the evidence heard on camera practices the current bill would also allow.
Third, the bill also drags internet service providers into this mess, as they may be asked to block access in Israel to content that websites dont agree to remove. Big technology conglomerates like Facebook do indeed pose significant social and political challenges for democracy in the digital age. But even today, its possible to file lawsuits or criminal charges if online posts violate elements of the penal code, such as the laws against libel and incitement.
The bill is far-reaching and draconian in its implications for freedom of expression. It grants the authorities unprecedented and disproportionate tools for imposing government censorship. In many countries, such as India and the Philippines, similar laws that originally purported to regulate social media are now being used to persecute journalists and human rights organizations. This is what happened, for instance, to journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, who was jailed under the provisions of new internet laws. Israeli law also enables content on news websites to be removed or blocked a practice that should have disappeared together with the Press Ordinance instituted by the British Mandate almost a century ago.
The bill now being promoted by Justice Minister Gideon Saar isnt new. It was also initially promoted by the previous government, but then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ultimately decided to shelve it because of his growing use of social media for his own political purposes.
Nevertheless, the division into blocs that has emerged over this bill, solely because of Netanyahus position on it, is narrow-minded and dangerous and prevents sober consideration of its provisions, which will affect freedom of the press in Israel for generations. To mitigate the damage, its necessary to significantly restrict the laws applicability, in terms of both the websites it applies to and the types of offenses it covers, and also to bar ex parte hearings in which the evidence is heard on camera.
The above article is Haaretz's lead editorial, as published in the Hebrew and English newspapers in Israel.
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Israel's 'Facebook bill' is a serious threat to freedom of expression - Haaretz
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First Amendment is freedom of religion, not from it | Opinion – The Jackson Sun
Posted: at 10:36 am
Last week, Jackson Mayor Scott Conger opened a minor can of worms when he shared a Christmas card quality photo of himself and his family in Downtown Jackson.
He opened the post by asking how we can honor the birth of Christ and then posted James 1:19-20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
He then wished everyone reading a Merry Christmas.
By the time Christmas was over, there were more than 400 comments on the post with many of them wishing Merry Christmas back to the mayor and some even acknowledging their appreciation that he would mention Jesus Christs birth in his holiday message, something that many government officials opt not to do for varying reasons.
But among the more than 400 comments were a few that accused him of violating the First Amendment, specifically the part about freedom of religion.
Conger actually replied to a couple of them defending his statement with another part of the First Amendment, freedom of speech.
Now Im all for constructively criticizing Jacksons mayor as much as the next person when its warranted, but I dont think this is one of those times.
A lot of people seem to misunderstand the freedom of religion part of the First Amendment.
They seem to expect that when a person is elected to office or hired for a job within the government that theyre expected to leave their religion outside City Hall or the Courthouse or the White House or wherever theyre serving.
But thats not the case.
When the nations founding fathers wrote the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, they were trying to make a nation that was the exact opposite of the nation they were breaking free from in England.
And that country imposed a national religion and expected all citizens to follow that religion if they wanted to be a part of that country or its empire.
So freedom of religion keeps the United State of Americas federal government and every state and local government within its borders from forcing a certain religion or any religion for that matter on its citizens.
It doesnt keep religion out of government.
It doesnt mean that a person who claims to be a Christian and runs for mayor is to refrain from praying or going to church or reading the Bible or anything like that while he or she is in office for four years every time he or she is elected.
If were to use Conger in this example, he just cant make any executive orders or push the City Council to pass any resolutions forcing or prohibiting one particular religion on Jacksons citizens.
I can tell you that one of Congers early executive orders during the pandemic had a line that was difficult to decipher regarding churches meeting, and I had conversations with city officials on a specific Friday in the spring of 2020 letting them know we at The Sun were prepared to do appropriate reporting that weekend and the following week if the executive order did restrict gatherings at church and law enforcement did enforce it before I was assured that the order was not prohibiting religious gatherings.
Faith may play a role in decisions he makes. At the state level, Gov. Bill Lee isnt shy about how his Christianity influences him to make some of the decisions he makes. And of course that brings out similar accusations against Lee that Congers Merry Christmas post did.
Of course a Merry Christmas wish from a city mayor and a policy declaration by a state governor are two different things with different ramifications.
But the checks and balances system of our government is in place for when that gray area of religion in government tends to get too dark on the side of religion if a policy affects a person or group of people too much.
But checks and balances do not affect whether or not someone can say Merry Christmas. And no ones First Amendment rights were violated last week with Congers post.
Save that argument for when it matters.
Brandon Shields is the editor of The Jackson Sun. Reach him at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at editorbrandon.
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First Amendment is freedom of religion, not from it | Opinion - The Jackson Sun
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