Category Archives: Freedom

India needs a legal structure that balances the right to freedom of expression and regulation of cyberspace, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said on Monday.

He said the pandemic had forced a consensus on the issue in India, and its outcome could be a dynamic legal structure.

We need to overhaul our legal structure in a big way. I dont think any incremental changes will help. The change has to be substantial, structural and fundamental, and that is where the conflict starts, Vaishnav said, addressing the second national conference on Cyber Crime Investigation and Digital Forensics, organised by CBI.

On one side is the right to freedom of expression and privacy, which is said to be sacrosanct The second conflicting thing is that there has to be regulation, control in order to stop fraudulent activity, which is committed in the garb of the right to privacy and freedom of expression, he said. That is the balance society has to strike.

Vaishnav said India is already arriving at that balance.

Luckily, during Covid-19, the world has changed fundamentally, he said. The way of thinking has changed. The balance is now coming in the thought process of the society. Take the case of South Korea, Australia, almost every state in the US or the EU. (A) large number of legal, societal interventions are happening basically trying to bring back the balance between right to privacy on the one side and need for regulation on the other.

The minister said, We, in India, are also trying to create that societal consensus. Its happening. In Parliament, the Opposition, which used to be vocal about the government trying to intrude into peoples lives, is today asking for more regulations. This will eventually give way to a legal structure that is dynamic, in tune with the times, and addresses aspirations of the younger generations, as well as keeps people safe, keeps social media accountable.

Vaishnav emphasised the need for use of more technology to combat cybercrime, and said universities must come forward with solutions for this. Crimes perpetrated by technology will have to be countered by technology, he said.

The minister also referred to the impact of the threat of cyber attacks on todays technology-driven infrastructure such as railways, power systems, etc. He called for organisational measures at various levels whether it is a student managing her/his own password or the WiFi router in a family; a small business or a large corporation or a government department, all organisations will have to think more about protecting the cyberspace.

Vaishnav also dwelled on the need for capacity development and said that extremely persistent efforts will have to be taken for creating capacity in cyber investigation, cyber forensics, cyber law, cyber technology, cyber security.

CBI director Subodh Kumar Jaiswal said the agency has over a period of time gathered reasonable expertise in cyber crime investigations. He said CBI is the lead agency in the investigation of cyber crimes and functions as the point of contact for law enforcement agencies of more than a hundred countries.

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Need legal structure that balances freedom of expression, cyber regulation: Ashwini Vaishnav - The Indian Express

By Anthony Urciuoli

Published April 4, 2022 at 11:02 am

While the term "new normal" has been used ad nauseam since the pandemic, it is perhaps most fitting when applied to the workplace. Is change good?

While the term new normal has been used ad nauseam since the pandemic, it is perhaps most fitting when applied to the workplace.

COVID-19 forced individuals and businesses to culturally rethink the traditional work model. Companies were able to discover efficiencies and employees spent more time at home, re-evaluating their careers and re-prioritizing what is most important to them in the face of additional stressors.

Things are different now, and according to Hamilton-based professor Catherine Connelly, thats a good thing.

The pandemic has forced many workplaces to take stock of their policies on how their employees complete their work, said Connelly, who teacheshuman resources and management at McMaster Universitys DeGroote School of Business.

Before COVID, working from home was often a privilege granted to a few select workers like high performers and people in certain jobs that already had a high degree of autonomy and discretion.

Hamilton-based professor Catherine Connelly (pictured) teacheshuman resources and management at McMaster Universitys DeGroote School of Business.

In an interview with Brighter Worlds Andrea Lawson, Connelly said managers have had to adapt and focus on whether the employees objectives are being met rather than micromanaging the day-to-day activities of each employee.

Fewer employees are willing to make compromises that harm their own health and well-being or that of their families, she said.

Many individuals are simply unwilling to return to the office. Particularly those who incur the cost and time required for commuting.

Others have taken on additional caregiver roles, not only in terms of childcare but also in eldercare. Connelly says it would be a shame if companies didnt at least provide a hybrid solution.

Organizations that can allow employees to continue to work from home for at least part of the time will benefit from more satisfied and committed employees, she noted. During the pandemic, a lot of flexibility was offered, and it would be a shame if these advances were lost.

What about the socializing and comradery that has been lacking during the pandemic? Connelly believes regular social and networking events, either in-person or remotely, are critical in ensuring individuals feel like part of a team.

By working from home, employees may miss out on serendipitous informal interactions with co-workers. These unplanned conversations about mundane topics are important for building trust, which my research has shown has serious implications for knowledge sharing and hiding, she said.

Safety is also a consideration for companies and their employees. COVID-19 is not over and Connelly stressed thatpushing employees to work in ways that feel unsafe is counterproductive.

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More employee freedom should be new normal: McMaster University Hamilton professor | inTheHammer - insauga.com

The freedom to protest to gather, to object, to call for change is an indispensable component of our democracy. Social change has never been inevitable. Aspects of Australian life we take for granted today womens vote, the eight-hour work day, protected wilderness areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights occurred because ordinary Australians took to the streets. Protest gives a voice to the voiceless; it gives political power to those unable to wield influence through money and lobbyists. The freedom to protest matters it goes to the heart of representative, democratic government.

Last week, the NSW government critically eroded that freedom. The Roads and Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill, which passed the Legislative Council on Friday, significantly undermines the ability of people in NSW to protest. It is a draconian measure unnecessary, disproportionate, lacking oversight and containing only minimal safeguards. It should never have become law.

Protestors tied to a pole push for climate change action on a cargo train line near Port Botany in Pagewood on March 24.Credit:Nick Moir

The amendments radically expand an existing legislative provision that makes it an offence to cause disruption on the Sydney Harbour Bridge or other major bridges and tunnels. Under the new laws, causing disruption on any tunnel, road or bridge chosen by the government, or at railway stations, ports or infrastructure facilities, is punishable by up to two years imprisonment and a $22,000 fine.

The new provision is so broad and vague that almost all protest activity without prior approval now risks criminal sanction. Imagine school children gathering at a park in Sydney to protest against inaction on climate change. Say the large turnout means that protesters spill out into the entrance of a nearby railway station. They do not pose any safety risk, but commuters have to walk around the children to access the station. Those protesters our children could be imprisoned, for the crime of causing commuters to be redirected.

It is ironic that the new law has been cheered by those on the conservative-side of the political spectrum. All sides of politics use protest to pursue political change. Just as climate-concerned children take to the streets, so do farmers unhappy with government policy, striking teachers and nurses, those concerned about Aboriginal deaths in custody and those troubled by vaccine mandates and lockdowns. The breadth of the new law will create legal risk for all of those groups. It will leave police and prosecutors with immense discretion over which protesters to arrest and prosecute. That is not a good thing.

The only substantive safeguard in the new law is some limited protection for industrial action the price of Labors support for the bill. This bargain was deeply misguided and short-sighted by Labor, which should have seen this law for the anti-democratic action it is and condemned it accordingly. While the carve-out for industrial action is better than nothing, it entrenches a hierarchy of protest rights. Protesting about workplace safety? Thats fine. Marching for climate action? Go to jail. It is extremely dangerous for the government to dictate what we can and cannot lawfully protest about.

NSW nurses and midwives march to Parliament House on Thursday. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Hopefully this draconian law will be short-lived. It bears many similarities with a Tasmanian anti-protest law struck down by the High Court in 2017 (which one judge described at the time as a Pythonesque absurdity). Both offend the implied freedom of political communication the frail shield for free speech we have in Australia, in the absence of an Australian charter of human rights.

The rush with which this became law less than a week and the consequent absence of appropriate scrutiny and clear consideration of necessity will weigh against the law being valid. Protesters who become violent or endanger public safety can already be dealt with under existing laws. The absence of justification for this new offence will leave it vulnerable to constitutional challenge.

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Curbing our freedom: the NSW bill that should never have become law - Sydney Morning Herald

Ours is not the first, and it will not be the last, tribute to Madeleine Albright. She was an extraordinary woman and leader, who inspired an entire generation of young people as the first female secretary of State. Her accomplishments were many, her influence far-reaching and her character revered by anyone who knew her.

Madeline Albright was not only serious about foreign policy, but she knew her way around Washington like few others do. She understood that laughter makes the heart merry and made for good diplomacy, too. Though undoubtedly liberal in her political leanings, she always looked for common ground, regardless of party. She was respectful and curious like few others. And perhaps one of her most enduring legacies was an issue that showed how truly bipartisan she was: her work on human rights and particularly her commitment to protecting religious freedom.

Albright might have ruffled a few feathers in her own foreign policy circles when she strongly supported the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA), passed by Republican majorities and signed into law by President Clinton. But two unlikely allies that helped establish the landmark law, as she called it in her book The Mighty and the Almighty, were the late Rep. Tom Lantos and then-Sen. Sam Brownback.

Tom Lantos shared a friendship with Madeleine Albright that went well beyond their shared passion for foreign policy. Tom, who endured the Holocaust as a teenager in Hungary to become the only survivor ever to serve in the U.S. Congress, found a kindred spirit in Albright, a native of Czechoslovakia who discovered late in life that she had Jewish roots. Theirs was a relationship built on shared history, mutual respect, and a deep commitment to ensuring the protection of human rights around the world.

On the other hand, Madeleine Albright and Sam Brownback formed what she lovingly called the ultimate political odd couple. Despite their differing political ideology, they shared a bleeding heart for compassionate international causes. During a workshop together at Georgetown where she taught, they found unity in their determination to stop genocide, end human trafficking, help refugees and promote religious freedom around the world.

These three unlikely allies, along with a number of other committed members of Congress, were united during the foreign policy debate when it came to whether or not protecting religious freedom around the world as a matter of policy was an appropriate role for the U.S. government. Some thought it was a violation of the Establishment Clause; others felt it was an inappropriate use of diplomatic time and effort. But this trio agreed that, in order to promote human rights and freedom around the world, it was essential to protect, as a basic human right, the ability to worship according to the dictates of ones conscience.

IRFA established an independent U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and called for the State Department to issue an annual report on the global status of religious liberty. Albright wrote that IRFA made identifying and condemning all forms of religious persecution an integral part of U.S. foreign policy and has caused American diplomats to become more comfortable and practiced at raising the issue. It also created a new position within the State Department: the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

From that work, many years ago, sprang our own unlikely friendship. Almost 20 years after IRFAs passage, Sam Brownback became the 5th Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, while Katrina Lantos Swett, daughter of the late Congressman Lantos, served on USCIRF from 2012-2016, with two terms as chair. Perhaps we are the 2022 version of a political odd couple, but we have Secretary Albright to thank for bringing us together. Though no longer with us, she leaves a living legacy of bipartisan advocacy for international religious freedom.

We are honored to build upon this legacy, ourselves strange partners standing shoulder-to-shoulder to advocate for religious freedom for everyone, everywhere, at all times. Together we co-chair theIRF Summitand are building a broad, bipartisan coalition of religious and human rights civil society groups determined to make freedom of religion, conscience and belief a powerful grassroots cause.

We like to think Madeleine would approve.

God bless you Madeleine Albright, and may your memory be a blessing to all who knew you.

Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, former chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and co-chair of IRF Summit 2022.Samuel Brownback, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom (2018-21) and co-chair of IRF Summit 2022.

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Albright leaves a living legacy of bipartisanship on international religious freedom - The Hill

We are living in a period in which belief and assertion seem to have the same currency as knowledge and fact, with a widespread aversion to critical thinking and science and evidence-based fact. It is an age in which civil discourse and the respectful exchange of diverse ideas has given way to toxic,fact-freead hominemattacks.

The health of our American participatory democracy depends on an informed citizenry making knowledge-driven choices, thinking critically, analyzing information and determining what is true and relevant in our world.

But we see today in the political arena and in public discourse that health is tenuous at best as higher education comes under assault in many states. At least 16 states are considering or have already signed into law bills that punish teachers for discussing critical race theory (CRT) or similar topics.

For centuries, Americas colleges and universities have played a central role in preparing citizens for participation in civil society, helping students become independent thinkers, analyze problems and identify creative solutions, and to understand that American democracy was built on the importance of a plurality of political philosophies and ideologies.

Higher educations ability to fulfill this critical role is entirely dependent on two defining factors. The first is the independence and autonomy of colleges and universities to set their own course, to determine their own mission and the ways in which that mission is fulfilled, and to determine what is taught in the context of that mission.This independence has been a critical and respected component of higher education since the 1819 Supreme Court Ruling in Dartmouth College vs. Woodward.

The second defining factor is academic freedom. The 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure, by the American Association of University Professors, identifies the basic tenets of academic freedom:

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good and not to further the interest of either the individual teacher or the institution as a whole.

Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher and of the student to freedom in learning.

Teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should be careful not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter which has no relation to their subject.

In addition, a 2010 article inInside Higher Ednoted, Academic Freedom means that the political, religious, or philosophical beliefs of politicians, administrators, and members of the publiccannot be imposed on students or faculty.

Given these principles, it is alarming to see the rising number of attempts, increasingly successful, by governors and state legislatures to interfere in the historical autonomy of higher education, and to erode academic freedom by dictating to faculty what can and cannot be taught:

In South Dakota, Gov. Kristi NoemKristi Lynn NoemUtah GOP governor vetoes transgender sports ban Noem signs bill that rejects 'divisive' race trainings at South Dakota universities National Park Service denies Noem's request for July 4th fireworks at Mount Rushmore MORE recently signed legislation banning state public universities from offering materials and training that she says could cause racially based discomfort.

Trustees of colleges and universities see their responsibility to protect their institutions from outside interference as a sacred duty. But it is becoming increasingly difficult, and in a few cases they themselves have become the problem, as in the Nikole Hannah-Jones tenure case at the University of North Carolina.

This kind of political interference constitutes an assault on the core attributes of higher education in America autonomy and academic freedom that make ours the best higher education system in the world. Politicians have far more important things to do than question the expertise and motives of tens of thousands of committed faculty and their institutions.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the health of our political system is, in great part, contingent upon the independence and autonomy of Americas colleges and universities, enabling them to graduate students with the intellectual skills, abilities and knowledge to be effective participants in American democracy.

David Maxwell is president emeritus of Drake University and a senior fellow/senior consultant for the Association of Governing Boards. Tara D. Sonenshine is professor of practice at The Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and former under-secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs.

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Academic freedom is under assault we have a sacred duty to protect it | TheHill - The Hill

Painting her way through her thoughts on family, freedom and facets, La Jolla artist Edna Pines will display several of her images in a solo show at BFree Studio in The Village.

The exhibit, called The Many Shades of Us, will run from Thursday, March 31, through Sunday, April 17, at 7857 Girard Ave.

The show, which contains seascapes, birds, florals and other paintings inspired by nature, is so titled because starting with myself, I have many shades, Pines said. We all have different personalities; we wear different masks for different occasions and different people.

Thus, her paintings are done in a variety of materials and methods. Pines has so much creativity in my head that I cannot stick to one style. Im multifaceted, she said.

Hidden Treasure is one of Edna Pines seascapes.

(Courtesy of Edna Pines)

One element that is consistent throughout is her use of color. I want to make people happy when they look at my paintings, she said. I want the excitement of the color, the vibrancy of bringing color from nature into their soul and ignite some happy memories that they have.

Pines and her family immigrated to San Diego from Iran after her uncle was executed during the Iranian Revolution of 1979 for being Jewish and having power under the shahs former regime. They ended up in La Jolla.

As a young teenager, Pines struggled with English once arriving in California and experienced a huge adjustment [learning] about the culture, the people, the food, the language diversity in this beautiful country, she said.

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Pines said shes been an artist since she was able to hold a pen in her hand, forming images in her mind from clouds and cracks in the pavement the small things in life.

But she stopped creating due to the shock of having to leave her home country.

We didnt plan on coming here permanently, she said. My dad had to stay behind [in Iran] for nine years.

Eventually, Pines began babysitting and using the money to buy art supplies.

I started doing what I was always passionate about, she said. I love making things out of nothing. I was very creative that way. Doing that helped me become happy again. And it was like finding my new best friend.

Painting helped me a great deal to learn and to stand on my own feet and believe in myself and be stronger. Being inspired by nature pulled me out of the pit and gave me a voice, she added.

When youre in the ocean or you look at it, you feel a sense of the way it pulls you in and welcomes you, and then at the same time pushes you out, throws you out to deal and learn to survive.

With The Many Shades of Us collection, Pines endeavored to honor the freedom I felt coming to this country, the emotional pull and the push that I had experienced, and I still experience, because Im still growing, she said.

Being inspired by nature pulled me out of the pit and gave me a voice.

Edna Pines

The exhibit also pays homage to her fathers happiness at seeing her art now.

My dad has Alzheimers. When he sees my paintings he knows who I am, Pines said, pausing to collect herself. He may not remember that I am his daughter, but he remembers that I am an artist and theres light in his eyes again.

When: Thursday, March 31, through Sunday, April 17. An artist reception with Edna Pines will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2. She will give an artist talk at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 7, and paint live at 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the exhibition.

Where: BFree Studio, 7857 Girard Ave., La Jolla

Cost: Free

Information: bfreestudio.net

People in Your Neighborhood shines a spotlight on notable locals we all wish we knew more about. If you know someone youd like us to profile, send an email to robert.vardon@lajollalight.com.

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People in Your Neighborhood: La Jolla artist Edna Pines honors freedom, father and nature in new exhibit - La Jolla Light

Jim Jones was an Idaho farm boy who went from the trenches of Vietnam to a prominent state attorney before leading Idahos highest court.

On the verge of his 80th birthday, the former judge is retired, but hes not slowing down.

For months, Jones has been battling the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a bold conservative lobbying group under scrutiny for its tactics and influence.

Hes also a leading voice of a new group bent on challenging lawmakers who do the Freedom Foundations bidding at the Statehouse.

Its a fight Jones refuses to sit out because, for him, its about preserving education and democracy. And as he sees it, retiring has opened the way for saying things he kept bottled up for years as a judge.

Im damn tired of it sick and tired of it, he told EdNews of the Freedom Foundations tactics and influence at the Idaho Capitol.

Growing up on a farm in Eden in the 1950s, Jones reflected on his future at a young age. By middle school, he knew what he wanted or thought he did.

Hearing his Uncle Randy, an engineer and an ideal figure for Jones, tell of his time building bridges in Afghanistan, Jones decided to follow suit.It felt exotic and it felt right, he recalled. Plus, he was good at math, so engineering made sense.

After high school, he enrolled in an engineering program at Idaho State College in Pocatello. Then he heard John F. Kennedys inauguration speech, which changed everything. Jones recalled the date, Jan. 20, 1961, and the Presidents famous appeal for Americans to ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

It was like a bolt of lightning, Jones recalled.

Kennedys request put Jones on a different path. Instead of building bridges in Afghanistan, his pursuits would take him to Vietnam and a career in public service in Idaho.

But he had other plans first.

Reflecting on Kennedys life, Jones noticed themes. The president was a lawyer and a prior U.S. senator. His election opponent, Richard Nixon, had followed a similar career path.

Jones didnt want to be president, so he set his sights on the U.S. Senate.

There was another theme in Kennedys life: military service.

While at Idaho State, Jones applied for theReserve Officers Training Corps, which was then a requirement for young men.But a car crash in high school had left both of his legs broken and one inches shorter than the other. The injury barred him from joining.

Disheartened but undeterred, he again changed course, dropping engineering for the University of Oregons political science program a better fit for law school, he thought, and, maybe, a second swing at ROTC membership.

He walked into the Eugene, Ore.-based campuss ROTC office and signed up, this time keeping the accident and his injury under wraps.

That Senate seat felt one step closer.

Jones earned his political science degree in 1964 and enrolled in law school at Northwestern University.

He had changed. Time on both campuses was politically eye opening, he said, recallingan embarrassing moment when a University of Oregon professor criticized a speech he gave on disgraced former Army general Edwin Walker.

I was spewing out a lot of right-wing crap, said Jones, adding that he still left Eugene a Republican, despite more moderate views and a pledge to consider issues more broadly.

His grasp on the U.S. Senate and the divisiveness of American politics was also emerging. The summer before law school, he interned for U.S. Sen. Len B. Jordan and helped with Jordans hot-and-heavy political campaign.

I knew he wasnt telling the truth, Jones said of campaign rhetoric from then-congressmen Ralph Harding, a Democrat challenging Jordans Senate seat by attacking his campaign finances.

Jones ran an op-ed in the Twin Falls Times-News defending Jordan and garnered an unexpected response. A full-spread ad in the paper soon after painted Jones as a paid political lackey lying for Jordan. Jones flashed a photo of the ad, which he keeps in a file at home and on his cell phone.

Jordan regained his Senate seat, but Jones would have to wait years for his own run. He finished law school in1967, went on active duty in the Army and volunteered for combat duty in Vietnams Ty Nihn Province, where he worked as an admin officer in aerial artillery, mostly pushing papers.

He had a law degree, but his military focus was on big guns. He recalled the hydraulic lift needed to load the 200-lb. bullets that ripped through the jungle.Ive had hearing problems ever since, he said, pointing to his ear.

Two things drove his path toward artillery, despite having a law degree: he was good at math and the military program for lawyers, Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG), required four years of service, rather than the two needed for artillery.

I wanted to get military experience, not make a life out of it, said Jones.

Still, Vietnam changed his life. He went on to publish a book, Vietnam, Cant Get You Out of My Head, which recounted his 407-day tour flying over the province, calling in artillery on suspected Viet Cong operations, living and working with South Vietnamese forces and helping at a church-run orphanage that communists shuttered after the war.

There were high points. Jones recalled a Christmas party for orphans, where he handed out umbrellas for local women. He reunited with one woman who remembered him as the guy with the umbrellas, in 2018.

His work at the orphanage earned him an Army Commendation Medal. He was honorably discharged as a captain in August of 1969.

The war would also play a part in his eventual departure from the Republican party.

After another stint in Washington, D.C., assisting Sen. Jordan, Jones moved back to Idaho in 1973 to practice law in Jerome and prep for his long-awaited Senate run.

It came in 1990, but he lost to then-U.S. Rep. Larry Craig.

Congressional election failures had by then plagued Jones, who lost two prior runs for the U.S. House in 1978 and 1980.

He ran for Idaho Attorney General in 1982, and won.He was AG for eight years.It wasnt Congress, but issues of the time were potent, and marked some of his most notable work, including arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court shortly after his election and leading a landmark settlement with Idaho Power that shaped use of the states water resources for decades to come.

The water battle brought Jones back to his prior political work for Sen. Jordan. Teaming up with Idaho Falls native Bruce Newcomb, who would later become Idahos House Speaker, he led an effort to unseat lawmakers who supported Idaho Power.

Our message was if you support the power company, were coming after you, Jones said, casting the approach as a precursor to his latest efforts with Newcomb to rid the GOP of the Idaho Freedom Foundations Statehouse acolytes.

After two terms as AG, Jones returned to his private practice in Boise for 15 years before gaining a seat on the Idaho Supreme Court in 2005. He ran unopposed in 2010 and became chief justice in August 2015 by a vote of his peer justices. He retired in 2016.

I figured 12 years was enough, he said of his time on the bench.

He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two weeks later.

Five years later, Jones says hes cancer free and ready to take on the Idaho Freedom Foundation, and its assault on education.

Along with Newcomb, Jones and other former Republican office holders recently formed Take Back Idaho, which aims to redirect Idahos GOP from thesad state of affairs of a once-admired party.

Jones spearheaded the effort last year by organizing a Zoom meeting with several leaders who share a distaste for the Freedom Foundations influence.

(Jones) is like the Energizer Bunny, said Jennifer Ellis, a Republican, Blackfoot rancher and the groups newly named president.

Other notable names have since joined the ranks:

Public education is a main focus for the group and for Jones, who described his efforts as saving the schools from the Freedom Foundation, whichhas ramped up its criticism of public education in recent years, decrying public educators as peddlers of social justice indoctrination and critical race theory.

In 2019, Freedom Foundation president Wayne Hoffmanargued that government shouldnt be in the education business.Last year, Republican lawmakers who often echo the Freedom Foundations talking points at the Statehouse led the way in tanking a$6 million federal early childhood education grant that would have helped cover preschool costs in communities across the state and given childcare relief to working parents.

Jones last month jumped headfirst into the debate, publishing a column introducing Take Back Idaho and blasting the Freedom Foundation for the sorry state of Idaho politics.

By coddling receptive legislators and punishing those who dont heed its orders, IFF has established a firm grip over the votes of too many GOP legislators, he wrote.

Ellis told EdNews that Take Back Idaho is still gauging candidates to support and oppose with a historic May primary capable of reshaping the states political landscape approaching.

There are tons of candidates, so were still assessing, she said, emphasizing the groups eye on defeating those in line with the Freedom Foundation.

Jones keyed in on one lawmaker. In a recent interview with EdNews, he pointed to Rep. Ron Nate, a Rexburg Republican who this session tried to cut more than $1.3 million from the states higher education budget, citing nearly dollar-for-dollar breakdowns and language compiled by the Freedom Foundation. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted Nate down.

Meanwhile,Freedom Foundation leaders have hit back at Jones and his group. The day after Jones February column ran, Hoffmanaccused him of lying.

Isnt it interesting how leftists will straight up lie to you about issues you care about in order to win popular support? Hoffman wrote.

The Freedom Foundation does not respond to media inquiries, but other attacks on Jones have surfaced. Freedom Foundation board member and Bonneville County Republican Committeeman Doyle Beck lumped Jones into a list of Take Back Idaho Rinos Republicans in Name Only.

Jones doesnt hide his disassociation with the Republican party. He remembers the year, month and reason for breaking ranks. It was August of 2002,following false claims from Republican leaders of weapons of mass destruction as a justification for the Iraq war. His time in Vietnam, and justifications for war there, contributed to his decision to leave the party, he said.

Jones, who now calls himself an Independent, dismissed Hoffmans column, but found amusement in it.

If you provoke Wayne, youre liable to get some really wonderful Gems, he said with a smile.

EdNews assistant editor and reporter Devin Bodkin is a former high school English teacher who specializes in stories about charter schools and educating students who live in poverty. He lives and works in East Idaho. Follow Devin on Twitter @dsbodkin. He can be reached by email at [emailprotected].

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80-year-old war veteran takes on the Idaho Freedom Foundation - Idaho EdNews

After Forbes.com recognized Freedom Federal Credit Union as one of the best credit unions in the state of Maryland, the credit was named Harford Magazines 2021Best of Harford in the category of Banks and Credit Unions, Harford County Livings Favorite Local Financial Institution for 2021 and Best of the Best for outstanding member service by MemberXP which is a leader in customer service solutions.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our membership. Your recognition is the single biggest compliment we could have received, Mike MacPherson, Freedoms President and CEO, said. Although we are not in this business for the recognition, its something we can take pride in when it does come. Mostly, we are proud to be a credit union made up of employees, board directors, committee volunteers, and members, who are all working to better the communities we serve in meaningful ways.

Additionally,, Freedom was named a Trailblazer by the MD|DC Credit Union Association for their original social impact challenge, the #FreedomToHelpChallenge. The viral challenge drew national attention from the Marketing Association of Credit Unions, where the campaign won Best in Show for its ingenuity and community impact.

Freedom Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered federal credit union offering consumer financial services to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, attend school or have family in Harford and Baltimore County. Freedom offers a full-line of banking services for all businesses, associations and other organizations that are based in Harford or Baltimore County. Also, members can use the online and mobile banking, 24/7 customer support and a network of over 80,000 ATMS with no fees.

Freedom has been in business since 1953 and has six locations throughout Harford and Baltimore County. Freedom annually supports more than 80 local causes that are important to its members, staff and the communities at large, according to a news release.

The credit union encourages employees to volunteer their time and skills to better serve their community, including serving on local nonprofit boards. Organizations including the Harford Community College Foundation and Harford Family House honored Freedom for their commitments last year. To learn more, visit freedomfcu.org.

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Freedom Federal Credit Union earns multiple consumer and industry awards for service and community outreach - Baltimore Sun

Archaeologists discover historic home of Harriet Tubman's father

Chief archaeologist Julie Schablitsky discusses the work at the site and the impact of sea-level rise.

USA TODAY NETWORK

"Harriet Tubman The Journey to Freedom" is making its way to White Plains.

The bronze sculpturedepicts Tubmanas she leads a young enslaved girl to freedom. The sculpture was created by sculptor Wesley Wofford, stands 9 feet tall and weighs 2,400 pounds.

"Harriet Tubman The Journey to Freedom" will be on display inRenaissance Plaza from April 1 until June 30.

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On Saturdayat 3 p.m., the city will hold ata ribbon-cutting ceremony with Tubman's great nephew Abdul Tubman as guest speaker, along withperformances from Vicinity Gospel Choir, African Drumming and Dancing, and the Ministers Fellowship of White Plains. A rain date has been scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m.

The sculpture last made its way to the lower Hudson Valley about a year ago when it was displayed in Haverstraw's African American Park during its tour around the United States. It had previously been displayed in Peekskill and Newburgh.

According to Wofford's website, the statue will continue to be displayed in New York for the remainder of 2022, making stops in Auburn and Rochester while ending the year in Kingston from November through December.

Go:Renaissance Plaza, 200-202 Main St., White Plains;wpbid.com/events/harriet-tubman-journey-to-freedom.

Heather Clark covers business openings and closings throughout Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. Keep up on the latest comings and goings by joining our Facebook group at What's going there Westchester, Rockland, Putnam. Contact Clark via email, hclark@lohud.com.

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'Harriet Tubman: The Journey to Freedom' to be displayed in White Plains until June - The Journal News

What GAO Found

In January 2022, GAO reported that the COVID-19 pandemic affected selected government-wide measures of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) administration, while other indicators reflected ongoing longer-term trends. FOIA requests received declined by 8 percent and requests processed declined by 12 percent in fiscal year 2020, the first year of the pandemic, compared to the previous year.

FOIA Requests Received and Processed Government-wide, Fiscal Years 2012 through 2020

This report also found that four of five selected agencies--the Departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, and Labor, and the Environmental Protection Agencyinitially encountered temporary challenges preparing employees to work in the maximum telework environment. These challenges including working in a virtual environment and ensuring access to equipment at home. The agencies subsequently used various practices, such as providing interim releases of requested information, to help maintain operations.

GAO has reported that selected agencies faced continuing challenges with FOIA request backlogs. From fiscal years 2012 to 2020, the government-wide backlog increased by 97 percent. GAO has made several recommendations to address these challenges, including that agencies develop specific plans to reduce backlogs. However, three of these recommendations from its January 2022 report and two from its 2018 review have not yet been implemented.

Further, in 2021, GAO found that selected agencies had not (1) updated their policies and processes to reflect current proactive disclosure requirements, and (2) accurately and completely reported disclosures. Accordingly, it made six recommendations to these agencies to improve their management of proactive disclosures, which have not yet been implemented.

Taking actions to address backlogs and make proactive disclosures could help enhance government transparency and the efficient use of agency resources.

FOIA seeks to improve the public's access to government information and promote openness and accountability in government. However, the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges for FOIA administration by significantly affecting how federal employees performed their work as agencies adopted a maximum telework posture and limited on-site work.

GAO was asked to testify on FOIA government-wide performance and the associated impact of the pandemic. Specifically, this statement summarizes the results from GAO's previously issued reports on (1) government-wide FOIA performance for fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 and long-term trends from fiscal years 2012 through 2020; (2) selected agencies' initial pandemic-related challenges and their use of leading practices to maintain FOIA operations; (3) selected agencies' continuing challenges with FOIA request backlogs; and (4) selected agencies' use of proactive information disclosuresmaking records publicly available without waiting for specific requests.

To address these objectives, GAO summarized the results of pertinent FOIA reports it issued from 2018 to 2022. It also followed up with selected agencies on the extent to which they had implemented GAO's prior recommendations related to FOIA operations.

For more information, contact James R. McTigue, Jr. at (202) 512-6806 or McTigueJ@gao.gov.

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Freedom of Information Act: Selected Agencies Adapted to COVID-19 Challenges but Actions Needed to Reduce Backlogs - Government Accountability Office