Category Archives: Activism

FactChecking ‘The Pledge to America'

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Get a load of that title! Click for text, with pictures.


FactCheck.org is the website of a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics for voters

by monitoring the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.

They are a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania and not related to any political party.  They simply check facts.  In these midterm elections, they are a good place to turn for the truth behind the spin in any given campaign.  This post, for example, shows that both the Republican and Democratic candidates for Senator in Nevada are making false claims about each other.
So what about the Pledge to America that Republican Party leaders recently made?
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Scholars at Risk Academic Freedom Media Review

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September 11 – September 17, 2010
The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here or at the SAR website. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.
For-Profits Give Thousands to Politicians Who Oppose ‘Gainful Employment’ Rule
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/17
Harassment of historian raises censorship fears
Natalia A. Feduschak, Kyiv Post, 9/17
Do Students Listen to Others’ Views? /
Allie Grasgreen, Inside Higher Ed, 9/17
Appeal to Free Colombian Professor
Network for Education and Academic Rights, 9/15
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Academic Freedom Media Review, September 4-10

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The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.

Religious Scholar In Iran ‘Summoned To Court’
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 9/9

Into Africa
Doug Lederman, Inside Higher Ed, 9/9

No-brainer: top British scientists may flee funding famine for feasts abroad
Simon Baker, Times Higher Education, 9/9

America’s tenure track derails
Sarah Cunnane, Times Higher Education, 9/9
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Thank You for Your Support! Maybe I Can Raise Just a Bit More!

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For several months I’ve been working to raise funds for the Life is Good Kids Foundation to support children struggling to overcome life-threatening challenges.  I pledged to raise $1000 and have successfully met that goal, even slightly exceeded it.  Though I’ve not raised it to  $1500 and there is still time to help, I thought it a good time to publicly acknowledge those who’ve helped me so far!  The names below are listed according to the order in which I received their donations.  Those who were the earliest to support me at at the top, and it continues on through the most recent.
I hope all of you on this list know how much this means to me.  Thank you for supporting a good cause, but thank you, also, for responding so generously to my request.   Continue reading →

Academic Freedom Media Review, August 21-27

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Compiled by Scholars at Risk
The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here.  The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.
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Call for Urgent Action for Detained Mechanical Engineering Professor Abdul Jalil Al-Singace of Bahrain
Scholars at Risk, 8/27
A Recovery at Risk
David Moltz, Inside Higher Ed, 8/27
U. of Louisiana Board Postpones Vote on Tenure
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 8/27
Iran Launches New Crackdown On Universities
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 8/26
Vietnamese Professor Detained
NEAR International, 8/26
A straight case of discrimination? Lawsuits come in all shades for US institutions
Jon Marcus, Times Higher Education, 8/26
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Academic Freedom Media Review, August 14-20

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Speak, by R. Baxter © All Rights Reserved


“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
— from the Friends of Voltaire
When Laura Schlessinger quit her job this week, she made claims about violations of free speech and her first amendment rights. This is absurd. Her show is on commercial radio network. The First Amendment applies to the government infringing on free speech; a commercial network needs to think about the listeners or viewers, as well as the advertisers. Laura Schlessinger is free to use the “N-word” as much as she wants in the privacy of her own home, and speeches for organizations that share her views, or just out on the street if she’s prepared to deal with the consequences.
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Academic Freedom Media Review, July 31-August 6

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Academic Freedom Media Review
July 31 – August 6, 2010
Compiled by Scholars at Risk

The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here or at their site. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.
U. of Miami President Halted at Israeli Airport
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 8/6
Iran’s publish ‘at any cost’ mentality blamed for surge in academic fraud
Hannah Fearn, Times Higher Education, 8/5
I swear I am just doing my job
Rebecca Attwood, Times Higher Education, 8/5
Three Student Activists Appear in court
The Students Solidarity Trust, The Zimbabwean, 8/5
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Citizens Medal

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President Barack Obama turns 49 today. Happy Birthday Mr. President! But the celebration at the White House that really deserves attention today is the announcement of the recipients of The Citizens Medal.

The Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian honor in our nation. For over 40 years, some of America’s most respected heroes and public figures like Muhammad Ali, Colin Powell and Bob Dole, and everyday heroes like Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who left her entire life savings to establish a scholarship for students in need, have received this award.

This year the White House solicited nominations for the medal directly from the general public and narrowed them down to 13 recipients who have done great things in their community. See who they are and what they did here. Isn’t it wonderful to see people acknowledged for good works?

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Academic Freedom Media Review, July 17-23

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Academic Freedom Media Review
July 17 – 23, 2010
Compiled by Scholars at Risk
Note: The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here or at this link. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.
UC-Irvine Urged Not to Suspend Muslim Student Union /
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 7/23
BP and Academic Freedom
Cary Nelson, Inside Higher Education, 7/22
Ultimatum to Illinois Over Catholic Studies Instructor
Inside Higher Educatin, 7/21
A Tougher Conflict Policy at Harvard Medical School
Duff Wilson, The New York Times, 7/21
What if College Tenure Dies?
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Academic Freedom Media Review – July 10-16, 2010

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Academic Freedom Media Review
July 10 – 16, 2010
Compiled by Scholars at Risk
Persecuted Scholars Find Refuge in the Netherlands
UAF-SAR, 7/16
Three University of Zimbabwe students appear in court
The Zimbabwean, 7/16
Academics attack RCUK’s ‘dogmatic stance’ in refusing to rethink impact
Paul Jump, Times Higher Education, 7/15
The Growth of Private and For-Profit Higher Education in Britain: Competition or Collaboration?
Geoffrey Alderman, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 7/15
Teaching or Preaching?
Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Education, 7/15
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