# A Reminder of where America is heading **URL:** \ **Category:** Political Topics\ **Created:** [July 11, 2021, 5:18am UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440 "2021-07-11T05:18:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Rastiln](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/rastiln/32/77682_2.png) [@Rastiln](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Rastiln)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/322 "2025-02-14T17:27:07Z")
> [@PatrickBauer](#): > > I will not discuss the merits of DEI programs with an administration that has Stephen Miller, etal. as high ranking officials. When white nationalists that are proponents of eugenic solutions to their perceived problems attack something the default assumption is that thing they attacked is good. > > of simply put > > Racists doing racists shit, fukk’em. I don’t know how to feel about this. I think I fundamentally agree. Like, yes, inherently as with anything, DEI can be taken too far and money can be wasted on projects that don’t really have a benefit. In a normal time I’d be interested in that pragmatic conversation. At the same time, right now, arguing the relative value of whether this DEI program is worthwhile and that one not isn’t really the conversation. Shifting the conversation there is a victory for the administration. They’ll continue slashing everything that has a whiff of DEI and we can bicker about “_actually this one being cut bothers me… those ones though, I see their point._” Meanwhile, we are seeing in another thread that “trans” and “queer” are being erased. Maybe it’s worth a debate about which LGBTQ people we protect. Maybe we’re still okay with the LGB but really the T and Q can be dropped. [/red] ---
**Author:** ![dr\_t\_non-fan](https://community.goactuary.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@dr\_t\_non-fan](https://community.goactuary.com/u/dr_t_non-fan)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/323 "2025-02-14T17:41:51Z")
It is possible that adding DEI stuff to a grant, no matter if it would help whatever minority group, seems to have been a way to win the grant. ---
**Author:** ![Triweasel](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/triweasel/32/159_2.png) [@Triweasel](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Triweasel)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/324 "2025-02-14T17:44:06Z")
> [@Lucy](#): > > My guess is that some of those math papers discuss the concept of “bias”. Some of them also have ‘homo’ as part of the title. They probably just searched for that ---
**Author:** ![Lucy](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/lucy/32/8802_2.png) [@Lucy](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Lucy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 5:55pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/325 "2025-02-14T17:55:01Z")
> [@Rastiln](#): > > Meanwhile, we are seeing in another thread that “trans” and “queer” are being erased. Maybe it’s worth a debate about which LGBTQ people we protect. Maybe we’re still okay with the LGB but really the T and Q can be dropped. Well, none of them. But they need to start with the most marginalized. ---
**Author:** ![colonelsmoothie](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/colonelsmoothie/32/136_2.png) [@colonelsmoothie](https://community.goactuary.com/u/colonelsmoothie)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/326 "2025-02-14T18:59:02Z")
The IQ test will include questions such as whether you think the 2020 election was stolen. ---
**Author:** ![Fish\_Actuary](https://community.goactuary.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Fish\_Actuary](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Fish_Actuary)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/327 "2025-02-14T20:18:53Z")
Women and minorities were a target for funding back in the 2000s. In many fields women and minorities are dramatically under represented. When I was in grad school in Louisiana, we had more black students in my department from outside the country than in. I think 3-5 from outside the US and 1 from inside in a program with about 40-60 students in any particular year over 8 years (so some overlap of student body across multiple years). The state’s population is close to 50% black. Something was wrong where American ethnic minorities aren’t making it into grad school programs. ---
**Author:** ![knoath](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/knoath/32/65607_2.png) [@knoath](https://community.goactuary.com/u/knoath)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/328 "2025-02-14T20:42:10Z")
That sucks. One of the results of DEI that I liked is that they could become role models for disadvantaged communities. I guess they could become role models for their home countries but there’ll be much fewer for local communities. ---
**Author:** ![now\_samantha](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/now_samantha/32/24815_2.png) [@now\_samantha](https://community.goactuary.com/u/now_samantha)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/329 "2025-02-14T21:12:14Z")
Forgot to post this the other day: > Astronomers are expressing disappointment and alarm as the federally-funded [Rubin Observatory](https://www.space.com/vera-rubin-observatory-broad-views-universe) altered the biography of renowned astronomer Vera Rubin, for whom the facility is named, on its website. The amended version curtails her legacy of championing women in science and removes all mentions of the observatory’s efforts to reduce barriers for women and other historically underrepresented groups in the field. > **[Scientists alarmed as Rubin Observatory changes biography of astronomer Vera...](https://www.space.com/the-universe/earth/scientists-alarmed-as-rubin-observatory-changes-biography-of-astronomer-vera-rubin-amid-trumps-push-to-end-dei-efforts)** > > "The idea that they can somehow obliterate these sources is dead wrong — scientists in general and astronomers in particular are not going to take these threats lying down." ---
**Author:** ![Maphistos\_Sidekick](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/maphistos_sidekick/32/84973_2.png) [@Maphistos\_Sidekick](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Maphistos_Sidekick)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/330 "2025-02-14T22:56:24Z")
So DOGE hasn’t gotten around to doing its thing on the Ministry of Truth? ---
**Author:** ![Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/cooke/32/15467_2.png) [@Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Cooke)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/331 "2025-02-14T23:38:20Z")
[JPMorganChase](https://www.linkedin.com/company/jpmorganchase?trk=feed-detail_main-feed-card-text) chief Jamie Dimon had two messages for banking giant’s employees at a town hall yesterday: 1. Some diversity programs are a waste of money. 2. Appeals against the bank’s 5-day RTO are a waste of time. “I saw how we were spending money on some of this stupid sh-t, and it really pissed me off,” Dimon said about DEI initiatives, according to a recording of the townhall meeting reported by Bloomberg’s [Bernadette Toh](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettetoh?trk=feed-detail_main-feed-card-text) and [Amber Choudhury](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-choudhury-b7b82a5?trk=feed-detail_main-feed-card-text). “I’m just gonna cancel them. I don’t like wasted money in bureaucracy.” Among the wasted efforts, in Dimon’s view: “I was never a firm believer in bias training.” Regarding the RTO and hybrid work, Dimon said managers will have zero say over their teams’ workplace arrangements. “There is no chance that I will leave it up to managers. Zero chance. The abuse that took place is extraordinary,” he said. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Polymath](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/the_polymath/32/83081_2.png) [@The\_Polymath](https://community.goactuary.com/u/The_Polymath)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/332 "2025-02-14T23:53:49Z")
The US is trending the way of Russia. Putin (Trump) with their Siloviki (inner circle) and the Oligarchs circling around enriching themselves and doing the leaders bidding when need be. ---
**Author:** ![Lucy](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/lucy/32/8802_2.png) [@Lucy](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Lucy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 2:10am UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/333 "2025-02-15T02:10:01Z")
> [@Cooke](#): > > “There is no chance that I will leave it up to managers. Zero chance. The abuse that took place is extraordinary,” It’s abusive if managers think their employees are getting work done? Employees were bribing their managers? What kind of abuse is he talking about here? ---
**Author:** ![The\_President](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/the_president/32/70075_2.png) [@The\_President](https://community.goactuary.com/u/The_President)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 2:31am UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/334 "2025-02-15T02:31:54Z")
How about managers who let themselves get taken advantage of by their own employees as long as “they get their job done” even if that only takes them 10 hours a week? Maybe the manager is part of it as long as everyone “looks busy”. How do you know if the team is underperforming generally when things are complicated and sometimes you just can’t get things through the system as fast as you would like? I don’t think much of that has to do with working from home as people can be just as unproductive in the office. Maybe your a process owner and your process only takes you 4 hours a day to complete, but at any point during the day, someone could ask you a question that enables them to move forward their own work. Since you checked out after lunch, it all sits another day down the line. ---
**Author:** ![now\_samantha](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/now_samantha/32/24815_2.png) [@now\_samantha](https://community.goactuary.com/u/now_samantha)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/335 "2025-02-15T11:57:53Z")
Headline is mildly click baity – the nazi flag can be displayed under the bill because it is historically significant, presumably to be shown in class. Pride flags are apparently not part of legitimate historical study. > **[Nazi flags can fly in Utah schools, but not pride flags, GOP lawmaker says](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/02/13/nazi-flags-can-fly-utah-school-not/)** > > A new bill would allow for Nazi and Confederate flags to be displayed in Utah schools and government buildings, but pride flags would be banned. ---
**Author:** ![now\_samantha](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/now_samantha/32/24815_2.png) [@now\_samantha](https://community.goactuary.com/u/now_samantha)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/336 "2025-02-15T19:36:24Z")
> The employee worked for Harmony Hospitality as a night auditor and “styled himself in conformity with male gender stereotypes” at work, according to the EEOC’s original lawsuit. But when he was called in for a meeting outside of working hours, he wore “capri-cut joggers, pink-painted nails, and box braids.” > > Upon learning about the employee’s gender identity and sexual orientation, Harmony Hospitality’s co-owner said the employee needed to be “hidden” because of his appearance, and seven hours later, he was fired via text message, the lawsuit alleges. Apparently in the new administration, this is fine. [https://www.npr.org/2025/02/15/nx-s1-5298679/eeoc-gender-discrimination-case-trump-order](https://www.npr.org/2025/02/15/nx-s1-5298679/eeoc-gender-discrimination-case-trump-order) ---
**Author:** ![now\_samantha](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/now_samantha/32/24815_2.png) [@now\_samantha](https://community.goactuary.com/u/now_samantha)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/337 "2025-02-16T13:46:08Z")
Taken literally, this implies no more black student associations or other affinity organizations on campus. > The letter mentions a wide range of university programs and policies that could be subject to an OCR investigation, including “hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.” > **[Trump admin threatens to rescind federal funds over DEI](https://www.insidehighered.com/news/diversity/race-ethnicity/2025/02/15/trump-admin-threatens-rescind-federal-funds-over-dei)** > > In a sweeping and unprecedented letter issued over the weekend, the Office for Civil Rights declared race-based scholarships, cultural centers and even graduation ceremonies illegal. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Polymath](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/the_polymath/32/83081_2.png) [@The\_Polymath](https://community.goactuary.com/u/The_Polymath)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/338 "2025-02-16T14:47:51Z")
Below are some of John Major’s comments he gave to the BBC: On the general change in recent weeks: > [@](#): > > _There’s no doubt in my mind that democracy is threatened. It’s been in modest decline for the last 18 years. There’s an ugly nationalism growing mostly from the intolerant right._ > > _At this particular time the big nations, America, China, Russia, are beginning to act unilaterally, where once they would have consulted. And that is a concern, because it does presage the prospect of very great and rather unpleasant changes._ > > He called Trump’s administration “a form of presidency I haven’t previously seen” and warned against Trump conceding too much to Russia over [Ukraine](https://www.theguardian.com/world/ukraine). > > “Consider what happens if [Russia](https://www.theguardian.com/world/russia) can claim a win, China is going to notice that, and so will the world, and so will every tin pot dictator around the world. If America is not to stand behind its allies in the way the world has previously seen, then we are moving into a wholly different and in my view, rather more dangerous world.” > > Major added: > > _I believe now that America, with all her great power and prestige, and all that she has done to keep the world safe in recent years, may now be turning her back on the international responsibilities she has previously taken, and if she does so there is no other nation state that can replace them, other than China._ > > _That is not something I think the west would certainly wish to see. And so if that happens, the world, including America, may regret what subsequently follows._ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Polymath](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/the_polymath/32/83081_2.png) [@The\_Polymath](https://community.goactuary.com/u/The_Polymath)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/339 "2025-02-16T14:56:42Z")
[https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/opinion/treasure-secretaries-doge-musk.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/opinion/treasure-secretaries-doge-musk.html) ---
**Author:** ![Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/user_avatar/community.goactuary.com/cooke/32/15467_2.png) [@Cooke](https://community.goactuary.com/u/Cooke)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 4:32pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/341 "2025-02-16T16:32:13Z")
And the US is exporting its culture wars to the UK with an assist from Vance. > **[Prayer and prosecutions: the US ‘hate group’ waging war over Britain’s...](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/16/prayer-and-prosecutions-the-us-hate-group-waging-war-over-britains-abortion-clinic-buffer-zones)** > > Anti-abortion campaigners cheer as JD Vance brands safe zones an attack on ‘liberties of religious Britons’ ---
**Author:** ![dr\_t\_non-fan](https://community.goactuary.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@dr\_t\_non-fan](https://community.goactuary.com/u/dr_t_non-fan)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440/342 "2025-02-16T16:40:58Z")
Might be the new litmus test for US foreign aid. No, not keeping populations under control; letting them run rampant. [Previous page](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440.md?page=16) [Next page](https://community.goactuary.com/t/a-reminder-of-where-america-is-heading/3440.md?page=18)