It appears some on the left, and others, are already misconstruing information about HB 6090. The ACLU have even described it as dangerous to the first amendment. I suppose when the ACLU refused to defend my first amendment rights I lost some faith in them, however their continued actions, in this case, seeming bold face lies, haven't done them any favors.
What do you think?
The full text can be found at https://www.congress.gov/bill/....118th-congress/house
Section 5, the implemented portion:
In reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) on the basis of race, color, or national origin, based on an individual’s actual or perceived shared Jewish ancestry or Jewish ethnic characteristics, the Department of Education shall take into consideration the definition of antisemitism as part of the Department’s assessment of whether the practice was motivated by antisemitic intent.
It is limited by the civil rights act, and wants to make sure that discriminating against someone for being or appearing Jewish is taken into consideration. And that's bad, how? That's different from the protections of any other ethnic group, how?
Section 6 is the part that determines how it would be implemented
(a) General Rule Of Construction.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed—
(1) to expand the authority of the Secretary of Education;
(2) to alter the standards pursuant to which the Department of Education makes a determination that harassing conduct amounts to actionable discrimination; or
(3) to diminish or infringe upon the rights protected under any other provision of law that is in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Constitutional Protections.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
I guess I'm not seeing how something that (legally) must not be interpreted to expand or change the authority of education, and that must not be interpreted to infringe on any first amendment rights, might be dangerous to the first amendment, or college campuses? It sounds like the ACLU, and (some) others on the left, are upset that cannot practice antisemitism as unchallenged as they might once have, or wish to do. If you replaced "Jewish" with "black" or "gay" I bet they would call the bill too weak, toothless even, since it provides no actual new enforcement authority. Just consideration of an (arguably already protected) category when looking at acts of discrimination already protected under the civil rights act.
Here is an ACLU press release, https://www.aclu.org/press-rel....eases/aclu-condemns- While I do agree that the courts already agree that college campuses are no different, and that passing a (effectively toothless/posturing) bill is pretty much moot, I feel compelled to point out their false stance that it stifles free speech regarding Israel. Nowhere does the bill even mention that topic, a seemingly bold faced lie not reflected in the bill they appear to condemn.