Welcome to The Fulcrum’s daily weekday e-newsletter where insiders and outsiders to politics are informed, meet, talk, and act to repair our democracy and make it live and work in our everyday lives.
Podcast: Collage: Defining & realizing the role of faith in the public square
In this episode of Collage, Rev. Dr. Johnson speaks with Justin Giboney about the intersection of faith and politics. Justin Giboney is an attorney, political strategist and ordained minister in Atlanta, GA. He is also the Co-Founder and President of the AND Campaign, which is a coalition of urban Christians who are determined to address the sociopolitical arena with the compassion and conviction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mr. Giboney has managed successful campaigns for elected officials in the state and referendums relating to the city’s transportation and water infrastructure.
In 2012 and 2016, Georgia’s 5th congressional district elected him as a delegate for the Democratic National Convention. A former Vanderbilt University football player and law student, Justin served on the Urban League of Greater Atlanta Board of Directors. He’s the co-author of Compassion (&) Conviction - The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement and has written op-eds for publications such as Christianity Today and The Hill.
An accident waiting to happen: The Presidency of John Tyler
When the USS Princeton set sail on February 28, 1844, it was supposed to be a celebration for both the ship and America’s commander in chief, President John Tyler. The 300 dignitaries in attendance were fascinated as much with this new state-of-the-art warship on the Potomac River as its cannon ironically called “the Peacemaker”. During the cruise the cannon exploded, killing members of Tyler’s cabinet and congress and torpedoing Tyler’s hopes of winning reelection.
This mishap was one of many that plagued Tyler’s administration. In fact, the circumstances surrounding his ascension to the presidency were considered an accident by some of his contemporaries.
The America I wish to see
With Brazil’s recent insurrection following the recent trend of civilian upheaval starting with the January 6th insurrection, we must ask ourselves how America will lead in 2023 as the future for democracy around the globe grows ever dimmer. Other instances bringing democracy’s fate around the world into question include England’s messy succession crisis, Russia’s Ukraine invasion, Chile's vote on a radical constitutional amendment, and Peru’s post election upheaval.
As the leading force of democracy in the world, America must question old assumptions and embrace new mechanisms, such as open primaries, by which its democracy operates.
Video: We the people’s forum - Social media and the First Amendment
At a time when citizens have been reprimanded by way of censorship, shadow banning, and canceling of accounts, government leaders and activist groups feel that censorship is necessary to prevent the spread of “false information,” possible harm, and “hate speech.” However, the Supreme court has consistently ruled and/or opined that speech perceived as offensive, false, or hateful is nevertheless protected by the First Amendment. Social media companies have restricted citizens by standards of popular opinion, yet contrary to the rulings of the United States Supreme Court.
Join the four speakers: Jeffrey Lockwood, Angel Edwardo, Dan Pipes, and Aaron Kindvatter as they navigate to question, "Should social media platforms honor the 1st amendment or continue reprimanding free speech through censorship?"
