Source: www.schneier.com – Author: Bruce Schneier
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Originally I had planned posting a few links to well formed points of view on the governance problems in the US, and some examples of increasingly bad governance in the UK. Then everything went completely nutty.
I daresay everyone has heard of or will be hearing of speakers are CPAC pledging to tear down democracy. Then politicians in the UK went la-la with Braverman’s claiming “Islamists” are in charge of Britian now in the Telegraph. She was joined by multiple Tory MP’s in parliament fanning the flames and some MP’s making targetting racist comments about another MP. Former Tory chairman Lee Anderson MP on GB News incited racist attacks against Sadiq Khan the mayor of London and riots. As if Lizz Truss couldn’t disgrace and embarrass herself any more she is merrily receiving Heritage Foundation money to speak at CPAC alongside Bannon of all people where she claims transgender people have taken over among many other far right tropes.
On top of the Tory government banning protests and beginning to talk up criminalising protest with as yet undefined “certain views” (presumably those which disagree with the government), they have also ordered arts funding to be cut for any political art (what art isn’t political), on top of a few years ago threatening awkward charities with opinions counter to government policy with their funding being axed.
Today I read of a well regarded judge resigning because she felt she was being targeted and her being in the job was becoming “political”. The Tory supporting right wing media are having a field day.
It’s days like this I feel so deeply ashamed of our legal system. When a brilliant judge has to quit simply because she’s trans, our judiciary seems anything but meritocratic, diverse and inclusive.
— Dr Charlotte Proudman, barrister, academic, and women’s rights campaigner.
I think it desperately sad that the UK’s only trans Judge has decided to quit because she has become a target. Victoria McCloud transitioned 3 decades ago & has been one of the finest & fairest judges we have.
— Nazir Afzal, former North West Chief Crown Prosecutor.
But now the piece I’ve been waiting a few days to post, and another separate last comment of remembrance. I am not as some know a big fan of authoritarian politicians and their culture war nor their role in the deaths of transgender children. It is with sadness I must report the untimely death of a US trans child Nex Benedict. After reading an initial report by an investigative blogger I didn’t expect the next day to find the story picked up by the Independent nor attract such attention and demands for action by senior US politicians. There are good people in the world.
Nex Benedict (they/them) was a 16-year-old nonbinary youth living in Oklahoma. They endured a reportedly vicious beating in a high school bathroom of Owasso High School, Nex died the next day in the hospital. They were a sophomore. This was February 7 and 8th. Last week, Nex was in high school. This week, they were buried.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nex-benedict-dead-oklahoma-b2499332.html
Oklahoma banned trans students from bathrooms. Now a bullied student is dead after a fight.
Nex Benedict died one day after a fight in a school bathroom. Their mother Sue Benedict tells Bevan Hurley that the gender fluid teenager endured more than a year of abuse simply for being who they were.
Some words by Nex Benedict’s mother Sue Benedict:
Nex Benedict should be here today. My heart breaks for their family, their friends, their community, and all the years they never got to experience. Every legislator, pundit, and promoter of anti-trans hate should feel this loss on their conscience.
Our hearts are heavy mourning the loss of Nex Benedict who was laid to rest one week ago. Nex was a 16-year-old nonbinary high school student of Choctaw ancestry in Oklahoma who enjoyed drawing, reading, and playing Minecraft.
Nex loved spending time in nature and with animals—most notably, Nex cared so deeply for their cat, Zeus. Nex should be alive today with their family and Zeus. Rest in power, Nex.
Cherokee Nation Chief and First Lady issued a statement:
“The death of Nex Benedict is a tragedy. As parent, the First Lady and I are heartbroken. As Chief, the health and welfare of all children within the Cherokee Nation Reservation is of concern.
Upon searching our database, we have no indication that Nex was a citizen of the Cherokee nation. However, Nex was a child living within our reservation and deserved love, support and to be kept safe.
As a partner of all law enforcement agencies across the reservation, I have asked the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service to offer its support to the Owasso Police Department in investigating Nex’s case.
The facts relating to Nex’s death are not yet fully clear. We should take care to support law enforcement and authorities as they investigate this matter.
However, the public statements expressed in response to Nex’s death move me to reaffirm a statement I made in january on the subject of celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion in public education. ‘All children… benefit from learning in environments in which we celebrate diversity and recognize the dignity of everyone’s experience.’
The more we learn about Nex’s life, the more we come to know a wonderful child whose experience and identity mattered and was worth celebrating. Above all, Nex deserved to live a full life. It was cut tragically short. May Nex rest in peace.”
Words were also offered by prominent politicians:
Nex Benedicts death from a brutal assault in their high school bathroom is outrageous and heartbreaking. The anti-trans fervor fueled by extreme Republicans across the country is having deadline consequences for our children. We must stand up against anti-trans hate.
— Nancy Pelosi.
The killing of Nex Benedict is gut-wrenching and underscores the danger who are dehumanizing kids with anti-trans hate in Oklahomo and across the country. Every student should feel safe at school and supported for who they are. Nex deserves justice.
— Elizabeth Warren.
My heart goes out to Nex Benedict’s family, friends, and their entire community. To the LGBTQI+ youth who are hurting and are afraid right now: President Joe Biden and I see you, we stand with you, and you are not alone.
— Vice President Kamala Harris.
A local television company covers the story and provides details for a vigil to be held this weekend in memory of Nex Benedict.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghca8d49-IE
What we know about the death of 16-year-old Owasso student
And lastly in the UK Dr Caroline Litman (a former NHS psychiatrist) is remembering the death of her trans daughter Alice who died on this day a year ago.
Today Alice should be turning 22 and celebrating with friends. Instead we take flowers to the crematorium. Abandoned by the NHS, laughed at by politicians, vilified by the media. We adored her [heart]
Everyone who publicly vilifies trans people, as if they are all monsters, shares responsibility for the misery they propagate and the harm THEY cause. Alice was an absolute sweetheart.
Sidebar photo of Bruce Schneier by Joe MacInnis.
Original Post URL: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2024/02/friday-squid-blogging-illex-squid-and-climate-change.html
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