Ignorance is like a pathogen & Micah Beckwith its super-spreader. [FN1] Beckwith’s visit to Westfield HS last week was canceled by school officials. Beckwith went on an Indy radio show to vent & a show co-host gave the superintendent’s phone number on the air. [FN2] 1/12

1) Reason for Beckwith’s visit is unclear. An ag teacher invited Beckwith to that teacher’s class, that IN’s Lt Gov is IN’s Sec’y of Ag, so the visit will be part of Beckwith’s job. [FN3] Beckwith was not going to speak to the class. [FN4] Lt Gov doesn’t oversee ed’n. 2/12

2) Beckwith pushes ideology. Before last June’s IN GOP convention, Beckwith said: “I have a platform & a pulpit” & if a school official says the Lt Gov is not allowed to come into a school & “‘teach on American exceptionalism’” Beckwith will post to Twitter. [FN5] 3/12

A) As noted, IN’s LT Gov, as noted, has no gen’l oversight of education.
B) Beckwith’s threat to publish to “Twitter” if s/he doesn’t get her/his way is a harbinger of days to come w/Beckwith as #2 to Braun. [FN6]
C) Beckwith does not what one does to “teach on American exceptionalism”; that’s the 4/122

“idea that the U.S. is a unique, and uniquely superior, nation. With its origin as a democracy in a world of kingdoms and its emphasis on freedom and opportunity ... the American system is out of the ordinary.” [FN7] I’m reasonably certain this would not be an open discussion. 5/12

Beckwith “don’t know much about history.” This country was unique in its founding. We do not see a deity in The Constitution. Also, while the Framers extolled the virtues of liberty, nearly half of the 73 (or 74) delegates claimed ownership over other people. 6/12

Women could not vote. We carried out genocide on indigenous peoples. This country has fought specific evils. By 1954, we began to gain sight of greatness. Civil rights became protected. We even stopped the military-industrial complex in its offensive in Southeast Asia. 7/12

These are attainments the far right could not tolerate. I guess if you can’t slaughter, for profit, whomever you want, you’re a weak country. Beckwith would teach falsehoods. That’s not a reason for parents to be scared for their children’s safety should Beckwith visit. 8/12

Beckwith’s anti-vax & thousands of excuses for people to get around vaccinations. Those parents have every goddamn reason to fear for their kids. A Lt Gov Beckwith is a super-spreader of ignorance & as well as pathogens. Follow Cassie Jackson on Facebook! 9/12

Footnotes:
FN1. Hamilton County preacher, IN Lt Gov-elect.
FN2. “Kendall & Casey,” WIBC, 11/21/24, 08:40 and 11:10 into hour 2.
FN3. I.C. 4-4-2.3-1. “The lieutenant governor serves as secretary of agriculture and rural development by virtue of office.” 10/12

Footnotes:
FN4. See note 2 at 09:20.
FN5. Twitter now is “X.” 11/12

Footnotes:
FN6. LBJ said the job of Vice President wasn’t worth a warm bucket of piss, so I’m not sure how to rate IN’s Lt Gov.
FN7. Twenge, Jean M., “The Death of American Exceptionalism,” The Atlantic, 10/25/24, accessed 11/24/24. 12/12