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by wyldfire 10 days ago
It's not like the article is indirectly related to the subject of the conference. It is critical of the government, but not in the "human rights abuses of this administration threaten us all" way (though even that seems reasonable to discuss).

Is it your position that if an article is critical of a world government it must not be discussed at a scientific conference? Or even "you should expect to get ejected from a conference if you criticize the host government"? Because believe it or not, that's not been a problem in the USA prior to Trump. And it runs contrary to how science should work.
1 comments
ciupicri 10 days ago
If Adria Richards and PyCon can make a such fuss about a joke [1], then other conferences can do the same about current political events. I personally wouldn't mind or better said I wouldn't be offended because the topic might be boring for me.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donglegate

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wyldfire 10 days ago
This is a false equivalence. "What constitutes appropriate humor" versus "Government silences dissent." Just because the Diabetes conference cited their code of conduct doesn't mean that's actually what this is about.

This is what people seem to get mixed up about the First Amendment to the US Constitution. These scientists were removed from the conference because they were highlighting the scientific role to push back against government censorship. Not because it wasn't germane to the conference, but in furtherance of the censorship itself. The US Government participated here indirectly via its chilling on scientific discourse.

Comments in this thread suggesting that "this is just some private actors" are mistaken. This is absolutely the consequence of the Trump HHS policymakers decisions.

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ciupicri 10 days ago
I was under the impression that the First Amendment means that the government can't arrest you for what you say, not that it lets you talk about whatever you like at a conference organized or supported by it. Nevertheless I understand the urge of those guys to have their voices/ideas heard.

For what it's worth, ADA has released this press statement [1]:

> As a 501(c)(3) organization, the ADA has safeguards in place to ensure that it complies with all IRS regulations. This includes maintaining a strictly nonpartisan environment at all organizational events and functions while engaging across party affiliations to advance our mission. We have always, and will continue to welcome scientific inquiry, respectful dialogue, and diverse perspectives in the pursuit of better outcomes for people living with diabetes and obesity.

[1]: https://diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/american-diabet...

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JumpCrisscross 10 days ago
> If Adria Richards and PyCon can make a such fuss about a joke

Your takeaway from Donglegate was that Richards was in the right?

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ciupicri 10 days ago
For what it's worth, I laughed at that joke.
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